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Gurmehar Kaur's campaign, which she launched after the last week's violence at Delhi University's Ramjas College involving ABVP supporters, has not only triggered a huge 'national, anti-national' debate but it has also given way to a political slugfest.

By India Today Web Desk: Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, whose social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), went viral today filed a complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) saying she is being threatened with rape.

Kaur's campaign, which she launched after the last week's violence at Delhi University's Ramjas College involving ABVP supporters, has not only triggered a huge 'national, anti-national' debate but also has given way to a political slugfest. Meanwhile, Kaur has been provided 24x7 security by Delhi commission of Women home guards.

Gurmehar Kaur's letter to DCW chief Swati Maliwal.

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Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has written to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, seeking registration of a case against persons threatening Kaur and their arrest. Kaur met Maliwal earlier in the day and complained against online threats she was receiving ever since she stood up to RSS student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). "Just because you are a student organisation, which is in power, does not mean you can threaten me. I am getting hundreds of threats. If I start lodging complaints against each of them, then even the police will ask me to stop," Kaur told media outside the DCW office. Adding to the row, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stopped short of suggesting that Kaur was being misled by some people or an organisation. "Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu accused the Opposition of playing politics. "Dissent is agreeable but disintegration is not acceptable. Can't advocate separatism," he said. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also jumped into the controversy tweeting in support of Gurmehar Kaur. "Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a Gurmehar Kaur," he said. Reacting to Rijiju's statement, Congress leader Manish Tewari said, "The gentleman shouldn't be in parliament. It's unfortunate, this emanates from the top." Another Congress veteran former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh demanded a ban on ABVP. Making the matter worse, BJP MP Pratap Simha posted a tweet comparing Kaur with Dawood Ibrahim. "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand," Simha, who represents Mysore in the Lok Sabha, said. What actually spiralled the war on social media was former cricketer Virendra Sehwag's tweet targeting Gurmehar Kaur. "I didn't score two triple centuries, my bat did," Sehwag tweeted in an obvious dig at Kaur's post which said," Pakistan did not kill my dad. War killed him." Actor Randeep Hooda, who has in the past expressed his opinion about various socio-political issues, found Sehwag's sly tweet amusing. He quoted the tweet and lauded Sehwag for his wit.

WATCH: Colleges are not for politics but for developing minds: Gurmehar Kaur

ALSO READ:

BJP MP compares Gurmehar Kaur to Dawood Ibrahim, Union minister Rijiju asks who's polluting her mind

Virender Sehwag, Randeep Hooda accused of bullying Kargil martyr's daughter who spoke against ABVP

Ramjas College violence: It hurts to be called anti-national, says DU professor attacked by mob

--- ENDS ---
February 27 2017

Workplace fit out specialists Haa Design have merged with property and office design specialists Space Solutions to scale up their ambitions in the commercial, public, further education and professional services sectors.This will see Haas ten strong Glasgow team relocate to Space Solutions Glasgow office by the end of next month while retaining the haa brand, founded in 1994 by Hugh Anderson.Steve Judge, managing director at Space Solutions, said: We believe the quality of the team and the experience haa brings to Space Solutions will be quite transformative in terms of the proposition we are able to offer clients and the merger is consistent with our strategy to add strength to our service and product lines across the group.Anderson added: We describe ourselves as commercial architects in the sense that we understand business, taking a research-driven approach to how buildings and people combine to the greatest effect. What we often explain as from the inside out is all about creating the most productive environment for workforces in the 21st century and with this philosophy we realised we were very much on the same page as Space Solutions when we were approached and started talking about how we could join forces to deliver an even better service to customers.Space Solutions currently employs 230 people spread across offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Livingston and Dundee.
February 27 2017

Holmes Miller have drafted plans for the final phase of regeneration in Oatlands for consideration by Glasgow City Council, concluding a 12-years and counting masterplan for the south side district to deliver 1,500 homes The latest application calls for 320 homes to be built fronting a refurbished Richmond Park, which will be given a new model boat clubhouse as part of the work. This will extend the estate through to Shawfield Junction and form a new gateway.Situated to the east of the current community the concluding element would take the form of seven landscaped apartment blocks overlooking parkland with private balconies.Regeneration of the 32-hectare site in Oatlands began in April 2005 with Holmes Miller delivering a prior phase of works which saw 378 homes delivered on behalf of Bett Homes
HELSINKIFinland is urging Europe to increase NATO contributions and focus more on security as the continent grapples with political turmoil from all sides, including from within.

Once the U.K. has quit the European Union, the 27 countries left behind need to double down on the blocs founding principle and give the remaining 444 million citizens what they most crave: security, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said at his seaside residence in Helsinki on Friday. The 68-year-old is head of state of the nation that shares the EUs longest border with Russia, a country with which Finland has regular contact for security and practical reasons.

The discussion dealing with security is one of those elements where we have the possibility to ensure European citizens that Brussels can take care of your security and that would be a huge message these days, Niinisto said.

The comments come as a spate of elections threatens to deepen the EUs biggest existential crisis in its 60-year history. The bloc is also being challenged in the east by Russia and in the west by a new U.S. administration that has predicted its disintegration, just over four years after it won the Nobel Peace Prize.

As it struggles to regain the legitimacy it lost in the eyes of many of its citizens after the debt crisis, the EU now faces a populist swell that threatens to undo many of the blocs founding principles.

Niinisto said a shift away from the centre in French politics in connection with elections starting in April wouldnt be a minor issue. He also stated his belief that National Front candidate Marine Le Pen wont win the presidency on May 7. She has said she wants to take the eurozones second-biggest economy out of the single currency bloc.

Niinisto warns that, after a generation of peace, theres a risk the EU has grown too complacent to the security risks it faces. Terrorist attacks in the heart of the EU  in Paris, Brussels and Berlin  underscore the need for safeguards.

In Europe we have been living in very peaceful decades and during that time very many countries have actually a bit forgotten the security details and policy, he said. Now its coming back.

He also says that decades of U.S. demands, reiterated by the new administration, that European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization foot their share of the security bill are understandable.

If theres an agreement, surely it should be fulfilled, he said.

Finland, which has stayed out of NATO largely because of its proximity to Russia, is building closer military ties with neighbouring Sweden, which is also militarily non-aligned.

Germany, Europes biggest economy, is working toward raising its military budget to reach NATOs target of 2 per cent of gross domestic product, Chancellor Angela Merkel said this month. If Germany and France alone were to meet that target by 2024, it could add more than $40 billion to their defence spending, almost two-thirds the amount Russia spends. But European countries have so far refused to consolidate their defense industries or procurement, meaning the euros they do spend dont have as much clout as each dollar spent by the U.S. or every ruble spent by Russia.

Im sure that individuals, families around Europe, feel a bit unsafe, Niinisto said. My thinking is that maybe the main task that the union has is to make sure for everybody that they can live in peace, that they can work in peace, that they can develop their society in peace.

Niinisto said he is in contact with Moscow, Berlin and Washington  though is put off by self-declared peace mediators not appointed to such roles. Finlands contacts with Russia are maybe a bit more frequent, thats because were close to Russia, he said. Its one of the main pillars of our security policy to keep up the dialogue.

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After finishing her favorite Cuban sandwich from Portos Bakery & Cafe in Downey, Monica Oviedo becomes giddy when she learns the Los Angeles institution is days away from opening in Orange County.

Ive already clocked how long its going to take me  15 minutes, said Oviedo, of La Habra, whos been trekking to Portos bakeries in Los Angeles for 16 years.

When the long-anticipated Buena Park cafe opens Wednesday with actor Andy Garcia at the ribbon cutting, expect epic lines. Over its 46-year history in Los Angeles, the Cuban bakery has earned a reputation for serving addictive  and dirt cheap  sweet and savory baked goods.

Portos expansion to Orange County, and next year to West Covina, comes as Cuba has seized a moment in the pop culture zeitgeist.

Former President Obama reestablished diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba in 2015. The death of Fidel Castro in 2016 helped accelerate the diplomatic thaw. Travel is again permitted to the once-forbidden island nation. And now Cuban Americans  and even boxes of Portos treats  are at the center of a Netflix reboot of One Day at a Time.

The TV familys obsession with the Cuban bakery hits close to home for hard-core fans like Oviedo. Shes tried every item behind the counter  98-cent potato balls, 80-cent cheese rolls, 99-cent croquettes. Her go-to cake? Mango mousse.

Ive never had a bad meal here, the 48-year-old said.

Keeping up with demand

The scene at the three Portos bakeries in Glendale, Burbank and Downey can be best described as controlled chaos.

In Downey, the cafes second largest after Buena Park, employees look like Secret Service agents  armed with ear buds and walkie talkies.

Their main duty: traffic control.

As diners enter the 17,000-square-foot cafe, lines snake in different directions. The crowds can be intimidating, but theyre reeled in by something sweet -- the intoxicating aromas of freshly baked goods.

Betty Porto, whose mom baked cakes while living in communist Cuba in the 1960s, said front-door greeters help guests figure out where to queue.

When people come in, the biggest complaint we get is they dont know what to do, Porto said.

For Kim Battle, the line tends to go quickly because the Lakewood resident said shes always preoccupied with the countless choices behind the counter. By the time she orders, she hardly notices the wait.

Sitting in the Portos patio on a recent Wednesday, she and her daughter Shawnta are sharing a half-dozen potato balls. The original menu item is stuffed with soft mashed potatoes and seasoned ground beef.

Its like a shepherds pie in a ball, Battle, 49, said.

Bringing Buena Park into the fold

Though fans say Portos is worth the wait, the family-run operation is constantly evolving to maximize efficiency.

Several years ago, the company opened a test kitchen in Commerce, where bakers tweak recipes and create new menu items. The commissary helps prevent gridlock at the three stores.

When Downey opened in 2010, the family designed it to minimize wait times. Buena Park will look similar only bigger  at nearly 25,000 square feet. The Beach Blvd. location near Knotts Berry Farm is a new frontier for the brand. In such a dense tourist zone, Porto expects the cafe to be one of the chains highest volume stores.

Like Downey, Buena Park will have four different order stations: an express lane for top selling pastries, a pre-order pick up counter, a coffee bar and a bakery line. The latter is often the longest line; its the only spot where you can buy any item off the vast menu  from guava strudels to tiramasu cakes and grilled sandwiches.

On peak Saturdays, up to 40 workers at the front of the house keep lines moving, tables clean and displays filled with eye-popping pastries. Behind the scenes are teams of bakers, cake designers, pastry chefs and grill cooks cranking out hundreds of scratch foods in a fast-paced environment.

Only the finest ingredients are used, Porto said. Her mother, from the very beginning, would not skimp on quality. Frosting is made with the Belgian chocolate and tarts are topped with pristine ripened fruits.

We will never compromise, Porto said.

With top-notch ingredients and high labor costs, how does Portos keep its prices so low?

Volume. The three cafes serve 4.5 million customers a year. They sell 1.5 million cheese rolls and 600,000 potato balls a month. The company uses its buying power to keep prices low. Porto, who studied law in college, said she and her siblings are tough negotiators.

But not because they seek personal profits.

Our business comes from large families. They are not rich. We want to respect their pockets, Porto said.

Controlling their destiny

Word of mouth recommendations have made Portos a household name in the greater Los Angeles area; many customers have been coming for decades.

But in recent years, the family has been caught off guard by a new legion of fans: millennials.

Right now, thanks to BuzzFeed, one of the bakerys hottest sellers is the Milk N Berries cake  a twist on a classic Tres Leches but more indulgent, filled with fresh berries and iced with whipped cream. In January, BuzzFeed called it a flavor explosion, which triggered a host of orders.

That sells more than anything, Porto said.

Last year, Yelp named Portos bakery the best restaurant in the country based on positive reviews. Consumer demand is why they are expanding to Buena Park and West Covina  to accommodate the masses traveling to their packed Los Angeles cafes.

We were looking for years in Orange County, Porto said.

As theyve grown, Porto said theyve vowed to own their property. That allows them to control rent and parking.

In Downey, they bought the property, building the store and two-story parking structure behind the Firestone Boulevard cafe. In Burbank, parking was such a huge problem, the family bought another building nearby just so they could add 27 more spaces for guests.

In Buena Park, the family snapped up an empty 3-acre Beach Boulevard parcel made available when state redevelopment funds dried up a few years ago. The deal allowed them to build a modern restaurant and cafe from the ground up.

We want to control our destiny, Porto said.

Baking to survive

Taking charge is at the heart of the Porto family legacy.

When Fidel Castro rose to power in Cuba, Raul Sr. lost his job at a cigar distribution warehouse. He was sent to a labor camp. His wife Rosa, an office manager at the cigar company, also lost her job.

She was left to fend for herself and three children: Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita.

Rosa, a college graduate, was raised by a strong independent mother who came to Cuba from Spain. Self sufficiency runs through her veins. In 1960, the savvy business woman launched an underground baking operation in her house just to survive.

Using her moms tried-and-true recipes and a Sunbeam mixer, she made yellow sponge cakes, soaked in simple syrup and rum and filled with custard. She also made meat pies (pastel de carne).

Her clients would bring her ingredients (eggs, flour, sugar) to make the cakes and pay her with government rations: pigs, chickens, rice and beans.

It was a black market barter-and-trade operation; when police came to raid houses, the tight-knit neighborhood protected Rosa, hiding cakes and baking appliances so she wouldnt get caught. The Portos lived this way for a decade before they were all approved to relocate to the United States.

She took a risk because it was either that or starve, Betty Porto said.

Living the American Dream

In 1971 when the family emigrated to Los Angeles, Rosas reputation preceded her. Before landing, a Cuban immigrant she met on the plane placed an order.

More came knocking.

The moment they found out she was here, they started calling, Betty Porto, 59, said.

For five years, she ran the business out of the familys small apartment near Echo Park. She baked day and night. Betty said she and her siblings would go to bed late because their beds doubled as makeshift cooling racks.

She put sheets on the bed and kept flipping cakes, Porto said.

In 1976, Rosa secured a $5,000 loan to open a 300-square-foot shop in Los Angeles at Silver Lake and Sunset Boulevard. In 1982, she relocated to Glendale. At that time, Betty had graduated from college. She and her brother, an economics major, immersed themselves in the business.

Other stores followed in Burbank and Downey.

As they grew, so did the bakery case.

Wedding and quinceanera cakes, guava pastries, chicken empanadas, potato balls, meat pies and ham croquettes are long-time staples on the menu. But over the years, Portos added the famed cheese rolls, sandwiches, croissants, coffee and elegant European-style cakes and pastries, including their signature Refugiado with guava and cheese.

With her three children running the business, Rosa Porto has since retired. Last year, Rosa and the bakery were honored with a lifetime achievement award by the California Restaurant Association.

At the time, she was asked about the long hours she endured, and the risks she took to keep food on the table. Betty Porto said shell never forget her moms response.

I finished one cake and I wanted to start another, Rosa said. I did it because I loved it.

Portos Timeline

 1960: After Castro takes over in Cuba, Rosa and Raul Porto lose their jobs at a cigar distribution company. Raul Sr. is sent to a labor camp, forcing Rosa to launch an underground cake business to feed their three children: Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita.

 1971: The Porto family arrives in Los Angeles. Cuban immigrants know of Rosas reputation for baking cakes; they are her first customers. She runs a cake-making business out of her home for the next five years, specializing in wedding and quinceanera cakes. When customers ask for appetizers for parties, she develops a menu of guava pastries, chicken empanadas, potato balls and meat pies.

 1976: Rosa opens the first shop at Sunset and Silver Lake in Los Angeles with a $5,000 loan.

 1982: The family relocates from Los Angeles to Glendale. Their reputation begins to grow and so does the menu. Rosas children begin to work full time in the business.

 2006: Burbank opens.

 2010: Downey opens with a two-story garage dedicated for customers. The Firestone Boulevard location, a contemporary venue with four types of ordering counters, serves as a model for Buena Park.

 March 1, 2017: The Buena Park cafe, at 7640 Beach Blvd., is slated to open at 10 a.m. Actor and family friend Andy Garcia will appear at the ribbon cutting. With Buena Park located in a tourist zone, the Porto family expects it to be one of its highest volume stores. Buena Park will employ 200, bringing the companys total workforce to 1,000.

 2018: A fifth Portos is expected to open in West Covina.

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ANKARA, TURKEYTurkeys deputy prime minister says his country has serious intelligence suggesting that a U.S.-based cleric wanted by Turkey may be planning to escape to Canada.

Numan Kurtulmus told reporters Monday that intelligence gathered by Turkey indicated that followers of Fethullah Gulen had purchased land and farms in Canada.

He said the Turkish government has shared this information with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Turkey accuses Gulen of orchestrating a failed coup attempt in July and wants him extradited so that he may be put on trial.

Turkey also requested that the cleric be taken into custody while the U.S. authorities review his case, to prevent him from leaving for another country.

Kurtulmus said Turkey hopes that the United States considers the issue seriously.

Gulen denies orchestrating the coup.

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A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting in Kansas told a 911 dispatcher that the man admitted shooting two Iranians and needed a place to stay for a couple of days.

A recording from Henry County, Missouri, 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out" and "something bad's going to happen."

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

Bar Shooting vigil Allison Long / AP

Alok Madasani, left, and his wife Reepthi Gangula hold candles during a vigil Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kan., held in response to the deadly shooting Wednesday.

Alok Madasani, left, and his wife Reepthi Gangula hold candles during a vigil Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kan., held in response to the deadly shooting Wednesday.

(Allison Long / AP)

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he'd done something "really bad" and was on the run from the police.

"He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me," the bartender said. "Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe...."

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they were investigating it as a possible hate crime. But the incident has raised concern 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 University of Kansas Health System released a video Sunday of an interview with Grillot, of Grandview, Missouri, who is recovering after a bullet went through his right hand and into his chest.

Neighbor: Kansas bar shooting suspect a 'drunken mess,' not political Jim Suhr and John Hanna

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 said Saturday.

Andy Berthelsen said his neighbor Adam Purinton,...

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 said Saturday.

Andy Berthelsen said his neighbor Adam Purinton,...

(Jim Suhr and John Hanna)

Grillot said he had to do something because there were families and children in the bar when the gunfire erupted. Grillot, said he is grateful that the attack is bringing the community together and that it is "awesome honestly to be able to give people a hope that not everybody hates everybody."

Madasani addressed a crowd of hundreds during a vigil Sunday night at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas.

He described the killing of Kuchibhotla, his friend and co-worker, as "a senseless crime," the Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/2mkJVIS ).

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani said. "He would have been here for me."

"I wish it was a dream," Madasani said.

Still walking on crutches, Madasani drew applause when he called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States."

Distraught Indian father warns parents against sending children to U.S. after shooting Annie Gowen and Rama Lakshmi

Family members of the Indian men shot at an Olathe, Kan., bar Wednesday in a possible hate crime said that they feared that the current atmosphere of fear and xenophobia in the United States means that the country is not a safe place for Indians, with one Indian father exhorting parents not to...

Family members of the Indian men shot at an Olathe, Kan., bar Wednesday in a possible hate crime said that they feared that the current atmosphere of fear and xenophobia in the United States means that the country is not a safe place for Indians, with one Indian father exhorting parents not to...

(Annie Gowen and Rama Lakshmi)

At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work for six months.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was  is," Madasani said.

Associated Press

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
By Press Trust of India: From Prasoon Srivastava

Barcelona, Feb 26 (PTI) Chinese telecom company Huawei has unveiled the worlds first smartphone with 4.5G technology, promising double download speed and 60 per cent reduction in call drops even on weak signals.

"Huawei P10 is worlds first 4.5G LTE smartphone. It gives two times fast download speed. It comes with 4x4 mimo technology with quad antenna which can help reduce call drops by up to 60 per cent even in weak signal," Huawei Consumer Group Business CEO Richard Yu said while launching Huawei P10 and Huawei P10 Plus smartphones here.

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A company official said that while the phones will start rolling out in some markets from next month, it will be launched in India within the next quarters.

The Huawei P10 has been priced at 649 euro.

The different models of P10 are priced in the range of 699-799 euros.

The company also unveiled the second version of its smartwatch range priced in the range 329 to 399 euros. The smart watch model with 4G technology has been priced at 379 euros.

The Huawei smartwatch model will be available in India from next month.

Both Huawei P10 and Huawei P10 Plus smartphones are upgraded versions of the previous Huawei P9 model which has dual Leica lense at the back.

In the Huawei P10 series, the company has added dual Leica lense on front side and brought in hyper diamond cut metallic body and Hyper diamond cut finishing which the company claims will be free from fingerprint marks with anti scratch and anti slip attributes.

The company has brought new phones in various colour including green and dazzling blue.

"We have developed colour for our phones in collaboration with Pantone Color Institute," Yu said.

He said that the phone is more rugged compared to the previous one with 80 per cent improvement in drop performance.

Both the phones have 5.5 inch display. Huawei P10 plus comes with 3750 Mah battery and 3200 Mah in Huawei P10 phone.

"In 30 minute charge, the phones will be ready for one day," Yu said.

The smartwatches come with built in GPS that can help in navigation, real time heart rate monitor, water and dust resistant features and built in 4GB memory that can store upto 200 songs. PTI PRS ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
Trumps initial one hundred days with ABCs RICK KLEIN and SHUSHANNAH WALSHE

Day No. 39

The big story: Of all the bubbling questions and prospective scandals of the early Trump administration, the one that now appears likely to hold is about Trump campaign contacts with Russians. There are enough inquiries surrounding these communications to merit a critical investigation, many in Washington believe. There are also questions about no matter if such an investigation can be performed independently inside the Justice Division thinking about White Home attempts to influence reporting on the matter. Now, with GOP Rep. Darrell Issas endorsement of appointing a unique prosecutor, theres enough political momentum to preserve these concerns swirling for a fantastic extended although. Issas opinion is major, considering that it opens the door for the question to be posed to any other Republican. This is the greatest time to show leadership, Issa told Politico. Of course, he has a political motivation to show that leadership. But he is not most likely to be alone in that realm.

The sleeper story: Price range outlines are specifically useless affairs, much more so than the actual presidential budgets that promptly get torn apart by Congress  which may well or may well not truly pass a budget into law. But the White House appears poised to supply an opening bid with stark priorities that incorporate a huge increase to defense spending, no main modifications to Social Safety or Medicare and deep cuts practically everywhere else, according to The New York Times. This is critically crucial stuff for this next phase of the Trump presidency, where congressional acquire-in will no longer be optional. Beginning with Tuesdays speech prior to Congress, the president demands to place legislative meat on his rhetorical bones. That is when senators and House members get to take into consideration if they want to be on board this train thats leaving the station.

The shiny story: Diversity made its Oscars comeback, and politics did, also  from host Jimmy Kimmel to Meryl Streep, proper by means of Viola Davis and a pointed boycott by an Iranian winner. Somehow, the president resisted the urge to tweet, even when the mother of all screw-ups gave him an opening for higher snark. Hollywood has made its collective views known. But it is not like Hollywood was subtle about those views throughout the election. Tinseltowns fancy awards season was not and never was going to be about representing the men and women who place their hopes and expectations into a vote for Trump  millions of whom go to movies without the need of being influenced by stars politics. For a night, America put a unique face forward to the planet. But that is not an productive gauge of movement or moderation in the country. Trump will surely discover a way to weigh in  in a feud that will be as meaningless as that in between Kimmel and Matt Damon.

TLDR: Now that Rep. Darrell Issa has backed the need to have for a specific prosecutor to investigate Russian meddling into the election and doable contacts among the Trump campaign and Russian officials, it opens the door for other Republicans to also get in touch with for an independent investigation. The question is, "Will they?"

Photo of the day: There was plenty of politics and no shortage of presidential jokes in the course of Hollywood's biggest night, but this photo is not about that, though it certainly is the photo of the day. Here's the moment when Warren Beatty shows the envelope with the actual right winner for best picture last night. Of course that winner was "Moonlight," not "La La Land" as initially announced. (Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Notables

--White Home spokesperson on get in touch with for unique prosecutor in Russia probe: A White House spokesperson pushed back on calls for a specific prosecutor to investigate Russia's alleged interference in the presidential election, suggesting such speak is premature, according to ABCs NICKI ROSSOLL. "I don't assume we're there yet," said Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House's deputy principal press secretary, stated on "This Week" Sunday. "Normally, you go by way of a congressional oversight assessment. We're carrying out that. Let's not go to the incredibly finish of the intense. Let's let this play out the way it should. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-spokesperson-contact-special-prosecutor-russia-probe/story?id=45736118

--GOP congressman says particular prosecutor required to investigate Russia election meddling: California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa mentioned a special prosecutor is required to investigate Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Bill Maher asked Issa throughout an interview on his show "True Time" about reports that members of President Trump's campaign had speak to with Russian officials. Maher presented the GOP representative with a hypothetical situation -- if Russians had hacked the campaign of Mitt Romney in 2012 and if there had also been contacts between the Obama administration and the Russians. "You are going to let that slide?" Maher asked Issa. "No," Issa mentioned. When Maher then pushed Issa on the will need for an independent investigation, Issa agreed that a particular prosecutor is important, notes ABCs JORDYN PHELPS. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-congressman-unique-prosecutor-required-investigate-russia-election/story?id=45733670

--Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez elected DNC chair: Former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez was elected Saturday the new chair of the Democratic National Committee, grabbing the reins of the the party and emerging as a key figure in channeling Democrats' opposition to President Donald Trump's agenda, ABCs RYAN STRUYK and MARYALICE PARKS report. More than 400 party insiders gathered in Atlanta to cast their ballots after four months of debate. Perez, who fell 1 ballot shy of victory in the first round of voting, promptly appointed Ellison deputy chair of the DNC after it was announced that he had clinched it on the second round of voting. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/top-democrats-poised-choose-party-chair/story?id=45728911 What you want to know about new DNC chair Tom Perez. Here's every thing you need to know: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dnc-chair-tom-perez/story?id=45734565

--Progressives fear Democrats' option of Perez means the party hasn't learned its lesson: When the announcement came that party officials had elected Tom Perez chair of the DNC more than Keith Ellison, chants and protests broke out in the back of the space. "Celebration of the people today, not major revenue! Celebration of the persons, not massive money!" a compact, but loud group yelled, standing with their fists in the air. For the duration of an interview with ABC News, Perez said he and Ellison had "identical values." "We have been pals for a long time. We are united ... We want to make positive every person has a fair shake," he said on "This Week." But is that adequate? And how many persons at household do those still-reeling, angry and chanting protesters represent? ABCs MARYALICE PARKS has a lot more. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/progressives-fear-democrats-decision-perez-signifies-celebration-learned/story?id=45749165

Speed Study

President Trump, initial lady host ball at White House. Even though Hollywood rolled out the red carpet for the Oscars last evening, the president and 1st lady hosted a night of glamour of their own. But instead of movie stars, the guests at the White Residence have been the nation's governors. It's an annual tradition for the president to invite the nation's governors to the White Residence for a dinner, notes ABCs JORDYN PHELPS. Final nights Governor's Ball was a very first for President Trump and 1st lady Melania Trump in acting as host and hostess of the White House for a gala-style event. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trump-lady-host-governors-dinner-white-house/story?id=45753442

GOP congressman says no space for compromise in repealing Obamacare. The founder of the conservative Home Freedom Caucus stated the Republican Party cannot compromise on its promise to fully repeal and replace the Reasonably priced Care Act identified as Obamacare, ABCs NICKI ROSSOLL writes. "We didn't inform the American individuals we're going to repeal it -- except we're going to retain the Medicaid expansion," Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said on "This Week" Sunday. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-congressman-room-compromise-repealing-obamacare/story?id=45736187

Democrats' new chair on electoral blunders. The new chair of the Democratic National Committee acknowledged the celebration made errors in its past election tactic and has perform ahead to win far more seats at all levels of government. We didn't invest adequate in our state party infrastructure, newly-elected DNC Chair Tom Perez told ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos on This Week Sunday. We didn't invest sufficient in grassroots organizing. We ignored rural swaths of America. ABCs HAYLEY WALKER has much more. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democrats-chair-electoral-blunders-rural-swaths-america/story?id=45738510

Pelosi: President Trump 'has practically nothing to show' for 1st month in workplace except 'fear.' Home Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi stated that President Trump will have no optimistic achievements to point to when he offers his initial address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday evening, notes ABCs ALI DUKAKIS. "He has absolutely nothing to show for it but fear in each and every way," Pelosi mentioned Sunday on "This Week." "To persons who are sick -- fear, to persons who are immigrants -- fear, to people who are concerned about the greed on Wall Street -- taking us back to exactly where we had been." http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pelosi-president-trump-show-1st-month-workplace-worry/story?id=45735916

In case you missed it

Trump says he won't attend White Residence Correspondents Dinner. President Trump will not attend this year's White Property Correspondents' Dinner, he announced on Twitter Saturday. "Please want everyone nicely and have a terrific evening!" the commander-in-chief added, according to ABCs ERIN DOOLEY and JORDYN PHELPS. The WHCA responded that the group "takes note" that Trump won't attend the dinner, scheduled for April 29, and stated the dinner "has been and will continue to be a celebration of the Initially Amendment and the essential part played by an independent news media in a healthy republic." http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-attend-white-house-correspondents-dinner/story?id=45738228

Who's tweeting? ? @rickklein: far more surprising - Oscars screw-up, or Trump's Tweet silence despite it?

@jimrutenberg: For press and Trump, it's War of The Roses, @MaureenDowd weighs in on our crazy presidential media saga https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/opinion/sunday/trump-vs-press-crazy-stupid-appreciate.html?smid=tw-share

@anniekarni: Sean Spicer does telephone checks on employees to crack down on leaks: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/sean-spicer-targets-own-staff-in-leak-crackdown-235413

@abbydphillip: A lot more from @axios on the WH & Sean Spicer's efforts to push back on Russia reports by means of lawmakers and Intel officials https://www.axios.com/exclusive-spicer-arranged-sat-in-on-cia-gop-intelligence-push-back-2288082248.html

@jpaceDC: New target date for Trump's revamped refugee and immigration EO looks to be Wednesday, after the address to Congress

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By Leonid Bershidsky

Geert Wilders, the anti-Islam front-runner in the Dutch general election campaign, owes a large debt -- ideologically, strategically and tactically -- to U.S. Republican leaders, from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. But the ways in which he is different from them, and the ways in which the Netherlands is different from the U.S., make it unlikely that he'll win power in the March 15 elections.

In a country which doesn't have much of a political campaigning traditions, Wilders looks more like Trump than any other Dutch politician. "Wilders has the same tactics as Trump," says Erik van Bruggen, the head of BKB, an Amsterdam firm that organizes advocacy campaigns and runs a campaigning school for aspiring politicians. "This campaign is all about him. He campaigns via Twitter, he refuses to participate in debates or give critical interviews, he pushes his message directly to the voters, creating the impression that he tells it like it is, without trying to talk smooth or soft."

Wilders's audible Limburg accent -- funny to more educated Dutch -- is the stylistic equivalent of Trump's quirky colloquialisms. Like Trump, Wilders is impervious to accusations: A recent conviction for inciting racial hatred (by asking an audience if they wanted more or fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands) only boosted his public approval ratings. Comparisons between the Dutch nationalist and Trump are so frequent that Politico headlined a profile of Wilders "The Man Who Invented Trumpism."

But the American roots of the Wilders phenomenon go deeper. In a country that has embraced socialist policies, Wilders has always looked to U.S. conservatives for an alternative path to voters' hearts. Koen Vossen, a lecturer in political science at the Radboud University Nijmegen, traced this trajectory in a recent book, "The Power of Populism," a rare attempt at an objective dissection of Wilders' views and tactics.

Wilders got his start in politics in 1990, as a staffer for VVD, the mainstream liberal party that is now led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the very same party Wilders' PVV is beating in the polls now. In the 1990s, the VVD was led by Frits Bolkestein, who became Wilders' political mentor. Bolkestein was a proponent of Reagan's and Margaret Thatcher's free market economic policies, and so, for a while, was Wilders, who rose from a lowly staffer to a parliament member for the VVD.

In those early years of his career, Wilders, an expert in the convoluted Dutch social security system in which he once worked, mainly attacked entitlement abuses and advocated scrapping the minimum wage.

At the same time, he worked on a lengthy report on the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. In the late 1990s it wasn't a particularly popular theme, but Wilders was strongly pro-Israel -- another U.S.-style feature in a Europe that tended to blame both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict -- and he had plenty of help from conservative U.S. experts, including future defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld. When 9/11 happened, it was validation of his work.

"His in-depth knowledge of Muslim extremism made him a sought-after expert on the subject," Vossen wrote. "He built a reputation as a very loyal supporter of the American War on Terror and all accompanying measures, such as military interventions in Afghanistan and later Iraq."

Back then, he was still a VVD member. He decided to split off from the party in 2004, when it became clear it didn't share his anti-Islam slant and wasn't inclined to believe in a Muslim "axis of evil." Wilders's own life changed drastically that year: He was put under constant government protection after a Muslim extremist shot provocative filmmaker Theo van Gogh for his open mockery of Islam. Wilders turned out to be on the terrorist group's hit list too.

The Wilders Group, which later morphed into the PVV, initially included just two other members -- conservative theorist Bart Jan Spruyt and journalist Martin Bosma (who is now the PVV's chief ideologist). Bosma, an alumnus of the New School for Social Research in New York, was a student of U.S. campaigning and speech-writing. His heroes included Karl Rove, Pat Buchanan, Irving Kristol. Spruyt, too, was plugged into the U.S. conservative scene. In 2005, he took Wilders on an educational and fund-raising trip to the U.S. -- to visit institutions such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. Richard Perle and Grover Norquist were among the people Wilders met on that tour, and they inspired him to think about setting up a party dedicated to lowering taxes.

U.S. neoconservatism and the War on Terror were the major inspirations for the Wilders Group's first political platform. Later, however, he dropped the economic neoliberalism because it was unpopular in the Netherlands. His current economic program promises increased benefits to native-born Dutch, funded by the elimination of aid to immigrants. But Wilders appears reluctant to talk about his economic program in much detail. "It's outside his comfort zone," Vossen told me in an interview. "If this election were about the economy, Wilders wouldn't be doing so well. But, unfortunately for the governing coalition, it has done a decent job of the economy, so the election is about the atmosphere in the Dutch society."

That atmosphere is created by increasing tension between native-born Dutch and immigrants, but also, in large part, by external events -- terrorist attacks in France and Belgium, the prominence of the Islamic State, the Trump movement in the U.S. The way Wilders exploits these events comes straight from U.S. Republican playbooks -- those used by the Tea Party long before Trump.

"These are all U.S. campaign techniques," Vossen says. "The framing, the mudslinging, the repetition of the key message in very simple words, meant for the common man -- Henk and Ingrid, as Wilders calls them. Intellectuals laugh at that -- and they fall into the same trap that the Republicans learned to set for the U.S. elite."

It has all worked up to a point. Recently, however, the PVV's popularity has been slipping -- and it's expected to do worse in the election than in current polls, just like in 2012. If in the U.S. and the U.K., many were too shy to tell pollsters they preferred a populist agenda, in the Netherlands many say they'll vote for Wilders to push mainstream politicians in a more nativist direction. Most Dutch people -- including some of those who say they'll vote for him -- don't really want him to win.

"The Dutch have very definite notions about their prime minister," van Bruggen says. "They want solid, trusted leadership, they want experience." The Dutch could, perhaps, vote for an outsider -- they nearly handed power to Pim Fortuyn, the public intellectual who was assassinated in 2002 right before an election he could have won. Wilders, however, doesn't fit the bill. He is one of the country's longest-serving legislators, a political professional who has proved incapable of working in one of the Netherlands' almost inevitable governing coalitions.

In 2010, the minority government led by the VVD and the Christian Democrats made a deal with the PVV to ensure its support -- but Wilders failed to keep his end of the bargain. That's why today, no major party is willing to work with him. "He's not seen as reliable," Vossen says.

There's another reason why the PVV's poll ratings are not usually a reliable indicator of its actual performance. The party only has one official member -- Wilders himself: The leader wants to eliminate the possibility of internal squabbles that plague other Dutch parties. He achieves that goal, but at the price of having no grassroots infrastructure, no party machine on which to fall back on as Trump fell back on the Republican Party after winning the nomination. Vossen says no more than 70 people work three days a week or more for the PVV, and there are fewer volunteers than for any of the major parties.

Unlike Trump, Wilders draws no energy from big rallies. He has always been fonder of analytical and parliamentary work, but the heavy security surrounding him since the van Gogh assassination also makes it nearly impossible to go on the campaign trail. This year, Wilders barely managed to hold one campaign event, a walkabout in a Rotterdam suburb. On Thursday, he announced he was suspending his campaign because an intelligence officer assigned to his protection may have been passing information about his whereabouts to a Dutch-Moroccan criminal gang.

This ever-present danger -- he named his English-language autobiography "Marked for Death" -- adds to his romantic appeal, but not necessarily to his trustworthiness in the eyes of pragmatic Dutch voters. The Trump-style campaign Wilders has pursued may actually be working against him today: The media are full of reports of Trump-induced chaos in American government and policy. Wilders, who has loudly supported Trump, is getting associated with his messy first weeks.

Wilders' big moment may not come this year -- he's unlikely to govern even if the PVV comes first, and if it comes second, the establishment will breathe a huge sigh of relief -- but that doesn't mean it won't come at all. A major terrorist attack on Dutch soil or even another 9/11 elsewhere, or an attack on Wilders's own life may instantly change everything. But a dependence on external events is weak ground from which to attack one of the most entrenched political establishments in Europe.

(c) 2017, Bloomberg View

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While today it may be associated with revelers drinking, stripping and bead-gathering in New Orleans French Quarter, the celebration of Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years.

Now celebrated in a number of countries around the world, and also known as Carnival, Mardi Gras is believed to have its roots in ancient pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, such as the Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Some, however, dispute those origins and insist it started as a Christian celebration.

Regardless of when it started, the celebration was adopted by Christianity when it arrived in Rome as a prelude to the 40 days of penance and sacrifice during Lent. Mardi Gras always occurs the day before Ash Wednesday, which begins the Lent season leading up to Easter.

With the tradition of fasting and abstaining during Lent, people would bring much of the remaining contents of their fridge, particularly meat, eggs and dairy, along with alcohol, the day before for a big celebration.

It is not hard to see how it gained the name Carnival. It is also easy to see why, when the festival arrived in France, it became known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday.

A dance ensemble entertains guests at a masquerade in the Latin Quarter of New Orleans, circa 1948. Photo: Getty Images

It was through France that Mardi Gras arrived on American shores. The tradition is believed to have started in the United States courtesy of the French-Canadian explorers, the Le Moyne brothers, in 1699. The two were sent to defend Frances claim on the territory of Louisiana. While camping out about 60 miles from modern-day New Orleans, they realized it was Fat Tuesday back home and thus named the spot Point du Mardi Gras.

However, the first formal American Mardi Gras celebration is claimed to have occurred not in New Orleans, nor even Louisiana, but in Mobile, in what became the state of Alabama, having been started by Frenchman Nicholas Langlois in 1703. Even its name was different, with the celebration thought to have been initially known as Boeuf Gras, or "Fat Ox.

While New Orleans still claims it had Mardi Gras first, the first recorded Mardi Gras in the city wasnt until 1837. The parade floats didnt arrive until 20 years later.

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Supreme Court justices on Monday cast doubt on a North Carolina law that bans registered sex offenders from using Facebook and other online social media.

Through their questions and statements, justices repeatedly voiced skepticism about the 2008 law now being challenged by Durham, North Carolina, resident and convicted sex offender Lester G. Packingham Jr. A majority appeared ready to rule against the law.

Does it limit free speech? Justice Stephen Breyer asked rhetorically.

Dramatically, he said.

Justice Elena Kagan was even more pointed, as she hammered North Carolina Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert C. Montgomery with observations about the omnipresence of social media in modern society.

Everybody uses Twitter, Kagan noted. This has become a crucially important channel of political communication.

Under North Carolinas law, Kagan added, a registered sex offender cannot go on the presidents Twitter account to see what the president is saying today.

The North Carolina law forbids registered sex offenders from accessing commercial social networking websites that permit minors to become members. The law specifies what it means by social networking, to cover sites that allow communication among users and allow creation of profiles that can include photos or names, among other requirements.

There are about 20,000 registered sex offenders in North Carolina. More than 1,000 cases have been prosecuted under the same state law violated by Packingham.

These are some of the worst criminals, Montgomery said, adding that the law is enforceable and effective.

Thirteen states  including South Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania  have joined in a brief supporting North Carolina. Many states have adopted variations on the legislation, which often gets challenged in court.

In 2014, for instance, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a California law that required registered sex offenders to provide authorities with a list of any and all internet identifiers established or used by the person. The California Legislature revised the law last year to correct the First Amendment violations.

These people are being cut out from a very large part of the marketplace of ideas, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said of North Carolinas registered sex offenders.

When Montgomery likened the North Carolina law to a Supreme Court case in which justices upheld a ban on political speech outside polling places, Justice Anthony Kennedy brusquely dismissed the comparison, saying, That does not help you at all.

A 21-year-old college student at the time, Packingham was originally indicted in Cabarrus County on two counts of statutory rape of a 13-year-old. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of taking indecent liberties with a child. He was given a suspended sentence, placed on two years probation and required to register as a sex offender.

Packingham was off probation but still on the sex offender registry when he took to Facebook in April 2010 under an assumed name to celebrate the dismissal of a traffic ticket.

Man God is good! Packinghams post declared. No fine, no court costs, no nothing spent. . . . . praise be to GOD, WOW! Thanks JESUS.

One North Carolina appeals court reversed his subsequent conviction, but the North Carolina Supreme Court restored the conviction and upheld the state law.

EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE

This law only applies in the places where everything that happens is a First Amendment activity, Packinghams attorney David T. Goldberg told the justices.

An instructor in the Stanford Law Schools Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, Goldberg added that the North Carolina law goes way too far and forecloses some of the most important channels of communication in our society. Several justices tried, without apparent success, to see whether the law could be narrowed so as to avoid First Amendment problems.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito, a staunch law-and-order supporter, sounded most likely to support the states law.

If the court ties 4-4, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruling would be upheld and the law would survive, but no national precedent would be set.

In keeping with his standard practice, Justice Clarence Thomas did not speak or ask questions during the argument. A decision is expected by the end of June.

Michael Doyle: 202-383-6153, @MichaelDoyle10

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By Press Trust of India: From Seema Hakhu Kachru

Houston, Feb 27 (PTI) Hundreds of people in Kansas City joined a peace march and prayer vigil, celebrating the life of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla cut short in a senseless triple shooting incident at a pub in an apparent hate crime.

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted, "We want peace"; "We love peace"; "Let us not leave our children"; "Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall".

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Many of them carried candles and signs reading, "We dont support politics of hate."

The march for peace and the prayer meeting was attended by friends of Srinivas. Alok Madasani, another Indian who was wounded in the shooting on Wednesday, was on his crutches.

The sisters of the third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, injured that night when he intervened during the argument with the shooter US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, Lt Governor Jeff Colyer, US Congressman Kevin Yoder, Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke,and other state officials also joined the march and the prayer meeting.

The prayer was conducted by priests from various religions at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, Kansas City.

Addressing the gathering, Alok remembered his nine years of friendship with Srinivas. "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 would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care."

Other friends who spoke there had similar words for Srinivas. They described him as a positive, warm, kind, caring, brilliant, well-mannered and an absolutely outstanding human being.

Srinivas, 32, was killed and Alok, of the same age, was injured at a city bar by the navy veteran screaming racial slurs and telling them to "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before he opened fire on them. He reportedly mistook them for immigrants from the Middle East.

The incident has led to fear among the minority Indian- American community, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trumps controversial plan to ban travellers from certain countries to realise his campaign pledge of putting "America first."

At a news conference two days ago, Srinivass wife Sunayana Dumala asked the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against minorities. She said reports of bias against minorities make them afraid and wonder whether "do we belong here".

Although Sunayana did not mention Trump by name, she did say, "Not everyone will be harmful to this country." (MORE) PTI SHK ABH

--- ENDS ---
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R Shivanandan, a radiologist at a private hospital in Karimnagar, Telangana, had reached Hyderabad on Saturday. He was staying at his house in Janapriya apartment of Attapur in Cyberabad.

On Sunday morning, Shivanandan gave some money to his driver for breakfast.

In the afternoon, the driver called Shivanandan but he did not respond. He alerted his friends and told them that the doctor was neither answering his calls nor opening the door of his flat.

The driver along with his friends then broke open the door and found Shivanandan dead.

"Shivanandan's body was found in the bedroom with the saline and IV drip injected to him," said K Narayana Reddy, sub-inspector from Rajendranagar police station.
Commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1959 as HMS Hermes, INS Viraat served the British for 27 years. India acquired the aircraft carrier in 1987 and rechristened it as INS Viraat.

By Mustafa Shaikh: World's oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat is due to be decommissioned on March 6. The warship has had a glorious history of service in defence of the country.

As the ship is being decommissioned, the Indian Navy has said that the INS Viraat was value for money during its service.

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra addressed the media today from the flight deck of INS Viraat on decommissioning.

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Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra said, "INS Viraat was purchased in 1987 for USD 465 million. It has been value for money," adding "While acquiring India planned to use it for only 5 years but went on to use it for 30 years."

INS Viraat. (Photo: @ModernNavy)

Commissioned into the Royal Navy in November, 1959 as HMS Hermes, it served the British for 27 years. It was used by India as its only fleet carrier for 15 years.

However, the Ministry of Defence has not yet taken a call on what will be done with this warship after she is decommissioned.

(Photo: @ModernNavy) (Photo: @ModernNavy)

Luthra said deliberations are on with the state government of Andhra Pradesh, which wants to convert the ship into a floating hotel-cum-museum to promote it as a tourist attraction.

Vice-Admiral Luthra also said a study to find out reserve price of INS Viraat has been completed. "In case INS Viraat is not used as hotel or museum and sold in scrap, western naval command has calculated its reserve price."

INS Viraat. (Photo: @ModernNavy)

Responding to query as to why the INS Viraat is not being converted into a heritage ship or museum, Luthra said, "There is a shortage of space to keep a ship stationery and needs maintenance because of which warships are not being restored as museum."

INS Viraat. (Photo: @GreyFunnelLine)

After Viraat's decommissioning, Indian Navy will have only one aircraft carrier in the form of INS Vikramaditya.

"The net indigenous fleet carrier is in making at Kochi shipyard. India Navy has always focused on available resources. We will continue our operations with what is available," Luthra said.

--- ENDS ---
Seven System Vietnam JSC, the 7-Eleven franchisee in Vietnam, has posted recruitment information on its website, a clear indication that this convenience store giant will launch its first stores in Vietnam pretty soon.

Market watchers believe the participation of 7-Eleven will make the competition fiercer though early birds have not reaped their fruit yet.

Three or four years ago, many were skeptical about the success of convenience stores in Vietnam because a majority of consumers in the country would not kick their long-held habit of sitting on their motorbikes while buying sundry stuff along the road. In addition, there is a widespread web of traditional small family-run grocery stores.

However, convenience stores have been growing robustly in HCMC and Hanoi in recent years, with major foreign brands such as FamilyMart, MINISTOP, Bs Mart, Circle K, and Shop & Go gaining increasing popularity.

Although the market here is still in its infancy, industry insiders said they would boost investment to increase their presence and brand awareness in the nation's two major cities, HCMC and Hanoi.

For example, two Japanese-invested chains, Family Mart and MINISTOP, have opened more than 200 outlets in Vietnam and their network expansion is continuing. MINISTOP looks set to open 800 stores in Vietnam while Family Marts goal is to have 800-1,000 by 2020.

Although it is not yet present, 7-Eleven targets 100 stores here in three years, which will rise to 1,000 in the following 10 years.

In fact, the convenience store model has met the demand of certain groups of people for fast shopping. However, convenience stores are less competitive than supermarkets and traditional outlets as their prices are higher.

Convenience store chains should be extensive enough. Each must have 150-200 outlets to secure profitability, said experts. Akihiko Maeda, general director of MINISTOP Vietnam, said it usually took 5-6 years to recover the initial outlay for a convenience store. Each chain must have at least 300 outlets to guarantee stable profit, he calculated.

By the end of this year, it is expected that the number of MINISTOP stores will have reached 160. We will continue our investment and consider franchises to reduce costs and optimize store coverage, said Maeda. Currently, prohibitive rentals of downtown space are seen as a major challenge.

The search for enough space to meet the requirements of investment, management and operating costs requires businesses to be financially strong and have good management skills. These are currently the two major weaknesses of local firms.

With their experience in other markets, foreign retailers still believe convenience stores will grow in Vietnam, gradually replacing traditional local grocery stores.

Phidsanu Pongwatana, CEO of MM Mega Market Vietnam under TCC Group, said supermarkets would not grow as much as in the past due to changing consumer habits. He predicted convenience stores would prevail as more Vietnamese consumers want convenience.

Pham Ngoc Hung, vice chairman of the HCMC Union of Business Associations, said the convenience store market segment had posted rapid growth. However, only foreign firms with deep pockets and rich experience could afford to join the market.
According to Ha Ton Vinh, who has researched the casino industry, Vietnamese were prohibited at all three casino types in Vietnam. They could not play at five-star hotels, which allowed foreign travelers or those with foreign passports.



They could not go to small-scale casinos which have been operating for a long time. There are seven such casinos in Vietnam, located in Lao Cai, Mong Cai, Do Son, Bac Ninh, Ha Long and Da Nang.



And they were prohibited to play at IR (integrated resorts) with investment capital of at least $2 billion. The investors of the IRs are required to disburse at least $1 billion before getting license for casino business.

Many investors who gave up casino development projects some years ago are considering returning as the government has turned the green light on allowing Vietnamese to go to casinos.

Foreign investors put highest expectations on IRs as the biggest resource of income. With the Decree 03 released, which allows Vietnamese to gamble at domestic casinos, investors can expect revenue from two sources  foreign and Vietnamese travelers.



Vietnams tourism reported impressive growth of 16 percent in 2016, while domestic travelers still accounted for a higher proportion.



The business performance of Donaco is a good example which shows the lucrative Vietnamese market. Fifteen years ago, following a fact-finding visit by the members of the family owning Donaco to Lao Cai province, a hotel  Aristo  with 428 rooms and a casino with 50 tables and 58 machines were built.

Under the management of Genting Group from Malaysia, every table at Aristos casino could bring revenue of $6,000 a day.



Investors had to wait too long to get the nod from the Vietnamese government to their proposal to allow Vietnamese to go to casinos. Many of them, who lost patience and left Vietnam some years ago, are now considering to come back.



The US-based MGM Resorts, for example, which withdrew from Ho Tram project in Vung Tau City in 2013, has hired consultants to lobby for a license to admit Vietnamese gamblers.



Malaysian Genting Group, which left in 2010, is also coming back with a multi-billion dollar investment plan.



One investor took a flight to HCMC just one week after the Decree 03 was released, said he was willing to build a casino in Vietnam, so that Vietnamese can play in their homeland.



Vietnamese now have to go to Cambodia to play at casinos along the border. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), of 2.4 million foreign travelers to Cambodia in the first half of 2016, 20 percent were from Vietnam.
This information was announced by Hoi An municipal Peoples Committee recently at a press conference on the second Hoi An International Food Festival (HAIFF).

The festival will take place from March 22-26 with the participation of 12 international chefs from the World Association of Chefs.

The list of 12 cordon bleu chefs includes many influence ones such as chef Viktor Belyaev (Russia) who worked for a total of 30 years in the Kremlin, cooking for leaders and high-profile politicians from various countries, chef Gert Klotzke (Sweden), Committee member for the Nobel Prize Banquet and chef Dr. T Publis Silva (Sri Lanka), who entered the Guinness Book of records by cooking the largest and longest Kiribath and launched The Royal Meals of the Last King of Sri Lanka, the world's smallest cookbook.

At the opening ceremony of HAIFF on March 22, 2017, Thomas Andeas Gugler, festival founder and president of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) officially awards certificate of honors to Hoi An as one of Vietnam food capitals. This event marks a significant milestone for Hoi Ans cuisine and tourism promotion to the world.

In 2016, the first Hoi An International Food Festival (HAIFF) was held with the participation of 12 international chefs from World Association of Chefs. They specially prepared their countries food at Hoi An's best restaurants by recreating their signature dishes with Vietnamese ingredients.

Recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, Hoi An is seen as a capital of culinary arts and cuisine, featuring thousands of Vietnamese dishes.
World-class: The London Symphony Orchestra will open their concert in Ha Noi next Saturday with the Vietnamese national anthem. - Photo courtesy of the concert organiser

The first ever concert by a British orchestra in Viet Nam is being held as part of the annual Vietnam Airlines Classic. The event, held by the national carrier, aims to bring world-class cultural and artistic performances to local audiences, as well as promote cultural exchange between Viet Nam and other parts of the world.

On Saturday, the 95-member orchestra, under the baton of one of the worlds finest conductors, Elim Chan, will present a performance filled with musical virtuosity and enthusiasm. The concert will open with the Vietnamese national anthem, followed by works from Russian composers Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich and Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff, and British Benjamin Britten.

Conductor Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1986, and studied cello and piano as a child. In December 2014, Chan became the first female conductor to win the annual Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition, before going on to become the conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. In April 2016, the Swedish Opera Norrlands Operan announced Chan as its conductor for the next three years, starting in 2017.

Founded in 1904 by a collective of the most talented musicians in London, over the past 100 years the LSO has pursued its strong commitment to bringing top quality music to audiences all over the world.

Owned by its members, and comprising nearly 100 talented artists from many nations, the orchestra continues to showcase high levels of talent  as well as being a regular presence at the Barbican in London, with about 70 shows each year, the LSO also performs more than 70 international concerts annually.

LSO works with some of the most talented artists, including the worlds best conductors, such as Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director; conductors Gianandrea Noseda, Daniel Harding, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Andre Previn.

LSO is also known for LSO Discovery  a musical education and community programme which offers inspiring musical experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds who have not necessarily had much contact with classical music and musicians. About 60,000 people of varying ages, abilities and backgrounds participate in LSO Discovery every year.

LSO also connects with more people under their own record label, LSO Live, which was founded in 1999, bringing classical music to millions of homes around the world.

The LSO concert in Ha Noi, which will take place at Ly Thai To Square by Hoan Kiem Lake from 7.45pm to 9.30pm, will be brought to an even larger audience via three big screens placed at both ends of inh Tien Hoang Street and in ong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

While many music lovers are eager for the upcoming concert, some wonder if the sound quality suffer from the outdoor setting.

Honna Tetsuji, the Japanese Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra said: Of course, you should not compare the sound quality of an outdoor concert with one held in a hall. However, if the organisers can handle the technical matters, you can be sure about the concerts sound quality.

Myself, I have conducted or attended many outdoor concerts with big audiences, and I was satisfied with all of those performances.

Vietnamese composer and music producer Quoc Trung, who will act as general director of the concert on Saturday said his team have worked extremely hard to prepare for the event.

Were saving the best for the night. Alongside a standard 22m-by-15m stage with a temporary waterproof roof, we also will set up the worlds No 1 sound system, L-Acoustics, with more than 100 DPA high-end microphones for the performance.

As well as everything else, we also have to consider the humidity, to make sure that all the music instruments are in the best condition.

Trung and his team are quietly confident about their event organising experience. After all, he is the brains behind the Monsoon Music Festival  an international music event held annually in the capital city.
Stargazers prepare to see an annular solar eclipse at the Estancia El Muster, near Sarmiento, Chubut province, 1,600km south of Buenos Aires, Argentina. They applauded as they were plunged into darkness when the moon passed in front of the sun in a 'ring of fire' eclipse. (ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP)

Astronomers and enthusiasts in Argentina were among the first to see the so-called annular eclipse as it crossed South America shortly after 1200 GMT, on course for Africa.

Staring up through special telescopes, protective glasses or homemade cardboard pinhole devices, they watched the Sun all but disappear briefly as the Moon crossed its path.

The eclipse was most visible in a 100-kilometre band across Chile, Argentina, Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Around 300 stargazers gathered in a remote spot near the southern city of Sarmiento, the point in Argentina where the eclipse left just a bright ring in the dark sky.

Several onlookers blew notes on "erkes," long traditional South American horns.

"I have already seen six annular eclipses and each one was different," said Josep Masalles Roman, an enthusiast who came all the way from Barcelona in Spain.

The spectacle passed on to Angola south of the town of Benguela, then Zambia and DR Congo just before the Sun set.

In Angola's capital Luanda, few seemed aware of the unusual event in the skies above, but those with forewarning got a glimpse of the eclipse for around 15 minutes from 1630 GMT.

"It's the first time that I've witnessed this phenomenon - I'm completely happy," said stargazer Providencia Luzolo. "It's just I didn't manage to see it that well as it hurt my eyes."

RING OF FIRE

An 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.

Terry Moseley of the Irish Astronomical Association warned that viewers should not observe the eclipse with the naked eye.

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".

"As about 90 per cent 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," Moseley told AFP.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Locals in the province of Chubut around Sarmiento said they noted changes in the height of the tide and animals acting unusually.

Experts say that as the day darkens, birds and animals enter a night-time routine, thinking sunset is nigh.

At the height of the eclipse the Moon is right in the middle of the Sun, leaving a perfect ring of light around the edge.

It takes about two hours for the Moon to move across the face of the Sun, but the "ring of fire" peak lasted a mere minute.

Starting in the southeast Pacific Ocean at sunrise, the eclipse passed over southern Chile then Argentina before sweeping over the South Atlantic.

At sea, the eclipse peak was to last 44 seconds and "only be visible to any ships that happen to be in the right place at the right time," said Moseley.
SBVs plan

The SBV is finalising the draft plan on restructuring the system of credit institutions combined with solving bad debts during 2016-2020 under the governments directions, to submit to the Politburo. On the basis of approval and instructions from the Politburo and the government, the SBV will be armed with these solutions in 2017.

SBV Governor Le Minh Hung said that in the coming time not only weak commercial banks, but weak financial institutions, financial leasing companies, and peoples credit unions will also be forced mergers or acquisitions if necessary. The SBV has identified ailing financial institutions and their main weaknesses so that it can consult the appropriate solutions.

In particular, SBV has pointed out five weak commercial banks, including three zero VND banks Global Petro Commercial Joint Stock Bank (GP Bank), OceanBank, and Vietnam Construction Bank (CBank), and has outlined suitable solutions to be used right after getting approval from the Prime Minister.

The restructuring project of five weak banks, including the three zero VND banks mentioned above, as well as DongA Bank and Sacombank after acquiring SouthernBank, have been submitted and approved by the Politburo. SBV has made a detailed plan for restructuring these banks and will implement it in the coming time.

Beside small financial firms, financial leasing companies and peoples credit unions have also been noted. In Directive No 02/CT-NHNN on strengthening the safety of the banking system through the restructuring of credit organisations, bad debt management, and monitoring and maintaining bad debts at a safe level, the governor of the SBV has emphasised the facilitation of the merger of weak credit institutions. Eligible investors are encouraged to join these restructuring initiatives to diminish the number of weak firms and enhance their competitive capacity.

M&A is the way forward

In fact, without M&A, it would be difficult for small and weak banks to survive and compete in a financial market unrecovered from crisis. Notably, when the chartered capital of these ailing banks is around VND3 trillion ($131 million), amidst poor administration and declining profits, voluntary M&A is the best option.

Over the last three years, raising the chartered capital of some small banks was very hard, even when they issued preferred stocks. SaigonBank and DongABank are prime examples, with their difficulties in raising funds for numerous consecutive years.

Four years ago, Saigonbank planned to increase its chartered capital from VND3 to 4 trillion ($131.4 to 175 million), but its capital was unchanged in 2016.

Because existing shareholders are not willing to contribute more capital due to pessimism over growth potential, Saigonbank was proposed to merge into Vietcombank. Although the majority of shareholders in Saigonbank disagreed and vowed to restructure, the banks performance showed little results.

Low chartered capital affects a wide range of indexes, such as total assets and the ability to lend. When Basel II is going to be applied (it is currently being tested in 10 banks), many small banks will be unable to meet capital requirements.

However, raising capital is not easy for small banks at the moment when the stock market is past its peak. Existing domestic and foreign investors are no longer willing to buy stocks.

Director of VinaCapital Andy Ho believed that it is necessary to loosen policies for foreign investors in the banking sector, allowing them to own more than 30 per cent.
Vo Kim Cu

According to the Central Inspection Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Ha Tinh Party Personnel Committee in the period of 2004-2011 and 2011-2016 proved irresponsible, had lax management and administration, and neglected its tasks in inspecting and monitoring of the Formosa Ha Tinh project. These led to violations in the appraisal, approval, licensing, and the management of the project.

The main responsibilities for these violations belong to Vo Kim Cu and Ho Anh Tuan. Le Dinh Son, Dang Quoc Khanh, Duong Tat Thang, and Nguyen Nhat were also named for a smaller portion the blame.

The Central Inspection Committee said that the violations of the Party Personnel Committee of the Ha Tinh Peoples Committee , as well as Vo Kim Cu and Ho Anh Tuan, were especially grave, calling for disciplinary measures.

The Central Inspection Committee requested the Standing Committee of Ha Tinh province and Le Dinh Son, Dang Quoc Khanh, Duong Tat Thang, and Nguyen Nhat to hold a meeting of self-criticism and learn from these mistakes. At the same time, they will also have to assess and consider the relevant disciplinary measures for staff involved in the incident, according to the final conclusion of the Central Inspection Committee.

The Central Inspection Committee has also reviewed and concluded the examination of the signs of violation of MoNRE and related individuals.

In particular, the Party Personnel Committee of the MoNRE in the stage of 2008-2016 has been irresponsible in leadership, directions; had lax management and administration; lacked inspections and monitoring. These led to the violations in appraisal and approval of the changing assessment on environmental effects and the adjustment in waste discharge locations of Formosa Ha Tinh project.

The main responsibilities are associated with Nguyen Minh Quang, Bui Cach Tuyen, and Nguyen Thai Lai. They are held directly responsible for violations in their assigned areas, as well as the violations of MoNREs Party Personnel Committee.

Mai Thanh Dung, and Luong Duy Hanh were found negligent in their assigned tasks. They will all be facing disciplinary action.

The mass fish deaths started in Vung Ang, then spread to Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. By the end of June 2016, Formosa Ha Tinh assumed responsibility and admitted its violations.
The decree will make sure less buyers get their fingers burnt

Among the big projects to be launched is An Khanh New City Developments sale of its first phase this quarter. The mega $2 billion project is developed by South Koreas Posco E&C and Vietnams Vinaconex, located in Hanois Hoai Duc district, along the Thang Long Boulevard.

Scheduled for completion in 2013, the city is expected to supply 6,440 apartments, equivalent to 392,319 square metres of accommodation, enough for 30,000 people.

Even though Hoa Phat Group, the investor in a more than 1,000 apartment Mandarin Garden in Cau Giay districts Tran Duy Hung road, refused to release its launching time, real estate experts predicted the project would be soon launched.

At the beginning of this month the CT7D, located in Le Van Luong street and invested by Nam Cuong Group and the FLC Landmark Tower of FLC Group will also be launched, with a total of 200 units and prices ranging from VND23 million ($1,200) to VND28 million ($1,470) per square metre.

In Gia Lam district, over the Red River, the second lot of Rung Co Residentials belonging to the Eco Park is also being launched, with around 1,500 apartment units.

In addition, Victoria Van Phu, Star City, Diamond Tower and Song Da City View will also add apartments to the mix.

Real estate consultant CBRE Vietnam expected that there would be 3,000 units in Hanoi launched this quarter, compared to 1,950 units in the third quarter. There were more than 4,600 units launched in the second quarter.

This decline, according to CBRE Vietnam, could be due to the Decree 71, effective on August 8, 2010 providing guidance on the Housing Law, which caps the proportion of units sold via capital contribution contracts at 20 per cent with the remaining 80 per cent sold on transaction floors.

This decree, CBRE Vietnam said, had put a pressure on developers with low financial capabilities and enhanced market transparency.

However, CBRE Vietnam executive director Richard Leech said new project launches would continue trending towards more affordable options.

With the opening and improvement of major infrastructure routes, the capitals western and southern districts are attracting new residents with easier access for commuting into the core urban districts, Leech said.

He said that the Decree 71 was expected to benefit the market by enhancing transparency, placing pressures on developers with low financial capabilities, lessening the threat of price bubbles and limiting speculative forces.

Tran Nhu Trung, Savills Vietnam associate director, said the Decree 71 had showed off its advantages to clearly regulate five types of mobilising capital investment. However, Trung said the procedures to implement Decree 71 were still complicated and wasted customers time and energy.

The more simple it [decree] regulates, the more it is practical in the real life, Trung said.
By Devarsi Ghosh: It would have been childish to expect the Academy to give the Best Actress Oscar to Isabelle Huppert for Elle.

(SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED ELLE, COME BACK AFTER YOU'VE WATCHED IT. OR GO AHEAD IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WATCH THE FILM)

In Elle, Isabelle Huppert, plays Michelle, a divorced woman who owns a popular video game company. Her company creates games such as those where a woman's brain is penetrated by a tentacled monster and she admits that she is in a business "tied to particular demographic" that is "oblivious to quality." Michelle also sleeps with her best friend and business partner's husband. At other times, she covets her ultra-Catholic neighbour's husband. After she gets raped in the first scene itself, Elle informs no one about her plight. Instead, in a seemingly inexplicable, sexual way, she learns to live with it and at one point, starts to yearn for the utter helplessness she felt in the hands of her violator.

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Watch Elle trailer here

Isabelle Huppert plays a character that is shown to be amoral and cruel with a mean streak and a practiced numbness to persistent misogyny all around her, be it at her workplace or her home. What Michelle seems to do is twist and use the fragility of everyday, generic machismo around her to her benefit. In other words, Michelle is a character critics and pundits would be scared to declare as a paragon of feminism, as they are wont to do, these days, with any film which has a female protagonist who shares more screen-time than its men.

Even though Isabelle Huppert delivers a performance of a lifetime in Paul Verhoeven's Elle, the Academy would never hand her (and as expected, they did not) the Best Actress statuette simply because Isabelle's feminism or self-empowerment is so difficult to make sense of. Because it is so unwilling to be slotted under a label. Michelle, the character, is dangerous, less because of her sociopathic nature but more because of what she represents: Chaos, that is completely unapologetic and without self-pity or self-righteousness.

FULL OSCARS 2017 WINNERS LIST

Isabelle Huppert was nominated along with Emma Stone for La La Land, Ruth Negga for Loving, Natalie Portman for Jackie and Meryl Streep for Florence Forster Jenkins. All good performances in their own right. The award finally went to Emma Stone for getting into the skin of Mia, an aspiring, starry-eyed actress in a dreamlike Los Angeles, where she falls in love, breaks her heart, picks the pieces up and blooms into a Hollywood star.

Mia, in crude terms, is a puerile, simplistic character when compared to Michelle. At the same, Emma's performance, as sincere and spirited as it may be, does not hold a candle to what Isabelle Huppert pulls off in Elle. This was a character that was rejected by several "well-known" American actresses and according to director Paul Verhoeven, "they never explained why."

"It's probably not so much the situation of a rape, although that is extremely important at the moment, in newspapers or whatever," Verhoeven told Deadline, "It's really the development in the third act of the movie, when she finds out who this man is. In American cinematic grammar, you'd expect it to be a revenge movie, and it doesn't do that."

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Truly, Michelle and Elle subvert the understanding of how a strong, independent, no-nonsense Miranda Priestly-type should react to gender violence, both physical, psychological and subliminal. Elle simply refuses to be a victim but at the same time, she does not soldier on against her rapist as a martyr. What she does instead and more importantly, what she does not do is an enigma. But it all makes sense, in a twisted, Verhoeven-sort of way, simply because of the commanding lead performance by Isabelle Huppert.

It isn't like Elle has Isabelle Huppert's strongest performance till date. In fact, far from it. But she was easily the best, the strongest, the most deserving contender among the five in the Oscars nominations list - if not that, at least, more deserving than Emma Stone any day. With Michelle, Isabelle Huppert gives us an absolutely unique cinematic embodiment of an empowered woman. This uniqueness was not the Academy's cup of tea. It gave in. It played safe. As cliched as the saying might sound, truly, this time, it's not Isabelle Huppert who did not deserve an Oscar. The Oscar did not deserve Isabelle Huppert.

(The writer tweets as @devarsighosh .)

IN PICTURES: Winners of the 89th Academy Awards

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ALSO READ: Twitterati react to Warren Beatty giving Best Film Oscar to La La Land over Moonlight

WATCH: Breaking down Oscars 2017

--- ENDS ---


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Indonesian police kill a suspected militant after the detonation of a pressure cooker bomb. Abu Sayyaf releases a video in which the group purportedly beheads a German hostage. Plus, as one impeachment trial ends in South Korea, another may begin. VOAs Steve Miller has your Asia news, in a minute.
Poverty, debt, and lack of jobs have become a heavy burden on Cambodians who have to risk migrating overseas, which makes them vulnerable to sex exploitation, according to lawmakers and victims.

Ros Phan, a victim of human trafficking, recalled being forced to marry a man in China after moving there last year.

When I left here I thought I would go to work in China, not to marry a husband, Phan said during the Hello VOA radio program on Thursday. I didnt have a chance to work there at all.

Phan received $1,000 as a dowry, which she sent home. She stayed with the man until she was rescued four months later.

If I didnt agree, I would be beaten up, she said.

Phan was still beaten regardless.

He beat me up when I refused to sleep with him, she said.

Kem Yeans daughter, Kem Chaiya, from Kandal province, has also fallen victim to trafficking.

Yean said Chaiya was tricked and sold to another Chinese man despite her marriage to her first Chinese husband after they had a child.

They said they would give her 60,000 yuan (about $8,700) and the pimp took the money and escaped. Upon learning that, my daughter escaped, too.

Chaiya left her husband and child to return to Cambodia for a while until her husband called her back to China in February 2016, where she was arrested and detained for two weeks in Henan province, according to Yean.

Opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua said parents should be aware of the danger their daughters might face in a foreign country.

Sochua blamed poor governance, poverty, and lack of jobs for victimizing these young girls.

Our poor families in rural areas are in lots of debt, she said.

It doesnt matter who people owe the debt to; either its the state or private sector, they will still have to pay it back, she added.

Last year, the government rescued 85 girls from many countries, including China, according to Sochua.

My true words to every Cambodian are that you should not marry a Chinese husband, said Phan. Its hard to live together.

All parents please dont send your daughters to marry Chinese men because its very difficult, said Yean, who also called for intervention to release his daughter.

For Sochua, another solution is to respect and value women for their contribution in all areas of life, as well as refraining from discriminating against trafficked women.

Im appealing to the whole nation, especially neighbors and fellow villagers of trafficked women, to not discriminate against them when they return from China, she said. This is not their fault. This is a serious misfortune and we have to help save our women.
A prominent anti-eviction activist was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for taking part in a violent protest in front of Prime Minister Hun Sens house in 2013.

Long Kesphirum, Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge, also fined Tep Vanny, a Boeung Kak lake activist, to pay a total of 14 million riel ($3,500) in compensation to the state and plaintiffs.

During Thursdays hearing, protests took place outside the court, leading four protesters to be badly beaten by district security forces.

If I died today in exchange for the release of Tep Vanny, I would be willing to do that. If I died today so that the leaders would realize and treasure citizens, I would die. If I alone could change our Prime Minister to look after and adore citizens, I would die, Bov Sophea, one of the beaten activists, told VOA Khmer.

An opposition commune council candidate, Mao Socheat, was chased into a nearby supermarket and beaten after he attempted to stop the guards from attacking women at the protest.

Meth Meas Pheakdey, court spokesman, said the guards had attacked protesters because they had refused to leave the court.

First, they [security forces] asked them [the protesters], as always, to move to the other side of the road and not to disturb their jobs. And most of the protesters listened to authorities' request, except three people as I remember, he said.

Vanny was jailed in August last year after she had repeatedly joined so-called Black Monday protests, demanding the release of four jailed activists and an election official and an investigation into the daylight killing of prominent social and political analyst Kem Ley, who was killed in July.

Am Sam Ath, monitoring manager at local rights group Licadho, told reporters after the sentencing that the hearing was improperly conducted in the absence of plaintiffs and witnesses.

Sixty-one civil society groups issued a joint statement on Thursday expressing regret over the courts decision.
An art installation in the German city of Dresden - inspired by the siege of Aleppo in Syria - has triggered a heated debate on remembrance and immigration. Over a million refugees have arrived in Germany since 2014, among them over 400,000 Syrians fleeing the civil war. Henry Ridgwell reports from Dresden, a city that came to symbolize Germanys recovery after World War II.
By Rohit Kumar Singh: JDU MLC Sanjay Singh on Monday claimed to have received a death threat call when he was sitting inside the House in the Assembly.

Singh who is also the spokesperson of the party said that while he was sitting inside the House, he did not take the call as the proceeding was going on.

However, few minutes later when he called back on the number, the person who received the call threatened to kill him if he did not stop speaking against Modi.

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When India Today, asked Sanjay Singh regarding which Modi the caller was referring to (Sushil Modi or Narendra Modi), Singh said hinted that the caller hinted about senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Modi.

"The caller abused me and threatened to kill me if I did not stop speaking against Modi. I have never slapped anyone in my life and I am surprised to have got such a threat call. I am going to register an FIR," said Sanjay Singh, JDU MLC.

Also read:

Demonetisation: JD-U not convinced about Opposition's unity, meet

India Today sting impact: JD(U) acts against Satish Saini, initiates probe into illegal act

Modi-Nitish bonhomie: JD-U slams Mamata for seeking PM's ouster, proposing Advani as head of govt

--- ENDS ---
In the shadow of Dresdens spectacular Church of Our Lady, three adjacent buses stand on their ends, winched upright to point skyward, their rusting chassis revealed to the curious visitors below. Flowers, candles and messages in German and Arabic surround the concrete foundations.



The artwork was inspired by the siege of Aleppo in Syria, where rebel fighters used three upturned buses as a barricade against government snipers.



The installation by Syrian-German artist Manaf Halbouni has triggered a fierce debate on issues of remembrance and immigration in a city synonymous with Germanys destruction in World War II, and its subsequent recovery. Dresden was almost entirely rebuilt from rubble, a replica of its former glory.





More than a million refugees have arrived in Germany since 2014, among them over 400,000 Syrians fleeing the civil war. The artist is playing on historical echoes, said the projects curator Christiane Mennicke-Scwarz.



For him it was a very moving experience to see the city of Dresden being rebuilt over years and years. All over the world, since centuries, people have been fleeing circumstances of war and violence. So for him the place here, and also the timing with February 13, is a sign for hope, said the curator.



February 13 marked the 72nd anniversary of the destruction of Dresden in 1945, when Allied bombing raids killed around 25,000 people, mostly civilians.



The rebuilt city is now a stronghold of the far right. Soren Oltersdorf, of the youth branch of the Alternative for Germany party, said the monument has caused offense.



It is simply here as a provocation for the people of Dresden. It pushes the memory of the victims of the bombing of Dresden into the background and overshadows the remembrance of that day.



Banners were hung on the buses last week denouncing city authorities. Local residents offered mixed feelings on the project.



I would rather see the money they used for this used more effectively on refugees, than to build this thing here, one local man told VOA.



Another said city authorities should focus on those that died in 1945 here in Dresden. And this is another war. It's also terrible, ongoing, but this is not the right place for that.



Patrick Irma helps to run a local support group offering legal and practical help to refugees. He said there are clear parallels between Dresden in 1945 and modern day Aleppo.



Dresden was bombed, a lot of German refugees were here in this city, and now we forget everything? We should be happy that there is something like a protection shield in front of our city. Im always wondering why that we forgot history.



The artist said he did not intend the monument to be a political symbol. Nonetheless it has triggered a fierce debate about Dresdens past - and Germanys future, as it copes with the influx of refugees.
The second anniversary of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov's murder was marked Monday in Moscow.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Tefft read a message on the bridge where Nemtsov was assassinated, just meters from the Kremlin.

"We are here today to honor his memory, the values for which he stood, and to express our hope for the future, " Tefft said. "We call once more on the Russian government to ensure that those responsible for Boris Nemtsov's killing are brought to justice."

An estimated 15,000 supporters marched in the Russian capital Sunday in Nemtsov's memory, shouting slogans and carrying signs against Russia's involvement in the wars in Ukraine and Syria, and calling for a Russia without President Vladimir Putin.

"We participate for the same reasons Boris did," said poet Lev Rubinstein. "For freedom, against totalitarianism, against war. So all the motives come together."

Supporters also collected signatures petitioning for a permanent memorial plaque to Nemtsov's memory. Authorities have dismissed the idea and an ongoing makeshift memorial of flowers, photos, and messages is routinely torn down by Kremlin supporters and city workers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday redirected a question on the removal of flowers from the Nemtsov murder scene to Moscow authorities.

"The Russian authorities do everything possible so that the Nemtsov memory will not be immortalized, so that Nemtsov's name will be forgotten, so that such demonstrations won't be held," said opposition activist Ilya Yashin.

Opposition targeted

Nemtsov was shot in the back late at night while walking with a companion in the heavily policed area. Although five Chechen men were arrested, and are standing trial over what authorities say was a contract killing, few supporters believe whoever ordered the murder will face justice.

"I think all traces lead directly to [Chechen leader] Ramzan Kadyrov," Yashin said. "I do not know if Kadyrov is the last element in this chain, but I have no doubt that Kadyrov is involved in this murder."

Kadyrov has denied having anything to do with the killing, despite having connections to one of the suspects and praising him as a patriot after the murder.

Last year, just weeks before the first anniversary of the murder, Kadyrov released a video depicting two other opposition leaders, former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and Vladimir Kara-Murza, in the crosshairs of a sniper scope.

"Whoever did not get it will get it now!" Kadyrov wrote in the video's description.

Kara-Murza three months later became critically ill and was believed by some to have been poisoned. The same symptoms appeared again at the beginning of February this year, though he has since recovered.

At Sunday's march for Nemtsov, Kasyanov was attacked by a man who threw green dye in his face. A salacious video of Kasyanov was secretly recorded last year, apparently by Russian intelligence, and made available to media.

Opposition uniting?

Russia's divided opposition leaders are hoping to consolidate their forces this year before the 2018 presidential election. Anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny declared his candidacy in December. But in a case widely viewed as political, a Russian court this month found Navalny guilty of defrauding a state company, which effectively bars him from running for president. His lawyers say he will appeal and continue campaigning.

Opposition supporters say they hope to rally the public behind Navalny, who brought tens of thousands to street rallies against the Kremlin in 2011 and 2012.

"There will be, for instance, presidential elections next year and this is a very good motive for the opposition to get united, to stop pushing elbows at each other and isolate a single candidate for the president," Yashin said.

Navalny ran for Moscow mayor in 2013 and won 27 percent of the vote.

Another opposition leader, Dmitry Gudkov, announced plans this month to run for mayor of Moscow in 2018. Gudkov was the last opposition politician to serve as a lawmaker in the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament. He lost a run for re-election last year.

Despite harassment, numerous arrests, and the jailing of his brother, Navalny and his supporters continue to publish investigations into corruption among high-ranking Russian officials.

Navalny declined to comment on his presidential run at Sunday's march for Nemtsov, but his supporters were rallying.

"[I came] in a fighting mood," said Vladimir Milov, a former deputy energy minister and colleague of Nemtsov. "Because I know that many people in Russia are annoyed with this mafioso power. And we watch with interest how Alexei Navalny's campaign is regarded in the regions when he travels and meets the people."

Many will also be watching to see how Russian authorities treat Navalny and his campaign. Political analysts say much will depend on how seriously he is taken as a potential threat by Putin, who still has record high approval ratings.

Like Nemtsov, Navalny is considered among the most charismatic and brave of Russia's opposition leaders. He is also one of the few with a proven track record of rallying the public against the Kremlin. But throwing Navalny behind bars could backfire. As with Nemtsov, silencing Navalny might serve to bring more people to the streets and to the opposition.
Former President George W. Bush said Monday "we all need answers" on the extent of contact between President Donald Trump's team and the Russian government, and didn't rule out the idea that a special prosecutor could be necessary to lead an investigation.



The Republican also defended the media's role in keeping world leaders in check, noting that "power can be addictive,'' and warned against immigration policies that could alienate Muslims.



"I am for an immigration policy that's welcoming and upholds the law,'' Bush told NBC's Today show.



Bush's comments came after a prominent Republican in Congress, Rep. Darrell Issa of California, called for a special prosecutor to investigate whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and was in touch with Trump's top advisers during the campaign.



Bush said he would trust Senate Intelligence panel Chairman Richard Burr to decide if a special prosecutor is necessary.



But, Bush added, "I think we all need answers ... I'm not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered."



The former president, who is promoting a book of his paintings of wounded veterans, also took issue with Trump's characterization of the media as an "enemy of the people." Bush said the U.S. won't be able to convince authoritarian governments, including Russia, to open up their governments to media scrutiny if U.S. leaders try to discredit their own press.



"We need an independent media to hold people like me to account," Bush said. "Power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive. And it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere."



On the issue of immigration and Trump's recent attempt to ban travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations, Bush warned that if the U.S. freezes out other countries and turns inward, that would only make it more difficult to fight the Islamic State group and other foreign extremists.



"I think it's very hard to fight the war on terrorism if we're in retreat," he said.




A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from Henry County, Missouri, 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out'' and "something bad's going to happen."

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, made his first appearance in court Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country'' at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he'd done something "really bad'' and was on the run from the police.

"He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me,'' the bartender said. "Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe."

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they were investigating it as a hate crime. But the incident has raised concern 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"

During Monday's hearing, Johnson County District Judge Charles Droege appointed public defender Michael McCulloch to represent Purinton. McCulloch declined to comment on the case.

Purinton is jailed on $2 million bond and his next court appearance is set for March. 9.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purinton's for the past 15 years, told The Associated Press that Purinton had been in rapid decline since the death of his father about 18 months ago. The two had exceptionally close, Berthelsen said.

Always a drinker, Purinton became "a drunken mess'' after his father's death and bounced from one menial job to the next. Berthelsen said he's never heard him make a racist remark or talk politics. He said he doesn't believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.

"This is someone who's gone downhill very quickly,'' Berthelsen said.

The University of Kansas Health System released a video Sunday of an interview with Grillot, of Grandview, Missouri, who is recovering after a bullet went through his right hand and into his chest.

Grillot said he had to do something because there were families and children in the bar when the gunfire erupted. Grillot, said he is grateful that the attack is bringing the community together and that it is "awesome honestly to be able to give people a hope that not everybody hates everybody"

Madasani addressed a crowd of hundreds during a vigil Sunday night at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas.

He described the killing of Kuchibhotla, his friend and co-worker, as "a senseless crime,'' the Kansas City Star reported.

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done,'' Madasani said. "He would have been here for me"

"I wish it was a dream,'' Madasani said.

Still walking on crutches, Madasani drew applause when he called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States"

At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work for six months.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was  is,'' Madasani said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has revived China's fears by once again calling it a currency manipulator, weeks after many felt the issue had been shelved. Trump reemphasized his stand last week, hours after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin indicated China would not be singled out for adverse treatment on the currency issue.

"Well they, I think, they're grand champions at manipulation of currency. So I haven't held back," Trump told Reuters, adding, "We'll see what happens."

The U.S. Treasury Department is expected to make a call on the issue on April 15. But Mnuchin may have to disclose the administration's plans at the G20 finance ministers' meeting March 17-18 in Bonn.

Many economists believe the Chinese Yuan is not being deliberately devalued as in the past. The International Monetary Fund said last year the Chinese currency's value was broadly in line with its economic fundamentals.

"There is no evidence of currency manipulation in recent times, beyond the occasional buying and selling of foreign exchange to stabilize volatilities, which all countries, rich and poor, do," said Kaushik Basu, Professor at Cornell University and a former Chief Economist of the World Bank. "I hope the U.S. would not declare China a currency manipulator, which would not be right and would also unleash destabilizing forces in foreign exchange markets the world over."

In normal practice, the U.S. Treasury would apply three criteria to determine if China deserves the label of a currency manipulator when it meets on April 15.

"If the Treasury Department adheres to its three criteria, it wont [declare China as a manipulator], since China currently only meets one of the three criteria. It could decide, though, to ignore those criteria," said Scott Kennedy, director of the project on Chinese business and political economy at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The ultimate decision will turn on broader U.S. policy toward China, which is still being decided."

This is bad timing for China where foreign direct investments (FDI) reversed, falling 9.2 percent in January. The slide came after FDI grew 3.9 percent in November and 4.1 percent in December. Figures for February, which will be available after 8-10 days, would explain more clearly if the slide is a trend or just a monthly variation.

"The drop in FDI seen in China recently may well be in response to Trumps threats to build barriers. But there are other factors too. There has been a bunched up profit repatriation from China by Chinas foreign investors in recent times, which contributed to the decline in net FDI," said Basu.

Minister's removal

Beijing suddenly replaced Minister for Commerce Gao Hucheng on Friday soon after the slippage in FDI numbers and Trump reiterating his threat of declaring China a currency manipulator.

Before his removal, Gao told a press conference, "We never use one month's figure to summarize a long-term trend, and an early Spring Festival last month was another factor to affect the country's monthly FDI volume," said Gao, adding, "The FDI in any country will come and go with the development of the economy and changing industrial structure."

China's FDI fell 13 percent year on year in 2016.

"I dont think such short-term volatility in FDI data can meaningfully be attributed to any Trump effect. It is most likely merely noise in the data caused by a lot of random business decisions," said Jacob Kirkegaard, economist with the Peterson Institute of International Affairs.

Analysts are divided on whether President Xi Jinping decided to replace Gao as part of Beijing's preparations to deal with economic challenges expected to come from the Trump administration, or merely because he was close to the retirement age stipulated by the Communist Party.

"It suggests the commerce minister has reached retirement age and Xi is starting to consider the composition of the Cabinet for his second term," said Kennedy. "Zhong Shan [the new commerce minister] may or may not stay on."

Investors pulling out

The American Chamber of Commerce in China said 25 percent of U.S. companies in China have moved their operations to other countries or are planning to do so.

Kennedy said this is a result of worsening investment conditions in China and the application of tighter capital controls.

"I think as Chinese growth slows and financial risks increase, combined with a more discriminatory treatment of foreign investors in China, many foreign investors will rightly ask if their investments in China continue to be justified by the 'Ooh, its a billion people so we gotta be there' factor," said Kirkegaard. "... If foreign businesses dont make much money in China they will stop coming."
The ancient Syrian city of Palmyra has captured the imagination of scholars and philosophers.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site has also been the target of the Islamic State terror group, which has destroyed parts of Palmyra.



It makes you extremely sad, I mean furious, but also extremely sad to see something that stood since the Roman period not complete, but stood in this imposing monumentality, to see it just explode, said Marilyn Buccellati, a researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles Cotsen Institute of Archeology.

ISIS is ensconced in Palmyra. It was there in 2015. When it was there, it destroyed two of the major ruins that were standing -- the Temple of Bel and Baalshamin. Then they were pushed out by Syrian forces but then returned in 2016. And to the best of our knowledge, in early 2017 they went in and destroyed some of the other major standing ruins, said Frances Terpak, Getty Research Institute curator.

An online exhibit by the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles attempts to show the beauty of Palmyra before that destruction through photographs and etchings.





In a first online exhibition of the Institute, The Legacy of Ancient Palmyra shows the first photographs ever taken of this site in 1864 by Louis Vignes.There are also etchings from sketches made by architect Louis-Francois Cassas almost 100 years before the photos were taken.



Its amazing that in the 200 years since those prints and sketches how much had been lost, because those prints and sketches show completeness that it was really amazing, Buccellati told VOA.

The desert city of Palmyra stretches some three kilometers and was at the crossroads of cultures and religions.



Since the mid-second to third century of the Common Era, Palmyra has been a gathering point of many cultures.

They traded locally, but most importantly they also had a long distance trade that connected Asia with the Roman Empire silks and spices and goods going the other way too, from the West to the East. So, they were a multicultural and ethnic society that very much said something about us today and our whole mix of cultures and they lived together fairly peacefully, said Terpak.

So, you have a diversity in architecture, you have a diversity in the people that lived there. And another important thing, especially for early scholarship, was that there were so many inscriptions," said Getty Research Institute exhibition curator Peter Bonfitto. "So Palmyra had its own language. That was a form of Aramaic.

It was a relatively small site that really exploded in a few centuries and then was abandoned, so you have these incredible building projects going on, Bonfitto added.

Palmyra has captured the imagination of archeologists and philosophers over the centuries.

Theres French philosophers that picked up on Palmyra and used it as really a symbol for the end of civilizations. When the Roman Empire fell they look at Palmyra, said Bonfitto.

Archeologist and historian at the UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archeology, Giorgio Buccellati, said places such as Palmyra speak to people across cultures.

Everybody responds to beauty and Palmyra is a fantastic example of this -- the beauty of the buildings, the beauty of the objects, the beauty of the landscape also in which it is embedded, Buccellati told VOA. You go back in time and you discover a different way in which -- different and yet the same response to reality that you have, so there is a sense of comfort almost in finding a similarity in the difference.

Marilyn Buccellati remembered spending her second honeymoon at Palmyra with her husband, Giorgio Buccellati, some years ago.

On a moonlit night, this is the romantic part, you can walk around this big, big courtyard of the Temple of Bel and appreciate the beauty of the antiquities, described Buccellati.

The Temple of Bel has since been largely destroyed by Islamic State in 2015.

Architecture is a record of not only the build environment, but of us as a people and how fragile actually it can be, reduced to dust in no time, said Terpak.

The Getty Research Institutes online exhibit through its photographs and etchings preserves what has been lost for the modern world.The exhibit will also be translated into Arabic to make this piece of history accessible to more people.
China is sending its first senior official to visit the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office.



State Councilor Yang Jiechi is Chinese President Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser and a familiar face in Washington. He has served as China's foreign minister and ambassador to the U.S.



The foreign ministry said Yang was scheduled to ``exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern'' in meetings with high-ranking U.S. officials during his visit on Monday and Tuesday.



The future direction of relations between the world's two largest economies has grown more uncertain following Trump's accusations of unfair Chinese trading practices and threats to raise import tariffs.



Trump has also criticized China's activities in the South China Sea and suggested he might use Taiwan as leverage in negotiations.
Carnival revelers in Rio de Janeiro danced on to Beatles songs set to Brazilian samba rhythms on Monday after an accident injuring 20 people marred the annual pre-Lenten bacchanalia the night before.

The Sargento Pimenta street band had thousands of spirited followers twisting and shouting and singing "She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah" as golden oldies from the Liverpool four blasted a waterfront park on the third day of what is dubbed the world's biggest party.

Rio's spectacular Carnival parade of top samba troupes suffered the accident on Sunday when spectators were pushed against a wall by a faulty float at the start of the famed Sambadrome show.

The massive three-ton float of the Paraiso de Tuiuti samba group carrying costumed dancers on platforms veered out of control as it turned into the parade ground. When handlers tried to straighten the float, it swung into a group of people.

Organizers said 20 people were hurt and eight were taken to hospital, three of them with serious injuries. One woman had two legs broken and was still in hospital. An initial investigation said the float had a mechanical problem, the organizers said.

The accident did not stop the all-night parade by six of the city's elite samba schools that spend millions each year to compete by parading down a 700-meter avenue with thousands of dancers driven by powerful drum sections.

The Carnival festivities provide Brazilians with a welcome escape from the reality of a two-year recession, record unemployment, a sprawling political corruption scandal and mounting crime in a city that hosted the Olympics last August.

Behind the joyful laughter, the drinking and the dancing, the grim reality of political crisis remained present.

At the Sargento Pimenta party in Rio's Flamengo district, Mario Marcio, dressed in prison stripes said his costume represented "the politicians who are sticking their hands in our money."

Fernanda Brito, dressed as a police officer, said she was there to arrest corrupt politicians "and show that it is possible to improve things in Brazil."

The government of President Michel Temer, who replaced impeached leftist Dilma Rousseff last year vowing to clean up government and restore fiscal discipline, faced corruption allegations that are expected to rock Brazil after Carnival.

A group of young women attending the Sargento party wore their slogan painted on their arms: "Out with Temer."

"We have to take advantage of this visibility to show the causes we support and truly need," said Julia Saber.
Relations between old rivals China and Taiwan have been shaken again over a foreign extradition case and Beijings re-interpretation of a Taiwanese political holiday, stalling any prospects for dialogue or cooperation.

China drew protest from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wens government last week when it found that Spain would send about 200 Taiwanese nationals to China on suspicion of telephone fraud. Spanish and Chinese authorities found in December the suspects had used Spain as a base to defraud mainland Chinese victims.

In a separate case, China challenged the motives behind an annual Taiwan holiday that marks the start of a deadly period of history 70 years ago.

New issues such as the fraud case and holiday flap will delay any chances, already remote, of better relations between communist China and the Taiwan government of President Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), analysts say.

"It would only add up to finally make the bulk of the DPP members or leaders realize their current approach would not lead to anywhere," said Lin Chong-pin, retired strategic studies professor from Tamkang University in Taiwan. "It takes a lot of time to add up to that."

China has seen Taiwan as part of its territory since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, though each is self-ruled.

Conditions for talks

After eight years of upbeat relations, the two sides quit talking in May when Tsai took office. She disputes Beijings dialogue precondition that both sides regard themselves as part of China. Neither side has come up with new conditions acceptable to the other.

China relaxed briefly toward Taiwan earlier this month after U.S. President Donald Trump told his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, he would respect Beijings policy defining Taiwan as part of China - and the Taiwan government said it understood why Trump made his decision.

Trump had talked in December by phone with the Taiwan president. The surprise move raised fear in Beijing that Taiwans strength would grow on improved ties with the United States.

But when Taiwan found that Spain would send 218 fraud suspects to China for prosecution despite their Taiwanese passports, it complained to Spain as well as Beijing. The Taiwan governments Mainland Affairs Council protested the "unilateral" decision by Beijing, saying it would hamper any trust or cooperation.

Other countries, such as Kenya and Malaysia, have turned over groups of Taiwanese suspects to China since April 2016. This case particularly angered Taiwan because it netted a relatively large group of deportees and involved the first from Europe, said Alexander Huang, strategic studies professor with Tamkang University in Taiwan.

Taiwan holiday

Also last week, the government in Beijing took issue with the motive behind Taiwan's 228 Peace Memorial Day, an annual public holiday of more than 20 years.

On Feb. 28, 1947, a dispute between a cigarette vendor and an inspector in Taipei touched off an anti-government rebellion. Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalist Party leader in charge then, violently repressed the uprising for years, killing tens of thousands.

The Nationalists had rebased in Taiwan after losing mainland China to the communists in the 1940s. Their authoritarian rule over the island lasted until democratization four decades later. People who remember 1947 want Taiwans government to reveal more about what happened and name Chiang as a key figure.

They have to get through to the top, said Shane Lee, political scientist at Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. This year theyre trying to get to Chiang Kai-shek. In the past they only got to the generals under Chiang Kai-shek. He was the one that was really responsible.

China accused secessionist forces in Taiwan of distorting the Feb. 28 incident to stoke conflict and split public opinion on the island, Beijings official Xinhua News Agency said, quoting a spokesperson with the Chinese governments Taiwan Affairs Office. A symposium on the event was due to take place in China Feb. 23.

The term secessionist forces is likely a reference to Taiwanese who advocate for the islands legal independence from China. Some members of Tsai's party share that view, but Taiwans constitution still binds the two, dating back to when Chiang ruled all of China and later hoped to retake the mainland after defeat in the countrys civil war.

Beijing, backed by the worlds third most powerful military, has called any moves toward independence a red line for relations. It hopes eventually to reunify the two sides.

The Taiwan governments Mainland Affairs Council on Thursday asked China to be fair, understand the essence of this event correctly and share Taiwans experience in remembering it.

Although some analysts believe China and Taiwan are quietly looking for a way to restart dialogue, others expect more disagreements like the ones this month.

Expect more bullying from China over the uncertainty it perceives since Trump took office, said Coen Blaauw, executive director of the Washington-based advocacy group Formosan Association for Public Affairs.



Even though Taiwan has signaled clearly it does not want or plan to rock the boat in its relationship with China, it seems as if China is doing the exact opposite and is taking the gloves off, Blaauw said.
U.N. Human Rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein has warned world peace and stability based on fundamental human rights are under threat by so-called reckless political profiteers.

The high commissioner told delegates attending the opening session Monday of the month-long meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council many of the achievements that have been made in stabilizing the world order since the end of World War II are at risk of being lost by growing populism.

He said durable peace in many parts of the world and success in development during the seven decades following this shattering war were due to the observance of the fundamental human rights enshrined in the U.N. Charter and other international human rights treaties.

These achievements, he said need to be absorbed, by many political actors who only see human rights as tiresome constraints or by people who have enjoyed many of their rights since birth and take them for granted.

It is only when rights are no longer upheld, the individual concerned understands with sharp clarity just how critical they were to a meaningful, dignified existence, he said.

He cautioned the world had a lot to lose by heeding the ill-gotten campaigns being waged by political leaders against universal human rights or by their threatened withdrawal from international or regional treaties and the institutions, which uphold them.

U.S. media have reported the Trump Administration is considering withdrawing from the Human Rights Council, although State Department spokesman Mark Toner is quoted as saying our delegation will be fully involved in the work of the HRC session which starts Monday.

Antonio Guterres, who attended his first session of the Council in his capacity as U.N. Secretary-General, has expressed alarm at the growing disregard for human rights, calling it a disease that is spreading worldwide.

He said human rights are an intrinsic part of all that we do. He said human rights must be recognized as values and goals unto themselves and not allow them to be used as a political tool.

We are increasingly seeing the perverse phenomenon of populism and extremism feeding off each other in a frenzy of growing racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance, he said. Minorities, indigenous communities and others face discriminations and abuse across the world. And the same applies to members of the LGBTi community.

Guterres warned the world is becoming more dangerous, less predictable, more chaotic and more interconnected with the threat of global terrorism and violent extremism.

The U.N. Chief told delegates attending the council the root causes of conflict must be tackled and they must react earlier and more effectively in addressing human rights concerns.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) Noted film actor Kabir Bedi was today appointed as the honourary brand ambassador of Sightsavers, a global organisation working to prevent avoidable blindness, in a function held here.

Sight is fundamental to the functionality of life, Bedi said while extending his thanks to the organisation.

"Sightsavers with its presence in several nations across the world as well as 13 states in the country needs all the support in its endeavour to help eradicate blindness which is avoidable if treated in time," he said.

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Six blind girls from Madhya Pradesh, who had participated and won medals in the 5th National Blind and Deaf Judo Competition held in Gurgaon in January, were felicitated by Bedi and and SY Quraishi, honourary chairman of the India chapter of the organisation and former Chief Election Commissioner of India.

The girls also showcased their judo skills on the occasion.

Quraishi said problems of sight needed to be taken care of at school level as 80 per cent blindness in the country is avoidable if proper intervention is made.

He hoped Bedis association would help the organisation towards a focused journey with amplified impact in the coming days.

CEO of Sightsavers India RN Mohanty said the organisation would continuously strive to reach out to more people and benefit them and the alliance with Bedi will help in reiterating its ideology to a larger audience. PTI VIT AAR

--- ENDS ---
A suspected terrorist has been shot and killed by police in Indonesia after an improvised bomb exploded near a government building in the city of Bandung.

West Java police chief Anton Charliyan says no one was injured when a pressure cooker-rigged device exploded Monday in a nearby vacant lot.

Charliyan says the suspect ran into the building after the explosion and started a fire inside before he was eventually shot and killed during a gunbattle with police.

Indonesia has been the target of numerous terrorist attacks by Islamic militants for years, including the 2002 bombing attack on a Bali island nightclub that left 202 people dead.
Iraqi forces battling Islamic State militants reached a key bridge in the city of Mosul, as they pushed forward with their week-old offensive to clear IS from the western side of the city.

Officials said pro-government forces were in control of a section of what is known as the fourth bridge, or the southernmost bridge across the Tigris River. Fighting in Mosul has badly damaged or destroyed all of the bridges, and restoring access across the river will allow the army to move troops and supplies.

As the fighting in western Mosul intensifies, there is concern about civilians living there. The United Nations has described a humanitarian crisis in the area with people facing severe shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies.

Many of those civilians fled to western Mosul after being forced from the eastern part of the city, which Iraqi forces took back after a three-month fight that began last November.

James Jeffrey, a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that so far Iraqi forces have been careful in western Mosul, drawing on experience they had with the civilian population while retaking places such as Tikrit and Ramadi.

"You're always concerned about civilian casualties, but it comes at two levels," Jeffrey told VOA. "One is civilian casualties that are either deliberate or non-deliberate but are so massive that they have an impact on the morale and the attitude of a whole civilian population  thats Aleppo. I dont see that happening here."

US military assistance

U.S.-led coalition troops, officially deployed as trainers and advisers, have assisted the Iraqi force in the Mosul offensive.

Under a current bilateral agreement, U.S. forces are not authorized to engage in combat. But, as the Mosul offensive gained strength last week, U.S. Air Force Colonel John Dorrian said advisers were positioned so close to the frontlines that they had come under attack and returned fire.

Since the government push began February 19, U.S. and Iraqi commanders have described fierce Islamic State resistance as the extremist force seeks to hold its last significant urban area in the war-ravaged country.

Slow advance

As the latest offensive unfolded, Iraqi expert Houchang Hassan-Yari of the Royal Military College of Canada warned VOA's Persian service that the density of the civilian population in western Mosul would slow the government advance.

Hassan-Yari noted that government forces and their coalition partners have imposed restrictions on firepower available to retake the western sectors "in order to save the lives of civilians."

Meanwhile, aid agencies are 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.

VOA's Victor Beattie, and Parisa Farhadi, Babak Azma and Sara Dehghan of the VOA Persian service contributed to this report.
Doctors in Kenya's public health facilities have refused to work since December. They are demanding the government implement an agreement it signed in 2013 to raise salaries and improve working conditions. However, the strike is taking a deadly toll on the nation's poor.

Jared Ochieng lost his son Lamarck to complications from leukemia.

"If it were not for the strike, I would have not lost my son," Ochieng said.

Lamarck was diagnosed with leukemia a year ago. When he started experiencing complications in early February, the family took him to the nearest hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, one of approximately 2,500 public health institutions affected by the nationwide strike.

"When I got there, the doctor who was concerned with the disease that my son was suffering from was nowhere to be found because of the strike," Ochieng said. "I lost my son when he was in Kenyatta, when they were making arrangements to take the boy to Texas [Cancer Facility]."

The center is a private facility in Nairobi, but the high cost makes it an option of last resort for many Kenyans. Some cancer patients have had to suspend treatment until public doctors return to work.

The Kenya Cancer Association says it is getting reports of three deaths a week  a 50 percent increase compared to this time last year, says program director Moses Osani.

"The doctors' strike has significantly affected the cancer patients in that most of them have had interrupted treatment," Osani said. "For example, if someone had to go for a cycle of eight weeks and at the sixth week, doctors went on strike, then their treatment was interrupted, which means they probably had to seek treatment elsewhere."

The strike has also affected emergency medical services.

Judy Nabwani says her son was hit by a speeding vehicle. Twelve hours later, she traced him to a country referral hospital where only basic first aid had been administered.

"He could not move or talk," Nabwani said. "He was just lying there."

She said that a nurse told her the doctors were on strike and that the best thing to do was to refer him to a private hospital. He died before he could be moved. Nabwani said her son would not have died if he had been attended to on time.

His cause of death was internal bleeding due to brain injury.

The striking doctors have refused to resume work, even after union leaders were arrested. The government has said it does not have the funds to implement the collective bargaining agreement it signed in 2013.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union spokesperson Dr. Davis Ombui told VOA the union is pushing for much-needed improvements to the health system.

"So far, we actually empathize with the situation," Ombui said. "We know many Kenyans are losing their lives. Even us as doctors, we have relatives, we have friends, we have family and it has affected us all. But the narrative we are sticking to is that we cannot go back and supervise deaths as it were."

In addition to raising salaries, the 2013 deal called for the government to hire nearly 5,000 doctors over a four-year period and equip hospitals with the necessary machines and drugs.

Hopes are high that negotiations underway will end the strike, but for families of the deceased, it is too late.
Hind Jijji has returned to her hometown of Qaraqosh in northern Iraq after Islamic State fighters were pushed out of the town. She and her family left the area two years ago due to fears that Islamic State fighters will target them as religious minorities.

Jijji was shocked to witness the destruction and ruins brought upon a town she once called home. Her house where she spent her entire childhood was destroyed.

I cant describe how I really feel. All of these pieces that have been thrown and destroyed carry beautiful memories, Jijji said. These are things that mom and dad worked very hard to build.

Jijji , her parents and siblings were lucky to have left the town in August 2014 two hours before Islamic State took over. Some in town werent as lucky.

Before IS attacked Qaraqosh, Safaa was going to Mosuls College of Medicine and dreamed of becoming a doctor.

Her family left everything behind, taking refuge in the relatively safer Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.

Jijji told VOA that militants have taken whatever they could and destroyed the rest.

In every room, there were shattered parts of furniture, broken plates and torn clothes making it hard to walk through the house, Jijji said. It was so messy because IS fighters were planning to burn the house, but for some reasons they didn't.

Jijji added that IS burned hundreds of other houses that belonged to Christian minorities in the area, including the tall church of St. Mary al-Tahira.

IS graffiti has been smeared on its [church] walls, the nave is scorched black by fire and the altar has been vandalized, Jijji said.

St. Mary al-Tahira church was once Iraqs largest Christian church, and about 3,000 people attended the church every Sunday. Its symbolic significance for Iraqi Christians explains why hundreds of residents rushed back to the town to re-establish the church in late 2016.



But things for many Christians including Jijji are not the same anymore. The rebirth of the Christian community in Qaraqosh and the rest of Iraq seems difficult as most Christians who fled the town refuse to return, and instead are embarking on journeys to settle abroad.

IS blow to coexistence

The mass Christian departure from Iraq has made the future survivability of the church uncertain in a region where Muslims and Christians have lived as neighbors for centuries.

IS not only targeted minority Christians, but also broke societal fabrics in Iraq.

I don't want to live in this place again. I don't want to ever live next to people who chose to stay under IS rule, Jijji told VOA.

She and her entire family are attempting to leave Iraq and join their community diaspora in Europe.

Migration to the West for her is not only an attempt to find safety, but also a door for opportunities.

Two of my friends who moved to France are now preparing to study medicine. And my high school friend, Maryana, has become a great photographer there, Jijji said.

Maryana Habash, Jijji s friend from high school, left with her family the night IS attacked Qaraqosh as well.

The situation was so complicated that night that I didnt even know where some of my family members were, Habash told VOA. I could think about anything but how to find a safe place for my two little sisters.

Habash and her family took political asylum in France in early 2016. She now lives in Riems, France and began school.

Just like her friend Jijji , Habash, too, thinks Qaraqosh is in her past now.

I might want to travel there at some point in the future, but I will never live there again. The values of human rights are non-existent in Iraq, Habash said.

Habash says eight more families from Qaraqosh also are settled in Riems, France, and more are on the way, suggesting that Riems will become their new Qaraqosh in the future.

Mass Christian immigration from Iraq is undermining the efforts of Christian leaders who want to establish an autonomous region for Christians in northern Iraq with Qaraqosh as its capital.



Continued mass migration of our people to the West is the greatest danger to our existence as a religious minority in Iraq, said Romeo Hakari, who heads the Bait-al-Nahrain, Assyrian Christian political party in Iraq.

Iraq had 1.5 million Christians

There is no official data about how many Christians live in Iraq, but it is estimated that more than 1.5 million Christians lived in Iraq before 2003.

According to Iraqi Christian Relief Council, a non-profit organization that advocates for Christian minorities in the country, sectarian violence following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and systematic targeting of religious minorities by IS and other militant groups have forced approximately 80 percent of the Christian population to leave the country.

Hakari of the Baitl-al-Nahrain political party puts part of the blame for mass Christian immigration from Iraq on the West for encouraging people to settle in Europe and elsewhere.

European embassies in Iraq, especially the French and German embassies, have facilitated the migration of our people, Hakari said

Western countries have shown more willingness to accept Iraqi Christian and Yazidis, citing continued IS persecution of these groups as a justification. Earlier this year, an official from the U.S. State Department told VOA that the U.S government and Canada were working to permanently resettle hundreds of Yazidis and Christians from Iraq.

Iraqi Christian leaders are continuously meeting with the U.S. and European officials to discourage such programs, Hakari told VOA.

Western countries can play a major role in providing us with assistance to rebuild our homes and defend ourselves in an autonomous region, he added.

But for many Christians like Jijji returning is not an option.

With time we have realized that it doesn't matter where we live and what system is in place. What really matters is the people around us.
In an effort to save on labor costs and increase efficiency, fast-food chain Wendys will install self-ordering kiosks in about 1,000 of its locations in the United States.

According to David Trimm, a spokesman for the Ohio-based company, franchises that want the kiosks will, on average, install three of them, the Columbus Dispatch newspaper reported.

"They are looking to improve their automation and their labor costs, and this is a good way to do it," said Darren Tristano, vice president with Technomic, a food-service research and consulting firm in an interview with the Columbus Dispatch. "They are also trying to enhance the customer experience. Younger customers prefer to use a kiosk."

The company says it will see a return on the investment in kiosks within two years.

The company said the kiosks could help ease crowding during peak demand. For those who prefer ordering from a human, there will still be staff available to take orders, according to the Associated Press.

The kiosks have already been tested at Wendys stores in central Ohio.

Wendys is not the first retailer to explore self-ordering kiosks, as convenience store Wawa rolled them out in 2012.

The longevity of the kiosks, however, is unclear. Tristano says they may find themselves out of a job as ordering and payment move to smartphones.

The prospect of machines putting humans out of work is a controversial topic. The French presidential candidate from the Socialist Party has suggested a tax on machines that put humans out of work.

That idea has found support from Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft.
Ahead of Sunday's 89th Academy Awards, Associated Press film writers Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle share their predictions for a ceremony many expect will be a "La La Land'' sweep.



Best Picture



The Nominees: "Arrival,'' "Fences,'' "Hacksaw Ridge,'' "Hell or High Water,'' "Hidden Figures,'' "La La Land,'' "Lion,'' "Manchester by the Sea'' and "Moonlight.''



BAHR:



Will Win: It has to be "La La Land.''



Should Win: "La La Land,'' although that's not the stylish choice of the moment. I think we've all been burned too many times, by "The Artist'' and "Argo'' and other films that lure us in with their retro, navel gazing sensibilities and then evaporate from our memories come March 1. "La La Land'' is different. It'll be a modern classic that we'll be watching for years to come.



Should Have Been a Contender: Mike Mills' "20th Century Women'' is a film that gets better with every viewing. It is deep and funny and gives a poignant historical context of the lives of women in the very recent past.



COYLE:



Will Win: It would be idiotic to pick against "La La Land,'' the 14-time nominated favorite and Golden Globe winner. And, yet, I can't help myself. The election of Donald Trump changed the mood so drastically in Hollywood that I just don't see Chazelle's effervescent musical waltzing off with best picture. "Moonlight,'' lyrical and poetic, isn't a social issue film. But it feels more of-the-moment. Maybe it pulls off one of the most historic upsets in Oscar history. Just don't bet the house.



Should Win: "Moonlight,'' but not because of the post-election angst. Because it's beautiful.



Should Have Been a Contender: It had zero shot, but Terence Davies' "Sunset Song'' was a pastoral hymn of a movie: a radiant portrait of Scottish farm life and time passing over it. Yeah, so not exactly Oscar bait.



___



BEST ACTOR



The Nominees: Casey Affleck, "Manchester by the Sea''; Andrew Garfield, "Hacksaw Ridge''; Ryan Gosling, "La La Land''; Viggo Mortensen, "Captain Fantastic'' and Denzel Washington, "Fences.''



BAHR:



Will Win: It's probably going to be Denzel Washington, and it won't be a bad call either. Washington has lived in August Wilson's Troy Maxson for years and his is a powerfully resonant interpretation.



Should Win: Casey Affleck has become another unpopular choice of late, but his performance in "Manchester by the Sea'' is so singular and specific to him. He's the only one who could have made Lee Chandler work.



Should Have Been a Contender: Honestly, Tom Hanks. He was great in "Sully.'' Perhaps we've come to expect only the impossible from him at this point, though.



COYLE:



Will Win: This has turned into a nail-biter. I think the SAG winner Denzel takes it.



Should Win: If you look up "powerhouse performance'' in the dictionary, you should just be treated to a torrent of words from the titanic Denzel. Affleck, too, is deserving. But I'm going to go with Gosling, who's being curiously underrated this year despite being more-or-less the coolest movie star on the planet. My vote, though, is more for him in "The Nice Guys'' than "La La Land.''



Should Have Been a Contender: Johnny Depp in "The Art of the Deal.'' No, the Funny or Die feature film about Trump wasn't even eligible. But before Alec Baldwin took over the part, Depp turned in his best wigged performance in years.



___



BEST ACTRESS



The Nominees: Isabelle Huppert, "Elle''; Ruth Negga, "Loving''; Natalie Portman, "Jackie''; Emma Stone, "La La Land'' and Meryl Streep, "Florence Foster Jenkins.''



BAHR:



Will Win: Emma Stone. The academy loves ingenues. It's even better when the role itself is "ingenue.''



Should Win: This is a tough one. Stone is wonderful, but Natalie Portman had such an impossible task in embodying the public and private sides of Jackie Kennedy in a non-campy way, and she pulled it off magnificently.



Should Have Been a Contender: Annette Bening was transcendent as a the spirited single mom raising a teenage boy in 1979 Santa Barbara in Mike Mills' crisp and vibrant "20th Century Women.''



COYLE:



Will Win: It's a competitive category, but Stone.



Should Win: Stone. What's not to like here? She can do it all.



Should Have Been a Contender: Honorable mention to Beyonce in "Lemonade'' but Hailee Steinfeld, people. Already a nominee for "True Grit,'' the 20-year-old was uncannily good - funny, smart, real - in Kelly Fremon Craig's teen comedy "The Edge of Seventeen.''



___



BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR



The Nominees: Mahershala Ali, "Moonlight''; Jeff Bridges, "Hell or High Water''; Lucas Hedges, "Manchester by the Sea''; Dev Patel, "Lion'' and Michael Shannon "Nocturnal Animals.''



BAHR:



Will Win: Mahershala Ali. Has anyone done so much to win an audience over with so little screen time?



Should Win: Mahershala Ali. Full stop. It's the role that made us all learn the name of an actor who we've all seen many times before. That's no small thing.



Should Have Been a Contender: I'm going to go out on a limb in support of one of my favorite performances of the year and say Ralph Fiennes for "A Bigger Splash.'' He never had a chance, but he's just bursting with joy and energy and delusion and it's one that makes me smile every time I think about it.



COYLE:



Will Win: Ali. From the vast cast of "Moonlight,'' he has (deservedly) been chosen



Should Win: Ali should because "Moonlight'' is at its most soulful when he's onscreen. But we should all be rooting for a Michael Shannon speech if not on Sunday, some Oscars soon.



Should Have Been a Contender: The Academy Awards aren't really built to suitably reward the three Chirons of "Moonlight.'' Three actors - Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sander, Trevante Rhodes - playing the same character across three chapters, add up to the year's best performance.



___



BEST SUPPORING ACTRESS



The Nominees: Viola Davis, "Fences''; Naomie Harris, "Moonlight''; Nicole Kidman, "Lion''; Octavia Spencer, "Hidden Figures'' and Michelle Williams, "Manchester by the Sea.''



BAHR:



Will Win: It has to be Viola Davis, right? She's terrific in "Fences,'' even if it is more of a co-lead.



Should Win: "Supporting'' quibbles aside, Davis is still the strongest candidate in a very strong category. Sorry, Michelle.



Should Have Been a Contender: Sometimes I fear we've forgotten what a real supporting part is (i.e., not just whoever is second-billed). Kelly Reichardt's "Certain Women'' was never going to break through the Oscar ranks - it's too quiet, too slow, and, let's face it, probably too female - but if there were any justice, Lily Gladstone would have been among the nominated at least.



COYLE:



Will Win: Davis is the lock of all locks.



Should Win: Davis. It will be her first Oscar, but it won't be her last.



Should Have Been a Contender: It's a strange thing that Octavia Spencer, a fine actress, has been singled out for "Hidden Figures.'' Both of her co-stars, Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monae, are better in it. Monae, also electric in "Moonlight,'' really should have been in the running. Her entry into movies was one of the best things about 2016.



___



BEST DIRECTOR



The Nominees: "La La Land,'' Damien Chazelle; "Hacksaw Ridge,'' Mel Gibson; "Moonlight,'' Barry Jenkins; "Manchester by the Sea,'' Kenneth Lonergan and "Arrival,'' Denis Villeneuve.



BAHR:



Will Win: Damien Chazelle, of course.



Should Win: "La La Land'' was not an inevitability, nor is any original musical and Chazelle willed this impossible project into being despite all the odds _ whether it be the time constraint of a sunset for the perfect shot or shutting down a freeway to stage the perfect opening number. The work is on the screen.



Should Have Been a Contender: Pablo Larrain had not one but two brilliant, genre defying biopics this year in "Neruda'' and "Jackie.''



COYLE:



Will Win: The 32-year-old wunderkind Chazelle appears to have it in the bag.



Should Win: Both Chazelle and Jenkins are overwhelmingly worthy. Just give these two exceptionally talented and annoyingly young filmmakers the keys to Hollywood.



Should Have Been a Contender: Andrea Arnold, the British director of "American Honey,'' created the year's most intoxicating sensory experience in her wild cross-country exploration. One of the most offensive Oscar stats is that no woman has been nominated in this category since 2010.
Sunday night's Oscars are shaping up to be one of the most turbulent and politically charged ceremonies in recent memory. The three-hour-plus telecast, which begins at 8:30 p.m. on ABC, is expected to resemble one very glitzy protest against President Donald Trump, whom award-winners _-like Meryl Streep at the Golden Globes - have railed against throughout Hollywood's awards season.



An unusually tense atmosphere has coalesced before the Dolby Theatre ceremony, with protests, rallies and boycotts swirling around this year's Oscars. Even the normally sunny California weather has been stormy, and light rain fell Sunday as stars arrived on the covered red carpet.



"It's crazy to be at the prom,'' said Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Broadway star who is to perform his nominated song from "Moana.'' He brought his mother, Luz, as his date.



Yet most expect another day of sun for Damien Chazelle's celebrated musical "La La Land,'' up for a record-tying 14 nominations. A best picture upset, while unlikely, isn't out the question, though. Barry Jenkins' eight-time nominated "Moonlight'' on Saturday took best feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, where "La La Land'' wasn't eligible.



The other films up for best picture are Denis Villeneuve's "Arrival,'' Denzel Washington's "Fences,'' Mel Gibson's "Hacksaw Ridge,'' David Mackenzie's "Hell or High Water,'' Theodore Melfi's `'Hidden Figures,'' Kenneth Lonergan's "Manchester by the Sea'' and Garth Davis' "Lion.''



The "#OscarsSoWhite'' crisis of the last two years was largely quelled this season by a richly diverse slate of nominees, thanks to films like "Moonlight,'' "Fences'' and ``Hidden Figures.'' A record six black actors are nominated. For the first time ever, a person of color is nominated in each acting category. And four of the five best documentary nominees were also directed by black filmmakers.



The nominees follow the efforts by Academy of Motions Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs to diversify the membership of the largely white, older and male film academy. In June, the academy added 683 new members: 46 percent of them were female; 41-percent were nonwhite; and they pulled from 59 countries.



But just how political the ABC show becomes will depend in part on the tone set by host Jimmy Kimmel, who'll have a delicate balancing act to maintain. Play it too light and he'll appear out of sync with the mood. Hammer too hard and he'll alienate viewers already inundated by politics. Some Trump supporters, expecting political speeches, have said they will boycott the broadcast.



The academy and ABC will be hoping to improve on last year's telecast. The Chris Rock-hosted show drew 34.4 million viewers, an eight-year low. Ads this year are still going for $2.1 million for 30-second spots.

There are some sources of suspense at this year's Oscars, most notably in the best actor category. While Casey Affleck ("Manchester by the Sea'') was the favorite through most of awards season, Washington ("Fences'') took the highly predictive Screen Actors Guild award, setting him up as the odds-makers' favored pick.



Affleck, wearing a shirt with the word "love'' in Arabic, was among those to speak bluntly against Trump at Saturday's Spirit Awards.



"The policies of this administration are abhorrent and will not last,'' said Affleck, accepting the best actor award.



Politics pervaded Oscar weekend, usually a time of frothy anticipation of Hollywood's big night:



- On Friday, the United Talent Agency, forgoing its usual Oscar party, instead held a rally protesting Trump over immigration. "We will not tolerate chaos and ineptitude and war-mongering,'' Jodie Foster told attendees.



-Also on Friday, the six directors of the foreign film nominees released a joint statement condemning "the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the U.S. and in so many other countries.''The signees included the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, whose "The Salesman'' is favored to win him his second foreign language Oscar. He isn't attending the awards in protest of Trump's proposed travel ban of seven predominantly Muslim nations, including Iran.



- U.S. immigration authorities are barring entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on the documentary short nominee "The White Helmets,'' about the nation's civil war.



-The Academy of Motion Pictures also added best actress nominee Streep ("Florence Foster Jenkins'') to its lineup of A-list presenters. Her fiery remarks at the Golden Globes prompted Trump to call her "overrated.''
A line of trucks weaves in and out of the open coal pit that has been dug in the Thar Desert in Pakistan's southern Sindh province.

Below the massive hole lies one of the world's largest coal reserves, untapped until now.

For years Pakistan used its Thar coal reserves as a bargaining chip in global climate negotiations. Since it was not mining the coal, it argued, it should receive easier access to international climate finance and to clean technology to help it grow in a cleaner and more sustainable way.

But as part of its attempt to end the country's energy crisis which has caused frequent power cuts for years, the government is encouraging mining companies to the area.

Traditionally Pakistan has had relatively low emissions of climate changing gases. But under the global Paris Agreement to address climate change, the country has admitted it is likely to see a four-fold increase in emissions by 2030.

The coal mine is set to become Pakistan's biggest industrial site, said Shamsuddin Shaikh, head of the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), a joint venture between the Sindh government and Engro Powergen.

The company is mining 1 percent of the deposits in one of 13 investment blocks.

Coal is "the worst fossil fuel there is", he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. But "Pakistan needs electricity  its GDP is currently affected by the lack of power", he said.

The estimated 175 billion tons of watery, low energy coal was first discovered in 1992 but because of its poor quality, most companies found it too costly to mine.

In 2012, SECMC, took up the challenge, convincing eight companies to join them, two of them Chinese.

They are also now building a 660 megawatt coal power plant nearby  which the company wants to increase to 3,300 MW by 2022  and the Sindh government has improved roads and built an airport in the desert for the project.

The government has promised to end Pakistan's crippling power outages in time for the 2018 elections, embarking on construction of new hydropower dams, coal-fired power plants and renewable energy projects.

Pakistani climate expert Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, currently advising the Asian Development Bank, said he has told the government "not to lock the country for the next 25 to 30 years into coal technology".

"Our role as a responsible member of the global community in combating climate change needs to be fully taken into consideration," he said.

Most of the world, including China, is moving away from coal-based power generation, Chaudhry said.

Under the Paris climate agreement, countries are meant to be shifting to clean, sustainable energy as part of global attempts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change, from worsening droughts and floods to accelerating sea level rise.

"Surely the indications are that the time may not be far when ... countries not following the green energy path would be penalized. Our long term planning should not be focused on coal," Chaudhry told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Pakistan is not the only country using coal - one of the cheapest but also most polluting forms of energy - to help plug its growing energy needs.

Most new demand for coal-fired power stations is in Southeast Asia, although other countries including Bangladesh are also building new stations.

WATER POLLUTION, NEW HOMES

For the past three months villagers near the mine have been protesting SECMC's mining plans, saying the project will pollute their water and threaten their ancestral lands.

The company plans to transport effluents from the watery mine via a pipeline into a reservoir which will cover at least 1,500 acres (600 hectares) of land once it is built.

This will be done for the next two and a half years to dry the mine, and then the water will be treated and re-used in the coal power plant. The pipeline, linking the reservoir to the coal mines 26 km away, is almost complete.

"They will pump dirty water from the mine to store in the (reservoir) and that will pollute the sweet water in our wells.

Engro is willing to give us money but we don't want it. This is our ancestral land and we won't leave," said Padma Bai, one of the villagers protesting the project.

Leela Ram, whose large home lies close to the reservoir, said it should be built nearer the coal mine.

"Why can't they dump the water where there are no people?" she asked.

The villagers have filed a case in the Sindh High Court and applied for a stay order to block the reservoir's construction.

The court hearings are underway but construction goes on.

"I will go all the way to the Supreme Court if need be," said Ram, who is leading the protest.

The company said the site originally planned for the effluents was the nearby Rann of Kutch salt marshes but since they are a Ramsar Site for migratory birds the natural depression of Gorrano was selected instead.

The company is providing alternative pasture for villagers living near the Gorrano reservoir, and building new homes, schools and healthcare facilities for two villages being relocated to make way for the mine and power plant, said Mohsin Babbar, the company's media manager.

"This will be a benchmark project - and will set the standard for others," said Shaikh, referring to the new homes, a planned 70 bed hospital and a training center for the local people.

"Of course if they (villagers) are not happy, this project will not work," he added.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday urged the international community to protect the two-state solution, in a message aimed at Israel and the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump.



At a White House meeting earlier this month, both Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared to back away from the internationally supported idea of the establishment of an independent Palestine alongside Israel.



In an address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Abbas called on states that believe in two states "to come to the defense of that solution" and recognize the state of Palestine.



"This solution must be protected from any attempt to withdraw from it or simply disregard it," he said.



The international community, including the U.S., has long supported the idea of a two-state solution as the best way to create peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In January, dozens of countries reiterated their support for this goal at an international conference in France, days before Trump took office.



But at a joint press conference with Trump on Feb. 15, Netanyahu made no mention of the two-state solution. Instead, he talked of searching for "new ways" forward, including a regional approach involving other Arab countries.



Trump, meanwhile, said he could favor any agreement between the parties, including a single Israeli-Palestinian state, a solution that neither side favors. He also referred to a "much bigger deal" involving "many countries."



Abbas said he is ready to work in a "positive spirit" with Trump, but rejected the idea of an interim agreement or single state.



"We should no longer be speaking of integrating Palestine within a larger regional framework and that is precisely what the government of Israel is attempting to do by withdrawing from progress previously achieved," he said.



He also denounced Israel's settlement activity on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and Israel's passage this month of a law meant to retroactively legalize thousands of West Bank settlement homes built unlawfully on private Palestinian land.



He said the law "legitimizes the theft of occupied Palestinian lands."



Abbas also cautioned against the transfer of any embassy to Jerusalem, a scenario raised by Trump.
The Pentagon says it has sent the White House a preliminary plan to defeat Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria, and says Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will brief senior administration officials on the draft later Monday.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis described the document as a framework for a broader plan aimed at countering the extremist group beyond Syria and Iraq, where Islamic State is seeking to establish a religious state.

Davis did not provide details.

But Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford said last week the strategy will also target al-Qaida and other extremist groups in the Middle East and elsewhere. He also emphasized that the plan would reach beyond military force, calling it a political-military plan.

Dunford said U.S. estimates show Islamic State has drawn about 45,000 recruits from more than 100 nations.

Our plan, to be successful, needs to, number one, cut the connective tissue between regional groups that now form a trans-regional threat, he said.

What we don't want to do is bring [President Trump] options that solve one problem only to create a second problem, he said.
Hillary tweeted a link to an article from The Kansas City Star titled 'Widow of Olathe shooting victim: 'I need an answer' on how US stops hate crimes' and said that Donald Trump must speak out on rising hate crime.

By India Today Web Desk: Hillary Clinton, who ran against US President Donald Trump, today referred to the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla while criticising Trump for not speaking out on rising 'hate crimes' in the country.

The Democrat tweeted, "With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS (the president of the US) to do his part." Her tweet linked to an article from The Kansas City Star titled Widow of Olathe shooting victim: 'I need an answer' on how U.S. stops hate crimes.

With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

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The article was about Sunayana Dumala, Kuchibhotla's wife, questioning whether Indians are safe in the United States. Kuchibhotla's death in the shooting, which is being seen as a hate crime by many, comes amid a raging debate in the US over President Trump's immigration policies and general stance towards immigrants.

The Kansas bar shooting in which Kuchibhotla lost his life came soon after the US government attempted to implement an immigration order that severely restricted entry into the US for travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.The travel order was later blocked by courts in the US and Trump has promised that a revised policy will soon be put in place.

KUCHIBHOTLA'S BODY BROUGHT BACK TO INDIA

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Kuchibhotla's mortal remains were today brought to Hyderabad, where he grew up. The body, flown in on an Air India flight, was accompanied by Dumala and the techie's brother.

Kuchibhotla was at a bar in Olathe, Kanasas, with friend and fellow Indian Alok Reddy Madasani when a 51-year-old American navy veteran, Adam Purinton, opened fire at them. Madasani suffered injuries as did another American, Ian Grillot, who lunged at Purinton in order to stop the shooting.

Purinton, who witnesses said yelled 'get out of my country' before shooting at the Indian duo, has been arrested and remains incarcerated awaiting judicial proceedings.

Also read: Body of Indian techie killed in Kansas shooting brought to India

Also read: More than $1M raised for kin of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, two other men injured in incident

Also watch: Kansas bar shooting: Do we belong here, asks wife of murdered Indian techie

--- ENDS ---
Nigerian police say it is not clear if a ransom was paid for the release of two German archaeologists freed by their kidnappers over the weekend.

Professor Peter Breunig and Johannes Behringer of Frankfurt's Goethe University were seized at gunpoint Wednesday from Jenjela village in Kaduna state, less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Abuja, Nigeria's capital. Two villagers who tried to help them were killed by the kidnappers.

The kidnappers released the Germans unharmed on Saturday night, said a police statement.

The two freed academics were at the German Embassy in Abuja on Monday and are expected to return home, said Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer.

It was good that such a positive solution came about so quickly, he told the AP.

Germany's government does not comment on hostage negotiations or ransom payments.

The kidnappers made direct contact with the German Embassy, a senior police officer involved in the search told The Associated Press on Monday. A worker at Jenjela said the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 60 million naira ($200,000). Both men spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to reporters.

It was unclear if the kidnappers were paid or if they were frightened off by a massive hunt launched by police Special Forces, an elite anti-kidnapping unit and security agents aided by a low-flying helicopter.

The officer said security operatives had created a cordon to block off a thick forest where kidnappers often take hostages. He said the search for the kidnappers continued on Tuesday.

On Monday, Kaduna state Gov. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai had commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the Germans. But he gave no details.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria, with ordinary residents and even schoolchildren targeted as well as foreigners. Victims usually are freed unharmed after a ransom is paid, though security forces have rescued a few high-profile abductees.

Sierra Leone's deputy high commissioner was kidnapped at gunpoint on the highway from Abuja to Kaduna in June and held for five days before he was released. Sierra Leone denied any ransom was paid.

Breunig, 65 and Behringer, in his 20s, are part of a four-man team from Goethe University investigating the culture of the Nok people in collaboration with Nigeria's National Commission for Museum and Monuments. Breunig has been working for a decade on sites of the early Iron Age people, considered the earliest ancient civilization of West Africa, and their terracotta figurines viewed as the beginnings of African sculpture.
Two years after he was killed near the Kremlin, Boris Nemtsov can still attract crowds of supporters. But his death left in tatters Russia's opposition movement, which is struggling with infighting and seems unable to rally behind one unifying figure.

In the largest Russian opposition protest in months, thousands marched Sunday across Moscow to commemorate Nemtsov's life, demand a thorough investigation of his death and to denounce President Vladimir Putin. The procession went to the bridge where Nemtsov was gunned down on Feb. 27, 2015. People also took to the streets in other cities, including St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, his hometown.

Once a deputy prime minister tipped to be a possible successor to former President Boris Yeltsin, Nemtsov carved a unique role for himself as an opposition leader who still maintained contacts inside the Kremlin and could open doors abroad, from Brussels to Washington.

A look at the Russian opposition:

Alexei Navalny

The main force behind large protests against Putin in 2011-12, Alexei Navalny finished second with about a third of the vote in Moscow's 2013 mayoral election, even though he had just been convicted of fraud charges that were widely seen as politically motivated.

Sentenced to five years in prison, he was freed and allowed to run pending an appeal that eventually led to a suspended sentence. His guilty verdict later was overturned by the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled his right to a fair trial had been violated. A retrial ended Feb. 8 with another guilty verdict and a suspended sentence.

That ruling bars the charismatic anti-corruption activist from running for president in 2018, when presumably Putin would seek re-election to another six-year term. Navalny and his associates are preparing his candidacy anyway.

The 40-year-old lawyer has endured so many court cases targeting him and his family that he had to deliver seven closing arguments in separate cases in the past four years.

"I spent one out of the past four years under house arrest, I have had several similar court cases during this time, my brother was sent to prison, and I spent most of this time barred from leaving town," Navalny said this month. "But we still continue to publish numerous investigations, we have been doing our best unmasking those thieves and this gang that usurped power in Russia."

Even though his prospects for running in 2018 are dim, he is raising funds for the campaign and traveling across Russia to meet with volunteers. The opening of his campaign headquarters in St. Petersburg drew several hundred people who lined up for blocks.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

An oil tycoon who was once Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 in a tax evasion and money-laundering case that was seen as revenge for his challenging of Putin's power. After serving 10 years in prison, he was pardoned right before the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Since his release, Khodorkovsky used some of his remaining wealth that was not seized by the government to help fund an independent news website, back national and local Russian legislative candidates, and give legal support to political prisoners. But he has not been to Russia since his release, and his emigre status makes it almost impossible for him to enjoy wide popularity inside Russia.

Legal troubles continue for the 54-year-old former oligarch. Investigators searched the homes of several employees of his charity and last year declared Khodorkovsky arrested in absentia in connection with the 1998 killing of a Siberian mayor  charges he dismisses as a political vendetta.

Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr.

The coordinator at Khodorkovsky's Open Russia foundation and a close associate of Nemtsov, Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. is largely unknown to most Russians. Yet the 35-year-old's wide contacts in the West arguably make him a thorn in the Kremlin's side.

Kara-Murza suffered two almost identical illnesses in 2015 and again this month that his doctors have called poisonings. Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in 2015, although doctors have not identified the poison. Both times, he spent several days in a medically induced coma. After the most recent incident, his family sent his blood samples to a private lab in Israel to determine the toxin. He was flown out of Russia for treatment.

Russian state media targeted Kara-Murza alongside Nemtsov for his lobbying in the West, openly calling him a traitor.

Kara-Murza has traveled to the U.S., Canada and eastern Europe, pushing a law that targets Russian officials involved in rights abuses. In 2012, the U.S. Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, named for the late Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky. It was a precursor for the worsening of U.S.-Russia relations, which hit a post-Cold War low in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula.

Dmitry Gudkov

Elected to the State Duma in 2011, Dmitry Gudkov is one of the few lawmakers who have voted against Kremlin-backed legislation, from the U.S. adoption ban to the annexation of Crimea.

Gudkov used his lawmaker's privileges to press officials about massive spending on the 2014 Olympics and about Nemtsov's killing. City officials have rejected petitions to rename the bridge after the slain politician or put up a commemorative plaque, and utility workers have repeatedly removed flowers, photos and candles left by mourners for Nemtsov  as they did again early Monday.

Gudkov, who lost a re-election bid for the Duma last year, has said he will run for mayor of Moscow in 2018.

In a country where the dominant state-owned media refuses to give air time to the opposition, candidates like Gudkov have a long-term strategy of just getting a foot in the door, rather than trying to convince voters they can beat a Kremlin candidate.

"We need to be prepared: Not just from campaign to campaign, but permanently, build a strong team," Gudkov told Ekho Moskvy radio this month. "There will be changes in public consciousness, and we should be ready for that."
The American mining company Freeport-McMoRan has brought the world's biggest gold mine, in the Indonesian province of West Papua, to a standstill. The corporation is butting heads with the Indonesian government over protectionist mining regulations. And now that Freeport has started to dismiss tens of thousands of workers, the local economy is poised to take a huge hit. In Mimika Regency, the West Papua province containing the Grasberg gold mine, 91 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is attributed to Freeport.

Freeport Indonesia abruptly stopped production on February 10 and laid off 10 percent of its foreign workers. It employs 32,000 people in Indonesia, about 12,000 of whom are full-time employees. The freeze was a reaction to a shakeup in Freeports 30-year contract with the Indonesian government, signed in 1991. Indonesia has tried to levy additional obligations from Freeport in an attempt to increase domestic revenue from its natural resources. Freeport retaliated last week by threatening to pursue arbitration and sue the government for damages.

The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources could not be reached for comment on the issue.

Observers on the ground in Papua and from afar in Jakarta worry the shakeup will decimate the local economy and lead to violence in the historically unstable region. West Papua has long been a troubled territory in Indonesia and its independence movement has long been met with brutal military action.

Activist concerns

I dont think the government comprehended the social impact of the Freeport freeze in Mimika, said Octovianus Danunan, editor of the Radar Timika, a local newspaper. Freeport runs two hospitals here, gives hundreds of scholarships to local students, and of course, provides jobs to thousands of Papuans. With these layoffs, people are extremely worried; their lines of credit are vanishing as we speak.

These layoffs have eliminated the livelihoods of a lot of people, said John Gobai, a member of the Papua parliament. We have heard from indigenous people here in Timika [the site of Freeport facilities] that people are becoming sick from stress. They are falling into an abyss of stress.

According to an internal Freeport report from 2015, about 36 percent of its full-time employees are native Papuans.

I suspect that, because they may lose their jobs, many employees will want to stage demonstrations but then, ironically, they will be laid off because thats the state policy. I think this whole situation is a human rights violation, said Gobai.

Violence is a very big possibility, said Andreas Harsono, a Human Rights Watch researcher. Timika is the wild, wild east of West Papua. It's the location of more than 3,500 security officers stationed along the 90-mile mining road, not to say Papuan guerrillas and hundreds of military deserters, all looking for a slice of the gold and copper mine. Shooting along the road is a regularity rather than an irregularity. I cannot imagine the situation if Freeport goes ahead with dismissing all 30,000 mining workers there.

Gobai said there have already been some protests on Freeport headquarters and he expects there will be more going forward.

Freeports CEO Richard Adkerson told Reuters that the company was committed to staying in Indonesia, not least because about one-third of West Papuas economy comes from the Grasberg mine.

Freeports history in Indonesia

On February 12, Adkerson issued a hard 120-day ultimatum to the Indonesian government to back down on its new demands or else face arbitration from the mining giant.

Freeports involvement in Indonesia dates back to the Suharto military dictatorship, which signed over 250,000 acres of West Papuan territory in 1967.

Freeport was the first foreign company to sign a contract with the new Indonesian government and, due in part to this history, it is now the single largest employer in all of Indonesia.

The company enjoyed a complicated special relationship as a quasi-state organization for Jakarta, as Inside Indonesia details, throughout the Suharto era, but the relationship has cooled under subsequent, democratically elected presidents.

The friction that led to this months impasse is a 2009 mining law that would require Freeport to build a $2.9 billion smelter (in order to move resource exports higher up in the value chain from just raw materials) and divest the majority of its shares to Indonesian ownership within 10 years.

Freeport maintains that, since its current contract runs through 2021, it doesnt need to act on the regulations yet. But Indonesian officials, led by Mines and Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan, have ramped up pressure for Freeport to convert its contract per the 2009 law to a Special Business License, which precipitated todays standoff.

Situation in flux

Both Indonesia and Freeport are likely to see monetary losses from the clash, but Indonesia seems committed to asserting its terms for collaboration. The global commodities market for ore and other natural resources has also dipped in the last year, with a particular slowdown from China.

The ground situation is likely to be in constant flux over the coming months as the Indonesian government gears up for a fight. On Monday, the government announced it is grooming a state-owned aluminum enterprise to take over the Grasberg mine if it wins arbitration with Freeport.

What the government really needs to think about is what compensation they can give to layoff victims in the present, said Gobai. These people are employees, but they are also citizens.
The impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye entered its final phase Monday as the Constitutional Court held its last hearing, and as Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn refused to extend the independent counsel probe in the corruption scandal.

In December the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to remove President Park from office for colluding with her long-time friend Choi Soon-sil to extort Korean conglomerates to donate over $69 million to two dubious foundations in exchange for favorable treatment or under threat of tax audits.

There were also other charges related to Parks allegedly negligent handing of the 2014 Sewol Ferry disaster that killed over 300 people, and to Choi purportedly using presidential connections to gain her daughter admission into a prestigious university.

Legal maneuvering

President Park has been suspended from office during the Constitutional Court trial to review the legitimacy of the impeachment motion, a process that by law can take up to six months.

Park declined to attend the final hearing and has publicly maintained that she is not guilty of the charges, that she has never financially benefited from her office, and was unaware of any illicit activities that were allegedly conducted by friends and subordinates.

However critics say Parks lawyers have employed a cynical defense strategy to fight the motion on technical legal grounds and to delay the proceedings until judicial term limits further change the dynamics of the Constitutional Court in their favor.

The South Korean constitution requires that at least six of the nine top court justices concur to reach a valid ruling. Currently there are eights judges left on the court as Chief Justice Chief Judge Park Han-chul stepped down when his term expired in January. Justice Lee Jung-mis term ends after March 13. No new justices can be appointed during the impeachment process.

The court has indicated it would strive to reach a verdict before Justice Lee steps down.

However, one of the presidents lawyers has claimed that a decision made by an eight member Constitutional Court could be subject to a retrial motion.

Parks lawyers have also argued that because the 13 specific impeachment charges were bundled into one single motion, and not voted on separately, the entire process should be invalid.

Independent counsel

Also on Monday South Korea's acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn refused to extend the current special prosecutor's investigation into the presidential influence peddling scandal.

"After much deliberation (the acting president) has decided that it would be best for the country's stability to not extend the special investigation and for the prosecutors to take over, said Hong Kwon-Heui, the spokesperson for the prime minister.

The special prosecution team was appointed in December due to concerns that Justice Ministry prosecutors appointed by the Park administration could be perceived as having a conflict of interest in the investigation.

During its 90 day term, the special prosecution team indicted or arrested several members of the political and business elite linked to the corruption scandal, including Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee.

However President Park and her defense team have refused to cooperate with the investigation, and acting President Hwang had denied a request to search her offices in the Blue House on national security grounds.

The special prosecutor had requested an extension to continue its investigation and expressed disappointment with Hwangs rejection.

The special prosecutor thinks it is very regrettable that Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn did not accept request of extension of investigation period while the investigation of the subjects of special prosecutor's law is not completed, said Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman for the special prosecution team.

Leaders of the Democratic Party, South Korea's main opposition party, said on Monday it would seek to impeach the prime minister for refusing to extend the independent counsel investigation.



Acting President Hwang was appointed prime minister in 2015 by President Park and is considered a possible conservative presidential candidate if the impeachment motion is upheld.

New election

The presidential influence peddling scandal and impeachment trial has deeply divided the nation. This weekend tens of thousands of anti-Park protesters again staged a major rally in Seoul calling for the president to step down, as they have every week since the scandal broke.

A number of opposition leaders have already declared their intention to run for president in an election to be scheduled within 60 days of the impeachment ruling, if it is upheld. If the court rejects the impeachment, the presidential election will be held later this year as President Parks single five-year term ends in early 2018.

In the last month, conservative supporters of Park have also held large-scale counter demonstrations. Many conservatives at these rallies carry American flags and denounce impeachment supporters as North Korean sympathizers.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was considered the conservative frontrunner to follow President Park, but he withdrew his name from consideration after facing media criticism and declining approval ratings.

Youmi Kim contributed to this report.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Monday for a $54 billion annual increase in defense spending, describing the 10 percent jump as a "landmark event," a message aimed at assuring the world of "American strength, security and resolve."

Speaking to U.S. governors at the White House, Trump said, "We must ensure that our courageous servicemen and women have the tools they need to deter war and when called upon to fight in our name, only do one thing, win."

WATCH: President Trump on military budget

The new president said the United States has to "start winning wars again," recalling that in his youth in the years after World War II, Americans boasted that the country "never lost a war."

"And now we never win a war, we never win," Trump said. "And we dont fight to win; we dont fight to win. So were either going to win, or dont fight it at all.

Trump said he would outline his spending priorities in greater detail in an address to Congress late Tuesday, but said the bigger Pentagon budget would "rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it."

At the same time, however, he said his new administration would continue to look for defense savings, saying how he had cut $725 million from the cost of the development of new F-35 fighter jets.

Budget officials told reporters that with the big jump in defense spending, there would be corresponding cuts in domestic programs and foreign aid to other countries. The Trump administration plans to lay out proposed spending levels for a raft of government agencies in a submission to Congress next month, with proposals for tax cuts coming later.

Trump said the government's budget figures are complicated by Congress first having to deal with his call for the repeal and replacement of national health care reforms enacted under former President Barack Obama, to determine how much the government will be spending on health care in the fiscal year starting October 1.

"Obamacare is a failed disaster," Trump said of his predecessor's chief legislative achievement. He said Republicans could "let it implode," a politically "great" strategy, "but not fair" to the millions who would lose health insurance coverage to help pay their medical bills.

WATCH: Trump on Obamacare

Repeal and replacement of the law is complicated and its fate in Congress is uncertain. Trump did not spell out details of how he wants to change the law.

While boosting defense spending, Trump is expected to trim funding at the State Department and other agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Administration officials say the White House is detailing its vision for federal spending in a memo to government agencies on Monday. The Office of Management and Budget says a more complete budget outline is expected to be released in mid-March.

Budget officials say they will not seek cuts in spending for two programs benefiting older Americans, Social Security pensions and the Medicare health program that pays 80 percent of seniors' bills for doctors' visits and hospital care.

Whatever the president proposes to agencies Monday will surely not be the final budget for the 2018 fiscal year.

Each agency will respond with arguments for what it thinks should be its budget, and ultimately it is up to Congress to vote on federal spending.
U.S. President Donald Trump is kicking off the long federal budget process with proposals to increase defense spending, while making cuts to budgets for the State Department and other agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Administration officials say the White House is detailing its vision for federal spending in a memo to agencies on Monday.The Office of Management and Budget says a more complete budget outline is expected to be released in mid-March.

As a candidate, Trump repeatedly promised to boost the military, and in a speech Friday he pledged "one of the greatest military buildups in American history."

He has also said he would not seek cuts in programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Whatever the president proposes to agencies Monday will surely not be the final budget for the 2018 fiscal year, which begins in October.

Each agency will respond with arguments for what it thinks should be its budget, and ultimately it is up to Congress to vote on federal spending.

Trump is meeting Monday at the White House with House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.A day later, he addresses a joint session of Congress in a major speech six weeks into his presidency.
Once, there was effusive coverage on Russian state media.

Once, Duma lawmakers offered champagne toasts and ovations to celebrate our man in the White House.

And once, above all else, there was optimism: a sense among Russians that, after years of deeply contentious relations between the Kremlin and the Obama administration, a Donald Trump presidency would usher in a new era in U.S.-Russian relations with Trump's pledge to do deals with Vladimir Putin.



Yet, after a rocky month of mixed messages from the Trump White House, there are growing signs in Moscow that the Trump-Russian relationship is in need of serious counseling.

The popular tabloid daily Moskovskie Komosomolets was among the first Russian publications to sound the alarm:

"It's time for us to end our 'romance' with Trump," columnist Mikhail Rostovsky wrote. "It's completely obvious that Trump doesn't have the political resources to turn around American politics in relation to Russia."

"We need to distance ourselves from false illusions. The quicker the better," Rostovsky added.

Candidate promises vs. presidential policies

Indeed, Russians' second-guessing comes from a rift between Trump "the campaigner" and Trump "the presidency."

Candidate Trump repeatedly voiced support for key issues of importance to Moscow, such as Ukraine, NATO and Syria. Candidate Trump suggested relief from Western sanctions imposed over Russia's actions in Ukraine was a real possibility.

Yet those statements seem to be quickly running aground in President Trump's administration.

Over the past several weeks, top Trump administration officials - from the vice president to the secretaries of state and defense as well as the ambassador to the United Nations - have all pulled back on suggestions of a quick pivot in relations with Moscow.

The dismissal of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who had been widely viewed in Moscow as sympathetic to Russia, from Trump's national security team proved cause for further concern. Flynn backchanneling to Russian diplomats before the inauguration proved cause for further concern.



Since then, the administration's opposition to sanctions relief, in particular, has hardened  embittering Russia's political elite in the process.

Several high-ranking lawmakers have accused Washingtons political establishment of plotting to undermine Trumps desire for better relations.



But Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Duma and a key adviser to the Russian president, was among those who let his dissatisfaction with Trump be known directly.

One must start by fulfilling ones campaign promises, Volodin complained, arguing that Americans had supported Trump in part for his desire to repair U.S.-Russian relations.

Kremlin camps

Indeed, changing perceptions of the Trump administration have divided normally united pro-Kremlin camps  prompting conflicts that border on the bizarre.

Last week, members of the pro-Kremlin National Independence Movement showed up outside state medias Rossiya Sevodnya headquarters in downtown Moscow to protest the cult of Trump.

In subsequent interviews, NIMs leader, pro-Putin lawmaker Evgeny Feodorev, accused Putins chief propagandist, Dmitry Kiselev, of heading an anti-Putin conspiracy with his fawning coverage of Trump.



Kiselev used his weekly Vesti Nedeli program to denounce Feodorevs charges as trivial, but observers noted that Trump coverage was noticeably absent from the broadcast. (Disclosure: a separate Vesti Nedeli news segment attacked the recently launched VOA/RFE Russian language online news channel "Current Time.")

Same channels, different news

Indeed, after months of wall-to-wall coverage of the American elections on state media, coverage of President Trump is now hard to find.

Kremlin officials insist the shift in tone is no more than Russians tiring of the Trump story.

But others aren't so sure.

"By the tone of Russian channels, it's been impossible to understand: either Donald Trump was elected president of Russia or Vladimir Putin won the U.S. presidential elections," writes Lev Schlossberg, a liberal politiican with the Yabloko party, in a blog post about media coverage of Trump's victory.

Only "Trump turned out to be the president of the United States," continues Schlosberg, noting that the U.S. administration had come out against Russia's annexation of Crimea.

"As happens with children and teenagers, it went from love to hate -- in one step," he adds.

But Ekaterina Schulmann, a Moscow-based political analyst, told VOA the shift was by design.

Russian media, Schulmann argued, became "too enamored" with the Trump story, chasing Putin from his honored top spot in Russian news coverage.

"This could not be endured," she said. "There can be only one star in our Cyrillic world."

Investigations everywhere

Lost on no one  in Washington or Moscow  are multiple investigations into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Kremlin officials in the run-up to the November elections.

The FBI, Congress and independent media are all looking into Trumps Russia ties with intense interest.

Indeed, President Trump seemed to acknowledge the potential constraints they presented to detente with Moscow during his first official press conference earlier this month.

"Probably Putin assumes that hes not going to be able to make a deal with me because its politically not popular for me to make a deal," Trump said.

"I dont know that were going to make a deal. I dont know. We might. We might not," he added.

Kremlin calm?

Nonetheless, not all in Moscow were ready to pull the plug on detente with the Trump White House.

Sergey Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, was among voices insisting the new American president simply needed more time.

We understand that Trump isnt ready to take on foreign policy, wrote Markov in a post to Facebook. The time for improving ties with Russia will come only after Trump is stronger domestically.

And as for panic in the Kremlin? Fear not, insisted Markov: Theyve got iron nerves. Neurotics dont last there long.
Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups clashed with government forces near a city in northern Syria they captured from Islamic State, the second such confrontation in that region this month.

The clash late on Sunday took place in an area where the sides are waging separate campaigns against Islamic State.

Russia, which backs the Syrian government, intervened to halt the previous clash.

The latest incident occurred near the city of al-Bab, which the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels captured last week from Islamic State. Syrian government forces on Sunday announced the capture of the town of Tadef, 4 km (2.5 miles) to the south.

A rebel official in touch with one of the FSA groups taking part in the Turkey-backed campaign in northern Syria said rebels had opened fire on Sunday in response to an attempt by government forces to advance towards an area near al-Bab.

An FSA statement said "22 regime members" were killed.

A Syrian military source said the rebels had "targeted our forces in Tadef with artillery and machine guns". The source, who described the FSA factions as "terrorist groups that belong to Turkey", gave no casualty toll.

Earlier this month, a senior Russian official said Tadef marked an agreed dividing line between the Syrian army and the Turkey-backed forces.

Turkey, a major backer of Syrian opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, last year began cooperating with Russia in Syria. With Moscow, it has co-sponsored a ceasefire agreement between government and rebel forces in western Syria.

The rebel official said Turkish forces were not involved in the confrontation, adding that government forces appeared to be testing the rebels. "They probably hadn't thought that they would receive such a fierce response," said the official.

The Syrian military source said the incident showed the rebels' "main aim is not fighting Daesh (Islamic State), but realising other goals including an attempt to obstruct the Syrian army's operation confronting Daesh".
Afghanistans Taliban says an American drone strike in northern Afghanistan has killed one of its senior commanders, who led insurgents to briefly capture the capital of Kunduz province in 2015.

Mullah Abdul Salam and several of his key commanders were killed Sunday in the Dashti Archi district of Kunduz, Afghan and Taliban officials confirmed Monday.

A spokesman for the Islamist insurgency, Zabihullah Mujahid, maintained that missiles fired by an unmanned U.S. aircraft killed Salam.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, while thanking his national security forces and praising their bravery at a special ceremony in Kabul, revealed the news about the death of the insurgent commander.

Our security and defense forces yesterday [Sunday], as an important demonstration for the security of Kunduz, destroyed Mullah Salam along with his aides, Ghani said, without elaborating.

A U.S. military spokesman confirmed an air raid had been carried out Sunday in Kunduz, but said there was no confirmation about its outcome.

Mullah Salam was the most senior Taliban leader eliminated since the groups chief, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in May 2016, while he was traveling through neighboring Pakistans Baluchistan province.

Salam was arrested in Pakistan in 2010, before he was freed along with other Taliban prisoners two years later at the insistence of the then-Afghan government, which hoped the insurgents would quit violence and help in the official reconciliation efforts.

But Salam rejoined the Taliban upon his return to Afghanistan and retook command of insurgents in Kunduz.

The insurgent commander was from Dashti Archi, one of the Taliban's strongholds in the province, and some Afghan observers say they believe he played a key role in promoting the group's contacts with Russia.
A drone attack in northern Syria, part of a series of recent strikes by the United States in and around the province of Idlib, killed a top al-Qaida leader who had participated in the planning for the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Several hours after the drone strike Sunday, jihadists confirmed on several websites the death of Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, who was appointed a deputy leader of the terror group last year.

A close confidante of al-Qaida's emir Ayman al-Zawahiri, a fellow Egyptian, as well as the husband of one of Osama bin Laden's daughters, the 59-year-old al-Masri was killed by a missile that struck a small car in which he was traveling. U.S. officials have confirmed the strike, but won't say who was being targeted.

Video posted online by jihadists showed a four-door Kia sedan destroyed by the roadside. There was a large hole in its roof.

The news of his death was first reported by analyst Charles Lister, author of the book The Syrian Jihad. He described the death as "big news," pointing out that the dead jihadist was a member of the terror group's secretive Shura Council since its formation in the late 1980s.

"Abu al-Khayr al-Masri was jihadi royalty of the highest pedigree," Lister said. "Abu al-Khayr personally hosted the meeting in which al-Qaida planned the 9/11 attacks.

"His arrival in Syria in mid-2015 heralded al-Qaida central leadership's pivot to Syria as its key global safe haven," Lister said.

Loyal fighter

Abu al-Khayr fought alongside bin Laden in Afghanistan and spent more than 10 years in detention in Iran, fleeing there after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. According to the Long War Journal, an online publication of the Washington-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, he was released in 2015 for an Iranian diplomat who had been kidnapped in Yemen.

After a brief sojourn in Iraq, he was sent to Syria to join up with an advance guard of al-Qaida veterans sent to the war-torn country by al-Zawahiri to assist in the grooming of a local jihadist group, Jabhat al-Nusra, and to form an independent organization, which some Western officials dubbed Khorasan.

In July 2016, Abu al-Khayr al-Masri released an audio message in support of the Syrian jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, breaking with al-Qaida, a break approved publicly by al-Zawahiri.

The break was seen by U.S. and British intelligence officials as a ploy, part of a makeover for the Syrian jihadist group that would make it more appealing to Syrian rebels battling to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. Central Command Chief Gen. Joseph Votel portrayed the break as a public relations gambit. "At the core of it, they are still al-Qaida," he told a security forum in Aspen, Colorado, last year.

The U.S. government designated al-Masri an al-Qaida associate in October 2005. The Treasury Department said he was born Abdullah Muhammad Rajab abd al-Rahman in 1957 in the Egyptian town of Kafr al-Shaykh. Analysts say he fought in Egypt, Bosnia and Pakistan.

Another target

Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced a U.S. drone strike killed another core al-Qaida leader with ties to Ayman al-Zawahiri, Abu Hani al-Masri. He was the fourth al-Qaida veteran the U.S. claimed it had targeted this year. He was killed while riding in a vehicle near Idlib, a defense official told VOA.

U.S.-led coalition airstrikes have killed more than 100 jihadist fighters in northern Syria in recent weeks. Some have been members of the former Jabhat al-Nusra, which merged last month with four other militias and has been renamed Tahrir al-Sham; while others have been part of the Khorasan group. Jihadists in January accused more moderate Islamist and secular based groups of supplying targeting information to the U.S.

Tahrir al-Sham is locally focused, Lister said. But the Khorasan group has been preparing the ground for attacks on the West.

"Ultimately, this is what al-Zawahiri always dreamed about for Syria  the creation of safe bases' from which the far enemy could be threatened thanks to preparatory work undertaken by a locally focused affiliate," Lister said.
The Ministry of External Affairs has made arrangements to bring the mortal remains of Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead by former Navy serviceman Adam Purinton in the US.

By Indo-Asian News Service: The body of Hyderabad techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in suspected hate crime, will arrive in Hyderabad on tonight.

The Ministry of External Affairs has made arrangements to bring the mortal remains of Kuchibhotla after Adam W Purinton, a former Navy serviceman, killed him and injured Alok Madasani at a bar in Kansas state on the night of February 22.

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The body of the engineer is likely to reach Hyderabad airport by Air India flight.

Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative will accompany the body.

His last rites will be performed on Tuesday at Jubliee Hills, family members said.

ALSO READ | How a suspected hate crime in Kansas shattered the American dreams of a Hyderabad engineer

Grieving relatives thronged Kuchibhotla's house in Bachupally on the city outskirts.

Relatives, friends and leaders of various political parties visited the house to console his parents and other family members.

K Madhusudhana Sastry and his wife Parvata Vardhini were yet to reconcile that their son, who planned to come home in June, will never return and instead they will have to receive his mortal remains.

Kuchibhotla, 32, had married Sunayana in 2012. The couple had no children.

ALSO READ | Kansas City shooting: Wife of killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla asks 'do we belong here'

Central ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Bandrau Dattatreya had on Sunday visited the house to console the family.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with Kuchibhotla from Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Telangana's Warangal district and hurled racial slurs.

He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting the two aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.

ALSO READ | Indian killed in Kansas bar shooting: Donald Trump behind murder, says Srinivas Kuchibhotla's family

ALSO WATCH | Kansas bar shooting: Do we belong here, asks wife of murdered Indian techie

--- ENDS ---
The chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee said Monday he has seen no evidence of improper contacts between officials working on President Donald Trump's campaign for the White House and Russian agents and has no plans to expand an investigation already underway.

"We just cannot go on a witch hunt," Congressman Devin Nunes told reporters.

The Republican is leading one of three congressional probes into possible links between Trump and Russians, but has balked at calls for a wider investigation.

However, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel, Congressman Adam Schiff, later said no conclusions have been reached yet on whether Trump aides had contact with Russian officials during last year's presidential campaign.

Lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives are looking at details of findings by the U.S. intelligence community that Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state.

American intelligence officials concluded that Russia hacked into the computer of Clinton's campaign chief, with the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks later releasing thousands of emails showing embarrassing behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic operatives to help Clinton win the Democratic presidential nomination.

Before he was inaugurated as the country's 45th president, Trump reluctantly accepted the finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin interfered with the election, but says he knows of no contacts between his campaign aides and Russian intelligence officials.

At a White House meeting with insurance company executives, Trump was asked by a reporter about demands by some lawmakers for a special prosecutor to investigate any links between his campaign and Russia.

"I haven't called Russia in 10 years," he said.

Earlier this month, 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 Trumps inauguration.
Jewish community centers and schools in at least 11 U.S. states reported getting bomb threats on Monday, the JCC Association of North America said, the fifth wave of such threats this year that have stoked fears of a resurgence of anti-Semitism.

The threats, all of which appeared to be hoaxes, were received in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. For some centers, it was the second or third time this year that they had been forced to put their threat evacuation drill into practice.

Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities, David Posner, a director at the JCC Association, said in a statement.

Jewish groups, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have all condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries.

Police said on Sunday that about 100 headstones had been toppled at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, about a week after a similar act of vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.

White House condemns acts

White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised the subject of the vandalism at a news briefing on Monday.

The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms, he told reporters, saying they were in breach of the country's founding principles.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department's civil rights division have said they were investigating the threats alongside local law enforcement, but little information has been made public so far about any perpetrators.

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia, also received telephoned bomb threats, according to a statement by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Police later gave the all clear.

16 threats reportedly received

The full tally of centers receiving threats on Monday remained unclear, the JCC Association said. NBC News reported at least 16 centers and schools had received threats.

Some Jewish groups see the vandalism and threats as a sign that anti-Semitic groups have been emboldened by Trump's election. His campaign last year drew the support of white supremacists and other right-wing groups, despite his disavowals of them.

Trump has said he is the least anti-Semitic person in the world, and noted that one of his daughters, his son-in-law and some of his grandchildren are Jewish.
The ongoing violence in South Sudan has at many times dominated international headlines since the conflict there erupted in late 2013. Diplomats, politicians and activist have all worked to change the course of violence in the young country but the situation has only gotten worse. Some college students here in the Washington, DC area say changing matters in South Sudan is possible - but policy makers should pursue a different approach.

Sandra Tombe describes herself as an ambitious and hard-working South Sudanese American. She's 25 years old and is earning a doctoral degree at George Mason University in conflict resolution which she hopes to use to help people in her native country. Although hopeful, Tombe says she is not naive, and is aware that achieving long-term change in South Sudan could take some time.

Thats the thing; I think we sometimes think of change as something that is radical, something that transforms society in a way that is unimaginable," said Tombe. "But change happens on a very small level, and so if we each take the responsibility individually to contribute to society and to contribute to resolving the conflict in South Sudan, then we can actually achieve something. And we are not going to see that change overnight, but it is something that on a daily basis we have to be working on it.

Twenty-three-year-old American University student Luxing Jiang agrees but says that policy makers and diplomats have so far taken the wrong approach to helping the people in South Sudan. He told VOA the international community should focus more on building the countrys infrastructure to create an atmosphere where democratic ideals and a civic engagement could flourish.

I am a realist, so again I think human rights and the political campaigns are important, but I think what is more important is how many schools you have, how many hospitals you have and how many South Sudanese can benefit from that so that they can make money, they can have a family, they can let their children go to school, so in the end you are looking at the big picture," Jiang said.

But for other students like Dau Dol Dol, a rising South Sudanese American junior at the School of International Studies at American University, the conflict is much more personal. And he says for countless young people like him, who once called Kenya's large Kakuma refugee camp home, all he has ever known is war.



Most of the youth, most South Sudanese youth, were born in the refugee camp, were born during the war, were displaced during the war," said Dol. "I am 21 years old and all I have known is the war. How do we change that? We have to change the cycle, the warrior like mentality that we have in South Sudan. We are tearing our own house apart. We have to change something. Something has to change because there are absolutely no words to describe it because we were so full of joy.

The fact that some people are impacted, that means that all of us are impacted and that we have a role to play as students and as people who are hoping to step into leadership roles," Tombe said. "It is something that we need to take on now and build onto it in the future, and not something that we assume after we finish school or after we get a real job but it is something that we are incrementally building upon.

The United Nations and the government of South Sudan declared famine in parts of the country last week and aid workers complained that delivering lifesaving aid to displaced communities has proven difficult under deadly security conditions as well as a lack of roads for easy accessibility. The South Sudanese government has made plans to initiate a national dialogue which they say is designed to end hostilities and bring divided communities to the table.
It was a big night for actress Viola Davis, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Fences". Her crowning achievement comes after a long and illustrious career of numerous awards and three Oscar nominations. The Oscar nod also highlights Hollywoods interest in complex minority characters.

For those who watched Denzel Washingtons film drama "Fences", about the intricate family dynamics in a 1950's African American household, it is difficult to forget Davis' powerhouse performance. She plays Rose, the introspective wife who stands by her man, aware of his imperfections. She perseveres next to him not with deference but with dignity. She is the balancing act between her explosive husband and her brooding son, and when her philandering husband, played by Denzel Washington, brings home a baby, she accepts it not because she has to, but because she chooses to.

This is not the first time Davis fleshes out complex characters; but, her Oscar win underscores the movie industrys commitment to such characters.

Another example is Mahershala Ali, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as Juan, a drug dealer in a poor Miami neighborhood, in the indie drama "Moonlight". Juan finds himself taking care of a boy abandoned by his own mother, a drug addict. In this role, Ali is both criminal and nurturer.

Giovanna Chesler, director of George Mason University's film school, says this recognition was years in the making.



I dont think its an issue of theres more films representing black experience in America. I think its great films that represent the black experience that are being pushed to the fore finally and being recognized, she says.



Chesler attributes the trend in part to audiences who, were starving" for stories like that, she says. She also notes that actors and filmmakers such as David Oyelowo and Ava DuVernay who rolled out great work in previous years - but were not part of the Oscars conversation - laid the groundwork for this years awards.

DuVernay, who made the film drama "Selma" three years ago, and David Oyelowo, who starred as Martin Luther King, Jr., did not win accolades, but their work has passed into the annals of great acting and movie making. Now, DuVernay, who also directed the acclaimed documentary "13th" about incarceration in America, has been tapped by Disney studios to direct a big budget fantasy drama.

And then there is Oscar winner Denzel Washington. In a class of his own, Washington has for years been part of Hollywoods mainstream, but still tries to push the envelope with contentious characters and projects. He directed and adapted August Wilsons theater play Fences for the big screen, and portrays Roses conflicted husband, Troy.

When asked by VOA to analyze his character - a blistering man, dubious husband and unforgiving father - Washington replied, Who is Troy? He doesnt know. Hes working it out. That why there is great drama because it is drama, 'cause all the questions are not answered when the curtain goes up.

And who didn't love the film "Hidden Figures", a heartwarming hit drama about three African American women who helped NASA in the '60s send the first American into space and then on the moon? The movie has won the hearts and minds of fans, a reminder that audiences crave stories with non-formulaic characters in unconventional situations.

When these characters and stories win, we all do, because such narratives become the catalyst of equality in popular culture. So, the more such roles are awarded, the more the film industry is encouraged to push the envelope in casting.



WATCH: Penelope's video report
The World Health Organization is calling for the urgent development of new antibiotics to fight growing bacterial resistance. For the first time, the U.N. agency has drawn up a list of 12 families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.

The list is divided into three categories according to the urgency of need for new antibiotics; however, one of the scariest so-called super bugs is not on that list, according to Marie-Paule Kieny, assistant director-general for health systems and innovation.

"The bacteria responsible for tuberculosis was not included in this exercise, as there is already consensus that tuberculosis is the most important priority for [research and development] for new antibiotics," she said.

The three categories are tagged as critical, high and medium priority. The critical group includes multidrug-resistant bacteria. These are widespread in hospitals, nursing homes and among patients on ventilators and blood catheters. WHO says the bacteria can cause severe and often deadly infections.

The high- and medium priority categories contain drug-resistant bacteria that cause more common diseases such as gonorrhea and food poisoning triggered by salmonella, Kieny says.

"Today, just when resistance to antibiotics is reaching alarming proportions, the pipeline is practically dry," she said. "The problem is clearly one of scientific nature, as new antibiotics are becoming more difficult to discover; but, low market incentive is also an issue. Antibiotics are generally used for the short term, unlike therapies for chronic diseases, which bring in much higher returns on investment."

Kieny says a proposal has been made to establish a $2 billion innovation fund. This would act as an incentive for pharmaceutical companies to kick-start research and development into new antibiotics.

China and Britain already have pledged $72 million to the fund, she says.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe marked his 93rd birthday last week by squashing any thought he plans to resign or not seek re-election.

"If I feel that I can't do it anymore, I'll say so to my party so that they relieve me," he told state broadcaster ZBC-TV. "But for now I think, I can't say so. The majority of the people feel that there is no replacement, actually. No successor who to them is acceptable, as acceptable as I am."

That last statement might be true, given the lack of a strong opposition figure in Zimbabwe. However, the president's age means that sooner rather than later, Zimbabweans will have to choose another leader, and the succession battle in the ruling ZANU-PF party has heated up.

There are two camps that are openly vying for the presidency: Generation 40, or G40, and Team Lacoste. Generation 40  which refers to the party's young members  is allied to the president's wife, Grace Mugabe, while Team Lacoste backs Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Lacoste is a reference to the clothing company that uses a crocodile as its logo. Mnangagwa was nicknamed "the crocodile" for his alleged role in planning the Gukurahundi massacres of the early 1980s, in which 20,000 opposition supporters were killed.

President Mugabe has acknowledged the existence of the two rival camps and their feuding, and has ordered them to "stop it." But in his 93rd birthday interview, the Zimbabwean leader spoke glowingly of his wife, describing her as "well-seasoned," of "very strong character," and "very much accepted by the people."

That Grace Mugabe has the president's favor is also evidenced by the fate of anyone she identifies as a threat to the president. Joice Mujuru was deposed as vice president in 2014 after the first lady accused her of wanting to overthrow Mugabe.

More recently, Mnangagwa and his supporters have been a target of the first lady's wrath.

"We have seen people wearing T-shirts with Zimbabwean flags labeled Lacoste, and when we asked them, they said Lacoste is a perfume. We are not fools. Do not take us for fools," she said. "They will not take over from Mugabe. I will rather put him in a wheelbarrow to work because we have realized that those we thought were being groomed as leaders are sell-outs."

Who is Grace Mugabe?

Grace Mugabe, whose maiden name is Marufu, was born on July 23, 1965, in Benoni, South Africa. Previously married to Stanley Gorezeza, a defense attache in Beijing, Grace started an affair with President Mugabe, who is 40 years her senior, while working as his secretary. The president was married to then-first lady Sally Mugabe, a Ghanaian, who died in 1992 from kidney failure.

Grace Mugabe has one child from her first marriage, and three children with President Mugabe. The Mugabes recently became grandparents, to a child born of their daughter, Bona.

Grace Mugabe is both loved and loathed by Zimbabweans. Some supporters call her Amai, literally meaning "Mother of the Nation" in the local Shona language. Others have nicknamed her "Gucci Grace" or "First Shopper," a reference to her alleged love of shopping.

Recently, reports that she had purchased a diamond ring worth $1.3 million sparked an uproar in Zimbabwe. The United Nations says nearly two-thirds of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line, and four million need food aid due to a moribund economy and long drought.

But, many describe the first lady as an astute and influential business woman, who is behind the success of the family's Alpha Omega Dairy farm.

She is also described as a philanthropist, because of the orphanage she started and a large school complex built with the help of the Chinese government.

The succession debacle

Grace Mugabe's political rise has been a source of consternation for opposition figures, as well as some ZANU-PF officials, who call her a lightning rod.

But party Youth League Secretary Kudzai Chipanga told a Harare newspaper, "We cannot imagine a situation where we do not have our president. But should we be forced into that situation, we would second someone with the name Mugabe because that name is sellable. Our people have gotten addicted to that name and they will easily vote for such a name as long as it has been forwarded by ZANU-PF."

The first lady seems to agree, telling a rally last week, "Even if God decides to take away Mugabe, we will have his name on the ballot and millions of people will vote for his corpse."

Grace Mugabe still faces opposition from veterans of the country's 1970s liberation war. In 2014, the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Jabulani Sibanda, was expelled from the ruling party after he accused President Mugabe of plotting a "bedroom coup" by seeking to elevate his wife to the presidency.

The director of the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute, Pedzisayi Ryhanya, says President Mugabe still calls the shots and the first lady must not be discounted.

"It may be undesirable to them [the war veterans], it may be undesirable to a lot of people, but the fact of the matter is that the president holds a lot of power and influence," he told VOA. "And it appears from what is happening, his will may actually see the light of day."
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Cortes Chairs the Reconstituted Heritage Action Committee

On Thursday the 23rd February the Minister for Education, Heritage, Environment, Energy and Climate Change the Hon. Dr. John Cortes MP chaired the first meeting under his stewardship of the reconstituted Heritage Action Committee (HAC).

The committee is charged with advising the Minister on all matters of Heritage and will be instrumental in formulating plans for the good management and husbandry of our national heritage.

The committee is comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Heritage, Environment and Climate Change, the Gibraltar Museum, Town Planning, the Technical Services Department and the Gibraltar Heritage Trust

The emphasis of the HAC is the word Action and it will assist the Ministry in delivering a comprehensive and effective plan of action to deal with all heritage matters. With this in mind, it covers areas of Town Planning, Technical Services, the Curator of the Gibraltar Museum, The Gibraltar Heritage Trust, the Government archaeologist and the Ministry for Heritage who will then have the ability to deliver within their respective areas and organisations.

The whole of Gibraltar has a huge responsibility for the care of its unique heritage assets, from iconic structures like the Moorish Castle, to feats of engineering like the Great Siege Tunnels but it goes further than that, for interwoven in the fabric of the community are the many statues, plaques and mobile heritage such as the many cannon in different locations and these must also be cared for and protected.
Flats at Sea Master Lodge Allocated by Public Ballot

Elderly Homes at Sea Master Lodge, Mons Calpe Mews were allocated by public ballot last week.

Like those at Charles Bruzon House, these homes are purpose-built, centrally-located and community-focused to promote independent living for our elderly community whilst ensuring quality of life.

Future residents and their families gathered in the buildings communal, social space to be allocated one of the 69 flats available. The public ballot was conducted in the presence of the Minister for Housing, the Hon Samantha Sacramento MP.

Welcoming the new tenants of Sea Master Lodge, Minister Sacramento said: I am delighted to have welcomed residents to their new homes which they have been able to see for the first time. Whilst today marks a new beginning for many, it also marks the culmination of the work of three Ministers of this Government. I am proud that we, and our teams, have been able to deliver on such an important commitment, and will continue to work to further develop and improve upon the excellent services that are able to provide for the community.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mortal remains were brought to India in an Air India flight. His killing is being seen by many as a hate crime.

Kuchibhotla completed his B.Tech from Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University in 2005 before leaving for the United States.

By Ashish Pandey: The body of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed in a shooting at a bar in Kansas, US, was today brought to India. Kuchibhotla's mortal remains were flown to Hyderabad, where he grew up, in an Air India flight.

The 32-year-old's body was accompanied by his wife, Sunayana Dumala, and his brother Sai Kiran.

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Transport Minister of Telangana P. Mahender Reddy, TRS MP Malla Reddy, BJP legislators G. Kishan Reddy and Andhra Pradesh NRI Affair Minister Palle Raghunath were among those who were present at the airport.

A convoy with high police security carried the mortal remains to the family's residence in Bachupally of Medchal district of Telangana.

The funeral is expected to be held around 11:30 am at the Vaikunta Mahaprasthanam crematorium at Jubilee Hills of Hyderabad on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE ATTACK

Kuchibhotla, and a friend and fellow Indian Alok Reddy Madasani were at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, where they were shot by a 51-year-old American navy veteran, Adam Purinton. Madasani, who suffered injuries, was later discharged from a hospital.

An American, Ian Grillot was also injured in the shooting after he lunged at Purinton. His action led to him being hailed as a hero in the February 23 incident.

Kuchibhotla completed his B.Tech from Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University in 2005 before leaving for the United States for higher studies and a job. His death is being seen as a hate crime by many, with witnesses reporting that Purinton shouted 'get out of my country' at the Indian duo before opening fire.

Purinton was arrested soon after the shooting and he remains jailed awaiting judicial proceedings.

Also read: More than $1M raised for kin of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, two other men injured in Kansas shooting

Also read: At Srinivas Kuchibhotla's prayer meet, friend who survived Kansas shooting calls for tolerance in US

--- ENDS ---
Sorry, Jimmy. Photo: Eddy Chen/ABC

A twist ending wasnt enough to rescue the ratings for Sundays Oscars from the forces of gravity. Per Nielsen, the Jimmy Kimmelhosted, three-and-a-half-hour telecast drew a same-day audience of 32.9 million viewers, making it the second least-watched Oscars in TV history. (Only 2008s show, hosted by Jon Stewart, generated smaller tune-in, averaging 32 million viewers). The good news for ABC: After two years of sharp declines, this years ceremony dipped a mere 4 percent versus last year (34.4 million), despite a paucity of big blockbusters among the Best Picture nominees. Whats more, linear TV ratings in general have been suffering severely as audiences shift away from same-day viewing.

While the Academy Awards arent nearly as big as they were even a decade ago, almost nothing on TV is. For example, back in 2008, the Oscars actually drew a smaller audience of adults under 50 than that weeks episode of American Idol, at the time TVs No. 1 series. By contrast, Sundays Oscar cast will very likely end up with a same-day demo rating nearly twice that of the mediums current top-rated series, AMCs The Walking Dead. Bottom line: This wasnt a particularly great year for the Oscars ratings, but it was nowhere near a disaster, either.
Cosby. Photo: DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images

Bill Cosby has received yet another small win in the months leading up to his sexual-assault trial. After deciding only one other accuser can testify against Cosby, a judge has now granted Cosby the opportunity for a more diverse pool of jurors. Despite losing his bid to have his trial moved from the Montgomery County suburb of Norristown, Pennsylvania, to a larger nearby city, Cosbys jury will be selected from outside the county; NBC reports that many of Cosbys jurors may even come from his hometown of Philadelphia. Cosbys lawyers had argued that the 79-year-old actor couldnt get a fair trial if it were held in Montgomery County because, in 2015, the district attorney ran political ads in that county slamming his opponents failure to prosecute Cosby a decade ago. Unless youve been living under a rock, the message that has been promoted, in insidious fashion, is that Bill Cosby is guilty, and that Bill Cosby is a serial rapist, his lawyers said. The ruling to have an outside jury  who will be sequestered for the duration of the trial  appears to be a compromise. Cosbys trial for the alleged 2004 sexual assault of former Temple University employee Andrea Constand will begin June 5.




Lena Dunham as Hannah, Patrick Wilson as Chuck. Photo: HBO

This weeks episode of Girls, American Bitch, is creator Lena Dunhams parting gift to director Richard Shepard, who helmed 12 episodes of the HBO series. Essentially a two-character short film starring Dunham and guest star Matthew Rhys, it mirrors other stand-alone episodes that Shepard also directed: season twos One Mans Trash and last seasons A Panic in Central Park.

In One Mans Trash, one of the series most polarizing episodes, Hannah (Dunham) has a fling with a lonely doctor, played by Patrick Wilson, who reveals to her how lonely she is, too. A Panic in Central Park reunites Marnie (Allison Williams) with her ex Charlie (Christopher Abbott) on a wild night in Manhattan.

American Bitch pits famous author Chuck Palmer (Rhys) against Hannah, who wrote about Chuck after several college students accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior. The episode takes place in Chucks fancy apartment where he offers his side of the story, which leads to a debate about consensual sex and power imbalance. The characters seem to reach a point of understanding, until he shows his true colors in what will go down as one of the series most shocking moments: After asking Hannah to lay down next to him, Chuck plops his penis onto Hannahs thigh. She touches it briefly, then freaks out.

A writer-director who won an Emmy for directing the pilot of Ugly Betty, Shepard got his big break when he directed The Matador, starring Pierce Brosnan, which led to directing pilots for Criminal Minds, Ringer, and Salem. Girls is the only series he has worked on from start to finish. Shepard spoke with Vulture about the challenges of directing a dialogue-heavy episode, working with Rhys for the first time, and where they found that all-important penis prop.

Tell me about the casting of Matthew Rhys.

For this role, it had to be a great actor, but also someone whose baggage is positive, if that makes sense. I think that Matthew is one of those actors who you just like. Certainly on The Americans he plays a character that is tough to like sometimes, but you love him and you care about him. I really wanted someone of that caliber, where if we have the right actor, we will go along with Hannahs journey and by the time they get into his bedroom, we will believe that that could happen. I wanted to make sure the audience wouldnt just say, Run out of there! I was hoping that it would make it more uncomfortable and more complex than that. Our script supervisor on Girls was also the script supervisor on The Americans and she would not stop talking about what a great guy Matthew Rhys was. So when this role came up, we thought we should go after Matthew Rhys since we already knew hes a nice guy.

Lets talk about the prop at the end of the episode. It was a shock when he rolls over and theres his penis.

I have a picture of a box of penises! Its actually very hard to find a not-fully-erect dildo because, usually, theyre fully erect. What we wanted was a three-quarters-erect penis. Its actually much harder to find. We ended up getting it from a medical supply company for people who have surgery  gender-reassignment surgery or other surgeries  and they make these semi-erect penises. Our prop people came with a box of penises, and one day at lunch Lena and Jenni Konner and I got to pick Matthew Rhyss penis for him. He, of course, had final penis approval. It looks pretty darn good, doesnt it? It doesnt look fake.

It was a surprise to say the least. But then Hannah touches it and its maddening. Tell me about the debate surrounding that choice.

Lena wrote this script and we talked a lot about it. I wanted to bring, as I do, a male point of view. Hopefully not a sexist point of view, but being the oldest man working on Girls, I do get to bring a different point of view. We had a lot of discussion, up to and including the idea of whether she would touch his penis or not. For me, it was deeply important that she do that. It complicated things in a very real way  this idea of power and what people are supposed to or are expected to do, and how that can be manipulated in such terrible ways. For me, it was very key that she does touch it. Society has brought up people to think if this presents itself, this is what youre supposed to do. She almost falls for it, and then, of course, realizes this. In my mind, his characters doing it not so much to be pleasured but to prove that he can do it. Which is why hes got that smile on his face in the last scene when his daughters playing the flute, because hes won.

What Lena Dunham might have done in that situation is different than what Hannah Horvath wouldve done. I do think you see the difference in that. This script, there were some discussions, but in general, this is very close to her first draft. We were very lucky to have an entire day of rehearsal, which doesnt sound like much, but in television, a day in rehearsal is a real big thing. It was just Jenni and Lena and Matthew and me in that apartment, going over every scene, every word, every piece of blocking. When we got to filming it, we could really focus on the text and all the other meanings underneath it.

The last shot is Hannah walking away from the building as all these women walk toward it. Was that scripted?

That was my idea  Ill take credit for it, goddammit! I wanted to show that just because one person sort of escapes, if youre not changing anything, more people will be victims to it. That was the point and I really I love that ending. I love the whole episode because somehow Lena is able to take a subject that shes very passionate about and bring it into the Girls universe without it feeling completely alien. Yes, this is a different episode than normal, but I think you buy it as part of what the whole six seasons of Girls have done.

These stand-alone episodes feel like little plays. Its just two people going back and forth.

To me, One Mans Trash and The Panic in Central Park are one-acts or little short films. They exist in the larger world of Girls, but theyre also hermetically sealed. One of my favorite parts about One Mans Trash is that no one sees Hannah walking to Patrick Wilsons house and no one sees her again until shes gone from it. So theres this idea, when were in our twenties and we have this incredible experience and no one witnesses it, did it really even happen? I loved that. Panic in Central Park does a similar thing, in that no one in Marnies world witnessed it. Charlie did, but no one else did, and so shes had basically a life-altering experience and no one witnessed it. Its the same case with this Matthew Rhys one. There was a very deliberate decision to start the show with Hannah walking down the street and end it with her leaving the apartment.

What was it like working with Matthew?

Well, Ill tell you: Kim, our script supervisor who recommended him and said hes the nicest guy in the world, wasnt wrong. He really was just lovely. There was, in fact, a lot of laughing while we were making the episode, which was very key to me. It had a very intimate feel. I really wanted to help the actors feel as connected as they could be. But it was a tough one. Its tough to film so much dialogue. Technically, its easy because you dont have to have these complex shots that take forever, but at the same time, all you really have is the acting. Theres not a lot of other things going on, and so one of my concerns was that if were gonna do basically a five-scene play in this apartment where theyre sitting in every single scene, then you better be focused on the performance because we cant cut to Alex Karpovsky [who plays Ray] doing something funny at the coffee shop.

Until the end, both characters present points of view that make you think.

Its useful to see both points of view, but at the end of the day, if it was ultimately about a level of power, then what Matthew Rhyss character does is a spit in the face to everything that came before. He is saying, We may have a logical debate, but as a man, I have more power over you because of what society has set up. And he proved it. This is a big topic that were obviously, as a society, talking about a lot right now. We just had a womans march that was extraordinary. I was thrilled to be a part of it. The timing of this episode seems particularly interesting.

One Mans Trash and The Panic in Central Park had more movement than this episode. What challenges did those present that were different from American Bitch?

First of all, theres a little bit more blocking and movement because theres sex and this other stuff. But the thing that I love most about them was the emotional connection between the two people in each story. They were both romances that went bad. There was a true beating heart in both stories. One of the things that was challenging about this Matthew Rhys episode is that theres not any romance. Theres no emotional beating heart. Theres the emotional debate, and theres the emotion of conditioning your experience, but there isnt a romantic element and theres not an emotional element tied to that. Thats why American Bitch was far more difficult than either of those two episodes.

First of all, theres a little bit more blocking and movement because theres sex and this other stuff. But the thing that I love most about them was the emotional connection between the two people in each story. They were both romances that went bad. There was a true beating heart in both stories. One of the things that was challenging about this Matthew Rhys episode is that theres not any romance. Theres no emotional beating heart. Theres the emotional debate, and theres the emotion of conditioning your experience, but there isnt a romantic element and theres not an emotional element tied to that. Thats why American Bitch was far more difficult than either of those two episodes.

Did it surprise you that One Mans Trash had such a polarizing reaction?

Its funny because I literally had the debate with my mother. My mother is 83 years old and a very liberal New Yorker. She was like, Im not sure that I believe Patrick Wilson would be with Lena. I was like, You know, I have no problem believing that. I was recently divorced when we did One Mans Trash and I was like, If a bubbly, effervescent, lovely human being knocked on my door, I would be very happy. I think it goes down to some level of sexism, you know what I mean? Who understands why anyone is together? Why anyone would choose anybody? To me, it was very clear: Patrick Wilson was sad and lonely and here comes this girl.

What is amazing is that, halfway through the second season of Girls, this is the first good sex that Hannah ever has in the show. Its the first time that she orgasms. Its the first time that she is pleasured without humiliation. Its extraordinary, and I loved that. I felt a deep connection between them, but at the same time, Hannah was immature so she talks her way out of it. I love that and I love their connection and I love the loneliness of that episode. Theres a loneliness involved as well in A Panic in Central Park. If Marnie ran into Charlie after having a great day with Desi, that episode couldnt have happened. It only happened because she was realizing she was in a marriage she didnt want to be in, and that opened up the possibility for that relationship to happen and that episode.

What do you remember about shooting it? It seemed like a great adventure through Manhattan.

You know, I loved it. We got to shoot all over. We got it hand-held on the street. When youre in love, you almost feel like you own the night. When youre in love, you feel like you could rob a bank and get away with it. You feel like nothing could hurt you, you cant get in trouble, and so thats what I wanted Marnie and Charlie to feel. I wanted them to have this feeling that they could do anything that evening. Both actors were so game.

Last question: After all is said and done, whos your favorite girl?

You obviously know that Im never gonna answer that in any way!
Matthew Rhys as Chuck Palmer. Photo: HBO

Spoilers ahead for Sunday nights episode of Girls.



Matthew Rhys has had his fair share of graphic sex scenes on The Americans, but what his character does on Sundays episode of Girls belongs in a category of its own. Its not so much what the actor or his character reveals thats so degrading, disturbing, and dark, as Rhys put it when Vulture ran into him at the premiere for season five of The Americans this weekend. Its about where the pendulum swings.

Rhys agreed to play an acclaimed writer named Chuck Palmer, whos accused of sexual misconduct by several college students and ultimately whips out his penis in front of Hannah Horvath (Lena Dunham), because he was interested in the audiences changing perception of the character. Hes up to a flying start with the shoes, Rhys said, referring to the moment when Chuck asks Hannah to take off her shoes, and then to make sure her shoes dont touch his suede boots. Over the course of their episode-length interaction, Rhys said, Hes an asshole, then hes not an asshole, then hes an intelligent asshole, then no, hes not an asshole, then no, hes very much an asshole.

Up until the moment Chuck reveals his penis to Hannah, Rhys explained, Youre thinking, Is he going to redeem himself? And then you realize, no. Thats why I joined, because Im interested in where the facts lie, and the animal aspect to these flawed human beings. Thats what I liked about it.

Behind the scenes, there was some debate as to whether Chuck planned all along to expose himself and put Hannah in the same kind of situation as his accusers. In HBOs Inside the Episode clip, showrunner Jenni Konner said that she thought it was a spontaneous decision on Chucks part. But Rhys thinks otherwise. I think he did plan to do that, he said. I think it was done deliberately, sadly.

Related Story Girls Director Richard Shepard on Fake Penises, Bottle Episodes and Matthew Rhys

Although Rhys had the option to help choose his fake penis, he decided not to offer any suggestions. They kindly offered, and I said, No, thank you. You choose, he explained. Its a good thing he wasnt too picky about the size and shape, since the production had a hard time finding just the right prop. Who knew that semi-erect fake penises are in such short supply? A medical company ended up providing a few options. When Rhys saw the one that Dunham, Konner, and director Richard Shepard picked, he was satisfied with the choice. I said, Thats fine, thank you. Thats the one Ill use. It wasnt the one used by Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights, he laughed. No. Clearly not. That one is far larger!

During a day of rehearsal, Rhys and Shepard worked out the blocking of the scene. Richard was very specific about it, actually, Rhys said. He said, This is what I want you to do. You turn, it comes out. Boom, thats it. Very specific, which I love, so I didnt have to come up with anything. Well, anything except for Chucks wolfish grin, which wasnt scripted, but tells the audience everything. And there you have it! Rhys said with a smile.
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

That was not the night anyone expected, for better and worse.

Before we get into everything that unfolded last night: Its important not to blame Warren Beatty. Seeing him like that beside Faye Dunaway was already so wrenching. Their Bonnie and Clyde almost single-handedly kicked Hollywood into its counterculture New Wave. And who can forget the sight of him (in the 80s) presenting Best Picture beside a smirking Jack Nicholson, looking as if theyd just come from having sex with every single female usher in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion? It was not his fault. He opened the envelope, paused, theatrically squinted, and then showed it to Dunaway as if to say, Uh, what the fuck does this mean?

Others have pointed out that the story of the evening  Moonlight wins Best Picture!  was irrevocably upstaged by someones boo-boo. Twitter positively swarmed with jokes about the presidential election and how the wrong envelope got read that time, too.

I turned off my TV feeling a little sick at the humiliation of the La La Land crew and the implication that justice had somehow prevailed. I love Moonlight. Who doesnt? But almost any other year, a win by a lovely, passionate, ambitious, relatively downbeat, low-budget (no major studio would make it) original musical like La La Land would have been rightly celebrated. Instead, it somehow became the symbol of white privilege and mindless escapism. Its win would have been proof that Hollywood wasnt ready to give Best Picture to a Moonlight or a Hidden Figures or anything that didnt come from the mind of a straight white male.

What a sick twist. And how unfortunate that the national conversation about movies  and the relationship between art and politics  must always come down to the Academy Awards. We have ceded them so much power.

For the rest: As I said in my liveblog, I was wrong about a lot of things. I thought the political statements by presenters and winners would be much more strident. I was of two minds about that. Many of Jimmy Kimmels jokes about Trump landed, though not many could have stung. And the pleas for tolerance were tasteful, made more in sorrow than in anger.

No one seemed to want to offend the parts of the country that support the current president. No one wanted to pull a Michael Moore, who stopped the show in 2003 by saying that the George W. Bush administration had just put us into a fictional war. (At the time I thought he was boorish and I was dead wrong.) There were good, smart, sincere words spoken last night, and many people wore ribbons in support of the ACLU. But we are in a crisis, and this wasnt a crisis awards show. No one even noted one particularly grim irony: In the 50s, the U.S. government descended on Hollywood, suppressing freedom of expression and destroying careers and lives in the name of ferreting out Russian agents and their dupes. I wish that Kimmel had turned the tables instead of taking up precious time with his stupid Candid Camera stunt. The sight of every single person on that tour bus whipping out his or her cell phone said a lot  too much  about how mediated our culture has become. People on the other end of the candid camera now need to complete the experience by shooting their own videos.

I was wrong about Casey Affleck. His performance was just too good to be fatally undermined by the charge that hed gotten away with sexual harassment while a black man with no connections, Nate Parker, had been shut out of the awards competition. For once it came down to merit. Despite the hosannas at Sundance, Birth of a Nation stunk, while Afflecks presence in Manchester by the Sea was indelible. And Denzel Washington gave a driving, forceful stage performance in Fences  one that had none of those naked revelations that Afflecks performance was so full of.

Was that bizarre final scene a metaphor for Hollywoods confused values? The critic Godfrey Cheshire has wondered on social media if the acclaim for Moonlight was a desperate attempt to anoint a black filmmakers work following the crash and burn of Birth of a Nation. I dont agree fully. Moonlight is worthy. It will be just as fresh in 50 years (if humans are still around) as it is now. But I know that Hollywood thinks in just those terms. And I think the enormous feeling of uncertainty somehow seeped into the heads of PricewaterhouseCoopers employees and maybe even the envelopes themselves.

Ill never get out of my head the sight of producer Marc Platt yammering on about his dreams (it was odd how the first two La La Land producers spoke as if they were accepting individual awards) while figures flitted to and fro behind them and the stage picture began to decompose. Warren Beatty  the symbol of Hollywood virility in the second half of the 20th century  stood blinking impotently, trying to explain what happened and no doubt beginning to second-guess his actions. (He is probably doing that as I write this.) One set of figures replaced the other set, which drifted off, shell-shocked. The impact of Barry Jenkinss words were blunted, as was the message of hope to the kind of kids who will no longer have the same protection in their schools that they did last year. Then our emcee made bad impromptu jokes, ending the evening by turning the conversation back to himself and the idea that hed never be invited back. Across the country, Donald Trump watched in glee, secure in his belief that his own machine is  in comparison  well-oiled.
Really, what else is there to talk about? This blustery winter evening, as Sally Field arrives at a quiet restaurant in Greenwich Village, thousands of Yemeni bodega owners are gathered on the steps of Brooklyns Borough Hall to protest President Trumps immigration order. Field turned 70 two days before the election and spoke at two protests on Inauguration Eve, and shes feeling weird not being out there with them. Not just weird, but is it wrong? she wonders. She sheds a black coat, black backpack, and black velour scarf to reveal a mood-appropriate all-black outfit, and locks eyes with the waiter: Id like a glass of Chardonnay  ASAP.

The need for wine isnt just Trump-related. Since January 2, the acting legend has been rehearsing six days a week for one of the most demanding roles in American theater: strident, big-dreaming matriarch Amanda Wingfield in Tennessee Williamss The Glass Menagerie, which will be, astoundingly, only her second time on Broadway. (Her first was replacing Mercedes Ruehl in Edward Albees The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? in 2002.) Her call time is usually around noon. But Sally, I think, is rehearsing 24 hours a day, says her director, Sam Gold (of Fun Home). She comes in having already done the play three times in her living room.

One luxuriously sipped glass of Chardonnay is her end-of-the-day ritual, along with watching Rachel Maddow, Lawrence ODonnell, and Turner Classic Movies, to stop her Glass dialogue from running through her head. Is it also her coping mechanism for the new world order? Oh, boy, I hope we dont all become alcoholics! she says. No, I think we have to do a lot more than that to get through it. A glass of wine in the evening is not gonna cut it.

Rehearsing kept her from protesting the travel ban at JFK, though she takes solace in the notion that under this administration, performing the work of a canonized gay playwright in the most LGBTQ-celebratory swath of America is itself an act of resistance. I do think, in a Pollyanna way, to be here on Broadway, doing Tennessee Williamss words  with who he was and what he stands for  this is a good place for me to be right now, says Field.

Field wasnt always this progressive. She grew up in a Republican family in Pasadena, with a Hollywood-stuntman stepfather who campaigned for Barry Goldwaters 1964 presidential campaign. And being a hippie passed her by while she was charming the masses on TV sitcoms starting at age 18, as a surfer girl on Gidget and the titular airborne sister on The Flying Nun, and then becoming a young mother. I just watched, she says. It was like being down the hallway listening and not being in the room.

Related Stories Imagining the Glass Menagerie Dream Team

Field has three sons, screenwriters Peter and Eli Craig, 47 and 44, and Columbia screenwriting grad student Sam Greisman, 29, plus two teenage granddaughters and three younger grandsons. Sam is gay. I have a child whos deeply threatened and frightened by all this. My other sons are frightened for their children, she says. And the people who voted for Trump arent? I just dont understand! What are you seeing and thinking?

It wasnt until her 30s that she had a political awakening upon winning her first Oscar for playing a union activist in 1979s Norma Rae and befriending director Martin Ritt, a champion of socially conscious stories whod once been blackballed for alleged communist ties. Shell probably always be better remembered, however, for the infamous You like me! 1985 Best Actress speech she made for Places in the Heart. How does she feel about being so linked to that one extemporaneous moment? First of all, I was winning my second Oscar, so Im allowed to say anything I fucking want, says Field, laughing.

Now she needs a cheeseburger and fries in addition to that Chardonnay. I cant believe Im having a cheeseburger. Ive, like, never had a cheeseburger, ever! Really? No, just not in a long time. Im just so hungry and Im dying!

Five years ago, Field bought a two-bedroom in the Village  fulfilling her lifelong dream of being bicoastal  and has been tearing through restaurants and theater and museum shows with a zeal usually reserved for NYU freshmen. (Case in point: She tells me that after the opening, she and her Glass cast vowed to get shitfaced every night.) Spending her 70s onstage in New York was on Fields bucket list, too. Shes always said this was the time in her life when she wanted to do it, when her children were grown and she was able to pick up and really commit, says her good friend Tricia Brock, a TV director. Plus, Brock adds, the stage is where the roles are for older women, where its possible and they are admired. Glenn Close and Bette Midler will both be on Broadway at the same time as Field, whos already had a fun dinner with Midler. Im where I want to be right now, and Im very excited, says Field, though Im too old to feel this brand-new at something.

Amanda is Fields first meaty role since she played an eccentric office worker with a crush on a much younger colleague (Max Greenfield) in 2016s delightful movie Hello, My Name Is Doris and her Oscar-nominated turn opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in Steven Spielbergs Lincoln three years before that. Shed had to fight to play Mary Todd Lincoln, given that she was nearly two decades older than her character by the time the opportunity came about. Doris, likewise, was passion-driven  a shoestring indie, released to little fanfare, that made its budget back 14 times over, in a year when many movies starring a woman over 65 (Maggie Smiths Lady in the Van, Helen Mirrens Woman in Gold, Judi Denchs The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Meryl Streeps Ricki and the Flash) defied box-office expectations.

If a renaissance of older actresses in Hollywood was supposed to come from that, it never did, and Field sounds disillusioned with a film industry that only seems to care about comic-book stories. I just feel like American film is folding in on itself like a house of cards, going boom, boom, boom, she says. Even this years more diverse Oscars are frustrating because they represent just a handful of movies that got good reviews and backing and feel to her like they were all released in one week at the end of the year. I got irritated, like, Wait a minute, why dont they spread them throughout the year, and why arent there more of them? 

There arent a lot of quintessentially complicated, powerful characters in American literature for older women.

Throughout all of this, Amanda has loomed large for her. Field sampled the coveted part once before to rave reviews in 2004 as part of a Tennessee Williams festival at the Kennedy Center in D.C., but never felt like she got her fix. (Already, this revivals rehearsal period is four times longer than that productions entire run. And Field is signed on until at least July 2.) Back then, Field had her hopes of carrying on with Amanda dashed by a Jessica Lange version that was headed to Broadway. And then Cherry Jones, bless her heart, came in, says Field about the 2013 production that got seven Tony nominations, and I thought, Oh, Ill never do that.

So deep was her longing to play Amanda that when Brock once told her she was going to see Glass somewhere, Field blurted out, No! Its mine! Shes just always talked about it as the role of roles, says Brock  Lear for aging actresses, if you will. And when Field and I meet, its clear shes read multiple Tennessee Williams biographies. She tells me how hed written the play both for and about his domineering mother, Edwina, and the power she had over him, as well as his sister Rose, whod had a lobotomy just before his career took off and whose loss he never got over  or forgave his mother for. There arent a lot of really quintessentially complicated, powerful characters in American literature for older women, Field says. It isnt a sentimental look at a mother. Shes so filled with contradictions and complications, as human beings are. There are very few women written that way in literature. They dont exist.

So for 13 years, her producer friend Scott Rudin brought her other juicy theater roles, only to have her turn them down. Id just always been saying, All that is great, but I keep comparing it to how much I want to do Glass,  says Field. That was the problem. I couldnt get over my hurdle of wanting to do it again. I felt like I hadnt really gotten to do it. And what would that feel like? This, she says. Its just a difference in the duration, the production, and everything about it.

She caught a break when Gold fell in love with the play after directing a 2015 production in Dutch in Amsterdam and decided he had a new take that could justify reviving it just three years after its last blockbuster revival. As Field explains, Glass was Williamss first successful play, and even contemporary productions are based on how it was performed back then, as a new form of theater known as a memory play, created by this unknown upstart. None of the actors knew how to wrap their brains around it, and because Tennessee was new, they didnt trust him, says Field. So they ad-libbed things and changed his original intent.

Field in The Glass Menagerie. Photo: Copyright 2017 Julieta Cervantes

The result has been a long history of Amanda interpreted as an overbearing hysteric, harping on her (probably closeted) son, Tom, about the factory job he hates and her disabled daughter, Laura, about an ideal of marriage that may never happen. With Field, Gold says, I want to redefine Amanda, inviting empathy for her circumstances as a single mother in the Depression, living in a tenement you have to climb a fire escape to enter, while raising two children, one of whom not only has a physical impairment but also debilitating social anxiety. Amanda can be a character you associate with being out of touch and living in a fantasy, says Gold, and that was never going to happen with Sally. She grounds it in her instinct of what its like to be a mother struggling for the success of her kids. Adding another layer is Golds casting of only the second performer on Broadway to use a wheelchair, newcomer Madison Ferris, as Laura (alongside Joe Mantello as Tom and Finn Wittrock as the gentleman caller)  her disability and the way it ties the family down and to one another made real.

Reading through the play now, it seems eerily on the nose. Its set in 1937, when, according to Tennessee stand-in Tom, narrating his past, the huge middle class of America was matriculating in a school for the blind. Their eyes had failed them, or they had failed their eyes, and so they were having their fingers pressed forcibly down on the fiery Braille alphabet of a dissolving economy. He also uses the phrase all the world was waiting for bombardments, describing revelers at the dance hall across the street making out behind ash bins, oblivious to what was about to descend on them. Francos Spain was in the midst of its civil war; Hitler was about to acquire Austria; violent labor movements were disrupting Chicago, Cleveland, and St. Louis; and Amanda, a little woman of great but confused vitality clinging frantically to another time and place, was busy creating a world of alternative facts in her own home, wherein she disallowed anyone from using the word cripple to describe Laura, and theres still a shrine to her alcoholic charmer of a husband whod left them bereft.

Tom is drifting through in an angry haze, but for Field this is really a play about the plight of women and how not much has changed. Amanda had so few choices, Field says. No education, or not a lot of it. No family backing. You just had to figure out how to get through this, to keep your children alive the best way you can. And each time she or Laura sees a crack in the ceiling they might crawl through, they are met with a harsh blow designed to mire them in the helplessness of a society that will not allow them to escape their circumstances. What is there left but dependency all our lives? Amanda laments.

A few days after we meet, Field will enter into an actors form of dependency: performing in front of an audience she cannot control or predict, one that may wish for Field not as she is, but as she once was in Steel Magnolias, Forrest Gump, and Mrs. Doubtfire. Shes not worried Vice-President Pence will show up like he did for Hamilton (I somehow dont feel hell be heading right toward The Glass Menagerie. Why do I not feel that?), but it might be great if a few Trump-voting ladies saw it and walked away with a better sense of the pain that can come from misunderstanding one anothers differences. Does she really think theyd be any more interested in Glass than Pence would be? Well, she says, laughing, they may come to see me.

*This article appears in the February 20, 2017, issue of New York Magazine.
Steve Harvey. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Steve Harvey knows what its like to incorrectly announce a winner, which he memorably did at Miss Universe 2015, misreading his nominee card and bestowing the crown to runner-up Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez rather than Miss Universe herself, Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach. Which is why he tweeted his support to Warren Beatty in the wake of last nights Best Picture snafu. Is his advice Keep hosting Miss Universe until you die in order to prove to the world your very public mix-up was a one-time mistake? Because thats definitely what Steve Harvey plans to do.

Call me Warren Beatty. I can help you get through this! #Oscars  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

Whatever his advice might be, Steve Harveys offer of assistance is approximately 5,000 percent less devastating than the one that came directly from the Miss Universe pageant itself.


Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Natalie Portman and more star in Mean Tweets: #Oscars edition. pic.twitter.com/5NHHvxuT3D  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017

Did you really think that Jimmy Kimmel would get through his Oscars-hosting gig without doing an extra star-studded edition of celebrities reading mean tweets? Of course not! Since nobody is safe from the wrath of Jimmy Kimmels infamous Mean Tweets, not even Academy Award nominees, please enjoy watching Casey Affleck read what most definitely is not the meanest tweet that has ever been written about him.


"We ask all of you for tolerance of our diversity and respect for humanity," he said. "I hope I am not asking for too much because that is what my friend would have wanted," Alok Madasani said.

By India Today Web Desk: A special prayer meeting in memory of Srinivas Kuchibhotla was held today in Kansas, where an American ex-serviceman had killed him and injured his friend Alok Madasani on February 22 in what is being called a case of suspected hate crime.

Madasani, who survived the shootout in a bar in Olathe, called for more tolerance in the United States. "We ask all of you for tolerance of our diversity and respect for humanity," he said. "I hope I am not asking for too much because that is what my friend would have wanted," he added.

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HYDERABAD ENGINEER SHOT DEAD IN US

Hyderabad techie Kuchibhotla was allegedly shot dead by 51-year-old Adam W Purinton, a former US Navy serviceman. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with Kuchibhotla from Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Telangana's Warangal district and hurled racial slurs.

At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the two aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.

The shooting has triggered outrage 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.

Kuchibhotla's body is likely to arrive in India later tonight. His wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative will accompany the body. The last rites will be performed on Tuesday at Hyderabad's Jubliee Hills, family members said.

ALSO READ | Indian killed in Kansas bar shooting: Donald Trump behind murder, says Srinivas Kuchibhotla's family

--- ENDS ---
A white U.S. Navy veteran charged with murdering an Indian software engineer at a Kansas bar gazed at a camera from jail and gave curt answers to a judge by video during his initial court appearance on Monday over the shooting, which federal authorities are probing as a possible hate crime.

By Reuters: A white U.S. Navy veteran charged with murdering an Indian software engineer at a Kansas bar gazed at a camera from jail and gave curt answers to a judge by video during his initial court appearance on Monday over the shooting, which federal authorities are probing as a possible hate crime.

Adam Purinton, 51, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene during Wednesday evening's incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb.

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At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted "get out of my country" before shooting. The incident led news bulletins in India, where some suggested on social media that a climate of intolerance in the United States had been fueled by President Donald Trump's rhetoric on immigration.

Purinton, appearing via video conference from jail, asked the court to appoint him an attorney and waived the reading of the formal charges against him of one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder during the five-minute hearing in the Johnson County District Court in downtown Olathe.

Purinton, who could only be seen from the chest up on the court's television screen, is being held on $2 million bond in the adjacent Johnson County Jail. In clear language, he replied to a handful of questions from the judge, mostly with curt answers.

Michael McCulloch, who was named by the court to be Purinton's attorney, declined to comment after the hearing.

Purinton wore an Army green, sleeveless suicide-prevention smock and stared straight at the camera the whole time. His reddish-brown hair was short on the side and spiked on top. He had sideburns to his jawbone and the shadow of a beard.

His next hearing is set for March 9.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Monday called reports about the shooting and more acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries "disturbing." On Friday, he said any loss of life in the shooting was tragic, but it was absurd to link the killing to Trump's "America First" stance.

INDIAN EMBASSY REQUESTS 'THOROUGH AND SPEEDY INVESTIGATION'

The Indian Embassy in Washington has expressed India's deep concern over the incident to the U.S. government and requested a "thorough and speedy investigation."

Purinton was arrested hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe.

According to a recording of a 911 call made by a female bartender at the Applebee's, Purinton said he needed to hide because he had killed two Iranian men, local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV reported.

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"He wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him and he said he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me. I finally got him to tell me," the bartender tells a dispatcher, according to the tape obtained by KSHB-TV. "He said he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe."

ALSO READ:

Hillary Clinton brings up Srinivas Kuchibhotla's death, says Trump must answer risin g hate crimes

Kansas shooting: Body of Indian techie killed in incident brought to India

ALSO WATCH: Kansas bar shooting: Do we belong here, asks wife of murdered Indian techie

--- ENDS ---
Lady Sri Ram Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, said she has attracted a barrage of hate messages over her stand against ABVP.

By Press Trust of India: The Delhi University student, whose social media campaign against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) recently went viral, on Sunday alleged to have received "rape threats".

Lady Sri Ram Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, said she has attracted a barrage of hate messages over her stand on the issue.

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"I have been getting a lot of threats on social media. I think it is very scary when people threaten you with violence or with rape," she told NDTV.

Giving rape threats "in the name of nationalism" is not right, she added.

ALSO READ | Facebook post goes viral: Not afraid of ABVP, says Kargil martyr's daughter

Her comments received widespread support including from Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"Just listen to this. THIS is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism," he tweeted while sharing her statement.

After the North Campus clash, Kaur had 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".

Delhi Universitys 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 ABVP.

ALSO READ | Violence is not the method: Arun Jaitley on Ramjas row

WATCH | Ramjas College clash: Not afraid of ABVP, says Kargil martyr's daughter

--- ENDS ---
Kim Jong-nam was killed earlier this month by a suspected poisoning. South Korea says the assassination was orchestrated by two North Korean ministries.

By India Today Web Desk: Adding more intrigue to the mysterious killing of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea has claimed that the assasination was orchestrated by two North Korean ministries.

According to the National Intelligence Service (NIS), four of the eight suspects behind the murder were employees of Pyongyang's Ministry of State Security while two others were from the Foreign Ministry.

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"The assassination of Kim Jong-nam was an act of systematic terror ordered by Kim Jong-un," South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-kee said in a public address. "The operation was conducted with two assassination groups and one supporting group," the legislator added.

MURDERED BY POISONING

Kim Jong-nam died on February 13 this month after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from the Kuala Lumpur Airport. Malaysia said an autopsy showed he was poisoned with VX nerve agent and died within 20 minutes.

The incident made international headlines, partly because of the manner in which Jong-nam was killed. The VX nerve agent is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN.

"We strongly condemned North Korea for using a chemical weapon against a civilian," Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman for the South Korean Unification Ministry said.

MALAYSIA SEEKS NORTH KOREAN COOPERATION

Meanwhile, Malaysia has requested the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur allow a diplomat and an airline employee to cooperate in a probe into the death of Kim Jong-nam, the news agency reported.

The Malaysian police said last week that Hyon Kwang-song, the second secretary at the embassy, and Kim Uk-il, an employee at Air Koryo, North Korea's flag carrier, are suspected of being involved in the killing of Jong-Nam.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry is believed to have sent an official document requesting the North Korean mission to cooperate in the investigation as Hyon and Kim are wanted for questioning, Yonhap said.

Also read: The link between North Korea's chemical weapons, leader Kim Jong-un's brother's death

Also watch: Malaysian Police Confirm VX Nerve Agent Used to Kill Kim Jong-Nam

--- ENDS ---
Several years ago while working as a tutor at the University of Sydney, I received a call from a distressed student who disclosed she had been raped just hours earlier.

The night before, she and other college students had gone out drinking before a small group had crashed in a bedroom. In the early hours, she awoke to find one of the men on top of her raping her, as other students lay sleeping nearby.

Confidentiality of victims will be safeguarded through de-identified quotes and case studies in the national report.

It was not the first or only disclosure I received. In the seven years I spent at the University of Sydney I received at least 16 accounts of rape, attempted rape, indecent sexual assault, and harassment.

As shocking and heinous as the violence was, many of the victims described the university administration's response as being equally appalling, some even referring to it as a "second rape".
The Australian Workers' unions has urged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to end the "high farce" of Australia exporting record amounts of gas to Asia while domestic prices soar and the energy sector struggles to keep the lights on.

The AWU wants Mr Turnbull to sit down with liquefied natural gas exporters such as Shell, Woodside and Chevron and renegotiate their contracts to guarantee more of their product stays in Australia to power local industry and ease the cost pressure on manufacturers.

The criticism is focused on LNG projects like Chevron's $70 billion Gorgon plant, the biggest single resources project in Australia's history.

A single tanker from Gorgon powers 80,000 homes in Tokyo for a year.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has laid the blame for the government's drop in the polls squarely at the feet of Tony Abbott, describing the former leader's "outburst" last week as a calculated and deliberate attack to undermine confidence in the Coalition.

The Turnbull government is now trailing Labor 55-45 on a two-party preferred basis, with its primary vote slipping to 34 per cent and One Nation's rising to 10 per cent, according to the latest Newspoll. The polling was conducted amid the furore triggered by Mr Abbott's criticisms of his successor's government.

Mr Turnbull was direct in apportioning the blame on Monday: "A poll is a snapshot of opinion at one particular time. The election is two years away and what we saw was an outburst on Thursday and it had its desired impact on the Newspoll, it was exactly as predicted and calculated."

"[Mr Abbott] knew exactly what he was doing and he did it," Mr Turnbull said in a press conference.
On that note, time for me to wrap up. What happened?

today was all about penalty rates ;

; and opinion polls ;

; Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull all but said the government would accept the Fair Work Commission's determination ;

all but said the government would accept the ; but he tried to suggest this was all Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's fault for setting up the commission's reference a gazillion years ago;

fault for setting up the commission's reference a gazillion years ago; whether anyone outside the Coalition buys this argument is another matter;

and we still do not know how much the new fence around Parliament House will cost.

My eternal thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen and to you for reading and commenting.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Andrew, Alex and I will be back in the morning. Hope to see you then.
Influencers must ensure any paid content is marked and cannot "camouflage the fact that it is advertising". The practice of businesses working with influencers has come under increasing scrutiny, with Media Watch investigating influencers such as chef Matt Moran, who was paid to send tweets recommending Kangaroo Island and failed to disclose the payment. More recently author and entrepreneur Zoe Foster Blake was criticised for posting a photo to Instagram of her fridge filled with YouFoodz products that she received for free. Foster Blake captioned her post "this isn't sponsored by the way. Just a recommendation".

Under the revised guidelines if a business arranges with an influencer to post content on social media and "retains control over the content" the AANA advises it should be marked with "#ad or similar wording". Influencer marketing has come of age as a more legitimate and predictable marketing channel. Jules Lund However if a business sends free products to an influencer without any stipulations that they post about them on social media and the business has "no control" over any statements the influencer may make, then the post is not considered to be advertising or marketing communication. A huge step forward Former television and radio star Jules Lund is one of the founders of the app Tribe, which matches influencers with businesses.

Influencers with between 3000 and 20,000 followers can receive up to $300 a post while those with 500,000 followers can charge more than $1200 for a post. He describes the AANA guidelines as "a huge step forward for the industry here in Australia". However Lund says Tribe will not need to change anything on its platform as it already "strongly advises" influencers to disclose payment. "Influencer marketing has come of age as a more legitimate and predictable marketing channel," Lund says. "Ironically I think even though influencer marketing 1.0 was full of Top Gear celebrities selling teeth whitening and protein balls, influencer marketing 2.0 is potentially one of the most honest forms of marketing we've seen in history. It's about everyday consumers recommending the brands they use and love." Lund says audiences appreciate honesty when it comes to payment.

"This is not Alan Jones and John Laws cash for comment on radio," he says. "The audience for those situations found it difficult to distinguish between sponsored and non-sponsored content. In social media the audiences are savvy and there is a greater understanding that it's part of that industry and there's a greater acceptance. To go one step further and add in your caption #ad I think only attracts greater respect." Acting with integrity Harrison says the guidelines won't be changing the way she works. "I think if you are being paid to represent a brand which you would not have otherwise used yourself personally then it needs to be disclosed," she says. But Harrison says the majority of the content she creates for Little Miss Melbourne is not paid.
By Shweta Keshri: The new psychological thriller, Koi Laut Ke Aya Hai gets you on the edge of your seat from the very first frame itself.

The show starts with a terrified Gitanjali (Surbhi Jyoti) walking in her haveli with a candelabrum in hand. She reaches a store room as she can hear someone gasping and knocking at an old wooden treasure chest from inside. While trying to open the chest, she wakes up from her slumber, as it turns out to be just a horrible daydream.

Surbhi Jyoti and Shoaib Ibrahim in a still from the show. Picture courtesy: Hotstar

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The story revolves around Gitanjali, who belongs to a royal family and is in love with Captain Abhimanyu (Shoaib Ibrahim). His visually-impaired brother Rishabh (Sharad Kelkar) is against the alliance as he doubts Abhimanyu to be after their money.

Gitanjali goes against her brother's wishes and marries Abhimanyu that irks Rishabh, who is ready to die and eager to kill for his family's honour.

Sharad Kelkar, Surbhi Jyoti and Shoaib Ibrahim in a still from the show. Picture courtesy: Hotstar

But soon after the wedding, Abhimanyu's car meets with an accident and he goes missing under mysterious circumstances. The show takes a six years leap with Gitanjali still waiting for Abimanyu's return. The army declares Captain Abhimanyu as dead, which leaves Gitanjali shattered. In the coming episodes, Captain Abhimanyu will make a comeback in Gitanjali's life that will leave everyone puzzled.

Also read: Surbhi Jyoti and Shoaib Ibrahim's Koi Laut Ke Aya Hai's promo is out!

The plot is gripping and leaves its viewers curious about the next episode. Set against the backdrop of Rajasthan, the show portrays the magnificence and royalty. The director has made great use of the desert locations--be it the scene where Surbhi is caught in a quicksand or Surbhi and Shoaib romancing in the desert with camels all around.

Surbhi Jyoti and Shoaib Ibrahim share amazing chemistry in the show. Picture courtesy: Hotstar

Massive forts and dramatic palaces set amidst a rugged yet alluring landscape is what makes the show, all the more interesting.

The show has an impressive cast with actors like Mita Vashist, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sharad Kelkar, Surbhi Jyoti, Shoaib Ibrahim and Sreejita De. Surbhi and Shoaib share good on-screen chemistry while Sharad plays the role of a possessive brother, perfect to the T.

Gitanjali gets terrified in a bawdi, as she is scared of darkness. Picture courtesy: Hotstar

If the scenes in the haveli are scary, the bawdi (step well) scenes have the power to spook you out.

With just two episodes down, the show has few solved and many unsolved mysteries, which would be answered in the coming weekends.

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Our verdict: Koi Laut Ke Aaya Hai is a spellbinding psychological thriller that captivates its viewers with interesting plots and thrilling twists. And a welcome change from the ongoing supernatural shows.

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About 1000 people have gathered in Fremantle at a rally to protest the clearing of land for the government's Roe 8 highway project, calling for a Royal Commission into its planning and execution.

"We deserve better from our state governments," former broadcaster and TV presenter Peter Holland told the crowd at Kings Square.

Protesters in Fremantle. Credit:Eileen Glynn

"We deserve more honesty and less secrecy.

"We deserve what is best in the long term for our society and environment not what is best for powerful vested interests.
Ismailia, Egypt: Some fled with little more than the clothes they were wearing, terrified that the militants of Islamic State would come for them next.

For a fourth day on Sunday, Coptic Christians - one of Egypt's most vulnerable minorities - sought safe haven after a series of sectarian killings in and near the town of Arish, in Egypt's rugged Sinai Peninsula.

Christian women who fled Islamic State in Sinai rest at a youth guest house in Ismailia. Credit:AP

Some 95 families have arrived in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, 120 kilometres east of Cairo, church officials said. Frightened, hungry and tired, they are being sheltered in private homes and - belatedly - at government accommodation.

"There were many killings and threats of further violence," said Kirollos Ibrahim, a priest at the Coptic Church of Ismailia, which has aided the displaced. "God has helped us, and we are finding brothers and sisters to stand by us."
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud is heading to Indonesia this week for a nine-day visit. It will be the first time in 46 years that a Saudi king has visited the world's largest Muslim nation, and it comes at a time of heightened attention on the economic links between the two nations.

But Salman has come prepared. According to reports in the Indonesian press, the Saudi royal is expected to bring 459 tonnes of cargo with him on his trip - including two Mercedes-Benz s600 limousines and two electric elevators.

Adji Gunawan of the airfreight company PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta (JAS) told the Antara news agency that his company had been appointed to handle the cargo, which had already arrived in the country. Adji said that his company was employing a total of 572 workers to deal with the Saudi monarch's luggage.

Saudi royals are often known for travelling in grandiose style. Salman booked out the entire Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown when he visited Washington in 2015. The hotel, one of the most luxurious in the area, has 222 rooms.
By Press Trust of India: Washington, Feb 27 (PTI) In a rare find, scientists have discovered a large piece of carved jade that once belonged to an ancient Maya king, inscribed with a historical text decribing its first owner.

The jewel - a jade pendant worn on a kings chest during key religious ceremonies - was first unearthed in 2015, in Nim Li Punit in southern Belize.

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The T-shaped pendant is remarkable for being the second largest Maya jade found in Belize to date, said Geoffrey Braswell, a professor at University of California, San Diego in the US.

"It was like finding the Hope Diamond in Peoria instead of New York," said Braswell, who led the dig.

"We would expect something like it in one of the big cities of the Maya world. Instead, here it was, far from the centre," he said.

The pendant measures 7.4 inches wide, 4.1 inches high and just 0.3 inches thick.

Sawing it into this thin, flat form with string, fat and jade dust would have been a technical feat for the Mayans, researchers said.

The pendant is the only one known to be inscribed with a historical text. Carved into the pendants back are 30 hieroglyphs about its first owner.

The pendant was "not torn out of history by looters," said Braswell.

"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," he said.

Nim Li Punit is a small site in the Toledo District of Belize. It sits on a ridge in the Maya Mountains, near the contemporary village of Indian Creek.

On the southeastern edge of the ancient Maya zone - more than 400 kilometres south of Chichen Itza in Mexico, where similar but smaller breast pieces have been found - Nim Li Punit is estimated to have been inhabited between AD 150 and 850.

Researchers along with a crew of local people, were excavating a palace built around the year 400 when they found a collapsed, but intact, tomb.

Inside the tomb, which dates to about AD 800, were 25 pottery vessels, a large stone that had been flaked into the shape of a deity and the precious jade pectoral. Except for a couple of teeth, there were no human remains.

The pendant is in the shape of a T. Its front is also carved with a T. This is the Mayan glyph "ik" which stands for "wind and breath."

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It was buried,in a curious, T-shaped platform. One of the pots discovered with it, a vessel with a beaked face, probably depicts a Maya god of wind. Braswell believes that it was buried as a dedication to the wind god. PTI MHN SAR MHN

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Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) hosted a WCO Revenue Package national Workshop from 20 to 23 February 2017 in Gaborone with the aim of preparing the Administration for the implementation of an advance ruling system for classification and origin, as required under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

Before the opening of the Workshop, the Commissioner General of BURS, Mr. K. Morris, recalled that Botswana was one of the first countries that ratified the TFA and BURS was committed to take the necessary steps, including implementation of an advance ruling system, to fulfil its obligations. He thanked the WCO Secretariat for the capacity building activities that were conducted in Botswana.

During the Workshop, the representatives of the WCO focused on the importance of a well-organised classification and origin infrastructure and well-defined and effective classification and origin practices before introducing the advance ruling system.

Presentations were made on the theoretical and practical understanding and implementation of new WCO materials developed under the WCO Revenue Package Phase II, such as the Guidelines on Customs Infrastructure for Tariff Classification, Origin and Valuation and the Technical Guidelines on Advance Rulings for Classification, Origin and Valuation.

Twenty-two senior and mid-level managers and experts on classification, origin and valuation participated actively in the discussions and used the WCO Diagnostic Tool on Tariff Classification, Valuation and Origin Work and Related Infrastructure to assess the current situation and to identify areas for attention. As a result, a number of action points in relation to an advance ruling system, such as amending the Customs and Excise Act, establishing procedures and guidelines for Customs and traders, improving the procedure for settlement of disputes, creation of a rulings database, providing capacity building and improving communication with economic operators, were proposed to the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr. P.P. Valashia. He agreed that several actions were required and emphasised that his Administration was fully committed and would ensure full support to the project. He thanked the WCO for the support and noted that the Workshop had been well-timed since the required number of ratifications for the TFA to enter into force had been reached during the Workshop.

During the discussions, the participants also considered other measures that could improve the classification and origin infrastructure. Being Member of SACU (the South African Customs Union) it was suggested that creating a consultation forum with other SACU countries would improve the work at regional level. The establishment of a customs laboratory at national level, a regional (SACU) laboratory, or using a private laboratory were also given attention. Finally, more capacity building was also sought.

Botswana Unified Revenue Service has included the provisions for an advance ruling system in the upcoming revision of the Customs Act and the establishment of an advance ruling system for classification and origin in its upcoming Annual Plan and subsequently develop an action plan. The Secretariat will continue its support in this respect.
24 February 2017

At the invitation of the Ugandan Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Dicksons Kateshumbwa, WCO Director for Compliance and Facilitation Ana Hinojosa visited Uganda on 24 February 2017, to attend the official launching of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) to track goods under customs control from point of loading to a final destination within Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

The ceremony took place in Kampala, Uganda. The implementation of RECTS has been achieved by Kenyan Revenue Authority, Rwanda Revenue Authority and Uganda Revenue Authority. The RECTS has been an ongoing project initially implemented in Uganda, as a national programme and will now successfully support trade along the Northern Corridor. This project was funded by UKaid (Department for International Development-DFID) through the efforts of TradeMark East Africa (TMEA). This programme will bring about substantial cost and time savings to goods transiting between these East African countries.

The ceremony was also used to officially present Authorized Economic Operator Certifications to ten new members of the Uganda Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program. Additionally, participants were also able to hear about Ugandas Customs Central Document Processing Centre, and the many advances that automation and transparency are bringing to the trade community in Uganda.

The launch was attended by many high level dignitaries, including the Ugandan Minister of Finance and the Ugandan Minister of Trade, the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority, along with a number of other distinguished guests. In her address, Director Hinojosa commended the Customs administrations in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda for taking on such an innovative project that will provide such benefits to Transit shipments between their countries. She commented that it was very fitting to be launching such a programme just a mere two days after the Trade Facilitation Agreement entered into force. She further highlighted the strong leadership role that Ugandan Customs and the Uganda Revenue Authority have played in promoting and implementing numerous initiatives that will bring greater trade facilitation within the whole region. Director Hinojosa highlighted the importance of a solid private sector engagement, which was evidenced during the ceremony through the continuing growth of the AEO Program. She further commented that the leadership demonstrated by Customs and the Uganda Revenue Authority in promoting the professionalism and continued investment and development of their personnel is one that will serve Uganda, as a whole, for many years to come. She further congratulated UKaid and TMEA for their support of the important projects that will bring about tangible facilitation of trade.

The launch was covered by national and regional media.
Comparing the increasing population and the number of criminal cases, Maharashtra state government has approved five new forensic laboratories in the state.

By Saurabh Vaktania: Comparing the increasing population and the number of criminal cases, Maharashtra state government has approved five new forensic laboratories in the state.

As of now there are labs in Kalina Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, whereas mini-forensic labs are located in Nashik and Aurangabad where evidences from blasts, murder, rape, firing etc come in.

With only 776 employees working in labs across the state, there is a shortage of over 1,046 members. And in the year 2016 alone, evidences from over 34 thousand cases sent to labs for investigation.

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The new labs will be located in Thane, Chandrapur, Dhule, Solapur and Ratnagiri. These labs will have toxicology and biology labs and will accommodate cases of related DNA, fingerprints and cyber crimes.

Also Read

Mumbai forensic science laboratory compound turns dumping ground for sewage water

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Seeking an explanation over his remarks insulting army families, State Women's Commission Chair person Vijaya Raatkar has asked the leader to be present before the commission on Tuesday.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Maharashtra State Women's Commission has summoned member of Maharashtra Legislative Council Prashant Paricharak over his remarks on wives of Army jawans.

Seeking an explanation over his remarks insulting army families, State Women's Commission Chair person Vijaya Raatkar has asked the leader to be present before the commission on Tuesday.

Prashant Paricharak,(BJP supported) independent MLA from Pandharpur had made derogatory remarks about soldiers' families.

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Addressing an election rally in his constituency in Solapur district Paricharak said soldiers' wives deliver babies in spite of their absence from home for a year.

"A soldier from Punjab is posted somewhere on the border. One day he gets a letter informing that his wife has delivered a baby. He has not gone home for a year, yet he distributes sweets. When people asked him why is he distributing sweets, he says I have got a son. This is how politics has become, " said Paricharak.

The MLC was criticised by political parties and ex army men, army families equally. After the controversy Paricharak had tendered an unconditional apology.

Opposition parties had targeted the ruling BJP for supporting such a leader and demanded strictest action.

Also read:

Pune: Retired Army officers demand strict action against Solapur MLC for remark on soldiers' wives

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WSU to Teach Children About Importance of Brain Health

February 27, 2017

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University psychology students will spend spring break, March 6-10, providing 1,500 children a hands-on learning experience emphasizing brain health and safety.

Now in its 15th year, Brain Awareness Week involves elementary, middle and high school students in activities such as assembling pipe-cleaner neurons, dissecting sheep brains and wearing beer goggles to demonstrate the disabling effects of alcohol.

WSU psychology student Jake Ombach

shows the intricacies of a sheep brain.

Weber State volunteers will present at schools in Weber, Davis, Morgan and Box Elder counties. Schools can request a Brain Awareness Week presentation by filling out an online form at weber.edu/neuroscience/Contact.html.

This year, thanks to a Hall Foundation grant, the program is expanding to Title I schools, after-school programs and Spanish-immersion programs.

Prior to receiving Hall Foundation funding, we reached about 300-500 kids a year. Now our program reaches more than 1,500 kids a year, and we are growing, said Lauren Fowler, WSU neuroscience program director and psychology professor. Being able to go into Spanish-immersion programs is a wonderful opportunity. Our students will give the presentations entirely in Spanish.

Over the past 15 years, 10,000 students from preschool to high school have participated in Brain Awareness Week.

Not only does the week provide education for students in the community, but it also provides more than 30 WSU students experience in leadership, teaching, volunteering and community involvement.

I love participating in Brain Awareness Week, said psychology student Lauren Homer. I am able to apply what Im learning in WSU classrooms to the eager minds of young students. It is wonderful when you see their faces light up when they understand what the brain is capable of.

Homer said educating the youth on brain health and safety is important. Brain Awareness Week is all about providing children and youth a fun environment where they learn that science and continuing education is important and applicable to their lives.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

For more photos, visit the following link:

https://wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Colleges-and-Departments/Social-and-Behavioral-Sciences/Brain-Awareness-Week
This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.

Last month I emphasized that job creation is not a sensible objective for economic policy. The purpose of economic activity is not to do work for its own sake. Whats the point of creating jobs to produce goods or services that consumers dont want as much as other things that could have been produced? Yet there is a widespread view that having government create more jobs is the best way to promote economic progress. Wrong. Relying on government to create jobs invariably retards economic progress.

Productive jobs are created when people have the freedom to communicate and cooperate through markets. Consumers communicate the value they place on different jobs by how much they are willing to pay for products. Anytime a firm employs workers to produce a more valuable good than workers are producing at other firms, consumer purchases tell that firm: We will make it profitable for you to expand output by offering higher wages and bidding workers away from less valuable jobs. Workers end up cooperating with consumers by moving into the production of more desirable products until all gains from such a move are exhausted.

Similarly, firms communicate how much it costs to produce different products (including the cost of hiring workers) by how little they are willing to charge for those products. When firms can lower production costs by making more valuable use of workers, they communicate that fact to consumers through lower prices. This motivates consumers to buy more of the industrys product and motivates the industry to hire more workers. Again, workers cooperate with consumers by moving into those jobs where they produce what consumers are most eager to have.

When government tries to create jobs it always interferes with market cooperation between workers and consumers. So even when jobs are created, people are directed into jobs in which they are producing less value for consumers than they could be producing. Government attempts to create domestic jobs by restricting imports is an example of undermining the market cooperation that creates the most productive jobs. By preventing people from buying products from the most efficient producers, import restrictions prevent the cooperation that guides workers into those jobs in which they have a comparative advantage; that is, where they produce the most wealth. Unfortunately, there are many other examples of how government job creation destroys wealth by distorting market interaction between consumers and workers. Consider one way that government attempts to expand employment.

Spreading the Work

France is currently attempting to reduce its high unemployment rate by making it illegal for any employee to work for more than an average 35 hours a week. That policy would make sense only if there existed a fixed amount of work and it was being done by fewer than the available workers; in that case, more workers could be hired only if the amount of work done by each were limited. If this is true in France, then it has pulled off an amazing feat. The French must have all the goods and services they want, with work and toil being the only scarce things remaining. But if work rather than desirable goods is what the French lack, there is a better way of taking care of the problem than restricting the hours of work. They could simply destroy a percentage of everything produced. This would create more jobs for people to replace the destroyed output, plus additional jobs to do the destroying.

Unfortunately, neither the French nor anyone else has overcome the problem of scarcity. If more of the things people value are produced, people will be anxious to consume them as long as market communication is undistorted by government restrictions. Imagine a technological breakthrough that allows one person to produce everything currently being produced in a country. Does anyone believe that the country would be worse off or that everyone but the one person would be unable to find work? Of course not. The country would become incredibly wealthy as millions of workers were freed up to produce additional products that consumers had been doing without. And in the absence of market distortions, the extra output would be consumed since it would result from consumers communicating their desire and willingness to purchase it.

Interestingly, it was the nineteenth-century French economist Jean-Baptiste Say who explained why expanding output should be no problem. Says explanation is often distorted as meaning that supply creates its own demand, which has become known as Says Law. But this is a straw man. Neither Say nor any other sensible economist believes that the production of any particular product, or bundle of products, will create the demand for it. Producing something that no one wants will not create a demand for it. What Say explained is that when market prices are free to respond to changing production costs and consumer preferences, then the decisions of suppliers and consumers are coordinated and there is no need to worry about unemployment caused by gluts of unwanted goods.

Drilling More Holes

Trying to reduce unemployment with government restrictions on the number of hours that people are allowed to work is like trying to sober up with more drinking. Such restrictions add to existing government policies (such as minimum-wage laws, regulations on dismissal, and mandated benefits) that are already reducing cooperation between consumers and workers. Also, enforcing these restrictions employs workers, who could be responding to consumer desires, to make sure that other workers dont respond to those desires. For example, the French government hires work police to enforce the work restrictions. They do such useful things as note how long cars are parked outside businesses. This snooping is not merely a total waste of time. It is worse than that, having led to the detection of renegade executives who have committed the crime of working the extra hours required to negotiate complex deals that, if culminated, would lead to more productive jobs.

The more distortions governments impose on market communication and cooperation, the more problems they createproblems they can use to justify more distortions. It is as if you are on your boat and a government official comes aboard, announces he is there to help, and drills a hole in the bottom. But dont worry. As your boat takes on water and starts to sink, the official reassures you that he is going to drill some more holes so the water can run out.

Governments attempt to create jobs is almost always the economic equivalent of drilling holes in the bottom of a boat. The problem is that the costs are greater than we realize and commonly disguised as benefits.

February 1, 2000.

Dwight R. Lee is the ONeil Professor of Global Markets and Freedom in the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.
Taking on Panneerselvam for criticising his demand that Jayalalithaa's name be removed from government schemes, Stalin said OPS had never raised doubts about the mystery behind the death of Jayalalithaa when he was chief minister.

By Pramod Madhav: In a scathing attack, DMK's working president MK Stalin alleged that former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam was using former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's name for gaining political mileage.

Taking on Panneerselvam for criticising his demand that Jayalalithaa's name be removed from government schemes, Stalin said OPS had never raised doubts about the mystery behind the death of Jayalalithaa when he was chief minister.

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Stalin's remark demanding removal of Jayalalithaa's photo from government installations and her name from government funded public welfare schemes has stirred a new controversy in the state. Both VK Sasikala and O Panneerselvam camps have taken extreme offense to Stalin's statement.

Stalin, still holding his stand claimed that it is illegal and unconstitutional to depict pictures of Jayalalithaa on government funded programs.

"Only after he was denied the chief minister's chair, which was two months after her death, did Panneerselvam choose to go on meditation under media spotlight and say there was mystery behind Jayalalithaa's death," Stalin said.

Stalin further reiterated that DMK is only emphasising on legality and that he is bewildered to see how AIADMK men express loyalty for political gains.

ALSO READ:Stalin's remark on Jaya's pictures in government schemes irks EPS, OPS factions

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Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
The Ghaziabad police who arrested Mohit Goel - founder of Ringing Bells that offered world's cheapest smartphone - has cracked the "secret" of selling the mobile at dirt-cheap cost.

By Shashank Shekhar: The Ghaziabad police who arrested Mohit Goel - founder of Ringing Bells that offered world's cheapest smartphone - could not find any evidence of forgery done by him but has cracked the "secret" of selling the mobile at dirt-cheap cost.

Police said Goel revealed that the actual phone was made in Taiwan costing Rs1,431, but he had bundled the phone with 28 pre-installed apps and was charging the app manufacturers for it.

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HOW GOEL GOT THE IDEA TO SELL THE CHEAPEST PHONE

Goel told police that the idea to sell cheapest phone came to his mind when his maid had asked for a smartphone and was inspired by a newspaper's business model. "He started researching and found that printing cost of a newspaper is around Rs 80-90 per copy but is sold at Rs 5 due to subsidies and advertisements.

He then got in touch with the Taiwan-based company which was making smartphones for just Rs 1,431 and did a tie-up with them and sold the phone under name of Freedom 251," said the officer.

To fill the gap in the manufacturing cost (Rs1,431) and selling price of a phone (Rs 251), the company then decided to charge Rs 35 each from 28 app companies.

"They told application companies that they will pre-install their app in the phone and it will reach lakhs of users who were waiting to buy their phones. Each app manufacturer will have to pay Rs 35 for each phone which meant the company would get Rs 980 through app installation," said the officer.

Despite selling the phone at dirt-cheap cost of Rs 251, the company had planned to make a profit of Rs 100 per phone through website charges and advertisements.

GOEL ARRESTED

But before their plan could be successfully executed, they landed in series of controversies. Last week, Goel was arrested on allegations of fraud, after a handset dealer accused the company of not refunding him for an unfulfilled order.

On the day of its launch last year, Ringing Bells received six lakh hits in a minute on their website and has received nearly 7.5-crore bookings for the smartphones, of which nearly 70,000 phones were delivered on COD basis.

In order to reduce its operational cost, the company had shifted from its Sector 63 office in Noida to Laxmi Nagar. Just a few days ahead of Goel's arrest, Noida police had given a clean chit to the company. Noida police crime branch said the company through a payment gateway accepted the money which has been returned by them.

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"A fraud is when a company dupes its investors by taking their money and failing to give them products, but in case of Freedom 251, all the booking amount has been returned by the company," a senior official told MAIL TODAY.

An FIR was registered against Ringing Bells, following a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya who levelled serious allegations against the company, saying it is a "ponzi bogus company scam". Till then no distributor had registered any FIR.

ALSO READ:

Ringing Bells MD Mohit Goel has quit, but company claims Freedom 251 isn't dead

Mohit Goel, the man behind world's cheapest phone Freedom 251, used to help around his dad's grocery shop

ALSO WATCH: Ringing bells CEO Mohit Goel quizzed for two days by the ED

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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Feb. 27, 2017 | METROPOLIS, IL

By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 27, 2017 | 11:33 AM | METROPOLIS, IL

A Massac County man was arrested Thursday on an attempted murder charge.



The Metropolis Police Department says it got a call from a man saying he was on his way to crash his vehicle into the home of his father, who lives on East 2nd Street. Before officers could get to the home, calls came in to dispatch saying that a silver Jeep had struck the home and left the scene.



Police say a silver Jeep with extensive damage was pulled over while driving east on East 5th Street. The driver of the vehicle, 36-year-old James Allen Daunis of Metropolis, reportedly told police he intended to kill his father by smashing into the gas lines of the home, possibly causing an explosion or fire.



Police also determined that Daunis was intoxicated.



Daunis was arrested for attempted murder, DUI, damaging property, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of a crash. He was taken to Massac County Detention Center, but has since been released.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 27, 2017 | 11:32 AM | MURRAY, KY





A possible rape case is under investigation by Murray State University Police.According to the University's Communications Department, an email was sent out to the entire campus of an alleged rape that occurred over the weekend. The email was distributed to the campus on Sunday afternoon just after 1 pm.The email stated the victim was allegedly raped by an acquaintance in a residence hall on the campus of MSU. The "assault was reported to have occurred in the early morning hours of February 26, 2017."The email went on to say the alleged assailant is known to the victim. The campus police department is conducting an investigation and is providing "recovery resources to the student."MSU also released this statement to West Kentucky Star about the incident:
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Feb. 26, 2017 | GRAVES COUNTY, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 26, 2017 | 07:04 PM | GRAVES COUNTY, KY

A Mayfield woman faces a lengthy list of charges after a high-speed police pursuit that ended with both her vehicle and a sheriff's cruiser catching fire.



Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon says deputies responded to Wyatt Road at around 12:45 pm to a report of 48-year-old Michelle Hayes of Mayfield attempting to break into a home.



When deputies arrived, Hayes had reportedly left the home. One of Hayes' family members told police she was driving a black Lexus headed south on Central Road, and was under the influence of drugs. Officers said they learned that Hayes had taken the car without permission.



Deputies located Hayes on US 45 just inside the city limits of Mayfield after receiving a tip from a citizen. The caller reported that Hayes was entering into oncoming traffic at high rate of speed. Hayes made a U-turn upon meeting deputies on US 45. Deputies pursued Hayes into McCracken County at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.



Upon entering Lone Oak, McCracken County sheriff's deputies deployed stop sticks and were able to flatten three of Hayes' tires. The chase continued into Paducah, until McCracken County deputies were able to perform a PIT maneuver on Hayes as she was attempting to turn off Jefferson Street onto 31st Street. Her vehicle and the deputy's cruiser then caught fire, and she was taken into custody.



No one was hurt during the pursuit.



Hayes faces initial charges of 1st degree wanton endangerment, reckless driving, speeding, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and 1st degree fleeing and evading.
Astros take World Series title over Phillies in six games
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 27, 2017 | 10:10 AM | BENTON, KY





The Marshall County Sheriff's Office had a busy weekend with several arrests.The office says it started on Friday just before 8 pm when deputies responded to a disturbance on Native Circle in Draffenville. Deputies say a fight had occurred and 40-year-old William L. Smith, of Benton was arrested and charged with 4th degree assault and booked into the Marshall County Detention Center.On Saturday afternoon, deputies went to a single vehicle crash on Brewers Highway. Deputies say the vehicle had left the roadway at a bridge and had gone into the river.Deputies allegedly noticed the smell of alcoholic beverages on the driver, and as a result of the investigation, 50-year-old Mark B. Mattheiss, of Benton, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and license to be in possession. Mattheiss was transported to Marshall County Hospital by Marshall County EMS and as a result was issued a court date for his charges.On Sunday, deputies arrested a Gilbertsville man on a DUI charge after a car crash at around 4:30 pm. The crash happened on Greenapple Drive when 59-year-old Daryl Smith, of Gilbertsville, hit a mailbox and left the road.Deputies say Smith was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leaving the scene of an accident, no operators license and failure to produce an insurance card.Also on Sunday, at around 8 pm deputies arrested another man for DUI after a crash on Tatumsville Highway. Deputies say the driver of the vehicle, 60-year-old Terry Fields, of Gilbertsville, had backed out of a driveway, crossed the road, and went into a ditch on the opposite side. As Fields continued to try and get the vehicle out, another vehicle was passing by and was struck by Fields' vehicle.Deputies say Fields was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs with aggravating circumstances and booked into the Marshall County Detention Center.
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By Jim Waters

Feb. 26, 2017 | LEXINGTON, KY

By Jim Waters Feb. 26, 2017 | 09:30 PM | LEXINGTON, KY

The Bevin administration and House Republican leadership  despite hard pushes for other platform priorities such as right-to-work and prevailing-wage repeal  may settle for a mediocre charter-school bill.



This is a testament to the stronghold the public-education complex has on our commonwealth and to its willingness to put money and control before students' best interests.



Charter-school legislation has passed the state Senate for years, including Sen. Mike Wilson's bill last year that sailed through with a 28-9



vote  but ran aground before reaching the other end of the Capitol  a pattern we've seen for years.



Then came Election Night 2016 when the GOP took control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly a century.



Voters handed Republicans supermajority status in the historic November election and seemed to say  as they had to then-candidate Matt Bevin during the previous year's gubernatorial campaign: "Go to Frankfort, make the tough decisions and don't worry about your re-election."



Legislators led by a new and energized majority leadership responded by passing seven bills in the session's historic first week concluding with an equally momentous Saturday session despite threats from protesting union bosses in the halls of the Capitol to defeat them in the next election.



Then came the charter-school bills.



Rep. Phil Moffett's House Bill 103 allows mayors in Kentucky's largest cities, the Council on Postsecondary Education as well as colleges and universities with accredited education colleges to serve as charter-school authorizers  a best practice working well in other states.



Then superintendents, teachers-union bosses and the public-education complex in general threatened to make this the last term in Frankfort for anyone supporting a strong charter-school bill.



Along came Rep. John "Bam" Carney's House Bill 520, limiting authorizers to local school boards, albeit with an appeals process to the Kentucky Board of Education but no other authorizers.



So, education-complex threats may be strong enough to force Kentucky policymakers to settle for a bill, the mediocrity of which mirrors this state's education system in which, as Moffett notes, only 51 percent of high-schoolers can read at grade level and just 38 percent are proficient in math.



The Bevin administration sees Carney's bill as an opportunity to get the door opened for charter schools in one of only seven remaining states without charters.



But even Bevin conceded he "would have liked to have seen more than is in this bill" while insisting "we have to factor in what is possible."



Another possibility, of course, is to wait until a stronger bill can be passed  not the first time we've mentioned that route for serious consideration in this column.



At the very least, facts should drive the debate that will take place in the coming days in Frankfort, including this one: charter-school creation is much more robust in states with multiple authorizing agencies.



The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools reports there were 6,723 charter schools in the United States during 2015, of which 93 percent  or 6,241  were in states with multiple authorizers. Only 482  or 7 percent  exist in states that limit authorizers to local school boards.



For sure, the coming deliberation will test the political mettle of those sent to Frankfort to reform our education system, which consumes 60 cents of every taxpayer dollar.



Will they stand up to the teachers unions' uninformed and angry zealotry?



Will they fight for poor and at-risk children who stand to gain the most from great charter schools and who have no other voice but ours?



Will the best interests of thousands of young Kentuckians stuck in hundreds of mediocre and failing schools find a seat at the legislative table and a place in that debate?



Stay tuned.



Jim Waters is president of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentucky's free-market think tank. Read his weekly Bluegrass Beacon column at www.bipps.org. He can be reached at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com and @bipps on Twitter.
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By Governor Matt Bevin

Feb. 27, 2017 | FRANKFORT, KY

By Governor Matt Bevin Feb. 27, 2017 | 10:16 AM | FRANKFORT, KY

Last year, during my visit to the drug treatment program at Roeder Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky, I met a young man there named Joe. He was smart and articulate, the son of a police officer and a father himself. He was also a heroin abuser, whose addiction had driven him to rob banks to pay for his drugs. On the day that I met him, Joe had joined the drug treatment program at Roeder, and was clear-eyed, reflective, and focused on turning his life around. He was anxious to rejoin society, find a good job, and get back to taking care of his family.



Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield has introduced Senate Bill 120, a broad piece of legislation that will do much to help people like Joe. First, this bill gets government out of the way and helps put returning citizens back to work by removing state licensing restrictions that keep people with records from being able to work in certain jobs. The bill will also improve reentry substance abuse supervision for many of those returning to our communities. Currently those who struggle with addiction tend to cycle repeatedly through prison doors because they have difficulty getting the real help they need.



SB 120 also establishes a mechanism for private industry to operate inside prisons, giving inmates an opportunity to learn real-life job skills while also paying restitution and child support. Additionally, the bill allows certain lower-level inmates serving felony sentences in county jails the chance at work release, which enables them to become more employable post-sentence and able to pay restitution. Finally, the bill establishes opportunities for jails to operate reentry centers or day reporting centers that provide participants with beneficial supervision to ease transition back into society.



This legislation is the product of months of work done by a task force I created to take a hard look at our justice system and find ways to make it more effective and more efficient. The Criminal Justice Policy Assessment Council (CJPAC) included members of law enforcement, county and state officials, victims, legislators and business voices. And while introduction of SB 120 is a great step forward, our work is far from over.



Every year, 37,000 Kentuckians charged with low-level, non-violent crimes sit behind bars for an average of 109 days simply because they cannot afford to pay their bail. These people have not been convicted of anything, and if they had the money to pay their bail, they would be able to continue working and supporting their families. Their pre-trial detention costs the taxpayers of Kentucky more than $125 million each year. Our judicial branch, led by Chief Justice John Minton, is working hard on a pre-trial release program to address this situation, and the success of this effort will inform future reform legislation.



And while the legislature and judiciary are working on solutions, well do our part in the executive branch. I recently signed the Fair Chance Employment Initiative, which will help people with records get their foot in the door for state jobs and allow them an opportunity to explain their efforts at rehabilitation during the hiring process.



During my State of the Commonwealth address, I promised that we would be bold in tackling our states greatest challenges. Kentucky is 47th in workforce participation. One cause of that problem is that we are releasing thousands of people from jail or prison each year who cannot find a job. When returning citizens cant find jobs, they often return to bad habits and poor choices, which explains why more than a third of the prisoners who are released end up back in prison within three years. This cycle of failure must change. People who have paid their debt and proven their commitment to rehabilitation deserve a second chance to be productive citizens. In my speech, I promised that criminal justice reform is coming to Kentucky. Now it is here.



Incarcerated people, like all people, deserve dignity and opportunity. Here in Kentucky, where nearly every family has been impacted to some degree by the drug epidemic, we will not throw in the towel on our friends and family members who have made mistakes. SB 120 offers incarcerated people, and those returning home, substance abuse programming, job-training, and a path to a different life. The bill does this while also keeping our communities safe. I hope you will join me in supporting it, because when these individuals find jobs, care for their children and turn away from crime, Kentucky has an opportunity to become the best version of ourselves. United we stand, divided we fall.





Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin is the current Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky








Speaking at a rally in Mau, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are working on a plan to dent BJP's chances.

By India Today Web Desk: Ever since dates for Uttar Pradesh Assembly election were announced, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top brass has been claiming to win 300 seats. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh to party president Amit Shah, the BJP leadership has expressed confidence of winning an overwhelming majority in Uttar Pradesh and ruling out any impact of the alliance between the Congress and the ruling Samajwadi Party.

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However, after five phases of voting, the BJP appears to be nervous. Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's eastern town of Mau today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about SP-Congress working on a plan to deny BJP a chance to return to power in the state.

ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2017: FULL COVERAGE

"After several rounds of voting, I can tell you that they (SP, Congress) are losing. People have rejected them. Now, Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are working on a new game plan...they are working for a hung Assembly," PM Modi said.

What prompted PM Modi to mention about hung Assembly? Has the BJP realised that it will really be a tough task for it to win full majority in the Assembly election, which is being seen as the test of PM Modi's 'gamble' of demonetisation and also as a semi-final before the 2019 general elections.

Political pundits believe that had BJP been confident of winning a clear majority in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi would have never mentioned about possibility of a hung Assembly.

Though PM Modi repeatedly stressed at Mau rally that the BJP is capable of forming the next government in Uttar Pradesh on its own, his hung Assembly remark certainly highlights his party's worry.

Infact, Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently acknowledged that the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance has certainly put a dent to BJP's prospects.

"Without that (alliance), we would have crossed 300 seats," Rajnath Singh told NDTV last week. However, he added that the party was maintaining a comfortable lead.

WHAT PM MODI SAID AT MAU RALLY:

When Nehruji was the Prime Minster, BJP MP Vishwanathji from Ghazipur expressed concern over poverty. In 1962, speaking in Parliament he had said that people in eastern UP survived on grains of wheat picked from cow-dung. He had also tabled a report regarding this but Congress never took any action. They should be ashamed of asking for votes in eastern Uttar Pradesh. People of Uttar Pradesh have made up their minds to support the Bharatiya Janata Party. Our alliance partners will be made part of the government as are a party that believes in taking everyone together. For the first time in 30 years, the world is talking about India. It is because there is a stable government at the Centre. Uttar Pradesh will also develop if there BJP comes to power to provide a stable government. Congress, SP, BSP know they are going to suffer a defeat. So, now they working to dent BJP's chance. They are creating an environment that no party get majority. There is no law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Incidents of loot, rape, riots are reported daily from the state. The ruling party cares little for the ever rising crime graph. Samajwadi Party has given tickets to criminals...they are making fun of democracy.

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WATCH: Mann ki Baat: Urge the youth to be ambassadors of digital transaction movement, says Modi ALSO READ:

Samajwadi Party on ventilator, Dimple Yadav's Mann ki Baat: Who is saying what in Uttar Pradesh

Modi in Mau: Threat to PM's life from Rasool Pati in Mukhtar Ansari's bastion

Akhilesh Yadav dares PM Modi for debate over discrimination in development

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Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
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Collectors of jaw droppingly eccentric theatrical camp should get themselves down to Greenwich with all due haste, where this bizarre American-Danish confection is currently deafening unsuspecting audiences.

I love a good rock musical and so, I suspect, do Steven Cheslik-Demeyer and Tim Maner who had the original concept - and wrote the lyrics for - this musicalisation of the infamous real-life tale of Lizzie Borden, tried but acquitted for the axe murder of her father and stepmother in rural Massachusetts in 1892. There are shades of Spring Awakening in the first half which juxtaposes period costumes with wailing electric guitars and thunderous drums: during the interval the cast of four don more flamboyant gear and makeup, for reasons not entirely clear. Meanwhile the confessional-cum-concert feel of the presentation - such staging as there is tends to be predominantly of the park-and-bark variety - recalls Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

After her acquittal and on the back of her notoriety, the musical Ms Borden - in a commendably committed, vocal chord-shredding performance by Bjrg Gamst - appears, a la Chicago's Roxie Hart, to embark on a showbiz career. That's represented as some sort of demented Vegas-style club act but with extra rock'n'roll-esque screeching and bawling. At least I think that's what director Victoria Bussert is going for but frankly it's hard to know what the hell was going on.

Cheslik-Demeyer, along with Alan Stevens-Hewitt, has created a bombastic, moderately tuneful rock score that probably works better on CD than live - many of the songs end abruptly, suggesting that they were expecting to be faded out by a recording engineer - but the amplification means that the lyrics are frequently unintelligible. Given some of the song titles - "Why Are All These Heads Off?", "Somebody Will Do Something", "What The Fuck Now Lizzie?" - that may not be an altogether bad thing. My personal favourite was "Gotta Get Out Of Here", a sentiment I was sharing long before the show's earsplitting conclusion. The overall impression is of an exhausting, slightly inept alliance between an all-female death metal band and the Eurovision Song Contest.

On the upside, the six-strong band sounds terrific and the four women have extraordinary voices. As well as the aforementioned Ganst, Bleu Woodward does sterling work as Lizzie's best friend and improbable love interest, while Jodie Jacobs sings up a storm as the all-seeing family maid, despite a wavering accent and being saddled with some woefully unfunny comedy shtick, plus - for reasons I couldn't quite fathom - being dressed up like a comedy dominatrix for the second half.

The only performer who really rises above the material is Broadway's Eden Espinosa, best known to musical theatre aficionados as a beloved Elphaba replacement and the final Maureen in the original Rent, in the role of the severe older Borden sister. Possessing a genuinely thrilling skyscraping belt and the presence of an authentic rock diva, she commands the stage, and one can only hope that she returns to London again soon in a piece more worthy of her talents.

Lizzie runs at the Greenwich Theatre until 12 March 2017.
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Stephen Karam's play about three high school outsiders who form a speech and debate performance team was such a success in New York that it's been made into a film, out later this year. This first British production has big names for Studio 2's tiny space: Douglas Booth, Tony Revolori (Zero the lobby boy in The Grand Budapest Hotel), and the sublime Patsy Ferran. But while much of the humour translates, the specificity of the play keeps it at arm's length.

There's a feeling of playing catch-up, given the American tradition of speech and debate clubs informs the very structure of the play. Every scene's intertitle follows the categories of the competition: Poetry Reading, Extemporaneous Commentary, and so on.

Nonetheless, Karam has an excellent ear for the earnestness of teenagers  and for the absurdity within such earnestness. The cast are believably youthful, nailing a lack of self-awareness that produces some very funny performance sequences. And Tom Attenborough's production manages to stage instant messaging and vlogging without feeling naff.

The plotting is rather strange, however: what initially seems almost too schematic, ultimately loses its thread. Inspired by a real-life scandal where a Republican Mayor propositioned an 18-year-old on a gay chat room, Speech and Debate opens with Booth, playing the sexually confident pretty boy Howie, being propositioned online by the drama teacher of his new school. A pushy young reporter for the school newspaper, Solomon (Revolori), gets wind of this, seeing it as his big break. Diwata, a wannabe actress who never gets cast in school plays, starts a speech and debate club instead; she persuades Solomon to use it to stage a reading of his investigation instead of handing it to the press.

This last plot point seems unlikely, to say the least, but the play turns out to not really be about teenagers uncovering adult misdemeanours. The expected big reveal is never staged. Instead, we learn that Howie isn't the only one with a sexual secret  Diwata and Solomon are also desperate to keep things hidden. But a friendship based on mutual blackmail and the desire to exploit adults' mistakes slowly morphs into something more genuine.

Further symmetry comes from all three having creative dreams: Howie choreographing dances to George Michael, Diwata working on her own musical, Crucible, featuring a time-travelling Mary Warren, and Solomon determined to make it as a news hound. Not that we see much evidence of talent  a swipe at the entitlement of American youth, perhaps, or just a reminder of the solemnity of teenage passions.

The play is set in Salem, Oregon: another link to Arthur Miller's play, another thematic neatness, albeit a pretty superficial one. Speech and Debate looks like it might be about a teenage witch hunt of hypocritical adults, but the hunt tails off, the kids' righteousness undermined by their own fumbled sexual exploits and ulterior motives.

Revolori is good as the driven but clueless Solomon, while Booth plays Howie as rather vacuous. He doesn't yet seem relaxed in such a small venue, all exaggerated sighs and eye-rolls, his eyebrows seemingly in their own performance competition against each other. But the nimbly expressive Ferran is simply superb: the flat delivery of Diwata's deeply serious musical turns renders them howlingly funny. She's so good, I'd happily watch her even if she was performing a one-woman Crucible musical.

Speech and Debate runs at Trafalgar Studios until 1 April.
According UP police Rasool Pati, an accused in the Haren Pandya murder case, has hatched a conspiracy to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cavalcade during his visit to Mau.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally at Mau in Uttar Pradesh today.

Mau ASP RK Singh has been quoted in reports that there is threat to PM Modi's life during his visit to this Poorvanchal district of Uttar Pradesh.

The senior police official named Rasool Pati, an accused in the Haren Pandya murder case, as the person who has hatched a conspiracy to target Narendra Modi's cavalcade during his visit to Mau.

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READ| Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election LIVE: Polling for fifth phase underway

MODI IN MAU: THINGS TO KNOW According to police, Rasool Pati and his associates have planned to attack Modi's convoy with rocket launcher and explosives. PM Modi has already addressed 15 poll rallies for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and is expected to campaign more as the polling goes to the Poorvanchal districts, which are considered the core constituencies of the party. Today's rally of PM Modi is being held very close to his own parliamentary constituency in Varanasi. Mau is less than an hour's drive from Varanasi. Mau is otherwise considered as the stronghold of don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is also contesting the Assembly election on BSP ticket after his entry in the Samajwadi Party was stalled by UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Haren Pandya was a BJP leader and minister in Gujarat government. He was killed on March 26, 2003. Modi's address in Mau comes on a day when Uttar Pradesh is voting for fifth phase of Assembly election. 51 Assembly segments across 11 districts are voting today.

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Seaborne radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster has been detected on the West coast of the U.S. for the first time. In a measurement taken by theon seawater from Tillamook Bay and Gold Beach in Oregon, researchers found Cesium-134, which is a hallmark chemical from Fukushima that has a very short half-life.The chemical has also been detected in Canadian salmon, by the inFORM project which was led by the University of Victoria. Currently, the levels are extremely low, according to researchers, and do not pose a hazard to humans or the environment. In the Oregon samples, cesium-134 made its way to U.S shores for the first time. The samples measured were a mere 0.3 becquerels per cubic meter of cesium-134.Cullen leads the InFORM project in Canada, and in doing so, he measures the risks to the countries oceans following the disaster. It is a partnership of a dozen academic and non-profit organizations that include Woods Hole Just last month, the team found a single sockeye salmon that tested positive for cesium-134. Thankfully, the level was 1,000 times lower than the level that was set for action within Health Canada, and due to that, it posed no significant health risks to consumers, according to Cullen.A recent InFORM analysis of Buesseler's data confirmed that the concentrations of cesium-138 have increased considerably in the central northeast Pacific, although at the present time they do not call for concern. Cesium-134 has a half-life of 2 years, which means that it's down to a fraction of what it was 5 years ago, however, Cesium-137 has a half-life of 30 years.Scientists report:Cullen says. Buessler claims that even that peak won't pose health concerns. In the following figures, you can see how scientists are using the increase of cesium-137 instead of cesium-134 to track the plume of radiation contamination that was caused by Fukushima.Due to enhanced technologies and science, it is now easier to detect the exact hazards that such a natural disaster could pose to the rest of the world. Such science also offers us insight into the effects of nuclear waste in general, as well as the devastating effects that are caused by events that are out of our control. Obviously, only time will tell exactly what we are looking at on a larger scale, however, knowing how the influx of chemicals is appearing on our coasts it of the utmost importance.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has asked the Director General of Civil Aviation to formulate a rational policy to prevent the inconvenience suffered by passengers.

By Harish V Nair: Taking note of increasing problems faced by passengers due to several airlines indulging in overbooking of flights, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has asked the Director General of Civil Aviation to formulate a rational policy to prevent the harassment.

"As a matter of general observation, it may be stated that the Airlines do indulge in making over-booking in the flights, so as to ensure that the seats in the flights do not go vacant, in the event of certain passengers, not showing up at the appointed time.

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This practice causes a lot of hardship and inconvenience to the passengers who are left out from their scheduled flights, despite the fact that they had confirmed reservation for the flight", the commission's bench presided by B C Gupta said.

"The policy to take care of such passengers and make arrangements to book them in the alternative flights in the shortest possible time is opaque and no clear-cut guidelines etc. are available on the subject. The matter needs to be studied in detail by the Aviation Regulator, that is, the Director General, Civil Aviation, Government of India, and a rational policy needs to be evolved so that the harassment/inconvenience to the passengers left out from the overbooked flights is reduced to the minimum possible", the bench said.

The commission gave the observation while directing Jet Airways to pay a compensation of 600 Euros (around Rs 42,000) to Kolkata resident Radha Kinkari Kejriwal, who was not allowed to travel in a New Delhibound flight from London by the airline staff who said she was late.

Besides 600 Euros, it also asked the airline to pay the woman Rs 83,292 which she had spent for buying Air India ticket for her journey.

"A copy of this order be therefore sent to the secretary, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of India as well as the Director General of Civil Aviation to hold deliberations on the issue and evolve a set of policy guidelines...," the bench said.

ALSO READ:

India's new private airline to make travel to Tier II and III cities easier

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ALSO WATCH: German fighter jets intercept Jet Airways flight over hijack fears

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By Press Trust of India: Luthra

Mumbai, Feb 27 (PTI) Vice Admiral Girish Luthra today said that although new helicopters should have been inducted into the naval fleet by 2008-09, they were yet to arrive.

"New helicopters should have been inducted in naval fleet by 2008-09, but they have not arrived yet. The ships, such as INS Chennai, INS Kochi and INS Delhi are already commissioned, but they are moving without new helicopters. The demand is in excess of 100 (choppers) and we have a requirement of multi-role helicopters (MRH)," the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command told reporters here.

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Replying to a query, he said, "We wanted it (choppers) yesterday. The new ships have been commissioned, but they are without new helicopters. It is not about when we want it, we have crossed that line. Currently, we are using old Sea King helicopters for some works."

"We are looking for multi-utility helicopters with facilities such as anti-submarine, anti-surface equipment, sonar facility. It can also perform search and rescue, evacuation, commando (action) among others. Our requirements are different from that of Indian Army and Air Force," he added.

According to him, the navy also wants some utility helicopters, which will replace the existing Chetak series. "We are hoping and seeking early sanctions and conclusion of contracts so that its induction can take place in time," he added.

"The advanced light helicopters are also being inducted into the naval force, but they cannot be used for all types of navy requirements," he said. PTI ND NP BAS

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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There comes a time in every crusading newspaper columnists life when he or she is forced to take a courageous stand, to wield the giant pointed stick of journalism and draw a line in the sand of public opinion.

For me, today is that day, by which I mean Friday, which is the day I am writing this column, as opposed to Monday, which is when you are reading it.

But thats not the point. The point is that, with no regard for personal safety, I am bravely announcing that I stand with the president.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Lets face it, a delicious pizza pie is no place for pineapple, or for any type of fruit for that matter.

For the purposes of clarity, I should point out I am not referring to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, because that would be just icky.

No, what I am trying to say is that I am standing with the president of Iceland, who ignited a social media firestorm last week when he waded into one of the most divisive debates in history  whether pineapple is an acceptable topping on pizza.

In case youve been in a coma for the past week, or hiding in a drain pipe, the president of Iceland, Guni Th. Johannesson, was speaking to a high school class in his country when a student asked him what he thought about the sweet tropical fruit as a pizza topping, most often associated with Hawaiian pizza, wherein pineapple and ham live together in harmony on top of a pizza pie.

That is when the president took a gutsy stand, announcing that he is fundamentally opposed to fruit on his pizza and that, if he had the power, he would ban pineapple as a pizza topping altogether.

You will not be surprised to hear his remarks instantly caused the Internet to explode as people with too much free time on their hands  both pro- and anti-pineapple  waded into the heated controversy.

Its savoury, its sweet  Canadian invention #pineappleonpizza cant be beat, tweeted one pro-pineapple proponent.

Icelands President is the hero we all need right now #pineappleonpizza, chirped another Twitter user who, like myself, recognizes the difference between pizza and fruit salad.

Amid all the furor, the president posted this clarification on his Facebook page: I like pineapples, just not on pizza. I do not have the power to make laws which forbid people to put pineapples on their pizza. I am glad that I do not hold such power. Presidents should not have unlimited power. I would not want to hold this position if I could pass laws forbidding that which I dont like. I would not want to live in such a country.

He also suggested people could put seafood on their pizza instead, so he may not be entirely sane.

Personally, we have given this issue a great deal of thought and it is our considered opinion that people who put pineapple on pizza should face, at minimum, a firing squad, because putting that (bad word) gooey gunk on a perfectly good pie is morally wrong.

By saying that, I am well aware that I am sticking my foot into an extremely hot pizza oven in the sense a lot of you do not agree, most likely because you have forgotten to take your prescription medication.

For instance, an online poll conducted by this newspaper found that about 70 per cent of respondents felt pineapple on pizza was, quote, Yum!, whereas a mere 30 per cent rated it as Eww!

FINN FRANDSEN / POLFOTO / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Iceland's President Gudni Johannesson, third right.

Even my buddy, the renowned Winnipeg sculptor Jordan Van Sewell, adopted a shocking pro-pineapple position.

It is preposterous, Jordan told me of the Icelandic presidents views. The idea of banning pineapple from pizza is like banning pedestrians from Portage and Main. It just doesnt make sense and life is not quite as delicious if that were to happen. Oh, wait, that did happen. We live in troubled times.

A pro-pineapple editor I discussed this issue with bluntly stated we should not take culinary advice from Iceland, because they are fond of burying sharks in the ground, allowing them to ferment, then digging them up and eating them. Yuck, is what she said.

My personal views align with those of my colleague Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson, this papers wine columnist and book editor, who wrote a brilliant online feature titled Terrible Toppings, wherein he bravely listed the five worst pizza toppings of all time, the most nauseating of which was (dramatic pause) pineapple.

Ben declared: Think about it  if there was an award for ingredient most commonly picked off of a pizza, it would easily go to pineapple. But even picking it off your pie invariably results in a) some of the fruits flavour having bled into everything else; and b) inadvertently biting into a piece of pineapple that you missed. Day ruined.

My deeply emotional feelings are best reflected by the following famous poem that I have just written: Roses are red/Violets are blue/I hate pineapple on pizza/And you should, too!

Now that we have discussed this situation like mature adults, I suspect most of you will be calling me a hero for demanding that our provincial government immediately enact a law making it illegal to put this tropical nightmare on top of a pizza.

Because, and follow my logic closely, when pineapple pizza is outlawed, only outlaws will eat pineapple pizza. Stay strong, Guni Th. Johannesson.

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CUPERTINO, Calif.  One of the most iconic companies in the world on Wednesday set a time for when it will move into what looks to become one of Silicon Valleys most iconic business centres.

Apple said it will begin moving more than 12,000 employees into its new Apple Park campus in April. Construction of the campus in Cupertino, Calif., will continue through the summer, and the company said it will take about six months before all of its employees move into the location.

If there was any doubt about who was the inspiration for Apple Park, such thoughts were swept aside as Apple said the facilitys main theatre will be named the Steve Jobs Theatre.

Dai Sugano / Bay Area News Group files The main building of the upcoming Apple Park has a UFO-like ring shape, will cover 2.8 million square feet and will be entirely clas int he world's largets panels of curved glass.

The 1,000-seat auditorium will be enclosed in a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder thats 165 feet in diameter and supported by a metallic carbon-fibre roof. Apple said the theatre will sit on top of a hill that is one of the highest spots in Apple Park.

Jobs, the late co-founder and chief executive of Apple, presented his original plans for the companys future home at a Cupertino city council meeting in June 2011. That was Jobs last public appearance before his death in October 2011.

Steves vision for Apple stretched far beyond his time with us, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a statement announcing Apple Parks upcoming opening. He intended Apple Park to be the home of innovation for generations to come.

And there will be plenty of space for the innovation Jobs intended.

The main building at Apple Park, a UFO-looking ring, covers 2.8 million square feet and, Apple says, is clad entirely in the worlds largest panels of curved glass. The Apple Park campus will replace five million square feet of asphalt and concrete with grassy fields and more than 9,000 drought-resistant and native trees, Apple said.

The massive number of trees isnt the only aspect of Apple Park that emphasizes the companys commitment to going green. Apple said Apple Park will operate on 100 per cent renewable energy and have one of the worlds largest on-site solar energy installations, which will produce 17 megawatts of rooftop solar power.

Apple also said Apple Park will have the largest naturally ventilated building in the world and it will require no heating or air conditioning for nine months of the year.

The facility was designed by architectural firm Foster & Partners and its final cost is estimated to be more than US$5 billion.

Apple seems to want its employees to also save money on gym memberships, as Apple Park will include more than 3.2 kilometres of walking and running trails and a 100,000-sq.-ft. gymnasium.

Tim Bajarin, president of technology research firm Creative Strategies, called Apple Park the most technologically advanced building ever created, and said that it could end up becoming more than something that is just a monument to Steve Jobs legacy.

I believe it will also serve as a showcase, Bajarin said, for how office buildings of the future might be designed and built to utilize all types of natural resources and provide the type of working environment that is conducive to collaboration and effective work flow.

 San Jose Mercury News
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) The government today raised its hands before the Supreme Court and conceded that as of now there is "no mechanism" to prevent uploading of obscene contents like videos of sexual violence on websites, before these are uploaded.

The submission came before a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit which asked "what is the stand of the government", after internet service provider Google said there cannot be a "reasonable prevention" before such contents are uploaded on websites.

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"Today, there is no mechanism to prevent it before it is uploaded on the websites," the lawyer appearing for the Centre said, prompting the bench to ask, "why is there no such mechanism?"

Responding to the query, the government said, "somebody has to tell us about it (uploading of such contents). There are preventive mechanisms."

During the hearing, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Google India, said it was almost impossible to trace a person before he uploads such contents on websites.

He, however, said if someone was a habitual offender and was uploading such contents repeatedly, Google can take action on it.

Singhvi said this while responding to a query by the bench, "How to prevent it (such contents) from being uploaded?"

Referring to the Centres affidavit in the matter, the bench, which posted the matter for arguments on March 3, said the measures stated by the government "seems to be post facto".

The government had earlier informed the apex court that it will set up a specialised nodal agency to block and curb sharing of sexual offence videos on social networking sites.

The apex court had earlier sought response from internet majors Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and Facebook on a plea seeking curbs on sharing of sexual offence videos on social networking sites and steps to check cyber crimes.

The court was hearing a letter sent to then Chief Justice of India H L Dattu by Hyderabad-based NGO Prajwala, along with two rape videos in a pen-drive.

It had taken suo motu note of the letter on the posting of these videos on WhatsApp and asked CBI to launch a probe forthwith to nab the culprits. PTI ABA SJK RKS ARC

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new daycare complex that incorporated a 108-year-old mansion into its design is about to bring new life to a long-dormant stretch of land in the West Broadway area.

Over the next two to three weeks, construction crews will be putting the finishing touches on Great-West Life Assurance Co.s new 100-space daycare complex, which has been under construction for nearly a year on the east side of Balmoral Street between Broadway and Granite Way.

The goal is to have the 11,000-square-foot facility open by the end of next month, said Don Lecuyer, vice-president of corporate properties for the Winnipeg-based insurance industry giant.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Great-West Life's vice-president of corporate properties Don Lecuyer says the insurance giant has long been thinking of building a daycare for its employees.

For years, the only building on that side of Balmoral Street was William Milner House, a two-and-a-half-storey, brick-and-stone home built in 1909 for William Edwin Milner, one-time president of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange. The Dutch Colonial-style mansion had been vacant since 1990, when the last member of the Milner family died.

Great-West Life, which has owned Milner House since 1991, applied in 2011 to have the heritage designation removed so it could demolish it. The company had been acquiring and demolishing houses on that side of the street since the 1950s, with the intent of eventually expanding the surface parking lot for its nearby downtown campus.

The bid to demolish the historic Milner House met with stiff opposition from the city and the neighbourhood, so the plan was scrapped. Former Great-West Life president David Johnston then came up with the idea of building a new daycare complex that would include the existing home.

Lecuyer said Great-West Life had for some time been considering building a daycare centre for its staff. It also knew there was a need for more daycare spaces in Winnipeg.

So the daycare idea just seemed to be the right idea for this project, he added. It was a win-win.

Two-thirds of the spaces in the energy-efficient facility have been set aside for children of Great-West Life employees, and the remainder are for members of the public. The centre will be equipped to handle infants and preschool-age children.

The facility will be operated by the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, the largest childcare provider in the province. The charitable organization operates four other infant/preschool programs in the city, as well as before-and-after-school programs at 35 schools in and around Winnipeg.

Lecuyer said Great-West Life doesnt have the experience or the expertise to operate a daycare, which is why it is partnering with the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg.

Caryn LaFleche, the Ys general manager of child and youth care, said its excited by the prospect of operating a daycare in a newly-built, environmentally-friendly facility.

Its going to be a really wonderful environment for children.

LaFleche said the organization also liked the idea of being involved in project with both the private sector and government, which provides funding for daycare services.

Its inspiring, actually, what we can accomplish together.

She and Lecuyer said they received more than 600 applications from families wanting to enroll their children in the daycare.

We knew there would be a strong demand, but we didnt know it would be quite this strong, Lecuyer added.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The day care was designed to blend in with the surrounding properties.

The new complex features Milner House in the middle, with a newly built one-storey wing on the north and south sides of it.

We kind of took our sort of design strategy from looking at the (residential) neighbourhood across the street, Lecuyer said. We wanted to build something that looked like it kind of belonged at the end of the day, so we made a cluster of buildings that look a lot like the community around us.

Because the original foundation was crumbling, construction crews had to raise the house and move it to the side so a new foundation could be poured. Once that was done, they moved the house onto the new foundation, and the two new wings were constructed.

Lecuyer noted that side of the street slopes from north to south, so they had to make the new foundation about one metre lower than the original one to ensure the floors in all three buildings would be at the same height.

That was probably technically the most challenging part of the project. But it worked out quite well.

He also noted that before they could move the house, workers had to remove all of the exterior bricks and stonework.

But we saved every brick we took off and it all went back on once the house was moved onto the new foundation, he said.

He said the complex has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, gold standards, with a geothermal heating-and-cooling system, extra insulation, triple-pane windows and energy-efficient lighting. It also will emit virtually no greenhouse gases. It was also designed so that a solar-energy system can be added when that technology becomes more affordable.

Lecuyer declined to reveal the cost of the project. Lets just say it was very expensive.

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

wfpvideo:JpwtLGvK:wfpvideo

GIMLI  The roar of not-quite-legal studded winter tires punches through the darkness as 16 cars make their way down First Avenue, past the breakwater and onto the ice.

The ice, in this case, is Lake Winnipeg, or at least the top 100 centimetres of it.

It represents the final stage of an invasion, an invasion by a giant multinational dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars into a Gimli economy that in normal years goes into hibernation for winter.

It can be pretty tough here in winter, said Gimli Coun. Richard Petrowski, chairman of economic development. His wife runs a coffee shop on Centre Street. You make all your money in summer and then try to budget to get through winter.

For the hotel, this has been a big boost for them. Their rooms were full for about six weeks, he said, adding there was a time the Lakeview Resort shut down for weeks at a time in winter.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Mercedes AMG Winter Driving Academy event took place last week on cleared routes on Lake Winnipeg just offshore Gimli.

Mercedes-Benz, for the first time, established a base for its AMG Winter Sporting Tour in addition to its longtime home in Sweden. Of a variety of potential locations in North America, Gimli was the winner.

Customers from across North America, including Mexico, three days at a time, spent half of January and most of February hooning around race tracks plowed and groomed on 325 acres of ice just off shore from downtown Gimli.

Petrowski said the event created quite a buzz in town, with the town having to put up signage to designate a viewing area for residents who wanted to watch the action.

The program costs $3,995 or $4,995, and includes either three days or four days of driving, four nights of accommodation and all meals. Mercedes-Benz Canada spokeswoman JoAnne Caza said 70 per cent of customers were Canadian, 28 per cent American and two per cent from Mexico.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A few different AMG models were available with studded tires.

Caza said the impetus to expand the program to North America came from Germany, where AMG, a Mercedes subsidiary, is located, and the firm approached Mercedes-Benz Canada.

Caza said her team was able to narrow down to Gimli fairly quickly: a lake had to be north enough to remain frozen and the location had to be central for customers flying in from across the continent.

Having done two winter media programs in Gimli in the past, Mercedes was familiar with what the town had to offer.

We came here and we realized there was tremendous opportunity  the lake is so big  and the hotel is right by the lake, she said. So when we looked at everything, it really was a no-brainer.

With more than a soft launch  Caza laughed and said it was a medium-hard launch  the program was 66 per cent sold out of its 192 spots, organizers were able to smooth out some details and prepare for the return of the program in 2018.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The program costs $3,995 or $4,995, and includes either three days or four days of driving, four nights of accommodation and all meals.

Danny Kok, an ex-racer whose company, Driving Unlimited, runs driving programs for Mercedes-Benz Canada and who is the lead instructor for the Gimli program, said the goal is to keep coming back every winter.

Eight staff were on site at any given time, with four in Gimli for the full six weeks of the program.

Kok and Caza were unable to estimate the economic impact of the program, but the rough math suggests customers spent about $550,000 on this program, not including air fare or spending money.

Part of that money went to the local gas station, the hotel and its restaurant and the earth-moving contractor who groomed and maintained the race tracks.

Im not really sure what the number is, but I can tell you weve spent a lot of money in this town, he said.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Each car ran studded tires with about 400 studs per tire.

The primary market for the AMG Winter Sporting Tour is the existing group of Mercedes AMG owners, and, like the other advanced-driving programs Mercedes operates, serves a variety of functions in the Mercedes-Benz business model, Caza said.

Its branding, its marketing, its customer engagement. Its all those things, she said. We know from the numbers in our other programs we do sell cars from it.

The programs cars were six each of three models: Mercedes-AMG CLA 45, Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 and Mercedes-AMG C 63S. The first two were all-wheel drive while the last was rear-wheel drive. AMG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz and provides specially designed suspension components and tuned and hand-built engines to produce high-performance versions of existing Benz models.

Each car had winter tires specially equipped with 2.2-millimetre metal studs (the maximum road-legal stud is 2 mm). Each tire had 400 studs, and each stud was glued in place by hand during the preceding summer in Sweden by a husband-and-wife team that prepares about 600 tires each year for the AMG winter programs.

Kok said the studs are normally just mechanically inserted into the tire and held by friction, but for the AMG program are glued in place owing to environmental concerns originating in Sweden. Sweden didnt want the studs falling out and ending up in the lake.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The cars were taken out on three famous race tracks recreated on the ice.

A shortened two-day event for media began in the evening on Thursday. In the dark, with the ice lit only by the headlights of the cars, a dozen journalists from across Canada practised drifting and controlled slides through slaloms and around a large circle.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kelly Taylor and other automotive journalists from across Canada taking part in the Mercedes AMG Winter Driving Academy event on Lake Winnipeg at Gimli Manitoba, Friday, February 15, 2017.

On Friday, they put those skills to the test, navigating race tracks on the ice patterned after famous North American race tracks: Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Mont Tremblant, Laguna Seca. The ice was plowed, flooded and then milled to provide a grooved surface.

Kok said while the program is designed to maximize enjoyment for customers, theres a big takeaway for normal winter driving.

You learn you dont have to panic if you start to slide on ice, he said. You learn that by working the car the right way, you can find grip and stay in control.

Today, the ice is empty, awaiting, perhaps, a local ice-racing club. But Kok said AMG will be back, recreating this winter-driving Brigadoon every December. Thats something Petrowski finds exciting, especially after hearing some AMG customers have already booked summer holidays in town and one is considering buying property.

It could be really big, he said. You never know, someone from B.C. might decide to cash out of Vancouver and retire here.

kelly.taylor@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba drivers will now be able to buy higher levels of Third Party Liability insurance coverage that give added protection when they drive outside Manitoba.

The coverage gives more protection to Manitobans involved in crashes in other provinces or the U.S. if they are sued after at-fault crashes.

In these cases, vehicle owners and drivers could be legally obligated to pay huge court judgments.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES New $7 and $10 million liability coverage options will be available to supplement the $1 million, $2 million and $5 million coverage options already available for most vehicles.

New $7 and $10 million liability coverage options will be available to supplement the $1 million, $2 million and $5 million coverage options already available for most vehicles.

Court judgments in the United States and some Canadian provinces can far exceed Manitobas current liability coverage limits, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler said in a news release announcing the change on Monday. These court actions represent a real risk for Manitobans who drive their vehicles outside Manitoba and I am pleased that Manitoba Public Insurance is continuing to evolve its products and services to meet the needs of its customers.

Rental Vehicle Insurance offered by MPI will also automatically include the new $10 million liability coverage limit. All customers will be able to purchase the increased liability coverage starting Wednesday, regardless of their renewal or re-assessment date.

Whether driving outside Manitoba on business, vacation, or just on weekend trips to the United States or to cottage country in Ontario, these new coverage options provide additional protection from financial risk in the event of a serious at-fault motor vehicle collision, said Ward Keith, an MPI spokesman.

MPI noted the financial risks of renting a vehicle outside Manitoba:

 Others involved in a collision may claim against you. You could wind up with a big bill for injuries to others and for damage to property.

 Youre personally responsible for damage to the vehicle you rent, whether or not youre at fault. Most rental companies also charge down-time to compensate them for the time the rental vehicle is off the road being fixed or replaced.

 If your initial rental vehicle is unable to be driven because of a collision, you may need to rent another one at your own cost.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This week, the Manitoba legislature will reconvene for a spring session that is shrouded in uncertainty.

Premier Brian Pallister has a lot on his plate. At some point during this session, he will have to deliver a budget full of pain and sacrifice brought on by concern over the deficit. Pallister has imposed significant austerity measures already, including a pause on capital spending. Expect that austerity to be amplified.

We will likely get to see a more complete picture of Pallisters strategy to exact wage and benefit concessions from civil servants. There have been preliminary discussions with public sector unions on possible freezes or rollbacks, but no specifics have been discussed. Legislation to force the issue  a route Pallister has said is on the table  will have to come in the spring legislative session.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES During the coming legislative session, Premier Brian Pallister will have to deliver a tough budget and address some pressing issues.

All these measures are based on the hope that the deficit can be slain simply by reducing spending. But the fact of the matter is that Manitobas deficit  the shortfall in the current year is expected to be at or more than $1 billion  is too big to be controlled by spending cuts. Manitoba needs help on the revenue side of the budget equation.

Last fiscal year, Manitobas revenues grew by less than one per cent  a reflection of an anemic provincial economy and the lack of growth in federal transfer payments, including equalization.

The easy solution would be to raise taxes. However, Pallister hiking taxes of any kind is about as likely as U.S. President Donald Trump visiting a mosque.

That does not mean Pallister is without options. He could trim so-called tax expenditures. That was a strategy in last years budget, when the Tory government significantly reduced the seniors education property tax credit. Pallister could also theoretically raise fees and surcharges in those areas of government services where user pay is in order.

Even though tax hikes are a remote possibility, there are revenue issues that Pallister will have to sort out. Two are pressing and one lurks in the not-so-distant future.

Up first is the decision on whether to sign a bilateral agreement with Ottawa on health care funding. Manitoba remains one of only four provinces  along with Alberta, Ontario and Quebec  that are continuing to refuse to sign the federal governments health-care accord, which trims annual increases in transfer payments to 3.5 per cent, down from six per cent.

Ottawa attempted to lure the provinces into signing a deal they said was insufficient for their needs by promising each a share in an $11.5-billion fund earmarked for mental health and home care.

The impact of not signing on is significant. Holdout provinces will get a three per cent increase in health transfers, but will not get any of the additional money for mental health and home care. That represents a hit of more than $40 million annually at a time when the province has no capacity for any more revenue losses.

That hasnt stopped Pallister from revelling in his role as the small-province premier playing with the federations heavyweights. Over the weekend, Pallister told CBC Radios The House that he continues to reject Ottawas my way or the highway strategy. I will not agree with that approach.

This David-versus-Goliath bravado may appeal to the premiers vanity, but it certainly wont help him with his next budget. In fact, as unpalatable as the health-care accord may be, its unfathomable that Pallister would turn his back on the additional money in the hope that a better deal could be achieved in the future.

The other revenue issue Pallister may have to deal with in the upcoming year is the carbon tax. Again, Manitoba refused to sign a national climate change framework proposed by Ottawa asserting a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system must be in place by 2018. Ottawa has promised to impose a tax in any province that doesnt bring forward its own solution. That money would be remitted back to the province in question.

Manitoba has pledged to move ahead with its own carbon tax, the details of which should be revealed sometime this year.

The big question mark hanging over Manitobas carbon tax plan is what Pallister will do with the money. In an ideal economy producing abundant revenues, Pallister would immediately introduce counterveiling measures to soften the effect of a new tax, while preserving the carbon-suppressing intent of the tax. But this is not an ideal economy.

By some estimates, a carbon tax of $30 per tonne would generate approximately $300 million in additional revenue. That lofty sum opens up a range of possible options for a premier who is otherwise facing a revenue crunch.

There are some rumblings that Pallister would look to use the revenue from the carbon tax to pay for his campaign pledge to reduce the PST back to seven per cent. The former NDP government raised the PST to eight per cent to fund infrastructure; Pallister promised he would roll that back within eight years.

Government sources said that, while using carbon tax to pay for the one-point PST cut is theoretically possible, it is not Pallisters first choice for the use of the new revenue. Lots of options out there (for the use of the carbon tax revenue) but (cutting) PST is not a preferred one, said a senior government source.

Pallister continues to have faith, the source said, that a combination of expenditure control, wage and benefit concessions, efficiencies in the delivery of government services and economic growth will show progress in bending the deficit curve to placate voters and credit rating agencies. In other words, Pallister will not try to eliminate the deficit in his first term  he only wants to shrink it.

How many cards will Pallister show in the spring session, or the budget? Will he find a way to get the additional health-care money from Ottawa and save some face?

What will he do with the carbon tax windfall that is headed his way?

There will be many questions surrounding the opening of the legislatures spring session.

Fortunately, the answers are on their way.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Removing Sir Hector-Louis Langevins name from the building that houses the Prime Ministers Office makes as much sense as renaming the Lord Elgin Hotel around the corner on Elgin Street.

In a recent letter to Public Services Minister Judy Foote, three aboriginal MPs and the Liberal indigenous caucus said: Surely you can see the incongruity of naming a building after the architect of this (residential school) system.

In fact, Langevin  a French nationalist who favoured uniting the British colonies rather than joining the Americans  was not the architect of residential schools.

Day schools and residential schools for aboriginal children were in place decades before Confederation.

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England and Parts Adjacent in America (The New England Company) established a day school on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve near Brantford, Ont., in 1828.

Langevin was only two years old at that time.

The New England Company opened a residential school in 1834.

By the time Langevin was four, the Methodists were operating 11 schools for aboriginal children in southern Ontario attended by 400 students, 150 of whom could read.

Heres where the Right Hon. James Bruce, eighth Earl of Elgin  after whom the Lord Elgin Hotel at 100 Elgin St.  comes in.

In July 1849  18 years before Confederation  Lord Elgin laid the cornerstone for the residential school at Muncey, Ont.

According to the July 25, 1849, issue of the Christian Guardian journal, the laying of the corner stone for the Mount Elgin school was attended by the chiefs of the Muncey, Ojibwa and Oneida tribes, along with more than 500 of their members.

A deep interest was manifestly felt by the great body of Christianized Indians assembled for the occasion, the report said.

Ojibwa missionary Peter Jones translated the addresses  including that of governor general Elgin  and Ojibway reverend John Sunday closed the services by prayer in the Ojibwa language.

Langevin was 23 at that time.

Was Langevin a racist, as those urging that his name be removed from the Langevin Block claim that he was?

An 1883 statement he made in the House of Commons is often cited as proof positive that he was.

Heres what he said: If you wish to educate these children you must separate them from their parents during the time that they are being educated. If you leave them in the family they may know how to read and write, but they will remain savages.

Whereas, by separating them in the way proposed, they acquire the habits and tastes  it is to be hoped only the good tastes  of civilized people.

That same position was taken as far back as 1847 by Egerton Ryerson, after whom Torontos Ryerson University is named.

In a letter he wrote when he was Upper Canadas chief superintendent of education, Ryerson said nothing can be done to improve and elevate his (aboriginal childs) character and condition without the aid of religious feeling. This information must be superadded to all others to make the Indian a sober and industrious man.

Ryerson said numerous experiments had shown that the North American Indian cannot be civilized or preserved in a state of civilization (including habits of industry and sobriety) except in connection with, if not by the influence of, not only religious instruction and sentiment but of religious feelings.

Through todays eyes, both Ryerson and Langevin come across as racists.

However, they were most definitely not the exceptions that proved the rule.

James Colcleugh, one of the leading citizens of the Selkirk area, said the Ojibwas occupation of the St. Peters Reserve was a drawback to our growth and prosperity. He told the local member of Parliament that if he could devise some means of busting the reserve your name will be immortalized!

In 1906, Hector Howell, chief justice of the Manitoba Court of Appeal, issued a report in which he said it was in the interests of both the neighbourhood and the band that the Ojibwas get off that reserve which, in his opinion, was a black spot and altogether too close to civilization.

The Department of Indian Affairs closed the St. Peters reserve in 1907 and moved the Ojibwa families about 120 kilometres north to the newly established Peguis reserve.

There were no houses, schools, churches or roads. None of the land had been broken. The only store was 12 km away and the nearest town was 120 km away.

But, even at the new reserve  which, ironically, was named after Chief Peguis without whose support hundreds of Scottish Settlers who arrived at the Red River Settlement in 1812 would have perished  white settlers started to complain the presence of the Ojibwa would make white people less inclined to settle there.

Those were different times and people of different times  such as Langevin  should be judged according to the values of those times.

Rather than expending energy renaming buildings because of the actions and attitudes of more than 100 years ago, it would be more beneficial to aboriginal peoples to apply that energy to resolving the issues of today.

Toronto author Robert MacBain has been involved with the aboriginal file for more than 50 years, as a reporter for major newspapers in the 1960s, consultant to the Department of Indian Affairs in the early 1970s, and author of Their Home and Native Land.
As Frank Andresen held singing bowls and played them softly inside his Winona store on a recent weekday afternoon, vibrations and tones echoed all over the sound room at different frequencies.

Andresen is the owner of the Temple Harmonics shop, which opened in April 2016 on West Third Street to introduce sound healing practices to the community. Besides the instruments that promote relaxation and personal well-being, Temple Harmonics includes a rock shop, where rocks, crystals and jewelry can be purchased for use in spiritual and metaphysical practices.

Music has been his greatest interest all his life, Andresen said, being a keyboard player since the age of six. Sound healing caught his attention when he attended a show in Rochester and was introduced to several sound healing tools, such as gongs and singing bowls. As he was listening to him, an hour went by. He recalled being blown away by the sounds and vibrations of the gongs.

That day, he bought his first two gongs. His instrument collection has now grown to 30, including seven gongs and four American-style flutes. Over the years, he has met with many experts and learned about the techniques and history behind the practice.

Im choosy with what I buy. When I play the bowls, I feel connected with the person that made them, Andresen said. They are all special to me.

Andreson continues to collect bowls and gongs, looking for the ones that represent a blend of different tones, and has spent anywhere from $30 to thousands of dollars on individual items. Once, he bought a collection of gongs that was going to be sold at a museum; some were 200 years old and took months to carve, he said.

Hearing these sounds that could have been lost forever is amazing to me, and I could not let that happen, Andresen said of the gongs. I feel like I am the keeper, not the owner.

When he was deciding whether to open the shop in town, Andresen said community members showed interest in the idea, especially since many were already participating at small sessions he used to hold in a music room at his house. After a while, he said the smaller space was not the best fit for his activity, so he moved toward a new direction.

I enjoyed this so much I thought I had to share it with others so that they would enjoy it, too, Andresen said.

Before it was Temple Harmonics, the shop just west of downtown Winona used to be a garage that belonged to his dad. Andresen said he had to replace industrial cabinets with mirrors, display cases and new cabinets, and give the space a new appeal.

Everything fell into place like it was meant to be, Andresen said.

Little by little, the shop gained more popularity through adverting and social media, and many started showing up to the events.

Part of the shop consists of the sounds room, with rows of chairs that face a stage where all the instruments are located. The sessions are meant to set the clients in a relaxation state and bring down stress levels. Andresen said it is important to experience the gongs live because listening to recordings, while helpful, doesnt provide the physical resonances and sound waves in the same way.

During the hour-long session, the attendees sit on a chair and listen to the tones and vibrations in their bodies. Everybodys experience is different and will be affected by the frequencies in a different way, he said.

Some clients experience immediate changes in their bodies, feeling new energy in their arms, knees or hands. Others tend to fall asleep. Andresen tells his clients he does not have control over the reactions because the tones move each person uniquely.

The sessions draw people young and old, with different backgrounds and perspectives. Some are in pain, others have chronic health problems, others suffer from anxiety or mental-health issues.

People just need to be open to receiving the energy. Its all that takes, Andresen said.

For Andresen, who gave up playing keyboard in a band he had been part of for 40 years to dedicate himself to sound healing, said the work has changed many perspectives for him, and he feels he can connect to people in new ways.

He said that as people become caught up in todays technological society, sound healing provides people a way to pause their fast-paced lives.

Every time I play the bowls, its a treat for me, Andresen said. My goal is to educate people, share the practices with them and get them reconnected with spirituality.
Winona Sunday booze runs across the river to Wisconsin are poised to become a thing of the past.

After a decade of stalled and failed efforts, Minnesotas Legislature has voted to allow Sunday liquor store sales as the Senate passed a bill Monday repealing the states long-standing ban.

The Senates 38-28 approval of the bill put an exclamation point on an unprecedented effort to finally take down the states old Blue Law that makes Minnesota one of just 12 states to ban Sunday liquor sales. The House overwhelmingly passed similar legislation last week.

The bill would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays beginning in July, but its not law yet. Supporters of the legislation hoped that slight differences in the Senate and House bills  chiefly, the House measure allows stores to open at 10 a.m. while the Senate one makes it an hour later  wouldnt delay delivery to Gov. Mark Dayton, who has vowed to sign it. If the House accepts the shorter window, that could happen as soon as later this week.

Advocates behind the repeal push credited everyday citizens for urging their legislators to help undo the ban. Just two years ago, the effort failed the Senate by a wide margin.

This was a strong effort from the people by the people, said Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, who led the charge in the Senate. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, introduced the legislation in the House in mid-January.

They spoke loud and clear, Miller said. The timing was right to get it done, and we did.

Between the House and Senate, 31 lawmakers who had previously voted to uphold the Sunday sales ban voted this year to repeal it. Add in an influx of new lawmakers more likely than their predecessors to support the repeal effort and an extra push from Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt, and lawmakers have put the state on the precipice of allowing Sunday liquor sales for the first time since Minnesotas 1858 statehood.

I believe its time. Actually ... I believe its past time, Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, said before voting to lift the ban. It is time that we move on and allow those businesses that wish to be open on Sundays to sell liquor.

The Sunday liquor sale ban is a rare issue that cuts across partisan lines, instead dividing lawmakers more geographically  the overwhelming majority of senators who voted against the repeal Monday were from rural districts. Supporters say that the antiquated post-prohibition law limits consumer choice and drives business across state lines, primarily in border counties such as Winona, Houston and Wabasha.

And though the law allows individual liquor stores and even whole cities to decide whether to open their doors on Sunday, opponents argued that competition with bigger retailers would force small and family-owned shops to stay open seven days a week.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk rattled off a list of small businesses in his district that have closed in the last several decades, warning that local liquor stores would soon join those ranks if the measure became law.

There is a reason that this has never passed, said Bakk, who represents a huge swath of rural northeastern Minnesota. Youre probably not going to take a vote this session that breaks more rural and urban than this.

But even ardent opponents were clearly tired of dealing with the issue year after year.

I would prefer this vote be done, and either it passes or it doesnt pass, and we move on to the budget, Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said before voting no.

That same fatigue could help clear up the small differences between the House and Senate bills. Rep. Jenifer Loon, the House author, said while shed prefer allowing liquor stores to open an hour earlier than the 11 a.m. window set in the Senate, shes ready to get these issues off my plate.

The timing was right to get it done, and we did. Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona
Syrian warplanes pound rebel-held area in central city: BEIRUT  Government warplanes pounded a rebel-held neighborhood in the central city of Homs on Sunday, killing at least three and wounding dozens, Syrian opposition activists said, and President Bashar Assads forces pushed ahead in Syrias offensive on the historic town of Palmyra held by the Islamic State group. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and pro-government media said troops were about 9 6 miles west of Palmyra, which his home to some of the worlds most treasured archaeological sites.

Joseph Wapner, star of The Peoples Court, dead at 97: LOS ANGELES  Joseph Wapner, the retired Los Angeles judge who presided over The Peoples Court with steady force during the heyday of the reality courtroom show, died Sunday at age 97. The Peoples Court, on which Wapner decided real small-claims from 1981 to 1993, was one of the granddaddies of the syndicated reality shows of today. His affable, no-nonsense approach attracted many fans, putting The Peoples Court in the top five in syndication at its peak.

Police say drunk driver caused Mardi Gras crash that hurt 28: NEW ORLEANS  Authorities on Sunday identified the man who allegedly plowed into a crowd enjoying a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans while intoxicated. The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement identifying the man as 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto. Online jail records showed Rizzuto was arrested on a number of charges and was being held at the citys jail. The accident happened Saturday during one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras.

Israeli hospitals demand funds to continue treating Syrians: JERUSALEM  An Israeli health official says Israels hospitals will stop treating Syrian patients in non-emergency cases beginning next week unless the Israeli government fully reimburses the hospitals for years of medical treatments to those wounded in the Syrian civil war. The Health Ministry says that since 2013, four Israeli hospitals have treated a total of 2,278 Syrians. It says many of them had war wounds requiring significant surgery.

Russians march to honor slain opposition leader: MOSCOW  Thousands of Russians marched through Moscow on Sunday shouting slogans such as Russia will be free! and Putin is war! to mark two years since opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned down outside the Kremlin. Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin. His Feb. 27, 2015, death, in what appeared to be a contract killing, sparked an outpouring of anger and fear in Russias beleaguered opposition movement.
Mahershala Ali is the first 'Muslim' film star to win an Oscar but many Muslims are not celebrating his win because they don't consider him Muslim enough.

By India Today Web Desk: The 89th Academy Award will be remembered in the history for its major faux pas of wrongly announcing La La Land as the Academy Award winner for the Best Picture.

However, that is not the only incident social media users are talking about. Moonlight, the movie that actually won the Best Picture award, also got actor Mahershala Ali an Academy Award for his role in the film but many Muslim-majority countries will not celebrate his win.

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Also read: Oscars goof-up: Twitter reacts to Warren Beatty giving Best Film award to La La Land over Moonlight

In fact, when Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi tweeted a congratulatory message, many had a problem. Although, Mahershala Ali is being deemed as the first 'Muslim' film star to win an Oscar but many Muslims think that he is not Muslim enough as he belongs to the minority Ahmadi sect.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a sect of Islam and was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian in 1889 in Punjab, British India. In Pakistan and many other countries, Ahmadis are condemned by hard line Sunni Muslim groups. Article 260-3 of Pakistan's Constitution even declares Ahmadis "non-Muslims", as reported by Tribune.com.

Also read: Oscars 2017: Dev Patel loses Best Supporting Actor to Mahershala Ali

When Muslim Twitter users pointed out Lodhi's tweet, she was quick enough to delete it but the deleted tweet and Ali's religion became a topic of discussion.

Mahershala Ali was a born Christian but converted to Islam in his final year at graduate school. It was the first time that he was nominated for the Academy Award.

Also watch:

--- ENDS ---
If you are frustrated about the current political situation, and think posting news articles on Facebook or retweeting articles is enough, lets get to work.

Hopes and prayers arent going to change your elected officials votes. And no matter how shocked you are by what is happening in our government, your voice matters and needs to be heard.

I think we are out of time for us to pretend that holding hands and going for ice cream is going to change the way our politicians vote. I think that sharing an article on social media is not going to hit a politician anywhere near as hard as calling them every day and going to their town halls.

Be polite. Be kind. Find an issue that you care about and call. Every. Single. Day. Know the name of the bill. Call. You can say: My name is _____. I live in (city). I am calling you today about (your issue). I hope that you vote ( for or against) (your issue). I do not need a return phone call.

And do not think that other people are doing this so youre probably good. Call them. Every day. Support is just as important as calling to voice your concerns. Do not leave this for others to do. You are paying their salaries. They work for you. Hold them accountable.

Other things you can do to get in contact with your representatives: Faxes, emails, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can use pretty much any of these mediums to get in contact with these officials.

Social media is way more powerful than people imagine. Use this. Tag your representatives. Call them out on issues. Hold them accountable in a public setting. If you dont want to get involved with that type of thing, I encourage you to find the organizations that support the people about to be hit the hardest. Give your time or money to environmental groups, family planning organizations, LGBTQ groups, or any number of groups that are about to get crushed or have been crushed already.

And if none of that is your jam, go to protests. Make signs. Figure out carpools to get to the protests. If you like what your elected officials are doing, in addition to calling, showing up, emailing, and social media, vote with your dollar. These people are concerned about re-election, which is expensive.

If there are companies supporting people you dont like or dont support, stop shopping there. Get your friends to stop shopping there. If you like your elected officials, give them a monthly donation. If you want change, then make sure your elected officials are working for you. And if they arent working for you, get them out of office. You pay these people. If you paid for a car that doesnt turn when you want it to, wouldnt you get rid of it ? Or try to fix it?

As a person in the younger generation, we can no longer afford to be passive. The older generation has, and will continue to do, an incredible job at making their representatives work for them. Take notes. It may feel like not a lot and it may be underwhelming. But, together and united, we can make things work for us.

With all of this being said, keep an eye on your state-level Legislature. More is being passed here than you probably realize. Do not only stay focused on the federal level.

And, hey, if you live in Winona, here are your elected officials information.

FEDERAL

U.S. Sen. Al Franken

Phone: 202-224-5641, DC; 218-722-2390, Duluth; 507-288-2003, Rochester; 218-284-8721, Moorhead; 651-221-1016, St. Paul

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Phone: 202-224-3244, DC; 612-727-5220, Minneapolis; 507-288-5321, Rochester; 218-287-2219, Moorhead; 218-741-9690, Virginia

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz

Phone: 202-225-2472, DC; 507-388-2149, Mankato; 507-388-2149, Rochester

MINNESOTA

Sen. Jeremy Miller

Phone: 651-296-5649, St. Paul

Rep. Gene Pelowski

Phone: 651-296-8637, St. Paul
There was no light saber, and Steve Bannons voice wasnt a James Earl Jones bass, but those attending the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington last week could be forgiven if they mistook President Trumps chief strategist for Darth Vader.

Bannon, a right-wing nationalist and former executive with Breitbart News, gave the hard-core conservatives who typically attend CPAC meetings not just a peek behind the curtain of the Trump agenda. He pulled it all the way back, and his words will again stir the Trump base but likely disturb mainstream conservatives, particularly in Congress, where leaders are getting nervous watching Trumps approval ratings drop and fearing theirs will do likewise.

Bannon hit all his (and Trumps) favorite targets: He called the media the opposition party, and reckoned this of the presidents political foes: If you think they are giving you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken. In other words, Donald Trump has retrieved the country for conservatives to control.

And Bannon revealed all, about the reasons behind the presidents curious Cabinet choices. The plan, he said, was deconstruction of the administrative state, which he and Trump apparently believes robs people of their independence and hurts economic growth.

So thats why Trump nominated a labor secretary who wants to replace workers at his fast-food restaurants with robots, an energy secretary who once advocated abolishing the department and an education secretary who doesnt care much for public schools.

Now weve got it.

If Bannon didnt have the ear of a president without political experience, and without much history of political positions, his presence in the White House might be viewed as a sort of off-the-wall amusement. But theres nothing funny about a hard-right ideologue with no tolerance for other viewpoints sitting in the Oval Office every day telling a president naive in the ways of government how to take the government apart.

However, the Republican leaders of Congress dont like being ordered around by a presidential coat-holder, and theyll recognize that Bannons extremism will do the president and them no favors as Trumps term proceeds.

But how much damage will be done before Trump and Bannon part ways?
Citing a negative work environment and her interactions with the Sauk County Boards chairman, an official credited with jump-starting the countys drug treatment court program has resigned.

After 29 months as Sauk Countys first criminal justice coordinator, Janelle Krueger has accepted a job with Baraboo-based Hope House of South Central Wisconsin. Her last day as a county employee is Monday.

Janelle Kruegers efforts in spearheading justice programs designed to reduce criminal recidivism have won her praise from community leaders. Her departure adds to evidence of a toxic county workplace that has bubbled to the surface in recent months.

Board chair a factor

Janelle Krueger said she does not want to continue in the current work climate. When pressed for details about that, she cited her dealings with Sauk County Board Chair Marty Krueger  who is not related  as one of several factors.

He hasnt done anything to me, Janelle Krueger said. It's the sum of many interactions (with him) over 29 months.

The board chair has been accused of political manipulations, most recently for his involvement in the $135,000 buyout of the countys top administrator and the hiring of her replacement. He also was singled out as a negative influence by respondents to a recent workplace survey.

In response to a phone call Friday, Marty Krueger first asked how he fit into a story about the criminal justice coordinator's resignation. When asked for his reaction to her departure and his impressions of her as an employee, he initially had positive things to say.

I was surprised by her resignation, he said. I think that shes done an excellent job getting this new initiative off the ground and making the progress that weve made in the county.

After he was informed that Janelle Krueger cited him as a factor in her resignation, the board chair said he was amazed, because he believed his interactions with her have been productive.

Two hours later, he called back to provide additional information. Marty Krueger then made several accusations against the outgoing justice coordinator. He said his opposition to her on several matters may have caused her to have a negative impression of him.

Accusations arise

Im getting a little tired of being thrown underneath the bus here, and thats why I called you back, Marty Krueger said.

Although he made numerous criticisms and insinuations, his main allegations were that Janelle Krueger circumvented committee processes on two occasions: Once to request a pay increase in 2015, and another time to slip money into a 10-year capital improvement plan to remodel building space for her department.

There was $350,000 that had been put in by her to redesign vacant space within the countys courthouse this year, Marty Krueger said, and another $2.5 million to carry out the remodeling in 2018.

The old Baraboo courthouses top floor was once the countys jail, and has sat mostly unused since the construction of a separate Law Enforcement Center, which opened in 2003.

Justice coordinator responds

It doesnt surprise me that that was his response, Janelle Krueger said in reply to the board chairs allegations.

The pay increase request came during a September 2015 joint meeting of the boards finance and personnel committees under an agenda item titled as follows: Discussion and consideration of reclassification requests associated with the compilation of the 2016 budget.

As someone who was fairly new to county government at the time, Janelle Krueger said, that seemed to her an appropriate channel for the request. She said she asked for the reclassification because her job responsibilities had quickly evolved during her first year as new justice programs were approved.

During the meeting, Marty Krueger argued against the reclassification, along with several others, and the joint committee ultimately turned it down.

The board chair said Friday that the request should have first come through various oversight committees, including one that he chairs.

Janelle Krueger denied that she inserted $2.85 million in the county's capital improvement plan to redesign and remodel the courthouses top floor.

How I even got brought into that is beyond me, she said.

The county's Capital Improvement Committee voted to include the remodeling in its 10-year plan as expenses for the Emergency Management, Building and Safety Department. Details of the remodeling plan identify the justice coordinator's programs as one use for that space.

Archived video of a September budget discussion shows the board chair lobbying against the 2017 design expense, saying the remodeling plan should have gone through oversight committees on which he serves if the space was intended for justice programs.

During the meeting, former Sauk County Administrative Coordinator Renae Fry pushed back, saying that although justice programs were identified as a potential use, the remodeling plan was mainly to ensure the space could be used by the county in some capacity. She noted that the Capital Improvement Committee had approved the proposal.

During the phone interview Friday, Marty Krueger did not provide evidence for his assertion that the justice coordinator inserted money into the plan.

Supervisor Bill Wenzel of Prairie du Sac, a member of the justice council, called the board chair's allegation "puzzling." He said remodeling of the courthouse's top floor is something the county has kicked around since before the justice coordinator was hired.

Wenzel credited Janelle Krueger with getting the justice councils programs up and running, and said he was disappointed to learn that she left due to a poor work environment.

The whole board is going to have to work on this, Wenzel said. This certainly is something the board can address to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Janelle Krueger said the board must address the county's workplace problem from the top down. And she shot back against the board chair's process criticisms.

It's interesting that everyone always wants to talk about process, because processes are followed by certain people and not by others," Janelle Krueger said. "Everyone wants to come back and say the process wasnt followed, but thats a major contradiction in many areas. ... The proof of the contradiction has been in the Baraboo News Republic for the past several months.

'Above and beyond'

Janelle Krueger was hired in 2014 after the county board formed the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which consists of professionals from agencies in and outside county government. The panel is tasked with implementing evidence-based programs to address the root causes of crime.

The justice coordinator has helped develop several initiatives, including the Sauk County Adult Drug Court, which provides intensive treatment for defendants whose crimes are related to drug addiction. The local program is one of several intended to combat the heroin epidemic.

One of the things Im excited to do is bring my knowledge of substance abuse and mental health to the table in my new position, said Janelle Krueger, who worked with Marquette County's drug court program before she came to Sauk County.

District Attorney Kevin Calkins, who chairs the justice council, said Janelle Krueger will be difficult to replace.

She was really kind of the glue that held everything together for the (justice council) and kept us moving forward, he said. "She will be missed."

Calkins described Janelle Krueger as a spitfire who has gone over and above the call of duty.

He said the justice council may have to take some time to reevaluate the position's responsibilities and expectations before it searches for a replacement.
On Feb. 7 the Columbus Historic Landmarks and Preservation Commission along with Tim Heggland, historic preservation consultant, and Peggy Veregin, Wisconsin Historical Society National Register coordinator, held a public meeting at the Firemans Park Pavilion for property owners in the new Dix Street-Warner Street Historic District.

This will be the fourth historic district for the city of Columbus and one of the first few cities in the state of Wisconsin to include a historic district in the mid-century time frame of 1941 to 1970.

Tim Heggland gave a Powerpoint presentation about the district and the results of his work writing the nomination. Peggy Veregin gave a Powerpoint presentation about the National Register of Historic Places program, what it is, and what it means for property owners in the district.

The meeting was very informative and interesting, with slide show examples and explanations of the benefits to property owners in a historic district.

For more information on the benefits of your home or property located in a historic district, contact Carolyn Fredericks, CHLPC president, at 920-623-5908 or cfredericks@columbuswi.us, or contact Peggy Veregin, Wisconsin National Register coordinator, at 608-264-6501 or Peggy.Veregin@wisconsinhistory.org.
1967

The Que and Cushion new teenage center at 115 S. Ludington St. held its opening which was attended by about 200 young people. The teen center is operated by Que Enterprises which has teen centers in three other Wisconsin cities.

Sgt. Dennis Kindschi, son of Ivan Kindschi, rural Marshall, was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in battle in Vietnam.

1977

A 7-year ewe owned by Merlin Thom gave birth to quadruplet lambs. Three of the lambs weighed nine pounds and the other seven pounds. The event occurs once every 10,000 times.

A total of 219 fire calls were answered by the Columbus Fire Department. Of the 139 city calls, 104 were for rescue-ambulance calls.

1987

The city of Columbus and the Columbus School District had a new Centrex telephone system installed. Beginning April 1 Columbus will join the 911 emergency telephone systems.

The Columbus School Board approved a Talented and Gifted Program for the School District. The pilot program will include students from fourth through eighth grade for the 1987-88 school year.

1997

The Wisconsin Main Street Program awarded four Columbus residents for their service in the Columbus Main Street Program. Lee Columbus received an award for the best printed promotional item, City Clerk Anne Donahue was named a 1996 Main Street honorary board member, Jake Henning was named volunteer of the year, and Judy Goodson was presented a plaque commemorating one year of service.

A new Super 8 Motel is under construction in the Columbus Industrial Park.
Items are listed under the day of the event only, running as space permits prior to the event. To submit items, call 745-3511, email jcutsforth@capitalnewspapers.com or visit www.portagedailyregister.com. Include name and phone number.

TODAY

Clinic: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marquette County Immunization Clinic, Marquette County Health and Human Services Building, 428 Underwood Ave., Montello. Bring childs immunization record. Parents must accompany all children under 18 years of age. If this is not possible, call the Marquette County Health Department at 608-297-3135 prior to the clinic.

Euchre card party: 6:30 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 East, Portage. Public welcome. Contact: Cloe, 429-2363.

Food pantry: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Second Harvest mobile food pantry, St. Marys Catholic Church, 318 S. Main St., Pardeeville. Do not line up before 3 p.m. Bring boxes, bags, wagons, etc., to carry food. Volunteers are needed by calling Cindy at 742-7687.

Portage Sharing Supper: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Bartels Middle School, Portage. Food and conversation. Kids Corner for young people to do a craft and hear a story, as well as informational tables for adults. All welcome.

Zumba/Zumba Toning: 6 p.m. Harrisville. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com.

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper: 4:30 to 7 p.m. St. Mary School, West Conant Street entrance, Portage. Fundraiser for the sixth grade safety patrol annual trip. Adults are $5 and children ages 12 and younger are $3.50. There is also an open house for enrollment and a book fair.

Genealogy Researchers: 1 to 3 p.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. The program Family Search: Maneuvering the Structure and Sources Available will be presented by Bob Rettammel, president of the Dane County Area Genealogical Society. Family Search website has for years been an indispensable tool for genealogical research. Our speaker will guide us through the beginning steps with Family Search and guide us in the use of the tools it has to offer. The importance of recognizing primary and secondary sources will be emphasized. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Preschool Story Time: 10 a.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Open to children ages 3 to 5. Its Full Steam Ahead this week as children will have an opportunity to work at stations featuring science, technology, engineering, art and math elements. Activities will include using magnets, tweezers and tongs, magnifying glasses and more. Only new families need to register by calling 742-4959, ext. 211 or visiting www.portagelibrary.us.

Writing group: 9:30 a.m. Pauquette Wordcrafters, Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. All writers welcome.

Zumba Toning: 4:30 p.m. Woodridge Primary School, Portage. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

Blood drive: Poynette Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poynette High School, 108 N. Cleveland St., Poynette. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required.

Candidate Forums: noon to 1 p.m. Lodi High School, 1100 Sauk St., Lodi. The Lodi Optimists will hold the forum for the Lodi School Board with candidates Sue Miller, H. Adam Steinberg and Mick Krueger. The Lodi Parent Teacher Organization and the Lodi Education Association will also hold a forum from 7 to 8 p.m. at the district office, 115 School St., Lodi. Free childcare will be provided for evening forum. Free childcare will be provided for evening forum. The public is invited to attend. The spring election will be held April 4.

Free Arthritis Seminar: 1 to 2 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare Wellness Center, 2815 New Pinery Road, Portage. Are you suffering from arthritis joint pain? Our experts will share options for relief. Call 608-745-6289 to register.

Free blood pressure screenings: 1 to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. No appointment necessary. Call 745-6405 for more information. Do not eat, smoke, drink caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes prior.G.G.s: 1:30 p.m. Hostess is Mary Curran and the program is by Jill Marley.

Preschool Story Time: 10 a.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Open to children ages 3 to 5. Its Full Steam Ahead this week as children will have an opportunity to work at stations featuring science, technology, engineering, art and math elements. Activities will include using magnets, tweezers and tongs, magnifying glasses and more. Only new families need to register by calling 742-4959, ext. 211 or visiting www.portagelibrary.us.

Senior meal: 11:30 a.m. Portage Area Senior Citizens Group, Municipal Building, 115 W. Pleasant St., Portage. The meal will be provided by the Columbia County Nutrition Center. If you wish to have a meal, call Lois Williams at 608-697-5800 by noon Tuesday to register. The cost is a cash donation which will be directly put back into the nutrition program. The meeting will start at noon with cards to follow.

St. Vincent de Paul free medical clinic: 9 a.m. to noon. Wilz Drugs lower level, 140 E. Cook St., Portage. No appointments needed. Information needed is name, date of birth and a contact number. A chiropractor is available from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. A foot clinic is available every week. The clinic can do exams and prescribe medications. Physical therapist available. Discounted medications are available at Wilz and Walmart. Call Bonny Oestreich, RN, at 608-234-0159 for information.

Zumba/Zumba Toning: 5 p.m. Montello. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com.

Zumba: 5:30 p.m. 1208 Northport Road (the former Freedom Carpeting building). This is a $5 drop-in class. For more information, contact Deb at DJMACK00001@yahoo.com or Rena at 697-6713.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2





Cholesterol and glucose screening: 7 to 8:20 a.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. The cost is $20. An appointment is required. To register call 608-745-6289.

Museum: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Portage World War II Museum, 119 E. Cook St., Portage. Free tours for veterans every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tours take 2 1/2 hours. For information, call 608-697-3690.Portage Family Skate Park public meeting: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. All interested people are welcome to attend. Meetings will be held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Cancellations will be announced on our Facebook page. Call 608-742-4959 for more information.Toddler Thursday Story Time: 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Open to children ages 18 to 36 months. Please, choose only one time slot. This week toddlers will have a Peas, Please story time featuring vegetables in a story, finger play, parachute play and craft. Only new families need to register by calling 742-4959, ext. 211 or visiting www.portagelibrary.us.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3





Art exhibit: Portage Center for the Arts Drury Gallery presents the Elementary and Middle School Art Show, Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., Portage. Opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. The gallery is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 742-5655 for more information.

Fish fry: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus fish fry, Knights of Columbus Hall, 918 Silver Lake Drive, Portage. Cocktails at 4 p.m. Public invited. Cost is $10.75.

Green Fire Screening and Discussion: 2 to 4 p.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Celebrate Leopold Weekend with a screening and discussion of the first full-length documentary film ever made about legendary conservation thinker Aldo Leopold. Green Fire explores Leopolds extraordinary career and his enduring influence  tracing how he shaped the modern conservation movement and continues to inspire projects all over the country that connect people and the land.

Hope House support group: 1 to 2 p.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Has domestic violence touched your life in some way? Find connections with supportive individuals who have similar life experiences as you at Hope Houses newest support group. All are welcome. Held on the first and third Friday of the month. For more information, contact Katie Fluger, outreach advocate, at 608-356-9123.Seniors Bowling Social: 1 p.m. Fireball Lanes, 817 E. Wisconsin St., Portage. Cost is $6 and includes three games of bowling and shoe rental.Unique Singles: 5 p.m. Suzys Steak and Seafood House, County Highway CX, Portage. All single men and women older than age 50 welcome. The group is strictly social with no dues or officers.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4





Corned beef and cabbage dinner: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus fish fry, Knights of Columbus Hall, 918 Silver Lake Drive, Portage. Cocktails at 4 p.m.

FamilyFunEvent: 10 a.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Open to children up to age 12 and their families (children must be accompanied by an adult). This month the department will hold an Art-o-Rama that will feature multiple stations of art activities, including a bread painting station for snacking. This one-hour, drop-in program is free. Registration is not required and all supplies will be provided thanks to funding by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 742-4959, ext. 211 or check the Childrens Department Face Book page.

Griefshare support group: 10 a.m. to noon, Portage United Methodist Church, 1804 New Pinery Road, Portage. Offered to individuals suffering from the loss of loved one(s). Meetings are held weekly on Saturdays. Call Laurie at 608-450-1081 or Jen at 608-345-8928 or visit www.griefshare.org for more information.

Unique Singles Monthly Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. Dinos Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Road, Portage. All single men and women older than age 50 welcome. The group is strictly social with no dues or officers.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5





Bingo: 3 to 5 p.m. VFW Hall, 215 W. Collins St., Portage. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Hard cards are $1 and chips are available. All are welcome. Runs the first and third Sunday of each month.

Zumba: 5:30 p.m. Rusch Elementary School, Portage. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Feb 27 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has arrested a woman Director of a Hong Kong-based firm in connection with its money laundering probe against a diamond firm here, involving Rs 1,478 crore funds and over 500 alleged shell company accounts.

The agency today identified the woman as Kritika Dahal (35) and said she was arrested at the agencys office here on February 25 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

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It said Dahal was first "intercepted" at the airport and was placed under arrest after questioning.

She has been sent to EDs custody till tomorrow by a special PMLA court here.

The agency said Dahal "controlled" a firm called International Rising Limited in Hong Kong and had 99.99 per cent shares of the said company.

The case emerged after the ED booked Ritesh Jain, a diamond trader based here, for "opening bank accounts in the name of dummy companies for affecting illegal transactions" post demonetisation, and subsequently indulged in alleged illegal import of diamonds using a maze of bank accounts and layering.

These dummy or shell firm accounts, the agency said, were used to launder huge monies post demonetisation, which included the involvement of the Hong Kong-based firm.

"During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the accounts were used for effecting illegal transactions of huge amounts which were credited from more than 100 accounts of different shell companies, sourced from more than Rs 92 crore in old demonetised currency deposited in the account post the notes ban.

"Layering of these funds has been done through more than 500 accounts," the ED said in a statement.

The agency had also carried out raids in this case last year in December, including at the premises of Ms Rajeshwar Exports Private Limited, a firm of Jain and had seized diamonds worth over Rs 30 crore.

"The funds from all companies/firms were credited through RTGS to Ms Rajeshwar Exports Pvt Ltd which were utilised for outward remittance to Hong Kong in guise of payment of import of overvalued consignments of total 355 bills of entries. It was found that the total outward remittance of USD 21.22 crore (approx Rs 1,421 crore) were undertaken from the account of the firm within a period of one year.

"Out of this, more than Rs 92 crore was deposited in various accounts in cash after demonetisation, which was then transferred to the accounts of Ms Rajeshwar Exports and subsequently utilised by it for outward remittance," the agency said. (MORE) PTI NES SRY

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Emeritus Professor Status conferred on Wits Health Sciences' Professor Manga

Professor Pravin Manga has been honoured with the status of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding contribution to the University.

After more than 40 years of service to the University of Witwatersrand, Professor Pravin Manga has been honoured with the status of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding contribution to the University.

Academic Head of Internal Medicine, Professor Pravin Manga, spent the majority of his 40 years post qualification in the public service. He completed his internship at the then Coronation Hospital and subsequently did his Registrar training in internal medicine at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

He was attracted to cardiology and gained a fellowship position to train at Tulane University in the United States of America. On his return to South Africa, he was appointed Head of Cardiology at the Hillbrow Hospital. With a passion for interventional cardiology, he completed his PhD in this area, pioneered the first program of balloon valvuloplasty for the treatment of rheumatic mitral stenosis in the country and became an international expert on this subject.

In 1995 he was appointed Chief Specialist, Professor and Academic Head of Cardiology and later Academic Head of the Department of Internal Medicine in the School of Clinical Medicine until his retirement in 2016. In this time he was known for running a patient focused unit, launching the only 24-hour cardiac cath lab service in a public hospital in South Africa.

He has had the distinction of being the past President of the South African Cardiac Society and still serves/ served on the board of the South African Heart Association. His research focused on valvular and ischaemic heart disease and he still serves as the Deputy Editor of the Journal of American College of Cardiology, the number one rated cardiovascular journal in the world.

Prof Manga will continue to pursue his research interests and teaching; staying on in the Division of Cardiology. In addition, he will also start a new journal for the School of Clinical Medicine.

The Faculty would like to thank Professor Manga for his service and congratulates him on his Emeritus Professor appointment.
By Press Trust of India: Bhubaneswar, Feb 27 (PTI) Odisha Assembly today witnessed a protest against Narendra Modis alleged "anti-Odisha" remark with Congress questioning Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks silence on the issue and ruling BJD demanding an apology from the Prime Minister.

The Prime Ministers remark on Odishas poverty at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh continued to rock the Assembly for the second day with Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress raising the matter during Zero Hour.

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"This House should condemn Prime Ministers remark. How could the Prime Minister not know about Odishas poverty though BJP was in coalition government with BJD in the state and Modi has been in office for three years," Mishra said.

Raising question on Patnaiks silence on Modis "anti-Odisha" remark, Mishra said "the Chief Minister has not uttered a single word so far even as his party members are creating ruckus in the Assembly. I do not understand Patnaiks silence."

Blaming both the BJD and the BJP for the prevailing poverty in Odisha, Mishra said "the NDA government led by BJP has stopped several welfare schemes meant for poor people of Odisha. What prompted you to stop schemes like BRGF (backward region grant fund), IAP (integrated action plan) and others."

Claiming that Modis remark has severely hurt the people of the State, Mishra said the Prime Minister had no right to insult Odisha at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh.

"He (PM) was trading with poverty and miseries of Odisha. This is unfortunate and condemnable," Mishra said, adding that the intention of Modi was nothing but to humiliate the people of Odisha.

Congress chief Taraprasad Bahinipati said many people from the Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) region migrated elsewhere after the Centre stopped several welfare schemes.

The NDA government had also changed the fund sharing pattern between the Centre and the state on different schemes.

"A resolution should be passed in the Assembly condemning the Prime Ministers statement," he said.

The treasury bench members also joined the opposition Congress MLAs and demanded unconditional apology from the Prime Minister for his remark on the states poverty.

The BJD members shouted anti-Modi slogans like "Modi Hai...Hai", prompting Speaker Niranjan Pujari to adjourn the House till 3 pm.

BJP member Pradip Purohit outside the Assembly said the allegation made against Modi was politically motivated and lacked truth.

"They (Cong, BJD) are intolerant to the growing popularity of the Prime Minister in Odisha. This is an attempt to instigate the people against the Prime Minister," he said.

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Modi, while referring to results of rural polls in Odisha had said at an election rally at Gonda in Uttar Pradesh last week, "Odisha, where there is so much poverty, starvation, unemployment and where BJP even had no foothold to place its flag, people have given so much support that everyone is taken aback...even the poor of Odisha have come with the BJP." PTI AAM SKN PR MRJ

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AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
By Press Trust of India: Muzaffarnagar, Feb 27 (PTI) A constable of the Uttar Pradesh Police was arrested for allegedly abducting a girl in Khagoli town of the district, police said today.

A case was lodged against Mohammad Miyan in January following which he was arrested yesterday in connection with the abduction.

The girl had gone missing on December 27 and has not been found yet, police said. PTI CORR ASV

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The student identified as Deepak was arrested by the Delhi Police after he made a call threatening a blast in Mau district of Uttar Pradesh where PM Modi was conducting a rally.

By Ram Kinkar Singh: Upset over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive, a Delhi University student today made a bomb hoax call.

The student identified as Deepak was arrested by the Delhi Police after he made a call threatening a blast in Mau district of Uttar Pradesh where PM Modi was conducting a public rally.

The youth called the police control room at around 12.30 pm. The threat call send the police into a tizzy and security was beefed. Several security agencies were alerted after the call.

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Although the police suspected foul play, they alerted agencies since the caller mentioned PM Modi's name. Intelligence Bureau and ATS also swung into action.

Deepak (21) was arrested after ACP Hukma Ram probed the matter along with the Adarsh Nagar Police. The police identified the caller to be from Lal Bag Area of North West Delhi.

Police said that they found a dairy from the possession of the youth where he had noted down the speeches by PM Modi and BJP national party president Amit Shah.

Deepak is a resident of Kaushal Puri Lal Bag area. Police said he is a native of Azamgarh of Uttar Pradesh. He is currently staying with his relatives in Delhi and pursing a correspondence course from Delhi University.

Upon interrogation, he said that he was outraged as PM Modi did not fulfil the promises he made during election campaigns. He said that he made the call to thwart the PM's rally in Mau.

Also read:

Uttar Pradesh election: PM Modi talks about hung Assembly at Mau rally. Is BJP nervous?

Modi in Mau: Threat to PM's life from Rasool Pati in Mukhtar Ansari's bastion

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Over the past century, the planet has seen its temperature gradually increase. There have been numerous arguments on the exact cause of this sudden yet alarming increase in temperature. Some people base it on the degradation of the Ozone layer while others deny the temperature increase entirely. However, for most scientists the principal cause of the increase in temperature is the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to scientists, these greenhouse gases which consist of carbon dioxide have a blanket effect where they trap solar energy from leaving the atmosphere. Due to pressure from the public and knowledge of the severity of the ultimate result of climate change, governments and other international organizations have come together and put in place policies to negate climate change and its effects.

4. Muslim Seven Year Action Plan on Climate Change

The Muslim Seven Year Action Plan on Climate Change is a binding agreement between the Islamic people meant to encourage environmentally-friendly practices among Muslims in the world. The policies are implemented by the Muslim Association for Climate Change Action (MACCA).The conference attracts Muslim scholars, scientists, and political leaders who meet annually to analyze the steps taken and also to revise the proposals.

3. International Carbon Action Partnership

The International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) is a forum bringing together different countries and public authorities which have already enforced or are planning to enforce emission trading system (ETS). It was founded in 2007 in Lebanon by leaders from more than fifteen countries. ICAP allows members to share best practices and discuss ETS with the aim of coming up with the operational global carbon market. The duty of ICAP looks into three pillars of technical dialogue, ETS know how, and capacity building. It also focuses on facilitation of future linking, trading programs, and building of strong partnership amongst countries. The partnership is currently made up of 31 members with four observers.

2. Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an internationally binding treaty signed in 1997 with the aim of reducing the global emission of greenhouse gases and curb the effects of climate change. The involved leaders met and signed the treaty in the Japanese city of Kyoto hence the treaty derives its name. In 2009, 187 countries had ratified the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol was to be implemented in two phases with the first phase ending in 2012. The greenhouse gases in question were carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and sulphur hexafluoride. The treaty aimed for global emissions to have a 5% reduction by 2012 for the first phase. The second phase of the Kyoto Protocol also known as the Doha Amendment had a 2013-2020 timeline but is yet to be implemented.

1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a treaty signed in June, 1992 during the Earth Summit in the Brazilian city, Rio de Janeiro. The treaty was attended by all 197 member states of the United Nations and all policies indicated were to be effected by all countries within the United Nations. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change spurred the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2011). The member countries are divided into five groups known as Annexes; Annex I, Annex II, Annex B, and the Non-Annex I.
A pyramid is a monumental structure with either a square or triangular base whose sloping sides meet in a point at the top. The most famous are the Egyptian pyramids, most of which were built of stone and used as a royal tomb. Most of the Egyptian pyramids were constructed during the periods of the Old and Middle Kingdoms as a final resting place for the Pharaoh and their spouses.

Some Of The Most Well-Known Pyramids

One of the oldest Egyptian pyramids includes the Pyramid of Djoser, built during the third dynasty somewhere between 2630 BCE and 2611 BCE, located in Saqqara.The pyramid was designed by Imhotep who was considered by some people to be the first architect, physician, and engineer in history. The Pyramid of Djoser, together with its surrounding establishments is practically deemed to be the oldest monumental structures in the world built using dressed masonry. The pyramids found at Giza and Cairo are the most popular Egyptian pyramids, some of which are listed among the largest structures in the world ever built. A good example is the Pyramid of Khufu located in Giza which is the largest Egyptian pyramid and the only Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still existing.

How Were The Pyramids Of Egypt Built?

The construction techniques have been an arguable subject over the past several years in regards to the methods and the type of labour used during construction. One of the hypotheses suggests that humongous stones were carved from stone quarries using copper chisels then dragged to the desired location and lifted, placed on top of each other systematically to form a pyramid. However, this hypothesis raises questions about the kind of labour force used. Many years after pyramids were constructed the Greeks came to the conclusion that the construction must have been done using slave labour. Most archaeologists have reason to believe that some pyramids such as the Great Pyramid of Giza were constructed by skilled workers for a salary due to the cemetery for workers discovered by two archaeologists Mark Lehner and Zahi Hawass in 1990.

Tools And Techniques Used To Build The Wonders Of The World

During the third through the fifth dynasties, pyramids were built entirely of stone. Limestone quarried locally was the desired material used for constructing the pyramid's main body while a higher grade of limestone quarried at Tura was used to build the outer casing of the structure. Other architectural elements such as walls and roofs of burial chambers and the portcullis were constructed using granite quarried near Aswan. Once in a while granite was also used to construct the outer casing of the pyramids such as the Pyramid of Menkaure. The earliest pyramids had layers of stone which formed the pyramid's body sloping inwards which was discovered to be unstable compared to stacking the stone layers on top of each other in a horizontal manner. Dahshur's Bent Pyramid marked the transition between the two building techniques. As of the Middle Kingdom and onwards the construction techniques of pyramids underwent a few changes. During these times pyramids were built using mountains of mud brick whose surface was sheathed by polished limestone. Later on, several pyramids were constructed atop natural hills to lessen the volume of material required for construction.

There are many theories explaining the types of methods used in the construction of pyramids, below are some of them.

Quarried Stone Blocks Hypothesis

The need to move the huge stone in bulk was one of the biggest problems the first pyramid constructors faced. The tomb of Djehutihotep, built during the 12th dynasty, is engraved with artwork showing 172 men pulling an alabaster statue of him on a sledge. The blocks are believed to have been moved by rolling them using a crafle-like device which had been excavated in some temples. It is believed that four of such devices would be fitted around a block to roll smoothly and efficiently. Despite this hypothesis being tested and proven as workable there is no evidence that the Egyptians used this method to build their pyramids. There is ample information indicating the locations where the construction materials were quarried from, transportation of the stone from the quarries to the location of the monument, and some of the tools used in the quarries. The blocks were transported by sledges which were likely lubricated using water.

Limestone Concrete Hypothesis

John Davidovits, a materials scientist, believes that the pyramids were not built using blocks of carved stone but most likely a form of limestone concrete. According to his hypothesis, the constructors used some limestone quarried on the river valley located in the southern region of the Giza Plateau. Once quarried, the limestone would then be dissolved in large pools that derived water from the Nile until they formed a thin, watery mixture of fine insoluble limestone. The mixture was also added compounds of lime found in cooking fire ashes and natron uses in mummification by the Egyptians. The pools were then left to dry leaving a moist mixture resembling clay which would be carried to the construction site and put in reusable moulds made of wood. The wet "concrete" would then be left for a few days to undergo a chemical reaction the same as curing concrete. The new block would then be placed atop old ones pressing against them. Despite Davidovits's method being workable, it is has not been accepted into academic mainstream since it raises some questions and does not fully explain how some materials were formed.

Other Theories Of Pyramid Building

Archaeologists and architects with other scientists have worked together since the discovery of pyramids up-to-date in trying to prove how pyramids were constructed. Despite there being some working hypotheses as to how Egyptian pyramids were built, there are still uncertainties since none of the hypothesis has concrete evidence proving how the Egyptians constructed their pyramids, what specific materials they used and some workers required for the job. Other hypotheses on the construction methods of pyramids include the writings of Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, the Jean-Pierre Houdin's "internal ramp" hypothesis and the use of different kinds of ramps among others.
Priyanka Chopra's second stint at the Oscars might just be her most glamorous yet. Photo: AP

By India Today Web Desk: Believe it or not, but the 89th Academy Awards are now over. Touted as the most illustrious calendar event in the world of cinema, the Oscars have, understandably, dominated conversations for months.

But apart from honouring and celebrating the best of movies, the Oscars also have a reputation of being high on all things dramatic and fashionable. And with India's most glamorous export to the West, Priyanka Chopra in attendance you'd expect the quotient of both, drama and fashion to skyrocket. So consider it your lucky day, because the fashion gods answered and Priyanka's second appearance at the Oscars was pretty darn flawless.

Photo: AP

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After her Zuhair Murad outfit broke the internet last year, expectations around Priyanka Chopra's 2017 red carpet outfit were quite high--and as your eyes can gauge, she's lived up to the hype!

Also Read: Oscars 2017 LIVE: All the action from the 89th Academy Awards

Dressed in a futuristic, body-hugging Ralph & Russo gown, Priyanka's second red carpet stint at the Oscars is just the right amount of sexy and elegant.

Photo: AP Photo: AP

Photo: AP

While the ivory details on the gown have our heart, it's the stunning bust of the outfit that has floored us completely. Held together by a delicate string, the geometric upper portion of Priyanka's gown flatters her figure at just the right places.

Complete with sleek, side-parted hair and a set of glittery diamonds that are reportedly, worth USD 5 million, get ready for the Desi Girl's latest fashion escapade to rule your heart (and Facebook timeline) today!

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Nothing instilled more fear in the tomb thieves and archaeologists of the time past than the possibility of attracting a curse upon themselves with dire consequences. In ancient Egyptian times, curses were common and were associated with symbols of authority like pharaohs whether alive or dead. The curses were sometimes faced on the tomb entrance to protect the dead and the monuments from being disturbed or looted. The writings on the entry to the tomb often spoke of the disease coming back to life to revenge or call judgment upon the person who disturbs them. Those who ignored such warnings did so at their peril, and anything that happened to them was linked to their act of defiance to the warning.

The Much Feared And Revered Curse Of The Pharaohs

The curse of Pharaohs was allegedly cast upon people who disturbed the mummy of an ancient Egyptian, especially the Pharaohs. The curse does not differentiate between the tomb raiders and the archaeologists and was said to causes bad luck, illness, and even death. However, historians have debated whether the Egyptian mummy curses are just tales or are indeed effective in the modern world today. The tales of the curses have since shifted from condemning the disturbance of the spirit of the dead to entertaining horror film audience. The stories and rumors surrounding the curse of Pharaohs have existed for centuries dating back to the Medieval and Early Modern period.

The Curse Tales

The curse tales stated that the tombs and the burial sites should not be tampered with because the mummies resided in them, and that they possessed unknown and dark qualities that would cause harm and death to the person who disturbed them. The stories of the curse of Pharaohs dated back to the 18th and 19th centuries and multiplied after the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun. The curses were placed on the tomb and its surrounding by the priests to protect both the mummies and their spiritual journeys after death rather than as a warning to potential tomb thieves.

Curses were not common on the tombs of ancient Egypt, but they were occasionally used to protect the burial place and the spirits of the dead. The curses related to the tomb were rare because the idea of desecration was unimaginable that even writing about it would instill fear upon the writer. The tomb curses were popular in private tombs of the Old Kingdom era. They would be inscribed on the more public part of the tomb, walls, false doors, statues, and coffins. Tomb Curses were found in the tomb of Ankhtifi and the Tomb of Khentika Ikhekhi, both of the 9 to 10th dynasty. The curses included an extensive list of punishment like loss of honor and earthly position, starvation, drowning at sea, and lacking a successor to their earthly thrones among other curses. Curses in the modern era are rare though are thought to be more severe sometimes invoking the fury of Thoth or the violent destruction of the Sekhmet. These modern tomb curses include people meeting their death by a disease that no doctor can cure.

Experiences And Accounts: Historical And Modern

The legends about the "Curse of the Pharaoh" date back to the 7th century AD when the Arabs conquered Egypt, and the Arabs were not able to read the hieroglyph. The preservation of mummies was a strange thing to the Arabs who were told many stories about the mummies including the curse that would befall them if they disturbed the bodies to the point that they believed that the Egyptians were able to protect their tombs by magical means. The Arabs revered the mummies or their tombs that they could not go near them. The curses were perceived simply as bad luck that was associated with handling the mummies or tombs against the Egyptian wishes.

Several incidences that have shaped modern history have been linked to the curse of Pharaohs. Some of these incidences cannot be scientifically proven, but those who believe in the curse of mummies need no further proof. The catastrophic Titanic ship incident has been linked to the Egyptian Mummy which among the cargos that were sent from England to New York upon the request of Lord Centerville. The mummy was a body of an Egyptian prophetess who had enjoyed popularity during the reign of Amenhotep IV. Her grave has since been found in Tell el-Amarna with curse inscriptions on one of the artifacts. Zahi Hawass, an archaeologist excavating at Kom Abu-Bellou, lost his cousin on the day he transported artifacts from the site of excavation. His uncle died on the first anniversary while his aunt died on the third anniversary of the cousin. Years later Zahi encountered a curse inscription on the tomb of the builders of the pyramids at Giza. Zahi later recorded how he was disturbed by the noises of children which were linked to the removal of child mummies from Bahariya Oasis with the noises stopping when the mummy of the father was reunited with the child mummies in the museum.

The Curse Of Tutankhamuns Tomb

The curse of Tutankhamun was brought to the attention of the people due to the mysterious deaths of some of Howard Carters team and the people who visited Tutankhamuns tomb afterward. Tutankhamun was a young Pharaoh who came to power in 1332 BC and ruled Egypt for a decade. He was buried at the bottom of the valley which made it difficult for archaeologists to trace his tomb. Finding his tomb in 1922 was a career defining discovery for Howard Carter and a culmination of the long search for the tomb. The mummy of the young ruler was adorned in gold worth over US$ 6 million indicating that he lived a golden life.

A curse inscription was written on the door as a warning to anyone who would violate the sleep of Pharaoh. On the day the tomb was discovered, a cobra broke into Carters house and killed his cannery, leading people to believe that indeed the spirit of the dead had been violated. The first mysterious death related to the curse of Tutankhamun was Lord Carnarvon who had died from a mosquito bite six weeks after opening the tomb. Sir Bruce Ingram was given a mummified hand with curse inscriptions on it had his house burnt down mysteriously and then swept away by floods after it was rebuilt. Richard Luttrell threw himself from the 7th floor if his apartment and died while Sir Archibald who x-rayed the mummy died mysteriously in 1924. However, studies indicate that the majority of the 58 people who were present at the opening of the tomb lived long enough with the majority dying of common deaths including Carter who died of lymphoma 17 years after his discovery.
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa, home to Lake Malawi, which is incredibly rich in fish fauna. The country is also home to a number of endemic and non-endemic species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Malawis national parks conserve and protect the unique flora and fauna of the country.

5. Nyika National Park

Occupying an area of 3,200 square km, the Nyika National Park is the largest national park in Malawi. Nearly the entire area of the Nyika Plateau is covered by the park. A single dirt road leads to the park. Wildflower-rich grasslands feature in the park all year round. The sky remains cloudy or foggy most of the year since the elevation of the Nyika Plateau makes it wetter than the surrounding areas. Trekking and mountain biking are enjoyed by tourists visiting the park.

The montane vegetation of the Nyika National Park attracts a many species of antelopes like elands, roan, and the common duiker. Zebra population is also significant here. Leopards thrive in the park. Elephants are also common. More than 400 avian species can be observed here including the rare wattled crane and Denhams bustard. Impressive waterfalls enhance the scenic beauty of the national park.

4. Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park is located on the upper Shire River plain in Malawi. The national parks southern gates can be accessed easily by walking or driving 6 km from the town center of Liwonde. The park houses a good collection of flora and fauna. Some of the notable animals living here include crocodiles, hippopotamus, elephants, yellow baboons, sable antelopes, vervet monkeys, buffaloes, impalas, kudus, and waterbucks. Over 400 species of birds live in the park. More than 1000 species of vascular plants have been reported to grow here. Mopane woodlands dominate the vegetation of the park. Other ecoregions of the Liwonde National Park includes reed swamps, marshes, floodplain grasslands, mixed woodlands, semi-deciduous riverine forest, etc.

Although tourism at the Liwonde National Park is still low-key compared to national parks in other countries, it is still a premier wildlife-watching destination in Malawi. Due to the low number of predators, the national park is one of the few in the continent where game walks are possible. Canoe and boat safaris are also arranged for visitors.

3. Lengwe National Park

Located near the town of Chikwawa in Malawi, the Lengwe National Park features a landscape unusual for Malawi. The terrain features dense thickets and open deciduous forests. The reclusive Nyala antelope also inhabits this national park. The Lengwe National Park has a hot and dry climate and thus the park authorities have created several waterholes to attract and sustain the animals living here. Some of the animals living in this national park include reedbuck, spotted hyena, leopard, Samango monkey, Cape buffalo, impala, rollers, bee-eaters, shrikes, and more.

2. Lake Malawi National Park

Lake Malawi National Park is located at Lake Malawis southern end. The national park was established with the aim of protecting the fish and aquatic habitat of the region, the only one of its kind in the country. Besides the water-bodies, a significant portion of the Lake Malawi National Park also encompasses land including several islands in Lake Malawi.

The Lake Malawi National Park has a significant population of baboons. The park is also famous for hosting the graves of several early Christian missionaries and the area was also visited and explored by the famous congregationalist pioneer medical missionary and explorer, Dr. David Livingstone. Due to the high diversity of endemic fishes in the park, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

1. Kasungu National Park

Kasungu National Park, a Malawian national park, is located to the west of Kasungu, a town in the Kasungu District of Malawis Central Region. The national park was established in 1970. Occupying an area of 2,316 square km, it is the second largest national park in the country. The average elevation of the park is 1,000 meters above sea-level.

The vegetation of the Kasungu National Park features mainly Miombo woodland and grassy river channels. Some of the notable rivers flowing through the park include the Lingadzi, Dwanga, Lifupa, and others. The large elephant population is a well-known feature of the park. However, high rates of poaching threaten the elephants living here. Other animals that can be observed at the Kasungu National Park include antelopes, hartebeest, plains zebra, Cape buffaloes, Cape wild dogs, and more.
What is Poverty?

Poverty is usually defined as lacking the money or material possessions to live securely. The US government measures poverty by using poverty thresholds. These thresholds are determined as the point at which a household has insufficient pre-tax income to meet its food requirements and other basic needs.

Poverty in the US

Most people around the world think of the United States as a wealthy country. While that may be true at a national level, many individuals within the country are currently living in poverty. In fact, in 2015, 13.5% of the population lived at poverty level. In 2016, that increased to 14.8%. Children and senior citizens seem to be most affected with 14% of the senior population and 18% of children living in poverty. Current statistics indicate that the majority of individuals will live in poverty for at least 1 year of their life between 25 and 75 years of age. Additionally, poverty is more common in rural areas and inner cities than in the countrys suburban neighborhoods.

Poverty is a social and economic problem that does not seem to be improving in the US. For example, the number of people living in extreme poverty, less than $2 per day, doubled between 1996 and 2011. The situation is so pronounced that the International Monetary Fund issued a warning to the US government in June of 2016. This warning recommended that the government fight poverty throughout the nation by raising the minimum wage and mandating paid maternity leave to incentivize women to join the workforce. This article takes a look at the rate of poverty on a state level.

US States By Poverty Rate

Mississippi

Mississippi has the highest rate of poverty in the country at 21.9%. The poverty line is defined as a $24,250 annual salary for a household size of 4. This state has a population size of nearly 2.9 million of which, 637,128 individuals live at or below the poverty line. Children are most affected by poverty in Mississippi with 31.1% of the population under 18 years of age included in this statistic. This is followed by 23.5% of working-age women (between 18 and 64 years of age) living in poverty. Factors contributing to poverty in Mississippi include: a 6.5% unemployment rate, 22.4% of the population that does not graduate high school on time or ever, and 20% of youth between 18 and 24 years of age that are neither studying nor working.

New Mexico

New Mexico has the second highest rate of poverty at 20.6%. This state has a population size of 2,044,431 of which, 417,834 individuals are living at or below the poverty line. Like Mississippi, the demographic most disproportionately affected by poverty is children with 28.5% included in the statistic. Approximately 20.6% of working-age women are considered to be living in poverty as well. Other factors concerning poverty in New Mexico include: a 6.6% unemployment rate, 31.5% of the population that does not graduate high school on time or ever, and 17% of youth between 18 and 24 years of age that are neither studying nor working.

Louisiana

Louisiana comes in third place with a 19.9% poverty rate. This state has a population of just over 5.4 million of which, 889,946 residents are living in poverty. Again, children are disproportionately affected with 28.1% of the population under the age of 18 considered to be living in poverty. This is followed by 20.7% of working-age women. Other poverty statistics include: a 6.3% unemployment rate, 25.4% of the population that does not graduate high school on time or ever, and 20% of youth between 18 and 24 years of age that are neither studying nor working.

The chart published below has a complete list of the poverty rate per US state.
The military is also known as the armed forces and consist of the Navy, Army, and the Air Force. The three forces are commissioned to use deadly weapons and force if need be for the purpose of supporting and protecting the country's interests together with ensuring the safety of its citizens. The military's primary objective is to defend the state and all of its citizens together with executing war against another country. The military can perform other duties including offering emergency services, protecting critical areas, internal population control, promoting political agendas and more. The soldiers in an army are an essential element of the strength of a country's military. However, the truth is that the strength of a country's military is a combination of several areas. The most powerful army in the world is characterized by the following key factors, the military's budget, the number of fighter jets, the country's nuclear capability, and skilled pilots in use.

Who Has the Best Military in the World?

Overview

A nation's military strength is measured by the Military Strength Indicator which was introduced by Credit Suisse. There are certain factors that are taken into consideration when measuring the military strength of a country. The factors include aircraft carriers accounting for 25%, submarines also accounting for 25%, aircraft accounting for 20%, attack helicopters accounting for 15%, tanks accounting for 10% and active personnel in Army accounting for 5%. Despite reduced cuts and a decrement in army size, the United States has managed to dominate as the best military nation in the world. While the United States might be far ahead on the list as the military superpower, China and Russia are the closest adversaries, and together they make the top three powerful militaries in the world.

The Top Three

The United States of America

The United States is the ultimate military superpower with a defence budget of $601 billion. Despite having budget costs and size reduction, the US still spends more money on their military budget than the ten next best militaries that follow. The nation's military advantage is the 19 aircraft carriers which are way more than the 12 operated by the rest of the world put together. The US also has by far the most aircraft compared to any other country with powerful technology, well-trained soldiers, and the largest supply of nuclear weapons in the world.

China

The People's Republic of China is the second best military in the world with a defense budget of $216 billion. Over the years, the military strength of China has rapidly grown in both size and capability. Regarding soldiers, China is the largest military in the world and the second largest in both submarine and tank fleet behind the US and Russia respectively. China has been developing cutting edge military technology together with modernizing military programs.

Russia

The Russian armed forces have the third best military in the world with a defense budget of $85 billion. Russia has not only the largest tank fleet in the world but also the second largest aircraft fleet behind the United States and the third largest submarine fleet behind the United States and China. The military force of Russia has increased since the year 2008 by almost one third and is projected to grow by a 44% in the coming years.

Assessing Military Strength

Determining a countys military power can be difficult but some of the factors considered include the geographical location, reliance on natural resources, arsenal strength, military budget, and current economic strength. Presently, political or military leadership and nuclear capability are not taken into consideration.
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30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.16 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending Feb. 23, 2017, up from last week when it averaged 4.15 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.62 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.37 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.35 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.93 percent.

5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.16 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.18 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.79 percent.

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According to Freddie Mac's latestfor the last week of February 2017, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in the U.S. changed by two basis points for the fourth consecutive week.Sean Becketti, chief economist of Freddie Mac, "In a short week following Presidents Day, the 10-year Treasury yield fell about 8 basis points. However, the 30-year mortgage rate rose 1 basis point to 4.16 percent. This week's survey once again displays the disconnect between mortgage rates and Treasury yields, a result of continued uncertainty."
Abused woman (illustration)

By: Alexis Bell WorldWideWeirdNews.com

An immigrant from Tunisia who is currently living in Sweden, called police to report that several men gang raped a young woman and streamed the attack on Facebook Live.

The man of Stockholm, said that he had no choice but to call the police after seeing the gruesome footage on a Facebook page dedicated to immigrants from Tunisia living in Europe.

The man, who declined to be named, said that since he called the police, he has been getting death threats. The group of men from Tunisia, frequented the Facebook page dedicated to immigrants living in Europe, before the attack.

When the witness visited the Facebook page, he was shocked to see live video, showing the group of men gang raping the young woman.

The witness recorded the video with his phone as evidence and handed it over to police. So far, no arrests have been made. The video of the attack went viral on Facebook.

Last month, three immigrants from Afghanistan, were arrested after gang raping a woman in Sweden, and broadcasting the attack on Facebook Live.
By India Today Web Desk: Priyanka Chopra's style game has been way too strong of late. There's no denying that with pretty much everything she wears, PeeCee manages to make headlines.

The actress' first-ever Oscar red-carpet appearance turned out to be the most Googled dress of 2016. Her second outing on the Oscars red carpet also got huge thumbs-ups from style critics all over the world--that white-grey Ralph & Russo gown did look phenomenal on her, to be honest.

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Now, PeeCee has emerged looking even more glamorous in this body-hugging shimmery-black Michael Kors gown. Though some might debate the stylishness of those ruffled sleeves, we for one, are all for it.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/ashhloove

The actress kept her hair simple, with a clean side-parting, and her lip shade earthy, to go perfectly well with the shimmer of that gown. In the end, all we have to say is, keep slaying those Hollywood red carpets, PeeCee!

--- ENDS ---
Nichole Thiel

By: William Martin WorldWideWeirdNews.com

(Scroll down for video) A teacher lost her job after telling her student that she did not have sex in six years before having sex with him at her home, according to police Idaho.

Sandpoint police said that they have arrested 47-year-old Nichole Thiel, after being accused of having sex with her 16-year-old student.

Thiel has been charged with one count of sexual battery. The Coeur dAlene Charter Academy has placed Thiel on leave, pending the outcome of the case.

She could be jailed for up to 25 years if convicted

According to the police investigation, Thiel met the boy while she was teaching at the Lake Pend Oreille High School. One day, Thiel was distraught and the boy tried to console her.

Thiel then asked him for a hug and she kissed him. In another incident, Thiel picked up the boy and took him to her apartment.

She then told the boy that she did not have sex in six years and offered to give him a back rub. They then had sex. Thiel later offered to write a letter of recommendation for the boy to get him into college.
Sad girl (illustration)

By: Michelle Parker WorldWideWeirdNews.com

Millions of people around the world get to low points in their lives.

While many people have family or friends who can support them and help them get through difficult times, thousands of others donat.

These people may feel that their lives are so terrible that it is not worth living. However, death is never the answer to any problem.

I heard someone say that he decided against suicide aas one never knows what the afterlife is like and maybe things will be worse over there.a

This is a sad joke. However, there are so many good reasons why one should never give up on life.

Life will get better. Nobody is down on their luck forever. One is never lost or alone in the world as there are so many people willing and able to help you.

If you are in a situation where you feel helpless and you think that suicide is an option to stop your pain, then call 1-800-SUICIDE (1a800a784a2433) or you can call your local police station, and they can provide you with information and phone numbers to professionals who can help you get through this difficult time.

You may think that taking your own life will stop your misery, depression, loneliness or pain. You might tell yourself the world will be better off without you, or that nobody will notice or care if you are no longer alive.

However, that is not the case. You matter, you deserve to have a better life and you can have a better life.

The first thing to do is to call someone. Whether it is the suicide hotline or someone who you know or trust. It is very important to let someone know how you feel.

If you have the courage, you can make yourself feel better by visiting sick people in a hospital or elderly people at a nursing home. You will be surprised to see how upbeat some of them are. You will see that they donat give up on their lives despite living with constant emotional and physical pain and suffering.

There have been people who attempted to commit suicide, but they were unsuccessful, and they were forced to live with horrific consequences.

One such example is Andy Sandness of Wyoming. Sandness was 21 years old when he attempted to commit suicide.

He used a gun to shoot himself in the mouth. Sandness survived, but he was left with horrific injuries. He lost his teeth, chin, nose, and most of the flesh below his eyes.

He was left very disfigured, which forced him to stay indoors. After ten years of suffering humiliation and being unable to eat properly, Sandness received a groundbreaking transplant surgery. He was giving a completely new face.

Sandness said that after shooting himself, he immediately regretted his actions, but it was too late for him.

Donat do it. You can overcome any situation. Just reach out, stay strong and you will be glad you did.
Unrest in Delhi's colleges continues with several student groups and teachers planning to take out rallies protesting ABVP's violence at the Ramjas campus last week.

By India Today Web Desk: Campuses in Delhi are set to witness several marches and counter-marches tomorrow, with the Left-wing All India Students' Association, Congress-backed National Students Union of India and teachers from Jawaharlal Nehru University set to register their protest over the recent Ramjas violence.

The rallies follow the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's Tiranga march, which was held today. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated students' union raised slogans of 'Vande Mataram' as ABVP members carried the national flag in what they termed a 'march for the nation'.

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Another RSS-affiliated group, Rashtrawadi Shikshak Sangh, a teachers' body, also staged a silent protest at the Ramjas Arts Faculty, demanding a "check on abuse of freedom of speech and expression by the Left-groups".

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW?

NSUI is organising a symbolic one-day hunger strike at the arts faculty, followed by a 'Mashaal' rally.

"While we stand against the ABVP strongly in their attempts to curb students' freedom of expression and misusing 'nationalism' to further their agenda, we also condemn the violent ways of the Left in handling of the situation," a statement by NSUI said.

Students and teachers of DU and JNU, along with AISA members, will stage a march from Khalsa college in the North Campus to the arts faculty against the calling off a street play competition following "threats" from the DU Students' Union.

The march, which is being promoted using hashtags like 'FightbackDUmarch' and 'DUagainstGoondagardi' will also see participation of groups such as 'Pinjra Tod' which have been fighting discriminatory hostel rules.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Kargil martyr's daughter and a Lady Shri Ram College student, who claimed she received rape threats allegedly from ABVP members after she started a social media campaign against the outfit, will also attend the march.

Kaur today was provided protection from Delhi Commission of Women home guards.

Also read: Campus politics turning colleges into battlegrounds, hurting academic freedom?

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?

Ramjas campus saw large-scale violence after the ABVP objected to a seminar at the college where JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited.

This led to a violent clash with ABVP members being accused of beating up students, professors and media persons. The Delhi Crime Branch has opened and investigation into the case. Home Minister Rajnath Singh today ordered the Delhi Police to act with caution with the force coming under allegations of high-handedness.

Also watch: ABVP takes out Tiranga March in Delhi University

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Moneypenny Makes Top 5 in Best Company to Work For List For Second Time

This article is old - Published: Monday, Feb 27th, 2017

A Wrexham-based telephone answering service is celebrating after being named as one of the best companies in the UK to work for.

Moneypenny, which is based on the Western Gateway in Wrexham, was placed 4th in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list.

It is the second time the company has been placed in the top five, securing a 4th position in 2015.

Joanna Swash, Managing Director at Moneypenny, said the company was absolutely thrilled with the result.

We always take pride in what we do, but coming in the top five for the second time left us speechless, said Joanna.

We are amongst fantastic company again this year and its wonderful to see so many businesses taking such care and pride in the welfare of their employees. This accreditation will once again have a huge positive impact on everyone at Moneypenny.

Our business is all about keeping our people happy which in turn keeps our clients happy and its this ethos which has resulted in our extraordinary growth. 

Along with the placement, Moneypenny has also been awarded a prestigious three-star accreditation by Best Companies  only given to those companies deemed extraordinary.

This is the fourth time the company has received a three-star accreditation.

Moneypenny PA, Alice Thompson, said: Its a wonderful feeling to be working for one of the best companies in the country. It really is a lovely place to work, especially with our amazing new offices and I know everyone at Moneypenny will be delighted with this years award.

Jonathan Austin, CEO & Founder of Best Companies, added: I would like to congratulate Moneypenny on their outstanding achievement.

This year it is encouraging to see that more and more organisations are recognising the value of employee engagement and are willing to benchmark themselves against the best to ensure they are offering their employees the best possible experience.

Organisations like Moneypenny have continued to focus on their employees and have been rewarded with an engaged workforce who tell us that this is a great place to work.

The award adds to what has been a busy period for Moneypenny, with the company moving to its brand new bespoke offices on the Western Gateway in September 2016.

The state-of-the-art headquarters, which boasts its very own treehouse and pub, was designed in collaboration with its 500 employees.
Unlicensed Taxi Warning After Woman Was Sexually Assaulted in Wrexham

This article is old - Published: Monday, Feb 27th, 2017

Wrexham County Borough Councils Licensing Section is reminding people of the dangers of using unlicensed private hire vehicles following a recent sexual assault of a woman.

The woman was sexually assaulted last weekend by a man who approached her and posed as a taxi driver.

Reports have also been received from other parts of the country where people suffered injuries after travelling in unlicensed taxis and were unable to claim compensation because the vehicles were uninsured.

Wrexham Councils Licensing Section are now reminding people to take extra precautions and check the vehicle is licensed before using it.

Cllr David Griffiths, Chair of the Councils Licensing Committee said: The only way that a private hire vehicle is legitimate is if it is licensed by the Council and is pre-booked through a private hire company.

It is illegal for a private hire vehicle to accept custom after being hailed down in the street. Only Wrexham licensed Hackney Carriages (Black cabs) are allowed to ply for hire for business in the street.

The Licensing Section, in partnership with North Wales Police, work actively to combat unlicensed taxis and any report of such activity should be reported to them immediately.

A licensed private hire vehicle will display licence plates on the vehicle and the driver will wear an ID badge and display a copy in the windscreen. All private hire vehicles in Wrexham display distinctive yellow stickers on the rear passenger windows.

All licensed drivers will have been DBS Checked for Criminal Records and DVLA motoring convictions.

A licensed Hackney Carriage will display a rear plate and an illuminated roof sign displaying the word TAXI.

To enjoy a safe journey, Wrexham County Borough Councils Licensing Section have issued the following tips:

PRE BOOK  Plan ahead and always pre-book through a licensed operator, alternatively use one of the Hackney ranks in the town centre.

 Plan ahead and always pre-book through a licensed operator, alternatively use one of the Hackney ranks in the town centre. CHECK THE DETAILS  Ask for details of the car when making the booking and make sure that the driver knows the destination and the name it was booked under, when it arrives.

 Ask for details of the car when making the booking and make sure that the driver knows the destination and the name it was booked under, when it arrives. CHECK THE PLATES  Make sure that the vehicle is plated with private hire licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle. Private hire plates are white, Hackney plates are purple and on the rear only.

 Make sure that the vehicle is plated with private hire licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle. Private hire plates are white, Hackney plates are purple and on the rear only. ASK FOR ID  Ask to see the drivers ID badge. He or she is obliged to wear this badge in such a manner as to be distinctly visible. There is no reason a driver should refuse to show this to the customer and they must have it in their possession to carry out licensed journeys.

 Ask to see the drivers ID badge. He or she is obliged to wear this badge in such a manner as to be distinctly visible. There is no reason a driver should refuse to show this to the customer and they must have it in their possession to carry out licensed journeys. DO NOT give any personal details to the driver, other than what is needed to get to the destination.

If you suspect that someone is acting as an unlicensed taxi, you can report this to the Licensing Section on 01978 315786, alternatively contact the Police on 101. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
Delhi University professor Prasanta Chakravarty was nearly strangled with his own muffler by suspected members of ABVP during the protest outside Ramjas College on February 22.

By Parbina Purkayastha: Delhi University professor Prasanta Chakravarty who was attacked and nearly strangled with his own muffler by suspected members of the ABVP during the Ramjas College protest said he is hurt at being called an "anti-national".

"It does upset me (to be called an anti-national). My students have raised this issue and they will fight against it. I will not lecture on it anymore," the professor said while recovering from the injuries sustained during the violent clash on the Delhi University campus on February 22.

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HERE IS WHAT THE PROFESSOR SAID: On participating in the protest after Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were not allowed to speak at at a seminar in Ramjas College: I consider my students to be friends, we have a culture of argument, discussions and debates. This idea of protest was for solidarity and it's a regular thing but it led to some kind of political wresting on the campus, and it has become a kind of cycle. On the 'azaadi' video in which some students allegedly raise 'anti-India' slogans: I did not witness any such slogans. It was a peaceful protest against the cancellation of the seminar. On being called an anti-national: It does upset me. My students have raised this issue and they will fight against it. I will not lecture on it anymore. On Gurmehar Kaur getting threats after her Facebook post against alleged hooliganism by ABVP activists: (It is a ) sign of polarisation and she is the latest victim of emotional blackmailing. She is bound to get threats, trolling is a pattern in social media and she must fight back. On seeking justice: I am talking to my legal friends who understand law well and will plan accordingly. The other justice (I seek) is one beyond the legal system. On his health: My condition is not that serious.. I was unconscious and had shooting pain the day before so had to be rushed to the hospital. They (doctors) thoroughly inspected me and found long-term abdominal issues, which will take time to cure. My ribs are not broken but have gone through a lot of stress. This means I have to take care of myself and can't take classes.

ALSO READ:

Virender Sehwag, Randeep Hooda accused of bullying Kargil martyr's daughter who spoke against ABVP

Professor beaten up by ABVP mob has ribs broken, severe internal injuries

Gurmehar Kaur: Stones were not pelted at Umar Khalid but on Ramjas students

ALSO WATCH

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On February 20, Professor Juan Cole, a University of Michigan professor of Middle Eastern history, gave a talk at the university on the subject of the Syrian civil war. His presentation was a remarkable exercise in deceit and intellectual chicanery aimed at whitewashing the role of US imperialism and providing support for the political establishments anti-Russia campaign.

The talk, entitled From Damascus to Aleppo: Whats Going on in Syria?, was hosted by two University of Michigan student organizations: the Michigan Refugee Assistance Program and Books Not Bombs. It was billed as a teach-in to inform students about the ongoing conflict in Syria, its complexities, and the overall effect the civil war has had on the region and the globe.

One could scarcely imagine a person less qualified to give such a talk than Cole. After coming to prominence as a critic of the George W. Bush administration and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Cole has since made his peace with US imperialism and become one of its most reliable defenders. On his blog, Informed Comment, he has served as both cheerleader and apologist for US-led imperialist interventions, declaring in 2011, To make anti-imperialism trump all other values in a mindless way leads to frankly absurd positions. He later added, If NATO needs me, Im there.

Cole played a particularly filthy role during the Obama administrations bombing of Libya, a criminal act that unleashed immense bloodshed throughout the country. Cole was among the most prominent of supposedly left academics who promoted the Obama White Houses fraudulent pretexts for launching the war for regime-change against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, claiming the US-led bombing campaign in conjunction with Al Qaeda-linked proxy forces on the ground was a crusade for human rights.

Cole welcomed the brutal murder of Gadaffi by US-backed Islamist rebels and declared the result of the war, which killed at least 50,000 Libyans, a triumph for democracy. He angrily dismissed any suggestion that Washingtons motives were linked to Libyas possessing the largest oil reserves of any African country.

He denounced those like the World Socialist Web Site who opposed the imperialist slaughter, crudely declaring that the Left needs to learn to chew gum and walk at the same time. Despite Libyas subsequent descent into chaos, Cole has never accounted for his position, retracted his enthusiastic support for the war, or withdrawn his slanders against those who opposed the US aggression.

The University of Michigan professor has continued his propaganda in behalf of the policies of the CIA and Pentagon, promoting the US-orchestrated war for regime-change in Syria, which has killed hundreds of thousands and turned millions into refugees, as yet another campaign for democracy and human rights. He has as well joined in the campaign of the intelligence agencies and their allies in the Democratic Party and the media to whip up a war fever against Russia and demonize Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At last weeks event, Cole began by saying he would be talking about the Syrian war in an abstract way, thereby giving himself license to cherry pick, or ignore, facts as he pleased. He described a Syrian revolution led by young people and unemployed farm workers, one aimed at overthrowing the Baathist state, which he described as a kind of mixture of the Arab nationalism and communism.

He gave lengthy descriptions of atrocities attributed to the Syrian government and Russia, while saying nothing of the crimes committed by the US-backed, Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militias that make up the bulk of the rebel fighting force. He dismissed the dominance within the anti-government forces of the al-Nusra Front and other jihadist militias as merely the result of battlefield alliances.

An example of the impressionism and charlatanry of his analysis was his characterization of the US-backed Kurdish militias, which he described as a sort of post-communist movement... the dominant political force is a unique leftism. Its feminist and they have female Muslim fighters. Its egalitarian, and some people think its a little bit fascist.

Discussing the refugee crisis, Cole revealed his attitude toward the international working class, declaring, Nobody has figured out how to mechanize the picking up strawberries, and I never in my life will ever have a job picking strawberries... and so if the strawberries are going to get picked, its going to have to be somebody else... They are not taking our jobs when they do that; in fact, they are providing us strawberries. In other words, refugees should be allowed into the country so as to provide a source of cheap, ultra-exploitable labor.

Cole cited figures that spoke to the scope of the catastrophe in Syria, including the 11 million people displaced and nearly half a million dead. However, he presented this as being entirely due to the Syrian and Russian military response. He said nothing about the US bombing campaign, the CIAs support for opposition forces, or the billions of dollars spent by the US to funnel weapons into the country. Based on Coles dishonest presentation, one would have no idea that the US was even involved in the Syrian civil war.

The decision to militarize the opposition groups was presented as an unfortunate mistake, one that Cole claims he advised against in a 2012 meeting he attended with opposition leaders called by the European Council on Foreign Relations. Of course, by supporting the regime-change operation while claiming to have opposed its militarization, Cole seeks to have his imperialist cake and eat it too.

During the question and answer period, a World Socialist Web Site reporter stated, You gave a presentation on Syria without mentioning the US bombing campaign. You supported the war of the US and NATO on Libya, and that country has been destroyed. Is your failure to mention the US role there an attempt to cover up for its history and for future war crimes as they prepare a new invasion of Syria?

In response, Cole began by accusing the reporter of trolling. He then claimed to have supported a no fly zone in Libya while opposing any attempt to bomb Libya into submission or to use it for regime-change. This is a lie, one, moreover, that is contradicted by his own statements at the time.

In a March 2011 blog post, he wrote: The Libya intervention is legal and was necessary to prevent further massacres and to forestall a threat to democratization in Tunisia and Egypt, and if it succeeds in getting rid of Gaddafis murderous regime and allowing Libyans to have a normal life, it will be worth the sacrifices in life and treasure.

Cole went on to say that his stance on Libya was morally and ethically and politically correct. This despite the fact that the imperialist intervention unleashed chaos in the country, killing tens of thousands and setting off a factional civil war that continues to this day.

According to a January 2017 Human Rights Watch report, Armed groups, some affiliated with rival governments vying for legitimacy and territorial control, detained, tortured, disappeared and unlawfully killed people with impunity in Libya during 2016... Nearly 500,000 people are internally displaced, the economy and judicial system have collapsed, and hundreds of thousands of foreign migrants and asylum-seekers risk harsh detention and torture as they transit through Libya in the hope of reaching Europe. Although weakened, Islamist militants, including fighters who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (also known as ISIS), continue to control territory and commit abuses.

In 2016 alone, at least 4,518 people drowned or went missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to escape the bloodshed in Libya. These are the lives that Cole was so eager to sacrifice for the sake of overthrowing Gaddafi.

Cole went on to claim that the United States hasnt been very much involved in Syria, despite the fact that the US dropped more bombs on Syria in 2016 than on any other country. He claimed that the vast majority of destruction and bombing was inflicted by the Russian air force, before asking, Why does Russia always get a pass in these things? What it did in Syria is imperialistic.

He continued the anti-Russian line in his concluding remarks, which focused on President Trumps alleged ties to Putin. We now have elected a president who has made very clear what his policy is... Hes all for [Syrian President] Bashar [al-Assad], and hes buddy-buddy with Putin, and he says, you know, if Russia wants to take care of Syria, let them. So he more or less has acquiesced in Syria being a Russian sphere of influence and in Russias role in propping up the Bashar al-Assad regime.

This lines Cole up with the McCarthyite campaign being conducted by the military-intelligence complex, Democratic Party, key sections of the Republican Party and media to paint Trump as a puppet of Putin. Like Cole, the political establishment is furious at the idea of Syria being anything other than an American sphere of influence.

The sections of the ruling elite and the state that are leading the campaign against Trump are doing so not on the basis of his assault on democratic rights and his police state crackdown on immigrants, but rather out of concern that he is backing away from the Obama administrations aggressive drive toward military confrontation with Russia.

Coles evolution from a critic of the Bush administration to a cheerleader for imperialism is not merely the degradation of an individual. He exemplifies the movement of an entire social layer, one that grew comfortably wealthy during the stock market boom of the Clinton, Bush and Obama years, even as the living standards of the vast majority fell. These upper-middle-class layers have largely buried the hatchet with imperialism and embraced sacrifices in life and treasure for the sake of US global hegemony, concentrating their efforts on providing imperialist interventions with a humanitarian gloss.
Thomas Perez, secretary of labor under Obama and the candidate of the bulk of the Democratic Party establishment, was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee at a DNC meeting in Atlanta, Georgia Saturday.

Perez defeated his main challenger, Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, by 235-200 on the second ballot, after falling one vote short of a first-ballot victory. The close vote revealed tensions within the Democratic Party in the wake of the crushing defeat of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and the dismal position of the party in Congress, governorships and state legislatures, where the Obama presidency coincided with drastic losses in lower-level offices.

While only 39 of the DNCs 447 members backed Sanders last year against Clinton, Ellisons total was five times as large. This reflects both a shift in the composition of the committee, as well as a decision by sections of the party establishment, personified by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to bring Sanders, a former independent, more directly into the party leadership.

Former DNC Chair Howard Dean also gave his endorsement to Ellison, along with numerous congressional Democrats and union officials. Ellison also had the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America and other groups, including pseudo-left organizations that orbit around the Democratic Party and seek to give it a left face.

In the end, however, the assembled delegates went for Perez, a candidate with firmer establishment credentials who enjoyed the open support of former Vice President Joe Biden and the tacit backing of Obama himself.

Immediately after his victory, Perez nominated Ellison as party vice-chairman, which was approved by a voice vote of the DNC members, in a bid to paper over the divisions between former Sanders and former Clinton supporters on the committee.

For all the factional divisions between Sanders and Clinton backers and recriminations over the loss of the presidential election, there was virtually no discussion of policy or program during the campaign for the DNC chairmanship.

During a Democratic leadership debate last Wednesday on CNN, political questions were hardly discussed at all. Instead, nine-tenths of the proceedings revolved around technical aspects of electioneering, and how to repair the partys image. The remaining one-tenth was reserved for endorsements of imperialist foreign policy and bellicose threats against Russia.

Ellison, when pressed by the CNN moderator, declared his support for the US alliance with Israel as a cornerstone of foreign policy in the Middle East, in an effort to counter the whispering campaign against him because of his Muslim faith.

When the topic changed to the unsubstantiated allegations that Russia was responsible for last years hacking of Democratic Party emails, the candidates took turns denouncing Russia and Trump as a Russian agent.

The candidates did not even hint that the partys election debacle last November might have had something to do with the fact that eight years of austerity and war under Obama had engendered mass disillusionment and anger. Instead, they blamed their losses on a combination of insufficiently vigorous campaigning and Russian interference.

While the candidates engaged in hand-wringing over the loss of public faith in the integrity of the Democrats primary process, they studiously avoided mentioning the content of leaked Democratic Party emails which demonstrated that the DNC colluded with Clinton to discredit Sanders campaign. This is all the more remarkable because the revelations forced the resignation of the previous DNC chair, Represenative Debbie Wasserman-Schulz.

The entire proceedings on Saturday were a political fraud. Despite the attempts to provide the election with a pseudo-popular gloss through a televised leadership debate, the affair really attested to the insular, upper-class character of the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party is a party of American imperialism, which is hostile to and distant from the working class, and whose real constituency consists of Wall Street, the CIA and the military, along with a narrow layer of the upper-middle class mobilized largely on the basis of an appeal to identity politics. As if to drive the point home, the DNC voted down a measure to reinstate a ban on campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists only hours before Saturdays leadership vote.

The day after his election, Perez got down to brass tacks, appearing on Sunday morning talk shows to denounce Russia and call for an investigation into Russian rigging of the general election. What we need to be looking at is whether this election was rigged by Donald Trump and his buddy Vladimir Putin, Perez told CNN.

Even more revealing was the appearance of Bernie Sanders on CNNs State of the Union program, praising as Perez as a very, very good secretary of labor, and adding that he has a real opportunity on his hands. And I hope he seizes it.

Sanders continued, We have got to open up the party to working people, to young people, and make it crystal clear that the Democratic Party is going to take on Wall Street, it's going to take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, its going to take on corporate America that is shutting down plants in this country and moving our jobs abroad.

In other words, Sanders reiterated his 2016 posture of presenting the Democratic Party as the only alternative to the Republicans, while at the same time suggesting a possible agreement with the Trump administration on the basis of economic nationalism.

When CNN host Jake Tapper showed him a clip of Steve Bannon, the fascistic chief strategist for the Trump White House, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference last Thursday, and hailing Trumps decision to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, Sanders said nothing at all about Bannons ultra-right record as the CEO of Breitbart News, where he formed close ties with neo-Nazis and anti-Semites in the alt-right.

Instead, Sanders tried to outflank Trump and Bannon as an economic nationalist, declaring that he had been hostile to trade deals like NAFTA long before Trump, and adding, the devil is in the details as to what Trump is going to do. What we need is a fair trade policy, not an unfettered free trade policy.

This only underscores that there will be no genuine opposition to the fascistic agenda of the Trump administration from any section of the Democratic Party.
The International Longshoremens Association (ILA) has threatened to call a day of action to shut down ports along the East and Gulf coasts to protest government interference in hiring practices and job losses on the docks. The union is expected to soon announce the date for the work stoppage, which would also include a march on Washington, DC.

Dockworkers around the world are coming under relentless pressure on their jobs and working conditions, intensified by the global economic downturn. Over the past decade ports and terminals have committed massive investments to expand capacity and accommodate mega-size ships. US East Coast ports anticipated a bonanza from the expansion of the Panama Canal, which finished last year. However, the rapid growth in world trade, which far exceeded overall economic growth in the 1990s and early 2000s, has given way to a sharp slowdown in recent years, with little improvement on the horizon.

Longshore workers are on the front line of the drive by shipping line owners and terminal operators to recoup investment through imposing changes to work rules, forcing through cuts to wages and benefits, and increasing deployment of automated machinery. Throughout the world state-owned terminals are also being privatized.

The call for a work stoppage follows a number of recent job actions, including a one-day unsanctioned walkout in New York and New Jersey in January, 2016 and a slowdown at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina earlier this year. Internationally the situation is just as volatile. Most recently, 6,000 Spanish dockworkers have carried out protests and are preparing to strike in March to defend jobs against attacks by employers and the Spanish and EU governments.

Over the past month, informal negotiations resumed between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents employers, well in advance of the September, 2018 contract expiration. The main issues, according to the ILA, are ensuring local contracts are settled concurrently with the master contract and preventing full terminal automation.

In a statement last week announcing the walkout plans, however, the ILA stressed the forthcoming action was limited to appealing to Washington to end overregulation. Its up to the Congress to save our nations ports. We cant do it alone, the statement read. The ILA cited policies at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina and the Port of New York and New Jersey as examples, which have caused immeasurable damage to the nations economy.

At the Port of Charleston, the union denounced the state-run port authoritys partial use of state employees to operate cranes and perform other duties typically carried out by ILA labor at other ports. As state employees, these dockworkers in South Carolina are barred from collective bargaining under state law. A provision in the 2013 master contract encouraged state-run ports to alter port business models to allow the jurisdiction of ILA to expand. However, this agreement has not resulted in any significant changes.

The ILA also decried the role of the Waterfront Commission in New York and New Jersey. The Commission, set up in the 1950s ostensibly to combat graft and the influence of the Mafia on the docks, maintains authority to oversee the hiring process of longshore workers. Itself plagued by corruption, the bi-state agency began aggressively asserting its power over the past few years after a long period of dormancy. They have held up hundreds of new hires, charging that racial minorities and women were underrepresented. The charges by the Waterfront Commission were backed by Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka, whose hand-picked referrals failed to obtain longshore jobs. Under the last contract, the ILA and employers have a near-equal share in determining new hires. At present hundreds of jobs remain vacant or filled with temporary workers.

The dispute over who will control hiring has nothing to do with protecting the jobs, living standards and work conditions of dockworkersof all races and nationalitieswhich have continued to deteriorate.

The Port of New York and New Jersey faces intense competition from its southern neighbors in Norfolk, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia for discretionary cargo destined for the interior states. With the expansion of the Panama Canal to accommodate larger ships, these and other ports have scrambled to deepen harbors, expand terminals, and in the case of New York/New Jersey, raise an 85-year-old bridge to attract more cargo.

Yet despite these ongoing, often poorly planned and partial investments, the port and inland infrastructure remains ill equipped to process the huge surge of containers with each large ship call. Even before the largest vessels arrive on the East Coast, horrific congestion has plagued ports around the country. Twice this past week, police were forced to restrict truck traffic on the approaching roads to port terminals in New Jersey where trucks waited several hours to pick up containers.

The response by port business has been to push towards automation as a means of improving productivity. On the East Coast, terminals in Norfolk, Baltimore and Jersey City, New Jersey have already implemented semi-automated cargo handling technology. Port operators are also seeking to change work rules put in place to protect the safety of longshoremen working above, below and in-between thousands of bus-sized cargo containers.

There is growing concern among cargo owners and port interests that opposition to these attacks by longshore workers will erupt in open conflict. With many billions of dollars of cargo moving through US ports each day, the economic stakes are immense. As an indication of the nervousness, an industry group, Agriculture Transport Coalition, responded to the planned one-day shutdown by asking Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to intervene to prevent the stoppage. The coalition cited Chaos intervention as labor secretary under George W. Bush to seek a back-to-work order for locked-out West Coast longshore workers in 2002.

In 2015, Obamas Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, just elected to the chair of the Democratic National Committee, intervened to force an end to the dispute of 20,000 West Coast dock workers and push through a concessions contract with the collusion of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

ILA officials last week addressed a rally of protesting dockworkers in Spain. The union, however, is thoroughly opposed to a common international fight against the global corporations and big businesses that defend them.

The ILAs call for the limited port shutdown is an attempt to redirect dockworkers anger and dissipate their resistance to job losses and speedup. The union negotiated a no-strike clause into the current contract, leaving the port owners legal recourse to go after striking workers. The ILAs focus on jurisdictional issues is meant to ensure a continued dues base, not to defend workers rights. The invocation of overregulation and overreaching bureaucracies is an embrace of the anti-working-class agenda of Trump, as ILA Vice President Kenneth Riley made clear in a statement last week. We are protesting damage to the nations economy that is caused by the kind of interference that President Donald Trump promised to stop, he said.
To enforce its mass deportation program, the Trump administrations immigration advisors have proposed that the Department of Homeland Security double the number of people held in immigration detention centers to 80,000 per day. Such a massive increase in detentions will require the erection of a vast prison apparatus to house migrants who have committed the crime of escaping the violence and poverty of their war-torn home countries.

According to a February 23 USA Today report, several of the private prison companies profiting from immigrant detention donated heavily to Trumps inauguration festivities. The report shows that GEO Group and CoreCivic each gave $250,000 to fund Trumps inauguration.

GEO Group CEO Pablo Paez told USA Today that the corporation does not take a position on or advocate for or against any specific criminal justice, sentencing or immigration policy when asked about his donation to Trumps inauguration. However, one industry analyst could not help but note that the ICE picture bodes well for the private prisons.

They certainly have reason to celebrate: Stock shares of the two biggest private prison operatorsCoreCivic (formerly know as Corrections Corp. of America) and GEO Grouphave doubled since the election of Donald Trump. These two companies, both real estate investment trusts, account for 85 percent of the private prison market in the United States.

Shares have increased further since Attorney General Jefferson Sessions announced last week that the new administration would not reduce the Department of Justices use of private prisons. Sessions claimed phasing out private prison use would impair the ability of the government to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system.

As of November 2016, 65 percent of ICE detainees were being held in facilities run by for-profit prison companies. These companies make money by charging the government a per-detainee, per-night fee and depend on profits made from cost cutting for detainee services.

The language of the new memos outlines blanket policies targeting virtually all undocumented individuals and gives the for-profit prison industry reason to believe its services will be in high demand: With extremely limited exceptions, DHS will not exempt classes or categories of removal aliens from potential enforcement. The total number of people now targeted under these policies have been estimated at anywhere from 8 million to all 11.4 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

As outlined in documents handed down to top Homeland Security officials in late January, the various immigration institutions have been instructed to rescind programs that allow people to leave immigration custody and check in with federal agents or wear an ankle monitor while their cases run through the system. The new policy is to detain these individuals for future deportation at the discretion of the local ICE officials.

Plans for expanded detention are being devised by Trumps top officials behind closed doors. To manage the immediate influx, the administration is sending migrants to two new facilities commissioned by the Obama administration before leaving office.

The first, Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, opened in November and can hold 700 immigrants, including a separate 36-bed unit for transgender individuals. The Obama administration arranged the opening of this facility through a no-bid contract with the Louisiana-based private prison corporation Emerald Correctional Management. The corporation manages six other detention facilities and has faced numerous allegations of mistreating detained immigrants.

The second, Folkston ICE Processing Center, is a 780-bed center that is set to open in the coming months in south Georgia. This facility, arranged through a no-bid contract with Florida-based GEO Group, will cost $116.7 million over the next five years. GEO has also been accused of neglect and mistreatment of detainees, including denying attorneys and families access at the Adelanto Detention Facility in California.

The opening of these facilities exposes the role of the many pseudo-left organizations whose growing nostalgia for the days of the Obama administration obscures the reality of the administrations criminal role in paving the way for Trump. It is a testament to the profound depths to which the Democratic Party has plummeted that the Obama administrations attention to identity within their barbarous prison system would be hailed as progressive.

The Obama administration carried out a widespread attack on immigrants over its eight years in office. In addition to deporting more immigrants than any other president in US history, the legacy of Obama includes laying the groundwork for a massive detention network within the United States.

There are currently over 200 immigration jails across the country at which the government detains hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. In 2013, the last year for which there is accurate data, 441,000 individuals were held by the government in these facilities.

The detention system operates under a congressionally mandated quota that requires ICE to maintain 34,000 detention beds at any given time. Under this policy, the profits of the for-profit prison corporations will be guaranteed. This policy, known as the detention bed quota, was introduced by Democratic Senator Robert Byrd under the Obama administration in 2009, a time when there was a Democratic Party majority in both the House and the Senate.

These facilities are infamous for their inhumane treatment of detainees, including inadequate access to medical care and legal services, lack of clean clothes, unregulated food service and reports of physical and sexual abuse, among many others. Since 2003, 167 people have died in immigration custody.

World Socialist Web Site reporters visited one such detention center outside of El Paso, Texas, called the West Texas Detention Facility. The center, which began taking immigration detainees in 2004, holds up to 1,053 immigrants. It is located in the desolate town of Sierra Blanca, which has a population of 553 and a poverty rate of nearly 30 percent. Located off the highway down a dirt road, the facility is surrounded by multiple chain link fences topped with razor wire and patrolled 24 hours a day by ICE vehicles.

In order to reach a detainee by phone, one must call and leave a message with the facility with the detainees full name and identification number, known as their alien number. Money must also be added to the detainee's phone account as they are not permitted to make free phone calls. Only those individuals who are added to the visitation list by the inmate at the time of initial processing may visit at the designated visitation hours, which are limited, and separate for males and females.

A 2007 audit of the facility by the consulting firm Creative Corrections exposed deficient food services, a lack of detainee grievance procedures, mismanagement of storing and maintaining hazardous materials, lack of clean clothes and an inability of families to leave money or property for the inmates. Despite these documented charges, the audit gave the facility a rating of acceptable.

There is no shortage of detainment horror stories and cases similar to or much worse than the West Texas detention facility. There are some locations which have even gone as far as altering the rules to lower facility standards in order to stay open, as in the case of the South Texas Family Residential Center.

In 2016 a state court threatened that it would shut down the facility unless childcare was improved. In response, the jail attempted to lower its own standards for childcare by increasing the maximum number of room occupants and allowing unrelated adults to share bedrooms. In this way, the facility was able to continue housing children. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services explicitly stated the standard was lowered to assist the Obama administration in executing its immigration policy.

The many barriers put in place to prevent oversight and the Spanish-speaking detainees lack of access to legal services means those allegations that end up being reported likely represent only a small fraction of the abuse migrants face in these jails.

The Obama administration was well aware of the conditions and crimes in the detention facilities which they insisted on filling. Even as many locations were forced to close over allegations of abuse or inadequate care, new contracts were simultaneously being drawn up and signed with the very same private prison companies running the shut-down facilities.

The massive system of for-profit incarceration, and the tools of repression which have been built up to sustain it, were forged long before Obama came to office. The 1980s and 1990s saw the introduction of for-profit prisons and draconian drug laws used to fill the new cells under the auspices of the War on Drugs. This growing apparatus was then expanded drastically under the War on Terror in the early 2000s. The Obama administration represents one link in the long chain of policies carried out by the American ruling class which have culminated in Trumps executive orders.

These methods have today been turned against immigrants, one of the most vulnerable layers of the population. The fact that corporations could reap windfall profits on the mass incarceration of immigrants seeking to escape the violence and poverty of their home countries is a damning indictment of the capitalist system.
The March 2 elections for the 90 seats of the Northern Ireland Assembly will take place in conditions of mounting political turmoil.

The Brexit crisis, followed by the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency, has greatly exacerbated divisions between Europe and America and is provoking open conflict between the UK government and the European Union (EU). In addition, the British ruling class and all its political parties are split between Brexit supporters and those whose interests are entangled with continued British membership of the EU.

Whatever the outcome of the election, the power-sharing arrangements between pro-British unionist and Irish nationalist parties are coming unstuck.

The election was triggered by the resignation of Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Sinn Feins refusal to immediately nominate a replacement. Sinn Finn seized on the long-running Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) scandal as an opportunity to attack their unionist rivals and partners in power, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Sinn Fein has stated they will not re-enter government with the DUP under leader Arlene Foster until the conclusion of a public inquiry into RHI. Party spokesman, West Belfast MLA Pat Sheehan, insisted there would be no revival of the assembly, housed in Belfasts Stormont Palace, without an Irish language act, a bill of rights and agreement on how to deal with the legacy issues of the Troubles.

Between 1969 and 1998, Northern Ireland was torn apart by an extended low-level war between the British Army and forces loyal to the Protestant-dominated Ulster (Northern Ireland) government on the one hand and Irish republican forces dominated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) on the other.

The conflict resulted in thousands of deaths and was brought to an end under the auspices of Tony Blairs Labour government, when, backed by the EU and the US, a deal was put together which opened the door PIRAs political wing, Sinn Fein, to share power in the Northern Ireland government with the pro-British unionists. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement and subsequent deals allowed the British military presence to be vastly reduced, the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic to be de-militarised and facilitated a considerable flow of EU funds and global investment into the formerly investment-starved north.

Political life, as codified in the agreement, remained divided on sectarian and community lines, with parties being required to identify themselves as Unionist or Nationalist. The vicious anti-Catholic discrimination which characterised Northern Ireland from its founding in 1921 at the conclusion of the Irish War of Independence morphed into a new form of institutionalised sectarianism, which served and serves to divide the working class.

Since 2007, Sinn Fein and their former arch enemies, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and then later the DUP have run Northern Ireland in the mutual interests of rival cliques of the upper middle class seeking to fill their pockets while jointly imposing austerity measures.

Deepening social inequality and a host of ever more egregious corruption scandals have exposed both ruling parties and the institutions they uphold as hostile to the interests of the working class.

In addition, the British decision to leave the EU is generating enormous alarm in both parts of the island. While factions of the ruling elite in the north see departure from the EU as offering new opportunities to slash taxes and drive down living standards, the dominant faction in the south and a significant section of the northern bourgeoisie extending beyond Sinn Feins normal constituency see Brexit as undermining both trade with Britain and Irelands position in transatlantic transactions between the US and the EU.

Concerns are centred on the border, which 20 years ago was marked with heavily fortified military and police checkpoints and patrolled by British Army helicopters but which is now almost invisible. Today over 200 crossing points carry around 177,000 lorries, 208,000 vans and 1.85 million cars every month. Any disruption to this flow of goods, commuters and travelers threatens an economic collapse on both sides. Theresa Mays Conservative government have, however, made clear they intend to leave the EUs customs union, thereby making the 1921 partition line an external EU border.

The British and Irish governments have repeatedly insisted that no border checks will be imposed, but no one has yet come up with a means to explain how this can be done. Instead, the border and even the status of Northern Ireland are becoming one of many bargaining chips in the high stakes struggle between Britain and the EU over the terms of the countrys departure.

Following recent talks between Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny, and the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, Kenny and Juncker announced their shared aim that, according to Kenny, the language of what is contained in the Good Friday Agreement will also be contained in the negotiations outcomereferring to the a final deal between the EU and Britain. In other words, if at some future time, whenever that might be if it were to occur, that Northern Ireland would have ease of access to join as a member of the European Union again.

Northern Ireland voted by 56 to 44 percent to remain in the EU, but the DUP campaigned for a leave vote and even served as a conduit for pro-Brexit cash to be funnelled into leave adverts in London, thereby avoiding limits on referendum expenditure.

Deep divisions between the EU and the US that have emerged in recent years over Irelands status as a low tax haven for US tech and chemical companies are further complicated by the election of Trump.

The EU has demanded the Irish government collect 13 billion in taxes from, among others, the US-based Apple Corporation. There is widespread speculation as to the impact of Trumps America First agenda in exacerbating these tensions and the impact this will have on Ireland.

Irish journalist Fintan OToole questioned whether post-Brexit Britain securing a quick and unfavourable trade deal with the US would mean that the Northern Ireland border would become a geopolitical fault line not only between Britain and the EU but between European and US-dominated power blocs.

This is the context of Sinn Feins decision to effectively shut down the Northern Ireland government, at least for the duration of the RHI enquiry and pending full implementation of outstanding issues from the Good Friday Agreement. Direct rule from London, something the British government is keen to avoid, will necessarily be imposed instead. Sinn Feins aim would seem to be to marginalise Stormont during the Brexit negotiations, while pushing forward their case for a new border poll on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein is the only all Ireland party and has been mooted as a coalition partner for both the main bourgeois parties in the south, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

Fosters DUP warned in response of a brutal election, which can only mean a savagely sectarian campaign harking back to the days of the Protestant hegemony. This month, the DUP voted, like the vast majority of MPs, to trigger Article 50 in the House of Commons. It also voted against an amendment put forward by Northern Irelands nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) to preserve rights for the people of Northern Ireland contained in the Good Friday Agreement and upheld by the EU. Foster has reiterated her intention to cut the corporate tax rate to 12.5 percent in line with the Republic of Ireland, or even as low as 10 percent.
A military tribunal sentenced Israeli army medic Elor Azaria to a derisory eighteen months in jail last week and demoted him for summarily executing 21-year Palestinian Abdel al-Fattah al-Sharif in March, 2016. The punishment, if indeed it goes ahead at all, is less than Palestinian youths get for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.

Al-Sharifs family reacted angrily to the derisory sentence, with his father calling the trial a farce. He told the media, It is only a mock trial to silence people and the families.

The sentence, announced more than a month after Azarias conviction, marks a further shift to the right in favour of the extremist forces that successive governments have done so much to promote, and on which Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahus right-wing coalition government depends.

These layers have been emboldened by the support of US President Donald Trump, who has promised to be the most pro-Israel president in history. They believe they now have carte blanche to do as they please in pursuit of their Greater Israel project, both within the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel itself.

The Azaria verdict gives Israels army, increasingly dominated by ultra-nationalist and religious layers, the green light to impose an even more repressive regime against the Palestinians.

Al-Sharif was one of two Palestinian assailants alleged to have stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier in Hebron last March. Israeli soldiers shot and seriously wounded both, killing one. More than ten minutes later, Azaria shot and killed al-Sharif as he lay incapacitated on the ground, saying that the Palestinian needs to die.

The summary execution, like numerous others routinely whitewashed by the army, only attracted international attention and condemnation because a volunteer for the Israeli human rights organisation Btselem filmed the incident. The video went viral on social media, forcing the military authorities to arrest and charge Azaria. Even Netanyahu felt obliged to criticise the sergeants behaviour as not complying with the armys rules of engagement and morals.

Far right forces, including government ministers, whipped up a ferocious campaign against Azarias indictment with the Israeli media calling him everyones son. This had an impact, with the prosecution downgrading the initial murder charge to one of manslaughter.

The attempt to portray the 20-year old as a typical young Israeli conscript was soon exposed. Azaria mixed in extreme right wing circles, including the followers of the late Meir Kahane, whose pro-settler Kach party was barred from seeking election to parliament in 1988 for inciting racial hatred.

Azaria was notorious for his hatred of Arabs, which he voiced repeatedly on social media, calling for the massacre of every Palestinian in Gaza during Israels murderous 2014 assault.

Following the guilty verdict in January, the soldier, who conducted himself as though he were a national hero, declared he would appeal and seek a pardon from Israels president.

Riots erupted, with dozens of protestors shouting Gadi, Gadi, beware, Rabin. This was a very clear message that Gadi Eizenkot, the IDF chief of staff, who had ordered Azarias prosecution, would meet the same fate as Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated by a right-wing opponent of the Oslo Accords in 1995.

Netanyahu, who soon changed his line on Azarias indictment, and several cabinet ministers called for a presidential pardon. Netanyahu said that the verdict was a hard day for everyone, above all to Elor and his family and even called the sergeants father to express his sympathy. There was no mistaking the prime ministers message: a murderer who said that the Palestinian deserved to die should go scot-free.

Such was the furore that the three judges, who unanimously rejected Azarias defence case, received death threats and had to be protected with bodyguards.

The case has been the subject of vicious infighting within military and political circles. Eizenkot and former defence minister Moshe Yaalon were determined to bring Azaria to trial, not only in a thoroughly dishonest attempt to assert Israels pretensions to being the most moral army in the world but also to reduce the role of the right wing, which they believe had hijacked the IDF.

Most of the IDFs daily operations involve patrolling the occupied West Bank and suppressing Palestinian opposition to the settlers who have taken their land and carry out daily provocations against the Palestinians, destroying their farms and livelihoods and attacking their property and lives. In effect, the IDF functions to protect the settlements that consume much of the government budget. At the same time, the number of officers from a national-religious background in the IDF, a largely secular institution, has risen to more than 30 percent, despite such layers constituting just 10 percent of the population.

In a particularly notorious incident, Ofer Winter, the commander of Givati Brigade, exhorted his soldiers going into Gaza during the IDFs murderous assault on the besieged enclave in 2014, to fight the enemy who curses Gods name. The invocation of a holy war was seen as a challenge to the IDFs secular leadership, prompting Yaalon and Eizenkot to try to reduce the influence of the settlers and their supporters in the army.

Netanyahu forced Yaalon to resign weeks after the defence minister had criticised Azarias actions, and replaced him with the virulently anti-Arab Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the ultra-right Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is our Home) Party.

Bowing to the right wing media campaign and following reported attempts by the military authorities to do a deal with Azarias family to stop them appealing, the military judges imposed a much shorter sentence than even the military prosecutors had demanded.

Azarias brutality and fascistic views are the product of Israels policy towards the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the Palestinian minority within Israel. The brutal suppression and dispossession of the Palestinians stems from settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Syrias Golan Heights, home to more than 800,000 Israeli Jews as of December 2015 (13 percent of Israels Jewish population). This is set to increase sharply following Trumps inauguration, with the government having already approved the construction of more than 6,000 new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The entire ruling elite is openly hostile to the Palestinian population, routinely describing them as terrorists or supporters of terrorism who must be dealt with by ruthless repression in an effort to force them to leave.

At the same time, the government is seeking to prevent any reporting of its brutality and human rights abuses. In the last week, Israel announced it is to stop issuing work visas to Human Rights Watch (HRW) staff, accusing the NGO of not being a real human rights group. The Foreign Ministry said that HRWs public activities and reports have engaged in politics in the service of Palestinian propaganda, while falsely raising the banner of human rights.

This follows the introduction last year of a controversial law forcing Israeli NGOs to declare the funding they receive from foreign states. This only affects nominally left wing and human rights groups, not overtly right wing groups, including those that support the settlements, which are all reliant on private donations.

Btselem spokesperson Roy Yellin said they felt that the government was scapegoating them. He told AFP, It is part of a larger illiberal wave in recent years that is trying to portray critics as enemies of the state.
The ABVP has called the Tiranga March as a march for the nation while accusing the AISA of supporting those indulging in anti-India activities. The AISA has accused the ABVP of suppressing freedom of speech and resorting violence.

By India Today Web Desk: The RSS-backed student union Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) today took out a Tiranga March in Delhi University's North Campus.

The ABVP has called this as a march for the nation. The members of ABVP held the national flag as they started their march from Ramjas College's parking area to the Faculty of Arts in the Campus.

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With hashtags #March4nation, #IstandwithRamjas and #Istandwithnationalism, the ABVP had been asking students on social media to join the march in large numbers.

READ| Gurmehar Kaur: Stones were not pelted at Umar Khalid but on Ramjas students

RAMJAS ROW: WHAT ELSE TO KNOW The ABVP has accused the left leaning students union AISA of extending support to those having anti-national views. On the other hand, the AISA has said that the ABVP is trying to suppress freedom of speech on the campus. Following the march by ABVP, two more marches have been planned by student unions. The first meeting has been called by the JNU students union (JNUSU) at the Administrative Block of the campus. Another march is scheduled for tomorrow, when students and teachers from Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will cover the road from Khalsa College to Arts Faculty of Delhi University. Ramjas College witnessed widespread violence last week, when the members of ABVP and AISA clashed over an invitation to JNU student Umar Khalid for an event in Delhi University. The Ramjas College has formed an inquiry committee to look into the violence. Police are also investigating the case. ABVP's Tiranga March in Delhi University. (Photo: @ANI_news) 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. Following threats from ABVP, the college had decided to withdraw the invite to Khalid who was charged with sedition and Rashid who was face of the movement demanding JNU students' release in the sedition case last year. The classes in the college were suspended on Thursday even as the administration had maintained that it was due to administrative reasons and not due to the violent situation on campus. The college administration has sought police presence for four more days to ensure security measures are in place till peace and normalcy is restored on campus. The human resource development ministry has sought a report from the Delhi University over the Ramjas College violence.

ALSO READ| Professor beaten up by ABVP mob has ribs broken, severe internal injuries

ALSO WATCH:

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Republican governors in at least 10 US states are calling for dramatic changes to Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor jointly administered by the federal government and the states. More than 70 million low-income Americans currently receive their insurance through Medicaid.

The governors proposals come as congressional Republicans discuss changes to Medicaid as part of their plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the legislation popularly known as Obamacare, about 16 million people became newly insured under an expansion of the Medicaid program and the connected Childrens Health Insurance Program.

Medicaid is eyed for deep cuts and transformation under the various proposals being considered by congressional Republicans. These plansas well as the various proposals by Republican governorswould go a long way toward gutting and ultimately dismantling Medicaid, which provides vital health coverage to families and some seniors and people with disabilities.

Republican plansincluding those drafted by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Tom Price, Trumps pick for Health and Human Services secretarycall for eliminating the ACAs expansion of Medicaid and replacing it with either a per capita cap or a block grant to the states. Under both methods, funding would not keep pace with need, and those who should qualify for Medicaid would see their benefits either drastically cut or eliminated.

A draft plan by seven Republican governors obtained by the Associated Press calls for a change to Medicaid from an open-ended federal program to one designed by each state within a financial limit. While agreeing in principle with the Medicaid cuts, the governors want input on how to impose them under any Obamacare replacement legislation.

The group of governors includes John Kasich, Ohio; Rick Snyder, Michigan; Doug Ducey, Arizona; Bill Haslam, Tennessee; Gary Herbert, Utah; Brian Sandoval, Nevada; and Scott Walker, Wisconsin. A Supreme Court ruling left it up to the states to decide whether or not they participate in the Medicaid expansion. Of this group, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio agreed to the expansion, while Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin did not.

A total of about a dozen states with Republican governors have taken part in the ACA Medicaid expansion, and they are concerned about the popular outcry and political fallout if beneficiaries are suddenly cut off the program. The proposal from the group of seven governors was to be presented to the Republican Governors Association meeting in Washington, DC on Saturday.

Under the current Medicaid law, adopted in 1965, spending is shared between the federal government and the states, with each paying a set percentage of the cost per beneficiary. In return for the matching funds, states must meet certain requirements for coverage set by the federal government.

Total spending on Medicaid topped $552 billion across all states in 2015. It consumed an average of about 19 percent of state budgets, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is why it is a major target for dismantling by the ruling elite and big business. Republicans in Congress and governors alike are attempting to advance the illusion that drastic spending cuts can be tempered by allowing states more flexibility in imposing them.

An internal documents obtained by Vox from the Republican Governors Association meeting states: Given that both of the options described above would transfer significant risk to the states, it is imperative that the federal-state partnership around Medicaid is transformed to ensure that states can efficiently and effectively manage their programs.

Specifically, the Republican Governors public policy committee indicates that states would be willing to support significantly less funding for Medicaid expansion if they think people who lose coverage can find it in the private marketplace.

The chances of those individuals losing coverage finding quality, affordable health insurance coverage under either Obamacare itself or any of the Republican replacements are slim to none.

Under the ACA, some people receive subsidies based on income toward purchasing coverage from private insurance companies. Under all Republican plans, these subsidies would be scrapped, replaced with tax credits based on age only. Under one House bill, people under 30 would receive $2,000 annually, and this would double to $4,000 for people over 60. The credits would be the same for people of a similar age, whether they are billionaires or live below the poverty line.

According to the Wall Street Journal, more than a half dozen states are already moving to overhaul their Medicaid programs in advance of any repeal and replace legislation, seeking federal permission to impose coverage restrictions on recipients. These include unprecedented changes, such as drug-testing enrollees and imposing lifetime enrollment caps. Other states want to lower the income level for states to charge premiums.

Maines Republican governor, Paul LePage, is requesting a waiver to limit most people on Medicaid to five years of benefits and impose work requirements and a five-year lifetime cap for non-disabled adults. Mary Mayhew, commissioner for Maines Department of Health and Human Services, told the Journal, We would not have been anywhere near as optimistic [previously] as we are with the Trump administration in their desire to provide flexibility to the states.

Ohio Governor Kasich has put forward a proposal that would require some adults on Medicaid who earn above the federal poverty level to pay a premium. The provision was previously rejected by the Obama administration. Wisconsin Governor Walker wants to introduce drug-testing for beneficiaries.

A Senate bill in Missouri would direct the state to seek a waiver to change the federal funding for Medicaid into a block grant, enabling them to design a program that could include work requirements, co-payments and premiums for some enrollees.

In their efforts to repeal Obamacare, Trump and the Republicans are seeking to do away with the few fig leaves of protection afforded by the ACA, such as subsidies and Medicaid expansion, to target Medicaid and ultimately Medicarethe health insurance program for the elderly and disabledfor cutbacks and privatization.

The Affordable Care Act has never provided anything approaching the near-universal, quality, affordable care touted by the Obama administration. Designed to channel increased profits to the health care industry and cut costs for the government and corporations, it is intrinsically tied to the for-profit health care delivery system in America.

Any Republican replacement for Obamacare will keep in place those measures that boost the profits of the insurance companies, pharmaceuticals and the giant health chains. They will also keep in force those mechanisms that aim to ration and cut costs, both in the individual market, employer-sponsored health care, and the Medicare program.

Obamacare is projected to cut Medicare spending by $716 billion over the 2013-2022 period, and House budget proposals to date have kept these cuts in place.
Under competing Congressional proposals, the federal government is seeking to punish workers employed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the problems caused by the chronic underfunding of the DC area transit system.

Democratic Representative John Delaney of Maryland introduced legislation two weeks ago to amend the compact that governs and finances WMATA, popularly known as the Metro, while Republican Representative Barbara Comstock of Virginia is drafting a competing proposal.

Both proposals would force Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to renegotiate their interstate compact within 21 months or face the threat of Congress withdrawing its support of the existing compact, resulting in the loss of $150 million a year in federal funding.

Delaneys bill, the WMATA Improvement Act, requires that union contracts give Metro management the ability to reassign workers and subcontract work to outside contractors. It also allows the new Metro board to decide whether to maintain binding arbitration over labor disputes. The arbitration clause was put in the compact in exchange for union promises not to strike.

The legislation would also overhaul the Metros board, which consists of eight voting members and eight alternates, by eliminating the alternates and adding the Metro chief executive to the board. If the three states can agree to these changes, they would be rewarded with an additional $75 million a year in federal funds for 10 years, as long as they contributed $25 million apiece in matching funds.

Comstocks alternate proposal, which is far more likely to gain approval in the Republican-controlled Congress, calls for even larger concessions from the unions and will include no extra federal funding for Metro. It would end binding arbitration, leaving the unions free to go on strike. However, given the role of the unions over the last few decades in suppressing working class resistance, if the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which represents most of the unionized Metro workers, called a strike, it would be aimed at venting workers' frustrations, and the union would quickly move to isolate and contain any struggle.

Both congressional proposals are in line with recommendations made last November by a DC business group, the Federal City Council, led by former DC Mayor Anthony Williams, a Democrat.

The secretive non-profit, which promotes business interests in the area by pursuing policy changes behind closed doors, called for rewriting the Metro compact to weaken union protections and shrink Metros board of directors. It argued that the federal government should threaten to take over Metro on a temporary basis if the three states do not make these changes to the compact.

The backdrop for these proposals is the severe underfunding of the Metro system. Metro projects a $125 million revenue shortfall in its $1.8 billion operating budget during the current fiscal year. It faces an additional $290 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Metros General Manager Paul Wiedefeld stated on February 21 that the transit systems financial problems are reaching a tipping point. Echoing Wiedefeld, Jack Evans, Metros Board Chairman warned, If nobody does anything and the jurisdictions dont give us any more money, the only option I see is to cut back on service enormously.

Over the last year, Metro instituted an emergency SafeTrack maintenance plan to improve safety in response to a number of incidents due to years of neglect in basic track maintenance. As a result of numerous safety hazards, chronic breakdowns, and unpredictable service, daily ridership on the Metros rail system has plunged since 2010 by over 100,000 rides per day, or 12 percent, leading to a drop in revenue.

To close the financial gap, Metro has proposed fare increases, job cuts, and reduction of service.

Metros general manager has proposed a 10-cent increase in the rush hour rail fare and a 25-cent hike in off-peak fares. Bus fares would go up 25 cents and the daily parking fee at Metro stations would increase 10 cents. Metros board will decide in March on the fare increases. Fare hikes will likely push ridership even lower.

Metro plans to cut 500 positions during the upcoming fiscal year, in addition to 500 job cuts announced last year. To further reduce labor costs, starting on March 1 Metro will reduce its Customer Information Call Center hours by one and a half hours on weekdays and three hours on weekends.

The elimination of up to 36 bus routes, which will impact workers who rely on these routes to get around, is also being proposed. Metro plans to reduce rail service at rush hour, further exacerbating overcrowding on trains.

Metro lacks the funding necessary to maintain a safe system. The transit systems general manager noted at the end of 2016 that the system needs at least an extra $1 billion over the next three years above the normal budget to meet safety and reliability standards. Funding issues have been a long-standing problem. Back in 2004, a prior Metro general manager warned that Metro faced a death spiral unless substantial investments were made. Despite this warning, Metro received less than half of the funding that was requested.

In another signal that Metro is going on the offensive against its workforce, last October it sued the ATU, arguing that union representatives could not demand to bargain with Metro over disciplinary policies.

Earlier this month, Metro agreed to drop the lawsuit after an arbitrator found that Metros issuance of discipline policies are within the scope of management rights  and [are] not a subject of bargaining, while establishing a so-called fresh start system that allows some low-level infractions to be expunged from an employees disciplinary record. Metro has now introduced a points system where workers will be punished if they rack up a certain number of violations within a two-year period.

The ATU has already accommodated itself to Metros attempt to scapegoat workers for the years of neglect to the transit system. The Union does not necessarily object to establishing an authority-wide system of equitable discipline, but insists that it be negotiated, Jackie Jeter, president of ATU Local 689, told the Washington Post last year.

In other words, rather than challenging Metros assertion that the workers are to blame for the dilapidated state of Metros infrastructure, and pushing back against layoffs that will only compound safety issues, the ATU simply wants a say in how discipline is administered.

Metros decaying infrastructure, and that of public transportation systems nationwide, is another sign that the capitalist system is incapable of addressing the basic social needs of the working class.

Along with the ongoing safety problems of the DC Metro, in the past four years, 17 derailments have occurred on rail systems overseen by the Chicago Transit Authority, 12 on lines controlled by New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority, four under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, and three on lines overseen by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, which covers Philadelphia.

The relatively modest amounts of money needed to maintain both a high-quality public transportation system and a decent standard of living for transit workers stands in stark contrast to the trillions of dollars the ruling class readily funnels into the financial system at home and expends on endless wars abroad.
A bitter feud has erupted inside the Labour Party over the parachuting of former Alliance MP Willie Jackson into the candidates list for the September general election. Jackson, who is Maori, was seeking to re-enter politics via the right-wing Maori Party before being recruited by Labour leader Andrew Little.

In New Zealands electoral system, there are two ways of entering parliament: by winning an electorate, or via the party lists from which seats are allocated according to each partys overall share of the vote.

Little offered to place Jackson high enough on the list to give him a good chance of entering parliament. Labours ruling council promptly granted Jackson a waiver from the rule requiring any candidate to have been a party member for at least a year.

The move provoked opposition inside Labour, particularly from those concerned that it would undermine the partys gender quota policy, aimed at ensuring 50 percent of its MPs are women after this years election.

Christchurch MP Poto Williams issued a statement denouncing Jackson, principally on the basis of an interview he conducted on his radio program in 2013 with a teenage victim of sexual assault. Labour Youth members circulated an open letter citing this and Jacksons anti-gay slurs. Former MP and ex-party president Maryan Street expressed objections over the downgrading of hard working female candidates.

Pro-Labour commentators from the trade union-funded Daily Blog, however, rushed to defend Little and Jackson, accusing their opponents of jeopardising Labours election prospects. The blog absurdly couched the conflict as a case of identity politics versus class politics. Editor Martyn Bradbury lauded Jacksons recruitment, claiming it had inflicted considerable damage on the Maori Party while boosting Labours stocks among working-class Maori voters. Columnist Chris Trotter contended that the appointment was part of Labour reclaiming its original identity as the party for ordinary working people and their families.

In fact, the conflict is between two rival factions based on different brands of identity politicson gender and racethat are equally reactionary. Jackson has been brought forward by Labour to make an appeal, based on his ethnicity, to Maori voters. It is in response to moves by the two Maori nationalist parties, Mana and the Maori Party, to form an electoral alliance in a bid to win the seven Maori seats, six of which are currently held by Labour.

The Daily Blog s attempt to portray Jackson as pro-poor is preposterous. Jackson made clear his anti-working class credentials by initially aligning with the Maori Party, which has been part of the governing National-led coalition since 2008 and has played a key role in imposing its austerity agenda. In 2014 he backed an electoral alliance between Mana and multi-millionaire Kim Dotcoms pro-business Internet Party that was roundly rejected by alienated layers of workers and youth.

Jackson represents an urban-based section of the Maori business and corporate elite. Along with former Labour MP John Tamihere, he runs the Manukau Urban Maori Authority (MUMA), which has received millions of dollars from the governments Whanau Ora scheme and other programs.

Whanau Ora, devised by the Maori Party, allocates funds for health and welfare services to private organisations. Jackson also favours the establishment of more private charter schools for Maori. As a media commentator, Jackson justifies such socially regressive policies on the basis of racial identity politics: i.e., with the divisive assertion that separate services must be provided for Maori, by exclusively Maori organisations.

Jackson is making a phony appeal on behalf of Labour to the many ordinary Maori who have not benefited from multi-million dollar Waitangi Treaty settlements. The Maori elite is attracting growing hostility as social inequality deepens, alongside the vast wealth accumulated by tribal businesseswhich exceed $NZ42 billion.

Jackson is now criticising the Maori Party as besotted with the Maori tribal elite, while condemning the ferocious and increasing level of poverty in Auckland. He falsely claims that Labour is committed to the poorest New Zealanders who have missed out from the rock star economy.

In fact, Jacksons criticisms are about redirecting money to the urban Maori elites and upper middle class. In a newspaper column re-posted on the Daily Blog on February 13, he revealed that Labour promised to channel more funds to urban Maori organisations such as MUMA. Jackson complained that currently the funding is minimal compared with mainstream public services.

Jackson is the second high-profile former Alliance MP to join Labour. Last year Laila Harre announced she was seeking a Labour nomination for an electorate seat. The Alliance was formed as a breakaway from Labour in 1991 by amalgamating four minor capitalist parties, including Jacksons Maori nationalist Mana Motuhake.

The Alliances left wing posture served to block the mass movement of workers against the 198490 Lange Labour government, which initiated a far-reaching pro-market agendaincluding privatisations and the restructuring of social servicesthat devastated working-class jobs and living standards.

The Alliance entered a coalition government with Labour in 1999. Harre was a government minister before the Alliance collapsed in 2001 after its MPs, including Harre and Jackson, voted to send SAS troops to Afghanistan. Harre has since established a varied and lucrative career in the union bureaucracy, as a human resources manager overseeing the Auckland city amalgamation, and as a restauranteur. In 2014 she led the election campaign for the Internet Party.

Under conditions of mass political alienation and social disaffection, Jackson and Harre are again offering their services to give a veneer of concern for the poor to the pro-business Labour Party.

Labour is widely seen as no alternative to the ruling National Party. The party has joined the xenophobic New Zealand First and the trade unions in demanding cuts to immigration and scapegoating Chinese people, in particular, for soaring house prices. It supports strengthening the police force and expanding the military to back Washingtons build-up to war against China.

A member of NZ First, Curwen Rolinson, observed in the Daily Blog that whichever parties seek to form the next government, they will have to work out some way to reach an accommodation with New Zealand First. According to Rolinson, Jackson is seriously close to the anti-immigrant NZ First leader Winston Peters, an avowed Trump admirer, and could play a key role in any post-election horse-trading.

For over three decades, Labour has been at the forefront of attacking the jobs and living conditions of the working class. Working people have deserted the party in droves and it lost the last two elections by a landslide. The current internal spat reveals the fetid atmosphere that prevails inside this hollowed-out party, dominated by bureaucrats and careerists. It is a sordid squabble over influence and positions inside a decrepit political machine
In his ultra-right diatribe delivered Friday to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), President Donald Trump reveled in the crackdown his administration has initiated against undocumented immigrant workers, while identifying the repressive forces carrying out this campaign as a key base of his political support.

He declared, [W]ith the help of our great border police, with the help of ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], with the help of General Kelly and all of the people that are so passionate about thisICE came and endorsed me. They never endorsed a presidential candidate before, they might not even be allowed to.

Trump continued, As we speak today, immigration officers are finding the gang members, the drug dealers and the criminal aliens and throwing them the hell out of our country.

Earlier in the week, White House spokesman Sean Spicer declared that the administration had taken the shackles off of ICE and Border Patrol agents with the issuing of new rules of engagement that essentially target every undocumented immigrant living in the US for apprehension and deportation.

The brutal human cost of this unshackling has become manifest from coast to coast since the Department of Homeland Security released two memos spelling out this dramatic escalation. ICE agents have carried out a series of raids supposedly targeting criminal aliensin most cases workers charged with immigration violations, driving offenses and other minor scrapes with the law. In addition to those targeted, others have been swept up in collateral arrests, the term used by ICE to describe anyone it encounters in the course of these raids whom it suspects may be undocumented.

The intended effect of these sweeps is to institute a reign of terror against millions of working-class families living under the threat of mothers and fathers being suddenly and violently torn from their children.

Incidents taking place within days of the new enforcement memos have graphically exposed the police state methods that are being unleashed first upon immigrant workers and being readied for attacks on the working class as whole.

Late last Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas, ICE agents burst into a hospital and dragged away a critically ill 26-year-old woman from El Salvador who had been brought in for emergency surgery for a brain tumor. Sara Beltran Hernandez, a mother with two young children, was seized by the agents and shackled hands and feet, even though she was unable to walk and had to be removed in a wheelchair.

She was taken back to a privately run, for-profit detention center where her treatment has consisted of doses of Tylenol. The sole crime committed by this young woman was to cross the border in search of asylum from the violence in her home country and in the hope of reuniting with her mother, a legal resident in Queens, New York.

A week before in Virginia, ICE agents laid siege to a Methodist church, ambushing six immigrants who had taken shelter there as they stepped out the door in the morning. They were surrounded by ICE agents, shackled and thrown into a white van. Witnesses described the scene as akin to a kidnapping.

In a chilling abuse of police powers, passengers aboard a February 22 Delta flight from San Francisco to New Yorks JFK Airport were informed that they would not be let off the plane unless they presented identification papers to Border Patrol agents, who blocked the aircrafts door to the jetway.

The Customs and Border Protection agency claimed the action had been taken to seize an immigrant believed to be on the flight who was facing a deportation order. The agency subsequently acknowledged that he was not on the plane.

When asked on what legal grounds Border Agents were detaining an entire planeload of passengers for questioning, the agency cited a statute giving it the authority to collect passenger name record information on all travelers entering or leaving the United States, Rolling Stone magazine reported. The only problem was that the flight was between two US cities, neither of them anywhere near an international border.

A spokesman for the agency added, Its always best to cooperate with law enforcement so as to expedite your exiting the airport in a timely manner. In other words, anyone exercising his or her constitutional rights can expect illegal detention and abuse.

Such methods, echoing the Gestapo demand of papers please, are designed to intimidate the population as a whole and ultimately be used to deny basic democratic rights, including the right to vote.

The Trump administration has demagogically portrayed the crackdown on the undocumented as a blow on behalf of native-born workers. His aim, Trump has said, is to expel a layer of immigrants who compete directly against vulnerable American workers.

The reality is that the police state measures now being unleashed on immigrant workers will, sooner rather than later, be turned against the working class as a whole. In fomenting xenophobia, economic nationalism and anti-immigrant hysteria, the aim of the Trump administration, a collection of billionaire financial oligarchs, generals and outright fascists, is to scapegoat immigrants for the economic and social crisis created by capitalism and divide the working class.

The attack on immigrants is part of a social counterrevolution including the slashing of taxes for the corporations and the rich, the removal of regulations on capitalist industries and financial markets, and the destruction of all basic social services, from public education to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Such measures cannot be carried out either democratically or peacefully. The scale of repression being contemplated was laid bare earlier this month with the release of a Department of Homeland Security memo proposing the mobilization of 100,000 National Guard troops across 11 states to join in the anti-immigrant dragnet.

While such measures are unprecedented, they have been prepared over a long period by Democratic and Republican administrations alike, from the 1996 anti-immigrant law enacted under President Bill Clinton, streamlining deportations and mandating immigrant detention, to the vast apparatus of state repression created in the name of a war on terror under George W. Bush and expanded under Barack Obama, who initiated drone assassinations of American citizens and deported more immigrants than all the presidents who preceded him combined.

In the face of the qualitative escalation of these measures toward open forms of dictatorial rule, the Democratic Party has centered its opposition to Trump on the reactionary campaign to brand him as an agent of the Kremlin, reflecting the opposition of large sections of the military and intelligence apparatus to any shift from the military buildup against Russia.

Underlying all of these measures is the breakdown of democratic forms of rule under the impact of the crisis of American and world capitalism and the uninterrupted growth of social inequality.

The defense of immigrants can be carried out only by the working class itself, fighting for the unbreakable unity of native-born and immigrant workers, along with the working class on both sides of the Rio Grande, in a common struggle against the capitalist system.

This struggle can be waged only on the basis of a socialist and internationalist program that intransigently defends the right of workers from every corner of the globe to live and work in the country of their choice with full citizenship rights and without fear of detention, deportation or repression.
Spanish port workers unions have called nine days of strikes starting on March 6, as anger builds among workers against the conservative Popular Party (PP) governments port liberalization decree.

The decree, which still requires parliamentary ratification, would be a historic attack on the labour conditions of port workers in Spain, in line with similar attacks across southern Europe. It opens the door to mass redundancies, wage cuts of up to 60 percent, using temp agencies to provide low-paid contract workers, and slashing safety conditions.

By taking strike action, the port workers are entering into political struggle against the PP and the European Union (EU): the European Court of Justice has ruled that Spain must impose the reform or face sanctions. Their struggle can only be waged by mobilizing broader sections of the working class, in Spain and internationally, against EU austerity. The fight must be taken out of the hands of the unions, which have called the action only because, as wildcat actions spread, they feared totally losing control of the situation.

The State Coordination of Sea Workers (CETM), the main port workers union, has until now been doing everything it can to delay, break up, and call off struggles against the decree. Two weeks ago, it called a three-day strike to take place every other hour on February 20, 22, and 24which it then called off in order to continue talks with the PP, which has pledged not to back down on the reform.

Finally, port workers took matters into their own hands, launching wildcat strikes in Valencia, Alicante, and Cadiz, where port companies association Anesco (the National Association of Stevedoring and Ship Consignment Companies) reported a 23 percent fall in productivity. CETM officials initially downplayed these reports, claiming this was because workers lacked motivation.

It is precisely such treacherous actions by the unions that have emboldened the PP to try to impose the liberalization decree, overturning an earlier agreement between Anesco and the CETM.

The strike can only proceed as a struggle against the port reform if workers reject the straitjacket that the union bureaucracy will seek to impose on it. The CETM has no intention of paralyzing Spains 46 major ports. Rather, it is again proposing to strike on alternate days at each port, undermining the impact of the walkout.

The CETM is further trying to lull workers to sleep, by advancing the false perspective that they can rely on pro-capitalist opposition parties, like the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and Podemos, to block attacks on the port workers in parliament. In a statement published last week, the CETM appealed to the common sense of the other parliamentary groups, so they do not support a modification of the port system which is, on the other hand, one of the most efficient in Europe.

It also quoted CETM spokesman Antolin Goya: We will initiate union mobilizations and actions to re-establish communication, demand companies to make every effort to negotiate, and explain to parliamentary groups the error of an imposed norm that destabilizes a sector and destroys jobs.

The PSOE and Podemos are playing along, making empty criticisms of the decree. On Sunday, PSOE regional premiers Susana Diaz (Andalucia) and Ximo Puig (Valencia) complained that the decree does not seek consensus and understanding between employers and workers.

Unidos Podemos spokesman Felix Alonso lamented that the PP seems not to be aware of the economic and social repercussions of a solution that has not been agreed upon by the unions and the port companies. He warned that if the PP imposes the decree outright, this will undermine the authority of the unions among the workers. In future, he said, any agreement between the unions and companies will be a dead letter.

Claims that the PSOE and Podemos will help port workers defend themselves against PP attacks are a political fraud. These parties are servants of finance capital, whose international allies impose similar measures in other countries. In 2016, after two years of struggle, Portugals Socialist Party government oversaw an agreement between the Portuguese Dockers Union and port employers associations to liberalize the sector, imposing a wage scale going from 850 to 2,300 per month.

It was Podemos ally in Greece, the Syriza-led government, that imposed the privatization of the port of Piraeus in the face of strike action by Greek dock workers. After striking for one month, the Federation of Greek Port Employees (OMYLE) called off the strike as it began to have a real financial impact on the ports. This was another testament to the role of middle-class, populist parties like Syriza and Podemos as enforcers of the diktat of the financial aristocracy.

At most, the PSOE and Podemos may try to delay and manoeuvre, in order to better impose attacks on the workers without provoking a major strike against Spains minority PP government, which is very weak and unpopular. They fear that a major port strike could trigger far broader struggles in the working classending the social peace overseen by the unions, potentially bringing down the PP government and doing irreparable damage to their economic and political interests.

PSOE member Cesar Ramos spoke for these concerns when he said, we should be thinking more about social peace than the 21 million fine [from the EU for not imposing the liberalization decree]. That amount is insignificant compared to what we can lose if the conflict is maintained in ports.

Spanish business is now deeply dependent on exports and fears a port strike that would halt the flow of goods. Spanish exports have risen 65.3 billion since the 2008 economic crash, as successive PSOE and PP governments austerity measures slashed wages and conditions. While Spains economy collapsed, and mass unemployment spread, Spain also emerged as a profitable export platform for international capital.

William Chislett of the state-funded Elcano Royal Institute said, Faced with plummeting demand from consumers, companies and the government, companies have had no alternative but to seek out markets abroad, or in some cases face going to the wall, particularly small and medium-sized ones. Exports thus became a matter of survival.

Port management and the PP are in a weak position, and they are acutely aware of explosive political discontent in the European and American working class after the election of Trump, which provoked mass protests internationally.

Precisely because of this, however, the ruling class will rely all the more on the treachery of the union bureaucracies and take ruthless measures against the workers. The media have already launched a hysterical and provocative propaganda campaigncoming from defenders of the Spanish government and the EU, which since 2008 have handed trillions of euros to the banksaccusing port workers of being privileged members of a labour aristocracy.

This makes it all the more urgent for workers internationally to support Spanish port workers as strike action develops, and for the workers to take the struggle out of the hands of the unions, organizing it on the basis of an internationalist and socialist perspective.
Congressional Democrats and the bulk of the corporate media have intensified their anti-Russian campaign against the Trump White House, with renewed demands this weekend for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The new stage of the campaign has been fueled by reports that the Trump White House asked FBI officials to make public statements condemning as unfounded allegations of contacts between Trump election campaign officials and Russian intelligence operatives. It has also been bolstered by the support of one congressional Republican, Representative Darrell Issa of California, who said a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate.

The supposed Russian connection to the Trump campaignfor which no evidence has been presented, only unsupported leaks from anonymous intelligence agency officialswas the main topic of all of the Sunday television interview programs except the adamantly pro-Trump Fox News.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, appearing on the ABC Sunday interview program This Week with George Stephanopoulos, said that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should recuse himself from any investigation because of his prominent role in the 2016 Trump campaign.

Lets have the investigation and find out the truth, she said, adding that 100 House Democrats and one Republican had signed a statement in support of legislation to establish an outside, independent commission to study the personal, political and financial relationship between President Trump and the Russians.

The ABC program then gave a platform to David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker magazine, which published a lengthy cover story on the alleged Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign. The article, headlined Trump, Putin and the New Cold War, is remarkable not only for its artworkdepicting the Kremlin firing a Star Wars-style death ray into the White Housebut for a complete absence of any factual evidence, despite 13,000 words devoted to the subject.

Remnick began his remarks on ABC by declaring, We have 17 intelligence agencies all saying, asserting, that there was serious interference in our presidential election. He then admitted, Well, heres the problem. The problem is that intelligence agencies are not giving us the evidence of this.

While he acknowledged that that there was good reason to be skeptical because of the lies told by the intelligence agencies before the Iraq War, Remnick drew the remarkable conclusion that the lack of evidence reinforced the case for a full investigation.

The CBS program Face the Nation featured an interview with former CIA Director John Brennan, his first since leaving office. His very first comment was to question the actions of Trump White House officials in asking the FBI and the leaders of the Senate and House intelligence committees to publicly rebut the claims of Trump campaign contacts with Russian intelligence.

Brennan argued that a bipartisan investigation into the alleged Russian hacking was needed. If it is only one party that is going to be leading this, it is not going to deliver the results that the American people need and deserve, he said.

Similar themes were taken up on NBCs Meet the Press, which featured an NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll claiming that the majority of the American people favored a congressional investigation into the claims of Russian interference in the election. CNN likewise featured remarks by newly elected Democratic National Committee Chair Thomas Perez, who said, What we need to be looking at is whether this election was rigged by Donald Trump and his buddy Vladimir Putin.

The Trump administration lashed out in response to the media attacks with an unprecedented act of political censorship by White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who excluded the New York Times , CNN, Politico and the website Buzzfeed from an informal press briefing. While Trump frequently barred journalists from events during the 2016 campaign in retaliation for unflattering coverage, this was first time such an action was taken since his inauguration as president.

Trump himself denounced the anti-Russian campaign in a tweet Sunday afternoon, declaring, Russia talk is 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!

He also made attacks on the media the axis of his fascistic speech Friday to the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he repeated his declaration that the media was the enemy of the people, adding the open-ended and ominous threat that were going to do something about it.

There is not the slightest shred of democratic principle in this conflict between two factions of the American ruling elite. The Democratic Party is speaking on behalf of the dominant sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, which reject any deviation from the anti-Russian military buildup launched under the Obama administration. Trump, while speaking vaguely of the value of better relations with Russia, is proposing an even bigger military buildup, directed at Iran and China (and eventually at Russia as well).

The Democratic Party is responding, not only to differences over foreign policy, but to the mounting popular opposition to the new administration and its ultra-right attacks on democratic rights, particularly targeting immigrants. The Democrats seek to hijack any movement that develops against Trump and prevent it from emerging as a challenge to the capitalist ruling elite as a whole.

One longtime spokesman for the Democratic Party leftand ardent supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders in the presidential campaignformer Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, gave a glimpse of the real concerns of the US ruling elite Sunday. Speaking on the same ABC News program as Nancy Pelosi, Reich pointed to what he called a disconnectbetween a rather sclerotic Democratic apparatus which is in complete disarrayand a huge uprising at the grassroots, mostly against Trump.

Reich cited the mounting crisis over jobs and living standards that is fueling deep social anger. People, for 35 years, have not had a raise, he said. The average American is actually economically in a lot of economic desperation, insecure. We have parts of this country that are really desolate in terms of the economic activity. And so, youve got a lot of anger out there that nobody, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans, have come up with a way to respond to.

What concerns the Democrats and their media acolytes, no less than Trump and his fascistic White House aides, is how this vast social and economic discontent can be diverted into channels that will leave the wealth and power of the financial aristocracy undisturbed.
As the Tsarist Russian Empire buckled under the weight of World War I, the United States government prepared to enter the battle. From the eruption of war in 1914 between Great Britain, France and Russia, on one side, and Germany and Austria-Hungary on the other, the US maintained a position of formal neutralitypartly owing to mass anti-war sentiment among American workers and farmers. The neutrality became increasingly fictitious as the war dragged on, with Wilsons diplomacy a mixture of knavery and democratic piety, in Trotskys words. Ever more openly, Washington supported Britain and France as American industry armed the soldiers of the Allies, and its banks financed their war. By 1917, the question of US entry was a matter of when, not if.

Petrograd, February 27 (Feb. 14 O.S.): Strikes continue in Russian capital

The strike called by the Bolsheviks continues, while the Mensheviks call a strike to show support for the Duma, as it opens a new session at the Tauride Palace. Some 84,000 workers are on strike from over 50 different factories. Police attempt to arrest demonstrators, but the workers fight back.

While there was an initial collapse of strike activity after the outbreak of the war in 1914, workers responded to the increasing deprivation from the war economy with a growing strike wave. Between 1915 and 1916, the number of strikers in the Russian Empire increased from 539,528 to 957,075.

In early 1917, the wave of working class struggles reaches new dimensions, and the strikes become ever more political. Trotsky estimated that about 575,000 workers participated in political strikes in the first two weeks of February. From the beginning of the war, Petrograd has been the center of the strike activities: it is here that 72 percent of all the political strikes have taken place since 1914. Describing the tense mood in the working class in late 1916 and early 1917, Shliapnikov, a member of the Bolshevik Central Committee and former metal worker, later recalled: Sometimes a whistle would be enough, or any kind of noisethe workers would take it for a signal to stop the factory.

Washington and London, February 28: Germany and the US on the brink of war

After the sinking of the British ship Laconia by a German submarine a few days earlier, the American and British press are filled with articles speculating about an impending war between the US and Germany. The Times of London states: The fact that at least two American ladies perished would seem to bring the Laconia crime within the terms of what President Wilson warned the Germans would constitute an unpardonable offense against American sovereignty. The Daily Chronicle remarks: If the Laconia case is not the overt act it is a little difficult to conceive what will be.

Petrograd, March 1 (Feb. 16, O.S.): Authorities introduce bread cards

Amid a steadily worsening food crisis in the Russian Empire, the Petrograd authorities introduce bread rationing for the already starving population. Commenting on the role of hunger in the social crisis that eventually led to the revolution, Trotsky writes in his article On the Threshold of Revolution for the Novy Mir (New World): In all warring countries, a shortage of food supplies is the most immediate, the most acute, cause of discontent and outrage among the masses. The entire madness of war is revealed to them most clearly of all from this standpoint: it is impossible to produce the means for living because it is necessary to create the weapons of death.

Washington DC, March 1: Wilson makes public Zimmermann Telegram

In a calculated attempt to stampede the United States into war, President Woodrow Wilson releases to the public the full text of the Zimmermann Telegram, a decoded message from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the Mexican government. The telegram is an attempt to enlist Mexico in a war versus the US in exchange for the return of the American southwest, which had been ceded to the US seven decades earlier as a result of the Mexican-American War.

Petrograd, March 2 (Feb. 17, O.S.): Demonstrations break out over food crisis

Crowds gather before the food shops in Petrograd, demanding bread. Many of them are women. A day later, bakeries are sacked in several parts of the city. Trotsky would later call these events the heat lightnings of the revolution, coming in a few days.

By this point, the war has claimed a total of some 1,700,000 lives. About 2 million men have been wounded, and 4 million more have been taken prisoner. Meanwhile, the war economy and the horrors of war bring ever worsening social misery to the civilian population.

These developments have a profound impact on the consciousness of tens of millions of workers and peasants. As Trotsky remarked in On the Threshold of Revolution: In the broadest layers of workers, who perhaps had never before been reached by a word of revolutionary agitation, a profound bitterness toward the rulers had been accumulating under the influence of the wars events. Meanwhile, in the advanced layer of the working class, a process of critically reworking the new events has been taking place. The socialist proletariat of Russia has straightened itself out after the blow which had been delivered by the nationalist fall of the most influential parts of the International, and has understood that the new epoch summons us not to softening, but to sharpening, the revolutionary struggle.

San Juan, March 2: Puerto Ricans given US citizenship, made subject to draft

On March 2, 1917, the US Congress passes the JonesShafroth Act, making the population of Puerto Rico American citizens. Puerto Rico is an impoverished island nation on the eastern edge of the Caribbean seized by Washington in the predatory Spanish-American War of 1898.

As residents of a territorial possession, the new Puerto Rican citizens are not allowed to vote in presidential elections, and they are afforded no senators or congressmen. They are eligible, however, for conscription into the US military.

They can also now move freely to the mainland US. War in Europe has blocked the US from its traditional sources of labor, just as the American economy moves to a situation of full employment to meet the demands for war materiel among the alliesand as the US prepares to enter the war against Germany.

Warsaw, March 3: 35 percent of Eastern European Jews in absolute destitution

A report issued by the Joint Distribution Committee, representing several Jewish relief organizations operating in the US, announces that more than one-third of the estimated 7 million Jews in Europes belligerent countries are entirely destitute and depend upon daily relief in the form of food to maintain life. The report estimates that one-half of the 500,000 Jews in Warsaw, and one-half of the Jews in Lodz, are in absolute destitution. Conditions in Lithuania are similar.

The report, which seeks to raise private donations, states, The Joint Distribution Committee realizes it will be impossible to save all the lives of those facing starvation. It is simply a question of how many lives are to be saved. During World War I, hundreds of thousands of Jews from Eastern Europe fled the hunger and the massacres of the war and tried to settle in Germany and Western European countries.

Hollywood, California, March 3: John Ford makes directorial debut

The Tornado is believed lost. This is another 1917 John Ford film, Straight Shooting, with Harry Carey.

Bison Motion Pictures, a subsidiary of Universal Studios, releases the film The Tornado, the directorial debut of John Ford, who also stars in the film as immigrant-hero Jack Dayton, known as the No-Gun Man because he faces down villains without a weapon. Dayton saves a village from bandits and uses the bounty money to send for his mother (Jean Hathaway) from Ireland. Ford is himself the son of Irish immigrants, and in 1917 he is at the beginning of a long and prolific career. He will make nine more silent films in 1917, and 62 more by 1927.

Washington DC, March 4: Wilson sworn in for second term as president

Wilson speaking in 1913 and 1916

Woodrow Wilson is sworn in for his second term as US president. Only the second Democratic Party president in the White House since the Civil War, Wilson owed his first victory to the split in the Republican Party between Theodore Roosevelt, who ran as a Progressive, and the incumbent president, William Taft. He wins his second term under the slogan He Kept us Out of War.

However, Wilson has no intention of keeping the US out of war. His inaugural address, like his decision to release the text of the Zimmermann Telegram, is designed to prepare the US for war. This Wilson couches in terms of liberal internationalism, which, he claims, has been violated by German depredations:

Other matters have more and more forced themselves upon our attentionmatters lying outside our own life as a nation and over which we had no control, Wilson says. As some of the injuries done us have become intolerable  We may even be drawn on, by circumstances  to a more active assertion of our rights

We desire neither conquest nor advantage. We wish nothing that can be had only at the cost of another people  [But] we are provincials no longer. The tragic events of the thirty months of vital turmoil through which we have just passed have made us citizens of the world. There can be no turning back. Our own fortunes as a nation are involved whether we would have it so or not.

Verdun, March 5: German offensive near Verdun falters

A renewed German offensive near Verdun makes inconsequential gains against well-entrenched French positions. The German military launches the offensive along a one-and-three-quarter mile front at Caurieres Wood after an intense bombardment. Heavy casualties are reported in the fighting, which is taking place at what is in essence a massive graveyard. The first Battle of Verdun, which lasted for nine months between February and December, 1916, claimed the lives of 300,000 men on both sides, and maimed many hundreds of thousands more.

Among the dead in the latest offensive is musketeer Ernst Schmidt, 32, of Karlsruhe. On February 10 he writes home that he lives in a dugout 7 meters underground [with] with rats, mice and lice, according to a translation, and not once able to wash or change his clothes. His second letter home is written on March 5, the day he is killed.
A recent report has shown that amid the slowdown of the Australian economy and the growth of unemployment, thousands of young people are being compelled to perform unpaid work, in the hopes of securing permanent employment.

The government-sponsored report, entitled Unpaid Work Experience in Australia: Prevalence, nature and impact, was carried out by several universities. While the report tried to put a positive spin on the phenomenon, its contents give a glimpse into the lives of a generation facing perpetual job insecurity.

The report was based on a survey of 3,800 young people around the country. It found that a staggering 58 percent of respondents aged 1829 had participated in at least some unpaid work experience (UWE) in the previous five years. The figure was estimated at 26 percent for those aged 3064 and 34 percent across all ages.

The length of UWE varied widely. Over a third of the young people surveyed had worked unpaid for over a month. For 10 percent, it lasted six months or longer. Much of this was accrued on a part-time basis.

Only 27 percent of respondents were offered paid employment by the host company or organisation. Half of those surveyed participated in unpaid work as part of a university or tertiary course. But significantly, 47 percent signed up for UWE as individuals, in an attempt to break into the labour market.

The workers faced precarious conditions, with virtually no rights or legal protections. Over 30 percent of those who chose to comment, said their experience was negative. They cited dangers to health and safety, injuries, insufficient amenities, including toilets, and confusion over whether they would be covered in the event of an injury or accident. Others said they had been forced into menial tasks that gave them no experience in the relevant field.

Some reported they had been exploited and simply used as free labour. Examples in the report included, a musician asked to work for exposure rather than payment and a pastry maker used for 160 hours of work experience, told he was a great worker, but then let go at the end as the patisseries knew they would get another free worker.

Respondents said they faced financial hardship, including struggling with the cost of living, childcare costs and relying on support from family and friends. The report mentions similar studies in the UK, which have revealed that professions such in journalism, law and finance are dominated by those from privileged backgrounds not merely because they have access to social networks, but because their families are able to bear the financial costs, particularly in expensive cities such as London.

Following the reports publication, a number of young people commented on their experience. Michael Hogan, quoted in news.com.au, spoke about the pressures of UWE placements for teaching students: Imagine this day. Youre at work at 7.30 am ready to make another impact and show how good you are, then you dont leave until 4.30 pm because youre getting assessed and unpacking what you did that day and then you get home and youre evaluating and looking back at feedback and what you did wrong. Its very stressful, you almost get to the point where you break. Sometimes you dont put the pen down until 8 pm.

Sophia, who worked for nine months as an intern in the media industry, was sometimes required to work 12-hour days without any pay. You felt like you couldnt say no because there were a million other people who would happily take your spot if you refused to do something or left on time, she explained.

Commenting on the prospects facing young people, Sophia said: I think its so competitive now, everyone has a tertiary education, so the only way to differentiate yourself is to have first-hand experience or a post-grad degree. When we hire at my current job I instantly dismiss anyone who hasnt had past industry experienceinternships have been normalised and are expected rather than being a bonus.

The prevalence of unpaid work is a product of a decades-long assault on the jobs, wages and conditions of the working class, presided over by successive Liberal-National and Labor governments, in collaboration with the thoroughly corporatised unions.

The Labor governments of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating deregulated the economy, beginning in the 1980s, creating the conditions for the destruction of hundreds of thousands of jobs. The unions have enforced the shutdown of large sections of manufacturing and the erosion of longstanding working conditions, leading to an unprecedented growth in various forms of insecure employment. According to various reports, up to 50 percent of the entire workforce is employed in casual and part-time positions.

Australias youth face an historic reversal in social conditions, with rising housing costs, student debt, and chronic under-employment. Apprenticeships, TAFE courses and other forms of vocational education have been gutted.

Today, government measures are aimed at using young people, ever more directly, as an ultra-cheap labour force, to drive down the conditions of the working class as a whole.

The federal Liberal-National government is rolling out a Prepare, Trial, Hire (PaTH) policy. Coming into effect in April, it will push youth who have been unemployed for six months or more into 3050 hours of work a fortnight. They will receive an additional payment of just $200, on top of their meagre unemployment benefit, effectively a wage of $4 per hour. The government will also reimburse employers with $1,000 for taking on an intern.

The policy is aimed at creating an intern army of 120,000 young people over a period of four years. They will take up virtually unpaid positions in fields such as motor trades, hospitality and retail. The Labor Party welcomed PaTH, having previously supported moves to force all long-term unemployed people under the age of 50 into work for the dole programs.
Bangladesh cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today recognised the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, in turn becoming the 114th country to do so.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Bangladesh cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today recognised the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, in turn becoming the 114th country to do so.

So far 113 countries including the United States, UK, France and 36 Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC) countries out of 57 have recognised the republic.

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Kosovo was a disputed territory in South eastern Europe for a long time which declared freedom from Serbia in February 2008 as the Republic of Kosovo.

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, said that the foreign ministry will soon issue a formal statement in this regard.

--- ENDS ---
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida State Universitys campus community will celebrate Womens History Month during March with activities centered around the theme of "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History.

Florida State Universitys Women Student Union (WSU) said that their goal create a month of empowerment to elevate women personally and professionally so they can conquer the world around them with confidence.

"For this year's theme we are building off of the precedent set by boundary-breaking women in history and reshaping what it means to be a feminist in contemporary times, said Shana Rosenthal, director of Womens History Month at FSU. We will build ourselves professionally and personally and empower each other to be the boundary-breaking women of the future.

Key events will include:

Monday, March 6

Hidden Figures

7 p.m. and panel 9 p.m., Askew Student Life Cinema

Movie screening of the hit movie Hidden Figures, which features the untold story of black women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history. WSU will be tabling the event before the screening. A panel discussion with women in STEM on campus will follow the film.

Tuesday, March 21

Milk and Honey Book Talk

7 p.m., Strozier Library, 005A Scholars Commons

A facilitator will lead a group discussion on WSUs WHM book of the month Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur. Due to the limited quantities of Milk and Honey, please fill out the questionnaire if you plan on attending and you do not already own a copy of the book. For more information, visit bit.ly/WHMBookTalk17.

Thursday, March 23

Ladies Legacy Banquet

7 p.m., Union Ballrooms

The Eighth Annual Ladies' Legacy Banquet is a celebration of amazing female students, faculty, staff and alumni at FSU. The event includes dinner, awards, keynote speaker and live music. Cocktail attire is encouraged. Pre-registration required at bit.ly/LLBN17.

Friday, March 24 - Saturday, March 25

"Vagina Monologues"

7 p.m., Augusta Conradi Studio Theatre, first floor of the Williams Building

The WSU presents the annual production of Eve Enslers ground-breaking play, "The Vagina Monologues," written based on hundreds of interviews with women of varying race, ethnicity, social class and sexual orientation. The play hopes to provide audiences with an insight on what it means to identify as a woman.

Saturday, March 25

Womens Leadership Conference

1 p.m., Student Services Building, second floor

The Womens Leadership Conference is an annual event hosted by WSU during Womens History Month with the intent of fostering relationships, building leadership skills and strengthening communities of women on campus. The conference will begin with a performance choice workshop, followed by lunch and will finish off with a keynote speaker. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/WLC17registration.

For a full schedule of events or more information, visit sga.fsu.edu/whm17.
LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) - The deputy killed while responding to the domestic call has been identified as 39-year old Michael Butler.

The semi-truck driver is Robbie J. Register. Troopers say Register pulled Butler out of the patrol car when it caught fire. Butler died shortly after he was taken to the hospital.

12:20 a.m. 2/26/2017

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga.(WTXL) - A Lowndes County deputy dies following a crash on Cat Creek Road. The semi-truck driver is being interviewed right now. Their names have not been released. Troopers say the deputy died around 9 p.m. Stay with WTXL for updates.

10:21 p.m. 2/25/2017

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) -- A Lowndes County deputy is taken to the hospital in critical condition after a crash. Georgia State Patrol Sgt. First Class Tracy Tabb tells us the deputy was on-duty headed north on Cat Creek Road while responding to a domestic call and had his lights and sirens activated.

A semi with no trailer was traveling east on Norman Hall Road and crossed center line as he was trying to make a right turn onto Cat Creek, and that's when the deputy struck him on the right front.

GSP received the call at 8:26 p.m. The patrol car came to an uncontrolled stop and caught fire. Sgt. Tabb says the deputy was pulled from the car before the fire reached the passenger's compartment. GSP's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is on the scene now and so is the driver of the semi. The names haven't been released.
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - A man was arrested on Sunday after police say he punched and choked a victim before holding a knife to her throat.

The Valdosta Police Department said that 31-year-old Jose Serrano has been arrested for aggravated assault.

Police said that on Sunday around 4 a.m., an officer was flagged down near the intersection of West Mary Street and North Toombs Street by a woman who seemed to be in distress.

The officer immediately saw that the woman had been assaulted and had multiple visible injuries.

VPD said that the woman told the officer that she and a male acquaintance had gotten into an argument. Eventually the argument made a violent turn, as Serrano reportedly punched and choked the woman before holding a knife to her throat.

At that point, multiple police began searching for Serrano and within minutes they found him near the intersection of Baytree Road and Melody Drive.

He was taken into custody and transported to Lowndes County Jail.
STATESBORO, Ga. (WTXL) - A Marianna woman was arrested in Statesboro, Ga. for drug related charges after police say she evaded them for months.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office said that back in October 2016, they issued a warrant for 38-year-old Martha Bellamy who was wanted for failure to appear for drug related charges.

They said that Bellamy had fled the area in an attempt to avoid arrest.

JSCO said that they requested that the case be taken by the U.S. Marshal Service due to information that she had fled to Georgia.

On Saturday, Bellamy was taken into custody in Statesboro. They said that she expected to be taken back to Jackson County to face charges.

Bellamy is facing charges related to the manufacture of a controlled substance, trafficking in meth over 28 grams, and 2 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Troopers say that a 18-year-old is dead after a Sunday night crash in Gadsden County.

The Florida Highway Patrol said that Syndey Holland of Marianna was driving south on County Road 269 around 8:10 p.m. on Sunday when they said her car traveled off the road and onto the shoulder.

They said that she failed to follow a left curve in the road.

Holland's car hit a culvert before it collided into a tree, finally stopping the vehicle.

Troopers say Holland was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Toxicology reports are pending.

The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted by Gadsden County Sheriff's office, Gadsden County Emergency Medical Service, Sycamore Fire Department.
By Press Trust of India: Kolkata, Feb 27 (PTI) Police today initiated the investigation into the death of Sanjay Roy following a complaint lodged by his wife, days after Roy died due to alleged medical negligence by a private hospital here.

"We have asked the hospital authorities to submit the documents related to his treatment. We will also talk to the doctors who were treating Roy," a senior police officer of Phoolbagan PS said.

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Meanwhile, a six member probe team was constituted by the state health department to investigate the alleged role of the private hospital.

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 team constituted will be headed by the head of the general medicine department, Calcutta National Medical College and hospital, Partho Pratim Mukherjee, head of cardiac anaesthesia, NRS Medical College, Shampa Dutta, head of radiology, Calcutta Medical College.

It also includes Ashok Bhadra, head of surgery at RG Kar Medical college, Gautam Ghosh, head of gastroenterology at Calcutta medical College, Jayanta Dasgupta and special secretary of the health department Subir Chatterjee. PTI SCH AYP

--- ENDS ---
MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- From the Storm Team Weather Center ...

Warm and somewhat humid conditions have taken hold of the region on southerly winds. An unsettled set-up is lingering across the middle of the Deep South, and this has formed a band of rain paralleling Interstate 65 in Alabama. A portion of the rain action may move east into interior south Georgia, but local impacts from rain or thunderstorms this evening and tonight will remain limited. Scattered clouds will be common, with patchy fog developing early in the morning. Mild lows will only fall into the upper 50s. A mix and sun and clouds is forecast Tuesday with ongoing warm trends; highs will reach the low and mid 80s. By midweek, the stalled front to the northwest of us will get a nudge, and greater rain chances and coverage are likely by late Wednesday through Thursday morning. Partial clearing will occur afterwards with lower temperatures.
RSS-affiliated Forum Against Communist Terrorism will hold a nationwide protest on Wednesday to condemn the Kerala government's failure to stop political murders of RSS members in the past year.

By Kiran Tare: An RSS-affiliated organisation, the Forum Against Communist Terrorism, will hold a nationwide protest on Wednesday to condemn the Kerala government's failure to stop political murders of RSS members in the past year.

The RSS launched the FACT to protest against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government, which came to power in Kerala a year ago.

"At least 12 RSS workers have been killed in last one year, since the CPI-M took charge of Kerala," said Ratan Sharda, member of FACT. "The communist workers have killed more than 250 RSS workers and seriously injured more than 650 in Kerala since 1996. The state government has not only turned a blind eye towards the killing but also has promoted the hatred against the RSS," Sharda said.

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He said that the RSS workers will protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Wednesday.

"We will hand over a memorandum to the Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao demanding action against the cultprits," he said.

Sharda added that Kerala Chief Minister P Vijayan also stood accused of killing an RSS worker. "A similar kind of protest marches will be also all over the country on Wednesday," he said.

ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh Assembly election: RSS mobilises cadre to get people to vote

--- ENDS ---
YAKIMA, Wash.  After Kmart revealed it will be closing its Yakima store later this year, di
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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) The Supreme Court today decided to hear tomorrow a fresh plea of a woman seeking to abort her 23-week old foetus on the ground that it suffered from down syndrome and her life was in danger.

A bench of Justices S A Bobde and L Nageswara Rao, which had on February 23 constituted a medical board to examine the 37-year-old woman, listed the matter for tomorrow as the first item.

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Down syndrome is a congenital disorder which causes intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities.

"As jointly prayed for, list the matter on February 28, as first item at the top of the Board," the bench said.

The court had earlier asked the medical board comprising doctors of Mumbai-based KEM Hospital to file a report before it about her condition and advisability of permitting a medical termination of pregnancy, forthwith.

The woman, a resident of Maharashtra, has approached the apex court seeking nod to terminate her pregnancy saying that apart from serious mental and physical health problems for the child on birth, even her life was in danger.

The law prohibits termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks even if there is a fatal risk to the mother and the foetus.

The woman has said in her plea that this disorder could cause physical and mental retardation and a child would not be able to lead a normal and healthy life.

In a separate case, the apex court had on February 7 allowed a 22-year-old woman to terminate her 24-week pregnancy on the ground that it would endanger her life.

In another case, the apex court in January had allowed a Mumbai-based woman, who was in her 24th week of pregnancy, to terminate her pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act while taking into consideration the report of a hospital which had suggested that the foetus would not be able to survive without the skull. PTI SKV ABA SJK RKS ARC

--- ENDS ---
The actors are presently in Goa to attend a wedding function.

By India Today Web Desk: Indian television's hottest couple Barkha Sengupta and Indraneil Sengupta are living it up in the country's most sought after travel destination, Goa.

Yes, you read that right.

The actors are presently there to attend a wedding function.

Also read: IN PICTURES: Mandira Bedi is having a blast in Goa

Well, when one thinks of Goa, one is reminded of beaches, bikinis and sand. But the couple are recreating a fresh image of the place in our heads with their exquisite outfits.

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Have a look:

Sangeet ready ... dressed in @anusoru .... ?? @indraneilsengupta A post shared by Barkha Sengupta (@barkhasengupta) on Feb 26, 2017 at 9:17am PST

Well, they might be having the beaches-sand kind of fun too, but these pictures are just gorgeous.

Barkha has been posting pretty pictures of herself with her good-looking husband on social media site Instagram.

Go ahead, feast your eyes to your heart's content.

Happy together ? @indraneilsengupta A post shared by Barkha Sengupta (@barkhasengupta) on Feb 26, 2017 at 4:23am PST

Feeling beautiful :) A post shared by Barkha Sengupta (@barkhasengupta) on Feb 26, 2017 at 12:08pm PST

Just be happy :) thank u @indraneilsengupta for this click ??? A post shared by Barkha Sengupta (@barkhasengupta) on Feb 26, 2017 at 4:21am PST

--- ENDS ---
The state comptrollers report on Operation Protective Edge is set to be released on Tuesday. The political establishment, just like the army, is bracing itself for the publication. There are those who seek to build themselves on the report, there are those who know it will harm them, and there are those who are preparing for a war over their reputation and their place in history.

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It is widely believed that the report contains a lot of criticism, including harsh remarks, and zero dismissal recommendations: The way the report is written, it is not a strategic threat, neither to the government nor to the army commanders; and it wont provide any remedy or consolation to the bereaved families, who are convinced that their sons died in vain.

Operation Protective Edge, July 2014. Repeated, chronic failures in running Israels wars (Photo: IDF Spokespersons Unit)

Nevertheless, the report is expected to provide a useful framework for the discussion of two important issues. The first issue is the repeated, chronic failures in managing Israels wars. The second issue is the benefit and damage of such reports to the states security.

The third, final version of the report was distributed on Wednesday to the inspected officials. After the publication, the country will be filled with noisy headlines from the report. It will be a major celebration for those who are fond of neatness and cleanliness.

The workers at the State Comptrollers Office did what they have been trained to do: They looked into meeting agendas, timetables for implementation, definitions, areas of responsibility, protocols, memos and the like.

They discovered numerous gaps in the paperwork. They did not check the content of the decisions, the essence of the policy, the relationships. Its not their job, they say. The law forbids them to do so. They are like a doctor who delves into the symptoms, but avoids touching the disease.

The report is signed by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira, but the person carrying it on his shoulders is Brigadier-General (res.) Yossi Beinhorn, a former artillery officer, who served as assistant to IDF Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, assistant to the defense minister and the defense establishment comptroller.

There is no one in the civil service today who is more acquainted with the inside of the system as well as he iswho leads, who is led, who knows how a decision is passed and how its implementation is delayed. A government worker, one the people inspected by him refers to him scornfully.

Beinhorn admires one prime ministerDavid Ben-Gurion. He wrote his Masters Degree thesis about him. Ben-Gurion made his most important decisions alone, without consulting anyone, definitely not his senior ministers, without any tidy paperwork. He wouldnt have met Beinhorns demands in his report (Those were different times, Beinhorn would respond to this sentence. Those are always different times, I would reply).

Credit comes with responsibility

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the official most often rebuked in the report. The main claim against him, according to a previous draft, is that he did not apprise the Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs (the Security Cabinet), as required by the law.

He was well aware of the situation, and so was then-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, but they did not share it with the ministers.

The cabinet did not hold strategic discussions on Gaza, did not discuss diplomatic alternatives and/or humanitarian gestures which could have possibly made the operation unnecessary.

Moreover, the cabinet did not receive full intelligence information about the expected threat from Gaza and its ministers were not informed that there was insufficient intelligence on the expected threat from Gaza. The prime minister, the defense minister and the cabinet did not set strategic goals for the army. Having no other choice, the army set its own strategic goals.

Netanyahu. The first to identify, the last to know (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

These are heavy claims. Netanyahu testified before Beinhorn and his team for two hours. He rejected their questions using arguments from the formal areahere and here I spoke about Gaza, here and here I mentioned the tunnels. They were unconvinced.

The truth is different, of course. Netanyahu failed to update the cabinet for two main reasons. The first is that he had no faith in his ministershe did not trust their wisdom, their motives or their willingness to respect the confidentiality of the information to which they would be made privy. He saw them as enemies rather than as partners.

The second reason is that he had no strategic goal to present to them. He entered Operation Protective Edge with the aim of getting out of it. Yes, entering in order to exit. That is not a strategic goal that can be presented to a group of self-interested, prey-seeking politicians, or to the diligent workers of the State Comptrollers Office.

The law states that the IDF is subject to the government, and that the cabinet is the governments representative. In reality, this is no more than wishful thinking. The cabinet is incapable of managing warsit is too big, too political and too amateurish.

Most of the war events have been run by a kitchenette, a forum which is not mentioned by the law. The kitchenettes usually summoned the prime minister, the defense and foreign ministers, the chief of staff, the military intelligence director and the Shin Bet chief. But they were not always tremendously successful either.

Recall, for example, the kitchenette in Operation Cast Lead. Ehud Olmert was prime minister, Ehud Barak was defense minister, Tzipi Livni was foreign minister and Gabi Ashkenazi was chief of staff. They each had their own strategic goals, their own expectations, their own people to hate.Trust was nonexistent.

Netanyahu is demanding all the credit, but is refusing to take responsibility. That has been his problem all along, both during and in between the wars. He is the first to identify and the last to know.

He was the first to identify the tunnels in Gaza, and the last to know that there was no operational solution for them. He was the first to identify the potential of Arnon Milchan, Ronald Lauder, James Packer and Sheldon Adelson, and the last to know where the gifts were coming from.

All the military failures the report is supposed to addressthe paucity operational planning, the lack of preparation to take over tunnels, the scant training, the intelligence gaps, and so on and so forthtook place during Netanyahus term.

That is what happens when you serve as prime minister for seven consecutive years. For some of these failures, Netanyahu is directly responsible as the person in charge of the Shin Bet. For some, he is indirectly responsible.

The reason for his failures should not be attributed to negligence or laziness or weakness. Rather, the reason is Netanyahus reluctance to make decisions. The fate of the tunnels in Gaza is like the fate of the attack that never happened on the Iranian nuclear project. There is no bureaucratic recommendation that can fix this mishap.

Yaalon did not share Netanyahus reluctance to make decisions, but he did share his contempt for the cabinet members. The report reprimands him, but anyone familiar with the reality during that period can sympathize.

Yaalon was facing Avigdor Lieberman, who repeatedly demanded that Israel occupy Gaza without suggesting how to do it and what to do on the day after. Naftali Bennett waged a campaign to destroy the tunnels. He drove Yaalon crazy to convince him to do so.

The argument over Gazas potential occupation reached the public and consequently convinced Hamas that it was immune, that Israel had no intention of leaving IDF boots on its turf for any protracted period of time. Therefore, it felt secure enough that it had no reason to rush into a ceasefire.

It placed Chief of Staff Benny Gantz in a catch-22: He had to explain to Lieberman why there was no point in occupying Gaza, but had to present it as a concrete threat to Hamas. As a chief of staff, he was compelled to project a fighting spirit. If the cabinet wants us to occupy Gaza, well get ready and occupy.

An inverted ladder

Moshe Dayan was chief of staff during the Suez Crisis in 1956. In a journal he published, he made a cruel comparison between two regiment commanders who acted against the rules: one is a galloping horse, the other is a lazy bull.

Bennett expected the chief of staff to be the horse galloping towards a battle, and he was disappointed. He ignored the dramatic difference between a regiment commander and a chief of staff. A chief of staffs job is to see the broad picture of the war.

One of the less convincing remarks in the state comptrollers report has to do with Gantz and the military intelligence director at the time, Aviv Kochavi. According to the draft report, they should have recommended to the defense minister to recommend to the prime minister to hold a cabinet discussion focusing on the tunnels.

Thats an inverted ladder. When the IDF wants something, the IDF achieves itthats the explanation I received from the reports authors. That explanation is not in line with their desire to create order between the army and the government once and for all.

Bennett. Says the army did not want to attack the tunnels (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Bennett, the politician expected to emerge victorious from the comptrollers report, compares the cabinet discussions during the operation to the blindness that struck the system on the eve of the Yom Kippur War. When the cabinet members were presented with information about the offensive tunnel, Bennett didnt get it. He only got it when he went visited the battlefield, a week before the operation was launched.

At first, he demanded that the IDF attack the tunnels to avenge the murder of the three Jewish teens. Then he reached the conclusion that they were a strategic threat.

The first people to define the tunnels as a strategic threat were Netanyahu and Yaalon. It was in December 2013, eight months before the operation. Strategy is a resonating word, threat is a strong word too, but what is their practical meaning?

One of the obvious conclusions was an evacuation of the population from communities adjacent to the fence during the fighting. When the idea was raised, Bennett was willing to support it, but Yaalon and Gantz rejected it out of hand.

Gantz now realizes that he was wrong. Nothing bad would have happened, neither to the communities nor to the national spirit, had they ordered an evacuation for several days, and a platoon of soldiers would have helped the remaining members milk the cows. In fact, thats what the IDF is now planning for the next conflict, in the north or in the Gaza vicinity.

Bennett complains that the army did not want to attack the tunnels. At first, they said that Hamas would not use them, that it was designating them for a different, much more serious purpose; then they said that if the army entered the tunnels, it would drag Israel into a war in all of Gaza; in the end, they said that there was no point because Hamas would dig all the tunnels again.

The truth is that the IDF was not prepared operationally to attack the tunnels. Thats what the chief of staff should have said to the cabinet members who pressed him to attackwe will attack as you want, although we are not operationally prepared. Beyond that, the estimates presented by the military official were not baseless.

Hamas did not plan to use the tunnelsit was dragged into using them. We lost Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul at the entrance to a defensive tunnela tunnel which was not directed towards Israel and which did not constitute a direct threat; and Hamas dug the tunnels again, improved and more equipped.

Are the tunnels a strategic threat? Yes, the state comptrollers people reply. Look what happened in Israel following Gilad Shalits abduction; look what happened following the kidnapping of Goldin and Shauls bodies.

There is no fixed solution for running wars. The key is in the prime ministers hands. He can surround himself with any forumsubject to the peoples qualifications, to the faith he has in them and to the political constraintsas long as he reports, consults and takes responsibility.

The state comptrollers people were astonished to hear from ministers, cabinet members, that they have no idea what their authorities are, whether they are a deciding rank, an approving rank or just a consulting rank. The right answer is that they are all of the aboveit all depends on the prime minister.

An open battle

Benny Gantztoday a citizen, a full-time businessman and a potential public figuretook the report pretty hard. First of all, he is convinced that Protective Edge was a successful operation, much more successful than the previous ones. Second, he is convinced that the report suffers from a basic misunderstanding of the constraints faced by the chief of staff and of the battles he has to wage against the political system. Third, the report ignores the list of priorities which was dictated to the military system at the time, led by the battle against Iran.

Gantz has two blissful years as a citizen, apart from one issuedealing with the report. After the report is published, he will have to launch an open battle. Some people like these battle; he will hate every minute of it.

Gantz. Will hate every minute of the battle against the report (Photo: Shaul Golan)

Gadi Eisenkot, Gantzs deputy who replaced him as chief of staff, comes out from report clean. In 2015, Gantz defined Gaza as a target state, like Lebanon. That move impressed Brigadier-General Beinhorn: It helped organize the division of authorities in the security organizationswhat the Shin Bet is responsible for and what the Military Intelligence Directorate is responsible for.

As for the Military Intelligence Directorate, it receives a lot of praise in the report and quite a few remarks. Major-General Kochavis place in the report is particularly sensitive, as he is the only one mentioned in it who has been nominated for a promotion. Next month, he will take office as the deputy chief of staff. In a year, when the appointment of the next chief of staff is on the agenda, the reports remarks will resurface. He will withstand it.

Netanyahu expressed his opinion on the report even before it was completed. The comptroller deals with procedures and I deal with results, he said. His associates added: This is not a serious report and it was written by unprofessional people.

Knesset Member Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid), who devoted most of his time in the past two years to an investigation of the failures in Operation Protective Edge, reached a different conclusion. Netanyahu, who said that the tunnels were a strategic threat, he told me, did not instruct the army to prepare an operative plan, did not take care of the building of power, did not hold discussions and did not make decisions. The man who pretends to be Mr. Security is talking nonsense about security.

And my question is: What will happen in the next war event? I suppose that the paperwork will be slightly better, and that some of the ministers will go to the trouble of reading it; the cabinet members will receive slightly more detailed briefs; it will all go by the book. It wont guarantee results, but there will be less remarks in the next comptroller report.
Israel Air Force fighter jets attacked five Hamas terror targets the Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon in response to a rocket fired from the strip that exploded in open area in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council in the early morning hours.

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According to sources in Gaza, meanwhile, the IDF attacked 15 targets across the Gaza Stripincluding a military post near the Nuseirat Camp in the center of the stripwith four Hamas wounded in eastern Rafah.

The Gaza Interior Ministry called on civilians to stay away from the sites that were bombed.

IDF attacks in Gaza

X

The rocket fired early in the morning did not activate the Code Red siren. There were no injuries and no damage caused as a result of the rocket.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack, but the IDF said that it holds Hamas accountable for what happens in the territory.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel had "no desire or intention to initiate any military move in the Gaza Strip" but that it would not tolerate even a "drizzle" of rocket fire.

"We will not get into a ping-pong situation of fire and counter-fire. I suggest Hamas take responsibility, impose order and calm down," Lieberman said.

IDF attacks in Gaza

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Israel would be responsible for any escalation if it continued to target "resistance positions."

Monday's rocket marks the fourth rocket fired at Israel in the last month.

Last week, two rockets were fired from the Sinai Peninsula near the Egyptian border and landed in the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no injuries in the attack. The rockets were fired at Israel in response to an ISIS claim that an Israeli drone killed five of the terror group's members near Rafah.

The rocket landing site in Sha'ar HaNegev

In the beginning of February, four rockets were fired from Sinai towards the coastal city of Eilat. The Iron Dome missile defense system successfully intercepted three, while the fourth fell in an open area, causing no damage. ISIS in the Sinai took responsibility for the salvo.

Three days later, another rocket was fired toward the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council. Using tanks and aircraft, the IDF attacked three Hamas positions in the northern Gaza Strip in response to the rocket fire, which emanated from the Gaza Strip.
There are currently at least 15 Hamas attack tunnels crossing the border into Israel, sources inside and outside of the cabinet told Channel 2's Amit Segal on Sunday, ahead of the release of the State Comptroller report dealing with that threat.

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Two new sections of the State Comptroller's Operation Protective Edge report will be published on Tuesday at 4pm, focusing on the tunnel threat from Gaza and the cabinet's decision-making process before the war and during its early stages.

The report will reveal what happened in the months and years that preceded the campaign in the Gaza Strip and is believed to include criticism of former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the way the security cabinet functioned during that time. Former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz is also expected to be harshly criticized in the report.

Hamas fighters in one of the tunnels (Photo: Reuters)

Leaks to the media during the operation revealed that the cabinet was presented with an assessment that conquering the Gaza Strip would incur heavy casualties on the IDF and cause serious damage to Israel's international standing.

"We could have conquered Gaza," the former IDF chief asserted. "At no point in time were we asked to do this, nor did we recommend it. The result was that (a decision was made) to seriously hurt Hamas, disrupt its tunnel operations, create deterrence, and Hamas remained on the ground. Forget what is being said."

"The truth is," Gantz added, "that no one had an interest to go back to even one percent of Gaza."

Prime Minister Netanyahu, then-IDF chief Gantz and then-defense minister Ya'alon (Photo: GPO)

Meanwhile, the defense minister during the operation, Moshe Ya'alon, posted a video on Facebook, writing alongside it: "There are those who leak, and those who fight."

"In the coming week, you'll hear a lot about Protective Edge," Ya'alon said. "Those who dealt with politics in the cabinet during the war, in an unprecedented manner, will continue to do so this week as well. They will tell you they didn't know, that they weren't told, that they didn't receive reports. And the greatest lie of all? They'll tell you we weren't prepared and that we lost. This is nonsense."

Ya'alon hinted at criticism he suffered at the hands of Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who a month ago said that "the Protective Edge report will be an earthquake for security, but will also bring with it an opportunity."

According to Bennett, "the State Comptroller report clearly shows that the root of the failure was in the rigid thinking of the leaders of the country. We need a new security mindset. No more rigidity and treading in place, but victory. Clear and decisive victory. A victory that requires no explanations or excuses. A victory that does not require public relations, but one that speaks for itself, without need of words. No more 50-day wars that end in a tie. We must switch from rigid thinking to innovative initiative."

One of the tunnels found during the operation (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)

Minister Yoav Galant, the former GOC Southern Command, also laid the blame on the defense officials, noting on Twitter: "The soldiers acted bravely during Protective Edge. Gantz and Ya'alon failed. Negligence and being wholly unprepared. Hesitancy to use power. Now they're hiding behind the cabinet's skirts."

The minutes of cabinet meetings during the war that were published a month ago show that then-IDF chief Gantz shared Netanyahu and Ya'alon's belief that Hamas must be contained rather than defeated.

"Hamas doesn't want to act," Gantz is quoted as saying in one of the meetings.

In another meeting, at a later stage of the operation, Gantz continues along the same line. "I oppose a ground offensive. We've had great achievements so far: Hamas is beaten, the tunnels are a reasonable risk to take."

In response to Gantz, Bennett said during that meeting "I expect you to arrive to cabinet meetings with operational plans and offensive policy. I'm not the one who's supposed to present plans to destroy the tunnels. Be wild horses, not lazy bulls."
With dozens of people in on the secret of the summit that convened in Aqaba a year ago, it was clear that the matter would not remain between the walls of the white royal villa. Its hard to keep an event of such magnitude a secret, especially as it involves so many interests, scores to settle, urges and the great frustration on the Arab side.

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Haaretz correspondent Barak Ravid got the big scoop. There was no need to guess who leaked the story, there is no doubt it was former US Secretary of State John Kerry. He is the one who went home resentful.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no interest in exposing how he managed to escape the effort to bring the parties back to the negotiating table or the tricks he played on Opposition Chairman Isaac Herzog. Jordans King Abdullah is dealing with a public opinion that is hostile towards Israel, so he was removed from the circle of suspects, especially as experience shows that the Jordanians only leak things that are meant to serve them. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is not on the list either, as indicated in the vague response issued by the palace in Cairo, with al-Sisis spokesman neither confirming nor denying.

Former US Secretary of State Kerry with Prime Minister Netanyahu and King Abdullah. Dear Netanyahu, why did you run away? (Archive photo: EPA)

More and more details are slowly being revealed. According to a recent report from the Arab world, a high-ranking Saudi representative showed up for the secret meeting in Aqaba as well. According to another report, Kerry intentionally decided not to invite Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but he met with him in Amman on the morning before the summit and promised to keep him updated.

Egyptian academic Dr. Yehia Mostafa Kamel published an open letter Saturday addressed to My dear Netanyahu, in which he raises the urgent question troubling the Arab side: Why did you run away? You already came to the secret meeting, you summoned your opposition leader and brought him in on the secret effort to restart the negotiations, you encouraged Herzog to announce that he is seriously examining and preparing and considering entering your right-wing government following this move, you did not express any comprehensive objection to the ideas raised during the summit and did not present any red linesso what happened to you, dear Netanyahu?

According to Dr. Kamels version, not only did Kerry present a detailed road map in Aqaba that would seat Netanyahu in front of Abbas, he also took care of the division of labor: Al-Sisi, thanks to his close relations with Netanyahu, would volunteer to pressure him; King Abdullah, because of Jordans interests, would do the same with Abbas. If there was indeed a Saudi representative there (the parties were sworn to full secrecy by King Salmans palace), Riyadh likely promised to support the move.

This addition produces a new conspiracy theory on the Arab side: Netanyahu (according to Minister Ayoob Kara, who claims to be close to him) is plotting to establish an alternative Palestinian state between Gaza and Sinai, and he used his meeting with Donald Trump in Washington to get the American president to pressure al-Sisiwho is longing for American aidto concede areas in Sinai. Egypt on its part, according to the same theory, will keep insisting on returning the Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi sovereignty in order to get the Saudis to support the plan.

Dr. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinians' representative to the negotiations, visited Cairo over the weekend in order to get an official confirmation from the Egyptian foreign minister that there was nothing of the kindno dreams and no plans and no scheme to declare a state of Palestine behind Abbas back.

After they were done mocking the veil of secrecy, the Arab commentators were willing to admit that had this information fallen into their hands, they could not have afforded to publish it in Amman, Cairo or Ramallah.

My dear Netanyahu, Dr. Kamel concludes his letter. Perhaps the era of secret meetings is over? Share with usexplain to uswhy you talk about the two-state solution and about comprehensive peace, and the moment a decision has to be madeyou fool everyone?
BEIRUT -- Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups said they clashed on Sunday with government forces near a city captured last week from the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Syria, the second such confrontation in that area in recent weeks.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian army.

A statement from the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) released on Sunday evening said the clash had taken place south of the city of al-Bab near the town of Tadef, which government forces took from IS on Sunday. A rebel fighter with an FSA group in the area said the incident took place on Sunday evening.
Former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon believes that the widespread Operation Brother's Keeper to re-arrest 50 of the prisoners released in the Shalit deal, along with hundreds of other Palestinians in the West Bank, during the search for three Israeli teens kidnapped by Hamas was what led to the escalation in the Gaza Strip that resulted in Operation Protective Edge.

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On June 14, 2014, two days after yeshiva students Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frenkel, and Gil-Ad Shaer were kidnapped in Gush Etzion, the cabinet convened for an emergency meeting. At that point, the ministers already knew with certainty that the missing teenagers had been kidnapped and that Hamas was behind the abduction.

Minister Naftali Bennett demanded that night to launch an extensive operation to arrest many of the terrorists released in the prisoner exchange for IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.





Then-defense minister Ya'alon making a statement to the press during Protective Edge (Photo: Yaron Brener)

According to different reports, it was then-MK Orit Strook from Bennett's Bayit Yehudi party that approached him and suggested the idea.

But not everyone were on board: Then-defense minister Moshe Ya'alon led the opposition to the move.

Bennett persisted, claiming the move could restore Israel's deterrence. Just as he was in the discussions that followed on Hamas's terror tunnels , here too Bennett was in the minority, with ministers Tzipi Livni and Yair Lapid opposing the move and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the fence.

Officials who were present during the discussion said Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen was in favor of the arrest operation as an act of deterrence.

Within the IDF, meanwhile, opinions were split on how effective such a move would be. One of the major generals at the time raised a simple question: If there is no legal reason not to arrest them, why haven't we done so until now?

Netanyahu was eventually convinced, swaying the tide in favor of Bennett. Some 400 Palestinians were arrested during Operation Brother's Keeper, about 50 of them were previously released as part of the Shalit deal.

Then-IDF chief Gantz (standing in the middle), Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-defense minister Ya'alon (both seated) at the Kirya IDF headquarters during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: GPO)

Ya'alon believes that the arrest operation significantly affected the way events unfolded in the weeks to come. The arrest of the Shalit deal prisoners, the former defense minister believes, was one of the main reasons behind the accelerated and unplanned escalation by Hamas, which led to Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Stripsomething Israel's intelligence apparatus failed to foresee.

According to Ya'alon, the Intelligence Directorate's assessment that Hamas was not seeking an escalation in Gaza was accurate. It were the Israeli operations in the West Bank that made Hamas change direction and eventually led to the war that claimed many lives.

Ya'alon believes that if Hamas was truly interested in an escalation, the terror organization would have launched a surprise attack in the form of a deluge of rocket fire or an infiltration into Israel from several tunnels at the same time.

Preparing for the State Comptroller report dealing with the tunnel threat and the cabinet's decision-making during the operation, Ya'alon posted a video on Facebook, writing alongside it: "There are those who leak, and those who fight."

"In the coming week, you'll hear a lot about Protective Edge," Ya'alon said. "Those who dealt with politics in the cabinet during the war, in an unprecedented manner, will continue to do so this week as well. They will tell you they didn't know, that they weren't told, that they didn't receive reports. And the greatest lie of all? They'll tell you we weren't prepared and that we lost. This is nonsense."
The imminent release of the State Comptroller's report dealing with the tunnel threat and Operation Protective Edge has caused political turmoil; a fact which is not lost on Gaza-area mayors and regional council heads, who called for cooler heads to prevail.

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Head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, Yair Farjun, cast doubt on claims ministers weren't entirely aware of the extent of the threat posed by tunnels.

"We always received information about the tunnel threat. The IDF admitted the only solution to deal with the tunnels was to go in (to Gaza). To say no one knew isn't true. We knew and we were as prepared as we could be," Farjun said.

Gaza-area mayors (Photo: Chaim Hornstein)

Shai Hajaj, head of the Merhavim Regional Council, called on politicians to moderate their responses to the report, saying, "The report speaks for itself, but I worry about politicians' hysteria. Responses like that undermine the security of residents. The report states that the government needs to invest more in the security of the area and return the sense of security for area residents."

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi referred to the report as well, saying, "We need to draw conclusions and not look for people to blame."

Netanyahu, Gantz and former Minister of Defense Ya'alon during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Kobi Gidon/PMO)

Davidi's words ring true as many in the political arena are pointing fingers at one another over allegations of negligence and lack of preparedness over the tunnel threat.

However, in response to criticism against the IDF, several hundred reserve officers and soldiers signed a letter of support for former Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, ahead of the release of the report. Gantz is expected to face some criticism over his role in the handling of Operation Protective Edge.

Signatories of the Gantz letter of support

"Discourse surrounding the report is ominous and it is likely to get worse with the release of the report. We find ourselves in an intense internal debate in which we will be presented to the world as having lost the fight and more good people will be subject to public criticism," the reserve officers wrote.

"It is unfortunate that the IDF and its commanders will be subject this, which will not be in their favor nor provide them the ability to respond. We trust military investigations more than anything else. Although they may not always be perfect, they are far cleaner and truthful and allow the army to draw conclusions and implement them," the officers continued.

Hili Tropper, one of the signatories, said, "The fact that former Chief of Staff Gantz is attacked so easily is worrisome. This is a leader who has decades of experience in leading soldiers and we will continue to follow him and the current Chief of Staff. He has given us soldiers and officers backup for years. Now we are asking to back him up."
A Jewish Israeli man was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday for attempted murder after he stabbed a man he mistook for an Arab at a supermarket in northern Israel in 2015. Pinto was also ordered to pay damages of NIS 50,000 to the victim.

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In their ruling, the Haifa District Court judges said that the perpetrator, Shlomo Pinto, "acted out of a sense of revenge and ideology in order to inspire people to act like he did, when the only goal is to kill an Arab victim."

Pinto, a resident of Kiryat Ata who had a police record for a series of property crimes, was convicted in December of attempted murder.

Shlomo Pinto (Photo: George Ginsberg)

The attack took place in October 2015 during the height of a wave of stabbing terror attacks that swept the country.

Pinto entered a supermarket in Kiryat Ata armed with two knives. After observing Uri Rizken, a worker at the supermarket, Pinto concluded he was Arab and stabbed him several times in the back and waist before chasing him through the store and seriously wounding him.

Pinto stabbing Rizkin (Video: Israel Police) (  )

X

Pinto admitted to his crimes, but the question swirling around the trial was the matter of Pinto's sanity. Judge Tamar Naot-Peri noted in the verdict that the defendant's claims of hearing voices only surfaced during the investigation two weeks later.

In handing down the verdict, judges noted the premeditated nature of the crime, its severity, the nationalist motivation and the damage done to the victim. As such, the judges handed down a sentence consistent with that given to terrorists also convicted of attempted murder (between 9 and 15 years of actual time spent in prison).
Eighteen premature babies in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center were infected with the VRE bacteria, which medical experts say is dangerous and antibiotic resistant.

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The babies' infection was discovered over the last few days after a premature baby in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was transferred to Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva for an open heart surgery, where he underwent medical examinations and found to be carrying the bacteria.

Schneider put the infant in quarantine and notified the Sourasky Medical Center about the situation, which later tested the other infants in the NICU ward and found that 17 additional premature babies were carrying the bacteria.

Illustration (Photo: Shutterstock)

The ward's staff isolated those infants from the rest and notified the Ministry of Health, which opened an investigation into the incident.

VRE is an intestinal bacterium which is very common In the United States due to the overuse of antibiotics.

"The bacterium is not so common in Israel," said an expert on infectious diseases on Sunday, adding that "in some hospitals, it is customary to check every infant that enters for the bacteria. I can't recall a case from recent years where so many infants were found to be carrying the bacteria."

Premature babies are a high-risk group for infectious diseases because of their very weak immune system. While VRE is not a violent bacterium, it is still a dangerous one.

It is important to note that the bacteria has been found in the infants' fecal matter but the infants themselves have not shown symptoms such as fever, shivers, high blood pressure or inflammation of the urinary tract, which might indicate an immediate danger.

"The problem is that if an asymptomatic carrier starts showing signs of the disease, it can become dangerous awfully fast," the expert added.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said: "The Center for Disease Control (ICDC) has received a report on Sunday about the spread of the antibiotic resistant bacteria VRE at the Sourasky Medical Center's NICU. The incident was discovered following the transfer of a premature infant to Schneider's Children Hospital.

"All premature infants at the Sourasky Medical Center were tested and 17 were found to carry the bacteria. It is, as of now, asymptomatic and not dangerous. Medical staff in Sourasky's NICU have taken necessary measures to prevent the bacteria from spreading. ICDC has opened an investigation."

The Sourasky Medical Center said in response, "The VRE intestinal bacterium is a non-dangerous one and can be found in NICUs nationwide. With the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, all premature infants in the NICU were tested and precautionary measures were taken to insure the health of all infants in the ward. No infant has been found to be sick as it is only the asymptomatic carrying of the bacteria. The babies' parents were notified."
The Lebanese and Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper, Al Akhbar, mocked Minister Ayoob Kara (Likud) Monday, over comments he made last week in which he referenced a robot "that will eliminate the heads of Hamas and Hezbollah" without endangering soldiers in hostile territories.

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Ridiculing Ayoob, the newspaper noted "The Israeli minister without portfolio, Ayoob Kara, has found the portfolio he was looking for: 'Minister of Science Fiction.'"

Minister Ayoob Kara and Hassan Nasrallah (Photo: Yaron Berner)

In the article written by Yahya Dabouq, the Israeli Affairs correspondent, Dabouq sardonically added, "Tel Aviv's objective, killing its number one enemy, the Secretary General of the organization (Hezbollah), Hassan Nasrallah, is within reach. The solution, according to Kara, is the American movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger: 'Killer Robot.'"

The newspaper's snarky remarks come in response to an interview Kara gave last week at a Be'er Sheva cultural event in which he made the comments.

Kara's comments were mentioned throughout the Arab media, however they were conspicuously absent from Hezbollah's media arm, Al-Manar.
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Feb 27 (PTI) Ivory smuggling in China, the worlds biggest ivory market, fell by 80 per cent last year from previous peak years following a steady crackdown, the government claimed today.

China will stop commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of this year.

Last year, it imposed a three-year ban on ivory imports in an escalated fight against illegal trading of wild animals and plants.

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The number of illegal wildlife trade cases has been on the decline since last year, Liu Dongsheng, deputy head of the State Forestry Administration (SFA) said yesterday.

He said the ivory smuggling fell by 80 per cent but did not disclose details, sate-run Xinhua news agency quoted Liu as saying.

Meanwhile, the numbers of critically endangered species in China, including giant pandas, crested ibis, Yangtze alligators and Tibetan antelopes have been increasing steadily, he said.

Chinas newly-revised law on wild animal protection took effect at the start of this year, imposing harsher punishment on overkilling and illegal utilisation of wild animals.

Last December, China said it would gradually stop the processing and sale of ivories for commercial purpose by the end of 2017.

The decision came after China had imposed a three-year ban onivoryimports in March last year.

The move will affect Chinas 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues, with dozens to be closed by the end of March 2017, the agency quoted an official statement as saying.

Before that deadline, law enforcement agencies will continue to clamp down on illegalities associated with the elephants tusk, an official told the agency.

Chinas move, if implemented strictly, could be a game changer specially for the African elephant conservation as hundreds get killed every year by poachers to feed into the burgeoning markets in China and Hong Kong.

As a result, the number of Africas savannah elephants dropped to 3.5 lakh thousand in 2014, according to the conservation groups.

While the international market in ivory has been closed since 1989, legal domestic markets have continued in many countries around the world.

A surge in the killing of elephants over the past seven years has seen populations across Africa shrink by a third, according to the recently published Great Elephant Census. PTI KJV CPS AKJ CPS

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Lod District Court has sentenced 23-year-old Shatila Abu Iyada, a resident of Kfar Qasim who stabbed a woman in due to a nationalist motive, to 16 years in prison and a NIS 100,000 fine to the to be paid to the plaintiff.

Abu Iyada confessed, as part of her plea deal, to attempted murder.

On April 3, 2016, Abu Iyada stabbed a woman in Rosh HaAyin's industrial area. A security guard noticed the assailant and detained her after finding a knife in her purse.
Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Mahmoud Abbas called on world nations in his speech to the UN to officially recognize the state of Palestinian as soon as possible to help save the two-state solution, claiming that it requires countries that recognize Israel to also recognize Palestine.

Abbas then said that the Palestinians are firm in their position that East Jerusalem must become the capital of a Palestinian state and that the transfer of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would wreck the peace process.

The Palestinian Authority, he added, would seek to redress their grievances via the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The Knesset's House Committee will meet next week to decide whether to dismiss MK Basel Ghattas (Joint List), who is under suspicion of having smuggled cell phones to security prisoners.

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"The committee will convene to complete the process of dismissing Ghattas," chairman MK Yoav Kisch (Likud) announced after 71 Knesset members signed the request to begin dismissal procedures against the Arab MK.

Among signatories on the petitioninitiated by Minister of Environmental Proection Ze'ev Elkinwere Knesset members from both the governing coalition and the opposition. Elkin submitted the petition to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein.

Basel Ghattas (Photo: Yair Sagi)

The law stipulates that the chairman of the House Committee must declare his intention to convene proceedings 10 days prior to the date the committee actually meets. Following Kisch's declaration, the committee will meet on March 8.

"I call on my friends in the opposition to join this move, this is not about right or left, but rather about safeguarding Israeli security and the status of the Knesset," said Kisch.

MK Yoav Kisch (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Ghattas will only be dismissed if the entire committee votes in favor of it. Then, final approval will require the support of at least 90 members of Knesset.

The Knesst's Ethics Committee in January barred Ghattas from participation in parliamentary activities for six months. He cannot participate in discussions, give speeches or introduce legislation. He may only vote. This is the maximum allowable punishment that the Ethics Committee can mete out.

In response, Ghattas said, "The decision of the Ethics Committee is a vengeful political decision that has never been applied to any other Knesset member following criminal proceedings that will be soon be over. The investigation will soon be over and a decision on indictment will soon be made. The committee members gave their verdict and sentence before any suspicions against me were proven."
MANILA -- Abu Sayyaf extremists in the Philippines released a video showing the beheading of a German hostage in the first sign the brutal Philippine militants carried out a threat to kill him after a ransom deadline lapsed over the weekend.

Authorities were trying to confirm whether or not Jurgen Gustav Kantner, whom the extremists said they captured in November, had been killed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed again on Monday criticism against him expected to appear in the State Comptroller report on Operation Protective Edge, claiming that "the truly important lessons" do not appear in the report.

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"We implement these lessons without making any announcements or statements to the media. We implement them comprehensively, diligently and quietly," he added, speaking at the beginning of the Likud party meeting.

Addressing claims made by some of the ministers that the IDF achieved no decisive victory against Hamas in Gaza, Netanyahu insisted that "We've delivered Hamas the hardest blow it has ever suffered, killing about a thousand of its terrorists, including its most senior commanders. We knocked down the terror towers. We acted with force and responsibility and in full coordination between the political and military ranks."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters)

In that vein, he rejected allegations that he and then-defense minister Moshe Ya'alon failed to properly update the cabinet about the situation on the ground before, during and after the war.

"No cabinet in the history of the state has been more updated, and when you enter a cabinet meeting you must leave your cellphone, small politics and personal interests outside," the prime minister claimed.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman used his own Yisrael Beytenu party meeting to lambast politicians who he said were more interested in settling scores and laying blame on others than learning the necessary lessons from the war.

"The ongoing conversation right now about the report is not one that deals with the matter at hand, but rather a political one that does not contribute to Israel's security. On the contrary, it just hurts Israel's security," Lieberman said.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: AFP)

He stressed his criticism was not towards the Defense Ministry, which he is currently heading, or the IDF. "The IDF and the defense establishment have been busy learning and implementing lessons from the very first day after Operation Protective Edge. I think today all of our systems are readyboth the regular army and the reservesin a way we haven't seen in decades," Lieberman asserted.

"The comptroller report is supposed to be used to learn lessons and introduce improvements, not as a platform to settle scores. We need to be wiser and move from political arguments and accusations to a discussion on the matter at hand: what we need to improve and where," the defense minister added.

Meanwhile, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who was the finance minister during the 2014 war in Gaza, called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to publicly admit the mistakes he made in the cabinet before and during the war.

"The prime minister needs to stand before the nation and the military and admit that the comptroller report proves beyond any doubt that he had erred," Lapid said at the beginning of his own party's meeting. "He needs to tell the citizens of Israel that the process of corrections and lesson-learning begins now."

The State Comptroller's report dealing with cabinet decision-making before and in the early stages of the operation, as well as with the threat of cross-border Hamas tunnels, will be released on Tuesday at 4pm.

Lapids report shows that even after the Shin Bet and the Military Intelligence told Netanyahu that the tunnels have become a strategic threat, "the prime minister did not hold the necessary discussions, did not raise the issue in the cabinet, did not give the military the correct orders. None of these matters were amended in the last two and a half years; Not the Cabinets operation, nor the decision-making process."

Nevertheless, MK Lapid emphasized, "I dont think the prime minister should resign for being wrong. Mistakes happen. Wars do not occur in the laboratory and security concerns are a complex matter."

Ahead of the reports publication, recriminations between members of the cabinet, politicians and military officials have been hurled around for some time. Some are opposed to the conclusionswhich have yet to be officially releasedwhile others throw responsibility around regarding the impaired preparation and the problematic handling of the tunnels' threat during the conflict with Hamas.

"What is worrisome is not the mistakes, but the denial," added Lapid. The attempt to engage in image, politics and media spins at the expense of national security is alarming. This is a professional and thorough report, but it is also harsh, with personal notes for the prime minister, for the former defense minister, for senior IDF officials. The question is what are we going to do now: get into another ugly political fight, or are we going to fix things?"

According to Lapid, contrary to the political echelon, the IDF started its learning process and the amendment of faults immediately after Protective Edge Operation: "the IDF investigated its faults with honesty and courage, and started taking care of it. The political echelon, and especially the prime minister, did the exact opposite. The Comptrollers report on this matter is conclusive."

In recent days, Moshe Ya'alon, who served as the defense minister during the operation and the then Chief of Staff Benny Gantz addressed the report as well.

Ya'alon wrote: "You will be hearing quite a bit about Protective Edge in the coming week. Those who practiced politics in the Cabinet during the war, in an unprecedented manner, will continue to do so this week. They will tell you they didnt know, they werent told, that no one reported to them. And the biggest lie? That we were unprepared and that we lost. Thats nonsense."

Gantz said in a closed-doors event: "I do not accept what is written there."
A 27-year-old man was shot to death on Monday evening when a biker pulled out a gun and began spraying a vehicle with bullets while driving near the promenade on Ben Gurion Road in the city of Bat Yam.

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The victim was apparently working as a security guard for a known felon.

The shooter fled the scene before security forces launched an investigation, gathering eyewitness testimony as they attempted to locate his whereabouts.

Roads were also blocked off in Tel Aviv, Bat Yam and Holon.

Resuscitation attempts (Photo: MDA)

Magen David Adom paramedics arrived at the scene and saw the man unconscious and bleeding from various wounds on his upper body.





After efforts to resuscitate the victim, he eventually succumbed to his wounds, forcing them to pronounce his death at the scene.
A Jewish community center in Cooper City in South Florida was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat. Additionaly, another bomb threat was made against a Jewish community center in Birmingham, Florida. Both cases are being investigated by authorities.

In recent weeks there have been dozens of bomb threats against Jewish community centers, all fake.
A Cabinet official accused both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon Monday of implementing budget cuts just prior to the launching of Operation Protective Edge in 2014, at the most inopportune time.

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The official, whose claim comes ahead of the release of the state comptroller's report regarding the incursion which is expected to heap criticism on the handling of the incursion, argues that the cuts compromised the security of the Israeli towns surrounding Gaza.

"One of the most important points prior to the Operation was the budget cuts to the security of the towns surrounding Gaza," the official said. "Netanyahu and Ya'alon cut the security budgets allocated to the Gaza area while Hamas was digging tunnels, causing the residents to lose their sense of security."

Netanyahu and Ya'alon (Photo: Haim Horenstein)

Earlier Monday, during Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud faction meeting, he said that "contrary to the Comptroller's reportI back the IDF Chiefs, the Shin Bet and the defense forceswho have been guarding and are guarding the citizens of Israel.

Our commanders and fighters have fought fiercely and Israel is proud of them. The truly important lessons are not in the Comptroller's report and we are applying them without issuing any statements to the media. We are applying them thoroughly, consistently and quietly.

Ya'alon himself wrote Sunday on his Facebook page : "You will be hearing quite a bit about Protective Edge in the coming week. Those who practiced politics in the Cabinet during the war, in an unprecedented manner, will continue to do so this week. They will tell you they didnt know, they werent told, that no one reported to them. And the biggest lie? That we were unprepared and that we lost. Thats nonsense. There are those who leak and there are those who fight.

The current Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said at a meeting of Yisrael Beytenu that "the comptrollers report should be used to draw conclusions, make improvements and not as a platform for settling scores.

We will successfully move beyond the political debate and the accusations to a substantive discussion of what requires improvement and what can be improved."

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said that "reaching conclusions is a critical move. But just as I support the criticism, I am disgusted by the leaks in the cabinet. And leaks in the cabinet unequivocally endanger the lives of soldiers. We, as cabinet members, must not use these reports as a tool for political bashing. The IDF is dear to us. Restrain yourselves. "
WARSAWIn a gesture welcomed in Poland, the son of a Nazi official has returned three artworks that his family had looted from the southern Polish city of Krakow during World War II.

Polish officials said Monday they hoped the gesture by Horst von Waechter of Austria would inspire other Nazi descendants to follow suit.

In the ceremony Sunday in Krakow, von Waechter returned an 18th-century map of Poland, built into a small table, and two historic drawings that his mother, Charlotte von Waechter, had appropriated there in late 1939. It was shortly after her husband, Otto von Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war.

The handover took place at the office of the Krakow provincial governor and was the result of efforts by Polish historian and politician Magdalena Ogorek, according to Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the governor.

He said one of the paintings had Charlotte von Waechter's handwritten pencil inscription saying it came from the Potocki Palace in Krakow, where the Waechters resided during the war.

Ogorek told The Associated Press she spotted some Poland-related objects at Horst von Waechter's castle in Austria while she was doing research there about his father, who died in 1949 at the Vatican while waiting to be smuggled to Argentina to avoid facing justice.

She said von Waechter returned the objects to Krakow for no compensation.

"He gave a good example to others and we should be happy about this," Ogorek said.
Jewish centers and schools around the US are coping with yet another wave of anti-Semitism, as at least 16 such centers and Jewish schools received bomb threats on Monday.

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The threats come as officials in Philadelphia begin raising money to repair and restore vandalized headstones at a Jewish cemetery.

The JCC Association of North America says Jewish Community Centers and day schools in 11 states received bomb threats on Monday.

The threats, all of which appeared to be hoaxes, were received in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. For some centers, it was the second or third time this year that they had been forced to put their threat evacuation drill into practice.

Photo: AP

Officials say many of the buildings have been cleared and have returned to normal operations. The FBI is investigating the incidents, which join a plethora of similar such incidents, which have rocked the countrys Jewish community.

The case is the fifth wave of bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers and Jewish institutions since January.

In Philadelphia, more than 100 headstones were knocked over at Mount Carmel Cemetery. Police are investigating.

"Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities," David Posner, a director at the JCC Association, said in a statement.

Jewish groups, US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have all condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries.

Photo: AP

White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised the subject of the vandalism at a news briefing on Monday.

"The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he told reporters, saying they were in breach of the country's founding principles.

Money is being raised to repair and restore the more than 100 headstones that were vandalized at the Philadelphia Jewish cemetery.

A man visiting Mount Carmel Cemetery on Sunday called police to report that three of his relatives' headstones had been knocked over and damaged. The discovery came less than a week after similar vandalism in Missouri

Police say approximately 100 additional headstones were knocked over, apparently sometime after dark Saturday and are conducting a criminal mischief-institutional vandalism investigation.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney says authorities are doing everything possible to find those "who desecrated this final resting place."

The Anti-Defamation League and a police union are offering a $13,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Several Jewish community centers were also evacuated for a time last Monday after receiving bomb threats, the JCC Association of North America organization said.

Children were also evacuated on Monday from the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia, after receiving telephoned bomb threats, according to a statement by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
All 11 were arrested in a joint operation by the Madhya Pradesh police and central agencies from Dhar in 2008 and were charged under section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.

By Hemender Sharma: A special court in Indore today convicted Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) mastermind Safdar Nagori and 10 others in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts and were awarded life imprisonment.

All 11 were arrested in a joint operation by the Madhya Pradesh police and central agencies from Dhar in 2008 and were charged under section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.

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The accused during investigations led the CBI to a farm in village Aroda in Indore from where 120 gelatine stick and 100 detonators were recovered. Police had also recovered 240 pamphlets of banned literature and a large number of video CDs from the accused. The CDs had a training programme for anti-national forces and according to the police the accused were in the process of recruiting such forces.

The pamphlets too contained anti-India propaganda and talked about launching a holy war against the country.

Out of the 11 accused 10 including Safdar Nagori are lodged in the Sabarmati jail in Gujarat while one was out on bail. The 10 accused lodged in the Gujarat jail were told about their conviction and sentence through video conferencing while one of the accused identified as Munroj who was out on bail arrested immediately after the sentence was announced in Indore.

Nagori was also alleged to be the mastermind of the back to back Gujarat serial blasts of 2008. In July 2008 Ahmadabad serial blasts 57 people had lost their lives and more that 70 people have already been charge sheeted in this case.

The blasts were allegedly triggered by the Indian Mujahedeen (IM) and according to the police terror attack was part of a larger conspiracy jointly hatched by IM and SIMI to avenge the killing of Muslims in the 2002 post Godhra riots.

ALSO READ:Ahmedabad serial blasts mastermind among 10 arrested

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Israel's Attorney General has ordered an investigation into the purchase of German submarines months after it emerged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney represented the German firm involved in the $1.5 billion deal.

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The Justice Ministry said Monday the decision was made after evidence pointed to "reasonable suspicion" of individuals involved in the case.

In December, Israeli lawyers had planned to petition the Supreme Court to intervene over the awarding of a defense contract to Germany's ThyssenKrupp, amid allegations of a conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Netanyahu's own lawyer.

The deal has come under public scrutiny since it emerged that the lawyer, David Shimron, who is also his cousin, also represents the local agent of ThyssenKrupp.

Navy submarine (Photo: IDF Spokesperson Unit)

Both Netanyahu and Shimron have denied any impropriety. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems said it has no contractual connection with the lawyer.

"The decision to move ... to a criminal probe in the 'ships affair' was taken following information gathered by police in the past few months and the evidence that has raised reasonable suspicions against some of those involved," part of the Justice Ministry statement said.

Suspicions of impropriety were heightened when former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon said he was sidelined on the purchase planswhich went forward after he was replaced last year.

Police have been questioning Netanyahu for several weeks over separate corruption allegations the prime minister has dismissed as "baseless."

The Prime Minister's Office issued a response to the case a month ago detailing the purchasing schedule, stating that "contrary to the claims made, the procurement of the four ships was made in accordance with the recommendations of the Navy and the Ministry of Defense itself. The prime minister and the cabinet follow the recommendations of the professional ranks."

After news of the investigation broke, Shimron said he welcomed the inquiry and that its findings would clear him of all wrongdoing and that he would cooperate with investigators.

"I am absolutely certain ... that objective, expert officials will find, once and for all, that my actions were faultless and that I acted according to the law and in line with conflict-of-interest arrangements," Shimron said.
Jewish groups, US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have all condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries.

Police said on Sunday that about 100 headstones had been toppled at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, about a week after a similar act of vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised the subject of the vandalism at a news briefing on Monday.

"The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he told reporters, saying they were in breach of the country's founding principles.
U.S. and Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron leaders discussed interoperability and tactical integration here Feb. 24 as their combined Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) training continues.



EAC is a combined training activity initiative under the Force Posture Agreement between the U.S. and Australian governments. This EAC rotation brought together the U.S. Air Forces 90th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and the Royal Australian Air Forces 75 Squadron F/A-18A/B Hornets from RAAF Base Tindal, two squadrons who share a long history of working side by side.



Were back together again operating in a really significant training exercise testing our integration and our interoperability, said 75 SQN commander Mick Grant. Its no small effort to bring a squadron all the way down from Alaska and were really excited to have them operating here in our backyard.



Grant said a huge function of the exercise activity is bringing together 4th and 5th generation aircraft which will be important for the RAAFs future fighter capabilities as they prepare to receive F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft.



Its critical for Australia because we will have F/A-18s and F-35s, 4th and 5th generation aircraft working together, and we need to be good at it, Grant said. Were getting valuable training this week. We are taking the strengths of our 4th generation aircraft and combining them with the strengths of a 5th generation aircraft  we bundle those strengths into one package to deal with the threats in our current training scenarios.



Lt. Col. David Skalicky, 90th FS commander, said that while the squadrons have been able to work together in larger capacities, this exercise activity allows a more in-depth training on a smaller scale.



This is the first time weve had the opportunity to integrate at the unit level which has provided us a unique opportunity to delve into the tactics and individual execution of each pilot and make us better as a team, Skalicky said. As we get better as a team, were better postured as a coalition to deal with the challenges of the future.



A unique capability that has further integrated the two squadrons is the exchange pilot program. Currently, RAAF pilot Flight Lieutenant William Grady is nearing the end of his three-year tenure as an exchange pilot with the 90th FS.



Grady said the opportunity to work with the 90th FS is a fantastic opportunity for him personally and professionally.



The premise of the exchange [program] is to gain a solid understanding of 5th generation fighter flying, and bring back tactics and techniques so [the RAAF] can stand up the integrated and technical force that were desiring, Grady explained.



Skalicky highlighted the logistical piece of the exercise which includes support from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker providing aerial refueling and a C-17 Globemaster providing the ability to move equipment and personnel. The aircraft and their support personnel are in addition to the maintainers, security forces and supply airmen that are combining their unique capabilities in order to sustain the joint exercise activity.



Its been a great experience with the logistics side of both forces working together, Skalicky said. To see all of that coming together has been phenomenal.



On the RAAF side, Base Tindal has contributed to the logistical requirements of the EAC by providing lodging facilities, increasing rations at the dining facility and making available other comfort amenities for the more than 200 visiting U.S. Airmen.



Wing Commander Andrew Tatnell, the RAAF Base Tindal Senior Australian Defence Force Officer, said its an absolute pleasure to have the 90th Fighter Squadron visiting RAAF Base Tindal as they work and train with the 75 Squadron.



EAC exercise activities will continue in Northern Australia through the beginning of March.
As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More
By Press Trust of India: Washington, Feb 27 (PTI) Fathers who use cocaine at the time of conceiving a child may be putting their sons at risk of learning disabilities and memory loss, a new study has warned.

The findings reveal that drug abuse by fathers - separate from the well-established effects of cocaine use in mothers - may negatively impact cognitive development in their male offspring, researchers said.

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The study by researchers at University of Pennsylvania in the US found evidence that the sons of fathers that ingested cocaine prior to conception struggle to make new memories.

Their findings demonstrated that the sons - but not the daughters - of male rats that consumed cocaine for an extended period of time could not remember the location of items in their surroundings and had impaired synaptic plasticity in hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and spatial navigation in humans and rodents.

"These results suggest that the sons of male cocaine addicts may be at risk for learning deficits," said R Christopher Pierce, professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pierce and his colleagues propose that epigenetic mechanisms are at the root of the problem. Epigenetics refers to heritable traits that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence, as is the case with genetic inheritance.

DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, like thread around a spool and chemical changes to histones influence the expression of genes, which is an epigenetic process.

The research showed that cocaine use in dads caused epigenetic changes in the brain of their sons, thereby changing the expression of genes important for memory formation.

D-serine, a molecule essential for memory, was depleted in male rats whose father took cocaine and replenishing the levels of D-serine in the sons hippocampus improved learning in these animals.

The researchers showed that cocaine abuse in dads broadly altered the chemical marks on histones in the brain of their sons, even though the offspring were never exposed to cocaine.

Chemical modifications on the histones were changed to favour active transcription of genes in the hippocampus of male rats with a paternal history of cocaine taking, allowing more production of the enzyme D-amino acid oxidase, which degrades D-serine.

The researchers propose that increased expression of the enzyme, driven by changes in the epigenetic landscape, cause the memory problems in the sons of addicted rats.

"There is substantial interest in the development of D-serine and related compounds, which are well tolerated by humans, as drug therapies," Pierce said.

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"The ability of D-serine to reverse the adverse effects of paternal cocaine taking on learning adds potential clinical relevance to our research," he added.

The findings were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. PTI SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- The direct enforcement of the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) and of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) on the statutes of limitation for criminal liability will have consequences on 557 cases under criminal prosecution and before the courts in which the estimated

- The full bench of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (Supreme Court, ed. n.) decided on Tuesday that the decision of the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) on the limitation period applies retroactively. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook

- The independent MPs, members of the Forta Dreptei [Right Force - editor's note] party, are challenging, on Thursday, with the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR), the package of the three justice laws, non-affiliated Deputy Antonel Tanase informs, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai

- The coordinator of the Observatory for Innovation in the Public Sector within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Marco Daglio, present on Tuesday in Bucharest, said that steps are being taken with the Government to implement the innovation laboratory, stressing that

- The prosecutor general with the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice (PICCJ), Gabriela Scutea, on Monday met Veronica Dragalin, the head of the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Moldova, the two high-ranked officials discussing, among other

- President Klaus Iohannis declared, on Friday, that his express request for the Government and Parliament regarding the package of Justice laws was to take into account the known recommendations, adding that he does not believe that the opinion of the Venice Commission will be different from those

- Fifth grade students are to receive scholarships from the first day of the school year, Minister of Education Sorin Cimpeanu told a press conference on Wednesday, at the end of the Government meeting. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro

- Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca convened, on Thursday, the National Committee for Emergency Situations with a view to granting emergency humanitarian aid to the authorities of the French Republic, following the consultation with President Klaus Iohannis on the topic, a Government briefing informs.
Today is International Polar Bear Day, and in honor of the efforts to save this species, we are introducing you to a trio of adorable new cubs!

On November 8, a Polar Bear named Anana gave birth to twins at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. On November 16, her sister, Aurora, also gave birth to twin cubs. However, this great news was met with the unfortunate passing of one of Ananas cubs.

This is Auroras third time producing twins; the first litter did not survive and the now famous, Nora, was born in the second litter on November 6, 2015. Nora was hand reared by the Zoo team after Aurora left her alone in the den when she was six days old.

Activity inside the dens was being monitored using remote cameras, and the reason for the loss of Ananas cub will likely never be known. Animal care staff members, who had been observing Anana and Aurora 24 hours a day, noted the cub stopped moving, but Anana continued to groom the cub and held it in position to nurse.

At this time, both Anana and Aurora are attentively caring for their cubs but the sudden loss of one of Ananas cubs is a sad reminder of how fragile their lives are both in our care and in their native Arctic environment, said Carrie Pratt, Curator of North America and Polar Frontier. We remain hopeful for the survival of these cubs as well as for the future of Polar Bears.

Photo Credits: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium / Grahm S. Jones (Images: 1-9,11,12) ; Amanda Carberry (Image: 10)

The sire to all the cubs is 28-year-old Nanuq who came to the Columbus Zoo in 2012. As long as Aurora and Anana continue to care for cubs in their dens, Nanuq is the only Polar Bear visible to guests.

Anana and her cub are taking baby steps to explore other areas of the maternity den. The little one is now eating chow and will also steal little slivers of meat from mom. The cub is also climbing and running on sand piles and sod. After being introduced to a few inches of water (up to the belly), the cub is a big fan. The cubs sex will be confirmed during the vet wellness check-up in the coming weeks, and both mom and baby will remain off-view until spring.

Aurora and her twin cubs are also experiencing similar milestones as her sister and cub. The cubs are being introduced to more of the behind-the-scenes yards with sand and sod (slowly growing their world) and they are doing great. They are also eating chow and sneaking bits of meat from mom. The twins have been introduced to a few inches of water. According to keepers, they will put all four paws in, splash around and stick their snouts in. Afterwards, they like to roll on the sod to dry off. The twins sex will be confirmed during their vet wellness check-up in the coming weeks, and, as with Anana and cub, both mom and babies will likely be on view in the spring.

Nanuq is the oldest male Polar Bear to reproduce in a North American zoo. Nine-year-old twins Aurora and Anana arrived at the Columbus Zoo in 2010 when the Polar Frontier region opened. All three bears came from other zoos on breeding loans as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the threatened species.

Female Polar Bears generally have their first set of cubs between the ages of four and eight years. Due to delayed implantation, the gestation period can range from about 195 to 265 days. Pregnant Polar Bears den in the fall and give birth, generally to two cubs, in the winter. The cubs grow quickly on their mothers fat-rich milk before emerging from the den in the spring.

Polar Bears are native to the circumpolar north including the United States (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark (Greenland). They are at the top of the Arctic food chain and primarily eat seals. Polar Bear populations are declining due to the disappearance of sea ice, and experts estimate that only 20,000-25,000 Polar Bears are left in the wild. Some scientists believe if the warming trend continues two-thirds of the population could disappear by the year 2050.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in partnership with Polar Bears International (PBI), has provided support to 14 conservation projects in three countries since 1998. In recognition of the Zoos conservation and education programs, PBI has designated the Columbus Zoo an Arctic Ambassador Center.

For more information on the work PBI does, and 'International Polar Bear Day', please see their website: www.polarbearsinternational.org
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 27 (PTI) US President Donald Trump today said his first budget would focus on national security and public safety as the White House announced that his plans include a whopping USD 54 billion increase in defence spending and cuts in foreign aid.

"This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, very much based on those two with plenty of other things, but very strong. And it will include a historic increase in defence spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it," Trump said in his address to the National Governors Association.

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Addressing governors from across the country, Trump said he would provide more details about the budget in his maiden joint address to the US Congress tomorrow night.

"And youll be hearing about that tomorrow night in great detail. This is a landmark event, a message to the world, in these dangerous times of American strength, security and resolve," Trump said in his remarks.

In a conference call with reporters soon after, a senior official from the Office of Budget Management, White House, announced that the budget would include an increase of USD 54 billion in defence spending.

The money, the official said, would come from savings from other governmental programmes.

The senior official said that there will be "large reduction in foreign aid".

Describing this years budget as a "security budget", the official said tit would fulfil campaign promises.

"This defence spending increase will be offset and paid for by finding greater savings and efficiencies across the federal government. Were going to do more with less," Trump told governors in his address.

"Now we never win a war. We never win. And we dont fight to win. We dont fight to win. So we either got to win or dont fight it at all. But where we are, almost 17 years of fighting in the Middle East...USD 6 trillion weve spent in the Middle East.Thats just unacceptable," he said.

Trump said his budget increases spending and the increase in all spending for federal law enforcement and activities having to do with law enforcement will be substantially increased to fight violent crime.

"My budget also puts America first by keeping tax dollars in America to help veterans and first responders. So important. This budget follows through on my promise to focus on keeping Americans safe, keeping out terrorists, keeping out criminals and putting violent offenders behind bars or removing them from our country altogether," he said.

"So the budget, which is going to be a very big part of tomorrow nights speech, is going to be I think a budget of great rationality but its going to have to do with military, safety, economic development and things such as that. Great detail tomorrow night," Trump said. PTI LKJ ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---

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By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 27(PTI) Philip Bilden, who was nominated by the US President Donald Trump as his Navy Secretary, has withdrawn citing disruption in his financial interests, the Pentagon has said.

"Mr Philip Bilden has informed me that he has come to the difficult decision to withdraw from consideration to be secretary of the Navy," the US Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis, said in a statement after Bilden wrote to him to consider his request to withdraw his nomination as the Navy Secretary.

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"This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests.

"While I am disappointed, I understand and respect his decision, and know that he will continue to support our nation in other ways," Mattis said.

"In the coming days I will make a recommendation to President Trump for a leader who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the presidents vision to rebuild our military," Mattis said in a statement late last night.

In a statement, Mattis said he fully supports the Presidents agenda and the Defense Secretarys leadership to modernise and rebuild the US Navy and Marine Corps.

"I will continue to support their efforts outside of the Department of the Navy," he said.

"However, 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.

Bilden said he is greatly honoured by Trumps consideration of him to lead Americas committed and capable Sailors and Marines who defend "our nations interests at home and in harms way".

Trumps Army Secretary nominee Vincent Viola and Labor Secretary nominee Andy Puzder have also withdrawn from being considered for their positions. PTI LKJ ARK

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 27 (PTI) Philip Bilden, US President Donald Trumps nominee for navy secretary, withdrew his name from consideration citing privacy concerns and "significant challenges" he faced in separating himself from his business interests.

Bildens withdrawal a month after he had been named for the post marks the latest in a series of similar decisions by other nominees who have their names removed from consideration to serve under Trump.

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Previous withdrawals include that of Vincent Viola, a billionaire Wall Street trader, nominated as Army secretary, and labour secretary nominee Andrew Puzder. The withdrawals were marked by concerns over the nominees business records.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement that Bilden, a former military intelligence officer, wrote to him to consider his request to withdraw his nomination. "Mr Philip Bilden has informed me that he has come to the difficult decision to withdraw from consideration to be secretary of the navy.

"This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests," Mattis said.

Bilden, who recently retired from HarbourVest Partners LLC after 25 years, said that he fully supported the presidents agenda. But he realised after an extensive review process 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 that he was greatly honoured by Trumps consideration of him to lead the "committed and capable sailors and marines".

Mattis said he will make a recommendation to Trump for a leader "who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the presidents vision to rebuild our military".

The secretary of the navy serves as the chief executive officer for both the Navy and the Marine Corps.

Earlier this month, Michael Flynn resigned from the post of national security adviser after facing accusations of lying about his communications with Russian officials. PTI LKJ ARK ABH

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Kathmandu, Feb 27 (PTI) Two moderate intensity earthquakes hit Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley, this morning.

No loss of life or property has been reported.

According to the National Seismological Centre (NSC), a 4.6 magnitude quake was reported at 9.22 am local time followed by another of a higher 4.7 magnitude at 10.06 am.

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The epicentre of the second earthquake was near Swanra in western Nepal, while the epicentre of first lied near Salu in central Nepal, The Himalayan Times reported.

The quakes were also felt in the Kathmandu Valley.

The NSC said these were the aftershocks of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake of 2015 that killed more than 8,000 people in Nepal. Until now, 478 aftershocks, including todays, have occurred since the 2015 earthquake, it added. PTI PR ABH

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Feb 27 (PTI) The Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray today took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the leak of the Army examination question paper.

"The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister are busy canvassing as they want to win the elections at any cost. But see what is happening. Question papers meant for the Army recruitment are leaked. When these people cannot keep the question papers safe, then what can be said about the countrys security?" Thackeray questionned.

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Thackerays jibe came at a time when his party and former ally the BJP are locked in a fierce battle to control the cash-rich BMC, as both the parties fell short of numbers to capture power on their own.

The question paper for recruitment to some lower level posts in the army was allegedly leaked in Maharashtra and Goa, leading to cancellation of the examination conducted by the Army Recruitment Board yesterday. Thane police have so far arrested 21 accused in the case.

Thackeray was speaking on the occasion of the "Marathi Bhasha Diwas" which was celebrated today by the Sena, commemorating the birth anniversary of noted Marathi litterateur late V V Shirwadkar, popularly known as Kusumagraj.

Attending a cultural event at Rang Sharda hall in suburban Bandra, he vowed to uphold the Marathi language and culture in the state.

Thackeray revealed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved setting up the memorial of Sena founder Bal Thackeray at the Mayors bungalow in Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai.

"Today is really a noble day for us. Our corporation has given its nod for (setting up) Bal Thackerays memorial at the Mayors bungalow. This is a good development for the Marathi pride," he said.

The BJP-led state government had already announced giving the Mayors bungalow on a 30-year lease for the memorial.

The Mayors new residence is likely to be shifted to Byculla in South Mumbai.

Earlier in the day, outgoing Sena corporators in the BMC accepted the proposal, pending due to the model code of conduct, of transferring the Mayors bungalow for memorial.

The election for the BMC was held on February 21 and counting of votes was done on February 23. Sena has emerged as the single largest party in the city hall winning 84 seats, followed by the BJP at 82.

The Sena chief said Marathi language and culture would continue to thrive irrespective of few Marathi medium schools shutting down in Mumbai.

"Some reports have come to fore that Marathi schools are shutting down. But this is not the case. What is happening is Marathi people just want their progenies to speak fluent English.

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"But speaking fluent English does not mean that people are forgetting Marathi. It can never be forgotten. It is going to live long, irrespective of whether Marathi schools remains functional or not," he said. PTI APM NSK BAS

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The passenger flow in Armenias Zvartnots international airport increased by 25% in January-February 2017, compared to the same period of 2016.

Sergey Avetisyan - Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation, gave in interview to Armenpress talking about the reasons of the increase, gains and losses of Open Sky policy, new directions to Armenia and other interesting news in the aviation market.

-Mr. Avetisyan, since the adoption of the Open Sky policy in 2013, significant works were done in international platforms aimed at presenting the new opportunities of the Armenian market and implementing the new policy. In the long run, what did this policy give to Armenia and dont you think that having an Armenian air carrier is risky under the Open Sky policy?

-It is not risky: it is rather difficult since in any field in the conditions of open and liberal market, the businessmen appear in difficult competition. In this case if we talk about having a national airline, the local airline enters into a direct competition with large airlines such as Qatar Airways, Air France, Aeroflot. Currently we have an operating Armenian airline which found its place in the market to some extent. Open Sky policy provided us an increase in passenger flow, and in line with this the ticket prices are decreasing. We aim to increase incoming tourism flows, the geography by diversifying the market.

-Increase in both passenger flow and cargo transfers was registered in Zvartnots airport in 2016. What is the reason of this growth and do you already have predictions for 2017? What did the facilitation of visa regimes with certain countries provide?

-If there are no obstacles, we plan to have an increase in passenger flow. We already recorded a 25% growth as of January-February 2017. We hope the figure will be maintained. For spring-summer navigation period we plan to have growth in passenger flow, increase in geography. The facilitation of visa regimes is one of the ongoing steps, and I will identify the facilitation of the entry of Indias citizens to Armenia living in the Persian Gulf countries as an important step. The entry of Russian citizens to Armenia with internal passports is also an important step. This is a very good signal to boost incoming tourism. During the Iranian New Year we will have quite high passenger flow. We have already received a number of applications from various airlines, and I think that we will carry out more than 50 flights within these three weeks, by reaching the frequency of daily flights to 6-7.

-Do you have already outlined new directions and cooperation with airlines for this year?

-There is no final decision yet on new directions until the airlines will receive the approval from the airport. We are expecting new directions in near future, we expect entry of new airlines to the Armenian market and increase of frequency of flights of the already operating airlines.

-In 2016 the Russian Pobeda airlines started to carry out flights from Gyumris Shirak airport with quite low tariffs. Is the entry of other budgetary airlines expected in Shirak airport and in general, what is being done to make that airport attractive for airlines?

-The first step aimed at making Gyumris Shirak airport attractive for airlines was the removal of air tax for the passengers departing from the airport. Then, Armenia International Airports CJSC sharply decreased tariffs for services. The tariff of air navigation services also decreased by 50%, meteorological service fee was also removed. Pobeda airlines has an average of 95% load which is a very good figure.

As for the entry of new budgetary airlines to Shirak airport, I can say that this is not an issue to be solved within a week or a month. We are working with different airlines.

-When will Armenia join EU common aviation zone? In what stage are Armenia-EU Council talks on air communication agreement and what will the agreement provide?

-The first stage of official talks are expected to be launched in spring, 2017. Our partners from Brussels will arrive in Armenia, and I hope we will sign this important document directed towards development of Armenias civil aviation.

Interview by Ani Danielyan
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Turkey, leader of the ruling Justice and Development party Binali Yildirim will hold rallies in over 50 provinces ahead of the upcoming constitutional changes referendum, Anadolu reports.

It is reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will accompany Yildirim in 6 provinces, Canakkale, Diyarbakir, Kayseri, Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul.

Constitutional referendum is scheduled on April 16 in Turkey. Under the constitutional changes, the country transforms into a presidential system. The number of MPs will reach 600 from 550. MPs can be elected at the age of 18 instead of 25. The elections of the parliament and the president will be held every 5 years on the same day.
In all, 608 candidates were in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats of Siddharth Nagar district.

By India Today Web Desk: The fifth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election was held for 51 seats across 11 districts.

In all, 608 candidates were in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats of Siddharth Nagar district.

ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2017: FULL COVERAGE

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Amid complaints of technical snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at many places in the 51 constituencies in 11 districts, people queued up in large numbers to pick their choice. No major cases of violence were reported as polling started at 7 am amid tight security.

Top candidates in fray in this phase included 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.

HERE ARE THE DAY'S UPDATES:

Approximately 57.36 per cent voting recorded till 5 pm.

52 per cent voting till 4 pm.

Till 3 pm, polling in Amethi at 49.5 per cent while Faizabad records 52.5 per cent voting.

49 per cent polling recorded till 3pm.

Over 40 per cent voting recorded till 2 pm, reports PTI.

In the first four hours of polling, an estimated 27 per cent of the 1.8 crore electorate had voted, an Election Commission official said.

27 per cent voting in Uttar Pradesh fifth phase Assembly elections till 11 am, reports ANI.

11 per cent voting in Gonda till 11 AM.

An estimated 12 to 13 per cent of voters turned out to exercise their franchise till 10 am, reports PTI.

#UPPolls2017: Mahant Gyandas of Hanuman Gadi casts his vote at a polling booth in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/ew8eFfqRtI&; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

10.77 per cent voting in Uttar Pradesh fifth phase Assembly elections till 9 am.

Voting underway in Ayodhya at polling booth no.127 #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/13tntThsOi&; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Congress Amethi candidate Amita Singh with husband and Congress MP Sanjay Singh after casting vote #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/ybBzNoxdIy&; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

I am winning with a huge margin and Samajwadi Party Govt under Akhilesh ji will be in power again: Gayatri Prajapati,SP Amethi candidate pic.twitter.com/xInhnFTSE6&; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Voting underway at polling booth no.40 in Amethi #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/JvhZZTqxPN&; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

- Polling begins in the 5th phase of the UP elections, for 51 seats in 11 districts.

- Preparations for polling began in booths in Ayodhya.

Polling preparations underway at booth number 175 in UP's Ayodhya #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/a6Wna17bce ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Security deployed at polling booth number 127 & 128 in Ayodhya for voting to begin at 7 am #UPpolls pic.twitter.com/SIFchXbKEZ ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Important Figures

Interestingly, a total of 168 crorepati candidates are in the fray for the fifth phase of Assembly elections in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to be held on Monday, while 117 have declared criminal cases against themselves, says a report.

Also read:

Uttar Pradesh election: In Gandhi bastion of Amethi, it could be advantage BJP this time

Uttar Pradesh polls: Why Priyanka may curtail her role in Amethi, Raebareli

Uttar Pradesh elections: BJP changes poll narrative, says BSP not SP is our main rival

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Senor Hasratyan, spokesperson of the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) defense ministry, finds the Azerbaijani reports on the Armenian side launching an attack in the direction of Talish to be delirium.

Today, the defense ministry of Azerbaijan finally released the names of its losses as result of its own February 25 offensive, but also didnt forget to spread an additional disinformation in order to maintain balance in terms of losses between the sides, according to which the Armenian side launched an offensive in the direction of Talish and was pushed back by suffering losses.

Well, as they say imagination is beautiful in limits, and in this case lets view it as yet another display of the Azerbaijani delirium, Hasratyan said on Facebook.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Parliament discusses the appointment of Chairman of the Control Chamber, reports Armenpress.

During the Parliaments session, Speaker Galust Sahakyan recalled that President Serzh Sargsyan nominated Levon Yolyans candidacy for the post.

In his speech Levon Yolyan firstly thanked the President for the trust, as well as the parliamentary factions for the constructive discussions. Dear MPs, I expect that we will be able to form an effectively working team through joint efforts which will be able to ensure the normal functioning of this important structure, Yolyan said.

He assured that if appointed Chairman of the Control Chamber, he will always be ready to find effective solutions to the existing issues. He said he supports the approach that the Control Chamber must carry out preventive activity, and those actions must be transparent and public.

In response to a question by ANC faction Secretary Aram Manukyan who asked whether he is ready to analyze the work of the previous Chairman and reveal the shortcomings, or maybe he faces a taboo concerning this issue, Yolyan said: I have never faced taboos and will never face. When I was appointed Minister of Energy, I was asked to present an analysis of the work of the previous Ministers, however, I said I am not going to look back, rather I will look ahead and will do my work. I have said that I cannot work effectively, solve problems if I start analyzing the works of the previous officials. I will adopt the same approach if appointed Control Chamber Chairman. I think a man must always look ahead and try to reveal the existing problems and present effective methods for their solution.

Commenting on the MPs another question who said whether he will accept a proposal on joining the RPA, Yolyan said he hasnt been a member of any party till now, despite many proposals. I am not a member of any party and have my clear stance on this issue. And as the Control Chamber is an independent body, no member of this structure has a right to be a member of any party, Levon Yolyan concluded.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The European Council adopted a regulation on February 27 on visa liberalization for Georgians travelling to the European Union.

EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos released a statement, saying:

I am very pleased with today's final endorsement by the Council of the Commission proposal to grant visa liberalisation to Georgia. Today is a historic day for Georgia and its citizens, who will soon be able to enjoy visa free travel to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days.

Today's adoption recognises the tremendous efforts undertaken by the Georgian authorities and the Georgian people to carry out far-reaching and difficult reforms in the area of the rule of law and the justice system. These reforms also bring Georgia closer to the EU standards, facilitating cooperation with the European Union and bringing the country a step forward on its European path.

Since the launch of Visa Liberalisation Dialogue in June 2012, Georgia has been exemplary in fulfilling all the benchmarks of a demanding roadmap. The continuous monitoring and reporting carried out since then showed that Georgia has made the necessary progress allowing us, in March 2016, to propose to the European Parliament and the Council to lift the visa requirements for Georgian citizens. The Commission will continue to monitor Georgia's continuous compliance with the visa liberalisation criteria, in particular in the fight against organised crime, in order to ensure that these achievements continue to be sustained.

In a globalised world, where travel and communication is increasingly facilitated, we have to reap the benefits of such rapprochement. This visa liberalisation will be an essential element to facilitate people-to-people contacts and strengthen business, social and cultural ties between the citizens of Georgia and the EU.

Today is an important step in EU-Georgia relations - I look forward to soon welcoming Georgian citizens traveling visa free to the Schengen area."
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The conditions for resumption of large-scale military operations are not visible, Vice Prime Minister of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh Republic) Artur Aghabekyan writes on Facebook.

He asked those who voice on resumption of war not to dismay the residents of Karabakh, the parents and relatives of thousands of soldiers.

The war started since 1991 has not ended yet, the so-called ceasefire regime was violated immediately after the signing of the ceasefire till now and will be violated for decades. The weapons and their calibers, technique and technologies will change, if we view this as a military operation, it will take place from time to time. We, who live in Karabakh, must always send signal to our people that this is our bitter and heavy, but at the same time honorable and obliging cross. But if you want, you can call it a constant fight. This is the inevitable that exists today and will exist for a long time, he writes.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan called on the Diaspora-Armenians to take part in building the future of the Fatherland.

Armenpress presents his full call:

Dear Armenians, our compatriots of Diaspora,

I have an honor to address a call on you and all those who are not indifferent towards Armenia, to participate in constructing the future of the Fatherland.

Armenia and Diaspora are two parts of one common, linked with each other with a one chain of history, one fate, concern about the future of the Fatherland. We are responsible towards each other which convince us to unite efforts, multiply the opportunities and improve our position in the etiquette of the world. We have no option than the imperative of building a good country and having a strong and fair Fatherland.

Its time to turn and tell ourselves that we can change only through our strength and our mind.

On the way of independence we had achievements, also mistakes due to objective and subjective factors. We have understood the shortcomings, and we no longer have a right to repeat the same mistakes.

Our countrys geographical position and todays challenges force us to be clever and smartly use our competitive advantages. Our pride today is decided by a smart human potential of Armenia, Diaspora and Karabakh, rather than by oil and gas.

We are going to change and to reach that horizon we have one clear formula: patriot team, will, smart management and programs that will become a driving force to change the quality of the environment.

We invite our managers of Diaspora, cultural figures, our compatriots famous in education and science field to take part in the ongoing reforms in the country first of all aimed at bringing a new culture of governance, serving the knowledge and potential of our best professionals of Diaspora for the pan-Armenian goals.

From this perspective Diaspora is an advantage for us. Not using the Diasporas potential means to be self-centered and isolated. Not providing the existing progressive mind in the Diaspora to our partners, youth and students, means to be ineffective in todays rapidly changing world.

The culture of Diaspora must be realized in our life: I am confident every contact with our compatriots will give new impetus and encouragement to us, the value of which, perhaps, cannot be counted, but the result will definitely bring a change in the outlook, tolerance towards value systems, raising the efficiency of governance and work. This will already be the success of all of us.

Dear compatriots,

I am sure that with your direct participation you will have a chance to record quick results in key sectors and will have leading economic, healthcare, educational systems in the region.

By maintaining the traditional values, at the same time it is necessary to be open and tolerant for the developing outside world. To adopt the best cultural skills of other people and make Armenia more recognizable to the world with your help.

Regardless of which country we live in, I have an inner conviction that the attention and mind of all of you is in Armenia, and the feeling of pride and dignity of all of you is related also with the welfare of Armenia. Thus, lets do everything to strengthen each other, to be united and jointly build the countrys future in order our children are confident that Armenia will not yield the advanced countries where Armenians frequently visit with the expectation of having a good life.

Be sure, Armenia will be the best country for Armenians.

Every Armenian, concerned over our countrys future, has to take actions on this path.

Regardless of the place of living, political affiliation and social position, we all share one idea over which we must be united: strong, maintaining historical values and traditions, but also a modern, proud Armenia.

I call on to jointly create such Fatherland that we can proudly call ourselves Armenian in the world.

Looking forward to see you.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The Washington Post weighed in on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appointing his wife as Vice President of the country.

This year, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered his wife a special anniversary present  he appointed her first vice president, the Washington Post said in the beginning of the article.

Amanda Erickson, author of the article, said In that position, she [Mehriban Aliyeva] will succeed her husband if he steps down. Aliyev announced that Mehriban Aliyeva, 52, would step into a role created last fall by constitutional referendum. In that position, she will succeed her husband if he steps down. She will also likely oversee the country's cabinet. (The constitutional amendments approved in the referendum also stretched the presidential term from five to seven years, after a 2009 referendum abolished term-limits in the former Soviet republic. And they ditched the age requirement for president, paving the way for the Aliyevs' 19-year-old son to run), Erickson wrote.

Mehriban Aliyeva was born into one of the country's wealthiest families, the Pashayevs. The clan controls several banks, insurance companies, construction, travel, and Azerbaijan's only Bentley dealership. Several relatives hold top government posts. She is famous (or infamous) for her love of luxury, her meticulous appearance and her stylish dress. In leaked American diplomatic cables, diplomats suggested that Aliyeva had problems showing a "full range of facial expression" because of "substantial cosmetic surgery." They also wrote that she was poorly informed about political issues. Opposition leaders don't think Aliyeva's talents got her the job. The Aliyevs, they say, run their country like a fiefdom, getting rich off Azerbaijan's energy reserves. Now they're trying to consolidate dynastic rule, critics say. "This appointment shows disrespect to the people," Ali Kerimli, leader of one of Azerbaijan's opposition parties, told Reuters. "It's the first step to the establishment of an absolute monarchy in the country, the article said.

In conclusion, the Washington Post said the country has also earned a reputation for repressive political tactics, curbing free expression and preventing fair elections. Just days before Aliyev announced the appointment of his wife, activists from the opposition party were detained and jailed.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan congratulated director and scriptwriter, Honored Artist of Armenia Albert Mkrtchyan on his 80th birthday, wishing the honored filmmaker health and new artistic achievements, the Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS.

Particularly the message said: Being one of the outstanding figures of Armenian cinema, by your talent you portrayed the hidden episodes of human nature and state of mind, the life and inner world of an Armenian man.

Your contribution is significant in theater as well, for the establishment and foundation of the Mher Mkrtchyan artistic theater, which stands out with its unique signature in the theatrical diversity of the capital.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk during the Brussels visit, the European Council website reported.

During the visit to Brussels, the President of Armenia is also scheduled to meet with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The President is also scheduled to meet with experts of the Carnegie research center, where he will deliver a speech.

Within the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan will also meet with business representatives of the Armenian community.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. By the mediation of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office the evacuation process of the bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen from the neutral zone ended at about 17:00, February 27 with the participation of the ICRC and the field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Armenpress reports the press release issued by the press service of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh (NKR) informs.

Note that the evacuation was carried out in accordance with the agreement reached on February 25, something that the Artsakh side insisted on in the initial period, reads the press release.
Most read of the week
Uma Bharti's comments met with opposition from her colleague, with Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar questioning the logic behind fielding Muslims.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Union Minister Uma Bharti on Monday said the BJP made "a huge mistake" by not fielding any Muslim candidate in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

"I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim. I spoke with (BJP President) Amit Shah and (state party President) Keshav Prasad Maurya about how we could have brought a Muslim to the assembly," Uma Bharti told CNN-News18.

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"Rajnathji has said the right thing, we could have given ticket (to Muslims)," she said, referring to Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajnath Singh.

Uma Bharti's comments met with opposition from her colleague, with Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar questioning the logic behind fielding Muslims.

"When Muslims do not vote for us, then why should we give ticket to them," asked Katiyar.

Also read:

Modi targeted as he is from poor family: Uma Bharti

Cong-SP alliance will sink in BJP wave: Uma Bharti

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and EU have end talks on the new framework agreement, Armenpress reports President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced in a press conference in the Brussels following the meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk.

The key topic of todays meeting is the new framework agreement between Armenia and the EU. Today I can mention with satisfaction that the sides have finished the negotiations. The new legal document  the comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement reflects the real inclusiveness and deepness of Armenia-EU relations. At the same time it should be mentioned that apart from the framework agreement we have recorded significant advance also in sectoral agreement by signing the Horizon 2020 program on SMEs and innovations. In the near future we will also successfully finish the agreement on common aviation area and the works to join Creative Europe initiative, the Armenian President said.

According to President Sargsyan, the previous two years in Armenia-EU relations have been marked by vigorousness, political dialogue has significantly activated and cooperation in various spheres has expanded.

President Sargsyan is scheduled to have meetings also with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The President is also scheduled to meet with experts of the Carnegie research center, where he will deliver a speech.

Within the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan will also meet with business representatives of the Armenian community.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. This new comprehensive and expanded agreement between Armenia and the EU will broaden the scope of our relations, taking into account the new global, political and economic interests we share and challenges we want to face together, President of the European Council Donald Tusk announced in the press conference following the meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in the Brussels.

Armenia whose independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity we support is an important partner for the European Union.

I am very pleased to announce today the conclusion of negotiations on the new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

This new agreement will broaden the scope of our relations, taking into account the new global, political and economic interests we share and challenges we want to face together.

We are looking forward to stronger cooperation in sectors such as energy, transport and the environment, for new opportunities in trade and investments, and for increased mobility for the benefit of our citizens.

We have discussed today our shared values including our commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, which underpin the new agreement and our future cooperation, Tusk said.

According to him, the EU is already the first trade partner of Armenia, its first international donor and strongest supporter to reforms. We intend to expand these relations further in the coming years and have encouraged Armenia to continue reforms across a range of issues, including economic development, the business environment, the judiciary, human rights, the fight against corruption and measures to ensure free and fair elections, the President of the European Council said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno Karabakh conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with international law, President of the European Council Donald Tusk announced in the press conference following the meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in the Brussels. We also discussed the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The status quo is unsustainable. The conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with international law. It does not have a military solution, Tusk said.

Armenpress reports he underlined that the EU continues to fully support the mediation efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Mr President, thank you very much for coming to Brussels for your visit, for all your efforts and for our cooperation, the President of the European Council said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit in the Kingdom of Belgium, had a private conversation with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk on February 27. The talks continued around working dinner given by European Council President Donald Tusk in honor of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and President of the European Council Donald Tusk issued joint statement briefing the results of the talks for the mass media.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, President Serzh Sargsyan made remarks over the meeting with the European Council President Donald Tusk, saying,

I wish to once again express gratitude to the President of the European Council, our good friend Donald Tusk for the invitation to visit the Brussels and our meaningful and sincere conversation. I have met with Mr Tusk numerous times both when he occupied other posts and during his current position and of course, I recall all our meetings with warmth. I appreciate sincerity and I am very thankful.

As Mr President noted, the key topic of todays meeting was the new framework agreement between Armenia and the EU. Today I can mention with satisfaction that the sides have finished the negotiations. The new legal document  the comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement reflects the real inclusiveness and deepness of Armenia-EU relations.

At the same time it should be mentioned that apart from the framework agreement we have recorded significant advance also in sectoral agreement by signing the Horizon 2020 program on SMEs and innovations. In the near future we will also successfully finish the agreement on Common Aviation Area and the works to join Creative Europe initiative.

Speaking generally, the previous two years in Armenia-EU relations have been marked by vigorousness, political dialogue has significantly activated and cooperation in various spheres has expanded.

Of course, we also discussed other issues of Armenia-EU agenda with Mr Tusk, referred to regional and international developments. We expect the dialogue with Armenia on visa liberalization enshrined in the Joint Declaration of Eastern Partnership Riga Summit to kick off soon which will greatly contribute to the expansion and deepening of ties between our peoples.



As you may know the axis of our cooperation are the reforms being carried out in Armenia. The EU has always been with us during the 25 years of Armenias independence, providing us with significant financial, technical and moral assistance the results of which are visible in various spheres  the spheres of public administration, justice, agriculture, statistics, government procurement have been reformed, vocational education has been improved to meet the requirements of the labor market, and the business and investment environment of Armenia has been improved as well. We are ready to propel this partnership in the mentioned spheres and other spheres of mutual interest for making new achievements. I am very thankful for the assistance.



Parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia a month later which are the first after the Constitutional reforms of 2015. We have one vision for changing the state governance system  to make a confident step forward towards the development and strengthening of democracy. To prepare to these elections the Electoral Code has undergone serious amendments and a new Electoral Code was adopted as a result of the consensus of all the political forces strengthening the guarantees for an open, transparent and fairer elections. Our goal is to hold elections in a way that public trust towards electoral procedures will be significantly raised. For that reason we have invited and solute the maximally large-scale participation of international observer missions in the upcoming elections, including from the European Parliament. At the same time we encourage local observers and civil society organizations to be active.

I thanked Mr Tusk for that the EU stands with us in this crucial period for Armenia and provides significant resources for the implementation of the provisions of the Electoral Code. I am convinced the results of this assistance and our cooperation will be visible for everyone.

Naturally, we touched upon Nagorno Karabakh issue during our conversation and reaffirmed that it has no military solution. The Armenian side is ready to reasonable mutual concessions, but anyway, the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to decide its fate through a free expression of will is the critical point of this issue. There cannot be any other position in this regard. The right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination is enshrined not only in international fundamental documents, but is recognized and enshrined in various statements of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs  the sole specialized establishment engaged in this conflict.

We can say that this is the position of not only Armenia on the given issue but also the unified position of the international community. We are thankful for the balanced stance of the EU on the peace process, and for trusting and supporting the OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs.

In the end, I want to note that the EU is an exemplary history of building civilized relations with its philosophy and ideology. The European Union is the history of overcoming problems between neighbors with consolidated efforts and building success based on, something we need so much today. We appreciate this achievement and are ready to preserve and cherish it together with you.

Thank you.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination is enshrined not only in international fundamental documents, but is recognized and enshrined in various statements of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs  the sole specialized establishment engaged in this conflict, Armenpress reports President Serzh Sargsyan announced in the joint press conference with President of the European Council Donald Tusk.

We can say that this is the position of not only Armenia on the given issue but also the unified position of the international community. We are thankful for the balanced stance of the EU on the peace process, and for trusting and supporting the OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs, Sargsyan said, reaffirming that Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no military solution.

The Armenian side is ready to reasonable mutual concessions, but anyway, the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to decide its fate through a free expression of will is the critical point of this issue. There cannot be any other position in this regard, the Armenian President stressed.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The meeting between President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit in the Kingdom of Belgium, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has kicked off at the NATO Headquarters after which the Armenian President and the NATO Gen.-Sec. will give a jint press conference summing up the results of the meeting, Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office.

President Serzh Sargsyan has already met with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Peoples Party (EPP) Joseph Daul in the sidelines of the working visit to the Brussels.

President Sargsyan is scheduled to have meetings also with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, and President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani.

The President is also scheduled to meet with experts of the Carnegie research center, where he will deliver a speech.

Within the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan will also meet with business representatives of the Armenian community.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg discussed issues of bilateral interest during their meeting in the Brussels. In a press conference following the meeting President Sargsyan noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Armenias cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance.

It was a quarter century ago, in 1992, when Armenia accessed to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council setting the grounds for the establishment of partnering relations with the NATO. And I am glad to document that during this quarter of century our partnership has developed and continuously supplemented with new content becoming one of the components of Armenias multilayer security system. Armenia-NATO relations based on precisely comprehensible common interests and needs have rather a saturated agenda, Armenpress reports Serzh Sargsyan saying, He added that it includes both top level political dialogue and numerous examples of practical cooperation.

The President of Armenia noted that they mutually highlighted the preservation of the current level of the political dialogue and continuity of regular interactions, as well as discussed issues of future development and expansion of Armenias partnering relations with the NATO.

We recorded that 4 Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plans have been successfully carried out and the 5th plan for 2017-2019 is in the stage of approval. We particularly highlighted the importance of soon launching of the activities of the NATO Trust Fund in Armenia, President Sargsyan said, reaffirming Armenias commitment to set a positive agenda with the North Atlantic Alliance for the future reinforcement of international peace and security.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with Secretary-General of the NATO Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Headquarters in the sidelines of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Serzh Sargsyan and Jens Stoltenberg summarized the results of the talks in a joint press conference.



As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, President Serzh Sargsyan particularly said,



I am thankful, Mr Secretary-General

I am honored to be at NATOs Headquarters once again and met with you to discuss issues of bilateral interest.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Armenias cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance. It was a quarter century ago, in 1992, when Armenia accessed to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, setting the grounds for the establishment of partnering relations with the NATO. And I am glad to document that during this quarter of century our partnership has developed and continuously supplemented with new content becoming one of the components of Armenias multilayer security system. Armenia-NATO relations based on precisely comprehensible common interests and needs have rather a saturated agenda. It includes both top level political dialogue and numerous examples of practical cooperation.

I and the Secretary-General mutually highlighted the preservation of the current level of the political dialogue and continuity of regular interactions, as well as we discussed issues of future development and expansion of our partnering relations with the NATO.

We recorded that 4 Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plans have been successfully carried out and the 5th plan for 2017-2019 is in the stage of approval. We particularly highlighted the importance of soon launching of the activities of the NATO Trust Fund in Armenia and I invited Mr. Secretary General to visit Armenia which will be a very good opportunity to sum up our works done in the last 25 years and to outline our future activities.

Armenia continues to have its important contribution to the united efforts aimed at establishing international peace and stability transforming from a security consumer into security provider. Armenia, itself facing serious security threats, makes its contribution to security and stability in various points of the world well understanding how today the world is interconnected and that there are no longer security challenges facing separate countries  they face to separate states and everyone at the same time. I note with satisfaction that developing its capacities in the sphere of peacekeeping as a result of Armenia-NATO cooperation Armenia has enlarged the geography of its engagement in the recent years. Parallel with our involvement in Kosovo and Afghanistan today our servicemen also participate in the missions in Lebanon and Mali under the auspices of the UN. I am glad to note that Armenia is assessed by the Alliance and its member states as an active partner of the NATO.

I am also proud for our servicemen are assessed as well prepared, disciplined and responsible participants of these missions. I am convinced that our servicemen will use the international experience and capacities obtained in the sidelines of peacekeeping missions for our army-building.

Naturally, we referred to the issue of the most explosive security threats  the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. In this context I strictly highlighted the support of the NATO and personally Mr Stoltenberg to the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs aimed at the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I am thankful to you, Mr Secretary General, for supporting us, I mean the OSCE Minsk Group.

The April war and the regular shootings following it with the use of heavy artillery and military equipment document that this conflict is unfrozen and today more than ever it is necessary that the international community consolidates upon a civilized settlement by supporting the OSCE Minsk Group efforts for a peaceful settlement.

We documented that according to Partnership for Peace programs framework document, The protection and strengthening of fundamental freedoms and human rights, ensuring freedom and justice, establishment of peace through democracy are key common values for the partnership.

Summing up my speech, I want to reaffirm the commitment of the Republic of Armenia to continue and set an active positive agenda with the North Atlantic Alliance and with its member states for the future reinforcement of international peace and security. I also hope that my next meeting with NATO leadership will take place in Yerevan.

Thank you.






The Uttarakhand wing of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) today sent a written complaint to the Election Commission of India.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress has fired a fresh salvo at the Modi government demanding an FIR against the prime minister for holding a public rally in Haridwar during the ongoing Assembly polls without the requisite permission of the Election Commission.

The Uttarakhand wing of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) today sent a written complaint to the Election Commission of India.

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The complaint alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the model code of conduct in Uttarakhand when he held a public rally in Haridwar on February 10.

While Congress workers informed the Chief Election Officer of Uttarakhand about the rally, the BJP, on the other hand, was unable to furnish a substantial answer.

The complaint comes days after the Election Commission filed an FIR against Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, after BJP complained about the delay in concluding the rally organised by Congress on the same day.

Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyay and party election in-charge Kumari Selja too were booked.

RAHUL, UTTARAKHAND CM BOOKED

Rahul Gandhi's road show on February 11 covered nearly five assembly constituencies in Haridwar district. However, the road show led to a commotion that inadvertently led to the delay of the road show.

In a response to the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and Uttarakhand CM, Congress has asked the Election Commission to file an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as according to them he is a perpetrator of a similar offence.

In the complaint the Congress party has requested EC to act upon the below three points:

Immediately instruct the state Election Commission to file an FIR against Narendra Modi, JP Nadda, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (MP), Madan Kaushik , and other local BJP leaders who participated in the rally on February 10.

Order an investigation into the pumping of crores of rupees of unaccounted cash during the election by BJP.

Ensure that no postal votes be counted which were cast after the designated time of 5 pm on February 15.

The letter is signed by AICC General Secretary, Ambika Soni, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, PCC President Uttarakhand Kishore Upadhyay, AICC Secretary (i/c Uttarakhand) Sanjay Kapoor, Uttarakhand Minister Indira Hridyesh, Pradesh Mahila Congress President Sarita Arya, and Pradesh Congress Committee (Minority Cell) president Tahir Hussain.

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Modi in Mau: Threat to PM's life from Rasool Pati in Mukhtar Ansari's bastion

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Modi's Mann ki Baat: Digital transactions rising; each one must teach another 125 to use BHIM app

--- ENDS ---
Wilbur Ross, nominee for Secretary of Commerce, has served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus

US President Donald Trump's pick to serve as commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, faces tough questions about his possible ties with Russian oligarchs through his position on the board of the Bank of Cyprus.

The Senate is expected to confirm Ross late Monday, and several Democratic senators have raised concerns about the 79-year-old billionaire who specializes in troubled businesses.

These questions come at a time when Trump is defending his administration's relations with Moscow, following leaks about repeated contacts between members of his campaign team last year and Russian intelligence officials.

Since 2014, Ross has served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus, which was saved from bankruptcy in 2013 by a bailout from the Eurozone countries and the IMF and by forced contributions from most of its savers.

This bank also is the second largest shareholder in the Russian conglomerate Lamesa Holding, owned by the Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, whose fortune is valued at more than $12 billion by Forbes.

Ross's predecessor as vice chairman of bank's board is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent known to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The United States Senate and the American public deserve to know the full extent of your connections with Russia and your knowledge of any ties between the Trump Administration, Trump Campaign, or Trump Organization and the Bank of Cyprus," Democratic Senator Cory Booker said in a letter to Ross.

In mid-February, Booker and five other Democratic senators sent a letter to Ross asking him whether the Bank of Cyprus had lent to Trump's real estate group, the Trump Organization.

The officials also called on Ross to reveal whether he had any contact with Russian officials or agents during the presidential campaign.

Ross's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In mid-February, Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced to resign after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials about pre-inauguration discussions he had with the Russian ambassador in Washington about US sanctions against Russia.
Donald Trump's actions against clandestine immigrants worry American farmers who use a large majority of foreign workers who accept low wages

President Donald Trump's tough new immigration measures are sending shudders through the US farming industry, which largely employs a low-wage foreign workforce.

Since taking office on a "America first" agenda, Trump has made immigration a policy cornerstone. Among other measures, he has broadened authorities' powers to detain and deport unauthorized immigrants.

In a tight labor market, this could leave farms with few options when looking for workers to pick the vegetables and tend to the animals that feed the country.

Eric Ooms, who runs a 450-head dairy operation in Valatie, a village about two hours north of New York City, told AFP that many people were unwilling to do the messy work of milking cows.

And in a region where unemployment hovers under five percent, the $10.50 he pays for an hour's work attracts few US citizens.

"We just cannot find local people who want to get dirty and milk cows," Ooms said. "I have been doing it all the time so I am used to it. It does not mean I like it but it is how it is."

As a result, in addition to five members of his own family, Ooms employs a Mexican immigrant hired by word of mouth to get his milk past the farm gate and out to market.

- 'Vital' to food supply -

The US agricultural sector relies on cheap immigrant labor to keep costs down. In all, about 70 percent of farmhands were born outside the United States, the majority of them in Mexico.

The industry acknowledges that most of these workers are not legal residents in the United States, so Trump's aggressive stance on immigration could threaten American farms.

Industry representatives nevertheless choose their words carefully.

"Increased rhetoric about enforcement is challenging," said Kristi Boswell, a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau, a group representing the industry.

"But it is our role to educate the country about why these workers are still vital and critical to our operations to have access to our food supply and food security."

Story continues

The organization points to the difficulties that simply expelling unauthorized migrants could create.

According to a farm bureau study, if the industry were to lose access to all undocumented workers, net farm income could be slashed by between 15 percent and 29 percent, fruit production could tumble by as much as 60 percent and consumer prices could rise about five percent.

The consequences would be particularly stark for vegetable and fruit growers, where foreign labor exceeds 40 percent, with California's producers first in line to feel the effects.

The National Milk Producers Federation in 2015 predicted a doubling of consumer milk prices in the absence of immigrant labor, which accounts for 80 percent of American milk.

There are visa programs for farm workers, but with hundreds of thousands of people work US farms without proper immigration status, legal immigrant labor is a drop in the bucket.

The H-2A agricultural guest worker visa program, intended to meet the industry's need for workers to bring in the harvest, is largely insufficient: in 2013, only 71,000 visas were granted, according to a congressional report.

The visa program makes employers responsible for workers' housing and transport and has been criticized for lacking flexibility, creating delays when harvesting cannot wait.

Industry representatives say they hope to use the debate spurred by Trump's immigration policies to gain a greater audience for their calls for reforms that could lead to a legalized work force.

In the meantime, Eric Ooms has invested in equipment to automate the milking of his cows -- a purchase of more than $1 million that could protect his farm from a potential labor shortage.
Canadian Cash, money 16-9

There?s a belief in investing that the experts are better than you and me. That?s why ETFs have taken off; the average person doesn?t believe they can beat the market. Obviously, us Fools don?t agree with that. But sometimes, it helps to have an expert on your side. In this case, that expert is Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (TSX:BAM.A)(NYSE:BAM).

If you had invested in Brookfield five years ago, you?d be up 127.45%. Compare that to the S&P/TSX Composite Index; over that same period it was only up 22.73%. Now, comparing a single company to an index is not always fair, but it?s important to understand that with smart investments, you can beat the market. You just have to do a little research ? or trust an expert that almost always wins.

So here?s how Brookfield works.

The company generates money in a few ways. It collects institutional investor money and reinvests it. By doing this, it collects management fees. It has over US$110 billion in fee-based capital. The other way is through the US$31 billion it has in invested capital. The fee-based capital is exciting, but what really interests me is how Brookfield has built up that invested capital and turned itself into a mini-conglomerate, investing in real estate, infrastructure, energy projects, etc.

It does this through a series of subsidiaries it has spun out over the years. These companies include Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP, which invests in hydroelectric and other renewable assets, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, which invests in large-scale infrastructure projects, and Brookfield Property Partners L.P., which focuses on real estate. And since it holds a significant percentage of these companies, it benefits from their success.

Net income was US$3.3 billion in 2016, which was down from US$4.7 billion in 2017. But at the same time, Brookfield?s funds from operations increased from US$2.5 billion in 2015 to US$3.2 billion in 2016. This is significant because the company is investing significant amounts of its capital into real assets. This cuts into net income, but these assets are cash flow generators, kicking off more cash for the company to work with.

Story continues

I?m bullish on this strategy because it allows Brookfield to focus on value investments. It can identify undervalued assets, buy them, and wait for them to turn around. When that turnaround occurs, Brookfield can then sell the assets or continue generating lucrative cash flow to put into other investments.

As Brookfield raises further funds to make these investments, I expect to see the funds from operations increase even more.

Ultimately, I believe Brookfield is one of the best stocks you can own. It?s grown significantly during its existence, and I believe that it will be able to grow even more in the coming years.

Let the experts do some of the heavy lifting for you; just pick the right experts, such as Brookfield Asset Management.



The "secret weapon" 98.9% of our readers asked us for... In a recent survey, an incredible 98.9% of our readers and premium members said they'd like more clear cut guidance on when to buy and sell stocks with one particular return-boosting, risk-reducing quality. And that's no surprise...

Especially given that according to RBC Capital Markets over roughly the past 30 years stocks with this one trait have outperformed the broader market by a margin of 18-to-1 -- all while generating 45% less volatility. To learn more about this "secret weapon" trait and how you can begin putting it to work in your own portfolio starting today, simply click here.

More reading

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. CL.A LV. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.



The "secret weapon" 98.9% of our readers asked us for... In a recent survey, an incredible 98.9% of our readers and premium members said they'd like more clear cut guidance on when to buy and sell stocks with one particular return-boosting, risk-reducing quality. And that's no surprise...

Especially given that according to RBC Capital Markets over roughly the past 30 years stocks with this one trait have outperformed the broader market by a margin of 18-to-1 -- all while generating 45% less volatility. To learn more about this "secret weapon" trait and how you can begin putting it to work in your own portfolio starting today, simply click here.

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. CL.A LV. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.
(Chris Ryan / Getty Images)

Its not easy finding the right person to hire.

Traditional methods arent always successful in weaning out unsuitable candidates, whether its because of confirmation or affinity biases.

Research has found that unstructured interviews can only explain 14 per cent of an employees performance, which places it ahead of reference checks at seven per cent and experience at three per cent, but behind a work sample test at 29 per cent.

People conducting interviews also tend to decide fast  like really fast. A 2000 study found that assessments made in the first 10 seconds of an interview could predict the final outcome.

But theres also evidence that people making hiring decisions are more likely to select good candidates if they look at a candidates resume on its own.

Despite these challenges, companies need to make the vital decision as to whom they will add to its ranks all the time.

To gather some insight on this process, we asked some of Canadas top businesses how they find the right person for the job.

Starting off

Joseph Ottorino, the managing director of Virgin Mobile Canada, told Yahoo Finance Canada that he likes to kick start his hiring process by asking members of his team if they know someone who would fit the job opening.

Given they know the company and culture theyll recommend people who would be a fit and a great team player. Youre building a team after all, he said.

Ottorino also stressed that its important to explore internal options first, to see if theres anyone who is looking for a career change or wants to develop a new skill set.

You dont always have to go outside. There are big benefits to building from within, he said.

Andrea Hough, the vice-president of enterprise talent acquisition at TD Bank, said the corporation has recently taken a more proactive approach.

Hough said the bank often tries to get their hands on the top talent by reaching out through social media and hosting events.

She added that TD is also trying to show candidates, particularly for roles in innovation and technology, that its much more than what people tend to traditionally think about a bank.

Story continues

One of our biggest priorities, as we search for talent, is to make sure potential candidates know exactly who TD is and the range of opportunities they can find here, she said.

We take a lot of pride in our culture  the values that guide us in everything we do  and its important that people considering a career with TD understand that culture and identify with it themselves.

Doug Guzman, group head of RBC wealth management and insurance, echoed Ottorinos emphasis on looking internally, as well trying to poach talent from elsewhere.

Guzman said that when he used to work as an investment banker he was often trying to recruit new graduates for entry-level positions and his main focus was to hire for talent and train for skill.

But now he is equally set on creating a strong succession plan to promote from within.

He added that making sure RBC is a great place to work is also integral to retaining and attracting new talent.

Identifying the top talent

Guzman said he likes to look for top recruits in untapped or unlikely pools, such as overlooked schools.

I think its important to cast a wide net and not limit recruiting to just top schools, students that have the best grades or big-name firms, he said.

Guzman also stressed that its crucial to have a diverse hiring committee, so that the candidates are not homogenous.

I firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just nice-to-have  they lead to more innovation and help teams make better decisions, he said.

The interview

Ottorino has a slightly unorthodox approach to what many people consider the most important step in the hiring process.

In order to ease some of the inherent stress of the interview, he likes to take candidates out to a coffee shop and start with light topics, such as current events and pop culture.

Keeping an initial interview casual and light helps the candidate become more their true self, which helps you gauge if theyre being authentic when you begin to ask them questions related to the role, he said.

Ottorino also likes to ask candidates questions that they couldnt possibly know the answer to, and see if they will admit their lack of knowledge, or give lip service to the topic.

This really helps me understand the candidates character and how theyre likely to approach new challenges theyd encounter in the role, he said.

Meanwhile, Guzman likes to ensure that senior leaders and high-performing workers from RBC are part of the hiring process.

He said this helps signal that the bank is taking recruiting seriously and that the candidate can envision themselves in those positions.

Guzman also said that he watches out for candidates who can only point to individual achievements or skills in an interview.

I look for well-rounded people who have a track record of working well with others, he said.

A lot of what we do at RBC requires working on teams, so obvious ego is a sign that the candidate may not fit in with our values and people-first culture.

More career news from Yahoo Canada Finance:
cameco corporation_16-9

Cameco Corp. (TSX:CCO)(NYSE:CCJ) is one of those stocks that makes you feel like you?re on a roller coaster, going up and down and turning your stomach. And in some respects, it is.

From January 9 to the 13th, the stock increased from $14.20 to $17.43. By the 18th, it was back down to $14.39. Fast forward to the 24th, and the stock rose to over $17 again before falling to $13.68 in early February.

What is going on with Cameco? There are a few major situations that Cameco is dealing with, both positive and negative, that have investors fighting each other on the correct valuation for the company.

Kazakhstan, which produces a disproportionate amount of uranium, announced it would cut back its uranium production in 2017 by 10%. This single decision would result in a 3% drop in the amount of uranium released globally, and that could have a significant impact on the price.

Further, Cameco is also cutting its own production by seven million tonnes, looking to put a halt on more expensive uranium sources. It is better to produce less uranium at a higher margin.

So, between Kazakhstan and Cameco both cutting supply, that?ll force each additional pound to increase in price if demand picks up.

Another reason that the stock has been on a roller coaster is because there are a series of contracts that are coming to an end.

Analysts predict that Cameco will be able to get higher prices than the spot price simply due to the length of the contracts. With nuclear companies needing years of supply, the contracts can be quite long, providing reliable revenue for the company. Reliability in this business is not something to take lightly.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO), one of Cameco?s largest customers, announced that it was canceling a supply contract it had with Cameco. Its reason? Force majeure, which, in business terms, means an ?act of God.?

The burdensome regulations put on Japanese nuclear reactors after the 2011 Fukushima earthquake has made it impossible for the company to operate its business, thus making the claim that an act of God has prevented it from succeeding. However, Cameco doesn?t believe that regulatory problems are acts of God and will obviously fight to get the contract reinstated.

Story continues

So, do I think you should buy Cameco? This stock is a roller coaster; it?s not a stock that will help you sleep well at night.

However, there is incredible demand coming for uranium from China, India, and many other parts of the world. As we move into the next decade, I expect the price of uranium to go much higher. So, while there remains uncertainty about Cameco today, I think the future is incredibly bright.

This company is a low-cost producer; therefore, it should be able to stomach continued ebbs and flows of the price of uranium. Buy at your own risk, but I believe that risk is mostly an upset stomach ? not any long-term risk of lost capital.



The "secret weapon" 98.9% of our readers asked us for... In a recent survey, an incredible 98.9% of our readers and premium members said they'd like more clear cut guidance on when to buy and sell stocks with one particular return-boosting, risk-reducing quality. And that's no surprise...

Especially given that according to RBC Capital Markets over roughly the past 30 years stocks with this one trait have outperformed the broader market by a margin of 18-to-1 -- all while generating 45% less volatility. To learn more about this "secret weapon" trait and how you can begin putting it to work in your own portfolio starting today, simply click here.

More reading

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned.



The "secret weapon" 98.9% of our readers asked us for... In a recent survey, an incredible 98.9% of our readers and premium members said they'd like more clear cut guidance on when to buy and sell stocks with one particular return-boosting, risk-reducing quality. And that's no surprise...

Especially given that according to RBC Capital Markets over roughly the past 30 years stocks with this one trait have outperformed the broader market by a margin of 18-to-1 -- all while generating 45% less volatility. To learn more about this "secret weapon" trait and how you can begin putting it to work in your own portfolio starting today, simply click here.

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By Press Trust of India: Amethi, Feb 27 (PTI)The residents of a village in Congress vice president Rahul Gandhis political home turf Amethi today boycotted the poll process in protest against having no proper road link to the outside world.

The boycott of voting by electorate of Parsauli village, barely three kilometres from high profile town Amethi, was confirmed by returning officer for Amethi segment and sub divisional magistrate A K Kanaujiya.

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None of the 649 voters, including 339 men and 310 women of Parsauli village exercised their franchise today, with the polling booth number 120, set for the voters, kept waiting for the voters for the entire day, said Kanaujiya.

The Parsauli voters shunned the polling booth resisting district administrations bid to persuade them to cast their votes.

Village Parsauli is 3 km from Amethi town on Amethi - Durgapur highway but has no proper link road.

Explaining the reason for boycotting the poll process, Parsauli native K N Sharma, a retired station master of the Indian Railways told PTI that the road to connect the village with main road was constructed decades ago during the tenure of late MP Sanjay Gandhi but it now virtually stands obliterated from the face of earth.

Sharma along with other Parsauli natives said that no representative ever took care of this village.

Meanwhile, the poll officials put the voters turnout in Amethi district up to 5 p m 56 percent. PTI CORR RAX

--- ENDS ---
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called President Donald Trumps suggestion that China is trying to devalue its currency incredible during a wide-ranging interview with Yahoo Finances Andy Serwer on Friday.

Trump has repeatedly accused China of trying to keep its currency low to make Chinas exports cheaper.

During the conversation, Serwer asked Summers his thoughts on Trumps declaration last week that the Chinese are grand champions of currency manipulation and stealing US manufacturing jobs.

At a time moment when China has established a huge regulatory apparatus to stop people from selling renminbi for dollars, the suggestion that China is manipulating its currency downwards seems to me incredible, Summers said.

While some analysts have contended China devalued the yuan in the 1990s and 2000s, others have noted that China modified its currency policy in 2005 and allowed the yuan to appreciate. These days, many analysts believe now that China is actively trying to prop up the value of its currency as private capital flees the country.

A woman counts Chinese Yuan banknotes as she sells tickets for a job fair in Beijing, China, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Still, Summers acknowledged that China is by no means a perfect trading partner.

Are there subsidies that arent right? Things that China is doing that discriminate against US companies? Yeah, there are, Summers said. And I think those are things that its right to go after.

Indeed, the US has gone after China for its agricultural subsidies. In September, the US government filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization claiming China was giving excess subsidies to producers of corn, rice, and wheat at the expense of American farmers. And, in November, the American Chamber of Commerce in China cited a poll of US businesses in China finding that 77% of respondents felt theyd been unjustly targeted by Chinese regulators.

Still, those issues are separate from currency manipulation, according to Summers, who noted, Framing these issues in terms of currency manipulation seems to me many days late, and many dollars short.

Story continues

More from our interview with Larry Summers:

Full Interview:




Whether were setting out across the country or just changing neighborhoods, upgrading or downsizingmovin on up or movin on outthe idea of pulling up stakes has always been a core part of the American DNA. Our willingness and eagerness to move is emblematic of our faith in the idea that we can always make a fresh start in a new home.

But actually, we dont move as often as we used to. Figures for 2015 show that only about 12% of Americans had swapped their address for a new one within the past year. In 1948, when the U.S. Census Bureau first collected moving data, the percentage of those who had moved within the past year was 20%.

We decided to take a look at the U.S. cities that have the most mobile populationsand those where people are most likely to stay in home, sweet home. To gauge which cities had the highest and which had the lowest number of residents moving to new homeswhether across the street or across the countryour data team reviewed the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. For each of the United States 100 largest cities, we calculated the percentage of households (both homeowners and renters) that had moved since 2010, to figure out where residents are most mobile.

Then we looked at the places where the largest percentage of households had been in the same home since 1990, to see where folks are staying put.

We found some surprising juxtapositions on our Top 10 sticking around list. Do Honolulu and Detroit really have so much in common? Turns out the cities were ranked high on the list for completely different reasons.

There are two main determining factors whether people move or not, says Nathalie Williams, a sociology professor from the University of Washington. The good: The better people feel their lives are going, the less likely they are to move elsewhere. The bad: Lousy economies can force people to head for greener pastures.

But of course, economic insecurity can also keep people in the same place.

Story continues

After the housing bust in 2007, migration slowed down, because uncertainties about the job market had made people nervous about changing jobs and deciding to move on. They were less likely to upgrade to a bigger and nicer home. Plenty even found their homes deep underwater, and were unable to sell.

Now that the recession is over, mobility is finally picking up again, says Kenneth Johnson, a demographer at the University of New Hampshire. And jobs lure people, especially younger ones who havent put down deep roots, to new centers of employment.

So where are the folks the most and least mobile? The answers just might surprise you.

longtime-01

Detroit: When the going gets tough, the tough stay put

In the mid-20th century, Detroit, our least mobile city, drew thousands of workers, because it was the home of the Big Three automakers. But as the American auto industry lost market share and began to shed workers, the population dwindled. And while young people are streaming out, many longtime residents are staying put. The Census data show that 21.4% of Detroit families moved into their homes before 1990, the highest percentage in our study.

One reason is that owners are simply stuck in their homes.

About one in five Detroit homes is still seriously underwater, with a loan amount that is at least 25% higher than the propertys market value, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate information company. The median home value in Wayne County, where Detroit is located, is only $149,602, but the median loan amount is $161,965.

If your house is upside down, you cant move. You can abandon your house, but theres no way to sell it, says Eli Lehrer, president of R Street Institute, a policy research organization. He notes that people receiving government assistance typically have to reapply if they relocate to another stateand might not qualify, or have their benefits reduced.

Many Detroit residents live and shop near hulking vacant buildings that have been abandoned, overtaken by weeds, graffiti, and trash. But as the city recovers, its longtime residents are an integral part of the citys growth, says Tahirih Ziegler, executive director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which promotes safe communities and affordable housing.

Longtime residents stabilize their communities by mowing their lawns, keeping properties in good condition, investing in their homes. Overall, thats helping the city stabilize the population, Ziegler says.

Similar narratives of decline play out in Midwestern cities like Pittsburgh (No. 3), Cleveland (No. 6), and Toledo, OH (No. 7), after the steel industrys downfall.

The high costs of moving often prevent the poorest folks from relocating, says retired New York University journalism professor William Serrin. Serrin wrote about the fate of a former steel town outside Pittsburgh in his book Homestead: The Glory and Tragedy of an American Steel Town.

When you are 52 years old and have five kids, you dont just move to Arizonaits just not in the cards, Serrin says.

On the East Coast, Philadelphia (No. 4) and Baltimore (No. 5) are some of the countrys oldest cities. So its no surprise to see generations with deep ties to their metros.

Honolulu: Why ever leave?

Blue ocean waters, soft sand, mountains of Spam, and tropical weather all year roundit makes sense that people wouldnt want to leave Honolulu, right?

But it also may come down to dollars and cents. The median list price of single-family home in this U.S. paradise is a whopping $730,000, according to realtor.com. So while longtime homeowners stand to profit if they sell, they might not be able to afford another home in this townor perhaps anywhere in Hawaii.

In addition, established homeowners benefit from the fact that the 50th state has, by far, the lowest property tax rates in the country.

And the unique culture of Hawaii binds people together.

Leonard Kam, 60, was born in Honolulu and runs Alicias Market, a general store that sells Chinese-style roast duck alongside Hawaiian poke bowls of marinated raw fish. His parents, who were originally from China, started the store in 1949 in a small wooden hut. Now Kams two sons help him develop new recipes. Its a third-generation business, Kam says with pride.

Honolulu is a small community. Everybody knows everybody, we are all family, says his son Chris Kam. You dont move to the mainland unless you have to.

New York and San Francisco: Americas meccas of the stubborn

Once you go BK, you never go back.

Once you go BK, you never go back.

Maremagnum/Getty Images

Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker. Maybe its because its so hard to find a footholdor a decent apartmentin this town, just as it is in San Francisco (No. 9). You hang on to what you can get for as long as you can. Thats why, despite skyrocketing home prices and rents, many residents have managed to stay in their homes for decades. And low housing inventories dont make intercity moves easy.

About 16.1% of New Yorkers and 15.6% of San Franciscans have been living in the same home since 1990, according to Census data. Thats compared with 13% of the population nationally. Yes, gentrification is pricing out longtime residents in some areas, especially renters. But luckily, both cities have rent control or rent stabilization, which keep some renters in their homes.

A certain amount of stubbornness helps too.

Regina Karp, 78, a retired public school teacher, has lived in a rent-controlled apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for 47 years. Her children grew up there and left, her husband passed away, and now shes living by herself. For two bedrooms, she pays almost $3,000 a month, which she says is her entire pension. Still, she nevertheless refuses to leave.

This is my apartment. I was born in New York City, Ive lived here my entire life. All my friends are here. Im simply not going to live in the middle of a suburb in Jersey, Karp says.

longtime-02

Orlando: Life beyond Shamu

Outsiders may think of Orlando as the home of Mickey Mouse and poor Shamu, but increasingly, this is the city that leads Florida in job creation. The metro added 50,300 jobs in December, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Health care is one of the fastest-growing local employment sectors: Orlandos newest asset is a medical research park with a medical school, three major hospitals, and multiple research labs. The city even benefits from the Disney World expansion, including an Avatar-themed addition opening in May and a Star Wars-themed addition that is in the planning phase.

Orlando sprawl

Orlando sprawl

Arrangements-Photography/iStock

All this economic prosperity means that more people are moving hereand those already established may now have the means to upgrade their living situation.

Economic development is usually glacial, but its been like a volcano erupting in Orlando. The development happened very rapidly, says Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness with the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Orlando is trying out different remedies for its infamous sprawl, from bike rentals to commuter rail.

Nevada: A good place to start a business

The low cost of living and business-friendly atmosphere also makes Nevada an appealing place to call home. Reno (No. 3), the self-proclaimed Biggest Little City in the World has long been better known as a paupers version of Las Vegas. But put all that aside: The place is fast becoming a high-tech manufacturing hub. A few miles east of Reno, Teslas Gigafactory manufactures batteries for its electric cars.

We have no corporate tax, no income tax, a very pro-business government, says Mike Kazmierski, president of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. That makes it easier for newcomers as well as locals to become entrepreneurs.

Big brother Las Vegas (No. 4), too, is adding people in its many master-planned communities. The high cost of living in Los Angeles and San Diego is pushing Californians to look for greener pasturesor even desert living.

Jacob Orth, a 29-year-old hospitality worker, moved to Vegas from San Jose four years ago. At the time he left, San Jose was the most expensive housing market in the country (it still is). Orth says he cut his living costs by half after the move. And hes not alonemillennials are flocking to Vegas for its abundant entry-level jobs.

The big secret about the Las Vegas area is that its a lot more family-oriented than people realize. The Strip is kind of like its own little world; once you get outside it, life is pretty normal, says Orth, who writes about Sin City in his blog, Jacobs Life in Vegas.

Not-So-Mobile America: What Honolulu and Detroit Residents Have in Common

Las Vegas

SerrNovik/iStock

Texas population boom

Its hard not to see the appeal of Austin (No. 5): with the booming tech scene, friendly people, great live music, and amazing barbecue, just for starters. No wonder 20-something engineers, boomer corporate hot shots, and even retirees are flocking to the place. And plenty of them live in sweet high-rise apartments that were built over the past decade.

Grandmother Susi Spies moved to Austin two years ago, to be close to her children and their families.

My children asked me to babysit for them, but Im too busy having fun [with] food trucks, hiking trails, bat-watching cruises, says Spies, president of Austin Newcomers, an association that connects new residents with one another and to their new neighborhoods. Its an amazing city.

Texas population boom is no secret, but few cities add people as fast as Irving (No. 2), a suburb of Dallas. Home to ExxonMobil, and surrounded by corporation headquarters, like those of AT&T and J.C. Penney, the citys flourishing job market is powering its exponential growth.

Fast turnover in college towns

Some of Americas most transient cities are college towns. In addition to Austin, there are Irvine, CA (No. 7), Madison, WI (No. 8), and Durham, NC (No. 9). For obvious reasons, incoming students and departing graduates help raise the turnover figures as they move back home or to different parts of the country to start careers.

College towns are more transient, because new students come every year, and four years later, they are out, says Realtor Alex Saloutos of First Weber Realtors in Madison. Plus, they tend to move around quite a bit during their tenure. Students dont buy homes, they rent.

The post Not-So-Mobile America: What Honolulu and Detroit Residents Have in Common appeared first on Real Estate News & Advice | realtor.com.
coal

Teck Resources Ltd. (TSX:TECK.B)(NYSE:TECK) is trading close to its lowest point in three months.

Let?s take a look at the current situation to see if Canada?s largest diversified mining company should be in your portfolio.

Commodities outlook

Teck produces metallurgical coal, copper, and zinc. All three of these products enjoyed stellar rallies in 2016 and helped Teck rebound from $4 per share last January to $35 at the peak in November.

The stock is now back down to $27 per share amid a drop in coal prices.

What?s the scoop?

The met coal market wasn?t expected to do much in 2016, but a policy shift in China last March sparked a dramatic rally.

The Chinese government restricted the number of days a mine can operate in a year to 276. That move reduced output enough to shift the market from an oversupplied position to one that was becoming a bit tight. Supply issues coming out of Australia also contributed to the situation.

As a result, met coal prices surged from about US$90 per tonne in the summer to more than US$300 per tonne in November.

In an effort to take some heat out of the market, China changed the policy again and set the mine operating limit at 330 days.

The move has had the intended effect, cutting spot prices nearly in half by the middle of February.

Copper and zinc remain near their 12-month highs, but have shown signs of topping out in recent weeks. Pundits are mixed on whether or not copper deserves to trade at current levels, and while the zinc story appears to be better, the magnitude of the rally over the past year warrants caution.

What about oil?

Teck is a 20% partner on the Fort Hills oil sands development, which is scheduled to begin production by the end of 2017.

The project has been a cash drain in recent years, and investors remain concerned that oil prices could stabilize at a point that would make the project unprofitable to operate.

The upside news

Teck has taken advantage of the surge in commodity prices to reduce its debt load. The company eliminated $1 billion in debt in the closing months of 2016 and recently announced a buyback offer for an additional US$650 million in outstanding notes.

Story continues

Balance sheet risks were a big reason for the meltdown in the stock price in 2015, so getting the debt down should provide investors with more confidence to hold Teck in their portfolios.

Teck reported impressive Q4 2016 results, and the Q1 2017 numbers should come in even better. Copper and zinc prices remain high, and the company?s Q1 met coal contracted price with its customers is US$285 per tonne.

To put that into perspective, Teck?s average met coal sale price in Q4 2016 was just over US$200 per tonne.

Should you buy?

The market is forward-looking, and investors are nervous that copper and zinc might have peaked, at least in the near term. Coal prices have picked up a bit in the past week or so, which is a positive sign, but another leg to the downside is still a risk, as suppliers ramp up production.

Oil could be the big story in the back half of 2017. As Fort Hills gets closer to its start-up date, crude prices might begin to have a stronger impact on market sentiment for Teck?s stock. If oil gives up its recent gains, Teck might come under additional pressure.

Given the extent of the run-up in the share price and the near-term market uncertainty, I would stay on the sidelines until the current pullback has clearly run its course.

Canada's answer to Amazon.com

You've probably never even heard of this up-and-coming e-commerce powerhouse headquartered in Eastern Ontario...

But, despite coming public just last year, it's already helping the likes of Budweiser... Tesla... Subway... and Red Bull move $9.9 BILLION (and counting) worth of goods online each year.

And now it's caught the eye of the legendary investor who got behind Amazon.com in 1997 -- just before it shot up over 23,000% and made investors like you and me rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Click here to discover why this investor says it's time to buy.

More reading

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Canada's answer to Amazon.com

You've probably never even heard of this up-and-coming e-commerce powerhouse headquartered in Eastern Ontario...

But, despite coming public just last year, it's already helping the likes of Budweiser... Tesla... Subway... and Red Bull move $9.9 BILLION (and counting) worth of goods online each year.

And now it's caught the eye of the legendary investor who got behind Amazon.com in 1997 -- just before it shot up over 23,000% and made investors like you and me rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Click here to discover why this investor says it's time to buy.

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean intelligence believes suspects wanted for the murder of the half-brother of North Korea's leader included several officials who worked for the reclusive state's foreign and security ministries, according to lawmakers in Seoul. Kim Jong Nam was killed earlier this month at a Malaysian airport by assassins using VX nerve agent, a chemical capable of killing in minutes and listed by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. South Korea is acutely sensitive to developments in its unpredictable nuclear-armed neighbor, and intelligence agency officials have briefed lawmakers on the sensational killing of the estranged half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea has not acknowledged the victim is Kim Jong Nam. But South Korean and U.S. officials believe Kim, who had criticized his family's control of the isolated state, was assassinated by agents of the North. "Among eight suspects in this case four are from the ministry of state security and two who actually took action are from the foreign ministry," Lee Cheol-woo, one of the lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters. "That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organized by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry," Lee added. Malaysian police have identified a total of eight North Koreans as suspects or as wanted for questioning. These include a North Korean embassy official believed to still be in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Sunday that Kim Jong Nam died within 15-20 minutes of being assaulted by two women who are believed to have smeared VX on his face. He had been at Kuala Lumpur International airport to catch a flight to Macau, the Chinese territory where he had been living under Beijing's protection. The women, Indonesian and Vietnamese citizens, are in police custody and have told officials from their respective embassies that they believed they were taking part in a TV prank. THREE TEAMS Another South Korean lawmaker briefed by the intelligence agency, Kim Byung-kee, said the North Koreans had operated in three teams. Two teams, each including officials from both North Korea's state security and foreign ministries, were responsible for hiring women in Indonesia and Vietnam and bringing them to Malaysia to carry out the attack. The third team provided "support". He said South Korean intelligence said the North's embassy official in Kuala Lumpur, Hyon Kwang Song, was linked to the state security ministry and part of the support team. Malaysian police have said they may issue an arrest warrant for the diplomat if he does not cooperate, but it is unclear if they can do so given he has diplomatic immunity. The one North Korean in police custody, Ri Jong Chol, was also believed to have been part of the support team, said Kim Byung-kee. Malaysian authorities have not commented on the roles that any of the North Koreans played in the killing. The investigation into the killing, and Malaysia's refusal to hand over the body to North Korea before it is officially identified by the victim's next of kin, has caused a diplomatic rift between two hitherto friendly governments. (Additional reporting by Jack Kim; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
The search lights flooding his windows, the helicopters overhead, the woman who knocked on his door late one night asking how to get to Canada  it has all become too much for Tim Lamb.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Champlain, N.Y., within a few hundred metres of the border, decided to get a German shepherd to help him feel safe.

But if this keeps up, he says, he may need to move.

"It's nerve-racking. It really sucks because it has such a nice yard," said Lamb, who relies on disability coverage to afford his one-room, $700-a-month trailer.

Lamb is among the residents whose quiet lives have been upended by the recent surge in illegal crossings into Quebec.

In January, 452 people claimed asylum at the Quebec border  a 230 per cent increase from the same month a year earlier. Experts attribute the increase to the political climate under U.S. President Donald Trump.

Many of those crossings have taken place at the end of Lamb's street, Roxham Road, even though the official port of entry in Lacolle, Que., is only a 15-minute drive away.

On a daily basis over the past month, parents pushing strollers and couples clutching backpacks pull up in taxis at the end of the dirt road, lined by trailers and pickup trucks.

The spectacle  often captured by photographers and TV camera crews, as U.S. border patrol officers watch from a distance  has spawned a mix of consternation and confusion among those who live nearby.

The Canadian gateway

For migrants unnerved by Trump's America, Roxham Road is the gateway that allows them another chance at securing asylum status in North America.

Crossing into Canada illegally allows them to avoid the constrictions of the Safe Third Country Agreement, under which asylum seekers who have landed in either country are denied a chance to seek refuge in the other at official entry points.

The pact was signed in 2002, in the wake of the Sept. 11, with the aim of strengthening North American security while keeping trade and commerce flowing freely across the border.

Story continues

Recently, asylum seekers have come from Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq and beyond.

They arrive at Roxham Road after crossing thousands of kilometres by bus, plane and foot.

A collection of boarding passes, torn up and tossed into the mud a few metres from the border, detail a dizzying journey from Los Angeles to Chicago to Boston to Plattsburgh, N.Y., about 30 kilometres south of Champlain.

A more common route involves taking a Greyhound from New York City to Plattsburgh. A gas station there with a Mini-Mart and a Dunkin' Donuts is the last stop before the border on a bus route bound for Montreal.

A cab ride from the Greyhound stop to Roxham Road can cost between $40 and $50 US.

Christian Gaudet, a dispatcher for City Taxi in Plattsburgh, says he routinely gets calls from the bus station or hotels around town requesting a trip to the border.

Last Wednesday alone, 19 people walked across the muddy pathway that divides the two countries, an RCMP officer at the border said.

Five more  a family of three from Turkey, and a married couple from Myanmar and Turkey  arrived Thursday morning in separate taxis.

When asked why they were fleeing the United States, the Turkish man walking with his wife replied simply, "because it's not safe," after handing two $20 bills to the driver.

'It shouldn't be that f---ing easy'

In another trailer a few doors down from Lamb, Gino Ramirez is taking a wrench to an oil barrel that he plans to convert into a barbecue for cooking chicken and deer.

Ramirez, a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, lives with his twin three-year-old boys.

He suspects many people are leaving because of Trump. But he doesn't have much sympathy for them.

"In my eyes, if you're not legal, you should be doing something to get legal," said Ramirez, whose grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico.

Ramirez believes the government should build a border wall on the Canadian side  or at least increase patrols  to make it more difficult to cross in either direction.

"It shouldn't be that f--king easy," he said, quickly pointing out that he's not worried for his own safety. "I have a bunch of guns in the house if I need them."

The number of people crossing into Canada is nothing like the influx seen in Europe and elsewhere, where thousands are living in refugee camps after fleeing violence in the Middle East.

Canadian officials say there have been similar increases in asylum claims in the past because of policy shifts in the U.S., Canada or abroad.

But the recent increase has, for some Americans living near the border, changed the way they see their northern neighbours.

"You guys treat them good, you give them a place to live, don't you?" said Harold Gonyo, 61, referring to Canada's handling of refugees.

Gonyo, who has lived at the corner of Roxham Road for 30 years, said it "has always been hot spot" for illegal border crossings.

But he, too, has noticed an increase in the past month. More than once, he's seen a van pull into his driveway; a family will scramble out, then head toward Canada.

More recently, he said, marked taxis drive asylum seekers right to the border line.

Straddling the line in Trump country

Compared to Emerson, Man., where asylum seekers from the U.S. have to walk for hours across a barren landscape, often in brutal cold, crossing at Roxham Road is far shorter and less arduous.

But Roxham Road isn't the only spot around Champlain where it is easy for asylum seekers to cross illegally.

The area is filled with quiet country roads that end at the border line, like the one where Calvin Allen, a retired roofer, has lived for three decades.

Over the years, Allen has come across clothing, an abandoned car and even financial documents with a Florida address in the forested area by his home.

Last week, he spotted footprints going into Canada, but otherwise he hasn't noticed a huge increase in clandestine crossings.

Despite the array of options when it comes to crossing into Canada, asylum seekers appear to prefer Roxham Road

It is close to the bus station and the public road goes right up to the border line, where RCMP officers stand guard. After all, they need to be arrested in order to exploit the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Like the majority of voters in upper New York state, Allen supported Trump, explaining that he detests Hillary Clinton.

"We're all sick of the politicians," he said.

When asked why he thought some people were trying to leave the U.S., Allen said, "I've never been an immigrant, so I'm not sure what it's like."

Lamb, out walking with Cocoa, the German shepherd he claimed from the pound, seemed particularly mystified by the situation unfolding on Roxham Road.

One night, not long ago, a woman turned up at his door asking for help, but he couldn't understand what she was saying. "I couldn't even read her passport," he said.

"Why do they want to leave? Where are they coming from? Why don't they want to stay and try to find a job? It's all so strange."
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)
By Tom Perry and Humeyra Pamuk BEIRUT/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups clashed with government forces near a city in northern Syria that the rebels recently captured from Islamic State, sources on both sides said, the second such confrontation in the region this month. The fighting late on Sunday took place in an area where the sides are waging separate campaigns against Islamic State. Russia, which backs the Syrian government, mediated to bring an end to the confrontation, according to a source in the military alliance fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad. Russia also intervened to halt the previous clash. The latest incident occurred near the city of al-Bab, which Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels captured last week from Islamic State. Syrian government forces on Sunday announced the capture of the town of Tadef, 4 km (2.5 miles) to the south. A rebel official in touch with one of the FSA groups taking part in the Turkey-backed campaign in northern Syria said rebels had opened fire on Sunday in response to an attempt by government forces to advance closer to al-Bab. An FSA statement said "22 regime members" were killed. A Syrian military source said the rebels had "targeted our forces in Tadef with artillery and machine guns". The source, who described the FSA factions as "terrorist groups that belong to Turkey", gave no casualty toll. Earlier this month, a senior Russian official said Tadef marked an agreed dividing line between the Syrian army and the Turkey-backed forces. Turkey, a major backer of Syrian opposition to Assad, last year began cooperating with Russia in Syria. With Moscow, it has co-sponsored a ceasefire between government and rebel forces in western Syria. The rebel official said Turkish forces were not involved in the confrontation, adding that government forces appeared to be testing the rebels. "They probably hadn't thought that they would receive such a fierce response," the official said. The Syrian military source said the incident showed the rebels' "main aim is not fighting Daesh (Islamic State), but realizing other goals including an attempt to obstruct the Syrian army's operation confronting Daesh". (Additional reporting by Mostafa Hashem in Cairo and Laila Bassam; Editing by Dominic Evans and Robin Pomeroy)
By Press Trust of India: Los Angeles, Feb 27 (PTI) Actress Viola Davis completed her award season haul with a well-deserved best supporting actress Oscar for her forceful portrayal of Rose Maxson in the movie revival of August Wilsons play "Fences".

Davis, 51, has been winning hearts with her speeches at precursor awards like Critics Choice, Golden Globes, SAG Awards and BAFTA and at the Oscars, she once again delivered a poignant speech highlighting the importance of telling stories of people living on the margins.

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"People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell Viola. And I say exhume those stories, the stories of people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams... to people who fell in love and lost. I became an artist and thank God I did because we are the only profession that celebrate what it means to live a life," she said to a resounding applause from the audience.

The actress also credited fellow star and director Denzel Washington and playwright August Wislon.

"O Captain! My Captain! Denzel Washington. Thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat-- August and God and they served you well," Davis said quoting Walt Whitmans famous poem.

She also thanked her parents and sister with whom she played games where they were "rich white women" besides her husband and daughter.

The actress was previously nominated in the best supporting actress category for her breakthrough role in 2008 drama "Doubt" and then in 2011 she was nominated for the best actress for her performance in "The Help".

With the nomination, Davis became the first black woman in the history to be nominated for three Academy Awards.

Davis was a front-runner in the category which also had names like Naomie Harris (Moonlight), Nicole Kidman (Lion), her "The Help" co-star Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) and Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea).

Davis already won a Tony award for playing Rose in the 2010 Broadway revival. She has called Rose, a long-suffering wife of a bitter man trying to hold the family together, a complete and rare character.

Considered one of the best performers in Hollywood, Davis worked in showbiz for almost two decades before gaining recognition.

She is also known for her role of lawyer Annalise Keating in the ABC drama "How to Get Away with Murder" for which she became the first woman to win lead actress Emmy. PTI BK BK

--- ENDS ---
The United Nations will send a human rights lawyer to Manitoba on an observation mission in the coming weeks related to the recent influx of refugees who have trickled into the province on foot after fleeing the United States.

"We're interested in seeing what the situation is there," said Azadeh Tamjeedi, a lawyer with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Tamjeedi plans to meet with asylum seekers, RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency and refugee advocates in Winnipeg.

"It's just going to be an observation mission," she said.

Tamjeedi said her mission will likely include a trip to the Emerson, Man., border and an investigation into how refugees are being processed by both RCMP and border agents.

As CBC News revealed in January, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Manitoba near Emerson over the past 10 months.

Many have risked their lives crossing the border through snow-covered farm fields this winter, sometimes in frigid temperatures.

The Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country agreement requires asylum seekers to make a refugee claim with the first country they arrive in. But an exemption allows those who enter the country through somewhere other than an official port of entry to make a claim for asylum.

Critics argue that exemption encourages people to take desperate measures to get into Canada.

UN has checked with Quebec

Tamjeedi said her visit will centre on the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, which forces Canada to take in asylum seekers who arrive in the country, but she said the UN has no mounting concerns with how officials have handled the situation so far.

"We're pretty happy with the system in Canada. It's a very robust system."

Tamjeedi's colleague Jean-Nicolas Beuze has already visited Lacolle, Que., another border where asylum seekers have been walking into Canada.

"That mission went really smoothly. They were really happy with the way people were being processed," Tamjeedi said.

Story continues

Minister not convinced of trend

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen told CTV he is not convinced the number of asylum seekers crossing into Manitoba is a growing trend, despite concerns from local politicians and the Manitoba government.

Hussen's comments came just hours after a CBC Manitoba journalist spoke to a group of seven refugee claimants who walked into Manitoba near Emerson in the wee morning hours.

The minister said the federal government is monitoring the situation and it's still too early to tell if more asylum seekers will walk into Manitoba.

Information Radio is live from Emerson on Monday morning. Join Marcy Markusa at the Emerson Hotel from 6 to 8:30 a.m.

Read full coverage of refugees crossing the U.S. border into Manitoba


Strategic Directions | Feature

It's Accessible and Affordable: Immersive Media in Higher Education

A Q&A with Kyle Bowen

CT talks with Penn State University Director of Education Technology Kyle Bowen about the directions immersive media has been taking in higher education and the practices that are making 3D, VR, AR, and 360 video technologies accessible for faculty and students.

Mary Grush: We've certainly been hearing a lot about immersive media  virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and 3D video. How would you characterize where we are now, with immersive media?

Kyle Bowen: People have been using immersive media for a very long time. Think back to when you were a kid peering into a View-Master  one of those 3D devices many of us played with. Even something as simple as that gave us our introduction to the experience of exploring cities, towns, and scenery through an immersive medium  and "visiting" places that we did not have access to otherwise.

As immersive technology continued to evolve over time, so did our ability to create even more immersive experiences, and over the years we saw the development of various 3D, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technologies.

Where do we stand now? The opportunity we have now is that we can begin to innovate on top of all that and create, with even better virtual and immersive tools, experiences that challenge our established ideas of immersive media and take us far beyond what we can experience in "real" physical environments.

If we look at where we are regarding our current efforts, we see a lot of experimentation going on, in many different disciplines and fields, using a wide variety of immersive technologies.

Grush: What are the different types of technologies that exist in the immersive media space  at least the main categories?

Bowen: Immersive media exist in four main categories: 3D, 360 video, virtual reality, and augmented reality.

Today's 3D media technologies are very much like the movies you would experience in a traditional movie theater, where you would put on 3D glasses and be watching a film that just sort of comes out of the screen.

But the interesting part of all that is, as 3D technologies continue to evolve and improve, we see higher and even vastly higher quality images being produced. So, what is happening  even what we see in a regular movie theater  is a transition into hyper reality, where the images are of such high quality that our visual experience is so much greater than what we would normally expect to see in the natural world.

The ultimate applications of that kind of hyper reality are still unknown. So, pinpointing its implications for the future is difficult, as this is such a growing area.

Let's move on to the next level, where you will find 360 video  our second major immersive media category. This is simply video that is captured all around the camera. The viewer may look anywhere they want to while the video is playing.

360 video has many values, but primarily it is recognized as the easiest immersive media to create. And there are now many inexpensive 360 video cameras on the market. Plus, you can use your cell phone to experience and view these videos. So, 360 video is a very accessible technology, in practical terms.

When working with 360 video, headsets that use your smartphone can be economically added to the mix, starting with Google Cardboard at a few dollars, and moving up to the Samsung Gear VR technology at maybe around a hundred dollars  so we can find very inexpensive solutions for creating and viewing 360 video and making our immersive connections.
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- While there's scant evidence that herbal medications are safe or effective to treat heart conditions, they remain popular among people with heart disease, a new review suggests.

"Physicians should improve their knowledge of herbal medications in order to adequately weigh the clinical implications related to their use," said senior review author Dr. Graziano Onder.

Onder, of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, is an assistant professor in the department of geriatrics, neurosciences and orthopedics.

"Physicians should explain that natural does not always mean safe," he said in a news release from the American College of Cardiology.

In the United States, herbal medications can be sold without being tested in clinical trials. As a result, there's little evidence of their safety or effectiveness, the review authors explained.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration can only determine that an herbal medication is unsafe after it has already hurt someone. However, this hasn't stopped many people with heart disease from taking herbal treatments to improve their heart health, the researchers said.

To explore the issue, the investigators looked at 42 herbal medications that have been identified as a possible treatment for one or more heart conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure and hardening of the arteries.

Onder's team found there isn't enough evidence to determine if herbal remedies are causing potential complications.

Many people don't tell their doctor they are taking herbal medications, probably because they don't view these as treatments that could cause serious side effects, the study authors said.

Complicating matters even further, many people taking herbal medications don't follow through on their treatment plan and fail to take the medication prescribed by their doctor properly, the findings showed.

Doctors should talk to their patients about the potential risks of using herbal medications, the researchers concluded.

"Communicating with the patient is a crucial component of the process," Onder said. "The pros and cons of specific herbal medications should be explained and their risk-benefit profile properly discussed."

The review was published Feb. 27 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

More information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides more information on alternative medicine.
Cairo, Egypt

Egypt MPs said the death penalty cannot be abolished because doing so would contradict Islamic Sharia





The human rights committee of Egypt's parliament said it will never recommend that the death penalty be abolished, responding to repeated calls from foreign rights groups to end capital punishment.





"Western human rights organisations that lobby for the abolition of the death penalty should know that this goes against both Islamic Sharia and the country's constitution," read a statement by the human rights committee on Sunday.





Alaa Abed, head of the committee, told reporters that the abolition of the death penalty would violate Islamic Sharia, which is based on the "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" doctrine.





"As long as Egypt's constitution states that Islamic Sharia represents the main source of legislation in Egypt, parliament can never accept that the death penalty be abolished," he said.





"The imposition of the death penalty in Egypt takes place only after all legal measures are pursued and after the mufti of Egypt gives final approval.





"Not to mention that the death penalty primarily targets murderers who shed the blood of citizens on purpose, and as a result should be sentenced to death in accordance with Islamic Sharia."





Abed indicated that "parliament also stands against Western organisations which demand that homosexuals and gay marriage be allowed in Egypt."





"Again, I state that this neither goes in line with Islamic Sharia nor with the deep-rooted religious traditions of the Egyptian people," he added.





Abed said the Human Rights Council affiliated with the United Nations has recently lobbied Egypt to abolish the death penalty.





"But we said in our response that this penalty can't be abolished because this violates Islamic Sharia, which represents the backbone of legislation in Egypt," said Abed.





MP Khaled Hammad, a member of the human rights committee, said: "The death penalty is a necessity in a country that is facing a ferocious war against terrorists and criminals."





"It is incomprehensible that terrorists who kill innocent citizens and who bomb buildings do not face the death penalty. Egypt's parliament does not support the radical liberal agendas of Western human rights organisations, which show less interest in national security and religious values," he added.





Atef Makhaleef, deputy head of the human rights committee, said: "Courts in Egypt have always been keen that the death penalty be imposed on a very limited scale."





"Many death penalty verdicts had been issued since 2011, but none of them was imposed because they were revoked by supreme courts," said Makhaleef, adding that "It is better that the death penalty be implemented on a very limited scale rather than abolished altogether."





Makhaleef also said the number of executions implemented in Egypt decreased largely in recent years.





"I think that those who were executed were just two or three criminals who were found guilty of drug trafficking and espionage," said Makhaleef.





Nabil Polis, a Coptic MP, said: "The death penalty has become important in recent years because it proved to be a highly effective tool in stemming the tide of terrorist crimes."





Polis said although some Western countries have abolished the death penalty, they still implement other fatal penalties such as gassing murderers or injecting them with poison.





"It is a death penalty but in a different form," said Polis.





Demands for abolishing the death penalty in Egypt have gained momentum in recent days after the Cassation Court upheld on 20 February death sentences that had previously been handed to 11 defendants in the Port Said stadium massacre case of February 2012.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

Source: ahram.org.eg, February 27, 2017
NEW YORK, NY (2/27/17)  The Manhattan Institutes Economics21 is glad to welcome Brian Riedl as a senior fellow in economic policy. Riedls work will focus on opportunities for reforming the federal tax code, cutting spending, and promoting economic growth.

Before joining Economics21, Riedl served as Chief Economic Policy Advisor in the office of Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, conducting research and advising on policies related to federal spending, job creation, and tax policy. He also served as staff director of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth during this time. In addition, Riedl served as a director of budget and spending Policy for Marco Rubios presidential campaign and was the lead architect of the ten-year deficit-reduction plan for Mitt Romneys presidential campaign.

Prior to his work on the Hill, Riedl spent nearly a decade with the Heritage Foundation, where he directed much of the organizations research and outreach on federal budgetary policy.

Few are more qualified than Brian to provide solutions for reining in the federal budget, cutting taxes, and supporting economic prosperity, said Manhattan Institute President Larry Mone. The Manhattan Institute welcomes him and looks forward to leading the debate during this time of change in Washington.

I am thrilled to be joining the impressive team at Economics21, Riedl said. This organization has been shaping public policy for forty years, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to promote pro-growth policies.

Riedls work has been widely published, including in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. He has an MA in public affairs from Princeton University and a BA in economics and political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, E21 delivers a short email that includes E21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the E21 Morning Ebrief.
Norway's Largest Importer of Wine and Producer of Liquor Selects Thinfilm's NFC Technology

to Connect with Consumers; Field Trials for LINIE Aquavit Brand To Start in Q2





OSLO, Norway, February 27, 2017 - Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") (OSE: THIN), a global leader in NFC (near field communication) mobile marketing solutions using printed electronics technology, today announced Arcus ASA ("Arcus") (OSE: ARCUS), Norway's largest wholesaler of wine and liquor, as a new customer. Preparations are underway for an initial field trial, which is expected to begin in the second quarter. For the trial, Thinfilm's smartphone-readable SpeedTap(TM) tags will be applied to bottles of Arcus' legendary LINIE Aquavit brand to enable a direct connection with consumers. Thinfilm will also present the LINIE Aquavit connected bottle at Mobile World Congress 2017, February 27 - March 2, in Barcelona, Spain.

To accelerate innovation within its spirits category, Arcus will leverage Thinfilm's end-to-end NFC solutions offering to improve its ability to engage with consumers. SpeedTap tags integrate with the Thinfilm CNECT(TM) software portal, a powerful cloud-based platform that enables remote tag management, custom content delivery, and brand analytics and reporting.



Each SpeedTap tag is uniquely identifiable and virtually impossible to clone, and can be read with the simple tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone or device. Once tapped, the tags allow smart devices to wirelessly communicate with the CNECT software portal. This combination creates a compelling one-to-one mobile marketing platform from which Arcus can connect directly with its consumers. As a result, LINIE marketers are able to instantly deliver brand stories, product news, and other contextual content.



"LINIE aquavit is the world's oldest aquavit brand, created in 1821. We have a strong focus on innovation in order to keep the brand contemporary and build awareness around the aquavit category," said Romain Jourdan, Category Manager for Norwegian Aquavit, at Arcus. "We are excited to partner with a fellow-Norwegian firm and look forward to working closely with Thinfilm on this innovative initiative."



Arcus is a publicly-listed company on the Oslo Stock Exchange, and is the world's largest producer of aquavit and the leading wine and spirits company in Norway. In addition, the company is Sweden's second largest importer of wine, the third largest in Finland, and the second largest producer of spirits in Denmark. Arcus also owns the Aalborg, Liten, and Gammel Opland aquavit brands.

"Arcus and the iconic LINIE Aquavit brand represent a unique combination of old-world tradition and new-world innovation," said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. "We're very excited about the role our NFC technology will play in connecting Arcus to its consumers."





About Thin Film Electronics ASA

Thinfilm is a leader in NFC smart packaging solutions using printed electronics technology. The first to commercialize printed, rewritable memory, the Company today creates printed tags, labels and systems that include memory, sensing, display, and wireless communication - all at a cost-per-function unmatched by conventional electronic technologies. Thinfilm's roadmap integrates technology from a strong and growing ecosystem of partners to bring intelligence to everyday items and effectively extend the traditional boundaries of the Internet of Things.

Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") is a publicly listed Norwegian company with headquarters in Oslo, Norway; product development and production in Linkoping, Sweden; product development, production, and business development in San Jose, California, USA; and sales offices in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.thinfilm.no.



This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to 5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act).

For more information on Thinfilm please contact:

Bill Cummings

SVP Corporate Communications

Thin Film Electronics ASA

+1 408-503-7312

bill.cummings@thinfilm.no
HONOLULU, Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Margaret Dore, president of Choice is an Illusion, which is fighting assisted suicide and euthanasia legalization efforts throughout the United States, made the following statement in connection with an assisted suicide/euthanasia bill set for hearing tomorrow in the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor. The bill is SB 1129 S.D. 1.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58967841-09da-4273-934a-f638de752bac

The bill seeks to pass a proposed act legalizing assisted suicide and allowing euthanasia, said Dore. If enacted, the act will apply to people with years or decades to live. The act is a recipe for elder abuse, especially for people with money, meaning the middle class and above in the inheritance situation.

Dore said, "The proposed act allows the patient's heir, who will financially benefit from the patient's death, to actively participate in requesting the lethal dose. After that, no doctor, not even a witness, is required to be present at the death. Even if the patient struggled, who would know?"

"But, it gets worse," said Dore, "the death certificate is required to list a terminal disease as the cause of death, which prevents prosecution." Dore explained, "The official cause of death is a terminal disease (not murder) as a matter of law. For inheritance perpetrators, the death certificate is a 'stay out of jail free card.'

Dore stated, If enacted, the proposed act will legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia for people who are 'terminal,' which is defined as a doctor's prediction of less than six months to live. In real life, such persons may have years or decades to live."

"Doctors can be wrong about life expectancy, sometimes way wrong," said Dore. "This is due to mistakes and the fact that predicting life expectancy is not an exact science. A few years ago, I was met at the airport by a man who at age 18 or 19 had been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and given 3 to 5 years to live, at which time he would die by paralysis. His diagnosis had been confirmed by the Mayo Clinic. When he met me at the airport, he was 74 years old. The disease progression had stopped on its own."

Dore stated, The proposed act is based on a similar law in Oregon. In Oregon, a young adult with insulin dependent diabetes is terminal because the six months to live is determined without treatment. A typical insulin dependent adult will live less than a month without insulin. Such persons are therefore terminal for the purpose of assisted suicide.

Dore added, By contrast, with insulin, such persons may have decades to years or decades to live.

Dore concluded, The proposed act will create the perfect crime and encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives. The act must be rejected.

For more information, see Dore Memo Opposing SB 1129 SD1, which can be viewed at these links: memo and appendix.
Virtual reality comes to tinsel town and Bollywood is quick to hop on to the gravy train.

Young woman gets locked in a bathroom. She is not alone. You, the viewer, are with her. Suddenly, water starts flowing from the tap. Blood spills into the bathtub. The shower curtains snap shut. The lights flicker and the screams begin.

The scene's spooky enough. But the fear is magnified when viewed through the burgeoning new technology of virtual reality (VR). The only way out is to remove the head-mounted device.

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Made by Meraki VR Studio, one of the few that specialise in VR content, the three-minute horror short demonstrates the appeal of VR.

With a smartphone, a VR headset and earphones, not only does the viewer get a 360-degree perspective of an imagined space (a movie) or reality (live sport coverage) but also control on what he or she wants to see.

"A lot of people are picky about holding the audience's attention," says Sairam Sagiraju, one of the founders of Meraki VR Studio. "There is a lot of unlearning needed from 2D. In VR, there is no blind spot. It is a lot about letting go."

VR has caught the imagination of the Indian film industry. Both the Mumbai Film Festival last October and the Film Bazaar in Goa the following month had a VR lounge.

If cinephiles recoiled at a train coming straight at them at breakneck speed in Chris Milk's Evolution of Verse, they found themselves participating in a 12-year-old Syrian girl's life in a refugee camp in Clouds over Sidra.

Filmmaker Shakun Batra (of Kapoor & Sons' fame), curator of the VR sidebar at the Mumbai film festival, says, "VR is not a fad or a gimmick. It's not a substitute for movies but a new platform for storytelling where you can create immersive worlds and soundscapes impossible in 2D or 3D."

Bollywood is all set to ride the VR gravy train. The Baahubali series is among the first to hop on. "Baahubali has so much FX and digital assets that the idea of VR made perfect sense," says Raja Koduri, senior vice-president, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD, which collaborated with Arka Media Works and Baahubali director S.S. Rajamouli on two VR films: a set visit of the much-anticipated Baahubali: The Conclusion and the in-the-works Sword of Baahubali, which will be unveiled weeks before the epic's release in April.

"VR going mainstream is a function of cost and time," says Koduri. "Just like high-end PC performance has come down in price over the years, so will accessibility to VR technologies."

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Koduri was echoing a January 2016 Goldman-Sachs report on VR/AR (augmented reality) which said it would be a $80 billion industry by 2025. "VR/AR has the potential to spawn a multibillion-dollar industry, and possibly be as game-changing as the advent of the PC," it said.

From video games, live events and movies to healthcare, real estate, retail, education, engineering and military, the potential of VR is endless.

"Watching an event in VR will make a user feel like they're physically attending the event with the best seat in the house," it said. In the United States, the CNN did VR streaming of the first US presidential Democratic debate.

VR for everyone

Breaking the fourth wall, VR helps you become audience and participant simultaneously, living the experience playing out before you, such as the waiter in VR Mad Studio's short who is catering to an indecisive young couple out on a date.

One of the many perks of VR, according to studio head Madhusudhan Balasubramanian, is that the viewer can access a realistic experience sitting at home on his phone.

Gautam Pandey of Riverbank Studios in Delhi is using the medium to capture India's scenic beauty. He developed his own camera rigs to document Ladakh on his bike and has now been commissioned to shoot the 100-acre forest land of the Jaberkhet Nature Reserve in Uttarakhand.

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Even the real estate industry is taking to VR. Smart Vizx, a studio in Delhi, is making VR footage for builders who want to give buyers a virtual sense of the space. In April 2016, Tata Motors sent out two million DIY cardboard VR headsets in three editions of a leading daily for readers to experience a virtual test drive of their car Tiago via an app.

Anand Gandhi, national award-winning filmmaker of Ship of Theseus, is also bitten by the VR bug.

His Memesys Culture Lab produced its first VR documentary, When Land is Lost, Do We Eat Coal?, on the Korba mines in Jharkhand, bringing alive the visceral landscape and providing a first-hand experience of the devastating consequences of mining on the Kanwar adivasis who have lost their houses and access to drinking water and electricity.

The Lab recently launched ElseVR (pronounced Elsewhere), both a website and an app, which publishes essays and stories that incorporate VR/AR to enable readers to experience "the immediacy of film with the intimacy of VR".

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So far, it has covered the women's agitation for entry into the sanctum of the Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik, the impact of the floods in Bihar and the lives of Dalits. The film Caste is not a Rumour leaves the viewers shaken as they find themselves inside a manhole a Dalit man is cleaning, and again has them flinching at the lynching of four Dalit youth in Una.

"It is forcing the way you look at things and changing the way you engage with stories," says Shubhangi Swarup, executive editor, ElseVR. "It is a breakthrough not just in technology but also in storytelling. It is both an opportunity and a challenge for filmmakers."

A new perspective

"VR is essentially a new storytelling format that will require different writing and producing techniques than traditional movies and TV," says the Goldman Sachs report.

The director has to consider the very specific grammar of VR. "The frame is a sphere as opposed to a rectangle or square," filmmaker Michel Reilhac said at the Film Bazaar in Goa.

Reilhac, who headed the VR NEXT sidebar at Cannes 2016, recommends writing spatially, focusing on the design of the film and building audience interaction through the story. "VR filmmaking is closer to theatre than cinema," he says.

Indian cinema has just begun flirting with the medium. However, Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman's Live-in-VR Vande Mataram concert film, shown at the Film Bazaar in Goa, offered nothing more than a 360-degree view.

Filmmakers need to concentrate on the design of the film-from the sets to the location. "The landscape is the primary protagonist," says Khushboo Ranka of ElseVR. "The visual spectacle can't be ignored. You have to think more visually and then ensure it translates well cinematically."

Also, since wearing a clunky headset with a phone placed so close to the eyes can cause dizziness, fatigue, even nausea, filmmakers are advised to keep to the 15-minute mark.

Next up on ElseVR is filmmaker and writer Sooni Taraporewala's film on Amir and Manish, two ballet dancers from Mumbai, who overcame all odds to win scholarships to study at the Oregon Ballet Theater, US.

"When she started, their US visas had been rejected twice," says Shubhangi Swarup. "It's an emotionally compelling narrative." More such stories need to be told. We are game for VR.

--- ENDS ---
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tennessee Bank has received multiple awards for outstanding service for business banking from Greenwich Associates as part of the groups 2016 Greenwich Excellence Awards. First Tennessee also earned high grades from customers in the annual Phoenix-Hecht Treasury Management Quality Index for middle market banking.



In evaluating more than 600 banks, Greenwich Associates identified a select group of banks that performed at differentiated levels compared to peer institutions at the national and regional levels. First Tennessee won 17 national awards and three regional (South) awards.

We are grateful that our business customers enthusiastically endorsed our service and capability. We work hard every day to earn their trust and loyalty, said David Popwell, president of banking for First Tennessees parent company, First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN). Our dedicated bankers are committed to providing differentiated customer service and this recognition reflects our focus on excellence.

Popwell said the First Tennessee Bankers were excited about earning more national Greenwich Excellence Awards this year  last year First Tennessee was also a top performer in the Greenwich Associates honors.

In the Excellence in Middle Market Banking category, First Tennessee received eight national awards  Overall Satisfaction, Proactively Provides Advice, and in Cash Management  Overall Satisfaction, Customer Service, Digital Functionality, Ease of Product Implementation, Functionality and Range of Online Services, and Product Capabilities. First Tennessee also received two regional (South) awards for Overall Satisfaction and Cash Management Overall Satisfaction.

In the Excellence in Small Business Banking category, First Tennessee received nine national awards  Overall Satisfaction, Proactively Provides Advice, Branch Satisfaction, Industry Expertise, Likelihood to Recommend, and in Cash Management  Overall Satisfaction, Accuracy of Operations, Customer Service, and Ease of Product Implementation. First Tennessee also received a regional (South) award for Proactively Provides Advice.

First Tennessee also received top grades in the Phoenix-Hecht 2017 Treasury Management Quality Index for Middle Market Banking, which includes businesses with revenues between $20 million and $500 million.

First Tennessees grades are:

A  Product Operations

A  Product Satisfaction

A+  Customer Service

A  Technical Support

A+  Relationship Manager

In addition, 100 percent of customers surveyed indicated that they would recommend First Tennessee to a treasury colleague. That compares to a study-wide average of 86 percent for all banks.

The Phoenix-Hecht 2017 Quality Index is based on individual bank quality evaluations gathered in the 2017 Treasury Management Monitor survey. This survey of treasury managers from corporations with annual revenues of $20 million or more was conducted from August to November 2016.

About First Tennessee

First Tennessee Bank is the largest bank headquartered in Tennessee, with the number one deposit market share in Chattanooga, Memphis and the Tri-Cities and a top-five deposit market share in Knoxville and Nashville. First Tennessee was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. First Tennessee and FTN Financial are part of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN), which has 4,300 employees. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Working Mother and American Banker magazines. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com.

FHN-G
Icelandic English

Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 of HS Orka hf. (the Company) were approved at a Board of Directors meeting on 27 February 2017. The financial statements of HS Orka hf. are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and are stated in Icelandic kronur (ISK). The financial statements can be found on the Companys website: http://www.hsorka.is

Net profit for the year was ISK 3,104 million, up from a net loss of ISK 247 million in 2015, with the movement predominantly due to non-cash gains in the year further discussed below.

Operating revenue was ISK 7,099 million against 7,343 million in 2015, with the decrease primarily due to a reduction in aluminum based sales (as a result of a decline in aluminum prices in 2016) plus a decrease in the sale of geothermal water due to unusually warm weather in 2016. This is somewhat offset by a continuing growth in sale of electricity to the retail market.

Production cost increased by 13% to ISK 3,671 million in 2016 mostly because of an increase in power purchases and a rise in depreciation derived from the revaluation of the Svartsengi Power Plant at year-end 2015.

Research and development costs were higher in 2016 due to the deep drilling program at Reykjanes. Drilling was completed at a depth of 4,650 meters. Initial well readings (427C temperature, 340 bars pressure) indicate supercritical conditions at the base of the well, comprising significantly higher energy content versus conventional high-temperature geothermal steam.

Legal fees were higher in 2016 due to arbitration proceedings regarding the power purchase agreement with Norural Helguvik ehf (Norural). HS Orka hf. received positive results in November 2016, indicating that the power purchase agreement had lapsed due to certain circumstances, and therefore was at an end. The panel further determined that the ending of the contract was not due to any fault on the part of the Company. All counterclaims advanced by Norural Helguvik ehf. in the arbitration were denied.

Finance-related income increased to a gain of ISK 2,364 million (2015: ISK 3,141 million loss). This was driven primarily by an increase in future aluminum prices during the year, resulting in an increase in the fair value of embedded derivatives in power purchase agreements of ISK 1,467 million (2015: ISK 3,248 million loss). Currency gains were ISK 970 million compared to a gain of ISK 197 million in 2015.

A total comprehensive profit of ISK 2,757 million was recorded against ISK 2,633 million profit in 2015. The Companys equity ratio is 66.7% compared to 58.6% at year-end 2015.

Further information can be provided by Asgeir Margeirsson, Managing Director of HS Orka hf., tel. 520 9300 / 855 9301.
What to do 30-14-7-3-1 Days before the gmat [ #permalink

What to do 30-14-7-3-1 Days before the test

A collection of tips how to maximize your score and avoid score-dropping mistakes.Keep in mind, these tips alone are not enough to give you a high GMAT score  you need to have a clear study plan, measurable results, and books or courses to study/review. This thread may add some points to your final score but most importantly, it is designed to prevent you from losing points. Some of these tips are more useful than others  feel free to skip around, and most importantly  we are all different; what works for others, may not work for you.

What to do at 30 days

If you are taking the test in person, check availability in your area. Note that some seasons/areas are in high demand and may be booked out months in advance. This was the case with me and I had to take an overnight trip to take the GMAT. If you are doing it online, usually pretty easy to schedule it a week out. Note that sometimes there are issues with the scheduling system so don't wait until the day before.

I do not recommend scheduling too far in advance since the rescheduling fees are horrendous

At this time you should be within 50 points of your target score. E.g. if you are aiming for 700, you should be scoring 640 or above. If you are still 100 points below (unless you are taking an intensive course or intensive self study plan), you should seriously looking into 1) rescheduling; 2) finding the reason for being off-target

14 days

You should have finished covering all of the material or your course work. This means, you are done studying . If you are not done studying, you are not 14 days out

. If you are not done studying, you are not 14 days out If you have not already, this is a good time to start coming up with check-lists, items to memorize, and so on (some examples are here: Arithmetic to memorize; SC checklist by Whiplash)

At this point you should plan on taking 2  3 full length tests per week to polish your test-taking skills, timing, stamina, and also testing out plans for when things go not as planned. Spend most of your time reviewing, refreshing, and doing test/mistake analysis to spot areas that need to be polished

Make sure you are familiar with test center noteboard and how the marker works on the GMAT. You can get a set from here: http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-GMAT-Si ... r-mr-title and if you are doing an online test, I suggest that you practice with it during these 2 weeks on all of your tests

You should be within 40 points of your target score; if you are more than 50, I highly recommend you consider rescheduling

7 days

Point of no return  if you cancel after today, you will NOT get any credit and your test fee will be wasted. There are very few reasons why you should reschedule your test after this point in time.

3 days

If you are taking an in-person test, familiarize yourself with the environment  video and list of rules/prohibited items(very important  you dont want to visit your locker during the break and pull out notes/phone/etc). Your test will be canceled as the result.

If you are taking GMAT Online, make sure you will be alone, your room fits the requirements, and you try to come up with a few backup options to reduce stress

Superficial Things:

Food for the test center  there is a whole discussion on this as well but the bottom line is  play safe and use familiar snacks. Dont drink energy drinks if you usually dont drink them.

1 Day (24 hours before the test)

If possible, the last day before the test, should be a copy of your test day experience (wake up at the same time you would for the test, eat what you would, wear the same clothes, etc).

Take the test at the same time as your appointment  try to take a GMAT prep if you have one left. If not, take whatever test is available. Make sure it is a full IR/AWA drill with breaks/etc.

After you finish, do a 30-min review (dont agonize too much) and have a healthy meal. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and doing something that would be relaxing for you and keep your mind off the test. This should be something more active than watching movies or playing games that tends to decrease your brain stimulation. Try going on a nice easy walk/hike or doing something exciting.

It is OK to bring a few flashcards for the last set of concepts/check lists/etc and glance at them/study as you go around your day but no heavy studying should be done now. For one it is too late, and two, you have a risk of not performing at the peak on the day of.

Athletes train and force their bodies to adapt to the training schedule and their bodies start expecting to provide a certain level of output. Then before the competition, they take it easier for a day or two to get the most of mental and physical output when it counts. Make sure the test day is your best day, not your recovery day. If you run or exercise in the mornings, dont do the double-doze even though you may feel absolutely up for it. It will wipe you out.

The BIG Day:

Do not arrive super early  mistake many make (more than an hour in advance (half an hour is the best to give you time for unpredictable)  you wont be able to take the test earlier and will only spend time waiting and stressing out. This is especially true about the online GMAT. If your appointment is in the morning, you will have more time to sleep and rest.

Do not stress out if you have not been able to fall asleep at the time like you usually do. It is a big day and most people get less sleep. Do not stress out about that. Everyone does it. Thats why it is helpful to schedule a test at least 30 days before the deadline so you can retake if you need to (not that you should plan on retaking but this should take some stress away). If you are a procrastinator and know that you wont be motivated enough if you have a secondary date then you may want to use an opposite strategy.

Don't screw up - know the rules! http://gmatclub.com/forum/8-things-not- ... 20625.html

Good luck!

Other Related and Helpful Posts:

P.S. This is still being improved and edited. if you have suggestions, please PM me. Thank you!

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1. http://gmatclub.com/forum/what-to-do-fo ... 20895.html 2. http://gmatclub.com/forum/test-day-warm-up-78595.html -------------------------------------------------_________________
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is not an easy task, it is an even difficult feat when you are mourning a recent loss and remembering three other people in the span of 6 years.

The late baby Brian receiving treatment in a hospital before his death on February 22.

Mary Wambui Kinyanjui, the late baby Brians grandmother, had been tagged a strong woman for standing beside Brian who was nursing brain trauma and severe body injuries following a fatal accident he was involved in with his 21-year-old mother.

They were hit by a driver on January 2016 in Ruiru, Kimabu town and unfortunately, his mother died on the spot as Brian was rushed to the hospital. For a year now, Kinyanjui took up duties of looking after Brian despite her frail state.

The late Brian with his grandmother, Mary Kinyanjui. She is asking Kenyans to help her offset his medical bills so that she can take him home for burial.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

According to Ndungu Nyoro, she has been besides Brians bed attending to him, praying for his recovery alongside another woman, looking after him.

Sadly, Brian passed away on Wednesday, February 22, at Gertrudes Children Hospital.

Mary lost her husband in 2011 after he succumbed to illness. In 2016, her first born child died too, leaving behind two daughters who were left under her care. On January 21, Brians mother succumbed to accident injuries, leaving him in her care too,

A car hit him and his 21-year-old mother, killing her on the spot and leaving him hospitalized with brain trauma and severe body injuries that left him immobile.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

She would have wished it different but she had to walk Brians journey of pain until now when hes been called home. And when all this happens, she still has to look for KSh 2.5 million to offset her grandsons medical bill for his body to be released, wrote Nyoro.

Kinyanjui and Nyoro called on their online family to come in and help raise the money and to stand with the young masters grandmother.

Please send support through Paybill number 891300 to Account Brian or M-Pesa to 0799789942, added Nyoro.

Please stand with the late baby Brian so that his family can give him a decent send off.

A comment by Dayvi David who donates some money to the late Baby Brians medical bills revealed that 5,329 Kenyans raised KSh 2.45 million, 70% target within minutes of Nyoro's post going up and are hoping more people will chip in financially.

A recent donation reveals that 7,388 Kenyans raised KSh 4, 004, 639 by 11.15am, Sunday, February 26. God bless you all.

Watch related video below:

Source: Legit.ng
- Jackline Mwende made the news when her estranged husband attacked her with a cutlass, chopping off her limbs for being barren

- Months later, she admitted to cheating to save her marriage after she announced her pregnancy

- She refused to reveal the father of her baby but now, his information has been leaked

The identity of Jackline Mwendes baby can now be revealed.

Jackline Mwende

According to reports, Mwende was described as a loose woman before being attacked by her estranged husband, and one of the men she was particularly close to is of Somali origin.

Residents recalled that the arguments between Mwende and her husband, Stephen Ngila, were particular about her questionable dealings, especially her closeness with a boda boda (okada) rider. published by a local newspaper on Friday, February 24.

Apparently, it was the Somali man who paid for Mwendes initial shop at her village market.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

Jackline Mwende with Machakos county first lady Lillian Nganga, and her pregnancy beginning to show on the right.

READ ALSO: Jackline Mwende gives details of her troubled marriage

The Somali doubled up as a business partner and provided everything for the shop which Mwende was operating. Beyond business, the closeness was questionable in the eyes of the public, said an unnamed source.

The Nairobian reported that neighbors pointed accusing fingers at the man for being the main cause for the fallout between Mwende and Ngila.

Mwende received a new four bedroom house gift from a group of female parliamentarians early this week.

READ ALSO: Woman gets pregnant, admits to cheating after husband cut off her hands for being barren

This is true considering Mwende admitted earlier this week that she had been spotted with her babys father a day before Ngila attacked her with a cutlass, chopping off her arms and slashing her head and ear.

A day earlier I had been spotted with the father of my unborn child. We had sought accommodation in Machakos town because I did not want to bring him to my matrimonial bed. It was on the Saturday, July 23, and after spending time with him, I went back home,

READ ALSO: Woman whose hands were chopped off by husband receives new house from politicians

Stephen Ngila is currently in remand awaiting court appearance. Image: Mediamax.

I lived alone because my husband had taken off three months earlier. On 24th, Ngila attacked me with the panga, forcing doctors to amputate both my hands, confessed Mwende on Tuesday, February 21.

Mwende chalked up the incident to Ngila, accusing her of being barren when in fact, he was the one with the infertility issues that could have been easily treated.

Source: Legit.ng
Oscars 2017 is underway. We bring to you all the action from the 89th Academy Awards, live.

By Ananya Bhattacharya: The 89th Academy Awards are underway. As Hollywood soaks in its biggest night of the year, we bring to you all the action from the star-studded ceremony, live.

We Indians obviously have three reasons to look forward to the Oscars 2017, desi girls Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone (who is probably not attending the awards), and Dev Patel. Patel, who shot to fame with his 2009 film Slumdog Millionaire, was nominated for Best Actor In A Supporting Role for his work in Lion.

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The ceremony is being hosted by Jimmy Kimmel this year, his first stint on the Academy Awards' stage. The Oscars favourite of this year is the film La La Land, which swept the Golden Globes 2017 with all seven awards in the categories it was nominated in. The film created history with 14 Academy Awards nominations this year, and it remains to be seen how many of the 14 categories Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone-starrer La La Land is able to pick up Oscars in.

10.47am: And with that mistake, it's the end of Oscars 2017! Thank you for staying with us.

10.43am: WHOA WHOA WHOA! Not La La Land, Moonlight wins the Best Picture this year. That makes it six Oscars for La La Land.

10.36am: The Best Picture Oscar goes to La La Land. The film has won seven Oscars this year!

10.23am: The Best Actress this year, according to The Academy, is Emma Stone for La La Land.

10.17am: Up next is the award for the Best Actor. The Oscar goes to Casey Affleck for Manchester By The Sea.

10.11am: The Best Directing Oscar is for Damien Chazelle for La La Land. With that, La La Land has now picked up five Oscars!

10.03am: Best Adapted Screenplay goes to Moonlight.

9.59am: Best Original Screenplay Oscar goes to Manchester By The Sea.

9.53am: A tribute to the stars we lost this year. Om Puri gets a mention alongside Carrie Fisher, Abbas Kiarostami and others.

9.47am: The Best Original Song goes to City Of Stars, La La Land.

9.43am: Samuel L Jackson presents the Best Original Score Oscar to La La Land.

9.28am: Best Cinematography Oscar goes to La La Land.

9.16am: The Best Live Action Short Film Oscar goes to Sing.

9.14am: Best Documentary (Short) Oscar goes to The White Helmets.

9.05am: The Best Film Editing Oscar goes to Hacksaw Ridge.

9.00am: The award for Best Visual Effects goes to The Jungle Book!

8.43am: The Best Production Design Oscar goes to La La Land. This is the first Oscar for La La Land!

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8.40am: The Best Animated Feature Film Oscar goes to Zootopia.

8.37am: The next award is for the Best Animated Short Film. The Oscar goes to Piper.

8.24am: The award for the Best Foreign Language Film goes to The Salesman by Asghar Farhadi.

8.10am: Up next is the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. The award goes to Viola Davis for Fences.

7.54am: The next awards are for Sound Mixing and Sound Editing. Sound Editing Oscar is for Arrival, Sound Mixing Oscar is for Hacksaw Ridge.

7.44am: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson on the Academy Awards' stage!

7.38am: The Best Documentary Feature award goes to OJ: Made In America.

7.30am: Up next, is best Costume Design. The award goes to Colleen Atwood for Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

7.27am: The next award is for Makeup and Hairstyling. The award goes to Suicide Squad.

7.16am: The first award of the night is here! Best Actor in A Supporting Role Oscar goes to Mahershala Ali for Moonlight. Dev Patel doesn't make it this year.

7.11am: "We don't discriminate people on the basis of their country, here in Hollywood. We discriminate on the basis of age and weight.": Jimmy Kimmel.

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7.07am: Jimmy Kimmel is on a roll! So is his hatred for Matt Damon.

7.05am: Jimmy Kimmel takes the stage. "Oh, good, I got a sitting ovation!"

7.00am: Justin Timberlake kicks off the 89th Academy Awards with a performance.

6.47am: We're about 12 minutes away from the 89th Academy Awards. Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra made her second Oscars appearance. She was a presenter last year.

Here is the list of the Oscar 2017 winners, as they are announced:

----------

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight - WINNER

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Lucas Hedges, Manchester By the Sea

Dev Patel, Lion

Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals

Costume Design

Allied

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - WINNER

Florence Foster Jenkins

Jackie

La La Land

Makeup and Hairstyling

A Man Called

Star Trek Beyond

Suicide Squad - WINNER

Documentary Feature

Fire at Sea

I Am Not Your Negro

Life, Animated

OJ: Made in America - WINNER

13th

Sound Editing

Arrival - WINNER

Deep Water Horizon

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Sully

Sound Mixing

Arrival

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Hacksaw Ridge - WINNER

La La Land

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis, Fences - WINNER

Naomie Harris, Moonlight

Nicole Kidman, Lion

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams, Manchester By the Sea

Foreign Language Film

Land of Mine

A Man Called Ove

The Salesman - WINNER

Tanna

Toni Erdmann

Animated Short Film

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider and Cigarette

Pearl

Piper - WINNER

Animated Feature Film

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana

My Life as a Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Zootopia - WINNER

Production Design

Arrival

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hail, Caesar!

La La Land - WINNER

Passengers

Visual Effects

Deepwater Horizon

Doctor Strange

The Jungle Book - WINNER

Kubo and the Two Strings

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Film Editing

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge - WINNER

Hell or High Water

La La Land

Moonlight

Live Action Short Film

Ennemis Interieurs

La Femme et le TGV

Sing - WINNER

Timecode

Documentary Short Subject

Extremis

4.1 Miles

Joe's Violin

Watani: My Homeland

The White Helmets - WINNER

Cinematography

Arrival

La La Land - WINNER

Lion

Moonlight

Silence

Original Score

Jackie

La La Land - WINNER

Lion

Moonlight

Passengers

Original Song

Audition, La La Land

Can't Stop the Feeling, Trolls

City of Stars, La La Land - WINNER

The Empty Chair, Jim: The James Foley Story

How Far I'll Go, Moana

Original Screenplay

Hell Or High Water

La La Land

The Lobster

Manchester By The Sea - WINNER

20th Century Women

Adapted Screenplay

Arrival

Fences

Hidden Figures

Lion

Moonlight - WINNER

Directing

Arrival, Denis Villeneuve

Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson

La La Land, Damien Chazelle - WINNER

Manchester By the Sea, Kenneth Lonergan

Moonlight, Barry Jenkins

Best Actor

Casey Affleck, Manchester By The Sea - WINNER

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Ruth Negga, Loving

Natalie Portman, Jackie

Emma Stone, La La Land - WINNER

Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Picture

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester By the Sea

Moonlight - WINNER

WATCH: Breaking down Oscars 2017

--- ENDS ---
- Ever since Yangs parents abandoned her eight years ago, they have never been seen or heard from again. All attempts to trace them have been futile

- The little girl was allegedly suffering from pneumonia when her parents left her at a neighbours doorstep and vanished

-She has been selling vegetables on streets for five years, hoping that one day she will bump into her parents. She is missing her mom and dad

Its been eight rough years since little Yangs parents abandoned her. She was only a month old when they abruptly left, never to be seen or heard from again.

READ ALSO: Woman allegedly bathes 20-year-old daughter-in-law with acid, ties her up for 2 weeks (photo)

Mao Mao was pictured with Huang Mengyi, the woman who has found her and raised her

Yang, who is popularly known by her nickname Mao Mao, was allegedly born to migrant parents from Wenchuan city in Sichuan province. But the parents damped her at neighbours doorstep and secretly disappeared.

The neighbour, Huang Mengyi, says she was awakened by cry of a toddler outside his doorstep in the middle of night.

I remember opening the door to check, then I found a baby lying there crying, with no one around. On a closer look, I recognised the baby, she belonged to that man from Sichuan, says Mengyi, a now 70 year old ex-military doctor.

Mengyi then dashed to the neighbours to find out if they were there and why the baby was left at her doorstep. But she found no one. She says she concluded that the parents probably deserted their child because of her illness.

READ ALSO: Man shades company begging to interview him on Twitter after they rejected him 3 years ago (photos)

It was thought that her parents had chosen to forsake her because of her illness

Mao Mao was reportedly born premature and was suffering from pneumonia. Mengyi took the baby to her house and raised her like her own grandchild.

The little girl has never met her parents, but she keeps saying she misses them, every day, and every night. She wishes that one day they will come back and pick her up from school.

She is currently in fourth grade and keeps a diary where she writes down her thoughts about her missing parents.

Where is my mum? Where is my dad? Dad and mum are in my dream with me. But when I wake up, I dont see them. I want them back little Yang says in her diary.

Over the past five years, she has been selling vegetables in the streets of China, hoping that one day she will bump into her parents. She has been doing this in the name of helping her grandma Mengyi sell the vegetables, while in real sense she is looking for her parents.

She said she charged one yuan (11p) for a bunch of bok choy or sweet potato leaves, and one yuan (11p) for one papaya

Mao Mao can be seen selling sweet potatos, bok choy, papaya and other greens in the streets.

Next to her vegetable stall is a signboard that reads, Dear dad and mum, how are you? In 2008 when I was seriously ill, you secretly put me in front of an elderly womans house in the middle of night. I have recovered now. I look forward to being picked up by you, or my grandma will hand me over to the government.

It is a letter that Mao Mao had allegedly written to her parents sometimes back. It continues to read, I miss having my own home. I miss you, mum and dad.

Many have been touched by the little girls story and they buy vegetables from her. Some have even joined her in calling for mum and dad to come back.

READ ALSO: Meet woman who has 10 children and gave birth to 3 sets of TWINS (photos)

People have donated money to Mao Mao on social media and through her vegetable stand

While speaking to local news reporters, who wanted to hear her story, Mao Mao said she wanted her parents back because grandma was getting old and she was getting scared that she will have no one to take care of her.

I dont know if I will be able to study any longer. If I can find mum and dad, I will have a home and wont be afraid of anything. I want my own mum and dad, she says, adding that she also wants to be like her classmates.

She wants her parents to come and pick her up after school, like other children are being picked.

There is fear that something bad might have happened to Mao Mao's mom and dad.

For now, Mao Mao and her grandma can only hope that the missing parents will one day hear their daughter's cry and come back for her, assuming that something bad did not happen to the parents.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

Pictures taken on February 21 show Mao Mao sold bok choy, papaya and sweet potato leaves

Watch video of Mao Mao selling vegatiable ion street hoping to meet lost parents:

Source: Legit.ng
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
The Western Central railways has directed officials to ensure that the sale of these cold drinks is stopped immediately as health departments is conducting tests on its content.

By Hemender Sharma: The Western Central Railways has banned sale of colas including those produced by Coke and Pepsi at 300 stations falling under its jurisdiction.

"The cold drinks being sold at railway stations do not have the required certification from the health department. Till the time they get the certificate, the sale of these cold drinks has been banned," Sachin Shukla, Assistant General Manager, Western Central Railway said.

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The decision to ban these cold drinks comes after Union Minister of the State (Health) Faghan Singh Kulaste in the Lok Sabha said that the drinks contain metal content like cadmium and chromium.

"The company's old permission has expired and till the time they get fresh permission, the sale of cold drinks has been banned. Also the health department is conducting test on the contents of these drinks and till the time this test report is out fresh permission to sell these cold drinks will not be given," Shukla added.

The cold drinks that have been banned include--Pepsi, Coca Cola, Sprite, 7Up and Mountain Dew.

The Western Central railways has directed officials to ensure that the sale of these cold drinks is stopped immediately.

Suppliers have been advised to recall the stock that has already been supplied to the 300 odd stations and inspections are underway.

The Western Central Railways comprises of three divisions that include Bhopal, Jabalpur and Kota.

"The Kota and Bhopal divisions have also been informed about the ban," Sachin Shukla said.

Also Read

Western Railways is using innovative techniques to save water

--- ENDS ---
Last month physicists from Harvard University in the US had claimed to have successfully turned hydrogen into a metal - something researchers had been struggling to achieve for more than 80 years.

By Press Trust of India: The worlds only sample of metallic hydrogen created in the lab - touted as the "holy grail of high-pressure physics" - has disappeared, Harvard scientists say.

Last month physicists from Harvard University in the US had claimed to have successfully turned hydrogen into a metal - something researchers had been struggling to achieve for more than 80 years.

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However, the team has now announced that the sample has disappeared.

The metallic hydrogen was being stored at temperatures around minus 193 degrees Celsius and at incredibly high pressures between two diamonds.

Further testing caused the diamonds to break and the researchers have not been able to find the metallic hydrogen since.

The sample was only around 1.5 micrometres thick and 10 micrometres in diameter - a fifth the diameter of a strand of human hair.

It is possible that the sample is stable somewhere and missing, researchers said.

Another possibility is that, once the diamonds broke, the hydrogen dissipated back into a gas, which suggests that the material is not stable at room pressure.

"Basically, its disappeared. Its either someplace at room pressure, very small, or it just turned back into a gas. We dont know," team leader Isaac F Silvera was quoted as saying by ScienceAlert.

"Were preparing a new experiment to see if we can reproduce the pressures we achieved the first time, and reproduce our metallic hydrogen," said Silvera, who has spent more than 45 years working on metallic hydrogen.Also read: Moon could help power whole of India by 2030, says ISRO-associated scientist

--- ENDS ---
Irene Clennell was being held in a Scottish detention centre, but has now told the BBC she has been sent back to her country of origin without warning.

Mrs Clennell had been living near Durham with her husband before being detained, and has two British sons, as well as a granddaughter, in the UK.

The Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases.

Mrs Clennell told the BBC she was put in a van and taken to the airport from the Dungavel Detention Centre in South Lanarkshire on Saturday, Joinfo.com

She had been held at the facility since the start of February.

She told the BBC she was unable to contact her lawyer and did not have the chance to get any clothes from her home.

Mrs Clennell, who had been living in Chester-le-Street, was given indefinite leave to remain in the UK after her marriage.

But periods spent back in Singapore caring for her elderly parents appear to have invalidated her residential status.

She says she has made repeated attempts  both in Singapore and in the UK  to re-apply for permission to live with her husband.

Mrs Clennell says her husband is in poor health and she has become his principal carer.

A Home Office spokesman said: All applications for leave to remain in the UK are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.

We expect those with no legal right to remain in the country to leave.

The charity Migrant Voice says a campaign is starting to bring her back to Britain.

Director Nazek Ramadan said her case was yet another example of how arbitrary policies tear apart families and ruin lives.
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 ...


Ronald Reagan

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Albert Einstein

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.

Winston Churchill





It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so.

With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts.

Winston Churchill





Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

Harvey S. Firestone





It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken



Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions.

U.S. Supreme Court

Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean Cocteau
(HealthDay)Antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" are a major public health threat, but most Americans are clueless about the dangers, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll shows.

More than two-thirds of U.S. adults know "little" or "nothing" about so-called superbugsbacterial infections that are resistant to many or all antibiotics. And around half believe, incorrectly, that antibiotics work against viruses.

That's a concern because improper antibiotic use is considered the major driver of the superbug problema problem with deadly consequences.

"This poll shows that public ignorance is a huge part of the problem," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman emeritus of The Harris Poll.

"Millions of patients continue to believe that antibiotics will help them recover from colds, flu and other viral infections," Taylor said, "and they can be upset with their doctors if they will not prescribe them."

The poll results come at a time when superbugs are in the news. Last month, U.S. health officials reported the case of an American woman who died after returning from India with a bacterial infection that resisted all of the antibiotics doctors had to fight it.

She was one of roughly 23,000 Americans who die each year of antibiotic-resistant infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And many more peopleat least 2 million a year in the United Statesfall ill with hard-to-treat bugs, the CDC noted.

According to the agency, some of the most dangerous infections include: Clostridium difficile, a gut infection that often arises after someone has been on a long course of antibiotics for a different infection; and antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea, pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureuswhich can infect the skin, lungs or bloodstream.

Health officials have long warned against improper use of antibiotics because bacteria that are exposed to the medications and survive can mutate to become resistant to the drugs.

Yet, in the new poll, 69 percent of Americans said they know little to nothing about the superbug problem. Meanwhile, 53 percent said that antibiotics are effective against viral infections, 40 percent said they fight the common cold, and 48 percent said they battle the flu.

Wrong on all counts.

Younger Americans seem to be particularly in the dark: Among 18- to 24-year-olds, anywhere from 61 percent to 69 percent believe that antibiotics should be used for colds, the flu and other viruses.

Among adults aged 65 and up, only one-quarter said antibiotics are useful for coldsthough more (43 percent) said they work against viruses in general.

The poll results aren't entirely discouraging, said one infectious disease specialist.

The typical American may not be well-versed in infectious disease, but even a little knowledge can be enough, said Dr. Brad Spellberg, a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

"Most people have probably heard the term 'superbug,' and know they should be afraid of them," said Spellberg, who is also a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine.

In fact, the poll showed some bright spots, he said: When asked to pick from a list of possible causes of the superbug problem, about two-thirds of respondents pointed to inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.

And 90 percent believe the public bears some responsibility for combating antibiotic resistance.

That's a good sign, according to Spellberg.

And he had some advice for what the public can do: "Don't pressure your doctor for an antibiotic," he said. "And when your doctor does prescribe one, ask whether it's really necessary. We need to flip the script."

Spellberg also pointed to a less obvious tactic. "Choose to buy antibiotic-free meat. Companies respond to what the public buys."

That's important because in the United States, antibiotics are commonly given to food-producing animals to promote their growth. That practice, the CDC says, can cause animals to develop drug-resistant bacteria, which can then be transmitted to humans.

The poll, which surveyed 2,202 adults, was conducted online between Feb. 6-8.

More information: Humphrey Taylor, chairman emeritus, The Harris Poll; Brad Spellberg, M.D., spokesperson, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and professor, clinical medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; HealthDay/Harris Poll Feb. 6-8, 2017 Humphrey Taylor, chairman emeritus,; Brad Spellberg, M.D., spokesperson, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and professor, clinical medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles;Feb. 6-8, 2017 For more details on the superbug poll, visit The Harris Poll. The CDC has more on antibiotic resistance.

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: University of Agder

The computer gathers relevant disease information from 200 documents in just a few seconds. Doctors have no chance at matching its tempo.

"This technology contributes to more accurate and updated information about pain and risk, and makes this information available to doctors involved in patient care. The research results show, at this stage, that the system's precision is not far off the level of experienced clinicians, and the computer is in addition much quicker than the doctors," says Geir Thore Berge.

He is a qualified nurse, and works with IT and information systems at the Department of Technology and e-Health at Srlandet Hospital HF. As a PhD research fellow, he is associated with the Centre for e-Health and Care Technology and the Department of Information Systems at the University of Agder (UiA).

Together with Senior Consultant Dr. Tor Oddbjrn Tveit at the hospital, and Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo at UiA, he conducts research into the structuring of health information at Srlandet Hospital. With the help of new formulae (algorithms), Berge has developed a system which recognises linguistic patterns and expressions in large quantities of data.

"There are on average around 200 documents in a patient's medical records, and in the A&E in particular it is preferable that the doctor rapidly gains an overview of, for example, the patient's allergies, in order to be able to make correct decisions about treatment," says Berge.

The computer does not inform the doctor of the type of treatment called for, but it does find relevant information about the patient so that the doctor can make a safer decision.

Artificial creativity

With the help of formulae (algorithms), the system retrieves the relevant information by association based on the patient's documents. The formulae are so-called "learning algorithms". In short, this means that the system does not just mimic and retrieve information which is loaded into it, but it is also capable of putting this information together in new ways.

Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo has carried out fundamental research in this area. Granmo has developed a language tool based on artificial intelligence with the ability to learn any language after being fed a large quantity of text. Berge has only found two academic articles in a worldwide search which address this same type of formula and tool, but these are not completely self-learning, and have not been trialled in practice either.

"We have tried out Granmo's formulae, which are completely self-learning, and we have also got them to work in practice," says Berge.

Berge has developed a computer system which feeds Granmo's algorithms with the correct rules and terms, whilst Senior Consultant Tveit has been supportive on the medical front. System tests have worked out so well that Srlandet Hospital has already decide to trial it on their own patients in the operative and intensive departments during the spring.

Promising results

"The results so far are very promising. The system captures the context of meaning and associations, and is smarter than it was earlier. Nine out of ten relevant pieces of information connected to allergies were retrieved," says Tor Oddbjrn Tveit.

It was Tveit who initially suggested testing the new algorithms on allergies.

"Allergies can be difficult and complex, and if the system can learn this field, it will most likely also be able to transfer to other areas of illness," says Tveit.

The senior consultant is surprised at the progress of the research project.

"I didn't think that artificial intelligence would be able to gain a hold on all of these variables so quickly, so precisely, and in an associative fashion. But the system really does this. It provides a very good overview of what you must think through before you  as a doctor  make a decision," says Tveit.

Testing for three months

Now, the new electronic decision support system is being tested out in clinical practice.

"Now we are in the process of testing out the system on patients in the operative and intensive departments. We are going to spend two or three months on this," says Tveit.

If the system works as well in practice as it has done in theoretical trials, Tveit reckons that the technical elements are so solidly in place already that the new algorithms will be able to be put into use almost immediately.

"In purely technical terms, it can be put into use straight away. What will, potentially, take time, are the commercial, legal and bureaucratic considerations and clarifications," says Tveit.

He emphasises that there are four factors which must be in place before a new system for information structuring can be put into use at the hospital.

"The system must, firstly, provide relevant information. Secondly, it must avoid irrelevant information, and thirdly, it must find it quickly. Fourthly, there must be a qualified doctor to interpret the information that the machine retrieves" says Tveit.

Doctors are still the most important factor

He emphasises that, just as with other medical aids at the hospital, you cannot rely on the equipment alone.

"Artificial intelligence used in the hospital's computer system will be able to help doctors make safer choices for the good of the patient. It will function similar to an x-ray or a blood test. If it is to be of any value, the doctor has to interpret the x-ray or blood test  and the information from the computer  before deciding on a potential treatment," says Tveit.

Provided by University of Agder
A quote from researcher Shalini Lal. Credit: UBC

Smiley hates where she lives. It is 2012 and Smiley, a young woman in her early 20s, lives in a single room occupancy (SRO) building in Vancouver. She wants to hang out with her friends in her room, where she feels safe, but the SRO only allows one visitor at a time.

"I don't like it. It's their rules. It's really annoying," Smiley said. "It sucks, because I'm not a crackhead or a junkie. They shouldn't put me in places like that."

Smiley has been diagnosed with psychosis, a mental disorder where people show signs of delusions and hallucinations. She's one of 17 young people between the ages of 18 to 24 in Metro Vancouver recruited for a study at the University of British Columbia. All participants have experienced symptoms of psychosis in the past three years.

"Our study provides a window into what young people think about the mental health services they receive and what they feel helps and hinders their well-being," said lead author Shalini Lal, an assistant professor at the University of Montreal's school of rehabilitation and a researcher at the University of Montreal's Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM). Lal conducted the study as part of her PhD work at UBC's faculty of medicine within the graduate programs of rehabilitation sciences.

Through interview excerpts with the youth from November 2010 to March 2012, the study highlights the impacts of mental health services on these young people, including their interactions with psychiatrists, case managers, social workers and supports for housing, recreation, and employment.

"Eliciting young people's feedback will lead to better planning and coordination of services that they will find engaging, meaningful and effective," said Lal.

The study identifies many different types of supports the youth found helpful, including group therapy and positive interactions with peers and peer support workers.

A quote from Nelson, one of the youth involved in the study. Credit: UBC

"The groups were very helpful for getting me to acknowledge that I actually had an illness," said Kevin, one of the youth.

"(The peer support worker) explained that with the right combination of medications or professional help, you could actually treat the symptoms and live a normal life... a good role model to see that you could recover from it," said Jake, another youth involved in the study.

Other types of support the youth identified as helpful were accompaniment to appointments, providing help in completing employment assistance forms and facilitating the process of returning to school. Youth also appreciated emotional support like signs of genuine kindness, hope and encouragement from service providers.

"Even small gestures were seen as helpful, ones we may take for granted, like a care manager shaking their hand when they walked in the door," said Lal. "That gesture of respect has a lot of meaning for someone stigmatized by mental illness."

When it came to hindrances, some youth felt pigeonholed by their mental illness, being offered services that didn't reflect an identity outside their disorder. A young man named Nelson, who had acting aspirations, told Lal about his disappointment when his job counselor connected him to a theatre company dedicated to "people affected by mental illness."

"The most annoying thing is that everything is for mental health reasons and I just don't want this," he said. "If it's a film thing, I don't want it to be just for mentally ill, and just to address stuff like that. I want it to be, just normal."

Darren, a 20-year-old living in a downtown youth shelter, didn't own a cellphone and could not receive calls directly from the shelter. His sense of independence and social life were negatively impacted by the shelter's rules of no Facebook access, which was his main way of staying in touch with friends and family. Lal said in some cases the youth also interacted with outreach workers online, which proved useful to providing support to people who would not otherwise receive it any other way.

A quote from Smiley, one of the youth involved in the study. Credit: UBC

Some youth felt "ghettoized" by their housing situation, only being able to access SROs that housed many others living with mental health and substance abuse issues. Philip, a young man struggling with substance abuse in addition to his psychosis, said living in such an environment threatened his sobriety.

"Every time you walk down the street you see someone on a crack pipe, a crystal meth pipe, a pot pipe or drinking alcohol every block you walk here," he said. "And it's nothing but trigger after trigger here, so it's not the right environment for people trying to stay sober. Just being around these kinds of people, it's not the right place for me."

The last hindrance was how impersonal the youth felt some of their encounters could be with different support workers, including doctors or therapists.

"It was always kind of detached, and I always felt like we were on the clock and not really supported to talk about things like that [relationships]... It just wasn't an environment where I felt comfortable with it," said Kevin.

Lal said she has seen more funding and attention being paid to the mental health needs of young people in Canada, especially over the past five years. Lal also said more effort is needed in using tools and resources that cater to youth, including the use of technology to provide support. As well, different sectors of the community, including housing, employment and mental health, need to work more closely together, so people don't feel bounced around.

"People often think that it's up to individuals alone to overcome adversity, to deal with a mental illness," Lal said. "For young people, their resiliency largely depends on their ability to navigate and negotiate towards resources, which are all too often substandard, inconsistent or not tailored to their needs."

"We learned from this study that when services do match young people's needs and preferences, they can really make a positive impact on their well-being."

More information: The study, Impact of Mental Health Services on Resilience in Youth with First Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Study, was published in print this year in Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research.
Lung CA seen on CXR. Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0 James Heilman, MD/Wikipedia

A new nasal test may allow patients suspected of having lung cancer to undergo a simple swab of their nose to determine if they have the disease.

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that a genomic biomarker in the nasal passage can accurately determine the likelihood of a lung lesion being malignant.

The findings, which appear online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, will allow physicians to confidently identify patients who are at low probability for having lung cancer, thus sparing them from costly and risky procedures.

The diagnostic evaluation of lung cancer among high-risk current and former smokers with lesions found on chest imaging (computed tomography or CT) represents a growing clinical challenge given the current clinical recommendations for routine CT screening of high-risk smokers. While there are guidelines for the management of pulmonary nodules, unnecessary, invasive follow-up procedures (including surgical lung biopsy) are frequently performed on patients who are ultimately diagnosed with benign disease.

"Our group previously derived and validated a bronchial epithelial gene-expression biomarker to detect lung cancer in current and former smokers. This innovation, available since 2015 as the Percepta Bronchial Genomic Classifier, is measurably improving lung cancer diagnosis," said corresponding author Avrum Spira, MD, MSc, professor of medicine, pathology and bioinformatics at BUSM. "Given that bronchial and nasal epithelial gene expressions are similarly altered by cigarette smoke exposure, we sought to determine in this study if cancer-associated gene expression might also be detectable in the more readily accessible nasal epithelium."

After examining nasal epithelial brushings from current and former smokers undergoing diagnostic evaluation for pulmonary lesions suspicious for lung cancer, the researchers determined that the nasal airway epithelial field of lung cancer-associated injury in smokers extends to the nose and has the potential of being a non-invasive biomarker for lung cancer detection.

"There is a clear and growing need to develop additional diagnostic approaches for evaluating pulmonary lesions to determine which patients should undergo CT surveillance or invasive biopsy. The ability to test for molecular changes in this 'field of injury' allows us to rule out the disease earlier without invasive procedures," added Spira, who is also director of the BU-BMC Cancer Center and a pulmonologist at Boston Medical Center (BMC).

"Our findings clearly demonstrate the existence of a cancer-associated airway field of injury that also can be measured in nasal epithelium," added Marc Lenburg, PhD, professor of medicine at BUSM and co-senior author. "We find that nasal gene expression contains information about the presence of cancer that is independent of standard clinical risk factors, suggesting that nasal epithelial gene expression might aid in lung cancer detection. Moreover, the nasal samples can be collected non-invasively with little instrumentation or advanced training."
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

It is a question that has mystified countless people: Why does one article spread like wildfire through social media and anotherseemingly similardoesn't? How does your brain decide what is valuable enough to read and share?

Christin Scholz and Elisa Baek, both students in the Ph.D. program at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, are the lead authors behind two new research papers that document for the first time the specific brain activity that leads us to read or share articlesin this case, health articles from the New York Times. And by looking at this specific pattern of brain activity in 80 people, they also were able to predict the virality of these articles among real New York Times readers around the world.

Fundamentally, explains Emily Falk, Ph.D., senior author on both papers and the director of Penn's Communication Neuroscience Lab, specific regions of the brain determine how valuable it would be to share information, and that value translates to its likelihood of going viral.

"People are interested in reading or sharing content that connects to their own experiences, or to their sense of who they are or who they want to be," she says. "They share things that might improve their relationships, make them look smart or empathic or cast them in a positive light."

By using fMRI, the researchers were able to measure people's brain activity in real time as they viewed the headlines and abstracts of 80 New York Times health articles and rated how likely they were to read and share them. The articles were chosen for their similarity of subject matternutrition, fitness, healthy livingand number of words.

The researchers honed in on regions of the brain associated with self-related thinking, regions associated with mentalizingimagining what others might thinkand with overall value.

Although it might be intuitive to expect people would think about themselves in deciding what to read personally and think about others in deciding what to share, the researchers found something else: Whether they were choosing to read for themselves or deciding what to recommend to others, the neural data suggest that people think about both themselves and others.

In fact, the researchers report in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, that thinking about what to share brought out the highest levels of activity in both of these neural systems.

"When you're thinking about what to read yourself and about what to share, both are inherently social, and when you're thinking socially, you're often thinking about yourself and your relationships to others," says Baek. "Your self-concept and understanding of the social world are intertwined."

A second study, to be published next week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), shows how these brain signals can be used to predict virality of the same news articles around the world.

When stories go viral through the 4 billion Facebook messages, 500 million tweets and 200 billion emails shared daily, they can have real impact on our health, politics and society. But not all articles are shared equally. Why do some articles get shared while others don't?

By looking at brain activity as 80 test subjects considered sharing the same New York Times health articles, researchers predicted an article's virality among the actual New York Times readership, which shared this group of articles a combined total of 117,611 times.

They found that activity in the self-related and mentalizing regions of the brain combine unconsciously in our minds to produce an overall signal about an article's value. That value signal then predicts whether or not we want to share.

Even though the pool of test subjects18-to-24-year olds, many of them university students, living around Philadelphiarepresented different demographics than the overall New York Times readership, brain activity in key brain regions that track value accurately scaled with the global popularity of the articles.

"If we can use a small number of brains to predict what large numbers of people who read the New York Times are doing, it means that similar things are happening across people," Scholz says. "The fact that the articles strike the same chord in different brains suggests that similar motivations and similar norms may be driving these behaviors. Similar things have value in our broader society."

Scholz acknowledges that exactly how we're thinking about ourselves and others varies from person to person. For example, one person may think that an article will make her friends laugh, while another may think that sharing it will help his friend solve a particular problem. But neural activity in regions associated with the self and with social considerations serves as a type of common denominator for various types of social and self-related thinking.

"In practice, if you craft a message in a way that makes the reader understand how it's going to make them look positive, or how it could enhance a relationship," Scholz says, "then we predict it would increase the likelihood of sharing that message."
New research suggests people with chronic pain would rather use cannabis over their recommended medicine. Credit: UBC Okanagan

Chronic pain sufferers and those taking mental health meds would rather turn to cannabis instead of their prescribed opioid medication, according to new research by the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria. "This study is one of the first to track medical cannabis use under the new system of licensed producers, meaning that all participants had physician authorization to access cannabis in addition to their prescription medicines," says UBC Assoc. Prof. Zach Walsh, co-author of the study.

The study tracked more than 250 patients with prescribed medical cannabispeople treated for conditions such as chronic pain, mental health and gastrointestinal issues. Overall, 63 per cent of respondents reported using cannabis instead of their prescription drugs, which included opioids (to treat pain), benzodiazepines (sedatives) and anti-depressants.

Study lead Philippe Lucas is vice-president of Patient Research and Access at Tilray, a federally authorized medical cannabis production and research company, and a graduate fellow at the University of Victoria Centre for Addictions Research of BC. Lucas suggests the main reasons for the switch to cannabis from prescribed meds is due to reduced side effects, better symptom management and a feeling that cannabis is safer than prescription drugs.

Walsh goes on to suggest cannabis may have an important role to play in addressing the problematic use of pharmaceutical medications such as opioids.

In 2001, Canada became one of the first nations to develop a program to allow access to cannabis for medical purposes. As of August 2016 more than 30 federally authorized licensed producers of cannabis provided product to more than 65,000 patients.

"Further research into how well cannabis works compared to the accepted front-line treatments is warranted," says Walsh. "Additionally, long-term research into the potential impact of the cannabis substitution on the quality of patient's lives is ongoing."

The study, published in International Journal of Drug Policy, was funded by Tilray.
In a commentary published Feb. 22 in The New England Journal of Medicine, two School of Medicine scientists make a case for lifting the ban on U.S. aid to international groups that support abortion-related activities, saying the policy harms women and ultimately could hurt the country's economic and security interests abroad. They argue that scientific evidence, not ideology, should guide policymaking in global health.

The so-called Mexico City policy bans funding to nongovernmental organizations that provide abortion counseling or referrals. The policy, initiated by President Reagan in 1984 during a United Nations conference in Mexico City, was reinstated by the Trump administration in January.

"The reinstatement of the Mexico City policy is a stark example of 'evidence-free' policy making that ignores the best scientific data, resulting in a policy that harms global health and, ultimately, the American people," wrote Nathan Lo, an MD-PhD student, and Michele Barry, MD, a professor of medicine.

Barry, director of the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, had worked with the Obama administration to lift the restrictions in 2009. She said she was particularly disheartened to see the Trump administration take the policy one step further, banning funding to groups that promote maternal and child health, as well as HIV prevention efforts.

"It's very unfortunate to see all that good work unraveled," Barry said. "It not only impacts reproductive services, but the health of women and their children."

In the commentary, the authors note that even when U.S. aid is provided to groups supporting abortion-related activities, the money is not used to directly pay for abortion services. Rather, the funds are used for reproductive counseling, education and contraception. Without health and reproductive services, more women suffer pregnancy-related complications and engage in unsafe sex, putting them at risk of contracting HIV, the authors say.

In addition, a 2011 Stanford study found that women living in countries most affected by the ban had 2.6 times the odds of having an abortion compared with those in countries not affected by the policy. This means the policy has the opposite of its intended effect.

More information: Nathan C. Lo et al. The Perils of Trumping Science in Global HealthThe Mexico City Policy and Beyond, New England Journal of Medicine (2017). Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Nathan C. Lo et al. The Perils of Trumping Science in Global HealthThe Mexico City Policy and Beyond,(2017). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1701294
Killer T cells surround a cancer cell. Credit: NIH

Northwestern Medicine scientists have found a molecule that stops the growth of an aggressive pediatric brain tumor. The tumor is always fatal and primarily strikes children under 10 years old.

Every year, about 300 children under the age of 10 years old in the U.S. develop a tumor referred to as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

"This tumor kills every single kid who gets DIPG within one year. No one survives," said the study's first author, Andrea Piunti, a postdoctoral fellow in Shilatifard's lab in biochemistry and molecular genetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The study will be published February 27 in Nature Medicine.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the most effective molecule so far in treating this tumor," said senior author Ali Shilatifard, the Robert Francis Furchgott Professor of Biochemistry and Pediatrics and the chair of biochemistry and molecular genetics at Feinberg. "Every other therapy that has been tried so far has failed."

Radiation therapy only prolongs patients' survival by a few months, he noted.

Shilatifard's lab previously identified the pathway via which this mutation causes cancer in studies with fruit flies, which was published in Science a few years ago.

He and colleagues believed the pathway would be a good target to thwart the tumor and pushed forward with their molecular studies. Shilatifard and Piunti collaborated with C. David James, Dr. Rintaro Hashizume, Dr. Craig Horbinski, Dr. Rishi Lulla and Dr. Amanda Saratsis at Northwestern Medicine. Lulla, a pediatric neuro-oncologist, and Saratis, a pediatric neurosurgeon, respectively, are also at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

The scientists also are members of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

In a study with Hashizume's group, they demonstrated mice in the experiment, which had the drug delivered through their abdomen, had an increased survival of 20 days, which is a long time in the life of a mouse, Piunti said. Now the team at Northwestern Medicine and Lurie Children's is working on delivering the drug to the brain stem to see if the effect will be more potent and effective.

To test the molecule, scientists took tumor cell lines from a pediatric patient that was untreated and injected those cells into the brain stem of a mouse. The human tumor engrafted in the brain of the mouse. The mouse was then treated with the molecule while scientists monitored the tumor. The molecule stopped the growth of the tumor cells and forced them to turn into other types of cells, known as differentiation, thereby halting its growth.

This molecule detaches proteins, known as bromodomain proteins, from their binding to a mutant protein, the histone H3K27M, which is present in more than 80 percent of these tumors.

While the molecule itself is not yet available commercially, another similar class of molecules, BET inhibitors, is being tested in clinical trials for pediatric leukemia and other types of tumors. These could be used in a clinical trial for the pediatric tumor, Piunti said.

The collaborative environment at Northwestern made the discovery possible, Shilatifard said.

"This work could not have been done anywhere in the world except Northwestern Medicine, because of all the scientists and physicians who have been recruited here during the past five years and how they work together to link basic scientific research to the clinic," Shilatifard said. "This discovery is the perfect example of how we take basic science discoveries and translate them to cure diseases at Northwestern Medicine."

More information: Therapeutic targeting of polycomb and BET bromodomain proteins in diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, Journal information: Nature Medicine , Science Therapeutic targeting of polycomb and BET bromodomain proteins in diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nm.4296
(HealthDay)Pediatricians should be comfortable with treating and screening for sexual assaultand they should know where to send their teenage patients for any additional help they might need.

Those are some of the major points in updated recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on helping teens who've been sexually victimized.

The last time the group published guidelines on the issue was 2008. Since then, the problem of sexual assaultparticularly on college campuseshas gained more public attention, explained Dr. Elizabeth Alderman, lead author of the new recommendations.

In 2014, she noted, a White House task force issued a report calling on colleges to ramp up efforts to combat sexual assaults.

Of course, sexual assault is not limited to college campuses, said Alderman, who is an adolescent medicine specialist at Children's Hospital at Montefiore in New York City.

Pediatricians have a role to play in both the aftermath of sexual assault and in helping to prevent it, she explained.

"It's extremely important for pediatricians to be prepared for this," Alderman said.

The updated guidelines, published online Feb. 27 in the journal Pediatrics, advise pediatricians on how to care for a patient in the more immediate aftermath of an assault.

But they also encourage doctors to routinely ask their teenage patients if they have ever been victimized. If the answer is yes, pediatricians should be ready to refer kids and their families to any community services, the guidelines state.

And, Alderman noted, "the doctor should acknowledge in some way that it's great [the patient] told someone."

The idea of screening kids about sexual victimization is sound, according to Kristen Houser, of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in Enola, Pa.

"But you need to know how to talk about it. The way you phrase the questions is important," said Houser, who was not involved in the AAP recommendations.

Asking a teenager if she's ever experienced "sexual violence," for instance, is probably not the best way to get the true answer, according to Houser. Asking clearer questions, in language kids understand, will be more effective.

"You're much more likely to get an answer when you have a rapport," Houser said.

It's also critical, she said, that pediatricians be connected to local services for sexual assault victims. Those are resources victims will need beyond medical careincluding help with the legal system and the long-term recovery from sexual assault.

"Learn about your community's rape crisis center, and the local child advocacy center. Talk with them," Houser said. That way, she added, pediatricians won't just be "handing patients a brochure," but connecting them with a resource they know.

Brian Pinero is vice president of victim services for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).

He agreed that "how" doctors ask questions and make referrals is key.

"They can tell [patients], 'This is how this resource can help you,' but make sure they know it's their choice. No one is forcing them," Pinero said.

"What's important is that victims know they are believed and that someone cares," he added.

When patients do need mental health care, Houser said it's best that they see a professional with experience in dealing with trauma.

And it's not only teens who may need that help. "Parents may need help working through feelings of anger, or blame, or guilt," Houser pointed out.

According to RAINN, the rate of sexual assault in the United States has fallen 63 percent since 1993. Despite the improvement, a sexual assault happens every 98 seconds nationwide.

Teenagers and young women are at particular risk. College-aged womenaged 18 to 24are three to four times more likely to be sexually assaulted, compared with U.S. women as a whole, according to RAINN.

Because of that, Alderman said, the "pre-college visit" to the doctor is an important one.

That's when doctors can talk to teens about staying safe after they head off to school, she said.

One important topic, according to Alderman, is drinking. Alcohol, the AAP says, "is by far the most common date-rape drug."

Still, sexual violence can affect anyone, at any age. So, Alderman said, parents and kids need to have an "ongoing conversation" about the issue.

Houser said that should start early, and include things like not forcing your child to give hugs if she or he doesn't want to.

"Kids should learn that it's their right to control who touches their body, where and when," she said.

More information: Elizabeth Alderman, M.D., adolescent medicine specialist, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, and professor, clinical pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City; Kristen Houser, chief public affairs officer, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Enola, Pa.; Brian Pinero, vice president, victim services, RAINN, Washington, D.C.; Feb. 27, 2017, Pediatrics, online Elizabeth Alderman, M.D., adolescent medicine specialist, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, and professor, clinical pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City; Kristen Houser, chief public affairs officer, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Enola, Pa.; Brian Pinero, vice president, victim services, RAINN, Washington, D.C.; Feb. 27, 2017,, online RAINN has resources for finding help after sexual assault. Journal information: Pediatrics

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Lifestyle patterns, including physical activity and body mass index (BMI), are associated with a risk of overall heart failure but are more strongly associated with the heart failure subtype HFpEF, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Heart failure is a medical condition defined by the inability of the heart to meet the demands of the body, particularly during exertion. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a subtype of heart failure that involves the heart and other organs and is characterized a stiff heart muscle that is unable to fill adequately with blood, resulting in fluid backing up into the lungs and body.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction accounts for up to 50 percent of heart failure cases and is associated with poor outcomes. It has also proven to be resistant to available therapies, leading to prevention being a critical part of controlling the growing burden of this disease.

"We consistently found an association between physical activity, BMI and overall heart failure risk," said Jarett D. Berry, MD, associate professor in the department of internal medicine and clinical sciences and director of cardiac rehabilitation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and the study's senior author. "This was not unexpected, however the impact of these lifestyle factors on heart failure subtypes was quite different."

Researchers analyzed data from three cohort studies that included 51,541 participants with 3,180 heart failure events. The three studies used to pool data were the Women's Health Initiative, the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and the Cardiovascular Health Study. The current study included all participants from the three cohort studies free from cardiovascular disease at baseline had quantitative measures of physical activity and BMI. In addition, medical experts reviewed all hospitalizations in these study participants to determine whether they were hospitalized for heart failure over the subsequent several years after they enrolled into these studies.

Study participants with higher levels of physical activity were most often white, male and had higher annual income and education levels. Those with a higher level of physical activity had a lower prevalence of traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity. Participants with high BMIs were younger, had lower levels of physical activity and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

A total of 3,180 heart failure events were observed from the pooled data; of these events, 39.4 percent were HFpEF, 28.7 percent were heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, the type of heart failure that is associated with a weak heart muscle that doesn't pump well), and 31.9 percent were unclassified.

When compared to no physical activity, low levels of physical activity were associated with 6 percent lower risk of heart failure. Researchers found that higher levels of physical activity had even lower risk of heart failure11 percent lower risk for those who met the guideline-recommended amount of activity and 22 percent lower risk for greater than guideline-recommended physical activity.

Overall, the incidence of HFpEF was significantly lower among study participants with higher levels of physical activity. For those achieving physical activity levels above the guideline-recommended amount, they had a 19 percent lower risk of HFpEF. However, there was no association between higher levels of physical activity and risk of HFrEF.

Similarly, higher BMI was associated with increased overall heart failure risk. The cumulative incidence of HFpEF was higher among those with higher BMI. Once again, the association between higher BMI and HFrEF was more attenuated compared to HFpEF.

Ambarish Pandey, MD, a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and first author on the study said, "There was a distinct relationship between both physical activity and BMI and the different heart failure subtypes, which may have important clinical and public health implications. These data suggest the importance of modifying lifestyle patterns to help prevent HFpEF in the general population."

Limitations include the inability to prove a cause-and-effect relationship due to its observational nature.

In an accompanying editorial, Sanjiv J. Shah, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Northwestern HFpEF Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said the researchers "have provided strong evidence that lack of physical activity is associated with incident HFpEF."

Shah said there is a "critical need to focus on primary prevention in order to control HFpEF at the population level."
A new study examining patient health outcomes in community health centers found that nurse practitioners and physician assistants delivered care that was equivalent to care delivered by physicians. The findings, the first comparison to focus on community health centers, could have implications for the structure of health centers in the future.

"Findings from our study should be reassuring to patients who rely on community health centers for their care," said Ellen Kurtzman, associate professor in the GW School of Nursing and lead author of the paper. "We found that care is likely to be comparable regardless of whether patients are seen by a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician."

As the country grows more dependent on community health centers, particularly in medically underserved areas that tend to serve low-income, uninsured, immigrant and minority populations, the health care system is increasingly relying on non-physician clinicians to provide primary care.

To assess the care patients received in community health centers, Dr. Kurtzman and her team reviewed five years of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey's Community Health Center subsample and compared nine patient outcomes by practitioner type. The patient outcomes were:

Three quality indicators (smoking cessation counseling, depression treatment, ordering/prescribing of statins for hyperlipidemia [high levels of fat particles in the blood])

Four measures of service utilization (physical exams, total number of health education/counseling services, imaging services, total number of medications)

Two measures of referral pattern (return visits at a specified time, physician referrals)

The researchers found that visits to nurse practitioners and physician assistants received similar quality, services and referrals as those made to physicians.

The research is encouraging for health center administrators who must meet the medical demands of their communities without compromising care. It is also important for policymakers who establish occupational policies that often restrict the autonomy of non-physician clinicians, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Another recent study led by Dr. Kurtzman that used the same dataset found that nurse practitioner outcomes did not vary in states with and without occupational restrictions of these clinicians. This suggests that lawmakers may be able to ease state restrictions without compromising the quality of patient care. The study, "Does the Regulatory Environment Affect Nurse Practitioners' Patters of Practice or Quality of Care in Health Centers?" was published in Health Services Research on Jan. 27.

The newest paper on care in community health centers was published Feb. 24 in the journal Medical Care.

More information: Ellen T. Kurtzman et al, A Comparison of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Primary Care Physicians' Patterns of Practice and Quality of Care in Health Centers, Medical Care (2017). Journal information: Health Services Research , Medical Care Ellen T. Kurtzman et al, A Comparison of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Primary Care Physicians' Patterns of Practice and Quality of Care in Health Centers,(2017). DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000689
Their hopes, however, are likely to be dashed. This week, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson and his Homeland Security counterpart, John F. Kelly, are visiting Mexico to assess what sort of bilateral cooperation might be possible in this new era. Even before they got on the plane, new rules suggest that the hard line will prevail.

Two memos signed by Mr. Kelly  guidelines for Mr. Trumps promised immigration crackdown  call for aggressively seeking out, detaining and deporting immigrants living without authorization in the United States. They order the hiring of 10,000 immigration enforcement agents and 5,000 Border Patrol officers, and direct Customs and Border Protection to start designing and building the wall.

And in a move sure to stir Mexican outrage, the guidelines direct immigration officials to return immigrants from any country caught entering illegally to the territory of the foreign contiguous country from which they arrived while they await removal proceedings in the United States. And that means Mexico.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security argued that returning Central Americans to Mexico would be done only in a limited fashion, and only after discussions with the government of Mexico. Somehow, it seems unlikely that a provision designed to reduce costs for the American government by foisting them onto Mexico will go down well in Mexico City.

That would violate every agreement and convention, said Gustavo Mohar, who formerly served as Mexicos top negotiator for immigration with the United States, about the provision.

Mexico is obliged to receive Mexicans, but it has the right to demand accreditation that they are indeed Mexican, Mr. Mohar said.

What might Mexico do in return? Refuse to take people who cant prove Mexican citizenship? As a former foreign minister, Jorge Castaneda, told me, one option might be to get out of the way and let Central Americans cross Mexico unimpeded to the United States.
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Google has revealed the top trending searches in South Africa for the past week, which includes Is Charlize Theron dead?.

Other trending search terms were Budget speech 2017, Vaal Dam, and Exoplanet discovery.

Google processes more than 40,000 search queries worldwide every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day.

The top trending questions on Google South Africa this past week were:

Is Charlize Theron dead? Why do we pay tax and what is it used for? Is Leon Schuster dead? How full is the Vaal Dam? How to cook chicken? How did Dan Vickerman die? How to transfer data on MTN When is the Budget speech 2017? What is entrepreneurship? How to calculate BMI

Now read: Google Messenger is now Android Messages
Google has revealed the top trending searches in South Africa for the past week, which includes Is Charlize Theron dead?.

Other trending search terms were Budget speech 2017, Vaal Dam, and Exoplanet discovery.

Google processes more than 40,000 search queries worldwide every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day.

The top trending questions on Google South Africa this past week were:

Is Charlize Theron dead? Why do we pay tax and what is it used for? Is Leon Schuster dead? How full is the Vaal Dam? How to cook chicken? How did Dan Vickerman die? How to transfer data on MTN When is the Budget speech 2017? What is entrepreneurship? How to calculate BMI

This article first appeared on MyBroadband and is republished with permission.

Now read: Google Messenger is now Android Messages
STEPANAKERT.  The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces more than 85 times, from late Sunday night to early Saturday morning.

During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired around 1,150 shots toward the Armenian position-holders, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh Republic) Defense Army informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

A more intense breach of the truce was recorded in the eastern, northeastern, and northern directions of the line of contact, where the adversary fired 36 mortar shells.

But the Artsakh defense army vanguard units continue confidently carrying out the military task set before them, and they take actions in response, if needed.
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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

Computer games improve children's memory

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

Scientists discover universes largest gas cloud 20 times larger than Milky Way

Council of Border Guard Troops commanders discusses situation at CIS external borders

Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis denies allegations of sexual assault against 4 women

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

Researchers discover 70-year-old secret of schizophrenia

Johnny Depp breaks up with lawyer Joelle Rich

Pentagon announces sending 8 NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine

Armenian Apostolic Church Supreme Spiritual Council meeting ends, Armenia and Artsakh security discussed

Lopetegui takes helm at Wolverhampton

Tropical Storm Nalgae death toll climbs to 155 in Philippines

PSG to sign new deal with Marquinhos

How to properly comb hair? Experts give advice

Premieres in November: Let's go to the cinema!

Artak Beglaryan is appointed advisor to Artsakh Minister of State (PHOTOS)

US House committee extends deadline for Trump to produce documents on Capitol attack

Djokovic to play in Masters semifinals for 74th time

Over 200 elephants die in Kenya amid drought

Kanye West to take month-long detox from everything

13 dead in cafe fire in Russia

IT professions: Why can't the work of UX, UI designers be underestimated?

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?

Jennifer Aniston to sue Brad Pitt

The future champions of Armenian sports: David Harutyunyan (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Biden accuses Twitter of spewing lies

Newspaper: There are active political processes in Karabakh

Qatar FM slams hypocrisy of calls to boycott World Cup

Paris Masters: Djokovic advances to semifinals

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

Alcoholism linked to increased risk of suicide and self-harm

Germany to install better air defense system over Defense Ministry buildings

Erdogan and Stoltenberg discuss war in Ukraine

Xavi: I have been sincere and honest with Pique

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

The Masters: World No. 1 Alcaraz drops out of competition

Aramyan: Why are police officers' salaries increasing, while defense officers' are not?

Why elephants and whales never get cancer?

Pentagon and U.S. weapons manufacturers to discuss Russia, human resources and supply chain

It is size of lipstick and lasts 8760 hours continuously: Lenovo introduces new charger

Urartu beat BKMA and take lead

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

The Masters: Auger-Aliassime's 16th consecutive victory

U.S. says G7 countries realize need for coordinated response to China
STEPANAKERT.  Azerbaijan on Sunday failed to remove its casualties from the neutral zone, since it breached the respective agreement.

Yesterday, the Azerbaijani side breached the arrangement, secretary Vitaly Balasanyan of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh Republic) National Security Council told Armenian News-NEWS.am. Representatives of the Red Cross and the [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group] Co-Chairs were there all day yesterday. However, the Azerbaijani side failed to bring out its dead bodies, since it breached the arrangement. The [respective] negotiations are continuing on location, since this morning.

Five dead bodies of the adversary are still in the neutral zone.

On Sunday evening, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement in this regard.

On February 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces had launched an attack attempt.
YEREVAN.  After the elections in April, Karen Karapetyan will still be a candidate for PM from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, vice chairman of the party Armen Ashotyan said during a press-conference on February 27.

According to him, new Governments and new PMs rating and public perception is so high and the faith in new social policy is so strong that the RPA is sure that they have all the chances to affirm that once again.

During the November summit, speaking on behalf of the party, the president said that if the Republican Party of Armenia wins the upcoming elections , Karen Karapetyan still would be the candidate for PM from our party, even after the elections in April, Ashotyan added.
STEPANAKERT.  The removal of the Azerbaijani dead bodies from the neutral zone was not carried out because of the Azerbaijaniand not the Artsakhside.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ministry of Defense (NKR/Artsakh Republic MOD) on Monday issued a statement in this regard.

Accordingly, the Azerbaijan defense ministry on Monday finally publicized the names of its casualties which appeared at the neutral zone, and as a result of its offensive operations towards the NKR positions in the morning of February 25; but not forgetting to mention that, the Artsakh side prevented the process of removal of the corpses, by positing new demands.

The Artsakh MOD also stated that, according to the arrangement that was reached on February 25 between the sides, and by the mediation of the Personal Representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office, the removal of the Azerbaijani corpses from the neutral zone was to take place on Sunday, and with participation by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

But yesterday, the process of removal of the Azerbaijani corpses was not carried, not at the Artsakh, but the Azerbaijani sides fault, since the latter violated the arrangement that was previously reached during negotiations, the NKR MOD statement also reads.
There is no movement in the Azerbaijani villages that are located in the direction of Martakert Region of Artsakh, and the population has left these villages behind and gone away.

Secretary of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh Republic) National Security Council, Vitaly Balasanyan, told the aforementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

I was in Talish and Mataghis [villages of Artsakh], all day yesterday [i.e. Sunday], he said. I, myself, was at the [military] positions which, so to speak, were occupied by the adversarythe right and left sidesduring the events of [early] April [2016, when Azerbaijan had unleashed a large-scale military aggression against Karabakh]. I was there all afternoon; there was no shot [being fired].

The [military] positions were calm, [and] the mood of the military servicemenvery high. We didnt observe any movement by the adversary. In particular, we monitored the Azerbaijani villages. We saw virtually no one; there is no movement [there].

According to our source-data, the population of the [Azerbaijani] villages has left, gone. I wouldnt say that the [Azerbaijani] authorities organized [this]; people have left and gone. This is the manuscript of Azerbaijani authorities, which doesnt spare its [own] population.

As per Vitaly Balasanyan, the situation is calm in Talish and the other villages of Martakert Region.

In short, everything is normal, he added. The mood of the people is very high.

As reported earlier, five dead bodies of the adversary are still in the neutral zone.

On Sunday evening, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement in this regard.

On February 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces had launched an attack attempt.
NEW YORK NY / WASHINGTON DC  Armenian Americans protested escalating Azerbaijani aggression against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia in New York City and Washington, DC in recent days, in the wake of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs largest attacks since his April, 2016, 4-day offensive that claimed several hundred lives, reported the Armenian National Committee of America  Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).

President Aliyevs latest attacks this weekend represent a continuation of the pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku from 1988-1990 and 25 years of escalating ceasefire violations that culminated in the April 2016 atrocities  the worst violence seen in decades, said ANCA-ER Board Member Audrey Mardoian. We continue to witness the cost  in innocent lives  of the refusal by the U.S. and the international community to clearly and unequivocally condemn President Aliyevs aggression and put in place clear measures to stop his violence.

The demonstrations, organized by the ANC of New York and ANC of Greater Washington, in cooperation with the local Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) chapters, were held on February 24th and 26th, respectively, and coincided with the 29th anniversary of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait. Those massacres set the stage for similar attacks in Baku in 1990 and a cycle of violence that continues to this day. In Washington, DC, Vice-President Mike Pences motorcade passed within feet of protesters. At the end of demonstration, Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, led DC-area protesters in a prayer in memory of those who have perished as a result of Azerbaijani aggression.

Also on Sunday, February 26th, the ANC of NY organized a special commemoration of the Sumgait-Baku massacres, hosted by the St. Gregory Mission Parish of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church  Eastern U.S. and held at the Brooklyn Armenian School, with remarks provided by the ANCA Eastern Regions Artur Martirosyan.

A small group of Azerbaijani counter-protesters converged in both cities, many brandishing the sign of the Grey Wolves, a Turkish terrorist organization.

The latest violence raises additional concerns about reports of Azerbaijans impending purchase of the Israeli made Iron Dome missile system, which includes sensitive U.S. technology. The ANCA has called on the US State Department to exercise its right to oppose the sale, noting that it will only further embolden President Aliyev to increase his aggression.

We are here to protest Azerbaijans most recent attacks and its pattern of violence going back more than a quarter century, said AYF Central Hai Tahd Council Chair Lara Ozdemirci. As Americans, we can and must contribute to peace by challenging Azerbaijans aggression, cutting off military aid and arms sales to Baku, deploying gunfire locators along the line of contact, and imposing sanctions on Aliyev and his inner circle.
Iranian foreign ministrys spokesperson Bahram Qasemi urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to exercise self-restraint, saying that dialogue and negotiations are peaceful channels for settlement of disputes.

Iran recommend both sides to do their best to stabilize the situation on the ground through dialogue and negotiations, IRNA reported.

He also hoped that international institutes shouldered with ending the struggle would perform their responsibility to end the conflict.

The spokesman also voiced Irans readiness for establishment of peace and security in the region with the help of both sides.
The EU Council has approved introduction of a visa-free regime between the countries of community and Georgia, press service of the Council reported.

On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted a regulation on visa liberalisation for Georgians travelling to the EU for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period, a statement of the European Council noted.

On March 1, legislative changes will be signed by the president of European Parliament and representative of the Maltese presidency of the Council of the EU. After that, the legislative changes will be published in the Official magazine of the European Union. The regulation will enter into force in 21 days after the publication.
STEPANAKERT.  There is a special procedure for removing the dead out of the neutral zone, and a respective arrangement is made, which, however, the Azerbaijani side has breached, as always, and begun to posit obstacles.

Davit Babayan, Head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh Republic) President and Deputy Dead of the NKR Presidents Office, told the abovementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am, when asked what agreement Azerbaijan has violated,

Azerbaijan bears all the blame for both the corpses and the casualties, and for making those families miserable, [and] in mourning, he said. The completely accountable [person] is [Azerbaijan President Ilham] Aliyev, together with his administration.

The negotiations to bring the [dead] bodies out [of the neutral zone] are in progress. The bodies will be brought out, sooner or later; we [i.e. the Artsakh side] have always returned [them]. Thats why, if the Azerbaijani side does not breach all arrangements, everything will be fine.

In Babayans words, however, everything depends on Azerbaijan, since it aggravated the situation and attempted to penetrate into Artsakh, and therefore it bears all accountability.

He recalled that the Karabakh side has always been in favor of a pacific settlement of the conflict; but not because it fears, or is unable to defend its land, but simply because this matter should be resolved in a civilized manner.

The Azerbaijan authorities continue their policy, and run this abnormal external and internal policy, as well as the information arena, he noted.

Davit Babayan added that there are no new developments at the line of contact, and that the situation is relatively stable.

On February 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces launched an attack attempt.

As a result, five dead bodies of the adversary are still in the neutral zone.

On Sunday evening, the Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group issued a statement in this regard.
STEPANAKERT.  The report about the Armenian side attacking toward Talish village is another demonstration of Azerbaijani nonsense.

Senor Hasratyan, Spokesperson of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army (NKR/Artsakh Republic DA), wrote the aforesaid on his Facebook account.

The Azerbaijan MOD finally today [i.e. Monday] publicized the names of the casualties it had, as a result of the offensive operations it launched itself on February 25, wrote Hasratyan. But, also, it did not forget to contiguously disseminateto maintain the balance in terms of casualties between the partiesa disinformation, according to which, allegedly, the Armenian side launched an attack in the direction of Talish [village] last night, and it was thrown back suffering casualties.

Well, as they say, imagination is appealing within limits. But in this case, accept it as another demonstration of Azerbaijani nonsense.

On February 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces launched an attack attempt.

As a result, five dead bodies of the adversary are still in the neutral zone.

On Sunday evening, the Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group issued a statement in this regard.
YEREVAN.  Nagorno-Karabakh will not be left defenseless because Armenia is engaged in parliamentary elections, ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Vice-Chairman Armen Ashotyan stated at a press conference on Monday.

He noted this when asked by Armenian News-NEWS.am regarding the possibility of new border tensions, considering the recent ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan.

In his words, the President of Armenia gave the best response to this question at the recent 11th Congress of the Yerkrapah (Homeland Defenders) Volunteer Union (HDVU).

The neighbors think that the forthcoming parliamentary elections will divert the peoples and Armenian authorities attention from the protection of the borders, leave Nagorno-Karabakh defenseless, and create an opportunity for Azerbaijan to take advantage of our vulnerable situation, stressed Ashotyan. [But] its apparent that our armed forces and entire society are ready to inflict the deserving counter strike.

The RPA official added that the latest border incidents need to be condemned.

But, also, these incidents were an opportunity for our armed forces and people to show that domestic issues, the domestic situation cannot divide, divert our attention from priorities, security issues, noted Armen Ashotyan.
The European Union extended arms embargo on Monday against Belarus and individual sanctions against four people for one year.

On 27 February 2017, the Council decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2018. These measures include an arms embargo and an asset freeze and a travel ban against four people listed in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in 1999 and in 2000, EU Council reported.

Former Belarusian interior ministers Vladimir Naumov and Yuri Sivakov, former chief of the Presidential Administration, Viktor Sheiman and also former special forces veteran Colonel Dmitri Pavlichenko are under EU sanctions.

The Council also introduced an exemption to the restrictive measures to allow export of biathlon equipment to Belarus, which will remain subject to prior authorisation by national competent authorities on a case by case basis.
YEREVAN.  With an open letter, a group of civil society and human rights organizations from Armenia have called on Diaspora Armenians to take an active stance in the countrys politics.

The open letter reads as follows:

With this open letter we, a group of civil society and human rights organizations from Armenia appeal to the Diaspora Armenians  individuals, organizations and non-formal groups - to take an active stance in the political life of Armenia.

We have always felt the great love of Diaspora for our country and are indeed grateful for immense and tireless support that our compatriots abroad were rendering to the people of Armenia throughout many years. However, since Armenias independence in 1991, we have lived  and you have witnessed  the heart-breaking conditions of our country: poverty, depopulation, and the slow surrender of our national sovereignty. Continuously rigged elections and political corruption have concentrated almost all socio economic power in the hands of an unrepresentative oligarchic elite. Natural resources are depleted to serve short-term and small group interests; poverty and social injustice grow in parallel with the remarkably improving welfare of a number of decision-makers. Civic and political rights of citizens are systematically violated, peaceful assemblies against the injustice are brutally cracked down and the controlled judiciary fails to ensure fair judgments, increasing the number of political prisoners. After all, the 4-day war of April 2016 revealed how the uncontrolled and unpunished corruption exhausts the resources of the Armenian Army and threatens the security of Armenia.

Twenty-five years after the Independence, we can no longer consider these conditions to be the birth-pains of a new republic. Though it may not seem apparent upon first glance, the lack of democracy underpins nearly all other national issues. Indeed, democracy is at the heart of nation-building in the 21st century.

We, the undersigned, have worked and fought tirelessly for rule of law and democracy in Armenia. We have developed the infrastructure and activated our citizens in monitoring elections  the single most fundamental process of democracy. But our resources have been limited.

We are writing to tell you that we need you. Not your donations or remittances, but you  your spirit and physical presence in Armenia  here on the ground, at the voting precincts  engaging, observing, and taking ownership of your role in this historic quest for Armenian democracy.

The upcoming Parliamentary Elections are of paramount importance for the country. As a result of the Constitutional Referendum of 2015, which was itself marred by rampant corruption, Armenia now begins its transition to a parliamentary republic. This means there will be no further presidential elections, and the upcoming Parliamentary Elections will decide the future of Armenia.

We urge all the Diaspora organizations, institutions and active individuals to join us in our endeavors and render your support to promote justice, human rights, free and fair elections, accountable governance, civil rights and dignity. Get in touch with us, come to us and lets walk this path together.

The future of Armenia is democratic, and that future begins today, with your participation and solidarity.

Join us!

Find out how to join our election observation efforts by visiting www.citizenobserver.am or emailing [email protected] We encourage all Armenians of the Diaspora to join, regardless of age, citizenship, political affiliation, or fluency in Armenian.

Signed,

Transparency International Anticorruption Center

Journalists Club Asparez

Europe in Law Association

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor

Goris Journalists Club

Centre for Community Mobilization and Support

Sose NGO

National Young Womens Christian Association of Armenia

Northern Branch of Eurasia Partnership Foundation

Peace Dialogue NGO

Womens Resource Center

Public Information and Need of KnowledgeNGO

Foundation against the Violation of Law

GuaranteeCenter of Civil Society

Lori Citizens Union

LogoS NGO
An Armenian citizen, who was born in 1982, has died of a gunshot wound in Dolgoprudny town, in Moscow Oblast (province) of Russia.

The mans body was found in the early morning hours on Sunday, near a cafe, 360tv.ru informed citing its law enforcement sources.

The man, who was living in Moscow Oblast without registration, died in the ambulance, and as a result of a gunshot wound to his chest.

Law enforcement authorities found a gun shell capsule at the scene of the incident.

The relevant video camera recordings are confiscated.

An investigation is underway.

A criminal case has been launched on murder charges.
Minister: Britain's government faces tough decisions

Boris Johnson from fighting for Conservative Party leader over fears of losing income

Greece slams Turkish authorities' temporary ban on Greek official's entry

Scientifically proven: EU is inscrutable

OPEC: To avoid unrestrained volatility we need to invest in oil

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
YEREVAN.  President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Belgian capital city of Brussels on a working visit, met with European Peoples Party (EPP) President Joseph Daul, on Monday morning.

The interlocutors reflected on the prospects for the development of Armenia-European Union (EU) relations, the ongoing comprehensive reforms in Armenia, and the preparations for the parliamentary election to be held in the country in April, the press office of the President informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In addition, Sargsyan and Daul discussed Armenias collaboration with the EPP partners, and the shared problems and challenges.

The President attached a great role to the EPP, as the most influential political force in Europe, in terms of deepening Armenias relations with EU. Also, he underscored collaboration with the EPP at various interparliamentary platforms.

The President of Armenia and the EPP leader also reflected on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Noting that this conflict remains a major challenge, President Sargsyan stressed that Armenia, as well as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chair countries (Russia, US, and France), see no alternative to a pacific settlement of this conflict. He added that Armenia, unlike Azerbaijan, does not wish at all that the region yet again sinks into the nightmare of war.
STEPANAKERT. - The bodies of the Azerbaijani servicemen have been evacuated from the neutral zone.

Spokesperson for the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) President, Davit Babayan, told the aforementioned to Armenian News  NEWS.am.

The procedure took place through the mediation of the OSCE and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and ended at about 5:00 pm Yerevan time.

Referring to the belated attempts of the Azerbaijani side to claim that the bodies were allegedly on the Azerbaijani side and not in the neutral zone, Babayan stressed that this doesnt correspond to reality. The bodies were in the neutral territory. The attempts of the Azerbaijani side to distort the situation aim to create an impression that the deceased were defending their homeland, which is not so. The soldiers and officers died during the attack attempt, Babayan noted.

The bodies were in the neutral zone and Azerbaijan couldnt take them from there by its forces. Or it had to launch a special operation, as the NKR Army did, when the Azerbaijani side meanly downed a Karabakh helicopter, which flew close to the contact line. The Azerbaijani side didnt then allow the representatives of international organizations to approach the helicopter for several days, this being in violation of written and moral laws, Babayan stressed.

He also recalled that on Sunday Azerbaijan disrupted the process of evacuation of bodies. They didnt dare to do this for the second time, fearing th reaction of their own society, Babayan said.

According to the information of the NKR Defense Ministry, the process took place pursuant to the agreements reached on February 25.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the negotiations on a new framework agreement have been concluded between Armenia and EU.

New agreement will broaden the scope of our relations taking into account the new global political and economic interest we share and challenges we want to face together, he said.

The EU is looking forward to strong cooperation in energy transport and environment for new opportunities and for increased mobility for the benefit of our citizens.

President of the European Council said they had discussed shared values, including commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

We intend to expand relations in the coming years and have encouraged Armenia to continue reforms including economic development, business environment, the judiciary, human rights, fight against corruption and measures to ensure free and fair elections, he added.

In his speech President Tusk said the EU is Armenia's first trade partner, first international donor, and strongest supporter of reforms.
BRUSSELS. - Regardless of the readiness of the Armenian side to reasonable compromises, the right of the Nagorno-Karabakh people to decide its future through free expression of will is essential in this issue.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned on Monday at the joint press-conference with President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Brussels.

There can be no second position here, Sargsyan said.

In his words, the Karabakh confrontation has no military solution. The right to self-determination of the Karabakh people is not only declared by international fundamental documents, but has also long ago been recognized and enshrined in various statements of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, the only specialized institution dealing with the conflict. That is, this is the collective perception of the issue not only by Armenia but also the international community, Sargsyan said. We are grateful for the balanced stance of the EU regarding the peaceful settlement of the conflict, as well as for trusting the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and supporting them.

The European Union is an exemplary history of building civilized relations, history of jointly overcoming issues between the neighborssomething we need at present.
BRUSSELS. - The axis of the Armenia-EU cooperation is the reforms carried out in Armenia.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned on Monday at the joint press-conference with President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Brussels.

Before the press-conference, Sargsyan had a tete-a-tete with Mr Tusk. The talks continued round the working lunch held in honor of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to Brussels. President of Armenia and President of the European Council summed up the results of the meeting through joint statements before the media representatives.

In his speech, Sargsyan noted: I would like to once again thank President of the European Council, our very good friend Mr Tusk, for the invitation extended to me to visit Brussels and for the detailed and open conversation. We have held numerous meetings with Mr Tusk, both in his previous and current capacities and I warmly recall all our meetings. I appreciate the frankness. Thank you very much.

As the President said, the central topic of our discussion was the new Armenia-EU Framework Agreement. And today I am pleased to state that the parties have concluded the negotiations. The new legal document, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, reflects the real scope and deepness of Armenia-EU relations.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to note that apart from the Framework Agreement we have recorded significant progress in sectoral cooperation, signing EU Programme for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) and Horizon 2020 programmes. In the forthcoming period we will also complete the work aimed at joining the Common Aviation Area and Creative Europe Project.

In the previous two years, the Armenia-EU cooperation has been distinguished for its activeness: the political dialogue has significantly intensified and the cooperation in different spheres has expanded.

Of course, we have discussed with Mr Tusk other issues on the Armenia-EU agenda, touching upon regional and international developments. We expect that in the future the dialogue round the visa liberalization with Armenia will be launched, this being enshrined in the joint declaration of the Riga Summit of the Eastern Partnership. This will greatly contribute to the expansion and deepening of ties between our people.

As you know, the major axis of our cooperation is the reforms implemented in Armenia. Throughout the past 25 years, the EU has constantly been by our side, providing substantial financial, technical and moral support to us, this being visible in different spheres: the spheres of public administration, justice, agriculture, statistics, and public procurement have been reformed; the sphere of secondary vocational education has been improved with the view of meeting the demands of the labor market; the business and investment environment of Armenia has [also] been improved. We are determined to move forward this collaboration for recording new achievements in other spheres of mutual interest. We are very grateful for this support.

In a course of a month, Armenia will hold parliamentary elections, which will be the first since the constitutional reforms carried out in Armenia in 2015.

Our vision on changing the state governance system is the following: to make a step forward towards the further development and strengthening of democracy. The election system has also undergone serious changes ahead of the preparation for these elections: as a result of the consensus between all the political forces, we adopted a new Electoral Code, which strengthened the basis for holding open, transparent and fairer elections. Our objective is to hold elections, which will significantly raise the confidence of our society towards the electoral processes. For this purpose, we have invited and welcomed the participation of possibly large number of representational international observation missions during these elections, including from the European Council. At the same time, we encourage the local observers and representatives of civil society to be active.

I thanked Mr Tusk for being by our side at this important stage and providing significant funds for the implementation of the provisions of the Electoral Code. I am confident that the results of this support and our cooperation will be visible for everyone.
Boris Johnson from fighting for Conservative Party leader over fears of losing income

Greece slams Turkish authorities' temporary ban on Greek official's entry

Scientifically proven: EU is inscrutable

OPEC: To avoid unrestrained volatility we need to invest in oil

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

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Artsakh Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis fired at tractor in Khramort village of Artsakh

Rally participants' statement: Artsakh can't be a part of Azerbaijan

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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

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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

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US House committee extends deadline for Trump to produce documents on Capitol attack

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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

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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

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IMF: Turkey should tighten monetary policy and give the Central Bank more independence

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Political technologist explains why Pashinyan was elected chairman of board of ruling party in Armenia

Erdogan signs up for TikTok

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Poland asks EU to suspend fines

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Armenia deputy defense minister in Russia, discusses military cooperation

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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

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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

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BRUSSELS. - The Armenia-NATO relations, which are based on precisely realized interests and needs, have quite a rich agenda.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned at a joint press-conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels Monday

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the cooperation between Armenia and NATO.

It was a quarter century ago, in 1992, when newly independent Armenia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, thereby launching the formation of partnership relations with NATO. I am glad to state today that during that quarter century our cooperation grew and continued to be replenished with new content, becoming one of the elements of multi-layer security of the Republic of Armenia, the President noted.

In his words, the agenda of Armenia-NATO relations includes both highest level political dialogue and various examples of practical cooperation.

Together with the Secretary General we attached importance to maintaining the current level of political dialogue and the continuation of regular communication, as well as discussed issues on the further development and expansion of our partnership relations with NATO.

We recorded that 4 Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plans have been successfully implemented, the fifth one for 2017-2019 already being at the stage of approval. We specially underscored the importance of the upcoming launch of the activity of NATO Trust Fund in Armenia. I invited Mr Secretary General to arrive in Armenia, which will be a very good opportunity for summing up the work carried out during these years and identifying our further actions.

Armenia continues having its important input in the collective efforts towards establishment of international peace and stability, turning from a security consumer into a security provider. Despite having its own serious security challenges, Armenia contributes to the security and stability in other points of the world, realizing very well how interconnected the world is today, and that there are no longer security challenges of separate states: They belong to separate states and everyone. I am glad to note that developing its capacities in the peacekeeping sphere as a result of the Armenia-NATO cooperation, Armenia has in the recent years expanded the geography of its activity: along with the involvement in Kosovo and Afghanistan, our servicemen currently take part in the missions carried out in Lebanon and Mali under the auspices of the UN. I am pleased to note that Armenia is assessed as anactive NATO partnerby the Treaty and member-states.

I am also proud that during these missions our servicemen are assessed as prepared, disciplined and responsible participants. I am confident that our servicemen will serve the international experience and capacities acquired within the framework of the peacekeeping missions to our army-building, Sargsyan said.

The President also expressed hope that the next meeting with the NATO leadership will take place in Yerevan.
YEREVAN. - An Armenian-Iranian forum of nanotechnologies will be held in Armenia this spring.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments of Armenia, Emil Tarasyan, told the aforementioned to Armenian News  NEWS.am.

According to him, during his recent visit to Iran along with the Armenian delegation, he was able to assess the achievements of that country in the sphere of nanotechnologies.

We are very much impressed. But, of course, one can feel a need for the fundamental part. This is exactly where our specialists can be useful. In contrast, we have good researchers but few operating projects. We can [thus] join our strengths, Tarasyan said.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister was also accompanied by the Director of the Institute of Mathematics and High Technologies of the Russian-Armenian University, Eduard Kazaryan, and representatives of the State Committee of Science, who presented the Iranian colleagues the level of theoretical development in Armenia.

In Iran, the guests were presented the Sharif University of Technologyone of the leading technological universities of the country, which cooperates with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). School labs of nanotechnologies were also shown to the Armenian delegations, but they basically do the same as those of robotics in Armenia.

During the visit, a memorandum of cooperation in the sphere of nanotechnologies was initialed. Its conclusion is expected to take place during the visit of the Armenian PM to Iran. The document will be signed between the Minister of Economic Development and Investments of Armenia and Iranian Vice President coordinating nanotechnologies. The Armenian side already has proposals on the action plan.

After this we want to hold a sectoral business forum either in Gyumri or in Yerevan. This will most likely take place before April, Tarasyan said.
Associated British Foods plc (ASBFY) cautioned Monday that margins in its discount clothing retailer Primark will be pressured this year owing to the sharp decline in sterling on global foreign exchange markets but kept its full year earnings guidance in place.

The group said it is making "excellent progress" in its full year group earnings, which will be announced on April 19, and that it expects stronger cash flow in the first half of this year compared to the last. Sales at Primark are expected to be 11% ahead of last year, the company said, when measured on a constant currency basis, and 21% ahead on an actual exchange rate basis.

ABF shares rose around 1% in early London trading to change hands at 2,636 pence Monday, taking the three month gain to around 1.1% compared to a 2.55% advance for the FTSE 350 Food Producers Index.

However, the group warned that the 18% decline that sterling has suffered against the U.S. dollar since the country voted to leave the European Union on June 23 would hit Primark margins in the year ahead.

"We expect a stronger cash flow, before acquisitions and disposals, in the first half of this year compared to last year," the statement said. "The full effect of sterling weakness against the US dollar on Primark's purchases will result in a greater margin decline in the second half because our currency hedges were at more advantageous exchange rates in the first half."
Congress Moving Bill to Repeal 2016 Recordkeeping Rule

The hearing is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Eastern time Feb. 27 and will concern H.J. Res 83 to disapprove the OSHA rule and also H.R. 998, called the SCRUB Act.

A hearing on Feb. 27 on a resolution to repeal OSHA's December 2016 final rule clarifying employers' continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness is expected to move that resolution forward, setting the stage for repeal through the Congressional Review Act. The final rule became effective Jan. 18, 2017, and was called an "unlawful power grab" by congressional opponents including U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., who chairs the Education and the Workforce Committee's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Byrne introduced the resolution of disapproval, H.J. Res 83, under the Congressional Review Act earlier this month, saying it's needed to preventing the OSHA rule from taking effect and will encourage a more proactive approach to worker health and safety policies. "Every worker deserves safe and healthy working conditions, and bad actors who put hard-working men and women in harm's way must be held accountable," he said. "That's why Republicans have consistently called on OSHA to improve its enforcement efforts and collaborate with employers to address gaps in safety. Unfortunately, the Obama administration consistently doubled down on failed, punitive policies that do more to tie small businesses in red tape than protect workers. With this rule, OSHA rewrote federal law while doing nothing to improve worker health and safety. Congress must reject this unlawful power grab and encourage the agency to adopt the responsible, proactive safety approach that America's workers deserve."

The hearing is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Eastern time and will concern H.J. Res 83 to disapprove the OSHA rule and also H.R. 998, called the SCRUB Act. Its full title is the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act, and it would establish the Retrospective Regulatory Review Commission "to review rules and sets of rules in accordance with specified criteria to determine if a rule or set of rules should be repealed to eliminate or reduce the costs of regulation to the economy." The commission would have nine members appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

OSHA issued the rule to clarify that, in its view, an employer has a duty to record an injury or illness that continues for the full five-year record retention period. OSHA had lost a case in April 2012 before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a case known as the Volks case, that rejected OSHA's position on the continuing nature of its prior recordkeeping regulations. The court held that OSHA must cite an employer for failing to record an injury or illness within six months of the first day on which the regulations require the recording. However, OSHA's position was that recordkeeping violations are continuing violationsan employer's duty to record an injury or illness continues for as long as the employer must retain the OSHA 300 log and 301 report of that injury or illness, which is five years after the end of the calendar year in which the injury or illness became recordable.
Oregon OSHA Adopting Pesticide Rules

The agency will re-convene its Small Agricultural Employer Advisory Committee this year to further review how to best protect farm labor housing occupants from pesticides.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) recently announced it will adopt most of a set of updated pesticide rules to protect Oregon farmworkers and workers who handle pesticides. Proposed last year, the rules resulted from updates to the EPA Worker Protection Standard, and they affect areas such as training, pesticide labeling, respiratory protection, emergency eyewash requirements, and protecting occupants of farm labor housing when pesticides are sprayed on nearby crops.

Oregon OSHA said it received a significant amount of public comments about its proposal to protect such workers and has decided to launch a new rulemaking early this year to revisit that issue.

The new rules will take effect Jan. 1, 2018, to allow time for the additional rulemaking process and the industry's transition to the new standards. "A lot of stakeholders have put in a lot of time and hard work to get the new Worker Protection Standard right," said Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood. "We've received a range of public testimony and concerns. While we believe we're nearly there, we do have some more work to do to make sure we get this right."

The agency made changes to reflect the unique circumstances for employers in Oregon and based on public comments, such as streamlining the proposed training requirements for licensed trainers of pesticide handlers. Oregon OSHA will re-convene its Small Agricultural Employer Advisory Committee to further review how to best protect farm labor housing occupants from pesticides. The committee includes representatives of labor, employers, grower organizations, and government and nonprofit agencies; the agency will ask the committee to focus on the specific issues involving the EPA-designated Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ). The zone surrounds and moves with certain pesticide-spray equipment during applications and must be free of all people other than appropriately trained and equipped pesticide handlers.

Oregon OSHA proposed a compliance alternative to EPA's requirement that everyone be evacuated from the zone during outdoor pesticide applications. That alternative is commonly known as "shelter in place," and it would allow occupants of protected spaces  including fully-enclosed housing  to remain indoors as protection from the potential hazard of spray drift as the zone created by pesticide-spray equipment in a nearby crop area passes by. Oregon OSHA wants the advisory committee to consider whether there are ways to strengthen the shelter in place alternative and also the underlying exclusion zone requirement.
WISHA Touts New Safety Apps

"We hope all employers will give these apps a try," said Jenifer Jellison, program manager for the SHIP grant program. "They're convenient, easy to use in the workplace, and offer a great new way to prevent injuries and reinforce safe work practices."

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is offering two new, free apps that were developed with grant money awarded by L&I's Safety and Health Investment Projects (SHIP) Program, which funds innovative projects that prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities and help injured workers return to work.

"We hope all employers will give these apps a try," said Jenifer Jellison, program manager for the SHIP grant program. "They're convenient, easy to use in the workplace, and offer a great new way to prevent injuries and reinforce safe work practices."

The Good Observation, Near-Miss and Accident Reporting app provides a simple way to document safety incidents in the workplace. Employers can use it to photograph a safe practice, a near-miss, or an accident and then use the finger-drawing tool to mark up the photo. A quick-report feature lets users save the photo, add a few details, and send it to others in their organization.

It was developed by three companies working together  John W. Shervey & Associates, Schuchart Construction, and Mellora  using a $45,735 SHIP grant. The app is suitable for most industries and can be used for training, hazard recognition, risk analysis, or process improvement. A Spanish version and a YouTube video that shows how to use the app are available; download the app here.

The SafeMe app gets young workers off to a safe start, according to the agency, which noted that young workers are more likely to be injured on the job than adults, especially when they're new to the working world. The app offers safety lessons, videos, and hazard identification for a variety of occupations where teens and young workers often find jobs, including retail and restaurants. It was developed by the Washington Retail Association with young workers in mind and was funded with a $177,426 SHIP grant. The download is available at WRA SafeMe project.

Visit www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/GrantsPartnerships/SHIP/ to learn more about the SHIP Program.
The latest

President Biden's first official trip will be to Milwaukee for town hall

Joe Biden wasn't in Milwaukee to receive the Democratic presidential nomination last summer, but he is headed to Brew City just a month into his presidency for a town hall event.
A proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) off Scotland's west coast would help basking sharks, researchers say.

Scientists from the University of Exeter and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) satellite tracked 36 basking sharks in summer months of 2012-2014 and found 86% showed "some degree of residency" in the proposed Sea of the Hebrides MPA.

Sharks also returned year after year, and the scientists believe the area provides conditions for key activities such as foraging and possibly breeding, making it an area important for essential parts of the shark's life cycle for which MPAs can be designated.

Dr Suzanne Henderson, managing the project for SNH, said: "We have known for some time that basking sharks are frequently seen in Scottish waters during the summer, and they are big attraction for visitors to our west coast.

"But this research shows for the first time that some individuals return to the Sea of the Hebrides in consecutive years, emphasising the importance of the area for sharks."

Scottish government ministers are currently considering proposals for an MPA in the Sea of the Hebrides, from Skye to Mull, to protect the basking sharks - which are officially endangered in the north-east Atlantic - and minke whales.

"Understanding the conservation potential of an area is key to the successful creation of MPAs," said lead author Philip Doherty, of the Environment and Sustainability Institute on the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

"It is important to gather data to ensure the evidence-base that underpins the design of MPAs is robust. The data from this project, along-with information gathered over many years by boat-based surveys and from public reports helps to demonstrate the importance of this region for this species".

An MPA would give additional protection to habitats that are key for basking sharks and ensure their activities within these areas are not disrupted.

Basking sharks, the world's second-largest fish species, are seen annually in the proposed MPA in the summer, but there had been no detailed study of their movements.

Using data from 36 satellite tags attached to sharks, the Exeter researchers found they spent much of their summer time inside its proposed boundaries.

In winter, some of the sharks stay in UK and Irish waters while others swim south to the waters off France, Spain, Portugal and North Africa.

"The results show us that, with appropriate management, designating this area as an MPA could protect these sharks during the summer months," said senior author Dr Matthew Witt, also of the University of Exeter.

"These sharks migrate over large distances, so using MPAs to protect them throughout their range is problematic; however, we can protect them in locations where they spend extended periods of time."

MPAs are parts of the sea where wildlife and habitats are protected by law, with management on activities such as fishing where they are needed. These management approaches, coupled with voluntary measures, awareness raising and enforcement, are crucial to an MPA being successful.

A network of MPAs already exists in the waters around Scotland.

More information: P.D. Doherty et al, Testing the boundaries: Seasonal residency and inter-annual site fidelity of basking sharks in a proposed Marine Protected Area, Biological Conservation (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.01.018 Journal information: Biological Conservation
A large sample of native arsenic. Credit: Aram Dulyan/Public Domain

(Phys.org)A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in Chile has found that some people living in a part of the Atacama Desert have evolved over time for survival despite drinking water that contains 100 times the suggested maximum safe limit of arsenic as set by the World Health Organization. In their paper published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, the team describes a genetic study they conducted of the people in the area and what they found.

Native people living in a part of the Atacama Desert in Chile (in a place known as the Quebrada Camarones, where it is drier than any other non-polar spot on the planet) are descended from settlers that moved into the area approximately 7,000 years ago. Those early settlers faced serious health problems due to very high concentrations of arsenic in the only water available. The researchers with this new effort suggest that many such settlers likely perished before they could produce offspring, leaving those that were more physically suited to dealing with the toxic metalloid to keep the population going.

To find out how the modern people there are able to drink water that would seriously harm other people, the researchers collected blood from 150 of the local residents and subjected the samples to genetic testing. In particular, the researchers looked for variants of an enzyme called AS3MTprior research has shown that people with such variants are better able to tolerate arsenic. The team reports that approximately 68 percent of the people they tested had such a variant. AS3MT breaks arsenic down into two compounds: monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid. Those with the stronger gene variant produce more of the latter.

The researchers note that their results show that AS3MT variants are only part of the answer; 32 percent of those tested did not have the variant, which suggests there is some other factor at play. The next step, they suggest will be to sequence the whole chromosomal region around the variant that has been found to see if there are others that might be providing some sort of unknown resistance.

More information: Mario Apata et al. Human adaptation to arsenic in Andean populations of the Atacama Desert, American Journal of Physical Anthropology (2017). DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23193 Abstract Objectives

Quebrada Camarones, in the Atacama Desert, has the highest arsenic levels in the Americas (>1,000 g/L). However, the Camarones people have subsisted in this adverse environment during the last 7,000 years and have not presented any epidemiological emergencies. Therefore, to solve this conundrum we compared the frequencies of four protective genetic variants of the AS3MT gene associated with efficient arsenic metabolization, between the living populations of Camarones and two other populations historically exposed to lower levels of arsenic. Materials and Methods

The Chilean selected population samples come from Quebrada Camarones (n = 50) and the Azapa Valley (n = 47) in the north and San Juan de la Costa (n = 45) in southern Chile. The genotyping was conducted using PCR-RFLP. We compared the genotypic and allelic frequencies, and estimated the haplotype frequencies in the AS3MT gene. Results

We found higher frequencies of the protective variants in those people from Camarones than in the other two populations. The haplotype estimation showed that the combination of protective variants of CTTA is very frequent in Camarones (68%) and Azapa (48%), but extremely low in San Juan de la Costa (8%). Also, the C variant associated with toxicity risks in the SNP Met287Thr had a lower frequency in Camarones (1%) and is higher in the other populations. Discussion

The higher frequency of protective variants in both northern Chilean populations indicates a long exposure to naturally arsenic-contaminated water sources. Our data suggest that a high arsenic metabolization capacity has been selected as an adaptive mechanism in these populations in order to survive in an arsenic-laden environment. Journal information: American Journal of Physical Anthropology

 2017 Phys.org
When a magnetic field is applied parallel to a superconducting chiral nanotube, electric signals travel in one direction only. (Left) Illustration and (right) electron diffraction pattern of a single tungsten disulfide nanotube. Credit: Qin et al. Nature Communications

(Phys.org)Scientists have found that a superconducting current flows in only one direction through a chiral nanotube, marking the first observation of the effects of chirality on superconductivity. Until now, superconductivity has only been demonstrated in achiral materials, in which the current flows in both directions equally.

The team of researchers, F. Qin et al., from Japan, the US, and Israel, have published a paper on the first observation of chiral superconductivity in a recent issue of Nature Communications.

Chiral superconductivity combines two typically unrelated concepts in a single material: Chiral materials have mirror images that are not identical, similar to how left and right hands are not identical because they cannot be superimposed one on top of the other. And superconducting materials can conduct an electric current with zero resistance at very low temperatures.

Observing chiral superconductivity has been experimentally challenging due to the material requirements. Although carbon nanotubes are superconducting, chiral, and commonly available, so far researchers have only successfully demonstrated superconducting electron transport in nanotube assemblies and not in individual nanotubes, which are required for this purpose.

"The most important significance of our work is that superconductivity is realized in an individual nanotube for the first time," coauthor Toshiya Ideue at The University of Tokyo told Phys.org. "It enables us to search for exotic superconducting properties originating from the characteristic (tubular or chiral) structure."

The achievement is only possible with a new two-dimensional superconducting material called tungsten disulfide, a type of transition metal dichalcogenide, which is a new class of materials that have potential applications in electronics, photonics, and other areas. The tungsten disulfide nanotubes are superconducting at low temperatures using a method called ionic liquid gating and also have a chiral structure. In addition, it's possible to run a superconducting current through an individual tungsten disulfide nanotube.

When the researchers ran a current through one of these nanotubes and cooled the device down to 5.8 K, the current became superconductingin this case, meaning its normal resistance dropped by half. When the researchers applied a magnetic field parallel to the nanotube, they observed small antisymmetric signals that travel in one direction only. These signals are negligibly small in nonchiral superconducting materials, and the researchers explain that the chiral structure is responsible for strongly enhancing these signals.

"The asymmetric electric transport is realized only when a magnetic field is applied parallel to the tube axis," Ideue said. "If there is no magnetic field, current should flow symmetrically. We note that electric current should be asymmetric (if the magnetic field is applied parallel to the tube axis) even in the normal state (non-superconducting region), but we could not see any discernible signals in the normal state yet, interestingly, it shows a large enhancement in the superconducting region."

Currently, the researchers aren't exactly sure what causes the asymmetric electric transport in the chiral superconducting nanotubes. They plan to further investigate these mechanisms in the future, which would reveal new insight into the relationship between superconductivity and chirality.

"Our next plan is to understand the microscopic mechanism of the observed phenomena," Ideue said. "In addition, we will try to verify the universality of the nonreciprocal superconducting transport and its enhancement in the superconducting region."

Although it may be too early to tell what kinds of applications chiral superconductivity might have, the researchers explain that the one-way effect shares similarities with existing technologies.

"One thing we can say is that nonreciprocal electric transport can be understood as a 'rectification effect' or 'diode-like functionality' (if it is large) so that it might be used to realize a 'superconducting diode' which could have potential applications for superconducting circuits," Ideue said.

More information: "Superconductivity in a chiral nanotube." Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14465 Abstract

Chirality of materials are known to affect optical, magnetic and electric properties, causing a variety of nontrivial phenomena such as circular dichiroism for chiral molecules, magnetic Skyrmions in chiral magnets and nonreciprocal carrier transport in chiral conductors. On the other hand, effect of chirality on superconducting transport has not been known. Here we report the nonreciprocity of superconductivityunambiguous evidence of superconductivity reflecting chiral structure in which the forward and backward supercurrent flows are not equivalent because of inversion symmetry breaking. Such superconductivity is realized via ionic gating in individual chiral nanotubes of tungsten disulfide. The nonreciprocal signal is significantly enhanced in the superconducting state, being associated with unprecedented quantum Little-Parks oscillations originating from the interference of supercurrent along the circumference of the nanotube. The present results indicate that the nonreciprocity is a viable approach toward the superconductors with chiral or noncentrosymmetric structures. Journal information: Nature Communications

 2017 Phys.org
A lack of habitat endangers greater prairie chickens' long-term survival in Illinois, researchers report. Credit: Michael Jeffords

An iconic bird whose booming mating calls once reverberated across "the Prairie State" can survive in Illinois with the help of periodic human interventions, researchers report.

The greater prairie chicken once dominated the American Midwest, but today the bird is in trouble in many parts of its historic range. It is no longer found in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas or Wyoming, states where it once flourished. And in Illinois, an estimated 186 birds remain in two adjoining counties in the southern part of the state.

"They used to be all over the state," said Illinois Natural History Survey conservation biologist Mark Davis, who participated in a genetic analysis of the Illinois birds. "This was the tallgrass prairie state. You couldn't throw a rock into a field without hitting a prairie chicken."

The reason for the decline is simple, Davis said.

"We changed our land-use practices from having a lot of prairie, then to wheat, hay and alfalfa, and now to vast expanses of corn and soybeans," he said. "Prairie chickens used to have 20 million acres of prairie in Illinois. Now, they have around 2,000. At the same time, population size went from 10 to 14 million in the 1860s to the 100 to 200 or so we have today. There just isn't enough habitat."

Environmental officials have made two efforts to rescue Illinois' dwindling prairie chicken populations, which are suffering from a lack of habitat and declining genetic diversity. Between 1992 and 1998, teams imported more than 200 prairie chickens from other states.

"In Illinois, the first translocation brought in birds from all over the upper Midwest - from North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska," Davis said. "And for a short period of time, it seemed to work." More chicks survived to reproductive age and genetic diversity spiked, he said.

To understand how well the birds were doing long after that first translocation, Davis and his colleagues analyzed the DNA from feathers collected in the birds' courtship grounds from 2010-13. The researchers report their findings in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

"What our paper reveals is that about 20 years after the translocation of new prairie chickens into Illinois, we see another decrease in genetic diversity and a decline in the number of birds," Davis said.

Greater prairie chickens engage in elaborate mating rituals in an open area away from where they nest. Credit: Michael Jeffords

The study confirmed that the only two remaining populations of prairie chickens in Illinoisone in Marion County and the other in Jasper Countyare genetically isolated from one another, Davis said. The birds have access to a few hundred acres of territory overall, but the land is subdivided by roads and power lines, which represent additional barriers.

"They're also surrounded by an agricultural desert of corn and soybeans," Davis said.

The study identified 88 unique males using the courtship grounds, where the birds strut and boom to attract females. The team estimates that roughly the same number of females live in Illinois.

The researchers' conclusion: A lack of habitat endangers prairie chickens' long-term survival in Illinois. Without periodic human intervention - in the form of translocations of birds from other states - the population could die out.

"This is the issue that sage grouse are facing out West," Davis said. "This is the issue that lesser prairie chickens are facing in Texas and Oklahoma. These are big birds that need a big landscape that we don't have anymore."

There are still strongholds for prairie chickens in Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota, Davis said. In western Minnesota, for example, a tradition of protection for game animals and a hefty excise tax on hunting and fishing licenses has allowed the state to purchase lands and protect a patchwork of interconnected grassland habitat, he said.

"Now you have this swath of restored prairie and the birds are doing really wellso much so that a few years ago, on a very limited basis, Minnesota was able to have the first prairie chickens taken by hunting in many years," he said.

But Illinois has strong agricultural traditions, and Davis doesn't foresee a similar effort in the state.

"Providing food for the world does come at a cost, and that cost is habitat for wildlife," he said.

"To sustain prairie chickens in Illinois, we have two options," Davis said. "We can purchase and restore as much prairie habitat as possible. In lieu of that, we need to support the periodic translocations of new birds to Illinois to preserve this prairie icon."

More information: S. M. Mussmann et al, Genetic rescue, the greater prairie chicken and the problem of conservation reliance in the Anthropocene, Royal Society Open Science (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160736 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science
New light on a key factor involved in diseases such as Parkinson's disease, gastric cancer and melanoma has been cast through latest University of Otago, New Zealand, research carried out in collaboration with Australian scientists.

In new findings published in leading international journal PNAS, the team of researchers, led by Otago Department of Biochemistry's Dr Peter Mace, studied a protein called Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1).

Along with other kinases, ASK1 acts as a signalling protein that controls many aspects of cellular behaviour. Kinases put tags onto other proteins that can turn them on, off, which in turn can make a cell divide, die, move or any number of other responses.

Dr Mace says ASK1 plays an important role in controlling how a cell responds to cell damage, and can push the cell towards a process of programmed cell death for the good of the body, if damage to a cell is too great. This key role is reflected in ASK1's name - apoptosis is an Ancient Greek word meaning "falling off" - and is used to describe the process of programmed dying of cells, rather than their loss by injury.

The research team determined ASK1's molecular structure through crystallography studies and also performed biochemical experiments to better understand the protein.

They found that ASK1 has unexpected parts to its structure that help control how the protein is turned on, and that an entire family of ASK kinases share these features.

"We now know a lot more about how ASK1 gets turned on and off - this is important because in diseases such as Parkinson's, stomach cancer and melanoma, there can be either too much or too little ASK1 activity".

Dr Mace says that the new findings add to our understanding of how cells can trigger specific responses to different threats or damage encountered. Such threats can include oxidants, which damage the body's tissues by causing inflammation.

He adds that kinases are excellent targets for developing new drugs because they have a "pocket" in their structure that such compounds can bind to, but to develop better drugs we need to understand far more about how they are controlled. This is the goal of several projects in his lab, he says.

The study is a collaboration between Otago researchers and scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Melbourne, and at the Australian Synchrotron. Otago alumnus Tom Caradoc-Davies, who works at the MX Beamline, collected data that was critical to the project.

Synchrotron access was enabled by the New Zealand Synchrotron Group, which is coordinated by the Royal Society of New Zealand and supported by all New Zealand universities in partnership with the Government. The synchrotron is crucial to many other research projects from Otago and throughout New Zealand.
Seismogram being recorded by a seismograph at the Weston Observatory in Massachusetts, USA. Credit: Wikipedia

Results of a massive new project to map and classify the earthquake shaking potential across most of the Las Vegas metropolitan area will help developers there build in safer and less expensive ways.

The "Parcel Map" described 28 February in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America is the most extensive effort to date in the United States to map and classify soils based on their effects on earthquake shaking across an entire urban area with systematic, direct measurements at high density. These "site classifications" are a key part of the building codes that structural engineers use to design new buildingsor to retrofit older buildingsto withstand earthquake damage.

How much a building might be damaged by an earthquake depends in part on the stiffness (strength) of the ground on which it is built. This stiffness is dependent on the seismic shear-wave velocity of the underlying soil and/or rock. Seismic waves create less shaking when they pass through hard rock which has a high shear-wave velocity, for instance, compared to loose soils which have low shear-wave velocities. The building code bases site classifications on shear-wave velocity that vary with ground conditions.

One of the most important findings of the parcel map study is that much of the ground in the Las Vegas area is actually stiffer (stronger) and potentially safer for building than the current default site classifications for the region indicate.

The default classification used for the Las Vegas metro area is "Class D," indicating the presence of relatively weak and potentially hazardous soils for building. But the new parcel map suggests that 84% of the mapped region is stiffer than Class D.

Until now, developers in the Las Vegas area had to assume that their building sites were Class D if no other classification had been made. As a result, some developers were requiredto build to more stringent earthquake standards than necessary, potentially increasing the cost of design and construction.

The new Parcel Map could reduce some of these costs, while offering a better way to identify which existing buildings may be prone to shaking in an earthquake. "City officials can then plan retrofit campaigns and ensure buildings meet requisite safety standard on the basis of knowledge, rather than guesswork," Aasha Pancha and her colleagues write in the BSSA paper.

The parcel map was drawn from more than 10,000 seismic-array measurements taken about every 300 meters, to cover most of urban Las Vegas. This density of measurement was necessary to characterize the natural variability of the observed site class values due to different soils throughout the city. A big factor in developing the map was high demand for building permits and reviews by Clark County, Nevada and the city of Henderson, Nevada, which commissioned the project, said Pancha, now a researcher at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and part of the geotechnical investigation team at Aurecon New Zealand Ltd. Rather than research driven, the project was driven by the practical needs of the planners, developers, builders, and engineers.

"There was an element of serendipity as well," Pancha added. "Most of the building was going on in an area where measurements were proving the ground to be much stiffer and less hazardous than the defaults allowed in the building code. So there was the prospect of saving money for developers in such areas."

Property owners, designers, city planners, and developers can now determine the site classification for any particular parcel by consulting the "soil guidelines" map accessible online through the Clark County website.

"What has made Parcel Mapping unique so far to Clark County and the City of Henderson in southern Nevada is that it was an entirely locally-supported project," Pancha said. "Between the 1970s and today the population of southern Nevada has grown tenfold, and federal allocations for earthquake research and hazard mitigation have in no way kept up with this explosive growth rate."

"In earthquake-prone areas that are growing rapidly now that the recession has ended, this local commitment to earthquake-hazard mitigation is more likely," she added.

More information: "Large scale earthquake hazard class mapping by parcel in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada," Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 2017. Journal information: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America
KAUST researchers Doha Hamza (right) and Jeff Shamma have developed a way for paired strangers to buddy up to make better use of bandwidth. Credit: KAUST

Anonymously pairing network users could expand the capability of the next generation of wireless networks

A network management scheme developed by KAUST allows users from different network providers to pair up to make better use of the available wireless spectrum although the two users know little about each other1.

Wireless networks are groaning under the strain of an ever-increasing number of mobile devices and data-hungry applications, such as video streaming. This means network engineers are searching for alternative methods to utilize the available wireless bandwidth. Although wireless technology is improving all the time, a major source of inefficiency persists in the way that telecommunication companies divide up the wireless spectrum-the range of radio frequencies available for wireless communications.

Dr. Doha Hamza and Jeff Shamma, Professor of Electrical Engineering, have developed a way for strangers to pair up to make better use of the available bandwidth.

"Cognitive radio technology, as we call it, is a promising approach to solve the wireless spectrum scarcity problem," explained Shamma. "This technology allows secondary unlicensed users to access the primary licensed users' frequency bands. To make this possible, the primary and secondary users need to be paired in a way that ensures mutual benefit while maintaining quality-of-service constraints."

Hamza and Shamma turned to a field of mathematics called matching theory to deal with the cognitive radio-pairing problem. Matching theory is a mathematical framework for forming pairs from two groups that is already used routinely for several applications, such as organ-exchange programs, college admissions and communications networks.

"Primary users and secondary users need to be matched so that the partnership is mutually beneficial," says Shamma. "Different partnerships can provide different benefits, and primary and secondary users can have preferences over possible partnerships; however, unlike conventional applications for matching theory, there is no central authority to regulate the market, meaning that primary and secondary users have limited information about the preferences of other actors."

To address the lack of centralization, the researchers developed a "blind" matching algorithm involving a relatively simple learning process. The agents meet one-on-one and make proposals based on a short list of preferences. The proposals may be accepted or rejected, resulting in the forming and breaking of partnerships. Likewise, agent aspirations regarding the potential benefit of finding a partner may also rise and fall.

The algorithm is broadly applicable to general-matching settings, but is particularly useful for implementing the cognitive-radio concept. Shamma explained that "despite the blind encounters and limited information, we showed that this simple dynamic converges to a stable-matching state in which no pair of agents has an incentive to break their current matches in favor of others."

More information: Doha Hamza et al. BLMA: A Blind Matching Algorithm with Application to Cognitive Radio Networks, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1109/JSAC.2017.2659098
The new species Ramadapis sahnii existed 11 to 14 million years ago and is a member of the ancient Sivaladapidae primate family. It consumed leaves and was about the size of a house cat. Credit: Sheena Lad

Fossil hunters have found part of an ancient primate jawbone related to lemursthe primitive primate group distantly connected to monkeys, apes and humans, a USC researcher said.

Biren Patel, an associate professor of clinical cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been digging for fossils in a paleontologically rich area of Kashmir in northern India for six years. Although paleontologists have scoured this region for a century, relics of small extinct primates were rarely found or studied.

Scientists named the new species Ramadapis sahnii and said that it existed 11 to 14 million years ago. It is a member of the ancient Sivaladapidae primate family, consumed leaves and was about the size of a house cat, said Patel, co-author of the new study in the Journal of Human Evolution.

"Among the primates, the most common ones in the Kashmir region are from a genus called Sivapithecus, which were ancestral forms of orangutans," Patel said. "The fossil we found is from a different group on the primate family treeone that is poorly known in Asia. We are filling an ecological and biogeographical gap that wasn't really well documented. Every little step adds to the understanding of our human family tree because we're also primates."

The last primate found in the area was 38 years ago. So, in addition to being a new species, this is the first primate fossil found in the area in decades.

The new species Ramadapis sahnii existed 11 to 14 million years ago and is a member of the ancient Sivaladapidae primate family. It consumed leaves and was about the size of a house cat. Credit: Biren Patel/Keck School of Medicine of USC

"In the past, people were interested in searching for big thingsthings they could show off to other people," Patel said. "A lot of the small fossils were not on their radar."

The inch-and-a-quarter partial mandible belongs to a primate weighing less than 11 pounds that had outlived its other adapidae cousins found in North America, Europe and Africa by millions of years.

"New primates are always a hot topic, and this one is the first of its kind from its area in Asia, which has significant consequences for understanding primate evolution in the Old World," said Michael Habib, an assistant professor of clinical cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine who was not involved in the study.

The question that remains is how the ecosystem in northern India supported this species when its relatives elsewhere were disappearing or had already gone extinct. Future fieldwork and recovering more fossil primates will help answer this question.

"People want to know about human origins, but to fully understand human origins, you need to understand all of primate origins, including the lemurs and these Sivaladapids," Patel said. "Lemurs and sivaladapids are sister groups to what we arethe anthropoidsand we are all primates."

Researchers from Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, Arizona State University, Stony Brook University and Panjab University also contributed to this study, which was supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, the Institute of Human Origins and funding from some of the involved universities.
The new version of the 3310 will bring back the popular "Snake" game

Finnish brand Nokia, a former mobile star, on Sunday launched three new Android smartphones and unveiled a revamped version of its iconic 3310 model more than a decade after it was phased out.

Unlike the original, which was known for its sturdiness, the new Nokia 3310 will allow web browsing.

The new version will bring back its predecessor's popular "Snake" game and distinctive ringtones, said Arto Nummela, the head of Finnish start-up HMD Global which will produce the phone under a licensing agreement with Nokia.

"The telephone will allow you to talk for 22 hours, ten times more than the original," he said during a presentation in Barcelona on the eve of the start of the Mobile World Congress, the world's biggest mobile phone show.

Launched in 2000, Nokia's original 3310 sold nearly 120 million units worldwide before it was discontinued in 2005, making it one of the world's best-selling mobile phones.

Analysts said resurrecting the popular model was a clever way for HMD Global to relaunch Nokia's brand.

"HMD launched three new smartphones and an iconic mobile. It is a way to create a halo effect around the other models by reviving talk about the Nokia brand," said Thomas Husson, a mobile analyst at Forrester.

In addition to the new 3310, HMD presented three new smartphones, the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 which will sell for different prices.

The Nokia 6 was already available in China and will now go on sale globally.

"We think (Nokia) could take 5 percent of the global smartphone market by the end of 2019. But it needs to get big quick or it won't work," said CCS Insight's device specialist and chief of research, Ben Wood.

Nokia was the world's top mobile maker between 1998 and 2011 but was overtaken by South Korean rival Samsung after failing to respond to the rapid rise of smartphones.

Its telephone brand remains widely recognised, especially in developing markets.

Now a leading telecom equipment maker, Nokia sold its entire handset business to Microsoft Corp in 2014.

Last year HMD bought Microsoft Mobile's handset business and the right to use the Nokia brand.

Under the agreement, Nokia will receive royalty payments from HMD for sales of every Nokia branded mobile phone or tablet.

 2017 AFP
New smartphones will use AI to carry out tasks

The smartphone revolution is poised to go onto the next levelwith "superphones" equipped with artificial intelligence now on the horizon.

By learning their owners' habits, these new phones will be able to carry out tasks even when they're offline.

During a first phase only high-end smartphones will use the technology, like the new models unveiled by China's Huawei at the Mobile World Congress, the phone industry's largest annual trade fair, which opened Monday in Barcelona.

But the technology is quickly gaining ground.

More than 300 million smartphonesor roughly a fifth of units sold worldwidewill have the function in 2017, according to Deloitte.

"It is one of the key areas we are investing in. After the smartphone, we will have the 'superphone' thanks to artificial intelligence," said Vincent Vantilcke, marketing director for Huawei in France.

South Korea's LG and Finland's Nokia both announced in Barcelona that they would use Google's voice assistantwhich uses artificial intelligence to answer users' questionsin their newest handsets.

"Every big company in the sector is investing all their research and development on this," Gartner analyst Annette Zimmermann said.

Today most smartphones run their applications by consulting data stored in external servers, known as the cloud.

But the arrival of faster processors will allow smartphones to use data already stored on the devicemuch like a human brain does to translate words or recognise images.

Phone makers want to seduce new buyers with AI functions

"You teach a computer to analyse specific data, make sense of this data and act on it," Zimmermann said.

'Another revolution'

In the future "smartphones will almost make a decision before you do. When you go somewhere, it knows where you want to go" based on your usual habits, said Dexter Thillien, an analyst at BMI Research.

California-based start-up Neura has developed a system of artificial intelligence that can decode a smartphone user's daily patterns of behaviour.

To do this it combines data gathered by the handset's GPS tracker, the speed at at which the phone owner is walking and other elements with algorithms.

It then generates insights about users' past and present actions and predictions about what they will do next.

Neura says its technology can be used to enable smarter healthcare, cars, music services and homes by constantly updating their portraits of user behaviour patterns.

With the new technology, a smartphone will be able to know whether its owner is "running to catch a bus or because he is jogging", said Neura head Gilad Mieri.

The phone can then wait for the right moment to send its user a notificationfor example a reminder to take medication.

Machine-learning enhanced phones will focus mainly on voice recognition, translation and image recognition, said Ariane Bucaille, a tech specialist at Deloitte.

Superphones will perform tasks without connecting to the internet

This will enable a smartphone to give a user directions without an internet connection, she said.

Smartphones with artificial intelligence "will play an even more crucial role in people's lives. It is another revolution", Bucaille said.

Where's the profit?

At the moment, the new technology is still being developed.

"Where the profit comes from, that's still a big question," Gartner's Zimmerman said.

Further down the line, tech firms plan to use AI in other products, such as driverless cars, Thillien said.

However, privacy concerns may throw up a roadblock to the technology.

A new European Union data protection law which comes into effect in 2018 contains "very restrictive" rules to prevent algorithms from making decisions on their own, Thillien said.

But Bucaille argues that smartphones with AI are actually safer because they do not store information on external servers.

This may ultimately act as a disincentive for tech firms to develop AI for smartphones, as their business models so often rely on gathering and using data from users, said Mouloud Dey, director of innovation at SAS in Paris.

 2017 AFP
Map of the Sierra Nevada shows the average spring temperatures from 1981-2000. Credit: UCLA

Communities near Oroville Dam just got an unenviable front-row seat to what happens when climatic forces and man-made infrastructure clash. It was also a preview of what could happen as California's climate continues to change.

On Feb. 11, drenching winter rains caused Lake Oroville to overflow onto an unlined, emergency spillway. Erosion that damaged the main spillway and concern over the deteriorating condition of an emergency spillway forced the hurried evacuation of 188,000 people from towns downstream. Crews worked furiously to stem water gushing at 100,000 cubic feet per secondtwice its normal rate. The price tag for repairing the damage is estimated at $200 million.

Things could have been much worse. A complete collapse of the spillway would have sent a 30-foot wall of water toward Sacramento, officials warned.

Last weekend marked the first time the emergency spillway was used since the dam was completed in 1968, but it probably won't be the last. The area is bracing for another round of atmospheric river-driven storms in what has already become a historically rainy wet season.

The crisis may also be a harbinger of California's long-term climate future, according to UCLA professor Alex Hall, who delivered a lecture on the subject to a packed house at Fowler Museum last Thursday. His current research predicts temperatures in the Sierra Nevada will rise up to 10 degrees by the end of the century if nothing is done to stem carbon emissions. More precipitation will fall as rain and snow will melt soonerchanges that California's aging infrastructure is ill-prepared to handle.

"Changes in Sierra water resources may pose the most formidableperhaps existentia l threat" of all climate change effects in the state, Hall said. "The state's water system is the foundation of contemporary life in California."

Snowpack in the Sierras currently serves as a natural reservoir, releasing water slowly as it melts. An elaborate system of dams was constructed to collect the runoff, which currently supplies 60 percent of the state's water.

"The water conveyance system was built haphazardly in an ongoing attempt to satisfy rapidly growing human demands and get around natural limits on water availability," Hall said. "It is already oversubscribed even if climate were not changing. New, more stringent natural systems are emerging, and the system can clearly not keep functioning as envisioned."

This year's rainy season is testing the network's limits, and elected officials and water and emergency management agencies are paying close attention. On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ordered inspections of all county dams as what could be the strongest storm of the year bears down on the Southland.

Map shows average spring temperatures for the Sierra Nevada from 2081-2100. Credit: UCLA

Sandbags and quick fixes might suffice in the short term, but massive feats of science and engineering are needed to prepare the state for a future with global and regional warming.

Hall's research aims to inform those efforts. He and his fellow researchers have pioneered innovations within a field of climate modeling called downscaling, using large-scale information to make predictions at a local level. Global climate models predict our future climate with numerical computer simulations, but they are not refined enough to show how complex local environments will respond. Using the Hoffman Cluster, a UCLA supercomputer, Hall's team ran downscaling simulations over the course of several months to make projections and understand how different climate change scenarios could unfold in the Sierra Nevada.

Besides preparing for the worst, people should fight the effects of climate change by joining global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Hall said. Under a "mitigation" scenario that follows the Paris climate agreement, warming is still projected for the Sierras, but is much less severe.

However, some climate change effects are already being felt. Hall examined Sierra snowpack from 2012 to 2015the peak of California's recent severe drought. Without carbon emissions and a period of warming that stretches back to the start of the industrial revolution, there would have been more snow on the ground.

Hall warned that if we continue with business as usual, "Sierra Nevada and global climate will be unrecognizably different." How well we are able to adapt to a changing climate "will depend on how much climate change actually occurs, and that will depend on how much fossil fuel ultimately gets dug up and burned."

From a global perspective, it's easy to overlook the drastic local impacts of climate change. Heidi Cress, an Oroville resident of 47 years, got a terrifying sneak peek at what may be in store if humans fail to adapt.

"My mouth was dry, and my hands were wet with sweaty palms," Cress said. "For hours we were told 'Don't worry.' And then someone looked at the hillside and said, 'Oh, I guess it's time to worry.'"

Cress offered a reminder of how high the stakes can be.

"They didn't overreact by evacuating. We would be having a very one-sided conversation otherwise. Corpses don't talk much."

This story is posted on the website of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.
Harold Barnard, a scientist at Berkeley Labs Advanced Light Source, holds a small meteorite sample. At left is an experimental chamber that is designed to compress and heat the sample to simulate atmospheric entry conditions. Credit: Marilyn Chung/Berkeley Lab

Four years ago, a brilliant fireball streaked across the dawn sky over Russia, then fractured with the force of about 500,000 tons of TNT. The shock wave blew out windows and damaged thousands of buildings across several cities in Russia's Chelyabinsk Oblast region, injuring about 1,500 people.

The school bussized meteoroid that caused this destruction was estimated to weigh about 11,000 tons and was traveling approximately 60 times the speed of sound. Fortunately, it broke apart at a height of about 19 miles, and wasn't above a city. An explosion of this magnitude would have caused far greater damage if it had occurred at lower altitudes over a densely populated area.

NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office is charged with monitoring the paths of asteroids and other objects with orbits that could send them on a crash course with Earth, and planning for response to an actual impact threat.

Under this office, NASA's Asteroid Threat Assessment Project has been established to develop predictive tools, including physics-based computer simulations, to assess the impact threat posed by so-called "near-Earth asteroids" and a subclass of these objects deemed "potentially hazardous asteroids."

X-ray studies of meteorite samples planned at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source (ALS) will aid this effort by providing new insights about the microscopic makeup of an asteroid's constituent material, and breakup of meteoroids in the atmosphere.

This video shows the Chelyabinsk meteor explosion and plume, as modeled by a NASA satellite. Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Harold Barnard, a scientist at Berkeley Lab's ALS, has developed a specialized test chamber for X-ray studies of meteorite samples that simulates the extreme compressive forces asteroids experience when traveling through Earth's atmosphere.

The cylindrical chamber has grips that serve like a vice to exert pressure on meteorite samples, and X-ray imaging can study how this compression, in combination with heat and pressure, affects their microscopic structure.

"We want to understand the fracture mechanics of meteors," he said, which will serve to inform and test computer models of asteroids as they fall from the sky, which in turn are used to predict the strength of the explosion when they break up.

This image shows the orbits of more than 1,000 asteroids that measure more than 150 yards across and pass within 4.7 million miles of Earth, up to about 20 times farther than the moon is from the Earth. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Francesco Panerai, a scientist with AMA Inc. working at NASA Ames Research Center (NASA ARC) in Moffett Field, Calif., and who will direct the meteorite studies at the ALS, said the experiments aim to help us understand how asteroids fracture and break up.

"It is very complex science, but it has a lot of common features with (spacecraft) entry systems," Panerai said. "We will apply the tools we have to model spacecraft to asteroids."

He added, "One of the tricky parts is understanding how meteorites fracture at the microscopic level, and how the material will eventually burst in the atmosphere," as meteorites have a complex microscopic structure compared to ordinary rocks and behave in different ways under stress. "We are trying to see if we can image the cracks and the propagation of fractures."

This series of X-ray-based images shows (from left) a 3-D volume rendering of a meteorite sample, medium-density metallic alloys and oxides in the sample (center), and high-density metals (right). Credit: NASA, Berkeley Lab

Mapping this microstructure to a large asteroid could help to predict the height and strength of the explosion, for example, or the likely impacted area of an impending meteorite strike after midair breakup.

The ALS study will provide detailed 3-D views of the internal structure of the sample under stress by aggregating a sequence of X-ray images taken at different stages of heating and tension, and from different angles.

Dula Parkinson, a research scientist at Berkeley Lab who works on the NASA-related projects, said the same sample cell can stretch or compress a range of different materials in other types of experiments, too: "It can work for anything you want to crush or pull on," he said. "When someone has an application that's challenging, it really pushes you to develop something new."

This map displays satellite observations of brilliant meteors, called bolides, from 1994-2013. There were an average of 29 events per year sighted during this period. Credit: NASA

Learn more about the research partnership between NASA and Berkeley Lab in these articles:

When Rocket Science Meets X-ray Science: Berkeley Lab and NASA collaborate in X-ray experiments to ensure safety, reliability of spacecraft systems.

The Heat is On: X-rays reveal how simulated atmospheric entry conditions impact spacecraft shielding.

A New Paradigm in Parachute Design: X-ray studies showing the microscopic structure of spacecraft parachute fabrics can fill in key details about how they perform under extreme conditions.

A meteorite explodes in the air above Chelyabinsk, Russia, in this video clip. Credit: Sergey Zhabin, NASA
Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions involving abnormal folding of proteins, may help explain the emergence of lifeand how to create it.

Researchers at Emory University and Georgia Tech demonstrated this connection in two new papers published by Nature Chemistry: "Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks" and "Catalytic diversity in self-propagating peptide assemblies."

"In the first paper we showed that you can create tension between a chemical and physical system to give rise to more complex systems. And in the second paper, we showed that these complex systems can have remarkable and unexpected functions," says David Lynn, a systems chemist in Emory's Department of Chemistry who led the research. "The work was inspired by our current understanding of Darwinian selection of protein misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases."

The Lynn lab is exploring ways to potentially control and direct the processes of these proteinsknown as prionsadding to knowledge that might one day help to prevent disease, as well as open new realms of synthetic biology. For the current papers, Emory collaborated with the research group of Martha Grover, a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, to develop molecular models for the processes.

"Modeling requires us to formulate our hypotheses in the language of mathematics, and then we use the models to design further experiments to test the hypotheses," Grover says.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is well-establishedorganisms adapt over time in response to environmental changes. But theories about how life emergesthe movement through a pre-Darwinian world to the Darwinian thresholdremain murkier.

The researchers started with single peptides and engineered in the capacity to spontaneously form small proteins, or short polymers. "These protein polymers can fold into a seemingly endless array of forms, and sometimes behave like origami," Lynn explains. "They can stack into assemblies that carry new functions, like prions that move from cell-to-cell, causing disease."

This protein misfolding provided the model for how physical changes could carry information with function, a critical component for evolution. To try to kickstart that evolution, the researchers engineered a chemical system of peptides and coupled it to the physical system of protein misfolding. The combination results in a system that generates step-by-step, progressive changes, through self-driven environmental changes.

"The folding events, or phase changes, drive the chemistry and the chemistry drives the replication of the protein molecules," Lynn says. "The simple system we designed requires only the initial intervention from us to achieve progressive growth in molecular order. The challenge now becomes the discovery of positive feedback mechanisms that allow the system to continue to grow."

More information: Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks, Nature Chemistry, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nchem.2737 Catalytic diversity in self-propagating peptide assemblies, Nature Chemistry, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nchem.2738 Journal information: Nature Chemistry
A Lord Howe Island woodhen Gallirallus sylvestris. Credit: Toby Hudson

Bringing back extinct species could lead to biodiversity loss rather than gain, according to work featuring University of Queensland researchers.

UQ scientist Professor Hugh Possingham said the research suggested further stretching already-strained conservation budgets to cover the costs of de-extinction could endanger extant species (species still in existence).

"If the risk of failure and the costs associated with establishing viable populations could also be calculated, estimates of potential net losses or missed opportunities would probably be considerably higher," Professor Possingham said.

"De-extinction could be useful for inspiring new science and could be beneficial for conservation if we ensure it doesn't reduce existing conservation resources.

"However, in general it is best if we focus on the many species that need our help now."

"Given the considerable potential for missed opportunity, and risks inherent in assuming a resurrected species would fulfil its role as an ecosystem engineer or flagship species, it is unlikely that de-extinction could be justified on grounds of biodiversity conservation."

The study was led by Dr Joseph Bennett, formerly of the ARC Centre for Environmental Decisions at UQ and now of Carleton University, Canada.

It analysed the number of species governments in New Zealand and New South Wales could afford to conserve.

"We based cost estimates on recently extinct species and similar extant species," Dr Bennett said.

The Lord Howe pigeon, eastern bettong, bush moa and Waitomo frog were among the extinct species included in calculations.

The researchers found reintroducing some recently extinct species to their old habitats might improve biodiversity locally, but government-funded conservation for 11 focal extinct species in New Zealand would sacrifice conservation for nearly three times as many (31) extant species.

External funding for conservation of the five focal extinct NSW species could instead be used to conserve more than eight times as many (42) extant species.

Although the technology for de-extinction is still some way off, the research found that careful thought would be required about what species to reintroduce, and where.

Professor Possingham is Chief Scientist with The Nature Conservancy, the world's largest conservation organisation, and a scientist with UQ's School of Biological Sciences, The Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science at UQ, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) and the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Recovery Hub.

The research is published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.

More information: Spending limited resources on de-extinction could lead to net biodiversity loss, Nature Ecology and Evolution, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/s41559-016-0053 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution
In the heart of an active galaxy, matter falling toward a supermassive black hole generates jets of particles traveling near the speed of light. Credit: Courtesy of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

When the universe was young, a supermassive black holebloated to the bursting point with stupendous powerheaved out a jet of particle-infused energy that raced through the vastness of space at nearly the speed of light.

Billions of years later, a trio of Clemson University scientists, led by College of Science astrophysicist Marco Ajello, has identified this black hole and four others similar to it that range in age from 1.4 billion to 1.9 billion years old. These objects emit copious gamma rays, light of the highest energy, that are billions of times more energetic than light that is visible to the human eye.

The previously known earliest gamma-ray blazarsa type of galaxy whose intense emission is powered by extremely powerful relativistic jets launched by monstrous black holeswere more than 2 billion years old. Currently, the universe is estimated to be approximately 14 billion years old.

"The discovery of these supermassive black holes, which launch jets that emit more energy in one second than our sun will produce in its entire lifetime, was the culmination of a yearlong research project," said Ajello, who has spent much of his career studying the evolution of distant galaxies. "Our next step is to increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the formation, development and activities of these amazing objects, which are the most powerful accelerators in the universe. We can't even come close to replicating such massive outputs of energy in our laboratories. The complexities we're attempting to unravel seem almost as mysterious as the black holes themselves."

Ajello conducted his research in conjunction with Clemson post-doc Vaidehi Paliya and Ph.D candidate Lea Marcotulli. The trio worked closely with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope collaboration, which is an international team of scientists that includes Roopesh Ojha, an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Dario Gasparrini of the Italian Space Agency. Their scientific paper titled "Gamma-Ray Blazars Within the First 2 Billion Years" was published Monday in a journal called Astrophysical Journal Letters. (Ackermann, M., et al. 2017, ApJL, 837, L5.)

Clemson scientists (from left) Lea Marcotulli, Vaidehi Paliya and Marco Ajello have worked closely with an international team of scientists. Credit: Jim Melvin / Clemson University

The Clemson team's breakthroughs were made possible by recently juiced-up software on NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope. The refurbished software significantly boosted the orbiting telescope's sensitivity to a level that made these latest discoveries possible.

"People are calling it the cheapest refurbishment in history," Ajello said. "Normally, for the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA had to send someone up to space to physically make these kinds of improvements. But in this case, they were able to do it remotely from an Earth-bound location. And of equal importance, the improvements were retroactive, which meant that the previous six years of data were also entirely reprocessed. This helped provide us with the information we needed to complete the first step of our research and also to strive onward in the learning process."

Using Fermi data, Ajello and Paliya began with a catalog of 1.4 million quasars, which are galaxies that harbor at their centers active supermassive black holes. Over the course of a year, they narrowed their search to 1,100 objects. Of these, five were finally determined to be newly discovered gamma-ray blazars that were the farthest away - and youngest - ever identified.

"After using our filters and other devices, we were left with about 1,100 sources. And then we did the diagnostics for all of these and were able to narrow them down to 25 to 30 sources," Paliya said. "But we still had to confirm that what we had detected was scientifically authentic. So we performed a number of other simulations and were able to derive properties such as black hole mass and jet power. Ultimately, we confirmed that these five sources were guaranteed to be gamma-ray blazars, with the farthest one being about 1.4 billion years old from the beginning of time."

Marcotulli, who joined Ajello's group as a Ph.D student in 2016, has been studying the blazars' mechanisms by using images and data delivered from another orbiting NASA telescope, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). At first, Marcotulli's role was to understand the emission mechanism of gamma-ray blazars closer to us. Now she is turning her attention toward the most distant objects in a quest to understand what makes them so powerful.

This NASA animation shows the Fermi-Large Area Telescope in space. Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Cruz deWilde

"We're trying to understand the full spectrum of the energy distribution of these objects by using physical models," Marcotulli said. "We are currently able to model what's happening far more accurately than previously devised, and eventually we'll be able to better understand what processes are occurring in the jets and which particles are radiating all the energy that we see. Are they electrons? Or protons? How are they interacting with surrounding photons? All these parameters are not fully understood right now. But every day we are deepening our understanding."

All galaxies have black holes at their centers - some actively feeding on the matter surrounding them, others lying relatively dormant. Our own galaxy has at its center a super-sized black hole that is currently dormant. Ajello said that only one of every 10 black holes in today's universe are active. But when the universe was much younger, it was closer to a 50-50 ratio.

The supermassive black holes at the center of the five newly discovered blazar galaxies are among the largest types of black holes ever observed, on the order of hundreds of thousands to billions of times the mass of our own sun. And their accompanying accretion disks - rotating swirls of matter that orbit the black holes - emit more than two trillion times the energy output of our sun.

One of the most surprising elements of Ajello's research is how quickly - by cosmic measures - these supersized black holes must have grown in only 1.4 billion years. In terms of our current knowledge of how black holes grow, 1.4 billion years is barely enough time for a black hole to reach the mass of the ones discovered by Ajello's team.

"How did these incomprehensibly enormous and energy-laden black holes form so quickly?" Ajello said. "Is it because one black hole ate a lot all the time for a very long time? Or maybe because it bumped into other black holes and merged into one? To be honest, we have no observations supporting either argument. There are mechanisms at work that we have yet to unravel. Puzzles that we have yet to solve. When we do eventually solve them, we will learn amazing things about how the universe was born, how it grew into what it has become, and what the distant future might hold as the universe continues to progress toward old age."
Students from Stony Brook University visited Argonne with research professor Nils Feege to test a prototype of a magnetic cloak  a crucial piece of equipment for a next-generation particle collider  at Argonnes 4-Tesla Magnet Facility. From left to right: Thomas Krahulik, Nils Feege, Rourke Sekelsky, Joshua LaBounty and Stacy Karthas. Credit: Nils Feege

In December, five students from Stony Brook University in New York and their research professor, Nils Feege, loaded a prototype of a magnetic cloak into an SUV and set off for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, nearly 900 miles away.

The magnetic cloak isn't a magical garment, but rather a crucial piece of equipment for a possible next-generation particle collider to study nuclear physics.

The proposed Electron-Ion Collider, by smashing beams of electrons and protons together at near light speed, would be the most powerful microscope yet developed for understanding how the mass of the proton is dynamically generated from the interaction of quarks and gluons, and in doing so help illuminate the forces that account for the mass of the visible universe.

Such a facility works by directing beams of particles along a track. At the end of the track, the particles collide, and detectors use magnets to pick up the readings from these collisions.

But the incoming particle beams have to be protected from these detector magnets, or else they will be disturbed. So Feege and his team needed to build a cylinder with two counterbalancing layers that would shield the beams from the magnetic field of the detector near the collision point without distorting the rest of the field.

"A superconductor pushes out magnetic field lines, while a ferromagnetic material around it will pull in the field lines; so if you get it exactly right, it will create a field-free tunnel and cancel all outside disturbances," Feege said.

Students from Stony Brook University visited Argonne with research professor Nils Feege to test a prototype of a magnetic cloak at Argonnes 4-Tesla Magnet Facility. From left to right: Stacy Karthas, Nils Feege, Thomas Krahulik, Rourke Sekelsky and Joshua LaBounty. Credit: Nils Feege

This creates an area in the detector that is invisible to the magnetic fieldlike Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, except for magnetic fields instead of light.

"The other beauty is that it's passive, which means that it doesn't require external electrical current. It's a very elegant solution if you can work it right," he said.

Feege and his students spent nearly three years building their prototype at Stony Brook. Initial tests looked promising, but they needed to do a full-scale test in a strong and uniform magnetic field that was large enough to fit the device itself while leaving enough room to measure the field around it.

Hence the road trip to Argonne, where the team came to be the first visitors to use a new facility built by Argonne's high-energy physics division called the 4 Tesla Magnet Facility.

Built out of a recycled hospital MRI magnet to test detector components, the Magnet Facility offers strong, uniform magnetic fields plus a giant hollow centerthe only one in the country large enough to accommodate the cloak tests.

"Their setup was extremely useful for our measurementsit allowed us to easily position our sensors and map the magnetic fields," Feege said.

The prototype magnetic cloaking device sits in an aluminum box inside the MRI magnet at the 4-Tesla Magnet Facility. Credit: Nils Feege

Happy with the initial results, Feege and his co-lead, Stony Brook professor Abhay Deshpande, are moving forward, talking to accelerator scientists to discuss how the cloak could be integrated into a future collider design.

Though the design is intended for the proposed Electron-Ion Collider, such a cloak would be useful in many types of future colliders, Feege said.

"When we built the Magnet Facility, we had in mind from the start to make it available to the entire physics community," said Marcel Demarteau, who leads the high-energy physics division at Argonne and helped arrange the team's trip to the magnet. "We hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration in which we capitalize on the synergies between these branches of physics."

It was a first for a few of the visiting researchers, too. The Stony Brook group's program makes a point to include undergraduates; at least two dozen undergrads worked on the effort over three years of development, and three of them came along on the Argonne road trip to take the measurementsgetting a firsthand look at what science careers actually look like.

"We only had a fixed period of time to do all the tests we needed to do, so as a student you're learning things likehow do we come up with last-minute solutions to problems that come up on the fly," Feege said.

"It's really a fantastic experience for them. I would have loved to have done this as an undergrad," said Deshpande.
Apple blossoms killed by a spring frost in 2012, after a long stretch of warm days. Credit: Gregory M. Peck/Provided

This February's warm weather is nice in the Northeast, but apple farmers may pay a price if winter roars back. To help growers assess precarious temperatures in turbulent springs, the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions has developed a new Apple Freeze Risk decision tool.

"I think the warm weather we're seeing this week may push the apple trees into vulnerable stages," said Art DeGaetano, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and director of Cornell's Northeast Regional Climate Center.

Apples are an important cog in New York's agriculture industry, which produces over 29 million bushels of apples annually, employing over 10,000 people directly and 7,500 indirectly.

Apple trees need dormancy and cold weather so that springtime buds develop properly. When early spring temperatures rise consistently above the low 40 degree mark, the trees get ready to bud, said DeGaetano.

Through their phenological stages in warming weather, the apple trees develop silver tips, green tips and then bloom.

"They become less and less tolerant of cold, and if a freeze hits after a warm spell, that's when apple producers begin to see bud damage  and that takes an economic toll," said DeGaetano, who with Rick Moore, research support specialist, built the new risk-assessment tool. Development of the tool was made possible thanks to Federal Capacity Funds and funding from the New World Foundation.

The Apple Freeze Risk tool shows minimum temperatures for the most recent 30 days, provides a 6-day temperature forecast and shows the current stage of development in tree varieties. Apple trees are currently dormant, and only a sustained period of 25 below zero temperatures can damage this season's crop. But as days warm, the buds' tolerance for freezing lessens.

"The benefit of this tool is that a farmer can access information about a specific location anywhere in the Northeast, and can get detail to within a 2.5-mile grid of their orchard," said Allison Chatrchyan, director of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions. The institute established the Cornell Climate Smart Farming (CSF) program, which is developing tools to support individualized, real-time and data-driven management, through what's known as "Digital Agriculture".

"With climate change already occurring, our winters are getting warmer, and farmers are asking us for specific tools and information about what they can do to reduce the risks on their farm, including from freezes," Chatrchyan said. "The apple tool was built based on stakeholder input, and with the help of our NYS CSF Extension Team, which is training farmers about climate risk and adaptation."

One likely user of this new tool will be Mark Doyle, manager of Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction, New York, which grows apples, peaches, nectarines, currants and cherries. He is concerned about early warm weather and freezing weather afterward, as he examines factors such as temperature inversions (warm air above cold air) and whether to employ either mechanical or thermal methods to heat the orchard on frigid nights.

Said Doyle: "Along with other factors, I will be looking at this tool to understand the weather situation in front of me and the freeze risk facing our apple trees."
NC State researchers have found that by sending cockroach biobots random commands, the biobots spent more time moving, moved more quickly and were at least five times more likely to move away walls and into open space. The finding is a significant advance for developing biobots that can search collapsed buildings and other disaster areas for survivors. Credit: Edgar Lobaton

New research from North Carolina State University offers insights into how far and how fast cyborg cockroaches - or biobots - move when exploring new spaces. The work moves researchers closer to their goal of using biobots to explore collapsed buildings and other spaces in order to identify survivors.

NC State researchers have developed cockroach biobots that can be remotely controlled and carry technology that may be used to map disaster areas and identify survivors in the wake of a calamity.

For this technology to become viable, the researchers needed to answer fundamental questions about how and where the biobots move in unfamiliar territory. Two forthcoming papers address those questions.

The first paper answers questions about whether biobot technology can accurately determine how and whether biobots are moving.

The researchers followed biobot movements visually and compared their actual motion to the motion being reported by the biobot's inertial measurement units. The study found that the biobot technology was a reliable indicator of how the biobots were moving.

The second paper addresses bigger questions: How far will the biobots travel? How fast? Are biobots more efficient at exploring space when allowed to move without guidance? Or can remote-control commands expedite the process?

These questions are important because the answers could help researchers determine how many biobots they may need to introduce to an area in order to explore it effectively in a given amount of time.

For this study, researchers introduced biobots into a circular structure. Some biobots were allowed to move at will, while others were given random commands to move forward, left or right. [Related video can be seen below]

The researchers found that unguided biobots preferred to hug the wall of the circle. But by sending the biobots random commands, the biobots spent more time moving, moved more quickly and were at least five times more likely to move away from the wall and into open space.

"Our earlier studies had shown that we can use neural stimulation to control the direction of a roach and make it go from one point to another," says Alper Bozkurt, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State and co-author of the two papers. "This [second] study shows that by randomly stimulating the roaches we can benefit from their natural walking and instincts to search an unknown area. Their electronic backpacks can initiate these pulses without us seeing where the roaches are and let them autonomously scan a region."

"This is practical information we can use to get biobots to explore a space more quickly," says Edgar Lobaton, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State and co-author on the two papers. "That's especially important when you consider that time is of the essence when you are trying to save lives after a disaster."

Lead author of the first paper, "A Study on Motion Mode Identification for Cyborg Roaches," is NC State Ph.D. student Jeremy Cole. The paper was co-authored by Ph.D. student Farrokh Mohammadzadeh, undergraduate Christopher Bollinger, former Ph.D. student Tahmid Latif, Bozkurt and Lobaton.

Lead author of the second paper, "Biobotic Motion and Behavior Analysis in Response to Directional Neurostimulation," is former NC State Ph.D. student Alireza Dirafzoon. The paper was co-authored by Latif, former Ph.D. student Fengyuan Gong, professor of electrical and computer engineering Mihail Sichitiu, Bozkurt and Lobaton.

Both papers will be presented at the 42nd IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, being held March 5-9 in New Orleans.

More information: "A Study on Motion Mode Identification for Cyborg Roaches" Presented: March 5-9, 42nd IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing Abstract: This paper demonstrates the ability to accurately detect the movement state of Madagascar hissing cockroaches equipped with a custom board containing a five degree of freedom inertial measurement unit. The cockroach moves freely through an unobstructed arena while wirelessly transmitting its accelerometer and gyroscope data. Multiple window sizes, features, and classifiers are assessed. An in-depth analysis of the classification results is performed to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the classifier and feature set. The conclusions of this study show promise for future work on cockroach motion mode identification and localization. "Biobotic Motion and Behavior Analysis in Response to Directional Neurostimulation" Presented: March 5-9, 42nd IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing Abstract: This paper presents preliminary results for motion behavior analysis of Madagascar hissing cockroach biobots subject to stochastic and periodic neurostimulation pulses corresponding to randomly applied right and left turn, and move forward commands. We present our experimental setup and propose an unguided search strategy based stimulation profile designed for exploration of unknown environments. We study a probabilistic motion model fitted to the trajectories of biobots, perturbed from their natural motion by the stimulation pulses. Furthermore, we provide a statistical assessment of the biobotic directional response to turn commands and its correlation with stimuli profile over time. This study paves the way towards reliable control for more realistic under-rubble search and rescue applications.
- Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) has warned Nigerians against saying life was better and easier during corruption

- Sagay said the output of Buhari's economy might be low but with the obstacles this regime is facing compared to past 'corrupt' regimes, this administration is better

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) has said only stupid Nigerians will not appreciate President Buhari's anti-corruption war.

Sagay who spoke with Leadership newspaper warned Nigerians against unnecessary criticism of President Buhari's administration.

Prof Itse Sagay

READ ALSO: It is unfair to wish Buhari dead - Bashir Ataka

Sagay said: Nigerians should not tolerate corruption. They should stop saying stupid things like when there was corruption, life was easier.

There are some stupid Nigerians who talk like that forgetting that at that time oil was $110 per barrel and now its $37, forgetting that at that time the Niger-Delta Avengers did not destroy anything and we are getting 2.7 million barrels a day; now we are getting less than one million. And they are now saying corruption was better.

Those very stupid Nigerians should realize that this regime that we now have is a regime that has come to save the country.

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They should support it strongly for the sake of their own future and that of their children and great grandchildren. If we do not support this government to succeed, we can kiss Nigeria good bye.

Meanwhile, Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari has said what President Buhari has done for Nigeria can not be equate.

Masari made this statement during a prayer session organised for President Buhari at the burial of Emir of Katsina mother.

Source: Legit.ng
- Governor Rochas Okorocha has warned Nigerians against expecting too much from the present administration under President Buhari

- Okorocha said President Buhari is building a strong foundation for the growth of Nigeria

Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha has said Nigerians should not outstanding growths like building of skyscrapers from President Muhammadu Buhari's administrations but rather trust in the fact that the Buhari's government is building a foundation for coming governments to build on.

Okorocha made this statement at the Imo state polythecnic Umuagwo, during the 5th convocation ceremony of the institution.

Buhari is laying foundation for future development - Okorocha

READ ALSO: It's unnecessary to ask when Buhari is coming back - Masari

Okorocha added that Buharis administration was only laying the foundation for development, Vanguard reports.

This is not the time to weep or complain in the struggle to nationhood, it is a time to comply. Nigeria must write the history of this recession just like other developed nations in their journey to greatness.

President Buhari is building a strong foundation for sustainable growth of the nation. Whoever that is waiting for Buhari to build sky scrapers and historic tunnels may be wasting time as his job is to lay a solid foundation so that successive governments will have a good foundation to build upon.

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We must all support him and pray for him as his coming as the President is divine and its purpose must be fulfilled."

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) has said only stupid Nigerians will not appreciate President Buhari's anti-corruption war.

Sagay warned Nigerians against unnecessary criticism of President Buhari's administration.

Source: Legit.ng
When the Goodluck Jonathan administration was in power, certain prominent Nigerians were very vocal.

Some of them carried on as if they were official spokespersons of the government, while others were always on hand to issue threats to those who oppose the government or its policies.

A number of them threw caution to the wind in their utterances and carried on as if they were untouchable because of their closeness to the then government.

The moment the Muhammadu Buhari administration came on board last year, these individuals recoiled back to their shells and have practically kept mute ever since.

READ ALSO: Your aide is embarrassing the presidency  Akwa Ibom elders tell Buhari

Legit.ng lists five prominent Nigerians who have gone kept their calm since President Buhari came on board.

Read below:

1. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor

The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was very vocal during the Jonathan era. A former national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Oritsejafor was always in the news, adding his voice to public discourse, engaging in public policy debates and most notably defending the then president.

The cleric has since gone quiet since Buhari became the number one occupant of Aso Rock.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor

2. Asari Dokubo

Known as Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo in his inner circles, the former Ijaw Youth Council president and former militant leader, was so vocal that his comments always made headlines in major newspapers. Dokubo was always quick to come to the defence of the Jonathan administration on any issue.

He also went as far as threatening those opposed to the government and at some point vowed to initiate the break-up of Nigeria. He has been initiate the break-up of Nigeria. He has been Missing in Action since Buhari came to power.

Asari Dokubo

3. Chief Edwin Clark

He always referred to the former president as his son. Chief Clark was so relevant that those who needed direct access to Jonathan went through him. He was also very vocal at the time, with his penchant for playing the ethnic card whenever public opinion swayed against the former president.

Interestingly, Clark retired from partisan politics few months after Jonathan left office and in what many say was a betrayal of trust, the Ijaw chief publicly ridiculed Jonathan.

Chief Edwin Clark

4. Chief Tony Anenih

After Jonathan fell out with his political god-father and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, the Bayelsa born lecturer-turned-politician practically adopted Chief Anenih as his god-father. Anenih on his part, repaid the trust bestowed on him by always shielding the president from political arrows thrown at him by the opposition. At different times, he came to the defence of Jonathan at different public fora.

The former minister of works also showed his love for Jonathan by resigning as the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees chairman for the former president to head the position after the elections. He has since gone underground since Buhari replaced Jonathan.

Chief Tony Anenih

5. Mike Omeri

The former boss of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) is the perfect example of how not to behave in public office. Omeri was carried away in his quest for relevance and practically became the unofficial spokesman of the Jonathan administration.

He abandoned his duties as the head of NOA and was clearly partisan, hobnobbing with the powers that be. He has since been sacked and has gone out of circulation.

Mike Omeri

6. Marilyn Ogar

The controversial former spokesperson of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) has gone into hiding after she was compulsorily retired from service following investigation into allegations of bribery and professional misconducts against her.

Ogar was known for her careless statements which portrayed the DSS as a partisan organisation. Nothing has been heard from her since she left public service.

Marlyn Ogar

Source: Legit.ng
And check out what other tech plans PM Lee has in mind.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong envisions the country to shape technology more as it gears toward the realisation of the Smart Nation Initiative.

During the dialogue at Camp Sequoia, PM Lee said Singapore has an advantage as a city that is compact and wired up.

"It is economical for us to provide very high-quality infrastructure, and we have people who take to it naturally. Individually, they know how to operate their phones or play Starcraft, Warcraft. That is why we pay attention to encouraging start-ups, using tech, having what we call a Smart Nation initiative," he said.

One such technology he would like to see is a good electronic payment system. PM Lee argued that Singapore has a lot to learn from other countries in terms of cashless payment systems.

"We have not gone as far as we need in order to do cashless payments in hawker centres, in shops, between people. I was complaining to my Permanent Secretaries the other day. The Ministers have lunch once a week together, we pay for our own lunch and there is one Minister in charge of making a collection. We made a great step forward when he said: 'I do not want to receive cash anymore, please write me cheques.' The Permanent Secretaries told me they are one step ahead, they use Pay-lah, which is a DBS application. But it shows how non-pervasive it is and what the potential is if we can get it through," PM Lee explained.

More so, PM Lee mentioned that the government is thinking about a national identity system aside from SingPass, which is used for government services.

"It does not even extend to hospitals which are restructured, semi-privatised. We need a good digital identification service which is reliable, which everybody can rely on. I can sign, I can identify myself, I can access services securely, and I can transact services online. The Estonians have this: there is no reason why we should not have it," he stressed.

Story continues

Meanwhile, PM Lee pointed out that the transport system could benefit from the use of information technology, making the system more responsive and adaptive. It will also be able to cut down on empty routes and unnecessary services





More From Singapore Business Review


(Bloomberg) -- Singapore stock traders may finally get their lunch break back.

Singapore Exchange Ltd., which runs the citys equity market, is considering reinstating the midday intermission, according to people familiar with the matter. SGX in March 2011 scrapped the break, which lasted from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. every day, in an effort to boost trading.

The bourse is expected to have a public consultation on the issue in the coming weeks, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. SGX will also propose a test that would widen the price increment at which shares are quoted to bring day traders back, according to the people. The proposals come after traders and SGX officials had several meetings since Loh Boon Chye became chief executive officer in July 2015, the people said.

When SGX cut the midday break, then-CEO Magnus Bocker said in January 2011 the move would make Singapore one of the most accessible markets in Asia and in the world. Having continuous trading from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. could also boost volume by as much as 10 percent, Bocker said.

Many Asian stock markets have a midday break, including Hong Kong, mainland China and Malaysia.

The daily average value of shares traded on SGX this year has risen 6.4 percent, to $809 million, compared with the average for 2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While up from last year, its down from $1.12 billion a day in 2013, the year of a penny-stock crash that has been blamed for shaking confidence in the citys markets. An average of $1.18 billion shares changed hands each day in 2010, before the intermission was abolished, the data show.

SGX said in an e-mailed response to queries that it doesnt comment on speculation.

Tick-Size Idea

The exchanges tick-size proposal would reward brokers for making markets in less liquid stocks by widening the spread they earn when buying and selling shares, the people said. That could encourage trading in small-cap companies, they said.

Story continues

If the plan goes ahead, it would be at least the third time in a decade that SGX has tweaked stock spreads. In 2011, it cut tick sizes to offer what it called one of Asias most cost-competitive trading environments. It made a similar move in 2007.

The U.S. in October started a two-year test that raised ticks for small-company stocks amid complaints from exchanges that liquidity has dried up. Japan Exchange Group in December 2014 said it was backtracking on tick cuts for some of the biggest companies less than six months after it was implemented because it failed to get the boost it sought.

SGX in 2015 cut the board lot size, or trading unit, investors needed to buy to 100 from 1,000 to help make higher-priced shares easier to invest. Last year, it consulted on having at least 10 percent of shares in the initial public offering of companies on its main venue to boost retail participation.

(Adds traders meetings with SGX in third paragraph.)

To contact the reporter on this story: Andrea Tan in Singapore at atan17@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sam Mamudi at smamudi@bloomberg.net, Linus Chua

2017 Bloomberg L.P.
From impersonating police to threatening to hurt loved ones, brazen Bulgarian gangs terrorise the elderly and rob them of their life savings with increasingly aggressive phone scams netting millions of euros. "They did not only take my money but also my health... I keep shaking all day long," Gergina Alexieva, a retired teacher in the western town of Kyustendil, told AFP. The 82-year-old recently fell victim to one of the most popular schemes, which involves tricking people into believing they are assisting police with catching a gang of scammers. In a phone conversation, a man posing as a cop warned Alexieva that she was about to be contacted by criminals who would try to blackmail her into handing over her money. He instructed her to follow their orders, saying that officers were waiting outside the house to catch the thieves in the act. While Alexieva was talking to the alleged official on the landline, her mobile rang and as predicted, an aggressive voice shouted at her to throw her money off the balcony. "The fake policeman on the landline told me: 'Don't worry madam... Collect everything you have -- money, gold rings -- and do as they say. Everything will be alright,'" Alexieva said. The plot might seem implausible at first but add to that a menacing tone and many will feel too intimidated to question the scenario. "I did as I was told... I was very scared," said Alexieva, who lost her entire life savings of 5,800 leva (3,000 euros, $3,200). - 'Just hang up' - Old people are easy prey in the European Union's poorest member state: many live alone because their children and grandchildren have moved abroad in search of better opportunities. The isolation, coupled with the bitter memories from a series of banking crises, has prompted senior citizens to hide large amounts of cash in their homes. Well aware of this, sly fraudsters work their way through the phone book and dial random numbers in the hope that an elderly person will answer. And often they get lucky. Around 900,000 people in the 7.4-million-strong nation have been the target of phone fraud, particularly those aged over 60, according to a new survey by Bulgaria's Trend Institute. In the capital Sofia, a retired doctor told AFP she suffered a heart attack after being duped. "It wasn't their lies that made me cave in, but the threat to cut off my daughter's ears," confided the 79-year-old, who wished to stay anonymous. Bulgarian media abound with daily stories about the fake cop hoax. Amid rampant corruption, other common phone scams include extorting money to allegedly help a relative pay for a costly medical operation or bribe a cop to avoid prosecution after killing a child in a car accident. Between 2011 and 2016, these shakedowns netted around 11 million euros, of which almost a third accounted for just 2015. In response, the government has launched a major awareness campaign, with state TV broadcasting ads about the most popular hoaxes and how to avoid falling prey to them. But elderly citizens have also begun to take matters into their own hands. Each week, locals in the southern village of Rogosh get together to discuss the latest scams and ways to respond. "Just hang up" is a commonly shared piece of advice. "The women here have had the courage to fight back and react without panic. No one's fallen into their trap over the past year," said mayor Velichka Velichkova. Rogosh's anti-scam club has proven so successful that police authorities have decided to launch similar initiatives elsewhere in the country. - Hard to catch - Nonetheless, authorities are having a tough time hunting down those responsible. Just one in 10 suspects is identified, according to official data. The scammers use pre-paid mobile phone cards that make it impossible to track them down. The con men are careful not to call each other and there is no direct contact between the gang leaders, those ringing the victims and the people collecting the money. "Families have specialised in this scam over generations, entire neighbourhoods have been doing it since the 1990s," said a police officer, who wanted to remain anonymous. "When we do manage to expose a network, a family member with a clean criminal record will take the fall and get off with a suspended sentence." The scheme has proven so successful that Bulgarian gangs are now also targeting neighbouring Greece, where people have been stashing even bigger sums in their homes following the financial crisis. Seven Bulgarian nationals were recently transferred to Greece to be prosecuted on suspicion of trying to scam 34 retired Greeks. "If the scam yields between 2,000 and 5,000 leva (1,000 and 2,500 euros), in Greece it's between 30,000 and 50,000 euros," said senior police official Zlatka Padinkova.
Islamic militants in the Philippines have beheaded the German hostage they were holding for ransom, the SITE Intelligence group said Monday. A video posted by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, which was monitored by SITE, showed German hostage Jurgen Kantner being killed by a knife-wielding man. The video appeared to confirm preliminary reports received by Philippine government officials that the mercenary group had slain Kantner. The Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history, had previously demanded a ransom of 30 million pesos ($600,000) by Sunday to spare the 70-year-old. Government envoy Jesus Dureza, who was negotiating for Kantner's life, told AFP he had heard of the video, adding that it confirmed earlier reports that Kantner had been killed. However he and military officials said Kantner's body had not yet been sighted. Kanter was abducted from his yacht, the Rockall, in waters off the southern Philippines last year. The vessel was found drifting on November 7, with the body of Kantner's female companion, Sabine Merz bearing a gunshot wound inside. The couple had previously been kidnapped and held for 52 days in Somalia in 2008 before they were freed, reportedly after a huge ransom was paid, press reports said. The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State movement in the Middle East, have been kidnapping foreigners and Christians for decades, holding them for ransom in the jungles of the strife-torn southern Philippines. Aside from Kanter, they are now holding at least 19 foreigners and seven Filipinos hostages, military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said. The group, formed from seed money provided by a relative of Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden, also carried out the bombing of a ferry in Manila Bay in 2014 that claimed 116 lives in the country's deadliest terror attack.
TOKYO (AP)  Malaysian police investigating the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half brother believe they know somebody who might help them solve one of the most bizarre murder mysteries they have ever faced. They know his name, his nationality and have a pretty good idea where he's holed up.

The problem is he's a North Korean diplomat.

It's unusual for any country to simply hand over a diplomat, no matter the alleged crime. Two years ago, for example, a Saudi Arabian diplomat accused of repeatedly raping and abusing two Nepalese maids left India under cover of diplomatic immunity.

But for North Korea, in particular, the line between immunity and impunity can seem to be a pretty fine one.

Take the 2015 case of the first secretary of North Korea's embassy in Bangladesh, who was found to be carrying a diplomatic bag full of 170 undeclared gold bars worth an estimated $1.4 million. He was arrested but later released, with no charges filed, and left the country. The following year, another official at the same embassy was asked to leave the country after an attempt to smuggle a shipping container full of 1 million cigarettes and electronics worth another $1 million.

Last year, a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said a South Africa-based North Korean diplomat may have been involved in smuggling rhino horn but managed to evade charges because of his legal immunity.

Enter second secretary Hyon Kwang Song, the current person of interest. Malaysian police have released little information about him, except that he is 44 and arrived in Malaysia on Sept. 20.

Police investigating the killing of Kim Jong Nam in an airport lobby on Feb. 13 are seeking seven North Korean nationals in connection with the case. Most have left the country, but authorities say they believe three  diplomat Hyon; an employee of Air Koryo, the country's flag carrier; and a person named Ri Ji U  remain.

Story continues

If so, it's not hard to imagine where they might be: the North Korean Embassy, a plain, yellow two-story house in an affluent neighborhood just 10 minutes from downtown. A large group of journalists and photographers has camped outside the embassy since news of Kim Jong Nam's killing broke.

Whether they are indeed at the embassy is anybody's guess. Police can't check because to do so they need permission from North Korea, which so far has said absolutely not and suggested the investigation is a witch hunt inspired by some unnamed foreign power.

National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said investigators have submitted a request through Malaysia's foreign ministry to the North Korean Embassy to interview the diplomat.

"If you have nothing to hide, you do not have to be afraid," he said. "You should cooperate."

But that's not what international practice says.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations says a foreign diplomat is "inviolable" and is not liable to any form of arrest or detention. It says the host country must treat a foreign diplomat "with due respect and shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on his person, freedom or dignity."

It also adds that "a diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving state." That can only be waived by the diplomat's own government.

Because of allegations the North uses its embassies abroad to make money for its nuclear and missile programs, United Nations sanctions now call for vigilance against North Korean diplomats engaged in illicit activity. All member states are required to reduce the number of staff at its diplomatic missions and consular posts and limit the number of bank accounts each can have.

Even so, few things are more established in the way the diplomatic community around the world conducts its day-to-day business than the concept of diplomatic immunity  the essential freedom of diplomats to travel and conduct their duties without the fear of being arrested or harassed for political reasons.

But while diplomats aren't always the perfectly law-abiding citizens that we might hope, when diplomatic immunity and the realities of a criminal investigation butt heads, local police tend to have the weaker hand.

And that doesn't bode well for Malaysian investigators hoping North Korea will open its doors.

"If he is a Korean diplomat with a diplomatic passport, then he has immunity no matter a criminal case or otherwise," lawyer Sankara Nair, who has handled several cases involving diplomats, told The Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur. "The police can apply any warrants they want but it can easily be set aside by the embassy."

___

Associated Press writer Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report. Talmadge is the AP's Pyongyang bureau chief. Follow him on Instagram @erictalmadge

___

This story has been corrected to show that officials believe three North Korean suspects are still in Malaysia, not two, and that suspect is embassy second secretary, not first secretary.
By James Pearson and Rozanna Latiff (Reuters) - It is in Kuala Lumpur's "Little India" neighbourhood, behind an unmarked door on the second floor of a rundown building, where a military equipment company called Glocom says it has its office. Glocom is a front company run by North Korean intelligence agents that sells battlefield radio equipment in violation of United Nations sanctions, according to a United Nations report submitted to the Security Council seen by Reuters. Reuters found that Glocom advertises over 30 radio systems for "military and paramilitary" organisations on its Malaysian website, glocom.com.my. Glocom's Malaysian website, which was taken down late last year, listed the Little India address in its contacts section. No one answers the door there and the mailbox outside is stuffed with unopened letters. In fact, no company by that name exists in Malaysia. But two Malaysian companies controlled by North Korean shareholders and directors registered Glocom's website in 2009, according to website and company registration documents. And it does have a business, the unreleased U.N. report says. Last July, an air shipment of North Korean military communications equipment, sent from China and bound for Eritrea, was intercepted in an unnamed country. The seized equipment included 45 boxes of battlefield radios and accessories labelled "Glocom", short for Global Communications Co. Glocom is controlled by the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the North Korean intelligence agency tasked with overseas operations and weapons procurement, the report says, citing undisclosed information it obtained. A spokesman for North Korea's mission at the U.N. told Reuters he had no information about Glocom. U.N. resolution 1874, adopted in 2009, expanded the arms embargo against North Korea to include military equipment and all "related materiel". But implementation of the sanctions "remains insufficient and highly inconsistent" among member countries, the U.N. report says, and North Korea is using "evasion techniques that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication. Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world which had strong ties with North Korea. Their citizens can travel to each others countries without visas. But those ties have begun to sour after North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns estranged half-brother was murdered at Kuala Lumpurs international airport on Feb 13. PAN SYSTEMS According to the "WHOIS" database, which discloses website ownership, Glocom.com.my was registered in 2009 by an entity called International Global System using the "Little India" address. A similarly named company, International Golden Services is listed as the contact point on Glocom's website. Glocom registered a new website, glocom-corp.com, in mid-December, this one showing no Malaysian contacts. Its most recent post is dated January, 2017 and advertises new products, including a remote control system for a precision-guided missile. Glocom is operated by the Pyongyang branch of a Singapore-based company called Pan Systems, the U.N. report says, citing an invoice and other information it obtained. Louis Low, managing director of Pan Systems in Singapore said his company used to have an office in Pyongyang from 1996 but officially ended relations with North Korea in 2010 and was no longer in control of any business there. "They use (the) Pan Systems (name) and say it's a foreign company, but they operate everything by themselves," Low told Reuters referring to the North Koreans at the Pyongyang office. Pan Systems Pyongyang utilised bank accounts, front companies and agents mostly based in China and Malaysia to buy components and sell completed radio systems, the U.N. report says. Pan Systems Pyongyang could not be reached for comment. One of the directors of Pan Systems Pyongyang is Ryang Su Nyo. According to a source with direct knowledge of her background, Ryang reports to "Liaison Office 519, a department in the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Ryang is also listed as a shareholder of International Global System, the company that registered Glocom's website. Reuters has not been able to contact Ryang. SMUGGLING CASH Ryang frequently travelled to Singapore and Malaysia to meet with Pan Systems representatives, the U.N. report says. On one such trip in February 2014, she and two other North Koreans were detained in Malaysia for attempting to smuggle $450,000 through customs at Kuala Lumpur's budget airport terminal, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters. The North Korean trio told Malaysian authorities they all worked for Pan Systems and the cash belonged to the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, according to the two sources. The Malaysian Attorney General decided not to press charges because of insufficient evidence. A week later, the trio was allowed to travel, and the North Korean embassy claimed the cash, the sources said. All three had passports assigned to government officials, the sources said. Malaysia's Customs Department and the Attorney General's office did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend. The Pan Systems representative in Kuala Lumpur is a North Korean by the name of Kim Chang Hyok, the U.N. report says. Kim, who also goes by James Kim, was a founding director of International Golden Services, the company listed in the contacts section of the Glocom website. Kim is director and shareholder of four other companies in Malaysia operating in the fields of IT and trade, according to the Malaysian company registry. He did not respond to requests for comment by mail or email. The United Nations panel, which prepared the draft report, asked the Malaysian government if it would expel Kim and freeze the assets of International Golden Services and International Global System to comply with U.N. sanctions. The U.N. did not say when it made the request. "The panel has yet to receive an answer," the report said. Reuters has not received a response from the Malaysian government to repeated requests for comment about Glocom. POLITICAL CONNECTION One of Glocom's early partners in Malaysia was Mustapha Ya'akub, a prominent member of Malaysia's ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Since 2014, he has been listed as a director of International Golden Services As secretary of the UMNO youth wing's international affairs bureau, Mustapha fostered political connections in the 1990s with countries, such as Iran, Libya and North Korea. Glocom's Little India address once housed a company owned by UMNO Youth. Mustapha, 67, said he had been a Glocom business partner "many years back" and said it has been continuously controlled by several North Koreans, including Kim Chang Hyok, whom he said he knew. He did not divulge his role in the company, and denied any knowledge of Glocoms current business. "We thought at the time it might be a good idea to go into business together," Mustapha told Reuters about his first meeting with his North Korean business contacts. He did not say who those contacts were or what they discussed. He denied any knowledge of Glocom's current business. Glocom advertises and exhibits its wares without disclosing its North Korean connections. "Anywhere, Anytime in Battlefield," reads the slogan on one of several 2017 Glocom catalogues obtained by Reuters. An advertisement in the September 2012 edition of the Asian Military Review said Glocom develops radios and equipment for "military and paramilitary organisations". A spokesman for the magazine confirmed the ad had been bought by Glocom, but said the magazine was unaware of its alleged links to North Korea. Glocom has exhibited at least three times since 2006 at Malaysia's biennial arms show, Defence Services Asia (DSA), according to Glocom's website. At DSA 2016, Glocom paid 2,000 ringgit ($450) to share a table in the booth of Malaysia's Integrated Securities Corporation, its director Hassan Masri told Reuters by email. Hassan said he had nothing to do with Glocom's equipment and was unaware of its alleged links to North Korea. Aside from the North Koreans behind Glocom, clues on its website also point to its North Korean origins. For instance, one undated photo shows a factory worker testing a Glocom radio system. A plaque nearby shows the machine he is using has won a uniquely North Korean award: The Model Machine No. 26 Prize," named in honour of late leader Kim Jong Il, who is said to have efficiently operated "Lathe No. 26" at the Pyongyang Textile Factory when he was a student. (Reporting by James Pearson and Rozanna Latiff. Additional reporting by Nicole Nee in SINGAPORE, Michelle Price in HONG KONG and Ned Parker in New York.; Editing by Bill Tarrant.)
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
After a good end to 2016, a new study has revealed Hispanic small business owners are excited about their prospects this year.

According to the inaugural Bank of America 2017 Hispanic Small Business Owner Spotlight (PDF), 71 percent of Hispanic entrepreneurs expect their revenues to increase. Thats 20 percentage points higher than that of non-Hispanic entrepreneurs (51 percent).

In addition, more than half (54 percent) of Hispanic business owners are planning to hire more employees over the next 12 months. By contrast, only 24 percent of non-Hispanic counterparts are planning to hire this year.

Expectations of Hispanic Entrepreneurs Overwhelmingly Positive

Its not just 2017 Hispanic entrepreneurs are feeling hopeful about. A surveyed 76 percent are planning to grow their businesses over the next five years.

Elizabeth Romero, Small Business Central Division executive, Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) explains, They see opportunity for themselves, as well as their families, and are leveraging personal networks and communities to help them realize their dreams. Even in the face of the same challenges and economic concerns that affect all small business owners, they are proving to be not only resilient, but incredibly bullish about their future plans and prospects for success.

But Some Concerns Persist

While they are confident about business growth, Hispanic entrepreneurs continue to be worried about some of the challenges they face.

According to the report, 23 percent of Hispanic small business owners find maintaining a work-life balance to be their biggest challenge. This is followed by concerns over finding qualified employees (19 percent).

Other challenges include understanding business regulations and policies (17 percent) and accessing loan funding (17 percent).

For the study, GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications conducted a survey of 1,000 small business owners in the United States on behalf of Bank of America.
For the last several years, California has been been dealing with extreme drought levels. This has led to plenty of issues for businesses in the state, most notably for agriculture businesses. But even those that use water for other things like food processing, energy and hospitality have had to make adjustments due to the drought levels.

Now, the state is looking at its lowest drought levels since 2011. No part of the state is in an extreme drought for the first time in four years. And the state is apparently on track to have its wettest year on record.

But its not all good news for California businesses. This quick turnaround does mean that the state might have to brace itself for more floods. And thats something that can have a negative impact on area businesses as well, though perhaps in different ways.

It Pays to Have a Severe Weather Emergency Plan

Unfortunately for those businesses, there still isnt any way to control the weather. So not much can be done to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place. But being prepared for droughts, floods and everything in between is a good idea for any business.

Even if your business doesnt operate in California, having a severe weather emergency plan could prove to be beneficial in the case of an emergency.
Every business has to learn how to deal with healthy competition from other brands. But there comes a point where competition can become not-so-healthy.

Such is the case with a recent dispute between Google and Uber over self driving car technology. Both have their own programs that are working to develop the technology. Googles project is called Waymo. And Ubers is Otto.

But its possible that the two are using very similar technology, as Google has alleged that an ex-employee downloaded over 10 gigabytes of crucial information before wiping his device clean and then leaving for Uber. What this means is that Uber could have access to Googles system for helping cars see obstacles and avoid collisions, which is a huge part of developing driverless car technology.

Waymo has filed a court complaint. But it remains to be seen what the outcome of this situation will actually be. Regardless, its unfortunate when companies have to spend valuable time and resources dealing with issues like this that should be avoided anyway.

Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Business Competition

Of course, its not always possible to prevent employees or other businesses from acting in ways that might hurt your company. So being prepared to deal with unhealthy business competition is also a must for any business facing an aggressive market.
More than just well-known names placed on the list of the 10 largest HR companies in Slovakia.

Font size: A - | A +

More information about the Slovak labour market Please see our Career & Employment Guide.

The ranking of HR companies in Slovakia is topped by the company ManpowerGroup, which is strong in the field of recruiting as well as personnel leasing. In this article you can find basic information about HR companies; however, a separate ranking for employment agencies and executive search firms is also available.

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10 LARGEST HR COMPANIES IN SLOVAKIA 2022

ManpowerGroup INDEX NOSLUS Manuvia ADECCO Slovakia Lugera & Makler PROPLUSCO Grafton TRANSFER EUROPERSONAL & FABRIKA Maxins Group

INDEX NOSLUS had the most permanent employees in 2021 and based on data provided by FinStat, had the highest average net profit in the past three years (2018-2020). Manuvia had the highest average sales revenues over the same period, but it made the largest loss among all analysed entities.

This ranking does not include executive search firms because they use different methods for placements.

How successful were HR companies in 2018-2020 Ranking: Revenues Manuvia INDEX NOSLUS ManpowerGroup ADECCO Slovakia Grafton Ranking: Profits INDEX NOSLUS ManpowerGroup EUROPERSONAL & FABRIKA TRANSFER PROPLUSCO

The ten largest recruitment agencies filled 4,980 positions for companies in 2021. Compared to 2020, this is a 38-percent growth. ManpowerGroup reported the highest number (2,062 placements, most of which were allocated for industry, trade and IT). Lugera & Makler as well as ADECCO Slovakia had the highest number in the white-collar category (each of these companies filled 459 positions).

In 2021, the ten largest temporary employment agencies leased 23,403 employees with a 1-percent growth compared to 2020. INDEX NOSLUS, which leased 5,593 people, was number one.

Thanks to detailed information on the labour market that we have been bringing in our annual Career and Employment Guide for 23 years now, we became an important source of information for HR managers in Slovakia, said Jan Pallo, publisher of The Slovak Spectator.

The ranking was created thanks to the cooperation between The Slovak Spectator and the company FinStat. Five criteria were used to evaluate which agencies were the largest.

How many employees worked in HR companies? Ranking: Average number of permanent employees in 2021 INDEX NOSLUS (132 empl.) Manuvia (94 empl.) ManpowerGroup (78 empl.) ADECCO Slovakia (72 empl.) PROPLUSCO (70 empl.) Lugera & Makler (60 empl.) Grafton (49 empl.) TRANSFER (47 empl.) Jenewein Group (45 empl.) Maxins Group (34 empl.)

The ranking does not include employment agencies for direct searches of experts or managers (executive search firms) because they use different methods for placements.

When creating the ranking, the following factors of varying weights were considered:

the average number of permanent employees in 2021 - leased employees not included (45% weight) the total number of placements in 2021 (leased positions not included) while white collars have a value double that of blue collars (27% weight) number of leased employees in 2021 - only permanent employees (10% weight) average sales revenue between the years 2018-2020 (13% weight) average net profit between the years 2018-2020 (5% weight).

More details can be found in the Career and Employment Guide 2022 yearbook published by The Slovak Spectator. It contains the results of the analysis and complete rankings, as well as other interesting information about the labour market.
If found guilty, the employee of the Agricultural Paying Agency may spend up to eight years in prison for taking a bribe.

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The investigator of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) accused Peter O., a 59-year-old employee of the Agricultural Paying Agency (PPA), of accepting bribes totalling 19,000. He faces charges in two cases, the SITA newswire reported.

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The first charge concerns a case that occurred last year. Peter O. is suspected of asking for about 16,000 from a chair of an agricultural cooperative for arranging a subsidy amounting to 835,000, said Police Corps President Tibor Gaspar. At the time, the chair of the agricultural cooperative was already collaborating with the police.

The police detained Peter O. on February 17, 2017 when he came to receive the first part of the sum. The investigator proposed to prosecute him in custody, but the judge of the Specialised Criminal Court dismissed it. The prosecutor, however, appealed the decision, which means that the proposal will now be assessed by the Supreme Court, Gaspar said.

Subsequently, the police extended the charges against Peter O. on February 22, claiming that back in January he had asked for 3,000 from a company for arranging a subsidy worth 146,000. He received the sum in February. In this case, the police also laid charges against Tibor S., a representative of the company, who is accused of bribing, Gaspar said.

If Peter O. is found guilty, he may spend three to eight years in prison, SITA reported.

PPA has meanwhile welcomed the cooperation with NAKA and calls on receivers of subsidies and employees to report corruption. The agency itself has started publishing information about applicants, the subsidy amount and the state of the deciding process on applications.

If we want to prevent corruption, we need systems in which all information will be saved and searchable, said Juraj Kozuch, head of PPA, as quoted by SITA.

When acting as an agent, the agency will be able to fight non-transparent use of subsidies and help with catching culprits red-handed, Kozuch added.
Orders have to exceed 39 to be eligible.

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German Amazon will ship its packages to several European countries, including Slovakia, for free.

This will concern orders over 39 purchased via an online shop at www.amazon.de, as the company informed on its website.

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Customers in Slovakia could enjoy free delivery shortly before Christmas but the company has decided it will not offer the service only for a limited time period, the Sme daily wrote.

The online company Amazon originally offered only books, but it later developed into one of the biggest e-shops in the world, offering a wide range of products. Many people, however, complained that the postage, especially for common products, was too high. As a result, they often preferred smaller, local e-shops, Sme reported.

Though there is a claim that with the free delivery Amazon may become serious competition for local e-shops, the local shops are not afraid of such a development as they also send orders to their customers for free, as reported by Sme.
The Slovak cyclist triumphed at the second race of the Belgian classics.

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Slovak cyclist Peter Sagan dominated the 69th year of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne race, the second half of the Belgian classics, held on February 26. It is his first victory this year.

A leading racer of the Bora-Hansgrohe team, Sagan triumphed in the sprint of the five-member group, beating Belgian Jasper Stuyven and Briton Luke Rowe.

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His victory was clear already 220 metres before the finish line when he gained a significant lead over other racers. He even slowed down and just controlled the situation, the SITA newswire reported.

This victory really made me happy, Sagan said, as quoted by SITA, adding his aim for this spring season is to maintain his good form.

The cyclist already showed his good form on February 25, when he finished second at the 71st edition of the Flanders classic, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2017. He also finished second three times at the Tour Down Under in Australia.
Febiofest, in its 24th year, shows mostly Slovak films, of which nine, including the Cristal Bear winner from Berlinale, The Little Harbour, will be premiered here. All the 11 films shown in the Slovak Film Country section are to be screened with English subtitles.

Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead by Agnieszka Holland (Source: Courtesy of Febiofest)

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The festival, taking place between March 2 and 8 in Bratislava, has kept the same profile as last year when it changed dramatically and is now a festival of film clubs, screening mostly art films.

Zbojnik Jurko / Highwayman Jurko, cartoon by Viktor Kubal (Source: Courtesy of SFU)

The Slovak films' section offers both documentaries and feature films, some of them foreign co-productions with renowned filmmakers. Apart from the animated Highwayman Jurko / Zbojnik Jurko (1976) and the feature, A Song about the Grey Pidgeon (1961), all the other movies are new. Besides The Little Harbour from director Iveta Grofova, there are documentaries: The Czech Allah by Zuzana Piussi, A Hole in the Head by Robert Kirchhoff, We Build Slovakia: Sugar Mill Surany by Bibiana Benova, The Usvit / Dawn Hotel by Maria Rumanova, Corruption Education by Robert Sveda  about the anti-corruption prices White Crows  and The Wolf of Kralovske Vinohrady by Jan Nemec.

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The Hag of Ice / Baba z Ladu, directed by Bohdan Slama (Source: Courtesy of Febiofest)

The opening movie of the festival will be Ice Mother / Baba z Ladu, also from the Slovak films section. Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead, by Agnieszka Holland, which also garnered success recently at the Berlinale festival, will close it.

Guests, accompanying events and more

Both main actress of the opening film, Zuzana Kronerova, and the Polish director of the closing film, will appear in person. The list of filmmakers and film personalities attending the festival includes Czech-Slovak documentarist Lubor Dohnal, Czech cameraman/editor and documentarist Miroslav Janek who also worked in the USA, and French filmmaker/film distributor Laurent Danielou, all three of whom will give masterclasses open to the public.

Other accompanying events include exhibitions of film posters and of photos from the legendary Czechoslovak film studios in Zlin and another about the Generation 90, the launch of the book The History of Slovak Cinematography 1896-1969, three panel discussions as part of the Industry Days, the screening of the old, black-and-white silent film, The Fall of the House of Usher, accompanied by the live music of Slovak duo Longital, and more.

Longital (Source: Ivana Satanik)

A key section of the programme is a competition for short films entitled, In the Centre of Europe, that brings together 20 movies  feature, animated and experimental  from the Visegrad Group countries (Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic), plus Austria, to compete against each other.

Another section, A Taste: New Releases of ASFK, presents brand new films from film festivals before their official distribution in Slovak cinemas, like Jackie by director Pablo Larrain, and The Salesman by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi.

In 2017, Febiofest will also move out of the capital to tour the country: its films will be screened in the cinemas of ten towns and cities; in Kosice, Presov, Banska Bystrica, Trnava, Levice, Prievidza, Martin, Kezmarok, and for the first time also in Poprad. In the regions, the festival will take place from March 4 to April 7.
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Extension of Higher Collective Agreements (HCA)

The institution of extending HCA is the traditional means for regulating collective employment conditions. This is used regularly in many European countries and corresponds to the international standards of the International Labour Organization, although specifics differ within the EU.

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As opposed to a company collective agreement (applicable to a single employer and its employees), a higher collective agreement covers the employment conditions of more employers/employees in the same industry (e.g., automotive, financing, transport, etc.). The purpose of the extension is to ensure fair working conditions by applying an already-concluded HCA to a third party, which was not originally party to such agreement. Usually an HCA or its parties have to be representative enough (e.g., by the percentage of the employees covered) in order to justify an extension to other employers in the same industry.

In Slovakia, the proper implementation of this basic principle is the cause of a never-ending saga of amendments, re-amendments and procedures at the Slovak Constitutional Court (Court), as politicians, trade union representatives and employers struggle to find common ground.

The Slovak way

The possibility of the extension of HCA was first introduced by Act No. 2/1991 Coll. (Act) in the provisions of  7 and has been continuously present in the Slovak legal system in one way or another since then.

Since 1991, the extension was amended seven times, always changing from a pro-employer to a pro-union approach. Twice, the extension was even the subject of proceedings before the Court  however, the relevant provisions of the Act were in both cases changed by the Slovak parliament before the Court could reach a final decision.

The last amendment was adopted in 2013. The Act was more extension-friendly this time and allowed the extension of HCA to third parties even without their consent. Some of the main aspects for the extension according to the amendment were the facts that:

the consent of the employers (which were not party to the agreement) with the extension was not necessary,

the decision of Ministry of Labour about the extension had the form of a generally binding regulation published in the Collection of Laws.

The form of the extension and the absence of consent with the extension caused a wave of criticism, which culminated in third proceedings before the Court.

The third litigation at the Court was finally successful and the Court decided (on March 16, 2016) that the extension provisions of the Act were not in line with the Slovak Constitution. The main reasoning was the fact that the extension decision of the Ministry in the form of a generally binding regulation could not be subjected to any form of appeal and/or judicial control and individual subjects were deprived of proper protection of their rights, i.e., the Court criticised the method and not the principle of extension.

Extension returns!

Since the Slovak Parliament is in no hurry to address the issue, an extension has not been possible since June 1, 2016. However, this is about to change  on January 18, 2017, the Ministry of Labour published preliminary information about the preparation of a new amendment to the Act which will bring the extension back to life.

The initial proposal is based on the conception of a representative HCA. The Act will provide clear criteria for when a collective agreement is considered representative  the Ministry and a tripartite committee will simply check if the conditions are fulfilled or not. Therefore, it will no longer be up to the Ministry to decide if it will extend an agreement or not.

If the criteria are met, the HCA will be automatically binding on the other employers in the same industry from the first day of the calendar month following the month in which notification was published in the Collection of Laws.

Again, as in previous amendments, certain groups of employers will be protected against the extension. However, the criteria for exemption will change, contrary to the situation before March 2016, if an employer is already covered by another HCA (non-representative), it will not be automatically exempted, but such an agreement will have to undergo a test of its representativeness. Currently, the criteria for such review are not known, but if an HCA shall be considered as speculative, a representative HCA will apply to such employer instead.

Even though the final proposal of the amendment is still publicly unavailable, we will soon see another chapter in its troubled legal history. The presumed deadline for the official start of the preparation of the new amendment is March 2017.

This article was written by Pavol Kundrik, Associate and Head of the Labour Law Practice Group for the CEE at PETERKA & PARTNERS.

This article is for information purposes only. Under no account can it be considered as either a legal opinion or advice on how to proceed in particular cases or on how to assess them. If you are interested in any further information on the issues covered by this article, please contact PETERKA & PARTNERS, Tel. +421 2 544 18 700; E-mail: kundrik@peterkapartners.sk; www.peterkapartners.com
The transation was announced last October.

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Patrik Tkac along with the financial group J&T sold their stakes in the Czech company Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding (EPH), the CTK newswire reported. The financial transaction of about 2.75 billion took place on February 24. Thus Daniel Kretinsky has become the majority owner of EPH. Now he holds 94 percent of the company while the remaining 6 percent is in the hands of members of the companys management.

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In Slovakia, EPH holds stakes in the gas transmitter Eustream, SPP Distribucia and is buying the 66-percent stake in Slovenske Elektrarne from the Italian energy group, Enel .

The holding published its plans for the change in ownership structure last October.

Read also:

Read also: Patrik Tkac and J&T are leaving EPH Read more

Before the transaction Kretinsky and Tkac each held 37 percent in EPH, while the rest was owned by investors linked with J&T.

EPH was launched in 2009 as a joint venture of the PPF group of the wealthiest Czech Petter Kellner, J&T and Kretinsky. It focused on doing business in energy and industry. Now it owns and operates assets in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Germany, Italy, the UK and Hungary.
The Agriculture MInistry wants to see more local food on the shelves.

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Most large retail chains in Slovakia have supported the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministrys call to sell food from local Slovak producers. Small producers will thus be able to supply their products to stores belonging to retail chains within a radius of 50 kilometres. At the same time the Agriculture Ministry is preparing a list of local food suppliers for retail chains, said the ministrys spokesman Vladimir Machalik as cited by the TASR newswire.

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Our goal is to support small and medium-sized food producers, said Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna (a nominee of the Slovak National Party). Regional shelves will provide small and medium-sized producers with opportunities to sell their products, to develop and employ people. Meanwhile, consumers will receive a larger supply of quality domestic products from their own regions.

The ministry also expects that this will increase the self sufficiency of Slovakia in food production.

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Read also: Market share of Slovak groceries is low Read more

It has already launched the process of selecting food suppliers. The aim in the first phase is to find the hundred best-prepared producers able to comply with basic requirements, such as packaging, providing product description labels and EAN codes and dealing with logistics. The project, which should serve in its initial phase as a model for other possible suppliers, will be up and running by Christmas at the latest.
After visiting carmaker PSA in Trnava, PM Fico says that people do not want to work even for more than 1,300.

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A great challenge for the Slovak government is to tackle the lack of qualified labour in Slovakia, commented Prime Minister Robert Fico after visiting the carmaker PSA Groupe Slovakia in Trnava on February 27. The automotive industry itself is calling for concrete steps to be taken in order to secure the required labour.

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The Slovak arm of the French carmaker is one of many companies in the country complaining about the lack of workers. At this time it needs more than 800 people for its new, fourth, shift. However, even though the average gross wage in the plant is 1,370, it has a problem filling vacancies. The average wage in Slovakia is about 900. The unemployment rate in the Trnava region was 4.21 percent in January, the lowest rate out all regions in the country, the SITA newswire recalled.

As PM Fico recalled, the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (UPSVaR) addressed via its labour offices 6,000 jobseekers across Slovakia. Out of this number only 100 signed a work contract with PSA and some of these have already quit.

PM Fico ascribed the situation in the Slovak labour market as alarming.

Our philosophy is to use, until the very last moment, the potential that exists among Slovaks, said Fico as cited by the TASR newswire. In spite of this he does not exclude importing a labour force from abroad.

Fico sees as a solution in a greater support for dual education and especially a change in the societys climate so that not everyone wants to study political sciences or social work.

Automotive industry calls for concrete steps

Representatives of the Slovak Automotive Industry Association (ZAP) share the opinion that the situation is alarming when their sector alone is currently lacking 14,000 qualified workers. They see a solution in changing the education system. Thus they call on the government and responsible bodies to adopt measures to mitigate the current deficit of qualified workers and setting the education system in order to secure a smooth supply of required labour.

They call for real support for dual education in secondary schools, inter-connection of university education with praxis and a re-assessment of the current model for re-qualification.

Qualified labour is one of the decisive conditions for sustainable development of the automotive industry in Slovakia, said Juraj Sinay, head of ZAP, at a press conference on February 27 as cited by TASR. For the strategic development of the industry it is important not only to speak about this need but also to really start setting the system in the right direction and carrying out concrete measures.

Sinay recalled that the current scheme for re-qualification is insufficient as it does not generate workers in the required professions. Moreover, secondary schools generate annually 5,000-10,000 less workers than the labour market needs while in the case of university graduates it is 5,000-10,000 more. He added that it is necessary to address the quality of education but as Julius Hron, the head of the education commission at ZAP, pointed out, the planned reform of the education system does not speak about inter-connecting education with employers at all.
BAKU/YEREVAN (Reuters) - Five Azeri soldiers were killed in clashes with Armenia-backed separatists along the boundary with the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, Azerbaijan's defence ministry said on Monday, with each side accusing the other of an attempted incursion. Clashes over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, which lies inside Azerbaijan but is controlled by ethnic Armenians, have stoked fears of a wider conflict breaking out in the South Caucasus, which is crisscrossed by oil and gas pipelines. The Azeri defence ministry said the clashes had occurred early on Saturday in the remote Khojavend and Fizuli regions. It said the separatists had handed over the bodies of the five dead soldiers on Monday. Nagorno-Karabakh's self-declared defence ministry said its side had suffered no casualties in the clashes. International mediators urged the two sides "to keep heavy military equipment in its present positions and to allow recovery of the dead". Fighting between ethnic Azeris and Armenians first erupted in 1991 and a ceasefire was agreed in 1994. But Azerbaijan and Armenia have regularly traded accusations of violence around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Azeri-Armenian border. The ceasefire was broken last April when dozens were killed. Efforts to secure a permanent settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have failed despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States. (Reporting by Nailia Bagirova and Hasmik Mkrtchyan; additional reporting and writing by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Aleksandar Vasovic and Gareth Jones)
Pro-opposition media reported that airstrikes hit residential houses in northeast Damascus city on February 27, according to local media.

Heavy fighting were also reported in Barzeh and Qaboun as the Syrian Army tried to advance in the area, other pro-opposition media said.

A pro-regime media source said that the strikes were targeted at Jabhat al-Nusra positions in Qaboun.

These videos were shared by a pro-opposition media. The first video is described as showing shelling near Barzeh. The second video is described as showing strikes on Qaboun neighborhood. Credit: YouTube/SMO via Storyful
By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria's Sonatrach wants to start offshore oil drilling and has begun discussions with U.S. operators Exxon Mobil Corp and Anadarko as well as Italy's Eni , a source at the state energy company told Reuters on Sunday. The North African OPEC member nation has struggled to attract oil investment in recent years because of tough terms that have made foreign companies wary. Sonatrach last year began a more flexible approach to bilateral talks with foreign partners. Low oil prices have also pressured Sonatrach, prompting it to focus on developing production at more mature fields in the southern Sahara and bringing online delayed gas projects. Offshore drilling could offer another area for growth. "Seismic operations carried out by Sonatrach have shown an interesting potential in the areas including Bejaia and Oran," said the source, who asked not to be identified. Bejaia is an eastern port and Oran is a port city in western Algeria. Algeria needs the know-how and expertise of major international firms to launch offshore drilling, the source said. "Foreign partners, including Anadarko, Exxon Mobil and Eni were invited by Sonatrach to provide technical assistance given the experience they acquired in the Gulf of Mexico and deep water in Mozambique," the Sonatrach source said. "The offshore is complementary to our operations in the south. It will also contribute to boosting our output," the source said. The source did not give any information on the timing or scale of any offshore projects. Such details, including when the drilling will start, are expected to be announced soon by Sonatrach's leadership, the source said. Algeria's earnings from oil and gas fell to $27.5 billion in 2016 from $35.7 billion in 2015 and more than $60 billion in 2014. Algeria's oil output was previously estimated at 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) but it has cut production by 50,000 bpd under an agreement between OPEC and non-OPEC producers aimed at raising crude prices. (Editing by Patrick Markey and Jason Neely)
By Marton Dunai BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary has begun building a second line of fence along its southern border with Serbia, a government spokesman said on Monday, a move likely to exacerbate criticism from some of the country's European Union partners. Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing government considers migration to be one of the largest threats to the status quo in the EU. But officials in Brussels and some other EU centers are distressed by some of his go-it-alone policies. A European Parliament committee, for example, was due on Monday to discuss the state of fundamental rights in Hungary. Orban was also a rare EU leader to endorse U.S. President Donald Trump, who is seeking to built a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. A barbed-wire fence is already in place, erected in 2015, when Hungary was part of the main overland route for hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees, many fleeing the war in Syria. It effectively blocked that route to Germany, where many were heading, but Hungary has said a second fence would make the barrier more effective and hold back migrants while processing their asylum requests. Although the pressure on the border is far from the peak of the 2015 crisis, border patrols still prevent hundreds of illegal border crossings per day and escort back dozens of migrants who manage to break through, the government says. Poles for the second fence are already standing near the border station Kelebia, and construction materials have also been shipped to the border elsewhere. Orban's chief of staff, Janos Lazar, last week said the government had earmarked 38 billion forints ($130 million) for the fence and containment camps to hold migrants. He said the second border fence, which will extend only to the Hungary-Serbia border for now, would be built as soon as the weather permitted and would be standing by the end of spring. Rights groups Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch on Friday sent a complaint to EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos about current practices and proposed legal changes. "The European Commission should not stand by while Hungary makes a mockery of the right to seek asylum," Human Rights Watch deputy director Benjamin Ward said. "Using transit zones as detention centers and forcing asylum seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian side of the razor-wire fence is abusive, pointless, and cruel." The Hungarian government's practice of allowing only 10 people in per day also creates a dangerous bottleneck along the Hungary-Serbia border in sometimes inhumane conditions, the rights groups added. The government rejected that in an emailed reply to Reuters. "Human Rights Watch... again tries to denigrate those serving at the border," it said. "Hungary was among the first to honor the EU's rules, protects the Schengen borders, stops, registers and separates refugees from economic migrants." ($1 = 291.4700 forints) (Reporting by Marton Dunai)
An Italian DJ who was left blind and tetraplegic following a car crash, has died by assisted suicide in Switzerland, as politicians in Rome delayed talks on a living will law for a third time. Thirty-nine-year-old Fabiano Antoniani sustained the injuries in 2014. Right-to-die activist and former MEP Marco Cappato accompanied him to the Swiss clinic. He tweeted: Fabo died at 11.40. He chose to go by the rules of a country that is not his. In a later statement, Cappato told the press: On Monday morning (February 27), after a second medical examination, he confirmed his wish to die. He then used his mouth  one of the few movements he was able to perform by himself  to activate the substance that would send him to sleep within minutes then, without suffering, he died. Cappato could face five to 12 years in prison if found guilty of helping Antoniani to commit suicide. In Italy, euthanasia is illegal. However, patients do have the right to refuse care, which has led to several contradicting cases. Antoniani, known as DJ Fabo, had appealed to President Sergio Mattarella for the right to die and, shortly before his death, criticised Italy for failing to pass laws on end-of-life issues.
News

Web Security Algorithm Fatally Broken

Although the algorithm was outdated, it's still in wide use.

The Internet is officially less safe.

It happened when the Shell Hashing Algorithm-1 (SHA-1) was hacked, as Google recently announced.

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.
Q: How much tech can Toyota cram into a compact sedan?

A: About 3,400 pounds, based on the curb weight of the 2017 Prius Prime Advanced.

From its highly evolved Hybrid Synergy Drive System with plug-in all-electric capacity to its data-laden cockpit displays and safety functions, the Prime is cutting-edge transportation.

Unlike most typical hybrids, Toyotas top-of-the-line Prius can deliver about 22 miles on electric power alone, thanks to increased battery storage capacity. And the juice supply can be topped off in about 5 hours plugged into a standard home outlet (approximately two hours with a 240-volt outlet).

When its charge is depleted, the Prime reverts into regular hybrid mode, relying on its 1.8-liter gas engine supplemented by two battery-driven electric motors for propulsion.

Starting out with a complete charge and full 11.3-gallon tank of regular grade gasoline, the Prime can travel about 600 miles before refueling or recharging. That works out to about 54 thrifty miles per gallon.

Aside from the plug-in capability, the Prime has a number of changes from the regular Prius, most noticeably in its revised front- and rear-end styling. Yeah, its still pretty wacky-looking, with bizarre bulges intersected by oddly angled creases, but it does seems somewhat more cohesive than its lesser brethren. Lets just say its an acquired taste.

The interior, too, is nonconformist, with a giant, full-color touchscreen dominating the top center of the console displaying nav maps, backup camera, climate and audio functions.

Elsewhere on the plastic-rich dash is a somewhat haphazard array of buttons for the numerous safety-nanny functions and selectors for hybrid/EV/EV Auto drive modes.

The Prime only seats four, as the area between the rear seats is eaten up with enlarged batteries.

The Prime drives pretty much like a regular compact sedan, but the added weight of batteries makes itself felt through corners. The poundage does help deliver a smooth highway ride, however.

The plug-in Prius should prove quite satisfying for techies as well as enviros. If youre the type who enjoys a car thats even somewhat sporty to drive, best look elsewhere.

2017 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced

VEHICLE TYPE: Four-door, four-passenger compact sedan

BASE PRICE: $33,100

PRICE AS TESTED: $36,305 (incl. delivery fees)

POWERTRAIN: 1.8-liter, DOHC, inline four-cylinder paired with two motor/generators; 121 horsepower; continuously variable automatic transmission; front-wheel drive

WHEELBASE/LENGTH: 106.3/182.9

CURB WEIGHT: 3,375 pounds

EPA FUEL RATING: 55 city/53 highway in hybrid mode (regular grade)
COLUMBUS  In this small New Mexico border town, the talk isnt of a wall, but of trade and a new port of entry.

Construction is slated to begin in April on an $85 million port facility for customs and security checks at the states oldest official border crossing.

The federal governments investment, in the works for years, is expected to boost cross-border trade at a time when the U.S.-Mexico relationship is on the rocks.

A wall of steel columns standing 18 feet high divides the line between Columbus and Palomas in Mexico. The U.S. port of entry, which dates to the 1980s, sees the highest level of pedestrian traffic of New Mexicos three ports, as hundreds of children who live in Palomas, but are U.S. citizens, cross every morning to attend school in Columbus. During the late-summer harvest, the ports commercial lanes see hundreds of 18-wheelers filled to the brim with green chile headed north for processing.

With the new infrastructure on the way, Columbus Mayor Philip Skinner says he sees opportunity for the village with a population 1,625, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But jobs arent going to materialize without an effort, he said.

I disagree with people who say, Your new port of entry is coming and you are going to be busier,' he said. Nope, not necessarily. Not unless we make it happen.

To that end  ignoring the heated rhetoric and soured relations between Washington and Mexico City  business leaders on both sides of the border have established a new organization, the Columbus-Palomas Industrial Alliance, with a mission to create jobs for the region.

Columbus and Palomas are a very integrated community and now, with the port of entry getting the upgrade, there is an opportunity for the public and private sectors to cooperate and bring new opportunities to that region, said Jerry Pacheco, a longtime recruiter of businesses to the New Mexico border and a founding board member of the alliance. That cooperation happens naturally at a local level because we have a binational community. Whether Washington or Mexico City are not getting along, it makes perfect business sense to cooperate on the border as a region.

Columbus proper sits about three miles from the border, a close-knit community with a block-long downtown that includes a city hall, sheriffs outpost, public library, theater, chamber of commerce and one restaurant. Across from Columbus is the ramshackle village of Palomas with a population of about 5,000 people, and a main drag lined with pharmacies, dentists and eyewear stores that cater to Americans looking for cheap health care.

The small population on both sides of the border here has always been an impediment to sustained economic development. There is almost no industry to speak of in Columbus proper, where 54 percent of residents live in poverty and the median income is $10,900 for men and $9,765 for women, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

At the port of entry, traffic is up over 10 years ago, over five years ago, said Skinner, who owns the Los Milagros Hotel in Columbus. We are busier. But that hasnt translated into jobs in our community.

The chile trucks, for example, rarely stop in town, he said. They rush their cargo to southern New Mexicos chile-processing plants, then head back south of the border.

Construction of the new port of entry itself will be an economic shot to the arm as companies hire and bring labor to town, and patronize local businesses. But Skinner wants the village to build on that momentum.

Skinner said, If we are creating some infrastructure on this side  were going to have things kind of ready. But if we dont go out and find someone to come in and utilize it, weve accomplished nothing.

Pacheco said the region could attract suppliers to the agriculture and other industries in northwestern Mexico.

Columbus-Palomas is not going to attract the same type of industry as Santa Teresa, but there are agriculture-based opportunities, he said.

Carlos Yates, Chihuahua state director of a Mexican federal economic development agency called ProMexico, is on the alliance board. His organization is interested in developing business clusters on the border that use the resources available on both sides.

We are two countries, but we are one region, Yates said. Here, you have a market and an inexpensive, high-quality labor force. The technology, the design, the investments are in the United States.

When it comes to cross-border trade, he said, Estamos unidos. We are united.
The University of New Mexico has secured a home-and-home series with the Pac-12s Colorado Buffaloes starting next season, Craig Neal told the Journal.

The Lobos will play a game in Boulder, Colo., in the 2017-18 season and host the Buffaloes in the 2018-19 season.

Along with the current home-and-home series with Arizona, this secures at least three seasons, and two with home games in the Pit, with UNM playing non-conference games against Pac-12 opponents.

UNM will host Arizona in the 2017-18 season as the second part of a home-and-home series with the Wildcats and play at UTEP for the second half of another home-and-home series. The Lobos will also play its usual in-season home-and-home series with New Mexico State in 2017-18 and participate in the four-game Emerald Coast Classic tournament with two games in the Pit and two in Niceville, Fla.




"far from facilitating judgment, increase the level of difficulty during the admission phase, hamper correct understanding of the appellants petitions, add confusion to the debate and frequently provoke that the really relevant arguments remain hidden in an accumulation of reiterated or even contradictory pleadings.

On January 27th, the Spanish Supreme Court published new regulations on appeals, which for the first time restrict the length of the appeal to 25 pages. This is likely to be received with horror by some IP attorneys, who have been quite accustomed to sending in at least three times that much. The Court complains about the exorbitant length of many appeals, whichSurely not? The Court backs up its decision with an explicit reference to article 481.1 of the Civil Procedural Act which, paradoxically, calls for the legal grounds to be set forth with the necessary length. As if all this were not upsetting enough, attorneys are now faced with a regulation restricting the font size to 10 points in footnotes. The upsetting part is of course not the 10-point font, but rather the very idea that footnotes might be used in a court submission. Such literary innovations have long been considered heresy by a profession which prides itself on tradition.However, the new regulations are not limited to style and consolidate many substantive improvements in access to appeal. In the past, this depended entirely on meeting the technical criteria laid down in the statutory rules concerning economic value or contradiction of precedent. The Court will now in exceptional circumstances consider appeals where, in the opinion of the Supreme Court, there exists a need to create or modify case law due to the fact that the social reality or the common opinion of the legal community has evolved in relation to a certain matter. Although standard fare in other jurisdictions, this exercise of court discretion is the exception rather than the rule in Spain, which up to now has clung to the idea of a. The grounds of appeal were limited to those explicitly provided for by statute. This had not changed and the court has no discretion to refuse to allow appeals to proceed if these grounds are met. Indeed, this is a central aspect of the constitutional right of access of the citizens to the courts, one of the resounding successes of Spains democratic system.These changes are evidence of the continuing modernization of the Spanish court system, which will be warmly welcomed by IP practitioners. As these ideas trickle down to the lower courts, they can only add to Spains current advantage in relation to the speed of proceedings: 12 to 14 months for a first instance judgment in a patent or trademark case, provided one picks the right court. This is due in no small measure to the fact that the Spanish procedure is one of the most front-loaded in the world  all documentary evidence and expert reports must be supplied with the claim, with no opportunity to do so later or to change legal and factual pleadings.
Amid fears over toughening enforcement, a group of Highland High School students spent Sunday rallying on the corners of a busy Southeast Albuquerque intersection in support of immigrants and refugees.

The high school has one of the districts largest refugee and immigrant populations, according to English teacher Heather McGuire, and students on Sunday said they wanted to show that they stand in solidarity with communities worried over changing political policies.

A lot of us come from immigrant families, organizer and 11th-grader Mario Hernandez said. We want to tell them that were there for them.

Hernandez, who held a sign that said Immigrants make America great, said many students considered participating in the Day Without Immigrants strike Feb. 16, but worried that walking out of their classes would send the wrong message to an understanding school.

The schools on our side, Hernandez said. We dont really want to hurt the school, you know? Thats why we did this.

Around 20 students and teachers stood on the corners of Zuni and San Mateo for an hour as passing cars whizzed by. Many held handmade signs. Refugees are welcome here, one read. Highland supports immigrants, read another.

Teachers who attended said they were proud to see students exercising their rights and sharing messages of tolerance and solidarity.

I know that it helps them, too. Ive been there before, McGuire said of attending rallies and protests. It does feel like you empower yourself a little bit, and youre not so lost in the system.

She joined Sundays rally to make sure her students, and passing drivers, know that the Highland community will protect them. Its comforting, she said, to be reminded that youre not alone in your views and that other people feel the same way as you. She said even the continuous stream of supportive honks by passing motorists felt good.

Its nice every time, she said.

Teachers usually dont know a students immigration status, McGuire said, but it comes out occasionally in their assignments or in conversation. Teachers even avoid learning a childs status on the off chance that theyre ever questioned about it, she said.

Robert Frausto, a psychology, Chicano studies and English teacher, said hes already seeing the effects of changing immigration policy on his students.

Theyve cried with me, theyve worried, they dont know whats going to happen, Frausto said. Some of them are making plans. If their parents get deported, theyll be responsible for their younger brothers and sisters.

He said social media perpetuates rumors about ICE enforcement and breeds fear and confusion. And so it was a relief Sunday to see students emerge from that fear to make a statement.
Senator Joseph Cervantes is sponsoring legislation in the 2017 NM legislative session to promote greater efficiency and openness in how we New Mexicans have our energy needs met. In a nutshell, Senate bill 360 requires investor-owner utilities (IOUs) like Public Service Company of New Mexico to obtain competitive market bids through a request for proposal process when they seek to add new generation capacity, and mandates the bidding process is analyzed and overseen by an independent party. This new process is designed to be transparent, fair and indeed comprehensible to both the public and regulators alike.

Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Competitive bidding is a staple of the American economy. State law already requires utilities like PNM to select the least-cost solutions to energy problems with a clear preference for more environmentally friendly solutions, so there is already some comparison shopping in the process. A number of states, including Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma, have enacted similar laws, and the proposed legislation is in line with industry standards. Overall, the proposed process exemplifies what we want when we talk about good governance: its open, unbiased and mindful of the public good.

But PNM opposes it.

Currently, the utilitys bidding process is essentially hidden and secretive: the company uses black box software that is difficult and expensive for outsiders to analyze. However, when statewide environmental and consumer advocacy organizations vetted the process, they found over $1 billion in errors and omissions in PNMs coal and nuclear plans as well as inflated wind and solar costs.

A transparent and competitive bidding process will make sure such errors and omissions are far fewer and less likely. It will also reveal quite clearly that solar and wind are cheaper, cleaner and more efficient sources of energy than coal and nuclear power, the latter of which unfortunately currently make up 60 percent and 20 percent, respectively, of PNMs portfolio.

PNMs opposition to Sen. Cervantes good bill and its proposed RFP process shows the company is still fighting to protect the status quo and its legacy investments, but both are increasingly costly to we the people of New Mexico. Fixing and replacing outdated dirty energy technology combined with mine reclamation costs are proving more and more expensive: decommissioning a nuclear plant like Palo Verde could cost $3 billion. Who pays for that? Us. Yet still the utility doubles down, resisting opportunities to diversify and move forward. And it doesnt help that the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission keeps inconsistently applying any standards for comparative analysis.

Inevitably, a major percentage of these costs are passed directly on to consumers. From 2008 to 2014 our average residential rates rose more than 50 percent, yet during the same period New Mexicos real median household income declined by 6.4 percent. PNM can hardly plead poverty to justify rate increases: from 2008 to 2014, the utilitys ongoing earnings increased by 461 percent. Yes, you read that correctly: a 461 percent increase! The current residential rate impact from the September 2016 hike is 9.5 percent, and PNM has another rate increase pending.

The company has been saying for years that renewable energy isnt reliable, cost-effective or feasible. But when Facebook requested 100 percent renewable energy for its proposed Los Lunas facility, PNM said it would have it for the company by the end of this year, at roughly half the price PNM charges consumers for nuclear power. One PNM executive contradicted the company line when he said, Solar contributes on peak (demand), it contributes the energy during the day, and then wind will fill in around the solar.

The final irony? In a brief for the PRC, PNM admitted an RFP process ensures that renewable resources  are procured at the lowest reasonable cost. In other words, the process would save money.

Solar energy costs half the price of nuclear power and 30 percent less than coal, with wind power even less expensive. Renewable energy is clean, efficient and will create jobs in a state that desperately needs them. New Mexicans of every age, ethnicity and party affiliation overwhelming support a just and transparent energy transition, from the dirty energies of the past to the clean energies of the future. Its time to stop protecting the utility companys status quo and all join together to create a cleaner, safer, more cost effective energy future.

Benjamin Rodefer is a former state representative for District 23, which covers part of Corrales and the Cottonwood area of Northwest Albuquerque, a former member of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a past president of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Industries Association.
CORRECTION: The headline on this story has been corrected to more fully reflect the column.

During my more than 50 years reporting and anchoring news on New Mexico television, I steered clear of taking public positions on controversial issues. Im still inclined to keep my opinions to myself, but sometimes an issue is so important that staying silent is not possible. Late-term abortion is such an issue.

To be fair and frank, my opposition to abortion is based on my religious faith. I am very much a believing Catholic. But I understand that in our pluralistic society where there are so many other beliefs and so much unbelief, religious arguments against abortion often fall on deaf ears. I do believe that life begins at conception. But I recognize that others hold sharply different opinions.

However, thats not what this is about. This is about late-term abortion, which is much more than a matter of religious belief. It is irrefutably a human-rights issue. Scientific developments have made it very clear that many, if not most, unborn children aborted in the third trimester are in every respect human beings with full brain function and full physical viability outside the womb. They are truly persons, but under current New Mexico law they can legally be killed right up until the moment of birth. All of us, especially the people who make our laws, have a strong obligation to protect all human life.

For years now bills have been introduced in the state Legislature to ban late-term abortion. For years those bills have been deliberately referred to the Senate Public Affairs Committee, where there is a built-in pro-choice majority. For years that majority has voted to table the bills, effectively ending their chances of passage. Many legislative observers believe that if a bill to ban late-term abortion ever came to the floor there are enough votes to pass it. But under the system set up by the majority party in the Senate, committee results are de facto final. So theres never a floor vote, and senators are never put in the public spotlight on this issue.

Once again this year the Public Affairs Committee, on a 5-3 party line vote, has tabled the bill  SB 183, Partial and Late-Term Abortion ban. Once again because of the way the system is set up, it is nearly impossible to blast it out of committee for an on-the-record vote by all 42 senators. This truly is a matter of life and death, and all lawmakers in both houses need to stand up and be counted. What are they afraid of?
Ruidoso resident

Trumps roundup of undocumented workers may bring glee to some, but think what it will do to New Mexicos fragile economy. Consider:

1) At risk are some 6,000 jobs connected to commercial business along the border, businesses that conduct business with Mexico.

2) Some people do not understand that immigrants documented or undocumented contribute to the economy, including buying essentials to live at grocery stores and car dealerships.

3) Schools get dollars from the state per pupil whether documented or undocumented. Get rid of undocumented children  or of U.S. citizenship because their parents are undocumented  and then get rid of their teachers and this would generate another hole in the economies of state and local governments.

4) Some people think that undocumented workers only take from the system and do not contribute. They have to have a place to live, so they rent or buy through a documented relative, thereby paying taxes. Many also pay federal income taxes.

5) Pecans, pistachios and chile crops  who do you think picks these crops? Hard-working undocumented workers who want nothing more than to support their families.

Who do you think does most of the ranch work in New Mexico tending to alfalfa fields and getting it ready for market? Documented or undocumented workers?

It is very interesting to note that President Trump is planning to hire 10,000 ICE and 5,000 more border patrol agents to keep us safe from undocumented workers who toil in our fields and who could possibly use their rakes and shovels as weapons against us.

Instead of building a wall to protect us from these undocumented workers, lets put these new 15,000 agents along with the thousands of existing agents currently watching the border and let them hold hands. I am sure there are plenty of them to reach from Texas to California and it would be less expensive than a $15-billion-dollar Trump wall. As it is, we have almost 10 Border Patrol agents per linear mile and this does not include Office of Field Operations officers who are at the ports of entry and at the U.S./Mexico border.

When I ran for Congress in 2002 I advocated for work permits for Mexican workers to come and pick the crops legally and if they committed no crimes they would have a path to citizenship. That went nowhere, but the problem still exists and our Rep. Steve Pearce has not found a way to solve the problem.

Comprehensive immigration reform is the answer but it has not happened. Why not? Because the Republican Party cannot come to grips that sanctions against employers that hire undocumented workers, and that cannot happen because many employers are Republicans.

We are in a dire situation with families being torn apart and families fearful of the immigration police. Lets bring these undocumented workers and children who were brought to this country at a young age at no fault of their own, bring them into the sunlight and welcome them to pay taxes and contribute to their country and communities.

Compassionate comprehensive immigration reform is the answer, not random roundups. Immigrants are not animals.

Leo Martinez is a former 2nd Congressional District candidate and a former Lincoln County commissioner.
WASHINGTON  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 room. 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, 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 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 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 passing 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.

E-mail: ruthmarcus@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group.
WHY IS MY EMISSIONS NOTICE MIA?

Several readers have asked that as they go to re-register their vehicles and, because they live in Bernalillo County, find out they were also supposed to get their emissions checked.

Chuck Andraka emails that in early December I got my renewal for registration. Carefully checked, no emissions required. Re-registered online, nothing stopped me. Got new registration in mail. Old registration good to end of January.

And then it went to you-know-where in a handbasket.

Chuck then got an email saying my registration is suspended because my emissions is expired. The email clearly indicated that I was sent a letter or email at least 30 days ago indicating I needed emissions. I checked, none. I got the renewal card, and a renewal reminder by email, but no need for emissions.

Chuck says a visit to a state Motor Vehicle Division office revealed any notice from MVD is a courtesy, that the owner is responsible to know if they need emissions.

And Richard L. Allen called to say he sent in his check to renew a vehicle registration in mid-January, it cleared days later, yet his sticker still hadnt shown up almost a month later. He learned from MVD it was an emissions issue as well.

Ben Cloutier, director of communications for the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department, which oversees MVD, says emissions testing is required by Bernalillo County, but Bernalillo County does not send out a reminder notice. As a courtesy to customers, MVD sends letters to drivers informing them they have 30 days to renew emissions. Recently, in some cases, the courtesy notifications were not sent appropriately. This issue has been corrected.

If a customer can provide documentation showing they were affected by this issue, we will refund the ($30) registration reinstatement fee.

CAN WE DUMP THE NEW BIKE LANES ON RIO GRANDE? Rosie Gomez emails that with the new bicycle lanes on Rio Grande between Interstate 40 and north of Candelaria, I  have noticed that because traffic is now down to one lane it is more difficult to exit from side streets, especially at rush hours. I also have a question about turning right over the bicycle lanes; it is difficult to make a sharp right without completely stopping traffic coming from behind.

I end up going into the bicycle lane, which has interrupted lines at some points. All these lanes are, in my opinion, doing less for traffic. I have seen only two bicycles using these lanes in the two months they have been up. Besides my complaints, my question is, are these permanent?

The bike lanes are part of the three-lane (one in each direction and a center turn lane) pilot project that is monitoring if having two through lanes instead of four on Rio Grande from Matthew to Griegos slows down traffic and makes it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. As for where the cyclists are, Diane Dolan, policy analyst for Albuquerque City Councilor Isaac Benton, says, It is self-evident that no one would choose to walk in a substandard, threatening and unsafe pedestrian environment. At the same time, Rio Grande is the only continuous option for pedestrians and bicyclists to move north-south through the area. In other words, it should pick up as word gets out about the new conditions.

And she says foot and bike traffic has increased in other areas where striping has been adjusted to slow traffic. We have witnessed increased pedestrian use on Central Avenue after the five lanes there were converted to three, she says, and that is without yet having the future sidewalk improvements and trees in place.

Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103.
LAS CRUCES  A new bulletproof material, developed by a researcher at New Mexico State University and marketed through a grant from the National Science Foundation, is helping to keep students of Las Cruces Public Schools safer.

L. Roy Xu, who in 2015 was a research associate professor of mechanical engineering at NMSU, has spent more than 20 years experimenting with ballistic-resistant materials as a Department of Defense researcher. He is currently a research faculty member at the University of New Mexico.

In April 2007, Xu visited the campus of Virginia Tech  just one week before the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. He visited the building where the shooting would occur. Five years later, the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, made Xu realize he needed to do more.

When he dropped his elementary-aged son off at school in El Paso the day after the Sandy Hook shooting, he noticed nothing had changed.

I found that I could just walk right into the school, and no one stopped me, Xu said. So I felt really, really concerned about my sons safety. I actually bought a bulletproof backpack for my son, but I found them to be too expensive for most students to afford.

So Xu developed a hybrid material  a combination including Kevlar, polycarbonate aluminum and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene  to create lightweight, bulletproof and stab-proof shields. The Carry-on Shield, which weighs about two pounds and can be carried in a backpack, can stop a bullet from a .357 Magnum. It can also protect against knives and nails.

When the shield is unfolded, it is 11 inches by 22 inches. The shield has an elastic strap that can be slipped over the head, allowing the shield to be worn like an apron. It can also be slung around to protect ones back while running away from a threat.

Todd Gregory, the safety and security coordinator for LCPS, recently purchased about 50 of the shields for the districts security guards  making LCPS the first school district in the nation to use the bulletproof shields.

I started with our security guards, because it seemed like a great tool for them, Gregory said. Theyre unarmed, and they didnt have any protection. This gives them a tool, some protection, in case they have to intervene in a situation.

Gregory first met with Xu over the summer of 2016. He said he was drawn to the product because it is lightweight, compact, diverse and affordable. The shields, which Xu said retail for $150  or about $125 for students  were sold to the district at a significant discount because the school agreed to pilot the program. A traditional Kevlar vest can start at about $300 and cost as much as thousands, Gregory said.

Everything is a budget item these days, Gregory said. But a portion of my budget is for security equipment, and these seemed like a great investment. Theyre simple, they offer a lot of protection and require almost no training. Its simple enough for a child to use.

The shields arrived in December and are currently being distributed to the guards.

Over the next few years, if the shields prove to be a good investment, Gregory said he hopes to get more. He would like to distribute them to principals, then teachers, and eventually have some available in classrooms in case of an emergency.

They could just hang by the fire extinguisher as part of your emergency response kit, he said. Then, if the school is put on lockdown, they could be distributed to students and staff. In that worst-case scenario, these shields would give you a fighting chance.

Gregory said the mantra for dealing with an active shooter is Run, Hide, Fight  a protocol endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security. The shield, Gregory said, is a useful tool for all three tactics.

The Carry-on Shield is currently being sold on Amazon and eBay, Xu said.

Xu has approached other school districts to discuss introducing the shields on their campuses, but only LCPS has agreed to try the shields.
Albuquerque Public Schools is expanding dual-language opportunities through a new partnership with a local organization.

Dual Language Education of New Mexico recently approached APS to offer training to teachers and principals at eight schools in the Rio Grande Cluster  Armijo Elementary, Adobe Acres Elementary, Navajo Elementary, Pajarito Elementary, Ernie Pyle Middle School, Polk Middle School, Harrison Middle School and Rio Grande High  thanks to a $1.4 million W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant.

The goal is a dual-language pathway with immersive curriculum that supports children from pre-K through high school.

It is time, within our communities, to turn language and culture into assets, Victoria Tafoya, program director for DLeNM, told the APS Board of Education during a recent meeting.

The organization will work with the Rio Grande Cluster schools for the next three years in the hope of eventually replicating the program across the district.

Katarina Sandoval, APS associate superintendent for equity and access, said there is strong community interest in instruction that allows students to become fluent in English and Spanish.

Last spring, the district held a series of public forums to gather input on the five-year academic master plan, and many attendees requested expanded dual-language education.

By offering the new pre-K to 12th-grade pathway, APS will go beyond the programming in most districts around the country, Sandoval said.

APS board members applauded the effort.

This is something this entire board has been pushing and advocating for, said board member Don Duran, whose term ends this month.

Board Vice President Lorenzo Garcia noted that students will benefit from the DLeNM program because many industries are searching for employees with Spanish language skills.

I would like to see this in every part of the district, he said.

APS already offers some form of dual-language instruction in many schools, serving about 10,000 children, according to the district website.

In total, APS enrolls 85,000 students  67 percent are Hispanic and 17 percent are classified as English Language Learners.

The district historically has struggled to find bilingual teachers.

Last month, administrators announced a push to create a larger pool of applicants for teaching positions in the most in-demand subjects: math, science, special education and bilingual instruction.

We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Matthew Sample is a great salesman.

But his biggest sales pitch might be to stay out of prison.

Sample, 42, swindled six sets of victims out of roughly $1 million from 2009 to 2012, according to a federal charging document filed against him.

Several of his victims live in Santa Fe, and much of the money taken wiped out the victims retirement or college funds.

Sample used the ill-gotten gains to purchase drugs and live a lavish lifestyle in Santa Fe. Gold was woven into the wallpaper of his home.

He has pleaded guilty to fraud and wire fraud in the case  but now the question is how long should he spend behind bars?

While awaiting his March 23 sentencing, he landed a lucrative job in California, and his bosses vouch for him, saying he is one of their best salesmen.

Sample says he can only make amends and pay restitution if he is allowed to remain free and keep his job.

Prosecutors say he needs to serve some time and not just buy his way out of jail.

According to the plea agreement and recently filed sentencing memorandums, Sample raised $932,000 from investors in The Lobo Volatility Fund LLC, a Delaware limited liability company he created.

His clients included a couple in their 90s, according to federal court documents.

But instead of an investment firm, it was a scheme in which Sample took money from the fund or other trading accounts to pay for his lavish lifestyle.

Samples home was featured on House Hunters on HGTV, and the shows host described it as the ultimate party house!

His Facebook photos show him living it up at ballparks, arenas, bars, cruises and at the beach, according to a sentencing memorandum by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico.

To cover up his scheme, Sample moved money around among his clients, mixed it with his own, held weekly phone and quarterly meetings with his clients and sent them false statements that showed their accounts were profitable.

He even created a fake website about the investment fund, according to the documents.

Eventually, after not receiving money as a result of their investments, several of Samples victims complained to the FBI and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which first brought civil litigation against him. As a result of that litigation, Sample was barred from associating with any broker, dealer or investment adviser.

Federal fraud and wire fraud charges were filed against Sample in 2015, and he pleaded guilty to them during his first appearance, according to court records.

Bernie Madoff clone

In letters to U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera, his investors described their frustrations in dealing with Samples alleged hedge fund.

He is an actor with an upbeat optimistic personality and used his professionalism to convince us our investments were continuing with steady moderate gains, a 56-year-old woman identified as N.C. wrote in a victim impact statement filed in court.

His ability to lie face to face, on the phone, in emails, text messages, letters and his creation of a fake website to show us our account is absolutely insane.

N.C. said she and her 60-year-old husband gave Sample their entire retirement fund, and she described him as a Bernie Madoff clone.

Another couple, L.D. and B.D., said in their statement they invested $690,000 in the Lobo Fund. They had known Sample for much of his life.

There is not a day that goes by that I dont wonder how we could have been so stupid, the couples statement read.

Though the federal documents in the court case dont identify any of the victims, defense documents state that in the past year Sample has paid restitution to eight people.

Drugs and violence

In an emotional plea to Herrera during his sentencing hearing last month, Sample said he is trying to make amends.

He said he was molested as a boy and spent much of his life concealing that he was gay. Originally from a Chicago suburb, Sample was an athlete in high school and was valedictorian of his class. He graduated from Duke University.

But after getting a divorce from his wife, he moved to Santa Fe, started living as an openly gay man, and his life spiraled out of control, he said.

He started doing cocaine, ecstasy, GHB and other drugs, he said, and he was a victim of repeated domestic violence in his first gay relationship.

Eventually, he created the scheme and he is now facing a prison sentence for it.

I did commit those crimes, Sample said. Im trying to make things right.

In a little more than a year, Sample has paid nearly $60,000 in restitution, according to court documents. And he promised to keep making more payments  as long as he can stay out of prison.

I dont have any assets, but I have earning potential. Im working as hard as I can to make restitution, he said. They cant get (their money) back without me.

In April 2015, while under investigation for fraud, Sample was hired at SettlementOne, a San Diego-based company that sells appraisal services to banks and mortgage companies, Brandon Melanese said in the court hearing.

Melanese, who supervises Sample, said he has flourished at the company, far surpassing all his sales goals.

In 2016, Sample earned $113,000 in commissions, and  if hes not in prison  he has earned a trip to Hawaii as a reward for his performance.

Melanese said Sample was recently promoted and his new job will allow his commissions to grow this year.

Matthew has by far been one of the top individuals Ive worked with, he said. I wouldnt be here if the company wasnt in support and wanted to keep Matthew.

Despite his high salary last year, Sample said he is living in a cheap apartment in California without air conditioning so he can make payments to creditors and his victims.

If I do get incarcerated, Im unlikely to get a job of the same quality, Sample said.

Restitution in dispute

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Federici asked in court documents for a 61a2-year prison sentence plus restitution. Thats the low end of federal sentencing guidelines for the crimes to which Sample has pleaded guilty.

It is not appropriate for him to be able to essentially buy his way out of jail, Federici said in court. What that signal says is that crime pays. If you commit a white-collar crime, the worst that can happen to you is you have to pay it back.

U.S. attorneys and Samples attorneys disagree about how much Sample still owes the victims in the case.

Ray Twohig, Samples attorney, said in a sentencing memorandum that his client owes about $710,000. Prosecutors said he stole about $1.2 million.

The plea agreement calls for the court to decide how much restitution is owed.

Numerous spreadsheets of various banking accounts and trading funds, made by FBI agents and analysts and defense experts, were submitted to the court.

Herrera said she will review the documents before handing down a sentence.
EL PASO  A year ago this week, top U.S. and Mexico immigration officials gathered at Border Patrol sector headquarters to sign a new repatriation agreement in front of dozens of dignitaries and media.

The repatriation agreements, also signed at eight other points along the southern border, were the product of work between advocates, two national governments and multiple law enforcement agencies and achieved new protections for deported migrants.

Now sweeping new immigration enforcement plans under the Trump administration could trample those accords with a provision that includes turning back to Mexico unauthorized immigrants who arent Mexican citizens, if they cross the U.S. southern border and want to claim asylum or other immigration relief  a plan Mexico has decried.

If the United States government insists on deporting or wants to send to Mexico people who arent Mexican citizens, there is no reason why we should receive them, Mexico Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told Mexican media this week. It would be, frankly, a unilateral action without precedent, unacceptable.

Advocates fear that migrants from Central America, Cuba, Haiti and elsewhere could end up in a sort of limbo: refused by the U.S., unaccepted by Mexico.

We are worried that people could end up between deportation and rejection, said Blanca Navarrete, director of the Ciudad Juarez-based nonprofit Binational Defense and Advocacy Program. It would be a huge challenge for the Mexican government to handle that kind of flow.

What would it look like to turn back to Mexico people who arent from Mexico?

Advocates say there is no infrastructure at the Mexican border for such returns.

The 2016 repatriation agreements were meant to keep deported Mexican migrants safe in violence-prone border towns. They are hyper-local and contain guidance about how Mexican citizens can be returned, down to the specific hours and ports of entry for handing over men, women and children, unaccompanied minors, and deportees with criminal records.

During the worst years of drug violence that surged in 2008, U.S. authorities would sometimes deport busloads of people in the middle of the night to an international bridge connecting downtown El Paso with downtown Ciudad Juarez.

On the other side awaiting them: a strip of bars and seedy hotels.

The agreements curbed deportations to hours in which Mexicos National Migration Institute, or INM, could staff a small office on the international bridge to help process their citizens, many of whom arrive with nothing  no money, no ID, no phone  and provide them aid. The drop-off hours were set at 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. for general repatriations; from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for unaccompanied minors and people with special needs.

Today, INMs workers, clad in khakis and purple shirts, walk to the U.S. side of the bridge to pick up their deported paisanos on foot and accompany them to the office where they can get a provisional ID and a bus ticket home, partially subsidized by the government. Snack bags and used clothing are available at a municipal office nearby.

But the demographics of illegal immigration have shifted considerably, with far fewer Mexicans attempting to cross illegally and more migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and countries other than Mexico  OTMs, in Border Patrol shorthand.

Under the Obama administration, when those migrants were caught at the border, they were either detained, criminally charged for the illegal crossing and deported to their country of origin; or, if they made an asylum claim, released to family or friends in the U.S. to await a court hearing, in some cases wearing a GPS ankle bracelet.

So many Central Americans have claimed asylum or some form of immigration relief that the backlog of immigration cases has swelled to more than 534,000 and wait times for a hearing can stretch to years in some districts.

Recognizing that bottleneck, DHS Secretary John Kelly authorized delivering migrants back across the Mexican border to await the outcome of their cases, citing authority under the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965.

And although Mexico City has said no to that practice on the border, Mexican customs and immigration agents rarely check people crossing south.

In the early 2000s, Border Patrol agents throughout West Texas and New Mexico would transport undocumented migrants to the station at the downtown El Paso bridge, open a door to the northbound pedestrian lane, and let them walk back to Mexico against the current of Mexicans crossing north legally to shop, work or study, said Ramiro Cordero, Border Patrol spokesman.

That was before the U.S. government began prosecuting the majority of undocumented Mexican immigrants apprehended by Border Patrol.

They would go from Border Patrol custody to release on the bridge, he said.

But what about people from places other than Mexico?

Literally, us returning OTMs to Mexico? he said. I dont know how that would work.

Vicki Gaubeca of the ACLUs Regional Center for Border Rights in Las Cruces said sending back citizens of other countries seeking asylum in the U.S. could violate their constitutional rights as well as international human rights conventions.

It is one of those things that we have to see what it looks like, she said. Will we see refugee camps popping up in northern Mexico? That would be a worst-case scenario.
While the Iranian government announced on January 8, that Rafsanjani died at the age of 83 after a heart attack, Fatima claims that evidence submitted by the doctors about her fathers death is not convincing and opposed to what she knows.

Before his death and he was examined by an experienced Iranian doctor who lives in the United States, and according to Fatima, her father was in good health.

The Iranian opposition Green Movement supporters claim that there are several signs proving that Rafsanjani did not die of a heart attack, but was instead biologically assassinated, due to his recent escalating problems with Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Rohollah Zam told Voice of America radio, that Rafsanjani was choked underwater in the pool when he went to the gym. Zam is a close associate of the Green Movements leaders.

the son of late Shiite cleric Abul Qasim Khozali, Mehdi Khozali, said that doctors under pressure when they issued a death certificate for Rafsanjani. He added that the certificate should have been issued by forensics. He stated that Rafsanjanis family members are under security surveillance, and they are not allowed to be interviewed about their fathers death.

A statement by Hassan Qazi Zada Hashemi, the Iranian Health Minister, raised a controversy when he said that Rafsanjanis medical team was not with him when his health deteriorated, so he was rushed to the hospital but it was too late.

Aftab News website reported that medical malpractice occurred when Rafsanjani first suffered the heart attack.

Whatever caused the death of the Iranian political fox, it sparked a debate regarding his political legacy in consolidating the pillars of the authoritarian Wilayat al-faqih regime and the openness and following reformers of the last two decades.
GEORGETOWN, Texas  A new district attorney in Central Texas says his staff has discovered paperwork showing that more than 200 criminal cases had never been previously examined by prosecutors.

Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick said many of the cases date back to 2014 and range from sexual assaults to forgeries, the Austin American-Statesman (http://atxne.ws/2mm98Tl ) reported.

Dick took over as district attorney in January, replacing Jana Duty, who he defeated in the Republican primary last March.

Much of the paperwork discovered last month in a vacant administrative office is the basic forms that police officers submit to the district attorneys office for review, Dick said. There were a total of 218 cases that had been left unexamined.

I was alarmed, he said. What we didnt realize at the time was how many there were and how serious they were.

Dick believes the problem of the unexamined cases is due to the district attorneys office being short-staffed during Dutys last year in office. He had expected a three- to four-month backlog of casework when he took office, but the discovery pushes the delay to upward of six months, he said.

Compounding the problem is Dicks office must still respond to about 1,500 requests from defense attorneys over the last four months of 2016 for an explanation of evidence the office has against their clients.

Being behind by 1,500 individual discovery requests far exceeded the normal backlog, he said.

Duty did not respond to a request for comment on the cases and whether her office was short-staffed last year.

Dick noted that district attorneys are not aware of every case that comes into their office. I am trying to be fair to her, he said. Whether she should have been aware is a different question.

Jack Strickland, a deputy chief prosecutor for the Tarrant County district attorneys office from 2011 to 2014, said its unusual for 218 cases to be left behind.

It would really be a mess to inherit, he told the newspaper. I think it sends the wrong message to the public that this stuff is just languishing because people dont think its important to get to.

Dick says hes hiring additional prosecutors to help with the backlog, but also in anticipation of the countys growing population and the increasing volume of cases his office is expected to handle in coming years.

___

Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
FARMINGTON  Plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against suspended Aztec Magistrate Court Judge Connie Johnston claim she did not follow a court order by failing to provide all recordings and transcripts of private conversations made in the Aztec Magistrate Court building, and that she altered and edited recordings provided to attorneys.

The lawsuit was filed in the Eleventh Judicial District Court on Feb. 26, 2016. It alleges Johnston placed recording devices in more than a dozen areas around the courthouse, including judges offices, restrooms and an attorney-client conference room, according to the lawsuit.

The New Mexico Supreme Court suspended Johnston on Dec. 1, 2015, after she ordered a court clerk jailed for contempt.

She is being investigated by the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission on allegations that she has violated the states Code of Judicial Conduct 15 times since she was appointed to the bench in August 2014.

Johnston, along with her sister, Michelle Constant, an evidence manager for the San Juan County Sheriffs Office; and husband Brian Johnston, a retired deputy for the sheriffs office, are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

District Judge Sarah Bakcus ruled Feb. 15 in favor of the plaintiffs motion to hold an in-person evidentiary hearing Friday in Aztec to discuss Johnstons alleged actions, according to court documents.

Steven Murphy, the attorney representing the 13 plaintiffs on the lawsuit, said in a telephone interview that Johnston was destroying, hiding and editing the tapes of conversations recorded in parts of the courthouse, including the offices of judges Trudy Reed-Chase and Barry Sharer. Both judges are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

RELATED: Magistrate judge suspended by N.M. Supreme Court

Murphy added that he filed motions to find Johnston in civil and criminal contempt, and impose sanctions. Some of those sanctions could include issuing a default judgment against her in the case and also preclude her from raising any questions about the secret recordings in court.

Zachary Cormier, one of the attorneys representing Johnston, declined comment and referred questions about the lawsuit to attorney Sean Olivas. Olivas did not respond to requests for comment.

The defendants were ordered by the district court on April 19 to deliver any and all recordings of communication and transcripts of recordings of communication which were obtained within the Aztec Magistrate Court, according to court documents.

A hard drive was delivered to the court that contained 46 files of recordings that amounted to about 44 hours of recordings, along with several transcripts. The release of the hard drive to the plaintiffs was ordered on Dec. 20.

Upon inspection of the hard drive, Murphy said he had concerns about the files provided.

When we went through those files, it became clear she didnt provide them all, Murphy said.

In email messages between Murphy and Cormier included in the court paperwork, Murphy told Cormier the recordings were incomplete and asked him to produce all the recordings.

After an exchange of emails between the attorneys, Johnston shared access on Jan. 25 to a folder on the file hosting website Dropbox that contained supplemental materials, according to court documents.

Murphy told The Daily Times that more than 900 files were included in the Dropbox folder, but it became clear that some files were deleted a day later, including several video files.

Joshua Kellogg covers crime, courts and social issues for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627.



2017 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
LAS CRUCES, N.M.  A southern New Mexico man has pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking charges in a case in which four other defendants have already entered guilty pleas.

The U.S. Attorneys Office says 54-year-old Armando Daniel Marquez of Sunland Park pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Las Cruces to conspiracy, distribution of heroin and use of a communication facility.

A Drug Enforcement Administration-led investigation into a ring based in Sunland Park led to a 30-count indictment charging 10 alleged members.

The remaining co-defendants have pleaded not guilty and await trial.
After La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Marc Platt delivered their acceptance speeches for best picture, fellow producer Fred Berger discovered that their movie was not, in fact, the victor  and he offered up an awkward we lost, by the way before backing away from the podium like Homer Simpson disappearing into a shrub.

Berger wasnt about to stick around to figure out what exactly happened  and who could blame him? It was an embarrassing situation.

But amid the confusion, there was one person willing to take charge and explain  even though he had just given an acceptance speech for a career-defining award he did not actually win.

Horowitz marched up to the microphone to make an announcement.

Moonlight won, he said.

Guys, guys, Im sorry. No. Theres a mistake, Horowitz said. Moonlight, you guys won best picture.

This is not a joke, he continued.

Come up here, he commanded, motioning for the Moonlight team to come to the stage and collect the top Oscar that Horowitz briefly thought his film had just won.

While the people in the audience were gasping with surprise, Horowitz  as if to assure them this wasnt fake news  held up the card just pulled from the correct award envelope, so that the cameras could zoom in.

Moonlight,' he said. Best picture.

Host Jimmy Kimmel looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but on an Oscars stage at that moment.

He tried to make some jokes. The host said he wished that La La Land and Moonlight could win  but Horowitz wasnt having it.

Im going to be really thrilled to hand this to my friends from Moonlight,' he said.

Horowitz wasnt just a gracious loser; he became the closest thing the Oscars can get to a folk hero.

Its funny, right? Because what he did wasnt exactly revolutionary. He told the truth even though it was difficult and awkward and embarrassing, because he had just stood in front of the world and thanked his friends and family for an award that wasnt his.

Horowitz could have slunk offstage and let Kimmel and Warren Beatty continue to fumble through an explanation.

Instead he did the dirty work with what looked like pride, sticking around to hug his friends from Moonlight.

This kind of behavior shouldnt be all that exceptional, but truth has been hard to come by lately. Weve just come off an election in which politicians have happily danced around facts, and the president continues to make false or misleading claims.

When the truth is inconvenient, a lot of people spin it or bend it to their will. But that, apparently, is not Horowitzs style.

What was going through his mind when all of this was happening?

It was a surreal moment for sure, he said during an interview Monday on ABCs Good Morning America. But I wanted to make sure that the right thing was done because, at that point, it was not about me; it was about making sure that Moonlight got the recognition it really deserves. As I said onstage, those guys are my friends and I wanted to make sure they had their moment.

Horowitz said there was a lot of confusion and chaos onstage.

Thats when I sort of jumped to the mic and made sure everybody knew what was going on and then kind of showed the card because I think people needed clarity at that moment, he told Good Morning America.

It was like this slow, steady realization that something wasnt right and it needed to be corrected, he added, so we jumped in and did it.

Backstage, after the most shocking moment in Oscar history, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins took pains to tell reporters that the folks from La La Land were so gracious. I cant imagine being in their position and having to do that.  I wasnt speechless because we won. I was speechless because I  it was so gracious of them to do that.

After the awards ceremony, Horowitz told E! that his job is to take charge.

Listen, Im a producer, he said. I gather things together and I change directions and I march things forward.

He had also just given a speech about wanting to do more bold and diverse work, he said  so it seemed appropriate somehow that he was able then to hand off his award to such a bold, diverse movie. After all, his movie had already won six awards, and over the past six months, during the craziness of awards season, hed become close to the people who had worked on Moonlight.

When Horowitz was a victor, he seemed like a nice enough guy.

But as a loser, he showed what a champion for truth looks like.
TEHRAN, Iran  Iranians on Monday cheered the choice of one of their own for the best foreign film Oscar, lauding director Asghar Farhadis boycott of the Hollywood ceremony for his film The Salesman as an act of defiance against the Trump administration.

Farhadi refused to attend the Academy Awards, announcing after the temporary U.S. travel ban was initially imposed last month for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries that he would not attend the ceremony  even if an exception was made for him. Iran was one of the seven countries affected by the measure, which has since been blocked from being carried out by a federal court ruling.

The Salesman  about a couple performing Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman and their attempts to find peace and justice after the wife is attacked at their Tehran apartment  had become a rallying cry for immigrant rights after the travel ban.

The six nominated directors in the foreign language category had put out a joint statement ahead of the award decrying what they called the climate of fanaticism in the United States and dedicating the award to the promotion of unity and understanding regardless of who won.

Film critic Esmaeil Mihandoost, who wrote a book about Farhadi, told The Associated Press that thanks to the boycott, the film director has now more influence on public opinion than a politician.

It created an exceptional opportunity for criticism of Trumps policy, he added.

The award was the second Oscar for Farhadi, after his film A Separation won in the same category for 2012.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he saw the prize as taking a stance against Trumps executive order. Proud of Cast and Crew of The Salesman for Oscar and stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture and civilization for millennia, he tweeted in English.

Vice President Ishaq Jahangiri praised Farhadi both for the award and for boycotting the ceremony, calling it a priceless action.

State radio and television briefly reported on Farhadis Oscar, while Tehran film daily Banifilm ran an op-ed saying that Trump had probably never imagined what contribution the travel ban would have for Farhadis film. The trade paper said the executive order had likely propelled The Salesman to victory.

Trumps victory has prompted concern among many in Iran, particularly in the wake of a 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S. and other world powers that led to the lifting of crippling economic sanctions. The Trump administration earlier this month said it was putting Iran on notice after it test-fired a ballistic missile.

Many Iranians learned of the Oscar win from social media.

I am proud of this, said Mahbod Shirvani, a 19-year-old music student said outside the campus of Tehran University. It shattered the U.S presidents stance on Muslim nations. It showed that American people and artists are against Trumps policies.

Davood Kazemi, 21, who studies painting, said the award showed Trump cannot stop international figures and he cannot thwart artists solidarity that has formed, regardless of race, nationality and religion.

Iranian news websites published cartoonist Bozorgmehr Hosseinpours sketch depicting Farhadi playing chess and using a small Oscar statue to knock out an unseens opponents last chess piece, a figure resembling Trump.

In a statement read out at the Oscars ceremony on his behalf by Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian-American astronaut, Farhadi said the empathy filmmakers can foster is needed today more than ever. Ansari was joined onstage by another accomplished Iranian-American, Firouz Naderi, a former NASA director.

Im sorry Im not with you tonight, Farhadis statement read. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.

Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, it said.

___

Associated Press writer Linsey Bahr in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
HOUSTON  The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to review appeals in three Texas death row cases, including one where a man pleaded guilty to a triple slaying in South Texas.

The high courts rulings moved two inmates closer to execution: LeJames Norman, 31, condemned for the 2005 shooting deaths of three people during a botched robbery of a home in Edna, about 100 miles southwest of Houston, and Bill Douglas Gates, 67, condemned for strangling a Houston woman in 1999.

Neither has an execution date.

Norman and an accomplice also now on death row, KerSean Ramey, were convicted in the slayings of Samuel Roberts, 24, Tiffani Peacock, 18, and Celso Lopez, 38, inside the home they shared in Edna, in Jackson County. Roberts parents discovered the bodies Aug. 25, 2005.

Court records indicated Ramey and Norman believed there was 100 kilograms of cocaine in the house and hoped to steal it, but they never found any drugs. Norman was arrested trying to cross a bridge into Brownsville from Mexico about five months after the killings. He pleaded guilty to capital murder, leaving a jury to decide only on punishment. Normans appeal raised questions about the competence of his trial attorneys.

Texas prison records show when Gates was arrested for the slaying of Elfreda Gans, 41, at her Houston apartment, the Riverside County, California, man was on parole after serving six years of two life prison terms in California for robbery, assault on a peace officer and possession of a weapon by a prisoner. His appeal also questioned whether his trial lawyers were deficient.

The third case refused by the high court involved prisoner Michael Wayne Norris, whose case was returned by a federal district judge in 2015 to his trial court in Houston for a new punishment hearing. A federal appeals court last year upheld that decision. Norris has been on death row nearly 30 years for fatally shooting a Houston mother and her 2-year-old son.

Patrick McCann, Norris attorney, said Monday the ruling involved legal procedural point related to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Norris is awaiting his new punishment trial and Mondays ruling had no effect on that, McCann said.

Norris was on parole after serving time for murder when he was arrested for fatally shooting Georgia Rollins, 38, and her 2-year-old son, Keith, at their Houston apartment in 1986. His appeal challenged the instructions provided to his jurors during the punishment phase of his 1987 trial in Harris County.

At the time, trial courts were wrestling with evolving jury instructions about mitigating evidence, like mental impairment or dysfunctional childhood, and how it should be applied to punishment in capital murder convictions. The Supreme Court visited the issue several times, refining trial procedures through its rulings, and several cases of Norris era were returned to trial courts for new punishment hearings.

___

This story has been corrected to show two cases move closer to execution but one appeal involves case that has been returned to trial court for new punishment hearing
The irony isnt lost on Mem Fox. The author of books advocating tolerance and acceptance was detained by U.S. immigration officials as she arrived in America to give a talk about the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Fox, perhaps Australias most famous childrens author, has written such books as Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, which celebrates the humanity common to all children. No matter where someone is born, no matter what a child looks like, the book reminds us, we all have ten little fingers/ and ten little toes.

Her latest book, to be published in Australia this week, is called Im Australian Too. Among its lines: We open doors to strangers./ Yes, everyones a friend. (Simon & Schuster is in negotiations to buy the book and publish it in the United States.)

Fox was on her way from Australia to a conference in Milwaukee on Feb. 6, scheduled to speak about this very theme, when she was detained by immigration officers at Los Angeles International Airport. She was held for just under two hours, she says, and aggressively questioned about her visa status.

I was going for such a good reason, she says of the trip, noting it would have been her 117th visit to the United States. After her experience at the airport, she says, she is unlikely to return.

The worst of it, she says, is that she was questioned not because she was a childrens author but because I was just anybody. About 20 travelers were taken to a holding room, she says, and the manner in which we were interrogated  in public view about really private information  was terrible. It was the insolence that was beyond mind-boggling.

Fox says that she was waiting in the immigration line when she was pulled aside. Ensconced in a book  Stendhals The Red and the Black  she at first did not hear officers calling her name. She says that when she politely apologized, the officer asked her, What do you want me to do, stand here while you finish it?

And that was just the beginning of it, she says.

Fox says she was aggressively asked about her finances and the nature of her trip. The implication, she says, was that she was coming here to work. Fox says that the conference organizers were paying for her hotel and an honorarium that just about covered the cost of her flight.

Over the past decade, Fox, a grandmother who will turn 71 next month, has made numerous trips under similar arrangements. She was sure her visa status was correct. It took about 15 minutes of questioning for officers to arrive at the same conclusion.

I was so frightened, she says. The heel of my right hand was on my heart to try to stop it from beating so hard.

Others in the room were being treated similarly, she says. I felt ashamed to be a human being.

After returning to her home in Adelaide, Fox filed a complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Canberra and received a charming email in response. I took it as an apology from all of America, she says.

Fox, the author of more than 30 books, has remained publicly quiet about the incident until recently, when she began doing interviews about her new book. She says the difference between her message of tolerance and her experience in the United States was too stark to ignore.

Fox, who appeared at the 2010 National Book Festival in Washington, says she has been pleased by the support she has received since coming forward.

Has it changed her view of the United States? As a whole, everyone is charming, friendly welcoming, gorgeous, she says. But the U.S. is changing its mind about what the U.S. is. That is what is coming through. That is the tragedy.
KIRYAS JOEL, N.Y.  A quickly crowding Hasidic Jewish village that is working to expand its boundaries faces opposition from neighbors who fear more urban-style development by the insular community could overrun their slice of suburbia.

Its going to become like New York City, like the Bronx or Brooklyn, said Michael Queenan, mayor of the neighboring village of Woodbury, about 50 miles north of New York City. People moved up here because they wanted a different kind of lifestyle, they wanted a little elbow room.

Kiryas Joel is a 1.1-square-mile village of nearly 22,000 markedly different from the surrounding suburban sprawl. Sidewalks are crowded with bearded men in heavy wool coats and brimmed hats. Women in long skirts push baby carriages into bustling stores where Yiddish is spoken. Schools teem with children. And streets are lined with one tightly packed apartment after another.

Followers of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum began coming here from Brooklyn in the 1970s, hoping to create the sort of cohesive community some recalled from Europe, with large families a big part of it. Under tradition, Kiryas Joel girls marry young and start having children immediately, fueling long-term population growth. While the average Kiryas Joel family has six people, its not uncommon to see couples with as many as 10 children. An average of three babies are born in the village each day.

For us, family is part of faith. Its not something we choose, said Malka Silberstein, a principal of a girls school who settled here with her family 35 years ago.

Kiryas Joel is among the fastest-growing places in New York state, nearly doubling its population since 2000. It also has made headlines in The New York Times and elsewhere as the poorest place in the nation. Current data show more than half the population living in poverty, a function of modest salaries supporting large households.

On a recent tour, Kiryas Joel administrator Gedalye Szegedin noted that the zoning allows for denser housing than the surrounding town of Monroe. He pointed out a 200-unit housing project under construction, a plot where 1,500 units will go and a single-family home replaced by 24 units.

Szegedin said the villages natural growth requires 300 or more units a year, and he predicted that in as little as seven years Kiryas Joel will simply run out of land for young families.

If were not going to provide for it, theyre going to live doubled up with their parents, theyre going to live doubled up with their siblings, he said. Theyre going to live in subhuman conditions.

Kiryas Joel has backed three boundary-expanding solutions, all of them contentious.

Hasidim living outside the village created two separate petitions to have their land annexed by Kiryas Joel, which would allow for denser housing, sidewalks and other services. The Monroe town board in 2015 denied a petition to annex 507 acres but approved a separate 164-acre annexation plan.

With both board actions being litigated, the village last year proposed a new solution: adding 382 acres to the village and making it a new town called North Monroe.

Kiryas Joel officials say creating a new town would erase long-festering village-town conflicts, like the complaint that Kiryas Joel dominates town politics.

John Allegro, of United Monroe, a community group that has been critical of Kiryas Joel, sees the North Monroe proposal as another path to the same unsustainable growth pattern in annexation.

Where is the water going to come from? Where is the sewage going to go? Whats going to happen to the wildlife? he asked.

Conflicts with the village have flared up occasionally for decades, with some accusing critics of being motivated by anti-Semitism. And critics, in turn, have stressed that their issues revolve around heavier traffic, infrastructure strain and a neighbor aggressively pursuing its agenda.

An appeals court this month denied opponents request to place a stay on the 164-acre annexation, clearing the way for rezoning in the coming months. The parallel effort to create a town still needs to be considered by the county legislature.

Szegedin said it would allow suburbanites and Hasidim to live in peace.

We dont question their desire to live in a rural area, and we hope that they wont question our desire to live the way we live, Szegedin said. We understand that there are two ways of living.
BERTHOUD, Colo.  Two men are dead after their small plane crashed into a reservoir in northern Colorado.

Authorities say the men were in their single-engine Cessna 172 in the frigid water of Culver Reservoir near Berthoud for 50 minutes before divers were able to pull them out Monday morning. They were taken to the hospital where they were declared dead.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Call it the Trump bump.

At least thats the sarcastic spin from some Iranians who believe that the uproar over President Donald Trumps travel ban helped give some extra Oscar buzz to The Salesman, which took home the award in the best foreign language category on Sunday.

Iran doesnt really need an added boost with the Academy. Iranian films have pulled in prizes around the world for decades, including an Oscar in 2012 for Asghar Farhadis A Separation.

But this year, it was hard to separate the nomination for Farhadis The Salesman and Trumps clampdown on travel to the United States by citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations, including Iran. Farhadi stayed away from the Academy Awards ceremony in protest. So did the cast.

The snubs, some contend, might have resonated well with the Oscar-awarding judges opposed to Trumps executive order, which is locked in a court challenge.

Im sorry Im not with you tonight, said a statement from Farhadi read by Iranian American astronaut Anousheh Ansari, who has taken part in a mission on the International Space Station.

My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S., the statement continued.

Before the ceremony, Farhadi joined the four other directors of films nominated in the foreign language category in issuing a statement decrying a rising tide of fanaticism in the United States. The directors  whose films cast and crew span the globe  agreed that this years award would be dedicated to unity and understanding regardless of who won.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted congratulations to the cast and crew of The Salesman and their stance against #MuslimBan.

The film itself has nothing to do with international politics. The story is about a Tehran couple performing Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman and their struggles with social stigmas after the wife is assaulted in their apartment.

Yet many Iranian movie fans and others rallied around the belief that the Oscar win was something of Hollywood referendum against the White House.

Banifilm, a leading Iranian film industry newspaper and website, posted an opinion piece saying Trump probably never imagined what contribution the travel ban would have for Farhadis film.

Across Iranian social media, a popular cartoon depicted Farhadi playing chess and using an Oscar to take out his opponents piece. It looks a lot like Trump.
State-run media reported that Iran plans to hold its annual exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, the Bab el-Mandab and northern parts of the Indian Ocean. The exercises are held to train in the fight against terrorism and piracy, according to Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.

The state news agency, IRNA, said that Navy ships, submarines and helicopters will participate in the drills, which will reach across an area of about 2 million square kilometers (772,000 square miles) and will showcase their skills along Irans southeastern coast.

The Bab el-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz are waterways that run along the coasts of Yemen and Iran, by which millions of barrels of oil are transported to Europe, the US, and Asia every day. The shipping lanes in the Gulf and nearby waters are protected by the US Navys Fifth Fleet, which is based in the region.

A US Navy destroyer was forced to fire warning shots at four Iranian fast-attack vessels belonging to Irans Revolutionary Guard near the Strait of Hormuz last month, after they closed in at high speed. The IRGC will not participate in the current war games.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Irans former President, sent a 3,500-word letter to US President Trump on Sunday, criticizing his travel ban, which affects seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran.

Ahmadinejads letter, which was published by Iranian media outlets, stated that Trump won the election while he truthfully described the US political system and electoral structure as corrupt. He also decried US dominance over the United Nations, as well as Americas meddling in the world, bringing insecurity, war, division, killing and (the) displacement of nations.

Acknowledging the 1,000,000 people of Iranian descent living in America, Ahmadinejad said that US policies should value respect toward the diversity of nations and races. He wrote, In other words, the contemporary US belongs to all nations, including the natives of the land. No one may consider themselves the owner and view others as guests or immigrants.

Unpopular in the US, as well, Trumps travel ban was blocked by a judge, and US Appeals Court refused to reinstate it. However, Trump promised to issue a revised order soon, saying its necessary to keep America safe.
SANTA FE  A proposal to open New Mexicos primary elections to independent voters survived  just barely  its first challenge in the state Senate.

The bill made it out of the Senate Rules Committee on Monday without a recommendation and now heads to the Judiciary Committee, potentially its last stop before reaching the Senate floor.

But that was only after a motion to recommend passage of the bill failed on a tie vote.

A similar proposal, meanwhile, is also advancing through the House, though it has not yet reached the floor.

Mondays action centered on Senate Bill 205, sponsored by Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales.

The bill would allow people who decline to state a party affiliation  independents, as theyre often called  to participate in a primary election. About one in five New Mexico voters falls into that category.

Sapiens proposal wouldnt allow people to cross party lines. In other words, Democrats or Libertarians couldnt opt to vote in the Republican primary.

Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said the proposal would encourage voter participation in primary elections and force the major parties to pay more attention to young people, who are more likely to register as independents.

It would also give more people a voice in races that are decided in the primary, he said. In some districts, the general election is uncontested.

Most districts are so heavily drawn to favor one party or the other, Steinborn said.

Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, argued against the proposal. The only real purpose of political parties is to nominate candidates, he said, and theres no downside to registering with one.

It isnt as if the Democratic Party charges dues or requires people to agree with every part of its platform, Ortiz y Pino said. And its easy to change your registration online ahead of a primary if you want to participate, he said.

Sapiens bill just seems to me a solution in search of a problem, Ortiz y Pino said.

Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, an Albuquerque Democrat and former state elections director, proposed allowing the major parties to decide themselves whether to allow independents  or even members of other parties  to participate. But that idea didnt win approval.

In the end, the committee voted 6-2 to forward on Sapiens bill without a recommendation, with three Democrats and three Republicans in favor. Ivey-Soto and Ortiz y Pino voted no.
After a presidential campaign that sharply divided the country over illegal immigration, some of the nations most ardent anti-immigrant advocates see the chance under Donald Trump to dramatically reduce legal immigration as well.

Trumps early appointments, including the nominee for attorney general and two top White House advisers, are giving those advocates hope that they now have powerful allies at the very highest levels of government.

Weve been in the wilderness, and overnight we are not anymore, said Roy Beck, a leading advocate for slashing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.

Beck is executive director of NumbersUSA, an Arlington, Va.-based nonprofit organization devoted to stabilizing the population. He has been marginalized in Washington as an eccentric figure whose views some consider xenophobic or even racist.

Not anymore.

Trump, he added, really did make some very strong statements about cutting immigration. Thats a total change.

During a campaign speech in Phoenix last summer, Trump advocated new policies to curtail legal immigration, citing concerns about foreign workers taking jobs and keeping wages down for the native-born.

Trump noted that 59 million immigrants had come to the United States over the past 50 years, boosting the foreign-born share of the nations population from 4.8 percent to 14 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.

Many of these arrivals have greatly enriched our country, he said. But we now have an obligation to them, and to their children, to control future immigration  as we have following previous immigration waves  to ensure assimilation, integration and upward mobility.

Today, the U.S. government awards green cards to more than 1 million foreigners annually, granting them legal permanent residence. Many of these are granted to family members of people already living legally in the United States. Groups such as NumbersUSA want to slash that by a half or more.

In his speech, Trump expressed a desire to cut legal immigration levels to within historical norms, as measured by a share of the overall population, and he proposed a new federal commission to develop proposals to achieve it.

The goal, he said, would be to select immigrants based on their likelihood of success in U.S. society and their ability to be financially self-sufficient. The new immigration system should establish controls to boost wages and to ensure open jobs are offered to American workers first.

Trump has echoed the views of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who is perhaps the Senates most vocal immigration hard-liner and whom Trump has nominated as U.S. attorney general.

Stephen Miller, a longtime Sessions aide who wrote most of Trumps immigration speeches, has been named senior adviser to the president for policy in the Trump White House. And Stephen Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, advocated for reducing legal immigration levels as editor of Breitbart News, a conservative website that reports extensively on the issue.

What we need now is immigration moderation: slowing the pace of new arrivals so that wages can rise, welfare rolls can shrink and the forces of assimilation can knit us all more closely together, Sessions wrote in a Washington Post op-ed last year.

To immigrant rights advocates, such talk sounds like justification for pursuing nativist and xenophobic policies, said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center.

She pointed to academic studies showing that immigrants spur economic growth and suggested that Trump and his aides are employing a false rationale as political cover to take us back to [the policies of] previous centuries.

The last time the United States significantly cut immigration levels was in 1924, after a public backlash over huge influxes of foreign workers during the Second Industrial Revolution prompted Congress to establish strict quotas based on national origin. The new laws favored white immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, while severely restricting Jews from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Africans. Asians and Arabs were banned outright.

Over the ensuing decades, U.S. immigration rates plunged to their lowest levels since the pre-Civil War era  from more than 800,000 immigrants a year between 1900 and 1910 to about 70,000 a year between 1930 and 1940, according to federal data.

In 1965, Congress replaced the national-origin quota with a system focused on reuniting immigrant families, leading to a spike in immigration levels. Under current policies, immigrants and their descendants will account for an additional 103 million people over 50 years, 88 percent of the nations population growth, according to Pew.

The question is whether having an immigration level higher than any other country in the world but half of what we have now signifies any kind of qualitative change in who we are as a country, said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, another group that advocates for reducing immigration levels. That 500,000 or 400,000 immigrants a year is somehow un-American, but 1 million is America.

During unsuccessful immigration overhaul efforts under President George W. Bush in 2007 and Obama in 2013, Beck and Krikorian were reliable voices of opposition to bipartisan legislative proposals that featured a path to citizenship for the nations 11 million illegal immigrants.

But to them, the fate of the undocumented  which has become the major flash point on Capitol Hill  obscures their more fundamental goal of reducing overall immigration flows. A third major restrictionist group, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, has spent decades lobbying Congress to cap immigration at 300,000 per year.

All three organizations were started with funding from John Tanton, a Michigan doctor who has professed support for eugenics, a branch of science that believes certain beneficial human traits can be made more prominent in a population through selective breeding.

But Beck rejected as nonsense the notion that his groups views are based on race.

It is nationalist, not nativist, he said. Its not where you were born, but are you a member of this national community?

NumbersUSA touts as its spiritual godmother the late Barbara Jordan, a Texas Democrat who was the first African American woman elected to Congress from the Deep South. In the mid-1990s, before her death in 1996, Jordan chaired a bipartisan federal commission that recommended to the Clinton administration cutting annual green cards from 675,000 a year to 550,000. Clinton never moved forward on the proposal.

In an ad that aired during the Republican and Democratic presidential primary debates last year, NumbersUSA featured a clip of Jordans testimony that the commission finds no national interest in continuing to import lesser-skilled and unskilled workers to compete in the most vulnerable parts of our labor force.

Studies have shown that immigrants who arrive legally boost the economy over the long term and that many have higher levels of education than native-born Americans. Commission members said NumbersUSA took Jordans words out of context and noted that the commission also proposed accommodating a global waiting list of than 1 million immigration applicants.

Proponents of lowering immigration levels are just interested in coming up with reasons not to have people who are different, said Stuart Anderson, an adjunct scholar at the conservative Cato Institute who served as counselor to the commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service under Bush.

Anderson said the 1924 law that slashed immigration rates was hardly a model of good governance. It was one of the ugliest periods of the eugenics movement and extremely anti- Semitic.

Trump advisers emphasized that limiting immigration would benefit all American workers, including blacks and Hispanics.

One aide said the president-elect has not specified a target immigration level because he wants to consult members of Congress. The aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the issue on the record, said Trump favors a revamped system that would prioritize immigrants with high education levels and expertise in high-skilled industries such as technology.

The 1965 immigration act sought to build in preferences for skilled foreign laborers, but the system overwhelmingly favors family reunification. Of the 1 million foreigners granted permanent legal residence in 2014, 647,000  about two-thirds  received green cards based on family ties, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Just 152,000 permanent arrivals were employment-based.

In addition, 134,000 refugees and asylum seekers received green cards, and 54,000 more were distributed in an annual diversity lottery for underrepresented countries, many in Africa.

Critics have said the rules encourage chain migration, the tradition of immigrants seeking to bring extended family members. The Trump aide cited as a model Canadas system of awarding points to immigrants based on education, job skills, language proficiency, age and other criteria.

If he pursues a legislative push, Trump is likely to run into major resistance, including from some fellow Republicans and members of the business community, which has supported more robust programs for foreign workers and their families.

But Beck said he is counting on Trump.

We have a citizen army, said Beck, whose group has more than 6 million Facebook followers. We will be acting and pushing members of Congress. Were not going into this expecting him to disappoint us.
The big winner of the annual New Mexico Advertising Awards was 3 Advertising, which got nine gold and 20 silver awards.

The firm, with offices in Albuquerque and Washington, D.C., also won a Judges Choice ADDY award for its Sackwear 2016 Campaign, done for Sackwear.com. The awards were for the companys work on brand identity, social media, web design and other categories.

Other top winners included Esparza, which got four golds and six silvers and McKee Wallwork + Company, which received four golds and six silvers.

Winners compete at the district level with the goal of making it to the national competition.

Other New Mexico winners:

 Nijian took home a gold with a Judges Choice for its Pizza 9 commercial.

 The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority got a gold and a Judges Choice for its Groundwater on the Rebound Annual Report.

 The student Best of Show went to Connor Sly for his Kelly Kettle campaign.
Rasna last week unveiled its latest ad campaign  Pyarelal Ka Bachpan Ka Pyar. Conceptualised by Scarecrow Communications and produced by Chrome Films, the campaign aims at celebrating the brands journey of spreading love for decades across generations.

Considered as one of the most trusted original Made in India brand, Rasna is a market leader with 85 per cent share in the powdered drink segment. Now, Rasna has strong plans to chart its next phase of double digit growth and expansion of overall product portfolio. Rasna has also announced the setting up of a new powder facility at Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, which would add another 20 per cent to its capacity to its double digit growth plan. Remarkably, Rasna has not increased the MRP of its product from its launch in 20 years and is still available at Rs 2 per glass.

The company has now ventured into the snacks segment with the launch of Rasna Vitos, a baked sweet snack. According to market researcher Euromonitor, sweet and savoury snacks have grown by 26 per cent, highest within the packaged food segment between 2010 and 2015. Sensing this opportunity, Rasna is planning to target the sweet snacks segment with focus on kids coming from school. As of now, Rasna Vitos will be available in chocolate and strawberry flavours.

Piruz Khambatta, Chairman & MD, Rasna Pvt Ltd, commented, Vitos is our answer to the huge opportunity in the evening snacks and kids back from school segment. This product will drive the proposition of evening snacking in a tasty and healthy manner. Unlike fried chips and namkeens with 40 per cent fat, Vitos is not fried but baked and made with Ragi and wheat with 14 nutrients, making it an ideal health supplement for kids. Rasna has kept its promise of healthy tasty product for the masses that too at an affordable price of Rs 10 per pouch. The focus will now be on increasing the penetration of Vitos by levering our robust marketing and distribution network.

Watch the ad film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2CpM2kYMNk

In conversation with Adgully, Piruz Khambatta speaks at length about the factors contributing to Rasnas market endurance, the changing communication over the years, digital strategy and much more.

How has Rasna maintained its appeal over 4 decades of its presence in the market?

I do believe that in any consumer market, the easy part is that you need to have the emotional connect and the rational connect. But the difficult part is that emotions and rationalisation change year on year. So if you think that you will have an emotional connect with a kid of the 90s and the same connect will happen with the 2017 kids, thats not possible because the way children think now is different. So we need to reinvent the emotional and rational part of it. We have now changed the way we advertise. Today, people want more health food, people want products to look good for them, the packaging needs to be appealing and even the kids have changed. Earlier, when we showed a child of 7 or 8 years, we could reach up to the age group of 15 to 17 years. Today, if we use a 7 or 8 year-old, we will only reach the 7 or 8-year olds. Anybody who is over 8 years will say, this is for kids and not for me. Thats why we roped in Akshay Kumar, because he appeals to a 2-year-old as well as an 80-year-old and there is no gender bias in Akshay. Thats why we had to move to such role models with time.

We have sustained because we have always adapted to change, we have never stagnated. A lot of old Indian brands have stagnated in old styles of marketing, distribution and packaging. But we have reinvented ourselves. To be very honest, Rasna has relaunched itself every year with new packaging and new products. So for the consumers, there is always something new.

How challenging is it to establish a real connect with todays digital-savvy generation?

We are still learning and experimenting. We put up a teaser of our latest ad just three days back as an experiment and we hit 1.2 million views on YouTube. Ninety per cent of the people saw the ad on mobile and I was surprised that the hits were coming from small towns. We soon learnt that if your creative is good, then your cost goes down. This I never knew about digital.

Secondly, if you filter it well, your cost goes down. There is no need to reach everyone. So, I believe we are still learning and so is our agency, but as we go along, maybe by 2020 almost 20-30 per cent the adex will be on digital. Things are changing rapidly. That is why I have told my agency that we will have a flexible budget this year. We are not putting a cap on spends and will see how it goes.

What made you go for hiring an agency on a project basis than the usual retainer basis?

Agencies and brands have to be partners with each other. We have been partners with Mudra for 15 years and the needs of the agency and brand have to be met. Luckily, Manish (Bhatt, Founder Director, Scarecrow Communications) is from Gujarat and even Rasna is a Gujarati brand. So, I think he understands Gujarati brands. He has worked with Wagh Bakri, which is again a Gujarati brand, so that helps.

Secondly, I always believe that for Indian brands, agencies with Indian ethos are much better. Someone asked me, Why are Indian companies more successful in the food segment? I replied, Thats because we know taste. So, I think Indian origin agencies work best for Indian brands.

What is the objective of the latest Pyarelal campaign?

The campaign is not about Pyarelal or the lady. A brand lasts for decades because of its emotional connect, and this time the communication that we want to make is that Rasna is Rasna because it has come a long way and has seen many generations. Could an 8-year-old boy have conveyed that message? It would have looked out of place. If we want to make an ad whos USP is about generations, we cant have an 8-year-old. Thats why we needed somebody who could convey that I love Rasna since my childhood and the whole story was such that we needed an adult to play the character. My firm belief is that if you show an 80-year-old in the ad, it doesnt mean that only elderly people will drink it. Take for example the Flipkart ads, which use small kids, it doesnt mean that the website is only for kids.

Thats why we have two ads  one is the theme ad and the other is the functional ad which will launch 15 days from now. Thats more like the typical traditional ad.

What is the digital push for Brand Rasna?

As I had said earlier, we are learning and we are experimenting. I have asked the agency to get more finetuned to out TG and lets see how we can take it further.

What is the budget allocated for the latest campaign?

We spend around Rs 30 crore on advertising every year as topline budget, but this time we are looking at spending 5-10 per cent of that on digital.
We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain.
Sony has officially announced the Xperia XA1 and the Xperia XA1 Ultra, two follow up devices to last years Xperia XA and Xperia XA Ultra devices. Each phone is set to have some marked improvements over last years models not the least of which is the rear-facing camera on both devices, which is the same camera sensor that Sony used for the Xperia Z5 that launched in 2015. Both devices will come with Android 7.0 Nougat on board for the software, so there will be all the standard things you would find with other Nougat-based devices like app shortcuts, improved doze mode and multi-window.

Sony also introduces some features that are special and unique to the Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra, like the Smart Amp feature which is used to help enhance and boost the sound of audio on the device. With Smart Amp, users will be able to listen to their favorite music, watch streaming videos, and play their favorite mobile games all with rich, better quality sound that features more clarity. This will help improve the overall experience and immerse the user into what theyre doing as well as just generally help things sound better than when the Smart Amp is disabled. Both phones come with dual front-facing stereo speakers which are already likely to sound pretty decent on their own, but the Smart Amp will be there to utilize for those who look for excellent audio quality as one of the features in their phones. Theres also xLOUD included which will make these front-facing speakers sound even more incredible.

While the Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra were announced at Mobile World Congress, they arent expected to be available until later this year. The Sony Xperia XA1 is expected to be available on April 26th in select markets for about $299 with the Xperia XA1 Ultra coming in the Summer of 2017, and pricing has not yet been announced. These two devices likely will come to the US, and will only be available unlocked as Sony has been looking to stick to the unlocked market as of late, instead of hooking up with carriers.
AT&T has revamped their unlimited plans, just a week after opening up their unlimited plan to everyone. They are now offering Unlimited Choice and Unlimited Plus. The main difference between the two is video quality. While Unlimited Plus will show you HD quality video, basically their Stream Saver is turned off, Unlimited Choice will show you video in Standard Definition or SD. This is basically so that AT&T can save bandwidth, and actually handle offering everyone unlimited.

There are a few other differences here too, and perhaps the biggest one is the fact that Unlimited Choice limits your speeds to 3Mbps, while Unlimited Plus doesnt slow you down at all. This means that those on Unlimited Choice will likely use very little data, and never come to the 22GB soft cap that is in place for keeping the network running smoothly. Unlimited Choice also doesnt get mobile tethering, Unlimited Plus does get 10GB per line, and after that 10GB is used up, your speeds are then slowed to about 128Kbps. Finally, Unlimited Plus offers a $25 monthly video credit for those that subscribe to DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW or U-verse TV. If you already use one of those services, this is really a no brainer.

Now when it comes to price, Unlimited Choice is obviously cheaper, with autopay youre looking at $60/month for a single line. Two lines will cost you $115, three for $135, four for $155 and additional lines are $20 each up to ten lines total. Remember that there is still a line access fee included, and smartphones, tablets, wireless home phone and hotspots are $20 each per month and select wearables (like the LG Watch Sport) are going to be $10/month.

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This may not be the best plan available for unlimited data, but AT&T is at least playing ball and actually competing with the smaller guys. This actually is a bit cheaper than T-Mobiles unlimited plan (before you add in the line access fee), which is $70/month. Although there arent as many concessions with T-Mobile, like the 3Mbps max speed on Unlimited Choice, but at least AT&T is offering some choices for their customers, and potential customers.
Ericssons new Chief Executive Officer Borje Ekholm said that the next generation of mobile networks isnt just a technology, but a business model that the Swedish tech giant will be looking to utilize in the future. While speaking at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on Monday, Ekholm highlighted the importance of 5G and its virtually limitless applications in numerous industries. Regardless, Ericssons CEO admitted that the company is still in the process of defining its long-term strategy and direction, adding how that ambition will require more hard work and team spirit before its realized.

Following that statement, Ekholm circled back to his previous comments on 5G by saying how the industry is currently going through some exciting times seeing how an advanced, almost futuristic technology like 5G is now on the brink of being commercialized. Once implemented, the 5G technology will open a broad range of new business opportunities for both Ericsson and other telecommunications companies, as well as a number of different firms, Ekholm revealed. Ericssons chief also said how the company will have a new, $1.23 billion market opportunity by 2026 due to 5G, citing internal market research.

Ekholms comments on 5G stand in stark contrast to those made by his predecessor Hans Vestberg who stepped down last July following a devastating Q2 2016 financial report. In recent years, Vestberg was quoted expressing surprise by the sheer speed of 5G preparations and was seemingly dazzled by how quickly the next generation of mobile networks is developing. Where Ericssons former chief was expressing astonishment, the companys current one is communicating enthusiasm and ambition, something that will likely sit well with Ericssons investors.

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The MWC 2017 speech on 5G given by Ekholm followed shortly after the Stockholm-based telecommunications giant revealed its first 5G managed network platform. Earlier this month, the company introduced its 5G-ready system as a solution designed to assist wireless carriers in transitioning their existing networks to 5G standards. The technology would ideally allow mobile service providers to end up with a platform that not only offers higher speeds but is also easier to manage and maintain. More details on Ericssons growing ambitions in 5G space are expected to follow this spring.
Images and hands-on videos of Samsungs upcoming Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus have leaked out several times in recent weeks, and now, there are even more leaked images that seemingly show the device. This time, both phones seemed to be wrapped in some sort of protective cases. While the leaked images from yesterday showcased the Galaxy S8 in gold, the latest images seem to show off the device in black. As can be seen from the gallery below, the device has been photographed from multiple angles. While one of the images show the devices rear-facing camera, some of the other images also provide a good look at what seems to be some of the buttons and connectivity ports on the upcoming handset. The volume rocker, the power button, the USB Type-C port, the speaker grill, and the 3.5mm audio port are all visible in these images.

While Samsung is yet to officially announce the hardware specs of the Galaxy S8 or the Galaxy S8 Plus, several leaks have suggested that both devices are likely to be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 chips, as well as Exynos 8895 chipsets in certain territories. While the Galaxy S8 is expected to feature a 5.7-inch display, the larger Galaxy S8 Plus is believed to ship with a massive 6.2-inch QHD+ panel with curved edges thats actually a 6.1-inch screen once you account for the rounded edges. The handset is also rumored to have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with a microSD card slot. The South Korean consumer electronics giant is also said to be getting rid of the physical home button in favor of on-screen buttons on the upcoming device while moving the fingerprint scanner to the back, though the images that you can see below dont exactly confirm the latter.

The Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus are expected to be unveiled next month. However, neither device will likely hit the market before the second half of April. This will be the first major smartphone launch for Samsung since the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, so the company is certainly hoping that its upcoming Android flagship will help it bounce back and recover from recent troubles.
Finnish mobile manufacturer Jolla is attending MWC 2017 in Barcelona, where the company reportedly intends to announce its plans for expansion into China. According to a fresh report from TechCrunch citing Jollas chairman, Antti Saarnio, the company has signed an exclusive license to a Chinese consortium in order to develop a mobile operating system based on Sailfish OS for China. The company along with the Chinese consortium intend to invest $250 million in the new Sailfish-based ecosystem in China, and the chairman reveals that there are very big players behind the exclusive license.

Jollas first smartphone was released in November 2013 and unlike most other smartphones of its generation, the so-called Jolla Phone relied on a proprietary operating system called Sailfish OS, which was initially destined to compete with the likes of Android OS, all the while taking advantage of compatibility with Android applications. Although the platform has shown promise, the Jolla Phone and Sailfish OS made no breakthroughs, even though a second smartphone dubbed the Jolla C running Sailfish OS v2.0 was launched in May 2016 as a limited-edition device geared towards developers and the Sailfish community. Even more interesting to note is the fact that Jollas first attempt to create an ecosystem for China dates back to the year 2012, when a similarly large investment of $200 million almost put the company on the radars in China. However, according to Antti Saarnio, Chinese investors at that time were reluctant to commit to a different platform beyond the Android Open Source Project, and as a result, the Sailfish-based ecosystem for China never came to be. Nevertheless, Jollas chairman states that Chinas philosophy has changed since the year 2012, and in fact, numerous Chinese-based companies  including Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent  are now looking to create their own platforms to compete with Android, not only for the mobile market but also for segments including IoT (Internet of Things) and connected cars. The chairman adds that Sailfish OS could be the answer for hardware companies in China who lack a proper software platform.

In more recent years, Jollas focus shifted from hardware manufacturing to its software branch, and nowadays the company is looking to push its Sailfish OS as a non-Android mobile solution in countries looking for a platform independent of the United States. This bodes well with the new vision of various Chinese players who are now looking for alternative mobile platforms outside of Googles control and corporate agenda. Interestingly enough, Jollas chairman also revealed that although the company has yet to enter market segments like IoT (Internet of Things) due to limited resources, an exclusive license to China for Sailfish OS could give the company and its partners the necessary ways and means of scaling the operating system for new areas.
MediaTek has talked about their Helio X30 64-bit deca-core processor a couple of times thus far, as the company released various info about this chip, more of it landed back in July last year. Well, the company has just officially unveiled this SoC at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, along with all the necessary details. We did have quite a few info about the chip before MWC, but this time around MediaTek laid out all the info for the public. Having that in mind, lets delve into details, shall we.

Along with its announcement, MediaTek basically announced this chips commercial availability, as the company confirmed that the chip will be available to manufacturers starting in Q2 this year. The company mentions that this is the most powerful chip theyve released to date, and that they expect it will fuel a number of flagships smartphones in 2017. This 64-bit deca-core processor is based on a Tri-Cluster architecture, and this is a 10nm chipset. The Helio X30 requires 50% less power in order to function, compared to its predecessor, the Helio X20, and this new chip also offers a 35% better performance than its predecessor. MediaTeks Helio X30 fuses together state-of-the-art processing architecture, fabrication and connectivity to provide an unparalleled mobile experience, said Jeffrey Ju, MediaTeks Executive Vice President and Co-COO.

The Helio X30 is based on two ARM Cortex-A73 cores which are clocked at 2.5GHz, four ARM Cortex-A53 cores running at 2.2GHz, and four ARM Cortex-A35 cores which are tuned to 1.9GHz. The Helio X30 offers a category 10 4G LTE modem, and offers support for three downlink Carrier Aggregation (3CA), and two uplink Carrier Aggregation (2CA) for high volume content streaming, says MediaTek. The PowerVR Series7XT Plus GPU is in charge of graphics processing, and it is clocked at 800MHz. This GPU is tweaked so it offers best performance with MediaTeks Helio X30 SoC, and it also offers power savings up to 60% compared to the Helio X20, while it also offers up to 2.4 times better performance than its predecessor. The Helio X30 also has a hardware-based 4K2K 10-bit HDR10 video decoding, and it incorporates MediaTeks CorePilot 4.0 technology.

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This chip comes with two 14-bit image signal processors in order to support 16-megapixel + 16-megapixel dual camera setups, while it also delivers advanced functionality, says MediaTek. To give you some examples, wide + zoom combination lenses for real-time depth of field effects are supported, same goes for fast auto exposure and real-time de-noise in low-light conditions. ClearZoom and Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) technologies are also supported here, and the chip also comes with a built-in Vision Processing Unit (VPU), which is paired with MediaTeks Imagiq 2.0 image signal processor.
Today in Barcelona, Huawei announced two new smartwatches that are running on Android Wear 2.0. There is the Huawei Watch 2 which is a more sporty version that also tracks your activity levels throughout the day, and then the more classy looking Huawei Watch 2 Classic. Both of which will be on sale next month in some European countries and will head to more countries in Europe, Asia and North America in April. Currently, theres no pricing available outside of Europe, but inside Europe the Huawei Watch 2 will be going for 329.

When it comes to specs, the Huawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic are basically what you expected. They both feature a 1.2-inch AMOLED 390390 resolution display and is protected by Cornings Gorilla Glass. Its running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 Wear processor, which is a chipset that is made specifically for wearables, and that is paired with 768MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. It also is rated at IP68 for dust and water resistance, along with having all of the usual sensors like the accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, heart rate sensor, ambient light sensor and a geomagnetic sensor.

Where the two watches differ is in their design, mostly. The Huawei Watch 2 is meant for those that are a bit more active, in fact that is a big selling point for this watch from Huawei. The company has added their own workout app onto the watch, which allows you to track your workout, no matter if youre running, walking, on the elliptical or even doing some weight training. The app allows you to get real-time guidance on your training and see exactly how hard you are going in your workout.

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Now the Huawei Watch 2 Classic looks a bit more like a traditional smartwatch, but it has definitely changed from the original model that was announced back in 2015. This smartwatch is not available with 4G LTE connectivity, while the standard Huawei Watch 2 is. It does still track your workouts like the Huawei Watch 2, but its not the major selling point here. This one is more about the looks, which is important to a lot of people.

Huawei is making their new smartwatches available in a slew of new countries this time around. The US will see it in April, but keep in mind that pricing has not yet been announced for the US just yet, only European pricing has been announced.
Nokia hosted a press conference in Barcelona yesterday as part of MWC 2017, and during it, the company introduced four new smartphones. Three out of four smartphones are Android-powered, the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, but one is not. Now, most of you probably already know this, but Nokia introduced a redesigned Nokia 3310 yesterday, and it comes with a legendary Snake game pre-installed. This new Nokia 3310 is, of course, considerably different than the old model, as its smaller, more powerful, etc., but its still a feature phone, so this is kind of an homage to the legendary Nokia 3310 from the company.

That being said, we have plenty of info when it comes to Nokia 3310, most of which weve already shared with you, and in addition to that, now we also have some hands-on images to share. If you take a look at the gallery down below, youll notice that there are quite a few Nokia 3310 (2017) images for you to check out. The all-new Nokia 3310 is smaller than its predecessor, and it looks quite a bit different as well, a bit more modern. The company released several color variants of this smartphone which you can check out in the gallery down below. The phone will be available in Warm Red (gloss), Dark Blue (matte), Yellow (gloss) and Gray (matte) color variants. The phone will be available for purchase starting in Q2 this year for 49, and it seems like it will be available for pretty much everyone. Nokia announced the global availability of all of the smartphones they introduced yesterday, so youll probably be able to pick one up from the companys official website.

The new Nokia 3310 features a 2.4-inch QVGA display, while it comes with 16GB of storage, but you can expand that via a microSD card slot (up to 32GB). It even has a 2-megapixel camera on the back, and a 1,200mAh battery is also included here. Speaking of which, Nokia says that you can talk on the Nokia 3310 for 22 hours straight until its battery dies down, while it has a standby battery time of about 1 month. A 3.5mm headphone jack is included on this phone, and the phone ships with Nokias S30+ operating system.
A number of new smartphones have already been announced at MWC 2017 and a bunch of them came with Nokia branding. In total, four Nokia-branded smartphones have been announced so far at the event, with the Nokia 6 seemingly positioned as the leading actor. While the Nokia 6 was announced during MWC, it is not the first time that it has been officially introduced. As the Nokia 6 had already been announced and released in China. Although the difference this time, is that the Nokia 6 has now been confirmed as launching globally.

In many ways, the Nokia 6 is all about simplicity. This goes for both the design and the software. While many smartphone have opted for unique design traits and features, the Nokia 6 does not. Instead, this is a unibody smartphone with a very unassuming design. In fact, you would be pushed to really identify anything in particular that makes this phone look unique. Although, that seems almost to be the point here, with the Nokia 6 positioned as a solid and good-performing device. Nothing more and nothing less. Likewise, the software follows the same sort of tone, as the Nokia 6 comes running a very lightweight version of Android, with next to no additions included.

On paper, the Nokia 6 is easily the most spec-heavy of the recently announced Nokia Android smartphones. In terms of the display, the Nokia 6 is loaded with a 5.5-inch screen which makes use of a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Inside, the Nokia 6 will be available in a couple of variants which differ in RAM (3GB or 4GB) and internal storage (32GB or 64GB). Although, all variants do come powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor. Moving to the camera side of things and the Nokia 6 comes packing a 16-megapixel rear camera, along with an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. Additional features include a fingerprint sensor, a 3,000 mAh battery and Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box.

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For those hoping to pick up a Nokia 6 in the near future, although MWC 2017 did mark the global launch of the smartphone, firm details on when the Nokia 6 will become available outside China have yet to be provided. Instead, a Q2 2017 expected release time is all that has been confirmed so far. In the meantime though, you can take a closer look at the Nokia 6, thanks to our MWC 2017 hands-on images below.
Samsung Electronics and Microsoft announced a new partnership at Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Monday. The two tech giants are looking to join forces to tackle the enterprise market with a range of new products and services designed to allow businesses to evolve their operations through digital technologies. Mobility is the key element of this new partnership seeing how Samsung and Microsoft said theyre looking to collaborate on developing new professional solutions suitable for on-the-go enterprise use.

At the core of this newly announced enterprise mobility partnership is the new Galaxy Book, a Samsung-made Windows 10 hybrid computer featuring software developed by both Microsoft and Samsung. The South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer revealed that the latest version of Samsung Flow supported by the Galaxy Book was created in close collaboration with Microsofts engineers, highlighting some of its new features like the ability to communicate with the Windows Hello authentication platform. As Samsung Flow allows users to receive notifications about text messages and calls on their Galaxy Book, Windows Hello will provide them with a quick option verify their identity before theyre allowed to see the contents of those notifications. Naturally, the functionality is entirely optional and can be disabled if a user prefers to do so. Samsung and Microsoft are also currently working on expanding the availability of Samsung Flow to more Windows 10 devices.

The two tech giants believe their new partnership should be interpreted as a sign that they desire to put their customers above anything else, including rivalries. While some recent speculation pointed to the two Galaxy Book models being experimental devices, the latest announcement by Samsung and Microsoft suggests that these 2-in-1 computers are just an early sign of things to come. The implications of this partnership are also significant on the part of Microsoft seeing how the company is currently selling its Surface Pro lineup that directly competes with Samsungs new offerings. In fact, the Redmond-based tech giant is expected to unveil the Surface Pro 5 lineup as early as this spring, so the timing of its newly established partnership with Samsung seems somewhat unusual. Regardless, the collaboration isnt likely to influence Samsungs Android-powered devices like the Galaxy Tab S family seeing how Microsoft is primarily interested in promoting its own platform for enterprise applications instead of committing resources to competing solutions.
Sony mobile confirmed at MWC that the company plans to continue with the strategy which sees it moving more towards the unlocked market and further away from a carrier-associated manufacturer. There are many reasons as to why Sony is doing this, although one of those touched upon is that dealing less with carriers offers the company a greater level of control over what they bring to market, including aspects to do with the design of their devices. Just as importantly, it also allows Sony to be in greater control of global launches and release cycles.

While this is just a continuation of what Sony has been doing over recent times, the company has noted that they are finally returning to a position which is more akin to where they were when they were dealing directly with carriers. Suggesting that after a period of somewhat uncertainty, where some were questioning whether Sony would remain in the smartphone business, the company is now starting to find its feet again, as an unlocked smartphone brand. Which is an aspect that seems to resonate with some of the reports that have come through of late, with one of the most recent suggesting Sony had managed to significantly increase its market share for high-end smartphones in Taiwan.

Moving forward, Sony has now confirmed that four new smartphones will be arriving within the first half of this year. While these are new smartphones, they are in fact, newer versions of already existing lines. So for instance, when it comes to the Sony Xperia XA line, two new models which will arrive before the summer of 2017 in the form of the Sony Xperia XA1 and the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra. Consistent with the previous Sony Xperia XA, the newer models will focus more on being affordably priced. When it comes to their more high-profile offerings, the other new upcoming devices have now been confirmed as the Xperia XZs and the Xperia XZ Premium. While these devices have now been announced, Sony has yet to fully detail when each device will become available, their price, and whether they will be only available in certain regions or released worldwide.
During Sonys MWC 2017 press event, Sony introduced four new smartphones that are due to be released in the coming months. However, that was not all they announced as Sony also showcased a new projector, as part of their popular Xperia line of devices, the Sony Xperia Touch. For those that remember Sony announcing a new Sony Xperia projector at last years MWC, this is essentially the same product. The difference being that last year this was just a concept product and now, it has been re-branded and announced as set to become available to consumers in the US.

Unlike some other projectors, this is not the type of projector that you use with your smartphone or PC. Instead, this is a self-sufficient projector due to its inclusion of an operating system. Interestingly, the operating system in use with the Xperia Touch is Android 7.0 (Nougat) and that is not its only similarity to an Xperia smartphone, as the Xperia Touch comes loaded with the sort of spec breakdown that you might expect on a phone. For instance, in addition to Android Nougat, the Xperia Touch comes packing 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. It also has a 12-megapixel camera, two-way stereo speakers, GPS, and a whole array of sensors. As well as USB Type-C, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi (SISO): 11 a/b/g/n/ac connectivity.

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The only thing it seems to be missing is an actual display, which is understandable as the Xperia Touch can produce a display on just about any surface. This is a short-throw projector which is capable of producing a display ranging from 23-inches up to 80-inches, and at a 1366 x 768 resolution. Where this gets really interesting though, is at the smaller side of its projection, as when projecting onto a flat surface, the Xperia Touch essentially allows that surface and display to act as a touchscreen device. An aspect made possible through the Xperia Touchs infrared and real-time detection capabilities. Which means that it can be used as a smaller interactive projecting device or for much larger displaying of video content. As the operating system in use here is Android, that also means that any game on the Google Play Store can be downloaded and played through the device. Sony has even added PlayStation 4 Remote Play support for extra added value.

For those considering picking one up, while Sony has announced that the Xperia Touch as coming to the US, Sony has yet to provide firm details on when. Instead, Sony has announced that the Xperia Touch will be available to buy through select retailers in the summer. Likewise, Sony has yet to confirm the price. In the meantime though, you can take a closer look at the Sony Xperia Touch in the gallery below.
Earlier today uCloudlink announced that it will attend Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, Spain, where the company plans to unveil its first-ever GlocalMe smartphone powered by CloudSIM technology. Using the CloudSIM mobile broadband platform previously seen in GlocalMe portable Wi-Fi devices, the company intends to offer a complete solution in the form of a fully-fledged smartphone able to localize mobile Internet access to global users in over 100 countries.

uCloudlinks CloudSIM solution has already been made available to consumers through GlocalMe portable Wi-Fi devices able to use local 3G and 4G networks to create Wi-Fi hotspots able to connect up to five devices simultaneously. However, with the latest announcement at MWC 2017, uCloudlink now intends to offer the same technology bundled in a smartphone, which is currently referred to as the GlocalMe smartphone. According to the press release, the system works by sending a signal to the central cloud server, which is then able to detect the best available local network. CloudSIM will then allocate the best local physical SIM option to the GlocalMe Smartphone in real time, resulting in better coverage and lower costs, as well as having access to the Internet without being tied to a single network in a specific region. uCloudlinks CMO commented on the smartphones unveiling saying that the GlocalMe Smartphone is poised to become the ultimate choice for MNO and MVNO partners seeking global coverage and an improved customers experience.

As far as the smartphones specifications are concerned, its interesting to note that the official fact sheet (below) attached to the press release makes no mention of the smartphones final retail name, which seems to be subject to change. Either way, the so-called GlocalMe Smartphone will apparently feature a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 System-on-Chip housing 8 ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores clocked at up to 2.0GHz, 3GB of RAM, and an Adreno 506 graphics chip. Storage-wise the smartphone offers 32GB on-board, expandable by up to an additional 128GB via microSD card. The smartphone should also accommodate a 13-megapixel main camera coupled with a 5-megapixel front-facing sensor, and should be available in three color options, namely black, gray, and yellow. Lastly, the smartphone will be powered by a 4,000mAh battery and will be officially launched sometime in the second quarter of 2017 for the price of $180.
[February 27, 2017] Verizon boosts NFV service assurance with end-to-end visibility - CENX to provide closed-loop intelligence across multiple platforms

OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Continuing to advance its network virtualization strategy, Verizon has implemented an orchestrated real-time analysis engine that aggregates IP and optical network data to successfully provide service assurance for NFV deployments. Verizon has chosen CENX to provide the tools that deliver a unified view of the state of physical and virtual components across multiple network systems and data centers. Operational complexities increase as service providers implement NFV across networks. A singular view, such as that provided by CENX, simplifies those complexities with views of network inventory, service topology, faults, performance, and usage. This information is then correlated with KPIs to generate end-to-end performance monitoring. "As one of the first global carriers to implement SDN and NFV, Verizon is committed to providing the level of service our customers expect," said Eric Lia, Executive Director, Network Infrastructure Planning for Verizon. "CENX's service assurance capabilities enable us to manage the inherent complexities that come with virtalization while meeting the high bar we set for service delivery."



Over the years, Verizon has adopted new ways to design, develop, and manage its networks while staying focused on service assurance in order to deliver the high quality of service and end-user experience for which the company is known. Jay McMullan, Senior Vice President of CENX, said, "We are excited to continue our relationship with Verizon by applying our CENX product suite to their growing NFV assurance initiatives."

Be sure to visit Verizon and CENX at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, from Feb. 27 to Mar. 2. About CENX CENX fundamentally changes the way service providers view their networks. A leading provider of network and service operations software solutions, CENX ingests all of an operator's network data, across multiple domains and physical and virtual infrastructure. Harnessing the power of big data analytics, CENX visualizes network and service topology, inventory, fault, and performance in a single pane, in real time. CENX enables the world's largest and most innovative service providers to scale their operations as the network scales. www.cenx.com Links and search terms

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www.cenx.com/about/overview.html CENX, Service Assurance, Ethernet services, IP Services, Carrier Ethernet, software-defined networking, SDN, network functions virtualization, NFV, 4G, mobile backhaul, big data analytics Follow CENX

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[February 27, 2017] AdaptiveMobile Releases New Intelligence on Signalling Vulnerabilities in Global Mobile Networks

AdaptiveMobile (News - Alert), the world leader in mobile network security, today released new evidence on global SS7 Signalling attacks, including complex location tracking and call interception attacks that were able to bypass more basic STP-based defences. This evidence shows the increasing level of sophistication in SS7 attacks being encountered by operators, demonstrating the increasing capabilities and resources of attackers. AdaptiveMobile's latest intelligence profiles three attack campaigns that attempted to track and surveil subscribers throughout Europe and the Americas. The Company detected one malicious SS7 platform in the Middle East trying to evade defences in a target operator based in the Americas by sending sophisticated sequences of commands, aiming to intercept calls, harvest subscriber information, and track the location for a number of target phone users. A second, separate SS7 platform based in at least two Western European locations attempted to probe and break into a European network by sending a range of attacks of increasing sophistication. This platform's attacks continued to increase in complexity and eventually managed to bypass many defences in place. AdaptiveMobile's Signalling Protection secures the SS7 and LTE (News - Alert)/Diameter networks using a unique combination of carrier-grade firewall, advanced analytics, and the unique threat intelligence from working with nine of the top 10 operator groups to protet over 1.5 billion mobile subscribers. Using the latest in AI techniques and cutting-edge, self-learning algorithms, the Company's Signalling Protection continues to detect and defend against real-life sophisticated attacks.



"We are seeing increasingly complex attacks being targeted against global mobile networks," said Cathal Mc Daid, chief intelligence officer of AdaptiveMobile. "Attackers have evolved quickly in response to the on-going deployment of basic SS7 defences based on STPs or static firewalls, and as a result the threats to mobile networks and subscriber's security have never been greater. Our advanced threat detection algorithms and research teams provide the most effective technology available to the mobile industry today; this new intelligence demonstrates the immediate need for mobile operators to address the evolving threats and stay one step ahead of attackers." Currently deployed in five continents, the Company continues to provide security leadership and expertise based on the very latest detection technologies from their world-leading Threat Intelligence Unit. AdaptiveMobile will be at Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) from 27th February - 3rd March in Hall 2, 2D41MR, and will be showcasing a visualisation of this new intelligence and demos of their Signalling Protection during this time. To request a meeting, please email [email protected].

About AdaptiveMobile AdaptiveMobile is the world leader in mobile network security protecting over 1.5 billion subscribers worldwide and the only mobile security company offering products designed to protect all services on both fixed and mobile networks through in-network and cloud solutions. With deep expertise and a unique focus on network-to-handset security, AdaptiveMobile's award winning security solutions provide its customers with advanced threat detection and actionable intelligence, combined with the most comprehensive security products on the market today. AdaptiveMobile was founded in 2004 and boasts some of the world's largest mobile operators as customers and the leading security and telecom equipment vendors as partners. The Company is headquartered in Dublin with offices in North America, Europe, South Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170226005209/en/

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The U.S. is an important market for Hyundais mid-size sedan, but theres a teeny-weeny problem with it. Not only did Hyundai Motor America recently fire its CEO over aggravating sales in the sedan and small car segments, but the Sonata has been left behind by the competition. Between a rock and a hard place perfectly describes the dismal situation the Sonata finds itself in.Next month, Hyundai will breathe new life into the Sonata with a facelift, which is due to be unveiled in the South Korean brands country of origin. Following a handful of spy photos , the Sonata facelift further reveals itself with the help of two official sketches.Under the concept of Dramatic Design Change, the facelifted Sonatas aim is to introduce young sensibility with styling cues borrowed from the all-new Grandeur . The two sketches further reveal that the regular and turbocharged models will strike a slightly discordant note.Up front, the most important change comes in the form of the automakers trademark cascading grille. It features horizontal slats in the case of the regular model, whereas the Sonata Turbo ups the ante with a mesh grille. The rear end is another area where its particularly easy to differentiate the two.Expected to make its U.S. debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata also welcomes upright LED daytime running lights a la Elantra GT (a.k.a. i30). Engine-wise, the rumor mill suggests that the existing 2.0-liter turbo will be replaced by the 2.0-liter T-GDI slated for the soon-to-debut i30 N hot hatchback, which will go official in the second half of 2017.
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AMG

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Likewise, the running gear is unlike any other vehicle to come out of a factory, and we can't forget that the engine under its hood paved the way for the 4.0-liter bi-turbo revolution Mercedes is now witnessing.Wanting to leave plenty of room for the next generation of G-Class, the Germans left a lot of horses on the shelf, allowing the G500 4x4 to pack only 422 horsepower and 610 Nm of torque.But people have been tuning them left and right. Using a bigger set of turbochargers, pistons, headers and air filters, PP-Performance managed to extract 500 horsepower and 724 Nm of torque. So says the dyno!During his trip to Abu Dhabi, supercar spotter Gumbal was invited to film a lot of cool things, including a Nissan Patrol Nismo taking to the drag strip. But I bet that the G500 dyno test was a major highlight of the trip. This looks like one of the more dangerous 4x4 tests, also the loudest and most expensive.Even if the outward appearance hasn't been altered, theresembles a quarter of a million on wheels. The carbon fiber fender inserts are accompanied by a unique color called Electrobeam Metallic or Electric Beam, depending on the market. It makes us wish Mercedes had put the SLSElectric into production because that's where we first saw this tone.The big Squared was revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, so almost exactly two years ago. You should think of it not as a raised G500 but as a smaller version of the G63. It comes with the fit and finish that you'd expect from a Mercedes costing supercar money. The 100-ish production run was sold out even before it made it to Geneva, and we wouldn't be surprised if at least a dozen are in the UAE.So what more can we say except "unleash the Kraken!"
SUV

Once everyone has calmed down since the introduction of the first Bentley available with a diesel engine, the British brands representatives made new statements. The statements we are referring were replies to questions regarding future products of the automaker from Crewe.Instead of dismissing any rumors and refusing discussions about future products , two Bentley officials revealed the companys upcoming plans, along with possibilities for new entries on the market.First of all, Bentley has already confirmed it wants to launch a plug-in hybrid version of each model from the range, but the brand has a few more surprises in its meeting rooms.The Bentayga will not remain the only SUV in Bentley s lineup, and this comes from Wolfgang Durheimer, the CEO of the marque. The statement was made referring to long-term development, so do not hold your breath until Bentley launches a new SUV . Mr. Durheimer explained that his colleagues have clear indication that the market would accept a smaller BentleyThe second SUV in the portfolio of the brand with the "winged B" will have an electric drivetrain . The solution was chosen for several reasons, including attracting a new category of clients, and offering a different product that would not risk affecting the sales of the Bentayga. Another Bentley representative told Automotive News that the future electric SUV would come in 2020 or later.Statements from Bentley officials have revealed that the company will eventually launch an electric vehicle and an SUV that is smaller than the Bentayga. It is unusual for automotive executives to speak in advance about things that the company will launch in a few years, but that could also mean that Bentley is serious about this model.The plug-in hybrid models from Bentley will be offered in the company of a V6 engine sourced from within the Volkswagen Group, but a version with a V8 should be available at a later date.
And the sheer joy of being driven around in one of the fiercest hot hatches on the market is just the tip of the velocity iceberg we're looking at - lens tip to autojunk for the images.For instance, this uber-taxi is as discreet as possible. It all starts with the partially understated styling of the third-gen Focus RS, boosted by the black hue of the vehicle - by the way, in the absence of a taxi booth, you might wonder how could one tell this is a cabbie?The answer comes from the blue license plates used by the country's taxis, which we can obviously find on this monstrously fast compact.One of the best parts of the 2016 Ford Focus RS is the dual character of the machine. On the one hand, we have a 350 hp machine whose all-wheel-drive system can deliver respectable drifting moves. On the other hand, the Blue Oval vehicle can perfectly serve as a daily driver. So both the one behind the wheel and the customers benefit from a decent level of coziness.This feature of the Focus RS is perhaps the feature that has determined the purchase decision in the public transport context. For one thing, this is the second time when we bring you such a Blue Oval machine serving as a taxi.The previous occasion saw us talking about a Focus RS delivering public thrills in Norway. However, with that hatch being dressed in Nitrous Blue, the launch hue of the Mk III Focus RS, things were even spicier.
Many automakers threatened to cut investments in the United Kingdom if the country would decide to leave the European Union, and German media reports that the BMW Group might be one of them.Instead of closing the MINI factory in Oxford, the German conglomerate that owns the British brand could decide to shift production of the upcoming electric model The move would be made as a last resort to avoid potentially high import fees that could be added to products being built in the United Kingdom.MINIs future electric model could be produced in Regensburg and Leipzig, but the Dutch facility that already produces a few models from this brand might also be contracted.The news comes from German newspaper Handelsblatt , which has learned of these intentions from unnamed sources within the BMW Group. The company insiders remain anonymous, but the news they bring would make sense if the European Union decided to tax products that are built outside its borders.MINIs first production electric model is supposed to reach the market in 2019, so the German company still has time to decide what it will do with it.Sources inside the Munich-based corporation have explained under cover of anonymity that it does not make sense for them to continue investing in the UK if the country decides to do a hard Brexit .The term refers to the United Kingdom departure from the European Union, which could bring back customs restrictions for citizens, along with import duties for products that are sold in the single market and made in the UK.The value of an average automobile would bring significant taxes to its final price, which could make British-built products less competitive than their rivals when sold in the European Union.If the hard Brexit were to happen, several automakers might have to make similar decisions to the one that is reportedly being discussed within the BMW Group.
AMG

Exploring the  countryside! #Pagani #HuayraBC A post shared by Greg B.  (@gregb.23) on Feb 27, 2017 at 9:48am PST

Let the #2017 season begin! #Ferrari #599XXEvo #Fiorano  A post shared by Greg B.  (@gregb.23) on Feb 17, 2017 at 10:15am PST

Instagram user gregb23 has recently taken delivery of his Huayra BC, with the color and material spec of the beast being nothing short of breathtaking.Those who follow the social media-savvy aficionados are already familiar with the Italian's passion for the hue mix involving a green base with orange details and his brand spanking new Pagani follows this theme.Heck, this V12 beast would stand out just as much without the striking orange bits, as the green carbon is something that sticks with you well past bedtime.Fortunately, this is one of those supercar collectors who likes to drive the hell out of his machines, so we'll get to see this bewitching Huayra BC in all sorts of scenarios.In fact, the images to your right, which come from Shmee150 and show the Huayra BC at its birthplace in San Cesario sul Panaro, are accompanied by the driving adventure pic below, delivered by the owner. And, as you can see in the Italian countryside image below, the odometer on this twin-turbo machine has already started rolling.Pagani may have released the Huayra Roadster meanwhile, which packs 764 ponies and 738 lb-ft, being more potent that the coupe, but we'll remind you that the BC badges mean the-delivered heart of the machine churns out 789 hp and 811 lb-ft.P.S.: In case you're wondering how the hue mix seen here looks on other go-fast contraptions, we've added another pic at the bottom of the page, one that shows the collector's Ferrari 599XX Evo customer racecar.
Honda may have signed an agreement with Hitachi to co-develop and sell electric vehicle motors, but then again, Honda might not be on the right track with its electrification strategy. According to a recently published report, the Clarity EV is going to launch with a range of 80 miles (129 kilometers) or thereabout.
A post shared by #PTSRS | Will Lee (@ptsrs) on Feb 24, 2017 at 12:23pm PST

The famous Mexico Blue shade is the one covering this rear-engined coupe, with the white stripes found on the top and the sides of the supercar creating a strong contrast.The Neunelfer also seems to pack a few visible carbon elements, such as the mirror caps, so we're actually dealing with a triple-finish scheme.As far as we know, this is the first Mexico Blue 2017 Porsche 911 R that has arrived in the US, with the vehicle having been delivered to Porsche of Fremont last week - the image we have here shows the 500 hp machine in the Californian dealership.It's not difficult to imagine that such a Zuffenhausen delight packs plenty of Porsche Exclusive goodies, with the CXX options on the car, such as the stripes and side decals, having reportedly taken a toll of over $17,000 - we'll remind you the 911 R came with a MSRP of 184,900.Here's to hoping that this Neunelfer ends up among those Porsches that sweep enthusiasts off their feet at Cars and Coffee events. It's worth noting that, over the past year or so, we've seen more and more carmakers and vloggers urging owners of such special machines to put miles on their beasts instead of giving them the garage queen treatment.The German automaker is only bringing 991 units of the 911 R to the world and we've shown you tons of examples so far, with one of them being the personal car of Andreas Preuninger, the man helming Porsche's GT division. And we're not planning to stop anything soon.P.S.: If you think the Porsche 911 R we have here looks striking, you should check out the example dressed in Maritime Blue, with Spring Yellow stripes.
[February 27, 2017] PRO DESIGN Launches Intel Stratix 10-based High-Speed Multi FPGA Prototyping Solution

PRO DESIGN, a veteran in the EMS and EDA industry, today announced the launch of its proFPGA quad SG 280 system, a new generation of its modular and scalable high-speed FPGA Prototyping solution based on the latest Intel (News - Alert) Stratix10 FPGA technology. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005075/en/ proFPGA quad SG 280 FPGA Prototyping System (Photo: Business Wire) Assembled with 4 pluggable Intel Stratix 10 GX2800-based FPGA modules, the quad system offers a capacity of up to 80 M ASIC gates and up to 5 proFPGA quad systems with overall 20 FPGA modules, that can be easily connected to increase capacity up to 300 M ASIC gates. The proFPGA quad system has 32 extension sites, with a total of up to 4104 FPGA standard I/Os and 96 high speed serial transceivers, which offer a maximum flexibility for interconnections and for adapting standard proFPGA daughter boards or application specific extension boards like DDR4 memory, USB 3.0, SATA, GB Ethernet or PCIe Gen3/4. The monolithic Stratix 10 FPGA technology combined with the compact proFPGA system architecture and the high-end PCB layout with length matched signal lines offers high signal integrity-it achieves an incredible system speed of up to 1GHz. The system achieves a single-ended point-to-point performance of up to 1.0 Gbps surpassing the standard I/Os, and performance of up to 17.4 Gbps with the transceivers. The system is equipped with a smart mechanical construction for highly-efficient FPGA cooling, high robustness, and easy system handling. The high-speed proFPGA SG 280 system is fully compatible with the previous proFPGA generations. That means all proFPGA motherboards, FPGA modules, daughter cards and accessories can be used in combination with the new proFPGA SG 280 FPGA module. This offers existing proFPGA customers a high return on invetment. Furthermore, it allows the user to mix and match the new Intel Stratix 10 FPGA technology with the previous Xilinx (News - Alert) Virtex 7, Virtex UltraScale and Zynq FPGA technologies on the same motherboard.



The proFPGA system comes with the proFPGA Builder software, which provides an extensive set of features, like advanced clock management, integrated self- and performance testing, automatic board detection and I/O voltage programming, a system scan- and safety mechanism, and quick remote system configuration and monitoring through USB, Ethernet or PCIe, simplifying the usage of the proFPGA system tremendously. "PRO DESIGN's proFPGA prototyping product family and its system concept is a great complement to Intel's latest and largest 14nm FPGA, the Stratix 10 GX2800," said Jordon Inkeles, director of product marketing, Intel Programmable Solutions Group. "By providing impressive levels of FPGA speed, performance, number of I/Os and capacity, Stratix 10 GX2800 and proFPGA customers will be able to leverage joint Intel and PRO DESIGN technologies to prototype and verify their latest and most sophisticated IP, ASIC and SoC designs."

"PRO DESIGN is thrilled about the release of its new generation of its FPGA-based Prototyping systems based on the first FPGAs using the Intel 14 nm process. We released proFPGA just 4 years ago, and today the products are installed and are successfully in use by over 100 customers in about 20 different countries. Our customers have adopted our system concept, which offers a great degree of flexibility and reusability," said Gunnar Scholl, CEO of PRO DESIGN. "With the release of an Intel Stratix 10-based FPGA Prototyping system we leverage the latest technology and can provide a reliable solution offering a higher system speed compared to the previous products. Our customers will benefit greatly from this new product generation, especially because they can combine and use it with their existing proFPGA products." Availability The proFPGA quad SG 280 system is available for early adopter customers in March 2017. The general availability will be in Q4 2017. Demonstration PRO DESIGN will demonstrate the proFPGA quad SG 280 system at the DVCon show in San Jose, California at booth #1102, from February 27 to March 1, 2017. ***** About proFPGA The proFPGA product family is a complete, scalable, and modular multi-FPGA prototyping solution, which fulfills the highest needs in the areas of ASIC and IP Prototyping and pre-silicon software development. The proFPGA product series consists of different types of motherboards, various Xilinx Virtex UltraScale, Virtex 7, Kintex UltraScale, Zynq, and Intel Stratix-FPGA modules, a set of interconnection boards/cables, and a large range of daughter boards like DDR3/4 memory boards or high speed interface boards (PCIe Gen1/2/3/4, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, SATA, DVI, etc.). It addresses customers who need a scalable and flexible high performance FPGA-based prototyping solution for early software development and for IP/ASIC verification. The innovative system concept and technology offers best-in-class reusability across projects, guaranteeing the best return on investment. About PRO DESIGN The privately-held company was founded in 1982 and has 100 employees, with various facilities in Germany, France, and the US. PRO DESIGN has more than 34 years of experience in the EDA market, and as a provider in the EMS market. PRO DESIGN has built extensive knowledge in the areas of FPGA board development, electronic engineering, FPGA design, high performance PCB design, construction, production, assembly and testing. For more information, please visit: http://www.proFPGA.com Intel, the Intel logo, and Stratix are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005075/en/

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Electric Vehicle

It was an incorrect understanding of discussions in the countrys parliament, which was denied by government officials . Several months later, a new report from Norway has come to explain the countrys vision on eco-friendly automobiles. Instead of a ban, which would be too strict, Norway is considering a polluter pays tax system The NorwegianAssociation published an article on its website, Elbil, where it explained how the Government had favored the acquisition of eco-friendly vehicles in the past two and a half decades. Now, the country has a new target for the future, which involves all of its new cars sold in 2025 to be low emission and zero emission vehicles.Evidently, like many goals of this kind, it is excessively optimistic, but it marks the intention to change something about how things work. The government is aware that an absolute ban on the sale of new cars with gasoline or diesel engines, even in 2025, would be too much, but the right policy measures could make people do the switch to low emissions without the need for a ban.The Norwegians want to have a green tax system that would continue to favor electric and hybrid vehicles, and the charging network for plug-in cars is set to get a massive hike by 2025.Norway also has an effort ahead of itself, which is to meet the European Clean Power for Transport directive that recommends a charging point for every ten electric cars in the country.That objective must be accomplished by 2020, and the states predicted total number of electric vehicles is estimated at 250,000 within the next three years.With 250,000 electric vehicles on Norwegian roads by 2020, the country will have to increase its network of charging stations to 25,000 public points by that time.According to Elbil , the country only had 1,350 public charging points in 2015 that complied with EU standards. Fortunately, the government already has a plan in place to finance the construction of at least two multi-standard fast-charging stations every 50 kilometers (31 miles) on all main roads in the country by the end of 2017.
The vehicle was previously leaked , and it is expected to be showcased at this years Geneva Motor Show . The leak we are referring to happened on the website of the Geneva Motor Show, and a picture of the Peugeot Instinct Concept was uploaded, which means that it will arrive at the Swiss event.The French brands latest creation is an autonomous vehicle that features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Peugeot has decided to show it in Barcelona because it offers a glimpse of the future from this companys perspective. While the Instinct can drive itself, its user can also choose to operate it manually, just like in a regular automobile.If the two operating modes have not impressed, Peugeot says that the Instincts driver can choose from two flavors of each mode. We are referring to the Drive Boost or Drive Relax, which are both meant for the moments when you want to control the vehicle.Meanwhile, if you want the car to drive itself , there are two options available: Autonomous Soft and Autonomous Sharp. The latter focuses on optimizing journey times, while the former offers enhanced comfort.Unveiling this concept at a tech event meant that Peugeot has a few gizmos inside, and the French brand did not disappoint. The Instinct concept features a Samsung Artik Cloud that is linked to the vehicles Internet of Things platform.With those elements, a user can sync his or her phone with the automobile, and personalized settings can be memorized. These are applied whenever the user enters the vehicle.Peugeot says that the Instinct will know if its driver has had a long day at the office, or an exhausting workout at the gym, and the autonomous driving mode will be switched to Autonomous Soft to help the owner relax.The IoT system will account for traffic times and scheduled appointments, which will lead to notifications that pop up on a users phone to tell him or her when they should depart to reach the predefined destination on time.Expect future Peugeot models to have tail lights, rims, and headlights with a look inspired by this concept. The rear suicide doors will probably not reach production because of the associated costs, but that shade of blue has a chance of becoming optional equipment.
kWh

EV

Specialists at Metropolis:Lab Barcelona will be the first to test #SEATs eMii and e-fleet project. #MWC17 pic.twitter.com/NMuHXvHdMk  SEAT Official (@SEATofficial) February 27, 2017

Introducing the new SEAT eMii #connectedtoourcity #SEAT #eMii #prototype #barcelona #design #connectivity #easy A post shared by @seat_uk_media on Feb 27, 2017 at 5:01am PST

Presented at the Mobile World Congress 2017, the eMii is just a means to an end for a car sharing service that will be launched in due time in Barcelona. Only 10 eMii units will roll out in the first instance.What we see on the stand is the car that will allow is to test the operation of electrical technology in shared use vehicles, said Luca de Meo, SEAT's head honcho. This does not mean that this is going to be our first electric car, but it is the ideal vehicle for carrying out these tests in Barcelona," he added.Sporting minimal stylistic differences over the gasoline-powered Mii , the eMii prototype revealed at MWC 2017 features an 82-PS electric motor and an 18.7battery. And just like its VW-branded counterpart, a complete charge is good for 160 kilometers (100 miles) or thereabout. Its not much, but then again, the SEAT eMii wasnt designed for long-distance traveling.Its also worthy to note that SEAT is keeping its lips shut on the subject of electrification , which is somewhat curious when you think about. Be that as it may, de Meo confirmed that SEAT is looking forward to launching an electric vehicle in the near future. By 2019 is all the big kahuna can say for now.At the present moment, the SEAT lineup starts with the Mii and continues with the Ibiza supermini, Leon hatchback and wagon, and tops with the Ateca sport utility vehicle. The Ateca, which is actually a Volkswagen Tiguan underneath the skin, is gifted with a platform that can be matched with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The real questions are, what sort ofis the Spanish automaker thinking of launching by 2019 and at what price point?
SUV

This is far from the kind of effort that will wash Suzukis sins away, but its a start nonetheless. Introduced in 2014, the time is high for introducing a mid-cycle update for the compact. As you can see from this set of spy photos, however, the facelift treatment isnt especially extensive.The pictured pre-production prototype wears camouflage only on its face, which could be a pointer that beauty is only skin-deep. Take the front grille as a case in point. Instead of the horizontal slats employed by the current model, the Vitara boasts a mesh design with what appears to be a honeycomb motif. The red-accented headlights, however, are proprietary to the Vitara S As for the profile and rear end, Im hard pressed to find any noteworthy difference between this car and the Vitara thats waiting patiently in dealer lots. The sensor integrated into the lowermost part of the front bumper hints toward an active safety system, as in autonomous emergency braking.As far as cabin updated are concerned, a sure bet is that the touchscreen infotainment system now features better phone connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the likeliest culprits. Other than those mentioned above, the Suzuki Vitara in facelift attire doesnt have anything else in the pipeline.The range of engines of the updated model is still a mystery, though. The least potent powerplant of the current Vitara is a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 120 PS, which is joined by a 1.4 BoosterJet with 140 PS on tap. Customers who need more torque and better fuel economy can opt for the 1.6 DDiS, which is rated at 120 PS and 320 Nm from 1,750 rpm.
Evidently, some items hold a particular attraction in the world of memorabilia for the collectors of these things. The most valued objects are items owned by celebrities who have passed away, and the most expensive of those are usually linked to the private lives of those individuals.The latest celebrity-related sale on this market is a 1996 BMW 750iL of the E38 generation , which was the vehicle that Tupac Shakur was riding in when he was shot. The gunman responsible for the shooting has yet to be apprehended, which makes the car even more unusual.However, we must note that the vehicle has had several owners since 1996, and its unspecified owner currently wants to sell it for $1.5 million.Since the shooting incident, the vehicle was impounded by the Las Vegas Police Department. Once the inquiry was concluded, the car was auctioned off by the LVPD.The several owners of this car have since restored it, which involved repairing the damage caused by the bullets that were fired at the vehicle.The inside door panel still has bullet indications, though, but the damage resulting from the shooting has been fixed through the replacement of the rest of the body panels.Moreover, the rims have been replaced, as the original ones were damaged when Suge Knight, the CEO of the record company that contracted Tupac, fled the scene with two flat tires.A third tire blew after the car hit the median separator between two lanes. The two passengers of the vehicle were rushed to the hospital, but Tupac died six days later because of the severity of his injuries.The company in charge of the sale also has a medallion worn by Tupac when he was shot in 1994. The latter was a separate incident, which triggered the dispute between Tupac and the rappers on the East Coast. The jewelry is not linked to the vehicle, though.
Once in a while I get recognized when I travel. This awesome & friendly Pilot called me by name & turns out he is a #Viper super fan 3 Gen Tats and all! OyOyOy#mademyday A post shared by @ralphgilles on Feb 24, 2017 at 10:35am PST

As you can imagine, Ralph's job means he spends quite a lot of time in the air and, given his online charisma, the episodes that sees him being recognized are not few.The latest tale of the sort saw the designer being approached by an airplane pilot who seems to be a huge fan of the Viper.In fact, the notion of "huge fan" doesn't seem to cover the man's passion for the Dodge supercar - that's the conclusion you come to when the guy's left shoulder is covered in a generous tattoo that accomodates the logos of all three Viper generations we've met so far - die-hard Viper aficionados will tell you that there are actually five generations, since they also count the revised incarnations of the first and second comings of the supercar.Since some of you might be in a hurry, we'll mention a few other aspects from the comments section of Ralph's Instagram post, which you can find at the bottom of the page.First of all, Chris Poole, the V10-loving pilot that started this story, has a private Instagram account.Secondly, one of the most internet-famous names that commented on the photo is Samuel Hubinette. You know, the racing driver who commissioned a Lamborghini Huracan drift car and, together with his wife, put the thing through its sideways paces in the parking lot of a Lamborghini dealership.With the Dodge Viper production ending this year, here's to hoping the rumors about a next-generation model using a modular platform end up giving this pilot a reason to update his tattoo.
ABS

For 2017, the unstoppable influence of the Dark Side of Japan continues to grow with the arrival of the MT-10 Tourer Edition. Its high windshield and knuckle guards allow you to run longer and harder on every ride, while the design of the seat delivers added comfort for a hyper naked bike that it is.Softside cases will increase functionality by adding much needed luggage space, while a GPS support can be found on the dash ready to accommodate various devices including the TomTom rider satnav that is offered as an optional extra.All of these special parts and accessories were already available to existing MT-10 owners, but the fully-equipped Tourer Edition represents a sensible saving when compared to buying the items separately.Furthermore, Yamaha and TomTom have come together to offer the TomTom Rider 410 for 199 only to MT-10 Tourer Edition customers, giving a saving of 200 on the standard price.The special touring-oriented equipment transforms the most exciting Hyper Naked into an even more versatile and functional motorcycle, capable of covering longer distances at high speeds.With its ability to excel at everything from commuting through to sport riding, and weekend trips through to longer distance adventures, the MT-10 Tourer Edition combines thrilling performance and all-round versatility.We should also remind you the new MT-10 comes fitted with an engine developed directly from the latest YZF-R1s 998 cc inline-4 crossplane unit and comes with all the electronic aids you could possibly need, including traction control, quick-shifter, assist and slipper clutch, cruise control, ABS, fully adjustable suspension and more.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer personally picked up the phone and connected outside officials with reporters to try to discredit a New York Times article about Trump campaign aides' contact with Russia, then remained on the line for the brief conversations, Axios has learned. Ten key points:

Why it matters: The new details show how determined the West Wing was to rebut a front-page Times report on Feb. 15 that Trump campaign aides "had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election." Who was involved: The officials reached by Spicer were CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Senate Select Intelligence Committee Chair Richard Burr (R-N.C), according to a senior administration official. The reporters were from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, the official said. Spicer provided reporters' phone numbers to House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), who offered to make the calls himself, according to the official: "He was in and out of an event." When did this happen? On Feb. 15, when the two-column lead of the Times print edition, which Trump reads carefully, declared: "Trump Aides Had Contact With Russian Intelligence: U.S. Officials Tell of a Flurry of Phone Calls Intercepted Before the Election." An FBI official had volunteered privately to the White House that the story was "B.S." (but used the full word). When the FBI didn't immediately agree to tell that to the press, the White House tried to find other officials who would convey that idea to inquiring reporters. What the White House was thinking: Spicer declined to comment. The official said Spicer didn't know at the time whether an investigation of Trumpworld contacts with Russia was underway, and was trying to make sure the connections were made before evening deadlines. "We'd been getting incoming all day," the official said. "Ironically, the White House was actually encouraging people with direct knowledge of the accuracy of the Times story to discuss it with other reporters." The backdrop: Top White House officials tell us they're authentically confident that the Russia smoke won't lead to fire, and are even happy to have their opponents distracted by the issue. "For over six months, we have heard about these alleged contacts with Russia," the official said. "And yet,  with all the leaks have have come out, there's no 'there' there." What was said on the calls: Pompeo and Burr told the journalists that the Times story wasn't true but provided no details, frustrating the competing reporters, according to the official: "Both of them said: All I can tell you is the story is not accurate." What we don't know: Our sources weren't sure exactly how many calls were made, or which official talked to which reporter. Why this is unusual: Intelligence officials from the Obama administration said it's rare for the CIA director to talk directly to a single journalist  that in the past, the director usually was held in reserve to talk to a publisher or executive editor in a case where a news organization was contemplating publishing something that could harm national security. What we knew before: The Washington Post reported the pushback operation on Friday night under the headline: "Trump administration sought to enlist intelligence officials, key lawmakers to counter Russia stories." The reaction: Some Democrats were already arguing that Russian involvement in the election should be investigated by a special prosecutor or outside, 9/11-style commission, rather than the congressional intelligence committees. George Little, a top CIA and Pentagon spokesman under President Obama, told us: "It's doubtful that Congress can conduct an objective and independent investigation into ties between this White House and the Russian government if it is collaborating so closely on media pushback with the White House press secretary."
Russia's ambassador to Sudan was found dead Wednesday in Khartoum. That's the seventh Russian diplomat to have died since November last year, in addition to an aide to a former deputy prime minister, a lawyer for a Putin-foe, and a former Russian MP. All but two died on foreign soil. Some were shot, while other causes of death are unknown. Note that a few deaths have been labeled "heart attacks" or "brief illnesses." Here's what you need to know:

You probably remember Russia's Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov  he was assassinated by a police officer at a photo exhibit in Ankara on December 19. On the same day, another diplomat, Peter Polshikov, was shot dead in his Moscow apartment. The gun was found under the bathroom sink but the circumstances of the death were under investigation. Polshikov served as a senior figure in the Latin American department of the Foreign Ministry. Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, died in New York this past week. Churkin was rushed to the hospital from his office at Russia's UN mission. Initial reports said he suffered a heart attack, and the medical examiner is investigating the death, according to CBS. Russia's Ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin, died after a "brief illness" January 27, which The Hindu said he had been suffering from for a few weeks. Russian Consul in Athens, Greece, Andrei Malanin, was found dead in his apartment January 9. A Greek police official said there was "no evidence of a break-in." But Malanin lived on a heavily guarded street. The cause of death needed further investigation, per an AFP report. Malanin served during a time of easing relations between Greece and Russia when Greece was increasingly critiqued by the EU and NATO. On the morning of U.S. Election Day, Russian diplomat Sergei Krivov was found unconscious at the Russian Consulate in New York and died on the scene. Initial reports said Krivov fell from the roof and had blunt force injuries, but Russian officials said he died from a heart attack. BuzzFeed reports Krivov may have been a Consular Duty Commander, which would have put him in charge of preventing sabotage or espionage. Ex-KGB chief Oleg Erovinkin, who was suspected of helping draft the Trump dossier, was found dead in the back of his car December 26, according to The Telegraph. Erovinkin also was an aide to former deputy prime minister Igor Sechin, who now heads up state-owned Rosneft. A lawyer for a Putin-foe, Nikolai Gorokhov, was reportedly thrown from a window March 21 in Moscow. However, press outlets with ties to Russian security forces reported Gorkohov fell while trying to move a bathtub into his apartment. Gorokhov was set to testify as a U.S. government witness in a money laundering case in New York. A former Russian MP, Denis Voronenkov, was shot dead in Kiev March 23, according to the BBC. Voronenkov was to testify against deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and had ruffled feathers in Russia for calling the Crimean annexation illegal. Kiev police said it was likely a contract killing but the Kremlin rejected the remarks as "absurd." Russia's ambassador to Sudan, Mirgayas Shirinsky was found dead at his Khartoum home August 23. Per AFP he was found dead in the residence's swimming pool, although Sudanese police said he had died of natural causes. Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said embassy staff called an ambulance but he "could not be saved."

Some history: In November 2015, a senior adviser to Putin, Mikhail Lesin, who was also the founder of the media company RT, was found dead in a Washington hotel room according to the NYT. The Russian media said it was a "heart attack," but the medical examiner said it was "blunt force injuries."

Two cases that are a little clearer: In 2006, former KGB officer and whistleblower Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium. Six years later, whistleblower Alexander Perepilichny died from a toxin while jogging in England, per the NYT report.

Go deeper: BuzzFeed News has a team investigating a series of Russian-linked deaths (including Lesin, Litvinenko, and Perepilichny) well worth the read. Start with Part 1: "Poison in the System," here.
ICYMI, Axios had an exclusive this morning on Sean Spicer's attempts to push back on reports that Trump campaign aides "had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election." And it was a hot topic at Spicer's press briefing today along with the budget and the revised travel ban executive order...

Spicer responds to Axios' exclusive: Spicer refused to comment directly on our reporting that he connected CIA Director Mike Pompeo with reporters. He instead stated that the White House continued to deny the accuracy of the NYT story and directed reporters to engage with "subject matter experts" to corroborate that.

Spicer refused to comment directly on our reporting that he connected CIA Director Mike Pompeo with reporters. He instead stated that the White House continued to deny the accuracy of the NYT story and directed reporters to engage with "subject matter experts" to corroborate that. On a special prosecutor for Russia: "Special prosecutor for what?" Spicer added: "At what point, how many people have to say there's nothing there until you realize that there's nothing there?"

"Special prosecutor for what?" Spicer added: "At what point, how many people have to say there's nothing there until you realize that there's nothing there?" The budget: OMB Head Mick Mulvaney was a special guest to discuss the topline budget numbers officials received today. Mulvaney reiterated that this is only a blueprint, and the full budget will come in early May.

OMB Head Mick Mulvaney was a special guest to discuss the topline budget numbers officials received today. Mulvaney reiterated that this is only a blueprint, and the full budget will come in early May. The revised travel ban can be expected in the "middle of this week." The White House will continue defending the original executive order, though, "because [the administration] was right the first time."

can be expected in the "middle of this week." The White House will continue defending the original executive order, though, "because [the administration] was right the first time." Yemen raid: On the heels of criticism from a fallen Navy SEAL's father, Spicer said that 3 DoD investigations will occur, but affirmed that they're all standard operating procedure. He again characterized the mission as "successful."

On the heels of criticism from a fallen Navy SEAL's father, Spicer said that 3 DoD investigations will occur, but affirmed that they're all standard operating procedure. He again characterized the mission as "successful." Internal leak inquiry? Spicer said he isn't aware of one.

Spicer said he isn't aware of one. The art of the deal: When asked if Trump secured something for the U.S. in exchange for his support of the One-China policy, Spicer said, "The president always gets something."
[February 27, 2017] Guerbet Will Present Its Innovative Solutions for Medical Imaging at ECR 2017

VILLEPINTE, France, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 1 to 5 in Vienna (Austria) Guerbet (FR0000032526 GBT), a global specialist in contrast products and solutions for medical imaging, has announced its participation in the European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the flagship event for more than 20,000 medical imaging professionals from 133 countries. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150917/267672LOGO )

The congress will be held from March 1 to 5, 2017 at the Austria Center Vienna (Vienna, Austria). It will enable Guerbet to inform the radiologist community of its innovations and its status as a new leader in imaging, present in 80 countries. The Group, which has 2,600 employees, has just celebrated its 90th anniversary and reached a milestone in its development by successfully integrating Mallinckrodt's "Contrast Media and Delivery Systems" business, acquired at the end of 2015. At the ECR, Guerbet will present its solutions and services for X-ray imaging (CT-scan and angiography), MRI and Interventional Radiology and Theranostics. Optimizing injections and dose monitoring Guerbet will detail its progress in the flourishing Imagng Solutions and Services segment:



The new injector, Illumena Neo, was unveiled at the last RSNA in Chicago in November 2016 . It is more modern and its console, touchscreen and display mode have been redesigned to provide a clearer and more comfortable user interface for radiographers. The new DoseCare software solution, currently being commercially deployed in Europe , allows radiology professionals to rigorously monitor the X-ray doses received by patients. Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, which will take effect on February 6, 2018 , requires that imaging centers commit to reducing the X-ray doses received by patients. Meeting the expectations of radiologists The latest news on MRI contrast products will be presented at a symposium organized by Guerbet on Friday March 3 by several international neuroradiology experts.

In Interventional Radiology and Theranostic, Guerbet will give details on its growing commitment in hepatic oncology but also in women's health with the use of its products for the radiography of the cavities of the uterus and the fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingography). Finally, a new web and mobile application, "Radiology Events", will be unveiled. It will enable professionals to access information on radiology events, international congresses, local training sessions ... and to propose their own events. For more information on ECR 2017: http://www.myesr.org/ecr-2017 To find out more about Guerbet, "90 years of passion": http://www.guerbet90.com About Guerbet Guerbet is a pioneer in the contrast agent field, with 90 years' experience, and is the only pharmaceutical group dedicated to medical imaging worldwide. It offers a comprehensive range of X-Ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Interventional Radiology and Theranostic (IRT) products, along with a range of injectors and related medical devices to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients. To discover new products and ensure future growth, Guerbet invests heavily in R&D, spending around 9% of its sales each year. Guerbet (GBT) is listed on Euronext Paris (Segment B - Mid Caps) and generated 776 million in revenue in 2016. For more information about Guerbet, please visit http://www.guerbet.com

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The rise of nationalism and right-wing populism is the story of the decade in America and across Europe. The global movement delivered Donald Trump the presidency and formed the core of his inaugural address. In coming years, it could fundamentally reshape the European Union as we know it.

Populism has been alive and well across Europe for years now, but the European migrant crisis has injected a new strain of nationalism into the movement. What follows is look at where populism in its many forms has made its mark across the continent and what might happen next...
After a meeting with health insurance companies this morning, a reporter asked Trump about whether he supported a special prosecutor for investigating Russia

The president's response, after a pause: "I haven't called Russia in 10 years."

The reporter was asking about Russia's 2016 election hacking and potential contacts between Trump's campaign team and Russian intelligence officers, per an AP report.
We hear the White House tomorrow will send Cabinet officials their first draft budget numbers.

One budget we'll be watching especially closely is the EPA ,which is the leading edge of the first wave of Trump's planned "deconstruction of the administrative state." Expect massive, transformational cuts, particularly to climate-change programs, top officials tell us.

Trump has made clear he wants the EPA to get back to its core missions of clean air and clean water. He views many of the global-warming programs as superfluous additions made by an out-of-control Obama EPA.

But, but, but ... Don't expect the topline budget numbers to change dramatically. Money saved from cuts to EPA and other agencies will be used to bolster the military  which is exactly what Trump promised on the campaign trail.
The Nepalese market has got a new Bajaj streetfighter  the Pulsar 160NS. The bike has been launched at a price tag of NPR 2.60 lakh (Rs 1.62 lakh).

The Pulsar 160NS carries the design from the Pulsar NS200, which was recently reintroduced in the Indian market. The company is offering attractive paint schemes with the Pulsar 160NS to appeal to younger audience. Just like in the Pulsar NS200, the Pulsar 160NS also gets under belly pan which gives it a sporty look.

Powering this motorcycle is a 160cc single-cylinder motor with oil cooler. This motor produces 15.4bhp at 8500rpm and peak torque of 14.6Nm at 6500rpm. This naked Bajaj bike which tips the scale at 135kg is also being offered with anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The bike is being exported to Nepal from the companys Chakan facility and sold through Bajajs dealerships. Will Bajaj launch the Pulsar 160NS in India? Maybe. The Pulsar 150 is doing really well for the company and it recently got some updates. But with the Pulsar AS150 discontinued from the market, theres a minute chance of Bajaj introducing the Pulsar 160NS to fill in the void.
[February 27, 2017] Interac Debit card fraud losses at their lowest level ever

Leading security and consumer protection features show that Canadians' fears around debit technology are misplaced TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - For the seventh year in a row, Interac Debit losses due to skimming have declined, reaching a record low of just $11.4 million. Latest fraud figures released today by Interac Association show that only $1.5 million of that fraud occurred in Canada, thanks in large part to the completion of the transition to chip technology that began in 2008. Despite these record-low fraud numbers, however, a recent survey for Interac Association/Acxsys Corporation (Interac) found Canadians are increasingly concerned about fraudulent activities such as skimming and electronic pickpocketing. For example, 75 per cent of debit cardholders said they were somewhat or very concerned about skimming, up from the 49 per cent of cardholders who expressed similar concerns in 2015, while 71 per cent were somewhat or very concerned about electronic pickpocketing, up from 40 per cent the year before. Joanna Schoneveld, Senior Manager of Fraud Programs at Interac, says these findings suggest a misperception among Canadians about the risk of debit card fraud in Canada. "According to our survey, 3 out of 4 Canadians are worried about payment card 'skimming', and 36 per cent have used their payment card less due to this worry  but Interac Debit remains one of the safest ways to pay," she said. "Our secure chip processing makes fraud due to skimming extremely difficult, and that's only one of our anti-fraud measures. In fact, out of the $351 billion dollars that went across the Interac Debit network in 2016, only 0.003 per cent  was fraudulent, with just 0.0004 per cent occurring in Canada." The total number of debit cards reimbursed for fraud in 2016 was also down to a record low of just 19,000, a 23 per-cent drop from 2015 and down more than 90 per cent from the 238,000 cards reimbursed in 2009, when fraud losses totaled more than $140 million. Usage of the service has grown by 72 per cent since 2009. "The Interac network is extremely safe thanks to the fraud prevention efforts and investments we make in collaboration nationally and internationally with financial institutions, acquirers, merchants and law enforcement," said Mark Sullivan, Hea, Client and Fraud Management, Interac Association/Acxsys Corporation. "Cardholders are seeing the tangible benefits of these collective actions with record low fraud numbers, affecting fewer and fewer cardholders every year, something we expect to continue in the years to come now that the move to chip technology is complete."



Sullivan notes that all ABMs and debit cards in Canada were fully converted to chip technology in 2012 and all point-of-sale terminals became chip-enabled as of October 2016. As a result, it appears that criminals are migrating their fraud outside Canada to non-chip environments and card-not-present transactions such as over the Internet and by telephone, which aren't permitted by Interac in Canada. He says Interac rules offer account holders the added protections by not allowing card-not-present, offline and signature transactions. In addition to chip technology, the Interac network uses sophisticated monitoring and detection systems to detect fraud even before consumers realize there might be an issue.

Sullivan adds that Interac Flash, the contactless enhancement of Interac Debit, has all of the same security features as Interac Debit, such as EMV-based secure chip processing, which protects against skimming, counterfeiting and electronic pick-pocketing. Interac Flash transactions are also subject to transaction limits that, when exceeded, require the payer to insert their cards and enter their PINs for verification in the event a card is lost or stolen. Finally, these security measures are further backed by the Interac Zero Liability policy, under which cardholders are reimbursed 100 per cent should any type of unauthorized transaction occur. Thanks to these security measures, Interac Flash and Interac Debit are the safest way to pay in Canada when using a payment card. For more information and infographics, please visit: www.interac.ca/en/fraudprevention

About the Interac Zero Liability Policy You will not be liable for losses resulting from circumstances beyond your reasonable control when using Interac Debit, Interac Flash, cross-border debit and Interac Online service. This includes losses resulting from technical errors, system problems or fraud. The Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services is embedded in the Interac rule framework. This means that financial institutions who offer these Interac products must provide zero liability for these Interac products. The specific terms are outlined in financial institution client agreements. If you experience an issue with these Interac products, your financial institution will deal with the matter directly, as the financial institution will be responsible for reimbursing you for your losses resulting from circumstances beyond your reasonable control. About the Survey Methodology A survey of 1505 of Canadians was completed online between Feb 3rd 2017 to Feb 8th 2017 using Leger's online panel, Legerweb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20. The study was weighted by age, gender, and province based on Statistics Canada's 2015 population estimates.

About Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation Together, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation operate an economical, world-class debit payments system with broad-based acceptance, 24/7/365 reliability, security, and efficiency. The organization is Canada's leading payments brand and is chosen an average of 16 million times daily to pay and exchange money. For more than 30 years, it has facilitated secure financial transactions through the development of innovative and convenient digital debit and money transfer solutions. A leader in the prevention and detection of fraud, the organization has one of the lowest rates of fraud globally. Visit Interac.ca or follow us @Interac. Interac, the Interac logo, Interac Flash, and Interac Debit are trade-marks of Interac Inc. Used under license. * All Interac cardholders are protected from losses resulting from circumstances beyond their control under the Interac Zero Liability Policy. See your financial institution for details. SOURCE Interac Association

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[February 27, 2017] SK Telecom and Nokia Sign Cooperation Agreement for Quantum Cryptography

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) today announced that it entered into an agreement with Nokia to cooperate in the quantum cryptography business. Under the agreement, SK Telecom and Nokia will conduct joint research and development activities to achieve interworking between SK Telecom's Quantum Key Distribution System (QKD) and Nokia's next-generation optical transport system by the second half of this year. SK Telecom and Nokia have been working together closely from 2016 for interoperation of SK Telecom's quantum technologies with Nokia's optical transport system. The first prototype of this collaboration, also known as Quantum Transport System, is being demonstrated at Nokia's booth (Hall 3, 3A10) during the 2017 GSMA Mobile World Congress. The quantum cryptography communication is known as the most secure form of communication encryption that cannot be broken with any existing hacking technology. Quantum cryptography is expected to replace the existing security solutions in all areas at risk of data hacking, including national defense, finance, autonomous vehicle and the Internet of Things (IoT). Under the agreement, the two companies will also cooperate in the area of Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), a technology necessary for applying quantum cryptography technologies to IoT devices./p>



"Since opening Quantum Tech Lab in 2011, SK Telecom has been making constant efforts to develop quantum cryptography technologies," said Park Jung-ho, CEO and President of SK Telecom. "Based on the cooperation with Nokia, SK Telecom will create a new paradigm and ecosystem in the field of ICT."

"With SK Telecom's quantum cryptography technologies, we have secured the basis for building the most secure network security solution," said Rajeev Suri, CEO of Nokia. "We will respond proactively to rapidly growing demands of the cyber security market with these technologies and solutions." About SK Telecom Established in 1984, SK Telecom is the largest mobile operator in Korea by both revenue and number of subscribers. As of December 2016, the company holds around 50 percent of the market, with 29.60 million mobile subscribers including 21.1 million LTE subscribers. It has reached KRW 17.092 trillion in revenue in 2016. SK Telecom has led the advancement of mobile technologies ranging from 2G to 4G, and is currently setting important milestones in its journey to 5G. The company is not only leading innovation in the field of mobile network, but also providing IoT, media, home and platform services. SK Telecom is determined to play a significant role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution by achieving innovations and promoting shared growth with other players in the industry. For more information, please visit www.sktelecom.com/en or contact [email protected]. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sk-telecom-and-nokia-sign-cooperation-agreement-for-quantum-cryptography-300413873.html SOURCE SK Telecom

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[February 27, 2017] Arsanis and Adimab Enter Into License Agreement to Target Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) With Monoclonal Antibodies

Arsanis, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted monoclonal antibodies for pre-emptive and post-infection treatment of serious infectious diseases, and Adimab, LLC, the global leader in the discovery and optimization of fully human monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, announced today they have entered into an agreement under which Arsanis has secured the exclusive, worldwide license to antibodies targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that were discovered by Adimab. Arsanis will initially focus on the selection of a lead RSV antibody candidate and has received a grant of up to $9.3 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance the selected antibody to IND filing. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005642/en/ "Arsanis' partnerships with Adimab and the Gates Foundation will allow us to apply our deep expertise in the discovery and development of anti-infective antibodies to advance highly potent human monoclonal antibodies for the prevention of RSV infection," said Rene Russo, Pharm.D., BCPS, President and Chief Executive Officer, Arsanis. "We believe this approach has the potential to address a significant global need for effective and accessible RSV therapeutics in both developed and developing countries." Under the agreement with Adimab, Arsanis has exclusively licensed a panel of RSV antibodies for the purpose of evaluating and selecting the best therapeutic leads under an exclusive global development and commercialization license. Adimab will be entitled to receive license fees and development milestones, as well as a royalty on net sales. "We are very pleased that Arsanis and the Gates Foundation are collaborating on this important program. Through our B cell isolation approach, Adimab has identified highly potent antibodies against a number of infectious disease targets. The RSV antibodies licensed to Arsanis include some of the most potent RSV neutralizers reported to date," said Guy Van Meter, VP of Business Development at Adimab. "This new agreement expands an already successful relationship with Arsanis, under which Arsanis' lead program ASN100 for S. aureus pneumonia, currently in a Phase 2 clinical study, was discovered."



About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes infections in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. RSV infects nearly every child at least once by the age of two years and is a major cause of hospitalization due to respiratory infection in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. RSV infection typically results in cold-like symptoms but can lead to more serious respiratory illnesses such as croup, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and in extreme cases, death. RSV infection in the pediatric and adult populations account for more than 300,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S. In the developing world, RSV is responsible for 30 million cases of acute respiratory tract infection and 200,000 deaths per year. As a result, there is a significant need for novel therapeutics to prevent RSV infection.

About Arsanis, Inc. Arsanis is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the development of targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for pre-emptive therapy and treatment of serious infectious diseases. The company's current programs address pathogenic processes selectively, aiming to preserve the healthy microbiome and potentially allowing Arsanis to address critical infections without contributing to the problem of resistance. The company is building a broad product pipeline addressing the most important infectious diseases that threaten patients globally. Its lead clinical program, ASN100, is aimed at serious Staphylococcus aureus infections and is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical study for the prevention of S. aureus pneumonia in high-risk patients. Arsanis is a U.S. company headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with European research and preclinical development operations headquartered in Vienna, Austria (Arsanis Biosciences GmbH). For more information, please visit the Arsanis website at www.arsanis.com. About Adimab Adimab has established antibody discovery collaborations with many leading pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck, Novo Nordisk, Biogen, GSK, Roche, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Celgene, Gilead, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Takeda and Sanofi. In addition, Adimab has partnered with several smaller publicly traded companies, such as Acceleron, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Kite, Five Prime, as well as leading venture-backed companies including Jounce, Mersana, Alector, Surface Oncology, Potenza, Tizona, Tusk and several academic institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson. The Adimab antibody discovery and optimization platform has also been internalized by several large pharma partners; Adi-inside partners include Merck, Novo Nordisk, Biogen and GSK. Adimab's integrated antibody discovery and optimization platform provides unprecedented speed from antigen to purified, full-length human IgGs. Adimab offers fundamental advantages by delivering diverse panels of therapeutically relevant antibodies that meet the most aggressive standards for affinity, epitope coverage, species cross-reactivity and developability. Adimab enables its partners to rapidly expand their biologics pipelines through a broad spectrum of technology access arrangements. For more information, please visit the Adimab website at http://www.adimab.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005642/en/

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Modified On Mar 01, 2017 05:23 PM By Rachit Shad for Maruti Baleno 2015-2022

You can get yours booked at a refundable amount of Rs 11,000

The countrys largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch its first-ever hot hatch, the Baleno RS, on March 3, 2017. News has now surfaced that the Japanese car firm has started accepting online bookings for the performance-driven Baleno at a refundable amount of Rs 11,000. This will be the second new car launch of the year for the company after the Ignis in January 2017.

We know that Maruti Suzuki likes to unravel each of its new offerings bit-by-bit, and the build-up for the launch of the Baleno RS has been equally tantalising. The company recently took the wraps off the main talking point of its hot hatch, the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine. Its combustion chamber has a three-cylinder configuration and is tuned to produce 102PS of power and 150Nm of torque. That equates to a rise in power by 18PS and 35Nm compared to output of the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine in the standard Baleno. Also, the RS will be available only in the petrol avatar unlike the regular Baleno, which is available with a 1.3-litre diesel engine as well that puts out 75PS/190Nm.

However, the story doesnt end there. The Baleno RS will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and the Fiat Abarth Punto. While the German offering has a slightly more powerful engine (105PS/175Nm) and comes mated to a spectacular seven-speed DSG auto box, the Italian hatchback is way ahead of all its main competitors in the segment (147PS/212Nm). Outright power does make a difference, but so does a statistic called power-to-weight ratio. If you'd like to work out the math, head over to our spec-comparo (including the Ford Figo diesel) that simplifies everything for you.

Price-wise, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is liklely to undercut all its main rivals, based simply on the heavy localisation of parts. We expect the price-tag to be around the Rs 9 lakh mark.

The Baleno RS is an exciting product and we do hope it succeeds. Who knows it could spawn hot hatches from other carmakers as well such as Ford which may then consider launching a performance-oriented variant of the Figo, powered by the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine! It's all wishful thinking for now but do let us know your thoughts on this in comments below: Do you think India needs more such affordable hot hatches?

Also Read: Five Things You Must Know About Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Read More on : Baleno
GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Grapevine, Texas. The company was originally known as GSC Holdings Corp. but later changed its name following its IPO. Originally a brand of then dominant Babbages, Gamestop altered the way video games were distributed and it is now the world's largest retailer of video games and video game accessories. The company went public in 2004 and operated 4,573 stores at the start of 2022. Brands under the company umbrella include Gamestop, EB Games, and Micromania as well as 50 pop-culture-themed Zing Pop locations.

Gamestop Corp. provides video games and entertainment products through its global network of e-commerce properties and stores. The company sells new and pre-owned gaming platforms and accessories like controllers, headsets, memory cards, and gaming software as well as in-game products like digital currency, downloadable content, and games. The company also sells new and used memorabilia and collectibles. Genres include TV, movie, comic book, and game characters as well as many other items from pop culture. GameStop Corp. also operates Game Informer, a magazine and website dedicated to the gaming industry including reviews, updates, and new developments in technologies.

Game enthusiasts enjoy two primary benefits of using Gamestop. The first is access to the full range of games and gaming accessories. The second is the ability to sell or trade their old equipment and games for fair prices. All old equipment is refurbished to a like-new state before resale.

In 2021 Gamestop announced it was entering the world of cryptocurrency. The company revealed plans to build an NFT (non-fungible token) platform for listing, selling, and holding digital or digitized artwork and collectibles. The beta version launched in 2022 and has so far seen great success with an average daily volume exceeding $1 million. The NFT marketplace also featured Web3.0 games in which characters and in-game items are held forever on the blockchain. As of September 2022, the most successful retailer on the NFT marketplace was Gamestop Presents, a collaboration of cover art from Game Informer Magazine. Sales at the time were just under 168 ETH or about $221,500.00.

GameStop began a slide in 2016 following a series of bad investments that included a foray into the world of mobile phones. The slide came to an end in late 2021 when shareholders using the Reddit thread Wallstreet Bets orchestrated a short-squeeze and brought on the age of meme stocks.
[February 27, 2017] HUAWEI announces HUAWEI P10 and P10 Plus Coming to Canada

Launch of HUAWEI'S flagship device with Tier 1 operators a first for North America BARCELONA, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Following the global launch of the HUAWEI P10 and P10 Plus, HUAWEI Canada today announced the new HUAWEI P10 smartphone line will be coming to Canada when it is commercially available later this spring. Rogers, Fido, Bell and Videotron will sell the P10 in stores across Canada, while Rogers will be the exclusive distributor of the P10 Plus. The announcement marks the first time Tier 1 North American operators will make available HUAWEI's flagship device through retail outlets, and the first time Canadians will have access to one of the most popular smartphone models in the world. "We are pleased to be the lead partner with HUAWEI in Canada as we launch the P10 series," said Dirk Woessner, President, Consumer Business Unit, Rogers Communications. "We want to offer our customers the best selection of premium smartphones and we're excited to bring them the P10 and P10 Plus. Customers around the world have embraced the P series and we think our customers are going to love its features too." "We are proud to be bringing our flagship P series line to Canada with Rogers and Bell," said HUAWEI Canada President Sean Yang. "Building on the global success of the HUAWEI P9 line, the HUAWEI P10 and P10 Plus will provide Canadian consumers with a compelling new alternative when selecting their next device." "Bell andHUAWEI are longtime partners in broadband network and smartphone innovation, and we are pleased to extend our relationship with the coming introduction of the P10 smartphone," said Blaik Kirby, President of Bell Mobility.



The HUAWEI P series has built a reputation for performance and battery innovation, while developing an unrivalled partnership with legendary camera company Leica, to lead the smartphone industry in camera design. Building on a commitment to deliver an exceptional photography experience, the HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus will again set industry benchmarks with the introduction of the Leica Dual-Camera 2.0 and Leica Dual-Camera 2.0 Pro Edition. With the first ever front-facing camera co-engineered with Leica, both the P10 and P10 Plus will provide users with an easy way to create timeless portraits. The HUAWEI P Series takes smartphone efficiency and customization a step further thanks to the powerful Kirin 960 processor and all-new EMUI 5.1 user interface. Kirin 960 is Huawei's latest high-performance SoC chipset. This new GPU boasts a 180% improvement in performance and a 40% increase in power efficiency over previous designs.

A large 3,200 mAh battery on the P10 and 3,750 mAh battery on the P10 Plus supports HUAWEI's SuperCharge technology (5V/4.5A). SuperCharge technology includes Huawei's Super Safe 5-gate protection mechanism, offering real-time voltage, current and temperature monitoring to make charging not only fast but safe. "By working with industry leaders such as Leica, and by investing in innovative technology and features, we've grown to be the world's 3rd largest smartphone company," said Sean Yang. "Consumers around the world have come to expect smartphones that are functional, stylish and innovative, and we look forward to working with ROGERS, Fido, Bell, Videotron and others in bringing the HUAWEI user experience to Canada." About HUAWEI Canada HUAWEI is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. HUAWEI's 177,000 employees worldwide are committed to developing innovative products that support operator, enterprise and consumer customers around the world. Founded in 1987, HUAWEI is a private company fully owned by its employees, and has been named by Interbrand as one of the world's top 100 brands  the first Chinese company to receive this recognition. HUAWEI Canada has been in operation since 2008, and now employs over 700 people in Canada. HUAWEI's innovative wireless products and services support many of Canada's leading telecommunications companies, and the HUAWEI Canada Research Centre in is a national leader in advanced communications research, including 5G. HUAWEI is proud to be a key part of Canada's ICT Ecosystem, and are recognized as one of the Top 30 investors in research & development in Canada. SOURCE Huawei

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The Information Commissioner has said that charities carried out wealth screening without any thought of what would-be donors might think.

In a speech to the Direct Marketing Association on Friday, Elizabeth Denham, the Information Commissioner, said the ICOs investigation into charities had implications for other sectors.

She said the ICO had found that practices relating to how lists were pulled together undermined fundamental privacy rights of donors.

Im talking here about wealth screening or prospect research, without any thought of what would-be donors might think, she said. Of not accepting that a customer doesnt want to provide a phone number, and going out to find a way to get hold of that information anyway. And of buying and selling lists of potential customers like they were a basic commodity.

Would put donors off

Denham also responded to criticism from fundraisers, who believe that what the ICO is asking could reduce donations.

One charity complained to my office that what we were asking them to do around wealth screening  expecting charities to tell people that they would use their personal data to get more information, and ultimately rank donors based on how much they earned  would put people off giving their details in the first place, she said.

But thats the point.

Her speech to the DMA came a couple of days after a charged event in Manchester to discuss data protection issues with charities and other regulators. Video from the event is now available on the ICOs website.




The programme for the tenth annual Charity Property Conference, organised by Civil Society Media, has been announced, with sessions on the impact of Brexit, dealing with disaster and charity retail lined up.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, will chair the opening panel discussion looking at how the decision to leave the European Union will affect the property market.

He will be joined by Alex Baily, portfolio director of Cazenove Charities, Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation and Andrew OBrien, head of policy and engagement at the Charity Finance Group.

In the afternoon representatives from Guide Dogs will host a session on dealing with disaster and there will be a panel discussion on the future of charity shops.

There will also be sessions on sustainability and ethical property and round table discussions looking at different aspects of strategy.

The event takes place in London on 4 July and there are early bird discounts until 19 May. Full programme and booking information is available here.


Our weekly round-up of all the latest movers in the charity sector.

Chief executive

Shelter has announced that Polly Neate, who is currently chief executive of Womens Aid, will become its new chief executive. Neate will join Shelter on 14 August after four years at Womens Aid. Prior to that she was executive director of external relations and communications at Action for Children.

Fundraising

Nick Jones, former interim executive director of marketing, fundraising and communications at Save the Children, has been appointed to head up Action for Childrens fundraising, communications and policy directorates.

Jones appointment was announced by Action for Children last week. Jones replaces interim fundraising, communications and policy director Kath Mills, who will stay in the post until the end of March while he undergoes his induction. Mills will return to her former position of director of communications at the charity.

Non-executive

Childrens literacy charity, Doorstep Library Network, has announced the appointment of Annabel James as chair to support their home reading programmes and continue to build the charity to benefit more children living in deprived areas throughout London.

She will be taking over from current chair and funder, Agnes Paroissien who is retiring after eight years of service.




Delegates attending Passenger Ship Safety Southampton will hear from industry experts discussing technologies, solutions and strategies and what the future risks may entail. The event takes place April 4-6.

The conference, spanning three days, includes a Lifesaving focus on day one, followed by two full conference program days with speakers ranging from cruise line and ferry executives to key suppliers involved on the safety and security side of the industry.

Hans Hederstrom, managing director, CSMART, will present key findings from a research project which demonstrates the regular simulator training of unusual challenging situations is fundamentally key to ensuring employees onboard take the correct actions during pressurised situations.

Control functions must be in place in any operating environment so that an error by one person in the team should be expected and managed but an error from a team of three or four people is a hazard that must be dealt with at an organizational level, Hederstrom said.

CSMART is Carnival Corporations advanced simulator training facility located in the Netherlands.

Diederik van Aarsen, head of safety for Carnival Maritime, will talk about preventing fault release of lifeboats and davit systems. Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding's Antonio Saccone is also on the agenda, with a 30-minute presentation on LNG systems.

Captain Samir A. M. Mahdaly, College of Technology and Maritime Transport, Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime transport, which is in Egypt, will present how GNSS technology can be used in maritime search and rescue operations.

This technology improves the ability to find survivors in water, either by day or night, as well as those in restricted visibility or even those trapped in a sunken wreck. The person tracking system combines the use of GNSS technology for locating survivors and specialized software allowing the information to be viewed via the internet on electronic charts display, said Mahdaly.

Among other speakers will be James Langley, head of marine operations at Saga Cruises, talking about designing ships for older passengers.

With cyber security emerging as one of the biggest global threats in 2017 it is no surprise the shipping industry is starting to take notice. Passenger Ship Safety will have Phil Tinsley, Maritime Security Manager, BIMCO, discussing the specific issues the industry faces, how to train for breaches, minimize impact and ensure operational systems on board are not compromised.

Passengers expect connectivity no matter where they are in the world and the cruise industry has to ensue this link does not compromise any of the passengers personal or sensitive data, or the operational systems onboard, noted Tinsley.

Additionally, cruise and ferry operators will leave the session with a thorough understanding how incidents can be reported successfully without causing reputational damage.

Passenger Ship Safety Southampton is the only forum of its kind discussing how to keep passengers safe at sea. Over 150 delegates from cruise and ferry operators, coastguards, emergency response, government and industry will be in attendance during the three-day event complete with exhibition and networking breaks. Cruise Industry News is the lead media partner for the event.
P&O Cruises Australia a overnight Bali call on cruises from Fremantle aboard Pacific Eden.

The overnight call features in the cruise lines 12-day Indonesian cruises departing Fremantle on April 9 and May 28, 2017, which also include visits to Komodo Island, Lombok and Probolinggo. The May departure is priced from $899 per person quad share.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line was excited about its new Indonesian itinerary which provided more time for guests to enjoy Bali from dawn to dusk.

Were always thinking of ways to introduce new experiences into our itineraries and by opening up our Indonesian cruises to include overnight stays in Bali, were allowing our guests the freedom to really immerse themselves in the beautiful Balinese culture, Myrmell said.

With our fare including accommodation, transport, meals, and calls to four Indonesian ports, this cruise really represents unbeatable holiday value.

As well as offering a relaxing and great value way to holiday in the region, our Indonesian cruises offer the chance to see the beauty of the Western Australian coastline as well as the phenomena of The Wallace Line, a transitional zone between Asia and Australia where the flora and fauna changes dramatically.

The new itinerary is part of P&Os biggest Fremantle season with one of its latest ships, the 1,500-guest Pacific Eden, returning for a three-month season from April 9 to July 3, 2017.
[February 27, 2017] Hurricane Electric Adds Point of Presence at RSA Dexter Avenue Data Center in Montgomery, Alabama

Hurricane Electric, the world's largest IPv6-native Internet backbone, today announced the completion of the latest step in the expansion of its global Internet backbone with the launch of a new Point of Presence (PoP) at The Retirement Systems of Alabama Dexter Avenue Data Center (RSA Dexter Avenue Data Center). Located at 445 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL, this is Hurricane Electric's (News - Alert) first PoP in the state. With combined federal, state and local government agencies comprising one quarter of Montgomery's workforce, the city and surrounding regions have experienced steadily increasing demand for faster Internet connectivity and additional capacity. Among the top five industries in the state, Alabama's Information Technology sector employs more than 15,000 and generates over $1 billion in annual revenue. To help meet this demand, the RSA (News - Alert) Dexter Avenue Data Center opened in 2012 and provides tenants with redundant infrastructure, 24/7 support staff, and is SOC 2 Type 2 certified, meaning that it has been audited by a third party and has been found to have policies in place to protect the highly sensitive data of its tenants. Additionally, the 44,000 square foot facility is equipped to handle the demands of mission critical operations with 2N capacity UPS systems and automatic transfer switchgear with ten secnd failover to generator backups in the event of a loss of power.



The RSA Dexter Avenue Data Center also houses the state's first Internet exchange, MGMix. Made possible by a collaboration between Montgomery County, The City of Montgomery, research universities, Maxwell Gunter Air Force Base, and the new Cyber College of the Air Force, MGMix is just the fourth IX in the Southeast. With the launch of Hurricane Electric's latest PoP, commercial entities, government agencies and educational institutions in the greater Montgomery area will be able to choose from additional connectivity options and tap into Hurricane Electric's rich global network. Additionally, the new PoP will enable those same organizations to improve fault tolerance, load balancing and congestion management in its IP connectivity services, which includes transit of next-generation IPv6 traffic.

Tenants at the RSA Dexter Avenue Data Center now have the ability to exchange IP traffic with Hurricane Electric's vast global network. Hurricane Electric has over 17,000 BGP sessions with over 6,000 different networks via more than 155 major exchange points and thousands of customer and private peering ports. The new Montgomery PoP will also provide access to the company's extensive IPv4 and IPv6 network through 100GE (100 Gigabit Ethernet), 10GE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) and GigE (1 Gigabit Ethernet) ports and as a result, both new and existing customers will be able to experience increased throughput, reduced latency and improved reliability. "Hurricane Electric is delighted to extend its global network to help support the many businesses and government organizations that make up Montgomery's economy," said Mike Leber, President, Hurricane Electric. "As Alabama steadily cultivates a growing IT industry, we've seen a strong rise in demand for affordable high-speed Internet transit in the state. Hurricane Electric looks forward to providing the IP services that this sector needs to compete in both the domestic and international marketplaces." About Hurricane Electric Fremont, California-based Hurricane Electric operates its own global IPv4 and IPv6 network and is considered the largest IPv6 backbone in the world as measured by number of networks connected. Within its global network, Hurricane Electric is connected to 155 major exchange points and exchanges traffic directly with more than 6,000 different networks. Employing a resilient fibre-optic topology, Hurricane Electric has no less than four redundant paths crossing North America, three separate paths between the U.S. and Europe, and rings in Europe and Asia. In addition to its vast global network, Hurricane Electric owns and operates two data centers in Fremont, California, including Fremont 2, its newest 208,000 square foot facility. Hurricane Electric offers IPv4 and IPv6 transit solutions over the same connection at speeds including 10 Gbps and 100 GbpsEthernet. For more information on Hurricane Electric, please visit http://he.net. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005723/en/

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The Queen Mary 2 sailed into Sydney over the weekend with the Queen Elizabeth for a Royal Rendezvous which marked 10 years since the Cunard flagship first visited Australia.

The visit of the two Queens comes almost a decade to the day since Queen Mary 2 first sailed into Sydney, staging a Royal Rendezvous with her older sister, the now retired QE2,.

Speaking onboard in Sydney, Ann Sherry, Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia which represents Cunard, said Queen Mary 2s maiden visit in 2007 had been a catalyst for a surge of interest in cruise tourism in Australia.

Australian cruise passenger numbers have jumped by an average of 20 pe cent a year since 2007, soaring from 250,000 to more than a million a year.

Queen Mary 2s first visit to Sydney captured the imagination of thousands upon thousands of Australians, who fell in love with her classic style as well as her state-of-the-art features, Sherry said. Without question, Queen Mary 2 put cruising on many Australians wish lists and helped fuel the industrys phenomenal growth Down Under.

Cunard Vice President International Development David Rousham said Cunards ongoing popularity in Australia had encouraged the cruise line to plan longer deployments in Australia in 2018 and 2019.

Australians have a real bond with Cunard which strengthens every year as our Australian guest numbers grow, Rousham said. Over the past decade, the number of Australian guests cruising on our annual world voyages has increased fifteen-fold and Australia is now our second major market for world voyages and our third largest passenger market overall.
An Alabama federal grand jury Friday indicted an 18-year-old Birmingham man for robbery and hostage taking during a robbery of the Tuscaloosa branch of the $737 million Alabama Credit Union in January, Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey said.

A three-count indictment was filed in U.S. District Court against Cedrick Lamar Collins.

One hostage-taking count alleged that Collins, while attempting to avoid apprehension for bank robbery, forced 11 credit union employees to accompany him without their consent.

The second hostage count charged that Collins took the 11 credit union employees hostage in order to compel a governmental organization not to take him into custody as an explicit condition for release of the hostages. In this case, the governmental organizations included the Tuscaloosa and University of Alabama police departments, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriffs Office and the FBI.
When he was a boy, Derreck Kayongos life was turned upside down when dictator Idi Amin took control of his home country of Uganda.

During the ED (Filene) Talk on Sunday at CUNAs Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), Kayongo explained his journey from a refugee from the genocide Amin perpetrated to the founder of the Global Soap Project, a $10 million business active in 90 countries.

The Global Soap Project recycles soap from hotel rooms, turns it into fresh soap, and sends it to people in need in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, populations where people die on a regular basis due to a lack of basic hygiene.

Kayongo described the Global Soap Project in terms the GAC audience understood well.

Its people helping people. And thats the remarkable part about this business, and thats what you guys are doing, as credit unions, he said. Youre people in a business, helping people.
In the financial business world, mobile marketing is no longer something to put off  it is now a necessity. Companies who fail to integrate mobile tactics into their overall promotional strategy could fall short. Heres how mobile marketing really works within the financial sector.

Why pay attention to mobile

Laying the groundwork for understanding this niche, its important to have a grasp on consumer behavior. In March, 2016, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System released their Consumers and Mobile Financial Services report. Key findings from this publication illustrate the significance of mobile behavior in banking technology in the modern era.

Of the adult population in the United States, 87% of consumers use mobile phones, including smartphones. 53% of those with a bank account and a mobile phone use their phone for banking, in some form; this segment continues to increase steadily. A notable portion of consumers are ignored when their financial service fails to offer mobile options for transactions.

Additionally, consumers are often using their phones to make informed banking decisions. Though the study above focuses on information such as how often people check their balance, make deposits to avoid overdraft, and other similar actions, there is much more to consider in the way of smartphones and how they affect banking relationships.

Mobile use cases in the financial sector

The financial sectors implementation of mobile technologies includes more than online banking and alerts. Daily communication with customers is no longer taking place via postal correspondence or email as the only options. In fact, mobile provides a satisfactory platform for personalized communication, immediate transactions, and user engagement.

Mobile apps

Mobile apps provide a convenient way for consumers to deposit, withdraw, pay bills, and more. Bank of Americas Face Retirement campaign proves mobile applications value in the financial sector. To raise awareness for the importance of saving for retirement, the company launched a branded app that shows the user what they might look like at retirement age. Consumers who had been exposed to the app held a 14% point lift in aided awareness. Additionally, the campaign generated 8.8 million impressions on Facebook and Twitter.

Mobile money

World Council runs a number of mobile banking initiatives for credit unions in Haiti, Mexico and Kenya. These programs provide easy-to-use and secure payments through mobile money. That way, Haiti earthquake victims received humanitarian aid and now there are about 700,000 registered users who take advantage of mobile money technology there.

Mobile messaging

Dakota Financial, LLC., a national funding company specializing in commercial automotive financing, found that daily communication with their customers  many of whom are in the trucking industry  posed a challenge, as patrons were constantly on the go. As a solution, the company tried text messaging to ensure receipt of their communications. This strategy was successful, and provided the added bonus of allowing some customers to respond while in a meeting.

We see that ease of communication can be enhanced through texting, and it doesnt end there. Professionals may inclusively associate the term mobile marketing with text messages and apps, ignoring other branches like responsive websites and mobile advertising. With respect to how fast technology advances, this is understandable. However, it is important to stay current with the marketing trends in order to maintain momentum.

Mobile optimized website

A financial websites theme needs to run as smoothly on mobile as it does on PC. When someone wants access to their bank account, they shouldnt have to go home, or walk into a bank. By not providing customers with a responsive website (one that alters itself for navigational simplicity based on the device used) some banks fail to provide the best possible service.

Closely related to responsiveness is a web pages speed or load time. When running multiple scripts, images, and encryption processes, financial websites can easily get bogged down  especially when traffic is heavy, which happens at certain times of day or days of the week. All growing websites need developers monitoring and adjusting around the clock. Frankly, banks get no exemptions from this.

Mobile advertising

Online advertising is generally delegated to Google AdWords experts. Financial institutions and companies benefit from thinking outside the box and considering mobile advertising networks to complement their Google ad efforts. Mobile advertising networks take banners and promotional text, link it to relevant apps and games, and send new leads back to the landing pages of the companies they serve.

ING Bank has seen tremendous growth through implementation of various mobile marketing strategies. 60% of their applicants enter through AdWords mobile advertising campaigns, resulting in 400% growth in loan sales. Mobile advertising makes their products and services easily accessible to their target audience.

Keep security in mind

One pitfall still remains; as privacy threats increase, financial institutions need to take extra precautions to keep sensitive data confiential.

This years Mobile Threat Report from McAfee warns consumers to turn off MMS auto retrieval, update software regularly, avoid opening messages from untrusted senders, and to use comprehensive security software. Financial institutions need to take it upon themselves to warn their patrons of the risks involved with sending out sensitive information, and be clear about what they will and will not ask for via mobile communications.

https://www.policecu.com.au/security/how-we-protect-you/sms-alerts/

Conclusion

As digital technology evolves, so do the mobile marketing responsibilities of the financial industry. The tactics start with texting and apps, and end somewhere between social media marketing and mobile websites. Well over half of todays consumers are accessing their banking information from mobile devices (this includes banking), and they will conduct business with the institutions that offer the most convenience.

Because of the sensitive nature of financial information, care needs to be taken during mobile marketing efforts to make customers aware of threats and inform them what to share and what not to share over their mobile connections.



Financial institutions arent released from riding the waves of the latest mobile marketing trends, they just have to work harder to maintain security. They need to leverage text messaging, build mobile apps, use responsive website themes, and facilitate all other conveniences that consumers are looking for. Yes, they may even need to be on Instagram to stay connected #financialservices.
Whether its compliance with the Military Lending Act, updating the terms to your checking products, or troubleshooting issues with your core system, chances are someone across the country is grappling with the same problem facing your credit union right now.

In part, this is why we come to events such as the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference: to share knowledge, to network, and to relay or glean best practices about credit union operations while together in one space.

We all know first-hand the great value of learning from the practical experiences of peerscredit union professionals from similar institutionswho have already dealt with the same issues you need to resolve yourself.

The problem is, of course, these issues dont always wait for the GAC to roll around. To ensure that you continue to provide unparalleled service to your members, you need good information right now.

This is where CUNA Communities come in.

About 18 months ago, CUNA launched a range of online Communities that allow credit union professionals with a common interestwhether it be compliance or Councils membershipto come together to network and tackle problems collectively. Community subject areas include Compliance, CPD Online, Creating Member Loyalty and CUNA Councils.

Each of the seven CUNA Councils has their own members-only community: one for CEOs, and others for executives in Lending, Marketing & Business Development, Finance, HR & Organizational Development, Technology and Operations, Sales & Service.

Once enrolled, users have the ability to ask questions of peers, share ideas, and discover resources in true collaborative fashion, and all without leaving the comfort of their credit unions.

In my experience as chair of CUNA Councils, I continually hear positive things about the value of this platform. And based on usage statistics Ive seen, it appears the industry is buying in as well.

More than 10,000 people have signed up for the Communities. Between the Compliance and Councils Communities alone, roughly 500 people access the site on a daily basis, viewing nearly 6,300 pages per week.

That means every day, credit union leaders are networking, trading information and knowledge, and as a result bolstering their respective institutions through these sites.

Heres a real-life example. I encountered someone on the site who had asked how other credit unions had approached offering remote deposit capture services, including how to set per-item limits and whether to charge fees. Within hours she had received a host of responses with details on personal experiences and even draft conditions and disclosure agreements to guide her as she built out the product. This is credit union collaboration in its purest form and only a small example of the power of this resource.

And now that power extends to small credit unions.

With the new Small Credit Union Community launched during the GAC, credit union professionals from like-sized institutions can share information and knowledge about problems specific to their operations.

For this passionate group with little time and resources to spare, having a place to easily connect with peers and access relevant information is vital.

In addition to a message board on which users can share ideas and ask questions of one another, the Small Credit Union Community also houses a library of digestible and accessible resources created specifically for small credit unions.

The resources include a streamlined strategic planning guide called Five to Thrive; easy to follow steps to strengthen security at your credit union; and a no-cost peer profile report that allows credit unions to compare their operations with similarly sized financial institutions.

Every day credit unions are looking for information to improve their service to members. In my opinion, CUNA Communities are an excellent place to start.

Whether you are seeking help with an immediate operational issue or want to share a bit of hard-won knowledge and experience for the betterment of the industry, you have a place in these are important discussions.
Retails newest trend  the town square  can help credit unions reinforce brand loyalty and sell products and services, especially as members increasingly use self-service technology to process routine transactions.

What is town square? Its exactly what it sounds like: instead of focusing solely on products, retail locations immerse consumers in brand experience by enriching their lives. For example, Whole Foods has opened three 365 by Whole Foods stores that provide space for local vendors that cater to the Whole Foods market and lifestyle, like fitness clothing designers and restaurants that serve farm-to-table dishes. Even if the vendors products arent stocked by Whole Foods, their presence heightens the consumer experience and reinforces brand loyalty.

Whole Foods undoubtedly borrowed at least part of this idea from food cooperatives, which provide education for members like vegan cooking classes and urban chicken farming workshops. These events dont always sell products available in the store, but by reinforcing brand loyalty, increase sales.
BIELLA  Italian brand Benetton talked of a wool-rich future in which it will move away from fast fashion at the recent Wool Round Table of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO). Lorenzo Dovesi, COO of Benetton Group, was talking at Citta Studi in Biella, Italy where more than than 120 members of the international wool community gathered. Sustainability was an ongoing theme of the event in which IWTO President Peter Ackroyd welcomed Benetton's new business model and the move towards slow sustainable fashion, where he suggested "wool will play a significant role."
NEW DELHI: The Indian government has sanctioned Rs 200.00 Crores (around US$300,000) to the Tirupur Dyeing industry which was said to be experiencing serious financial difficulties. Government sources claim these problems are a result of the industry's investment in the first ever Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) projects in the country, which commenced around 2008. The decision to support the cash-strapped sector is on the recommendation of the Ministry of Textiles and the cash will be provided to18 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) as an interest free loan, offered based on the performance of the CETPs. The move is aimed at helping the struggling CETPs and 450 dyeing units to recover from the financial crisis which has impacted on India.
Arsenic is the leading freshwater contaminant on the planet, affecting millions of people worldwide and causing an untold number of deaths every year. Removing arsenic from groundwater and freshwater is a major challenge still facing scientists and policymakers. Now a new Tel Aviv University study published in Nature Communications sheds light on a unique biological model of arsenic detoxification.

According to the new research, the Entotheonella bacterium that inhabits the Theonella swinhoei sponge is one of the only known cases of a bacterium protecting its host from metal poisoning. Entotheonella safeguards these sponges against the dangers of arsenic and another common toxin, barium.

"This particular sponge species, which is among the most ancient animals inhabiting the earth today, is home to a very diverse, very crowded number of microorganisms," said Prof. Micha Ilan of the Department of Zoology at TAU's Faculty of Life Sciences, who led the study. "These sedentary animals evolved to contain an in-house arsenal of chemicals and associated microbiota to deal with predators and pathologies."

A curious finding

While studying the biology of the sponge, which dwells in the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Prof. Ilan and his colleague Dr. Boaz Mayzel discovered the curious ability of these sponges to accumulate and concentrate a million times more arsenic than that found in seawater. The results of that study were published in PLOS One in 2014.

Dr. Ray Keren, also of TAU's Department of Zoology and co-author of the new research with Dr. Mayzel, suspected a bacterium was involved in the detoxification. Indeed, after extensive testing, a single bacterial species was found to drive the accumulation of both arsenic and barium.

"We have not only discovered that a single bacterial species was the accumulator of both arsenic and barium. We have also found that this bacterium mineralizes the toxic elements, transforming them into inert products within its cells in a controlled manner," said Dr. Keren. "Sponges are eaten by turtles and worms, and even though they are exploding with arsenic, the bacteria renders them non-toxic. They become biologically inert. It is a very unique biological model."

The TAU scientists, in collaboration with Prof. Boaz Pokroy of the Technion Institute of Science and Dr. Sirine Fakra of the Advanced Light Source in the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, harnessed cutting-edge technology to validate their initial findings, which were procured using the backscatter mode of a scanning electron microscope. "Prof. Pokroy took a sample of Entotheonella to the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility within a week of seeing that first image," said Dr. Keren. "There, he saw that barium is mineralized as barite and arsenic formed smaller peaks of an unknown mineral."

"More work to be done"

Subsequent diffraction analysis revealed that the mineral, crystalline arsenic, was in fact calcium arsenate. Dr. Fakra then validated the presence of these minerals under subfreezing cryogenic conditions.

"To render this unique detox method applicable to other situations, we need to somehow get rid of the sponge," said Prof. Ilan. "In other words, there is a lot more work to be done before we, human beings, can capitalize on this."

The researchers are currently researching the mechanism the bacterium uses to control the mineralization of the elements. "Once we identify the enzymes involved in the process, we can either look for them in bacteria in polluted water or find a way to grow Entotheonella in polluted areas," said Dr. Keren.

###

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is inherently linked to the cultural, scientific and entrepreneurial mecca it represents. It is one of the world's most dynamic research centers and Israel's most distinguished learning environment. Its unique-in-Israel multidisciplinary environment is highly coveted by young researchers and scholars returning to Israel from post-docs and junior faculty positions in the US.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) enthusiastically and industriously pursues the advancement of TAU in the US, raising money, awareness and influence through international alliances that are vital to the future of this already impressive institution.
A new study led by The Australian National University (ANU) has found seawater cycles throughout the Earth's interior down to 2,900km, much deeper than previously thought, reopening questions about how the atmosphere and oceans formed.

A popular theory is that the atmosphere and oceans formed by releasing water and gases from the Earth's mantle through volcanic activity during the planet's first 100 million years.

But lead researcher Dr Mark Kendrick from ANU said the new study provided evidence to question this theory.

"Our findings make alternative theories for the origin of the atmosphere and oceans equally plausible, such as icy comets or meteorites bringing water to the Earth," said Dr Kendrick from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.

Seawater is introduced into the Earth's interior when two tectonic plates converge and one plate is pushed underneath the other into the mantle.

The study has overturned the notion that seawater only makes it about 100km into the mantle before it is returned to the Earth's surface through volcanic arcs, such as those forming the Pacific Ring of Fire that runs through the western America's, Japan and Tonga.

The team analysed samples of volcanic glass from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans that contained traces of seawater that had been deeply cycled throughout Earth's interior.

"The combination of water and halogens found in the volcanic glasses enables us to preclude local seawater contamination and conclusively prove the water in the samples was derived from the mantle," Dr Kendrick said.

###

ANU collaborated on the study with the University of Tasmania, Institut Universitaire Europeen de la Mer in France, the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in Germany, and the University of California Santa Barbara and the University of Florida in the United States.

The study is published in Nature Geoscience.

To arrange interviews, contact Will Wright from ANU media on +612 6125 7979, +61 478 337 740 or media@anu.edu.au
[February 27, 2017] Mission Mars Exhibition at Space Center Houston

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Space Center Houston's spectacular new Mission Mars exhibit showcases an immersive experience about the red planet and offers an opportunity to peer inside an Orion spacecraft research model, stand close to a giant model rocket and walk on a virtual Mars environment. The exposition was designed with input from NASA experts, and interactive media studio SILA SVETA as the official contractor. "This new major exhibit will inspire the next generation of explorers who could one day walk on Mars," said William T. Harris, president and CEO of the science and space learning center. "Visitors will explore what it takes to travel to Mars, the hardware that will get us to the fourth planet in our solar system and how humans may live and conduct research on the red planet in future decades." Space Center Houston worked closely with NASA in the development of Mission Mars. A stunning 4K technology video by interactive media studio SILA SVETA shows a virtual Mars landscape with rovers exploring the planet, a future rocket launching from Earth and heading for Mars and future astronauts landing. NASA's Office of Education provided a grant through the Competitive Program for Musums, Science Centers, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers. Lockheed Martin provided the Orion capsule research model, along with financial support for the exhibit construction.



Space Center Houston is holding a jubilee celebration all year to honor its 25th anniversary on Oct. 16, 2017. The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation is a nonprofit science and space learning center with extensive educational programs. Space Center Houston is the cornerstone of its mission to inspire all generations through the wonders of space exploration. The center draws more than 1 million visitors annually, was called "The Big Draw" by USA Today and generates a $73 million annual economic impact in the greater Houston area. Space Center Houston is Houston's first and only Smithsonian Affiliate and the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center. www.spacecenter.org

Sila Sveta is an interactive media, production and conceptual design company. Currently Sila Sveta is located both in Moscow and Los Angeles. The studio is engaged in the development and implementation of creative concepts, interactive installations, event and art-projects, production of multimedia content (graphics and visual effects, video shooting and post-production, music and sound effects) and bespoke software development. www.silasveta.com Press Release (PDF) Photo materials [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mission-mars-exhibition-at-space-center-houston-300413803.html SOURCE SILA SVETA

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WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2017)--A new study examining patient health outcomes in community health centers found that nurse practitioners and physician assistants delivered care that was equivalent to care delivered by physicians. The findings, the first comparison to focus on community health centers, could have implications for the structure of health centers in the future.

"Findings from our study should be reassuring to patients who rely on community health centers for their care," said Ellen Kurtzman, associate professor in the GW School of Nursing and lead author of the paper. "We found that care is likely to be comparable regardless of whether patients are seen by a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician."

As the country grows more dependent on community health centers, particularly in medically underserved areas that tend to serve low-income, uninsured, immigrant and minority populations, the health care system is increasingly relying on non-physician clinicians to provide primary care.

To assess the care patients received in community health centers, Dr. Kurtzman and her team reviewed five years of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey's Community Health Center subsample and compared nine patient outcomes by practitioner type. The patient outcomes were:

Three quality indicators (smoking cessation counseling, depression treatment, ordering/prescribing of statins for hyperlipidemia [high levels of fat particles in the blood])

Four measures of service utilization (physical exams, total number of health education/counseling services, imaging services, total number of medications)

Two measures of referral pattern (return visits at a specified time, physician referrals)

The researchers found that visits to nurse practitioners and physician assistants received similar quality, services and referrals as those made to physicians.

The research is encouraging for health center administrators who must meet the medical demands of their communities without compromising care. It is also important for policymakers who establish occupational policies that often restrict the autonomy of non-physician clinicians, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Another recent study led by Dr. Kurtzman that used the same dataset found that nurse practitioner outcomes did not vary in states with and without occupational restrictions of these clinicians. This suggests that lawmakers may be able to ease state restrictions without compromising the quality of patient care. The study, "Does the Regulatory Environment Affect Nurse Practitioners' Patters of Practice or Quality of Care in Health Centers?" was published in Health Services Research on Jan. 27.

The newest paper on care in community health centers was published Feb. 24 in the journal Medical Care.

###
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Physical differences between males and females in species are common, but there remains much to learn about the genetic mechanisms behind these differences.

New research by scientists at Indiana University finds that the "master gene" that regulates these differences plays a complex role in matching the right physical trait to the right sex. The study, published Feb. 27 in the journal Nature Communications, reveals new details about the behavior of the gene called "doublesex," or dsx.

"We want to know more about this gene because it helps us answer a major question about development and evolution: How do animals with similar genomes -- such as males and females of the same species -- produce different versions of the same trait? And why do some traits, like ornamental features that attract mates, vary so widely, while others, like legs, don't?" said Cris Ledon-Rettig, a postdoctoral researcher in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Biology, who led the study.

The study is significant because it's the first to look at the effect of dsx across the whole genome. It finds that the gene isn't simply a "switch" that turns off certain male traits in females, as previously thought. Rather, it plays a highly complex role in controlling the expression of physical differences at different points in the genome based upon sex.

The paper's co-lead author is Eduardo Zattara, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biology. The senior author is Armin Moczek, a professor in the department.

The fine-grained control that dsx exerts over male and female traits is possible because the gene acts in a surprising variety of ways, Ledon-Rettig said. By activating different genes in males and females, for example, it can promote male or female versions of the same trait, such as genitalia. Or, by activating the same genes in males while simultaneously inhibiting them in females, it can promote opposite traits.

"The power to prevent the expression of male traits in females, and vice versa, is a critical feature," Moczek said. "It buffers traits that benefit only members of one sex from causing harm in members of the other."

For instance, in the species used by IU researchers to study dsx -- the beetle Onthophagus taurus -- males possess elaborate horns to battle rivals over females. These horns do not offer a similar reproductive advantage to females, however -- large horns would interfere with their ability to dig tunnels used to nest offspring.

A similar dynamic exists in birds. Higher testosterone attracts more mates in male birds due to greater aggression but decreases maternal instinct in females.

Both examples underline the tension that can exist between natural selection, which favors traits that promote a species' survival, and sexual selection, which favors traits that attract mates. If a species lacks this ability to "buffer" between male and female traits, it can go extinct.

To conduct the study, the IU scientists compared genes expressed in normal beetles to genes expressed beetles in which dsx was suppressed. The comparison revealed over 1,000 points on the genome in normal beetles where dsx affected gene expression in males and over 250 points where it affected gene expression in females.

Importantly, Ledon-Rettig said, the majority of these points did not overlap. This indicated that dsx didn't simply turn certain genes "on" or "off" for most of the traits studied but rather affected gene expression at different locations in the genome based on sex.

"Essentially, dsx instructs the development of male and female versions of the same trait by influencing different genes in each sex," she said.

This was especially the case when they looked at the effect of dsx on the brains, which regulates sex-specific behaviors, and genitalia, used in reproduction. But for one trait -- head horns -- the study showed that dsx sometimes targets the exact same genes in both sexes. In this situation, dsx regulated the genes in opposite directions, creating completely horned males and completely hornless females. When the scientists disabled dsx, both sexes developed similarly sized intermediate horns.

Onthophagus taurus is one of the few insect species in which it's possible to conduct a whole genome analysis since their genome has been sequenced by the i5k Project, a.k.a. "The Manhattan Project of Entomology," a large-scale effort supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that aims to transcribe the genomes of 5,000 insects and other arthropods.

Genetic sequencing of the species was conducted through the project using insects provided by Moczek's lab at IU, which has pioneered the use of insects to study fundamental principles in evolution. Ledon-Rettig and Zattara are members of Moczek's lab.

"We're eager to extend our work on role of dsx -- and other genes -- to sexual differences across other, closely related species of beetles," Ledon-Rettig said. "These beetles are really a powerful platform for unraveling the fundamental mechanisms that underlie evolutionary diversification of sexual traits across species."

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This study was supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
New Rochelle, NY, February 27, 2017--Researchers have designed a 3D-printed porous scaffold for use in reconstructing ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) in the knee and engineered it to deliver a human bone-promoting protein over an extended period of time to improve bone regeneration. A study describing the composition of the scaffold and comparing different delivery methods for recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) is published in Tissue Engineering, Part A, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Tissue Engineering website until March 27, 2017.

Joshua Alan Parry, MD, Sanjeev Kakar, MD, and coauthors from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, demonstrated the strength of the scaffold in a rabbit ACL reconstruction model. In the article entitled "Three-Dimension-Printed Porous Poly(Propylene Fumarate) Scaffolds with Delayed rhBMP-2 Release for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Fixation," the researchers compared the use of four approaches, including microspheres, to reduce the initial burst release of rhBMP-2 from the scaffold and extend its release over time.

"This work is a good example of the fusion of technologies -- controlled release drug delivery and 3D printing," says Tissue Engineering Co-Editor-in-Chief Peter C. Johnson, MD, Principal, MedSurgPI, LLC and President and CEO, Scintellix, LLC, Raleigh, NC.

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About the Journal

Tissue Engineering is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly online and in print in three parts: Part A, the flagship journal published 24 times per year; Part B: Reviews, published bimonthly, and Part C: Methods, published 12 times per year. Led by Co-Editors-In-Chief Antonios G. Mikos, PhD, Louis Calder Professor at Rice University, Houston, TX, and Peter C. Johnson, MD, Principal, MedSurgPI, LLC and President and CEO, Scintellix, LLC, Raleigh, NC, the Journal brings together scientific and medical experts in the fields of biomedical engineering, material science, molecular and cellular biology, and genetic engineering. Tissue Engineering is the official journal of the Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS). Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed online at the Tissue Engineering website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Stem Cells and Development, Human Gene Therapy, and Advances in Wound Care. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.
The iron-containing molecule heme is necessary for life. Cells require heme to perform the chemical reactions that produce energy, among other critical tasks.

Scientists who study the malaria parasite are particularly interested in heme because many malaria drugs interact with this molecule, also known as a cofactor. However, until now researchers have lacked good ways to measure heme levels inside the parasite.

A team of MIT biological engineers has developed a method to do just that. Using a genetically encoded fluorescent protein that interacts with heme, the researchers can image heme within cells and measure how much is present. This could eventually help scientists develop better drugs to combat malaria, says Jacquin Niles, an MIT associate professor of biological engineering.

"One of our long-term goals is to use insights from these studies to understand the pathways that regulate heme and to target these for antimalarial drug discovery purposes," says Niles, the senior author of the study, which appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of Feb. 27.

James Abshire, a recent MIT PhD recipient, is the paper's lead author. Other authors are former postdocs Christopher Rowlands and Suresh Ganesan, and professor of biological and mechanical engineering Peter So.

Heme control

Heme is found in nearly all cells and is especially plentiful in red blood cells, which use it to carry oxygen. However, cells need to keep tight control over the cofactor because it is reactive and can damage other molecules in cells. Heme is usually embedded within other proteins that carefully control its activity. If heme levels get too high, the molecule is either broken down by enzymes or put into a storage compartment where it can't cause cellular damage.

"There's always a balance between how much of it you make or acquire, and how much of it you need to execute critical functions," Niles says.

Niles was motivated to explore how the parasite Plasmodium falciparum controls heme levels because of the known interactions between this cofactor and the antimalarial drugs known as quinolones, which include chloroquine. Until recently, when the parasite became resistant to chloroquine, this drug was used widely to treat malaria.

"Many successful antimalarial compounds seem to exert their antimalarial effect through interacting with or somehow disrupting heme homeostasis within the parasite," Niles says.

As he started to think about investigating those interactions, he realized that not much was known about how the parasite controls its heme levels. This is a particularly important task for these organisms because they spend part of their life cycle inside red blood cells, where they take up and degrade substantial quantities of hemoglobin and release heme in the process.

"The first step was to figure out how much labile heme parasites maintain in their cytosolic compartment as they develop within red blood cells, and how those levels might change with certain environmental perturbations -- such as exposure to heme-interacting antimalarial drugs," Niles says.

To achieve this, Niles and his colleagues developed a heme-sensing protein whose fluorescence dims when it binds to heme. This sensor protein can be expressed in the parasite, allowing the researchers to measure heme levels in parasites by measuring changes in fluorescence.

Drug interactions

Using this sensor, the researchers found that malaria parasites maintain higher labile heme levels than previously estimated. Most scientists studying the parasite had assumed that heme levels would be lower due to the cofactor's potential to damage cells.

"At this time, we don't really know the physiological role of these observed labile heme levels in the parasite," he says. "But what this might do is set the parasite up to be particularly vulnerable to antimalarial drugs that interact with heme."

One possibility is that drugs such as chloroquine somehow increase heme levels to the point where damage to parts of the cell (such as the cell membrane) cause parasite death. Artemisinin, another potent antimalarial drug, also seems to be dependent on heme within the parasite for its effectiveness. Thus, finding out more about the role of heme in causing parasite toxicity could help researchers develop new drugs that exploit these mechanisms.

"This could provide insights into alternate ways by which we can disrupt heme homeostasis for therapeutic purposes -- ideally in a way that circumvents the mechanisms of resistance that parasites have developed to drugs like chloroquine," Niles says.

Once widely used, chloroquine is now mostly ineffective due to widespread resistance. Artemesinin-based combinations are now standard treatment, but resistance is emerging in parts of Southeast Asia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In future studies, Niles plans to adapt the heme sensors so they can be targeted to different compartments of the cell to measure how heme is distributed within the parasite. He also plans to study the sources of heme -- whether parasites synthesize it on their own or scavenge most of it from red blood cells -- and how those processes might be affected as the parasite moves into later stages of its life cycle.

###

The research was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, and the Wellcome Trust.
A group of researchers from Pakistan, Europe and Singapore have identified and characterised a previously undiscovered rare deafness-dystonia syndrome in a family living in a remote region of Pakistan. The research, published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, describes how five of the eight children in one family developed a range of symptoms as they grew: hearing impairment at six months of age developed into profound deafness by ten years old, accompanied by delayed motor development and subsequent regression.

This condition has been named 'Siddiqi syndrome' for Dr Saima Siddiqi from the Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering in Islamabad, Pakistan, who initially made contact with the family. A research team, led by Dr Siddiqi and Dr Hannie Kremer from the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegan, The Netherlands, used whole-exome sequencing to identify a single homozygous nonsense mutation in the gene for FITM2, a protein involved in lipid droplet formation and energy metabolism. To confirm their discovery, the team reduced the activity of the homologous gene in fruit flies and found that these flies displayed hearing and locomotor impairments, as seen in the affected family. The researchers were further able to clarify that reduced activity of the gene causes abnormal branching of sensory neurons in flies as they develop.

Making the connection

Directing resources to rare disease research might not always be the obvious choice when the results will apparently benefit only a small group of people. However, Dr Siddiqi explains that rare diseases in remote and underdeveloped regions like Pakistan are not necessarily as rare as might be thought since a lack of facilities and funding prevents proper disease management and diagnosis.

It might also only take one published study on a rare disease to start making connections to other patients for whom a diagnosis is still elusive. Dr Kremer says, "Upon publication of the paper, I was contacted by a clinical geneticist about a patient in his clinic with two mutated copies of the FITM2 gene. So there might be a second family now and further clinical examinations are being performed in the young patient to determine to which extent the disease is similar to the disease in the published family." She adds that research into rare diseases can also yield surprising results. For example, the patients with the FITM2 mutation did not have any signs of lipodystrophy, contrary to expectations based on what is currently known about the function of the gene in lipid droplet formation. Dr Siddiqi further explains that this new knowledge about the function of FITM2 might have future implications for improving diagnosis and treatment for other diseases involving defects in FITM2 and lipid droplet formation, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. This shines a clear spotlight on how rare disease research can provide important breakthroughs for more common diseases.

A ray of hope

To patients with rare diseases and their families, studies like this offer a ray of hope. Dr Kremer describes how obtaining a diagnosis is of tremendous importance as parents can spend many years consulting with medical professionals trying to find out what is wrong with their child. Finally understanding the nature of the disease can help to relieve feelings of guilt parents often experience that something they did might have caused the condition. Dr Kremer also explains how "a diagnosis provides the opportunity for parents and/or patients to be in contact with other families in which the same disease occurs and they can learn from each other about problems and solutions." Dr Siddiqi adds, "Now this family in Pakistan knows that they have genetic disease running in their family and that they need carrier screening for couples. Although this diagnosis has deprived them of the hope that they can be treated immediately, to me it's the start of new hope for them... that one day they will have a definite treatment."

###

The full text of the research article can be accessed at http://dmm.biologists.org/content/10/2/105.

About Disease Models & Mechanisms

Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) is a research journal publishing both primary scientific research, as well as review articles, editorials, and research highlights. The journal's mission is to provide a forum for clinicians and scientists to discuss basic science and clinical research related to human disease, disease detection and novel therapies. DMM is published by The Company of Biologists, a non-profit organisation based in Cambridge, UK. The Company also publishes the international biology research journals Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology and Biology Open. In addition to financing these journals, the Company provides grants to scientific societies and supports other activities including travelling fellowships for junior scientists, workshops and conferences.
Research published today in Environmental Communication suggests that scientists may have more freedom than previously thought to engage in certain forms of climate change advocacy without risking harm to their credibility.

The experiment, conducted by researchers at George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication, showed that on five out of six occasions when a fictional scientist made advocacy statements to the public on Facebook, their own and their colleagues credibility was left unharmed.

The example statements, tested on a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, covered a broad spectrum of potential public engagement activities, including a recent scientific finding, a discussion of the risks and impacts of climate change, pros and cons of different proposals to address climate change, a broad call for action on climate change, and two different statements where the scientist endorsed a specific action - limiting carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants or building more nuclear power plants.

The only instance where the credibility of the scientist suffered was after the endorsement of a specific controversial policy - building more nuclear power plants. This suggests that the American public are more likely to object to a scientist's advocacy statement when a specific standpoint is endorsed, and not when more general statements are made.

It has previously been thought that public advocacy on issues such as climate change can compromise the credibility of both individual scientists and the broader scientific community. However, this study suggests that scientists have the ability to communicate with the public without the risk of harming their reputation.

"This study certainly won't end debate about how scientists can best contribute to public discussions about climate change," said lead author John Kotcher, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at George Mason University. "However, we hope that our findings at least help stimulate a more evidence-based conversation among scientists about the relationship between scientific advocacy and credibility, rather than simply relying upon intuition or anecdote to choose which role is best for them."

In a commentary that accompanied the study, scientist Simon Donner, from the University of British Columbia, welcomed the findings, but also said that it should "not be mistaken as a green light for scientists to publicly say or do anything without thought about the repercussions for themselves, the scientific community and the audience."

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We're told not to judge a book by its cover, but we make instant judgments about people's intelligence, trustworthiness or dominance based on their facial appearance. Now, researchers have investigated the reverse possibility: can the way people judge us influence how we look?

To answer this question, researchers led by Dr. Ruth Mayo and PhD candidate Yonat Zwebner at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem examined whether a person's appearance can be influenced by their given name. To do this, they recruited independent observers and showed them color headshot photographs of complete strangers. Then they presented a list of names to the observers and asked them to choose the stranger's real name based on his or her facial appearance.

In a series of studies (now reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology), the observers repeatedly beat the odds of correctly identifying a person's name based on their facial appearance alone. For example, upon looking at the face and considering four possible names - Jacob, Dan, Josef or Nathaniel - observers correctly chose "Dan" 38% of the time, significantly above the 25% chance level of a random guess. This effect held true even when the researchers controlled for age and ethnicity, implying that something more than simple socioeconomic cues is at work.

"Our research demonstrates that indeed people do look like their name," said Dr. Ruth Mayo, senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "Furthermore, we suggest this happens because of a process of self-fulfilling prophecy, as we become what other people expect us to become."

Supporting the notion of a self-fulfilling prophecy, the researchers found that observers beat the odds of correctly guessing a person's name even when they were only allowed to see their hairstyle. This suggests that people may choose the hairstyle that fits a stereotype associated with their name.

The researchers confirmed that observers in a second country and culture were also able to beat the odds. However while observers were good at matching faces to names in their own culture, they were not good at doing so in a foreign culture. This supports the idea that name stereotypes are important when matching faces with names.

The researchers also found that observers are less good at guessing the given name of people who use a nickname exclusively. This indicates that a person's appearance is affected by their name only if they use it, and not if it simply appears on a birth certificate.

In one study, the researchers completely removed the human factor from the matching process. Using a computerized paradigm, they found that computers were able to beat the odds when asked to choose the correct name for 94,000 different faces. This further supports the idea that our faces contain relevant information related to our names.

The researchers suggest the "Dorian Gray effect," cited in previous research on how internal factors like personality can influence facial appearance, may apply here as well. Dorian Gray was the protagonist of an Oscar Wilde novel whose actions affected his portrait.

"We are familiar with similar processes from other stereotypes like race and gender, where many times the stereotypical expectations of others affect who we become. We hypothesize that there are similar stereotypes about names, including how someone with a specific name looks, and these expectations really do affect our facial appearance," said Dr. Mayo from the Hebrew University.

According to the researchers, the possibility that our name can influence our look, even to a small extent, suggests the important role of social structuring in the complex interaction between the self and society. The research suggests that we are subject to social structuring from the minute we are born, not only by our gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, but also by the simple choice that others make in giving us our name.

"A name is an external social factor, different from other social factors such as gender or ethnicity, therefore representing an ultimate social tag. The demonstration of our name being manifested in our facial appearance illustrates the great power that a social factor can have on our identity, potentially influencing even the way we look," added Dr. Mayo.

Future research could examine the precise nature of the mechanism leading to the emergence of this face-name matching effect, for example how a person's name matches his or her face at different stages of life. Another question worth exploring is why some people have a very high face-name match while others have a low match.

###

Dr. Mayo's collaborators in this research include Yonat Zwebner, School of Business Administration, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Anne-Laure Sellier, Department of Marketing, HEC Paris; Nir Rosenfeld, the Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Jacob Goldenberg, Arison School of Business, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), and Columbia Business School, Columbia University.
PHILADELPHIA -- (Feb. 27, 2017) -- Scientists at The Wistar Institute in collaboration with Roswell Park Cancer Institute found a significant association between a rare genetic variant of the p53 gene present in African American women and their risk of developing breast cancer in premenopausal age. The study was published online by the journal NPJ Breast Cancer.

TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer. The p53 protein is a critical tumor suppressor in the cell and genetic mutations that occur in cancer cause a loss of its function in regulating proliferation arrest and cell death. In addition to these changes, there are several minor, naturally occurring genetic variants of the p53 gene, also known as polymorphisms, and some of them are associated with an increased risk of cancer.

The rare p53 polymorphism analyzed in this study is found almost exclusively in populations of African descent. Wistar scientists have previously shown that this polymorphism impairs the ability of p53 to induce cell death in vitro and significantly increases cancer risk when recreated in a mouse model. The new study analyzed the statistical association of this variant with the risk of developing breast cancer in African American women.

"Based on our previous studies on the functional effects of this genetic variant on the p53 protein, we sought to verify if it alters cancer risk in human carriers," said Maureen Murphy, Ph.D., professor and program leader of the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program at Wistar and senior author of the study. "This genetic variant is present exclusively in people of African descent, so our study addresses cancer disparities in African American women, a historically underrepresented group in research studies."

"Our results show that the risk of developing breast cancer is increased by nearly 70 percent in premenopausal women who carry this polymorphism," Murphy said. "Because its frequency is very low in the African American population, larger studies will be needed to confirm our observations."

Murphy and colleagues conducted statistical studies on a cohort of more than 14,000 women of African descent and didn't find any association of the polymorphism with increased breast cancer risk overall. However, as previously observed with other genetic variants of p53, a significant association was present in women in premenopausal age.

Elucidating the effects of p53 polymorphisms on cancer risk is a challenging task, especially due to the limited availability of sample cohorts from specific populations. This study provides a strong suggestion that the genetic variant considered might be associated with a significant increase in breast cancer risk, although this association will need to be confirmed in a larger sample set.

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This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01 CA102184, CA201430, P01 CA151135, R01 CA092447, R01 CA135288, P01 CA82707, R25-CA57726, NICHD-N01-HD-3-3175, NCO-N01-PC-67010, NIEHS-ES07084, R01 CA142996, P50 CA125183, R01 CA89085, and U01 CA161032; National Cancer Institute grant UM1CA164974 and the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research; grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the University Cancer Research Fund of North Carolina, the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, the Era of Hope Scholar Award Program W81XWH-08-1-0383, the Komen Foundation for the Cure, and the Stacy Goldstein Faculty Scholar Award. Core support for The Wistar Institute and the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey was provided by the Cancer Center Support Grants P30CA010815 and P30CA072720, respectively.

Qin Liu is a co-author of this study from The Wistar Institute. Other co-authors include: Song Liu, Chi-Chen Hong, Qiang Hu and Christine B. Ambrosone from Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Dezheng Huo and Olufunmilayo I. Olopade from the University of Chicago; Sonia C. Dolfi and Kim M. Hirshfield from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey; Andrew F. Olshan and Sarah Nyante from University of North Carolina; Temidayo O. Ogundiran from University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Clement Adebamowo from University of Maryland; Susan M. Domchek and Katherine L. Nathanson from the University of Pennsylvania; Barbara Nemesure from Stony Brook University; Stefan Ambs and Regina G. Ziegler from National Cancer Institute; William J. Blot, Wei Zheng and Sandra L. Deming from Vanderbilt University; Ye Feng, Sue A. Ingles, Michael F. Press and Christopher A. Haiman from University of Southern California; Esther M. John from Stanford University; Leslie Bernstein from Beckman Research Institute; Jennifer J. Hu and Jorge L. Rodriguez-Gil from University of Miami; Kathryn L. Lunetta and Julie R. Palmer from Boston University.

The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org.
Smiley hates where she lives.

It is 2012 and Smiley, a young woman in her early 20s, lives in a single room occupancy (SRO) building in Vancouver. She wants to hang out with her friends in her room, where she feels safe, but the SRO only allows one visitor at a time.

"I don't like it. It's their rules. It's really annoying," Smiley said. "It sucks, because I'm not a crackhead or a junkie. They shouldn't put me in places like that."

Smiley has been diagnosed with psychosis, a mental disorder where people show signs of delusions and hallucinations. She's one of 17 young people between the ages of 18 to 24 in Metro Vancouver recruited for a study at the University of British Columbia. All participants have experienced symptoms of psychosis in the past three years.

"Our study provides a window into what young people think about the mental health services they receive and what they feel helps and hinders their well-being," said lead author Shalini Lal, an assistant professor at the University of Montreal's school of rehabilitation and a researcher at the University of Montreal's Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM). Lal conducted the study as part of her PhD work at UBC's faculty of medicine within the graduate programs of rehabilitation sciences.

Through interview excerpts with the youth from November 2010 to March 2012, the study highlights the impacts of mental health services on these young people, including their interactions with psychiatrists, case managers, social workers and supports for housing, recreation, and employment.

"Eliciting young people's feedback will lead to better planning and coordination of services that they will find engaging, meaningful and effective," said Lal.

The study identifies many different types of supports the youth found helpful, including group therapy and positive interactions with peers and peer support workers.

"The groups were very helpful for getting me to acknowledge that I actually had an illness," said Kevin, one of the youth.

"(The peer support worker) explained that with the right combination of medications or professional help, you could actually treat the symptoms and live a normal life... a good role model to see that you could recover from it," said Jake, another youth involved in the study.

Other types of support the youth identified as helpful were accompaniment to appointments, providing help in completing employment assistance forms and facilitating the process of returning to school. Youth also appreciated emotional support like signs of genuine kindness, hope and encouragement from service providers.

"Even small gestures were seen as helpful, ones we may take for granted, like a care manager shaking their hand when they walked in the door," said Lal. "That gesture of respect has a lot of meaning for someone stigmatized by mental illness."

When it came to hindrances, some youth felt pigeonholed by their mental illness, being offered services that didn't reflect an identity outside their disorder. A young man named Nelson, who had acting aspirations, told Lal about his disappointment when his job counselor connected him to a theatre company dedicated to "people affected by mental illness."

"The most annoying thing is that everything is for mental health reasons and I just don't want this," he said. "If it's a film thing, I don't want it to be just for mentally ill, and just to address stuff like that. I want it to be, just normal."

Darren, a 20-year-old living in a downtown youth shelter, didn't own a cellphone and could not receive calls directly from the shelter. His sense of independence and social life were negatively impacted by the shelter's rules of no Facebook access, which was his main way of staying in touch with friends and family. Lal said in some cases the youth also interacted with outreach workers online, which proved useful to providing support to people who would not otherwise receive it any other way.

Some youth felt "ghettoized" by their housing situation, only being able to access SROs that housed many others living with mental health and substance abuse issues. Philip, a young man struggling with substance abuse in addition to his psychosis, said living in such an environment threatened his sobriety.

"Every time you walk down the street you see someone on a crack pipe, a crystal meth pipe, a pot pipe or drinking alcohol every block you walk here," he said. "And it's nothing but trigger after trigger here, so it's not the right environment for people trying to stay sober. Just being around these kinds of people, it's not the right place for me."

The last hindrance was how impersonal the youth felt some of their encounters could be with different support workers, including doctors or therapists.

"It was always kind of detached, and I always felt like we were on the clock and not really supported to talk about things like that [relationships]... It just wasn't an environment where I felt comfortable with it," said Kevin.

Lal said she has seen more funding and attention being paid to the mental health needs of young people in Canada, especially over the past five years. Lal also said more effort is needed in using tools and resources that cater to youth, including the use of technology to provide support. As well, different sectors of the community, including housing, employment and mental health, need to work more closely together, so people don't feel bounced around.

"People often think that it's up to individuals alone to overcome adversity, to deal with a mental illness," Lal said. "For young people, their resiliency largely depends on their ability to navigate and negotiate towards resources, which are all too often substandard, inconsistent or not tailored to their needs."

"We learned from this study that when services do match young people's needs and preferences, they can really make a positive impact on their well-being."

###

Background

The study, Impact of Mental Health Services on Resilience in Youth with First Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Study, was published in print this year in Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research.

Lal's co-authors are Michael Ungar at Dalhousie University, Ashok Malla at McGill University and Carl Leggo and Melinda Suto at UBC.

The 17 youth involved in the study had an average age of 22 and 71 per cent were male. The youth were white, First Nations, Asian and Latin American. Seven of the youth had less than a high school education, five had completed high school, four had some university-level education, and one had completed a bachelor's degree. Names in this study were changed to protect the youths' identities and were chosen by the youth themselves. They are not available for interviews.
A proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) off Scotland's west coast would help basking sharks, researchers say.

Scientists from the University of Exeter and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) satellite tracked 36 basking sharks in summer months of 2012-2014 and found 86% showed "some degree of residency" in the proposed Sea of the Hebrides MPA.

Sharks also returned year after year, and the scientists believe the area provides conditions for key activities such as foraging and possibly breeding, making it an area important for essential parts of the shark's life cycle for which MPAs can be designated.

Dr Suzanne Henderson, managing the project for SNH, said: "We have known for some time that basking sharks are frequently seen in Scottish waters during the summer, and they are big attraction for visitors to our west coast.

"But this research shows for the first time that some individuals return to the Sea of the Hebrides in consecutive years, emphasising the importance of the area for sharks."

Scottish government ministers are currently considering proposals for an MPA in the Sea of the Hebrides, from Skye to Mull, to protect the basking sharks - which are officially endangered in the north-east Atlantic - and minke whales.

"Understanding the conservation potential of an area is key to the successful creation of MPAs," said lead author Philip Doherty, of the Environment and Sustainability Institute on the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

"It is important to gather data to ensure the evidence-base that underpins the design of MPAs is robust. The data from this project, along-with information gathered over many years by boat-based surveys and from public reports helps to demonstrate the importance of this region for this species".

An MPA would give additional protection to habitats that are key for basking sharks and ensure their activities within these areas are not disrupted.

Basking sharks, the world's second-largest fish species, are seen annually in the proposed MPA in the summer, but there had been no detailed study of their movements.

Using data from 36 satellite tags attached to sharks, the Exeter researchers found they spent much of their summer time inside its proposed boundaries.

In winter, some of the sharks stay in UK and Irish waters while others swim south to the waters off France, Spain, Portugal and North Africa.

"The results show us that, with appropriate management, designating this area as an MPA could protect these sharks during the summer months," said senior author Dr Matthew Witt, also of the University of Exeter.

"These sharks migrate over large distances, so using MPAs to protect them throughout their range is problematic; however, we can protect them in locations where they spend extended periods of time."

MPAs are parts of the sea where wildlife and habitats are protected by law, with management on activities such as fishing where they are needed. These management approaches, coupled with voluntary measures, awareness raising and enforcement, are crucial to an MPA being successful.

A network of MPAs already exists in the waters around Scotland.

###

The paper, published in the journal Biological Conservation, is entitled: "Testing the boundaries: Seasonal residency and inter-annual site fidelity of basking sharks in a proposed marine protected area."
[February 27, 2017] Europe Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market Opportunities and Forecasts 2014 - 2022 - Research and Markets

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Europe Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market- Opportunities and Forecasts, 2014 - 2022" report to their offering. The healthcare sector across Europe is witnessing a dramatic shift and is inclined towards less invasive diagnostic procedures. Dermatology diagnostic equipment aids in both easy as well as painless diagnosis. Furthermore, these devices help in the detection of different skin diseases including Melanoma. Besides this, dermatoscope plays a vital role in better diagnosis, even beyond what a human eye can capture. Geographic analysis indicates that the U.K. would account for a greater market share. In addition, rising numbers of skin disorders in Europe has contributed to the growth of this market. Moreover, growing awareness about the aesthetic procedures has kept the prospects of the market high. Additionally, rising standard of iving coupled with increasing need for quality healthcare is expected to create greater opportunities.



The European dermatology diagnostic devices market is segmented based on type and geography. The types assessed in the research report consist of imaging technique, dermatoscope and microscope. Countries such as U.K., Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and others would witness rapid growth. Key Market Segments

By Type Imaging Technique

Dermatoscope

Microscope

By Geography U.K.

Germany

Spain

France

Italy

Key Players Welch Allyn

AMD (News - Alert) Global Telemedicine Inc.

Toshiba Medical Systems

Carl Zeiss Meditec

Siemens Healthcare

FEI Company

Heine Optotechnik

Fotofinder Systems GMBH

Philips (News - Alert) Healthcare

Leica Microsystems

Bruker Corp.

Michelson Diagnostics Ltd.

MAVIG GmbH

Nikon Corporation

GE Healthcare

MELA Sciences, Inc.

Solta Medical

Verisante Technology, Inc.

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zw59bk/europe View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005949/en/

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A major new research programme will be launched today at the University of East Anglia (UEA) to help improve understanding about how adult learning can address inequalities in the poorest communities of the world.

The university has been invited by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to join its prestigious University Network and establish the first UNESCO Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation.

Led by Chairholder Anna Robinson-Pant, professor of education at UEA, the international collaboration with researchers in Nepal, Ethiopia and Egypt will focus in particular on women and young adults, investigating how or why adult literacy and learning programmes might better respond to processes of social transformation, including women's empowerment.

The Chair programme aims to strengthen the interaction between formal, non-formal and informal learning in research, policy and programmes and will build directly on the expertise of the UEA Literacy and Development Group, which brings together researchers in education and international development from across the university.

Today's launch will be opened by UEA Vice-Chancellor Prof David Richardson, with speakers including James Bridge, chief executive of the UK National Commission for UNESCO. The event will feature presentations by the UEA UNESCO Chair team, Prof Alan Smith (UNESCO Chairholder in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy, University of Ulster), Prof Mary Hamilton (University of Lancaster), Prof Gemma Moss (Institute of Education, University College London), Mari Hartl (International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD) and Mari Yasunaga (UNESCO Paris).

Among the topics to be discussed at the launch will be indigenous women and adult literary, as well as a joint IFAD-UNESCO project on learning knowledge and skills for agriculture to improve rural livelihoods. Prof Robinson-Pant led the project, which prompted the initial proposal for a Chair in this area.

This UNESCO Chair programme is a partnership with university departments specialising in adult literacy and community learning in Ethiopia (Bahir Dar University), Nepal (Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University Research Center for Educational Innovation and Development, CERID) and Egypt (Ain Shams University).

Prof Robinson-Pant recently visited Nepal to meet with colleagues at Kathmandu University, CERID, the Ministry of Education and key development agencies to discuss possible collaborative research projects around adult literacy and education and community learning.

Prof Robinson-Pant said: "We are delighted to launch this programme today. Adult education can become a force for change in the poorest communities of the world and this is a real opportunity to work closely with colleagues in Ethiopia, Egypt and Nepal who share that view.

"Our programme of collaborative research and training should also contribute to the 2030 sustainable development agenda, highlighting the central role of adult learning and literacy in areas like health and agricultural development."

The chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Beth Taylor, said: "I am delighted to welcome the Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation to the UK's UNESCO Chairs Network. The Chair will join a well-established network of 16 UK UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks in diverse subjects ranging from Sustainable Mountain Development to Archaeological Ethics. Being accepted to the Network is in recognition of the University of East Anglia's academic excellence and the contribution of its research to UNESCO's core mission of promoting peace in the minds of men and women.

"I hope that the designation will help provide a national and global platform for the Chair's research, and will add value for the university. Recent research by the UK National Commission found that UK Chairs generated an estimated 14.4 million in 2014/15 through their association with UNESCO."

The UEA team consists of Prof Robinson-Pant, Prof Nitya Rao, Dr Sheila Aikman, Dr Catherine Jere, Prof Alan Rogers and Dr Spyros Themelis. The expertise of the group includes literacy and women's empowerment, migration and education, the influence of education on social and economic mobility, and cultural and linguistic change in low income countries.

The aim of the Chair is to strengthen qualitative research capacity in the field of adult literacy, learning and social transformation through collaborative research and curriculum development activities.

It also sets out to develop new initiatives with key policy organisations in this field - particularly the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in Hamburg - the aim being to promote greater interaction between research and policy in areas such as vocational skill development, health and agriculture.

A series of research workshops is proposed as part of the new Chair, as well as an international conference in 2018. The team also hope to work with organisations involved in adult education in Norwich - such as New Routes, an established NGO working with recently settled migrants - to inform some of the international activities.

###
The Passenger Pigeon, a species of pigeon that died out in the early years of the 20th century, could have been saved even after it was considered doomed to extinction

The Passenger Pigeon, a species of pigeon that died out in the early years of the 20th century, could have been saved even after it was considered doomed to extinction.

As a result of this research, conservationists now have a model to test for functional extinction- defined as a total reproductive failure -- allowing them to question species' extinctions in the past, as well as those that may be heading towards extinction. In the case of the Passenger Pigeon it dispels the theory that it underwent functional extinction.

Research by conservationists at the University of Kent, with colleagues in Germany and the US, discovered that the species did not actually experience functional extinction prior to its actual extinction in the early years of the 20th century.

The team, led by Dr David Roberts, of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) in the School of Anthropology and Conservation, applied a new statistical method to a record of museum specimens of physical remains to test for functional extinction of the Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius). Functional extinction is more difficult to detect because changes in reproductive events can be difficult to observe.

Although it is now too late for the Passenger Pigeon, the results of the research demonstrate that captive breeding efforts were not necessary if hunting controls had been put in places as had been proposed. The results suggest that proposals to reverse the Passenger Pigeon's rapid decline in the late 19th century could have been successful. The demise of the Passenger Pigeon was a major impetus for Federal legislation to protect other wild birds from the same fate.

###

On the functional extinction of the Passenger Pigeon by David L. Roberts, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, Ivan Jari?, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany and Andrew R. Solow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA, is published in Conservation Biology DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12914 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.12914/full

For further information or interview requests contact Sandy Fleming at the University of Kent Press Office.

Tel: 01227 823581/01634 888879

Email: S.Fleming@kent.ac.uk

News releases can also be found at http://www.kent.ac.uk/news University of Kent on Twitter: http://twitter.com/UniKent

Notes to Editors

At the time of the European settlement of North America, the Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was arguably the most abundant bird species on Earth. By the turn of the 19th century, however, populations were declining as a result of hunting, nest disturbance and habitat loss.

The species became extinct on 1 September 1914 with the death of a solitary 29-year-old female called Martha in the Cincinnati Zoo, with extinction in the wild around a decade earlier.

Established in 1965, the University of Kent -- the UK's European university -- now has almost 20,000 students across campuses or study centres at Canterbury, Medway, Tonbridge, Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome.

It has been ranked: 23rd in the Guardian University Guide 2017; 23rd in the Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2017; and 23rd in the Complete University Guide 2017.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2015-16, Kent is in the top 10% of the world's leading universities for international outlook and 66th in its table of the most international universities in the world. The THE also ranked the University as 20th in its 'Table of Tables' 2016.

Kent is ranked 17th in the UK for research intensity (REF 2014). It has world-leading research in all subjects and 97% of its research is deemed by the REF to be of international quality.

In the National Student Survey 2016, Kent achieved the fourth highest score for overall student satisfaction, out of all publicly funded, multi-faculty universities. Along with the universities of East Anglia and Essex, Kent is a member of the Eastern Arc Research Consortium.

The University is worth 0.7 billion to the economy of the south east and supports more than 7,800 jobs in the region. Student off-campus spend contributes 293.3m and 2,532 full-time-equivalent jobs to those totals.

In 2014, Kent received its second Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
Today's Earth is a dynamic planet with an outer layer composed of giant plates that grind together, sliding past or dipping beneath one another, giving rise to earthquakes and volcanoes. Others separate at undersea mountain ridges, where molten rock spreads out from the centers of major ocean basins.

But new research suggests that this was not always the case. Instead, shortly after Earth formed and began to cool, the planet's first outer layer was a single, solid but deformable shell. Later, this shell began to fold and crack more widely, giving rise to modern plate tectonics.

The research, described in a paper published February 27, 2017 in the journal Nature, is the latest salvo in a long-standing debate in the geological research community: did plate tectonics start right away--a theory known as uniformitarianism--or did Earth first go through a long phase with a solid shell covering the entire planet? The new results suggest the solid shell model is closest to what really happened.

"Models for how the first continental crust formed generally fall into two groups: those that invoke modern-style plate tectonics and those that do not," said Michael Brown, a professor of geology at the University of Maryland and a co-author of the study. "Our research supports the latter--a 'stagnant lid' forming the planet's outer shell early in Earth's history."

To reach these conclusions, Brown and his colleagues from Curtin University and the Geological Survey of Western Australia studied rocks collected from the East Pilbara Terrane, a large area of ancient granitic crust located in the state of Western Australia. Rocks here are among the oldest known, ranging from 3.5 to about 2.5 billion years of age. (Earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old.) The researchers specifically selected granites with a chemical composition usually associated with volcanic arcs--a telltale sign of plate tectonic activity.

Brown and his colleagues also looked at basalt rocks from the associated Coucal formation. Basalt is the rock produced when volcanoes erupt, but it also forms the ocean floor, as molten basalt erupts at spreading ridges in the center of ocean basins. In modern-day plate tectonics, when ocean floor basalt reaches the continents, it dips--or subducts--beneath the Earth's surface, where it generates fluids that allow the overlying mantle to melt and eventually create large masses of granite beneath the surface.

Previous research suggested that the Coucal basalts could be the source rocks for the granites in the Pilbara Terrane, because of the similarities in their chemical composition. Brown and his collaborators set out to verify this, but also to test another long-held assumption: could the Coucal basalts have melted to form granite in some way other than subduction of the basalt beneath Earth's surface? If so, perhaps plate tectonics was not yet happening when the Pilbara granites formed.

To address this question, the researchers performed thermodynamic calculations to determine the phase equilibria of average Coucal basalt. Phase equilibria are precise descriptions of how a substance behaves under various temperature and pressure conditions, including the temperature at which melting begins, the amount of melt produced and its chemical composition.

For example, one of the simplest phase equilibria diagrams describes the behavior of water: at low temperatures and/or high pressures, water forms solid ice, while at high temperatures and/or low pressures, water forms gaseous steam. Phase equilibria gets a bit more involved with rocks, which have complex chemical compositions that can take on very different mineral combinations and physical characteristics based on temperature and pressure.

"If you take a rock off the shelf and melt it, you can get a phase diagram. But you're stuck with a fixed chemical composition," Brown said. "With thermodynamic modeling, you can change the composition, pressure and temperature independently. It's much more flexible and helps us to answer some questions we can't address with experiments on rocks."

Using the Coucal basalts and Pilbara granites as a starting point, Brown and his colleagues constructed a series of modeling experiments to reflect what might have transpired in an ancient Earth without plate tectonics. Their results suggest that, indeed, the Pilbara granites could have formed from the Coucal basalts.

More to the point, this transformation could have occurred in a pressure and temperature scenario consistent with a "stagnant lid," or a single shell covering the entire planet.

Plate tectonics substantially affects the temperature and pressure of rocks within Earth's interior. When a slab of rock subducts under the Earth's surface, the rock starts off relatively cool and takes time to gain heat. By the time it reaches a higher temperature, the rock has also reached a significant depth, which corresponds to high pressure--in the same way a diver experiences higher pressure at greater water depth.

In contrast, a "stagnant lid" regime would be very hot at relatively shallow depths and low pressures. Geologists refer to this as a "high thermal gradient."

"Our results suggest the Pilbara granites were produced by melting of the Coucal basalts or similar materials in a high thermal gradient environment," Brown said. "Additionally, the composition of the Coucal basalts indicates that they, too, came from an earlier generation of source rocks. We conclude that a multi-stage process produced Earth's first continents in a 'stagnant lid' scenario before plate tectonics began."

###

The research paper, "Earth's first stable continents did not form by subduction," Tim Johnson, Michael Brown, Nicholas Gardiner, Christopher Kirkland and Hugh Smithies, was published February 27, 2017 in the journal Nature.

This work was supported by The Institute of Geoscience Research at Curtin University, Perth, Australia. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views of this organization.

Media Relations Contact: Matthew Wright, 301-405-9267, mewright@umd.edu

University of Maryland

College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

2300 Symons Hall

College Park, MD 20742

http://www.cmns.umd.edu

@UMDscience

About the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland educates more than 7,000 future scientific leaders in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. The college's 10 departments and more than a dozen interdisciplinary research centers foster scientific discovery with annual sponsored research funding exceeding $150 million.
Bringing back extinct species could lead to biodiversity loss rather than gain, according to work featuring University of Queensland researchers.

UQ scientist Professor Hugh Possingham said the research suggested further stretching already-strained conservation budgets to cover the costs of de-extinction could endanger extant species (species still in existence).

"If the risk of failure and the costs associated with establishing viable populations could also be calculated, estimates of potential net losses or missed opportunities would probably be considerably higher," Professor Possingham said.

"De-extinction could be useful for inspiring new science and could be beneficial for conservation if we ensure it doesn't reduce existing conservation resources.

"However, in general it is best if we focus on the many species that need our help now."

"Given the considerable potential for missed opportunity, and risks inherent in assuming a resurrected species would fulfil its role as an ecosystem engineer or flagship species, it is unlikely that de-extinction could be justified on grounds of biodiversity conservation."

The study was led by Dr Joseph Bennett, formerly of the ARC Centre for Environmental Decisions at UQ and now of Carleton University, Canada.

It analysed the number of species governments in New Zealand and New South Wales could afford to conserve.

"We based cost estimates on recently extinct species and similar extant species," Dr Bennett said.

The Lord Howe pigeon, eastern bettong, bush moa and Waitomo frog were among the extinct species included in calculations.

The researchers found reintroducing some recently extinct species to their old habitats might improve biodiversity locally, but government-funded conservation for 11 focal extinct species in New Zealand would sacrifice conservation for nearly three times as many (31) extant species.

External funding for conservation of the five focal extinct NSW species could instead be used to conserve more than eight times as many (42) extant species.

Although the technology for de-extinction is still some way off, the research found that careful thought would be required about what species to reintroduce, and where.

Professor Possingham is Chief Scientist with The Nature Conservancy, the world's largest conservation organisation, and a scientist with UQ's School of Biological Sciences, The Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science at UQ, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) and the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Recovery Hub.

The research is published in Nature Ecology and Evolution (DOI: 10.1038/s41559-016-0053).

###
The new species of primate from India is distantly related to the lemurs of Madagascar

Fossil hunters have found part of an ancient primate jawbone related to lemurs -- the primitive primate group distantly connected to monkeys, apes and humans, a USC researcher said.

Biren Patel, an associate professor of clinical cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been digging for fossils in a paleontologically rich area of Kashmir in northern India for six years. Although paleontologists have scoured this region for a century, relics of small extinct primates were rarely found or studied.

Scientists named the new species Ramadapis sahnii and said that it existed 11 to 14 million years ago. It is a member of the ancient Sivaladapidae primate family, consumed leaves and was about the size of a house cat, said Patel, co-author of the new study in the Journal of Human Evolution.

"Among the primates, the most common ones in the Kashmir region are from a genus called Sivapithecus, which were ancestral forms of orangutans," Patel said. "The fossil we found is from a different group on the primate family tree -- one that is poorly known in Asia. We are filling an ecological and biogeographical gap that wasn't really well documented. Every little step adds to the understanding of our human family tree because we're also primates."

The last primate found in the area was 38 years ago. So, in addition to being a new species, this is the first primate fossil found in the area in decades.

"In the past, people were interested in searching for big things -- things they could show off to other people," Patel said. "A lot of the small fossils were not on their radar."

The inch-and-a-quarter partial mandible belongs to a primate weighing less than 11 pounds that had outlived its other adapidae cousins found in North America, Europe and Africa by millions of years.

"New primates are always a hot topic, and this one is the first of its kind from its area in Asia, which has significant consequences for understanding primate evolution in the Old World," said Michael Habib, an assistant professor of clinical cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine who was not involved in the study.

The question that remains is how the ecosystem in northern India supported this species when its relatives elsewhere were disappearing or had already gone extinct. Future fieldwork and recovering more fossil primates will help answer this question.

"People want to know about human origins, but to fully understand human origins, you need to understand all of primate origins, including the lemurs and these Sivaladapids," Patel said. "Lemurs and sivaladapids are sister groups to what we are -- the anthropoids -- and we are all primates."

Researchers from Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, Arizona State University, Stony Brook University and Panjab University also contributed to this study, which was supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, the Institute of Human Origins and funding from some of the involved universities.
Monday, February 27, 2017

According to this story in The New York Times, D.I.Y. coffin clubs bring people together to build their own burial containers, which they playfully call underground furniture.

People aged from their 70s to their 90s get together weekly to do woodworking and make their own coffins, the six-sided boxes that are wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet. A casket is a rectangular box.

The coffins can be used as aboveground furniture, such as book cases, coffee tables and as seating when covered with blankets and padding. Check out this photo of a casket bookcase made for my friend, Ben Laden.

In the story, Grace Terry, 77, a former nurse in Hawkes Bay, on the North Island of New Zealand, said, Ive seen people come alive making their own coffins. Once club members have made their own coffins, many will continue making caskets for those facing indigent burials.

Back in 2014, Dr. Jeffrey Piehler wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times about the life-affirming benefits of building his own coffin. He was a guest on my internet radio show and shared some wonderful insights. Read more and listen to the interview here.

His story was brilliantly told in a documentary, Patient, A Surgeons Journey. The film tells Dr. Piehlers life story as he honestly faced his own mortality, prostate cancer, and end-of-life issues.

The film is available on DVD, video on demand, rental and for public screenings. Learn more at www.PatientTheMovie.com.

Building your own coffin is a positive way to face your own mortality and improve your woodworking skills at the same time.

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Recent rises in sheep worrying cases caused by dogs has led one farmer in Herefordshire to say that he won't 'hesitate in shooting in future'.

Posted on a Facebook page after another incident involving a black Labrador, farmer William Laurie said the issue has been a 'constant problem'.

He said: "We keep having incidents of dog worrying in the field adjacent to Kington Park.

"This morning a black Labrador was loose in the field amongst ewes and young lambs. It ran back through the southern corner in to Estate. Please keep your dogs secure as I won't hesitate in shooting in future. This problem is getting worse! Thank you.

"People have suggested not putting sheep out there, but that is really not an option," he said.

"Four sheep had to be put down and others were maimed. The flock was absolutely terrorised. When we went in amongst the sheep, they grouped around us for safety, they were terrified."

Anxiety

Twitter

Sheep worrying by dogs is causing around 85% of affected farmers to experience elevated levels of anxiety and stress, a survey conducted by the National Sheep Association (NSA) revealed.

The questionnaire of 233 sheep farmers across the UK shows just how serious the repercussions of dog attacks on flocks can be, with 85% of respondents listing stress as one of the main impacts on them and their flock.

While the cost and extra time needed to deal with attacks was also highlighted, a worrying trend about the personal impact was revealed  46% of farmers surveyed listed anxiety about spending time away from their farm.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: "Highlighting and raising awareness of this issue is a major remit for NSA, which is why we have gathered this evidence.

"In no way do we want to discourage people from getting out and enjoying the Great British countryside, but it is vital that everyone appreciates any dog is capable of carrying out an attack on livestock if it is off the lead or left to roam unsupervised.

"The impact attacks have on the welfare of sheep is huge, but what this survey has revealed for the first time is the wider implications on farmers and their families."

Twitter

A Welsh farmer used Twitter to share a graphic photograph depicting a dog in the process of attacking livestock.

The farmer wanted to raise awarness over the severe problem many farmers face in the countryside with dogs off their leads.

Fiona Davies, who farms at Llanberis on the foothills of Snowdon in Wales, said sheep worrying has become an increasing problem for farmers in the area.

She said she has seen at least one attack every weekend.

The photograph was taken by a member of the public, and was passed onto Mrs Davies with permission for it to be published on Twitter.
The fundamental importance of EU labour to sectors like pig production must not be forgotten as the Government forges ahead with its Brexit plans, the National Pig Association (NPA) has warned.

Prime Minister Theresa May has outlined her priorities for the Brexit negotiations, including controlling the numbers of people coming to the UK from Europe.

She signalled the UK will leave the Single Market and full membership of the EU Customs Union, while seeking to retain frictionless trade with the EU via a Free Trade Agreement and forging new trading relationships elsewhere.

The NPA has responded to the speech by outlining its top three Brexit priorities.

These are: Retaining sufficient access to EU labour, retaining tariff-free access for exports to the EU market and ensuring pork imports are produced to equivalent standards.

Biggest concern: Access to labour

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said, while the nature of future trade arrangements will have a huge impact on the viability of UK pig sector, currently the industrys biggest concern is access to labour.

Without EU labour there will be no British pig industry as we know it, she said.

We understand why immigration is going go to be a priority for Mrs May but, along with many other sectors, we fear this could result in serious unintended consequences if politics triumphs over economic reality.

We are heavily reliant on EU labour on our farms, in our processing plants and across the wider industry, to produce British pigmeat, which is so highly valued in our home and export markets. We must do everything we can to retain that access.

Dr Davies welcomed the extra clarity around Single Market access and Mrs Mays comments on a suitable transition period for new Brexit arrangements.

It is now absolutely vital for our sector that we secure tariff-free access to the EU market, and also some sort of transitional arrangement whilst trade negotiations are conducted. Our pig producers must be protected, she said.

It is equally essential that any new trade arrangements, for example, with the US, do not result in the UK being flooded with cheaper pigmeat produced to lower standards than permitted in the UK. Equivalence of standards is an NPA priority.

'Grind to a halt without overseas workers'

A recent NPA survey showed 58 per cent of businesses across the pig supply chain employed at least one migrant worker, while nearly half would not survive or would be forced to make changes to how they operated without migrant labour.

In a recent interview, the chief executive of Cranswick, one of the UKs biggest pork processors, said between 35-65 per cent of his staff were foreign workers, predominantly from Europe.

He predicted the UK food and drinks sector would grind to a halt without overseas workers.

NPA policy services officer Lizzie Wilson said the fall in the value of the pound, effectively cutting UK wages relative to those on offer in other member states, was already having an impact on the availability of staff for the pig industry.

Defra Secretary Andrea Leadsom suggested at the recent Oxford Farming Conference that the Government would consider introducing seasonal migrant worker schemes for the agricultural sector.

But Mrs Wilson said the pig sector needed stronger guarantees. She said: We are making the case in the strongest possible terms to Government that, any immigration policies put in place, must not jeopardise our access to permanent workers, both skilled and unskilled, who want to live and work in the UK.

And it is not just the policies we put in place. This is also about the rhetoric around Brexit and the messages we send out to EU workers.

On behalf of the UK pig sector, we continue to welcome them with open arms.
New research reveals a huge double-standard in the way shoppers regard chickens that lay eggs and chickens farmed for their meat.

According to a survey published by RSPCA Assured, 60% of people always buy cage free eggs, but as few as around half that number (33%) say they always buy ethical chicken meat, such as RSPCA Assured, free range and organic.

This huge disparity is in spite of the majority (86%) of respondents saying they think all the chicken we eat should come from farms using ethical welfare standards.

Clive Brazier, chief executive of RSPCA Assured, says: Most of us are making a higher welfare choice for barn, free range and organic eggs but when it comes to choosing what chicken to roast on a Sunday or where to have fried chicken we seem to be forgetting our ethics.

Yet were talking about one species of animal - just two different breeds. You wouldnt treat a labrador differently to a poodle, so why are we putting the welfare of a chicken that lays eggs before a chicken farmed for meat?

Egg revolution

Consumer pressure has brought about a revolution in the UK egg industry with cage-free (barn, free range and organic) production accounting for 52% of eggs in 2016.

But its not such good news for meat chickens.

Ethical meat chicken production  RSPCA Assured, free range and organic - is lagging far behind egg production and only accounts for a tiny minority of all the chickens reared for tables each year.

In fact, high welfare only account for about one per cent of UK chicken production.

But according to RSPCA scientist, Sophie Elwes, consumers arent entirely to blame and there could be a number of reasons why consumption of ethical meat chicken is so much lower than ethical, cage-free eggs.

She says: With eggs its easy - by law they have to state whether they come from hens in cages and many supermarkets have actually stopped selling eggs from cages altogether.

But meat chicken labels are a minefield. Claims made on packaging and dubious farm name brands can mislead people into thinking the chicken they are buying is higher welfare when its not.

If the 86% of people in the survey, who think all chicken should come from higher welfare farms, only bought chicken meat labelled RSPCA Assured, free range or organic it would transform meat chicken welfare in this country.

Its also about the price

But its not just unclear labelling thats contributing to the problem. Price is also a significant factor.

Miss Elwes concludes: The difference between the cost of eggs from caged birds and free range birds is usually a matter of pence but with meat chicken the difference can be quite a bit more.

However, when you think an RSPCA Assured chicken costs three times less - gram for gram - than a bar of Dairy Milk, or about the same price as a couple of high street coffees, it sounds much more affordable and a small price to pay for better welfare.

The news comes two days before Defras housing order for poultry is due to be lifted following an outbreak of bird flu.
Eucolait, the European Association of Dairy Trade, has released a paper saying Brexit will cause great damage, economic and otherwise, to both the EU and the United Kingdom, specifically in Ireland.

Eucolait, the European Association of Dairy Trade, has released its position paper on future EU-UK trade relations.

The Association says it strongly believes there should still be a continued commitment open dairy trade, free from tariffs and non-tariff barriers, between the UK and EU.

They see the EU as by far the main market for UK dairy products and an almost exclusive supplier when it comes to UK dairy imports.

According to Eucolait, the Ireland/Northern Ireland border is of particular concern.

In 2016 about 800 ml of raw milk crossed the border from the UK to Ireland to be processed. Moreover, 75% of the processing facilities in Northern Ireland are fully or jointly owned by Irish cooperatives.

Re-establishment of a border, let alone duties, would be extremely harmful to both producers in Northern Ireland and dairies in the Republic of Ireland, according to the paper.

EU is the UK's main market

Existing trade flows between the UK and the rest of the EU are very significant.

The UK annually exports more than 1 billion (852m) worth of dairy products to other EU Member States, whereas imports from the EU  27 account for more than 3 billion (2.5bn).

The EU is by far the main market for UK dairy products and an almost exclusive supplier when it comes to UK dairy imports.

Despite being the EUs 3rd largest milk producer, the UK is only about 81% self-sufficient in dairy, notably due to high drinking milk consumption.

This makes the UK the second biggest dairy importer in the world (if intra-EU trade is considered as external trade) and the largest importer of cheese.

In spite ofindustry efforts to grow production, the UK will remain dependent on imports at least in the medium term, the report says.
Farmers across the UK have joined efforts in showing politicians and the public why glyphosate is so critical to agriculture.

A petition has been started to help stop the removal of glyphosate as a result of "anti farming groups spreading false science and misinformation" to the wider non-farming public.

The petition, with 1,607 (as of 4pm GMT 27 February), says it wants to "stand up for UK agriculture and save glyphosate from being banned by false knowledge and ignorance."

Twitter

Glyphosate is the worlds most widely used herbicide, and also is amongst the most thoroughly tested herbicides on the market.

The owner of the petition, Lincolnshire-based agronomist Sean Sparling, said: "Without glyphosate to control otherwise uncontrollable weeds BEFORE the crop is even put into the ground, whole areas of the east of England will become over run by weeds.

"We have no other way of controlling - weeds like Blackgrass, a resistant and hugely competitive weed species that is unaffected by pests, diseases and almost all other herbicides, which chokes and suppresses any crop it grows in."

Mr Sparling ended the petition saying: "Dont let ignorance destroy our industry."

On social media, the hashtag #glyphosateisvital has been trending on Twitter as farmers and those in the agricultural business sent messages to the wide-public about the benefits of keeping glyphosate legal.
Farming minister George Eustice has attended Gulfood 2017 to promote UK produce and to offer and strengthen trade relationships.

Gulfood, the worlds largest annual food trade show in Dubai, brings together more than 100,000 buyers, investors and producers from around the world.

It gives exporters across the country the chance to promote their produce and boost exports to the region.

The Gulf is the UKs third largest export market  worth more than 1.5 billion  and is already home to more than 5,000 UK companies and 4,000 British brands.

World-class produce

George Eustice attended Gulfood to champion the UKs world-class offer and strengthen the UKs trade relationship with this rapidly growing market.

He said: "The UK already exports more than 550 million worth of food and drink to the Gulf and UAE, and it is clear buyers and producers from around the world are eager to see what we have to offer.

"Over the next five years we have an ambitious plan to further our export success, and thanks to our range of exciting foods and delectable drinks on display today, were strengthening our global reputation for tasty, good quality produce."

All time high

Food and drink exports recently hit the 20 billion mark for the first time.

Prima Cheese is part of this success story and already exports to the Middle East and South America.

The County Durham based company has represented the UK at Gulfood for the past four years and recently expanded their workforce by 15 people to meet growing export demand.

They will be part of the UK delegation joining 5,000 exhibitors at the annual five-day trade show, which kicked off yesterday (Sunday 26 February).
The lifting of EU sugar quotas in October 2017 and leaving of the EU offers exciting opportunities for British Sugar and the wider UK beet sugar industry, the industry has said.

UK beet sugar industry is critical to the rural and agricultural economy, and British Sugar is widely regarded as one of the most efficient processors of sugar worldwide.

The organisations say that by lifting of EU sugar production quotas offers opportunities to increase beet sugar production by 50% annually.

The British beet sugar value chain supports up to 9,500 jobs in the UK economy, partners with 3,500 growers and directly employs a skilled workforce of 1,400.

'Globally competitive'

Paul Kenward, Managing Director of British Sugar, said the sugar industry is one of Britains most globally competitive industries.

He said: We are ready to work with farmers, importers and government to design a UK sugar policy that allows our world-leading domestic sugar industry to continue to thrive.

Paul Kenwards comments coincide with the publication of a new report 'British Sugar: A homegrown success story' outlining the significant contribution the UK beet sugar industry makes to the communities in which it operates.

Currently, British Sugar partners with 3,500 growers, employs 1,400 people and supports a further 9,500 skilled jobs across the UK. This homegrown success story supplies 60% of the UKs sugar market.

'Most efficient in the world'

He continued: Our investment of 250 million over the past five years has made our factories the most efficient in the world. Beet sugar yields in the UK have improved by more than 25% in the last ten years.

Our focus on improving efficiency and reducing waste has led to a range of co-products. We generate enough electricity to power a city the size of Peterborough; we produce up to 70 million litres of Bioethanol annually; and used our topsoil to landscape the Olympic Park.

Commenting on the future success of the sugar beet industry, William Martin, Chairman of NFU Sugar said the dismantlement of the EU Sugar regime and Brexit will present opportunities for arable farmers in the beet growing areas of the UK.

Mr Martin said: But the real opportunities will come from beet growers and British Sugar working in partnership to maximize the returns from the market place in a new commercial environment.
The Scottish government has called for post-Brexit guarantees over future powers and access to the single market in a meeting with UK ministers.

At a meeting with Defra secretary Andrea Leadsom, Scottish ministers pressed for EU powers within devolved competence to be passed straight to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scottish rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said he needed urgent and binding guarantees.

He said Scottish farmers wanted to know if they will continue to have access to the single market without tariffs.

Mr Ewing said: "Following repeated requests, I have again pressed the Secretary of State for clarity that EU powers will pass straight to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"I have also asked the UK Government to guarantee that Scotland will continue to receive funding at least at current levels provided from Europe."

'Vital protection'

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said European legislation and regulation offers vital protection for the environment.

She said: "I have also once again highlighted the need of many, including our research institutes, to have clarity on the long term rights of EU nationals to live and work in Scotland and on future access to EU workers  given how vital those from other European nations are to our research community.

"It is crucial that the UK Government honours its commitment to joint working and to take seriously the right for the Scottish Government to play a full role in decision making and negotiations of these key issues."

Key areas

Both ministers said asked for clarity on how the UK Government sees Brexit impacting on key areas including:

 Protection of funding that currently benefits the Scottish rural economy, including through the Common Agricultural Policy and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

 Tariff free access to the single market

 Guarantees on the rights of EU nationals to remain and future access to the European workforce

 Guarantees that permanent access to our fishing waters will not be negotiated away

 The future of environmental protection and regulation.
Marts to donate Scotch Lamb for St Andrew's Day campaign
What happened

Shares of Peru's only U.S.-listed engineering and construction company, Grana y Montero SAA (NYSE: GRAM), are down 29.8% as of 11:45 a.m. EST.

So what

Last week, on Feb. 24, a former representative of Grana y Montero's Brazilian partner Odebrecht SA gave an interview to local news magazine Hildebrandt en sus trece. In that interview, the representative, Mr. Jorge Barata, alleged that Grana y Montero was aware of $20 million in bribes that Odebrecht allegedly paid to former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo to win construction work on a road traveling from Peru to Brazil. Peru's government has called upon Odebrecht to leave the country.

Grana has already reported losing some $39 million on the construction project. Now it looks like it could lose further work on the project, lose the chance to make good its losses -- and face civil penalties as well.

Now what

Grana's shares are already down more than 66% since the year began. At a purported forward price-to-earnings ratio of just 1.1, there doesn't seem to be much distance left for them to fall -- and yet they just keep falling anyway.

Should investors hold their noses against the stench of scandal, and buy into this perhaps cheap stock as it plunges? I wouldn't be too eager to do so. Forward P/Es are based on expectations of profits that may or may never arrive. Meanwhile, Grana's actual results show that last year, the company earned less than $3 million in real profit -- and on a market capitalization of $447 million, that works out to an actual trailing P/E well into the triple digits -- 172 times trailing earnings to be exact.

I wouldn't touch this one with the proverbial 10-foot pole.
Knowing that the government will send you monthly checks during your retirement years gives you such a warm and fuzzy feeling. That's why the idea that Social Security might run out of money or disappear altogether is so disturbing. But is that really something you need to worry about?

Social Security myths

First off, consider some of the myths surrounding Social Security and how it's financed. Many people have a hazy notion of some huge Social Security savings account with funds earmarked for each retiree. In reality, Social Security is a pay-as-you-go program, meaning that the money Social Security pays beneficiaries comes from taxes that today's workers are paying to the government. The Social Security taxes that come out of your paycheck each month aren't for you at all; they're mostly being paid out to someone who's retired today.

So what are people talking about when they blast Congress for raiding the Social Security trust fund? Here's the story. While the baby boomers were working (and paying those pesky Social Security payroll taxes), there was more money flowing into Social Security than there was flowing out to pay retirees, because the baby boomer generation is so much larger than the ones before and after it. So, the government tucked away those extra taxes into trust funds. Congress has indeed taken money out of these funds to finance other government programs, but it left an IOU in its place that will later be paid, most likely by tax increases or government budget cuts.

But here's the sticky part: Baby boomers are now in the process of retiring, so this bulge in the population graph will be taking money out of Social Security instead of putting money in. Many people worry that the payroll taxes Social Security collects won't be enough to finance this abnormally large pool of retirees, and that the system will break down as a result.

The reality behind the Social Security shortfall

Technically, this could indeed break Social Security. If Congress did nothing to fix the problem, then eventually the extra money in the trust fund would run out, and the government would no longer be able to pay out benefits at the current rate. In reality, though, it's highly unlikely that the federal government would just sit on its hands and let Social Security crash and burn. After all, there's a simple fix to this problem: Raise payroll taxes, reduce Social Security benefits, or (most likely) do a little of both. It's just a matter of making sure the money going into Social Security matches the money coming out of it. For perspective, the Social Security Administration reports that it has enough money in the trust funds to pay full benefits until the year 2034, even if nothing changes, and that a 2.66% increase in payroll taxes would be enough to cover the predicted shortfall.

So should you worry that you won't receive Social Security benefits? When you hit retirement age, you'll almost certainly get something, but it might be a slightly smaller amount than you expect based on the Social Security statement you get every year. But consider that even if you got your full expected benefits, they probably wouldn't be enough for you to live on. The maximum Social Security benefit is a measly $2,639 a month, and the average benefit is an even measlier $1,341 per month. Take a look at the aforementioned Social Security statement and ask yourself if you could live comfortably on that much money.

If the answer is no, which it probably will be, there's a simple fix for that, too: Set aside enough money in retirement accounts to supplement your Social Security benefits. Remember, you don't need enough in there to cover all of your expenses in retirement; you just need enough to cover what Social Security won't.
Hundreds of farmers across Britain are coming together in a concerted effort to show politicians and the public why glyphosate is so critical to agriculture and the environment.

Glyphosate is the worlds most widely used herbicide and has long been the focus of an aggressive campaign from pressure groups, which want the broad-spectrum herbicide banned, mainly over fears it causes cancer.

In response, a petition against a glyphosate ban was launched this week by Lincolnshire-based agronomist Sean Sparling, and received more than 1,580 signatures within the first 24 hours.

See also: Farmers must add voices to glyphosate debate

Stating his case for continued use of the weed-killer, Mr Sparling of SAS Agronomy argued whole areas of the east of England will become overrun by weeds if glyphosate was unavailable to farmers.

He criticised those campaigning for a ban and urged farmers to push back against false knowledge and pseudoscience.

Glyphosate is keeping Britain farming  its as simple as that. And despite what those misinformed activists who are demonising it are saying, 80% or more of the glyphosate thats applied in the UK never actually touches or comes into contact with the growing crop.

Environmental benefits

Farmers are also posting detailed and emotive letters online and on social media, spelling out to the public what it would mean to lose glyphosate.

Essex grower George Young has written a blog post explaining what he uses the chemical for and why he feels it is needed to help farm ecosystems and wildlife flourish.

I practice a type of farming known as zero tillage. The results of this have been tremendous for the natural habitat on the farm, he wrote.

Some people are trying to ban this chemical due to potential carcinogenic risks. However, it has been scientifically proven that this risk is lower than that of coffee or bacon.

The ability to use this one chemical enables me to use significantly less pesticides, and consequently be a much better guardian of the land.

See also: Opinion: Glyphosate critics dont used diesel, presumably?

Nuffield scholar and Gloucestershire farmer Jake Freestone has also penned a blog post rejecting the argument that ploughing can be used to control weeds as a more environmentally friendly alternative if glyphosate was outlawed.

From the environments point of view, cultivations are not a good idea, he wrote. The most significant reason is that we are adding air to the soil, which reacts with the carbon locked in the soil, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere  a significant ingredient in global warming.

The tractors we use release nitrous oxide as they burn the diesel (just like diesel cars) and ploughing uses a lot of diesel.

Last June the European Commission renewed the licence for glyphosate for 18 months to allow more time for the European Agency for Chemical Products to reassess the safety of the product.

The study is due out this summer with an all-important vote on the longer-term approval of glyphosate scheduled for the end of 2017.

The NFU is urging farmers everywhere to write to their MPs and MEPs on the issue, and to invite them on to their farms to explain how glyphosate helps them operate in a more environmentally sensitive way.

#glyphosateisvital

On Twitter, the hashtag #glyphosateisvital has been trending as farmers seek to broadcast their messages to the general public and take on misinformation, while others are writing letters to their local politicians.

Just because we use #glyphosate and other pesticides on the farm doesn't mean to say we can't have plentiful wildlife pic.twitter.com/6P26fJU7M1  Andy Roberts (@handles4forks) February 26, 2017

Write to your MP, let's get this issue up the agenda, no winners if glyphosate goes. My MP has even replied! #glyphosateisvital https://t.co/wejsEKuBEn  Nick Hood (@Steakrareplease) February 24, 2017

Letter sent to local MP/MEP re. Glyphosate. Really gets you thinking how negative an impact a ban would have #glyphosateisvital  Joe Fisher (@JJ_Fishy) February 24, 2017

Using #glyphosate today will hugely reduce need to use herbicides on S barley to be planted here. #glyphosateisvital pic.twitter.com/eO8W6A0mzb  James Richard Cox (@JamesRCox69) February 17, 2017

@MaddeverAndrew This is my piece to local village free mag, it takes 10 minutes. Please support #glyphosateisvital pic.twitter.com/D3MomOoLbE  David White (@RTKfarmer) February 16, 2017

Blackgrass receiving it's #glyphosate today. CO2 emissions down increased earthworms and soil OM #glyphosateisvital pic.twitter.com/Go22kbNWAT  James Richard Cox (@JamesRCox69) February 17, 2017
It starts with a handler spotting a potential recruit through chats on social media sites. Having identified one, the handler comes up with a trick question on the targets personal chat window. If the receiver answers it correctly, the handler will ask the person to start chatting with him on secure app-based messenger sites. Thats when the handler shares his name. Claiming to be based in Syria, he then goes on to share a plan the potential recruit needs to execute to prove his allegiance. These details and other insights into the approach of the Islamic State to attract young men and women to its fold using the social media have been provided to security agencies by one of the arrested ringleaders of a module of the outfit.

Wazu main doosari sunnat kaunsi hai, Naak main paani dalna (Which is the second step while offering namaaz? To put water in the nose). I replied and my handler then told me to create an account on app-based messenger service Telegram, Nasir Chaus, an alleged IS recruit, who is in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), told officials.

Chaus is the alleged ringleader of the IS-Parbhani module in Maharashtra that was busted by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) last year. The case was subsequently transferred to the NIA. This was the trick question posed to Chaus by his handler identified as Shafi Armar alias Yusuf alias Farooque.

Satisfied with his answer, Farooque invited him to Telegram where he revealed his name and told Chaus that he is an Indian national based in Syria. Chaus created an ID, Abu-hamdan, on Telegram and used the ID to chat with his handler. Subsequently, when Chaus read about an IS-module being busted by a security agency and that Farqooue alias Shafi Armar was their handler, he checked with him. However, Farooque responded to that by saying that Shafi was a brother and they hailed from Bhatkal in Karnataka. Chaus claimed he did not probe further as there was an unstated rule on not checking or probing other members, a senior official told The Indian Express.

Chaus claimed that after the beef-ban imposed by the BJP government in Maharashtra in 2015, he thought that the government would gradually ban namaz, growing of beard and observing fast during the month of Ramzan. It was in September 2015 that he started surfing the Internet to learn more on IS and also created a Twitter account through which he met his handler. During the course of the probe, Chaus provided a blow-by-blow account of how social media is used by IS to communicate with the youth, officials said.

Incidents like Godhra and Muzaffarnagar riots, Dadri episode (killing of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri), killing of Pune-based techie Mohsin Sheikh made me feel the need to fight against the atrocities committed on the Muslim community. The beef ban only affirmed my belief that the Muslims were cornered and that the government will soon impose bans on various practices followed by the community including offering prayers. I then started reading IS literature on the Internet. I felt that Muslims were safe in Syria and that they have total authority there. I, therefore, felt the need to travel to Syria and join IS, Chaus was said to have told his interrogators.

After establishing contact with his handler through Twitter, Chaus was added to various messenger groups. Later, the trick question was asked by the handler following which Chaus created a Telegram account and started chatting with his handler.

I was a part of an IS group on Telegram on which only IS-related video, photographs, PDF, text were posted. On the profile pictures I could only see the initials of the first and the last names of the members. We used to also chat on channel messenger on Telegram. On this forum, a lot of articles which stated that Allah is only one were posted frequently. I was also a part of other channel called Islamic Book, Chaus told the NIA.

The advantage of the channel is that the administrator can broadcast messages, delete any messages, add members, remove members, change the channels name, profile image and link, as well as delete the channel completely, Chaus told investigators.

Channels are a tool for broadcasting public messages to large audiences. When a post is put up on a channel, the message is signed with the channels name. Unlike in groups, deleted posts will disappear for everyone, not just you, an official said. This is one of the reason why IS uses such app-based messenger service to indoctrinate youth, the official said.

The Parbhani module which had planned to carry out an attack on former Superintendent of Police Navinchandra Reddy, who was involved in an operation against a SIMI operative in 2012, created a WhatsApp group. The group was created by one of the arrested men, Mohd Raisuddin. There were 25 members in the group. But only general information was posted on the group.

The Parbhani youth told the agency that while chatting with his handler on the private window, Farooque directed him to carry out a blast in India. While Chaus was inclined to travel to Syria and had even got his passport made, Farooque shot down the idea and told him to stay put, claiming that Indian agencies were closing monitoring IS-related activities and arresting youths across the country. He also said that despite taking all precautions, there was a possibility of being caught at the airport. Chaus was advised to carry out an attack during the 2016 Eid ul-Fitr and Farqooue even shared a diagram of the bomb that Chaus was asked to assemble, the official said.

Based on the diagram, Chaus then bough two 9-volt batteries, ten LED bulbs, on-off switch, black cello tape, two pieces of one-foot long wires and a horizontal plastic box.

Chaus claims that when his relatives went for a function, he assembled the items and made an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He placed gun powder, shrapnels in the plastic box as mentioned in the diagram and had sent a picture to Farqooue, who replied sahi hai (its right), the official said.

At every stage, the handler plays a critical role and he is the one feeding the material to recruits, radicalising them and deciding the task they need to carry out. The final aim is to carry out lone-wolf attacks through these indoctrinated youths, the official said.

Between July and August last year, the Maharashtra ATS busted the Parbhani-based IS module and arrested four youths from Parbhani and Hingoli  Mohd Raisuddin Mohd Siddique, Iqbal Ahmed Kabir Ahmed, Nasir Chaus and Shaheed Khan. They were subsequently chargesheeted under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Indian Penal Code.

Source : Indian Express
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs staff will be at the Paris Public Library today to help reunite citizens with unclaimed property through the I-Cash program.

Frerichs staff frequently visits areas throughout the state to encourage individuals to search the I-Cash database for unclaimed property, and to show the public that the program is legitimate and is not a scam. The treasurers office never charges money to reclaim cash or property.

For most people, it is difficult to believe that they might have overlooked an investment account or forgot to pick up a final paycheck. However, the thousands of names in our database shows that it happens too often, Frerichs said. This money belongs to the residents of Illinois and we want to help them claim it.

The event will be held from 10 a.m.  2 p.m. Today at the Paris Public Library, 207 South Main Street, Paris.

The Illinois treasurers office is the custodian of unclaimed property including lost bank accounts, insurance policy proceeds, and forgotten safe deposit boxes. Items are surrendered after private entities tried for at least five years to locate the owners. Because thousands of items are surrendered each year, residents should check I-Cash every six months. Visit www.illinoistreasurer.gov or call 217.785.6998.

The Illinois Treasurer is the states chief investment officer and Frerichs is a Certified Public Finance Officer. He protects consumers by encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, and removing barriers to a secure retirement.

As the states Chief Investment Officer, he actively manages approximately $25 billion. The portfolio includes $13 billion in state funds, $7 billion in college savings plans and $5 billion on behalf of local and state governments. The investment approach is cautious to ensure the preservation of capital and returns $28 to the state for every $1 spent in operations. The Treasurers Office predates Illinois incorporation in 1818. Voters in 1848 chose to make it an elected office.
New Delhi : An Indian jihadi youth who had left home in Kerala to join the Islamic State group has been killed in a drone attack in Afghanistan, a media report said on Sunday.

The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Hafiz. Hafiz was one of the 21 youths who had gone missing last year from their native Kerala. They were said to have joined the ISIS.

According to News18, Afghan authorities have informed Hafizs family through a telegram message.

The Indian government has not so far confirmed the reports but the Indian High Commission in Kabul said that it was in touch with the local authorities for information.

We are in touch with local agencies here. Difficult to verify as those are inaccessible places for them, the report quoted a source at the Indian high commission as saying.

Of the 21 missing Keralites, 17 were reportedly from Kasaragod and four from Palakkad. They include four women and three children.

Source : Zee News
Today even in India, at many places Hindus are not allowed to perform worship of deities and festivities. Its time for Hindus to wake up and unite to stand against all such attacks on Hindu Dharma !  Editor, Hindujagruti

Peshawar : The Hindu community in Pakistans Mansehra district cut short its annual three-day Maha Shivaratri festival by a day mainly due to the prevailing security situation in the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

We normally celebrate this festival for three days every year, but our elders decided to cut it short, Darshan Lal, a Hindu caretaker of the nearly 1,500 years old Shiv Temple in Mansehra, was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune today.

Members of the Hindu community from across Pakistan gather at the Shiv Temple in Chiti Gati Gandiyan of Mansehra district to celebrate Shivaratri  believed to be the day when Lord Shiva and Parvati got married.

The festival began on Friday amid tight security. Over 700 fasting devotees from as far as Abbottabad, Kohat, Banu, Mardan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi performed puja and traditional rituals such as Ashnan (bathing) of Shiv with milk and honey.

The devotees yesterday performed the rites of mehndi and Sehra bandi of Shiva. Amid reverberating sounds of bells and chants of religious slogans, devotees circled around the linga, offering their prayers, the paper said.

However, the festivities were cut short a day ahead of schedule as the pundits including Sham Lal, Chaman Lal and Ratan conducted a special puja, it said.

Explaining reasons behind cutting the festival short, Darshan Lal said theres not sufficient space to accommodate all the devotees in the temple and its surrounding village. Secondly, owing to the security situation, the elders had decided to end their celebrations on Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday evening, he added.

The prolonged power outages and the prevailing security situation across the country too had contributed to the pundits? decision to change the schedule in the larger interest of their community, he added.

All visiting devotees had left under tight security provided by the police who had provided adequate security during the festival, he said.

Source : Zee News
Rajkot/Bhavanagar : In a major breakthrough, the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) officials arrested two persons from Gujarat for their alleged links with ISIS (Islamic State).

Reportedly, the two arrested terror suspects were allegedly planning a bomb blast in Chotila Mandir.

Chotila Chamunda Mata ji temple is situated in Surendranagar district, near Rajkot.

Wasim Ramodiya and Naeem, who have MCA and BCA degrees respectively, were allegedly in contact with ISIS handlers.

The police added they have recovered bomb-making material from them.

Based on a specific information about their alleged activities inspired by the jihadi ideology of ISIS, ATS officials nabbed Wasim from Rajkot and his younger brother Naeem from Bhavnagar during an early morning operation, said officials.

According to Inspector General of Gujarat ATS, JK Bhatt, explosives as well as jihadi literature were found from these suspected ISIS operatives during raids at their residences in Rajkot and Bhavnagar.

We have been keeping a close watch on them since last three months, as they were found to be in contact with ISIS through Skype and other social media platforms like Telegram, Twitter and Whatsapp. We conducted raids in Rajkot and Bhavnagar and nabbed the duo, Bhatt told reporters in Ahmedabad today, as per PTI.

Investigation has revealed that the two had planned to attack the famous temple at Chotila town of Surendranagar district, ATS ACP BS Chavda said.

He said that to create terror, they planned to record and upload the video of the attack on social media. They had also planned to carry out blasts at different places and also set on fire vehicles to spread terror, Chavda said.

The brothers, who had degrees in computer application, were indoctrinated in jihadi philosophy during the last two years after coming in contact with ISIS literature online, Chavda said.

They were also in touch with ISIS controversial preacher Mufti Abdus Sami Qasmi, arrested by NIA in February 2016, said the officer.

Last year, the ATS of Rajasthan had arrested an alleged Islamic State operative in Sikar district who was involved in collecting and transferring funds for the terror organisation from Dubai.

Meanwhile, Indian doctor K Ramamurthy who landed in India after being rescued from the clutches of ISIS, said that the terror outfit is keeping an eye on the development of education and economy in India and wants and wants to push their ideology in the country.

Rescued from the Islamic State prison on February 14, Dr Ramamurthy said that the members of the terror outfit are educated youngsters and know everything about Indias growth.

These ISIS people are well-educated youngsters and they do know about India and its development and how it has developed in education, economy and everything else. They are interested in India. But, I did understand that they wanted to spread the ideology of their nation to other parts of the world, including India, he said.

Source : Zee News
Veterans join the last few remaining residents of the #NoDAPL encampment in North Dakota as they were evicted during the fourth week of February 2017. Photo: Standing Rock Rising



As Police Evict Water Protectors, Tribes Vow to Continue the Fight

This isnt the end by any means. This is the spark. The whole world is waking up now.By Jenni MonetYES! Magazine

On Thursday, as North Dakota police moved in with a fleet of bulldozers, Humvees, and armored MRAP vehicles, Gov. Doug Burgum signed into law four bills that would bring harsher punishment for protest-related activity in the state. The bills, his press statement said, were meant to protect landowners rights. But for the 46 people arrested that day, their stand was about defending historic treaty territory.

Weve always been around this river, and thats why were here to protect this river, said Harold Frazier, chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the sister nation to Standing Rock. That river brings life to the people.

Frazier has become a vocal supporter in the ongoing yet shifting movement to stop the Dakota Access pipeline. Despite Thursdays razing of the main demonstration camp, Oceti Sakowin, he and dozens of water protectors, or protesters, have vowed to continue the fight to guard the Missouri River from a potential oil spillif and when the pipeline is completed.

As police slashed teepee-like structures open and arrested peaceful resisters, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer signaled that the $3.8 billion energy project was on its way to completion.

We feel very confident we will get the pipeline moving, said Spicer.

Less than a week after taking office, President Donald J. Trump advanced the Dakota Access pipeline through an executive memorandum. Its unclear whether he still owns stock in the energy project. Staffers claim he relinquished his investment, yet no evidence has been produced to substantiate these claims. Meanwhile, the CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, the operator of the pipeline, had donated more than $100,000 to Trumps presidential campaign

With this knowledge, some water protectors say they knew this day would come.

This isnt the end by any means, said Waste Win Young, as she walked to the Cannon Ball Bridge during a final prayer ceremony held moments before the evacuation deadline on Wednesday.

This is the spark. The whole world is waking up now, said Young, a Standing Rock Sioux tribal member.

The Cheyenne River tribe has joined the Standing Rock tribe in its continued legal battle against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which recently reversed an environmental impact statement that had halted construction of the project.

During the three hours it took police to dismantle the sprawling stretch of remaining teepees, tents, and yurts, Chairman Frazier stood on a bluff overlooking the razing of Oceti Sakowin.

We will be back! he shouted. The moment captured the sadness, but also the resiliency, permeating the reservation.

Note: This article is published via a Creative Commons license

Join the Conversation
The last remaining residents of the #NoDAPL encampment in North Dakota were evicted during the fourth week of February 2017. Photo: Tracie Williams



Water Is Life: The Story of Standing Rock Wont Go Away

The Dakota Access pipeline is set and oil will flow. But this is not the only fight about water, and Standing Rock is only one chapter somewhere in the middle of a long story.By Mark TrahantYES! Magazine

Powers That Be think its the end

DAPL will now have much money to spend

But Standing Rock is a rally cry

Rebalance our world before we die

Every day I write rhymes on Twitter. I get a kick out of reducing complicated ideas and events down to 140 characters. So on February 23 I wrote

And that is the story I want to tell. Standing Rock is only one chapter somewhere in the middle of a long story.

Its true that North Dakota used the power of the state this week to march into the camps along the Missouri River and round up the remaining water protectors. But think about that story: A few dozen people were arrested at camps where more than 10,000 people once said no to the Dakota Access pipeline. That people power did not evaporate. Even today more people, tens of thousands, perhaps millions, are still a part of that effort via social media and through direct action.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its allies have been repeating the same story for more than a year: Mni wiconi (water is life). This is a narrative that the state of North Dakota, the pipeline company, and the oil industry could not counter, despite spending millions of dollars and advancing into Great Sioux treaty lands with a law enforcement army.

The chief executive of the company behind the Dakota Access pipeline told investors on Thursday that he underestimated the power of social media, where stories spread so rapidly. According to Bloomberg News , Kelcy Warren complained: There was no way we can defend ourselves. (Actually, there was a way: Many energy companies have figured out that its far better to work with communities than to roll over them.)

The point is that the company and the state lost the narrative. But then, lost might not be the right word. The company was in a rush to build and North Dakota made the story more compelling by acting against its own interest. Think about what story wed be telling now if the North Dakota governor spent the first few weeks listening to the community and exploring alternatives. No one would have turned the page to see what happened next. No drama.

Instead, the county sheriff took center stage playing a villain. In August, Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier arrested Standing Rock Chairman David Archambault II and the plot raced ahead to a military occupation, a company line to defend, and a global audience via social media. Lots of drama.

Now the pipeline is set and oil will flow. Perhaps in a few days. So the thinking of the company is that its all over. They won.

But this is not the only fight about water. There are now hundreds of scenes spread across North America. The protection of water, the rebalancing of the world, now has a symbol and a memory to carry that story forward. Every pipeline project thats planned across North America will have to defend itself in every community, on social media, and with investors.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe hopes supporters on March 10 will march and pray in Washington, D.C. The tribe asks people to rise in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of the world whose rights protect Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) for the future generations of all. I think people will go. And by the thousands. Standing Rock is the call to action.

The White House tried to rewrite the story Thursday. Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at the daily briefing that the White House is constantly in touch with the Standing Rock Sioux. The idea here, which has been brewing for a while, is to cast the tribe as a partner of the state. The tribe immediately called out that statement as false. Archambault said in a news release: We repeatedly asked for meetings with the Trump administration, but never received one until the day they notified Congress that they were issuing the easement. I was on a plane to Washington, D.C., when the easement was issued. It was an insult to me and to the Tribe. I cancelled the meeting upon hearing this news. We have since filed a lawsuit for the immoral and illegal issuance of the easement and suspension of the environmental impact study.

This lie from the White House is revealing: The Trump administration (and its allies in the oil industry and North Dakota) understands that this story is not over. They want their narrative back.

And thats not going to happen. How could it? We all know water is life.

Note: This article is published via a Creative Commons license

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President Donald Trump. Photo: POTUS



Notes from Indian Country

Lack of a free press is not new to Indian CountryBy Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji  Stands Up For Them)

The Trump Administration has decided that the press is the enemy of the people. As a Lakota man who has been involved with the press since the 1970s I must take exception to this proclamation.

Many years ago I was covering a story for my newspaper Indian Country Today and in pursuing it I traveled to the Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to attend a meeting involving the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and the BIA. Since the story involved a large sum of money that the BIA was about to lend these tribes for a business venture I believed it was necessary to cover it for the press.

The motto of my newspaper back then was Standing up for the peoples right to know and it is still the motto of the Native Sun News Today newspaper.

With that belief in mind I walked in at the beginning of the meeting with a notepad in hand and a camera hanging around my neck. The meeting was immediately called to a halt and I was asked to leave. I refused so the meeting was closed and moved to a private location.

Covering the tribal government was also difficult at times. If a topic arose that the Tribal Council did not want their constituents to know about they simply called for an executive session thereby making the discussion private and I was forced to leave the meeting.

So having been in the news business for more than 40 years I greatly admire the reporters who brought Watergate to the publics knowledge and forced the resignation of a crooked president. Woodward and Bernstein became the heroes of many of us just starting our careers in the field of journalism.

Like anyone human, the press makes mistakes, but nearly every newspaper in the United States, including mine, is very quick to write a correction for any error, or to give anyone who felt slighted by a story to respond to the story. My newspapers have always had an open forum for personal opinions and an open page for letters to the editor. If a letter writer or opinion writer wants to criticize the United States government or the Tribal government the pages of my newspapers have always been open for their freedom of expression.

Some Indian newspapers do not offer that freedom. There are papers owned by the tribal governments that never allow dissenting opinions and there are newspapers that consider themselves to be the legal newspapers of a tribe and therefore not free to criticize or report on any malfeasance or corruption within the tribe to whom they have sold their loyalty.

However, every newspaper, and that includes Indian newspapers, have their trolls that have nothing good to say about anyone or anything and their constant attacks on everything are so libelous as to be unprintable for fear of lawsuits. I believe this equates to allowing anyone to yell fire in a crowded movie theater.

If a critic wants to offer genuine criticism without attempting to smear, demean and slander the writer, those honest rebuttals are acceptable. But as we have learned over the years the main objective of a troll is to destroy the credibility of the writer.

The press in general has not set out to destroy or diminish the credibility of President Donald Trump. In fact checking his comments they have been amazed at the number of outright lies he tweets or exudes in his daily communications with the public. These acts of dishonesty are not to be ignored or swept under the rug because they can be dangerous to the security of this country.

In the beginning the major news sources had a problem in trying to determine when or how to call Trumps lies a lie. Press freedom and honest reporting go hand in hand.

And so now we in the press are the enemy of the people and Trumps Administration has decided that the best way to deal with the big news sources is to exclude them from press conferences.

Some have suggested that the press should do tit-for-tat. However it turns out it is a new ball game that none of the national media has ever witnessed before and so for the press it is back to the drawing boards. However being named the enemy of the tribal governments is not new to the Indian press; we just had to learn how to get around it.

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Burma Burma Navy Opens Fire on Illegal Fishing Trawlers, Killing One

Map showing the area where the State Counselors Office said Bangladeshi trawlers fished illegally. / State Counselors Office Information Committee

RANGOON  The Burma Navy opened fired on illegal fishing trawlers that trespassed on Burmas territorial waters in Arakan States Naf River, which separates Burma and Bangladesh, on Monday, according to the State Counselors Office.

The Navy vessel on patrol sent a motorboat after it spotted eight fishing trawlers between Maungdaw Townships Kanyin and Nyaung creeks. Two shots were fired when the trawlers aggressively approached the motorboat, said U Tin Maung Swe, secretary of the Arakan State government.

We are taking actions transparently in line with the law. We have to shoot and arrest as necessary if somebody trespasses on our territory, U Tin Maung Swe told The Irrawaddy.

Burma authorities sent a letter to Bangladeshi authorities on Monday, calling on the Bangladeshi border guard force to prevent illegal fishing trawlers from entering Burmas territory, and condemning the trespassing.

State-run newspapers reported on Wednesday that Bangladeshi authorities said that one person was killed and two others were injured in the shooting.

U Zaw Htay, deputy director general of the Presidents Office, told The Irrawaddy, We will respond in line with the law if Bangladesh complains. But, they have not complained yet.
Aaron Carter, the singer-rapper who began performing as a child and had hit albums starting in his teen years, was found dead at his home in Southern California. He was 34. Representatives for Carters family confirmed the singers death Saturday. They did not provide any immediate further comment. A sheriff's official says deputies responding to reports of a medical emergency found a person deceased at the home in Lancaster. Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, performed as an opening act for Britney Spears as well as his brothers boy band, and appeared on the familys reality series, House of Carters.
Burma Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Breaks Silence on Assassination of Legal Advisor U Ko Ni

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at a memorial service for U Ko Ni and U Nay Win in Rangoon. / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi broke her silence on the assassination of National League for Democracy (NLD) party legal advisor U Ko Ni, calling him a comrade of hers and said that losing him was a deep loss for the party.

The prominent Muslim lawyer U Ko Ni was shot dead in broad daylight by a gunman on Jan. 29 outside Yangon International Airport. Taxi driver U Nay Win was also fatally shot as he tried to apprehend the assassin.

U Ko Ni was an expert on Burmas 2008 Constitution, which he referred to as undemocratic, and was very critical of the countrys military.

The countrys de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made a rare public appearance at the memorial service for U Ko Ni and U Nay Win, organized by the NLD on Sunday in Rangoon.

Losing someone like U Ko Ni is such a deep loss for the NLD, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said. The fact that he worked together with the party for many years through his belief is also something that our party is proud of.

I respect and value [U Ko Ni] a lot, she added.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that U Ko Ni and the taxi driver U Nay Win had the same fundamental attitude and beliefs despite their different backgrounds, referring to the way they refused to accept an injustice.

She also urged the packed hall of Rangoons Royal Rose Restaurant to always remember the contributions the two martyrs made to the party and to the country.

Such a sense of responsibility by a normal citizen is more valuable than that of a government official, she said.

The attitude that [U] Ne Win had is a good example for our citizens. He gave a good inheritance to our country, she said.

U Ko Nis eldest daughter Ma Yin Nwe Khaing said that Sundays memorial service made her feel very proud of her father.

After the memorial, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi held a private meeting with the families of U Ko Ni and U Nay Win.

Details of the meeting were not made public but Ma Yin Nwe Khaing told The Irrawaddy that the State Counselor consoled the two families and asked questions about the families situations.

When asked her opinion on a press conference held by the home affairs ministry and the police chief regarding the investigation into her fathers assassination on Saturday, Ma Yin Nwe Khaing said that her family will comment on the case only when the whole investigation is completed.

Police Maj. Gen Zaw Win said the police force has arrested three suspects who are allegedly connected to the assassination of the lawyer and had issued a warrant for the arrest of one suspect who remains at large.

NLD patron U Tin Oo, senior NLD leader U Win Htein, Lower House Speaker U Win Myint, Rangoon Division Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, and central executive committee members of the NLD also attended the ceremony.

U Ko Ni was also a strong opponent of the countrys Race and Religion Protection lawsthe controversial legislation proposed by the Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha and approved by the previous U Thein Sein government.

Many people criticized Daw Aung San Suu Kyis silence over U Ko Nis death and noted her absence at his funeral late last month.

U Ko Ni is believed to be the one who advised forming the position of State Counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as she is barred from the presidency under Article 59(f) of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution.
Burma Legal Affairs Commission Extended Despite Army Objections

Military lawmakers stand outside Parliament after Mondays session. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  In the Union Parliament on Monday, Burma Army officials objected to extending the term of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission chaired by former general U Shwe Mann, stating that it was not formed in line with the 2008 military-drafted Constitution.

Military representative Brig-Gen Maung Maung said the commission violated the Constitution because amending, annulling, and rewriting lawswhich the commission is in the midst ofis the responsibility of the two chambers of Parliament.

Fifty military representatives on Feb. 22 asked the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union to comment on whether the commission conformed to the Constitution, as it was formed according to changes introduced to laws regulating Union Parliament in 2014.

Were objecting because [the commission] goes against the Constitution. The commissions term should not be extended while we are still asking the tribunal to remark on its legality, Brig-Gen Maung Maung told reporters.

He said the objection and other actions carried out by military representatives are done in accordance with the Burma Army chiefs policy guidelines, adding that he raised the objection on behalf of all members of the military.

He said that such commissions in both the Upper and Lower houses are meant to act on a temporary basis.

However, National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers said the extension of the commissions term is in accordance with the law. Although the 2008 Constitution does not include provisions for the formation of the commission, Union Parliament by-laws allow for it.

It is in line with the law for a commission to provide advice [to Parliament] to enact laws, Lower House lawmaker Daw Khin San Hlaing of the NLD told The Irrawaddy.

The proposal to extend the term of U Shwe Manns commission was put to vote and of 543 lawmakers present, 333 voted in favor, 189 against, and six abstainedextending the term of the commission.

U Shwe Mann initially created the commission in November 2011, and after being ousted as head of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, and later from the party altogether, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appointed him to head the commission.

One year after the new commission was formed under the new NLD government, former Mon State parliamentary speaker U Kyi Pe chose to resign from his post. He has been replaced with former Magwe Division parliamentary speaker Ye Myint.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
Burma National CSO Forum Urges Constitutional Reform

The National Civil Society Organizations Forum in Naypyidaw. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  Leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs) called for reform of Burmas controversial, military-drafted 2008 Constitution at the first national forum of CSOs held in administrative capital Naypyidaw on Friday and Saturday last week.

Delegates talked about constitutional amendments needed for nation buildingthey talked about changing to federalism, U Thein Min Oo, a representative from Bago Division and member of CSO Forum organizing committee, told The Irrawaddy.

The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) headed by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi gave guidelines of three topics for CSOs to discusshumanitarian support, environmental conservation, and resource sharing in a federal context.

CSOs from Karenni State boycotted the forum, saying that the UPDJCs guidelines were too centralized.

But forum organizers said participants discussed a wide range of subjects including resource and power sharing and self-administration.

They also discussed land confiscation, people displaced by conflict, and, of course, armed clashes, said forum organizer U Thwin Lin Aung. They even talked about the economy and rice prices, he told The Irrawaddy.

Forum organizers said discussions by CSO leaders on three topics permitted by the UPDJC would continue at later CSO forums, and discussions on other topics would be discussed at local preliminary CSO forums.

Participants also called for constitutional reform that would see the chief of the Burma Army overseen by a civilian defense ministry.

I proposed that all ministries should be overseen by the elected government, said U Thein Min Oo, referring to three key ministriesthe Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Border Affairsheld by the Burma Army.

We should consider such things to build a secular state, U Thein Mein Oo told the press after the forum.

U Ra Kham, a representative of Chin State, also noted that internal peace was needed before the 2008 Constitution could be amended.

Neither the government nor parliament have taken action to change the constitution. So, lets change the constitution and build a federal state with the strength of CSOs, he urged participants.

U Soe Htay, a forum organizer, said: We cant move through the UPDJC to rewrite the 2008 Constitution. Discussion on constitutional amendments is barred by the UPDJC. If we are not allowed to discuss it, we have to think about ways to overcome this.

According to procedures, the agreements reached at the forum are to be submitted to the UPDJC, which will discuss and put them forward to the 21st Century Panglong peace conference.

However, the results of last weeks forum will not be submitted to the UPDJC this time, said forum organizers.

We will try to submit the results of the next forum, which will be held in the next six months, U Thwin Lin Aung, a forum organizer, told press after the forum.

The government seems to think that CSOs should not be involved in politics, said U Thwin Lin Aung.

When CSO representatives discussed politics at a national level political dialogue in Tenasserim Division, they [government officials] told them it was not their business, he said.

The 2008 Constitution provides the Burma Army 25 percent of seats in national and sub-national legislatures and affirms the armys grip of three key ministries.

State of emergency provisions in the constitution allow the Burma Army chief to assume power in times of crisis.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), while it was still in opposition, launched nationwide campaigns calling for constitutional amendmentone of the partys campaign promises for the 2015 election was to change the 2008 Constitution.

The forum was attended by 540 representatives from over 300 CSOs across the country.
Burma State Counselor and UNFC Peace Negotiation Team to Meet This Week

UNFC secretary Khu Oo Reh / The Irrawaddy

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the representatives of the ethnic armed blocs Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN) will meet on Wednesday in Naypyidaw, both sides confirmed.

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)comprised of non-signatories of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA)said that the agenda will include a discussion of the current political deadlock as well as the nine UNFC demands that must be met before the alliance will sign the NCA.

The UNFCs delegation will then meet with the Peace Commission on Friday to discuss the details of the meeting.

While the UNFC has been trying to meet the State Counselor to talk about policies regarding all-inclusivity, active ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) based in the northeast said in a statement on Feb. 24 that Burma needed a new ceasefire agreement to replace the NCA, which reflects the United Wa State Army (UWSA) chairman Bao Youxiangs speech at an ethnic summit opening two days earlier.

The statement, released after the meeting of seven active EAOs based in Kachin and northern Shan States for three days from Feb 22-24, said participants agreed that the Wa group would lead the undertaking of a political negotiation team, in order to work with the government without signing the NCA.

Two UNFC members groupsthe chair of the Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army and the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army-Northattended the third ethnic armed group summit host by the UWSA in Panghsang last week. These two were among those who drafted the NCA under the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team.

However, Khu Oo Reh, the secretary of the UNFC, said the statement from the third Panghsang summit does not reflect the UNFCs views.

He reiterated, the UNFC was not invited as a coalition, but as individual groups. The Karenni National Progressive Party and the New Mon State Party were both unable to attend, citing travel difficulties.

We were not consulted about the statement prior to its release. The UNFCs peace process policy has not changed. We still follow the NCA path and will continue to do so, Khu Oo Reh said.

Nang Lwin Hnin Pwint contributed to this report.
Burma U Win Htein Accuses Home Ministry of Fanning the Flames of U Ko Ni Assassination

U Win Htein, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other NLD members seen at the memorial in Rangoon. / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON U Win Htein, a secretariat member of Burmas ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party, said he was disappointed with the press briefing held by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the assassination of the partys legal advisor U Ko Ni on Saturday.

He said it was fanning the flames of public dismay and resembled those held by [ex-spymaster] Gen Khin Nyunt in the1990s, in comments to the media at the memorial for U Ko Ni and taxi driver U Nay Win, held by the NLD on Sunday at Rangoons Royal Rose restaurant.

The prominent Muslim lawyer U Ko Ni, an expert on Burmas controversial 2008 Constitution, was shot dead in broad daylight by a gunman on Jan. 29 outside Yangon International Airport. A taxi driver U Nay Win was also fatally shot as he tried to apprehend the assassin.

The home affairs ministry held a press conference on Saturdaya day before the memorialin which the minister and the police chief described alleged assassins and conspirators as young men with extreme nationalism that bore a grudge against U Ko Ni.

The suspects named as being involved in the case are 42, 45, 46, and 52 years old.

U Win Htein said the Saturday press conference looked like those held by Gen Khin Nyunt of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in the 1990s when the military had full control of the country.

The former chief of military intelligence unit used those press conferences to accuse political oppositionincluding the NLDof collaboration with overseas anti-government activists and advocates of destruction within the country, describing them as puppets of the US government.

Most of what he said was met with skepticism by the public.

The Saturday press conference looked like the ones by Gen Khin Nyunt in the SPDC era: Listen to what we say. Its up to you whether you believe it or not. Thats all, said U Win Htein.

The ministry also revealed that the third suspect Aung Win Khaing was last seen in the capital city Naypyidawthe place with the strictest security in the country.

What was said [at the press briefing] contrasted with what the public was expecting. I think it fanned the flames, U Win Htein told the media.

U Win Htein said that the words used during the press briefing by the authorities to refer to the motive behind the assassination plan were also wrong.

[The alleged conspirators] are not young people, he said. This assassination was thoroughly planned by those who are old enough to have common sense and sound judgment, he said.

U Ko Ni worked together with the NLD to attempt to amend or replace the 2008 constitution that is widely criticized as undemocratic. The 65-year old lawyer was very critical of the countrys military and its grip on Burmas three powerful ministries: home affairs, border affairs and defense.
Burma USDP Lawmaker Denies Involvement in U Ko Ni Case

U Lin Zaw Tun talks to the media at the Parliament on Monday. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  A lawmaker and former personal security officer of Burmas Military Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing denied accusations on Monday of withholding information on the assassination of National League for Democracy (NLD) partys legal adviser U Ko Ni.

U Lin Zaw Tunwho retired from the army as a colonel in 2015 to compete in the election under the Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) and is the current USDP lawmaker for Monghpyak Township in eastern Shan Statewas mentioned as a friend of two of the suspects arrested in connection with the lawyers assassination.

Both suspectsZeya Phyo and Aung Win Khaingalso had military backgrounds as a captain and lieutenant colonel, respectively.

The three mens friendship was officially revealed at a press conference by Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday. They reportedly spent their free time together at teashops, talking about the countrys politics and economy, and of course about U Ko Nis active role in Constitutional amendment.

Since then, the ex-security officer has been accused of withholding information on the killing as the public conjectured he might be aware of the assassination planparticularly on social media.

They didnt discuss it in my presence, nor tell me about it, U Lin Zaw Tun said to media at the Parliament on Monday while admitting his friendship with the two suspects.

The former army colonel added that he had been interrogated twice by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs since the killing took place at Yangon International Airport on Jan 29.

I told them all that I knew, U Lin Zaw Tun said. After that, [the authorities] came to the conclusion that I had nothing to do with it. So, I dont want to make any further comments.

Asked what he thought of his two friends, the USDP lawmaker replied that they were good guys, normally.

But when it comes to situation like this, its difficult to say what kind of people they are, he added.

The home affairs ministry held a press conference on Saturdaya day before the memorial for U Ko Ni and taxi driver U Nay Winin which the minister and the police chief described alleged assassins and conspirators as young men with extreme nationalism that bore a grudge against U Ko Ni.

The ministry also revealed that hunt for the third and still at large suspect Aung Win Khaing ended in capital city Naypyidawthe place with the strictest security in the country.
News Police Chief: Assassination of U Ko Ni Was Driven by Personal Grudge

Police Chief Maj-Gen Zaw Win at the press conference at Rangoons Drug Elimination Museum on Saturday. / Moe Myin Soe / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  Burmas police chief said that the assassination of lawyer U Ko Ni was driven by a personal grudge, and named one more person arrested on suspicion of being connected with the case at a press conference in Rangoon on Saturday.

It was the first time police and the home affairs ministry revealed their findings on the case directly to the media.

Chief of the countrys police force Maj-Gen. Zaw Win said that on Feb. 3, police arrested Zeya Phyo, an alleged business partner of the third suspect in the assassination plot Aung Win Khaing.

Zeya Phyo, 42, was a captain at the Burma Armys information department (widely known as the military intelligence unit) and quit in 2004, Maj-Gen Zaw Win told the media.

The U Ko Ni assassination plan allegedly began in early April last year, as the two business partnersAung Win Khaing and Zeya Phyofelt resentful of U Ko Nis political activities, according to the police chief.

Aung Win Khaing [allegedly] told Zeya Phyo that he wanted to eliminate U Ko Ni, and its possible he asked his elder brothers old inmates to do the killing, the police chief said.

A week later, Aung Win Khaing told Zeya Phyo that he had assigned his brother, Aung Win Zaw, to take care of the assassination and allegedly asked Zeya Phyo for financial assistance to carry it out, Maj-Gen Zaw Win said.

Zeya Phyo handed over 100 million kyats to Aung Win Khaing in August, he added.

The brother, Aung Win Zaw, initially approached a 37-year-old suspected drug trafficker Nagar Layaka Aung Naing Myintin May last year to kill U Ko Ni.

Nagar Lay agreed to do so in exchange for an unlicensed car and 20 million kyats, the police chief said, but the plan fell through when Nagar Lay absconded with the car and cash.

Nagar Lay escaped a police operation intending to arrest him in Rangoon on Feb. 16. The police apprehended him on Thursday in Minbu Township, Magwe Division.

Aung Win Zaw also approached Aung Soe, 51, a former fellow inmate at Mandalays Obo Prison, for the assassination, the police chief said.

Aung Soe told reporters earlier this month that he recognized assassin Kyi Linanother inmate at Obo Prison with him and Aung Win Zawin pictures of the murder scene and said he rejected the job offered to him in June last year.

Aung Soe said that Aung Win Zaw told him to kill a diplomat of a foreign religion in broad daylight in downtown Rangoonand if successful, this would be good for the country, our race, and religion.

He said he declined the offer of US$100,000, weapons training, and arrangements to hide out on the Thai-Burma border.

Kyi Lin was the last person Aung Win Zaw approached to conduct the assassination and eventually gunned down U Ko Ni at Yangon International Airport on Jan. 29.

Gunman Kyi Lin was held by a group of taxi drivers immediately after the crime. The following day, the police arrested Aung Win Zaw in Karen State, who confessed that his brother Aung Win Khaing was behind the assassination plot. Aung Win Khaing remains at large.

Ongoing Investigation

At Saturdays press conference, police Maj. Gen Zaw Win said the police force has questioned 73 persons (excluding the three arrested suspects) since U Ko Nis murder.

Police have opened several cases against the suspects. Gunman Kyi Lin and Aung Win Zaw are charged with Article 301 of the Penal Code and Article 19(f) of the Arms Act.

Zeya Phyo is charged with Article 67 of the Telecommunications Law for the possession of restricted telecommunications equipment and Article 420 and 468 of the Penal Code for forgery. Aung Win Khaingwho is still at largeis charged under Article 302 of the Penal Code.

Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen. Kyaw Swewho was joined at the press conference by his deputy Maj-Gen Aung Soesaid that his ministry had been investigating but was not able to reveal every finding to the media and public.

There were some [restraints] in revealing what we have uncovered as investigations have yet to be completed, he said.

We have to think about a lot of things. Why are the suspected conspirators former army officers? Was this an attempt to cause discord between the military and the government? Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe questioned.

Based on investigations and suspects confessions, it is highly possible that extreme nationalism contributed to the grudge that led to the assassination, he added.

Saturdays announcements and a Feb. 15 press statement by the Presidents Office differ in their timelines of the assassination plot.

The Presidents Office stated that Aung Win Khaing asked his elder brother Aung Win Zaw to kill U Ko Ni in July 2016, while the police force said that it was in April 2016.

The police chief said that the investigation had not yet been completed and that they had distributed pictures and personal information of the suspect at large to all local and international law enforcement organizations, including Asean and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Burmas ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), will organize a memorial service in Rangoon on Sunday to mark one month since U Ko Niwho was a legal adviser to the partyand taxi driver U Ne Win were shot and killed. According to NLD sources, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will attend the ceremony.

The ceremony will take place at the Royal Rose restaurant in Bahan Township on Sunday, according to the NLDs press invitation, and will also be attended by Lower House Speaker U Win Myint, Rangoon Division Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, central executive committee members of the NLD, and U Ko Nis family members.

U Ko Ni was an expert on Burmas controversial 2008 Constitution and worked with the NLD to amend or replace the charter that is widely criticized as undemocratic.

The 65-year old lawyer was a strong opponent of the countrys four sets of Race and Religion Protection lawsthe controversial legislation proposed by the Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha and approved by the previous U Thein Sein government.

Many have criticized Daw Aung San Suu Kyis silence over U Ko Nis death and noted her absence at his funeral. U Ko Ni is credited with creating the position of State Counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as she is barred from the Presidency under Article 59(f) of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution.
Commentary Who Was Behind U Ko Nis Assassination?

Rangoon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein gives a speech on Monday at an anti-violence campaign held at Yangon International Airport, where NLD legal adviser U Ko Ni and taxi driver U Nay Win were shot and killed one month ago. / Naing Lin Soe / The Irrawaddy

The press briefing on the investigation into the assassination of lawyer U Ko Ni has received thumbs-down from many public and political observers.

Home Affairs Minister Gen Kyaw Swe said the National League for Democracy legal advisers assassins were motivated by extreme nationalism and that the murder could be attributed to personal grudges.

The publics immediate reaction to the briefing was strong. As it was announced that ex-army officers who were trained in the Defense Services Academy (DSA) were allegedly involved in the killing of U Ko Ni, it was believed that the assassination was politically motivated and that influential organizations or individuals could have been behind the murder.

At the press briefing, a new name emerged: Lin Zaw Htun, a former colonel who is now a Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) parliamentarian. His identity was brought up in response to a question asked by a reporter to the home affairs minister.

Lin Zaw Htun served as an aide or Personal Security Officer (PSO) to current military commander in chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

In an interview with the press, Lin Zaw Htun admitted that he knew suspects Zeya Phyo and Aung Win Khaing. He and Aung Win Khaing attended the DSA together, in Intake 36. The accusation that arose was that Lin Zaw Htun must have known about the plot in advance, which he has since denied, threatening to sue any individuals who make such allegations against him.

So far, the police have detained three suspects, and one more is currently at largeAung Win Khaing, a former colonel. According to police findings, Aung Win Khaing traveled to Naypyidaw after the killing of U Ko Ni. It was not clear whether he went there to take refuge, but it is hoped he will soon be apprehended.

U Ko Nis murder was not committed impulsively. The investigation showed that more than US$100,000 was carefully allocated to guarantee that the well-known lawyer would be silenced. Several criminals were reportedly approached and asked to carry out the crime. Reports also suggest that weapons training and some arrangements for perpetrators hide out on the Thai-Burmese border were organized in advance. Aung Win Zaw was caught in Karen State, and it is believed he was headed to the border region.

There is, therefore, no doubt that the killing was planned, perhaps several months in advance, and with adequate financial resources and intelligence gathering carried out in preparation. Perhaps it was also an act meant to instill fear amongst the public, as the assassins chose to kill U Ko Ni in broad daylight at an international airport.

Gen Kyaw Swes press conference, and his description of the alleged killers motivation, has been perceived by some as being sympathetic to the assassins. It has raised questions about whether the ongoing investigation has preserved any credibility.

In any case, if powerful figures or parties were in fact involved in the killing, this is not the first time such a phenomenon would have occurred; during the rule of Burmas former military junta, there are believed to have been several such state-sponsored plots involving thuggish attacks and even murder.

One well-known case is the Depayin Massacre, which happened in May of 2003. Named for the area of Sagaing Region in which it took place, a convoy belonging to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters was viciously attacked and some individuals were killed.

The main culprit, according to past reports, were members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and thugs known as Swan Ah Shin, the latter of whom were reportedly assigned to ambush the convoy. It has also been said that junta officials allegedly asked some monasteries to provide young monks to take part in the attack.

Hardline regional commanders stationed in central Burma were believed to have been ordered to provide logistical support to the junta supporters and thugs.

Three powerful people were named as being responsible for the attack. Gen Soe Win, then Secretary-2 of the junta; Ye Myint, Central Regional Military Commander; and Aung Thaung, a powerful minister.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, her driver and some other NLD members managed to escape the massacre, but were later arrested. She was again placed under house arrest.

The regime official said that no more than five people were killed in the attack, but regime dissidents claim that about 70 people lost their lives that day. The international community condemned the attacks and imposed further pressure on the regime. But no investigation was launched to identify the perpetrators and bring them to trial.

After the attack, Soe Win became prime minister under the blessing of then junta chairman Snr-Gen Than Shwe. Soe Win, who died of leukemia in October 2007, was likely not the mastermind of the infamous Depayin attack, but as a powerful general and favorite of Than Shwe, he briefly mentioned on the record that he was a scapegoat in the ambush. Many former army officers still maintain that he was one of the key players.

Aung Thaung became a member of Parliament and died in July 2015. He and his family were made incredibly wealthy due to numerous business interests established while the country was under military rule. He was also rumored of being behind the rise of Ma Ba Tha, and in recent years, Aung Thaung was accused of playing a supporting role in the 2012 to 2014 sectarian violence that killed more than 300 people, most of them Muslim.

A year before he passed away, the US imposed sanctions on him, as he was accused of undermining Burmas transition to democracy.

Aung Thaung never went to trial. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi even attended his funeral, ignoring criticism from her critics and activists.

Under former President Thein Sein, Burma saw the rise of extreme nationalism, the creation of the well-funded Ma Ba Tha, the 969 movement, and increased violence against the countrys Muslim population. Thein Seins government took little action to prevent both this and the spread of hate speech.

Gen Kyaw Swe used the word extreme nationalism to describe the motive of those who killed U Ko Ni. It is this extremism that was fostered by previous regimes and those loyal to them. The assassins undoubtedly felt they would be sheltered from the law, from justice.

It is time to show both the domestic and international communities that there will be proper and credible investigation into the murder of U Ko Ni.
Guest Column Myanmars Peace Process: Troubleshooting the Deadlock

Ethnic delegates attend the 21st Century Panglong peace conference in September in Naypyidaw. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars Peace Process has been regrettably stunted by what looks to be the longest deadlock since its official launching in August 2011, by then-president U Thein Sein.

The deadlock began when the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a seven member Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) alliance that did not sign the 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), proposed an eight-point (later nine-point) list of demands addressing the NCA to Naypyidaw in July 2016, ahead of the 21st Century Panglong Conference.

Unfortunately, nearly seven months have passed without an agreement of substance being reached. Worse, the situation in the north has deteriorated so much that on Nov. 20, 2016, the Northern Alliance-Burma (NAB), comprised of four EAOs residing along the Sino-Myanmar border, waged unprecedented, cooperative attacks on Tatmadaw (Burma Army) strongholds.

This was a retaliatory response to the latest Tatmadaw offensives, starting from August 2016, against non-signatory EAOs, mainly the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which is also leading the UNFC.

Skilled Negotiators Needed

Ironically, the recent deadlock has been overseen by the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) administration which made the Peace Process its top priority.

However, things havent turn out the way we thought they would. The relationship between the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has been strained as well as collusive. Informal talks between the non-signatory EAOs and the government have been both few and ineffective, and the lack of skilled negotiators means that peace remains frustratingly elusive at present.

The power of informal negotiations has been stressed repeatedly in a newly published insiders account authored by Aung Naing Oo, a Peace Process facilitator under the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) government.

We could even find the way out of deadlock while smoking cigarettes or sharing a drink. writes Aung Naing Oo. In practice, informal talk can be a powerful weapon in a peace negotiators armory. They are useful where the parties have not met before, or have barriers to negotiating directly.

The pity is that for the time being, some EAOs have to rely on Chinese convoys to send messages to the government. By comparison, under the USDP administration the informal negotiations never stopped, even during the seven-month deadlock that started in August 2014.

The challenge is not just to strategically steer the whole process with policies of both strength and flexibility, but also to find and train qualified negotiators. High tension was once reported when one government negotiator allegedly pointed a finger at the leaders of EAOs, uttering, you guys have to disarm.

Obviously deep-rooted distrust has led to the current deadlock. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis national and international stature is, to some extent, no longer an asset in moving Myanmars Peace Process forward. And the growing pessimism is dragging down the unstable mood of stakeholders who have invested large amounts of political capital in the peace talks. Therefore, skilled negotiators with trust-building abilities are urgently needed.

NCA Securing Full Backing of China

Despite being the elephant in the room, China has suffered as a result of Myanmars armed conflicts, now mainly confined to the Sino-Myanmar border. Recently, Chinese Ambassador to Burma Hong Liangone of the most straightforward Chinese diplomatsstrongly urged, probably for the first time, all the EAOs to sign the NCA at the earliest stage to avoid battles and guarantee peace and stability along the border with China. He ascribed the EAOs refusal to sign the NCA to the misunderstandings among EAOs, the Myanmar government, and the Tatmadaw.

According to Hong Liang, Beijing has called on its central ministry officials, special envoys, and embassy staff in Myanmar to hold rare joint meetings for Myanmar affairs. Whats more, they are encouraging everyone concerned to take part in dialogues in every corner. Thus it is safe to say that the NCA has secured the full backing of Beijing through a mechanism for policy formulation.

The most important thing for the Peace Process is for all national ethnic armed groups to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, said Hong Liang. This message is unprecedentedly clear to those non-signatories, particularly the United Wa State Army (UWSA) which has exercised self-proclaimed autonomy for nearly three decades and entirely refused to sign the NCA.

Despite the tremendous hurdle ahead, it is still fair to say that Myanmar is closer to genuine peace than at any time since independence in 1948. Myanmars peace process is nothing short of cetana (goodwill). But the missing part of the equation is versatile diplomacy on the governments part which, if achieved, will break the lack-of-trust deadlock.

Liu Yun is an independent analyst based in China. He writes on Myanmar regularly. He can be reached at: [email protected]

This article was originally published on the website of Tea Circle, a forum hosted at Oxford University for emerging research and perspectives on Burma/Myanmar.
Art Exhibits Feature Works by Higgins, Conger

Print by Manneken Press of artwork by artist Mary Judge.

Feb. 8, 2017

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Illinois Wesleyan Universitys Merwin and Wakeley Galleries will feature the work of artists Jonathan Higgins and Bill Conger in March.

On March 2, master printer Jonathan Higgins will present a gallery walk on the most recent prints and projects from Manneken Press, an independent fine arts press in Bloomington. Manneken Press publishes and exhibits original limited edition prints and books from select artists around the world. Higgins invites well-respected artists to partake in a residency program at Manneken Press, where he assists them in creating a series of prints. The prints created at Manneken Press have been exhibited in fine arts fairs across major cities and in many galleries and museums.

A California native, Higgins received a bachelor of arts degree from Humboldt State University and earned a master of arts in art from New York University. He taught printmaking at the College of New Rochelle and West Virginia University, and has worked at printmaking studios throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is co-owner of Manneken Press. His gallery walk begins at 5 p.m. March 2 in the Wakeley Gallery.

Work by Bill Conger

Peoria-based artist Bill Conger constructs relationships between the nature of certain found materials and the sensate corners of the mind. A contemporary painter, sculptor, and poet, Conger explores mania, self-grandiosity, paranoia and other desperate mental states, which record and resist the act of slipping away. His most recent focus has been on memories and moments. By using physical objects that represent elements of his past, Conger reveals a desire to preserver subconscious memories in his works.

Conger received both bachelors and master of fine arts degrees from Illinois State University. In 2012, he served as panelist in the first Jackelope Art Conference at Northern Illinois University and published, Your Mine, his second artist book focusing on text sculptures.His work has been exhibited in the U.S. as well as Austria, Germany, Poland, Ireland and New Zealand. Conger will present a lecture of his exhibit, to open windows, at 4 p.m. on March 2 in room 218 of the Ames School of Art Building.

Both exhibits will be on display from Feb. 27-March 30 in the Joyce G. Eichhorn Ames School of Art Building (6 Ames Plaza West, Bloomington). Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 12 to 4 p.m., Tuesday evenings 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

By Vi Kakares 20
CHARLESTON -- Ameya Pawar told area Democrats at Eastern Illinois University over the weekend that he is applying his view of wealth in politics and in Illinois government to campaign for the Democratic ticket for governor.

Where we are today is we think that wealth is the only pre-qualifier to run for public office, said Pawar, Chicago 47th Ward alderman. What ends up happening when you do that is that people sometimes bring a myopic view to government.

Pawar said he hopes he can prove that money does not nab the election for governor in 2018 as he did in his campaign for alderman. In 2011, Pawar edged out the competition in the election to become alderman of Chicagos 47th Ward. By 2015, he was re-elected with 82 percent of the vote, the largest margin in the city.

Pawar has less than $60,000 in his campaign fund.

Pawar said he would apply this understanding of wealth to Illinois policy as well. The Chicago candidate advocates for a millionaire surcharge and a progressive tax structure as opposed to the flat tax in the state now.

We need to have a progressive income tax, he said. That means that, like at the federal level, the more you make, the more you pay.

Illinois needs to catch up to other states in the country and switch to a progressive income tax, he said. Pawar acknowledged that progressive tax structures have been talked about in less gridlocked times in state government, however, he sees it as a possibility.

Pawar said this would move Illinois forward to pave a way to dwindle the state debt accumulated over years and pave a way for four platforms he is running on: bettering the states education funding formula, opening up child care for all families, building jobs through infrastructure spending, and criminal justice reform.

If you invest money through creating jobs through infrastructure, you are also putting money into the pockets of workers, Pawar said of infrastructure spending. They pay income taxes. They pay sales taxes. They are going to spend money locally.

Pawar applied this logic to more spending in areas like education and child care.

If you put more money in the pockets of people when they refinance their student loans, if you put more money in the pockets of people with a child care subsidy, that is money that they are going to go out and spend on a home, Pawar said.

On crime reform, Pawar said criminal justice funding should be used to keep people in their community. He advocates redistribution of resources from prisons to diversion, job placement programs and mental health services.

Speaking on current Gov. Bruce Rauners turnaround agenda points, Pawar said he only sees term limits as something he could get behind but only in the executive position; however, he does not think they are a fix for Illinois issues.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 27, 2017) - Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. ("Sabina" or the "Company") (TSX:SBB) is pleased to announce the Company's Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (the "FEIS Addendum") for the Back River Gold Project (the "Project"), submitted to the Nunavut Impact Review Board ("NIRB") on the 15th of February, 2017, has been formally accepted by NIRB and the technical review has begun.

On June 15, 2016, the NIRB recommended to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada ("INAC") that the Back River Project should not proceed to the next phase of permitting. On January 12, 2017, the Minister of INAC referred the report back to NIRB for further consideration.

On January 24, 2017, the NIRB requested that Sabina file an updated Final Environmental Impact Statement ("FEIS") or FEIS Addendum "as soon as practicable". Sabina filed the FEIS Addendum on February 16, 2017 which focusses on the deficiencies noted in the NIRB's Final Hearing Report as well as the Minister's Referral Letter. On February 23, 2017, Sabina was advised by NIRB that the FEIS Addendum was formally accepted and the technical review has begun.

A link to a copy of the Minister's letter as well as the recently received February 23rd NIRB letter can be found here: http://www.sabinagoldsilver.com/assets/docs/media/Minister-Ltr-to-NIRB-Re-Final-Hearing-Report.pdf. And here: http://www.sabinagoldsilver.com/assets/docs/letter-from-nirb-providing-timelines.pdf.

The NIRB has provided the following guidance for timelines for review of the FEIS Addendum.

February 23 2017 NIRB initiates the Technical Review of the project proposal and requests final written submissions from interested parties March 2017: NIRB issues notice of Final Hearing (60 day public notice requirement) April 24 2017 Parties submit final written submissions to the NIRB May 15 2017 Sabina submits its response to final written submissions to NIRB May 24 2017 NIRB facilitates a Technical Meeting via teleconference (optional step to be utilized if deemed necessary/appropriate) May 26 2017 Parties file presentations for Final Hearing (tentative date only); May 31 - June 3 2017 NIRB Final Hearing (tentative dates only); and July 2017 NIRB issues the updated Final Hearing Report for the Back River Project proposal.

"Sabina has worked diligently in anticipation of submitting additional information to the NIRB and we look forward to working through the next steps in the process with all parties," stated Bruce McLeod, President and CEO. "We have focused on the concerns outlined in the NIRB report from last June and believe we will be able to present relevant and new information to address the NIRB's high level of caution with relation to project impacts in Nunavut. We continue to receive broad based Inuit support for the Project and continue to engage and consult with all stakeholders. We believe Back River is a world class project with a large high grade reserve/resource in a jurisdiction that is supportive of responsible mining."

Copies of the Addendum will be provided to relevant regulatory authorities, aboriginal groups, communities and other interested parties over the coming weeks. Reviewers may participate in the review phase which will culminate in a final public hearing anticipated tentatively to be held May 31 - June 3, 2017 in Cambridge Bay. Following this review process, NIRB will issue a new recommendation to the Minister of INAC on whether or not the project should proceed to the next stage in the permitting project. If the Project successfully passes through this stage, the Company could be in a positon to receive a project certificate during the second half of 2017. A project certificate would be a major de-risking event for Back River and the Company.

Flow-Through Financing

The Company expects to close its recently announced flow through financing including the overallotment on February 28, 2017 for gross proceeds of approximately C$6 million.

Sabina Gold & Silver Corp

Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. is a well-financed, emerging precious metals company with district scale, world class undeveloped assets in one of the world's newest, politically stable mining jurisdictions: Nunavut, Canada.

Sabina recently released a Feasibility Study on its 100% owned Back River Gold Project which presents a project that has been designed on a fit-for purpose basis, with the potential to produce ~200,000 ounces a year for ~11 years with a rapid payback of 2.9 years. At a US$1,150 gold price and a 0.80 exchange rate, the Study delivers a potential after tax internal rate of return of approximately 24.2% with an initial CAPEX of $415 million.

In addition to Back River, Sabina also owns a significant silver royalty on Glencore's Hackett River Project. The silver royalty on Hackett River's silver production is comprised of 22.5% of the first 190 million ounces produced and 12.5% of all silver produced thereafter.

The Company had approximately C$40 million at December 31, 2016.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2017) - Nevada Zinc Corporation (TSXV: NZN) ("Nevada Zinc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Lone Mountain Property Eureka County, Nevada, USA", and dated February 27, 2017 with an effective date of January 25, 2017 (the "Report"), has been filed and is now available on Nevada Zinc's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

The Report was prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. ("P&E") at the request of Mr. Bruce Durham, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Qualified persons who prepared the report were David Burga, P.Geo., Fred Brown, P.Geo., and Richard H. Sutcliffe, PhD, P.Geo.

The Lone Mountain Property

The Lone Mountain Property (the "Property") comprises 223 contiguous unpatented lode mining claims and one patented claim covering a total area of approximately 4,400 acres. The Lone Mountain claims are located along the northern edge of Lone Mountain. The Property is approximately 7.5 kilometres north of US Highway 50 and can be accessed by vehicles via an unpaved road extending north from Highway 50. Exploration activities may be conducted year-round. The region supports an active mining workforce with significant resources for mineral exploration, mine development and mine operations.

The historical Mountain View mine, located on the Company's patented claim, is reported to have produced approximately five million pounds of zinc between 1942 and 1964 from oxide-carbonate mineralization. The main structural target on the Property is a soil geochemical anomaly with a minimum 1.4 kilometre strike length and a coincident three kilometre CSAMT geophysical anomaly trending NW from the mine. Nevada Zinc's drilling to-date (12,200 metres in 83 holes) has tested approximately 450 metres of strike length of the target and has intercepted multiple long, shallow, high grade zinc oxide intercepts, such as hole LM15-27 with 9.48% zinc and 0.74% lead over 118.92 metres. Mineralization is located within brecciated Devils Gate Limestone and is thought to be structurally controlled.

All zinc and lead mineralization intersected to-date on the Property is non-sulphide (oxide-carbonate) type mineralization. Dissolution (leach) testing during 2016 demonstrated fast and exceptional recovery of over 99% of the zinc from the mineralized rock. Additionally, dense media separation (DMS) test work indicates that up to 90% of the barren carbonate can be separated from the zinc mineralization, greatly reducing the amount of acid that would be needed to dissolve the zinc. These two processes combined could allow for the production of one or more zinc products on site that could be shipped as market-ready. The Company will continue to evaluate these possibilities.

P&E considers that the Property hosts significant high-grade zinc mineralization and warrants further exploration. P&E recommends that the next exploration phase budgeted at Cdn. $2,996,000 should include additional RC drilling, diamond core drilling, geological mapping, geophysical surveying, geochemical, metallurgical and environmental studies.

Bruce Durham (P.Geo), President and Chief Executive Officer of Nevada Zinc, is a Qualified Person, as the term is defined in Canadian regulatory guidelines under National Instrument 43-101, and has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release.

About Nevada Zinc

Nevada Zinc is a discovery driven mineral exploration company with a proven management team focused on identifying unique mineral exploration opportunities that can provide significant value to its shareholders. The Company's existing zinc and gold projects are located in Nevada and Yukon, respectively.

Nevada Zinc cordially invites everyone to meet with its management team in the Investors Exchange during the upcoming Prospectors and Developers annual conference in Toronto. Management looks forward to discussing the progress of the Company at booth #2215 on Tuesday March 7, 2017 and Wednesday March 8, 2017. Registration to attend the Investors Exchange is free.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2017) - Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. (TSXV: DHR) ("DHR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Genesis Gold Corporation ("GGC") to extend the term of the Exploration License and Option To Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement or Option") to acquire a 100% interest in two gold projects in the State of Nevada, USA (the "Projects / Project or Properties / Property").

As was set forth in the original Agreement, DHR was allowed ninety days from November 18, 2016, during which it was to raise capital for exploration of the Caldera and Jersey Valley gold projects. The ninety day anniversary of the signing (February 18, 2017) also required the Company to pay the second Advance Royalty payment of US$15,000.00. On February 17, 2017, the Company entered a three month extension Agreement with GGC for the purpose of funding these projects and to extend the date of the second royalty payment to May 18, 2017. The remaining terms of the original Exploration License and Option To Purchase Agreement, announced in a press release dated November 23, 2016 and may be viewed on SEDAR at: http://www.sedar.com/, remain unchanged.

DHR continues to search for available funding sources and the scope of DHR's 2017 exploration program are subject to the Company's ability to raise additional capital.

Michael J. Senn, a licensed professional geologist, is the Qualified Person for DHR as described in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this release.
Toronto, ON / TheNewswire / February 27, 2017 - Chilean Metals Inc. ("Chilean Metals," "CMX" or the "Company")(TSX.V:CMX, OTCQB: CMETF, SSE:CMX, MILA:CMX, FRA: IVV1, BER : IVV1).

Chilean Metals Inc is pleased to provide an update on the drill program currently underway on the Zulema project located near Copiapo, Chile and 30 Km's from Lundin Mining's Candelaria mine. With Candelaria as a model, the exploratory drill program is testing two geologically distinct targets: a 1+ square km. area of intense garnet scapolite skarn breccia (Skarn Target) and a large Induced Polarization chargeability anomaly on its eastern flank. (IP Target)

Initial drill results support that host rocks, alteration and mineralization all fit the Candelaria model. The presence of copper-bearing magnetite skarn, interbedded magnetite chalcopyrite bands, biotite magnetite alteration, magnetite and hematite veining and local mineralized breccias suggests proximity to a main mineralized target.

To date, approximately 1200 meters have been drilled in 5 holes with assays received on the first three holes. Drill holes 1, 2 and 3 targeted the skarn breccia projected to overlay copper mineralization at depth. Drill Hole #1 intersected sporadic copper while Drill Hole #2, collared approximately 1 kilometer to the west, encountered numerous 10 - 20 meter sections with visible chalcopyrite however results were sub-economic. Drill Hole #3 intersected two IOCG (Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold) lenses of modest width comprising magnetite and garnet accompanied by chalcopyrite and pyrite as disseminations, stringers and veinlets. Assay results have confirmed the additional presence of gold (Table 1). These three drill holes are now interpreted as peripheral to the main target on this extensive surface alteration zone. Drilling is ongoing and expected to continue through March.

"Our Geologists & Geoscientists are very encouraged with our results to date. While highlighted results are across narrow widths, they prove that high grade IOCG mineralization is present in this system. While Hole #2 was sub economic, the numerous sections and widths shows we are in a copper bearing system. With the assistance of Minotaur Exploration (Australia), the data will undergo further review by our Technical Team, enabling them to refocus their understanding so future drilling can help us achieve our ultimate objective of a commercial discovery.", commented Patrick J Cruickshank, President & CEO.

Please visit the Chilean Metals Inc Booth #2143 @ PDAC in Toronto March 5-8th, 2017 and view drill core firsthand and meet the Chilean Metals Team.

Table 1 Assay Results Highlights

Drill Hole From (m.) To (m.) True Width (m.) Cu (%) Au (g/t) #3 285.32 287.32 2 1.189 0.99 287.32 289.32 2 0.503 0.28 289.32 291.32 2 0.283 0.29 325.20 327.20 2 0.678 0.28 327.20 329.20 2 0.577 0.21

The samples were cut with a saw in the field and delivered to the ActLabs preparation facility in Copiapo Chile were they were crushed, dried, pulverized and screened. The resulting pulps were shipped to the ActLabs Laboratory in Coquimbo Chile where they were analyzed by AAS following aqua regia digestion. Gold analysis was by industry standard fire assay with an AA finish Standards provided by Canadian Resource Laboratories Ltd. were inserted into the sample stream to ensure quality control.

Garnet Skarn, Magnetite veinlets, Quartz Vein with chalcopyrite, Drill Hole #3





Chalcopyrite, Magnetite Drill Hole #3



About Chilean Metals

www.chileanmetals.com



Chilean Metals Inc. is a Canadian Junior Exploration Company focusing on high potential Copper Gold prospects in Chile & Canada.

Chilean Metals Inc is 100% owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific IOCG ("Iron oxide-copper-gold") belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3% NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire Cu-Mo deposit, recently sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. ("Teck"). Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one third of the 3% NSR for $3 million dollars at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's First Region.

Chilean Metals Inc is the 100% owner of four Copper Gold exploration properties in Nova Scotia on the western flank of the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault Zone (CCFZ); Fox River, Parrsboro, Lynn and Bass River respectively. Initial targeting and geophysics has been conducted on all properties, At Bass River North, airborne geophysics identified a major VTEM cluster on trend with the Pb/Zn/Ag mineralization exposed at surface and in drill holes to the southwest. Modeling of the airborne data by Minotaur Exploration (Australia) identified 3 priority targets recommended for ground based geophysics prior to drilling.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Feb. 27, 2017) - Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (the "Company" or "Osisko") (TSX:OR)(NYSE:OR) is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire a silver stream with reference to silver produced at the Gibraltar copper mine ("Gibraltar"), located in British Columbia, Canada, from Gibraltar Mines Ltd. ("Gibco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taseko Mines Limited ("Taseko"). Osisko will pay Taseko a cash consideration of US$33 million for the silver stream. In addition, Osisko will make ongoing payments of US$2.75 per ounce of silver delivered.

Sean Roosen, Chair and CEO of Osisko noted: "Osisko is pleased to partner with Taseko on the Gibraltar mine to create our first silver stream. Our agreement with Taseko further strengthens and diversifies our Canadian portfolio with a long-life asset with a proven operator that will immediately be accretive to our portfolio of assets. This investment also provides Osisko shareholders with silver price optionality over multiple cycles, with potential exploration and expansion upside."

Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko, stated, "We are very happy with our agreement with Osisko on this transaction, partnering with a group that has become a world-class precious metal royalty and streaming company in such a short amount of time. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."

TRANSACTION HIGHLIGHTS

Adds to Osisko's Existing High-Quality Portfolio

Osisko has agreed to acquire Taseko's 75% share of payable silver production from the Gibraltar mine until the delivery of 5.9 million ounces of silver, and 35% of Taseko's share of payable silver production thereafter.

Gibraltar is the second largest open pit copper mine in Canada and fourth largest in North America. The life of mine yearly average production from Gibraltar is approximately 140 million pounds ("lb") of copper and 2.5 million lb of molybdenum. With a large reserve of 3.2 billion lb of recoverable copper and 58 million lb of molybdenum, the estimated mine life of the project is 23 years (proven and probable reserves as of January 1, 2016).

With the addition of the Gibraltar silver stream, Osisko's 2017 production is forecasted to come entirely from mines in Canada, a mining-friendly and low-risk jurisdiction.

Immediate Production and Cash Flow

The acquisition immediately increases Osisko's production and cash flow profile with expected annual silver production of approximately 200,000 ounces for the next 14 years, increasing to an average of 350,000 ounces for the remainder of the 23 year reserve life of Gibraltar.

Full year delivery is expected for 2017: the stream effective date is January 1, 2017.

Long-term production and exploration upside potential

Current reserves are sufficient to support mining activities at Gibraltar until 2039 with the potential for extension should the current measured and indicated resources be converted into reserves.

On September 20, 2016, Taseko announced the discovery of a new high grade copper-gold-silver zone northwest of the perimeter of the Extension Pit at Gibraltar. Taseko continues to explore for additional discoveries along strike of the two main shear zones looking for parallel structures within the host tonalite.

Deal structured in Canada

All the parties to the agreement are residents of Canada.

Terms of the Agreement

Osisko has agreed to acquire Taseko's 75% share of payable silver production from the Gibraltar mine until the delivery of 5.9 million ounces of silver.

Once Osisko has received 5.9 million ounces of silver, Osisko will receive an amount of silver equivalent to 35% of Taseko's attributable Gibraltar mine silver production.

Osisko will pay Taseko a cash consideration of US$33 million for the silver stream as an advance payment against the purchase price for the sale of silver to Osisko.

The effective date of the transaction is January 1, 2017. Any silver in respect of which a delivery is made to an offtaker after January 1, 2017, is subject to the stream.

The silver payability rate will be 90% of contained silver in concentrate, which is in accordance with Taseko's existing concentrate offtake agreements.

Osisko will make ongoing payments of US$2.75 to Taseko, per silver ounce delivered.

Silver deliveries will be the secured, subordinated obligation of Gibco, but will be guaranteed by Taseko.

Taseko will grant Osisko 3 million common share purchase warrants ("Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling Osisko to purchase one common share of Taseko at a strike price to be set at a 50% premium to the 10-day VWAP prior to closing. The Warrants will expire on April 1, 2020. If at any point during the life of the Warrants, Taseko's share price trades at a premium of 25% above the Strike Price for a 30-day consecutive period, Taseko may force the exercise of the Warrants.

Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in early March 2017 and is subject to the completion of customary conditions including obtaining regulatory approvals.

About the Gibraltar Mine

The Gibraltar copper mine is located in Central British Columbia, Canada. Gibraltar is owned 75% by Taseko and 25% by a Japanese consortium (Sojitz Corporation, 12.5%; Dowa Corp, 6.25%; Furakawa Corp, 6.25%). Gibraltar has a mineral reserve of 3.2 billion pounds recoverable copper and 58 million pounds recoverable molybdenum. Gibraltar's mill capacity is 85,000 tons per day ("tpd"). Processing at Gibraltar is conventional and consists of a typical crush, grind, and floatation circuit. Total production in 2016 was 133.2 million pounds of copper and 0.9 million pounds of molybdenum. Gibraltar produces a high quality 28%-copper concentrate (which contains a silver by-product), molybdenum concentrate and, at times, copper cathode. Copper concentrate is transported by truck to a rail loadout serviced by the CN Railway. From there, the railcars are shipped to the Port of Vancouver where the concentrate is loaded onto ocean freighters for shipment to final destination.

About Taseko

Taseko Mines Limited is a TSX and NYSE MKT-listed copper producer. The Company's principal producing asset is the 75%-owned Gibraltar copper mine in Central British Columbia. The company also owns the New Prosperity project, Aley niobium project and Florence copper project in Arizona.

About Osisko

Osisko Gold Royalties is an intermediate precious metal royalty company focused on the Americas that commenced activities in June 2014. It holds over 50 royalties, including a 5% NSR royalty on the Canadian Malartic Mine (Canada) and a 2.0-3.5% NSR royalty on the Eleonore Mine (Canada). It maintains a strong financial position with cash resources of $499.2 million at December 31, 2016 and has distributed $30.8 million in dividends to its shareholders during the past nine consecutive quarters. The Company also owns a portfolio of publicly held resource companies, including a 13.5% interest in Osisko Mining Inc., 13.3% in Falco Resources Ltd, and 16.9% interest in Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd.

Osisko's head office is located at 1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, H3B 2S2.

Mineral Reserves and Resources

The Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources for the Gibraltar deposit as of December 31, 2015, are as follows.

Category (at 0.20% Cu Cut-off) Size

(M Tons) Grade Recoverable Metal Contained Metal Cu (%) Mo (%) Cu (B lbs) Cu (B lbs) P&P Reserves 722 0.26 0.008 3.2 3.7 M&I Resources 1,066 0.25 0.008 - 5.3

The resource and reserve estimation was completed by Gibraltar mine staff under the supervision of Scott Jones, P.Eng., Vice President, Engineering and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Jones has verified the methods used to determine grade and tonnage in the geological model, reviewed the long range mine plan, and directed the updated economic evaluation. The estimates used long term metal prices of US$2.75/lb for copper and US$11.00/lb for molybdenum and 0.85 C$/US$ foreign exchange. Mr. Jones has reviewed this release. Reserves and Resources were updated as of December 31, 2015.

Mr. Luc Lessard is the qualified person for this release as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and verified the technical information contained herein. Mr. Luc Lessard is an employee of Osisko Gold Royalties and is non-independent.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2017) - American CuMo Mining Corporation (TSXV: MLY) (OTC Pink: MLYCF) ("CuMoCo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it, together with its subsidiaries, Poly Resources LLC ("Poly") and Idaho CuMo Mining Corporation ("Idaho CuMo"), has entered a strategic financial relationship with Millennia Minerals Pte Ltd. (Singapore) ("Millennia") initially through a binding Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") outlining the broad terms to be set out in a definitive agreement between the parties (the "Definitive Agreement") to be negotiated and entered into on or before March 10, 2017 upon Millennia having completed its due diligence of CuMoCo and its properties.

Millennia has advised that it is a Singapore and Jakarta based private lead syndicate investor that applies its own capital and its strategic investor partners' capital into development stage natural resource projects. Millennia has also advised that it has assisted and invested in projects in Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey, India, Australia and New Zealand, and that its investment group includes private family offices in Monaco, London, Switzerland, Dubai, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Melbourne, Australia.

Millennia has already helped CuMoCo arrange financing of approximately US$1.5 million since June 2016 and the Company believes that this MOU signifies the start of a new phase of the Company's relationship with Millennia as CuMoCo's strategic financial partner.

"We believe that this development in our relationship with Millennia marks a significant step forward for CuMoCo. The principals of Millennia are hands-on industry veterans with significant international natural resource development experience," stated Shaun Dykes, President and CEO of CuMoCo.

CuMoCo had originally established its subsidiary, Poly, as the investee entity (a) for the development of the Calida Gold Project; and (b) to facilitate the investment of US$100 million into the CuMo Project to support its exploration and mine development (Idaho CuMo has granted Poly an option to earn up to a 20% interest in Idaho CuMo in exchange for US$100 million).

Under the MOU, upon Millennia having satisfactorily completed due diligence, and the parties having successfully negotiated and entered into the Definitive Agreement on or before March 10, 2017, Millennia is to directly invest, partner and/or arrange new capital of up to US$200 million for Poly in return for up to a 63.77% interest in Poly. The financing is to occur in three direct private placements into Poly as follows:

First Private Placement: Millennia is to directly invest, partner and/or arrange US$10 million for Poly no later than April 28, 2017 in consideration of 50% of the shares in Poly, on a pari passu fully diluting basis, subject to the parties having first entered into the Definitive Agreement. This First Private Placement is to be paid in two instalments:

a. A first instalment of US$1 million to be paid to Poly within 48 hours of the execution of the Definitive Agreement in exchange for an option to acquire 50% of the shares of Poly upon the payment to Poly of a further US$9 million (the "Second Instalment"). If the initial US$1million payment is not made when due, Millennia will lose its right to earn an interest in Poly; and b. The second instalment of US$9 million to be paid to Poly no later than April 28, 2017 unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by the parties. If the second instalment of US$9 million is not made when due, Millennia will lose its right to earn an interest in Poly.

Second Private Placement: Millennia is to directly invest, partner and/or arrange a further US$55 million for Poly within 90 days of the later of the date it has satisfactorily completed geological and legal due diligence and Poly having completing a technical report containing an initial National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate on the Calida project that is acceptable to Millennia and its advisers, in return for additional shares of Poly representing 15% of the then outstanding shares of Poly (which would result in Millennia holding 56.52% of Poly's shares). Upon completion of the Second Private Placement, Millennia is to be granted share purchase warrants to acquire up to 1% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's common shares on the day after the date of the Company's news release announcing the execution of the Definitive Agreement. If closing of the Second Private Placement does not occur, the Company shall be entitled to purchase from Millennia the shares of Poly issued to Millennia upon closing of the First Private Placement at a price equal to US$12 million.

Third Private Placement: Upon completion of the Second Private Placement, Millennia would have the right to directly invest, partner and/or arrange a further US$135 million for Poly within 360 days of the date of closing of the Second Private Placement in return for additional shares of Poly representing 20% of the outstanding shares of Poly (which would result in Millennia holding 63.77% of Poly's shares).

Under the MOU, Poly is to commit to spending the following on the Calida project: (a) US$4.5 million of the initial US$10 million to be raised from the First Private Placement; (b) US$30.5 million of the US$55 million to be raised from the Second Private Placement; and (c) US$65 million of the US$135 million to be raised from the third private placement. Poly is to advance the remainder of the gross proceeds from the private placements to Idaho CuMo (which holds the CuMo Project), and Poly's payments to Idaho CuMo will be treated as subscription payments for Idaho CuMo shares. Upon Poly's payment to Idaho CuMo of US$5.5 million from the US$10 million to be raised from the First Private Placement, Poly would be issued shares of Idaho CuMo to cause Poly to hold a 1.1% interest in Idaho CuMo. Upon Poly's payment to Idaho CuMo of US$24.5 million from the US$55 million to be raised from the Second Private Placement, Poly would be issued additional shares of Idaho CuMo to cause Poly to acquire an additional 4.9% interest in Idaho CuMo, resulting in Poly holding a 6% interest in Idaho CuMo. Upon Poly's payment to Idaho CuMo of US$70 million from the US$135 million to be raised from the Third Private Placement, Poly would be issued additional shares of Idaho CuMo to cause Poly to acquire an additional 14% interest in Idaho CuMo, resulting in Poly holding a 20% interest in Idaho CuMo.

Upon completion of the First Private Placement, Millennia is to be granted the right to nominate 3 of 6 members of the Board of Directors of Poly (with the Chairman of Poly holding the casting vote). Upon completion of the Second Private Placement, Millennia is to be granted the right to nominate 4 of 6 members of the Board of Directors of Poly. Upon completion of the Third Private Placement, Millennia is to be granted the right to nominate one member of the Board of Directors of Idaho CuMo, as well as one member to the Board of Directors of the Company.

The MOU also provides that the parties will establish a management committee for the Calida Gold Project, with Millennia obtaining control over such management committee upon completion of the Second Private Placement.

If and when a total of US$200 million in private placement financing has raised for Poly, Millennia and its investment banking advisers are to facilitate the raising of additional capital of up to US$2 billion for CuMoCo (subject to regulatory approval) at reasonable commercial terms for the further development and the commercial feasibility and operational establishment of the two Idaho projects.

"We have been working continuously with Millennia and its investment bankers to negotiate this MOU with them and we look forward to their team's visit to our properties next week when they commence their due diligence. We have been very impressed with Millennia in our dealings with them, and we believe that they are committed and able to help progress our projects as expeditiously as possible," added Mr. Dykes.

The aforementioned transactions set out in the MOU are subject to receipt of regulatory approval, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Company also announces that its annual general meeting has been scheduled for April 25, 2017 at a place and time to be announced shortly.

The Company also announces that it has entered into an amendment agreement with Ximen Mining Corporation ("Ximen") pursuant to which the parties have amended the terms of the Net Smelter Return Royalty purchase agreement dated January 27, 2014 (the "Ximen Agreement") under which the Company has agreed to sell its interest in an NSR royalty on mineral claims comprising the Brett Gold Property. The Ximen Agreement, which required Ximen to pay $1,350,000 to the Company on February 20, 2017, has now been amended to require Ximen to pay the Company (a) $50,000 upon execution of the amendment to the Ximen Agreement, payable in Ximen cash or Ximen common shares (at Ximen's discretion - Ximen has elected to issue the Company a total of 628,900 common shares in satisfaction of this requirement); (b) a further $60,000 in cash or Ximen common shares (at Ximen's discretion) on February 20, 2018; (c) a further $75,000 in cash or Ximen common shares (at Ximen's discretion) on February 20, 2019; and (d) a final cash instalment of $1,250,000 on February 20, 2020.

Mr. Shaun M. Dykes, M.Sc. (Eng), P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company is the designated qualified person for the CuMo Project, and prepared the technical information contained in this news release.

About CuMoCo

CuMoCo is focused on advancing its CuMo Project towards feasibility. CuMoCo also intends to advance its newly-acquired Calida Gold Project. Management is continuing to build an even stronger foundation from which to move the Company and its projects forward. For more information, please visit www.cumoco.com, www.idahocumo.com and www.cumoproject.com.
TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) ("Sierra Metals" or "the Company") announces the discovery of new high grade silver intercepts occurring in the Santa Rosa de Lima complex located within the current Cusi Mine operational area. The Santa Rosa de Lima complex lies within a regional structure extending some 64 kilometers. Extension on the Cusi property has an anticipated length of 12 kilometers. The discovery comes as part of a reinterpretation of the Hydrothermal model and a drilling campaign consisting of 15,000 meters which began in December 2016. To date, the Company has drilled 10,200 meters or about 79% of the planned program which is expected to be completed by the end of March 2017. The Cusi Mine is located within the municipality of Cusihuiriachi in the central portion of Chihuahua State, Mexico. The mine area encompasses 11,657 hectares in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range. (See Figure 1).

The Cusi Mine is located in the eastern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range. The Sierra Madre Occidental is the consequence of one of largest volcanic events in the world that occurred between the Cretaceous and the Tertiary periods. The Sierra Madre Occidental Range is formed by two volcanic groups; the Upper Volcanic Complex (UVC) and Lower Volcanic Complex (LVC). The Sierra Madre Occidental is one of the largest known epithermal precious-metal metallogenic regions and is host to numerous well-known gold-silver producing mining districts including: Concheno, Ocampo, Bacis, Tayoltita, Topia, Guanacevi, La Cienega, Mulatos El Sauzal and Pinos Altos.

The Cusi Mine is located within the Lower Volcanic Complex where there are also subvolcanic rocks that have a wide dissemination of mineralization. The current operations at Cusi are being developed in secondary veins with a preferred NE-SW arrangement. The Santa Rosa de Lima structure has no clear evidence of surface hydrothermal activity although it is recognized for 12 kilometers. This area has an extensive relationship with the structural trend where the "Los Gatos" project (Sunshine Silver Mines Corporation) is located 40 kilometers to the SE of the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone.

The mineralization at the Santa Rosa de Lima structure is located 100 meters below the surface, and can occasionally be observed at surface at the intersections of veins like "Promontorio" and "Santa Edwiges".

The Santa Rosa de Lima structure was identified as a high priority target that began with the review of all existing geological information. Eight previous drill holes (2012) were studied and analyzed as they intercepted the zone of interest. (see below table 1.1)

"This is a truly exceptional development for the Cusi Mine and has the ability to be transformational to current operations" stated Mark Brennan, President and CEO of Sierra Metals. He continued, "We are very excited by the potential to add significant tonnage and ounces with much higher grades and notably increased widths to our current resource base. The discovery of a high-quality silver resource of this scale within our existing operation should have a very favorable economic outcome."

Table 1.1 shows the results of the historical drilling

No. Hole Width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) EQAg (g/t) Cusi-634 3.5 0.15 316 0.28 0.26 347 Cusi-628 20.0 0.06 266 0.22 0.21 287 Cusi-509 12.0 0.13 758 0.36 0.33 794 Cusi-637 4.0 0.02 200 0.14 0.10 211 Cusi-465 2.3 0.03 231 0.39 0.38 263 Cusi-551 6.0 0.00 358 0.26 0.16 374 Cusi-551a 12.0 0.00 229 0.45 0.53 267 Cusi-578 1.5 0.03 140 2.06 2.62 346 Cusi-575 5.0 0.03 709 2.12 1.31 860

1. Samples were dried, crushed and pulverized by ALS Chemex in Chihuahua City, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Chemex to their laboratory in Vancouver. 2. Silver equivalent ounces were calculated using the following prices: $18.30/oz Ag, $0.93/lb Pb, $1.15/lb Zn, $1,283/oz Au.

A program of 15,000 meters of drilling is currently in execution. This program is targeted to investigate an area of one kilometer in length and 500 meters in depth in the target area defined by the previous drill holes. Drilling to date demonstrates that mineralization is consistent across the assessed area and lies between 1,850 and 1,500 meters above sea level (150 to 550 meters below surface) in depth. To date there are four drills operating in the area to complete the program.

Drilling will continue along the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone to the NW and SE in subsequent programs as the possibility exists to define a 12 kilometer zone.

Table 1.2 shows the drilling results of the current drilling program.

Hole From To Width

True (m) Au

(gpt) Ag

(gpt) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) EQAg

(%) Cusi-2 339.7 343.8 3.2 0.06 332 0.20 0.18 351 339.70 341.25 0.05 267 0.14 0.19 341.25 342.70 0.06 215 0.22 0.17 342.70 343.80 0.07 579 0.26 0.18 Cusi-4 306.25 311.35 3.9 0.00 167 2,25 1,25 298 306.25 307.65 ind 159 1.20 1.65 307.65 308.80 ind 88 1.12 0.18 308.80 310.35 ind 158 0.24 0.288 310.35 311.35 ind 282 8.0 3.51 Cusi-5 313.35 318.45 2.50 0.12 200 0.12 0.14 218 313.35 314.00 0.14 645 0.29 0.30 314.00 315.15 0.00 66 0.46 0.04 315.50 317.00 0.00 65 0.64 0.66 317.00 318.45 0.16 292 0.17 0.26 Cusi-5a 351.50 354.50 1.50 0.04 292 0.12 0.08 302 351.50 353.00 0.06 539 0.14 0.08 353.00 354.50 0.02 96 0.11 0.08 Cusi-6 309.80 312.65 1.50 0.85 1152 0.26 0.52 1243 309.80 311.15 1.87 2400 0.53 1.01 311.15 312.65 0.22 90 0.02 0.82 Cusi-8 292.00 293.50 0.95 0.00 104 0.07 0.08 104 Cusi-8a 297.85 303.75 3.75 0.00 73 0.08 0.11 83 297.85 299.45 0.00 80 0.06 0.12 299.45 300.65 0.00 20 0.09 0.11 300.65 302.25 0.00 112 0.07 0.12 302.25 303.75 0.00 75 0.10 0.11 Cusi-14 351.55 356.50 3.10 0.00 1037 1.19 1.75 1154 351.55 352.20 0.00 779 1.14 2.18 352.20 355.00 0.00 105 0.16 1.20 355.00 356.50 0.00 2890 3.13 2.59 Cusi-21 361.65 367.10 3.90 0.00 68 2.82 1.75 242 361.65 362.55 0.00 59 3.93 2.66 362.55 363.10 0.00 49 0.40 0.68 363.10 364.30 0.00 81 5.52 2.34 364.30 366.15 0.00 68 2.03 1.42 366.15 367.10 0.00 72 1.31 1.35 Cusi-21a 369.30 372.15 1.90 0.00 67 5.24 3.49 400 369.30 370.05 0.00 32 0.36 1.81 370.05 371.65 0.00 33 9.41 4.73 371.65 372.15 0.00 193 0.90 2.41 Cusi-22 433.20 436.95 1.90 0.00 54 1.68 2.22 208 433.20 434.50 0.00 23 1.18 1.73 434.5 435.65 0.00 125 3.13 4.04 435.65 436.95 0.00 30 0.90 1.12 Cusi-22a 438.90 443.85 2.50 0.00 73 1.20 2.98 243 443.85 440.80 0.00 30 1.97 5.08 440.80 442.05 0.00 30 0.59 0.83 442.05 443.10 0.00 184 0.69 0.90 443.10 443.85 0.00 98 0.97 4.08

1. Samples were dried, crushed and pulverized by ALS Chemex in Chihuahua City, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Chemex to their laboratory in Vancouver. 2. Silver equivalent ounces were calculated using the following prices: $18.30/oz Ag, $0.93/lb Pb, $1.15/lb Zn, $1,283/oz Au.

"The discovery and evaluation to date of the Santa Rosa de Lima zone demonstrates very important potential in our operations at the Cusi Mine. We hope in the short term to have a better understanding of the 12 kilometer structural extension containing the Santa Rosa de Lima zone" stated J. Alonso Lujan, Vice President Exploration of Sierra Metals. "Intercepts such as those returned in Cusi-6, Cusi-14 and Cusi-509 are common in epithermal deposits of "bonanza" (High grade). There is reasonable potential to expand the Santa Lima da Rosa zone to depth and along strike to the NW and SE as these areas have never been drill tested. We look forward to an exciting future exploring the Santa Lima da Rosa zone and the surrounding district."

An overview of Cusi Project in relation to the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range is shown in Figure 1. A plan map of the Cusi area is shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 shows the distribution of the drilling program that is being executed in Santa Rosa de Lima Zone.

Figure 1.  Overview





Figure 2. - Plan View





Figure 3. - Shows the distribution of the previous drillings and the current drilling program in the study area of the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone.

Quality Control

The quality assurance-quality control (QA-QC) program employed by Sierra Metals has been described in detail in the NI-43-101 report for Bolivar dated May 31, 2013, prepared by Gustavson Associates in Denver, which is available for review. All samples are sent to ALS Chemex, samples were transported under Sierra Metals chain of custody to ALS Chemex (ISO 9001) in Chihuahua City, these were dried, crushed and pulverized by ALS Chemex in Chihuahua City, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Chemex to their laboratory in Vancouver, Canada.

Drilling Methodology

The procedures used during diamond drilling include:

Holes are drilled to produce HQ (63mm) or NQ (48mm) sized core.

The collar locations of all drill holes are surveyed using GPS and local coordinates.

All drill core is washed  realigned and digitally photographed prior to logging and sampling.

Qualfied Persons

All technical data contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gordon Babcock, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based polymetallic mining company with production from its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and its Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company recently completed a very successful operational improvement program at its Yauricocha Mine and is now focused on completing a similar program at each of its Mexican operations in order to increase production volume, recoveries and modernize operations. Sierra continues to grow its mineral resources with several exciting brownfield opportunities such as the Esperanza Zone at the Yauricocha Mine, which went from first discovery to mining in less than one year. The Company has several other brownfield exploration opportunities at all three mines in Peru and Mexico that are within, or very close to, the existing mines. Sierra is actively exploring these opportunities and hopes to daylight them in the short-term. The Company has large land packages at all three mines with several regional, highly prospective targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company's shares trade on the Lima Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de Lima) and on the TSX under the symbol "SMT".
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 27, 2017) - Harte Gold Corp. ("Harte Gold") (TSX:HRT)(OTC:HRTFF)(FRANKFURT:H4O) Harte Gold is pleased to announce key additions to its management team as it moves forward with various initiatives in support of production and expanded exploration programs at the Sugar Zone Property located in White River Ontario.

Stephen D. Ball P.Eng., General Manager, Sugar Zone Mine

Stephen is a geological engineer with over 30 years in the mining industry with technical, operations, human resources, corporate affairs and project management experience including safety and production optimization programs at Vale's narrow vein Coleman Mine, Sudbury and the underground expansion of Vale's Voisey's Bay operation in Labrador. Formerly co-chair of the Mining Tripartite Committee in Ontario, Stephen continues to act as steering committee Chair for the Canadian Miner Certification Program through the Mining Industry Human Resource Council (MIHR).

John H Kita, P.Eng., Chief Mine Geologist

John is a geological engineer with over 30 years in the mining industry with mineral production and advanced exploration experience and over a period of 15 years developed a specialization in narrow vein mining while serving as Chief Geologist at several narrow vein gold mines located in Ontario, Armenia, Tanzania and Venezuela. John has also authored several NI 43-101 resource reports and provided property evaluations.

Allan Armitage Ph.D. Geology, Chief Exploration Geologist

Allan is a professional geologist with over 25 years in the mining industry with a focus on exploration, resource estimation and assessment of a wide variety of commodities, with a particular emphasis on gold, base metals and uranium. John has managed several exploration projects throughout the Americas ranging from grass roots and advanced exploration to resource definition. Alan has authored several NI 43-101 resource and academic reports.

Stephen G. Roman, Chairman, President and CEO said, "We are pleased to announce the addition of these very capable mining industry professionals to the Harte Gold team. Harte Gold is well positioned for successful acceleration of its Sugar Zone project development and exploration programs for 2017."

Stock options

Harte Gold also announced it has granted 1,600,000 stock options to acquire common shares of Harte Gold to a Director, employees and consultants. The stock options are exercisable at $0.42 for a period of five years from issuance.

About Harte Gold Corp.

Harte Gold Corp. is focused on the exploration and development of its 100% owned Sugar Zone property where it has permitted a 70,000 tonne Advanced Exploration Bulk Sample for the Sugar Zone Deposit. The Sugar Zone property is located 80 kilometers east of the Hemlo Gold Camp. The Preliminary Economic Assessment dated July 12, 2012, contains an Indicated Resource of 980,900 tonnes, grading 10.13 g/t for 319,280 ounces of contained gold (uncapped) and an Inferred Resource of 580,500 tonnes, grading 8.36 g/t Au for 155,960 ounces of contained gold (uncapped). The mineral resource was prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 guidelines. George A. Flach P. Geo, Vice President Exploration, is the Qualified Person for Harte Gold and has prepared, supervised the preparation, or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. Harte Gold also holds the Stoughton-Abitibi property located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone adjacent and on strike of the Holloway Gold Mine.
CHARLESTON -- A Mattoon woman now faces felony offenses for allegedly causing an accident that killed one passenger and seriously injured another in the car she was driving.

Shelby N. Espe was intoxicated and speeding when she ran a stop sign at a rural Coles County intersection, resulting in fatal injuries to Kayla L. Eggers and also injuring Andrea E. Garcia, the charges against her allege.

Espe, 23, for whom court records list an address of 816 N. 11th St., Mattoon, was cited for driving under the influence and other traffic violations following the accident.

The recently filed felony charges contain the additional allegations that the accident caused the fatal and the serious injuries to the other two women, who were passengers in the car Espe was driving.

The accident occurred late on Jan. 20 at the intersection of Illinois Route 130 and County Road 1500N, about six miles north of Charleston, according to information from the Coles County Sheriff's Office.

After going through the intersection, the car went off the road and traveled about 400 feet before hitting a bridge and going into a creek, the sheriff's office indicated at the time.

The felony charges against Espe include reckless homicide, which accuses her of unintentionally causing another person's death, namely by speeding and disregarding the stop sign at the intersection, resulting in the accident.

The other felony charge is aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, accusing Espe of being intoxicated at the time of the accident, leading to Garcia's serious injuries.

According to the sheriff's office, Eggers, a 23-year-old Mattoon resident, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Garcia, also 23, for whom records show addresses in Effingham and in Charleston, and Espe were both taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana after the accident.

Garcia's injuries included several broken bones and she was released from the hospital last week, according to Coles County Assistant State's Attorney Tom Bucher, who's prosecuting the felony case.

Espe has made appearances in traffic court on the earlier citations and is scheduled for another hearing there on April 5. The traffic citations are DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and disregarding a stop sign.

However, Bucher said she'll likely make a separate appearance in felony court before her next traffic court appearance date.

Attorney Sean Britton is representing Espe in the traffic cases but no attorney is on record as representing her in the felony case yet. Attempts to contact Britton on Monday weren't successful.

The reckless homicide charge against Espe could result in a prison sentence of two to five years if there's a conviction, and the aggravated DUI charges carry possible prison sentences of one to 12 years.

Prison time wouldn't be required for either offense. However, state laws require there to be "extraordinary circumstances" in favor of probation for it to be considered for an aggravated DUI conviction.
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CHARLESTON -- A man could be subject to stricter monitoring with the probation sentence he received for taking part in a plan to make methamphetamine.

James B. Brigham was designated for possible high-risk status for the 3 1/2-year probation sentence he received for a methamphetamine conspiracy conviction.

Brigham, 47, for whom court records list an address of 2721 Prairie Ave., Mattoon, pleaded guilty to the charge in December with no agreement at that time on the sentence he would receive.

The conviction could have resulted in a prison sentence of four to 15 years or up to four years of probation.

Coles County Circuit Judge Teresa Righter based the sentence on recommendations from Illinois Assistant Attorney General Barry Schaefer and Public Defender Anthony Ortega.

Brigham and three other people were accused of working together from the spring of 2013 to the fall of 2014 to obtain medicine with pseudoephedrine in various locations, including Coles County, for use in methamphetamine manufacturing.

The suspects were indicted in March by a statewide grand jury, which considers charges against people suspected of criminal activity in more than one county. The Illinois Attorney General's Office then prosecutes the case in one of the counties in which the crimes allegedly took place.

The high risk designation for Brigham will be determined by probation officers and could mean closer monitoring than what's typical for probation sentences, such as having to report to his probation officer more frequently.

Righter also ordered Brigham to continue to attend drug and alcohol counseling with the rate of his attendance to be set by his probation officer.

The sentence also included payment of about $3,100 in fines and court fees. Jail time was also ordered but it was stayed, meaning Brigham won't have to serve it if he doesn't violate any of his other probation requirements.

When Brigham pleaded guilty, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a felony property damage charge that accused him of damaging a mattress and an air vent at the Coles County jail while he was in custody there on March 18.

The case against one of the other suspects, Christopher A. Harrison, 47, for whom records list addresses in Charleston and Arcola, was dismissed last month at Schaefer's request. Representatives of the Attorney General's Office wouldn't provide an explanation for the move.

The cases against the other two suspects from the indictment are pending and both are scheduled for hearings next month. They are Adam L. Carter, 39, and Monica R. Carter, 40, who both have the same rural Lerna address on record.
As part of activities for the celebration of Ghana's 60th independence anniversary, a renowned South African cultural group  Africa Umoja  will put up a two-day historic cultural performance at the National Theatre in Accra on March 5 and 6.

The South Africa music and dance group has performed in Ghana twice, in 2010 and 2011, with spectacular shows that left the audiences screaming for more.

There will be two shows each day  the first at 4pm and the second at 8pm.

The group, which has performed for kings, presidents, and the general public in over 50 countries around the world, will certainly dazzle cultural music and dance fans in Ghana with the power, beauty and diversity of South African indigenous rhythms.

The two-day event, according to the organizer, is bound to be magical as the performers recount the history of South African music, placing emphasis on the various influences that contributed to the different kinds of music in that country in each era till date.

Umoja, which means togetherness, is a group which tells the story of the evolution of South Africa's extraordinary history.

This South African indigenous theatre group bases its stories on the country's apartheid and the African story in general.

Its performances transport the audience into the history of South Africa through music and dance. Through its vibrant artistic performances, people learn to appreciate South Africa's culture and get a glimpse of her history.

The organizers of the event believe that the story as told by Africa Umoja, is that of Africa that all can relate to. The performances will serve as a reminder to Ghanaian theatre professionals, and encourage them to work harder to attain the heights that Africa Umoja has reached.

The group will arrive in Ghana on March 4, 2017 and will have engagements with the media and some selected radio and TV stations.

Also featuring at the event are the current Ghana and Africa sensation, Yaa Yaa, and gospel music Diva Gifty Osei.

Tickets are selling for GH70 for upper gallery and GH100 for ground floor. Tickets are selling at the following outlets; X-men, Koala and Charterhouse.
The chief executive officer of Merqury Republic, Merqury Quaye, who doubles as the organizer of the Ghana DJ Awards, has criticized the organizers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) for not recognizing the contributions of disc jockeys (DJs) toward the progress of the music industry in Ghana.

He noted that since the awards scheme was established the orgainsers have failed to include a category to reward hardworking DJs in the music industry.

Mr Merqury Quaye thinks DJs/promoters need to have a slot in the music awards nominations, even though DJs already have a separate award scheme.

Quaye, the host of 'Cruise Control' on Hitz FM in an interview with Doreen Avio on his show, condemned the organizers of the VGMA for their refusal to recognize the contributions of Ghanaian DJs who are all stakeholders in the music industry.

When it comes to the music industry there are three key players  the performer, the producer and the promoter. I think the VGMA has left one person out, the promoter, and the promoter is the DJ. I think that VGMA doesn't respect the promoter and it's very unfortunate, he lamented.

He went further to query the organizers of the awards  Charterhouse  as to whether they have issues with DJs in the country.

Is it because Charterhouse doesn't respect DJs? Is it because they think that DJs don't need to be recognized or they don't deserve to be nominated? What is it? We need answers, he quizzed.
Jumia Travel had an interview with Amarachi, a Systems Engineer who runs Chapter One travel blog. She shared her travel experiences and advice for travellers.

Kindly tell us a little about yourself and what you do?

Hi, my name is Amarachi. Im a systems engineer who loves to travel. When Im not at work, I run a travel blog called Chapter One where I share some of my travel experiences.

You have visited 21 states so far in Nigeria and 18 countries all over the world. How would you describe your experiences in your travels?

Generally, theyve been nothing short of amazing. I have gotten the chance to meet wonderful people everywhere Ive been. Now, it feels like I know someone in every country and thats a big confidence booster especially when you travel alone.

What do you love the most about travelling?

Just the general feeling of experiencing something different than what I am used to. It could be the culture or the food, the sights or sounds.

What inspired you to start travelling?

I was introduced to the travel lifestyle at a very young age. My dad would move from place to place (within Nigeria) and we would get a chance to either move with him or visit and so, I grew up loving this lifestyle. But it wasnt until 2015 when I took my first solo tour Europe that I really embraced it.

We know that ChapterOne is about your travels, what else do you try to share with your readers?

The blog is mostly about my travel experiences but I also share tips about everything related to travel, from visa application processes to travel itineraries and costs required to visit featured places. I also love to write, so a few of my fictional works are also shared on the blog.

With all of your experience traveling, when would you say is the right time to travel in Africa/in Nigeria?

Id say NOW is the right time. If you have to wait for perfect conditions all the time, you probably wont be going anywhere! You do have to consider certain things like weather conditions, general safety and so on but theres always somewhere thats just right to visit at any given time.

Traveling can cost a lot of money. How do you afford to travel  are you rich?! Trust Fund? Heiress? Tech Money? Oil Money?

LOL. Travel doesnt have to be [too] expensive, you know. I recently explored sites in two countries for only N20, 000. So, it can be done cheaply. That being said, I do have a full time job as a systems engineer and I am able to save money  in a separate travel account- to fund my trips. I live with a guardian, so I dont pay rent, I avoid compulsive shopping basically, I do all I can to cut costs here and there.

What would you recount as the funniest or most embarrassing travel moment you have experienced?

Hmm, I got stranded once in a different country and had no choice but to beg for money from other tourists (or locals) around. My MasterCard suddenly stopped working and I had zero cash on me. I was traveling solo as well, so that was a bit overwhelming for me.

As for the funniest moment, I think it had to do with the time I wore my wristwatch upside down before going to bed. I woke up at about 1am but I thought the time was 7am and I had an event to catch up with at 7. I practically ran out of my room only to realize my mistake later on.

What are the three things that you certainly cannot travel without?

Theyd have to be Malaria medicine, Vaseline (I have an unhealthy addiction to Vaseline. I hate my hands/feet being dry, so I take this product everywhere I go!) And the obvious one, a camera

Youve been to so many of these places and frankly I envy you already, where else do you want to go?

Id like to visit Morocco, take the Trans-Mongolian express from Russia to China and see the salt flats of Uyini in Bolivia. Id also love to visit Japan and a few countries in Southeast Asia.

How much has traveling changed your view of the world?

Oh, it has given me a whole new perspective. I see now that people are the same everywhere, that theres good and bad. From my experience, good is most prevalent.

Tell us about some of the most interesting places you have been to in the different states and countries you have been.

Within Nigeria, Id say the most interesting place Ive been to for now is Erin Ijesha . I loved the waterfalls and the hike. It was truly beautiful. Outside Nigeria, top picks will have to be the Taj Mahal (India in general) and the Serengeti  I stayed in a tented camp in the middle of the park and went on a hot air balloon safari.

What steps do you take to ensure your safety while travelling?

Before the trip: I try to research on the places Ill be visiting and keep certain information handy, such as police numbers, hotel numbers, hospitals, etc. Also, details about how to get from the airport or bus stop to my accommodation is something I sort out as well.

At my destination, I try to keep a low profile. This means, no flamboyant jewelry or the likes. No late nights, especially in areas I am not familiar with.

Back home: Someone always has an idea of where I am or where Ill be going.

When you search for hotels, what amenities or facilities do you look out for before you book for a hotel?

Honestly, a good room does it for me. I also appreciate when theres a restaurant within the hotel that serves really great breakfast. I usually book a room that comes with breakfast added.

Most practical piece of advice for those planning travel?

Just go for it. Its okay and completely normal to be nervous. Do your research about the places youll like to visit, be safety conscious and have fun!
The Writer

27.02.2017 LISTEN

This is the most heart wrenching message anybody would want to wake up to read in the morning, from a child or dear one, and the worst reason any one should take their lives for that matter. But it has happened so many times, and to so many people in so many different ways that it's almost seems normal. Almost normal that no one talks about it or takes it seriously anymore . Fortunately, some survive it and some unfortunately are unable to survive the harsh reality they come to face.

It raises questions about the what is important that forms the very core of our existing society and what we stand for. And It tends to answers some of the questions we are not asking or are afraid to ask or simply don't care to ask .

This fourteen worded statement is the statement every one, rich or poor, is faced with at least once in their lifetime. It comes to some as a question that needs answers to, and to others, a bridge they have to cross to the next stage of their growth , life etc.

All of us, I dare say, have been confronted with this reality, at least ones in our life time,. The reality of what makes or should make sense and what and who puts value on us.!! The inner satisfaction of affirmation and the beauty it gives a person when recieved at the right time happens to be life saving ,as we are learning about lately.

In today's world, this need has almost become very necessary and has found its way into to core of our very existence. Its like a right of passage ie. the need to fit in, to be part of, to be applauded and to get that nod. But as easy as it may seem, the youthful years seem to be the most dangerous times for anyone to face this phase without help or assistance, though there has been many cases for adults. I remember mine very well. When I became conscious of everything around me and sensitive to what people will say or not say to me.

Sadly, growing up, my society taught it's children not to ask questions and so a child goes through the horrific process of dealing with something they know nothing about all by themselves, mostly relying on what they see or hear , how they feel , which more often than not are false, and what is generally acceptable.

As a society, the people we are supposed to be closest to are the ones we fear to approach. The people who are supposed to answer our questions (eg. Teachers), are the ones who give us the questions and punish us if we don't have an answer .

The people who are supposed to be our confidants, rather become the whistle blowers . You cant share your doubts with anyone one without being judged. You can't express your fears without being thought of as weak. We are in a hurry to give answers even before the question are asked and not ready to admit to our own short comings to the younger generation but only willing to share the successes. Etc. We are doing everything in revers and expecting change to happen. How do we expect to move forward?. Exactly how?.

I loved my mom very much. Still do. I love and adore my dad. No doubt. But there are soo many things I could never tell them. Some out of respect and others just so I don't burden them.

Many years ago, when I had to be allowed to go to the boarding house, I know my parents were worried. But more worried was I . And this was something I never shared with them .

I know I had a lot to prove , not just to my parents , that I could do it , but to the people in the community I lived in . I was the second child to attend the senior high school and if I succeeded the first generation of Collage gradute . I was physically challenged and coming from a competitive learning village community. Most of the children i knew then were gaining admission into the university. I wanted to be one of the generation of village children who gained admission in to the university amd then will become a very prominent person in Ghana. I thought,..'' my parents deserved it too ''. And why not. How lovely that story will be when told one day right?.

What my parents and community saw was me working hard at my studies and braving all the odds to go through school . But no one ever saw my daily inner struggle of how I lived my life each day at school; eg. how I had to switch classes from arts 1 to arts 2 because I hated maths and how I struggled most of the time to do my laundry(to mention a few) .

Luckily for us, in St. Roses we had a great Counselor. Fr. Campbell will showed up once every term for our retreat. He was the only person I could tell my fears and worries and ''sins'' lol. The only person I could trust and for all my three years in school the only person I looked forward to seeing just because he listened without judging and he was not my parent or someone very familiar.

And this continued for some of us even after SSS. In my first year at the university, he will make time to visit and listen and pray with us.

That is how I got away with not harming myself when I got low grades . That is how I didn't quit. And one of the reasons I didn't give up.

I went through something very difficult last 2 years that I am still recovering from and that I will share soon but as a way of ending this long note, I just want to say that , now more than ever, people are becoming bold at taking their own lives for things that matters to them that society simply ignored or don't pay much attention to. Now more than ever , we should be more careful about how we treat each other. Now more than ever, we should be paying attention to the people closest to us . Now more than ever , we should spend money to train professionals to help us deal with the lapses . We can no longer say we were not aware. We no longer have an excuse. Life is precious. God help us all

Dorcas Darkwa (Maame Dor)

Mandela Washington Fellow.
Dalex Finance and Leasing Company Limited, one of the financial powerhouses in Ghana has awarded eight top perfoming Sales Executives and Team Leads across the country with an all-expense paid trip to Dubai.

The eight are taken from the four operational zones of the country and will be in Dubai from the 25th of February to the 4th of March.

The awardees are James Nii Commey (Best Sales Executive - Eastern Sector), James Arthur (Best Sales Team Leader - Northern Sector), Seyram Tetteh (Best Sales Team Leader - Southern Sector), Kwabena Ngumina (Best Sales Executive - Northern Sector), Paul Ntatia (Best Sales Team Leader - Eastern Sector), Prince Kwafo (Best Sales Team Leader- Central Sector), Stephen Nyantekye (Best Sales Executive - Southern Sector) and Francis Chakol (Best Sales Executive - Central Sector).

This is the third time Dalex Finance is doing this for excelling staff of the company and it is aimed at inspiring and an energizing the team to do more to drive business growth.

Speaking at the airport before the team left for Dubai on Saturday, the National Sales Coordinator of Dalex Finance - , said these salesmen and women displayed exceptional commitment and dedication to beating their sales targets and improving the companys performance. Sales is tough. To be able to sell a product, you have to be passionate and excited about what you are selling. Rewarding our star performers annually with this package will inspire others to emulate their hard work.

On his part, James Arthur (Best Sales Team Leader - Northern Sector), said he was "very excited about this trip. This is my first time traveling out of the country and Im really looking forward to nice time with my colleagues."

About Dalex Finance

Dalex Finance and Leasing Company Limited (Dalex Finance) is a wholly owned Ghanaian non-bank financial institution, licensed and regulated by the Bank of Ghana and has been since 2006. At Dalex Finance we strive to make a genuine difference in the lives of our clients, an attitude that inspires the way we work together. Many of our corporate and individual customers have grown to trust our proven ability to deliver relevant and efficient services to solve their short and long term financial needs.

Our key objective is sustained growth in shareholder value; achieved by ever-increasing revenue and profitability. Dalex Finance has a team of high calibre and knowledgeable personnel with diverse skills and experience whom we continually invest in via technology and training to keep us on par with the best in the industry globally.

We have offices in Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Ho, Sunyani, Koforidua, Akatsi, Wa, Bolgatanga , Cape Coast and Sales Points in 76 locations nationwide. With Over 2000 Sales Executives and 115 Sales Team Leads. Dalex currently offers Salary Loans, Business Loans, Investments and Fleet Management Services.

Awards won by Dalex Finance

Business of the year 2016

Ghana Economic Forum Businessman of the year

Ghana Economic Forum Ghana Club 100 Ranked No. 17
In my part of the world you get to hear statements like: Hey dude do you know me? Do you know who I am? Do you know my uncle is the Interior Minister or the Vice President? If you joke with me I will change your sleeping place, amid chest beatings like a gorilla.

You would hear: I will show you where the power lies .How dare you? Did you check yourself? Do you know the IGP (the Inspector General of Police) is my father? Or do you know the President is my uncle?

Mind you these might not be empty threats. If you are lucky you would escape going to jail, or put in a guard room, a beating, or get a wild hair-cut like Tapio Joe. However, if luck eludes you, be sure to face the wrath of the brat. But must that be the case? Must we be cowed by people just because their relations are in high positions or serve in government? Does one own the nation because his father is the president?

We are all equal before the law. And the law is no respecter of anyone the president included. That is what the Constitution says but I shudder to say, at times or most of the times the ordinary citizens become the victims and the power brokers bend the rules to suit their whims.

Nonetheless, I want to remind these lawbreakers with a quote from President Akufo-Addo: Wrong doing has no colour... What that means is--- wrong is wrong and when one is caught up with the law neither the IGP nor the President can save him. Indeed its matter of time and surely the law will have its way.

On Tuesday 21 February 2017 President Akufo-Addo while delivering his maiden State of the Nation Address bemoaned the act of indiscipline that is fast creeping into the socio-cultural milieu of our dear nation. He wasnt happy about some disturbing incidents that had happened during the transition period. Indeed the president didnt mince words. Aside, his condemnation was loud and clear.

Certain incidents occurred during the transition period that are matters of concern to me, and should be to every Ghanaian as they marred an otherwise dignified and successful transition. Wrong doing has no colour and I do not subscribe to the lawlessness of political party supporters simply because their party has been elected into office, Mr. Akufo-Addo said.

It appears these events are predicated on some concept of equalisation, as they happened in 2009 and were repeated in 2017. I condemn all such conduct and call on all political parties especially NPP and NDC to ensure that this the last time such undignified acts occur during our periods of transition.

Do We Need the Invisibles & the Azokas? Who are they and what are their functions?

The invisibles and the Azoka Boys are vigilante groups formed by the two major political parties in Ghana the NPP and the NDC. The former is an NPP militant group and the latter belongs to the NDC. My checks revealed that both groups were established somewhere in 2012, before the campaign season kicked off. Some analysts believe theyd existed long before that period but their activities were much executed on the quite.

What is vigilante group?

Online dictionary defines the term as: any person who takes the law into his own hands as by avenging a crime. It is often done violently and summarily without recourse to lawful procedures: vigilante justice.

Their structure mimics a paramilitary group which is a semi-militarized force whose organizational structure, tactics subculture and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not included as part of a states formal armed forces.

Besides protecting its party members particularly the leadership I (which is probably its core function) from perceived political enemies or opponents its not clear what the functions of these two groups are. It seems they are to fight against corruption but the approach has often contradicted t or defeated that purpose. In most cases theyd used intimidation and brutal force ---resulting injuries and loss of property.

No doubt the president has spoken about it but I think its now up to the mandated state institutions--- security agencies to crack the whip. The police must ensure that the actions of these groups are thwarted and if possible crashed before they grow wings like the Right-wing paramilitary groups in Columbia --the armed groups that claim to be acting in opposition to revolutionary Marxists-Leninist guerrilla forces and their allies among the civilian population.

Thats how Boko Haram in neighbouring Nigeria started. And thats how even most political parties begin. They start as movements and pressure groups. Therefore, we must be careful we dont raise an army of wolves thinking we are tendering sheep.

Why do we have these groups?

Basically I think it is born out of trust and loyalty. And I also believe the winner takes all syndromes in Africa democracies and for that matter Ghana in particular is driving the proliferation of these groups. Thing is, It is not uncommon during electioneering campaign season to see the incumbent marshal state resources including personal of the security to its side. This practice leaves the opposition parties with no option other than resort to forming groups like Azoka and the Invisibles.

The unsavory act that occurred at the Flagstaff, on Tuesday 9 January 2017 during President Akufo-Addos first day in office could be attributed to trust and loyalty issue. They group feels they owe it upon themselves to protect the presidentsimply put one of their own. But I beg to differ, that should never be the case. I think their function to protect the NPP leader seized the day of his inauguration. The president is now the father of the nation and his safety is the responsivity of the state.

I understand why the group thinks it must be at the Flagstaff House. But I can assure them, the battle is the Lords. The y should kindly leave that responsibility for the state. Lets remember you dont use lawn mower in a house

That said I still would like to emphasise that never again must that grotesque act ever happen in the corridors of the seat of government. It doesnt belong to this day and age. And I dont think it qualifies even to be in rogue regimes.

Who would have believed this story that a police guard at the Flagstaff House had been man handled by members of a vigilante group?

Thanks to the surveillance cameras this case would have been swept under the carpet. I think credit must also go to the new media, because at times CCTV tapes can disappear. The social media put the barbaric act on the spotlight. Together with the CCTV they amplified the horrible images. But for them the incident as noted would have gone unnoticed and the perpetrators let loose.

Its hoped the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service would do an excellent job as it is now pursuing the case. And I urge Invincible Forces to cooperate and assist the CID in its ongoing investigations.

Background

On January 9, 2017 some member of the group were caught on tape assaulting ASP Bruce Nanka at the Flagstaff House in a video that went viral on social media.

The footage which was captured by close circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at the seat of government during the presidents first day in office showed members of the vigilante group chasing ASP Bruce as he drove out of the Flagstaff House.

They accosted him and attempted to seize his vehicle but the intervention of other security personnel saved the situation.

Mr. Bruce who was a guard at the Flagstaff House during President Mahamas tenure lodged complaint with the police administration about the assault but later withdrew the case on February 21, 2017.
ASHMORE -- A second annual blood drive is being organized in memory of Kyle Updegraff, a 39-year-old Charleston man who died after suffering complications from the H1N1 virus.

The American Red Cross plans to hold the drive from 1 to 7 p.m. March 8 at the Ashmore Community Center, 211 S. Illinois St. Donor account manager Tracy Peterson said they have increased their goal to 55 donors this year to handle the anticipated donor volume, which far surpassed the goal of 35 donors last year.

Family members, in their application for the drive, described Updegraff as a generous and caring young man who was always willing to help family and friends. Updegraff, who was a grain purchaser for Total Grain Marketing, was an active member of the Ashmore Masonic Lodge, Corn Belt Shrine Club, and the Coles County Farm Bureau.

Updegraff died on March 11, 2016, after suffering complications from the H1N1 virus. While hospitalized and receiving treatment for his lungs, he suffered a major blood vessel tear. Prior to his death, Updegraffs blood volume was replaced four times due to bleeding from surgeries.

Kyles mother, Sharon Updegraff, wrote in a press release for the blood drive that she hopes the community will turn out to donate in memory of her son.

I would like to challenge all of my fellow nursing friends, co-workers, doctors and all who knew Kyle and his sister, Krista Newby, to donate blood for this cause, Sharon Updegraff said. You never know what tomorrow will bring. It may be our own family member, or someone we dont know, that may need our help. We want all types of blood to be available when needed. Dont let Kyle down, donate and make him proud.

Peterson said the goal for the first memorial drive on June 2, 2016, was 35 donors, but well over 100 people turned out to try to give blood. She said this volume was more than the Red Cross anticipated, noting that they only brought 60 blood bags with them. She said regular blood drives in Ashmore typically draw no more than 15 donors.

Still, Peterson said prospective donors who were unable to give blood stayed at the drive to visit with Updegraffs parents, Sharon and Rick, and show their support for them.

It was a very busy day, but rewarding because it made Kyles family happy that so many friends and family showed up and also wanted to help save other lives by giving blood, remembering that Kyles blood volume had been replaced four times, Peterson said.

Peterson said Red Cross officials never know when or where blood will be needed, so they work hard to make sure a safe blood supply is available. She said they need to collect 14,000 units every day nationwide to supply U.S. hospitals. She said someone in the country needs blood every two seconds.

This year, Peterson said the Red Cross has set a goal of having at least 55 donors participate in the memorial drive. She said they will bring more blood bags, staff and other resources to accommodate more donors if needed.

Prospective donors are asked to visit redcrossblood.org to set up an appointment for the memorial drive. Peterson said this will help the Red Cross gauge how many people they might see there. She said those who cant give blood are still welcome to stop by and see Updegraffs family.

Kyles parents said they want to have this drive every year in his honor, Peterson said. They want their community to remember how special Kyle was, not just to them, but to so many others.
The Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Andani and the Abudus Regent, Boling-Lana Mahamadu Abdulai have applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for assigning Salifu Saeed as his first Northern Regional Minister.

As a social development expert, they are convinced Salifu Saeed is capable of implementing government's pro-poor programmes intended to reduce rural-urban migration.

They believe government policies when properly executed will bring prosperity to their people.

They renewed their commitment to peaceful coexistence and urged the youth to remain law abiding.

You can count on us and be rest assured that we will support you and your government to succeed and help improve the living standards of our people

This came to light when the regional Minister, Salifu Saeed paid courtesy calls on them at their palaces in Yendi as part of his weeklong familiarization tour of the area.

Salifu Saeed reassured them of modern agriculture, clean water delivery and good road network.

He said government will create more jobs to reduce urban-rural migration Kayaaye which he noted has over the years affected the region's human resource base.

The regional Minister reaffirmed government's neutrality in its quest to amicably resolve all age long persistent chieftaincy impasse recorded in the region.

Salifu Saeed by extension visited the overlord of Mamprugu traditional area, Nayiri Abdulai Mahami Bohagu Sheriga.

He explicitly thanked the chiefs and people of the area for their peaceful conduct.

He pleaded with the Nayiri to continually bestow his wisdom and guidance on him to serve the interest of all citizens.

He urged the traditional rulers to always use him as conduit to the Presidency.

Salifu Saeed is expected to climax his tour paying courtesy calls on the overlord of Gonjaland, the Yagbonwura in Damongo and the Nanung traditional council in Bimbila.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Jasikan Diocese in the Accra Ecclesiastical Province, will be the host to the Fourth National Eucharistic Congress from Monday August 7 to Sunday, August 13, this year under the theme: The Eucharist and the New Evangelisation.

Scheduled to coincide with the 60th Independence Anniversary of Ghana, the Congress will officially be launched by the National Planning Committee at Jasikan and simultaneously at all the Dioceses in Ghana on February 26.

The year 2017 is a monumental year in the life of Ghana and a celebration of the Eucharistic Congress by the Church will be a fitting way of marking the nations 60th Independence Anniversary as well as using the Eucharist to help consolidate the peace, unity and development of our country.

Catholics in the 20 Diocese in the country have been asked to support, participate and pray for the success of this Congress.

In its 2016 Communique issued after its Plenary Assembly at Tamale, the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, hinted that We intend to hold a National Eucharistic Congress in 2017 to rededicate, through prayer and reflection, our dear Motherland to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Over 10,000 Catholics from all over Ghana are expected participate in the upcoming Fourth Eucharistic Congress to be held in Jasikan from August 7 to 13, 2017 on the theme: The Eucharist and the New Evangelization.

Ghana, since 1951 has organised three Congresses in Kumasi, from February 19-26, 1951; Tamale, from January 5  11, 1998; and again in Kumasi, from November 18  21, 2005.

Launching the Congress on behalf of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference at the St. Peter Claver Cathedral in Jasikan on February 26, Most Rev. Gabriel A. A. Mante, the host Bishop, said the participants will take part in a series of catechism sessions, that focus on different dimensions of the Eucharist, daily celebration and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of the Reconciliation, Eucharistic Processions and Durbars.

He noted that event would also have a Study-session for 250 National Delegates, made up of Priests, Religious, youth, men and women, from all the 20 Dioceses which are expected to sponsor ten persons for the study session.

Topics for the Study Session include: The Eucharist and our Care of the Environment, The Eucharist and the Social Media, The Eucharist and the Churchs Dialogue with the Youth, The Eucharist and the Churchs Dialogue with the Poor, the Sick and the Suffering, The Eucharist and the Family, The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.

Bishop Mante said while we wait with interior preparation and in great expectation for the national event, the various Dioceses will organise events locally to mark, celebrate and raise awareness on the 4th National Eucharistic Congress.

He stated that the primary object of the Congress was to take advantage of the context of the 60th Independence Anniversary of Ghana and to use the Congress to rededicate the Republic of Ghana and her citizens to the Eucharistic Love of Jesus Christ.

The wish of the Bishops is that the Congress will support a deeper understanding of the meaningful celebration of the Mass; Extend the worship and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament outside the Mass itself, he added.

The Bishop said it was also to help all delegates, pilgrims and participants of the Congress reflect the social implications of the Eucharist so that the influence and the fruit of our celebration and adoration will permeate our entire personal and social life.

He explained that a Eucharistic Congress is a celebration of the Catholic Church which brings the people of God together specifically to raise an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.

It is also to pray and adore the Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, help and improve our understanding of the celebration of the Eucharist, draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist; and use the centrality of the Eucharist to effect integral transformation.

Bishop Mante thanked the Priests and Religious, the lay men, women and the youth of the Diocese for accepting the onerous task to host the Congress and acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the Local Organizing Committee so far.

He added that As host, my Dear Catholics of Jasikan, you will prepare the ground for our brothers and sisters who are coming to pray and study with us. You will make your homes and other facilities to them and express your generosity to them. We trust you will do very well in these endeavours.

The Bishop thanked the Steering and the Local Organising Committees for their steadfastness and prayed that their efforts would manifest into a successful Congress.

Earlier, the committee held a meeting and visited the Congress grounds.

National Steering Committee members at the launching were Rev. Fr. Wisdom Larweh, Acting Chairman; Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Vordzogbe, Co-ordinator of the National Liturgical Commission; Rev. Fr. Michael Awuah-Ansah, Executive Secretary Department of Pastoral Ministry; Rev. Fr. Dieu Donne Davor, Executive Secretary, Department of Social Communications, all at the national catholic Secretariat.

Others were Rev. Peter Abel representing the Cape Coast Province; Rev. Fr. Samuel Atinga, representing the Tamale Province, Rev. Frs. Frank Offin-Sekyere and Patrick Worlanya Tettey, representing the Jasikan Diocese and Dr. Mrs. Anita Appiah, Co-ordinator of Community and Institutional Care of the Directorate of Health at the National Catholic Secretariat.

The sub-themes to be discussed during the Congress include The Word of God, Jesus Christ and the Eucharist: Christian Hope in a Secularising World, The Eucharistic Celebration and the New Social Media, The Eucharist: The Source of Unity Peace and Development in Contemporary Ghana, among others.

The daily celebration of the Eucharist will be at the heart of the Congress but its wider programme will include various liturgical celebrations, cultural events, catecheses, testimonies, workshops, processions during the week of the Congress.

What is Eucharistic Congress? : A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of the Church, Family of God which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church; help renew and improve the People of Gods understanding and celebration of the liturgy; draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist; and use the central place of the Eucharist to effect transformation in the lives of individuals, societies and nations.

It is also the gathering of Priests, Religious , and laity to bear witness to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and brings together people from a wide area, and typically involve large open-air Masses , Eucharistic adoration to the Blessed Sacrament , and other devotional ceremonies held over several days.

Previous Congresses in Ghana:

The First Congress took place in Kumasi from February 19 to 26, 1951 during which the Catholic Church in Ghana prayed to the Eucharistic Lord, the Prince of Peace, to bring down many blessings upon the then Gold Coast. Indeed, through that maiden Congress, God heard the prayers of the Church when Ghana gained Independence on March 6, 1957, virtually without violence.

According to an article by Joe K. des Bordes in the December 28, 1997 edition of The Standard, the 1951 Congress was summoned by the newly- erected hierarchy of the Gold Coast as a means of giving the public thanks to God for the blessings so unstintingly lavished on the country and of celebrating the erection of the hierarchy.

The Second Congress was held from January 5 to 11, 1998 in Tamale against the backdrop of the Nanumba-Konkomba conflict. This Congress is credited with helping to bring an end to the war. It was on the theme: One Bread One Body, One Lord for All: The Eucharist and the Universal Kingship of Christ and was attended by about 8,000 people including official delegates from all the Dioceses of Ghana and Observers from outside Ghana.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the climax, said a true Catholic or any other Christian was one who lives by his or her faith and the Commandments of God both in word and action. He called on the Church and other Religious Bodies to continue to complement governments efforts in building the country in the moral, spiritual and physical realms.

The Third Congress was again held in Kumasi from November 18 to 21, 2005 on the theme: The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life of the Church As a Family of God in Ghana, coinciding with the 125th Anniversary of the Catholic Evangelisation in Ghana in 1880 and the 25th Anniversary of Pope St. John Pauls visit to Ghana in 1980. The Papal legate to the Congress was His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Nigeria.

During that Congress, Cardinal Okogie, urged Ghanaians to worship Jesus in the Holy Eucharist on a 24-hour basis, saying that by doing so will bring us face to face with Christ the King and we shall be able to place our needs before them.

International Congress:

International Eucharistic Congresses (IECs) take place normally every four years. In Ghana, however, such duration has never been fixed and so the three previous National Eucharistic Congresses (NECs) had taken place intermittently; the first one in 1951 in Kumasi, the second in 1998 in Tamale and the third in 2005 again in Kumasi.

Origin of Eucharistic Congresses:

The celebration of International Eucharistic Congresses can traced to as far back as 1881 when the work of the IEC began in France as a fruit of the Eucharistic Apostolate of St. Peter-Julian Eymard, The Apostle of the Eucharist and of other outstanding figures such as Blessed Antoine Chevier, Leon Dupont and Emelie Tamisier.

Blessed Antoine Chevier was a French Priest of the 19th century and the Founder of the work of the Prado, a Clerical School. Leon Dupont who is known as The Holy Man of Tours or the Apostle of the Holy Face, helped spread various Catholic devotions such as that of the Holy face of Jesus and the nightly Eucharistic adoration. He was declared venerable by Pope Pius XII and currently awaits beatification while Emilie Tamisier first proposed the idea of rendering homage and veneration to the Blessed Sacrament under the form and name of the International Eucharistic Congress.

History of International Eucharistic Congresses:

Since 1881, the Catholic Church has celebrated 51 International Eucharistic Congresses, the first one taking place in Lille, France in 1881 and the last one, the 51st edition, which took place in Cebu City in the Philippines from January 24 to 31, 2016, under the theme: Christ in you, the Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27). It attracted millions of Catholic worldwide who participated in the programmes of the Congress which included Morning Prayers, Masses, Catecheses, Testimonies, Processions, among others.

Meanwhile, the Church in Hungary would host the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in 2020. The Congress will be held 30 years after Hungary held its first democratic elections since World War Two. Those elections meant the end of decades of Communist rule, when many church leaders and other believers faced persecution.


President Nana Akufo-Addo's honouring of the Police Administration's invitation to grace their annual social event, fondly called WASSA, was as equally important as his admonition to the law enforcement agency.

He touched arguably the most important shortcoming of the Ghana Police Service, an infected sore which has contradicted its rather iconic motto Service With Integrity and painfully reduced it to a laughing stock in many instances during the previous political administration.

The Ghana Police Service has over the years showed obscene readiness to do the bidding of the ruling government, regardless of ethical breaches associated with the tendency.

This has gone on for so long that it has become a norm and many thinking rather erroneously that there is nothing untoward when a policeman let go a defaulter simply because he belongs to a ruling party- hogwash beyond comprehension.

A law enforcement agency, which can describe an offence as political and turns its back on the case, cannot be seen to be discharging its duties with integrity.

A Police Service, which would delay rather dangerously an intervention when the residence of an opposition leader is being attacked by thugs of a ruling party and claiming curiously to be awaiting reinforcement cannot claim to be neutral on the political space.

A Police Service, which rushes to court with fabricated excuses to seek injunction on a demonstration because that inures to the interest of the government, does not have integrity.

A Police Service which does not see anything wrong with damaging the eye of a peaceful demonstrator is dancing to the tune of the government and cannot be said to have integrity.

President Akufo-Addo could not have been more brusque when he told the Ghana Police Service not to become appendages to the government, which they have of course been over the years, with worrying effects on its image.

Indeed what he told them subtly was that they have over the years lost their professionalism and become tools to be used by the ruling governments  the previous one being the most apt case in point. There could not have been a better query from a President who has seen everything about the negativities of the law enforcement system. It is a suggestion that they better sit up if they want to be taken seriously as an institution of professionals who deserve deference from their compatriots. For now, this respect has fled through the window.

President Akufo-Addo and his team have an onerous task of restoring the lost deference and professionalism in the Police so that crime would cease being seen in political colours but treated as a criminality.

The cop under such circumstances should not entertain any apprehension of being transferred to the countryside as a punishment for being too professional.

There is no gainsaying it that over the years anytime there is going to be an election, Ghanaians get worried about the partisan stance of the Ghana Police Service.

He might have retired and resting at home now but we cannot avoid mentioning the rather bad leadership style of the former Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, who was ready to do anything to prop the previous government and not the ideals of the Police.

The law enforcement agents were selective in the enforcement of the law and so glaring was it that it appeared they were taking instructions from the Flagstaff House rather than from the Police Headquarters.

Persons perceived not to belong to the ruling party or had names sounding differently from the Police Chief's did not have anything doing in Accra and were quickly transferred to the remotest parts of the country.

There is nothing wrong with serving the country in any part of Ghana but where the motive was simply in actualization of the aforementioned reason, there is something seriously wrong.

We recall numerous instances of lawlessness under the previous political administration and how these did not even come anywhere near the courts.

They were killed because politicians at the helm did not want them going beyond the pages of the media or on the airwaves.


Am sorry to disappoint you mummy and daddy 

An 18-YEAR-OLD daughter of the Asante Akim Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, reportedly authored the above words in a suicide note she was said to have left behind before allegedly taking her own life in her hostel room at dawn on Friday.

The tragic death of Adwoa Agyarkwa Anyimadu-Antwi, a petrochemical engineering student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has left her family and school mates dumfounded as they continuously scratch their heads for answers.

The university was thrown into a state of shock and mourning after the first-year student was allegedly found hanging on a rope in her room on Friday, around 3pm.

The body was reportedly found hanging on an ash coloured nylon rope which was fastened to the base of a ceiling fan right in the middle of the room by her colleagues who then blew the alarm.

The chemical engineering student was quickly rushed to the KNUST Hospital for immediate treatment to save her life but she was pronounced dead on arrival, the police informed DAILY GUIDE.

Some students who confirmed the tragic incident, said the deceased left behind a suicide note which apologized to her parents for her action.

This paper gathered from some students of the university that Adwoa Agyarkwa Anyimadu-Antwi, who was considered to be a brilliant student, took the extreme step because she could not bear the shame accompanying her failed papers.

Other unconfirmed reports indicated that Adwoa Anyimadu-Antwi might have ended her life because of a different private matter which had nothing to do with academic performance. According to sources, it might be the cause of broken heart as her boyfriend was said to have jilted her in a painful manner.

Police Grills KNUST Students

Meanwhile, the Tech District Police had invited and interrogated three female students, who were said to be roommates of the late student.

DSP Boakye Ansah told DAILY GUIDE that the police were still investigating the case, adding that no conclusion had been reached so far.

He said the police were comparing the hand writing on the suicide note Adwoa Anyimadu-Antwi reportedly left behind with her previous writings to see if they matched.

From Ernest Kofi Adu &I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.Kumasi
A stalwart in the NDC, Enoch Teye Mensah has urged the party to apologise to former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. Then man who together with two others were once described as Three Wise Men by the party gave the advice in an interview with Winston Amoah, host of 3FMs morning show  Sunrise.

Responding to claims that the NDC party failed to co-opt its senior members to play frontline roles in its 2016 campaign, the veteran politician criticised how the Rawlingses, and the exclusion of party stalwarts like Obed Asamoah, Tsatsu Tsikata and Dan Abodakpi were treated.

The story must be told, people cherish what President Rawlings [did], especially the former first lady; and we should go and beg the former first lady. It was messy, we should go and beg the former first lady to come back, he counselled.

Mr. Mensahs call comes at a time that the NDC party is inquiring into reasons for its abysmal performance in the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The politician-turned-evangelist added that, he was also hurt by some NDC communicators and party faithfuls who showed a knack for disrespecting the elderly, and undermining their contributions to the party.

He heaped praises on the former first couple Mr. Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings for overlooking provocations emanating from a party Mr. Rawlings founded.
(Accra, GhanaMonday, 27th February, 2017): The Executive Board of USAs Nationwide Group International, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ed Kostenski, have ended a 21-day Africa investor fact finding mission with Ghana as its last destination.

The 21-day investor tour, according to the team, covered countries like Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and now Ghana.

The mission of the team is to explore the huge potential and prospects that exist in the area of financial investments and project financing in Africa.

Ghana, in particular stands to benefit from various investment projects by Nationwide Group International, running into several billions of US dollars, including financing for government projects, private companies, banks that in dire need of working capitals, among others.

Nationwide Group International is the leading project financing powerhouse in the United States of America (USA) with operations in mining, construction and marine equipment supply, Oil & Gas, exploration and productions as well as refineries.

The group of companies started operations as Nationwide Equipment, which Ed Kostenski founded in 1983 in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in the rental and sale of reconditioned earthmoving and road-building machinery.

The group, has since been operating, across several African countries over the last two decades, serving private companies and government bodies. For More Information Visit: (http://NationwideEquipment.com)

This was revealed to ModernGhana during an interaction with Ed Kostenski and Tor B. Langoy at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Accra.

Mr. Kostenski disclosed that his group has been servicing the Ghana markets for close to 12-years and they are back in Ghana after visiting Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria.

They are seeking to widen their financial investments to reach the unbanked with the aim of boosting financial growth in Ghana and across Africa.

We've been offered projects to do in Ghana since we've been here. Our emphasis is also to provide financing for the government projects that are at hand or to be at hand and as well as private companies, banks that need working capital to relend out to local clients on the financial Market, Mr. Kostenski stated.

He added we provide services not just equipment, not just financing but whatever that is needed to make investor dreams come true and whatever project they are doing.

Touching on President Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP governments vision to boost Ghanas private sector, Mr. Kostenski made it clear that they are in total support and fully behind Nana Akufo-Addo and his solid team of ministers.

We've held meetings with The group of ministers he has chosen and they have been very transparent and open to us. Nana Addo has a very good team and we believe in no time, Ghana will explode with massive financial growth, the Nationwide Group International CEO said.

He was particularly happy about Ghana most importantly the level of openness the new government under Nana Addo has exhibited so far.

We've seen openness with the new government. There is a new wave of energy, there is a new wave of political atmosphere, and just in general we see more business minded people here and they are much more open and much more willing to spend.

.And this time around there seems to be much more excitement and optimism in the financial investment sector in Ghana, something we haven't seen or experienced for the past 7-years. There is a positive investment Climate with the coming of new NPP government under Nana Akufo-Addo.

With Africa increasingly becoming a huge investment destination, Mr. Kostenski was optimistic financial growth has favoured Africa in many sectors.

Africa is the future, without doubt, I've been myself to 80 countriesall roads point back to Africa for growth and developments. There is high range of broad GDP, and we've seen quite a few countries and I must say it has been very exciting for us.

.It makes it easier to do business when the country has a robust GDP versus a country that is down or in a negative territory or on a recession. African governments have been pretty much cooperative driving economic development, he stated.

For More Information Visit: (http://NationwideEquipment.com)
Paul Asare Ansah, Acting Director General of GPHA

27.02.2017 LISTEN



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Paul Asare Ansah as the acting Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

Mr Ansah, who was the director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing of GPHA, would take over from Richard Y. Anamoo, the former Director-General, who was relieved of his post by the President on January 23, 2017.

He is expected to assume office in an acting capacity until his confirmation by a new Board of Directors.

Although the communication to Mr. Anamoo relieving of his duties did not assign reasons, many believed recent allegations of corruption made some workers of the port authority could have played a role in his dismissal.

Initial reports suggested the President was likely to appoint Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as the director-general.

A communication dated February 22, 2016 from the presidency and signed by the President indicated that Pursuant to Section 8(2) of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority Act, 1986 (PNDCL 160), I hereby appoint you to act as the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the governing board of the Authority, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission. I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your appointment.

Mr. Ansah holds a Commonwealth Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).

He also holds a UNCTAD Post Graduate Diploma in Port Management, Dublin, Ireland, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Port Management, JICA Institute, Yokohama, Japan.

In 1997, he graduated from the Galilee Collage, Israel with Post Graduate Diploma in Port Administration in addition to a Post Graduate Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana.

He worked as Management Consultant on Public Private Partnership for Nigeria Port Authority from 2013-2015.

He was member of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, 2014-2016, Marketing & Public Relations Manager and Chairman of the Strategic Management Team, Port of Tema, 2013-2015.

The new acting Director General helped established positive corporate image for GPHA locally and internationally which helped the Authority to win several awards.

It was adjudged the 'Public Sector PR Organization of the Year-2015' by the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana.

Mr. Ansah contested the NPP parliamentary primaries in Asuogyaman Constituency in 2007, 2011 and 2015 but was not successful.

He has served the party at various levels in the Eastern Region since 1992.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema


Berlin (AFP) - The head of EU border agency Frontex on Monday criticised charities that rescue migrants off Libya, arguing that they encourage the traffickers who profit from the dangerous Mediterranean crossings.

Such rescue operations "should be reevaluated", Fabrice Leggeri told Germany's Die Welt daily, also accusing the groups of not effectively cooperating with security agencies against human traffickers.

Leggeri said 40 percent of recent rescue operations at sea off the North African country "were carried out by non-government organisations".

He said that under maritime law everyone at sea has a duty to rescue vessels and people in distress.

"But we must avoid supporting the business of criminal networks and traffickers in Libya through European vessels picking up migrants ever closer to the Libyan coast," said the director of Warsaw-based Frontex.

"This leads traffickers to force even more migrants onto unseaworthy boats with insufficient water and fuel than in previous years."

Frontex operates on the EU's external borders, off Italy and the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, but not off the coast of Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi.

The Frontex boss also charged that some NGOs cooperate poorly with EU security agencies, which "makes it more difficult ... to gain information on trafficking networks through interviews with migrants and to open police investigations".

Frontex had criticised NGOs in a report in December, charging they were picking up migrants at sea "like taxis".

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) at the time labelled the charges "extremely serious and damaging" and said its humanitarian action was not "the cause but a response" to the crisis.

Frontex said in January that migrant arrivals by sea last year had plunged by almost two-thirds to 364,000 compared with 2015, mainly due to an EU border deal with Turkey that sharply reduced landings in Greece.

But the agency said Italy was the exception with a record 181,000 arrivals, mostly from Africa via the Mediterranean, a 20 percent rise from 2015.

Leggeri predicted in the interview that, because of the Libya-Italy route, "one should expect that more will come in 2017 than in 2016".
'Value for money' featured prominently in a presidential inaugural speech.

On hearing heritage fund could rescue education from underfunding, my initial thinking was value for money.

Education is about guaranteeing the future of a people and their nation. Heritage is what is meant for the future. So futures meet in a coincidence of relevance and purpose.

Heritage Fund is oil money. In Tunisia, oil money guarantees citizens free education from kindergarten to university.

Rather than deploy to drive development, our oil money has so far been wasted; diverted as judgment debt payments into congresspeople's private pockets. So much has been borrowed against it making oil more a curse than a blessing.

Kwame Nkrumah's massive investment of cocoa money in education is what has sustained the motherland to this point.

We can positively develop through oil money for free education with a radical accountability system. With the oil money as a financial fillip, implementation would require monitoring structures that guarantee value for money. It's a true future of hope with job creation complement that would expand employment opportunity for the educated.

Privileged to have led two different national education assessment groups, my view is that to realise the set objective of a future of educated (not just schooled) compatriots, the implementation of the heritage funded strategy must recognise the built-in wastage. There should be a clear and independently verifiable structure to deal with the wastage drainpipes before dipping into the fund to support education.

First, there must be reliable and valid educational statistics. There is a serious over-declaration of figures when end beneficiaries are asked to provide enrolment and staff at post numbers. There is over-declaration when money is to be paid out and under-declaration when money is to be paid in.

Schools won't pay in any monies ('by free SHS there would be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer lab fees, no examination fees and no utility fees'). They will only receive government payouts.

One can expect an explosion in over-invoiced request statistics.

The spectre of ghost names on payroll and bloated enrolment figures for those being school fed (from kindergarten to SHS3) can be expected. Capitation grant payments and supply of books/other inputs is equally susceptible to negative manipulation. They are easy chop-chop avenues.

Tangible and clear check mechanisms for these most probable abuses must be demonstrated before using the heritage fund to finance schooling.

Teacher absenteeism is causing heavy losses in contact hours.

A community empowerment system, requiring revamping School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) would be helpful.

The current circuit supervisor system appears to be functioning way below capacity.

In-site visits, too few and far in-between to be effective, need a mobile phone feedback system (with penalties for abuse), to be developed for SMC/PTA-circuit supervisor constant consultation.

Teachers, too often blame children for teacher lapses. Children perform badly because they don't learn. Teachers must understand and appreciate that a basic responsibility of a teacher is finding ways to encourage the taught to study, especially read, successfully.

Someone, some minister or president, must boldly examine means testing for optimum funding. Free SHS for the needy would have produced the best value for money system.

The easy way of blanket implementation exacerbates abuse and cheating.

A thorough and rigorously pursued means testing should reduce costs and optimise effective fund use. One is assuming that there will be no scholarship, including private awards, if everyone is on public sponsorship.

sonomma have their own chop choppers (many against Nana Addo's anti-chop chop stance). Congresspeople always found ways of chop chopping the oil money.

The hope of all who crave for educational funding support is that sonomma will not find ways to freely chop chop the heritage fund for free education.

'Don't touch the money meant to give the young a future to prepare the young for the future' makes not much sense.

If compatriots said no to congresspeople accessing the heritage fund, it is because they squander chop-chopped GH750 million dollars dubiously as judgment debt payments and another GH120 million on a non-verifiable capacity building.

sonomma should not be discouraged from using part of the fund WISELY (strictly on value for money basis) to build a future for the young.

They shouldn't be prevented from progressively constructing a future with the future fund for as long as the spending is transparent, value for money and chop-chop-free.

The 'against' must be heartened the government Cashman says no heritage fund for free education yet.

That notwithstanding, anti-corruption crusaders must please deploy their anti-chopping arsenal to pre-empt chop chopping to wrench value for money.

The motherland does not wish to be penny wise and pound foolish; that is, save on heritage fund to support a

future motherland of illiterates.

By Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh
Power outages that have rocked parts of the country have been projected to cease by the end of the first quarter of this year, but some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for a power rationing timetable from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to allow businesses to plan adequately.

The power distributor is currently said to be shedding between 170 megawatts on regular basis and 240 megawatts of power during peak time, according to Dr Ishamel Ackah, Policy Director at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP).

He also attributed the power outages to the shutdown of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah for maintenance works, adding that the shutdown of the facility has led to a shortfall in gas supply to the Ameri Power Plant, hence the unplanned action.

ECG should take immediate steps to communicate a schedule to the public and explain measures they are taking to resolve the fuel challenge.

It would be recalled that Robert Dwamena, former Managing Director of ECG, attributed the power outages to the inability of ECG to measure the actual demand of its customers despite having enough transformers in its system, i.e. over 2000 transformers.

Several parts of Accra have recently been experiencing power outages, which have often lasted for several days.

Eric Asante, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Accra West, said that plans were underway to solve the problems.

ACEP, at the start of the year, warned that Ghana was likely to face another power crisis.

But officials of the then NDC administration maintained that there was enough power in the system to prevent a recurrence of 'dumsor.'

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently announced in Parliament during his first State of the Nation address that his administration was in the process of developing a national electricity master plan, which would additionally explore listing VRA and GRIDCo on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).

We have inherited a heavily indebted energy sector, with the net debt reaching $2.4 billion as of December 2016, the president said, adding: I have to point out the alarming fact that $800 million of this debt is owed to local banks, which threatens their stability.

Huge indebtedness of the energy sector constitutes the single major hurdle to Ghanaians enjoying reliable and affordable electricity supply, he mentioned.

By Samuel Boadi
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The Minister for Education Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh has revealed that government will depend on Technical Universities across the country to man its One District-One-Factory policy.

According to the minister, Technical Universities will be at the forefront in providing the technical workforcefrom the project planning stage through implementation.

In a speech read on his behalf at the graduation of some 2900 students at the Takoradi Technical University over the weekend in the Western Region, Dr. Prempeh stated that each university will be supported by government to at least train craftsmen, technicians and technologists needed to man factories in the regions in which they are located. The collaboration between the technical universities and the factories will begin at the project planning and implementation stages. This will make the relationship between the TTUs and the new factories inseparable.

He added that factories will seek technical advice from technical universities and students will use these factories for practical training.

In his view, all the Technical Universities must desist from offering same programmes across board.

He opined that we must not allow all the technical universities to do same programmes without specialization. Each university must have a unique programme of specialization that differentiates it from others.

He assured of a retooling exercise that will ensure that your products are not only equipped with all the skills needed to build the national economy, but also are able and motivated to take on the challenge and opportunities for higher achievement in the science and technology-led knowledge-driven global economy through innovation and creativity.



By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The President Nana Akuffo Addo stated in his State of the Nation Address delivered to Parliament on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 that We shall restore the National Health Insurance Scheme to good Health Who starts to do that for the President?

The President Nana Akuffo Addo after introducing the Minister of Health in January 2017 to Ghanaians and touching on NHIS also told Ghanaians among others that the Health Insurance needs somebody with Mathematics and Finance/Economics backgrounds with good knowledge on the operations of the National health insurance to help solve the problems there.

Mr Darkwahs coming into the scene in February 2006 when the national health scheme was seriously tumbling with the initial district arrangement in the Law, helped a lot. Most of the major service providers like Korle Bu Teaching Hospital etc had not all registered with the national scheme. His technical and managerial explanations to these hospital managers led all these service providers to register with the national scheme. He led most of the key technical and managerial training programmes for scheme officers and managers nationwide. In fact, it helped greatly to lift the scheme up. We remember between 2006 and 2007, Mr Darkwah led the training of over 800 national service persons at the Local Government Training Institute in Accra and integrated them into the schemes operations nationwide. His central holding role in the scheme at the time helped greatly. He chaired numerous interview panels between 2006 and 2008 that brought some top skilled officers and managers into the scheme among others.

Mr. Ampong Darkwah resigned in May 2009 from the national scheme for further studies at a time when the Ghana Health Insurance Scheme had won commendations from major international financial bodies including the World Bank. (World Bank and NDPC reports on Ghana NHIS-- At the country level, NHIS contributed significantly to reducing extreme poverty in Ghana from 28.5% in 2006 to 18.2% in 2008 (MDG: 2008 GPRS Report by NDPC, Pg 4) ) Key findings from the assessment reveal substantial positive effects of the scheme on a number of aspects of health care delivery in Ghana. For example, the proportion of those who consult skilled health care providers for general health conditions rose from 45% to about 62% between 2005 and 2008, with the implementation of the scheme (Pg 56).

For us, the NHIS needs Mr Darkwah at this time to take us to the next level by evolving strategies for the scheme to run efficiently again, which it did between 2006 and early part of 2009 for which the World Bank and other global financial bodies recommended the Ghana Health Scheme to other developing and developed countries to understudy.

We learnt that somewhere in 2012, the South Sudan Ambassador to Ghana who was looking for architects of the Ghana Health Insurance Scheme to help his government establish one was directed to Mr Darkwah. We also heard Mr Ampong Darkwah and his team visited South Sudan at the invitation of their Government through their Ambassador in Ghana in 2012/3, to do feasibility studies and to establish the National Health Insurance in his country. The South Sudan Government made available their national economic data to them to study and come up with a model for them, which they did. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between his team and South Sudan Government was developed for them to study. Unfortunately, the countrys leadership crisis put all this arrangement on hold.

Mr Ampong Darkwah was appointed Schemes and Membership Coordinator at the Operations Division of the NHIA in March 2008 with the key responsibility of coordinating activities of all the schemes in the country. His duties included the management of membership drive and general reporting of data for the NHIA. By dint of hard work, he managed to evolve strategies to bring the inconsistencies and problems in the management and reporting of data on membership under control, within his short stay at the division which led to a clearer build up and direction on the management and reporting of membership information

He had earlier on (Febuary 2006 to February 2008) assisted the CEO to take and implement technical and managerial decisions.

His (Mr Ampong Darkwahs) Memorandum to Parliament of Ghana in July 2011 during the passage of the new Health Insurance Law by NDC Government, he stated and defended before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Leadership of Parliament and in the presence of all experts in the area of health and finance in the country, that the proposed one time premium payment will never work and will only stay in the books. Apparently, this has been the case among others.

Between 2003 and 2006, Ampong Darkwah worked with Mckof Ltd., a leading Health Insurance Consultancy firm in Ghana, which contributed significantly to the setting up of Health Insurance Schemes in not less than Thirty-One (31) districts across the Country. All these schemes have since developed into fully operational Health Insurance Schemes, effectively registering and processing claims for subscribers. All these schemes have been absorbed into the NHIA as district branches.

Mr Darkwah obtained an MBA Degree (Finance) from the School of Administration, University of Ghana, Legon in 2005, with a thesis on Health Insurance And Accessibility To Health Care In Ghana. Through this work, he accumulated in-depth knowledge of Health Insurance as a viable option for health financing in Ghana. Before then he had obtained a BSC degree in MATHEMATICS at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1997 after his Ordinary and Advanced Levels of education. He is currently pursuing a distance education programme, which is expected to lead to the award of a PHD in Economics. The thesis topic is The Anatomy Of Public Policy Implementation. This will help further sharpen his expertise in the area of guiding economic directions and policy implementation in institutions.

He played a major role in evolving the earlier policy framework seeking to implement a single NHI system in Ghana in May 2001, at the request of the then Minister of Health. In the following year, that is, in 2002, it was given a district focus under the leadership of Dr Kwaku Afriyie who took over from Dr Richard Anane in the latter part of 2001 as Health Minister with Dr Akor as coordinator at MOH, which was passed into Law in September 2003. The district model has been changed again in the new law in 2012 into the original single model outdoored in May 2001 by the first Health Minister in President Kufours Administration, Dr Richard Anane for ease of implementation. This process of change began in 2007 by a committee set up by the then NHIA administration and chaired by Dr Atugubah. Mr. Ampong Darkwah was a key member of the core team of experts government put together in April 2001 that helped Government with the original model of the National Health Insurance scheme outdoored in May 2001 by the then Health Minister Dr Richard Anane in Nkoranza, which is currently running the National Health Insurance Scheme.

In 1999, Mr Darkwah was co-opted into a team of foreign consultants that had been contracted by SSNIT to undertake feasibility studies into the establishment of a health insurance scheme in Ghana.

Mr Darkwah is currently leading a team to put together the history of the evolution of the National health insurance Scheme. The history write up is about 50% complete and will soon be launched as reference material for other countries to learn.

Mr Darkwah has outlined the way forward to get us out of the problems the National Health Insurance Scheme is currently encountering.
A Communications team member of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Mr Wonder Madilo, is accusing President Akufo-Addo of shielding a member of his partys vigilante group, Invincible Forces, who was captured on a leaked video brutalizing a policeman at the Flag Staff House.

According to him the man who led the assault on the police officer was part of members of NPPs private security guards who worked as Security Guards at Nana Addo's residence prior to his election as President. They were Nana Addo's Security Guards during the Campaign and even after the campaign they continue to provide Security for Nana Addo et al. H.E Nana Addo knows them not only by face but by name!

Responding to claims by Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, that a members of the Invincible Forces who led the assault on the police man had gone into hiding, Mr Madilo wrote on his facebook wall Let's face it; It cannot be true that the guy who assaulted the Police Officer has gone into hiding and the CID cannot find him. Fact is the Invincible Forces guys are known NPP activists; well known by NPP operatives including the Shadow Vice President, Vice President and the President, H.E Nana Addo.

Some members of Invincible Forces were caught on tape assaulting ASP Bruce Nanka at the Flagstaff House in a video that went viral on social media last week.

The footage which was taken by CCTV cameras at the seat of government on January 9, 2017  President Akufo-Addos first day in office  showed members of the vigilante group chasing ASP Bruce as he drove out of the Flagstaff House.

The gentlemen succeeded in accosting ASP Nanka and attempted to seize his vehicle, but the intervention of other security personnel saved the situation.

The Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, according Mr Kweku Baako, has been looking for him but he cannot be found.

Speaking on Joy FM/MultiTV's news analysis programme Newsfile, on Saturday, the veteran journalist said My checks only yesterday indicated that the gentleman has gone into hiding. He was a former policeman himself so they know him, they are looking for him to apprehend him and his guys who supported him and continue with investigations.

But Mr Madilo said, the CID must ask President Akufo-Addo of the whereabouts of the man who assaulted ASP Nanka Bruce. The President Addo is serving as protective cover for these guys..! The CID should ask Nana Addo and the Castle Operations team so he lifts the veil off the guy! The President must demonstrate Leadership in the face this looming danger! If all that we are hearing is true (the security lapses) then we must equally be alarmed for the personal security of the President, he added.

General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnon Asiedu Nketsiah, has called on President Akufo-Addo and functionaries of the NPP to disband the vigilante group who have in recent times gained notoriety for terrorizing perceived political opponents.

But deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen has rebuffed the request, saying For goodness sakes, they (main opposition National Democratic Congress) should stop dragging the name of Invincible Forces into whatever is happening (seizure of cars and offices). Invincible Forces is a very formidable body in the NPP. These young men have helped the party a lot. They used to clean the floors for us, they used to arrange the chairs for us, they are not being paid, they have been around with the party. So it is only a daydreamer who will come out with the idea that we should disband the Invincible Forces. Its not NPP as a party that set up the Invincible Forces, a conglomeration of young men [did].
Taxes serve as sources of revenue to governments which are expended on public projects.

What then are taxes? A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.

It is however an offence punishable by law when one refuses to render his or her tax obligation.

Taxes are in various forms basically classified into both direct and indirect taxes and some of the taxes paid in Ghana include the Corporate Tax, Personal Income Tax, Tax Stamp, Gift Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Rent Tax, Mineral Royalties, Communications Service Tax, Value Added Tax (Vat) and National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL).

The government also charges special taxes and levies on products and services such as fuel, electricity, Television viewing, imports, exports and many more.

MAJOR NPP 2016 CAMPAIGN PROMISE

Ghanaians overwhelmingly bought the manifesto of the NPP by voting for the party and its presidential candidate, now President Nana Akuffo Addo based on major campaign promises geared towards the massive development of the country and its citizenry. These promises includes; One District One Factory, One Village One Dam in the three Northern Regions, One Million Dollars for each District, Free SHS and many others.

Undoubtedly, we believe that with good management and economic prudency, these promises and more are achievable. However, we are quick to state that, these promises needs capital injection from the state through taxes and investments; be it local or foreign.

Ghanaians must be oriented to understand that no one than themselves can make Ghana the paradise they seek. For this reason, while the government intends reducing the tax burden on businesses to make them more productive and efficient in order for them to increase their capacities, we also suggest the introduction of a new taxes such as the Religious Tax (RT) or Social Bodies Taxes (SBT).

This tax when introduced must include churches, mosques and all other recognized religious bodies in the payment of direct taxes.

Religious Tax

Religion is the belief in the worship of a supernatural controlling power (God) especially a personal God or Gods. The body or institutions that aid the worship of the supernatural controlling power is what we call religious bodies. These bodies include the Christian faith, Islamic faith, Traditional faith and others.

Ghanaian Religious Contributions

Collection of tax or revenue has been insufficient to generating revenue for the government. Over the years, there has been complaints from the quarters of ministers and financial experts on the slim nature of our tax net and how government continues to burden businesses and identified tax payers when it increases taxes.

Considering the huge proceeds accruing from religious bodies, payment of tax from these religious bodies would be another way of widening the tax new and increasing government revenue. In Ghana, individuals have the right to form and join any religious body. This has led to the ever increasing number of religious bodies in Ghana from the charismatic to the orthodox, the traditional associations and so many more. Just as the bible requires every Christian to pay tithes to help build the church, it wouldnt be wrong if religious bodies refuse to contribute to nation building by allocating a some percentage of what the earn during service and pay as tax.

In most of the religious bodies, its members pay dues, welfare, tithes, day born offering, and special offertory and so on. some even engage in trade by selling oil, soap, water, just to mention a few, all of these are done without any amount being paid to the state.

Is it wrong for these religious bodies to pay tax? Our answer is a bigger NO . Considering the large number of religious bodies we have in the country and the profits they accrue on daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. We strongly recommend that, every religious body that operates within the State registers with the Registrar General Department and given special Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) to enhance tax collection. In this regard, the tin would be submitted to Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for compliance. To affect this, there should be a Parliamentary Legislation to ensure religious bodies from rank and file of this nation honor the payment of religious tax and failure to adhere to such directive attracts a special penalty, which can include closure.

To conclude, the introduction of such a tax would not be without its own challenges and opposition. However, for the interest of the better Ghana that we all dream of, Government, Citizens, Foreign partners, Investors, Religious bodies and Stakeholders have a second view and consider accepting the implementation of the Religious Tax not as a burden but rather a means of raising more revenue for nation building.

Considering the relevance of taxes to assisting the government with revenue to undertake public projects, we cannot dispute the fact that any further addition to our tax revenue is a positive step. To increase the tax base, inclusion of a Religious Tax is a step in the right direction and we would be glad to see it implementation.

EAGLE EYE INTERNATIONAL
Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, February 27, 2017  The African Development Bank (AfDB)-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) approved a US $995,000-grant to the Republic of The Gambia to implement a programme to facilitate private investments in Green Mini-Grids (GMG) through the creation of an enabling policy, institutional and regulatory framework, as well as direct support to project development and financing.

Electricity access stands around 40% country-wide and 12% in rural areas, and is mostly powered by fossil fuel generation, which translates into one of the highest consumer tariffs in the region.

The Government of The Gambia is interested in realising the opportunity of greening its power sector by incorporating renewable energy in the countrys energy mix, while providing access to attain of the 1.91 million population in the country by 2030.

Specifically, the SEFA-funded project will support the preparation of appropriate policy and regulatory framework, develop technical standards and guidelines, carry out feasibility studies and structure a tender process to attract the most suitable investors. The project will also provide technical and institutional capacity building, including on legal and regulatory issues, for the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MoPE), the Regulator (PURA), the National Power Utility (NAWEC), the communities and other private key stakeholders.

At this time of transition, we are pleased about assisting The Gambia in attracting investments into clean energy mini-grids. These will be key to providing energy to all rural households and businesses, thus laying the foundations for sustainable economic development, stated Engedasew Negash Habtemichael, AfDB Renewable Energy Division Manager.

About the Sustainable Energy for Africa (SEFA)

Launched in 2012, SEFA is a US $95-million multi-donor facility funded by the governments of Denmark, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy. It supports the sustainable energy agenda in Africa through grants to facilitate the preparation of medium-scale renewable energy generation and energy efficiency projects; equity investments to bridge the financing gap for small- and medium-scale renewable energy generation projects; and support to the public sector to improve the enabling environment for private investments in sustainable energy. SEFA is hosted by the Renewable Energy Department of the AfDB.
Child marriage is a violation of human rights that affects approximately 15 million girls every year. It is often referred to as early and/or forced marriage since children, given their age, are not able to give free, prior and informed consent to their marriage partners or to the timing of their marriage. The practice occurs around the world and cuts across countries, cultures and religions: 45% of girls under 18 are married in South Asia; 42% in West and Central Africa, 39% in sub-Saharan Africa, and 36% in Eastern and South Africa; 23% in Latin America and the Caribbean; and 18% in the Middle East and North Africa.

Despite the international communitys prohibition of this harmful practice as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Conventions on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and several other international and regional commitments, the practice is perpetuated by entrenched adverse customs and traditional attitudes that discriminate against women and factors such as poverty, religious and social pressure, lack of educational and livelihood opportunities, and a fear of family dishonor if unmarried girls are sexually-active or become pregnant.

On July 2 2015, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a substantive Resolution to strengthen efforts to eliminate child, early and forced marriage. Co-sponsored by over 85 states, the resolution shows international support for ending child marriage and making it a human rights priority. This resolution complements the previous UN Resolution on Child, Early and Forced Marriage adopted in 2014 that recognizes child marriage as impairing the future of girls and their communities.

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), a set of 17 goals with 169 targets that address a large scope of sustainable development issues. Member States committed to this agenda, incorporated in Goal 5 To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls target 5.3 calling for the elimination of all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilations.

Fifteen of the 20 countries with the highest rates of child marriage in the world are in the African continent. Therefore, in 2014 the African Union began a Campaign to End Child Marriage and has since launched campaigns in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, The Gambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The campaign seeks to encourage governments to acknowledge the harmful effects of child marriage, specifically the socio-economic impact, and to implement legal and policy tools in the AU to support the elimination of child marriage.

It is important for us as a country to come out with an action plan, a Coincise plan to actually bring this social manace to an end. We have to develop in people strong sentiments against the act and whip up a strong public perception against it.

There is palpable evidence of the ugly act rearing its head again among the three Northern regions. A research I conducted: THE ATTITUDE OF GHANAIANS TOWARDS CHILDREN'S RIGHTS: THE YOROGO case provides substantial evidence on the existence of the ugly act in the upper east region among other violations such as child labour, cultural farming practices and children labelled as witches as a result of some deformities they were born with.

Let us move beyond pen on paper into boots on ground. Child marriages and FGM are an abuse of the child's rights and for that matter their fundamental human Rights and must #STOPNOW.

Salifu Mba Mustapha

Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network

Coordinator Ghana Region

[email protected]
Algiers (AFP) - Polisario separatists have dismissed as "window dressing" Morocco's announcement of a pullback from a zone of the contested Western Sahara that has raised tensions with their Algiers-backed movement.

The foreign ministry in Rabat said Sunday that Morocco will "proceed from today with a unilateral withdrawal from the (Guerguerat) zone," in what it said was a decision taken by King Mohamed VI at the request of UN chief Antonio Guterres.

It gave no details on the pullback.

"The Moroccan decision to withdraw its troops near Guerguerat by a few hundred metres is window dressing," the Polisario Front said in a statement later Sunday.

"It barely disguises Rabat's disdain for international legitimacy, its obstinacy and refusal for almost three decades to allow for the implementation" of UN resolutions on the Western Sahara, it said.

The Polisario said it supported the UN secretary general's call "to respect the spirit and the letter of the ceasefire in force since 1991", reiterating its demands for a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people.

Map of the Western Sahara

It accused Morocco of "blocking a settlement, rejecting negotiations" and UN mediation efforts.

Tensions flared in 2016 after the Polisario set up a new military post in Guerguerat near the Mauritanian border, a stone's throw from Moroccan soldiers.

The move came after Morocco last August started building a tarmac road in the area south of the buffer zone separating the two sides.

Morocco and the Polisario fought for control of the Western Sahara from 1974 to 1991, with Rabat taking over the desert territory before a UN-brokered ceasefire in the former Spanish colony.

Rabat considers the Western Sahara an integral part of Morocco and proposes autonomy for the resource-rich territory under its sovereignty.

Spain and France, who shared colonial power in pre-independence Morocco, have both welcomed Rabat's announcement of a Guerguerat pullback and called on the Polisario to follow suit.

Morocco said it started building the tarmacked road, located inside a buffer zone under the 1991 ceasefire, to combat smuggling, and the Polisario has responded by sending in patrols and building a new base.

Bechir Mohamed, the chief of security in the Al-Mahbes area in the Western Sahara, poses for a photo inside his hut on February 3, 2017

Newspapers in Rabat say only a four-kilometre (2.5-mile) stretch of the road has been asphalted because Polisario incursions since December have interrupted work.

For the separatists, the work aims to alter the status quo, while Rabat insists on the flow of road traffic for trade between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa.

Several lorries have been intercepted and truck drivers subjected to insults and stone-throwing in past months, according to Moroccan newspapers.
In a 2015 monograph issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a body of the World health Organization, the former concluded on basis of scientific evidence, that Glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans. This means that this popular organophosphate compound, which is found in most agro-chemicals including the popular local brand Edwuma Wura, causes cancer. Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide globally, with a production of 620,000 tons in 2008, according to paper published in Elsevier journal by Norwegian researchers, Bohn et al. (2014). In 2015, Sri Lanka followed El Salvadors 2013 decision to ban Glyphosate after scientific studies showed that it (glyphosate) was the cause of increased incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) which inflicted 15% of the working population in the northern part of the country.

The human health and environmental impact of Glyphosate has been a subject of intense controversy within the international scientific community. For instance the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) strongly contested the conclusions of IARC on grounds that the data was inconclusive. Recent studies in 2015 by Robin Mesnage (a molecular biologist and geneticist at Kings College London) and his colleagues, concluded that chronic exposure to a Glyphosate-based Herbicides (GBH) in an established laboratory animal toxicity model system at an ultra-low, environmental dose can result in liver and kidney damage with potential significant health implications for animal and human populations. Other researchers, employing different investigative methods have reached similar conclusions (e.g. see Olorunsogo, Bababunmi & Bassir, 1979; Larsen, Najle, Lifschitz & Virkel, 2012).

From an environmental perspective [...] Click to download full brief here.

The Ghanaian Smallholder Farmer & Glyphosate

In a snap-check survey conducted by Rural Heights Foundation, agro-chemical dealers were selected randomly from Pinanko in Gomoa West, Kantamanto in Accra and Swedru in Agona, to screen their inventory mix for Glyphosate. All retailers reviewed sold some brand of herbicide with Glyphosate compound. There is additional observational data from Pinanko, Darumpong and Osedze in the Gomoa West district to suggest the popular use of Sunphosate and Nwura Wura (all containing Glyphosate), during land clearance and preparation stages of the production phase. According some farmers spoken to by Rural Heights Foundation, the weedicide is a life-saver because labor cost for land clearance could amount to GH100 per pole (acre). This cost is prohibitive to many smallholder farmers compared to the shelf price of a powerful weedicide such as Glyphosate that may cost as low as [...] Click to download full brief here.

High Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Ghana: Coincidence?

In March 2014, Ghana News Agency reported statements by Dr. Yaw Asante Awuku, the physician specialist at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Dialysis Centre, indicating that one (1) out of every ten (10) patients are diagnosed with kidney disease. Few studies (Osafo et al., 2011; Ephraim et al., 2015) have drawn correlation between diabetes and hypotension and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) among high risk populations in Ghana, so there is little scientific grounds to [...] Click to download full brief here.

Why is this Issue Important?

On January 10, 2017 [...] policy implications, key recommendations and source citations, download full brief for FREE.

Do you seek a CSR partner that shares your interest and passion for social impact, speak to us about possible areas for collaboration or support. [email protected]
Dear Minister of Education,

I send you greetings from my Asebu village. I am writing this letter to draw you attention on a few things that would move our educational sector forward. I am motivated by a recent video done by an ignoramus who seem to have made it in life without the help of the things he learnt in school. Such people even though would send their children to the best schools, would always want to mock the system.

I want to make a few suggestions that would make the NPP Era very different from the NDC.

1. CHALKS & BLACKBOARDS

At the basic level, chalks and blackboards in the 21st century poses one of the biggest threat to female-well dressed classroom attendance. It reduces teacher confidence and causes a lot of distractions to the teaching learning process. It makes the teacher very dirty especially with the use of charcoal. It could also be dangerous to the health of the teacher when dry cell batteries are used. Particles of charcoal can also cause damages to the eye.

I am therefore by this letter appealing to your high office to consider switching to the use of white boards and markers to boost teacher confidence in front of the class. A confident teacher is more likely to attract the attention of the students which would go a long way to ensure good grasp of what is being taught.

Second, I suggest the government help private Ghanaians to set up at least 2 factories to produce markers for supply directly to the GES. This would also help create employment for the local people and boost the use of made in Ghana products.

2. TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

To make a big impact and propel us to our needed development, we must seriously embrace technical/vocational education. At the moment, most students of technical schools lack the requisite confidence and tools and equipments to be able to produce responsible students who would contribute meaningfully to their Ghanaian economy. People make fun of technical students especially coming from SECTECHS. A lot of people don't have respect for students of Sectechs! Further, for a student of these institutions to breakthrough the normal tertiary system, they have to go through T1, T2 &3, then sometimes, HND, etc. It takes them an average of about 7-10yrs to break through the normal tertiary system after JHS whilst their SHS counterpart spends just 3 years at the SHS level and goes straight to the universities for another 3 years.

Suggestions

Integrated approach

In the interim, as a short term gradual process measure, let's make a small declaration that would allow some mainstream good SHS to admit at least 2 classes of Technical students in some selected best schools (grade A schools) across the country. Mfantsipim does it better.

They have two classes each of Technical and virtual Arts.

Second, equip such grade A schools with the required tools and equipments to be able to help train people in ceramics, applied electricity, block work, woodwork, metal work, technical drawing, graphic designs etc.

Third, provide the schools with highly trained technical teachers with special incentives.

The integrated system is aimed at boosting the morale of the students for learning. At the moment, a lot of people including parents have negative attitudes towards 100% technical/vocational schools.

They believe only "dumb, drab and dull" students must be sent to technical or vocational school. In rural set ups like where I come from, families are likely to send students with aggregate 06-20 to "better schools" and then we would see if we can send those with aggregate 40+ to AsuTech, CapeTech or some SecTech and NVTI school sitting in some village looking for students intake! Such students are used for donkey jobs and are mostly good and respected only during sports! This attitude must change! We must first attempt to integrate technical education into the mainstream SHS schools especially with only grade A schools allowed to handle at least two classes each of technical and vocational education.

Fully-Fledged Technical Schools

Yes, eventually, in the long term, and ideally, it is good to have a technical or vocational institution to train such students. The challenges of technical/vocational schools in this country are like Osama Bin Ladin trying to bomb the White House! Most technical/vocational schools lack quality teachers. There are inadequate tools and equipment that would aid teaching and learning, they lack infrastructure/facilities to facilitate the teaching of technical subjects. This makes the integrated approach more practical and Ghanaian. At least the main stream schools have quality mathematics, physics and other teachers who are mostly experienced and well motivated!

Ghana need a good array of technical scho ols with beautiful architectural designs attractive to both good quality teachers and students!

Mr. Minister, we have a proverb in this country that *if the drum face is there, you don't beat the side and side, you have to beat the middle "pempedempa, pempedempa*"... Since independence, we have not been able to raise technical/vocational schools to the levels with which they can contribute meaningfully to the economy of Ghana. We can draw lessons from Singapore, Finland, China and other countries that embraced technical education longtime ago. Most of these countries now have higher GDPs and per capita incomes due to the seriousness with which they gave to technical education long time ago! Let's begin to beat the "drum face" today for a brighter tomorrow! The "side and side" of the drum have been beaten for a very longtime.

Thank you.

Yours village servant

Kingsley Kofi Karikari-Bondzie

Asebu (0244575116)

(B.Ed Social Studies/ M. A HRM)
27.02.2017 LISTEN

By Maxwell Ofori, Parliament House

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase constituency and Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has thrown a challenge to African countries to stop patronising South African products, as a protest against the xenophobic attacks.

His comments were in relation to recent attacks on foreign nationals living in South Africa, with particular focus on Nigerians. The MP made this assertion last Friday on the floor of Parliament, when commenting on a statement made by the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on the xenophobic attacks which began about a week.

According to him, it was about time other African countries stopped being too diplomatic to critical issues and point out the wrongs being perpetrated by the South Africans, who, mostly, depend on the other countries to sell their products.

Mr Speaker, I am guided by your wise counsel that we need to be guarded, but, Mr Speaker, I beg you to suggest this; can all Africans avoid products from South Africa as a way of showing them that we depend on each other. Mr Speaker, it will interest you to note, and my colleagues who are in Pan African Parliament will tell you, since the xenophobic attacks in 2015, I have never bought anything in South Africa, apart from food and water, and I have said it in the Pan African Parliament that that was my personnel protest against the xenophobic attacks. I will never spend anything apart from what will keep me alive, and Mr Speaker, I have stuck to that up to date, he indicated.

He further stated that Africans believe that they are one people and depend on each other, citing that it was sad to note the incidents in South Africa. He added that members of the Pan African Parliament were not happy with the situation, which was the eighth one as of 2015, and suggested that if the xenophobic attacks were not going to stop, then the Pan African Parliament should be relocated from South Africa.

The MP said some assurances were given by their ministers, even from their President, assuring Africans of their safety in South Africa, but the attacks still persist, though the government of South Africa had condemned the acts, describing same as unfortunate, and that steps were being taken to make sure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

Mr Speaker, as we speak today, nothing has been done, even though some of the attackers were caught on cameras, to the extent that some were even reported to be members of the South African officials, yet nothing has happened.

Mr Speaker, you said our comments should be guarded, because of diplomacy, but my worry is for how long can we continue to do this kind of diplomacy while our people continue to suffer? For how long can we continue to give these nice words while our people continue to suffer in each other's hands? he queried.

He urged other African countries to unite not to violently also attack properties of South Africa in our countries, not to violently attack their citizens in our countries, but to boycott their products. He explained that if other African countries begin to boycott any South African product, they will begin to feel the heat at home, and that will make them know that we need each other.

Because, Mr Speaker, of the pain in South Africa; I remember in 2015, when we were debating this, we were reminded on how Nigerian students had to forego their lunch and supper and contributed that money to fight apartheid in South Africa. How many African countries had to put their loss aside, and give their freedom fighters shelter, food and what have you, just for them to be able to get out of their difficulties.

Today, in less than just 15 years, they seem to have forgotten that we were the people together standing with them and pushing to get them liberated. Now they are venting their anger on innocent Africans who are there struggling daily.

I will urge that our Foreign Minister, who has ably made this statement, summon the South African Ambassador to find out why they keep assuring us and keep doing nothing. If they were to punish the perpetrators, like any other crime in South Africa, I am sure this would come to an end, but if they continue not to address the issue and pretend that they are doing something, when, in actual sense they are doing nothing, we will continue to have this situation.

On his part, the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, agreed with the sentiments expressed by the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak.

Mr Speaker, he alludes to what Nigeria did in facilitating the liberation of South Africa. Mr Speaker, Ghana has done much, much, better than Nigeria, as far as these matters are concerned, contributing to liberating the state in Southern Africa, but why all of a sudden are we witnessing these matters? Mr Speaker, I believe the answer is simple; primarily attributable to mis-governance. South Africa, after independence, was the largest economy in Africa. Over just two years, they have lost the place. Nigeria has overtaken them, and their economy keeps shrinking. 'Dum-so dum-so' has affected South Africa, and there is massive and colossal corruption taking place in South Africa, and the ordinary people are left to their fate.

Mr Speaker, these things that are happening are not at the instance of government. It is against government, and they are attacking other nationals, who, in their view, have come in to take their place, even though, ordinarily, many of the jobs that these African countries and nationals from other African countries have plunged themselves into may ordinarily not be taken up by these South Africans themselves. Given the situation they find themselves in now, they think that the other nationals are taking over their positions, and that is what is aggravating the situation. For now, the focus is on Nigerians, and it is so, because every now and then, when you hear of drug business you point accusing fingers to the Nigerians, in spite of the fact that many of the Nigerian guys who are there are into good jobs and helping to grow the economy of South Africa, but because of a few miscreants, a few Nigerians are in drug business, they are attacking the citizens of Nigeria.

The statement by the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, indicated that the Ghana High Commission in South Africa had reported that in the Cape Town area, about 70 nationals had their business properties destroyed in a locality, and 20 others were affected at a different location.

However, most nationals, who, initially sought refuge in designated centres, had now returned to their homes, and the High Commissioner was monitoring the situation




27.02.2017 LISTEN

Nana Agyemang Badu Duah, Chief of Kunsu in the Ahafo Ano South District, has donated teaching and learning materials to schools in about 33 communities under his jurisdiction.

The items included books and boxes of chalk, worth about GH25,000, to help improve teaching and learning in the beneficiary schools.

The gesture forms part of activities lined up to observe his second anniversary of enstoolment.

The Chief, who indicated that improving the standard of education is his priority, explained at the presentation ceremony that the gesture is to complement the efforts of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, at promoting education.

Nana Badu Duah pleaded with parents not to over rely on the proposed free Senior High School (SHS) policy of the government, and neglect their basic responsibility of providing the needs of their wards of school going age, but rather take keen interest in their studies.

According to him, a law would be instituted to ensure that no child of school going age is seen outside on the streets after 8 p.m., to encourage them to learn.







Stories from Ernest Best Anane
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) office at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has no internet connection to enhance revenue collection and being up-to-date with the operations of their stakeholders.

In the Greater Accra Region, the TOR GRA comes next to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), when it comes to revenue collection.

The TOR GRA collects indirect taxes from oil marketing companies, and some of the taxes it collects include TOR Debt Recovery Levy, Road Fund Levy, Special Petroleum Tax and Energy Fund Levy.

Mr Opoku Kwarteng, the new Chief Revenue Collector at the TOR GRA Collection, disclosed this to a section of the media in an interview, after a brief pulling out ceremony to see off Mr. Felix Dellor, his predecessor, on the forecourt of TOR.

He said: Not only does my Collection need internet connection, but internet with a high speed to enhance work efficiency and output. The TOR GRA Collection has been unable to work effectively, due to the internet connection the office did not have, he explained.

The TOR GRA collects huge revenues for the state, and so if our office cannot boast of internet connectivity, I am sorry, we cannot work efficiently in tracking and keeping up-to-date records.

A couple of challenges, he mentioned, were how under-staffed his outfit was, and vehicles the Collection did not have to reach out to their stakeholders on a regular basis to improve on efficiency.

Mr. Kwarteng entreated his superiors to provide a permanent office accommodation for the TOR GRA Collection point, explaining that albeit the staff is few; their present office is too small to contain them.

Continuing, he said his outfit would educate their stakeholders  oil marketing companies  on the need to pay all taxes they collect on petroleum products in time.

The oil marketing companies are to pay the taxes monthly, however, some withhold the payment for months, and that is a challenge I will confront head on.

Opoku Kwarteng commended his predecessor for his commitment and dedication to service in the face of the numerous challenges the TOR GRA Collection was faced with.

The predecessor, Felix Dellor, was Assistant Commissioner of the GRA at TOR for two and half years, in addition to serving the authority for thirty years in different capacities with diligence and commitment,

In his brief speech, Felix Dellor said the TOR GRA Collection point ought to be better resourced with more staff, following its enormous task.

About 250 companies transact business with the TOR GRA Collection, and considering the enormity of their duty, Mr Dellor explained that the GRA would have to provide more hands and logistics.

He said the Collection worked fifteen hours because of the few staff, and I pray that the GRA would consider increasing the staff, so that the TOR GRA Collection would run a shift for effective collection and better service delivery.

From Inusa Musah, Tema
27.02.2017 LISTEN

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Mr Paul Ansah, a Communication and marketing expert as the new Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

In a letter of appointment to the new Director General President, President Akufo-Addo wrote: Pursuant to section 8(2) of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Act, 1986 (PNDCL 160) I hereby appoint you to act as the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the governing board of the Authority, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission. I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your appointment. Kindly indicate your acceptance or otherwise of this appointment. Thank you.

Meanwhile, Mr Paul Ansah, who was formally in charge of the marketing department at the Takoradi Port, where he helped to bring business, especially from the Sahelian region to the port, has promised to apply his rich knowledge and experience in the maritime industry to improve the efficiency and productivity at the ports, enhance the quality of service delivery in our ports, transform the port industry into the beacon for economic growth in Ghana and position our ports as the maritime hub for trade and industry in the entire sub-region

Mr Ansah holds UNCTAD Post Graduate Diploma in Senior Port Management, Dublin, Ireland, 2016, Commonwealth Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, 2015, Post Graduate Diploma in Port Management, JICA Institute, Yokohama, Japan, 2003, Post Graduate Diploma in Port Administration, Galilee Collage, Israel, 199, Post Graduate Degree in Communication Studies, University of Ghana, 1993, BA. Hons  Humanities  University of Ghana  1988.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Corporate Affairs and Marketing Manager, Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (Current), Management Consultant on Public Private Partnership for Nigeria Port Authority, 2013-2015, Member, National Trade Facilitation Committee, 2014-2016, Marketing & Public Relations Manager and Chairman of the Strategic Management Team, Port of Tema, 2013-2015, Member, GPHA Institutional Restructuring Committee, 2013, Chairman of the Technical Committee on Trade, Investment, Transport and Free Movement: Ghana-Burkina Faso Permanent Joint Commission for Co-operation, 2011.

He was also the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Trade, Transport and Free Movement, Tourism and Information Technology: Ghana-Ivory Coast Permanent Joint Commission for Co-operation, 2012, Chairman, Transit Shipper Committee of Ghana Shippers' Authority, Takoradi, 2010-2012, West Africa Trade Hub Advocacy Group Leader on Transit Facilitation, 2009-2012, Member, ECOWAS Stakeholder Working Group on Transport Facilitation, 2011, Marketing and Customer Services Manager and Chairman of the Strategic Management Team  Port of Takoradi, 2009 -2012, GPHAs Resident Representative to Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, 2005  2009.

He also once served as the Marketing and Customer Services Manager, Port of Takoradi, 2001  2005, World Bank Communications Consultant on The FCUBE and the Public Sector Management Reform Projects, 1999-2002, Public Affairs Manager-GPHA, 1998  2001, Senior Public Relations Officer- GPHA, 1994  1998.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

He established an emphatically Positive Corporate Image for GPHA in the local and international business community, Won for GPHA the Public Sector PR Organization of the Year-2015.

Awarded by the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, Won for the Port of Tema the Public Relations Campaign of the Year-2015 with: The Tema Port Integrity Project. Awarded by the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, Won for the Port of Tema, the Best Performing Port in West and Central Africa-2014 Awarded by Port Management Association of West and Central Africa.

He also won for the Port of Tema, the Best Performing Container Terminal in West and Central Africa-2014. Awarded by Port Management Association of West and Central Africa, Transformed the Port of Takoradi from a Dead Port requiring no warehouse to a vibrant port that attracted $7 million worth of warehousing facilities in four years, 2001-2005, Won for the Port of Takoradi, the Century International Quality Era Award in Gold Category at the 14thInternational Quality Convention in Geneva Switzerland. 2002, Drafted speeches on ports and maritime matters for Presidents Rawlings, Kufuor, Mills and Mahama, as well as their transport ministers from 2000 to date

Has facilitated many international conferences and delivered professional papers in Ghana, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Korea, Mali, etc.

SPECIAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Strategic Planning and Management Skills, Transformative Leadership Skills, Excellent Communication Skills, Goal and Results Oriente, Team Player with profound Organizational Skills

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

President, Fellowship of Christian Businessmen & Professionals International of Lighthouse Chapel  Tema &Takoradi, 1999-2005, National President, National Union of Ghana Students, 1992-1993, National President, Ghana United Nations Youth & Students Association, 1991  1992, Coordinating Secretary, National Union of Ghana Students, 1989  1991, General Secretary, Ghana United Nations Youth & Students Association, 1988 -1988, President of Legon Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, 1986  1987, Senior Prefect, Winneba Secondary School, 1983

POLITICAL BACKGROUND:

Member of Eastern Regional NPP Special Elections Volunteers  2016, Member of Eastern Regional NPP Communication Strategy Team:  2016, Member of Eastern Regional NPP Council of Patrons: 2015  2016, Member of the Asuogyaman Constituency Campaign Team for Election 2016, NPP Parliamentary Aspirant for Asuogyaman Constituency  2015, Chairman of Asuogyaman NPP Council of Patrons: 2014  2016, NPP Pooling Agent in the Asuogyaman Constituency, 2012, Member of Eastern Regional NPP Council of Patrons: 2011  2012, NPP Parliamentary Aspirant for Asuogyaman Constituency  2011.

Member of the Western Regional NPP Finance Committee: 2010-2011, NPP Parliamentary Aspirant for Asuogyaman Constituency  2007, Member of the NPP since 1992, Member of the Movement for Freedom and Justice committed to returning Ghana to Democratic Rule 1990  1992, Member of the Coordinating Committee of Democratic Forces committed to returning Ghana to Democratic Rule: 1988 -1989

PRO-DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISM:

Led the National Union of Ghana Students to reject and successfully fight against the promulgation of some obnoxious PNDC Laws in the late 1980s: Religious Bodies Registration Law, Newspaper Licensing Law, Habeas Corpus Amendment Law, Originated the idea of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (Get-Fund) in 1988, Was brutalized and detained by the Police Striking Force at the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters for standing up to the brutalization and extortionist tendencies of the dreaded Commandos of the PNDC era in 1989.

FAMILY BACKGROUND:

Married with three children to Mrs. Frances Mullen Ansah, a Principal State Attorney.

By Emmanuel Akli
27.02.2017 LISTEN

The debilitating energy crisis that hit the country some years ago, which the immediate past National Democratic Congress (NDC) government claimed to have resolved, appears to have resurfaced.

Reports from all parts of the country indicate that power outages are occurring on a regular basis, especially, at this period of the year when the heat is at its peak. Apart from this difficult situation, the unplanned outages are affecting electrical appliances in our domestic homes. Already, some businesses have started complaining about the return of the unplanned power cuts, and this is where the danger lies.

In the past five or more years that this energy crisis has been with us, the country has lost huge sums of money, in the form of revenue, because businesses which pay the bulk of the taxes are not working. Payment of income taxes also went down, because employers were not getting the power to work to enable them pay their employees at the end of the month.

Small scale businesses, especially, sole proprietorship, also suffered heavily from this energy crisis, and the overall effect is the current messy state of our economy. To help address the problem, the majority of Ghanaian voters decided to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which, they think, has the managerial acumen to find a lasting solution to the problem.

It is based on this that The Chronicle is warning the Akufo-Addo government not to take things for granted, but work around the clock quickly to find a lasting solution to the Dum-so problem.

Whether the NDC left a messy economy or not is not a bother to the ordinary man, who queued in the scorching sun to vote for the NPP to come back to power to resolve problems confronting the country.

The Chronicle is, however, happy with the report attributed to the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, that the current crisis, which is being attributed to repair works going on at the Atuabo Gas Plant, should be over by the end of the day (last week Friday). We have gone through from 1st February till now with very minimal disruption. We should have come to the end of the programme (repair) on Feb 23rd, however, Tullow, the field operator, requested a couple of days' extension to do the peak testing, and so it moved from 21st to 24th February. Today, (Friday) is the day when we come to the end of the disruptions, and this evening we start the flow of gas, which brings us to our normal state. We've gone through two days of disruptions, but I can tell Ghanaians that, that is the end of the disruptions, Citi FM quoted the Energy Minister as saying.

We hold the Minister to his word, and hope the last week Friday deadline that he gave during the radio interview will be respected. We know the Minister to be an accomplished economist, but not an engineer, but for him to make such a statement about bringing a closure to the problem, meant he had received adequate briefing from his engineers.

He dares, therefore, not fail Ghanaians who have much confidence in his administration.
Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya will ban government adverts in private media, according to a leaked memo seen by AFP on Monday, as the presidency announced plans to launch its own free newspaper.

Government advertising currently brings in some 18 million euros ($19 million) per year for the country's newspapers, according to an official at the Government Advertising Agency.

The letter from state house chief of staff Joseph Kinyua said that cabinet ministers had approved the creation of a newspaper to be known as MY.GOV "that will articulate the government's agenda in a deeper and more accurate way for a better appreciation of government's effort to improve the livelihoods of the citizens".

The newspaper will also contain "useful news on government development programmes, which is currently unavailable through other media".

The memo says that as part of efforts to cut costs, government officials will no longer need to use "resources allocated to them to advertise their services and convey requests for services from the market".

It orders accounting officers to instead place their adverts in the government newspaper.

"Any officer found violating this requirement will be liable to surcharge of the amount spent besides other disciplinary action."

Article19, a freedom of expression watchdog, said the policy to stop advertising in local media was "another calculated design by government officials to have control of media editorial content".

Henry Maina, the NGO's regional director, said he was "very concerned that this policy poses a serious threat both to the media editorial content and the management and operation of independent media in the country".
Dar es Salaam (AFP) - Tanzania on Monday backed out of its plan to publish a list of names of gay people accused of selling sex online, saying this would "destroy evidence".

Deputy health minister Hamisi Kigwangalla had called a press conference on Monday to publicise the list, after announcing the plan earlier this month.

"We cancelled the press conference. We are not going to announce the names of (LGBTs) who publicly market themselves for technical reasons," he wrote on Twitter.

"For strategic reasons and to avoid destroying evidence we will deal with this issue differently and will keep you informed at every step."

He also said that releasing the names would be akin to "freeing a devil in a bottle."

Kigwangalla's threat to publish such a list came just days after the government announced it was stopping many privately run health centres from providing AIDS-related services, which Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said promoted homosexuality.

The United States criticised a move which "could impact US government funded programs and impede progress made over the past several years in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Tanzania."

Gay male sex is punishable by anything from 30 years to life imprisonment under Tanzanian law, but there is no such ban on lesbian relations.

However, politicians have largely ignored the gay community -- which was not subject to levels of discrimination seen in other countries such as neighbouring Uganda -- until a recent spike in anti-gay rhetoric by the government.

In July last year, the regional commissioner for the port city of Dar es Salaam, Paul Makonda, announced a crackdown against gays, followed by arrests in clubs.

Dozens of men suspected of being gay have been detained and taken to hospital for anal exams to confirm their homosexuality.

Also in July last year the government banned the import and sales of sexual lubricants, which Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said encouraged homosexuality which led to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Homosexuality is illegal in 38 of 54 countries in Africa, and is punishable by death in Mauritania, Sudan and Somalia, according to Amnesty International.

Uganda in 2014 tried to impose the death penalty on those found guilty of being homosexual, however the controversial law was later repealed.
Al-Eligat (Sudan) (AFP) - After enduring years of fighting and food shortages, it was the deaths from hunger of many old women and children that finally made Rebecca James decide to flee South Sudan.

Tired and hungry, James is among hundreds of South Sudanese refugees -- mostly women and children -- gathered at a "Refugee Waiting Centre" in Al-Eligat area along the border in Sudan's White Nile state.

The centre hosts refugees fleeing famine and fighting in South Sudan and later transports them to permanent camps in several areas of Sudan.

"For two days I didn't stop running until I reached the border," said James, who comes from South Sudan's Unity State where officials last week declared a state of famine.

The 35-year-old crossed into Sudan with her children two days ago, she told AFP on Monday at the centre some nine kilometres (six miles) from the Sudan-South Sudan border.

"On my way I saw many old women starving to death and young men shot dead in fighting," said James, wearing traditional South Sudanese dress.

Several of her relatives had also died "because of hunger or in fighting," she said.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation formed after splitting from the north in 2011, has declared famine in parts of Unity State, saying 100,000 people face starvation and another million are on the brink of famine.

'Man-made' famine

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said tens of thousands of South Sudanese are expected to pour into Sudan in the coming months.

Displaced woman Mary Nyankuma and her child, who spent 6 months on a small island in the swamps near Adok in Unity State of South Sudan where she was hiding from attacks and surviving on water lillies and river reed roots

Sudan is already hosting nearly 330,000 South Sudanese arrivals since civil war erupted in their country in December 2013.

The conflict broke out after President Salva Kiir accused his rival and former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Fierce fighting between Kiir supporters from the Dinka tribe and Machar supporters from the Neur tribe have left tens of thousands of people dead. More than three million have been displaced.

Aid groups have slammed the "man-made" famine caused by the conflict which has forced people to flee, disrupted agriculture, sent prices soaring and cut off aid agencies from some of the worst-hit areas.

About 32,000 South Sudanese have already crossed into Sudan since January this year, the UNHCR said.

It said it was initially expecting up to 60,000 South Sudanese to arrive in Sudan in throughout 2017, but "the level of new arrivals has thus far surpassed initial expectations".

Peter Kwang, a local leader from the Neur tribe, was despondent on Monday as he collected food parcels at Al-Eligat.

"Our people are starving, they have no food. Many have fled into the forests where there's nothing to eat, and no medicine or shelter," he said.

Hiding in forests

"Many villages have been burnt down completely by government forces."

Await Kong, 75, told AFP her story as she sat on a sack of sorghum, a staple food in Sudan.

A helicopter arrives with supplies of nutrition items and vegetable oil to be distributed to people in need of assistance. South Sudan

"I arrived here three days ago after walking for 10 days, often hiding in forests to escape the fighting," she said.

"I came with my daughter, but we have no information about other relatives who live in Upper Nile" state in South Sudan.

The Al-Eligat centre is a transit camp run by Sudanese authorities and the Sudanese Red Crescent.

However, aid officials said it was equipped only to receive fleeing refugees and offer relief such as basic foodstuffs provided by the UNHCR and its partner agencies.

Set up on farmland along a highway that connects the border with Kosti, the provincial capital of White Nile state, the centre has only makeshift toilets and washing facilities.

Foreign aid workers were seen handing out relief supplies to refugees at the centre on Monday.

After being given aid and being processed, the refugees are then taken to permanent camps in other states in Sudan, including White Nile.

Many stay at the Al-Eligat centre for a few days until they can be housed elsewhere.

"After my father was killed in fighting, my mother and I fled and came here," said 13-year-old Stephen, dressed in a T-shirt and trousers.

"We walked for nearly 65 kilometres (40 miles) before reaching the border, and all we had to eat was leaves from the trees."
After sixty years of independent, Ghana cannot boast of sustainable energy supply, yet, a whopping GHC 20 million is set aside for the Independence Day celebration.

This has there raises serious concern from the well-meaning Ghanaians about the government commitment in investing in the much needed areas such as energy supply and education.

We in the National Youth Empowerment and Accountability Movement (NYEAM), a mouth piece of the Ghanaian youth noted with great concern that there has been a tremendous declining trend of drafting Long-Term developmental goal for the country. This has delayed the concept of development of Ghana and is making the youth becoming increasingly impatient.

Its a shame that Ghana cannot provide sufficient power supply to its Citizenry and investors considering the abundant of resources the country is blessed with.

The youth are worried due to the actions and inactions of the government that directly impact the youth empowerment negatively by collapsing businesses, stripping off both foreign and local investors and deny students the privilege to learn as a result of insufficient power supply. This and many more has been the woe of our youth.

In the wake of the dilemma of Ghana @60, the youth are only asking one question, what are we celebrating; the failure of Ghanas independence or misplaced priority?

NYEAM is of the view that, if government is committed to empowering the youth, then, it should channel the said GHC 20 million into the energy sector to improve on generating capacity of electric-power instead of celebrating sixty years of independence in darkness.

Power supply and QUALITY education work hand-in-hand in empowering the youth that is why NYEAM is applauding the government intention to make education free at senior high school level come September 2017-2018 academic year.

It is not how old a county is, rather, how much a country has achieved.

It seems lack of directions and foresight to apprehend the needs of the youth and the country in general is a problem for our contemporary leadership.

The prosperity of the youth and the generations yet unborn, however, should be paramount to our government than ostentatious venture that brings no benefits to the youth and the country.

We suggest that the government priority should be to empower the youth first before any other abstentious policy.

NYEAM further recommend that our government should emulate President John Magufuli of Tanzania who canceled his country independence Day celebration for developmental reasons.

God bless Ghana, God bless Ghana youth.

Thank you.

Signed:

Sheihu Beni

(National coordinator)

026805611

Emmanuel John Bacha

(General Secretary)

0245160811
Less than two months after sheepishly handing over power to the Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party, the opposition National Democratic Congress is facing its worse internal insurrections with the potential of disintegrating the party unless; immediate measures are taken to assuage pent-up feeling among various feuding factions.

Though the NDC has suffered similar internal wrangling in the past, party insiders say the main opposition party may not be lucky to survive the on-going bickering in the party if what people are planning against each other is allowed to fester.

This time round, we (NDC) may not be that fortunate to come out stronger from our internal issues like we did in the past. Now the party is divided at almost all levels. There is division at the grassroots; our MPs in parliament are fighting each other; national, regional and constituency executives are at each others throat over our defeat and alleged hoarding of campaign funds, a senior member of the NDC who does not want his name mentioned told this paper.

He added that, the difficulty we are facing now is that there is nobody in the party to address what is happening. All those who could doused the tension in the party are themselves directly or indirectly linked to the blame games and internal strife.

Reports are that members of the NDC have been fighting each other over the partys defeat in last years election. Since we lost power, none of our meetings have ended well... we either end-up trading insults or blaming one another for our defeat. There are some people in the party who do not want to see each otherso we are unable to meet to discuss how to reorganize the party, another heavyweight of the party told The aL-hAJJ.

The infighting amongst top brass of the party has cascaded to party grassroots and social media commentators who have in recent times turned attention to fighting proxy wars in defense of their bosses.

Not a day passes without known NDC activists trading insults and/or accusing some kingpins in the main stream or through social media over alleged wrongful acts whilst in government which resulted in the partys excruciating defeat at the polls.

A recent request by the Functional Executive of the NDC at a meeting to seek financial assistance from former appointees of the Mahama administration for the running of the party ended up in confusion.

Sources at the meeting say the former appointees led by former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr Shirley Aryittey vowed not to contribute a penny towards the management of the party unless the National Executives account for campaign funds donated to the party.

This is said to have added to the already volatile situation in the party making it impossible for leading members of the party to meet and plan how to reorganize the party not to talk of strategizing on how to tackle the Akufo Addo led-government, a source revealed.

A section of the partys kingpins and supporters are already up in arms with the NDC founder, Mr Jerry John Rawlings over claims he aided President Akufo-Addo and the NPP to defeat President Mahama and the NDC.

Hirelings of Mr Rawlings are also firing back at his accusers, warning them to shelve their attacks on the NDC founder and focused on investigating how they gifted power to their main rivals or risk incurring their wrath.

Other NDC activists are also talking ill of immediate-past President Mahama and some of his appointees for complacency and neglect of the grassroots which lead to the partys embarrassing defeat in the 2016 elections.

Jostling for party positions at the various levels including the next flag bearer position is also said to be creating tension in the party. Whilst majority of the party members are rooting for Mr Mahamas comeback, others are kicking against his comeback and have started marketing their preferred candidates.

More worrying is the ongoing elbowing among incumbent National Executives and some NDC kingpins who are warming up to supplant the current executives. A group in the party with the backing of some kingpins is reported to have adopted a plot codenamed operation wipe out all incumbent executives which is said to be causing consternation wthin the party. Some of the incumbent executives bent on retaining their positions are also said to have vowed to defend their positions.

Stay tuned.
Having succeeded in using half-truths and sometimes outright lies to bait Ghanaians into voting out his government, the governing New Patriotic Party has activated another devious tactics aimed at painting President John Mahama and his administration as the worse thing to ever happen in Ghana.

Headlining these crude political antics is an elaborate scheme by the Akufo-Addo government to use the power of state machinery, the media and other assigns to desecrate and denigrate ex-President Mahama, his immediate family, appointees and his supposed friends.

Leading this latest attempt to smear Mr Mahama is no less a person than President Akufo-Addo himself who threw all courtesies to the wind and launched an unrestrained onslaught on the ex-presidents record in office during his maiden State of the Nation Address.

The Presidents attacks on Mr Mahamas record without acknowledging the good works he has been bequeathed came days after the two Ghanaian statesmen at the inauguration of Gambias newly elected President, Mr Adama Barrow; ceremoniously embraced each other before the cameras to the admiration of all.

Whilst many heaped praises on the two and predicted that, that was a sign of cordial relationship between President Akufo-Addo and Mr Mahama, little did those who held this view knew the President had planned to start vile campaign against the former President and his administration.

Aside setting up Mr Mahama for public ridicule that he wanted to purchase his official residence, President Akufo-Addo and his henchmen in government also tried to accuse officials of the previous administration of stealing 200 government vehicles.

When former deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Jonny Osei Kofi, exposed them with documentary evidence, the Akufo-Addo government resorted to using officials of National Security and NPP vigilante group, Invincible Forces, to terrorize NDC members in the name of retrieving missing government vehicles.

The government has so far been embarrassed as it ended up apologizing to persons whose vehicles have been forcefully seized, and in some instances, NPP activists who led such illegal operations have been sued.

With all these antics failing, the Akufo-Addo administration has resorted to using the Economic and Organize Crime Office (EOCO) to go after some officials of the Mahama government in a desperate move to get them implicated and eventually jailed for corruption.

To sustain his negative tag of the Mahama government, President Akufo-Addo in his first State of the Nation Address painted a gloomy future he says the previous administration had left behind.

Deliberately ignoring the unmatched infrastructural achievements of the outgone NDC government and the seemingly impressive economic fundamentals, President Akufo-Addo chose to only highlight the shortfalls of the Mahama administration.

While it is on record that, it was the Mahama government that negotiated a 125 million Canadian dollars facility to support governments initiative of increasing agricultural output and reduce food prices, President Akufo-Addo failed to acknowledge his predecessors efforts in initiating and securing funding for the project expected to kick-start this year.

President Nana Akufo Addo in his maiden State of the Nation Address to Parliament last week disclosed that: An amount of 125 million Canadian dollars has been secured from Canada a friend of our nation to support the initiative. This will be anchored on the pillars that will transform agriculture, the provision of improved seeds, supply of fertilizers and the use of e-agriculture.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Minister of Food and Agriculture in the immediate past government, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, told the media there is no way a new government will resume office in six weeks and contract a loan without the donor country doing due diligence before giving out the funds adding, he expects the Canadian High Commission to react to the Presidents statement.

He added that since 2013 the government of Canada began discussions with the Mahama government of Ghana on the next budget support program which was to be designed. And we went through a number of tasks to be able to come out with this.

The Akufo-Addo government is also alleged to have deliberately created an artificial power rationing popularly known as dumsor, to rubbish Mr Mahamas investment in the energy sector and claims; he had fix the debilitating power crisis.

Perhaps, President Akufo-Addo was setting the tone for full rollout of this plot when he stated in his SONA address that Mr Mahama handed over to him an energy sector saddled with huge debt without acknowledging investments his predecessor made in the energy sector which has resulted in installed generation of over 3500MW against peak demand of 2000MW.

Government spokesperson, so-called neutral Civil Society Groups and Journalists have since been assigned to blame the ongoing power outages on the Mahama government. Vice President of IMANI Ghana, Mr Kofi Bentil amplified governments inordinate propaganda to obliterate Mr Mahamas record when he said the energy sector was put on steroids in the last quarter of 2016 to give a semblance of a crisis that has been solved.

This, The aL-hAJJs intelligence has gathered, was deliberately done to paint the Mahama government in dark colors and set the former President up for attacks even after exiting and handing over power in one of the problem-free transitions on the African continent.

Ironically, some influential members of the NDC have joined hands with President Akufo-Addo and his NPP to hound Mr Mahama even after working clandestinely to get him kicked out of office after serving just a term.

Relentless in its effort to disgrace the former President and his family, the seat of government was alleged to have engineered a false publication that President Mahamas younger brother and Chief Executive of Engineers and Planners, Mr Ibrahim Mahama and one Ali Seidu, were being investigated by EOCO over alleged corrupt deals at COCOBOD.

The aL-hAJJ is reliably informed that in the coming days EOCO will extend invitation to past government officials and persons deemed to be close associates of Mr Mahama including his wife, Mrs Lordina Mahama over alleged corrupt charges in an attempt to disgrace the former first family.
Morning Show Host of First Digital Tv, Miss Annie Ampofo, is forecasting doom for the Akufo-Addo government if the President pays lip service to the development of a single national identification system he has so much promised the nation.

According to the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration graduate, the Akufo Addo government's promises, policies and programs in the yet-to-be presented budget will come to naught without accurate data.

In an open letter to President Akufo-Addo after his maiden state of the nation address, the TV screen goddess implored the president to prioritize the development of accurate data through the issuance of single Identification card to drive policies.

While acknowledging the enormous strides Ghana Statistical Service has made in gathering data, Miss Annie Ampofo said the president may end up working with inaccurate data if he shies away from the data policy promised.

Read below the whole article...

Dear Mr. President,

YOU WILL 'FAIL' WITHOUT A NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION DATA

Kindly spare me some few minutes from your busy schedule to discuss the 2017 SONA you presented which is indeed your first as a President. Do well to reply me as citizen and not a spectator Mr. President.

NB/ I know the Ghana Statistical Service has tried.

There is no doubt that everyone expected your Excellency to touch on issues ranging from:

Free SHS, Energy and Power, Economic conditions/Business Boom, Tax, Employment, 'Galamsey', Security, Creative Industry waiting for their Deputy Minister, how to bring the black Stars back on track, Sanitation, Accommodation et al.

Mr. President,

'A national identification number, national identity number, or national insurance number is used by the governments of many countries as a means of tracking their citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents for the purposes of work, taxation, government benefits, health care, and other governmentally-related functions. The number appears on identity documents issued by several of the countries'.

AND IT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS- Meaning it is indeed a sure way to lead Ghana to the promise land without forgetting the National Development Plan.

Your Excellency,

1. You indicated the minority had a problem with the facts. Well Sir, I tell you that this you said is fact because there is no data to even track down perpetrators- ''Wrongdoing has no political colour, and I do not subscribe to the lawlessness of political party supporters simply because their party has been elected into office''.

Unless you tell me you have the data but decided to turn a blind eye to it and in fact it is not enough to just condemn the act.- Data

2...... "and that nothing is left on autopilot Mr. President, Data.

3. "Mr. Speaker, I say nothing new or dramatic, when I tell this Honorable House that the economy of our country is in a bad way".

Really Mr. President? Your Ministerial Nominees, both Senior and Finance both told the same honorable house that the economic indications are good.- Fact is, either we collecting confused Data or we are being misled.

4..."Mr. Speaker, at the same time, 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)"... Mr. President, yes indeed you may be right but is this the true State of the Nation???- Data

5. 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. For lack of proper data we struggle to even expunge 'ghost names'- Data, Mr. President.

6. "A National Campaign, PLANTING FOR FOOD AND JOBS, will be launched to stimulate this activity"- Data.

7. Free SHS, how many dilapidated school buildings  and what will be our total cost?- Data

8. Boost Employment- Mr. President Data

9. "implementation of the initiative, through public-private partnerships, to establish at least one industrial enterprise in each of the 216 Districts in the One District, One Factory policy.- Data. You are giving data of about 80% and more of electricity coverage (Generational Capacity) but really, how many households ...

10."I was elected to get things done. I was elected to fix what is broken and my government and I are determined to do just that. At the beginning of March, the Minister for Finance will come to this House to lay out in the national budget the details of our economic policy and the clear roadmap that we have laid out for taking the country out of its current predicament and onto a sustainable path of recovery, jobs creation and prosperity. I am absolute in my confidence that we have the programme, the competence, the commitment, and the goodwill of the people to turn things around. By the Grace of God, we will succeed and I believe this House knows it too".

Mr President, without being a prophet of doom, the budget to be presented by the Finance Minister next month will be a broken record based on the same inaccurate data of this beautiful nation.

Mr. President, Your Excellency, I know I have given you a fair picture of what you are faced with. Kindly do Ghana the honors to restore hope with this single "Accurate Data Policy" and you will reap enormous results.

Don't hesitate to respond your Excellency and thank you for your kind attention.

Your Grand-daughter

#AAA_Grey

#TheJournalistWithAnOpinion

#GhanaStatisticalService

#Wikipedea
Immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Professor Joshua Alabi has called on government to consider merging smaller public universities in the country to boost their global visibility and reduce the cost of university education.

According to him tertiary institutions such as the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) could be merged into one unique university to strengthen their research and academic activities.

Prof Alabi, who is also reported interested in contesting NDCs flag bearer contest ahead of the 2020 elections, made the proposal at the third-anniversary lecture of the Baraka Policy Institute (BPI) in Accra on the theme: Ensuring Inclusive and Equitable Quality Tertiary Education in Ghana: The Key Issues.

Read full statement below

Prof. Joshua Alabi: Speech Delivered at the 3rd BPI National Lecture

Date: 23rd February 2017 at the Academy of Arts and Sciences

ENSURING INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE QUALITY

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 semi illiteracy 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. 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.

Baker 1959, Address to the 50th Anniversary of the Accra College of Education,

Anniversary Brochure 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 at the Academy of Arts and Sciences 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-being2.

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.

 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

2 http://www.voicesofyouth.org/en/connect/our-debates/about-the-quality-ofeducation.

Retrieved 04/02/2017

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

 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. at the Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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

inancial 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

nstitution 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 count r i e s have deve lope d na t iona l s t r a t egi e s 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 believe the recommendation 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

!21

Prof. Joshua Alabi: Speech Delivered at the 3rd BPI National Lecture

Date: 23rd February 2017 at the Academy of Arts and Sciences 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 necessarilmean the end of Quality? The Sixth QHE Seminar, The End Of Quality? 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
27.02.2017 LISTEN

President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo made a statement during his first state of the nation address to the 7th parliament that was quite profound. That statement, though simple, was a fundamental requirement for economic development of all nations of the world including Ghana. The president re-launched an appeal to all to be punctual to work, to every function and social activities.

He made the right statement because that is the only way we can boost productivity, and redeem our nation. Before Nana Addos admonition many political religious and traditional leaders have been lamenting over the need for all to desist from being late to work and functions. Many Ghanaians consider lateness as GMT meaning Ghana Mans Time. For that matter, many Ghanaians would definitely be an hour or two late work and functions. most people are not bothered when they turn up late to personal and official appointments.

However, the time has come for us to move away from this culture of lateness to work and functions. just as most of us go to our churches on time in obedience to God an even our deities let us resole to throw away behind us lateness to work and functions and be punctual. Authorities in our schools, work places must enforce rules attendance rules by punishing late comers.

This way all of us would contribute towards increase in productivity discipline and increase in revenue at local and national levels. Perhaps the government working with the relevant organizations as the Ministry of Information the National Commission for Civic Education and all government heads must work out a strategy for reorientation on work ethics in Ghana.

This nationwide program must be followed by monitoring and evaluation by officials of government and NCCE to determine to what extent Ghanaians would adhere to the call for them to be punctual.

eanfoworld for sustainable development

[email protected]/[email protected]

0244370345/0208844792/0274853710
A plea by Enoch Teye Mensah, former Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, for executives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to request former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings to return to the party is needless, Anthony Nukpenu, Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NDC, has said.

Mrs Rawlings, wife of the founder of the NDC, quit the party ahead of the 2012 elections to form her own party, citing indiscipline and corruption in the NDC as her reason for her exit.

Mr Mensah told Accra-based 3FM: The story must be told. People cherish what President Rawlings [did], especially the former First Lady, and we should go and beg the former First Lady. It was messy, we should go and beg the former First Lady to come back.

However, responding to this plea on Asempa FMs Ekosii Sen on Monday February 27, Mr Nukpenu said the party did not need Mrs Rawlings.

He said: We are a moving train. As we move, some will get down, others will join, and so that call to go and beg somebody to come back is a very negligible call, very irrelevant, and has no bearing on the cause of the NDC.

As we speak, that person who made the call could be suspended from the party if care is not taken. Let me emphasise, that person making that call to go and beg whoever to come back, I am telling him that if he does not take care he would be suspended from the party.

As it stands today, I cannot vouch for his loyalty and complete commitment to the NDCs advancement for the next elections. If you are alive today and your loyalty and commitment to the party is questionable, you think we will sit down and look at you?

NDC is now in opposition. We are in introspective mood looking for a surgeon that will diagnose us in the theatre and we are expecting leaders who have led this party in their respective regimes as ministers and members of parliament to be committed to that cause but they are making divisive comments, comments that do not help the unity of the party.
Do you wish to join Ahmadu Bello University for either your undergraduate or postgraduate course? Are you at a loss as to which courses are offered at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria? You are in luck, because this list contains ABU Zaria courses that you can apply to.

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Check out this list of all Ahmadu Bello University courses.

Ahmadu Bello University undergraduate courses

B. Agriculture

B. Ed. Arabic Education

B. Ed. Creative Art

B. Ed. Economics Education

B. Ed. Hausa Education

B. Pharmacy

B.A. Arabic

B.A. Archeology

B.A. Archeology/History

B.A. English (Drama)

B.A. English (Language)

B.A. English (Literature)

B.A. Fine Arts

B.A. French

B.A. Hausa

B.A. History

B.A. Industrial Design

B.A. Local Government & Development Studies

B.A. Theatre and Performing Arts

B.Ed (Education Foundation and Curriculum)

B.Ed (Education Psychology and Counselling)

B.Ed. Biology Education

B.Ed. Business Education

B.Ed. Chemistry Education

B.Ed. Christian Religious Studies

B.Ed. Education Administration

B.Ed. Geography Education

B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling

B.Ed. Home Economics

B.Ed. Integrated Science

B.Ed. Islamic Religious Studies

B.Ed. Language Arts

B.Ed. Mathematics Education

B.Ed. Physical & Health Education

B.Ed. Physics Education

B.Ed. Science Education

B.Ed. Social Studies

B.Eng. Agicultural Engineering

B.Eng. Automotive Engineering

B.Eng. Chemical Engineering

B.Eng. Civil Engineering

B.Eng. Communications Engineering

B.Eng. Computer Engineering

B.Eng. Electrical Engineering

B.Eng. Geomatic Engineering

B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering

B.Eng. Mechatronics Engineering

B.Eng. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

B.Eng. Water Resources & Environmental Engineering

B.Sc (Ed) Computer Science Education

B.Sc Physics

B.Sc. Accounting

B.Sc. Agricultural Extension

B.Sc. Architecture

B.Sc. Biochemistry

B.Sc. Biological Science

B.Sc. Botany

B.Sc. Building

B.Sc. Business Administration

B.Sc. Chemistry

B.Sc. Computer Science

B.Sc. Economics

B.Sc. Ed. Agriculture Education

B.Sc. Fisheries and Aquaculture

B.Sc. Forestry and Wildlife

B.Sc. Geography

B.Sc. Geology

B.Sc. Geomatics

B.Sc. Glass Technology

B.Sc. Human Anatomy

B.Sc. Human Physiology

B.Sc. Insurance

B.Sc. International Studies

B.Sc. Land Surveying

B.Sc. Mass Communication

B.Sc. Mathematics

B.Sc. Mathematics with Computer Science

B.Sc. Microbiology

B.Sc. Nursing Science

B.Sc. Political Science

B.Sc. Polymer & Textile Science

B.Sc. Public Administration

B.Sc. Quantity Surveying

B.Sc. Sociology

B.Sc. Statistics

B.Sc. Textile Science & Technology

B.Sc. Urban & Regional Planning

B.Sc. Zoology

BA(Ed) Arabic

BLIS (Bachelor of Library & Information Science)

DVM

LLB Civil Law

LLB With Specialization in Islamic Law

MBBS

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Source: UGC

Ahmadu Bello University Masters courses

LLM Commercial Law

LLM Islamic Law

LLM Private Law

LLM Public Law

LLM Public Law (Full-time)

M.A African Cultural Studies

M.A African Lang. (Arabic) Full-time

M.A African Lang. (Hausa) Full-time

M.A African Language

M.A African Literature

M.A Arabic (Languagee)

M.A Arabic (Literature)

M.A Arabic Language

M.A Arabic Literature

M.A Archaelogy (Full-Time)

M.A Art Pedogogy (Full-time)

M.A Arts History (Full-time)

M.A Development Comm. (Full-Time)

M.A Drama (Full-time)

M.A English Lang. (Full-Time)

M.A English Literature (Full-Time)

M.A French (Full-Time)

M.A History (Full-time)

M.A Industrial Design (Full-time)

M.A Law (Full-Time)

M.A Literature (Full-Time)

M.A Philosophy

M.A Theatre Performing Arts (Full-Time)

M.ED (Test/Lan Arts)

M.Ed Admin. & Planning (Full-Time)

M.Ed Arabic Education

M.Ed Biology Education

M.Ed Business Education (Full-Time)

M.Ed Chemistry Education

M.Ed Clothing & Textiles

M.Ed Creative Arts Education

M.Ed CRS. (Full-Time)

M.Ed Curriculum & Instruc. (Full-Time)

M.Ed Education Psychology

M.Ed Family and Child Development

M.Ed Geography Education

M.Ed Guid. & Counselling (Full-Time)

M.Ed Guidance and Counselling

M.Ed Health Education (Full-Time)

M.Ed Home Economics (Full-Time)

M.Ed Instruction Technology

M.Ed Integrated Science

M.Ed Islamic Studies (Full-Time)

M.Ed Language Arts

M.Ed Language Arts (Hausa)

M.Ed Maths Education(Full Time)

M.Ed Measurement and Evaluation

M.Ed Physical Education (Full-Time)

M.Ed Physics Education

M.Ed Psychology (Full-Time)

M.Ed Science Education (Full-Time)

M.Ed Social Studies (Full-Time)

M.Ed Teaching English as Second Language (Full-Time)

M.Ed Vocational & Technical Education

M.Phil (Political Science)

M.Phil Accounting and Finance (Full time)

M.Phil Business Administration

M.Phil Chemical Pathology (Full-Time)

M.Phil Disaster Management

M.Phil in Policy and Dev. Studies(Full-time)

M.Phil Information Management

M.Phil Information Science

M.Phil International Relations

M.Phil Library & Information Science

M.Phil Mass Communication

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

M.Phil Philosophy

M.Phil Public Administration

M.Phil Theriogenology

M.Sc Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

M.Sc Accounting and Finance

M.Sc Agric. Economics

M.Sc Agric. Engineering

M.Sc Agric. Extension & Rural Sociology

M.Sc Agronomy

M.Sc Analytical Chemistry

M.Sc Animal. Science (Full-Time)

M.Sc Applied Geophysics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Aquatic Medicine

M.Sc Architecture

M.Sc Avian Medicine

M.Sc Banking and Finance

M.Sc Biochemistry (Full-Time)

M.Sc Biological Science

M.sc Biotechnology

M.Sc Botany

M.Sc Building Services (Full-time)

M.Sc Business Administration (Full-Time)

M.Sc Chemical Engineering (Full-Time)

M.Sc Chemical Pathology

M.Sc Chemistry (Full-Time)

M.Sc Chemistry (Part-Time)

M.Sc Civil Eng. (Full-Time)

M.Sc Clinical Haematology

M.Sc Clinical Pharmacy

M.Sc Colour Chem. & Tech.(Full-Time)

M.Sc Communications Engineering

M.Sc Computer engineering

M.Sc Computer Science (Full-Time)

M.Sc Construction Material (Full-Time)

M.Sc Contr. Manag. (Full-time)

M.Sc Contr. Tech. (Full-time)

M.Sc Control Engineering

M.Sc Crop Breeding (Full-Time)

M.Sc Crop Physiology

M.Sc Crop Protection (Full-time)

M.Sc Demog. Pop. Studies (Full-Time)

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

M.Sc Disaster Management

M.Sc Economics (Full-time)

M.Sc Educational Biology

M.Sc Electric Machines and Industrial Drives

M.Sc Electrical Engineering (Full-time)

M.Sc Electronics Engineering

M.Sc Energy Studies

M.SC Engineering Management (Part-Time)

M.Sc Env. Manag. (Full-Time)

M.Sc Environmental Chemistry

M.Sc Environmental Engineering

M.Sc Equine Medicine

M.Sc Equine Surgery

M.Sc Exercise and Sports Sciences (Full-Time)

M.Sc Farm Power and Machinery

M.Sc Fibre and Polymer

M.Sc Fisheries

M.Sc Food Animal Medicine

M.Sc Food Animal Surgery

M.Sc Geo. Information System (Full-Time)

M.Sc Geography (Full-Time)

M.Sc Geology (Full-Time)

M.sc Geomatics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Geophysics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Geotechnics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Glass Technology

M.Sc Human Anatomy (Full-time)

M.Sc Human Physiology (Full-time)

M.Sc Hydraulics and Engineering Hydrology

M.Sc Immunology

M.Sc Inform. Science (Full-Time)

M.Sc Inorganic Chememistry

M.Sc International Relation (FT)

M.Sc Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

M.Sc Mass Communication (Full-time)

M.Sc Mathematics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Mechanical Engineering (Full-Time)

M.Sc Mechatronics

M.Sc Metallurgical & Materials Engineering (Full-Time)

M.Sc Microbiology (Full-Time)

M.Sc Nuclear Engineering

M.Sc Nuclear Physics

M.Sc Nuclear Science

M.Sc Nursing Sciences(Full Time)

M.Sc Nutrition

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

M.Sc Oil and Gas Operations Management

M.Sc Organic Chemistry

M.Sc Orthopaedic Surgery

M.Sc Pathology (Clinical Lab Mgt.)

M.Sc Petroleum Chemistry

M.Sc Pharm.Microbiology (Full-Time)

M.Sc Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry

M.Sc Pharmaceutics

M.Sc Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology

M.Sc Pharmacognosy and Drug Development (Full-Time)

M.Sc Pharmacology

M.Sc Physical Chem. (Full-Time)

M.Sc Physics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Pipeline and Welding Engineering

M.Sc Plant Breeding (AGRA) Full Time

M.Sc Policy and Dev. Studies (F/T)

M.Sc Political Science (Full-time)

M.Sc Polymer Sci.& Tech.(Full-Time)

M.Sc Power Machine System Engineering

M.Sc Production Engineering

M.Sc Project Management

M.Sc Public Administration (Full-Time)

M.Sc Public Health (Full-Time)

M.Sc Public Health (Part-Time)

M.Sc Quantity Surveying

M.Sc Radiation Biophysics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Radiation Biophysics (Part-Time)

M.Sc Regional Planning (Full-Time)

M.Sc Remote Sensing and GIS (Full-Time)

M.Sc Rural Development (Full-Time)

M.Sc Rural Finance and Entrepreneurship (FT)

M.Sc Safety Engineering and Disaster Control

M.Sc Small Animal Dermatology

M.Sc Small Animal Infectious Diseases

M.Sc Small Animal Internal Medicine

M.Sc Sociology (Full-time)

M.Sc Soft Tissues Surg.

M.Sc Soil Science (Full-time)

M.Sc Sports Management (Full-Time)

M.Sc Statistics (Full-Time)

M.Sc Structure (Full-Time)

M.Sc Telecommunication Engineering

M.Sc Textile Sci.& Tech.(Full-Time)

M.Sc Theriogenology (Full-Time)

M.Sc Tourism & Recreation (Full-Time)

M.Sc Transport Manag. (Full-Time)

M.Sc Transportation and High Way (Full-Time)

M.Sc Urban Management (Full-Time)

M.Sc Vet Diagnostic Imaging

M.Sc Vet. Anaesthesiology

M.Sc Vet. Anatomy (Full-Time)

M.Sc Vet. Pharmacology(Full-Time)

M.Sc Vet. Physiology (Full-Time)

M.Sc Vet. Physiology (Part-Time)

M.Sc Vet. Public Health & Preventive Medicine

M.Sc Vet. Toxicology (Full-Time)

M.Sc Veterinary Entomology

M.Sc Veterinary Epidemiology

M.Sc Veterinary Helminthology

M.Sc Veterinary Microbiology (Full-Time)

M.Sc Veterinary Pathology

M.Sc Veterinary Protozoology

M.Sc Water Resources & Environmental Engineering (Full-Time)

M.Sc Wildlife Medicine

M.Sc Wildlife Surgery

M.Sc Zoology

M.Sc(Ed) Agricultural Education (Full-Time)

Master in Building (Part-Time)

Master in Environmental Chemistry

Master in Journalism (MIJ)

Master in Peace and Conflict Management (MPCM)

Master in Petroleum Chemistry

Master in Reproductive Health (MRH)

Master in Strategic Communication (MISC)

Master in Transport & Logistics (MTL)

Master in Tropical Veterinary Medicine (MTVM)

Masters in Accounting (Part-Time)

Masters in Banking and Finance (Part-Time)

Masters in Building

Masters in Business Administration (Full-time)

Masters in Business Administration (Part-Time)

Masters in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies

Masters in Facilities Management (Part-time)

Masters in Fine Arts - Painting (Full-time)

Masters in Fine Arts - Sculpture (Full-time)

Masters in Intern. Affairs & Diplomacy (Part-time)

Masters in Landscape Architecture (Part-Time)

Masters in Law enforc. Criminal Justice(MLC) (Part-Time)

Masters in Library and Information Science (Full-time)

Masters in Policy and Dev. Studies (MFDS)(Part-time)

Masters in Public Administration (Full-Time)

Masters in Public Administration (Part-Time)

Masters in Urban Design (Full-Time)

Masters in Urban Design (Part-Time)

Masters Inform. Management (Part-time)

Masters of Archive and Records Management (Full-Time)

Masters of Rural Finance and Entrepreneurship (PT)

MPA in Local Government

MPH Field Epidemiology (FELTP)

MPH Masters Public Health (Full-Time)

PHD courses

Ph.D Clinical Pharmacy

Doctor of Medicine (Chemical Pathology) MD

Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Clinical Haematology

MD Doctor of Medicine

MD Doctor of Medicine in Human Physiology

Ph.D (Test/Lang Arts)

Ph.D Accounting and Finance

Ph.D African Lang. (Chadics) Full-time

Ph.D African Lang. (Hausa) Full-time

Ph.D African Lang. (Linguistics) Full-time

Ph.D African Lang. (Ngemba) Full-time

Ph.D Agric. Economics

Ph.D Agric. Engineering

Ph.D Agric. Extension & Rural Sociology

Ph.D Agronomy

Ph.D Analytical Chemistry

Ph.D Animal Science (Full-Time)

Ph.D Animal Science (Part-Time)

Ph.D Applied Geophy. (Full-Time)

Ph.D Arabic (Full-time)

Ph.D Archeology

Ph.D Architecture (Full-Time)

Ph.D Architecture (Part-Time)

Ph.D Art Pedogogy (Full-time)

Ph.D Arts History (Full-time)

Ph.D Avian Medicine

Ph.D Biochemistry (Full-Time)

Ph.D Biological Science

Ph.D Biotechnology

Ph.D Botany

Ph.D Building

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Ph.D Building Services (Full-time)

Ph.D Business Administration

Ph.D Business Education (Full-Time)

Ph.D Chemical Engineering (Full-time)

Ph.D Chemical Engineering (Part-time)

Ph.D Chemical Pathology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Chemistry Full-Time

Ph.D Civil Eng. (Full-time)

Ph.D Civil Eng. (Part-time)

Ph.D Clinical Haematology

Ph.D Colour Chem.(Full-Time)

Ph.D Commercial Law

Ph.D Composite Technology

Ph.D Computer Engineering

Ph.D Computer Science

Ph.D Computer Science (Part-Time)

Ph.D Construc. Material (Full-Time)

Ph.D Contr. Manag. (Full-time)

Ph.D Contr. Tech. (Full-time)

Ph.D Control Engineering

Ph.D Control Engineering

Ph.D Creative Arts Education

Ph.D Crop Breeding (Full-Time)

Ph.D Crop Breeding (Part-Time)

Ph.D Crop Physiology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Crop Protection (Full-time)

Ph.D Crop Protection (Part-time)

Ph.D CRS. (Full-Time)

Ph.D Cultural Resource Management

Ph.D Curriculum & Instruc. (Full-Time)

Ph.D Development Comm. (Full-Time)

Ph.D Disaster Management

Ph.D Drama (Full-Time)

Ph.D Economics (Full-time)

Ph.D Education

Ph.D Education Admin. & Planning (Full-Time)

Ph.D Education Psychology

Ph.D Educational Biology

Ph.D Electrical Engineering (Full-time)

Ph.D Energy Studies (Full-Time)

Ph.D English Lang. (Full-Time)

Ph.D English Literature (Full-Time)

Ph.D Environmental Engineering

Ph.D Equine Medicine

Ph.D Equine Surgery

Ph.D Exercise & Sports Science (Full-Time)

Ph.D Fiber & Polymer (Full-Time)

Ph.D Fine Arts

Ph.D Fisheries

Ph.D Food Animal Medicine

Ph.D Food Animal Surgery

Ph.D French (Full-time)

Ph.D Geography (Full-Time)

Ph.D Geology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Geology (Part-Time)

Ph.D Geomatics (Full-Time)

Ph.D Geotechnics (Full-time)

Ph.D Glass Technology

Ph.D Guid. & Counselling (Full-Time)

Ph.D Guidance and Counselling

Ph.D Health Education (Full-Time)

Ph.D History (Full-time)

Ph.D Home Economics (Full-Time)

Ph.D Human Anatomy (Full-Time)

Ph.D Human Physiology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Human Physiology (Part-Time)

Ph.D Hydraulics and Engineering Hydrology

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Ph.D Immunology

Ph.D Industrial Design (Full-time)

Ph.D Industrial Design (Part-time)

Ph.D Information Science

Ph.D Inorganic Chemistry

Ph.D Instruc. Tech. (Full-Time)

Ph.D International Relation (FT)

Ph.D Islamic Law

Ph.D Islamic Studies (Full-Time)

Ph.D Language Arts

Ph.D Languate Arts (Hausa)

Ph.D Library Science and Information Science

Ph.D Local Government Studies

Ph.D Mass Communication

Ph.D Mathematics

Ph.D Mathematics (Part-Time)

Ph.D Maths Education (Full Time)

Ph.D Mechanical Engineering (Energy Studies)

Ph.D Mechanical Engineering (Production Engineering)

Ph.D Metallurgical & Materials Engineering (Full-Time)

Ph.D Metallurgical & Materials Engineering(Part-Time)

Ph.D Microbiology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Microbiology (Part-Time)

Ph.D Nuclear Physics (Full-Time)

Ph.D Nursing Sciences

Ph.D Organic Chemistry (Full-Time)

Ph.D Orthopaedic Surgery

Ph.D Painting (Full-time)

Ph.D Pathology (Clinical Lab Mgt.)

Ph.D Pharm.& Med.Chemistry (Full-Time)

Ph.D Pharmaceutical Microbiology (Part-Time)

Ph.D Pharmaceutical Microbiology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Pharmaceutics

Ph.D Pharmacognosy and Drug Development

Ph.D Pharmacology (Part-Time)

Ph.D Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy

Ph.D Physical and Theoretical Chemistry (Full-Time)

PH.D Physical Education

Ph.D Physics (Full-Time)

Ph.D Plant Breeding (Full-Time)

Ph.D Plant Physiology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Political Science (Full-time)

Ph.D Polymer Sci. & Tech. (Full-time)

Ph.D Power System Engineering

Ph.D Private Law

Ph.D Production Engineering

Ph.D Psychology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Public Administration (Full-Time)

Ph.D Public Law

Ph.D Public Law (Full-Time)

Ph.D Public Law (Part-Time)

Ph.D Quantity Surveying (Full-Time)

Ph.D Quantity Surveying (Part-Time)

Ph.D Radiation Biophysics (Full-Time)

Ph.D Rural Development (Full-Time)

Ph.D Science Education (Full-Time)

Ph.D Sculpture (Full-time)

Ph.D Small Animal Infectious Diseases

Ph.D Small Animal Internal Medicine

Ph.D Social Studies (Full Time)

Ph.D Social Studies (Full-Time)

Ph.D Sociology

Ph.D Soft Tissues Surgery

Ph.D Soil Science (Full-time)

Ph.D Solid State Physics (Full-Time)

Ph.D Sports Management (Full-Time)

Ph.D Statistics

Ph.D Statistics (Part-Time)

Ph.D Structure (Full-time)

Ph.D Teaching English as Second Language (Full-Time)

Ph.D Telecommunications Engineering

Ph.D Textile Chemistry (Full-Time)

Ph.D Textile Sci.& Tech.(Full-Time)

Ph.D Textile Sci.& Tech.(Part-Time)

Ph.D Theater Dev. (Full-Time)

Ph.D Theatre and Performing Arts (Full-Time)

Ph.D Theriogenology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Transportation and High Way (Full-time)

Ph.D Urban Regional Planning (Full-time)

Ph.D Urban Regional Planning (Part-time)

Ph.D Vet Diagnostic Imaging

Ph.D Vet Public Health and Preventive Medicine(Full-Time)

Ph.D Vet. Anaesthesiology

Ph.D Vet. Public Health and Preventive Medicine(Part-Time)

Ph.D Vet. Surgery (Full-Time)

Ph.D Veterinary Anatomy

Ph.D Veterinary Anatomy (Part-Time)

Ph.D Veterinary Entomology

Ph.D Veterinary Helminthology

Ph.D Veterinary Microbology (Full-Time)

Ph.D Veterinary Microbology (Part-Time)

Ph.D Veterinary Pathology

Ph.D Veterinary Pharmacology. (Full-Time)

Ph.D Veterinary Pharmacology. (Part-Time)

Ph.D Veterinary Physiology

Ph.D Veterinary Protozoology

Ph.D Veterinary Toxicology

Ph.D Water Resources & Environmental Engineering (Full-Time)

Ph.D Wildlife Surgery

Ph.D Zoology

Ph.D Aquatic Medicine

Ph.D Computer Engineering

Ph.D Philosophy

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Postgraduate Diploma courses

PGD Accounting and Finance

PGD Agric Econs.

PPGD Agronomy

PPGD Analytical Chemistry (Full-time)

PPGD Anatomical Science

PGD Animal Production (Part-Time)

PGD Animal Science (Part-Time)

PGD Biochemistry

PGD Building (Part-time)

PGD Chemical Engineering (Full-Time)

PGD Color Chem.

PGD Computer Engineering

PGD Computer Science (Part-Time)

PGD Crop Production

PGD Crop Protection (Part-Time)

PGD Data Communication and Software Engineering

PGD Development Communication

PGD Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies

PGD Election Administration (PGDEA)

PGD Electrical Engineering (Part-Time)

PGD Electronics and Telecommunications

PGD Environmental Chemistry (Part-time)

PGD Environmental Engineering and Management

PGD Environmental Geology

PGD Environmental Toxicology

PGD Farm Management & Extension

PGD Fisheries

PGD Geology

PGD Geomatics

PGD Herbal Medicine

PGD HomeVideo Production

PGD Human Capital Development

PGD in Corporate Manag. Law (Part-Time)

PGD in Estate Management Law (Part-Time)

PGD in Forensic Biotechnology

PGD in Geog. Information System (Part-Time)

PGD in Inform. Management (Part-Time)

PGD in Intern. Law & Diplomacy (Part-Time)

PGD in Islamic Law (Part-Time)

PGD in Management (Part-time)

PGD in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering

PGD in Peace and Conflict Management (PGDCM)

PGD in Policy and Development Studies (PGDPS)

PGD Industrial Design

PGD Landscape Architecture (Part-Time)

PGD Local Government (Full & Part Time)

PGD Mass Communication (Part-Time)

PGD Mechanical Engineering

PGD Microbiology (Part-Time)

PGD Military Judge Advocacy

PGD Nutrition (Part-Time)

PGD Oil and Gas Operations Management

PGD Petroleum Geology

PGD Pipeline and Welding Engineering

PGD Plant Science

PGD Police Administration and Security Management

PGD Power and Machine

PGD Public Administration (Part-Time)

PGD Radiation Protection and Safety

PGD Rural Development

PGD Safety Engineering & Disaster Control

PGD Seed Prod. & Tech. (Part-Time)

PGD Soil Science

PGD Sports Management (PGDSM)

PGD Statistics (Part-Time)

PGD Testing purpose_11 for now

PGD Text. Science & Tech. (Part-Time)

PGD Theatre for Development

PGD Translation & Interpretation (French)

PGD Translation & Interpretation (Hausa)

PGD Translation and Interpretation

PGD Transport & Logistics (PGDTL)

PGD Urban and Regional Planning

PGD Urban Management

PGD Water Resource Engineering

PGD-Food Hygiene (Part-time)

PGD-Remote Sensing and GIS (Part-Time)

PGD-Veterinary Epidemiology (Part-time)

PGDE (Full time)

PGDE (Lang. Arts)

PGDE. (Full Time)

Long Vaction Term (LVT) Programmes

B. Ed. Adult Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Arabic Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Biology Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Chemistry Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Christian Religious Studies (LVT)

B. Ed. Education Administration (LVT)

B. Ed. Geography Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Hausa Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Home Economics (LVT)

B. Ed. Integrated Science (LVT)

B. Ed. Islamic Religious Studies (LVT)

B. Ed. Mathematics Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Physical and Health Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Physics Education (LVT)

B. Ed. Social Studies (LVT)

B.A(.ED) English (LVT)

B.Ed Computer Science Education (LVT)

B.ED Language Arts (LVT)

B.Ed. Business Education (LVT)

B.Ed. Guidance and Counseling (LVT)

B.Sc. Agric. Education (LVT)

BLIS (Bachelor of Library & Information Science) (LVT)

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Diploma courses

Diploma in Accounting

Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development (ACD)

Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development (LVT)

Diploma in Arabic Language Education (ALE)

Diploma in Banking

Diploma in Christian Religious Education (CRE)

Diploma in Computer Science

Diploma in Computer System Engineering

Diploma in Election Administration

Diploma in English Language Education (ELE)

Diploma in Glass Technology

Diploma in Guidance and Counselling Education (GCE)

Diploma in Hausa Language Education (HED)

Diploma in Industrial Design

Diploma in Industrial Design (Ceramics)

Diploma in Industrial Design (Glass Technology)

Diploma in Industrial Design (Graphic Design & Illustration)

Diploma in Industrial Design (Laboratory Glass Blowing)

Diploma in Industrial Design (Textile Fashion Design)

Diploma in Industrial Design (Textile Science & Reproduction)

Diploma in Insurance

Diploma in Integrated Science Education (ISE)

Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies

Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance

Diploma in Islamic Education (DIE)

Diploma in Law

Diploma in Library and Information Science (LIS)

Diploma in Library and Information Science (LVT)

Diploma in Local Government

Diploma in Management

Diploma in Mass Communication

Diploma in Mathematics Education (MED)

Diploma in office System Administration and Management

Diploma in Physical and Health Education (PHE)

Diploma in Physics Education (PED)

Diploma in Public Administration

Diploma in Security Management (DSM-for Military)

Diploma in Sharia and Civil Law

Diploma in Social Work and Development Studies (SWDS)

Certificate programmes

Certificate in Glass Technology

Certificate in Industrial Design

Certificate in Industrial Design (Ceramics)

Certificate in Industrial Design (Glass Technology)

Certificate in Industrial Design (Graphic Design & Illustration)

Certificate in Industrial Design (Laboratory Glass Blowing)

Certificate in Industrial Design (Textile Fashion Design)

Certificate in Industrial Design (Textile Science & Reproduction)

Preliminary French Programme

The university also offers 125 M.Phil courses.

ABU Zaria student portal

There are two ABU student portals. One is for undergraduates while the other is the Postgraduate ABU Zaria portal.

Now you know which courses are offered at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. If you would like to join the institution, visit its website for more information.

READ ALSO: NDDC scholarship 2020/2021: Portal, test cut off mark, past questions

Legit.ng recently reported about the NDDC scholarship scheme, whose aim to equip Niger Deltans with relevant training and skills for effective participation in the local content programme of the current administration as well as compete globally in various professional fields.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship 2020 scheme is for suitably qualified applicants with relevant Bachelors or Masters degrees from recognized universities in certain disciplines.

Source: Legit.ng
Ramsey Nouah was born in December 1974. He is a Nigerian actor who got an award of Africa Movie Academy for the best male leading role in 2010. Nouah was born in Edo in a family of the Israeli father and mother of Yoruba who studied in Owo, Ondo State.

Ramsey Nouah's wife, who is she?

He grew in Surulere, Lagos where he studied at the High school of Atara and gained the diploma at the University of Lagos. Then he started acting career.

The big career of the man began when he played a major role in Nigerian television series. He was called Lover-Boy for numerous roles in romantic movies.

READ ALSO: Ramsey Nouah opens up on his 15-year marriage marriage

Ramsey Nouah's wife, who is she?

READ ALSO: PHOTO: Ramsey Nouah's Hot New Look

Ramsey Nouah's family

Nouah is married to Philips-Nouah Emelia. Ramsey Nouah and family see each other quite seldom. They have two sons and the daughter. The actor told that he doesnt want more children.

Ramsey Nouah's wife

In one of the interviews, the popular Nigerian actor told about the wife and a family which he, unfortunately, sees very seldom.

Ramsey Nouah's wife, who is she?

In an interview, he said why Ramsey Nouah and wife arent surrounded with various gossips and scandals. I hold them far away from myself. He also praised the wife for understanding him.

My wife is the unusual person. Many women can't understand what is suffered by my wife. That is why I call her The Double Woman. Actually, she is a threefold woman. Frankly speaking, she deserves an award. Many women say that my wife does many things, and I tell them  that is why she is better than I.

As you can see, the understanding and lack of gossips are a basis of a family of the actor. Despite big popularity, they manage to avoid comments of importunate journalists and to keep understanding. Of course, it is worth thanking the wife for it.

Source: Legit.ng
Nigeria is a country located on the west coast of Africa. The population of the country is leading on the continent as the Nigerian people make up approximately one-eighth of all the inhabitants of the continent.

For many centuries, the present territory of the country fall under the endless invasions of neighboring peoples and has experienced numerous periods of migration. Therefore, modern Nigeria has a large number of different ethnic and linguistic groups. Do you know how many ethnical groups does our country have?

Today, the number ethnic groups in Nigeria counts 250, who preserved their languages and culture. Approximately 80% of the population makes a list of 10 groups, which have a numerical superiority in some states: Hausa and Fulani in Sokoto State; Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano, Kanuri - in Borno State; Tiv - in the Benue and Plateau; Yoruba - in Oyo; Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti in Lagos; Edo or Bini - in Edo; Ibo or Igbo - in Imo and Anambra; Ibibio-Efik - in Cross River and Ijo - in Bayelsa. Hausa, Yoruba, and Ibo account for approx. 60% of Nigerians.

Fulani, Tiv, Hausa, Kanuri

Fulani, Tiv, Hausa and Kanuri - the most numerous peoples of Nigeria living in its northern regions. Most of them, except Tiv, are Muslims. Due to the militancy of Hausa and the extension of trade relations, their language expanded on the territory of West Africa, and now it is the predominant ethnic language in the northern regions of the country. Their conservative social relations distinguish Fulani people.

The main population of the Borno State - Kanuri, nationality, whose whole life is governed by the rules of Islam. Tiv living in the states of Plateau and Benue are Christians and hold sacred, and all religious traditions.

Igbo

Three main ethnic groups living in the east of Nigeria speak Igbo. Ibo live essentially in the states of Anambra and Imo. The people of Ibibio-Efik predominates in the state of Cross River and Ijaw - populated Bayelsa State. All of them are characterized by life in small villages.

A prominent place in the pantheon of gods belonged to the goddess Ala, and the priests of her cult often carried out judicial and other governmental functions. The art is characterized by a high degree of expression. From the crowded eastern areas, Ibo migrated to other parts of the country. The only exception was during the civil war 1967-1970. Ibibio traditionally lived in the villages, where the power functions performed secular and religious leaders.

Each village had a large degree of autonomy, but groups of villages united into clans basing on blood relations and common beliefs, and were managed by secular and religious leaders, and a council of elders.

Ijaw peoples are divided into several groups, and their culture and linguistic community are the same. Most of the people belonging to this ethnicity professed Christianity.

Yoruba

On the territory situated on the southwest of the Niger River, the Yoruba people represent the largest part of the population. A common language, culture, and traditions unite them.

READ ALSO: Importance of culture in Nigeria

Yoruba created several powerful cities-states. The power of some of the rulers of these countries was not confined only to the borders of their possessions. The ruler Ife was considered the religious head of all the Yoruba and alafin (the ruler Oyo) was nominally considered the first among the equal Yoruba rulers. In traditional Yoruba beliefs, there are several major cults, each associated with a particular god, such as Shango, god of thunder. Yoruba religious beliefs, poetry and music, imported to the New World, had an impact on the culture of Brazil and some Caribbean countries.

The most significant contribution of the Yoruba to the art of West Africa is the sculpture. From 1938 on the territory of Ife during archaeological excavations were found several bronze and terracotta heads and figures. The oldest of them were made of approx. 800 years ago. Yoruba sculptures are among the world's masterpieces. In recent years, the art of the Yoruba inherent expressiveness finds vivid expression in a wooden sculpture.

Religion

About 35% of Nigerians are Christians, about 48% are Muslims. Christian missions were active on the territory of the southern Nigeria. The positions of the Catholic Church is the strongest among the population of the eastern part of the country, and the Methodist and Anglican - in the west. Other Protestant churches are also active. There are also a number of local African Christian churches that have arisen on the basis of separatist movements because of dissatisfaction with the domination of the population in the church hierarchy of foreign missionaries and their negative attitude towards polygamy. The overwhelming majority of the Yoruba are Muslims. Thanks to the activity of missionaries in the southern Nigeria Christianity and western education has spread, while the population of the North remains committed to Islam.

Ethnic and religious conflicts

The main causes of ethnic and cross-cultural (religious) conflict is a struggle for political supremacy among the major ethnic groups (Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo) and for access to natural resources (mainly oil), as well as the lack of representation of interests of non-dominant ethnic groups.

The struggle for power and the right to dispose of oil revenues against the other two dominant ethnic groups in the 1960s led to discrimination and for the war of independence of Biafra 1967-1970 (the so-called civil war in Nigeria). After the war, the role fell to the political control. At present, the conflict has taken the form of sluggish, but the problem remains.

MASSOB, the armed Ibo group, for the past few years made itself felt twice during the arrest of the movement leader Ralph Uwazurike in November 2005, and in 2006, during the census. Now, the struggle for dominance between Hausa and Yoruba took the form of religious conflict between the north (Muslim  Hausa) and the south (Christians - Yoruba), gaining momentum since the beginning of the 2000s in connection with the adoption of sharia law in 12 states in the north in the 1999 year, and the growth of the Christian-Muslim conflict in the world as a whole.

In 2004, in Kano (in the north) the Muslims attacked the Christian minority living in the city. After a few days, the Christian armed groups attacked the Muslim town Yelva (in the north), as a result more than 600 people were killed.

In early 2006, the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper led to the escalation of violence in the country: in the north of Nigeria have been anti-Christian speeches, and in the south - counter anti-Muslim. As a result, the mutual attacks more than 100 people were killed, destroyed several churches and mosques.

Religious opposition has spread to the area with a mixed Christian-Muslim "Middd Belt", situated in the central part of Nigeria, where there are small in the number of peoples. For example, since 2001, clashes broke out in the state of Plateau, where the trend towards confrontation is observed. In 2004, the president was forced to enter a time in the state of emergency because of the ongoing clashes.

The reason for the conflict are economic problems, the struggle for natural resources (water, pastureland, minerals, etc.) Between the age-old resident farmers (Christian) and foreign nomadic peoples (Muslims).

The activities of foreign oil companies have led to the deterioration of the ecological and economic situation in the Niger Delta, which has led to intra-regional conflicts. Since 1993, clashes between the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups on the one hand, and Itseriki - on the other do not stop. The cause of the collision was the struggle for power and influence in the state of Delta (for natural resources - water, land, food sources, the first right to employment, representation in local political structures).

Ijaw and Urhobo accuse the government in favoritism towards their opponents. As long as the authorities' attempts to solve the problem by force led to an escalation of tensions.

Now the conflict is not hardened, but still it is, and nobody knows when to total piece will seat on a throne.

READ ALSO: Effects of population growth in Nigeria

Source: Legit.ng
Internet publication "the Sun" published a photo and video of a happy black couple holding in their arms a white infant girl. The miracle of the arrival of a blond baby with blue eyes in a black family from Nigeria puzzled both parents and scientists. A new-born white girl is not an albino. Parents do not have white ancestors. What kind of the mutation of the genes has happened and given the black parent white baby with blue eyes?

Black couple gives birth to a white baby

The black couple calls their white baby a small miracle, she was given the name Nmachi, which is translated from the Igbo language as "Beauty of God". The scientists do not believe in miracles, so the phenomenon of this little miracle became a scientific challenge for them.

READ ALSO: Cute! World falls in love with these black and white baby TWINS

Doctors have confirmed that the child was not an albino. The skin and eye color are regulated by the pigment melanin, humans have about a dozen genes that determine the amount and type of melanin. Since the child is not an albino, from the standpoint of genetics, probably black parents have white parentage.

Black couple gives birth to a white baby

Of the skin color are responsible seven different genes. If one parent has in his/her genes both white and the dark color, the child may be born as a white and dark. It happens that the sperm and egg carry the gene for only one color, and then the child would have the color of its parents. Therefore, in 2006 a British couple of "mixed" parents gave birth to twins girls, one of which was born the dark, and the second - white. In this case, all is understandable, even though the chance was one in a billion because the mothers of the parents were white, and the fathers - dark.

The newborn Nmachi could be the result of genetic mutation, then her mutated genes will be passed to the next generation, and Bens and Angelas grandchildren probably also will be white. In addition, before passive for long period "white" genes could appear, which passed from descent to descent, and remained undetected. Take into account that Nmachi is not an albino, genetics also suggested that the girl was born in a certain mutated genetic state, but eventually, her skin may darken.

Black couple gives birth to a white baby

The child's parents were sure that they did not have white ancestry. Parents of a white Nigerian girl come from Nigeria and moved to England 5 years ago. In Nigeria, miscegenation is a rare phenomenon, and the girl's parents claim that they did not have white ancestors. The photograph shows the contrast of the color of parents, two older children and a newborn white girl.

Oxford University professor, a leading British expert in geneticist Bryan Sykes has emphasized the birth of a white baby from black parents as an extraordinary phenomenon. According to his standpoint, the parents would have white ancestors, so they could pass the white genes to their child. Professor Bryan Sykes drew attention to the extra ordinal blond hair of the girl. Not every blonde child has such white hair aborning.

As per the opinion of the expert geneticist, the high probable reasoning for the birth of a white baby in a black family is some unknown mutation.

Bryan Sykes admits, "The rules of genetics are complex and we still do not understand what happens in many cases."

The possibility of the marital infidelity was the rejected by the family man.

Mr. Igegboro said: Of course she is mine. My wife is true to me. Even if she hadn't been, the baby wouldn't have looked like that!

There is no a clear answer until now, the only one thing is obvious Nmachi is a real miracle to her parents and will remain so.

READ ALSO: UK-Nigerian Mom Gives Birth To White Bouncing Baby Boy

Source: Legit.ng
Nigerian army has announced that the army in conjunction with the Department of State Service (DSS) have arrested three foreign Boko Haram suspects at Arawa and Mallam Inna Areas of Gombe metropolis, Gombe state.

The 3 suspects who are believed to be in Gombe for to plan a terrible crime are from Chad and are reportedly members of Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram that operates in Chad.

Nigeria army arrest 3 foreign members of Boko Haram

The army statement which was signed by Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman reads: "Today afternoon, Nigerian Army troops in conjunction with elements of Department of State Services (DSS) after painstaking effort of tracking arrested 3 suspected Chadian Boko Haram terrorists that belonged to Albaranawi faction, in Gombe, Gombe State.

Nigeria army arrest 3 foreign members of Boko Haram

READ ALSO: Boko Haram members surrender to JTF in large number

"The 3 Chadian terrorists suspects, Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar were arrested at Arawa and Mallam Inna Areas of Gombe metropolis. They were reported to be members of Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram that operates in Chad and mostly northern part of Borno State but came to Gombe State for another heinous assignment.

Nigeria army arrest 3 foreign members of Boko Haram

"During the operation, one of them, Bilal Muhammed Umar attempted to escape and was shot on the leg. He was however apprehended and is receiving medical treatment.

Nigeria army arrest 3 foreign members of Boko Haram

"The terrorists were also arrested with Improvised Explosive Device (IED), materials that they could have coupled and attack parts of the state.

"The suspects are in custody undergoing preliminary investigation."

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

Meanwhile, a top commander of the Boko Haram insurgents has reportedly been killed in Bama local government area.

The insurgent commander named Tukur Bama was said to have been killed at a village called Bolongu in Bama local government.

Source: Legit.ng
- Sheriff wants Makarfi, the factional national caretaker committee secretary Senator Ben Obi and the publicity secretary Dayo Adeyeye as well as former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode jailed

- Sheriff is asking the court to jail the trio for one year while he wants several others like Jerry Gana, Bode George, Emeka Ihedioha and Walid Jibrin restrained from parading themselves as public officials of the PDP

- Sheriff says his prayers to the Appeal Court followed the contempt of court by the PDP officials who are contesting his chairmanship of the party despite the February 17 order

Sheriff has filed a lawsuit seeking jail terms for Makarfi, Fani-Kayode and others.

Factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has asked the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers state to jail factional leader Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and some of his loyalists.

The Punch reports that apart from Makarfi, Sheriff wants the trio of sacked factional national caretaker committee secretary Senator Ben Obi and publicity secretary Dayo Adeyeye as well as former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode jailed.

READ ALSO: No road to the village where I was born - Obasanjo

This prayer was contained in a suit filed on Friday, February 24 before the court by Sheriff and factional national secretary of the party Prof. Wale Oladipo, who accused Makarfi and others of flouting the order of the court, which was delivered on February 17, 2017.

Sheriff, in suit number FHC/ PH/CS/524/16, asked the court to commit the four persons to prison for one year over the alleged contempt.

Also joined in the suit are a former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; a former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party Senator Walid Jibrin and an aspirant to the office of the partys national chairman Chief Bode George.

But for these ones, Sheriff asked for a restraining order preventing them from proclaiming or otherwise holding out to the public that the 1st to 3rd alleged contemnors are national officers of the PDP for any purpose whatsoever.

Sheriff wants Femi Fani-Kayode jailed for one year.

Oladipo, who signed an affidavit in support of the claim, stated that on February 17, soon after the judgment was delivered, the alleged contemnors proceeded to address the media and to comment negatively, contemptuously, disparagingly and contumeliously on the findings and order of the court set out above.

He added: Rather than accept that the justice of the matter as determined by this honourable court was as expressed in the findings, holdings and order set out above, the 4th to 8th Alleged Contemnors made statements encouraging the 1st to 3rd respondents to defy the order of the court and flout the purpose of the courts judgment delivered on the 17th of February 2017.

Oladipo noted that it was on this basis that the alleged contemnors placed notices in newspapers, where they convened a meeting of what they called PDP stakeholders.

He continued: The said meeting was held on Monday, February 20, and was attended by the 4th to 8th alleged contemnors, who made further statements encouraging the 1st to 3rd alleged contemnors to defy the holdings and order of the court.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest news on Legit.ng News App

The actions of the alleged contemnors, as shown in the affidavit in support of this application, have the effort of flouting the purpose of the judgment of this Honourable court, which purpose is to properly regulate the exercise of powers by the alleged contemnors against the applicants and 1st Respondent; avoid any further anarchy, lawlessness and deepening crisis capable of heating up the Nigerian polity; and establish the requirements of the rule of law and due process in the administration of justice.

Although the alleged contemnors were not parties to the action in court, it is our humble submission that they have a responsibility to ensure that they do not aid and abet the disobedience of the judgment order or treat the said judgment with disdain and disrespect.

Source: Legit.ng
Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Nigeria's Acting President has gained some good popularity among the Nigerian people. Many feel, the state of the nation is so bad, Osinbajo doing a little seems like a lot to Nigerians.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo

Others have even said they prefer him as president to President Buhari who has been away since Thursday, January 19, 2017. Here are some things the Acting President has done:

1. Food Programme

On January 27, 2017 the acting president held a meeting with the executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Ms Ertharin Cousin.

And on Friday, January 24, he promised that the Federal Government was planning urgent relief to poultry farmers in the country to save the industry from collapse.

He also presided over the FEC meeting on February 1, during which the Presidential Task Force on Food Security was mandated to reduce prices of food items in the country

2. Chief Justice Onnoghen

The acting president, on February 7, sent the name of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to the Senate for confirmation.

Onnoghen is however yet to be confirmed or screened by the Senate.

3. Road contracts

On February 8, he chaired the FEC and gave approval of N21 billion for the construction of the Ilorin-Omu Aran-Kabba Road, Section I.

Also on February 15, he approved the award of N126 billion road projects spread across Kano, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kwara, Gombe, Enugu an Kaduna states.

4. Visiting the Niger Delta

Between February 10 and 13, Osinbajo visited Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital in continuation of his interactive engagements with oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region.

He then went to Port Harcourt, Rivers state, to meet stakeholders of the oil producing communities. During the meeting, he rolled out the framework for the clean-up exercise of Ogoni land.

5. CBN and Forex

On February 16, he presided over the first National Economic Council meeting of the year and directed the CBN to review the foreign exchange policy.

The meeting also resolved that fresh $250 million be injected into the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). The CBN subsequently released about $500 million through the interbank market, where the 23 banks bought $371m.

READ ALSO: APC group warns against praising Osinbajo's achievements

6. Signed 7 bills into law

On February 17, Professor Osinbajo signed seven bills into law. The bills were: Oaths (Amendment) Act 2017; Defence Space Administration Act 2017; Veterinary Surgeons (Amendment) Act 2017; and others.

7. Lagos airport visit

He then paid an unscheduled visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as part of the 60-day action plan for business reforms in the country.

The visit took many airport workers by surprise. Osinbajo inspected facilities and interacted with airport officials.

Less than 24 hours after his unscheduled visit to Lagos airport, the federal government announced the sack of 10 directors of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Three new directors and a general manager were also appointed for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

READ ALSO: Ben Bruce begs Osinbajo to teach Buhari his magic as Naira continues to strengthen

8. Infrastructure

The FEC meeting, Osinbajo chaired on February 22 approved N32 billion for the resuscitation and completion of the 50km dual carriage Kaduna eastern bypass highway.

The Council also approved $39.9 for the construction of the Cameroon-Nigeria border link bridge at Ikot Efiem. The council also approved the Revised National Policy on Environment.

Below is a video of Nigerians speaking on the state of the nation:

Source: Legit.ng
Union Bank & Trust recently promoted Vickie Weiss as credit officer in our credit administration division. Weiss joined Union Bank in 2004 as a teller in the customer service division. She has held several positions within the bank, including branch supervisor in Omaha and most recently as the senior credit analyst.

In her expanded role as credit officer, Weiss will be responsible for the work flow of the credit analyst team, interviewing and training new analysts, managing the portfolio stress test and underwriting the more complex credits.

Union Bank & Trust is a privately owned, Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services. The bank has thirty-eight full service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. In addition to Lincoln and Omaha, branches are located in twenty-one Nebraska communities. It is the third-largest privately-owned bank in Nebraska with bank assets of $3.6 billion and trust assets of $16.5 billion as of December 31, 2016.
Editor's note: Obinwanne Umunna, the Legit.ng partner blogger, in this article explains two wonderful secrets that could help unemployed youth to get job through social media.

Obinwanne is the founder of www.topwritersden.com and a content developer with Globacle concept Nigeria limited.

He is a writer who is passionate about training other writers, job seekers on the basic steps to follow in order to get their dreamed jobs. He could be contacted via: www.topwritersden.com.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

Someone asked me a question, Can I get a job using the social media?

I replied her: If only you know the secrets. Every day I see people get jobs using social media and it has forced me to write about it. Desperate measures require desperate actions. Everything is possible to them that believe that they can get a job using the social media

I just had to twist a portion of a holy book to stake my claim that you can use the social media to get a nice job. It is unfortunate that most job seekers see the social media as a place to while away time and catch fun. Also a place possibly to look for the opposite s*ex and get hooked up.

READ ALSO: How to get job easily in Nigeria

The economy is getting worse, experienced workers are getting sacked and are sent back into the job market to compete with the ones with little or no experience. What is now the fate of the fresh graduates or the old graduates without any job experience?

The social media as a job hunting tool will help you explore other options, but unfortunately most job seekers havent really discovered that.

A few job seekers are even oblivious of the fact that sites like LinkedIn can land them a super paying job. The truth is that most companies keep active social media profiles, but only a few know how to get across to them.

Below are the steps that can land you a job using the social media:

1. Keep a professional profile

If you think of using the social media as a job hunting tool, then you must portray yourself to be professional. You dont look for a job but yet appear a troll online. I remembered when a panel of interviewers asked me for my Facebook username, I almost wet my trousers because I had committed a lot of atrocities with that account. Trust me! I lost that job just like that.

I had to open up another and became a saint immediately. I started contributing and dishing out wonderful posts that got shared and you could guess right; I was contacted by someone who added me up and gave me a part-time job for that moment.

The internet never forgets, keep your profile professional. What is the first result that comes out, when your name is checked up on Google? Try it and know whether you impressed yourself.

2. Sell Yourself

Are you on twitter, Facebook and other social media sites with lots of followers, and all you do is troll celebrities who are already made? Check yourself once again! I think you are in a gold mine without knowing.

I saw a guy who kept tackling various firms who were in distress with If I were the marketing manager of . I would have. And he would end up tagging the company he targeted. His tweets were always re-tweeted, and that was how he got himself an interview and possibly a job using the social media.

There are lots of forums, blogs in Nigeria that are being visited by top officers of various companies. Instead of becoming a troll (like I used too) bring out a tactics to support your offline job-seeking hustle. Using the social media as a job hunting tool is the next big thing that is here with us.

I landed my present job because the hiring manager read my blog in my presence and saw my capabilities. There and then, I was offered the job.

Selling yourself can be achieved by various mediums:

 Connect with people right set of people

If you want to go through LinkedIn, then your network should revolve around people that matters. You can see their activities and know when to send a direct mail.

 Follow them on twitter and get industry news

Instead of stalking celebrities who will never hire you, you should channel such energy towards firms that can put food on your table. Get to know them, latest happenings with them and stay connected.

 Engage in meaningful conversations online

Argue critically about your industry in forums and contribute significantly to discussions. I wish you know the caliber of people that go through most of these forums in Nigeria; you would be amazed and have a change of heart.

 Let everyone know that you are a job-seeker

Make it open. After any contribution, strategically let people know that you are looking for a job. Dont just write I am a jobseeker, help me. Nobody will take you serious. They have to see the stuff you are made up of, before they give you a chance to impress.

PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng current affairs app for android to get the latest news

 Start a blog about your industry

This worked for me and I am proud of it. Whatever field you want to venture into, writing about it will surely give you an edge when it is time to show yourself. It is just a way to show your passion and knowledge. Your blog post might be shared and it catches the eyes of a hiring manager, which spells Good-luck for you.

Social media is playing a great role now. So, I repeat the question I asked before, can you get a job using the social media? Share your opinions using the comment section. Dont forget to share our post to other people who might need it. Thanks.

Like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/topwritersden.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.

Legit.ng welcomes writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of noise makers to become a part of our Bloggers network. If you are a seasoned writer or a complete newbie  apply and become Nigerias next star blogger.

Send us some info about your career, interests and expertise and why youd like to contribute to the Blogger Network at blogger@corp.legit.ng Also, please send us the link to your blog and three examples of your work.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

Source: Legit.ng
- Human rights activist Femi Falana has written a letter to the acting president Yemi Osinbajo and the attorney general of the federation

- Falana asked the federal government to obey court order and release the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Ibrahim El-zakzaky and his wife

- He said the federal government has equally refused to comply with the other terms of the judgment

A lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana has written to the federal government of Nigeria demanding the immediate release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Ibrahim El-zakzaky.

In a letter addressed to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and the attorney general of the federation Abubakar Malami, the lawyer said it is unfortunate that the federal government is yet to comply with order made by the court for the release of the Islamic leader.

El-zakzaky and his wife were arrested by security operatives after members of the IMN clashed with troops of the Nigerian army on December 5, 2015.

Since then, the duo, have remained in detention even after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the their immediate release.

READ ALSO: Group wants President Buhari to die abroad, holds symbolic ritual (photos)

Falana said: "Since the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna State government had engaged in the illegal destruction of the residence of our clients in December 2015 the court ordered the Federal Government to provide a temporary accommodation for them. The court also awarded reparation of N50 million to the couple."

"Although the deadline expired on January 16, 2017 the State Security Service has refused to release our clients from custody in utter contempt of the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

He also said the federal government has equally refused to comply with the other terms of the judgment.

"However, we are not unaware that your office has filed an appeal against the said judgment at the Court of Appeal.

READ ALSO: How students stormed human rights commission over El-Zakzaky's detention (photos)

Falana said since the filing of the appeal has not varied or suspended the orders of the judge.

He said the attorney general of the federation is duty bound to advise the federal government to comply with the clear and unambiguous terms of the judgment.

"Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case we are compelled to remind you of the case of Nigerian Army vs Mowarin (1992) 4 N.W.L.R. (pt 235) 345 where the Court of Appeal dismissed the motion for stay of execution of the judgment of the Lagos high court for the release of the appellant. In justifying the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Kalgo J.C.A. (as he then was) held that "the refusal of the application will not cause any injury to the applicant, but if the application is granted, the respondent will continue to suffer personally in detention after the court has declared her detention unlawful ab initio."

READ ALSO: Educate young people in the North NOW, student tells Nigerian government

Based on the dismissal of the application for stay of execution the then military junta released the respondent from further custody."

He also said that in line with the principle of law espoused by the Court of Appeal in the case of Nigerian Army vs Mowarin (supra), the office of the attorney general has not filed any application for stay of the execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court.

"In view of the avowed commitment of the Buhari administration to operate under the rule of law we urge you to use your good offices to ensure that our clients are released from illegal incarceration without any further delay," Falana said.

"However, if our request is not granted forthwith we shall not hesitate to pray the Court of Appeal to refuse to entertain the appeal filed by your office against the judgment of the Federal High Court until the Federal Government has purged of the contempt of the Federal High Court," he said.

Source: Legit.ng
Editor's note: This piece was written in 2008 by Yushau Shuaib about the health challenges of the former President late Umaru Yar'adua.

Shuaib in his condemned the debate around the late president. He also highlighted how such debates took the centre stage and sidelined important discussions on critical socio-economic matters in Nigeria.

The above headline is not intended to play pun or be mischievous but rather is a response to worrisome feelings amongst Nigerians on the plight of President Umaru Musa YarAdua over the sensationalism making the rounds on his ill health.

The debate over his purported ill-health overshadowed all other critical socioeconomic matters taking place in the country.

From the hushed tones, to private discussion and even in places of worship the issue generated genuine concerns, and even beer parlor analyses rented the air which further prompted disturbing headlines seeming to ask: if President Umaru YarAdua Dies!

READ ALSO: As Buhari remains in UK, 50,000 youths hold rally in his hometown, Daura

In fact some of the insinuations are scary speculations over likely consequences that may befall the nation. The nation has witnessed so many crises that we wont pray for a repeat of issues of national tragedy.

Considering some of the fears expressed, many would have anticipated arrival of a coffin from the Presidential Jet, but President Umaru Musa returns safely to the country from the officially disclosed Lesser Hajj and unofficial announced medical check-up in Saudi Arabia.

As President of the country, Umaru YarAdua obviously cannot govern alone without having and relying on able lieutenants who are in his cabinet to assist him in the discharge of constitutional responsibilities.

That was demonstrated in his absence as the nation was not grounded by ineptitude of any of the ministers.

During his stay abroad, there were many developments that require public attention but which were not made issues of national importance. For instance, within the weeks of his absence, over N78billion was released from Excess Crude Account to augment statutory allocations of August 2008 to federal, states and local governments.

READ ALSO: Daura Emirate Council recites Qu'ran 11 times over Buhari's health

That was after over N360billion was shared to the tiers of government and agencies. Likewise at one of the Federal Executive Council meetings which was chaired by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, a whopping sum of N13billion was approved for various projects across the country which covered power, education, science and technology, transportation and Federal Capital Territory.

In fact breakdown of the contracts which was detailed in an online economic intelligence journal, the Economic Confidential, list of the beneficiaries, the contractors, specific amounts and places for the executions were stated. Yet not many Nigerians bother to know of these projects and enquire how they would positively impact on the nation and its people.

The most painful experience from the saga of the two weeks foreign trip, were confusing announcements and counter announcements from oppositions and government officials respectively on the true condition of the President.

In fact when official channels were not forthcoming with accurate, timely and reliable information, Sahara Reporters an online news agency feasted on the vacuum by regularly releasing incredibly detailed reports from alleged highly reliable sources.

Surprisingly, the online portal, gained more visitors and strangely became the most cited news media on the presidents whereabouts.

While the Information Minister and spokesperson of the president, John Ogar Odey and Olusegun Adeniyi respectively, tried to manage the issue and boost the image of the president through their cautious and occasional official releases that did little to douse the mounting tension they were accused of being too conservative with the truth.

READ ALSO: Northern clerics commend Saraki, Dogara over visit to Buhari, calls for calm

As much as I must avoid unnecessary bashing from the public in an attempt to defend their approach, it must be pointed out that personalities being managed by publicists most times determine and give directives on how their profiles should be projected and protected. Since such principals may not realize the implication of refusing professional advice, they learn the hard way from bitter experience.

Although no one may know exactly what interacted between the president and his image managers, it is necessary that the public should always be adequately informed on public figures that influence direction of government.

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Nigerias president is like a father of large family, the nation which is his primary constituency and responsibility.

A situation where spokespersons seem to be gagged and viewed by professional colleagues as weaklings in performing their responsibilities, their actions and inaction would affect their credibility and dent the reputation of the institutions they represent. That is the truth without any pretext.

Though there could be implications for breaking Hippocratic confidentiality even on the health of an ordinary individual, especially in divulging the nature of ones ailments, I doubt if there is anything wrong in stating that one has gone for medical check-up and seek the understanding and prayers of the public.

READ ALSO: Femi Falana speaks on Buhari's health condition

That could have been a very open and transparent public disclosure to prevent unnecessary controversies and second guessing.

The situation has forced some people in some quarters to nurse grudges and feel bitter on the entire saga as some section of the media felt sideline or betrayed after exhibiting patriotism in their professional conduct.

The government may need to reassure the citizens on its continuous commitment to uplift their well-being and where necessary tender apology for erring in the entire episode.

I feel pity for President YarAdua who, I believe strongly, means well for the nation, in his humble ways of doing things. We could recall how he was persuaded and cajoled to contest when he had already made up his mind to become a university lecturer after his second tenure as Executive Governor of Katsina State.

We could remember the fear over his health during the campaigning.

His staunched supporters and campaigners in high places did not even allow him the opportunity to speak out his mind as they told us he was strong and capable of leading the nation to prosperity and greatness when he was described as the only incorruptible governor in Nigeria who developed his state to the admiration of others. So far he has demonstrated some leadership qualities and taken extreme courageous steps even against his mentors, especially for not shielding anyone from probes and prosecutions.

READ ALSO: Saraki gives update on Buharis health status after meeting him in London

Every individual has a weakness and limitation; we should understand his constraints and appreciate his strength, will-power and efforts he has made so far in stabilizing the economy and sustaining peaceful coexistence amongst all the ethnic groups. We should even commend him for not dealing decisively with some treasonable felons who indirectly wage war on our collective nationhood but rather give them enough time to do a rethink and retrace their criminal steps before saying Enough is Enough.

Since the President has not died, against the alleged permutations and calculations of invisible elements to realize wicked agenda, we should support the administration to successfully deliver the promises made to electorates including the most talked about Seven-Point Agenda, to at least complete the first tenure which is half-way.

We have seen healthy looking rulers whose behavior and pronouncements including dictatorial tendencies clearly indicate their grievous infirmity, while the lanky and frail-looking leaders like Mandela remain great icons of democracy. We have also seen strong people dying in lesser strenuous exercise, even in bedrooms, while the presumed weak persons living longer in active service to their people. Please no one should wish our president otherwise.

Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@naij.com  drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App.

Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Legit.ng Opinion page!

Source: Legit.ng
This cold February is shaping up to be a hot month for dividend raises. For the second consecutive week, we saw a big group of companies hike their payouts, in some cases quite substantially.
A former bodyguard of Kenyas first vice president claims he was sacked from the police service more than four decades ago for failing to spy on his boss.

A former officer, who worked for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, has narrated how being loyal to Kenyas first president made him languish in poverty.

Photo of Solomon Mulang'a, the old man who was dismissed for not revealing a high-profile secret.

READ ALSO: These Nigerian states have received the most attention when it comes to road accidents

Solomon Mulang served in President Jomo Kenyattas security detail, he was a close friend of Odinga before he was unceremoniously dismissed from the service because of the relationship he had with the VP.

I had been recalled to general duties from Jaramogi Odingas escort detail after he formed the opposition party, Kenya Peoples Union (KPU), when one day I was told that Mr Hinga wanted to see me at his office in Gill House. I froze literally, narrates Mulanga.

Jaramogi Odinga and Jomo Kenyatta

READ ALSO: JSS 3 student in Ekiti invents rechargeable lantern for charging phones

He told me he had heard that Mr Odinga and I enjoyed a deep relationship. After a pause, he looked me straight in the eye and said he wanted me to tell him what Mr Odinga and Ugandan President Dr Milton Obote talked about when the two leaders met at the Rock Hotel in Jinja.

My conscience could not allow me to betray Jaramogi who had treated me well for the three years that I had been with him."

Solomon and his wife. Image Courtesy

"What followed was a bombshell when Hinga ordered Mulanga to go back to his rural home in Kitui District and not even venture in Kitui town for five years.

"His certificate of discharge seen by the Nation reads the officer had resigned after serving the force for seven years, four months and 17 days, but Mr Mulanga says the certificate was illegally issued to cover up his unlawful dismissal.

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And to ensure I never pursued any legal redress over my unlawful sacking, Mr Hinga further ordered me never to set foot in Nairobi for five years

I gave up on any hopes of ever getting justice, I couldnt have appealed as the Attorney General then was Charles Njonjo, a man known to have political differences with Jaramogi, the man I was accused of supporting, he said.

This is no doubt a pathetic tale; when did being faithful become a problem that could rob one of an everlasting key to happiness?

Source: Legit.ng
Senator Ahmed Makarfi, head of the sacked National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the factional national chairman of the party Senator Ali Modu Sheriff vacate the partys national secretariat in Abuja immediately to avoid chaos.

Makarfi and his group want Sheriff and his faction to leave party secretariat Wadata Plaza.

The Punch reports that Makarfi said Sheriff, despite being declared the authentic national chairman of the PDP by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on February 17, must wait until the Supreme Court makes its own pronouncement on the case.

READ ALSO: Ekiti PDP Senator shuns Fayose, declares support for Sheriff

Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the spokesperson for the faction, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, February 27 while accusing the police of favouring the former governor of Borno State in the crisis.

Adeyeye said that the Makarfi-faction want Sheriff out of the secretariat in order to avoid breakdown of law and order.

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Factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has asked the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers state to jail factional leader Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and some of his loyalists.

The Punch reports that apart from Makarfi, Sheriff wants the trio of sacked factional national caretaker committee secretary Senator Ben Obi and publicity secretary Dayo Adeyeye as well as former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode jailed.

Source: Legit.ng
Editors note: In any recruitment process, both the employees and employers usually want trust to be the key factor in engaging either at entry or managerial level. However, in this piece, a concerned Nigerian explains how he and other security contract staff employed by the NNPC were being made to undergo difficulties due to the companys inability to pay their outstanding salaries and wages.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

My able Honourable Senate President, permit me to start this letter with the words of our Senators, especially your words:"Mr. President, the feedback we get from the visits to our various constituencies is that there is hardship in the land. We can see it and we can feel it. This situation, therefore, commands all of us as government to a greater sense of urgency.

Save us from hunger caused by delayed salary, NNPC contract staff write open letter to NASS

We cannot work magic, but we must continue to work the clock. Our people must see that the singular pre- occupation of government is the search for solution to the current economic hardship; and the commitment to ease their burden. They dont want to know what political parties we belong, what language we speak or how we worship God.

READ ALSO: How we were humiliated, victimized by Dangotes company  Truck officer revealed

They have trusted their fates into our hands, and they need us now more than ever, to justify the trust that they have reposed on us. The people of Nigeria will pardon us if we do some things wrong. But they will not forgive us if we do nothing.

"Senate President Saraki "I firmly believe that one of the primary responsibilities of government is to implement economic policies that lift millions of our citizens out of poverty, and to use the resources at its disposal to create safety nets for the poor and vulnerable in our society. There should be a minimum standard, below which no Nigerian should live." - Senator Ashafa

We would like to appreciate the Senate copiously for championing the 'Intellectual' Revolution we need in the upper House of the National Assembly and Nigerias political echelon.

The labourer is worthy of his wages but reverse is the case for us at NNPC Area Depot Mossimi Ogun State, NNPC Satellite Depot Ejigbo, Lagos, NNPC Corporate Office V/I Lagos. We are contract security staff working at NNPC under the management of Sears Security Limited which is a firm owned by Mr Mathew, a pensioner with NNPC.

I personally have worked at NNPC under the management of Sears for many years, and it's customary for our salary to be delayed for over six months before being paid. In terms of academy qualifications, the least among us is an OND holder while majority of us working as security here at NNPC are graduates with first class, professional certificates of various kinds, yet we can't afford to feed ourselves due to the delay of our salaries.

We are writing to appeal to the Senate to please look into this issue of contract staff as a matter of urgency; we have children and family to cater for, childrens school fees and house rent to pay, medical and PHCN bills to take care of.

We loss a colleague at NNPC Satellite Depot Ejigbo in late January this year, if the deceased were being paid monthly, he would have taken proper care of himself. Over 15 security officers were sacked at NNPC corporate office V/I Lagos due to a sick strike they embark on because they are owned for 9 Months of working without salary.

Time without numbers we are being reminded by the Managing Director of the firm that there's no job outside and whoever is tired of the job can off his or her uniform and work away, this is nothing else but enslavement.

We believe in the positive change of the Federal Government of our Country Nigeria that very soon we will be freed from poverty and corruption, we therefore appeal to you all to intensify and review the terms and conditions of the contract, for we know that our former President Olusegun Obasanjo introduced this Contract Security to NNPC which has caused more damage to NNPC, it could be recalled that security officers at Satellite Depot Ejigbo conspired to steal fuel, this was as a result of the delay in payment of salaries.

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Our honourable Senators, the economy recession has added more poverty to our lives, we believe in the power of your office and your kind heartedness that you all will act and rise to lift us from this unending drowning river we are in due to unavailability of jobs.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.

Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@naij.com  drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App.

Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Legit.ng Opinion page!

Source: Legit.ng
- 2 Chinese men allegedly involved in importing fake tyres into Nigeria have been arrested in Lagos

- The substandard tyres are reportedly worth N5 billion

- The Chinese warehouse located in Lagos has been sealed up after the arrest

Two Chinese men, Taolung Shen and Xu Jing Yao have been arrested in Lagos for allegedly importing fake and substandard tyres into Nigeria.

The Chinese company, Sino Nigeria Import and Export Limiteds warehouse, located in Lagos was also sealed up by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (Son).

The Nation reports that the Director-General of SON Osita Aboloma, who showed reporters round the warehouse at Alakija area on Badagry Road in Lagos at the weekend, lamented that the importation of such tyres endangered the lives of millions of Nigerians.

The chinese men, Taolung Shen and Xu Jing Yao

READ ALSO: 23 suspects in police net for allegedly hijacking truck of diesel

Aboloma said many of the over three million tyres brought into the country in over 60 containers, had post-dated manufacturing dates some of them with March 2017 date on them.

Aboloma said:"They also cloned different sizes of tyres under such brand names as Powertrac, Aptany, Harmony, Duraturn, Bearway, City Tour, Winda, Glory, Chachland, City Grand, Grandsonte (Tyre Type) and Sunny (for tricycle) among others.

"Many of the tyres arrived in Nigeria stuffed into one another. In some instances as many as five stuffed into one. Many are bent and ruptured and looking weak and slack.

"The SON Directorate of Compliance intercepted one of their trucks on the highway, tracked it and then this. You can see the amount of danger that these people are posing to our people and our economy just because they want to make huge profit at the expense of the lives of Nigerians.

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It is a clear case of investing millions in illicit business in order to take away the lives of millions of Nigerians. to destroy the lives of millions of Nigerians. If we should allow something like this, it will amount to killing Nigerians.

"Nothing can be recouped from such stuffed in tyres, no need to test anything because the tyres have already been destroyed on arrival.

The nations laws must be made to work by ensuring that it is implemented to the letter. l must reiterate here that the full force of the SON Act that empowers her to prosecute offenders will be invoked on the perpetrators of this economic crime in no short time. It is left to imagine the number of lives that would have been lost to this wicked act by a few people."

Meanwhile, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has sealed up the premises of a Chinese firm called Yuan Dung for unacceptable investment operations in the country.

The Head, Corporate Communication of SEC, Mr Naif Abdussalam, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the closure was to end unlawful activities of the company against unsuspecting investors.

Source: Legit.ng
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission asks Nigerians to report any mistaken alert to relevant authorities.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has urged the general public to be good and patriotic citizens by reporting any money deposited mistakenly into their various accounts.

The Commission stated this on their facebook page when Dr. Aliyu Usman Tilde, an academician, columnist and writer returned a draft of N900, 000.00, (Nine Hundred Thousand Naira Only), to the Gombe Zonal office of the EFCC. The amount was mistakenly paid into his account.

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Three months after his account officer could not trace the origin of the strange alert, Dr. Tilde reported the case to the EFCC. Investigation by the EFCC however revealed that the amount belongs to a law firm that was counsel to Federal Ministry of Justice in a case that involved a former staff of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According the a press release, "investigation further revealed that the Clark of the firm made a mistake in writing Dr. Tildes firm account number when submitting bank details to the clients Ministry. Dr. Tilde raised a draft of the said amount in the name of EFCC EXHIBIT ACCOUNT and brought same to Gombe zonal office. The beneficiary firm has since been contacted."

Source: Legit.ng
The past few years have been some of the worst ever to hit the global shipping industry. Slowing global growth along with overcapacity sent shipping rates sinking below breakeven levels for many shippers. Conditions got so bad that last summer one of the world's largest shipping companies declared bankruptcy, an event that sent a tsunami of shock throughout the sector.
President Donald Trumps nominee to be Secretary of the Navy, Philip Bilden, has withdrawn from consideration for the post citing concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

In a statement by the Department of Defense, Bilden said he determined that he would not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without what he called undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my familys private financial interests.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, in the statement, said that he would make a recommendation to Trump for a nominee in the coming days.

While I am disappointed, I understand and respect his decision and know that he will continue to support our nation in other ways.

In the coming days I will make a recommendation to President Trump for a leader who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the presidents vision to rebuild our military, Mattis said.

Bildens withdrawal followed that of Vincent Viola, Trumps nominee for Secretary of the Army, who withdrew earlier this month.

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Viola cited his inability to successfully navigate the confirmation process and Defense Department rules concerning family businesses.

Trumps nominee as Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, had also recently withdrawn after a video from the Oprah Winfrey Show was released, which showed Puzders ex-wife saying he abused her.

Similarly, a day before Puzder withdrew, ex-National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, put in his resignation.

Flynn was forced to resign from the position following reports that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Russias ambassador to the U.S. (NAN)

Source: Legit.ng
The National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering as a course in Kwara State University (KWASU).

KWASU contact office

KWASU, Vice Chancellor, Prof AbdulRasheed Na'Allah announced the wonderful news in a press release by the university.

The statement from the institution reads thus: The NUC has formally written the Kwara State University approving the University's full mode of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (B. Eng.) degree program.

READ ALSO: 7 most expensive universities in Nigeria 2017

"I must congratulate all our students and staff in Engineering, especially the department of aeronautical and astronautical engineering for their hard work and patience, that have led to this great success.

By this news, KWASU has retained its record as the first-ever Nigerian University to institute a degree program in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.

"Our dear students and staff can be proud of their University! We have formally submitted an invitation to NUC for accreditation as we are fully ready for the NUC accreditation.

KWASU students matriculating

Studying an unaccredited course in a Nigerian university and finding out too late is one of the most painful experiences you can go through as a student.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently released the list of unaccredited courses in Nigerian universities.

Source: Legit.ng
Editor's note: Rotimi Victor Boluwatife, the Legit.ng partner blogger, in this piece explains why Nigerian authors are not celebrated like musicians.

Boluwatife is a blogger at SHEGESUP.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

In Nigeria we dont celebrate authors the way we celebrate musicians and actors. The simple reason adduced to this is that our reading habit very poor. Authors are writers of a work or play and without them the successful peoples in the world wont have got to the top ladder. They are very key to the success of doctors, lawyers, engineers and many more.

They write and we read, they are knowledge sharers, they bring out little out of the knowledge they acquired so that the knowledge will not die with them. Also, they are entertainers like musicians, actors, comedians and many more but here in Nigeria we dont recognise them and even the little we recognise are materials of America.

READ ALSO: These 6 SIMPLE strategies will help enhance your reading comprehension

Nigerian Authors deserve to be celebrated because even the Nigerian films we watch are written by them. Authors like J.K Rowling the author of Harry Potter is being celebrated in British and even the whole word, Ben Carson a neurosurgeon and an author is a bestseller in USA and even in the world, in Nigeria we only have best film producer, best actor and best musician but we dont have bestselling authors.

Authors of text books like Mathematics, English, Physics, Government and many more deserve to be known and celebrated because they are doing a great job. Nigeria authors deserve to be called to shows to perform be it a story writers, motivational writers, educational writers, script writers or any niche because they are doing a great job.

In Nigeria, we dont have many full time writers but we only have many passionate writers who are just writing because they love to do so, why dont we have a full time writer, because they are not recognized, not appreciated and not patronised, Nigerians only patronise foreign writers instead of their own writers.

In the 1990s, we had Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka but in this generation, we only have the American brought ups and not our own brought ups, if students are called to mention authors they know, most of them will mention foreign authors and few will mention Nigeria authors.

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Also Nigeria authors deserve to be given endorsement, ambassadors and even to be used for advertisement of any product in Nigeria to encourage them and even to motivate the coming generation so they can go into writing and also to make the industry a better place to invest.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.

Legit.ng welcomes writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of noise makers to become a part of our Bloggers network. If you are a seasoned writer or a complete newbie  apply and become Nigerias next star blogger.

Send us some info about your career, interests and expertise and why youd like to contribute to the Blogger Network at blogger@corp.legit.ng Also, please send us the link to your blog and three examples of your work.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

Source: Legit.ng
- President Muhammadu Buharis medical vacation is still a major national discourse

- The president's ill-health has dominated the polity for a while

- The presidency is not helping matters by giving conflicting information on the presidents health status

A report by Ynaija has listed 16 inconsistencies of the presidency as regards the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Has President Buhari's media team failed him?

President Buhari has been in London since January 19, 2017. The presidency had first announced that he was there for a 10-day leave. But he has since extended the leave on medical grounds.

The media aides of the presidency, together with the minister for information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, have been doing all they can to launder the image of the presidents health.

But it seems they have done more harm than good to the president's image.

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Afenifere chieftain and elder statesman, Ayo Adebanjo, has recently said the presidency is not sincere about the true state of President Buharis health, adding that those around the president were taking Nigerians for fools.

Similarly, former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife, has expressed his displeasure over how the presidency is handling the presidents health situation.

Here is a timeline of activities of the media aides:

1. January 21, 2017

Barely two days after his departure, it was rumoured that the president had died. As expected, Garba Shehu was on hand to immediately quell the rumours.

2. February 05, 2017

Lai Mohammed said that President Buharis return to Nigeria was delayed due to a faulty aircraft were untrue.

3. February 05, 2017

Few moments after releasing a statement announcing the presidents decision to extend his vacation, Femi Adesina said Buhari alone was in the position to release his test results.

4. February 06, 2017

Shehu in a post on his Facebook page said, he spoke with Buharis personal doctor who told him the president was not in any serious condition.

5. February 08, 2017

Mohammed while speaking to State House correspondents said Buhari was in good health, and was a victim of his own transparency, he added that the presidents health status was not comparable to that of late former president Umar Musa YarAdua, saying Nigerians do not need daily updates on Buharis health.

6. February 08, 2017

Lauretta Onochie, a personal assistant to the president on social media insisted that Buhari was not ill.

7. February 14, 2017

Following outcry from Nigerians requesting details of the phone conversation between Buhari and US president Donald Trump, Shehu said it would be undiplomatic to make the contents of the call public.

8. February 14, 2017

Shehu told Nigerians to be prepared to see President Buhari soon.

9. February 16, 2017

While speaking on a morning show, Adesina said President Buhari would not speak Nigerians as a matter of principle.

10. February 18, 2017

Speaking youths in Abuja at an interactive session, Shehu said the presidency will urge Buhari to speak with Nigerians.

11. February 21, 2017

Adesina issued a statement where the president told Nigerians there was no cause to worry over his health.

12. February 21, 2017

Adesina said contrary to speculations Buhari would not sneak into the country on his return.

13. February 21, 2017

Adesina in a bid to defend his principal said Buhari would be responsible for informing Nigerians of his possible return date, saying he only speaks what he is told as the presidents spokesman.

14. February 22, 2017

During a telephone conversation on radio, Adesina said he had not spoken with the president since he went on vacation.

15. February 25, 2017

Adesina, who spoke with Buhari for the first time since he went on vacation, said the president thanked him for coping with mischief makers.

16. February 25, 2017

Shehu tagged the date, a day for the media team  meaning a day when the president decided to put calls through to all members of his media team.

READ ALSO: Knocks, praises for President Buhari's media team

Source: Legit.ng
- Two Delta communities in Warri North local government areas have given 21 day day ultimatum to NDDC to revisit abandoned projects or risk civil disturbance

- The communities said the projects were awarded in 2005, making a total of 13 years when the projects have remained abandoned

- They say the only way to guarantee peace is for the NDDC and the oil firms in the area to address their demands appropriately

The people of Tsekelewu and Polobobou communities in Warri North local government area of Delta state have given the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 21-days ultimatum to kick-start all abandoned projects in their communities or risk civil disturbances and disruption of operation of oil companies in their area.

They also called on Chevron Nigeria Limited to commence the dredging of Tsekelewu and Pelobobou creek for easy accessibility to their communities, stressing that Chevron operations in their area have succeeded in converting their creeks to ordinary land and difficult to enter.

Nsima Ekere, Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission

The 21-days ultimatum is contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Marvis Ofiyai and Asoki Victor, President and Secretary respectively of Tsekelewu and Polobobou communities on behalf of their people and made available to newsmen in Warri on Monday.

It noted that the ultimatum was premised on the fact that NDDC has failed to live up to its responsibilities to their communities with respect to about five major projects initiated in 2005 but abandoned till date, adding that they have nothing to show that they are oil producing communities.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Trouble as NPDC plans resumption of oil production in Ogoniland

"Niger Delta Development Commission should use the statutory allocation from oil companies to develop oil producing communities such as tackling the case of Tsekelewu and Polobobou canalization project urgently before it will lead to gross protest that may shock the world.

"The federal and state governments should compel Chevron Nigeria Limited and Niger Delta Development Commission to dredge Tsekelewu and Polobobou creeks for easy accessibility to our communities.

The only way we can guarantee peace is to address our demands timely. If this dredging issue is not addressed, we promise, we will affect the operation of Chevron Nigeria Limited in our communities.

NDDC MD, Ekere; Governor Okowa and Acting President Yemi Osibanjo

"The canalization of Tsekelewu & Polobobou communities creek was awarded by Niger Delta Development Commission in 2005 but it has been abandoned till date and other four water projects from NDDC were also abandoned. The commission has not impacted Tsekelewu and Polobobou communities positively since inception till date."

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They also called for sand filling of their communities to avoid being washed away by ocean surge, construction of roads and walkways within the communities, mass assisted transport system, just as they appealed for inclusion of members of the communities in the NDDC skills acquisition programmes as no member of the communities has benefited from the scheme.

Tsekelewu and Polobobou communities are landlords to multinational oil companies such as Chevron Nigeria Limited Opuekeba Platform, NPDC/Elcrest Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited, Opuama Flowstation and Sahara Energy and all fields are contributing to Nigeria's economy.

Source: Legit.ng
Armed with two dozen proposed amendments, Sen. Ernie Chambers on Monday ensnared a bill to authorize "Choose Life" motor vehicle license plates in a time-consuming filibuster.

With signs of overwhelming support for the measure (LB46) sponsored by Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, the bill appeared headed toward eventual passage.

Debate consumed more than three hours on Monday, roughly half the time permitted at the first stage of floor consideration before a cloture motion can free a bill for advancement through the legislative process.

Watermeier won 38-0 approval of an amendment that specifically directs revenue from the license plates to assist needy families.

Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln attempted to amend the words on the specialized license plates to "Stop Child Abuse" in an effort to disconnect the message from the anti-abortion movement.

"We should not be putting political messages on state license plates," he said.

When Morfeld asked Watermeier about the option of allowing Nebraskans to select either "choose life" or "pro-choice" messages, Watermeier said he would regard that as a hostile amendment.

Morfeld's proposal was defeated on a 5-31 vote.

The two Chambers' alternatives voted upon on Monday -- "Knowledge is Power" and "Rape is No Laughing Matter" -- received only six supportive votes.

The Omaha senator said he would prefer "eliminating all message plates" now authorized by Nebraska.

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha raised concerns about the Watermeier proposal.

"There are no controversial plates now," he said. "Where do we draw the line?"

Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln asked if "state-sanctioned speech" is just going to be whatever is determined by a majority of state senators.

Other pending Chambers amendments include "This Too Will Pass" and "It Could Be Worse."

New filibuster limits imposed by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk include three hours of debate at the second round of floor consideration and an hour and a half at the final stage.
- Nigeria's petroleum minister Ibe Kachikwu met with the the secretary general of OPEC Mohammad Barkindo

- Kachikwu said he nominated Barkindo for the position because he possessed the madness to work there

- Barkindo disclosed that he had not met the minister before he nominated him to be the secretary general of OPEC

The minister of petroleum resources Ibe Kachikwu received the secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), H. E. Mohammad Barkindo, on Monday, February 27.

Kachikwu welcomes the OPEC Secretary General, H. E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, to Nigeria

Speaking during a meeting to welcome Barkindo at the headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Abuja, Kachikwu said the achievements of OPEC under him, within a short time showed he was the right man for the job, The Cable reports.

READ ALSO: REVEALED! This is why Buhari has not reduced fuel pump price to N50 per litre - Former Minister

He said he nominated Barkindo for the job because he has the intellectual insanity to work there.

According to him, when the campaign for the job was heating up, he met with a prince of Saudi Arabia, who is the countrys petroleum minister, to convince him to support Barkindo for the position as he possessed the necessary qualities.

Kachikwu said he nominated Barkindo for OPEC job because he believed in his qualities

Kachikwu said: I met with the prince, and I told him I have a candidate who has seven qualities that an OPEC SG must possess. He asked me to list them, and I said: 1, Barkindo has the intellectual insanity to work there. At that time, OPEC was in a rough rumble that only a mad man will take the job. I also said he is humble and that he is a master statistician.

READ ALSO: Vandals hampering operation at Kaduna refinery  NNPC

In response, Barkindo thanked Kachikwu for nominating him for the job.

He said: For all my years at the NNPC in this industry, I have not met Ibeh Kachikwu. But this gentleman decided on his own wisdom to ask his staff to look for someone named Mohammad Barkindo.

I got to know through the governor of OPEC that Kachikwu decided to nominate me for this job to his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari.

From day one he became my campaign manager. I saw the commitment of the son of Nigeria to make the country proud. He said dont worry we will make it.

He did all he could and forced the hand of these other countries to drop their candidates.

Barkindo said this was his first visit home since he left for Vienna and he was overwhelmed by the reception he got from friends and colleagues.

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He disclosed that OPEC countries had lost about $1trn so far while adding that the oil industry needed more investments.

Barkindo was officially appointed to the post for a three-year term at OPECs 169th Meeting of the Conference on June 2, 2016 in Vienna, Austria.

He replaced HE Abdalla Salem El-Badri who led the Organization from January 1, 2007 to 2016 when he handed over.

Source: Legit.ng
The fight against insurgency in Nigeria has yielded another success with the killing of a female member of the once dreaded Boko Haram.

The female Boko Haram was reportedly killed in a confrontation with security forces

The sect was recently routed out of the Sambisa forest, a vast area bordering Borno state, the most affected with other neighbouring states in the north-east.

READ ALSO: Members of the Nigerian Army seen clearing bodies of alleged IPOB members off the streets

Though the name of the female fighter has not been made known at the time of this report, it has brought to the fore a new narrative.

Before this most recent incident, it was believed that the Boko Haram sect mainly used men as fighters while the members victimized the womenfolk using them as spies and lacing them with improvised explosive devices for detonation at spots.

This has continued even after the Nigerian Army, with support from the civilian-Joint Task Force (CJTF), led by Muazu Alhaji Misiya, has decimated the camp of the insurgents.

READ ALSO: Abubakar Shekau kills Boko Haram spokesman

Misiya, who posted the photographs, expressed shock that the fighter was actually thought to be a man until she was killed.

Source: Legit.ng
- An international consortium presented a $20bn investment plan to Acting President Osinbajo, for the Ogidigben Gas Industrial Park

- The project is tagged the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP)

- 250,000 direct and indirect jobs would be generated in the process

- The park is located about 60km from Warri, and about 1km away from the operational base of Chevron Nigeria Limited

The federal government in collaboration with oil-producing communities in several states in the Niger Delta region is working on a plan to put in place a gas industrial park that is valued at about $20billion through a Public-Private Partnership.

The project tagged the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP), Ogidigben, will cover 2700 hectares with fertilizer, methanol, petrochemicals, & aluminium plants located in the park that has already been designated as a Tax Free Zone by the federal government.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa on Monday, February 27, while meeting with international developers and investors of the project, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to the development of the Niger Delta.

READ ALSO: FG to boost agriculture with N750 billion - Osinbajo says

A statement by Laolu Akande, the spokesman of Osinbajo read: Before he went on vacation, President Buhari had mandated the vice president to embark on visits to oil-producing communities to demonstrate the resolve of this administration to the pursuit of a new vision for the Niger Delta.

"The building of an industrial gas hub in Ogidigben, Delta state was one of the feedbacks that was received during the visit to the state.

"As a follow-up on the Niger Delta trips, Acting President Osinbajo, alongside the Honorable minister of state for petroleum resources; Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Group managing director; Dr. Maikanti Baru and other top government and NNPC officials met today with a group of international investors and developers put together under a consortium by Dubai-based firm, AGMC.

"The consortium is made up of Fortune 500 companies like the GSE&C of South Korea, the China Development Bank, Power China and several others global operators from Asia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle-East.

READ ALSO: FG appoints new management for Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Laolu explained that under the plan presented by the consortium to Osinbajo, about $20B would be invested to develop the Gas Revolution Industrial Park. This would generate 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in the process.

According to him, the industrial park would be a cluster for several industries in one location benefiting from an efficient, cost-competitive and abundant supply of natural gas.

It would also enjoy proximity to a deep sea port and centralized utilities and services such as uninterrupted power, world class telecommunications and processed water.

The park is located about 60km from Warri, and is about 1km away from the operational base of Chevron Nigeria Limited. It will be connected to over 18 trillion Cubic Feet of gas reserves in fields such as Odidi, Okan, Forcados, located within a 50km radius.

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According to the plan, the park will be connected to Nigerias most dominant gas pipeline network-ELPS, which will enable supply of gas to and from the park.

Osinbajo said a steering committee chaired by Kachikwu has already been put in place, showing how committed the federal government is to the project.

We take the project very seriously and glad to see you are committed and ready to make several other commitments. This is a process that we intend to see happen, he added.

Also speaking, Kachikwu expressed confidence that the GRIP will bring the much needed succor to the people of the Niger Delta, and the oil-producing states.

The woman in the video below is lamenting over the current economic situation which she blames on Buhari.

Source: Legit.ng
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has asked the Nigerian government to immediately evacuate its citizens from South Africa following xenophobia attacks on its citizens.

This is as the South African police announced that over 100 youths raided business centres owned by Nigerians between Sunday, February 26, 2017 and Monday, February 27, 2017.

South Africans have continued to destroy Nigerian businesses in a xenophobic attack.

The TUC further asked the Nigerian government to recall its high commissioner to the country as part of moves to sanction South Africa.

Recently, Nigerians in South Africa have experienced xenophobic attacks with some allegedly killed while business places have been destroyed.

From all indications, it appears there is a grand conspiracy by the government and state security apparatus to continue to mindlessly waste lives and take over people's properties of innocent and harmless fellow Africans.

READ ALSO: Xenophobia: No fewer than 100 ransacked shops overnight in Johannesburg - Police

First and foremost their anger is misplaced and probably borne out of the inferiority complex suffered from years of oppression and apartheid. As a credible organization we condemn crimes in all its forms and support punishment for those found culpable.

But in this case no one has mentioned any case of crime; it is rather a case of a country whose freedom we staked our lives, financed and spent other resources to fight for and today we get xenophobia as returns, the TUC said in a statement made available to Legit.ng.

The labour organisation wondered why the usual attacks on Nigerians.

How do we refer to this anti-Nigeria, nay Africa attitude? On Nigeria, One wonders what these South Africans are turning to. Is it a case of ingratitude or lack of historical documentation by their leaders, of the unmatched leadership role Nigeria played in the 80s towards the dismantling of apartheid?

It is on record that thousands of South African children were brought to Nigerian and distributed across all the unity schools in Nigeria and were fed and housed free courtesy of Nigerian government and Nigerians.

They were welcomed with open arms! How have their youth missed this history that Nigerians have become objects for destruction in modern day South Africa? The TUC queried noting that out of about 2.3 million immigrants living in South Africa, only 1.6 million are Africans and they are engaged in small shops, vending, service industries.

How come South Africans are not killing the whites that control about 8.7 percent of the population and controls over 85 percent wealth is a question begging for answer.

The Chinese, Indians, Europeans, etc control the land and economy of South Africa yet they kill fellow Africans under the watch of security officials. African immigrants do not own lands neither do they run companies nor own mining companies, etc.

We feel pained that despite the apparent position attitude of the Mr Jacob Zuma-led administration to investigate and punish those involved in accordance with the provisions of the law of the land over the years nothing was ever done.

It is indeed quite unfortunate South Africa has forgotten in a hurry how Nigeria and the rest of the world rallied and mobilized support for the country during its apartheid experience, the labour movement said.

It noted that South Africans have over 100 companies in Nigeria and that Nigerians have not attacked them even though they are seriously involved in anti-labour practices especially MTN, Shoprite and DSTV.

READ ALSO: Labour leader lists 7 ways Nigeria can sanction South Africa over xenophobia

Over 50 percent of products sold at Shoprite are imported from South Africa yet we accommodate it. That is civility.

Efforts were made to unionise MTN and others all to no avail which cannot happen in their country.

It is important at this juncture that we let the African Union (AU) and United Nations Organisation (UNO) caution South Africans and let them know that no individuals or country has a monopoly of violence, the statement by Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, TUCs president, and Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, its secretary, said.

The South African police spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, reportedly confirmed the latest attack on Nigerian businesses in the country on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Source: Legit.ng
A photo of President Muhammadu Buhari with his daughter, Hadiza, in London has emerged.

The photo surfaced online on Monday, February 27.

However, it is not clear the exact date the photo was taken.

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It appears Nigerians are more concerned about the president repeating the same dress in all his pictures.

President Buhari is currently in London on an indefinite leave. He left the country on January 19 on a 10-day leave and has since extended the leave on medical grounds.

His absence has been trailed with so such controversy with the presidents aides trying to calm Nigerians and assure them that Buhari is doing fine.

READ ALSO: 16 times the presidency confused Nigerians on Buhari's health

While in London, The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, Senate president Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and some other prominent Nigerians have visited him.

Also, Buhari spoke with the president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, on Monday, February 13.

The presidency has been releasing photo evidence to show that the president is hale and hearty. There several photos of the president receiving visitors in London.

However, some Nigerians have refused to believe the pictures are real and have claimed they are Photoshopped.

Several photoshopped pictures have surfaced online ever since. Earlier, someone had made a Photoshop of Tuface Idibia, the popular musician sitting with Buhari.

In another one, a Facebook user Photoshopped herself posing with Buhari.

The Don Jazzy-led Mavins Records crew also deemed it fit to photoshop themselves visiting the president in London.

Will Buhari return? Watch Nigerians react in the video below.

Source: Legit.ng
Soe Doh Moo was driving his Honda Accord westbound on Denton Road when he failed to stop at the stop sign at Nebraska 103 and went into the south ditch on Denton Road before rolling numerous times into a field, the Seward County Sheriff's Office said.
A notorious robber and kidnapper identified as Tochukwu Ugwunsi aka 'Cobra No Dey Sleep' has been arrested by the Abia state police command.

Ugwunsi, who has been on the police wanted list was arrested following the joint efforts of the police, vigilante men and the community.

He was apprehended while robbing people of Ogechi Community. Two other members of his gang identified as Chidera and Emeka escaped and a man-hunt for them has been launched.

Suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other crime suspects were paraded at the Abia state police headquarters

Other suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other crime suspects were paraded by the state commissioner of police, Leye Oyebade, at the state police headquarters, Umuahia.

READ ALSO: Woman arrested for supplying gun to suspected criminals

In another development, a 56-year-old man identified as Ebu Onwuka of Amanta village was arrested on Thursday, February 23, in a forest situated at Abiriba.

ATM cards, fire arms were recovered from the suspects

He was arrested for the murder of one Anya Okum, 56, of same address whom he recently had a misunderstanding over a parcel of land.

Also arrested were a gang of armed robbers, Uche Echela, Chinedu Nwachukwu, Michael Ukpai and Ngozi Emmanuel who stole GSM Phones and other valuables.

A 19-year-old boy was arrested with a locally made Pistol by detectives of Osisioma Division

Echela who was arrested with a bullet wound shot by one of his gang member gave up the ghost while under-going treatment. Efforts are geared toward the arrest other members of the gang and recover of their weapon.

The police arrested a syndicate that specializes in removing vehicles from where they are parked.

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The patrol team from CPS Aba, while on patrol sighted one Ugochukwu Ude m of No. 21 Emegharaibe area, Port-Harcourt road, Aba standing by the side of a M/Benz 190 saloon car with registration number AG 509 KPR, along cemetery road Aba in a suspicious manner. The suspect bolted away upon sighting the patrol team and he was eventually arrested by the patrol team following a hot chase by the latter. His arrest led to that of Chukwuma Ononogbo and to the recovery of the three (3) exhibit vehicles. Investigation revealed that the M/Benz V/Boot with reg. no. AA 588 ENU belonged to one Tobias Ogoke m of 170 Faulks road Aba and was removed during Church Service at Assemblies of God Church premises Abayi in Aba. Investigation is on-going to apprehend other members of the syndicate with a view to recovering more vehicles, the press release read.

Efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing gang members

All the suspects will be charged to court accordingly.

Source: Legit.ng
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SKOPJE, Macedonia  A day after they went around a border fence and crossed a river to Macedonia in a desperate effort to escape a tent city where they had been trapped for weeks, about 1,500 migrants were sent back to Greece on Tuesday.

The migrants had been gathered overnight by the Macedonian authorities in the village of Moin, near the border, and then returned to the Greek side.

Officials on both sides said that the migrants had been misled by unnamed people who had distributed leaflets in Arabic directing them to an unguarded point on the border about three miles west of the tent city, near the Greek village of Idomeni.

Through that opening, hundreds of migrants poured across the border, fording the Suva Reka River.

Along with those who were turned back, 600 more migrants were stopped at the border, according to the Macedonian Interior Ministry.
Astrid!

Thank god.

We really do need a grown-up right now to step in, make some sense of things, and get everyone on track.

Quinn has gone over the edge. Its heartbreaking. He did all he could to protect Franny  as requested. And for thanks, hes treated by Carrie to a big dose of condescension  This is really important  plus a return to the interrogatory tone that we remember so painfully from Berlin, when she woke him out of his medically induced coma to try to extract some intel.

He gave her a mouthful of black blood back then. And he has nothing more to share now that hes been beaten by New Yorks finest and subjected to god-knows-what-else in the bowels of Bellevue.

The poor mans mind has snapped. He thinks that Carrie is with them  and bites her to get her to go away. This is no good at all.
Season 7, Episode 11, Hostiles and Calamities

So far, the second half of Season 7 of The Walking Dead has been about Rick recruiting other groups to join the coming fight against Negan and the Saviors. Sundays episode, however, was about another kind of alliance, an unspoken one between two very different men.

At least thats what I suspect we saw at the end of this weeks installment, a cleverly structured hour that shuttled between the parallel stories of Eugene and Dwight but didnt have them meet up until the final scene.

Although the hour was superficially about those two men committing strongly to the Saviors, each man spent it broadly deceiving the Sanctuary and actively betraying certain members. (For Eugene, it was the wives; for Dwight, the luckless Dr. Carson.) Kari Skogland, the episode director, emphasized the hidden, with plenty of shots of revealing expressions  Eugenes smirks, Dwights looks of angst  that the Saviors couldnt see. All of it trained us to believe the opposite of what we saw in the final scene:

We are Negan, Eugene said.

Yeah, Dwight replied.

Could it have been a sort of audience double-cross, so strongly implying ulterior motives in order to trick us into buying them? Possibly, and part of me would prefer to believe what the men showed us and their fellow members of the Sanctuary: that Dwight had embraced his inner flunky and Eugene his inner turncoat coward. The more surprising move would be to turn our sympathies against Eugene, one of the most beloved characters on the show.
LONDON  The London Stock Exchange Group said late on Sunday that European regulators were unlikely to approve its merger with Deutsche Borse, which would have created a European heavyweight in a rapidly consolidating industry.

The London exchange said regulators at the European Commission had made the sale of its majority stake in MTS, an electronic platform for trading European government bonds and other fixed income products, a condition for approval of the Deutsche Borse transaction.

The London exchange said that was unpalatable, calling the remedy disproportionate.

Taking all relevant factors into account and acting in the best interests of shareholders, the L.S.E.G. board today concluded that it could not commit to the divestment of MTS, the London exchange said in a news release. Based on the commissions current position, L.S.E.G. believes that the commission is unlikely to provide clearance for the merger.

The London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Borse had hoped to create a potential European champion by combining stock exchanges in Britain, Germany and Italy, as well as several of Europes largest clearinghouses. The combined company would have been Europes largest operator of stock markets by far.
Stanley Dearman, the editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Miss., whose editorials expressing outrage at the 1964 murders of three young civil rights workers helped set the stage for the belated conviction of a former Klansman for organizing the killings, died on Saturday in Gulf Breeze, Fla. He was 84.

Mr. Dearmans death was announced by the newspaper, The Neshoba Democrat, which he purchased in 1966 and ran until his retirement 34 years later.

At a time when rigid segregation reigned in the Deep South, Mr. Dearman, a Mississippi native, called for justice in a case that became a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. It was the basis for the 1988 film Mississippi Burning.

On the night of June 21, 1964, a station wagon carrying James Earl Chaney, a black activist from Mississippi, and Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, white New Yorkers, was intercepted on a rural road by a gang of Klansmen who shot them to death.
The Treasurys schedule of financing this week includes Mondays regular weekly auction of new three- and six-month bills and an auction of four-week bills on Tuesday.

At the close of the New York cash market on Friday, the rate on the outstanding three-month bill was 0.51 percent. The rate on the six-month issue was 0.65 percent, and the rate on the four-week issue was 0.39 percent.

The following tax-exempt fixed-income issues, valued at $50 million or more, are scheduled for pricing this week:

MONDAY

McLean and Woodford Community Unit School District No. 5, $68 million of unlimited tax general obligation bonds. Competitive.

WEDNESDAY

Baltimore County, Md., $199.1 million of unlimited tax general obligation bonds. Competitive.

Cambridge, Mass., $59.4 million of limited tax general obligation bonds. Competitive.
The path to an Oscar can be long and winding or sudden and short, but whatever the route, it ends on a red carpet guarded by hundreds of photographers.

I literally walked in here and the first person I saw was you, Lucas Hedges, a best supporting actor nominee for Manchester by the Sea, said to Ryan Seacrest, the evenings unofficial interrogator in chief. Before the stage, before inevitable delays, before teary speeches, there is the question of costume: Who are you wearing? (It is one of the evenings odd ironies that this is the one question Mr. Seacrest habitually forgets to ask.)

So they come and parade, divided, by and large, between the princessy and the sultry: those who maneuver their massive ball skirts (Janelle Monae in Elie Saab, Kirsten Dunst in Dior, Leslie Mann in Zac Posen) and those who strut in dresses sleek, slinky, often high-slit or sheer (Nicole Kidman in peachy Armani Prive, Naomie Harris in white sequined Calvin Klein, Taraji P. Henson in plunging, blue-velvet Alberta Ferretti, the evenings early standout).
Char Fifer learned the basics at Willard Elementary School  her ABCs, how to write cursive, how to multiply and divide.

There's a picture of Char  then Char Sheldon, probably in second grade in the 1940s  reading to younger children in her classroom in the four-room school.

And Fifer remembers the principal, Miss Mikulas, who was also a teacher and lived downtown at a hotel that was like a boarding house for single women.

Fifer remembers "milk lunch," a mid-morning snack with a carton of milk and two graham crackers.

Every school day for seven years, Fifer, her dark-brown hair pulled back into pigtails, walked the block from her home in west Lincoln to Willard Elementary.

And she remembers when children, including the girls in their skirts  "remember, no pants were allowed"  would dig up dandelions in the school lawn, putting the plant carcasses into brown paper bags.

"That was one of our activities for recreation," said Fifer.

Willard Elementary, 1245 S. Folsom St., was built in 1918 and used as a school for 50 years, until the children were bused to Lakeview Elementary, 300 Capitol Beach Blvd., in 1968.

In good weather Fifer still walks that block from her home to the former school, now a community center, to play monthly Saturday bunco with friends, in the same room she once attended school.

And in another year, when the building celebrates its 100th anniversary, Fifer will be heading into an expanded and remodeled building, a modern community center for west Lincoln.

In 1980, Willard was reopened permanently as a community center. It now serves several hundred people a week, including toddlers in day care, before- and after-school programs for middle-school students, and social programs, including bingo, bunco and potlucks for seniors and others.

It is the only human-service agency in the west Lincoln neighborhood of modest single-family homes and new apartments. There is no pool, no branch library, said Kathy LeBaron, who is heading a capital campaign that is raising $1.8 million to expand and improve the building.

"It is important for the neighborhood," she said.

The brick building is solidly constructed. It just needs renovating to make it more modern, said LeBaron, who handles community engagement for nearby Lincoln Industries, owned by her family.

That campaign has almost reached its $1.8 million goal, and construction is expected to begin in May.

The renovation will include a three-story addition, or 2,320 square feet, to the building, giving the center more room for its day care programs, better space for the teenagers in before- and after-school programs, and larger areas for meeting rooms and family gatherings.

It will include a new roof and windows, an energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning system, handicap-accessible bathrooms, a new elevator, and a better Wi-Fi system so middle-school students can easily use their Chromebooks to do homework, said Janelle Soderling, the center director.

Now teens often must connect to the Wi-Fi at the doorway to the office area and hope it holds as they walk back to the teen area.

The renovation preserves the brickwork that gives the building its exterior grace and beauty.

"Willard is a hidden gem," said Irene Williams, chairwoman of the nonprofit board that owns and operates the center.

"It is very neighborhood-centric. I don't think the rest of Lincoln knows what we are about and what great services we provide for needy families," she said.

In addition to traditional preschool and after-school programs for children, the center serves as a meeting place for private family gatherings and neighborhood groups, including a weekly Ukrainian school to keep the Ukrainian written and spoken language alive.

The nonprofit community center board bought the building from the city in 2013.

The city had maintained the building to meet safety standards, but didnt do anything cosmetic because of budget issues, LeBaron said.

The board considered moving, rather than renovating, but decided the iconic schoolhouse, a beautiful building adjacent to a city park, was worth restoration, LeBaron said.

"That location, next to a park that children use every day, you couldnt replicate anywhere else," she said.

BVH Architects and Cheever Construction are partnering on the project.

The committee will also be seeking $100,000 from the city next month, as a match for a foundation gift, said LeBaron.

After that the campaign needs another $35,000 to meet its $1.8 million goal. That money helps match an Omaha foundation commitment, LeBaron explained.

Willard is a family affair for Char Fifer. Her eight brothers and sisters all attended the school. And her daughter, Julie Cervantes-Salomons, attended the elementary school until it closed in 1968.

And on warm Saturdays, she can hear the children of the 21st century playing in the park, as she plays bunco in the community center with her friends.

Im happy the school is being saved and being used. Im glad they got that money," she said.
The A.C.L.U. took up the case and brought it all the way to the United States Supreme Court, which struck down miscegenation laws  those that enforced segregation in intimate relationships  in 1967.

Image The A.C.L.U. ribbon. Credit... Richard Shotwell/Invision,via Associated Press

Lin-Manuel Miranda, nominated for best original song, wore a ribbon, too (as did his mother, Luz Towns-Miranda). He paired his with a slightly more low-key option than Ms. Neggas: a tuxedo from San Marko Formals in Yonkers, N.Y., the same place that supplied his outfit for prom in 1998.
Thank you so much to the academy. To the women in this category  Natalie [Portman], Isabelle [Huppert], Meryl [Streep], Ruth [Negga]  you were all so extraordinary, and I look up to you and I admire you more than I can put into words.

I realize that a moment like this is a huge confluence of luck and opportunity, and so I want to thank Damien Chazelle for the opportunity to be part of a project that was so special and once-in-a-lifetime. Im so grateful to have been involved in this film, and thank you for your faith and your patience and such a wonderful experience. And Ryan Gosling, thank you for making me laugh, and for always raising the bar, and for being the greatest partner on this crazy adventure. To our whole crew, everyone that put their heart and souls into this film, Im going to find you all individually, and Im going to thank you, along with my friends, who I love so much. Im going to hug the hell out of you when the feeling re-enters my body.

I still have a lot of growing and learning and work to do. And this guy [gestures toward her Oscar] is a really beautiful symbol to continue on that journey, and I am so grateful for that. So, thank you so much.
When The New York Times is under attack, what do we do? Michael Zorek, a stay-at-home father from the Upper West Side of Manhattan screamed to the crowd. Stand up! Fight back! The group boomed back, responding with the mantra as Mr. Zorek shouted again, listing names of news organizations from BuzzFeed to the Public Broadcasting Service.

Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The New York Times, praised the protesters efforts. By blocking certain reporters from attending Fridays open briefing, the presidents press secretary, Sean M. Spicer, undermines one of the few institutions that has as its role asking tough, independent-minded questions of the president, Mr. Baquet said.

The Trump administration did not respond to an email requesting comment.

On Eighth Avenue, two men held a large American flag, on which they had written Press Freedom in red, white and blue. On a piece of cardboard was a quotation from Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican: When you look at history, the first thing dictators do is shut down the press.

The president has used Twitter to declare the press the enemy of the American people. Mr. Baquet disagreed, saying, I dont look at us as the enemy of the White House. I look at us as people who are aggressively covering the White House.

As the protest concluded, some people waved Sundays edition of The Times, folded to reveal a full-page advertisement from the newspaper.
WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y.  A single-engine plane whose pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at a small airport on Long Island crashed on Sunday, killing two of the people on board and injuring the third, officials said.

The plane, a Navion F aircraft, crashed into trees at 11:40 a.m. at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport in the town of Southampton, N.Y., just outside the village of Westhampton Beach, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport is owned by Suffolk County.

By early evening, law enforcement officials had not released the identities of the victims. Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the F.A.A., said the National Transportation Safety Board would oversee the investigation and determine the probable cause of the crash.

Image The pilot and a passenger aboard a single-engine plane that crashed on Sunday near Southampton, N.Y., were killed. Another passenger was injured. Credit... News 12 Long Island, via Associated Press

On a clear but windy day, the private plane crashed in a field next to the airport, in an area off Runway 33 that is filled with short scrub pines, according to Chief Michael Sharkey of the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office. Chief Sharkey could not say what the nature of the flight was. The airport was quiet on Sunday afternoon, and all plane traffic was halted in the aftermath of the crash. Chief Sharkey said the airport would reopen shortly.
BROCKPORT, N.Y.  They crouched and hid, using the gray, rainy skies and fallow fields as camouflage. They scurried across well-traveled roads, up barren trees and perhaps even toward the border with Canada. They used their wits, their two extra legs and  yes  their bushy tails to fend off their pursuers.

And yet, it was not the squirrels but the hunters who triumphed here on Saturday during the annual Squirrel Slam, a decade-old fund-raising event that has drawn the ire of animal lovers and environmentalists.

The slam and its former host and beneficiary  a volunteer fire department in the nearby town of Holley in western New York  are the subject of a lawsuit filed in state court by Lauren Sheive, a squirrel aficionado who claims there has not been a proper review of its environmental effect.

In particular, Ms. Sheive and her lawyers allege that the slam  which is held on the last Saturday of February during squirrel-hunting season  is particularly damaging to the arboreal rodents because the key to winning the one-day contest is to bag the heaviest squirrels; that is, those that might be pregnant.
LEHI, Utah  Nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains here, the IM Flash plant is a paragon of American high-tech manufacturing.

Robots glide along the ceiling, moving silicon wafers the size of dinner plates between hulking machines that deposit and etch microscopic layers of material to build the most advanced memory chips in the world.

For the 1,700 technicians and scientists who tend to the robots and troubleshoot problems in the delicate manufacturing process, the jobs offer generous pay and benefits and easy access to Utahs many outdoor attractions.

For Intel and Micron Technology, the two American companies that jointly own and operate IM Flash, the venture allows both of them to sell cutting-edge, three-dimensional memory chips while sharing the multibillion-dollar costs of a modern semiconductor factory.
Henry Rousso, a French historian and one of the most pre-eminent scholars on the Holocaust, said he was detained for more than 10 hours by federal border agents in Houston and told he would not be allowed to enter the United States before lawyers intervened to stop his deportation.

Mr. Rousso said in a telephone interview on Sunday that he arrived at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport around 2 p.m. Wednesday on a flight from France when immigration authorities began to question his visa and his reason for being in the United States.

Mr. Rousso, an expert on France after the First World War, was scheduled to give a keynote address on Friday afternoon at a conference organized by the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University in College Station.

It would be in no means difficult to look up who he is, said Jason Mills, an immigration lawyer who helped secure Mr. Roussos eventual release. His reasons for being here were nothing but beneficial to the United States. He is a man of experience and age, Mr. Mills said. There is plenty of history there on him. I dont understand why he would have been in for the several hours that he was. It is a little alarming.
The police in Philadelphia found about 100 toppled headstones at a Jewish cemetery on Sunday, less than one week after a similar discovery was made in Missouri.

Responding to a report of vandalism at the Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetery in northeastern Philadelphia, the police said a man told them that three headstones belonging to his relatives had been knocked over and damaged.

Officers said they counted about 100 damaged headstones, which were most likely toppled sometime Saturday night. They did not say if they had identified suspects or a motive.

The episode drew almost immediate comparison to a similar discovery last Monday in University City, Mo., where more than 150 headstones were toppled at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery. Also on Monday, 11 bomb scares were called into Jewish community centers nationwide, the fourth wave of such threats this year. A community center in Philadelphia was among those targeted in the first round.
WASHINGTON  As Democrats battle President Trump on a multiplying array of issues, from immigration and climate change to health care and transgender rights, a group of Democratic governors is pressing the party to set one concern above all the rest: jobs.

Gathered in Washington for a conference of the National Governors Association, Democratic leaders from the states expressed optimism that Mr. Trump had opened the way for a Democratic comeback by governing from the hard right and in a haphazard manner.

But they also warned that voters might not embrace Democrats as an alternative to Mr. Trump unless they presented themselves convincingly as champions of job creation, which they struggled to do in last years presidential election. Mr. Trumps unpopularity, several governors said, will not necessarily usher Democrats back to power on its own  they must frame all their priorities in economic terms.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo of Rhode Island, a Democrat who is in her first term, said her party had too often failed to put jobs and economic opportunity at the forefront of its agenda. Democrats had erred, she said, by treating jobs merely as one issue in a check list of positions.
President Trumps nominee for secretary of the Navy withdrew from consideration on Sunday, saying that meeting the governments ethics guidelines would require too great a financial sacrifice.

The nominee, Philip Bilden, a former military intelligence officer who ran the Hong Kong branch of a private equity firm, said in a statement that he had informed Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that he did not want to continue to seek confirmation a month after he had been named for the post.

It was the latest case in which wealthy businesspeople whom Mr. Trump has favored for government jobs have been tripped up by the demands of avoiding conflicts of interest. On Feb. 3, Vincent Viola, a billionaire Wall Street trader and Mr. Trumps choice for secretary of the Army, withdrew because he decided it was too difficult to detach himself from his business interests.

Mr. Bilden said in a statement that he fully supported the presidents agenda. But he added, 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. He did not elaborate.
In January, Samir Eizdin, his wife, Layla Khalaf, and their two children arrived in America, ready to start a new life. They had few possessions and left behind friends and family in Iraq  including Eizdin's parents.

But once they arrived in Nebraska, they were reminded that they weren't alone; a group of about 10 Trinity United Methodist Church members were waiting for them at the Lincoln airport, ready to welcome the family to their new home in Lincoln.

The church members are sponsoring Eizdin and his family, refugees who were forced to abandon their home when it became occupied by the Islamic State group. A welcome party at the church Friday afternoon included a potluck dinner, games and activities.

The church started preparing for the family last fall. Carrie Gilkerson, a church volunteer who helped organize the welcome party, said the church took donations for almost everything a family could need to fill a two-bedroom apartment.

The church collected a variety of household items, from furniture and bedding to cleaning supplies, accepting only items that were brand new or in like-new condition.

You name it, it was there, Gilkerson said.

The church's assistance didnt stop once the family landed in Nebraska, according to Nan Kaye-Skinner, the churchs pastor. The congregation still offers a helping hand to the family, offering rides to medical appointments and English as a Second Language classes.

Were letting them know that were here for them, Kaye-Skinner said. Its a rare privilege to give someone the gift of a new life. And thats what Jesus was all about, giving people the gift of a new life.

Kaye-Skinner said the last time the church had hosted a family was in the early 90s, when they sponsored Bosnian refugees.

Eizdin's brother, Hazim, told the family's story on behalf of Eizdin, who will begin taking ESL classes this week along with the rest of his family.

Hazim said he and his brother lived in a Yazidi community in Sinjar with their parents and families. In 2014, IS occupied the community and the family was forced to flee.

They (IS) take our land, killed our people, especially women, and kidnapped women and girls, Hazim said.

By the time U.S. forces secured the area in 2015, it was too late; IS had burned their homes to the ground.

Now, Eizdin and his family has been given the chance to start a new life in the United States with the help of the Trinity congregation.

The primary thing that motivated the church to take in a refugee family is the huge need, the growing number of refugees around the world, Kaye-Skinner said. Especially the people who are being displaced by war.

While Eizdin and his family said they are thankful for the church's help, its hard to forget what they had to leave behind in Iraq.

When the family was boarding the plane to the United States, they were told Eizdin's parents would not be allowed to follow them two weeks later like they had planned. The two held U.S. Visas, but the travel ban prohibited them from entering the country.

The timing of having their parents, their grandparents, unable to join them even though they have a visa, they had all of the clearance to come, means that a family is still divided," Kaye-Skinner said. "Thats wrong. Thats bad policy.

Kaye-Skinner said she doesnt expect Eizdin's parents will have a chance to join their family in the United States for at least another year. Until then, she and the rest of the church are trying to accommodate the family as best they can.

Were really trying to respond to the family needs as they arise, she said. Our hope is to help them make Lincoln home, and a home that they love as much as we love.
A lot of the establishment said that I clearly didnt get Virginia, that this was not a local issue that people expected from their governors, Mr. Perriello said with evident satisfaction. This was actually a matter of me having very much a sense of where Virginia voters were in terms of their concerns.

It remains to be seen whether that claim is correct  the answer will come in the primary election on June 13. But if he is proved right, it will indicate that Trump-bashing is enough to transcend ones own past apostasies on issues dear to the left in a Democratic primary race. And it will underscore how much this state has changed.

Scheduled in typically low-turnout elections the year after the presidential votes, Virginias primaries and conventions in governors races have been dominated by those engaged in politics, and particularly local and state government. So the issues discussed have largely been unique to Virginia, a history-drenched state with a healthy self-regard and a bipartisan commitment to business.

In Mr. Northams view, this year will continue in the same pattern.

The most important thing for Virginia is our economy, he said in an interview in his office adjacent to the State Capitol, highlighting the job gains the state has had under him and Mr. McAuliffe and outlining a message just as easily offered had Mr. Trump never left The Apprentice.

If were not helping businesses grow and bringing in new business and new manufacturers to Virginia, then the rest of these things we like to talk about are not that important, Mr. Northam said.

The two Democratic candidates are as stylistically different as their strategic calculations.

Mr. Northam, 57, could have been a candidate for governor here decades ago, before Virginia was transformed into a suburb-dominated and culturally diverse dynamo. The easygoing son of a judge who grew up across the Chesapeake Bay on the states rural Eastern Shore, Mr. Northam bears the states distinctive accent; a diploma from one of its venerated institutions, the Virginia Military Institute; and a direct connection to its painful history.

Addressing a black fraternity alumni group visiting the Capitol, he noted that his parents had kept him enrolled in public schools after Virginias leaders reluctantly integrated under federal order. Thats something Im very proud of, he said.
TAIPEI, Taiwan  A shuttered tailors shop, a nondescript bank, a former radio station.

Often lost in the busy hum of todays Taipei, this is the time of year when these buildings reverberate with violent echoes from 70 years ago, when Taiwans modern identity was born.

The 2/28 Incident, as it has come to be known, was an uprising that flared on Feb. 28, 1947. It soon spread to other parts of the island and was crushed in the massacre of up to 28,000 Taiwanese by the troops of Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalist leader of China. The revolt was followed by four decades of martial law and divisions between Taiwanese whose roots on the island predated the Nationalists arrival in 1945 and the Chinese mainlanders who came after.

Yet it was the eventual willingness to confront these events that enabled Taiwans people to begin to heal those divisions and achieve the voice in their government that the protesters demanded seven decades ago.

In recent years, the quest to redress Feb. 28 has been a very important development, said Su Ching-hsuan, the executive secretary of the Taiwan Association for Truth and Reconciliation. Its had a major influence on Taiwans democracy movement.
A man described as a Swedish defense and national security adviser appeared on Fox News last week to defend President Trumps claim that criminal immigrants are wreaking havoc in Sweden. But according to court records and Swedish officials, the man, identified as Nils Bildt, has a criminal record in the United States and no ties to Swedens security establishment.

In fact, he may not even be named Nils Bildt.

We dont know this guy, said Mikael Abramsson, a spokesman for the Swedish military. We have never heard of him in the Swedish armed forces, and he cannot speak on our behalf.

That sentiment was echoed by Rasmus Eljanskog, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said no one by the name of Nils Bildt worked there. Magnus Ranstorp, the head of terrorism research at the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm, went one step further. There isnt any Nils Bildt, he said.

According to public records, Mr. Bildt was born Nils Tolling, the son of the chairman of the Swedish Equestrian Federation, and went by that name as recently as May, when he registered a business, Modus World West, in Montana.
With the encouragement of the Americans, the Iraqi strategy has been to mount an attack on multiple axes to present the militants with more problems than they can handle. But the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has responded at times by concentrating its firepower on what it believes to be the Iraqis main line of attack.

In ISIS version of combined arms warfare, it has sent drones equipped with bombs even as it lobbed mortars and deployed suicide car bombers, whom the militants use as a primitive but often effective way to deliver precision-guided munitions.

Iraqi troops have been spooked by the ISIS drones, which sometimes hover in swarms of three to five. Neither the American nor the Iraqi military has an easy remedy. Trying to jam the drones might interfere with the Iraqis own communications, and it is not always easy to shoot them out of the sky.

So the United States military has used its firepower to try to mitigate the drone problem, just as it targeted ISIS car bomb factories, mortar teams and command posts. On Saturday, the American-led command announced that it had struck a staging area for launching drones and a cache of the weapons.

Qayyarah West, which was once known as Saddam Airbase and is called Q-West by American soldiers, is a pivotal base for the Mosul offensive. Runways at the air base, captured from the Islamic State in July, have been repaired by American combat engineers, which makes it an important logistics hub and a useful platform for projecting power.

First Lt. Mary Floyd, a 24-year-old officer who was raised in South Carolina, has been focused on doing exactly that. The commander of a platoon that fires Himars rockets, she helped flatten a five-story building the American military says Islamic State militants were using as a command post shortly before the Iraqis began their offensive to take western Mosul.
CAIRO  The top commander of American military operations in the Middle East said during a visit here on Sunday that the United States wanted to resume a major military exercise with Egypt that President Barack Obama canceled in 2013 to protest the killings of hundreds of civilian protesters.

It is my goal to get that exercise back on track and try to re-establish that as another key part of our military relationship, Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the head of the United States Central Command, told an Egyptian television interviewer.

General Votels comments were made shortly after he met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and top Egyptian military and Defense Ministry officials. It also comes amid a general warming of relations between Mr. Sisi and President Trump, who has hailed the Egyptian president as a fantastic guy.

Even before Mr. Trump took office, Mr. Obama had agreed to resume the provision of major weapons systems, including F-16 fighter planes, M1A1 Abrams tanks and Harpoon missiles. The delivery of those systems by Mr. Obama was suspended in 2013 after the Egyptian military ousted Mohamed Morsi, Egypts first democratically elected president and a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.
When the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act was adopted unanimously by Congress in December, it was widely praised as a necessary tool to help the heirs of Holocaust victims recover art stolen from their families during World War II.

Now the efficacy of the HEAR Act, as it is known, may get an early test in New York State Court, where the heirs of Fritz Grunbaum, an Austrian Jewish entertainer, are citing it in efforts to claim two valuable colorful drawings by Egon Schiele.

Grunbaums extraordinary 449-piece art collection has been generating controversy almost since the Nazis confiscated it from his Vienna apartment in 1938 and shipped him to his death in the Dachau concentration camp. For years, his heirs have argued that the collection, which included 81 Schieles, was stolen by the Nazis.

Collectors, dealers and some museums, however, have countered that the art was inventoried by the Nazis but not stolen, and that Grunbaums sister-in-law sold 53 of the Schieles in a legitimate transaction, to a Swiss art dealer, in 1956. They say that previous courts have found that the Schieles were not stolen and that no further claims should be considered on those works.
Responding to Bill Cosbys concerns about the effect of pretrial publicity, a Pennsylvania judge ruled Monday that a jury from another county in the state will be brought in to hear the sexual assault trial against him. But the trial, now scheduled to start in June, will stay in Norristown, a suburb outside Philadelphia, the judge said.

Mr. Cosbys lawyers had argued that the trial should be moved because publicity had tainted any prospective jury in Montgomery County, where prosecutors say he assaulted Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, at his home there in 2004.

In particular, his lawyers said that prejudicial publicity in the suburban county had been damaging because the district attorney, Kevin R. Steele, who is leading the case against Mr. Cosby, ran advertisements in 2015 accusing his political rival for the office, Bruce L. Castor, of failing to prosecute Mr. Cosby.
Dustin Lance Black traverses half a century of the gay-rights movement in ABCs When We Rise. The Obama Years: The Power of Words examines why many loved to hear the former president speak. And Tickled delves into the not-so-funny side of a seemingly wholesome diversion.

Whats on TV

WHEN WE RISE 9 p.m. on ABC. Dustin Lance Black, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Milk, chronicles the gay-and-transgender-rights movement through the stories of three San Francisco idealists whose lives intersect across five decades. Theres Cleve Jones (Austin P. McKenzie as a young man, Guy Pearce as an older adult), who moves to the city from Arizona and conceives of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt; Roma Guy (Emily Skeggs, as the young Roma, and Mary-Louise Parker), who becomes a feminist organizer while pondering her sexuality; and Ken Jones (Jonathan Majors and Michael K. Williams), a Vietnam vet working in a military anti-racism program while hiding his own sexual orientation. Gus Van Sant directs this first installment of the four-part mini-series, which is bolder in concept than aesthetics. As a television drama, it often plays like a high-minded, dutiful educational video, James Poniewozik wrote in The New York Times. But at its best moments, its also a timely statement that identity is not just an abstraction but a matter of family, livelihood, life and death.

THE OBAMA YEARS: THE POWER OF WORDS 8 p.m. on Smithsonian. Six benchmark speeches from former President Obamas political career are dissected with insight from his senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and chief strategist, David Axelrod; his speechwriters Jon Favreau and Cody Keenan; and Representative John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia. Jesse Williams narrates.
Nobody involved with Casablanca had high expectations for the picture, although it was written by the colorful Epstein twins, Julius and Philip, and Howard Koch. The Epsteins were widely admired for their witty dialogue, on and off screen. Of the film, Julius once said, There wasnt one moment of reality in Casablanca. We werent making art. We were making a living. Nevertheless, when it was released, it became an instant hit, and won three Oscars, including best picture. Its all in Isenbergs account, and Casablanca fans will find it to be a treasure trove of facts and anecdotes.

Image

High Noon is a far deeper dig into the background and historical context of its subject; that is, the sorry history of the blacklist, instituted by the studios after the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) put a gun to their collective heads in 1947.

Despite the voluminous literature on the subject, surprisingly little has been written about High Noon. For many years, Billy Wilders unfriendly words about the so-called Unfriendly Ten who refused to answer questions before HUAC  Only two of them have talent. The rest are just unfriendly  passed for the conventional wisdom. Even though Carl Foreman, who hatched the story and wrote the script, had more  and better  credits than most of his blacklisted confreres, unlike them he didnt live to finish writing his memoirs. The director, Fred Zinnemann, never made it into the film critic Andrew Sarriss famous Pantheon, and the producer, Stanley Kramer, was condescended to by intellectuals for his message movies.

Glenn Frankel comes to his subject with a widely praised book about John Fords The Searchers and an impressive resume in journalism, including a Pulitzer Prize. Although much of Frankels material is familiar, the blacklist is a gift that keeps on giving. There always seems to be something new to chew on, in this case the transcripts of HUACs secret executive sessions. Besides, its a story that bears retelling because Hollywood, not to mention the rest of the country, is haunted by ghosts that wont go away (witness Newt Gingrichs recent call for a resurrection of HUAC, now to be wielded against ISIS, not Communists).

Image Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly in High Noon. Credit... Everett Collection

At first HUAC was considered something of a joke, but as time passed, the committees antics became more scary than risible. Like much of the Hollywood left, Humphrey Bogart supported the 19 unfriendly screenwriters initially called before the committee. He had backed Franklin Roosevelt in his 1944 presidential campaign, and when he was attacked by the right, he struck a defiant note in The Saturday Evening Post. Alluding to his role in Casablanca, he wrote, Im going to keep right on sticking my neck out, without worrying about its possible effect upon my career. But a brief three years later, when the right turned up the heat, he published an abject apologia in Photoplay magazine entitled, Im No Communist, in which he distanced himself from the Ten. Likewise, Jack Warner, whose studio had invented the anti-fascist genre, gave HUAC the names of 16 screenwriters, including those of the Epstein twins, of whom he said, Those boys are always on the side of the underdog. Foreman didnt intend his script to be the blacklist parable it became, but as he watched his friends fall around him, it was almost inevitable. Foreman felt like the Gary Cooper character. He regarded High Noon as a picture about conscience versus compromise.
 A letter from Warren Buffett ricocheting around Wall Street offers a damning assessment of the hedge fund industry. The billionaire investor calculates that at least $100 billion has been lost to the sky-high fees charged by the funds and other money managers.

 Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase and more than two dozen other corporate giants are set to announce a new kind of financial computing system based on the virtual currency network Ethereum, drawing on the path laid by Bitcoin.

 The U.S. Senate confirmed Wilbur L. Ross, the billionaire investor, as commerce secretary.

 A court filing accuses Ford, Honda, Nissan and Toyota of knowingly using Takatas defective airbags for years.

 American chip makers are grappling with growing competition from South Korea, Taiwan and China.

 SF Express Co, Chinas largest express delivery company, reached a value of $36.95 billion in five days of strong trading since its debut, becoming the most valuable company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
Ethereum was introduced in 2013 by a developer named Vitalik Buterin, then 19, who had previously worked on Bitcoin. Since its official release in 2015, the Ethereum network has been the target of hackers and theft.

Yet it has also won a large following among programmers who view it as a new and sophisticated way for groups of people and companies to initiate and track transactions and contracts of all sorts.

That has led some companies to bet that Ethereum will win the race to become the standard blockchain for future business operations.

In every industry that we come across, Ethereum is usually the first platform that people go to, said Marley Gray, the principal blockchain architect at Microsoft.

The creation of the Ethereum alliance shows a continuing commitment among big companies to making the technology work, in large part because it promises to create much more streamlined databases that require less back-office maintenance.

Accenture released a report last month arguing that blockchain technology could save the 10 largest banks $8 billion to $12 billion a year in infrastructure costs  or 30 percent of their total costs in that area. Accenture is one of 11 companies on the governing board of the Ethereum alliance.
When children get caught doing something wrong, they often point the finger at one another while proclaiming I didnt do it. He did.

We are seeing something of that dynamic in the prosecution of Martin Shkreli, once described by the BBC as the most hated man in America because of how his company increased the price of a drug used to treat a rare disease by 5,000 percent, and a former corporate lawyer, Evan Greebel, who advised Mr. Shkrelis company.

The two men were charged with conspiracy and securities fraud, and they have asked a federal district judge to give them separate trials because they intend to blame one another for any violations. The two argue that their defenses will be mutually antagonistic when each points the finger at the other as the one responsible for any violations, so the same jury cannot decide the case fairly because the acquittal of one may mean the conviction of the other.

Mr. Shkreli is accused of defrauding investors in two hedge funds he managed by misleading them about losses suffered on its investments, and then shifting money from a biopharmaceutical company, Retrophin, when he was its chief executive, to pay off the investor claims.
It looked as if the third time was going to be the charm for the London Stock Exchange Group and Deutsche Borse.

But nearly a year after agreeing to a merger, the London Exchange said the deal was unlikely to be approved by European regulators.

The European Commission had made the sale of a majority stake in MTS, an electronic platform for trading European government bonds and other fixed-income products, a condition for the transaction. The London exchange said that was a disproportionate remedy and would not commit to it.

Deutsche Borse said that it would wait for more information from the commission and that it expected a decision by the end of March, The Financial Times reports.
Renata B. Hesse, who was head of the Antitrust Division at the Justice Department, is joining Sullivan & Cromwell as a partner in its Washington office, the law firm announced on Monday.

The hiring of Ms. Hesse, 52, is unusual because premier firms like Sullivan & Cromwell rarely hire partners from outside. Typically, they engage newly graduated lawyers who are trained and promoted inside the firm rather than outside its confines.

The hiring comes as many major firms gear up for an increase in complex, cross-border mergers, which are a specialty of Sullivan & Cromwell. Such firms are seeking to become one-stop shops for every aspect of mergers in a wide range of industries, including health care, technology, energy, and banking and financial services.

Image Renata Hesse, former head of the Antitrust Division at the Justice Department, will work in Sullivan & Cromwells Washington office.

Renata brings to S.&C. deep and highly relevant government experience, further strengthening our world-class antitrust practice, said Joseph C. Shenker, chairman of the firm, which has 875 lawyers in New York and elsewhere around the globe. Among its clients are Bayer of Germany in its planned $66 billion acquisition of the American agriculture behemoth Monsanto.
But the plaintiffs, who could gain from suing the deep-pocketed automakers alongside Takata, argue that the automakers were more deeply involved in the handling of the defect. The fines and costs associated with the scandal have also taken a heavy financial toll on Takata, and it has been searching for a financial lifeline  possibly in the form of a white knight that would effectively take it over.

One of the plaintiffs lawyers, Kevin R. Dean, filed an objection to Takatas plea deal on Monday in Detroit, arguing that the automakers were accomplices in the cover-up. He urged the judge to reject the agreement and for the Justice Department to further investigate the automakers role.

The plaintiffs have taken particular issue with the amount set aside for victims in Takatas plea  a total of $125 million. In contrast, the automakers will have recourse to draw on an $850 million fund to offset continuing recall costs.

Judge George Caram Steeh dismissed Mr. Deans objections, saying that Takatas plea deal was in the best interest of the victims. He said any further action against the automakers should be pursued in civil court, and approved the plea deal as is.

Randi Johnston, 26, of Farmington, Utah  who was injured in September 2015 when the airbag in her 2003 Honda Civic ruptured and metal shards struck her throat  attended the hearing and said afterward that she was shocked by the judges decision. The shards severed most of her vocal cords, leaving her able to speak only in a whisper.

I really dont have any words right now, said Ms. Johnston, a plaintiff in the Florida class-action case.
In her elegant books, the food writer Naomi Duguid has covered some of the worlds great cuisines, especially in Asia. The traditions of Persian cooking, as they extend from Europe through the Middle East and Central Asia, are her latest subject in Taste of Persia. Ms. Duguid will discuss this rich culinary culture with the Culinary Historians of New York. Persian foods will also be served: Persian Foodways: Cuisines Without Borders, March 22 at 6:30 p.m., Anthroposophy NYC, 138 West 15th Street, $25 for Culinary Historians members ($22 for members before March 8), $40 for nonmembers, $10 for students, culinaryhistoriansny.org/events.
The wildly inventive Sam Mason of OddFellows Ice Cream Company has created three flavors spiked with Irish whiskeys just in time for St. Patricks Day: burned marshmallow; Dead Rabbit Irish coffee, based on a recipe from the Lower Manhattan bar; and a 14-year single-malt ice cream with sherry caramel syrup. A flight of all three is available in Mr. Masons Brooklyn shop for $13. Pints of the Irish coffee flavor, $12, are also sold: OddFellows, 175 Kent Avenue (North Third Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 347-599-0556, oddfellowsnyc.com.
Move over, Hass. An outlaw avocado from Hawaii, the Sharwil, is now available. The United States Department of Agriculture recently lifted a decades-long mainland ban of this cross between varieties from Mexico and Guatemala. Somewhat larger than the Hass, the Sharwil has a skin that will not turn black as it ripens. The fairly dense, buttery flesh has a distinctive flavor, at once nutty and herbal, and the pit is smaller: Sharwil avocados, $3.99 each, Agata & Valentina and Eataly all month.
The World Health Organization warned on Monday that a dozen antibiotic-resistant superbugs pose an enormous threat to human health, and urged hospital infection-control experts and pharmaceutical researchers to focus on fighting the most dangerous pathogens first.

The rate at which new strains of drug-resistant bacteria have emerged in recent years, prompted by overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock, terrifies public health experts. Many consider the new strains just as dangerous as emerging viruses like Zika or Ebola.

We are fast running out of treatment options, said Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, the W.H.O. assistant director general who released the list. If we leave it to market forces alone, the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time.

Britains chief medical officer, Sally C. Davies, has described drug-resistant pathogens as a national security threat equivalent to terrorism, and Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the recently retired director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called them one of our most serious health threats.
The jaw-dropping live reversal of fortune came at the end of a night of celebration and politics dominated by references, overt and oblique, to the man who gave us last falls late-night TV shocker, President Trump, who was the first person thanked from the stage. I mean, remember last year, said the shows host, Jimmy Kimmel, when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?

It was indeed just a year ago that the controversy hanging over the Oscars was #OscarsSoWhite, when no minority actors received nominations. This year, with a more diverse field of nominees  and controversy over race and xenophobia hanging over the entire country  the film industry was ready to turn its flagellation outward.

The Oscars 2017: Its not us  its him!

Mr. Kimmel does less political material than many of his fellow late-night hosts. But he has a roastmaster streak that he showed off in a brisk, biting opening monologue. Announcing that the show was airing in more than 225 countries that now hate us, he congratulated in advance the winners who would give a speech that the president of the United States will tweet about in all caps during his 5 a.m. bowel movement tomorrow.

There have been years in the past that the Oscars have been an uneasy blend of celebration and seriousness. This year, they were also a reminder that there are few escapes from politics in public life right now.

But given the awards exclusionary history, maybe the strongest rejoinders to the political arguments of the day  over whom to let into the country, and to whom the culture belongs  were the winners.
The Monarchs on a Mission project aims to teach Nebraska children about the importance of monarch butterflies and milkweed.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is inviting children to color monarchs of their own. The colored monarchs will be collected and used in an exhibit at the Nebraska Capitol this summer during Pollinator Week.

Pesticide and herbicide use, deforestation of their wintering grounds in Mexico and loss of milkweed in the United States are being blamed for the decline of monarch butterflies.

Schools, scout troops and other organizations dedicated to educating children about monarchs are invited to request Monarchs on a Mission educator packets. They include lesson plans, up to 30 paper monarchs to be colored and return envelopes. Go online at http://bit.ly/2lJX79g to request a packet.
In many places, choosing a public school is straightforward: Students go to school based on where they live. In New York City, with its myriad options and variety of admission methods, the process is more complicated, and many students attend school far from home.

In an effort to make the admissions process more transparent, a city councilman is expected to introduce a bill on Wednesday that would require the Education Department to release additional data such as the number of applications each school receives, how many offers it extends and where students live.

The department already releases information on school capacity, with yearly updates on whether schools have too many students or too few. But this bill goes further, requiring residency information and public reporting on the application process for every school, from kindergarten through high school. It will be introduced by Ben Kallos, a Democrat who represents the Upper East Side, East Midtown and Roosevelt Island. Mr. Kallos said the bill may also include prekindergarten.
By all accounts, Gen. John Kelly was a fine Marine. He served with Gen. James Mattis, now the secretary of defense, and was seen as being in the Mattis mold  a low-key, prudent, rigorous thinker. So it is with surprise that I see Mr. Kelly, in his new role as secretary of Homeland Security, presiding over a ham-handed crackdown on immigrants.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are operating aggressively under President Trump, feeling, as The New York Times reported, newly emboldened and newly empowered. Officials use of detention powers is widening, with some people being held who have no criminal history at all. The government raids often are conducted around dawn, to catch people as they leave for work. The uniformed agents are wearing body armor and carrying semiautomatic weapons. The morning raids and the military appearance may not be new developments, but they are especially worrisome when ICE and Customs and Border Protection, domestic law enforcement agencies, are overseen by a former general.

And there definitely seems to be recklessness in the way Homeland Security is operating. In recent days, agents have taken a woman with a brain tumor out of a hospital, almost deported a distinguished French scholar flying into Houston to deliver a university lecture and scared the daylights out of an Australian childrens author who vowed after the experience never to visit the United States again.

This isnt being done solely to foreigners. The son of the boxer Muhammad Ali, a citizen, was questioned upon arriving in Florida from Jamaica about his religion, which would seem to be a clear violation of the First Amendments guarantee of religious freedom. And passengers on a domestic flight from San Francisco to New York were required to show their identity documents to customs officials because ICE thought a person with a deportation order might be on the plane.
In pulling back from Mr. Trumps assurance during the campaign that states should be left to decide their own marijuana policies, Mr. Spicer made clear that a battle is coming over marijuana policy. It will be a fight that pits a Justice Department headed by a fervent prohibitionist, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, against the eight states  Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington  in which voters have approved ballot measures to legally regulate marijuana, as well as other states likely to legalize marijuana in the near future.

Theres probably not much the Trump administration can do to reverse public support for legalizing marijuana. A Quinnipiac poll last Thursday found voters in the United States favored legalization by 59 percent to 36 percent, with only Republicans and older voters opposed. An impressive 71 percent, including majorities of Republicans and older voters, think the federal government should not interfere in states that have legalized marijuana. Gallup and other polls report similar findings, including strong majority support for legalizing among Republican millennials.

What Mr. Sessions Justice Department can do, however, is cast a chill over the rapidly growing legal and regulated marijuana industry by targeting key players with raids, seizures of property and prosecutions in federal court, and by challenging the ability of state authorities to regulate the industry. That would be shameful given the demonstrable benefits of legal regulation: tens of thousands of taxpaying jobs; hundreds of millions of dollars annually in state tax revenue; strict oversight of cultivation, product production and distribution; savings in law enforcement costs; and far fewer young people, disproportionately African-American and Latino, saddled with criminal records. Donald Trump the businessman should get this but Jeff Sessions, the reefer madness ideologue, doesnt care.

Governors, attorneys general and legislators in the legal marijuana states (including many who initially opposed legalization) are preparing to resist federal interference in this area as in others. That is because they can see that legally regulating marijuana better advances the public safety and health objectives of state  and federal  drug policy than does persisting with ineffective prohibitionist policies.
Which of Donald Trumps many campaign promises would bring real benefits to the economy? Which would almost certainly win support even among people who voted against him? And which seems to have disappeared completely from the White House radar?

The answer to all three questions is Mr. Trumps pledge to put his self-described talents as a builder to work by spending $1 trillion on restoring the countrys crumbling bridges, potholed roads, rust-bucket trains and shabby-not-chic airports. More than a month into his presidency, no such plan has emerged, and there are no signs that one is coming anytime soon.

Part of this could be attributed to the less-than-blinding speed with which Mr. Trump has assembled his administration. But evidence suggests that the plan is on hold for the foreseeable future; Republican sources told the news organization Axios last week that the White House wouldnt unveil an infrastructure proposal until 2018. Congress, meanwhile, seems fixated on other issues  rolling back Obamacare, cutting taxes  while its leaders, the House speaker, Paul Ryan, and Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader  seem decidedly unenthusiastic about the idea of a huge infrastructure spending proposal. I hope we avoid a trillion-dollar stimulus, Mr. McConnell said in December.

It was never quite clear what Mr. Trump even meant by a $1 trillion plan. During the campaign he seemed to suggest that the government would spend that much money on fixing roads, railroads and the like. But two important supporters  Wilbur Ross, soon to be secretary of commerce, and Peter Navarro, an economics professor who now heads a trade council for the president  published a white paper in October proposing tax credits to private developers, a plan more likely to provide a windfall for projects that would be built anyway. The credits wouldnt spur needed investment in water systems, mass transit and other infrastructure that are public utilities, not vehicles for private profit.
It is perhaps the starkest measure of global inequality: In a world glutted with food, 20 million people are on the brink of famine. It would be a colossal moral failure to allow millions to die of starvation because of a failure of will to provide help.

On Monday, the United Nations said famine has hit 100,000 people in South Sudan, where over 40 percent of the population is in urgent need of food aid. Famine is declared when, among other criteria, two or more people out of 10,000 die every day. The secretary general, Antonio Guterres, warned on Wednesday that northern Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen were also at risk of famine. The root of this cascading catastrophe is deadly conflict. Drought, made worse by climate change, has also contributed.

In South Sudan, the civil war that erupted in 2013 rages still. More than 1.5 million South Sudanese have fled their country. Among those still caught in the conflict are more than a quarter million severely malnourished children. Jeremy Hopkins, the Unicef officer in South Sudan, warns: If we do not reach these children with urgent aid, many of them will die. In northern Nigeria, where at least five million people are at risk of famine, the military is battling Boko Haram insurgents. In Somalia, where more than a quarter million people died of famine in 2011, experts expect this years crops to fail after two years of drought. And in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia  and backed by the United States  is battling Houthi rebels, more than seven million people are in urgent need of food.

On Tuesday, South Sudans president, Salva Kiir, promised unimpeded access for aid organizations. That is a promise the government has been made before, yet aid has been blocked. However, the biggest obstacle now is a lack of funds to provide emergency food aid. The United Nations says it needs $4.4 billion by the end of March to avert famine, yet barely 2 percent is in hand. As the United Nations biggest donor, this is no time for the United States to abandon its commitments.
The first month of the Trump administration has already changed the direction of the immigration debate, with many more changes coming soon. So far, executive orders and deportations dominate the discussion. But the fight over how many refugees to admit or how best to vet those refugees obscures what the debate is really about.

Changes in social policy do not make everyone better off, and immigration policy is no exception. I am a refugee, having fled Cuba as a child in 1962. Not only do I have great sympathy for the immigrants desire to build a better life, I am also living proof that immigration policy can benefit some people enormously.

But I am also an economist, and am very much aware of the many trade-offs involved. Inevitably, immigration does not improve everyones well-being. There are winners and losers, and we will need to choose among difficult options. The improved lives of the immigrants come at a price. How much of a price are the American people willing to pay, and exactly who will pay it?

This tension permeates the debate over immigrations effect on the labor market. Those who want more immigration claim that immigrants do jobs that native-born Americans do not want to do. But we all know that the price of gas goes down when the supply of oil goes up. The laws of supply and demand do not evaporate when we talk about the price of labor rather than the price of gas. By now, the well-documented abuses of the H-1B program, such as the Disney workers who had to train their foreign-born replacements, should have obliterated the notion that immigration does not harm competing native workers.
First Trump said: 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 continued in a barely coherent diatribe of sentence fragments, incongruous ideas and broken logic. But if you listened closely, you could hear echoes of Bannon. At one point, Trump said: We have to fight it, folks, we have to fight it. Theyre very smart, theyre very cunning and theyre very dishonest. At another he said of the media: Many of these groups are part of the large media corporations that have their own agenda and its not your agenda and its not the countrys agenda, its their own agenda.

Trump is Bannons puppet, whose one sustaining parlor trick is to deliver incoherence with confidence. Strangely enough, people find comfort in this kind of imperfect parlance.

Maundering is the rhetoric of the middlebrow.

Demagogic language is reductionist language. It draws its power from its lack of proximity to soaring oratory. It can be quaint and even clumsy, all of which can give idiocy, incomprehensibility and untruth a false air of authenticity.

So Trump and Bannon spin their folksy tale of media corruption to give Trump a needed enemy in his perpetual campaign and a needed diversion from the enormity of his disasters. This fits Trump perfectly because not only does he have a gnawing insecurity, he also views the confrontational nature of news as maleficently targeted.

Trump doesnt seem to register that lying  all the time!  is not allowed. He doesnt seem to understand that news, by its very nature, is the publishing of that which those in power would prefer to conceal. He doesnt seem to realize that fawning promotion of politicians positions is not the exercise of journalism but the promotion of propaganda. Or maybe he does and is enraged at the absence of propaganda.
BEREA, Ky.  In December 2015, I was heading to the library here at Berea College to study for finals when I got a call from my mothers lawyer. He said Ma was fighting deportation to Ghana, and I would need to write an affidavit explaining why she should be allowed to stay in the United States.

The phone call redirected me, zombielike, across the quad to my dorm. I sat at my computer in a daze of anger and sadness, glaring at the blank screen as if it were the face of Immigration and Customs Enforcement itself.

I couldnt believe this was happening  again.

My father had been deported abruptly three years earlier when I was still in high school. He was expelled after overstaying his tourist visa, the same reason my mother was facing deportation. His absence was unbearable, and the confusion and shame that came with it eroded my confidence. Most of my friends in Columbus, Ohio, had no way of understanding what I was going through, and I worried many would actually approve of the governments tearing our family apart.

Last week, President Trump announced new plans to crack down on immigrants. Immigration agents have been told to deport anyone they see fit who is living here without documentation. This is a significant change from the Obama administration, which told agents to pursue only those convicted of serious crimes. As my family learned, the agents didnt always stick to those rules. We got a heartbreaking taste of what this new regime will entail.
FRONT PAGE

Because of an editing error, an article on Thursday about the fear of deportation among illegal immigrants described incorrectly in some editions the circumstances involving two Roman Catholic nuns who have been assisting immigrants. The nuns, who were not identified, asked that their location not be revealed; they are not in fact in Austin, Tex.



A picture caption on Jan. 29 with the continuation of an article about tension between Pope Francis and the Knights of Malta, which led to the resignation of the orders leader, misidentified the forum below the building housing the Rome delegation of the Knights of Malta. It is the Forum of Augustus, not the Roman Forum.

INTERNATIONAL

An article on Feb. 16 about a decade-long police scandal in Ireland that is threatening the career of Prime Minister Enda Kenny referred imprecisely to Fianna Fail, an Irish political party. It has agreed to support Fine Gael, the prime ministers party, but is not a coalition partner.



An article on Jan. 31 about a growing intolerance and extremism that has taken root in Quebec despite Canadas reputation as welcoming to immigrants misstated the surname of a columnist for Journal de Montreal who said it might be time for the immigration debate to calm down. She is Lise Ravary, not Lavary.
Background reading:

 Ms. Daveys story about Carlos, a pillar in a mostly white southern Illinois county. His neighbors didnt know that he had been in the country for 20 years as an undocumented immigrant. His arrest on Feb. 9 by immigration agents has left his town in a muddle.

 Mr. Kulishs story on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who are carrying out Mr. Trumps plan to arrest and deport vast numbers of undocumented immigrants.

Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at thedaily@nytimes.com. Tweet me at @mikiebarb. And if that isnt enough, we can even text.

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SAN FELIPE, Mexico  In the shallow sea waters of the Gulf of California swims a porpoise that few have seen, its numbers dwindling so fast that its very existence is now in peril.

Known mostly by its Spanish name, the snub-nosed vaquita is the worlds smallest cetacean, a miniature porpoise with a cartoonlike features and dark smudges around its eyes. The species lives only in the fertile waters of the gulfs northern corner.

The size of its population has always been precarious, but now voracious demand in China for a fish that shares the vaquitas only habitat has pushed the tiny porpoise to the brink of extinction.

No more than 30 vaquitas are left, according to a November estimate based on monitoring of their echolocation clicks. Half of the vaquitas counted a year earlier have disappeared.
What might this week bring in news about Uber?

Last week, Uber, a ride-hailing giant, experienced an avalanche of bad news. It began with a blog post from a former Uber engineer, Susan Fowler, detailing a history of harassment and discrimination that she said she experienced at the company, and snowballed into allegations of even more widespread bad behavior within Uber. Several of Ubers investors criticized the company and BuzzFeed reported that Travis Kalanick, the companys chief executive, held a meeting with 100 women engineers on Thursday about the issues.

All of this was compounded by a lawsuit last Thursday from Waymo, the self-driving car business that was spun off from Googles parent company, accusing Uber of using intellectual property stolen by one of Googles former project leaders.

Image

Then last Friday, Mike Isaac and Daisuke Wakabayashi, tech reporters for The New York Times, reported that Uber had also been incomplete about its characterization of an incident involving one of its self-driving cars running through a red light in San Francisco.
The former Uber engineer Susan Fowler and other current and former employees have claimed that the companys human resources officials repeatedly ignored harassment claims about employees who were top performers.

Uber asked Eric H. Holder Jr., who served as attorney general under President Obama, to investigate those claims. He is joined by the media mogul Arianna Huffington, a member of Ubers board of directors, and Tammy Albarran, a partner at Mr. Holders law firm, Covington and Burling.

Last week, the Uber investors Mitch Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein wrote in an open letter to the company that they were frustrated with how Uber had handled its culture issues and that they had hit a dead end in trying to influence the company quietly from the inside.

The issue involving Mr. Singhal dates to 2015, when he was still at Google. The search giant deemed an employees claim of sexual harassment against Mr. Singhal credible in an internal investigation, according to two people familiar with the matter who declined to be identified because they were not allowed to speak on the matter.

Mr. Singhals resignation from Uber was first reported by the technology news website Recode.

Google was prepared to dismiss Mr. Singhal because of the claim, Recode said, but ultimately he resigned on his own in February 2016. In his goodbye note to the company, there was no mention of a sexual harassment claim against him, or any other signs of problems. In fact, the company held a goodbye party for Mr. Singhal, according to two people who attended the party, one a current Google employee and another a former employee. At the time, Mr. Singhal said he wanted to devote time to philanthropy; he joined Uber less than a year later.
But the Justice Department under President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions told a judge on Monday that it was withdrawing its claim that Texas enacted the law with a discriminatory intent.

The Justice Department remains a party in the case. But it is pulling back at a crucial phase. If a judge finds the state acted with discriminatory intent, as the Justice Department and other plaintiffs have alleged, Texas could be forced to seek federal approval before it makes any changes to its voting laws or procedures. That would have major impacts on voting rules in Texas and be a potent symbol of the ability of the federal government to be a major brake on voting discrimination nationally.

This is a complete 180-degree turn, said Danielle Lang, a lawyer for the Campaign Legal Center, one of the groups that sued Texas and represents some of the Justice Departments fellow plaintiffs in the voter ID case. Under the Obama administration, she added, the Justice Department was fully committed to the case.

They were full partners, Ms. Lang said. This was their case as much as ours.

The Texas Legislature is considering a new voter ID bill that will allow those who have difficulty obtaining the appropriate IDs to vote as long as they sign an affidavit and show more widely available types of identification, including a utility bill or a bank statement. In documents filed on Monday, the Justice Department said that in light of the recently filed bill, it was withdrawing its discriminatory-intent claim to allow the Texas Legislature the opportunity to rectify any alleged infirmities with its voter identification law.

The agency added that the Supreme Court has emphasized that federal courts should allow state legislatures the first opportunity to remedy voting rights violations.
A Supreme Court argument on Monday about whether North Carolina may bar registered sex offenders from using Facebook, Twitter and similar services turned into a discussion of how thoroughly social media have transformed American civic discourse.

The justices remarks, which indicated easy familiarity with the major social media services, suggested that they would strike down the North Carolina law under the First Amendment.

Justice Elena Kagan said that President Trump, every governor and every member of Congress has a Twitter account.

So this has become a crucially important channel of political communication, she said. And a person couldnt go onto those sites and find out what these members of our government are thinking or saying or doing.
I dont know how you take $54 billion out without wholesale taking out entire departments, said Bill Hoagland, a longtime Republican budget aide in the Senate and now a senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center. You need to control it in the area of the entitlement programs, which hes taken off the table. It is a proposal, I dare say, that will be dead on arrival even with a Republican Congress.

Speaking to governors at the White House, Mr. Trump said his spending demands would be at the core of the speech he gives Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress. This budget follows through on my promise to keep Americans safe, he said, calling it a public safety and national security budget that will send a message to the world in these dangerous times of American strength, security and resolve.

In the first part of the speech, Mr. Trump will recount promises made and promises kept, said the aides, who requested anonymity during a briefing with reporters. The rest of the speech will focus on how he will help people with their problems and how he intends to protect the nation.

The presidents budget proposals  which were short on detail but are said to exempt not just Medicare and Social Security but also veterans benefits and law enforcement efforts  would lead to deep reductions in federal programs that touch millions of lives. The White House signaled that it would begin with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and social safety-net programs.

A budget with no entitlement cuts and one that does not balance most likely has no chance of passing the House, and could be rejected by Senate Republicans as well. Mr. Trumps proposals are too far to the right in terms of domestic cuts and too far to the left in terms of balance. Their failure could have practical implications for the White House.
DENVER  As Americans poured into airport terminals, public squares and congressional town hall-style meetings over the past month to vent their anger over President Trumps policies, Debbie Dooley started hearing from fellow conservatives.

Phone call after phone call from people: Why arent we out supporting President Trump? said Ms. Dooley, a Tea Party activist in Georgia.

So on Monday, conservatives around the country got out the Make America Great Again hats, unfurled American flags and held rallies at state capitols and on courthouse steps, seeking to rekindle the populist fervor that helped vault Mr. Trump to the White House and stick up for a president whose approval ratings have taken a beating during five storm-tossed weeks in office.

But the modest crowds that showed up for the noontime rallies from New Jersey to Georgia to Colorado offered a reminder of what liberal groups learned eight years ago in the face of Tea Party anger at President Barack Obama: Stoking grass-roots energy is often easier for the outraged resistance than for the party pulling the levers in Washington.
Basically, the Moscow embassy has been at the service of the relatives of whoever has led the country, said Kamal Nabizada, an Afghan businessman who once served as charge daffaires in Moscow.

Mr. Kochais history of leaving a trail of contentious remarks in his wake worries some. In an interview, however, he said he had not asked for the job, but was persuaded to take it because of his qualifications.

There was a national need for an experienced diplomat who speaks Russian and has followed the country, which he has since his student days and his time as a junior diplomat there in the late 1960s, he said.

In Moscow, Mr. Kochai will be managing a delicate relationship with a country that could tip the scale of the long war in Afghanistan in either direction, and, according to Afghan and American officials, has contributed recently to growing instability. They say that Russia is lending legitimacy to the Taliban insurgents by openly acknowledging contacts with them at a time when violence has escalated. At the same time, Russia has been cold to the Kabul government, apparently seeing Mr. Ghani as being too close to the United States at Russias expense.

Russian officials justify their contacts with the Taliban because they say the militants are fighting the Islamic State, which Russia fears particularly because it includes Central Asian elements that may threaten Russian territory. The United States commander in Afghanistan, however, in recent testimony to the Senate, said that the Russians were trying to undermine NATOs mission in the country, and that it was the Afghan government that was fighting Islamic State, not the Taliban.
DHAKA, Bangladesh  Bangladeshs Parliament softened its landmark law against underage marriage on Monday, a move that human rights activists say could roll back the countrys decades-long campaign to curtail teenage pregnancy and maternal and infant mortality.

A new provision in the Child Marriage Restraint Act, which dates to 1929, allows girls under the age of 18 to marry in some circumstances. The change was met with praise from Islamist groups, which said it fell more in line with traditional religious practices.

Bangladesh has one of the worlds highest rates of child marriage, but it has been gradually dropping under steady pressure from the government.

In 2000, 65 percent of girls were married before age 18, and 38 percent were married before 15, according to Unicef. Now those rates have dropped to 52 percent and 18 percent.
MANILA  In 2008, Jurgen Kantner and his partner were abducted from their sailboat, held for 52 days in Somalia and released after a six-figure ransom was reportedly paid.

Then he went back to Somalia to get his boat.

After three decades sailing the oceans, Mr. Kantner was a German on paper only. Why should I go back to Germany, where I have nobody to help me? Mr. Kantner was quoted as saying at the time. I have no friends back home.

Despite that ordeal, he and his partner continued to sail in dangerous waters. And on Monday, the Philippine and German governments identified Mr. Kantner, 70, as the man with shaggy white hair and an unkempt beard who was shown being beheaded in a video released by a Philippine militant group, Abu Sayyaf. It had demanded $600,000 in ransom for Mr. Kantner and had set a deadline of Sunday for the two governments to comply.

We are deeply shaken at this inhuman and horrifying act, Germanys foreign ministry said in a statement. We condemn the murder of this German in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification for such an act.
SEOUL, South Korea  Officials from North Koreas secret police and Foreign Ministry were involved in the killing of the estranged half brother of the countrys leader, South Korean intelligence officials told lawmakers on Monday.

Ever since Kim Jong-nam, the eldest brother of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, was first reported assassinated, the South Korean government has held the North responsible. On Monday, the National Intelligence Service in Seoul provided more details of what it described as state-sponsored terrorism, saying that four of the eight North Koreans identified as suspects by the Malaysian authorities were agents from North Koreas Ministry of State Security, the countrys secret police.

Speaking on Monday in a closed-door parliamentary hearing, Lee Byung-ho, the director of the National Intelligence Service, said that two other suspects worked for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The remaining two were affiliated with Air Koryo, the Norths state-run airline company, and Singwang Economics and Trading General Corporation, Mr. Lee said, according to two lawmakers who attended the briefing. Singwang is among North Korean companies facing United Nations sanctions.

The Malaysian authorities have said that Mr. Kim was killed by an extremely toxic nerve agent known as VX. They said that the North Koreans had hired and trained two women, one from Indonesia, the other from Vietnam, to attack Mr. Kim at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The women smeared his face with the chemical while he was waiting to check in for a flight to Macau, where he and his family had a home, they said.
The Fox News host Bill OReilly distanced himself on Monday from a guest his show falsely identified last week as a Swedish defense and national security adviser, saying he should not have been invited to appear in a segment on immigrants and crime in Sweden.

The guest, Nils Bildt, appeared on The OReilly Factor last Thursday to support claims made by Mr. OReilly that immigration had led to an uptick in violent crime in Sweden. But according to Swedish officials and American court records, Mr. Bildt has no known ties to Swedens security establishment and has a criminal record of his own in the United States.

Mr. OReillys on-air remarks came after Mr. Bildt accused Fox of making up his official-sounding title and a parade of Swedish officials said they had never heard of him. He called criticism of Mr. Bildt valid.

Mr. Bildt does consulting work on terrorism, thats true  but we should have clarified that he had no direct role with the Swedish government, Mr. OReilly said, according to a transcript of his remarks. To be fair, the information we gave you in the segment was accurate but in hindsight a more relevant guest should have been used on the anti-immigrant side.
Right now Mr. Wilderss party looks set to win more seats than any other or to come in second. However, he has historically polled better before elections than he has performed in them. Still, after pollsters underestimated the likelihood of both Brexit and the victory of Donald Trump last year, no one is relying on predictions.

But whether Mr. Wilderss party wins the most votes, or enters a government, hardly matters. He has already succeeded in one of his main ambitions  to push politics in the Netherlands to the right and make possible a conversation about shutting out immigrants and dismantling the European Union that was unthinkable not long ago.

Mr. Wilders is close ideologically to Marine Le Pen of France, the far-right National Front leader who is set to make it to a runoff in presidential elections this spring. He was also close to Mr. Trumps campaign, and is sometimes even called the Dutch Trump, though he has a far longer political history and as many differences as similarities.

Like Mr. Trump, Mr. Wilders is unafraid to say things in the most direct, divisive, dismissive, and often disparaging and insulting of ways. Similar to Mr. Trump, many of his supporters feel buoyed and relieved that he is giving voice to what they cannot say, or feel they are not supposed to say.

Last week Mr. Wilders delighted in publicly referring to Moroccan scum before a gaggle of reporters. He has called the hijab a useless piece of cloth. He has been convicted of inciting discrimination and insulting an ethnic group, but was let off without a penalty.

The one time Mr. Wilders was in government, in 2010, he had an informal liaison with the mainstream conservative partys coalition, but he bolted when it wanted to cut back pension benefits. Those in his parliamentary group are not technically members of his party, allowing Mr. Wilders to entirely control his partys platform and decision-making.
MOSCOW  The Kremlin, increasingly convinced that President Trump will not fundamentally change relations with Russia, is instead seeking to bolster its global influence by exploiting what it considers weakness in Washington, according to political advisers, diplomats, journalists and other analysts.

Russia has continued to test the United States on the military front, with fighter jets flying close to an American warship in the Black Sea this month and a Russian naval vessel steaming conspicuously in the Atlantic off the coast of Delaware.

They think he is unstable, that he can be manipulated, that he is authoritarian and a person without a team, Alexei A. Venediktov, the editor in chief of Echo of Moscow, a liberal radio station, said of President Trump.

The Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, has long sought to crack the liberal Western order, both as a competitor and as a champion of an alternative, illiberal model. To that end, he did what he could to buttress the electoral chances of Mr. Trump, who seemed like a kindred spirit with his harsh denunciations of NATO and the European Union, his endorsement of the British withdrawal from the European Union and his repeated shrugs over Russias destabilizing Ukraine.
TEHRAN  For Iranians, Asghar Farhadi, whose movie The Salesman won the Academy Award for best foreign language film on Sunday, is more than just a filmmaker.

In a country where the state-controlled news media generally overlooks the stresses and strains of a normal middle-class existence, Mr. Farhadi  who refused to attend the Oscars ceremony to protest President Trumps targeted travel ban  is one of the few to describe daily life.

He tells the story of the middle class, said Reza Haeri, a documentary maker. Mr. Farhadi speaks their language. He focuses on tensions that his audience can also experience in their everyday lives. That is why he has a huge following in Iran.

The award on Sunday was not Mr. Farhadis first, as he also won best foreign language film in 2012, for A Separation. That places him in the company of renowned foreign directors like Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica and Ingmar Bergman.
IMPORTANT NORMAL AND IMPORTANT ABNORMAL AND IMPORTANT Usage of alternative facts and fake news Immigration ban Immigration raids and roundups False claims about voter fraud Gorsuch Supreme Court nomination Conflicts of interest Tweeting about foreign affairs Publicly criticizing federal judges Choices of cabinet members Bannon on the N.S.C. Flynn and Russia Abandoning the Trans-Pacific Trade partnership (T.P.P.) Characterization of media as enemies An executive order for a border wall with Mexico Accepting call from Taiwanese president ABNORMAL National security meeting in public at Mar-a-Lago NORMAL Informal discussions with foreign governments before inauguration with no briefing Potentially alienating Australia Kellyanne Conways promotion of Ivanka Trumps brand in a Fox News interview Firing the acting attorney general Sally Yates NORMAL AND NOT IMPORTANT ABNORMAL AND NOT IMPORTANT NOT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT NORMAL AND IMPORTANT ABNORMAL AND IMPORTANT Usage of alternative facts and fake news Immigration ban Immigration raids and roundups False claims about voter fraud Gorsuch Supreme Court nomination Conflicts of interest Tweeting about foreign affairs Publicly criticizing federal judges Choices of cabinet members Bannon on the N.S.C. Flynn and Russia Abandoning the Trans-Pacific Trade partnership (T.P.P.) Characterization of media as enemies An executive order for a border wall with Mexico Accepting call from Taiwanese president National security meeting in public at Mar-a-Lago ABNORMAL NORMAL Informal discussions with foreign governments before inauguration with no briefing Potentially alienating Australia Kellyanne Conways promotion of Ivanka Trumps brand in a Fox News interview Firing the acting attorney general Sally Yates NORMAL AND NOT IMPORTANT ABNORMAL AND NOT IMPORTANT NOT IMPORTANT Pinch to zoom

Its understandable if President Trumps first month in office has left your head spinning, given the pace of news, the middle-of-the-night Twitter posts and the vows to upend Washington.

To help us get our bearings, we asked experts across the ideological spectrum  people who have served in government or studied the way governments work  to rate 20 news events for importance and abnormality. More often than not, the administrations actions have been both highly unusual and highly consequential, The Upshots 15 survey panelists said.

We asked our panelists: Was the event normal, like the veto of a bill in a prior administration? Or was it highly unusual in contemporary American democracy, like ordering newspapers to suspend publication of the Pentagon Papers? Also, was it unimportant, with limited or no consequences for federal policy, like the menu for a state dinner? Or was it important, creating lasting and significant changes in policy, like the establishment of Social Security?

On average, more than half the events were rated abnormal and important. The most extreme instances, they said, were the immigration ban; the use of falsehoods; and the presidents business conflicts of interest. The Supreme Court nomination and immigration raids were on average considered normal but important. The experts thought just two of the events would have limited or no policy consequences: the firing of the acting attorney general and Kellyanne Conways promotion of Ivanka Trumps products.

Below are all 20 items, grouped by their quadrant on our reality-check matrix.

Abnormal and important events

An executive order barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries as well as refugees from Syria Timur Kuran, professor of political science and economics at Duke, said the order violated the U.S. Constitution, and it has raised the danger of global war based on religion. Gerald Feierstein, a career foreign service officer who served in the State Department under President Obama and is a director at the Middle East Institute, said it was less alarming: The issuance of the order was incompetent and the order itself is unhelpful, but the president does have wide latitude on immigration and national security programs. President Trump closed the nations borders to people from seven nations, saying it was essential to prevent terrorism . The order was later blocked by a federal judge. Of the 20 news events our panel rated, this was considered the most important., professor of political science and economics at Duke, said the order violated the U.S. Constitution, and it has raised the danger of global war based on religion., a career foreign service officer who served in the State Department under President Obama and is a director at the Middle East Institute,said it was less alarming: The issuance of the order was incompetent and the order itself is unhelpful, but the president does have wide latitude on immigration and national security programs.

Falsehoods about topics like illegal voters and inauguration crowd size; using language like alternative facts and fake news to discuss indisputable events Jennifer Hochschild, chair of the department of government at Harvard. It depends on how many people believe him. Anne-Marie Slaughter, chief executive of New America, a left-leaning think tank, and a former Obama State Department official, said: This is truly dangerous. Authoritarian governments sow distrust and division as a way of discrediting anything that is negative or critical of them. President Trump has uttered falsehoods about some basic facts, like the number of illegal voters in the 2016 election and the number of people who attended his inauguration . When asked about the correct numbers, Mr. Trump and some of his team have dismissed them as fake news or said there were alternative facts. All politicians lie and stretch the truth, even the ones I revere, but this is extreme, said, chair of the department of government at Harvard. It depends on how many people believe him., chief executive of New America, a left-leaning think tank, and a former Obama State Department official, said: This is truly dangerous. Authoritarian governments sow distrust and division as a way of discrediting anything that is negative or critical of them.

Unfounded allegations of voter fraud in the general election Ms. Hochschild said it was bizarre, especially for the winner of the contest, and undermines a crucial faith of democratic polity. President Trump has repeatedly said that millions of people voted illegally, robbing him of the popular vote, an assertion that has been widely debunked said it was bizarre, especially for the winner of the contest, and undermines a crucial faith of democratic polity.

An array of possible conflicts of interest (incomplete divesting; having his children take over business operations; having a son-in-law in a senior role in the White House) Ms. Slaughter said. President Trump still owns his business, despite handing over its management to his adult sons, and appointed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as an adviser despite a federal anti-nepotism law. Ethics experts say the arrangement leaves him open to conflicts of interest, including in dealings with foreign governments and United States government agencies. This degrades our standing in the rest of the world as a corrupt government and also supports leaders in other countries who use their office for personal gain,said.

Tweeting independently on national security and foreign affairs issues Erica Chenoweth, professor of international studies at the University of Denver. Tom Ginsburg, professor of comparative and international law at the University of Chicago, echoed some of the language in Mr. Trumps tweets: Bad! Sad! President Trump posts often on Twitter, sometimes against the preferences and without the advice of aides, about policy ideas and reactions to things he sees on TV. Trump's off-the-cuff tweets have dramatically increased the amount of uncertainty in the world, especially when his appointees and staff contradict the positions he articulates in tweets, said, professor of international studies at the University of Denver., professor of comparative and international law at the University of Chicago, echoed some of the language in Mr. Trumps tweets: Bad! Sad!

An executive order giving Stephen Bannon a full seat on the National Security Council and downgrading the roles of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the director of national intelligence Lee Edwards, a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a right-leaning think tank, and a historian of American conservatism. Whether it was a wise decision or not will be proven in the months to come. President Trump defied longstanding precedent by giving Mr. Bannon , a political adviser, status above his top military and intelligence advisers in areas of national security. The president has the authority to appoint anyone he wants to the N.S.C., said, a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a right-leaning think tank, and a historian of American conservatism. Whether it was a wise decision or not will be proven in the months to come.

Publicly criticizing federal judges Ryan Crocker, executive professor at Texas A&M and a career United States ambassador. This is abnormal because he is criticizing the judges themselves. President Trump has publicly disparaged judges whose rulings he does not like, using terms like disgraceful, so political and  so-called judge . Presidents have criticized judicial decisions, said, executive professor at Texas A&M and a career United States ambassador. This is abnormal because he is criticizing the judges themselves.

Lies by the national security adviser, Michael Flynn, about discussing sanctions with a Russian official Ms. Slaughter said. The problem here is the deeper context of Russian interference in the election in a way that aids Trump. Mr. Flynn discussed American sanctions against Russia and areas of possible cooperation with the Russian ambassador before the inauguration; misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations; and was asked by Mr. Trump to resign . It is certainly not the first time that a president-elect's adviser has had contact with a foreign government before inauguration, even though that is illegal, and lying by a senior administration official is sadly not abnormal,said. The problem here is the deeper context of Russian interference in the election in a way that aids Trump.

An executive order for a border wall with Mexico Mr. Crocker said. Thomas Nichols, professor at the U.S. Naval War College, called it a standard aspirational executive order, issued to make it seem like a fulfilled promise. Acting on a campaign promise, President Trump ordered the immediate construction of a border wall with Mexico. He said that he would make Mexico pay but that Congress would initially have to appropriate funds. The abnormality and importance lie in the political signal it sends to a neighbor and ally,said., professor at the U.S. Naval War College, called it a standard aspirational executive order, issued to make it seem like a fulfilled promise.

Having a senior strategist call the press the opposition and tell the news media to keep its mouth shut Mr. Kuran said: An adversarial press is central to the American political system. Intimidating the news media can put the country on a slippery slope to autocracy. Mr. Feierstein said, It's only important to the extent that his comments reflect Trump's position and they try to do something about it. The strategist, Stephen Bannon, told a reporter , The media here is the opposition party and should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for a while.said: An adversarial press is central to the American political system. Intimidating the news media can put the country on a slippery slope to autocracy.said, It's only important to the extent that his comments reflect Trump's position and they try to do something about it.

Breaking tradition with decades of foreign policy by accepting a call from the president of Taiwan, though later telling the president of China he would honor the One China policy Frances Lee, professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland. Mixed signals like this create potential for misunderstanding and will undermine trust in U.S. global leadership. Vincent Hutchings, professor of political science at the University of Michigan, said the long-term consequences are likely minimal. The Taiwan call , made before the inauguration, raised questions about whether the administration would continue to honor the One China policy, but as president, Mr. Trump smoothed things over by saying he would. The quick reversal looks feckless, said, professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland. Mixed signals like this create potential for misunderstanding and will undermine trust in U.S. global leadership., professor of political science at the University of Michigan, said the long-term consequences are likely minimal.

Coordinating the U.S. response to a North Korea missile test in a public, unsecured location at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida Mr. Feierstein said. But the significance of the issue is the negative light it shines on Trump's competence, integrity and judgment. Mr. Edwards said, The president delights in being unorthodox, which puts adversaries like North Korea at a disadvantage. President Trump discussed a response to a North Korean missile test in plain view of club members at Mar-a-Lago. One club member took photos of the scene and posted them on Facebook. Our panel varied in its assessment of the issues overall consequence, but agreed that it was a strong departure from typical behavior. It's not a major issue  I doubt that there was any compromise of national security,said. But the significance of the issue is the negative light it shines on Trump's competence, integrity and judgment.said, The president delights in being unorthodox, which puts adversaries like North Korea at a disadvantage.

Informal discussions with foreign governments before being inaugurated and without prior briefing Mr. Crocker said. Most presidents are briefed first. As President-elect, Mr. Trump made calls to foreign leaders in the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Taiwan and Pakistan, without the knowledge of or a briefing by the Obama administration, upsetting long-established norms of diplomacy . Most presidents have them,said. Most presidents are briefed first.

Normal and important events

Immigration raids and roundups by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Mr. Kuran said. How the U.S. handles matters of immigration will have a huge impact on its peace and prosperity. Agents arrested more than 600 people in one week , causing confusion about the administrations deportation plans. (Later, two draft memos showed plans to greatly increase deportations and significantly change the way agencies enforce immigration laws.) Insofar as laws on the books are being enforced, the raids fall within the bounds of normal policy,said. How the U.S. handles matters of immigration will have a huge impact on its peace and prosperity.

Nominating Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court Mr. Nichols said. Mr. Gorsuch is a conservative judge seen to be an ideological heir to Antonin Scalia. The nomination came after Senate Republicans refused to hold hearings or vote on President Obamas nominee, Merrick Garland. Of all the issues we asked our panel about, this was considered the most normal. A normal pick with deeply consequential impact, as all Scotus nominations are, but especially so in a divided court after the Garland block,said.

Choices of cabinet members Mr. Edwards said. President Trumps cabinet picks, who have faced unprecedented opposition in Congress , have limited government experience and extraordinary wealth . The Trump cabinet is turning out to be composed of experienced, knowledgeable people who reflect the philosophy of the president and the 61-million-plus people who voted for Trump,said.

Abandoning the Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty Ms. Chenoweth said. President Trump ended the multinational trade deal brokered by President Obama, reversing a decades-long bipartisan free trade policy. It is typical for a president to quickly distinguish himself from his predecessor, and the T.P.P.  widely unpopular among Trump's base  was low-hanging fruit in this regard,said.

Abnormal and unimportant events

Potentially alienating Australia, one of the U.S.s strongest allies Mr. Hutchings said. President Trump abruptly hung up on the prime minister of Australia over a disagreement about the number of refugees that the United States would accept from Australia. Amateur hour, but mostly unimportant,said.

Kellyanne Conways promotion of Ivanka Trumps brand in a Fox News interview Larry Diamond, senior fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford. Ms. Conway said , Go buy Ivankas stuff, which the governments chief ethics watchdog said was  a clear violation  of rules against endorsing products and using public office for private gain. Completely unprofessional, but pales in importance to some of these others, said, senior fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford.

Normal and unimportant events

Firing the acting attorney general Sally Yates Mr. Ginsburg said. President Trump fired Ms. Yates after she ordered Justice Department lawyers not to defend his travel ban on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries. With a few exceptions, our panel concluded that this was mostly inconsequential; no issue rated less important, on average. No surprise: Democrats would do the same,said.
WASHINGTON  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced a $1 million civil money penalty against Merchants Bank of California, N.A.

The OCC identified deficiencies in the banks compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) that resulted in violations of consent orders the bank entered into on June 23, 2010 (EA 2010-132), and June 26, 2014 (EA 2014-084), as well as a violation of 12 C.F.R.  21.21, procedures for monitoring BSA compliance. The consent orders required the bank to correct deficiencies in all four pillars of its BSA program (the system of internal controls, independent testing, a designated individual or individuals responsible for coordinating and monitoring BSA/AML compliance, and training for appropriate personnel).

The penalty reflects several factors, including the scope and duration of the banks failure to comply with the previous consent orders and the violation of 12 C.F.R.  21.21 through and including May 25, 2016. The bank has paid the $1 million civil money penalty to the U.S. Treasury.

The OCC is coordinating its action with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which issued a separate order against the bank.

Related Link
From Mike Malloy Website



Donald Trump and Steve Bannon

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So Trump has officially started blacklisting members of the press, aka the enemy of the American people, from covering the chaos that is his administration. Just like Putin. And mass deportations have begun, too. Hmmmm...is the poisoning next, or is it the book-banning? I can't remember.

CNN, the New York Times, the LA Times, BuzzFeed and Politico were banned from Friday's White House briefing. I'm sure this is just a coincidence, but these are the news outlets who have been pushing the Trump/Russian story the hardest. The AP and Time magazine left in protest, which is what they ALL should do. I wish the reporters would boycott the briefing room until the "President" apologizes. Let Spicer stand up there and scream into the empty room.

Speaking of Russia, now President Bannon and his chief minion Reince Priebus asked the FBI to publicly retract reports that showed a connection between Trump's campaign team and Russian intelligence agents. FBI had refused to publicly dispute news that individuals associated with Trump had been in touch with senior Russian intelligence officials during last year's presidential campaign. But FBI director Comey refused to deny the proof of these conversations. So Trump had another Twitter Tantrum and attacked the FBI.

And Michael Flynn had to resign because of what, exactly? The many lies about his conversations with the Russians over sanctions he claimed never happened, until the Washington Post showed proof that they had? The FBI is the enemy because they have proof of Trump's campaign's dirty dealings with the Kremlin, and the press is the enemy because it reports on it.

Geezus, we have a White House so out of control it thinks it can order the FBI to shut down news stories it doesn't like. Is that legal? What's next, asking them to poison politicians they don't like? How Putinesque do you wanna get, boys? Do they not understand the irony of their actions -- acting like Putin while denying ties to Putin?

But their brain-dead base is eating this up. Fascism is great, in the beginning anyway, and as long as you are a Party Faithful. But the Neocons at CPAC aren't so sure -- they're a little nervous about this out-of-control Oompa Loompa who thinks he can piss on the press and our intelligence agencies and whomever he likes with impunity.

Might make the rednecks cheer, but Bannon is freaking out the freaky flying monkeys. Now that's scary. His speech to CPAC might've been accompanied by Bach's Tocatta Fuged in D-minor, that's how creepy it was.

The News-Reporter described it this way:

"Bannon hit all his (and Trump's) favorite targets: He called the media 'the opposition party,' and reckoned this of the president's political foes: 'If you think they are giving you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken.' In other words, Donald Trump has retrieved the country for conservatives to control. "And Bannon revealed all, about the reasons behind the president's curious Cabinet choices. The plan, he said, was 'deconstruction of the administrative state,' which he and Trump apparently believe robs people of their independence and hurts economic growth. "So that's why Trump nominated a labor secretary who wants to replace workers at his fast-food restaurants with robots, an energy secretary who once advocated abolishing the department and an education secretary who doesn't care much for public schools. "Now we've got it."

I just keep thinking what a President Sanders would be doing right now. What a wasted opportunity. Now we have to suffer through this national nervous breakdown hoping we have some kind of health insurance, some measure of environmental protection, some semblance of public education, some rational use of natural resources, and some civil liberties for everyone -- including African Americans, Jews, Muslims, Latinos, and the LGBT community.

Hang in there Truthseekers. #Resist.

And check out Mike's forthcoming book, it's going to be all about this mess.
Open Guantanamo to human rights inspectors. Open its files to the public. Subpoena the witnesses to its horrors. Open the courts to its prisoners and try them or set them free. Open the gates to the people of Cuba and give them their land back. And impeach U.S. presidents numbered 43 through 45.



Gitmo

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Before, during, and after President Barack Obama's announcements of closing Guantanamo, it constituted an illegal prison whose guards used and still use torture, human experimentation, murder, secrecy, and lies.

By official government accounts, Guantanamo's prisons contain people desperate to attempt suicide, and so ingenious at accomplishing their goal that despite constant human and video surveillance, not to mention forced feeding, they are able to obtain forbidden materials, violate laws of physics, hang themselves by the neck with their hands tied behind their backs, and telepathically organize simultaneous multiple suicides by self-torture in their separate cells during moments when they aren't in their cells but rather have been taken down the road to be "interrogated" by that great liberal force of enlightened anti-Trumpism, the CIA.

Jeffrey Kaye's new book, Cover-up at Guantanamo, pieces together the available evidence on three particular alleged suicides at Guantanamo during Obama's presidency. Most of the records have been kept secret. Evidence has apparently been destroyed. And fundamentally, most people just do not care. Since Kaye first reported that one alleged suicide victim had died with his hands tied behind his back, no other reporter has bothered to pick up that story. Since former Guantanamo guard Joseph Hickman reported on murders disguised as suicides, the Congressional investigations have piled up to a grand total of zero.

The United Nations has condemned the U.S. government for its use of torture. Luckily, the U.S. government is not a poor oil-rich country. No sanctions, prosecutions, bombings, or overthrows have followed the condemnation. Nor has the U.S. public apparently grasped the fact that the UN condemnation is part of a process following through on a treaty to which the U.S. is a party, a treaty banning torture, a treaty long since implemented by U.S. law making torture a felony. There is no statute of limitations on torture when it's torture-to-death, also known as murder.

The delusion that holds that U.S. presidents have the power to make laws, whether closing transgender bathrooms, banning Muslim immigrants, or criminalizing torture, has reached its apex with the collective fantasy that Obama banned and Trump unbanned torture. In fact, you'll never ban torture that way, but you just might keep it de facto unbanned that way.

Trump recently announced that he was changing a law that the courts have ruled forbids discrimination against trans-gendered people. A president has no power to do any such thing. But the U.S. media all reported that he had done it, that by announcing a law, the emperor had created a law. The trouble is, of course, that the actual creation of the law is accomplished by the media's reporting on it. Once everyone believes that the law is what Trump declares it to be, the courts can go on ruling otherwise over and over until people cease to bring cases.



Why

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Someone who can do that can, by definition, torture, murder, and experiment on human beings. And someone who can do such things can do them to those who would question his powers, not just those targeted by the bigotry he uses to win the support of his primary victims.

But the deep state is running the torture centers, as presidents come and go. And unless a belated #DemExit really materializes, we may see any principled opposition to established atrocities handicapped by the support of anti-Trumpers for their newly beloved "intelligence" "community."


IMGP1689

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Ever since they were first marketed to the masses by freshly minted Silicon Valley millionaires, the internet and related technologies have been touted as augmentations of democratic free speech.

The now familiar narrative--recently repeated by Twilio's Voices for Democracy initiative--is undeniably appealing. What's not to like about a world where anyone with a laptop, tablet, or smartphone not only has unfiltered access to the Uncensored Truth but can also speak their minds without Big Brother intervening--and even speak their minds to Big Brother?

The only problem with this narrative is that it's wrong.

Actually, the bulk of the so-called information on the internet is hardly Truth. Rather, it's disseminated by businesses and hustlers with the goal of making a buck, and correspondingly distorted to further this pecuniary objective.

Everyone who has searched the internet for information about a health problem (which nowadays includes tens of millions of people) knows this to be true. While a few good, informative sites show up via a Google search (ironically many of them on government websites) by about the fourth or fifth hit, quack doctors peddling miracle cures and other hucksters begin to proliferate.

It's the same with most other internet searches. Want to research running shoes? Plan on navigating the sites of shoe sellers. Searching for a recipe? Expect to find some of the ingredients listed the proprietary products of the company that owns the website. Want to find a date? God help you traverse that gauntlet of money-grubbing scoundrels.

And there's real money to be made on the internet--$2.2 trillion a year in retail sales by last count. No wonder 14 million US small businesses have an internet presence, and no wonder WordPress reports that five times as many of its users are businesses as opposed to news and information sources.

What about the reverse--your right to say whatever you want online?

Well, if you're looking for a job or just want to keep your current job, you better think twice. Employers now routinely check the internet presence of job applicants, and are increasingly checking the internet postings of existing employees. Just as you wouldn't dare to put up a yard sign supporting a candidate running against your boss for a seat on the county commission, you better not post anything online that your boss or any prospective boss might disagree with.

Most pernicious of all are the public forums and discussion boards that pose as arenas of free speech but are in reality heavily censored by the businesses that operate them.

I have for example had reviews censored by both Trip Advisor and Amazon, while my comments are routinely censored by an online newspaper.

Trip Advisor refused to publish my review of a hotel because it included critical comments about the exploitative tourism practices in the area (criticisms that ironically the hotel owner agreed with). For Trip Advisor, my review was "too political." The only politics it wants are those that favor the tourism industry wherever and however it operates, since those are the politics that enable Trip Advisor to make money.

Amazon refused to publish a review I submitted of a third-party Birkenstock seller because I praised the seller for selling the sandals promised rather than fake imitations. Although it's common knowledge that Amazon has many third-party sellers of fake Birkenstocks, Amazon evidently doesn't want customer reviews that mention this, since it perceives this information to be bad for business.

The newspaper that censors me (and others) is a local right-wing rag that routinely eliminates all comments from the left. By doing this, it creates the illusion that all of its readers agree with its politics.

In each of these cases, the impression created is of free speech, while the reality is censorship.

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"You have something special and important here. Somehow you manage to teach and suggest and introduce the reader to concepts in a way that feels inclusive. Like, we're thinking about it together. Partly it might be because the subject, bottom-up, is innately understood by all of us and so it feels like you're stirring up stuff we already know. But also I think it's because you truly are practiced at connection consciousness and so it's natural for you (I'm guessing) to write about it with a desire to include us. As a reader I was learning more because it feels like you're inviting me to think with you."



Tsara Shelton, author
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American futurist predicts spiritualization of the economy



1

The American futurist Lawrence (Larry) Taub is not an economist, but his book "The Spiritual Imperative: Sex, Age, and Caste Move the Future" predicts a gradual transformation of the current economic system into alternative social structures that has features of both anarchism (in the sense of self-organizing entities) and cooperative communities (similar to the Kibbutz model). Making this possible and even inevitable is a gradual change in human values leading to what he calls a "spiritualization of the economy."



2

Claiming that the current economic system will be replaced is arguably setting a low bar. OECD countries today have some $300 trillion in public debt. This means there are also creditors who are owed $300 trillion. Note the correlation between growing debt and the growing wealth gap in recent years. In 2010, some 300 billionaires owned as much as the poorest 50% of the world's population. Today, some 80 billionaires have the same ratio of wealth. Plotting this trend on a chart into the next 10 or 15 years leads to an inevitable conclusion: if we don't change course, at some point one billionaire would own as much as the poorest half of humanity. He or she (most likely a he) would be a modern-day Pharaoh.



3

Let's ignore the opportunity cost of this massive debt, just like economists and policy makers habitually do. How many economists offer a plausible model that gives us a sense of what the economy will be like in, say, twenty or thirty years, when our (grand) children will have to eke out an existence on this fragile planet. Taub doesn't need an economic model to give us a likely scenario. He looks at underlying trends in culture, technology and gender to reveal how human values changes, and with them economic and social structures and organization. Using three models - Sex, Age and Caste - Taub confronts us with a simple truth we have seen time and again in history: what seems logical, practical, moral or even desirable today may not do so in the future.

4

Taub mentions slavery as one of many examples. Up to the 19th century, slave owners felt no moral compunction to owning the body and soul of other men and women. Slaves were part of the "economic model" of their days; they helped with the calculus that built western empires. But then, says Taub, something changed. In the mid-19th century people started to question the ethics and morality of the slave trade and slave ownership. There was a growing consensus that slavery contradicted evolving notions of morality, ethics and humanism. In a few decades, humankind made a moral jump and abolished slavery. Ending slavery, as Taub shows, was an inevitable evolution of humankind, a spiritual imperative.

5

In the foreword to the Japanese edition of Taub's book, the famed Japanese economist and efficiency guru Masanori Kanda said Taub was Alvin Toffler, Peter Drucker and John Kenneth Galbraith all rolled into one. The truth is that Taub is in a league of his own. Toffler's macro-historical model sees humankind moving from an agricultural to an industrial and finally to a post-industrial society. That's fair enough, but Toffler uses just one (economic-technological) parameter to plot the future. The same can be said about Drucker, Galbraith and other macro historians from Marx to Paul Kennedy and Samual Huntington. Taub does not use one but three parameters. He doesn't just give us a road map, he gives us a GPS. We can not only anticipate what will happen, but also where and approximately when.

[FIGURE 1] The four basic castes of the world



The Four Castes of the World

(Image by Larry Taub) Details DMCA



Copyright Larry Taub

6

The center piece of Taub's macro history is the Caste Model, based on the earliest form of psychological profiling known to humankind. Taub used the Caste Model to explain that our current values and identity are based on our work. We define ourselves (and others) by the job or skill set we have -- teacher, trader, plumber, artist, etc. When people first meet, one of the first questions they ask is: "What kind of work do you do?" Work defines our "station" in life. It wasn't always like that. 200 years ago, your family name defined your identity and status in society. In still earlier times, your tribe defined your identity. Taub uses the four broad Indian castes (four generic archetypes of human nature) to explain the changing identities and values in human history and that there is a place and time for each of them.



7

The Caste Model shows that the world is in the midst of the Worker Caste Age. In most countries, workers and worker ethics and values rule the roost. The worker-caste elite, consisting of the top executives of the largest corporations, both high- and low-tech, that dominate half of the world's economy, are the world's ruling elite. (Even self-made billionaires commonly pride themselves on their "hard work".) The Worker Caste Age, which replaced the previous Merchant Caste Age, started in the late 19th century (with the socialist uprisings and later revolutions) and will culminate in the Far East. China and its "Confucian cousins," Japan and Korea, will form the world's dominant economic-political union in the next few decades. "Confucio", as Taub calls it, is most in tune with the Worker-Caste type. The rise of Confucio may also herald the end of "democratic capitalism" as we know it.



8

Unfortunately for Confucio, its place in the sun will be short-lived (and it may very well be "old" before it is "rich"). The Worker Caste Age brings material benefits and basic material needs to people around the globe, but the hyper-materialism of today also damages the human spirit - and the planet. Taub: "The Worker Caste Age has led to indiscriminate production and consumption, unlimited industrial growth and waste of non-renewable resources. Our Worker Caste Age cities are overgrown, impersonal, complicated, and stress-inducing. They breed crime, high rents, ugliness, congestion, smog, accidents, speed, greenlessness, poor public transportation, noise, urban-rural imbalance, lack of decent housing for the poor, and homelessness."

9

The Caste Model makes clear that the accumulation of extreme wealth, which started in the previous Merchant Caste age, is still rampant. Scorched-earth competition values individual and corporate wealth over the common good and solidarity. The methods of the two ages may be different but the aims are the same -- wealth at all cost, rights without obligations, and destruction of the social fabric come what may.



10

The "spiritual backlash" against materialistic Merchant and Worker Caste excesses is well under way -- in both good ways and bad. We see people questioning democratic capitalism, the rise of economic nationalism, and demanding devolution of centralized power. We also see millions of people turning to yoga, meditation, and "mindfulness" in a journey of self-discovery. And we see other signs of humankind evolving in the animal-rights movement and increasing ecological consciousness. Moreover, as Taub's Sex Model makes clear, we see the growing influence of women.

[FIGURE 2] The Caste Model



The Caste Model

(Image by Larry Taub) Details DMCA



Copyright Larry Taub

11

Taub's Sex Model is, like the Caste Model, a macro-historical model. In prehistory, most societies tended toward sexual equality. This changed with the patriarchal revolution around 4000 to 2000 BC. Since then societies, as we know them today, have developed along patriarchic lines. The male-dominated system went unchallenged until the 19th-century suffragettes, especially with the new Feminist Revolution in the 1960s. While naturally less violent than Caste struggles, women engaged in a battle against centuries of female oppression, and with great effect. (In a subtle dig at outspoken "conservative" women Taub says, "Even women opposed to feminism have been influenced by it.)





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From Our Future



Both parties are hobbled by infighting and incompetence. Only one keeps winning elections.

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The meetings of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) were a study in contrasts. Both told stories to unite their faithful. At CPAC, activists fell in line, while at the DNC, the fight for leadership revealed battling narratives and deep divisions within the party.

DNC: What Happened?

Tom Perez, the DNC's new chair, and his former rival, Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, both cast the outcome of their battle in terms of unity. "We don't have the luxury to walk out of this room divided," Ellison said after his loss to Perez in the second round of voting. He immediately threw his support to the former Labor Secretary and urged his supporters to do the same. Perez, in turn, swiftly named Ellison his second in command.

But the race was ugly, and got that way fast. Shortly after declaring his candidacy in December, Ellison faced unfounded accusations by deep-pocketed DNC backers that he was anti-Semitic, a former member of the Nation of Islam, and a supporter of Louis Farrakhan. These charges were proven untrue, but they did manage to subtly remind party delegates that Ellison is black and Muslim.

It's ironic: Some of the same Democrats who fought Bernie Sanders' presidential bid by claiming that progressive economics devalue identity politics were all too willing to use Ellison's identity against him.

The Democratic Party establishment clearly wanted to stop him. According to the New York Times, Obama loyalists "uneasy with the progressive Mr. Ellison" began to press Perez to enter the race only after Ellison became the leading candidate, and Obama himself offered a thinly-veiled endorsement of Perez in the final days of his administration.

Perez got another boost when South Carolina's Jaime Harrison dropped out of the race and endorsed him. Harrison, the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, is a former lobbyist with the high-powered Podesta Group, whose clients include everyone from WalMart to Lockheed Martin and the government of Egypt.

In contrast to Ellison, Harrison has been an outspoken supporter of the DNC's decision to keep accepting lobbyist money, which was banned by President Obama but reinstated last year by former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

"We in the Democratic Party have to stop the castigation of various people for the jobs they have," he told Vox's Jeff Stein.

While Perez has a decent progressive record, especially in the mainstream Democratic context, his politics differ from Ellison's in other important ways. He supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a pro-corporate trade deal that wounded Democrats in industrial swing states, and he could have been tougher on big banks for their role in the 2008 financial crisis, both as Labor Secretary and in his previous role as Assistant Attorney General.

In His Image

Over at CPAC, President Trump was going about the task of reshaping the conservative movement in his own image. If the response of the crowd was any indication, he may succeed.

"The core conviction of our movement that we are a nation that... will put its own citizens first," Trump told the enthusiastic CPAC crowd. "The GOP will be, from now on, the party also of the American worker...

I'm not representing the globe," Trump said. "I'm representing your country."

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Life. Love. Music.

You could say, a melody runs through it.

Intertwine the three and you can grasp the message shared with the crowd gathered Feb. 13 in downtown Lincoln at the Nebraska Club for a luncheon meeting of the Executive Club.

Darryl White moved to Lincoln in 1997, opening a brand new chapter in his life as an Associate Professor of Trumpet at the University of Nebraska. He grew up in Warren, Ohio and has been playing the trumpet since he was 10 years old. Jazz has become one of his favorite art forms. He has appeared as guest soloist and clinician for several international festivals including the Montreux Jazz Festival, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the Brandon Jazz Festival, the New Mexico Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Roaring Fork Jazz Festival in Aspen, Colorado.

Ron Cooley was raised in Omaha and has had a renowned career playing the stringed instruments, weaving music, family and enough experiences to fill a lifetime worth of albums. Cooley is a featured guitarist and bass player with Mannheim Steamroller. His band-playing days with Chip Davis date back to the back-up band work for C.W. McCall, which featured truck-driving songs in the 1970s. These experiences convoyed Cooley and Davis into Mannheim Steamroller.

50-plus years on guitar

Cooley says hes been playing guitar for over 50 years. Hes a graduate of Omaha North High School and has released eight CDs of his own as a solo artist. He describes the jazz art that he participates in locally as Rat Pack Jazz.

After moving to Nebraska, White immediately started exploring the local music community. Fate and music would bring White and Cooley together.

White, Cooley connect

Ron (Cooley) was one of the first people I met when I came to Nebraska, said White, who has several recordings he can heard on including performances with the Denver Brass, Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue on Centaur Records, America, The Golden Dream on Delos International, the Capri Record Label with jazz tenor saxophonist Keith Oxman on a 1997 release titled Out on a Whim and a 1999 release titled Hard Times.

He currently has three solo recordings released, including the 1999 release titled Ancient Memories and the 2002 release titled In the Fullness of Time. This release features several original compositions including Lil I featured on the PBS special New Beginnings.

A short time later as life evolved, White and Cooley began playing in local musical gigs together. They began sharing a friendship and a love of jazz music. With two separate musically backgrounds, but a common theme through jazz music, they now play a regular local jazz gig together which includes stints at the Wilderness Ridge Lodge in southwest Lincoln.

Performing for the Exec Club, the two improvised a jazz duet in front of a captivated crowd enjoying every chord, riff and note shared.

Making music

It all started with a Brazilian bossa nova jazz song called The Girl from Ipanema. Playing an acoustic guitar, Cooley set up the rhythm and the beat, adding percussion to the strumming of his guitar by the occasional pat on the wood of his guitar on the downbeat. White filled in the melody of this song based on the seaside neighborhood village located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The song was first recorded commercially in 1962 and later became a world-wide hit in the mid-60s. After White established the melody with his trumpet, he allowed Cooley to reestablish it with the guitar before passing it back to White for the finale riff on the horn.

The next tune was the jazz standard Misty written in 1954 by Erroll Gardner, which was initially composed as an instrumental, but later paired with lyrics by Johnny Burke, which became the signature song of Johnny Mathis and came out on his album Heavenly in 1959.

Whites trumpet belted out the jazz-instilled notes and melody of Misty as Cooley provided the background chords, establishing the rhythm and the frame of the song. Then Cooley took off on a riff of his own solo chords picked delicately, intertwining the melody set by White. White describes this exchange as call and response in jazz performances.

Big finish

He then takes over the melody by relieving Cooley from it and reintroduces the established melody and finishes on the highest of notes, which is held for better than 15 seconds.

Hopefully there was a high note for you at the end, White shares with the enthralled audience.

The finale song was an all-time favorite of one of Whites inspirations, Louis Armstrong, When the Saints Go Marching In. As was Armstrongs version, this too was a show-stopper. Both White and Cooley would introduce the melody and pass it off to each other with embellishment after embellishment on riffs, much to the enjoyment of the audience, which helped with their own percussion clapping to the beat.

More than music

White and Cooley actually share much more than a love of music in common. White is married to Cooleys daughter. Playing jazz music together, you could say, led to the establishment of that relationship. And, having Cooley come to Lincoln to play in gigs with his son-in-law, doesnt take much arm wrestling. Cooley also gets to see his young grandson when he comes to visit Star City.
In respective post-election "taking stock" articles, Columbia history Professor Mark Lilla for the New York Times and Alex Seitz-Wald at NBC suggest how the Democratic Party can return to prominence. Lilla contends that Trump's victory should mark the End of Identity Liberalism. Identity liberalism, as practiced by Democrats like Hillary Clinton, consists of appeals to discrete groups identified by race, ethnicity, gender, and sexually orientation. This is a losing strategy, Lilla argues, and must be rejected in favor of one that seeks to attract voters based on shared economic interests and overarching national goals.

Seitz-Wald is less dogmatic. In Democrats: Left in the Lurch, he contends that Democrats must choose between two strategies, which he dubs the Ohio Path and the Arizona Path. Similar to Lilla's prescription, the former consists of communicating to white working-class voters an overt populist economic message while "de-prioritiz[ing] policies that are either unimportant or alienating to these voters, like immigration reform, and so-called identity issues." Following the Arizona Path means more group-identity politics based on near-term forecasts that the electorate will consist of an increasing percentage of Democratic voters of color. Seitz-Wald does not state a preference between the two paths.

What neither Lilla nor Seitz-Wald contemplate is an approach that recognizes that the white working class and the great majority of non-white voters share nearly identical economic interests and the differences between the groups will likely be ameliorated in a growing economy in which the bottom 50% reaps the preponderance of income gains.

Indeed, American history since the New Deal demonstrates that the fortunes of the white working class and minorities are joined at the hip. From the 1930s through the late '60s, African-Americans and other poor and working-class Americans saw their economic fortunes relative to the affluent rise substantially. It's no coincidence that during the last fifteen years of this period, blacks achieved remarkable gains in civil rights.

While fortunes for the lower middle-class stagnated in the '70s, the poorest Americans saw their relative status continue to rise until Ronald Reagan took office. The whites who abandoned the Democratic party in 1980 may well have been motivated in part by resentment at their worsening economic condition under Jimmy Carter. Once in office, Reagan attacked unions and slashed the safety net and, with Democratic assistance, taxes on the wealthy. Since then, both the white lower middle-class African-Americans have seen their share of the nation's wealth evanesce - a destabilizing trend made far worse by the free-trade deals vigorously championed by Presidents from both parties.

Besides economic justice and civil rights for blacks, liberals made remarkable gains in a number of other areas from the mid-'50s to the '70s. The environmental movement came to the fore as did the women's rights and closely related reproductive-rights movements, and the United Farm Workers enjoyed important wins towards the end of this period. Over the past 36 years, however, all of these progressive groups have been fighting rear-guard actions. The only identity group in America to see a meaningful improvement in its legal, and possibly economic, status since 1980 is gays.

To become the dominant national party again, Democrats must unite behind policies that serve the economic interests of poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans. This means fighting against every trade deal that pits fairly paid domestic workers against overseas laborers making 90% less. It also means fighting for, among other things, 1) higher taxes on the wealthy, 2) unions, 3) universal healthcare, 4) a tight safety net from birth to death, and 5) truly affordable higher education for all who are qualified. Indeed, this is so crucial for the party's success that it must adopt as a litmus test for its candidates a demonstrated commitment to redistribution of wealth and income.

Democratic wins will result in a better quality of life for the great majority of Americans of color and the white working class. Other important progressive priorities will also get attention. For example, when Americans feel economically secure, they are more likely to support initiatives to protect the environment just as they supported civil rights in the mid-1960s.

Assuming the truth of this political paradigm, Democratic primary voters should have rallied behind Bernie Sanders. His long and documented record opposing "free-trade" deals meant he would have had a better chance to attract sufficient numbers of the white working class to beat Trump in the crucial Midwest. Were he elected, he would have fought harder for the working class and they would have fared better than under a Clinton presidency. Ultimately, this would have led to a greater willingness throughout the nation to address important social-justice issues.

Still a major schism emerged between white and black Democrats. While whites narrowly preferred the more progressive Bernie Sanders, more than three times as many African-Americans voted for Hillary Clinton as they did for Sanders. This overwhelming support, which accounted for her comfortable margin of victory, puzzled many of us on the left. We believed Sanders' record and rhetoric demonstrated not only a greater commitment to the poor and working-class who are disproportionately black, but also to issues like police brutality and incarceration that are of particular importance to black Americans. Clinton, however, succeeded in convincing many African-Americans that Sanders' focus on economic injustice bespoke an insufficient commitment to racial justice.

In order to regain power, therefore, Democrats must continually stress the commonality of interests between the white working-class and voters of color. They must also recognize that the latter along with women and those whose sexuality falls outside of the heteronormative have struggles that are distinct from those of poor and working-class whites. But they must do so in a way that does not diminish the outsize role that class and wealth at birth play in determining one's future.

In their respective columns, Lilla and Seitz-Wald neglect to mention another critical priority for Democrats: Nominating candidates whose history is free of financial peccadilloes and any whiff of corruption. In seeking power, Democrats rightly stress the need for a government that is big and powerful enough to rein in integrated multi-national corporations and to protect the less fortunate from capitalism's sharp edges.

There is a danger for wealthy, ostensibly progressive candidates, however, in making this argument. When criticizing a system that has richly rewarded them, they risk charges of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Many of Hillary Clinton's supporters were baffled by the fact that their candidate was dogged by corruption charges and questions about her honesty. They argued that by any reasonable measure Donald Trump's record in these areas is more egregious. Of course, most voters didn't like Trump either and he ended up with many fewer votes nationally than Clinton.

But Clinton called for government to play a much greater role in alleviating various societal pathologies exacerbated by corporatism. Accordingly, her close relationship with Wall Street, which enriched her and her family beyond the wildest dreams of most Americans, and her refusal to publish her speeches to Goldman Sachs, called into question her commitment to social justice - doubts that her decades-long record in public service failed to dispel.

It is important to note that President Obama has a remarkably scandal-free record and never faced any questions about his personal probity. Likewise, Bill Clinton was perceived as a crude parvenu and a cheater. But the only corruption charge against him was Whitewater, which proved to be at the very worst a penny-ante scheme that cost the Clintons money.

Democrats must recognize that voters and the media hold them to a higher standard when it comes to allegations of dishonesty and self-dealing. Those who decry concentrated wealth and power have little credibility when they personally have parlayed political connections into many millions.

In sum, Democrats can return to power only if they run squeaky-clean candidates with a documented commitment to economic and social justice. It's going to be long road.
The assault on so-called "far-right firebrand" Milo Yiannopoulos (Milo) is very disturbing, if not damaging to proponents of the First Amendment.

As an antiwar activist I rely on free speech, so even though I strongly disagree with Milo on many issues, I appreciate him being an impactful promoter of open expression.

Milo, who is a fan of Donald Trump, has been accused of being a white supremacist and a supporter of pedophilia and child sexual abuse. Due to the latest accusations, Milo lost a book deal with Simon & Schuster (the book was #1 on the Amazon best-seller list), as well as a speaking spot at last week's influential Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Milo also resigned from his employment at Breitbart.

A self-described "longtime critic of colleges shutting people up," Milo has created a stir on his popular nationwide tour of campuses where he lambasts political correctness. Opponents of Milo believe he is engaging in 'hate speech' and that such speech is not afforded Constitutional protection. (PolitiFact wrote otherwise, stating that 'hate speech' is not excluded from protection.)

Ironically, some students have resorted to saying that Milo is "a racist " misogynistic demagogue " twisted psychopath " neo-fascist " and defender of rape," without acknowledging that some people may consider their words as 'hate speech'.

And to go further, some students and groups believe that using physical violence to stop Milo from speaking is justified.

Watch rioters at UC Berkeley prevent a speech by Milo and assault his supporters

Such behavior affirms Milo's assertion that many of today's liberals and college campuses have become intolerant, bigoted, opposed to free speech, and perpetrators of hatred and violence. In addition to the aforementioned riots at UC Berkeley, recent months are littered with incidents to support Milo's claims.

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Liberals Want Shock to End Conversations; We Want It to Start Them



Progressive or Bust's provocative new meme

(Image by progressiveorbust.com) Details DMCA



Progressive or Bust --Bernie or Bust's successor movement--just started publishing a provocative, controversial new meme. Even if you're aware of us, and sympathetic to our movement's aims, our meme's willingness to tread on tabooed racial turf may have shocked you. We have no right to complain or get angry about that; as political revolutionaries seeking to kill off the "sacred cows" of destructive old thought patterns and replace them with new ones, occasionally giving shock is an inevitable part of our job.

And, I'd be dishonest not to admit, it's a part of the job I personally relish. At Progressive or Bust, we strongly believe that even noble-purposed, peaceful revolution can be fun. See, just as in violent revolution, you still get to blow things up. Only--as in the present case--the "things" you get to blow up are often people's false and paralyzing worldviews. But don't think for one second you don't get all the joys of creating "shock and awe." You just don't get to leave behind the rubble of pulverized cities or legions of dead foreign bodies. That's a job for neocons and neoliberals.

Which brings us to our current topic. At Progressive or Bust, we believe that the Democrat liberal model of identity politics, with the paralyzing, knee-jerk censorship it imposes on thought and language, has to go. Not only has it turned liberal Democrats into the worst of moral Pharisees, self-righteously thumping their chests as they blithely condone the grave evils of economic inequality, mass incarceration, climate destruction, unconstitutional surveillance, and endless war, but it has widened the very racial breaches it falsely claims to bridge.

Our daring new meme--inevitably shocking to minds shaped by liberal identity politics (and what progressive's mind to some extent isn't?)--seeks to explode that outmoded, degrading worldview and replace it with a mindset far better suited to a "new civil rights movement for all."

MLK's Liberal Embalmers and Their Sick Cult of Victimization

In his fascinating, controversial bookBreaking the Spell, atheist philosopher Daniel Dennett discusses the idea that human religions themselves are memes--bundles of beliefs and practices that are, like organisms or genes, capable of replicating themselves and evolving to better ensure their own survival. (Indeed, it's from scientists' and philosophers' original depiction of memes as "social replicators" that we get the more familiar, popular usage of memes for catchy combos of pictures and captions spread via social media.)

Now, as builders of a progressive movement seeking to span differences (including religious ones) between people, the last thing we at Progressive or Bust wish to do is take sides with Dennett and his fellow atheists against religious believers. And while I personally find his skeptical analysis of "the sacred" important and intend to make good use of it against liberal Democrats, I'm not exactly comfortable with the view that "nothing is sacred" and am in no hurry to see humanity go there. Indeed, as a progressive I find something meriting the term "sacred" about our common humanity and feel typical liberals sin deeply against that common humanity by investing such necessarily divisive categories as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender--especially when allied with victimization--with an undeserved sacredness and all the related taboos. This is where Dennett's analysis will prove crucial.

For our purposes, the key fact Dennett cites is that successful religions, like other successful memes, evolve use "good tricks" to ensure their own survival and reproduction. And these good tricks are useful to the survival of those religions whether or not they have any real value for human beings; indeed, as an atheist Dennett is deeply interested in the hypothesis that religions are harmful "parasites" that prey on their human "hosts." But whether religions are ultimately helpful, harmful, or neutral for people--and as a devotee of the scientific method, Dennett is willing to explore all three hypotheses--all successful religions develop (or "evolve") certain "good tricks" that help them win the struggle for survival among literally thousands of historically competing options. One such widely observed "good trick," common to many religions living or now extinct, is the concept of "the sacred." And the sacred is always related to the concept of taboo: there are certain things that it's forbidden to examine too closely--or even think or talk about. Obviously, the concept of the sacred (whatever its ultimate justification) plays a vital role in helping religious beliefs and practices survive, by shielding them from potentially destructive scrutiny and critique.

Now, any tightly packaged bundle of ideas and practices--like a political ideology or philosophy--is open to the same sort of "meme" analysis that Dennett applies to religions. And for critics of liberal Democrats' identity politics, like members of Progressive or Bust, this is precisely where the rubber meets the road. We believe that identity liberals have successfully propagated a religion-like cult--one incapable of surviving rational scrutiny--around the "sacred" (and necessarily divisive) concepts of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and, above all, victimization. We feel that if our meme shocks you, it's not because--as knee-jerk liberals insist--there's anything racist, white-privileged, or morally questionable about it, but because we've dared violate a "sacred" taboo by drawing a potent analogy between progressives' treatment as second-class citizens in the Democratic Party and blacks' treatment as lesser human beings in the Jim Crow South.

Progressive or Bust would argue that this religious cult of "sacred victims"--to the point that no other victims can even analogously be like them--is inherently divisive, harms the development of mutual sympathy and understanding between races, and makes a mockery of Martin Luther King's heritage by making the civil rights movement itself taboo "sacred history," unavailable for reference or replication by other human rights activists. In this model, King himself becomes a black-issues-only "plaster saint" rather than than the race-transcending crusader for peace and economic justice he in reality was.

And, we'd add, political cover by self-righteous liberals for neoliberal Democrat politicians who share none of King's universalist concern for peace and economic justice. Or the desire to combat climate change he likely would have shared had he lived to our day.

Usable History: The Civil Rights Movement as Everyone's Common Heritage

For people schooled by identity liberals--as most of us have been--Progressive of Bust's violation of identity liberal taboos is truly shocking. But--to make another tabooed analogy--we hope it, like Rosa Parks's shocking move to the front of the bus, is truly liberating.

For analogies--essential to effective human thought--are themselves liberating, and we feel the daring ones we're making are long overdue. Sacred victimization based on race is truly divisive, for those of us who are white can never experience Jim Crow, can never grow up black in a still-racist society, and can never be free of the white privilege entailed in not having to. But that is simply not our fault, and nothing harms race relations more than making us uncomfortable for not being victims of racism, or making us feel guilty for not being black. To treat black people primarily as victims made sacred by their skin color removes all possible common bonds we could have with them, all possible interest, based on our common humanity and common sense of justice, in improving their plight. By contrast, analogies with their experience give us a way of relating to it, of imaginatively feeling our way into it. Provided, of course, those analogies are used properly.

An improper use of Progressive or Bust's meme--one we strongly discourage--is to see political progressives in the Democratic Party as suffering the same type or intensity of pain as U.S. blacks in the Deep South, as being victims in anything like a comparable sense. But no analogy is ever perfect, and for many of us, our main suffering at the hands of Democrat neoliberals is simply frustration and inconvenience, not the scourge of real second-class citizenship in an openly racist society. But that's simply common sense, and we have to ask why anyone in their right mind would read our meme as a whiny, entitled claim to sacred victimhood. The answer, we believe, is the suspension of reason and common sense, due to unhealthy training in identity liberals' "sacred victim" cult. Once you've shrugged off the initial shock, it's easy to understand the meme as intended.

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pie chart

(Image by WorldBeyondWar.org) Details DMCA



Trump proposes to increase U.S. military spending by $54 billion, and to take that $54 billion out of the other portions of the above budget, including in particular, he says, foreign aid. If you can't find foreign aid on the chart above, that's because it is a portion of that little dark green slice called International Affairs. To take $54 billion out of foreign aid, you would have to cut foreign aid by approximately 200 percent.

Alternative math!

But let's not focus on the $54 billion. The blue section above (in the 2015 budget) is already 54% of discretionary spending (that is, 54% of all the money that the U.S. government chooses what to do with every year). It's already 60% if you add in Veterans' Benefits. (We should take care of everyone, of course, but we wouldn't have to take care of amputations and brain injuries from wars if we stopped having the wars.) Trump wants to shift another 5% to the military, boosting that total to 65%.

Now I'd like to show you a ski slope that Denmark is opening on the roof of a clean power plant -- a clean power plant that cost 0.06% of Trump's military budget.



Ski Plant

(Image by WorldBeyondWar.org) Details DMCA



Trump's pretense that he's going to just screw the no-good foreigners by taking $54 billion out of foreign aid is misleading on many levels. First, that kind of money just isn't there. Second, foreign aid actually makes the United States safer, unlike all the "defense" spending that endangers us. Third, the $700 billion that Trump wants to borrow and blow on militarism every year would not only get us close in 8 years to wasting directly (without considering missed opportunities, interest payments, etc.) the same $6 trillion that Trump laments blowing on recent failed wars (unlike his imaginary successful wars), but that same $700 billion is more than enough to transform domestic and foreign spending alike.

It would cost about $30 billion per year to end starvation and hunger around the world. It would cost about $11 billion per year to provide the world with clean water. These are massive projects, but these costs as projected by the United Nations are tiny fractions of U.S. military spending. This is why the top way in which military spending kills is not with any weapon, but purely through the diversion of resources.

For similar fractions of military spending, the United States could radically improve U.S. lives in each of those other areas in that pie chart. What would you say to free, top-quality education for anyone who wants it from preschool through college, plus free job-training as needed in career changes? Would you object to free clean energy? Free fast trains to everywhere? Beautiful parks? These are not wild dreams. These are the sorts of things you can have for this kind of money, money that radically dwarfs the money hoarded by billionaires.

If those sorts of things were provided equally to all, without any bureaucracy needed to distinguish the worthy from the unworthy, popular opposition to them would be minimal. And so might be opposition to foreign aid.

U.S. foreign aid right now is about $25 billion a year. Taking it up to $100 billion would have a number of interesting impacts, including the saving of a great many lives and the prevention of a tremendous amount of suffering. It would also, if one other factor were added, make the nation that did it the most beloved nation on earth. A December 2014 Gallup poll of 65 nations found that the United States was far and away the most feared country, the country considered the largest threat to peace in the world. Were the United States responsible for providing schools and medicine and solar panels, the idea of anti-American terrorist groups would be as laughable as anti-Switzerland or anti-Canada terrorist groups, especially if one other factor were added: if the $100 billion came from the military budget. People don't appreciate the schools you give them as much if you're bombing them.

Instead of investing in all good things, foreign and domestic, Trump is proposing to cut them in order to invest in war. New Haven, Connecticut, just passed a resolution urging Congress to reduce the military budget, cut spending on wars and move funds to human needs. Every town, county, and city should be passing a similar resolution.

If people stopped dying in war, we would all still die of war spending.

War is not needed in order to maintain our lifestyle, as the saying goes. And wouldn't that be reprehensible if it were true? We imagine that for 4 percent of humanity to go on using 30 percent of the world's resources we need war or the threat of war. But the earth has no shortage of sunlight or wind. Our lifestyles can be improved with less destruction and less consumption. Our energy needs must be met in sustainable ways, or we will destroy ourselves, with or without war. That's what's meant by unsustainable.

So, why continue an institution of mass killing in order to prolong the use of exploitative behaviors that will ruin the earth if war doesn't do it first? Why risk the proliferation of nuclear and other catastrophic weapons in order to continue catastrophic impacts on the earth's climate and ecosystems?

Isn't it time we made a choice: war or everything else?
Image Deleted Because Wiki Page Empty or Removed Image

February 7: Muhammad Ali, Jr., returning to the US from a speaking engagement in Jamaica, is detained for two hours at Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and questioned about his name and religious beliefs.

February 22: Passengers disembarking from a domestic (San Francisco to New York) flight at JFK airport are held up by US Customs and Border Protection agents demanding their IDs.

February 24: Jeffrey Tucker of the Foundation for Economic Education clears the usual security checks at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport en route to Mexico. Then, while actually boarding the plane, he and the other passengers on the flight are stopped by US Marshals demanding that they submit to retinal scans.

You're probably thinking that this is the point where I'll take a break to blame Donald Trump. It isn't. It's the point where I'll take a break to remind Americans who've been voting for politicians who promise to "secure the border" and other such authoritarian nonsense that THIS is exactly what they've been voting for.

When advocating for the libertarian position on immigration ("open borders," which also happens to have been the position Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush both took in the 1980 Republican presidential primary debates) I usually prefer to stick to the moral argument. That argument, put simply, is that where peaceful people move to, settle or work is nobody's business but theirs.

But there are practical arguments against America's increasingly draconian immigration laws too. Enforcement is expensive but, fortunately, almost certain to be ineffectual (if it worked, severe economic downturn would be the result).

The most important of the practical arguments, in my opinion, is that a police state built to persecute immigrants will necessarily persecute everyone else as well.

I've spoken with friends who traveled in the old Soviet Union and eastern Europe before the Berlin Wall came down. They see near-complete similarity between those regimes and the operations of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol forces.

The difference between pre-reunification East Germany and the 100-mile wide "constitution-free zone" along the US-Mexico border is the flag the agencies in question salute. Recent administrations have worked to expand that zone to cover the entire country and the Trump administration seems bent on finishing the job.

The near-total police state blossoming before our eyes is the inevitable result of America's 70-year romance with the astoundingly stupid idea that it's the government's business to monitor and control who travels, lives and works where.

America had legally open borders for its first century as a nation, and nearly so for half a century after that. It wasn't until after World War Two that one even needed a passport to enter or leave the United States.

Open borders worked. Freedom worked.

The subsequent seven decades of attempts at rigorous immigration control have irrefutably established that our choice is not between open borders and closed borders, but between immigration freedom or totalitarian government. And Americans' time to stop the stampede toward the latter is running short.


(Image by Egberto Willies) Details DMCA



Donald Trump presents a silver lining that if realized may be the panacea for a red state like Texas and other red states as well. In an odd kind of way, Trump just may be the catalyst the Progressive movement needed.

President Obama emerged at a time when the American political establishment, Republicans, and Democrats alike, had given the keys to the plutocracy. Trickle-down economics under Reagan and Bush along with the repeal of Glass-Steagall and NAFTA under Clinton made every poor and middle-class American nothing but widgets and commodities.

President Obama created a coalition twice to win two elections healthily. But the ex-President did not create a movement. He did not nurture the coalition post-election. Instead, he spent most of his time attempting to change the policies he believed in to make it more palatable for Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans. That process emboldened the opposition which is a numerical minority who became a political majority. That stance ultimately decimated the Democratic Party throughout the country. Had President Obama nurtured and grown his nascent movement, he would have had a better Affordable Care Act, a better stimulus, and a much more engaged grassroots to mitigate Republican fallacies and sneak attacks.

So far Donald Trump continues to prime his constituents, albeit a small but vocal movement. President Obama rarely did that. Trump is in constant contact with his supporters, and he does almost nothing to undermine them; even the most petulant of them. Many times President Obama would seem to throw his left under the bus.

Americans are no longer waiting for a Messiah. They have finally taken one of President Obama's most effective messages to heart. "You are who you have been waiting for." A document purportedly prepared by a few political representatives' staffers have caught fire. It gave millions of Americans a little guidance to become the catalyst for a real grassroots movement that's been building organically. The Indivisible Guide is everywhere. It is in the hands of working Americans, homemakers, middle-class people, poor people, activists, and those who have never protested or been activists in their lives.

The Indivisible Movement, the resistance, is real. More importantly, it is attached to no party. It is decidedly progressive like most of the country. Many fail to acknowledge our Progressive proclivity in polls, but when asked about our wants and desires in policy and life, they follow the Progressive tenets irrespective of party affiliation.

The fallacy of an overtaxed average American built the TEA Party. Bread and butter issues that are afflicting most Americans is building an already significant Indivisible Movement.

Middle-class and poor Americans never benefit from tax cut windfalls. In fact, it cost them more. That tax cut is a direct transfer of wealth from the middle-class and poor to those with the most means.

When we cut taxes, those with unseemly amounts of underserved earnings and capital get the largest share of these cuts. The middle-class and poor are asked to pay more for tuition, more on toll roads, increased licensing fees, increased health care costs, and many other increased fees that would otherwise be taken care of by fair taxation. Americans are figuring that out.

Donald Trump convinced many in the right areas that the establishment, Republican and Democratic alike, screwed them. Trump made himself the establishment annihilator. To be clear, Hillary Clinton had policies that were decidedly progressive if even with too much of a corporate bias. It would have been orders of magnitude better for Americans than the return of trickle-down economics on steroids under Donald Trump.

The 2016 election did not enthuse most Americans. They were willing to accept Hillary Clinton, but they did not go out in droves to the polls. The election of Trump caught them completely off guard. Trump did not fool most; they just thought he simply could not win. Unfortunately, America is not a democracy because of the electoral college, an ancient constitutional aberration. It does not matter what every American wants. It is about who you are and where you vote. America only comes close to democracy if everyone votes.

Americans realize that they must do something. The burgeoning Indivisible Movement is their tool. In Houston, there are almost daily rallies, letter writings, meetings, and other events forcing the hands of their politicians. As a political blogger, I get tons of emails. Many people reading my posts on recent protests and actions make contact about getting involved.

This morning I received some icing on the cake. My phone rang early this morning. It woke me up. The woman on the other side of the line told me she has been scanning the internet and ran across my name and number and decided to call because she wanted to get involved. She said she has never been politically active but had to get off of the sidelines. She said her husband is staunchly Republican and she did not know what she is (read soft Republican). The woman said she wanted to get involve because she understands that she needs to do her part. The lady told me she does not want to be 'too out there' out of respect for her husband, but he knew that she intended to activate. She will be activated.

The Indivisible Movement and a more enabled Progressive Movement is real. The resistance is as real in Texas as it is throughout the country. Politicians dismiss it at their peril.
From RT



NATO military training exercise

(Image by UK Gov) Details DMCA



When US President Donald Trump dismisses the NATO alliance as "obsolete" what he really means is not withdrawing from the military pact, but rather offloading running costs onto European nations.

Several times during his election campaign, Trump sounded contemptuous about the 28-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization. His comments about it being "obsolete" raised hopes in certain quarters that the 45th president would scale back American military participation in NATO as part of a wider move to reduce US belligerence.

When Trump gave his inauguration speech on January 20, the thrust of his "America First" theme appeared to be a new focus on building US society and infrastructure, as opposed to squandering resources by intervening militarily around the world as under previous administrations.

Trump's oft-stated desire to restore friendly relations with Russia also seemed in keeping with his apparently jaundiced view of NATO. The eastward expansion of the military alliance since the 1990s has been a continual provocation to Moscow. When Trump called the pact "obsolete," that suggested willingness for a new US-Russia detente.

Unfortunately, expectations of a more peaceful, less militaristic US administration are rapidly crumbling.

Only days ago, President Trump delivered a barnstorming jingoistic speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee in Washington DC in which he declared he would oversee the "biggest military build-up in American history."

"No-one is ever going to mess with us," announced Trump to chest-thumping cheers from the audience of "USA! USA!"

Last week, Trump also gave notice he was prepared to launch a new global nuclear arms race. In an interview with the Reuters news agency, he vowed the US must always be "top of the pack" in having nuclear supremacy.

"We're never going to fall behind any country even if it is a friendly country. We're never going to fall behind on nuclear power," said the president.

This follows Trump's reported comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call earlier this month when he repudiated the New START nuclear reduction treaty as a "bad deal" for the US, suggesting he would unilaterally walk away from obligations.

Such a move is reminiscent of former US President George W Bush unilaterally withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty in 2002, which has had ongoing destabilizing repercussions for US-Russian relations.

What we are seeing is a lot Trump rhetoric about "making America great again" and not "imposing our way of life on others" being flatly contradicted by ongoing, hard-boiled practice of American militarism as an essential cornerstone of US policy.

The reality is that the US economy is not the claimed rosy paradigm of "free market capitalism." It is much more a centrally planned, government-subsidized military economy -- a form of corporate welfare, rather than private enterprise. And it has been this way since at least the Second World War.

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Heres a slice of the unvarnished truth: I kind of hate whiskey press releases. By and large, theyre even worse than beer press releases; less designed to give you information and more designed to implant a specific perception of the product. You have to pore over a whiskey press release, and even when you do, you wont necessarily be able to determine exactly what the verbiage means.

Case in point: When I looked at the press release for Stolen Whiskey, I really wasnt sure exactly what the product was supposed to be. The base is a very special 11-year aged whiskey, but what does that mean? If it was bourbon, wouldnt they have used that word? Is it an American single malt, or something else entirely? What is this secondary process involving smoked oak barrel staves? I can typically get this kind of information from the company as a writer, but its worth noting that 99% of the average consumers will not. Most of them will never even make it to the companys website, and those who do will almost certainly stop there. Thats why, in an ideal world, the full information would be available.

Thankfully, when I contacted the folks, I got the full story, and came to realize just how unusual and unique this product is. Stolen Whiskey consists of the following:

 An 11-year corn whiskey. Already, were in weird territory, considering that Ive never had a 100% corn whiskey with that much age on it.

 That whiskey is aged in USED barrels for 11 years at MGPI in Indianaagain, very unusual. Used barrels, as opposed to newly charred oak, are typically being used for scotch and Irish whiskey across the Atlantic, but theyre almost never used for American whiskey.

 This juice then undergoes a secondary process where its re-aged on charred barrel-staves that Stolen takes and smokes, which contributes this whiskeys color. Without this process, I suspect that it would be more scotch-like in appearance.

So what we ultimately have here is a corn whiskey that is being aged like a scotch, before being infused with some smokier flavors via additional aging on smoked wood. Suffice to say, Ive never had anything even close to that description before. So lets get to it; how does it actually taste?

On the nose, this whiskey presents with big notes of sour oak and sort of green woodiness, which fades into richer impressions of toasted marshmallow and vanilla custard. Wood smoke, as from a fireplace or campfire, is present but not overwhelming, for which I was thankful. My palate is sensitive to smoke, and I tend to perceive it more strongly or overwhelmingly than most tasters, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that this one didnt come out as a big smoke bomb. Also present on the nose: Honey sweetness, a bit of apple fruitiness and a slightly medicinal note that is not unpleasant. All in all, its fairly inviting, not too hot, and quite woody.

On the palate, that big rush of oak follows through, but its balanced by quite a lot of honey and corny sweetness. Theres a grainy, almost doughy note there, as well as the smoke you would be expecting, but as on the nose its fairly judicious and well integrated. This is fairly rich, slightly syrupy whiskey, as 100% corn whiskeys sometimes tend to be, but the residual sugar stops before it gets to be cloying. Theres only a touch of alcohol burn, and an accompanying warming in the chest, with minimal lingering spice. Predominant flavors are wood, honey/corn sweetness and smokethe deeper caramelization and vanillans youd expect in a well-aged bourbon are less apparent.

All in all, this is fairly enjoyable stuff for drinkers who like slightly sweeter whiskeys with a touch of smoke. This isnt necessarily the kind of whiskey Im predisposed to personally enjoying, but it exceeded my expectations fairly handily. Im not sure I would use it for a Manhattan, but its sweetness is probably pretty well suited to an old fashioned, or maybe a particularly weird, ryeless take on the Sazerac. This Auckland, New Zealand-based brand will arrive on American shelves in March.

Distillery: Stolen Spirits

City: Auckland, NZ

Style: Smoked corn whiskey

ABV: 46% (92 proof)

Availability: 750 ml bottles, $35 MSRP

Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and whiskey drinker. You can follow him on Twitter.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, Huawei finally unveiled the successor to its first smartwatch, the 2015 Huawei Watch, this week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The new version, aptly named Huawei Watch 2, is thicker, chunkier, sportier and more capable. It now comes with LTE, NFC and built-in GPS, meaning it can accomplish more while separated from your smartphone, but does so at the cost of what made the original so enticing: you actually wanted it on your wrist.

Depending on what camp you fall in, the Watch 2 is either a semi-handsome watch with a clear fitness tilt, or an ugly, bulky monstrosity that looks like a chore to have on all day. I cant comment on the comfort of the watch until Ive worn it, but its clear the company ditched the fashion versatility of the original in favor of technical versatility. Normally, this would be reason for praise. Packing more functionality into a gadget is typically an improvement, but wearables are a different animal. Because they have to be on your body, OEMs have to strike the perfect balance between functionality and comfort, a balance theyve yet to find.

Part of the issue is that companies have no idea what smartwatches are for. The two biggest uses are fitness and notifications, which gives reason to the Watch 2s sportier look. Beyond that, no one is certain what smartwatches should be used for or even what theyll be able to do in the future.

Packing in all those components increases the amount of space you need in the watch which, in turn, increases the watchs overall footprint. Without a clear idea of what feature will appeal to consumers, companies are having to choose between including NFC, LTE and the like at the cost of slick hardware, or sacrificing function for the sake of design and delivering a product that is inferior. Most manufacturers, like LG with its new Watch Sport and now Huawei, are opting for features over fashion. Its not a surprising move, these are technology companies after all and their primary focus is to deliver a product with cutting edge technology. But it might not be the right move.

A large part of what I loved about the original Huawei Watch was its beauty. It looked like a classic, stylish timepiece, not high-tech gadgetry strapped to my wrist. I felt like I could easily wear it with a suit, or on a run, and only need to swap out bands to make it work. It was enticing enough from a design perspective that you were drawn to it in spite of its lack of functionality. Part of that was timing, smartwatches in 2015 didnt have the kind of features they do now, but a larger part was the hardware itself. Even today, Id be more willing to buy the original, without NFC, LTE or GPS, than the sequel.

The new installment loses that versatility thanks to its bulkier case which, even in the Classic variant that styles up the watch significantly, will work best for those with larger wrists. If you love large watches, the Huawei Watch 2 is right down your lane, but for anyone else, the thicker frame (12.6mm to be exact) is a deterrent. The sequel comes with a smaller screen as well, 1.2 inches versus the originals 1.4, despite the larger overall size and takes a hit on the materials side. The new watch is made out of plastic to support the added LTE, though the Classic edition (which does not have LTE support) does offer a metal build. Wearable makers have been criticized in the past for not properly considering the fashion aspect of these devices and that issue continues to rear its head several years into the form factors existence.

As Lauren Goode of The Verge put it in her review of the LG Watch Sport: ...to look at the watch, youd think that a bunch of Google and LG engineers sat in a room and mashed all those parts together without a care in the world for how the thing fits on your wrist.

That sentiment could just as easily be applied to the Huawei Watch 2.

Its a shame, given how gorgeous the original was and how fantastic Huawei has proven to be when it comes to manufacturing gadget hardware, that the company couldnt find a way to include all those nifty features while keeping the design svelte and appealing. Perhaps the best option would have been to separate the Classic more from the standard option. Had the company given the former a slimmer footprint, making it appeal to a wider base of buyers, it could have worked as a worthy successor to the original watch, while the standard Watch 2 moved the line in a more fitness-oriented direction. Instead, both watches appear largely the same, but with the Classic lacking LTE and coming with a more polished metal finish. I will say Huawei did a better job with design than LG, but sacrifices were clearly made. Because of those sacrifices, the sequel to one of the best Android Wear watches is far less intriguing than it ought to be.

With Android Wear 2 now on the market and companies like Motorola backing out of the smartwatch race, Huawei had the opportunity to become the premiere Android smartwatch maker with the Huawei Watch 2. Instead, its offering a device without enough utility to demand a place on your wrist, because no smartwatch currently can accomplish that feat, nor a design enticing enough to have users racing to put it on in spite of its shortcomings. Its stuck, like most smartwatches in 2017, in no mans land.
Tucked inside an oversized brownstone in the exclusive old-money enclave of Gramercy Park, the Players Club is the kind of place that has a mandatory bag check upon entrance into its storied digs. Founded by 19th century Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, whose props from Julius Caesar, Hamlet and classics are displayed throughout; the clubs well-preserved rooms reverberate with its rich history.

The White Horse Theater couldnt have picked a better place to stage Tennessee Williams rarely produced wistful and boozy one-act, A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot, earlier this month. Focusing on two aging party girls who grasp for purpose while on a bender in St. Louis, its their past that drives the show. With marriages a distant but persisting memory, Bessie (Linda S. Nelson) and Flora (Mary Goggin) use excess to try to fill a deepening void. Think Patsy and Edina from Absolutely Fabulous but with less agency.

Williams was an alcoholic and wrote about drunks with unflinching compassion. In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Brick drinks until he hears a click in his mind when everything becomes manageable. Williams admitted to doing this himself. As we meet Bessie and Flora, they burst into an empty tavern thats patiently waiting for a crowd that may never come. The women are at the point in the evening when the booze has obviously taken hold but the satiating click remains elusive. When the waiter (Peter Feliz) serves them two giant fishbowls of beer, a man in the audience bellows, Id like one of those.

The makeshift stage is the entrance to the Players Clubs expansive dining room, creating very little separation between the loosely arranged chairs in the audience and the circular table from which the two women exchange witty barbs, each one cutting a little deeper than the last. The sense of community was amped up by a makeshift bar in the back of the theater serving stiff drinks. I estimated my whiskey soda to be about three quarters pure liquor.

I nursed it throughout the short show, each potent sip bringing me closer to the characters. As dark as the show gets, theres an unrelenting humor that pulses throughout and kept the audience roaring with laughter, even as we could feel the very basic structural foundations of these characters begin to crumble. In the program, Williams explains, there are some very serious matters at which the only thing to do is laugh.

When the actors took their bows and a bland yet soothing jazz band started up, the elation mixed with more ambivalent feelings and melded into disparate conversations as patrons snapped back into their lives and finished their drinks. Later on as the crowd dwindled, Goggin and Nelson emerged in plainclothes and made their way to the bar. As they passed by a small circle of people in conversation, one woman with short blonde hair and an almost overly enthusiastic smile began clapping. She was close enough to have easily spoken to the actresses or invited them into her conversation, but she continued to clap as if to her they remained Bessie and Flora.
The trails told me to respect them today, by nearly shooting me off of the edge of Stage 2, the Edge . It was a good reminder to ride at 80 percent, and reel things in a bit.  Rachael Gurney (GBR)

The first stage was really fun! Really rad corners, and a good way to get loose first thing in the morning.  Matt Patterson, Snowqualamine, Washington  Master Men 40+

Riding the Edge is a unique experience, even in New Zealand where there is no shortage of incredible scenery and riding. I dont think you can find too many trails like this. You have to come to Craigieburn to experience it.  Anna Ma, Auckland, NZL  Master Women 40+

My favorite and scariest part of the day was definitely Stage 2. It was more the anticipation of the exposure that was nerve-wracking. I never actually looked to see how bad it was. But Im glad we rode it; I feel more amped up for what the rest of the week will throw at us. This was my first time to New Zealand, so everything is fresh and exciting.  Jillian Thatcher, North Vancouver, B.C.  Open Women

I am looking forward to Coronet Peak the most. It is so wide open and fast. Although I am a native New Zealander, this was actually my first time to Craigieburn. I was riding all of the tracks blind like everyone else, and I really enjoyed the variety that the race presented.  Jake Paddon, Dunedin, NZL  Open Men

This is my first multi-day gravity enduro, so its interesting to learn how to ride consistently on blind tracks. Im making the transition into enduro riding, so its good to do a race like this to get bulk blind race experience. I have no idea what to expect over the next few days. But thats the beauty of it. Its exciting to view lines in a different light on a 160mm bike versus a hardtail 29r.  Paul van der Ploeg, Melbourne, AUS

DAY 2: OPEN MEN

DAY 2: OPEN WOMEN

DAY 2: MASTER MEN 40+

DAY 2: MASTER WOMEN 40+

OVERALL: OPEN MEN

OVERALL: OPEN WOMEN

OVERALL: MASTER MEN 40+

OVERALL: MASTER WOMEN 40+

Day 2 of the Yeti Trans NZ presented by Shimano brought riders to their edge, incrementally upping the general risk tolerance along scree fields and high-exposure singletrack that dipped and darted along the outskirts of Craigieburn Ski Valley . Although it wasnt the longest day of the week 26 kilometers, 815m of climbing and 907m of descending it fried some nerves and reinforced the perspective that the majority of the race still awaits.Sundays southerly cleared out leaving a crisp, cold morning to begin the climb to the top of Dicksons  a fun, flowy new school trail reinforced with berms, small doubles, a mandatory gap over barbed wire, and kicker to the moon.The monumental climb for the day took riders from the valley floor to the entrance of Craigieburn Ski Valley where the ups are good and the downs are even better. The breathtaking scenery may have been an excuse to take breaks on the 500m climb, but the 360-degree vistas made the prior efforts fade away and recharge the motivation to crest the approach.Gray-scaled mountains towered above the Edge Track with remnants of avalanche terrain marking the very apparent forces of mother nature in this region. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred two days prior to the Yeti Trans NZ, shaking additional scree down the slopes and across portions of singletrack that were barely penciled into the side of the mountain.The Edge dropped directly into Anti-Luge , where riders could flow the trail in reverse of what they transitioned on Day 1. The last two stages were quick sprints and a practice in gravely corner drifting down Coal Pit Spur to Flock Hill Station, where 14 buses awaited the enthusiastic bunch. Stoke levels were at an all-time high with the promise of meat pies for afternoon tea en route to Queenstown. Even the media team took time out of their six-hour drive to take advantage of the golden hour atop of Lyndis Pass.Day 3 will present the gravity-focused folks with the biggest day of descending off of Coronet Peak , down into Skippers Canyon , a noteworthy filming location for for the Ford of Bruinen in Lord of the Rings.Paul van der Ploeg (Melbourne, AUS), former mountain bike eliminator world champion, maintained his lead in the Open Men for Day 2 by 27 seconds, increasing his lead to 47 seconds in the overall over Pete Robinson (Queenstown, NZL), and Mike Cowlin (aka Whiskey Mike).The Open Womens field maintains tighter gaps after two days of racing. Rawley maintains a lead by only 8 seconds over Melissa Newell (aka Mops), and Rachael Gurney 25 seconds behind.Three more days and 13 stages remain in and around Queenstown, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Stay tuned to regular updates on Facebook and Instagram throughout the week, and video recaps on Vimeo . Hashtag your photosto make their way onto the live stream of the Trans NZs Media HQ. For more information email megan@ridingbc.com or visit www.transnz.com 1. Paul van der Ploeg 18:082. Pete Robinson 18:283. Mike Cowlin 18:394. Nate Hills 18:415. Milan Mysik 18:461. Rachael Gurney 23:092. Sarah Rawley 23:123. Mops 23:194. Claire Bennett 23:385. Eva Dethlefsen 23:471. Christian Wingate 19:441. Jose Iniguez 19:443. Matt Patterson 19:571. Robyn Wong 27:232. Chris Bramwell 28:423. Sheila Hart 29:101. Paul van der Ploeg 45:582. Pete Robinson 46:453. Mike Cowlin 46:514. Nate Hills 47:075. Will Caddam 47:131. Sarah Rawley 58:352. Mops 58:433. Rachael Gurney 59:084. Claire Bennett 59:395. Eva Dethlefsen 1:00:101. Christian Wingate 49:332. Jose Iniguez 50:103. Matt Patterson 50:441. Robyn Wong 1:09:502. Chris Bramwell 1:11:053. Sheila Hart 1:15:18Full Results HERE About Megan RoseMegan has been riding and racing bikes all over the world for 14 years and organizing bike events for the past six years. She splits her time between British Columbia and New Zealand, running the Trans NZ and Trans BC. Over the past three years Megan has personally races in over 40 enduro races, timed over 68 days worth of enduro races, and personally organized 30 enduro races. Megan and her team look forward to bringing you the best of the best from all of these perspectives.
Tom Haney Wins the Latest DTD200 Event

February 27, 2017 Matthew Pitt Editor

Tom Haney, a rising star in the poker world, added to his glowing reputation by taking down the 100,000 guaranteed DTD200 event at Dusk Till Dawn, Nottingham this weekend.

Official Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Tom Haney 20,550 2 Malcolm Gorse 12,250 3 Alan Armitage 8,300 4 Anthony Kennedy 6,350 5 Robert Baker 5,100 6 Anonymous 4,150 7 Chi Ken Yau 3,400 8 Thuy Vu Nguyen 2,900 9 Guy Leathley 2,500

Prizes include a 550 ticket

Haney, a regular at Dusk Till Dawn, finished second in the DTD200 event on Feb. 11 and banked 12,500. Now he can boast of a 20,550 score after triumphing in the latest edition of the UKs newest regular tournament.

Feb. 26 saw 135 players return to Dusk Till Dawn and only 53 of those were paid. The talented Ben Vinson was the unfortunate soul who burst the money bubble, leaving Milan Harper, James Clarke, Tom High, Tim Slater, Andrew King, World Series of Poker bracelet winner Lawrence Gosney, Dave Quince, and Guy Taylor to secure a payout.

Once the final table was reached, the minimum any of the nine finalists would receive was 2,500, which is the sum Guy Leathley walked away with when he pushed his pocket kings into the black aces of Malcolm Gorse.

Next to fall was Thuy Vu Nguyen who committed his short stack with king-seven of diamonds and lost to the pocket eights of Haney. Haney sent Chi Ken Yau to the rail when his ace-king prevailed against the dominated ace-jack.

Haney then sent an anonymous player to the sidelines when his ace-king improved to a straight by the river to beat a pair of red fours. Then Haney saw his stack swell even more when his ace-eight stayed best against the king-ten of diamonds of Robert Baker to leave only four players in the tournament.

Four became three when Anthony Kennedys fives didnt beat the eights in the hand of Gorse, then Gorse sent the tournament into the heads-up stage when he sent Alan Armitage to the rail.

Armitage moved all in on the button with what turned out to be queen-jack, Haney reshoved to isolate with black fives only to see Gorse wake up with a pair of aces for an easy call. Gorse flopped a full house and won a massive pot.

Haney trailed Gorse by 5,800,000 to 8,670,000 chips but Haney would have the last laugh. After more than an hour of heads-up play, Gorse found himself all in with against Haneys . A final board reading was no help to Gorse as it gifted Haney all of the chips in play and the 20,550 first-place prize.
TUV Rheinland at the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, more than 75% of the brand representatives interviewed were optimistic about the future growth

By: TUV Rheinland

End

-- In a survey conducted by TUV Rheinland, the internationally renowned testing, inspection and certification organisation, at the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, more than 75% of the brand representatives interviewed were optimistic about the future growth of the market for toys and other children's products. This finding tallied with market forecasts published by Euromonitor. The global toy market is expected to grow by 3% in 2017.The recent Nuremberg Toy Fair (Spielwarenmesse)ranks alongside the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair in January and the American International Toy Fair in mid-February as one of the largest toy fairs in the world. TUV Rheinland interviewed brand-name exhibitors at Spielwarenmesse to gather their opinions on the toy market in 2017. The brand representatives interviewed focused on developing the market in Germany, Western Europe and America. They also planned to enter the UK, Canada, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and India.Educational toys are becoming a new consumer favourite. Science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) educational toys have proliferated in recent years, especially in developed countries. The award-winning products at this year's Nuremberg Toy Fair reflected this trend. The prize-winning product in the age 6 to 10 category was a set of smart building blocks that allows primary-school students to build various models and control their movements by writing programs on tablets. Sales of STEAM educational toys have increased rapidly over the last few years, and this trend is expected to continue.Over half of the interviewed brand representatives named high purchasing costs as their primary concern. As the majority of the world's toys are purchased from China, rising production costs in China and variation in international exchange rates have substantially increased purchasing costs. Suppliers' poor-quality control capability has also caused problems.To ensure that toy products meet quality standards, toy brands cooperate with reputable international product testing and inspection organisations to test and certify the toys they sell. When choosing testing and certification organisations with which to collaborate, 60% of the brands considered the cost of testing and certification to be their top priority, followed by the brand and credibility of the testing organisation, lead time, the presence of a buyer-approval program and the international network of the testing organisation. They ranked TUV Rheinland, which has nearly 150 years of experience, among their top three partners. The respondents also rated TUV Rheinland's brand value and professional service as the best in the industry.A product-certification mark means that a product has passed type testing and factory production inspection to ensure that the product sold on the market is of the same quality as the samples submitted for testing. Nearly 40% of the survey respondents used product-certification marks to facilitate their entry into the international market by highlighting their brand advantage, increasing their sales and boosting their competitiveness. Another 30% indicated that they were assessing the benefits of product-certification marks at the time of the survey. The keywords featured in the TUV Rheinland product-certification mark can be designed in line with customers' product attributes and requirements to highlight their product strengths. The QR code in the mark links to TUV Rheinland's Certipedia certification database ( https://www.certipedia.com/ ) to provide a value-added traceability service for certified products. The use of TUV Rheinland's product-certification mark ( http://www.tuv.com/ en/greater_china/ services/product_ test... ) helps to ensure that a business's products stand out from those of competitors.For more information, please click here (https://jinshuju.net/f/xhEZUX ) to download the full report.
In 2016, Europe was the largest segment of the global robotic lawn mower market, accounting for market shares of 66% and 71% in terms of revenue and volume, respectively.

Robotic Lawn-Mower Market Research Report

Contact

Beige Market Intelligence

***@beigemarketintelligence.com Beige Market Intelligence

End

-- A recent report released by Beige Market Intelligence on "Global Robotic Lawn Mower Market  Strategic Assessment and Forecast 2017-2022" provides a detailed market analysis of the worldwide robotic lawn mower market. The report consists of 142 pages, 20 key sections and more than 87 figures. The key sections are equipped with information about the global robotic lawn mower market. The information include the market size in revenue and volume, latest trends, growth driving factors, market forecast of each segments, analysis of key geographies and key countries. Furthermore the report provides a competitive landscape of the global robotic lawn mower market with porter's five force analysis and also profiles the major as well as emerging vendors.To View Report, Click Here: http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/reports/research-report-agriculture-market/robotic-lawn-mower-market-research-report-2022/The robotic lawn mowers market in Europe grew at a significant rate during the period 20112012. Further, robotic lawn mowers are becoming a mainstream consumer durable product, thereby witnessing a high adoption by end-users in Europe.In 2016, Europe was the largest segment of the global robotic lawn mower market, accounting for market shares of 66.26% and 71.99% in terms of revenue and volume, respectively. Penetration of robotic lawn mowers in the European countries such as Sweden, Germany, France, the UK, Denmark, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland is increasing rapidly. For instance, the Netherlands witness a rise of 46% in the demand for robotic lawn mowers, in value terms, in 2016. Similarly, Germany witnessed a boost of 26% in demand for these devices in value terms in 2016. Europe will continue to dominate the global robotic lawn mower market with the most and significant digits both in sales and revenue.Vendors such as Husqvarna introduced new product variants with better mowing efficiency and high battery backup. These products were technologically advanced than their predecessors and thus, were accepted by end-users at large. Vendors such as Honda, Deere & Co., and Hitachi have also introduced their robotic lawn mowers models in the market. All these factors helped robotic lawn mowers market to increase the total sales in Europe in 2015.Germany Is The Largest Market For Robotic Lawn Mowers In Europe, Followed by SwedenGerman consumers are price sensitive and tech-savvy, and they prefer quality products with advance features. With the advances in technology, vendors are adding newer features to the robotic lawn mowers that can make the process more autonomous. Husqvarna, GGP, ZCS, and Bosch are the top vendors in the market in Germany. Thus, robotic lawn mowers are witnessing a positive growth in the market. Further detailed figures of sales and revenue of robotic lawn mower in Germany is included in the report. Sweden was the second largest European country to contribute in the robotic lawn mower market in Europe.For Table Of Contents and Sample Pages, Click Here: http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/ contactus/request- ... About Beige Market IntelligenceWe are a new-age provider of competitive business intelligence, working across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensures that the market analysis Beige provides is comprehensive, detailed and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations become aware and make educated decisions, as far as investing or devising a marketing strategy is concerned. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis for every level of market segmentation in an industry. Beige Market Intelligence is a quality driven high end Market Research organization. Our team of experts ensure the analysis you receive is not just analyzed and smartly presented, but is completely customized based on the client's requirement. Our deliverables guarantee our current global client base does not look beyond Beige when it comes to any kind of industry and market analysis.
Contact

Quality Villas

***@qualityvillas.com Quality Villas

End

-- With the new feature on the website from Quality Villas, you will soon be able to search for your dream holiday villa in France, Italy or Morocco by searching a range of styles to find one that's right for you. There is a variety of styles to choose from, and if there isn't a pool it means the sea is just next door! As always, the core requirement for all is quality, but you will soon be able to find the perfect villa per your priorities.StylesChateau, Castle, Palace, Manor-houseCheck out our range of regal French chateaus, lakeside palaces and magnificent manor houses. This collection hosts villas with a sense of grandeur, as shown by a large vairety of villas, including La Dame du Casse.Contemporary villasFor those who desire holidays in a modern environment, we have a selection of contemporary holiday villas. Some of the villas listed here may surprise you with their historical exterior, however the ultra-contemporary interiors put them in the same category as classic modernist glass holiday homes. A fine example of a contemporary villa in our range is our luxury villa in the south of France Vue Sur Mer:Country eleganceThese beautifully elegant luxury villas in France, Italy and Morocco hold an amount of decorum that wouldn't feel out of place on the pages of any Country elegance themed coffee table magazine in the world. A good example of this is Villa Elegance in the Dordogne region, which can be found and explored on our website.Modern VillasThese stunning holiday villas are built and designed with all the modern conveniences we expect from a quality villa abroad. This collection can range from an old looking farmhouse with modern furnishings to a classic 21century villa like Villa Tiffany.Old world charmVillas with a style that evokes a period of time. If you're dreaming of quiet afternoons in shaded corners of characterful homes, our old world charm collection of luxury holiday villas just might be for you. This selection will give you a holiday to remember somewhere unique and you will enjoy homes like the Villa Barocca, and all the little odd bits and bobs that come with them.Quirky holiday villasEach villa in this section has been chosen for having a characteristic that would appeal to those looking for a holiday with a difference. Whether this is in the form of a hexagon-shaped pool or an interesting water feature, each of these properties are bound to please those looking to stray from the mainstream. Check out Villa Lanti, which is a great example of all things quirky.Traditional holiday villasThe villas you will find in this section come in all shapes and sizes, including stone walled villas in Provence, beamed reception rooms on the Cote D'Azur, painted murals in Tuscany and lustrous rooms for mint tea in Morocco. Villa Etruria is a prime example of what you can expect whilst staying in one of these villas.Uber luxury villasA sought-after style, a one of a kind location or a range of incredible concierge services set this collection apart from the rest. They all have their own, unique wow factor and offer an experience that goes above and beyond. Our dedicated concierge team can help you to add any number of treats and desires to make it a holiday to remember. Villas similar to Li Parlati will be found in the section.Whichever villa style you decide upon for your holiday this year, you can guarantee that the accommodation will be of exceptional quality. The new lay out of the new Quality Villas website will make it easier for you to browse the villas that are most appropriate for your wants, needs and desires to make the perfect getaway in 2017. Book today for early bird discounts on selected villas!
The analysts at BIS Research have estimated that the Global Solid Waste Management market will increase to $1296.04 billion in 2022.

BIS Research - Market Intelligence Firm

Contact

Mr. Mohammad Faisal

sales@bisresearch.com

+1-650-228-0182 Mr. Mohammad Faisal+1-650-228-0182

End

-- Increased globalization and a surge in population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among others have led to an increase in the overall waste volume globally. According to World Bank in 2012, urban population produced about 1.3 billion tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) which is expected to grow to 2.2 billion tonnes in 2025. The costs for managing solid waste is expected to increase drastically in lower middle (four times) income countries such as India and Brazil among others and even higher in low income countries (five times) such as Kenya and Ghana among others. Therefore, the need for solid waste management has increased largely at a global scale. A market study by BIS Research, titled, "Global Solid Waste Management Market  Analysis & Forecast (2015-2022)" has acknowledged the implementation of solid waste management services in the sustainability industry.Clean energy policies, increased need to restrict the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and involvement of new technologies has played a crucial role in bridging the gap between private sector and public sector and other stakeholders of the industry. Factors such as surge in waste volumes, changing waste types and to reduce operational costs has driven the use of new advanced technologies along the value chain of solid waste management.Uncertainty in policies and "Not in my backyard" (NIMBY) phenomenon is a constant challenge for the effective implementation of solid waste management services. Financing issues due to uncertainty in policies and solid waste management being a capital intensive practice, investors are still reluctant to invest their money to implement projects. As a result to this, the whole burden is bored by government, especially in developing and non-developed countries. But it is estimated that these issues are temporary and the benefits of new technologies such as RFID technology cannot be ignored for long. Opportunities such as use of IoT technologies, digital applications and use of big data is expected to revolutionize the solid waste management industry,The analysts at BIS Research have estimated that the Global Solid Waste Management market will increase to $1296.04 billion in 2022. Environmental impact, increasing population and GDP around the globe and increasing number of smart and megacities are the key drivers for the growth of this market. The objective of the report is to help stakeholders take sound decisions by providing substantial answers regarding the major aspects of the industry including market drivers and opportunities, key development strategies of solid waste management players, market size of types of waste management services and market sizing by geographical analysis.About BIS Research ( http://bisresearch.com/ industry-report/ global-solid- waste... ):BIS Research publishes in-depth market intelligence reports focusing on the market estimations, technology analysis, emerging high-growth applications, deeply segmented granular country-level market data and other important market parameters useful in the strategic decision making for senior management. BIS Research provides multi-client reports, company profiles, databases, and custom research services.The market conclusions drawn are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by BIS Research as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to market fluctuations and business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.
MedShare welcomes former NGO Executive Director as Regional Director in California.

End

-- MedShare has appointed Eric Talbert as the new Western Regional Director. He will serve as Director effective February 27, 2017. Mr. Talbert has over a dozen years of nonprofit communications, volunteer management, and fundraising experience. This experience includes collaborative projects featured on 60 Minutes, HBO, and NBC Nightly News as well as mentions in Forbes, TIME, and The New York Times Magazine. In addition to local Bay Area media like KQED, The San Francisco Examiner, and Hoodline, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and MSNBC have interviewed Mr. Talbert.Mr. Talbert has a personal history with MedShare, having helped send medical supplies to Afghanistan and Sierra Leone in 2011 and 2012 to build healthcare capacity in the regions. As Western Regional Director, he will be responsible for leading fundraising efforts in MedShare's Western Region, creating and fostering community partnerships, and supporting operations in San Leandro. As a member of MedShare's senior leadership team, he will report directly to Charles Redding, the CEO & President. Mr. Talbert's extensive experience and personal dedication to international aid make him a valuable addition to MedShare's team and an asset to MedShare's mission.Mr. Talbert holds a bachelors degree in Psychology from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with minor studies in Anthropology and a master's degree in Media & Communication from The European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. He received the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's College of Liberal Arts Alumnus of the Year Award and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - San Francisco/Bay Area (YNPNsfba) Young Executive Director of the Year Award. A proud board member of the Association of Fundraising Professional's (AFP) Golden Gate Chapter based in San Francisco, Mr. Talbert is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and has a Certificate in Principals and Techniques of Fundraising.About MedShareMedShare is a 501c(3) humanitarian aid organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people, communities, and our planet by sourcing and directly delivering surplus medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world. For more information, please visit the organization's website at http://www.medshare.org/
North Carolina First Lady Kristen Cooper

Contact

Mary Virginia Swain

***@sms.edu Mary Virginia Swain

End

-- Saint Mary's Head of School Dr. Monica Gillespie is pleased to announce that Kristin Cooper, the First Lady of North Carolina, has accepted the invitation to serve as Saint Mary's 2017 commencement speaker. Commencement exercises for Saint Mary's 175th academic session will be held Sunday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., in the school's historic oak Grove in downtown Raleigh. Seventy-seven young women will graduate that day.Kristin Cooper is honored to serve as the next First Lady of North Carolina, a state she has called home for nearly three decades.In her role as First Lady, Mrs. Cooper is working to improve the lives and well-being of children in North Carolina. Her focus is on childhood hunger, literacy, foster care, child abuse and neglect, and the arts. Most importantly, she is shedding light on how all these issues integrate to ensure the social and emotional health of children in our state.The daughter of Geri Bernhardt, an artist, and Sam Bernhardt, a Vietnam veteran and physician, Mrs. Cooper grew up in Oklahoma City along with her three younger sisters. She attended public schools, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma, and then attended Campbell Law School in North Carolina. After graduating law school, she worked as a staff attorney to the legislature in Oklahoma and North Carolina.It was at the North Carolina General Assembly that she met a young legislator from Nash County named Roy Cooper. After they wed, the Coopers settled in Rocky Mount. While Roy served in the legislature and practiced law, Kristin concentrated on their busy family life. The Coopers have three daughters, Hilary, Claire, and Natalie, a 2011 Saint Mary's graduate. Mrs. Cooper and the girls enjoyed singing and acting in local theatre productions, with all four appearing on stage together inAfter Hilary graduated high school in Rocky Mount, the family relocated to Raleigh to be closer to Roy's job as North Carolina Attorney General. Natalie and Claire finished middle and high school and spent many hours at the Raleigh Little Theater, where Kristin served as a member of the Board of Directors, booster and ticket taker--and played the role of mother in many productions.Mrs. Cooper has served as a Guardian ad Litem for children in Wake County for eleven years, using her legal training to represent foster children in court. Guardians ad Litem assure that at-risk children do not become neglected or abandoned. Mrs. Cooper also served two terms on the North Carolina Arts Council, working to support arts and arts organizations.Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, N.C., is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school, dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for young women in grades 9-12. Founded May 12, 1842, Saint Mary's is celebrating its 175anniversary this year. http://www.sms.edu/ -30-
By: Kent State College of Business Administration

Media Contact

Joni Bowen

jbowen1@kent.edu

3306721279 Joni Bowen3306721279

End

-- The Center of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the Department of Economics at the Kent State University College of Business Administration will host Kent State alumnus Daniel Horrigan, Mayor of the City of Akron, at the Kent State Hotel and Conference Center on Wednesday, March 1. The event will take place at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.Horrigan will present, "How Small Businesses Affect Economic Development."Horrigan will discuss the role that public policy (regional and local) can play in encouraging development in the greater Akron and Northeast Ohio regions.Horrigan brought 16 years of distinguished public service to his mayoral position as the 62mayor of the City of Akron. During Horrigan's first year in office, he led a variety of successful initiatives, including rebuilding relationships with the United States EPA and working closely with FirstMerit Corporation as the acquisition by Huntington Bancshares was announced. Horrigan also implemented cost-saving reform of retiree supplemental health benefits.As Horrigan continues to develop his vision for the city of Akron, he will continue to articulate his administration's top priorities: education, income and health.Horrigan earned a bachelor's degree from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Akron.A reception with hors d'oeuvres and beverages will follow the presentation.To register for this event, visit https://cobamarketing.wufoo.com/ forms/m1nkhgfx0hi1r9d/ For more information on the College of Business Administration, visit http://www.kent.edu/business.###is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) and one of the largest colleges of business in Ohio. The College has more than 4,300 students representing 43 countries with over 85 full-time faculty from 16 countries.The college grants undergraduate through graduate degrees, and is one of only three public business colleges in Ohio with a comprehensive Ph.D. program. The MBA program is offered in an accelerated format both online and in-person. The Executive MBA program offers two tracks: one targeting corporate professionals and the other healthcare executives. The M.S. in Accounting and M.A. in Economics are specialized master's degrees for those seeking advanced study in these disciplines. The College also offers a Master of Science degree in Business Analytics (MSBA) that spans all industries and organizations. The college boasts 10 undergraduate majors, 12 minors and a Professional Sales Certificate program.The college is listed as a, ranked as a, one of only 23 accounting programs worldwide to be(Institute of Management Accountants), rankedand(Sales Education Foundation)The college boasts an onsite Career Services Center and International Programs Office dedicated to business students, and operates the Global Management Center, the Center for Information Systems and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation all propelling scholarly research, establishing innovative industry partnerships and providing outreach to Northeast Ohio and beyond.Joni Bowen, Public Relations and Media Specialist, (330) 672-1279, cell: (330) 221-0637, jbowen1@kent.edu
Regina Taylor may be most recognizable as an award-winning actress  one whose talents earned her a Golden Globe, an NAACP Image Award and two Emmy nominations for her portrayal of Lilly Harper in the television series Ill Fly Away.

But, it is Taylors playwriting skills that will be featured in an upcoming production at Carthage College in Kenosha. Her play The Regina Taylor Project: A Seat at the Table will be performed by Carthage theater students March 3 through 11 in the Wartburg Auditorium, on the Carthage campus, 2001 Alford Park Drive.

A Seat at the Table tells the story of Fannie Lou Hamer, a real-life voting activist and civil rights leader who made her way from the sharecropping fields of the Mississippi Delta to Washington, D.C., where she testified before Congress with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s. Hamer was a light, a flame that continues to live on because of the work she did, Taylor said during a recent visit to Kenosha.

Timeless story

While not much is known about Hamer by the general public, Taylor said she cant remember a time she didnt know about the woman who not only dared to be involved in the civil rights movement, but helped shape it by energizing others.

She went from almost being killed because she wanted to vote to being a full-time recruiter for the movement, said Taylor, whose numerous film and stage credits include the films The Negotiator and Courage Under Fire, as well as the honor of being the first Black woman to play William Shakespeares Juliet in Broadways Romeo and Juliet.

Taylor, who has also had a 25-year association with Chicagos Goodman Theatre, said she feels Hamers story is especially important to tell now, in light of what is going on in the world today.

We need to know our history and know where we came from in order to know how to move forward, she said.

Passionate portrayal

Directed by Martin McClendon with music direction by Dimitri Shapovalov, A Seat at the Table will feature 13 student actors, many of whom will play multiple roles. They are a very passionate group of actors, Taylor said, who arent afraid to question things.

Songs of protest and resistance, both from Hamers era and the present, help tell the story. And, while definitely provocative, Taylors play is also a beautiful exploration of the human side of its characters and their journeys, said McClendon, professor of theater at Carthage.

Regina gives us so much material for the actors to work on, he said. We get to know these people and what theyve been through.

Lifelong writer

Writing is something Taylor said shes always done  even before she fell in love with acting, after taking an acting class in college. She credits her mother with empowering her to embrace her own creativity, and said that all of her creative outlets  acting, directing and playwriting  feed off one another.

Ultimately, its about living a creative life and giving back, she said. Creativity has always been something that shes considered a gift, one that is given and meant to be shared, she said.

Taylors work with Carthage students is made possible through the colleges New Play Initiative  an annual program that commissions acclaimed playwrights to create plays and work with theater students in producing them. The program, which is in its ninth year, allows students to be part of the creative process.

Audiences at A Seat at the Table, will also be invited to be part of the process through optional, talk-back sessions following performances, McClendon said. The idea, he and Taylor said, is to encourage conversation, not just with the students, but with the audience.

Performances of A Seat at the Table are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 3,4,9,10 and 11; and 3 p.m. March 5. Tickets range from $8 to $14 and are available online at www.carthage.edu/fine-arts/tickets or by calling 262-551-6661.
The award-winning vehicle tracking and fleet management system is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Frotcom- 20- years- anniversary- logo

Contact

Frotcom International

***@frotcom.com Frotcom International

End

-- Twenty years have gone by since the launch of Frotcom 1.0, conceived at the time as a game-changing system to control vehicle fleets, capable of locating a vehicle in under 5 minutes, wherever it was. Amazing!Launched in 1997, the system has widely grown since then. Today we have an advanced Cloud-based SaaS modular system  a comprehensive Intelligent Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management solution, adopted by thousands of companies worldwide.Over the course of 20 years, Frotcom established itself as a leading technology innovator. The company has recently released a new user interface, designed from the ground up and developed in HTML5, evolving the solution into a more functional tool for fleet managers to make the best of their fleets. Frotcom tools include GPS tracking, sensor monitoring, Driving Behavior Analysis, Route Execution Control, Fuel Management, Workforce Management, Route Planning and Analytics, among others., said: "It has been an amazing journey so far. I'm very grateful to all our team and partners network. It could not have been possible without their support and enthusiasm. To this day, Frotcom maintains the same vision: to provide the most intelligent solutions for professional fleet management, to companies who need intelligent tools to ensure the efficient use of their fleets. We've been here since 1997 and will be here for them in the future, to support their companies' needs."To celebrate the 20th anniversary, Frotcom is introducing a range of initiatives around the year to mark the anniversary milestone and celebrate its achievements. For that purpose, a special anniversary logo was created, to reinforce the celebration. The 20th-anniversary logo is going to figure in all media supports of the brand, such as the website, social media and online campaigns during the year.Customers can celebrate too, as they are going to be contemplated with one of the most important developments to release by Frotcom during the 1st quarter  "Scheduler", an advanced scheduling tool for route optimization developed by Frotcom that chooses the best possible assignment of jobs to vehicles.Valerio Marques, added: "For more information about Frotcom visit http://www.frotcom.com
Web Presence In China's president spoke about digital Chinese marketplace at BC Ministry of Agriculture Event

Media Contact

Olga Gimbal

Marketing Coordinator

olga@wpic.co Olga GimbalMarketing Coordinator

End

-- At the "Expanding Your Presence in China" seminar, Joseph Cooke, the president of Web Presence In China, discussed the basics of how to get into the Chinese online market including the challenges of the Chinese market, initial steps to take, which software to use and other important specifications.The BC Ministry of Agriculture "Expanding Your Presence in China" seminar was held at the Radisson Hotel, Vancouver and attracted BC based businesses and organizations that are planning to enter Chinese market or to improve their current presence there."Companies who own 100 percent Chinese websites have huge opportunities in China's market" mentioned Cooke, highlighting the importance of hosting websites inside the Chinese Firewall. "It is a lot of work to set up a new website in China, but it will pay off right away. With an internet firewall speed of 1.5 Mbps (average in China), it will take 30 seconds to load a foreign website inside of China compared to 2-3 seconds for a locally hosted one.""Where is your market? How are you reaching them? How is the product presence? How are you converting them? These are the key questions to ask yourself before taking your business to the international market" said Cooke.Joseph Cooke is the President and a founding partner of Web Presence In China (WPIC), with over 12 years of experience advising over 300 organizations on online marketing and growth strategies in the Chinese and APAC markets. At WPIC, Joseph is responsible for growth relationships with organizations looking to succeed in the Chinese and APAC markets, while also overseeing strategic planning and deployment of cross border projects.Beijing-based Web Presence In China (WPIC) is an independent, full service digital marketing and IT development agency. Having over 13 years of on the ground experience in the China digital sector, the firm has worked with over 300 global companies and leads a team of 120 people between their global offices. WPIC supports China and the greater APAC region in digital and IT solutions.For more informations please go to http://web-presence- in-china.com
J. Ashley Cooper named Head of Energy Industry Team, Jane Lewis-Raymond and Matt Morais Join as Attorneys

By: Parker Poe

Contact

Susan Ramsey

***@parkerpoe.com Susan Ramsey

End

-- Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, an east coast-based, corporate law firm announced today that partner J. Ashley Cooper is the new head of its Energy Industry Team, and two additional attorneys, Jane Lewis-Raymond and Matt Morais, have joined the growing practice group. The Energy Group, consisting of more than 30 attorneys from across the firm's offices, counsels a broad base of regional and national clients including electric and gas public utilities, renewable energy developers, energy services companies and engineering and construction companies. According to Cooper, "We are purposefully expanding our energy industry team by hiring these two key attorneys who have extensive regulatory knowledge with gas, gas pipeline and organized electric markets. Combining their experience with our firm's growing list of former in-house attorneys increases our bench strength and enhances our ability to partner with in-house counsel to provide efficient and effective service."Cooper leads a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to servicing the energy industry as they navigate regulatory, commercial, financial, tax, land use and environmental work. Resident in Parker Poe's Charleston, South Carolina office since 2012, Cooper practices regulatory and commercial law with a focus on counseling regulated utilities and renewable energy developers. He advises on regulatory compliance issues and state and federal energy regulations. Prior to joining Parker Poe, Cooper served as Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant General Counsel for a Fortune 500 electric and gas utility. He also served as Legislative Director and Counsel to former U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC), where he was the senior advisor on legislative, policy, and political matters, including all energy, judiciary and financial issues.Lewis-Raymond joins the Charlotte office on March 6 as a partner with more than 25 years' experience in energy and corporate law. Over the last decade she has served as the Senior Legal and Chief Compliance Officer at Piedmont Natural Gas Company, retiring as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal, Compliance, and External Relations Officer in October of 2016. In that capacity, Lewis-Raymond had oversight for all aspects of corporate and securities compliance and regulatory issues, focusing on natural gas and natural gas distribution companies and transmission pipeline infrastructure. She has represented natural gas distribution companies on both state and federal levels, and she offers counsel on federal regulatory issues including those implemented by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Lewis-Raymond is a former member of the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission, appointed by former Govs. Bev Perdue and Pat McCrory. She is a frequent speaker on energy-related topics and has twice been championed with area "Most Influential Women" awards.Morais joins the Charleston office as an attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in energy law. Morais has advised clients on federal and state regulatory and policy matters and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirements. He has extensive experience with organized markets and has worked closely with Independent System Operations/Regional Transmission Regulations across the country. Previously, he served as Assistant General Counsel at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and Southwest Power Pool, and as Senior Counsel at PJM Interconnection  three of the nation's larger independent system operators.""We have a long history of representing utilities and renewables and we are eager to bring Jane's and Matt's unique skills and perspectives to our clients," said Parker Poe Managing Partner Tom Griffin.# # #
Genesta sells the office property Atomitie 5 located in Helsinki on behalf of Genestas fund GNBRE (Genesta Nordic Baltic Real Estate). The property was acquired by Areim Fund III. Atomitie 5 is located in the Pitajanmaki area in western Helsinki, close to the Valimo railway station. During Genestas ownership the

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Vorwerk Poland, the producer of top quality household appliances, signed a lease agreement for 464 sq m in Silesia Business Park. Knight Frank acted on behalf of the tenant in the lease process. Skanska Property Poland is responsible for commercializing the site. This May, Vorwerk Poland will open its office

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KTMs partner and stake holder Bajaj manufactures the 125 cc, 200 cc, 250 cc and 390 cc variants of Duke and RC series under the KTM nameplate at their facility in Pune. It is from here that these eight variants are exported to the world.

Now, at the 2016 EICMA last year, KTM the new RC 390. Apart from a refreshed paint scheme, the new KTM RC 390 is also more responsive and sharper in handling. It also gets new adjustable brake and clutch lever, wider mirrors, larger 320 mm brake rotor and a new seat, which makes long rides more comfortable.

Additional updates on offer with 2017 KTM RC 390 include slipper clutch, ride-by-wire, always on headlight (headlamp on-off switch no longer there since 2016 variants), plastic flaps on front fork, revised NOK seal, improved seat cushion, improved alloy wheels, new ECU mounts, adjustable handle bar levers, improved radiator fans for better cooling, and much more.

Unlike the previous edition, which had received under-belly exhaust, the new 2017 KTM RC 390 features a side-mounted exhaust system. Now this was done so as to meet the stricter emission norms in developed countries, especially in Europe.

New KTM RC 390  10 Things No One Told You

With inputs from Rahul Mazumder (Ride With Rahul) we bring you 10 features about the new 2017 KTM RC390 which no one told you. Offered in colors of Orange, Jet Black and White, the RC390 receives a 373.2 cc 1 cylinder liquid cooled engine offering 43.5 PS power and 36 Nm torque.

1

Front Disc  KTM RC390 receives larger 320mm front disc brakes. These larger disc brakes offer better stopping power and being made with aluminum ensures lighter weight even as these new brakes also result in better heat dissipation.

2

Oil Seal  2017 KTM RC390 receives imported oil seal from a reputed Japanese company.

3

Throttle by Wire  This ride-by-wire throttle with adjustable levers also makes its way onto the new RC390 replacing the electronic system seen on its earlier counterpart. This in turn offers better response and is more beginners friendly.

4

White and Orange Paint Scheme  A new paint scheme seen on 2017 KTM RC390 is glossy and UV resistant which means that the strong summer sun does not damage the paint in any way. Its paint scheme is further accentuated by new graphics seen across the bike.

5

A new belly pan design  is narrower and positioned higher than was seen on the earlier model

6

Side mounted Exhaust  The new aluminum silencer now complies with Euro 4 standards. Sounds are smoother and it also offers better idling. This new exhaust system is a combination of stainless steel underbelly pre muffler and aluminum absorption type final exhaust.

7

Shock Absorbers  2017 KTM RC390 gets separate oil and gas canisters which enhances performance. It is internal so is not visible.

8

New Tyre Rating  Seen with H rating which is good for 180-200 kms, the RC390 tyres are also cheaper and available on Amazon at INR 30,000. Front tyres measure 110/70 ZR 17 while at the rear are 150/60 ZR 17.

9

Frame and Chassis  RC390 sits on a tubular space frame made of steel and powder coated. It comes in with 12mm extra padding on seats for added rider and pillion comforts while grab handles for pillion is also evident. It is now 4 kgs heavier than its earlier counterpart, weighing a total of 164.5 kgs.

10

ECU Upgrade  This feature is also noted on the new RC390 with a safety feature which ensures that the bike cannot be started without a key and a security system that cannot be hacked.

Watch the video below, for a detailed understanding.
A Range Rover of one of the most famous Bollywood villain  Danny Denzongpa is in the docks along with 450 other luxury vehicles that were seized by the Maharashtras Regional Transport Office. This crackdown on tax evaders was initiated by Praveen Gedam, Transport Commissioner at RTO in Maharashtras Mumbai region.

This special drive commenced in January 14, 2017 and special flying squads scanned luxury car number plates in the state wherein it was found that a record number of 450 vehicles had evaded payment of taxes. These luxury cars included Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz while among these were Danny Denzongpas Sikkim-registered Range Rover all priced between INR 40 lakhs to INR 2 crores.

Owners of luxury vehicles prefer to register cars in this luxury category in other states, especially considering that registering such vehicles in the state of Maharashtra is a costly affair. The Maharashtra state levies 11-13% tax on luxury cars which is among the highest in the country while owners also have to bear additional charges of Octroi.

The Range Rover belonging to Danny Dengzongpa was registered in Sikkim but was being used by the actor in Mumbai. Andheri RTO release the vehicle after an amount of INR 24.23 lakhs was paid as actual tax by the actor. In addition, a sum of INR 5.33 lakh was charged as interest. To date, INR 2.5 crores has been collected as fines while the RTO expects this sum to go well over the INR 10 crore mark in the days to come.

What the Police has to say

We have a flying squad that keeps an eye out for vehicles carrying registration from other states. On February 13, we found Dannys car with a Sikkim number plate. When he was unable to produce a receipt of the Maharashtra road tax payment, we took over his Range Rover and kept it at the Andheri office. His driver arrived yesterday and paid the quoted amount, following which the car was released. In this case, it amounted to Rs 24.23 lakh, along with a yearly interest of Rs 5.33 lakh, totaling Rs 29.56 lakh. Some dealers misguide customers, telling them they will work around the rule and have the vehicle registered in another state. But this is illegal.
A genomic study of a harmful stomach bacterium finds that foreign strains intermingled with and replaced local strains after the arrival of Europeans and African slaves across the Americas. The study by Kaisa Thorell at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, Koji Yahara at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan and colleagues is published February 23rd, 2017 in PLOS Genetics.

The Americas have been a melting pot, not only for diverse humans for the past 500 years, but also for strains of the microbe Helicobacter pylori carried along in the humans' stomachs. The bacterium persists for decades and commonly spreads from parent to child, but can also colonize new hosts and exchange DNA with local strains. Scientists analyzed 401 H. pylori genome sequences from strains collected in North, Central and South America. They found that European and African strains mixed together across the Americas, with little input from local strains, suggesting that the bacterial populations evolved quickly and spread rapidly to people of different ethnicities. Further analysis finds that the ability of a strain to adapt to a different ethnic group relies on a handful of human immune system genes.

This study of H. pylori populations in the Americas sheds new light on the relationship between human migration and bacterial diversity, but also has implications for human health. H. pylori is a major health issue in Latin America where it contributes to ulcers and high rates of stomach cancer. Previous studies have identified a link between cancer risk and a mismatch between the ethnicity of the patient and the origin of the bacterial strain. The current findings may be useful for future explorations of the connection between individual bacterial strains and their associated risk of causing stomach cancer in different human populations.

According to coauthor Daniel Falush "Helicobacter pylori has often been described as a pathogen which is mostly passed from parent to child. Our study shows that in the Americas its evolution has been much more dynamic. Native American strains have been largely outcompeted. Bacteria of African origin seem to have done particularly well, hybridizing with strains of European origin and forming distinct new sub-populations, adapted to local conditions, in North, Central and South America."
Climate change from political and ecological standpoints is a constant in the media and with good reason, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist, but proof of its impact is sometimes found in unlikely places.

"Discussions of climate change usually are focused on changes occurring in polar and temperate zones, but tropical regions also are expected to experience changes in regional precipitation," said Dr. Kirk Winemiller, AgriLife Research fisheries scientist and Regents Professor in the department of wildlife and fisheries sciences at College Station.

Winemiller and his Brazilian colleagues analyzed a long-term database, 1999-2014, of fish survey statistics and hydrology in the central Amazon and discovered a direct correlation between water quantity and quality with the types and number of fish species found.

"The change occurred following the severe drought in that region in 2005, and the hydrologic regime and fish assemblage have not returned to their previous states since," Winemiller said.

The research report, "Simultaneous abrupt shifts in hydrology and fish assemblage structure in a floodplain lake in the central Amazon," was published recently in Scientific Reports, the online publication of Nature.

"The Amazon region is showing evidence of altered rainfall patterns," Winemiller said. "Until this study, with few exceptions, studies of potential effects of climate change in the Amazon have focused on forests and other organisms on land.

"Since the drought, many fish species are less abundant within the study area, while others have increased. Smaller species with high reproductive rates have increased, while large species, including those with the highest consumer market value, have become less prevalent."

As an example, Winemiller cited the relative abundance of the tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, one of the region's most valuable species in Amazon fish markets, declined in relative abundance within the study area after the 2005 drought and has not increased its numbers since. He said the species feeds on fruits and seeds in flooded forests and is sensitive to changes in the annual flood regime hydrology.

Winemiller said the changes within the fish species appeared to be associated with how the fish species respond differently to changes in habitat quality and the connectivity of the river channel with aquatic habitats in the floodplain at various water levels and times of the year.

"The study reveals that climate change is impacting tropical regions with consequences not only for terrestrial ecosystems, but for aquatic ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity and fisheries as well," he said. "It shows that future fisheries management in tropical regions will need to account for how changes in precipitation and hydrology influence ecological factors affecting fish stocks."
Mars' mantle may be more complicated than previously thought. In a new study published in the Nature-affiliated journal Scientific Reports, researchers at LSU document geochemical changes over time in the lava flows of Elysium, a major martian volcanic province.

LSU Geology and Geophysics graduate researcher David Susko led the study with colleagues at LSU including his advisor Suniti Karunatillake, the University of Rahuna in Sri Lanka, the SETI Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA Ames, and the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie in France.

They found that the unusual chemistry of lava flows around Elysium is consistent with primary magmatic processes, such as a heterogeneous mantle beneath Mars' surface or the weight of the overlying volcanic mountain causing different layers of the mantle to melt at different temperatures as they rise to the surface over time.

Elysium is a giant volcanic complex on Mars, the second largest behind Olympic Mons. For scale, it rises to twice the height of Earth's Mount Everest, or approximately 16 kilometers. Geologically, however, Elysium is more like Earth's Tibesti Mountains in Chad, the Emi Koussi in particular, than Everest. This comparison is based on images of the region from the Mars Orbiter Camera, or MOC, aboard the Mars Global Surveyor, or MGS, Mission.

Elysium is also unique among martian volcanoes. It's isolated in the northern lowlands of the planet, whereas most other volcanic complexes on Mars cluster in the ancient southern highlands. Elysium also has patches of lava flows that are remarkably young for a planet often considered geologically silent.

"Most of the volcanic features we look at on Mars are in the range of 3-4 billion years old," Susko said. "There are some patches of lava flows on Elysium that we estimate to be 3-4 million years old, so three orders of magnitude younger. In geologic timescales, 3 million years ago is like yesterday."

In fact, Elysium's volcanoes hypothetically could still erupt, Susko said, although further research is needed to confirm this. "At least, we can't yet rule out active volcanoes on Mars," Susko said. "Which is very exciting."

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Susko's work in particular reveals that the composition of volcanoes on Mars may evolve over their eruptive history. In earlier research led by Karunatillake, assistant professor in LSU's Department of Geology and Geophysics, researchers in LSU's Planetary Science Lab, or PSL, found that particular regions of Elysium and the surrounding shallow subsurface of Mars are geochemically anomalous, strange even relative to other volcanic regions on Mars. They are depleted in the radioactive elements thorium and potassium. Elysium is one of only two igneous provinces on Mars where researchers have found such low levels of these elements so far.

"Because thorium and potassium are radioactive, they are some of the most reliable geochemical signatures that we have on Mars," Susko said. "They act like beacons emitting their own gamma photons. These elements also often couple in volcanic settings on Earth."

In their new paper, Susko and colleagues started to piece together the geologic history of Elysium, an expansive volcanic region on Mars characterized by strange chemistry. They sought to uncover why some of Elysium's lava flows are so geochemically unusual, or why they have such low levels of thorium and potassium. Is it because, as other researchers have suspected, glaciers located in this region long ago altered the surface chemistry through aqueous processes? Or is it because these lava flows arose from different parts of Mars' mantle than other volcanic eruptions on Mars?

Perhaps the mantle has changed over time, meaning that more recent volcanic eruption flows differ chemically from older ones. If so, Susko could use Elysium's geochemical properties to study how Mars' bulk mantle has evolved over geologic time, with important insights for future missions to Mars. Understanding the evolutionary history of Mars' mantle could help researchers gain a better understanding of what kinds of valuable ores and other materials could be found in the crust, as well as whether volcanic hazards could unexpectedly threaten human missions to Mars in the near future. Mars' mantle likely has a very different history than Earth's mantle because the plate tectonics on Earth are absent on Mars as far as researchers know. The history of the bulk interior of the red planet also remains a mystery.

Susko and colleagues at LSU analyzed geochemical and surface morphology data from Elysium using instruments on board NASA's Mars Odyssey Orbiter (2001) and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (2006). They had to account for the dust that blankets Mars' surface in the aftermath of strong dust storms, to make sure that the shallow subsurface chemistry actually reflected Elysium's igneous material and not the overlying dust.

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Through crater counting, the researchers found differences in age between the northwest and the southeast regions of Elysium -- about 850 million years of difference. They also found that the younger southeast regions are geochemically different from the older regions, and that these differences in fact relate to igneous processes, not secondary processes like the interaction of water or ice with the surface of Elysium in the past.

"We determined that while there might have been water in this area in the past, the geochemical properties in the top meter throughout this volcanic province are indicative of igneous processes," Susko said. "We think levels of thorium and potassium here were depleted over time because of volcanic eruptions over billions of years. The radioactive elements were the first to go in the early eruptions. We are seeing changes in the mantle chemistry over time."

"Long-lived volcanic systems with changing magma compositions are common on Earth, but an emerging story on Mars," said James Wray, study co-author and associate professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech.

Wray led a 2013 study that showed evidence for magma evolution at a different martian volcano, Syrtis Major, in the form of unusual minerals. But such minerals could be originating at the surface of Mars, and are visible only on rare dust-free volcanoes.

"At Elysium we are truly seeing the bulk chemistry change over time, using a technique that could potentially unlock the magmatic history of many more regions across Mars," he said.

Susko speculates that the very weight of Elysium's lava flows, which make up a volcanic province six times higher and almost four times wider than its morphological sister on Earth, Emi Koussi, has caused different depths of Mars' mantle to melt at different temperatures. In different regions of Elysium, lava flows may have come from different parts of the mantle. Seeing chemical differences in different regions of Elysium, Susko and colleagues concluded that Mars' mantle might be heterogeneous, with different compositions in different areas, or that it may be stratified beneath Elysium.

Overall, Susko's findings indicate that Mars is a much more geologically complex body than originally thought, perhaps due to various loading effects on the mantle caused by the weight of giant volcanoes.

"It's more Earth-like than moon-like," Susko said. "The moon is cut and dry. It often lacks the secondary minerals that occur on Earth due to weathering and igneous-water interactions. For decades, that's also how we envisioned Mars, as a lifeless rock, full of craters with a number of long inactive volcanoes. We had a very simple view of the red planet. But the more we look at Mars, the less moon-like it becomes. We're discovering more variety in rock types and geochemical compositions, as seen across the Curiosity Rover's traverse in Gale Crater, and more potential for viable resource utilization and capacity to sustain a human population on Mars. It's much easier to survive on a complex planetary body bearing the mineral products of complex geology than on a simpler body like the moon or asteroids."

Susko plans to continue clarifying the geologic processes that cause the strange chemistry found around Elysium. In the future, he will study these chemical anomalies through computational simulations, to determine if recreating the pressures in Mars' mantle caused by the weight of giant volcanoes could affect mantle melting to yield the type of chemistry observed within Elysium.
RACINE  A couch fire caused $30,000 in damage to a two-family residence Sunday evening, according to a Racine Fire Department release.

The fire at 1717 Winslow St. began at about 5 p.m. Sunday. It originated from the second floor of the building and caused significant smoke and heat damage to the entire floor. The first floor also sustained substantial water damage and the entire home is uninhabitable, according to the release.

No one was injured in the blaze, as the residents were awake at the time of the fire and were able to exit the building, the release states. The Red Cross was called and the displaced residents were given housing.

The fire remains under investigation, according to the release.
A group of researchers led by Visiting Professor Takashi Yoshikawa developed the world's first system for flexibly providing high-performance computation by cloud computing.

Conventional systems for providing high-performance computation by cloud computing was performed by a special server in a fixed configuration, which had a problem of high cost and poor utilization efficiency. The system developed by this group can provide a computing system capable of handling requests from a user (jobs) by controlling numerous ordinary servers, enhancing work efficiency. By using management software, this computer system can change not only system components such as the number of servers, network connection, and data storage, but also hardware such as Graphics Processing Units (GPU) and Solid State Drives (SSD).

In addition, this group developed a job-resource integrated management system that can change system components according to the nature of a job as well as functions and performance necessary for running a computation job. This has made it possible to provide a computation resource by building a computation system appropriate for user requests by job and efficiently execute the job by reducing wait time of the whole job on queue in cloud computing. This system allows anyone to start analysis of IoT (Internet of Things) data and Big Data and scientific computation in a cloud computing environment.

Currently, the use of high-level computation in the fields of science and engineering is on the rise and it is hoped that this group's achievements will expand the horizon of the usage of and promote sophistication of the system.

The operation of this system was demonstrated at Super Computing 16 which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA from November 13 through November 18, 2016.
When the Google Assistant launched, it was primarily only available on the Google Pixel phones and Google Home. Well, Google announced Sunday it is now rolling out to more Android devices. Specifically devices running Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

The Google Assistant will begin rolling out this week to English users in the U.S., followed by English in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as German speakers in Germany, Google added.

Google Assistant is more of a conversational feature, not just search but truly acts as a personal assistant. You can ask questions like whats my confirmation number for my London flight? Take me to Museu Picasso. Show my photos of sunsets in Tahoe. Do I need an umbrella today? Turn on the living room lights. The list goes on and on.

With Zineb on that team, I am sure they will do amazing things.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld and Twitter.
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Soldiers fire an M109A6 Paladin from a tactical assembly area at Hamam al-Alil, in support of the start of the Iraqi security forces' offensive in West Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 19, 2017. They are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. More than 60 Coalition partners have committed themselves to the goal of eliminating the threat posed by ISIS and have contributed in various capacities to the effort. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull)

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Russian and foreign economists agree that Russian economic growth will continue to be weak into the 2020s even if the price of oil rise sharply. While the rest of the world continues to see an average of three percent GDP growth a year Russia will be stuck at two percent a year, or worse. Since 2014 the government has insisted that the economy was under control. That was only partly true. The government had made progress in restoring the police state that had been dismantled in the 1990s and that has interfered with economic growth. Another limiting factor are the continued Western economic sanction, which Russians are told by their government are no longer a problem. That is not true. Ukraine, in large part because they are not dependent on oil exports or suffering from sanctions, are expecting three percent GDP growth in 2017.

But in Russia even the government admits that its all about oil. Until now the government predicted that the economy would stabilize once oil was over $50 a barrel and GDP growth would resume. That happened in late 2016 but the price rise has stalled and that apparently will not change. That appears to be halting the shrinking (.6 percent in 2016) of the GDP but best case for 2017 be two percent GDP growth. The reality is that the real average income of Russians has, as of the end of 2016, been declining 25 months in a row and the decline continues. With so many people seeing their income decline corruption is getting worse, despite vigorous (or at least well publicized) efforts to curb it. The number of best educated and capable Russians who have left the country since 2014 is over 1.5 million. The poor are getting poorer and more Russians are slipping into poverty. The military is telling its veteran officers and NCOs that a new benefit for ex-military personnel is preferential treatment when it comes to getting unemployment benefits. There is still the implied promise of a government job for retired officers but, well, you know hard times and all that. And then there are the foreign cash reserves, essential for buying imports. Those reserves will be exhausted later in 2017 or in 2018. So no, the economic news is not good so it is not discussed much in the state controlled mass media. The Internet is another matter, despite ongoing government efforts to shut down that access to what is really going on (or at least other opinions about what the government report).

North Korea

The government generally follows Chinese policy regarding North Korea and to that end Russia is preparing to break diplomatic relations (and most trade agreements) with North Korea in light of the recent North Korean use of VX nerve gas to assassinate Kim Jong Nam, the older brother of North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un. The brothers did not get along and the older one was under the protection of China. Russia, like China, was already angry about continuing North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile development. Russia also joined with China to try and halt South Korean plans to obtain and put into service the American THAAD anti-missile system. South Korea wants THAAD for protection from North Korean missile attack. The Chinese would not come right out and say it but they object mainly because THAAD would also make South Korea less vulnerable to intimidation by Chinese ballistic missiles. Russia South Korea openly refused to comply with the Chinese threats in 2015 and South Korean public opinion became even more enthusiastic about the high tech and very expensive (over $100 million per launcher and associated equipment) THAAD system. China sees South Korea more of an ally of the United States and a potential wartime foe than as an ally in attempts to keep North Korea from doing anything that would cause major economic and diplomatic problems (like starting a war). South Korea ignores the Chinese threat noting that China has done nothing to interfere with the profitable trade between the two countries. Russia opposes THAAD for the same reasons China does.

Ukraine

Ukraine continues to block Russian efforts to take more territory in the east (Donbas) and is apparently using some novel tactics to slowly regain control of territory. Not that its making much of a difference in persuading the Russians to leave. There is another indefinite ceasefire in Donbas, which began in late December and ended after a few days as the number of unprovoked attacks by the Russian backed rebels resumed and kept increasing. Despite that the casualty rate has been reduced. In the last two years the fighting in Donbas has left about 3,700 dead. That is a sharp decline from the first year of the war, where there were nearly twice as many deaths. One thing that hasnt changed is the high proportion of casualties (about two-thirds) are civilians. By mid-2017 the death toll will pass 10,000, with nearly three times as many wounded. Nearly two million Ukrainians have been displaced, although over half of that took place by early 2015. About 15 percent of the Ukrainian military dead were volunteers, often locals, hastily organized into battalions and these were crucial is halting the initial Russian attempts to grab all of Donbas. Meanwhile it is costing Russia about $2 billion a year to support the rebel controlled half of Donbas. Russian currency circulates there as do about 5,000 Russian soldiers, most of them dressed as local rebels (most of whom are ethnic Russians).

In Ukraine the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) is recognized by Russia and is supposed to be monitoring the situation in Donbas. That has proved to be difficult because the Russian backed rebels (and sometimes Russian troops pretending to be rebels) regularly interfere with OSCE monitoring team. This year that harassment has concentrated on the commercial UAVs (usually quad-copters) the monitors increasingly use for their inspections. The rebels will often arrest the monitors at gunpoint and confiscate or destroy their UAV. Rebels will usually shoot down OSCE UAVs and claim it was an accident. Russia has apparently been closely monitoring OSCE in Ukraine. This became clear after a hacker attack in November that hit OSCE personnel in Ukraine. This hack was similar to the one carried out against government networks throughout Ukraine. The Russians ignore or harass OSCE whenever they feel the need to, or simply feel like it. The pro-Russian rebels continue to block the movement of observers in their territory. The OSCE has found that Russian backed rebels are responsible for most (sometimes 90 percent) of the violent incidents in eastern Ukraine. The hundreds of OSCE monitors in eastern Ukraine and Donbas, whose job is to oversee the ceasefire, have been complaining since 2015 that they are being restricted by rebels and, less frequently Ukrainian forces from carrying out inspections. Since early 2016 the rebels have been violating the ceasefire on a daily basis. Anyone in or near Donbas (as a lot of foreign journalists are) can hear or see the daily machine-gun, mortar, rocket and artillery fire by Russian and rebel units. Russia denies everything and insists that any evidence is fabricated. Some OSCE observer teams report coming under rebel fire which, in some cases, is believed to be deliberately directed at the OSCE personnel.

Ukraine is recovering from the economic damage suffered because of the war with Russia and is coming to realize that the biggest problems Ukraine is facing are internal. Yet despite the continued widespread corruption in 2016 Ukrainian GDP grew 1.5 percent and is expected to be three percent in 2017. In contrast 2015 GDP declined 10 percent. But the corruption is still in play and most obvious when it comes to the growing defense budget. The U.S. is not happy with all the continued plundering of the Ukrainian defense budget and threatens to cut support unless the Ukrainian officials stop the stealing and cooperate with each other for the common good.

Recent opinion polls show that the majority of Ukrainians would now vote to join NATO and move closer to the less corrupt and more prosperous West. For the last decade Russia has threated to declare war if Ukraine joined NATO. Because of this by 2009 the U.S. lost its enthusiasm for letting Ukraine join NATO, thus leaving Ukraine on its own to deal with Russian aggression. That led to a popular uprising in 2014 that ousted a pro-Russian (and very corrupt) president of Ukraine and triggered an undeclared Russian war against Ukraine.

The Unstable Unnaturals

The unusual alliance of Iran, Turkey and Russia is seen by all three countries as historically unnatural and unsustainable. But decades of arms sanctions forced Iran to depend mainly on Russia and China for what arms (or military equipment) it could get. Russia has shown itself to be a reliable supplier and able to deal with Iranian efforts to take unfair advantage of that relationship. But for centuries Iran has been fighting the Russians and Turks over who had the most power, control and influence in the areas where they were neighbors. Each of the three still have fundamental differences with the other two and popular opinion in all three nations shows widespread distrust of these unnatural allies. The Turkish government justifies the alliance with Iran and Russia in Syria by referring to increased cooperation with Russia and Iran since the 1990s. But in Syria the Turks have to deal with the fact that Iran is run by a religious dictatorship and Turkey and Russia are not. Iran justifies breaking agreements by blaming it on the many religious fanatics in its government and military. Russia is willing to ignore that sort of thing, Turkey isnt. At the same time a growing number of Iranians openly demonstrate against the alliance with Russia, especially highly visible things like the continued use of Iranian airspace by Russian military aircraft travelling to and from Syria. For decades (in part because of the Russian attempt to occupy Afghanistan in the 1980s) Russia was depicted (by Iranian media, governments and personal experience) as a dangerous enemy of Iran. Russia and Iran still have some major issues. Russia openly supports Israels efforts to defend itself from Hezbollah or Iranian missile attacks. Despite all the frictions the three unusual allies in Syria are making the best of an unnatural, and likely temporary, situation.

Libya

In Libya Russia has decided to back the faction (HoR) the UN and the West does not approve of. The Libyan unity government known as the GNA (Government of National Accord) was created in late 2015 with the support of the UN and the West. GNA took control of Tripoli (the traditional capital) in early 2016 but has been unable to placate or unite the many factions that have been keeping the country in chaos since 2012. The rival HoR (House of Representatives) government based in Tobruk controls eastern Libya and, more importantly, most of the oil production facilities. HoR is better organized, united and hostile to Islamic radicals and terrorists of any sort. HoR gained the very public support of Russia in 2016. That was when Russia printed new currency for HoR and providing unspecified (because of the UN arms embargo) military support. Russia also provides HoR with some support inside the UN as Russia is one of the few countries that can veto proposed UN resolutions. The GNA made a major mistake early on by underestimating the resurrected Libyan Armed Forces and its leader general Khalifa Belgacem Hiftar. Russia did not make that error. In part because of several (since 2016) visits from general Hiftar Russia has now agreed to sell HoR weapons. The GNA has asked NATO to provide assistance in recruiting and training a new military. Most of what was left of the pre-2011 Libyan armed forces was rebuilt by Hiftar, who was a Libyan Army officer who turned against Kaddafi in the 1980s and received asylum in the United States. But Hiftar was unacceptable to some of the factions the UN had united to form the GNA and that turned out to be a bad decision. The HoR has now asked Russia for economic assistance and state controlled Russian oil company has agreed to work with the Libyan NOC (National Oil Company) to repair, upgrade and expand Libyan oil facilities. Hiftar visits Egypt regularly and has managed to keep Egypt, a few other Arab states providing support. Egypt allows banned goods (like weapons and ammo) to cross the border unhindered. Russia and many Arab states are pressuring the UN to rethink its Libyan strategy and its support for the GNA.

February 24, 2017: The U.S. is leading an effort to have the UN impose new sanctions on Syria for continuing to use chemical weapons. Russia said it would use its veto in the UN to prevent that.

February 20, 2017: In eastern Ukraine another ceasefire began on the Donbas front. Like the earlier ones it wasnt really observed by the Russian backed rebels.

February 19, 2017: Russia announced that it would ensure that Iranian forces in Syria, including Hezbollah) leave Syria once the civil war there was over. Israel was happy with that, Iran was not.

February 16, 2017: In central Syria (near Homs) four Russian troops died and two were wounded by a roadside bomb. Russia has managed to keep its casualties very low in Syria but as the Assad government it supports reclaims more territory from the rebels Russian troops are going to be at greater risk. For that reason Russia pays well (lots of bonuses) for military personnel or contractors who will serve in Syria. Russia also has the state controlled media praise the service of who spend time in Syria and honor those who die there.

February 15, 2017: A Russian electronic intelligence ship (spy ship) moved up the east coast of the United States and to within 50 kilometers of a major submarine base in Groton Connecticut (between Boston and New York). In 2015 a similar ship arrived in Cuba for a visit, the day before American diplomats were to arrive to discuss resuming diplomatic relations. Both visits were believed more for publicity than to collect useful information.

February 13, 2017: In Syria a second battalion of Russian police arrived to help protect bases used by Russian forces and other vital facilities (like hospitals). This battalion recruited police (most of them Moslem) in the Caucasus, mainly Ingushetia. The first Russian police battalion arrived in December 2016 and was assigned to Aleppo. Russian media played up the fact that so many Moslems were in the second battalion and that this was an example of Russian Moslems helping Middle Eastern Moslems. There hasnt been much of that since the Cold War (1947-91).

February 11, 2017: Iran told Russia that continued use of Iranian air space (for Russian military aircraft to take a shortcut to Syria and back) would depend on continued cooperation between Russia and Iran on Syrian matters.

February 9, 2017: In northern Syria, outside al Bab, a Russian airstrike in support of Turkish troops hit a building Turkish troops were in and killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded 11. Turkey and Russia did not agree on who was at fault here in a case of bad information or miscommunication. Elsewhere in the area Russian troops intervened and halted fighting between Syrian troops and FSA rebels who are working with Turkish forces to drive ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) out of al Bab. Syria has tolerated rebels who will, at least temporarily, cooperate in going after common foes (usually ISIL).

February 8, 2017: In eastern Ukraine (Donbas) another pro-Russian rebel leader (Mikhail Tolstykh) was killed. At first it appeared that the assassins were armed with a flamethrower who caught Tolstykh alone in his officer. But further analysis showed that the assassin used a Russian rocket launcher that fired a thermobaric (fuel-air explosive) into his office. Thermobaric explosions often leave the wreckage looking like someone used a flamethrower. Tolstykh was the commander of the Somali battalion and the latest of several Russian backed rebel leaders who have been assassinated. He is the first to die in 2017. The last such death took place in late 2016. The rebels blame these attacks on Ukraine but people in rebel held areas believe this is how Russia is trying to maintain discipline among the rebels, many of whom are Russians who came to join the rebels seeking fame and fortune. A growing number of rebel leaders are refusing to follow orders from their Russian patrons and despite these assassinations, continue to be unreliable. Tolstykh is an ethnic Russian who was born in Donbas. Ukraine believes some of these rebel leaders are being killed by Russia to prevent unreliable rebel leaders from confirming to war crimes investigators the extent of Russian involvement in the Donbas. Tolstykh was already under investigation (by the UN) for war crimes. Russia denies arming, training or financing the rebels but boast in Russian media of developing new and improved tactics and subversion techniques in Ukraine. This can be seen in how they have handled troublesome allies like Tolstykh. Back in the Soviet days Tolstykh would be declared an enemy of the people and after a brief show trial would face revolutionary justice. But Tolstykh was hailed as a hero and there was two days of mourning in Donbas to honor the rebel hero. But the locals know better and talk about it. I mean, seriously, a guy walks into your office with a flamethrower? It does sound scarier than thermobaric.

February 7, 2017: In Syria a Russian ship delivered fifty SS-21 missiles. This is the largest Russian ballistic missile shipment to Syria in decades. Originally introduced in 1976 the SS-21 has long been a popular export item. Russia still maintains a force of 300 SS-21 launchers (a special truck design for carrying and launching one missile). Before 2011 Syria had 210 SS-21 missiles and a smaller number of launchers. There used to be more but Syria apparently sold North Korea some SS-21 launchers and missiles in 1996, for the purpose of allowing North Korea to copy the design. The original SS-21 model had a range of 70 kilometers, but the current one is good for 120 kilometers, or as much as 185 kilometers for the model Russia will not export. SS-21s weigh two tons and carries a half ton warhead. The SS-21 warheads can land within 75 meters of its aiming point and apparently all of the pre-2011 Syrian ones were used or destroyed on the ground since 2011.

A Russian official confirmed that Russia had promised Israel that Russian weapons would not be given to Hezbollah. It is believed such arrangements include quietly providing Israel with targeting information in the event that Hezbollah does get possession of Russian weapons.

February 4, 2017: In northwest Syria (Latakia province) five Russian soldiers died when the armored vehicle they were transporting ammunition in exploded. This was believed to be an accident, not deliberate.

February 2, 2017: The Proton satellite launching rocket has not been used since June 2016 because of reliability problems. Investigators believe they have found the problem (faulty components in some of the engines) and which rocket motors have them. Repairs are being made but Proton probably wont be cleared for launching again until mid-2017. This is but the latest problem with the troubled Russian space flight industry. In early 2016 the government ordered everyone in the Russian Federal Space Agency to prepare for an unprecedented round of inspections. In addition all suppliers were to be recertified. What triggered this was persistent problems with poor quality components and human error in the space program. It wasnt just the Proton rockets. There was a recent incident where the launch of a Soyuz rocket was delayed because of a faulty cable. The decision to inspect everyone came after several years of vigorous and often very public efforts to eliminate the flawed components and poor workmanship. For example in 2013 the government revealed that the cause of a recent satellite launch failure was criminal negligence by space program workers and managers. The failure occurred at the Soviet era Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan when a Russian Proton-M rocket exploded ten seconds after launch, destroying three Glonas satellites it was carrying. This disaster cost Russia over $200 million and further blemished the reliability of Russian satellite launch services. The satellites, being state property, were not insured so the total loss comes out of the government budget. An investigation of the wreckage soon revealed that the cause of the Proton-M failure was the installation of a sensor upside down, which caused the rocket control system to believe the rocket was going in the wrong direction. The rocket them tried to adjust for the incorrect sensor signal and began behaving erratically and crashed. There were supposed to be visual inspections of all installed equipment and the government is seeking to discover who did not do their job. This is supposed to lead to prosecution of whoever was responsible. During the Soviet period (1921-1991) those responsible for disasters like would often be executed or imprisoned. But now the government corruption and inefficiency makes it difficult to get competent people to run operations like the Space Agency. That has been partially successful but the quality control and competence problems persist as the current Proton problem demonstrates. Government inspectors reported that the core problem is inept management and poor worker morale at plants where rocket components are manufactured and assembled. This was a problem during the Soviet period but was kept quiet. After the Cold War ended details emerged and confirmed suspicions in the West that this was a problem throughout Russian industry. It still is.

February 1, 2017: In the Black Sea a Ukrainian military transport flying through Ukrainian air space was fired on by a Russian anti-aircraft system, which damaged the two engine transport.

January 30, 2017: The government reported that in 2016 at least 140 Islamic terrorists were killed by the security forces. Some deaths could not be verified because battles took place in remote areas where not all the bodies are found right away. It was known that 24 of those deaths were of wanted Islamic terrorist group leaders. Most of the Islamic terrorist violence takes place in the south (the Caucasus), mainly in Dagestan and Chechnya. There have been many more arrests. The most violent groups have declared themselves as allies (or subordinate to) ISIL. Russia also reported that it believes about 4,000 Russian Moslems have gone to join ISIL in Syria, along with another 5,000 Moslems from nations that were part of the Soviet Union until 1991. In some respects this current outbreak of Islamic terrorism has helped Russia because a lot of Moslems in the Caucasus who were ready to fight the new Russian state in the 1990s, got diverted distant lands so they could join al Qaeda, ISIL and so on. While some returned, many more potential recruits left Russia and now they are dying in great numbers from North Africa to Afghanistan.

January 29, 2017: In the south (the Caucasus) there was a gun battle in Chechnya as a group of Islamic terrorists attacked a police facility outside the provincial capital. Three Islamic terrorists died as did two policemen. Two nearby civilians were wounded. In neighboring Dagestan three Islamic terrorists refused to surrender and were killed when police cornered them in a rural home they were using as a hideout.
GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom.
CALEDONIA  Village officials are moving ahead with a plan to try to make drivers more alert at intersections known for a high number of failure-to-stop traffic crashes.

A new resolution making its way to the Village Board, if approved, would install flashing lights at the stop signs at Four Mile and Nicholson roads. Its a plan village officials are looking at for other intersections as well.

Caledonia Village Administrator Tom Christensen said village staff are confident the technology can make a difference.

Weve found that the accidents there are failure to stop, not a failure to yield. So if we can get better visibility on that sign we will see if it has an effect, Christensen said.

Four Mile Road is a two-way stop as traffic on Nicholson Road doesnt stop for oncoming traffic.

Caledonia resident Hellen Miller, who lives near the intersection, was thrilled to hear the flashing lights are an option. She said she has seen about ten to 12 serious crashes at the location over the years.

They run the stop sign. They dont see the cars coming over the hill on Nicholson so they just keep going. They just dont bother to stop, Miller said.

One concern brought up was flashing of the light all night long. But Tony Bunkelman, the village engineer, said the resident who lives on the corner gave his blessing to the village.

An LED stop sign is pretty directional-forward. They are not going to have that much light off to the side. I dont see it being a real big issue, Bunkelman said.

The Finance Committee last week approved $4,500 for the first pair at the intersection with a spare in case it burns out or is hit. The solar-powered batteries are expected to last five years and have a $90 replacement cost.

If we see the kind of reduction in accidents we hope to see, its a good investment, Christensen said.

The village considered rumble strips, which produce audible rumbling as the car tires go over the spacing of grooves in the road to alert them of the stop sign ahead.

Rumble strips have mixed value and the people that live nearby tend to not like them. They make a lot of noise, Christensen said.

Miller is more concerned with reducing accidents than any flashing light in the middle of the night.

Id rather have the flashing lights than rumble strips, Miller said. Its a very good thing. I would be very happy to see it. It will definitely help.
There's something about a pit bull named Jewel that makes cats go crazy - with affection, that is. "They all just love her," Hayley Baer, Jewel's current owner, told The Dodo. "They want to cuddle with her, rub against her and try to get her to lick them. They would crawl all over her like a jungle gym."

Hayley Baer

Before Jewel became a cat magnet, the 10-year-old dog lived through some rough experiences. In 2009, animal control officers working for the Nassau Humane Society seized Jewel from a house in northern Florida. She was skinny and malnourished, and someone had also cut off her ears with scissors. Sores and cigarette burns covered her body. When approached, Jewel cowered, suggesting someone had previously abused her. A vet also diagnosed her with heartworm disease, and she required a series of treatments to save her life.

Jewel shortly after being rescued | Hayley Baer

On top of everything else, Jewel had a litter of puppies to care for. This wasn't her first - the vet believed Jewel's former owners had bred her over and over, selling her puppies for profit. Three of Jewel's babies had already died by the time animal control officers arrived at the house, and the remaining four were so weak, they couldn't nurse. Rescuers did what they could to help, but two more puppies died by the time Baer (who worked as a foster carer for Nassau Humane Society) took Jewel into her home.

Hayley Baer

Despite all the horrible things that happened to her, Jewel didn't seem angry at all - in fact, she just wanted to love. "From day one in my care, she was wonderful with any person or animal," Baer said.

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog

Hayley Baer

But Jewel was particularly fond of cats.

Hayley Baer

The first cats Jewel met were Lavender and Lily, whom Baer fostered, then adopted. Initially, the cats watched Jewel from the safety of the kitchen countertop. But slowly, they started to get used to her. "They would get around her more and more as I let [Jewel] into the house with me around," Baer said. "I trusted her, but was still cautious." Eventually, Jewel, Lavender and Lily forged a friendship, and it didn't take long before they were cuddling together on the floor.

Jewel with Lavender and Lily | Hayley Baer

"I was extremely happy," Baer said. "I had hoped it would happen." In 2012, Lavender and Lily unfortunately passed away, and Baer wanted a couple more cats in her life, for herself and for Jewel. So, Baer started fostering other kittens.

Jewel with one of Baer's many foster kittens | Hayley Baer

By now, Baer knew she could trust Jewel around cats, but she never would have predicted how quickly the kittens bonded with the pit bull.

Jewel with one of Baer's foster kittens | Hayley Baer

"The kittens usually cuddled with her within days," Baer said. "They love Jewel!"

Hayley Baer

Some of Baer's foster cats trusted Jewel before they trusted Baer herself. "She obviously gives off a vibe that tells them she's safe and loving," Baer said. "It's so wonderful to see."

Hayley Baer

For example, later in 2012, Baer started caring for Anderson and Cooper, two street kittens who'd been living under her sister's porch in Florida. Anderson and Jewel formed a particularly strong bond - they snuggled together, licked each other and played together.

Jewel and Anderson | Hayley Baer

"Anderson followed her around the house," Baer said. "He lay next to her many times a day. When Jewel started licking her paw, he would run across the room and shove his head in trying to get her to lick him, even though it rarely worked."

Jewel and Anderson | Hayley Baer

When it came time for Anderson and Cooper to be adopted into another home, Baer knew she couldn't separate them.

Hayley Baer

"Once Anderson started laying in Jewel's arms constantly, I couldn't give him up, or his brother," Baer said. "After four-plus years, he is still more [Jewel's] cat than mine."

Hayley Baer

"Anderson waits for her at the door when we go for walks," Baer added. "Not for me - for her."

Hayley Baer

In 2014, Baer moved to Belize, and she took Jewel, Anderson and Cooper with her. They might be in another country now, but nothing has changed in their relationship.

Hayley Baer

"Many times while I'm working on my laptop, [Jewel] will be on the couch beside me with two cats next to her," Baer said. "They all also sleep in bed with me. It melts my heart every time."
In a film industry often criticized for exploiting a fear of Muslims, Mahershala Ali received a standing ovation as he achieved a historic feat 20 minutes into Sunday nights Academy Awards ceremony, becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.

His supporting actor win for Moonlight, the story of a young black man coming to terms with his sexuality, drew praise from the Muslim American community on Twitter, and it could not have been more timely.

Read more:

Oscars shock ending to a politically charged night: Howell

Oscars 2017: complete list of winners

It took him 21 nominations to finally win an Oscar

U.S. President Donald Trumps order banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority nations resonated at the award ceremony, having prompted Iranian director Asghar Farhadi to opt out of attending. Farhadis film, The Salesman, won the Oscar for best foreign language film.

But in Alis acceptance speech, and in words spoken afterward, his reaction to his historic achievement was understated and subtle. He made no mention of his religion in his speech, but thanked his wife - who had given birth to their daughter four days earlier and who shares his Muslim faith.

Its not about you, its about these characters, he also said. You are a servant. Youre in service to these stories and these characters.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times following the ceremony, however, he addressed the question of his spirituality and the significance of his win.

Regardless of theology, or however you see life, or relate to worshiping God - as an artist, my job is to tell the truth and then try to connect with these characters and people as honestly and deeply as possible, Ali told the Los Angeles Times, adding that spirituality can be a doorway to more empathy for these people you have to advocate for.

Im proud to own [being Muslim] and I embrace that. I just feel blessed to have had the opportunities that I have had.

And in an Instagram post following the Oscar show, his message was just as simple, just the words: Blessed journey.

The Academy does not track every award winners religion, but a number of other known Muslim actors and movie makers have been previously nominated for Academy Awards. The late Omar Sharif was nominated for Lawrence of Arabia but didnt win.

On Sunday night, Ali also became the first African American man in more than a decade to win an Oscar.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Ali spoke about his experiences being black and Muslim in the U.S.:

If you convert to Islam after a couple of decades of being a black man in the U.S., the discrimination you receive as a Muslim doesnt feel like a shock. Ive been pulled over, asked where my gun is, asked if Im a pimp, had my car pulled apart, Ali said in the interview. [Some] Muslims will feel like theres this new discrimination that they hadnt received before - but its not new for us.

Across social media, viewers - Muslim and non-Muslim - reacted to Alis win, many evoking references to Trump.

But not all social media reactions appeared positive. Initially, Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistans envoy to the United Nations, posted a tweet that noted Alis win, saying thats a first. But soon after, she deleted it. As the Hindustan Times notes, Ali belongs to the Ahmadi minority sect of Islam. In some countries such as Malaysia and Pakistani, Ahmadis have been reviled - and even persecuted - by some hard line Sunni Muslim groups as heretics or infidels.

Ali, who converted to Islam from Christianity in his 20s, opened up about his spirituality last month in a compelling speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

My mother is an ordained minister. Im a Muslim. She didnt do back flips when I called her to tell her I converted 17 years ago. But I tell you now, you put things to the side and Im able to see her and shes able to see me. We love each other. The love has grown. And that stuff is minutia. Its not that important.

In an extensive interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Ali spoke of his prayer-filled childhood, with a grandmother who was also an ordained minister in the Baptist Church.

I prayed every day of my life, and that was instilled in me as a kid, and as Ive gotten older, thats just matured in me, he said.

But when he was about 13, he started asking his father questions about Christianity, who made clear to him that he embraced other faiths. He died in 1994, when Ali was 20. A few years later, when Ali left for graduate school at New York University, he started to become more exposed to other beliefs, and continued to question his own. I couldnt ignore it anymore, he said.

His first time he went to a mosque was with the woman who would become his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim.

She was coming to terms with whether she even wanted to be Muslim, because her father is an imam, Ali said. And I was looking for my anchor or the thing to bring structure to my spiritual walk. She was almost coming out of it, and I was going into it.

A week later, on Dec. 31, 1999, he had a sudden urge to visit a mosque in Brooklyn, and in the middle of a sermon, he started to cry.

There was this connection that pierced through it all for me, he said. And I felt like I was in the right place.

A man touched him on the shoulder, asking him if he was Muslim. When he responded that he wasnt, the man asked: Do you want to be?

And I said, Yes. So he took me up to the imam, and I made my pledge.

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If you missed it, things got awkward Sunday night when La La Land was accidently named as the winner of Best Picture by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Turns out, the winner was actually Moonlight, and the world only realized once the moviemakers were painfully far into their acceptance speeches.

There was La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, who had to take on the awkward task of breaking the news to a stunned audience that Moonlight actually won. And producer Fred Berger, who was in the middle of thanking his family when he turned around, figured out what happened, and quickly remarked, we lost, by the way.

Read more:

Oscar night: flubs, feuds and a sour face or two

Oscars shock ending to a politically charged night: Howell

I talk to Faye Dunaway at post-Oscar Vanity Fair bash: Govani

The unbelievable chaos of this mishap overshadowed Moonlight director Barry Jenkins crowning moment.

Jenkins appeared so perplexed by the craziness of it all that he voiced his shock before wandering away from the microphone. Even in my dreams this could not be true, he said. But to hell with dreams, Im done with it because this is true. Oh my goodness.

The gaffe dominated after-party chatter.

Wow. Thank (expletive) we didnt have Warren Beatty doing the auction, said Elton John to laughs at his AIDS Foundation viewing party.

Faye Dunaway, the one who actually presented the misplaced award in the first place, stood at a table nursing a cocktail at the Vanity Fair party in Beverly Hills, chatting with various men as though nothing amiss had happened at all.

Celebrities had a whole lot of fun reacting to it on Twitter.

Heres what the twitterverse had to say:

Since political undertones dominated the Oscars throughout, its no surprise that the jokes started getting political as well:

The dialogue went beyond just laughing about the mix up though. People wondered how this mixup actually happened. Some screenshots appear to show that Warren Beatty, who was supposed to announce the winner, was handed the envelope for Best Actress instead of Best Picture.

Another shot appears to show that Leonardo Dicaprio, who presented the previous award, held on to the envelope instead of handing it to Emma Stone, which may have spurred the confusion.

Either way, people had some choice ways to describe what must have been going through Beattys head.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, the company responsible for the Oscars envelopes,has since apologized for the chaos.

We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture, PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a statement.

The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred. We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.

 With files from Associated Press and Washington Post

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A teary-eyed Alan Barillaro of Chippawa, Ont., thanked his three little birds  his children  as he accepted the best animated short Oscar for Piper on Sunday.

The six-minute film, produced by Pixar, depicts a baby bird and her mother trying to dodge waves while searching for food on the beach.

My parents, my wife, Nancy, my three little pipers at home who inspired this story . . . I love you and may you always have the courage to face your fears, Barillaro said in his speech, in which he also thanked his supporters and mentors.

Read more:

Oscars shock ending to a politically charged night: Howell

Mahershala Ali becomes first Muslim actor to win an Oscar

It took him 21 nominations to finally win an Oscar

Oscars 2017: complete list of winners

Barillaro, who attended high school in Markham, shares the Oscar with producer Marc Sondheimer.

The film had a coveted spot in theatres, screening before Pixars feature-length smash Finding Dory, which was 2016s top-grossing film.

Piper was one of three projects from Canadian animators in contention for the best animated short Oscar.

The others were Pear Cider and Cigarettes, directed by Vancouvers Robert Valley, and Blind Vaysha by Montreals Theodore Ushev.

Theres a legacy of great animation from Canada that you feel really proud to be a part of, said Barillaro during an interview leading up to the awards show.

Barillaro has worked at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif., for nearly two decades.

Hes contributed to some of Pixars biggest hits, including A Bugs Life, Monsters, Inc. and WALL-E.

A graduate of Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont., he fell in love with drawing as a child and studied at the Animation House in Toronto.

For Piper, he used beach sounds and a whimsical score rather than dialogue to help convey the story.

His reference footage came from underwater GoPro images captured by his 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old twin boys during a family trip in Kauai, Hawaii.

He called the Oscar nod for his first foray into direction surreal and humbling.

When you start these films, youre just trying to convey something very personal to the audience . . . You dont really think beyond that when youre making a film, said Barillaro.

Youre doing your best as an artist just to say what youre trying to say. Its all quite an honour, and a little overwhelming.

With files from Lauren La Rose

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The long-awaited Canadian rollout of Mifegymiso, otherwise known as RU-486 or the abortion pill, has been slow.

After a nearly three-year review, it was approved by Health Canada in 2015 for women up to seven weeks pregnant, but access remains limited. It hit the Canadian market early this year at abortion clinics in just three cities: Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa.

It is now also available at one clinic in Canadas largest city but has yet to appear in rural areas where women dont have access to abortion clinics.

Advocates say a lack of clarity has impeded access to a drug that has been available around the world for decades and is considered the gold standard in medical abortion.

Theres mass confusion and no one is really taking leadership to make access to Mifegymiso happen and to make it widespread, said Sandeep Prasad, executive director of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights.

The organization runs a 24-7 hotline for women who need information about sexual health and pregnancy options available to them, including abortion. And Prasad said lately doctors and pharmacists have been phoning, too.

Weve gotten a flurry of calls from physicians wondering where they get the training and what the process is by which they can get registered to prescribe Mifegymiso, Prasad said.

Mifegymiso is approved in more than 50 countries with varying restrictions and is included on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. Available to women in France and China since 1988, its been hailed as a more effective, more accessible and more private way to end a pregnancy. Its not the same as the morning-after pill, which prevents pregnancy in the first place.

There are two layers to the access issue:

Doctors and pharmacists must take a mandatory six-hour training course and register with the drug company before they can purchase or dispense the medication.

Doctors, not pharmacists, are supposed to dispense the first of two doses of the drug. That means pharmacists would have to fill patient prescriptions by shipping the pills to the doctors office or clinic where a doctor then hands the pills to the patient.

The process might work smoothly at hospitals, which often have pharmacies in the building. But doctors typically lack the infrastructure to store medication or manage inventory and only about 20 in Ontario actually dispense drugs, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

This prompted CPSO and the Ontario College of Pharmacists to write a joint letter to Health Canada asking for clarification in December.

In a reply, Health Canada indicated that physicians can use their discretion when deciding how to dispense Mifegymiso but nonconforming to the original monograph amounted to an off-label use, which may expose doctors to some liability.

The drugs Canadian distributor Celopharma Inc. applied in January to the federal regulator to loosen the restrictions so that pharmacists could dispense Mifegymiso directly to women. It also asked to move the gestation period from seven to nine weeks. A decision could take 300 days.

Mifegymiso costs patients $300 and is not yet covered by most provincial health-care plans, though surgical abortions are. Public funding for the drug is under review in Ontario and is expected to be considered by other provinces as part of the national Common Drug Review this March, said Ontario Ministry of Health spokesman David Jensen.

Funding is the last piece of the puzzle, said Dawn Fowler, Canadian director of the National Abortion Federation.

The abortion pill was initially touted as a safe alternative for women living far from major urban areas. That will take time to achieve, Fowler said.

You could have a family physician in a more rural community who doesnt have the facilities or the skill to do a surgical abortion  but could be able to provide medical abortion, so someone in a rural community wouldnt have to travel the significant distance, she said.

Celopharma CEO Paula Tenenbaum told the Star in an email that Mifegymiso had been shipped to British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta and Yukon Territory; though that doesnt necessarily mean all women in those areas can access it.

The medication is taken in two parts, one tablet containing 200 milligrams of mifepristone, which blocks the production of progesterone in the uterus necessary for pregnancy, and four tablets amounting to 800 micrograms of misoprostol, which induces miscarriage.

They must be taken within 24 to 48 hours of each other and women must return to their doctors within a week or two to confirm the pregnancy was terminated. In clinical trials, the medication failed up to 4.8 per cent of the time.

Ontario has 13 abortion clinics, according to Abortion Rights Coalition Canada. Eight are in the GTA with another three in southern Ontario and two in Ottawa. All are located in cities, with Ottawa the furthest north.

Health Canada is trying to strike a balance between access and risk management, said chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma.

Whatever decision we make on this product, there will be a group of people who will say were being far too permissive, and a group of people who will say were being far too restrictive, Sharma said in an interview.

Doctors at the Bay Centre for Birth Control, associated with Womens College Hospital, have completed the mandatory training but the centre is still working on the rollout of Mifegymiso.

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RACINE  A Paddock Lake woman accused of bilking her former employer of more than $250,000 by writing checks to herself and her husband over eight years must spend at least four months in jail and pay her former boss $45,000.

Tiffany Cain, 41, of the 23000 block of 61st Street, was originally charged on Dec. 26, 2014, with seven counts of felony theft.

The charges came about six months after her former employer, Ronald Haarsma, president of Ace Stamping and Machine Company, 2801 S. Memorial Drive, Racine, told police he and the company had discovered Cain had stolen $263,509 from the company.

According to a criminal complaint, Haarsma went to police in June 2014, handing investigators a spreadsheet that showed Cain wrote 178 unauthorized checks to herself between 2007 and 2014.

Haarsma reportedly told police that Cain was a trusted employee and friend, whom he tapped to become his assistant in managing his personal finances.

Two years later, on Nov. 4, 2016, Cain pleaded no contest to three counts of misdemeanor theft of movable property, in an amount higher than $2,500.

On Friday, Racine County Circuit Judge Mark Nielsen sentenced Cain to three years on probation for the crimes. As a condition of her probation, Nielsen ordered that Cain will spend four months in the Racine County Jail or Walworth County Jail with the potential for work release. He also barred Cain from getting a job that requires handling money unless cleared by her probation agent.

Outside of paying Haarsma $45,000 in restitution, Cain also was ordered to have no contact with him or the business.

Cain was also sentenced to an 18-month stayed jail sentence  time she could serve if she violates the terms of her probation.

An initial version of this story gave an incorrect classification for the three theft charges in the defendant's plea agreement. The error has been corrected.
Despite its outward simplicity, Corpse Pose (savasana) is among the hardest poses to master. Some say this pose is nothing less than a death meditation that engenders the ability to live and die with grace. Naturally we demonstrated this final resting pose at the Tomb of Kitines reproduction in the Royal Ontario Museums Egypt Gallery.

1. Begin by setting a timer for 10 minutes.

2. Recline on a firm, flat surface and arrange your physical body: centre the head; rest the arms away from the body at a 45 degree angle, with palms turned up; and place the legs equidistant from the midline. Allow the feet to flop out to the sides.

3. Bury the eyes deep behind their lids. Separate the biting surfaces of the teeth and relax the root of the tongue. Allow the social mask to soften and fall away.

4. Unlatch the belly, release the pelvic floor, and surrender to the ebb and flow of the breath.

5. Perceive everything, but interpret nothing.

6. Resist the urge to fall asleep.

Death benefits

Tempting as it may be, Corpse Pose is the one pose that should never be omitted from a yoga practice. Skipping Corpse Pose is a little like preparing a feast but then not sitting down to enjoy it. It is a counter-pose to each of the active poses that come before it, and it reminds our bodies that, to be competent and pain free, our muscles must know how and when to engage and relax. Corpse Pose also puts us in touch with the body and breath in the present moment and gives us valuable practice in surrendering to the inevitable.

YuMee Chung is a recovering lawyer who teaches yoga in Toronto. She is on the faculty of a number of yoga teacher training programs and leads international yoga retreats. Learn more about her at padmani.com

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A damaging wave of cyberbullying and intimidation is sweeping through the ranks of Ontario doctors, complete with obscene emails, threats against each others medical careers and refusals to take patient referrals from adversaries.

Although experts say bullying has always been a problem in medicine, in Ontario it has escalated since last summers failed ratification vote over a proposed deal between the government and Ontario Medical Association, which represents the provinces 34,000 doctors and medical students.

The problem has grown even harsher since the sudden decision by the OMA executive to resign en masse following a vote of non-confidence by the groups 260-member elected council last month.

I have not heard anything like this before to this degree, said Dr. Sharon Straus, vice-chair of the department of medicine at the University of Toronto and a researcher in the area of bullying within the profession. It makes me sad, ashamed and distressed.

She said the perpetrators of unprofessional behaviour are a minority among physicians.

The targets are mainly doctors who opposed the move last month to oust the OMA executive team and who voiced support for last summers tentative deal between the province and OMA. They range from the youngest in the profession  students seeking training positions in hospitals and universities  to those at the top, including past OMA president Dr. Virginia Walley.

Walley served at the helm of the organization during one of the most tumultuous periods in its 136-year history until her resignation this month. She and the rest of the six-member executive resigned a week after the OMAs council passed a non-confidence motion against them. (Votes on motions to force each member of the executive to step down failed.)

The Star has learned that dozens of disturbing emails were sent to Walley via the OMA. They include this misogynistic one from a southwestern Ontario anesthesiologist sent shortly before last Augusts ratification vote:

You are a c---. Crash and burn as you deserve to do!! This will be a NO vote and the end of the OMA. Sincerely, F--- YOU and the OMA!!!

Walley has registered concerns about a handful of the emails with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the regulatory body.

Another physician involved with the OMA, someone who has participated on a negotiations committee for the association, has been a target through abusive phone calls, the Star has learned.

I hope none of your patients need to come here to have any kind of investigative radiology done, a radiologist yelled at this doctor.

This doctor also received a threat over the phone from a Toronto family physician: You dont know what you are doing and you are going to pay for this. You hate doctors and must have it out for doctors. You will never work in leadership again.

(Many of the doctors targeted for the abuse and cyberbullying provided evidence and talked with the Star only on the condition they not be identified publicly for fear of further abuse.)

Straus says the body of literature about unprofessionalism in medicine is substantial. A 2014 analysis of 60 international studies led by a medical student working with her research team found more than half of physicians have experienced bullying, mostly through verbal harassment and mostly directed at junior doctors or medical students by senior doctors.

Social media exacerbates the problem, Straus says.

Patients can be affected if doctors are bullied to the extent they become stressed, suffer PTSD, quit their jobs or even abandon the profession, she warns.

Patients pay the price if doctors cannot work together, Straus says, explaining that health care is increasingly provided by teams of professionals working collaboratively.

Unprofessional behaviour also jeopardizes patients trust in their doctors, Straus says, noting that medicine is one of the most trusted professions with patients confiding the most intimate details about their bodies and lives.

Unless addressed, the problem perpetuates itself, affecting the next generation of doctors, she warns.

Some of the ugliest attacks have been directed at St. Michaels Hospital family physician Dr. Philip Berger over the past month on the members-only Facebook group, Ontario Doctors Discussion Forum.

In response to an opinion piece and letter to the editor that Berger wrote for the Star in which he offered his take of whats behind all the feuding, other physicians have diagnosed him with mental health problems and suggested drug treatments.

Toronto family doctor Geoffrey Forbes wrote that Berger needed a sedative: Whew. lorazepam 0.5 s/l stat over here please.

Forbes did not respond to interview requests left with his practice or at Humber River Hospital, where he also works.

Dr. Ira Bernstein, also in Toronto family medicine, wrote Berger needed a stronger drug, an antipsychotic: Ativan wont be enough. Clopixol needed. This is clearly Psychosis.

Bernstein did not respond to interview requests left with his practice or with Humber River Hospital and the University Health Network, where he also works.

Alliston family physician Dr. Oswaldo Ramirez piled on in Spanish: Cono hijo de puta anda a chupar Berger. (Translation: F--- you son of a whore. Why dont you go and suck Berger.) Sorry. Couldnt hold that rant back. I revert to my native tongue when mad.

Forbes also wrote this about Berger on the Facebook page: RT = gathering the wolf pack to go hunting. Berger is the target here. (RT refers to retweet, which is how messages spread on Twitter.)

A reporter tried to reach Ramirez through the media relations department at Stevenson Memorial Hospital where he is a staff physician, but heard back instead from his boss.

Stevenson Memorial does have a policy that prohibits this very kind of activity on social media, said the chief of staff, Dr. Barry Nathanson, adding that a senior team would be taking up the issue with Ramirez.

Dr. Berger is entitled to express his views, as we all are, without vulgar responses, public or private, from anyone. As a physician myself, I am embarrassed that any colleague would conduct themselves in a manner which lacks the dignity and professionalism that medicine is based upon, Nathanson added.

Berger said he is astounded such conversations are allowed to happen on the Facebook forum and charged that a vocal minority is trying to silence anyone who opposes them:

The doctors language is far worse than the profanities I heard when I worked as third cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1969. That was a rough place to work and the workers never swore at each other or name-called.

Former deputy health minister Michael Decter says medical politics arent for the faint of heart. He took his share of slings and arrows after the 1991 agreement was reached between the province and OMA.

Medical politics doesnt bring out the best in people, said Decter, currently chair of Patients Canada.

There are huge, internal battles within the association among the various sections and some of those involved feel very entitled and are willing to make extreme threats and use unpleasant and foul language, he explained.

Medical politics in Ontario have become so dirty that a police report was filed about false email accounts being set up last summer in the name of an OMA board member who was in favour of the proposed agreement with the province, Toronto police confirmed. Emails were sent out from the accounts to physicians around the province, saying the board member was opposed to the deal and urging them to vote against it.

Dr. Cathy Faulds, a former president of the Ontario College of Family Physicians and a professor at Westerns medical school, said bullying deters many doctors from getting involved in the OMA and medical politics.

The intimidation and bullying discourages people from becoming leaders in the province, she said.

There are currently elections underway within Ontarios medical profession to fill vacant seats of the OMAs governing council and board of directors.

Faulds says that most family physicians choose to ignore the ugliness and focus instead on patients:

There is a group of physicians who are silently disengaging from the politics. There is some less-than-professional behaviour going on by a segment of physicians, but the vast majority are trying to deliver high quality care despite the health system issues.

The intent of some bullies is to stymie much-needed reforms to Ontarios health system and in that respect they are succeeding, Faulds charges.

It (bullying) truly is at the root of those problems. I have been watching this for 30 years and now it is blowing up, she says, noting that the OMA has been thwarted in efforts to modernize the OHIP fee schedule and tackle the problem of relativity  the large variations in what different classes of physicians earn.

The infighting within the profession has become so intense recently that OMA dissenters are forming factions and battling among themselves.

This was evident last month when a whistleblower involved with a group of doctors that forced the non-confidence vote leaked screen-captured images of a conversation from their secret Facebook group.

The Facebook conversation was widely circulated in an email with the subject line When Transparency Isnt Transparent. Its unclear who wrote the email, which came from an address dubbed Engaged OMA Members.

It states that some of these physicians had been plotting for months to overthrow the OMA executive and replace it with some of their own. The whistleblower wrote that Dr. Lisa Salamon-Switzman and Dr. Audrey Karlinsky had spoken for the positions of treasurer and president-elect.

Salamon-Switzman did not respond to interview requests left with her family practice in Maple or with the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital where she also works. Karlinsky did not respond to requests left at her Toronto family practice or at Mount Sinai and Womens College hospitals where she has privileges.

The whistleblower expressed concern that Salamon-Switzman and Karlinsky do not have the many years of experience that those who usually take on these roles have. The apparent disregard for a democratic process speaks to the lack of transparency and ill-intent of this group.

The screen-captured images from what the whistleblower referred to as this factions secret Facebook page showed these doctors speaking ill of other breakaway factions, the Coalition of Ontario Doctors and Concerned Ontario Doctors.

A statement attributed to Salamon-Switzman says: I purposely didnt put COD or COODers on the petition. Yes it was f----- deliberate! No one respects them.

A statement attributed to Karlinsky refers to leaders of the COOD and COD, Drs. David Jacobs and Kulvinder Gill.

Eventually, all reasonable members leave the cuckoos nest of DJ and KG. Its just a matter of time for most, if not all.

Jacobs and Gill did not respond to multiple interview requests.

The whistleblower went on to allege that the group had been aided in the planning of this coup by Kingston consultant Tim Bates who had been promised a job at the OMA as a reward for his work.

Reached by phone, Bates acknowledged that he helped out with some advocacy but has no interest in working for the OMA.

After the Star wrote about the whistleblower email, Ali Damji, chair of the Ontario Medical Students Association, was wrongly accused of leaking it to this reporter, according to sources.

Salamon-Switzman and Nikolina Mizdrak, another Toronto family doctor involved in attempting to oust the executive and named by the whistleblower, made the accusation to Damji at the OMA meeting where the non-confidence vote was held, sources say.

Mizdrak did not respond to interview requests left with her family practice at the University Health Network.

Damjis denials were apparently not believed and two days later he received a threatening Facebook message from Bates, a copy of which was obtained by the Star:

Im just speaking with some of the physicians involved and they tell me you have not apologized. This is why we will be sending all the deans letters as soon as possible because quite frankly there are many who feel you should not be a family medicine resident at UofT or anywhere else for that matter.

Damji declined to be interviewed for this story, but was rattled by the threat, fearing it could derail his career, according to friend Dr. Dan Raza, a family physician at St. Michaels.

He is quite distraught and shaken by this, Raza said.

When first asked about the threat, Bates denied making it. When pressed, he admitted to it:

I may have been a little bit upset with Ali because I was shown an email that said that he had sent a piece of cyberbullying to you, he said. I was upset with him because I had mistakenly believed that he had done that . . . It was something that I shouldnt have said.

The incident has attracted a lot of attention  and anger  in Ontario medical circles, with many physician leaders rallying around Damji.

I am aware that it has been reported that one of our student leaders has been threatened inappropriately. Collectively, the Ontario deans are very concerned about this situation and are investigating appropriate actions, said Dr. Richard Reznick, co-chair of the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine.

We very much want our students to be involved in leadership activities, and understand that on occasion this may include involvement with politically charged issues. I am confident that any outsiders comments about one of our students activities would in no way jeopardize that students career aspirations. That said, we very much are outraged if the purported allegations of a threat to a residents career are validated, continued Reznick, dean of the faculty of health sciences at Queens.

Medical students have also been attacked on the Facebook forum. A quote attributed to Dr. Daniele Wiseman, a radiologist at the London Health Sciences Centre, says this about University of Ottawa student Jonathan Gravel, who last summer voiced his support of the tentative agreement:

That kid should be shot with a ball of his own s---.

Reached at her office over the phone by this reporter who identified herself and inquired about the remark, Wiseman responded: I dont really recall this . . . I dont know who you are or what you are talking about . . . I am going to hang up now.

Gravel declined to comment.

Georgetown family physician Dr. Nadia Alam, another doctor behind the non-confidence vote, alerted physicians on the Facebook forum a week ago that the Star was working on this story and advised them to watch their words:

Have care in what you say, what you write, what you tweet.

Dr. Rocco Gerace, registrar for the College of Physicians and Surgeons, says he is dismayed to hear of allegations of bullying:

I am particularly disturbed to hear allegations that medical trainees have been subjected to threats and intimidation. Physicians are expected to model appropriate behaviour for trainees and foster a culture of respect within the professional environment, and abusive conduct will not be tolerated.

The college has a policy, titled Physician Behaviour in the Professional Environment, which sets out expectations. It offers examples of unacceptable conduct, such as using rude, profane, disrespectful, insulting, demeaning, threatening, bullying, or abusive language, tone, innuendos, and behaviour.

In addition, the provincial government has issued a regulation that stipulates that engaging in conduct unbecoming a physician may be considered an act of professional misconduct and subject to discipline. Under the Professional Misconduct Regulation, conduct unbecoming is intended to capture conduct outside the practice of the profession that is inappropriate and reflects poorly on the physician or profession.

After three years without a contract and seven months of no negotiations, the OMA and province are about to go back to the bargaining table. In the last week, both sides have announced their respective negotiating teams.

The stakes are high. So are emotions and tensions.

Even so, doctors are expected to take the high road, Gerace said.

At all times, the college expects that physicians will act respectfully toward their patients, colleagues and other members of the health-care team.

If they dont, there will be consequences, he warned.

Physicians who engage in threatening or bullying behaviour, or use profane or abusive language are advised that the college can and will investigate their conduct. Allegations of abusive conduct are taken very seriously, and investigations will be decided in accordance with our public interest mandate, and may include disciplinary action.

Reach Theresa Boyle at tboyle@thestar.ca or (416) 869-4915

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HALIFAXCanadian opera star Measha Brueggergosman, who was born in Fredericton, N.B., knew little of her ancestry before agreeing to take part in some sleuthing in 2007 as part of the CBC program Who Do You Think You Are.

Brueggergosman, who combined her Gosman family name with her husbands surname, eventually traced her heritage to Nova Scotia through the online Book of Negroes, which includes an entry for a John Gosman.

The Book of Negroes reveals a time when black people were, legally speaking, nothing more than property.

The book was compiled in New York between April and November 1783 at the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War. It is a record of the 3,000 black refugees  all of whom sided with the British during the war  who were loaded on ships bound for Nova Scotia, then a British colony.

The image on the computer screen looks innocent enough: a ledger showing a list of names, ages and descriptions of physical stature  all of it written in a precise script that hasnt been practised in more than two centuries.

In column after column, the list of human souls reads like a commercial inventory:

Aaron Jon, 42, stout fellow.

Isaac Jon, 10, fine boy.

Sarah Gordon, 28, tall, limber wench.

And with each black loyalists name, their status as a current or former slave is also cited with cold detachment:

Property of Thomas Prichard, (and) a refugee from Philadelphia.

Formerly slave to Sam Dyer, Rhode Island. Left him ... four years ago.

(Belonged) to P.G. Brook Livingston, who gave her freedom.

The register, now kept at the National Archives in London, is described as the single most important document relating to the immigration of African Americans to Nova Scotia.

It gives the descendants their identity if their ancestors came on that migration route, said Lois Yorke, director of the Nova Scotia Archives. It gives them back who they are.

The books contents, including high-resolution images of each page, have been available online as a searchable database for several years, but the Nova Scotia government recently added most of the data to its open data portal. That means the lists can be downloaded for research or used by developers to create new applications.

Aside from names and ages, all 3,008 records include the name of the vessel boarded, its commander and the ships eventual destination.

Sylvia Hamilton, a filmmaker and professor at the University of Kings College in Halifax, says the Book of Negroes  an inspiration for the 2007 Lawrence Hill novel of the same name  provides a tangible record of immigrants whose past might otherwise be forgotten.

Those names have been read into the record, Hamilton said. They are people who cannot be erased ... They were individuals. They were people with agency. They escaped by the thousands  men, women, children. Its a remarkable historical document.

The book also documents the cases of a small number of fugitive slaves like Betty, who were claimed by their American owners before they could leave New York. The book says the British gave the woman to a Thomas Smith to be disposed of by him at his pleasure.

One slave owner who appeared in New York to reclaim his property was none other than George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States. In her book, Black Loyalists, Halifax author Ruth Holmes Whitehead says Washington failed in his bid to retrieve three slaves, who fled to Nova Scotia under the direction of British commander-in-chief Sir Guy Carleton.

However, the Book of Negroes also makes it clear that some on the list were still legally considered slaves when they arrived in Nova Scotia with their white, loyalist owners.

Thats not something that Canadians want to think about, Hamilton said. They called them servants for life. That gets left out because it doesnt fit the (freedom) narrative.

For slaves who left their owners to side with the British, they were promised freedom in exchange for their loyalty to the Crown, and they were handed certificates of freedom  precious documents when the evacuations took place in New York.

Brueggergosmans ancestor, John Gosman, is listed with his wife, Rose, 22, and their 5-month-old daughter, Fanny. Their former owners are listed as landowners in Connecticut and Rhode Island, respectively. Fanny is listed as born free within British lines. She was the first to be born free of slavery.

The family left New York and eventually arrived in Shelburne, N.S., which was settled in 1783 by United Empire Loyalists. They eventually moved to New Brunswick.

Seeing your name written in a document like the Book of Negroes represents ... the strength of character, fortitude and the courage required to escape your slave master  on penalty of death, Brueggergosman said.

People should not lose sight of movements born out of true oppression, like the black loyalists, the former slaves who fought for their own freedom by claiming it for themselves.

Last month, the opera star released her latest album, Songs of Freedom, which explores her journey to uncover her familys history  from its origins in Cameroon to slavery in the U.S., and freedom for the past six generations in the Maritimes.

There is value in understanding the importance of a document like this, she said as she prepared for a performance in Halifax, a stop on her Songs of Freedom Tour.

Its such a rarity that we can have a record of a population that clawed its way up and took what was rightfully theirs. No human should be owned. No human should be forced into labour for which they are not paid.

Brueggergosman said the book should also serve as a reminder that slavery, forced labour and human trafficking are still with us.

When I saw my name written in the Book of Negroes, I knew thats where it all began for me. But theres a lot of people in this world for which it has not even started.

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CALGARYTransCanada Corp. is negotiating the sale of a 49.3 per cent interest in the Iroquois natural gas transmission system that connects its main Canadian pipeline system to markets in the U.S. Northeast, including New York City.

The Calgary-based company says it has offered to sell the Iroquois system to TC PipeLines, LP, an affiliated limited partnership.

TransCanada would also sell its remaining 11.8 per cent interest in the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, which is an interstate system that carries gas from Canada to New England, to TC PipeLines.

It previously sold a 49.9 per cent interest in the Portland system in January for $228 million (U.S.) to TC PipeLines.

TransCanada indirectly owns about 27 per cent of TC Pipelines. Both said in separate announcements Monday that terms of the sale werent being disclosed. The proposed deal is subject to negotiation of satisfactory terms and regulatory approvals.

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A nation grievously bloodied by terrorism will do all it can to prevent future carnage.

Paris was twice the target of horrific massacres in 2015  226 killed, 374 injured  at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine office in January, multiple co-ordinated shootings and grenade assaults across the beloved capital in November.

The hyper anti-terrorism strategy that ensued has gone too far for some, particularly civil rights advocates  including Amnesty International, which last week chose to unveil its annual report in Paris, warning that France is at a tipping point as the government expands police powers in the wake of atrocities. Others, primarily on the political far right, contend France hasnt gone anywhere near far enough, demanding ever-harsher anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim measures: the Donald Trump formula.

Inquiries and inquisitions have been thick on the ground, recommendations plentiful, perhaps most usefully the call for a single, unified national anti-terrorism agency bringing together elite security forces and intelligence operations. A parliamentary commission advocated tighter measures at international airports but also improvements to the judicial and prison system where many assailants have been radicalized.

Domestic radicalization  the homegrown jihadist phenomenon  has turned into a plague for numerous countries, especially in Europe, with young men (and some women) going off to fight alongside fanatics, most commonly in Syria, then returning as combat-hardened veterans to potentially unleash mayhem on home soil. Such firebrands comprise a reverse expeditionary force for Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

After the fatal police shooting of would-be suicide bomber Aaron Driver in Strathroy, Ont., last summer  red-flagged to the RCMP by the FBI as an aspiring terrorist, the 24-year-old had, despite being monitored, managed to slap together an improvised bomb and a martyrdom video in which he vowed to shed Canadian blood on behalf of Daesh  Ottawa pledged $35 million over five years to fund co-ordinated outreach deradicalization programs. Since the announcement by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in August, theres scarcely been another word mentioned about the grand undertaking.

In Quebec, the provincial government had earlier provided an additional $500,000 to the Montreal-based Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence, often held up as a model for steering the susceptible away from extremism.

About 30,000 foreign fighters are believed to have joined the ranks of Al Qaeda and Daesh. Last March, CSIS director Michel Coulombe told a Senate committee that about 180 Canadians were engaged in terrorist-related activities overseas and 60 have returned to Canada.

Globally, Britain and Germany have been lauded for their counter-radicalization programs, although critics contend such initiatives are more about progressives comforting themselves than actually disrupting jihadism or rescuing disaffected young people from the lure of religious radicalism.

That caution  about the essential ineffectiveness of un-brainwashing  was bolstered last week in the hands-thrown-up exasperation of a parliamentary report by a cross-party French Senate committee, with the countrys counter-radicalization ventures denounced as an utter flop, a fiasco, and a money-pocketing fraud exploited by pseudo-experts.

According to government estimates, 15,000 people in France are followers of radical Islam; at least 680 (including 275 females) are believed to have joined jihadist movements in Iraq and Syria. Reversing radicalization, the report deduced, has been an abysmal failure and desperately in need of a rethink.

The authors of the report, Esther Benbassa of the left-wing Ecology party, and Catherine Troendle, from the centre-right Republicans, came to the sorry conclusion that deradicalization is a fuzzy-wuzzy concept and basically impossible to achieve in identifying terrorism acolytes or persuading them to embrace democratic and humanitarian values of the French Republic.

We just have to admit that the most violent and dangerous people will not be (de-radicalized), Troendle told a press conference. Benbassa added: Deradicalization does not exist. They thought they could take someone and wash their brains. In fact, brainwashing doesnt really work and its a dangerous myth. Its understandable that the government wanted to reassure society after the terror attacks. But it started with a false premise.

By the time potential militants are flagged  by law enforcement, by alarmed families  their ideological arteries are hardened.

Deradicalization is possible, counters Mubin Shaikh. I am a product of it.

Shaikh, the Toronto-raised former extremist recruiter turned ex-CSIS and RCMP operative  he was crucial in helping to foil the Toronto 18 terrorism plot in 2006  agrees with the French parliamentary conclusions to a certain extent. Theyre right in that not anyone and everyone can be de-radicalized, he told the Star Sunday in an email from Berlin. It is true that some people just wont change, especially when they dont want to. This is why forced deradicalization, what the French were proposing, is doomed to fail. I mean, wearing uniforms, saluting the flag while reciting the anthem?

At the direction of a shaken President Francois Hollande, the country had announced the establishment of a network of deradicalization centres across the country. Yet only one such centre is actually up and running, at an annual cost of $3.5 million  and its empty. A further dozen centres have yet to open their doors, the report noted. Further, funds distributed to local associations, earmarked to help families deal with radicalized members, were simply pocketed by recipients with no evidence the money had been used for its intended purpose.

When reports of the French centres first emerged last year, ICSR  the highly respected International Centre for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence, based at Kings College London  revealed some of the controversial approaches being undertaken in the programs double-barrelled mandate of deprogramming (by psychologists and psychiatrists) and vocational training, since so many of the targeted individuals were jobless, with low prospects to integrate into society. ICSR wrote that the centres of reintegration and will be based on military discipline; for instance, participants wear uniforms, salute the flag and sing the Marseillaise.

That modus operandi was heavily criticized by various other organizations that do similar work around the globe. Hayat, the German program, slammed it as authoritarian and counterproductive, arguing that its the uniformity of Salafism, an ultra-conservative brand of Sunni Islam originating in Saudi Arabia, and jihadism that appeals to young people. Hayat warned the French centres would reinforce extremist mindsets, producing more recruits for terrorist groups.

All of which should be a red-light warning for Canadian authorities dispersing that $35 million in its deradicalization endeavours.

Whatever program Canadian authorities come up with is not likewise doomed to failure, insists Shaikh, who now works as a counter-messaging consultant for law enforcement in countries including the U.S. Actually it has a lot of potential because it is not a top-down, government-driven program. It is a community-based program that works autonomously from government.

The other problem with the French program is that they were funding organizations that dont have the proper credentials. But then again, this is such a new phenomenon that in order to get actual, proper credentials, means youve had many terrorists which youve then de-radicalized and also monitored for followup over a long period of time.

Its kind of strange to say so but the implication is that we need more terrorists. YIKES!

Its seductive to think we can fix a person with odious beliefs. Maybe we cant.

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Anti-Semitic vandalism inside a North York condo. Protests against Islam outside a downtown mosque. And the emergence of a video  reportedly filmed in that same mosque  capturing a prayer that was offensive to those of Jewish faith.

Its been a bigoted few weeks for Toronto, where a spate of high-profile incidents have catapulted hate crime allegations into newspaper headlines and Facebook feeds.

The three incidents are being investigated by Toronto police, but whether criminal charges will be laid remains to be seen.

The road ahead for investigators is a bumpy one. Hate crimes occupy a murky corner of the justice system: The burden of proof is high, conviction rates are low and what actually constitutes a hate crime isnt explicitly defined by the Criminal Code.

When we get to the criminal law, there is no such thing as a hate crime in and of itself, said Mark Freiman, a lawyer with Lerners LLP and former deputy attorney general of Ontario.

I think the public expects that there is a separate category called a hate crime, with its separate definition, and that people can be charged with a hate crime.

In reality, that seldom happens.

Canadian lawmakers have recognized hate crimes as serious matters that require legal remedies. According to a memorandum that provides guidance to Ontario prosecutors, hate crimes eat away at the social fabric of our communities and can be seen as a form of terrorism of the targeted group.

Hate crimes are very serious because their impact can be devastating, the memorandum states. Because hate crimes divide, disenfranchise and potentially destabilize society, the public interest in their prosecution is significant.

There is no specific offence under the Criminal Code called hate crime.

Police have a number of different legal avenues they can pursue when investigating hateful activity and each has its own road-bumps and potential dead-ends.

Any crime can qualify as a hate crime if prosecutors prove that hatred was a driving force.

Motivation is the dividing line between a regular crime (a Jewish-owned business vandalized by drunk teens on prom night, say) and a hate crime (a Jewish-owned business vandalized by neo-Nazis on International Holocaust Remembrance Day).

But in these cases, the hateful aspects of the crime are recognized during sentencing, not on the charge sheet.

Take the case of 233 Beecroft Rd., where several condo residents recently discovered notes on their doors, at least one of which had a swastika and the message No Jews. A number of mezuzahs, parchments with religious verses affixed to the doorposts of Jewish households, were also vandalized.

If the culprits are caught, police will probably lay mischief-related charges, Freiman says. But during sentencing, prosecutors can argue that hate was an aggravating factor. This enables a judge to hand down a harsher sentence.

The key is to prove motivation: What was the person thinking when they decided to commit the crime?

For prosecutors, this is a slippery task.

Frankly, thats one of the reasons I think why hate crimes arent free-standing criminal code offences, Freiman said. The prosecutor would have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the motivation, which would be very difficult.

Prosecuting hate becomes even thornier when the alleged crimes take the form of speech or another form of expression.

Toronto police are investigating two incidents that could fall under this category.

On Feb. 17, a downtown mosque, Masjid Toronto, was briefly swarmed by a small group of people protesting M-103, a parliamentary motion to condemn and combat Islamophobia.

Some protesters held signs with statements such as Muslims are Terrorists and Say no to Islam.

The mosque filed a report with the police Tuesday.

The next day, another complaint was made, this time against Masjid Toronto by the Jewish Defence League of Canada. The JDL is affiliated with a U.S. organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center characterizes as a radical organization that preaches a violent form of anti-Arab, Jewish nationalism.

The JDLs complaint is based on video taken inside the mosque, which the group alleges showed someone making anti-Jewish statements during prayers. The video was posted to YouTube and has since been removed.

According to a statement provided by the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), which is affiliated with the mosque, a junior employee made unauthorized supplications in Arabic last summer that were offensive to those of the Jewish faith. The mosque has now suspended the employee pending an internal investigation and apologized to the Jewish community, stating the language used was unacceptable and against the values and practices of MAC.

Under the Criminal Code, there are three sections that deal with hate propaganda, all created in 1970 following a surge of anti-Semitic activity in Canada.

One bans the public incitement of hatred toward an identifiable group.

But incitement isnt enough to justify a charge; the activity must also be likely to lead to a breach of the peace, according to the Criminal Code.

Thats going to be the crux, Freiman said. Its easy enough to show youre inciting violence or hatred against an identifiable group.

The question is: Is that incitement likely to lead to a breach of the peace?

The bar is even higher for the other two hate propaganda crimes: advocating or promoting genocide, and making public statements that wilfully promote hatred against any identifiable group.

For both crimes, police need permission from the Attorney General of Ontario before they can lay charges.

This is an extraordinary provision required for only a handful of crimes, according to Richard Moon, a hate speech expert and law professor with the University of Windsor.

The law recognizes several acceptable defences for the wilful promotion offence; for example, if the statements are true, or if they are relevant to any subject of public interest, the discussion of which was for the public benefit.

The threshold for charging someone with hate propaganda is extremely high.

Legal experts say it is meant to be.

It reflects an awareness that free speech is at stake here, Moon said.

The drawing of lines between what should be protected speech, and what really is viewed as harmful speech, is a difficult one. Theres always going to be controversy and disagreement.

The result is very few people have been charged under hate propaganda laws.

Convictions are even rarer.

According to Statistics Canada, there were only 26 court cases between 2010 and 2015 involving hate propaganda offences or mischief relating to religious property.

Of those, only 14 resulted in a guilty verdict.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims would like to see more resources devoted to policing and prosecuting hate crimes.

While Toronto police say they havent noticed an increase in hate crime reports, the NCCM, which tracks anti-Muslim incidents across the country, says it has definitely seen a recent surge, according to spokesperson Amira Elghawaby.

In the face of growing hate rhetoric worldwide, and in the wake of the recent mosque attack in Quebec City, the need for effective hate crime policing is more urgent than ever, says Bernie Farber, a hate crime expert and executive director with the Mosaic Institute.

Its a unit that really needs expertise, Farber said.

My real urging would be the re-establishment of active anti-hate units in police forces across the country.

This matter is not going to get better; its only going to get worse.

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Jasmine Mousseau has spent months trying to understand why her childrens school is on the chopping block.

Shes read reports prepared by the York Catholic School Board, crunched the numbers and talked to anyone willing to listen to her case for why Our Lady of Peace in Vaughan should stay open.

In her view, the facts speak for themselves; the school has 97 per cent enrollment, offers the only French immersion program in the area and has had among the highest EQAO scores in the city, says Mousseau.

But, more importantly, she says, closing down the school will divide the close-knit community in the heart of old Maple into two.

We are one community, said Mousseau, who moved into the area five years ago just so her kids could go to the school. She has one child in English and another in French.

We assemble together, we pray together and, after school, all the kids play together, she said. Its sad, because we are being carved up along linguistic lines.

On Tuesday, Mousseaus family and hundreds of others will learn the fate of their school, when York Catholic trustees vote to endorse a staff recommendation to shutter the school.

The 272 students in the English stream would be sent to Father John Kelly, which sits on busy Keele St., and the 191 French students would merge with Blessed Trinity, a school some two kilometres west.

Our Lady of Peace would close in June.

The real reason for closing the school is balancing the books, the board says.

Under pressure to deal with schools the provincial government considers under-utilized, school boards across Ontario have been ordered to conduct pupil-accommodation reviews to reduce half-empty schools.

York Catholic Boards need to do so has been even more necessary, due to a non-compliant budget, in which the boards deficit is more than one per cent of its operating revenue, according to the board.

YCDSB has seen an increase in the number of surplus (unfunded) pupil places over the last decade as enrolment has declined, said Sonia Gallo, a spokeswoman for the board. She added that there are 6,000 surplus spots in the board.

As of October 2015, the shortfall in funding to heat, clean and maintain classrooms in York Catholic is just over $5.5 million. If surplus capacity is not addressed by 2020, this shortfall is estimated to grow to over $7 million, said Gallo, who added that the ministry of education is helping the board create a plan to curb the trend.

As a result, the YCDSB has been conducting its accommodation reviews across York region.

The one in Maple, has sparked the most discord so far.

Parents say its because the process has been biased from the start.

The last time a school, at full capacity, has been closed was never, said parent Joe De Matteis.

We feel their minds were clearly made up to close Our Lady of Peace right from the start, he said.

He says the process was never consultative as it was meant to be and that the board chose to study only three schools in Maple, not all nine.

Parents say they are shocked why the board would choose to close a school nestled in a community and keep Father John Kelly Catholic Elementary School open, even though its on a main arterial road, right next to a gas station.

Parents said theyre concerned that the principal of Blessed Trinity sent an email to staff weeks before the board voted to initiate the Maple review, that accurately described the outcome of the report before it was made public.

The board issued an apology for the email miscommunication last week.

Carol Cotton, chair of the board, says the ministry guidelines suggest a preferred recommendation be made for the community and trustees to react to, she said.

What we found is that there is quite a successful French program that is growing and going to need more space. They are two declining English programs that are reaching the level that there are challenges delivering the program, such as split grades, she said.

She says its inaccurate to say the school is almost at capacity, adding that the English and French streams are separate. The French program is growing, and it will get more space to grow at Blessed Trinity, she said.

Its wonderful that they forged a great community, but you have an English program being offered in the school that is not equitable to others in the board . . . , because they are too small.

Our goal is to make that better, to have an optimal number of students. And, on a financial side, by putting them all together, we have a greater utilization of the facility, she said.

And we close a school, which is what this whole process is driving, to eliminate unfunded pupil places throughout the board, she said. Cotton added that this choice reduces capacity by 478 places.

The parents say they the boards numbers dont add up.

They say they have hired their own experts to evaluate the numbers, which show that the board would save more money in the long run by keeping Our Lady of Peace open and consolidating the other two schools.

They have also retained legal counsel to file a cease-and-desist order to stop the process.

More than 900 people have signed an online petition urging the board consider other options.

The moves are having an impact. Vaughan-Woodbridge Trustee Dino Giuliani says, given the conflicting information he has in hand, he doesnt feel comfortable making a decision Tuesday night.

These parents are asking (for) reasonable answers to reasonable questions, and so am I. And we havent gotten those answers . . . . I hope the board does the right thing to clear the air and be transparent, said Giuliani, adding that trustees need more clarity before they can make a decision to close either school.

Giuliani said he will be asking for a deferral of the vote. Given whats going on here . . . the integrity of the board is being challenged, and we, as trustees, have to restore that.

In the meantime, Mousseau says she and many other families have already started to look for other options if their school is closed  which includes taking their children out of the Catholic board altogether.

We will likely pull our children out of the board, if they move the French program, she said.

And its sad, because the Catholic board is struggling with how to keep enrollment up . . . , but they are making decisions that are really pushing people out.

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The police in Philadelphia found about 100 toppled headstones at a Jewish cemetery on Sunday, less than one week after a similar discovery was made in Missouri.

Responding to a report of vandalism at the Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetery in northeastern Philadelphia, the police said a man told them that three headstones belonging to his relatives had been knocked over and damaged.

Officers said they counted about 100 damaged headstones, which were most probably toppled sometime Saturday night. They did not say if they had identified suspects or a motive.

The episode drew almost immediate comparison to a similar discovery last Monday in University City, Missouri, where more than 150 headstones were toppled at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery. Also on Monday, 11 bomb scares were called into Jewish community centres across the United States, the fourth wave of such threats this year. A community centre in Philadelphia was among those targeted in the first round.

State and local officials denounced the destruction at the Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetery, describing it as an act of vandalism.

We are doing all we can to find the perpetrators who desecrated this final resting place, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Mayor Jim Kenney said. Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia.

Gov. Tom Wolf, on Twitter, described the damage as a cowardly, disturbing act of vandalism. Sen. Bob Casey called it despicable.

President Donald Trump issued on Tuesday his first condemnation of the mounting threats to Jewish people and institutions, after weeks of complaints from Jewish leaders that he had been unwilling to forcefully denounce such acts.

After the discovery on Sunday in Philadelphia, three groups offered a combined $13,000 for information leading to the arrests of those responsible, the police said.

It will cost at least $450 to $500 to repair each headstone, said Naomi Adler, the chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which is collecting online donations for the repairs and cleanup.

Its horrific; its a desecration of a sacred Jewish space, she said.

The cemeterys caretaker could not be reached for comment, but Adler said the caretaker was working with the police to assist in the investigation and assess the damage. The police have also vowed to step up patrols of local Jewish institutions, Adler said.

There are about 220,000 members of the Jewish community in the Philadelphia area, she said.

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Sunday that the Trump administration needs to be more mindful of perception and urged GOP lawmakers not to shy away from holding town hall events, though they might be confronted by protesters.

I understand why members of Congress dont like it, he said of the town halls. But you know what? You asked for the job. Go do it.

Christie has long been a fan of the town hall format, having held more than 160 by his own count during his governorship. His confrontations with protesters, particularly those affiliated with public-sector unions, helped him burnish his image as a plain-talking, no-nonsense politician. For many other office-holders from both parties, however, town hall events have generated unflattering viral videos of tense confrontations.

Read more: Republicans confronted by Indivisible movement

Christie said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union that Republican members of Congress ought to follow his lead even as activists mobilize to confront them publicly over GOP plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Welcome to the real world of responsibility, Christie said. The fact is that, right now, the heat is on the Republicans. Its on us . . . We now have two-thirds of the statehouses in America. We have the House. We have the Senate. We have the White House. Its now on us to produce results. And one of the things that we need to do is engage with the public.

Now, we understand that a lot of these protesters are professional protesters, people with an agenda, he continued. But you got to work through that. And you got to stand up, let them yell themselves out. In New Jersey, if I walked away from every town hall where I got yelled at, I would have never done one.

Christie also addressed reports that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus had asked a top FBI official to dispute reports about the bureaus investigation into alleged links between Trumps campaign and Russia. Christie, a former U.S. attorney who served as a top Trump campaign adviser and ran Trumps transition efforts before the election, said Priebus and other administration officials need to be more careful about their contacts with investigators.

The FBI official in question, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, should never have approached Priebus, Christie said, and Priebus should have referred any FBI contact to the White House counsel out of an abundance of caution.

I dont think that Reince thought he was doing anything wrong, I really dont, the governor said. And I have absolute confidence in his integrity. But you need to have the sensibility of a prosecutor when youre dealing with these issues, because perception matters.

During the campaign, Trump and other Republicans vilified Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton after her husband, former president Bill Clinton, visited with then-attorney general Loretta E. Lynch on an airport tarmac at a time when the Justice Department was probing Hillary Clintons use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. Both Bill Clinton and Lynch said the investigation was not discussed, but the perception of potential influence fuelled months of political attacks.

Christie said Sunday that sensibilities need to be tightened a little bit at the White House.

Remember, these are all people who have never been in government before, he said. And so theyre going to need to learn these things. And I dont think you get the learning curve just by winning the election. You develop experiences over time which tell you that.

I can guarantee you this: I dont think the chief of staff will ever have that kind of conversation with the FBI, with an FBI personnel again, nor should he, Christie continued. But, again, Reince Priebus has great integrity. I dont think he did anything wrong. But I do think that its something that perception matters, and we got to try it differently.

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ISMAILIA, EGYPTAfter Islamic militants barged into his uncles house, shot him and his son dead, then looted the place and set it on fire, Said Sameh Adel Fawzy knew it was time to leave.

The 35-year-old Christian, who owns a plumbing supply business in Egypts troubled northern Sinai town of el-Arish, packed up a few belongings and brought his family to the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, joining hundreds of Christians fleeing a spate of sectarian killings last week.

My cousin went to open the door after he heard knocking, Fawzy said, speaking from a youth hostel where authorities were putting up dozens of families who fled the town. Masked extremists, terrorists with a pistol, took him inside and shot him in the head, then dragged his screaming mother out to the street half-dressed and killed her husband. The woman, still in shock after the Tuesday night slayings, sat nearby.

Theyre thirsty for the blood of any Christian, said Wafaa Fawzy, the sister-in-law of Saad Hana, the man who was killed along with his son. They were pretty clear when they said they wont leave any Christian in peace. They want an Islamic state.

The killings, two of seven brutal slayings in recent weeks, come after a devastating Daesh suicide bombing at a Cairo church in December that killed nearly 30 people. The violence poses a fresh challenge to President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissis government to put down a Daesh-led insurgency in northern Sinai and prevent spillover that at times has reached the mainland.

The groups local affiliate recently vowed to step up a wave of attacks on the embattled Christian minority, pointing to a shift in tactics toward targeting Christians and their holy sites, which are less protected than the military and police installations that are their usual targets.

Northern Sinai has for years been the epicentre of an insurgency by Islamic militants, and the areas few Christians have slowly been trickling out. But departures surged after suspected militants again gunned down a Christian man in front of his family two days after Fawzys uncle and cousin were killed, stoking panic among Christians.

No militant group claimed has responsibility for the attacks. But the Daesh affiliate, which is based in northern Sinai, released a video vowing to step up attacks against Christians, who it describes as infidels empowering the West against Muslims.

Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypts population, have always been a favourite target of Islamic extremists. But attacks on churches have increased since the 2013 military overthrow of an Islamist president. Christians overwhelmingly supported the army chief-turned-president, el-Sissi, who led the ouster, and extremists have used their support as a pretext to increase attacks against them.

The Christian exodus continued for a fourth day Sunday, bringing to more than 100 the number of families who have fled el-Arish, said Nabil Shukrallah, an official with the citys Evangelical Church.

Families arrive frightened and in need of supplies, which are being stockpiled at the church from donations from several parishes, he said. The new arrivals are then housed in and around the city, in private homes or in accommodations provided by the government.

Theyre exhausted, with urgent needs for food and childrens clothing, he said, as one father carried a sick infant to be evacuated by ambulance. Theyre terrified of the violence and brutality.

Before Egypts 2011 Arab Spring uprising, some 5,000 Christians lived in northern Sinai, but that number has since dwindled to fewer than 1,000, according to Christian clergy members and residents. Egypt does not keep official statistics on the number of Christians in specific regions or nationwide.

Rights activists say the displacement is a clear sign the government has failed to provide security for the embattled minority in Egypts volatile northeastern corner, where they have faced threats before. They point to the fact that the government only agreed to put up the fleeing Christians in government housing after pressure on social media.

Blacksmith Ezzat Yacoub Ishak said he and his two sons left their apartments carrying absolutely nothing.

The security forces, theyre all hiding and scared for their lives, scared to confront those people, he said, speaking from a Spartan room furnished with only a mattress in a rented apartment in Ismailia. There is no security. Yes, there are military and police at the check points, but for my protection as a human there is nothing.

The militarys fight against the Sinai militants has been bitter.

Hundreds of troops have been killed, the army has razed hundreds of houses to stop alleged militant infiltration through tunnels from neighbouring Gaza, and in 2014, el-Sissi declared a state of emergency and curfew after suicide bombings killed more than 30 soldiers. Still, the insurgency has shown little sign of abating.

Mina Misak, another new arrival in Ismailia, said the spate of recent killings made life in el-Arish too much to bear. He said militants killed his father, Misak Nasrallah Misak, in a drive-by shooting a year ago as he left his job at a hospital.

It tore me to pieces when I found out, and now its even worse  theres no reason to stay, the 20-year-old said. Its difficult to do anything. Most of my friends and family have left. And Muslims are scared too, of course.

In el-Arish, there are seven checkpoint buildings lining the road to town, but inside, you hardly see a soldier, said Nabil, who like other fleeing Christians declined to give his last name for fear of reprisals. Whenever theres an attack they come after we telephone them, sometimes days later, and ask for descriptions of the killers. But thats all.

At the Ismailia youth hostel where authorities were putting up some 45 families, luggage, boxes of food and the newly displaced arrived throughout the day.

I dont want to stay there and die as a casualty in the war that has hit el-Arish, said Reda, a Christian civil servant who arrived two days earlier with six family members, including grandchildren. If they allow us we will stay here until the terrorism is over and the government makes peace.

At the Evangelical Church, a shop owner named Fayez arrived with a truckload of furniture ahead of his family to seek a place to relocate.

Hopefully well find a home and be able to stay here, but I dont know how I would move my business, he said. Daily life looks normal in el-Arish, until you hear about terrorists shooting people in their own homes.

Follow Brian Rohan on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/brian_rohan

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RACINE COUNTY  A proposal from Gov. Scott Walker to require parents with school-aged children who receive food stamps to work at least 80 hours per month is being met with mixed reactions.

The governor has said they would just reduce the parents (food stamps) benefit if they did not comply. But we all know that when people sit down to eat, they do that together as families, said Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director of Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee.

The proposal, which Walker pitched last month, comes about two years after the state voluntarily did away with a Great Recession-era waiver that had allowed able-bodied adults without school-aged children to be exempt from longstanding federal food stamp work requirements.

Requiring able-bodied adults with dependent children to follow the same requirements wont be as simple.

Federal food stamp law exempts able-bodied adults caring for children from such requirements, so Walker may need permission from President Donald Trump or Congress to implement the rule.

Walkers office has said the governor would seek federal waivers where needed.

Impact

Should Walker get the permission he needs to implement the changes, Tussler said she believes the only direct result will be less food-buying power in Racine County households and in the local economy, especially since Racine is recognized by the federal government as a labor surplus area.

That designation essentially means there arent as many jobs in the city as there are people looking for work.

Since 2015, 64,000 FoodShare recipients have lost benefits after receiving three months of food stamps and neither looking for nor gaining employment, according to Department of Health Services data released in December.

In Racine County, 2,648 have lost benefits since June 2015.

Tussler also has concerns about the for-profit company, ResCare, which the state has employed to monitor the work and job training requirements in place for able-bodied adults without kids in Racine County.

She argues that the program does little to train people for the kind of family-supporting jobs that would mean individuals would no longer qualify for food stamps.

Basically, what they do is they say you are going to work, and youre going to prove that you worked, and if you dont prove it, the clock starts ticking, and as soon as you hit that 91st day you are not going to get benefits anymore,  she said.

Meager benefits

The average FoodShare benefit in Racine County is $108 per month per person, but there are plenty of people who receive less than that. Thats something both Tussler and volunteers who work at food pantries across Racine can attest to.

A visit to four area Racine food pantries this month yielded only a handful of people who even receive FoodShare benefits. Only two of the FoodShare recipients that The Journal Times spoke with were unemployed and had school-age children. The rest either had jobs and received some benefits, did not have children, or had children but made too much money under state guidelines to receive the federally funded benefits.

LuAnn Hansen, who co-chairs of the food pantry operation at First Presbyterian, 716 College Ave, said she regularly has older and disabled adults who state they receive less than $15 a month in FoodShare benefits.

But even that small amount of money flowing into the economy can have a big impact, Tussler said, noting that Racine County lost $444,297 in food-buying benefits when the 2015 requirements were put into place.

Leticia Gomez, 27, of Racine, who was filling up a cart full of food for her family of four at First Presbyterians food pantry last week, said her monthly benefit was $65 for the entire household. Gomez said she is out of work and had been working in a temporary position. She said her husband, who was ill, also was out of work.

If I had a job it would help, she said.

Waiting in line at the food pantry at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 2000 W. Sixth St., Case High School senior Tasha Ray, who has an infant son, acknowledged that Walkers proposal could affect her if she is unable to secure unemployment after she graduates.

She said she lives with her mother and that the eight-person household collects about $700 in FoodShare benefits a month.

Putting people to work

Walker has touted the proposal as a way to get more Wisconsinites working.

State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he thinks the idea should be considered if it will get more able-bodied people into the workforce.

I think if you talk to most employers around Racine County they are, at best, having a difficulty finding workers, and at worst, desperate to find people to fill open positions, Vos said. We need everybody who is able to work out in the workforce to keep our economy going strong.

Democrats, including state Rep. Cory Mason of Racine, have argued the way to put more people to work and reduce dependence on food stamps is to make the minimum wage a living wage.

Most people who are on food stamps actually have jobs, Mason said, adding that if the Walker administration wants to reduce the number of people on food stamps, it should implement the same program it is considering for ex-cons.

If (Walker) really wants to spend substantial state resources getting people trained and having them work, he should give them the same opportunity he is giving re-entering felons and let them go to the technical college, and let them get trained for a degree that would give them a career and not just another dead-end job that keeps them in poverty, Mason said.
HELSINKIFinland is urging Europe to increase NATO contributions and focus more on security as the continent grapples with political turmoil from all sides, including from within.

Once the U.K. has quit the European Union, the 27 countries left behind need to double down on the blocs founding principle and give the remaining 444 million citizens what they most crave: security, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said at his seaside residence in Helsinki on Friday. The 68-year-old is head of state of the nation that shares the EUs longest border with Russia, a country with which Finland has regular contact for security and practical reasons.

The discussion dealing with security is one of those elements where we have the possibility to ensure European citizens that Brussels can take care of your security and that would be a huge message these days, Niinisto said.

The comments come as a spate of elections threatens to deepen the EUs biggest existential crisis in its 60-year history. The bloc is also being challenged in the east by Russia and in the west by a new U.S. administration that has predicted its disintegration, just over four years after it won the Nobel Peace Prize.

As it struggles to regain the legitimacy it lost in the eyes of many of its citizens after the debt crisis, the EU now faces a populist swell that threatens to undo many of the blocs founding principles.

Niinisto said a shift away from the centre in French politics in connection with elections starting in April wouldnt be a minor issue. He also stated his belief that National Front candidate Marine Le Pen wont win the presidency on May 7. She has said she wants to take the eurozones second-biggest economy out of the single currency bloc.

Niinisto warns that, after a generation of peace, theres a risk the EU has grown too complacent to the security risks it faces. Terrorist attacks in the heart of the EU  in Paris, Brussels and Berlin  underscore the need for safeguards.

In Europe we have been living in very peaceful decades and during that time very many countries have actually a bit forgotten the security details and policy, he said. Now its coming back.

He also says that decades of U.S. demands, reiterated by the new administration, that European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization foot their share of the security bill are understandable.

If theres an agreement, surely it should be fulfilled, he said.

Finland, which has stayed out of NATO largely because of its proximity to Russia, is building closer military ties with neighbouring Sweden, which is also militarily non-aligned.

Germany, Europes biggest economy, is working toward raising its military budget to reach NATOs target of 2 per cent of gross domestic product, Chancellor Angela Merkel said this month. If Germany and France alone were to meet that target by 2024, it could add more than $40 billion to their defence spending, almost two-thirds the amount Russia spends. But European countries have so far refused to consolidate their defense industries or procurement, meaning the euros they do spend dont have as much clout as each dollar spent by the U.S. or every ruble spent by Russia.

Im sure that individuals, families around Europe, feel a bit unsafe, Niinisto said. My thinking is that maybe the main task that the union has is to make sure for everybody that they can live in peace, that they can work in peace, that they can develop their society in peace.

Niinisto said he is in contact with Moscow, Berlin and Washington  though is put off by self-declared peace mediators not appointed to such roles. Finlands contacts with Russia are maybe a bit more frequent, thats because were close to Russia, he said. Its one of the main pillars of our security policy to keep up the dialogue.

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MANILAOnce, when Rodrigo Duterte got to talking about his anti-drug campaign, he mused about murdering his children. If his son used drugs, he said in April, he would kill him himself.

But seven months and about 7,000 deaths into his self-proclaimed drug war, the Philippine presidents children are alive and well. The same cannot be said for thousands of Filipino children and youths.

Dutertes war on drugs is quickly morphing into a campaign against disadvantaged kids. Since he came to power last July promising to kill all of the countrys criminals, some of the Philippines youngest and most vulnerable citizens have literally been caught in the crossfire, with children as young as 4 and 5 shot dead.

Read more:

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Thousands of others have lost a parent, often the family breadwinner, to the violence, and even more have witnessed the macabre spectacle of a state-backed killing spree, surviving shootings by hiding, or peering at mutilated bodies dumped into ditches where children play hide-and-seek.

Now Duterte and his political allies are backing a bill that would lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9, giving a police force known for violent impunity more room to target suspects who still have baby teeth.

Duterte pitched the move as a way to stop a generation of criminals in its tracks. School-age thieves and drug runners must be taught responsibility, he said. The draft bill alludes to the pampering of young offenders.

Human rights groups and advocates for child welfare counter that the lives of children living at the margins of the drug trade are anything but pampered. Taking aim at 9-, 11- or 13-year-olds, they say, is both cruel and counterproductive.

The war on drugs has been violent  torture, summary executions and extrajudicial killings have been used to eradicate suspected drug users, said Rowena Legaspi, executive director of the Childrens Legal Rights and Development Center, which is documenting drug-war killings.

The bill is an effort to broaden the campaign, she said, criminalizing minors and legitimizing state-led violence against children.

Duterte pitched his call to massacre drug suspects as a means to protect future generations, but he seems to see the death of young people as a means to this end.

In August, a 5-year-old girl named Danica May Garcia was fatally shot by unknown assailants who had come for her grandfather, a drug suspect.

When the attackers entered her home, her grandfather tried to flee through the back door, according to local media reports. Danica, who was getting out of the bath, was felled by a bullet that entered at the nape of her neck and exited through her right cheek.

Not long after, a 4-year-old was inadvertently shot in a buy-bust operation, caught between her drug-suspect father and the police. Both cases generated a public outcry, but no change of policy came from the president or his team.

Asked about their deaths in an October interview with Al Jazeera, Duterte said the dead children were collateral damage in his campaign. We have three million drug addicts and its growing. So if we do not interdict this problem, the next generation will be having a serious problem, he said.

In my country, there is no law that says I cannot threaten criminals, he added. I do not care what the human rights guys say. I have a duty to preserve the generation. If it involves human rights, I dont give a s---. I have to strike fear.

For many children and teens, fear is now constant. Minors living with or near adults suspected of involvement in the drug trade are direct victims of the violence  and also witnesses to what many consider state-endorsed crimes.

In late December, a slight, soft-spoken 18-year-old who now goes by Ryan went to his girlfriends house to see whether her brother could fix his bike. Ryan, who has been working since he was 12, needed to ride it to work, he said.

While he was inside, four men approached on motorcycles, dismounted and opened fire on the ramshackle home, killing seven people, including three teenagers.

Ryan was shot through the right hip but survived. As the only living witness to a drug-related massacre, he fears he will be taken out by masked assassins or their allies among the local police.

He now lives in sanctuary at a church in central Manila. Its the only place thats safe, he said.

Poor children will suffer most if the new crime bill passes, experts said.

The vast majority of drug killings target low-level users and dealers living in congested urban areas. As a recent report by Amnesty International put it, it is less of a drug war than it is a war on the poor.

Many of the 7,000 dead worked in the countrys gray economy, driving pedicabs, for instance, or selling food; some were sole breadwinners. Families in Manilas slums struggle to come up with school fees or buy enough food, let alone pay funeral expenses. The killings perpetuate the cycle of poverty that sucks children and youths into the drug trade, child advocates said.

One veteran child-rights worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear that the police would target her work, said some of Manilas most marginalized children, including orphans and those living in the streets, were being picked up by police officers who needed numbers for their anti-drug operations.

Young people are being detained for having a tattoo or for looking thin, like a drug user, she said. They are often thrown into jails packed with adults and expected to fend for themselves.

Legaspi of the Childrens Legal Rights and Development Center said the overcrowded, underfunded system is ill-equipped to protect and rehabilitate minors. Yes, there are children used by syndicates to commit crimes, but we point out that these children are victims, she said.

Children should not be punished by putting them in jail at [an] early age, she added. Then they will live in a culture of criminality. Young children will mix with adults or with 17-year-olds who committed murder.

Her organization and child-rights groups such as UNICEF are speaking out against the criminal-responsibility bill, trying to convince Duterte and his supporters that arresting desperate children will not keep them from serving as runners for dealers or from selling drugs.

That leaves young people such as Ryan, the 18-year-old witness, with few options. He will not feel safe until the people who killed his friends are in prison, or Duterte calls off the police.

His only plan, for now, is to hide. He will stay at the church, he said, until he grows up.

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NEW YORKOn Sunday morning, the time when many engage in the weekend ritual of reading the news over coffee, a large crowd converged outside the New York Times Manhattan headquarters on Eighth Ave. to defend the American press.

Its a New York Sunday tradition, read a sign held by Norman Cohen, a freelance TV producer, Coffee, Bagels, and a FREE PRESS. The protest, which was led by Get Organized BK, was in response to President Donald Trumps decision on Friday to bar several news organizations from a White House briefing, including the Times.

Protesters walked from the Times to the offices of Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, and then to NBCs headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza before returning to the Times building. Protesters made it clear that they championed press freedom for all outlets, regardless of political leaning. Some had masking tape over their mouths, symbolizing a muzzling of the press.

When the New York Times is under attack, what do we do? Michael Zorek, a stay-at-home father from the Upper West Side of Manhattan shouted to the crowd. Stand up! Fight back! The group boomed back, responding with the mantra as Zorek shouted again, listing names of news organizations from BuzzFeed to the Public Broadcasting Service.

Dean Baquet, the executive editor of the New York Times, praised the protesters efforts. By blocking certain reporters from attending Fridays open briefing, the presidents press secretary, Sean Spicer, undermines one of the few institutions that has as its role asking tough, independent-minded questions of the president, Baquet said.

The Trump administration did not respond to an email requesting comment.

On Eighth Ave., two men held a large U.S. flag, on which they had written Press Freedom in red, white and blue. On a piece of cardboard was a quotation from Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain: When you look at history, the first thing dictators do is shut down the press.

The president has used Twitter to declare the press the enemy of the American people. Baquet disagreed, saying, I dont look at us as the enemy of the White House. I look at us as people who are aggressively covering the White House.

As the protest concluded, some people waved Sundays edition of the Times, folded to reveal a full-page advertisement from the newspaper.

It read: Truth. Its more important now than ever.

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It took 10 months of media scrutiny and public outrage before Canadians learned Manulife Bank of Canada was the mysterious financial institution behind a $1.2-million fine for money-laundering violations.

The same day Manulifes identity was kept secret last April, a handful of much smaller companies  facing far less severe fines  were publicly named by FINTRAC, the countrys money-laundering and terrorist funding watchdog.

That confusing double standard has triggered a review of FINTRACs disclosure policy amid an ongoing Toronto Star/National Observer investigation.

In exercising my discretion to withhold the name of the bank, I understand that it may not have met public expectations in relation to openness and transparency, wrote Gerald Cossette, FINTRAC director, in a statement.

We are going to look to work with Finance Canada to review the legislation in relation to our penalty program. We are also examining our administrative monetary penalty policies to ensure, among other things, that they strike an appropriate balance between the need for transparency and the requirements of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.

The carefully worded statement still makes no reference to the bank at the centre of the controversy  an expression of the agencys puzzling transparency criteria since its birth in 2008.

Over the past eight years, FINTRAC has named 40 companies for violating the law while keeping secret another 55.

Its very unfair to name someone and not name someone else, says Michael Baumbach, director with The Diamond Exchange, a jewelry store in downtown Toronto with three sales staff that was publicly fined $12,750 by FINTRAC the same day as Manulife.

Regardless of the money involved, its about the principle. They were out to make a point: Dont mess with FINTRAC . . . . Why would you damage the reputation of a small company  which is the backbone of the country  and not a bank which was, as I understand, engaged in transactions deemed to be suspicious?

As part of a Toronto Star/National Observer investigation over the past two months, reporters attempted to identify the bank fined by FINTRAC by surveying all 32 Schedule I banks in Canada, asking them to clearly state whether they were involved.

While almost all the banks responded unequivocally, Manulife wrote last Wednesday: We do not comment on any matters regarding our regulators, whether they are rumour, speculation or fact.

On Monday, Manulife issued a public statement confirming it was the mystery bank in question.

The penalty essentially related to administrative lapses in reporting to FINTRAC, the bank said in a written statement. Although we operate at the highest ethical standard, we are capable of administrative errors. They were remedied in the first half of 2014 . . . . Manulife did not enable or facilitate money-laundering and media reports to the contrary are inaccurate.

When the Diamond Exchange was publicly named on April 5, 2016, FINTRAC issued a press release detailing the offences and the companys conduct. It did the same for two other companies named that day  a Toronto securities dealer fined $28,500 and a Regina jewelry story fined $13,500.

Manulife was fined 20 times more than the other three companies combined. But the banks name appeared nowhere on FINTRACs website (and still does not).

The only hint of FINTRACs first-ever action against a bank was an inconspicuous line added to a penalty chart referring only to an anonymous bank.

Over the last three months, the Star and the National Observer have published exclusive details, based on access to information documents, about the offences behind the fine.

Among those findings:

Manulifes fine, which was reduced twice from an initial $1.8 million, was for five different types of violations of anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing law, involving a failure to report transfers totalling at least $12.2 million.

The bank failed to report one suspicious transaction to FINTRAC  labelled a very serious violation that experts say undermines Canadas system to detect financial crimes and trace dirty money.

Manulife also failed to report 1,174 outgoing international electronic transfers of $10,000 or more, 45 deposits of $10,000 or more in cash and four incoming international electronic transfers of $10,000 or more.

The bank was also fined for failing to develop and apply compliance policies and procedures.

Based on public records, court documents and public statements, the Star and the Observer also reported the identity of the Manulife client behind the offences: Andrew Strempler, a convicted Winnipeg-based felon and pharmacist who made tens of millions of dollars selling counterfeit medication to Americans over the Internet.

Strempler was arrested in Panama in June 2012, and extradited back to the U.S. where he was convicted for mail fraud in October of that year and sentenced to four years in prison.

Manulifes written statement says the bank proactively worked with law enforcement in both Canada and the United States in relation to the matter underlying the one suspicious transaction report (STR) violation, including advising law enforcement prior to the failure to file this one STR.

Strempler returned to Canada and appears to have opened a small consultancy business outside Winnipeg.

In recent years, Canadian banks have been named by American regulators for breaching money-laundering regulations. BMO Harris Bank, a subsidiary based in Chicago, was ordered by the U.S. Federal Reserve to reinforce its anti-money laundering policies in 2013. Two years later, Scotiabank was ordered by the New York Reserve to correct deficiencies in their internal oversight.

Even though neither bank was fined, both were named publically as a matter of course.

Canadians want more transparency, but because of our lax policies were going to see more controversies until we get the policies fixed, said James Cohen, head of Transparency International  Canada. It has caused confusion among regulators and the public.

FINTRAC needs to repeal this idea of discretion and publish public standards for how and when to name (a fined institution).

The Diamond Exchanges Baumbach says FINTRACs public shaming continues to tarnish his companys reputation over administrative paperwork requirements.

FINTRACs penalties against The Diamond Exchange include: Failure to develop and apply written compliance policies and procedures; failure to assess and document the risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing; and failure to develop and maintain a written, ongoing compliance training program.

Baumbach says the company has training manuals and compliance policies in place. If they were insufficient in some way, he says FINTRAC could have advised them on improvements. Instead, they fined and publicly named the company without question.

Mahdi Al-Saady, CEO of Altaif Inc., an Ottawa-based money exchange and transfer company, was hit with a $42,600 FINTRAC fine  and publicly named  in 2014.

The violations for which Altaif was fined included failing to report the sending and receipt of money transfers of more than $10,000  two of the same violations the unnamed bank was found to have committed.

I can give you one word for that  unfair, Al-Saady said in an interview. When you search our name on Google, youll find our name on a list. How are we going to get rid of this?

For a smaller business like Altaif, the FINTRAC penalty is a one-two punch, he said: the fine itself, plus the long-term damage of having the companys name listed online as a violator of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.

Business has suffered since the fine in 2014, he said: Ive been rejected from many institutions. Even suppliers, like for currencies, as soon as they see our name, they just refuse to deal with us.

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Jewish centres and schools across the nation coped with another wave of bomb threats Monday as officials in Philadelphia began raising money to repair and restore hundreds of vandalized headstones at a Jewish cemetery.

Jewish Community Centers and day schools in at least a dozen states received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No bombs were found. All 21 buildings  13 community centres and eight schools  were cleared by Monday afternoon and had resumed normal operations, the association said.

It was the fifth round of bomb threats against Jewish institutions since January, prompting outrage and exasperation among Jewish leaders as well as calls for an aggressive federal response to put a stop to it.

Read more:

Pence condemns anti-Semitic vandalism in visit to Missouri cemetery

100 headstones toppled at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia

The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out  and speak out forcefully  against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country, said David Posner, an official with JCC Association of North America. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instil anxiety and fear in our communities.

The FBI and the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division are investigating the threats.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the vandalism and bomb threats serious, unacceptable behaviour and said the department will do what it can to assist in pushing back ... and prosecuting anybody that we can prove to be a part of it.

We are a nation that is a diverse constituency, and we dont need these kind of activities, Sessions said.

In Philadelphia, police investigated what they called an abominable crime after several hundred headstones were damaged during the weekend at Mount Carmel Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery dating to the late 1800s, said Steven Rosenberg, chief marketing officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

Police said the vandalism appeared to be targeted at the Jewish community, though they cautioned they had not confirmed the motive. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said authorities were doing everything possible to find those who desecrated this final resting place.

Im hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids, said Aaron Mallin, who discovered the damage during a visit to his fathers grave. But the fact that theres so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted, he told WPVI-TV.

The vandalism comes less than a week after a Jewish cemetery in suburban St. Louis was targeted. More than 150 headstones there were damaged, many of them tipped over.

Both acts of vandalism spurred offers of help.

The Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group for more than 50 union locals that work in the construction industry, offered to repair the damage at Mount Carmel free of charge, calling it a cowardly act of anti-Semitism that cannot be tolerated. A community cleanup organized by the Jewish Federation was to begin Tuesday with as many as 50 volunteers per hour.

And in Missouri, a Muslim crowdfunding effort to support the vandalized Jewish cemetery near St. Louis had raised more than $136,000 (U.S.) by Monday, with organizers announcing they would use some of the money for the Philadelphia cemetery.

Mondays bomb threats caused no physical damage but were no less worrisome.

Theres plenty of people who are scared, said Rosenberg, who denounced the hoaxsters as an embarrassment to civilized society.

Some 200 people were evacuated from a Jewish Community Center in York, Pennsylvania, after a caller told the front desk there was a bomb in the building, said Melissa Plotkin, the York JCCs director of community engagement and diversity. Police entered the building and cleared it, she said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, who has long ties to the York centre, having served on its board, called the bomb threats and cemetery vandalism reprehensible.

These acts are cowardly and disturbing, Wolf told reporters in a conference call Monday. We must find those responsible and hold them accountable for these hate crimes.

Jewish centres and schools in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia also were threatened, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Since January, the group has tracked a total of 90 incidents in 30 states and Canada.

Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network, a non-profit founded by several national Jewish groups to bolster security in the Jewish community, said Jewish Community Centers and other Jewish institutions have extensive security protocols in place.

After dealing with Mondays threats, he said, the Jewish community is back in business.

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WASHINGTONThe White House says President Donald Trumps upcoming budget will propose a whopping $54 billion increase in defence spending and impose corresponding cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid. The result is that Trumps initial budget wouldnt dent budget deficits projected to run about $500 billion.

Read more:

Expect something special to replace Obamacare, Trump tells health insurers

If theyre going to pass Trumps agenda, Republicans first have to weather the Indivisible movement

Hes shocked hes not in control of the press: Once king of New York tabloids, Trump struggles with Washington press

White House budget officials outlined the information during a telephone call with reporters given on condition of anonymity. The budget officials on the call ignored requests to put the briefing on the record, even though Trump on Friday decried the use of anonymous sources by the media.

Trumps defence budget and spending levels for domestic agency operating budgets will be revealed in a partial submission to Congress next month, with proposals on taxes and other programs coming later.

The big, approximately 10 per cent increase for the Pentagon would fulfil a Trump campaign promise to build up the military. The senior budget office official said there will be a large reduction in foreign aid and that most domestic agencies will have to absorb cuts. He did not offer details, but the administration is likely to go after longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tentative proposals for the 2018 budget year that begins Oct. 1 are being sent to agencies, which will have a chance to propose changes to the cuts as part of a longstanding tradition at the budget office.

Trumps budget, once finalized and sent to Congress in mid-March, is sure to set off a huge Washington battle. Democrats and some Republicans are certain to resist the cuts to domestic agencies, and any legislation to implement them would have to overcome a filibuster threat by Senate Democrats. A government shutdown is a real possibility.

Trumps budget also wont make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare, according to an administration official.

Capitol Hill aides confirmed details of the upcoming blueprint on the condition of anonymity to discuss information thats not yet been made public.

Trumps first major fiscal marker will land in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint session of Congress. For Trump, the primetime speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

The upcoming submission covers the budget year starting on Oct. 1. But first theres an April 28 deadline to finish up the unfinished spending bills for the ongoing 2017 budget year, which is almost half over, and any stumble or protracted battle could risk a government shutdown then as well.

The March release is also expected to include an immediate infusion of 2017 cash for the Pentagon thats expected to register about $20 billion or so and contain the first wave of funding for Trumps promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.

The president previewed a boost in military spending during a speech Friday to conservative activists, pledging one of the greatest build-ups in American history.

We will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything, bigger and better and stronger than ever before, he said.

In an interview with Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said cuts to Social Security and Medicare would not be part of the administrations first budget. Trumps priority is passing legislation to reduce middle-class and corporate taxes, he said.

As a candidate, Trump promised to leave major entitlements untouched, breaking with some Republican leaders who believe the costly programs need to be reformed.

The White House budget office issued a statement confirming that an interim budget submission will be released in mid-March but declining to comment on an internal discussion.

The president and his Cabinet are working collaboratively to create a budget that keeps the presidents promises to secure the country and restore fiscal sanity to how we spend American taxpayers money, said Office of Management and Budget spokesman John Czwartacki.

Czwartacki said that the March submission would only address agency operating budgets funded by Congress and that proposals on tax reform and so-called mandatory programs  they include food stamps, student loans, health programs and farm subsidies  will be released later.

By increasing defence and leaving Medicare and Social Security untouched, the Trump final budget plan is sure to project sizable deficits. In the campaign Trump promised huge tax cuts but top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin dont want this years tax reform drive to add to the budget deficit.

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The storyline detailing the flood of refugees crossing into Canada to escape Donald Trump should be kept in perspective.

First, it is not a flood. Second, not all of those who claim to be refugees will necessarily be granted that status. Third, it is not yet clear that all or even most are fleeing the new U.S. president.

The individual tales of those struggling through snow and frigid temperatures to find asylum in Canada are gripping. But the numbers remain small.

Since the beginning of the year, roughly 140 people have crossed illegally into Manitoba  one of two provinces that have captured public attention. About 450 more have crossed illegally into Quebec, where the border is equally porous.

The numbers are up from last year but, according to the federal government, down from 2008.

In any case, compared to Canadas total planned refugee intake this year of 40,000, this is still minor  so far.

Those crossing the border illegally are using a loophole in the Safe Third Country agreement between Canada and the U.S. That 2004 pact, negotiated in large part at Canadas behest, prevents asylum seekers already in the U.S. from making refugee claims at the Canadian border  and vice versa.

But those who manage to somehow make it past the border can make a claim for asylum  which is what those crossing illegally into Manitoba and Quebec are doing.

Not all who apply for refugee status get it. Claimants must be able to successfully make the case they would face persecution if they returned to their country of origin.

Legally, its not enough to be poor and desperate. The merely poor and desperate must apply for residency in Canada through the standard immigration system. They may be very nice people. But unless they face persecution at home, they are not considered refugees under the law.

In short, we dont yet know how many of the roughly 600 people who have crossed into Manitoba and Quebec since Jan. 1 will be accepted as refugees. Those who are not will be subject to deportation back to their home countries.

Its hard to estimate how much of the bump in refugee claims from non-Americans living in the U.S. is attributable to Trump. His anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant rhetoric certainly has made many nervous. Thats the conclusion of Jean-Nicolas Beuze, a representative of the United Nations refugee agency who spent a day last week watching between 50 and 70 migrants illegally cross into Quebec.

Beuze told Canadian Press that most of those he spoke to had papers allowing them to live legally in the U.S. But many figured their asylum claims would have a better chance in Canada.

Still, not all of this is necessarily attributable to Trump. The U.S. refugee system has always been more politicized than that of Canada  which is one reason why so many refugee advocates mistrust the Safe Third Country agreement.

In the 1980s, for instance Central Americans fleeing death squads tied to Washington had little chance of winning refugee status in the U.S. The odds were always better in Canada.

Some believe that similar differences still exist.

One refugee claimant from Ghana, who lost fingers to frostbite during his harrowing Christmas Eve journey across the Manitoba border last year, told CBC Radio he made the trek because his refugee claim had been denied in the U.S.  well before Trump became president.

We shall see what happens as Trump continues to roll out his agenda.

So far, Ottawa has rejected calls to formally suspend the Safe Third Country agreement in order to regularize the flow of refugee claimants entering Canada from the U.S.

But in Quebec, it has effectively done just that, by establishing unofficial entry points along the frontier.

The would-be refugees know exactly where to cross the border into Quebec. The RCMP are there waiting to arrest them and transport them to border officials so they can make their formal asylum claims.

Everyone is polite. Everything is orderly. The Mounties sometimes help with the migrants luggage.

As my colleague Allan Woods has written, it is like a play where all know their parts. Very Canadian.

Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Ten years ago Ontario made a wise but difficult decision to stop burning coal and turn instead toward renewable energy that is healthier for both people and the planet. No one said doing that would be cheap, but few could have predicted just how shambolic  and thus how expensive  the transition would be.

Over the past 14 years, hydro prices in the province have tripled, exceeding by far those in the rest of the country. This has created hardship for many Ontarians and a political disaster for the Liberal government. As Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault said on Friday, it didnt have to be this way.

In an encouraging speech to the Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa, Thibeault acknowledged that the Liberal government made mistakes that have contributed to out-of-control electricity costs. The transition away from coal was the right direction, he said, but it was not handled properly: As they say, hindsight is 20-20.

Indeed, its not hard to see where things went wrong. When Dalton McGuinty came to power in 2003, Ontarios energy infrastructure was outdated and unreliable. Rolling brownouts were common. To remedy this, his government rightly invested in new, greener infrastructure. But in the process, it made a big mistake, offering hugely lucrative, fixed-term 20-year contracts to renewable-energy providers that continue to haunt the province to this day.

The problem was that the deals guaranteed that the energy companies would get paid regardless of how much power they produced, denying Ontarians the cost benefits of energy competition. Moreover, far more plants were built than were needed, especially after demand plummeted beginning with the 2008 recession. The auditor general has said Ontario now has a capacity that is more than twice the average need, and nearly a third larger than the peak demand. Yet residents continue to pay for these superfluous plants through their hydro bills.

Then, of course, there was the $1 billion the government squandered cancelling two inconveniently located gas plants in advance of the 2011 provincial election, and the unexpectedly costly upkeep of the new infrastructure. Not to mention the continuation of eye-popping pay packages for hydros senior executives, the unseemliness of which grows in direct proportion to the rise in energy bills.

Since Premier Kathleen Wynne took over in 2013, her government has made several promising but modest moves in the right direction. It renegotiated deals with wind and solar power providers, saving a significant sum in the process; ceased production of new nuclear reactors; and started buying cheaper hydroelectric power from Quebec. More dubiously, late last year the government offered an 8-per-cent rebate on bills, taking $1 billion out of public coffers just to put a few extra bucks in the pockets of Ontarians.

But, as Thibeault acknowledged in his speech, much more must be done to rein in hydro costs. The province has already promised more rate relief, perhaps in the form of a means-tested rebate that would help those least able to absorb the skyrocketing costs. That would be a welcome addition to last years regressive rebate. Thibeault also reiterated his commitment to making Ontarios electricity more competitive in the future, by relinquishing governments control over prices and allowing providers to bid for contracts. That, too, would be a welcome step.

Ontario has been a leader in the transition to green energy. As Thibeault said on Friday, that move was absolutely the right policy. But this transition is not just about energy; its about people. The sooner the government attends to the impact on Ontarians, especially those in need, the better.

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Re: Contested development, Feb. 17

Re: The real architect behind T.O.s tower struggle, Feb 18.

Re: Approved by the OMB, Feb. 19

Contested development, Feb. 17

Congratulations to the Toronto Star and Jennifer Pagliaro for this timely investigation of the city planning disasters that threaten Torontos neighbourhoods today.

The unelected Ontario Municipal Board, and the Committee of Adjustments, with their approval of the profit-driven visions of developers, seem unconcerned about viability assessments, traffic disasters, transit mayhem and the increased psychosis and depression that many respected studies show are increased by a hyperdense urban environment.

Isnt it time to call a halt to reckless and ruthless construction in our city? Does Toronto want to mimic Mumbai or Paris?

Margaret van Dijk, Toronto

The real architect behind T.O.s tower struggle, Feb 18.

Jennifer Pagliaros critique of the dictatorial OMB is right on. As a retired planner with the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs, I remember when the OMB was considered the good guy.

In the early days of urban sprawl, municipalities lacked planning staff, the planning policies and especially the political will to control sprawl.. Developers basically had the local politicians in their back pockets and got plans approved with little oversight. The OMB then would come in and make sure that those plans conformed to provincial planning policies.

Today, municipalities have professional staff and policies to curb excess development such as sprawl in the 905, and condo over-development in Toronto. As Ms. Pagliaro points out, it is now the OMB which cow-tows to whims of developers to the detriment of sound urban growth. It is beyond time the province changed the mandate of that organization and put planning back into the hands of the professionals.

Ron Brown, Toronto

Onward and upward, Feb. 20

Congratulations on a very insightful series on condo development and the OMB in Toronto.

Jennifer Pagliaro successfully describes the complicated relations between the OMB and developers, and the continued lack of real change in how the OMB is run. She also touches on how developers influence politicians by funding their parties, paving the way for ever- higher condo towers.

I live in High Park Village. If two proposals go through by Minto and Great West Life, our density will be doubled, considering that a huge project, Grenadier Square, has been approved by the OMB in spite of opposition by the entire city council. It is appalling to think that our stable community will disappear, and be replaced by another concrete jungle like Eglinton and Yonge.

Pagliaro hits the nail on the head when she quotes Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam: How much density is too much density and where is that density appropriate.

Communities must have a larger say in what happens to their neighbourhoods.

Cathy Brown, Toronto

Congratulations on your OMB articles, which succinctly state why most people are leery of the OMB.

Hearing officers are impressed by smart suits and smart talk of the rich and powerful.

Citizens are routinely treated with contempt and largely ignored.

It is time the OMB stopped disgracing the province.

David Godley, Toronto

Im glad the Star is bringing to light the horrific power of the OMB to destroy this city and other emerging cities in Ontario. It seems this board is ruled by megalomaniacs who care only about money and power rather than peoples lives. This whole institution needs to be disbanded and perhaps rethought by planners who actually care about how peoples lives will be affected if overcrowded areas with limited transportation options, grocery stores, schools and daycare facilities are the new norm.

Seems the OMB is only in it for the money and prestige because its pretty obvious to me that they are bullies and a detriment to this province!

Jane White, Scarborough

Thank you for the well-written articles on the OMB.

I was one of three in the neighbourhood who got to speak out against the City Lights at 99 Broadway. At the time we doubted our opinions mattered. In the judgment, Mr. Lee pointed out no one was there from the building to the south on Redpath, so they did not care.

The ones I knew in there said to me, Why are you wasting your time, you know OMB will side with the developer as usual.

Get rid of the OMB, who do not care about neighbourhoods.

Dean Rogers, Toronto

One vital role that the Ontario Municipal Board plays is that it counteracts the efforts of city residents and their elected representatives to restrict the housing supply. Economists have found strong evidence that regulations that restrict the development of new housing also increase the cost of housing substantially. Essentially, fewer homes means higher prices.

While many residents and officials are motivated by genuine concern of overdevelopment, there is often a financial incentive to maintain the (rapidly increasing) value of a Toronto home, which tends to be residents primary investment.

Affordable housing is a hot topic right now in Toronto, and rightly so. The ability to move to highly productive cities is important for the economic growth of the province, so we should be mindful of restrictive development policies that artificially raise the price of housing.

Jamie Naylor, Toronto

This is a good series.

Another OMB problem: I worked for a time for one of the councillors and was involved in several files where the city had numerous objections to developments, including visible ones like height and setback, and less obvious technical problems like density that would overwhelm the nearby antiquated storm and sewage systems.

I was told by city planners that when they went to the OMB it was difficult for the city to persuade credible third-party experts to testify on their behalf, because those experts feared for their reputation among developers. Apparently, you quickly get labelled and isolated and the only work you can eventually get is testifying against developers, which decreases your credibility when testifying. For this reason the brightest experts tend not to speak up on the side of the city, even though they know it might be the right thing to do.

Bruce Nagy, Toronto

Approved by the OMB, Feb. 19

I had the pleasure of working with Wilson Lee at the Region of Peel. He is a professional and competent lawyer and a fine gentlemen.

To be picked on and trashed by the big powerful Toronto Star through the work of Jennifer Pagliaro as the main bad guy at the OMB is disgraceful, especially the part about Who Is Wilson Lee.

I hope your omsbudperson will consider some form of apology for this abuse of your considerful power.

Larry Hawes, Georgetown, Ont.

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RACINE  Noting uncertainty and fear among some over immigration laws, state Rep. Cory Mason said his new bilingual website is a small effort to help Latino constituents.

Mason, D-Racine, unveiled the legislative website Monday at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. The site includes contact information, news releases and resources in English and Spanish.

It also has information on constitutional rights people have when interacting with law enforcement or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, according to a news release.

Reassuring people in the community that they are valued, that they are welcomed, and an important part of our community is something that I wanted to reinforce here today, Mason said. This is a small demonstration of it, but it was something that I wanted to do in solidarity with the Latino community.

The site can be found at legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/66/mason.

Recent ICE raids and uncertainty over President Donald Trumps plans for enforcing immigration laws has many, particularly in the Latino community, fearing arrest or deportation. Mason said Latino residents make up nearly one-third of his district, which encompasses much of the City of Racine.

Having a website in which people can get information is helpful because many are scared to go to public meetings due to their immigration status, community activist Maria Morales said.

It brings tears to my eyes because you couldnt imagine the people who call me that are scared, she said. We have forums and other meetings, but theyre scared to go.
At this point, the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show could be renamed Android-palooza, and few wouldcomplain. Though the product announcements made at MWC, which takes place this week in Barcelona, are by no means limited to Android hardware, it's clearly now the biggest event of the year for showcasing new devices running on Alphabet/Google's (GOOGL) mobile operating system, as well as related chipsets, apps, services and accessories.

Here are some of the most notable announcements made at MWC thus far (I previously covered some mobile processor/modem announcements from Samsung, Intel (INTC) and Qualcomm (QCOM) that were made ahead of the show).

1. Google Assistant

Five months after being made available on the company's Pixel phones, Google is making Assistant available to all devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher in the coming weeks. For now, that means about 30% of Android devices in use will have access to Google's voice assistant, which is an outgrowth of the older Google Now service.

This should have arguably been done sooner, especially when one takes into account the announcement below from Amazon. But Google was intent on giving the Pixel an extra selling point during its first months of availability. Reviews of Assistant, which can also be accessed through Google's quixotic Allo messaging app, have generally been good. Though its feature set still needs to be fleshed out some, reviewers have praised Assistant's ability to maintain a conversation and understand the context of voice commands/requests -- Google's AI investments at work -- as well as its integration with Google Search and other Google services.

2. Amazon's Alexa

Lenovo's Motorola plans to integrateAmazon's (AMZN) Alexa voice assistant into most of its phones going forward. It will also be built into some of the Moto Mods snap-on accessories that work with phones such as the Moto Z.

Though Alexa now has a vibrant ecosystem of third-party apps and services supporting it, its limited smartphone/tablet presence relative to Google Assistant and Siri has been a strategic weakness. That's both because smartphone/tablet sales are orders of magnitude larger than sales of home assistants such as Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo line, and because all of the mobile voice commands taken in by Siri/Assistant helps make the platforms smarter.

Getting Motorola's backing isn't as big as getting, say, Samsung's, but assuming one can activate it by simply saying "Hey Alexa," it could still significantly increase Alexa's user base, and often result in Alexa fielding different kinds of voice commands than what it normally receives in a home environment. The announcement comes after Huawei said it would pre-install an Alexa app on its Mate 9 high-end phablet, and a slew of Alexa-powered, third-party, smart home products were unveiled at CES last month.

3. Samsung

Unlike in prior years, Samsung didn't unveil its latest Galaxy S flagship at MWC -- the Galaxy S8 is expected to be revealed at a March 29 NYC event. But the company did launch several other devices.

The Galaxy Tab S3 might now be the best high-end Android tablet on the market. It runs on Qualcomm's (Samsung-manufactured) Snapdragon 820 processor, has a 9.7-inch OLED display that supports HDR content and ships with an S Pen stylus and a keyboard accessory. Unfortunately, the tablet market remains quite weak, and Apple's (AAPL) iPad line maintains a dominant high-end share with the help of a superior tablet app ecosystem.

Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Book 10 and 12, a pair of Microsoft (MSFT) Surface rivals that run Windows 10, have detachable keyboards and also support the S Pen. Samsung no doubt caught wind of the fact the Surface line has gradually become a hit for Microsoft, thanks in part to strong corporate demand. The Surface Pro 5, a tablet/notebook convertible believed to feature a 4K display and run on Intel Kaby Lake CPUs, is expected in March.

Also, the Gear VR headset, which pairs with high-end Samsung phones and runs on software from Facebook's (FB) Oculus unit, has gotten a refresh. The latest model comes with a handheld controller sporting motion sensors; Google's Daydream mobile VR headset platform also has a controller accessory.

Samsung announced last month 5 million Gear VR headsets have been sold. Mobile VR solutions aren't in the same league as PC and console-powered solutions, which themselves have plenty of room for further improvement. But they're clearly gaining a following with the help of $100-and-lower price points. Mark Zuckerberg's description of mobile VR headsets as a "gateway drug" to more powerful VR experiences might prove true.

4. High-end Android phones

LG, Sonyundefined and Huawei respectively have unveiled their G6, Xperia XZ Premium and P10 high-end phones. Of the three new flagships, LG's offering has arguably drawn the most attention, thanks to its use of a 5.7-inch display with a 2:1 aspect ratio.

The G6's aspect ratio is notably wider than the 16:9 ratio used by many peers, and makes it easier to pack a larger display into a user-friendly form factor. Samsung's S8 and S8 Plus are expected to sport 5.8-inch and 6.2-inch displays with 18.5:9 aspect ratios.

Outside of its display and perhaps its dual 13-megapixel rear cameras, the G6's specs are pretty ho-hum. So are those of Huawei's P10, which comes in 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch models and has a design that strongly resembles the iPhone 7's. Sony packed a pair of novel features into the XZ Premium: A 4K HDR display, and the ability (for about a fifth of a second) to capture images at a staggering 960 frames per second. But a 4K resolution may be overkill on a 5.5-inch display.

Either way, the high-end phone market is a tough place for anyone besides Apple, Samsung and perhaps now Google. In addition to compelling specs, branding and ad budgets matter a lot, and many consumers have shown a penchant for sticking with their favored brands year after year. Which is why LG and Sony have only seen limited high-end traction in spite of launching some quality hardware over the years.

Jim Cramer and the AAP team hold positions in Facebook, Apple and Alphabet for their Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells FB, AAPL or GOOGL? Learn more now.

5. Nokia

Finland's HMD Global, which contains many ex-Nokia employees has the right to sell phones under the Nokia (NOK) brand, launched two low-end Android phones: The Nokia 3 and 5. It also unveiled a global version of the Nokia 6, which previously launched in China, and a refreshed version of the age-old Nokia 3310 feature phone.

With prices of 229, 189 and 139 euros, respectively, the 6, 5 and 3 won't bust many phone budgets. As one would expect, the specs are a notch or two below those of most high-end phones: The 6 has a 5.5-inch 1080p display and Snapdragon 430 processor, and the 5 has a 5.2-inch 720p display to go with a Snapdragon 430.

But the 6 and 5 do have aluminum bodies, which typically aren't found on phones this cheap. And all three phones run stock Android, which can be hard to find outside of Google's Pixel and Nexus models and enables faster software updates.

Not a bad start, considering HMD only launched last year. Look for the company to launch more powerful phones running stock Android in the future. Nokia, whose brand still has some power, collects royalties on HMD phone sales.

6. BlackBerry

For those remaining QWERTY keyboard aficionados out there, BlackBerry undefinedhardware partner TCL launched the BlackBerry KeyOne, a phone that pairs a 4.5-inch display with a physical keyboard and BlackBerry apps/services. It sells for $549 unsubsidized.

Between its relatively small display, run-of-the-mill 12-megapixel camera and mid-range Snapdragon 625 processor, the KeyOne probably won't appeal to a lot of iPhone, Galaxy S and Pixel buyers. Especially when it's not all that much cheaper than those rivals.
National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. The company operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, and New York segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales. The UK Electricity Distribution segment offers electricity distribution services in Midlands, and South West of England and South Wales. The UK Electricity System Operator segment provides balancing services for supply and demand of electricity on Great Britain's electricity transmission system; and acts as an agent on behalf of transmission operators. The New England segment offers electricity and gas distribution, and electricity transmission services in New England. The New York segment provides electricity and gas distribution, and electricity transmission services in New York. It also engages in the provision of transmission services through electricity interconnectors and LNG importation at the Isle of Grain; sale of renewables projects; and leasing and sale of commercial property, as well as insurance activities in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Domestic Fixed Communications Business, Mobile Communications Business, Internet Business, International Fixed Communications Business, and Others segments. The company offers local and domestic long-distance telephone, broadband access, and related services; information and communication technology and VAS services; and interconnection with its fixed-line network to other mobile and fixed-line operators. It also provides mobile; HiNet Internet, data communication, and cloud; Internet data center; and international long-distance telephone and data services. In addition, the company distributes and sells mobile handsets, data cards, electronic materials, and computing and business machinery equipment and software; designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services semiconductor testing components, printed circuit boards, and electronic components and finished products, and automatic license plate recognition software and hardware products. Further, it offers real estate development and property management; system, network, and communications integration; intelligent buildings and energy network; digital information supply and advertisement; property and liability insurance agency; family education; computing equipment installation; management consultancy; data processing; telecommunication engineering; Internet identify; and information and communication solution services. Additionally, the company provides software design services, and Internet contents production and play services; motion picture production and distribution; and energy saving solutions and international circuits, and services for electronic parts and machinery processed products. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Taipei City, Taiwan.
The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics.

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Chinas largest maker of smartphones does not have any plans to follow other large tech companies in Asia by meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and delivering promises of new jobs in the U.S.

Richard Yu, the consumer business chief with Huawei said the company is not like Jack Ma. Yu said Ma is more active, but Huawei is more humble.

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Yu when making those comments had been referring to Ma, the charismatic founder of Alibaba the tech giant based in China, who has met with President Trump during January pledging new jobs in the United States.

The meeting between Ma and Trump followed one between Masayoshi Son a tech tycoon and CEO at Japans SoftBank.

For Huawei, the market in the U.S. has proved to be difficult to crack. The telecom networks business of the company remains shut out essentially in the country following a decision by the U.S. Congress to issue a critical report during 2012.

In the report, lawmakers suggested Huawei equipment might pose a threat to the countrys national security. The company said the allegations were baseless.

Huawei might not be so flashy when it comes to making the headlines like Alibaba is but Yu is completely confident of the companys aggressive ambitions globally.

The Chinese company has a goal of becoming the No. 1 maker of smartphones in the world over the upcoming five years.

Currently Huawei is No. 1 behind Samsung and Apple. However, the smartphone maker has just a small share, equal to less than 1%, in the U.S. market.

Yu said the company wanted to have a big breakthrough in the U.S. because consumers in the U.S. need better products and Huawei can supply them with better ones.

To accomplish that, Huawei must hope that that the tough talk of President Trump on trade with China will not translate into definite measures that could ignite a trade war.

During his campaign, Trump made a threat he would place import tariffs up to 45% on imported products from China. On repeated occasions he has accused China of unfair competition.

However, Yu said Huawei is the one being treated unfairly by the U.S., claiming the smartphone maker buys a large amount of components for its handsets such as chips and other hardware as well as software, from suppliers in the U.S.

Over the past couple of years, Huawei has experienced growth in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed, two were wounded and another two were contused in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine over the last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO issues Andriy Lysenko said this at a press briefing in Kyiv on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed, two were wounded and two were contused as a result of combat actions over the past day," Lysenko said.

iy
After the introduction of a state of emergency in the energy sector, Ukrainian thermal power plants (TPPs) reduced the consumption of anthracite coal by two times.

Ukrenergo Acting Director Vsevolod Kovalchuk said this in a video address posted on the company's Facebook page.

"The power system operates in continuous mode. Due to the measures taken by Government, we managed to reduce anthracite fuel consumption by more than a half. When making preliminary calculations, we expected to save 40%. In fact, we spend half has much fuel than we would have spent without introducing the state of emergency, Kovalchuk said.

He noted that currently anthracite power units at Ukrainian TPPs (apart from the Luhansk TPP) daily use 7-8 million tonnes of coal at the average.

iy
Interinstitutional talks on the cancelation of a visa regime for Ukraine will begin in the European Union on Tuesday, February 28.

A representative of the European Council told own Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels.

Trilateral talks between the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission on a draft legislative resolution on the inclusion of Ukraine in the list of third countries whose citizens can travel without a visa [to the Schengen area] will begin on Tuesday, said an official of the European Council.

Earlier on Monday, February 27, the European Council ruled to abolish visa requirements for the citizens of Georgia, this decision will come into force until the end of March. The Council also adopted a new mechanism for suspending visa regimes for all third countries.

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German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel will make a visit to Ukraine this week.

German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Martin Schaefer announced this on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports from Germany.

"The Minister will make a visit to Ukraine on March 2-3" the diplomat informed.

German minister intends to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and bilateral German-Ukrainian relations.

"During the negotiations with the partners, the minister will seek ways to implement the Minsk agreements," Schaefer said.

In addition, "the minister together with the Ukrainian side will discuss the comprehensive German assistance to Ukraine: at what stage it is now and what has already been done in terms of reforms."

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France has condemned the escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine and called on Russia to ensure the ceasefire.

This is said in the statement released by the Foreign Ministry of France on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"France strongly condemns resumption of the armed hostilities in eastern Ukraine during the last days, as a result of which several people were injured. We call on all the parties to show restraint, especially urging Russia to use its influence on the separatists. We call for immediate ceasefire, as stipulated in the Minsk agreements," says the statement of the French Foreign Ministry.

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Sumy and Khmelnytsky regions have signed a memorandum of cooperation.

The document was signed in Kyiv at a round table meeting entitled Cooperation as a strategic direction of development of the regions of Ukraine"

"In early February, a working meeting of representatives of the cooperative movement of Khmelnytsky region and leaders of government and business of Sumy region was held in Konotop. This meeting became the starting point in forming future partnership between the regions, Deputy Chairman of Sumy Regional State Administration Mykola Podopryhora said.

According to him, participants in the round table meeting, experts of various industries shared practical ideas and visions on how to improve lives of communities.

"The main principle on this case is a comprehensive approach, because it is important to involve scientists, government officials, business representatives, and progressive social organizations", Podopryhora said.

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In addition to Gov. Scott Walkers call for increased education spending in the 2017-19 biennial state budget, theres a specific item which could provide a big boost to the Racine Unified School District.

In Wisconsin Works for Everyone: Outline of Budget Initiatives, published by the Department of Administration, theres a proposal called Invest in Success: Prioritize Education. Under the subheading Keep kids in school, Walkers administration aims to reduce chronic absenteeism in early grades by establishing a two-year performance-based grant program to schools to implement innovative strategies for reducing early-grade absenteeism.

If theres a district in the state which could use some help in reducing absenteeism, its Racine Unified.

Absenteeism was one of the biggest factors in Unified receiving a fails to meet expectations rating on the report card it received from the state Department of Public Instruction on Nov. 17.

The state had goals of schools having at least 95 percent participation rates in testing, a less than 13 percent absenteeism rate and a less than 6 percent dropout rate. If schools failed to meet some of those criteria then they were deducted points.

Olympia Brown Elementary scored 60.5 and was rated as meets few expectations from DPI. However, they had fewer than 95 percent of students participating in testing and were docked five points. Had they been over the department goal they would have been rated as meets expectations.

Goodland Elementary had five points deducted for having higher absenteeism, which would have taken them from fails to meet expectations to meets few expectations.

Case High School was deducted five points for test participation and five points for absenteeism. Without those deductions Case would have been rated as meets few expectations instead of being rated as fails to meet expectations.

Both Horlick and Park high schools had less than 85 percent test participation, for which they were each deducted 10 points and both were deducted five points for absenteeism. Without those deductions Horlick would have been rated as meets few expectations and Park would be just below that rating.

These are wake-up calls to individual schools, Unified Superintendent Dr. Lolli Haws said in November, adding schools might need to add incentives to testing and need to communicate with parents about testing. We have to work with parents who are saying Dont test my child. 

It doesnt take a degree in education to figure out that chronic absenteeism during elementary school years can establish a precedent, one which can turn into a pattern in middle school and high school years. A child misses enough days of school over the years, and he or she could perform poorly on the ACT or not graduate on time.

There are hundreds of students at each of the schools listed above who, barring illness, show up for school each day. Its the ones who dont, those who are chronically absent, who are on a path to not being able to get a family-supporting job as adults, to not being productive members of society.

We should all want the kids in the latter group to be guided onto the right path. Its better for them, and its better for our community.

We would urge the Legislature, especially its Racine-area members, to support the governors proposal to tackle school absenteeism.
The fifth mission of Canadian doctors has arrived in Ukraine to help those injured during the Euromaidan protests and fighting in the east of the country.

Acting Health Minister of Ukraine Ulana Suprun posted this on her Facebook page.

"Doctors from across Canada come on a volunteer basis, so a team of 20 volunteers, including surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and physiotherapists, will work in Ukraine this year. Six medical specialists from the U.S. Army have joined the mission. All of them will work together with the Ukrainian colleagues of the Kyiv Central Military Hospital and share the experience with our doctors," Suprun wrote.

According to her, the Canadian doctors have already examined 80 patients. The surgeries will start this week.

The mission will carry out reconstructive surgery of the face and upper extremities, to engage in the elimination of post-traumatic craniofacial deformities, soft tissue defects and scars.

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Percutaneous nephrolithomy (PCNL) is the gold standard for removing large renal stones, having been shown to be safe, decrease length of stay (LOS) and perioperative pain. Trend in recent years favor has been in favor of a tubeless PCNL. Quality-of-life (QoL) is an important factor in decision-making for treatment and patients consideration however, no studies have evaluated the QOL of drainage tubes on patients. The Wisconsin StoneQOL is a validated disease specific instrument that assesses health-related QoL of patients with nephrolithiasis by capturing the symptoms and challenges associated with stone formers1. The aim of this study is then to compare postoperative outcomes and QoL between nephrostomy tube drainage vs ureteral stent placement after PCNL using the Wisconsin StoneQOL.Between September 2015 and March 2016, 30 patients with nonobstructing renal calculi undergoing PCNL enrolled in the randomized, prospective, double-blind study. Patients were randomized into two groups, cope loop nephrostomy drain or a Double-J ureteral stent, with patient characteristics comparable between both groups. Inclusion criteria for the study include normal preoperative renal function, uncomplicated procedure without significant intraoperative blood loss, no history of PCNL, and apparent stone-free status at tend of postoperative imaging. During the procedure, nephrostomy tubes were removed within 48 hours before discharge, and ureteral stents were removed at least 2 weeks after surgery. Patients QOL was assessed preoperatively with the Wisconsin StoneQOL, 7 to 10 days post surgery, and then 30 days using same questionnaire. The primary outcome was the preoperative and postoperative QoL scores, and secondary outcomes included perioperative characteristics, inpatient analgestic requirements, LOS, and postsurgical complications.The results of the study showed significant difference between preoperative and postoperative health-related QoL at 7-10 days. Patients in Group 2 not only had significantly worse QoL changes, but also higher negative responses on the StoneQOL assessment, including those not associated with the stent such as nocturia, frequency, and urgency. There were no significant differences between any of the secondary outcomes, which included stone-free rate, operative times, estimated blood loss, LOS, and complications. Inpatient analgesic requirements were also comparable. At postoperative 30 days, both groups had similar or improve QoL status relative to their baseline. Some limitations of the study included small sample size and recognition that QoL changes postoperatively were not measured on a daily basis.In conclusion, tubeless PCNL with urethral stent placement did not significantly reduce hospital LOS or inpatient analgesic requirements when compared to nephrostomy tube drainage for 48 hours after surgery. In addition, patients reported worse outcomes and lower scores on Wisconsin StoneQOL 7-days days post surgery for urethral stent. This reveals improvement of immediate postoperative pain through reduction of nephrostomy tube size. Additional trials and studies on QoL following PCNL is needed for better optimize patient care and treatment.Authors: Philip T. Zhao, MD, David M. Hoenig, MD, Arthur D. Smith, MD, and Zeph Okeke, MDAffiliations: Smith Institute of Urology, Northwell Health System, New Hyde Park, NYReference:1. Penniston KL, Nakada SY. Development of an instrument to assess the health related quality of life of kidney stone formers. J Urol 2013;189:921930.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most frequently diagnose infections among nursing home residents. About 25-50% of these women have bacteriuria, and 90% of those presented with bacteriuria also have pyuria1. Previous clinical trials and studies of antibiotic treatment revealed no decrease in genitourinary morbidity or mortality2, suggesting that bacteriuria should not be treated with antibiotics in these older population groups3. A potential nonantimicrobial treatment for UTI prevention is the use of cranberry products, which has been shown to inhibit adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroepithelial cells4. However, evidence for this case is obscure due to lack of patients cranberry consumption5,6. This is due to the acrid flavor of cranberry juice, which older populations have harder time to tolerate in large volumes7. Recent studies showed that cranberry capsule administration and urine collection is an optional, feasible method of UTI surveillance8. Thus the goal of this study was to test the effects of 2 oral cranberry capsules once a day on the presence of bacteriuria pyuria among women nursery home residents.This study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled efficacy trial comparing 2 cranberry capsules vs 2 placebo capsules per day, for 360 days. Each cranberry capsule contained 36mg of proanthocyanidin. The inclusion criteria for this study included: female, age 65 years or older, English speaking, and resided in a nursing home. Nursing homes were located within 50 miles of New Haven, Connecticut. To test for the primary outcome, patient urine collection was collected every 2 months, for a total of 6 assessments over 12 months. Presence of bacteria was defined as at least 105 colony forming units (CFUs) per milliliter of 1 or 2 organisms. Secondary outcomes included: symptomatic UTI, all-cause death, all-cause hospitalization, all multidrug antibiotic-resistance organisms, antibiotic administered for suspected UTI, and total antimicrobial administration.In total, 147 patients out of the 185 randomized completed the study, overall 80.1% adherence. The results of the study showed 25.5% of the presence of bacteriuria plus pyuria in the treatment group and 29.5% in the control group. There were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcomes. These results are consistent with other findings, which led to the belief that cranberry products do not prevent UTI in older population in women5,9. More specific to this study was cranberry capsules shows no significant clinical benefit in lowering presence of bacteriuria plus pyuria. Some reasons the authors suggest why there were no significant results are worsening incontinence and changes to vaginal microbiome with age, which effects of cranberry capsules would not sustained. Second reason is capsules do not provide hydration of cranberry juice, with study showing a reduction of UTI when each capsules administration was supplemented with 8 ounces of water10.In conclusion, administration of cranberry capsules compare with placebo in over 1 year resulted in no significant differences in the presence of bacteriuria plus pyuria in older woman residing in nursing homes.Authors: Manisha Juthani-Mehta, MD; Peter H. Van Ness, PhD, MPH; Luann Bianco, BA; Andrea Rink, RN; Sabina Rubeck, MPH; Sandra Ginter, BSN; Stephanie Argraves, MS; Peter Charpentier, MPH; Denise Acampora, MPH; Mark Trentalange, MD, MPH; Vincent Quagliarello, MD; Peter Peduzzi, PhDAffiliations: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (Juthani-Mehta, Quagliarello); Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, ConnecticutReference:1. Juthani-Mehta M, Datunashvili A, Tinetti M. Tests for urinary tract infection in nursing home residents.JAMA. 2014;312(16):1687-16882. Nicolle LE, Mayhew WJ, Bryan L. Prospective randomized comparison of therapy and no therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria in institutionalized elderly women. Am J Med. 1987;83(1):27-333. Abrutyn E, Mossey J, Berlin JA, et al. Does asymptomatic bacteriuria predict mortality and does antimicrobial treatment reduce mortality in elderly ambulatory women? Ann Intern Med. 1994; 120(10):827-833.4. Howell AB, Vorsa N, Der Marderosian A, Foo LY. Inhibition of the adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroepithelial-cell surfaces by proanthocyanidin extracts from cranberries. N Engl J Med. 1998;339(15):1085-10865. Jepson RG, Williams G, Craig JC. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;10:CD001321.6. Wang CH, Fang CC, Chen NC, et al. Cranberry-containing products for prevention of urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2012; 172(13):988-996.7. Wing DA, Rumney PJ, Preslicka CW, Chung JH. Daily cranberry juice for the prevention of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: a randomized, controlled pilot study.J Urol. 2008; 180(4):1367-1372.8. Juthani-Mehta M, Perley L, Chen S, Dziura J, Gupta K. Feasibility of cranberry capsule administration and clean-catch urine collection in long-term care residents.J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010;58 (10):2028-2030.9. Jepson R, Craig J, Williams G. Cranberry products and prevention of urinary tract infections. JAMA. 2013;310(13):1395-1396.10. Foxman B, Cronenwett AE, Spino C, Berger MB, Morgan DM. Cranberry juice capsules and urinary tract infection after surgery: results of a randomized trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;213(2): 194.e1-194.e8
Ron Gula, right, and his wife Cyndi Gula have started a cybersecurity investment fund together. (Photo by Oliver Contreras/For The Washington Post) (Oliver Contreras/For The Washington Post)

Strategic Cyber Ventures, a D.C.-based investment firm backed by New York hedge fund Hudson Bay Capital, recently added a second local cybersecurity start-up to its portfolio. The $3.5 million investment announced Monday went to a four-person start-up called Polarity, which also received funding from Tenable Network Security founder Ron Gula.

Strategic Cyber Ventures and Gulas fund Gula Tech Adventures are both part of new crop of cybersecurity investors that have popped in the D.C. area within the last 18 months, signaling what some see as a maturation in the local technology industry.

Ron [Gula] and I were both tired of incredible talent leaving the NSA going to Silicon Valley to raise money, said Strategic Cyber Ventures partner Tom Kellerman. People who have spent 20 years protecting this country should be able to have an entrepreneurial experience in the region with people who understand their mission and their goals.

[Ron Gula, NSA hacker-turned CEO, steps into the investment space]

The D.C. areas technology scene has long been held back by a relative scarcity of venture capital. Some of the areas most promising entrepreneurs have left for New York or California in search of investment dollars, where deals are larger, more plentiful and founders tend to get better investment terms.

But cybersecurity is the one area where that appears to be changing. Investment data maintained by the National Venture Capital Association shows that the number of local cybersecurity deals doubled between 2011 and 2015 even as investment in other industries saw little change.

These investors are hoping to commercialize the talent and intellectual property seeping out of the regions military and intelligence agencies, applying government cybersecurity solutions to giant corporations that are devoting increasingly-large budgets to information security.

[This industry saw its investment activity double in just four years]

I want that gangster, that hardcore technology person inside Langley or the NSA to say . . .I dont need to retire. . .someone will fund me here with out going out West,  Kellerman said when asked why he set up shop in the District.

Kellermans investment firm itself draws heavily on the community of government cyber-professionals. Kellerman worked with Thomas as the chief security officer of Trend Micro, a Japan-based security company with revenues of more than $100 million a year. Chief operating officer Hank Thomas worked for government intelligence agencies for eight years before joining Booz Allen Hamilton to head the companys threat intelligence team. And Strategic Cyber Ventures founding chief technology officer, who left the firm late last year, is Ann Barron-DiCamillo, the former the director of a cybersecurity readiness team at the Department of Homeland Security called US-CERT.

The investment firm started when Hudson Bay chief executive Sander Gerber, a long-time friend of Kellerman, persuaded him to leave his position and get into the investment game.

[This Silicon Valley venture fund keeps betting millions on D.C.s cyber community]

Mondays investment announcement comes just a month after the fund invested $3 million in another D.C.-based company called ID DataWeb, and the firm has so far deployed four out of at least eight planned investments. It has mostly made small bets so far, but Kellerman says the firm has access to far more than $100 million by virtue of its partnership with Hudson Bay, giving it more than enough financial weight to join larger investment rounds as its portfolio companies mature.

The plan is to pull together a complementary suite of services designed to disrupt hackers once they are already inside a companys network, an approach that tracks along with where many investors see the cybersecurity industry going.

The frequency of high-profile hacks in recent years  and the speed with which cyber-criminals figure out how to crack through the prevailing fixes  has led to a certain acceptance that no companys perimeter can ever be perfectly secure.

Were not investing in walls and motes. Were investing in a supermax prison; the rotweilers, the guard towers, the motion sensors that sit inside the perimeter, Kellerman said.

Polarity, the firms latest investment, currently employs just four people in the D.C. area, though the young company want to hire at least 10 more with this new infusion of capital. The four-person company already has three large banks paying to use its memory augmentation technology, which is designed to match bits of information like IP addresses with data the company has encountered in the past, helping corporate cybersecurity professionals figure out exactly who is banging at the gates.

Gula, who co-invested in Polarity, says he even sees applications outside of cybersecurity, such as business intelligence and customer support. But the broader point of the companies that Strategic Cyber Ventures is knitting together, Gula says, is to provide second and third lines of defense for vulnerable companies.

Theyre trying to dramatically increase the cost of offensive cyber operations against private entities, Gula said.
The irony isnt lost on Mem Fox. The author of books advocating tolerance and acceptance was detained by U.S. immigration officials as she arrived in America to give a talk about the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Fox, perhaps Australias most famous childrens author, has written such books as Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, which celebrates the humanity common to all children. No matter where someone is born, no matter what a child looks like, the book reminds us, we all have ten little fingers/ and ten little toes.

Her latest book, to be published in Australia this week, is called Im Australian Too. Among its lines: We open doors to strangers./ Yes, everyones a friend. (Simon and Schuster is in negotiations to buy the book and publish it in the United States.)

Fox was on her way from Australia to a conference in Milwaukee on Feb. 6, scheduled to speak about this very theme, when she was detained by immigration officers at Los Angeles International Airport. She was held for just under two hours, she says, and aggressively questioned about her visa status.

[U.S. detains and nearly deports French Holocaust historian]

I was going for such a good reason, she says of the trip, noting it would have been her 117th visit to the United States. After her experience at the airport, she says, she is unlikely to return.

The worst of it, she says, is that she was questioned not because she was a childrens author but because I was just anybody. About 20 travelers were taken to a holding room, she says, and the manner in which we were interrogated  in public view about really private information  was terrible. It was the insolence that was beyond mind-boggling.

Author Mem Fox (Kinga Balent)

Fox says that she was waiting in the immigration line when she was pulled aside. Engrossed in a book  Stendhals The Red and the Black  she at first did not hear officers calling her name. She says that when she politely apologized, the officer asked her, What do you want me to do, stand here while you finish it?

And that was just the beginning of it, she says.

Fox says she was aggressively asked about her finances and the nature of her trip. The implication, she says, was that she was coming here to work. Fox says that the conference organizers were paying for her hotel and an honorarium that just about covered the cost of her flight.

[19 books to help children find hope and strength in stressful times]

Over the past decade, Fox, a grandmother who will turn 71 next month, has made numerous trips under similar arrangements. She was sure her visa status was correct. It took about 15 minutes of questioning for officers to arrive at the same conclusion.

I was so frightened, she says. The heel of my right hand was on my heart to try to stop it from beating so hard.

Others in the room were being treated similarly, she says. I felt ashamed to be a human being.

After returning to her home in Adelaide, Fox filed a complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Canberra and received a charming email in response. I took it as an apology from all of America, she says.

Fox, the author of more than 30 books, has remained publicly quiet about the incident until recently, when she began doing interviews about her new book. She says the difference between her message of tolerance and her experience in the United States was too stark to ignore.

Fox, who appeared at the 2010 National Book Festival in Washington, says she has been pleased by the support she has received since coming forward.

Has it changed her view of the United States? As a whole, everyone is charming, friendly, welcoming, gorgeous, she says. But the U.S. is changing its mind about what the U.S. is. That is what is coming through. That is the tragedy.

Nora Krug is an editor and writer at Book World.
Q: During torrential downpours, the outdoor steps leading to my basement become a river of rainwater. The small drainage hole at the bottom of the stairs cannot handle the flow, and water inevitably leaks under the door and into the basement. I recently upgraded my sump pump system to handle the flow during most rain showers. But I would like to eliminate any water getting in. Is there a way to erect a protective enclosure over the stairwell so we can use the stairs but direct the water off to the sides?

Glenn Dale, Md.

A: Yes, it is possible to construct an A-frame awning or roof over the stairs that will deflect water toward the sides of the stairway.

However, the picture you sent shows relatively low windows in the wall above the stairway. There is no way to keep an A-frame with a level ridge from blocking part of the windows and still allow enough headroom at the top of the stairs for people to walk in or out. The only question is how much of the windows would they be comfortable blocking? said Darin Costantine, the general sales manager for A. Hoffman Awning in Baltimore (410-685-5687; ahoffmanawning.com). He suggested an awning with a ridgeline that extends straight out from the house for about five feet and then angles up toward the top of the stairs. That would take advantage of the fact that headroom at the bottom of the stairs is much higher than at the top.

The company supplies aluminum or steel framing, with steel being stronger. The frames have welded joints and are designed to be left out year-round and last for decades. Covers can be cloth or vinyl and typically last eight to 10 years before they need to be replaced, Costantine said. The picture you sent shows a set of double doors at the bottom of the stairway, meaning it is much wider than a typical basement entry. Guessing that a cover for your stairway might need to be 8 feet wide and 12 feet long, Costantine estimated the total cost at $4,000 to $5,000.

Or you could hire a contractor to build a similar structure thats framed in wood and has any type of roofing you desire. There are also companies that make awning-style structures with aluminum roofs.

If the prospect of changing the view from the windows of your main floor troubles you, check out Cleargress basement doors, made by Hampton Concrete Products in Valencia, Pa. (724-443-7205; hamptonconcrete.com). Basically, these are like the traditional basement egress doors that consist of two panels that angle down from the house. You can open them up and out from the inside or the outside. The Cleargress version is clear, so it lets daylight into the stairway.

Your stairway is too wide for the standard Cleargress sizes, but a spokeswoman said they could probably make ones that would work, for about $5,000. But she cautioned that a panel would be needed across the front of the threshold. Depending on how often you use the stairs, youd have to decide whether the inconvenience of stepping over that and needing to open the doors each time someone comes or goes outweighs the benefit of having a clear view out your windows.

Q: I want to send a delicate, handmade ship model to France. Its big: 45 inches by 32 inches by 16 inches. If we had to put a value on it, we might guess $500, but to us it is priceless because my husband made it. How can I pack it and ship it safely? Or do you recommend using a professional mover? If so, what kind of firm does this?

Washington

A: You might want to connect with the Washington Ship Model Society (dcshipmodelsociety.org), which meets monthly, alternating between locations in Virginia and Maryland. The next meeting is at 10 a.m. on March 11 at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Rd., Alexandria. Perhaps a club member has tackled something like this before and can share tips on how to do it yourself.

There are a few accounts on the Web about people who have fortified model ships for shipping. One approach that seems particularly good is on the site called Quora (quora.com/how-can-i-ship-a-delicate-model). One person suggested building a wooden box around a model, securely attaching the model to the frame, and then lacing fishing line from one side of the frame to the other at different heights and directions to thoroughly support the rigging.

But given the size and sentimental value of your model, it would certainly make sense to consider hiring a professional. Michael L. Phillips, owner of six UPS stores in Washington and Baltimore, including UPS Store No. 2092 on Capitol Hill (202-543-0850; theupsstorelocal.com/2092), said his company could do the packing and would arrange the shipping with a firm that specializes in international air or ocean freight. Its too big to go through any of the small package carriers, such as UPS, FedEx, DHL or the U.S. Postal Service, he said.

Damage during shipping comes from compression, shock or vibration, Phillips said. The first two issues are relatively easy to address by enclosing the model in a double box or a sturdy crate, using soft foam to cradle the ship base and installing braces to support the masts.

Vibration will be the biggest challenge, Phillips wrote in an email. Based on the age of the model and how well model pieces are glued or secured, they still may come loose during transit. Trucks, planes, ships and rail cars all bounce and vibrate.

To reduce the risk of vibration damage, carefully inspect the model before it is packed and reglue or strengthen any weak connections, Phillips said. If you can remove the masts and rigging and ship them in a separate box, it would reduce the risk of damage and significantly lower the shipping cost, he said. Even with these precautions, some parts might still come apart during transit, so your recipient should be prepared to do some minor repairs after delivery. When customers think repairs would ruin the value of items as delicate as this model, Phillips advises against shipping them.

The store can arrange insurance against damage during shipping, but the protection often doesnt cover everything. The carrier could deny a claim if there is no visible damage to the exterior packing material, Phillips said. This will be a sign of vibration or prior damage.

If the mast and rigging need to stay in place, packing and shipping could cost several thousand dollars. Preparing an accurate estimate would take several days, Phillips said. Hed need the final address because just getting the model to a port or airport in France probably wouldnt be enough.


The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration studies the Earths atmosphere at the Barrow Observatory in Alaska. Air collected there helps the U.S. government understand what is happening to the climate. (Mike Worley/Bureau of Land Management)

In a town that is 320 miles above the Arctic Circle, farther north than any other community in the United States, Bryan Thomas keeps watch on the atmosphere.

At the Barrow Observatory in Alaska, a small research facility that he leads for the federal governments National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (known as NOAA), Thomas monitors invisible gases swirling through the air.

Among the most important: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, greenhouse gases that cause heat to be trapped in the Earths atmosphere, Thomas told KidsPost last week. The more greenhouse gases there are, the more heat is trapped.



Bryan Thomas, station chief at the Barrow Observatory, gives a research group from Radford University a tour of the facility. (Jaslyn Gilbert/Radford University)

In winter, sea ice seen from an airplane above Barrow is usually a solid sheet. Not this January. (NASA/NOAA)

Because of scientists such as Thomas, we know that there are increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the air, that the increase has come mainly from burning coal and other fossil fuels and from cutting down forests, and that as a result, the planet is warming and the climate is changing.

In January, NOAA and NASA announced that 2016 was the hottest year on record, marking the third year in a row that the global temperature record has been broken. Using data from tracking stations such as Barrow, scientists have determined that the planets average temperature has risen about two degrees since the late 19th century, when scientists began making yearly calculations.

It doesnt sound like much, but if you change the thermostat in your house by a couple degrees, itll change your experience notably, says climate scientist Derek Arndt. The climate that we share influences almost everything we do, from the crops we grow to the kinds of buildings that we build to the kinds of clothes that we need.

Caribou pass by the observatory in 2014. Thomas says the minus-40-degree days that used to be common in Barrow are now unusual. (Matthew Martinsen/NOAA)

Arndt leads a NOAA branch in Asheville, North Carolina, that acts as a sort of scorekeeper for climate, as he puts it, tracking weather and the atmosphere to determine trends and even estimate what the planets climate might look like in the future. To do so, he relies on the work of people such as Thomas, who lives in one of the worlds remotest places.

The Arctic is important because theres not as much development as elsewhere in the world, Thomas says. The nearby town, once called Barrow and now known by its traditional name of Utqiagvik ( OOT-KAY-ah-veek), is home to 4,300 people. That makes it the largest community in a wilderness of 89,000 square miles.

Barrows isolation, and a strong breeze that carries air from thousands of miles across the sea, means that the air Thomas collects is a good sample of the air in the atmosphere as a whole, he says. To get a complete picture of the Earths atmosphere, scientists take samples from 167 sites all over the world, including the South Pole. A NOAA lab in Boulder, Colorado, checks about 16,000 glass-bottle samples each year for carbon dioxide and other chemicals.

Thomas arrived at Barrow in 2007. Since then, hes noticed that there are changes happening in the Arctic environment, and theyre happening fast. Temperatures at minus-40 and below, once common in the winter, are now unusual. Sea ice in the Arctic is also at historic lows, which seems to be affecting polar bears that rely on the ice to hunt for seals.

Thomas says he tries not to weigh in on exactly what is and isnt caused by climate change. As a scientist, he says, he has only one agenda: to keep the observatory running, to keep gathering the data and to give decision-makers the data  key information on a fast-changing planet.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Barrow, Alaska, is the northernmost community in North America. It is only the northernmost community in the United States. It also incorrectly reported the year Bryan Thomas arrived at NOAAs Barrow Observatory. It was 2007, not 2009. The story has been revised.
A watercolor of Market Square in Krakow, left, and a drawing of the Polish city during the Renaissance period are displayed as Austrian Horst von Waechter returns the pieces of art and one map to the city on Sunday. Von Waechters mother had looted the pieces in 1939, when her husband governed the area under Nazi occupation. (Krzysztof Wilk / Malopolska Provincial Office / Handout/EPA)

The son of a Nazi official has returned three piece of art that his family had looted from the southern Polish city of Krakow during World War II.

Polish officials said Monday that they hoped the gesture by Horst von Waechter of Austria would inspire other relatives of Nazis to do the same.

In the ceremony Sunday in Krakow, von Waechter returned an 18th-century map of Poland, built into a small table, and two historic drawings that his mother, Charlotte von Waechter, had taken there in late 1939. It was shortly after her husband, Otto von Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war. In 1941, Von Waechter ordered all Jewish people living in the city to move to a poor area on the outskirts that became known as the Jewish ghetto.

The handover of the artwork took place at the office of the Krakow provincial governor and was the result of efforts by Polish historian and politician Magdalena Ogorek, according to Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the governor.

He said one of the paintings had Charlotte von Waechters handwritten pencil inscription saying it came from the Potocki Palace in Krakow, where the Waechters resided during the war.

Ogorek told the Associated Press she spotted some Poland-related objects at Horst von Waechters castle in Austria while she was doing research there about his father, who died in unexplained circumstances in 1949 at the Vatican while waiting to be smuggled to Argentina to avoid facing justice.

She said von Waechter returned the objects to Krakow for no compensation.

He gave a good example to others, and we should be happy about this, Ogorek said. I assume that various artworks from Poland can be found in private homes in Germany and in Austria. I am sure of that.

Poland was severely damaged during World War II, its palaces, museums and libraries bombed and plundered by the Nazis and by the Soviet Unions Red Army from 1939 to 1945. The government continues trying to retrieve looted artworks, and the Culture Museum has posted a list of many of them.

Some of the artworks occasionally turn up at auctions around the globe, leading Poland to negotiate the terms of their return.
Dear Readers: Todays Sound On is about store-brand products:

Dear Heloise: I buy store-brand products and save money on our grocery bill. My friend said that he wont buy a store no name brand because he thinks they are just not as good as the national brand. What do you think?

N.M.I., via email

N.M.I.: Im with you! Many times the store brand and the national brand have the same quality, and the savings can amount to quite a bit over time.

Do the Heloise Test: Buy one of each (store and national brand), then open both at the same time. Most times, you will find that they are the same or almost the same, or it does not really matter. If you are not happy with the store brand, take it back, and the retailer will refund your money.

Dear Readers: Hints to use old hardcover books:

 Stack several and display a plant.

 Use to elevate a computer screen.

 Hold down tablecloths outdoors.

 A booster seat for children.

Dear Heloise: We use a lot of types of cheese, but it seems to go moldy before we can finish it all. Help!

J.Y., via email

J.Y.: Help is here! The key is to wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap, then put into a zipper-top bag. Keeping air out helps prevent cheese from getting moldy. This is particularly important with soft cheeses.

For hard cheese, such as Cheddar or Swiss, dampen a paper towel with just a splash of vinegar, wrap the cheese in the towel, then cover with plastic wrap and put it into a plastic bag. Vinegar does kill and prevent most molds from growing, and it wont hurt the cheese. Who knew vinegar could be used for so many things? That is one hint, and there are more in my vinegar pamphlet. Visit my website, Heloise.com, to order the pamphlet, or send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Storing cheese this way shouldnt affect its taste. If you buy different cheeses, buy the smallest size you can to be sure its to your liking.

Dear Heloise: I have a red, white and blue bedspread. The label reads dry clean only. Can I launder it without it fading?

Jenny in Omaha

Jenny in Omaha: If the label says dry clean only and you care about the spread, you should indeed do as instructed. If the tag says dry clean, you may be able to wash it without harm. Test a small red spot with cold water on a cotton swab. See red? Dont wash the spread!

Dear Heloise: My favorite hint is to keep a medium-size bowl with water and some detergent in the second sink while Im cooking. I can pre-wash small items right away without having to turn on the water.

Tally A., Lubbock, Tex.

Heloises column appears six days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise , P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.


Ruth Negga wears an ACLU ribbon as she arrives at the Oscars on Sunday. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Of course there was politics on the red carpet at the 89th Academy Awards. It came in the form of blue ribbons worn in support of the American Civil Liberties Union. Actress Ruth Negga had one pinned to the bodice of her flowing red Valentino gown. Lin-Manuel Miranda wore one on the lapel of his black tuxedo  a suit he said hed gotten from San Marko Formals & Fine Mens Wear in Yonkers, New York, which was the same place hed gotten his prom tux almost 20 years ago. The model Karlie Kloss had her blue ribbon pinned to the hip of her white Stella McCartney gown with its attached half-cape.

The gesture was simple and spoke for itself. There was no need, and perhaps no desire, to launch into a long, high-volume explanation. Hollywood loves its symbolic ribbons. For AIDS awareness, for gay rights, for human rights. And now, here was another, a nod to the organization that has challenged some of President Trumps actions.

[Oscars 2017 coverage: Red carpet, winners and biggest moments]

The more powerful social, cultural and political statement on the carpet, however, was simply in the array of people who walked it. It was a diverse mix of nominees and presenters  black, brown and white; older and younger. Folks born here in the United States. And those for whom the American Dream was a distant fantasy that only recently became real.

The red carpet felt more inclusive. It felt broader and more welcoming here at least for now, and more reflective of the world in which Hollywood films exist.

One of the first to arrive was Negga, nominated for her role in Loving. The Ethiopian-Irish actress cut a striking figure in a Valentino gown that was demure and graceful. But its bold red color  as well as her posture  also made it strong and powerful. Taraji P. Henson, one of the stars of Hidden Figures, about the African American women who were instrumental in the success of the countrys space program, was dressed by Alberta Ferretti. The dress, with its off-the-shoulder, portrait neckline was simple but with a dramatic slit. She wore an armored trucks worth of diamonds around her neck, but they did not overwhelm her.



Taraji P. Henson arrives at the Oscars in an Alberta Ferretti dress. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Octavia Spencer wears a lilac gown by Marchesa. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Hensons co-stars made head-turning entrances, too. Supporting actress nominee Octavia Spencer wore an ethereal lilac gown by Marchesa. The bodice wrapped around her torso and the skirt was adorned with feathers. Often, plus-size actresses  or those who are not a teeny-tiny sample size  find their choices limited. Only a handful of designers are well-known for their work with women who exist in the realm of double-digit sizes. Marchesa created a beautiful gown for Spencer and she wore it with elegance. Janelle Monae stayed true to her eclectic, eccentric style in an elaborate gown by Elie Saab that looked like something out of the royal court of Marie Antoinette.

[Oscars 2017: Complete winners list]

Supporting actress nominee Naomie Harris, who co-starred in Moonlight, looked elegant and sleek in a white, strapless gown from Calvin Klein. The Oscars mark the first major red-carpet dressing opportunity for the brands new designer Raf Simons. He also wardrobed Moonlight cast members Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Alex R. Hibbert. The red carpet coup follows his runway debut, which was not just a celebration of American style traditions but also the diversity in the American story.

1 of 53 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Red carpet: What celebrities wore to the Oscars View Photos Stars arrive at the 89th Academy Awards. Caption Stars arrive at the 89th Academy Awards. Justin Timberlake, left, and Jessica Biel. Timberlake is wearing Tom Ford and Biel is wearing Kaufman Franco. Mike Blake/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue.

I was honored to be able to work with the cast of Moonlight and to celebrate the incredible talent of each of these actors and the amazing body of work that the film represents, Simons said in a statement.

Isabelle Huppert, nominated for leading role in Elle and who is well into her 60s, struck a note of grown-up glamour in a long-sleeved, glittering gown from Armani Prive.

Meryl Streep, nominated for the 20th time, did NOT wear Chanel. She wore a blue, satin gown with long sleeves and an off-the-shoulder collar over trousers, all from Elie Saab haute couture. Streeps Oscar wardrobe became a fashion contretemps when Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld erroneously stated that Streep had decided against wearing Chanel when another brand offered to pay her for the pleasure of dressing her. Not true, Streep said in a statement. Lagerfeld later said that he was mistaken.

Streep looked lovely. Lagerfeld looked sheepish.



Meryl Streep walks a very crowded red carpet. (Ben Peterson/Getty Images)

Janelle Monae, left, in Elie Saab, gestures to Isabelle Huppert in Armani Prive. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

The men mostly looked dapper and elegant in classic tuxedos and white dinner jackets. John Legend wore a classic Gucci tuxedo. Riz Ahmed wore Zegna. Dev Patel was in a white Burberry tuxedo jacket. And Justin Timberlake relied on his regular standby: Tom Ford. As he so often does, actor David Oyelowo was dressed by Dolce & Gabbana, and after having turned up in suits ranging in from purple to green, its fair to say that Oyelowo has quite specific taste. Good for him for finding a design house that can satisfy it.

In their red-carpet banter, the celebrities seemed less inclined to hide behind rote comments or the facade of perfection. Or perhaps, it was just the folks who were welcomed into the spotlight Sunday evening. Chrissy Teigen admitted that her Zuhair Murad gown was really, really tight. Miranda, who arrived with his mother, acknowledged the Yonkers clothier where hed gotten his tuxedo for the evening, not some fancy designer. And Henson left red carpet guru Ryan Seacrest languishing with dead air as she spent no small amount of time congratulating Pharrell Williams for his producing credit on Hidden Figures. Williams, by the way, was draped in Chanel  both his clothes and his assorted jewelry.

But more than the clothes or the jewelry, it was the people wearing them who made this red carpet memorable.
A Southeast Washington elementary school building that closed earlier this month because of problems with pests and bedbugs reopened Monday, officials said.

On Feb. 6, Savoy Elementary in Anacostia closed for a thorough cleaning of the building and to replace all soft materials in the building, including rugs, cots, blankets and pillows, according to a D.C. Public Schools statement at the time. The school operated on the campus of another elementary school about three miles away for much of the month.

[D.C. elementary school to close after threats of pests and bed bugs]

On Monday, Savoy reopened after it was thoroughly cleaned and new tiling and rugs were installed, the school wrote in a Facebook post, adding that it would host open houses on Tuesday for parents to see the changes.

We want to remind you that our entire school community plays a role in keeping our school building safe and clean, the post read. From properly disposing of all trash and unwanted food to keeping food limited to designated eating areas, we can together reduce the likelihood of unwanted pests.

Savoy students will remain in the building for the rest of the year, according to D.C. Public Schools.

We cleaned out the school, replaced soft materials, and had an inspection and look forward to Savoy finishing up the year in their building, DCPS spokeswoman Michelle Lerner wrote in an email.
In this photo taken Nov. 3, 2016, signs supporting D.C. statehood are on display outside an early voting place in the city. Voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to make D.C. the 51st state. (Susan Walsh/Associated Press)

The Districts Democratic cheerleaders will make a pitch for statehood Wednesday on Capitol Hill and formally deliver the citys petition to become the 51st state to Congress  a goal that seems far out of reach in the GOP-controlled body.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Districts nonvoting delegate, will introduce a bill to make D.C. the 51st state, with one representative and two senators in Congress. Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) will introduce identical legislation in the Senate.

At the same time, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson will formally petition Congress for statehood at the direction of District voters who overwhelmingly approved a referendum on the issue in November.

But their efforts have a quixotic dimension: Republican leaders in Congress have made it clear in recent weeks that they are uninterested in ceding more autonomy to the District.

In fact, they have taken steps to ramp up more oversight and control over the federal district, with plans to loosen the citys gun laws, as well as an attack on the citys newly enacted assisted-suicide law and its use of local funding to cover abortion services for poor women. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has also said he wants to block the citys plan to use local tax money to help undocumented residents fight deportation.

[Rep. Jason Chaffetz sets his sights on D.C.]

At a January hearing, Chaffetz said members are bound by a constitutional duty and obligation to oversee District affairs. At one point, he suggested lopping off part of the District and folding it into Maryland.

The District has a population of more than 672,000  larger than that of Vermont or Wyoming  and its residents pay more in federal taxes than do those in 22 states. But D.C. residents have no voting representation in Congress and federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill retain ultimate authority over the District, able to overturn city laws or even to nullify the results of ballot measures passed by local voters.

Nortons bill is similar to one she filed in the last session that eventually got 133 co-sponsors, although none were Republican. If Nortons bill were to succeed, it is widely expected that the city would send three Democrats to Capitol Hill, something Republicans would not welcome.

Its politically unpalatable because even a single Democratic vote they do not want to enable, she said in an interview.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) did not respond to requests for comment.

[House Republicans promise new line of attack on D.C.s assisted-suicide law]

After a private meeting with Trump in December, Bowser called Trump a supporter of the District but declined to say whether she pressed the case for D.C. to become the 51st state.

In an interview with The Washington Posts editorial board in March, Trump said he had no position on the issue of D.C. statehood.

I think statehood is a tough thing for D.C. I think its a tough thing. I dont have a position on it yet. I would form a position. But I think statehood is a tough thing for D.C., the then-candidate for the Republican nomination said. I think its just something that I dont think Id be inclined to do. Id like to study it. Its not a question really. . . . I dont see statehood for D.C.

In President Barack Obamas second term, his armored limousine was outfitted with the Districts Taxation Without Representation license plates. Trump has kept the plates, but its unclear if he favors voting rights for the city.

The White House did not respond to messages seeking comment Monday.

District voters have given Trump little incentive for any favors. Just 4 percent of voters chose him over Democrat Hillary Clinton in November. It was among the worst showings for Trump nationally and the worst showing for a Republican in the District since residents won the right to vote for president in the 1960s.

Norton said statehood would be a difficult path even without Trump in the White House.

To tell you the honest to goodness truth, the challenge with Trump in office is no different than if Hillary Clinton had been elected except for one, she said. She would have been an enthusiastic supporter of statehood from the bully pulpit.

With GOP leaders resistant to giving D.C. more autonomy, the statehood bill has largely served as protest legislation. The Senate did hold a hearing on the matter in 2014 when Democrats controlled the chamber.

Norton, who is barred as a congressional delegate from lobbying, said the referendum was a good start, but Americans need to be educated about the citys plight through a social media campaign.

Why should we get the votes in Congress when theres no pressure? Voters are not even aware of our status as second-class citizens, she said.

Norton, Carper, Bowser and Mendelson will appear at a news conference Wednesday afternoon on Capitol Hill.


The 15th Place Apartments, one of many properties run by Sanford Capital, is in Southeast Washington. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

The District has for years subsidized substandard housing owned by one of the citys most controversial landlords, despite evidence of wretched conditions and official promises to ensure safe dwellings in the nations capital.

Over the past eight years, District officials have issued more than 200 warnings for housing code violations at apartment complexes owned by Sanford Capital, charging the company more than $150,000 in fines  about a third of which have gone unpaid.

Yet the city has continued to boost Sanfords bottom line, funneling millions in tax dollars to the company annually to subsidize rent for the poor and formerly homeless residents living in its 19 apartment buildings, concentrated around Wards 7 and 8.

City officials say they have no choice because the supply of affordable housing is so limited.

As a bad actor, I dont want them to benefit from everyones tax dollars thats collected in this community. I dont think thats fair, said D.C. Council member Anita Bonds (D-At Large), who chairs the council committee that oversees housing. She pledged a year ago that the city would stop sending subsidies to Sanford. But we have to find some other locations that would work with government and be willing to accept the government process for housing people, and thats not always easy.

LaTonya Johnson was living in a Quality Inn at taxpayer expense until she found a Sanford apartment at an orientation for housing voucher recipients. Her unit failed pre-inspection by the city twice before it was approved and she moved in, only to deal with intermittent gas, a leaky ceiling and rats on her balcony, she said.



LaTonya Johnson in the dining area of her apartment, which she shares with two sons. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

They know we homeless, said Johnson, who lives in the apartment with her two sons. So they rush us up in these apartments, and they are falling apart.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), who campaigned on a commitment to safe, affordable housing, declined several requests to discuss Sanford or the citys oversight of rental properties that receive public subsidies.

Laura Zeilinger, director of the District Department of Human Services, which oversees homeless programs, said she felt that her hands were tied because of the Districts affordable-housing shortage. Sanford owns 1,300 units.

[See Sanfords D.C. buildings with this interactive map]

[Residents fault landlord for problems at Sayles Place]

When you have somebody who controls a large portion of the affordable housing in the city and we have a problem with them, theres no way that we can say we are never working with that company again, Zeilinger said.

Out of frustration, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) took the rare step last year of suing Sanford  the first of two lawsuits he has filed alleging that the company has failed to fix chronic problems such as rodent infestation and mold at two properties.

You cant tolerate lack of compliance with the law because you feel as though there wont be enough people to provide the service, said Racine, the Districts first elected attorney general.

City officials say at least 170 previously homeless families and an additional 235 individuals were living in Sanford properties using housing vouchers in 2016  providing Sanford millions of local and federal taxpayer dollars. That included one in 15 homeless families given rapid rehousing vouchers in 2016 to stay out of shelters.

Patrick B. Strauss and A. Carter Nowell, who together launched Sanford Capital in 2005, declined repeated requests to discuss their business. Their attorney, Stephen Hessler, has said the company has been a responsible manager of its properties and made adjustments when necessary. In court filings, the company has blamed tenants for causing damage and for withholding rent payments that could fund repairs.

Bowser is not unacquainted with Sanford. The company gave $3,000 to her 2014 campaign for mayor and Strausss wife, Mary, gave an additional $753 to Bowsers bid, according to campaign finance reports.

Attractive market

Washingtons two-decade-long building boom has attracted investors of all stripes, among them sovereign wealth funds, pension mangers and wealthy individuals from around the world.

Much of that investment has resulted in the shiny new office buildings, restaurants, hotels and apartment towers that have remade Washington.

[Past meets future as gentrification hits Kenilworth]

In 2005, the market also attracted Strauss and Nowell, whose began buying properties in mostly black, low-income neighborhoods.

Strauss had dabbled in other businesses. In 2008, three investors sued him, two members of his family and other associates, saying they had been defrauded after they gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to pension and employee benefit businesses run by Strauss, according to court records. Strauss denied any wrongdoing, and a D.C. Superior Court judge ruled in his favor in 2013.

While that case was pending, two other Strauss companies were accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of bilking investors in a tax-shelter scam in which they allegedly offered financial stakes in nonexistent cemeteries in Virginia and New York. Strauss and his father, Michael, admitted no wrongdoing but signed a permanent injunction ordering them to close the businesses and notify the alleged victims of the court ruling.

In the rental real estate world, when tenants vacate, owners typically freshen the units and try to quickly rent them again to maximize the revenue per square foot.

At Sanford properties visited by The Washington Post, however, empty units were boarded up to sit vacant; in some buildings, there were just a handful of occupied apartments tucked between swaths of dark, abandoned units. At Terrace Manor, just 14 of 61 units were occupied in the fall.



An apartment unit at Terrace Manor, a complex in Southeast Washington owned by Bethesda-based Sanford Capital. (Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post)

This is the sorriest place Ive ever lived in, said Mary Mason, a 64-year-old resident of Martins View Apartments in the Bellevue neighborhood. Mason has been calling Sanford about faulty hot water and heat and leaking ceilings since the company bought her building in 2013. Her complaints go to voice mail, she said. I wish I could find something better, but Im just going to try to fight. The only reason Im here is because of the rent.

Tenants of Sanford buildings said they knew little about the men who own their buildings, but described a constant turnover of staff in rental and maintenance offices.

Fed up with what she said were repeated failures by the rental office to respond to complaints about her unheated apartment in January 2016, Mary Shuler tried to take her pleas directly to management.

The 50-year-old tenant hitched a ride with a neighbor to Bethesda, Md., where Sanford is headquartered in an office building.

In the lobby, Shuler, who is blind in one eye, demanded to speak to a supervisor. A receptionist left for a few minutes and returned with a promise that Shuler wouldnt spend the winter without heat.

[Racine sues landlord over squalor at Terrace Manor]

She said someone was going to come that day, but nobody ever came, Shuler said as she ran her oven with its door open on a recent morning. I called again. And they said someone would come. But nobody came.

According to a marketing document obtained by The Post that Sanford circulated last year among potential buyers of its rental apartment portfolio, the company grossed about $12.9 million annually from its holdings.

Strauss owns a home assessed at $1.6 million in the Chevy Chase area of the District, and registered a 35-foot boat called Hooptie and another similarly sized vessel named Manny Rounds, according to public records.

His business partner, Nowell, lives in a Bethesda home with an assessed value of $2.8 million, according to property records.

Enforcement and oversight

Bowser has made affordable housing a priority since she took office in 2015. But Sanfords frequent violations of housing codes overwhelmed the citys enforcement system, exposing flaws in oversight that advocates say theyve been flagging for years.

No single D.C. agency is responsible for ensuring safe conditions in rental housing. Some housing agencies oversee properties built with tax breaks or city subsidies but lack the power to penalize offenders. Others administer housing vouchers that tenants can use to supplement their rent but have no role in verifying whether the housing meets standards.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that apartment buildings meet building code requirements. Its director, Melinda Bolling, said she had no system to monitor owners of multiple properties, which makes it impossible to spot patterns of noncompliance.

Its not unusual that we wont know about bad actors because we deal with properties and resolving issues at individual properties, Bolling said.

Fines dont appear to be an effective deterrent. Sanford has yet to pay nearly a third of the fines levied against it  more than $40,000, according to city records. The oldest unpaid fine dates to 2009. Records reviewed by The Post do not indicate whether Sanford disputes those fines or has failed to pay them for some other reason.

Consumer and Regulatory Affairs placed liens on some properties to recoup the costs of fixing housing conditions, but it has not exercised that power at other Sanford buildings with unpaid penalties. A spokesman for the agency said it places liens on properties after appeals are exhausted, and the timeline can vary. Properties that are fined are not scheduled for regular follow-up inspections.

[2008 Post Investigation: A failure in housing enforcement]

Those fines are a joke, said Marc Borbely, a private housing attorney whose firm has represented several Sanford tenants. If anyone knows they are never collected and nothing ever happens if you dont pay them, then they lose their power.

District officials say they are reluctant to condemn the buildings or fine the owners so heavily that they go out of business, which would displace hundreds of low-income residents.

But other jurisdictions have ways to increase pressure on landlords who routinely violate housing codes.

New York City has a program that targets the worst buildings for regular follow-up inspections, with fines escalating as problems go unfixed, while requiring companies to list the people responsible for conditions to prevent them from hiding behind shell companies.

Pennsylvania allows cities to deny development permits if a company faces violations at other properties.

The Montgomery County Council passed legislation enabling housing inspectors to target problem apartments for regular follow-up inspections after a gas explosion at a complex left seven dead in the summer of 2016.

At a February 2016 hearing examining the plight of Sanford tenants in a Congress Heights property, Bonds said her biggest takeaway was bad actors should not be a part of any subsidy whatsoever.

Bonds then successfully shepherded legislation allowing the citys Office of the Tenant Advocate to place liens on property owners to collect the costs of relocating residents from substandard housing. But that assumes a resident can find a better alternative, and it doesnt prevent violations in the first place. She said she is working on additional legislation that would block the city subsidies from going to bad actors.

Legal action

Last year, Racine took the unusual step of suing Sanford, charging that it had violated housing codes at Terrace Manor and a nearby Congress Heights complex.

The company agreed to abatement plans for both properties and is fighting another effort by Racines office to use consumer protection laws to recover rent paid by Terrace Manor tenants while they lived with rodent infestations and lack of heat.



A vacant apartment at Terrace Manor, owned by Bethesda-based Sanford Capital. (Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post)

Trash is strewn across yards at a D.C. apartment building managed by Sanford Capital. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

After Racine filed the first lawsuit, District social workers checked some of the tenants living in those Sanford buildings but did not find reason to relocate any.

Rapid rehousing vouchers, worth about $1,000 a month on average, are meant to be a temporary lifeline for homeless families, covering most of their rent for up to a year to give adults time to find jobs and become self-sufficient. In practice, about half the recipients receive vouchers much longer, sometimes several years.

Housing in Washington has become so expensive, however, that voucher recipients sometimes conclude that a Sanford property is their best option.

In July 2014, Rasheda Savoy discovered a Sanford building on D Street SE after seeing it on a list distributed at a city-backed orientation for homeless families.

[A hidden world: Desperation for homeless families in hotels]

There were early red flags, she said: Mouse holes, water bubbles bulging from the ceiling and warnings about Sanfords reputation from friends in the neighborhood. Savoy said that when she brought up these issues with her case manager, the social worker warned that the alternative was the former D.C. General Hospital, the citys megashelter for the homeless where 8-year-old Relisha Rudd disappeared in 2014.

I felt like I sold my soul to the devil, said Savoy, a mother of five.

After moving in, she said she spent two winters without heat and fending off mice before she moved out last summer after finding another landlord willing to take her voucher.

LaCrecia Johnson, a 21-year-old mother of three, has been trying unsuccessfully to find an alternative to her Sanford apartment.

Since she moved into the Oak Hill apartments in Congress Heights in April 2015, she said feces backed into her bathtub more than a dozen times  including once while bathing her 1-year-old.

We would never intentionally direct anybody to a unit we knew was substandard, ever, said Zeilinger, the head of the homeless family services agency. But oftentimes what people are able to get and able to afford may be in a place where theres a higher risk they would experience some conditions.

After months with intermittent hot water and suing Sanford Capital to force repairs, Tirita Bady moved out of the Belmont Crossing apartments in Southeast Washington in November. She said she lost her job at an H&M store after missing shifts while trying to attend to problems and take her two boys, ages 9 and 12, to shower at her mothers house.

Now she lives in Oxon Hill, in Prince Georges County.

Inspectors from the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development had flagged Belmont Crossing for mold, roaches and unsecured doors in July, and said the problems were resolved by December.

But on a recent visit, reporters found that problems persisted, including trash and feces in a laundry room and unsecured doors that, tenants said, allow vagrants and drug users to enter.

On a District website listing city-financed affordable housing with vacancies, just two complexes are named.

One is Belmont Crossing.

Paul Duggan contributed to this report. Courtney is attached to The Posts investigative unit through a program at American University.
Barbara Turner-Locke of Lorton examines records detailing segregation in Loudouns public schools. The documents were displayed Feb. 11 at the Loudoun County Courthouse. (Jim Barnes/For The Washington Post)

An open house at the Loudoun County Courthouse on Feb. 11 highlighted the century of segregation in Virginia that followed the Civil War and the abolishing of slavery.

The Clerk of the Circuit Courts Office displayed records that document the separate and unequal treatment of African Americans in the county during that time. Documents reveal how segregation pervaded all areas of life, including the education, public services and land transactions.

Many of the records pertained to the public schools, from the 1883 purchase of land for the Union Street School in Leesburg to the 1959 sale of that and four other properties that had housed schools for African American children. Among those properties was the former Ashburn Colored School, which was vandalized last year and is being restored by the Loudoun School for the Gifted.

A 1930 entry in the Board of Supervisors minutes book indicated that $122,780 had been allocated for teachers salaries in white schools, and $13,254 for teachers in colored schools.

Historic records manager Eric Larson showed records indicating that a public-interest group called the County-Wide League was influential in acquiring land and building Frederick Douglass High School in Leesburg. The school, which opened in 1940, was the first high school for African American students in Loudoun.

[Teens behind racist graffiti sentenced to visit Holocaust Museum, read books by black and Jewish authors]

Board of Supervisors records from 1956 show that the County-Wide League advocated for desegregation of the schools when Sterling Harrison, president of the local chapter of a group called the Defenders of State Sovereignty and Individual Liberties, submitted a petition in favor of segregation. Harrison was Loudouns Commonwealths Attorney at that time, Larson said.

There was a night and day view of how schools should be run in Loudoun County, Larson said. This is interesting because now the ball is starting to roll toward desegregation. Even so, schools remained segregated in Loudoun until the late 1960s, he said.

Segregation was also evident in other records. An 1891 property tax registry and a 1902 voter roll had separate listings for whites and African Americans. Larson said that the taxpayer listings were separated by race until 1963.

Some of the records predated the Civil War, including an 1852 entry in the Record of Free Negroes certifying that Joseph Trammell was a free man. The record provided a detailed physical description of Trammell  dark complexion, 21 years of age, five feet seven inches high [with] a small scar in the forehead and one on his left arm, six or eight inches above the wrist.

Larson said that Trammell carried a copy of his freedom papers in a metal box. That box is on display at the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The open house also featured coins, buttons, ceramics and other artifacts collected from the 2005 excavation of the site of slave quarters near Arcola.

Xavier and Katrice Walker of Loudoun County brought their two sons, ages 15 and 9, to the open house. The boys particularly liked the artifacts from the archaeological dig.

I know that a lot of places dont have good records on enslaved families and how they were dispersed amongst the different outlying counties, Katrice Walker said. Loudoun did a great job of maintaining those records and making sure we have account of those people.

Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary M. Clemens said that the open house was held during Black History Month to increase awareness of the variety of African American historical records his office maintains and makes available to the public.

Its a real treasure that we have these . . . because a lot of court records in Virginia were destroyed during the Civil War, or otherwise have been lost, Clemens said.
Higher Education

Suit targets for-profit college documents

The Project on Predatory Student Lending at Harvard Law School is suing the Justice Department for withholding documents that could help for-profit college students get their federal education loans canceled.

The lawsuit stems from a 2015 settlement between the Justice Department and Education Management, the operator of the for-profit Art Institutes, Argosy University, Brown Mackie College and South University. The company agreed to pay $95.5 million to resolve allegations that it paid employees based on student enrollment in violation of a federal ban on incentive compensation at schools in the federal financial aid programs.

 Danielle Douglas-Gabriel
Two Jewish schools in the Washington region received bomb threats Monday, disrupting classroom activities and leading police to sweep the campuses in Maryland and Virginia.

The threats were sent to both schools through what seemed to be an automated voice message system, school officials said. Police are investigating.

The calls were received at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Montgomery County and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax County after 9 a.m. Gesher administrators evacuated the school as police swept the building for explosives. At the North Bethesda upper campus of Charles E. Smith, students were kept in their classrooms, which is standard procedure for the school, as administrators and police inspected the building and its perimeter.

Dozens of Jewish community centers, schools, synagogues and cemeteries across the country have recently faced hate messages and other discriminatory acts.

Jewish headstones were toppled in cemeteries in Missouri and Pennsylvania in recent weeks. This week, Jewish schools in Florida also have received automated bomb threats.

(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

[Philadelphia police probe reprehensible toppling of 100 headstones at Jewish cemetery]

In all, more than 70 bomb threats have been called in to Jewish institutions since January, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

According to data from the Virginia State Police, anti-Semitic acts are the most common hate crimes motivated by religion in the commonwealth.

Theres something very wrong in our national climate when hateful individuals feel empowered to threaten our children like this, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (D) wrote in a statement. This recent wave of anti-Semitism is cowardly, its disgusting, and we must make it clear that we as Virginians unequivocally reject it.

Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, head of the Charles E. Smith school, said in an interview that recent threats at other schools led his administration to be more vigilant.

Given whats been going on around the country, we were very well prepared, he said. We knew exactly what to do.

Malkus said police arrived less than five minutes after the school notified them about the threat.

He said that the perpetrators goal appears to have been to raise tension and anxiety in the community, and unfortunately thats what happens when you have these threats.

Malkus noted that dozens of Jewish institutions have had similar experiences.

Theres been a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents and threats in the Jewish community over the last year, and I believe thats directly attributable to the political climate that exists in our country, Malkus said.

He noted that President Trump last week addressed the recent rise in hate messaging against Jewish groups and condemned the vandalism of Jewish graves.

I do welcome what the president said, Malkus said. He wants to make sure these incidents do not continue. I would like to see more of that in a clearer message.

[Asked about anti-Semitism, Trump talks about electoral college]

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Floyd Gibbons after he was injured covering a battle in France during World War I in 1918. Gibbons lost his left eye and his white eye patch became a trademark. (Library of Congress)

It was not bad luck that placed Floyd Gibbons aboard the RMS Laconia, a Cunard ocean liner torpedoed by a German U-boat a century ago in the North Atlantic. It was good luck  and meticulous planning.

At the time, Gibbons was that most anxious of journalists: a war correspondent in search of a war. Born in Washington in 1887  and briefly a student at Gonzaga and, until he was thrown out, Georgetown  Gibbons worked for the Chicago Tribune. Hes the subject of a new, self-published biography by Chevy Chase, Md., author Paul Warren: Adventurer Floyd Gibbons: Eye Streets Eyewitness to History (floydgibbons.com).

Though battles were raging in Europe, the United States was not yet at war with Germany in February 1917. When the Kaisers ambassador was ejected from Washington, Gibbonss editors booked him passage on the same Danish liner that would be taking the diplomat home, the Frederick VIII.

Gibbons had a better idea. He reasoned that the next ship out of New York would be a likely target for German submarines. He bought a ticket on that and packed his own life jacket.

It must have been with a mixture of dread and delight that Gibbons heard a muffled noise  like the slamming of some large door at a good distance away  on the evening of Feb. 25, 1917. The Laconia had been torpedoed six miles off the coast of Ireland.

Author Paul Warren stands near the grave of Floyd Gibbons in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Northeast Washington. Warren has written a biography of the journalist, who died in 1939. (John Kelly/The Washington Post)

Newspapers across the United States were to run the 4,000-word story that Gibbons, in an impressive display of deadline reporting, filed after spending six hours in a lifeboat before being brought ashore.

I have serious doubts whether this is a real story, Gibbons began. I am not entirely certain that it is not all a dream. . . . It is now a little over thirty hours since I stood on the slanting decks of the big liner, listened to the lowering of the lifeboats, and heard the hiss of escaping steam and the roar of ascending rockets [signal flares] as they tore lurid rents in the black sky and cast their red glare over the roaring sea.

Warren, a former newspaper reporter himself and the retired publisher of telecom bible Communications Daily, marvels at Gibbonss accomplishment.

And he got everything right, right down to the Chicago angle for the Tribune, Warren said.

The Chicago angle? Among the 12 people who died in the sinking were a mother and daughter from Chicago. It was sad, of course, but if people had to die, how convenient that some of them had been from the Tribunes readership area.

Warren is obsessed with all things Gonzaga. Hes a 1968 graduate of the Catholic boys school at North Capitol and I streets NW. He published two earlier books, one that collected every D.C. newspaper story about Gonzaga that ran between 1821 and 1899 and another on the schools links to the Lincoln assassination.

While searching Google about his alma mater, he stumbled across Gibbons.

The grave of Floyd Gibbons in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Northeast Washington. (John Kelly/The Washington Post)

They dont make them like this anymore, he said.

The Laconia sinking was only one of Gibbonss scoops. Hed covered the timber wars in Minnesota and traveled with Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. After arriving in Europe, he went immediately to the front lines, hooking up with a U.S. Marine unit at the Battle of Belleau Wood.

It was there that Gibbons gained a trademark. A ricocheting bullet tore through his face. For the rest of his life he wore a patch  made by his mother out of white silk  over his missing left eye.

The eye patch made Gibbons immediately recognizable as he barnstormed across a fractious postwar world, covering insurrections.

He covered more wars than anybody else, Warren said.

As his fame grew, Gibbons became a brand. He left newspapers and switched to radio and newsreels, beginning his reports with the catch phrase, Hello, everybody. He pitched products in ads and styled himself as the Headline Hunter, the name of a comic strip based on his exploits.

Some critics attacked Gibbons for being a war monger, and his style, Warren admits, can strike modern audiences as hokey. Its 1930s stuff, which was very popular then, he said.

Its hard to think of a modern equivalent, maybe equal parts Richard Engel, Geraldo Rivera and a Vice News correspondent. One wonders what Gibbons would think of the backlash against the media today.

It was a different era in the news business, Warren said. But he was certainly not an enemy of the people, in that sense.

Gibbons died of a heart attack on Sept. 24, 1939, as he was preparing to return to Europe to cover World War II. He was 52 and had been a four-pack-a-day smoker. Hes buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, off Bladensburg Road NE. His stone is inscribed with a single word to describe his life: Adventurer.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
BLOOD DONATIONS

Blood drives March 8, 2:30-7:30 p.m. Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 800-733-2767; March 14, 3-8 p.m., Ashburn Farm Association, 21400 Windmill Dr., Ashburn, 800-733-2767.

Inova Blood Donor Center Mondays noon-8 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays 6 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m. Dulles Town Center, 45745 Nokes Blvd., Sterling. 866-256-6372 or inova.org/donateblood.

FIRST AID

First aid/adult, infant and child CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Fauquier Hospital Medical Office Building, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588. Call for schedule. $85. Registration required.

HEARING

Disability Resource Center Technical assistance through the state Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and presentations to businesses, groups and schools. Third Tuesdays 2-5 p.m., Workplace, 205 Keith St., Warrenton. Call for an appointment, 800-648-6324; TDD, 540-373-5890. Free.

MENTAL HEALTH

Counseling for sexual violence survivors Provided by Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice. 703-771-9020.

Crisis Intervention Treatment and Assessment Center Provides emergency mental-health, substance-use and developmental services to Loudoun residents. Daily from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. 102 Heritage Way NE, Suite 102, Leesburg. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day at 703-777-0320.

Crisislink Suicide and crisis intervention. Community education, a volunteer crisis response team and CareRing, a telephone outreach program for the elderly and disabled. 703-527-6016, volunteer@crisislink.org or crisislink.org.

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services This mental health nonprofit organization is accepting clients from ages 16 to 30 for a coordinated services program with Loudoun County to help young people with their first experience of psychosis find hope and recover. For information, call Lisa Beran at 703-388-6572 or go to prsinc.org.

Piedmont Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness Serves Fauquier, Orange, Madison and Rappahannock counties. Support group, education classes and events for people living with mental illness and their family members. First Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. Fauquier Hospital, 500 Hospital Dr., Sycamore Room A, Warrenton. 571-426-8213.

Mental health first-aid A public education program offered by the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services to help residents understand mental illness and seek intervention. Go to loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid.

Northern Virginia Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness A support group, classes and programs for people living with mental illness and their family members. naminorthernvirginia.org.

PREGNANCY, PARENTING

Adoptive family preservation Adoptive families discuss common experiences; registration required. Third Tuesdays 12:30-2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd. Call 703-941-9008, Ext. 23, or email jmellario@umfs.org.

Birthright of Loudoun County Free pregnancy tests, baby clothing, transportation and support throughout pregnancy, 823 S. King St., Leesburg. 703-777-7272.

Bond Between Us A nonprofit organization that offers support to birth parents when children have been placed for adoption. Fourth Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. Call for location. 703-771-7844.

Breastfeeding support Mondays 9:30-10:30 a.m., Fauquier Hospital Family Birthing Center, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588.

Dad support New and expectant fathers share ideas. First Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. 703-858-6360.

For the Childrens Sake A group for separating or divorcing parents to share advice. Four-hour session weekly. Information: 703-391-8599 or fitsfoundation.org.

La Leche League Mother-to-mother support and breastfeeding information. 10 a.m. second Wednesdays in Warrenton, 540-351-6103. Third Fridays 10:15-11:45 a.m., call for location, 703-444-7386. Second Fridays 10:15 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd., 703-829-0349; Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Panera Bread, 43670 Greenway Corp. Dr., Ashburn, lllashburn@gmail.com. Third Fridays 10:15 a.m., Christ the Redeemer Church, 46833 Harry F. Byrd. Hwy., Sterling, 540-338-4637.

Loudoun Fatherhood Program Fathers discuss the joys and challenges of being a parent. Meets every other Saturday for two hours for four months; sponsored by Northern Virginia Family Service. 571-748-2796. Free.

Loudoun Nurturing Parenting Program Positive parenting techniques; children attend with parents. Registration required. Call 703-771-3973, Ext. 27, or email nurturingprogram@lcsj.org. Free.

Mothernet/Healthy Families Loudoun Program links first-time parents with medical, social and educational resources to give children a socially and physically healthy start in life. Family support workers meet with participants in homes. English-Spanish translation provided. 703-444-4477, Ext. 217 , or inmed.org.

New mother support Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. Inova Loudoun Medical Pavilion, 224 Cornwall St., Leesburg. Babies welcome. 703-858-6360.

Young parent services Support for teenage parents. Loudoun County Department of Family Social Services, 52 Sycolin Rd., Leesburg. Call for times. 703-771-5375.

Online childbirth education program Inova Loudoun Hospitals Web-based program uses animation, videos and interactive activities to guide users through the basics of childbirth, breastfeeding and caring for newborns. 703-858-6360 or thebirthinginn.org/classes.

Parenting Alone group For parents of school-age children who have lost a spouse or partner to cancer. Second Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call 703-698-2536 or email jennifer.eckert@inova.org.

Pregnancy and childbirth support Childbirth Solutions Resource Center, 8393 W. Main St., Marshall. 571-344-0438.

SENIORS

Chair yoga Age 55 and older. Mondays 11 a.m.-noon, Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. Wear comfortable clothes. Bare feet or socks are encouraged. 571-258-3400. $2 drop-in.

Exercise equipment Age 55 and older. Weights, treadmills, bikes and a cardio-glide. Instruction provided. Weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Eye care LensCrafters staff members clean glasses and make minor repairs. Second Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 703-430-2397. Free.

Inova Loudoun mobile van Blood pressure checks. Second and fourth Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling, 571-258-3280; first Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-noon, Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039.

Laughing yoga for seniors Improve flexibility and balance. Thursdays 9:30-10 :30 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Loudoun Adult Day Centers For seniors with physical limitations or memory loss, a safe and social environment, therapeutic activities, individualized care and respite for caregivers. Limited transportation. Sliding-scale fees. Weekdays in Leesburg, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 703-771-5334; Purcellville, 571-258-3402; and Ashburn-Sterling, 571-258-3232.

Senior Outreach Services Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging case manager. Call for an appointment or sign up at the Senior Center at Cascades. First and third Wednesdays 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 571-258-3280.

Senior Outreach Services Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging Elder case manager. Sign up in the Leesburg Senior Center lobby. Second and fourth Thursdays 11 a.m.-noon and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Senior Outreach Services Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging Elder case manager. Call for an appointment or sign up at the Carver Center. First and third Mondays, 12:30-5 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 703-737-8741. Free.

Tai chi for seniors Stretching and strengthening movements. Mondays 11 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Zumba gold class Age 55 and older. Wear rubber-soled shoes and comfortable clothing; bring water and a towel. Tuesdays 11 a.m., Tuesdays and Fridays 1 p.m. Senior Center of Leesburg, 102 North St. NW, Leesburg. 703-737-8039. $24 per month.

Zumba For people 55 and older learning Zumba for the first time, or those who prefer a lower-impact version. The fitness program combines Latin and international music with dance.Thursdays 11 a.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 571-258-3280. $12.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Al-Anon Service Center of Northern Virginia A volunteer is available 24 hours with information for spouses, family members and friends of problem drinkers. 703-534-4357 or 877-339-8350. Mondays 8 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 125 W. Washington St., Middleburg, 540-554-2747; Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg, 877-339-8350; Fridays 8:30 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 6507 Main St., The Plains, 800-344-2666; Tuesdays 12:15 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, Route 29 N., 540-347-7448; Tuesdays 7 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 p.m. Warrenton Presbyterian Church, 91 Main St., 800-344-2666.

Alcoholics Anonymous Various meeting times and locations in Loudoun County. 800-208-8649 or 703-876-6166. nvintergroup.org.

Alzheimers caregiver support For those who care for people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Fourth Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m. The Villa at Suffield Meadows, 6735 Suffield Lane, Warrenton. 540-316-3800.

Alzheimers caregivers support For those caring for people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Second Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling. 703-430-9229. galileeumc.org.

Alzheimers caregivers support Emotional, educational and social support for family members and friends of people with the disease. Third Saturdays 10 a.m. Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging, 20145 Ashbrook Pl., Ashburn. Call 703-771-5407 or email lesley.katz@loudoun.gov.

Alzheimers caregiver support group Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 540-903-6831 or alz.org.

Alzheimers support First Tuesdays 10-11 a.m. Spring Arbor Assisted Living, 237 Fairview St. NW, Leesburg. 540-338-6520.

Alzheimers support First Wednesdays 4 p.m. Leesburg Adult Day Center, 16501 Meadowview Ct., Leesburg. 703-771-5334.

Alzheimers support Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 571-258-3400.

Talk About Curing Autism A nonprofit organization educating and supporting families affected by autism. tacanow.org.

Autoimmune support Last Thursdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jackson Building, 209 Gibson St., Leesburg. autoimmunesupport@hotmail.com.

Bereaved parent support One-on-one counseling is available. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814 or scsm.tv.

Bereavement support Age 18 and older. Third Mondays 1 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Sponsored by Capital Caring. 703-957-1800.

Bereavement support Tuesdays through March 28, 7:30- 9 p.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. Free.

Breast cancer support Fourth Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Tower, Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-349-0588.

Breast cancer support For those with new diagnoses or starting treatment. Register if attending for the first time. Fourth Mondays 5-6:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8857.

Breast cancer support For those who have finished treatment, have had a recurrence or have metastatic breast cancer. Register if attending for the first time. Fourth Mondays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8857. Free.

Breast Cancer Support Assistance Fund Loudoun County residents who have received a diagnosis or have undergone treatment in the past 12 months are eligible to apply for financial assistance. Areas included are wigs, bras, puffs and prostheses, mammograms and medical bills, food and help with utilities, rent or mortgage, and transportation costs. The Pink Assistance Fund has been established by the Loudoun Breast Health Network. lbhn.org.

Cancer support Oncology nurses, social workers and spiritual-care providers offer education and support to patients, families and caregivers. Second Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-2273.

Cancer support Life with Cancer, for patients, family members and friends. Second Thursdays 7 p.m. Ashburn Presbyterian Church, Room 202, 20962 Ashburn Rd. 703-729-2012 or ashburnpresbyterian.org.

Caregiver support Emotional, educational and social support. Encourages caregivers to maintain their physical and emotional health while caring for people with dementia or other chronic illness. Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 540-903-6831.

Caregiver support and resource group Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.-noon (no meeting first Wednesdays), Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. scsm.tv.

Caring for Aging Parents Support group. Confidential. Fourth Wednesdays 7:30 p.m., Family Focus Counseling Service, 20-B John Marshall St., Warrenton. 540-349-4537.

Chadd parents support For parents of children with ADD/ADHD. Fourth Sundays 3 p.m. KinderCare, 44051 Ashburn Village Shopping Plaza. chadd.novaloudoun@gmail.com.

Chronic illness support Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 p.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministries, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814 or scsm.tv.

Coffee and Conversation Support for those discouraged because of illness, bereavement, caregiving or a loved one in the military. Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814.

Compassionate Friends For parents who have experienced the death of a child. First Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg. 540-882-9707.

Creating and Connecting Two-hour art therapy and relaxation workshop for cancer patients. Every other month, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call for dates. 703-858-8850.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Western Loudoun Saturdays 3 p.m. Purcellville Library, 220 E. Main St., Carruthers Room. Call 703-431-7160 or email kathy@dbsanca.org.

Drop-in grief support Second and fourth Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. St. Davids Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn. Sponsored by Capital Caring. 703-597-1781.

Families Overcoming Drug Addiction Support group. First and third Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. myfodafamily@gmail.com or 540-316-9221.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth and parent support A group in partnership with Metro DC PFLAG. Fourth Sundays 4-6 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 22135 Davis Dr., Sterling. 703-328-6518.

Griefshare Open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Tuesdays Feb. 28 through May 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. Purcellville Baptist Church, 601 Yaxley Dr., Purcellville. Call 540-338-0918 or email caring@purbap.org. Workbook, $15.

Griefshare Nondenominational seminar and support group. Tuesdays 7:30-9 p.m., and Wednesdays, 1-2:30 p.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. Free.

Grief support Sponsored by Hospice Support of Fauquier County. Individual counseling available. First and third Thursdays 3:30-5 p.m. Hospice Support Office, 42 N. Fifth St., Warrenton. Registration required. Email hospicesupport@verizon.net or call 540-347-5922.

Grief support Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814.

Hospice support Free medical-equipment loan facility for Fauquier County residents. Especially needed are donations of wheelchairs, bedside commodes, rolling walkers, electric hospital beds, shower benches and chairs, adult diapers, lift chairs, Ensure and hospital bed mattresses. 540-347-5922.

Look Good, Feel Better For women undergoing or emerging from cancer treatment. Every other month, 6:45 to 9 p.m. ,Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call for dates. 703-776-2820. Free.

Loudoun CHADD support Led by Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Third Thursdays 7 p.m. Leesburg Town Hall, lower-level conference room, 25 W. Market St. 703-669-2445.

Lyme disease support Fourth Sundays 2-4 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Conference Room A and B, Leesburg. Go to natcaplyme.org or email loudounlymeadvocates@gmail.com.

Lyme disease support Third Thursdays at 7 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, 6398 Lee Hwy. Access Road, Warrenton. 540-347-7265 or email lymeinfauquier@gmail.com.

Lyme disease support Age 18 and older. First Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. Email charphealy@yahoo.com.

MADD Loudoun victim support For those who have been affected by drunken driving. Third Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. 210 Wirt St., Leesburg. 540-338-6491.

Man-to-Man Cancer Support Sponsored by Loudoun Cancer Care Center, for prostate cancer patients and their families. Second Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. Call 703-858-8857 or email karen.archer@inova.org.

Menopause support Third Thursdays 6:30-9 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg (second floor, Patient Education Room). 703-858-8060.

Mens grief support Second Mondays at 7 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 703-568-3346. Free.

Multiple sclerosis support Saturdays 10:30 a.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-349-2826.

Multiple sclerosis support Last Sundays, September-June, 2-4 p.m. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Pl., Potomac Falls. Call ahead to confirm. 703-771-4256.

Nar-anon family support For those affected by loved ones with addiction. Meaningful Mondays, 7-8 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling. 703-203-9792; Wisdom Wednesdays 7-8 p.m., St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 37730 St. Francis Ct., Purcellville, 703-606-7125; Serenity Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. Leesburg Presbyterian Church, 207 W. Market St., Leesburg, 703-606-7125.

Overeaters Anonymous For fellowship and support. For locations and times, call oa.org.

Parkinson's support Open to those with Parkinson's disease, their family members and caregivers. First Tuesdays 1:30-3 p.m. Call for Ashburn location. 571-442-8851.

Post-partum support Second and fourth Wednesdays 1-2:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Cornwall Campus, 224 Cornwall St., Leesburg. Call 703-909-9877 or email lamckeough@gmail.com. Registration required.

Reach to Recovery Home visit program for mastectomy and lumpectomy patients. Temporary prostheses, exercise instruction and encouragement. 703-938-5550.

Sexual assault and incest survivors group counseling Services provided by Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice and the Loudoun Abused Womens Shelter are free and confidential. 703-771-9020 .

Sexual assault survivors empowerment support Sponsored by Sexual Assault Victims Volunteer Initiative. Child care available with 48 hours notice. Mondays; call for times and locations. 540-349-7720.

Spiritual support group For cancer patients, family members and friends. Third Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8850.

Spouse loss support Sundays through April 2, 2:30-4 p.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. Facilitated by Liz Shaw. 540-349-5814. Free.

Stroke survivors and caregivers support Second Wednesdays 11 a.m.-noon, Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, second floor, Patient Education Room. 703-858-6199 or jill.lieb@inova.org.

Suicide counseling Third Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Office, Conference Room 2, lower level, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. 703-587-1618 or survivorsofsuicidelossleesburg@gmail.com.

Womens support Sponsored by Services to Abused Families. Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Confidential location. 540-825-8876.

Widows and widowers support Third Mondays 11 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039.

Womens cancer support Woman to Woman, first Wednesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Registration required. 703-858-8850.

MISCELLANEOUS

Ask the Expert lecture Blood Clots and the Brain: Current Emergency Treatment Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. Inova HealthPlex, 22505 Landmark Ct., Ashburn. 855-694-6682. Free.

Ask the Expert lecture Pregnancy After 35 March 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, Conference Rooms A & B. 855-694-6682. Free.

Brain trauma survivors brown-bag lunch For survivors and caregivers. First Tuesdays, noon-1:30 p.m., Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, second-floor Patient Education Room. Call 703-737-3150 or email jberg@braininjurysvcs.org. Free.

Child developmental screenings For ages 2-5. Children may not be kindergarten-age-eligible. Sponsored by the Loudoun County public schools Child Find Center. 571-252- - 2180.

Cholesterol screenings Weekdays from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Fauquier Health LIFE Center, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-2640. Registration required. $35.

Emergency food supplies Loudoun County residents in need can receive a free three-day supply of groceries. Supplies are distributed Mondays through Saturdays by Loudoun Hunger Relief. Call 703-777-5911 or go to loudounhunger.org.

Fauquier free walk-in medical clinic Call Thursdays from 12:30 to 1 p.m. to register for the clinic, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Patients are seen by appointment Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fauquier and Rappahannock residents only. Bring proof of address for the first visit. Patients cannot have Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Information: 540-347-0394 Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fauquier Hospital Bistro Senior Supper Club Nutritious meals and fellowship for people 55 and older. Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Bistro on the Hill, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588. $5.49.

HEROES (Hometown Enabling Relationships, Opportunities and Empowerment through Support) is a program for military families. Support to military members and families, from pre-deployment up to two years post-deployment. Assistance includes financial help, job placement, family care and mental-health services. caring@purbap.org or heroescare.org.

Inova Loudoun Hospital Mobile Health Services Blood pressure screenings, Tuesday 9 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. For information, call 703-858-8818 or go to inova.org/mobilehealth. Free.

Leg vein health seminar Monday 7 p.m. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Pl., Potomac Falls. The Center for Vein Restoration will lead an interactive discussion on signs, symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments of chronic venous insufficiency. Watch a live lower-leg vein ultrasound demonstration. 703-444-3228. Free.

Loudoun Cares information and referral help line Call 703-669-4636 for help in finding resources for county residents dealing with eviction, utility cut-offs, needed health care and employment.

Motor skill screenings Birth to 21 months. First Thursdays, Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center, 19465 Deerfield Ave., Suite 201, Lansdowne. Call for an appointment. 703-858-7620. Free.

Northern Virginia long-term care ombudsman Call 703-324-5861 for help in resolving complaints related to long-term-care facilities.

Road to Recovery Free rides to appointments for cancer patients. Call 410-781-6909 or email jen.burdette@cancer.org. Free.

Safe sitter classes For girls and boys ages 11-14. First Saturdays except for holiday weekends. 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. To receive a Safe Sitter Certificate, students must pass practical and written tests on babysitting and handling an emergency. Bring a lunch or buy lunch in the cafeteria. $70, includes handbook and snacks. Registration required. 703-858-8818 or charlene.martin@inova.org.

Seven Loaves Food Pantry Individuals and families can receive a three-day supply of food, distributed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon. Go to sevenloavesmiddleburg.org or call 540-687-3489.

Tree of Life Food Pantry Serving western Loudoun County. Food is delivered Wednesdays and Saturdays. 703-554-3595.

 Compiled by Sandy Mauck

TO SUBMIT AN ITEM

Email: ldliving@washpost.com

Fax: 703-777-8437

Mail: Health Calendar, The Washington Post, 104 Dry Mill Rd. SW, Suite 101, Leesburg, Va. 20175

Loudoun County and Fauquier County health calendar
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans approval rating is down slightly, according to a Goucher College poll, but the first-term Republican remains popular. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans approval rating ticked down slightly in a Goucher College poll released Monday, although the first-term Republican remains very popular and appears to be strongly positioned to win a second term in 2018.

The survey showed Hogan with a 63 percent approval rating among Maryland adults, below the 70 percent he had in September and identical to his rating at this time last year. It was not immediately clear whether the governor has been affected by Democratic attempts to tie him to President Trump, who is deeply unpopular in the state.

Fifty-seven percent of poll respondents said they lean toward voting for Hogan in the 2018 governors race or will definitely do so, while 33 percent said they are inclined or planning to vote for someone else.

Fifty-five percent said their opinion of Trump will influence their vote in the gubernatorial election to some extent, while 42 percent said it will not. Among those who said they disapprove of the job Hogan is doing, 12 percent said the main reason for their concern is Trump-related.

Democrats and advocacy groups have pressed Hogan to take a stance on Trumps more- controversial policies, including plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, immigration-enforcement actions and a travel ban on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.

So far, he has largely refused to do so. In the survey, 34 percent of respondents said Hogan spends too little time addressing Trumps actions, while 33 percent said he spends about the right amount.

Goucher political scientist Mileah Kromer, who directed the polling team, said the governor remains largely unaffected by national politics. She said the decline in approval ratings could be because more attention is being paid to the agenda and actions of the Democratic-majority General Assembly, whose legislative session runs from mid-January through mid-April.

Hogan controls the narrative after the legislative session, Kromer said.

The poll showed that 42 percent of respondents approve of the job the General Assembly is doing, and 62 percent say the state is moving in the right direction.

The vast majority of people surveyed support requiring businesses in Maryland to provide paid sick leave for their employees. Eighty percent of respondents said businesses with 15 or more workers should provide the benefit, a mandate that would align with a Democratic-backed bill pending in the legislature. A slightly higher 84 percent said businesses with 50 or more workers should have to provide paid sick leave, which is what Hogan is proposing.

On the issue of redistricting, 73 percent of respondents said they prefer nonpartisan commissions to draw the states voting districts, another plan that Hogan has proposed. Twenty percent said they prefer the current system, in which elected officials handle the process.

Respondents were divided over whether to allow fracking in Maryland. Forty percent said they oppose a bill that would ban the gas-extraction method, while 36 percent said they support a ban. The legislature also is weighing a bill that would extend an existing moratorium on fracking for two years after it expires in October.

Goucher surveyed 776 people on Feb. 18-21. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Correction: Earlier versions of this article misquoted Del. Wendell Beitzel as saying he does not own the gas rights to his properties. Beitzel owns some gas rights, but said it would be difficult to make money from fracking because of development limits on his land related to envrionmental preservation. The article has been corrected.



A natural-gas well head sits alongside the Margraff Plantation Trails in Accident, Md. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The small towns and mountainous rural areas of Western Maryland are dotted with scores of well heads, a reminder of the copious natural gas reserves that lie underground.

Here, amid farms, faded industrial sites and a growing number of wineries and tourist attractions, the debate over whether to allow hydraulic fracturing seems far more immediate than in the State House in Annapolis, 170 miles to the southeast.

The controversial drilling method, better known as fracking, could bring thousands of jobs and tens of million of dollars in revenue to communities located along the massive rock formation known as the Marcellus Shale. But those benefits would be relatively short-lived, and there is some degree of environmental risk, despite guidelines that state officials say would be among the most stringent in the nation.

The four Republican lawmakers who represent this independent-minded part of the state solidly support fracking and oppose a proposed ban being pushed by downstate lawmakers. But their constituents are deeply divided.

Many longtime landowners, especially struggling farmers hoping to supplement their incomes with gas royalties and land leases, want in on the fracking boom. Other residents are reluctant, afraid of potential harm to the environment, public health and property values.



Jacey and Aaron Miller split wood on their property in Accident, Md. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The ambivalence was evident one recent afternoon when Del. Wendell R. Beitzel (R-Garrett) visited the home of Aaron Miller, who was splitting firewood with his sister Heather and wife, Jacey, not far from a natural-gas well head.

All three Millers are Republicans, but none agree with their representative on the merits of fracking, especially given recent news reports about fracking-related earthquakes in places such as Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

Its not a partisan issue, Heather Miller said. Its a hometown, loving-your-environment thing.



Heather Miller, who was helping her brother split wood, chats with state Del. Wendell R. Beitzel (R-Garrett County). He supports fracking in the region; she does not. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

A controversial industry

Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting huge quantities of water, sand and chemicals deep underground at high pressure to release natural gas from rock formations. The industry provides more than two-thirds of U.S. natural gas production now, up from a small fraction in 2000. It has helped the United States keep energy prices low and leapfrog Russia as the worlds leading natural-gas producer.

A two-year state moratorium on fracking is set to expire in October. The House environmental committee held a hearing on the proposal for a permanent ban last week, and the corresponding Senate committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday.

The two bills have 90 co-sponsors  none from Allegany or Garrett counties.

The legislature is also considering bills to extend the fracking moratorium for another two years, and a proposal, introduced by Beitzel and Sen. George C. Edwards (R-Garrett) to create a fund to compensate landowners who cannot sell or lease their natural gas interests if a ban takes effect. The latter measure has seven co-sponsors in the House, all Republicans from rural parts of the state, and none in the Senate.



A view of Washington county from Sideling Hill in Hancock, Md. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

[Fracking ban in Md.? Extending moratorium seems more likely]

A 2014 Towson University study found that fracking could support more than 2,500 jobs, add about $80 million a year in wages and generate more than $16 million in annual revenue  from taxes on gas extraction and income  during the industrys first decade of activity in Western Maryland.

After 10 years, however, fracking would support fewer than 200 jobs and generate less than $2 million in annual tax revenue, because relatively few workers are needed to manage wells once they are created and the supply of gas becomes depleted over time. Critics also say that a substantial number of fracking workers could come from out of state.

I dont like all the propaganda about jobs, because its all temporary work, said James Strawser, 71, a fracking opponent who owns a 70-acre berry farm in Garrett County.

He and others say they are concerned about environmental risks, pointing to greenhouse-gas emissions and a growing list of man-made earthquakes and water-contamination incidents. Industry supporters say activists exaggerate the impacts of drilling to drum up fear.

This issue has been sensationalized all along, and thats difficult to accept, said Joyce Bishoff, 68, whose family owns 300 acres in Garrett County, including gas rights.

A 2014 Stanford University report concluded that gas and chemicals from fracking rarely migrate to drinking-water aquifers. It also said that producing and burning natural gas instead of coal reduces water consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions. A Rice University study found that fracking wastewater is less toxic than similar waste from coal production.



Chris Stewart, who owns the Water Street Cafe in Friendsville, Md., walks with his dog, Fluffy. He moved to the area five years ago, and he and other residents of Friendsville successfully lobbied for a fracking-ban ordinance. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

As for earthquakes, the U.S. Geological Survey says that injecting fracking wastewater deep underground for disposal, a common practice, could cause damaging quakes but that the tremors related directly to drilling are almost always too small to be a safety concern.

Marylands environmental department last year proposed fracking regulations that would require the wastewater to be treated or recycled, rather than disposed of underground. The rules would ban drilling in four watersheds, including the popular tourist destination of Deep Creek Lake, and require four layers of cement and steel casing around wells to prevent water, gas and other fluids from migrating to other areas.

Advocates for a ban say no amount of regulation can safeguard the public from the impacts of hydraulic fracturing.

Haves and have-nots

Many of Western Marylands strongest fracking proponents are longtime residents who could gain financially from selling and leasing their land and mineral rights. Others are conservatives who bristle at being told what they can do with their property.

The opposition is led by environmentalists, newer residents with vacation homes in resort areas and small-business owners with ties to the regions growing tourism industry, which helped spur an economic recovery after widespread manufacturing declines.

The towns of Friendsville, Mountain Lake and Frostburg all have banned fracking in recent years.

People have these cherished memories of coming here for generations, and were trying to tap into that sentiment, said Paul Roberts, 58, who runs a winery in Garrett County and created one of the regions leading anti-fracking groups. Thats been a powerful element of why its become an emotional issue for so many people in the state.

Shawn Bender owns 55 acres of land in Accident, Md. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Shawn Bender, who has 55 acres in Accident, Md., but does not own the lands mineral rights, said gas extraction isnt much different from the timber, coal and farming industries that have long served as part of the regions economic foundation.

People who grew up here understand that natural-

resource development is going to have an impact, said Bender, 34, a vice president at Beitzel Corp., a local company that prepares drilling sites and supports gas extraction. Were in the business of knocking down trees and moving dirt.

Terry Bolinger, 73, a retired lab technician who worked for a tire maker, said that theres no way they can pump those chemicals into the ground without contaminating the water supply.

But his son Terry Bolinger Jr. disagrees. I dont think we have a choice but to use that method for producing energy unless you want to go back to the Stone Age, said the younger Bolinger, a 46-year-old driver for a delivery service.

Del. Wendell R. Beitzel (R-Garrett County) (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Some fracking critics have suggested that Beitzel could benefit financially from the drilling practice, either because of the 300 acres he owns in Garrett County or because of Beitzel Corp., which was founded by a distant cousin.

The lawmaker said that he has no financial stake or role in the company.

He also dismissed the idea that he could make money from fracking, saying he does not own mineral rights for much of the land, and the rest is either designated for agricultural preservation or located within a watershed that would be protected under the states proposed regulations. None of those conditions would completely eliminate the opportunity for him to profit from profiting if it were allowed in the state.

Too often, Beitzel said, the debate over fracking boils down to haves vs. have-nots. If you dont have property with natural gas, then you have nothing to gain from it, and its easier to be opposed to it.

Choosing sides



Shawn Bender, center, Delmer Yoder, right, and others talk with Del. Wendell R. Beitzel, left, about fracking in Western Maryland. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

On a recent Sunday after church, Beitzel, Bishoff and Bender joined a few other fracking supporters for coffee at Annies Kitchen, bemoaning what they described as a loss of property rights and potential income if a ban takes effect.

The lawmakers said that, at a hearing in Annapolis several years ago, fracking opponents suggested that Western Marylanders are impoverished, uneducated and unable to fully understand the implications of the extraction method.

Anyone that speaks out for natural-gas development gets booed and laughed at, Bender said. And a lot of people locally just arent interested in putting themselves out like that.

Later that day, more than 60 anti-fracking activists met in downtown Frostburg to plan new outreach and train advocates to lobby elected officials.



Marion Daniels of Mount Savage, Md., makes a poster at the Western Maryland Don't Frack MD campaign launch on Feb. 19 at City Place in Frostburg, Md. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Down the street, a Frack Free Frostburg sign hung in the window of A Place to Eat, Chris Aguilars Texas barbecue restaurant. Haitian rap music played on the stereo, and a petition in support of the fracking ban sat by the register.

The 36-year-old Texan came to Western Maryland to work on power lines, and settled in the area about 10 years ago to launch his first restaurant. As he prepared homemade tortillas and a huge slab of pork for the smoker, he said he is confident the fracking industry will never take root in the nearby hills.

We cant be bought by special interests, Aguilar said. If we send that message to other states, theyll ban it as well.
Opponents and supporters of the proposal to designate Howard County, Md., a sanctuary county wait in the hallway to be seated before the councils vote on Feb. 6. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

President Trumps plan to arrest and deport vast numbers of undocumented immigrants is forcing officials in liberal localities to tread a delicate line: keeping true to their values, which include protecting diverse communities, while staying out of the crosshairs of a federal government that has vowed a different approach.

Leaders in Montgomery County, Marylands largest jurisdiction, believe theyve struck the proper balance  a nuanced mix of uncodified practices that keep most undocumented immigrants who are in police custody at arms length from federal authorities, while ensuring that those who have committed the most serious crimes are handed over.

But a bill moving through the Maryland General Assembly would go further. The Trust Act proposes sweeping prohibitions on the ability of communities to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), potentially jeopardizing federal funding and collaboration on a host of other issues.

It would bar the state, counties and cities from most communication with ICE and prohibit jurisdictions from participating in the agencys 287(g) program, which trains police and corrections officers to assist with federal immigration enforcement. Thirty-seven cities and counties across the country have joined the program, including Frederick and Harford counties in Maryland. Anne Arundel County recently applied.

[Fear, fear, fear: As enforcement increases, immigrants avoid public places]

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) (Jeffrey MacMillan)

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) earlier this month announced his opposition to the Trust Act, one of a host of immigration-related proposals being considered in statehouses across the country. Leggett denounced Trumps deportation and border policies, but contended that passage of the bill would make Maryland a target for tougher enforcement, or reprisals that could cost the region long-sought federal prizes, such as a new FBI headquarters that Maryland wants to locate in Prince Georges County.

The bill places liberal-to-the-bone Montgomery in the awkward position of fighting a proposal based on the values it claims to embrace: diversity, inclusion, tolerance, respect. Leaders sometimes call it The Montgomery Way.

I think we are all caught in a very difficult dilemma, Leggett said. We all think to our core this administration is wrong. People are searching for solutions.

The Montgomery County Council has taken no position on the Trust Act, sponsored by Sen. Victor R. Ramirez (D-Prince Georges) and Del. Marice Morales (D-Montgomery), but is scrambling to craft amendments that push it closer to Montgomerys stance. Members are expected to discuss the proposed changes Monday.

We think we have the right approach, said council member Hans Riemer (D-At Large).

At the same time, the council has shown little enthusiasm for a proposal floated this month by Gustavo Torres, head of the states largest immigrant advocacy group: that Montgomery pass its own version of the Trust Act.

[Advocates warn Dreamers to lie low as deportations ramp up]

Torres, executive director of CASA, said Montgomery and Prince Georges could be critical backstops in the event that the statewide Trust Act is defeated. The bill has 78 of 141 delegates and 24 of 47 senators signed on as co-sponsors  short of the 85 House members and 29 senators needed to override a veto by Gov. Larry Hogan (R).

As of last week, no politician in either jurisdiction had embraced the idea. Through a spokeswoman, Torres said that the organizations energy is focused on Annapolis but that lobbying for local bills remains an option. Howard County lawmakers passed their own immigrant-protection bill, but it was vetoed by County Executive Allan H. Kittleman (R).

In Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) has vowed to veto a set of ICE-friendly bills passed by the commonwealths Republican-controlled legislature. About 25 states across the country are considering legislation to bar designation of cities and counties as sanctuary jurisdictions; Maryland, seven other states and the District have measures under consideration that would support sanctuary localities.

In a memo to Montgomery County Council members, County Attorney Marc Hansen said several provisions of the Maryland Trust Act are inconsistent with current County policy, while others are unclear.

The bill would bar police from assisting ICE if enforcement actions turn violent, a provision at odds with MCPDs mission of maintaining public safety, Hansen wrote.

The Ramirez bill also would preclude counties from reporting virtually any information to ICE, including fingerprints, or responding to agency notifications, according to Hansens analysis.

[McAuliffe meets with Homeland Security secretary Kelly on raids]

Montgomery police operate under a 2009 directive that bars officers from conducting indiscriminate questioning of suspects, witnesses or prisoners about immigration status. Once in custody, all prisoners are fingerprinted, and arrest information goes into state databases, where it is available to ICE. If the agency identifies an undocumented prisoner, it can send the county a detainer notice, asking that the person remain in custody for at least 48 hours beyond the scheduled release date.

The county complied with detainers until 2014, when the Maryland attorney generals office issued an opinion advising localities that they could be liable for damages by holding prisoners past their release date.

Since then, Montgomery officials said, the county honors detainers only if they are supported by a federal court order or warrant. It will also provide ICE publicly available release dates of undocumented immigrants who have committed felonies and whom the agency is seeking to deport.

The state bill would bar cooperation with a broad range of federal programs or initiatives that require information about race, gender or immigration status. These include affirmative action, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission actions or certain settlement agreements with the Justice Department. Hansen said the bill conflicts with state laws requiring that prisoner-release dates be posted in sex-offender and victim-notification registries.

All of which seems too risky for at least some council members, including President Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda), who said he and his colleagues will push hard for amendments. We want to take a stand, albeit a responsible stand, he said.

Council member Nancy Navarro (D-Mid-County) said she, too, hopes the bill can be moderated. But even if it is not, she will be backing it. Leaders have to decide if they will be on the right side of history, she said.
A lawyer from Fairfax is the first immigrant from Latin America to be named a circuit court judge in Virginia, following his appointment by the General Assembly last week.

David Bernhard, 54, who was born in El Salvador and sought asylum in the United States before launching a 30-plus-year legal career, will sit on the Fairfax County Circuit Court beginning July 1. He will be joined by Fairfax lawyer David A. Oblon, who was also selected for the court.

Bernhard, who has a firm in Falls Church, has practiced law in a range of areas, including criminal, immigration and personal-injury cases. He is particularly focused on serving low-income Latino clients.

Hes uniquely in touch with people who are new to our country and new to Virginia, said state Sen. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax), who backed Bernhard. In a jurisdiction thats as large and diverse as Fairfax, its important to have diversity on the bench.

Surovell and others have pushed for more diversity among Northern Virginia judges and prosecutors. Fairfax County Circuit Court has no African American or Latino judges, and its first Asian American judge was appointed in 2013. Virginia has had only a handful of Hispanic circuit court judges in its history.

Bernhard said he sought asylum in the United States in the late 1970s after his father was nearly kidnapped in El Salvador because of his diplomatic work as the honorary consul of Israel there.

Bernhard said he handled his own asylum case while pursuing his studies in the United States. Bernhard got a bachelors degree from Brandeis University and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Surovell said Bernhard has a reputation as a top lawyer in Fairfax County. He said Bernhard has also selflessly devoted himself to helping other lawyers, pointing out the Internet mailing list he runs with hundreds of subscribers among the local legal community.

I want to be a circuit court judge to do things right, Bernhard said.
Kyler Schmitz learned that the uncivilized world of online discourse does have boundaries, and threatening to shoot a U.S. senator is one of them. (Kyler Schmitz)

Kyler Schmitz liked to get home from work, drink wine, and vent on Twitter. What he said there turned him into a felon.

It started after the Orlando shooting last year. As a gay man who had spent nights in clubs such as Pulse, he was terrified and sad. As a longtime supporter of gun control, he was enraged. The way he saw it, Republican lawmakers offered prayers for the dead while ignoring the way they were killed.

Schmitz, who lives in Alexandria, decided to tell them what he thought guns were for: killing people. And to make sure they understood, in the summer of 2016 he sent them messages promising graphic revenge.

Even after he was warned by law enforcement, Schmitz didnt stop. What had begun as a rebuke of gun rights became, to him, a stand for free speech.

Few of the millions of violent threats made online are prosecuted, and the line between legal and illegal is unclear. But Schmitz learned that the uncivilized world of online discourse does have boundaries, and threatening to shoot a U.S. senator is one of them. In an interview, the 28-year-old said he sees his criminal case as a cautionary tale for people who think that what they say online doesnt have real-life consequences.

[Man pleads guilty to threatening GOP senators on Twitter over gun violence]

It was really shocking when I saw the articles with quotes under my name, said Schmitz, who has served his sentence of home detention and works as a waiter. Thats a tough lesson . . . Even if youre playing a character, you have to take responsibility for your character.

Originally from St. Paul, Minn.,Schmitz was drawn to the Washington area by an interest in activism and desire to be part of a larger gay community.

He had dozens of Twitter accounts, most of them nonsensical. One retweeted every politicians use of the word but with a tiny picture of poop. Another six or seven had as their avatars a rainbow kitten with a unicorn horn and butterfly wings. On his main account, where he pretended to be a bug-eyed bird, he asked scientists dumb questions about biotechnology.

It was from that account that he began lobbing threats.

I am literally going to buy a gun shoot you in the face I watch your brains splat, he tweeted at Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) You will never ever again hurt anyone that I love I promise. Schmitz targeted Blunt because the Missouri senator was the sitting congressman who had received the most donations from the National Rifle Association.

I wanted to get a rise, he recalled. I wanted to make a point that I thought was civil disobedience and nonviolent, because I wasnt going to do anything.

Schmitz said he had always been outspoken; in seventh grade he gave a speech in school against homophobia. Older boys, he said, would circle him in the halls and call him names.

Schmitz thought his first tweet on the subject  saying, I would never buy a gun. No one should ever need to. That said, Im going to shoot some GIF #Guns at Republicans  made that clear. But a committee staffer for Blunt saw the tweets and referred them to the Capitol Police.

In June, authorities visited Schmitz at his home and told him to cut it out. He said he would never actually use a gun, and tried to explain to them what he thought was mostly a joke. Schmitz says they didnt make the law clear; the police said in court filings that they made clear he was committing a crime.

Either way, he knew he was near a line if not over it. What he didnt realize was that the transgression would not mean an arrest or even a misdemeanor charge but possibly 25 years in prison. Instead of backing away from the danger, he danced around it.

Good, he thought, Now I have an audience. He hadnt been sure anyone would see the tweets; he had only a handful of followers.

He began asking his new audience which of the messages violated the law.

Only a moron would think take them as serious threats yet they do define the dangers of guns in a graphic and realistic way, he tweeted at the Capitol Police. What is illegal to say on Twitter? I want to know how much #FreedomOfSpeech I have so I dont get into trouble with my words.

Experts say the question cant really be answered.

The Supreme Court left it a little unclear where the line is, said Leslie Kendrick, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. The law has to take into account the speakers state of mind. But what state of mind does that have to be, we dont know. Does the speaker have to have the intent to intimidate, does the speaker just have to have knowledge that they will intimidate people, does the speaker just have to be reckless in whether they will intimidate people?

Schmitzs case is easier than most. Although a spokesman for Blunt told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the tweets appeared to be attempts at parody, satire, many of his tweets did contain explicit, violent threats. Blunts office declined to comment for this article.

There are a lot of threat cases that are nonsense that ignore the context or the Internet culture where the statements take place, said Kenneth White, a criminal defense attorney who often writes about First Amendment issues on the blog Popehat. This really isnt one of them.

Still, Twitter is so permeated by threatening speech that its easy to see why Schmitz was disbelieving.

A lot of people make very violent threats on social media without repercussions; nobody really does anything about it even if its reported. For the most part, people are getting away with it left and right, said Nancy Baym, an expert in communication technology at Microsoft. On both sides of the aisle, she said, people have begun to see aggressive tweets as a kind of social action.

There was no second warning. Early on the morning of June 23 last year, two dozen police knocked in the door of Schmitzs home. With guns out, they demanded all of his electronic devices. He was arrested and spent the next week in jail.

The answer to my question  Can you get arrested for tweets?  was yes, you can, Schmitz said.

After his arrest he lost his job as an Uber driver, but that was the least of his problems. He learned he could face the possibility of five years in prison for each tweet. Federal prosecutors chose to charge five tweets, meaning he was looking at a potential 25 years in prison had he gone to trial. Instead, he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria to one count of making threatening interstate communications.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Berrang pushed for a six-month sentence. Schmitz was ultimately let go with three months of house arrest, with exceptions for work, and two years of probation. He cannot use the Internet until March. He missed his brothers wedding.

Schmitz is handsome and funny, a little too talkative and trusting for his own good. He calls his GPS monitor my FitBit, and jokes that although he lost his job he gained a felony conviction. He thinks a Kyler Schmitz in Montana who accidentally started a forest fire should be grateful for being pushed down on Google.

Hes the unfiltered, funny friend who says whatevers on his mind, said his fiance, who asked not to be named for professional reasons. But, he said, the Schmitz he sees is not mean. He stops to talk to homeless people on the street and volunteers to take care of neighbors pets. As an Uber driver, he took NAACP donations instead of tips.

Republicans turned into the enemy of everything he likes and stands for, his fiance said. It was that emotional for him.

In some ways, Schmitz said, his prosecution was the shock to my life that I needed.

He attended Northern Virginia Community College, volunteered with political groups, and worked at a bead shop, but at 28 he still wasnt sure what he was doing with his life.

This was definitely a new side of me that I discovered, he said Next time, if I need a rush, Ill go skydiving.
A 41-year-old man was found dead near his capsized boat near the Patuxent River Bridge in Southern Maryland on Sunday afternoon, officials said.

Scott L. Suder of Huntingtown was last seen about noon Saturday just before a violent storm came through the area, according to the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Residents in that area said they saw something in the river near Sheridan Point before the storm hit. They called authorities on Sunday morning when they spotted the overturned boat in about the same area, said Candy Thomson, a spokeswoman with the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

A state police helicopter, along with officers on the ground, divers and the Coast Guard searched the river for most of the day, according to Thomson. They found Suders body along the shoreline, and his 16-foot skiff was found in about four feet of water.

Authorities said he was not wearing a life jacket. An autopsy is pending and the investigation is ongoing.

It was the first boating death in the state this year, officials said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story indicated Suder was from Hughesville, rather than Huntingtown, before authorities corrected the hometown.
Five-year-old Daniel Dana was poisoned by his mother in what prosecutors said was an act of jealous rage. (Courtesy of family members of Daniel Dana.)

In the two years since she poisoned her 5-year-old son with cold medicine and staged a fiery car crash with his body wedged on a back-seat floorboard, Narges Shafeirad has never publicly said why she did it.

On Monday, in a Maryland courtroom, she had her chance. Shafeirad, 35, spoke about a bitter divorce and custody fight she was enduring, and how shed been depressed.

I was a broken woman, she said, adding that her son was everything to her. I am still not able to believe that I have lost my son.

Shafeirads words  spoken just before she was sentenced to 50 years for the murder of Daniel Dana  left the judge in front of a packed courtroom searching for an explanation.

A mother murdering her child is a crime so horrific that it is natural to try to determine why, said Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Nelson Rupp, who had read a psychological evaluation of Shafeirad. The only thing that I can conclude is that it was a determination made by the defendant for reasons only she knows of.

Narges Shafeirad (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Rupp noted that Shafeirad showed very little emotion in court, even as Daniels father and grandparents broke down as they spoke, and even as prosecutors detailed how she had forced the child to drink lethal doses of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in drugs such as Benadryl.

No visible indication of any reaction whatsoever, Rupp said.

Earlier in the hearing, prosecutors listed bruises and abrasions around Daniels mouth that showed how Shafeirad force-fed him a full bottle of cold medicine. She continued doses every two to four hours until he was dead, according to prosecutors.

He probably experienced blurry vision, confusion, vomiting and possible seizures.

I think theres the impression, especially in this case, Well, at least he wasnt burned to death and he was poisoned to death,  Assistant States Attorney Marybeth Ayres said. Well, no, its not some peaceful thing where you just fall asleep. . . . Even to an adult, these things would be extremely scary.

To try to cover her tracks, Shafeirad placed Daniels body in the back seat of her Toyota Corolla, drove to a gas station where she filled a gallon-water bottle with gas and later drove off the side of a road in Gaithersburg, doused the interior of the car with the gas and ignited the interior. She told detectives that she and Daniel had been on their way to the beach and that she had gasoline with her as a precaution in case she could not find an open gas station. As she was driving, she claimed, she lit a cigarette and the car caught on fire.

Shafeirad suffered burns on 40 percent of her body and was hospitalized for a month.

[Earlier: Details of Shafeirads guilty plea in the case]

A bright, curious boy who was taking guitar and karate classes, Daniel was the only child of Shafeirad and Hamid Dana. The couple had met in Iran and married in 2007, according to court records. Daniel was born in 2009, and by 2011 all three were living in Gaithersburg.

But two years later, the couple separated and went through a bitter divorce, previous court filings show. Joint custody was worked out, with Daniel staying with his mother four days a week and his father three days a week, according to court documents. But the acrimony grew.

At one point, according to documents, Shafeirad told her husband: I will make you cry. You will be sorry.

Prosecutors picked up on statements such as that, saying Shafeirad was motivated by jealousy over a nanny her husband had hired, and by her financial insecurities.

The defendant has demonstrated that she is willing to do whatever it takes, including murder her own son, in order to find peace in her own life, prosecutors Ayres and Steve Chaikin wrote in court papers.

One of Shafeirads attorneys, Melanie Creedon, said her client wasnt driven by jealous rage and that the 2015 crime did not follow a calculated plan. The custody battle, Creedon said, had left Shafeirad suffering from anxiety and a sense of impending doom. Shafeirad lost her job caring for an older person, and found out she was about to be evicted. This was an act of a helpless and hopeless, broken woman who had basically reached the end, and who saw no way out, Creedon said.

Hamid Dana, Daniels father, tried to address the judge Monday and tried to collect himself several times. He told the judge the last words he spoke to Daniel, when he was dropping him off at his mothers and was worried about problems his son was having around her.

I told him, Please be strong,  Dana said in court, his voice trembling. He said: Daddy, Im strong. You be strong. 

Dana had earlier composed a letter to Rupp.

He was everything to me, the father wrote of the effect of the killing. Since my Daniel is gone and left me alone, I am gone, too. I am a hopeless person walking.

In the letter, Dana addressed problems hed had with Shafeirad, but said he always wanted to do right by Daniel and find a way where Daniel could have both mother and father.

He wrote: I knew she was not caring for Daniel and yet I could not hold Daniel just to myself. So I kept praying that we would get through this time.

Dana also wrote of plans and dreams he had for Daniel: the two of them fishing together, his son playing guitar in a band, Daniels succeeding in college.

Now, he wrote, his thoughts go to what happened in the early morning of June 16, 2015.

I wake up at nights with nightmares. I keep seeing Daniels beautiful face being forced a bottle of poison. Daniel had a beautiful face but he didnt like medicine. So I keep dreaming how Narges forced the medicine down his mouth, and that was the last thing Daniel experienced in this world. Why?
Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) is back on the gubernatorial campaign trail and traveled through vote-rich Northern Virginia on Monday, freed from his obligations presiding over the state Senate, which adjourned Saturday.

Fending off criticism that his genteel personality doesnt mirror the anger of Democratic voters upset by the election of President Trump, Northam told crowds in Leesburg and Alexandria that he was raring for a fight.

We just witnessed a campaign in 2016 that was run on hatred, it was run on bigotry, discrimination, fear and a lot of misinformation, Northam said in Leesburg. Most people in this commonwealth and this country are standing up and saying No, no. That is not the United States of America that I signed up for. Thats not the country that I love. And its not the commonwealth of Virginia that I love. 

Tariq and Rabia Mallik, a Muslim couple who immigrated from Pakistan, said Northam is the kind of experienced and respectful statesman who is a good contrast to Trump.

These are really turbulent times, and the nation is going through a tremendous upheaval, said Tariq Mallik, 47. Its scary whats been going on the last 30 days.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said he'll need remedial training on pipe bending while touring an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers training facility in Manassas while campaigning in Northern Virginia on Feb. 27, 2017. (Fenit Nirappil/TWP)

Northam said his priority is expanding economic opportunity for Virginians, even as he keeps a watchful eye on the Trump administration. Accentuating that point, he stopped in Manassas to tour a union training facility for electrical workers and talk about his plan to ensure that students land well-paying jobs, even if they dont attend college.

Northam also put gun control and abortion access front and center in his speeches on Monday.

The pediatric neurologist shared emotional stories of a former patient shot to death by her husband and of caring for toddlers who had accidentally shot themselves. And he recounted his successful fight against a bill requiring women to undergo vaginal ultrasounds before abortions.

Theres no excuse that a group of legislators, most of whom are men, should be telling a woman what she should and shouldnt be doing with her body, he said to applause in Alexandria.

[Poll: Trump approval rating 38% in Virginia]

Northam is fighting a challenge in the June primary from Tom Perriello, a former congressman from Charlottesville, who unexpectedly jumped into the race in January. For the past six weeks, Perriello has been barnstorming and fundraising across the state while the lieutenant governor was barred from soliciting campaign cash and largely stuck in Richmond during the 45-day legislative session.

[Virginia session gavels out with budget closing $1.2 billion hole]

Northam and his allies criticize Perriello for an inconsistent record on gun control and abortion. When he served in Congress from 2009 to 2011, Perriello had an A rating from the National Rifle Association, opposed a federal assault-weapons ban and voted against federal subsidies for health insurance plans that cover abortion. He now calls the NRA an extremist, nut-job organization, said he regrets his vote on abortion and supports abortion rights.

[Poll: Trump approval rating 38% in Virginia]

But Northam, too, is facing new scrutiny over his progressive bona fides after he told the New York Times that he voted twice for former president George W. Bush.

On Monday, Northam told reporters he regrets those votes but backed Bush because he wasnt paying close enough attention to politics before he made his first run for state Senate in 2007.

The Virginians out there now who believe in me, they are not worried about who I voted for 17 years ago, Northam said. They are worried about what I believe in, what I have been fighting for. And my fight has been unwavering since Ive been in public service.
It started with a murder, was followed by a botched trial and has ended with a small Nebraska county facing a $30 million judgment it cant possibly pay.

Now the farmers and small-town residents of Gage County are on the brink of a rare public bankruptcy, and wondering about possibly selling off the countys road equipment, public buildings and few other assets to pay down the debt.

Its just devastating, said Darrell Fletcher, who owns a carpet store in the county seat of Beatrice. Its going to affect the whole area  businesses, farmers, you name it.

The countys problems stem from the rape and killing of Helen Wilson, 68, in 1985 and the conviction months later of three men and three women who spent decades in prison before DNA evidence exonerated them and implicated an Oklahoma man who died in 1992. Those wrongly convicted filed a federal lawsuit claiming that investigators recklessly worked to close the case despite contradictory evidence, and in July, a federal jury awarded them $28.1 million, plus additional money for legal fees.

Unless the verdict is tossed out on appeal, which experts say is unlikely, the county will be ordered to immediately pay the $30 million.

Thats a mind-boggling prospect in a rural county of 22,000 residents that collects $8 million in taxes a year. The county, on the Kansas border and about a 90-minute drive from Omaha, is mostly cropland.

Bankruptcy is definitely an option on the table, said Myron Dorn, the county boards chairman, but its not clear how that would work.

Only a handful of cities and counties have sought bankruptcy protection in the nations history. The biggest was Detroit, in 2013. Bankruptcy is normally out of the question for cities and counties because, theoretically, public jurisdictions can raise taxes to pay off their debts.

But Nebraskas constitution limits how much revenue can be raised from property taxes, and Gage County could raise only about $3 million more before hitting the legal limit. Although residents could vote to go higher, chances of approval are slim in a place where the median household income is about $35,000 and farmers are struggling with low commodity prices. Don Schuller, a 61-year-old farmer, said paying off the judgment in one year would cause the county portion of his tax bill to quadruple.

Said Dorn: I think for a lot of people in Gage County, the unknown is the part thats giving them the most stress. We get all kinds of questions about whats going to happen. And, well, we just dont know yet.

When Detroit faced bankruptcy, it had valuable assets like the art in the citys art museum, although private donations helped avert a sale of masterpieces.

In Gage County, the assets consist mostly of the courthouse, bridges and roads.

You need those things to keep the county functioning, said Larry Dix, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials.

Attorney General Doug Peterson has rejected the idea of a state loan, and the countys insurance companies say the judgment isnt covered.

I just hate the thought of them holding the citizens accountable for that money, said Nick Jurgens, who owns a computer repair shop on Beatrices main drag. It wasnt really any of our faults.

But Jeffry Patterson, who litigated the case for the wrongly accused, said the county has to find a way to pay up.

Some of our clients are not in good health, and Id really like to see them reap some benefit, he said.

One of the six died in a factory accident in 2011. Patterson declined to make the others available for an interview, saying they want to be left alone.

If Gage County files for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, it will follow the path taken by Jefferson County, Ala., in 2011. Jefferson County had to lay off employees, close a hospital and sell a nursing home, among other assets, to defray a $4.2 billion debt.

Gage County has little to sell.

Wow, said David Carrington, a commissioner in Jefferson County. Theyre in a real mess.
Members of the Pena de Pavao de Krishna (Krishna's Turkey Feather) street carnival band, a traditional group that celebrates Indian deities, revel in Morro Vermelho, a district of Caete in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. (Douglas Magno/AFP via Getty Images)

EGYPT

Fearful Christians flee Sinai for fourth day

Egyptian Christians fearing attacks by Islamic State militants fled the volatile northern part of the Sinai Peninsula for a fourth day on Sunday, after sectarian killings there spurred accusations that the government is failing to protect the minority.

More than 100 families from the town of Arish and nearby have come to Ismailia, a city 75 miles east of Cairo, since Friday, said Nabil Shukrallah of the citys Evangelical Church.

Northern Sinai has for years been the epicenter of an insurgency by Islamist militants, and the areas few Christians have been trickling out. But departures increased in earnest after suspected militants fatally shot a Christian plumber on Thursday in Arish. It was the seventh such killing in recent weeks.

No group has asserted responsibility for the attack. But the Egyptian affiliate of the Islamic State, which is based in northern Sinai and in December carried out a devastating bombing of a Cairo church, vowed last week to step up attacks against Egypts embattled Coptic Christian minority.

Before Egypts 2011 Arab Spring uprising, about 5,000 Christians lived in northern Sinai, but the number has since dwindled to fewer than 1,000, priests and residents say.

 Associated Press

IRAQ

2 Mosul neighborhoods recaptured by police

Iraqi militarized police captured two neighborhoods on the western side of Mosul on Sunday amid fierce clashes with Islamic State militants, as thousands of people continued to flee the battle to government-held areas, security officials said.

Iraqi forces, backed by aerial support from a U.S.-led international coalition, launched a new push last week to drive Islamic State militants from Mosuls west. Iraqi authorities declared Mosuls eastern half fully liberated from the Sunni militants in January, three months after launching the operation to take back the city.

At dawn Sunday, the Federal Police Commandos Division moved into the Tayaran neighborhood amid fierce clashes, Maj. Gen. Haider al-Maturi said. He said the neighborhood is now under their full control.

Farther west, Iraqi special forces captured the Mamun neighborhood by early Sunday afternoon, Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said. The neighborhood is fully liberated, he said.

Mosul fell to the Islamic State in summer 2014.

 Associated Press

IRAN

Ahmadinejad pens dispatch to Trump

Former hard-line Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter Sunday to President Donald Trump, striking a somewhat conciliatory tone while applauding immigration to the United States and saying it shows the contemporary U.S. belongs to all nations.

It is not the first dispatch sent by Ahmadinejad, who has counted presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama among his pen pals.

But this letter, more than 3,500 words long, comes as criticism of Trump over his entry ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, mounts in Tehran.

A judge later blocked Trumps ban, and an appeals court refused to reinstate it.

In the letter, published by Iranian media outlets, Ahmadinejad noted that Trump won the election while he truthfully described the U.S. political system and electoral structure as corrupt.

He also acknowledged about 1 million people of Iranian descent living in the United States, saying U.S. policies should value respect toward the diversity of nations and races.

 Associated Press

U.N. suspends Gaza staffer over Hamas allegations: The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees suspended a Palestinian staffer, a spokesman said, as Israel alleged that the employee, Suhail al-Hindi, was secretly elected this month to a leadership position with the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hindi denied the accusation. The U.N. agency forbids its staff from holding political office.

Fire at Swedish refugee center injures 15: Police said at least 15 people were injured when a fire broke out at one of Swedens largest refugee centers, outside Vanersborg. All 158 people in the building were evacuated, police said. The cause of the fire was not known. Last year, there were 112 fires at Swedish refugee and reception centers, most of them arson.

 From news services
Just when you despair that only chaos animates the Trump administration, along comes Stephen K. Bannon, the White House ideologue, to offer the Rosetta Stone illuminating what this circus is all about.

And when you realize what Trump & Co. might really be up to, your despair turns to alarm.

There is no way of knowing how much President Trump truly cares about the ideas that Bannon holds close to his heart. Trump seems far more obsessed with attacks on him from many directions  and genuinely worried that investigations of his teams ties to Russia could pose a mortal threat to his power.

After Bannon had offered his Deep Thoughts on Trumpism at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, there was Trump on Friday morning back to his usual grubby business of using Twitter to denounce his enemies. His target in this case was the FBI. He accused the agency of being totally unable to stop the national security leakers  and being guilty of leaks of its own.

Trumps anxiety was likely heightened by word that Reince Priebus, his chief of staff, asked the FBI to deny reports that several members of Trumps team had contacts with Russian agents during the 2016 campaign. Priebus intervention raises serious questions about whether the White House is trying to shut down or influence inquiries that are plainly in the national interest.

(The Washington Post)

[Trumps takeover of conservatism is complete]

Bannon, appearing with Priebus, may have had this in mind when he told the assembled conservatives that every day, it is going to be a fight and pushed Team Trumps attacks on the media to a new level. Trump picked up on the theme in his own CPAC remarks on Friday, echoing countless authoritarians in repeating his condemnation of fake news outlets as the enemy of the people. Trumps survival may depend on his supporters ignoring a lot of bad news and inconvenient facts.

But it is Trumps opponents and the not yet committed who need to pay close attention when Bannon, the presidents visionary chief strategist, promises an ominous-sounding new political order. Philip Stephens, a Financial Times columnist, had a nice description of Bannons job, characterizing him as the ideologue who informs Mr. Trumps impulses. And Bannon actually made sense of Trumps seemingly bizarre habit of naming people to head up agencies whose missions they openly oppose.

When Bannon listed the administrations central purposes, the first two were unsurprising: national security and sovereignty and economic nationalism. But then came the third: the deconstruction of the administrative state. Bannon explained that officials who seem to hate what their agencies do  one thinks especially of Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, who has sued it repeatedly to the benefit of oil and gas companies  were selected for a reason, and that is deconstruction.

Thus did Bannon invoke the trendy lefty term deconstruct as a synonym for destroy.

This is a huge deal. It reflects a long-standing critique on the right not just of the Obama and Clinton years but of the entire thrust of U.S. government since the Progressive Era and the New Deal. Critics of the administrative state  the vast administrative apparatus that does so much to dictate the way we live now, as Scott Johnson, a conservative lawyer and co-founder of the Power Line blog, put it in 2014  see it as unconstitutional because regulatory agencies make and enforce rules based on authority they claim was illegitimately ceded by Congress.

[What President Promise-Keeper should say on Tuesday night]

1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See what President Trump has been doing since taking office View Photos The new president is expected to make his mark on an aggressive legislative agenda. Caption The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media. March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Thats the theory. In practice, this is a war on a centurys worth of work to keep our air and water clean; our food, drugs and workplaces safe; the rights of employees protected; and the marketplace fair and unrigged. Its one thing to make regulations more efficient and no more intrusive than necessary. Its another to say that all the structures of democratic government designed to protect our citizens from the abuses of concentrated private power should be swept away.

Its a very strange moment. Trump and Bannon are happy to expand the reach of the state when it comes to policing, immigration enforcement, executive-branch meddling in the work of investigative agencies, and the browbeating of individual companies that offend the president in one way or another. The parts of government they want to dismantle are those that stand on the side of citizens against powerful interests.

In his CPAC presentation, Bannon accused Trumps foes of being corporatist. But, in the truest sense of the word, the real corporatists are in the White House.

Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Gen. John W. Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has called for a few thousand more troops and a holistic review of the mission. ( Reuters/ )

The Trump administration is considering whether to plunge more resources and troops into the United States longest war  Afghanistan  as some of the presidents top generals are calling for. The issue pits President Trumps commitment to end nation-building against his promise to stamp out terrorism in a conflict where a clear U.S. strategy is sorely lacking.

After more than 15 years of U.S. fighting, the war is at a crossroads. The Afghan national security forces are on their heels. The government is asking the United States and its NATO partners to help it go on offense against the Taliban, which has been taking territory with the help of Pakistan, Iran and Russia. The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John W. Nicholson, has publicly testified that he wants a few thousand more troops there. He also says there is a need for a more holistic review of the mission.

As Defense Secretary Jim Mattis prepares a formal recommendation to the White House, debate has renewed in Washington on whether the United States is throwing good money after bad in Afghanistan. But as far as the Afghan government is concerned, theres really no safe alternative.

The Taliban, while they may not be directly planning direct attacks on U.S. territory, they provide the environment for all kinds of terrorist groups to operate, Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistans ambassador to Washington, told me. If we allow any terrorist group to succeed, it doesnt matter what terrorist group, it emboldens all of them.

Theres an immediate need for equipment and personnel, he said, before the start of the summer fighting season, which is sure to be bloody. If thousands more U.S. troops arrive, they would serve in an advise-and-training role, not direct combat. But the idea is to embed them in Afghan units, placing them closer to the fighting.

The Afghan government is also asking for helicopters, special forces gear and intelligence assistance to fill urgent shortfalls. For example, the Afghan militarys fleet of Russian helicopters is mostly grounded, in part because of a lack of spare parts as a result of U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Mohib is optimistic that Trumps team is open to the idea of committing more resources to Afghanistan.

The hesitation that existed in the previous administration is gone, Mohib said. The hesitation was that the U.S. didnt have a good partner to work with in the Afghan government.

Republican leaders in Congress are cautiously supportive of an Afghanistan troop increase they would be responsible to fund. But they want to make sure the Trump administration doesnt repeat what they see as President Barack Obamas mistakes, including setting timelines for withdrawal and failing to bring the American people along.

Arbitrary political limits make it harder to accomplish the mission, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.) told me. It is equally important that the president make the public case for our continued presence in Afghanistan. . . . President Obama never made that case, and our mission suffered for it.

Trump barely mentioned Afghanistan during the campaign, other than to say it was not going well or to compare it favorably to Chicago. The lack of campaign rhetoric gives Trump something of a free hand to choose any policy he wants.

The generals supporting the plan could strengthen their case by getting NATO allies to make human and financial commitments up front. That would address Trumps criticism that NATO doesnt do counterterrorism and doesnt pay its fair share. The generals might also argue that Afghanistan is a natural long-term partner for the regional fight against terrorism, which is not going away soon.

Experts mostly agree, though, that surging resources to bolster the Afghan security forces is a stopgap measure at best. Without a comprehensive strategy that deals with Pakistans insistence on providing support and sanctuary for the Taliban, no gains are sustainable. A new strategy also must include a plausible path to return to negotiations to end the conflict. For now, the Taliban doesnt feel enough pressure to compromise.

An open-ended commitment with no strategy poses a very high risk of very expensive failure, said Christopher Kolenda, a former senior adviser on Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Pentagon.

Mattis, Nicholson, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. and new national security adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster all have deep experience in Afghanistan and understand that the military aspect of the plan is necessary but not sufficient.

Selling a new U.S. commitment to Trump and then to the American people will not be easy. But if the administration is able to tune out the politics, share the burden and follow a clear strategy, the benefits of the deal will outweigh the costs.

Read more from Josh Rogins archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Sebastian Mallaby, author of The Man Who Knew: The Life & Times of Alan Greenspan, is the Paul A. Volcker senior fellow for international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations and a contributing columnist for The Post.

While President Trump challenges the settled rules in Washington, a different disruption looms on the West Coast. Snap, the parent company of the social messaging app Snapchat, is preparing to sell about a fifth of itself to the public. Except that its not really selling itself. Evan Spiegel, the highly snappable founder of the company, is turning the normal rules of capitalism on their head.

Handsome, poised and situated at the intersection of art, technology and commerce, Spiegel invites comparisons with the late Steve Jobs. But he is evidently determined to avoid the ups and downs that Jobs went through: He will never be ejected from his own company, as Jobs was from Apple; he will never be forced to mature painfully in the wilderness before returning, in a majestic second coming, to rescue the company he created in his youth. For Spiegel, unlike Jobs, is conducting a kind of pseudo-public offering. Buyers of his shares will get no votes at shareholder meetings. They will have no way of influencing who is chief executive.

Roughly 30 years ago, a debate raged about who should rule over public companies. The American view was that shareholders should hold top managers accountable; if they failed in this duty, a limp share price would invite a takeover from a corporate raider who would discipline the CEO. In contrast, Japan accepted chief executives as sovereign. Japanese corporations were financed by cozy banks more than by demanding shareholders. Complex webs of cross-shareholdings protected them from hostile takeovers.

When Japan descended into deflationary stagnation, this debate appeared to have been settled. Shareholder-led capitalism, with its circus of contested takeovers and initial public offerings, seemed to deliver world-beating companies and faster economic growth. But a funny thing has happened recently. Within the United States, the most dynamic and innovative part of the economy is also the most Japanese. Californias tech ecosystem is dominated by companies with weak or passive public shareholders. There are no corporate raiders. The managers of big companies are monarchs.

Snap is an extreme expression of this tendency, but it is not alone. Googles 2004 flotation offered investors shares with limited voting rights; since 2012, a fifth of U.S. tech firms that went public did so with dual-class voting structures. Meanwhile other tech superstars have put off the whole business of dealing with shareholders: As recently as 2010, only a handful of companies had attained a valuation of over $1 billion without going public; now more than 200 have passed that milestone. But Snap is still a ground-breaker. By issuing shares with no voting rights whatever, it is proposing a new model of ownership without control.

Perhaps this Japanese-style switch to manager empowerment is good? Running a public company involves regulatory costs, so theres a case for staying private as long as possible. Chief executives complain that public shareholders are short-termist, and although they exaggerate, they have a point. Shai Bernstein of Stanford University has shown that newly listed tech companies are less innovative than comparable ones that remain private. Apparently, public shareholders prefer dividends  simple cash in their pockets  to speculative R&D spending whose probability of pay-off is hard for outsiders to judge.

Changes in the supply and demand for capital are reinforcing the logic of the Japanese model. On the supply side, an aging population and inequality have boosted saving; on the demand side, it does not take much capital to launch a new-economy start-up, so the need has declined. The scarce resource today is not financial but human capital, which makes it only natural that control over new companies is shifting from the providers of finance to the talent inside firms.

Meanwhile, shifts within finance are pushing the same way. Ever more company shares are held in passive investment funds that dont even try to act like proper owners: They employ no analysts to evaluate company strategy, so CEOs who want to make the case for far-sighted investment have nobody to talk to. In these circumstances, concentrated private ownership  whether by company founders, venture-capital groups or private-equity funds  may well deliver superior corporate performance.

And yet even reasonable trends can be overextended, and Snaps forthcoming flotation is a bridge too far. Other company founders who have demanded super-voting rights have conceded at least some power to public shareholders; most have accepted that their control should be extinguished if they choose to quit working or sell a chunk of their stock. But Spiegel and his co-founder, Bobby Murphy, have proclaimed their right to retain control of Snap even if they retire from the company, and even if they liquidate a large portion of their shares. Their control will only lapse when they both die, or both sell 70 percent or more of their ownership. Hypothetically, an octogenarian Spiegel could retire to a Tibetan monastery and still call the shots.

Inspired entrepreneurs are rightly celebrated, and Spiegel has built a red-hot social network. But checks and balances still matter  in California as in Washington.
IRAQI GOVERNMENT forces last week launched a crucial campaign to retake the western side of Mosul, the Islamic States largest remaining urban stronghold. U.S. planes and special forces were providing critical close-up support for a battle that commanders believe could drag on for months. Victory is not assured and the humanitarian cost, which Iraqi forces managed to minimize in capturing the eastern side of the city, could steeply rise. Yet the biggest challenge looms beyond the immediate battle: whether Mosul and other Sunni-populated areas of Iraq can be stabilized once the jihadists are driven out. Unfortunately, in his first weeks in office President Trump has significantly worsened the chances for success.

The rise of the Islamic State was facilitated by sectarian tensions among Iraqs majority Shiite and minority Sunni and Kurdish populations, and in particular by the discrimination against Sunnis by a Shiite-led Baghdad government backed by Iran. After the fall of Mosul in 2014 the Obama administration helped to engineer the removal of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who fomented the sectarianism, and his replacement by the more moderate Haider al-Abadi, who pledged to build a more inclusive regime. Mr. Abadis good intentions have mostly been thwarted by sectarian hard-liners, including Iranian-controlled Shiite militia groups.

Consequently, the military offensive to recapture Mosul has gone ahead without accompanying political steps that might strengthen moderate Sunni leaders against militants who will seek to perpetuate an insurgency against the Baghdad government. A report this month from the Institute for Study of War warned, Early indicators suggest that a post-ISIS Sunni insurgency may be forming in Iraq and al Qaeda (AQ) is trying to gain traction within it. It said, the U.S.-backed Coalition has been focused only on eliminating ISIS, not other insurgent groups or the conditions that grow them.

While the Obama administration deserves blame for sidestepping Iraqs political challenges, Mr. Trump has quickly exacerbated the trouble. His repeated suggestions that the United States might seize Iraqs oil fields have alienated forces across the political spectrum, notwithstanding a disavowal by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Worse, his inclusion of Iraq on a list of majority-Muslim nations from which visitors and immigrants would be banned has prompted Mr. Abadis opponents to demand that Americans  including the more than 5,000 U.S. troops now operating against the Islamic State  be expelled from the country.

Mr. Abadi managed to resist a parliamentary resolution to that effect after that ban was issued. But if Iraq remains on the list of banned nations in a revised order the White House says it is preparing, he could face another political rebellion that could cause his government to collapse. Tehrans Shiite militias could push to replace U.S. forces in the fight for Mosul; or more likely, Irans clients could demand that all American forces leave Iraq immediately after the battle. That would virtually ensure the predominance of sectarian elements among both Shiites and Sunnis and open the door to another resurgance by al-Qaeda or other jihadists.

Mr. Mattis discounted that risk during a visit to Baghdad last Monday, saying, I imagine well be in this fight for a while and well stand by each other. A reasonable Iraqi might ask: Why should a U.S. administration that bans all Iraqis from setting foot on American soil be regarded as a worthy partner?
U.S. ROADWAYS in 2016 yielded another bumper crop of carnage as vehicle fatalities soared 6 percent, following a 7 percent jump in 2015  the biggest two-year spike since the 1960s. The cost of deaths, injuries and property damage resulting from crashes also leaped by 12 percent in just a year, to some $432 billion, an amount on par with the entire annual economic output of a mid-size European country, such as Norway.

Its fair to assign some of the blame for the bloodshed to the quickening U.S. economy and relatively cheap gas prices, both of which prompted more drivers, especially collision-prone young drivers, to hit the roads for business and recreation. Yet the number of deaths as a percentage of miles driven also is increasing, meaning that the higher rates of vehicular death and destruction is very much impelled by the conduct of drivers and, critically, what government, particularly state government, is and isnt doing.

The latest figures, from the nonprofit National Safety Council, which works closely with federal highway safety agencies, reflect what the organizations chief rightly identified as a culture asleep at the wheel when it comes to roadway fatalities, which accounted for 40,200 deaths last year, roughly three times more than the toll exacted by gun violence. Why are we okay with this? said Deborah Hersman , NSCs president and a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board. Complacency is killing us.

Specifically, complacency has led lawmakers to fritter away the gains made in roadway safety, mainly from technological improvements in cars and light trucks  rearview cameras; electronic stability control; automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring  by easing up or turning a blind eye on traffic rules and enforcement, including for seat belts, speeding and drunken driving.

For instance, most states still do not allow police to ticket cars whose only offense is a failure by rear-seat occupants to wear seat belts  an inexcusable lapse given that more than half of all traffic fatalities involve unbelted occupants. In the past few years, more than a dozen states have raised speed limits on segments of their interstate highways. Many states are lax in requiring ignition interlocks, which prevent motorists with drunken-driving convictions from operating a car.

Add to all that the pervasive addiction of many drivers to their electronic devices, and the distraction posed by texting, Snapchat, map apps and in-vehicle, hands-free technology that may encourage motorists to use more functions on their phones while driving, interfering with their ability to concentrate. Safety advocates believe the temptations of technology are contributing to the soaring death rates.

Progress is possible through muscular laws and enforcement, including more speed cameras and tougher rules for seat belts, drunken driving and smartphone use. Without that and a greater focus to increase public awareness, the carnage will only increase.
Janet Murguia is president and chief executive of the National Council of La Raza.

Some of the darkest chapters in U.S. history have involved forcibly relocating minority populations: the slave trade, the Trail of Tears, Operation Wetback and the internment of citizens and noncitizens of Japanese descent during World War II. Each was considered legal and justified in its time. Now they are condemned as assaults on the values that define our nation.

President Trumps first executive order on immigration and the draft enforcement memos signed by Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly promise to similarly tarnish our nations character. The memos call for expanding the nations deportation forces by 15,000 to round up, detain and deport the undocumented immigrants living among us. Instead of focusing on criminals, they make all undocumented people priorities for enforcement, and through a process called expedited removal, they severely reduce due process protections.

The policy is based on falsehoods about the threat and costs of undocumented immigrants. The surge of immigration at the southern border has overwhelmed federal agencies and resources and has created a significant national security vulnerability to the United States, stated Kellys memorandum.

The truth is far less dramatic. The number of undocumented immigrants is down. More people are leaving the United States than are arriving. The only rise in immigration is among women and children fleeing violence in dangerous parts of Central America.

And the cost of the undocumented? Their contributions to the economy far outweigh their burden. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants pay $11.6 billion in taxes each year. According to the Social Security Administration, undocumented workers contribute $15 billion annually to the fund, but only withdraw an estimated $1 billion.

Theres also little evidence that most undocumented immigrants pose a threat to national security. In fact, studies have confirmed that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.

No one opposes removing violent criminals from our midst, but unleashing a massive deportation force while cutting back on due process protections is a recipe for disaster. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently ran a routine raid of immigrants targeting criminal aliens that picked up 678 detainees in 12 states. Among them was a woman who turned to the police for a restraining order against her boyfriend only to be abducted. A woman who was a resident of Phoenix for 20 years was also deported, leaving behind her two U.S.-citizen children. They are hardly security threats, but will be enforcement priorities under Homeland Securitys new policy.

(Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

Hard data on the numbers of citizens unlawfully detained by ICE are hard to find, but studies indicate that it's significant. Such mistakes are inherent in a process with few safeguards: Unlike criminal courts, those detained by immigration agents arent granted access to a lawyer.

For Latinos, this is an existential moment. Our government has declared war on our community. Think I exaggerate? Imagine scores of ICE agents sweeping through your neighborhoods, stalking people leaving church or going to the movies. People will be afraid to visit doctors; children will be afraid to go to school; crimes will go unreported. For Latinos, including those who are citizens, stepping outside without papers could be cause for arrest.

For 20 years, Congress has stalled on immigration reform, preferring instead to keep its favorite bogeyman around to exploit on Election Day. In that time, undocumented people have put down roots, married into our families, borne our children, attended our churches and shared our burdens. Tearing them from our lives will be brutal. It will leave no community untouched. More than 5 million U.S. citizens have undocumented parents. Deporting these parents will leave their children parentless, traumatized and often destitute. We would rather see these Americans achieve their potential.

Were deploying every tool weve got to oppose this ill-conceived policy  in the media, in the courts and in peaceful protests in the streets. But we cannot win this battle alone. We urge federal workers who witness potential abuses to resist them, and to report them to independent watchdogs. We call on Congress to deny funds for such policies. We appeal to officials in sanctuary cities to hold fast to their values and refuse to participate in perpetuating a police state. We ask our friends of faith to express their moral outrage and to remember us in their prayers. And we call on our fellow Americans to not let our countrys values be trampled in their name.

There are other  better  ways to solve this problem. Congress has come close in recent years to a bipartisan solution. We would be better served if it tried again rather than continue down this dark, shameful path. History, as always, will be watching.
Attorney General Jeff Sessionss reversal of the Obama administrations directive to stop using private prisons to house federal inmates is a resounding endorsement of a politics that places profits over humanity [Justice Department will again use private prisons, news, Feb. 24]. To maximize the bottom line, private facilities cut costs for necessities and need not spend anything on prisoner training programs, thus converting a corrections system into merely a mode of punishment, retribution and incapacitation. The safety of guards and inmates also is jeopardized as less is invested in security measures and personnel development. An Office of the Inspector General report noted that privately operated prisons have higher rates of assaults  both prisoner on prisoner and prisoner on staff  than federally run facilities.

Even minus the one would-be inmate who was targeted at Trump rallies with chants of lock her up, Wall Streets morning-after election response featured phenomenal support for the prison-industrial complex. Shortly after trading began Nov. 9, shares of CoreCivic, formerly Corrections Corp. of America, shot up more than 40 percent.

As a society we must question whether we want to profit from human misery or direct our resources toward rehabilitation and dignity.

Rick Stack, Silver Spring
Signs outside the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Mo., on Feb. 22. (Michael Thomas/Getty Images)

Regarding the Feb. 22 news article After delay, Trump denounces racism, anti-Semitism:

My experience with a bomb threat at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia has left a searing scar on my heart. In 1993, 1,000 people from diverse communities gathered for a community solidarity meeting in response to vandalism at the center. Suddenly, two bomb threats were received. Police and fire personnel evacuated all 1,000 people. Our ceremony was marred by hateful anti-Semitism.

The JCCNV had been reeling from a previous hate crime. The rear walls of our preschool building had been spray-painted with swastikas and ugly hate slogans. The black graffiti was just outside the windows where 3-year-olds had displayed beautiful art. What a juxtaposition of hate and love!

The JCCNV lived with security issues, hired a guard after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and helped a preschooler who lost a parent at the Pentagon.

I am angry about the threats to Jewish community centers all over the country in 2017.

President Trump should know that hate crimes and anti-Semitism are rising. Fighting anti-Semitism needs to be visible and continuous so people can attend Jewish community centers in a safe and loving environment.

Barbara Zusman Kaplowitz, Henrico, Va.
Sam Kamin is the Vicente Sederberg professor of marijuana law and policy at the University of Denver.

Nov. 8 was both the best of nights and the worst of nights for marijuana law reformers. That night, four states approved medical marijuana laws and another four voted to legalize marijuana use for all adults. But for many advocates, Donald Trumps election served a substantial blow to law reform.

With Trumps appointment of Jeff Sessions  one of the nations most outspoken anti-drug warriors  as attorney general, it seems the long-simmering tension between state marijuana law reform and federal prohibition is headed for a full-blown confrontation. Its not surprising, then, that White House press secretary Sean Spicer attracted enormous attention last week when he appeared to presage a federal crackdown on marijuana law reform in the states  which would reverse the lax policy on marijuana set by the Obama administration.

Spicers comments are a perfect encapsulation of both the complicated state of marijuana law in the United States and the frenetic first weeks of the Trump administration. He stated that while the president is sympathetic toward those who use marijuana for serious ailments, the recreational use of cannabis is a different issue deserving of federal attention. As a matter of federal law, this distinction between medical and recreational use of marijuana is nonsensical.

Congress, in its wisdom, has classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. By definition, Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse; as a result their production and sale are prohibited nationwide, regardless of state laws to the contrary. Thus, if the new administration is serious about making marijuana available to medical patients, it could reschedule marijuana to make its use legal by patients around the country. Currently, medical users of marijuana are in violation of federal law, putting their employment, access to government benefits and parental rights at risk even in the absence of a federal crackdown.

Spicer also expressed the view that, in light of the opiate crisis facing the country, it would send the wrong message for the federal government to retreat from the enforcement of its own drug laws. But this grossly simplifies (and perhaps even inverts) the relationship between marijuana and more powerful drugs such as opiates. While marijuana has long been derided as a gateway drug, growing evidence shows that marijuana can serve as a substitute for or adjunct to the use of opiates to control chronic pain. In short, the opiate crisis might be a reason to expand access to marijuana rather than to contract it.

Moreover, the power of the federal government to enforce its own laws against marijuana production and sale in the states is necessarily limited. Much as Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot simply remove all 11 million people who are in the country without authorization, the Drug Enforcement Administration lacks the resources to prosecute all those in violation of federal marijuana laws. It is for this reason that the federal government has historically relied on the states to do the lions share of drug enforcement. With a majority of states now opting to regulate marijuana rather than to prohibit it entirely, however, the federal government is confronting the practical limits of federal prohibition.

This does not mean, of course, that the federal government cannot make the lives of marijuana users, regulators and businesses difficult through threats, prosecutions and harassment. Much as ICE raids have terrorized more than just the bad dudes that the Trump administration claims to be targeting, increased use of law enforcement against those acting in compliance with state marijuana laws could have the effect of chilling much of the the medical use of marijuana that the administration says it supports.

It may be some time before we know whether Spicers statements were the announcement of a new policy direction, a trial balloon or simply off-the-cuff musings. But they highlight the need for nuance in this policy area. The administration needs to work with the public health community, law enforcement, Congress and state regulatory officials to create policy that is informed by both experience and data.

In normal times, a crackdown against an activity increasingly popular in the states and supported by large majorities of Americans would be a low priority for a new administration and would proceed only with care and deliberation. As the past month has made clear, however, these are not normal times.
Maniacal is not a word you care to hear about the president of the United States, especially not from his close adviser. Previously, maniacal was reserved for the Joker, Doctor Doom, Dr. No, Lex Luthor and the boy Fuhrer of North Korea, but there it was, uttered by Stephen K. Bannon to the conservatives congregated in Washington  maniacally focused  which tells you why Mr. Bannon is not allowed out very often: He would scare the bejabbers out of the good Republican voters in the Midwest. He is a crusader and out here in flat country, where we dont have huge boulders to hide behind, we try to get along with the neighbors.

Maniacal does not jibe with the sluggish Trump weve seen the past month, the placid scowl, the rambling rants against the media, the weary performer going through the motions of a role that doesnt particularly engage him. Maybe Bannon meant monotonously focused or very focused for a mannequin or maybe he meant to say many locusts. What the president has going for him, his trump card, is the air of danger he gives off, the chance that he may suddenly come unhinged  not since 1974 have so many Americans thought the Current Occupant might be wacko. That is what keeps him in the news every day.

[Bannons dangerous deconstruction]

But you watch the man do his routine, and the eyes look dead, the face is slack. Everybody used to have an old uncle like him, and Trumpology is simply that old uncle with better lighting.

(1) Who are all these foreigners? Whered they come from all of a sudden? How come they dont speak English? Whats going on? What the hell is falafel?

(2) Newspapers. Bunch of crap. You cant believe a word you read. Who makes this stuff up?

(3) Criminals running loose in the streets. I say, take the handcuffs off the cops. A little brutality wouldnt hurt, believe me.

(4) Everywhere you look, you got government inspectors saying, dont do this, dont do that. Its ridiculous. Cut the red tape.

(5) Whats with the foreign aid to all these countries? Let em take care of themselves. Time to look after Number One.

(6) Higher education? Ha. I didnt need it and neither does anyone else. Get a job.

(7) The problem with this country is politicians. Get rid of them and put people in charge who know how to run things: generals and business leaders.

The uncle has the inside dope and what he knows is that were on the verge of disaster, thanks to our enemies. It used to be the Jews and the blacks and now its the Mexicans and Muslims, but the rant is the same. And now the dotty uncle is in charge of the nuclear code. Ian Fleming couldnt have dreamed up anything better.

[What Trumps travel ban ignores: Radicalized U.S. citizens pose the greatest threat]

I took my mind off the old uncle by going to the circus last week to see horses gallop around the ring side by side, a man standing on each, a woman with a foot on each mans shoulder, doing the splits at a gallop. Stupendous! The big cats leap to their stools and snarl at the man with the whip. Eight men on motorbikes race around a steel mesh globe at top speed, crisscrossing within inches of each other. And high above center ring the aerialists do impossible triple somersaults into the hands of the catcher. And when it is all over, you feel cleansed, all of your anxieties exhausted.

The circus my dad took me to was under canvas, three rings, yowsa-yowsa-yowsa, and it had a freak show that included, as I recall, the Wild Man of Borneo who stood in the back of his cage going boogeda-boogeda-boogeda and then leaped out screeching and bounced off the bars, terrifying a few small children in the meantime. He was maniacally focused, and we thought he might bust loose and rip our heads off. He did not.

The old showman who addresses Congress faces a savvier crowd than those at his rallies last summer and fall. His old routines are not exciting anybody, and hes only been in town a short time. Maybe he could open an envelope at the podium and announce the total repeal of Obamacare (a disaster!) and then a guy in a tux rushes in  wrong envelope!  and the real winner is universal health care just like in other countries. Front-page news on Wednesday! He can worry about Thursday when the time comes.

Garrison Keillor is an author and radio personality.
A prime-time address to Congress is the most-watched speech a president delivers. About 52.4 million tuned in for President Barack Obamas first address in 2009, more than any other he delivered during his eight years in office. So when President Trump steps up to the rostrum of the House of Representatives for the first time on Tuesday night, he will address what could very well be the biggest audience of his entire term.

How will Trump use that once-in-a-presidency opportunity? He should use it to make the Democrats own their strategy of obstruction by reaching out his hand in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation  and daring them to refuse it.

Since Trump took office, Democrats have adopted a single theme: Resist! They have refused to support the majority of his Cabinet nominees, much less cooperate with him on any legislative priorities. This is the Democrats Achilles heel. They are so blinded by hate that they cannot bring themselves to work with Trump even on the areas where they could forge agreement.

While this may make their base happy, it is only serving to further alienate millions of once-Democratic voters in middle America who abandoned the party in the last election. Of the nearly 700 counties that twice voted for Obama, The Post reports, a stunning one-third flipped to support Trump in 2016. The strategy of obstruction is sending a message to these Obama-Trump voters that national Democrats did not get the message they sent in the 2016 election.

[What President Promise-Keeper should say on Tuesday night]

Trump should use his address on Tuesday to make this fact crystal clear for the American people. He should lay out a positive, hopeful vision for how he plans to make America great again. He should not shy away from the many areas where they will disagree but should point out that there are also many areas where they can work together to improve the lives of those forgotten Americans who sent him to Washington  and then challenge the seething Democrats before him to join him in that effort.

Trump should do so not out of some gauzy, false hope of reconciliation. Democrats are not interested in reconciliation. Rather, he should do it because it is tactically the smart thing to do. Trump should wrap the Democrats hate around their necks and use it to drive a wedge between their party and the vast center of the country that feels the Democratic coastal elites no longer represent them. If Democrats wake up, stop resisting everything and start cutting deals, thats great. If not, let them pay a political price for it.

Trump should declare that he will repeal Obamacare, but he should also point out that the reason Obamacare failed was that it was pushed through Congress without any effort to win bipartisan support. He should say he wants to replace Obamacare with bipartisan reform that includes the best ideas from both parties. If Democrats refuse, it will expose the fact that they want Republicans to repeal Obamacare without a replacement so that they can win political points when the system collapses and millions lose their health-care coverage. Trump should call them on it by asking them to join him in a bipartisan effort to protect those Americans. Let the Democrats say no.

Trump should make clear that he can pass tax reform without Democrats but that it would be better for the country if they were to do it together. He should point out that there are many areas of bipartisan agreement with mainstream Democrats, invite them to work with him on a bipartisan plan  and tie it to his plan to spur $1 trillion in infrastructure investment over 10 years. Let Democrats say no.

[Trumps budget takes shape, and its sounding awfully familiar]

Trump should ask Democrats to join him in a bipartisan effort to revitalize our inner cities. He should ask Democrats to work with him to increase funding for programs to train and assist local police, reform and strengthen the social safety net, improve educational opportunities by expanding vocational and technical education, and give poor parents the same right as wealthy parents to choose where to send their children to school. Let the Democrats say no.

Trump should ask Democrats to work with him to support working mothers by allowing Americans to deduct child-care and elder-care expenses from their taxes and by creating tax-free Dependent Care Savings Accounts with matching contributions for low-income families. Let the Democrats say no.

If Trump lays out a positive agenda and asks for support from Democrats, it will put them in a bind. Their base will not countenance any cooperation that legitimizes Trump. But refusing to cooperate could backfire, especially for the 10 Senate Democrats who are fighting to retain their seats in states Trump won. But to do that, Trump must sound a hopeful, optimistic tone  something that, to date, he has declined to do.

If Democrats want to resist everything, fine  then make them resist bipartisanship.

Read more from Marc Thiessens archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Michael Morell is the former acting director and deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Robert Pape is a professor of political science at the University of Chicago and the director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats.

Good facts and good analysis make good policy. They guide decision-makers toward effective policies and prevent us from acting on ideology or singular events. This is why every meeting of the National Security Council, across multiple administrations, has begun with an intelligence briefing.

What should the intelligence briefing look like at a hypothetical NSC discussion on President Trumps travel ban? It should address the current terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland as well as the implications of the travel ban.

On the threat, the briefing should draw on something like the detailed analysis being done by the Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST), a research program associated with the University of Chicago. CPOST has studied the 125 individuals who in the past 36 months either were indicted by the Justice Department for Islamic State-related crimes or who would have been indicted had they not died perpetrating a terrorist attack in the United States or fighting for Islamic State on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria.

[The new immigration order: A disaster in the making]

The first point from the CPOST analysis that we would highlight at our hypothetical NSC meeting would be that the greatest terrorist threat comes from our own citizens who have been radicalized by the Islamic States recruiting narrative. Of those studied, 81 percent are U.S. citizens, with 78 percent of them born in the United States. Another 11 percent are green-card holders  permanent residents. Only 8 percent are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The judgment that the greatest terrorist threat to the United States now comes from homegrown jihadists is not new. It is a point that many terrorism experts have made over the past several years. Senior officials from the National Counterterrorism Center have repeatedly made this observation in congressional testimonies. The data from CPOST drive this point home.

Why is the terrorist threat not greater from foreign nationals traveling to the United States? The answer is that, since 9/11, the homeland and national security agencies have worked diligently to keep terrorists out of the United States. The extreme vetting that Trump talks about is already occurring. The travel ban would do little to further mitigate the threat.

Second, there is no rationale in the data to focus on the seven countries the presidents executive order targeted.

A look at the countries of birth for the small share of those committing terrorist acts who were not born in the United States shows that 37 percent are from the seven countries. The other 63 percent came from six other countries in the Middle East and Africa, five nations in South and Central Asia, and three in Europe. So the travel ban, even if necessary to protect the homeland  which it is not  would be focusing on only a little more than a third of the problem from outside our borders.

Third, there is often a significant time lag between those who enter the United States and the terrorist-related actions that they take. This means that these individuals do not come to the United States with the intent to commit terrorism but are radicalized by the same process that creates American-born jihadists. The hard truth is that there is no evidence that those born abroad are any more susceptible to radicalization than those born here.

[What President Promise-Keeper should say on Tuesday night]

On the implications of the executive order, we would make two points: First, that our relationship with one of our most important allies in the fight against the Islamic State  Iraq  will be undermined by the order and second, that the ban will be used by jihadist groups as a recruiting and radicalization tool.

These groups tell their followers that the West, led by the United States, is a threat to Islam as a religion and even that the United States is working to destroy Islam. The ban plays into that narrative. In the past year, terrorist videos have included clips of candidate Trump calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. In this way, the ban may, ironically, make the threat worse, as it may lead to more U.S. citizens being radicalized.

We applaud the Trump administrations focus on keeping Americans safe. But the facts show that the travel ban is bad policy. They also show that better policy would be to focus on defeating the Islamic State narrative that is infecting those already in this country.


The Smith Brothers General Store in Clinton, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

CLINTON, Iowa  Tom Godat, a union electrician who has always voted for Democrats, cast his ballot for Donald Trump last year as the lesser of two evils compared to Hillary Clinton.

Hes already a little embarrassed about it.

Theres a lot that Godat likes about President Trump, especially his pledge to make the country great again by ignoring lobbyists, challenging both political parties and increasing the number of good-paying jobs.

But Godat was surprised by the utter chaos that came with the presidents first month. He said it often felt like Trump and his staff were impulsively firing off executive orders instead of really thinking things through.

I didnt think he would come in blazing like he has, said Godat, 39, who has three kids and works at the same aluminum rolling plant where his father worked. It seems almost like a dictatorship at times. Hes got a lot of controversial stuff going on and rather than thinking it through, Im afraid that hes jumping into the frying pan with both feet.

Of the six swing states that were key to Trumps unexpected win in November, his margin of victory was the highest in Iowa, where he beat Clinton by 9 percentage points. Yet at the dawn of his presidency, only 42 percent of Iowans approve of the job that hes doing and 49 percent disapprove, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll this month.

That support varies across the state: Here in eastern Iowa, its in the low 40s. Its highest in northwest Iowa, where 55 percent of Iowans approve of the presidents performance thus far, and its lowest in the southeast corner of the state and the Des Moines area, where only 31 percent of Iowans approve, according to the poll.



Tom Godat has voted for Democrats in the past but now wants to give Trump a chance. He was enjoying breakfast with his 3-year-old son Talon at the Old Town restaurant in Clinton. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

A meandering 370-mile drive across the state last week  starting at the Mississippi River in the east on Wednesday and ending at the Missouri River in the west on Saturday  took a Washington Post reporter and photographer through a range of communities that mirror many parts of America. Along the way, more than 100 Iowans explained why so many of them are already disappointed in the new president.

While Iowa is still home to many strong supporters who say its too early to judge him, there are others who say they voted for Trump simply because he wasnt Clinton. Many Iowans worry Trump might cut support for wind-energy and ethanol programs; that his trade policies could hurt farms that export their crops; that mass deportations would empty the states factories and meat-packing plants; and that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would yank health insurance away from thousands. While the hyper-simplicity of Trumps campaign promises helped him win over voters, they are no match for the hyper-complexity of Iowas economy and values.

As the temperature hit 73 degrees last Wednesday afternoon, Godat took his two sons  ages 3 and 15  to a playground near the Mississippi. He has lived for most of his life in Clinton, a town of nearly 27,000 that is home to a major corn-processing plant and other manufacturers.

Hillary Clinton won the city by more than 2,000 votes  but Trump won Clinton County, which was one of more than 25 counties in eastern Iowa that flipped from voting for Barack Obama in 2012 to Trump in 2016. That shift here and in other Midwestern states was largely driven by white working-class voters like Godat.

(Victoria Walker/The Washington Posto)

Godat commutes more than 30 miles south to Bettendorf, where he gets paid a base wage of $34 per hour to help prepare aluminum used for airplanes and cars. Theres a shortage of trained electricians, and last year Godat said he worked 600 overtime hours, bringing his total pay to about $110,000. His wife provides in-home care for the elderly.

Godat hopes his son will get an apprenticeship at the plant after high school. He is confident that his employer wont lay off workers or shut down the plant because it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Iowa and does specialized work that would be difficult to move. He hopes Trump can create more jobs like his across the country.

And thats why he wishes he could tell the president: Focus on us, on our country, on our issues here.

Just then a train rolled by the playground, carrying coal, scrap metal and corn. Godat turned to his son and told him: Thats the sound of progress.

Lost Nation

On the other end of Clinton County is the tiny town of Lost Nation, where the president received 66 percent of the vote. On Wednesday night, a couple dozen local farmers and union guys gathered to play pool at the Pub Club, situated amid downtown storefronts that once contained a funeral home. (Beer is chilled where bodies were once stored.)

Near the front window, three friends in their early 20s sipped beer. They all voted for Trump because hes an outsider who speaks his mind  and they like what hes doing so far.

Hes doing what he said he was going to do, thats the biggest thing, said Tyler Schurbon, 23, who describes himself as a progressive Republican who falls asleep watching Fox News each night. A lot of people get into the presidency, and they just completely forget what they talked about.

Schurbon trims trees for power companies, a full-time union job that pays $60,000 per year and full benefits. He drives a nice pickup truck and bought a two-story farmhouse for $50,000 last year.

Thats pretty good living for not having a college degree, Schurbon said.



The Pub Club in Lost Nation, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

While he doesnt like how politicized unions have become, hes grateful for the wages they negotiated over the years. The Republican-run Iowa Legislature, empowered by Trumps win, voted this month to dramatically scale back the collective bargaining rights of the states public workers  worrying members of private unions like Schurbon.

While others in the bar insist that Trump supports unions, Schurbon doesnt think so: Nope, hes completely against them.

Schurbon and his dad farm about 500 acres of soybeans and corn, so hes also worried about the presidents promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which could hurt farmers that export their crops to Canada and Mexico.

Hes really hurting us, even though everybody around here is conservative, Schurbon said, thumping his bottle of Budweiser on the table to emphasize some of his points. When you cut off trade, that cuts off everything. Where do our crops go? They dont stay here.



Tom McCutcheon, a Trump supporter, in Lost Nation, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

But still, Schurbon likes much of what Trump is doing  and he wishes protesters would give him a break. The day before, hundreds descended on an event hosted by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) just up the road in Maquoketa.

Everybody might at least try. At least a little bit. Just try and help, he said. You dont have to agree with him, but you dont have to just completely block him, everything hes doing.

Newton

About 140 miles southwest of Lost Nation is the much larger town of Newton, which for generations was home to a Maytag factory that once employed one in four residents. The factory closed in 2007, laying off more than 3,000 workers. In 2010, 60 Minutes profiled the struggling town  catching the attention of Trump, who reached out to some of the residents who were profiled.

Newton has somewhat recovered, although most locals commute out of town for work. Two companies that manufacture wind turbine parts have taken over part of the Maytag factory, creating hundreds of jobs, although they pay less than Maytag did. While Trump claimed on the campaign trail to support wind energy, he has also fought wind projects near his properties, and Iowans worry he could cut subsidies that are vital to the industry.

Nearly a dozen local retirees gathered at a barbershop downtown on Thursday morning, chatting about the cold reception Republican senators were getting at town halls as they ate chili out of plastic foam bowls at 10 a.m.

Nearly all of them voted for Clinton, although Trump won the surrounding county of Jasper.



The shuttered headquarters for the Maytag company that had a long and successful run of more than 100 years in Newton, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

I hate to say it, but I voted for Hillary, said Dave Drew, 71, a longtime Democrat who retired from Maytag in the early 1990s after working there for 27 years. I voted against Trump. We didnt have a choice. I mean, I dont think she was the greatest choice. I dont think he was, either. Joe Biden would have been my choice.

Although this was a room full of Democrats and left-leaning independents, the conversation was far from politically correct. There were jokes about Clintons health, and a racial slur was used to describe Middle Easterners. The group mostly agreed that mass deportations of undocumented immigrants would tank the states economy, although they wondered why immigrants dont learn English before coming to the United States.

Jerry Wylie, 73, praised Latinos for having a strong work ethic and taking low-paying factory and meat-packing plant jobs that most Iowans dont want to work  especially, he said, black Iowans whom he accused of being lazy.

As Wylie told two stereotype-filled stories to back up his claim, another retiree in the barbershop argued that most longtime welfare recipients in the state are rural whites.

At one point, a Trump-supporting 30-year-old truck driver who stopped in for a haircut looked at Wylie and said: Whats your problem?

The truck driver, who lives in the next town and didnt want to give his name, said he mowed Trump into his yard last summer. While the older guys in the barbershop worked during the golden age of manufacturing and retired comfortably with pensions, the truck driver says his annual pay has decreased by $5,000 in the seven years he has worked for a dairy company in Marshalltown. Something has to change, and thats why he supports Trump.

He went against the grain  took it up as a hobby and asked the questions no one wanted to ask, he said. I have never heard of a president getting scolded or put down for upholding his promises.

Urbandale

Another 40 miles west of Newton is the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale, a maze of cul-de-sacs and big-box stores. Clinton narrowly won this city of nearly 42,000.

As a light rain fell Thursday afternoon, the corridors of Merle Hay Mall filled with retirees speed-walking and moms pushing strollers  including Steventjie Hasna and her 1-year-old daughter.

Hasna, 24, is a conservative Christian who is deeply opposed to abortion and usually backs Republicans. This election, she decided not to vote.

The balance between Hillary or Trump  theyre both horrible, in my opinion  but Trump outweighed it just because of his racist stance on everything, Hasna said.

Hasna was stunned when Trump won, and her young family has deeply felt the ramifications of the presidents first month in office. Her husband, Hosen Hasna, is from Syria and came to the Midwest for college. He later took a job in the small Iowa town where Steventjie Hasna  her first name is Dutch and she took her husbands Arabic last name  grew up. He works as an electrical engineer at a tire factory, while she stays home with their daughter, Nehad.



Steventjie Hasna with her daughter, Nehad, in Urbandale, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

She continues to practice her Christian faith, while he attends Friday prayers at a local mosque when he can. His parents, who live in Damascus, often visit Iowa for five months at a time  visits that may no longer happen if the president institutes another travel ban, which Hasna said does little to protect the country.

I dont care what he says, youre attacking Muslims here, she said. And thats not American at all. Were American. We stand for American values and thats the exact opposite of what he stands for.

Hasna is terrified that her husbands mosque will be attacked or that he will be targeted.

You dont know what some crazy guy might get in his head, she said. People are going to do what they are going to do. Im not going to say that its Trumps fault. . . . But with him having the hateful stance that he had and then being voted as president, it made people feel like: Hey, maybe my racist stance on things isnt wrong. 

Her husband is in the process of becoming a citizen, and they have discussed what they might do if they need to flee the country. If her husband could vote, he likely would have voted for Clinton.

Hasnas mom and sister skipped voting  but her father cast a ballot for Trump.

Yeah, Hasna said, drawing out the word and then taking a deep breath, still clearly upset about it. He didnt want to vote for Hillary, so he voted for Trump. I told him: You know, you shouldnt have voted, Dad, if you dont like either one of them. 

Perry

About 30 miles northwest of Urbandale is Perry, which has been revitalized with the help of thousands of Latinos and other immigrants who moved to the area to work at a meat-packing plant.

The town of about 8,000 has long struggled with racial tensions. A month before Trump launched his presidential campaign, a bilingual kindergarten concert was interrupted by a man shouting: USA! English only. USA! English only.

The presidents threat to quickly deport millions of undocumented immigrants has scared many law-abiding residents of Perry, said Oscar Ramirez, 41, a legal resident who owns the Oasis grocery store downtown and has hired a lawyer to help him become a citizen.



Oscar Ramirez at work in his Oasis grocery store in Perry, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

Ramirez moved from rural El Salvador to New York in 1990 when he was 15. After eight years there, he moved to Perry to work at the meat-packing plant because he heard that the Midwest was a crime-free place to raise children. Four years ago, he and his wife opened their store. Lately, Ramirez said people have come to him with their fears of Trump.

A lot of people are scared, Ramirez said, as he hauled trays of pastries into the shop on Thursday afternoon. They come to me, and they talk to me, and I say, Hey, calm down. Nothing is going to happen, everything is going to be okay. You have to have hope that everything will be okay. 



Belinda Ramirez, 4, plays on her laptop inside her fathers grocery store. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

Jim George, 68, a retired county engineer who has lived in Perry for 20 years, said he voted for Trump but that his view of immigrants is different. These are good folks, George said. This place would not be functioning without the folks that have come in here.

I voted for the Supreme Court. I didnt want to vote for Trump, said George, who is opposed to abortion. With Trump, you just hold your nose.

Missouri Valley

Continuing west takes you through the deeply conservative Fourth Congressional District represented by Rep. Steve King (R), who fought for some of Trumps immigration proposals back when they were fringe ideas. Trump won the district by 27 points, while his approval rating in the latest Iowa Poll was 55 percent.

The small town of Missouri Valley sits nestled between the river of the same name and the railroad tracks. Trump received nearly 60 percent of the votes here.

On Saturday morning  the day after a sudden snowstorm closed schools  women ranging in ages and political beliefs ventured to Abundant Moon Yoga.

Owner Rachelle Pfouts, 40, is careful to keep politics out of her studio  although she says compassion is a key tenet of yoga that seems to be lacking in Washington right now.



Rachelle Pfouts teaches yoga classes at her studio in downtown Missouri Valley, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

Pfoutss 8:30 a.m. class included a 48-year-old special education teacher, a 39-year-old mother of three and a 42-year-old administrative assistant who doesnt have children  all of whom voted for Clinton and are gravely worried about the future of public education in their state and across the country.

A 10 a.m. class attracted two retirees from Woodbine who usually vote for Republicans, although they consider themselves independents. Lois Surber, a 67-year-old retired city clerk, said she didnt like either candidate for president but voted for Trump. Libby Ring, a 70-year-old retired nursing assistant, said she didnt vote  and she doesnt approve of Trumps first month.

Neither woman could name a thing the president has done that they liked, but they both said that protests and negative commentary are not helping.



Outside a movie theater in Missouri Valley, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

Im going to support what he does just because I think that we need to, Surber said.

Ring agreed: We have to be adults and whoever is elected, were going to have to follow them.

Ring paused and then added: But hes very hard to follow.

Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report.
Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade.
President Trump speaks to a packed ballroom during the CPAC conference at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in Oxon Hill on Friday. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Less than two months into his presidency, Donald Trump faces a pivotal week ahead, with plans to address GOP lawmakers who are jittery about key aspects of his legislative agenda and to roll out a new travel ban in a fashion that will ease doubts about his administrations competence.

President Trumps speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress comes as fellow Republicans are returning to Washington after raucous town hall meetings where theyve faced crowds angered by the lack of a coherent plan to replace the Affordable Care Act after its promised repeal.

The new president is under growing pressure from his own party to offer specifics on that front as well as on his pledge to provide sweeping tax reform  another issue on which promises of bold action are threatened by divisions among Republicans and a lack of clear direction from Trump.

Trumps prime-time address Tuesday will have ramifications far beyond Capitol Hill: It offers a president with sagging job approval numbers an opportunity to recast his agenda for the American people and to change the focus of news coverage that has been dominated in recent days by stories about his campaigns contacts with Russia.

Whether Trump will provide enough direction to satisfy fellow Republicans remains unclear. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Sunday that his speech will be cast in largely broad strokes, touching on an array of topics including health care, jobs, infrastructure and border security.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) speaks to members of the media during his press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 16. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

[Trumps Cabinet has to work as the cleanup crew]

Trump has said he will offer detailed plans on health care and tax policy around the middle of next month, issues that will be on the agenda Monday when Trump is set to meet jointly with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.).

Many in the party say clarity on such issues needs to come sooner rather than later for Trump to seize the mantle on issues that could go a long way toward determining fate of his presidency.

On many of these issues, President Trump will be the referee; hell be the tiebreaker, said Rep. Luke Messer (Ind.), the House Republican Conferences policy chairman. I do think the sooner he makes clear his preferences the better, because it will help us work through these policy debates within our own party. My guess is some of that will start [Tuesday] night.

On Monday, Trump is expected to direct federal agencies to help him craft a budget that focuses on scaling up the military but also includes big cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency and foreign aid, among other targets.

Trumps directive, although not binding in the budget process, suggests a sense of priorities as Trump seeks to look assertive in controlling spending and putting his priorities out front.

Trumps trip to the Capitol on Tuesday is not officially a State of the Union address but it will have many of the trappings of such visits. Both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are planning to travel outside Washington later in the week to reinforce their priorities  something administrations typically do following agenda-setting speeches.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Through a series of executive orders in his first five weeks, Trump has set the framework on several initiatives, including stepped-up immigration enforcement and cutting regulations on businesses. He has also nominated a judge to the Supreme Court with strong conservative credentials.

But Trump can claim no major victories so far in Congress, where he is seeking an array of bold initiatives, including what aides say is a forthcoming infrastructure package.

Despite some of the spin the White House is putting out about how much progress theyve made on their legislative agenda, Im not sure many Republicans see much progress on two key issues  health care and tax reform  and theyre getting a little nervous, said Jim Manley, a lobbyist who was a longtime aide to former Senate minority leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.).

[Perspective: President Trump wants to put on a show. Governing matters less.]

Republican lawmakers are now hustling to assemble health-care legislation that addresses dueling concerns within the party. On one hand, they are eager to fulfill seven years of promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act and lessen the federal governments role in health care. On the other hand, many are wary of roiling insurance markets and rolling back the ACAs expansion of Medicaid, a program that covers 76 million Americans.

I think there are some very conservative Republicans in the House who are going to say, just get rid of the whole thing, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation. Thats not acceptable when you have 20 million people or 700,000 people in my state, because where do the mentally ill go, where do the drug addicts go?

Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), one of the House Republicans who opposes maintaining the Medicaid expansion or other Obamacare programs, retorted on ABCs This Week: We didnt tell the American people were going to repeal it except were going to keep the Medicaid expansion. . . We told them we were going to repeal it and replace it with a market-centered, patient-centered plan that actually brings back affordable health insurance.

Asked whether he was confident there were votes in Congress for that, Jordan said, We better have the votes for that, because thats what we told the people.

[Well, I like this better: Trump sends mixed messages on Obamacare to the GOP]

Trump and his deputies have offered little guidance on specific steps, and he has passed up opportunities to do so. In a January address to a Republican congressional retreat in Philadelphia, Trump offered no new details on what provisions he wants to see.

Any health-care legislation will require making major trade-offs between coverage levels and government spending that will ultimately affect millions of Americans, and Trump has committed to keeping two costly ACA mandates: requiring insurers to cover applicants who have preexisting health conditions, and allowing children younger than 26 to remain on their parents health plans.

Trump also said repeatedly on the campaign trail that he would not touch Medicaid  a promise that is at odds with the plans of House Republicans.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Sunday during an appearance on ABCs This Week that nothing has changed on that front.

At town hall events across the country last week, pro-ACA activists and others pushed GOP lawmakers to explain how their plan would affect those now covered. Without key debates resolved on tax incentives, coverage requirements and the fate of Medicaid, lawmakers have largely responded in generalities.

Health care can be a very stressful thing, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who faced a furious crowd of more than 2,000 constituents last week, said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Thats why when we repeal Obamacare, we have to get it right.

Trump is facing similarly hard choices on tax reform, where Ryan is pushing a major change to the corporate income tax known as a border adjustment tax, under which companies imports would be taxed but their exports would not be.

That concept would appear to be compatible with Trumps preference for hefty border tariffs, and it could also offset the cost of a major reduction in corporate tax rates that Trump has promised. But some economists say it would raise the price of imported goods in the United States and complicate existing free trade agreements.

[Upheaval is now standard operating procedure inside the White House]

In an interview Thursday with Reuters, Trump said border adjustment could lead to a lot more jobs in the United States but did not explicitly endorse it. He had previously told the Wall Street Journal that it was too complicated.

Ryan has set out an aggressive timeline for passing a tax reform bill, eyeing passage by years end. Last week, Pence said he and Trump would deliver tax relief by summertime. But that schedule assumes that Republicans dont get bogged down in health-care legislation over the next six weeks.

In the nearer term, Trump has pledged to issue a new executive order this week in the wake of judges blocking a previous directive that sought to restrict travel to the United States by refugees and people in seven majority-Muslim countries.

The first order was rolled out hastily and led to confusion across the globe. Spicer said last week that the administration is coordinating widely on the second attempt and that it will be implemented flawlessly.

Ashley Parker contributed to this report.
Actress Jennifer Garner, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R), left, and National Governors Association Vice Chairman Jay Inslee (D), the governor of Washington, attend the associations winter meeting in Washington on Saturday. (Cliff Owen/Associated Press)

Jennifer Garner has not given up on Donald Trumps Washington.

The 44-year-old actress spent the weekend lobbying the towns pillars of power to support early education for poor rural children. She spent Friday on Capitol Hill meeting dozens of top staff members. On Saturday, she delivered the keynote address before the annual National Governors Association winter meeting here. A potential sit-down with Ivanka Trump, who is advocating for more funding for child care, fell apart because of scheduling conflicts, but Garner remained optimistic about a face-to-face discussion soon.

Other Hollywood liberals have shunned the new commander in chief  notably during Sundays Academy Awards ceremony, when many jokes were told at President Trumps expense. But Garner, a true-blue Democrat who campaigned for Hillary Clinton last year and held a fundraiser for Barack Obama in 2008, is taking a unique approach: pushing a cause that would benefit the new administrations political base.

The West Virginia native has long worked to bring assistance to poor, rural communities in desperate need of it. She has no plans to change that just because most of those communities went big for Trump in last years election. In fact, she sees an opportunity to hold the president accountable for the pledges he made to the countrys rural working class.

Im looking forward to helping him make good on what they saw as promises, a mandate from him, that he was going to make their lives better, Garner said in a 45-minute interview with The Washington Post.

(Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

Its another indication of how Trump has changed the rituals of Washington. For decades, Hollywood celebrities have used the glow of the Capitol dome to advance personal causes. Some may be less inclined to do so now, when legislative gains might help burnish Trumps image.

That makes Trumps presidency a psychological test of sorts for some members of the Hollywood elite, who can either demonstrate their true commitment to the causes they push  or expose their charity work here as more about bolstering themselves.

Very much in the former camp, Garner acknowledged that some of her friends want to turn their back to this administration . . . [and] just wouldnt even want to engage.

Not her. If hes willing to help the poor kids who got him elected, then lets do it. They certainly think hes going to, she said.

Is Ivanka Trump building bridges  or walking a tightrope?

For nine years, Garner has been on the board of Save the Children, a nonprofit organization. Mark Shriver is president of its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network. Save the Children is known primarily for its international projects, but it has also built out a niche focus on U.S. education programs, particularly in poor rural communities.

Thats Garners personal story. She grew up solidly middle class, but she knew plenty of poor children who started elementary school behind and never caught up. They lived in the same sort of communities that Robert F. Kennedy, Shrivers uncle, visited in the mid-1960s along the Mississippi Delta, shaping the ideas of his 1968 presidential campaign.

Together, Garner and Shriver have urged Congress and state governments to fund reading and literacy programs that include all-day kindergarten. The organization has its own reading programs that it administers in schools and during in-home visits.

They found that children in rural areas are 60 percent more likely to be placed in special education programs when they start kindergarten. Garner has her own intuitive test when she meets small groups of rural children to determine which come from homes where parents have more time and resources to engage with them.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, she said, singing the nursery rhyme out loud. Humpty Dumpty had a great . . .

Some children shout fall. Others offer blank stares, because theyre from homes with less educational nourishment. You just wouldnt believe the number of kids who have never heard a nursery rhyme, she said.

Garner and her allies arent asking for assistance only for rural America, theyre also pressing for a rewrite of the tax code. And theyre not shy about the approach: political shame.

If a tax package is going to cut rates and red tape for corporations and Trumps fellow billionaires, the thinking goes, the president had better find a way to expand credits and deductions for the education needs of the families that formed the bedrock of his support.

If there is tax reform and theres nothing for poor, working families in this country, and families that are middle class and struggling, thats not good, Shriver said.

Garner calls their cause the bobblehead issue, because everyone loves to tell her that they support children, but in the end it sometimes seems as though they just enjoy being around a beautiful celebrity.

Everyones nodding and couldnt agree more, and shaking your hand and want their picture, she said. But when the vote is cast, nobodys out there screaming and yelling for poor kids.

Garner returned home to West Virginia last year to help raise money after devastating flooding in the state. Reliably Democratic during her childhood, West Virginia ended up giving Trump his largest margin of victory  something she could see coming by talking to people in economically depressed areas.

People felt like Trump really understood them, that he was going to come in and create jobs for them, she said. They felt like they needed something to just turn everything upside down.

Its that level of despair that leaves Garner willing to deal with Trump when some of her friends want to offer nothing but resistance. She may even be willing to meet the president.

Send me a ticket to Mar-a-Lago. Im ready to go down and have a steak and a good chat, she said, only half joking about the prospect. I really think its great, if hes willing to help the poor kids who got him elected.

Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Congressional Republicans are divided over how aggressively to pursue the allegations that President Trumps associates had contact with Russia, with some lawmakers calling for a full-scale look at the former national security advisers communication with Russia while others say there is no evidence of such contacts.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) made clear that he was more interested in nefarious reports published in the news media than in alleged contacts between the Trump team and Russian officials, saying the focus of the Houses probe would be on information leaks  which he called major crimes.

As of right now, I dont have any evidence of any phone calls. It doesnt mean they dont exist  What Ive been told by many folks is that theres nothing there, Nunes said.

The chairman said that there is no need at this time for a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of contact between Russian officials and President Trumps campaign aides. Instead, the Republican said that the real problem was frequent leaks to the news media on the subject of Russia, as well as accounts of what should be confidential dealings with the Trump White House, including calls with foreign leaders such as the Australian prime minister.

Theres been major crimes committed, Nunes said, referring to the leaks. What Im concerned about is no one is focusing on major leaks that have occurred here  We cant run a government like this. A government cant function with massive leaks at the highest level.

This is the first time a leading House Republican  in this case, the lawmaker who is spearheading the investigation in the lower chamber  has said flatly that he has not seen evidence of inappropriate communications between Trump aides and Russia. The FBI is investigating Russias role in last years elections and potential ties between Trump associates and Russia.

Nuness statements go well beyond what his Republican colleagues in the Senate have signaled when talking about a parallel probe, which Nunes suggested Monday would basically be conducted separately. The Senate Intelligence Committee  headed by Richard Burr (R-N.C.)  has promised to thoroughly investigate any contacts between Trump aides and the Kremlin. And it has pledged to specifically probe ousted national security adviser Michael Flynns talk late last year with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak.

Nuness hard-line stance is also at odds with comments by some House Republicans  including former House Oversight and Government Reform chairman Darrell Issa (Calif.), who said over the weekend that a special prosecutor should investigate Russias alleged interference in the U.S. elections.

What we do know is that the [Vladimir] Putin government is a bad actor who should be carefully scrutinized  and regardless of what side of the aisle you sit on  our country has a vested interest in fully understanding exactly what happened, outside the fog of accusation and political jostling, Issa said in a statement Monday night. Any review conducted must have the full confidence of the American people, which is why I recommended an independent review.

The split between members of the Republican Party casts doubt on whether their congressional investigations in GOP-controlled chambers will proceed in a bipartisan manner as promised  raising significant questions about whether the party would resist attempts by the White House to wield influence over the investigations.

It obviously weakens the report when its seen as being highly partisan, said Mark Lowenthal, a former staff director of the House Intelligence Committee. But if Nunes is seen as being highly partisan and burying the issue for the White House, thats not going to do any good either.

Nunes also rejected the idea that House Republicans will call for the release of Trumps tax returns, which some Democrats believe would shed light on the presidents potential business dealings in Russia. One Republican, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), has also said she is open to demanding the tax returns as part of the Senate probe.

(Jorge Ribas,Ashleigh Joplin/The Washington Post)

Nunes, who advised the Trump administration as a member of the transition team, has tremendous latitude to steer the focus of the Intelligence Committees investigation, including determining which witnesses and records the panel will subpoena.

Both the House and Senate intelligence panels began probes at the end of January into what intelligence officials say is Russian meddling in the U.S. elections aimed at benefiting Trump.

The Senates review is underway, but the House has yet to receive a single document or interview any witnesses, said ranking Democrat Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) in a news conference Monday afternoon. Schiff said committee leaders promised to release a final agreement about the scope of their investigation Monday, but no information was available by evening.

Schiff called Nuness conclusion that there is no evidence of contacts between the Trump team and Russia premature. He pointed to the fact that the committee has not received documents, called witnesses or even released the final agreement about the scope of its investigation.

When you begin an investigation, you dont begin by stating what you believe to be the conclusion, Schiff told reporters.

House Republicans and Democrats are also divided about their approach to the investigation. Schiff has agreed to make the leaks part of the Houses investigation  but warned that the focus should be on the substance of what was leaked, particularly as it pertains to Flynns contact with Russian officials.

Over Nuness objections, Schiff is angling for the committee to receive transcripts of Flynns conversations with the Russian ambassador before Trump was inaugurated. Flynn was asked to leave the White House this month after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Pence about discussing sanctions with Kislyak.

Nunes, meanwhile, said that Flynn should be thanked for his service to the country and that the retired lieutenant general was only trying to prepare a new president for office in his discussions. He said that he has not seen the transcripts of Flynns call with Kislyak, which would have been illegally leaked if he had.

Nunes described Flynn as having done a big favor by keeping lines of communication open with Russia after President Barack Obama expelled Russian officials from the United States in response to allegations that the country interfered in the U.S. elections.

Nunes also took issue with the definition of sanctions  which were imposed on Russia in 2014 for the annexation of Crimea and Russias involvement in Ukraine  saying that in his view, Flynn was not discussing official sanctions in his conversations with Kislyak but rather the petty retaliation against the officials by Obama.

He called a suggestion that Flynn could be charged under the Logan Act ridiculous. The 1799 statute has never been used to prosecute a U.S. citizen for interfering in foreign policy.

Democrats are skeptical that FBI Director James B. Comey will be forthcoming in the course of their investigation, and they have called for Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who wielded considerable influence in Trumps campaign effort, to recuse himself from proceedings. In a briefing with reporters Monday, Sessions would only say he would recuse myself on anything that I should recuse myself on, without specifying whether he intended to involve himself in Russia-related matters.

Sessions also stated that he has not examined any contacts between the White House and the FBI over a New York Times story that reported frequent contacts between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials.

Nunes also confirmed Monday that he was one of the lawmakers to whom the White House turned to combat the story. The report mentioned Flynn, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and former campaign aide Carter Page, as well as Trump associate Roger Stone.

[Flynn episode darkens the cloud of Russia that hangs over Trump administration]

Nunes described the White House giving him a phone number for a reporter. He said he did not see anything inappropriate with the request and his follow-up in calling the reporter.

He was referring to a Washington Post story describing the Trump administrations efforts to enlist the intelligence community and key lawmakers in knocking down media stories about Trump associates ties to Russia.

I had already talked to many of you about that several times, Nunes said, saying he was only passing on whatever I had already told you. Isnt the whole point of the press to be transparent?

But Schiff said the White House seeking help from intelligence leadership  to knock down stories it doesnt like is completely inappropriate.

Sari Horowitz and Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report.
President Trump will propose a federal budget that would significantly increase defense-related spending by $54 billion while cutting other federal agencies by the same amount, an administration official said.

The proposal represents a major increase in federal spending related to national security, while other priorities, especially foreign aid, would face massive reductions.

According to the White House, the defense budget would increase by 10 percent. Trump also will request $30 billion in supplementary military spending for fiscal 2017, an administration official said.

But without providing specifics, the administration said that most other discretionary spending programs would be cut to pay for it. Officials singled out foreign aid, one of the smallest parts of the federal budget, saying it would face large reductions in spending.

[Budget breakdown: What the Obama White House wants to spend money on]

It is the first indication of spending priorities by the new administration, with the president set to arrive on Capitol Hill on Tuesday night for a speech to a joint session of Congress. But the full budget negotiations between Trump and Congress will not be complete for many months.

In a statement at the White House on Monday morning, Trump said that his budget would put America first by focusing on defense, law enforcement and veterans using money previously spent abroad.

We are going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people, he said. We can do so much more with the money we spend.

[Analysis: The U.S. foreign-aid budget, visualized]

The White House did not specify how Trumps budget would address mandatory spending or taxes, promising that those details would come later. The vast majority of federal spending comes from programs Trump cant touch with his budget. Social Security costs totaled about $910 billion last year, and Medicare outpaced defense spending with a total cost of $588 billion. Medicaid, interest payments on debt and miscellaneous costs made up an additional $1.2 trillion.

White House officials declined to answer questions about the presidents priorities on a host of other fiscal issues, including infrastructure improvements and plans to pay for a wall between the United States and Mexico. Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), emphasized that the priorities outlined Monday do not reflect policy on broader fiscal issues, which he said will be addressed later.

We are taking his words and turning them into policies and dollars, Mulvaney told reporters. A full budget will contain the entire spectrum of what the president has proposed.

Defense spending accounts for almost the same proportion of the federal budget as all non-discretionary domestic spending, meaning that the Trump administrations proposal will result in a roughly 10 percent across-the-board cut in all other federal spending programs.

Budgets for most federal agencies would be reduced substantially, said an OMB official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity on a call with reporters to discuss the proposal.

The announcement marks the beginning of a process in which the OMB will coordinate with agencies to flesh out the plan.

Trump said his budget, which will be submitted to Congress next month, will propose historic increases in spending to bolster the countrys depleted military, and he said it will support law enforcement in an effort to reduce crime.

[Trump team plans for infrastructure task force to advance top spending priority]

Trump noted that the country faces an urgent infrastructure problem, which he promised during the campaign that he would address with a $1 trillion infrastructure spending plan. Although the administration has not yet outlined whether infrastructure will be part of Trumps budget proposal, the president spoke about it at length before a gathering of governors at the White House on Monday.

Were going to make it easier for states to invest in infrastructure, he said. We spent $6 trillion in the Middle East, and we have potholes all over our highways and our roads.

He added: Infrastructure, were going to start spending on infrastructure  big.

Republicans in Congress expect that the details released this week will be the first elements of a broader budget that will be rolled out next month. The Trump administration is expected to release a pared-down skinny budget the week of March 13 and a fuller list of requests by the end of March or early April, said multiple Republican congressional aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the process.

Democrats have warned that under the current circumstances, Trump would be hard-pressed to make significant cuts to domestic programs without significantly reducing some government services. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday that the scant details the Trump administration released probably would lead to cuts to widely used programs.

A cut this steep almost certainly means cuts to agencies that protect consumers from Wall Street excess and protect clean air and water, Schumer said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) added that deep reductions could have a major effect on programs that keep the American workforce competitive.

A $54 billion cut will do far-reaching and long-lasting damage to our ability to meet the needs of the American people and win the jobs of the future, she said in a statement. The President is surrendering Americas leadership in innovation, education, science and clean energy.

Individual agencies were expected to begin the customary process of sending budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year to the White House beginning Monday, the aides said. The OMB will then begin drafting an official request for fiscal 2018 and submit it to Congress in the coming weeks.

Congress typically does not agree with the White House budget in full, even when the president and congressional leaders represent the same party. Republican leaders have not yet said when they will release their budget blueprint for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) told members at a GOP retreat in Philadelphia in January that he expects to act by July on a 2018 budget proposal that will lay out major spending cuts and begin the process of rewriting the tax code.

Philip Rucker and Ana Swanson contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
300 fowls culled in flu infected area

Local authorities slaughtered around 300 fowls and destroyed poultry products at Khaltemasina area in Pokhara-18 after laboratory tests confirmed H5N1 influenza virus in a poultry farm in the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Australia yesterday after what he called a wonderful five-day visit. There was certainly an extraordinary welcome by the Turnbull government and the political and media establishment for Netanyahuthe first sitting Israeli prime minister to make the trip in the 70 years since the Zionist state was established in Palestine.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the financial elite feted Netanyahu, an extreme right-wing politician long personally associated with brutal military operations and repression against the Palestinian population. Netanyahus government is accelerating illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank of Palestine.

Fearing public opposition to his visit, Netanyahu arrived with a 500-strong security contingent. Wherever he went in Sydney, traffic was blocked for his cavalcade and hundreds of police were deployed. Despite this, several hundred protesters marched through the city last Thursday, carrying banners and placards, such as Netanyahu is a war criminal, Apartheid: Wrong in South Africa, Wrong in Palestine and Netanyahu a terrorist: Go home.

But in ruling circles Netanyahu was treated as a hero. Turnbull who, like Netanyahu heads an unstable and crisis-riddled government, held seven dinners with him. The Israeli prime minister conducted a succession of meetings with government and Labor Party leaders, including a session with the Liberal-National governments national security committee (NSC).

No less than six billionaires, and coteries of business and government leaders, past and present, gave Netanyahu a standing ovation at a gala occasion in Turnbulls electorate in eastern Sydney, one of the citys wealthiest areas. Netanyahu doesnt get that sort of applause at home, Herb Keinon, a Jerusalem Post reporter told a Fairfax Media journalist. One billionaire was a noticeable absenteecasino mogul James Packer, who has been named prominently in corruption investigations swirling around Netanyahu.

Netanyahu received a ringing endorsement from the Australian government, one of the few in the world that opposed last Decembers token UN Security Council resolution criticising Israels settlement expansion as prejudicial to any possible peace deal with the Palestinian Authority.

On the day Netanyahu arrived, Turnbull published an opinion piece in Rupert Murdochs Australian, accusing the UN of a prejudiced attack against Israel. My government will not support one-sided resolutions criticising Israel of the kind recently adopted by the UN Security Council, Turnbull wrote.

Netanyahu claimed not to know of Turnbulls piece in advance, but voiced his pleasure with it. Australias been courageously willing to puncture UN hypocrisy, more than once, he said.

Emboldened by Donald Trumps pledge to be the most pro-Israel president in history, Netanyahu defied the UN resolution and gave the go-ahead for the construction of 3,500 new homes in West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements. Over the past 50 years, about 600,000 Israeli settlers have moved into the occupied territories, where about 2.9 million Palestinians live.

Turnbulls identification with Netanyahu not only underscores the Australian governments complicity in the dispossession of the Palestinians and support for all the past crimes of the Zionist state. It also signals support for future crimes being prepared by the Israeli ruling class and its US backers, including a military confrontation with Iran.

Netanyahu arrived in Australia fresh from visits to Britain, the US and Singapore, which are among the few other countries so closely aligned to Israel. His tour is part of an international diplomatic offensive to take advantage of Trumps election.

According to Israeli media reports, in the NSC meeting Netanyahu urged the Australian government to reverse its support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal championed by former US President Barack Obama. Under that agreement, Iran accepted severe limits on its nuclear programs and facilities in exchange for a step-by-step lifting of crippling US-led economic sanctions.

With Trump denouncing the agreement and using threatening rhetoric about Iran, Netanyahu is seeking to line up US allies to likewise repudiate the agreement and so-called normalisation process, which the Obama administration declared in 2015 was the only alternative to a war against Iran.

Netanyahu, in his meetings with Australian leaders, continued to agitate against the 2015 deal. In an interview with the Australians foreign editor Greg Sheridan, he claimed that the Sunni extremists of Al Qaeda and Islamic State could be replaced by Shiite groups manipulated by Iran, who would threaten Australia as well as the Middle East. Netanyahu told Sheridan the US was considering as we speak a range of new sanctions against Iran. Such punitive measures would inexorably set a course for conflict with the Iranian regime.

Netanyahu is also promoting what Trump has called a much bigger deal for the Middle East. Trumps remark, made at a joint media conference with Netanyahu in Washington earlier this month, suggests plans to bring Arab Sunni regimes such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies, into a new sectarian scheme, in partnership with Israel, to restructure the Middle East at the expense of their regional rival, Iran.

As with the entire war on terror conducted since 2001, US military interventions across the Middle East are seeking to establish unchallenged US hegemony over the resource-rich and strategically-vital region, working closely with the Israeli and Arab regimesfrom Egypt to the Gulfthat the US underwrites militarily and financially.

Significantly, Netanyahu framed his visit to Australia in the context of 100 years of wars, from World War I onward, in which Australian forces have been dispatched to the Middle East, saying we would not be here except for these courageous operations. Such appeals to past military sacrifices invariably signal preparations for new wars.

Turnbull reciprocated by describing the presence of Australian military personnel along Israels borders today as evidence of a tangible and resolute commitment to Israeli security. During the visit, agreements were made to increase the relatively small $1 billion annual trade flows between the two countries, but the overriding focus was on intensifying military links, particularly in intelligence and cyber warfare.

In Trumps White House press conference with Netanyahu, the US president backed away from the 25-year charade by US governments of pursuing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turnbull said Australias position on that policy had not changed, but he indicated a readiness to fall into line with a shift, saying you cannot expect any Israeli government to put itself in a position where its security is at risk.

Likewise, after a cordial meeting with Netanyahu, Labor Party leader Bill Shorten issued a statement formally opposing Jewish settlement expansion and upholding the two-state solution but emphasising Labors decades-long support for the Zionist state with safe and secure borders.

In reality, the disintegration of the so-called two-state solution has revealed the fraud of the claim that peace and security for the Palestinian masses and an end to their oppression by the Zionist state could be obtained through deals between the US and other imperialist powers and the bourgeois Arab regimes.

The author also recommends:

Israel-Palestine and the two-state solution

[30 December 2016]
Amendment bill will be passed

The ruling Nepali Congress concluded on Sunday that it would play a constructive role in approving the constitution amendment bill.
By Olivia Tarantino

Your minds telling you Yes! Spring is coming! But your bodyyour bodys telling you, No! I am not ready!

The first winter day you get a taste of spring weather is like the first time a kid gets to go to Disney World: it brings warm feelings of joy and tons of excitement. But once you get two days in a rowand then a weekit starts to set in that its going to be sundress and shorts weather. And thats when you realize you havent quite shed your winter weight yet.

The good news is this: You dont have to fret about coming out from beneath your loose-fitting sweaters and oversized knits just yet. You have plenty of time to lose your blanket of belly fat and tone up before bikini season, and weve come up with the perfect meal plan that will help your body switch from crockpot-stew mode to Bahamas-ready. Each meal and snack listed below is made with easy-to-find and delicious ingredients, so you can start looking and feeling your best for the new season ASAP. And while youre shopping for the foods in this 1-day meal plan, why not stock up on some of these 35 Foods To Get You Bikini Ready, too!

Breakfast

Avocado Toast Topped with Smoked Salmon and Tomato

Ready to refresh your digestive system? A study in The Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that avocados are the most beneficial fruit when it comes to mitigating the liver-damaging effects of galactosamine, a liver toxin. We like to top our avocado toast with a couple slices of smoked salmon for an added anti-inflammatory effect. Salmon is full of EPA and DHA: two omega-3 fatty acids which attack excess inflammation through the increase in adiponectina hormone that enhances your muscles' ability to use carbs for energy, boosts metabolism, and burns fat.

HOW TO MAKE IT: Mash up  of an avocado and toast a slice of 100% whole grain bread (we like Ezekiel 4:9 by Food for Life). Spread mashed avocado on bread, top with two slices of tomato, and lay on 3 ounces of smoked salmon.

Story continues

NUTRITION: 260 calories, 10 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 985 mg sodium, 23 g carbs (6 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 24 g protein

Morning Snack

Leaf Relief Smoothie

Youre about to feel a whole lot better with the push of a buttona blender button, that is. This smoothie combines the detoxifying powers of three different foods: bananas, spinach, and pineapple. Bananas are one of best natural sources of potassium: a mineral which can reduce water retention and deflate your bloated belly. Pineapple contains bromelain: an enzyme that aids in the digestion of proteins as well as decreases inflammation. And, finally, spinach is full of belly-flattening fiber and is known to be an appetite suppressant: a Swedish study found that when 19 overweight women drank a mixture with 5 grams of spinach extract each morning, they reported fewer food cravings thanks to the elevated levels of GLP-1: a physiological regulator of appetite and food intake.

HOW TO MAKE IT: Blend together on high  frozen banana,  cup blackberries,  cup pineapple, handful of spinach, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1 scoop plant based protein powder

NUTRITION: 220 calories, 5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 80 mg sodium, 19 g carbs (8 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 28 g protein

Lunch

Red Leaf Lettuce Salad with Fennel, Beets, Grapefruit, Radish, Slivered Almonds&Feta

Red leaf lettuce can be found year-round, but its seasonally a spring food, which makes it the perfect base for this detox salad. Were pairing it with fennela liquorice-like root veggie which is known for its ability to support a healthy digestive system by increasing digestive juices and helping with the elimination of toxins through stoolanti-inflammatory beets, crisp radish, and tart grapefruit: a citrus fruit with fat-zapping phytochemicals. Its all topped off with fresh goats milk feta cheese, one of the lowest-calorie cheeses you can find. An added benefit: According a study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, goat milk has more bioavailable iron than cow's milk, a good thing for those looking to detox as iron helps to support your livers ability to break down toxins.

HOW TO MAKE IT: To 2 cups of red leaf lettuce, add segments of  grapefruit, 1 roasted beet,  cup sliced fennel, 1 sliced radish, 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, and 1 oz feta cheese. Top with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, and freshly cracked black pepper and salt.

NUTRITION: 313 calories, 22 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 537 mg sodium, 21 g carbs (6 g fiber, 9.4 g sugar), 9 g protein

Afternoon Snack

Hummus and Carrots

With its base of satiating, fiber-rich chickpeas, hummus is one of the best things you can dip a carrot into. This savory duo is also jam-packed with belly-filling water, vitamin A, and magnesium: a mineral that helps boost lipolysis, a process by which your body releases fat from its stores. Just make sure you pick up a low-sodium hummus brand like Cedar's so you can avoid the post-snack belly bloat. We like to top it off with an extra teaspoon of EVOO since the unrefined oil is teeming with anti-inflammatory compounds like oleocanthal, which prevents the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes.

HOW TO MAKE IT: Pack up 15 baby carrots with  cup (2 oz) hummus drizzled with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.

NUTRITION: 220 calories, 10 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 233 mg sodium, 27 g carbs (10 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 6 g protein

Dinner

Lemony Herb-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Roasted Asparagus, Carrots, and Beets, topped with Quinoa, Sunflower Seed, and Pomegranate Salad

One of the easiest dinners: chicken and roasted veggies. Weve done a detox-inspired take on our veggies by choosing beetsa root veggie that contains antioxidants that help repair and regenerate cells in the liver, the body's primary detox centervitamin-A-rich carrots, and detoxifying asparagus: the spears are natural diuretics, which will help flush the excess toxins from your system, and a study in the Journal of Food Science discovered that the amino acids and minerals found in asparagus may protect liver cells against toxins.

Were pairing it with a lemon-Dijon-marinated grilled chicken (mustard is full of capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanates, two phytochemicals known to boost your metabolism) and a side of quinoa. Not only is quinoa high in fiber, but a study published in the journal Food Chemistry also found that the ancient grain has the highest levels of betaine: an amino acid that revs your metabolism and shuts down genes that encourage fat storage.

HOW TO MAKE IT (makes 4 servings): Marinade 1 pound of chicken breast or tenders with 1 tablespoon mustard, the juice from 1 lemon, a teaspoon of olive oil, salt and pepper, and fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano for 20 minutes. Toss 1 cup of each vegetable with 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in a 425 degree oven for 30 minutes. Grill each piece of chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, or about 12 minutes. Make 4 servings of quinoa according to package instructions. When cooked, combine quinoa with sunflower seeds, pomegranate seeds, and a touch of lemon juice and teaspoon of olive oil. Serve  cup each of roasted asparagus, beets, and carrots, 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds and  cup quinoa.

NUTRITION: 511 calories, 24 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 392 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (8 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 43 g protein

Dessert

Siggis Icelandic Yogurt with Pomegranate Seeds, Oat Granola, and Drizzled with Honey

Ready to mend your microbiome? Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome (the population of beneficial bacteria that live in your belly) is essential not only to properly break down the foods youre eating, but also to increase nutrient absorption and eliminate toxins; thus, when your gut flora is out of whack, serious problems can ensue. Yogurt is teeming with gut-healing probiotics, and is much medicine as it is an after-dinner treat. We like the low-sugar, high-protein Siggis before bed. Yogurt, honey, and oats are all full of the sleep-inducing hormone tryptophan, and the carbs from the granola will help the tryptophan-rich foods get absorbed by the brain. Top with pomegranate seeds to further boost your desserts detoxifying properties: Pomegranates are full of three kinds of antioxidant polyphenols, including tannins, anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which all help fight and prevent oxidative damage to your body caused by free radicals.

HOW TO MAKE IT: Pop the top off siggis 4% Vanilla Icelandic-Style Skyr, top with  teaspoon honey, 2 tablespoons granola (we like Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Organic Granola Cereal), and 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds.

NUTRITION: 217 calories, 7 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 95 mg sodium, 23 g carbs (1 g fiber, 16 g sugar), 13 g protein

Total Nutrition for the Day: 1,741 calories, 78 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 2,322 mg sodium, 145 g carbs (39 g fiber, 51 g sugar), 123 g protein





MORE FROM EAT THIS, NOT THAT!





Flatten your bellyin just 30 seconds!

Thats all the time it takes to blend up a Zero Belly Smoothiea unique mix of super nutrients that will flatten your gut, boost your metabolism, heal your digestive system, and turn off your fat genes for good. Buy Zero Belly Smoothies today!
Salmonella Poisoning Could Damage Your DNA, According to Study Not only is food poisoning an awful experience, but now new research from Cornell University suggests that it could also cause damage to your DNA . The study focused on salmonella food poisoning in particular, and found that certain...

Salmonella Poisoning Could Damage Your DNA, According to Study

Not only is food poisoning an awful experience, but now new research from Cornell University suggests that it could also cause damage to your DNA. The study focused on salmonella food poisoning in particular, and found that certain serotypes (variations of the bacterial species) can permanently damage DNA, leaving victims more vulnerable to future illnesses, Cornell Chronicle reported. Among over 2,500 types of salmonella present, researchers looked into Typhi, a serotype that causes typhoid fever. This serotype was found to produce cytolethal distending toxin (S-CDT), which attacks cells and damages DNA. Rachel Miller, lead author of the study, used a sunscreen analogy to describe the potential harm S-CDT could do: "If you don't apply sunscreen, you can get a sunburn  and possibly develop skin problems later in life. While not the sun, salmonella bacteria may work in a similar waythere may one day be a chance that the DNA damage is not correctly repaired. We don't really know right now the true permanent damage from these salmonella infections."

This $150 High-Tech Coffee Mug Keeps Selling Out at Starbucks

Would you spend $150 on a coffee mug? Apparently Starbucks shoppers would, and did, as the 12-ounce Ember Temperature Control Mug is currently out of stock on the Starbucks online shop, and backordered on the companys website.

Drink More Beer and Help Save New Zealand Beaches

Last year, New Zealand brewer DB Breweries and agency Colenso BBDO launched a campaign called Brewtroleum, which transformed leftover brewers yeast into biofuel. This year, the partnership is back again with an environmental initiative that allows consumers to drink beer to help save the beaches in New Zealand. According to the brewery, Adweek reported, two-thirds of the beaches in the world are retreating because their sand is being harvested for use in industries ranging from construction to pharmaceuticals. This campaign is pushing back against the high demand for New Zealand sand by featuring machines that crush empty glass bottles of DB Export into a sand substitute. The brewer will supply the DB Export Beer Bottle Sand to construction and commercial partners to help keep New Zealand beaches intact.
Photo credit: Getty

From Cosmopolitan

Montana lawmakers pushed forward with a measure that would effectively ban all abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy, regardless of the medical risks to a woman, by requiring doctors to deliver the fetus and try to save it.

Critics of the bill said it could be among the most extreme anti-abortion laws in the nation, even as other states consider their own proposals that would reduce the window for legal abortions.

Montana already outlaws late-term abortions, unless the life of the woman is at risk - but the proposal would further restrict abortion rights. It would require doctors to deliver a fetus at six months or later by inducing labor or performing a cesarean section.

Once the fetus is removed, doctors would be required to try to resuscitate the baby. Doctors who violate the law could be charged with a felony.

"They either have to be a miracle worker or a felon," said Sen. Diane Sands, a Democrat from Missoula who opposed the bill. She added, "It's by far the most extreme measure I've seen ever proposed in Montana."

The measure won preliminary passage Thursday in the state Senate by a 3218 vote, mostly along party lines.

The early victory by supporters will likely be short-lived. Even if the bill gets final approval in the Senate and wins support from the House - both controlled by Republicans - it would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, who supports abortion rights.

The measure's main proponent, Republican Sen. Albert Olszewski, said scientific and technological advances have increased the viability of fetuses.

"This bill was inspired by a real situation, a situation where a late-term pregnancy put a woman in a life-threatening condition and had to deal with this horrible decision of being told she had to terminate this pregnancy," said Olszewski, who is also an orthopedic surgeon.

He said for instances in which the mother's life is at risk that he's "proposing two methods of terminating a pregnancy - and both would produce a live birth and it's safe for the mother."

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Both sides said the proposal could be a first of its kind.

In recent months, anti-abortion forces in some states have sought to place further restrictions on the availability of the procedure, including reducing funding, limiting access to clinics, and narrowing the time frame that an abortion could be sought.

Abortion remains a potent political issue and could be a central focus in the confirmation hearings of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Opponents of the Montana bill expressed concern that the law would take away medical decisions from a woman and her doctor.

Should it become law, abortion-rights groups would challenge it, said Martha Stahl, CEO of Planned Parenthood Montana.

"It is quite extreme, and we believe this bill is unconstitutional under Roe v. Wade," Stahl said, referring to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

She said the legislation "requires women to undergo invasive medical procedures that might not be the best medical options for a woman."

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If anyone knows how Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway are feeling this morning, its Steve Harvey.

After the actors mistakenly called La La Land as the winner of the 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture Sunday night, it was quickly realized that Beatty had somehow been handed the wrong envelope and Moonlight was the true victor.

The embarrassing mix-up immediately drew comparisons to Harveys flub at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant, when the Family Feud host mistakenly announced Miss Colombia as the winner, when Miss Philippines actually won the crown.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel said, Guys, this is very unfortunate what happened. Personally, I blame Steve Harvey for this.

Harvey, of course, decided to inject a little humor to the awkward situation.

On Monday morning, Harvey tweeted, Good morning everybody! Went to sleep early last night. Sowhat I miss? #Oscars.

He followed up by encouraging fans to listen to his radio show to hear his take on the incident.

YOU KNOW I have something to say, Harvey, 60, wrote.

Good morning everybody! Went to sleep early last night. So what I miss? #Oscars  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

Tune in to @SteveHarveyFM at 8 AM ET today for my response to last night's #Oscars . YOU KNOW I have something to say  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

Call me Warren Beatty. I can help you get through this! #Oscars  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

As the La La Land cast and creators filed onto the Oscars stage, the celebration was abruptly halted. La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz stepped to the microphone and said, Theres been a mistake. Moonlight won.

Story continues

Its not a joke, he said. This is not a joke, come up here.

As the Moonlight cast walked up, Beatty, 79, would not leave the stage until he explained what had happened.

I opened the envelope and it said, Emma Stone, La La Land. Thats why I took such a long look at Faye and at you . I wasnt trying to be funny, he said.

Somehow, one of the two printed envelopes for Best Actress apparently wound up in Best Picture presenter Beattys hands. Confused, Beatty looked to his co-presenter Dunaway, 76, for help, and she ended up announcing La La Land. The musicals cast and crew were in the middle of their acceptance speeches when accountants from PricewaterhouseCoopers took the stage to reveal the mistake  the biggest error at the live telecast in recent history.

How Beatty got the wrong envelope remains to be seen. Best actress winner Emma Stone insisted she had her winning card, though there are two copies of the cards and envelopes for each category.
Tennessee Preacher Accused of Raping Teenage Student After Binding Her with Rope

A Tennessee preacher and teachers assistant has been accused of binding and then raping one of the teenage girls from his school, though his defense attorney says he is innocent and has not committed any crime.

Law enforcement alleges otherwise: Officials say Mike Ulmer, 53, picked up the victim, 18, from Chester County High School on Feb. 16 and brought her to his home in Henderson, Tennessee.

Ulmer serves as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Henderson, and court records show the victim was paid to clean his house.

She is a student at Chester County, where Ulmer also worked, though a source tells PEOPLE he was suspended from his teachers assistant position on Feb. 17, moments before he was taken into custody.

The day before Ulmer was arrested, authorities allege he directed the teen to do some cleaning in his office, which is contained within a detached garage on his property.

The victim told investigators that Ulmer allegedly used a rope to bind her wrists in the garage. He then wove the rope through a hook in the ceiling, she claimed, which prevented her from escaping.

According to court records, she told police Ulmer allegedly sexually assaulted her after she was bound.

 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.

He has been charged with rape, sexual battery and assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The assault charge was filed on Thursday, after the same victim told police she had been abused by Ulmer nearly four months ago.

Court documents allege that in November, he asked the girl if he could put his fingers in her mouth as he was driving her home.

She refused, but that allegedly didnt stop Ulmer: Authorities claim he jammed his fingers into the girls mouth before pulling over behind a lumber yard, where the victim said he was holding her head down in his lap and forced her mouth open.

Story continues

Investigators say the victim recorded the alleged incident on her cell phone and that Ulmer can be heard in audio from the incident ordering the girl to open her mouth.

The girl can also allegedly be heard on the recording asking him to stop.

 Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more.

Ulmer has been released on $250,000 bond and is due back in court on May 9.

Neither Ulmers church nor the local school district responded to requests for comment. His defense attorney, Mark Donahoe, tells PEOPLE he intends on vigorously fighting the charges.

We maintain that Mike did nothing wrong, Donahoe says.
Its hard to beat Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaways La La Land best picture mix-up, but there were some other quotes from the Oscars telecast that deserve to be mentioned.

In case you missed them, here are ten of the best quotes from the 2017 Academy Awards.



Moonlight, you guys won best picture. This is not a joke, come up here. Moonlight has won best picture.  La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz after he and the rest of the La La Land team took the Dolby Theater stage to accept best picture. Unfortunately, the announcement was incorrect, as someone had given Beatty the wrong envelope.



Maybe this is not a popular thing to say, but I want to say thank you to Donald Trump, I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? Its gone. Thanks to him! It has been an amazing year for movies: black people saved NASA and white people saved jazz. Thats what you call progress.  Jimmy Kimmel in one of his jabs at President Trump during his opening monologue.



As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, Im against any form of wall that wants to separate us.  Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal on Donald Trumps proposed Mexico border wall before he presented best animated feature.



We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world that embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other.  Rich Howard, co-director of animated feature winner Zootopia, added to the political theme of the evening.



Linus, on behalf of all of us, were so sorry with what happened in Sweden last week. We hope your friends are okay.  Jimmy Kimmel to La La Land cinematographer and Oscar-winner Linus Sandgren, a Swede whose country was incorrectly called the site of a terrorist attack by Trump.



This is dedicated to all the kids who sing in the rain and the moms who let them.  best original song winner Benj Pasek in his acceptance speech for his work on City of Stars from La La Land.

Story continues



A moment like this is the confluence of luck and opportunity.  Emma Stone (La La Land) in her acceptance speech for best actress, for which she beat out Meryl Streep, Isabelle Hupert, Ruth Negga, and Natalie Portman.



People ask me all the time  what kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola? And I say exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories  the stories of the people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams to fruition, people who fell in love and lost. I became an artist and thank God I did because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.  Viola Davis, upon accepting the best supporting actress Oscar for Fences. Davis is the 10th actress to win a Tony and Oscar for the same role.



Im sorry Im not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the U.S. and our enemies categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression  Best foreign film winner Asghar Farhadi, via a statement. Farhadi is from Iran.



Tonight is proof that art has no borders, no single language and does not belong to a single faith. The power of art is that it transcends all these things.  President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Cheryl Boone Isaacs making it known that the Academy supports artists from around the world and from all faiths.

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ROME  Iran rejoiced Monday at news of The Salesmans Oscar victory for best foreign language film, but political reverberations risk undermining the artistic accomplishment of director Asghar Farhadis film.

Farhadi did not attend the ceremony in protest against President Trumps travel ban, despite the suspension of the executive order by U.S. courts.

Proud of cast & crew of The Salesman for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted.

Irans government-owned Press TV cheered news of the Oscar with the headline Asghar Farhadi wins another Oscar for Iran on its website. Although the Academy Award for best foreign language film is customarily accepted by the winning films director, it is considered a prize for the submitting country as a whole.

In a prepared statement read out by Iranian American engineer Anousheh Ansari (pictured, right), who accepted the Oscar on Farhadis behalf, the director said his absence was out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.

Ironically, however, some observers said Trump might be partially to thank for Farhadis win.

I am sure Cohen Media Group [The Salesmans U.S. co-distributor] would not have gotten the same publicity for this film by spending millions of dollars, though it deserves such recognition, Tehran-based distributor Mohammad Attebai told Variety before the Oscars were handed out. The winning films other U.S. distributor is Amazon Studios.

Its fake news that will give Asghar the Oscar, Sony Pictures Classics co-chairman Tom Bernard told the Los Angeles Times as he entered the Dolby Theatre on Sunday afternoon. The media has made the foreign [language film] race about a vote against Trump and not about the films, Bernard said, adding that he did not blame Farhadi for this.

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Sony Picture Classics previously distributed Farhadis A Separation, which won the 2012 Oscar for best foreign language film. Currently, SPC is distributing Toni Erdmann, the German title that some had regarded as the front-runner for this years award but that ultimately lost out to The Salesman.

Trump effect or no, many critics have lauded the artistic achievement of The Salesman, a revenge drama whose protagonist, a part-time actor, plays Willy Loman in an Iranian interpretation of Arthur Millers classic American play Death of a Salesman. Variety critic Owen Gleiberman described The Salesman as a finely cut gem.

Richard Brody of The New Yorker said The Salesman would appeal to Academy voters.

The fact that [Farhadi] couldnt get a U.S. visa to come to the ceremony may slightly boost the films chances, but I think that it will win for another reason, Brody predicted on The New Yorkers website. Farhadi is a dully confident realist whose films have an overt, even an obvious, element of social critique, psychology by numbers, and no strangeness whatsoever. It is, above all, respectable filmmaking. Its made for an Oscar.

A.O. Scott of The New York Times wrote in his review that not since Pedro Almodovars All About My Mother, which brilliantly re-engineered A Streetcar Named Desire, has a classic of the American stage been put to such ingenious cinematic use.

Mr. Farhadis control is astonishing, as is the discipline of the actors. Their final scenes are at once riveting and hard to watch. Attention, as someone once said, must be paid.

It was.

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By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Iran's "The Salesman," a drama about honor and revenge in a modern marriage, won the Oscar on Sunday for best foreign language film. The movie, directed by Tehran-based Asghar Farhadi, marked Iran's second Oscar victory, coming five years after Farhadi's drama "A Separation" won the nation's first Academy Award. "The Salesman" was seen as one of the favorites in the foreign language category after winning prizes at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and its win follows the fallout over U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on foreign travelers. Farhadi, and the film's lead actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, both said last month they would boycott the Oscars to protest Trump's ban on travel to the United States from seven majority Muslim nations, including Iran. The ban was later overturned by U.S. courts but the administration is working on a new executive travel order. Farhadi chose two Iranian-Americans -- a female engineer and a former NASA scientist -- to represent him at the Oscars ceremony. Anousheh Ansari, an engineer who was the first female space tourist, read a statement on behalf of Farhadi. "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.," Ansari said, in reading from Farhadi's statement. "Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war." "The Salesman" tells the story of a quiet married couple whose relationship is pushed to the brink after the wife is attacked while alone in their Tehran apartment, and the husband goes to extreme lengths to seek revenge. At the same time, the couple is appearing in a local production of Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman," and elements of the work mirror their fraught lives. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Jill Serjeant and Sandra Maler)
The Iranian director Asghar Farhadi had previously announced that he wouldnt be attending tonights Oscar ceremony, where his latest film, The Salesman, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. As he explained at the time, his decision was motivated by President Trumps controversial travel ban, which barred entry into the United States for travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran. Even after that travel ban was blocked by courts, Farhadi  who did attend the Oscars in 2012 when his film, A Separation, won the Oscar in the same category  made it clear that he would be staying away.

Although he was not in the room to accept his Oscar for The Salesman, Farhadi ensured that his voice would be heard. In his place, he asked the Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari to read a short but pointed statement  one that didnt mention Trump by name, but clearly expressed the feelings of all those who have felt disrespected by his policy. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, Ansari read. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions, Farhadis well-received statement continued. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy which we need today more than ever.

Read More:
An average of almost 10 migrants in Germany were subject to attacks every day last year, according to figures released by the countrys interior ministry.

The BBC reports that a total of 560 peopleincluding 43 childrenwere injured in about 2,545 attacks on individual migrants. Almost 1,000 more attacks were reported on asylum housing.

The figures, which the BBC says were released in response to a question in Parliament, reflect only the number of attacks in 2016 because detailed data had not been monitored in previous years.

People who have fled their home country and seek protection in Germany have the right to expect safe shelter, the interior ministry said in a statement cited by the BBC.

Public anxiety has risen in recent years over the expansion of migrant communities and fears about terrorist attacks in various parts of Europe. Some left-leaning politicians have claimed that despite fears that migrants could compromise national security, the more serious threat could be coming from far-right groups who oppose immigration.

According to the BBC, the number of asylum seekers entering Germany has reduced significantly from the year prior; the country saw some 280,000 arrivals in 2016, less than half of the 600,000 at the height of the migrant crisis in 2015.

The reduction in arrivals was due in part to the closure of a migrant route through the Balkans, as well as a deal brokered between Turkey and the E.U. to stem the flow of Syrians coming from Turkey into Europe via Greece.

[BBC]
Bhairahawa intl airport builder runs out of cash

The Chinese contractor hired to build the Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa runs the risk of being terminated due to political meddling that led to deterioration of its financial health, subsequently affecting its performance.
Dozens of headstones in a Jewish cemetery were found vandalized the same weekend multiple cars were found defaced by swastikas in separate incidents across the country, the latest in apparent anti-Semitic occurrences that have left many fearful and shaken.

At least 103 headstones at Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetery in Philadelphia were damaged after being knocked over, discovered Sunday by a man whose three relatives final resting places were among those defaced.

Read: Boy, 11, Charged With Hate Crime After Torching Jewish-Owned School Bus: Cops

It appeared the vandalism occurred sometime after dark Saturday, police said.

Authorities have not classified the incident as a hate crime.

We must allow the investigation to take its course before we can determine a specific motive or label as a particular type of crime. However, this is an abominable crime that appears to target these particular headstones, Philadelphia Police said in a statement Monday. We will continue to work to determine the person(s) responsible and make sure that they are held accountable for this reprehensible act.

The mayor of Philadelphia also condemned the attack and expressed a commitment to find those responsible.

My heart breaks for the families who found their loved ones headstones toppled... Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement. I encourage Philadelphians to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and to show them that we are the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

People of all faiths flocked to the cemetery to do what they could to restore the headstones and show their support for those targeted.

"This is people from Quaker, Muslim, Jewish communities, a local rabbi told WPVI-TV. Some rabbis, my colleagues... came out here out of the desire to be in solidarity to show that we're not interested in any narrative about victimization and as heartbreaking as this is, we are strong together.

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Others took to social media to help.

A GoFundMe Page dedicated to Mount Carmel Cemetery Solidarity had raised $15,218 by Monday, which the pages organizer said would be donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, an organization also fundraising for the cemeterys restoration.

Muslim Americans with MPower Change and CelebrateMercy added Sunday that they too were raising funds to repair the damages, announcing they were reaching out to those in Philadelphia on a fundraising page originally created to restore headstones in a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis, Mo., found destroyed last week.

On the heels of bomb threats and hate crimes against dozens of Jewish community centers across the United States, a historical Jewish cemetery was vandalized this past weekend when over 170 headstones were damaged, the page noted. Muslim Americans stand in solidarity with the Jewish-American community to condemn this horrific act of desecration against the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery. We also extend our deepest condolences to all those who have been affected and to the Jewish community at large.

By Monday, $134,535 had been raised to repair the damaged headstones, far exceeding the original $20,000 budget.

Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate, desecration, and violence in America. We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event, the pages organizers wrote.

Also over the weekend, swastikas were carved into five vehicles in Miami Beach, Fla., where local Jewish Community Centers had recently received false bomb threats, authorities said.

The City of Miami Beach is deeply saddened by the incidents of hateful graffiti that took place this weekend. The swastika is considered a symbol of hate by all and will not be tolerated, officials said in a statement.

Police are investigating the incidents, canvassing the area and watching surveillance footage in their efforts to locate those responsible, authorities said.

There was no evidence that the keyed cars were related in any way to the recent false bomb threats, officials said.

Read: Man Arrested for Stabbing Worshipper in What Police Are Calling a Hate Crime

Miami Beach is and will remain a respectful community for all. We are very concerned about what this says in our community. We would like to reassure our residents, especially our Jewish community, that we are actively working on this case and will not stop until we find out who did this, City Manager Jimmy Morales said in a statement.

According to watchdog group the Southern Poverty Law Center, 1,372 bias incidents were recorded between the day after President Donald Trumps election and February 7.

"In our most recent count, the biggest story in the last month has been the wave of anonymous bomb threats at Jewish Community Centers (JCC) across the country," SPLC wrote. "The first wave hit on January 9th, then on the 18th and again on the 31st. We counted at least 57 separate incidents in 24 states."

Bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers came as recently as Monday, when police in New York responded to bomb threat made against a center in Staten Island, a spokeswoman for the organization confirmed to SILive.com.

There were also unconfirmed reports of bomb threats in several other states, including North Carolina, where a JCC was evacuated, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) wrote on Twitter.

"This seems to be what's going on across the country," JCC Spokeswoman Ruth Lasser told SILive.com. "It's very disturbing.

No arrests have been made in any of the incidents in Philadelphia, St. Louis or Miami Beach.

In Philadelphia, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 is offering a $3,000 reward leading to an arrest. Through the support of the Mizel Family Foundation, the ADL is offering a reward of $10,000 as well. Those with information can call 215-686-TIPS.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who made false bomb threats, the organization announced after the St. Louis incident.

Many of my personal friends have family members who are buried in this cemetery, Faizan Syed of CAIR-Missouri said in a statement. This is a cowardly and an unacceptable act of hate against not only the Jewish community, but against all faiths and the values we hold dear as Americans."

In Miami Beach, authorities asked that anyone with information call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. "Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward," police said.

Watch: Trump Condemns Rash of Anti-Semitism After Clinton, Jewish Groups Speak Out

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BEIJING (AP)  China is sending its first senior official to visit the United States since President Donald Trump took office, amid uncertainties over trade relations and new security tensions in east Asia.

The Foreign Ministry said State Councilor Yang Jiechi is scheduled to "exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern" in meetings with high-ranking U.S. officials during his visit on Monday and Tuesday.

Yang is Chinese President Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser and a familiar face in Washington. He has served as foreign minister and ambassador to the U.S., presenting a degree of continuity in a relationship now seen as somewhat in flux.

His visit comes as the future direction of relations between the world's two largest economies has grown more uncertain following Trump's accusation that China was cheating at trade and threats to raise import tariffs.

Trump has also criticized China's activities in the South China Sea, where it has built man-made islands with military features. He has suggested he might use Beijing's rival Taiwan as leverage in negotiations and accused China of exerting too little pressure on communist neighbor North Korea to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

China has responded in relatively mild terms and last week Premier Li Keqiang expressed hope that disputes with Trump's government could be settled amicably, saying that a trade war would "benefit nobody."

Trump has also appeared to moderate his approach, saying in a call with Xi earlier this month that his administration affirms Washington's long-standing policy of not maintaining official ties with Taiwan and acknowledging China's stance that the self-governing island is part of Chinese territory.
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (AP)  A white man and a white woman who were among a large group of people waving Confederate flags and threatening violence at a black child's birthday party in 2015 have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Jose Ismael Torres, 26, and Kayla Rae Norton, 25, were part of a group of 15 people who disrupted the 8-year-old's party in Douglasville in July 2015, less than a month after white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine African-Americans at a historic black church in South Carolina.

Roof brandished Confederate flags in several photographs that came to light soon after his arrest and had said he intended to start a race war with the killings.

Torres and Norton were found guilty Monday of yelling racial slurs and threatening to kill partygoers, even the kids. At one point, Torres aimed a shotgun at the party, prosecutors said.

Torres was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Norton received six years, news outlets reported.

They were among four people in the group charged with felonies. The other two pleaded guilty and are serving shorter prison sentences.

Torres and Norton wept as the sentences were handed down.

"Their actions were motivated by racial hatred," said Superior Court Judge William McClain.

The judge ordered the two permanently banished from Douglas County once they are released.

"This is behavior that even supporters of the Confederate battle flag can agree is criminal and shouldn't be allowed," Douglas County District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a statement.

Norton was sentenced on one count of violating Georgia's street gang act and one count of making terroristic threats. Torres was sentenced on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of terroristic threats and one count of violating the street gang act.
The Zika emergencythankfully now in the past but still without a vaccinespread throughout 60 countries and affected thousands of pregnant women in 2015 and 2016. The disease is most dangerous for pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects as severe as microcephaly, when the fetus forms a small head and underdeveloped brain. To prevent that gruesome fate for their baby, pregnant women with Zika often turn to abortion (though the procedure is illegal in many of the countries most affected by the virus).

Before Zika, there was the rubella epidemic of 1964 to 1965, when an estimated 12.5 million Americans acquired the disease (also known as German measles). Similar to Zika, rubellas symptoms for most adults are milda rash and a low-grade fever that lasts two or three days. But for a pregnant woman and her fetus, rubella is very dangerous, according the CDC, resulting in birth defects ranging from deafness to heart problems to mental disabilities. Also like Zika, rubella is often asymptomatic, thus many pregnant women dont realize theyre carrying the virus until its too late. In the 1960s, prior to the release of the rubella vaccine in 1969 and the Roe decision in 1973 that made abortion legal nationwide, a small number of doctors illegally performed the procedure for pregnant women with rubella.

Recommended: An Epidemic of Unnecessary Treatment

One of those women is Bette, an Atlantic reader who had a second-trimester abortion in March 1971. She was a 24-year-old married Christian at the time, and she frames her abortion story as Gods will for my family:

My husband and I celebrated my pregnancy with friends on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. Although the pregnancy was a bit of a surprise, we were delighted to welcome a baby into the world. I was teaching fifth grade at the time, and Ill never forget the moment when a student walked up to my desk and said he didnt feel very well. When I saw the rash on his face, I flashed back to a terrible photograph I had seen in a magazine in my obstetricians office the week before. It was of a Rubella baby, and the caption said Bobbys mother recovered from German measles in 3 days. Bobby wasnt so lucky. I didnt know what that meant exactly, but I later found out the way scientists realized what the Rubella virus did to a fetus was when someone connected delivery-room personnel coming down with the three-day measles to a baby with severe birth defects. Although the mother recovers in three days, the baby stays sick throughout the remaining time of gestation and is still contagious at birth. I had almost forgotten about that student and the magazine picture a couple of weeks later when I got up and saw a very slight rash on my own face.

Story continues

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Millions of Academy Awards viewers got punked when Hollywood veterans Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway declared that La La Land was the Best Picture untilwait a minuteeveryone learned that Moonlight had actually won the honor. Before producer Fred Berger could wrap up his thank you, another producer, Jordan Horowitz, cut in with an authoritative Moonlight has won Best Picture, Moonlight. Best Picture.

PricewaterhouseCoopersthe accounting firm tasked with trying to pass the presenters the envelopes with the actual winners in themtook responsibility and apologized for the mistake. They say theyre currently investigating how it all went down, but a simple mix-up is not an acceptable explanation for some. Thats because one not does mistakenly declare that Moonlight lost to La La Land without ridiculous suspicions of foul play.

How did this happen? The internet has theories. Here are the funniest.

Some users put forth the theory that prank-happy Jimmy Kimmel orchestrated the whole thing.

@jimmykimmel that was a really mean prank  to both La La Land and Moonlight.  Charlie Roxbee (@buy2andsave) February 27, 2017

this was kimmel's best prank tbh  Lana Berry (@Lana) February 27, 2017

Remember his Halloween candy bit? Hes not above temporarily ruining everyones childhood annually.

Kimmel really upped his prank game from "sorry I ate your Halloween candy, kid" to "jk you didn't win the Oscars"  David Pierce (@pierce) February 27, 2017

Jimmy Kimmels war with Matt Damon has raged on for years. Throughout Sunday nights affair, the host got plenty of jabs at the We Bought a Zoo actor in.

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But Damon didnt snap back nearly as much as he could have, which brings us to an even more sinister alternate theory. This was all about Damons revenge.

I SO hope this is a Matt Damon prank #Damon2020  Robby Lattimore (@robbylattimore) February 27, 2017

The oscar mix up with best picture was probably just a prank by Matt Damon to finally win the eternal battle between him and Jimmy Kimmel  Caroline Strickland (@cmstrickland1) February 27, 2017

Was that a Matt Damon prank on @jimmykimmel  why was he in the stage. Not Warrens fault #Oscars #BestPicture #  NoFilter215 (@MsKie215) February 27, 2017

Theory: Did Matt Damon prank Jimmy Kimmel by giving the wrong envelope to Beatty? Bwahahaha! #Oscars2017 #MerylSaysHi @moonlightmov pic.twitter.com/XeibuVaW1g  Julie Sutton Salek (@tampajulie) February 27, 2017

95% sure this was a revenge prank by Matt Damon to finally get @jimmykimmel back  The Gregory Brothers (@gregorybrothers) February 27, 2017

Emma Stone told reporters that she was holding her card when La La Land was declared the Best Picture, fueling the idea that there were duplicates. But before anyone points their fingers at Beatty, theres another suspect in this debacle whos had it too good for too long: Leonardo DiCaprio.

@ithinkmark the card in warren's hand said Emma stone, La La Land. Leonardo DiCaprio gave him the wrong card.  Sabrina Spellman (@HeyItsMani) February 27, 2017

#Oscars Leonardo DiCaprio is holding the card. Emma Stone is not the real winner. Queen Elizabeth II says. "I see." I hope Emma has the card pic.twitter.com/zTRCyUnEge  Tracy Brock (@splatpolitics88) February 27, 2017

Plot thickens all the way back to Leonardo https://t.co/VvYo8lmCia  Laura June (@laura_june) February 27, 2017

The Oscars fiasco was Leonardo DiCaprio's fault. He never gave Emma Stone her envelope and it ended up back on stage. Take away his Oscar!  Mitch Pollock (@pollock_mitch) February 27, 2017

How do we not suspect Leonardo DiCaprio? He was last seen with Emma Stone's winning card! #Oscars #Kimmel  Karen Hicks (@kyhicks2006) February 27, 2017

Others blamed the Oscars for hopping on the latest mess-with-the-public shocking results bandwagon.

I really think we're in some break in simulation. Things are just going haywire. NBA final. World Series. Election. Super Bowl. Oscars.  Farhad Manjoo (@fmanjoo) February 27, 2017

What is it with all the surprise endings lately? The elections the Super Bowl & now the Oscars! #Godstryingtotellussomething #dontgotosleep  ReneeEliseGoldsberry (@ReneeGoldsberry) February 27, 2017

This year's Oscars, Super Bowl, and Presidential Election were written by M. Night Shyamalan  Alena Smith (@internetalena) February 27, 2017

A certain director agreed.

I wrote the ending of the academy awards 2017. @jimmykimmel we really got them!  M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) February 27, 2017

Put on your tin foil hat because heres where it gets muddy. Did good guy Gosling cut a deal to make the accidental win for La La Land happen?

One user captured this evidence of the leading man revealing his plot to Gary from Chicagos fiancee.
(Reuters) - American actor Bill Paxton, who rose to stardom in such Hollywood blockbusters as "Titanic" and inspired budding meteorologists as a tornado chaser in "Twister," has died at age 61, his family said on Sunday. A family representative said Paxton died of complications after surgery. It was not immediately known what procedure the Fort Worth, Texas, native had undergone. "Bills passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable," the representative said in a statement. Paxton, who appeared in more than 90 films or television shows over four decades, had recently starred in the HBO television series "Big Love" about a polygamous Mormon family, and acted alongside Tom Cruise in the 2014 film "Edge of Tomorrow." For his role in "Apollo 13," Paxton won a Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture in 1996. The son of a Texas businessman, Paxton had a brush with history on Nov. 22, 1963, when as an 8-year-old he saw President John F. Kennedy speak outside a Fort Worth hotel hours before Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. A photo of Paxton held above the crowd to catch a glimpse of the president became famous, and 50 years later, Paxton narrated the documentary "JFK: The Final Hours." Paxton started in movies as a set dresser for maverick director Roger Corman and made his film debut in "Crazy Mama" (1975). He was a familiar face in movies directed by James Cameron, appearing as a knife-wielding punk in "Terminator" (1984) and a treasure hunter in "Titanic" (1997). Paxton also was a space marine in Cameron's "Aliens" (1986) who memorably yelps, "Game over, man!" when threatened by the title creatures. His profile soared with "One False Move" (1992), a critically praised film noir in which he played a sheriff with a secret past. In 2004, critic David Thomson called "One False Move" Paxton's finest work. He wrote of his performances, "Bill Paxton can vary his action hero by several degrees one way or another - towards introspection or loud-mouthed enthusiasm." Paxton also gained an unlikely fan base - meteorologists - when he starred in "Twister" (1996) as tornado-chasing weatherman Bill "The Extreme" Harding. On Sunday the National Weather Service said on Twitter, "'Twister' was an inspiration to many budding meteorologists over the last 20 years. Thank you, Bill Paxton." He was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards in the best actor category for his work in "Big Love" and the 1990s miniseries "A Bright Shining Lie." Paxton leaves behind his wife, Louise Newberry, and two children, James and Lydia. (Reporting by Laila Kearney and Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney and Cynthia Osterman)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  A senior Taliban commander was killed Sunday in Afghanistan's Kunduz province, according to the Afghan president and the militant group.

During a ceremony Monday honoring the country's security and defense forces, President Ashraf Ghani said that Mullah Abdul Salam, the Taliban's shadow governor for Kunduz province, had been killed.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed Salam's death, saying it was from an American airstrike in the Dashti Archi district of Kunduz province.

Ghani, in his comments, did not elaborate on how Salam died. Speaking to thousands of security forces members in a ceremony at the Kabul military airport, Ghani said that Salam and his fighters "were eliminated in Kunduz, because of you."

At the ceremony Ghani emphasized Afghanistan independence and said that the Taliban and other militant groups are no match for the Afghan security forces.
Johannesburg (AFP) - Poachers killed 1,054 South African rhinos for their horns in 2016, a 10 percent dip on a year earlier, the environment ministry said Monday, as officials struggle to quell the slaughter.

Black market rhino horn sells for up to $60,000 (57,000 euros) per kilo -- more than gold or cocaine -- with most demand from China and Vietnam where it is coveted as a traditional medicine and aphrodisiac.

In the last eight years alone, roughly a quarter of the world population has been killed in South Africa, home to 80 percent of the remaining animals.

"These criminal gangs are armed to the teeth, well-funded and part of transnational syndicates who will stop at nothing," the ministry said in a statement.

"This decrease can be attributed to the efforts of our men and women on the ground, especially our rangers."

During 2016, South African police arrested 680 people for rhino-related poaching compared to 317 in 2015.

Most were caught in and around the celebrated Kruger National Park -- a major tourist attraction.

A total of 148 firearms were also seized inside the park in 2016.

Jo Shaw, the World Wildlife Fund's South Africa rhino programme manager, said that more needed to be done to break up the gangs.

"Unless we see the transnational crime syndicates targeted the problem won't go away. We know Vietnam was identified at CITES as not yet doing enough," Shaw told AFP, referring to a recent gathering of countries signed up to a key treaty on endangered species.

"While it's reassuring to see that the decline seems to be continuing, there's a long way to go. We need a long term approach to the challenge," she said.

In 2007 just 13 rhinos were killed for their horns in South Africa before reaching a peak of 1,215 in 2014, according to the TRAFFIC wildlife trade monitoring group.

Rhino horn is composed mainly of keratin, the same substance as in human nails.

It is sold in powdered form as a supposed cure for cancer and other diseases.
Big bother

Diplomats keep their cool even at the worst of times. The best diplomats are pleasant, humble and refrain from revealing themselves on public platforms, especially when they are unhappy.
WASHINGTON (AP)  In President Donald Trump's estimation, the U.S. border isn't merely porous, it's "wide open." Darkness and danger are everywhere, even Sweden. American infrastructure isn't just in need of improvement but it's in "total disrepair and decay." The health law is not only flawed, but it's an "absolute and total catastrophe."

His apocalyptic view of everything he intends to fix leaves no nuance, but that's where reality often resides. For example, Trump himself actually likes parts of former President Barack Obama's health overhaul, such as the extended coverage for older children. And the U.S. remains an economic powerhouse able to transport goods in a stressed system of roads, bridges and ports that are not in total decay.

But the president is one to overreach for superlatives, whether describing the state of things as he found them or what he plans to do about them  or claims to have done already.

Some statements from the past week:

TRUMP: "Obamacare covers very few people."

THE FACTS: That's only true if you consider more than 20 million people to be "very few." That's how many are covered by the two major components of the law: expanded Medicaid and subsidized private health insurance.

The Medicaid expansion, adopted by 31 states and the District of Columbia, covers about 11 million low-income people, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The other, more visible, component is HealthCare.gov. The federal website and state-run online insurance markets have signed up 12.2 million people for this year, according to an Associated Press count this month, based on federal and state reports.

Altogether, since Obama's law passed in 2010, the number of uninsured people has dropped by about 20 million and the uninsured rate has declined below 9 percent, a historic low.

___

TRUMP, repeating a week-old assertion that Sweden is an example of violence and extremism due to immigration: "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 I'm right."

Story continues

THE FACTS: Trump was ridiculed in Sweden after he warned at a rally in Florida that terrorism was growing in Europe and something terrible had happened in Sweden the previous night. But there had been no extraordinary trouble that night in Sweden, a country welcoming to immigrants.

Two days later, though, a riot broke out after police arrested a drug crime suspect. Cars were set on fire and shops looted, but no one was injured. Attacks in the country related to extremism remain rare. The biggest surprise for many Swedes was that a police officer found it necessary to fire his gun.

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TRUMP: The U.S. is providing security to other nations "while leaving our own border wide open. Anybody can come in. But don't worry, we're getting a wall. ... We're getting bad people out of this country."

THE FACTS: His wide-open border claim is bogus. The number of arrests of illegal border crossers  the best measure of how many people are trying to cross illegally  remains at a 40-year low. The U.S. government under Presidents George W. Bush and Obama roughly doubled the ranks of the Border Patrol in the past decade or so.

In addition, the number of people expelled from the country since Trump took office Jan. 20 has not been disclosed. No available data support his claim, made Thursday, that immigrants in the country illegally are being expelled at a rate "nobody has ever seen before." Deportations were brisk when Obama was president.

Altogether in January, 16,643 people were deported, a drop from December (20,395) but a number that is similar to monthly deportations in early 2015 and 2016.

This month, Homeland Security officials have said 680 people were arrested in a weeklong effort to find and arrest criminal immigrants living in the United States illegally. Three-quarters of those people had been convicted of crimes, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said. The remaining 25 percent were not.

The government has not provided information about who was arrested in that roundup, so it's impossible to determine how many gang members or drug lords were in that group. It is also unclear how many of those "bad people" have actually been deported.

That roundup was largely planned before Trump took office and was alternately described by the Trump administration as a routine enforcement effort and a signal of his pledge to take a harder line on illegal immigration. During the Obama administration, similar operations were carried out that yielded thousands of arrests.

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TRUMP: "We have authorized the construction, one day, of the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines. And issued a new rule  this took place while I was getting ready to sign. I said who makes the pipes for the pipeline? Well, sir, it comes from all over the world, isn't that wonderful? I said nope, comes from the United States, or we're not building it. American steel. If they want a pipeline in the United States, they're going to use pipe that's made in the United States."

THE FACTS: It's not that straightforward. Trump's executive order leaves lots of wiggle room on how much U.S. steel is actually used. The order states new, expanded or repaired pipelines in the U.S. must use U.S. steel "to the maximum extent possible" and allowed by law. That's not an all-USA mandate.

What's judged possible in the Keystone XL project remains to be seen. Pipes are already purchased. Contrary to his statement, Trump has not approved the project. Rather, he revived it by asking TransCanada to resubmit its application.

TransCanada did so in late January while saying it needs time to review how any buy-American plan would affect the company. It has said the majority of steel would be from North America, but that includes Canada and Mexico.

Trump's Jan. 24 order on U.S. steel has little effect on the Dakota Access project because it is nearly complete.

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TRUMP on arrests of people in the country illegally: "It's a military operation because what has been allowed to come into our country, when you see gang violence that you've read about like never before and all of the things, much of that is people who are here illegally. And they're rough and they're tough, but they're not tough like our people. So we're getting them out."

THE FACTS: He was wrong in calling immigration enforcement a military operation.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for finding and deporting immigrants in the country illegally, is a civilian law enforcement agency. Military personnel were not responsible for recent raids that resulted in the arrests of 680 people. Planning for that roundup had been underway during the previous administration and was in step with large, periodic raids when Obama was president.

Kelly contradicted Trump on the nature of plans to step up border enforcement: "There will be no use of military forces in immigration," Kelly said. "There will be no  repeat, no  mass deportations."

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TRUMP again claimed credit for a $700 million savings in the military's contract with Lockheed for the F-35 fighter jet. Speaking to the defense contractor's CEO Marillyn Hewson, he said: "Over $700 million. Do you think Hillary would have cost you $700 million? I assume you wanted her to win"  referring to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

THE FACTS: Cost savings for the F-35 began before Trump's inauguration and predate his complaints about the price tag.

The head of the Air Force program announced significant price reductions Dec. 19  after Trump had tweeted about the cost but weeks before Trump met about the issue on Jan. 13 with Hewson.

"There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever of additional F-35 cost savings as a result of President Trump's intervention," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the aerospace consulting firm Teal Group. He said Trump appears to be taking credit for prior-year budget decisions and for work already done by managers at the Pentagon who took action before the presidential election to reduce costs.

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Associated Press writers Alicia A. Caldwell, Matthew Daly and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.

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Find all AP Fact Checks here: http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd

EDITOR'S NOTE _ A look at the veracity of claims by political figures
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  In the days after President Donald Trump's election, thousands of teenagers across the nation walked out of class in protest. Others rallied to his defense.

It was an unusual show of political engagement from future voters who may alter America's political landscape in 2020  or even in next year's midterm elections.

Now, a new survey of children ages 13 to 17 conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research with the permission of their parents finds that America's teens are almost as politically disillusioned and pessimistic about the nation's divisions as their parents. The difference? They aren't quite as quick to write off the future.

Eight in 10 feel that Americans are divided when it comes to the nation's most important values and 6 in 10 say the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Nyles Adams, a 14-year-old from New York City, was in kindergarten when Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's first black president. Adams, the grandson of Trinidadian immigrants, remembers watching the inauguration on TV and talking with his mother about the particular significance of Obama's election for his black, immigrant family.

Now, with Trump as president, he feels America's best days are behind it, and the nation will be worse off in 40 years. Yet like 57 percent of his peers, he is still optimistic about the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

"Sometimes it does get you down, but I try not to focus on it too much because I see myself as someone who despite all the odds that are against me, I'm still going to prevail," he said.

That youthful optimism is hard to crush. While rates vary by race, 56 percent of all teens surveyed believe America's best days are ahead, compared with the 52 percent of adults in an AP-NORC poll conducted in June 2016 who said the nation's best days are behind it.

But like adults, the poll reveals deep divisions along familiar lines.

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Just a quarter of teens say they have a lot in common with people of different political views. Three in four already have a party preference, including 29 percent who say they'll be Democrats, 23 percent Republicans and 24 percent independent or another party. Less than one-third have a favorable impression of Trump, but only slightly more think well of Hillary Clinton.

Elijah Arredondo, a second-generation Mexican-American from La Habra, California, disliked both major party candidates but is now worried about his family under Trump.

His mother signed up for the Affordable Care Act, which Trump has promised to dismantle and replace.

"I feel like anyone can achieve the American Dream, but for some people it's a lot harder for them to do, so these things help people," he said.

Caroline Millsaps, of Garner, North Carolina, describes herself as a liberal Democrat and says climate change and women's rights are her top political concerns. Last year, she took time away from her busy competitive dance schedule to attend two Bernie Sanders rallies with her mother.

Like 40 percent of teens surveyed, she feels she has a "moderate" amount in common with people of different political views.

"I always watch Fox News to get a different perspective, and I have some friends who support Trump and so I'll ask them, 'What is your opinion on this?'" she said. "I try to see both sides of the situation and see which side fits my view best."

Millsaps, 16, talks about politics daily with her parents and that has strongly influenced her views.

Nearly 40 percent of teens surveyed said they did the same at least weekly and, like Millsaps, those talks seem to sway them. A majority of respondents said they agree with their parents' political views most of the time. Only 3 percent disagree most of the time.

Sophie Svigel, 17, attends a private Christian school in Dallas and identifies herself as a conservative Republican. She talks to her Republican parents about politics and almost always agrees with them, but is also heavily influenced by her faith-based school, she said.

"I feel like a lot of the bad things that are going on are not really spoken of and are hidden," she said. "I feel like the politicians and people in politics speak very vaguely about the problems that we're facing."

That cynicism echoes in the AP-NORC poll. Just 16 percent of teens feel the federal government is doing a good job promoting the well-being of all Americans, and not just special interests. Fewer than 2 in 10 teens surveyed feel the federal government is doing a good job representing most Americans' views.

Jessi Balcom, from Bend, Oregon, has tried to fight that cynicism by pouring her energy into delivering food to homeless people and engaging in open-minded debate with those whose politics are different from hers. Nine in 10 teens say they have participated in civic activities like volunteering or raising money for a cause.

"It's not you versus me, it's us versus the problem and the problem isn't other people," said Balcom, 17, a Green Party supporter.

"There are a lot of really big problems that we need to solve, but I think that getting angry is the worst thing that we can do," she said. "It doesn't matter what side of politics they're on, conservative or liberal. I don't want to hate anyone."

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The AP-NORC poll of 790 teenagers age 13-17 was conducted online and by phone Dec. 7-31, 2016. A sample of parents with teenage children was drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. Parents then gave permission for their children to be interviewed. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.6 percentage points.

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The spelling of Jessi Balcom's surname has been corrected in this story. It is Balcom, not Balcon.

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Associated Press Polling Editor Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/gflaccus

___

Online

AP-NORC: http://www.apnorc.org/
The investigation into the killing of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 attack of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's airport. Last week'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.

In other images from the Asia-Pacific region last week, former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang was sentenced to 20 months in prison for misconduct after failing to disclose plans to rent a luxury apartment for his retirement from a businessman applying for a broadcasting license. He becomes the highest-ranking current or former official sent to prison for wrongdoing in the Asian financial hub, which prides itself on a reputation for clean governance.

Police in Thailand who spent three days in an orderly but unsuccessful search of a vast Buddhist temple for a prominent monk accused of financial wrongdoing kept up the pressure, sending fresh forces to confront devotees and monks at the compound's gates.

Japan played host to the Asian Winter Games, which are seen as a tune-up for athletes ahead of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, next February.

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This gallery was curated by Associated Press photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
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
PHOENIX (AP)  The speaker of the Arizona House said Monday he won't hear a bill that makes participating in or helping organize a protest that turns into a riot an offense that could lead to criminal racketeering charges, a move prompted by widespread criticism that the legislation sought to limit First Amendment rights.

The measure passed last week by the Senate drew nationwide attention, particularly from civil libertarians, because it classified violent protest as an organized crime and said protesters who didn't initially intend to riot could still face criminal charges. That attention led Speaker J.D. Mesnard to decide Monday to kill it for the session.

Mesnard told The Associated Press that people all across the country now believe that the Arizona Legislature is trying to enact a law that will suppress their First Amendment right to assemble.

"It's gotten a lot of attention, and frankly whether it's fair or unfair, whether its accurate or inaccurate, at this point doesn't matter," he told the AP. "That's certainly not what the Legislature wants to be about  I know that's not what the sponsor wanted in the first place. The best way to send a very clear signal that we're not doing it is to not move the bill."

The Republican House speaker controls the path of legislation through his chamber, so Mesnard's decision means the bill is dead.

The Arizona legislation is the latest in a string of proposals in Republican-led states intended to crack down on protests. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard is pursuing legislation to make it clear that his emergency response powers apply to destructive protests, create new trespassing penalties and make it a crime to obstruct highways, a move prompted by protests in North Dakota over the Dakota Access pipeline. A recent Washington Post tally showed efforts in 18 states, with proposals like stiffer penalties for blocking highways to increased trespassing penalties on critical infrastructure.

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Arizona passed a law last year making it a mid-range misdemeanor to intentionally block access to a political campaign event or a government meeting or hearing. That bill was prompted by protesters who blocked a highway leading to a Donald Trump campaign event outside Phoenix.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has worked to avoid divisive legislation since he took office in 2015 as he works to change the perception that Arizona is a state where such legislation is enacted. Mesnard said he hadn't been pressured by the governor's office, but Ducey's spokesman did issue a statement praising the decision.

"While we do not comment on pending legislation, we have been advised that SB1142 isn't moving forward, which we are pleased to hear," Ducey spokesman Daniel Ruiz said in a statement.

All 17 Senate Republicans supported the measure and all 13 Democrats voted no last week.

Senate Bill 1142 would allow prosecutors to seize a person's assets in addition to enhanced criminal charges. Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, has said his bill is needed to deter violent riots and go after groups he says are paying protesters. Opponents said it is so broadly written that it could ensnare innocent people and chill free speech rights.

During last Wednesday's vote, Democrats said there is no evidence that current laws against rioting, property destruction and assault are ineffective. They said the measure will having a chilling effect on free speech rights by adding new crimes under racketeering laws commonly called RICO statutes.

"This is a total perversion of the RICO process, the racketeering process, and I see major Constitutional issues down the line," said Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson. "I don't think this is going to do anything but get us into more lawsuits."

Republicans pointed to violent riots that broke out last month in Washington, D.C., among peaceful demonstrations after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, and violent protests in Berkeley, California, against a prominent right-wing speaker who backs Trump, Milo Yiannopoulos. They alleged the violence in some cases was the result of paid agitators.

"I have been heartsick at what is going on in our country, what young people are being encouraged to do," said Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake. "And there's a difference between a protest and a riot. And what we have been watching is riots."

Sen. Katie Hobbs, D-Phoenix, chastised Republicans, calling it "fake news that people are being paid to riot."

Mesnard said his decision was a practical one to end an unnecessary distraction and that trying to undo the perception in people's minds at this point just isn't possible.

"I did look at the bill, it's actually a bill of relatively few words, but they insert the word riot there sort-of in the racketeering. You put it right below terrorism and people think 'Oh my goodness, really, riot and terrorism is the same thing?' " Mesnard said. "Well, they're not the same thing. I don't think that's what the bill is trying to get at."

Mesnard said he has told Gov. Doug Ducey's office, and Republican leadership in the House and Senate of his decision. And he told Borrelli of his reasons.

"I've explained that to the sponsor. He's very gracious about that," he said. "I know firsthand that's not his motivation at all."
Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature that provides law school admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.

If you have a question about law school, email me for a chance to be featured next month.

This week, I will answer questions about undergraduate transcripts for applicants who returned to school after dropping out. I will also address when graduating seniors should reach out to academic recommenders.

I first attended college from 2002-2003. After a brief year and a dismal GPA, I decided to drop out. In 2013, I recommenced my education and started from scratch. I transferred none of my credits from my old college from 10 years ago. I am now scheduled to graduate with a GPA of more than 3.8. According to LSAC guidelines, I have to submit all my GPAs from postsecondary educational institutions. However, this would significantly dilute my GPA. Moreover, it does not reflect my current dedication and aptitude toward academics. My target law schools are Harvard University, Yale University and Stanford University, and, as we all know, they want spotless candidates. What should I do? -Tainted Transcript

Dear Tainted Transcript: Congratulations on your success since returning to school. Starting over is not easy and I applaud your newfound dedication to your academics.

You are correct that law schools require applicants to submit transcripts from undergraduate institutions they attended even if they never received a degree.

You are also correct that your cumulative undergraduate GPA will be diluted as a result. Law School Admission Council calculates a cumulative GPA that include all your undergraduate work. LSAC will also send copies of these transcripts to law schools for their review.

[Discover ways a low GPA might not derail a law school application.]

However, law schools -- including Harvard University, Yale University and Stanford University -- do not expect candidates to be spotless. I worked with an applicant with a criminal record who was accepted to Harvard.

Story continues

I have also advised applicants who attended multiple undergraduate institutions. One applicant dropped out of three schools before earning a 3.8-plus undergraduate GPA.

She cried when I told her she would have to submit transcripts from her past. But she was admitted to her first choice school with a substantial scholarship and will graduate debt-free in the top of her class this spring.

Here's are five steps you need to take: Include an undergraduate GPA addendum with your application; perform well on the LSAT; secure academic letters of recommendation; craft compelling essays that convince admissions committees that you have the intelligence and drive to succeed in their program; and apply early in the admissions cycle. Finally, remember : N o one is spotless.

[Learn how to make a strong argument for law school.]

I am a senior majoring in political science. I am graduating a year early and plan to take the LSAT this September and apply either this fall/winter round or, depending on my LSAT score, apply next fall. I was wondering if I should get my letters of recommendation sometime before I graduate this May? And if so, how should my professors/TAs send the letters -- do they send them directly to LSAC? If I don't happen to apply this fall, should they still send them in? -Graduating Senior

Dear Graduating Senior: Sounds like you are already thinking strategically about your law school applications. Strong academic letters of recommendation will be a valuable component of your applications.

Once you have signed up for the LSAT, you will have an LSAC account. You can then register for the Credential Assembly Service. CAS will send a law school report to the schools you apply to that includes your LSAT score, writing sample, transcripts, resume and recommendations. Recommenders upload their letters directly to LSAC through CAS.

[Read about the anatomy of a law school recommendation letter.]

As for timing, I suggest that you talk to professors now while you are still on campus about your interest in attending law school. Making in-person requests for letters of recommendation will enable you to engage in a dialogue about your motives for pursuing a law degree.

Talk with your professors about specific accomplishments you hope they will include in the recommendation to ensure your letter is not generic. Requesting the recommendations before graduating is also helpful since your professors will more easily remember your academic feats in detail.

Your letters of recommendation will remain valid on your LSAC account even if you do not apply this cycle. If you delay submitting more than a couple years, however, you may want to ask your professors to submit an updated version so the recommendation still feels fresh.
Tokyo (AFP) - Negotiators from 16 Asia-Pacific countries on Monday held their first round of free-trade talks since hopes faded of reaching a separate regional deal after the US pulled out.

The five-day Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) talks in the western Japanese city of Kobe are being attended by senior officials from the 16 countries involved, a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) official said.

The United States is not part of RCEP, which has been pushed by China. Apart from Beijing, the planned pact would group the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Within days of taking office, President Donald Trump pulled out of the separate Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), an ambitious free-trade agreement championed by his predecessor Barack Obama but which Trump claimed was harmful to the US.

The move fulfilled a key campaign promise but left allies in Asia on the back foot. The TPP had been seen as an economic guarantee of US commitment to the region in the face of the growing influence of China, which was not a member.

RCEP is seen as a more modest deal that calls for lower and more limited regulatory standards.

During the meeting -- the 17th round -- participants are aiming to "push negotiations forward broadly in the fields of goods, services, investment, intellectual property, rules of origin, competition and electronic commerce," the METI official said.

"It is important to strike a quality deal in RCEP at a time when protectionism is emerging around the world."
By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia is failing to protect its female indigenous people from violence, which is aggravated by high levels of inequity, the United Nations said on Monday. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians rank near the bottom of every social and economic indicator, which exacerbates tension in communities of the world's longest continuous civilisation. "They are 34 times more likely to be hospitalized as a result of domestic/family violence and up to 3.7 times more likely than other women to be victims of sexual violence," Dubravka Simonovic, U.N. special rapporteur on violence against women, told a news conference in Canberra. Simonovic, who said the figures were likely to underestimate the extent of the problem, said aboriginal women were often caught in a cycle of violence, beginning in childhood. Indigenous children are about seven times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be subjected to abuse or neglect and about 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care, the United Nations said. With a troubled upbringing, a disproportionately high number of indigenous woman end up in prison, a figure exacerbated by government policies, most notably incarceration for unpaid fines, which Simonovic said affected indigenous people more than the non-indigenous people. The issue of the incarnation of indigenous women hit the headlines after the 2014 death of a women known only by her surname - Dhu - after she was arrested for unpaid fines shortly after a domestic violence incident. Despite complaining of pain, Dhu was denied adequate medical attention, a coroner in Western Australia state ruled late last year. Reducing the imprisonment of indigenous people is one of seven government objectives to improve the lives of aboriginal people, as well as increasing life expectancy and employment. Critics of government policy say there is not enough funding to eradicate inequity. "We need more funding for programs, especially providing culturally sensitive environments," said Angela Spinney, a research fellow at Swinburne University of Technology. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Robert Birsel)
VIENNA (AP)  An Austrian court has found a Chechen refugee guilty of charges linked to terrorism and sentenced him to a 30-month prison term.

The court in the western city of Feldkirch on Monday convicted the 25-year old of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "training for terrorist purposes."

He was accused of fighting in Syria for a sub-organization of the Islamic State group against government troops between October 2013 and March 2015 and of training on the use of firearms for "terrorist purposes."

The man has acknowledged fighting against government troops but says he did so for the Free Syrian Army. He denies religious motives and says he wanted to free Syria of the regime of President Bashar Assad.

He remains unidentified in accord with Austrian privacy laws.
Friends, kin of murdered man clash with police

The Bajhang District Police Office was surrounded by the friends and relatives of Dinesh Bohara, who was killed in a brawl at Daulichaur, on Sunday.
The final minutes of the 2017 Oscars were an unbridled, unmitigated, unimaginable disaster. If that sounds dramatic, it's because it is.

(It's Hollywood, how else am I gonna talk about it if not with flair?)

SEE ALSO: Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Oprah Winfrey are having a blast in New Zealand

B.J. Novak, Hollywood as he may be, does not normally share a penchant for drama  so he went with a simple, direct and poignant approach to the Best Picture disaster.

This is what he tweeted out after the debacle unfolded live:

Can we check Best Actor again  B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) February 27, 2017

If you'll remember, the award for Best Actor went to Casey Affleck for his role in Manchester by the Sea. Affleck has come under intense, but not widespread, scrutiny for allegations of sexual harassment.

Affleck settled the case made against him out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.

A lot of people were rooting for Denzel Washington, nominated for his role in the adaptation of August Wilson's classic play Fences.

Me when Casey Affleck won best actor over Denzel. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/wK7kVn3lqH  Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 27, 2017

Audience members at the event weren't outwardly pleased by his win, either.

denzel washington, ryan gosling and chrissy teigan react to casey affleck winning best actor pic.twitter.com/NhaY8jxs6b  jezz (@R0GERSXGREYS) February 27, 2017

Even Brie Larson, designated to present the trophy after winning Best Actress at the 2016 awards, quietly disapproved of Affleck's win.

Story continues

I feel you @brielarson for not celebrating Casey Affleck, a sexual abuser & harasser. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/3x2AUTU3ih  Gilluis Perez (@Gilluis_Perez) February 27, 2017

B.J. certainly stands out as being one of the most outward opponents of Casey's win, in six words no less.
Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the 89th annual Academy Awards by sparing no shots at President Donald Trump. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star also poked fun at the Hollywood eliteand, of course, his (fake) rival Matt Damon.

Kimmel didnt wait long to bash Trump, saying, I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? Thats gone, thanks to him. Later, he said Trump would tweet about the Oscars during his 5 a.m. bowel movement.

He said many people had told him to address the political divides in the U.S., saying he would not be able to do that. Theres only one Braveheart in the room, he said, in reference to Mel Gibson. And hes not going to unite us either.

Kimmel started the night with a barb at Justin Timberlake, who opened the Oscars with performance of Cant Stop the Feeling, which is nominated for Best Original Song.

MORE See All the Winners of the 2017 Oscars

On your behalf, I really hope the other guys from NSYNC were watching that performance because if they were, I think theres a really good chance theyre going to let you back in the band, Kimmel said.

And he couldnt miss the chance to call out Damon, with whom he has had a long-running fake feud.

Ive known Matt for so long, when I first met Matt, I was the fat one, he said. Kimmel continued: Matt, as you probably know, could have starred in Manchester By the Sea. He handed what turned out to be an Oscar-caliber role over to his friend and made a Chinese ponytail movie instead.

In closing his monologue, Kimmel teased the highly overrated Meryl Streep, who is nominated for her 20th Oscar. Meryl Streep has phoned it in for more than 50 films over her lackluster career, he joked.

Kimmels monologue earned praise from previous Oscars host Ellen DeGeneres, who said it was so brilliant its already overrated.
Though the awards-presentation mishap that capped Sunday nights Oscars broadcast may garner much of the attention when it comes to the Academys recognition of Moonlight as 2016s Best Picture, this film also deserves a second look from a historical perspective. After all, Best Supporting Actor Mahershala Ali wasnt the only supporting character needed to make the film work: Liberty City, one of Miamis black and impoverished neighborhoods, is another protagonist in the Moonlight story.

This treatment of Miami has been a long time coming. For decades, audiences have had a fairly myopic and often cartoonish view of life in the city, exemplified by crime-focused stories like 1983s Scarface, the television show Miami Vice, the Bad Boys film series and the video game series Grand Theft Auto (particularly Vice City). Other stories, such as TVs Nip/Tuck, highlighted the citys glitz and glamor (albeit, often the grittier side of this constructed fantasy world) to the detriment, if not entire erasure, of the multidimensional worlds of those living in the citys margins.

Moonlight, of course, deals with violence, drugs and poverty in Miami too, but centers the lives of those most directly and negatively entangled in these realities; they are not secondary and mythologized characters or villains, but real people with rich histories. And glimpses of Miamis rich black history are threaded in the collective experiences and memories of its characters.

Unlike many other major metropolitan areas in the United States, Miami is a relatively new city, incorporated as a distinct municipality in just 1896. From the very start, Miamis white urban planners designed the city in ways that not only kept blacks segregated from whites, but also allowed white investors to exploit and capitalize on black poverty, disenfranchisement and labor.

Miamis segregated black neighborhoods (including an area known as North Miami, and later, what was then known as Colored Town, or todays historic Overtown) also housed the areas thriving sexual underworld; spaces where the citys black, immigrant and white, working-class gender and sexual transgressives could make a living. White residents and tourists often went slumming there to voyeuristically see how the other half lived and, sometimes, expand the limits of their own sexual appetites; they often engaged in interracial and homosexual sex during their visits.

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As Moonlight highlights, Miamis black communities have historically been tethered to numerous migrations and ethnic experiences, particularly those in the Caribbean and Latin America. (Juan, played by Ali, reminds protagonist Chiron that a lot of black folks are Cuban.) In the first two decades of Miamis urban history, around the turn of the 20th century, migrants and immigrants from the Bahamas proved central to establishing a local agricultural economy and building the nascent citys infrastructure. Black Bahamian men, whose labor was particularly in high demand, often had little difficulty crossing borders. But once they entered Miami, they too lived in segregated neighborhoods  where they were often depicted as being in direct conflict with U.S.-born blacks and other immigrants, forces that helped justify their surveillance  and local law enforcement heavily policed them for numerous crimes, including vagrancy, fornication and sodomy. Black Bahamian women, especially those who were single or unaccompanied, often had even more difficulty: Mythologies of gender and race found Miamis immigration inspectors anxious that these women were sexually suspect, or prostitutes, and many were denied entry.

This historical pattern of segregating and further pushing black lives to city margins was repeated and amplified throughout Miamis history.

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Although Colored Town was a thriving center for black culture, sometimes referred to as the Harlem of the South, most residents lived in shacks and slums there. As the city grew, the land on which those shacks stood became more appealing for urban planners. New Deal housing programs in the 1930s provided them the opportunity to redistrict this prime location and push its black residents farther northwest. Shortly after the 1937 completion of a black public housing project called Liberty Square, the area that became known as Liberty City quickly grew. This process was sealed when the federal interstate program built I-95 right through the heart of Colored Town, displacing thousands of blacks who fled to Liberty City, particularly in the 1960s, which rapidly became another black ghetto.

This history of segregation is the background to Moonlights narrative, the story that explains the world in which the characters live, but it is the Liberty City of the 1980s that is most visible to the audience. The eras hallmarks were by no means unique to Miami  the drug wars, the spread of HIV/AIDS, the shrinking welfare state, heightened policing of people of color  but some circumstances in the Florida city were unique. The area was still recovering from the effects of the 1980 Mariel boatlift, in which roughly 125,000 Cubans entered the United States in a span of just a few months and resettled throughout the city. In addition to those who entered during the boatlift, new waves of Haitian, Nicaraguan and Colombian immigrants also competed for the already limited resources and jobs available to them. As Miamis Bahamians and U.S.-born blacks had found in the early 1900s, structural barriers created inter- and intra-ethnic and racial tensions in the city  even as they were often exaggerated and fueled by the existing urban power. This bred divisions and ideas of difference among the citys new and surviving marginalized communities.

Misconceptions of sexuality added significantly to this prism of difference, a tension so palpable in Moonlight. Narratives of black homophobia persisted and often overshadowed the real lives of black and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. For example, weeks before the onset of the Mariel boatlift in 1980, a fundraising blitz supporting the reelection of President Jimmy Carter was staged in Liberty City. Three white gay activists showed up to protest the event, citing Carters lackluster position on lesbian and gay rights. One of them, a lesbian woman, held a large placard listing Carters ills, which someone tore in two. The local press reported angry blacks were responsible. In reality, however, the black audience largely stood in support of her and the other gay activists; someone connected to Carters reelection campaign had torn the poster. As before, narratives of difference and division, even those fabricated or overstated, helped stall new alliances and diminished the ability to further bridge the lives of those most vulnerable to violence and discrimination.

These and other pressures, including several cases of police brutality against black residents that went unpunished, led to what some called a race riot in Liberty City in May 1980.

The long history traced here, however, reveals Liberty City had long since been a powder keg for such a turmoil following nearly a century of urban violence, displacement and exploitation.

The two men behind Moonlight  filmmaker Barry Jenkins and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney  both grew up in Liberty City and their rendering of this history is just as nuanced as the documents unearthed in city and county archives. But the importance of that fact doesnt stop on Oscars night. Their depiction of this world should also serve as a reminder that there exist thousands more stories like those so powerfully portrayed in Moonlight.

The Long View

Historians explain how the past informs the present

Julio Capo, Jr. is assistant professor of history at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and currently a visiting scholar at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. His book on Miamis queer past, Welcome to Fairyland, is forthcoming from the University of North Carolina Press.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - A huge float carried by an out-of-control truck at the Rio de Janeiro samba parade struck at least six people, seriously injuring two.

The accident late Sunday, which coincided with heavy drizzle, marred the start of the all-night samba dance-off at the Sambodromo stadium.

The truck, topped with one of the extravagant floats that symbolize the world's most famous carnival, was at the tail end of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school parade -- the first of six schools competing overnight.

It drove too close to a fence at the entrance to the competition piste, leaving several people unable to escape. One woman, a news photographer, had a leg badly crushed.

"There are six people injured, two in a serious state," a fire department officer told journalists.

Despite the incident and pools of blood on the rain spattered ground, the party soon got back in swing.

Brazilians living through two years of steep recession and nearly 13 percent unemployment have grasped this year's carnival as a chance to let off steam. In Rio especially, the thrill of hosting the Olympics six months ago has given way to the grim reality of rising crime and near bankruptcy of the state government.

So there were intense cheers around the packed stadium of 70,000 people the moment that drumming began to thunder up from the piste.

Samba queens dressed in sequined micro-costumes and vast feathered headdresses danced at dizzying speed. Behind them came armies of drummers and costumed dancers, interspersed by the floats.

Each school picks a theme for its parade and is judged according to strict criteria. Another six schools were to parade on Monday night, with the champion being announced on Wednesday, the start of Lent in mostly Roman Catholic Brazil.

- Save the Amazon -

The most daring parade was from the samba school known as Imperatriz Leopoldinense, which chose the destruction of Brazil's majestic Amazon rainforest as its theme.

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Schools typically pick politically safe themes, often paying homage to Brazilian musicians. Paraiso do Tuiuti, for example, honored the 50th anniversary of the "Tropicalia" musical movement.

But Imperatriz Leopoldinense waded into the debate over indigenous rights, agribusiness expansion into once pristine lands, and the future of the ever more under pressure Amazon.

Floats included portrayals of the jungle, indigenous musicians, piles of skulls and a giant head of a crying indigenous man, crushed by a log the size of a bus.

Members of real native tribes were joining the parade to raise awareness about their plight.

"This parade is incredibly important," said Leticia Campos, 35, who was participating in a tight green costume with bright red wings, representing the forest on fire.

"People here never pay attention to the Indians when in fact they are the masters of the rainforest and it was stolen from them."

The parade has infuriated members of the powerful agribusiness sector, which is frequently accused of being a major contributor to global warming through logging and cattle ranching.

The Brazilian Association of Cattle Breeders called the parade "unacceptable." The rice industry lobby warned of "damage to the country."

Rio is Brazil's carnival capital. Tourism officials told Globo newspaper Sunday that as many as 1.5 million tourists have descended on the city, the best result in eight years, injecting some three billion reais ($960 million) into the local economy.
Sharing information has never been easier. Tap a button or click a mouse and you can tell hundreds of your closest friends and family, or thousands of strangers, pretty much anything.

But with a seemingly infinite amount of information and number of ways to share it at our disposal comes difficult choices regarding what to share and when.

The process of choosing what to share isn't as straightforward as it might seem. A new study suggests that our brains rapidly consider the personal and social complexities of information-sharing so that you can make that judgment call within a matter of seconds.

SEE ALSO: The secret sauce that makes charity campaigns go viral

The findings provide new insight into why people feel compelled to share certain types of content online  and could help publishers, including media companies (such as this one, ahem), develop strategies for maximizing viral potential.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan people's brains while they looked at dozens of New York Times headlines and abstracts. The researchers observed the neural activity in certain regions of the brain and also asked the participants whether they would share each story.

Articles that triggered stronger activity in areas of the brain associated with value and reward were shared more frequently by Times readers, the study found. People's brains appeared to be gauging the headlines and abstracts of each article to determine how sharing them might create positive personal and social outcomes for them.

In other words, when a story more effectively tapped into people's desire for others to see them favorably, and presented an opportunity to relate to others positively, they were more likely to share it  and possibly make it go viral.

"When people decide whether to share or not, they make a calculation about the value of sharing, and that value calculation seems to be common enough across people that we can predict what articles get shared around the world based on brain activity in 40 people in Philadelphia," Emily Falk, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania, said via email.

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The researchers first conducted the study on a group of 41 college students and then replicated the findings in a second group of 39 students.

Scientists are often skeptical of fMRI research because it can be easy to incorrectly interpret the association between brain activity and psychological processes.

Falk, however, said the technique can help researchers better understand human behavior. She and her research team also combined fMRI results with participants' self-reported sharing intentions to strengthen their statistical model and improve the accuracy of their predictions.

Falk and her five co-authors think the results represent something they call "value-based virality," a hypothesis that explains the process of information-sharing in a connected world. Basically, the brain combines two types of inputs  self-related outcomes and the social impact of sharing  to compute the value of sharing a piece of information widely.

People may have different individual goals for sharing, like making someone laugh, appearing well-informed or improving their social relationships by engaging others. Regardless of their specific aims, the brain is able to quickly assess the overarching value of sharing particular content.

For this study, the researchers selected 80 Times articles about health and fitness, a topic that made it easier for them to control for article characteristics like novelty or contentiousness. The stories covered subjects such as healthy school meals and tips on how to run better. Participants reviewed only the headlines and abstracts, in a similar way to how someone might consider content on social media networks.

The researchers used internal sharing data from the Times to see how frequently readers posted each story to a social media platform. Other means of distribution, like links posted directly to Facebook and Twitter instead of through the Times' sharing tools, could not be counted. The 80 stories were shared a total of 117,611 times.

Christin Scholz, the study's lead author and a doctoral student in Falk's lab at the University of Pennsylvania, said that while both brain activity and self-reports predicted virality, brain activity uniquely helped to explain variances in how frequently articles were shared.

People, for example, might report they don't want to share an article whereas their brain activity suggests otherwise. Scholz said that may happen because people don't want to admit their interest in sharing something or don't realize it because the calculation is happening unconsciously in the brain.

The study does have some caveats, however. For example, the articles used, from a period between July 2012 and February 2013, may predate more recent headline-writing trends that use emotional and declarative phrasing to appeal to readers.

The researchers also couldn't see the total page views each story received compared to its shares, which could have given them a clearer picture of whether or not an article truly went viral. Scholz said she and her co-authors weren't looking for virality in terms of sheer volume but rather differences in sharing patterns between articles.

"Were really targeting very basic processes and motivations," Scholz said.

"Humans are hard-wired to want to be part of positive social relationships and have a positive image of ourselves. Those are basic human traits that should be active across articles."

Scholz and her co-authors are exploring how these findings could lead to strategies that improve an article's viral chances. While they haven't tested specific interventions yet, Scholz thinks subtle suggestions to the reader might be effective, like hinting that sharing might make you look smart or make someone you know laugh. Using more words that linguists consider "social" in an article may also prompt readers to think about sharing it.

So the next time you click to share a story and it feels like second nature to you, just remember your brain may have calculated that you'd gain from sharing it.
Kyustendil (Bulgaria) (AFP) - From impersonating police to threatening to hurt loved ones, brazen Bulgarian gangs terrorise the elderly and rob them of their life savings with increasingly aggressive phone scams netting millions of euros.

"They did not only take my money but also my health... I keep shaking all day long," Gergina Alexieva, a retired teacher in the western town of Kyustendil, told AFP.

The 82-year-old recently fell victim to one of the most popular schemes, which involves tricking people into believing they are assisting police with catching a gang of scammers.

In a phone conversation, a man posing as a cop warned Alexieva that she was about to be contacted by criminals who would try to blackmail her into handing over her money.

He instructed her to follow their orders, saying that officers were waiting outside the house to catch the thieves in the act.

While Alexieva was talking to the alleged official on the landline, her mobile rang and as predicted, an aggressive voice shouted at her to throw her money off the balcony.

"The fake policeman on the landline told me: 'Don't worry madam... Collect everything you have -- money, gold rings -- and do as they say. Everything will be alright,'" Alexieva said.

The plot might seem implausible at first but add to that a menacing tone and many will feel too intimidated to question the scenario.

"I did as I was told... I was very scared," said Alexieva, who lost her entire life savings of 5,800 leva (3,000 euros, $3,200).

- 'Just hang up' -

Old people are easy prey in the European Union's poorest member state: many live alone because their children and grandchildren have moved abroad in search of better opportunities.

The isolation, coupled with the bitter memories from a series of banking crises, has prompted senior citizens to hide large amounts of cash in their homes.

Well aware of this, sly fraudsters work their way through the phone book and dial random numbers in the hope that an elderly person will answer.

Story continues

And often they get lucky.

Around 900,000 people in the 7.4-million-strong nation have been the target of phone fraud, particularly those aged over 60, according to a new survey by Bulgaria's Trend Institute.

In the capital Sofia, a retired doctor told AFP she suffered a heart attack after being duped.

"It wasn't their lies that made me cave in, but the threat to cut off my daughter's ears," confided the 79-year-old, who wished to stay anonymous.

Bulgarian media abound with daily stories about the fake cop hoax.

Amid rampant corruption, other common phone scams include extorting money to allegedly help a relative pay for a costly medical operation or bribe a cop to avoid prosecution after killing a child in a car accident.

Between 2011 and 2016, these shakedowns netted around 11 million euros, of which almost a third accounted for just 2015.

In response, the government has launched a major awareness campaign, with state TV broadcasting ads about the most popular hoaxes and how to avoid falling prey to them.

But elderly citizens have also begun to take matters into their own hands.

Each week, locals in the southern village of Rogosh get together to discuss the latest scams and ways to respond.

"Just hang up" is a commonly shared piece of advice.

"The women here have had the courage to fight back and react without panic. No one's fallen into their trap over the past year," said mayor Velichka Velichkova.

Rogosh's anti-scam club has proven so successful that police authorities have decided to launch similar initiatives elsewhere in the country.

- Hard to catch -

Nonetheless, authorities are having a tough time hunting down those responsible.

Just one in 10 suspects is identified, according to official data.

The scammers use pre-paid mobile phone cards that make it impossible to track them down.

The con men are careful not to call each other and there is no direct contact between the gang leaders, those ringing the victims and the people collecting the money.

"Families have specialised in this scam over generations, entire neighbourhoods have been doing it since the 1990s," said a police officer, who wanted to remain anonymous.

"When we do manage to expose a network, a family member with a clean criminal record will take the fall and get off with a suspended sentence."

The scheme has proven so successful that Bulgarian gangs are now also targeting neighbouring Greece, where people have been stashing even bigger sums in their homes following the financial crisis.

Seven Bulgarian nationals were recently transferred to Greece to be prosecuted on suspicion of trying to scam 34 retired Greeks.

"If the scam yields between 2,000 and 5,000 leva (1,000 and 2,500 euros), in Greece it's between 30,000 and 50,000 euros," said senior police official Zlatka Padinkova.
Hundreds of storm chasers and weather geeks mourned the death of U.S. actor Bill Paxton this weekend.

Paxton, who was 61, starred alongside Helen Hunt in Twister, the 1996 film that helped inspire a new generation of storm chasers  those thrill-seekers who track down dangerous weather events for the sake of scientific data, a rush of adrenaline, or both.

SEE ALSO: Bill Paxton, star of '80s and '90s genre films and TV, dead at 61

In the movie, Paxton and Hunt play a struggling couple that teams up to create an advance weather alert system, putting them square in the path of violent tornadoes.

Paxton was so beloved in the weather community that his unexpected death on Saturday sparked a rare tribute tweet from the National Weather Service's official Twitter account.

Twister was an inspiration to many budding meteorologists over the last 20 years. Thank you, Bill Paxton, a.k.a. Bill "The Extreme" Harding. pic.twitter.com/OmsB7hkCYF  NWS (@NWS) February 26, 2017

The actor also inspired nearly 200 storm chasers to spell out the initials "BP" using GPS coordinates on a map showing the heart of Tornado Alley, the Associated Press counted.

"There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of meteorologists today  myself included  who were impacted by the movie Twister and the role Bill played in that," John Wetter, president of the nonprofit that tracks the positions of tornado chasers, told the AP.

"Twister was kind of the first time in a mass media place the meteorologist became cool, if only for a little while," he said.

Honorable tribute to Bill Paxton from Storm Chasers around the US. #RIPBillPaxton pic.twitter.com/CcWM0nBFDi  The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 26, 2017

Weather experts still cling to Twister memorabilia. Dorothy, the tornado-chasing contraption from the film, now sits in the lobby of the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, a major center of atmospheric research into tornadoes and the home of the Storm Prediction Center.

Story continues

Even before Twister, Paxton said he was fascinated by tornadoes, which strike fairly often in his home state of Texas. Shortly after the film's debut, he reached out to the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky, to ask about a twister in the region.

Bill Paxton had a genuine interest in weather. Kind man. He called us not long after Twister asking about the Tri-State tornado. #BillPaxton  NWS Paducah (@NWSPaducah) February 26, 2017

Paxton remained in touch with the weather community throughout his career. In 2011, he followed up on Twister by narrating an IMAX documentary Tornado Alley, also about storm chasers.

Along with GPS maps, meteorologists also shared more personal messages reflecting on the actor's impact on their own lives. Some people revived the nickname for Paxton's character in Twister: "The Extreme."

I saw Twister premier in Atlanta and met Bill Paxton. He was honored to play the part and had a ball doing it!

RIP Bill Paxton https://t.co/3eeZNiUqch  Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) February 26, 2017

Oh my gosh, my heart is breaking!! I'm so shocked and saddened  I dreamed of meeting him one day for sparking my weather career #BillPaxton https://t.co/WdE3MdB6Wc  Sarah Dillingham (@SarahDillingham) February 26, 2017

Bill Paxton stared in one of my all time favorite movies: Twister



That movie was big reason for my love of extreme weather#RIPBillPaxton pic.twitter.com/5ZY6KhWkfC  Ethan Moriarty (@Ethcon1) February 26, 2017

We may disagree on some things, but Bill Paxton's death reminds us that we all have that same love of weather at our core. #wxtwitter  Becky Elliott (@wx_becks) February 26, 2017

Paxton died unexpectedly on Saturday following complications from heart surgery.

Besides Twister, he also starred in many Hollywood blockbusters throughout the 1980s and '90s, including Titanic, The Terminator, Apollo 13, Aliens, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and most recently the TV adaptation of Training Day.

Additional reporting by Mashable science editor Andrew Freedman.
London (AFP) - Britain's oldest serving MP and a veteran lawmaker for the opposition Labour party, Gerald Kaufman, died on Sunday at the age of 86, his family announced.

Kaufman died after several months suffering from an undisclosed illness.

"Sir Gerald dedicated his life to serving those who he believed would benefit most from a Labour government and Labour values in action," his family said in a statement.

The octogenarian first stepped into the House of Commons in 1970 and has represented his constituents in Manchester, north-west England, ever since.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to Kaufman, whom he described as "an iconic and irascible figure" within the party.

"He loved life and politics. I will deeply miss him, both for his political commitment and constant friendship," Corbyn said.

Kaufman was one of the few prominent Jewish politicians in Britain and was a well-known critic of Israel, calling for sanctions against the country over its treatment of Palestinians.

During his time in parliament, he saw nine prime minister take the reins of power.

When Kaufman was most recently re-elected, in 2015, he was 64 years older than the youngest parliamentarian, Mhairi Black of the Scottish National Party who was then just 20.
Hold FSU polls on schedule: TU

The Tribhuvan University on Sunday directed its campuses to conduct the Free Student Union elections on the scheduled dateMarch 1.
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May wants to settle the question of the rights of EU citizens living in Britain as a priority in talks to leave the European Union, but has not set a timetable for her migration policies, her spokesman said on Monday. "I think in terms of the issue of EU citizens' rights in the UK, the prime minister has been clear on wanting that to be an issue that is addressed as a priority once the negotiations with the other member states get under way," the spokesman told reporters. "The whole point of taking back control after leaving the EU is decisions about migration will be taken in this country, but in terms of speculation around dates, it is speculation." (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; editing by William James)
PHOENIX (AP)  A former campaign worker for Britain's right-wing U.K. Independence Party will be sentenced in U.S. federal court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a scheme to steal money by posing as a money launderer.

U.S. prosecutors are recommending an eight-month prison sentence for George Cotrel.

He has been in custody since his July 22 arrest in Chicago and pleaded guilty to wire fraud Dec. 19 in federal court in Arizona.

Authorities say Cotrel offered money laundering services online to federal agents posing as drug dealers.

UKIP said Saturday that Cotrel was an unpaid party worker who helped with logistics and media in its campaign for Britain to exit the European Union.

Authorities initially said his last name was Cottrell but he said in court it is Cotrel.
PARIS (Reuters) - French independent candidate Emmanuel Macron would easily beat far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the second round of the country's presidential election in May, two opinion polls showed on Sunday. The pollsters said Macron has been buoyed by the alliance announced this week with centrist politician Francois Bayrou, which has enabled him to move ahead of conservative candidate Francois Fillon. A poll by Odoxa/Dentsu-Consulting showed 39-year-old Macron, a former economy minister running without the support of any traditional political party, would beat Le Pen in the runoff with 61 percent of the vote, versus 39 percent for her. The election is held in two stages, with about a dozen candidates running in the first round and the two frontrunners from that vote facing each other in the runoff. Another poll by Figaro/LCI showed Macron winning the runoff by 58 percent to 42 percent for Le Pen. Le Pen, leader of the anti-immigrant and anti-European Union National Front, would lead in the first round of voting with 27 percent, both polls showed, followed by Macron with 25 percent and Fillon with 19 percent. A National Front campaign rally in the Atlantic port city of Nantes was marred by two days of violence as left-wing groups seeking to block the event clashed with police. Authorities said 13 gendarmes were injured during skirmishes on Saturday evening. At the rally, Le Pen accused ex-financier Macron of being backed by banks and media groups, and said the justice system was being used to influence the outcome of the election. Her chief of staff was put under formal investigation on Wednesday over alleged misuse of EU funds. Another associate was also placed under formal investigation in a separate probe over campaign financing on Saturday. Le Pen promised to tighten immigration, push for a stronger role of the state in business, and introduce a seven-year non-renewable presidential mandate to replace the current five-year mandate. Fillon, once seen as a the main challenger to Le Pen and favourite to become France's next president, has been hobbled by a scandal in which he allegedly paid his wife and other family members for fake parliamentary jobs. The Odoxa poll put ruling Socialist party candidate Benoit Hamon in fourth place in the first round with 13 percent, and hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon in fifth with 12 percent. Hamon and Melenchon, who are in talks about a potential alliance, met on Friday evening, a source close to the Socialist candidate told Reuters on Sunday. (Reporting by Bate Felix and Marine Pennetier; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Washington (AFP) - Former Republican president George W. Bush offered a tacit criticism of his successor Donald Trump Monday, in rare public comments regarding politics and the media.

The 43rd president -- who had his own battles with the press while in office -- rejected Trump's assertion that the media are the "enemy of the American people."

"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. That we need the media to hold people like me to account," Bush told NBC's "Today" program.

Trump's inflammatory remarks have been criticized as authoritarian, but the media remains a popular whipping boy for his supporters.

Amid wave after wave of leaks from his White House and probing reports on his campaign's links with Russia, Trump has repeatedly decried the media as "fake news."

Influential Trump aide Steve Bannon is fond of referring to the media as the "opposition party."

Bush responded to that sentiment by saying "power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power."

Bush also described Trump's comments as undercutting America's efforts to promote democracy and the free press abroad.
From Popular Mechanics

Add this to the long list of problems caused by buzzing drones: Frightening 1,500 elk into stampeding at a time of year when too much stress can be deadly for the animals.

This winter already is one for the books in western Wyoming. More than twice as much snowfall than usual has fallen in many areas, and more than 3 feet has accumulated at the National Elk Refuge in the scenic valley of Jackson Hole.

Typically the National Elk Refuge provides a winter haven for elk. But on Monday, David A. Smart, 45, of Washington, D.C., got a $280 ticket for allegedly launching a drone from a highway pullout and flying it over hundreds of elk resting there.

The device caused the elk to stampede half a mile through the snow. Smart was trying to film the animals and afterward was apologetic, refuge deputy manager Cris Dippel said Friday.

Nonetheless, wildlife managers take animal harassment seriously. The federal crime of which Smart was accused, disturbing wildlife, is punishable by an up to $5,000 fine.

The deep snow is a bane for animals, including bison hit by vehicles as they sought easier walking along plowed roads.

Elk, moose, mule deer and antelope fatten up during green months so when winter hits they can subsist on less-nourishing forage often covered up by snow and ice.

"It's a crucial time of year for those animals and they don't need to be burning up additional energy stores unnecessarily," said Doug Brimeyer, deputy wildlife division chief at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Wyoming has several laws and regulations against harassing wildlife, including one that prohibits antler collecting during winter and part of the spring. Bull elk drop their antlers during late winter and early spring and too many avid antler collectors scaring elk with their snowmobiles prompted that state regulation in 2009.

At the refuge, wildlife managers put out alfalfa pellets and other feed to help elk and bison survive the winter, a practice environmentalists worry could encourage disease.

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Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that causes elk and deer to lose weight and eventually die, has been slowly spreading into western Wyoming over the years.

"The concern is if it is found on those feedgrounds, it could be exacerbated by the elk concentrated in those areas," said Chris Colligan with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. "It's slowly creeping toward our fed elk populations."

The state operates 22 other elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming. They serve to keep elk numbers up not just for the animals' sake but for the benefit of hunters and the millions of tourists who flock to the region every summer.

"Anything we can do to afford those animals an edge to help them survive is pretty critical," said Brimeyer.

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In the backdrop of one of the most politically charged ceremonies in recent memory, Casey Afflecks Best Actor win at the 2017 Academy Awards has not going down well with many.

Affleck won the Oscar for his portrayal of an emotionally stunted man in Manchester by the Sea, beating Denzel Washington and his critically-acclaimed performance in Fences. While Afflecks work was widely commended, many are taking to social media to protest the win over his actions off camera.

The 41-year-old actor was sued over allegations of sexual assault by two women who worked on his mockumentary Im Still Here in 2010. The women  Amanda White, who was the producer on the project, and Magdalena Gorka, the films director of photography  made a range of allegations against the actor, including incidents where Affleck forced another crew member to flash his penis in front of White, referred to women as cows, and openly narrated his sexual exploits, among other things.

casey affleck

Photo: Getty Images/Kevin Winter

White said Affleck tried to talk her into sharing a hotel room and when she refused, he grabbed her and tried to scare her into agreeing with him. Gorka, who described her time working under Affleck as the most traumatizing of her career, alleged that Affleck crept into her bed  in only his underwear and T-shirt  and touched her inappropriately.

Affleck threatened to countersue the women, but ended up settling with them (amounts were not disclosed) outside court in 2010. When asked to comment on the lawsuits later, Affleck reportedly said: People say whatever they want. Sometimes it doesnt matter how you respond... I guess people think if youre well-known, its perfectly fine to say anything you want. I dont know why that is. But it shouldnt be, because everybody has families and lives.

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People, however, have taken these allegations seriously and compared the controversy surrounding Affleck to actor Nate Parker sexual assault scandal, which was almost career-ending for the latter. Many pointed out that Parker, who is a black man, was acquitted of the charges, and that Affleck settled out of court and went on to win laurels for his acting.

Here are some social media reactions to Afflecks Oscar win this year:

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Get ready for a four-way crossover of all your favorite Chicago shows! NBC is airing a three-hour crossover between Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago P.D. and new show, Chicago Justice, on Wednesday, March 1 from 8 to 11 p.m. EST. Of course, Med does not air on Wednesday nights, but the characters of the drama series will nevertheless drop by in the epic, action-packed crossover.

What will happen in the Windy City that prompts the fire department, the justice system, the hospital staff and the police department to work together? An intriguing case. According to the official synopsis, Chicago Fire kicks off the special event by responding to fire call. An old, ill-equipped factory turned workspace is being engulfed in flames. Several victims are trapped in the fire, including Olinskys (Elias Koteas) daughter. With many injured people being wheeled in to the hospital, the staff in Chicago Med will do their best to manage to sudden influx of patients.

Then, at 9 p.m., Chicago P.D. kicks off its hour by investigating the case. While Olinskys daughter fights for her life at the hospital, Voight (Jason Beghe) and his team examine the potential originals of the fire. They try to find a link between the building owner, potential suspects and the victims that were trapped in the blaze. The Intelligence Unit is determined to find the culprit.

Finally, the four-way #OneChicago crossover wraps up in Chicago Justice. The police department has arrested the perpetrator but now it is up to the District Attorneys Office to put him behind bars. Lead investigator Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda) and prosecutor Peter Stone (Philip Winchester) work hard to put the man responsible for committing arson behind bars but its easier said than done because he has employed a high powered defense attorney. The sleazy lawyer uses every trick in the book to get his client acquitted of all charges.

The Chicago crossover begins on Wednesday, March 1 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

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Chicago Fire

Photo: Elizabeth Morris/NBC

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By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, who has attacked China on issues from trade to the South China Sea, held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership on Monday, and the White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping. State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, met Trump briefly after talks with the new U.S. National Security adviser, H.R. McMaster; Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner; and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. A senior U.S. administration official said discussions included bilateral cooperation and the possibility of arranging a meeting between Trump and Xi, but no date was set. The official said the meeting with Trump lasted five to seven minutes. White House spokesman Sean Spicer called it "an opportunity to say 'hi' to the president" before Yang left. "This was an opportunity to begin that conversation and talk to them on shared interests of national security, he added at a regular news briefing. Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, is the first top Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan. 20. His visit followed a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship. It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's election victory. Trump has been a strong critic of Beijing, accusing China of unfair trade policies, criticizing its island building in the strategic South China Sea, and accusing it of not doing enough to constrain its neighbour, North Korea. Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part. Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan. China's state news agency Xinhua quoted a researcher at a government-backed think tank as saying a discussion of when and where Trump and Xi would meet first would be on the top of the agenda during Yang's visit. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump pressed China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, saying Beijing could resolve the issue "very easily if it wanted to." China on Friday dismissed Trump's remarks, saying the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang. Beijing has repeatedly called for a return to negotiations between Pyongyang and world powers. As Yang held talks at the White House, senior officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea met at the State Department to discuss additional measures to choke off funding to North Korea's weapons program. "The officials considered other possible measures under national authorities, including means to restrict further the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programs, particularly illicit activities," they said in a joint statement. They also agreed that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs directly threatened their security and "strong international pressure" was needed to push back at Pyongyang, the statement added. Plans for renewed contacts with North Korea in the United States were cancelled last week after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. (Reporting by Steve Holland, David Brunnstrom, Matt Spetalnick and Washington Newsroom; editing by Andrew Hay and Jonathan Oatis)
Beijing (AFP) - China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, as the two sides work to arrange a meeting between their presidents after a rocky start to the relationship under the administration of Donald Trump.

State Councillor Yang Jiechi will meet senior American officials on Monday and Tuesday to discuss "bilateral ties and issues of common concern", the foreign ministry announced late Sunday.

Relations have been strained by Trump's criticism of China's handling of North Korea and its trade policies as well as his questioning of Washington's longstanding "One China" policy.

Yang, who outranks the foreign minister, will be the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Trump took office.

One of his key duties will be making arrangements for a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wu Xinbo, director of Fudan University's Centre of American Studies, told AFP.

Yang will also seek to connect with Trump's diplomatic team and meet key figures such as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, he added.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the two sides have been in "close contact and communication" about a possible meeting between the heads of state, but declined to give details of Yang's schedule or the message he was carrying to Washington.

"He will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest with senior officials from the US," Geng said.

- Rocky start -

Before Xi and Trump can meet, the two countries must address some of the contentious issues thrust into the spotlight since Trump's election, said Tao Wenzhao, an expert on Sino-US relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

They "will carry out a wide-ranging discussion on various global problems and form a consensus", he told AFP. "On that basis, the two countries' leaders can meet."

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But the gap on many issues remains large, from China's massive trade surplus with the US to friction over its building of military facilities on artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

The relationship got off to a rocky start after Trump accepted a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, angering China by breaking decades of diplomatic precedent.

He upped the ante by suggesting he might recognise Taiwan's sovereignty unless China was willing to negotiate more favourable trade terms with the US -- a non-starter for Beijing, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification.

Seeking to minimise the fallout, Tillerson met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier this month at a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Germany. The Secretary of State urged Beijing to help rein in North Korea after its series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Tensions between the two countries have eased somewhat since Trump reaffirmed Washington's "One China" policy in a conciliatory phone call with Xi earlier this month.

Since then, Beijing has stepped up its pressure on Pyongyang by announcing a ban on imports of coal from North Korea -- previously an economic lifeline for the isolated country.

On the presidential campaign trail last year, Trump regularly accused China of stealing American jobs and running a massive and unfairly won trade surplus with the US, vowing to reverse it by whatever means necessary.

CASS's Tao said he was "optimistic" the relationship would soon be back on track.

"Trump is a very smart person," he said. "He knows that the Sino-US relationship is in America's national interest."
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, the most senior Chinese official to do so since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, state news agency Xinhua said. State Councilor Yang Jiechi would visit the United States on Monday and Tuesday, Xinhua said in a report published late on Sunday that quoted foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang. Yang outranks China's foreign minister. The visit follows a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship. It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's November election victory. Trump angered Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is part. Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honor the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan. Xinhua quoted a researcher at a government-backed Chinese think tank as saying a discussion of when and where Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would meet first would be on the top of the agenda. It said Yang's visit would coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to establish diplomatic ties in 1979. (Reporting by John Ruwitch; Editing by Paul Tait)
Lyon's new Chinese stakeholder on Monday completed a promised 100-million-euro investment, as the French Ligue 1 club attempts to rediscover its glory years.

Chinese investment fund IDG Capital Partners injected 30 million euros into the multiple French champions in December, with the remaining 70 million euros ($75 million) arriving on Monday.

IDG now hold 20 percent of the club's holding group run by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Lyon, who won the Ligue 1 title every season from 2002 to 2008, are fourth in the table, 16 points behind leaders Monaco.
New York (AFP) - The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on Monday extended its contract with French conductor Louis Langree, who has championed new music and pulled in crowds with an innovative light show.

Langree, who took up the baton in the Midwestern city in September 2013, will remain at the orchestra through the 2021-22 season.

The conductor in a statement said it was "a privilege to be able to carry out the projects that reinforce the central values of this institution, including being a place of experimentation."

Langree has led the orchestra for four seasons of free outdoor concerts known as Luminocity, with the music paired with a light show created through projection mapping.

He has also led world premieres of works by prominent young composers including Iceland's Daniel Bjarnason and New York-based Nico Muhly.

Langree has run the MusicNow Festival of new works alongside Bryce Dessner, the Cincinnati native best known as guitarist of dark indie rockers The National.

In a sign of the orchestra's rising fortunes, Langree will inaugurate the renovated Cincinnati Music Hall in October following a $135 million makeover.

Langree will also take the orchestra on its first international trip since 2009 in March with concerts in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, followed by a tour of Europe in August.

A former music director of the Opera National de Lyon, Langree has a background in the classic repertoire and separately leads the Mostly Mozart festival at New York's Lincoln Center.
Algiers (AFP) - The Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility on Monday for a suicide bomb attack in east Algeria which police said had been foiled.

In a statement posted on the internet, the group said a "martyrdom-seeking brother" had been able to detonate an "explosives-laden bag" at a police station in the city of Constantine.

The jihadist group said "a number of apostates" were killed and wounded in Sunday's attack.

Police officials said a policeman managed to foil the attack, opening fire on the bomber and triggering the explosives belt he was wearing.

National police said the attacker had been approaching the police station when he was shot by the officer.

At the time of the foiled attack around 9:00 pm (2000 GMT), a loud explosion was heard near the police station in central Constantine, national news agency APS reported.

Two officers were injured in the explosion, according to local reports.

Last week, the army said it had killed 14 "terrorists", a term used to refer to armed Islamists in Algeria, during a major search operation in the Bouira region, 125 kilometres (77 miles) southeast of Algiers.

Despite a 2005 charter for peace and reconciliation designed to turn the page on Algeria's brutal 1991-2002 civil war that cost 200,000 lives, Islamist groups remain active in the south and east, largely targeting security forces.
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP)  A sequestered jury from an outside county will decide the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby, a suburban Philadelphia judge ruled Monday, rejecting a defense request to move the trial because of worldwide media reports that the actor's lawyers say brand him a "serial rapist."

Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill will oversee a June 5 trial over charges Cosby drugged and molested a former Temple University employee in 2004.

The judge's ruling came after lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star argued his trial should be moved to Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh area. The larger, more diverse population would make it easier to find unbiased jurors, lawyer Brian McMonagle argued, but even then, he said, there was no guarantee Cosby could get a fair hearing.

"Unless you've been living under a rock, the message that has been promoted, in insidious fashion, is that Bill Cosby is guilty and that Bill Cosby is a serial rapist," McMonagle said. "I do not believe that there's a place anywhere in this country now where he can receive a fair trial. Not here, not anywhere. I hope I'm wrong."

Prosecutors accused the defense of trying to shop for a jury.

In a court filing, District Attorney Kevin Steele called the pretrial publicity argument "a red herring." He said Cosby couldn't expect to find a jury anywhere that is "oblivious" to the dozens of sex assault accusations lodged against him by Andrea Constand and other accusers.

"He's not entitled to a jury that is ignorant of the facts surrounding his case," Steele wrote. "The publicity that necessarily follows the rich and famous cannot insulate them from prosecution."

Prosecutors didn't object to bringing an outside jury to the courthouse in Norristown but fought the bid to move the trial.

They told the judge they could surely find a dozen unbiased jurors in counties with fewer than 1 million people, the size sought by the defense.

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"It's not just short on the law but short on logic," Assistant District Attorney M. Stewart Ryan argued.

Cosby has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually assaulted Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home. The Associated Press doesn't typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they have come forward publicly, as Constand has done.

With the judge's decision to import an out-of-county jury, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must now decide where in Pennsylvania the jurors will be selected.

Monday's hearing came after the judge dealt a blow to the prosecution by limiting the number of accusers who can testify at the trial. Prosecutors wanted to put 13 more women on the stand to bolster charges Cosby had drugged and molested women before the 2004 encounter with Constand.

The judge ruled Friday only one of those accusers may testify. She worked for Cosby's agent at the William Morris agency and said Cosby drugged and molested her during a lunch meeting in Los Angeles in 1996.

In a setback for the defense, the judge previously ruled Cosby's damaging deposition from Constand's 2005 lawsuit can be aired in court. Cosby, over four days, described a string of extramarital affairs and liaisons with young women, often after he gave them drugs or alcohol. He called them consensual.

Cosby, once known as America's Dad for his top-rated family sitcom, "The Cosby Show," which ran from 1984 to 1992, appeared relaxed in his latest court appearance Monday, laughing with aides during breaks.

He has been married to Camille Cosby for more than 50 years and has four surviving children. Their only son, Ennis Cosby, was killed in an attempted robbery in 1997.
India can have an important role in asking Madhesi parties to take part in polls

Last week, the government announced the date for local elections. The decision has been generally hailed as an important step in implementing the constitution, as January 21, 2018 has been set as the constitutional deadline for holding elections to all three levels of government.
By Sarah Marsh HAVANA (Reuters) - Sales of Cuba's legendary cigars rose 5 percent last year to $445 million, defying stagnation in the global luxury goods market, manufacturer Habanos S.A. said on Monday at the opening of the Caribbean island's annual cigar festival. Habanos, which makes brands including Cohiba, Monte Cristo and Romeo y Julieta, said it expects moderate sales growth this year as it continues to tap the Middle East, Asia and other new markets. "We are quite happy we were able to grow during a year that was in truth quite challenging," Vice President of Development Javier Terres told Reuters after holding a news conference hazy with smoke as journalists puffed on complimentary cigars. Cuba's monopoly cigar company was kicking off the festival that attracts wealthy tobacco aficionados and retailers from around the world for five days of extravagant parties and tours of plantations and factories. Habanos dominates the global market for hand-rolled, premium cigars except in the United States due to Washington's half-century trade embargo against Cuba. The United States is the world's biggest cigar market. American enthusiasts have had slightly better access to Cuban cigars since former President Barack Obama two years ago unveiled a Cuba policy aiming to normalize relations. Last October, the Obama administration removed limits on the amount of cigars American travelers could bring home. Terres said this made little difference to overall sales but it would help brand recognition in the United States. Wholesale shipments there would require the U.S. Congress to lift the embargo, a move that looks uncertain under President Donald Trump, who has threatened to reverse the detente. Still, better U.S.-Cuban relations have helped stoke a boom in tourism, which in turn has lifted cigar sales in Cuba, according to Habanos. The number of visitors to the island rose 13 percent last year. "Our sales in Cuba are directly related to tourism, and in effect, sales in Cuba have grown," Terres said. Habanos said its traditional European markets had remained stable last year, while there was growth in emerging markets like the Middle East and Pacific Asia. Meanwhile, female smokers remain a largely untapped market for Habanos, Terres said. The company is working on it but has learned that producing smaller, milder versions of its classic cigars is not the answer. "Actually, women want to smoke big cigars and enjoy them like a man," he said, adding it was important to draw in women with specific promotional events. (Editing by Matthew Lewis)
LONDON (AP)  The World Health Organization has issued a list of the top dozen bacteria most dangerous to humans, warning that doctors are fast running out of treatment options.

In a press briefing on Monday, the U.N. health agency said its list is meant to promote the development of medicines for the most worrying drug-resistant bacteria, including salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.

WHO's Marie-Paule Kieny said that if such priorities were left to market forces alone, "the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time." She estimated that it would take up to a decade for new medications.

WHO said the most-needed drugs are for germs that threaten hospitals, nursing homes and among patients who need ventilators or catheters. The agency said the dozen listed resistant bacteria are increasingly untreatable and can cause fatal infections; most typically strike people with weakened immune systems.

At the top of WHO's list is Acinetobacter baumannii, a group of bacteria that cause a range of diseases from pneumonia to blood or wound infections.

WHO's list was developed in collaboration with the University of Tubingen in Germany and according to criteria assessed by international experts.

Among the experts' and WHO's most pressing concerns were how deadly the infections were, whether treatment required a long hospital stay and how many current medicines exist.

In recent years, health officials have detected a few patients resistant to colistin, the antibiotic of last resort. So far, doctors have been able to treat them with other drugs.

But experts worry that the colistin-resistant bacteria will spread their properties to other bacteria already resistant to more commonly used antibiotics, creating germs that can't be killed by any known drugs.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 23,000 people die each year in the U.S. from infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Donald Trump was a major target throughout the Academy Awards Sunday night in a ceremony that celebrated diversity while mocking and criticizing some of the president's policies.

Best Picture Flub Hands 'Moonlight' Oscar To 'La La Land' - But Who's To Blame?

I want to say thank you, President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? quipped host Jimmy Kimmel during his opening monologue.

He did his very best to get a rise out of Trump, even tweeting at the president during the live broadcast.

Donald Trump hasn't tweeted at us and I'm starting to get worried about him, he joked.

Hey @realdonaldtrump u up? Kimmel tweeted during the telecast. Followed by: #merylsayshi.

Meryl Streep, who the president called "overrated" after she blasted him in a Golden Globes speech, was showered with love at the Oscars.

Of all the great actors here in Hollywood, one in particular has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances... everybody please join me in giving Meryl Streep a totally undeserved round of applause, Kimmel joked.

Streep got a standing ovation.

Politics even seeped into the commercials, too  like one for Cadillac and The New York Times.

Hours before the commercial aired, Trump was already taking a shot at it, tweeting: "For first time the failing @nytimes will take an ad (a bad one) to help save its failing reputation. Try reporting accurately & fairly!"

But the president maintained radio silence during the telecast itself  probably because he and First Lady Melania Trump were busy entertaining the nation's governors at a candlelit ball at the White House.

First daughter Ivanka was also at the White House. She posed with husband Jared Kushner in a polka-dot gown by designer J. Mendel that sells for $4,295.

Read: Welcome to the Oscars... and a History of Controversy

While Trump was restrained, his supporters did fire back. Former Trump campaign spokesperson Katrina Pierson tweeted: "Donald Trump is busy meeting with governors of the nation. You know, people that actually get things done, not just pretend to in costume."

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And former Governor Mike Huckabee announced he was boycotting the show: "Watch celebs spew ignorant political venom at Oscars? Nah... think I'd rather have a colonoscopy. Both happen from same location."

Meanwhile, after the "Oscars So White" controversy put a cloud over the last two ceremonies, this year's nominees were much more diverse, with more African-American winners than ever before.

Actress Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for Fences, and delivered an emotional acceptance speech.

My parents, I'm so thankful that God chose you to bring me into this world.

Actor Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his stellar performance in Moonlight, which also won Best Picture following an unforgettable blunder in which the award was mistakenly presented to La La Land.

Watch: Meryl Streep Attacks Donald Trump in Lifetime Achievement Award Speech

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The U.S. Democratic Party has a new leader to face President Donald Trump. Tom Perez, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, was elected the new chair of the Democratic National Committee. Shortly after his selection, he asked his stiffest competition for the role, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Min.) to be his second in command. Ellison accepted, and urged the Democratic party to unite. We dont have the luxury, folks, to walk out of this room divided, Ellison said.

Across the pond, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed to Sky News he would not step down as head of the fledgling party before 2020. While doing so, he made this face:

Uh oh.. Very angry Jeremy Corbyn tells Sky he isn't going anywhere before 2020. He got proper grumpy. pic.twitter.com/UzQHj1Y6lM  Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) February 26, 2017

The opposition in Russia, meanwhile, was marking the two year anniversary of the murder of assassination of prominent anti-Vladimir Putin activist Boris Nemtsov. Thousands marched in Moscow and elsewhere, holding up signs. Some looked like Russian flags riddled with bullet holes; others were adorned with Nemtsov quotes such as, For Russia, without Putin.

Prominent Russian television host Dmitri Kiselev conspicuously forgot to mention the protests during his broadcast. He did, however, find time to note, The whole of America smacks of a madhouse.

Back in the so-called madhouse, the State Department slammed Russia for its military antics in Ukraine amid escalating violence. Meanwhile, Trump again pushed back on allegations of improper ties between his White House and Moscow. Russia talk is 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! he tweeted.

Perhaps that indicates there will be more Russia talk in the week ahead.

Photo credit: OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump hosted the Governors Dinner at the White House on Sunday night. (Photo by AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Donald Trump wasnt watching the Oscars on Sunday night. Instead, the president hosted the Governors Dinner at the White House, the first major social gathering of his administration since the inaugural galas.

Its probably for the best  judging by his Twitter history, he would have hated it. The outspoken businessman tweeted about the Academy Awards 50 times between 2012 and 2015, and almost all of his comments were negative.

Trump criticized the shows low ratings three times, took two shots at President Barack Obama and suggested three times that he should host the ceremony himself. That obviously didnt come to pass, but he did float one other idea that did come true.

Here are a few more of his sassiest comments.

Overall, the Academy Awards were very average at best.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2013

Is this boring or is it just me? #Oscars  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2014

I should host the #Oscars just to shake things up  this is not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2014

Certain people are ruining their reputations tonight-really sad! #Oscars  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2014

Was President Obama in charge of this years Academy Awards  they remind me of the ObamaCare website! #Oscars.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2014

Worst graphics and stage backdrop ever at the Oscars. Show is terrible, really BORING!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2015

What ever happened to the good old days of The Academy Awards. This show is an insult to the past, just plain bad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2015

The Oscars are a sad joke, very much like our President. So many things are wrong!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2015

"@JPNwrites The Oscars can learn a lot from the Miss Universe pageant. @realDonaldTrump" True!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2015

The president was the subject of multiple jokes Sunday night, so we wouldnt be surprised if he responded with a jab we can add to our list on Monday morning. Watch this space.

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(ISMAILIA, Egypt)After Islamic militants barged into his uncles house, shot him and his son dead, then looted the place and set it on fire, Said Sameh Adel Fawzy knew it was time to leave.

The 35-year-old Christian, who owns a plumbing supply business in Egypts troubled northern Sinai town of el-Arish, packed up a few belongings and brought his family to the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, joining hundreds of Christians fleeing a spate of sectarian killings last week.

My cousin went to open the door after he heard knocking, Fawzy said, speaking from a youth hostel where authorities were putting up dozens of families who fled the town. Masked extremists, terrorists with a pistol, took him inside and shot him in the head, then dragged his screaming mother out to the street half-dressed and killed her husband. The woman, still in shock after the Tuesday night slayings, sat nearby.

Theyre thirsty for the blood of any Christian, said Wafaa Fawzy, the sister-in-law of Saad Hana, the man who was killed along with his son. They were pretty clear when they said they wont leave any Christian in peace. They want an Islamic state.

The killings, two of seven brutal slayings in recent weeks, come after a devastating IS suicide bombing at a Cairo church in December that killed nearly 30 people. The violence poses a fresh challenge to President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissis government to put down an IS-led insurgency in northern Sinai and prevent spillover that at times has reached the mainland.

The groups local affiliate recently vowed to step up a wave of attacks on the embattled Christian minority, pointing to a shift in tactics toward targeting Christians and their holy sites, which are less protected than the military and police installations that are their usual targets.

Northern Sinai has for years been the epicenter of an insurgency by Islamic militants, and the areas few Christians have slowly been trickling out. But departures surged after suspected militants again gunned down a Christian man in front of his family two days after Fawzys uncle and cousin were killed, stoking panic among Christians.

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No militant group claimed has responsibility for the attacks. But the IS affiliate, which is based in northern Sinai, released a video vowing to step up attacks against Christians, who it describes as infidels empowering the West against Muslims.

Coptic Christians, who make up about 10% of Egypts population, have always been a favorite target of Islamic extremists. But attacks on churches have increased since the 2013 military overthrow of an Islamist president. Christians overwhelmingly supported the army chief-turned-president, el-Sissi, who led the ouster, and extremists have used their support as a pretext to increase attacks against them.

The Christian exodus continued for a fourth day Sunday, bringing to more than 100 the number of families who have fled el-Arish, said Nabil Shukrallah, an official with the citys Evangelical Church.

Families arrive frightened and in need of supplies, which are being stockpiled at the church from donations from several parishes, he said. The new arrivals are then housed in and around the city, in private homes or in accommodations provided by the government.

Theyre exhausted, with urgent needs for food and childrens clothing, he said, as one father carried a sick infant to be evacuated by ambulance. Theyre terrified of the violence and brutality.

Before Egypts 2011 Arab Spring uprising, some 5,000 Christians lived in northern Sinai, but that number has since dwindled to fewer than 1,000, according to Christian clergy members and residents. Egypt does not keep official statistics on the number of Christians in specific regions or nationwide.

Rights activists say the displacement is a clear sign the government has failed to provide security for the embattled minority in Egypts volatile northeastern corner, where they have faced threats before. They point to the fact that the government only agreed to put up the fleeing Christians in government housing after pressure on social media.

Blacksmith Ezzat Yacoub Ishak said he and his two sons left their apartments carrying absolutely nothing.

The security forces, theyre all hiding and scared for their lives, scared to confront those people, he said, speaking from a Spartan room furnished with only a mattress in a rented apartment in Ismailia. There is no security. Yes, there are military and police at the check points, but for my protection as a human there is nothing.

The militarys fight against the Sinai militants has been bitter.

Hundreds of troops have been killed, the army has razed hundreds of houses to stop alleged militant infiltration through tunnels from neighboring Gaza, and in 2014, el-Sissi declared a state of emergency and curfew after suicide bombings killed more than 30 soldiers. Still, the insurgency has shown little sign of abating.

Mina Misak, another new arrival in Ismailia, said the spate of recent killings made life in el-Arish too much to bear. He said militants killed his father, Misak Nasrallah Misak, in a drive-by shooting a year ago as he left his job at a hospital.

It tore me to pieces when I found out, and now its even worse  theres no reason to stay, the 20-year-old said. Its difficult to do anything. Most of my friends and family have left. And Muslims are scared too, of course.

In el-Arish, there are seven checkpoint buildings lining the road to town, but inside, you hardly see a soldier, said Nabil, who like other fleeing Christians declined to give his last name for fear of reprisals. Whenever theres an attack they come after we telephone them, sometimes days later, and ask for descriptions of the killers. But thats all.

At the Ismailia youth hostel where authorities were putting up some 45 families, luggage, boxes of food and the newly displaced arrived throughout the day.

I dont want to stay there and die as a casualty in the war that has hit el-Arish, said Reda, a Christian civil servant who arrived two days earlier with six family members, including grandchildren. If they allow us we will stay here until the terrorism is over and the government makes peace.

At the Evangelical Church, a shop owner named Fayez arrived with a truckload of furniture ahead of his family to seek a place to relocate.

Hopefully well find a home and be able to stay here, but I dont know how I would move my business, he said. Daily life looks normal in el-Arish, until you hear about terrorists shooting people in their own homes.
By Nashat Hamdy and Mahmoud Mourad CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's parliament on Monday kicked out a prominent legislator with a reputation for being critical of the government because he allegedly "belittled" the assembly in correspondence with foreign organizations. Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, the nephew of late President Anwar al-Sadat, was also accused of forging lawmaker' signatures on a draft bill. He denies the accusation. Speaker Ali Abdelaal said 468 members out of the chamber's 596 members voted to unseat Sadat and that there would be a by-election for his seat in the Nile Delta province of Monofiya. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's supporters dominate the legislature. Sadat had chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights until he resigned in August citing parliament's failing to address citizens' complaints of abuse. In a statement on Monday he said the allegations against him were false. "I answered the accusations with documents and demanded they be investigated by the judiciary," he said in a statement. Sadat was an outspoken critic of Egypt's human rights record and called for the release of hundreds of activists during anti-government protests. A report by the House Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Affairs had found Sadat sent several statements in English to foreign entities including the Inter-Parliamentary Union that discussed the Egyptian parliament's inner workings which could "belittle the stature of the House and its image". The committee recommended his removal from office. Sadat said his messages were press statements that he sent to journalists and others. "These are my public political opinions so if you put me on trial for them then I welcome your verdict," he said. Last month, Sadat criticized parliament's leaders, alleging that the speaker and his two deputies had received three armored cars worth 18 million Egyptian pounds (over $1 million) at a time of economic hardship for millions of Egyptians. This is not the first time Sadat has lost his parliamentary seat. His peers also expelled him in 2007 after he declared bankruptcy. At the time he opposed President Hosni Mubarak, his uncle's successor and one-time vice president. Mubarak was ousted in a 2011 mass uprising. "It's not the end of the world," Sadat told journalists as he left parliament on Monday. (Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; editing by Richard Lough)
NA team called to defuse IEDs

A Nepal Army bomb disposal squad has been sent for from Nepalgunj to defuse two IEDs (improvised explosive device) that was recovered in a filed at Chaurjahari VDC-8 in Rukum on Friday.
Kaduna (Nigeria) (AFP) - Long-standing tensions between herdsmen and farmers have flared up again in Kaduna state, northern Nigeria, leaving possibly hundreds dead in tit-for-tat violence.

Earlier this month at least 21 people were killed and several homes were destroyed when suspected cattle drivers attacked five farming communities.

Three districts in the predominantly Christian south of the state -- Kaura, Jema'a and Zangon Kataf -- have been riven by conflict for the last three decades.

But the clashes between the Muslim, largely Hausa-speaking Fulani cattle drivers and the mainly Christian farmers have escalated since December, when a Fulani chief was killed.

The Roman Catholic Church last month claimed more than 800 local Christians have died in that time and 27,000 people have been forced to flee, while 16 churches and 1,500 homes were destroyed.

Police and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disputed the figures but still put the death toll at about 200.

- Foreign herdsmen? -

Land and grazing rights have long been seen as the root of the fighting, although politics, religion and ethnicity are also driving factors.

The Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, blamed the latest attacks on herdsmen from as far away as Chad in the east and Mali to the west.

Traditional cattle routes bring nomadic Fulani from about 14 African countries into southern Kaduna as they seek out pastures for their herds.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), said foreign-based Fulani lost cattle in post-election violence that hit Kaduna in 2011.

El-Rufai said he had to compensate them for their livestock to prevent further revenge attacks.

But Sunday Ibrahim, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in northern Nigeria, disagreed with the payments and said they had been ineffective.

"Paying herdsmen who crossed into Nigeria and killed such a large number of people only emboldens them to carry out more killings for which they get paid," he told AFP.

Story continues

- Long-held grievances -

Fulani of the Jema'a emirate began ruling the pagan tribes of what is now southern Kaduna state in the early 1800s, as part of the Sokoto caliphate in northern Nigeria.

Solomon Musa, from the Southern Kaduna People's Union, said the Fulani treated indigenous tribes as "second-class citizens" -- and still do, putting "a wedge to peaceful coexistence".

Benedicta Kato, publisher of Minority Report Nigeria that documents the violence, said nothing changed even with the later conversion of tribes to Christianity and British colonial rule.

"The general feeling of oppression of our ancestors is there," she said.

The Kaduna state government has tried to ensure equal rights but tensions remain. Last month, suspected Christian militia ambushed the Jema'a emir's convoy. He escaped unhurt.

- 'Institutionalised poverty' -

Kafanchan is the economic hub of southern Kaduna and the main town in the Jema'a local government area, where Fulani are seen as having a monopoly on jobs.

"There is institutionalised poverty in southern Kaduna where the indigenes have been denied equal opportunities and made not to think beyond low-income jobs," said Kato.

But Abdullahi Sarkin Fada, head of the royal guards at the Jema'a emirate, dismissed the claim.

"While our people toil and struggle to make a living, they waste their time drinking and lazying around," he said.

"This is why they keep burning our investments at the slightest pretext out of envy, with the intention of forcing us out of the town they so much want to take over."

Kafanchan has seen repeated violence since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.

"Military rule kept everyone in check and discontent was bottled up for fear of repression by the junta," said Sarkin Fada.

- Politics and power -

Since 1999, a Muslim from northern Kaduna has always been state governor and his deputy a Christian from the south. That changed in 2010 when Namadi Sambo became Nigeria's vice-president.

Sambo's Christian deputy governor, Patrick Yakowa, took over, heightening tensions. When he died in an air crash in December 2012, Muslim youth reportedly celebrated.

MACBAN's Abdullahi said local politicians had long whipped up ethnic and religious sentiments to shore up support.

Sarkin Fada said all politicians had to do was "vilify the Hausa-Fulani" to get backing while Kato said genuine grievances were being exploited.

The affected areas are subject to curfew. The federal government wants to establish an army base in Kafanchan to deter unrest.

But Musa said: "The best way to stop the senseless killings... is for the government to end the culture of impunity and appropriately punish whoever is involved in the violence."
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union is boosting its sanctions against North Korea in line with a U.N. Security Council Resolution following another nuclear test in September last year.

The EU member states said in a statement Monday they will restrict trade in coal and iron and ban imports of several other metals. The EU also imposed a ban on helicopter and ship exports and tighten restrictions in the financial services after the U.N. decision of November.

The EU first imposed sanctions on North Korea in late 2006. They target its nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.

Measures include bans on the trade of arms, goods and technology that could contribute to the programs.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union has given its approval to the acquisition of the high-voltage cable business of Swiss company ABB by Denmark's NKT Cables.

The European Commission said Monday that it gave the proposed acquisition unconditional clearance after concluding "that the merged entity would continue to face effective competition in Europe."

ABB said in September that it would sell its high-voltage cable business to NKT, in a deal which values the unit at 836 million euros (now worth $883 million).

The cables are used for transporting large quantities of electricity over long distances.
London (AFP) - One of British Prime Minister Theresa May's predecessors attacked her Brexit strategy on Monday as a bill to start the EU divorce also hit opposition in the House of Lords.

Former Conservative prime minister John Major said May's government was peddling an "over-optimistic" view of Brexit and said it was "time to stop" the criticism of those who disagreed with her plans.

The outspoken attack came as May prepares to start negotiations on leaving the European Union by the end of March, following the June referendum vote last year to quit the bloc.

Major warned that those who could least afford it would suffer from May's plan to take Britain out of Europe's single market, and said her government was not being honest.

"I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic," Major told the Chatham House think tank.

He also chastised her approach to negotiations with other EU leaders, warning: "A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UK's interests."

May cannot trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, starting a two-year countdown to the divorce, without parliamentary approval.

A short bill empowering her to start the negotiations cleared the House of Commons last month, but on Monday members of the unelected upper House of Lords began debating changes that could cause a delay.

The first crunch vote could come on Wednesday on an amendment to guarantee the rights of more than three million Europeans currently living in Britain.

Another is expected next week on enshrining into law the government's promise to give parliament a vote on the final Brexit deal.

Government supporters have warned the chamber risks abolition if it is obstructive, but a Lords source in the opposition Labour party told AFP that May was on course to "lose handsomely".

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If peers succeed in amending the legislation, it will have to go back to the Commons for approval, making May's end-of-March deadline very tight.

- 'Do the right thing' -

May's Conservatives have a majority in the House of Commons, but the party has just 252 peers out of around 800 in the House of Lords.

Former minister Michael Heseltine is among the Tory rebels who could join Labour and the pro-European Liberal Democrat party in backing moves to give parliament a final vote.

Heseltine even suggested Britain could reverse its decision if the public mood changes before it leaves the EU.

"My opponents will argue that the people have spoken, the mandate secured and the future cast. My experience stands against this argument," he wrote in the Mail on Sunday.

Article 50 provides for a maximum of two years of negotiations to work out a divorce and the terms of future post-Brexit relations.

May has promised to resolve the issue of EU citizens in Britain as a priority, but will not guarantee their rights until she has secured the rights of Britons living overseas.

Dick Newby, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Lords, said there was strong support among peers for addressing the question now.

There is "an overwhelming desire to do the right thing and ensure that all EU nationals have the right to remain," he told the Guardian on Sunday.

The prime minister has promised to control EU migration after Brexit, after mass arrivals from mostly eastern Europe featured heavily in the referendum campaign.

But Downing Street played down media reports Monday that the cut-off date for new EU arrivals could come around the time that May triggers Article 50, saying it was an issue for negotiation.

Ministers are also reportedly considering plans to limit benefits for new immigrants and grant five-year visas to migrant workers in key sectors, such as software engineering, health and social welfare, farming and hospitality.
Europeans who came to the Americas inadvertently introduced germs  including smallpox and measles  that killed upward of 90 percent of the native people. But now a new study finds that these now-infamous germs weren't the only ones the Europeans were carrying.

The Europeans (and their African slaves) also brought new strains of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, known to cause gastric ulcers and stomach cancer, according to an international team of researchers.

The twist is that these "foreign" H. pylori strains didn't kill the local people quickly, like the smallpox virus did. Instead, the strains supplanted the local strain of H. pylori already present in the Americas, and eventually, led to a near extinction of the local strains. [27 Devastating Infectious Diseases]

The effects of this may be seen today. These Old World strains of H. pylori now infecting the multiethnic populations of the Americas may be one reason why South America, in particular, currently has some of the world's highest rates of ulcers and stomach cancer, the researchers said.

The provocative new study  a mix of anthropology, genetics and public health  appears today (Feb. 23) in the journal PLOS Genetics.

H. pylori is a bacterium found in the stomach, transmitted from person to person most commonly through exchange of saliva (oral-oral route) or poor hygiene in food preparation (oral-fecal route). More than half of the world's population is infected with the bacteria, although, globally, fewer than 20 percent of people will develop ulcers and fewer than 2 percent will develop stomach cancer as a result of the infection, according to the World Health Organization.

The rates of disease resulting fromH. pylori infection tend to be lower in the wealthier countries of North America, Europe and East Asia, but the rates remain high in South America and Central Asia. People can be treated with a regimen of antibiotics if they are diagnosed with a gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.

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In the new study, led by research fellows Kaisa Thorell of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Koji Yahara of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan, scientists analyzed more than 400 H. pylori genome sequences from strains collected in North, Central and South America. They found that European and African strains were mixed together across the Americas, with little sign of the original American strains, suggesting that after the arrival of the newcomers, the foreign bacterial populations spread rapidly to people of different ethnicities, wiping out the local H. pylori strains.

"The pre-Columbian Americans had strains of East Asian ancestry [from their migration from Asia millennia ago], of which we nowadays only see traces of in remote communities," said Daniel Falush of the University of Bath in the U.K., the senior author on the study. "However, the reasons for the replacement will require more detailed investigation," he told Live Science. [Body Bugs: 5 Surprising Facts About Your Microbiome]

But one reason why some populations living in the Americas today have high rates of ulcers and stomach cancer once infected may have to do with a "mismatch" between the ethnicity of the patient and the origin of the H. pylori strain they carry, Falush said. Studies have found a link between having such a mismatch and an increased risk of disease.

For example, in 2014, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville reported that the African H. pylori strain was relatively benign in people of African ancestry yet far more disease-causing in people of mixed Amerindian ancestry. A similar study of this same group found that the European H. pylori strain was more likely to cause precancerous lesions in populations with native American ancestry than in European populations.

Falush said the new findings may be useful for future research on the connection between individual bacterial strains and their associated risk of causing gastric ulcers and stomach cancer in different human populations.

Follow Christopher Wanjek @wanjek for daily tweets on health and science with a humorous edge. Wanjek is the author of "Food at Work" and "Bad Medicine." His column, Bad Medicine, appears regularly on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
Europeans Get Touring-Ready Yamaha FZ-10

It's not quite a fully fledged FJ-10, but folks in Europe are being offered a touring focused of the Yamaha FZ-10.

Known as the MT-10 in Not America, the FZ-10, of course, sits atop a series of models, which, in Europe runs all the way down to a 125cc version. The FZ-10 is generally seen as a street fighter but it seems Europeans' love of do-everything bikes (ADV models are hugely popular on the continent not because there's really anywhere to off-road but because of their all-round nature) has encouraged the Japanese manufacturer to try to turn it into something a little more practical.

"Equipped with a special range of items that give enhanced comfort, increased functionality and improved practicality, the MT-10 Tourer Edition opens the Dark Side of Japan to an even wider audience," promises a prose-heavy media release. "A new journey through the darkness is about to begin."

The bike is equipped with a high screen and knuckle guards to block out the weather, whereas a "comfort seat" promises to tame the FZ-10's treatment of your derriere. Soft side cases bring increased functionality and a GPS mount is designed to accommodate a TomTom Rider.

Americans shouldn't feel too bad that a touring edition isn't available Stateside, since all the additions come from the accessories catalog  you should be able to build one yourself if so inclined.
Everyone's still catching their breath after rubbernecking at that calamitous end to the 2017 Oscars.

In case you missed it (where have you been?) La La Land was at first announced as winner of Best Picture. But midway through the speeches, it turned out Moonlight was the actual recipient of the award, leading to one of the most awkward, but thrilling moments in the award show history.

SEE ALSO: This one tweet explains that truly bizarre Oscars Best Picture mixup perfectly

Of course, the perennial jokesters at Australia's Queensland Police were quick to stick the boot in further.

The Forensic Crash Unit is currently investigating a massive train wreck at the #Oscars  QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) February 27, 2017

As did the folks at the Wyoming Police Department in Montana.

Does this mean our Mannequin Challenge video still has a chance for best picture?  #Oscars #Oscars2017  Wyoming, MN Police (@wyomingpd) February 27, 2017

While Americans have that infamous Steve Harvey error at Miss Universe to relive through timely jokes, Australians have their own version.

Australia's Next Top Model host Sarah Murdoch read the wrong winner in the final of reality show in 2010, and the whole country lost their damn minds.

time to relive this https://t.co/poUFIazVIT  Josh Butler (@JoshButler) February 27, 2017

it's australia's next top model cycle six finale all over again #Oscars  Maddison Connaughton (@madconnaughton) February 27, 2017

Surely someone out there is working on some kind of technology to stop this from happening again and again. Maybe the folks at Miss Universe have a few pointers?

Story continues

Have your people call our people - we know what to do. #Oscars #MissUniverse  Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) February 27, 2017

Tyra knows.
The Oscars are right around the corner and while everyones looking forward to tuning in and finding out which of their favorite stars will be taking home statuettes, its the annual swag bag getting the bulk of the buzz.

Although the bag is not endorsed by the Academy, many who attend will go home with some seriously lavish gifts courtesy of Distinctive Assets and founder Lash Fary. The 2016 swag bag stirred up a ton of controversy, being sued by the Academy over trademark issues, but after reaching an agreement the marketing company is back to spoiling nominees.

Lash Fary

Photo: Getty Images

The 2017 Oscars gift bag is worth around $100,000 according to PopSugar and includes a wide variety of gifts. Those lucky enough to get their hands on one will be privy to vacations, jewelry, fitness tools, tech gadgets, vapes and more.

Below are the best gifts in the Oscars 2017 gift bag:

Private Northern California Ranch Vacation  $40,000

Celebrities can bask in the peace and quiet of a beautiful Northern California ranch for three days thanks to Distinctive Assets.

A 7-Day Spa Trip  $8,850

Those in need of some post Oscars rest and relaxation can enjoy a week long stay at the Golden Door Spa.

A Three Night Stay In Italy  $5,000

Distinctive Assets is giving celebrities a 3-night stay at the beautiful Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.

Three More Nights In Italy  $5,000

Three nights in Italy just isnt enough, so each person gifted with this stellar swag bag at the 2017 Oscars will be gifted a second 3-night stay  this time at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

Personal Training With Alex Seletzky  $900

Distinctive Assets is giving the gift of fitness in their 2017 gift bag. Those who receive the bag will get several training sessions with famed fitness guru Alex Seletzky.

A 14-Karat Gold/Diamond Bracelet  $595

Diamonds are a girls best friend, which is why celebrities will likely be thrilled to find this sparkly bracelet from Yoga Jewelz in their Oscars gift bag.

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Jules K. Anteater-Patterned Handbag  $370 - $395

You can never have too many bags!

Haze Dual V3 Vaporizer  $250

Vaping may be controversial, but its way better for you than smoking. Distinctive Assets will help celebrities kick the habit with this Haze Dual V3 Vaporizer.

Elvie Pelvic Floor Exercise Tracker/App  $199

The Elvie Pelvic Floor Exercise Tracker is basically a Fitbit for your vagina. It tracks kegel exercises and is beloved by many who have tried it.

Healing Saint Luminosity Skin Serum  $193

Celebrities will be given the gift of flawless skin at the 2017 Oscar Awards.

One Year Of Car Rentals From Silvercar  $20,000

Owning a car can be such a drag  one those who receive this years Oscars gift bag wont have to worry about any more. Each bag contains a years worth of free car rentals from Silvercar for whenever theyre in a pinch or just dont feel like driving their own whip.

One Case Of Apples For About A Year From Opal  $75

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, which may be why celebs will be getting close to a one-year supply of apples from Opal.

Casper Dual-Layer Pillow  $75

Beauty sleep is important, which is why everyone who gets a gift bag from Distinctive Assets at this years Oscar Awards will get a Casper Dual-Layer Pillow.

A Personal CPR Kit  $39

Safety is no accident and now, celebrities wont have to worry about being unprepared in the event of a choking incident.

A Lifetime Supply Of Lizora Nourishing Cream And Cleansing Bars  $31,200

What would celebrities be if it werent for their good looks? Oscars attendees wont have to worry about wrinkles or other imperfections popping up thanks to this lifetime supply of Lizora Pu-erh Tea products being gifted to them in their swag bags.

Reian Williams Art  Price Not Known

Its not clear what piece from Reian Williams celebrities will be gifted, but each person who leaves the 2017 Oscars with a gift bag will get a painting from the well-known artist to add to their collection.

The 2017 Oscars are set to air live on ABC on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Related Articles
No alternative to unity among parties to end deadlock: Ex-prez Yadav

Former President Ram Baran Yadav on Monday expressed his worry about the ongoing political deadlock in the country and said the only way to resolve the impasse is unity among the political parties.
The father of Navy SEAL William Ryan Owens did not want to meet President Donald Trump when his sons body was returned to the U.S. In an interview with the Miami Herald, Bill Owens said his conscience wouldnt let him greet the president, whod approved the raid in Yemen that led to Owens death less than a week into the Trump presidency.

Instead of a handshake from the president, Owens wants answers.

I want an investigation.  The government owes my son an investigation, Bill Owens told the Miami Herald. Dont hide behind my sons death to prevent an investigation.

Trump and White House aides have hailed the operation as a success, saying despite the loss of life it garnered important intelligence information. The administration has blasted critics of the mission, saying their criticism dishonors Owens life. At least 29 civilians, including the 8-year-old daughter of Al-Qeada propagandist Anwar Al Awlaki, were killed during the Jan. 28 raid. Several officials told the New York Times the raid was doomed from the start.

In the interview with the Herald, Owens expressed concerns about the presidents decision-making process.

Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display? he said.

In an interview on ABCs This Week on Sunday, after the story was published, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she believes the president would support an investigation. She also defended the Yemen mission. I know that the mission has a lot of different critics, but it did yield a substantial amount of very important intel and resources that helped save American lives and other lives, she said.

A spokesman for U.S. Central Command told the New York Times the military is reviewing the mission. We take this very seriously, and we appreciate the deep desire to find out all we can about the tragic death of Ryan Owens during an operation against terrorists, Col. John Thomas told the Times.
Federal authorities are investigating whether the vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia over the weekend was a hate crime.

The FBI said in a statement Monday that it has opened a civil rights investigation into the late Saturday desecration at the Mount Carmel Cemetery. Police said more than 100 tombstones at the burial ground were toppled over, including some that were cracked in half.

The FBIs Philadelphia field and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are part of the probe. The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence, the agency said. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time.

The vandalism in Philadelphia came days after a similar attack was carried out at a historic Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.

The Philadelphia Police Department on Monday called the cemetery desecration in its city an abominable crime that appears to target these particular headstones, but said we must allow the investigation to take its course before we can determine a specific motive or label as a particular type of crime.
Milan (AFP) - The world's top fashion brands are doing some serious courting of social media-savvy youngsters, with Italy's Fendi the latest to unveil a hip website designed for millennials.

The Roman fashion house is one of many hoping to build up a loyal support base among the generation born after 1980, who came of age in the 21st century and have the last word on what's cool.

"F is for..." is a new section on Fendi's website that offers tips on where to hang out in Rome and New York, has interviews with "freaks" who talk about their passions, and features photoboards of vintage items and new Fendi designs.

Cristina Monfardini, Fendi Vice President of Communication, told AFP the idea was to find a way to talk the same language as a generation that may not have the cash to splash on top brands but has massive power to pass the word.

Sometimes dubbed "the Y Generation" and often maligned by grumbling older generations as variously lazy or smartphone-obsessed, they have different values from traditional fashionistas and "move very fast" from trend to trend, Monfardini says.

"Fashion is a very structured world under certain points of view, and I think in order to get to know them (millennials) and get very close to them you need to be very humble," she said in an interview on the sidelines of Milan fashion week.

The trick is to avoid appearing to dictate fashion to them but "put them on the same level, just be open and listen to them".

- 'Authenticity' -

The watchword is "authenticity". Fendi's new project is not about a bunch of oldies deciding what's hip: the tips, stories and "looks" featured on "F is for..." are generated by millennials and passed on to their peers.

"There is nothing that we are selling, we are opening up services for them," Monfardini said, describing rooftop events at the brand's headquarters in Rome where guests get to see emerging artists.

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Millennial-loving was in full swing this fashion week, with Gucci giving guests a vinyl record featuring hot US rapper A$AP Rocky, and Dolce&Gabbana using 99 social media stars and cool teens as their runway models.

For its pre-fall 2017 collection Gucci interviewed its models, posting their replies to questions such as "what is your spirit animal" on Instagram.

Brands have been pandering to teenage attention spans and the need for catchy hashtags for social media: Versace and D&G both included hats in their autumn-winter 2017 collections with one-word slogans such as unity, love, power.

Diesel recently hosted a exhibition on "successful living" which featured two-word tips such as "stay sweet" and "be proud".

Gas took the authenticity challenge seriously, shunning stars or their offspring for its summer campaign and instead using students from London's top art and fashion institutes, from the Royal Academy of Arts to Central Saint Martins.

- 'Transmitting the legacy' -

"It's really not about thinking 'Oh these could be our clients and we will sell them some things'," insists Monfardini.

"I think it's much more about transmitting the DNA and the legacy of a brand like Fendi to the younger generation... so that everything that has been created until now will be relevant and interesting for them".

Monfardini, 47, works with a team of six millennials who boast MBAs or degrees in business, psychology, fashion, politics and technology, and says what unites the Y generation is "a love of culture".

Her new online platform appears to have won the approval of youngsters doorstepping the fashion shows in Milan to pick up ideas for new looks.

Italian student Gaia Berlanda said she thought "F for Fendi..." could work as a way of rejuvenating the historic fashion house.

"Fendi might not be as young-looking as other brands, but such a site could help us understand certain looks, especially as we youngsters are always attached to our phones," said Italian student Gaia Berlanda.

Fellow trend-watcher Federica Lodia said such trend services were "something that's really relevant to us, it works well".
A film about Syria's White Helmets -- rescuers who risk their lives to help save civilians caught in the country's devastating war -- took home the Oscar for best documentary short on Sunday.

The Netflix-produced film, called simply "The White Helmets," was directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, and bested another short about the Syrian conflict, "Watani: My Homeland."

But members of the group including the cinematographer who shot much of the footage, Khaled Khatib, were not allowed to enter the United States for the Oscars.

Group members said on Twitter that they had waited for three days at the airport but were not permitted to board a flight.

The US Customs and Border Protection service said only that they did not have valid documents.

The ordeal comes as US President Donald Trump sharply curtails visas for Syrians as well as citizens of a number of other Muslim-majority countries.

Raed Saleh, leader of the rescue group, also was not able to attend but said in a statement that the White Helmets had saved the lives of more than 82,000 civilians.

"I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life, to stop the bloodshed in Syria and around the world," he said in a statement read by the director.

"It's very easy for these guys to feel forgotten. This war has been going on for six years. If everyone could just stand up and remind them that we all care, (then) this war ends as quickly as possible."

Khatib tweeted: "While we follow the Oscars, the Syrian regime has launched chlorine gas attacks in Harasta, injuring civilians."

The White Helmets emerged in 2013, working to rescue civilians in rebel-held areas during the nearly six-year war.

Before fighting broke out, the volunteers had everyday jobs -- bakers, painters and even students. Since 2013, the group says it has attracted more than 3,000 volunteers.

It is named for the distinctive white hard hats worn by its volunteers and has gained international renown for its daring rescues, often filmed and circulated on social media.

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- International support -

The group's motto, "To save one life is to save all of humanity," is drawn from a verse of the Koran, although the rescuers insist they treat all victims, regardless of religion.

The White Helmets were nominated for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize and garnered international support for their candidacy, though they ultimately lost out.

Their detractors, mostly supporters of President Bashar al-Assad's government, accuse them of being tools of their international donors.

But others have hailed the group's volunteers as "real life heroes."

Syria's conflict started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests and has since spiralled into a complex war, killing more than 310,000 people and displacing over half the country's population.

The group is funded by several countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan and The Netherlands. It also receives individual donations used to buy equipment, like their white hard hats, which cost about $145 each.

"The documentary took a lot of effort to make and we've been working on it for a long time," Saleh told AFP ahead of the Oscars.

"People who are featured in the film have since died. There's equipment that you see that has been destroyed."






In the 25 years that John Boehner served in Congress, the former House speaker said on Thursday in his eye-opening moment of candor, Republicans never, ever, one time agreed on what a health care proposal should look like. Not once.

The happily-retired Ohioan was explaining to a health-care conference in Orlando why he believed his party would fail to deliver on its longstanding pledge to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Boehners prediction, which was reported by Politico, captured the headlines, but the history lesson that accompanied it shouldnt have come as a surprise: Not only have Republicans never agreed on health care, the modern conservative movement has never before seen it as a priority to reform the entire U.S. system. Thats one of the many reasons why the GOP is struggling so mightily to replace Obamacare now. While Democrats famously tried and failed to enact universal healthcare for decades before the ACA finally won approval in 2010, the only GOP proposals that have advanced in Congress have been far more limited in scope, like the creation of a new prescription-drug program under President George W. Bush in 2003.

For Republicans seeking an Obamacare replacement now, the challenge is growing with each passing day. Re-energized Democrats are defending the ACA with a ferocity unseen in past years, and new polls show that the law is becoming more popular than ever before. The release of repeal legislation has been delayed, most recently because of a reportedly unfavorable cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (though Politico got its hands on a draft bill Friday). And House and Senate Republicans remain divided over how quickly they should scrap the law and how much of it they need to immediately replace.

But the biggest hurdles for Republicans have centered on the vexing policy questions that pit the political imperative to match the benefits of the Affordable Care Act against their ideological opposition to government involvement in the market. How much will it cost? How will they pay for it? How many people will be covered? And what will happen to the parts of the current law that people like the most?

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Taxes

Democrats paid for the new benefits and programs in the Affordable Care Act by raising taxes on wealthy individuals, medical devices, even indoor tanning salons. They also capped the tax deduction for the most expensive employer-sponsored insurance plansa provision that became known as the Cadillac tax.

Republicans denounced all these new charges, and conservatives have demanded that they be eliminated right alongside the repeal of the broader law. But other lawmakers want to keep at least some of the taxes in place to pay for the policies in the GOP replacement plan, like funding for high-risk insurance pools and tax credits for expanded health savings accounts. The revenue is essential, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana told reporters as he introduced a compromise plan last month, explaining that without revenue from Obamacares taxes, Republicans cant hope to fulfill President Trumps own request for a healthcare plan that provides insurance for everybody.

Yet the hardline House Freedom Caucus has already vowed to oppose any bill that keeps the ACA tax hikes. One option under consideration is for Republicans to scrap the current regimen of taxes but replace them with a version of the Cadillac tax that Congress already repealed as part of the ACA. The policy under discussion, according to The New York Times, would limit the tax break that allows people to deduct the cost of health insurance off their federal taxable income. Thats a proposal that health economists have advocated for years, but it has been nearly impossible to implement because of the popularity of the tax break; the scaled-back Cadillac tax was so unpopular that Democrats eventually agreed to get rid of it.

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Deficit Impact

The fate of Obamacares taxes is directly related to another crucial question for Republicans: How much will their bill cost? The new tax revenue meant that that Affordable Care Act actually shrunk federal deficits over a decade, and because of that, the Congressional Budget Office has projected that previous GOP repeal bills would have raised the deficit by several hundred billion dollars. Republicans have disputed these estimates, but for a party that attacked former President Barack Obama for presiding over a steep increase in the debt, its a big political problem. In January, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky cited the deficit impact as a reason he voted against the budget resolution that Republicans passed to lay the groundwork for repeal. And according to The Hill, a House committee is pushing back its consideration of repeal-and-replace legislation because some elements of the bill received a poor score from the CBO.

Medicaid

Nothing about the ACA has divided Republicans across the country more than its expansion of Medicaid. The party won a rare legal victory in 2012 when the Supreme Court ruled that states could choose not to receive extra federal support for an expansion in the program that covers poor and disabled Americans. But several Republican-led states opted for expansion anyway, and their governors are now lobbying Congress to maintain their federal funding. Theyve taken credit for reductions in the uninsured rate in their states and for Medicaid reform theyve been able to negotiate with the Obama administration.

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As with Obamacares taxes, however, conservatives in the House are adamant that any repeal scrap the Medicaid expansion, which they consider a costly endorsement of government-run healthcare. They also want to be sure that the federal funding formula doesnt reward states that expanded Medicaid at the expense of stateslike their own, in many casesthat didnt. Some people in Congress want my state to pay for someone elses Medicaid expansion, Representative Raul Labrador of Idaho told reporters earlier this month. At the other end are Republicans like Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who vowed to oppose repeal of the Medicaid expansion as long as her states Legislature wanted to keep it.

Coverage

One of the key talking points for supporters of the ACA is that the approximately 22 million people who gained health insurance under the law stand to lose that coverage if it is repealed. Trump at one point vowed insurance for everybody, but his appointees have since backed off that promise by instead claiming that the goal of the administrations plan is to ensure access to healthcare for allan important distinction and a much looser standard to uphold, as my colleague Olga Khazan explained in January.

The truth is that because Republicans are committed to spending less on government assistance and to eliminating Obamacares mandates that individuals purchase insurance and that most employers provide it, their plan will almost certainly cover fewer people. As Bloomberg reported on Friday, some Republican lawmakers are beginning to acknowledge as much.

GOP leaders have said that their priority is giving consumers more choices in insurance coverage, including the option not to have any at all. Theyve said the focus on how many people have insurance under Obamacare is misplaced because the plans come with such high deductibles that people can never actually use the coverage theyre paying for. At the same time, Republican proposals rely on these same kind of high-deductible plans, except in many cases they offer fewer benefits for lower costs. And as they seek to prevent instability in the insurance market, party leaders are now trying to reassure Americans covered on the ACA that they wont have the rug pulled out from under them.

Democrats learned the hard way that promising people theyll be able to keep their insurance plans is a lot easier than making it a reality. Republicans are likely to find that the more people they hope to cover, the more money theyll have to spend to do so.

The Popular Parts

If Democrats have succeeded in selling any part of the Affordable Care Act, its the provision that prevents insurance companies from discriminating against consumers with pre-existing medical conditions. Now, Republicans from Trump on down are pledging that their plan will protect these people, even if it stops short of a complete federal ban on insurers. But like so much else about healthcare policy, this is easier said than done. The GOP bill is expected to call for states to set up high-risk pools to cover people with pre-existing conditions, but the big question will be whether Republicans appropriate enough money to sustain them.

They face a similar bind with other popular parts of Obamacare, like the ban on lifetime coverage limits and the requirement that insurers allow adult children to stay on their parents plan until age 26. Insurance companies acquiesced to these rules in large part because the employer and individual mandates guaranteed them enough customers to make it work financially. But as Republicans strike those more controversial mandates, theyll find it more difficult to guarantee the more popular consumer protections survive.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (AP)  Florida sheriff's deputies fatally shot a man during a domestic violence call.

Charlotte County Sheriff's officials said in a news release that deputies responded to a home in Englewood just after 8 p.m. Sunday. An armed man confronted the deputies and was fatally shot.

The news release says Sheriff Bill Brummell planned to release a statement with additional details on Monday morning.

No further details were immediately available.
Ford announced Monday at the Mobile World Congress, the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, in Barcelona, Spain, its new FordPass Connect built-in modem and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Developed in partnership with Vodafone, families and children can watch movies, listen to their favorite music or even do their school homework while traveling thanks to the ability to surf the internet with improved 4G connectivity.

The system incorporates a live traffic feature which will offer drivers real-time updates and re-route them away from congestion.

Incorporating an external aerial, the Wi-Fi hotspot enables up to 10 devices to connect to the network at once. FordPass Connect also has other abilities. The app will enable drivers operate door locks remotely from almost anywhere in the world. They can check information on fuel and oil levels, tire pressure, battery life, the odometer, and find the vehicle's location on a map. FordPass will even notify the owner when the alarm is activated!

Connectivity is more important than ever. In the UK for example, 33% of children under five now have their own tablet. From 2014 to 2015, the number of Europeans paying for streamed TV and film content increased by 400 percent while streaming music is expected to surpass music downloads by next year.

"The future of mobility is enabled by connectivity, connectivity between you and the vehicle, between your smartphone and vehicle, and between the vehicle and its surroundings," said Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle and Services. "With FordPass Connect, our SYNC platform is transitioning from being device-centric to become cloud-connected. FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi powered by Vodafone lets kids watch movies, listen to music or even do homework while traveling; and people working from the road can easily access corporate resources from wherever they are."

Ford and Vodafone jointly stated that they are addressing drivers' and passengers' expectations of staying connected to the rest of their digital world while in their vehicles. This requires a robust, secure connection. Ford will use Vodafone's global SIM and Internet of Things platform to bring safety, security, diagnostic and infotainment services to Ford vehicles right across Europe, in compliance with strict new EU regulations.
SPINDALE, N.C. (AP)  It was the most dreaded place on the Word of Faith Fellowship grounds  a one-story, four-room structure that former members of the sect say was reserved for the most brutal physical and emotional punishment.

Called the Lower Building, the former storage facility was used to house those deemed to be the worst sinners, according to Associated Press interviews with 43 former members of the evangelical church.

And it was there, tucked away in a wooded area behind the sect's sanctuary, that the beatings were especially prolonged, violent and often focused on sexual behavior, according to many of those speaking out.

Former members recounted dozens of vicious assaults, including one in which a mentally handicapped man was repeatedly punched in his face as he begged for help. Those interviewed also recalled elementary school-age boys placed in the make-shift penitentiary with teens and adults  and felons from the church's prison ministry.

"No one wanted to be sent to the Lower Building. No one," said Rick Cooper, 61, who said he was held captive there for a year. "It was a prison without bars."

Added Randy Fields, who spent 24 years in the church including time as a security guard, "When you're in Word of Faith, your manhood is taken away from you. You don't go against (pastor) Jane Whaley, even when you know what she's doing is dangerous. You become passive. You become accepting. You become a follower."

The church began using the building to "discipline sinners" in early 2010 after Whaley told her congregation too many men and boys were having erotic thoughts.

Over the next three years, dozens of males designated by Whaley and other senior ministers were effectively kidnapped and forced to live in the building until presumably the demons had been beaten out of them. Under North Carolina law, being restrained or kept against one's will is considered kidnapping, especially if the victim is beaten or terrorized.

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Several of those interviewed said that as many as 30 at a time were crammed into the relatively small quarters.

While allegations of physical and emotional abuse about the church have circulated for more than 20 years, the existence of the Lower Building had not previously been disclosed publicly.

Of the 27 males interviewed by the AP, 13 said they had "served time" at the Lower Building. All of them said they had been beaten and/or had witnessed beatings.

Those confined to the Lower Building were not allowed to communicate with family members or friends and had no idea how long they would be kept or what they had to do to secure release, according to those interviewed.

During many hours of idle time, captives were commanded to sit in silence and listen to recordings of Whaley's sermons or read the Bible.

Many of those remanded to the Lower Building said they were allowed out only when forced to perform free labor at nearby businesses owned by different church leaders.

Cooper, who spent more than two decades in the church before leaving in 2014, said he went broke stuck in such a non-paying job and ultimately had to declare bankruptcy.

Many of those interviewed said beatings could occur suddenly, at any time.

Five spoke of a 2012 attack on Alan Eiss, then 17.

Without warning, the ex-members said, a minister pushed Eiss to the floor and started beating him. When Eiss noticed blood on his arm, the minister screamed that Eiss was more concerned about his wound than "opening his heart" to God. The young man was pummeled harder, said several who said they witnessed the attack.

"I regret I didn't call the police...But it was such a common occurrence for those kinds of violent outbreaks," said Benjamin Cooper, an attorney and one of Rick Cooper's sons.

In a separate interview, Eiss told the AP he knew he couldn't fight back. "You're so scared. You just want it to end. But the beatings go on for hours."

As did sessions of blasting  a Word of Faith practice where many ministers and congregants surround one of their own and shout in their face, supposedly to chase the devil, according to those interviewed. Some said they were forced to blast others, whenever they supposedly had sinful thoughts, even in the middle of the night.

"If you didn't join in the blasting, you could quickly become a target. They'd turn on you," said accountant Liam Guy, 29, who said he spent a year confined to the building.

According to a diagram furnished by an ex-member, there were four walled-in areas turned into bedrooms, a small common area and 1 bathrooms.

Beds were in short supply. At the peak, 12 sets of bunk beds were crammed into the rooms. Even then, some had to sleep on the floor.

"The living conditions were terrible," said ex-member Sean Bryant, 29, who as a youth minister counseled followers there. "The men were walking around like zombies."

He said blasting targets were jumped on, in "big dog piles. It was out of control  people throwing people around."

While there were no bars on the windows, people knew they couldn't leave, said Guy, who spent almost his entire life in the sect before leaving in May 2015.

Twice while he was in the Lower Building, people fled. But both times, the runaways were found; they were beaten upon their return, he said.

"You can't imagine the loneliness, the despair. You just wanted to..." Guy stopped mid-sentence. "You felt so hopeless you wanted to die."

Another of Rick Cooper's sons, Jeffrey, an attorney, said that Whaley stopped imprisoning congregants in the building in October 2012. He said she told ministers she feared a surprise law enforcement visit after a former congregant complained to authorities.

The raid never occurred; many of those interviewed said the most violent forms of abuse were simply moved to other locations within the Word of Faith compound.

___

The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate@ap.org
NRA proposes land grant for quake-hit squatters

Amid the dilemma over how to disburse housing reconstruction funds to the landless people, the National Reconstruction Authority on Sunday proposed a lump sum of Rs100,000 to help families occupying forest land and public spaces purchase land for building homes.
Paris (AFP) - Journalists accused of bias. Judges said to be taking orders from the president. The country in a state of "near civil war."

This isn't America's bitter presidential election campaign last year, but France's in 2017.

The latest comments from conservative Francois Fillon, who has accused the Socialist government of failing to protect candidates, underline the increasingly ugly tone of France's campaign.

Clashes in the western city of Nantes at the weekend during a demonstration against far-right leader Marine Le Pen and attacks on buses transporting her supporters were "unacceptable," he said on Monday.

On Sunday evening, he accused the government of "failing to create the conditions for the peaceful exercise of democracy," accusing it of allowing "a climate of near civil war to develop in the country."

Seven police officers were injured on Saturday in Nantes including one with serious burns when anarchists and vandals began throwing rocks and firebombs during an anti-Le Pen protest.

Fillon, the former frontrunner whose bid has been thrown into turmoil by a corruption investigation, also said his campaign events were being disrupted "every day" by far-left activists.

Both Fillon and Le Pen have also attacked judicial investigations into their use of allegedly fake parliamentary aides as an attempt by outgoing Socialist President Francois Hollande to influence the election.

Fillon has described an inquiry launched in January as an "institutional coup d'etat" and has accused journalists of trying to carry out a "lynching" and an "assassination".

Herve Le Bras, a veteran political observer and head of research at the EHESS social sciences university in Paris, said he could detect the influence of US President Donald Trump in the French campaign.

"The way that Trump has defied the justice system and attacked the media, calling them 'fake news', I think in a way it's encouraging Fillon and Marine Le Pen to copy," he told AFP.

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"They can see that it seems to work in the United States," he said.

- Attacks on media -

Fillon, a 62-year-old former prime minister, faces allegations he paid his wife for 15 years as a fake assistant, while one of Le Pen's aides was charged last week over allegations the party defrauded the European parliament.

Both deny any wrongdoing but their attacks have repeatedly questioned the independence and neutrality of the justice system ahead of a two-stage presidential election on April 23 and May 7.

Polls currently show independent centrist Emmanuel Macron as the most likely winner, though analysts caution against any firm forecasts after a rollercoaster campaign and the surprises of Brexit and Trump in 2016.

Fillon was the clear frontrunner until January when newspaper Le Canard Enchaine brought his wife's job to light.

"To imagine that investigations could have been ordered on Fillon or Marine Le Pen is completely absurd because it would be illegal," Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas told a newspaper on Sunday.

Le Pen went ahead with her rally in Nantes on Sunday where she delivered a speech laced with criticism of how French democracy had been corrupted by the political establishment, the media and financial interests.

She attacked media groups who "sob about having lost the confidence of readers who justifiably are going on the internet to get their news," she said.

Last week, she refused to be questioned by anti-corruption investigators, saying she would not respond to summons during the presidential campaign.

- Government response -

Faced with Fillon's and Le Pen's mounting defiance, Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve responded on Monday.

"In politics, especially during campaigning, you need a certain dignity, a high-mindedness, and respect for the truth," he said during a visit to a farm show.

Urvoas went further in an interview on France 2 television, accusing Fillon of trying to divert attention away from his legal problems.

"Really, a 'near civil war'? ... Before he was talking about an 'institutional coup d'etat', what will he say next? 'An extermination of the programmes'? 'A Holocaust of the candidates'?" he said.

Fillon's might just be taking advice from his former boss for five years, ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy.

The two men lunched together 10 days ago during which Sarkozy was reported to have encouraged Fillon to "dominate the media space: a headline-grabbing announcement every day."
PARIS (Reuters) - A junior minister resigned from France's Socialist government on Monday to join the presidential campaign of leftist Benoit Hamon, she said in a newspaper interview. Axelle Lemaire, state secretary for digital affaires and innovation, told daily Liberation she wanted to help Hamon run for the April-May election as well as prepare her own campaign for parliamentary elections in June. "I think I have fulfilled my mission in the government, I will be more useful outside than inside," she said. Lemaire, who joined the government in 2014, will work on digital innovation in Hamon's team. Former Socialist education minister Vincent Peillon and former industry minister Arnaud Montebourg - who both lost out to Hamon in the party's primaries early this year - are also supporting his campaign. (Reporting by Chine Labbe; Writing by Geert De Clercq)
Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Gambia's President Adama Barrow has fired the head of the armed forces, General Ousman Badjie, as he continues a clear-out of senior officials linked to the despotic rule of his predecessor.

Badjie has been replaced by General Masanneh Kinteh, a former ambassador to Cuba and a special military adviser to Barrow since January.

As he took over from Badjie, Kinteh told reporters at defence headquarters in Banjul: "My immediate priority as chief of defence staff is to bring back the confidence in the troops to lift their morale."

He added that he wanted to boost civil-military relations, which have "eroded over the period as a result of the political impasse".

An army source told AFP that Badjie, who is set to be posted abroad, had handed over his official car and documents.

Barrow retook his oath of office on February 18, a month after he was sworn in across the border in neighbouring Senegal during a tense power struggle with his predecessor Yahya Jammeh.

Jammeh had refused to step down following his defeat in December elections, but agreed to leave for exile on January 21 following negotiations with other west African leaders.

Barrow told the crowd at the swearing-in he would probe human rights abuses under Jammeh's iron-fisted rule spanning 22 years.

"A Human Rights Commission will be established without delay" to track people who went missing or disappeared after being arrested, Barrow said. "Orders have already been given for all those detained without trial to be released."

The United Nations and rights groups repeatedly condemned The Gambia's security services under Jammeh, blaming them for arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and torture.

Last week Barrow removed the chief of the country's feared intelligence agency, Yankuba Badjie, and the head of the national prison system, David Colley.

Ousman Badjie, a Jammeh loyalist, had pledged allegiance to Barrow along with top defence, civil service and security chiefs on January 20, one day before the former president fled the country.

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The general was also spotted among revellers on the streets of Banjul celebrating Barrow's inauguration in Senegal.

Kinteh was first named as armed forces chief in October 2009 following the removal and arrest of his predecessor, General Lang Tombong Tamba.

He was subsequently dismissed in July 2012 and appointed Gambia's ambassador to Cuba, and replaced by Badjie.

Amnesty International said that under Jammeh, "Gambia's climate of fear was sustained for years through regular arbitrary arrests and detention, as well as routine torture".

Since effectively taking power late last month, Barrow has rushed to uphold pledges to overhaul the military and security services.
By Will Boggs MD (Reuters Health) - Women are less likely than men to gain sponsorship from their mentors in academic medicine, a survey of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant recipients suggests. "The best way to summarize the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship is as follows: a mentor talks with you; a sponsor talks about you, Dr. Reshma Jagsi from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, told Reuters Health in an email. The new findings, she said, "suggest that differences in sponsorship may help explain some of the sex differences we see in the outcomes of careers in (medicine). Jagsi and colleagues surveyed 995 researchers who had won NIH Mentored Career Development grants and who remained in academic medicine, to determine if sponsorship differs among men and women. More men (77 percent) than women (71 percent) reported any sponsorship experience, as well as specific sponsorship opportunities, the research team reported in JAMA Internal Medicine. Sponsorship was significantly associated with success: 73 percent of men and 59 percent of women who reported sponsorship were successful, compared with 58 percent of men and 49 percent of women who did not report sponsorship. We need to recognize the importance of sponsorship in developing the future leaders of academic medicine, Jagsi said. Those in positions to serve as sponsors should actively consider all promising young faculty with whom they interact, and not necessarily just those who remind them of themselves or come to mind most quickly. Also, she said, "junior faculty who hope one day to lead the field should recognize the importance of cultivating sponsors who are willing to risk their own reputations to give them visible opportunities to demonstrate their abilities." Dr. Rita F. Redberg from University of California, San Francisco, who coauthored an editorial related to this report, told Reuters Health by email, I was most surprised that both women and men mentors are less likely to sponsor woman mentees than man mentees. To me, this drives home how pervasive and how deeply our differential treatment of the sexes is ingrained. I am sure this difference was not conscious or intentional by the mentors, but a problem for women nonetheless. I hope that articles like these that raise the consciousness about disparities in opportunities and treatment by sex will be an important step towards changing the behaviors, she said. The article certainly has had an impact on me, and I have been actively working to promote opportunities for women in medicine for more than 20 years without specifically thinking of this sponsorship issue. Dr. Anne K. Monroe from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore earlier reported on the gender disparity in top leadership positions in academic medicine. She told Reuters Health by email, "These sponsorship opportunities are associated with academic success, and its important to promote equity in achieving success. Thankfully, it is possible to increase sponsorship, which can potentially lead to meaningful advances for women in academic medicine. She suggested three possibilities for change: 1) Bring transparency to the selection process for leadership positions . . . and give all interested parties the opportunity to apply. 2) Develop systems so that (senior people meet with junior people) to determine types of opportunities that are of interest . . . (and) then sponsor them for those roles. 3) Formally recognize sponsorship  . . . the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine now awards an annual Sponsorship Award for demonstrating commitment to supporting and advancing women faculty and fellows by acting as a sponsor. If you are senior faculty member in an influential role, i.e., someone who controls resources and makes leadership decisions, you have the power to shape the gender and racial makeup of leadership positions in your institution, Dr. Monroe said. For junior faculty, recognize the types of opportunities that support your professional advancement and ask to be sponsored for them. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2kQElNY and http://bit.ly/2lJEVfA JAMA Internal Medicine, online February 20, 2017.
Former President George W. Bush said that the power of the presidency can be addictive and that an independent media is necessary to keep things in check.

I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy, Bush said in a Today show interview Monday morning. We need an independent media to hold people like me to account. Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and its important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere.

Bushs comments contrast sharply with those of President Trump, who has declared war on the mainstream media, which he has branded the enemy of the American people. On Thursday, Trump used a speech at a conservative conference to go on a lengthy diatribe against the media. On Friday, the BBC, CNN, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Politico were all abruptly barred from an off-camera briefing with press secretary Sean Spicer.

During his Today show interview, Bush said it was important for America to have an independent media landscape in order to pressure other countries into embracing the same.

One of the things I spent a lot of time doing was trying to convince a person  like Vladimir Putin, for example  to accept the notion of an independent press. Its kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when were not willing to have one ourselves, he said.

Its hard to unify the country when the president is so split up. When I was president, you mattered a lot more because there was, like, three of you, Bush told interviewer Matt Lauer. Now theres all kinds of information being bombarded out, and people can say things anonymously. Its just a different world.

Bush also said he wanted answers regarding Russias connection to the White House but wasnt sure a special prosecutor was the correct tactic. He said he would defer to the judgment of Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on how to investigate the matter.

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Screengrab: Via NBC News

When asked about his thoughts on Trumps executive order banning entry to the United States from seven majority Muslim countries, Bush said, I am for an immigration policy thats welcoming and upholds the law.

A bedrock of our freedom is a right to worship freely, said Bush when discussing his response to the Sept. 11 attacks. I understood right off the bat that this was an ideological conflict. People who murder the innocent are not religious people.

Both Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, declined to endorse Trump in the general election, a striking snub of Trump when he was the Republican nominee. The younger Bushs comments on the Today show came amid a series of media appearances promoting a new book, Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chiefs Tribute to Americas Warriors.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Former President George W. Bush weighed in on the calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the connections between the Trump campaign and Russia during an interview with NBCs Today show on Monday.

I think we all need answers, Bush said. Whether or not the special prosecutor is the right way to go or not youre talking to the wrong guy.

Questions about the Trump campaigns connections to Russia throughout the 2016 election have lingered in the wake of reports that officials from Trumps camp had repeated contacts with Russian officials throughout the election cycle. Bush said Monday that he would be looking to Republican Sen. Richard Burr, the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, for his response to the questions about a special prosecutor

I have great faith in Richard Burr. If he were to recommend a special prosecutor then Id beitd have a lot more credibility with me, Bush said. Ive never been a lawyer. Im not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered.

The president visited the Today show to talk about his new book, Portraits of Courage, in which he pays tribute to Americas veterans via portraits. Bush, whose brother Jeb ran against Trump in the Republican primary, did not bash the President in the interview, but he was pressed on the first month of the Administration.

Bush said having a free press is crucial to democracy, amid the current Presidents repeated charges that the media is fake and the enemy of the American people.

I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy, President Bush said. Power can be very addictive. Power can be very corrosive.

Bush was also asked about the executive order that bans travelers from seven majority Muslim countries. A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely, Bush said. I am for an immigration policy thats welcoming and upholds the law.

Bush said U.S. and media should take Trump at his word when he says he wants to bring the country together.

I think you have to take a man for his word that he wants to unify the country, Bush said. Its hard to unify the country, though, with the news media being so split up.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  A Turkish court ordered a journalist for Germany's Die Welt newspaper jailed on Monday pending a trial on charges of terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred, media reports said. The action came amid a continuing crackdown on journalists and press freedom in Turkey.

Deniz Yucel, who has both Turkish and German citizenship, was detained on Feb. 14 following his reports about a hacker attack on the email account of Turkey's energy minister, the newspaper said.

Yucel was questioned by a prosecutor in Istanbul for some 3  hours before a judge ordered him formally arrested pending the preparation of an indictment and a trial. Die Welt confirmed that he was ordered into custody.

Yucel, 43, joins scores of journalists who have been jailed in Turkey following a July 15 coup attempt that prompted a government crackdown on alleged anti-government activists. The crackdown has included the closure of at least 100 news outlets in Turkey.

The private Dogan news agency said Yucel was questioned about an interview he conducted with Cemil Bayik, a commander of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, as well as about articles he had written on Turkey's policies toward Kurds.

The Die Welt journalist also was asked whether he had any links to the hacker collective RedHack, which obtained the energy minister's emails that were made available on WikiLeaks, Dogan reported. The energy minister, Berat Albayrak, is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's son-in-law.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said news that Yucel was being held in investigative custody was "bitter and disappointing."

"This measure is disproportionately harsh, especially given that Deniz Yucel presented himself to the Turkish justice system voluntarily and for the purpose of the investigation," Merkel said. She said the German government "will continue to work strenuously so that Deniz Yucel is treated fairly and according to the rule of law."

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"The German government expects that the Turkish justice system keeps in mind the great importance that press freedom has in any democratic society in its treatment of the Yucel case," Merkel said.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the case had highlighted what he called "dramatic times for Turkey and also difficult times for German-Turkish relations."

"The case of Deniz Yucel casts a harsh light on the different way in which our two countries appear to apply the principles of rule of law and the way we assess press freedom and freedom of speech," he said.
VIENNA (AP)  Austria's foreign minister called Monday for setting up mass holding camps in North Africa for migrants, a plan dismissed by his German counterpart as unrealistic.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of Germany and Austria's Sebastian Kurz both praised the neighborly ties between their countries and joined in calls for reducing surplus EU bureaucracy while focusing on values of the 28-nation union.

But Gabriel, on his first trip to Austria as foreign minister, was blunt in rejecting Kurz's vision of creating mass refugee centers in countries like Libya or Sudan "sooner rather than later."

At a joint news conference, both also agreed on the need for a new formula that reduces child support payments from German and Austrian levels for workers coming from low-wage EU countries who opt to leave their children in their home nations.

"We don't want to pay hundreds of millions of euros in family support for foreign children a year who don't even live in Austria," Kurz said. "It is unfair to pay out these sums to the same extent when the costs of living are substantially less elsewhere."

Kurz is popular in Austria for his hard-line views on mass migration and has cited the success of the EU-Turkey deal in reducing the influx of migrants from outside Europe as something that can serve as a model for possible EU pacts with Libya and other North African countries.

Gabriel, however, suggested the comparison was flawed, arguing that the chaos and anarchy gripping Libya doomed such an agreement.

"We have a state in Turkey, whatever one's opinion about it is," he told reporters. "Not so in Libya."

Gabriel also dismissed expectations that Tunisia would be able to host mass concentrations of migrants, warning that could be "destabilizing" in a North Africa country that is struggling to nurture its fragile democracy.
Global art sales plunged in 2016 as the number of high-value works sold dropped by half, while China regained its status as the world's top market, Artprice said in an annual report released Monday.

Art auctions worldwide totalled $12.5 billion (11.8 billion euros) last year, down 22 percent from $16.1 billion in 2015, it said.

The world's biggest database for art prices and sales, working with Chinese partner Artron, attributed the drop to a plunge in the number of works worth more than $10 million each -- from 160 in 2015 to 80 last year.

"On all continents sellers are choosing a policy of 'wait-and-see'," Artprice CEO Thierry Ehrmann said.

Top-dollar auctions last year included that of an Impressionist painting of a haystack by Claude Monet, "Meule", which went for $81.4 million and a Peter Paul Rubens masterpiece, "Lot and his Daughters", sold for $58.1 million, both at Christie's.

Contemporary art had its stand-out moments, too, with an untitled painting from American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat that went to a Japanese collector for $57.3 million, and Wassily Kandinsky's "Rigid and Curved" from 1935, which went under the hammer for $23.3 million.

- China, art 'superpower' -

But it was China which chalked up the highest total sales and "established itself clearly as the superpower" of the art world, the report said.

After five years of dominance, the country lost its title as top art market to the United States in 2015, but a year later was back, recording $4.8 billion in auction sales.

That figure represented 38 percent of total world sales, said Artprice, which compiled the data with its partner firm Artron of China.

Traditional calligraphy and painting comprised the vast majority of sales in China.

The country's biggest sale in 2016 was a scroll painting of "Five Drunken Kings Return on Horses" by early 14th-century Chinese artist Ren Renfa that went for $45.89 million.

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But contemporary art sales, too, are becoming frequent in Hong Kong which "has become an unmissable spot on the art market", Artprice said.

- A year of 'consolidation' -

Despite the drop in overall value of sales, the global art market witnessed an 11-percent rise in "fine art" transactions, a category that excludes antiques, applied art like pottery and furniture.

"The range of prices under $50,000 shows the strongest progression and currently makes up 96 of the market in the West", the art database said.

In 2016, "the principal objective was to consolidate the core of the market, to the detriment of a new race to reach record prices," it said.

New York City remained the undisputed capital for art auctions, chalking up $3.2 billion in sales, over Beijing's $2.3 billion and London's $2.1 billion.

Chinese artists were also the main moneymakers in the auction world, taking three of the five top spots for 2016 sales.

Works by China's Zhang Daqian fetched the highest amounts, followed by 20th-century master Pablo Picasso, then Chinese watercolorist Qi Baishi and "father" of Chinese contemporary art Wu Guanzhong, and, finally, the German contemporary artist Gerhard Richter.
NTA evaluating service providers

The Nepal Telecommunicati-ons Authority (NTA) is likely to complete the evaluation process of the 20 companies that have expressed an interest in launching a satellite for Nepal by March.
WASHINGTON  House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said today that Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the national security adviser fired by President Trump, may have done the country a big favor if he signaled to the Russian ambassador that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama after the Russian cyberattack on Democratic Party officials would be lifted once President Trump took office.

The comments by Nunes, a vocal defender of the Trump White House, seemed to be the strongest indication to date that Flynn may have sought to undercut Obamas actions, giving private assurances to Russias ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, that punitive measures just imposed by the then-president would go away under Trump.

Nunes told reporters at a press conference that he had been briefed on the contents of intercepted conversations between Flynn and Kislyak, but had not seen the transcript of those calls. Still, he dismissed the idea that Flynn had done anything wrong, and said that the punitive actions taken by Obama over the election hack were petty and not taken seriously by Moscow.

Devin Nunes, R-Calif., chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol about the committees Russia investigation on Feb. 27, 2017. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

If the discussions occurred around ensuring there was no overreaction by the Russian government, so the new administration could do, like all the other previous administrations who think they can work with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin  if thats what General Flynn did, to keep the lines of communications open and make sure the Russians didnt overreact  that did us a big favor, and we should be thanking him, Nunes said.

If thats what was said, I dont know what the problem with that would be, Nunes added. Thats exactly what he [Flynn] should be doing.

When a reporter noted that at the time of the key phone call between Flynn and Kislyak last Dec. 29, Obama and not Trump was the president, Nunes abruptly dismissed the question.

Are you a Logan Act guy? Nunes shot back at the reporter, referring to the never-used 18th century law that prohibits private citizens from conducting their own foreign policy.

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Nunes innocuous description of the Flynn phone call was later strongly rejected by Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the intelligence panel, underscoring the partisan rift within Congress over the investigations into Russian hacking.

The reason why the conversations with Flynn are so significant is that they involve potentially an administration official, or soon to be, undermining the sanctions on the very interference in our political affairs by the Russian government.

It goes right to the heart of the Russian interference, said Schiff, adding that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence about the phone call and certainly needs to testify before the committee about what took place.

The main purpose of Nunes press conference Monday was to reinforce White House attempts to knock down a New York Times story about reported communication between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence officials. The newspaper has reported that U.S. intelligence officials have collected phone records and other evidence of multiple contacts during the 2016 election campaign.

As of right now, I dont have any evidence of any phone calls, Nunes told reporters. It doesnt mean they dont exist.  What Ive been told by many folks is that theres nothing there.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, meets reporters Feb. 27 on Capitol Hill to discuss the process for investigating whether or how Russia influenced the presidential election. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Nunes did not specifically identify the many folks who had told him this, but he did acknowledge that the panel has not yet been fully briefed by FBI Director James Comey on the status of the bureaus ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the election. Schiff hinted that he is concerned that Comey may be resisting giving the intelligence panel fulsome cooperation in its investigation, presumably because the bureaus own probe is still ongoing.

Nunes comments about Flynns phone call seem to support one theory about the surprise announcement by Putin that he would not respond to President Barack Obamas expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from the United States. Obama announced the expulsions at the time he imposed financial sanctions on four senior Russian military intelligence officials and several private Russian contractors who were believed to have played a role in the cyberattack on the Democratic National Committee and other Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign officials.

Putins response on Dec. 29 was especially surprising because it came shortly after Russias foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, had called for Russia to retaliate in response to Obamas actions.

Instead, Putin said that the Russians were not going to downgrade ourselves by engaging in such tit-for-tat diplomacy. In our future steps on the way toward the restoration of Russia-United States relations, we will proceed from the policy pursued by the administration of President Trump, Putin said.

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Read more from Yahoo News:
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."

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___

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.'"
CONAKRY (Reuters) - Guinea's President Alpha Conde fired three ministers, according to a decree read on state television on Monday, following violent protests over a teachers' strike last week in which seven people were killed and dozens more were injured. Ibrahima Kourouma, the minister of pre-university education, and Civil Service Minister Sekou Kourouma were removed along with Environment Minister Christine Sagno, the decree said. Though the decree gave no reason for the dismissals, a senior government official, who asked not to be named, said the sackings of Ibrahima Kourouma and Sekou Kourouma were directly linked to the strike. The government agreed to a deal to end the strike last week. Teachers in Guinea walked out early this month over the government's decision to dismiss or cut the salaries of many junior staff after the latest civil service exams. Their students then took to the streets to support them. The protests turned violent when demonstrators clashed with gendarmes in several neighborhoods of the capital Conarky. (Reporting by Saliou Samb; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Andrew Hay)
Johannesburg (AFP) - Online sales website Gumtree said Monday that it had banned advertisements offering donkeys in South Africa to prevent inhumane killings of the animals to meet Chinese demand for their skins.

Donkeys are being increasingly slaughtered in South Africa to supply smugglers who export the skins to China, where they are believed to have medicinal properties.

"Gumtree has decided to ban the sale of all donkeys and mules on the site, not just the hides and byproducts," the company said.

"We hope that this will play a small part in reducing animal cruelty."

Gelatin-rich donkey skin is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ailments such as insomnia, and is also an ingredient in a treatment said to delay menopause in women.

Donkey meat is also eaten in some parts of China.

South African police say there has been a surge in the illegal slaughter of the animals since last year, with thousands of hides found hidden in warehouses and backyards.

The illicit trade has also extended to neighbouring countries, including Botswana and Namibia.

According to the South Africa's National Council of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the donkeys are stolen from owners and often bludgeoned to death with hammers or even skinned alive.

The organisation welcomed the move by Gumtree, saying it would help raise awareness of the slaughter.

"It is a meaningful step in the prevention of cruelty to animals and the protection of them by removing a specific market or forum for those who trade in them or their parts," it said.

No donkeys appeared to be for sale on Gumtree late Monday.
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Gunmen opened fire on a prison bus near Colombo on Monday, killing five prisoners and two warders on their way to court in what was believed to be a gangland dispute, officials said. Thushara Upuldeniya, spokesman for the Prison Department, said an armed gang blocked the bus in Kalutara, 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital, transporting the prisoners, who included an underworld figure. "All five prisoners and two prison officers died. Nine other officers were admitted to hospital with injuries, Upuldeniya told Reuters. Police Spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said investigations had already revealed that the attack was a result of a long-standing dispute between two gangs. Suspects have been killed by gunmen in Sri Lanka in the past when being taken to court for questioning. (Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Les Cayes (Haiti) (AFP) - Starjuin Regent is still waiting for Haitian government aid to help him rebuild his fishing business, which was destroyed last year by Hurricane Matthew.

In the nearly five months since the massive category five storm hit, residents are still struggling to rebuild shattered homes and businesses.

All the more reason then, for the ire of Regent and many others over millions of dollars spent by officials on upcoming carnival festivities in his hometown of Les Cayes.

"I've lost my boat. My home has been destroyed. I'm struggling all by myself to get back on my feet, but it's hard," said Regent, with a weary look on his face.

- 'A lot of blah, blah, blah' -

He said that until he rebuilds his business, he is eking out a living selling odds-and-ends, amid empty promises of aid from politicians.

"Public action to help citizens -- we never saw it. It's just a lot of blah, blah, blah, on the radio," he said.

All that is left of his small home is the foundation and two pillars. A neighbor who lucked out with a foreign aid group giving him a plastic tarp to replace a shattered roof is hosting Regent and his family.

The city of Les Cayes plays host this year to Haiti's national carnival celebration, anointed the honor by newly sworn President Jovenel Moise.

Even before he was sworn in, Moise announced that instead of taking place in the capital Port-au-Prince, the national carnival fete would be held in Les Cayes, Haiti's third largest city.

"President Jovenel Moise felt that we had a duty of solidarity with the people of Les Cayes" as well as with others in hard-hit southern Haiti, which bore the brunt of the storm, said Lucien Jura, at the time spokesman for the president's transition team.

As the three-day celebration prepares to get underway, there are growing doubts about whether holding carnival here will actually help stimulate the recovering economy.

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"Carnival brings nothing directly to the victims, but at the global level, it is obvious that there are many commercial activities -- small traders have more opportunities to make money," said Mayor Gabriel Fortune.

Viewing stands have been coated with still-drying paint and hotels completely covered with posters in this seaport city, where musicians have been parading each night as they rehearse for the grand event.

"One could easily have a million people participate in the carnival, coming mostly from Les Cayes but also from Port-au-Prince and the diaspora," said Carel Pedre, spokesman for the carnival organizing committee, referring to Haitians living outside the country.

Traditional maracas in hand and wearing a straw hat, Mackens Ultima could not be happier.

"This is one of the happiest days of my life. My family was a victim of the hurricane and did everything to ehlp them from abroad," said the Cayes native who has lived in Miami for a decade and is visiting on vacation.

"I saw my city destroyed on television and today this carnival offers a new vision, a new force."

- 'A waste of money' -

Even as the city tingles with excitement ahead of carnival, some say spending so much money on the giant open air party is unseemly at a time of such widespread need.

The bill for three days of revelry surpasses $3.6 million in this impoverished Caribbean nation, whose national debt exceeds $2.2 billion.

UN officials said earlier this month that Haiti needs nearly $300 million to provide urgent assistance for its most vulnerable inhabitants, including those affected by Hurricane Matthew in October.

The massive storm caused $2.8 billion in damage, leaving more than 1.5 million people remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance across the nation.

And the Caribbean nation is still struggling to recover from the world's most significant cholera outbreak, with an estimated 30,000 cases expected this year, as well as the effects of the January 2010 earthquake, with tens of thousands of people still camping in tents without proper sanitation.

Families still struggling here months after being lashed by Matthew say they can't understand the decision to spend public funds on carnival, and many complain that they have seen few of the spillover economic gains from hosting the celebration.

"I did not find any work as a result of carnival," lamented Cadet Preneau, whose home was washed away by the storm.

"The people who are building the stands come from Port-au-Prince, so they don't need us," Preneau said bitterly.

"We should have canceled this carnival. It's a waste of money."

The decision to locate carnival here was among the first taken by Moise.

This year also marks a return to the stage of his predecessor Michel Martelly.

Martelly, who goes by the stage name "Sweet Micky," is one of 20-odd musical acts scheduled to perform here during carnival.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Congress returns to Washington this week to confront dramatic decisions on health care and the Supreme Court that may help determine the course of Donald Trump's presidency.

First, the president will have his say, in his maiden speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. Majority Republicans in the House and Senate will be closely watching the prime-time address for guidance, marching orders or any specifics Trump might embrace on health care or taxes, areas where some of his preferences remain a mystery.

Congressional Republicans insist they are working closely with the new administration as they prepare to start taking votes on health legislation, with the moment finally upon them to make good on seven years of promises to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. House Republicans hope to pass their legislation by early April and send it to the Senate, with action there also possible before Easter.

Republicans will be "keeping our promise to the American people," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said as he sent lawmakers home for the Presidents Day recess armed with informational packets to defend planned GOP changes to the health law.

But land mines await.

The recess was dominated by raucous town halls where Republicans faced tough questions about their plans to replace the far-reaching health care law with a new system built around tax credits, health savings accounts and high risk pools. Important questions are unanswered, such as the overall cost and how many people will be covered. There's also uncertainty about how to resolve divisions among states over Medicaid money.

The lack of clarity created anxiety among voters who peppered lawmakers from coast to coast with questions about what would become of their own health coverage and that of their friends and family. It has forced Republicans to offer assurances that they don't intend to take away the law and leave nothing in its place, even though some House conservatives favor doing just that.

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"What I have said is repeal and replace and more recently I have defined that as repairing the ACA moving forward," Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J., insisted to an overflow crowd in his politically divided district this past week. "I think we have a responsibility in Washington to try to make the system better."

It remains to be seen whether the release of detailed legislation in the coming days will calm, or heighten, voters' concerns. Details on the size of tax credits to help people buy insurance, and how many fewer people will be covered than the 20 million who gained coverage under Obama's law, could create bigger pushback and even more complications.

With lawmakers set to return to the Capitol on Monday, it will become clearer whether the earful many got back home will affect their plans. GOP leaders are determined to move forward, reckoning that when confronted with the reality of voting on the party's repeal and replace plan, Republicans will have no choice but to vote "yes."

Many Republicans say that how they will handle health legislation will set the stage for the next big battle, over taxes. And that fight, many believe, will be even trickier than health care. Already, it has opened major rifts between House and Senate Republicans.

Senators also will be weighing the nomination of federal appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch, Trump's pick for the Supreme Court. Hearings soon will get underway in the Senate Judiciary Committee; floor action is expected before Easter.

Despite Gorsuch's sterling credentials, Democrats are under pressure from their liberal supporters to oppose him, given voters' disdain for Trump and the GOP's refusal last year to allow even a hearing for Obama's nominee for the high court vacancy, federal appeals Judge Merrick Garland.

Yet some Democrats are already predicting that one way or another, Gorsuch will be confirmed. Even if he doesn't pick up the 60 votes he needs, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., could use a procedural gambit to eliminate Democrats' ability to filibuster Gorsuch, an outcome that Trump has endorsed.

Congress is awaiting a budget from the Trump administration, and the slow process of rounding out Trump's Cabinet will move forward as Republicans tee up more nominees over Democratic protests. The Senate has confirmed 14 Cabinet and Cabinet-level officials, fewer than other presidents at this point.

The most controversial nominees, including Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt, have been confirmed. Next up: financier Wilbur Ross for commerce secretary, Rep. Ryan Zinke to lead the Interior Department, retired neurosurgeon and 2016 GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson to be housing secretary and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry at the Energy Department.

How Democrats vote will be telling, given the extreme pressures on them to oppose Trump at every turn. It's a dynamic to which those with potential presidential ambitions are particularly sensitive. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, among others, took heat for voting in favor of Carson in committee, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has opposed nearly all the nominees.
Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is speaking out against an alleged hate crime that took place in Olathe, Kan. last week.

Adam Purinton, 51, shouted get out of my country at two Indian men in a bar before he opened fire, killing one man and injuring two others. With reports that Purintons actions were racially motivated, Clinton is calling on President Donald Trump, who has yet to speak out against the shooting, for change.

With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldnt have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out, she tweeted Monday morning.

Despite Clintons message, the shooting has not been ruled a hate crimethough the FBI has joined an investigation to determine whether or not it was. If it is ruled a hate crime, Purintons actions will join a growing number of hate or racially motivated crimes since Trumps election. The uptick has mainly been against Muslims and Jews in the United States, according to reports.

With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

Just five days after Trump was elected, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights advocacy group that tracks hate crimes, reported more than 30 cases of anti-Muslim incidents. Separately, the Pew Research Center also reported that the number of physical assaults against Muslim-Americans saw an increase in 2015, the second highest levels since Sept. 11.

The New York Police Department has also seen an uptick in hate crimes: Between the election on Nov. 8 and Feb. 19, the NYPD received 143 hate-crime complaintsa 42% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to Bloomberg. The department has linked the surge to the 2016 presidential campaign.

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A Jewish cemetery in Missouri was also recently vandalized, as was one in Philadelphia. While Trump has condemned anti-Semitism, the Anne Frank Center said these comments were pathetic, writing in a statement that the Presidents comments are a Band-Aid on the cancer of Anti-Semitism that has infected his own Administration.

On Friday, the widow of Srinivas Kuchibhotlathe sole man who was killed in the shootingquestioned whether or not Indians are safe in the United States during a news conference at Garmin headquarters, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer, according to the Kansas City Star.

I need an answer, she said, the Star reports. I need an answer from the government. What are they going to do to stop this hate crime?

Purinton has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with the shooting. He is slated to make his first court appearance today.
Hollywood (United States) (AFP) - Hollywood seized the global platform of the Oscars to take on Donald Trump, but stars kept the tone light and inclusive after the US president's divisive debut.

With Trump famous for his angry Twitter attacks on critics, Hollywood's stars made jibes about incurring his wrath but mostly adopted a celebratory mood, with multiple winners highlighting their origins as immigrants, minorities or foreigners.

"This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us," the awards' host, Jimmy Kimmel, said in his opening monologue.

The late-night comedian quipped that Trump, who pulled off a political upset win with his campaign that targeted immigration, had taken the heat off Hollywood and its annual gala.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone," Kimmel said.

"We are very welcoming to outsiders here in Hollywood. We don't discriminate on people based on what countries they come from. We discriminate them based on their age and weight," he said.

The top prize went to "Moonlight," the coming-of-age story of an African American boy and his struggles with sexual identity -- although the Oscar was announced only after an embarrassing mistake in which feel-good musical "La La Land" was first announced as the winner.

"This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls, and non-gender-conforming, who don't see themselves -- we're trying to show you," playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney said as he accepted the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

- Iranian director boycotts -

"Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins was one of several nominees to sport a blue ribbon in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, the rights lobby that has been stridently fighting the Trump administration in court.

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Also for "Moonlight," Mahershala Ali won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of a drug dealer -- becoming the first Muslim to pick up a golden statuette for acting.

In perhaps the night's most potent symbol, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the gala as his drama "The Salesman" won for best foreign language film -- the second time his work has won that prize.

Farhadi was protesting Trump's visa ban that bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran from entering the United States.

While a court has put Trump's order on hold, the US leader has vowed to bring it back -- and Farhadi vowed solidarity with "disrespected" people.

"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear -- a deceitful justification for aggression and war," he said in the statement read at the gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

"Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others -- an empathy which we need today more than ever."

Instead of coming to Los Angeles, Farhadi screened his film -- a loose adaptation of the classic American play "Death of a Salesman" that delves into the lives of the actors in Tehran -- before thousands of fans in London's Trafalgar Square.

- Trolling Trump -

The creators of "Zootopia," an animated Disney movie about animals that speak to one another and find ways to coexist, saw a larger message as they accepted the award for best animated feature.

"We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world who embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other," co-director Rich Moore said.

Meryl Streep, who now has a record 20 Oscar nominations, had taken Trump to task in a speech last month at the Golden Globe Awards, pointing in part to his mockery of a disabled journalist.

Trump responded on Twitter that Streep was "one of the most overrated actress in Hollywood" -- a moniker that Kimmel played with as he introduced her at the Oscars.

"Everybody, please join me in giving her a totally undeserved round of applause, will you? The highly overrated Meryl Streep, everyone," he said.

As the show neared its end, Kimmel feigned disappointment that Trump had not yet weighed in. He took out a phone and tweeted at Trump to ask if he was awake -- a message quickly retweeted more than 225,000 times.
The House Intelligence Committee is looking into connections between President Donald Trump and Russia, but the top Republican and the top Democrat on the panel seem at loggerheads over what theyre investigating, or even whether they should.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R.-Calif.), the committees chairman, said calls for an investigation amount to a witch hunt, and that at this point, theres nothing there. Nunes did want an investigation into something he considers serious, however: leaks of information from government officials to the press.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer also questioned the need for further investigations, arguing Monday that there is no need for a special prosecutor  as suggested by Rep. Darrell Issa (R.-Calif.) among others  because the allegations about Trump and Russia have yet to be confirmed.

Rep. Adam Schiff (R.-Calif.), the committees ranking member, said the House inquiry is in its infancy and that it is too early to come to any conclusions. He also said that he has not received assurances of full cooperation from the FBI in the investigation: I dont have the assurances Id like to have, Schiff told reporters Monday.

And while Schiff acknowledged that unauthorized leaks can be serious, he cautioned against losing sight of what he called the real issue: a battle between the United States and Russia for the future of the western liberal order. He noted that Russian hackers interfered in the election, as they are trying to do in France and Germany. That makes a full investigation into the hack, the U.S. response, and any other possible connections between the Trump campaign and Moscow necessary, he said.

If we are going to inoculate ourselves against Russian threats, he said, we need to know exactly what theyve done.

Asked why the panel cant wait until the FBIs own investigation is done, Schiff said: We have our responsibility in Congress to do our investigation for the purposes of determining how to protect our democracy.

Photo credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
If anyone understands how Warren Beatty is feeling today, it would be Steve Harvey. The comedian and show host famously anointed the wrong Miss Universe during the pageants final moments in 2015, handing the crown off to Miss Colombia instead of Miss Philippines, to general uproar.

Similarly, at Sunday nights memorable Oscars, veteran actors Warren Beatty (aided by his Bonnie and Clyde co-star Faye Dunaway) ended up announcing the wrong winner for the award for Best Picture. The producers behind the show, it should be noted, the accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCooper for the mixup; Beatty was evidently handed the wrong envelope on his way to broadcasting the big winner, resulting in the uncomfortable situation. In the middle of the confusion, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel even quipped about Harvey. Personally, I blame Steve Harvey for this, he joked while the La La Land group moved aside to give Moonlight the spotlight.

But Beatty, who seemed early on reluctant to read the printed winner and who apologized onstage after the mistake became apparent, is not alone. Harvey, at least, knows how it goes.

Call me Warren Beatty. I can help you get through this! #Oscars  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

The Miss Universe Twitter account also reached out to Beatty, ostensibly knowing how to help clean up the fallout.
Budapest (AFP) - Hungary has begun building a high-tech second fence on the border with Serbia complete with night cameras and heat and movement sensors to keep out migrants, the government said Monday.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an admirer of US President Donald Trump and who has called immigration "poison", announced plans for the three-metre (10-feet) high fence last August.

It will reinforce an existing barrier erected in 2015 at the height of Europe's migrant crisis along the 175-kilometre-long (110-mile-long) frontier in southern Hungary.

The new fence will have sensors every 10 to 15 centimetres that trigger alarms, Orban's chief security advisor Gyorgy Bakondi told the Magyar Hirlap newspaper on Monday.

A government spokesman confirmed to AFP a report in pro-government daily Magyar Idok that work has begun, with columns erected close to the Kelebia border crossing.

The newspaper said that the work was being done by prisoners, who in November completed a test section 10.3 kilometres (6.4 miles) long.

Bakondi said that this part "exceeded expectations" and led to a complete stoppage in illegal border crossing there.

The new barrier will be completed within two months before the summer months that could coincide with an increase in migrants attempting to cross, according to Magyar Idok.

Orban's right-wing government hopes that when fully built the fence will cut the numbers of troops and police officers required to patrol Hungary's border with Serbia.

In 2015 over 400,000 migrants trekked through Hungary, a border of the EU's passport-free Schengen zone, toward northern Europe.

After the first fence line was completed in September that year, and another one along the Croatian border a month later, the number of migrants entering Hungary slowed to a trickle.

The government says however that dozens of migrants are still caught trying to cross the fence every day.
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Hungary has begun building a second fence on its border with Serbia to stop migrants from freely entering the country, the government said Monday.

The government spokesman's office confirmed a report published in pro-government newspaper Magyar Idok.

Hungary built a barrier along the length of its borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015. The government says the second fence is needed because it expects a surge of migrants to reach its borders this year.

"Although the EU-Turkey agreement is prevailing and the Western Balkan route is closed, we expect the migration pressure to appear at any moment at our southern borders," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said after meeting his Romanian counterpart, Teodor Melescanu. "For this reason, we are strengthening the defense of our southern border."

A 10-kilometer (6-mile) experimental stretch of the second fence has already been built, some of it equipped with cameras, motion and heat sensors and other surveillance tools.

Some 400,000 migrants reached Hungary from the south before the border fences were erected. Nearly all passed through the country on their way west to Germany, the Netherlands and other destinations.

Human rights advocates have been strongly critical of Hungary's migration policies, including the fence and measures that would lock asylum-seekers in border camps made of shipping containers while their cases are decided.

In a letter to the European Commission, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch said the planned legal changes in Hungary would go against EU rules by, for example, "severely" limiting refugees' access to asylum.

"The European Commission should not stand by while Hungary makes a mockery of the right to seek asylum," said Benjamin Ward, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch. "Using transit zones as detention centers and forcing asylum-seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian side of the razor-wire fence is abusive, pointless, and cruel."
Washington (AFP) - Uncertainty surrounding the sanctions on Iran and its relations with the United States pose a risk to the oil-producing nation's economy, the International Monetary Fund said Monday.

The comments were a reference to the new sanctions the Trump administration imposed early this month on individuals and companies supporting Iran's ballistic missile program and the Revolutionary Guards military force.

The measures came after Iran test-fired a medium range missile, which the White House contends violated a UN Security Council resolution proscribing missiles that could carry a nuclear device.

Washington issued a tough warning that the United States and its allies had been "too tolerant of Iran's bad behavior" under the 2015 six-nation agreement to monitor and contain the country's nuclear weapons development.

"The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate Iran's provocations that threaten our interests," former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn said early this month, before being forced to resign his post.

"The days of turning a blind eye to Iran's hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over."

The IMF's annual report on Iran's economy, known as the Article IV review, said "renewed uncertainty regarding sanctions is dampening sentiment."

The IMF staff said in their assessment the country benefited from higher oil production and is expected to grow 6.6 percent in 2016/2017, before easing to 3.3 percent in the next year.

However, the uncertainty surrounding the nuclear agreement "and especially relations with the US, could deter investment and trade with Iran and short-circuit the anticipated recovery," the report cautioned. "If the agreement is derailed, the economy could risk recession."

Reimposing sanctions "would lower direct investment and capital inflows, and disconnect Iran from the global financial system."

Jafar Mojarrad, IMF executive director for Iran, noted that, "Regrettably, remaining US sanctions and related uncertainty have hindered the return of global banks to the Iranian market and continue to hamper large-scale investment and trade."
South Korea's president expressed "belated regret" Monday over the scandal that triggered her impeachment, as the Constitutional Court wrapped up hearings on her fate and her supporters screamed threats outside.

Park Geun-Hye was elected in 2012 with the highest vote share of any presidential candidate in South Korea's democratic era.

But she was impeached by parliament in December over a massive corruption and influence-peddling scandal that prompted millions to take to the streets to call for her ouster.

She has since been on trial for her political life at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, which is set to decide in March whether to approve her removal from office -- which would trigger new elections -- or return her to the Blue House.

Park has not attended any of the hearings, which began last month.

Her lawyers maintain that she was not aware of any wrongdoing and blamed her secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations.

In a statement read out by her advocate on Monday, Park reiterated that her only fault was trusting Choi and seeking advice from her longtime friend, who took care of her daily affairs for years, including her wardrobe choices.

"In retrospect, I have belated regret that I should have been more cautious with my trust in her," she said in her final defence to the court's eight sitting judges.

Park bemoaned a "miserable reality" in which her policies and actions had become objects of "misunderstanding and suspicion".

But she has rejected repeated requests from the judges to make herself available for questioning, and has also refused to answer questions from prosecutors probing the scandal.

- 'Kill all of them' -

Outside the court, hundreds of Park's elderly supporters loudly protested against the drive to remove her, with some attempting to break through hundreds of police guarding the court.

Story continues

Some waved banners threatening "civil war" if the impeachment goes through, others hurled personal threats against the judges.

"I will kill all of them if they impeach the poor president!" shouted one.

Dozens of rival demonstrators held banners backing her removal.

Choi is on trial for coercion and abuse of power.

The two women became close through Choi's father, a shady religious figure who was Park's mentor for years.

Park's own father, dictator Park Chung-Hee, was assassinated in 1979 by his intelligence chief.

The 65-year-old president is accused of colluding with her friend to extract money from local firms as well as letting her handle a wide range of state affairs including nominations to senior posts, despite having no official title or security clearance.

A number of former presidential advisors and cabinet members have been arrested or charged for their involvements in the scandal, including allegedly leaking secret state documents to Choi at Park's order.

Lawmakers pushing for Park's impeachment say she betrayed voters.

"A series of unbelievable developments in recent weeks have left South Koreans deeply insulted, humiliated and frustrated," Kweon Seong-Dong, a member of the parliamentary impeachment committee, told the hearing.

"We urge the constitutional court to strictly hold her accountable so that people can no longer feel ashamed of the Republic of Korea."
On March 11, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a better sense of whether he has a mandate.

Thats when the votes for Indian state elections  currently underway in five of the countrys states  will be counted and announced. The five states are Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Uttar Pradesh.

These arent just tiny, out of the way elections; Uttar Pradesh (UP) alone has a population of roughly 200 million. And theyre not just impacting local politics. State legislators indirectly select Indias upper house of parliament. In other words, hundreds of millions of people across India could change the course of the rest of Modis term.

These elections are viewed as a kind of midterm, Richard Rossow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told Foreign Policy. That doesnt mean that the outcome will foreshadow how Modis party, BJP, does in the next general election, slated for 2019. But the state elections, Rossow said, can be useful in gauging the temperature.

Thats especially true with respect to Uttar Pradesh. BJP won that state by a tremendous margin in the last general election. If Modis BJP were to lose in UP, said Sanjay Ruparelia, professor at the New School, it would take the shine off his government, and his rule. Its already taken quite a hit over concerns that Modi did not live up to his own hype, and that his policies are not, in fact, good for average Indians.

Case in particular point: Modis controversial demonetization policy. In November, in an effort to fight back against corruption and black money, Modi decided to declare illegal 500 and 1000 rupee notes  or, 85 percent of the currency in circulation. Modi decided to not announce this initiative so as to take the corrupt by surprise. Which he did. Unfortunately, he caught everybody else by surprise, too, including farmers, workers, and small business owners. The long-term consequences are still to be told, Ruparelia said. The short term was a fiasco.

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And so if BJP can still perform well in these elections  and polls are inconclusive as to whether they will  that would suggest, Rossow says, that Indian citizens will cope with the pain they feel about waiting in line [for currency]  as long as they think the fat cats are feeling more pain.

It is one thing for members of parliament to debate Modis demonetization policies. And they have, leading Modi to blame Indira Gandhi for not having demonetized in the 1970s. But it is another for the people to say at the ballot box whether they are willing to swallow Modis monetary pill.

Alternatively, if the Aam Aadmi Party, focused on anti-corruption and currently the ruling party in Delhi, wins control over a second state (specifically, Punjab), it might show itself to be more than a fringe political player, and also suggest that Indians are looking for methods other than Modis to fight corruption.

If voters do back Modi at the state level, hell have an easier time in the upper house of parliament, making it easier to implement BJPs agenda nationally.

And that, in turn, has ramifications outside of India. The state votes typically boil down to local issues like who can provide electricity and water to their villages and services to their cities; almost no voters give thought to how their vote might impact foreign policy, Rossow says.

Still, a win for the BJP would empower Modi in his present course: poking Pakistan over the disputed territory of the Kashmir and bulking up militarily to balance Chinas growing influence in the neighborhood. Ultimately, a BJP sweep at the state level could entrench a more muscular Indian foreign policy for years to come  although what that would mean for U.S.-Indian relations depends as much on the White House (and U.S. immigration policy) as it does on whos the big winner on March 11.

Photo credit: SANJAY KANOJIA/AFP/Getty Images
Over a dozen NSU students injured in attack by ANNFSU

Over a dozen students were injured after a clash ensued between Nepali Congress (NC) aligned Nepal Students Union (NSU) and CPN-UML aligned All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU) at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) in Sundar Bazaar, Lamjung district on Monday.
New Delhi (AFP) - New Delhi's top diplomat will travel to Washington this week for talks with US officials as anger grows over the death of an Indian expatriate in a suspected hate crime.

Thousands of Indians visit the United States every year for work or study, and the killing of 32-year-old engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in a Kansas bar last week has caused shockwaves around the country.

A second Indian engineer, Alok Madasani, was injured in the shooting by a white man whom witnesses said screamed racial slurs.

A ministry official said Foreign Secretary S.Jaishankar would travel to Washington on Tuesday for a "wide-ranging bilateral discussion", without giving further details.

Reports said Jaishankar, the most senior Indian official to visit since President Donald Trump took office, would discuss proposed restrictions to so-called H-1B visas as well as seeking reassurances on the safety of Indian expatriates.

India's IT sector uses H-1B visas to send thousands of highly-skilled workers to America every year.

News of the visit came after an Indian minister described hate crimes as "shameful", adding to a growing chorus of demands for Washington to act.

In an editorial on Monday The Times of India said the shooting had shocked the Indian community in the US and urged Trump to "make it clear that such hate is not acceptable in his America".

US authorities have charged Adam Purinton, 51, with premeditated first-degree murder over the shooting, and are looking into whether it was a hate crime.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - An attacker killed by police in Indonesia after detonating a small bomb in the city of Bandung on Monday was "possibly" part of a radical network linked to Islamic State, police said. There were no reports of injuries from the explosion near a government office in the West Java city. The attacker died after being shot by police, said Yusri Yunus, a spokesman for the West Java Police. "There's a possibility of JAD," said West Java police chief Anton Charliyan, when asked which network the attacker was from. Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) is an umbrella organization that Indonesian authorities estimate includes hundreds of Islamic State sympathizers in Indonesia, a secular state with the world's largest Muslim population. (Reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa; Writing by Eveline Danubrata; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
By Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Gayatri Suroyo JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police killed a militant on Monday after he detonated a small bomb in the city of Bandung and authorities said they were investigating whether he had links to a radical network sympathetic to Islamic State. Indonesia, an officially secular state with the world's largest Muslim population, faces what many people fear is a growing threat from supporters of Islamic State. Recent attacks by Islamic State sympathizers have mostly been poorly organized, but authorities believe about 400 Indonesians have left to join the militant group in Syria, and some could pose a more deadly threat if they came home. The blast in the courtyard of a government office in Bandung, southeast of the capital Jakarta, did not cause any casualties and the bomber was shot by police after he ran into the building. The militant had arrived at the office on a motorbike and placed his bomb, made with explosives packed into a pressure cooker, in the corner of the courtyard. The attacker had demanded that an anti-terror police unit, Densus 88, release all detainees, according to provincial police chief Anton Charliyan. The attacker may have been linked to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an umbrella organization on a U.S. State Department "terrorist" list that is estimated to have drawn hundreds of Islamic State sympathizers in Indonesia. "There's a possibility of JAD," Charliyan said, when asked which group the militant belonged to. The bomber had been jailed for three years after undertaking militant training in Aceh, a province on the northwest tip of Sumatra island, said national police spokesman Martinus Sitompul. Indonesia had scored major successes tackling militancy inspired by the al Qaeda attacks on the United States in 2001. But there has been a resurgence of Islamist activity in recent years, some of it linked to the rise of Islamic State. Authorities foiled at least 15 attacks in 2016 and made more than 150 arrests. The most serious incident last year was in January when four suicide bombers and gunmen attacked a shopping area in central Jakarta. Eight people, including all four attackers, were killed in the first attack in Indonesia claimed by Islamic State. Militant attacks had been relatively rare in Bandung, about three hours away from Jakarta. Provincial police spokesman Yusri Yunus said the situation was "under control" after the bomber was killed. (Additional reporting by Kanupriya Kapoor; Writing by Eveline Danubrata and Robert Birsel; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Representatives of the Iranian government have lauded the team behind Asghar Farhadis Best Foreign Language Oscar winner, The Salesman. The countrys Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, took to Twitter on Monday to say he was proud of the cast and crew for their Oscar and stance against Muslim ban. Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri praised the now double Oscar winner Farhadi for standing against narrow-minded and racist policies of novice American politicians, Reuters reported citing the ISNA news agency.

Proud of cast & crew of "The Salesman" for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) February 27, 2017

The government reps were referencing President Donald Trumps attempt to ban citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the U.S. First enacted in late January and later blocked by federal judges, Trumps executive order nevertheless led to Farhadi saying he would not attend the Academy Awards, even if given special dispensation to do so. Last week, he made an appearance via video at the UTA rally and last night appeared on a giant screen at the UK premiere of The Salesman in Londons Trafalgar Square.

The Salesman later won the Oscar on Sunday night, in what some see as a cause celebre vote and rebuke of Trumps immigration policies.

The film was co-produced by Frances Arte France Cinema and Memento Films, giving the Tricolor its own chance to weigh in. French Culture Minister Audrey Azoulay said today that France congratulates itself to have participated in the co-production that bears witness to the decisive contribution of our country to the diversity of world cinema.

Story continues

She added that The Salesman, which won the Best Screenplay and Best Actor prizes in Cannes last year, has a new distinction that rewards an Iranian filmmaker who refuses to confine himself within borders that would oppose him, Le Film Francais reported.

Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari accepted the Oscar for Farhadi last night, reading a statement from the director. She said on his behalf, Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which themselves have been victims of aggression. Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others; an empathy which we need today more than ever.

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President Donald Trumps executive order banning citizens from seven Middle Eastern countries from entering the U.S. may be lifted, but an Iranian director previously affected by the controversial directive made good on his promise to sit out the awards show for political reasons.

On Sunday night, Asghar Farhadi was not present to accept his Best Foreign Film Oscar for The Salesman.

Instead, he sent Iranian American engineer Anousheh Ansari, known as the first female space tourist, to accept the award on his behalf and read a statement from the filmmaker.

Im sorry Im not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S., she read on his behalf. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear: A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy we need today more than ever. And break stereotypes and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy we need today more than ever, she also said on his behalf.

On Sunday, just hours before the Oscars telecast, Farhadi addressed about 10,000 protesters in London who gathered for a screening of The Salesman in a show of unity and strength against Trumps travel ban, per The Guardian.

This solidarity is off to a great start. I hope this movement will continue and spread for it has within itself the power to stand up to fascism, be victorious in the face of extremism and say no to oppressive political powers everywhere, he said via videolink from Tehran to a crowd that included London mayor Sadiq Khan and and Palme dOr winner Mike Leigh.

Story continues

Farhadi at the Oscars in 2012

Farhadi released a statement to The New York Times last month detailing his decision to forgo the Academy Awards, where his movie is nominated for Best Foreign Film, shortly after reports that he might be barred from the prestigious event made worldwide headlines. The Oscar-winning director took home the trophy in the same category in 2012 for A Separation.

I regret to announce via this statement that I have decided to not attend the Academy Awards Ceremony alongside my fellow members of the cinematic community, he said, adding that he originally planned to attend the event. It now seems that the possibility of this presence is being accompanied by ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip.

Hard-liners, despite their nationalities, political arguments and wars, regard and understand the world in very much the same way, Farhadi continued. In order to understand the world, they have no choice but to regard it via an us and them mentality, which they use to create a fearful image of them and inflict fear in the people of their own countries. For years on both sides of the ocean, groups of hardliners have tried to present to their people unrealistic and fearful images of various nations and cultures in order to turn their differences into disagreements, their disagreements into enmities and their enmities into fears.

Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behavior by narrow-minded individuals, he added.

Trumps controversial executive order suspended entry of all refugees to the U.S. for 120 days, barred Syrian refugees indefinitely, and for 90 days blocked entry into the U.S. for nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Farhadis native country of Iran.

RELATED VIDEO: Is an Oscar Really Only Worth $1?

But Farhadi wasnt the only potential Oscar attendee affected by the order, which was later put on hold by the courts.

Khaled Khateeb, a Syrian cinematographer who worked on the Academy Award-nominated documentary The White Helmets, was barred by the Department of Homeland Security from entering the country, citing derogatory information about the filmmaker.

Khateeb, also a member of the volunteer search-and-rescue organization known as the White Helmets, was initially banned from attending the ceremony, but was later granted a visa to attend. The film is nominated in the Best Documentary Short category.

According to the Associated Press, Khateeb was detained by Turkish authorities and told he needed a waiver from the U.S. to make it into the country, something he had never received.




Tehran (AFP) - Iranian film "The Salesman" on Sunday won the Oscar for best foreign language film, but director Asghar Farhadi skipped the Hollywood gala in protest at a travel ban by US President Donald Trump.

Farhadi initially said he would head to Hollywood for Oscars night, where his film -- the story of two actors whose relationship turns sour during a performance of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" -- earned a statuette.

But after citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries were briefly denied entry last month to the United States, he decided there were too many "ifs and buts" about whether he would be allowed to enter the country.

Instead, thousands of people watched "The Salesman" for free in London's Trafalgar Square.

In a statement read at the Oscars in his name, Farhadi said he was staying away in solidarity as people had been "disrespected" by Trump's policy, which is currently on hold after a decision by a federal appeals court.

"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear -- a deceitful justification for aggression and war," he said in the statement read at the Hollywood gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

"These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

"Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others -- an empathy which we need today more than ever."

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter that he was "proud" of the cast and crew of "The Salesman" and hailed the Oscar statement on Trump's visa policy.

"Iranians have represented culture and civilization for millennia," he wrote.

- 'Fanaticism and extremism' -

Story continues

At the age of just 44, Farhadi has established himself as Iran's most acclaimed director, touching people around the globe with stories that resonate beyond borders.

This was his second film to win an Oscar in the foreign language film category, following the 2012 victory for "A Separation" -- a stark, powerful family drama about Iran's fractured social classes, which also picked up a Golden Globe.

Coming at another dark time in relations between the United States and Iran, when international sanctions were at their peak, Farhadi's 2012 speech was lauded back home for putting Iranian art, culture and history above politics.

But this time, politics trumped art.

His statement in January blasted the rising mood of "fanaticism and extremism" and compared Trump to hardliners in his own country.

"Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behaviour by narrow-minded individuals," he wrote.

His lead actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, also boycotted the event, calling Trump's visa ban "racist".

The measure has been put on ice by the US federal courts, and Trump's White House is devising a new order.

- Restrictions breed creativity -

Working in the Islamic Republic for most of his career, Farhadi has had to turn limitations into sources of creativity.

"There are two types of censorship: official censorship and self-censorship, which is much more dangerous," Farhadi once said.

Outside Iran, "the restrictions no longer weigh me down, but I am still subject to a conditioning that's beyond my control," he said.

"I try to see that as an advantage rather than a hindrance and to respond in a creative way."

Born in 1972 near the ancient city of Isfahan, Farhadi was swiftly drawn towards the arts, becoming interested in writing, drama and cinema while still at school.

He later took courses at the Iranian Young Cinema Society and graduated with a master's degree in film direction from Tehran University in 1998.

- 'Complex but fluid' -

"The Salesman" also found success at last year's Cannes film festival, with Farhadi winning best screenplay and his star Shahab Hosseini named best actor.

It was his second official festival selection after his French-language film "The Past" in 2013, which won the ecumenical jury prize.

The structure of Farhadi's scripts "is always complex but fluid," cinema writer Beatrice de Mondenard said at the time.

"He seeks to show the difficulties inherent in relationships between people, the choices faced by everyone, choices which make us question our values and our convictions."

Farhadi's "About Elly", which tells of a woman who vanishes on a beach getaway with friends, scooped the Silver Bear award for best director at the 2009 Berlin film festival.

Other films include "Dancing In The Dust," "Fireworks Wednesday" and "Beautiful City".
Iranian film "The Salesman" on Sunday won the Oscar for best foreign language film, but director Asghar Farhadi skipped the Hollywood gala in protest at a travel ban by US President Donald Trump.

Farhadi initially said he would head to Hollywood for Oscars night, where his film -- the story of two actors whose relationship turns sour during a performance of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" -- earned a statuette.

But after citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries were briefly denied entry last month to the United States, he decided there were too many "ifs and buts" about whether he would be allowed to enter the country.

Instead, thousands of people watched "The Salesman" for free in London's Trafalgar Square.

In a statement read at the Oscars in his name, Farhadi said he was staying away in solidarity as people had been "disrespected" by Trump's policy, which is currently on hold after a decision by a federal appeals court.

"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear -- a deceitful justification for aggression and war," he said in the statement read at the Hollywood gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

"These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

"Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others -- an empathy which we need today more than ever."

- 'Fanaticism and extremism' -

At the age of just 44, Farhadi has established himself as Iran's most acclaimed director, touching people around the globe with stories that resonate beyond borders.

This was his second film to win an Oscar in the foreign language film category, following the 2012 victory for "A Separation" -- a stark, powerful family drama about Iran's fractured social classes, which also picked up a Golden Globe.

Story continues

Coming at another dark time in relations between the United States and Iran, when international sanctions were at their peak, Farhadi's 2012 speech was lauded back home for putting Iranian art, culture and history above politics.

But this time, politics trumped art.

His statement in January blasted the rising mood of "fanaticism and extremism" and compared Trump to hardliners in his own country.

"Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behaviour by narrow-minded individuals," he wrote.

His lead actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, also boycotted the event, calling Trump's visa ban "racist".

The measure has been put on ice by the US federal courts, and Trump's White House is devising a new order.

- Restrictions breed creativity -

Working in the Islamic Republic for most of his career, Farhadi has had to turn limitations into sources of creativity.

"There are two types of censorship: official censorship and self-censorship, which is much more dangerous," Farhadi once said.

Outside Iran, "the restrictions no longer weigh me down, but I am still subject to a conditioning that's beyond my control," he said.

"I try to see that as an advantage rather than a hindrance and to respond in a creative way."

Born in 1972 near the ancient city of Isfahan, Farhadi was swiftly drawn towards the arts, becoming interested in writing, drama and cinema while still at school.

He later took courses at the Iranian Young Cinema Society and graduated with a master's degree in film direction from Tehran University in 1998.

- 'Complex but fluid' -

"The Salesman" also found success at last year's Cannes film festival, with Farhadi winning best screenplay and his star Shahab Hosseini named best actor.

It was his second official festival selection after his French-language film "The Past" in 2013, which won the ecumenical jury prize.

The structure of Farhadi's scripts "is always complex but fluid," cinema writer Beatrice de Mondenard said at the time.

"He seeks to show the difficulties inherent in relationships between people, the choices faced by everyone, choices which make us question our values and our convictions."

Farhadi's "About Elly", which tells of a woman who vanishes on a beach getaway with friends, scooped the Silver Bear award for best director at the 2009 Berlin film festival.

Other films include "Dancing In The Dust," "Fireworks Wednesday" and "Beautiful City".
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - A Philippine nurse held by Islamic State in the Libyan city of Sirte said on Monday that she and her colleagues had been forced to treat militants and give them medical training. The nurse is from a group of seven women, one man and a 10-month-old child who are being repatriated from Libya to the Philippines. They were freed from Sirte when local forces drove Islamic State from the city last year. Islamic State took full control of Sirte in early 2015, turning it into their North African stronghold and holding dozens of foreign captives. The Philippine nationals are medical staff who were among foreign workers already in the city when it came under the ultra-hardline group's rule. "When they found out we were Muslim they released us but under a strict condition that we will have to work as nurses in their hospital and we had to train ISIS (Islamic State) on emergency care and nursing course," the nurse told reporters in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. "It was a horrible time. Each day we lived in fear. We didn't know what was going to happen next. And they threatened to kill us if we left Sirte." The Philippine staff worked at Sirte's main hospital, which Islamic State used to treat their wounded fighters until they were pushed out of central Sirte in August. Militants then retreated toward their final strongholds near Sirte's seafront, taking medical equipment and foreign captives with them. Islamic State was defeated in Sirte in early December, after nearly seven months of fighting. The Philippine medical staff and many of the other foreign captives were freed in the final stages of the battle. Since then they have been held in Misrata, the city that led the military campaign in Sirte. Also held there are dozens of women from sub-Saharan Africa who were captured while crossing Libya as migrants and used as sex slaves in Sirte. Earlier this month an Indian doctor who had also been trapped in Sirte, Ramamurthy Kosanam, was flown out of Libya. He said on Sunday that he had worked in field hospitals run by Islamic State for about two-and-a-half months, and was shot in the hand and both legs during battles before being rescued by local Libyan fighters. (Reporting by Hani Amara; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
PADT bids farewell to 4,000 Sadhus

Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) on Sunday bade farewell to around 4,000 Sadhus who had come to the holy temple of Pashupatinath in the Capital to celebrate the Mahashivaratri festival.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli forces were set Monday to evacuate and demolish nine settler homes built on private Palestinian land, after the supreme court rejected a last-minute request to only seal the structures.

The same court had ordered the homes in the Ofra settlement be demolished by March 5.

Their residents had filed the petition after parliament passed a law earlier this month determining that settler homes and outposts built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank could be legalised under certain conditions.

The petitioners asked that the court allow the homes to be sealed rather than demolished in case they would be able to apply the new law to the homes in the future.

In its Monday ruling, however, the court noted the law was not applicable to homes and plots on which courts had already ruled, such as the Ofra buildings.

Public radio reported that security forces had already entered one of the nine homes to prevent youths from inhabiting it to oppose the eviction.

It said the Ofra leadership was intent on preventing violent clashes with security forces such as those that took place during the eviction of the nearby Amona outpost three weeks ago, where youths barricaded themselves in the synagogue and wounded Israeli forces with stones and acid.

International law considers all settlements to be illegal, but Israel distinguishes between those it has authorised and those built without official permission.

Most of the international community considers settlements an obstacle to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's justice ministry said Monday it had launched an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding a submarine deal which reportedly involves people close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The ministry stressed however that Netanyahu himself was not a suspect in the case.

Law enforcement agencies have been looking in recent months into the deal to buy Dolphin submarines from Germany's ThyssenKrupp.

In November the attorney general ordered police to look into allegations of improper conduct related to the deal.

The justice ministry said in a statement that in light of evidence collected by police, the attorney general decided to launch a full-fledged investigation.

Some of the police evidence raise suspicions that some of the people involved have committed "crimes pertaining to public corruption," it said.

The statement did not mention names.

Media reports have alleged a conflict of interest over the role played by David Shimron, a relative of the prime minister and the Netanyahu family lawer who also represents ThyssenKrupp in Israel.

Netanyahu himself is being investigated over corruption suspicions, reportedly involving receiving gifts from Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

The Israeli premier is also being probed over the suspicion he sought a a secret deal with Amnon Moses, publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

The discussed deal, which is not believed to have been finalised, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for helping curb Yedioth's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu rejected any charges of misconduct, and said he was the target of a campaign by political opponents.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's Attorney General has ordered an investigation into the purchase of German submarines months after it emerged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney represented the German firm involved in the $1.5 billion deal.

The Justice Ministry said Monday the decision was made after evidence pointed to "reasonable suspicion" of individuals involved in the case.

It said Netanyahu is not among the suspects in the case, according to "findings" so far.

Suspicions of impropriety were heightened when former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was sidelined on the purchase plans  which went forward after he was replaced last year.

Police have been questioning Netanyahu for several weeks over separate corruption allegations the prime minister has dismissed as "baseless."
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli aircraft hit targets in the Gaza Strip on Monday, hours after a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory slammed into southern Israel.

"Three bombs were dropped by the air force on a Hamas military base east of Nusseirat refugee camp," south of Gaza city, a Palestinian security source said.

The planes also made two raids against Hamas lookout posts along the border with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, and on a base of Islamic Jihad's military wing in the north of the strip, the source said.

Israeli tanks along the border fired at several targets.

The Gaza health ministry said four people were wounded, none of them seriously.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman confirmed the strikes, blaming Hamas.

"We have no intention to initiate a military action in Gaza but we have no intention to accept sporadic fire," Lieberman said at a meeting of his political party.

Hamas said Israel carried "full responsibility" for what it called a "dangerous escalation."

Before dawn the Israeli military said "a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area...in southern Israel". There were no casualties.

Early in February, Israel hit Gaza with tank fire and air strikes that wounded three Palestinians in response to a projectile fired from the Palestinian territory which did not inflict casualties.
Aix-en-Provence (France) (AFP) - The father of French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was ordered Monday to pay 5,000 euros ($5,300) after losing his appeal against a conviction for describing people from the Roma minority as smelly.

An appeals court in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence found Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 88-year-old founder of the National Front (FN) party, guilty of inciting hate and making racist and negationist statements with the comments at a press conference in Nice in 2013.

Le Pen said at the time: "It appears you have a problem with several hundred Roma who have an irritating and, let's say, smelly presence in this city."

It was the ninth time that Le Pen, who infamously repeatedly referred to the Holocaust as a "detail of history", has been convicted for such offences.

"I stick by these terms because it is what I think," Le Pen said at an earlier hearing.

"Jean-Marie Le Pen's words were extremely serious and an open call to hate and ethnic discrimination," said Sonny Phung of the anti-racism group SOS Racisme, which will receive 2,000 euros of Le Pen's fine.

The Roma minority largely come from Bulgaria and Romania, and are often stigmatised in France where they have been accused of being responsible for a rise in petty crime.

Le Pen was the runner-up in the 2002 presidential election that rocked the French political establishment.

In recent years, he has had a high-profile falling out with his daughter after she took over the reins of the party and has sought to purge it of its more extreme elements.

Marine Le Pen is currently forecast to win the first round of France's presidential election on April 23 but lose the all-important May 7 runoff to either centrist Emmanuel Macron or conservative Francois Fillon.

However, polls show she has significantly reduced the projected margin of defeat in the past two months.
CINCINNATI (AP)  A judge said Monday the retrial of a white former University of Cincinnati police officer in the death of an unarmed black man is on course to begin May 25.

Hamilton County Judge Leslie Ghiz met with defense attorneys and prosecutors in the Ray Tensing case. She said after the closed-door session that they discussed logistics and other matters. She scheduled another meeting for April 4.

Tensing testified at his first murder trial that he feared for his life as Sam DuBose tried to drive away from a traffic stop in July 2015. He had pulled over DuBose for a missing front license plate. That trial ended with a hung jury on the murder and voluntary manslaughter counts, which Tensing again faces in the retrial.

The Ohio case is among several police shooting cases around the country that have increased attention on how police treat blacks.

Ghiz was assigned the case after the first trial judge recused herself after the November mistrial, saying a new trial should be conducted "with a blank slate."

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said after the mistrial in Cincinnati that he'd like to retry the former officer in another city so jurors would be removed from the intense local attention that had been given the case.

But Ghiz has said her goal is to keep the second trial in Hamilton County, and she has imposed a gag order in an effort to lessen pretrial publicity.

Deters has revamped the prosecution team in the case. He and his two assistants in the first trial are handling a May resentencing in a multiple-murder case; assistant prosecutors Stacey DeGraffenreid and Seth Tieger are handling the Tensing retrial.

___

Follow Dan Sewell at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell

For some of his other recent stories: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/dan-sewell
By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker will propose to national leaders next month a handful of options for shoring up unity once Britain launches a withdrawal that some fear could trigger a further unraveling of the bloc. The European Commission president wants some states to be able to deepen cooperation further and faster without the whole bloc having to follow suit, but this idea has raised concerns, especially among poorer eastern countries, that their richer neighbors may use Brexit to cut EU subsidies to them. Juncker has said he will argue for what is commonly called a "multi-speed Europe" in a White Paper policy document. Juncker will chair a special meeting of his commissioners on Tuesday but a spokesman said on Monday it was not yet clear when exactly the paper would be published. Officials will not detail what the proposals are likely to be, though say they would probably not mean major institutional changes or treaty amendments for which most governments, beset by challenges from eurosceptic nationalists, have no appetite. Some options are not mutually exclusive and could be combined, all with the aim of persuading voters disillusioned by years of economic malaise that the EU is worth preserving. By setting out four or five practical "pathways to unity" or "alternative avenues for cooperation at 27", EU officials say Juncker aims to give the 27 leaders of the post-Brexit Union some broad choices to start considering at a summit in Rome on March 25, where they will mark 60 years of the bloc's founding. As the 27 also try to hold to a common line in the two-year negotiating period with Britain which they expect London to launch before the Rome summit, the main aim of the Juncker proposals is to overcome internal divisions, EU officials said. He wants to see responses by the autumn -- by which time the Netherlands, France and Germany will have held elections marked by challenges from anti-EU movements that have been inspired by last year's votes for Brexit and U.S. President Donald Trump. FRICTION "This is no longer a time when we can imagine everyone doing the same thing together," Juncker said last week, echoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, who called on Feb. 3 for an EU of "varying speeds". Their remarks, however, have perplexed other states whose envoys note that existing rules already allow for "enhanced cooperation" in various fields, such as the 19-nation euro zone. "A multi-speed Europe is a fact. No one has a problem with it," said one senior EU diplomat. "So why are they talking like this now? They are irritated with the east ... It is divisive." Noting that a key obstacle to deeper integration of, for example, the euro zone was disagreement between Berlin and Paris on how to do it, the diplomat said talk of a two-speed approach sounded like an attempt to penalize the post-communist east. Hungary and Poland in particular have irritated the EU by challenging its rules on democracy and resisting calls to take in asylum-seekers, while Germany has taken in over a million. Hollande accused easterners of treating the Union "like a cash box". With Brexit leaving a hole in the EU budget, some diplomats see a push by Paris and Berlin to cut their subsidies. German officials say Merkel does not see one specific set of countries going for deeper cooperation but imagines varying groups moving ahead in different fields. For example, defense integration is a priority for Germany. "Some see this as a risk to unity," one senior official said of Juncker's multi-speed idea. "Others see a risk if we don't do it and we fail to aspire." (Editing by Gareth Jones)
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court seems sympathetic to a Mexican immigrant facing deportation after he was convicted of having consensual sex with an underage girl.

The case before the justices on Monday involved Juan Esquivel-Quintana, a lawful permanent resident who had sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend when he was 20 and 21 years old.

That was a violation of California law, which criminalizes having sex with anyone under 18 if the age difference is more than three years. Federal officials later moved to deport him, but Esquivel-Quintana says his conduct would have been legal under federal law and the laws of 43 other states that are less strict.

The case comes at a time when the Trump administration has pledged to step up enforcement of the nation's immigration laws, including its ability to deport people who commit crimes.

At issue is what happens when immigration laws are unclear and whether courts should defer to immigration officials in interpreting criminal laws that are vague.

Several justices seemed reluctant during arguments in the case to defer to the government when it comes to criminal enforcement.

Justice Elena Kagan said it didn't seem right to flesh out immigration law using the strictest state law available. She said the case was "like a freshman in college going out with a junior in college."

Justice Anthony Kennedy said courts normally defer to federal agencies to interpret the laws they enforce, but questioned whether that extends to criminal laws.

But Justice Samuel Alito said it looked like a classic example of Congress realizing there are a variety of state laws covering sex abuse and leaving it up to the attorney general to decide how far federal immigration law should go.

Esquivel-Quintana moved to the United States with his family when he was 12 and became a lawful permanent resident. He pleaded no contest to the California charges and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

When he moved to Michigan, the federal government began deportation proceedings. Immigration officials said he was convicted of "sexual abuse of a minor"  an offense that subjected him to deportation under immigration laws.

Story continues

An immigration judge said he should be deported and the Board of Immigration Appeals agreed. A divided federal appeals court affirmed that ruling.

Arguing for Esquivel-Quintana, lawyer Jeffrey Fisher said it would be unfair to punish his client for actions that are legal in most of the country. He said it would be a "dramatic departure" to defer to the board's interpretation of a criminal statute.

Justice Department attorney Allon Kedem, representing the Trump administration, said drawing a line in the case was "very difficult" and called it a "strong reason to defer to the board."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said that many civil laws also include criminal sanctions. She seemed concerned about a broad ruling that might whittle away the principle that courts defer to federal agencies.

But Justice Stephen Breyer noted that when Congress passed the immigration statute in the mid-1990s, there was a federal law on the books defining sexual abuse of a minor that would not cover Esquivel-Quintana. Why not just assume Congress intended the immigration law to have the same definition  "end of case," he said.

A ruling is expected by the end of June.
By Karen Dillon

OLATHE, Kan (Reuters) - A white U.S. Navy veteran charged with murdering an Indian software engineer at a Kansas bar gazed at a camera from jail and gave curt answers to a judge by video during his initial court appearance on Monday over the shooting, which federal authorities are probing as a possible hate crime.

Adam Purinton, 51, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene during Wednesday evening's incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb.

At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted "get out of my country" before shooting. The incident led news bulletins in India, where some suggested on social media that a climate of intolerance in the United States had been fueled by President Donald Trump's rhetoric on immigration.

Purinton, appearing via video conference from jail, asked the court to appoint him an attorney and waived the reading of the formal charges against him of one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder during the five-minute hearing in the Johnson County District Court in downtown Olathe.

Purinton, who could only be seen from the chest up on the court's television screen, is being held on $2 million bond in the adjacent Johnson County Jail. In clear language, he replied to a handful of questions from the judge, mostly with curt answers.

Michael McCulloch, who was named by the court to be Purinton's attorney, declined to comment after the hearing.

Purinton wore an Army green, sleeveless suicide-prevention smock and stared straight at the camera the whole time. His reddish-brown hair was short on the side and spiked on top. He had sideburns to his jawbone and the shadow of a beard.

His next hearing is set for March 9.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Monday called reports about the shooting and more acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries "disturbing." On Friday, he said any loss of life in the shooting was tragic, but it was absurd to link the killing to Trump's "America First" stance.

Story continues

The Indian Embassy in Washington has expressed India's deep concern over the incident to the U.S. government and requested a "thorough and speedy investigation."

Purinton was arrested hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe.

According to a recording of a 911 call made by a female bartender at the Applebee's, Purinton said he needed to hide because he had killed two Iranian men, local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV reported.

"He wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him and he said he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me. I finally got him to tell me," the bartender tells a dispatcher, according to the tape obtained by KSHB-TV. "He said he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe."

Both the gunman's Indian victims worked as engineers with navigation device maker Garmin Ltd.

(Additional reporting and writing by Gina Cherelus in New York and Tim Ahmann in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Andrew Hay and David Gregorio)
PM Dahal pledges to strongly voice Dalit issues in UN

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to strongly present the issues concerning Dalits in the United Nations (UN).
Paris (AFP) - Seventy walls are in place around the world to protect national borders, compared with a dozen in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down, according to researcher Elisabeth Vallet of Quebec University.

As US President Donald Trump moves to build a wall along the Mexican border, here are other significant frontier barriers around the globe:

- US: extending existing barrier -

One third of the 3,200-kilometre (2,000-mile) US border with Mexico is, in fact, already protected by a fence. Authorised by US President George W. Bush and completed in 2010, the metallic barrier is more than five metres (16 feet) high and equipped with floodlights and surveillance cameras.

- European barriers against migrants -

- FRANCE: With existing high wire fences not enough to stop them, a one-kilometre "anti-intrusion" wall was built in late 2016 to block access to the northern port of Calais for migrants trying to clandestinely cross the Channel to Britain.

- HUNGARY: As Europe grappled with its worst migrant crisis since World War II, Hungary built a 175-kilometre, four-metre high fence along its border with Serbia in September 2016, followed in October by one along its border with Croatia.

Other countries in the region have also put up barriers to thwart migrants, including SLOVENIA with Croatia, AUSTRIA with Slovenia and MACEDONIA with Greece.

- BULGARIA: Bulgaria in 2014 started building a razor wire barrier along part of its border with Turkey, the main entry point for migrants seeking to avoid the perilous sea route to the EU across the Mediterranean. The barrier is now 176 kilometres long.

- GREECE: Greece became the leading entry point for migrants into Europe at just the moment when its economy was collapsing. So in 2012 Athens built an 11-kilometre barbed wire fence along its river border with Turkey.

- SPAIN-MOROCCO: The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the North African coast, Africa's only land borders with Europe, are protected by high-tech border fences, each around 10 kilometres long.

Story continues

- Walls and conflict -

- ISRAEL-WEST BANK: Israel began building its 712-kilometre security barrier edging the West Bank in 2002, saying it would stop attacks by Palestinian insurgents. Critics say it has been used to seize land and establish a de facto border in breach of international law. Nine metres high at some points, the wall -- which is two-thirds finished -- includes watchtowers and electronic surveillance.

- SAUDI ARABIA-IRAQ: Responding to the rise of the Islamic State group, the Saudis in 2014 added to an existing seven-metre-high sand embankment on the Iraqi border with a 900-kilometre fence and electronic surveillance system.

- INDIA-PAKISTAN: India built a barrier almost 750 kilometres long, along the de facto border dividing disputed Kashmir with Pakistan, to keep out Pakistani militants.

It has also surrounded Bangladesh with a 2,700-kilometre barbed-wire fence aimed at restricting immigration and smuggling.

- Marking territory -

- NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA: The most heavily militarised border in the world is the one drawn between North and South Korea in 1953. Bristling with razor wire, sensors, landmines and heavy weapons, the Demilitarised Zone stretches for 250 kilometres along the full length of the border.

- WESTERN SAHARA: A 2,700-kilometre sand wall, in place since the 1980s, has been built between the 80 percent of territory under Moroccan control and zones under Polisario rebels, who have been fighting and negotiating for control of Western Sahara since the 1970s.

- CYPRUS: A wall splits the island and its capital Nicosia between its Turkish and Greek Cypriot halves, dating back to Turkey's invasion in 1974.
Washington (AFP) - Top Democrats warn Republicans not to stymie investigations into contacts between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, as the White House sought to quell a media storm over the allegations.

The warnings came after Trump's staff sought to enlist the FBI, reportedly the CIA and two Republicans who head committees leading the Russia investigations, to knock down media reports on the alleged links.

The Democrats said that effort threatened to politically taint probes by both the security agencies and congressional committees into Russian interference in last year's presidential election and alleged communications between Trump team officials and Russian intelligence.

"This is not the way to conduct a fair, impartial investigation that goes where the facts lead," said Senator Chuck Schumer, leader of the Democrats in the Senate. "It certainly gives the appearance if not the reality of lack of impartiality."

- Political interference -

Senator Mark Warner, the senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said its investigation into the Russia issue needs to remain bipartisan.

"It shouldn't have political interference; it can't go where the White House wants it to go," he told CNN. "By trying to bring in others to interfere with investigations, then they are going to color any results that come out."

The Trump administration is battling accusations that onetime campaign chair Paul Manafort and others had communications with Russian officials before the election at the same time that Moscow allegedly conducted a campaign of hacking and information releases aimed at harming Trump's rival in the election, Hillary Clinton.

The New York Times reported, citing intelligence sources, that the communications were with Russian intelligence officials.

The White House admitted last week asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation to help it combat what it labeled the "false" New York Times report, by making information from its own investigation public.

Story continues

"This started with the FBI bringing it to us, bringing it to our attention, saying the story in the Times was not accurate," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Monday.

"All we said is: 'That's great, could you tell other reporters the same thing you are telling us?'"

After the FBI declined to take a public stance, the White House sought the help of Republican Senator Richard Burr, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Devin Nunes, Republican chair of the House Intelligence Committee that is also conducting a probe, to shoot down the report.

"All we sought to do was get an accurate report out," said Spicer, fending off comments that his actions were inappropriate.

"So, you know, respectfully, I think it's interesting that I'm being asked what's appropriate when what we are doing is actually urging reporters to engage with subject matter experts who can corroborate whether or not something is accurate or not."

- 'No evidence' says Republican -

But Democrats reacted sharply Monday as Nunes, before his committee held any hearings on the alleged Russia contacts, said he did not see any evidence to investigate.

"Here at the committee, we still don't have any evidence of them talking to Russians," Nunes told journalists.

"And what I've been told by many folks is that there is nothing there."

Nunes was quickly berated by his Democratic vice-chair Adam Schiff, who said the committee has not even received any evidence or testimony, so that it was impossible to make such a determination.

"We haven't obtained any of the evidence yet. So it's premature for us to be saying that we have reached any conclusion about the issue of collusion," he said.

"You don't begin by stating what you believe to be the conclusion."

Some Democrats have called for a bipartisan committee or an independent prosecutor to be named to probe the Russia issue.

On Friday, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa became the first member of his party to endorse the idea of an independent investigation, possibly under a special prosecutor.
(Corrects Feb. 25 story to show event took place Wednesday, not Saturday. Corrects second paragraph to past tense from present tense, corrects paragraph 5 to clarify ambassador spoke before event.) By Julia Harte WASHINGTON (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)
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local):

6:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is meeting with the leaders of the nation's historically black colleges and universities at the White House, committing to a partnership between his administration and the schools.

Trump gathered with presidents of the nation's 100-plus HBCUs in the Oval Office on Monday. The college and university leaders then met with Vice President Mike Pence, who said the administration was committed to ensuring HBCUs receive the credit and the attention they deserve.

The university presidents are urging Trump to set aside more federal contracts and grants for their schools and take a greater hand in their welfare by moving responsibility for a key program for those colleges to the White House.

Pence was joined at the meeting by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and White House aide Omarosa Manigault.

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2:50 p.m.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is predicting that the Affordable Care Act will survive as he describes a White House and GOP in disarray.

Schumer says the law, also referred to as "Obamacare," will not be repealed. He says the GOP so far has not been able to "pick off" a single Democratic lawmaker to support repeal.

Schumer is speaking at the National Press Club along with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in advance of President Donald Trump's speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.

The two leaders of congressional Democrats are trying to depict Trump's first 40 days in office unsuccessful with Schumer saying that the main accomplishment of the president and Republicans is to undo a few regulations that were an "afterthought" of the Obama administration.

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2:05 p.m.

The Department of Defense has presented its preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State group.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday the plan was delivered to the White House by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Story continues

The White House said in a memorandum in January that the Department of Defense would review progress in the fight against the Islamic State group and submit a plan 30 days later with its recommendations moving forward.

The president is expected to address some of the details of that plan in his address to Congress Tuesday.

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1:50 p.m.

The director of the Office of Management and Budget says President Donald Trump's budget "blueprint" will be submitted to Congress on March 16.

Mick Mulvaney told reporters Monday that the full budget will be ready in May. He says the preliminary budget will represent "topline numbers only."

He said that the blueprint prioritizes rebuilding the military, securing the border, enforcing laws currently on the books and taking care of veterans.

Mulvaney says that the preliminary budget also "eliminates programs that simply don't work."

He says that money for the border wall with Mexico will be included "in a future supplemental" budget.

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11:35 a.m.

President Donald Trump says he hasn't called Russia "in 10 years."

Trump's comment came in response to a question from a reporter about whether he would support a special prosecutor to investigate Russia's hacking in the election and potential contacts between his campaign advisers and Russian intelligence agents during the election. The president did not say whether he supported a special prosecutor.

The president has denied knowing that any of his campaign advisers were in contact with Russians during the campaign. He has also denied that he has financial ties or other connections to Russia.

Trump did travel to Russia in 2013 for the Miss Universe pageant.

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10:12

President Donald Trump says in a meeting with governors that his administration will do all that it can to restore the authority of the states.

As he prepares his budget plans, Trump is telling governors in a White House meeting that the country will "do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people."

But he is promising them that his budget will increase spending for federal law enforcement, moves that will help the U.S. "fight crime." He says his budget proposal will also keep tax dollars in the U.S. to help veterans and first responders.

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10:11

President Donald Trump says he will have a "big statement" on his plans to rebuild the nation's roads and bridges in his address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Trump is telling the nation's governors in a meeting that he intends to boost spending on infrastructure and notes that the U.S. spends billions of dollars in the Middle East but has potholes all over the country.

The president is also reiterating his plans to repeal the Obamacare law. He says he wants to overhaul the nation's tax system but it's a "tiny little ant" compared to what he has to do with Obamacare.

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10 a.m.

President Donald Trump is meeting with the nation's governors, telling the leaders at the White House that his administration will move quickly to deliver "needed reforms."

The president was meeting with dozens of governors about his plans to repeal and replace the nation's sweeping health care law and other key issues.

Trump says he won't wait a decade to make changes but will have "true collaboration."

Vice President Mike Pence is telling the governors that the Trump administration "will be the best friend" that American governors have ever had.

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9:50 a.m.

President Donald Trump is telling the nation's governors at the White House that he will rebuild the "depleted military." He's promising that he will provide more details on his rebuilding of the military in his Tuesday night address to Congress.

Trump says during a meeting with dozens of governors that he's planning to act quickly to bring reforms to the country and emphasizing his plans for the military.

The president says "we never win  we never win wars" and adds that the Middle East is worse off. He tells the governors, "We have a hornet's nest. It's a mess."
ROME (AP)  An Italian lawyer says his German client is being held for investigation of murder after his wife vanished during a Mediterranean cruise.

Preliminary investigative Judge Maria Paola Tomaselli questioned Daniel Belling in Regina Coeli jail in Rome on Friday and ordered him held while investigators probe the disappearance of Li Yinglei, who is Chinese. The couple live in Ireland along with their two sons, aged 4 and 6, who were also on the cruise.

Tomaselli's office said Monday she declined to comment.

Lawyer Luigi Conti told the AP that Belling told investigators he had informed ship personnel that his wife was bored and had left the cruise, apparently during a port call in Greece. He had added that she had left other vacations with similar abruptness.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The U.S. Justice Department said Monday it is abandoning its longstanding opposition to a key aspect of Texas' toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law, costing voting rights groups their most important ally and possibly encouraging other conservative states to toughen their own election rules with President Donald Trump in charge.

It's a dramatic break from the agency's position under President Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the voter ID law passed in 2011 by Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters.

"It's a complete 180," said Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center. "We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. There has been no new evidence that's come to light."

The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification  gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. Voting rights activists sued, and the case returns to court Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.

Justice Department spokesman Mark Abueg said that although the Justice Department will no longer argue that the law was intended to discriminate against minorities, it doesn't plan to withdraw from a portion of the lawsuit that argues that the law had the effect of discriminating against them.

The "intent" versus "effect" distinction is important since the former is still being argued before Gonzales Ramos.

A federal appeals court last year already ruled on effect, deciding that the Texas law discriminated against minorities and the poor and ordering changes ahead of the November election. The U.S. Supreme Court last month declined a Texas appeal that sought to restore the law, but Chief Justice John Roberts hinted that the high court could eventually hear an appeal at a later time.

That appeal likely can't happen until Gonzales Ramos rules on the Legislature's intent, though, and she's not expected to decide until weeks after Tuesday's hearing. In the meantime, the Justice Department's withdrawal means voting rights organizations suing will lose the assistance of a group of Department of Justice lawyers who had been assisting them on the case. The groups say they plan to press on even without the extra help.

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In a filing Monday, the Justice Department said it was dropping its claim that Texas' measure was crafted with the purpose of disenfranchising minority voters because state lawmakers are considering a proposal to revise the law. The Republican-backed bill would make-permanent the court-ordered changes imposed for the November election, but its fate won't be known until closer to the end of Texas' legislative session in May.

"Thus, there is no basis for further judicial action at this juncture, when the State is 'acting to ameliorate the issues raised' in this case and has requested reasonable time to do so," the agency argued.

Along with Texas, the Obama-led Justice Department launched a high-profile legal challenge against North Carolina's voter ID law, arguing that its requirements were unnecessary and unconstitutional. North Carolina's top Democrats recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss an effort to restore the law, which had been struck down as unconstitutional.

Republican-led legislatures around the country have in recent years rushed to pass restrictions on voting, arguing they were necessary to prevent fraud at the ballot box, despite any evidence that it's a widespread problem.

Under Obama, the Justice Department sought to contest such measures, but the Trump administration's change in strategy could empower other conservative-controlled states to follow Texas' lead and tighten their voter ID rules.

Trump has consistently touted unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and has praised laws requiring ballot box photo identification.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions repeatedly sounded alarms over voting fraud and intimidation as a U.S. senator and challenged Justice Department attorneys over whether they were pursuing it aggressively enough. As a U.S. attorney in Alabama in the 1980s, he prosecuted three civil rights activists on charges of tampering with ballots. The three defendants were acquitted in a matter of hours.

And during his confirmation hearing last month, Sessions defended laws requiring voters to show picture identification at the polls: "I think voter ID laws, properly drafted, are OK."

Wendy Weiser, director of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said it was disappointing that the Justice Department would change its legal position.

"The more vigorously the Department of Justice pursues illegal discrimination when it happens, the more deterrent an effect it has," she said. "When they pull back from vigorous enforcement, it may have an unfortunate and pernicious effect of sending a green light to states that there's going to be less policing" of discriminatory laws.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Lang said "It's a complete 180," not "It's a complete 360."

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Associated Press writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report
Two Afghan friends were incarcerated together at Guantanamo Bay, but they chose starkly divergent paths after release - one became an Islamic State jihadist, the other joined the US-led government fight to crush the group.

Haji Ghalib and Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, whose friendship coalesced around a shared love for poetry, were scooped up in the post-9/11 American dragnet and shipped off to the prison camp in Cuba.

Their journey encapsulates Guantanamo's failed legacy in the fight to expunge radicalism, as President Donald Trump appears set to reverse previous US efforts to scale it back.

"Guantanamo is the worst place on Earth," said Ghalib, who estimates he is 49, deep creases lining his gaunt face.

"Every day I ask myself the same questions: 'Why was I taken? Why did they ruin five years of my life? Why is there no justice, no compensation?'"

After burnishing his reputation as a fearsome commander against the Soviets and the Taliban, Ghalib was serving in the Afghan police in 2003 when he was unexpectedly accused of insurgent links.

Authorities ignominiously stripped him of his post, tore his uniform off publicly, and sent him to Guantanamo until the American military concluded in 2007 that he was "not assessed as being a member of Al Qaeda or the Taliban".

When freed, Ghalib channelled his resentment to fight not the Americans but those he calls the "real enemies of Afghanistan" -- the Taliban and, recently, Islamic State jihadists, who are making inroads into the country.

That includes his former friend Muslim Dost, who Western and Afghan officials describe as a top IS commander in eastern Nangarhar province, and who was released from Guantanamo two years before Ghalib.

- 'Seedbed of terrorism' -

A gifted demagogue, Muslim Dost spent his time inside Guantanamo praying and preaching to other inmates about jihad alongside 9/11 accused Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

"When he preached the inmates wept," Ghalib recalled. "They were left shaken by his loud, mesmerising voice."

Story continues

Muslim Dost scribbled poems on drinking cups for lack of writing material.

One verse published in the book "Poems of Guantanamo" by US law professor Marc Falkoff reads:

"Consider what might compel a man to kill himself, or another //

"Does oppression not demand some reaction against the oppressor?"

"Guantanamo is a seedbed of terrorism," said Kako, 35, who was imprisoned along with his cousin Ghalib and returned to be a corn farmer. "It gave legitimacy to fanatics like Muslim Dost."

Guantanamo, opened in 2002, remains a lightning rod for anti-American sentiment.

Nearly a quarter of the total number of detainees were Afghans, most later found to be noncombatants who were mistakenly apprehended or wrongfully turned over by local bounty-hunters or personal rivals.

"Arbitrary detention was a powerful factor driving some Afghans to insurgency, helping spark a new phase in a long and bitter conflict," said "Kafka in Cuba", a recent report from the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

The report by AAN analyst Kate Clark revealed that eight of the longest-serving Afghan detainees were held on "vague accusations, rife with hearsay, gross errors of fact and testimony obtained under duress and torture".

"It is now 16 years since the US began its intervention in Afghanistan and 15 years since it sent the first Afghans to Cuba. Yet the conflict, like America's dilemma of what to do with its legacy of war on terror detainees, shows no sign of ending."

- 'Won't let him go alive' -

Barack Obama, who sought to shut down Guantanamo, shipped detainees out until the last days of his presidency. But Trump may be set to bar the transfers and bring in new detainees, US media have said, citing a draft executive order.

"America may consider Guantanamo a necessity, but they need to differentiate between fundamentalists and patriots," Ghalib said.

Ghalib, seen as a loyal US ally, is the district chief of Bati Kot in Nangarhar, a patchwork of rolling hills and orange and melon farms sandwiched between Taliban and IS bastions.

His loyalty is undergirded partly by personal tragedy. In 2013, the Taliban killed his brother guarding a highway project in Nangarhar.

Just weeks later, the Taliban dug explosives at the grave site where Ghalib's extended family had gathered to mourn, killing 18 people including his two wives and grandchildren.

His eldest son brought more sobering news, a walkie talkie snatched from the Taliban dangling from his chest, as Ghalib spoke to AFP inside his fortified base.

A close relative, who had poured him tea just minutes earlier, had been killed in a hit-and-run shooting as he stepped out of the base.

Ghalib turned pensive, his face dropping into his hands.

"People like Muslim Dost are fighting foreigners but mostly killing Afghans," he said as he composed himself. "If I ever see him on the frontline I won't let him go alive."
Police, Morcha cadres clash in Gaur; six hurt

At least six people, among them a reporter and a police officer, were injured when a clash broke out between the supporters of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha and police at BP Chowk in Gaur, Rautahat, on Sunday.
London (AFP) - The London Stock Exchange on Sunday said it is "highly unlikely" it will be able to meet antitrust conditions set by Brussels for its tie-up with Deutsche Boerse, throwing the merger into doubt.

The announcement by LSE, which also operates the Milan stock exchange, is the latest twist in its longstanding attempt to merge with the German stock exchange operator.

The LSE said it had examined the European Commission's request to divest its majority stake in Italian trading unit MTS, concluding it could not commit to such a request.

"The LSEG Board believes that it is highly unlikely that a sale of MTS could be satisfactorily achieved, even if LSEG were to give the commitment," LSE said in a statement.

The announcement comes after the Commission raised new concerns on February 16 about the merger, giving the company a deadline of midday on February 27 to outline a proposal for divesting in MTS.

"Based on the Commission's current position, LSEG believes that the Commission is unlikely to provide clearance for the merger," it added.

The London Stock Exchange did not put an end to the possibility of a tie-up, however, saying it would continue to seek to implement the deal.

Deutsche Boerse, which also operates the Luxembourg-based clearing house Clearstream and the derivatives platform Eurex, confirmed the decision on MTS and said a final decision from Brussels was expected within weeks.

"The parties will await the further assessment by the European Commission and currently expect a decision by the European Commission on the merger of DBAG and LSEG by the end of March 2017," Deutsche Boerse said in a statement.

The planned merger has drawn criticism from France, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands, fearful for their own stock exchanges, owned by Euronext.

Last month LSE agreed to offload the French arm of clearing house LCH to European rival Euronext, as part of efforts to address EU competition concerns.

Story continues

LSE said on Sunday it viewed the LCH sale an "effective and capable" remedy to competition concerns, deeming the MTS demand "disproportionate".

An LSE-Deutsche Boerse merger would create a financial markets behemoth competing with the likes of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and ICE in the United States, as well as the Hong Kong stock exchange in Asia.

Fears over such a deal have already scuppered two attempts at a merger in 2000 and 2005.

Beyond competition concerns, the proposed merger has also been shaken by Britain's decision last year to leave the EU which has created uncertainty around London's status as a European financial capital.
Students clash in Lamjung campus, Sub-Inspector injured

A clash ensued between students aligned to the Nepal Student Union (NSU) and the All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU) at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) in Sundar Bazaar of Lamjung district on Monday morning.
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP)  Macedonia's left-wing opposition leader submitted signatures from three ethnic Albanian parties on Monday as proof he has secured enough support in parliament to form a government.

Zoran Zaev, whose left-wing coalition secured 49 parliamentary seats in December's vote, has acquired 18 signatures of support from parliamentary members of three ethnic Albanian parties, giving him majority support in the 120-member parliament.

Macedonia has been waiting for a new government since an early election in December. Former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski won that vote, but did not secure a majority of the 120-member parliament, leaving him unable to form a government.

Coalition talks between Gruevski and the main ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, or DUI, failed over the latter's demand for Albanian to be declared a second official language in Macedonia. Ethnic Albanians comprise about a quarter of Macedonia's 2.1 million people.

Zaev said he expects President Gjorge Ivanov to give him the mandate to form a new government, which he would then have 20 days to do.

"The signatures allow the crisis to end in Macedonia and the country finally to move forward," Zaev told reporters Monday. He added he expected a "peaceful and quick transfer of power."

Although DUI agreed to give Zaev its signatures of support, the party said it has not determined whether it would join any new coalition formed by the current opposition leader.

Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE party said in a statement Sunday that it could support Zaev's bid to form a government so long as he did not give in to demands to make Albanian a second official language.

Gruevski's party has said it would use all legal means to prevent the country becoming officially bilingual, noting it would mean a "redefinition of the unitary character" of the country. Macedonia narrowly avoided civil war in 2001 after an uprising by armed ethnic Albanian groups seeking greater rights.

Story continues

Macedonia's people "did not vote for the Albanian language to be the second official language, for changing the banknotes (to include Albanian language inscriptions), for turning Macedonia into a binational state," the party said in a news release.

On Monday evening, thousands of people marched through the capital, Skopje, heading from parliament to the president's office demanding any future government reject such demands.

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This story has been corrected to show that the protest headed to the president's office, not his residence.
Paris (AFP) - Aymar Delacroix lights up when he talks about the candidate who inspired him to become involved in French politics for the first time -- at the age of 83.

Sitting in a bar with other supporters of centrist presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron, many less than half his age, Delacroix recalls being struck by the confidence of the 39-year-old former economy minister.

"I said to myself 'this guy looks interesting'. He was new, not like all the others who have been there forever," said the smartly dressed father of four and grandfather of 10.

He and others -- from students to business executives -- have been meeting regularly in the mixed 17th district of Paris to talk politics and plan campaigning.

Macron's "En Marche" ("On the Move") movement claims to have raked in 200,000 such members in the 11 months of its existence, mostly moderates who feel alienated by the drift to the extremes of France's traditional right and left.

The ex-banker's stunning rise from outsider to a frontrunner ahead of the two-stage presidential election in April and May is partly down to this army of grassroots devotees.

They have persuaded people to rallies and are spreading the word about a candidate who claims to be "neither of the left, nor the right" as he takes on traditional parties.

Polls currently show far-right leader Marine Le Pen winning the first round on April 23, with Macron or rightwing Republicans party candidate Francois Fillon also qualifying for a second round run-off on May 7.

The latest polls published on Sunday showed Macron stretching his lead over Fillon and easily beating Le Pen in the run-off in what would be a landmark shift in French politics.

- 'Les marcheurs' -

Macron's "marcheurs", as well as serving as the eyes and ears of the campaign, have also been researchers contributing to his programme, set to be unveiled in full on March 2.

Story continues

Delacroix, who believes "France's heart is on the left but its wallet is on the right", was among thousands of Macron supporters who went door-to-door last year asking voters what they felt was working in the country -- and what was not.

"Terror attacks and unemployment were their main concerns," he said.

After 25,000 questionnaires were collected, and the results analysed, the floor was thrown open to debate in some 3,500 local "En Marche" committees.

Emmanuelle Moors, an oil industry executive who attended a meeting on education that heard from teachers and psychologists, was blown away by the open debate.

"I saw they really were interested in finding what works best, that it wasn't bluff," the 50-year-old said as he sat with dozens of other supporters watching a screen showing a major speech by Macron in the city of Lyon.

Another regular at the "after works" meet-ups in Paris is Chloe Lescoules, a 25-year-old student from a family of artists in the Pyrenees mountains.

The petite blonde who is studying to become an auctioneer, had never been involved in politics before Macron swept onto the scene, promising to rejuvenate the economy and political system.

"He really has everyone's interests at heart," Lescoules said. "We all feel that way."

Lescoules found a lot to like about the former investment banker, who as minister pushed through reforms to tightly-regulated professions, including auctioneering, making it easier for newcomers to get a foothold.

- Letting the wolf in -

But Macron's critics dismiss him as a lightweight, pointing to his delay in unveiling a fully-costed programme as proof he is short on substance and his quasi-messianic tones as the stuff of a "guru".

And there remain serious doubts about his ability to appeal beyond middle-class voters, as well as the loyalty of his fan base.

Mehdi Guillo, a 23-year-old "En Marche" campaigner in the high-rise Paris suburb of Clichy-Montfermeil, admits that convincing voters in the deprived suburbs to rally behind the smartly-suited philosophy graduate is tricky.

Even arguing that Macron can help keep the National Front and its hardline policies on immigration and Islam at bay is not convincing.

"They say 'We will no longer block Le Pen if it means continuing on with politics as usual for another 15 years.'

"They're tempted to let the wolf into the coop," he said.
The Kansas man accused of opening fire in a bar while telling victims "get out of my country" was arrested with the help of an Applebee's employee, authorities said.

In a 911 call made during the hunt for 51-year-old Adam Purinton, a bartender at a Missouri Applebee's reported that a man confessed to a crime that occurred miles away in Kansas.

Read: South Carolina PhD Graduate Banned From Returning Home After Visiting Family in Iran

At about 11:35 p.m., the bartender called Henry County 911 and told a dispatcher that a man at the bar told her he had done "something bad and hes on the run from the police for shooting two people in Olathe."

Hours earlier, two engineers for the Garmin technology company, as well as a third bystander who tried to intervene, had been shot while sitting at a bar.

Police in Missouri say the arrest came thanks to the 911 call.

Witnesses told police that the shooter said "get out of my country" before firing on two men who were born in India, 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, also 32.

Kuchibhotla was killed in the Wednesday night shooting.

A third patron, 24-year-old Ian Grillot, was also wounded in the shooting after he reportedly tried to step in to help.

In a video released by the University of Kansas Health System, Grillot spoke out about the shocking attack.

"It wasnt right, and I didnt want the gentleman to potentially go after somebody else," the 24-year-old said.

A manhunt was launched for Purinton following the shooting. He was arrested about five hours later after cops say he told the Applebee's restaurant bartender in Clinton, Missouri, that he'd been involved in a shooting 70 miles away.

Read: Man Charged in Shooting That Targeted Foreigners: 'Get Out of My Country'

"He like made me promise not to call the police but theres people in the building and Im afraid hes going to freak out if hes sees the cops," the bartender told dispatchers.

Story continues

Purinton was arrested in Missouri and extradited to Johnson County, Kansas, on Friday. He is being held on a $2 million bond and scheduled to appear in court Monday on premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

Watch: Undocumented Mother of 4 Fearing Deportation Moves Into Church

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By Gina Cherelus

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A 19-year-old Donald Trump supporter who climbed 21 floors of Trump Tower in New York last August using suction cups and a harness, pleaded guilty on Monday to reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, a prosecutor's spokesman said.

Stephen Rogata of Great Falls, Virginia, had a three-hour televised standoff with police at the 58-story tower on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, which was the Republican's election campaign headquarters for the Nov. 8 vote that put him in the White House.

A spokesman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office said on Monday that under Rogata's plea deal he was to have no contact with President Trump.

"As part of the plea agreement, he has to continue mental health treatment, he has to stay in school or maintain employment for the next year, and have no new arrest for the next year," the spokesman said.

He said Rogata could face up to a year in prison if he were unable to abide by the conditions of his plea deal. But compliance would allow him to withdraw his guilty plea for reckless endangerment, leaving him only with a disorderly conduct charge.

A representative for Rogata did not immediately respond to a request for contact.

As Rogata scaled the tower's glass exterior last Aug. 10, police removed large window panes above him as several officers, some in helmets, stood at the windows watching him. It had previously been reported that Rogata was 20 years old.

Rogata shifted his route several times in what appeared to be an attempt to get around the officers before he was yanked into a window and arrested.

New York Police Department officials told a news conference later that day that Rogata did not express a desire to harm anyone, and that his only mission was to meet with Trump.

"The reason I climbed your tower was to get your attention," Rogata said in a video uploaded to YouTube before his climb.

(Reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Grant McCool)
OLATHE, Kan. (AP)  One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying "I wish it was a dream."

The Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/2mkJVIS) Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that "what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend."

Madasani's friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in Wednesday night's shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, also was wounded in the shooting.

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani said. "He would have been here for me."

Madasani and Kuchibhotla both worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was  is," Madasani said.

Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at the two Indian men before he opened fire.

Madasani called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States." That drew applause from the audience at the vigil.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, state Sen. Rob Olson, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

"When you grieve, we all grieve," Copeland said. "We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us."
Mexico City (AFP) - The Catholic Church in Mexico has accused the government of adopting an attitude of fear and "submission" over US President Donald Trump's immigration measures, which it labeled "terrorism."

Mexican authorities "only make declarations and promises, their reactions are lukewarm and they also show fear and even worse, submission," read an editorial in the Church's From the Faith weekly.

The editorial, entitled "Migrant Terrorism," criticized Trump's immigration measures, which aim to expel millions of undocumented migrants from the United States.

The Trump administration issued tough new orders Tuesday for a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigrants, putting nearly all of the country's 11 million undocumented foreigners in its crosshairs.

"What Mr Trump does is not only apply inhuman legalism, but a real act of terror," the editorial said.

The new rules make it easier for US Border Patrol and immigration officers to quickly deport any illegal immigrants they find, with only a few exceptions, principally children.

But on Thursday, US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Mexican ministers promising no "mass deportations" or use of military force to expel immigrants.

Trump has infuriated Mexico by insisting the country pay for a border wall to keep undocumented immigrants out. Mexico's foreign minister has warned that his country will impose tariffs on US products if the United States taxes Mexican imports to finance a the wall.

The country has also promised in recent days that it will not accept deportees from the United States unless they are Mexican nationals.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon says he will donate his government pension to a nonprofit group that helps children with cancer.

The ex-president and the organization Aqui Nadie Se Rinde, or No One Here Surrenders, announced the donation Monday.

Calderon explained that Mexico gives its ex-presidents a pension so they do not have to worry about income after leaving office and are less susceptible to corruption. He says he now makes enough money as a speaker to support his family.

The organization was founded in 2005 to help children with cancer and their families. The organization says in a statement that it hopes Calderon's donation will spur others to support their work.

Calderon presented the group with the first twice-monthly check for 72,775 pesos, or about $3,652.
TU, KU part of Unesco Chair programme

Researchers from two of Nepals universities will be part of a major new study programme aimed at helping improve understanding about how adult learning can address inequalities in the poorest communities of the world.
EL-ARISH, Egypt (AP)  In the past three days, Islamic State militants in Egypt's volatile northern Sinai region abducted four men accused of collaborating with the government, three of them during a brazen raid in the middle of a public market. Two of the men have been found slain while the others remain missing; Egyptian officials say that one of the slain men had his eyes plucked out and was set on fire before being shot to death.

Women are being threatened with punishment if they don't wear the niqab and farmers are being forced to pay financial tribute to IS under the guise of the "zakat" mandatory Islamic donation to charity. The militants have set up their own checkpoints especially on the roads around the city of Rafah, which borders the Gaza Strip. Passengers are forced to recite from the Quran before being allowed to pass, according to area residents and tribal leaders.

This recent show-of-strength campaign by IS loyalists in northern Sinai comes on the heels of a recent easing of the military campaign against them and represents a move to reassert their control over the local civilian population, according to residents, tribal leaders and officials.

"The messages the militants are sending are terrifying," said a prominent tribal leader. "The numbers of militants is not that big ... But the army campaign stopped and the militants returned."

The violence poses a fresh challenge to President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's government to put down an IS-led insurgency in northern Sinai and prevent spillover that at times has reached the Egyptian mainland.

The extremists have repeatedly targeted Christian residents, causing more than 100 Christian families to flee from the city of el-Arish. IS militants in northern Sinai recently vowed in a video message to step up a wave of attacks on the embattled Christian minority, a threat that highlights a possible shift in tactics  targeting vulnerable and less-defended civilians instead of the usual police and military targets. A devastating IS-claimed suicide bombing at a Cairo church in December killed nearly 30 people.

Story continues

According to an employee of the North Sinai governor's office, militants at a checkpoint recently stopped a bus carrying female civil servants and threatened the women if they didn't start wearing the all-concealing niqab garment.

"They took our names and wrote them down, so if we don't follow their orders, they punish us," said one of the female government employees.

The official at the governor's office said that the women were given several days off so that additional security could be arranged.

The northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, bordering the Gaza Strip and Israel, has been a battleground since 2011, when the region sank into lawlessness after the 18-day uprising that led to the ouster of longtime autocratic President Hosni Mubarak.

But the militant campaign accelerated after the military overthrew elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

El-Sissi, who as defense minister led Morsi's ouster, declared a state of emergency in northern Sinai in 2014. Hundreds of soldiers and police officers have been killed in the conflict and hundreds of houses along the Gaza border have been razed in order to stop the smuggling trade through cross-border tunnels.

Still, the insurgency has shown little sign of calming.

According to a second tribal leader, the militants are now raising cash by imposing taxes on the people running the smuggling tunnels.

IS militants "are living at large in Rafah," he said.

In a statement late Monday, el-Sissi said the state is keen to help residents of el-Arish who have been threatened and he urged the country to maintain national unity.

He said Egypt is determined to "eliminate the terrorist elements in North Sinai and eradicate terrorism," describing the targeting of citizens as "a cowardly act and evil plan to shake confidence in the state and undermine national unity."

The government employee and the tribal leaders spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The Egyptian officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press.

___

Associated Press writers Maggie Michael and Brian Rohan in Cairo contributed to this report.
The concerns military families had for their transgender children may soon be reality. Since President Donald Trump took over for Barack Obama late last month, schools under the Defense Departments purview have stood down from the former commander-in-chiefs directive that afforded transgender children the right to use whichever bathroom or locker room fell under their gender identity, the Military Times reported Saturday.

According to the report, defense officials have said that school principals will now address concerns and identify solutions on a case by case basis.

While the number of transgender children under the militarys schools was unknown, the move followed a Trump directive carried out by the Department of Education and Justice Department last week that allowed public schools to transgender students' bathroom and locker room choices. However, the military was initially unsure if its schools would also be affected.

This is the first weve heard of this. Its extremely frustrating, the president of the American Military Partners Association, Ashley Broadway-Mack, told the Military Times. The group specifically acts as a support network for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community who also serve in the military.

Obamas directive allowing transgender kids to choose which facilities to use, based on protections under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, was applied to all schools in the country this past May. Then, in July, he went even further, saying the roughly 7,000 transgender servicemen in the military could openly serve. In October, a Pentagon official issued a memorandum that specifically allowed all transgender children access to facilities throughout military bases. It was applied all across the Defense Department.

The Trump administration has also commented on transgender Americans' right to choose their restrooms, with the president labeling it an issue to be left to individual states.

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"The president has maintained for a long time that this is a states rights issue and not one for the federal government," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday. "So while we have further guidance coming out on this, I think that all you have to do is look at what the presidents view has been for a long time, that this is not something the federal government should be involved in, that this is a states rights issue."

But advocates like Broadway-Mack stressed the need for details about how the change in policy would look going forward.

They owe the military community an explanation," she said. "We need to know what this looks like for the military community."

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BATAVIA, N.Y. (AP)  The mother of twin toddler boys who died in a western New York house fire while she left them alone to buy marijuana has pleaded guilty in connection to their deaths.

Twenty-five-year-old Heather Ace pleaded guilty Monday in Batavia Town Court to a single count of endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors say the potential punishment  a fine and up to a year in jail  is the same whether she'd pleaded guilty to one or two counts.

Two-year-olds Michael and Micah Gard were killed when their mother's Batavia home caught fire last May. Authorities say Ace had left the boys alone for about 90 minutes while she went out to buy pot and an alcoholic drink.

The cause of the fire hasn't been determined.
It is too hot for campaigning, sir, the aide explained. We will take our lunch and then try again in the late afternoon. It was 104 degrees in the shaded area of the porch where I was sitting and the aides words provided a welcome reprieve.

It was 2014, and elections were only two weeks away in this predominantly rural constituency located in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. On this particularly scorching day, I had come to spend some time with a candidate who was standing for elections to the Andhra legislature, which represents the states 50 million residents. Due to the relentless heat this time of year, candidates would visit constituents first thing in the morning before breaking around 10 or 11, at which point the suns glare became unbearable. They would resume again in the late afternoon, when the worst had passed, and stay out as late as their bodies could stand it before collapsing.

Fortunately for me, I was scheduled to accompany the candidate in his well-air-conditioned SUV for his afternoon and evening engagements. The candidate, whose identity I agreed not to reveal but will call Sanjay, was a newcomer to politics. Sanjay was well-educated, quite wealthy by Indian standards, and had several years experience in the private sector. Despite his parents qualms and his wifes protestations, he had decided to take the plunge into electoral politics  backed by a wider party, but drawing on his own financial resources. This has been a great experience, Sanjay told me in the car as we drove to a nearby village for a rally, but my wallet does not agree with me. We both laughed before he continued, This election is costing me between $1.5 and $2 million.

Doing the math in my head, I figured Sanjays estimate of his campaign expenses was in the ballpark of thirty to forty times the legal limit for a state election (roughly $47,000). His costs rose substantially as the election drew nearer. Sanjay went on to explain that most of the money was his own or his familys  as a newcomer, he could not rely on big corporate donations, and his party was not much help, either.

His personal wealth was precisely what made him an attractive candidate to the party to begin with.

In February and March 2017, voters in five Indian states are going to the polls. In each instance, the share of wealthy candidates in the fray is even larger than in the previous election; in the north Indian state of Punjab, for instance, 37 percent of contestants are crorepatis (that is, they possess a wealth greater than one crore, or 10 million rupees). In the tranquil coastal state of Goa, the assets of sitting politicians have grown by 50 percent in the past five years. But the challenges posed by the rising costs of elections are not unique to India; in democracies the world over, the need to amass a hefty campaign war chest is limiting the talent pool for office while often opening the door to vested interests. And in countries with weak checks and balances, the burgeoning costs of democracy raise the likelihood that, once elected, politicians will use the trappings of office to recoup their expenses.

Under Indian law, although there are strict limits on how much money individual candidates can spend on their campaign, these limits are routinely flouted. The spending caps are both unrealistically low and exceedingly hard to enforce. As a result, candidates and parties engage in a shadowy game of channeling largely undocumented cash in an effort to tilt the playing field in their favor.

To get around strictures prescribed by Indias autonomous Election Commission, candidates have come up with ingenious workarounds. In Sanjays case, rather than risk distributing actual bottles of alcohol in the waning hours of the campaign  which could raise unnecessary suspicion  party workers provided households with vouchers (that looked like innocent scraps of paper) for free booze that they could redeem at local liquor outlets. For most households, country hooch would suffice. For influential notables or well-to-do residents, the campaign was compelled to gift name-brand liquor.

I was dubious whether this type of vote buying was actually effective. In 2010, I had met a voter in the poor, northern state of Bihar who, mistaking me for a politician, desperately asked me to buy his vote. When I asked him how much he required, he admitted that one party had already given him 100 rupees. So, if I gave him money, too, would he vote for me, I asked? He let out a devilish grin and confessed he takes money from all candidates but then votes for whomever he wishes on the actual day.

I relayed this story to Sanjay and he nodded approvingly. If money is distributed, voters might give you a chance. But if money is not distributed, you are finished, he said. It was difficult, if not impossible, to secure an airtight quid pro quo, but the money and goodies were a sign of goodwill and largesse. Politicians like Sanjay held out hope that if they gave more money than the next guy, norms of reciprocity would kick in and voters would feel obliged to vote the right way. Doling out cash on the eve of elections was  as a veteran India-watcher once explained to me  akin to a poker game: All players need to ante up before the dealer hands you your cards. Its the price of admission.

When we reached the village rally, I was introduced to a man who had previously contested elections in the area but was now campaigning for Sanjay. I asked the man why he chose not to run again; he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, making the universal gesture for cash. I just finished paying off the last one, he said with a laugh. Without going into detail, I casually mentioned my conversation with Sanjay about campaign costs. Thats nothing, he remarked. The man who is running for the [national-level] parliamentary seat from this area is spending several times as much.

Later that night, when we returned to Sanjays party office after a series of exhausting though exhilarating rallies, I asked him why he decided to get into politics. He cited all the usual reasons one would expect: public service, a desire to help people, a belief he could better represent the constituency than the incumbent. But given the huge expenses, was the financial investment worth it? If I am lucky enough to win, next time, Ill need even more money, he lamented, already pondering his potential reelection expenses. How does one remain honest and succeed in politics in this country? he wondered aloud.

The next day, in between campaign stops, I asked Sanjay about the supposed link between the crush of money and criminal activity (or muscle, as it is called in the Indian parlance). The nexus between crime and elections in India is deeply woven into its political fabric.

Parties have a pretty good sense of what elections cost now and what theyre likely to cost in the future, Sanjay said. They know that they have to find well-off candidates to fight elections for them. What costs 100 million rupees today will cost 200 million rupees five years from now when the next election comes around, he said. But, I interjected, not all were criminals  he did not have a criminal record, for instance. But there are not enough of us, he replied. Without money, you cannot do anything. You will be wiped out. You first have to make money, and then you can do good after youre entrenched and secure.

Sanjay related to me the example of one of his partys senior leaders, who had amassed a large fortune through a series of questionable business dealings that traded heavily on his political connections. He is a good man, Sanjay assured me (in what sounded like a blatant rationalization), but he needed to build a big enough war chest that would allow him to do good in the future. For those in a rush to make money, there were lots of shortcuts available, and parties are always willing to look the other way. Political parties are full of excuses, he said with a smirk.

Before departing Sanjays constituency, I spent some time with one of the young men tasked with handling the large amounts of cash Sanjays campaign would distribute on the eve of elections. The boy, whose parents were longtime friends of the candidates, described to me the intricate network of cash distribution he would play a small role in facilitating. The constituency was divided into five segments and for each segment, the candidate had entrusted one family member or close associate with the responsibility of providing goodies on the eve of voting. Each of the five block leaders, in turn, had five deputies, and so on. The boy was one such deputy, but for someone entrusted with so much responsibility he appeared deeply uninterested in politics, telling me that he was doing it only as a favor since Sanjay was a close family friend. When I asked him if he ever thought of joining politics, his response was swift: No way. Politics was a dirty game, he said, and money was having a corrosive effect.

A few weeks before I arrived in Andhra Pradesh, the state held municipal elections, and the boy was asked by another politician friend of the family to help in the final days of that campaign. The candidate he was tasked with helping had come up with a clever plan to win votes: Rather than handing out cash to voters, he would distribute free cell phones. The phones were worth several hundred rupees, but the candidate had ordered in bulk and hence received a huge discount from his supplier. The ploy backfired, the boy explained, because most voters already had a mobile phone and had no use for a second one. Furthermore, voters felt the candidate was behaving like a cheapskate. The rival candidate in the area who stuck to traditional cash handouts won handily. Whether money had anything to do with the candidates loss was impossible to verify, but it was immaterial; there was a perception that it cost him the election. Local elections now cost what state elections used to five years ago. State elections now cost what national elections used to. Where does it stop? he asked.

On my way to the local airport to catch a flight out of town, I paid one last visit to Sanjay in his makeshift party office. I regaled him with stories the young boy had told me  stories, of course, that Sanjay had already heard. I promised Sanjay I would return in several months if he won his election. If I win, Sanjay daydreamed, maybe I will run for member of parliament in five years. He paused, smiling, But to do that, Ill have to become a billionaire first.

*****

In the end, Sanjay lost the race by a narrow margin: just 6,000 votes out of more than 163,000 ballots cast. While money made him competitive, it was not enough to catapult him over the top  especially against a well-resourced incumbent backed by a strong party organization. After the poll, Sanjay retreated to his small business, licking his wounds and plotting his future. Last month, I traded messages with Sanjay and he told me that he remains active in politics, making frequent trips to nurture his constituency. He is even thinking of contesting elections in 2019, but first things first: He has to replenish his bank balance.

This article has been excerpted from Milan Vaishnavs new book, When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics (Yale University Press, 2017)

Photo Credit: SANJAY KANOJIA/AFP/Getty Images
Jewish and Muslim leaders in the U.S. are calling for the federal government and local law enforcement agencies to do more after another Jewish cemetery in the country was desecrated over the weekend.

More than 100 tombstones were toppled over, and some were cracked in half, at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia late Saturday, police said. The vandalism comes days after a similar attack was carried out at a historic Jewish cemetery in St. Louis and amid a spate of bomb threats made to dozens of Jewish community centers.

For the second time in a week, a group of cowards vandalized a Jewish cemetery, desecrating the resting place of people who could not defend themselves, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. We call upon the White House to do more than speak words about anti-Semitism. We demand a plan of action.

It may be difficult to investigate anti-Semitic threats when evidence is lacking, law enforcement officials and crime experts told TIME last week. The FBI has taken over many of the bomb-threat cases throughout the country, but its unclear if the agency has any leads in any of the incidents.

The Philadelphia Police Department on Monday called the cemetery desecration in its city an abominable crime that appears to target these particular headstones, but it also urged patience. We must allow the investigation to take its course before we can determine a specific motive or label as a particular type of crime, the department said in a statement. We will continue to work to determine the person(s) responsible and make sure that they are held accountable for this reprehensible act.

Greenblatt said President Donald Trumps Administration should step in to find a better way for the vandals to be brought to justice and for the federal government to fight anti-Semitism. Greenblatts list of suggestions included for the Justice Department to launch a civil rights investigation into the recent wave of bomb threats and for Trump to tap a new coordinator at the White House focused on fighting hate.

Story continues

Meanwhile, other leaders urged victims of xenophobia to rise up in the face of hatred and said the latest cemetery desecration has strengthened the bond between Jewish and Muslim communities.

This is meant to make us fearful, and our response will be one of love and compassion and connection. This is part of the Jewish resistance, Ari Lev Fornari, a rabbi at the Kol Tzedek Synagogue in Philadelphia, said in a video taken at the cemetery and posted on Facebook. We will not let the hate hurt us. We will not be brought down by this.

Tarek El-Messidi, one of the Muslim-American organizers behind a successful online fundraiser meant to help the St. Louis cemetery repair its broken gravesites, said an excess of donations the campaign raised will go toward helping the Mount Carmel Cemetery recover.

El-Messidi, who lives in Philadelphia, said it was surreal to walk among the fallen tombstones. He said an on-site volunteer estimated that more than 530 stones were damaged, although police did not confirm that figure. El-Messidi also called for local law-enforcement agencies to closely patrol Jewish cemeteries and centers for the next few weeks until other surveillance systems like video cameras can be installed.

It was pretty horrific, and it was very sad, he said. You cant really argue that St. Louis was a one-off thing when it happened twice, targeting the same kind of cemetery within the same week.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - About 100 people ransacked shops in Johannesburg overnight, police said on Monday, in the latest of a wave of looting incidents in South African cities. Doors and windows were smashed in, and food and other items were strewn on the floor in stores believed to belong to immigrants in Jeppestown, an area in the central business district, a Reuters witness said. "We've been stuck inside here until the police came," Abdul Ebrahim, a Somali shop owner, said after emerging from his store, where a number of his colleagues had barricaded themselves. "No one told us what they were looking for," he added when asked why the mob had attacked his shop. At least one person was arrested. "We are following up on leads and we are expecting to make more arrests," police spokesman Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said. She said she did not know the nationalities of the shopkeepers and police were waiting for owners to come forward, so that they could open cases of violence and damage to property. Similar incidents have taken place in Pretoria this month, but police have been reluctant to characterize the attacks as being directed against foreigners. Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment, with foreigners being accused of criminal activity and taking jobs from locals. Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba last week acknowledged violence had flared up against foreigners this year, saying that "unfortunately, xenophobic violence is not new in South Africa." On Friday, police fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse marches by hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters in Pretoria, after mobs looted stores believed to belong to immigrants. More than 150 people were arrested. (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; and Dinky Mkhize; Editing by James Macharia and Mark Trevelyan)
Good morning. These are todays top stories:

La La Land is mistakenly named top Oscars winner

La La Land was accidentally declared Best Picture in a historic mistake at last nights 89th Academy Awards. The films producers had taken the stage to deliver an acceptance speech before it was revealed that the top prize actually belonged to Moonlight.

Another Jewish cemetery is vandalized

More than 100 headstones were knocked over at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia over the weekend, authorities said. Last week, a historic Jewish cemetery in St. Louis was vandalized.

German hostage beheaded in Philippines

Abu Sayyaf extremists have beheaded a German hostage in the Philippines. The killing was captured in a video, which was released by the militants.

President Trumps Navy Secretary pick says no

Philip Bilden, a businessman whom President Donald Trump had nominated to be Secretary of the Navy, has withdrawn his name from consideration. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said in statement that Bildens decision was driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests.

Also:

Trumps proposed budget will likely include boosting military spending and cutting Environmental Protection Agency and State Department costs.

Actor Bill Paxton, who starred in Aliens and Twister, has died at 61.

The man accused of ramming a vehicle into a Mardi Gras parade crowd in New Orleans had a high blood alcohol level, police said.

Muhammad Alis son was reportedly detained at an airport and was asked Are you Muslim?

The Nokia 3310 phone is back, and it still features the classic Snake game.

Oxford Dictionaries has recognized 300 new words, including squad goals.

The Morning Brief is published Mondays through Fridays. Email Morning Brief writer Melissa Chan at melissa.chan@time.com.
Woman sent back to Singapore despite 27-year marriage

A woman married to a British man for 27 years has been sent back to Singapore.
GOA, India -- In India, the world's largest democratic exercise this year is currently underway and the stakes are high. The results in the five state elections are being viewed as an early referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his currency decree late last year that caused weeks of economic chaos.

Coming halfway through Modi's term, the polls may provide early public feedback about the prime minister's leadership, and could signal the fate of a bid for a potential second term at the helm. Any setbacks by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, will likely be tied to him and the currency swap he initiated last year.

"Even his own party will blame him for it," says Mohan Guruswamy, chairman of the Center for Policy Alternatives. "Already there have been murmurs. They'll become a crescendo."

Voters are currently electing representatives to the legislative assemblies in five Indian states, the most politically important of which is Uttar Pradesh, a northern state of more than 200 million people. Voting in the states began on Feb. 4 and concludes on March 8. Results are due on March 11.

Modi, who has campaigned vigorously in Uttar Pradesh for the BJP, has staked his reputation on winning it. But his message -- the wisdom of his decision to withdraw from circulation $230 billion of Indian currency -- may be a hard sell.

Last Nov. 8, while Americans were transfixed by their presidential election, Indians also were glued to their televisions as they heard Modi's shocking announcement: Starting at midnight, the country's two largest bank notes were no longer legal tender. Modi scrapped the existing 500- and 1,000-rupee notes (worth roughly $7 and $15) -- about 86 percent of the cash in circulation in India -- in an effort to crack down on corruption, terrorism and counterfeit money.

Indians had until the end of last year to turn in their money at banks for new notes. In doing so, Modi hoped to punish tax evaders and bring illicit or untaxed cash, so-called "black money," to the attention of authorities. Modi acknowledged his policy would bring "temporary hardships" for law-abiding citizens.

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Nearly four months later, the hardships have not abated. Prices of vegetables have crashed, as farmers have faced difficulty selling their crops. Construction is sputtering. Work for daily wage workers has dried up. More parents are struggling to feed their children milk and fruit.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that India's growth for 2016 fell to 6.6 percent, a full percentage point less than the previous year. China snatched back the title of world's fastest-growing economy.

"It was clearly mismanaged," Guruswamy says of Modi's currency measures. "It has had a boomerang effect."

Purifying the country

A week before New Year's, Indians arriving at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport shuffled between ATMs unaware of the strict 2,000-rupee limit. "I don't think any of the machines are working," one baffled newcomer told others waiting in line as the ATMs refused to spit out cash.

For those living in India, the pain is far more acute. Cash shortages have crippled demand for goods and services. The poor and middle class have struggled to pay fixed expenses like school fees and house rent.

For most countries, Modi's ban would have been drastic. In a cash-intensive country like India, where the majority of people work in the informal economy, the move was catastrophic.

"The line between hardship and starvation is small," says Guruswamy. "You lose one day's income, the pots will be empty at home."

Yet, if any politician can pull off a bold gamble, it's Modi.

Before he came to power in an election upset that India hadn't seen the likes of in decades, Modi used unorthodox approaches, such as gigantic 3-D holograms to beam a larger-than-life image of himself across India. He energized the country on a narrative of creating jobs and making India a superpower.

Critics have excoriated the clampdown of free speech under Modi but others have professed the need for a strong leader to ram through reforms in India's chaotic democracy.

"Opinion polls seem to indicate high credibility and belief in Modi," says Ashok Malik, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, an independent think tank based in India. "Whether it lasts or not, I don't know."

Supporters see Modi, who wears a trim white beard, flowing tunics and practices yoga, as a messiah ready to lead India into a brighter future. His Nov. 8 address to the nation about the cash swap was even couched in spiritual language. He spoke of a cash purge to "clean" the system and "purify" the country, and referred to a "Mahayagna" -- a ritual sacrifice in front of a sacred fire in Hinduism.

Modi's promise to root out malfeasance resonates in India, a country plagued by multi-billion dollar graft scandals for years and where petty corruption is a fact of everyday life. For the poor, Modi's cash swap meant chinning up to the punches they are already so used to. For the middle class, it was a chance to see rich Indians with stashed wealth squirm.

Economists are divided over Modi's currency measures. Many argue that Indians with black money had already poured it into land and gold. Supporters of the policy counter it was needed to bring India into the digital age and is one part of many moves against graft.

"He is presenting it as a series of steps against corruption and black money," Malik says.

Another such step was unveiled earlier this month. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley declared a slew of campaign finance reforms. In India, dirty money has fueled elections where cash, saris and liquor are often fed to voters. Election officers stop cars to pop their trunks to check for suitcases stuffed with cash. Analysts say the new measures have few teeth to bite.

Writing in Quartz, Milan Vaishnav, author of the book, "When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics," says Modi's policies only offer "the first hint of spring cleaning."

'Where is the black money?'

As the economic crisis drags on, public patience is running out.

In order to keep the announcement secret until the last moment, the government printed too few replacement notes ahead of Modi's announcement. Even today, people struggle to break their notes into denominations smaller than 2,000 rupees.

"People are asking 'where is the black money?' Nothing has happened," Guruswamy says.

The state elections may also indirectly determine the cast of characters sent to India's upper house of Parliament, which has blocked bills introduced by Modi's administration. Victory in the state elections would send more BJP legislators to Parliament and help push through Modi's legislation.

In Goa, one of the states currently holding elections, roadside billboards are plastered with faces from the Aam Aadmi Party. The upstart defeated the BJP in state elections in the capital Delhi in 2015, despite Modi's sweeping victory in national elections the previous year. Later in 2015, his party also lost in Bihar, a populous state he had won handily in national polls.

Any losses in the ongoing elections will likely be attributed in part to Modi. Guruswamy, of the Center for Policy Alternatives, says losses by the BJP will not drive Modi out of office. But the prime minister's imperious ruling style will have to change, he says.

"Ministers will challenge him in the cabinet. They'll ask questions," Guruswamy says. "Modi is not used to government by discussion. He's used to government by diktat."

Sruthi Gottipati is an independent journalist and editor. You can follow her on Twitter here.
Photo credit: NASA / AP

From Popular Mechanics

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.

NASA is shooting for an unmanned test flight for 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.

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.

Story continues

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.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  The son of a Nazi official has returned three artworks that his family had looted from the southern Polish city of Krakow during World War II.

Polish officials said Monday they hoped the gesture by Horst von Waechter of Austria would inspire other Nazi descendants to follow suit.

In the ceremony Sunday in Krakow, von Waechter returned an 18th century map of Poland built into a small table and two historic drawings that his mother, Charlotte von Waechter, had appropriated there in late 1939. It was shortly after her husband, Otto von Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war. Von Waechter ordered the Krakow ghetto be set up in 1941.

The handover took place at the office of the Krakow provincial governor and was the result of efforts by Polish historian and politician Magdalena Ogorek and the National Museum in Krakow, according to Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the governor.

Marcinkiewicz said one of the paintings had Charlotte von Waechter's handwritten pencil inscription saying it came from the Potocki Palace in Krakow, where the Waechters resided during the war.

Ogorek told The Associated Press she spotted some Poland-related objects at Horst von Waechter's castle in Austria while she was doing research there about his father, who, she said, died in unexplained circumstances in 1949 at the Vatican while waiting to be smuggled to Argentina to avoid facing justice. Other sources say the elder von Waechter died in Rome, but do not mention the Vatican.

Ogorek said von Waechter returned the objects to Krakow for no compensation.

"He gave a good example to others and we should be happy about this," Ogorek said.

"I assume that various artworks from Poland can be found in private homes in Germany and in Austria. I am sure of that," she said.

Poland was severely damaged during World War II, its palaces, museums and libraries bombed and then plundered by the Nazis and by members of the Soviet Red Army from 1939-45. The government continues trying to retrieve looted artworks and the Culture Museum has posted a list of many of them.

Some of the artworks occasionally surface at auctions around the globe, leading Poland to negotiate the terms of their return.
By James Pearson and Rozanna Latiff (Reuters) - It is in Kuala Lumpur's "Little India" neighborhood, behind an unmarked door on the second floor of a rundown building, where a military equipment company called Glocom says it has its office. Glocom is a front company run by North Korean intelligence agents that sells battlefield radio equipment in violation of United Nations sanctions, according to a United Nations report drafted for the Security Council seen by Reuters. Reuters found that Glocom advertises over 30 radio systems for "military and paramilitary" organizations on its Malaysian website, glocom.com.my. Glocoms website, which was taken down late last year, listed the Little India address in its contacts section. No one answers the door there and the mailbox outside is stuffed with unopened letters. In fact, no company by that name exists in Malaysia. But two Malaysian companies controlled by North Korean shareholders and directors registered Glocom's website in 2009, according to website and company registration documents. And it does have a business, the draft U.N. report says. Last July, an air shipment of North Korean military communications equipment, sent from China and bound for Eritrea, was intercepted in an unnamed country. The seized equipment included 45 boxes of battlefield radios and accessories labeled "Glocom", short for Global Communications Co. Glocom is controlled by the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the North Korean intelligence agency tasked with overseas operations and weapons procurement, the report says, citing undisclosed information it obtained. A spokesman for North Korea's mission at the U.N. told Reuters he had no information about Glocom. U.N. resolution 1874, adopted in 2009, expanded the arms embargo against North Korea to include military equipment and all "related materiel". But implementation of the sanctions "remains insufficient and highly inconsistent" among member countries, the U.N. report says, and North Korea is using "evasion techniques that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication. Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world which had strong ties with North Korea. Their citizens can travel to each others countries without visas. But those ties have begun to sour after North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns estranged half-brother was murdered at Kuala Lumpurs international airport on Feb 13. PAN SYSTEMS According to the "WHOIS" database, which discloses website ownership, Glocom.com.my was registered in 2009 by an entity called International Global System using the "Little India" address. A similarly named company, International Golden Services is listed as the contact point on Glocom's website. Glocom is operated by the Pyongyang branch of a Singapore-based company called Pan Systems, the draft U.N. report says, citing an invoice and other information it obtained. Louis Low, managing director of Pan Systems in Singapore said his company used to have an office in Pyongyang from 1996 but officially ended relations with North Korea in 2010 and was no longer in control of any business there. "They use (the) Pan Systems (name) and say it's a foreign company, but they operate everything by themselves," Low told Reuters referring to the North Koreans at the Pyongyang office. Pan Systems Pyongyang utilized bank accounts, front companies and agents mostly based in China and Malaysia to buy components and sell completed radio systems, the U.N. report says. Pan Systems Pyongyang could not be reached for comment. One of the directors of Pan Systems Pyongyang is Ryang Su Nyo. According to a source with direct knowledge of her background, Ryang reports to "Liaison Office 519, a department in the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Ryang is also listed as a shareholder of International Global System, the company that registered Glocom's website. Reuters has not been able to contact Ryang. SMUGGLING CASH Ryang frequently traveled to Singapore and Malaysia to meet with Pan Systems representatives, the draft U.N. report says. On one such trip in February 2014, she and two other North Koreans were detained in Malaysia for attempting to smuggle $450,000 through customs at Kuala Lumpur's budget airport terminal, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters. The North Korean trio told Malaysian authorities they all worked for Pan Systems and the cash belonged to the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, according to the two sources. The Malaysian Attorney General decided not to press charges because of insufficient evidence. A week later, the trio was allowed to travel, and the North Korean embassy claimed the cash, the sources said. All three had passports assigned to government officials, the sources said. Malaysia's Customs Department and the Attorney General's office did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend. The Pan Systems representative in Kuala Lumpur is a North Korean by the name of Kim Chang Hyok, the U.N. report says. Kim, who also goes by James Kim, was a founding director of International Golden Services, the company listed in the contacts section of the Glocom website. Kim is director and shareholder of four other companies in Malaysia operating in the fields of IT and trade, according to the Malaysian company registry. He did not respond to requests for comment by mail or email. The United Nations panel, which prepared the draft report, asked the Malaysian government if it would expel Kim and freeze the assets of International Golden Services and International Global System to comply with U.N. sanctions. The U.N. did not say when it made the request. "The panel has yet to receive an answer," the report said. Reuters has not received a response from the Malaysian government to repeated requests for comment about Glocom. POLITICAL CONNECTION One of Glocom's early partners in Malaysia was Mustapha Ya'akub, a prominent member of Malaysia's ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Since 2014, he has been listed as a director of International Golden Services As secretary of the UMNO youth wing's international affairs bureau, Mustapha fostered political connections in the 1990s with countries, such as Iran, Libya and North Korea. Glocom's Little India address once housed a company owned by UMNO Youth. Mustapha, 67, said he had been a Glocom business partner "many years back" and said it has been continuously controlled by several North Koreans, including Kim Chang Hyok, whom he said he knew. He did not divulge his role in the company, and denied any knowledge of Glocoms current business. "We thought at the time it might be a good idea to go into business together," Mustapha told Reuters about his first meeting with his North Korean business contacts. He did not say who those contacts were or what they discussed. He denied any knowledge of Glocom's current business. Glocom advertises and exhibits its wares without disclosing its North Korean connections. "Anywhere, Anytime in Battlefield," reads the slogan on one of several 2014 Glocom catalogs obtained by Reuters. An advertisement in the September 2012 edition of the Asian Military Review said Glocom develops radios and equipment for "military and paramilitary organisations". A spokesman for the magazine confirmed the ad had been bought by Glocom, but said the magazine was unaware of its alleged links to North Korea. Glocom has exhibited at least three times since 2006 at Malaysia's biennial arms show, Defence Services Asia (DSA), according to Glocom's website. At DSA 2016, Glocom paid 2,000 ringgit ($450) to share a table in the booth of Malaysia's Integrated Securities Corporation, its director Hassan Masri told Reuters by email. Hassan said he had nothing to do with Glocom's equipment and was unaware of its alleged links to North Korea. Aside from the North Koreans behind Glocom, clues on its website also point to its North Korean origins. For instance, one undated photo shows a factory worker testing a Glocom radio system. A plaque nearby shows he has won a uniquely North Korean award: The Model Machine No. 26 Prize," named in honor of late leader Kim Jong Il, who is said to have efficiently operated "Lathe No. 26" at the Pyongyang Textile Factory when he was a student. For a Graphic on Murder at the airport, click: http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-KIM/010031Z94H5/index.html For a Graphic on Glocom's connections to North Korea, click: http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-ARMS/010031ZK4HW/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-ARMS.jpg (Reporting by James Pearson and Rozanna Latiff. Additional reporting by Nicole Nee in SINGAPORE, Michelle Price in HONG KONG and Ned Parker in New York.; Editing by Bill Tarrant.)
By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. Human Rights Council must set up a commission of inquiry into Myanmar's human rights record, as it has done for North Korea and Eritrea, and not spare its leader because of her iconic status, a former U.S. human rights envoy said on Monday. Keith Harper, who served as U.S. President Barack Obama's ambassador to the Geneva-based council from 2014 to January this year, said Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi had "utterly failed" to address the plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar's Rakhine State. But he said Western diplomats and human rights advocates saw her as a hero and might let Myanmar off the hook, and he feared the new U.S. administration, which has not yet named his replacement in Geneva, might seek to play down the situation. "For far too many, her iconic status as pro-democracy crusader makes it difficult to hold accountable a Suu Kyi-led government no matter the well-documented human rights violations," Harper wrote. "Her Nobel Prize has become a most awful kind of shield from proper scrutiny." The Human Rights Council is expected to debate Myanmar during a three-week session starting on Monday, and Harper said it should order a full inquiry, which he described as "heavy medicine reserved for the most horrendous human rights cases". A report by the U.N. human rights office, based on testimony of Rohingya Muslims who had fled to Bangladesh, said Myanamar's security forces had probably committed crimes against humanity with a campaign of killings and gang rape. Senior U.N. officials later told Reuters they believed more than 1,000 people had been killed. Harper, writing on the Just Security online forum, said many had hoped Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, would tackle the human rights crisis when she took power a year ago. But it had become clear that although she was happy to be lauded as a pro-democracy icon, she was not prepared stand up for an unpopular and persecuted Muslim minority, and it would be wrong to spare her from scrutiny. "Even accepting that Suu Kyi does not sufficiently control the military, she has utterly failed to utilize her considerable bully pulpit which would undoubtedly be impactful," he wrote. (Reporting by Tom Miles)
The Pentagon has no plans to fix a flaw in the $40 billion Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, the nations primary defense against a missile attack by North Korea or Iran, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

The flaw involves small thrusters attached to the systems rocket interceptors, which could cause an interceptor to go off-course, missing its target.

The problem was discovered more than a year ago during a test from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California designed to determine whether a redesign had solved persistent problems. During the Jan. 28, 2016, test, one of the rockets four thrusters shut down, sending the interceptor off course. Despite that, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency touted the test as a success.

If the circuitry caused a failure, thats a bad thing, said former Assistant Defense Secretary Philip E. Coyle III, who led the Pentagons office of operational testing and evaluation. One out of four [thrusters] failed, and thats important. I dont think anybody should whitewash that.

The interceptors are multistage rockets launched from underground silos at Vandenberg and Fort Greely, Alaska. A third site in the eastern U.S. is under consideration.

The first interceptors became operational in 2004, just three years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld exempted the program from normal procurement and testing standards, the Times said.

The GMD is the only system devoted to defending the U.S. from long-range ballistic missile attacks. It spans 15 time zones, seven types of sensors on land, sea and in space, and receives cues from tracking information from a variety of space- and land-based radars.

The Times cited Pentagon documents and interviews with defense specialists as saying a circuit board failure was to blame, with the most likely scenario involving a loose part, possibly a loose wire or piece of solder, falling and causing a short circuit.

Thirty-four of the 37 GMD interceptors have the vulnerable circuit boards, the Times reported. The system eventually is supposed to have 44 interceptors by the end of the year, with the 10 newest equipped with an improved version of the circuit boards.

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Pentagon spokesman Christopher Johnson said in written responses to the Times the agency has no plans to retrofit the older interceptors, even though they will make up three-quarters of the system when it is completed.

If theres a foreign object in one unit, its sort of whistling past the graveyard to assume that thats a once-in-a-lifetime event, L. David Montague, a retired president of missile systems for Lockheed Corp., told the Times. He recommended intense ground tests to simulate the intense shaking experienced during flight to see if anything shakes loose.

The Times said the circuit boards could be protected by applying conformal coating, a thin layer of plastic, something that has been standard practice in commercial and military manufacturing.

Related Articles
Washington (AFP) - The Pentagon presented the White House with possible new battle plans Monday to defeat the Islamic State group, after President Donald Trump demanded top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists.

A pillar of Trump's campaign was to quicken the fight against IS, which despite losing thousands of fighters still controls parts of northern Syria and Iraq, and he berated Barack Obama's administration for taking too long to do so.

Trump had claimed to have a secret plan to defeat the brutal extremists, but never disclosed what this might be.

He repeatedly pledged to "bomb the hell" out of them and even threatened to kill family members of suspected IS fighters.

Shortly after taking office, the new president gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress to date and develop a comprehensive plan to "totally obliterate" IS.

A US-led coalition has been bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria since late summer 2014, while also deploying Western commandos to train and advise local forces.

The initial draft of the review is now complete, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented the findings to Trump's top national security advisors.

The options outlined in the classified document are preliminary and need to be further refined, said Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis.

"It is about the rapid defeat of ISIS," Davis said.

"We're going to continue to have a dialogue with our chain of command going forward and developing this plan."

The proposals will likely outline the possibility of sending more US troops to the Middle East and could see the Pentagon taking a more aggressive stance in other key areas.

"This is not about Syria and Iraq, it's about a trans-regional threat," General Joe Dunford, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Washington audience last week.

"In this particular case, we're talking about ISIS, but it's also Al-Qaeda and other groups that present a trans-regional threat."

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Dunford stressed the importance of renewed military action coming alongside diplomatic and political efforts.

"All of us who have participated in these conflicts over the last 15 years realize that anything we do on the ground has to be in the context of political objectives or it's not going to be successful," Dunford said.

The review includes input from across the government, including its spy agencies, State Department and Department of Homeland Security.

- More US forces? -

Since the coalition effort to defeat IS began, the jihadists have lost much of the ground they once held, and tens of thousands have been killed in air strikes and ground combat.

In Iraq, they are clinging to the last parts of their former bastion Mosul as Iraqi security forces backed by Western air power push them from the city.

The fight is more complex in civil war-torn Syria, where Russia is conducting its own air campaign to prop up President Bashar al-Assad.

A key question is whether America will arm Syrian Kurdish forces to lead the fight to retake Raqa -- a move sure to infuriate ally Turkey, which considers the Kurdish fighters terrorists -- or whether the United States should send in more combat troops.

Currently, only about 500 US troops are in Syria, mostly special operations forces working behind the frontlines to train local Kurdish and Syrian Arab fighters.

Because Obama was elected in 2008 on the promise of ending US conflicts in the Middle East, he was loath to put US forces in combat.

The anti-IS review is also a significant first test for the relationship between Trump and Mattis.

Trump has so far given the Pentagon chief broad leeway on shaping US military policy, even though the retired Marine Corps general has pushed back against much of Trump's more blustery rhetoric, including his professed support of torture and claim that America should seize Iraq's oil.
In a miscalculated move, a promotional tweet from Uber on Sunday has gotten many in the Philippines shaking their fists at the ride-sharing company.

The tweet has now been deleted, but Uber tweeted out a promotion on Sunday on the eve of a planned jeepney strike, offering free trips to users "affected by the activities tomorrow."

Image: Twitter

Jeepneys are modified minibuses common in the Philippines, commonly used by the masses for public transportation. 40 percent of intra-city commutes in Manila are taken on jeepneys.

A jeepney minibus.

Image: DELA PENA/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

The jeepney strike was organised to protest a government order to phase out old jeeps, and new hoops for jeepney operators to jump through, Rappler reports.

SEE ALSO: 'Humans of Payatas' features inspiring stories about people living in its slums

Filipinos reacted strongly to the tweet, slamming the San Francisco-based company for not learning from its recent bad press when it tweeted a promo during a taxi strike in the U.S.:

Im guessing @Uber_PH havent learned anything from the @Uber backlash that happened at JFK following the Trump EO on immigration https://t.co/5VSJv5k0nK  Sandra C (@SandraCabs) February 26, 2017

What is up with Uber and undernining transport strikes all over the world? Clearly they haven't learn from the #DeleteUber incident. https://t.co/sM473cYV0V  Jubert Marquez (@jubeebs) February 26, 2017

You'd think they would have learned from the #DeleteUber campaign in the US https://t.co/khqXdKV14U https://t.co/PAWFHT4mrR  Philip del Rosario (@pipodelrosario) February 27, 2017

Disappointed bc @Uber_PH tried to take advantage of the jeepney strike tomorrow :(  Mika (@mkaterpillar) February 26, 2017

In what world did @Uber_PH think this was going to play out well? "KEEPMOVINGMNL" is the most insensitive code made ever. pic.twitter.com/0ykJjV0kUn  Ash (@ashpolicarpio) February 26, 2017

Not everyone was against Uber, though, with some Filipinos angry at the jeepney operators on strike:

Story continues

@Uber_PH no need to apologize to people who can't comprehend. You're filling a need, you're being a problem solver. #ImWithUber  2017  (@ImKeshingIn) February 27, 2017

@Uber_PH is part of a solution.... that's what's happening!  sudhiira (@sudhiira) February 27, 2017

Sorry but @Uber_PH isn't doing anything wrong here that's just how capitalism works bakit affected kayo tangina  kunwari copywriter (@fullofdharma) February 27, 2017

By Monday morning, some Filipino users said they were still receiving promo codes from Uber:

Uber Philippines also tweeted in response to queries that the promo codes in question were valid within Manila and Cebu, where the strikes were expected to happen.

@trishbonus Yes, Trish. The promo KEEPMOVINGMNL is valid only within Manila.  Uber Philippines (@Uber_PH) February 27, 2017

@wyniebutay_PRO For first time users, you can use KEEPMOVINGMNL.  Uber Philippines (@Uber_PH) February 27, 2017

@neildelmonte Hi Neil! New users in Cebu can use this code, KEEPMOVINGCEB.  Uber Philippines (@Uber_PH) February 27, 2017

Uber confirmed that it's still running the promo, but addressed the backlash in a tweet on Monday saying: "It was not our intention to undermine upcoming events in any way, and we apologize for appearing to do so."

We are sorry for the confusion that a recent tweet created. It was not our intention to undermine upcoming events in any way. pic.twitter.com/i7mf9D7fcs  Uber Philippines (@Uber_PH) February 26, 2017

UPDATE: Feb. 27, 2017, 4:08 p.m. SGT Updated with Uber's confirmation that it's still running the promo.
North Koreas nuclear ambitions seem unstoppable. The Obama administrations policy of strategic patience has failed and there are growing calls for President Donald Trump to reach out directly to Pyongyang. Although bilateral dialogue may result in a temporary freeze on North Koreas nuclear program in exchange for various concessions, it will not lead to the countrys denuclearization. Pyongyangs negotiating track record shows that its always ready to cheat, stall, and make unreasonable demands. The ominous reality is that North Korea is determined to be recognized as a nuclear power.

The only way to push Pyongyang to give up what it sees as a vital tool for survival is to squeeze the only other thing keeping the Kim regime alive  its economic lifeline through China. The million-dollar question is how to get Beijing on board with such a task. As North Koreas only patron and trade partner of consequence, China has long resisted fully cracking down on Pyongyang, fearing its neighbors collapse will bring immediate instability along its border and harm its long-term strategic interests with the loss of a buffer state and the rise of a unified Korean Peninsula under a pro-U.S. government. The Trump administrations most urgent task, therefore, is to persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping that Beijings short- and long-term strategic interests are better served by swiftly cracking down on North Koreas economic activities to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.

And getting China on board with such a plan will not be achieved by poking it in the eye, like Trump initially tried with the One China policy debacle, or by complaining that the Chinese are not doing enough. Rather, the Trump administration must open Beijings eyes to the ways the North Korean status quo, even if it doesnt threaten China directly, is already jeopardizing its regional interests.

Chinese officials have long insisted that they do not have as much influence over their North Korean counterparts as outside observers would like to believe. Pyongyangs willingness to engage in a steady stream of nuclear and missile tests in recent years despite Beijings objections does seem to indicate that North Korea, especially since Kim Jong Uns rise, has been calling its own shots.

Nevertheless, Beijing holds an ultimate source of leverage that could be used to push North Korea to denuclearize: the ability to shut down the North Korean economy. North Koreas economic lifeline runs through China, with a vast majority of its trade, both licit and illicit, flowing through Chinese territory. China is by far North Koreas largest trading partner, accounting for about 90 percent of North Koreas total trade volume, or $5.7 billion in 2015. China is also North Koreas primary provider of critical commodities, including oil and steel products. Finally, China serves as North Koreas door to the outside world.

Pyongyangs illegal networks that help it evade sanctions and facilitate its cash flow are often routed through China, managed by North Koreans working for their state along with opportunistic Chinese intermediaries. Although there are signs that Beijing has taken a harder line in recent months toward North Korea by pausing its purchase of North Korean coal, and cracking down on Chinese entities that aid Pyongyangs illicit activities, there is still much more it could do to squeeze North Korea given the depth of their economic ties.

China, thus far, has refused to use the full extent of its unique leverage against North Korea because of its well-known aversion to instability, its fears of a reunified Korean Peninsula, and its general distaste for regime change, which runs counter to its foreign-policy mantra of noninterference. To get Beijing to wield the power it has, Chinas top leaders must be convinced that their interests are better served not by preserving the status quo but by quickly sending the message to Pyongyang that it cannot have both nuclear weapons and economic sustenance  and that the latter will truly be severed unless the former is relinquished.

Trump and his deputies can make this argument to their Chinese counterparts by pointing out that the growing North Korean nuclear threat is driving Chinas neighbors, South Korea and Japan, to strengthen their military capabilities in ways that are not in Chinas long-term strategic interests. South Koreas agreement with the United States last year to deploy the anti-ballistic missile system known as THAAD is a case in point. After months of debate, Seoul finally agreed to deploy THAAD following North Koreas fourth nuclear test, despite vehement threats of economic and political retaliation from Beijing. The fact that Seoul was willing to alienate China, its biggest trading partner, and to weather the ensuing economic fallout is indicative of the fact that South Korean leaders were motivated by something more important than economics  their national security.

North Koreas growing nuclear threat also served as an important impetus for the Japanese governments reinterpretation of Article 9 of the countrys constitution in 2014, which expanded the role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. And the North Korean threat continues to serve as ammunition for those who seek to revise Japans pacifist constitution and to upgrade its military capabilities. Recent reports indicate that Japan is also considering deploying THAAD. And while THAAD and the reinterpretation of Article 9 are not necessarily directed toward China, Beijing has opposed these developments because they have real implications for Chinas military capabilities. The Trump administration should reason with Xi that coddling North Korea will only strengthen the voices of hard-liners in South Korea and Japan and result in changes that are not in Chinas strategic interests.

The United States should also point out that North Korea will only be more emboldened as its nuclear capabilities grow, tempting the Kim regime to engage in regional provocations with a newfound confidence. Such actions would increase instability in Chinas neighborhood  the last thing Beijing wants. Trumps team must emphasize to China that in spite of Trumps campaign rhetoric on alliances, the United States is bound by its treaties to aid South Korea and Japan in the case of an attack. And any conflict with North Korea would increase the U.S. military presence and activities in the region, which, again, is not in Chinas strategic interests.

One final point to make is that the Kim regime is not in a good place, with an unprecedented number of executions and defections of high-level North Korean officials. Kims rule may collapse due to internal events, without any outside probing and in spite of Chinas soft-handed approach. It is much better for China to act in advance, before such a crisis strikes, to push for North Koreas denuclearization while working out a plan to integrate North Korea into the region.

The time is ripe to make the case to China to crack down on the Kim regime. Beijing is already extremely frustrated with North Koreas recent nuclear and missile tests, and the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, who reportedly had close ties with China. And now that the One China policy standoff has finally been put to rest, Chinese leaders are eager to get on a good footing with the new U.S. administration.

Trump must use the start of his new relationship with Xi to bring North Korea to the top of the bilateral agenda and convince the Chinese leadership that Beijings interests are truly better served by using its unique leverage over North Korea. Although the recent suspension of North Korean coal imports is a promising sign, China will need to be persuaded to send Pyongyang an ultimatum: nuclear weapons or economic survival.

Photo Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images
UPDATE: 5:35 p.m. EST  Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf condemned the vandalism at Mount Carmel Cemetery.

Original story

Police in Philadelphia investigated vandalism Sunday at an old Jewish cemetery amid fears of rising anti-Semitism around the country.

The incident was the second in less than a week. Similar vandalism struck a St. Louis Jewish cemetery.

Philadelphia police were called to Mount Carmel Cemetery, founded in 1881, where as many as 100 gravesites were damaged, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Its just very heartbreaking, Aaron Mallin of North Jersey told WPVI, Philadelphia. He made the discovery in a visit to his fathers grave. "It's just very disheartening that such a thing would take place.

"I'm hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids. But the fact that there's so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted."

Last week, nearly 200 headstones were damaged at Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery in St. Louis, the oldest Jewish cemetery in Missouri, established in 1888. Gov. Eric Greitens, the states first Jewish governor, called the vandalism cowardly and a pitiful act of ugliness.

The vandalism prompted a visit from Vice President Mike Pence, who said there is no place in America for hatred, prejudice or acts of violence or anti-Semitism. It also produced an outpouring of support from the areas Muslim community, and 2,500 people turned out to help with the cleanup effort.

The vandalism comes in the wake of bomb threats to 54 Jewish community centers in 27 states and Canada.

At his news conference earlier this month, President Donald Trump described himself as the least anti-Semitic person, at the same time deflecting a question about the bomb threats.

Story continues

Chief White House political strategist Steve Bannon, the former head of Breitbart News, which has an alt-right bent, last week talked at the Conservative Political Action Conference about globalist media, coded language for Jewish conspiracy.

The Anti-Defamation League has voiced concerns about Trumps attitude toward anti-Semitism, calling it mind-boggling.

In light of the bomb scares, online harassment, physical vandalism, death threats and other hate crimes, there is a simple question at hand that Americans of all faiths deserve an answer to  what is the Trump Administration going to do about the recent surge of anti-Semitism? What concrete steps will the White House take to address intolerance? ADL officials asked in a statement earlier this month.

Related Articles
Geneva (AFP) - The Philippine foreign minister told the UN rights council on Monday that Manila would "destroy criminals" in a defiant defence of President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.

"There can be no middle ground for the well-being of our people. We will not be kind," Perfecto Yasay told the opening of the 47-member council's main annual session in Geneva.

"We will not hesitate to destroy criminals who seek the wholesale destruction of our society," he added.

More than 6,500 people have been killed in Duterte's drug war, launched after he took office eight months ago.

Rights groups and the UN have sounded the alarm over the prospect that the state was serially perpetrating extra-judicial killings.

"It is lamentable that international observers, are more focused on the so-called human rights of criminals but have done nothing to help in eliminating the drug problem that has grown to pandemic proportions," Yasay said.

Duterte's highest profile critic at home, Senator Leila de Lima, was arrested last week on drug trafficking charges.

De Lima, a former human rights commissioner, has said she is innocent and her 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 southern Davao city.

The UN rights office said it was "very concerned" about the arrest and was watching the situation "very closely."
Manila (AFP) - Islamic militants in the Philippines have beheaded a 70-year-old German hostage they were holding for ransom, Manila officials said Monday, as Berlin condemned the murder as "unscrupulous and inhumane".

The Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history, had demanded a ransom of 30 million pesos ($600,000) be paid by Sunday to spare Jurgen Kantner.

After the expiration of the deadline the jihadists, which were monitored by intelligence group SITE, posted a gruesome video showing Kantner being killed by a knife-wielding man.

Shortly after the clip appeared Philippines government envoy Jesus Dureza confirmed the death of Kantner, who was abducted from his yacht off the southern Philippines last year.

"We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Dureza said in a statement.

"Up to the last moment, many sectors including the Armed Forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life. We all tried our best. But to no avail," said Dureza.

Military officials in the south said they had not yet found the German's body.

His vessel, the Rockall, was found drifting on November 7 with the body of Kantner's female companion Sabine Merz with a gunshot wound.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert later condemned "the abhorrent act".

"After weeks of worry, we have today the sad certainty that a German hostage has been barbarically murdered by terrorist kidnappers in the Philippines," he said, adding that "in our deepest grief, our thoughts are with the relatives and friends of our countryman".

"(The killing) once again shows, how unscrupulous and inhumane the actions of these terrorists are. We must stand together and fight against them."

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel earlier said if the video was confirmed as genuine it would be "one of the most horrible things imaginable".

- Perilous waters -

The couple had been kidnapped and held for 52 days in Somalia in 2008 before they were freed, reportedly after a huge ransom was paid, press reports said.

Story continues

Despite his ordeal in Somalia, Kantner told AFP in 2009 that he still intended to keep sailing into perilous waters.

"I know it's dangerous sailing off into Somali waters and I have no private security guarding me, but I pray to God that pirates won't get me again. It's a little bit like suicide," he said after being freed.

The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, have been kidnapping foreigners and Christians for decades and holding them for ransom in the jungles of the strife-torn southern Philippines.

They have frequently killed hostages if their demands are not met, and last year murdered two Canadians.

Apart from Kantner they are now holding at least 19 foreigners and seven Filipino hostages, military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said.

The group, formed from seed money provided by a relative of Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, also carried out the bombing of a ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that claimed 116 lives in the country's deadliest terror attack.

The military had been pressing an assault against the Abu Sayyaf, attacking their camps and bombing their hideouts just before Kantner was killed.

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By Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and Germany condemned on Monday the beheading of an elderly German captive by Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants who posted a video of the killing after a deadline for a $600,000 ransom passed. The video showed a machete-wielding militant behead Jurgen Kantner. The German had appealed for help twice in short video messages, saying he would be killed if ransom were not paid. Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the Philippine peace process, said officials had exhausted all efforts to save Kantner, 70, who was held on the tiny southern island of Jolo. "We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Dureza said in a statement. "There must be a stop to this killing of the innocent and the helpless." He made no mention of the ransom demand. The Philippines' armed forces pledged in a separate statement to bring Kantner's killers to justice and to continue operations to free other hostages held by Abu Sayyaf. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a united international front against terrorism. "The chancellor condemns this hideous attack that shows, once again, how unprincipled and barbarous terrorists act," her spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement. "We've all got to stand together in the fight against terrorists." Last year Abu Sayyaf decapitated two Canadians on Jolo but later freed their two companions, a Filipino woman and a Norwegian. The four had been seized from a tourist resort. The ransom demand for the Canadians was 6.4 million U.S. dollars each. Abu Sayyaf's activities in recent years have been mainly banditry, but the Philippines believes Islamic State has been in contact with members of the group's leadership with a view to gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia. YACHT SEIZED Abu Sayyaf, which means "bearer of the sword", has capitalised on decades of instability in the southern Philippines and generated tens of millions of dollars from piracy and ransom payments. It uses the money to buy arms, high-powered boats and modern navigation equipment, allowing it to avoid detection and seize crew of slow-moving vessels with ease. Kantner and his companion were taken captive in November while sailing on a 53-footer yacht near Sabah, eastern Malaysia, and brought to Jolo. His companion was shot dead when she tried to resist the militants. Reports of Kantner's execution emerged on Sunday evening, but the military only confirmed the killing on Monday, citing "reliable sources". It said it would continue to search for Kantner's remains in order to hand them over to his family. Abu Sayyaf is currently holding 26 hostages - 13 Vietnamese, seven Filipinos, a Dutch national, a Japanese, two Indonesians and two Malaysians, the military says. Experts say the group is very unlikely to free any hostages without payment. Speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Philippines Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said Manila was seeking technological help from allies to pinpoint the hostages' location. The Philippines has deployed thousands of troops in the Abu Sayyaf strongholds of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo islands, yet despite air and ground offensives, the group's piracy and kidnappings continue unabated. The rebels are entrenched in local communities, complicating operations by a military that is wary of incurring civilian casualties. (Additional reporting by Michael Nienaber in BERLIN; Ali Abdelaty in CAIRO and Tom Miles in GENEVA; Writing by Martin Petty and Manuel Mogato; Editing by Gareth Jones)
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP)  Police in Florida say a drunken man on a scooter hurled slurs and taunts at a gay couple in Key West.

A Key West police report says it happened early last Thursday morning as 38-year-old Kevin Seymour and 49-year-old Kevin Paul Taylor rode their bicycles down a street.

The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2lH9W3o ) reports the man yelled anti-gay remarks and said he bet the couple voted for Hillary Clinton. Then he yelled, "You live in Trump country now."

As the scooter followed the couple, Seymour told the man he'd call 911. The man responded that he'd "cut" him if he did.

At one point, police say the scooter hit the back tire of Seymour's bike, knocking him to the ground.

The report says a witness gave a statement to officers that backed up the couple's story.

Police haven't found the man on the scooter.
In the first month since the inauguration, Americans have been engaged in the political process like never before. From marches, rallies and protests to phone banks and letter-writing campaigns, to community organizing meetings, the possibilities for involvement are endless. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of events and causes with which you can be involved.

For people who feel particularly at risk during these uncertain and unpredictable times -- such as women, LGBT people, Muslims and people of color -- the pressures can be especially great.

A recent American Psychological Association survey found that, since the election, stress levels in the U.S. have reached their highest in at least 10 years. This makes sense. Uncertainty and unpredictability in the face of ongoing collective trauma can threaten our sense of belongingness and social order.

Getting involved and being active can be important ways to develop social connections, relieve feelings of isolation and worry, and feel empowered -- not to mention the rewards of seeing your work make a difference. Yet burnout, compassion fatigue and hopelessness are real risks that can affect not only your well-being but also your capacity to stay connected to causes you care about.

How do you achieve that balance? Here are four tips to help you become or stay involved in causes that matter to you, while prioritizing self-care:

1. Don't work (only) in isolation. Yes, writing letters and calling your Senators and Representatives are fast, easy and effective ways to make your voice heard. However, if you're feeling isolated or despondent, you can likely benefit from more community-oriented ways of engagement. Going in person to group letter-writing events and marches and organizing meetings can help you deepen social connections and foster hope.

When you act not in isolation but as part of a community, you can come to experience troubling political events not as something you face alone, but as a collective experience in which you are supported and support others.

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[See: How to Prepare Your Body -- and Mind -- for a Protest.]

2. Find the type of involvement that feels right for you. Not everyone is a protester, and not everyone feels comfortable making phone calls. Figure out what strengths you bring to the table, and offer those. Checking in and offering support to friends and family, and especially to members of targeted and minority groups, is a form of activism. Getting involved in a local organization, even one that isn't active on a national level, is important too.

If you find yourself feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, it may be that the type of activism you've been doing is a poor fit. If you hate being in crowds, you can find other ways to show up that don't involve a massive protest. Perhaps setting up a regular donation and finding some time to volunteer would be more feasible ways to stay connected.

3. Don't use up all of your energy too soon. Yes, things are really intense right now. However, even if everything seems like a crisis, we have to be in this for the long haul. Think about what level and type of engagement you can sustain in the coming months and years.

Be responsive, rather than reactive. You don't have to know every detail of everything that's happening in the news -- you just have to know enough to be effective. Consider your use of news apps and social media, and see if it might make sense to scale back.

Likewise, don't waste energy on unnecessary arguments. Allow yourself to have time with friends and family that doesn't involve trying to convince each other of your political views. Focus on being effective, rather than on proving that you're right.

[See: 10 Ways to Break a Bad Mood.]

4. Know when to take a break -- and take it. Even if you intend on showing up to every meeting of the social action committee at your mosque, synagogue or church, or every rally held by an organization you support, there may be times when that isn't what you need. You need time not just to de-stress, but also to build up and restore your physical and emotional resources.

Assemble as many coping skills as possible, and use them regularly. It might start with a simple activity like taking a hot bath or cooking your favorite meal. You might feel restored by taking a walk in a nearby park or going to a yoga class. Think about self-soothing not just as an approach to coping with difficulty, but as a regular practice to incorporate into your lifestyle.

Don't let self-care reinforce isolation, though. While individual self-care activities are important, strength and resilience come not only from individuals, but also from communities. Self-care can also look like joining a running club, attending prayer services regularly or singing in a chorus.

If political activism is about creating the world you want to see, make sure your methods of doing that create the life you want for yourself. If that includes emotional and physical health, and low levels of stress, do all you can to implement that now.

[See: 10 Reasons You Should Try Self-Massage.]

For many, the campaign season, election and the weeks since the inauguration have amounted to a collective trauma. Whether you lean right or left, recent political events have created high levels of unpredictability and instability. Activism and involvement can play a major role in your self-care plan, as they can lead to a greater sense of empowerment and connection to community. By getting involved in a way that connects you with others, and knowing your limits, you can be more in control of how you respond to political events and feel good about what you are doing.

Jeremy Schwartz, LCSW is a psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with a specialty in therapy for the LGBTQ community. Formerly a member of the clinical and instructional staff of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jeremy utilizes results-oriented approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat anxiety, depression and relationship problems. A clinician, supervisor and educator, Jeremy partners with New York University and the School of Visual Arts to provide quality mental health services to students and faculty in the Park Slope and Prospect Heights neighborhoods of New York City.
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
By Philip Pullella ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday he wants to make a trip to South Sudan together with the head of the Anglican Church to bring attention to the suffering of people stricken by civil war and famine. Francis made the disclosure in impromptu comments during a visit to Rome's Anglican church, the first to the parish by a pope, to mark the 200th anniversary of its opening. "My aides and I are studying the possibility of a trip to South Sudan," the pope said in response to a question about Christian Churches in Africa. He recalled that last October the Catholic, Episcopalian and Presbyterian bishops came to Rome to discuss the situation in their country and invited him to visit. Francis said they told him "but don't come alone, come with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury". Welby is spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican communion, which counts about 85 million members and is the world's third-largest Christian denomination. "The situation is a bit ugly down there but we have to do it because the three of them (the local bishops from different churches) together want peace and they are working together for peace," Francis said. Oil-producing South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, descended into civil war in December 2013 when a dispute between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar ended with fighting, often occurring along ethnic lines. Both sides have targeted civilians, human rights groups say. Kiir's government declared a famine in some part of the country last week. South Sudan has been hit by the same east African drought that has pushed Somalia back to the brink of famine, six years after 260,000 people starved to death in 2011. Francis said the trip would likely last just one day, which Vatican sources have said would be for security reasons. Francis gave no indication when it could take place but sources have said it would be this year. The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches have been split since 1534 when King Henry VIII broke with Rome to start the Church of England. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Dominic Evans)
Choosing between the ACT and SAT is a pivotal decision that all college-bound high school students must make. One of the key steps in reaching an informed decision is to sit for an official practice test -- the PreACT or PSAT -- which give you a better idea of what to expect when you take the official college entrance exams.

In addition to considering other factors, such as whether your top-choice schools prefer a specific standardized exam, your performance on these pre-exams can help guide you in choosing between the ACT and SAT.

[Get to know important facts about the PreACT.]

If your high school offers the PreACT and the PSAT, consider the benefits of taking both, particularly if you are wholly unfamiliar with the tests and require a jumping-off point. Taking both also gives you a greater understanding of how you might do on the ACT and SAT, providing comparison points when choosing between the two.

Once you have taken one or both exams and have received your score, consider these three aspects to help you determine whether to take the ACT or SAT.

1. Strengths and weaknesses: Both the PreACT and PSAT issue reports that include your overall score, section-specific results and an analysis of test questions by type. Review your score report and make a list of your weakest areas. If you took both exams, complete this process for both and see which test you were stronger on.

[Get information on how parents, teens can make use of PSAT scores.]

Note, however, that not all weaknesses are equal in weight. For example, it may be far simpler to improve your PSAT performance in "Words in Context" than it would be to shore up your results on the PreACT's "Interpretation of Data" portion. Consider your general academic strengths and learning style when evaluating your score reports.

The ACT and the College Board offer sample PreACT and PSAT score reports, respectively.

2. Target results and performance gaps: Many students who register for the PreACT or PSAT do so with a target score in mind. That target score is often based on a combination of college admissions preferences, personal goals and scholarship requirements.

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When you review your exam results, you will likely compare your PreACT and PSAT scores with your target ACT and SAT scores. The gap between these two results can indicate whether you should take the ACT or SAT.

Consider this scenario: You identify two weaknesses on the PreACT and three on the PSAT. The gap between your ideal and projected ACT results is potentially insurmountable, but your projected score on the SAT is a mere 50 points shy of your target. In this case, choosing the SAT makes the most sense.

[Learn how to assess PreACT performance to build a strong ACT prep plan.]

Although you may gravitate toward one test in particular, your PreACT or PSAT scores may suggest that you take a different course of action. For instance, you may be leaning toward the ACT because it seems more straightforward than the SAT, but your PSAT result may be outstanding.

On the other hand, you may wish to submit an SAT score to your dream school, but your PreACT result might be closer to the college's expectations. Put your desires aside and truly contemplate which exam will give you the best chance to shine.

3. Comfort level and familiarity: Comfort level can also play a role in test performance. As a student's knowledge of and experience with an exam increases, so does his or her comfort with and performance on that test. Unfamiliarity with an exam's timing, format or content can also contribute to test anxiety and possibly a lower score.

You may feel so comfortable with the ACT that you would rather not learn about the SAT -- or vice versa. High comfort level is an acceptable reason to adhere to a specific exam, so long as it is not your only reason.

Perhaps your math teacher assigns practice SAT questions as part of homework your sophomore year, or maybe your high school English curriculum involves intensive ACT prep during junior year. If one of these efforts results in fewer weaknesses or a PreACT or PSAT score that is comparable to your target result -- or both -- opt for the related college entrance exam.

Deciding whether to take the ACT or SAT requires research and contemplation. Evaluating your performance on the PreACT and PSAT can help you determine the standardized exam that's best for you.

Tiffany Sorensen is a tutor and contributing writer with Varsity Tutors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language & Literature from Stony Brook University--SUNY and a Master of Science in translation from New York University.
A part of a Wisconsin preschool teacher will be with her student forever, thanks to a transplant surgery that saved the 5-year-old girl's life.

Preschool teacher Beth Battista and her student Lyla Carreyn, 5, are both recovering at a Madison hospital after a successful kidney transplant.

Read: Plea for Toddler's Kidney Donation Goes Viral as Parents Drive Around With Message on Car

"It's night and day," Lyla's mom, Dena Carreyn, told InsideEdition.com. "She won't be hooked up to a machine for 12 hours a day, and be able to come and go as she pleases."

Battista said she had decided to become a living donor to the student at her school after hearing about Lylas year-long battle against a rare autoimmune disorder.

"I've always had a feeling that there was something more that I was supposed to do in my life, Battista told InsideEdition.com.

Lyla was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis, and was on dialysis for 12 hours a day.

Despite her family's nationwide search for a match for Lyla, the results came back negative for a compatible donor. Because of multiple blood transfusions, it was more difficult to find an exact match for her, according to reports.

"She deserves a normal life, one where she can learn and explore, like any other 5-year-old," Battista explained. Inspired by Lyla's story, she decided to see if she was a match, and she was.

To break the good news to Carreyn, she wrote her a heartfelt note: I may just be her teacher now, but soon a little piece of me will be with Lyla forever. Im Lylas kidney donor.

Ecstatic, the pair could be seen embracing over the good news in October.

Just months later, both Battista and Lyla are now well on their way to recovery.

Read: Teen Overjoyed After Heart Transplant: 'I've Been Waiting So Long... I Can Breathe Again!'

While Lyla is still recovering at the hospital a week after the transplant, Battista was able to return home two days later.

Story continues

"48 hours of discomfort or pain is a small price to pay for saving somebody's life," Carreyn said. "I hope other people would be able to do it, and to save more lives."

To find out how to become a living donor, visit UW Health's website.

Watch: Boy, 2, Gets Kidney From Parents' Former Classmate Who Saw Their Facebook Plea

Related Articles:
President Trump faces the biggest test yet of his young Administration as he prepares to deliver his first joint address to Congress Tuesday evening. It comes as Trumps legislative agenda is still taking shape on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House has largely delegated the nuts-and-bolts of legislating to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, and to a lesser extent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. First up, they must repeal-and-replace Obamacare, then they must pass a tax reform plan, all while keeping the government open and funded. None of those policies are fully thought out yet, nor have the requisite buy-in from Republicans on Capitol Hill or the man sitting in the Oval Office. But Trump and the GOP have to do somethingand quick. They know they have a once-in-a-generation opportunity with unified control of government, but at the same time are hobbled by eight years of rhetoric and unrealistic positions staked out as the opposition party. Governing is harder.

Trump will use his address Tuesday to continue to try to circumvent the media and to speak directly to his supporters. But unlike a campaign rally, its an opportunity to also speak to those who didnt support him. Its unclear just how much the president will take that up. White House aides expect him to lay out a broad vision of what he looks to accomplish over his term, including the above policy items, as well as more popular provisions like infrastructure spending. He will also focus heavily on national security and nationalism. Meanwhile, the White House is reviewing the Pentagons review of the nations counter-ISIS strategy, with it expected to presented to Trump later this week.

What Trump has to do to begin solving the opioid crisis. Trumps budget calls for cuts to the EPA and a big boost to the Pentagon. And the governors meet with the President to make their case on Obamacare.

Here are your must reads:

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Must Reads

President Trump Vowed to Solve the Opioid Crisis

He Needs to Fix This Problem First [TIME]

How Paul Ryan Is Getting Trumps Team Ready for Battles in Congress

A high-stakes tutorial in governing [CNN]

GOPs New Plan to Repeal Obamacare: Dare Fellow Republicans to Block Effort

GOP lawmakers gamble that setting bill in motion to strike Affordable Care Act will help break through intraparty disagreements [Wall Street Journal]

Trump to Ask for Sharp Increases in Military Spending, Officials Say

Big cuts to EPA budget [New York Times]

A Divided White House Still Offers Little Guidance on Replacing Obamacare

Admin taking back seat to Capitol Hill [Washington Post]

New Anti-IS Strategy May Mean Deeper US Involvement in Syria

Trump review due this week [Associated Press]

The DNC Isnt Enough: Democrats Demand More Leadership Changes

Now that the party has a new chairman, restless activists are turning their focus toward the Capitol Hill leadership team. [Politico]

Sound Off

I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. We needed the media to hold people like me to account. Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and its important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power.  Former President George W. Bush Monday to NBCs Today Show. He continued, Its kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when were not willing to have one ourselves.

Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated.  President Trump to governors Monday morning

Bits and Bites

Spicer arranged CIA, GOP intelligence push-back [Axios]

Leaked report suggests millions could lose coverage under GOP health proposal [Vox]

Nominee for Navy Secretary withdraws [Politico]

Trumps Cabinet has to work as a cleanup crew [Washington Post]

The Worlds Most Important Workout [Politico]

George W. Bush opens up on Trumps war with the media, Russia and travel ban [NBC]

Jewish Republicans torn over Trump [Politico]
BANGKOK (AP)  A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves:

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest developments in the South China Sea, home to several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region.

___

US NAVY READIES MORE FREQUENT MISSIONS

A U.S. administration official said the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group in the South China Sea, less than a month after President Donald Trump took office, signaled U.S. intent to have a more active naval presence in the region.

The Pentagon says that the Carl Vinson, accompanied by a guided-missile destroyer and aircraft, began "routine operations" in the South China Sea on Feb. 18. It last deployed to the Western Pacific in 2015 when it conducted an exercise with the Malaysian navy and air force.

The official declined to comment on whether the Carl Vinson would undertake a freedom of navigation operation, but noted that senior administration figures have spoken about the importance of asserting that right. The official expected such operations to be undertaken frequently by U.S. vessels.

The official requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists on the administration's policy.

Under the Obama administration, the U.S. Navy periodically sailed close to disputed territories on so-called freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, but faces calls to step up the tempo in response to China's massive campaign of land reclamation and construction of seven artificial islands.

During his Senate confirmation hearing for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson stirred controversy by comparing China's island-building and deployment of military assets to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and suggesting China's access to the island should not be allowed.

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Defense Secretary James Mattis, however, has stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving disputes in the South China Sea rather than military maneuvers. He has said the U.S. will exercise freedom of navigation in international waters.

___

SATELLITE IMAGES APPEAR TO SHOW SAM STRUCTURES ON ISLANDS

Recent images by the Center for Strategic and International Studies appear to show that China has nearly completed structures for surface-to-air missiles on the three largest man-made islands in the South China Sea.

Satellite imagery taken on Nov. 2 and again on Feb. 7 of Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs purportedly show eight of the buildings being constructed on each of the three outposts, according to the think tank. The suspicion is they may be used for HQ-9 SAM missiles that China has already deployed on Woody Island in the Paracel archipelago.

CSIS says China appears to have begun construction on the buildings between late September and early November.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said his government was "carrying out normal facility construction, including deploying necessary and appropriate national defense facilities, on its own territory." He said that China is "exercising a right bestowed by international law to sovereign states."

___

PHILIPPINES-LED ASEAN TALKS RAISE CONCERN OVER CHINA'S MILITARIZATION

The Philippines led Southeast Asian nations in expressing concern over China's weapons systems on man-made islands in comments criticized by Beijing, which also abruptly canceled a trade delegation to Manila.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, after hosting counterparts from the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations, said they want to prevent the militarization of the South China Sea, calling it a "great concern," by moving forward with a long-delayed effort to draft rules for avoiding conflict in the disputed waters.

Although saying it favors negotiating a Code of Conduct with ASEAN in the South China Sea, Beijing has dragged its feet for years, apparently avoiding having its hands tied while it built artificial islands with runways and military installations. Representatives from China and ASEAN will meet in the Indonesian resort of Bali on Monday to discuss the way forward.

Yasay said he was confident a framework agreement could be finalized by mid-year "on the basis of the fact that everyone, including all of the ASEAN member states and China are pushing hard for this."

But he cautioned that whether, in fact, China will cooperate "we cannot say for now."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing that Yasay's remarks about China's militarization of the islands are "baffling and regrettable."

"Such comments were only his opinion and do not represent the view of ASEAN as a whole," Geng said, adding they also appeared to contradict agreements reached between Presidents Xi Jinping and Rodrigo Duterte on improving Chinese-Philippine relations.

China also canceled a scheduled visit by Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng to witness the signing of trade agreements in Manila. Geng said the meeting was postponed due to scheduling reasons. President Rodrigo Duterte said that China may have misunderstood Yasay.

China and the Philippines, long at loggerheads over who owns the South China Sea islands, have moved to mend ties since Duterte took office last June. Yasay said after the ASEAN meeting last week that Chinese structures, already in place on seven man-made islands, could be removed only by force and "this is something that we will not engage ourselves in."

___

PHILIPPINES SAY XI PROMISED NOT TO BUILD ON DISPUTED SHOAL

According to the Philippine foreign secretary, Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised not to turn the disputed Scarborough Shoal into another Chinese military outpost.

The fate of Scarborough  a tiny, uninhabited reef that China seized from the Philippines in 2012  has been driving the South China disputes. A year after Chinese vessels took control of the shoal after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels, the Philippines initiated an international arbitration that ruled against China's maritime claims, but which Beijing refuses to recognize. The Philippines also has a defense pact with the U.S. and is counting on Washington to step in should China attempt to expand the shoal and build military installations close to Manila.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said any Chinese construction in Scarborough Shoal would be "a very serious, provocative act" that would undermine the Philippine claim to the rich fishing area.

"If they would do that, that will really be a game-changer," Yasay said, adding that Xi told the Philippine leader during their meetings in Beijing last year that China had no plans to build on Scarborough.

Xi also made a promise to former President Barack Obama not to militarize the islands last September, but Chinese officials say that placing defensive weapons does not constitute militarization.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Pennington in Washington, Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, and Christopher Bodeen in Beijing contributed to this report.

___

Follow Hrvoje Hranjski at www.twitter.com/hatbangkok
State Capitol Building, Dover, Deleware. (Getty Images)

A LITTLE RACE WITH BIG TURNOUT. On Saturday, Democrat Stephanie Hansen won a special election for a key state Senate seat in Delaware, ensuring that her party controls the upper legislative chamber.

Now, a Democrat winning a Democratic-leaning state Senate district wouldnt normally be all that newsworthy, but given that the Democrats first step toward rebuilding nationwide involves an urgent need to stop losing ground, a heavily contested win that maintains the status quo is being seen by those looking for signs of revival as a green shoot after a long winter. The Delaware state Senate majority has been held by Democrats for 44 years, and if Hansen had lost, Republicans would have picked up another chamber in their ongoing sweep of state legislative bodies. Former Vice President Joe Biden had stumped for Hansen, telling local voters that the race was crucial.

Reports the Huffington Posts Paul Blumenthal: The last time her opponent, John Marino, ran in this district, in 2014, he lost by just 2 points. Hansens 58-42 percent victory over Marino on Saturday ensured that Democrats will maintain control of the state Senate. It also notched a big Donald Trump-era win for a new generation of Democratic activists shocked into action by the November election.  Hansens campaign received huge support. More than 1,000 volunteers worked during the course of the campaign, and about 500  many from nearby states  showed up Saturday for Election Day. Hansen received more than 14,000 contributions of less than $100 from small donors spread all over the country.  Hansens election was no sure thing. The district leans Democratic, but Republican Marino had performed well in previous elections. Hall-Long defeated Marino by 1 percentage point in 2014. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the district 54-41 over Trump. Democrats notoriously struggle in special elections.

A lot of volunteers came down. There were around 500 volunteers today alone for Hansen's campaign. That's a lot for a special election!  Paul Blumenthal (@PaulBlu) February 26, 2017

Stephanie Hansen upon seeing she has won the Delaware special Senate election by a 7431-4950 margin (numbers may move a little). pic.twitter.com/it5CUYUpHM  Paul Blumenthal (@PaulBlu) February 26, 2017

Theres no question that while money and organizing strength help, they dont always guarantee wins: Hillary Clinton vastly outspent Donald Trump and had the endorsement and support of the entire Democratic and liberal and liberal cultural establishment behind her, and she still lost the Electoral College, because she did not hit the turnout numbers that her campaign was banking on to win. Because its true, the biggest cliche in political journalism is that it all comes down to turnout. Turnout is related to many things  message, money, get-out-the-vote efforts among them  but theres no getting away from the power of intensity as a factor in turning out voters.

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A total of 7,314 people voted for Hansen; the last Democrat to win the district won 6,230 votes.

NATIONALIZING LOCAL RACES. The Delaware race also was an early example of how even the most local of races are being nationalized in an environment where Democrats are itching for any opportunity to turn the tide of GOP electoral success and hold the president accountable. Another test case for that approach will be Virginias 2017 gubernatorial primary, where one of the Democrats, former Rep. Tom Perriello, is running hard against President Trump, while another, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, is running a more traditional race on local issues.

The campaign for Virginia governor was already expected to offer insights about the political landscape: the first statewide election of the Trump era set in a state that both major parties presidential nominees contested last year. But by trying to nationalize the race and make it a referendum on the depth of opposition to Mr. Trump, Mr. Perriello has transformed the primary race into a test of whether the boiling liberal rage toward the new president can be harnessed to win a state campaign, reports the New York Times. And if he is successful in bending an election that usually revolves around taxes, transportation and education toward the divisive occupant of the White House, he will have sketched out a new strategy for Democrats during the Trump administration that is sure to be mimicked in the partys primary races in next years midterm elections.

Also on the Democratic radar are special elections in Republican-favored House districts in Kansas, on April 11, and in Georgia, on April 18.

THE END OF RESISTANCE RECESS. With Congresss first district work period of the year having come to an end on Feb. 26, the coalition of activists who have been targeting congressional town halls are concluding their Resistance Recess  for now, at any rate. More than 100,000 people turned out to press their members of Congress to answer questions or hold town halls, reported MoveOn.org on the weekly Ready to Resist call held by a coalition of groups on Sunday nights.

CASSEROLE PROTESTS. Next up on the protest front will be something called a casserole protest, or cacerolazo, a form of protest pioneered in Latin America that gained popularity in the North during the 2012 Quebec student protests. Casserole protests involve banging on pots and pans and other kitchen implements, in addition to signs and chants, and will kick off Tuesday in front of the White House as Trump gives his address to a joint session of Congress. The noisemaking will be preceded by a 6 p.m. Resistance Address rally in Lafayette Park, co-sponsored by MoveOn, the ACLU, the Bernie Sanders-backed Our Revolution and other progressive groups.

OSCARS ACTIVISM. Its hardly novel when the leading lights of Hollywood use the occasion of the Oscars to make public their support for various causes. This year was marked a heavier than usual turn to the political, unsurprisingly, in addition to that historic slip-up in the announcement of Best Picture. The most eye-catching red carpet look at the Oscars wasnt a dress. It was a blue ACLU ribbon, proclaimed a piece by Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan about the ribbons that graced many a couture dress on the red carpet. Host Jimmy Kimmel took on the president directly in his jokes. And the nominees for Best Foreign Language Film wrote a letter denouncing the political climate in the United States.

All 6 #Oscar nominees for best foreign film wrote a letter denouncing fanaticism and nationalism  among leading politicians in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/QC8r4vrHZX  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 27, 2017

THE MAGICAL RESISTANCE: A group of witches proclaiming a magical resistance announced ceremonies to be held last Friday night casting a binding spell on Donald Trump. They say they will cast the spell again each month on the night of the crescent moon at midnight. Though some have described their actions as putting a hex on the president, a binding spell, according to the group, is more like a prayer for protection and not a hope for harm. The actual words of the spell posted on Facebook  because, yes, 21st-century witches share documents on Facebook, just like everyone else  dont sound wildly different from sentiments routinely expressed on Twitter, except that the language is much more formal, and also more polite. Chanting words while physically burning an image of Trump is definitely outside the Twitter wheelhouse, though.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The number of rhinos poached for their horns in South Africa fell 10 percent in 2016 to 1,054, the second straight year of decline according to government data released on Monday, but conservationists said the levels remain alarming. Rhino poaching rates in South Africa had surged from 83 in 2008 to a record 1,215 in 2014 to meet red-hot demand in newly-affluent Asian countries such as Vietnam, where the horn is prized as a key ingredient in traditional medicines. South Africa has more than 80 percent of the world's rhino population with about 18,000 white rhinos and close to 2,000 black rhinos, which is why it has been at the frontline of the horn poaching crisis. In the Kruger National Park, the epicenter of the slaughter, 662 rhino carcasses were found in 2016, an almost 20 percent fall from 826 in 2015, South Africa's environmental ministry said in a statement. "This decrease can be attributed to the efforts of our men and women on the ground, especially our rangers," the ministry said. It said the fall in poaching levels came despite an increase in criminal activity in the Kruger. "For 2016 there were a staggering 2,883 instances of poaching-related activities in the park, compared to 2,466 recorded in the same period in 2015." Those activities included poaching camps, contacts, crossings, sightings, tracks and shots fired. "These criminal gangs are armed to the teeth, well-funded and part of transnational syndicates who will stop at nothing to get their hands on rhino horn," the ministry said. It noted, however, that outside of Kruger and the Mpumalanga province which borders it, the number of rhinos killed had increased in some provinces. Global trade in rhino horn is banned by a U.N. convention. "Rhino poaching figures remain unacceptably high," TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, said in a statement. It's simply not possible to regard the sustained poaching of three rhinos each and every day as anything less than a continuation of the crisis, said Tom Milliken, TRAFFICs Rhino Programme Leader. In another worrying development, 46 elephants were poached in Kruger in 2016 for the ivory contained in their tusks. A few years ago elephant poaching was virtually unheard of in Kruger. Tens of thousands of elephants have been poached elsewhere in Africa in recent years for ivory, a coveted commodity in markets such as China. (Editing by Ed Osmond)
Geneva (AFP) - Disregard for basic rights is a spreading "disease" with "the perverse phenomenon of populism" fuelling rising intolerance, the UN chief warned Monday as he opened the Human Rights Council's main session.

The Geneva-based body was holding its first meeting with Washington's seat occupied by an envoy from President Donald Trump's government.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres's keynote address painted a world in "a time of urgency" with rapidly multiplying threats.

"Disregard for human rights is a disease, and it is a disease that is spreading - north, south, east and west," Guterres said in his first appearance at the council since taking over the UN's top job.

"The Human Rights Council must be part of the cure," he added.

Trump's administration will hold a seat on the council until at least 2019 and the newly uncertain US leadership has triggered concern about the panel's future.

Most of the council's major recent successes required support from Barack Obama's administration which held a seat for most of his eight-year term.

Guterres did not directly mention the US leader but delivered a stark warning that touched on several issues that many rights campaigners have linked to Trump's rise.

"We are increasingly seeing the perverse phenomenon of populism and extremism feeding off each other in a frenzy of growing racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance," Guterres said.

He described the rights of refugees and migrants as being "under attack".

In an executive order, Trump barred the US from taking in new refugees although his move to ban travel from seven mainly Muslim countries has been blocked in court.

In his address, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said nations must defend the world body against "political actors ... (who) threaten the multilateral system or intend to withdraw from parts of it."

"We will not sit idly by," Zeid told the council. "And our rights, the rights of others, the very future of our planet cannot, must not, be thrown aside by these reckless political profiteers."
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  A pro-environment entry by a leading samba school in Rio de Janeiro's famed Carnival parade on Monday has caused an uproar among the country's agribusiness community.

The performance by the Imperatriz Leopoldinense group praised environmental protection by indigenous people and criticized the use of pesticides and other practices of big farms that occupy formerly indigenous lands.

The 2,800-member group mourned what it called "the bleeding heart of my Brazil" and sang of "the beautiful monster that steals land from its sons."

Congressman Valdir Colatto, a leader of the powerful agribusiness caucus, said the performance was unfair.

"If we use pesticides poorly, the rest of the world wouldn't buy from Brazil," Colatto said. "And we don't have a bad relationship with indigenous people. The rest of the world exterminated their native tribes, which never happened in Brazil."

Imperatriz members said the performance did not target farmers, but instead the Belo Monte dam, a mammoth hydroelectric power plant in the Amazon near the Xingu reserve.

Raoni, who leads one of 17 tribes living in central Brazil's Xingu region, saw the performance as a chance to be heard.

"Our land and our waters are being destroyed. We know who is doing it and it is not us," he said.

For Vanessa Silva, a 15-year-old reveler who waved to the Xingu people as they paraded with their spears, the message was, "They are trying to protect the environment more than we are in the big cities.

"We should heed their message and do our work here," she said.

As word about the planned performance spread beforehand, lawmakers with farm industry ties said they would investigate the samba school's motives.

Imperatriz chairman Luiz Pacheco Drumond told The Associated Press that the flap was a misunderstanding and the idea was to praise native peoples from the Xingu region.

"I have a little farm myself, we didn't mean to offend anyone," said Drumond.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump met China's top foreign policy adviser Monday, and U.S. officials huddled with key Asian powers to discuss tensions with North Korea, which have been stoked by a recent missile test and an airport killing officials believe was ordered by Pyongyang.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi is the first senior Chinese official to visit the U.S. since Trump took office five weeks ago. Yang led a six-member delegation in talks first with Trump's new national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, senior Trump adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and others.

The two sides "discussed shared interests in national security," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said, without elaborating. Yang's two-day visit comes amid uncertainty about how the world's two largest economies will manage their trade relationship and security challenges in East Asia.

In that region, North Korea's rapid progress toward acquiring a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike the U.S. mainland poses one of the sternest national security challenges for Trump. His administration is currently reviewing how to deal with young dictator Kim Jong Un.

Also Monday, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun met at the State Department with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Kenji Kanasugi and Kim Hong-kyun. The meeting was part of continued U.S. efforts to get its main allies in Asia to cooperate more closely on security.

In a joint statement, the three governments called for all countries to implement U.N. sanctions against North Korea. The officials also considered other measures they could take under national authorities to restrict revenue sources for the North's weapons programs, particularly from its illicit activities, the statement said.

In a potentially hopeful sign for the U.S., China recently announced it was suspending coal imports from North Korea, increasing economic pressure on its traditional ally. In return, Beijing wants the U.S. to restart long-stalled negotiations with North Korea.

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But on Friday, the U.S. government nixed what would have been the first unofficial talks on U.S. soil in five years between North Korean government officials and former U.S. officials. No current U.S. officials were to participate in the talks in New York in early March. But allowing them to proceed could have signaled the Trump administration's openness to U.S. engagement with North Korea.

The decision came after Malaysian authorities announced earlier Friday that the exiled half brother of Kim Jong Un was assassinated using VX nerve agent. The killing is widely blamed on North Korea. In Congress, lawmakers are seeking tougher sanctions and for the North again to be declared a state sponsor of terrorism, a designation lifted in 2008.

Tensions could rise further.

The U.S. is due to begin annual military exercises with South Korea in March, which invariably provoke warlike rhetoric and threats from North Korea. Pyongyang views the joint military exercises as preparation by the U.S. and South Korea for an invasion across the heavily militarized border between the two Koreas.

North Korea hasn't directly criticized Trump but is determined to advance its nuclear and missile programs. On Feb. 12, it tested a new type of ballistic missile as Trump met Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Florida.

Among Asian nations, China holds the greatest power to change North Korea's calculus. The North is heavily reliant on trade with China. Trump accuses Beijing of failing to use its leverage.

Trump on Monday talked up his selection of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as U.S. ambassador to China. He told a state governors' meeting at the White House that Beijing was "very happy" with the choice.

Branstad's appointment, however, requires Senate confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has yet to receive Branstad's full nomination papers, according to a congressional aide, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity. The White House announced the nomination Jan. 20.

____

Associated Press writer Vivian Salama contributed to this report.
The Oscars are no stranger to politics, at least in the last 40 years. Ever since Marlon Brando sent activist Sacheen Littlefeather to accept his award for The Godfather with a speech about the film industrys mistreatment of Native Americans, Hollywoods honorees have used the stage to speak out about current events. Given the number of performers and filmmakers who have spoken out against the Trump administration and the number of nominated films with political themes, it was no surprise when speech after speech Sunday night spent as much time on thank yous as they did on political and social commentary.

Here are all the moments when honorees and presenters spoke out:

Several stars made silent statements on the red carpet. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ruth Negga, Karlie Kloss and others fastened blue ribbons to their red-carpet attire in support of the American Civil Liberties Union. Presenter Dakota Johnson carried a clutch that subtly featured the Planned Parenthood logo, which Emma Stone also wore on her dress. Best Documentary nominee Ava DuVernay wore a gown by Lebanese designer Ashi Studio to show solidarity with a majority Muslim country. Syrian refugee Hala Kamil, the subject of nominated short documentary Watani: My Homeland, wasnt sure if shed be able to attend the ceremony because of President Trumps travel ban on countries including Syria. But designer Brandon Maxwell fashioned a last-minute gown for Kamil, which also met her standards of modest attire.

MORE Everything We Know About the Oscars Best Picture Mistake and How It Happened

Jimmy Kimmel called out President Trump explicitly several times. Kimmel began his opening monologue by addressing the divisions in America and urging viewers to reach out to someone with whom they disagree to engage in open dialogue. He then thanked President Trump, joking, Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? He also referenced Trumps controversial travel ban when introducing Best Actress nominee Isabelle Huppert, who is French, quipping, Im glad Homeland Security let you in tonight. Later in the evening, he asked CNN to leave the building, a reference to the exclusion of CNN and other news outlets from a press briefing earlier this week: Fake tans we love, but fake news?

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Kimmel then roasted the highly overrated Meryl Streep. The host referenced President Trumps post-Golden Globes Streep burnwhen he tweeted that she was overrated after she indirectly called him out in a scathing speechby asking her to stand for a totally undeserved round of applause. Meryl Streep has phoned it in for more than 50 films over her lackluster career, he joked.

MORE See All the Winners of the 2017 Oscars

One of Suicide Squads makeup and hairstyle winners sent a shout-out to immigrants like him. In his acceptance speech alongside Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson, Suicide Squad makeup artist Alessandro Bertolazzi, who hails from Italy, dedicated his award to all the immigrants. Though he didnt call out the president, the remark was pretty clearly a response to Trumps recent restrictions on travel to the U.S. from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

Best Documentary winner Ezra Edelman dedicated his award to victims of police violence. Edelman, who won alongside producer Caroline Waterlow for O.J.: Made in America, dedicated his Oscar to Nicole Simpson and Ron Brown and to victims of police violence, police brutality, racially motivated violence and criminal injustice.

"This [award] is also for the victims of police violence, police brutality, racially motivated violence and criminal injustice." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/L7cBQQzi8p  Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs addressed the #oscarssowhite controversy. Boone Isaacs said she was proud that the film industry is becoming more inclusive and diverse with each passing day and that shes proud to see all the new faces among this years nominees. She continued, Tonight is proof that art has no borders, art has no single language and art does not belong to a single faith.

Anousheh Ansari read Asghar Farhadis powerful statement about the travel ban. Farhadi, who won his second Oscar for Best Foreign Film, for The Salesman, chose not to attend the ceremony in protest of the travel ban, which includes his home country of Iran. Ansari sent Anousheh Ansari, the first female space tourist, in his stead to read a prepared speech. My absence is out of respect for people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S., Ansari read. Read the full statement here.

Gael Garcia Bernal spoke out against a border wall. Introducing Best Animated Feature with Hailee Steinfeld, Garcia Bernal addressed President Trumps promised border wall between Mexico and the U.S.and any other figurative wall that might divide us. As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I am against any form of wall that wants to separate us.

Zootopias directors referenced tolerance. Accepting the award for Best Animated Feature, the filmmakers behind Zootopia made about as tepid a statement as possible about a movie that addresses racial profiling and harmful stereotypes. They thanked audiences for embracing this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other.

The short documentary winners quoted the Quran. Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara, director and producer of The White Helmets, explained the mission of the Syrian Civil Defense by quoting the Quran: to save one life is to save all of humanity. Adding that the organization has saved 82,000 Syrian lives, they asked everyone in the audience to stand up to send a message of solidarity that the war in Syria must come to a swift conclusion.

MORE Review: A Lively Oscars Show Ended With the Mother of All Mix-Ups

Moonlights writers dedicated their Adapted Screenplay Oscar to people out there who feel like theres no mirror. Barry Jenkins promised to be there, over the next four years (ahem, the length of a presidential term) for people who feel like their lives are not reflected. Tarell Alvin McCraney dedicated the award to boys, girls and gender nonconforming kids of color.
The number of students taking at least one Advanced Placement exam has nearly doubled in 10 years, to 1.1 million members of the class of 2016, according to a new report from The College Board.

While access to AP classes is growing nationwide, high schools in rural districts still struggle to offer these rigorous courses that can lead to college credit. Less than one half of rural districts have no secondary students in AP courses, according to a 2015 report by the University of New Hampshire.

Some rural high schools and districts use technology and other methods to offer AP courses to students.

Deer Isle-Stonington High School in Maine, a school with around 100 students located on a sparsely populated island, only has one AP class this year -- AP Calculus -- says principal Todd West. The school has offered AP English and AP U.S. History in the past, but it depends on student interest, he says.

But while there is only one AP class at Deer Isle-Stonington, teens can take many more AP courses online for free through Maine's AP4ALL program.

[Learn about the challenges with online AP and IB classes.]

Through the state-funded online program, students have access to more than 22 AP courses during the 2016-2017 school year, including Latin and macroeconomics.

Students at Deer Isle-Stonington participating in the program do their AP coursework either at home or at school, depending on the student, West says. Students have an adult mentor at school, a requirement of the program, and take AP exams in the spring at school, he says. His school pays the AP exam fees, he says.

"It's a great thing to be able to offer kids in small schools," West says.

Iowa teens have access to free online AP courses through a similar program through the University of Iowa.

"I wanted the chance to take a more difficult class," Courtney Durst, told a local news publication in 2015. She was then a student at Eddyville-Blacksburg-Fremont High School taking an online AP class through the program.

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In Colorado, three rural schools worked together to offer more AP classes using funds from the Colorado Legacy Schools project, a program aiming to increase and diversify AP participation in certain courses, according to a 2016 article. The program is sponsored by Colorado Education Initiative, an education nonprofit.

The schools were located within about 30 miles. They rearranged their schedules and created video conference classrooms to triple the amount of AP classes offered to students, the publication reported.

Many rural schools offer college-level dual enrollment classes.

Colton-Pierrepont Central School in New York is located about an hour and a half from Ottawa, Canada, says Joseph Kardash, superintendent of the district, which covers more than 250 square miles. There are about 320 students in pre-K through 12th grade.

This year, four AP courses are being offered, he says. But students can take many college-credit courses with partnering local colleges through the school's robust dual enrollment program.

[Get tips for selecting rigorous courses without AP or IB.]

Students can take French, Spanish, career and finance, and more courses with nearby institutions. The courses are taught at the Colton-Pierrepont Central School by educators approved by the colleges, he says. Students earn college and high school credit upon completion.

It's advantageous for students to have three college credits on a transcript, rather than see if students will receive credit based on one test at the end of the year, he says.

Some students at Colton-Pierrepont may be able to earn high school credit for online college courses they choose to take as well, says Kardash. Deer Isle-Stonington offers dual enrollment courses with colleges and universities online, says West.

"As our enrollments have gone down, we've had to offer fewer things at school," West says. "Having the technology-based offerings has allowed us to keep providing that to students."

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.

Alexandra Pannoni is an education digital producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at apannoni@usnews.com.
SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (Reuters) - The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich left the port of Sevastopol in Crimea on Monday for the Mediterranean where it will join the country's naval forces deployed near the Syrian coast, a naval official said. A Reuters witness saw the ship leaving its moorings in the naval port of Sevastopol. "It (the frigate) will be operating as part of the permanent Russian Navy force in the Mediterranean," the Interfax news agency quoted the navy's Captain Vyacheclav Truhachev, a spokesman for the Black Sea fleet, as saying. The frigate armed with Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea last November as part of Russia's naval task force to Syria where it launched missile strikes against Islamic State targets. The Admiral Grigorovich is the first in the class of six frigates commissioned by the Russian navy in 2010 for its Black Sea Fleet. (Reporting by Moscow Newsroom; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Mark Potter)
The endocrinologist-turned-entrepreneur Deepak Chopra is back on the list of The New York Times bestsellers this week, as he often is. According to The Chopra Center, the leader has authored more than 85 books. At some point keeping an exact tally may have become difficult.

I tried finding the precise number, but searching at most booksellers returns numbers in the hundreds. On Chopras website, the books section contains 155 items, though among them is Invigorating Abhy Oil to Balance Kapha and Womens Daily Vitality and Soothing Support Package. Those arent books, at least as I understand the word. They are proprietary blends of supplements. The latter sells for $53.95 for an unspecified quantity, promising rejuvenating aid, because when our body experiences the less than desirable effects from the stressed environment that surrounds us our body requires special care.

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Chopra has been selling our body antidotes to life for two decades, and he has taken on most ingestible platforms. Now he is striking out into the booming domain of wellness real estatebuilding living spaces ostensibly designed to optimize bodily functioning. In collaboration with the design firm Delos and real-estate firm Property Markets Group (PMG), he is finishing construction of a 68-unit luxury tower in Sunny Isles Beach, on the barrier island abutting North Miami Beach. Two angular penthouse units resembling white glass-marble sky mausoleums are listed for $18.5 and $19.5 million.

The value is enhanced by the pitch. Once Delos turns a condo into a wellness condo, the price increases substantially. Outfitted rooms at Las Vegass MGM Grand cost 40 percent more than equivalent, non-wellness rooms.

Everyone wants to live healthier and longer right now, so this has a really broad appeal, said Kevin Maloney, founder of PMG. Having Chopra involved is very important to us. Obviously he has a great following of people. He brings a sense of real credibility to the concept.

Story continues

I replied that Chopra has definitely written a lot of books, though I wasnt sure how many. Maloney said he knew that 20 or 21 were best-sellers.

The trend in Florida real estate, Maloney continued, is pairing with lifestyle brands. We couldn't figure out what we were going to do with our new project. When someone brought up Chopra, my ears perked up, he said. Were not going with a car company or a clothing designer. When this concept came up, we thought, wow, wellness.

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Though this is Chopras first formal development project with Delos, the firm designed Chopras $14.5 million Manhattan home, which The New York Times describes as his health-centric condo. But what is wellness real estate? (Or health-centric? I asked the publicist which was correct, and she said wellness residences is the proper term. Though Delos has a trademark on wellness real estate.)

Wellness has become a buzzword for all things that could somehow improve or modulate the human condition, often overlapping with what many would consider health. For one, the World Health Organization. At its outset in 1946, the group defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

The Delos press release for these new exclusive wellness residences explains that they will focus on three core wellness principles: air, water, light and sleep. My guess there is light and sleep are meant to count as one. The Delos building in Manhattan where Chopra lives also features a posture-supportive flooring system and a surface coating which destroys bacteria, but I dont know if these are wellness principles.

To understand all these distinctions and what it really means to embody wellnessas opposed to healthI had to get into Chopras head and see this from the inside out.

Health is the absence of disease. Period, he told me by phone from Miami. Wellness is, these days, more than that. Wellness includes physical fitness and optimization of emotional wellbeing and social wellbeing.

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Chopra said he was interested to talk to me because Im a doctor, but I had trouble getting a word in. His came in streams that mixed technical terminology with astonishing claims, such as: We are looking at how your environment affects your biology, from circadian rhythms to blood pressure to heart-rate variability to mood and emotions and bio-regulation in terms of endocrine function, immune function, is all correlated, and your environment is part of it, the air that you breathe is your breath, actually, and the water that youre drinking is your circulation, and we know that 90 percent of the time we spend in a lifetime is indoors, so as far as frequency, if you take your age and multiply by 0.9, thats the amount of years we spend indoors.

Got it.

Indoors is even more unhealthy than outdoors in terms of particulate matter and things that you breathe in not knowing that youre breathing them in as a result of appliances and other products and everything that goes into creating a household, so air quality and water was very much a part of our thinking, Chopra said.

Specifics are harder to come by. I asked Delos CEO Paul Scialla what he was removing from the air and water that people should be concerned about. Do I need a better air filter where I live? If so, what kind do I need, and at what point do I officially live in a wellness-centric health home?

There's obviously many different ways to filter air and water, said Scialla. I think the key here is the sensory technology thats also included which will be able to validate and measure various levels of PM 2.5 particulates and what have you, so its about detecting and enabling advanced filtration.

But how you do that is proprietary information? I asked.

The result is most important, obviously, as far as validating the outcomes, he said. There are obviously various ways you can filter air and water specific to one property versus the next. The key element here is validating the output and the performance.

So that means youre measuring particulates at your properties and finding that they're lower than the average apartment?"

The output will be measured and monitored. Correct.

Is there anything specific in the water that youre filtering out that is of concern to people?

I think that, generically speaking, you look at the downstream issues that were having across the country, things are ending up in your water that are certainly not intended. And then people tend to go rush toward bottled water, which is completely unregulatedwe really don't know whats in that stuff either. So filtration is really your answer.

Is there an example of one thing that youre particularly focused on making sure is not in the water at your properties?

Oh, I can get you a full list of the toxins and pollutants that were looking to eliminate. If thats helpful.

That was exactly what I had been trying trying to ask for. Cut to two weeks later and a few more emails from me, and the firms publicist responded: The Delos team is waiting on the lab to get back to us on the list of toxins being filtered out.

The approach to lighting is more concrete.

As you can imagine, when you think of a home environment, to have circadian-appropriate lighting that is dynamic and adjusts at different times of day, thats a real big input as to how a person can feel, said Scialla. Its the beginning of a very large shift in the lighting sciences.

I asked if the sensors detected the lighting outside and then adjusted themselves. He said no, its on a timer. In our phone call, Chopra spun that as the brilliance of the idea: It doesn't have to mirror the weather outside, he enthused. What were creating through this is the ideal circadian rhythm.

That was an abrupt swing from the return-to-nature sell to the tech-guided body optimization sell. Those tend to be two poles of ideology in health. Youre either bioengineering a solution to the random callousness of biochemistry, or youre offering solace from a world overrun by modernity. Chopra bounces from one to the other.

When he had to go, I said I don't know how he finds time to write so many books, develop real estate, and still sleep.

I have eternity, he said. I don't believe in the concept of time."

That's interesting, I saidwondering why he had to gobecause you're focused on Circadian rhythms.

Yeah, because Circadian rhythms adjust to your presence in the moment, he said. That put me on my heels again. If youre worried about the future or distressing about the past, he continued, youre already disrupting your biology.

Maybe the thing is to live in a place where you arent ever thinking. Maybe thats why they chose Florida. If the promises of these properties are like so much of the wellness industryselling solutions to problems that we perceive to exist only because of the marketing of the solutionswhat do we really know about the effects of living spaces on health? There must be ways in which design can be used to optimize and improve health, in the 1946 sense.

* * *

Healthy homes are the focus of many design scholars, and one is Joe Colistra, an architect with the Center for Design Research at the University of Kansas. Because the population is skewing older by the day, and the majority of health-care spending comes in our final decade of life, the most ground will be gained by focusing on the health needs of older adultsdelivering health care more effectively and less expensively through prevention and predictive data tracking.

Colistras models employ emerging technologies like gait analysis. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. Using motion sensors and in-floor force-plates that monitor sway and balance could help predict and prevent falling humans. Data on body movements might detect deterioration in coordination and balance that could be early signs of diseases like Parkinsons.

Technology-enhanced toilets could collect data that can alert physicians of potential problems, he told me, as another example. At that point a physician could call you and say that she had received a message from your toilet. These smart toilets might help to monitor a persons fluid balance or detect blood in the urinary tractsometimes an early sign of cancer or an easily treatable infection that could otherwise turn lethally complicated.

Similarly, smart mirrors could monitor a number of health-related conditions, like skin abnormalities and problems with eye tracking. Medication dispensers could remind people when to take medication and prevent accidentally taking a dose twice. Mirrors and toilets could communicate with the medication dispensers and adjust a regimen based on a doctors algorithm. The example Colistra gives is diuretic medications, which help calibrate the bodys fluid balance. A medicine dispenser paired with a smart toilet could allow for real-time adjustment in people with heart failure, saving a lot of trips to the clinic or emergency department.

Technologies like these would allow people to age in place easier, said Colistra, preempting the public-health crisis that awaits if aging baby boomers expect to descend on long-term care facilities en masse.

Under the Affordable Care Act, a health-care management voucher system allows primary-care physicians to prescribe monitoring for chronic-care management. That could include things like smart toilets, sleep sensors, gait analysis, Colistra posits. If you could somehow partner housing developers with health networks to co-finance these projects, it could help make the construction and maintenance he pauses. But who knows how that will go now.

The key to these technologies is that unlike the multimillion-dollar properties of Delos, Colistra and his colleagues are primarily concerned with scalehow to deploy mass-produced housing units that are equipped without creating huge disparities in who has access. This is probably the antithesis of what theyre doing, he said of Chopra and company. What were looking at are population-health strategies in which health and wellness is accessible to everyone. When youre talking about $15 million condos, it very quickly devolves into social inequities. Health is divided between the haves and have-nots.

Still he sees all of this technology as secondary to health. Whats primary to health is social connectivity. Technology is secondary to community. So the goal is to create neighborhoods where people can thrive at all stages of lifelife-long neighborhoods with great parks and schools and transit. Affordable inter-generational living is hard to come by. And thats where healthy living fundamentally departs from the condos you mentioned. Those are almost segregated living environments.

In former neurosurgeon Ben Carson at the helm of Housing and Urban Development, Colistra sees a possible ally whose appointment isnt entirely illogical.

We dont know what his policies on housing are, but hes certainly interested in health. Were hopeful.

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JOHANNESBURG (AP)  South Africa says poachers killed 1,054 rhinos in the country last year, a 10.3 percent drop from 2015.

The environmental affairs department on Monday attributed the decrease to increased security and other measures designed to thwart the poaching of rhinos in South Africa, home to most of the world's rhinos. Their horns are coveted in parts of Asia, especially Vietnam.

The department says poachers killed 46 elephants in the flagship Kruger National Park in 2016, an increase in an area that was mostly unaffected by the Africa-wide slaughter of elephants.

TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring group, welcomes the rhino poaching drop but says the number of killed animals remains "unacceptably high."

The group says early data indicates that rhino poaching is also down in Namibia and other African countries.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's Hawks elite police unit said on Monday it is not investigating Deputy Minister Mcebisi Jonas, but only making enquiries at this stage over claims that he was part of a probe into allegations of corruption at state-owned South African Airways (SAA). City Press newspaper reported on Sunday the Hawks is investigating allegations that Jonas used his political influence to secure U.S. aircraft company AAR Corp contracts to supply components and tyres to the state airline. "For now that investigation is still at an enquiry level and once we pick up anything then a case docket will then be opened. There is not even a case docket," Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi told Reuters. "We don't want to even suggest that the minister is being investigated or anything. We are not party to that," he said. Jonas has been an outspoken critic of government corruption and he opened divides within the ruling African National Congress last year when he said businessmen friends of President Jacob Zuma said they could secure him the finance ministry job. Zuma and the Indian Gupta family deny any wrongdoing. An investigation last year by the Hawks into Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, which was later dropped, shook South Africa's financial markets. (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by James Macharia)
By Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean special prosecutors investigating impeached President Park Geun-hye were denied permission to extend their probe and question her in person on Monday amid a graft scandal that threatens to topple her from office. The special prosecutor's office will make its final indictments before its investigation into the scandal, which has engulfed the highest levels of politics and business in South Korea, closes on Tuesday, spokesman Lee Kyu-chul told reporters. A Constitutional Court ruling on whether to uphold the impeachment, which would result in South Korea's first democratically elected leader being thrown from office, is expected next month. The office of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, acting as president since Park was impeached by parliament in December, said Hwang had rejected a request by prosecutors for a 30-day extension of their investigation. "The special prosecutor's office regrets that the in-person questioning of the president could not happen and is deeply disappointed by the outcome," Lee said. The sticking point had been over the presidential office's refusal to allow audio or video recordings of the questioning, resulting in a breakdown in negotiations last week, Lee said. Prosecutors had sought to question Park as a suspect, he said. The corruption scandal erupted last year over accusations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back the presidents policy initiatives. The scandal has led to weekly protests by tens of thousands of Koreans, not only those who want Park gone but also some who want to see her stay in power and blame North Korean agents for the political instability. Park, 65, was stripped of her powers after parliament's impeachment. She cannot be prosecuted while she remains president. The scandal has also engulfed Samsung Group [SAGR.UL}, South Korea's largest chaebol, or conglomerate. Jay Y. Lee, the head of the smartphones-to-biopharmaceuticals conglomerate, was arrested on Feb. 17 on suspicion that he had pledged bribes to a company and foundations backed by Choi to curry favour. Park reiterated in a statement to the Constitutional Court read by her lawyer on Monday that she did not act in self-interest while in office. She also denied making improper demands or receiving illicit requests from Samsung. Choi, Lee and Samsung also deny wrongdoing. Prosecutors could issue up to another 15 indictments on Tuesday, including of Lee and other Samsung Group executives. Their findings were expected to be disclosed by Friday at the latest. Hwang's office said the special prosecution investigation had served its purpose and it was in the country's best interests for it to conclude as scheduled on Tuesday. "After much deliberation, the acting president has decided that it would be best for the country's stability to not extend the special investigation and for the prosecutors to take over," said Hong Kwon-heui, a spokesman for Hwang. Hwang, who was appointed prime minister by Park in 2015, is seen as a potential candidate if Park's impeachment is upheld, which would trigger an election. However, soon after announcing there would be no extension of the investigation, Hwang found himself dragged into the scandal when the two main opposition parties said they would seek his impeachment too. The special prosecution team has already indicted former Park aide Kim Ki-choon and former culture minister Cho Yoon-sun. Should the Constitutional Court uphold parliament's impeachment of Park, South Korea would hold an election within 60 days. (Reporting by Se Young Lee, Ju-min Park, Christine Kim and Joyce Lee; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Madrid (AFP) - The Spanish coast guard rescued 257 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe from Morocco in inflatable dinghies in an "intense weekend," they said Monday.

Sunday evening was particularly difficult with five boats carrying 210 people from sub-Saharan Africa rescued, while the remaining 47 were recovered from their dinghies on Saturday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the coast guard told AFP.

They were all taken to various ports in southern Spain such as Almeria and Motril, where they were attended to by the Red Cross.

Some were suffering from hypothermia but none were in any serious condition, the spokeswoman said.

The coast guard also said they had pulled a body from the sea not far from the small stretch of water between Gibraltar and Morocco, but they were not able to say whether it was that of a migrant.

According to the International Organization for Migration, around 1,000 migrants arrived in Spain by sea between January 1 and February 22, and 38 did not make it, dying on the way.

Another 13,000 crossed the Mediterranean to Italy and Greece.

The Spanish territory of Ceuta in northern Morocco, which with the enclave of Melilla further east forms the only land frontier between Africa and the European Union, has also been the scene of unrest recently as hundreds of migrants have stormed the border fence.

On February 17, nearly 500 migrants managed to get through the double wire, six-metre (20-foot) high fence in one of the biggest breaches since the border barrier was reinforced in 2005.

A few days later, more than 350 people forced their way through again after breaking access gates with shears and hammers.
By Yara Abi Nader and John Irish GENEVA (Reuters) - The main opposition group at Syrian peace talks in Geneva wants to meet Russian envoys to discuss what it says are Moscow's broken ceasefire promises, a move diplomats say aims to put pressure on the Russian-backed Syrian government delegation. Russia has sought to revive diplomacy since its air force helped the Syrian army and allied militias defeat rebels in Aleppo in December, President Bashar al-Assad's biggest victory in six years of war. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, a weekend of bombings and air strikes in Syria has rattled the talks that began in Geneva last week. "The Russians did not fulfil a ceasefire agreement despite the promises from the highest levels of the Russian delegation," Mohammed Alloush, a negotiator and member of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group, told Reuters. After a two-hour meeting with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura, the head of the opposition delegation Nasr al-Hariri said he had submitted two documents protesting against the grim humanitarian situation and violations of the ceasefire. Hariri said he believed Moscow was shifting its stance but that he wanted to see constructive support on Tuesday. He pressed for "practical support that manifests itself in backing for the political process and the demands of the Syrian people by putting pressure on the (Syrian) regime to engage seriously in this process." Two diplomats said an eventual meeting was likely to include Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and Middle East director Sergei Vershinin. KEEPING THE TALKS ALIVE Russia, Turkey and Iran have sponsored parallel talks, in the Kazakh capital Astana, where they reinforced the ceasefire. It paved the way for a resumption of U.N.-led mediations after a 10-month hiatus. Ahead of Thursday's opening ceremony, Moscow had called for the government to "silence the skies", but violence has continued and the warring sides have traded blame while appearing no closer to actual negotiations. De Mistura said a militant attack in Homs on Saturday was a deliberate attempt to wreck the talks. "The opposition wants to see the Russians to tell them to put pressure on the government or else this process will lead nowhere," said a Western diplomat. He said the Syrian government chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari's refusal to discuss anything beyond countering terrorism at a weekend meeting with de Mistura was a clear indication that Damascus was not committed. De Mistura, who is treading carefully to keep the talks alive, has so far talked to the two sides separately as he tries to forge an understanding of how to proceed in future rounds. He wants to get the two sides to accept an agenda that would be based on Security Council resolution 2254, focusing initially on a new constitution, U.N.-supervised elections and accountable governance. Russia and the United States were the prime movers behind the last peace talks, which halted as the war heated up. The United States is now taking a diplomatic back seat, leaving Moscow as the main power broker. (Additional reporting Issam Abdallah, Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles; Editing by Dominic Evans and Richard Lough)
(Reuters) - A driver accused of injuring 28 people in New Orleans after plowing a pickup truck into a crowd watching a Mardi Gras parade had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit soon after the crash, police said on Sunday. The suspect, identified as Neilson Rizzuto, 25, has been charged with two felony counts in the Saturday evening incident that brought chaos to one of the main events of the city's signature pre-Lent celebration. Rizzuto's blood alcohol level was measured at 0.232, well above the 0.08 limit, about two hours after he was taken into custody on Saturday, New Orleans police spokesman Michael Tidwell said in an email. Rizzuto was charged with two felony counts of vehicular negligence injuring in the first degree, hit-and-run driving and the reckless operation of a motor vehicle, according to a statement earlier on Sunday. The truck driven by Rizzuto was traveling on the side of the street open to traffic along the parade route in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans when it struck three other vehicles, including a dump truck. It then veered onto the median where a crowd of people stood watching the procession, police said. Police immediately apprehended the driver, who according to eyewitnesses interviewed by Fox television affiliate WVEU-TV, appeared disheveled, glassy-eyed and under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In a statement, Mayor Mitch Landrieu referred to the suspect as a "drunk driver." Video footage from the scene showed pandemonium immediately following the incident, but the Krewe of Endymion parade, the largest and most popular of numerous Mardi Gras season parades in New Orleans, continued with little or no interruption. Of the 28 people injured, 21 were taken to local hospitals, including one police officer. Seven others who were hurt declined transport, Police Chief Michael Harrison told a news conference. Local media reports said 12 people were initially listed as critically injured. A police spokeswoman said it was not certain when the suspect would make his first court appearance. The Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Orleans said its agents were "coordinating with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to determine whether a federal violation has occurred." Last May, a 25-year-old woman with a history of mental illness drove a car into crowds watching a homecoming parade at Oklahoma State University, killing four people and injuring more than 40 others. (Reporting by Catherine Koppel and Frank McGurty in New York and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Crosby and Peter Cooney)
Bogota (AFP) - Clouds gathered Monday over peace talks aimed at ending Colombia's half-century conflict after the ELN rebels claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing at a bullring in Bogota.

The authorities had already said they suspected the National Liberation Army (ELN) of carrying out the February 19 attack, which killed a police officer and wounded more than 20 at the Plaza Santamaria bullring in the capital.

But the leftist rebels' claim of responsibility, issued late Sunday on Twitter, pollutes the air at the peace talks as President Juan Manuel Santos seeks a deal with Colombia's last active rebel group to end a conflict that has killed 260,000 people.

The bombing came 12 days after the talks opened -- a bloody reminder of the violence Colombia still faces even as the government implements a historic peace deal with the country's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The ELN also claimed responsibility for a February 14 attack on a military patrol in eastern Colombia that wounded two soldiers, as well as several bombings on the Cano Limon Covenas oil pipeline.

The government said the ELN, which initially denied responsibility for the bullring bombing, was "very mistaken" if it thought it could pressure Santos into a ceasefire with attacks.

"The ceasefire will be reached when the ELN understands that it is reached by de-escalating, not escalating, the conflict," the government's chief negotiator at the talks, Juan Camilo Restrepo, wrote on Twitter.

The ELN sought to downplay the tension.

It said Monday morning that talks were resuming as scheduled in the Ecuadoran capital Quito, "with a good atmosphere between the two sides."

The talks are now at a crossroads, said Frederic Masse, an expert on the conflict.

"If the government leaves the negotiating table, it's the end of the (peace) process," he said.

- Trading blame -

Santos is trying to achieve "complete peace" by reaching a deal with the ELN, Colombia's last active rebel group.

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He won the Nobel Peace Prize in October after reaching an accord with the FARC.

This weekend, the FARC's 6,900 fighters finished converging at 26 demobilization zones where they will disarm under UN supervision.

Both the FARC and the ELN took up arms in 1964 at the start of a conflict that drew in multiple leftist guerrilla groups, right-wing paramilitary units, drug cartels and the army.

The FARC opened talks with the Santos government in 2012. But the two sides declared a bilateral ceasefire only in June 2016, when their peace deal was nearly complete.

The government has rejected declaring a ceasefire with the ELN so early in the process, saying it would only strengthen the rebels' hand.

The ELN said the Santos administration was ultimately to blame for the bombing because it insisted on negotiating in mid-conflict.

"It is not coherent on the government's part to sit down to peace talks while delaying a bilateral ceasefire and subjecting the population to the suffering of war," it said.

The ELN has an estimated 1,500 fighters.

Experts warn it could be a tougher negotiating partner than the FARC because it has more hardline demands for sweeping social change, plus a decentralized command structure that could make it harder to convince the rank and file to accept an eventual deal.
The U.S. Senate confirmed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as the next commerce secretary. More here

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced his company will send two private citizens on a trip around the moon sometime in 2018. More here

Islamist militants in the Philippines beheaded a German tourist whom they abducted last November. More here

Were tracking the news stories of the day below. All updates are in Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).

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TOKYO (AP)  Malaysian police investigating the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half brother believe they know somebody who might help them solve one of the most bizarre murder mysteries they have ever faced. They know his name, his nationality and have a pretty good idea where he's holed up. The problem is he's a North Korean diplomat. It's unusual for any country to simply hand over a diplomat, no matter the alleged crime. Two years ago, for example, a Saudi Arabian diplomat accused of repeatedly raping and abusing two Nepalese maids left India under cover of diplomatic immunity.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea's intelligence service told lawmakers Monday that four North Korean government spies were involved in the killing of the estranged half brother of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un. Lawmakers cited the National Intelligence Service as telling them in a private briefing that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects by Malaysian police investigating the Feb. 13 death of Kim Jong Nam are from the Ministry of State Security, the North's spy organ. The NIS was quoted as saying that two other suspects are affiliated with Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry, according to Lee Cheol Woo, one of the lawmakers who attended the briefing.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea executed five senior security officials with anti-aircraft guns because they made false reports that "enraged" leader Kim Jong Un, South Korea's spy agency said Monday. The comments by the National Intelligence Service in a private briefing to lawmakers come as Malaysia investigates the poisoning death of Kim's estranged elder half brother, Kim Jong Nam. That investigation is still going on, but South Korea says it believes Kim Jong Un ordered the assassination, which took place Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur's airport. The spy agency told lawmakers that five North Korean officials in the department of recently purged state security chief Kim Won Hong were executed by anti-aircraft guns because of the false reports to Kim, South Korean lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo said.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump met China's top foreign policy adviser Monday, and U.S. officials huddled with key Asian powers to discuss tensions with North Korea, which have been stoked by a recent missile test and an airport killing officials believe was ordered by Pyongyang. State Councilor Yang Jiechi is the first senior Chinese official to visit the U.S. since Trump took office five weeks ago. Yang led a six-member delegation in talks first with Trump's new national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, senior Trump adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and others. The two sides "discussed shared interests in national security," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said, without elaborating.

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The Security Council on Monday condemned North Korea's "irresponsible and provocative" attempts to evade U.N. sanctions. Council members emphasized "the importance of full compliance" with the six rounds of increasingly tougher sanctions in a statement after closed-door discussions. North Korea continues to defy the sanctions dating back to 2006, carrying out nuclear and ballistic missile tests to develop the ability to deliver nuclear weapons at long distances. Its leader, Kim Jong Un, has also been accused by South Korea of sending agents to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to kill his half brother Kim Jong Nam using what Malaysian police said was VX nerve agent, a banned chemical weapon.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Amid renewed tensions between Beijing and Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters that is widely seen as a rejection of China's claims to the self-governing island democracy. The protests that began on Feb. 28, 1947, were directed at the corrupt rule of Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese Nationalist Party that had taken control of the former Japanese colony less than two years earlier. China considers the uprising a part of the overall struggle that led to the communist victory in 1949, while many Taiwanese see it as a backlash against attempts to govern the island from China without the consent of the island's native population.

BANGKOK (AP)  Thailand's prisons fail to meet international standards, with inmates routinely shackled, stuffed into overcrowded cells and forced to work in harsh conditions, an international human rights group said Tuesday. Thailand also has the highest incarceration rate in Southeast Asia, jailing 425 out of every 100,000 people, according to the report by the International Federation for Human Rights. There are more than 260,000 inmates in 148 prisons with an originally estimated capacity of less than 120,000, the report said, with the massive overcrowding forcing the inmates to live in harsh conditions. Most inmates were convicted on drug-related charges, the legacy of a war on drugs launched by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003.

TOKYO (AP)  The emperor and empress of Japan departed Tuesday for a one-week trip to Vietnam and Thailand. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will spend most of the week in Vietnam, with an overnight stop in Bangkok on Sunday before returning home. Their visit to Vietnam comes at a time of growing ties between the two countries. Many Japanese companies have built factories in Vietnam, and Vietnamese are among the largest groups of foreign students in Japan. The 83-year-old emperor and his 82-year-old wife will meet with surviving widows and children of Japanese soldiers who stayed in Vietnam after World War II, but then had to leave after the communists took control of the north in 1954.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea's main opposition parties threatened Monday to impeach the country's acting leader after he refused to extend a special investigation into the huge corruption scandal that toppled conservative President Park Geun-hye. If successful, the impeachment of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn would rile an already tumultuous political landscape, putting another interim leader in power while the Constitutional Court decides the fate of both Hwang and Park, who's now on trial. On Monday, Hwang refused a request by the investigation team to extend its probe past Tuesday's deadline. A spokesman for Hwang said the team led by independent counsel Park Young-soo has already indicted key figures implicated in the scandal and that state prosecutors can look into any other areas.

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Abu Sayyaf extremists in the Philippines released a video showing the beheading of a German hostage in the first sign the brutal Filipino militants carried out a threat to kill him after a ransom deadline lapsed over the weekend. President Rodrigo Duterte's adviser dealing with Muslim rebel groups, Jesus Dureza, condemned the killing of Jurgen Gustav Kantner as barbaric, saying the Philippine military and other groups "exhausted all efforts to save his life" up to the final moment. "We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Dureza said in a statement.
London (AFP) - England's mammoth inquiry into historical child sex abuse was told of the "torture, rape and slavery" suffered by child migrants shipped to Australia, at its first public hearings on Monday.

The wide-ranging Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse opened by looking at the schemes that sent thousands of vulnerable children to far-flung parts of the Commonwealth in the decades after World War II.

David Hill broke down as he told the inquiry of the "endemic" sexual abuse at the school he was sent to in Australia.

"I hope this inquiry can promote an understanding of the long-term consequences and suffering of those who were sexually abused," he said.

"Many never recover and are permanently afflicted with guilt, shame, diminished self-confidence, low self-esteem, fear and trauma."

British Prime Minister Theresa May set up the inquiry in 2014 when she was interior minister.

The British Empire sent some 150,000 children abroad over 350 years, according to a 1998 parliamentary study, although the probe started Monday by looking at use of the practice after World War II.

It was justified as a means of slashing the costs of caring for lone children and providing disadvantaged young people with a fresh start, while meeting labour shortages in the Commonwealth and populating colonial-era lands with white British settlers.

Between 1945 and 1970, youngsters were sent mainly to Australia, but also Canada, New Zealand and what is now Zimbabwe -- often without the consent of their families.

But the promise of a good upbringing and an exciting new life in the sun was often, in reality, a world of forced labour, brutal treatment and sexual assault in remote institutions run by churches and charities.

"They sent us to a place that was a living hell," victim Clifford Walsh told the BBC.

Oliver Cosgrove was sent to Australia in 1941, one of an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 children shipped there from 1922 to 1967.

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"Those who were abused tried in vain to tell others, who they hoped and believed might assist them. But they didn't," his representative told the inquiry.

"This was a systematic and institutional problem."

- 'Unacceptable depravity' -

Aswini Weereratne, of the Child Migrants Trust which supports victims, said there was good evidence that Britain knew of the poor standards of care in Australian institutions but failed to respond.

"Some of what was done there was of quite unacceptable depravity. Terms like sexual abuse are too weak to convey it," she said.

"This was not about truly voluntary migration, but forced or coerced deportation."

Some children were said to have suffered "torture, rape and slavery," she added.

Professor Stephen Constantine told the hearings that royal visits to such institutions legitimised them for people who saw the photographs, believing if it was good enough for the royal family, "it is good enough for us".

The hearings are being held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London. The opening phase dealing with Australia is expected to last 10 days.

The inquiry was established following the death of TV star Jimmy Savile in 2011, when it emerged he had been one of Britain's worst serial paedophiles, carrying out abuse unchecked in a range of public institutions.

The inquiry will look at historic abuse in England and Wales, including in schools, hospitals, children's homes, local authorities, religious organisations, the BBC, the armed forces and charities.

It will also examine allegations involving famous people in politics and the media.

The inquiry got off to a rocky start, with the first three chairs stepping down.
(WASHINGTON)  A new military strategy to meet President Donald Trumps demand to obliterate the Islamic State group is likely to deepen U.S. military involvement in Syria, possibly with more ground troops, even as the current U.S. approach in Iraq appears to be working and will require fewer changes.

Details are sketchy. But recommendations due at the White House on Monday are likely to increase emphasis on nonmilitary elements of the campaign already underway, such as efforts to squeeze IS finances, limit the groups recruiting and counter ISIS propaganda that is credited with inspiring recent violence in the U.S. and Europe. One official with knowledge of the recommendations said the report would present a broad overview of options as a starting point for a more detailed internal discussion. The official wasnt authorized to speak to reporters about the contents of the document and demanded anonymity.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that the emerging strategy will take aim not just at the Islamic State militants but at al-Qaeda and other extremist organizations in the Middle East and beyond, whose goal is to attack the United States. He emphasized that it would not rest mainly on military might.

This is a political-military plan, he said. It is not a military plan.

Dunfords comment suggests that Pentagon leaders have a more nuanced view of the ISIS problem than is reflected in Trumps promise to obliterate the group, as he put it on Friday. Dunford said the U.S. should be careful that in solving the ISIS problem it does not create others, hinting at the sensitive question of how to deal with Turkey, which is a NATO ally with much at stake in neighboring Syria, and Russia, whose military action in Syria has had the effect of propping up the Syrian regime.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is giving the White House the ingredients of a strategy, which officials say will be fleshed out once Trump has considered the options. Officials described the Mattis report as a framework built on broad concepts and based on advice from the State Department, the CIA and other agencies. Officials have indicated the recommended approaches will echo central elements of the Obama administrations strategy, which was based on the idea that the U.S. military should support local forces rather than do the fighting for them. Mattis already has signaled publicly that he sees no value in having U.S. combat forces take over the ground war.

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I would just tell you that by, with and through our allies is the way this coalition is going against Daesh, Mattis said last week in Baghdad, using an Arabic term for the Islamic State group. Were going to continue to go after them until we destroy them and any kind of belief in the inevitability of their message.

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 28 giving Mattis 30 days to present a preliminary draft of a plan. He said it should include a comprehensive strategy that would not only deliver a battlefield victory but also isolate and delegitimize the group and its radical ideology.

Asked if adding more U.S. troops or arming the Syrian Kurds was under discussion, Mattis said he will accommodate any request from his field commanders.

We owe some degree of confidentiality on exactly how were going to do that and the sequencing of that fight so that we dont expose to the enemy what it is we have in mind in terms of the timing of the operations, Mattis told reporters. But he said those are some of the issues that well be dealing with as we go forward, and well be addressing each one of them, from intelligence, to tactics, to logistics as we sustain the fight going into this.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Mideast, has said more American troops may be needed to speed up the fight in Syria. The U.S. currently has about 500 special operations forces in Syria helping to organize, advise and assist local forces.

One of the thorniest problems the Trump administration will consider is whether to change the U.S. approach to Russias military role in Syria. Although Trump has suggested an interest in working with Russia against IS, the Pentagon has been reluctant to go beyond military-to-military contacts aimed at avoiding accidents in the airspace over Syria.

Senior military leaders, including Mattis, seem more confident in the Iraqi military campaign, lending weight to the idea that the options will put a greater emphasis on Syria.

Officials say providing more heavy equipment and arms to the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds is a likely  but politically sensitive  option.

NATO ally Turkey considers the Kurdish fighters, known as the YPG, a terrorist organization. But the YPG forms the main force to retake Raqqa, the Islamic State militants self-proclaimed capital and base of operations. Some in the Pentagon have suggested giving the Kurds heavy weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and heavy combat vehicles, but the Obama administration rejected the idea.

Other options include sending more Apache helicopters into the fight, and sending in more U.S. troops to help train Syrian forces.

The options on Iraq may well include decisions on the future U.S. commitment to the country. Both Mattis and Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said that they believe the U.S. will have an enduring partnership with Iraq.

I imagine well be in this fight for a while, and well stand by each other, Mattis said in Baghdad.

Townsend declined to say how long the U.S. will stay in Iraq. But, he said, I dont anticipate that well be asked to leave by the government of Iraq immediately after Mosul, he said, referring to the city that U.S.-backed Iraqi forces are in the midst of retaking.

___

Associated Press writer Bradley Klapper contributed to this report.
Los Angeles (AFP) - President Donald Trump said Monday the chaos that erupted at the end of the Oscars was due to Hollywood obsessing about him rather than concentrating on running a smooth show.

In an Oval Office interview with conservative website Breitbart News, Trump said Oscars organizers had taken their eyes off the ball because they "were focused so hard on politics."

"It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars," he told the site, which was previously managed by Steve Bannon, who now serves as Trump's chief White House strategist.

"It didn't feel like a very glamorous evening. I've been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad."

Trump's comments came after Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty mistakenly presented the best picture statuette at the climax of the ceremony to "La La Land," when "Moonlight" was the real winner.

The mixup, which made for a chaotic end to ABC's telecast of the show, has been described as one of the most embarrassing moments in Oscars history.

- 'Very upset' -

With the dust settling on the controversy, the finger of blame has settled on PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Brian Cullinan, who was responsible, along with colleague Martha Ruiz, for ensuring that each awards presenter was handed the correct envelope.

Cullinan pulled the envelope that was supposed to be for best picture winner from the wrong pile, the company said.

"He is very upset about this mistake. And it is also my mistake, our mistake and we all feel very bad," said Tim Ryan, PwC's US chairman, according to trade magazine Variety.

Trump had been the target of light-hearted jokes and serious derision throughout the night as Oscar-winners railed against his immigration policies.

Host Jimmy Kimmel trolled the Republican via Twitter during the live broadcast and mocked the commander-in-chief's criticism of screen icon Meryl Streep.

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"I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him!" Kimmel scoffed.

Trump doesn't explain in the interview why he thinks the jokes at his expense led to the unrelated error, and it is unclear if he watched the show.

Breitbart, one of several news outlets favored by America's white nationalist extremist fringe, said the comments came in a lengthy interview covering health care, tax cuts, immigration and a variety of other topics.

Breitbart said the mixup came after what it called "hours of Trump-bashing by the Hollywood elites."

"Now, the president has got the last laugh as he hammers Hollywood for its epic fail," it added.
U.S. President Donald Trumps first budget is not touching Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday.

In an interview on Fox News, Mnuchin said the administration is not touching those now despite hopes in the Republican Congress to make radical changes.

So don't expect to see that as part of this budget, OK? We are very focused on other aspects and that's what's very important to us. And that's the president's priority," Mnuchin said.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., however, has endorsed a plan that would eliminate the guaranteed level of care Medicare now provides, replacing it with vouchers to make seniors find their own coverage and that likely would wind up costing them thousands of dollars, AARP President Eric Schneiderwind has warned.

Republicans for years also have been talking about privatizing Social Security.

Trump goes before Congress Tuesday for his first address to a joint session since assuming office Jan. 20.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told ABCs This Week Trump has nothing to show for his 40 days in office.

I call him the deflector-in-chief. He has no jobs bill, so he has got to talk about the press. He has no jobs bill, so he has to talk about kids, transgender kids in school. He has no jobs bill, so he has to talk about immigrants and have a ban on Muslims coming to country, Pelosi said.

So when [Trump] makes his address on the 40 days that he has been president, he has nothing to show for it but fear in every way. To people who are sick, fear, to people who are immigrants, fear, to people who are concerned about the greed on Wall Street taking us back to where we were.

Trump has pushed through a series of executive orders since taking office, from trying to cut off immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries to requiring regulations in various federal agencies to be cut to reversing President Barack Obamas decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The Departments of Education and Justice this week also rescinded guidelines that would have let transgender students use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity rather than their chromosomes.

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Trump has yet to submit any legislation to Congress, including his plan for rebuilding the nations infrastructure or an administration-developed healthcare proposal.

Related Articles
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's pick to serve as commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, faces tough questions about his possible ties with Russian oligarchs through his position on the board of the Bank of Cyprus.

The Senate is expected to confirm Ross late Monday, and several Democratic senators have raised concerns about the 79-year-old billionaire who specializes in troubled businesses.

These questions come at a time when Trump is defending his administration's relations with Moscow, following leaks about repeated contacts between members of his campaign team last year and Russian intelligence officials.

Since 2014, Ross has served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus, which was saved from bankruptcy in 2013 by a bailout from the Eurozone countries and the IMF and by forced contributions from most of its savers.

This bank also is the second largest shareholder in the Russian conglomerate Lamesa Holding, owned by the Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, whose fortune is valued at more than $12 billion by Forbes.

Ross's predecessor as vice chairman of bank's board is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent known to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The United States Senate and the American public deserve to know the full extent of your connections with Russia and your knowledge of any ties between the Trump Administration, Trump Campaign, or Trump Organization and the Bank of Cyprus," Democratic Senator Cory Booker said in a letter to Ross.

In mid-February, Booker and five other Democratic senators sent a letter to Ross asking him whether the Bank of Cyprus had lent to Trump's real estate group, the Trump Organization.

The officials also called on Ross to reveal whether he had any contact with Russian officials or agents during the presidential campaign.

Ross's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In mid-February, Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced to resign after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials about pre-inauguration discussions he had with the Russian ambassador in Washington about US sanctions against Russia.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is concerned about vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and condemns anti-Semitic and other hateful acts, the White House said on Monday. "The president continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at ... Jewish cemeteries," White House spokesman Sean Spicer told a daily news briefing. "The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he said, referring to a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia that was vandalized and other acts. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Washington Newsroom)
President Donald Trump stunned U.S. diplomats and many security experts on Monday as he pledged what he called a historic increase of $54 billion in military spending to be offset by cuts to the State Department and other federal agencies.

U.S. officials said Foggy Bottom would be required to send a plan to the White House within 48 hours to cut as much as 30 percent of its budget, a bold proposal that would force the elimination of foreign assistance programs and a massive reorganization of the State Department.

White House budget plans are merely the first volley in negotiations between the Oval Office and federal agencies, and later must win approval in Congress. But the broad outlines of Trumps first budget proposal have revived the suspicions of U.S. diplomats and foreign aid advocates that the White House, led by chief strategist Stephen Bannon, places little value on diplomacy, or the broader role of the State Department.

The White House is essentially telling the State Department: Now youre going to fit into a size 7 shoe, which toe would you like to cut off? Peter Yeo, president of the Better World Campaign, a non-profit group that supports foreign aid, told Foreign Policy.

The White House on Monday said that it is preparing a budget plan that would boost defense spending by about 10 percent, or $54 billion, from current levels, though it wasnt clear if the budget proposal would maintain current levels of additional Pentagon spending earmarked for the cost of overseas combat operations. In order to avoid increasing the deficit, the White House wants to make cuts in other areas of the government  the only places it politically can do so, since Trump ruled out touching programs like Medicare or Social Security.

But its far from clear that even that math works. Other agencies, like the State Department, are a fraction of the size of the Pentagon.

It would be both foolish and mathematically impossible for President Trump to offset other spending increases by slashing State Department and development budgets, which represent just one percent of all federal spending, said Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.

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Federal agencies typically soften the hard edges of a presidents budget request, but the magnitude of Trumps proposed cuts and Secretary of State Rex Tillersons lack of staff and experience could create an interagency mismatch.

Its challenging because Tillerson doesnt have a lot of his people in place, said Yeo, noting the absence of a deputy secretary of state. What number will he settle on? Is he going to comply? Ive never seen anything where you get 48 hours to respond.

The State Department declined to comment on the size of Trumps cuts, but acting spokesperson Mark Toner said Foggy Bottom is working with the White House and OMB to review its budget priorities.

The Department remains committed to a U.S. foreign policy that advances the security and prosperity of the American people, Toner said.

At any rate, any final budget must secure 60 votes in the Senate. Trumps first effort has enraged many Democrats and left Republicans awaiting further details.

Democrats across the political spectrum have already blasted the proposal as dead on arrival and questioned the need for more military spending. The U.S. currently spends about $600 billion per year on defense, far more than any country in the world, while spending about $50 billion every year on foreign assistance and the State Department.(The proposed increase in defense spending is almost as much as Russias entire defense budget.)

Some Republicans, led by Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the budget plan for spending too little on defense, pointing to his own $640 billion Pentagon budget. With a world on fire, America cannot secure peace through strength with just 3 percent more than President Obamas budget, he said.

James Carafano, a scholar at the Heritage Foundation who worked for the Trump transition team, defended the deep cuts for Foggy Bottom, saying State Department funds have been squandered on past administrations pet projects including dozens of envoys.

There is a real question over whether these penny-packet programs did much more than having allowed the Obama administration to claim it was doing something on everything from counter radicalization to womens equality, he told FP.

At the same time, other senior Republicans in Congress remain strong advocates for the foreign aid budget, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C) and John Boozman (Ark.) and Reps. Kay Granger (Tex.) and Hal Rogers (Kent.).

Still, Trumps criticism of U.S. foreign aid was a recurring theme of his campaign, and years of polling suggest the U.S. public has no clue how much Washington really spends on foreign assistance. Since 2009, the Kaiser Family Foundation has polled Americans about how much of the federal budget goes to foreign aid. Though the correct answer is less than 1 percent  a figure that includes military aid to Israel and Egypt  the average respondent thinks it is about 25 percent.

Playing on this theme of ineffective foreign assistance, Trump said on Monday that the U.S. has spent $6 trillion in the Middle East and its a mess. Meanwhile, he said, we have potholes all over our highways and our roads.

Trumps proposal came as a group of 120 former generals and flag officers wrote to congressional leadership, as well as to Tillerson, Defense Secretary James Mattis, and National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. They warned that elevating and strengthening diplomacy and development alongside defense are critical to keeping America safe.

The group, which included ret. Gens. Keith Alexander, former head of the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, and John Allen, NATO commander and Obamas anti-ISIS envoy, noted Mattiss own 2013 comments on cuts to diplomatic resources, when he was commander of CENTCOM: If you dont fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition.

While details have yet to emerge on the full extent of Trumps requested budget toplines  the administration said it hoped to have a final budget by May  one agency is unlikely to share the pain: the Department of Homeland Security. DHS is expected to get billions of additional dollars, alongside the Pentagon, which officials have framed as in keeping with Trumps law and order campaign theme. On Saturday, FP reported on internal documents outlining a plan to loosen hiring requirements for DHSs Border Patrol that would cost more than $2.2 billion dollars and take at least 5 years.

Yet Foggy Bottom is critical to implementing the administrations new immigration directives: The State Deptartment has to coordinate with countries like Mexico on repatriation of aliens, and other forms of assistance, such as funding for Mexicos own security forces, play a direct part in boosting U.S. border security.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Monday that foreign assistance to Mexico and Latin America more broadly is indispensable.

We spend less than one percent of the federal budget on these vital programs, like training foreign police and military to interdict drug traffickers and criminal networks in Latin America that target the U.S., he told FP.
Geneva (AFP) - The US claimed its seat Monday on the Human Rights Council under the new presidency of Donald Trump, whose election has provoked deep concern over the body's future.

Over its 11-year history, the council has come in for criticism, including allegations that it has, at times, been co-opted by rights abusers who push resolutions attacking their geopolitical rivals, with genuine rights issues marginalised.

But the 47-member panel has had successes -- thanks to support from Barack Obama's administration which held a seat on the council for most of his eight-year term, civil society groups say.

Many of the issues prioritised by Obama's UN envoys -- including violations in North Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and South Sudan -- remain on the agenda.

In a keynote address, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that the world was facing "a time of urgency" and that the council was needed more than ever.

"Disregard for human rights is a disease, and it is a disease that is spreading," he said.

"The Human Rights Council must be part of the cure."

Trump's State Department has not yet named an envoy to the body and was represented at Monday's session by veteran foreign service officer Erin Barclay.

- Withdrawal over Israel? -

Trump's international agenda remains murky but rights advocates have warned that the early signs do not bode well for either the council or the broader human rights agenda.

"Clearly 'America First' does not suggest an approach that (prioritises) multilateral engagement," said John Fisher of Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Geneva, referring to Trump's foreign policy doctrine.

HRW also reacted to media reports that the US was considering quitting the council -- before its term expires in 2019 -- over the body's treatment of Israel.

"A decision by the United States to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council over its criticism of Israeli policy and its overall effectiveness would be a misguided and shortsighted step," the group's UN director Louis Charbonneau said in a statement.

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Pro-Israel groups have repeatedly noted that the Jewish state has been targeted by more rights council resolutions than any other nation.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who addressed the opening session, said his people's issue would be a "litmus test" for the council's effectiveness.

Assuming the US keeps its seat, there is "significant concern" about Washington's capacity to take a leadership role based on Trump's early moves, according to Fisher.

"When the administration has issued an executive order that bans travel from seven mainly-Muslim countries it erodes the US' moral credibility and ability to engage in initiatives around the UN," Fisher told AFP.

Trump's travel ban has been blocked in court.

For UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, nations have a duty to resist "political actors ... (who) threaten the multilateral system or intend to withdraw from parts of it".

"Our rights, the rights of others, the very future of our planet cannot, must not be thrown aside by these reckless political profiteers," Zeid said in his opening speech.

- Decisive influence -

The precursor to the rights council was the UN Commission on Human Rights, a body deemed so dysfunctional that former UN secretary general Kofi Annan scrapped it.

When the new council was born in 2006, the US administration of George W. Bush did not fight for a seat or meaningfully engage, according to a January report from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) think-tank.

The early years saw countries like Algeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia controlling the council, the CFR said, arguing that things began to turn when Obama's administration secured a seat in 2009.

The US began "to chip away at the council's deficiencies while strengthening its capacity as a credible international human rights institution," it said.

The think-tank noted that US influence on the council was decisive in setting up major probes in Burundi, North Korea, Syria and other hotspots.

Even if Trump's rights-related pronouncements have been "limited", he has "stressed the need for the United States to be seen as winning on the international stage", it said.

And engaging with the council could "advance these goals", it argued.
Geneva (AFP) - The United States will on Monday claim its seat at the UN Human Rights Council under the new presidency of Donald Trump, whose election has provoked deep concern over the body's future.

Over its 11-year history, the council has come in for criticism, including allegations that it has, at times, been co-opted by rights abusers who push resolutions attacking their geopolitical rivals, with genuine rights issues marginalised.

But the 47-member panel has had successes -- thanks to support from Barack Obama's administration which held a seat on the council for most of his eight-year term, civil society groups say.

Many of the issues prioritised by Obama's UN envoys -- including violations in North Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and South Sudan -- will remain on the agenda when the council opens its main annual session in Geneva on Monday.

Among the headline speakers are UN chief Antonio Guterres and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

Trump's State Department has not yet named a replacement for Obama's envoy Keith Harper.

Veteran US foreign service officer Erin Barclay is scheduled to address the body on Wednesday.

- 'Moral credibility'? -

Much of Trump's international agenda remains murky but rights advocates have warned that early signs are not good for either the council or the broader human rights agenda.

"Clearly 'America First' does not suggest an approach that (prioritises) multilateral engagement," said John Fisher of Human Rights Watch in Geneva, referring to Trump's starkly-defined foreign policy doctrine.

There is also "significant concern" about the US capacity to take a leadership role in the council based on Trump's early moves, he added.

"When the administration has issued an executive order that bans travel from seven mainly-Muslim countries it erodes the US's moral credibility and ability to engage in initiatives around the UN," Fisher told AFP.

Story continues

Trump's travel ban has been blocked in court.

Fisher also highlighted Trump's moves curbing rights for transgender people and his "stereotyping and scapegoating" of some migrants.

"I think one of the key challenges that the US will face is to demonstrate that it applies at home the same human rights and principles that it applies to others," he said.

Last week, another spat blew up over freedom of the press after the White House barred several major US and international news organisations from a daily briefing and Trump denounced the media as the "enemy of the people".

The move sparked outrage, with an editorial in the Los Angeles Times warning that Trump was demonstrating some "alarmingly authoritarian notions" in punishing organisations which ran stories critical of him.

- Decisive influence -

The precursor to the rights council was the UN Commission on Human Rights, a body deemed so dysfunctional that former secretary general Kofi Annan scrapped it.

When the new council was born in 2006, the US administration of George W. Bush did not fight for a seat or meaningfully engage, according to a January report from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) think-tank.

The early years saw countries like Algeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia controlling the council, the CFR said, arguing that things began to turn when Obama's administration secured a seat in 2009.

The US began "to chip away at the council's deficiencies while strengthening its capacity as a credible international human rights institution," it said.

The think-tank's report agreed with Fisher that US influence on the council was decisive in setting up major probes in Burundi, North Korea, Syria and other hotspots.

The CFR urged Trump to take full advantage of the US council seat which expires in 2019.

Even if Trump's rights-related pronouncements have been "limited", he has "stressed the need for the United States to be seen as winning on the international stage", it said.

And engaging with the council could "advance these goals", it argued.

For Fisher, next week will be a "litmus test" for Trump's administration.

He also argued that uncertainty about the US made this a moment for "other countries to strengthen their leadership".
New York (AFP) - President Donald Trump's tough new immigration measures are sending shudders through the US farming industry, which largely employs a low-wage foreign workforce.

Since taking office on a "America first" agenda, Trump has made immigration a policy cornerstone. Among other measures, he has broadened authorities' powers to detain and deport unauthorized immigrants.

In a tight labor market, this could leave farms with few options when looking for workers to pick the vegetables and tend to the animals that feed the country.

Eric Ooms, who runs a 450-head dairy operation in Valatie, a village about two hours north of New York City, told AFP that many people were unwilling to do the messy work of milking cows.

And in a region where unemployment hovers under five percent, the $10.50 he pays for an hour's work attracts few US citizens.

"We just cannot find local people who want to get dirty and milk cows," Ooms said. "I have been doing it all the time so I am used to it. It does not mean I like it but it is how it is."

As a result, in addition to five members of his own family, Ooms employs a Mexican immigrant hired by word of mouth to get his milk past the farm gate and out to market.

- 'Vital' to food supply -

The US agricultural sector relies on cheap immigrant labor to keep costs down. In all, about 70 percent of farmhands were born outside the United States, the majority of them in Mexico.

The industry acknowledges that most of these workers are not legal residents in the United States, so Trump's aggressive stance on immigration could threaten American farms.

Industry representatives nevertheless choose their words carefully.

"Increased rhetoric about enforcement is challenging," said Kristi Boswell, a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau, a group representing the industry.

"But it is our role to educate the country about why these workers are still vital and critical to our operations to have access to our food supply and food security."

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The organization points to the difficulties that simply expelling unauthorized migrants could create.

According to a farm bureau study, if the industry were to lose access to all undocumented workers, net farm income could be slashed by between 15 percent and 29 percent, fruit production could tumble by as much as 60 percent and consumer prices could rise about five percent.

The consequences would be particularly stark for vegetable and fruit growers, where foreign labor exceeds 40 percent, with California's producers first in line to feel the effects.

The National Milk Producers Federation in 2015 predicted a doubling of consumer milk prices in the absence of immigrant labor, which accounts for 80 percent of American milk.

There are visa programs for farm workers, but with hundreds of thousands of people work US farms without proper immigration status, legal immigrant labor is a drop in the bucket.

The H-2A agricultural guest worker visa program, intended to meet the industry's need for workers to bring in the harvest, is largely insufficient: in 2013, only 71,000 visas were granted, according to a congressional report.

The visa program makes employers responsible for workers' housing and transport and has been criticized for lacking flexibility, creating delays when harvesting cannot wait.

Industry representatives say they hope to use the debate spurred by Trump's immigration policies to gain a greater audience for their calls for reforms that could lead to a legalized work force.

In the meantime, Eric Ooms has invested in equipment to automate the milking of his cows -- a purchase of more than $1 million that could protect his farm from a potential labor shortage.
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Sunday he will offer details on how he would like to overhaul President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law in a speech to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday. Since they now control the White House and Congress, Republicans are under pressure to fulfill their pledge to repeal and replace the Obamacare law although they have found no easy way to do it. The law has proven popular in many states, even those controlled by Republicans, and it enabled millions of previously uninsured people to get affordable coverage, although steep premium increases angered some. Trump is to talk about healthcare, among other topics, in a nationally televised address on Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress. Trump reiterated his pledge to repeal and replace the Obamacare law in remarks at a black-tie dinner for the National Governors Association. "Were going to be speaking very specifically about a very complicated subject," Trump said. "I think we have something that is really going to be excellent." Republicans have yet to agree on a single detailed policy proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Some moderates want to revise the law and not abandon it entirely while conservatives want to repeal it completely. Still to be worked out are details including the future of Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor that was expanded in more than 30 states under Obamacare, and how a new healthcare law would be funded. Trump said he would be discuss healthcare on Monday when he meets some of the governors who are in Washington for the National Governors Association's annual meeting. Trump cast his first weeks in office in a positive light despite stumbles including an executive order aimed at banning people from seven Muslim-majority nations that was immediately embroiled in a court challenge. "Weve made a lot of promises over the last two years, and many of those promises already are kept so we've very honored by that," he said. Trump turned the microphone over to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who chairs the governors association. McAuliffe is a long-time supporter of former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, whom Trump defeated in the Nov. 8 presidential election. McAuliffe told Trump, "We want to work with you" on creating jobs and strong healthcare system. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
WASHINGTON  President Trump on Monday received a package of options for escalating or transforming the war on ISIS, setting in motion a process that could lead him to expand the presence of American forces fighting the terrorist army on the ground.

Defense Secretary James Mattis briefed top national security officials at the White House on the Pentagon-led proposal, which includes military recommendations but also proposals for how to starve the so-called Islamic State of funds and combat the group online, where it has recruited and radicalized perpetrators of attacks in Europe and the United States.

Its not clear when Trump will put his stamp on the undeclared war he inherited from his predecessor, a campaign that has rolled back the rampaging death cult in Iraq but has posted less significant gains in neighboring Syria. He is not expected to offer any significant details when he addresses a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

The new president could transform the conflict in a number of significant ways. Chief among these would be the deployment of more U.S. troops to Iraq, where they number about 5,000, or to Syria, where the United States has roughly 500 special operations troops. A top general recently signaled that the latter is an option. But it would also bring risks  not just additional combat deaths of U.S. soldiers, but potential political complications for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, given that the U.S. occupation is not a distant memory.

Trump could also modify the rules of engagement that govern whether and how U.S. troops fight ISIS. Under Obama, the Pentagon insisted that American forces might sometimes find themselves in combat but were not on a combat mission, a tortured explanation partly designed to protect Trumps predecessor from political criticism. U.S. troops have recently seen their roles change, moving closer to the front lines, and Trump could decide to change the rules further.

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Iraqi special forces soldiers searching for Islamic State fighters in Mosul, Iraq. (Photo: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

Slideshow: U.S.-backed offensive pounds Islamic State in western Mosul as civilians flee >>>

The White House could step up aid to Kurdish fighters, though that risks fueling concern in NATO partner Turkey and in Iraq, whose governments fear the prospects that insurgent Kurds could seek their own state.

Trump could also try to work more closely with Russia, something Mattis opposes, or take steps towards fulfilling his campaign pledge to create safe zones for Syrians fleeing the conflict, among other options.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week, Trump said his goal was to totally obliterate ISIS and promised that working with our allies, we will eradicate this evil from the face of the Earth.

Trump, who asked for a review of options in late January, frequently criticized Obamas handling of the conflict and sometimes disparaged the generals in charge, notably for announcing plans to retake Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city.

I dont talk about military response. I dont say, Im going into Mosul in four months, We are going to attack Mosul in four months. Then three months later, We are going to attack Mosul in one month, he said in a mocking tone at a mid-February press conference.

But he has not repeated his March 2016 suggestion of sending tens of thousands more Americans to fight the rampaging death cults fighters in the Middle East.

Trumps January order explicitly directed the Pentagon to look into changing any of the rules of engagement that exceed the requirements of international law regarding the use of force against ISIS. It also called for an assessment of how best to besiege ISIS online to delegitimize the group and its radical Islamist ideology.

The order also called for senior national security officials to identify potential new coalition partners and look at ways to starve ISIS of funds.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Caroline Humer and Yasmeen Abutaleb NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump sought on Monday to bring the nation's largest insurance companies on board with his plans to overhaul Obamacare, saying their help was needed to deliver a smooth transition to the Republicans' new plan. "We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare  you people know that and everyone knows that - to create more competition and to bring down prices substantially," Trump told insurers at a meeting at the White House. The gathering took place a day before Trump was to deliver a major policy speech to the U.S. Congress. In attendance at the meeting were insurers who participate in the Obamacare health insurance exchanges as well as some that have pulled most or all of their Obamacare individual insurance offerings. The president needs insurers to participate in the individual insurance market to keep up competition and keep costs in check. The speech to Congress is a chance for Trump to elaborate on his healthcare policy, one of his top domestic priorities. Trump and Republicans have vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's signature piece of domestic policy, but have not released details yet. Trump told the insurers that his changes would include expanded healthcare savings accounts, which are tax-free savings accounts typically used with high-deductible insurance plans, and the sale of health plans across state lines. He also said that he wanted states to have more flexibility but did not provide details. Trump previously discussed these ideas on the campaign trail. It is unclear how they would be implemented, or what changes he might make to Medicaid expansion, another key component of the Obamacare law. Trump told insurers, including UnitedHealth Group Inc, Anthem Inc and Aetna Inc, that he was directing Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to work with them "to ensure a smooth transition to the new plan." The administration recently granted the insurers one of their biggest requests and proposed a rule that would tighten eligibility verification for subsidized plans and allow them to seek unpaid premiums. GOVERNORS MEETING Trump is also seeking support from the nation's governors for changes. The Obamacare law, which extended health insurance to 20 million Americans, has been popular in many states, even those controlled by Republicans. But it has also been criticized for its steep premium increases. At a meeting with Trump and governors on Sunday, Price said he expected to have a new healthcare plan in three to four weeks, to which Trump responded he hoped to see a plan in two weeks, said Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said many conversations during this weekend's meeting of the National Governors Association centered on Medicaid, the massive government health insurance program for the poor, and how to ensure those who received coverage under the Medicaid expansion could maintain coverage. Trump said on Monday that he wanted to win support from Democrats for the plan. McAuliffe, a Democrat, said it would be "disastrous" for Republicans to repeal Obamacare without a proper replacement. "The political rhetoric of the campaign has hit the reality of governing," he said. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Hours before the Academy Awards were presented Sunday, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee compared watching the Oscars telecast and its expected political speeches from Hollywood stars to getting a colonoscopy.

Watch celebs spew ignorant political venom at Oscars? Nah, Huckabee tweeted. Think Id rather have a colonoscopy. Both happen from same location.

But it appears Huckabee watched quite a bit of the broadcast after all.

Watch celebs spew ignorant political venom at Oscars?? Nahthink I'd rather have a colonoscopy. Both happen from same location.  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 26, 2017

In an email to supporters of his political action committee, the two-time Republican presidential candidate tore into the criticism of President Trumps immigration policies coming from the Dolby Theatre stage.

This year included an extra layer of lectures on open borders and welcoming all migrants to come on in, from people who wont let you get within 200 yards of them unless your name is on the VIP list, Huckabee wrote. Aside from a brief, welcome appeal to calm bipartisan outreach from host Jimmy Kimmel the Oscar telecast was filled with liberal virtue-signaling. From all the anti-Trump speeches and wisecracks to the blue ribbons on many gowns and lapels, signaling support for the ACLU for suing over Trumps immigration order, the message was that Hollywood is bravely standing up to that fascist dictator Donald Trump, whos stripping away our civil rights by enforcing the immigration law passed by the Democratic Congress in 1965.

If they really believe Trump is an iron-fisted, vindictive dictator whos taking away their civil rights, Huckabee continued, why do they feel perfectly secure in constantly mocking and attacking him on national television? Think anyone would dare do that in North Korea or Cuba?

Story continues

Related: Fearing political speeches, Trump supporters call for Oscars boycott

Huckabee also criticized the crowd for supporting Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian director who boycotted the Oscars in protest of Trumps travel ban and then wound up winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

My absence is out of respect for the people of my country, Farhadi said in a statement delivered from the stage by his Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear.

Do any of those clapping stars realize that Iran is the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism, Huckabee wrote, and that they were applauding a lecture on human rights from someone who lives in a country whose leaders oppress women, kill gays and want to commit genocide against the Jews?

Huckabee wasnt the only conservative who was hate-watching the Oscars.

DrudgeReport.com founder Matt Drudge called Sundays show the most politically-drenched night in history of Hollywood.

The commercials, the ABC promos, the standing ovations for anything and everything! Drudge tweeted.

Huckabee even slammed the stars who wore ribbons promoting the American Civil Liberties Union on the red carpet.

Do these celebrities realize that the ACLU has repeatedly defended the Klan and other extremist groups that surely would never merit an Oscar invite? Huckabee wrote. Unlike todays liberals, the ACLU believes that the First Amendment applies even to those who say the most unpopular and abhorrent things, not just to people you agree with.

Huckabee also weighed in on the onstage flub that mistakenly awarded the Best Picture Oscar to La La Land before the real winner, Moonlight, was recognized.

After all that posturing on how they knew more than the President about foreign policy, immigration, national defense and every other difficult subject, in the end, they couldnt even hand out a trophy without screwing it up, he wrote. Maybe La La Land really did win, but Hollywood didnt like the results of the fair election, so they just changed the rules after the vote was already in and gave it to the more PC choice.

Help Wanted: Accounting firm needed to handle balloting for Oscars. Contact Warren Beatty for details. Previous firm relocated to N Korea.  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 27, 2017

Conservative Twitter took turns celebrating the mistake.

Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States!! Whoops. It's Trump! Analogous to #oscarsfail Stupid liberals hahaha!  Mark Dice (@MarkDice) February 27, 2017

#oscarsfail An evening of smug Trump bashing ending in the biggest award screw up

Liberalism in real life

A failure  Patrick Brannon (@PrescottBobcat) February 27, 2017

Couldn't have happened to a better pack of complete idiots.

Yep!, they know how best to run the country. #smh ????#envelopegate https://t.co/3rRxuSurWO  Females For Trump (@FemalesForTrump) February 27, 2017

Donald Trump Jr. took aim at a different production mistake: an in memoriam montage that included an Australian producer who is still alive.

Interesting mistake, its almost like Hollywood doesn't really care about the little people behind the scenes #oscars#oscarsfail https://t.co/fxrU3wsDbe  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 27, 2017

For those planning their awards-show boycott schedule, the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, Tonys and Emmys are still to come.

More from Yahoo News:
U.S. President Donald Trumps administration is mulling plans to circumvent the World Trade Organization. Incoming administration officials asked the U.S. Trade Representatives office to find ways to bypass WTO rules on dispute resolution to levy unilateral U.S. sanctions against other countries such as China, sources tell the Financial Times.

The United States set up the WTOs dispute resolution mechanism two decades ago. It has been a cornerstone of the global trade regime ever since, arbitrating trade disputes between member countries.

The specter of bypassing the WTO has experts worried. There will be horrible negative side effects if Trumps team follows through, said Simon Lester, a WTO veteran and trade expert now with the Cato Institute. Prominent economist Paul Krugman said on Twitter the move was flirting with dismantling the most fundamental rules of trade.

Under existing WTO rules, member countries arent supposed to retaliate against one another with unilateral sanctions or tariffs. Such a move, particularly by the worlds most powerful economy, could trigger a chain reaction of retaliations and dismantle the global rules-based trade system the WTO oversees, experts say. It could get us into some new and scary world of international economics we havent seen before, Lester told Foreign Policy.

Trump departed with decades of U.S. tradition with his free-trade skepticism and America First platform, even calling the World Trade Organization a disaster during his presidential campaign.

And just over a month into his presidency, hes taking steps to back away from trade. During his first week in office, he withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement with Canada and 10 other Asian and Latin American countries  a move White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon called one of the most pivotal moments in modern American history. Hes also stacked his administration with protectionists such as National Trade Council chairman Peter Navarro and U.S. Trade Representative nominee Robert Lighthizer.

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The threat of bypassing WTO rules may just be a negotiating tactic, Lester said. Trade experts anticipate the Trump White House to push for reforms to the WTO to give more deference to U.S. government decisions on trade and loosen rules on duties in an effort to protect U.S. industries from competitive imports. Are they really serious about this threat or is it just designed to create leverage to push WTO reforms through? Lester asked. It may be just talk.

The WTO system already has widespread international support, and the rest of the world is likely to continue to use it regardless of whether the United States withdraws or bypasses it.

Other economic powerhouses have already warned they wont let themselves be pushed around by Washington, though. Xi Jinping tried to warn the United States off a trade war, as did EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, who specifically cited the threat of retaliation.

Correction, Feb. 27, 2017, 1:13 p.m.: This piece was updated to clarify the TPP agreement included Canada and Latin American countries. It originally incorrectly stated the agreement was between the United States and 11 other Asian countries.

Photo credit:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump toasted the nation's governors Sunday night, welcoming state leaders to a black-tie ball at the White House ahead of discussions about his plans to repeal and replace the so-called Obamacare law.

Trump welcomed 46 governors and their spouses to the annual Governors' Ball at the White House, the first major social event of his administration. The president congratulated first lady Melania Trump on the elegant candle-lit event in the State Dining Room, telling the audience, "The room, they say, has never looked better, but who knows."

During his toast, the president noted his Monday meeting with the governors at the White House, saying, "Perhaps health care will come up," a nod to the effort in Congress to repeal and replace the sweeping health care law installed under President Barack Obama.

Trump saluted the nation's governors, joking that "it's such an easy job you have." Despite some of the turmoil at the start of his administration and legal challenges to his executive order temporarily banning travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Trump told the governors he had already made strides.

"I can say that after four weeks  it's been a lot of fun  but we've accomplished almost everything we've started out to accomplish. The borders are stricter, tighter," Trump said, praising the work of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. He added: "We're very happy with the way things are working but, again, we've made a lot of promises over the last two years and many of those promises already are kept so we're very honored by that."

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat and longtime ally of Trump's campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, led the governors in a toast of Trump. McAuliffe, the chairman of the National Governors Association, said they all shared the common goals of jobs, education, quality health care and infrastructure across the nation.

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"We want to work with you to build on those ideals," McAuliffe said.

The governors, their guests and members of Trump's Cabinet sat at long tables topped with white floral centerpieces and candles in the State Dining Room, where Trump addressed the guests from a lectern near a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The president wore a black tuxedo while the first lady was dressed in a long black evening gown.

At the tables, Vice President Mike Pence was seated next to his successor, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, while chief of staff Reince Priebus sat next to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, his friend from his home state. The president's daughter Ivanka Trump was seated between Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Navy, businessman Philip Bilden, said Sunday he was withdrawing from consideration for the post, citing concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Bilden's withdrawal raises similar issues to that of Vincent Viola, Trump's nominee for Army secretary who stepped aside earlier this month.

Bilden was an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve from 1986-1996. He relocated to Hong Kong to set up an Asian presence for HarbourVest Partners LLC, a global private equity management firm. Bilden recently retired from HarbourVest Partners after 25 years.

In a statement released by the Pentagon, Bilden said he determined that he would not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without what he called "undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family's private financial interests."

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement that he would make a recommendation to Trump for a nominee in the coming days.

Viola cited his inability to successfully navigate the confirmation process and Defense Department rules concerning family businesses. A military veteran and former Airborne Ranger infantry officer, he was also the founder of several businesses, including the electronic trading firm Virtu Financial. He also owns the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and is a past chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.
By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Michael Nienaber ISTANBUL/BERLIN (Reuters) - Turkish authorities on Monday arrested a reporter for a prominent German newspaper on charges of propaganda in support of a terrorist organization and inciting the public to violence, according to a court witness. Authorities initially detained Deniz Yucel, a correspondent for the Die Welt newspaper, on Feb. 14 after he reported on emails that a leftist hacker collective had purportedly obtained from the private account of Berat Albayrak, Turkey's energy minister and the son-in-law of President Tayyip Erdogan. On Monday, an Istanbul court ordered Yucel, a dual citizen of Turkey and Germany, jailed pending trial, a witness at the court told Reuters. He is the first German reporter to be held in a widespread crackdown that has followed the failed July 15 coup in Turkey and frequently targeted the media. More than 100,000 people have been sacked or suspended from Turkey's police, military, civil service and private sector since the failed coup and tens of thousands arrested. Ankara says the measures are necessary given the security threats it faces. But Turkey's allies, including Germany, fear President Tayyip Erdogan is using the purges as a pretext to curtail dissent. Relations between the NATO allies have been strained by the coup, but Germany desperately needs to Turkey for its part in a deal to stop the flow of migrants into Europe. Yucel's arrest could also put German Chancellor Angela Merkel into an awkward position less than seven months before what promises to be a tightly contested election in September. In a statement, Merkel criticized the move as "bitter and disappointing" and called it "disproportionate". "The German government expects that the Turkish judiciary, in its treatment of the Yucel case, takes account of the high value of freedom of the press for every democratic society. We will continue to insist on a fair and legal treatment of Deniz Yucel and hope that he will soon regain his freedom," she said. Germany's foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel, was even more harsh in his assessment of the case, saying it showed in "glaring light" the differences in the two countries in evaluating freedom of press and freedom of opinion. (Additional reporting by Gulsen Solaker,; Writing by David Dolan, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Vienna (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is "not welcome" to hold campaign events in Austria ahead of April's referendum on strengthening his powers, the foreign minister in Vienna said Monday.

Sebastian Kurz said that Erdogan campaigning over the controversial referendum would "increase friction" in Austria and "hinder the integration" of the country's 360,000-strong Turkish origin minority, which includes 117,000 Turkish citizens.

"Campaign events are not welcome. Of course the Turkish president, like other senior politicians, can make bilateral visits to Europe and Austria for talks with top officials," said Kurz.

"But we clearly reject bringing the Turkish campaign and polarisation to Austria," Kurz was quoted as saying in a foreign ministry statement.

The ministry said Erdogan's previous visits to Austria and also Germany had created "tensions" between his supporters and Turks of Kurdish origin, which have increased since July's attempted coup.

It quoted Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who himself hold a rally in the German city of Oberhausen on February 18, as saying that Erdogan planned to campaign in European Union countries.

The April 16 vote will see Turks vote on whether to change the current parliamentary system into an executive presidency.

Erdogan's government says that this will enhance political stability.

But opponents fear that the touted new system -- which would discard the post of prime minister for the first time in Turkey's history -- would cement one-man rule under Erdogan.
KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Two German archaeologists who were kidnapped in central Nigeria have been freed, a police official said on Sunday. No ransom was paid when they were freed late on Saturday, the official said, without giving details. The two Germans had been abducted on Wednesday during excavation work at Jajela village in Kaduna state. The kidnapping took place near a road running between Abuja and Kaduna, which will serve as a temporary entry point for air travellers coming to the capital next month, when Abuja's main airport will be closed from March 8 for six weeks for repairs. Abuja-bound travellers will have to make the 100 mile (160 km) journey from Kaduna to Abuja by bus. Several kidnappings have occurred along the road in recent years - one victim, last July, was Sierra Leone's deputy high commissioner. Most international carriers have said they will not fly to Kaduna, and some embassies in Abuja intend to minimize staff travel while the airport is being repaired. (Reporting by Garba Mohammad; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Dominic Evans)
On Saturday night, President Donald Trump dined at his new D.C. hotel with the governor of Florida, Rick Scott, his daughter Ivanka, her husband and powerful senior White House advisor Jared Kushner, and Nigel Farage, the nemesis of the European Union. A few tables away, alone with his wife, sat Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the man nominally charged with charting Americas relations with the rest of the world.

Photos of the president dining with a smiling Farage, the former UKIP leader who has railed against the EU for years, and who led the populist campaign to pull Britain out of Europe, only served to reinforce growing doubts about Americas stance toward the European Union and much of the international order forged by U.S. leadership in the years after World War II.

Now, U.S. allies are resigning themselves to the likelihood that Trumps administration will remain unpredictable and often incoherent, if not downright hostile, in its foreign policy. And they are beginning to draw up contingency plans to protect their interests on trade and security, as they adapt to a world where strong American leadership is no longer assured.

Its dawning on people now that what you see is what you get, said one European diplomat, and that the uncertainty is not going away.

Trump has of course alarmed transatlantic allies by sending mixed messages about the value of the NATO alliance, both on the campaign trail and once in office. But a much bigger concern for European governments is the White Houses apparent desire to reverse more than seven decades of U.S. policy of fostering a strong and united Europe as a bastion of democracy and free trade in order to bolster U.S. security.

The president of the European Commission, former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, voiced what many senior officials will only say in private when he issued a dire warning in a recent letter to European leaders. Tusk said that Washington is seeming to put into question 70 years of American policy, placing the United States alongside Russia, China and terrorism as a source of instability for Europe.

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The White House has actively fueled those worries, chiefly through Trumps chief strategist, economic nationalist and anti-globalist Steven Bannon. This month he reportedly told Peter Wittig, Germanys ambassador to Washington, that the EU is a flawed and weak institution, a week before Vice President Mike Pence was dispatched to Germany to express Americas steadfast commitment to the EU. Last week, Bannon in a speech before conservative activists in Washington touted what he calls economic nationalism, and said the administration wanted bilateral trade deals with other countries. But in Europe, the EU as a whole would have to negotiate any new trade deals.

Wittig declined to comment on the details of his conversation with Bannon, but said he rejects any attempts to divide the EU or belittle it as a purely economic trading bloc.

The EU is not just an economic club, but its a political project, he said. It has brought us unprecedented security and stability [and] as far as Germany is concerned, we will certainly fight for a coherent and resilient European Union.

The Trump administrations tack is precisely the approach long favored by Moscow, which prefers the leverage that comes with dealing with European nations individually rather than collectively. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to divide the EU  and NATO  by fostering divisions within the Western bloc. Hungary and the Czech Republic  both members of the EU and NATO  have moved closer to Moscow in recent years, while Russia continues to support extremist, anti-EU parties in countries like France and Germany.

Trade, as much or more than security, has become the nascent administrations cudgel to attack Europe. Trumps top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, accused Berlin in January of manipulating foreign exchange markets, and Trump has talked of slapping all imports, including potentially those from Europe, with punitive tariffs.

Berlin, however, views free trade as a pillar of its prosperity and the global economy. Robust trade with countries around the world turned Germany into Europes economic engine. And German officials are clearly dismayed about the Trump administrations threats to slap tariffs on German car manufacturers if they establish plants in Mexico instead of the United States and subsequently seek to export automobiles to the U.S. market.

Wittig suggested such a tariff could violate World Trade Organization rules, raising the possibility of retaliation. WTO conformity is very important, he said.

The Trump administration, however, appears serious about taking a hard line on trade, including possibly bypassing the WTO rules that Washington helped create. Officials have asked the U.S. Trade Representatives office to prepare a list of legal measures that would allow the United States to impose sanctions unilaterally without having to go through WTO trade dispute procedures, the Financial Times reported Monday.

A European official said pursuing a unilateral approach to trade carried serious risks. Trump and his aides are acting like its the 1950s or 60s. But U.S. economic power is not what it was. I think theyre in for a surprise.

To be sure, German officials stress that U.S. presidential transitions are time-consuming, and while other European countries may see incoherence as a permanent feature of the Trump administration, Berlin expects Washingtons message will eventually take form.

The Germans and others, meanwhile, are clinging to reassuring messages delivered by some Trump administration officials. Vice President Pence underscored the U.S. commitment to NATO at a security conference in Munich on Feb. 18, just as Defense Secretary James Mattis has tried to convey the same message to American allies in Asia.

We received a clear message from Vice President Mike Pence, EU ambassador to the U.S. David OSullivan told Foreign Policy. He told us President Donald Trump had specifically asked him to go to Brussels to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union. I dont think you can get much clearer than that.

An EU official also pointed to a Trump interview with Reuters published on Friday where the president flippantly seemed to reaffirm longstanding U.S. policy. The EU, Im totally in favor of it, said the president, who cheered Brexit and urged more countries to leave the European Union. If theyre happy, Im in favor of it.

Europe, though, is hedging its bets, especially after a proposed trade deal between the United States and the EU, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, unraveled last year.

EU officials are now looking to Asia, since in one of his first acts in office, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a vast 12-nation trade deal. The jilted partners and the EU now see an opportunity for new trade arrangements  without the U.S. in the equation  and are already in talks.

Within Asia, the Trump administration has also rattled allies already unnerved by an aggressive China. Trump has repeatedly bashed China over trade, accusing Beijing of taking advantage of the United States, even while attacking longtime ally Japan over trade issues. But the president pulled back from a threat to abandon Washingtons One China policy, and so far the White House has sidestepped conflict in the contested South China Sea.

The administrations mixed messages have fueled anxiety about whether Washington has a strategy for Asia, and what it might be. China, meanwhile, is forging ahead with its own Asian free trade deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which excludes Washington, and deepening ties with many in the region, from Sri Lanka to the Philippines.

Its clearly wishful thinking that there was a deeper game, a strategy at work. Thats just not the case, said Gregory Poling of Center for Strategic and International Studies. Governments are recognizing that what were going to get is uncertainty and you just have to live with that.

Even Australia, which has fought alongside the United States in every conflict since World War II, Trumps election is seen by some as a sign that Canberra can no longer count on the United States for economic engagement or security in the Asia-Pacific.

In Canberra, the implications of a Trump presidency cast a long shadow as officials and policy analysts draft their foreign policy strategy in a new white paper. China has long been an economic siren for Australia, sucking up giant quantities of mineral exports, while the United States has for decades been Australias defense shield.

The simple fact is that throughout Asia, the balance has been always to look to the U.S. for security and to China for economic benefits, said Kerry Brown, a former British diplomat and now professor of Chinese Studies at Kings College in London.

But those calculations are now in flux, especially for Australias leaders.

They will have to grapple with Trump as a major variable that imparts a great deal of uncertainty into their own foreign policy, said Mira Rapp-Hooper of the Center for a New American Security. Canberra may have to contemplate the possibility that the United States may be a less predictable alliance partner in coming years that it has been in the past, she said.

Trumps presidency could accelerate a trend already underway in Canberra to carve out a more active role in Asia, while pulling back from the countrys traditionally unwavering support for Washingtons military adventures in other parts of the world. If concerns build in Australia over the trajectory of the Trump administration, Canberra probably will look to deepen defense ties with partners in the region, particularly Singapore, experts said.

If the U.S. backs away, said Brown, Australia will be one of the key players who will have to make sure that there is no security void for China to fill, or, if such a void starts to open up then Australia is there with others before the Chinese get there, he said.

FP reporter David Francis contributed to this article

Photo credit: OLIVIER DOULIER/Pool/Getty Images
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan discussed ways to further restrict funding for North Korea's weapons programs during talks in Washington on Monday, the countries said in a joint statement. "The officials considered other possible measures under national authorities, including means to restrict further the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programs, particularly illicit activities," the statement said. The talks also agreed that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs "directly threaten the security" of all three countries, it said. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by James Dalgleish)
By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigration will not undermine two data transfer agreements between the United States and the EU, Washington wrote in a letter to allay European concerns. An executive order signed by Trump on Jan. 25 aiming to toughen enforcement of U.S. immigration law rattled the European Union as it appeared to suggest Europeans would not be given the same privacy protections as U.S. citizens. The order directs U.S. agencies to "exclude persons who are not United States citizens or lawful permanent residents from the protections of the Privacy Act regarding personally identifiable information." Securing equal treatment of EU citizens was key to agreeing the Umbrella Agreement which protects law enforcement data shared between the United States and the EU. And the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield - which makes possible about $260 billion of trade in digital services - was only clinched after Washington agreed to protect the data from excessive surveillance and misuse by companies. In the first written confirmation since the executive order stoked uncertainty over transatlantic data flows, the U.S. Department of Justice said the executive order did not affect either the Umbrella Agreement or the Privacy Shield. "Section 14 of the Executive Order does not affect the privacy rights extended by the Judicial Redress Act to Europeans. Nor does Section 14 affect the commitments the United States has made under the DPPA (Umbrella Agreement) or the Privacy Shield," Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, wrote to the European Commission in a letter seen by Reuters. EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, who will travel to the United States at the end of March, said she was "not worried" but remained vigilant. The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield is used by almost 2,000 companies including Google , Facebook and Microsoft to store data about EU citizens on U.S. servers. Its predecessor was struck down in 2015 by the EU's top court for allowing U.S. agents unfettered access to Europeans' data, forcing an acceleration of difficult talks to find a replacement. (Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - The British government needs to approach divorce talks with the European Union with more charm and less "cheap rhetoric" if it wants to get a good deal, former Conservative prime minister John Major said on Monday. Prime Minister Theresa May, who plans to begin the formal process of leaving the EU by the end of next month, has said Britain will leave the bloc's single market and instead seek a comprehensive free trade agreement post-Brexit. Major, who campaigned to stay in the EU, said negotiations would require "statesmanship of a very high order", but there was still little chance Britain would be able to match the advantages of the EU's single market. "It is much, so much easier to reach agreement with a friend than with a quarrelsome neighbor," he said in a speech to the Chatham House international affairs think-tank. "But behind the diplomatic civilities the atmosphere is already sour. A little more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric would do much to protect the interests of the United Kingdom." Major's own 1990-1997 premiership was plagued by disputes within his party over Europe, including Britain's ignominious withdrawal from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, the predecessor to the single currency, in 1992. Major said there was a very high chance that Britain and the EU would not be able to reach an "acceptable" agreement within the two-year time frame set out under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty. He urged ministers in May's Conservative government to avoid raising Britons' expectations unrealistically about the country's prospects outside the EU. Major also warned that post-Brexit Britain would become more dependent on the United States, and he described President Donald Trump as "less predictable, less reliable and less attuned to our free-market and socially liberal instincts than any of his predecessors". (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Paris (AFP) - The UN's health agency urged governments, scientists and pharma companies Monday to create new drugs to tackle 12 antibiotics-resistant supergerms threatening an explosion of incurable disease.

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a list of bacteria threatening to turn once easily-treatable infections into serial killers.

"Antibiotic resistance is growing, and we are fast running out of treatment options," said Marie-Paule Kieny, assistant director-general of the WHO, which previously warned the world may be headed for a "post-antibiotic" era.

"If we leave it to market forces alone, the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time."

The agency listed 12 groups of bacteria that no longer respond to an ever-growing list of ineffective antibiotics.

The germs cause ailments including lung, blood, brain, and urinary tract infections, food poisoning from salmonella and sexually-transmitted gonorrhoea.

Bacteria can become resistant to drugs when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics. Resistant strains can also be contracted directly from animals, water and air, or other people.

When the most common antibiotics fail to work, more expensive types must be tried, resulting in longer illness and treatment, often in hospital. Increasingly, cases are reported in which no existing drug works.

The 12 bacteria types targeted by the WHO were prioritised based on the severity of disease they cause, how easily they spread, how many drugs still work against them and how many new ones are already being developed.

"Why do we need such a list? Well, until about 30 years ago the world was seeing tens of new antibiotics being approved and coming to market," Kieny told a telephone press briefing.

"But today, when resistance to antibiotics is reaching alarming proportions, the pipeline is practically dry."

- Spend now, save later -

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The reasons, Kieny said, included a lack of market incentives compared to treatments for chronic diseases, for example, which deliver a much higher return on investment.

The list was meant to encourage governments to adopt policies and incentives to boost drug research and development by public and private entities, said Kieny.

If they invest now, she added, governments will need to spend less later "when resistance to antibiotics develops into an even deeper crisis."

The WHO divided its 12 "priority pathogens" into three categories of new medicine priority: critical, high and medium.

The most urgent section contained three bacteria families resistant to carbapenem antibiotics -- a last-resort treatment for many life-threatening infections which spread mainly in hospitals among transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients and people in intensive care.

In January, an American woman died of an infection -- resistant to all the available antibiotics -- caused by a germ called Enterobacteriaceae on the WHO's critical list.

The "high" and "medium" priority categories include drug-resistant bacteria that cause "more common" diseases such as gonorrhoea and salmonella-induced food poisoning which hit poor countries particularly hard, said the WHO.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which provides patient care in low-income and war-torn countries, agreed there was a critical need for new drugs.

"We see -- with alarming regularity -- the critical-listed bacterial infections in people we treat in our field programmes, including babies and children, burns victims and conflict and trauma injuries," said Rupa Kanapathipillai, the body's adviser on antimicrobial resistance.

Tuberculosis was not on the list because well-funded programmes already exist to develop new antibiotics, said the WHO.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The United Nations is welcoming the pullout of Moroccan security forces from the tense border strip in southern Western Sahara and is calling on the Polisario Front independence movement to also withdraw its fighters.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to Morocco's King Mohammed VI and a Polisario representative late last week.

The U.N. chief called on both parties Saturday "to unconditionally withdraw all armed elements from the border strip" and "exercise maximum restraint."

Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975 and fought the Polisario Front, which wants a referendum on the mineral-rich region's future.

Moroccan and Polisario forces have faced each other in the buffer strip's Guerguerat region since August 2016.

Dujarric said Guterres would like to see "a general easing of the tensions."
Miami (AFP) - Rising seas, polluted coastlines and the specter of more frequent droughts and storms have lent new urgency to efforts to restore the ecosystem of the Florida Everglades, the largest freshwater wetland in the United States.

The Everglades' sawgrasses, swamps, tree islands and mangroves are home to a host of fascinating species, from American alligators to endangered hook-billed birds known as snail kites to invasive Burmese pythons.

Until now, the world's largest ecosystem restoration project -- a massive plan expected to spend some $10.5 billion, known as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan -- has made little progress since it was launched in 2000.

"Our goal was to have much of it done in 20 years," said Steve Davis, a wetlands ecologist with the Everglades Foundation, who led reporters on an airboat tour of the Everglades this month.

"We are almost 20 years in and we don't have a single project completed."

- Water flow stopped -

Even though the Everglades is known as the River of Grass, the water has not properly flowed through it in the past 70 years or so, because human development cordoned off the freshwater which used to spill over from Florida's massive Lake Okeechobee toward the south.

As millions of people poured into the Sunshine State, a dike was built to protect against hurricane flooding and swamps were drained to make way for sugar cane farms.

About one third of the Everglades' original three million acres (405,000 of 1.2 million hectares) became farmland, and 1.5 million acres were designated a national park.

"We altered the ecosystem back in the '40s and '50s when we didn't know any better," said Bob Johnson, a hydrologist with the National Park Service.

"Now we have to fix it."

- Polluted coasts -

The consequences of diverting Lake Okeechobee's water -- much of it polluted by agricultural discharge -- to the east and west have grown increasingly dire.

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Last year, algae blooms coated the coastline with smelly, guacamole-colored sludge, and swimmers were warned to stay out of the water due to outbreaks of poisonous bacteria.

Meanwhile, the spread of hot and salty water off the southern tip of Florida killed fertile fish breeding grounds known as seagrasses, threatening tourism and fishing -- two key drivers of the state economy.

"There is simply not enough water coming in from the north to keep the entire system hydrated from top to bottom," said Davis.

The movement of freshwater from the lake toward the south must be restored if the area's tourist economy, drinking water and natural and developed lands are to be sustained in the years to come, he said.

- Saltwater intrusion -

Without some two million more acre feet -- an old measure devised by imagining a foot of water on an acre (0.4 hectare) of land -- of freshwater to drench the Everglades, the marshes dry out, the thin layer of peat covering the porous limestone ground dissipates or even burns under the hot sun, and the landscape flattens making it easier for saltwater to invade, Johnson told a meeting of the Tropical Audubon Society this month.

Saltwater intrusion is already making its way into parts of Florida's aquifers -- which provide drinking water -- and could forever alter the Everglades' fragile ecosystem.

Having more freshwater in the system could help because it "pushes against the saltwater and keeps those marshes wet," explained Johnson.

"It helps stave off the effects of sea level rise."

- Political progress -

Scientists like Davis and Johnson say the solution requires having more land south of the lake -- an area filled with sugar cane farms -- to use as storage reservoirs where water can be cleaned before flowing south.

"If we don't figure out how to store more water, we can't get through the problems to come. We can't get through long droughts and then very intense rainfall," said Johnson.

After years of political squabbles, there are signs that lawmakers are motivated to fix the problem.

Bills have been newly introduced in the Florida House and Senate to authorize over one billion in state dollars to acquire 60,000 acres of land for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee that would hold 120 billion gallons (454 billion liters) of water.

But more than a dozen farming companies in the area have dug in their heels, including sugar giants US Sugar and Florida Crystals, saying they are not willing to sell, questioning the science behind the proposals, and warning of job losses if land acquisition goes ahead.

Criticisms of the plan and its priority on finding storage south of Lake Okeechobee have also emerged from the South Florida Water Management District, which is made up of political appointees of Republican Governor Rick Scott, a well-known skeptic of climate change.

A review of the Everglades restoration plans by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS), issued in December 2016, found that more money and water is urgently needed, because the effects of climate change were not considered in the restoration plans when they were released in 2000.

And with global sea levels expected to rise by 40 inches (one meter) or more by century's end, there is no time to waste.

"If you change nothing now, if you do things as planned, you are going to run into serious flooding issues," said Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Maryland and leader of the NAS committee's climate change-related research efforts.

"Those effects are occurring on the timescale of a few decades."
BEIRUT (AP)  The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East has met with top officials in Lebanon to discuss American military aid and other efforts to contain the fallout from the civil war in neighboring Syria.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of U.S. Central Command, met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf upon his arrival in Beirut on Monday.

Votel did not make any public comments in the Lebanese capital. The U.S. has been speeding up delivery of ammunition to help Lebanon's military combat jihadi groups near the border with Syria.

Washington has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance to Lebanon since 2006.
Washington (AFP) - Senior US, South Korean and Japanese officials met on Monday to discuss how better to enforce international sanctions against North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs.

The Washington talks came shortly after United Nations experts warned that Pyongyang has been flouting existing sanctions, and just as China's top diplomat held talks at the White House.

US special representative for North Korea policy Joseph Yun met senior Japanese diplomat Kenji Kanasugi and South Korea's special representative Kim Hong-kyun at the State Department.

In a statement, they condemned the North's "flagrant disregard for multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting its ballistic missile and nuclear programs."

This, they argued, "requires strong international pressure on the regime" and they called on other countries to "fully and effectively implement their obligations" under UN resolutions.

This was a tacit appeal to China, overwhelmingly North Korea's main trading partner, after a UN experts report last week warned that Pyongyang was getting better at sanctions busting.

Even as the allies met, China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi was across town at the White House, meeting President Donald Trump's senior foreign policy advisers.

After the talks, the councilor -- who outranks China's foreign minister -- briefly met Trump himself, the most senior Chinese official to greet the new US leader since his inauguration.

Yang is due to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department on Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday, the European Union further restricted its own trade in coal, iron and iron ore and banned imports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc from North Korea.

In their statement, the United States, Japan and South Korea said they too would seek to cut "the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programs, particularly illicit activities."

Story continues

China shares US concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons, but prefers negotiations to tougher new sanctions, which it fears could destabilize North Korea and trigger a flood of refugees.

Beijing's decision earlier this month to halt North Korean coal imports has been seen as an attempt to defuse criticism and nudge North Korea and the US toward negotiations.

But China has pushed back against Trump's criticism that it has not done enough to bring its smaller neighbor to heel, insisting the conflict is at core one between Pyongyang and Washington.

The UN Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions since Pyongyang first tested an atomic device in 2006.

But Kim Jong-Un's isolated regime has continued to thumb its nose at the world with a series of missile launches over the years and two nuclear tests in 2016 alone.

And on February 13, Kim's estranged half-brother was murdered with the banned VX nerve agent in an attack in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur airport that has been blamed on the regime.
Washington (AFP) - Philip Bilden has withdrawn his nomination as secretary of the US Navy, the Pentagon said Sunday, marking the latest in a series of nominees to remove their names from consideration to serve under President Donald Trump.

"This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement, adding that he would soon suggest a new nominee.

"While I am disappointed, I understand and respect his decision, and know that he will continue to support our nation in other ways."

Concerns over the ability of Bilden, a prominent businessman and private equity investor, to separate from his vast holdings, many of which are in Hong Kong, clouded his nomination, according to reports.

The secretary of the Navy serves as the chief executive officer for both the Navy and the Marine Corps.

Bilden's move came on the heels of similar decisions by US Army secretary nominee Vincent Viola over concerns about his ability to separate from his large business holdings, and labor secretary nominee Andrew Puzder, who faced intense scrutiny for his business record and controversies over his personal life.

The posts require Senate confirmation.

And earlier this month, Michael Flynn resigned from the high-profile post of national security advisor as he faced accusations of lying to White House colleagues about his contacts with Russian officials.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Russia and the United States were headed for a clash at the UN Security Council on Monday as Moscow prepared to veto a draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Syria.

The council will vote Tuesday on the text drafted by the United States, Britain and France that would punish 11 Syrians and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015.

Russia has vowed to use its veto to block the measure, which would be the seventh time that Moscow has resorted to its veto power to shield its Damascus ally.

The vote scheduled for 11:30 am (1630 GMT) would mark the first major council action by the new US administration of President Donald Trump, who is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley was in Washington on Monday to join Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for a White House lunch, with foreign policy expected to be a focus of discussion.

"How much longer is Russia going to continue to babysit and make excuses for the Syrian regime?" she said on Friday following a closed-door council meeting to discuss chemical weapons use in Syria.

"People have died by being suffocated to death. That's barbaric."

The vote would see the Trump administration joining old allies France and Britain to confront Russia over its support for Syria.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said Friday that Moscow would veto the measure because it was "one-sided" and based on "insufficient proof."

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011.

Fears among European allies of a radical US shift on Russia subsided earlier this month when Haley leveled strong criticism at Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.

- Punishing those behind chlorine attacks -

The vote at the council comes as UN-brokered talks in Geneva to end the war in Syria were struggling to get off the ground while government air strikes continued, despite a ceasefire.

Story continues

The draft resolution follows a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists had used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

Under the measure, 11 Syrians, mostly military officials, and 10 entities linked to chemical weapons development would be placed on a UN sanctions blacklist, hit by a global travel ban and assets freeze.

The draft resolution would also ban the sale, supply or transfer of helicopters and related materiel, including spare parts, to the Syrian armed forces or the government.

Chlorine use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 under pressure from Russia.

The UN-OPCW panel had identified the Syrian air force units who dropped chlorine barrel-bombs on the villages of Qmenas, Talmenes and Sarmin in 2014 and 2015.

The head of Syrian air force intelligence, Major General Jamil Hassan, and Major General Saji Jamil Darwish, the commander of Syrian air force operations during the attacks on the villages, were on the proposed blacklist.

The United States last month imposed sanctions on 18 senior Syrian military officers and officials over the use of chemical weapons.

Research by Human Rights Watch showed that Syrian government forces carried out at least eight chemical attacks during the final weeks of the battle for Aleppo, killing nine people and injuring hundreds more.
Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court on Monday took up a case involving a North Carolina law that bars registered sex offenders from accessing social media and raises a broader question: can one live without the likes of Facebook?

It goes back to a seemingly harmless event in April 2010, when a man named Lester Packingham learned that authorities had dropped court proceedings stemming from a traffic ticket he had been given.

Packingham called up his Facebook page and wrote how relieved he was. "No fine. No court cost, no nothing spent ... Praise be to GOD, WOW! Thanks, JESUS!," he wrote.

A police officer in Durham, North Carolina who was working to hunt down sex offenders online read the post.

Eight years earlier, at the age of 21, Packingham had been convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

He got a suspended sentence of 10-12 months and his name was placed on a registry of sex offenders. And under a much disputed law enacted in North Carolina in 2008, Packingham was barred for 30 years from using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all other social media.

So Packingham was convicted again, this time of the crime of using Facebook. Police who searched his home after the post was read found no evidence of any new sexual misbehavior toward minors.

- 'Almost any crime' -

He appealed, saying the North Carolina law violated his right to freedom of expression.

In his legal battle over the past six years, Packingham has won the support from associations that oppose restrictions on use of the internet and from libertarians.

In the other corner, Louisiana and 12 other states have backed North Carolina, saying it was important to block sexual predators from collecting information on potential victims.

At Monday's Supreme Court hearing, several of the tribunal's eight judges seemed to side with the Packingham's argument that these days a person simply cannot live without social media, if even just to look for work and read the news.

Story continues

"A person in this situation cannot go onto the president's Twitter account to find out what the president is saying today?" asked Justice Elena Kagan, albeit without pronouncing Donald Trump's name.

These days, she added, "all 50 governors, all 100 senators, every member of the House has a Twitter account." Of social media, she said "this is the way people structure their civic community life."

Her liberal colleague Sonia Sotomayor said the North Carolina law was based on "layer upon layer of speculation" and is being applied indiscriminately, not just to people who have been found guilty of enticing a child via Facebook.

It is pointless to ban social media, she said, because "the internet could be used for almost any crime" such as preparing a bank robbery.

Robert Montgomery, representing the state of North Carolina, defended the law and argued there were alternatives to using social media.

He said the law did not ban access to the entire internet, insisting that porn web sites, blogs, podcasts, news-oriented sites, online shopping and those for simply exchanging photos are not affected by the restrictions imposed by the North Carolina law.

The court is expected to render a decision in this case by the end of June.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  A Utah state legislator is pushing for a "cooling-off period" that would keep secret the names of any law enforcement officers involved in shootings for up to four months.

Republican Rep. Mike McKell tells the Deseret News (http://tinyurl.com/j2569ht) the bill he is sponsoring is motivated by concern about backlash toward police around the country when officers have used force against members of the public.

He's worried some officers are being targeted for harassment or violence for doing their jobs.

Former Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank says he's concerned such a law would exacerbate mistrust of law officers.

Attorney Jeff Hunt says many of the concerns cited in the bill already are addressed under current Utah law.

He specializes in media law and has represented The Associated Press.

___

Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com
Photo credit: Kenneth Eward / BioGrafx / Getty

From Popular Mechanics

Last week, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's half brother, Kim Jong Nam, was assassinated in Malaysia by a chemical weapon. After a week of investigating, Malaysian officials have just identified the specific chemical used. The Washington Post reports that Kim Jong Nam was killed by VX, a deadly nerve agent used during the Cold War.

VX is a chemical nerve agent originally developed as a pesticide in the 1950s. It turned out to be better at killing people than pests, and was used as a nerve agent by several countries during the Cold War. It has many chemical offshoots, such as VR and VE, collectively called the "V-series" developed by Soviet labs. It's also closely related to sarin, another well-known nerve agent.

VX is a highly versatile chemical and can be mixed into food or drink, or sprayed as an aerosol. In the case of Kim Jong Nam, it was smeared on his face as a kind of cream. VX can be ingested in any number of ways, including skin absorption, making it very easy to target individual people.

In high enough quantities, VX can cause convulsions and paralysis. At lower quantities, VX causes nausea and vomiting, pain, confusion, and weakness. If not properly treated, a high enough dose of VX can cause death within a few minutes.

Along with most other chemical weapons, VX was banned by an international treaty in 1997. Today it's only produced in research labs and maintained in U.S. and Russian stockpiles. However, it's not terribly difficult for a well-equipped lab to manufacture, and now it seems almost certain that North Korea is producing VX on its own.

North Korea is unlikely to use VX in any sort of large scale attack. It's extremely difficult to deploy the poison by traditional means without destroying the payload in the process. But the death of Kim Jong Nam shows that North Korea is willing and able to carry out assassinations on foreign soil, so we may see more of these attacks in the near future.

Story continues

Source: The Washington Post via Gizmodo

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Viola Davis won her first Oscar on Sunday for her supporting role as a long-suffering housewife in the African-American family drama "Fences." Davis, 51, had swept awards season in the role, taking home a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild statuette and numerous critics prizes. She had been nominated for an Oscar twice in the past. "I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life," an emotional Davis said while accepting her statuette. In "Fences," the screen version of the prize-winning August Wilson play, Davis played Rose Maxson, a self-effacing wife whose modest life implodes when her charismatic husband insists on keeping a mistress. On stage, Davis heralded Wilson, whom she said "exhumed and exalted the ordinary people." Davis won a Tony Award in the same role on stage in 2010. A forceful and popular actress, Davis is known for playing strong women and for speaking out for better roles for women and people of color. On television, she became the first black woman to win a lead actress Emmy award when she took home the statuette in 2015 for playing a conflicted criminal attorney in drama "How To Get Away With Murder." Raised in an impoverished household in South Carolina and Rhode Island, Davis began acting as a teen at school and later trained at the Juilliard School in New York. She began work in the theater, winning early acclaim. After years of doing small parts in movies, she made her breakout with just one scene in the 2008 religious film "Doubt," earning her first Oscar nomination. Three years later she was nominated for best actress for "The Help," but lost out to Meryl Streep. (Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Sandra Maler)
In one executive order from January and in separate DHS guidelines published last week, the Trump administration is counting on local police officers to act as immigration agents. But will these efforts gain traction in a contentious environment?

The immigration enforcement guidelines issued by DHS Secretary John Kelly greatly expand efforts to find, detain and deport people known to be or suspected to be illegal immigrants to the United States.

To help achieve this, the federal government is promoting an existing program that lost favor during the Obama administration. Known as the 287(g) program, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (or ICE), the largest agency in the Department of Homeland Security, allows local police officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions, provided that the local law enforcement officers receive appropriate training and function under the supervision of ICE officers.

So far, 38 counties and cities have signed agreements with ICE to take part in the program, according to ICEs website. After four weeks of training, local officers conduct immigration enforcement operations under the direct supervision of ICE, while they perform all other duties under local supervision.

Under an optional agreement, a local partner government can be reimbursed for costs of detaining an illegal immigration suspect for a 48-hour period (not including weekends) if requested to do so by ICE and after ICE issues a detainer order. The local government also bears any liability responsibility related to officers actions and officers can ask for a Justice Department attorney for representation if needed, subject to DOJ approval.

In President Donald Trumps executive order on border control, the DHS is urged to authorize State and local law enforcement officials, as the Secretary determines are qualified and appropriate, to perform the functions of immigration officers in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention of aliens in the United States under the direction and the supervision of the Secretary.

Story continues

Kellys memos state that the DHS wants to expand the program to all willing and qualified law enforcement jurisdictions.

The program is not without controversy for several reasons. For example, on the same day Kelly announced his plea for more 287(g) partners, the sheriff of Harris County, Texas, dropped out of the program, citing $675,000 in costs the county incurred to keep 10 deputies on ICE duty.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper also has said spending money on state law enforcement agencies is more pressing. They have their own priorities and the federal government is not offering any funding on this, he told a Colorado news website. So this would be taking people away from state priorities to do whats essentially a federal mandate.

The use of local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws is also a central issue in the sanctuary cities or sanctuary jurisdictions controversy. Another Trump executive order empowers Homeland Security to identify what makes up a sanctuary jurisdiction. These cities and counties may get that designation because they wont share information about illegal immigrants with DHS or have policies in place that dont allow local government employees to voluntarily share information.

That Trump executive order allows the Attorney General to block federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the Attorney General or the Secretary to sanctuary jurisdictions.

The financial penalty for sanctuary jurisdictions is the subject of several current lawsuits. In San Francisco, for example, the citys lawsuit against the Trump administration claims the executive order violates the 10th Amendment to the Constitution because of its financial penalties. The executive order is a severe invasion of San Franciscos sovereignty.  The Executive Branch may not commandeer state and local officials to enforce federal law.

Another issue is the potential liability to local governments that honor an ICE detainer order that could result in a wrongful arrest lawsuit, or a lawsuit related to ICEs decision to ask for an immigration suspect to be held by local officers after a bail hearing.

Earlier this month, Maricopa County, Arizona sheriff Paul Penzone said his department would stop honoring ICE detainers because of legal concerns. Penzones office cited a legal decision for the move.

Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center.

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UPDATE: 3:30 p.m. EST  President Donald Trump said he would discuss healthcare with Republican governors at a White House dinner Sunday.

Original story

As pressure mounts on Republicans to act on healthcare, the White House vacillated Sunday on whether anyone now covered under the Affordable Care Act would lose their insurance.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said when Republicans pledged to repeal and replace so-called Obamacare, lawmakers did not say they would carve out exceptions for such aspects as Medicaid expansion.

The comments came as Republican governors meeting in Washington were split on what a replacement plan should look like.

Lawmakers across the country have been confronted by angry constituents, fearful of what repeal of the ACA will mean for them.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told ABCs This Week the administration goal is to make sure that people dont lose their coverage, but at the same time, we have to make a massive overhaul to the healthcare system in America.

Asked whether President Donald Trump would refuse to sign a plan that would result in lost coverage, Huckabee responded: Look, I'm not going to speak specifically for the president on that topic, but what I can say is he's made it a high priority and a No. 1 focus that we make sure that people that have insurance continue their insurance, particularly those in the highest need.

Jordan, however, indicated there are no guarantees.

Well, we didn't tell the American people we're going to repeal it except we're going to keep the Medicaid expansion, Jordan said on This Week.

We didn't tell the American people we're going to repeal it, except we're going to keep some of the tax increases that some are talking about. We told them we were going to repeal it and replace it with a market-centered, patient-centered plan that actually brings back affordable health insurance.

Story continues

GOP Gov. John Kasich of Ohio said, however, completely getting rid of the ACA is unacceptable when you have 20 million people, or 700,000 people in my state, because where do the mentally ill go, where do the drug addicts go?

On CBSs Face the Nation, Kasich said the problem is going to be compounded by the level of partisanship in Washington, warning theres going to be a problem in the House of getting anything out of there that still provides coverage to people. Thats why the Republicans have to reach out to some of the Democrats. I dont know whether this is going to happen.

Earlier this week, former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he never should have called for repealing and replacing the ACA and predicted most of the framework will remain intact.

I shouldnt have called it repeal and replace because thats not whats going to happen, its basically like going to fix the flaws and put a more conservative box around it, Boehner told a conference hosted by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society in Orlando, Florida. He said in his 25 years in Congress, Republicans never once agreed on what a healthcare proposal should look like.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Republicans have yet to put forth a basis for negotiations on something that would keep lowering costs, expanding coverage and increase[ing] benefits.

They have put forth nothing, Pelosi said.

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The White House responded Monday to the father of the U.S. Navy SEAL killed last month in a raid in Yemen, defending an operation it says produced valuable intelligence that will ultimately save American lives.

William Owens 36-year-old son, Ryan, and a number of civilians were killed in the Jan. 28 mission  the first such counterterrorist operation approved by President Trump.

I cant possibly imagine what hes going through in terms of the loss of a son, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday at his daily press briefing. I can tell him on behalf of the president that his son died a hero and the information that he was able to help obtain through that raid, as Ive said before, is going to save Americans lives. Its going to protect our country more.

In an interview with the Miami Herald published Sunday, the elder Owens openly questioned Trumps decision.

Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? Owens said. For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?

Owens told the Herald that the White House owes his son an investigation into what went wrong.

Spicer said the Department of Defense would be conducting three separate reviews: one related to Owens death, one related to the civilian casualties and one related to damage of a military helicopter.

Earlier this month, Spicer criticized those, like Arizona Sen. John McCain, who questioned the success of the mission, saying anyone that did so owes both the White House and Owens family an apology. McCain argued that any mission in which an American is killed could not be called a success.

On Monday, Spicer was less forceful in responding to questions from the slain SEALs father.

You cant ever say, most importantly when theres loss of life and people injured, thats its 100 percent successful, Spicer said. But I think that when you look at the stated goal of that was  it was an information and intelligence-gathering mission. And it achieved its objectives.

Story continues

Spicer added that SEALs know the risks involved in military service.

Its something as a SEAL and someone who was deployed 12 times, he knew that this was part of the job, Spicer said. He knew what he was doing. So were very comfortable with how the mission was executed.

More from Yahoo News:
UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. EST  President Donald Trump on Sunday again complained about the focus on Russian wrongdoing, calling it "fake news put out by the Dems."

Original story

The White House said Sunday calls are premature for the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Justice Department investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but key Republicans said it may be time for an independent investigation.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the process needs to play out before Sessions recuses himself, including a congressional investigation.

U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the leaking of those emails to WikiLeaks in a bid to help Donald Trump get elected president. European countries now have express worry Russia will put the same stunts on them.

Also under investigation is whether Trumps campaign had regular contact with Russian officials, something Trump has denied.

The administration has been more focused on how the stories got to the press rather than the substance of the allegations.

We're confident whatever review that Congress wants to do, I think that's the first step. If they want to take that on, which there are two committees that are currently doing that, we're extremely confident that, whatever review, they're all going to come to the same conclusion  that we had no involvement in this, Sanders told ABCs This Week.

But Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., former chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Friday called for Sessions to step aside and allow a special prosecutor to investigate the issue.

You cannot have somebody, a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who is an appointee [investigate the allegations]. You're going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office to take not just to recuse  that's  you can't just give it to your deputy. That's another political appointee, Issa said on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher.

Story continues

Several other Republicans, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have called for the creation of a special committee to investigate the allegations.

"I wasn't saying that he shouldn't recuse himself or that he should," Sanders countered. "My point is I don't think we're there yet. Let's work through this process."

Democrats have been clamoring for a special prosecutor to be appointed.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., noted on This Week that the law requires Sessions to step aside because of his ties to the Trump campaign.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., however, said its too soon to be thinking about a special prosecutor.

"I think that's way, way getting ahead of ourselves here. There's no allegations of any crime occurring, there's not even an indication that there's criminal investigations underway by the FBI as opposed to counterintelligence investigations, which the FBI conducts all the time," he said on NBCs Meet the Press.

Former CIA Director John Brennan lashed out at the administration for intimating he had leaked word of former national security adviser Michael Flynns contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition.

Brennan told CBSs Face the Nation it was very unhelpful to make allegations of who is responsible for these leaks, adding that if anyone thinks he was the leaker, theyre dead wrong.

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A number of celebrities hit the 2017 Oscars red carpet sporting blue ribbons to show solidarity with the American Civil Liberties Union on Sunday.

The ribbon, worn by stars like Ruth Negga, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karlie Kloss, is a part of Stand With ACLU, the organizations latest initiative, People reported. The ACLU has seen a significant rise in support since President Donald Trumps immigration ban, with nearly $25 million in donation after he signed in the executive order in January.

Negga, who was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Loving, affixed the blue ribbon on her red Valentino dress. The accessory Im most proud of, Neggas stylist Karla Welch posted on Instagram.

The accessory I'm most proud of #ACLU #MegaNegga The @aclu is the reason the Loving's were allowed to be married. They represent those who need it the most. This is something we ALL should believe in, regardless of political party. A post shared by Karla Welch (@karlawelchstylist) on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:24pm PST

Ruth x Valentino #meganegga #oscars A post shared by Karla Welch (@karlawelchstylist) on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:46pm PST

Hamilton star and Oscar nominee Miranda also wore a ribbon, as did his mother Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, who attended the ceremony with him.

Klosswho is dating Joshua Kushner, the brother of White House adviser Jared Kushneralso wore the ribbon on her white gown, showing support for the ACLU.
(OLATHE, Kan.)  One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying I wish it was a dream.

The Kansas City Star reported Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend.

Madasanis friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in Wednesday nights shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, also was wounded in the shooting.

The main reason why I am here is thats what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done, Madasani said. He would have been here for me.

Madasani and Kuchibhotla both worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

He waited till I bought a car. Thats the kind of guy he was  is, Madasani said.

Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled get out of my country at the two Indian men before he opened fire.

Madasani called the shooting an isolated incident that doesnt reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States. That drew applause from the audience at the vigil.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, state Sen. Rob Olson, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

When you grieve, we all grieve, Copeland said. We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us.
On this day in 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified, limiting the number of terms served by the President. The move ended a controversy over Franklin Roosevelts four elected terms to the White House.

On February 27, 1951, Minnesota became the 36th state to approve the proposed constitutional change, pushing the 22nd Amendment over the three-quarters threshold needed for it to be ratified. The approval process started nearly four years earlier when a Republican-controlled Congress championed the amendment after Franklin Roosevelt won four consecutive terms in the White House.

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once, the amendment read.

For generations, Americans and politicians veered away from the concept of a third-term President. George Washington had set an unofficial precedent in 1796 when he decided several months before the election not to seek a third term.

In 1799, a friend again urged Washington to come out of retirement to run for a third term. Washington made his thoughts quite clear, especially when it came to new phenomena of political parties.

The line between Parties, Washington said, had become so clearly drawn that politicians regard neither truth nor decency; attacking every character, without respect to persons  Public or Private,  who happen to differ from themselves in Politics.

Washingtons voluntary decision to decline a third term was also seen as a safeguard against the type of tyrannical power yielded by the British crown during the Colonial era.

Between 1796 and 1940, four two-term Presidents sought a third term to varying degrees. Ulysses S. Grant wanted a third term in 1880, but he lost the Republican Party nomination to James Garfield on the 36th ballot. Grover Cleveland lacked party support for a third term but was a rumored candidate. Woodrow Wilson hoped a deadlocked 1920 convention would turn to him for a third term.

Story continues

Even the popular Theodore Roosevelt couldnt get by party objections to a third term. Roosevelt passed on running for a third consecutive term in 1908, fully aware of the Washington precedent. But after a fallout with President William Howard Taft, he sought a third nonconsecutive term in the 1912 presidential election. He lost the election but came in second ahead of Taft.

Franklin Roosevelt broke the third-term unwritten rule in 1940 after World War II broke out in Europe and Nazi Germany overran France. The move caused some key Roosevelt supporters within the Democratic Party to leave his campaign. Roosevelt insisted that he was in the race to keep America out of war in Europe, and he easily defeated Wendell Willkie on Election Day.

After Roosevelt died in 1945, momentum built quickly for a presidential term-limits amendment. But even after the 22nd Amendment was ratified, two Presidents had aspirations of a third term within the amendments limitations. Harry Truman was President when the amendment was proposed and ratified, and its language allowed for Truman to run for office in 1952. But a loss in the New Hampshire primary led to Trumans withdrawal from the race.

And in 1968, President Lyndon Johnson was eligible to run since he assumed the presidency in late 1963. Johnson also dropped from the presidential race after a disappointing showing in New Hampshire amid poor poll numbers.

Since 1951, some members of Congress have introduced efforts to repeal the 22nd Amendment, but they havent made it out of committee.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's Yad Vashem has written to Amazon chief Jeff Bezos urging the internet retail giant to remove books which deny the Holocaust, the Holocaust memorial organisation said Monday.

"We strongly urge you to remove books that deny, distort and trivialise the Holocaust from your store," Robert Rozett, director of the Yad Vashem libraries, wrote in a letter to Bezos seen by AFP.

More than six million predominantly European Jews were killed during the Nazi genocide in World War II.

Yad Vashem said it was concerned that anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial was growing across the globe.

"Holocaust denial literature is freely available for purchase over Amazon," Rozett wrote.

"Many of the items appear with glowing readers' reviews and recommendations for further reading in the same vein."

He added that while he was in favour of free speech, "Holocaust denial and other forms of hate speech indisputably nurture prejudice and hate crimes."

Among the books Yad Vashem pointed to is "Did Six Million Really Die? The Truth at Last," by Richard Harwood.

"The more I search for hard evidence of the so called 'Holocaust,' the more I come up with a lack of physical evidence," one review of the book on the site said.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hala Kamil stars in director Marcel Mettelsiefens documentary Watani: My Homeland. (Photo: AP Images)

Hollywood stylist Jamie Mizrahi is known for her work with big name stars like Katy Perry, Leighton Meester, and Kate Upton. However, for the 89th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday night, shes adding a different, lesser-known name to her client roster  Hala Kamil, a Syrian refugee and the star of the Oscar-nominated documentary Watani: My Homeland.

This photo speaks volumes.

It is such an honor to be able to dress Hala who is a Syrian refugee and the star of Watani. She used to watch the Oscars from her home in Aleppo which has now been destroyed. Tonight she will walk the red carpet. A post shared by Jamie Mizrahi (@sweetbabyjamie) on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:01pm PST

She wrote, It is such an honor to be able to dress Hala who is a Syrian refugee and the star of Watani. She used to watch the Oscars from her home in Aleppo which has now been destroyed. Tonight she will walk the red carpet. Kamil wore a purple and black velvet gown with a matching purple hijab by Brandon Maxwell for the award ceremony.

Director Marcel Mettelsiefens documentary Watani: My Homeland tells the story of Kamil and her four childrens journey fleeing from Syria to safety in Germany.

The post hit home with social media followers, and got a major thumbs-up from Erin Foster and Mindy Kaling, who posted: .





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By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - Gregory Abel, chief executive of the energy unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, was awarded $17.52 million in compensation last year, mainly in the form of a bonus, a regulatory filing shows.

Abel, 54, received a $15 million bonus under a performance incentive plan at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, where he has been chief executive since 2008 and chairman since 2011. He also got a $1 million salary plus $1.52 million of other awards.

The total amount was down from $40.77 million in 2015, which included $39.5 million of incentive and bonus pay, and made Abel one of the best-paid U.S. executives.

Many investors and analysts consider Abel a top candidate to succeed Buffett, 86, as Berkshire's chief executive. Abel also sits on the board of food company Kraft Heinz Co, controlled by Berkshire and Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital.

Buffett's compensation is normally disclosed in March. The world's second-richest person takes a $100,000 salary for running Berkshire. His total compensation was $470,244 in 2015, mainly reflecting the cost of security to keep him safe.

Berkshire owns 90 percent of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Its profit from the unit, which consists of utilities, natural gas pipelines, other energy businesses and a real estate brokerage, rose 7 percent in 2016 to $2.29 billion.

Results benefited as lower fuel prices boosted margins at PacifiCorp, which runs a regulated utility in several western U.S. states, while acquisitions and rising home prices boosted profit at the real estate brokerage.

Though Buffett did not mention Abel by name in his annual letter to Berkshire shareholders on Saturday, he said Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns assets that are "of major importance to our country" and enjoys an "ever-widening diversity of earnings streams," including from wind energy.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)
Its pretty strange that in 2017, one of the most talked about phones unveiled at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona was a simple little feature phone from Nokia. But hey, 2017 is nothing if not strange. A reimagined version of the classic Nokia 3310 was announced in Spain on Sunday, positioned as a nifty homage to the original Nokia candy bar phone. About 125 million Nokia 3310 handsets were sold back in the day, and those puppies were solid as a rock. The new version looks cool and its nice and retro, but you know what they say: theres nothing like the original. And wouldnt you know the original can be purchased right now on Amazon. Whos up for a Throwback Monday?

Here are some specs (LOL):

Monochrome graphic display

Removable NiMH 900 mAh battery (up to 4.5 hours of talk time)

Predictive text input

Smart messaging

Calculator

Voice Dial

Mobile Chat mode for SMS

Profiles

Currency converter

No Wi-Fi

No Bluetooth

No GPS

No 3.5mm headphone jack

Includes four games: Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact, Bantumi

Nokia 3310 Unlocked GSM Retro Stylish Cell Phone: Price too low to display

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
The Google Assistant is easily one of the best features on the Pixel. But Google's digital assistant is so vital to company's overall mission of delivering more personal and powerful search, it's not something that could stay an exclusive feature for long.

That's why over the next few weeks, Google assistant will be rolling out to most phones running Android 6.0 and above. That includes phones already on the market like the Galaxy S7 and Honor 8, as well as recently announced phones like that LG G6 and the Moto G5 Plus.



MORE: 7 Ways Google Home Beats Amazon Echo

At Mobile World Congress 2017, we got a chance to preview Google Assistant on a number of phones, and it worked exactly like it does on the Pixel, answering questions, translating phrases and even playing games. To get started all you have to do is say, "OK, Google" and then talk to the phone.



For those for you who have grown attached to Google Now, fear not, as the Google Assistant won't be getting rid of features; it will just give you a more powerful way to search and interact with Google's deep knowledge base.


Here are the official specifications and features of the LG G6, the South Korean brand's successor to the modular G5 flagship device.

The LG G6 was revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Sunday. The companys flagship phone will compete with Samsungs upcoming Galaxy S8, expected to be revealed March, and the iPhone 7, Apples current phone before it releases the iPhone 8 in September.

Heres how the three phones compare:

LG G6 Vs. Galaxy S8 Vs. iPhone 7: Battery

The LG G6 will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset, 4GB RAM and the 3300 mAh battery. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is rumored to come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip, which includes mechanisms for power efficiency and management, as well as a 3,500mAh or a 3,750mAh battery. Apple comes with an A10 Fusion chip and an M10 motion coprocessor. The device has a battery life up to 2 hours longer than the iPhone 6s, with up to 12 hours of internet usage on LTE.

LG G6 Vs. Galaxy S8 Vs. iPhone 7 : Memory

The LG G6 comes with a downside: different onboard storage of the global version from the Asian market version. The version which will be sold in the U.S., the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world will only come with 23GB of internal memory, while the Asian market version will come with 64GB. However, both versions will come with microSD slots. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to come with 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard memory. Apples iPhone 7 comes in three versions, 32GB, 128GB and 256GB.

LG G6 Vs. Galaxy S8 Vs. iPhone 7 : Camera Features

The front camera for the LG G6 has a 5-megapixel sensor and a 100-degree field of view, while the dual cameras on the back have 13 megapixels each. The LG G6 also comes with a photo format with two square pictures in which users can share what they have in front of them and a selfie, similar to the Frontback app, according to TechCrunch.

The Galaxy S8s standard camera is rumored to include a visual search and optical character recognition (OCR) tool powered by Bixby. This means it will be able to analyze, identify and read objects and texts it sees through the lens. The search tool could also scan objects and texts the camera is pointing to and present the data to the user.

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Apples iPhone 7s front side comes with a 7-megapixel selfie camera with face detection, HDR and panoramic viewing. The device is equipped with f/22 aperture and can record 720p at 240fps and 1080p at 30fps videos. The back of the iPhone 7 features a single-lens camera with 12-megapixel high-speed sensors, f/1.8 aperture, OIS, phase detection autofocus and quad-LED (dual tone flash).

Phone Features: Home Button, Size, Display

The LG G6 comes with an almost all-display front side and a nearly bezel-less screen. The phone reveal confirmed previous rumors that LG was working on a 5.7-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and 1440 x 2880 screen resolution. The pixel density of the screen is 564 ppi, a bit lower than the Samsung Galaxy S7, which came with 577 ppi. The Galaxy S8 is rumored to with a 5.7-inch display and will likely feature dual-edge curved displays, thin bezels and no home button. Apples iPhone 7 features a 4.7-inch touchscreen with 750x1334 screen resolution and 326 pixels density per inch. The phone, which features a Retina HD display, also comes with a fingerprint sensor on the home button.

LG G6, Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 All Waterproof

Like the iPhone 7, the LG G6 is waterproof. The device got its IP68 certification and is made up of various types of sturdy glass. The front of the device is covered by Gorilla Glass 3, the back is encased in Gorilla Glass 5 and the dual-camera lenses are covered with Gorilla Glass 4. The Galaxy S8 is rumored to be waterproof and dust resistant.

LG G6, Galaxy S8 Price and Release Date

The price and release date of LG G6 have not been revealed as of yet. The starting price of an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 could be nearly $1,000, recent rumors suggest. The phone is expected to be introduced on March 29 and will start selling on April 21, according to a recent report. Meanwhile, the iPhone, which was released September 2016, has three prices. A 32GB iPhone 7 is priced at $649, the 128GB version is $749 and the 256GB model is $849.

Related Articles
By Andres Gonzalez BARCELONA (Reuters) - The brave new world of remote-controlled cars is now technically possible using wireless technologies which are set to be commonplace early in the next decade, two major telecoms companies said at a test drive staged on Monday during an industry conference in Barcelona. Spanish networks operator Telefonica joined forces with Swedish network equipment maker Ericsson to demonstrate how a car could be remotely controlled around obstacles on a test track located 70 kilometers away in Tarragona using wireless networks. The driver of the vehicle took the wheel from the floor of the Fira conference center in Barcelona, on the first day of the Mobile World Congress, Europe's biggest annual industry gathering. The remote test drive relied on the latest mobile networks which are controlled in the cloud and are capable of the quick response times and high data-rates to make split-second driving decisions from afar. Ericsson and Telefonica worked in partnership with KTH, Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology, and vehicle safety testing company Idiada to organize the demonstration. Javier Lorca, head of innovation in wireless access networks at Telefonica said using state-of-the-art wireless networks to remotely control vehicles at a distance has many possible applications, ranging from electric fleets traversing university campuses and even, eventually for widescale public transport. But he cautioned that, for the near term, such applications would require traveling only within closed-circuit, predictable routes and in situations where it is otherwise impractical for the driver to be seated behind the wheel of the vehicle itself. The event was intended to highlight the possibilities of 5G, or fifth-generation, wireless networks, which are expected to begin to become mainstream around the world in the years after 2020. However, Telefonica said in a statement that current, so-called 4.5G networks could handle most of these demands. Telefonica has invested 38 billion euros in the last five years to reach millions of homes with it higher-speed fiber fixed-line broadband network, which it considers to be crucial to 5G. (Editing by Eric Auchard, Greg Mahlich)
By Eric Auchard BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Nokia's newly revitalised phone business went back to the future on Sunday, re-introducing a brightly coloured version of the classic 3310 talk and text phone, the world's most popular device in the year 2000. The new model has bigger screens and is priced at just 49 euros ($52). Its 22 hours of talk time and up to one month of standby time potentially heighten the phone's appeal as a backup for smartphone users. Analysts hailed the 3310 launch as a smart retro gambit, but one which could overshadow the Finnish company's re-entry into the global smartphone market. Nokia also launched four moderately priced smartphones ranging from 139 to 299 euros. "The love for the brand is immense. It gets a lot of affection from millions and millions of people," Nokia Chief Executive Rajeev Suri told a news conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the telecom industry's largest annual trade fair. Once the world's dominant phonemaker, Nokia in 2014 sold its by-then ailing handset operations to Microsoft for $7 billion, leaving it with its network equipment business and a large patent portfolio. But last year, it gave the Nokia brand a fresh start by licensing its devices brand to HMD Global, a new company led by ex-Nokia executives and backed by Chinese electronics giant Foxconn. Industry analysts say the revived Nokia 3310 has the makings of one of the hit devices of 2017, appealing to older Nokia fans in developed markets looking for an antidote to smartphone overload, while also appealing to younger crowds in emerging markets. "HMD owns a retro hit and is surfing on the 'vintage' hype to re-create buzz around the Nokia brand," said Thomas Husson, consumer devices analyst at Forrester Research. The original 3310 sold 126 million phones, the 12th best-selling phone model in history. Nine of the top 12 selling models were produced by Nokia. It also revives the one-time hit time waster game Snake featured on the original phone, the "Angry Birds" of its day. In a modern twist, fans can now play Snake in Facebook Messenger. HMD also announced three smartphones that run on Google's Android platform: The Nokia 6 smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen, the Nokia 5 with a 5.2-inch screen and the Nokia 3 with a 5.0-inch screen. It also offered a limited edition of the Nokia 6 with added features retailing for around 299 euros. HMD appears to be in two minds as to how to market the 3310, believing on the one hand it has a blockbuster product revival, while possibly drowning out Nokia's future-focused smartphone strategy. "Our focus and future is in Android smart phones," HMD Chief Executive Arto Nummela said in an interview with Reuters - while refusing to rule out dipping into Nokia's back catalogue of popular feature phones. Under its licensing deal, HMD has sole use of the Nokia brand on all phones and tablets for the next decade. It will pay Nokia royalties for the brand and patents, but Nokia has no direct investment in HMD. While for many consumers in developed economies Nokia has disappeared as a phone brand in recent years, it remains popular in many emerging markets. There, Nokia has a reputation for delivering user-friendly feature phones at competitive prices, said Neil Mawston, an analyst with industry research firm Strategy Analytics. Feature phones accounted for a one in five of the 1.88 billion mobile phones shipped in 2016. Samsung Electronics captured a 13 percent share of the feature phone business and Nokia, No. 2 in feature phones, shipped 9 percent, according to the market research firm's data. Ahmad Badr, strategy director for brand consulting firm Siegel+Gale, said the 3310 is a powerful reminder of Nokias historic popularity but also could limit the company's appeal beyond its short-term nostalgia spike. Relying on the success of the 3310 helps it grab the attention of many people who are familiar with Nokia but think it is dead, Badr said in an interview. To Nokia, that nostalgia and heritage is not something to hide from, but only if they can create momentum for it. (Editing by Georgina Prodhan and Jason Neely)
HMD global CEO Arto Nummela presents his company's new phone "Nokia 3310" during a press conference on February 26, 2017 on the eve of the start of the Mobile World Congress

Finnish brand Nokia, a former mobile star, on Sunday launched three new Android smartphones and unveiled a revamped version of its iconic 3310 model more than a decade after it was phased out.

Unlike the original, which was known for its sturdiness, the new Nokia 3310 will allow web browsing.

The new version will bring back its predecessor's popular "Snake" game and distinctive ringtones, said Arto Nummela, the head of Finnish start-up HMD Global which will produce the phone under a licensing agreement with Nokia.

"The telephone will allow you to talk for 22 hours, ten times more than the original," he said during a presentation in Barcelona on the eve of the start of the Mobile World Congress, the world's biggest mobile phone show.

Launched in 2000, Nokia's original 3310 sold nearly 120 million units worldwide before it was discontinued in 2005, making it one of the world's best-selling mobile phones.

Analysts said resurrecting the popular model was a clever way for HMD Global to relaunch Nokia's brand.

"HMD launched three new smartphones and an iconic mobile. It is a way to create a halo effect around the other models by reviving talk about the Nokia brand," said Thomas Husson, a mobile analyst at Forrester.

In addition to the new 3310, HMD presented three new smartphones, the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 which will sell for different prices.

The Nokia 6 was already available in China and will now go on sale globally.

"We think (Nokia) could take 5 percent of the global smartphone market by the end of 2019. But it needs to get big quick or it won't work," said CCS Insight's device specialist and chief of research, Ben Wood.

Nokia was the world's top mobile maker between 1998 and 2011 but was overtaken by South Korean rival Samsung after failing to respond to the rapid rise of smartphones.

Its telephone brand remains widely recognised, especially in developing markets.

Story continues

Now a leading telecom equipment maker, Nokia sold its entire handset business to Microsoft Corp in 2014.

Last year HMD bought Microsoft Mobile's handset business and the right to use the Nokia brand.

Under the agreement, Nokia will receive royalty payments from HMD for sales of every Nokia branded mobile phone or tablet.

emi/ds/pvh/kjl

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS

MICROSOFT

Nokia
Here's what Samsung had to say about the Galaxy S8 during its MWC 2017 press conference.

Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy S8 will be announced March 29. The manufacturer shared a teaser for an upcoming Unpacked event during its Mobile World Congress press conference Sunday.

The announcement confirmed long standing rumors about the Galaxy S8 launch. Samsung did not divulge where the Unpacked event will take place; however, rumors have suggested that standalone launch event will take place in New York City.

The Galaxy S8 is expected to be available for preorder starting April 13 and with a release date on April 21.

There are many specs rumors surrounding the Galaxy S8. Samsung is expected to announce two models: one standard and one Galaxy S8 Plus. The Galaxy S8 is expected to be 5.7-inches while the Galaxy S8 Plus is expected to be 6.2 inches. The devices are may feature curved edge displays with thin bezels and no home button.

Samsung recently announced its Exynos 8895 chip, which is expected to power some Galaxy S8 models. Other models are expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip.

Other features may include 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, a 12-megapixel camera main camera, a 8-megapixel front camera and Android Nougat, 4G LTE connectivity, IP68 dust and water resistance, an iris scanner, Samsung Knox, Samsung Pay, wireless charging and AKG headphones.

Samsung discussed during the MWC 2017 press conference, its partnership with AKG for the Galaxy Tab S3 speakers, also hinting that AKG headphones would ship alongside its upcoming flagship phone. Rumors have suggested the Galaxy S8 may come with wireless headphones as opposed to the standard Samsung wired headphones that usually accompany each handset.

Related Articles
By Sophie Sassard BARCELONA (Reuters) - Softbank's semiconductor subsidiary ARM will deliver about a trillion chips designed for the so-called internet of things (IoT) over the next 20 years, the chairman and CEO of the Japanese company said on Monday. Speaking at the Mobile World Congress, the industry's largest annual trade show, Softbank's Masayoshi Son said the number of "brain cells" in chips would surpass the number of human brain neurons in 2018, opening up a huge opportunity for smart and connected objects. "This is why I spent $32 billion to acquire ARM," Son said, explaining his 30-year-vision of a world where the artificial computer brain will have 10,000 intelligence quotient (IQ) capabilities compared with 100 for the average human. The internet of things is a term used to describe a network of devices other than computers and smartphones that are connected to the internet and can collect and exchange data, such as for controlling heating at home. Jennifer Belissent, an analyst at Forrester Research who attended Son's keynote speech said the numbers he mentioned were very dramatic. "The greater connectivity and new artificial IQ capabilities offer so much potential. It sets the scene for a Marvel movie. Now, the key question is how to make that new technology available to everyone," she said. "It's not the number of new devices that is relevant but what you make out of it in terms of analytical capabilities." Faced with a secular decline in average revenue per user (ARPU) and a smartphone market only expected to grow by 5 percent in the coming years, Son stressed the need for mobile operators to invest in new technology. Son and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund have created a technology investment fund that could grow as large as $100 billion and become a kingpin in the high-tech industry. The Japanese businessman also predicted that by 2040 there would be an army of 10 billion smart robots making human lives easier. But these advances won't come without risks and addressing cybersecurity issues will have to be part of the equation, he said. "There are about 500 ARM chips in a car today and none of them are secure," said Son, predicting that 64 percent of cyber attacks will be through hacking connected objects. Last year, for example, hackers attacked websites such as Twitter, Paypal and Spotify by targeting hundreds of thousands of internet-connected devices from millions of internet addresses in one the largest attacks ever seen. (Additional reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; editing by David Clarke)
By Thomas Wilson and Julie Zhu TOKYO/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Japan's SoftBank Group Corp <9984.T> is close to making an investment in U.S. office-sharing startup WeWork expected to be worth over $3 billion, CNBC reported on Monday, as it expands its reach beyond tech and telecoms. Led by founder Masayashi Son, SoftBank has made a string of surprising acquisitions and investments over the past months, most recently an all-cash deal to buy asset manager Fortress Investment Group . The deals come as SoftBank moves towards cutting-edge tech investments as telecoms services markets mature, announcing last year the creation of a tech investment fund with Saudi Arabia that could grow to $100 billion and make the group one of the world's largest private equity investors. SoftBank is looking at a $2 billion primary tranche of funding in New York-based WeWork, followed by a secondary round worth more than $1 billion, CNBC reported, citing an anonymous source. The company could increase the size of the secondary investment to nearly $2 billion for a total investment of almost $4 billion, CNBC added. If the deal closed, WeWork would be valued at more than $20 billion. SoftBank and WeWork declined to comment. SoftBank had been in discussions for some time regarding an investment, two people at one of WeWork's investors said, without elaborating. WeWork, which provides shared workspaces to start-ups in the Americas, Europe, Hong Kong and Shanghai, plans to expand to Beijing in May, co-founder Miguel McKelvey told reporters in Hong Kong last week. It will continue to raise capital for expansion ahead of an expected public listing, McKelvey said, without indicating a time frame. Chinese private equity giant Hony Capital, its backer Legend Holdings Corp <3396.HK> and property developer China Oceanwide Holdings Ltd <0715.HK>, among others, last year ploughed $700 million into WeWork. The deal valued WeWork at $16.7 billion, Hony said - less than that reported by CNBC but still making it among the world's most valuable startups. SoftBank shares fell as much as 2.3 percent in morning trade, compared with a 1.4 fall for the benchmark Nikkei average <.N225>. SoftBank, a diverse company that holds stakes in U.S. carrier Sprint , Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and other firms, last year bought chip designer ARM Holdings, Britain's most valuable technology company, for $32 billion. Son also promised a $50 billion investment and 50,000 new jobs in the United States after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in early December. Some of SoftBank's moves have caused concern among analysts, as it is wrestling with a heavy debt pile. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; Thomas Wilson and Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo; Julie Zhu in Hong Kong; Editing by Stephen Coates)
MWC with SEAT: Drivers will be able to connect a call with just a touchscreen swipe or the push of a button.

As the Mobile World Congress opens in Barcelona, SEAT car buyers are about to get some insight into the trends in future mobility, connectivity and safety.

Some European cities are fitting pedestrian crossing lights into the ground because they know that nowadays we are permanently connected to our mobile phone. The trend among car makers now is to develop new technologies so that users do not lose this connection when they are driving.

In the future, we are told, the vehicle itself will be connected, allowing companies like SEAT to improve the customer experience and offer new functions and services. This advanced connectivity will enable drivers to access email and social media and continue driving in complete safety.

The objective is to provide these functions in a manner that will not endanger the act of driving as is the case with Bluetooth connectivity. This allows drivers to connect a call with just a touchscreen swipe or the push of a button.

Imagine never arriving late for work. SEAT believes that coming technology will guide you and your vehicle to the destination on time. In the future, vehicles will have predictive assistants that help the user efficiently choose the best commuting route to take based on, for example, traffic or weather conditions, which will lead to more sustainable mobility.

With ever increasing congestion in our city centers it is estimated that 25% of traffic is due to drivers looking for a place to park. At the Mobile World Congress we will see another future trend from apps that detect free parking spaces. The faster drivers can park their car the less fuel and time they will waste with the added benefit of fewer emissions.

Another feature of the Congress will be to promote the exchange of goods as one of the keys to the future. This trend in mobility will be car-sharing among several users, getting access with digital keys on their smart phone. Digital apps for this purpose will have increasingly greater impact.

The advances in digital technology and connectivity demonstrated at the Mobile World Congress will work in coordination with automotive driverless vehicles in our motoring future. Late workers will be running out of excuses.
(Reuters) - AT&T Inc said on Monday that it would lower the price of its unlimited mobile data plan, as the price war among the four biggest U.S. wireless carriers gains steam. The unlimited plan will now cost $90 per month, starting Thursday, for a single smartphone line, a $10 price cut from its previous plan, AT&T said in an e-mail. Customers can also subscribe to AT&T's video service plans such as DirecTV and DirecTV Now for a slightly higher rental, but will also get a $25 video credit, the company said. Verizon Communications Inc earlier this month unveiled an $80 unlimited plan, its first such offer in more than five years. Analysts said at the time that the news reflected an intensifying price war in the wireless industry that could put more pressure on major players to cut costs. Days after Verizon introduced its unlimited option, AT&T said it would make its unlimited data plan available to all wireless customers who pay a monthly bill, not just its DirecTV and U-Verse subscribers. AT&T also unveiled a cheaper unlimited data plan, called "AT&T Unlimited Choice" on Monday, where a single smartphone starts at monthly plan of $60, but data speeds are capped at 3 megabits per second. (Reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
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As expected, Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel's "feud" lived on at the 89th Academy Awards.

While at Vanity Fair's Oscars after-party on Sunday night at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills, California, Damon spoke exclusively to ET's Carly Steel about what he thought of Kimmel hosting the awards ceremony, which ultimately ended with a major flub when La La Land was accidentally declared Best Picture instead of the actual winner, Moonlight.

WATCH: Jimmy Kimmel Brings Unsuspecting Tourists to the Oscars and It's Honestly Incredible

"I was the one person who wasn't surprised that it all got screwed up," the 46-year-old actor quipped. "That's what they [get] for hiring Jimmy. You know, they got what they paid for."

Even before the Oscars, Kimmel was cracking jokes at Damon's expense. On Friday, he posted a photo of himself drawing a mustache on the Good Will Hunting star's seating card, along with the caption: "Best Picture Vominee Matt Damon."

Best Picture Vominee Matt Damon #Oscars A post shared by Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) on Feb 23, 2017 at 6:58pm PST

Then, while Damon was being interviewed on the Oscars red carpet, Kimmel shared a photo of himself watching his nemesis on TV, writing: "Dead man walking the red carpet."

Dead man walking the red carpet. #Oscars A post shared by Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) on Feb 26, 2017 at 4:33pm PST

There was, however, a moment in Kimmel's opening Oscars monologue where he implied that he might be ready to make amends with Damon -- but that turned out to be insincere.

WATCH: Jimmy Kimmel Leads Standing Ovation for 'Highly Overrated' Meryl Streep, Mocks President Trump at 2017 Oscars

"Tonight, in the spirit of healing and bringing people together, I would like to bury the hatchet with someone I've had issues with. I would. Matt Damon," the 49-year-old comedian began. "I've known Matt for a long time now. I've known Matt so long, when I first met Matt, I was the fat one, OK? It's true. And we've had problems. He's a selfish person. Those of you who have worked with him know this."

Story continues

Kimmel went on to sarcastically praise Damon for giving Casey Affleck his Oscar-winning role in Manchester by the Sea, which Damon produced. "He handed an Oscar-caliber role over to his friend and made a Chinese ponytail movie instead," he said of the actor's Great Wall movie. "Smooth move, dumb a**."

WATCH: Jimmy Kimmel Jokes That He's Behind the Oscars Best Picture Mix-Up



The host's next Damon diss came when the A-lister took the stage with his pal, Ben Affleck, to present the award for best original screenplay, which went to Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea. Every time Damon attempted to read off the nominees, the orchestra music started to play loudly. Cameras then cut to Kimmel conducting the orchestra, while yelling, "Wrap it up!"

Kimmel managed to get one more dig in before the Oscars ended, when he declared ahead of the major Best Picture flub, "My favorite part of the night is here: a chance to see Matt Damon lose an Academy Award."

However, a supermodel may have brought the two together at the VF after-party. Adriana Lima shared a photo of herself standing between the two men on Sunday night, writing: "Peacemaker Angel... Can't we all just get along?"

Peacemaker Angel... Can't we all just get along?  @jimmykimmel #mattdamon #oscars #vanityfair A post shared by Adriana Lima (@adrianalima) on Feb 27, 2017 at 1:07am PST

Here's a look at more memorable moments from the evening:

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Joseph Wapner, the real-life retired judge who presided over the syndicated court show The People's Court for more than a decade, died Sunday, TMZ is reporting. He was 97.

According to TMZ, Wapner was suffering from breathing problems and was admitted to a hospital last week. He returned home Friday with hospice care.

Warner was a retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge when The Peoples Court debuted in September 1981. It ran for 12 seasons and sparked a slew of other court shows in syndication. It still airs today, with Judge Marilyn Milian sitting on the judge's bench.

Wapner served at the L.A. Superior Court from 1961-79 after two years as a municipal judge. He was recommended for The People's Court by another superior court judge, Christian Markey, who had been approached by producer Ralph Edwards.

Markey was not about to retire to go on TV but told Edwards that Wapner would be perfect for television.



A 1989 poll conducted by the Washington Post showed that while only 9 percent of people could name the chief justice of the U.S. 54 percent knew that Wapner was the judge on The Peoples Court.

"When The People's Court came along, I had an opportunity to really teach people about law," he said in a 2005 interview with the Archive of American Television. "It was very important to me."

He received four Daytime Emmy nominations for his work and then a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Born in Los Angeles, Wapner attended Hollywood High and then USC, where he got his undergraduate degree and then, in 1948, his law degree. He was appointed to the bench by California Gov. Pat Brown in 1959.

SEE MORE Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2017
Warning: This recap for the Hostiles and Calamities episode of The Walking Dead contains spoilers.

Eugene and Dwight, the biter and the bite-ee from Season 6s Twice As Far, begin Hostiles and Calamities as enemies, but by the end of the episode, some dramatic and heartbreaking changes have both men declaring definitively, We are Negan.

What caused Dwight to solidify his seemingly wavering commitment to Negan? And how did Eugene, the man who concocted the plan to make bullets that would help the Alexandrians defeat the Saviors, come to join #TeamNegan and break the hearts of many a Eugene fan with his apparent betrayal of his friends? Read on

Related: The Walking Dead Postmortem: Josh McDermitt Talks Eugenes New Allegiance, Potato Chips, and Grimblygunk

Farewell, Joey

When Dwight spots dead Fat Joey and his uneaten sammich in a pool of blood at the Sanctuary, and then peeps an open spot in the motorcycle lineup, he immediately realizes the big-picture implications that are going to spell big trouble for him: Daryls gone. In a time jump backwards to the events of Hearts Still Beating, Dwight runs to Daryls cell, only to find the door open and Daryl nowhere to be found. Dwight runs to his own apartment, and finds his hand-carved figures tossed about and Daryls A sweatsuit in a heap. He also finds a small note on the floor  with the words Go now written on it  and he seems to recognize the handwriting. The panicked look on his face also suggests he has some idea about what has happened at the Sanctuary.

Lindsley Register as Laura, Josh McDermitt as Dr. Eugene Porter (Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Welcome, Eugene

Just as Dwight sees Fat Joey, he hears the rumbling of Negans supply trucks returning. Onboard one of the vehicles: Eugene, who the Saviors had just kidnapped from Alexandria, after Rosita shot Lucille with a bullet DIY-ed by Eugene. Mr. Porter is ushered out of the truck and the bag over his head is removed, giving him his first glimpse at the scope of the Sanctuarys size and population. And, because its Eugene, making him begin to cry and plead for his life as Savior Laura leads him inside the Sanctuary and toward a closed door. But death doesnt await Eugene: an apartment with furnishings, the one Negan had previously offered to Daryl, does, and when Laura cuts his restraints and tells him, Welcome home, Haircut, Eugenes attention is won over by his surroundings, including a selection of books. Laura tells him there are lots more at the Sanctuary library, something his buddy Daryl didnt peruse before he bounced. Eugenes surprised to learn of Daryls escape, making it clear he doesnt know where he is, but that he would give him up if he did.

Story continues

Laura asks Eugene if he wants something to eat. Anything he wants? Yes. Even lobster? No, what the hell do you think this is? she says. His second choice: canned pasta in tomato sauce. Would he like the orange-y or the red, she wonders, and he chooses orange-y, indicating that Eugene prefers the Campbells (formerly Franco-American) goodness of SpaghettiOs, as opposed to the redder-hued sauce of the Chef Boyardee products. He also wants pickles, but Laura says theyre out. How bout potato chips? Theyve got em, says Laura. Eugene wants to know if theyre fresh. They are, Laura confirms, made by the person known as Number 42, in a kettle. Eugene will pass then. He prefers bagged chips, no matter how stale they may be at this point, apparently. Eugene has a very particular set of culinary tastes.

While Laura is off grabbing his vittles, Eugene continues to investigate his new abode, and hes happy with what he finds. He has clothes and books and sheets for his bed. Theres a stove and a sink and a refrigerator, stocked with beer, fresh fruits and veggies, bread, and eggs. He even has a boom box, and when he presses the play button, he hears Easy Street and naively bops his head along with the tune ever so slightly, unaware, unlike the rest of us, that it will now be stuck in his head for the rest of his life.

Austin Amelio as Dwight (Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Oh, Sherry

Things are going less well for Dwight, whos in his apartment, staring at the Go now note. Negan and his men come crashing through the door and immediately start pounding on Dwight, kicking him to the ground. The next time we see him, hes inside Daryls old cell, and Negan comes banging on that door with Lucille. Is it just as cozy in here as you remember? Negan asks, reminding him about all the time he spent in there after that ill-fated road trip with Sherry and her sister, Tina.

Negan says he and his men went looking for Daryl, searching the perimeter of the compound, but found nothing. He returned home only to find out Sherry was missing. Negan thinks its some coincidence she left right after Daryl took off, especially since evidence suggests Daryl didnt force his way out; someone opened the door for him.

Dwight says it wasnt Sherry.

Negan asks Dwightie Boy if he did it. Maybe instead of him breaking Daryl, as was his assignment, Daryl broke him and he helped Mr. Dixon escape? Lets face it, youve got some pretty legitimate grievances, Negan acknowledges. You change your stripes on me, Dwightie? After all this before and after hell, after everything, who are you Dwight?

Im Negan, Dwight answers, and Negan opens the cell.

Daryl isnt like you, Negan continues. Hes emotional. So hes either on his way home, or on his way back here to kill some more of us. Mostly you and me. Either way, well find him. He wants Dwight to focus on Sherry. When Dwight says he knows where his former missus went, Negan orders him to bring her back, and tells the nearby Dr. Carson to stitch Dwight up: Fix what you can fix.

In Carsons office, the doctor tells Dwight he thinks he knows what happened. Sherry has a big heart. She was soft, and couldnt stand to see Daryl in the state he was in, so she let him go. Dwight, on the other hand, gets it, Carson says. He was unfairly beaten, Carson says, but is already right back to it. Carson says he bets Dwight will end up running an outpost for Negan, but Sherry is the kind of person who would marry Negan to save her husband. Shes the kind of tenderhearted person who isnt really expected to be around anymore, says Carson.

Dwights unhappy about Carsons ramblings, and makes a stop at his apartment to retrieve a nearly empty cigarette pack from the mouth of a large mounted fish that hangs on his wall before he takes off on his motorcycle.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, with McDermitt (Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Calling Dr. Smartypants

Laura takes Eugene on a tour of the Sanctuarys marketplace, where hes told he can take anything he wants, unlike them, those who work in the marketplace. You want something, you take it, Haircut, Laura says, picking up a giant jar of homemade pickles and putting it in Eugenes arms. Hes clutching it like a security blanket when she leads him outside for a meeting with Negan, who immediately re-establishes his leadership by asking everyone surrounding him who they are. I am Negan! they obediently shout.

There he is, the man of the hour, Negan says to Eugene, who doesnt respond. Dont be rude, ahole, say Hello, Negan tells him, and Eugene stammers out a greeting, still holding onto those pickles like his life depends on it.

Negan points to Lucille and the place where Rosita shot his weapon, reminding Eugene it was with the bullet he made. Under normal circumstances, Id be showing you that real close, over and over, Negan says. But, Eugene, all I really want to know is if you are a smartypants. You know things? Answer the question.

I am indeed a smartypants, Eugene answers, still shaking with fear. Ive taught myself to cast bullets, I found a machine shop with the, uh, necessary I read a lot, and even though my memory is not considered eidetic, I dont skim and I dont scrimp, and if knowledge is dropped, I do indeed pick it up.

Negan, laughing, says Eugene is really just some ahole, as the rest of the Saviors laugh at him, too. Instead of frightening him, though, the derision emboldens Eugene to defend his intellect. No, Im not. I have PhDs in biochemistry, as well as in immunology and microbiology, and I completed my doctorate, which makes me a doctor, he tells them. Prior to the collapse, I was part of a 10-person team at the Human Genome Project, working under Dr. T. Brooks Ellis weaponized diseases to fight weaponized diseases fire with, you know, fire.

Eugenes story prompts Negan to issue him a challenge. All right there, Dr. Smartypants. You outta be able to crack this without breaking a sweat One of the fence walkers that helps protect the Sanctuary falls apart  literally, with the bottom half of his body simply dropping apart from the top half, leaving his innards to splash out onto the ground. Negan wants to know how Eugene could help him fix this problem, so as to avoid the continuing loss of this free security force.

Everyones looking at Eugene now, as if his life depends on him coming up with an answer, and no one is more aware than he is that his life may very well depend on a solution. Which he provides. He noted the Sanctuary has an operational smelter. If they melt down some scrap metal and pour its liquid result over the walkers, it will harden and maintain vital integrity for the walker, as well as affixing them to the fence, Eugene offers. It will also protect their heads from hostiles and calamities.

Goddamn, if that aint the coolest thing Ive ever heard in my life! Negan says. Not only is that practical, its just bada. Look at you, Dr. Smartypants.

Negan puts his arm around Eugenes shoulder and asks if Rick had him doing this kind of stuff for him. Then he says he thinks Eugene deserves some kind of signing bonus for his swell idea.

Well, I was gifted these pickles, Eugene protests, but Negans got something different in mind. He tells Eugene hes going to send a few of his wives over to Eugenes apartment for a party. No sex  he stresses, that would be a grave no-no  but tells Dr. Smartypants there is nothing like beautiful women that smell good to make you feel human again.

I wouldnt know anything about that did you say wives, meaning plural? Eugene asks.

Hell, yes, I did, Negan tells him. What does Dr. Smartypants say to his bestest friend in the whole wide world? Eugene says nothing, so Negan whistles to get him to look his way. What does he say?

Thank you, Eugene manages. Fully, completely, sincerely, seriously, thank you.



Related: The Walking Dead Breakout Cooper Andrews Talks Creating Scene Stealer Jerry and How He Found Out About the Negan Deaths

Negan sends him on his way, and as Laura escorts him home, Eugenes back is turned to everyone. A smirk spreads across his face.

That evening, Eugene is sitting in a recliner chair, surrounded by Amber, Tanya, and Frankie  Mrs. Negans all  who are watching him play Yars Revenge on an old Atari, while snacking on the microwave popcorn and wine Eugene is serving them. The host tells his guests that if theyd rather play something else  like Warlords, which is quite the hoot  hell swap it in, but they assure him this is his night, so he should have whatever he wants. Frankie even offers him a massage, making a little growly noise when he says no and pulls his leg away from underneath her hand.

While I appreciate the gesture and your commitment to your assigned objective, I am fully aware that none of you ladies are here of your own volition, he tells them. Videogames are all about me showing all of you a fun time.

They tell him theyd like to just have some good conversations with him, but when Tanya says shed love to chat about the Human Genome Project  the one Eugene claims to be a part of, the job he already fessed up to lying about to Abraham and Rosita back in Season 5s Self Help  he tells them the info is classified, and that it would probably escape your comprehension anyway. So smooth with the ladies, this guy.

My intelligence has been objectively measured, he continues. I am fully a man apart.

Tanya asks if that means he knows how to make things, like a bomb out of bleach and toothpicks. Of course not, Eugene says. Itd take a lot more household ingredients than that, and he rattles off a list. Then he proves it. Carrying a bucket of supplies and surgical gloves blown up into balloons, Eugene leads his new friends outside and performs some chemistry tricks  while humming the 1812 Overture  that convince them he really is the well-educated genius he bills himself to be.

Austin Amelio as Dwight (Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Coming Home

Dwight stops his motorcycle in front of a house that has seen better days. Inside, its a mess, abandoned, clearly, with a sinkful of dirty dishes still on display. Dwight picks up a photo frame from the floor, and its of him and Sherry, smiling, with no iron marks on Dwights face. Hes in their home, which includes a Post-It Note reminding him to feed the goldfish. He compares it to the note he found in his room at the Sanctuary, and the handwriting of the g in goldfish and the g in Go now match; Sherry did write the note to Daryl, and she did help him escape.

Dwight also finds a handwritten letter from Sherry in the house, with her wedding and engagement ring on top. In voiceover, she reads the letter to him, reminding him that they had agreed that if they ever got separated, theyd meet back at their home, and Dwight would bring pretzels and beer for them. She also recalls his bad memory, the one that she is sure will lead him to forget a lot of the happier days of their lives together. She wishes she could wait for him now, she writes, but says she doesnt know if he would leave with her, take her back to Negan, or kill her.

She writes that she knows he didnt want to return to the Sanctuary. She convinced him to. Now, hes killed people and become everything he didnt want to be, and its her fault. I let Daryl go because he reminded you of who you used to be, and I wanted to let you forget, she tells Dwight, who is angry and crying and throws a drawer across their bedroom.

Sherry writes that she doesnt think shell make it out there, but that hes wrong about life at the Sanctuary being better than death. Its worse, she says. I loved who you were. Im sorry I made you into who you are, she writes. She adds that hell probably never even receive this letter, and signs off, Goodbye, Honey.

Dwight prepares to leave, after emptying his cigarette pack from the Sanctuary and letting his own wedding band tumble into his hand, alongside Sherrys. Before he goes, he takes a bag of pretzels and a six-pack of beer from his backpack and puts them on the table.

Meet Grimblygunk

Eugene is rather contentedly playing Yars Revenge in his apartment when Tanya and Frankie come a-knocking. I was given to believe that last nights shinny was to be a singular incident, he tells them. But theyve come on business: their pal Amber is so dejected she wants to commit suicide, they say, and they want Eugene to whip up a pill, two pills, that will allow her a painless death. He protests, but eventually agrees after they share how miserable she is being forced into her marriage to Negan. They tell him they know hes a good man.

The truth is, Im not good, he says. Not lawful, not neutral, or chaotic, Eugene says. None of the above.

He goes to the marketplace, on his own, to get the supplies for his project, but quickly tires of waiting in line and cuts to the front. The proprietor  Number 16  yells at him and tells him to get to the back, and he does, for a second, before charging back to the front and dropping a Eugene version of Do you know who I am?! on her. He tells her hes the chief engineer of the place, reporting directly to Negan, which means hell be taking what he wants. And he does. He demands a pack of cold medication, then takes a bed pan, a flyswatter, the rest of her supply of meds, and a knitted little doll creature he says hes calling Grimblygunk.

He grins as he walks away with his haul, and returns to his abode to make those pills.

We Dont Get to Have Big Hearts

Back at the Sanctuary, Dwight is getting a new bandage in Dr. Carsons office. He tells Carson he found Sherry, and shes now dead. She ran right into a pack of walkers when he was chasing her. Carson tells him to try to forget it: We dont get to have big hearts. Remember that.

Laura escorts Eugene to the big Sanctuary meeting room, the one with the giant oven Negan uses to heat the iron he uses to discipline those who break his rules. Dwight, all too familiar with the business side of that iron, is heating it up for Negan, who makes a point of telling Eugene he should pay close attention to whats about to happen. With the rest of the community also gathered around, Negan hits Dr. Carson with Lucille. Several times. And then he explains: something was found tucked away inside Carsons desk: a slip of paper that reads, Goodbye, Honey. It was planted by Dwight, who cut it off from the letter Sherry wrote to him and left at their old home.

But Negan believes something else. He believes Carson is the one who set Daryl free. You left the door open and let my puppy out, Negan says, claiming Carson had some delusional feelings for Sherry and thought that move would endear him to her, as she hated seeing Daryl locked up. She knew Negan would assume she freed Daryl, which frightened her and caused her to run away, Negan says, which led her to getting eaten by walkers. This is the story Dwight told him.

Carson says Dwight is lying, but Negan doesnt buy it. He says Dwight has no reason to lie, because if Sherry is still alive, hell find her, and if he did and learned Dwight had lied, hed burn the other side of Dwights face until he dies.

Carson begs to avoid the iron, and Negan tells him he wont use it on him if he just admits what he did and apologizes. Carson lies, and says he did it, and that hes sorry. Negan doesnt use the iron on him.

Instead, he throws him headfirst into the oven. As Eugene covers his face and several Saviors cry, Dr. Carsons screams can still be heard for his first few seconds in the oven. Dwight remains emotionless, until Negan apologizes for doubting him. He says hes sorry about Sherry, too.

Im not, Dwight tells Negan.

Ice cold! Negan replies. Love it.

(Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

We Are Negan

Eugene is once again at the Yars Revenge control, when Frankie and Tanya pay him another visit. They ask if hes okay. Better than that, he answers, before telling them hes not giving them the suicide pills. He figured out their real plan, which is not to use the pills for Amber, but to use them to kill Negan, and hes not going along with that.

Didnt he kill your friend? Tanya asks.

Several, Eugene says. But I imagine we killed about 30 or so of his. Turnabout and all that. Like Dwight at the oven after Carsons death, Eugene also shows no emotion, and doesnt stop playing his videogame while the women are talking to him.

Frankie demands he give them the pills, saying theyll tell Negan about them, and that it was Eugenes idea to make them, if he doesnt.

Be a tactical error on your part, he warns Negans wives. He says Negan will believe him instead of the women, for the same reason he believed Dwight instead of Dr. Carson. Youre replaceable to him, Eugene says. I, on the other hand, am not.

Tanya tells him he is a coward.

That is a correct assessment, he confirms.

Later, Eugene gets another visitor. Negan. He says hes heard nothing but good things about Eugene from his wives, and wants to know if the Saviors are treating him right.

Eugene, who remains visibly nervous and shaky, says nothing, and Negan tells him he understands its hard to change to another team, but Eugene should know he does not make this invitation to everyone, and he does not make it lightly.

Hey you do not need to be scared anymore. You dont need to be scared Negan says, and Eugenes face changes, his breathing slows, and hes no longer shaking.

 you just need to answer me one question, and its a big one, Negan continues. Who are

Im Negan, Eugene says, cutting Negan off before he even finishes the question. Im utterly, completely, stone cold Negan. I was Negan before I even met you. I just needed to meet you properly to know. Im Negan.

Negan smiles.

Later, outside, Eugene is overseeing the covering of the fence walkers in liquid metal, as he noshes on a giant pickle and houses Grimblygunk in the pocket of his new driving coat. He warns the workers to be careful. Hey, you wanna get burned by molten metal, cuz thats exactly how you get burned by molten metal! he yells at them.

Hes joined on the scene by Dwight. Eugene looks over at his fellow Savior, and starts to remind him about the last time they met, in Season 6s Twice as Far, after Dwight killed Denise, and Eugene bit Dwights, uh, Dwightie boy, to stop him from killing Eugene and his other friends.

Regarding me clamping down on Eugene gets out, before Dwight cuts him off.

You on board? Dwight asks.

Eugene: I am. Just like you. Dont know if you recall my handle?

Dwight: I dont.

Eugene: Eugene. Youre Dwight. We are Negan.

Dwight: Yeah.

Related: The Walking Dead Postmortem: Norman Reedus Breaks Down that Carol and Daryl Reunion

Zombie Bites:

 Daryl leaving the Kingdom to return to the Hilltop seemed like a super bad idea at the end of last weeks episode, and its worse now. Negan was willing to bake his Dr. Carson because, as he tells Dwight, theres another Dr. Carson at the Hilltop, and its a pretty safe bet hell be sending his men to fetch the new Carson soon. That means Negan is likely to learn that Maggie is at the Hilltop and pregnant, and that there is a big chance the Saviors will catch Daryl at the Hilltop.

 The tune playing while Eugene makes his triumphant walk back to his room after taking the medicine and Grimblygunk from the marketplace: Everything Right Is Wrong Again, by They Might Be Giants. Read the lyrics if you get a chance  a couple of lines in there that might be especially relevant to Eugenes decisions in this episode.

 Eugene is awfully certain Frankie and Tanya wont tell Negan about the pills he made, and that Negan would believe Eugene instead of them anyway, but quite a few people saw Eugene make a scene at the marketplace when he made off with all the medical supplies. And people are always being watched at the Sanctuary. Isnt it possible the women could build a little trail of evidence that would tie Eugene to the supplies and the making of the pills?

 What about that red-headed person Eugene saw swipe something from the marketplace when Laura took him on his first shopping trip there Might that somehow come into play again?

 Those books Eugene was happy to find in his Sanctuary apartment: sci-fi works by Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning writer Vonda N. McIntyre.

Okay, Dead-heads, lets hear your reactions to Hostiles and Calamities. Namely, has our Eugene gone to the dark side? And if so, is it a fake-out to survive, or has he decided the perks and privileges of being one of Negans prized cohorts is where he is meant to live out the apocalypse? Lets hear your theories!

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.

While you wait for this weeks Ranking Dead, see how we ranked the characters in last weeks episode.

Read more:

Oscars Review: Best Picture Shocker, Kimmel Thumps Trump

The Walking Dead Postmortem: Josh McDermitt Talks Eugenes New Allegiance, Potato Chips, and Grimblygunk

FEUD: Bette and Joan: Ryan Murphy on How Marcia Clark Influenced FXs New Hollywood Saga
Nakawa chief magistrates court has issued criminal summons against former FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye after he failed to appear in court today as earlier ordered.

State prosecutor Racheal Nabwire informed Presiding Grade one magistrate Noah Sajjabi that Besigye was not present in court for mention of the treason case against him.

Nabwire then asked court to issue criminal summons against Besigye adding that she had not received any explanation as to why he had not turned up today.

Magistrate Sajjabi has now signed summons requiring Besigye to appear in court on the 27th/March 2017 for further mention of his case as police investigations are still on-going.

However on his previous appearance last month, Besigye told magistrate Sajjabi that he would not return to this court for further mention of the case unless he was arrested and brought as a prisoner.

Besigye said he took this decision after the DPP failed to commit him to the High court for trial in the last eight months.

He also petitioned the High court-criminal division head judge Wilson Kwesiga over numerous appearances in the lower Nakawa court which lacks jurisdiction to try treason offences.

Justice Kwesiga will hear Besigyes application on the 22nd/March 2017.
The demolition followed a directive by Kampala Minister Betty Kamya dated 7th February 2017 giving the traders 30 days to vacate.

The said directive has however been effected ten days before the deadline.

Now speaking to Kfm the executive director of the Foundation for Human rights initiative Dr Livingstone Ssewanyana said it was wrong to evict the traders without providing them an alternative place and adequate time to relocate.

He says there needed to be dialogue and not use of force which has now been institutionalized.

Related Stories

Lukwago convenes council meeting over parkyard demolition

Lord Mayor and three MPs arrested this morning at Park Yard Market

KCCA council has maintained that park yard vendors should continue operating until council resolves their status
By Damali Mukhaye.

Finance minister Matia Kasaija and other government officials are today expected to meet officials from Chinas Exim Bank over the loan for construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.

Speaking to KFM, the Project Coordinator Eng. Kasingye Kyamugambi says if the discussions are fruitful, Uganda will get an advance of Shs USD 2.8billion (Shs8trillion) to finance the construction of the Malaba- Kampala stretch.

He adds that the government has already acquired 60% of the land needed for the construction and if this money is acquired, construction will kick off immediately.

After the Malaba Kampala stretch, Uganda will embark on the western route from Kampala to Ntungamo near the border with Rwanda and northern route from Tororo to Packwach near the border with South Sudan.

The whole project is expected to cost Shs.46trillion.
Visiting president of the International Criminal Court (ICC)Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi has said that violence against humanity committed across the world is unacceptable and that the ICC will not leave perpetrators of such acts to go unpunished.

Ms Fernandez was this morning speaking during a meeting with over 500 victims of the Lords Resistance Army insurgency in Gulu district.

The ICC president noted that due to the intolerable crimes being committed globally, the ICC was created to investigate them and bring the perpetuators to face justice.

She has asked the victims to continue trusting the ICC judicial system despite the delays in delivering justice adding that she and everyone working at the court are fully committed to ensuring fair trial and justice is served.
No

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Yes, two or more light cases

One serious case

Two or more serious bouts

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The University of Minnesota Medical School, in the face of serious financial problems twenty years ago, sold its hospital and clinics to a community health system, Fairview Health Services. In a number of ways, the relationship has not been a happy one in the sense that goals of a community hospital often do not always align with those of an academic teaching and research institution. A recent attempt has been made to negotiate a "merger" of Fairview with the U of M Medical School, creating a single management layer. But this effort has now collapsed with the Medical School casting about for a new hospital and clinic partner (see: Collapse of Fairview merger leaves U casting about for a partner). Below is an excerpt from the article:

On paper at least, Fairview was the most logical partner to extend the U's clinical reach beyond campus. The two have worked together for 20 years, ever since the U sold its hospital and clinics to Fairview. Now, ironically, that sale could hamper the U's efforts to find a new partner. While the U can offer suitors the clinical expertise of its 750 physicians, it can't bring to the table the facilities where they work."The university lost control of their university hospital, which is their primary teaching and research site," ...[said a faculty member]. "It is kind of like you sell your factory but you still make your parts there."The U sold the hospital to stem financial losses that were cutting its ability to fund research and education....Recognizing that the sale resulted in a partial alliance that was falling short of expectations, leaders began negotiations toward a complete merger of Fairview with the University's physician group. The Fairview name would have been replaced by University of Minnesota Health, or "M Health" for short. All seven hospitals and 42 clinics in the Fairview system would be rebranded. With top academic physicians on board, the system would offer patients the type of cutting-edge care they couldn't get elsewhere, at the same time generating money that could be invested in new research and education opportunities for the medical school. But when merger discussions dragged on beyond the self-imposed deadline of March 31, 2016], university officials eventually presented Fairview with a set of merger agreements that it had written itself....After studying the U's final offer, Fairview's interim chief executive knew that it would not get approval from the Fairview board.....In the meantime, both Fairview and the university say they will continue working together under several affiliation agreements. As the U considers other merger possibilities, leaders say new partnerships might focus more on outpatient care, which is replacing extended hospital stays for many procedures.

For me and more than anything, this is a cautionary tale that instructs us about the wide gap between the academic, medical/teaching culture and the community hospital culture. On paper and initially, the purchase by Fairview of the UM hospital and clinics seemed logical and integrative. The strength of the University of Minnesota was its prestigious brand, its large physician group, and its history of quality research. The strength of Fairview was its large footprint in the community, its real estate, and its solid financial status. In the final analysis, the executives and board of Fairview could not stomach having its facilities branded as "M Health" and the proposed combined management structure. I am not sure which of these factors was more important.

I certainly wish both organizations well in the future. There is potential greatness in the alliance if they could have come up with a reasonable way forward. Despite the fact that the major direction of hospital care is largely toward outpatient delivery, this will not be be an adequate total strategy for the University of Minnesota. Any academic medical center obviously needs inpatient beds for training purposes and for clinical research. The two sides have worked closely for years while they retained separate leadership. The merger would have cemented the relationship under a combined management but the sides apparently haven't come to terms on governance and executive decisions (see: Merger of Fairview, U of M physicians group stalls).
DEAR AMY: I have not spoken to my mother in two weeks. She does not approve of my sexuality as gender-queer and she does not approve of my partner. She has sent him vicious and threatening letters, called me at all hours of the day and night and sent a variety of harassing text messages, saying, You are a joke, I want you out of my life and You are why I have cancer.

I find this behavior abusive. I would like to have some kind of relationship with her, if possible, but she forces me to choose between her and my partner.

I am honestly also very concerned about her well-being. She never used to be this irate or abusive. I tried reaching out to my father, her sister and her doctors to say that I am concerned about her erratic and worrisome behavior.

My father responded: Dont contact your mothers doctors anymore. You are making a fool out of yourself.

Is it foolish to genuinely reach out to professionals when you are concerned about your parents mental health?

I have now taken the higher road in caring for myself and realizing that I probably cant change her. Do you have any suggestions?

 Parentless Son

DEAR PARENTLESS: You should not be contacting your mothers doctors. Even if your concern is genuine, you are not her next of kin (if they are married, your father is), you presumably dont have a medical directive allowing you to have access to her medical records or make decisions on her behalf, and you are overstepping.

If your mother has cancer, her illness or treatments might affect her behavior. But some people are abusive because they are mean-spirited, or arent getting their way  not because they are suffering from an illness. If your mother falls into this category, you should keep your distance.

Stick to the high road. Let things cool down. If she calls you, only stay on the call if she behaves well. Do not reply to any abusive messages, ever. Reach out to people who will open a door to you, not slam it in your face. You have a right to live your life, but for the time being, you should keep your distance from your mother.

DEAR AMY: Only Child was resentful because after a life of sacrifice, her single father had finally decided to share his life with a wife.

This 35-year-old childs father allowed her to live her life when she needed to, and now it is her turn to let him live his.

 Grandparent

DEAR GRANDPARENT: Exactly. Thank you.

DEAR AMY: I work for a company that has a great working environment.

We celebrate everything and are always bringing treats for each other and decorating each others cubicles.

Upon being hired, we each filled out a questionnaire, asking what our favorite things are, our favorite cake flavor, etc.

When a birthday comes up, this list is sent to everyone in the department so they can each buy a gift for that person.

Although I feel very special on my birthday and get lots of trinkets, if it were up to me Id say no gifts, please.

I have eight people in my department. If I spend, say, $20 on everyone, thats $160 a year. This does not include the Christmas gift exchange that has a $50 cap (and mandatory attendance).

Id feel rude and weird telling my boss I dont want to participate. We are the lowest-paid department and this is unaffordable for some of us.

Id like for the gift exchanges to be optional. I feel like we are all pressured to spend money on each other when none of us are friends outside of work. If it werent for the questionnaire, gifts would not be given. What do you think?

 Overextended

DEAR OVEREXTENDED: This sounds like an episode of The Office, or rather, every episode of The Office.

I can well imagine the pressure of not only purchasing gifts for co-workers, but to come up with something from their list of preferences. Most of us can hardly come up with special gifts for family members several times a year.

You should go to HR and simply express your very reasonable concerns about this. I assume your co-workers likely feel the same way. Your department should provide a favorite cake or sweet treat for each co-worker (I love this part of the questionnaire), but discourage gift-giving.
The different ways identity shapes our lives will be on display this week at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

The campus will host its annual Creative Imperatives Festival, a celebration that highlights the work of students and faculty in the school of arts and communication, as well as reaching out to other disciplines for collaboration. Identity Matters is the theme, and the festival will explore how identity matters individually and collectively, and how we and those around us define identity in relation to topics including ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and profession.

Dozens of events have been scheduled throughout the week, including opportunities for students and members of the public to watch as printmakers, blacksmiths, photographers and ceramic artists open up their studios. There will be events on topics as diverse as modern Native American identity, burial practices and how theater makeup helps actors change their identity while onstage.

The theme is really topical for the campus, UW-L art professor Kate Hawkes said. We wanted it to be able to encompass as much of the scope of identity as possible.

Several guests will visit campus, including Hamilton actress Karen Olivo, who will host a discussion 7:30 p.m. today in Toland Theatre on her identity as a performer and how stardom and stability can coexist. Award-winning trumpeter and composer Brandon Ridenour will lead a master class with UW-L music students and perform a recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Annett Recital Hall.

The festival concludes on Wednesday, with a special session featuring CeCe McDonald, a prison-reform activist who identifies as African-American and transgender at 7:30 p.m. in Toland Theatre. McDonald was imprisoned for 19 months after a violent encounter stemming from her stand against hate speech, a story highlighted in the documentary Free CeCe, and she is the 2014 winner of the Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Award.

Another guest, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, author of the award-winning book Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, will read from her work at noon Tuesday in the Hall of Nations in Centennial Hall before hosting a panel discussion about the issue of allyship. An author of young adult fiction, she said the ages of 15 to 25 are some of the most intense years for people in determining their identity and one of the reasons she enjoys writing in the genre.

Her book follows the story of Gabe, a trans man, and the process he goes through revealing his identity to those around him. His actions yield both positive and negative responses and the story focuses on how Gabe processes the ways people react to him.

Cronn-Mills, an instructor at South Central College in Minnesota, said she started writing the novel in 2005. She said she originally didnt intend Gabe to be trans but was inspired by literature she had read by other transgender male authors and spent five years researching the topic to make sure she could give Gabe a believable voice.

Because she isnt transgender, Cronn-Mills said, the most important thing she wanted to address during her visit and discussions was the importance of seeking out transgender and genderqueer voices. If people like her have privilege, they have to use that privilege for good.

We have to listen to other voices, she said. We have to be foot soldiers who listen to communities who are marginalized and do what they ask.
Demand was running high for the states Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine after a flurry of news coverage about Republican Gov. Scott Walkers plan to shut down the self-supporting, nearly 100-year-old publication.

The state Department of Natural Resources received 1,394 subscription orders in the eight days between Feb. 13 and last Wednesday, DNR spokesman Jim Dick said Monday.

In a typical week, no more than a few hundred orders come in without a boost from the holiday gift-giving season or a promotional effort, said Natasha Kassulke, a former editor who says plans to eliminate the magazine fit the DNRs pattern under Walker of undercutting climate science and environmental education.

The DNR recently curtailed the options offered to subscribers and prepared a financial projection based on cutting off new subscriptions in July and publishing the last issue in January.

Dick and Walker spokesman Tom Evenson have denied that the plan was part of an anti-science agenda. Eliminating the magazine would free the DNR to focus on other responsibilities, while it continues to educate the public about conservation issues through other means, they said.

The DNR and another state agency recently removed climate change information from their websites, while a third banned employees from discussing the topic in 2015, the same year the Legislature approved Walker budget cuts targeting DNR educators and scientists.

The federally funded researchers examined ways the state can prepare for climate change and compiled studies on the water pollution potential of mining.

Kassulke and other former DNR personnel have said the magazine was a crucial tool for helping Wisconsin residents understand how they can aid conservation efforts.

Articles in the magazine explore the science behind the departments work, as well as the options available for protecting air, water and wildlife.

Dick didnt respond to requests for numbers of subscription orders received at other times. He confirmed, though, that the DNR this month eliminated options for two- and three-year subscriptions.

Shuttering of the magazine is part of Walkers 2017-19 budget proposal, which the Legislature will soon begin reviewing.

The DNR began limiting subscriptions to a single year after Walker announced his budget on Feb. 8, Dick said.

The DNR isnt concerned about the possibility that turning away longer-term subscriptions will undercut the magazines future revenue in the event the Legislature decides to allow the magazine to continue, Dick said.

The nearly 1,400 subscription orders came in during the eight-day period after articles about Walkers plan to cut the magazine ran in the Wisconsin State Journal and other newspapers. At the same time, environmental reporter James Rowen urged his readers to subscribe in his blog.

Initially, the governors office explained the budget proposal by saying the state shouldnt duplicate privately owned periodicals.

A spokesman hasnt responded to requests for examples but three private, Wisconsin-based publishers last week told the State Journal they dont compete with the DNR magazine and they didnt ask Walker to eliminate it.

The DNRs Dick provided the State Journal with a financial projection indicating the magazine can stop accepting new subscriptions on July 1 and still have just enough revenue socked away to reimburse the roughly $300,000 that would be owed to subscribers if the last issue were to be published in January.

But Kassulke, who resigned as editor last summer, said a consulting company told her in 2015 that ceasing publication would cost closer to $700,000 because in addition to reimbursements the DNR would also face costs of sending first-class notices to subscribers, cutting checks, mailing them and administering the process.

The DNRs projection counts on $9 in revenue from each of 40,000 people who subscribe automatically when they purchase a $165 conservation patron license. But Kassulke said the magazine has received only about $6 per license in the past.

Walkers budget proposal said conservation patrons would save $375,000 during the two-year budget period. The cost of the license would decrease by $6, Dick said.

The DNR projection was based on publication of 75,000 copies of each issue of the magazine, including about 40,000 for conservation patrons and 35,877 individual subscribers who pay about $8.97 annually for six issues.

Kassulke said the magazine had about 88,000 subscribers before she left last year to accept a job at UW-Madison. The 88,000 included about 40,000 conservation patrons and another roughly 48,000 individual subscribers.

A 2014-15 DNR survey of 660 conservation patron license holders found that 63 percent said they read most or all of the magazine, 25 percent read some of it and 13 percent read little or none. The survey had a margin of error of 3.7 percent.
Two recent structure fires turned out to be proving grounds of the Holmen Area Fire Department reorganization and its improved ability to respond.

Assistant Chief Bill Bulawa reported on the departments response to a kitchen fire in the town of Holland and its assistance when the Onalaska Fire Department battled a fire at an apartment complex.

The Holmen firefighters were the primary respondents at the town of Holland fire scene. Because of the remote location of the fire, the department sought help from neighboring departments, employing mutual aid agreements it recently set up with the departments.

We requested Trempealeau and Galesville be put on standby and then activated them, Bulawa said. We called, they hauled. Things are turning out very well the way the chief has it set up. We put it (a response plan) into action, and it worked very well.

During the Onalaska apartment fire, the Holmen Area Fire Department, along with the town of Campbells department, provided backup for the the Onalaska Fire Department while that departments units were fighting the blaze.

We provided back-fill for them, said Bulawa. We responded to the calls that came in.

Along with organizing response protocol, putting mutual aid agreements in place has been a priority of Holmen Chief Paul Menches since he started last summer. Along with entering into agreements with nearby fire departments, Menches is working to finalize agreements to make HAFD part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, a statewide program formalizing how fire departments provide aid to other departments when called upon.

Entering into the MABAS agreement, the HAFD firefighters have agreed to travel up to 50 miles away to assist other fire departments that are also signed on to the program.

Menches also wants to work more closely with the Brice Prairie First Responders and include the emergency response organization as part of the MABAS system.

We want to improve our relationship with the Brice Prairie First Responders, said Menches. It will force us to come together, work together and train together.

Contract

The HAFDA Board and two full-time members of the department are putting the final touches on a union contract, retroactive to the first of this year and in effect until the end of 2019.

Under the agreement, the represented firefighters would contribute 20 percent toward their medical insurance premiums. The HAFD is currently looking into getting insurance coverage through the state employee insurance program.

The department has three full-time firefighters who qualify for coverage. However, due to hazardous nature of their work and the low number of premium payers in the group, the HAFD learned its premiums would increase by $15,000 this year under the departments current plan.

We would save $3,000 a year from what were doing now, said Bulawa. The coverage is as good or better than what we have. I would forecast our jumps in insurance will be less than this year.
Sunday booze runs across the Mississippi River to Wisconsin are poised to become a thing of the past.

After a decade of stalled and failed efforts, Minnesotas Legislature has voted to allow Sunday liquor store sales as the Senate passed a bill Monday repealing the states long-standing ban.

The Senates 38-28 approval of the bill put an exclamation point on an unprecedented effort to finally take down the states old Blue Law that makes Minnesota one of just 12 states to ban Sunday liquor sales. The House overwhelmingly passed similar legislation last week.

The bill would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays beginning in July, but its not law yet. Supporters of the legislation hoped that slight differences in the Senate and House bills  chiefly, the House measure allows stores to open at 10 a.m. while the Senate one makes it an hour later  wouldnt delay delivery to Gov. Mark Dayton, who has vowed to sign it. If the House accepts the shorter window, that could happen as soon as later this week.

Advocates behind the repeal push credited everyday citizens for urging their legislators to help undo the ban. Just two years ago, the effort failed the Senate by a wide margin.

This was a strong effort from the people by the people, said Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, who led the charge in the Senate. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, introduced the legislation in the House in mid-January.

They spoke loud and clear, Miller said. The timing was right to get it done, and we did.

Between the House and Senate, 31 lawmakers who had previously voted to uphold the Sunday sales ban voted this year to repeal it. Add in an influx of new lawmakers more likely than their predecessors to support the repeal effort and an extra push from Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt, and lawmakers have put the state on the precipice of allowing Sunday liquor sales for the first time since Minnesotas 1858 statehood.

I believe its time. Actually ... I believe its past time, Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, said before voting to lift the ban. It is time that we move on and allow those businesses that wish to be open on Sundays to sell liquor.

The Sunday liquor sale ban is a rare issue that cuts across partisan lines, instead dividing lawmakers more geographically  the overwhelming majority of senators who voted against the repeal Monday were from rural districts. Supporters say that the antiquated post-prohibition law limits consumer choice and drives business across state lines, primarily in border counties like Winona, Houston and Wabasha.

And though the law allows individual liquor stores and even whole cities to decide whether to open their doors on Sunday, opponents argued that competition with bigger retailers would force small and family-owned shops to stay open seven days a week.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk rattled off a list of small businesses in his district that have closed in the last several decades, warning that local liquor stores would soon join those ranks if the measure became law.

There is a reason that this has never passed, said Bakk, who represents a huge swath of rural northeastern Minnesota. Youre probably not going to take a vote this session that breaks more rural and urban than this.

But even ardent opponents were clearly tired of dealing with the issue year after year.

I would prefer this vote be done, and either it passes or it doesnt pass, and we move on to the budget, Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said before voting no.

That same fatigue could help clear up the small differences between the House and Senate bills. Rep. Jenifer Loon, the House author, said while shed prefer allowing liquor stores to open an hour earlier than the 11 a.m. window set in the Senate, shes ready to get these issues off my plate.

The timing was right to get it done, and we did. Winona Sen. Jeremy Miller, on the Senates approval Monday of repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales
WASHINGTON  During 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 last 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, 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, OK?

OK.

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.
President Donald Trump gives the impression of having done everything in his first month in the White House  except think about Congress.

A couple of months ago, there were congressional Republicans reluctantly on the Trump train who would have welcomed such neglect. They believed that Trump might be a figurehead president. He would tweet, give speeches and wear red hats, while they set the agenda. He would sign our stuff, as some Republicans put it, but otherwise leave them alone.

An article in Slate in November expressed this expectation under the headline, Welcome to the Paul Ryan Presidency.

The view of Trump as little more than a presidential autopen has turned out to be wholly mistaken. First, it underestimated Trumps ability to establish air, sea and land dominance in the nations political conversation to the exclusion of other Republican voices. Two, it failed to appreciate how necessary presidential leadership is to getting anything done on Capitol Hill.

At this rate, congressional Republicans wont send the president anything significant to sign, let alone set the agenda.

Trump has totally eclipsed congressional Republicans by creating a sense of headlong action through the sheer force of his frenetic personality. Watching cable news, you could be forgiven for occasionally forgetting that there is a coequal branch of government called Congress, except insofar as its members are forced to react to whatever Trump is saying or doing.

Some of this motion is significant. Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch, who will get confirmed to the Supreme Court. Trumps commitment to begin enforcing the immigration laws again is a signature departure from the status quo. But many of the Trump-initiated battles of the first month  over crowd sizes, illegal votes, fake news and the rest of it  have fed the perpetual outrage machine with pleasingly empty calories.

Normally, a new president spends his early days proposing legislation and shepherding it through Congress, then  assuming success  regaling in signing ceremonies.

This is not part of the job that Trump has yet embraced, or shown much awareness of. But it is not proving a boon to his partys legislators.

Congress is naturally fractious and insular, and left to its own devices will often spin its wheels or make shortsighted decisions. The foray out of the box by House Republicans this year was going to be the elimination of Congress own independent ethics office. The next step after that was going to be to repeal Obamacare without a replacement. Neither was a good idea, and each reflected greater concern for internal congressional dynamics than political reality. Trump, correctly, dissented from both moves.

That Congress listened suggests the enormous sway Trump has. His hold on the GOP base is formidable. Couple that with his prodigious media megaphone, and Trump could break isolated senators or members of Congress resisting his congressional agenda like a twig.

If, that is, he has such an agenda. No one knows what his infrastructure plan is. Or what he wants on Obamacare replacement, which will badly divide Republicans. Or where he comes down on the contentious issue threatening the ultimate passage of tax reform, the border adjustment tax.

These arent details, but core questions that must be resolved if Trump is going to have a successful first year legislatively. Trump could address all of this in his speech to the joint session of Congress next week. And the wheels are turning on Capitol Hill. But every day that passes means Republicans have lost a little momentum.

If Trump turns out simply not to have any interest in legislation, it likely wont augur a period of strong congressional governance, but of drift and perhaps outright failure.

Capitol Hill is dependent on Trump, not just to sign bills, but to lead. Republicans dont need him merely to be president; they need him to be a good president, which means that in his busy days he must find a little time for Congress.
Many people are looking to the Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress to create new jobs. Yet the administration is proposing to kill one of the most successful job-creation programs in our country  AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps is a national service program pairing young adult volunteers with schools, nonprofits, public agencies and community groups. AmeriCorps creates jobs and provides pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce.

My daughter chose this path when she couldnt find a good job after graduating from college. During her year of service, she learned valuable work skills, earned money toward her education loans, and made important connections that eventually led to fulltime work.

Right now in Wisconsin, 1,240 young adults are serving in 49 different programs, in river restoration projects, affordable housing, after-school programs, medical research and much more. Their service is adding to our economy and communities. This a job-creation program we should protect, not kill.
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.

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Twenty-two years may have passed since the infamous Bronco chase, but O.J. Simpson still dominated the zeitgeist in 2016. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story brought Simpson back to the forefront when the ten-episode series premiered on FX in February, and the national (re)fixation deepened a few months later, when O.J.: Made in America aired on ESPN.

"Ezra Edelman pulls back, way back, like a news chopper over a freeway chase. Before you hear about the trial, the documentary says, you need to hear all the storiesthe stories of race, celebrity, sports, Americathat it's a part of," New York Times TV critic James Poniewozik explained. Chuck Klosterman called O.J.: Made in America "the greatest thing ESPN has ever produced." The film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Documentary on Sunday, and the film's director and producer were asked why Simpson still fascinates us, so many years later."Like many other reporters in this room, I followed every second of O.J., reported on it, but I never dreamt that this many years later it would be a conversational point...Can you understand this movie, the TV movie, why itwe know the outcome, why it became such a topic again?" a reporter asked the film's director Ezra Edelman in the backstage press room just after his win. "

"Well, history is the present," Edelman said. "It's past, but it's present. And I can't speak for the FX series, but I know that when we were offered the chance to make this movie, it was very clear that the story that was covered and told 20someodd years ago, you know, we were missing something. And we were missing the context to have us understand how we got to that moment, how we ended up where we did after that trial."

"There was room for more of this story to be told, and that people have responded the way they did to the film, I think speaks to that," Edelman continued. "It's an American story about these fundamental American themes, race, celebrity, class, gender, domestic abuse, the criminal justice system, the media. It's sports, sex, murder. It has everything."

"And so I think that's why it's always going to be something that fascinates us, and I think there is a lack of resolution, considering what happened with the trial and when many peoplethe majority of people saw one thing, how it ended up was something else, and so I think there is always going to be a sense of intrigue surrounding that story."

Related: Here's What You Need To Know About The 7-Hour O.J. Simpson Documentary
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(3) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (4) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (4) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (4) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (3) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (2) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (3) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (3) Nov 08 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(4) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (3) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (2) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (3) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (4) May 28 (4) May 27 (3) May 26 (5) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (3) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 (6) May 14 (3) May 13 (3) May 12 (5) May 11 (4) May 10 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(4) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (7) Feb 03 (9) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (9) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (6) Jan 29 (5) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (6) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (6) Jan 14 (7) Jan 13 (7) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (8) Jan 07 (11) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (7) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (8) Jan 01 (8) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (6) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (7) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (5) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (6) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (5) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (6) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (4) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (7) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (6) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (5) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (6) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (8) Nov 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10 (4) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (4) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (3) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (4) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (5) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (4) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (5) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (4) May 27 (5) May 26 (7) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (3) May 19 (5) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (4) May 14 (4) May 13 (5) May 12 (4) May 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(6) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (11) Nov 13 (11) Nov 12 (9) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (9) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (7) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (8) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (7) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (7) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (7) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (7) Oct 22 (7) Oct 21 (6) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (7) Oct 18 (6) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (6) Oct 13 (7) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (8) Oct 09 (8) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (7) Oct 05 (8) Oct 04 (6) Oct 03 (8) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (10) Sep 29 (7) Sep 28 (10) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (5) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (6) Sep 18 (6) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (6) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (6) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (10) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (3) Sep 08 (8) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (6) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (6) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (5) Aug 25 (9) Aug 24 (7) Aug 23 (8) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (9) Aug 20 (8) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (6) 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(5) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (9) Feb 16 (10) Feb 15 (8) Feb 14 (9) Feb 13 (8) Feb 12 (8) Feb 11 (7) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (7) Feb 08 (9) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (10) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (6) Feb 03 (8) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (6) Jan 31 (10) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (9) Jan 27 (7) Jan 26 (8) Jan 25 (8) Jan 24 (7) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (10) Jan 19 (8) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (7) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (8) Jan 13 (8) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (6) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (9) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (7) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (9) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (2) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (6) Dec 22 (8) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (8) Dec 16 (7) Dec 15 (9) Dec 14 (7) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (6) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (7) Dec 01 (7) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (6) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (8) Nov 23 (2) Nov 22 (6) Nov 21 (5) 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(1) May 22 (2) May 21 (2) May 20 (3) May 19 (3) May 18 (2) May 17 (2) May 16 (2) May 15 (3) May 14 (2) May 13 (2) May 12 (2) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (2) May 08 (3) May 07 (2) May 06 (2) May 05 (2) May 04 (2) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (2) Apr 30 (1) Apr 29 (2) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (2) Apr 26 (2) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (4) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (2) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (2) Apr 15 (2) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (2) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (2) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (2) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (2) Mar 22 (1) Mar 21 (1) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (2) Mar 18 (2) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (2) Mar 14 (2) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (2) Mar 07 (1) Mar 06 (2) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (2) Mar 01 (1) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (1) Feb 25 (1) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (2) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 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Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. The awards are called Oscars. They are the top honors in the American film industry. Tonight we are live blogging about the event!

So, to recap the wild night!

"This is not a joke. 'Moonlight' has won best picture," said the makers of the musical film "La La Land," on stage after accepting the mistakenly announced Academy Award for best picture.

"Moonlight" examines three important times in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. The film won three Academy Awards in total.

"La La Land," the musical about the hopes and dreams of a man and woman in Hollywood, was nominated for 14 Oscars. It took home six, including the awards for actress in a leading role, directing and cinematography.

12:20 AM: Here is the trailer for the best picture Oscar, "Moonlight:"



12:15 AM: The cast of "Moonlight" comes on stage, shocked by the mix-up and more than overwhelmed by the win.

12:13 AM: Warren Beatty apparently had a mistaken envelope. Has this ever happened in Academy Award history? We do not think so.

12:11 AM: UPDATE!!! The best picture Oscar goes to "Moonlight."

12:08 AM: And the Oscar for best picture goes to "La La Land."

12:03 AM: Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announce the nominees for best picture:

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester By The Sea

Moonlight

11:56 PM: And the Academy Award goes to...Emma Stone for "La La Land." Like Casey Affleck, it is her first win.

11:54 PM: Last year's best actor Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio announces the nominees for best actress:

Emma Stone, La La Land

Natalie Portman, Jackie

Ruth Negga, Loving

Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

11:53 PM: Affleck says he is thankful to be part of the movie making community. Expresses his gratitude to Kenneth Lonergan, director and Matt Damon, producer and long-time friend.

11:50 PM: And the winner is...Casey Affleck for "Manchester by the Sea." It is his first Oscar.

11:48 PM: Last year's Oscar winner for best actress Brie Larson announces nominees for best actor:

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

11:44 PM: And the winner is Damien Chazelle for La La Land.

11:42 PM: Halle Berry announces the best director nominees:

Denis Villeneuve, Arrival

Mel Gibson, "Hacksaw Ridge"

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

11:35 PM: And the Oscar goes to Barry Jenkins for 'Moonlight."

11:34 PM: Amy Adams announces nominees for best adapted screenplay:

Lion, by Luke Davies

Arrival, by Eric Heisserer

Moonlight, by Barry Jenkins

Hidden Figures, by Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder

Fences, by August Wilson

11:32 PM: And the winner is...Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea. He said the movie he wrote was about taking care of people during great difficulty. Then, he thanked people who had taken care of him throughout his life.

11:30 PM: Actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck announce the best original screenplay nominees:

Manchester by the Sea, by Kenneth Lonergan

Hell or High Water, by Taylor Sheridan

La La Land, by Damien Chazelle

"20th Century Women," Mike Mills

The Lobster, by Efthymis Filippou and Yorgos Lanthimos

11:28 PM: Jimmy Kimmel shows up in a short video making fun of Matt Damon. The two men claim to have a long-standing dispute.

11:20 PM: Jennifer Aniston introduces the "In Memoriam" section of the ceremony. She noted the loss of actor Bill Paxton, who died February 25, from complications following surgery.

A short film honored other industry members lost in the last year including Mary Tyler Moore, Kenny Baker, Patty Duke, Pat Conroy, Nancy Reagan. Raoul Coutard, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher.

11:17 PM: Scarlett Johannsen announces winner of best original song. And, guess what? The Oscar goes to "City of Stars" from "La La Land." How many Academy Award wins is that for "La La Land" now?

11:15 PM: "La La Land" wins again. Justin Hurwitz takes the Oscar.

11:14 PM: Samuel Jackson presents nominees for best original score.

11:08 PM: What is your favorite movie of last year? Who do you think will win best actress and best actor Oscars? Let us know in the comments section at the bottom of the page, or go our Facebook page to post your thoughts.

11:05 PM: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling announce the final two original song nomination. Both are from the film they star in together: "La La Land." All the original songs nominees are:

City of Stars (La La Land)

How Far Ill Go (Moana)

Audition (The Fools Who Dream) (La La Land)

The Empty Chair (Jim: The James Foley Story)

Cant Stop the Feeling! (Trolls)

11:00 PM: And another Oscar for "La La Land." Linus Sandgren wins!

10:57 PM: Javier Bardem and Meryl Streep announce for nominees for cinematography.

Bradford Young, Arrival

Linus Sandgren,La La Land

Greig Fraser, Lion

James Laxton, Moonlight

Rodrigo Prieto, Silence

10:48 PM: "Sing" wins the Oscar for best live action short film.

10:45 PM: And the winner is The White Helmets." The documentary film is about the work of rescue volunteers in Syria.

10:43 PM: Salma Hayek and David Oyelowo announce awards for best documentary short subject and live action short film.

10:37 PM: And the Oscar goes to John Gilbert for his work on "Hacksaw Ridge."

10:35 PM: Michael J. Fox and Seth Rogen arrive on stage in a DeLorean car, like that used in "Back to the Future" movie series, to announce the award for achievement in film editing.

10:30 PM: The Oscar for best visual effects goes to "The Jungle Book." The film was based on the Rudyard Kipling book of the same name.

10:15 PM: "La La Land" wins its first Oscar: the Academy Award for best production design.

10:11 PM: The winner of best animated feature film goes to "Zootopia."

10:07 PM: The Academy honors "Piper" with an Oscar in the animated short films category. The film centers on the sweet struggles of a young sand piper in learning to deal with a big ocean.

10:06 PM: Here is a trailer of the Oscar winning foreign film "The Salesman."

9:57 PM: The Oscar for best foreign film goes to Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi for his work, "The Salesman." Farhadi boycotted the awards to protest a U.S. ban on travel from his country and six other Muslim majority nations. He thanked the academy through a spokesperson accepting the award on his behalf.



9:44 PM: And the Oscar goes to...Viola Davis! It is her first Academy Award win. She was nominated two times before.

Actress in a Supporting Role nominees:

Viola Davis, Fences

Naomie Harris, "Moonlight"

Nicole Kidman, Lion

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

9:30 PM: "Hacksaw Ridge" wins the Oscar for sound mixing.

9:26 PM: The science fiction film, "Arrival" wins its first award of the night, with the Oscar for sound editing.

9:12 PM: And the winner is OJ: Made in America. Director Ezra Edelman made the film for ESPN as part of the sports networks "30 for 30" series.

9:11 PM: Best Documentary Feature nominees:

Fire at Sea

I am Not Your Negro

Life, Animated

OJ: Made in America

13th

8:50 PM: It is Mahershala Ali's first Oscar win. The actor thanked his wife, who he said was pregnant with their first child through the awards season! They had their first baby, a daughter, four days ago. 



8:49 PM: And the Oscar goes to Mahershala Ali for his role in Moonlight.

Best Supporting Actor nominees:

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea

Dev Patel, Lion

Michael Shannon "Nocturnal Animals"

8:44 PM: Jimmy Kimmel asks Meryl Streep to stand for a "totally undeserved" round of applause! She is nominated for the 20th time tonight. She is up for best actress for the film "Florence Foster Jenkins." President Donald Trump recently called Streep "overrated."

8:40 PM: Kimmel notes that Amazon is in Oscars competition with its production credit in "Manchester By The Sea." He tells Amazon owner Jeff Bezos that, if "Manchester" wins, he can expect his Oscar in two to five business days. That's what Amazon tells customers who buy things from the online marketplace!

8:37 PM: Kimmel jokes in introduction that millions of people are watching this around the world in countries "that now hate us."

8:30 PM: Justin Timberlake opens the show with the song, "Can't Stop the Feeling!" Late night talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel, is hosting the Oscars for the first time.

8:20 PM: The following movies are up for a Best Picture Oscar.

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester By The Sea

Moonlight

8:12 PM: Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta arrive. Denzel Washington is nominated for best actor for his performance in the movie "Fences." The movie is also nominated for best picture.

8:04 PM: Nicole Kidman and her husband, country music star, Keith Urban, on the red carpet. Kidman is nominated for best actress in a supporting role for her performance in the film "Lion."

7:56 PM: Casey Affleck on the Red Carpet! Sporting a beard not seen in "Manchester by the Sea" the movie for which he has been nominated a best actor Oscar!

7:52 PM: Many are wondering if the ceremony will get political this year, as in years past. Will Oscar winners use their speeches to give support to political groups or positions? Hollywood is generally considered politically liberal. Will that be in evidence tonight?

Let us know what you think in the comments section here or on our Facebook page. Were presenting coverage of the Oscars there, too!




VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents.

Today we are talking about John Adams. In 1796, he was elected as the countrys second president.

Being second can be difficult. And being the second president of a new country, following a popular first president such as George Washington, turned out to be extremely difficult.

For one thing, Adams did not always get along with other people. He was known to get angry easily, and often.

Adams also was leader of a divided administration. His own vice president often disagreed with him  passionately.

The situation was the result of a rule in the Constitution at the time. It said the person who received the majority of votes became president. The person with the second largest number of votes became vice president.

The rule worked fine for the first two elections. Washington had won the presidency, and Adams won the vice presidency. The two men belonged to the same political party and shared many points of view.

But in 1796, Adams opponent in the election, Thomas Jefferson, became the vice president. The two men were personal friends, but political enemies.

President Adams supported a strong federal government that protected the interests of business and the wealthy. Vice President Jefferson, on the other hand, wanted to limit the power of the federal government. As a result, Adams and Jefferson often clashed.

Adams also made what many historians consider a mistake in choosing his cabinet. Adams simply kept Washingtons official advisers, mostly to satisfy political opponents.

But later, Adams learned that many of his cabinet members opposed him, too.

Historian John Ferling says Adams was in over his head, and started swimming upstream almost from the start of his presidency.

Foreign policy crisis

On top of all that, Adams faced a foreign policy crisis. After the French Revolution, Great Britain allied with other European nations against France. They wanted to keep the unrest from spreading to their countries.

Adams worked hard to make sure the U.S. did not get pulled into a war between France and Great Britain. But France did not trust the U.S. It tried to interrupt trade by seizing U.S. ships.

Adams wanted to resolve the problem peacefully. He threatened military action, but he also sent diplomats to talk with French officials.

Adams aimed for an honorable peace with France. It took some time but he got it.

Historian John Ferling says although the crisis in Europe caused Adams endless trouble, he dealt with it well.

Many years later, Adams wrote that the greatest jewel in his crown was reaching peace with France.

The Adams family

Even if Adams struggled as president, he was successful in other parts of his life.

He grew up outside the city of Boston. His father was a farmer, as well as a church official and town leader. However, Adams chose to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer.

Adams was a very good lawyer. In fact, he was one of the busiest lawyers in Boston. His success enabled him to buy a big, two-story house that still stands in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Adams also had a happy marriage. The relationship between him and his wife, Abigail, is one of the best-known of that time. The two wrote many letters to each other during the years they were apart. More than 1,000 of their letters still survive today. John and Abigail Adams were both passionate patriots who supported the American Revolution.

They also agreed about the issue of slavery. Unlike many founding families of the U.S., the couple did not own slaves and spoke out against the system of people owning other people.

Election of 1800

In November of 1800, John and Abigail Adams moved to the Executive Mansion in Washington, D.C. Adams was the first president to live in what we now call the White House.

They would not stay long, however.

Adams was facing a difficult re-election campaign. His vice president, Thomas Jefferson, was running against him. His party was divided  many Federalists supported other candidates. And some voters did not like his decisions  including creating a permanent army, raising taxes, and limiting the rights of immigrants.

Those four laws  called the Alien and Sedition Acts  extended the time that immigrants had to wait before becoming U.S. citizens.

They permitted the government to detain citizens from enemy nations without reason during wartime.

The laws also permitted the president to expel foreign citizens he believed were dangerous.

And they made criticizing the president or Congress a crime.

Adams said the Acts aimed to control people in the U.S. who supported France. But many politicians at the time argued that the laws mostly affected people who supported the opposing political party.

Historian John Ferling says they were right. And, he says, Adams may have been using the Alien and Sedition Acts to protect his political career. But they ended up damaging his public image.

They also raised the question for the first time of whether states had the right to ignore a federal law if they disagreed with it.

Adams and Jefferson

Supporters of Vice President Thomas Jefferson used Adams approval of the Alien and Sedition Acts against him effectively. Jeffersons campaign said Adams exercised so much power as president that he must want the U.S. to become a monarchy.

Adams campaign said Jefferson was a radical who would bring revolution to the country.

The U.S. had never experienced such an ugly election before. Some people wondered whether the country would be able to transfer power peacefully.

When Jefferson won, however, Adams did not resist. He retired to his farm in Massachusetts.

Adams spent most of his retirement writing. He even began exchanging long letters with his old friend  and old enemy  Thomas Jefferson.

They two men discussed their families, their thoughts on politics and religion, and their nations history. The letters were both personally and historically meaningful: Adams and Jefferson were the last living members of the original patriots who started a new country.

On July 4, 1826  the nations 50th birthday  the two friends, patriots and former U.S. presidents died within hours of one another.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Anne Ball and Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story. Caty Weaver was the editor.

See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each video, then choose the best answer.

Quiz - John Adams: He's Number Two Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz



_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

passionately - adv. having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs

upstream - adj. in the direction opposite to the flow in a stream or river

interrupt - v. to cause something to stop happening for a time

patriot  n. person who supported the American Revolutionary War for freedom from Britain

ugly - adj. unpleasant

transfer - v. to give rights to another person

original - adj. existing first or at the beginning


This is Whats Trending Today.

Theres a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won best picture.

And with those words, producer Jordan Horowitz of La La Land, told the cast and crew of a competing film that it had won the Oscars biggest award.

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong categorys envelope before they went on stage.

They may have been given the back-up envelope for the best actress award, which earlier was given to Emma Stone of La La Land.

Beatty was clearly confused about what he saw when he opened the envelope, but Dunaway read the name of the film listed below Stones name.

The actors and producers from La La Land left their seats and filled the stage to accept their Oscar statues.

They gave many speeches before Horowitz interrupted.

This is not a joke. Moonlight has won best picture, he said.

He took the card from Beatty and held it up for the cameras. Moonlight. Best Picture, he said as the camera moved closer.

The shows host, comedian and late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel, made the best of the situation. He went up to Beatty, and exclaimed Warren. What did you do?

Kimmel also said, personally, I blame Steve Harvey.

That was in reference to the mistake Harvey made in 2015 at the Miss Universe pageant.

He announced the wrong winner, first saying it was the contestant from Colombia, and then realizing the correct winner was actually from the Philippines.

Once order had been restored, Beatty tried to explain what happened, saying he had been given the wrong envelope.

Barry Jenkins is the writer and director of Moonlight.

Once he reached the stage, he said even in my dreams, this cannot be true.

Stone, happy to have won the best actress award, later said is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time? Cool!

Many people are wondering how the mistake was made. The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has been handling Oscar votes for over 80 years without any problems.

The firm apologized to all of the people who were made uncomfortable by the mistake. It promised to investigate what caused the error.

Horowitz is being credited for staying calm and stopping the show to correct the error.

People are calling him gracious, a great producer, and classy.

Even Jenkins said much respect to that dude.

A story from USA Today detailed the backstage moments of the show. The newspaper said people could be heard shouting Best show ever! at the end of the night.

The other major award winners will always remember their victorious night because of the best picture mix-up.

They included: Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali for their supporting roles in Fences and Moonlight; Manchester by the Sea, for best original screenplay and Moonlight for best adapted screenplay; Casey Affleck for best actor and Damien Chazelle for best director. The Salesman, a film from Iran, won the award for best foreign film.

Director Asghar Farhadi did not attend the ceremony. He wrote a letter that said he chose not to attend in protest of President Donald Trumps attempts to ban immigrants to the United States from a number of majority Muslim countries, including Iran.

And thats Whats Trending Today.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor.

What did you think of the Oscars? Let us know in the comments section.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

back-up  n. a person or thing that can be used to replace or support another person or thing

confused  adj. unable to understand or think clearly

pageant  n. a beauty contest, in which people judge a group of women or girls and decide which one is the most beautiful

restore  v. to give back or return something

cool  adj. often used to show approval in a general way

firm  n. a business organization

gracious  adj. very polite in a way that shows respect

classy  adj. showing impressive character : very good, kind, etc.

dude  n. a man  used especially by young people

adapt  v. to change (a movie, book, play, etc.) so that it can be presented in another form


President Donald Trump will give his first speech to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday.

He is expected to discuss his plan to increase military spending by nearly 10 percent, or $54 billion, offset by equal cuts in non-defense spending. The cuts will likely include large reductions in foreign aid.

He told governors on Monday that he would also propose more spending on public safety, including more efforts to stop illegal immigration. And he would call for more spending to rebuild old roadways and airports and reduce taxes.

Trump is likely to repeat some of the comments he made last week in a speech before conservatives.

He said at the Conservative Political Action Conference, We will reduce taxes. We will cut your regulations. We will support our police. We will defend our flag. We will rebuild our military. We will take care of our great, great veterans.

Some will watch what tone Trump uses in his speech. Will he reach out to Democrats and others who oppose his policies?

Richard Vatz and Gerald Shuster are experts on presidential communication. Neither expects Trump to tone back the strong comments that have marked both his campaign for president and his first 40 days as president.

People have been predicting for a long time that he will change his tone, but it hasnt happened and I see no reason to think it will now, Vatz said.

Vatz is a professor at Towson University in Maryland. He said the reason Trump is not likely to change is because his supporters like his strong criticism of the news media and Democrats. The downside, Vatz said, is that Trump faces the strongest opposition of any U.S. president since the 1960s.

Shuster teaches at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Shuster does not expect Trump to moderate his language unless he faces a major setback -- such as a failure to carry out his promise to repeal and replace the health plan known as Obamacare.

Presidential speeches go back to George Washington

Presidents have been giving speeches to Congress since the beginning of the Republic. George Washington, the first president, was also the first president to give a speech to Congress.

The U.S. constitution says presidents shall from time to time give to Congress information of the state of the Union.

But no president since John Kennedy in 1961 has given a State of the Union address during their first year in office. Recent presidents have instead given what is called a speech to a joint session of Congress.

In his first speech to Congress in 2009, President Barack Obama said he was sure America would overcome its worst recession in over 70 years.

We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before, Obama said.

In 2001, President George W. Bush, a Republican, said America needed to be ready for the unexpected. A little over six months later, America faced its worst terrorist attack ever, killing 3,000 people on September 11, 2001.

In 1981, new President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, discussed concerns his policies would hurt low-income Americans.

He said, All those with true need can rest assured that the social safety net of programs they depend on are exempt from any cuts."

Five days after the killing of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson made his first speech to a joint session of Congress. He said, "All I have I would have given gladly not to be standing here today. The greatest leader of our time has been struck down by the foulest deed of our time."

Who will watch Trumps speech?

Trumps speech will be televised live across the United States and in some other nations.

The audience watching in the U.S. Capitol will include more than just members of the Senate and House of Representatives. There will be members of his cabinet, Supreme Court justices and news reporters whom Trump calls the enemy of the people for stories critical of his administration.

Members of Congress also invite special guests to watch the speech.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi plans to invite a young immigrant who could be hurt by Trumps plans to take on illegal immigration. Pelosi also plans to bring a person she says has spoken out about the importance of a free press.

Pelosi said Trump has failed to carry out his most important campaign promise. Five weeks into his administration, President Trump has not introduced a single jobs bill, she said.

But Trump said he is speaking for Americans who have not been treated fairly.

The forgotten men and women of America will be forgotten no longer.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do 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

regulation - n. an official rule or law that says how something should be done

tone - n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking

state - n. the current condition

emerge - v. used to indicate the usually good state or condition of someone or something at the end of an event, process

assured - v. be sure something will happen or not happen

exempt - n. not affected by some decision, rule or proposal.
While we knew this years race for Linn County Sheriff would be interesting, as its the first general election in 26 years that offers the voters a choice between two candidates, we could have never anticipated it being this spicy.
LEBANON  Superintendent Rob Hess has acknowledged a romantic relationship included in an anonymous complaint against the school district, but
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The memory of a beloved pet inspires one couple's fight against injustice.
disclaimer

I have received the books on this blog for review from the publisher or author or I have bought them. I have no financial interest in any book featured on this blog.
It is often asserted that the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 proved that HWA was right and he really did see the future.

This of course is nonsense. Herbert W. Armstrong said that Christ would return within twenty years in his book Mystery of the Ages. (PCG has since deleted those words so someone in there knows HWA spoke nonsense.) How convenient for them to forget this.

Also Herbert W. Armstrong never said the Soviet Union would collapse. He thought it would survive intact until a few years after Christ's return. It shows how biased some many in the COGs are that they never seem to notice this. This inconvenient truth is just tossed into the memory hole.

It is true that HWA said that some Eastern European states would break away from Moscow's orbit and join the European Empire he said would arise at any moment. But he never talked of the Soviet Union collapsing. He did not teach that. Also he portrayed the rise of the European Empire to be far quicker then what has actually happened. In Mystery of the Ages Christ was supposed to return by 2005 at the most.

So assertions that the fall of the Berlin Wall somehow prove that HWA was right is just complete nonsense spread by people who, for whatever reason, are still in denial that HWA was a false prophet who merely talked out of his own "human reasoning".
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announced the signing of a management agreement with Yuk Tung Properties Sdn. Bhd.to develop a 338-room Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Scheduled to open by 2021, the new Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre will be located along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, a vibrant street lined with embassies, trendy restaurants and bars and within walking distance from the renowned Petronas Twin Towers, which forms part of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, or "KLCC" area. KLCC is the central heart of the Golden Triangle downtown district of Kuala Lumpur and includes KLCC Park, a 50-acre tropical landscape park regarded as one of the top three public parks in the world, all but a stone's throw away from the hotel.

The hotel will offer business travellers accommodation close to major commercial areas in the city's central business district. Guests will have access to a fully-equipped business centre and seven versatile meeting spaces which can be transformed to suit a range of functions and events. The hotel will also feature a wide range of food and beverage options at the all-day dining, specialty restaurants and Sky Bar, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre for guests to recharge at during their downtime.

Leanne Harwood, Vice President, Operations, South East Asia and Korea, IHG, said: "With the AEC coming together we see greater opportunities for intra-regional travel. Coupled with the launch of the High Speed Rail linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in 2026, we're confident the city will welcome even more visitors in the coming years. The opening of Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre will help cater to the influx of business travellers coming in from all over Asia and we are delighted to partner with Yuk Tung Properties to bring the Crowne Plaza brand into Kuala Lumpur."

According to Yuk Tung Properties Sdn. Bhd., "Kuala Lumpur is booming as a travel destination with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport seeing close to 11 million business and leisure travellers every year. There is a huge opportunity to deliver great experiences to guests travelling for business and leisure and we look forward to working with IHG to open Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre in the heart of Kuala Lumpur."

Crowne Plaza is one of the fastest growing hotel brands in the world with nearly 400 hotels in more than 63 countries worldwide, including 71 hotels across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region.

IHG currently has five hotels across three brands in Malaysia: InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express which debuted in the country with Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre last year. Eight hotels will open in the country over the next three to five years.

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Industry practitioners and revenue management (RM) educators, meeting recently in Orlando in the U.S., are in agreement: there is a great shortage of well-qualified revenue managers. Competent revenue managers should be not only able to use data analytics to predict customer behavior and proactively formulate RM and pricing strategy, but they should also possess the necessary communication, decision-making and leadership skills required to help companies to maximize revenue.

The list of corporates taking part in the Orlando RevMe workshop was impressive: Disney; SeaWorld Parks; IDeaS Revenue Solutions; Delaware North; STR; and Hard Rock International. Among the items on the agenda: dynamic pricing; bridging the gap between technology and people; and education, skills and behavioral traits that make great revenue managers.

Today's RM practice is evolving from the traditional rooms-revenue model towards a total revenue management approach. Under the traditional model, hotel revenue management has focused largely on rooms. However, revenue management principles can be applied to operational areas beyond just rooms. At its core, total hotel revenue management brings together and optimizes all revenue streams, as opposed to thinking of each department separately. Thus, a more holistic approach to revenue management is needed to identify revenue-generating opportunities, and optimize revenue and profit generation.

The move to total revenue management involves a shift from a tactical, short-term focus to a more strategic, long-term view. Total revenue management relates to capturing mostly untapped revenue and profit potential, associated with hotels' non-room revenue-generating centers. Some hotel chains are already expanding revenue management practices to F&B outlets and/or the function rooms.

As for 'integrated' hotel resorts, the casino industry also offers specialized hotel room rates, based on the guests' 'value', by analyzing their gaming and spending behavior.

While the evolution of revenue management presents many opportunities for today's revenue leaders, it will also bring many challenges. Industry practitioners recognize the importance of utilizing a total revenue management approach and conclude that talented personnel, combined with the right technology are the keys to success for total revenue management strategies.

Technology providers have also begun to deliver solutions that address these areas as well, from robust F&B reports that transform point-of-sale or POS data into actionable insights, or into forecasting and optimization solutions for alternative revenue sources such as meeting space.

However, technology is still one of the key barriers to practicing total revenue management. The data and technology required to support the successful implementation of total revenue management is not readily available to most companies. When different departments collaborate, they typically operate on multiple software applications. Companies, however, more often than not acquire different systems at different times from different vendors, but the systems need to be interconnected. Therefore, it is a challenge for companies to interlink their different systems, so that they can work together and allow for the seamless transfer of data.

For total revenue management to become a reality, the revenue manager should be able to manage demand and profitability for every revenue stream in the hotel. One of the core components of a total revenue management program is increased involvement by the revenue manager in optimizing all revenue streams, and so have both tactical and strategic influence on other revenue centers.

In addition, one of the keys to successful total revenue management is to have it embedded in the organization's culture and an integrated approach is needed to analyze the decisions of sales departments so that they can be aligned with the revenue and profit objectives of all the revenue centers.

Therefore, a key quality of effective revenue leaders is that they must not only be good with analytics, they must also be effective influencers in sales, marketing and operations. With automated revenue management systems in place, revenue managers can reduce their workload in terms of 'number-crunching' and spend more time on analyzing data and making better and more strategic decisions for the hotel.

Revenue managers should be corporate leaders who guide sales and marketing teams in the most effective positioning of their selling strategies and campaigns, and lead the overall strategic direction of a property.

Future revenue managers will have to develop far beyond the current, stereotypical number-crunching, often believed to the revenue management role, as the key competency of revenue maximization is becoming more strategic.

Every decision a revenue manager makes affects a company's profitability and, because of this, the role requires a professional competent in their abilities to manage both people as well as revenue. Top revenue managers should be visionaries and corporate change agents who rely on innovative thinking to develop and build a total revenue strategy to increase a company's profitability for both the short and long term.

Revenue managers in future should not only be tactical, but also have the right skill sets to be the strategic revenue leaders that companies need.

Dr. Cindy (Yoonjoung) Heo is an assistant professor in revenue management at EHL. Dr. Heo will be one of the team of professors on the school's new MBA in Hospitality program which is scheduled to start in September 2017.

Discover EHL's online module Driving Hotel Revenues.

View source
GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
AIA Group Ltd. and Manulife Financial Corp. are among bidders for Siam Commercial Bank Pcls life insurance operations in what could be the biggest-

ever acquisition of a Southeast Asian insurer, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is partnering with Singapores Great Eastern Holdings Ltd. on a non-binding offer, while Hong Kong tycoon Richard Lis FWD Group and, separately, Prudential Plc have also bid, according to the people. Bidders for SCB Life Assurance Pcl are expected to be shortlisted this month, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is private.

A deal could give the life insurance business a valuation of at least USD3 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said in April. Siam Commercial, Thailands third-largest lender, has been considering selling a stake in the operations as well as granting access to sell insurance products through its branches, the people said at the time.

Global insurers have been seeking ways to expand their reach selling products via lenders with large Asian branch networks. Germans Allianz SE announced a 15-year agreement last month to distribute products through Standard Chartered Plcs outlets in Asia. Sompo Holdings Inc.s so-called bancassurance agreement last year gives the Japanese firm access to CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. branches in Southeast Asia.

A deal for the SCB unit  at a $3 billion valuation  could be bigger than Lis $2.1 billion acquisition of ING Groep NV insurance units in 2013 that created FWD Group, according to Bloomberg-compiled data. Lis deal for operations in Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand is the largest insurance purchase that includes Southeast Asian assets, the data show. Bloomberg
Chinas announcement that it has suspended North Korean coal imports may have been its first test of whether the Trump administration is ready to do something about a major, and mutual, security problem: North Koreas nukes. While China is Pyongyangs biggest enabler, it is also the biggest outside agent of regime-challenging change  just not in the way Washington has wanted.

Judging from Trumps limited comments so far, and the gaping chasm between Washingtons long-held focus on sanctions and punishment and Beijings equally deep commitment to diplomatic talks that dont require the North to first give up its arsenal, a deal between the two wont come easily.

But if Beijing is indeed sending a signal to Trump about Pyongyang, its opening bid was a big one. North Koreas coal exports to China totaled USD1.2 billion last year, according to Chinese customs. U.S. officials say that represents about one third of the Norths total export income.

For Kim Jong Un, thats going to hurt.

In a bitter critique, the Norths official media on Thursday likened the decision by Beijing to an enemy states move to bring down their social system and, in a tone it normally reserves for Washington, Tokyo or Seoul, accused Beijing of dancing to the tune of the U.S. It was one of the most biting attacks the Norths media has ever made against China.

Trump, meanwhile, has often appeared to be more interested in bashing China than dealing with it. He has accused Beijing of not helping at all with the problem, and at the height of his bombast last year on the campaign trail, claimed China has total control over North Korea.

China should solve that problem, he said. And if they dont solve the problem, we should make trade very difficult for China.

Trump has vowed to deal with North Korea, and his administration is conducting a broad-ranging policy review, including how to make sanctions bite. Negotiations havent been ruled out, said a U.S. official who wasnt authorized to discuss internal deliberations and demanded anonymity.

Unofficial talks between North Korean government officials and former U.S. officials tentatively scheduled for early March in New York were called off after the U.S. government decided Friday against issuing visas, according to a person familiar with the decision who was not authorized to speak for the U.S. government and discussed the matter on condition of anonymity.

The State Department declined to comment Saturday, saying it does not discuss individual visa cases.

Although the U.S. government was not due to participate in the dialogue, and such unofficial talks have little bearing on official U.S. policy, allowing them to proceed could have signaled the Trump administrations openness to U.S. engagement with North Korea, whose delegation was due to be led by Choe Son Hui, director of the U.S. affairs department in North Koreas Foreign Ministry.

It was not immediately clear why the U.S. government nixed the dialogue  a decision first reported by the Wall Street Journal. But the decision came after Malaysian authorities announced earlier Friday that the exiled half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Nam had been assassinated using VX nerve agent  a killing which is widely suspected to be the work of North Korea.

Trumps basic position on North Korea reflects a dusty old chestnut in Washington: that China can, and should, force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons but has instead, recklessly and shortsightedly, become North Koreas great enabler because it fears South Korea, an American ally that hosts U.S. troops, controlling everything right up to its border. That is, after all, why China fought the U.S. in the Korean War.

But the pervasive Chinese economic engagement with the North that so aggravates sanctions advocates in Washington has dramatically advanced the growth of a gray-zone market system, the swelling of an increasingly influential merchant class that is not utterly beholden to Kim Jong Un or his ruling party and shifts in popular attitudes and social relationships that could be extremely destabilizing for the entrenched North Korean status quo.

Beijing is no buddy of the Kims. And both sides know it.

Though they fought on the same side in the 1950-53 Korean War, which cost China hundreds of thousands of lives, neither side trusts the other or harbors any illusions their relationship is, or ever was, anything like a friendship.

On the flip side, protecting stable trade relations with a prosperous Seoul is far more important and profitable for Beijing than its dealings with the Kims northern dynasty. That trade serves to keep Pyongyang in check and also undermines the assumption that a reunited Korea would have the same motivations to remain the stalwart ally of Washington that Seoul now is.

Its also not a given the Korean public would continue to support the idea of hosting U.S. troops at all since their only purpose post-unification would, indeed, be to threaten China. There is considerable popular opposition in the South to the U.S. bases there even with the North intact and growing stronger.

Exasperated U.S. policymakers like to say there are no good options with North Korea.

China could make the same complaint. Beijing is as painfully aware that its influence over Pyongyang has limits as Washington is aware that its military superiority alone cannot solve the problem.

China also knows the impact of a North Korean implosion  regional economic chaos, huge flows of refugees into its relatively poor northeast, which already has a sizable ethnic Korean minority  are far bigger problems for it than for the U.S. and far more likely than a last-breath, suicidal nuclear attack by Pyongyang on Washington.

Seen in that framework, it isnt surprising that China has half-heartedly gone along with U.N. resolutions on the Norths nuclear program while advocating for enough security on the peninsula for U.S.-North Korea diplomacy to be a viable option. Its suspension of coal imports was done to comply with an import cap that was part of sanctions it agreed to last year  when Trump was still a private citizen.

But Beijing is also clearly tired of being scapegoated by Washington.

Repeated, self-righteous demands from the White House for China to take sole ownership over what Beijing considers to be a mess Washington created by rushing across the 38th parallel and on to the Yalu River when the North Korean army was in full retreat nearly 70 years ago almost guarantee it wont.

At least not in the way that Washington wants. Eric Talmadge, Tokyo, AP
Negotiators from 16 Asian countries are meeting in the Japanese port city of Kobe this week for talks on a regional trade pact seen as a rival to the Trans-Pacific Partnership rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump.

China is not part of the TPP but is playing a leading role in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, which faces hurdles of its own in the talks, which are to run through Friday.

After taking office last month, Trump withdrew from the Pacific Rim-based TPP, which now includes 11 countries from Chile to New Zealand. The U.S. is not a part of the RCEP initiative.

RCEP members include some of Asias poorest countries, such as Laos and Myanmar, as well as some of its richest. Reaching consensus over tariffs, trade in services and restrictions on investments in key industries has proven tricky since the talks were launched in 2013.

Apart from Japan and China, RCEP members include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some other leaders of other TPP member countries have said they hope to persuade Trump to reconsider his rejection of the trade pact, which was a centerpiece of U.S. economic policy in Asia during the previous administration.

Trump has said he prefers bilateral deals. He has also pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and to impose a border tax to compel manufacturers to move more production back to the U.S. from overseas.

Such moves have raised uncertainty in Asia, where many countries have prospered thanks to freer trade and the expansion of global supply chains. RCEP member countries accounted for nearly a fifth of U.S. goods imports in 2016, with China accounting for half of that, or just over 20 percent. AP
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed to restore full military cooperation at a meeting between the two leaders in Sydney yesterday.

Indonesia moved to suspend all military partnerships between the two countries last month, citing technical issues. Australias Defense Minister Marise Payne said that concerns were raised in late 2016 by an Indonesian national armed forces officer over teaching materials and remarks at an army language training facility in Australia.

President Widodo and I have agreed to the full restoration of defense cooperation, training exchanges and activities, Turnbull said in a joint statement from the leaders.

Widodo, also known as Jokowi, is on his first visit to Australia. He and Turnbull agreed to enhance maritime cooperation between the countries. Ive assured the president of Australias commitment to Indonesias sovereignty and territorial integrity, Turnbull said.

Jokowi said a robust relationship can be established between Australia and Indonesia when both countries have mutual respect for each others territorial integrity, non-interference into the domestic affairs of each other and the ability to develop a mutually beneficial partnership.

Jokowi and Turnbull are seeking to strike a balance between China  a major trading partner for both, and the U.S., which has for decades been the dominant military presence in Asia.

While Indonesia has sought to stay neutral in disputes between its neighbors and China over the nearby South China Sea, its become increasingly cautious over Chinese expansion in the region.

Incursions by Chinese fishing boats and its coast guard, along with public comments by senior Chinese officials about access to waters near the gas-rich Natuna Islands, prompted Jokowi to tell a Sydney newspaper in November that the islands are our territory and there would be no compromise on sovereignty.

Australia and Indonesia are in talks for a comprehensive economic partnership to cut tariffs and promote trade, which Turnbull and Jokowi said they expect to be completed by the end of the year.

The two leaders announced Indonesia will lower tariffs on Australian sugar to 5 percent, while Australia will eliminate tariffs on pesticides and herbicides coming from Indonesian suppliers.

Jokowi said he discussed key issues on trade with Turnbull, including removal of barriers and tariffs on Indonesian products such as paper and palm oil.

The potential for us to expand our economic relationship is very clear, Turnbull said. We are both committed to concluding a high-quality, bilateral free-trade agreement, the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership, by the end of this year. Chelsea Mes, Jason Scott, Bloomberg
Saudi King Salman has arrived in Malaysia to kick off a multi-nation tour aimed at boosting economic ties with Asia. The official Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday that the monarchs tour will also take in Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives. Salman will also visit Saudi Arabias neighbor Jordan before returning home. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia is the worlds largest oil exporter, with much of its crude destined for customers in Asia.

The kingdom is eager to attract investment as it diversifies its economy, including for its upcoming initial public offering of part of state oil giant Saudi Aranco.

Philippines  Offensive continues amid threat to behead German

The Philippine military says troops are pressing efforts to eradicate Abu Sayyaf militants, who have threatened to behead a German hostage by a ransom deadline that has lapsed. Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said yesterday that troops were continuing operations to rescue foreign and local hostages, including German hostage Jurgen Gustav Kantner, believed to be held by the militants in the jungles of southern Sulu province. Kantner said in a video that circulated online earlier this month that the militants have threatened to behead him by mid-afternoon of yesterday if a ransom were not paid. There was no immediate sign whether the militants pushed through with their threat to kill him. President Rodrigo Dutertes adviser, Jesus Dureza, made a last-minute appeal to the militants to spare Kantner.
Antoine Argoud, President De Gaulles arch enemy and a former colonel in the French Army, has been charged with an assassination attempt on the president two years ago.

Argoud was, until now, the only active member of the Algerian Secret Army (OAS) , an organization opposed to Algerian independence that has used violent methods to promote its cause.

He was found by police yesterday tied up and badly bruised in the back of a blue van in central Paris after a tip-off. He claims he was kidnapped from Munich, Germany, by the French secret service, known as Les Barbouzes (the Bearded Ones).

But the man who phoned police about Argouds whereabouts claimed to be a member of the OAS.

He told the police: Argoud has betrayed us. He has failed in all the tasks which he should have organised  especially the attempt on the life of President de Gaulle at the Petit Clamart last August. You can pick him up now. He is very near you.

The blue van was found just yards from the Quai des Orfevres, the French equivalent of Scotland Yard.

After a failed coup led by General Raoul Salan in August 1961, Argoud was captured and imprisoned in the Canary Islands.

But last March he escaped to Madrid dressed as a Spanish officer. Two months later, he made his way to Germany where he tried to drum up support for his cause among French Army units based there.

He has since courted the more moderate version of the OAS, the illegal National Resistance Council (CNR) led by former prime minister Georges Bidault and Jacques Soustelle.

Fifteen of Argouds associates are already on trial at a military court in Paris for their part in the de Gaulle assassination plot.

Argoud himself was sentenced to death in absentia while he was on the run.

This sentence will be set aside in preparation for a new trial.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The OAS was founded in 1961 and led by General Raoul Salan.

It represented French settlers in Algeria and campaigned against independence in Algeria and France using terrorist means  including the attempted assassination in August 1961 of the French president General de Gaulle.

In March 1962 de Gaulle reached agreement with Algerian nationalists to give Algeria independence.

General Salan was captured and jailed in April 1962 and the organisation gradually disintegrated.

Colonel Argoud argued that his trial in December 1963 was not legal because he had been taken back to France against his will.

But the trial went ahead and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

He was released, along with other former OAS members, during a general amnesty in May 1968.
A civic group recently held a forum to discuss solutions to the lack of awareness of global events on the part of local residents.

The unmindful groups of people were not identified, whether they were baby boomers, generation X or millennials.

Yet there could also be a doubt as to whether these groups of people are aware of what is happening  politically speaking  in this special administrative region, their country of residence.

Nevertheless, thanks to the social media where several of these local civic associations are broadcasting their talk or forum online  particularly on Facebook, an interest may still be stirred amongst followers on Facebook.

Netizens  mostly millennials I think  are generally interested in hard, straight to the point news; with pictures when possible. Yet, there have been cases where irrelevant or outdated pictures have been posted on Facebook, alongside legitimate information.

Currently, social media is one of the top sources of information  whether the information on there is false or accurate.

Some Facebook pages share websites or blogs that post current affairs  with misleading titles. These pieces significantly shift public opinion.

These matters have been occurring back in the Philippines, especially as the nations president commenced his controversial war on drugs.

Last year, there was a Facebook post by an alleged spokesman of Dutertes campaign that attacked critics of the governments administrative orders relating to its war on drugs. The spokesman stated, Nine year-old raped and murdered and we havent heard condemning this brutal act from human rightists, bishops and pressitutes who are derailing the governments war against drugs and crime.

Yet Rappler, an online news site based in the Philippines, stated in its report last year that the photo used in the post was taken in Brazil, not the Philippines.

This is only one of the examples of how online posts paired with pictures could mislead the public, especially those who are unaware of current affairs.

When Duterte was still campaigning in the elections he was acquiring a massive audience especially on social media. During this time, numerous disinformation campaigns formed.

The media outlet even stated that such social media campaigns were meant to shape public opinion, tear down reputations, and cripple traditional media institutions.

The uses and role of social media have been increasingly significant, but social media growth has also been accompanied by the increase of fake news dissemination.

Yet social media has also been a medium for uniting netizens who share the same belief or sentiments.

When the Philippines Supreme Court allowed a heros burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, thousands of Facebook and Twitter users  particularly the elite and university students  turned their profile photos pitch-black to protest the decision.

These profile photos contained texts or hash tags such as Marcos not a hero and #NeverForget.

Although social media has been the most convenient tool to access news and information, I still doubt whether its a source of information that is more reliable than traditional media.

Besides, users could create multiple fake accounts on Facebook to share paid propagandas and to manipulate netizens.

An internet bot or web robot does the trick. It is a software application that is instructed to give an automated response to posts on social media. Since this is machine-driven, the bot is capable of manufacturing thousands of posts per minute, which could create the perception of a tidal wave of public opinion.

Thus making it possible to manipulate public opinion of social media enthusiasts because even when they are not concerned about it, these users get news and commentary in their feeds.
Malaysias health minister said yesterday that the dose of nerve agent given to North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns exiled half brother was so high that it killed him within 20 minutes and caused very serious paralysis.

Kim Jong Nam died Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport in what Malaysian police say was a well- planned hit by two women who wiped a liquid on Kims face. Police revealed Friday that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim, raising the stakes in the case.

Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said the dose of VX given to Kim was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes. Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in the ambulance while en route to a hospital, he said.

VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that, he said at a news conference. The doses were so high and it did it so fast and all over the body, so it would have affected his heart, it would have affected his lungs, it would have affected everything.

Asked how long it took for Kim to die after he was attacked, Subramaniam said, I would think it was about, from the time of onset, from the time of application, 15-20 minutes.

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.

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 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.

Earlier yesterday, Subramaniam 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.

He said the final autopsy report would be submitted to police soon.

Subramaniam also said that there have been no reports of anyone else being sickened by the toxin, but that medical workers who attended to Kim would remain under observation for possible delayed effects.

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.

Early yesterday, more than a dozen officers in protective gear swept the budget terminal where Kim was attacked and said they found no traces of VX.

Abdul Samah Mat, the police official leading the investigation, said the terminal was free from any form of contamination of hazardous material and declared it a safe zone after a two-hour sweep.

He also said a condominium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that was raided by police last week had been rented by the four North Korean suspects who left the country. He said police were still testing a seized substance for traces of any chemicals.

Abdul Samah said the Indonesian woman who was arrested, Siti Aisyah, vomited in a taxi on the way from the airport after the attack but is fine now. He said that more tests were needed to determine if the two arrested suspects were given antidotes 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. Eileen Ng, AP

Suspect says she got USD 90 for a prank

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 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.
In this era of digital disruption, consumers  particularly millennials  are making demands for the continued innovation of products and experiences.

At a talk last week by the French Macau Business Association titled Connected Consumers: Innovate or Die, Anson Bailey, head of Consumer Markets of KPMG China, stressed that some companies  predominantly traditional firms  still fail to innovate, thus risking extinction.

Today the speed of change is so rapid that companies are going to get left behind if they stay in the same place. he said.

As long-established companies are much more conservative than startups or young entrepreneurs, they are more likely to be risk-averse and consequently fail to innovate.

The consumer market expert believed that the challenge traditional firms face today is anticipating the markets movements, and observed that such firms are still operating on old technological platforms  refusing to take advantage of new platforms that have since been made available.

They have the technology but they simply did not use it, Bailey said regretfully, citing the downfall of Kodak.

I think its a big issue. I think there are a lot of traditional companies who still make good money, but they simple they dont see the signs, he argued.

They are not monetizing the consumers and so when they realize that they need to do something, they have missed the boat, he continued.

Meanwhile, Bailey stressed in his presentation that millennials play a significant role in the innovation of products and services, particularly in China.

The expert said a significant number of brands and retailers have engaged external firms to communicate through and make use of social media platforms on their behalf, in order to connect with tech-savvy millennial consumers.

Due to millennials short attention span, Bailey added that retailers need to ensure that they can connect and demonstrate their proposition in a very succinct matter.

A report published by KPMG, one of the Big Four auditor firms, titled Chinas Connected Consumers 2016, revealed that China is leading in global online spending, which amounts to 48.5 percent versus a global average of 27.9 percent.

Bailey further stressed that this era is seeing technology advancing in mobile phones yet argued that brands should ensure they have a strong physical presence such as pop-up shops where consumers can touch, feel and experience the products.

Meanwhile, the Times also questioned whether Macau is failing to keep up with global trends or innovations such as the use of Uber, noting that the region still has no jurisdiction over ride-sharing.

According to Bailey, the government is sometimes slow to regulate. Yet he stressed that matters such as the Uber case are consumer-driven.

So companies like Uber would not be around if it werent for the consumer. There is a consumer demand [and] it is very difficult to stop that momentum building up, the expert explained.

Such companies have proved to be a popular choice for consumers because its about convenience, and use of technology platforms, he concluded.
Hundreds of people protested yesterday in Kyrgyzstan after authorities detained a prominent opposition leader on fraud and corruption charges that his supporters say are politically motivated.

Omurbek Tekebayev was arrested yesterday morning after arriving at the Central Asian countrys main airport outside the capital Bishkek on a flight from Vienna.

About 300 people gathered in front of the State Committee for National Security, or GKNB, in Bishkek, later in the day to call for Tekebayevs release.

The detention of the famous politician Tekebayev at night in the airport looks like the detention of a terrorist, former Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva told journalists.

The GKNB said the charges against Tekebayev are related to his time as deputy prime minister when he allegedly received a $1 million bribe from a Russian businessman.

Tekebayev, the leader of Kyrgyzstans Ata-Meken party, has vigorously denied the charges and returned from abroad despite knowing he could face detention. Members of Ata-Meken at the protest said his arrest was illegal due to procedural violations.

Kyrgyzstan has opened a string of criminal cases against opposition figures in recent months that critics allege are politically motivated.

The largely Muslim nation, a former Soviet republic, is set to hold presidential election elections in November. Incumbent President Almazbek Atambayev is barred from standing for another term but recent constitutional changes conferring greater powers on the prime minister have prompted speculation that he may seek to retain much of his power by switching to that post. AP
China needs to do more to stop risky behavior in its stock market, a regulator said yesterday, following a 2015 collapse in share prices and complaints investors are engaged in a dangerous new round of speculative buying.

Regulators need to stop blind expansion by financial firms, the deputy chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Li Chao, said at a news conference.

People in financial industries have warned insurance companies and others are making dangerously aggressive investments in stocks and real estate. On Friday, the chairman of a life insurer was banned from the industry for violating limits on investing.

Regulators need to increase the intensity of supervision and seriously deal with illegal acts, said Li.

Chinas stock market is one of the worlds biggest but prices are volatile and complaints of insider trading and other abuses are common. The markets are largely sealed off from global capital flows but Beijing is gradually easing barriers to foreign investors owning Chinese stocks.

In 2015, share prices surged and then collapsed, wiping trillions of dollars off stock value and battering small investors.

That was a hard lesson that regulators need to improve their ability to keep track of what brokers and investors are doing, Li said.

Regulators plan this year to fully implement compliance and risk control and standardize the investment banking business, he said.

Markets have stabilized since the crash, allowing companies to resume raising money in stock offerings, said the agencys chairman, Liu Shiyu. He said 248 companies raised 163 billion yuan (USD24 billion) last year.

Liu was appointed in February 2016 after his predecessor was fired following the market plunge.

At the same time, said Li, regulators imposed more than 200 administrative measures last year against securities firms, fund managers and others who were found to be acting improperly.

On Friday, the countrys insurance regulator said the chairman of Foresea Life Insurance Co., Yao Zhenhua, was banned from the industry for 10 years. The agency said Foresea, part of Yaos Baoneng conglomerate, risked too much of its assets on investments in stocks and real estate.

In December, another insurer, Evergrande Life, a unit of China Evergrande Group, was banned from the stock market. Regulators said it engaged in frequent speculative trading and ordered it to improve risk management. Joe McDonald, Beijing, AP
A convicted Russian opposition activist who says he was tortured in prison was freed yesterday and has vowed to keep up the fight for human rights in Russia.

Ildar Dadin was released from his jail in the remote Altai region in southern Siberia after Russias Supreme Court annulled his 2-year sentence last week because of procedural violations.

I will continue to fight with this false regime so that human rights will be observed like in the civilized world. I dont understand how you can be a human one day and not the next, Dadin said on being released, Russias Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported.

Dadin was convicted in December 2015 of breaking strict new legislations regulating public demonstrations. He is the only person to have been convicted under the legislation that was passed by Russia in 2014. Human rights groups described Dadin as a political prisoner who was only involved in nonviolent protests.

Dadin said last year that he was tortured by prison guards who carried out group beatings and threatened to rape and kill him. Russian officials denied that torture had occurred but Dadin was transferred to a new prison shortly after the allegations were made public.

Dadins wife, Anastasia Zotova, suggested last week that the couple may have to move abroad out of fear of new prosecutions. AP
A park designed and built by Sands China Ltd has been constructed next to the Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel in the Cotai area and will be opened to the public following approval from authorities.

Donna Campbell, director of public relations at Sands China, informed the Times last week that the park is permanent and will be open to the general public as well as guests at Sands China resorts.

It has been designed, built and will be maintained by Sands China Ltd., Campbell wrote in a statement. It has been completed, and following the normal statutory inspections and licensing, will be opened shortly thereafter.

This is a facility that will be open to the general public, who are free to visit and enjoy the facility, which has a fantastic view back towards The Parisian Macao and in the forefront, the magnificent Eiffel Tower replica, continued Campbell.

The park is built on a strip of land owned by Sands China, south of the Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel. It is located opposite the Eiffel Tower replica, which is separated from the park by Estrada do Istmo. DB
A Tibetan artist who was due to perform a live painting session during the Lilau Square events yesterday has allegedly been barred from entering the Macau SAR.

Tashi Norbu was allegedly refused entry to Macau and left in limbo in Hong Kong, preventing him from attending the organized painting of Fire Rooster  the paintings title and the years symbol for both the Chinese and Tibetan calendars.

The painter  who is of Tibetan descent, though a Belgian national living in the Netherlands  had been allowed to attend an event at the iAOHiN Gallery in April last year, where his artwork was exhibited as part of the Tibet Revealed exhibition.

According to a statement issued by iAOHiN curator Simon Lam, Tashi said: I was planning to show my art, a language and medium I have studied for my whole life. [] It is sad that I am banned to be present and perform my art and skills in Macau.

According to Lam, Tashi was also detained for about an hour while leaving and entering Macau last year, while this was not the case in Hong Kong.

The Public Security Police Force (PSP) has declined to provide details on the decision, citing privacy concerns. A PSP representative further stated that there is no list regulating who may or may not enter the territory, implying that immigration officials made the decision independently.

The police cannot confirm any particular case given the privacy law. In all cases, it acts according to the law. Law 4/2003/Article 4 lists the reasons why a person might be denied entry, noted the PSP in reply to an enquiry from the Times.

According to the law, non-residents of the MSAR can be refused entry if they have been previously sentenced or if there is a strong indication that are prepared to commit a crime, or if there are doubts about their intent to return, their subsistence during their stay or the authenticity of their travel document.

Tashi was not refused entry to Hong Kong where, according to the latest information, he is currently staying.

The PSP said that the person in question would have been issued with a statement explaining the decision of immigration, as is standard procedure.

According to the statement issued by Lam, no specific reason was given for the denial of entry to Macau, but Norbu acknowledged that he might be considered a controversial painter by Beijing. He has previously painted burning Tibetan monks and spiritual scenes with the Dalai Lama and Tibetans in exile.

I am personally very disappointed with authorities attitude to art and seeing it as a threat, banning what is nothing else than pure art performance, stated Lam. Censorship is simply wrong, and in this case it simply cannot be justified as Tashi has been allowed to perform in Hong Kong last week without any problems.

Representatives of cultural authorities in Macau usually attend large-scale or international exhibitions in Macau, in line with the governments objective of promoting culture as an economic alternative to gaming.

Last years exhibition at iAOHiN was noticeably absent of government representation, possibly due to some of the controversial artworks on show.

The most controversial of the works on display was by Australia-based Tibetan exile Karma Phuntsok, which appeared to depict the Chinese military crackdown during the Lhasa Uprising in 1952. Karma did not attend the exhibition.

The Times interviewed Tashi last year, learning of his unique artistic style that blends traditional, religious Tibetan artwork with contemporary mainstream icons. In honor of his visit last year, Tashi brought with him an unfinished painting including portrayals of the Grand Lisboa casino and the Macau Tower.
Hong Kongs former financial chief John Tsang received 160 nominations from a 1,200-member committee to formally qualify as a candidate in the race for the citys top job.

Tsang submitted his nomination form for the chief executive election Saturday morning to the citys returning officer, becoming the first contender to do so. He decided to send in the form as soon as he met the minimum requirement of 150 nominations instead of waiting for the March 1

deadline, Tsang told reporters after making the submission.

At yesterday noon, I had slightly over 100 nominations, Tsang said. We continued to work very hard in the afternoon to secure enough nominations.

Carrie Lam, the citys former chief secretary, is widely seen as the frontrunner after the Standard newspaper reported that she was endorsed by senior Communist Party leaders. Beijings influence over the March 26 election is feeding concerns about the central governments encroachment on Hong Kongs affairs, sentiments that sparked protests in 2014.

Candidate Regina Ip, often characterized in the local media as a pro-Beijing lawmaker, said central government leaders were insecure and that she had rejected offers of top appointments to Chinese national bodies in exchange for her dropping out of the leadership race, according to an interview with Cable News.

On Feb. 5, Zhang Dejiang  the Communist Partys No. 3 leader  told Hong Kong business executives and political leaders during closed-door meetings in neighboring Shenzhen that Lam was the preferred choice, the Standard reported, without saying where it got the information.

Lam acknowledged in an interview with Bloomberg that perceptions of Beijings endorsement had dented her image, even as she continued to canvas for support among the election committee. It is demonstrated by the so-called popularity polls, Lam said. I just dont see what I have done wrong in the last two or three weeks, but my poll seems have come down a bit.

Lam trails Tsang by 14 percentage points in a South China Morning Post poll of 1,018 adults released Feb. 10, compared with 4.4 percent a month earlier. Still, 66 percent believed Lam would win the job, a 20-point increase from the previous poll, compared with 18 percent for Tang.

On Feb. 23, 30 lawyers from the legal subsector in the election committee issued a statement outlining their deep concerns after the South China Morning Post reported that former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa told a closed-door meeting that Beijing wouldnt approve the winner of the March 26 election if it deemed him or her unacceptable. Tung said that Beijing didnt trust Tsang and that Lam was more capable.

Such action undermines the fairness of our chief executives election and shows a callous disregard for the aspirations of most Hong Kong people to have free and fair elections without ignorant and insensitive interference, it said. Bloomberg
GERMANY Authorities say a man who drove into a group of pedestrians in the German city of Heidelberg, fatally injuring one man, is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The suspect is a 35-year-old German student who lives in the city.

INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA Indonesian and Australian leaders yesterday committed to free trade and closer naval cooperation. Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo said the priority was the removal of all Australian barriers to the import of Indonesian palm oil and paper. In turn, Indonesia has agreed to reduce tariffs on Australian sugar and ease restrictions on cattle imports.

MYANMAR leader Aung San Suu Kyi has broken a month-long silence to describe the assassination of one of her top legal advisers as a great loss for the country. She spoke yesterday at a memorial ceremony for lawyer Ko Ni and Nay Win, a taxi driver who was killed as he chased the gunman in the Jan. 29 incident.

IRANs navy began an annual drill yesterday near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, its first major exercise since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, state television reported.

INDIA Police say at least 16 people were killed and 50 injured when a truck taking them to a Sunday church service overturned after hitting a concrete barricade on a highway in Indias remote northeast.

EGYPT Officials say they are drawing closer to meeting all demands set by Russia on airport security to restore flights to Egypt. They say work has begun this week to install up to 16 finger-print security gates for employees at two of Cairo airports main terminals and to raise a potentially vulnerable stretch of the facilitys perimeter fence at a residential Cairo suburb.

EU Lawmakers have granted special powers to the president to pull the plug on live broadcasts of parliamentary debate in cases of racist speech or acts and the ability to purge any offending video or audio material from the system.
NORTH KOREA executed five senior security officials with anti-aircraft guns because they made false reports that enraged leader Kim Jong Un, South Koreas spy agency says.

SOUTH KOREA The main opposition parties threaten to impeach the countrys acting leader after he refused to extend a special investigation into the huge corruption scandal that toppled conservative President Park Geun-hye. If successful, the impeachment of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn would rile an already tumultuous political landscape.

PHILIPPINES Abu Sayyaf extremists released a video of the beheading of a German hostage in the first sign the brutal militants carried out a threat to kill him after a ransom deadline lapsed over the weekend. More on p13

PHILIPPINES A senator and leading critic of President Rodrigo Dutertes deadly crackdown on illegal drugs petitions the Supreme Court to nullify a Manila courts arrest warrant against her for drug charges and release her from jail.

PAKISTAN Islamabad and other parts of the country have been put on high alert after a series of militant attacks. Police said yesterday that extra checkpoints have been set up and patrols intensified in the capital.

AFGHANISTAN A senior Taliban commander was killed Kunduz province, according to the Afghan president and the militant group. During a ceremony yesterday honoring the security and defense forces, President Ashraf Ghani said that Mullah Abdul Salam, the Talibans shadow governor for Kunduz province, had been killed.

VIETNAM Several surviving widows and families of former Japanese soldiers will have an opportunity to meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito when he visits Vietnam for the first time this week, starting today.

AUSTRALIA U.S. security officers have yet to be authorized by President Donald Trumps administration to vet refugees held on Pacific islands for potential resettlement in the United States, an Australian official said. Trump has reluctantly agreed to honor an Obama administration deal to accept up to 1,250 refugees refused entry into Australia, but has said they will be subjected to extreme vetting.

USA One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying I wish it was a dream. Alok Madasani told a crowd at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, that what happened that night [Wednesday] was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend.

USA United Airlines, which lost the distinction of being the worlds biggest carrier after shrinking for several years, plans to regain lost ground by adding more flights from key airports this summer. The airline wants to upgrade facilities at key airports and trim the use of smaller planes on important business routes.
CARSON CITY, Nev.  Officials say a weekend rodeo at a rural high school outside Las Vegas has been postponed amid warnings from state officials about an outbreak of highly contagious horse viruses.

Nevada High School Rodeo board chairman Dustin Feyder said Friday the Moapa Valley High School rodeo was pushed back from last weekend to March 25.

Nevada Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Rebecca Allured said state veterinarian J.J. Goicoechea is trying to stem the spread of equine herpes virus type 4 and Streptococcus equi bacterial infection.

Theyre also known as EHV-4 and equine distemper, or strangles.

Both can cause lifelong illness in infected animals, and both are on the National List of Reportable Animal Diseases.

Goicoechea recommended postponing the Moapa Valley event after some horses at a rodeo last weekend in Boulder City began showing signs of illness.
TWIN FALLS  Fifth-graders fidgeted anxiously Wednesday as they waited to choose an artifact. There were whistles, jewelry and ornaments.

Fifth-grader Reina Gomez Arroyo pointed to an object on a table. Can I get this? she asked her teacher.

The mosaic ornament? That hasnt been picked yet, her teacher Shannon Youngman said.

Students from Youngmans fifth-grade class at Oregon Trail Elementary School are curating an exhibit.

Its the first one at the Herrett Center completely created by children. And Wednesday was the first time Youngmans students had visited the Herrett Center.

Laura Browarny, education coordinator for the College of Southern Idahos Herrett Center for Arts and Science, is leading students throughout the project.

Its a complete experiment, she said. Ive never done something like this before.

The exhibit  What Leadership Means to Me  will open in late April or early May. All of the artifacts for the exhibit were made for or by leaders from long ago.

Students are learning how museums work and are handling tasks such as selecting objects to display, writing labels, contributing original artwork and helping with marketing.

Since many children are from refugee or immigrant families, labels and marketing will be both in English and Spanish. And three other languages spoken by students will also be represented.

Browarny told students a goal is to get lots of new people into the Herrett Center.

During Wednesdays lesson, Browarny said she expected children to pick the fancy jewelry that was offered as an artifact. But instead, they gravitated toward items used for medicine or record keeping.

Browarny, who was wearing white protective gloves, gently picked up some artifacts and put them on a rolling cart to move to different tables.

Youre going to have to follow your artifacts, so remember which ones you picked, she told the students.

At one table, she told several students: Most of the stuff here Im going say, dont touch it. Look with your eyes.

Alexis Leon, 10, was sketching her object  a whistle from Mexico  and writing down descriptions. She said shed like to learn what it was used for.

It takes hard work to study the artifacts, she said.

On the other side of the room, 11-year-old Jenna Stringer raised her hand. Miss Laura, she called out to get Browarnys attention. She asked if her artifact  a quipu, or talking knot, from Peru  was used for keeping track of the days.

So this is a really great artifact because we dont really know this was used, Browarny told Jenna, explaining researchers are still studying it.

Its used to keep track of numbers, Browarny said, but we dont know how.

Its kind of exciting, but also frustrating, she said. Yeah, Jenna replied.

The large framed piece is made out of what appears to be knotted cords. It was propped up against a wall.

Jenna said shes trying to figure out a solution for discovering what the quipu was used for. It had a bunch of strings on it and I was wondering what they did.

Brownary came up with the idea for the student exhibit last year after attending the American Alliance of Museums national conference.

She went to a session about exhibit labels, where she learned how labeling is evolving so it doesnt need to contain every bit of information, she said.

People are more interested in personalized details on labels, Brownary said. She started thinking about how children get involved.

The idea evolved into a bigger project  letting students curate their own exhibit.

Students started talking about the project in October. Browarny visited their classroom in January to talk about what a museum is, its function and the history of museums.

They got a good introduction, she said.

Youngman said she hopes her 27 students gain an appreciation of museums and what it takes to create exhibits.

Plus, the project allows children to be part of the community, she said, and their exhibit will be open to the public.
TWIN FALLS  Its been more than a decade since Twin Falls Police Department remodeled its firing range, and a bullet trap behind the targets is getting filled with lead.

The department will request the city allocate $12,500 to hire a company to remove and dispose of the lead bullets from the law enforcement range near the rim of the Snake River Canyon. The money will be reallocated from another fund for a project that was completed in the past fiscal year.

The rubber bullet trap will also be evaluated, Police Chief Craig Kingsbury said. It was designed to prevent lead from contaminating the environment.

Theyll make sure its still safe, he said.

Colorado-based company MT2 has said it will split the value of the recycled lead 50-50 with the city, minus related transportation costs.

The City Council is expected to vote on the request at its meeting, 5 p.m. Monday at 305 Third Ave. E.

Other action items include a request to reappoint Ryan Higley to a second term on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and to appoint Darren Hall and Craig Hawkins to each serve a three-year term.

City staff has requested approval of an ordinance requiring buildings in Twin Falls historic districts to receive a certificate of appropriateness prior to exterior modifications or new development.

Twin Falls School District Superintendent Wiley Dobbs is also expected to give a presentation on the upcoming supplemental levy election.
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  ,        , -     28         .
This appeared in Sundays Washington Post.

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 milligramsa small drop on the skincan kill a grown man.

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.

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 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.
The list of African countries dumping the Polisario (armed, funded and harbored by Algeria), keeps growing. The latest of these countries is Zambia which has confirmed lately the withdrawal of its recognition of the self-proclaimed so-called Sahrawi republic (SADR).

The Zambian decision to pull out its recognition of the phantom entity and severe all diplomatic ties with the Algeria-backed separatist group was first announced by Foreign Minister Harry Kalaba during a visit to Rabat last July.

The confirmation of the Zambian decision comes following the visit paid last week by King Mohammed VI to this English speaking African country, which was among the African countries deceived by the Algerian propaganda. Zambia changed its stand thanks to the royal proactive African policy based on a genuine solidarity-based South-South cooperation.

During this visit, King Mohammed VI conferred with President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on cooperation prospects as well as on regional and international issues of common interests.

Zambian Head of State welcomed Moroccos return to the African Union and described the royal speech during the AU summit as a historical moment paving the way for a promising contribution from Morocco to the development and stability of Africa.

Both leaders affirmed their unwavering commitment to ensuring the stability and prosperity of Africa. They also pledged to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between their two countries, underlining the role of investment and the private sector in promoting economic growth and development.

The royal visit to Zambia was crowned with the signing of several bilateral agreements in agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, education, training, industry, investment, air services, financial services and insurance, as well as the development of economic zones.

The two countries also agreed to join efforts in the fight against terrorism and work together to promote peace, security and stability on the continent, as well as to find lasting solutions to ongoing conflicts in Africa.

So, Morocco has gained the support of another African country despite hostile campaigns waged by its enemies, while the Polisario secessionists and their Algerian mentors are losing credibility and leverage.

Since 2000, nearly 40 countries, including 9 states of the Caribbean region, have pulled out their recognition to the pseudo-RASD. And many more are to come.
Paris, Madrid and Washington have commended this weekend Moroccos unilateral pullout from the Guerguarat region, saying the move will help de-escalate tension and maintain stability in the region.

The Moroccan decision is an important step for appeasement, taking into account the stability and interest of the region, said spokesman for the French foreign ministry Romain Nadal on Sunday.

France calls on all parties to demonstrate and to unconditionally and immediately withdraw all armed elements from the region, in accordance with the ceasefire agreements, he added.

Paris supports a just, lasting and negotiated solution to the Sahara issue under the United Nations aegis in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, stressed Nadal, noting that France regards the autonomy plan offered by Morocco in 2007 for the Sahara as a serious and credible basis for a negotiated solution.

The Spanish government also welcomed the Moroccan move, urging the other parties to immediately follow suit in conformity with the call made by the UN Secretary-General.

In a statement released by the Spanish Foreign ministry, Madrid expressed hope to see the UN chief resume efforts for a political lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue.

The US embassy in Rabat also hailed the announcement made by Morocco for the sake of peace and stability of the region and in compliance with the UN Secretary-Generals recommendations.

The Moroccan unilateral withdrawal comes following the call launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Saturday on parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalation in the vicinity of Guerguarat in the Moroccan berm, near Mauritanian border.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Secretary-General also underlined that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo.

The UN chief strongly urged the parties to unconditionally withdraw all armed elements () as soon as possible, to create an environment conducive to a resumption of the dialogue in the context of the political process led by the UN, added Mr. Dujarric.

Following the UN Secretary-Generals reaction, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday issued a statement saying that upon instructions of King Mohammed VI, Morocco will as of today begin its unilateral and immediate withdrawal from the region.

Morocco hopes that the UN Secretary-Generals intercession will make it possible to return to the situation as it was previously prevailing in the region, keep intact the regions status, secure fluidity of road traffic and thus safeguard the ceasefire and strengthen regional stability, stressed the Foreign Ministry in its statement.

Last Friday, King Mohammed VI had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General during which the Moroccan sovereign drew the attention of Mr. Guterres to the gravity of the recurrent incursions by the Polisario armed militia in the Guerguarat region and warned against the fallout of such provocative acts and ceasefire violations on peace and security in the region.
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
A terrorist attack involving a bomber targeted Sunday a police station in the eastern Algerian city of Constantine with official accounts announcing two officers injured, while some press reports put the number of the injured at a dozen, including three policemen.

An officer who was in front of the police station, in a building that is home to a dozen families, responded energetically and heroically after several warnings, targeting with precision the explosive belt worn by a terrorist, police said in a statement cited by APS news agency.

Algeria Patriotique media however noted that a police officer was killed in the attack.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack but the city was theatre of cold attack from the Islamic State group (IS) which claimed early November the killing of a police officer in a restaurant and seizure of his gun.

Around 200 IS militants are reportedly present on Algerian soil.

Though relatively spared by terrorist attacks, the North African country has been haunted by terror groups taking advantage of the vast Algerian desert and long porous borders.

Last week the army claimed it killed 14 alleged terrorists during a search operation in Bouira region, 125 km to the southeast of capital Algiers.
Scott, who had lunch with President Trump on Saturday, remains in Washington. This morning he and other governors attended a meeting at the White House and at 12:30 p.m., Scott is to meet with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos followed by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Great to see @IvankaTrump last night at the White House for the Governor's Ball! pic.twitter.com/Z9MRtYhVFP  Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) February 27, 2017

--ALEX LEARY, Tampa Bay Times


via @glenngarvin

Since the allegations about Donald Trumps business connections to Russia started to fly last year in the middle of his presidential campaign, the fog of political war has made it difficult to tell the real from the shadow. Except for one very visible landmark: a sprawling, rococo seaside mansion in Palm Beach that Trump himself liked to boast about as an example of his real-estate acumen.

What do I have to do with Russia? he replied to reporters questions at a press conference in Doral last summer. You know the closest I came to Russia, I bought a house a number of years ago in Palm Beach  for $40 million, and I sold it to a Russian for $100 million.

That was a bland, if fairly accurate, summary of a wild and goofy tale of the Palm Beach real-estate market involving tax fraud, Russian billionaires, lurid divorce-court accusations and  at least in the opinion of some Palm Beach observers  the execrably vulgar taste of the super-rich.

Its a tale thats now coming to a sad end: That $100 million mansion, once the most expensive home in America, has become its most expensive tear-down. Not a single trace of the compound remains, and soon even its address will disappear: The 6.3-acre estate on which it stood has been broken into three parcels, and one of them has already sold.

Its an odd story, but Palm Beach real estate can be kind of strange, said Gary Pohrer, one of the islands real-estate agents. People decide they want something, and theyll pay a price that doesnt necessarily correspond to reality.

More here.

Photo credit: Gregg Lovett, Palm Beach Post file


via @jknipebrown

A White House spokeswoman has indicated that President Donald Trump may consider opening an investigation into the counter-terrorism operation in Yemen that claimed the life of a Navy SEAL and more than a dozen civilians last month.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, principal White House deputy secretary, in an interview on ABC News'

This Week" on Sunday, acknowledged that a decision had not been made about a probe, which was requested by the SEALs father, Bill Owens, in an interview published Sunday in the Miami Herald.

I haven't had the chance to speak with him directly about that, but I would imagine that he would be supportive of that, Sanders said of Trump.

Owens, who lives in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, wants a thorough probe  not only into the raid itself, but also into the entire timeline, which would include the planning, timing and decision-making that went into the operation.

Trump gave the green light for the plan six days into his term. While it had been planned and vetted under former President Barack Obama, Owens expressed doubts whether Trumps team had enough time to review it.

More here.

Photo courtesy of the Owens family
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HELENA  Helenas revised nondiscrimination ordinance places enforcement on those who believe theyve been the victims of discrimination.

In early January, the Helena City Commission agreed to remove the city's gender restrictions in public accommodations where people "ordinarily appear in the nude."

The commission's decision, on a 3-2 vote with Mayor Jim Smith and Commissioner Dan Ellison dissenting, struck two sentences from the city's 2012 nondiscrimination ordinance.

The language that was removed stated that "in any place of public accommodation where users ordinarily appear in the nude, users may be required to use the facilities designated for their anatomical sex, regardless of their gender identity. Such requirement does not constitute unlawful discrimination for purposes of this section 1-8-4.

Passage of the ordinance in 2012 created a deep rift in the community. The December hearing to amend the ordinance showed those fears remain, as did the desire to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

The change was intended to guarantee equal protection to everyone, Commissioner Robert Farris-Olsen, who proposed amending the ordinance, said in early December.

However, there is no language in the city ordinance that says the city is responsible for its enforcement, City Attorney Thomas Jodoin said.

This is initiated, prosecuted  on their own without the citys involvement," he said.

He suggested the lack of city involvement in enforcement was due to a policy decision at that time by the city commission.

Thats just not the way it was drafted, drafted and passed, he added.

If anyone believes they are a victim of discrimination under the city ordinance, the process requires that person to take the claim to the Montana Human Rights Bureau, Jodoin said.

The Human Rights Bureau takes complaints of discrimination based on age, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status and sex (political belief is covered in government service, and familial status is covered in housing), according to the state Department of Labor and Industry website.

If the bureau does not make a finding of discrimination, the person can appeal the decision to the state Human Rights Commission or take the case to district court.

The city ordinance on the exhaustion of a Human Rights Bureau remedy allows a person to take the complaint to municipal court after having gone through the Human Rights Bureau process and having been advised the alleged discrimination doesnt fall within the scope of the states human rights act.

Gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, are not listed in the human rights act, Jodoin said, but he added this didnt mean the act was devoid of protection.

Case law and federal guidance leave Jodoin to conclude that gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, are today protected classes.

You could fit them into categories that already exist, he said.

You cant discriminate on those bases anymore, if you ever could.

If Helenas municipal court rules in support of a discrimination claim, the court would have authority to enforce its order including any remedies that it decides, he said.

Business owners who believe they are the victim of discrimination under the city ordinance would also have to act without assistance from the city attorneys office. He recommended that a business owner talk to that persons attorney.

The city attorneys office role in the nondiscrimination ordinance is to advise only other city departments, Jodoin explained.

A two-page document intended to answer questions about the amended ordinance states its not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.

The document was created to address questions with the operation of the citys swimming pool, he told the commission.

The city doesnt enforce this. This is a private right of action, he told the commission in early February.

***

While the document defines a public accommodation, he said state law is both clear and vague on the citys ability to regulate school districts through the nondiscrimination ordinance.

Its a section of state law, he added, that hes still reviewing.

Section 3 of that law, 7-1-111, denies the city any power that applies to or affects the public school system, except that a local unit may impose an assessment reasonably related to the cost of any service or special benefit provided by the unit and shall exercise any power that it is required by law to exercise regarding the public school system.

Jodoins list of answers to city staff regarding questions on the operation of the city pool said the ordinance doesnt permit inappropriate or illegal activity. If someone believes that another person is engaging in indecent exposure, as defined by 45-5-504, (Montana Code Annotated), or any other violation of Title 45, they should immediately contact the Helena Police Department.

The crime of indecent exposure requires a person to act knowing or purposely in order to abuse, humiliate, or degrade another, or arouse or gratify the persons own sexual response. The mere act of being nude in a restroom or changing facility in front of another person does not rise to the level of indecent exposure.

The city attorneys office has also advised the city police department on how to respond to calls, Jodoin said.

Should someone in a pool changing room express a concern to the citys parks department staff, that person should be offered a private area for changing, he noted.

But the ordinance doesnt allow city staff to exclude someone from a changing room because of gender identity or expression, said Jodoin, who wanted to be clear that his advice was intended for city staff.

A male changing clothing in a room used by females or a female changing clothing in a room used by males is not a crime.

It doesnt matter. You cant tell someone on that basis which locker room to use, he said.

Since you cant tell them which locker room to use, theres no point in asking," he added.

Since the law was passed more than four years ago, a claim of discrimination has not reached the citys municipal court, Jodoin said, adding that he was unaware of a claim being filed with the Montana Human Rights Bureau.
HELENA  The Montana House on Monday voted down a proposal to allow teachers and administrators to carry concealed weapons in classrooms and on school property.

Fifteen Republicans joined 41 Democrats to reject the bill in a 56-44 vote. It is one of several measures that state lawmakers are considering that would loosen gun restrictions, but all of them so far have been either vetoed or voted down.

The measure by Rep. Seth Berglee, R-Joliet, would have allowed full-time school employees who meet certain shooting standards to carry concealed weapons on school property.

Berglee said during the half-hour debate that an average school shooting lasts only three minutes, leaving little time for police to react in time.

"Who's going to be able to respond in time to stop a shooting that happens in three minutes?" Berglee said. "The only person is going to be someone who is in that school."

An FBI study of active shooter incidents between 2000 and 2013 found that 44 of 63 shootings in which the duration could be determined ended in five minutes or less. Twenty-three of those ended in two minutes or less, according to the study.

House Speaker Austin Knudsen, R-Culberson, also supported the measure, saying concealed weapons permit holders are among the safest gun owners in the nation.

Lawmakers who voted against the bill noted that their constituents have been vocal in their opposition of it. Rep. Moffie Funk, D-Helena, said 1,189 people contacted lawmakers about the bill by phone or through the Legislature's messaging system, with 1,109 people against it and 80 for it.

That does not include people who contacted lawmakers directly, she said.

"Our constituents, the people who sent us here, don't want this," Funk said.

Rep. Ellie Hill Smith, D-Missoula, said similar bills have been rejected in each of her four legislative sessions, and that lawmakers should kill it and get back to more important matters.

"Let's quit scaring our kids back home, let's quit looking like a bunch of political ideologues, do what folks want us to do and get back to work growing the economy in Montana," Hill Smith said.

Last week, Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed bills that would have allowed guns in post offices and would have eliminated the need for concealed weapons permits.

Other measures are pending, such as a bill to allow lawmakers to carry concealed guns in the Capitol and other state property and another to allow guns in restaurants where alcohol is served.
My heart just about stopped when I heard the Montana Legislature is proposing to cut $93.4 million from the Department of Health and Human Services over the next two years. Of that amount, $52 million would be slashed from senior and long-term care.

For many seniors who spend their lives raising children to be productive members of society, their greatest anxiety is over whether or not they will have enough resources so that they wont become a burden on their children.

It is an absolute shame that the Montana Legislature is looking to balance the budget on the backs of our seniors. We are all watching and hoping they will do the right thing. I urge you to contact your local legislator and let them know that making ends meet shouldnt be at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Theresa Pelican,

social services director,

Lake View Healthcare Community,

Bigfork
Donald Trump is ever-so-worried about stopping refugees from entering the United States. On Jan. 27, he claimed that, by banning refugees, he would save countless Americans from being killed by these terrible non-white immigrants.

Time magazine, however, reports (in it Feb. 13 issue) that, since rigorous refugee screening began in 1980, not a single immigrant fleeing persecution has killed anyone in a terrorist attack.

Time writes: "The odds of a U.S. citizen dying from a terrorist attack by a refugee on American soil are infinitesimal ... 48 times less than the chance of being killed by an asteroid."

So, shouldn't the groin-grabber-in-chief be directing 48 times more energy toward preventing asteroid attacks than he does to barring refugees? Or at the very least, should he not protect us by signing an executive order forbidding asteroids from falling on America?

John Russell,

Missoula
Nick balanced his 77 years of experience with wildlife in the Bitterroot with a commitment to its future, the article read.

Two years after his death, the members of the Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association dedicated its highest award in his name.

The Nick Kramis Conservation Award honors an individual who follows in the footsteps of a select few men and women who weve recognized over the years because of their efforts on behalf of conservation, Dale Burk said, in prepared remarks for the associations annual banquet Saturday night, where he was to announce the Bitterroots own Land Tawney as this year's award recipient.

Tawney currently serves as the executive director of the Missoula-based national organization Back Country Hunters and Anglers.

That organization, Burk said, contains the guys and gals that led the fight nationally to save our public lands from those who would sell if off for a pittance.

A fifth-generation Montanan, Tawney was born in Stevensville. He grew up visiting the family cabin on the East Fork, where his love for public lands grew as he fished for cutthroat trout and chased the wily wapiti in the nearby mountains.

His father, Phil Tawney, helped create the Teller Wildlife Refuge in the heart of the Bitterroot.

Those strong roots to public land grew into a lifelong commitment to conserve wild lands, water and wildlife. After receiving a science degree from the University of Montana, he began volunteering for the fledgling Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance. That volunteer work led to first part-time and then full-time position as their national grassroots organizer.

While in that position, he helped in the establishment of the open fields provision of the Farm Bill, which has benefited sportsmen with access to private lands, including Montanas own block management program.

From there, Tawney joined the National Wildlife Federation, where he eventually became a senior manager for sportsmen leadership. In that role, Burk said he helped secure the largest ever single payout of $18.5 billion for the restoration of the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River Delta after the Deep Water Horizon oil spill.

Tawney was a founding member of the Hellgate Hunters and Anglers Association in Missoula, where he served three years as its president. He also helped form the Montana Sportsman Caucus and Advisory Council. Tawney also served three terms on the Private Land Public Wildlife Council, including two years as its chair.

In 2013, Tawney took a chance by leaving the NWF to join the fledgling Back Country Hunters and Anglers as its second employee and executive director. The organization focuses on maintaining access to public lands and waters.

In his four years at its helm, the organization has grown dramatically. The Missoula-based organization now has members in 50 states and one Canadian providence. It has 14 full-time staff and four contractors.

Recently, Burk said the organization served as the tip of the spear to force Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz to pull back on his ill-advised effort to sell off 3.3 million acres of public lands in the West.

Since his fathers passing 22 years ago, Tawney has served as vice president to the Phil Tawney Hunter Conservation Endowment, which has awarded more than $70,000 in grants and scholarships in Montana to carry on his fathers conservation legacy.

Tawney has been married to Glenna for 13 years. They have two children, Cidney, 8, and 5-year-old Colin. Their family also includes two black Labs, one 13 years old and one 7-week-old pup they plan to pick up Sunday in Florence.

Back in 1988, Montana Outdoors wrote: Nick is gone, but he will not be forgotten. The crowing of a proud rooster pheasant echoing through the valley fog reminds us of his accomplishments with pheasants. Every time a youngster and hunting dog flush a long-tailed, cackling rooster from the cattails, Nick can smile.

It wouldnt be hard to imagine seeing him smile again as the latest recipient of the award that honors his conservation ethic picks up his new hunting dog in his beloved Bitterroot Valley.
HAMILTON  It was a trip backstage that brought ballet into Mauriana Jessops life.

It is kind of an odd story, Jessop said as her students gathered in the waiting room. My sister was in ballet at the time and I went to help out backstage.

Back then, she watched the young girls seemingly float across the stage in a graceful leaps, and stand with such beautiful poise.

I just fell in love with ballet right then, she said. I saw all the fun they were having.

For the next 14 years, she dedicated herself to dance and performed on regular basis throughout the Bitterroot and beyond.

She found that ballet gave her the confidence, discipline and grace that helped her meet the challenges that come in everyones life. And so, four years ago, when the owners of Ballet Bitterroot Dance Academy in Hamilton asked her if she would be interested in teaching what shes learned to a brand-new generation of tiny dancers, Jessop leaped at the opportunity.

***

On this early evening, a small excited group of 5- and 6-year-olds are standing still in a line at the reception room door.

Their eyes are fixed on the heavy makeup that Jessop has used to accentuate her eyes in preparation for a competition coming up this weekend in Idaho.

I dont usually look like this, she said, with a smile as she walked away to greet her students.

Kindly, she reminds her class to stand straight and bring up their chins as they head single-file into in the dance studio, with its padded floor, and lined with mirrors.

For the first few minutes, they all gather 'round in a circle as they stretch in preparation for the plies and positions theyll practice this night.

I love working with these little kids, she says. Their faces light up. Its all about fun for them. Its fun to dance.

After the stretching is done, the girls form a line and then do their best to copy Jessops every move.

***

For some, ballet has been part of their lives for probably as long as they can remember. Ballet Bitterroot offers classes for 2- and 3-year-olds.

Once they are potty-trained, theyre ready, Jessop said. At that early age, we learn just the very, very basics. Its more about developing coordination. Standing on one foot, raising a leg to the side, jumping from one foot to two.

Starting early has its advantages.

For a lot of these girls, by the time they are 6, theyve had four years of experience, Jessop said. They are moving along pretty fast at that point.

Theres no telling where the experience might lead.

When I was dancing, I danced with a boy who ended up going professional, she said. He danced in New York City. You never know. The person standing next to you could someday become famous.

Even if fame isnt in their future, Jessop is convinced that her young students can learn lessons that will help them throughout their lives.

The amount of discipline and commitment that you give to dance will play out in your life, she said. Whether its finding a job or your studies in school, dance teaches you commitment. It shows you how to focus on something and strive to always be better.

But all the practice pales for these young dancers when it comes time to step out under the bright lights and perform.

Performances are always their favorites, she said. You get to go out on stage and show everyone what youve learned. You get to wear makeup and have your hair done up beautifully.

You train for months and then it all comes down to two minutes on stage, Jessop said. You really see their faces light up when they step out there and see everyone looking back up at them.

Ballet Bitterroot Dance Academys next performance is set for May 27 and 28 at the Mary Rogers Performing Arts Center in Victor.

We are going to perform Dr. Seuss, Jessop said. Its going to be very colorful and very fun. Everything will be upbeat and happy. It will be whimsical.

The ballet is brand-new. Anyone wanting to learn more about the academy or upcoming performance can call 406-961-1818 or go online to balletbitterroot.com.
KALISPELL  It's not uncommon for teachers to reprimand their students for leaning back in a chair.

But in Jennifer Watson's and Kayla Ryan's third-grade classrooms at Muldown Elementary, students are encouraged to rock, recline, bounce, swing, swivel, wobble and even pedal.

Gone are the traditional desks and in their place, a selection of alternatives where students can expend energy into more focused movement, reported the Daily Inter Lake.

Team teachers Watson and Ryan introduced different styles of "active seating" a few years ago, but this is the first year the teachers made a complete switch.

"We got rid of desks and switched to tables and did more of a group-work approach," Watson said. "Then for reading I slowly added in different seating options."

Watson, who teaches reading, writing and art, and Ryan who teaches science, math and social studies, were noticing students were sitting at desks less and less.

"Watching the pattern over the last several years, they're rarely sitting at desks or tables," Watson said. "They're spread out all over the room, so this year we just took the leap and switched fully to that."

Ryan saw students wanting to stand up or sit on the floor.

"With more learning styles, I think this accommodates them better," Ryan said about the change to the flexible seating arrangement.

There are plenty of styles of active seating for the classroom, but it's expensive. With quality seating costing as much as $1,000  the pair headed to garage sales to see what they could find.

"The big thing is to allow those movements to happen in a more productive way," Ryan said.

Toward the back of Watson's classroom, third-grader Oren Grossman sat on a seat that resembled a fitness bicycle. Pedaling, Grossman turned a page in a book he was reading that rested on a slanted work surface. It's the newest addition to the classroom and has proven to be quite popular.

"Some kids in our class have a lot of energy," Grossman said. "When we go to read we can just essentially move our legs and pedal just to exercise and burn more of the energy off."

Later on Grossman decided to kneel on the seat and lean over to read.

It's all about finding what works. At the beginning of the year students tried all the types of seats. Each week students take turns choosing what seat they will use.

"We spend a lot of time at the beginning talking about preferences and the best work environment for you," Watson said. "Some of them still prefer a hard chair and a table and they will gravitate to that. So in the beginning we have them test out all the different options."

Sitting side by side on a couch, third-graders Annabelle Adams and Camry Kelch also read. Both have favorite seats  the couch and "banana chairs," also known as "gamer" or "rocker" chairs.

"For reading you can lean all the way back," Adams said, which one classmate was doing  the back of the banana chair resting on the floor her legs dangling over the seat's edge.

Behind Adams and Kelch, three students sat in swiveling stools at desks with swinging footrests.

Adams remembers sitting in traditional desks.

"I really like third grade because in second grade, like the chairs you're just sitting up straight and you don't have different chairs to be comfortable," Adams said.

Kelch added, "Now we can sit in pretty much all these chairs. We still have those hard chairs, just in case kids want to."

The students don't appear phased by all the different movement.

"Some people need to be able to move some to focus," Adams said.

Third-grader Eleanor Archie sat in a low chair made of neon green bungee cords.

She said her favorite chairs are the bungee and banana seats. She also likes the wobbly stools.

"I like flexible seating. It's amazing," Archie said.

Soon it's time for a writing assignment. Students not sitting at desks get up to get clip boards and lap boards to write on.

Sitting on a ball chair at one of the tables, third-grader Harry Trufant bounced, pausing for a minute to write. He then did another spurt of bouncing before settling in to write some more.

There are far more tables  albeit at different heights  in Ryan's classroom that are more conducive to subjects such as math, she said.

"In math we do so much working together that they need spaces to use counters and roll dice and do some of that work with manipulatives," Ryan said.

Ryan said the change to flexible seating was "one of the best things we've done."

"To me probably the most powerful thing is catering to their learning styles because they're all a little different."

_
The Mount News Center

Featuring the extraordinary people, stories and news of Mount St. Mary's University, America's oldest independent Catholic university. Members of the media looking for information about setting up interviews, finding faculty experts or gaining access to campus for stories should contact Executive Director of Communications Donna Klinger at 301-447-5657 or d.j.klinger@msmary.edu.

Have a question, comment to share or want to find a photo from this week's big event? Check out the Mount on our social media channels!
Butte police arrested a man at 11 p.m. Saturday who admitted on the way to jail that he had 22 prior DUI convictions in various states, authorities said.

Clinton Sproles, 54, was arrested on the 700 block of Front Street after a traffic stop for DUI refusal, driving with a revoked license and violating parole. Police were originally responding to a domestic disturbance and found Sproles driving away.

Police said Sproles was not involved in the domestic disturbance, but smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests. Sproles refused a Breathalyzer test claiming they are untrustworthy, and requested a blood test instead, according to police.

Butte police were unable to immediately verify Sproles claim of 22 prior DUI convictions, but are working with the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney's office to determine the extent of Sproles' criminal history and believe the number to be at least roughly accurate.

The Gallatin County Attorney's Office listed 18 prior DUI convictions in various states dating back to the 1970s for Sproles when he was arrested in 2008 for hitting a vehicle while driving with a 0.179 blood alcohol level.

A Bozeman judge sentenced Sproles as a repeat felony offender to a 240-month prison sentence, but state law typically excludes prison sentences for DUI. Instead those convicted of a fourth or subsequent DUI serve six months in the Warm Springs Addictions Treatment and Change Program (WATCh) and upon completion of the program are released on probation for the remainder of their sentence.

Sproles was previously sentenced in Granite County to 73 months in prison, partially suspended, for persistent DUI offenses in 2006. Court records show his drivers license has been revoked in Montana, Colorado and Georgia.

In 2015 Sproles was allowed to enter WATCh and upon completion was in pre-release. Butte-Silver Bow County Deputy Attorney Ann Shea said that if Sproles completed the WATCh program and reoffended, he may not be eligible to return to the program, and could serve a jail sentence.

Officials at the WATCh program did not respond to requests for Sproles' history with the facility.
MONDAY, FEB. 27

WHITEHALL MEETING

The town of Whitehall will hold an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on plans to deal with the uranium in the water supply. In addition to city officials, three representatives of the state Department of Environmental Quality and two engineers hired by the city to work on the issue will all be present to answer questions at city hall. All residents are invited.

CHURCH HOSTS GUEST

The newly organized Association of Free Lutheran Churches in Butte is hosting special guest Paul Nash this week. Nash, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is director of Home Missions for the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations. Details: 406-565-8822. The following gatherings are planned:

Monday, Feb. 27  9 to 11 a.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 3659 Albany Ave., Pastor Nash will lead a Bible study on how to deal with and find hope when we are upended by life.

Wednesday, March 1 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., The Springs Community Center, 300 Mount Highland Dr., Pastor Nash will share the history of the Association of Free Lutheran Churches that is rooted in revival.

Thursday, March 2  9 to 11 a.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Pastor Nash will lead a Bible study on finding purpose in living a full life in these days.

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

DR. SEUSS

Story time at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St., starts at 6:30 p.m. in the children's room. The subject is Dr. Seuss, and youngsters will listen to books, sing songs, and do an activity. All ages are welcome. Details: Cathy at 406-723-3361.

ARCHERY CLASS

An adult education archery class will begin at 6 p.m. at the Administration/Technology Building, Anaconda. The class will run five consecutive weeks through March. The cost is $7 to register the first night. Details: Ray Haffey at 406-491-8578.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

WINTER WORKSHOP

A recurring winter workshop that will help beginning farmers and ranchers interested in starting a new business or adding a new enterprise is planned at Headwaters RC&D in the Thornton Building, 65 E. Broadway St., from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Details: Kellee Anderson at 406-723-0217 or kellee.anderson@montana.edu.

TECH TALK

Zafer Reshi of the University of Kashmir in India will talk about Alien Plant Invasions in the Indian Himalayan Region: What We Know and What We Need to Know at 4 p.m. in CBB 102 on the Montana Tech campus.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

NCAT WEBINAR

The National Center for Appropriate Technology will host a one-hour webinar for farmers and ranchers about selling to schools, hospitals, and other institutions at 11 a.m. Details: www.ncat.org/institutional-markets. For details on NCATs Farm to Cafeteria Network programs, trainings, and resources, contact Demetrius Fassas at 406-494-8672 or demetriusf@ncat.org.

TECH LECTURE

Guest speaker at this weeks Montana Tech Public Lecture Series will be Courtney Young, who will talk about Mining Sustainability through Metallurgy: Perspectives on Hitting Home Runs and Grand Slams in Research. The lecture is at 4 p.m. in ELC 202, on the Montana Tech campus.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

24-HOUR PLAY FESTIVAL

Butte's Orphan Girl Childrens Theatre will hold its inaugural 24 Hour Play Festival from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday at the Covellite Theatre, 217 W. Broadway St. Tickets are a suggested donation of $15. After drawing play suggestions out of a hat and writing for 12 hours, 10 directors will be handed those plays to cast, direct, and produce in the next 12 hours. Details: www.orphangirl.org or 406-782-5657.

BLUEGRASS CONCERT

Area bluegrass, folk, and Americana music fans will have an opportunity to hear Growling Old Men  Ben Winship and John Lowell  at the Old Depot Theater in Dillon at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Dillon Junior Fiddlers, this concert is the kick-off for a weekend recording session with the fiddlers. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Beaverhead County Museum and at the door.

COMMUNITY CONCERT

Anaconda Live! Community Concert Association presents "Piano Conversations" by Julian Gargiulo at 7:30 p.m. in Anaconda's Washoe Theatre. Gargiulo is a pianist, composer, and recording artist. He has performed in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, China, and Australia. Details: 406-560-2953.

VETERAN HONORED

Veterans and family members of Chief Master Sergeant, USAF retired, Joseph Kitchel will gather at 4 p.m. at the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Courthouse to honor his Air Force experiences. Kitchels uniform will be on display at the courthouse for three months. Details: 406-980-0340.

FREE MOVIE

The Friends of the Hearst Free Library will present 1979 movie classic "The Electric Horseman," starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, at 7 p.m. at 401 Main St., Anaconda. The movie is free, and so are the snacks. Details: 406-563-6932.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

24-HOUR PLAY FESTIVAL

Butte's Orphan Girl Childrens Theatre will hold its inaugural 24-Hour Play Festival through 7 p.m. at the Covellite Theatre, 217 W. Broadway St. Tickets are a suggested donation of $15. After drawing play suggestions out of a hat and writing for 12 hours, 10 directors will be handed those plays to cast, direct, and produce in the next 12 hours. Details: www.orphangirl.org or 406-782-5657.

CHILI COOK-OFF

The Butte Alano Clubs annual chili cook-off will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 721 S. Utah St. Approximately nine local chili chefs will be participating in the event, which is a fundraiser for the Focus Recovery Group. Suggested donation is $5, and beverages will be sold by the Alano Club. A 50/50 raffle will also take place. Details: 406-723-9809.

BURGER, BEER FUNDRAISER

The Butte Knights of Columbus Butte Council #668 is holding a Burger and Beer fundraiser for No Greater Love, the professional musical production honoring the 100th anniversary of the Granite Mountain-Spectacular Mine Fire. The event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 224 W. Park St. The cost is $10 for a cheeseburger, bag of chips, beer (well drink or soda). Details: Mary McMahon at 406-565-0388.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Anaconda Knights of Columbus will host a Spring Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the Anaconda Catholic Community Social Center. The menu includes pancakes, ham, scrambled eggs, and juice. The cost is $6 for adults; children, $3; and 6 and under are free. The public is invited to attend.

CLUBS AND MEETINGS

BUTTE

Bingo will be played at 7 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday at the Elks Lodge, Montana and Galena. Players are urged to come early to get a good seat.

Butte Exchange Club meets at noon Tuesday at 16 E. Granite St. on the second floor. Details: Steve at 406-782-4253.

Butte Sunrise Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. Wednesday at Perkins. Guest speakers will be Dr. Silddy Atilano and Dr. Nate Readal from St. James Healthcare.

Butte High class of 1961 will have a luncheon at noon Wednesday at Christinas Cocina.

Kiwanis Club of Butte meets at noon Wednesday in the Perkins meeting room. The speaker is Dr. Marak Zaluski, who will talk about hydrogeology. Details: 406-490-0281.

Rotary Club of Butte meets at noon Thursdays at the Butte Country Club.

Play ACC-sanctioned cribbage every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., nine games, Eastside Athletic Club. Sponsored by Big Butte Mile High Cribbers. Details: Phil at 406-494-2618.

A suicide loss support group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays on the third floor of the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. Call before attending for the first time. Details: Beth at 406-490-1279 or Mary Alice at 406-533-9899.

Al-Anon meetings: 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Congregational Church; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Gold Hill Lutheran Church; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sharing and Caring, 1500 Cobban.

Uptown Toasters will meet at noon Tuesday at the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz St. Details: 406-782-3280.

Open AA meetings start at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the United Congregational Church, 2945 Bayard St. Details: 406-560-7330.

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Gold Hill Lutheran Church, 934 Placer St. Details: 406-533-5454.

The Butte Public Library hosts Coloring for Adults from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday on the second floor at 226 W. Broadway. Coloring generates wellness and quietness and also stimulates brain areas related to motor skills, the senses, and creativity. Details: 406-723-3361.

Butte Public Librarys After Hours Book Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. the first Thursday on the third floor.

The Mad Scrappers get together from 1 to 3 p.m. the first and third Fridays of every month at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway, in order to gather new ideas, share tools, or just work on their scrapbooking with fellow enthusiasts. Details: 406-723-3361.

Chess club meets from 2 to 4:45 p.m. Fridays at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. It is free, and no experience is necessary. Details: 406-723-3361.

An anxiety and depression support group meets at 1:30 p.m. every Saturday at 721 S. Utah St.

Adult Children of Alcoholics meets at 10 a.m. Saturdays in the Atherton Apartments community center room, 4500 Continental Dr. Details: 406-396-4112.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, thanked Vietnam veterans for their service during an event Sunday sponsored by Veterans Affairs of Muscatine and Louisa Counties and the Vietnam Veterans Commission.

Loebsack said family members served in Vietnam and World War II, and he has gained a deeper understanding of the challenges many veterans have faced. He said these events were an important way to thank veterans for their service.

"I think everybody in this room can agree that we haven't done that enough in this country," he said.

To say Vietnam veterans were underappreciated would be an understatement, Loebsack said, and he hopes the U.S. can do more to help the country's veterans.

"We can never lose sight of the fact that we need to come together as a country," he said. "If we can't come together as a country for our veterans we're in really big trouble."

Roger Bender, a Vietnam veteran, said he agreed with the congressman that he and many other veterans were not welcomed back when they first returned home, so he appreciated the event, which was held at American Legion Post 27.

"We were underappreciated," he said. "I think we feel kind of envious that we're not appreciated like the ones coming back since World War II."

Jen Watkins-Schoenig, director of Veterans Affairs of Muscatine County, said as members of the Vietnam Veterans Commission, they are required to hold at least two events per year to recognize Vietnam veterans.

"Part of that was so that we could, all across the United States, hold events so we could recognize Vietnam veterans for their service since they weren't usually welcomed back into their communities," she said. "So we wanted to honor them as our special guests today."

Watkins-Schoenig said in addition to thanking the Vietnam veterans who attended with a meal and commemorative pins, she hopes they will learn about the resources available to veterans in Muscatine and Louisa Counties.

"I would hope that it would give them a sense that our communities appreciate their service and they aren't forgotten," she said. "I also like the opportunity to introduce them to myself and the Louisa County service officer if they weren't already aware that we're available."
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Muscatine Community Schools and Muscatine Community College were awarded one of ten IBEST grants to promote STEAM initiatives (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics education).

The first of eight modules was offered February 7 and featured employees from Monsanto, who taught about genetics. Part of the lesson involved going to the MCC greenhouse to plant soybeans. Each module includes four lessons taught by business members, which allows students to dive deeper into the subject area.

MCC President Naomi DeWinter greeted the children on their way to the campus.

Seeing the joy and excitement on the kids faces as they walked into the chemistry lab was well worth the planning that went into the project," she said.

Twenty-nine students from Muscatine's six elementary schools participated. More than 100 expressed interest.

We hope to teach kids how exciting STEAM fields can be as they transition to middle school and what rewarding careers are available in our area," DeWinter said. "We are thankful for the support from our local businesses who are volunteering their time to teach our kids."
MUSCATINE, Iowa  A ribbon cutting celebration will be held for Muscatine Community Colleges new Culinary and Hospitality Lab at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the former Button Factory restaurant at 215 W. Mississippi Drive.

The public is invited to attend, get a look at the newly remodeled space and taste appetizers prepared by the culinary faculty and students.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs, currently offered at Scott Community College, were expanded to Muscatine last month.

Students complete their classwork in the Muscatine facility on Mondays and spend the remainder of their week gaining experience by working at local restaurants, hotels and related businesses.

The new lab replicates the kitchen and hospitality environments students will experience in the real world. Visitors to Thursdays grand opening will have the opportunity to meet faculty and students, take tours of the facility and get answers to questions they might have about the programs.

The programs are partnering with the Merrill Hotel and Conference Center, under construction along Muscatines riverfront. Graduates will be guaranteed an interview for employment with the hotel.

The Culinary Arts program is one of the largest programs at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges with more than 100 students each year.

Students in the culinary program are simultaneously completing a national apprenticeship program, and the skills they learn are in demand at restaurants throughout the area and the rest of the United States.

The Hospitality program has been serving students for more than a decade. Muscatine students will do internships at the local Hampton Inn. The program trains students for jobs in hotels, restaurants, conference centers and other facilities that regularly serve large groups of people. Students are prepared for a wide variety of positions including events, front desk, catering and banquets, sales, reservations and housekeeping.

For information about the programs call 888-336-3907 or email eiccinfo@eicc.edu.
LETTS, Iowa  Eugene Newcomb, 64, of Letts, died, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services of Columbus Junction, Iowa. Nick Goddard will officiate. Burial will be in Letts Cemetery. Following the burial, a time of food and fellowship will be at the Letts Community Center. Visitation for Gene will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the funeral home. A memorial has been established at the funeral home in Genes name. Sympathy notes may be left for the Newcomb family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.
It was lost in the confusion of the Oscar envelope snafu, but "Moonlight" made history.

The coming-of-age drama about a gay black man growing up in Miami became the first film with an all-black cast to win the Academy Award for best picture.

The movie, whose cast includes best supporting actor winner Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes and Janelle Monae, has been a critical darling during awards season.

With the win, it shattered a glass ceiling for black films.

"Very clearly, even in my dreams this could not be true," director Barry Jenkins said in amazement when it was announced that "Moonlight," not "La La Land," had won. "But to hell with dreams, I'm done with it, 'cause this is true. Oh my goodness."

In 2014, "12 Years a Slave" won best picture, but its cast was not all black.

Both "Moonlight" and "12 Years" were produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B company.

"Moonlight" made Oscar history in other ways.

Ali, who played a sympathetic drug dealer who mentors a bullied young man, is the first Muslim actor to win best supporting actor.

Jenkins became the first African American to score nominations for best director, best picture and best adapted screenplay in the same year. The film's co-editor, Joi McMillon, became the first African American to earn a nomination for achievement in film editing.

The "Moonlight" win came in a year in which the Academy has been hailed for more diversity.

White actors had especially dominated the major acting categories for two years, giving rise to the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. This year, seven of the 20 nominees were people of color.

Viola Davis, who won best supporting actress, became only the second black woman to win an Emmy, an Oscar and a Tony for acting. Whoopi Goldberg is the other, and the only black actor to have a so-called EGOT -- an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.

April Reign, who created the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, tweeted Sunday night about the importance of the evening.

"Viola, Mahershala, and the wins for Moonlight happened because they were DESERVED," she wrote. "Not because of #OscarsSoWhite. I want that very clear."

Earlier in the evening, Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the play that became "Moonlight" and co-wrote the screenplay, won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay. The pair paid homage to the disenfranchised in their acceptance speech for that award.
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 []
A married stripper in Nairobi has opened up to The Nairobian about the business and how she manages to lead a double life.

Mercy Gathoni, 28, is a mother of two who plies her trade off the Thika Superhighway. She told the daily that her husband, an electrician, has no clue what she does for a living.

I started stripping in Nakuru before I met him. Now I do it (strip) twice a week whenever he is away, she told The Nairobian.

Asked if the pole dancing pays, Gathoni said: On a good day, I make more than Sh8,000, which goes towards feeding and clothing our children as my husband sometimes leaves us with nothing much to survive on.

He knows Im in a chama. Nothing more.

Gathonis close friend, Maggie Alusa, also a stripper, is married with one kid. Her husband is a matatu driver who gets home past midnight by which time Maggie has pocketed around Sh3,000 or more, depending on the club where she strip dances.

I was introduced to it by a neighbour who also trained me. Ive never regretted because my husband comes home very late, says Maggie, adding that the hubby lied to her that he owned the matatu he used to drive, only for her to discover the lie when she was eight months pregnant.

My family in Webuye does know what I do, she adds.

Mary Mugure, a retired stripper, told the daily: You cannot enjoy sex with a client like when you do it with your husband. She says they always use condoms and take a shower before going back home.

Mary who has since separated from her husband, has been training pole dancers on finance for four years and recalls that, I started as a stripper and went around strip joints in Nairobi, Thika and Nakuru for more than five years.

My husband knew I was a stripper, and we have since parted ways because while I was going around stripping to put food on that table, he was busy with other women behind my back, she says, adding that, He would secretly show up in the club and that freaked me out while performing. But with time, he got used to it. We later parted ways.

On a good day, Mary could make as much as Sh20,000, though she claims she is now retired although sometimes I curtain raise in some clubs and leave early lest I give young girls a run for their money due to my experience.

For now, Mary frequents strip clubs hunting for experienced girls to join Knight Nurses along Juja Road, from where they oversee some of their ventures, including salons and a car wash business which employs 10 women, as well as a poultry rearing project.

Source: The Nairobian
The young man who has been making headlines for his freakish resemblance to Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has spoken up.

Jesse Kinyanjui who hails from Ruiru in Kiambu County has as a result of the widespread media attention been alleged to be the politicians illegitimate son, allegations Kalonzo has since denied.

When asked, Kalonzo killed two birds with one stone by denying the allegations and launching an indirect jab at Deputy President William Ruto: Hiyo sio kazi yangu.

Mr Kinyanjui, an Advanced Technical Training Centre, and Ruiru Boys High school alumni, told a local daily that he is used to the comments on how I resemble the wiper party leader, but I never thought it would get this far.

He revealed that he has been rocking a moustache since he left high school and that the teasing about his resemblance to Kalonzo has been rife since his college days.

He added that he is set to meet Kalonzo soon after the leader launched a search party, but declined to disclose further details.

Additionally, an overwhelmed Kinyanjui said he was not ready to make any more comments on the issue and that he should be given time to process the situation since he is not used to so much media attention.
With three well-performing hit singles to their name, Kenyas newest all-girl group Band Beca are not resting on their laurels and are dreaming big.

The group, consisting of Becky Sangolo and Carol Kamweru are riding high on the hits Toka, Brathe, and Tonight featuring Petra.

They spoke to SDE anfd this is their story:

Where had you guys been hiding before you hit the music scene in 2016?

The Band Beca: We were background vocalists for several artists such as Wyre, Gravitti Band, Sport Pesa Festival artists, Camp Mulla, Radio and Weasel amongst others.

When did you individually start singing?

Becky: I started singing at the age of six while working with my father Abedi Dot com in the studio.

Carol: I started in class eight during a singing competition.

And had you not met would you still be singing?

The Band Beca: Yes we would still be singing because we each had the passion for music and thats why we both went to Sauti Academy where we actually first met.

And what did you think of each other when you first met?

Carol: I always say it was love at first.

Becky: Personally I had not met someone as talented as Carol in a while.

Of all the other students at Penya Africa Sauti academy what was it about each other that made you get into music as a duo?

The Band Beca: We became friends instantly and we were inseparable since then so we naturally gravitated towards creating a band the two of us.

Was there ever a third member in the cards or it has always been the two of you from the word go?

The Band Beca: It was just the two of us from the word go.

Many if not all bands play instruments. What instruments does the Band Beca play?

The Band Beca: Currently we are still learning but Becky can play guitar basics.

You bumped into Gilad recently and you revealed you were his biggest fan and he said the same of you. Which celebrity have you not met that you would like to meet?

The Band Beca: It was very humbling of Gilad to say that of us. For now it will be an honor to not only meet Sauti Sol but also work with them.

How different are your lives now that you are popular?

The Band Beca: Well, quite different. Because there are people who look up to us and we have to set a good example in everything that we do.

How do you balance between school and music?

The Band Beca: Currently we are not in school because we are doing music full time.

You were listed fourth in MTV Base acts to watch in 2017 beating Khaligraph and other great African acts. What does that mean to you?

The Band Beca: It was really fulfilling because we have put a lot of effort in our music career. We were aiming for it and many other international platforms but we did not expect it. This in turn means we have more pressure as now we have to keep working hard.

You hit the industry last year with the song Brathe. Do you sing from personal experiences?

The Band Beca: Yes we do sing from personal experiences because we try to keep it relatable. Sadly Brathe was from a personal experience.

Tell us one thing people dont know about Becky and vice versa..

Carol: Becky is the boldest, most fierce person I know and still the sweetest person ever. I always say if you cant get along with her you have a problem.

Becky: Carol has a really big heart and I like to be around her every time because she has the best personality.

Lastly, as young women in a group do you ever disagree or get on each others nerves?

The Band Beca: Disagreements are normal as we are two different individuals. But we always know how to communicate and approach matters to avoid bigger issues.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump warned Monday that the nations health care system was in danger of imploding and said Congress must make fundamental changes to the sweeping health law passed by his predecessor.

Trump said at a White House meeting with dozens of governors that he hoped to overhaul the American tax system but that was a tiny little ant compared to what he would need to do to remake the so-called Obamacare law.

The presidents first major meeting with governors comes as Congress prepares to move forward on a repeal and replacement of the health care law, one of Trumps main campaign promises. Governors have raised concerns that the changes could undermine their efforts to expand Medicaid in their states and leave them stuck with a bigger share of the health care tab.

Its an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated, Trump told the governors.

Trump met later Monday morning with health insurance executives, some of whom are worried that the uncertainty over the health care laws future is spilling into the marketplace.

The president and the Republican-led Congress have made the overhaul of the health care law one of their top priorities at the start of Trumps administration. The Affordable Care Act has subsidized private health insurance available in all 50 states while an optional Medicaid expansion has been accepted by 31 states and the District of Columbia. The two components cover more than 20 million people.

A report by the consulting firms Avalere Health and McKinsey & Company presented to the governors during a weekend of meetings with the National Governors Association concluded that the changes under consideration by the GOP-led House would reduce significantly federal funding for Medicaid and subsidize private insurance, creating funding gaps for states and threatening a loss of coverage for many participants.

Without offering specific details about what he wants in a replacement package, Trump said the current health insurance market is going to absolutely implode and called on the executives to work with the government on a way forward.

We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare, he said.

A group of Republican governors said after the meeting that Trump would provide details of his repeal and replace plan in his address to Congress on Tuesday night. They declined to offer specifics in deference to the president.

The GOP governors said Obamas health overhaul had focused on access to health care but had failed to contain costs.

This is a time for reform, to broaden the issue from beyond coverage to how do we do better quality, better cost-containment for long-term and ultimately its about compassion, said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Were talking about real people here.

The insurers said after their meeting that Trump and Health Secretary Tom Price pledged to stabilize the insurance markets and bring down costs in the industry.

President Trump and Vice President Pence were very clear that they will work toward a clear transition, said Dan Hilferty, CEO of Independence Blue Cross.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps first address to Congress gives him a welcome opportunity to refocus his young administration on the core economic issues that helped him get elected  and, his allies hope, to move beyond the distractions and self-inflicted wounds that have roiled his White House.

Trumps advisers say he will use his prime-time speech Tuesday to declare early progress on his campaign promises, including kick-starting construction of his proposed southern border wall, and to map a path ahead on thorny legislative priorities, including health care and infrastructure spending.

We spend billions in the Middle East, but we have potholes all over the country, Trump said Monday as he previewed the address during a meeting with the nations governors. Were going to start spending on infrastructure big.

Republicans, impatient to begin making headway on an ambitious legislative agenda, hope Trump arrives on Capitol Hill armed with specifics on replacing the Obamacare health law and overhauling the nations tax system, two issues hes so far talked about in mostly general terms. More broadly, some Republicans are anxious for the president to set aside his feuds with the media, the intelligence community and the courts, which have overshadowed the partys policy priorities.

Results arent going to come from that, said Judd Gregg, the former Republican senator from New Hampshire. Results are going to come from driving the policies he said he would do.

The pressure from Republican lawmakers makes this a critical moment for a new president who ran for office on a pledge to swiftly shake up Washington.

While most new presidents enjoy a honeymoon period, Trump is saddled with record low approval ratings  just 44 percent of Americans approve of his job performance, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey. His most sweeping executive order was blocked by federal courts, sending advisers scrambling to write a new travel and immigration directive, which the president is expected to sign on Wednesday.

Morale is also plummeting among some White House staffers following a string of leaks that have left aides questioning each other. On Sunday, Politico reported that White House press secretary Sean Spicer had sprung surprise phone checks for members of his communications team after details from a staff meeting were made public.

In public, Trump has continued to speak about his presidency with his usual confident bluster, declaring that theres never been a presidency thats done so much in such a short period of time. But hes privately vented frustrations to friends and associates, particularly about what he sees as the ineffectiveness of the White Houses communications efforts and the scattershot nature of his first weeks in office.

Trump recently complained to one associate that the White House was trying to do too many things at once and none of it was breaking through. He told another associate that the White House had lost control of the story surrounding Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and others about his contacts with Russia.

The White House looked to be finding its footing for a stretch last week, beginning with Trumps widely praised rollout of Flynns replacement, Lt. General H.R McMaster. On domestic issues, the White House largely stuck to its script, focusing on manufacturing and the budget. Fewer aides appeared on television, part of an effort to apply some message discipline to a White House that has frequently contradicted itself.

One of the most notable changes was made by the president himself, who scaled back his use of Twitter for a few days, particularly in the pre-dawn hours.

One aide said the reduction in Trumps early morning tweets was a result of his ending his habit of watching Morning Joe, the MSNBC show hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, longtime friends of the president who have been critical of some of his early moves.
The Monticello Deli served up its last plates of bacon and eggs on Monday morning. At least for now.

The deli, market and catering business lost its lease, according to co-owner Cal Watkins. The family-owned business hopes to relocate to a new location as soon as possible, he said.

A longtime east Napa hangout for both locals and visitors, the Monticello deli was celebrating 15 years at its original location at 1810 Monticello Road, near the entrance to Silverado Resort.

Its sad, said frequent Monticello Deli customer Jerry Knutson.

His coffee club has been meeting at the cafe for years, said Knutson. The deli offered a friendly place to sit down paired with good food at decent prices.

To regular Dave Bosson, the Monticello Deli is the essence of neighborhood togetherness.

He and his buddies like to start off the day with great coffee and fellowship, he said. Theres nothing going on the neighborhood that we dont know about, he said with a smile.

Napan Harry Price is another Monticelll Deli fan.

Theyre wonderful people, Price said of the Watkins family and the deli staff. Theyre deeply ingrained in the community. Were going to miss them.

Its like a family watering hole, said Kay Walker of Napa. Now that the deli has closed, I want to cry.

Customer Dottie Keller gave a goodbye hug to Pam Watkins, Cals wife, on Monday morning.

Were going to miss it terribly, said Keller. Its a place that felt like home.

Cal Watkins, now 83, said that he and his family originally decided to buy the deli after a previous owner offered to let him take over.

Watkins had been retired from a 42-year career with J. C. Penney, including five years as the manager at the Napa J. C. Penney store.

Ive worked my whole life, said Watkins. After working for a large corporation, he wanted a chance to be his own boss.

The move from retail store manager to shop owner was a success.

We built a great business, said Watkins.

Pam Watkins, 60, said the delis success has been built on good customer service, good food at a fair price and treating you like family.

Its a place like back in the olden days, she said.

We call it the Cheers of Napa, said customer Lois Husted. The Monticello Deli offers that sense of community you dont get at a lot of businesses, she said.

Its so much more than a place to eat, said daughter Kelli Watkins. Weve made a ton of friends over the years. Watkins said she learned a strong work ethic from watching her parents run the business.

A number of the deli employees have worked there for more than a decade, said Cal Watkins.

They include Lili Hernandez, an almost 15-year employee.

At the deli, We do everything with love, Hernandez said. Its a friendly environment where everyone is always welcome.

While making French toast and frying potatoes in the kitchen, Chef Armando Ayala said he wasnt dwelling on the closure. Instead, he sees the change as an opportunity.

When one door closes, another opens, he said through an interpreter.

Another food business is expected to open in place of the current Monticello Deli, said Lori Gelow, owner of the property. That business could open sometime in March, she said.

Knutson said hes also hopeful the deli will find a new location to reopen. In the meantime, Were shopping for a new hangout, he said.

If they find another place, I will go there, said Husted. But, I dont know if you can replicate what they had here.
YOUNTVILLE  The fallout from the presidential election was a spur to action for Molly Giguiere, as it was for numerous other Americans. But as others joined street demonstrations, the Napa High School senior began seeking a way to help unify people whom politics had driven apart.

On Sunday, Giguiere and other Napa-area students presented their answer to the fears of intolerance that have come to the fore since Donald Trump reached the White House on a wave of nationalist speeches attacking Muslims, urging the building of a border wall with Mexico and promising the deportation of millions who have entered the U.S. illegally.

Our United America, a tolerance fair held outside the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville, brought local teenagers together with social, religious, and voting and advocacy groups  both to let diverse Napans share their views, and to offer a show of support to those feeling their rights threatened.

I came up with it a week after the election, she said of the fair, which arose from lunch-table discussions with Napa High schoolmates who feared for the rights and protections of immigrants and women. After all that rhetoric and all the hateful actions that came out of the election, my friends were fearful of what hate and division would do to us, to our community.

I wanted something to assure people theres a community out there thats safe, and thats there to support each other.

Working with students from Napa, Vintage and Justin-Siena, Giguiere and her peers gained support from the Napa Valley Unified School District, which promoted the tolerance fair on social media. The Yountville museum became its host, and groups ranging from Planned Parenthood to the Signs Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church set up booths to reach out to visitors.

Elsewhere, other students offered ways for Napans to spell out their thoughts, or provoke them. A display board set up by Hannah Miller, a Justin-Siena senior, was titled My Family Came From and invited passers-by to complete the statement with sticky notes marked with the country of their birth.

Barely 15 minutes into the four-hour fair, one sticker read Syria and another was marked Iran  two of the seven Muslim-majority countries whose immigrants Trump sought to keep out of the U.S. in an executive order that later was blocked by federal appeals courts.

Its really important for the community to know we stand together, said Miller, a member of the teen-driven advocacy group DoSomething.org. Were Americans but were from all these other places  and we can still stand together.

One symbol of diversity at the tolerance fair was Aimee Guillot, an actress and drama instructor whose family  including her parents and siblings  converted from Catholicism more than a decade ago.

Guillot, a founder of the Cafeteria Kids youth theater troupe, took questions from an audience of about 40 people both about the everyday experiences of living out her religion  but also about her concerns about intolerance from those who pin her religion to acts of terrorism.

I pray this does not go on, she told visitors, but conceded the specter of bigotry would linger as long as the spotlight is on a small group of people who grossly misrepresent what Islam is, who dont speak for me, who dont speak for my family.

Still, Guillot counted herself fortunate to live in a community where her faith  and its outward signs like the hijab around her face  usually evoke curiosity (The tourists stare a moment longer, she quipped) rather than hostility.

The Napa Valley is the kind of place where if were having trouble, I could call on people right away and find immediate support, she said.

Among those who came to Yountville on their religions behalf, a local Seventh-day Adventist saw the gathering as a much-needed dose of civility.

The social fabric is fraying badly; we need to be accepting of people, and our mission is to bring happiness to other people and to love our neighbors as ourselves, said Sue Alexander, a retired teacher at the Adventist-run Napa Christian Academy.

That this festival in the name of tolerance and understanding arose from students was the most promising sign possible, added Alexander. That means the younger generation has a passion for trying to bring good into the world, she said.
ST. HELENA -- A former Vasconis Drugs employee who was responsible for delivering medication to local patients was arrested last week on suspicion of stealing credit cards, cash and valuables from her clients and her employer.

Eva Consuelo Vasquez, 23, of Napa was arrested Thursday night after St. Helena and Napa police served a search warrant at her home and found evidence linking her to the crimes, said St. Helena Police Chief Bill Imboden.

Vasquez was arrested on felony charges of burglary, financial elder abuse, and allegedly committing a felony while out on bail. She had already been fired from Vasconis.

Imboden said three elderly residents of Silverado Orchards reported fraudulent charges on their accounts and missing credit cards, cash or valuables that theyd kept in their rooms. One of the victims reported having found Vasquez in her room while she was delivering medicine from Vasconis, Imboden said.

Vasquez employer at Vasconis reported similar fraudulent charges and stolen cards. Imboden said surveillance footage shows Vasquez using a stolen credit card to buy a watch from a Napa jewelry store, and employees at another Napa business identified her as having bought a suit with a stolen credit card. Imboden said Vasquez was also heard saying she had bought a Rolex watch and a Brooks Brothers suit for her boyfriend for Valentines Day.

Imboden said St. Helena police believed they had enough evidence to serve a search warrant, but they found out that Napa police were conducting their own investigation of Vasquez and were planning to serve a search warrant at her home on Thursday night. Napa police invited St. Helena police to come along.

Imboden said he didnt know the total value of the alleged fraud and theft, but it was enough to exceed $950 and trigger felony charges.

Four St. Helena victims  three at Silverado Orchards and one at Vasconis  have come forward so far, but Imboden said he suspects there are more alleged victims.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Helena Police Department at 967-2850.
ST. HELENA  Seeking a blueprint for the future, the Native Sons of the Golden West, St. Helena Parlor 53, has completed a historic structures report on their 102-year-old meeting hall at 1313 Spring St.

The 48-page report is the culmination of months of study by local architect Tom Faherty and historian Rebecca Yerger. The Native Sons will use the reports conclusions to guide their ongoing investment in preserving the property, including future fundraising campaigns.

We now have an authoritative blueprint for our beloved buildings future, said Phil Murphy, president of St. Helena Parlor 53. Preserving knowledge of the propertys historic and architectural significance is an important part of protecting it for future generations to enjoy.

The report outlines 23 recommendations for building improvement projects needed over the next 25 years. Highest priority is given to structural or safety upgrades that also highlight historically significant architectural features. Other recommendations would preserve the buildings charm as envisioned in its original construction.

The building serves as a meeting place for the Native Sons and as an event center for St. Helena residents. The facility consists of a two-story meeting hall and an attached enclosed pavilion. The buildings original architect, William H. Corlett, described the facility as Modified Mission style.

The building has attracted the attention of both national and statewide historic preservation authorities. Funding for the historic structure report comes from grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Native Sons of the Golden West Historical Preservation Foundation, and contributions from members of St. Helena Parlor 53.

The Native Sons of the Golden West is a statewide nonprofit fraternal organization that raises money for the preservation of places significant to California history.
Ex-presidents tend to recede from public view, particularly when they leave office -- as George W. Bush did -- with a Gallup approval rating hovering around 30%.

But Bush is returning to the national stage this week in the role of an elder statesman. He's promoting his new book "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors" in television appearances and before a sold-out crowd Wednesday evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

His return to the political scene comes as President Donald Trump's new administration is rocking Washington with upheaval and instability. It underscores the contrast in tone between the two most recent Republican presidents and serves as a reminder of how the expectations surrounding presidential rhetoric and tone have changed over the years.

Bush "was a president who after 9/11 talked about Islam as a religion of peace," said Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist and former Bush aide. "He talked about the act of illegal immigration -- people who took great risk coming across the desert -- as an act of love for their families."

"All presidents have been in difficult times and divisive fights, but there was a normalcy of behavior expected of the American head of state rhetorically," Schmidt said.

He cited the recent example of Trump blaming generals for the loss of Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens during a covert mission in Yemen. ("They lost Ryan," Trump said in an interview with Fox News that aired Tuesday).

"That's not how George W. Bush, or Barack Obama, or Bill Clinton, or George Herbert Walker Bush, or Ronald Reagan talked about the military," Schmidt said. "He was a president who served in turbulent times and was controversial, but as is always the case -- when a president has distance from their presidency, voters look at them and are much more likely to see their virtues than their flaws."

Trump tempered his tone -- at least temporarily -- with a strong performance at Tuesday's joint address to Congress. The emotional high point of his speech came when he spoke directly to Owens' wife, Carryn, who watched the speech from the first lady's box.

He also spoke in more measured terms about race and the need for the country to unify even as he maintained hardline positions on issues such as building a wall along the US border with Mexico and repealing and replacing Obamacare.

On the news interview circuit this week, Bush has been peppered with questions about Trump's controversial actions on immigration and his targeted travel ban (which was halted by the federal courts).

Bush, whose brother Jeb was hazed by Trump during the Republican primaries, never warmed to Trump in the general election. In interviews this week, he has been careful to avoid personal criticism Trump, but made his displeasure clear about both the political climate and some of the President's policies.

"I don't like the racism, and I don't like the name-calling, and I don't like the people feeling alienated," Bush told People Magazine. "Nobody likes that."

Bush took issue with Trump's characterization of the press as the enemy.

"I considered the media to be indispensible to democracy, that we need an independent media to hold people like me to account," Bush said on NBC's "Today" earlier this week. "Power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere."

During an interview with "Sunday Today" host Willie Geist, Bush also seemed to make the case for the so-called "Dreamers," who were brought to America as young children, to stay in this country.

"I think somebody who has vested time and effort and can make a contribution to our country will be a really good citizen," the former President told Geist. "See in Texas, we grew up with a lot of people of Hispanic heritage and we're used to the contributions they have made to our state and to our country."

At the same time, he acknowledged the political difficulty in finding compromise on changes to the immigration system.

"I tried to reform it and one of my big regrets was that I couldn't get Congress to respond," he said. "And I think the plan I laid out ultimately would be the plan that would be accepted."
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."
With "alternative facts" airing on the evening news and ominous warnings of "American carnage" issuing from the White House, it's no surprise that the author George Orwell has been the subject of recent essays across American publishing, from the Huffington Post to The New York Times.

Orwell's classic novel on totalitarianism and surveillance, "1984," has again become a bestseller thanks to the strange affairs afoot in Washington, with its publisher rushing to print fresh copies to meet demand. As we reconsider Orwell's work, however, it's worth reevaluating what we know about the man himself, around whom many misconceptions and legends have grown up over the years.

Myth No. 1: Orwell was sadistic.

Orwell's roommate Rayner Heppenstall once described the author as having moods "of sadistic exaltation," during which he would become violent in arguments. Others have located sadism in Orwell's books, especially "1984," which includes a torture scene. Given Orwell's remarks on his own history (for example, he once described in an article how, as a boy, he cut a wasp in half out of curiosity; and in the essay "Shooting an Elephant" wrote that as a police officer in Burma he took great pleasure in imagining sticking a bayonet into the guts of a Buddhist priest), one might reasonably suspect he had a violent streak.

Yet Orwell belonged for a time to the pacifistic Independent Labour Party,deplored the sadism of communists in Spain and felt uneasy with gratuitous violence in media. He disparaged what he called "the Yank Mags" ("There is the frankest appeal to sadism," he wrote of these magazines in his essay "Boys' Weeklies," "scenes in which the Nazis tie bombs to women's backs and fling them off heights to watch them blown to pieces in mid-air, others in which they tie naked girls together by their hair and prod them with knives to make them dance, etc.") and American films like "High Sierra," which he felt encouraged and glorified cruelty and violence, as did novels such as James Hadley Chase's "No Orchids for Miss Blandish." Reviewing "High Sierra" in the literary magazine Time and Tide, Orwell dismissively wrote, "For anyone who wants the ne plus ultra of sadism, bully worship, gun play, socks on the jaw and gangster atmosphere generally, this film is the goods."

Orwell might have had a temper and some morbid curiosities, but he certainly did not approve of inflicting suffering on others without reason.

Myth No. 2: Orwell was hostile to religion.

Orwell's work contained strong skepticism of religion: In "A Clergyman's Daughter," he has a Satanic priest reciting the Lord's Prayer backward; in "Animal Farm," faith is represented cynically as "lies put about by Moses, the tame Raven," about a supposed animal paradise. "Even in Animal Farm," John Rossi and John Rodden wrote in a 2016 Commonweal Magazine retrospective on its author, "Orwell found time to express his hostility to religion." A 2011article by Robert Gray in the Spectator titled "Orwell vs God" noted that "though he might acknowledge the necessity of religion in theory," Orwell's general attitude toward faith was one of "unblinking hostility." He once said that he did not subscribe to "doctrines which no one seriously believes in," such as "the immortality of the soul."

Yet Orwell retained a lasting affection for the Anglican Church, choosing to be married and buried, per instructions in his will, "according to the rites of the Church of England." And he maintained a religious imagination, especially during his final days. In a last letter from his hospital bed, Orwell asked a friend whether an advertisement he'd found in a newspaper might be blasphemous. Another friend, who visited him just before he died, found him reading the first volume of Dante's "Divine Comedy," raising the possibility that he was preparing himself for some kind of afterlife.

Myth No. 3: Orwell insisted on simple, straightforward prose.

In his essay "Why I Write," Orwell recommended keeping prose simple, positing that "good prose is like a window pane" in its clarity. Indeed, Orwell has been noted for this quality in his writing. In a 2006 NPR article, for instance, author Lawrence Wright claimed that "Orwell wasn't interested in decorative writing, but his straightforward, declarative style has a snap in it that few other writers have ever approached."

It was not always so. In his early novel "Burmese Days," for example, we find the following: "In the borders beside the path swaths of English flowers - phlox and larkspur, hollyhock and petunia - not yet slain by the sun, rioted in vast size and richness. The petunias were huge, like trees almost. There was no lawn, but instead a shrubbery of native trees and bushes - gold mohur trees like vast umbrellas of blood-red bloom, frangipanis with creamy, stalkless flowers, purple bougainvillea, scarlet hibiscus and the pink Chinese rose, bilious-green crotons, feathery fronds of tamarind. The clash of colours hurt one's eyes in the glare. A nearly naked mali, watering-can in hand, was moving in the jungle of flowers like some large nectar-sucking bird." And he raved to his girlfriend Brenda Salkeld in 1933 about "my dear 'Ulysses,' my greatest discovery since I discovered Villon," referring to James Joyce's labyrinthine novel.

It was only when he turned to political writing in 1936, after living with unemployed miners in Wigan, in northern England, and fighting in Spain, that he decided that, for honesty's sake, he must write prose that was transparent - devoid of jargon, misleading metaphors, foreign words and phrases, and cliches.

Myth No. 4: Orwell was both politically and socially progressive.

One 2014 biography of Orwell declared him a "social realist" and "secular saint"; a Guardian article by John Carey insisted that "Orwell was a truth-teller whose courage and sense of social justice made him a secular saint"; and Geoffrey Wheatcroft once wrote in the Independent that "the secular saint of our time par excellence was George Orwell." As a progressive in politics, he wanted the kind of equalitarian society he'd glimpsed in Barcelona in 1936, where, he wrote in his book "Homage to Catalonia," "human beings were trying to behave as human beings and not as cogs in the capitalist machine."

Orwell was a socialist, but he was also a realist. He thought that in 1940, after the British defeat at Dunkirk, Britain was on the brink of revolution. Instead, the moment passed, and at the end of the war he threw his support behind the Labour Party, whose policy was one of sober gradualism rather than violent revolution.

In other ways, he was an outright traditionalist: His attitude toward women and homosexuals was boorish and retrograde. Orwell's friend and contemporary Stephen Spender noted that ''Orwell was very misogynist . . . a strange sort of eccentric man full of strange ideas and strange prejudices. One was that he thought that women were extremely inferior and stupid. . . . He really rather despised women." Orwell also opposed modern urban sprawl and machine technology. And most of his fiction, as well as his nonfiction, reveals a yen for Edwardian England, though stripped of some of its cruelties and inequalities.

Myth No. 5: 'Orwellian' refers to ascendant government control.

In a 2013 essay for the conservative Catholic publication Crisis Magazine, Sean Fitzpatrick wrote that the most frightening thing about Orwell's "1984" is "how many aspects of our democratic nation resemble his dystopian nightmare." Fitzpatrick described many features of contemporary politics (such as the Affordable Care Act and the war on terror) as signals of the advancement of "the ideologies of big government." Other writers often equate Orwell's dystopias with government overreach: "Maybe, 'liberals' today will rediscover their roots and reignite a deep suspicion of a large, all-powerful government," Charles Hurt wrote in an Orwell-centric Washington Times column this month.

Yet Orwellianism isn't just about big government; it's about authoritarianism coupled with lies. Newspeak, as Orwell described it in "1984," is language that means the exact opposite of what it says. Contemporary examples include the labeling of news organizations as "fake news" and falsehoods as "alternative facts." "The whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought. In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it," one of Orwell's characters says.

Moreover, Orwell did not see oppression issuing strictly from governments. In "Keep the Aspidistra Flying," Gordon Comstock's landlady spies on him, making him feel a loss of privacy and liberty. In the autobiographical essay "Such, Such Were the Joys," Orwell writes that in boarding school, he suspected that a spy had been set on him by his headmaster and depicted the environment as institutionally oppressive. An equivalent today might be mass surveillance via social media: Facebook logging your purchases, Skype eavesdropping on your calls and the ubiquitous mobile phone camera's all-seeing eye. A surveillance society can have many Big Brothers and Sisters watching us, rather than just a single all-powerful one.

Gordon Bowker is the author of "George Orwell," a biography, and has written articles for the Daily Beast, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
Last year, a janitor working for San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) made $270,000. Most of it came from benefits and $162,000 in overtime. The whopping amount is raising a few eyebrows.

Was it all earned?

At first, it seems like the janitor in question, Liang Zhao Zhang, is just a very hard-working guy. An investigation by local TV station KTVU found that Zhang was paid for every single day in 2015. He also worked overtime most of the time. During one stretch in July of that year, Zhang worked 17-hour days for 18 days straight.

"Super human!" said Robert Fellner, whose government watchdog group Transparent California has examined public employee salary information for years. He says he's never seen anything like this. BART's Chief Transportation Officer Roy Aguilera says it's possible because Zhang never refuses extra work and picks up much of the overtime hours offered, according to the KTVU report.

"People are not raising their hands and saying, 'I want some of that overtime.' Mr. Zhang has said yes, he's worked hard, he's completed his assignments, so I stand by the work he's done," Aguilera said.

Others are not so sure. The agency running BART has never audited Zhang, or the 49 other janitors who made more than $100,000 that year. The KTVU investigation found alleged discrepancies in Zhang's performance and time sheets.
An environmental advocacy group that sued the city last year over water diversion at Bell Canyon Reservoir is now threatening a separate lawsuit over the long delay in the removal of the Upper York Creek Dam.

Grant Reynolds of Water Audit California, a public benefit corporation, wrote a letter to the city on Feb. 11 requesting various city records involving the dam, and followed up two days later with a letter threatening to sue to compel the city to action.

The dam has been declared a barrier to fish passage, and its removal has been on the citys to-do list since at least 1993 when, in response to a state lawsuit, the city agreed to a court order pledging to remove the dam by Nov. 1, 1993. The order was lifted in 2001 to help the city apply for grant funding, and in 2010 the city entered into a settlement agreement with NOAA Fisheries pledging to remove the dam by 2012.

We are aware that the city claims that it is financially incapable of removing the dam, but having reviewed the citys financial statements we have concluded that the citys assertions are an excuse, not a reason, wrote Reynolds, a San Diego resident, in his letter. The city has a duty to the people of the State, and it must be performed.

I regret this unnecessary claim, said Mayor Alan Galbraith. During my time as mayor, the city has been steadfastly committed to the removal of the Upper York Creek Dam and associated environmental work, with funding from grants and the water enterprise. No general funds of the city are committed to this project, as is appropriate.

Recent councils have made the dams removal a priority, but have struggled to scrape together the estimated $6.2 million needed to finish the project. The new water rates would contribute $1.7 million toward the project, with the rest coming from grants and bond proceeds. The council approved the projects final environmental impact report in 2015.

Critics of the recent water rate increases say that, due to the long delay and escalating costs, the citys General Fund should contribute toward the project.

Water Audit sued the city of St. Helena last August, claiming the city has failed to bypass enough water from Bell Canyon Reservoir into Bell Creek, allegedly resulting in loss of fish habitat. In November it also sued the state Department of Veterans Affairs, which owns Rector Reservoir, for not allowing enough water to enter Rector Creek.

Reynolds previously pursued expensive litigation against the city of Calistoga on similar grounds.

Reynolds public records request refers questions to attorney William McKinnon, who also assisted Reynolds with the Calistoga litigation.
We recently interviewed Drake White and exclusively premiered videos related to his partnership with Live In the Vineyard (LITV), and, last week, the uniquely talented Big Machine Label Group artist joined forces with the festival for a special event.

White performed aboard a Southwest Airlines flight as part of its Live at 35 series, entertaining passengers with several of his songs as they flew from Dallas Love Field to Nashville. Following the flight, White performed an intimate acoustic set for a small group seated on the legendary Ryman Auditorium stage, hosted by Southwest and LITV.

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Sometimes I think about all the cool places that I have been fortunate enough to play and this may top them all, said White. I am so thankful for the people I have met and the opportunities that I am given and playing for a flight full of lovely folks is a cherry on top of an already awesome start to 2017.

Watch one of Whites performances aboard the Southwest flight here:
So President, warm welcome to NATO Headquarters. Its a pleasure to meet you again, we last met at the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July last year.

And I also welcome our very constructive and interesting discussions we just had in our meeting. And I also welcome our partnership that we have developed, between NATO and Armenia, over many years. That is good for Armenia and its good for NATO. And I also welcome that in our meeting we discussed how we can take that partnership further and continue to strengthen the cooperation between Armenia and NATO.

We have developed our partnership over many years, in fact this year is the 25th anniversary of you joining the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. It was a crucial time following the end of the Cold War. It proved to be the foundation of our partnership. And we have built on that partnership over many many years. You attended the Warsaw Summit because of your countrys important contribution to NATOs Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Thank you very much for Armenias presence in and contributions to NATOs military presence in Afghanistan fighting terrorism.

Armenia also contributes forces to our KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo helping the keep the western Balkans stable. Armenian troops are helping to bring stability to those countries and we are very grateful for your contributions. Helping to make the Euro-Atlantic area safer and more secure.

The NATO Alliance is committed to working with you, as well as other partners. Because cooperation between NATO and Armenia is in both our interest. Together, we are developing a new Individual Partnership Action Plan. Tailored to your needs and requirements. And I see opportunities for us to cooperate more closely on interoperability, defence reform and defence education. NATO and our Allies have considerable expertise in defence and security sector reforms. Armenia can draw upon these resources.

I also want to congratulate you on your participation in the Building Integrity programme to counter corruption in the armed forces. And your progress on implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

These are important steps for all of us. We also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I am concerned about the continuing violence along the line of contact, including this weekend. It is important to avoid escalation. Because there is no military solution to this conflict. And its persistence is holding back the region.

So we encourage both Armenia and Azerbaijan to return to the negotiating table and to work toward a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. NATO fully supports the Minsk Group Process to that end.

So thank you once again for coming here today and thank you so much for our close partnership which I think is good for Armenia and good for NATO.

Thank you so much.

OANA LUNGESCU (Moderator): Okay are there any questions? Gentleman over there.

Q: Thank you. Mr. Secretary General, Public TV of Armenia. It seems that NATOs advertence toward partnership had refused in last period. Meetings and events with partner States became fewer, there is a view that NATO had refined its partners and now is deepening its relations only with so-called enhanced opportunity partners. If Im not mistaken, partner States also are not invited to the upcoming Summit. How would you comment, does this mean that NATO is changing its approach towards partners? Thank you.

JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): For NATO partnerships are very important and thats exactly why we are strengthening the partnership with Armenia. We have, in the process of agreeing in new individual partnership program with Armenia and I think that provides the best possible context and foundation for more partnership activities for NATO and Armenia to implement together. First of all I would like to thank Armenia for contributing to many different NATO operations and and missions, contributing to NATOs presence in Afghanistan fighting terrorism, contributing to NATOs presence in Kosovo helping to stabilize the Western Balkans and also the fact that NATO has been helping Armenia in different ways implementing reforms to modernize its defense institutions and defense education. And we also work together on the program we call Build Integrity which is about how to fight corruption within the Armed Forces and train its forces by participating in NATO exercises. So, just the fact that Armenian soldiers, troops are participating in NATO exercises, increases the interoperability, the ability to work together in military operations and we share knowledge, we learn from each other and I think it increases the quality of our soldiers both Armenia and in NATO. And we also work together in civil military activities like the Civil Emergency Response Exercise, which last year took an Armenian, which Armenia participated in last year. So there are many different activities where we work together and we are looking into what more can we do. The Summit in Warsaw, Armenia was present there in July. The meeting we will have, were going to have with Heads of State and government in May is not a Summit. Thats a special meeting which will be a very brief meeting and the main purpose of that meeting will be to have the new U.S. President come to visit NATO. So we will not have any partners, not enhanced opportunity partners or any partners participating in that meeting, but Armenia is invited to different NATO activities and they participated in our last ordinary Summit in Warsaw.

OANA LUNGESCU: Okay, one second question.

Q: Speaking in foreign language.

TRANSLATOR: President, I address this question to you. You refer to Armenia-NATO relations the broad agenda thereof. Could you please tell us to what extent is that compatible with Armenias membership in other security structures and the commitments assumed there in?

SERZH SARGSYAN (President of Republic of Armenia): Speaking foreign language.

TRANSLATOR: As time and practice have demonstrated, these dimensions are fully compatible. In our region there are many players and we are attempting in every circumstance to find the cooperation possibilities to the benefit of our security. Over these 25 years Armenia has never attempted to see or take advantage of any benefit in the conflict between those players. That would be a disastrous policy if you want my opinion and we got reassurances in the region as to how true these words of mine are. Of course the CSTO and NATO pursue different objectives but I reiterate that our practice has come to demonstrate that it is possible for a country in order to assure its security to find areas of cooperation with different and in different formats. Incidentally let me tell you that when were negotiating with the E.U. and the issue was raised about our accession or membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, there was some concern expressed within the E.U. about this. We always referred to the example of NATO stating that being a founding member of the CSTO, we have cooperated for a quarter of a century with NATO and nothing bad has happened in this context. So I think this is a good example and well continue with this policy. Thank you very much.

OANA LUNGESCU: Thank you very much.

JENS STOLTENBERG: Thank you. Thank you.
The helicopter deck and hangar can accomodate a medium size helicopter. The helicopter deck is stretched to received two standard size containers for added capabilities (as shown in the CGI). According to Navantia, the F-538 was designed with great attention focused on low radiated noise, reduced radar cross section, low infra red signature, low magnetic signature and low electric signature. The propulsion system is CODAD type (Combined diesel and diesel).



F-538 main characteristics:

Length overall: 113.2m

Maximum beam: 15.6m

Draught: 4.7m

Full load displacement: 3800 t

Max. Speed: 30 kn

Range: 4000 nm

Crew: 143 + 7

Propulsion: CODAD 4x 10,000 kW diesels



Four vessels of the AVANTE 2200 family have already been selected by the Navy of Venezuela, the Guaiqueri class patrol vessels (slightly smaller than the F-538 design, with a length of 99 meters and displacement of 2,419 tons).
15:25

After what can be considered as the Academy Awards' biggest mistake, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the official accountant firm of the event, issued a statement on the embarrassing mix-up, in which Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read 'La La Land' as the 'Best Picture,' instead of the actual winner, 'Moonlight.'



Their statement read, "We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture. The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred."



Adding, "We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation."



On that note, halfway through the 'La La Land' acceptance speech, the error was clarified and the correct card was shown on camera.



"There's a mistake. Moonlight, you won best picture," Fred Berger, the La La Land producer, announced to the gasps of a shocked crowd.



Reasoning to the mistake done, Beatty said that he had been given the wrong envelope to open.



"I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land," he said, adding that he had not done it "to try to be funny".



However, according to 'La La Land' lead actress Emma Stone, who even won an Oscar for the same, her 'Best Actress in a Leading Role' card was in her hand the whole time.



"I also was holding my Best Actress in a Leading Role card the whole time. I'm not sure what happened" Stone told reporters in the press room.



Even Leonardo DiCaprio, who presented Stone her trophy, confirmed that he gave her the card that declared her the winner.



"He gave the card directly to Emma and said 'You are going to want to keep this,' according to DiCaprio's representative.



Whatever it be, whose ever fault it be, this flub will be remembered for many years to come!
18:49

Price Waterhouse Coopers, the accounting firm responsible for the integrity of the Academy Awards said on Monday that its staffers did not move quickly enough to correct the biggest error in Oscars history the mistaken announcement of the best picture winner.





PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, wrote in a statement that several mistakes were made and two of its partners assigned to the prestigious awards show did not act quickly enough when La La Land was mistakenly announced as the best picture winner. Three of the film's producers spoke before the actual winner, the coming-of-age drama Moonlight was announced.





"PwC takes full responsibility for the series of mistakes and breaches of established protocols during last night's Oscars," PwC wrote. It said its partner, Brian Cullinan, mistakenly handed presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway an envelope containing the winner of the best actress award.





"Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner," the statement read.

It did not address in detail which protocols were violated, or say whether a tweet Cullinan sent about best actress winner Emma Stone before the best picture announcement contributed to the mistake.





The firm, which has handled Oscar winner announcements for eight decades, apologized to Beatty, Dunaway, the cast and crew of La La Land and Moonlight the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and host Jimmy Kimmel.





"We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to each of them for the graciousness they displayed during such a difficult moment," the statement said. "For the past 83 years, the academy has entrusted PwC with the integrity of the awards process during the ceremony, and last night we failed the academy."





The statement came after nearly a day of speculation about how the worst gaffe in Oscars history unfolded. The fiasco launched countless punchlines, memes and a probe of what went wrong.





The mystery deepened Monday afternoon after the Wall Street Journal reported that Cullinan tweeted a behind-the-scenes photo of winner Emma Stone holding her statuette. "Best Actress Emma Stone backstage!" the tweet read. The tweet, sent moments before the best picture announcement, raised the question of whether the accountant was distracted from the task at hand. Although the tweet was deleted from the social media site, a copy of it was kept by Google and available through a cache page.





The mistaken announcement altered the usual celebration that follows the coronation of a best picture winner. The only Oscars mistake that came close occurred in 1964, when Sammy Davis was given the wrong envelope for best music score winner but made a quick correction.





The La La Land,Moonlight mix-up, in contrast, took a painfully long time to be announced, with two-plus minutes elapsing before it was announced to the moviemakers and the world at large.





The embarrassing episode stepped squarely on what should have been a night of high-fiving for the academy. After last year's awards were clouded by the #OscarsSoWhite protests, diversity ruled Sunday as actors Viola Davis (Fences) and Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) were among the people of color claiming trophies, while Moonlight focused on African-American characters.

PwC, which originated in London over a century ago, was quick to apologize to the movies involved. The academy has not yet commented on the mistake.
NEW YORK: What if a drone delivers a mouth-watering pizza right in your car as you wait at the red signal and fly ahead? In a bid to make drones technology more potent, a team led by an Indian-origin researcher is teaching unmanned aerial vehicles to land on moving targets.

Using fuzzy logic, researchers at University of Cincinnati are programming drones so that they can make better navigational decisions on the fly that would eventually make drones autonomous.

"It's 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 and lead researcher.

According to Kumar, the problem of drones having difficulty in navigating their ever-changing 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.

"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 said.

To address this challenge, the team applied a concept called fuzzy logic that helps the drone make good navigational decisions amid a sea of statistical noise.

Researchers successfully employed fuzzy logic in a simulation to show it is an ideal system for navigating under dynamic conditions.

Kumar and co-authors presented the study at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' "SciTech 2017 Conference" held in Texas recently.

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Nuclear Power Could Soon Be Harnessed From Oceans
MEXICO CITY: To support government efforts against cyber crime while also helping companies and citizens to be more secure, Microsoft has announced the launch of a cyber security centre in Mexico.

The Cyber Security Engagement Centre will serve Mexico and other Latin American countries, Microsoft said.

"By opening this Cyber Security Center, we are offering our clients protection from attacks and security risks, as well as ways to detect them and find solutions," Jorge Silva, General Manager of Microsoft Mexico, said in a statement released this weekend.

"At Microsoft, we are committed to invest in the region so we can bring our cyber security capabilities to customers by identifying current threats that affect the economy's prosperity," Silva said.

The center will help fight cyber crime, particularly in the dismantling of criminal organisations that operate through Botnet schemes.

It will also help cyber security experts from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America to work with Microsoft specialists to fight cyber crime together.

"By opening this center, we are bringing Microsoft's offer of security increasingly closer to customers in order to be a strategic part of their transformation, and together we will create a country and a region that are more prosperous and productive, and above all, that are safer," Silva said.

Read Also:

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According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, arms and drugs were also recovered in the operations on Saturday and Sunday, The News International reported on Monday.

The law enforcement agencies arrested over 30 suspects in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. At least 75 persons were detained in Bannu city and a dozen Afghans in Kashmore in Sindh.

Over 160 persons, including Afghans, were arrested from different parts of Karachi.

In Bahawalpur in Punjab province, 22 suspects were arrested. Arrests also took place in Kaloorkot, Lodhran, Chiniot and Sargodha districts.

--IANS py/mr

( 122 Words)

2017-02-27-13:42:07 (IANS)
Moto G5 has a 2,800 mAh battery offering up to 24 hours of battery life.

Moreover, users can be always connected thanks to its rapid charging, which enables hours of battery with only a few minutes of charge, Xinhua news agency reported.

With a Snapdragon 430 processor, the Moto G5 has a 13 MP rear camera with autofocus software and a 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution.

The Moto G5 Plus has a 3,000 mAh battery, also offering up to 24 hours of battery life, which thanks to its TurboPower charger can be extended up to six hours of extra time in just 15 minutes.

With a 5.2-inch screen, the Moto G5 Plus has a rear camera with 12 MP with dual autofocus pixels, 5 MP front camera and a Snapdragon 625 processor.

The company said the Moto G5 Plus device will hit the market in the second quarter of 2017, while the Moto G5 will be available in late March in two different models with 2GB RAM or 3GB RAM.

On Sunday, several companies presented their new devices on the eve of the official opening of the MWC, which is expected to gather 2,200 exhibitors, 101,000 trade visitors from 200 countries and regions.

--IANS qd/

( 248 Words)

2017-02-27-05:48:07 (IANS)
The Southeast Asian nation attracted 5 million international visitors last year, a 5 per cent rise year-on-year, according to a tourism data, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We predict that Cambodia will welcome 5.4 million foreigners in 2017 and up to 7 million in 2020 with estimated revenue of $5 billion," Hun Sen said.

He said that tourism industry currently provides some 620,000 direct jobs and the number of jobs will reach 1 million in 2020.

According to the Prime Minister, the country's peace and political stability were the prerequisites for the attraction of tourists.

"Tourists will not risk their lives to visit dangerous or war zones...so maintaining peace and political stability and preventing terrorism from happening in Cambodia are very important," he said, vowing to maintain the country's peace "at any cost".

Cambodia is famous for the 12th century Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province.

Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four provinces in the country's southwestern part.

--IANS ksk

( 194 Words)

2017-02-27-09:50:06 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], Feb. 27 (ANI-BusinessWire India): Vivek Chaand Sehgal of the Motherson Sumi Systems Limited (MSSL), the flagship company of Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG), was today named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016. Samvardhana Motherson Group with MSSL has presence in more than 26 countries across six continents and is amongst the top auto-component suppliers across the globe. The awards were presented by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines and Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, who were the Guests of Honor. Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman also presented awards across nine categories in the presence of over 400 guests including eminent business leaders. Vivek Chaand Sehgal will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo from June 7-11, 2017. The EOY is the only global business award program in the world and is now in its 18th year in India. Nandan Nilekani was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contribution to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) - the Aadhaar initiative, which is a pioneering citizen-identification program, unparalleled in scope and scale worldwide. As the Honorary Advisor to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), he has also helped create the ecosystem for digital financial services in India. He has also played a major role in the growth of the Indian Information Technology industry and is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honor, in 2009. Winners were also announced in nine other Award categories: EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016: Winners EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016: Vivek Chaand Sehgal Chairman, Motherson Sumi Systems Limited Lifetime Achievement: Mr. Nandan Nilekani Co-founder, Infosys and Former Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (Aadhar card) Category Winners Business Transformation: Dr. Abhay Firodia Chairman, Force Motors Consumer Products and Retail: Chandubhai Virani Whole time Director, Balaji Wafers Entrepreneurial CEO: Uday Shankar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Star India Financial Services: Vishwavir Ahuja Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, RBL Bank Life Sciences and Healthcare: Samprada Singh and Basudeo Narain Singh Chairman Emeritus, and Executive Chairman, Alkem Laboratories Manufacturing: Hari Mohan Bangur Managing Director, Shree Cement Real Estate and Infrastructure: Vikas Oberoi Chairman and Managing Director, Oberoi Realty Services: R Dinesh Managing Director, TVS Logistics Services Start-up: Darshan Patel Chairman and Managing Director, Vini Cosmetics "Each of our winners this year have taken forward their unique ideas with unwavering determination in the face of adversity. They have taken bold risks and transformed into leading players in their respective industries. Even in a challenging and disruptive business environment, these visionary entrepreneurs are continuously creating value, generating jobs and contributing to building a better working world," said Rajiv Memani, Chairman, EY India. A distinguished nine-member jury led by Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceuticals selected the winners. Other Jury members include Subodh Bhargava, Chairman, Tata Communications; Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Executive Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (India) Limited; Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairman, Max Financial Services; Uday Kotak, Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Kalpana Morparia, Chief Executive Officer, JP Morgan Chase South Asia and India; Rishad Premji, Chief Strategy Officer, Wipro; Renuka Ramnath, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Multiples Alternate Asset Management and A Vellayan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa Group. Entrepreneur of the Year is the only business award to be based on self-nomination and it is now in its 18th year in India. "Each of the winners this year, with their disruptive ideas and incredible innovation have demonstrated perseverance and foresight to scale their businesses. Their stories of courage and ambition are truly inspiring and define the India of today and tomorrow. We at EY recognise and applaud the entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional achievements of all the winners," said Farokh Balsara, Partner and EOY India Program Leader. (ANI-BusinessWire India)
Amid concerns over cheap imports of ferro alloys from Malaysia, Indian ferro alloy producers on Monday called for protective measures from the Steel Ministry. "A significant amount of ferro alloys is imported in India from Malaysia as they were able to produce the same at a much lower cost. Power is the major input for producing ferro alloys and it constitutes about 30 percent of the total cost. Power tariff in India is on a higher side as compared to other ferro alloy producing nations. "Safeguard measures could help to protect the industry," said the Indian Ferro Alloy Producers' Association Chairman D.B. Sundara Ramam. Cross-subsidy in power tariff further puts the non-captive producers at a disadvantage and the difference in power tariff between India and Malaysia is $20 per MWh, he said. Speaking on the safeguard measures sought by the industry, Ministry of Steel's Director Anupam Prakash said the association represents 80 per cent of the ferro alloy sector and it can seek for the duty after applying for the same with a note mentioning that imports are damaging the industry. "There are procedures for imposing safeguards. If the association makes an application mentioning that imports are damaging the industry, the Directorate General of Safeguards investigates the case and come up with recommendations. And accordingly notifications are issued," Prakash said. Ramam said upcoming supplies of manganese alloys with lower power tariff from Malaysian and Indonesian is expected to bring down profitability. "In 2016, 3,65,000 tonnes of extra capacity has come into the market and additional 1,80,000 tonnes is expected to come in 2017," he said. According to association, India produces around 3.5 million tonnes of ferro alloys and the Rs 23,000 crore industry employs around one lakh people. Out of this India consumes around 2.3 million tonnes of ferro alloys and the rest 1.3 million tonnes is exported which earns foreign exchange of around Rs 8,900 crore, he said. --IANS bdc/pgh/dg ( 333 Words) 2017-02-27-16:02:08 (IANS)
The Small Industries Development Bank of India's (SIDBI) Venture Capital Investment Committee (VCIC) has approved requests from nine funds aggregating Rs 300 crore, an official here said. "In its seventh meeting on February 11, 2017, SIDBI's Venture Capital Investment Committee (VCIC) examined requests from 11 fund managers and sanctioned requests from nine funds aggregating Rs 300 crore," an official statement of the Union Commerce Ministry said. Last year, the government had set up a Rs 10,000-crore Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) at SIDBI for contribution to various Alternative Investment Funds (AIF). The government provided Rs 500 crore to the corpus in 2015-16 and Rs 600 crore was earmarked in the 2016-17. "There is a significant upsurge in the fund of funds operations if seen from the number of funds supported by SIDBI during the current financial year (FY)," it said. "During FY 15 and 16, sanctions were made to 11 funds (Rs 314 crore) and 16 funds (Rs 607 crore), respectively, while the number during the current FY has already crossed Rs 1,112 crore to 30 funds," it added. SIDBI's VCIC includes external experts like Mohandas Pai, Sanjeev Bikchandani, Saurabh Srivastava, H.K. Mittal and Kiran Karnik, the ministry said. SIDBI is also operating various other fund of funds programmes investing in MSMEs and start-ups, like the India Aspiration Fund (IAF) launched in August 2015, and ASPIRE Fund for MSMEs focused on agri and rural enterprises launched last year. Of the proposals cleared earlier by VCIC, SIDBI has so far accorded formal sanction for a total of Rs 1,619.25 crore, including Rs 1,580 crore under IAF/FFS and Rs 39.50 crore under ASPIRE, the statement said. "Operations under IAF and FFS are complimentary as both target startups and the exact coverage depends on the status of compliance to the guidelines under these funds at the time of signing of the contribution agreements," it added. According to the government, coverage under FFS is expected to stand at around Rs 600 crore in respect of 15 AIFs by March 31, 2016. "The investment in startups by the 15 funds as aforesaid is likely to be approximately Rs 187 crore by March end," it said. There is now significant investment in startups with a rise in AIFs supported under various programmes, and the current year is expected to close with around 150 startups receiving Rs 588 crore, it added. "It is expected that the investment in startups by the funds supported under FFS may cross Rs 1,200 crore over next twelve months as they raise the balance contribution from other investors and pick up the pace of investing," the Commerce Ministry said. --IANS bc/dg ( 454 Words) 2017-02-27-16:18:07 (IANS)
India's largest telecommunications services provider Bharti Airtel on Monday announced radical changes in its value proposition for domestic and international roaming as the customers will now be able to carry their numbers across India and the world and stay connected all the time without having to worry about high call/data charges. Under national roaming, the network will offer free incoming calls with no premium on outgoing calls along with no data roaming charges. Starting from April 1 2017, Airtel customers can enjoy roaming within India with free incoming calls/SMS and there will be no premium on outgoing calls allowing them to speak freely wherever they are within the country. Also, there will be no additional data charges on national roaming. Home data packs for customers will apply even while they roam across India. "This marks the death of national roaming and the whole country will now be like a local network for our customers, who will not have to think twice before making or receiving calls or using data while traveling outside their home base. Airtel has again set the benchmark in delivering best in class value backed by a great network experience," said MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Bharti Airtel, Gopal Vittal. The largest telecom network has also announced no bill shocks on International Roaming as it has already launched innovative and affordable International Roaming packs for all major countries across the world. These packs come with convenient validity options of 1 day, 10 days, and 30 days and offer loads of benefits including free incoming calls/SMS, calling minutes and texts both to India and the local country as well as generous dollops of data to stay online. These packs have received an overwhelming response from customers, shielding them from any bill shock and eliminating the need for a local country SIM. However, there are still several cases of customers inadvertently failing to choose these packs and suffering bill shocks due to the steep roaming charges on international networks. When a customer traveling to the USA without a pack hits the threshold of Rs. 649 (the price of the one day pack for USA), he or she will automatically move to the one day pack with free incoming calls/SMS, 100 India and local country outgoing minutes, 300 MB data and a host of other benefits. Similarly, a customer traveling to Singapore will move to the one day pack the moment his/her usage hits the Rs. 499 mark. "At Airtel, we are changing the international roaming paradigm, which will allow our customers to take their number to every corner of the world. As an industry, operators across the world must collaborate to remove the cost barrier to roaming and offer customers the convenience of staying connected without the fear of exorbitant bill charges," said chairman Bharti Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal. (ANI)
According to Radio Pakistan, a sum of over 111 billion rupees has been released to National Highway Authority for infrastructure and development projects against its total allocation of 188 billion rupees.

Similarly, over 100 billion rupees have been released for water and power sector projects.

The government has also released over 52 billion rupees for temporary displaced person. (ANI)
Kritika Dahal, Director of Hongkong-based International Rising Limited was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering. She was arrested on February 25 and has been granted the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till February 28. A case has been registered under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate. The arrest follows an FIR that was filed against Ritesh Jain for opening bank accounts in the name of fake companies and facilitating illegal transactions. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the accounts were used for materialising illegal transactions of huge amounts which were credited in the aforementioned accounts. Layering of these funds has been done through more than 500 accounts. Funds from all companies/firms were credited through RTGS to M/s Rajeshwar Exports Pvt. Ltd. which were utilised for outward remittance to Hong Kong in guise of payment of import of overvalued consignments of total 355 Bills of Entries. It was found that total outward remittance of USD 21.22 crores (Approx. Rs 1421 Crore) were undertaken from the account of Rajeshwar Exports Pvt. Ltd. within a period of one year. Out of this, more than Rs. 92 crores was deposited in various accounts in cash after demonetisation, which was then transferred to the accounts of Rajeshwar Exports. Furthermore, an amount of Rs. 1478.85 crore is yet to be credited to Rajeshwar Exports Pvt. Ltd. against export made from the company. Out of this, only one company, International Rising Limited, has received USD 14.79 (approx. Rs 990 crore) crore for supply of 220 consignments of diamonds/gold, which appear to have been valued at a rate ten times higher than the original. During the investigation, it was found that International Rising Limited HK was controlled by an Indian Resident, Kritika Dahal who owned 99.99 percent shares of this company. Dahal was intercepted at the airport and was summoned under section 50 of the PMLA to appear before the Directorate on February 25, 2017. She admitted that she became director of International Rising Limited on instructions of Ritesh Jain. Further, she also admitted to having knowledge of the overvaluation of the diamonds/goods which were being exported by International Rising Limited to Rajeshwar Exports Pvt. Ltd. (ANI)
The 41 year-old recently spotted at Independent Spirit awards, slammed the Trump administration for its distasteful policies, reports The Independent.

"The policies of this administration are abhorrent and they will not last. You don''t have to clap out of obligation... They''re really un-American," he said.

The ''Manchester by the Sea'' star, believes it is time to struggle for the future of our nation.

"It''s a time to struggle for the future and the soul of our nation. I know this feels preachy and boring and I''m preaching to the choir but I''m just lending my voice to the chorus here. You are struggling - you''re doing it so well and speaking up," he added.

The actor arrived at the ceremony wearing a t-shirt spelling the word "love" in Arabic.

On a related note, Affleck is said to be the front-runner for Best Actor in a Leading Role at The Academy Awards. (ANI)
President Trump supporters have started using hash tag #BoycottOscars to show their displeasure against the 'bitter people of liberal Hollywood'.

Here are some tweets:

"#BoycottOscars I'm definitely boycotting this fake liberal Oscars @realDonaldTrump," tweeted one.

"Will not be watching #Oscars2017 & listen to #Liberal #HollywoodElites trash #PresidentTrump #BoycottOscars #TrumpTrain #TwitterRally #MAGA." wrote another.

The President of the United States will not be seeing this year's Oscars as "he will be busy hosting the governor's ball that night," according to the White House Press Secretary.

Since the time Donald Trump has taken over as the U.S. President, Hollywood has been quite vocal about displeasure over his policies and decisions.

Going by the trend, set at the Golden Globes, then at the Grammys, BAFTAs and BRITS, expecting the 89th Annual Academy Awards to go political, is inevitable.

The Oscars will be handed out on February 26, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. (ANI)
Dev was is in contention for Best Actor in a Supporting Role trophy for "Lion". Other contenders included Jeff Bridges for "Hell or High Water", Lucas Hedges for "Manchester by the Sea" and Michael Shannon for "Nocturnal Animals".

Dev, who attended the ceremony with his mother, was seen cheering for Ali when he was announced as the winner.

Ali was presented his first Oscar by actress Alicia Vikander at the 89th Annual Academy Awards -- being held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on Sunday night.

Ali also became the first Muslim actor to take the golden statuette with the win.

"I want to thank my teachers ... I have so many wonderful teachers," he said before naming those who inspired him.

"My teachers told me that 'it wasn't about you but these characters'. It is service to these stories and characters. I would also thank the cast and crew for the wonderful experience," Ali added.

He also had a special mention for his wife Amatus Sami-Karim.

"I would thank my wife who was in her third trimester. We just had a daughter three days ago. Thank you for being a soldier through this process," Ali added.

The award gala is being hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the first time.

--IANS sug/qd

( 246 Words)

2017-02-27-07:48:06 (IANS)
Art is beyond politics and policies- proves Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's winning Oscar in the 'Best Foreign Film' category for 'The Salesman.' 44-year-old actor, who boycotted the event, protesting the U.S President Donald Trump's travel ban policy, labels Trump's order as "inhuman." To accept the honour and speak on his behalf at the 89th Academy Awards, Farhadi sent Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian, and first self-funded woman in world who went to space. Ansari read out the director's statement, which started with, "It's a great honour to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I am sorry I am not with you tonight." Attacking the U.S President with his strong words, Farhadi's letter continued, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'us and our enemies' categories creates fear- deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries, which have themselves been victim of aggression." "Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture sheer human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others-= an empathy we need today more than ever," the statement further read. Meanwhile, Farhadi had a free screening of The Salesman in London, which was introduced by London mayor Sadiq Khan. 'The Salesman' premiered at Cannes last May, follows a couple in Tehran involved in an amateur dramatic production of Arthur Miller's 'The Salesman,' who are forced to move apartments following an earthquake. But the flat into which they move had an unhappy history, compounded by an unwelcome intruder. On a related note, Farhadi won Iran's first Oscar for his film 'A Separation' in 2012.(ANI)
Art is beyond politics and policies- proves Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's winning Oscar in the 'Best Foreign Film' category for 'The Salesman.' 44-year-old actor, who boycotted the event, protesting the U.S President Donald Trump's travel ban policy, labels the order as "inhuman." To accept the honour and speak on his behalf at the 89th Academy Awards, Farhadi sent Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian, and first self-funded woman in world who went to space. Ansari read out the director's statement, which started with, "It's a great honour to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I am sorry I am not with you tonight." Attacking the U.S President with his strong words, Farhadi's letter continued, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'us and our enemies' categories creates fear- deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries, which have themselves been victim of aggression." "Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture sheer human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others-= an empathy we need today more than ever," the statement further read. Meanwhile, Farhadi had a free screening of The Salesman in London, which was introduced by London mayor Sadiq Khan. 'The Salesman' premiered at Cannes last May, follows a couple in Tehran involved in an amateur dramatic production of Arthur Miller's 'The Salesman,' who are forced to move apartments following an earthquake. But the flat into which they move had an unhappy history, compounded by an unwelcome intruder. On a related note, Farhadi won Iran's first Oscar for his film 'A Separation' in 2012. (ANI)
The court earlier on February 15 reserved its order on the bail plea of Singh's aide and LIC agent Anand Chauhan in a money laundering case.

The Delhi court earlier in August last year dismissed Chauhan's bail petition.

Chauhan was arrested in July last year in Chandigarh by the Enforcement Directorate under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for not cooperating with the agency.

The Enforcement Directorate in September last year filed a charge sheet against Chauhan in a money laundering case involving the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and others.

He was instrumental in investing Rs. five crore in LIC polices in the name of the family of Singh including his wife and children. (ANI)
Around 11 per cent of 1.84 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling on Monday for the fifth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, an official said. Amid complaints of technical snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at many places in the 51 constituencies in 11 districts, people queued up in large numbers to pick their choice from the 617 candidates in the fray. Maximum polling was reported from Bahraich and Shrawasti where 12 per cent voters polled till 9 a.m. No violent incidents were reported as polling started at 7 a.m. amid tight security. In the bitterly canvassed Gonda constituency, the number stood at 11 per cent; in Faizabad it was 11.3 per cent; in Balrampur 11.5; in Ambedkarnagar 11.2; in Sant Kabeernagar at 10 per cent and in both Amethi and Sultanpur it stood at nine till that time. The prestige of many stalwarts are at stake in the Avadh region as crores of voters take their pick for the 17th 403-seat Vidhan Sabha, for which 43 women are also contesting. Congress Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, his wife Ameeta Singh, state minister Gayatri Prajapati and BJP's Garima Singh cast their votes in Amethi (the latter three are candidates from the Gandhi family borough). While senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar cast his vote from Ayodhya. All leaders claimed victories for their respective parties. In the 2012 polls, the ruling Samajwadi Party bagged 37 of the 51 seats now at stake. The Bahujan Samaj Party took three, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress took five each, while the Peace Party took two then. Former SP parliamentarian Bhal Chandra Yadav, a known strongman, was placed under house arrest in Sant Kabeernagar as the district administration feared he could "influence voters". He was, however, allowed to cast his vote. --IANS md/in ( 320 Words) 2017-02-27-11:08:07 (IANS)
Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College and daughter of an army officer killed in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP after the violence in Ramjas College.

Kaur posted a picture on Facebook saying: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

She then received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

In response to Kaur's campaign, the minister said: "Who's polluting this young girl's mind?"

Clashes took place at Delhi University's Ramjas college on February 22 after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members forced the cancellation of a seminar and then disrupted a march.

--IANS ao/ruwa/mr

( 166 Words)

2017-02-27-12:24:07 (IANS)
Those released included INLD Secretary General Abhay Chautala, state INLD President Ashok Arora, two MPs, 18 legislators and 73 others.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders were produced in the court in Rajpura, 45 km from here.

"There was no threat from the INLD leaders to law and order in Punjab. So it was decided they could be released," Patiala range Deputy Inspector General Ashish Chaudhary said.

The INLD leaders were taken in different vehicles and escorted out of Punjab's boundary with Haryana.

The INLD leaders were arrested on February 23 following a protest over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and water sharing issue between Punjab and Haryana.

The INLD leaders had remained in Patiala jail since February 23. They had refused to seek bail.

"The Punjab government was forced to release us," Chautala told the media after the release.

He said the INLD will wait till March 15 for Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to take an all-party delegation from Haryana to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the SYL canal issue.

"If he (Khattar) fails to get the appointment, the INLD will protest outside Parliament to raise the issue," Chautala said.

With the Haryana assembly budget session beginning on Monday, the INLD leadership is trying to make the most of its stand on the SYL canal issue and the arrest of its leadership.

Punjab and Haryana are locked in a bitter tussle over sharing of river waters through the SYL canal. The Supreme Court, in November, had ordered in favour of Haryana.

--IANS js/mr

( 286 Words)

2017-02-27-13:38:07 (IANS)
E-commerce platform TataCLiQ.com has joined the launch celebrations of the Tata Hexa, the lifestyle utility vehicle from Tata Motors, as the online partner. Speaking on the partnership Ashutosh Pandey, CEO TataCLiQ.com said, "We are really happy and excited with this exclusive partnership. Tata Hexa promises to be a perfect combination of style, features and performance and we are sure that our discerning consumer base will be excited to discover the brand-new SUV on our portal." Vivek Srivatsa, Head of Marketing, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, "With rapidly changing digital landscape, brands across industries are aligning themselves to adjust and conform to the interactive world. Addressing this digital shift, we are delighted to partner with TataCLiQ.com for our recently launched lifestyle vehicle, HEXA. As we are targeting a far younger set of buyers, we believe this partnership will help us reach out to the right set of customers in a more effective way." UNI ASH SB 1341 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0388-1167000.Xml
The protesting students, mainly belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) student wing ABVP, marched from Ramjas College to the Arts Faculty holding a large Tricolour and shouting slogans.

An ABVP activist said they were protesting against the All India Students Association (AISA) "for shouting anti-India slogans".

"What happened in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University), we will not let it happen in Ramjas," the ABVP activist said.

The march comes days after clashes erupted between the activists of the two student wings outside Ramjas College here on Wednesday, a day after the RSS' students body forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

Khalid was jailed in 2016 on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

--IANS vv/in/dg

( 154 Words)

2017-02-27-14:28:07 (IANS)
Stating that the present Government was changing the foreign policy of the country, Nationalist Congress Party leader Tariq Anwar has appealed to it not to dilute the 66-year-old consensus, especially as regards Palestine. Any change in India's the time-tested foreign policy would lead to international isolation of the country, said Mr Anwar, who has just returned from the country after taking part in an international conference. The NCP leader also called upon the international community to see the Palestinian issue as a case of human rights violation. "The Palestinian issue is not related to a nation or a particular body but is an international issue " Mr Anwar said talking to reporters last night. ''The Government should not only reiterate its stand on Palestine but also make it clear that there would be no dilution of it,'' he said Condemning the attacks on Palestinians in Israel, Mr Anwar said it was shameful that Palestinians were not allowed to live the life of dignity in their own land besides, there was also an attempt to squeeze their land day by day. He also expressed his opposition to recent defence deals with Israel, saying that they would not be beneficial for India in the long run.UNI RBE SHK 1431 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1167060.Xml
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday told Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati that she can align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a time of her choosing, adding that she was the kind of Machiavellian politician. "Mayawati can anytime align with the BJP, she cannot be trusted. The people should always be careful of her. Both the BJP and the BSP don't want the Samajwadi Party to come to power again, but we trust that the people of Uttar Pradesh would support us," said Akhilesh at a rally in Deoria ahead of the sixth-phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. On Mayawati talking about , he said, "Samajwadi Party has done the maximum amount of work in the state and we have built the metro at very fast pace that has never been done earlier by any government." Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'creamation-graveyard remark', Akhilesh said his party is more focused on discussing about laptops and smartphone. Akhilesh's comments came even after as the voting for the fifth-phase of assembly elections continues in Uttar Pradesh. The voter turnout has been recorded at 38.72 percent till 1 p.m. on Monday. Voting is taking place in 51 constituencies spread over 12 districts of the Terai and eastern regions. Amethi, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Barabanki, Ambedkarnagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Basti, Siddharthnagar and some of Sant Kabir Nagar are districts where the polling is on. The sixth-phase of polling for 49 assembly constituencies spread across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh will take place on March 4. (ANI)
Addressing the media here, the minister also expressed his pain over the use of objectionable language by opposition leaders for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign.

"I am very hurt due to the objectionable words used for the Prime Minister," he said.

Responding to Akhilesh Yadav's claim that his government had ushered in unprecedented development in the past five years, Rajnath Singh said such claims were farcical.

"Akhilesh talks of one road repeatedly whereas we have made 10 times more roads and plan to touch 25,000 km of road per year by 2017-18," he said.

He said the four-lane and six-lane roads were taken up on war footing by the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Akhilesh Yadav "often speaks of the Lucknow Metro... Little does he know that of the total amount spent, 80 per cent was contributed by the government of India", Rajnath Singh said.

Eight modern highways have also been built by the central government, he said.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also detailed the welfare schemes rolled out by the Modi government.

Rajnath Singh said the people of Uttar Pradesh were tired of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party and had made up their minds to vote for a BJP government in the state.

--IANS md/nir/mr

( 244 Words)

2017-02-27-15:52:06 (IANS)
Raising a question on the ongoing investigation into the alleged scam, AGP legislator Ramendra Narayan Kalita wanted to know details of the investigation and what action has been initiated.

He also demanded a CBI enquiry to unearth the entire scam as name of prominent figures of the state have figured in it.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the government was equally concerned of the allegations and the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau of Assam Police is already investigating the matter.

He, however, refused to divulge any details of the probe for the sake of smooth progress of investigation.

A multi-crore scam is being investigated in the social welfare department, with three former ministers of Congress regime already questioned by the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau so far.

Serious anomalies in several Central schemes, to the tune of about Rs 200 crore, have allegedly taken place in the department in the last 10 years. UNI SG AKM 1515

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-1167174.Xml
West Bengal's health department today announced the setting up of a six-member committee under special secretary Subir Chatterjee to probe against alleged negligence and extortion of Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals in the city. This development happned barely hours an FIR was filed by the grieving family members after 30-year-old Sanjay Roy, who was admitted into the private hospital, died few hours after being shifted to SSKM Hospital last week. Meanwhile, Phoolbagan police station inspector Sumon Naskar today led an investigation police team into the private hospital near Salt Lake in the city and sought documents related to the admission, mode of payments and released of Sanjoy Roy, who finally breathed his last at SSKM Hospital in the night of February 23. Widow of Sanjay Roy, Ruby Roy along with her relatives today went in the Apollo Hospitals to deposits dues in cash and sought return of FD certificates, worth several lakh of rupees, which were taken by the hospital as guarantors. Ruby Roy, who filed the FIR with the Phoolbagan police station in the city last night under sections of 304, 384 and 34 including extortion against Apollo Gleneagles Hospital and Dr Shyamal Sarkar for alleged negligence causing death to her husband, said they wanted justice by way of punishment to the medics and management of hospital. " We have come to deposit dues and take back the FD certificates which have been taken by the hospital as guarantors against release of my husband. If the hospital would have been considerate a bit and release my husband on time for treatment at the SSKM hospital instead of insisting of having cash first then he would be survived," a crying Ruby Roy told the reporters at the gate of Apollo Hospitals. The media people have been barred from entry into the hospital premises. " I want justice against the crime of the hospital which is responsible for death of my husband. I want the medics and hospital must be punished and I do not want any compensation," the grieving widow, mother of 18-month old baby, told reporters. She said despite paying over Rs 7 lakh for treatment of my husband, the hospital instead of healing him went on claiming money almost every day. " When we arranged and got a sit for admission at the SSKM Hospital, Apollo Hospitals wanted every penny was settled and this delayed for more than five hours for shifting and ultimately my husband succumbed last week." Ruby Roy said. Meanwhile, a report said some officials of the private hospital yesterday had gone to Dankuni to meet the wife for paying compensation. The hospital has agreed to return the money (about Rs 7.4 lakh) to the bereaved family. " We do not want any return of the funds. We want only justice and punishment for the negligence so that no other people suffer like us," Ruby Roy added. The hospital came under scrutiny by the state health department for alleged negligence and coercing the patient party to deposits FD certificates to meet the dues of medical bills. Sanjoy Roy after suffering injury in a bike accident was admitted to the private hospital. The health department today set up a six-member committee under the special secretary to probe the alleged negligence of Apollo Hospitals, one of the biggest private health facilities with almost 85 per cent occupancy round the year.The other five members are all specialist medics.UNI PC AKM 1608 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-1167288.Xml
He was 90 and survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Born on August 10, 1927, he served as the Union Minister in Congress government and also worked as Governor of Kerala and Sikkim.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has expressed his shock over the death of Shiv Shankar.

In a message here, the Chief Minister recalled the services rendered by Shiv Shankar as a BC leader, Union Minister, Judge and Governor.

The Chief Minister has conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the members of the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.

Mr Rao also instructed the officials concerned to make arrangements for the official funeral of the departed leader who happens to be from Telangana region. The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary SP Singh to take care of the arrangements.

Several leaders including Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President Uttam Kumar Reddy and among others expressed their condolences to the bereaved family members.

UNI VV CS 1536

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The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to fill the vacancies of two member posts in the the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by April 30. The directive came from a three-Judge bench, headed by Chief Justice (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar and also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul. The bench passed the order after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by apex court lawyer and social activist Radhakanta Tripathy. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand, senior counsel of the Centre, told the apex court that there was difficulty in appointing the members due to ongoing election in different states, but the Director General (DG) (Investigation) post has been filled. Mr Tripathy pointed out that the first vacancy of member had been continuing for about three years since March, 2014. But meantime, another vacancy of member has arisen due to retirement of Justice Cyriac Joseph in January this year. Therefore at present, there are two vacancies in the NHRC. The DG, who has been appointed pursuant to the direction of this Court, will retire on April 30, 2017. Therefore, the Court should consider this seriously, Mr Tripathy submitted. To this, the Chief Justice said ''Please keep patience. You helped everybody by filing this PIL. We are grateful to you.''UNI XC RJ-RP1513 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1166966.Xml
According to police, angry youths pelted stones at the carcade of Zahoor Ahmad Mir, junior minister for Forests and Environment in Ratnipora village.

Mir's security guards fired in the air and tear smoke shells were used by security personnel to control the mob.

"A local policeman has been injured in the incident. The minister escaped unhurt," a police official said.

--IANS sq/py/dg

( 92 Words)

2017-02-27-16:02:07 (IANS)
Earlier, Congress MLA Shailender Patel sought details of rules and their implementation vis-a-vis jail inspections etc.

In reply, the minister told the assembly that jails in Madhya Pradesh were regularly inspected and the Bhopal jail was last inspected by him on December 7.

Patel alleged that no inspection of the Bhopal jail -- from where the eight undertrials belonging to the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) allegedly escaped on October 31, 2016, before their allegedly staged shootout killing -- had been carried out in two years before the said incident.

The Congress leader said this was the case with other state jails as well.

He pointed out that the inspection of the said prison was carried out only after the alleged escape of the SIMI activists.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh said the party was dissatisfied with the government reply and was, therefore, walking out of the assembly in protest.

Assembly Speaker Sita Saran Sharma directed the minister to ensure regular inspections of jails in Madhya Pradesh.

--IANS hindi/tsb/dg

( 220 Words)

2017-02-27-16:04:07 (IANS)
"I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim. I spoke with (BJP President) Amit Shah and (state party President) Keshav Prasad Maurya about how we could have brought a Muslim to the assembly," Uma Bharti told CNN-News18.

"Rajnathji has said the right thing, we could have given ticket (to Muslims)," she said, referring to Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajnath Singh.

Uma Bharti's comments met with opposition from her colleague, with Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar questioning the logic behind fielding Muslims.

"When Muslims do not vote for us, then why should we give ticket to them," asked Katiyar.

--IANS and/in/mr

( 146 Words)

2017-02-27-16:06:06 (IANS)
Stating that serious irregularities in some State Waqf Boards have come to notice of the Government, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said strict action will be taken against the guilty on the report of an ongoing probe. Addressing the 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council here, Mr Naqvi said that some vested interests are creating various obstacles in development of Waqf properties and utilisation of these properties for welfare of the society. ''Serious irregularities in some State Waqf Boards have also come to notice. A high-level inquiry has been going on into these matters and strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible,'' the Minister said. He said proper utilisation of Waqf properties is an important part of ''our efforts towards empowerment of Minorities. Several State Governments and Waqf Boards have been performing very well in this regard.'' Mr Naqvi said the computerisation of Waqf Boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency. He said Central Government is making efforts to ensure that all the Waqf Boards and their records across the country are made digital. The Minister said Minority Affairs Ministry has been providing all possible help to the state Waqf Boards. Mr Naqvi said that a one-man "Board of Adjudication" at the Central level has been established under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court justice to deal with complaints and disputes regarding Waqf properties. Three-member tribunals are being established in the states. About 24 states have established these tribunals so far. Other states should also do this soon. There are about 4,49,314 registered and non-registered Waqf properties across the country. The number of these properties will be increased after computerisation of Waqf Boards. ''It has also been come to our notice that some Waqf Boards are not registering the Waqf properties properly during the computerisation process. Strict action is being taken in such complaints,'' he said. Mr Naqvi said in the Budget 2017-18, Rs 3.30 crore has been allocated for computerisation of records of state Waqf Boards; Rs 9.70 crore have been given for strengthening of state Waqf Boards while Rs 3.18 crore have been allocated as grants-in-aid to Waqf. He said that the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities as a mission and commitment. Keeping this in mind, the Centre has increased the Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry in the Union Budget (General) 2017-18. This increased budget will be helpful in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities. The Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry has been increased to Rs 4195.48 crore for 2017-18. This is Rs 368.23 crore more than 2016-17 Budget of Rs 3827.25 crore with an increase of about 9.6 per cent. Mr Naqvi said the Government's efforts for empowerment of Minorities include ''Progress Panchayat'', ''Hunar Haat'', ''Gurukul'' type residential schools, ''Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre'', ''Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship'' for girls, establishing five world class educational institutes for Minorities and 500 quality residential schools and job-oriented skill development centres. UNI NY ADG SHK 1642 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1167274.Xml
A number of top agriculture scientists has been awarded by the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) in recognition to their contributions in the development of farm sector in the hilly north eastern region. The awards were presented to the scientists by ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatro during the two-day long farming cum exhibition show held at the ICAR campus in Barapani. The Swaminathan award was conferred on BP Bhatt, Director, ICAR Research Complex Eastern Region, Patna, while D N Borthakur award was given to Mrinmoy Dutta and his team. The agriculture institute also honoured the stalwarts served in the North East region. In the exhibition which was held from February 25-27, more than 1200 farmers from eight states exhibited their products. Two day long interaction and lecture by top agriculture scientists were also conducted. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Trilochan Mohapatro said ICAR is dedicated to serve the North Eastern region and till date the institute has produced many wonderful technologies and various products to benefit the farmers. He said NE is the colourful canvas of the country and the diversity and richness of tradition is unique . The region is bestowed with immense natural resources which needs to be harnessed in a proper and scientific manner. A cultural function was also organised during the two-day long exhibition cum workshop agri-fair.UNI ABI KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1167449.Xml
Police arrested 10 hardcore criminals and seized some guns and bullets from them when they were planning to commit the crimes, including robbery in the border area of India and Nepal, official sources said today. The criminals, mostly from neighbouring Bihar and Dinajpur, had been in a four-wheeler on Mothia bridge near Phansidewa at the wee hours when police patrol party chased them and arrested. The accused were today taken to a local court for further remand.UNI XC-PC AKM 1636 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-1167348.Xml
From a non-descript office in south London, Mark Hiley may be showing the way for Wall Street giants such as JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch to adapt to new European rules requiring them to charge an explicit fee for investment research.Unlike the big banks, boutique firms like Hiley's The Analyst do not offer trading or corporate finance. They rely entirely on what they charge for research, as will be required under the European Union's MiFID II directive by January 2018."The business idea came from the fact that no one uses the sell-side (research) on the buy-side and they certainly don't use it in the right way," Hiley, 36, told Reuters.The relationship between the sell-side, the investment banks, and the buy-side, the fund managers, has involved the cost of research being bundled into trading commissions that banks charge for buying or selling shares.But under MiFID II the buy-side is forced to cast a critical eye over what research it will pay for, which could mean cuts in the number of analysts employed by investment banks.Andrew Formica, chief executive of Henderson Global Investors, which has $125 billion of assets under management, said it was increasingly focused on quality."It's (MiFID II) certainly made us more discerning. Banks put out a lot of research, and not all of it's very good and not all of it's necessary," Formica told Reuters.A survey of fund managers by consultancy Quinlan & Associates last year concluded that analyst headcount at banks will fall by 30 percent by 2020.Fund management firms are also under pressure to improve transparency over research payments. Jupiter Fund Management said last week it would stop charging clients for research it buys from banks, joining Woodford Investment Management, M&G and Baillie Gifford who have already announced similar measures.GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE ... PLATINUM NEXT?After a decade at fund management firms, including Fidelity, Hiley was frustrated by the quality of investment banking research and founded The Analyst in 2010. It covers a small number of stocks, similar to Autonymous, which only covers banks and financial services, and technology specialist Arete.Although sell-side research analysts facilitate company visits, management meetings and conferences, which are often valued by fund managers, critics such as Hiley argue they have an incentive not to criticise companies to secure business."The sell-side is incentivised to be nice to companies. (It is) very short term, everyone is doing the same stuff," he said.And with only 10 months to go before the MiFID II deadline, banks have yet to disclose how they will charge for research.Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley declined to comment, while Bank of America did not respond to requests for comment."There will be winners and losers. Some firms are talking about very interesting and innovative models in the light of the MiFID Research and Inducements provisions," Julian Allen-Ellis, Director of MiFID at AFME, a lobby group for the financial services industry, told Reuters."What is today a sell side cost centre could turn into a profit centre for those firms that adapt most successfully to the new regime," he said, adding that there was still much to be clarified in MiFID II.Meanwhile, The Analyst offers Gold, Silver and Bronze services. While Bronze provides access to the research portal, Gold allows weekly calls with analysts, at 10 times the price.The Independent Research Foundation, which sells boutique research, says access to independent research starts at $3,000 per year for a one-person macroeconomic newsletter and rises to around $250,000 per year for unlimited access to a team of equity analysts. Its average price is around $60,000 per year."You could see the emergence of so called "ultra platinum services" whereby access to face-time with top analysts, bespoke research content, bespoke signals data for your algorithms consumption and other elements make up a sophisticated product offering. There are many potential ways to monetise research and firms are sure to be very competitive and pioneering with their offerings," AFME's Allen-Ellis said.BUY, SELL OR HOLD?MiFID II is also likely to shake-up the cautious attitude to ratings taken by many equity analysts, who rate a stock "buy", "hold" or "sell" to indicate their views to clients.But the majority of ratings are "buy" or "hold", Thomson Reuters data shows, with just three FTSE-100 stocks rated as a "sell" on average by the analysts covering them.While Hiley and other boutique firms do not offer the same breadth of research coverage, he encourages his team of seven analysts to work on a small number of ideas per year, often recommending "sell" ratings that run against consensus.The Analyst has ratings on around 40 stocks, all "buy" or "sell". That is around a tenth of the size of an investment bank's coverage but comes at a tenth of the cost, Hiley said.An analyst at a bank is usually responsible for a single sector, meaning it will traditionally require dozens of employees to cover European companies. And with dozens of banks covering each stock, it means duplication.Rather than desk-based financial modelling, Hiley sends his analysts out to visit stores and test products.The Analyst was among the first to flag issues at Gowex, a Spanish tech firm it later emerged was faking revenues."The sell-side and fund managers hadn't done any on-the ground work," Hiley said. "They don't have the time."Some fund managers are taking a similar approach.Stewart Investors invites banks, consultancies and even individuals to bid to conduct bespoke research on its behalf."We found we were often struggling to get brokers to adequately research the long-term non-financial issues that are so crucial to our evaluation of investment opportunities and risks," the Scottish fund management firm said on its website. REUTERS JW BL1712 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167398.Xml
Chairman of auto parts maker Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd Vivek Chaand Sehgal will represent India at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo from 7-11 June 2017, where he will have to compete other business tycoons across the globe. Two days back, he was named as the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2016. Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman presented awards across nine categories. Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contribution to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) the Aadhaar initiative, which is a pioneering citizen identification program, unparalleled in scope and scale worldwide. Among other award winners, Chairman of Force Motors Ltd Abhay Firodia bagged EY's business transformation award, Chandubhai Virani, whole-time director of Balaji Wafers Pvt Ltd won the award in the consumer products and retail category and Uday Shankar, chairman and chief executive of Star India Pvt Ltd, was named as entrepreneurial CEO. Besides, RBL MD Vishwavir Ahuja, Samprada Singh, Chairman Emeritus and Basudeo Narain Singh, Executive Chairman of Alkem Laboratories Ltd, Hari Mohan Bangur, MD of Shree Cement Ltd; Vikas Oberoi, Chairman and MD of Oberoi Realty Ltd; and R Dinesh, MD of TVS Logistics Services won awards in their respective sectors. While in start-up category, Darshan Patel, CMD of Vini Cosmetics Pvt Ltd won the award. UNI ASH SHK 1637 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0388-1167315.Xml
Launching a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mixing religion and politics during his election rallies in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress Party on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to disrupt communal harmony in the country. Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI that Prime Minister Modi is not asking for vote but actually expanding his party wherever he goes, adding this is risking the communal harmony in the country. He also accused the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of playing the religion card. "We have seen in the past that Bahujan Samaj Party always spoke on 'Ram Janmabhoomi' and 'Ayodhya'. These names are taken only during elections. Of late, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is doing the same. This can hamper the social harmony of the state," said Chacko. In Uttar Pradesh, voting is in underway for the fifth phase in 51 constituencies spread over in 12 districts of Awadh and eastern regions of the state. Meanwhile, the Congress leader also expressed his concern over the latest developments in Delhi University's Ramjas College. "Youth are free in mind and expressing opinion that is what we are seeing in Delhi colleges where the students are also using armed weapons freely," said Chacko. A clash had broken out between the All India Students Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on February 21 after the members of the latter staged a protest outside Ramjas College against an event that had Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid as a speaker. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has assured that the government would stand by Anganwadi workers who are working relentlessly for the protection of pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants. Mr Rao held a meeting with the Anganwadi workers, helpers at Janahita here today. He gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by the Anganwadi workers and helpers and gave an instant solution to some of their grievances. The Chief Minister hosted a lunch with them in Pragathi Bhavan and held an exclusive meeting. Each and every Anganwadi worker individually interacted with the Chief Minister and he took some decisions on the spot, an official statement here said. The decisions included is that Mr Rao had enhanced the salary to Rs 7,000 per month when he had a meeting with Anganwadi teachers on February 28, 2015 in Secretariat. Now the salary is hiked to Rs 10,500 per month. This will mean that each Anganwadi teacher's salary per month is increased by Rs 3,500 per month which is 50 per cent hike. When the Telangana State was formed, the salary of each Anganwadi workers working at the Mini Anganwadi and helpers was Rs 2,200 per month. It was increased to Rs 4,500 per month when they had their first meeting with the CM. Now it is increased to Rs 6,000 per month which is Rs 1500 hike per month (33.3 per cent). The decision to hike salaries of the Anganwadi Teachers, helpers will benefit 67,411 employees working in 35,700 Anganwadi Centres, the statement said. Taking in account the seniority, qualifications, Anganwadi teachers will be promoted as Supervisors, the statement said, adding that the Insurance scheme will also be extended to Anganwadi teachers and helpers. Priority will be given to the Anganwadi workers while allotting double bed room houses. Fine rice will be supplied to the Anganwadi centres from next month to cook rice for the Pregnant, lactating mothers and the infants, it said. During the month of May it may be difficult for the pregnant women, lactating mothers and children to come to the Centres, hence food will be supplied to their homes, the statement added.UNI VV CS 1856 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1167708.Xml
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President N Raghuveera Reddy condemned the arrest of Rajaka community leaders, who wanted to embark on a two-day fast, demanding the government to take steps to grant SC status to the community. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Reddy said the ruling Telugu Desam Party in its election manifesto assured to incorporate the Rajaka community (washer men community) into the SC list. Now instead of taking steps to fulfill their promise, it had foiled their fast and arrested the leaders. He demanded the government to release them who were kept in various police stations. The APCC President reminded that the ruling TDP assured to provide BC status to the Kapu community, but did not fulfill the assurance. The ruling party is now trying to create hostility between the BC and Kapu community on the BC status issue, he said.UNI DP CS 1901 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1167717.Xml
A total of 32 of the total 42 tourists, who wereonboard the ill-fated fishing boat that sank off Manappad in Tuticorindistrict, were rescued by Coast Guard Ship 'Aadesh' and local vallamsduring the search operations that continued till today. A defence release here said the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Center received information from Coastal Security Group regarding capsizing of a fishing boat carrying 42 tourists from Manappad seashore last evening. The incident occurred about one km off Manappad. On receipt of information, the Headquarters Region (East) deployed Coast Guard Ship Aadesh from Tuticorin at 2125 hrs last night for search and rescue of missing tourists and it reached the area at 2330 hrs. Additionally, a CG Dornier aircraft was also deployed at first light thismorning for sea-air coordinated search. The co-ordinated SAR operation with CSG and local Vallams continued today morning and 32 survivors have been rescued. A total of ten bodies have been recovered, including that of a 12-year-oldgirl, by ICGS Aadesh, today morning and handed over to local authorities.UNI GV 1910 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1167772.Xml
The accused, which reportedly include a retired army officer and a senior paramilitary officer, were produced before a Thane court earlier today.

The police also rounded up over 200 candidates, who were found huddled in a hall learning the answers for the questions from the leaked papers given to them by the agents.

The Maharashtra Police, which received information of the paper being written by some candidates on Saturday night at various hotels and lodges, nabbed at least 350 students.

The Army headquarters has been informed of the matter and investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army has launched an internal inquiry into the recruitment exam paper leak. (ANI)
In a series of pre-poll violent incidents in Manipur, a bomb exploded in Imphal, while separately police personnel were attacked by villagers and two jeeps vandalised, police said on Monday. The incidents occurred on Sunday night in the Khundrakpam constituency. "An intelligence input was received saying Khogen, a police Sub-Inspector, has live bullets in his house. During the inquiry, an unruly mob attacked the police party," an official said. "Police had to resort to tear gas and firing of rubber bullets to disperse the mob," the police official added. Some persons, including a seven-month old baby, were injured in the police action. The Congress committee of the Khundrakpam constituency in a statement said the party had no hand in the incident. Villagers said there was a political motive behind the attempt to arrest Khogen, adding that nothing incriminating was found. Besides, the police commandos, who failed to produce warrant of arrest, also allegedly refused to issue an arrest memo, the villagers said. Meanwhile, some youths, who identified themselves as members of an insurgents outfit, had left a bullet with John Maibam, a worker of the North East India Development Party in the Wangkhem constituency. The youths also reportedly told him that if he ignored the warning to not work for the party, he will face dire consequences. There were increasing reports of pre-poll clashes from other constituencies as well. On the other hand, some candidates from remote hill areas cannot go to their respective constituencies and were carrying on the election campaign through some hardcore supporters. Most of them have escaped assassination attempts in the past. --IANS il/sm/dg ( 276 Words) 2017-02-27-19:38:08 (IANS)
A local court on Monday remanded to 12-day police custody the two ISIS suspects arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Rajkot and Bhavnagar on Sunday. Police said the two brothers -- Wasim Ramodiya and Naeem Ramodiya -- were learnt to be planning to conduct lone-wolf attacks in the state. Wasim and Naeem, who hold MCA and BCA degrees, respectively, were said to be in contact with their IS handlers through social media. They were reportedly plotting to attack popular hilltop Chotila temple and other places in the state. The judicial magistrate's court granted the 12-day remand till March 10. Police sources claimed that the brothers confessed they intended to make bombs to carry out blasts in the Saurashtra region. "We will now thoroughly interrogate them to get a complete picture, whether they were alone or in touch with any more youth from the state, where did they source material for building explosives and their detailed plans," ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police R.D. Faldu said. The ATS had recovered 98 grams of gun powder, two face masks, a battery used for making bombs and about a dozen crude bombs from the two. Police also found eight issues of an ISIS magazine "Dabik" and videos of techniques for making bombs and conducting guerrilla warfare stored in their two laptops. Police even found about 173 speeches of Mufti Kasim in mobile phones recovered from their possession. Mufti Kasim was arrested from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh by the National Investigation Agency for links with ISIS. The two suspects were sent to remand without being represented by any defence lawyer as the lawyers in the local court refused to represent the brothers. Meanwhile, the issue has assumed political overtones in the state with Leader of Opposition in the assembly Shankersinh Vaghela alleging that such activities had been going on in the state since 2000 under the protection of the ruling BJP. "If they were in touch with their handlers since 2015, why were they not picked up earlier? What was government IB doing till now?" Vaghela said. The state government, however, rejected the allegations. "The nationalistic government of the BJP since 2002 is committed to see that anyone involved in such activities is punished. Our police have gone from Kerala to Azamgarh to nab the culprits of terror plots and got them punished according to the law," Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said in the House. "The way hanging of Kasab was delayed shows the mindset of Congress," he added. --IANS desai/nir/bg ( 429 Words) 2017-02-27-19:42:08 (IANS)
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), together with SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, today announced their collaboration with Dharma Productions for upcoming Bollywood movie, 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania'.The movie features key scenes and songs, shot in Singapore.Directed by Shashank Khaitan and starring Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, the film will hit the screens on March 10 across India, a release said.Explaining his rationale for including Singapore in the movie, Shashank said, "Singapore offers an interesting mix of a unique multicultural society interwoven into a dynamic city that pulsates with modern vibrancy -- something that works well with the characters of Badri and Vaidehi as they embark on a journey of self-discovery. It is not just a destination but Singapore is intricately woven into the essence of the plot."Talking about Singapore's association with the movie, GB Srithar, regional director for South Asia, Middle East & Africa, STB, said, "We are happy to be associated with 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania', a movie that will appeal to all segments of Indian society with its over-arching theme of love and the joy of life."UNI JM SS PY SNU 2218 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0138-1168081.Xml
PDP rebel Tariq Hamid Karra today alleged that the PDP-led Government in Jammu and Kashmir was fulfilling the agenda of RSS in the state."RSS is dictating terms and issuing directions to the PDP-led Government in the state and the party is fulfilling their (RSS) mission,'' Mr Karra told reporters here this evening during his maiden visit to Jammu after joining the Congress party.PDP has completely surrendered before BJP and RSS and the latter (RSS) even interfering in the small governance issues in the state, he added.He lashed out at the PDP saying that whatever has happened in the shape of unrest last year in Kashmir Valley, was not an ideology of the PDP, adding, "coalition Government in the state is squarely responsible for Kashmir the unrest."The Government mishandled the situation, he alleged, adding that children were killed, thousands were jailed, PSA imposed, many lost vision, which was totally against the PDP policies. "I had on many occasions spoken to late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and advised him before having alliance with BJP but they did not listen to me,'' said the Congress leader.He, however, said the PDP will get dismantled because of its own misdeeds. "PDP doesn't need external forces to get dismantled," he said. "I had two to three options including of floating own party but thought that the fascist forces operating in the country and playing a role of fragmenting people of Jammu and Kashmir will get benefitted,'' he added."I had meetings with AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-president Rahul Gandhi before joining the Congress,'' said Mr Karra and added that Congress has its old history of secular credential which was known to everyone. "Fascist forces in India are trying to divide people and I, even unintentionally, do not want to fall prey to such forces,'' said Mr Karra.Replying a query regarding recent statement of Army Chief, the Congress leader said Army General was being exploited and used by the present Union Government. The leadership of BJP was leaving no stones unturned to exploit anybody, he alleged, adding they (BJP) were determined to polarise the Indian politics.UNI VBH PY SNU 2214 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1168006.Xml
The family of an Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed by a gunman in an alleged racial attack had warned him about the consequences of staying in the United States and had asked him to return to India. "I told him many times we should think about going back [to India]," The Washington Post quoted Sunayana Dumala, wife of Kuchibhotla as saying at a press conference. She said her husband had refused to abandon the country he loved as he was not fearful. Dumala said Kuchibhotla had given her assurance that good things would happen to good people. She remarked that aviation was Kuchibhotla's passion and he wanted to succeed in this industry, adding that he wanted to do much for this country. "He did not deserve a death like this," she said. Dumala stated that she used to question whether they were doing the right thing staying in the United States of America after reading many times about shooting happening in the country. She asked whether the color of a person could tell that he's a Muslim, a Hindu or Christian. 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. "We're saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last night's 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. Purtinton was reportedly taken into custody by the police at Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, about 82 miles southeast of Olathe. He 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". The Olathe Police said the FBI will investigate if it's proven that the shooting was a result of a hate crime. (ANI)
Trump administration has cancelled the scheduled informal talks between a North Korean delegation and a team of former U.S. officials by withdrawing its initial approval of the North Koreans' visas. A six-member team of North Koreans led by Choe Son-hui, the director of the American affairs bureau of the country's foreign ministry and the US experts were scheduled to hold the back-channel talks in New York for next week. CNN quoted the two people who had planned to participate in meeting as saying that a follow email was sent to the participants of the meeting after an earlier email had said that meeting would proceed as scheduled by Donald Zagoria, the head of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, an advocacy group that was organizing the talks , saying the visas were not approved and the talks have been called off. This move comes after the announcement by the Malaysian Government that VX nerve agent was used to assassinate Kim Jong-nam on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. VX nerve agent is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations due to its extreme chemical toxic nature. Trump administration officials even did not considered State Department in cancelling the talks as the latter supported the talks. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother, Kim Jong Nam died on February 13 after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau from Kuala Lumpur. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump's pick for secretary of the Navy withdrew from consideration today, the second time a Trump nominee to lead one of the armed services bowed out because of government conflict-of-interest rules.Trump last month nominated Philip Bilden, a private equity executive and former military intelligence officer, to lead the Navy, which the president has pledged he will expand.In a statement today, Bilden said that "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 family's private financial interests."The development leaves Trump and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis without nominees to head both the Navy and Army.Vincent Viola, whom the president had picked to be secretary of the Army, withdrew earlier this month.In a statement, Mattis said he was disappointed but understood Bilden's decision. "In the coming days I will make a recommendation to President Trump for a leader who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the president's vision to rebuild our military," he said.REUTERS PS 0603 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1166717.Xml
"The militant has been paralysed and sustained wounds," Xinhua news agency quoted Inspector General Anton Charlian as saying.

The militant exploded one of the two bombs he carried at Pandawa park in Bandung city, and escaped to a nearby village office and burned the building, he said.

"He is a member of a terrorist group, classified as an old terrorist network," said Charlian.

Police seized a gun and a backpack from him.

--IANS py/

( 110 Words)

2017-02-27-11:28:06 (IANS)
A pressure cooker bomb exploded in the courtyard of a government building in the Indonesian city Bandung today, police said, adding that the attacker had been shot and seriously wounded.There were no reports of injuries from the explosion which occurred around 9.00 a.m. (0200 GMT) in the West Java city.Police said a man arrived at the government building on a motorbike and placed a pressure cooker on a table in a corner of the courtyard.After the explosion, the man ran into the government office and was later shot by police."We have secured the firearm, the bomb squad has also secured a backpack. The bomb squad is combing the area to see if there are more homemade bombs," Anton Charliyan, West Java police chief, told Metro TV."Situation is safe for now, but we must remain on alert and not underestimate things."Police said they believed the motive for the attack was to force the release of prisoners held by the police anti-terror unit."The motive is to free suspects that are in Densus (Indonesia's anti-terrorism unit) custody. We think the attacker is from an old network, but we are still identifying who he is," Charliyan told reporters.Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the heart of Indonesia's capital Jakarta in January 2016 and the assault was claimed by Islamic State, the first time the radical group has targeted the world's most populous Muslim nationREUTERS CJ PM1110 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1166849.Xml
Five Azeri soldiers were killed in clashes with Armenia-backed separatists along the boundary with the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, Azerbaijan's defence ministry said today, with each side accusing the other of an attempted incursion.Clashes over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which lies inside Azerbaijan but it is controlled by ethnic Armenians, have stoked fears of a wider conflict breaking out in the South Caucasus, which is crisscrossed by oil and gas pipelines.The Azeri defence ministry said that clashes occurred in the early hours of Saturday, in the remote Khojavend and Fizuli regions and that separatists were still preventing evacuation of five dead Azeri soldiers from the no-man's land."Evacuation of bodies did not take place because the Azeri side violated agreements," the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists said in a statement.The breakaway region's self-declared defence ministry accused the Azeri military of trying to infiltrate its territory and said there were no casualties on their side.International mediators from the OSCE Minsk Group called on the two sides "to keep heavy military equipment in its present positions and to allow recovery of the dead."Fighting between ethnic Azeris and Armenians first erupted in 1991 and a ceasefire was agreed in 1994. But Azerbaijan and Armenia have regularly traded accusations of violence around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Azeri-Armenian border.The ceasefire was broken last April when dozens were killed. Efforts to secure a permanent settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have failed despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States. REUTERS JW NS1516 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167162.Xml
South Korean intelligence believes suspects wanted for the murder of the half-brother of North Korea's leader included several officials who worked for the reclusive state's foreign and security ministries, according to lawmakers in Seoul.Kim Jong Nam was killed earlier this month at a Malaysian airport by assassins using VX nerve agent, a chemical capable of killing in minutes and listed by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.South Korea is acutely sensitive to developments in its unpredictable nuclear-armed neighbor, and intelligence agency officials have briefed lawmakers on the sensational killing of the estranged half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong Un.North Korea has not acknowledged his death. But South Korean and US officials believe Kim Jong Nam, who had criticized his family's control of the isolated state, was assassinated by agents of the North."Among eight suspects in this case four are from the ministry of state security and two who actually took action are from the foreign ministry," Lee Cheol-woo, one of the lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters."That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organized by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry," Lee added.Malaysian police have identified a total of eight North Koreans as suspects or as wanted for questioning, including a North Korean embassy official believed to still be in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia's health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Sunday that Kim Jong Nam died within 15-20 minutes of being assaulted by two women who are believed to have smeared VX on his face.The women, Indonesian and Vietnamese citizens, are in police custody and have told officials from their respective embassies that they believed they were taking part in a TV prank.Another South Korean lawmaker briefed by the intelligence agency, Kim Byung-kee, said the North Koreans had operated in three teams. Two teams were responsible for hiring women in Indonesia and Vietnam and bringing them to Malaysia to carry out the attack and another was a "back-up" team.The killing has sparked a diplomatic standoff between the two usually friendly countries, with Malaysia refusing to hand over the body to North Korea before it is officially identified by the victim's next of kin. REUTERS JW NS1517 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167167.Xml
Indonesian police killed a militant today after he detonated a small bomb in the city of Bandung and authorities said they were investigating whether he had links to a radical network sympathetic to Islamic State.Indonesia, an officially secular state with the world's largest Muslim population, faces what many people fear is a growing threat from supporters of Islamic State.Recent attacks by Islamic State sympathisers have mostly been poorly organised, but authorities believe about 400 Indonesians have left to join the militant group in Syria, and some could pose a more deadly threat if they came home.The blast in the courtyard of a government office in Bandung, southeast of the capital Jakarta, did not cause any casualties and the bomber was shot by police after he ran into the building.The militant had arrived at the office on a motorbike and placed his bomb, made with explosives packed into a pressure cooker, in the corner of the courtyard.The attacker had demanded that an anti-terror police unit, Densus 88, release all detainees, according to provincial police chief Anton Charliyan.The attacker may have been linked to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an umbrella organisation on a US State Department "terrorist" list that is estimated to have drawn hundreds of Islamic State sympathisers in Indonesia."There's a possibility of JAD," Charliyan said, when asked which group the militant belonged to.The bomber had been jailed for three years after undertaking militant training in Aceh, a province on the northwest tip of Sumatra island, said national police spokesman Martinus Sitompul.Indonesia had scored major successes tackling militancy inspired by the al Qaeda attacks on the United States in 2001. But there has been a resurgence of Islamist activity in recent years, some of it linked to the rise of Islamic State.Authorities foiled at least 15 attacks in 2016 and made more than 150 arrests.The most serious incident last year was in January when four suicide bombers and gunmen attacked a shopping area in central Jakarta.Eight people, including all four attackers, were killed in the first attack in Indonesia claimed by Islamic State.Militant attacks had been relatively rare in Bandung, about three hours away from Jakarta. Provincial police spokesman Yusri Yunus said the situation was "under control" after the bomber was killed. REUTERS JW BL1546 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167248.Xml
The Embassy of India, Berlin organized second Diaspora event over the weekend at the embassy in which several Indian associations and prominent members of Diaspora, besides representatives of 16 student associations participated. Ambassador Gurjit Singh and senior officers of the embassy and consul generals of Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich also participated. The objectives of the meeting were to bring Indian associations representing various states of India in Germany under one umbrella to discuss and deliberate on common issues and evolve a suitable mechanism to progress further. Numerous initiatives undertaken by the Embassy of India were highlighted in the conference along with various programmes of MEA, particularly by the Overseas India Division. Important initiatives undertaken by the Embassy such as launching of Indian Professional Forum (IPF) to leverage the talents of Indian professionals and to engage them in promoting start ups, Make In India Mittelstand (MIIM) programme to bring German companies to invest in India and launching of Indian Students Germany (ISG) portal were underscored in the seminar in order to promote awareness. Ambassador of India launched a new e-book chronicling the various activities undertaken by Embassy to strengthen the relationship between India and Germany. For every two months, on the various activities undertaken by the Embassy, this e-book would be uploaded in the Embassy website. The conference also had guest lecture on contributions of Indians in Germany by Dr. Joachim Oestarheld, a prominent Researcher and Humboldt scholar. Dr. V. S. Saravanan, University of Bonn underlined about his proposed research study on Indian Diaspora in Germany to the gathering. Indian National Day Celebration Committee, a prominent association in Berlin outlined various events undertaken by them in cooperation with the Embassy. The gathering at the conference also witnessed two Indian classical dance programmes exhibited by Ms. Elina Mullick (Kathak) and Ms. Janani Suresh (Bharatanatyam). (ANI)
At least seven people were killed in an attack on a prison bus in Colombo, according to local media reports. The attackers opened fire on the bus transporting prisoners from Kalutara prison to a magistrate court. The bus was attacked at Nagaha junction in Kalutara, Colombo. Report says that among the dead was notorious underworld figure Aruna Damith Udayanga alias 'Samayan' and two prison officials. Gunmen opened fire on a prison bus in Colombo on Monday, killing five prisoners and two warders on their way to court in what was believed to be a gangland dispute.(ANI)
Gambia's new government has endorsed the "one China" policy and said it would not establish any official relations or contacts with Taiwan, continuing a policy adopted in March 2016 by the government of former leader Yahya Jammeh.The policy affirms the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.Taiwan made informal contacts with the new government in an attempt to secure a change of policy, senior Gambian government officials told Reuters. Senior Chinese officials attended new president Adama Barrow's swearing-in ceremony.For years, China and Taiwan have tried to poach each other's allies, often dangling generous aid packages in front of leaders of developing nations."The government ... shall remain resolute in upholding the 'one China' policy and fully support all efforts by the Chinese government to unify its rightful territory," it said in a statement," it said in a statement late on Sunday.Barrow defeated Jammeh in an election in December. Jammeh had held power for 22 years and only stepped down in January as thousands of West African troops who had entered the country were poised to enter the capital.China resumed ties with former Taiwan ally Gambia in March last year. So Tom and Prncipe followed and switched recognition to Beijing in December.In Africa, only Burkina Faso and Swaziland now recognise Taiwan, viewed by China as a wayward province to be recovered by force if necessary. REUTERS JW BL1617 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167302.Xml
The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich left the port of Sevastopol in Crimea on Monday for the Mediterranean where it will join the country's naval forces deployed near the Syrian coast, a Russian source told Reuters.The source did not provide further details. A Reuters witness saw the ship leaving its moorings in the naval port of Sevastopol.The frigate was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea last November as part of Russia's naval task force to Syria where it launched cruise missile strikes against Islamic State targets.The Russian navy was not immediately available for comment.The Admiral Grigorovich is the first in the class of six frigates commissioned by the Russian navy in 2010 for its Black Sea Fleet. REUTERS JW BL1635 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167339.Xml
African-American coming-of-age tale "Moonlight" won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday on a big night for Hollywood diversity that was overshadowed by an embarrassing onstage gaffe over the top award.In a mishap that caused uproar and confusion, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway initially announced that romantic musical "La La Land", the presumed favorite for best picture, had won.As the casts of both films stood awkwardly on stage, Beatty explained he had been given the wrong envelope to open.It was the first time in living memory that such a major mistake had been made at the Academy Awards, Hollywood's biggest night. It even eclipsed the prior three hours of a show peppered with jokes about US President Donald Trump.Accountants Price Waterhouse Cooper, who oversee the ballots, said the presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope."We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred," PwC said in a statement, while apologizing to "Moonlight" and "La La Land", Beatty and Dunaway and Oscar viewers.Officials from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were not immediately available to comment."Is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time?" Stone, who won the best actress Oscar for her "La La Land" role as a struggling actress, told reporters backstage "It's a very strange happening for Oscar history.""Moonlight," about a young boy struggling with poverty and his sexuality in Miami, also brought a supporting actor Oscar for first timer Mahershala Ali, a best adapted screenplay statuette.Viola Davis won for her supporting role as a long suffering housewife in African-American family drama "Fences."The recognition for both the actors and their films made a stark contrast to the 2016 Academy Awards when no actors of color were even nominated."Moonlight" producer Adele Romanski said she hoped the movie would inspire "little black boys and brown girls and other folks watching at home who feel marginalized."'LA LA LAND' WINS SIX AWARDS"La La Land" went into the Oscars with a leading 14 nominations and emerged with six, including for its score and theme song "City of Stars." "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle, 32, became the youngest person to ever win a best director Oscar.Elsewhere, "Manchester by the Sea" star Casey Affleck was named best actor, winning his first Oscar despite 2010 sexual harassment allegations that resurfaced during awards season. Affleck denied the allegations which were settled out of court."Man, I wish I had something better and more meaningful to say...I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included," said Affleck, who played a heart-broken father in the movie.Earlier in the show, Trump had been the butt of numerous jokes, capping an awards season marked by fiery protests by celebrities at his policies. .Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel fired off political zingers and even tweeted at the Republican president, getting no immediate response.Several celebrities wore blue ribbons yesterday in support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advocacy group that worked to get Trump's bid to ban travelers from seven majority Muslim nations blocked in US courts. But for the most part, speeches at the ceremony were mild or made general pleas for tolerance rather than directly attacking Trump.Iranian director Asghar Farhadi was an exception. His drama "The Salesman" was named best foreign language film but Farhadi, boycotted yesterday's ceremony because of the Trump's travel ban.In a speech delivered on his behalf by Iranian-American space expert Anousheh Ansari, Farhadi said his absence was due to "an inhumane law that bans entry into the US.. Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war."REUTERS JW SHK 1657 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167385.Xml
Sediq Seddiqi was quoted by the Voice of America (VoA), as saying that the attack was planned in the Mawlawi Ahmad Madrassa in Chaman, Quetta.

The bomb attack in the governor's compound in Kandahar on January 10 killed five UAE diplomats and injured its ambassador. The UAE diplomats and Ambassador Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were attending a dinner at the guest house in the compound the VoA and the Express Tribune said.

According to the VOA, at least 30,000 madrassas operate across Pakistan, most of them legal and adhering strictly to religious teaching.

It also quoted Pakistan and Afghanistan intelligence sources, as saying that those that are not registered are teaching grounds and recruiting points for militants and Taliban.

In Pakistan, 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, the VOA said. (ANI)
Greek police said arsonists targeted the French cultural institute in Athens today causing minor damage but no injuries.A car parked outside the building was torched, damaging a second vehicle nearby. The unidentified attackers also smashed windows at the institute.The French Institute conducts cultural and educational programmes. There were no immediate claims of responsibility, and it was not clear why the institution was targeted, police said.Greece's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, calling it a "mindless and criminal act against an institution that is a symbol of Greek-French friendship."REUTERS JW AN1834 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167615.Xml
Israeli aircraft carried out a series of strikes in Gaza today, wounding at least four people, witnesses said, after a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory hit an empty area in southern Israel.The Israeli military said its planes attacked five positions belonging to Hamas, the Islamist group that runs the Gaza Strip, in response to the rocket strike.Witnesses said the four wounded were bystanders.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack. Israel said that it holds Hamas accountable for what happens in the territory.The group has observed a de-facto ceasefire with Israel since a 2014 war but small armed cells of jihadist Salafis have continued to occasionally launch rockets at Israel. When those attacks occur, Hamas usually orders its fighters to vacate potential targets for Israeli retaliation.Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel had "no desire or intention to initiate any military move in the Gaza Strip" but that it would not tolerate even a "drizzle" of rocket fire."We will not get into a ping-pong situation of fire and counter-fire. I suggest Hamas take responsibility, impose order and calm down," Lieberman said in public remarks to legislators of his Yisrael Beitenu party in Jerusalem.Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Israel would be responsible for any escalation if it continued to target "resistance positions". REUTERS JW BL1933 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1167843.Xml
MANILA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine military is verifying reports that Islamic militants have killed a German hostage after authorities failed to pay ransom, a military spokesman said Sunday.

Col. Edgard Arevalo said that an informant has told the military that Juergen Kantner was beheaded somewhere in Indanan town in the southern province of Sulu.

"There was an unconfirmed report that (Kantner) was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf (bandits). But we are still validating this report," Arevalo said.

A team has been sent to Indanan to verify the unconfirmed report that Kantner was killed around 3:30 p.m., he said.

"Our operating units on the ground are still on the search and rescue mode. Pending confirmation, we defer from making any further comments," Arevalo said.

The Abu Sayyaf group abducted Kantner, 70, in November last year when he was sailing with his wife Sabine Merz on a yacht on Malaysian waters.

Merz was shot dead by the abductors, according to the military.

The Abu Sayyaf group has demanded a 30-million-pesos (600,000-U.S.-dollar) ransom for Kantner's release.

The kidnappers set 3 p.m. Sunday as the deadline for the payment of the ransom.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said in a statement on Sunday that he received a telephone call from Col. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Sulu Task Force, that Kantner was beheaded around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

He said that Sobejana has also informed him that validation efforts of the report was still ongoing.

Government authorities want to see the victim's body before confirming the report that the captive has been beheaded.

Like the IS terrorists, the Abu Sayyaf group also uses beheading while killing their captives.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said that the Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf group has links with the IS militants in the Middle East.

Duterte has ordered the military to go on fresh offensive against the estimated 400 Abu Sayyaf bandits operating mostly in the hinterlands of southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

The military said that the group is holding 27 foreign and Filipino kidnapped victims. (1 Philippine peso = 0.02 U.S. dollar)
RAMALLAH, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Prime Minister of the Palestinian consensus government, Rami Hamdallah, warned on Sunday that municipal elections might be held only in the West Bank, excluding the Gaza Strip.

Hamdallah informed reporters that the Islamic Hamas movement ruling the Gaza Strip was given a week's ultimatum notice to declare whether it will participate in the coming municipal elections or not.

"In the event Hamas refuses to participate in the municipal elections, we may hold the elections only in the West Bank," Hamdallah told reporters in the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

He elaborated by saying that after consulting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian factions, "The Hamas movement was given a week's ultimatum to answer whether it will join or not."

Hamdallah revealed that his government will take its final decision during its weekly session held on Tuesday, adding "if Hamas refuses, then we will hold the elections only in the West Bank."

The last West Bank and Gaza Strip municipal elections were held in 2005, after which Hamas seized control of the coastal enclave.

Subsequently, the 2011 municipal councils elections were only held in the West Bank.

Discord between Hamas and the Palestinian leadership, represented by President Abbas, plus the consensus government, has been ongoing for over 10 years and efforts to resolve the disconnect have so far been in vain.
Flares are seen over Gaza City on February 6, 2017. Israel struck a number of Hamas positions in Gaza after a "projectile" fired from the Palestinian enclave crashed in a border area, the Israeli army said. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

GAZA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement rejected on Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to send international forces to the Gaza Strip, the coastal enclave that Hamas has been ruling since 2007.

Abdulatif al-Qanou, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said in an emailed press statement that sending international forces to the Gaza Strip "is a dangerous matter and it is totally rejected."

Earlier Sunday, the Israeli media reported that Netanyahu made the proposal in a meeting he held with the Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu suggested that the Israeli Army must take control of the West Bank, and, to examine security alternatives in Gaza, having international forces monitor the territory "and deal with the terrorism issues."

Hamas warned that any foreign power or international forces sent to the Gaza Strip "will be treated as an occupation force," adding that "Hamas would never accept another new occupation."

The movement seized control of the coastal enclave in 2007 following weeks of internal fighting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas security forces and his Fatah Party. Division between the two rivals are not over yet.

Al-Qanou said that the idea of sending international forces to the Gaza Strip "is a severe interference into the internal affairs of the enclave," adding "we will forcibly confront it with all out powers whatever the price is."

He stressed that the Palestinian "armed resistance will protect Gaza, which is the cornerstone of resistance and the gate that will lead us to the liberation of the entire occupied Palestinian territories from the Israeli occupation."

Related:

Israel says Hamas has 15 cross-border "terror" tunnels

JERUSALEM, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli military officials said Sunday that Hamas has 15 cross-border warfare tunnels that can be used to attack Israel, local media reported.
AMMAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian Prime Minister Hanu Muli said Sunday the Jordanian dinar is strong and the situation is reassuring, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Muli made the remarks at a workshop at the King Hussein Club in the capital Amman, saying that the Jordanian currency is stable and there are no fears.

He added that the foreign currency reserves exceed 12 billion U.S. dollars and are growing constantly.

The Jordanian dinar will continue to be pegged to the U.S. dollar, he said, warning against rumors about the strength of the currency.

On foreign policy, he stressed that the two-state solution is the key solution to the Palestinian issue, and that Jordan will continue efforts with the international community to urge Israel to resume talks with the Palestinians.

These peace talks, he said, should be time specific and in line with a clear schedule leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Jordan will continue to take all legal and diplomatic measures to stop the Israeli violations and measures that seek to alter the status quo in Jerusalem, adding that Jordan is against relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and highlighted the consequences.
by Alessandra Cardone

VIAREGGIO, Italy, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The over century-old annual Viareggio Carnival is being celebrated here with spectacular floats and masquerades, which are hilighted not only with traditional allegories, but also political satire against current world issues and incumbent politicians, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

Altogether 13 floats, including nine giant first-class ones, and group and individual masquerades are attending the carnival, which is in its 144th edition since the first was held in 1873.

The carnival annually held in the Tuscan city of Viareggio is the most spectacular carnival in Italy, and among the most renowned carnivals in Europe.

But what made Viareggio Carnival outstanding against other carnival celebrations around the world is that the sharp political satire, often linked to contemporary issues such as immigration, politics, bureaucracy, racism, global warming and so on.

One float appearing in this year's carnival parade depicting U.S. President Trump's hair shaped as a huge wave and surfed by the Statue of Liberty has attracted attention of many media.

And other current Italian and world issues, such as migration and economy, have also been the themes of the carnival floats.

"I wanted my float to represent Italy this year, and I imagined it as an old heiress," Jacopo Allegrucci told Xinhua.

"Despite her age, she is still attractive, and is surrounded by all her lovers and treasures. Yet, there are also many opportunists around her, who try to spoil her from all beauty and wealth," he added.

A first-class float could be 20 meters high, and took three to four months to design, and over six months to build.

The main raw material of the carnival floats is papier-mache, which could be turned to various shapes and big dolls.

Regardless of the subjects or issues depicted, however, every participant performed with humor, creativity, and colors, and people enjoyed it.

"Curiosity brought us here, and also my desire to rediscover things that I had seen as a child," a female spectator from the small town of Chiavari in the Liguria region told Xinhua.

"It is always a beautiful show, and I particularly liked the float depicting (U.S. President) Trump, and the other one representing bureaucracy," she added.

Funded by the municipality, the regional government, and private sponsors, this year's budget for the carnival amounted to 4 million euros (4.2 million U.S. dollars), officers from the organization told Xinhua.

It has always proved a successful initiative for the Tuscan city, and subscriptions this year reached a record high of 26,000, to which daily tickets added.

Overall, the event draws an average 600,000 spectators to each parade, and generates an estimated 20 million euros (21.1 million U.S. dollars) income, according to regional authorities.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Police said Sunday that over 100 headstones have been vandalized at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, damage discovered less than a week after similar vandalism in Missouri, local media reported.

Police said a man visiting the cemetery called police at 9:40 a.m. Sunday to report that three of his relatives' headstones had been knocked over and damaged.

Officers found that about 100 other headstones were also knocked over, apparently sometime after dark Saturday. A criminal mischief/institutional vandalism investigation was opened.

In a related incident, less than a week ago, nearly 200 headstones that were damaged and toppled in the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery in the St. Louis suburb of University City in Missouri.

This year alone, 54 Jewish community centers in 27 states received dozens of bomb threats, according to the Jewish Community Center Association.

The White House has denounced the spate of threats made against Jewish community centers around the country.
Oswaldo Cruz Hospital staff prepare to draw blood from baby Ludmilla Hadassah Dias de Vasconcelos, who has microcephaly, at the Oswaldo Cruz Hospital in Recife, Brazil, January 26, 2016. Picture taken on January 26, 2016. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A researcher at University of California, Berkeley, is launching a startup called KarnaTeq to develop and market a technology to increase the diagnostic power of scalpel-free biopsy.

The ideal non-surgical approach might start with a simple blood draw. Snippets of DNA or RNA detected in the blood could be analyzed for the presence of a tumor; whether it has metastasized and whether it carries mutations for resistance to specific drugs.

Such "liquid biopsies" are based on the fact that cancer cells commonly shed bits of DNA into the blood.

In several recent cancer clinical trials, researchers isolated DNA from patients' blood and amplified it for analysis. In a DNA study from one specialized type of treatment, they were able to identify most of the treatment-resistant mutations that had been detected through conventional, invasive biopsies. In fact, DNA sequencing revealed some mutations that the original biopsies had missed.

With support from the Bakar Fellows Program, which fosters faculty entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley, Kathy Collins, professor of biophysics, biochemistry, and structural biology, is developing new techniques to scrutinize the total content of RNA in blood - a strategy that she thinks may add vital clues missed by DNA analysis.

"RNA is DNA in action," Collins was quoted as saying in a news release. While DNA holds the blueprint for making all the proteins in the body, it hands off to RNA only the instructions that the cell needs. As a result, this "messenger RNA" carries the up-to-date information on cells' conditions and needs. "Sequencing RNA from liquid biopsies will allow us to see not only the state of a cancer but also the molecular signatures of any normal tissue that is in trauma from a treatment."

In her words, DNA sequences may be easier to find, but they don't hold all the clues. "We don't want to bias our understanding by getting only a partial picture."

Collins has developed a new technology that employs a type of enzyme that she has studied for more than 20 years. It is called a reverse transcriptase because it can translate, or transcribe, RNA into DNA -- the reverse of the classic "Watson and Crick" DNA to RNA process. She is particularly interested in applying the new strategy to study RNA held in bubble-like vesicles, called exosomes, secreted by cancer cells into the blood. Very little is known about them, but many scientists suspect that DNA, RNA and other molecules packed inside the vesicles can provide unique insights into cancer's progress in a patient.
SYDNEY, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Australians are divided over accepting refugees currently being held on Papua New Guinea (PNG)'s Manus Island and Nauru, according to a poll released on Monday.

The Roy Morgan poll surveyed over 1,000 Australians, and found that exactly 50 percent of people surveyed were in favor of accepting refugees, while the other 50 percent were against it.

Women were far more welcoming, with 58 percent of those surveyed saying they would welcome asylum seekers, while 59 percent of men were against any further refugee influx.

Younger people were also far more likely to want refugees to be allowed into Australia, with 58 percent of those between 18 and 24 years of age in favour of letting them into the country, while 57 percent of people aged 50 to 64 were against the idea.

Some of those polled who were against accepting the refugees, cited the lack of willingness by refugees to assimilate, and further encouragement of people smuggling as reasons not to allow them in.

And those in favour claim basic human rights are a national responsibility, and drew attention to the "appalling" conditions on Nauru and Manus Island.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A surge in arrivals from China drove a new annual record for visitors to New Zealand in the year ending January, the government statistics agency said Monday.

Visitor numbers were up 11 percent year on year to 3.54 million in the January year, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Visitor arrivals in the month of January were also up 11 percent year on year, hitting a new January record of 381,100.

"The strong increase in visitor arrivals in January 2017 coincided with the Chinese New Year," population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said in a statement.

"Over 54,000 visitors from China arrived in New Zealand in January 2017."

Chinese visitor numbers in the month of January were up 32.4 percent year on year.

In the January year, Chinese visitor numbers were 13.8 percent up to 422,256, keeping China's rank as New Zealand's second biggest visitor market after Australia.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of immigrants settling in New Zealand hit a new high in the year ending January, prompting lawmakers to claim the record numbers were stretching infrastructure, social services and housing.

A net gain, the number of arrivals over departures, of 71,300 migrants arriving in New Zealand in the January year, surpassed the previous annual record set in December 2016, the government statistics agency said Monday.

The total migrant arrivals numbered 128,300 in the January year, a new annual record, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Work visas accounted for the greatest number of arrivals at 42,400, followed by New Zealand and Australian citizens at 37,900, student visas on 24,300 and residence visas on 16,700, said a statement from the agency.

The main opposition Labour Party said the record number of arrivals was helping to fuel the housing crisis in the largest city of Auckland, home to a third of the population.

"A huge proportion of our new migrants, 56,231, are moving straight to Auckland, which is an 8.5 percent lift from last year," Labour Party immigration spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway said in a statement.

"Migration has been one of the central drivers of rising house prices, which are now continuing throughout New Zealand as the Auckland housing crisis ripples out to the regions," said Lees-Galloway.

The opposition New Zealand First party said New Zealand workers were having to compete with "Third World wages and conditions" to get jobs, while paying for infrastructure and services for the expanding population.

"The net gain was 71,300 people, that's 1,370 people a week, most looking for a job and a house to rent or own that the government has made no preparations for," New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said in a statement.

"They'll want a GP (general practitioner) and they'll turn up at hospital emergency departments for the free care - that the government has not prepared for," said Peters.

"The taxpayer is paying for emergency housing, for hospital care and all other public services that immigrants get free and will have to pay for schools, roads, hospitals and the like that will be needed."
Special personnel wearing protective clothes and masks conduct checks at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 in Malaysia, Feb. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) man died a painful death minutes after being swabbed with a high dosage of lethal VX nerve agent, Malaysia's Health Minister S. Subramaniam said Sunday.

"He died in the ambulance. He fainted in the clinic. I would say from the time of onsite (treatment), about 15 to 20 minutes," the minister told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

He said autopsy findings were very much in line with the VX nerve agent found by the Chemistry Department earlier.

"The doses were so high that it did it so fast and all over the body, so it affected the heart and lungs and affected everything," he said, adding the dosage in this case is more than the normal lethal volume of 10 milligram.

According to the minister, doctors at the beginning suspected the DPRK man, with a passport name of "Kim Chol," died from organophosphate poisoning, but found out it was "much much much more poisoning than the type we kill normal insects."

He said the full autopsy report will be given to the police while the next challenge for health authorities would be identification of the deceased.

The best option, said the minister, would still be to have the next-of-kin to do DNA profiling, but multiple methods also suffice but with different sensitivity, such as dental profiling.

"We could use dental profiling as well as comparing him to his pictures where we could identify him by the identification marks such as moles," he said.

The DPRK man was attacked on Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. After seeking help from the airport staff, he died en route to hospital.

The Malaysian police are holding three suspects in custody, an Indonesian woman, a Vietnamese woman and a DPRK man.

They still want to question seven others, including a second secretary of the DPRK embassy in Malaysia. Four of the seven are believed to have fled the country.
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Monday that the kingdom's tourism sector earned gross revenue of 3.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2016.

The Southeast Asian nation attracted 5 million international visitors last year, a 5-percent rise year-on-year, according to a tourism data. Among them were 830,000 Chinese, accounting for 16.6 percent of the foreign tourists to Cambodia last year.

"We predict that Cambodia will welcome 5.4 million foreigners in 2017 and up to 7 million in 2020 with estimated revenue of 5 billion U.S. dollars," the prime minister said during the National Clean City Day.

He said that tourism industry currently provides some 620,000 direct jobs and the number of jobs will reach 1 million in 2020.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen said that the country's peace and political stability were the prerequisites for the attraction of tourists.

"Tourists will not risk their lives to visit dangerous or war zones..., so maintaining peace and political stability and preventing terrorism from happening in Cambodia are very important," he said, vowing to maintain the country's peace "at any cost".

Cambodia is famous for the 12th century Angkor Archeological Park in northwestern Siem Reap province. Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four provinces in the country's southwestern part.

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting the economy. The three other pillars are garment export, real estate and construction, and agriculture.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Americans, or 60 percent, say the United Nations (UN) is doing a "poor job" in solving the problems it faces, up by six percentage points from 2016, found a latest Gallup poll.

In contrast, only 37 percent of Americans say the UN is doing a "good job" in solving the problems it faces, down by 1 percentage point from 2016, according to the Feb. 1-5 poll.

The poll comes as U.S. President Donald Trump plans to significantly reduce U.S. contributions to international organizations, including the UN.

Current Americans' approval rating of the UN is similar to what Gallup has measured since 2013 but above the 2009 low of 26 percent, Gallup noted.

Gallup first did the poll on the UN in 1953, when most Americans expressed positive views of the organization. Since then, Americans have become less positive in their views of the UN, Gallup said.

The UN only received majority job approval from Americans on a few occasions in the past decades. In addition to the 1953 poll, a majority of Americans viewed the U.N. positively in two polls bookending the Gulf War of the early 1990s and in three consecutive polls from 2000 to 2002.

However, the Americans' positive views of the UN soon plummeted amid disagreements between U.S. leadership and the UN over the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, according to Gallup.

Trump has echoed congressional Republicans' criticism of the UN as being ineffectual and financially mismanaged. Some lawmakers have proposed legislation to cut off funding to the organization, Gallup said.

Given Trump's recent critiques of the UN and Americans' long-standing low approval of the organization, it is unlikely that Americans' views of the UN will improve much in the near future, Gallup added.
JAKARTA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- An alleged terrorist exploded a bomb Monday near a village administration office, followed by an exchange of fire between an anti-terror squad and the alleged militant, provincial police chief Anton Charlian said, quoted by metro TV.
BOGOTA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government warned Sunday that a ceasefire with the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group would not happen if the ELN continued to commit terrorist attacks.

The head of Colombia's delegation to peace talks with the ELN, Juan Camilo Restrepo signaled the warning, which was responding to a petition carried out on social media by the ELN.

The petition called on a bilateral and permanent ceasefire, which sought to pressure the government.

"The bilateral ceasefire and the end of hostilities will take place when we understand that confrontation is deescalating, not escalating," said Restrepo.

The Colombian Defense Ministry has pointed at the ELN as being responsible for an assassination attempt this week against the governor of the northern of Santander, William Villamizar.

The ELN has also been identified as likely being responsible for an attack a week ago in Bogota's neighborhood of La Macarena, which killed a policeman and left 23 injured.

After this attack, the Colombian army stated it would not be ending offensives against the guerrilla group.

While the ELN has not claimed responsibility for either of these attacks, Restrepo said, "If more lamentable terrorism comes from the ELN, the further the possibility of reaching a bilateral ceasefire in Quito will be."

However, dialogue will resume between the government and the ELN in Ecuador, with the guerrilla group expected to react to its alleged responsibility for these latest attacks.
JAKARTA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- An alleged terrorist exploded a bomb near a village administration office before exchanging gunfire with anti-terror squad in West Java on Monday, provincial police chief Anton Charlian said.

"Now we are carrying out negotiation, asking the alleged militant to surrender, but he burned the building," the police chief was quoted by the Metro TV as saying on the scene.

"We have followed the movement of the man, who is a member of a terrorist group," he added.

Charlian ordered the squad to capture the alleged militant alive.

He said the bomb was of low explosive.
LA PAZ, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- While much of the world's attention is focused on Rio de Janeiro in Brazil during the Carnival season, smaller parties have got into high gear across the continent.

The Carnival of Oruro, part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has been a real success and a strong showcase for Bolivian culture, the Bolivian Minister of Culture and Tourism Wilma Alanoca said Sunday in a press conference.

According to government data, around half a million tourists visited the carnival on Saturday, which, Alanoca said, exceeded their estimate.

The minister vowed to work hard to consolidate the festivity as a global attraction. She added that they would improve Oruro's infrastructure and launch a campaign in May to promote the carnival worldwide.

Writing on Twitter on Sunday after participating in the opening ceremony in Oruro on Saturday, Bolivian President Evo Morales said the carnival was "unbeatable and unrivalled."

To the north, on Sunday, Venezuela got its own festivities underway with the traditional Carnival of El Callao held in the southern state of Bolivar. The carnival was approved by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last December.

At a ceremony to receive UNESCO's certificate before the official start of the carnival, Venezuelan Tourism Minister Marleny Contreras said: "We will continue accompanying and strengthening all our traditions."

El Callao has held carnivals for over 100 years, with the "madams" being its highlight, as women of all ages put on colorful clothes, accessories and turbans to represent ladies of the 19th century.

The Carnival of El Callao, the oldest in Venezuela, is the country's fifth tradition on the UNESCO list.
HANOI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The state-owned Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) is set to take drastic measures to recover around 33 trillion Vietnamese dong (1.48 billion U.S. dollars) of non-performing loans (NPLs) in 2017, according to VAMC Chairman Nguyen Tien Dong on Monday.

In order to meet the target, VAMC would focus on restructuring and classifying its bad debts, so that it can sell its secured assets and recoup the debts, the state-run news agency VNA quoted Dong as saying.

"An analyst group specialized in restructuring enterprises with bad debts will also be set up to boost the debt settlement," Dong added.

Trading of bad debts under market mechanism will be also undertaken this year to meet the target, Dong said.

Besides the recovery of bad debts, VAMC will also buy 25 trillion Vietnamese dong (1.12 billion U.S. dollars) of NPLs from credit institutions this year.

According to VAMC, the company purchased 30 trillion Vietnamese dong (1.35 billion U.S. dollars) of bad debts from credit institutions last year.

In May 2013, Vietnamese government launched the VAMC in order to tackle NPLs, a burden on Vietnamese commercial banks and other credit institutions. It is a 100 percent state-owned one-member limited liability company established by the State Bank of Vietnam with the business purpose of purchasing NPLs from the Vietnamese credit institutions.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing fire department said on Monday that a fire engulfed a secondhand market in northeast Beijing, but reported no casualties.

The Beijing firefighting command center received a report at 7:45 a.m. Monday from the Naixi secondhand market in the city's Chaoyang district. The market deals in secondhand furniture, books, antiques and other items.

A total of 46 fire engines were deployed to put out the fire and police cordoned off surrounding areas and diverted traffic to make way for the firefighting efforts.

The flames were put out around 9:00 a.m.

Clean-up efforts are under way and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
HANOI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences has launched a proposal to compile Vietnams first-ever encyclopedia.

The proposal engages over 300 Vietnamese leading scientists in charge of the encyclopedias 37 volumes of between 1,500 and 2,000 pages each, reported Vietnams state-run news agency VNA on Monday.

Covering various areas from social science, art, culture to security, defense, up to seventy percent of knowledge introduced in these books will be about Vietnam while the rest of 30 percent is about the world.

Nguyen Xuan Thang, deputy head of the encyclopedia steering council, said that it will be completed in no more than five years.
BARCELONA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Nokia launched its new mobile phones in Barcelona during this weekend ahead of the official opening of the Mobile World Congress (MWC).

The Finnish company presented three new Android Smartphones, the Nokia 6, the Nokia 5 and the Nokia 3, apart from a new version of the Nokia 3310, which offers a longer battery life of 22 hours.

South Korea's Samsung did not release its star phone, the Galaxy S8, instead launched a new tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, with a 9.7-inches screen and a 6,000 mAh battery that allows 12 hours of video playback.

It also presented a new version of virtual reality glasses, Samsung Gear VR and the Galaxy Book, a mixture of tablet and computer that will be on sale in two different sizes, with a 12-inches screen or a 10.6-inches screen.

Chinese companies including Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo and TCL also released their new devices during the weekend.

All devices will be displayed from Monday to Thursday at the Fira Gran Via venue in Barcelona during the MWC.

Being the world's most important mobile industry event, this year's MWC is expected to gather 2,200 exhibitors, 101,000 trade visitors from 200 countries and regions.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand government ministers will be looking to build economic links with Timor-Leste during a visit by the Pacific island nation's Prime Minister Rui Araujo this week.

The two countries had a special bond, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English said on Monday.

"New Zealand has supported Timor-Leste since its decision to seek independence in 1999. More than 4,000 New Zealand Defence Force, police and other personnel have served there in the past 18 years," said English.

"The relationship with New Zealand is now evolving as Timor-Leste's economy and society grow and develop," he said.

"I'm looking forward to talking to Dr Araujo about how we can best build connections in trade and business, development and also international relations."

Araujo would be accompanied by Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs Hernani Coelho and Minister of the Interior Longuinhos Monteiro.

Coelho would meet with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully, while Monteiro would hold talks with senior representatives of New Zealand Police on New Zealand's longstanding community policing support to Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
COLOMBO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed in southern Sri Lanka on Monday following an attack on a prison bus.

Local police said that the prison bus was shot at in the southern town of Kalutara killing seven people including a leading criminal gang member.

The police said that gunmen in a vehicle had approached the bus and opened fire.

A criminal gang member identified as Aruna Udayashantha was killed in the shooting incident while two prison officers were also killed.

This is the second shooting targeting a prison bus over the past one year in Sri Lanka.

Last March a suspect in custody over the murder of a top politician was shot at while he was being transported to prison in a prison bus.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top environmental watchdog has criticized authorities of Shijiazhuang, capital city of Hebei Province, which neighbors Beijing, for worsening air quality and insufficient efforts in environmental protection.

The air quality in Shijiazhuang has worsened sharply since October 2016 and most pollution indicators deteriorated in January and February of this year, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said Monday after a recent inspection team to the city led by Chen Jining, minister of environmental protection.

In January this year, PM2.5 density in Shijiazhuang surged 51.5 percent from a year earlier to 200 micrograms per cubic meter, the MEP said in a statement.

Chen attributed the situation largely to lax environmental efforts of local governments, especially those at the county and township levels, inefficient management, a cluster of highly polluting enterprises and poor implementation of response measures to tackle severe pollution.

Chen urged more efforts in locating the source of pollutants, reducing pollutant emission, strengthening supervision over key enterprises, pressing ahead with industrial upgrading and improving efficiency of environmental protection.

Chinese cities suffered from more days of air pollution in January, with Shijiazhuang being the worst polluted among the nation's 74 major cities, the MEP said last week.

China is intensifying efforts to fight pollution and environmental degradation after decades of growth left the country saddled with problems such as smog and contaminated soil.
CHANGSHA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen students at a central China school have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, and investigators suspect water pollution is to blame, the local government said Monday.

The patients are all 12th graders at No. 4 High School of Qiyang County in Yongzhou City of Hunan Province, the county government said in a statement.

It said the first case was reported on Feb. 17 and the latest was diagnosed on Sunday. All patients are being treated at the People's Hospital in Qiyang County.

A joint investigation has been launched by disease control and prevention authorities at county, city and provincial levels. Investigators found the students had drunk water from a well on campus, and suspected contaminated well water was to blame for their illness.

But the exact cause has yet to be confirmed, the county government said.

School authorities confirmed all 12th graders had resumed classes in mid-February, at least a week before the spring semester began, to cram for the college entrance exam scheduled for early June. As tap water supply was cut during the winter break, well water was temporarily used.

School authorities had organized health checks for every student and teacher who drank from the well, and vaccinated the other 12th graders against the virus.

The school has more than 4,000 students, ranging from 7th to 12th grade. About 1,200 are in 12th grade and all of them are boarders.

The county government is watching the situation closely as the hepatitis A virus can be latent for 15 to 45 days.
KABUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Two members of al-Qaida network were killed following an airstrike in Afghanistan's southern Zabul province, according to a military statement on Monday.

The airstrike was carried out in Arghandab district on Sunday and among the killed was a group leader of the terror group, the command of Afghan Special Forces said in the statement posted on its official Facebook page.

No civilian was hurt following the strike in the province, 340 km south of Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, the statement added.

The elimination of the targeted militants would further improve the public security in Zabul and neighboring provinces.

"Afghan Special Operation Forces spare no effort to provide security for the country," the statement asserted.

The Taliban, al-Qaida, and Islamic State (IS) groups have been active in parts of Zabul province over the past several years.

The group has yet to make comments.
PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least four Taliban fighters have been killed and several villages have been recaptured from the Taliban insurgents in the northern Baghlan province, provincial police chief Noor Habib Gulbahari said Monday.

"At least four Taliban rebels have been killed, five injured and several villages have been liberated from Taliban clutches in Dand-e-Ghori district over the past 24 hours," Gulbahari told reporters.

Taliban militants haven't commented.

Government forces launched a major offensive early weekend to dislodge militants from their positions in Dand-e-Ghori and Dand-e-Shahabudin districts.

The northern Baghlan province with Pul-e-Khumri as its capital 160 km north of Kabul has been the scene of Taliban-led insurgency over the past few years.
TOKYO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A private kindergarten in Osaka, Japan has recently been trapped in escalating controversy over its militaristic education that sows seeds of hatred and its murky land deal with questioned ties to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

What does this far-right kindergarten teach the kids? How outrageous is the education that has even driven furious parents to pull their children out of the nursery?

1. RECITE PREWAR IDEALS

The three- to five year olds have to recite 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.

The rescript was abolished after World War II, which many saw as souces of the blind obedience and moral certitude that helped fuel Japan's militarism, but reintroduced 15 years ago by the Tsukamoto kindergarten, and has been listed on its official website.

2. SING MILITARY SONGS

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.

Kamikaze were suicide attacks by Japanese military aviators in the closing stages of World War II.

The kids are also taught to sing other WWII military songs including "Warship March," and "Cherry Blossoms of the Same Year" which was adored by Kamikaze pilots and an incarnation of Japan' s imperialist ambitions.

The kindergarten also takes the students to go on school trips to Self-Defense Forces bases as a part of their curriculum.

3. SOW 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, describing Korean residents in Japan and Chinese people as those with "wicked ideas," and calling the latter with a term considered derogatory toward Chinese people.

The school, though warned by the local government and later apologized, did not show real remorse, with the deputy principal writing an explanation to parents saying, "I don't discriminate. But in my mind, I hate Koreans and Chinese."

4. SENIOR LEADERSHIP APPROVAL

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.

Akie Abe also served as the "honorary principal" of the new private elementary school, though she resigned Friday amid an escalating controversy over the very low price the school paid for government land.

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.

5. CONTINUE BRAINWASHING

While endorsing the kindergarten, Akie Abe 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.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 89th Academy Awards honored "Zootopia" as the Best Animated Feature Film of the year here on Sunday.

"Zootopia" is a 3D computer-animated comedy-adventure film produced by the Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The film tells a story of a world of animals where predators and prey species coexist peacefully.

"About five years ago, we got this crazy idea of talking about humanity with talking animals," said Byron Howard, a co-director of "Zootopia".
KABUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said Monday that his country is independent and won't be used against any nation.

"Our country Afghanistan is an independent country, will remain independent forever and Afghanistan is not a threat to any country," Ghani said in his speech at a ceremony to mark the National Day of Security and Defense Forces, at Kabul Military airport.

Denouncing the ongoing militancy in the insurgency-plagued country as foreign intervention, the president said "those who wants to turn Afghanistan into a battle field, would take their vicious wishes to the grave."

Appreciating the courage of security forces for fighting militants and ensuring peace and security in the war-ravaged country, the president noted that the national security forces have foiled the malicious designs of the enemies.

The security forces, in their latest achievements against enemies on the battleground eliminated Taliban shadow government Mawlawi Salam in the northern Kunduz province very recently and the terrorists can't face the national security forces.

"We want to have a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan," Ghani asserted.
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Oil product consumption in South Korea increased last year on low crude prices, which also boosted oil imports, a government report showed on Monday.

Crude oil imports stood at 1.08 billion barrels in 2016, up 5.1 percent from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Growing imports followed a fall in prices for Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, which declined 18.3 percent from a year earlier to 41.41 U.S. dollars per barrel on average in 2016.

Oil product consumption in the domestic market reached 922.12 million barrels in 2016, up 7.7 percent from a year ago. The consumption for industrial usage advanced 8.5 percent, with the reading for transport purpose growing 4.8 percent.

Sales in gasoline and diesel reached record highs of 7.8 million barrels and 15.08 million barrels each last year.

Oil product imports increased 8.3 percent from 307.88 million barrels in 2015 to 3.33.47 million barrels in 2016.

In the cited period, production in oil product rose 3.5 percent from 1.12 billion barrels to 1.16 billion barrels.
HANOI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Police in Vietnam's central Thanh Hoa province, cracked down a transnational drug trafficking ring, arresting three people with 15 kg of synthetic drugs, said local police on Monday.

Specifically, in Thanh Hoa's Muong Lat district, some 140 km south of capital Hanoi, local police arrested three people including Cheo Thi Phoi (born in 1980) and Cheo Van Man (born in 1976), who are living in Laos, as well as Phan Thi Pham (born in 1978), who is living in Vietnam. They also seized 15 kg of synthetic drugs, related objects and documents, reported Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA.

According to the police, in the province's largest-ever synthetic drug case, Cheo Van Man used to join other Vietnamese nationals to transport drug from Laos to consume in Vietnam.

The police are continuing to expand investigation of the case, said VNA.
HANOI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam is expected to reach 403,663 person-times in February, up 85 percent year-on-year, said Vietnam's General Statistics Office (GSO) Monday.

Chinese visitors thus make up the largest proportion of international tourists to Vietnam during the month, according to GSO.

In the past five years, the number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam has been on instant rise, marking the biggest market of tourists to Vietnam, the office added.

In Feb. alone, Vietnam is likely to welcome nearly 1.2 million person-times of foreign tourists, up 20 percent against the previous month and 42 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, in the first two months of 2017, Vietnam is projected to receive over 2.2 million international visitors, up 33 percent from the same period last year, marking the first time Vietnam has received more than one million foreign visitors per month, said GSO.

The sector is expected to receive 11.5 million foreign visitors and 66 million domestic travelers, generating 460 trillion Vietnamese dong (20.3 billion U.S. dollars) this year.

The sector also aims to receive 17-20 million international tourists and serve 82 million domestic visitors by 2020, contributing 10 percent to gross domestic product. Tourism revenue is expected to reach some 35 billion U.S. dollars by then.
SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Four militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group including notorious commander Qari Qudrat were killed in the northern Jawzjan province of Afghanistan on Monday, provincial police chief Rahmatullah Turkistani said.

"Acting on tip off, units of police laid ambush against IS fighters in Qushtapa district today morning as a result four insurgents including IS notorious commander for Jawzjan province Mullah Qudrat were killed," Turkistani told Xinhua.

IS militants who are active in parts of Jawzjan province with Shiberghan as its capital 390 km north of Kabul are yet to make comment on the situation.
NANNING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A nature reserve along the China-Vietnam border, where a new bird species was spotted about a decade ago, has attracted a growing number of birdwatchers and conservationists.

Longzhou County in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region hosted its first international birdwatching festival last week. Over 80 birdwatching enthusiasts from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Germany and Malaysia participated in the festival.

In 2008, Chinese ornithologist Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu announced the discovery of a new bird species -- the Nonggang babbler, or Stachyris nonggangensis. The bird was named for the region where it was discovered.

The fist-sized babbler is a dark brown bird with white specks on its chest. There are about 1,300 Nonggang babblers in the reserve, Zhou told Xinhua.

The Nonggang Nature Reserve stretches about 34 kilometers from west to east with dense forests, karst caves and abundant bird species.

A growing interest in birdwatching has benefited the area and helped local people realize the value of local birds, Zhou said.

Few people hunt the birds now and farmers have built ponds to store water for them, he said.

Lu Yun, a middle-aged member of a birdwatching club, travelled from Tianjin, a northern port city, down to Guangxi for the festival.

"With my camera, I have captured many birds we never see in the north. It was quite a 'harvest' for me," he said.

With the help of a guide, Lu spotted several Nonggang babblers. "I was lucky to see the bird for myself," he said.

"In our circle, if one gets a rare bird, it makes you a big star," Lu said.

There are five villages near the reserve. Many villagers have profited from the growing interest in birding. Huang Zhiqiang, 33, was a sugarcane farmer before he started a new career as a guide for birdwatchers.

"The Nonggang babbler is the star bird, but tourists have a hard time finding one unless they hire a local guide," said Huang.

"I know how to mimic the chirping sound of the bird and where they typically gather. They are easily frightened, and we should be careful not to disturb them," he said.

"The villagers have realized that the birds are closely connected to their livelihood, and if they can protect them, they can keep the tourists," said Liu Shengyuan, who works in the reserve.

There are about 20 spots to watch birds in and around the reserve, Liu said.

"With a growing number of people adopting birding as a hobby, we think that it is a good chance to develop tourism. But the most important thing is to protect them first," said Zhong Lei, head of the Longzhou county government.
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiative would build closer ties and cooperation between China and Cambodia, Eric Ma, Secretary for Development in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Monday.

"Under the "Belt and Road" initiative, we foresee closer co-operation between Cambodia and China," he said during a networking luncheon in Phnom Penh, which was attended by about 100 HKSAR officials and representatives and Cambodian business executives.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, known as "Belt and Road" initiative, was proposed by China in 2013 with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Ma said that HKSAR was playing a role as "super-connector" between the Mainland of China and other countries under the "Belt and Road" initiative.

He said under the initiative, relations and cooperation between China and Cambodia in trade, investment, and culture would be further strengthened.

China is one of Cambodia's biggest trading partners with bilateral trade volume valued at 4.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2015. On the investment side, China is the largest investor here with a cumulative investment of over 14 billion U.S. dollars from 1994 to 2016, according to Cambodian government figures.

He said that HKSAR could certainly facilitate further exchanges between Cambodia's Khmer culture and China's Confucian culture under the initiative.

Ma is leading a HKSAR business delegation to visit Cambodia to foster a closer relationship between HKSAR and Cambodia.

Cambodia is the first leg of his two-nation tour, which will also bring him to Indonesia.
MOSUL, Iraq, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi forces on Monday continued fierce clashes against Islamic State (IS) militants in western Mosul and seized a neighborhood in the southern outskirts of the embattled city, the Iraq military said.

Federal police and interior ministry special forces, known as Rapid Response, recaptured al-Tayaran neighborhood and then raised the Iraqi flag over some of its buildings, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, from the Joint Operations Command (JOC), said in a press release.

The troops are clearing the neighborhood from IS militants, who sustained heavy casualties after days of fierce fighting, Yarallah said without giving further details.

Federal police and rapid response forces are also fighting in the adjacent neighborhood of Jawsaq and are focusing on securing a strategic bridge, known as 4th Bridge, across the Tigris River, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday, Yarallah said that Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces completely liberated al-Mamoun neighborhood after three days of battles against IS militants in southern Mosul, which is locally known as the left bank of Tigris River.

CTS special forces also entered in the adjacent neighborhood of Wadi Hajar and are fighting fierce clashes with the IS militants inside the neighborhood, according to the security source.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive 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 eastern Mosul, or the left bank of Tigris, after more than 100 days of fighting against IS militants.

However, the western part of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Culture on Monday said 36 online game operators have been punished for providing illegal content.

The 36 online game operators, which were found providing gambling-related and other illegal content and instigating crimes, were fined and their illegal gains were confiscated, the ministry said.

The punishment came after the ministry held a random inspection tour for online games in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and others.

The ministry said it has planned another random inspection of livestreaming services, saying that the first round of inspection will select 50 of the country's 100 operators.

Law enforcement teams will crack down on prohibited content, including immoral, superstitious and pornographic material.

Operators who break the law will be shut down if circumstances are serious, the ministry said.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and another injured after an inferno razed down some parts of Bakara market, the biggest market in Mogadishu.

Benadir Regional Administration confirmed the death toll of two businessmen, saying property of unknown value was destroyed in the inferno. The fire destroyed shopping malls and stores in the market.

"The fire started mid night and caused human casualties and property loss, it is a tragedy and we will help those who lost their businesses in this fire. We will also will make safe way to immediate handle such problems", Mogadishu Mayor Yusuf Hussein Jimale told reporters in the market.

"I cannot recognize my business center here, all my property is lost," a local named Muse Moalim said. The fire fighters managed to put out the fire, but it was too late.

The authorities have not established the cause of the inferno but local authorities suspect it could be an electric fault.
LUSKA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has not withdrawn its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Last week, King Mohammed VI of Morocco was in Zambia for an official visit and held talks with President Edgar Lungu.

Some local media has reported that one of the issues tackled was for Zambia to cut its diplomatic ties with the SADR, which Morocco considers as part of its territory.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Zambia supports the efforts of the United Nations (UN) to achieve a final solution to the regional dispute on Western Sahara.

Zambia is willing to effectively contribute constructively to the efforts by the UN through a position of neutrality by engaging the relevant parties and maintaining active dialogue, it added.

Zambia, according to the statement, views the return of Morocco to the African Union (AU) as an opportunity for the continental body to bring the long-standing matter to an amiable resolution in the African spirit of consensus dialogue and mutual respect.

At an AU summit in January, the bloc allowed Morocco back in the fold after a 33-year absence. Thirty-nine of the 54 states approved the return of Morocco while South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana and Algeria, opposed the decision. Those countries have been active supporters of the rights of the Sahrawi people and their right to an independent country.

The SADR controls a small strip of land in the Western Sahara region and claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. The majority of Western Sahara is under Moroccan control.
SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces repelled a Taliban attack in the country's northern province of Jawzjan, killing 14 militants, the provincial police chief said on Monday.

"Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints in Darzab district Sunday night. The security forces fought back the attackers. As a result 14 militants were killed and nine others wounded," Gen. Rahmatullah Turkistani told Xinhua.

Sporadic clashes have been continuing in the remote district as of Monday morning, police official said, adding among the injured was a foreign militant from neighboring Uzbekistan.

No security force member was hurt during the clashes, he said.

Jawzjan and the neighboring Faryab province have been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as the Taliban has been trying to challenge government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

The Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, staging ambushes and suicide attacks, killing combatants as well as civilians.

They have been on rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed the full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO forces.
by Chrispinus Omar

NAIROBI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of severely food-insecure people across the Greater Horn of Africa has increased to 22.9 million in February as a prolonged drought led to failed harvests.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that drought in the Horn of Africa is expected to intensify in the coming months, with a delayed start to the rainy season and depressed levels of precipitation forecast for March-May in most of the Horn.

"Needs are driven by successive episodes of drought, which have led to consecutively failed harvests, combined with conflict and insecurity, and economic shocks affecting the most vulnerable," OCHA said in its latest Humanitarian Outlook report released in Nairobi.

According to the UN, the impact of the drought is largely comparable to the El Nino-induced East African drought of October-November 2010, which caused a regional food security and nutrition crisis in 2011.

Extensive crop failures and record low vegetation, together with significant livestock deaths, are currently observed across Somalia, southern and eastern Ethiopia, and northern and coastal Kenya.

The report says Western Kenya, parts of south-western Ethiopia, parts of southern Sudan and the central and eastern part of Uganda are moderately affected.

Pasture and water resources for human and livestock consumption are at critically low levels across wide swathes of the region, particularly between Somaliland and southern Ethiopia, the UN said.

The report comes after famine has been declared in parts of Unity State in South Sudan, while the humanitarian situation in Somalia is rapidly deteriorating and famine is a strong possibility in 2017.

Across the country 4.9 million people are expected to be severely food insecure from February to April, and 5.5 million by July, at the height of the 2017 lean season.

"Severe drought, rising prices, continued insecurity and access limitations, and depressed rain forecasts suggest famine is possible again in Somalia," OCHA warned.

The food insecure population in Somalia increased from 5 million in September 2016 to over 6.2 million in February.

"This includes a drastic increase in the number of people in "crisis" and "emergency" from 1.1 million six months ago to nearly 3 million projected for February to June," it said.

OCHA said conflict has been the major cause of displacement across borders and a threat to peoples' security.

It said there are 4 million refugees and asylum seekers in the region, and most of the newly displaced come from South Sudan. More people have fled South Sudan since July 2016 than Syria in the whole of 2016.

"There is a risk of a further escalation of violence in South Sudan. In Somalia, the increased fragmentation of armed groups and the pull-out of foreign troops are worrying developments," said the UN.

The report says humanitarian space continued to be constrained across the region due to insecurity, bureaucratic impediments and financial limitations.

It said the volatile and insecure operational environment in South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan and eastern DR Congo made it especially difficult and costly to respond to growing needs.

"Al-Shaabab attacks are on the rise in Somalia and in Kenya's northeastern border area. In Kenya, tensions and localized conflicts are set to rise ahead of national elections scheduled for August," the UN said.

"Inter-communal violence is expected to increase in drought-affected areas as pastoralists journey with their animals looking for increasingly limited water and pasture resources," it added.
JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel before dawn on Monday but caused no injuries, the Israeli army said.

"A projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council in southern Israel," a military statement said.

Israeli security forces were searching the targeted area to recover fragments for investigation, the statement said.

Earlier February, Israel struck Gaza with air and artillery strikes, which injured three Palestinians, after a rocket was launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave. The rocket caused no injuries or damage.
A new train stops at a railway station in suburban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Oct. 1, 2016. A Chinese-built railway linking the Ethiopian capital and the port ofDjibouti is expected to help the landlocked African country improve access to the sea and speed up a burgeoning industrialization process. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan media outlets have it well covered recently that Ethiopia is about to overtake Kenya and become the leading economy in East Africa.

Building on decade-long double-digit growth catalyzed by enormous government spending on infrastructure, the size of the Ethiopian economy, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measurements, will reach 69.2 billion U.S. dollars, according to projections the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made for 2016. In 2015, its GDP stood at 61.6 billion dollars.

Kenya's GDP, on the other hand, is expected to rise to 69.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, up from 63.4 billion dollars in 2015.

If the projections turn out to be true, Ethiopia, hailed by pundits as an "African lion", will surpass Kenya. Though the possible win would be by a small margin, Kenyans have echoed that Ethiopia is surely becoming a new superpower in the region.

It is not hard to understand why the possibility of Ethiopia coming at the forefront has caused a stir among Kenyans.

Back in 2000, Kenya had a 70 percent lead over Ethiopia. Kenya's GDP then stood at 14 billion U.S. dollars while Ethiopia's output was somewhere around 8 billion dollars.

Following the vigorous economic progress the government of Ethiopia has been able to spin over the years, however, the country has managed to catch up with Kenya and close the gap.

BOOMING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

An important contributing factor behind Ethiopia's quick ascension both the IMF and the African Development Bank (AfDB) suggest is the robust foreign direct investment (FDI), complementary to the government's huge investment.

According to the Ethiopian Investment Commission, China leads the foreign investment pack followed by Turkey and others.

David Shinn, former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, who actively follows events about the relationship of China and Ethiopia, wrote on his blog that in 2014 China's investment in Ethiopia reached a cumulative one billion U.S. dollars.

The diplomat went on to point out that the trade and investment relations the two countries have established over the course of the years registered a booming growth.

For instance, Shinn said "in 2000, China-Ethiopia trade was only 88 million U.S. dollars. Since 2006, China has been Ethiopia's largest trading partner. Trade exceeded 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2013, although the trade balance heavily favours China. One of China's six special economic zones in Africa has been established in Ethiopia."

The diplomat also noted that Chinese companies are building most of the roads in Ethiopia. For example, the first phase of the Ethio-Djibouti railway project, the telecommunications infrastructure, and the light rail system in Addis Ababa. By 2014, the cumulative value of Chinese contracted projects exceeded 22 billion U.S. dollars, Shinn said.

DAUNTING CHALLENGES

Though steady FDI inflows have enabled Ethiopian economy to develop in a progressive manner, there are doubts over whether the country can sustain growth for long, what with the country's political, social and climate challenges.

The buildup of the political discontent has led to clashes and deaths. Despite a six-month state of emergency announced last October, worries over whether the government can properly address anger over land and other rights still linger.

The incidents have affected foreign businesses as many companies were looted and set alight. The country's FDI is expected to suffer a blow if the situation drags on.

In addition to the political frictions, the ongoing droughts and harsh climate conditions have significantly burdened the economy, forcing the government to shift considerable resources from economic activities to emergency aids.

Back in 2015 to 2016, some 10 million people in Ethiopia, 10 percent of the population, was in need of emergency food aid. The country was forced to import 1.6 million tonnes of wheat and lifesaving supplements.

This year again, some five million people have fallen short of food and require 950 million U.S. dollars emergency food aid.

The government of Ethiopia has been looking for donors and calling the international community for assistance, which, in many instances of the drought season, ended up short of expectations.

Also, the country has to do more in reducing the prevalence of poverty in absolute terms.

According to the World Bank, some 22 million people in Ethiopia are believed to be currently living under absolute poverty level.

GROWTH POTENTIAL

Despite these challenges, the Ethiopian economy remains buoyant and growth projections of the World Bank and the IMF indicate more positive outcomes for the years to come.

Both institutions agree that Ethiopia will maintain fast economic growth, with a projected annual rate at seven to nine percent.

Though Ethiopia may grow faster, it is not the richer of the two, as its per capita GDP remains way below that of Kenya.

The current GDP per capita stands at 686 U.S. dollars, with a possibility of reaching 759 dollars this year, whereas Kenya's GDP per capita hangs around 1,434 dollars and is expected to increase to 1,500 dollars by the end of 2017.

One of the reasons is the growing demographic pressure Ethiopia has to live with.

Ethiopia, the second most populous nation on the African continent, has an estimated population of 100 million, doubling that of Kenya.

Ethiopia's big population, however, is considered a blessing in disguise. Many investors see huge consumer base and market potential, which can shore up Ethiopia's future growth.
YANGON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has honored slain legal advisor of the ruling party U Ko Ni and taxi driver U Nay Win, encouraging citizens to be brave by keeping in mind that they have martyr-like heroes and good citizens among the governing party.

At a memorial service in Yangon Sunday for U Ko Ni, the slain legal advisor of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and high court lawyer, and U Nay Win, the taxi driver who gave his life while trying to apprehend the assassin, Aung San Suu Kyi said the respected attorney's intellect and high ideals would be missed and the taxi driver's bravery would not be forgotten.

Suu Kyi said the two men represented the highest ideals of Myanmar society, describing U Ko Ni as belonging to the supportive group for legal affairs in the NLD to help for rule of law with firm belief and energy.

"Only if our country abounds with such persons like him will the practice of what we want to do within the framework of law be strengthened in our country," she added.

She also described U Nay Win as a hero who upheld the ideals of a decent society, saying that he acted bravely with the belief that heroism and selfless acts should not be neglected in a society where rule of law must be exercised.

U Ko Ni was gunned down at the Yangon international Airport on Jan. 29 upon his arrival back from a senior leadership program in Indonesia's Jakarta.

He was shot in the head by a pistol at a close distance at the airport's taxi stand near arrival terminal-1.

The gunman also killed a taxi driver a few days later when the driver had tried to apprehend him before he was arrested by the police and bystanders.

The police force had arrested and charged the gunman, U Kyi Lin, 52, for the killing. U Kyi Lin was identified as an ex-prisoner who was sentenced to 27 years' jail term for stealing Buddha statue, but was released in 2014 under amnesty order after serving for 11 years' term.

The police force had also arrested a second suspect and identified another two suspects as being involved in the assassination, behind which Minister of Home Affairs Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe said were personal antagonism and extreme nationalism.
ARUSHA, Tanzania, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in north-western Tanzania have arrested 11 persons for allegedly smuggling timber and charcoal in Lake Victoria, police said Monday.

The suspects were arrested in Tanzania's north-western district of Sengerema for smuggling more than 3,000 pieces of timber and consignment of charcoal using three boats.

The consignment of timber and charcoal came from as far as the western region of Kigoma through Geita Region located on the western shores of Lake Victoria, the Africa's largest freshwater lake.

Ahmed Msangi, Mwanza Regional Police Commander said that the untaxed consignment was later transported through boats to one of the islands in Lake Victoria waters, which is some kilometers to Mwanza city.

Msangi said that the consignment was transported through three boats-MV Safari 4, MV Safari 5, all owned by Sophia Zacharia of Chato District and MV Kilimanjaro of George Kimaro of Mwanza city.

"Those people were arrested on February 26, this year at around 4 pm local time in a small island of Kome mchangani located in Lake Victoria off Mwanza city," he said, noting the consignment was seized following a close collaboration between police, forestry officers and ordinary people.

"Police were tipped off by good Samaritans on the consignment and when made a closer follow-up, they managed to arrest all the suspects as well as seizing the entire cargo parked in a boat."

The regional police chief said that police were investigating the matter before taking the suspects to court.
GUANGZHOU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Song Lin, former chairman of state-owned China Resources Group, stood trial on charges of embezzlement and bribery on Monday in South China's Guangzhou City.

The trial was handled by Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate People's Court. The procuratorate accused Song of embezzling over 9.74 million yuan (1.42 million U.S. dollars) from 2014 to 2013.

The accused is also alleged to have accepted 23.36 million yuan from 2005 to 2012 in return for helping other companies or individuals to secure project cooperation, promotion and other issues.

Song pled guilty to all charges.

Over 80 lawmakers, journalists and citizens attended the open trial.
HONG KONG, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Immigration Department (ImmD) of the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday announced that the visa requirements for nationals of Cambodia will be relaxed.

The ImmD said, with effect from March 1, 2017, nationals of Cambodia may apply to enter Hong Kong for employment (under the General Employment Policy, the Supplementary Labor Scheme or as foreign domestic helpers), investment (to establish or join in business), training and study.

They may also apply for entry under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates and the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, The ImmD added.

"Under the existing policy, visa requirements are subject to review from time to time and changes will be introduced if circumstances so warrant. We believe that the relaxation of visa requirements for Cambodian nationals will help foster cooperation and exchanges between Hong Kong and Cambodia," an ImmD spokesman said.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and they co-chair four high-level cooperative meetings between China and Singapore, including the 13th China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation Meeting, the 18th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council Meeting, the 9th China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council Meeting, and the First China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council Meeting, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2017.(Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Singapore on Monday agreed to further synergize development strategies and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to advance their ties.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Beijing.

China attaches great importance to developing relations with Singapore and is willing to make joint efforts with the country to sincerely implement the consensus reached by leaders of both sides, said Zhang.

China and Singapore established "a partnership of all-round cooperation keeping with the times" during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Singapore in November 2015, he said.

President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong respectively in 2016, reaching broad consensus on the next steps in the development of bilateral ties, he added.

Zhang called on the two sides to deepen political mutual trust, cement public support and strengthen cooperation to push for greater development of bilateral ties.

Teo applauded the smooth development of three major cooperative projects, namely the Suzhou Industrial Park, the Tianjin Eco-City and the Chongqing Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity.

Singapore is ready to take part in the Belt and Road Initiative and enhance cooperation with China in such areas as infrastructure connectivity, finance and conducting joint training programs, he said.

Zhang and Teo also co-chaired four high-level cooperative meetings between China and Singapore, including the 13th China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation Meeting, the 18th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council Meeting, the 9th China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council Meeting, and the First China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council Meeting.

During the four meetings, the two sides agreed on a number of important matters in economic transition, financial cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and inclusive and sustainable development.

After the meetings, Zhang and Teo attended a signing ceremony for a series of cooperative documents on science and technology, intellectual property, information and telecommunications, and culture.

Teo's visit to China runs from Feb. 26 to March 1.
Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attends the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)



BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Fifth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will start on March 3.

The decision was approved at the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee on Monday. CPPCC National Committee Chairman Yu Zhengsheng attended the meeting.

According to a statement released after the meeting, the proposed agenda of the annual session includes hearing and deliberation on a report about the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and a report on how the Standing Committee has handled proposals set forth by CPPCC National Committee members since the previous session.

Attendees of the CPPCC National Committee annual session will also be present at the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress as non-voting participants, hearing and discussing a report on the work of the government and discussing a draft of the general provisions of civil law.

The CPPCC is a consultation body. It consists of figures representative of Chinese society who advise the government, and legislative and judicial organs.

Related:

China Focus: What to expect from China's annual "two sessions"

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The annual sessions of China's top legislative and advisory bodies, scheduled to be convened in early March, are expected to discuss and approve a national development framework with some new elements.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The environmental authority has uncovered 140 problems during an air pollution inspection of 18 cities in north China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and nearby areas.

Inspectors were despatched on an unannounced check of 363 government agencies and businesses, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said Monday in an online statement.

Many local authorities need to elaborate on and improve their pollution response plans, the MEP said.

In Huairou District, Beijing, enterprises were found to be operating despite being ordered to halt or reduce production when air quality worsens. Only two companies in Suning County, Cangzhou City, north China's Hebei Province, are subject to the restrictive measure.

The cities of Tianjin, Hengshui, Taiyuan and Dezhou were also criticized for "inadequate efforts."

The MEP also named and shamed enterprises that violated official policies.

Fengshi Metallurgy Material Co., in Dengfeng City, central China's Henan Province, falsified emission data to meet requirements. Zhuyou New Wall Material Co. in Suning blocked the door of its boiler room, hoping to fool inspectors.

China has started to intensify the fight against air pollution as cities suffered from more smoggy days in January, with northern areas the worst affected.

The share of days with good air quality in BTH was a mere 36.2 percent last month, a year-on-year drop of 19.6 percentage points.
GENEVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) Monday said it is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation facing families in western Mosul, where more than 750,000 people are living in dire conditions.

A recent WFP survey has found that food in western Mosul has become scarce as supply lines have been cut, and that prices of all food items have gone up significantly. As most families have been without income for the past two-and-a-half years, many people are struggling to feed their families.

WFP said due to increased fighting, people are afraid to leave their homes, making it even more difficult to search for essential food items.

"WFP is monitoring the frontlines and remains ready to provide immediate food assistance as soon as families can be reached safely," said WFP Iraq Representative and Country Director Sally Haydock.

He appealed to all parties of the conflict to facilitate immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to all Iraqis in need of assistance.
MANILA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The peace adviser of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday confirmed that Islamic militants have executed the 70-year-old German man who they have been holding captive since November last year.

"We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim, German Juergen Gustav Kantner in Sulu," Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said in a statement to the media.

"Up to the last moment, many sectors, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life. We all tried our best. But to no avail," Dureza said.

Dureza lamented that "another precious life had been needlessly lost."

"There must be a stop to this killing of the innocent and the helpless," he added.

"Terrorism has no place in a country like ours as we as a people must confront violent extremism every time it rears its ugly head," he said.

The Abu Sayyaf group abducted Kantner in November last year after hijacking their yacht while he was sailing with his wife Sabine Merz off Sabah in Malaysia. Merz was raped and killed by the abductors and her body was found on the yacht. Kantner was taken to Sulu province where he was kept for more than two months and eventually executed.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits have demanded a 30 million pesos (598,000 U.S. dollars) ransom for Kantner's release. The kidnappers set 3 p.m. local time Sunday as deadline for the payments of the ransom.

Meantime, Philippine troops shelled on Monday the lair of Abu Sayyaf militants on another southern Philippine island of Basilan. Using fighter planes and artillery, the military claimed that an "undetermined number" of militants were killed in the all-out assault. But not a single body was found in the aftermath of the raid.

President Duterte has said that the Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf group has links with the IS militants in the Middle East.

Duterte has ordered the military to launch an all-out offensive against the estimated 500 Abu Sayyaf bandits operating mostly in the hinterlands of southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan.
GAZA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian sources said Monday Israeli fighter jets struck Gaza Strip, hours after rockets were launched from the Strip toward southern Israel.

Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson Mohammad Al-Maydanah told Xinhua that the Israeli airstrikes targeted training facilities that belong to Islamic Hamas Movement's military wing, Al-Qassam brigades, with three rockets.

Medical sources said that two were slightly injured after the third strike.

Security officials in the Hamas-run government said that Israeli jets launched three separate and successive airstrikes on northern, central and southern Gaza Strip, leaving behind "massive damage."

The Israeli army said that a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel before dawn on Monday but caused no injuries.

"A projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council in southern Israel," a military statement said.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al Hussein delivers a speech at the opening of the 34th Human Rights Council (HRC) session in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

GENEVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nation's (UN) human rights chief warned Monday that the world had "much to lose" if states failed to uphold, protect and support basic human rights set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"Without a commitment to fundamental human rights, to the dignity and worth of the human person and to the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, our world will become chaos, misery and warfare," Zeid al Hussein said at the opening of the 34th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) here.

"Of all the great post-war achievements, it is this assertion of the universality of rights in human rights law that may be the most noteworthy," he added.

With the world facing growing geopolitical uncertainties, the high commissioner urged states to stand firm in their commitment to the multilateral system and not repeat past mistakes which saw the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations, fall into disrepute.

"To those political actors who, as in the days of the League, threaten the multilateral system or intend to withdraw from parts of it, the sirens of historical experience ought to ring clear," Zeid told council members.

"We will not sit idly by. For we have much to lose, so much to protect. And our rights, the rights of others, the very future of our planet cannot, must not, be thrown aside by these reckless political profiteers," he added.

While lauding the progress made since the end of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, Zeid said that more needed to be done to meet the human rights expectations of all people across the world.

"The people know. They know the dignity and worth of every human being," he highlighted, adding, "I ask you to uphold the rights of all, and to stand with us."

Created in 2006, the HRC is an inter-governmental body working to promote and protect human rights around the globe through discussions and recommendations.

Starting on Monday, the 34th session will come to a close on March 24.
MOSUL, Iraq, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi forces on Monday captured a strategic bridge across the Tigris River, after seizing another neighborhood from Islamic State (IS) militants in western Mosul, the military said.

Federal police and interior ministry special forces, known as Rapid Response, recaptured the neighborhood of Jawsaq and secured the foot of its strategic bridge across Tigris, locally known as 4th Bridge, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, from the Joint Operations Command (JOC), said in a statement.

The bridge is crucial for Iraqi forces to bring in reinforcements and supplies directly from eastern Mosul.

All of Mosul's five bridges, spanning the Tigris River to the city's eastern bank, were destroyed by airstrikes last year.

After securing the foot of the 4th Bridge, federal police and rapid response forces advanced to the adjacent neighborhood of Dindan and took new positions there amid heavy fighting with IS militants, Lt. Gen. Raid Shakir Jawdat, commander of the federal police forces, said in a separate statement.

Earlier in the day, Yarallah said in a press release that federal police and interior ministry rapid response forces recaptured al-Tayaran neighborhood.

The troops are clearing the neighborhood from IS militants, who suffered heavy casualties after days of fierce fighting, Yarallah said without giving further details.

On Sunday, Yarallah said that Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces completely liberated al-Mamoun neighborhood in southern Mosul, which is locally known as the left bank of Tigris River.

CTS special forces also entered the adjacent neighborhood of Wadi Hajar and are fighting fierce clashes with the IS militants inside the neighborhood, according to the security source.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive 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 eastern Mosul, or the left bank of Tigris, after more than 100 days of fighting against IS militants.

However, the western part of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
ANKARA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- An explosion blamed on terrorists caused the derailment of several cars of a train carrying crude oil in southern Turkey on Monday, local media reported.

No injures were reported in the blast in Diyarbakir province, which was caused by an improvised explosive device, Dogan news agency said.

Police found a pit about 50 meters from the site of the attack, apparently for storage of explosives, local media reported.
Policemen stand guard around the worker's hostel in Jeppestown neighbourhood of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Feb. 27, 2017. Xenophobic attacks have reared ugly heads in South Africa, leaving a trail of destruction of foreigners' shops and business. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

by Stanley Karombo

JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Xenophobic attacks have reared ugly heads in South Africa, leaving a trail of destruction of foreigners' shops and business.

As of last week, 20 shops and businesses belonging to non-South Africans were burnt to ashes after the outbreak of the violence. These sporadic violent attacks have led to foreigners living in fear. Meanwhile, foreigners are putting the blame on mayor of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba's doorstep.

"Whether you are South African or someone from outside, please respect our laws when you are in our city. Our law enforcement agencies deal with cases on a daily basis of students being robbed and when they find (the people), they find them with no papers whatsoever," Mashaba allegedly said.

That speech was a spark ignition to the flares that started attacks on foreigners. Sharon Ekambaram, head of refugee and migrant rights at Lawyers for Human Rights, which forms part of the coalition accused Mashaba of being unreasonable and irresponsible.

"It is really irresponsible of politicians to incite this kind of violence and we lay the responsibility for violence at his door," she told Xinhua.

"Even up to now there is a lot of fear among African immigrants, given that on the streets there are continuous messages flowing, indicating that xenophobia is still something alive," she added.

Meanwhile, police have arrested more than 130 people after using stun grenades, rubber bullets, tear gas and the water cannon to disperse some violent South Africans.

Crispen Chinguno, a sociology lecturer at the University of Witswaterand said," The underlying socioeconomic problems in the country, trigger for increased competition for employment, basic social services, and business opportunities within and between various communities."

He noted that South Africa is failing to secure a proper job. "It is not surprising that scores of youths were able to conduct violent campaigns in informal settlements. Unemployment was, therefore, a direct contributing cause to the violence."

Among some of the issues that cause South African to be violent was the government's failure to meet service delivery provision, which is a far cry to meet expectations of a better life for all.

"A policy failure is again at the heart of the problem as the state took it upon itself to provide services and jobs and thereby tied households to its ability to deliver," Chinguno added.

Stanford Mahati, a lecturer in African Centre for Migration and society at Witwatersrand, said the South African government has to fix its education system.

"The education system is an example of policy failures. In this case, poor education compounded the inappropriate labor market policy which in turn compounded the unemployment problem."

South Africa is currently facing a slow economic growth. International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth to remain flat at 0.1 percent this year, noting that the economy will only experience a modest recovery in 2017.

This is not the first time that xenophobic attacks happened in South Africa. Foreigners are still reminded of the flares of violence that happened in 2015. The violence attacks on non-South African was caused by Chief Goodwill Zwelithini, who reportedly said: "We urge all foreigners to pack their bags and leave."

The violence spread its wings to other parts of the province and to Johannesburg. Businesses were looted, homes wrecked, and thousands of foreigners forced to flee and seek refuge in makeshift camps. Most of those affected were from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
LHASA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Although Tibetans have been on their week-long New Year holiday, Tse Dekyi, a sanitation worker in Lhasa, got up early and started cleaning the street at 5 a.m. Sunday.

Sunday marked Tibetan New Year's Eve, as Losar, the Tibetan new year, fell on Monday this year. Losar is marked by religious rituals, long prayers, horse racing, family gatherings and feasts.

Tse Dekyi's husband, 66-year-old Chosphel Nyima, also got up early on Sunday morning. As head of the household, he had to climb on a high stool and take down the old color cloth above the door frame, replacing it with a new one.

The cloth, sewn with silk of five colors, is a symbol of happiness and good fortune used to decorate Tibetan windows and doors.

The old couple's home is a run-down rented house in downtown Lhasa, just 30 square meters in size, where they brought up their eight daughters and five sons. Now, they have more family members -- six sons-in-law and seven grandsons and granddaughters.

On New Year's Eve, all family members returned for a gathering.

During lunch, Tse Dekyi rushed home to prepare a tribute for the new year.

On the altar in the living room there are placed, a pastry in the shape of a sheep head, a pot of highland barley, dates, air-dried beef, candies, nuts, butter, and brown sugar, presented to pray for prosperity and good weather for crops.

In Tibetan "sheep head" is pronounced similarly to "the year's beginning" thus making it an auspicious symbol.

Chosphel Nyima said in ancient times they used live animals for sacrifice. After Buddhism spread throughout Tibet, they have started to use pastry instead.

"All families plant their own highland barley, which is believed to indicate the harvest in the following year," Chosphel Nyima said. "When I was a child, we were poor and had to prepare the tribute months ahead of the new year. Now, we can buy everything at one time in the market."

After lunch Tse Dekyi left for work, leaving her husband at home alone to prepare the "Qiema."

The Qiema is a two-tier rectangular wooden box containing roasted barley and fried wheat grain. A traditional dish for festive occasions, it is decorated with ears of wheat and a butter sculpture to symbolize harvest in the next year.

"We always do the decoration after the kids go to bed, so that they do not act up," Tse Dekyi said.

Each guest to her home during the new year holiday is invited to see the Qiema. The visitor takes some of the food and throws it into the air, saying "Tashi Delek," meaning "good luck." The host then toasts the guests to wish them a happy new year.

After the feast on the evening of the Tibetan New Year's Eve, the family gather in front of the television to watch the Tibetan New Year gala.

Chosphel Nyima enjoyed the Losar gathering and said his new year's wish was to live a better life.
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's national petroleum and natural gas company, will invest 7 billion U.S. dollars in a joint venture refinery with Malaysia's Petronas, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Monday.

Najib made the announcement after a meeting with the Saudi ruler, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is on a four-day visit to Malaysia.

This investment has a huge significance for Malaysia, Najib told reporters. More details will be revealed on Tuesday, when Najib and King Salman will witness a signing ceremony between the two companies.

According to an introduction posted on Petronas' website, the project, called Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development or RAPID, is located in Pengerang in the southern state of Johor. Once completed in 2019, the refinery will have a capacity of 300,000 barrel-per-day and the Steam Cracker will have a combined annual production capacity of more than 3 million tonnes of Ethylene, Propylene and C4 - C6 olefins products.

The announcement marked a turn-around for the project, as the Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Saudi Aramco had pull out of the negotiations after a feasibility study concludes that it will not generate sufficient

When asked about whether the initial public offering of Saudi Aramco in 2018 will involve Malaysia, Najib said "we will come to that later. We focus on Pengerang," which "took three weeks of very intensive negotiations day and night."

Saudi Arabia is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East, according to government figures. Trade between the two countries saw a 19.8 percent surge in 2016, totalling 13.12 billion ringgit (2.95 billion U.S. dollars).
GENEVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that growing human rights violations across the world are akin to a spreading disease which needs to be cured through multilateral forums including the Human Rights Council (HRC), whose latest session kicked off Monday.

"Disregard for human rights is a disease, and it is a disease that is spreading -- north, south, east and west," Guterres told members in his opening address to the 34th session of the HRC.

"The Human Rights Council must be part of the cure. You can be pivotal for prevention -- sounding early warnings of crises," he added.

In light of an increasingly "dangerous and chaotic world," the secretary-general reminded that normative differences among member states must not shadow the shared understanding that human rights should be upheld for all people and in the interest of all member states.

He also highlighted the importance of conducting interactive discussions and recommendations within the Council in a way which avoids "double standards."

"The integrity and credibility of this Council will only be enhanced by proceeding in a manner that avoids unbalanced treatment of Member States," he said.

Guterres, who took office at the beginning of the year, reminded that the most effective tool to counter human rights violations is prevention, which includes capacity-building states, institutions and civil society.

"I look to the Human Rights Council to be fully engaged and help affect the change on the range of issues that require your attention in our troubled and turbulent world," he added.

While deploring systematic rights violations in many of the world's ongoing conflicts, Guterres also condemned growing populism and extremism, the lack of an adequate response to the global refugee crisis, and the fact that gains made on women's and children's rights are being challenged.

"The struggle for human rights is at the heart a struggle to expand the horizons of the possible, to bring out the best of our selves and to unleash the best of our societies," the secretary general noted.

"We will build a safer and more stable world for our children as we recognize the interconnections between peace, development and human rights," he concluded.

Created in 2006, the HRC is an inter-governmental body working to promote and protect human rights around the globe through discussions and recommendations.

Starting Monday, the 34th session will come to a close on March 24.
People attend a rally to protest against the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Lee Sang-ho)

Hi, here's what you need to know about China!

BEIJING -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit the United States from Monday to Tuesday at the invitation of the U.S. government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on Sunday.

Yang will exchange views with senior U.S. officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, Lu said. xhne.ws/V3FBk

----

BEIJING -- Seven Chinese peacekeeping police officers departed Beijing for South Sudan on a one-year mission early Sunday, according the Ministry of Public Security.

The sixth team of Chinese peacekeeping police to South Sudan were selected by police authority in east China's Zhejiang province.

They have all attended peacekeeping training including the situation in mission zone, international law, first aid, driving, English and shooting, and have passed UN examinations, the ministry said. xhne.ws/AZR4i

----

SHENYANG -- Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai has urged more efforts to make the country's manufacturing industry smarter and more competitive.

China has made headway in smart manufacturing development since "Made in China 2025" was unveiled, but the country still had a long way to go to reach international advanced levels, Ma said during an inspection tour in northeast China's Liaoning Province from Thursday to Friday. xhne.ws/zRZKI

----

SEOUL -- Lotte Group, South Korea's biggest operator of department stores and duty free shops, decided Monday to offer land for the U.S. missile shield deployment, endangering its operation both in China and South Korea.

The decision could turn into a nightmare for Lotte, which depends heavily on Chinese tourists to South Korea for revenue from duty free stores. The South Korea's fifth-biggest conglomerate is struggling with businesses in China after entering the world's biggest consumer market in 1994. xhne.ws/3mHRN
KHARTOUM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday pledged to provide attractive atmosphere for investment in Sudan.

"We reiterate that Sudan government has set up necessary plans to achieve objectives of the Arab food security initiative via a number of constitutional amendments together with removing all investment barriers, providing tax and custom exemptions, freedom of cash transfers and establishing special courts to resolve disputes," said al-Bashir when addressing the opening session of the Third Arab Conference for Agricultural Investment in Khartoum Monday.

"The purpose behind all these is to prepare the appropriate investment climate and make Sudan a center of attraction for the investors, particularly the Arabs," he noted.

The two day conference is organized by the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) under the theme "Our Food Our Responsibility."

AAAID President Mohammed Bin Obaid Al-Mazrooei said that "the importance of the conference emanates from the fact that it provides an opportunity for deliberations on the issue of the Arab food security to narrow the Arab food gap."

In the meantime, Chief Agronomist in China's Ministry of Agriculture Sun Zhonghua, addressing the conference, said that "China's Ministry of Agriculture has remained committed to enhancing the agricultural cooperation with Arab countries, particularly Sudan."

Senior officials from Arab countries, businessmen and investors from all parts of the world are participating in the conference besides a number of world and Arab organizations, representatives of farmers unions, economists, researchers and others concerned with the agricultural sector.
DAMASCUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters are advancing toward capturing the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria, becoming close to the entrance of that millennia-old oasis city, a military source told Xinhua on Monday.

ONGOING MILITARY CAMPAIGN TO RECAPTURE PALMYRA

The Syrian government forces have over the past 24 hours captured a high plateau and the Tamthil city west of the city, becoming close to the al-Tar mountain, which overlooks the entrance of the city, the source said, on condition of anonymity.

The Syrian forces also captured hilltops overlooking the Palmyra triangle, southwest of the city, killing many IS militants, according to the source.

They also wrested control over the highest peak of the al-Hayel mountain, near Palmyra city.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said intense battles are still ongoing near Palmyra, since the Syrian army unleashed a counter offensive to retake the city on Jan. 14 this year, just days after the IS militants took the city for the second time.

The Observatory said battles are taking place on three fronts near Palmyra simultaneously. It added that the Syrian forces advanced from the northwestern part of the city, becoming six kilometers from its northwestern entrance.

From the western part, the Syrian army are nine kilometers away from the city, and 12 kilometers from its southwestern rim.

The intense battles are coupled with intense rocket and artillery fire from the government side on the IS positions, said the Observatory, adding that airstrikes are also targeting the terror-designated group in that area.

Tens of fighters from both sides have been killed during the military campaign in Palmyra, said the Observatory.

Regarding the countryside of Palmyra, in the eastern countryside of Homs, the Syrian forces have also been fighting to retake oil and gas fields the IS militants took when they captured Palmyra in December of last year.

Last week, the Syrian army captured the Hayan gas plant, the largest gas production facility in Syria.

Now, the Jazel oil field as well as the Muher and Hajjar gas fields have become exposed to the fire of the Syrian army in that area, said the Observatory, adding that it has information that the IS militants have actually withdrawn from the aforementioned power plants.

Last December, the group stormed the city for the second time after losing it nine months earlier to the Syrian army.

DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC MONUMENTS

During their first invasion of the city in 2015, the IS militants blew up several 2,000 year old monuments and relics in Palmyra.

They destroyed the Temple of Bel, which was dedicated to the Mesopotamian god Bel, who was worshipped at Palmyra in triad with the lunar god Aglibol and the sun god Yarhibol, which formed the center of religious life in Palmyra and was inaugurated in 32 AD. Now, there is nothing left of the temple except its gate.

Aside from Bal, another temple in Palmyra, Baalshamin, was totally destroyed during the first invasion.

Baalshamin, whose earliest phase dates to the late 2nd century, was one of the most complete ancient structures in Palmyra. In 1980, the UNESCO designated the temple as a World Heritage Site. The IS destroyed Baalshamin on Aug. 23, 2015.

On May 23, 2015, the militants IS militants partially destroyed the Lion of al-Lat and other statues.

It became known on Sept. 4, 2015 that IS had destroyed three of the best preserved tower tombs including the Tower of Elahbel.

On Oct. 5, 2015, news media reported IS destroyed the Arch of Triumph.

In their second invasion, The IS group has destroyed the facade of the ancient Roman theatre as well as the Tetrapylon in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra in central Syria, state TV reported last month.

The interface of the second-century CE theatre was completely demolished after being booby-trapped with explosions, as well as the famous Tetrapylon, a type of ancient Roman monument of a cubic shape, in that city, according to the report.

LOCAL, INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION

Syrian Culture Minister Muhammad Ahmad said last month that the bombing of the historic heritage in 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 this world heritage.

"Any inaction in this difficult time threatens Palmyra and will be a clear runaway from the humanitarian and ethical duty in protecting and preserving the World Heritage," he said.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova also condemned the bombing, saying "this destruction is a new war crime and an immense loss for the Syrian people and for humanity."

"This new blow against cultural heritage...shows that cultural cleansing led by violent extremists is seeking to destroy both human lives and historical monuments in order to deprive the Syrian people of its past and its future. This is why the protection of heritage is inseparable from the protection of human lives, and we must all unite to put this at the center of all efforts to build peace," she added.
DAMASCUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed by airstrikes that targeted rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib overnight, a monitor group reported on Monday.

A man with his wife, and their two children, as well as four people of one family were among those killed when airstrikes targeted the the city of Ariha in the southern countryside of Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, stopping short of identifying who was behind the air raids.

The UK-based watchdog group said the death toll will likely rise due to the large number of fatally wounded people.

Much of Idlib is under the rebel control, the most important of which is the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

The city and its countryside have been subject to airstrikes by the U.S-led anti-terror coalition, Russian, and Syrian airstrikes, which were said to target commanders and rebel fighters.
by Xinhua writer Fei Liena

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's Lotte Group approved the land swap with the government here on Monday to enable the deployment of the controversial U.S. missile defence system known as THAAD, virtually opening a Pandora's box in Northeast Asia.

The swap, which gives the South Korean defense ministry the Lotte Skyhill Country Club in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, for the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, paves way for a speedy installation of the system by late June at the earliest.

THAAD's planned deployment is in the name of protecting South Korea's security from the neighboring Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Yet ironically, THAAD might not be able to intercept DPRK missiles targeting South Korea's territory, as THAAD is designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40 to 150 km, but the DPRK's rockets fly at a lower altitude of about 20 km.

What's worse, South Korea's drinking poison to quench a thirst might further irritate the DPRK and make it speed up nuke development by building more nuclear bombs and testing more missiles. THAAD's arrival would only escalate the military confrontation between the two sides and bring more danger to regional security.

South Korea's THAAD deployment decision has also met strong opposition from China and Russia as THAAD's powerful X-band radar can detect as far as 2,000 km, well into Chinese and Russian territories, allowing the U.S. to monitor flights and missile launches of the two countries conveniently.

China has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the THAAD deployment as it damages China's security interests and breaks a strategic balance in the region, while Russia has indicated a military response by deploying a missile unit in the Far Eastern region. Beijing and Moscow have agreed to take "further countermeasures" once the system is installed.

South Korea has also set a bad example for Japan on the THAAD issue, which also claims that its national security is threatened by the DPRK's missile and nuclear developments. If Japan also chooses to become a U.S. "military colony" and deploy THAAD, the situation in Northeast Asia would become even more complicated.

It's obvious that the THAAD deployment is a key step for the United States to build an Asian version NATO, and an important move for the U.S. to build an anti-missile system in the western pacific region.

In general, the THAAD deployment would cause more problems than it solves -- Not only has it little use of shielding Seoul from a possible Pyongyang missile attack, but it will also definitely increase tension in Northeast Asia, leaving very little interest to South Korea itself -- which is quite contrary to the Blue House's initial intention.

The THAAD deployment, which is obviously a bad deal for South Korea and the region though superficially a good one for the U.S., virtually means the opening of a Pandora's box in Noretheast Asia and beyond that the very perpetrators can hardly bring under control.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (3rd R) speaks during the inauguration ceremony of Upper Atbara and Setait Dams in eastern Sudan, Feb. 2, 2017. Sudan on Thursday launched an electricity project of Upper Atbara and Setait Dams as one of the biggest projects to increase the country's power generation. The total capacity of the two dams' electricity project is expected to reach 320 megawatts. (Xinhua Photo)

KHARTOUM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday pledged to provide attractive atmosphere for investment in Sudan.

"We reiterate that Sudan government has set up necessary plans to achieve objectives of the Arab food security initiative via a number of constitutional amendments together with removing all investment barriers, providing tax and custom exemptions, freedom of cash transfers and establishing special courts to resolve disputes," said al-Bashir when addressing the opening session of the Third Arab Conference for Agricultural Investment in Khartoum Monday.

"The purpose behind all these is to prepare the appropriate investment climate and make Sudan a center of attraction for the investors, particularly the Arabs," he noted.

The two day conference is organized by the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) under the theme "Our Food Our Responsibility."

AAAID President Mohammed Bin Obaid Al-Mazrooei said that "the importance of the conference emanates from the fact that it provides an opportunity for deliberations on the issue of the Arab food security to narrow the Arab food gap."

In the meantime, Chief Agronomist in China's Ministry of Agriculture Sun Zhonghua, addressing the conference, said that "China's Ministry of Agriculture has remained committed to enhancing the agricultural cooperation with Arab countries, particularly Sudan."

Senior officials from Arab countries, businessmen and investors from all parts of the world are participating in the conference besides a number of world and Arab organizations, representatives of farmers unions, economists, researchers and others concerned with the agricultural sector.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign exchange regulator said Monday that it had recently uncovered a number of illegal forex trade cases, and vowed to step up market regulation this year.

Authorities discovered an underground bank conducting illegal forex transfers worth nearly 50 billion yuan (7.3 billion U.S. dollars), according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

In other cases, companies were found to be evading forex controls by using fake receipts or fabricating trade deals.

Many individuals were suspected of money laundering and transferring assets illegally, moving large amounts of money in small sums to avoid scrutiny, according to the SAFE.

It pledged to get tough on illegal forex trade to maintain the balance of international payments, while promising to make policies more transparent and advance the opening up of financial market.

Weighed on by a weak Chinese yuan against the U.S. dollar, regulators have moved to crack down on illegal cross-border capital flow in the past few months, while reiterating that normal business will not be affected and foreign investment is welcome.

Pan Gongsheng, head of the SAFE, said China's forex market was now relatively stable and that cross-border fund flow were trending towards equilibrium.

"SAFE will provide more convenience for cross-border trade and investment to serve the development of the real economy," he said.
by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Four people, including a three-year-old child, lost their lives in a car accident on the national highway connecting the Greek capital city to Thessaloniki on Sunday in a tragedy that shocked Greek society and revived the debate regarding the country's poor road safety record.

A speeding Porsche driven by the son of a famous Greek businessman, crashed into a car parked at an emergency station, some 80 km north of the Greek capital, killing a 33-year-old woman and her child.

The Porsche's driver, George Vakakis, as well as his co-passenger, were also killed, police said.

The driver of the parked car had stopped at the rest area to go to the bathroom. According to eyewitnesses, he ran outside when he heard the noise only to find the car, where his wife and son were waiting, in flames.

Speaking to local E television on Monday, Tasos Markouizos, better known as "Iaveris" to Greeks, a former rally driver three decades ago and road safety campaigner ever since, reminded about the gloomy data regarding accidents on Greek roads.

Iaveris said the country has the highest car accident rate in Europe. In recent years, an average of 1,600 people lose their lives in Greece and 20,000 are injured each year.

Experts attribute the high rates mainly to reckless driving and the bad conditions of roads. Iaveris urged Greeks on Monday once again to "wear a seatbelt, do not drink and drive, slow down, and keep in mind the people who are awaiting you at home."
Photo taken on Feb. 27, 2017 shows the press center for the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fifth session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), or the two sessions, in Beijing, capital of China. The press center opened for work today. The two sessions will open in Beijing respectively on March 5 and March 3. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The press center for the upcoming annual legislative and political consultative sessions opened Monday.

More than 3,000 reporters from home and abroad have registered to cover the sessions, including an increased number of foreign reporters, according to the press center.

The National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, will convene their annual sessions on March 5 and March 3, respectively.

Located in the Media Center Hotel in downtown Beijing, the press center will hold a number of press conferences with leading officials in various fields, and respond to public concerns.

As 2017 is a crucial year for the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), hot topics will include macro-economic development, supply-side structural reform, the RMB exchange rate and China's stock and real estate markets.
NAIROBI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A regional summit scheduled to be held in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha on Monday has been postponed to the end of March.

The East African Heads of States Summit that was to discuss among other issues the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) will now be held on April 6, said a statement from the East Africa Community (EAC) secretariat.

The statement indicates that the 18th EAC Summit will be preceded by other technical meetings starting on March 30.

The postponement of the summit, the statement indicates, was caused by two countries in the region that said they have other activities on the dates planned, and thus requested the meeting to start on March 30 climaxing with the summit on April 6.

Chris Kiptoo, Kenya's Principal Secretary in charge of Trade confirmed on Monday that that meeting was postponed to a later date.

He said the meeting was to be held on Monday in Arusha and one of the agenda for discussion is the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).

Kiptoo explained EAC countries are supposed to sign as a bloc so that they can enjoy quota and duty free market access.

All the EAC countries ought to have signed the EPAs as a bloc with the European Union (EU) by Feb 2. The deadline is over but only Kenya has signed and ratified and Rwanda has only signed.

Tanzania has refused to sign, claiming the agreement would have serious consequences for its revenues and the growth of its industries. Uganda has expressed a commitment to append its signature but insist Tanzania must first be on board.

Burundi, which has been sanctioned by the EU following political upheavals, says it will not sign the trade deal until the sanctions are withdrawn. Tanzania demands renegotiation of the some of the EPAs clauses.

Kenya is the only country categorized as developing nation within the bloc while the other four are classified as least developing countries.

Trade analysts warned that Kenya will lose the most and slapped with a wave of taxes on produce entering EU market as the other member states will continue getting duty and quota free access under EU's Everything but Arms initiative.

EU is Kenya's biggest export destination, taking up cut flowers, French beans, fruit, fish, textiles, coffee and tea.
WINDHOEK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- In Namibia's northern Omusati region, Esra Kuutumbeni toils on her pearl millet field as she hopes for improved yields of the staple crop, following a dry spell the preceding year.

"I wake up early to work on my field to ensure that weeds do not out grow my crops. I want to be food sufficient, sell surplus and be an independent woman," she said.

Kuutumbeni has been farming on this land for nearly 20 years, but has only owned full access to the land since late 2005.

When Kuutumbeni's husband died in 2004, she nearly lost her farming land to male relatives. "My elderly son was already married. Traditionally, when my husband passes on and son is married, an elderly uncle was supposed to take over his land and I shall go back to my mother's household," Kuutumbeni said.

She was thwarted. She was saved from her ordeal when she heard of the enactment of the Communal Land Reform Act by the Namibian government in 2002 that allows ownership for agricultural land by women.

"Although my male counterparts had instigated a fight against me owning their "ancestral land" as they claimed at the time, I learned on radio of this new Act that protects women. As luck would have it for me, the traditional authority was aware of the Act, defended my case and that's how I now have land to farm on," she shared on Monday.

Cases like that of Kuutumbeni are not unique to Namibia. Traditionally, women in Africa had been barred from owning land they tirelessly work on.

To deliberate on this social challenge, government officials from Sub-Saharan countries gathered at conference on land ownership rights under the theme of One world, no hunger, strengthening women's land ownership rights in sub-Saharan Africa, recently held in Namibian capital, Windhoek.

The land tenure and land ownership rights for women conference looked at how to enhance land rights for women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Priscilla Boois, Deputy Minister of Land Reform, ownership of land remains an elusive dream for the majority women in Sub-Sahara as customary laws and land tenure in most African countries makes it difficult for woman to own land despite their hard work on such lands.

"Traditionally, women were seen to live through their male relatives or spouses. Widows had no secured rights to remain on communal homes and land but to apply for re-allocation to the traditional authority at a fee," Boois said during the conference.

In the case of Namibia, this has improved since independence and more women own land.

Meanwhile, in Namibia, of the 70 percent country's population depending agricultural land for livelihood, women account for 59 percent of people engaged in skilled and subsistence agriculture according to national statistics.

This shows the central role played by women in agriculture and thus the importance of securing land rights for women through policies and good governance, argued Louise Shixwameni, Director in the Office of the Prime Minister.

She called on policy makers to ensure harmony of laws and legal provisions on land access and ownership rights, especially for women.

"What women need are basic rights to be entrenched in the constitution and for equal rights of property ownership to be clearly stipulated in the law. It's not about saying that men and women have equal access; they need to be entrenched in the law, distinctly. It is therefore necessary for countries in Sub-Sahara like Malawi and Mozambique to bring all inheritance and land laws in harmony with the constitution," Shixwameni said.

According to the Director, it is through harmonized policies that would ease the burden of women, and enable them women like Kuutumbeni to build sustainable lives. Evidently, unlike many women who lost and rights to male relatives before the enactment of the Act in 2002, Kuutumbeni could retain her land rights in accordance with the Act.

In the interim, while the conference delegates seek for amicable solutions, Kuutumbeni is glad that women have access to land.

"I wouldn't know how I could have been able to enhance my livelihood without land. Now that I am given a chance to my own land, I even earn an income from my surplus. That's the greatest empowerment that the Communal Land Reform Act gives to women," she said as she continues to toil on her land.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign exchange regulator has approved a bigger amount of foreign investment in the country's onshore financial market, official data showed on Monday.

As of Feb. 27, 278 Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) have received quotas amounting 89.21 billion U.S. dollars, up from 87.31 billion dollars registered at the end of January, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

In total, 181 overseas institutions have received quotas amounting to 541.13 billion yuan (80.75 billion U.S. dollars) under the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) program. It was 529.63 billion yuan a month earlier.

China's currency, the yuan, is convertible for trade purposes under the current account, while the capital account, which covers portfolio investment and borrowing, is largely run by the state in an effort to control capital flow.

To gradually liberalize the capital account, the government introduced the QFII and RQFII programs in 2003 and 2011, respectively, part of China's strategy to promote RMB's use overseas.

The QFII program represents China's effort to allow licensed foreign investors to invest in China's RMB denominated capital market.

The RQFII program allows institutional investors with offshore Renminbi deposits to invest in China's onshore market.

The RQFII program is currently open to 18 countries and regions, including Britain, Singapore, France, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Australia and Luxembourg as well as China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A special court in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Monday sentenced to life in jail 11 members of the banned home-grown terror outfit, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), for sedition and possession of arms and explosives.

"It appears from the activities of the convicts that they don't have faith in the lawfully and constitutionally established Government of India... Their acts are against national unity and integrity of the country. They are involved in illegal activities by fomenting religious hatred with an aim to create serious danger for the entire humanity," the court said.

Among the 11 convicts who were handed down life imprisonment by the special court were top SIMI leader Safdar Nagori, who was said to be the face of the terror outfit.

The case dates back to 2008 when all the 11 SIMI terrorists were arrested by the police for their involvement in serial blasts in the western state of Gujarat, in which at least 57 people lost their lives and scores sustained injuries.

The blasts were actually triggered by the Indian Mujahedeen (IM), another terror outfit, but according to the police, the terror attack was part of a larger conspiracy jointly hatched by IM and SIMI to avenge the killing of Muslims in the 2002 post-Godhra communal riots in Gujarat.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when the communal riots took place, in which over 1,000 people, mostly minority Muslims, were killed, and critics accuse him of doing little to stop the riots.
BRUSSELS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed further sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in response to the country's recent test-firing of a ballistic missile.

The Council of the EU announced in a statement that it had adopted legal acts imposing further restrictive measures against the DPRK, including transactions in coal, iron, and iron ore, and a ban on imports of copper, nickel, silver, zinc as well as statues from the Northeast Asian country.

The measures also include a ban on exports of new helicopters and vessels to the DPRK.

Pursuant to the legal acts, EU member states should take further measures to prevent specialized teaching or training of DPRK nationals in disciplines which would contribute to the DPRK's nuclear or ballistic-missile programs, according to the statement.

Moreover, EU member states are required to suspend scientific and technical cooperation involving people or groups officially sponsored by or representing the DPRK except for medical exchanges.

The DPRK said it had successfully test-fired Pukguksong-2, a surface-to-surface medium and long-range ballistic missile, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The Feb. 12 test launch caused an outcry among the international community. The EU slammed the "provocative and unacceptable" move as yet another violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.

Restrictive measures by the EU against the DPRK were introduced in December 2006, in the wake of the country's first nuclear test in October of that year.
Local women carry clay-pots filled with Omagongo (marula juice) in Windhoek, Namibia, Dec. 3, 2015. (Xinhua/Nampa)

WINDHOEK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- In Namibia's northern Omusati region, Esra Kuutumbeni toils on her pearl millet field as she hopes for improved yields of the staple crop, following a dry spell the preceding year.

"I wake up early to work on my field to ensure that weeds do not outgrow my crops. I want to be food sufficient, sell surplus and be an independent woman," she said.

Kuutumbeni has been farming on this land for nearly 20 years, but has only owned full access to the land since late 2005.

When Kuutumbeni's husband died in 2004, she nearly lost her farming land to male relatives. "My elderly son was already married. Traditionally, when my husband passes on and son is married, an elderly uncle was supposed to take over his land and I shall go back to my mother's household," Kuutumbeni said.

She was saved from her ordeal when she heard of the enactment of the Communal Land Reform Act by the Namibian government in 2002 that allows ownership for agricultural land by women.

"Although my male counterparts had instigated a fight against me owning their "ancestral land" as they claimed at the time, I learned on radio of this new Act that protects women. As luck would have it for me, the traditional authority was aware of the Act, defended my case and that's how I now have land to farm on," she shared on Monday.

Cases like that of Kuutumbeni are not unique to Namibia. Traditionally, women in Africa had been barred from owning land they tirelessly work on.

To deliberate on this social challenge, government officials from Sub-Saharan countries gathered at conference on land ownership rights under the theme of One world, no hunger, strengthening women's land ownership rights in sub-Saharan Africa, recently held in Namibian capital, Windhoek.

The land tenure and land ownership rights for women conference looked at how to enhance land rights for women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Priscilla Boois, Deputy Minister of Land Reform, ownership of land remains an elusive dream for the majority women in Sub-Sahara as customary laws and land tenure in most African countries makes it difficult for woman to own land despite their hard work on such lands.

"Traditionally, women were seen to live through their male relatives or spouses. Widows had no secured rights to remain on communal homes and land but to apply for re-allocation to the traditional authority at a fee," Boois said during the conference.

In the case of Namibia, this has improved since independence and more women own land.

Meanwhile, in Namibia, of the 70 percent country's population depending agricultural land for livelihood, women account for 59 percent of people engaged in skilled and subsistence agriculture according to national statistics.

This shows the central role played by women in agriculture and thus the importance of securing land rights for women through policies and good governance, argued Louise Shixwameni, Director in the Office of the Prime Minister.

She called on policy makers to ensure harmony of laws and legal provisions on land access and ownership rights, especially for women.

"What women need are basic rights to be entrenched in the constitution and for equal rights of property ownership to be clearly stipulated in the law. It's not about saying that men and women have equal access; they need to be entrenched in the law, distinctly. It is therefore necessary for countries in Sub-Sahara like Malawi and Mozambique to bring all inheritance and land laws in harmony with the constitution," Shixwameni said.

According to the Director, it is through harmonized policies that would ease the burden of women, and enable them women like Kuutumbeni to build sustainable lives. Evidently, unlike many women who lost and rights to male relatives before the enactment of the Act in 2002, Kuutumbeni could retain her land rights in accordance with the Act.

In the interim, while the conference delegates seek for amicable solutions, Kuutumbeni is glad that women have access to land.

"I wouldn't know how I could have been able to enhance my livelihood without land. Now that I am given a chance to my own land, I even earn an income from my surplus. That's the greatest empowerment that the Communal Land Reform Act gives to women," she said as she continues to toil on her land.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A regional special summit will be held in Nairobi in March to help find durable solutions for Somalia refugees, the bloc said on Monday.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which comprises Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and South Sudan said the summit to be held on March 25 will renew efforts to find durable and sustainable solutions for the crisis facing Somalia refugees.

" The Summit in Nairobi will seek to galvanize recent developments at national, regional and global levels -- supported by international solidarity and responsibility sharing -- to reinforce asylum and protection in the region for the thousands of Somali refugees who still require it, while also renewing efforts to find durable and sustainable solutions," it said in a statement.

During the 28th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Mogadishu on September 13, 2016, the regional leaders decided to convene the special summit.

More than two million Somalis have been displaced in one of the world's worst displacement crises that has now entered its third decade.

An estimated 1.1 million people are currently internally displaced (IDPs) within Somalia, while nearly 900,000 -- mostly third generation -- are refugees in the region, including in Kenya (324,000), Ethiopia (241,000), Yemen (255,000), Uganda (39,500), and Djibouti (13,000).
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump plans to increase U.S. defense spending by 54 billion dollars, White House revealed Monday.
by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A bird flu outbreak in Nigeria's central state of Plateau since last month has killed 42,000 poultry so far, leading to the catastrophic loss of revenues by poultry farmers and posing huge risks to consumers of poultry products in Africa's most populous country.

The Poultry Association of Nigeria which gave the figure on Monday said in the past week more birds were depopulated in local farms due to the outbreak.

"This development has brought huge losses to local farmers," said John Dasar, Plateau State head of the local poultry association.

In total, 12 farms have been so far affected by bird flu outbreak in the state.

The bird flu, also known as avian flu, is influenza that spreads among birds and can affect humans.

Dasar attributed the fast spread of bird flu in the central Nigerian state to the hesitation by farmers to report cases in their farms to the authorities.

At least 130 poultry farmers were affected by the disease in 2015 and 2016 but none of them had been compensated by the authorities, he said.

For this reason, rather than report the cases of bird flu in their farms to the authorities, the local farmers would prefer to sell their affected birds to desperate buyers to make quick money, Dasar noted.

"In the past, whenever we got wind of an outbreak, we alert government officials to take immediate action; that is the only option," he said.

The latest outbreak of bird flu "is making farmers go through a tough time," he told Xinhua, adding the disease had affected the supply of eggs and other poultry products in the markets.

Nigerian authorities said they are taking the right steps to curtail the spread of the disease to prevent great losses to the poultry industry and of human lives in the west African country.

On Jan. 25, the Nigerian parliament ordered an investigation into the recurring bird flu cases in some parts of the country.

At least 80,000 poultry were culled in 45 farms following an outbreak of avian influenza in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kano in January 2016.
Palestinians walk as smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on February 27, 2017. Israel's military spokesperson said the air force struck "targets" in the Gaza Strip after a rocket launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave hit southern Israel earlier on Monday. (Xinhua/Khaled Omar)

JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military spokesperson said the air force struck "targets" in the Gaza Strip after a rocket launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave hit southern Israel earlier on Monday.

The spokesperson said in a statement that Israeli aircraft carried out airstrikes in northern Gaza, targeting posts of Hamas, the militant organization that controls the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian media reported that the planes pounded an area in the refugee camp of Nuseirat.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Overnight between Sunday and Monday, Gaza militant fired a rocket that landed in an open field in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, causing no casualties.

Earlier February, Israel struck Gaza with air and artillery strikes, which injured three Palestinians, after a rocket was launched from Gaza. The rocket caused no injuries or damage.
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Remains of 20 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 22, 2017, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs Monday.

It will be the fourth batch returned following a handover agreement signed by the two countries. From 2014 to 2016, remains of 541 soldiers were returned to China from the ROK, the ministry said.

Before the remains are returned, a ceremony will be held on March 20.

The Chinese side expressed thanks to the ROK defense ministry for its efforts in finding and identifying the remains of Chinese soldiers, according to the ministry.

The ROK will return more remains if found, the ministry added.

The Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) fought with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea army in the Korean War against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces.

A total of 197,653 CPV soldiers have been confirmed killed in the war, with most buried on the Korean Peninsula.

According to an agreement between China and the ROK, the two sides consult every year on the hand-over of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK. A hand-over is usually held before Chinese Tomb-Sweeping Day in early April.
by Bruna Gama

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese technology company Meitu Inc has been rocking the Brazilian market for photo editing application programs or apps, and showing that the South American giant is a viable and interesting region for business expansion.

Meitu arrived in Brazil in April 2016. Since then, the company has launched translated versions of some of its main apps, Airbrush and Makeup Plus. In the past year, the number of downloads of Meitu apps rose 840 percent and Meitu obtained 10 million users in the country.

Meitu's Brazilian team had the best performance among its teams outside China. To Ludmilla Veloso, Meitu's country manager for Brazil, it was a matter of making a move at the right time.

"It seems that Brazil was waiting for someone to look at this market. Brazil was ready, and Meitu arrived at the right moment," Veloso told Xinhua recently.

For Meitu, 2016 was a year for validating the Brazilian market, and for establishing Brazil as a region with good cost-benefit relations for the company.

In 2017, Veloso said, the company will launch more apps and focus on increasing the scale of its operations and making the use of Meitu apps a habit.

Veloso said there were differences between the Brazilian and the Chinese ways of doing business. But there are much more similarities than people think at first sight, and with some work, differences can be dealt with.

Reaching the impressive growth in Brazil was a matter of bridging the gap between the Chinese company's products and the needs of Brazilian users. It required a lot of work from Meitu's local team, who studied the local market and analyzed what adaptations had to be made.

The company also worked with micro-influencers and communities on the web to interact with the user base and gather their impressions, suggestions and complaints about the apps. That contact helped build a more complete app which caters to the needs of Brazilian users in a more comprehensive manner.

For example, so far, the most successful Meitu app in Brazil has been Airbrush, which allows more subtle interventions in photographs. That is different from the Chinese preferences.

"Brazilians like a more natural appearance in photos, more discreet interventions," Veloso said, "There is a trend for the return of more natural beauty."

According to Veloso, the adaptations which had to be made in Meitu apps for Brazil has helped improve the company's algorithm, which ultimately leads to improvements on a global scale.

"We are ultimately a beauty platform. And that is why Brazil is very important for China, because the diverse beauty we have here has helped make our algorithm evolve and led to general improvement in the apps," she said, "This acknowledgement of our diversity made the apps grow."

That is an example of how expanding to Brazil can be beneficial for Chinese companies, Veloso believed. Though there are differences between the Brazilian and the Chinese ways of doing business, she said, there are much more similarities than people think at first sight.

"There are a lot of differences, but there are a lot of similarities as well," Veloso stressed.

Chinese companies, especially those in the internet sector, have much to gain from exploring the Brazilian market, she said.

"I think the Chinese are discovering Brazil and I believe we will cooperate more and more in the internet sector. There are several companies already arriving and more will arrive in the future. Brazil is a country where you can make it if you have a good product," she said.

"It is hard work, but with investment and local teams one can make it,"she added.

The beauty sector also has a lot of potential as well, and a lot of room for expansion.

"Brazil is the fourth largest beauty market in the world, after the United States, China and Japan. For a Chinese company, investing in Brazil is viable, cheaper and has a lot of potential," she noted.
KIEV, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of independence-seeking insurgents in eastern Ukraine on Monday urged Ukrainian government to find a way to put an end to the railway blockade in conflicting region of Donbas.

In a joint statement published on the insurgent-run Lugansk information center, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnytsky, the two rebel leaders, described the blockade as a "violation of the spirit of the Minsk agreements."

The blockade of the Donbas, the rebel-held industrial region in eastern Ukraine, has disrupted the work of industrial enterprises and affected ordinary people's life in the area, the statement said.

If the blockade is not lifted before March 1, insurgents will take control of the government-run enterprises working in the Donbas region and stop all the supplies of coal to the Kiev-controlled territory, it said.

The Ukrainian government has not commented on the statement yet.

In late January, a group of activists blocked the movement of trains, transporting coal and other raw products from the rebel-held area to the government-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.

The protesters claimed that the trade between Kiev and insurgents is illegal at the time when the two sides are involved in the military conflict.

The Ukrainian government has repeatedly called on the activists to stop the blockade, but it had not taken concrete actions to release the railway line.
A journalist tries the new features of the Gionee device at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Lino De Vallier)

BARCELONA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Mobile World Congress (MWC) opened its doors here on Monday, showcasing the latest innovations of the mobile phone industry.

In the lead-up to the congress, the King of Spain, Felipe VI, said on Sunday: "the mobile industry, which is at the heart of this Congress, is an expression of the best combination of cutting-edge technology and business efficiency, the most advanced communications services to offer better products in order to better meet the citizens' needs."

This year's event has a new theme, "Mobile, the Next Element", which is based on the idea that mobile is more than everything (last year's theme), organizers said.

"The 2016 theme was 'Mobile is everything'. This year we want to go a step further. We were thinking about what is more than everything and the answer to that is mobile is elemental, it is part of everything in our lives, it is part of every new innovation," the chief marketing officer for the GSMA, a trade body which represents the interests of more than 800 mobile operators, Michael O'Hara said.

"Right now I have heard a lot about 5G, I guess we have more and more smart connected devices, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality", Stephanie Baghdassarian of U.S. internet technology research firm Gartner told Xinhua about what she expected of this year's edition.

During the weekend, several companies launched their new devices including Huawei, ZTE, LG, Lenovo Moto, Samsung, Blackberry and Nokia.

"At the Mobile World Congress you can see the future -- the next ten, 15 years -- a lot of technology, very good brands," said Gerard Marques Bertran, from event management company Tote Vignau.

Under strong security measures, the main companies are showcasing their technologies in the Fira Gran Via, where there are almost 600 security cameras surveying the 240,000 square meters of the exhibition distributed into eight pavilions. The event is expected to gather some 2,200 exhibitors and receive 101,000 visitors.
JUBA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have agreed to jointly implement a project worth 500,000 U.S. dollars aimed at promoting collaboration in small-scale agriculture and agro-processing, a senior government official said on Monday.

Minister of Trade and Investment Moses Hassan Tiel said the partnership seeks to strengthen food security through advancement of small scale farming, agro-processing and product certification in the conflict-hit East African nation.

"We are working together with UNIDO to develop policy documents to help us with quality assurance and certification for agricultural products produced here in South Sudan. We are working hard to make sure that agriculture products are processed here in South Sudan to boost agriculture and our economy," Tiel said

He said the new project would prioritize improvement of honey products, fruits such as mangoes and pineapples and Gum Arabic in order to diversify the economy of the oil-reliant country.

Tiel said South Sudan's first honey export to Japan and Kenya last year ignited the hopes of scale farmers to engage in commercial agriculture.

The world's youngest country is blessed with enormous agricultural wealth that remains untapped due to years of conflict, lack of land policies and poor infrastructure.

According to data from the Ministry of Food Security and Agriculture, 648,000 square kilometers of the African country is arable, home to 11.7 million heads of cattle and is also capable of producing 400 tons of fish annually from its vast Swamps and the River Nile.

Despite the huge opportunities, last week the UN declared famine in parts of South Sudan.

The UN said the disaster is man-made after the world's newest country plunged into civil war in 2013 following a political rift between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.

Tiel said the government seeks to support small scale farmers with necessary skills to help boost food production.

"It is now a priority that we encourage our small scale farmers to grow much so that we restore food security in South Sudan and also level the trade balance because currently we import most of our food products including vegetables," he said.
ABUJA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's largest domestic airline Arik, which was recently taken over by the government due to its high debt profile, owed the International Air Transport Association (IATA) the sum of 78 million U.S. dollars, an official said on Monday.

The debt was for all aviation services provided to the airline under the platform of IATA, Simon Tumba, a spokesman for the airline told reporters in the Nigerian economic hub, Lagos.

The global air transport association recently suspended the Nigerian airline from its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), as well as Cargo Account Settlement System due to the huge debt owed.

The spokesman said Arik was also in credit to their fuel suppliers and was not able to pay staff salaries for months.

The Nigerian government on Feb. 9 said it had taken over the operations of Arik Air because it was immersed in huge financial debt.

Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika said the takeover was timely and would ensure stability in the operations of the airline.

Before the Nigerian government took over management of the airline, Arik was owing to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria over 300 billion naira (more than 953 million dollars) and was indebted to local banks up to the tune of 50 billion naira, Tumba told journalists.

The airline currently has only about 10 serviceable aircraft in its fleet, out of almost 30 which it operated. Under its management by the Nigerian government, the airline recently reduced its domestic and international routes and flight operations.

Arik Air is believed to carry about 55 percent of the load in Nigeria, according to official data.

The Nigerian government said its taking over the airline underscores its plan to instill sanity in the nation's aviation sector.
WINDHOEK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's President Hage Geingob blamed the apartheid era civil service structure for the country's current over-bloated administration.

There are currently close to 100, 000 public servants in Namibia where the salary bill was more than 23 billion Namibian dollars (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2014.

Geingob told State House staff Monday that the government has no choice but to employ a number of people from the apartheid era as part of the reconciliation process.

"If we are to downsize now, we will end up sending many people into the streets and add to the already high number of unemployed people," Geingob said.

He also said there were very few black Namibian managers during apartheid era and that there was no way the government could have dismissed all the whites in top positions.

"What we need to do now is to improve our performance and output. This year, let us defeat the naysayers with success and let us defeat them with hard work."

When Geingob took over from former president Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2015, he appointed five special presidential advisors.

These appointments have been at the center of debate with some economic analysts saying the advisors are costing the government a lot of money.

Geingob, however, defended the appointments Monday saying that there is nothing new in appointing advisors.

"The way people are talking about advisors, it is like a new thing, but I am not the one who introduced it. Presidential advisors have always been part of our structure," he said, adding that the advisors have different competencies required to drive Namibia forward.
by Saud Abu Ramadan

GAZA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Hamas movement, which has been ruled Gaza for almost 10 years, chose early this month a new leadership in an internal secret elections. Palestinian analysts said that Hamas is seeking to change its future political and military priorities.

It is a key issue to achieve the internal Palestinian reconciliation, re-drafting the internal Palestinian situation and strengthening the internal front, said Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas leader in Gaza.

He also underscored the reformulation of relations between Hamas and other countries in the region during visits in both Qatar and Egypt, where he achieved positive results in improving ties with Arab countries.

Regarding challenges of changes in the international politics, he added that "we have to reconsider the latest Israeli position, which requires us to be united with Fatah and other factions" as he mentioned the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump.

Mustafa Sawaf, an Islamist and Gaza-based political analyst, said that Hamas movement's major priorities are stable, but some policies may vary depending on changes of situation in the Palestinian territories, in the region and all over the world.

He referred the changes as the growing conflict of the Palestine with the Israeli occupation and the new Israeli right-wing policies, the conflict in several Arab states, and also the new U.S. president's policies.

Usually, the Internal Hamas elections are held every four years in three different regions -- The West Bank, Jerusalem and the Israeli prisons, which are all one region, the Gaza strip, and The Diaspora. Each region elects 15 Shoura council members, or members of Hamas Parliament.

Then the 45 Shoura council members secretly and internally elect among them the political bureau members, or the top leadership of the movement, which consists of 18 members, and then the 18 members separately convene and choose the chief and the deputies of the politburo.

According to Hamas internal laws, the chief of the movement is not allowed to run for the post of the politburo chief for more than three terms, which had stopped Khaled Mesha'al from running again as the head of Hamas political bureau for a fourth term.

Sources close to Hamas, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua they expect that Ismail Haneya, the senior Gaza Hamas leader, is the sole candidate who will take the post of the movement's chief. Mesha'al, according to the sources, is expected to be the chairman of the Shoura Council.

However, so far, the newly elected leaders are still silent and all what had been published in the media was only names of the new elected leaders of the Islamic movement in Gaza Strip.

One of the prominent powerful new Hamas characters, who won in the recent elections, is Yehya al-Sinwar. He was released in the Egyptian-brokered prisoners' swap deal reached between Israel and Hamas in October, 2011. Sinwar, who spent more than 20 years in Israeli jails, was elected as Gaza Strip's top Hamas leader.

Sawaf said he noted the Israeli media campaign of incitement against Sinwar after he was elected as Gaza leader of Hamas movement.

"Israel should know that Sinwar is not a dictator and he is not the only decision maker in the movement. He was elected in a democratic way and all Hamas decisions are made through the Shoura council and by the politburo inside and outside Palestine," Sawaf clarified.

On Monday, Haneya, Sinwar and one of the newly elected leaders of Hamas movement Rawhi Mushtaha held their first meeting in Gaza after the elections. They discussed the arrangements of the soft transition of powers in the movement.

Sinwar also spoke on the phone on Sunday with Khaled Mesha'al, who is based in Qatar, according to Hamas emailed press statement. The two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza, including the recent Israeli threats to the movement.

Hamas movement was founded in December 1987 by late spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, who was assassinated by Israel in April 2004. Israel and the United States listed the movement among the world terrorist groups and imposed an embargo on the Gaza Strip after it refused to recognize Israel.

The movement has been ruling the Gaza Strip since the summer of 2007 after it ousted the security forces of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Since then, efforts and mediation to end the internal split between the two sides had so far failed.
Iraqi forces secure a damaged building as they advance through Mosul's Jawasaq neighbourhood on February 27, 2017, during an offensive to retake the area from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. (AFP photo)

MOSUL, Iraq, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi forces on Monday captured a strategic bridge across the Tigris River, after seizing another neighborhood from Islamic State (IS) militants in western Mosul, the military said.

Federal police and interior ministry special forces, known as Rapid Response, recaptured the neighborhood of Jawsaq and secured the foot of its strategic bridge across Tigris, locally known as 4th Bridge, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, from the Joint Operations Command (JOC), said in a statement.

The bridge is crucial for Iraqi forces to bring in reinforcements and supplies directly from eastern Mosul.

All of Mosul's five bridges, spanning the Tigris River to the city's eastern bank, were destroyed by airstrikes last year.

After securing the foot of the 4th Bridge, federal police and rapid response forces advanced to the adjacent neighborhood of Dindan and took new positions there amid heavy fighting with IS militants, Lt. Gen. Raid Shakir Jawdat, commander of the federal police forces, said in a separate statement.

Earlier in the day, Yarallah said in a press release that federal police and interior ministry rapid response forces recaptured al-Tayaran neighborhood.

The troops are clearing the neighborhood from IS militants, who suffered heavy casualties after days of fierce fighting, Yarallah said without giving further details.

On Sunday, Yarallah said that Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces completely liberated al-Mamoun neighborhood in southern Mosul, which is locally known as the left bank of Tigris River.

CTS special forces also entered the adjacent neighborhood of Wadi Hajar and are fighting fierce clashes with the IS militants inside the neighborhood, according to the security source.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive 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 eastern Mosul, or the left bank of Tigris, after more than 100 days of fighting against IS militants.

However, the western part of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
ASTANA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin, while visiting Dushanbe on Monday, declared readiness to cooperate with Tajikistan in the field of security and stability.

The decision was made in a joint statement following Putin's meeting with Tajik President Emomalii Rahmon, local reports said.

The two presidents discussed current situation in Afghanistan and highlighted the importance of ensuring its stability and development.

Putin and Rahmon also discussed necessity to work on law enforcement and coordination of the states' security agencies, as well as in the military and military-technical fields.

Russia and Tajikistan aim to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug and arms trafficking, the joint statement said.

Special attention was paid to the strengthening of international cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, transport, agriculture, migration, seducation, culture and tourism between the two countries.

Tajikistan is one of three central Asian countries Putin was visiting. He has already visited Kazakhstan and will visit Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.
BRUSSELS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Is the European Union (EU) at stake? With the rise of populist parties throughout Europe -- and the threat to the status quo they are said to represent -- it is a question that's increasingly being posed.

Almost 60 years ago, the six founding nations signed the Treaty of Rome, laying the foundations for what would later become the EU. The six wanted to "ensure the economic and social progress of their countries."

Six decades later, those ideals are under threat, with increasing political and social divisions, not only among EU member states but also within the countries themselves.

GROWING DISCONTENT

There is a growing sense of discontent within the political classes, "big business" and globalization and a weakening of solidarity within and between European countries.

In this polarized climate, are the likes of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and Front National (FN) in France. Tempered by the UK's decision to leave the EU and Trump's anti-EU and protectionist rhetoric, the far right rallying cry is aiming to capitalize on what it sees as a political momentum in its favor.

For some, this populist phenomenon threatens law-making and cooperation among EU member states, as well as the achievements made in common projects like the euro and the single market.

But for Nigel Farage, Marine Le Pen and others of their ilk, the rise of populism is a form of "liberation."

First, there was the "Brexit deliverance", then the Trump triumph. It's all about the rebirth of the nation station, and this time, said Farage, it is "for real."

He forecast, "that's why you can all look forward to: some even bigger dramatic shocks coming in 2017. It's going to be, for nation state democrats, a very happy new year."

THREAT OF POPULISM

It isn't just FN and UKIP which are attracting public support. There's also Alternative for Germany (AfD), Austria's Freedom Party, Belgium's Vlaams Belang, the Czech Republic's Dawn of Direct Democracy, and Italy's Northern League.

Indeed, some of Europe's biggest far-right parties are hoping to secure election wins this year.

With elections coming up first in the Netherlands, followed by France, and then Germany, the parties are banking on the public malaise triggered, in part, by a large inflow of refugees in the past two years to capture more voters.

Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) has already taken a lead in polls ahead of the March 15 general elections in the Netherlands while Marine Le Pen of the FN is likely to make it to the final round of the French presidential election in late April.

For these and others like them, the EU has become an all-too-easy target and the butt of much populist rhetoric. Hate speech, intolerance and racism associated with some of the populist groups is concerning for both citizens and states alike.

EU EXISTENTIAL CRISIS

In Europe, political and economic risk is nothing new. For years, nationalism, populism, conflicting strategic interests, low economic growth and high unemployment have driven EU members apart.

Meanwhile, the 19-country eurozone has seen a variety of threats to its existence over the past decade, connected to issues such as high levels of debt, fragile banking sectors, and growing Euroscepticism.

So far, it has managed to survive them. In 2017, however, the eurozone crisis could enter a new, more dangerous stage as risk reaches its largest political and economic players.

British Conservative Party parliamentarian Charles Tannock said that, "after six decades of U.S. support for European integration, we have now a U.S. president who supports Brexit, asks which country will leave the EU next and is advised by a man (Farage) who wants to implode the entire EU. "

Little wonder he fears the EU faces an existential crisis.

"Extreme versions of populism, nationalism, isolationism, and protectionism are not going to solve the problems of our continent or the planet," he said.

So, how to respond? Should populism be countered or just accepted as the "will of the people"?

LONGER THE WAIT WORSE IT GETS

Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg takes a doomsday approach to the rise of populism and has called on the EU to fight back.

For him, people like UKIP's Farage are united by their absolute loathing of all supra-national institutions and arrangements.

Clegg went further, describing populism a "staunch and stark" attack on the founding principles of EU integration by forces who want to see the EU unwound altogether.

Clegg warned, "It would be a big mistake for Brussels to think all it needs to do now is defend the battlements of the EU, muddle through and that all will be well. If it thinks that then I really do fear it could spell the end of the EU itself."

For some, the answer is for the soon-to-be EU27 to reform and strengthen. Reform, it is argued, might include a "complete" fiscal union and changes to the rules on the free movement of people, including an "emergency brake" on migration where necessary.

In a situation in which terrorism and growing polarization across Europe is creating fear among the public, national governments, the EU institutions and NATO are re-thinking how to address this threat. As of now, they have not come up with an answer and the longer they wait, the worse the situation will become.
VILNIUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1.49 million foreign visitors arrived in Lithuania and stayed at least overnight in the country in 2016, up 9.4 percent year on year, Lithuania's State Department of Tourism announced on Monday.

According to official data, local tourism increased by 10.2 percent, with 1.26 million local residents traveling within the country and staying overnight in Lithuania's accommodation establishments last year.

Overall tourism market growth, based on the number of guests and overnights in Lithuania's accommodation establishments, amounted to 9.8 percent, compared with 5.9 percent growth in 2015, the Tourism Department said in its press release.

"Lithuania's tourism growth rates are more than double compared to European average. According to preliminary data from European Travel Commission, tourism growth in Europe amounted to 5 percent in 2016," Rasuole Andruliene, Tourism Development chief, was quoted as saying in the statement.

She underlined the importance of increased local tourism.

"Purposeful work of Tourism Department together with businesses and airports, indicating the priority markets, lead to a good result," Evalda Siskauskiene, the head of Lithuania's Association of Hotels and Restaurants, was quoted as saying by local website vz.lt.

The leading three markets of Lithuania's inbound tourism were Germany, Belarus and Russia. Flows of visitors from Ukraine, Poland, Latvia and Estonia also increased significantly.

A 19.6 percent increase of visitors last year was recorded from France, one of the priority inbound tourism markets of Lithuania.

Among the long-distance priority markets, 25.3 percent increase of guests was recorded from both Israel and China, 7.5 percent from Japan, 6.9 percent from the United States.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon during their meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, February 27, 2017. (Reuters Photo)

ASTANA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin, while visiting Dushanbe on Monday, declared readiness to cooperate with Tajikistan in the field of security and stability.

The decision was made in a joint statement following Putin's meeting with Tajik President Emomalii Rahmon, local reports said.

The two presidents discussed current situation in Afghanistan and highlighted the importance of ensuring its stability and development.

Putin and Rahmon also discussed necessity to work on law enforcement and coordination of the states' security agencies, as well as in the military and military-technical fields.

Russia and Tajikistan aim to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug and arms trafficking, the joint statement said.

Special attention was paid to the strengthening of international cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, transport, agriculture, migration, seducation, culture and tourism between the two countries.

Tajikistan is one of three central Asian countries Putin was visiting. He has already visited Kazakhstan and will visit Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.
ALGIERS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Algeria said on Monday it is negotiating with the United States to extradite an Algerian prisoner in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Talks are held between the Algerian foreign ministry and the U.S. administration, said Tayeb Louh, the Algerian justice minister, adding that the issue of the Algerian prisoner is the subject of "continuous monitoring" between both sides, according to the National Radio.

Altogether 19 Algerian nationals have already been repatriated from Guantanamo to Algeria, where legal authorities subjected them to trials, some of them acquitted, while some others sentenced to prison.

Guantanamo is a military detention facility, part of a U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay in southeastern Cuba. It hosts prisoners captured by the U.S. forces in various operations conducted abroad, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, against potential militants and terrorists.

On Nov. 16, 2008, former U.S. President Barack Obama promised to close the camp, regarding the increasing number of suicide acts taking place there, and noted that the Supreme Court of the United States declared illegal the judicial proceedings of this high security detention camp.

Yet, the newly elected president, Donald Trump, excluded the possibility to close Guantanamo prison, adding that no more prisoners should be released from there.
KHARTOUM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday said over 31,000 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Sudan during January and February this year.

"Initial expectations were that 60,000 refugees may arrive through 2017, but in the first two months alone, over 31,000 refugees arrived," said UNHCR in a statement on Monday.

It explained that initial estimates show that over 80 percent of the new arrivals are women and children, including unaccompanied and separated children, noting that "they are in need of immediate life-saving assistance, which UNHCR and its sister agencies are trying to address."

Noriko Yoshida, UNHCR's representative in Sudan, said in the statement that "we are extremely concerned at people's condition when they arrive, especially children who are suffering the most."

Last Thursday, Sudanese Commissioner for Refugees Hamad Al-Jizouli said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that "the number of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan so far has reached 495,000."

On Aug. 15 last year, Sudan officially decided to treat the South Sudanese fleeing the war in their country as refugees, which opens the door for the UN to provide them with aid and fund aid programs.

Recently famine was officially declared in South Sudan, where the South Sudanese government and the UN said 100,000 people facing starvation, with one million people classified as being on the brink of famine.

The famine was attributed to many reasons including the civil war and collapse of the economy in the new-born state.
German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (L) and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern attend a press conference after their meeting in Vienna, Austria on Feb. 27, 2017. Gabriel met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern here on Monday. Both sides called for closing the ranks to face the pressures from the new U.S. administration. (Xinhua/Liu Xiang)

VIENNA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The German vice chancellor on Monday, together with Austrian foreign minister, called on European states to stay together to face with the difficulties.

German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel visited Austria on Monday and met here with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.

Both sides called for reducing EU bureaucracy, urging European states to stay together, especially facing with the difficult situation like nationalism movement in Europe and other uncertainties.

Gabriel is on his first trip to Austria as the foreign minister of his country, trying to enhance the coordination between the two states.

Gabriel also met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Both sides called for closing the ranks to face the pressures from the new U.S. administration.

But the two sides failed to agree on the idea of building mass refugee centers in countries like Libya, Gabriel believes that the program is not realistic.

Gabriel would continue his trip to Rome on Monday.
ABUJA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian authorities on Monday excoriated Amnesty International (AI) for making spurious claims against the country's military and accused the global organization of "fanning the ember of disunity, hate, and destabilization" within its territory.

A statement signed by defense spokesman Rabe Abubakar said the activities of Amnesty International showed that the organization never meant well for the west African country.

"This could be corroborated by inherent lopsidedness in the AI portrayal of Nigeria, its involvement in local politics and taking side with terrorists and other belligerent groups to cause internal disorder, which no country can tolerate," the statement said.

Last week, Nigeria's Defense Headquarters described a recent report by the Amnesty International, alleging death of 240 people including babies in Borno and 177 pro-Biafran agitators, as untrue.

The government said the report was aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Nigerian military.

It added, "it is disturbing and unethical of an international organization that is supposed to steer clear of local politics and to be seen as maintaining neutrality in its reportage of the countries it operates."
DUBAI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Dubai is the ideal distribution channel to reach out to buyers across the Middle East and Africa, said some Chinese food and beverages firms here on Monday.

The firms praised the sheikhdom's geographical location and its connectivity through ports and airports, as they attend the ongoing Gulfood 2018 fair and exhibition.

"The Middle East is the biggest market outside China," said Linda Zhou, sales manager at Tianyuan Canned Food. She had been exhibiting at the Middle East's biggest annual food and beverage fair for many years.

"Dubai is the gateway to the entire region. We export our canned beans, tomato pasta and sweet corn not only to the Gulfood host country but also to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq," she said.

Earlier on Saturday, the world's biggest provider of trade-related credit insurance solutions Euler Hermes said in a media release that Saudi Arabia has a 59 percent market share in the Middle Eastern food and beverage market, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to which the emirate of Dubai belongs, has a 21 percent share.

Mike Qian, director at Jiangsu Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Group from Nanjing, China's Jiangsu Province, said that it is worth coming back to the Gulfood, which attracted 5,000 exhibitors from 120 countries.

"There is a constant flow of new businessmen, traders and buyers for food to the annual event, so we can always expand our client base and present new food products at our booth," he said.

Dubai international airport defended in 2016 its position as the world's biggest civil aviation hub in relation to international travelers, welcoming 83.6 million passengers. Jafza has 7,000 registered firms, while the Dubai's biggest free zone DMCC has more than 12,000 from across the globe.

Jules Kappeler, CEO of Euler Hermes Middle East in Dubai, said the UAE imports more than 80 percent of its food needs, while demand for food and beverage is also on the rise.

In the first half of 2016, China remained Dubai's primary trading partner with a bilateral exchange worth 21.52 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Dubai Customs.

Figures show that China has been Dubai's biggest trade partner since 2014.
BRUSSELS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Trade agreements can help increase sales and support jobs in the agri-food sector of the European Union (EU), a new study released on Monday shows.

Carried out on behalf of the European Commission by the independent consultancy Copenhagen Economics, the study looked at the impact on exports of agri-food products of the three trade agreements: the Association Agreement with Mexico, the free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea and the trade agreements with Switzerland.

The study finds that trade agreements have helped to boost EU agricultural exports and have supported jobs in the agri-food sector and other sectors of the economy.

"These three agreements alone have increased EU agri-food exports by more than 1 billion euros and have raised value-added in the agri-food sector by 600 million euros. Just as importantly, this increase in exports has supported thousands of jobs in total across the EU, most of which in the agri-food sector, including in primary agriculture," said Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.

He concluded "These figures are clear evidence that ambitious and balanced trade deals work for European food and farming."

"Trade deals, done right, are a force for good for our farmers and food producers. This study also gives important input on how we can continue to cut unnecessary red tape and get rid of barriers in our trade negotiations going forward," EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom added.

The study also shows that the agreements contributed to increased trade in both directions, with increased EU exports and increased imports of products from these three countries, giving EU consumers and business greater access to agri-food products.

The study underlines the importance of closely following the trade negotiations of the EU's main competitors to make sure that the EU does not fall behind in access conditions to important markets for agri-food products.

Meanwhile, the study emphasizes the importance of EU promotion and information campaigns in helping EU exporters access new markets and grow their businesses in existing markets.

The EU executive arm said it has significantly increased its promotion budget and the EU Commissioner Hogan has already carried out high-level visits to six countries, namely Colombia, Mexico, China, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia, to promote EU agri-food products and offering EU companies and organisations the chance to find new business opportunities there.

The European Commission said the next such visit will come in May to Canada, which has just reached a free trade agreement with the EU.

EU Trade Commissioner Malmstrom will also visit Canada in March, as well as Singapore and Mexico later in the spring.

According to EU statistics, EU agri-food exports reached record high in 2016, with 130.7 billion euros in total.

The biggest increases in annual exports were to the United States and China. The agri-food sector accounted for 7.5 percent of total EU exports in goods in 2016, while 6.6 percent of imported goods are agri-food products. With a surplus of 18.8 billion euros, the agri-food sector contributed almost half of the overall surplus of the EU in merchandise trade, which stood at 39.3 billion euros in 2016.
Jordan Horowitz and Jimmy Kimmel react as Warren Beatty holds the card for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to "Moonlight," after announcing by mistake that "La La Land" was winner during the 89th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, the United States on Feb. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

by Qianhui Wang, Huang Heng, Wei Wei

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 89th Academy Awards "surprised" the audience Sunday night by being not so political, not so white and not so right. The ceremony was looking classy and glamorous as usual, until the Best Picture Award announcement turned into chaos.

The presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty accidently presented "La La Land" as the Best Picture while "Moonlight" was the true winner and later realized they read from a wrong card.

The Academy found out the error in the middle of "La La Land" producer's acceptance speech. This is Oscar's first incorrect announcement in its 89 years' history and would be remembered for a long time.

When Jordan Horowitz, the producer of "La La Land", held up the winner's card to the audience, explaining that "Moonlight" had just won the most important annual award of the Academy, he had to repeated saying "This is not a joke".

Despite this awkward situation "La La Land" ran into, the film still won six awards, including the Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Song, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design, becoming the biggest winner of the night.

The nominations of the Oscars this year were more diverse after two years of "Oscars so White" criticism.

(L-R) Actor Mahershala Ali, winner of Best Supporting Actor for "Moonlight," Emma Stone, winner of Best Actress for "La La Land," Viola Davis, winner of Best Supporting Actress for "Fences," and Casey Affleck, winner of Best Actor for "Manchester by the Sea" pose for group photos at press room of the 89th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, the United States, on Feb. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Three out of four acting categories had at least one African-American nominee, and Mahershala Ali and Viola Davis won the Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Of the nine nominees of Best Picture, three were stories nominated by African-American actors and actresses, and "Moonlight" was the winner.

Ali also became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar for his performance as Juan in "Moonlight".

Casey Affleck defeated Denzel Washington and won the Best Actor Award for his role in "Manchester by the Sea". Emma Stone won the Best Actress Award for "La La Land".

(L-R) Producers Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski and director Barry Jenkins, winners of Best Picture "Moonlight", pose at press room of the 89th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, the United States, on Feb. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

"Zootopia" won the Best Animated Feature Film. The Best Foreign Language Film went to "The Salesman", whose director was absent from the ceremony in protest of the recent travel ban that President Donald Trump's administration imposed.

However, the ceremony was not as political as projected.

(L-R) Co-directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore and producer Clark Spencer, winners of Best Animated Feature Film "Zootopia", pose at press room of the 89th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, the United States, on Feb. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Other than a few jokes Jimmy Kimmel made about President Trump, the ceremony did not have too much content related to the new president.

"I hope that the winners would keep politics out of ceremony, since the point is to recognize artistic merit and not serve as a press conference for various movement," Richard L. Anderson, an Oscar-winning sound editor, told Xinhua."

Sid Ganis, former president of the Academy, told Xinhua that the Academy was becoming more and more international.

"With members from 70 different countries and regions voted for their favorites this year, excellent new young filmmakers from the world are becoming members," Ganis said.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon has sent the White House a preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State (IS), a spokesman said Monday, without providing details about the plan.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the plan is a framework for a broader plan to defeat the IS extremists, adding that the details of the draft are classified secret.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will brief senior administration officials on the draft later Monday.

The draft plan came about a month after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to come up with a plan to defeat the IS. He has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for failing to stop the extremist group during last year's campaign.

On Jan. 21 in his first official visit to the Central Intelligence Agency, Trump vowed that "radical Islamic terrorism" has to be eradicated "right now."

Trump described "radical Islamic terrorism" as "evil" unseen before, adding that it should be "eradicated just off the face of the earth."
BERLIN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The German government on Monday condemned the heinous act by the Philippine terror group Abu Sayyaf, which brutally killed a German citizen.

The Islamist extremists published a video showing the beheading process of the 70-year old man, Juergen Gustav Kantner.

Kantner was abducted in early November when he encountered a raid traveling with his partner Sabine Merz off Sabah in Malaysia. Merz was killed by the Islamist militants on the scene.

Abu Sayyaf had demanded a ransom of 30 million Philippine pesos (about 598,000 U.S. dollars) by Sunday. Both Philippine and German governments stuck to principle and did not give any money.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the act as "barbaric" and "abhorrent", calling for a world united front against terrorism.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert also expressed his shock, saying the incident once again showed unscrupulous and inhuman act.

The Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf group is believed to have links with the Islamic State militants in the Middle East.
GENEVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- WTO members on Monday hailed the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) as a historic achievement at a meeting of the General Council.

The TFA, the first multilateral deal concluded in the 21-year history of the WTO, entered into force on Feb. 22 after the organization obtained the needed acceptance from two-thirds of its 164 members for the agreement to take effect.

The TFA seeks to expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods across borders and create a significant boost for the multilateral trading system.

In welcoming this milestone, members pledged to advance work on implementing the TFA so that the full benefits of the Agreement can be reaped.

Cambodia, speaking on behalf of the least-developed countries (LDC) group, said the milestone marked a very important start to members' work to achieve results in trade facilitation.

Cambodia, along with several other delegations, emphasized the need of developing countries and LDCs for implementation assistance.

In his address to WTO members, Director-General Roberto Azevedo said: "By ratifying the agreement, members have shown their commitment to the multilateral trading system.

"You have followed through on the promises made when this deal was struck in Bali. And by bringing the deal into force we can now begin the work of turning its benefits into reality," Azevedo said.

Azevedo thanked the members for their considerable efforts to reach this historic juncture. "This achievement belongs to all of you," he said.

The Director-General, in his capacity as depositary of the WTO Agreements and their amendments, signed the official depositary notification of the TFA's entry into force. He handed over the notification to General Council Chair Ambassador Harald Neple at the meeting.

"The Agreement on Trade Facilitation is a defining multilateral achievement of our time," Neple said.

"It is practical, modern and global and it symbolizes the essence of the WTO: members from all corners of the globe coming together, overcoming differences and responding to pressing trade issues for the benefit of all," he said.

The Agreement is unique in that it allows developing and least-developed countries to set their own timetables for implementing the TFA depending on their capacities to do so -- and it provides for support to help them develop their capacity.
A man takes a picture of destroyed buildings on a street in the northwestern border town of al-Bab on February 23, 2017 after Turkish-backed Syrian rebels fully captured the town from the Islamic State (IS) group. (AFP photo)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) group is falling apart in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria due to two main factors.

SYRIAN ARMY PROGRESS

The Syrian forces have made sweeping progress against the IS in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, stripping the terror group of over 600 aquare kilometers of territory within a week of battles, state news agency SANA said.

The Syrian army advanced against IS till reaching areas under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), mainly the city of Manbej in eastern Aleppo countryside amid reports that IS has withdrawn from 23 towns east of the city of al-Bab in the northern countryside of Aleppo, a sign of the big collapse the group has suffered.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said Monday the Syrian army's progress in eastern Aleppo reached areas close to the SDF-controlled areas as well as areas under the control of Turkey-backed rebels, drawing thus borders between its forces and the Kurdish-led groups as well as the Turkish-backed ones.

A day earlier, the Syrian army captured the key town of Tadef, south of the al-Bab city, which has recently been captured by the Turkish-backed rebels of the Euphrates Shield.

The Observatory said that there are "Russian orders for the Syrian army and allied fighters not to engage in battles with the Turkish-backed rebels."

It said that the Syrian forces backed by the Lebanese Hezbollah group moved, after taking Tadef, toward the town of Khafseh at the western bank of the Euphrates River, as the town contains the main water pumping station to Aleppo city.

The battles are still 21 kilometers from the town, which is controlled by IS.

The Observatory, which says it relies on a network of activists on ground, said the fresh progress of the Syrian army will besiege 13 villages controlled by IS in eastern Aleppo, and may force the terror-designated militants to withdraw before the siege.

The siege will be imposed by the Syrian army, the SDF, and the Turkish forces, the three are fighting against IS in the northeastern and southeastern countrysides of Aleppo.

Meanwhile, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said the Syrian army captured on Monday the towns of Jub Khafi, Jub al-Sultan, Jub al-Hamam, and Zarura east of al-Bab, adding that with this progress the army succeeded to link areas under its control with that of the SDF and open a road linking the northeastern province of al-Hasakah, with the northern and western countryside of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS.

The road will also link the eastern countryside of Aleppo with other provinces all the way to the capital Damascus.

TURKISH-BACKED REBELS PROGRESS

What also led to the near collapse of the IS in the eastern countryside of Aleppo is the wide-scale offensive the Turkish forces and allied rebels unleashed, which resulted recently in stripping IS of the city of al-Bab, which was the largest IS stronghold near the Turkish borders.

On Feb. 23, the IS group announced its withdrawal from al-Bab, which has been taken by the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels on Thursday.

The withdrawal of the IS from al-Bab came after 100 days of battles against the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels.

The IS claimed it had killed 400 Turkish soldiers and rebel fighters.

For the Turks, capturing the northern part of the city cuts the way in the face of the growing Kurdish influence in northern Syria, a red line drawn by Turkey, and secure the borders from IS infiltration.

The Syrian army also 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.

WHAT'S AFTER IS?

While IS seems like a mutual target for the Turkish forces, the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led ones, but a question is often asked what will happen when IS is completely defeated in Aleppo's eastern countryside.

Observers believe that there is a tacit Russian-Turkish agreement not to clash in Aleppo countryside, but that doesn't mean that tension doesn't exist.

On Sunday, after the army captured Tadef, activists, including the Observatory, said skirmishes took place between the Turkish-backed rebels and the Syrian army near the town.

The clashes seemed to have stopped.

The Syrian government has intensified its anti-Turkey statement, accusing Ankara of working to build a wall on the Syrian side of the borders.

The wall could be a prelude to creating safe zones, Ankara has recently been floating.

Turkish media said that Turkey has erected 290 kilometers of a planned 511-kilometer "security wall" along its border with war-torn Syria.

Aside from the Syrian-Turkish tension, the Kurdish groups have high tension with the Turkish-led ones.

Last months, several battles took place between them in Aleppo countryside.

Turkey wants its rebels to have the upper hand, while the Kurdish-led ones are bragging the fresh U.S. support, as they have received new weaponry from the United States.

While the Syrian army hasn't clashed with the SDF, the possibility of such confrontation is also on the table. It all awaits the complete defeat of IS before the three parties could begin another showdown against one another, analysts say.

Related:

Syrian army makes advances after week-long battles with IS in eastern Aleppo

DAMASCUS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army has become in control of 600 square kilometers after a week-long battles with the Islamic State (IS) group in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria, state news agency SANA reported on Saturday. Full story

Syrian army captures key town from IS in northern countryside of Aleppo
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday announced the appointment of Dag Halvor Nylander of Norway as his personal representative on the Border Controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

"Mr. Nylander will actively engage with the governments of Guyana and Venezuela with a view to exploring and proposing options for a solution to the border controversy between the two countries," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"If, by the end of 2017, the secretary-general concludes that no significant progress has been made, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so," Dujarric said.

Nylander was most recently the Norwegian special envoy to the Colombia peace process.

In September 2015, Venezuela and Guyana reached an agreement to restore their respective ambassadors and begin bilateral talks, under the mediation of the United Nations, over a long-standing territorial dispute.

The controversy centers on the lands west of the Essequibo River of Guyana, covering about two thirds of the small English-speaking nation after the U.S. company made an offshore oil discovery this year.

The dispute stems from an 1899 court ruling that required Venezuela to relinquish an undeveloped but resource-rich jungle territory called the Essequibo.

Caracas contends the ruling was invalid after a treaty was signed in 1966 with Guyana and its former colonial ruler, Britain.

The United Nations has mediated in the conflict and assigned a commission to try to find a solution but neither of the countries had agreed on the issue.
DUBAI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The presence of Chinese companies in the free zone at the Khalifa Industrial City and Khalifa Port enhances the status of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in support of the Belt and Road initiative, said Mohammed Juma Al-Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, in an interview with Xinhua.

Asked about the possible role played by the ports of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to build and strengthen China's Belt and Road initiative, Al-Shamsi said ports of Abu Dhabi have "the best developed infrastructure in the region" linking East and the West.

In addition, Abu Dhabi's Khalifa port "is capable to receive different sizes of ships and the existence of equipment container transport gives confidence to investors and facilitates access to Africa, Asia and also Europe," he said.

The Belt and Road initiative aims to economically integrate Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. It consists of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.

Al-Shamsi said the cooperation between the UAE and China has witnessed a quantum leap after the visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to China in 2015.

Trade between the UAE and China is expected to hit 60 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2016, up from 54.8 billion in 2014, according to the Abu Dhabi official figures.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that "it has seen a significant increase" in South Sudanese refugees fleeing to Sudan since January, the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General said on Monday.

"Initial expectations were that 60,000 refugees may arrive through 2017, but in the first two months of the year alone, over 31,000 refugees have arrived," said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the daily news briefing.

Initial estimates show that over 80 percent of the new arrivals were women and children, including unaccompanied and separated children, he said.

"They are in need of immediate life-saving assistance, which UNHCR and its sister agencies are trying to address," said Dujarric.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday sounded alarm on the sharp increase of South Sudanese fleeing to Sudan since the start of 2017, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

UNHCR says "it has seen a significant increase in South Sudanese refugees fleeing to Sudan since January," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Initial expectations were that 60,000 refugees may arrive through 2017, but in the first two months of the year alone, more than 31,000 refugees have arrived.

Initial estimates show that more than 80 percent of the new arrivals are women and children, including unaccompanied and separated children.

"They are in need of immediate life-saving assistance, which UNHCR and its sister agencies are trying to address," Dujarric said.

Sudan is one of South Sudan's neighboring countries to host a massive influx of South Sudanese refugees. More than 1.5 million South Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries in the region, around half of which are located in Uganda.

South Sudan has been shattered by civil war that broke out in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Machar denied the accusation but then mobilized a rebel force.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 led to the formation of a transitional unity government in April, but was again devastated by fresh violence in July 2016.

Tens of thousands of South Sudanese have been killed, with more than 2 million displaced and another 4.6 million left severely food insecure, since December 2013.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Executives at Brazil's state-run oil giant Petrobras accepted at least 4 billion reals (some 1.3 billion U.S. dollars) in bribes, local media reported on Monday.

Most of the money, 1.9 billion reals or 610 million U.S. dollars, was paid by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, according to revelations from company executives as part of a plea bargain deal, the daily O Globo said.

A three-year investigation into widespread graft at Petrobras, called Operation Car Wash, has shaken the country's political establishment.

But Brazil is just one of at least 12 countries in Latin America and Africa where Odebrecht systematically secured lucrative public works contracts by bribing government officials.

Petrobras, meanwhile, also took bribes from other Brazilian construction firms looking to secure contracts to drilling platforms and other energy infrastructure.
File photo taken on Jan. 5, 2009 shows the national flags of the United States and China out of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the White House, pledging to enhance bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation in all areas.

During the meeting, Yang first conveyed greetings to Trump from Chinese President Xi Jinping, while the U.S. president asked Yang to relay his greetings to President Xi.

Yang noted that President Xi not long ago held an important phone conversation with President Trump, which offered clear guidance on the direction of the development of the China-U.S. relations in the next stage.

By following through on the spirit of the phone conversation and upholding the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to enhance exchanges with the U.S. at all levels from top down, and expand coordination and cooperation with U.S. on bilateral, regional and global issues, respect each others' core interests and major concerns, Yang said.

File photo taken on Nov. 23, 2016 shows the national flags of the United States and China during the 27th Session of the China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington D.C., capital of the United States. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Ensuring the steady and healthy development of the China-U.S. ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole, Yang added.

Trump said he was very happy to hold the very important phone conversation with President Xi.

He said the U.S. highly regards its cooperative relations with China, while highlighting the need to enhance high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation in all areas, and increase coordination and cooperation on global and regional affairs.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner, also attended the meeting.

Yang on Monday also held separate meetings with senior U.S. officials, including Kushner, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster, to exchange views on how to promote the China-U.S. ties and other issues of mutual concern.
Dont let this happen again

It is not an easy thing as a mother to get a telephone call and being told that a light bulb shattered and your nine-year-old son was injured, Martin-Charles told Newsday in an interview.

On February 1, her son, standard three student, Jayden Martin- Charles was seated in his classroom when a fluorescent light bulb in the ceiling exploded.

The glass splinters scattered unto the chairs and tables, one of the broken pieces of the light bulb penetrated the boys scalp. Jayden, according to his mother, lost a lot of blood. He was rushed to the Princes Town District Health Facility. He was bleeding at the school and the bleeding also continued at the health centre.

It was really hard as a mother to see my son in this condition,Martin Charles said. She told Newsday that her son was traumatised and crying. He was treated at the Health Centre and even some weeks after, he was still getting headaches.

He is doing okay now but I am afraid that if this problem is not addressed that this may happen to another child, she said. Parents and students have since held two consecutive days of placard demonstrations to voice their concerns.

The school building has been in existence for the past 17 years and parents said the electrical wires need to be changed. My son is alive and I am happy the injuries were not more severe.

He was lucky that because of his thick hair the piece of glass did not penetrate deeper into his scalp. She said those in authority need to get their act together. All my children have attended this school and the teaching they have received is excellent. The teachers are doing their job, but the problem is the wiring and if it means closing the school for one week to rectify the problem it must be done. Martin Charles said all parties should work together to create a safe environment for the students.

Several weeks ago a fire also started in one of the classrooms due to the faulty electrical wires.
AG: 197 children volunteers trained

The Family and Childrens Bill was passed in the House on June 10 and June 21 in the Senate.

Al-Rawi said President Anthony Carmona assented to the bill on July 5 and it is awaiting proclamation. He noted that peer resolution is a programme that will be adjunct to the Childrens Court, in which children hold their peers accountable for minor offences, using court-like procedures.

Al-Rawi said the objective is to encourage, civic-mindedness and build teamwork, communication and analytical skills among volunteers in the programme.

He said that 20 of the 197 volunteers, embarked on a study tour of youth and teen courts in the US in August. The volunteers sat in on juvenile court cases and interacted with senior judges.

Al-Rawi said guiding principles and standards of representation for children have been developed, to set forth a standard of practice to ensure zealous and constitutionally effective representation of children before all courts and tribunals in TT. He explained that these principles and standards, which will soon be circulated for comment by members of the Bar, aim to promote uniformity of practice for attorneys who represent children.

Al-Rawi said two buildings have been identified to house operations of the Central Coordinating Unit of the Family and Children Division and the Children Court sub-division in North and South.

He said the facility in South is currently being outfitted and is expected to be completed by April 23. The decision to proceed with the North building is currently before the Cabinet, the AG said.
In an earlier column, I wrote about a question that comes up repeatedly on a few social book sites that I follow. That one concerned how a person can read more than one book at a time. On those book sites, people also like to debate about whether one actually reads an audiobook.
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Morocco announced it is beginning as of Sunday unilateral and immediate withdrawal from Guerguarat, a Buffer Strip between the southernmost tip of the Saharan provinces and the Mauritanian border, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Morocco took note with interest of the statement made on Saturday, February 25, 2017 by the United Nations Secretary-Generals spokesman over the tense situation in the Guerguarat region in the Moroccan Sahara, said the statement, adding that the Kingdom takes note of the recommendations and assessments made by the United Nations Secretary-General, which are in line with international law.

One day after his phone call with King Mohammed VI, who urged the UN to take measures to put an end to the violations by the Polisario of the ceasefire in the Guerguarat region, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern at the increased tensions in the region.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the increased tensions in the vicinity of Guerguarat in the Buffer Strip in southern Western Sahara, between the Moroccan berm and the Mauritanian border, a statement by Guterres s spokesman said Saturday.

The secretary-general calls on both of the parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions, be that through the actions of military or civilian actors, the spokesmans statement said.

In this context, and in order to immediately implement and respect the request made by the UNSG, King Mohammed VI issued instructions so that Morocco starts, as of today (Sunday) its unilateral and immediate withdrawal from the region, the Foreign Ministry said.

Morocco hopes that the UN Secretary-Generals intercession will make it possible to return to the situation as it was previously prevailing in the region, keep intact the regions status, secure fluidity of road traffic and thus safeguard the ceasefire and strengthen regional stability, the Foreign Ministry added.

In the statement released by his spokesman, Guterres pointed out that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo of the Buffer Strip.

The UN Secretary General also stressed the need to uphold the letter and spirit of the ceasefire agreement and to withdraw armed elements from the buffer zone.

Tension started building up in the region last August when Morocco launched an anti-smuggling operation that has a police character to clear the southernmost tip of the Saharan provinces of all sorts of illegal commercial activities. Moroccan authorities also started asphalting a road to better monitor the area and bar traffickers and terrorist groups from setting up a safe haven in the buffer zone beyond Moroccos security berm on the borders with Mauritania.

The Polisario tried to portray Moroccos security operation as a breach of the ceasefire, but the UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, refuted the separatists claims saying that the Morocco-led anti-smuggling operation in Guerguarat had a police character and was undertaken in coordination with the UN.

Moroccos concerns about growing illegal commercial activities with the involvement of terrorist groups were vindicated by the busting of several drug and arms trafficking networks comprising Polisario members.
Dozens were injured including three policemen during a suicide attack using an explosive belt against a police station in the eastern Algerian city of Constantine.

The explosive belt was detonated when a policeman opened fire on the terrorist outside the police station.

A policeman who was in front of the police station located in a building with dozens of families, retaliated vigorously, precisely targeting the explosive belt carried by a terrorist, the Algerian official news agency, APS, said citing a police statement.

This suicide attack brings to memories Algerias dark decade of the 1990s civil war between the military regime and Islamist militants during which more than 200,000 people lost their lives.

Algeria struggles with latent terrorist groups operating in the mountain chain east of Algiers and in the vast desert where they take advantage of porous borders to engage in all sorts of trafficking activities. The chaos prevailing in Libya also gave terrorist groups safe haven.

In October, three gunmen shot dead a policeman in a restaurant in northern Constantine in a rare urban attack which sources believe was carried out by a local Islamic State affiliate.

In January 2013, an Al-Qaeda linked organizations attacked the Ain Amenas gas facility killing 38 civilians.
The governments of the United States, France and Spain welcomed Moroccos decision to unilaterally withdraw from the southernmost area of the Saharan provinces on the borders with Mauritania known as Guerguarat in a bid to deescalate tensions with the Algerian-based Polisario separatists.

Moroccos foreign ministry explains that the withdrawal of troops from the buffer zone beyond the security wall was ordered by King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). The move also came following phone talks between the King and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

In this respect, the US embassy in Rabat welcomed in a statement Moroccos move to appease tensions in the region by retreating its forces from the buffer strip in Guerguarat.

For its part, the Spanish foreign ministry issued a statement lauding Moroccos decision and calling on other parties to follow suit by immediately retreating their armed men from the buffer zone in response to the call by the UN Secretary General.

The Spanish government hopes that talks will resume soon under the supervision of the UN Secretary General in order to find a political, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, to the Sahara issue, the same source said.

In the same vein, France described Moroccos retreat from the buffer strip as an important step towards de-escalation in favor of regional stability.

France calls on all parties to show responsibility by retreating unconditionally and immediately their armed men from the buffer strip in implementation of the provisions of the ceasefire agreement, the Spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry Romain Nadal said.

Following talks with King Mohammed VI, the UN chief expressed deep concern about the situation in the Guerguarat buffer strip after Moroccan and separatist forces came close to each other.

Morocco hopes that the UN Secretary-Generals intercession will make it possible to return to the situation as it was previously prevailing in the region, keep intact the regions status, secure fluidity of road traffic and thus safeguard the ceasefire and strengthen regional stability, the Foreign Ministry said in the statement announcing Moroccos withdrawal.

In the statement released by his spokesman, Guterres pointed out that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo of the Buffer Strip.

The UN Secretary General also stressed the need to uphold the letter and spirit of the ceasefire agreement and to withdraw armed elements from the buffer zone.

Tension started building up in the region last August when Morocco launched an anti-smuggling operation that has a police character to clear the southernmost tip of the Saharan provinces of all sorts of illegal commercial activities. Moroccan authorities also started asphalting a road to better monitor the area and bar traffickers and terrorist groups from setting up a safe haven in the buffer zone beyond Moroccos security berm on the borders with Mauritania.

The Polisario tried to portray Moroccos security operation as a breach of the ceasefire, but the UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, refuted the separatists claims saying that the Morocco-led anti-smuggling operation in Guerguarat had a police character and was undertaken in coordination with the UN.

Moroccos concerns about growing illegal commercial activities with the involvement of terrorist groups were vindicated by the busting of several drug and arms trafficking networks comprising Polisario members.
Moroccos leading bank group, Attijariwafa bank, has set sails towards Ghana where it seeks to conquer the banking market. In a first step, it signed a partnership agreement with GCB Bank Ltd, the second top bank group of the West African country.

After it established its presence in several francophone countries neighoring Ghana, Attijariwafa bank has entered the Ghanaian market on the occasion of the visit King Mohammed VI has just paid to Accra last week.

The agreement with GCB Bank seeks to establish cooperation in the area of investment, trade funding and in a larger extent the funding of projects across the continent, Moroccan media Leconomiste reports.

The agreement enables Attijariwafa bank, which was crowned best African bank in 2016, to establish itself in one of the most dynamic markets of the West African region, Leconomiste comments.

GCB Bank is the leading Ghanaian bank in terms of national coverage, with 161 local branches and about 2,000 staff, according to 2015 figures.

Ghana, which boasts enormous development potentials, is projecting a 7.7 per cent economic growth this year. Its banking sector is the most attractive of the region.

Attijariwafa bank is not the only Moroccan finance institution eyeing Ghanas potential. Other Moroccan institutions such as the BMCE Bank of Africa and Groupe Banque Centrale Populaire (GBCP) have also laid foundation for their entry in the country.
I am not a sheep, I have my own mind

I have had enough of being told what and how to think

Whilst we are still allowed the remnants of free speech,

I will speak out.



I also reserve the right to discuss less controversial matters should I feel the urge.
Chuck Hagel. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Chuck Hagel was Barack Obamas Secretary of Defense in 2013 and 2014: a period spanning several international conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the apex of Syrias civil war. Before that, he was a centrist Republican senator who was often maligned by the right flank of his own party. Few others know so intimately the challenges Trumps DoD pick, General James Mattis, will face in his new job. Ditto the travails of centrist GOP senators, balancing party loyalty and patriotic duty. Now a senior adviser at Gallup and a distinguished executive-in-residence at Georgetown University, Hagel spoke to Daily Intelligencer by phone last week on everything from the real reason we need our NATO allies and the right way to fend off government leaks to why trade is actually a national-security issue.

Trump has promised a lot of foreign-policy measures that would obviously be disastrous. A lot of us have wondered, So when do the brakes get put on? Who stops him from doing these things? Do you think Mattis is a promising candidate?

First of all, I know General Mattis very well. I worked with him. I knew him when I was in the Senate, when I would often get to Iraq and Afghanistan and deal with Central Command commanders. As Secretary of Defense, I presided over Mattiss swearing-in and his retirement. Hes a very accomplished, bright military leader. He has tremendous capability and experience with so much, and he does bring to that job a perspective that the president and vice-president and their closest advisers do not have. And it appears that the president has great confidence and trust in General Mattis. Thats key.

On the other hand, General Mattis has never been outside of the military culture. Hes been a Marine with a uniform on for 40 years. That isolates him. It doesnt mean he hasnt had exposure in NATO and other commands hes had, but look at the experience base of past secretaries of Defense: Carter, Hagel, Panetta, Gates, Cohen, Aspin, Perry, Brown. Its been a group of individuals with varied experience bases, wider than just our military.

A secretary of Defense has to deal with more than just military issues. Hes got to deal with the politics of that job every day: the politics of being in the White House, which are some of the roughest. Certainly the politics of Capitol Hill, behind closed doors and before committees and so on. The politics of the media.

Others have expressed concerns that Mattiss appointment could erode civilian control of the military. Do you share that concern?

I do share the concern that we do not want to in any way erode that principle, which I think is vital. There hasnt been an appointment like this, as you know, since General Marshall was secretary of Defense right after World War II. He was also Secretary of State. Ive always thought General Marshall was one of the greatest Americans of the 20th century. He did a tremendous job. So it doesnt mean that Mattis cant do a good job with this, but I think people will be watching to make sure that that premise still holds and stays strong.

How did your civilian experience benefit you?

My experience in starting jobs, working with people, knowing how to find quality people helped me every day in trying to pick talented people at the Pentagon. My 12 years in the Senate and active politics helped me navigate the political landscape. Being chief of staff to a congressman gave me some perspective on what it takes for the staff to do their jobs.



Do you have any opinions about Steve Bannons appointment to the National Security Council? Does it seem to threaten the non-political nature of the job?

As far as I know, theres never been a president who has actually formally appointed his chief political adviser to the principals committee like this. This goes back to how each president runs the show the way he wants to run it and how he feels most comfortable. But I dont think you want political people in those meetings. I just dont think its smart to do it, and I dont think it adds anything. It could well inhibit conversation, because it implies that the President may be making national-security decisions based on political optics or political reasons. That should not be.

What do you make of the accounts of Trump being at war with the deep state  with the entrenched bureaucracy in intelligence and security agencies?

I actually only know what I read in the papers. Im not in any kind of a loop anymore. I think this president has to be very careful on this issue, especially in publicly second-guessing, or even diminishing or dismissing, intelligence professionals. There are two reasons. One is that people who are in that business, like in any business of government, who are essentially public servants, do it mainly because they have a high purpose and they believe in things. When the leader of the country starts to diminish or question that, it is really dangerous, because it damages the internal culture.

And No. 2, it rattles the confidence and trust of the American people in the very institutions that are charged with carrying out vital intelligence work. It sends a bad signal all the way around. Ive been disturbed by some of the things that the president has said. I know that has caused some deep concern within these agencies. That needs to get turned around.

Do you see any place for leaks? Any situations where theyre in the public interest?

There are always going to be leaks. I have watched, over the years, president after president come into office and say, No more leaks. Were going to stop the leaks. Thats complete folly. You will never do that. The way I always conducted everything  when I was in the Senate, when I was secretary of Defense, any of these jobs I had  was to tell my staff, Remember, there are no secrets in Washington. You may get away, or somebody may get away with something for a while, but it will come out, because the tentacles are wrapped around agencies and individuals and government and everywhere so tightly and deeply that you will never stop the leaks.

That doesnt mean that you just take a laissez-faire attitude and say, Well, if theyre going to happen, theyre going to happen. Absolutely not. Youve got to maintain as much discipline as you can. Leaks are not good for the country, in the sense that they further destabilize our government and destroy the confidence and trust of the American people. But you have try to minimize it at the source.

Why do people leak? Lets talk about that. One motive is stature within the media  getting a nice mention in the New York Times or some paper. But I have also found that the leaks come as a result of people believing that theyre being shut up or shut off in institutions, and that things are happening too secretly, and may be wrong. They feel obligated, morally or patriotically, to alert the media.

But theres a better way to handle it. If a public official believes somethings going wrong, and the administration or whoever is covering it up, that individual has other options than just quietly giving it to the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. They can go to their congressman or their senator quietly. We cant have just a free-for-all.

It seems as though NATO might be one area where your views harmonize with Trumps  yes? Youve both said that other member countries need to be paying their fair share.

I dont agree with how he did it, almost threatening them. Im going to tell you what I think he does not understand. Weve gotten as much out of NATO as any country in NATO has. Yes, weve paid the bill, but can you imagine if we would not have had NATO, and a unification Europe, in particular Turkey, because they were right there on the border of those Soviet socialist republics for all those years, connected into the Middle East, connected right into the Soviet Union.

That alliance has been hugely important for us. Weve gotten so much out of it. If we would not have had that, and the adjunct of having the French and the British and the Italians and the Germans and their submarines and their ships and their intelligence adding to ours, we would have had to pay for that. All of it. NATO did as much as anything else to stabilize the world, and much of that was predicated on trade.

Yes, contributing 2 percent of GDP is there in the founding charter of NATO, and its something that every nation should aspire to, but heres the other piece of that: You take those front-line countries, the Baltics all the way down to Poland and Romania and Bulgaria and Turkey, and what they add in value by virtue of their geography should give them some credit.

Should other member countries be doing better? Yes, Germany being a good example. Theyre coming up. The British have been coming up. Its fair, as [former Defense Secretary Robert] Gates has talked about, as Bush has talked about, as Obama has talked about, to continue to push for 2 percent, but I dont agree with going beyond that.

So you think Trumps calculation of the value is skewed.

Thats exactly right. Its the same with TPP: He doesnt understand the value of moving all these countries over there into our orbit, not to Chinas. TPP is not just a trade deal. Its bigger than that. Its winning friends and influencing people and hearts and minds. He discounts the value of that completely, and I think its very dangerous. It just pushes people closer to China.

When youre trading with people, youre getting to know them. There are student exchanges. It means agriculture. It means technology. It means so many things where youre back and forth with each other. Youre getting along.

What do you see on the horizon for Syria, and what do you think the Trump administration should do there?

I started going to Syria back in the late 90s when I first started meeting with Hafezs side, as I met with his son Bashar Assad. Syria is endemic to whats going on in the Middle East. Those religious, cultural, ethnic differences are historic and are not going to be solved by the military  by anybodys military. Its going to take some platform of stability being established, and I think thats where the Russians and the Iranians and the Turks were trying to go, where Kerry was trying to go, I think, too, to at least get some workable cease-fire. If you can do that with some common interest, you can start taking this to the next level.

The mistake the United States has made is starting with the principle that Assad must go. You cant start with that issue because youll never go anywhere with it. The Russians and the Iranians have been clear.

Second, I think eventually youre going to have to have some pan-Arabic military coalition with the governments to bring some stability, almost like a NATO or U.N. force. These are down the road. There are a lot of different opinions for the future. Should you break off parts of Syria and give it to the Kurds? The Turks will never agree with that. Youve got all these different interests in play.

How about the situation in Yemen? What did you think of the recent raid?

I dont know the facts on it. I was involved in a number of those when I was secretary of Defense, to get hostages and to different things. I can tell you theyre always complicated, theyre always dangerous, and theyre always risky. Im not going to second-guess it.

The decision was reportedly made over dinner 

I heard that, yeah. I dont know if its the case, but Ill tell you, you cant sit down around a dinner table with the president, and say, Okay, lets go do it. When I was secretary of Defense with President Obama, these decisions were made by a full-blown National Security Council. You had the FBI director, the CIA director, the National Director of Intelligence there. The Attorney General was there. You had everybody in there.

This needs to really, really be worked through. Timing is always huge, because theres always a certain amount of nature that plays into this. Youve got to do these usually when theres not a full moon, or you look for rain or dust storms, and then youve got to have good enough intelligence. Its not just sitting down at a dinner table saying, Well, were ready to go. Obama took hours going through this, and consulted everybody, examined every piece, and still everything was risky.

If Trump does try to fulfill his more outlandish campaign promises  like welcoming a nuclear-arms race, killing the families of terrorists, starting a trade war  what role do you see for principled, moderate Republicans? If you would call them that. I mean people like McCain and Lindsey Graham.

Im not sure you can categorize people the same way you could 20 years ago. Theres only one person I would consider a genuine, real, moderate Republican: Susan Collins. But I just dont think those labels fit anymore. I think its better to talk about the role of the more center-right Republicans who take a more international approach to issues. The ones who are very pro-trade, very pro-engagement, are not hawks necessarily.

The Republican Party today is probably made up of four different variations of Republicans. Youve got your domestic-focused Republicans, youve got your economic-focused Republicans, your internationalist Republicans, and your hawk Republicans. The Democrats are more cohesive in their philosophy.

But I dont think you can really define Republicans and Democrats as all these different general labels that we used to, because you have a political world today thats bifurcated in so many different ways. When I ran for Senate 20 years ago, everybody was connected to a party. That was a big deal, to get the party nomination and the primary and so on. Now its more about the individual: the individual brand of John McCain or Elizabeth Warren, or whomever it is.

Fine, but whatever category you put them in, people like McCain and Graham and Susan Collins risk being alienated by their parties if they resist the presidents agenda.

McCain, to answer your question, is a category unto himself. There is nobody like John McCain in the Senate. The POW status, a former presidential candidate, been around a long time. Whether you like him or dislike him, whether you respect him or not, he is an institution himself. Graham has made his bones by being McCains Sancho Panza. Lindsey doesnt have the same stature that John does. There are others, but yes, people like McCain can make a difference, and I think will be a check in many ways on Trump going too far.
Bill Owens holds a photo of his son Ryan. Photo: Emily Michot/TNS via Getty Images

Days after a U.S. counterterrorism raid targeting al Qaeda in Yemen on January 29, President Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump went to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to witness the return of the remains for Chief Special Warfare Operator William Ryan Owens, the 36-year-old Navy SEAL who died during the raid. It was reported that the Trumps met with Owenss family, but over the weekend Owenss father, Bill, revealed that he refused to meet with the president.

Owens told the Miami Herald that the family only found out the Trumps were coming a short time before the ceremony. I told them I didnt want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldnt let me talk to him, he said. Owens and his wife sat in another room as other family members met with the president.

Owens, who is a veteran, told the paper that he didnt vote for Trump and was disturbed by his feud with a Gold Star family during the campaign. Now he has concerns about how the raid that killed his son was carried out, and hes calling for an investigation.

Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display? Owens said.



According to multiple reports, just about everything went wrong during the raid. While the mission had been planned by the Obama administration, Trump was given final approval. The White House said the president was briefed on the mission during a dinner with thenNational Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Vice-President Mike Pence, Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and other top aides. Owens was the only U.S. service member killed, but five other U.S. military personnel were injured. A number of civilians, including children, were also killed.

Despite reports that the mission failed its primary objective  to capture or kill Qassim al-Rimi, the head of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula  White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer insisted that it was a huge success, and said anyone who suggested otherwise was disrespecting Ryan Owens.

President Trump also mentioned Owens in a series of tweets attacking Senator John McCain for questioning the mission.

Dont hide behind my sons death to prevent an investigation, said Bill Owens. I want an investigation, he added. The government owes my son an investigation, he said.

When asked about Bill Owenss remarks Sunday on ABCs This Week, Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, I know that the mission has a lot of different critics, but it did yield a substantial amount of very important intel and resources that helped save American lives and other lives.

When asked if the president would support an investigation into the Yemen raid, she said, I would imagine that he would be supportive of that.

The military is already conducting an investigation, which happens anytime there is an American casualty. As the Washington Post notes, Owens appears to be calling for a formal inquiry into the decision-making process for the raid, which probably means it would fall on Congress to open an investigation. He did not respond to requests for clarification.

In an interview with New York Chuck Hagel, who served as secretary of Defense under President Obama in 2013 and 2014, said he did not want to second-guess what happened during the Yemen raid, since he does not have all the facts and such missions are always dangerous. But he did weigh in on reports that the operation was reviewed by the president over dinner:

I heard that, yeah. I dont know if its the case, but Ill tell you, you cant sit down around a dinner table with the president, and say, Okay, lets go do it. When I was secretary of Defense with President Obama, these decisions were made by a full-blown National Security Council. You had the FBI director, the CIA director, the National Director of Intelligence there. The Attorney General was there. You had everybody in there.



This needs to really, really be worked through. Timing is always huge, because theres always a certain amount of nature that plays into this. Youve got to do these usually when theres not a full moon, or you look for rain or dust storms, and then youve got to have good enough intelligence. Its not just sitting down at a dinner table saying, Well, were ready to go. Obama took hours going through this, and consulted everybody, examined every piece, and still everything was risky.
I dare you to hold out for a more sensible option. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call,Inc.

For seven years, Republicans campaigned and won on the message that Obamacare must be repealed and replaced as soon as possible. One month after unexpectedly finding themselves with a Republican in the White House and a majority in both chambers of Congress, its become apparent that Republicans arent going to quickly coalesce around a plan to overhaul the U.S. health-care system. The conservative House Freedom Caucus has vowed to oppose any repeal measure thats less extreme than the one passed in 2015, while other Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about forging ahead with a repeal plan that could leave millions with no coverage  especially after enduring raucous town hall events during last weeks recess.

Facing one of those angry left-leaning crowds in Iowa last week, Republican Representative David Young admitted that even with their majorities, the party cant completely trash the law. The Affordable Care Act is not going to be repealed outright, Young said, because theres not the votes and theres not the support.

But according to The Wall Street Journal, GOP leaders now have a plan to get around that: set repeal legislation in motion and bet that rank-and-file Republicans wont have the guts to vote against killing the Affordable Care Act.

GOP leaders hope to embark on this road as early as this week. The first step is passing legislation currently being crafted in the House that does away with key elements of Obamacare. As the Journal explains, the initial bill would contain some elements of a GOP replacement plan, but much of the new system would be worked out after the Affordable Care Act is no more.

The first step also could enact some elements of a new system, such as expanded health savings accounts popular with many Republicans, GOP aides and lawmakers said. It could potentially include alternative forms of financial assistance for people with private coverage and states that want to maintain Medicaid eligibility for low-income residents. It would likely include a transition period designed to prevent people losing coverage abruptly.



Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price could write rules designed to ease the way for members worried that their states fragile insurance markets could collapse amid, or because of, GOP changes to the health law.



Later, Republicans could look to pass other components of their health-care plan, potentially in a string of bills, which would need 60 votes and bipartisan support in the Senate.

Republican leaders hope to pass the initial legislation via the reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority  but its still a risky move. If the measure loses more than two votes in the Senate and 22 in the House, it will fail. The House Freedom Caucus has roughly 40 members and at least half a dozen Republican senators have expressed reservations about repealing Obamacare without a coherent replacement plan.

Their calculation is that after years of promising to repeal Obamacare, Republican lawmakers wont be willing to vote no on a bill that could actually kill the law, even if it doesnt meet their criteria for reforming the health-care system. Plus, theyll be facing pressure from a party leader with a megaphone like no other.

The presidents going to be very pivotal in this, Representative Dennis Ross, a member of the House GOP whip team, told the Journal. Hes got to go into these districts and give air cover to these members who are weak-kneed on some of these issues.

That may be the most obvious flaw in this plan. President Trump certainly has the ability to make wavering Republican lawmakers lives miserable, whether by holding a rally in their districts or merely firing off a few tweets. But getting the president onboard with the GOP leaderships Obamacare repeal strategy, and maintaining his focus, may be an issue. According to the Washington Post, President Trumps views on health care were still shifting just a few days ago, thanks to a visit from an old rival:

A meeting Friday afternoon between President Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, his former rival in the GOP primaries, had no set agenda. But Kasich came armed with one anyway: his hope to blunt drastic changes to the nations health-care system envisioned by some conservatives in Washington.



Over the next 45 minutes, according to Kasich and others briefed on the session, the governor made his pitch while the president eagerly called in several top aides and then got Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price on the phone. At one point, senior adviser Jared Kushner reminded his father-in-law that House Republicans are sketching out a different approach to providing access to coverage. Well, I like this better, Trump replied, according to a Kasich adviser.

Trump reportedly instructed Price and his chief of staff Reince Preibus to meet with Kasich, and the president was still discussing the topic during his lunch with governors Scott Walker and Rick Scott on Saturday. So if Walker, Scott, or some other White House visitor shared an interesting Obamacare replacement plan with the president, the GOP leaderships perilous plan may be DOA.
Tom Perez is the most progressive DNC chair ever  but you would not know that from the reaction of many Keith Ellison supporters. Photo: Branden Camp/AP

In any other context, Tom Perezs election as DNC chair might have been recognized as a major accomplishment for the partys insurgent left wing. A former distinguished head of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, and a powerful voice for workers empowerment as secretary of Labor, Perez was often considered the most progressive member of Obamas cabinet. When his name briefly emerged as a possible running mate for Hillary Clinton last summer, one of his main selling points was his ideological affinity to Democrats unhappy with Clintons reputation as a Wall Streetfriendly centrist.

But after his narrow second-ballot victory in the contest for the DNC chairmanship over the weekend, Perez now stands as an Establishment party leader anxious to placate a Bernie Sanders constituency that was passionately invested in Representative Keith Ellisons candidacy. For many of the People of the Bern, placing Ellison (a key and early Sanders supporter) at the head of the party would have been a sign of their retroactive vindication after the bitter 2016 presidential nomination defeat, and an appropriate gesture of humility for Obama and Clinton loyalists who led the party to a calamitous general-election loss. What made the outcome worse for them is that Ellison had been the early front-runner; his loss felt like yet another narrowly unsuccessful effort to change the party, rebuffed at the last minute by the shadowy and sinister forces of the Establishment.

Perez, of course, moved immediately to placate Ellison supporters by naming (as part of a prearranged mutual unity plan) the Minnesotan deputy chair.

There are varying assessments of how successful Perez will be in unifying the party; Donald Trump will obviously provide a common enemy of gargantuan proportions (and indeed, his facetious expressions of sympathy for Ellison as the victim of another Hillary Clintonengineered rigged election wont help Sanders bitter-enders). But to the extent that the forces behind both the Sanders and Ellison candidacies view themselves as a permanent movement with deep roots in various efforts to resist corporate/centrist influences on the party dating back many decades, there will be no easy or automatic turning of the page.

Policy analyst and Twitter commentator Matt Bruenig probably spoke for many former Bernie-or-busters in decrying Perezs election as a sign the Establishment would never give up the party without a fight, and in calling on the left to concede nothing going forward:

[T]he left should focus its energies on organizing under alternative institutions that, if they engage with the Democratic party at all, only do so in order to attempt hostile takeovers of various power positions (including primarying moderate Democrats and winning local party positions). Only a sucker would do more than that, given what the party has just shown itself to be about at this time.

If this sort of talk sounds familiar, it is precisely the sort of hostile takeover rhetoric we heard from the tea-party movement on the right, particularly following the GOPs 2012 defeat. They, too, had big ambitions for defeating their partys Establishment via primaries. Perhaps the left insurgents imagine themselves pulling off something like Dave Brats stunning victory over House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in June of 2014.

But I would argue the real story of the Republican primaries of 2014 was that again and again the Establishment defeated tea-party challengers by preempting their message and agreeing to their policy demands. It is entirely possible the Democratic Establishment will take a similar tack. Indeed, you could argue that by getting behind Perez as the DNC candidate, non-Sanders Democrats have already initiated a process of preempting the Bern. Dave Weigel notes how different the Establishment response was in the similar context of a previous presidential defeat:

In late 2004, when Howard Dean entered the race to run the DNC, some Democratic leaders put forward a candidate of their own  former congressman Tim Roemer of Indiana, a centrist who had served on the 9/11 Commission. It was a debacle, with progressives picking over Roemers spotty record on abortion rights and Social Security. The candidate quit within weeks.

Perez is a very different kind of Establishment leader.

Now obviously preempting the populist uprising is to a considerable extent a matter of common sense, and not necessarily some sort of insincere factional coup. Democrats are all feeling, and sharing, the grassroots pressure to abandon past centrist tactics like reaching out to Trump as many Democrats did to George W. Bush, or identifying some sort of agenda that appeals to Trump voters by repudiating progressive policies. The kind of high turnout Democrats need for a reversal of fortune in scattered elections this year and the 2018 midterms will not likely be generated by a move to the center. The Republican landslide of 2014 depended on a similar calculation that loud-and-proud base politics would work in the diminished electorate of a non-presidential contest against the party of a less-than-popular incumbent.

You can contend, however, that the Republican decision to embrace the tea party while crushing the life out of it as a party faction had some unintended consequences: laying the groundwork for a non-Establishment presidential candidate who had no particular principles other than inchoate defiance of all Establishments. Again and again, Donald Trumps rivals were self-estopped by their own extremism from successfully challenging Trumps.

Democrats today, left and center, are in a very different position from the Republicans of the recent past. Party divisions over policy are a lot less numerous, and Democrats are united in wanting to use government for positive purposes in a way Republicans havent exhibited in 40 years. But the age-old challenge remains for partisans of every variety: keeping eyes on the prize of general-election victories instead of the fools gold of dominating ones own party. Thats as true for the Democratic Establishment types who keep frustrating left insurgents as it is for the insurgents themselves.
Police investigating the scene on Sunday. Photo: Michael Bryant/The Philadelphia Inquirer/AP

As many as 100 headstones were knocked over at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia overnight Saturday in what may have been an anti-Semitic hate crime. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that some 75-100 headstones were found lying on the ground at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in the citys Wissinoming area on Sunday morning, and that there is no evidence of similar damage at the three apparently Christian cemeteries which are adjacent to Mount Carmel.

This is beyond vandalism, one police captain told the Inquirer after surveying the damage. No arrests have been made, and police do not appear to have identified any suspects. A GoFundMe account has been launched to solicit donations to help repair the damage, and that effort was already underway on Sunday:

Group of people of numerous faiths working to reset tombstones at Jewish cemetery. Hundreds knocked over. @6abc pic.twitter.com/cwJHmmFwv4  Bob Brooks (@BobBrooks6abc) February 26, 2017

The Anti-Defamation League and the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect have spoken out against the crime, which they link to an escalating series of anti-Semitic incidents throughout the country over the past few months. Just last week, 154 headstones were found knocked over at a Jewish cemetery in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Police say they havent found any evidence to suggest that vandalism was a hate crime, but they havent ruled it out either.

Vice-President Mike Pence visited the Missouri cemetery last Wednesday to condemn the crime and anti-Semitism more broadly, and that followed President Trump breaking his much-criticized silence on the issue the day before.
Civil-rights hero Jeff Beauregard Sessions. Photo: Susan Walsh - Pool/Getty Images

Poor, nonwhite Americans are disproportionately likely to lack a government-issued photo ID. They are also disproportionately likely to vote Democratic.

Republican state legislators tend to believe that people who lack photo IDs shouldnt be allowed to vote. They also tend to insist that this policy preference has nothing to do with the voting habits of poor, nonwhite people  when they remember that theyre supposed to do that, anyway.

This has made voter-ID laws a perennial source of civil-rights litigation. But the legal fight over Texass voter-ID law has been especially fierce.

There are a few reasons for this. For one, there may be no other state where Republicans have more to lose from a sharp uptick in voter participation among nonwhite voters: If Texass Hispanic citizens turned out at the same rate as its non-Hispanic whites, it would (almost certainly) be a swing state by now. For another, the states vast geography makes the ID requirement more onerous than it is in other areas  civil-rights groups claim that some Texas residents would need to drive more than 100 miles to reach the nearest office where a valid ID could be obtained.

Whats more, one aspect of the Texas law seems to tip Republicans hand  firearm licenses are listed as a valid form of voter identification, but student IDs (even those issued by public universities) are not.

Anyhow, Texass law has been tied up in the courts for six years now. Last summer, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law did, in fact, have the effect of discriminating against minority voters. But it was unable to determine whether such discrimination had been the laws intended purpose. So, the appeals court blocked enforcement of the law during the 2016 election, and sent the case back to a district court for further review.

This Tuesday, that district court will hear the case for believing that the law was intentionally discriminatory. But the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department will not be making it: After six years of leading the fight against the ID law, the DOJ has realized that Texas Republicans couldnt possibly have intended to inconvenience minority voters.

By all accounts, the facts of the matter havent changed. But the attorney general has. And civil-rights hero Jeff Beauregard Sessions just doesnt think the DOJs case holds up.

Sessionss decision may end up having a discriminatory effect. We can only speculate about his intentions.
Director Ava DuVernay made a political statement with her dress. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

After several artists at the Grammys used the stage to call out Donald Trump or to draw attention to causes that were important to them, the 2017 Oscars seemed destined to get just as political, if not more so. Most of Hollywood has made its opinion of the Trump administration clear, and on Sunday night, filmmakers and stars used everything from red-carpet gowns to acceptance speeches to amplify messages of tolerance and inclusion. Heres a roundup of the Oscars most political moments.

The blue ribbons

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Long before the ceremony began, stars like Ruth Negga, Busy Phillips, Karlie Kloss, and Lin Manuel-Miranda pinned blue ribbons to their red-carpet looks to show support for the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU filed a lawsuit over Trumps travel ban, and a judge ruled in the organizations favor, temporarily blocking it. The ribbons were part of the Stand With the ACLU campaign that launched this week.

Ava DuVernays dress

The director chose a dress from a Lebanese designer, making her stance on Trumps travel ban clear.

A small sign of solidarity. I chose to wear a gown by a designer from a majority Muslim country. Thanks to @AshiStudio of Lebanon. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/CbEkK7rCpG  Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 27, 2017

She also posted a photo to her Twitter page before the ceremony honoring Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed on February 26, 2012.

On my way to #Oscars. Taking a moment to remember #TrayvonMartin. Our hoodies are still up and the movement is still strong. #OurSonTrayvon pic.twitter.com/PdxuXMktOg  Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 26, 2017

Jimmy Kimmels Trump jokes

The crowd gives "underrated actress" Meryl Streep a standing ovation at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/18yGDNKoW3  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017

Kimmel made at least three Trump jokes in his opening monologue alone, but one of the best came later, when he poked fun at the presidents comment that Meryl Streep is overrated. Meryl Streep has phoned it in on more than 50 films over the course of her lackluster career, Kimmel said before asking her to stand so the audience could applaud her.Nice dress, by the way, he added. Is that an Ivanka?

Asghar Farhadis boycott

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi wasnt at the Oscars to accept the award for Best Foreign Language Film for his movie, The Salesman. He announced hed skip the ceremony after Trump issued his travel ban. Instead, Anousheh Ansari, the first astronaut of Iranian descent, accepted the award on Farhadis behalf and read his remarks out loud. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, the statement read  it also called the travel ban an inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants into the U.S.

Gael Garcia Bernals speech

The Mexican actor and filmmaker presented the award for best animated feature film alongside Hailee Steinfeld, and he used the moment to take on Trumps fondness for walls. Flesh-and-blood actors are migrant workers; we travel all over the world, we build families, we construct stories, we build life, and cannot be divided, he said. As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, Im against any form of wall that wants to separate us.

Gael Garcia Bernal: "As a Mexican, as a Latin-American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I am against any form of wall." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/3fiYgSV1AH  ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Orlando von Einsiedels speech

When Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara, director and producer of White Helmets, took the stage to accept the award for best short documentary, they asked the audience to call for an end to Syrias six-year civil war, which lead to a standing ovation. The film tells the story of the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group that operates in war-torn areas of Syria, and von Einsiedel read a statement from the groups founder that quoted from the Quran.

We are so grateful that this film has highlighted our work to the world. Our organisation is guided by a verse from the Quran: to save one life is to save all of humanity, the statement said. We have saved more than 82,000 Syrian lives. I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life to stop the bloodshed in Syria and around the world.

Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraneys speech

Thanks to the best picture mix-up, the Moonlight team didnt get to speak following the films win. But earlier in the evening, when it won for best adapted screenplay, Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney accepted the award with a bit of political commentary. All you people out there who feel theres no mirror for you, that your life is not reflected, the Academy has your back, the ACLU has your back, we have your back, and for the next four years we will not leave you alone, we will not forget you, Jenkins said. McCraney added: This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls and non-gender-conforming, who dont see themselves, were trying to show you, you and us. So thank you, thank you. This is for you.
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Auburn University will be the first stop on a national tour discussing America's place in the world at a time of increasing concern about global competition abroad and population diversity within national borders.

Inspired by Alexis de Tocqueville's 19th century tour of the United States, the Asia Society has established The U.S. and the World in 2017: A Listening Tour in the Footsteps of Alexis de Tocqueville, which kicks off Wednesday, March 1, with a town hall meeting at Auburn University.

The Asia Society, founded by John D. Rockefeller III in the wake of World War II, is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting understanding between the U.S. and Asia. Its president and chief executive officer is Josette Sheeran, former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme and a current member of the advisory board for the Hunger Solutions Institute at Auburn University.

De Tocqueville did not visit Auburn when he came to Alabama in the winter of 1832. The French sociologist summarized his observations from his American tour in Democracy in America, arguably one of the most influential books of the 19th century.

Sheeran and Asia Society's Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski will visit Auburn and Montgomery to speak with public officials, community and faith organizations, manufacturing workers and business groups about what it means to be American and what role they see the U.S. playing in the world.

The tour is the first step in developing ideas and solutions that can be shared with policymakers and influencers in the U.S. and Asia. Additional tour cities will be added in the coming months.

Auburn's Hunger Solutions Institute is co-hosting the town hall from 5-7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. University and community leaders including Bill Ham, mayor of Auburn; Taffye Benson-Clayton, Auburn University's new associate provost and vice president for inclusion and diversity; June Henton, dean of the College of Human Sciences at Auburn; and Charles Pick, businessman and chairman of the Auburn University Research and Economic Development Advisory Board, will discuss various issues such as diversity, globalization and how to prepare tomorrow's leaders for an increasingly complex world. A special focus will be on the historic and future role of the land-grant university, especially in addressing the domestic and global challenges of food and nutrition security.

Auburn University is a national leader in the fight against hunger. Since partnering with the World Food Programme in 2004, Auburn has established the campus-wide War on Hunger initiative; Universities Fighting World Hunger, which has been active at more than 300 member universities worldwide; and Presidents United to Solve Hunger, a consortium of more than 85 university presidents from five continents.

The Hunger Solutions Institute, formed in 2012, houses Universities Fighting World Hunger, Presidents United to Solve Hunger and the statewide End Child Hunger in Alabama campaign. Auburn is one of two universities in the country with a minor in hunger studies.

The town hall is free; however, seating in the museum auditorium is limited. Reservations should be made in advance at http://bit.ly/2kShg8X.
This needs to happen.

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omg

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i would really fucking love for this to happen

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Both would be even better.

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I was hoping for Alec, but now I demand that this happen!!

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That would be amazing. <3

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yessss please

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Hilary + Rosie + Martha Stewart + Alec, tbfh. His fragile male ego wouldn't be able to handle that.

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alec as trump should bring hillary as his date.

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They could also just have a crying toddler having a tantrum sit there all night, that'd be about the same. My goddaughter's little sister just turned two and has a cold, she's literally hulking out in rage and tears rn, take her.

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At first I read that as your grandfathers 2 year old litter sister and nearly had a stroke.

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I'm sure this statement is true somewhere on the planet for like animals or soap operas lmao



Although if you were like 15 and your parents were young like 35 max and there was a young grandpa who was about 55 and then a 75 year old great grandpa sperminating a young wife there could be lolololol





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alec baldwin could run this country better than osp

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what does osp stand for btw? i've seen it around but googling "trump osp" hasn't given me much useful

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orange shit pile I think

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orange shit pile

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you've already got the answer, but it could stand for so many appropriate names!



overly shitty president



only sips pee



originally stans putin



etc.





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i honestly believe that's true for the majority of ppl with Common Sense ( Thomas Paine)

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The right's obsession with labeling the left as ~special snowflakes~ who need safe spaces when they've boycotted every product and brand is hilarious to me. And to top it off their Dear Leader has to hold rallies to feed his pathetic ego and won't even go to the WHCD?? Not to mention the GOP is too scared to face their constituents at town halls. A man who is the father of the birther movement, disparaged and insulted everyone and ran on a campaign of not being PC can't even face a charity dinner. He could not have handled 1% of what Obama or Clinton faced. As I said in another post, the Al Smith dinner during the campaign was proof that he's a humorless miserable fuck. He has an obsession with being loved and he isn't. I hope that kills him...literally.



Edited at 2017-02-26 10:28 pm (UTC)

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omg ive been calling my mom a special snowflake (she's pro trump) and it infuriates her, i love it lmao and i dish out the reasons why lmao and it infuriates her more cause its all true bwhaha

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My dad was saying "I'm going to boycott the Oscars, I wish I had boycotted the All Star game too!" and I asked him if he was feeling triggered.

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DRAG it!

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It would piss him off, so I'm for it.

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Anthony Atamanuik is availableeee

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it annoys me that Baldwin gets all the attention this guy is clearly the best.

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Props to Bitch Sesh for bringing him into my life, he is phenomenal.

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He's certainly got the diction down.

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Please let this happen

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http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/26/politics/spicer-leaks-crackdown/index.html did anyone see that spicey is looking through staffers' phones to find the leakers

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Is that even legal?

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If it isn't, they'll make a law that makes it legal.

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they're making the choice to work there

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i'd assume they are work phones.

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If they're consenting then I would think so? If it's their work phone they may not have a choice? But they might be too scared to say no.

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The whole regime is acting guilty AS FUCK.

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These staffers are intelligent and talented enough to be hired by the White House but he thinks they're too stupid to use disposable phones?

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recovering from an assassination attempt



Fixed it!

replace Reagan with Tr@mpfrom an assassination attemptFixed it!

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omg that gif is majestic

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fab kitty

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I love that kitty is just totally chill with the air blowing in its fur.

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CACKLING

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since you are so good at wishing things into existence...



ONTD WISH THIS INTO EXISTENCE!

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omg this would be gold

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That's such a great Idea, I want that now.

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"However Reagan was recovering from an assassination attempt; sadly, Tr*mp is not....."

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those two kill me every time I see that gif <3

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This is the cutest gif. what is the context?

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Seeing this gif makes me want to hug them both. (And I eventually want a dog of that same breed.)

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i believe the whole thing was completely fake and la la land was in on it.



the oscars needed a "moment" otherwise it would have gone way too smooth

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It def wasn't planned, and even if it was the LLL crew was not in on it. You can see how genuinely upset some of them were/how flustered they got. No one would want the embarrassment that comes giving speeches and then realizing you didn't win.

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Omg, the conspiracies are stupid.



This is insanely embarrassing for the Academy and the incompetence will never be forgotten, they did not want this to happen - La La Land especially did not want this to happen because it is incredibly embarrassing to be bragging about dreams on stage and then have the biggest award in your field snatched away.

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I can't with anyone who thinks it was fake. Warren Beatty was obviously thrown off during it and he without a doubt had a Best Actress envelope.



Also, the bald white guy was clearly annoyed and upset when he realized he didn't win. Just look at the way he snatched the actual winning card out of a Warren's hand.



If it was planned it wasn't planned very well because it was a total cluster fuck.

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I noticed the annoyance to! He turned quite sassy real quick! Lmao.

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that guy worked for production tho, not la la land

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I don't think it was fake because...who would agree to take part in that ruse? It's pretty humiliating to give an ebullient acceptance speech only for the victory to be deemed void moments later.



I still remember the Australia's Next Top Model mix-up and how sad I felt for the girl who thought she'd won and jubilantly said "I feel tall!!" after hearing about her height all season

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Emma Stone is NOT that good of an actress.

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The Academy doesn't want this shit and neither does PricewaterhouseCoopers. It's full of old white dudes who can barely stand Trump jokes. They want professionalism. lmao I can't believe we really have Moonlight truthers what a time to be alive.

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anyone who thinks this was planned is an idiot.

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Maybe for a smaller award, but for the pinnacle of your ceremony? No.

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Lol La La Land would NOT be in on that

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again: as a person who works in live tv production, this would never happen on purpose in a million years. this is a producer's nightmare.

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the LLL people would have never agreed to such humiliation lmao

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It happened at the end of the show when the audience numbers were already set. And by this time next year no one will gaf anymore, as it's not like it's such a big deal that people will still care a year later. Stupid as hell choice if they were going to fake something for drama.

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lol no

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the reputations of the oscars have been permanently tarnished with this



for years and years and years there will be "but did they really win???" jokes

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.....we really dont need best picture truthers

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Oh, come on. The whole stereotype of the Oscars is that it takes itself too seriously; they'd never do something ~wacky like that on purpose. You could see people running around in the background -- it was an honest, albeit careless and easily preventable, human mistake.

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I truly believe comments like these are posted by employees of the celebrity/organization that fucked up in order to sow confusion, but what can I say, since Trump took office my tin foil hat game has been strong.

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why would they have a stunt for the last minute of the show lmao the ratings are already in the show is finished.

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How can anyone think this was planned is BEYOND me.



Oscars would NEVER want this kind of publicity.This was really embarrassing.

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Nah, the Oscars take themselves too seriously to pull something like that. Best Picture is the biggest award of the night and means way too much to the winners. No way would the LLL cast and crew allow themselves to be humiliated like that on such a huge stage.

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Fake news!

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At my friends' Oscar party, we turned off the Oscars after La La Land "won" and I'll always regret that a liiiittle bit because it would've been more exciting finding out about it during the broadcast, not on social media (then we went back to the DVR to witness the madness)

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Oh man watching it live was a trip

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Same, I turned it off and wondered for a moment if I was missing anything until I read about it online, luckily I turned it on to see Moonlight give their speeches. Still mad though.

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I stopped paying attention after the dude thanked his "blue eyed wife" but then there was panic on stage and I thought someone was trying to pull an Adele or something and then he snatched the card and made me believe in God, lol.

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ngl i rolled my eyes after the blue eyed wife line and then the magic happened i nearly lost it lol



what a night tbh

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lol my boyfriend was over watching and he was exhausted and just trying to stay up for the award so as soon as they said la la land, he left -- he didnt believe me when i texted him while he was in an uber home because it sounded so absurd!

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yeah i turned it off too so i missed it

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I had two friends over and it was shortly after 6 am where I live and they were just getting ready to take the bus home and packing their things when I just heard them say "Moonlight won" and turned to my tv because I thought they were doing a thing like "Oh we're all winners we share this with you." Adele/Beyonce thing and then they eloborated.

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It was one of the only times in my life that I was truly SHOOK. It made suffering through the whole show worth it. Me and my friend went from dreary depression, to heart dropping confusion, to screaming excitement. It was incredible to experience live lol

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My friends and always have a pool and I was the only one who chose Moonlight as Best Picture, but my streaming stopped before the award, I was on Twitter until my friends messaged me saying YOU WON AT THE LAST MINUTE, THEY ANNOUNCED IT WRONG! It was wild lol.

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I'm glad that I kept going. the twist killed me. I was like OMGGGG for real, lol

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Jordan Horowitz handled the situation really well. I give him props.



I'm disappointed Arrival didn't win

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this was all a drummed up stunt to distract us from Nicki

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lol

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Lmaoooo

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lol i love this meme

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HA

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wth is that woman in the white "It happens. It's Okayyyyyy!"

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Here's some major Oscar deja vu/trivia for you



Flashback to 1973



Bob Fosse's movie musical Cabaret makes Academy Awards history as the film to win the most Oscars without winning Best Picture. Cabaret's wins included Best Actress (Liza Minnelli), Best Director (Fosse) and Best Cinematography, but would lose Picture at the last minute to Francis Ford Coppola's family crime epic The Godfather.



Emma Stone also played the lead in a revival of Cabaret three years ago, before winning Best Actress for her own movie musical



Edited at 2017-02-27 06:54 pm (UTC)

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Emma's Oscar dress actually reminded me a bit of her Cabaret costumes!

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im still shook



ill never get over that moment. ever.

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The process could have changed since Woopi hosted.

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Actually, it has happened . And Whoopi seems to not know there are duplicates. It really annoys me she's spouting off these "alternative facts". This is just one of the reasons I hate the View.

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Exactly! I read somewhere that two envelopes are printed- one for the stage and one for the showrunner to prepare the shots. Completely plausible.



It sucks for all involved, but shit happens. It could have been a lot worse. Mel Gibson could have won!

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I believe God and the baby Jesus wanted to put straight white people in their place by letting them thing they won the award only to have it snatched from them by gay black men.

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The last time she hosted was 2002. How does she know policies haven't changed?



I really think it was a huge mistake, and nothing more.

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what if this was arrival that won? or some other movie other then la la land winning this? I doubt there would be this much coverage? or the same?



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It wasn't that distant, was it? Most critics seemed to be saying it should win but LLL probably would.

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I mean regardless of the two films in question it's a huge story in and of itself that the oscars had a mix up this huge for the biggest award of the night, it would have dominated headlines either way

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The same. This is Academy Award for Best Picture, not best Sound Editing or the People's Choice Awards. Add to this that people were already giving their Hollywood-y acceptance speeches and this is perfect storm regardless of the movies in question.



The only thing that could have made this worse would have been the reverse mistake: Moonlight being mistakenly read as the BP winner only to lose to LLL.

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Whoopi trying to throw Emma Stone under the bus with the 'she could have put her card down' shade. She showed she had it with her at the press conference after getting her award.

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And even if she had set it down somewhere backstage it still wouldn't have ended up in Warren Beatty's hands. Does Whoopi actually think some random person picked it up and was like, here you go, here's the envelope you need. She's really grasping at straws.

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time for the urn for him

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Lol what is Viola's face?

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lmao where can i c this pic

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Isn't he like a rapist or something?



He would have been better off not commenting lmao.

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He was sued by two women for sexual harassment.

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This isn't meant to be calling you out, because loads of people have said this but I wish we would stop saying it's harassment, it's more than that - he told another crew member to show a woman his dick, he was naked in bed with a woman who was asleep and touching her, that is not 'harassment'



Edited at 2017-02-27 08:53 pm (UTC)

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I cannot get over how awful he looked last night. My mum would kick my fucking ass if I left the house to go to a ceremony looking like that

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im pretty sure he has to style this way for a current movie role

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surely if you have a production company you should know what goes on in it?

so either he is a liar or just unprofessional?

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I hate that I have to defend him, but 5k isn't that much for a production company and he's an actor on top of being part-owner...he's not going to have the time to comb over every nickle that comes and goes. That's what accountants and bookkeepers are for. The partner donated a small amount and I guess he didn't notice until it was too late.

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i definitely get where you're coming from. i understand that there is a lot of money in it, and 5k can go unnoticed

and i also think it's fair if he doesn't overlook all the money that goes into or out of the business - but that should be related to the actual business surely? maybe he doesn't know how much everyone is being paid and whatnot, but a donation to a presidential candidate - it's an unnecessary cost for the business so i don't believe that he was not consulted, it's not like the partner paid the 5k out of his own pocket? i think it's incredibly unprofessional, in a partnership there should definitely be a conversation about it. and if it was an organised, fair business then he would've been aware of it.

edit: awrite i just reread what i wrote and i realise it's pretty much just rambling on but i hope you still understand my point lol



Edited at 2017-02-27 08:12 pm (UTC)

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IA when you run a business, you assume those you put in charge of certain jobs, do them. that's why there are audits and so on. unless you want to waste time and money micromanaging, you have others who do things related to the financial. hell CEO's do not go over every single penny in petty cash. they look at spreadsheets on the big numbers, not the little stuff. as long as the books balance, it's easy to have an expenditure you weren't aware of.

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Right? That's why I brought it up bc who lets this happen?!!

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To be fair, yeah he probably isn't micromanaging. Most production companies are vanity in nature .. if he was off filming or whatever he probably wasn't keeping in touch. But he should know his partner is Republican and pro Trump? I couldn't be involved with them but I guess it's a business.

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Ugh. Go away you rancid fungusridden ballsack

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I need to ad block his face

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Someone donating money without your consent is scummy



Fuck his win and fuck most of Hollywood for choosing him and that standing ovation

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I need a list of every celeb that stood up. Need to scrap every one of them!

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Like I said in the last post, Affleck can save his Trump outrage since they both share the same views on consent. Fuck y'all.

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THIS

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yup

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This right here

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mte

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Perfect comment

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mte

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MTE

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Seriously. He can GTFO.

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preach bb

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nothing else to say

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That pic with Viola had me cackling. Also, you know Brie was so pissed she had to give him that statue. And the Academy ain't shit for making her do it. She is very vocal about her support for sexual assault victims.



Edited at 2017-02-27 06:55 pm (UTC)

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I like that she did what she was supposed to but gave him nothing extra. No clapping, no excitement whatsoever.

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Ugh, I hate this mediocre nepotist sexual predator

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yup

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I'm appalled by his existence and homeless man appearance.

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It's fitting for him.

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An orange jumpsuit is more fitting for him

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He's an insult to homeless ppl tbh

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Where did the money come from? Is he saying he has no idea how the company money is being spent? if it was personal money why was the donation made in his company name? He knows his collaborator is a trump supporter and Republican and he found nothing wrong with it. He is only trying to cover his arse now that it is public knowledge.

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his partner used their joint company funds to donate to Trump.



if the partner takes care of the managerial side of things then its totally believable that Casey has no knowledge of what his partner is up.



the fact that the partner also donated using his own personal money to Trump and Affleck did not does lend some support to Casey's story of events.

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but it begs the question of a major trump supporter being your business partner, doesn't it?

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His business partner has worked with republicans for like, 20 years and funded Donald Trumps campaign, everyone in hollywood knows his political leanings, Affleck just chooses to ignore it and make money for the guy.

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Alternative and renewable aviation fuels such as biofuel blends wont be replacing traditional jet fuels any time soon, but the aviation industry continues to take them very seriously.

On average, the aviation sector consumes 10 percent of the total energy required in the transportation sector each year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). It produces its share of greenhouse gas emissions as a transport sector, which airline executives and regulators have been working on reducing through alternative fuels  especially biofuel drop-ins blended with traditional jet fuels.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a U.N. specialized agency, held a seminar on alternative fuels in aviation earlier this month in Montreal. Panelists discussed the recently passed international agreement, the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. Key issues discussed were support for the use of alternative fuels in aviation, finance and assistance programs, and legal and regulatory frameworks.

Years ago, United Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, and several other airlines and governing bodies, became one of the very first commercial sectors to commit to limiting carbon emissions over the next 20 years. During the ICAO panel, the future of deploying sustainable fuels to meet these targets was explored along with operational practices to reduce jet fuel consumption and emissions. Some of the efficiency practices outlined during the panel included using more fuel-efficient airplanes, optimized flight plans, and turning off jet engines while idling on tarmacs.

Test projects are being done in aviation to develop renewable jet biofuels including using hydro-treated oils; and fermentation processes done by biotech firm Amyris with French oil company Total. These and other fuel companies were acknowledged by experts at the ICAO conference for development projects supporting sustainable jet fuels.

Finland-based oil refining company Neste Corp. is known for testing and developing alternative transport fuels, including being considered the worlds leading supplier of renewable diesel. Neste Oil says that because of its fossil fuel-like chemical composition and excellent cold weather performance, Neste Renewable Aviation fuel can be blended well with fossil jet fuel. Related: The Baltic Sea: Europes Forgotten $80 Billion Oil Play?

The company says that its Neste Winter Grade Renewable Fuel is currently waiting for approval by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for use as an aviation fuel.

In 2012, Neste Oil worked with Lufthansa to test another of its fuels, Neste Renewable Jet Fuel, on a total of 1,187 flights. Boeing has successfully tested Neste's renewable fuel as a component of aviation fuel, as well.

Hamburg airport in Germany started using Neste's renewable diesel as a solution to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels last November, for its diesel-powered ground fleet. Hamburg would like to follow the lead set by Oslo Gardemoen Airport, which is considered to be the first European biohub in aviation after it started offering renewable jet fuel to all airlines visiting the airport in January 2016. Hamburg airport said that Neste Oil is playing a key role in renewable fuel solutions in aviation.

United Airlines is a leader in testing out biofuels in its fleet. The airline is using biofuel blends in place of conventional jet fuel on short hop flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The companys plan is to bring biofuel use to all its domestic flights leaving the LAX hub; and then eventually to roll it out to all its flights globally.

Uniteds blend has been 30 percent biofuels and 70 percent conventional jet fuel produced by

California-based Alt Air Fuels. Alt Air operates a refinery near LA and plans to deliver about 15 million gallons of refined biofuel product to United through 2019. Related: Energy Minister Novak: Russia Cuts More Oil Output In February

Market intelligence company Transparency Market Research just released a study analyzing the global aviation alternative fuel market. Biofuels, CNG, LNG, and other fuels are being considered, but biofuels are seen in the study as the alternative aviation fuel anticipated to see the most sales growth. With biofuels coming mainly from vegetable oils such as camellia, jatropha, sugar crops, cereals, and algae, the feedstock is available in high volumes.

A few barriers will need to be crossed for biofuels to reach a profitable production scale as an aviation fuel. While considered to be clean fuels, the longtime debate over food vs. fuel can still block government incentives and support, as has been experienced by ethanol and biodiesel in ground transportation sectors; another hurdle to cross will be meeting stringent production quality and safety standards required for aviation fuel.

Developed regions such as North America and Europe are the key markets for aviation alternative fuels, according to the study. Asia Pacific is slated to be another growth market for these fuels, with China, India, and ASEAN member states expected to see real growth in air traffic. Latin America is another region to watch, with Brazil expected to lead the way.

By Jon LeSage for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russias oil production in February will be lower than the January output, with Moscow cutting more than the 117,000 bpd cut it made last month, Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on the sidelines of an event in Sochi on Monday.

Its still early to talk of specific figures for February, but the cut would be more than the 117,000 bpd reduction in January, Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Novak as saying to reporters, answering a question about how much oil Russia is cutting this month.

The Russian minister also reiterated that his country would be sticking to the agreement between OPEC and non-OPEC producers to curtail output in order to rebalance the market. Moscow will be trying to speed up the gradual cutting of the 300,000 bpd it had promised by the end of the first half, Novak said, adding that anything is possible, when asked whether the 300,000-bpd-cut could be reached in early April. The timing will depend on the capabilities of the companies, the minister said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

OPEC and the 11 non-OPEC nationsled by Russiathat have joined the deal achieved a combined 86-percent compliance rate in January, OPEC said last week, hailing solid progress towards full conformity. Related: Wind Energy Boom Hits The U.S.

Non-OPEC-only compliance has been estimated to vary between 48 percent and 66 percent, with Russia playing a major role in the low (as compared to OPECs surprisingly high) compliance, due to its pledge to gradually cut 300,000 bpd, more than half the 558,000 bpd total non-OPEC reduction.

As for the recurring question about whether the supply-cut agreement needs to be extended beyond June, Novak said today that an extension is possible in case the market still imbalanced, adding that it would not depend on the price of oil.

Earlier this month, Novak said that the decision on whether to extend the agreement with OPEC will be made in April or May.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The pressure to cut costs and optimize resources amid the oil price slump has made exploration and production companies analyze more carefully the potential of the shale assets they consider buying. The oil and gas industry has now started to use data analytics  comparing data from multiple sources  an approach that other sectors such as finance, for example, have been using for years.

Unconventional fields, especially those in West Texashome to the Permian basinhave too many wells on a limited acreage, each with its own specific production-type curves, cost of drilling, geological formations, leasing costs, and completions optimizations. And each of those factors is changing from well to well, location to location, or from one period of time to another, because unlike conventional fields, unconventional resources are much more diverse in their formations. These variances make it difficult to compare assets.

Abhishek Gaurav, completions engineer at Texas Standard Oil, and his colleagues Edward J. Gibbon and Timothy M. Roberson, have created a methodology to aid in this comparison. The methodology would evaluate the economics and potential of shale assets by integrating data about the geology, completions, production, and leasing of the formations from public sources.

The idea behind this methodology is that the completions economics and optimization is a variable, rather than a constant. Therefore, an asset that previously looked unattractive may not always be unprofitable given the recent advances in technology and efficiency. Gaurav and his colleagues believe that the completions parameters are key to helping a company identify the economic and production potential of a shale asset. The engineers combine all kinds of data into one huge data set in order to identify patterns with the best potentially performing wells. Related: U.S. Oil Rig Count Rises  Up 125 Since OPEC Deal

The Texas Standard Oil team  who presented their data analytics paper at the SPE Unconventional Resources Conference in Calgary earlier this month  argue that big data analytics that considers all variables can help E&P companies identify the economics of an asset on their own instead of just copying and pasting the best practices of another operator in the same area. Thats because no well is exactly similar to another, and performance indicators vary depending on a number of factors, including geological formation and the way a well is drilled and/or positioned.

But we also see that what really differentiates performance is the orientationwhere you land the well, Gaurav tells Journal of Petroleum Technology.

In addition, wells oriented in a particular way can deliver better performance than other wells in the same area.

For example, Gaurav has noticed that a change in the direction of the wellbores in Reeves Country, Texas, has made wells produce more than other wells in the same area. Related: Wind Energy Boom Hits The U.S.

Most of the data the engineer has been crunching is available in the public domain: in corporate press releases or in regulators and watchdogs data sets. The data not available in those sources is often found in the companies conference calls with analysts when E&P firms share the economics and details of their latest completion optimization advances to boast progress in efficiency. In addition, oilfield consulting reports are another source of data for Gauravs analytics methodology.

The engineer is also using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze shale assets, and aims to show how they can enrich his data analytics approach.

The oil and gas industry  once a rather conservative sector  has started to embrace the digital age with cloud computing and supercomputing, and big data analytics is another step in the direction that has been changing many other industries such as banking, retail or healthcare.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Canadas oil sands could struggle to rebound, with potentially billions of barrels of oil being kept underground permanently.

Canadas oil sands are incredibly expensive, some of the costliest sources of oil in the world. Unlike conventional oil drilling, or even drilling in shale, producing from oil sands is more like open-pit mining in many cases. The oil, often found as a sticky, viscous semi-solid known as bitumen, requires extra steps to extract and process before it can be shipped. That stands in stark contrast to conventional oil, which merely requires drilling into an oil field and pumping out the crude.

As a result, the breakeven cost for Canadas oil sands is dramatically higher than most other places in the world. Obviously, costs vary from company to company and project to project, but a 2016 estimate from IHS put the average breakeven price at a new greenfield oil sands mine at between $85 and $95 per barrel. A steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) project could cost between $55 and $65 per barrel just to break even. With those figures, it is easy to see why very few, if any, greenfield projects could move forward in the near- to medium-term, particularly when companies could look elsewhere for oil.

To make matters worse, Canadian oil typically trades at a discount to WTI, due to its lower quality and because it needs to be transported longer distances. A dearth of pipeline capacity induces discounts from producers, as they fight for pipeline space. Inadequate pipeline capacity keeps some oil sands supply on the sidelines, which is exactly why environmental groups have targeted the likes of Keystone XL and the Trans Mountain Expansion. Related: Statoil Sues Researcher For Allegedly Stealing Secret Frack Tech

Finally, developing oil sands requires billions of dollars and the payback period is stretched out over decades. The great thing about that for producers is that it provides consistent output for years. But that is no longer the top priority for oil companies hoping to avoid having cash tied up over long time horizons. The oil market is extremely volatile, so short-cycle shale is much more attractive these days even if shale wells fizzle out over a few years.

In short, Canadian oil sands is struggling to remain competitive in a marketplace that has changed dramatically from three years ago.

A glaring example of this problem came from ExxonMobil this week, which announced that it had removed 3.3 billion barrels of Canadian oil sands from its books. The de-booking was notable for several reasons. First, it was remarkable given the fact that Exxon has refused to write down assets or remove reserves from its books even during the worst depths of the oil price downturn. That stubbornness led to an SEC investigation into the oil majors accounting practices, as well as an inquiry from the New York Attorney General. The regulatory scrutiny certainly influenced the latest disclosure.

But the de-booking is even more interesting because of what it says about Canadas oil sands. Exxon removed 3.3 billion barrels from its books, admitting that the oil is simply not profitable to produce with todays prices. Its a pretty damming admission: the oil will ultimately be left in the ground unless oil prices substantially rebound. The project was equivalent to 15 percent of the companys entire proved reserve base.

Exxons announcement came shortly after ConocoPhillips also removed oil sands reserves from its books. Conoco de-booked 1.15 billion barrels of oil sands a day before Exxon, taking the oil companys reserves to a 15-year low. Related: Gasoline Glut Remains The Biggest Red Flag For Oil Markets

Canada will still see some increases in oil production in the short-term stemming from oil sands projects that were planned years ago but are only now coming online. But once that queue of projects gets worked through, there are very few additional projects beyond that.

To be sure, the huge oil production capacity in Alberta will remain online for years to come. Unlike shale wells, they continue to produce for a very long time. But the extraordinary growth that the region had bet on, which would propel increases in production for the next few decades, may not come to pass unless oil prices return to pre-2014 heights.

Keep it in the ground has been the mantra of environmental groups worried about climate change. But it could be low oil prices and the lack of competitiveness of Canadas oil sands that keep the reserves in the ground.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

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A string of oil deals between Russian oil companies and Arab petrostates have shifted the center of political gravity in the Middle East and North Africa towards Moscow  counteracting the effect of decades of American military and political involvement as U.S. President Donald Trumps plan for the region remains unclear.

The 2014 oil price drop hit the national economy hard, causing the price of the ruble to plummet and GDP growth to grind to a halt. This has pushed Moscow to look outward to project strength as a crippling recession proceeds on the domestic front.

The Arab World has been Putins favorite arena to grow the Russian sphere of influence. Moroccan King Mohammed VIs visit to Moscow last year brought the two countries closer together on tourism and counterterrorism issues. But the North African countrys lack of oil or gas resources did not leave room for further discussions on Russias flagship foreign policy issueenergy.

The rest of the Middle East and North Africa, however, is brimming with proven fossil fuel reserves, and Putin has used his massive state-owned energy companies to carve out political opportunities in vulnerable and stable Arab nations.

Syria took the first dose. The continuation of President Bashar Al Assads regime is all but guaranteed thanks to Russian political maneuvering in the months leading up to Trumps inauguration and the Russian militarys contribution in the fall of several rebel strongholds in major Syrian cities.

Russian oil and gas companies  all intimately related to Putins personal wealth  have reaped the greatest rewards from Moscows intrigues. Related: The Discounts Are Over: U.S. Shale Is About To Get More Expensive

According to Sputnik, which quoted Dmitry Sablin, Assad told a visiting Russian delegation of lawmakers this week that neither Iran nor China has companies with a worldwide reputation in the oil and gas sector like Russia has. Therefore, Assad sees only the work of Russian companies, Sablin said.

State-owned oil and gas company Rosneft has shaken up the MENA region the most so far.

Late last year, American authorities rechecked the terms of a deal for the purchase of a minority stake in Rosneft by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund commodities trader Glencore. At the time, the White House said the arrangement could be in violation of international sanctions levied against Russia after the country forcibly annexed Ukrainian Crimea.

"The experts at the Department of Treasury that are responsible for constructing and enforcing the sanctions regime will carefully look at a transaction like this," Josh Earnest, the press secretary for the Obama Administration, said.

Since the $11.3 billion deal profits the Russian government and not Rosneft itself, Moscow argued that it did not violate the terms of the sanctions, which specifically named no-go entities.

Two years ago, in Egypt, Rosneft signed two deals to supply liquefied natural gas and other petroleum products to Cairo. In the months following, Russia doubled down on its energy investments in the country, offering $25 billion to build a 1,200 MW nuclear power plant over 12 years.

Putin made his entrance to Egypt at an opportune moment. "The NPP construction project in El Dabaa near Alexandria is important in itself and it is a much more significant project in positive terms than return of Russian tourists to Egypt," Egyptian Professor and energy strategist Tarek Heggy said in an interview with TASS this week. The Mediterranean gas will be enough to cover national demand for the next 30-35 years; therefore it is highly important to start building the NPP now in order to provide ourselves with electric power after that.

Most recently, Rosneft moved into Iraq and Libya, expanding its footprint in two Middle Eastern countries with weak domestic stability just recovering from years of civil strife.

We need the assistance and investment of major international oil companies to reach our production goals and stabilize our economy, NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said this week in an official statement. Related: Is The Trump Administration About To Rescue The Russian Economy?

The Russian company agreed to by oil from Libyas National Oil Corporation and promised to new markets worldwide for Kurdish crude oil, according to a statement by Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin.

By taking over part of the Kurdistan Regional Governments distribution burden, Russia is helping the semi-autonomous zone bypass potential hurdles with Baghdad, which controls the flow of oil through crucial pipelines. Disagreements between the Iraqi capital and Erbil regarding oil export contracts have caused pipeline closures in the past. With a new ally in Russia, the KRG can devise new ways to get their oil products out without having to negotiate with the Iraqi government, buttressed by the U.S.

This is just a snapshot of the impact a single company has had on a slew of MENA petrostates. Transneft, Gazprom and other Russian firms have other deals in related fields that entangle Moscows interests in weapons sales with the ambitions of Arab leaders seeking to grow their oil wealth and maintain the strength of their regime through force.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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Four bombs detonated at an oil pipeline in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, killing one and injuring three members of the Kurdish security forces. At the time of the blasts, the pipeline was shut down for maintenance.

The blown-up pipe is used to pump crude from the Bai Hassan field to a degassing facility in Kirkuk. The blasts come soon after Baghdad signed a memorandum of understanding with Tehran for the construction of a pipeline that would see crude from the Kirkuk area exported via Iran.

The pipeline, local media note, would help the central government in Iraq diversify away from the autonomous region of Kurdistan, with which relations have been strained for years because of disputes regarding oil.

The Bai Hassan field, along with others in the area, was operated by the North Oil Company until 2014, when the Kurdistan Regional Government took over. Based on recent media reports, however, it seems the NOC is back in control of the field. Its reserves are estimated at 2.08 billion barrels.

Tensions between Baghdad and the KRG flared again last week, after the signing of the MoU with Iran. The Kurdish government said it had not been consulted on the pipeline construction project, suggesting it wont go ahead without Erbils blessing. It is being discussed again. But we dont believe the talks will materialize to action, as no one has consulted the KRG, a Kurdish government official was quoted as saying.



Related: Have The Majors Given Up On Canadas Oil Sands

Earlier this year, when the OPEC production cut deal took effect, Baghdad accused Erbil of exporting more oil than it is supposed to. Oil exports from the Kurdish region have long been a point of contention with Baghdad, which claims sole authority over sales of all the country's crude, but is unable to implement caps on Kurdish production, as the region is autonomous.

Under the OPEC deal, Iraq agreed to cut production by 200,000 bpd and is still considered by many the most likely country to cheat and not fulfill its quota of cuts because of its heavy dependence on oil revenues and the lack of control over Kurdistan production.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Indias state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will take majority control of Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) as part of the governments plan to merge some state-held companies to create an oil major capable of competing with Big Oil, Indias Economic Times reported on Monday, quoting senior government officials.

The government will soon issue a note on the ONGC- HPCL deal in which the cabinet will transfer its 51.11 percent interest in HPCL to ONGC, one of the officials told Economic Times.

On February 1, Indias Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley, said in the presentation of the 2017/18 budget in Parliament that the country was planning to create an integrated public-sector oil major to match the performance of huge international private sector oil and gas companies. The government sees possibilities of strengthening the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) via consolidation, mergers and acquisitions, the minister noted.



Under the plan for the ONGC- HPCL integration, the exploration business of ONGC would be integrated with HPCLs refining and distribution capabilities, Economic Times reports. HPCL owns Indias biggest lubricants unit and the second-largest pipeline network of more than 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles). The earnings of the vertically integrated ONGC- HPCL would be more stable, and investors would benefit from the reduced volatility.

The world over, the largest and most successful oil companies like Shell, BP and Exxon, are vertically integrated, one official told Economic Times.



Related: Have The Majors Given Up On Canadas Oil Sands?



India has 13 state-controlled oil companies, the biggest being ONGC. Most of the other firms are relatively small, but if the government were to decide to integrate the top eight companies into one big firm, it would create a conglomerate with a market capitalization of just above US$100 billion, which would be close to BPs capitalization of around US$116 billion, according to the Financial Times.

Last week, ONGC approved investments of US$1.1 billion (73.27 billion rupees) to develop five oil and gas projects that would raise Indias oil and gas production as the country plans to reduce oil imports.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Pertamina will submit proposals to Iran to explore two oil fields in the country that Indonesias state-held energy company has estimated at containing 1.5 billion barrels of oil reserves.



The oil fields are located in Ab Teymour and Mansouri, a statement by Indonesias Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister said on Monday, as carried by The Jakarta Post.

Indonesias Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution will be submitting the proposals during his current visit to Iran.

According to the Indonesian company, the output potential reaches 200,000 barrel per day in each field.

Earlier this month, Iran sent its first oil cargo to Indonesia following the end of the sanctions last year, Iranian media report. According to Tehran Times, Indonesia will be investing in Irans upstream oil sector, while Iran will invest in refining and the downstream sector of the Indonesian oil industry.



During his visit to Iran, Indonesias minister Darmin Nasution told his Iranian colleagues that Indonesia was mulling over buying crude oil from Iran via long-term supply agreements, Irans Press-TV reports. Indonesia has bought 1 million barrels of crude from Iran to see if it suits its refineries specifics. Should the tests be successful, Indonesia will soon proceed with signing a long-term supply deal with Iran.



Related: How Russia Is Using Oil Deals To Secure Its Influence In The Middle East



At the beginning of this year, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) published a list of 29 companies that had qualified for bidding in Irans oil and gas tenders. Indonesias Pertamina was one of the qualified companies alongside European groups Shell, Eni, Total, and OMV, Chinas Sinopec, CNPC, CNOOC, and CNPW, Malaysias Petronas, Japans INPEX Corporation, Itochu, Mitsui, and Mitsubishi, and Japan Petroleum Corporation, Russian Gazprom and Lukoil, Danish Maersk, Indian ONGC, and Polish PGNiG.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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South Africa-based chemicals and energy company Sasol plans to begin producing oil in Mozambique within three years, which would mark the first oil output in the impoverished African country, Sasols joint chief executive Stephen Cornell told Reuters in an interview on Monday.

Mozambique is primarily known for big offshore gas reserves in which companies such as Italys Eni SpA and U.S. Anadarko invest.

Now Sasol is betting on oil production.

This will be the first oil wells in Mozambique that go to full development. Probably in two, maximum three years, Cornell told Reuters.

We have drilled four wells, two of them gas, two of them oil, all showing positive results. In one of the areas where we expected mostly gas we found gas and oil, the manager noted, adding that Sasol had sent a notice of discovery to the Mozambique government.

In May last year Sasol said that it started drilling of the first well under its Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) license in Inhambane province in Mozambique. Back then the first phase of the PSA Development - which includes the drilling of 13 production wells -- was anticipated to cost around US$1.4 billion.

In its press release on the results for the six months ended December 31, 2016, Sasol said today that the first phase of the development of PSA license area remains on budget and schedule.



Related: Is The Renewable Transition Harming The U.S. Economy?

To date, four wells have been drilled and completed, two gas wells in the Temane G8 reservoir and two oil wells in the Inhassoro G6 reservoirThe third oil well (or fifth well) was spudded in early February 2017, the company said.

Sasol is confident that the economics to develop the Production Sharing Agreement license area remain positive, Cornell said in the statement.

On the downside for the groups plans for the full fiscal year 2016/17 though June, Sasol said that it is revising down its total capital expenditure, mostly due to the impact of the stronger

South African rand/US dollar exchange rate, in addition to cash conservation initiatives and active management of its capital portfolio.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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By Eric Fruits, Ph.D.

Despite an eight percent increase in general fund revenues, Governor Kate Brown and some lawmakers say Oregon is facing a $1.7 billion budget shortfall in the 2017-19 biennium. Nevertheless, the Governor has released a budget that expands entitlements while raising taxes, fees, and charges by nearly $275 million for the general fund alone.

Expanding programs while increasing taxes is something Oregon could do if it were a rich state. Oregon is not a rich state. Income for the average Oregonian is about nine percent lower than the national average, and the cost of living is 15 percent higher. In other words, the average Oregonian earns less but pays more for basic items than the average American. Oregon legislators and other policymakers must face the reality that the state simply cannot afford costly new or expanded programs.

My analysis published in Facing Reality: Suggestions to Balance Oregons Budget Without Raising Taxes (February 2017), by Cascade Policy Institute and Oregon Capitol Watch Foundation, identifies seven straightforward solutions to the states current budget crisis for savings of nearly $1.3 billion in the next biennium.* If all the solutions were implemented, none of the tax and fee increases outlined in the Governors budget would be necessary.

Governor Brown blames three-fifths of the budget crisis on Oregons decision to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Policymakers undertook the expansion with full knowledge that the federal government would be shifting some of the costs of expansion to the state. Janelle Evans, budget director for the Oregon Health Authority, estimates these costs to the states general fund will be as much as $360 million in the next biennium. With many portions of the ACA likely to be reformed or replaced by this Congress, Oregon can see immediate budget savings by opting out of the Medicaid expansion now.

The skyrocketing costs of Oregons Public Employee Retirement System presents the biggest long-run challenge to balancing state and local government budgets. As reported in The Portland Tribune, the impact on the 2017-19 state budget is approximately $500 million because the state funds two-thirds of the operating costs of school districts, which will also be hit with the steep increase in PERS costs. In addition to the higher costs of PERS padded into the agency costs, the Governors budget includes a $100 million line item to support the states increased PERS costs.

Senate Bill 560 provides a reform that would cap at $100,000 the final average salary used to calculate Tier 1 and Tier 2 retirement benefits. The PERS actuary calculates this reform alone would save the state budget approximately $135 million in the 2017-19 biennium.

Oregon has the 12th highest pay in the U.S. for state employees. The Governors budget proposes increasing the state government workforce by 675 full-time-equivalent employees. This expansion of the public sector workforce would cost the state more than $120 million in additional compensation costs for the 2017-19 biennium. A halt on adding more state employees during this biennium would free up resources and ward off some of the pressure to increase taxes, fees, and charges.

In addition to these items, Oregon can face its budget reality by adopting targeted reductions already identified by the Department of Human Services, reforming the states cash assistance programs, saying no to the Governors wish to expand Medicaid to those who are not legally present in the state, and saying no to Measure 98s unfunded high school education spending mandate.

State tax revenues are approaching all-time highs. Nevertheless, the state must face the budget reality that Oregonians do not have the resources to support ever-expanding spending programs that outpace our ability to pay for them.

* Solution Impact Medicaidopt out of ACA expansion $360 million Cover All Kidsreject expansion $55 million PERS$100,000 cap $135 million Department of Administrative Serviceshalt additional hiring $120 million Department of Human Servicestargeted reductions $321 million Department of Human Servicescash assistance reforms $160 million State School Fundreject Measure 98 $139 million Total $1,290 million

Eric Fruits, Ph.D. is an Oregon-based economist and adjunct professor at Portland State University. Fruits has been invited to provide analysis to the Oregon Legislature regarding the states tax and spending policies. His testimony regarding the economics of the Oregon public employee pension reforms was heard by a special session of the Oregon Supreme Court. A version of this article originally appeared in The Portland Tribune on February 23, 2017.
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.


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The Czech Ambassador to Ghana Margita Fuschova has paid a courtesy call on Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul to discuss ways of strengthening relations between the two countries.



They talked about how the Czech Republic can assist the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the areas of defence and security, defence industries, modern equipment and medical supplies, as well as training of personnel.



The envoy said her country was interested in equipping the Ghana Armed Forces in technology transfer, study in Czech Republic by Ghanaian military personnel and improvement in the lives of Ghanaian military personnel.



She also expressed the commitment of her country in priming the Defence Ministry to transform the shoe factory in Kumasi to a modern one.



She asked the minister to reconsider an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between the two countries and review areas where necessary.



She said, Czech investors are ready to come to Ghana for business.



The envoy traced the relationship between the two countries to the first republic and said that her visit to the Square was therefore to open doors to the relationship between the two countries and revive the MoU.



She extended an invitation to the minister to visit her country to see what they could do together.



Hon Nitiwul, on his part, acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the two countries and said Ghana was appreciative of the Czech governments assistance over the years.



He said the Akufo-Addo administration was focused on improving housing for the Armed Forces, training of Air Force pilots and other technical staff and actualizing the one district-one factory concept.



On the latter, Hon Nitiwul said the defence industries programme was of great interest to government and hoped the Czech Republic would help in that area.

Source: Daily Guide









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Featured Video
Thanks to Brenda Overholt, my distant cousin a few different ways, for some additional information about Minnie.









When I posted " A Rose for Minnie " back in 2010, I didn't know many of the details about Minnie McBride's murder. From what my daddy told me as a kid"Old woman kilt her with an ax"I knew she was young and had been murdered.





Minnie's stone in Bethel Church graveyard.

Later I found out that her murderer was Lucy Mitchell, a 40-something woman who lived and worked in the household where Minnie was killed. But recently, I've found out much more about Minnie and her sad life. A search on Ancestry.com revealed that Minnie, born in 1891, was the daughter of William Davis McBride (1871-1929) and Jennie Bell Brooks (1872-1900). She had two younger brothers and a sisterChapman (1893-1908), William Lester (1895-1985), and Grace Bell (1898-1984).





From Brenda Overholt, I learned that after Minnie's mother's death (around 1900), her father placed his two boys, Chapman and Lester, with his half-brother, John Henry Brown. John Henry and his wife Lauretta Wright had several children, but they took in the boys nonetheless. He placed Minnie and Gracie with his half-sister Sallie Fannie Brown Crum and her husband, Joseph Robert Wesley Crum. Then William Davis McBride took off for West Virginia, where he had some relatives, and started a new life. He likely never saw Minnie again.





I recently learned I have a connection to Minnie: My grandmother, Sallie Lee Brown Smith (who was married to Joseph Robert Smith), and Minnie's half-aunt, Sallie Fannie Brown Crum, were second cousins. Both were the great-granddaughters of Daniel Brown and Martha Joice Snider.





The Crums, who had no children of their own, were well off financially. Mr. Crum was a county official and was also a farmer. The Crum's house was somewhere behind the Old Salem School. According to the 1900 Union Hall census, Minnie was 9 and a member of the Crum household. Did Minnie attend Salem School? It would likely have been just a short walk for her.





Old Salem School in 2015.

The woods behind the school were likely where the Crum farm was.





A newspaper article after Lucy was convicted gives a few details about Minnie's murder.









A month earlier, Lucy Mitchell had been interviewed by an unnamed reporter while she awaited trial. The clippings are a little hard to read, so you might have to click to enlarge them:









So Lucy Mitchell had a sad life too. The daughter of Iyanation Franklin Mitchell of Union Hall, Lucy had worked hard all her life and had never known love. And she was unattractive. One story says she had a hare-lip and big feet. At any rate, Lucy was likely envious of the attractive Minnie who was going to get married to Walter Irving Johnson the next day.





Here's the story about "one of the most horrible murders" in Franklin county that was attached to the previous interview, with a mention that Lucy had a grudge against Minnie's fiance :









SoLucy, who had worked as the Crums' servant for seven years, struck Minnie with a piece of wood in the kitchen, a separate building from the main house. Minnie made it outside, but Lucy finished her off with the ax. Lucy had waited for two weeks and finally had an opportunity when Mrs. Crum and Grace were at Bethel Church and Mr. Crum was in Rocky Mount.





In a 10-page collection of memories written by Esterlene Smith Brooks Kesler, a close friend of Grace McBride Perdue, Mrs. Kesler wrote that Grace told her that Lucy had been sleeping with an ax for a couple weeks because she'd said she was afraid someone would come in the night. But Grace suspected that Lucy wanted to kill her as well as Minnie.





"Grace told that Minnie was first struck with a pine knot, and a trail of blood led from the kitchen table to the yard" where Lucy finished her off with the ax. "Investigators found the pine knot, but not the ax. In 1998, an ax was found in a sack when the kitchen was torn down. The blade was rusty and the handle was only about 18" long." Also in the sack was Minnie's hairclip with several teeth broken out. While the ax and clip were given to Grace's son, no one knows where they are today.





It didn't take long for the news to spread throughout the area, and a crowd began to form with the purpose of hanging Lucy. Four or five men (including Brenda Overholt's great grandfather Isaiah "Zar" Perdue) came to walk Lucy to the train in Union Hall to take her to the poorhouse. "The men whipped Lucy's legs to make her trot and move fast." I can't help but wonder if my grandfather was one of the men who came to the Crum house. I guess I'll never know.





Soon, Lucy was taken to the jail in Roanoke for her own safety. Perhaps "the poorhouse" she might have been taken to was the Joseph Rives home in Redwood that served as the poorhouse in the 1800s.





Front of the Poorhouse .

Pictures from Brenda Overholt

Back of Poorhouse

Anyhow, after being kept in the Roanoke jail for a few months, she was brought back to Rocky Mount for trial where he was found guilty, sentenced to eighteen years, and sent to prison in Richmond. There she died of tuberculosis in 1913. During her incarceration, she worked in the prison shoeshop as a "paster." It was probably easier work than what she'd been used to.





There are no happy endings to Minnie's and Lucy's story.





But maybe there's a happy ending for one of Minnie's nephews. Minnie's brother Lester stayed with the Browns for years but was in Richmond in 1917 where he registered for the WWI draft. He was a clerk in Richmond in 1920 but at some point reconnected with his father and moved to West Virginia, where he married in 1923 and had several children. One of Lester's sons is John Andrew McBride , who had a long successful career as a military pilot and astronaut.

~

My grandparents' farm was about a mile as the crow flies from Salem School. Both my grandparents and the Crums attended Bethel Church Minnie's little brother, Chapman McBride, died in March 1908. He'd been ill, possibly with measles earlier in the year, but was made to work out in the cold. But Minnie was getting her life together. A pretty girl, she was engaged to marry her sweetheart Walter Irving Johnson. No doubt she dreamed of living happily ever after.

Labels: Bethel Church, Minnie McBride, Old Salem School, regional history, Smith, Union Hall VA
I was born and raised in the Bloomfield-Garfield section of Pittsburgh, which is now called Friendship. I attended St. Lawrence OToole Grade School in Garfield, Central Catholic High and then Carnegie Mellon University in nearby Oakland, and have lived and raised my family in Squirrel Hill for the past 33 years. So, geographically speaking, Ive stayed within a few miles of where I was born. Pittsburgh is my home. My family roots go deep.

Both my mothers and my fathers families were from Bloomfield. My grandfather on my fathers side was a salesman, as were my father and uncles. I learned some of what I know about communicating with people, and understanding their issues and concerns, from that side of the family. My grandfather on my mothers side was a butcher on Fifth Avenue in Uptown by day and, at night, he worked as an usher at both Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium. I learned a lot about the value of hard work from him. Both my mother and father ingrained in me a strong work ethic, as well as a love and enthusiasm for this city. So, I grew up in a typical Pittsburgh family and had no desire to leave.

In the late 1970s and early 80s, the contraction of the steel industry in Pittsburgh affected us all as many businesses and jobs started to leave town. When I graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 1981, I had several job offers, but none near home, so like many Pittsburghers, I took a job in another city. But I always had a desire to return. I accepted a sales job with Nalco Chemical, a company that specialized in industrial water treatment, which took me to Rockford, Illinois. Since my goal always was to get back home, after only two years I decided that, if there wasnt a job for me in Pittsburgh, I would create one. With that, I decided to move back and start my own business in my hometown.

Using my engineering knowledge and industrial experience, I began calling on industrial companies to show them how I could save them money on their energy bills. After a lot of hard work (and a little bit of luck), clients started requesting my services. You see, I filled a need in the marketplace that was going unfilled. It took a while to become profitable, but as a young, single individual with no family to support, I was able to live a relatively spartan-like life. As I developed a clientele in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and eastern Ohio, I also saw that other parts of the country were doing much better economically, and heard from colleagues who were in similar businesses that, financially, I could make more money elsewhere. But my desire to stay in Pittsburgh and raise a family here kept me rooted.

My wife, Cathy, is from Greenfield and went to Taylor Allderdice High School and Pitt Pharmacy School. We met when we were in collegeCathy at Pitt and me at CMUand began dating. Like me, she also had more financially lucrative opportunities to leave Pittsburgh, but decided to start her pharmacy career here as well. As we began our life together in Pittsburghs Squirrel Hill neighborhood and started our family, we were fortunate that it was a great place to raise kids. Over time, we were blessed to have eight healthy children who grew up in this community and, other than outgrowing our first house and moving into our second, we pretty much stayed put.

As our kids were growing, Cathy and I worked a lot, and I really didnt have much time or interest in local politics. I had no background in government and no one in my family had ever been involved in the political process. But then, in the early 90s, when my kids started going to public school, Cathy and I got involved in lots of different neighborhood and school issues. For example, we addressed some zoning problems on our street. We also helped to build a playground at our kids school, Liberty. And as I immersed myself in these issues, I found that I enjoyed it. We learned that we had to communicate with the elected officials who had the power to make changes, or the resources to fund projects, and we worked with them to gain their support and commitment.

At the same time, I was growing frustrated by the fact that so many Pittsburghers were leaving town. Members of my own family, as well as many friends and neighbors who grew up here and graduated in the 80s and early 90s, were moving away. There werent enough good jobs or opportunities to keep young people here. I came to the conclusion that Pittsburgh, and all of western Pennsylvania, simply had to develop sound business and economic policies that would allow local businesses to thrive and attract other ones to the area. This, more than anything else, propelled me into the world of public policy and politics.

I came to the conclusion that Pittsburgh simply had to develop sound economic policies that would allow local businesses to thrive and attract other ones to the area. This, more than anything else, propelled me into the world of public policy and politics.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

At the same time, civic leaders were talking about changing the form of government in Allegheny County. It was obvious that the present systemwith three commissioners running our countywasnt working. When businesses tried to make a deal with our government leadership, it was confusing as to who was really in charge, so outside entities tended to stay away. It also became evident that, as our population was shifting into the suburbs, a city-dominated county commissioner system wasnt representative of the population it was serving. A new form of government, which would create a County Council representing all communities in Allegheny County with a County Executive responsible for economic development, seemed a good way to go. I got involved with the campaign to change Allegheny County government and, while change is never easy, with a lot of county citizens ready to take a big leap, the voters approved the referendum in 1998 by the slightest of margins. In 1999, with this newly created government ready to be voted in, I decided to run for the part-time County Council seat in my district. It was a way to become partially involved in government without becoming full-time and giving up my career and family life.

Jim Roddey was elected and served as our first County Executive from 1999 to 2003. Dan Onorato followed, and served two of a possible three four-year terms. As a member of County Council who recognized the positive direction in which the county was headed, I was hoping Dan would run for a third term, and had encouraged him to do so. However, in early 2011, he decided he would return to the private sector and thus created an open seat for County Executive. After 12 years on Council, and with my children now mostly grown, I felt I could take a final step toward full-time government service and ran for the office.

Believing that the region was ready to take off, I felt that my business experience and 12 years of government service could be harnessed to move us forward. Winning the job and being County Executive takes a tremendous amount of work and energy. One must engage all the components of a diverse county. Urban dwellers, suburban commuters and rural residents all have one thing in common: the desire for a great place to live and to raise a family. I found that no matter where I went or with whom I talked, love and affection for this region was strong.

On Council, most of the votes we took didnt break down parochially. We didnt vote for just our districts at the expense of the rest of the county, and that spirit continues to this day and extends beyond Allegheny County. The City of Pittsburgh has seen a resurgence downtown and in its neighborhoods. Many communities in the county are also experiencing growth, but we also see some of our biggest opportunities taking place outside of Allegheny County. Southpointe in Washington County, Cranberry in Butler County and, one of the biggest economic development opportunities ever, the Shell ethylene cracker plant in Beaver County, are examples of economic growth for the region. While some may believe that our focus should be only on Allegheny County, there are impacts and opportunities for our county even when the development is outside its borders. This is the case with the Shell cracker plant as the thousands of jobs created will mean that a lot of Allegheny County building tradespeople, engineers, planners and laborers will be hired, and a lot of economic activity will be brought to the county.

As a member of County Council, I was proud to have been elected president of that body four times. In that position, it was important to adopt a broad scope of the entire county in a bipartisan way. After all, I didnt just represent my district or, as a Democrat, my party; I was leading the entire body. Working in a bipartisan manner, the most important issue we had to address was jobs. Its the reason that I ran, and the reason that I continue to serve. I want to make sure that there are opportunities at home, particularly for young people, so that when they graduate, they can stay local. Today, theres a broad range of opportunities for young people that didnt exist a decade or two ago, and thats something of which we can all be proud.

This region has a proud history of working together. There is a great spirit of cooperation here and an idea embraced by all that we can accomplish much more together than we can separately. Pittsburghers are pragmatic and hard-working. They are well known for rolling up their sleeves and getting the work done, no matter what it may be. Our labor unions, corporate leadership, foundations, universities, small businesses and government leaders all work as a team to move this region forward. Our political leadership that of Congressman Mike Doyle, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senator Randy Vulakovich, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and many othershave found successes in efforts that involve all of us. That leadership includes Governor Wolf and former Governor Corbett, as both played pivotal roles to ensure that the Shell cracker plant was located in this region.

As this region continues to transform itself, the primary economic engines are our universities through their technology focus. CMU, Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Chatham, Carlow, Point Park; all of these institutions are drawing talented people to Allegheny County, and companies as well, all of which want to be near our expanding pool of skilled workers. They look to embed themselves on our local campuses so that research can be done, used and commercialized. Members of the new millennial generationthe very individuals who will staff these companies and grow this regionwant to live an urban lifestyle, in neighborhoods like the Strip District, Uptown, East Liberty, Lawrenceville, South Side and Manchester. And as the urban core starts to thrive, we also see it spreading to previously industrial towns bordering the City of Pittsburgh, such as Homestead, Millvale and Carnegie. These nearby communities are starting to revitalize, and its our challenge to provide amenities that improve the quality of life for the next generation.

Regardless of whos in the White House or controlling policy in Washington or Harrisburg, the change in our economy is coming faster than many of us realize. No one can stop it and, no matter whos in charge, our challenge is a local one. If kids who grow up here dont have the right education and the right skill sets, they will not be able to make it very far in the new economy. But if they do, their opportunities will be tremendous. When people are left out of the prosperity generated in any locality, big problems arise. If they dont have hope for the future, a sense of desperation sets in. You know, Bill Clintons campaign had it right in 1992 with the mantra: Its the economy, stupid. And Mayor Peduto here says this all the time: The best way to take a gun out of a young persons hand is to put a paycheck in it. I share that belief, too, as a parent, and as one who grew up in this community and witnessed the devastation in the early 80s, when many thousands of steel and factory workers were put out of work. Forty-five-year-old heads of households were left out in the cold. Their ancestors had been millworkers, and they thought they would be, too. Then, halfway through their working lives, it was all taken away without a sufficient answer to the question: Where do we go from here?

Sure, we still make steel in the Mon Valley, as we have been for more than a century. But where, back in the day, there might have been 100,000 people working in local mills, these days, there might only be a few thousand. Any given mill may today produce the same amount of steel as it did decades ago, but with only a fraction of the workforce. The same goes for the coal mines. Even if you reopen a mine, you wont see anyone in it with picks and shovels. What youll see is modern machines and a small group of people operating them via robotics, autonomous vehicles and smart phones. As a result, workers over 30 or 40 will have to be retrained to compete, and that will be a hard pill for many to swallow. Automation does and will continue to present employment opportunities, but only for highly skilled workers. So its our job to make sure that our residents have the right education and proper skill sets to compete for these jobs.

I like my job because its focused on broad community growth, and not growth just for the top 5 percent of our working population. To be successful, we must reach that young person who lives in Glassport, who is coming out of a high school that perhaps doesnt have the advantages of Mt. Lebanon or Upper St. Clair. We must make sure that he or she has the same opportunities that others haveperhaps via subsidized training in a community collegeso that he or she has the same chance to work at Google, Uber or at the Shell cracker plant. Right now, between 25,000 and 30,000 jobs remain unfilled in our region, but to get those jobs, you have to have the right education and skill sets. You cant just show up and say I want to work. Theyll ask you, Well, what can you do? We have to make sure that they have a good answer.

Thirty years ago, Pittsburgh took an unbelievable hit, more than New Orleans did from Hurricane Katrina, and the federal government didnt come in with a bailout for us. And it has taken a long time for us to come back, but in many ways, our ability to reinvent ourselves demonstrates the resilience of the people who live here. The transformation in Pittsburgh is already underway, and will continue to grow. Were living in a new and different Pittsburgh now and theres one statistic that exemplifies that more than any other. In the early 80s, our 25- to 35-year-old workforce was one of the least educated in the nation, with the smallest percentage of college degrees of any comparable region. Three decades later, that same workforce boasts one of the the highest percentages of post-graduate degrees anywhere in the country. So in one generation, weve gone from having one of the least educated to one of the highest educated young workforces in America. Its truly astounding.

Yet, even though were changing, we dont want to lose the character that has made Pittsburgh, well, Pittsburgh. (And when I say Pittsburgh, I mean the region.) Great communitiesMcKees Rocks and Polish Hill, for example, have their own feel, and a lot of this revolves around our traditions. We must try to preserve our beautiful architecture. We cant make the mistake of demolishing our history and replacing old, venerable structures with square, utilitarian modern ones. This is something that I, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, and Mayor Peduto are very bullish about. We want to make sure that Allegheny County continues to have the charm and character that made it what it was and is. Thats also a part of our challenge moving forward. And we will face current challenges the same way we addressed those in our past: with optimism, hard work, dedication and a great spirit of cooperation between labor, the business community, foundations, universities and our team of government leaders. We will find successworking together.
Saturday's weather was so nice, at least in the morning and afternoon, that I had to get out and go up a mountain. I stuck close to home with the weather forecast calling for bad storms, and went up French Mountain on the Queensbury/Lake George line.

It had been 20 or so years since I went up this cool little hill, my last time was back when you could still access the property from the end of French Mountain Drive.

Now you have to access the trailhead from the Warren County Bikeway, and it can be difficult to find the start of the blue-blazed trail. (It is on the right headed north, just after the graffiti-covered cliff, a half-mile north of Route 149).

It's a moderate hike of a little over 5 miles round-trip, according to my Under Armour hike mapping app, including the walk on the bike trail to get to the hiking trail. I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt after a few minutes, unbelievable on a late February day.

The view is always a nice one, even on a gray day. You can even see the Wild West Ranch zip line operation from the cliffs.

Except for the very top, the mountain's west-facing side was devoid of snow and ice, even before Saturday night's torrential rain. The north side was still icy and slushy, though.

Meanwhile, our local forest rangers have been busy the last few weeks helping out those of us who like to get out in the winter. Here is the last two installments of the DEC's periodic report of ranger rescues, with a few local entries.

-- Don Lehman

Town of Queensbury

Warren County

Rescue: On Feb. 23 at 3:48 p.m., DEC Ray Brook dispatch received a radio transmission from a Forest Ranger concerning a 50-year-old male ice fisherman from Queensbury who fell through the ice on Harris Bay on Lake George. The fisherman did not realize the sun and warm weather were melting the ice. Forest Ranger Evan Donegon responded and assisted Queensbury EMS and Fire Department in retrieving the subject from the water. The man was assisted back to shore, where he was treated by North Queensbury EMS and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. The incident concluded by 5 p.m.

Town of Conesus

Livingston County

Recovery: On Feb. 22, three Region 8 Forest Rangers helped Livingston County Sheriffs successfully recover the bodies of two missing snowmobilers. A 40-year-old man from Lakeville and a 40-year-old man from Rochester had last been seen on Feb. 10, when they went snowmobiling on Conesus Lake late that evening. The Livingston County Sheriffs began search operations on Feb. 12, but were hampered by difficult and unsafe diving conditions. The mens helmets were recovered along the lakes shoreline. The Sheriffs resumed the search on Feb. 22, when lake conditions improved. Vessels from Livingston, Monroe, and Wayne counties equipped with side scan sonar were deployed with Forest Rangers onboard. Forest Rangers provided GPS navigation and tracking to place the vessels over points of interest as indicated by the sonar. Additional support was provided by a Livonvia Fire Department vessel. Dive teams from Livingston County and New York State Police (NYSP) were then deployed and able to recover both victims and one of the snowmobiles.

Town of Ancram

Columbia County

Search: On Feb. 23 at approximately 10:20 p.m., a Taconic State Park manager called the Columbia County Dispatch Center to report a lost 35-year-old female hiker from Millerton. Dispatch called DEC Central Dispatch requesting Forest Ranger assistance. Ranger Chris DiCintio was dispatched to the search at approximately 6:02 p.m. With the assistance of a NYSP helicopter, the subject was located and coordinates were relayed to Ranger DiCintio, who went into the woods to locate the subject with support from Columbia County Sherriffs and NYS Park Police. At 7:53 p.m. the subject was located. The subject did not have any source of light and as darkness fell she became disoriented and ventured off the trail. Ranger DiCintio assisted the subject to the roadside. All crews and the subject were out of the woods by 9 p.m. The subject did not require any further medical attention.

Town of Webb

Herkimer County

Search: Four subjects from Chazy went hiking on the Cascade Lake Loop Trail on the morning of Feb. 25. As they were heading in a southwesterly direction along the west side of Cascade Lake, the subjects became disoriented, took a wrong turn, and began heading west on a secondary trail. The hikers then lost the secondary trail and wandered uphill to call 911. Herkimer County 911 dispatched Webb Police Department and called DEC Ray Brook Dispatch. Ranger Lt. Scott Murphy, along with Rangers Gary Miller, Martin Candee, Robert Coscomb, and Matthew Savarie responded with the aid of four snowmobiles. Fortunately, the lost subjects wandered downhill and encountered two other hikers on the trail. Those hikers guided the subjects back to the main trail. Ranger Miller went in first followed shortly by Rangers Lt. Murphy and Candee. Ranger Miller located the four lost hikers on the main trail, and Rangers Miller and Lt. Murphy transported the subjects to the old trailhead. Ranger Coscomb then relayed the hikers from the old trailhead to their vehicle. The four hikers were soaked despite wearing rain jackets and rain pants, but did not require further medical attention.

Town of Long Lake

Hamilton County

Search: On Feb. 13 at 3:22 p.m. Forest Rangers were contacted directly by the companion of an overdue snowmobiler on Raquette Lake. Rangers responded in an attempt to locate the individual and found the snowmobiler unconscious on Indian Point. At 4:10 p.m. a Forest Ranger EMT and the Raquette Lake Rescue Squad responded with a rescue sled. The subject was brought out to Antlers Road to an awaiting ambulance and transported to a local hospital.

Town of Webb

Herkimer County

Recovery: On Feb. 16 at about 10:30 p.m., Forest Rangers were requested by the Webb Police Department to respond to a snowmobile accident on McCarthy Road. A snowmobile operator had failed to negotiate a turn and hit a tree. Big Moose Ambulance, Lewis County Search and Rescue Ambulance, and Lewis County Sheriffs were also involved in the response. The subject was extracted to a staging area, where he was declared deceased by the Herkimer County coroner. Forest Ranger operations concluded by 3:30 a.m.

Town of Long Lake

Hamilton County

Rescue: At 08:44 a.m. on Feb. 17, DEC Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted by Hamilton County 911 regarding a snowmobile and a rider suspected of falling through the ice on Long Lake, with a second snowmobile and rider stranded on the ice near the scene. Forest Rangers arrived within 10 minutes of the call and located the subjects approximately halfway across the channel of Long Lake. Members of the Long Lake Rescue Squad, Blue Mountain Lake Fire Department, and the Tupper Lake Dive Team also responded to assist. Hazardous ice conditions made the operation challenging for rescuers and the airboat operators. One Forest Ranger wearing ice rescue gear entered the water from the airboat to retrieve the first subject. That snowmobiler was then treated and transported to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. A canoe was employed to extract the other subject and bring the man back to shore.

Town of Hunter

Greene County

Rescue: On Feb. 18 at 11:45 a.m., Greene County 911 called DEC requesting assistance in Platte Cove for a climber who had fallen approximately 15 feet and had a piece of ice fall on him. Responding Rangers established Incident Command and assessed the injured subject, determining no cervical spine precautions were needed. Palenville Fire Department, Hunter Fire and Police departments, Centerville Cedar Grove Fire Department, and Greene County Paramedics also responded. The subject was assisted out under his own power and declined further medical care. All Forest Rangers were clear of the scene at 2:53 p.m.

Town of Webb

Herkimer County

Rescue: At 1:48 p.m. on Feb. 18, DEC Ray Brook Dispatch was notified by radio that Forest Rangers were responding to the Black River Wild Forest for a reported snowmobile accident involving one subject with a possible arm injury. Rangers responded with an Old Forge EMS Paramedic 2.5 miles up the trail. The subject had been traveling east on the Sand Lake Falls trail when a ski on his snowmobile caught ice on the trail, propelling him into a tree. Neither alcohol nor excessive speed were involved in the accident. At 3:13 p.m. Forest Rangers turned the subject over to EMS for transport to St. Elizabeths Hospital for treatment of injuries to his head, sternum, arm, and pelvis.

Town of North Elba

Essex County

Rescue: At 2:55 p.m. on Feb. 18, Ray Brook Dispatch was notified by a group of hikers that a 60-year-old female cross-country skier was injured on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail, about one mile past the trail register. She was suffering from a knee injury and asking for assistance. Forest Rangers responded by snowmobile, and by 4:16 p.m., she was back at the trailhead and released to her friends who were transporting her to the Adirondack Medical Center in Lake Placid.
GLENS FALLS  A Fort Ann man was arrested early Saturday after he was found to have an illegal switchblade knife, police said.

Derek J. Webster, 27, was arrested after Glens Falls Police officers found two men sleeping in a vehicle behind The Daily Double bar on South Street around 1:45 a.m. and checked on their welfare, police said.

Webster was among the two, and when questioned he told police that he had a knife in his pocket, Glens Falls Police Detective Lt. Peter Casertino said. A search turned up an illegal switchblade and a quantity of cocaine, he said.

Webster has a prior felony conviction for coercion in Washington County Court, which makes it illegal for him to have a weapon.

He was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance, police records show.

He was released on bail pending prosecution in Glens Falls City Court.

Glens Falls Police Officer Randy Strattman made the arrest.
FORT ANN  The town has declared Brown's Cemetery in West Fort Ann to be an abandoned cemetery and has joined a suit calling for neighbor Ed Paradis to remove a fence it said is on the cemetery property.

The move, which came after a special Town Board meeting Friday morning, is the latest in a series of conflicts between residents and Paradis, who owns the land next to the cemetery, including the land Moose Hillock Campground is on.

The town, along with American Legion Post 703 and a number of residents who either own plots or have family members buried in the cemetery, will be suing Paradis in Washington County Superior Court to get him to remove the current fence.

Attorney William Nikas of Hudson Falls, who is taking the case pro bona, said he, Moore, Town Attorney Jeffrey Meyer and Paradis' attorney, Mark Rehm were at the cemetery several weeks ago with a surveyor, who checked the boundary lines, then overlaid them on a map.

Moore said the town sent Rehm and Paradis a proposal and had hoped to hear back by the Feb. 13 board meeting, but did not hear back until the next day.

The response, said Moore and Nikas, led to the special meeting and the plans to file the lawsuit.

"His response had four points, starting with the fact that the existing fence would stay, he would reserve his rights regarding vehicle access, he wanted anyone who posted anything negative about his business on social media to take it down, and he wanted his attorney fees paid for," Nikas said. "We were shocked by that."

Both Moore and Nikas noted there is nothing either of them can do about what individuals post on the internet. People have posted that potential customers should not do business with the campground, because of how Paradis has handled the cemetery issue.

"To me, it's inexcusable the way he is handling it," Nikas said Sunday, noting that while he is handling the case for free, he is considering asking the court to have Paradis pay his fees because of the four-point response.

Nikas also cited a burial late last year in which a relative of the deceased had to wait in a car on Tripoli Road, because she could not get into the cemetery in her wheelchair.

He also said that the American Legion acts as the required honor guard for veterans' funerals, and members have told him it cannot effectively do its duties the way the cemetery is set up right now.

Nikas said many people are asking to be included in the suit, and he is in the process of narrowing down the number of people who will officially be involved.
GLENS FALLS  Friends of the Important Birding Area of Washington County will host a program on short-eared owl behavior and ecology at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Crandall Public Library.

The owls are declining across their historic range in North America as they face increasing threats to their survival, and the presentation, by Dan Albano and Laurie LaFond, will discuss those issues.

After the program, there will be a meet-and-greet with live owls.

Albano is a retired ornithologist with extensive experience in grasslands ecology, and LaFond is the founder and director of Friends of the IBA.

The Washington County Grasslands is critical to the survival of short-eared owls in New York state. Friends of the IBA is working to permanently protect critical habitat for these owls and New York's other endangered, threatened and at-risk grassland birds.

More information is available at www.ibafriends.org.
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The firm is closing the research function in the US, according to a spokesman. Around 90 jobs in research and support will go as part of the change, while around 85 in other roles such as trading will not be affected.

The US office was set up in 1986 and focused on serving US funds looking to invest in Asia.

In 2009, it started covering US equities too. Then, in 2013, Chinese banking giant CITIC Securities acquired CLSA, becoming the first Chinese brokerage to purchase a global financial institution, according to CLSA's website.

The firm has offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco, according to its site.

The firm had a number of well-known analysts in the US, including banks analyst Mike Mayo, a fixture on the finance TV circuit.

In November, Citic announced it would combine CITIC Securities International Company Limited (CSI) and CLSA Limited under the CLSA brand. It said then that the two were combining "as Chinas unique, off-shore financial platform with unmatched capabilities and coverage across 25 cities in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas."
In one tweet, Kimmel asked Trump, "u up?" and in another he let the president know that Meryl Streep "says hi." (Kimmel asked for Streep's approval of the message from the Oscars stage.)

The first tweet already has over 190,000 retweets as of this writing, and got thousands within seconds. Trump has not responded to either of the tweets yet.

Trump called Meryl Streep "overrated" in response to her speech at the 2017 Golden Globes criticizing the president. He has also live-tweeted his thoughts, mostly negative, about the Oscars in years past.
Andrey Artemenko, a member of Ukraine's parliament who used to be part of the country's far-right Radical Party, said he met with Cohen and Sater at the Loews Regency New York on January 27 to discuss Artemenko's proposal for solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The meeting was organized by Sater, who knew Cohen through his work with the Trump Organization and was introduced to Artemenko by a mutual friend named Yan Aronov, Artemenko said. (Aronov did not respond to a request for comment.) The plan they discussed involved lifting sanctions on Russia and allowing Moscow to lease Crimea for either 50 or 100 years, he said. In return, Russia would have to withdraw its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Controversy erupted earlier this month after The New York Times reported that Cohen said he had "hand-delivered" the plan in a sealed envelope to Michael Flynn before Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser over a separate Russia-related firestorm. Cohen's initial account largely aligned with what Artemenko and Sater said Cohen told them he would do after their meeting.

But Cohen quickly walked back his initial story, telling The Washington Post hours after the Times story was published that he hadn't delivered the plan to Flynn or discussed it with anyone in the White House. The White House has said it has "no record" of receiving the document.

Both Artemenko and Sater have disputed Cohen's revised account, however. Artemenko told Business Insider, and Sater has told The Post and CNN, that Cohen explicitly said he would show the plan to Flynn.

The Times has stood by its reporting.

"Mr. Cohen told The Times in no uncertain terms that he delivered the Ukraine proposal to Michael Flynn's office at the White House," The Times' deputy managing editor Matthew Purdy said. "Mr. Sater told The Times that Mr. Cohen had told him the same thing."

Artemenko's assertion that Cohen followed through on delivering the plan to Flynn could not be independently confirmed by Business Insider. Cohen said in a text message Sunday that Artemenko's version of events was untrue.

"Untrue. No one could confirm said delivery as it never occurred," Cohen said.

Sater did not return multiple requests for comment.

Whereas Artemenko's and Sater's stories have been largely consistent, however, Cohen appears to have altered his account at least three times since speaking with The Times and The Post.

In a series of text messages to Business Insider last week, Cohen denied "even knowing what the plan is." But he acknowledged in a later text that he met with Artemenko in New York for "under 10 minutes" to discuss a plan Artemenko said "was acknowledged by Russian authorities that would create world peace."

Cohen continued to deny that he delivered the plan to Flynn, but he then appeared to shift his story again in an interview with NBC News. Even if he had taken an envelope with a peace plan to the White House, he said: "So what? What's wrong with that?"

Finally, Cohen told CNN last week that he had dinner with Artemenko but that Ukraine was not discussed.

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Artemenko, for his part, was expelled from Ukraine's Radical Party and has been accused of treason by Ukrainian prosecutors for meeting with Cohen and Sater last month. But he insisted in an interview with Business Insider that he did nothing wrong.

"I'm a member of parliament," Artemenko said. "It's my obligation and duty according to Ukrainian law" to try to find a solution to the war.

"This is my motherland, I was born here, and I've realized that we cannot fight against Russia alone until the last Ukrainian soldier has died," he added. "And they accuse me of treason! Nonsense! I have a right to have my personal opinion in a democratic and free country."

Artemenko said he modeled his plan to lease Crimea to Russia off China's lease of Hong Kong to Britain for 99 years in 1898 and the US's contentious "lease" of the Panama Canal from Colombia in 1903. In court filings, however, Ukrainian prosecutors said Artemenko's proposal was an attempt to "legitimize the temporary occupation" of Crimea by Russia, which forcibly annexed the peninsula in 2014.

The prosecutors also accused Artemenko of conspiring with Moscow to commit "subversive acts against Ukraine." But it is unclear what role, if any, Russia played in bolstering the plan.

The New York Times said Artemenko told them he had "received encouragement for his plans from top aides to Mr. Putin." He told Business Insider, however, that he had never spoken with any Russian officials about his ideas. Russia has also denied approving of, or even having any knowledge of, the proposal.

Reached for comment, the Times' Scott Shane said "

"Greed, envy, and pride  it is their main defects," Artemenko said, referring to the Ukrainian government. He said he thought the government felt threatened by him "because I'm alone and I have my own foreign allies, contacts, and supporters."

When asked if he was still trying to get his vision heard by the US, Artemenko replied "Yes."

"I got thousands of phone calls and emails from people all over Ukraine supporting me!" Artmenko said. "People like my idea."

But some Ukrainians have characterized Artemenko as a relatively marginal, if not virtually unknown, player, whose "peace" plan was probably not his own creation but that of Ukraine's pro-Russia Opposition Bloc formed after former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in 2014.

"None of us had heard much about [Artemenko]," Natalia Gumenyuk, the head of the Ukrainian news outlet Hromadske.tv, told The Atlantic last week. Gumenyuk described him as "a really obscure member of parliament from a shady political party."

"It's interesting that it's this kind of person who got in touch with someone" in the US, she added.

The January 27 rendezvous was not the first time Artemenko, a self-proclaimed Trump supporter, made contact with the president's allies. Artemenko met with Trump's campaign last year and offered to organize a meeting between Trump and Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Valeriy Chaly. But Chaly ultimately refused to meet with Trump's team, Artemenko said, because the Ukrainian government was backing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at the time.

Strana.ua, a Ukrainian news site, recently reported that Artemenko told them in an interview that he began discussing his peace plan with Cohen and Sater last year, "at the time of the primaries, when no one believed that Trump would even be nominated."

Artemenko confirmed to Business Insider that Strana had interviewed him but denied telling it he had met with Cohen in 2016. Cohen also denied ever meeting with Artemenko before this year. Sater did not respond to requests for comment.

In any case, Chaly, the Ukrainian ambassador, told The Times last week that Artemenko's proposal to lease Crimea to Russia constituted "a gross violation of the Constitution.
In response to a question at Monday's press briefing about whether a special prosecutor should investigate communications between Trump's associates and Russians, Spicer asked, "A special prosecutor for what?"

"We have now for six months heard story after story about unnamed sources saying the same thing over and over again," Spicer said. "And nothing's come of it."

The New York Times, among others, has reported on supposed ties between Trump aides and Russia, but so far no evidence has surfaced that implicates Trump aides in colluding with Russians to influence the outcome of the election.

The White House has recruited top officials, including Rep. Devin Nunes, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to dispute the reports. Nunes is leading the House investigation into the Trump team's Russia ties.

"You've got to ask yourself, what are you investigating?" Spicer said.

The press secretary noted that both the House and Senate, as well as the intelligence community, have been looking into allegations of inappropriate contacts with Russia.

"I think Russia's involvement and activity has been investigated up and down," Spicer said. "So the question becomes at some point, if there is nothing to further to investigate, what are you asking people to investigate?"
Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display? Owens told the paper.

Furthermore, Owens demanded an investigation.

Dont hide behind my sons death to prevent an investigation, Owens said. "I want an investigation.  The government owes my son an investigation."

But the Trump administration's own position on inquiries into the raid may have shifted since Spicer's comments earlier this month. White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on ABC's "This Week" that she imagines Trump "would be supportive of" an investigation into the raid.

Spicer has justified the raid and its heavy losses by saying that the intelligence recovered from the Al Qaeda branch in Yemen would save future American lives.

Bill Roggio, editor of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal, previously told Business Insider that Al Qaeda's branch in Yemen does plan international attacks. He said some of the intelligence on these attacks can only be recovered by going in and actually confiscating hard drives.

"This is a branch that's at the forefront of launching plots to blow up airliners and attack airlines," Roggio said.

Roggio said it would be "hard to know" if the mission succeeded or not without seeing the intelligence recovered  "and were never going to see it."

Trump made a surprise trip to pay respects to Owens' casket as it returned to the US, but the elder Owens said he declined to meet the president.
He made this known when he visited some flood affected areas on Monday, February 28, 2017 following Sundays downpour.

The heavy rains affected areas such as Asylum Down, Avenor, Alajo and the Kwame Nkrumah interchange.

Speaking to journalist after the tour, Mr. Atta Akyea said the focus of the government is to find the funds to address the perennial flooding in the city.

My only new approach will be finding money. The engineering sense wont change. We are not going to reinvent the wheel. The engineers have put together the solution. All we need to do as a solution is to get the cash. If you have the money, the engineers will just roll out the plans and they will start working and you wont see this again.

From here, we are going to ensure that we do what will meet the emergency situations. The de-silting of drains is going to be carried out. Tentatively, I am seeing something in the neighbourhood of $700 million to fix what is in this area alone this is what stares at us in the face every year, but we will find the money and do it, he said.

Mr. Atta Akyea further explained that the dredging in critical areas would provide a quick fix to ensure there is the free flow into the lagoon and eventually into the sea.

READ ALSO: Black Stars training pitch at 2017 AFCON flooded

The Odaw River once again overflowed its banks during Sundays heavy downpour.
The engineer, Amit Singhal, is leaving Uber after Recode's Kara Swisher notified the company of the allegations through her reporting. Singhal was senior vice president of engineering at Uber.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign after learning about the allegations, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person also said that Singhal went through the standard background checks before his employment at Uber and that the sexual-harassment allegations during Singhal's time at Google never came up.

Singhal oversaw Google's search engine for years and was considered one of the company's most powerful executives.

According to Swisher's report, a female employee filed a sexual-harassment complaint against Singhal while they were at Google in 2015. Google later allowed Singhal to leave his job before the company could take further action against him, Swisher reported. Singhal is said to have denied the allegations.

In a statement to Business Insider through a representative, Singhal again denied them.

"Harassment is unacceptable in any setting," the statement says. "I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior. In my 20-year career, I've never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own."

Singhal's representative said Singhal is not denying that there were allegations, but denying they're true.

Singhal announced his retirement from Google in February 2016 after nearly 15 years at the company.

"I am eager to see what kind of impact I can make philanthropically, and of course, to spend more time with my family  especially with my wife who I miss spending time with given our incredibly busy lives, and our son who will go to college soon, leaving an empty nest behind," he wrote at the time.

Singhal's departure comes after a rough several days for Uber. The company is undergoing an internal investigation led by former Attorney General Eric Holder into allegations of sexual harassment within the company after a bombshell blog post by a former engineer, Susan Fowler, was published. A New York Times article highlighted even more seedy parts of Uber's culture, alleging drug use and groping. And Waymo, Google's new name for its self-driving-car company, is suing Uber, accusing one of its employees of stealing key self-driving technology.
Let me take this opportunity on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo to congratulate Goldstar Airline for how far the airline has come in its quest to operate air services to and from Ghana, the Aviation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, said at the inauguration of a new head office building of the airline, at Ashalley Botwe, in Accra.

Reading the speech on behalf of the Aviation Minister, Mr Ellis Hugh-Tamakloe, Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry, said I must say that this fits perfectly into our aviation development agenda and collaboration with the private sector.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that as part of its preparations, the airline has put up this structure we are all currently viewing and about to open to enable them conduct their operations professionally.

Her speech further identified aviation as a catalyst for the socio-economic development for many countries, and a sector that contributed immensely to employment generation and wealth creation.

It is in the light of the above that H E... Akufo Addo sees the Aviation Sector as a key in the NPP Governments agenda for change and hence established a complete Ministry to focus on the strategic development of the sector, the speech read.

The Minister indicated that the policy of the government is to build capacity in the industry and also put in place all measures to ensure the sustenance of high safety and security standards.

She reiterated that the Government is also poised to establish a national airline with private sector participation to support our policy of making KIA an aviation hub in the region.

Goldstar Air last December acquired the Air Carrier License, and its processes to acquire the Air Operators License have also gone very far.

The company has further completed training for its cabin attendants and hopes to provide Ghanaian dishes on board. It also intends establishing a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre to help maintain aircraft both in Ghana, the sub-region and beyond.

Mr Eric Bannerman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldstar Air said that the company would be operating scheduled and non-scheduled flights from Accra to 11 destinations, namely London, Dubai, Guangzhou, Lagos, Monrovia, Dakar, Banjul, Conakry, Freetown, Abidjan, Baltimore and Washington.
Osei-Tutu opined that the Nana Addo-led government will do a lot of good to the economy if it makes the funds available to investment firms for proper management.

Bernard Osei-Tutu Jnr believes Ghana can emulate many European countries whose economic development depended on pension funds.

We are praying that with the new government, the direction will be that lets use pensions to develop our economy; ie the infrastructure, the roads, the schools that we are talking about; lets give the private sector the opportunity.

For me as a fund manager, Im looking for an avenue where government can say that; Dusk Capital as a fund manager we are giving you the free hand to invest into real estate. It will push a lot of us to develop programs that will bring a lot of returns on the monies we are to manage, he added.

In an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, he said the government will only have to put in measures to monitor the regime of returns from the investment companies.

READ ALSO: Ghana Post gets new MD

For over six years, the government has kept public sector pension funds; a development which has been blamed for slow growth of some investment portfolios.

Since the implementation of the NPRAs law in 2010, employers are to transfer the 5% 2nd-Tier pension contributions into the Temporary Pension Fund Account (TPFA) to be released subsequently after all data have been reconciled.
His administration, he said, inherited a heavily indebted energy sector, with the net debt reaching $2.4 billion, from his predecessor, John Mahama.

But the presidents decision has been described as unfortunate and bad idea by people with vast knowledge in the sector.

Kwabena Donkor, the Former Minister of Energy under the Mahama administration held that the presidents advisers on Energy are doing this country a disfavour.

To consider listing GRIDCo on the stock exchange will be most unfortunate. Whoever is advising the government will be doing the country a disfavour, he said on Accra-based Citi FM. GRIDCo is the nerve centre of the power system. GRIDCo is the brain and is profitable. GRIDCo is a limited liability company owned solely by the state. It has recorded profits in the last couple of years and so why would you put your brain on the stock exchange.

He further argued that GRIDCo is not only a commercial entity, but a strategic national installation.

A financial analyst, Sydney Casely Hayford, in a panel broadcast also held that listing the two companies on the stock exchange will give the private sector significant influence in the countrys energy sector.

He explained on Citi FM The Big Issue that the private sector is driven by profit and will not accept a policy to cap their tariffs.

He said:I really think its a bad idea because you are going to give the private sector the opportunity to shut you down. [The]Private sector will not accept that their tariffs are capped and its an unprofitable cap. If it is going to work at it has to be calculated in a such a way that the cap will make them profitable and that they will achieve profitability from cost savings and not from raising the cap. So the minute you give them the restriction of making lossesthey will shut the system down and walk away.
He was hopeful that the companys long-term vision of becoming a world-class company playing in the international market would be attained as early as 2018, as the company is already holding talks with some entities.

READ ALSO: Council of State election results

Groupe Ideal currently operates in the areas of Investment Banking, Business Finance, Trade, Asset Management, Mining and Offshore Consultancy Services, Media, and Security Services.

The plan of the company is to establish a presence in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom and also expand into some African countries.

TV Africa, one of Groupe Ideals subsidiaries, would soon extend the broadcast of its programmes to some countries on the African continent to project African values, Dr Dzani said.

He said the company would continue to provide quality products to meet the needs of clients towards business growth.

The Electoral Commission recently declared Dr Dzani as the winner of the Greater Accra slot for the Council of State membership.

He had 20 votes while his closest contender Nene Atiapa polled 12. The rest of the candidates had no votes.
He also added that another allegation that Adwoa Agyarkwa Anyimadu- Antwi took her life because she was jilted by her boyfriend is also untrue.

READ ALSO: Tertiary students to write DVLA exam in school

The issue has even changed to the fact that her boyfriend jilted her. All those information are not the fact and are false. So tomorrow the university will issue a statement [on the matter]. One thing we must also take note of is that the lady died and the circumstances we are not aware of. She was taken to the hospital and she was declared dead on arrival, so the coronas report will be needed to determine the cause of the death. So let us wait till that is out.

In an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, Yeboah called on the media to desist from speculating and wait for an actual report which may indicate the cause of death

I will plead that the media houses should just take their time for us to dive into what really created the problem we have on our hands now. The reports are not yet out and the police are also conducting their own investigations so we have to wait for the findings of the investigation, he added.

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 was found dead on Friday morning in her hostel room.

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.

Meanwhile, the Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Marie Posa might be on her way to stardom with this new image of herself in the name of body positivity.

According to the Guyanese beauty, the move is to inspire other women such who are her size and are uncomfortable with their weight since she's experienced it firsthand.

"I've had this picture saved in my drafts for a while, and I was scared to post it.I have a tough relationship with the rolls on my stomach, and anytime they show in pictures, I always delete them. She said in a post on photo-sharing app, Instagram. But I took a second to think about it, today.

This is me, the body that I have worked so hard to love and accept.There's no hiding it, and I shouldn't have to. "

Also she explained that not posting the image would be a "disservice" to herself and other women who look up to her.

"I'd be doing a disservice to myself and the women who look at me and my body for inspiration to present a constantly edited depiction of myself.So here I am. Rolls and all."

In an Instagram post, Marie Posa who doubles as an activist shared an untouched photo of herself with no bra and jeans as she covered her nipples.

The photo has received more than 12,000 likes with 837 comments come in which also makes it the most liked on her page.

READ ALSO: Bisa KDei denies sexual misconduct
The accused who is resided in Ohio, United States and considered mentally unstable pleaded guilty to the crime following her arraignment at the Hamilton County Court.

According to a report by the WLWT TV, Watkins committed the gruesome murder of Jayniah Watkins in March 2015.

Watkins stabbed her daughter at least 15 times with a large kitchen knife before severing her head.

She then placed the knife in her daughters hand to make believe the baby did it.

Watkins stabbed her daughter at least 15 times with a large kitchen knife before severing her head.

She then placed the knife in her daughters hand to make believe the baby did it,"David Prem, a Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor mentioned in a court statement.
The suspect who was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad also disclosed that he was initiated into cultism by his father, now late, at a very tender age.

According to him in a report compiled by the Daily Post News, this is to prevent against intimidation by his peers.

Ohiememe added that his father provided him the mentoring he needed to become a notorious criminal.

This soon became a source of regret for the deceased who died wishing his son son had thought out differently.

I was involved in so many criminal activities in the south east and south west including high level kidnappings across Nigeria, he said.

ALSO READ: Police sounds warning to cultists in Akwa Ibom
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.

READ MORE: Yellow dress causes Internet stir at music awards

Those aged 18-49 reportedly had an average of 1.3 children, below the European Unions (EU) figure of 1.58.

According to media report by independent.co.uk, 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.

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.

READ ALSO:Here are the nominees in the main categories

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.
Immediately, Warren Beatty, with whom Dunaway had presented the prize, returned to the stage to say their had called out the wrong winner.

I wasnt trying to be funny, said Beatty, explaining that they had been handed the envelope for Emma Stones La La Land" win.

"Moonlight" is a 2016 American drama film directed by Barry Jenkins, based on the play "In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue" by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

The movie beat "Arrival," "Fences," "Hacksaw Ridge," "Hell or High Water," "Manchester by Sea," "Hidden Figures," "La La Land" and "Lion" to win the award.

The film stars Trevante Rhodes, Andre Holland, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders, Naomie Harris, and Mahershala Ali.
READ ALSO: It's irrelevant to beg Konadu Rawlings - NDC replies ET MensahA statement released by the acting Secretary of the Council, Peace AP Okantey, said: In furtherance of Article 89 (3) of the 1992 Constitution, the newly inaugurated Seventh Council under the Fourth Republic has duly elected a Chairman in the person of Hon Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene, at its maiden meeting after the swearing-in ceremony. The election of Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Omanhene of Ashanti Juaben, was unanimous, taking into account his vast experience across the years in the fields of business, governance, and chieftaincy and the fact that he had previously served as a member of the Council of State for two terms from 2001-2009."
Yakubu Iddi, 20, according to the District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Paa Yeboah, died at the Gushegu Hospital after he was stabbed multiple times in the lower abdomen by one Ibrahim after hot verbal exchanges at a rice eatery.

Mr Paa Yeboah, told the media the incident occurred last Friday.

He said both the deceased and the suspect, Zibilla Ibrahim, 20, who is a student of the Gushegu Senior High School, went to buy food at a joint near the Gushegu market.

According to him, an argument over who should be served first degenerated into a quarrel between the two.

"The two went their separate ways after they had been served," he noted.

The deceased was left writhing in pain until he managed his way to the suspect house before he was conveyed in a tricycle to the hospital where doctors said he died of excessive bleeding.

The police commander said the suspect has admitted the crime, but currently receiving treatment for knee injury during the deadly struggle.

The commander said the deceased later went to the house of the suspect and invited him for a fight.

"He went to the suspect's house and asked him to come out and fight him if he is a man.

"Unknown to the deceased, however, the suspect was armed with a knife," ASP Yeboah said.

READ MORE: Three people arrested for human trafficking

He stated that during the fight, the suspect stabbed the deceased on the thigh, causing the deceased to bleed profusely.

"Sensing danger, the suspect took to his heels," the commander said.
A family spokesperson, Samuel Alabi, has warned of dire consequences for those who will flout the curfew imposed in connection with the funeral rites.

During this period, there will be sacred rite performances.

At 10:00pm, people are still [in town] and up to 4:00am people are waking up getting ready for their work and in the night [of the burial] so many things will happen.

"The gods will come to lead their son home So we wouldnt want a situation where normal people will be parading and in the process get possessed or get hurt because there will be a lot of gunshots [too]. So for our human security and spiritual protection, we need to observe this, he told Accra-based Class FM.

READ ALSO: Kumasi residents warned to stay indoors
Attanu is to reappear before the Court on March 10.

Facts of the Case

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Francis Tarsan who held brief for Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the court that both victims are class one pupils; one 11 years and the other 12.

He said the accused person is a labourer who carries food from the school caterer during feeding hours to the school.

However, on February 9, this year, during the school first break, the 11 year old victim asked the other victim to accompany her to their house at Bortianor.

Attanu stopped the two on their way home and lured them into an uncompleted building, where he had sex with them after promising them some money.

Chief Inspector Francis Tarsan said after the act, the accused gave the victims GHc5.00 to share.

The 11-year-old victim, however, informed her head teacher who subsequently alerted the mother of the victim.

A complaint was made to the Police on February 16, this year, and medical forms were issued to the two victims to seek medical care.

The medical form of the 11-year-old later confirmed that she had been defiled. The 12-year-old, however, returned her forms over financial difficulties.
The FDA said the Minister should have first inform the Authority about the use of cancer-causing agent.

According to the Head of the Animal Products and Biosafety Department of the FDA, Mr Kofi Essel, as a regulatory body responsible for food safety it should have been notified of such findings.

Formalin, which is a chemical used to prevent dead bodies from decomposing, is being used by the traders to preserve the fish; thus making it stiff, have a rubbery feel, clear eyes, red gills and take away its odour as well as drive away flies, Prof Frimpong-Boateng has said.

READ MORE: FDA shuts down Piccadilly factory

"Hitherto, opening the gills of koobi exposed 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."

READ ALSO:Workers at Maintenance Unit threaten strike

Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng who paid 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, 2017, said "we want the few people who are destroying that industry to stop. Dont 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.

But the FDA in reaction said it is hearing the news about formalin in Koobie for the first time.

READ MORE:Blue Jeans Energy drink still ruling the market despite temporary ban

Mr Kofi Essel speaking to Accra-based Kasapa FM said, "For us as the FDA, whenever a Scientist or the academia or a research institution conducts a research on our foods and has information of such nature, the finding must not be held on to, the relevant authority must be informed immediately so we can put things right because of the huge numbers of people who consume the food".

He added that "Because formalin is not known to be used in preserving dried tilapia, in our normal testing of foods, we dont look out for formalin in "koobi" that is not part of the protocol. If theres such finding, well immediately act to ensure the public is safe."

What is formalin

Formalin is a colourless strong-smelling chemical substance usually used in industry of textiles, plastics, papers, paint, construction, and well known to preserve human corpse.

It is derived from formaldehyde gas dissolved in water, post on the site of the BIMC Hospital Nusa Dua, the first hospital in Indonesia with accreditation from Australian Council on Healthcare Standard International (ACHSI), has explained.
Bridget Kyerematen-Darko, 58, a sister of the Minister, died from injuries from the La Gas explosion. Her shop was located near the area the gas explosion occurred and hence sustained her injuries when the fire resulting from the explosion extended to her shop.

READ MORE: Alan Kyeremanten loses sister

More than ten other persons were confirmed dead with over 40 said to have been injured in the explosion.

Mahama in a Facebook post said "I attended the final funeral rites for the late Mrs. Bridget Kyerematen-Darko, Executive Director of Aid to Artisans, Ghana and sister of Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen in Kumasi on Sunday.

She was one of the victims of the gas station explosion near the Trade Fair Centre in Accra. Condolences to the husband and family, and May her soul rest in perfect."

Mahama was accompanied by Mr Julius Debrah, the former Chief of Staff.

READ ALSO: Mahama sends condolence to explosion victims

The funeral was also attended by President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ministers of state, ex-President J.A. Kufuor, Speaker of Parliament Mike Ocquaye and a host of other political figures.

Mrs. Bridget Darko was the Executive Director of Aid to Artisans, Ghana (ATAG), a non-governmental organization (NGO) that was established in 1989 to support the development of the Craft Industry in Ghana.
Officials at the Ghana High Commission said it was in touch with the Ghanaian community and had provided hotlines to assist those who had become victims of a march against immigrants that had turned violent.

Last Friday, February 24, 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey told Parliament, that all Ghanaians and their businesses in South Africa were safe, despite the ongoing xenophobic attacks in that country.

"We are monitoring the situation; we are watching carefully what is happening and we will ensure that if there are any threats on any Ghanaian, the mission will quickly move in and ensure the safety of our nationals," she had stated.

She said Ghana had also called on the South African Ministry of Internal Affairs to assure Ghana that Ghanaians would be safe.

She said no Ghanaian national or their businesses have been affected in the recent xenophobia attacks.

According to her, Ghanas mission in South Africa had urged Ghanaians in Mamelodi, also in South Africa, to remain indoors due to a planned demonstration against foreigners.

Background

Scores of Ghanaians living in South Africa have expressed strong desire to return home following brutal xenophobic attacks on some African Nationals in that country.

A Ghanaian in South Africa, Donald told Accra-based Starr FM that they are living in fear and that their movements had been limited.

"We are indoors more because of the xenophobic attacks."

He said all attempts to reach the Ghanaian High Commission for assistance had been unsuccessful.

Reports of xenophobic attacks in South Africa have heightened over the last few days. Nigerians and other African nationals have complained of rising violence against them.

The main group behind the 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.

READ MORE: Boko Haram gives South Africa 24 hours to end xenophobic attacks or face bombing

South Africa experienced its worst outbreak of violence against foreigners in 2008, when more than 60 people died.
The Council of State has a total of 25 members and is expected to give guidance and advice to the president during decision-making.

In the past it has been speculated that the council only serves as a backing body who just agree to anything the president says without question.

READ ALSO: Meet the plus size model changing how you see naked women online

However, President Akufo-Addo insists he wants the current crop of members to be straightforward when dealing with him.

It will be easy for the council to be telling the president what he wants to hear, it will equally be tempting to tell president that he is the best thing that ever happened to Ghana. And it will be even more tempting to tell the president to ignore his critics, [but] I expect [that] this council will not walk this road, president Akufo-Addo cautioned, adding that I look forward to working with a council that will offer me straight-forward advise.
Before even taking the stage, CBS's late-night show opened with an animated segment in which bathroom signs were given a chance to register their own complaints about Trump's decision.

In it, the male and female signs join together on one sign, exchange clothes, and the give the president their middle fingers.

It was certainly a bold way to open the show.

But Colbert also had a few things to say on the issue during his monologue.

"We should have seen this coming, because if there's one thing Trump is famous for, it's telling people where to pee," Colbert said, referencing unverified claims that

The show then showed a clip of the then-presidential candidate during an April 2016 town hall in which he said that transgender celebrity Caitlyn Jenner could use any bathroom she chooses in Trump Tower.

"Which is good," Colbert said, "because I'm guessing a lot of trans people would like to take a dump in Trump's lobby."

Jenner, who's a Republican and supported Trump for president, also spoke out on the bathroom issue on Thursday, calling the decision to roll back Obama's guidelines a "disaster" and challenging Trump to "call me."

In response to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's comment on Thursday that Trump sees the bathroom rules not as a civil rights issue, but one of states' rights, Colbert said, "Grow a pair."

The host also responded to the New York Times report that Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos initially pushed back on the idea of rolling back the guidelines, citing potential dangers for transgender students. But when faced with either supporting the president or resigning from her job, she relented.
Phay Siphan, as spokesman for Cambodia's Council of Ministers, the country's executive branch, wrote on Facebook this weekend that the government would "crush" media outlets that posed a danger to the country's "peace and stability."

Siphan's threats invoked Trump's posture toward the US press as justification, according to The Phnom Penh Post.

"Donald Trump's ban of international media giants ... sends a clear message that President Trump sees that news published by those media institutions does not reflect the real situation," Shiphan wrote.

While Trump has not banned any outlets, his campaign did deny credentials to several outlets during the presidential election. More recently, his administration excluded several outlets, including the BBC, from a press gaggle that took place at the White House.

"Freedom of expression must be located within the domain of the law and take into consideration national interests and peace," Siphan wrote, according to The Post. "The president's decision has nothing to do with democracy or freedom of expression."

When asked by phone about his comments, Siphan was insistent, saying his remarks were a "warning to return to professionalism and responsibility."

"We wish to see diversity of ideas, but we are one nation and must be all together," he told The Post. When asked what would happen to outlets that did not follow his admonishment, Siphan said, "Shut it down, very simple. Expel them."

A spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Information echoed Siphan's warnings, saying, "Any article or writing that leads to destabilization might face these consequences."

Siphan specifically mentioned Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, both of which receive funding from the US government, in his Facebook post.

His invocation of Trump's attacks on the media coupled with his reference to VoA and RFA lend a recursive element to the situation.

In the early days of his administration, it was feared that Trump would exercise undue influence over Broadcasting Board of Governors, which has an $800 million annual budget and oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcast Networks.

Those concerns were heightened when VoA deleted one of several tweets that seemed to endorse comments about the size of the crowd at Trump's inauguration that were made by press secretary Sean Spicer and widely acknowledged as false.
Three years ago, Gates had his favorite business book, 1969's "Business Adventures" by John Brooks, pulled out of obscurity and put back into print. With the force of Gates' passionate recommendation behind it, it became a bestseller.

He continues to publicly vouch for it, most recently on Monday in a Reddit AMA, in response to the question, "Was there any book that helped you through your career?"

On his personal blog, Gates said that he fell in love with the book, a collection of Brooks' New Yorker articles detailing some of the most important events in corporate America in the mid-20th century, back in 1991, when he was still CEO of Microsoft. He had asked Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett what his favorite business book was, and Buffett responded by sending Gates his personal copy of "Business Adventures."

"Brooks's work is a great reminder that the rules for running a strong business and creating value haven't changed," Gates wrote in his post.

We've gone through "Business Adventures" and highlighted some of its key lessons that are still applicable today:

Innovators need to keep innovating

Gates wrote that one of the most instructive stories in the book, especially when taken in a historical context, is the article with his favorite title, "Xerox Xerox Xerox Xerox." Brooks chronicled how Xerox recruited researchers to develop the product that would replace the mimeograph machine and change how offices worked around the world. Five years after the Xerox 914 hit the mass market in 1960, "xeroxing" was part of pop culture and the company brought in $500 million in revenue.

But beyond Brooks' account, Xerox's leadership had grown comfortable with its early success. This attitude would eventually lead to huge losses in the late 1970s as competitors started releasing their own photocopiers.

Gates believed this could have been avoided by Xerox executives embracing, rather than ignoring, the advances Xerox made with graphical user interfaces. They did not turn it into a marketable technology because they believed it didn't fit into their legacy, but companies like Apple and Microsoft built on this tech to great success.

"I know I'm not alone in seeing this decision as a mistake on Xerox's part," Gates wrote. "I was certainly determined to avoid it at Microsoft. I pushed hard to make sure that we kept thinking big about the opportunities created by our research in areas like computer vision and speech recognition."

Place extra resources into what matters for long-term success

Xerox's founding is important to look at, as well.

Joseph C. Wilson, the company's founder, inherited The Haloid Photographic Company in the late 1940s. After learning of the physicist Chester Carlson's invention of an electronic printing machine, he made an agreement with Carlson and decided that his company's future was in finding a way to turn the experiment into an easy-to-use office tool.

Wilson took the new name of this copying process, xerography, and renamed his company Haloid Xerox in 1958, while the xerography machine was still in development.

Wilson's board grew anxious as he insisted on the years of R&D the machine required, and Brooks explains that even the researchers weren't convinced they could create a marketable product. Wilson could have given customers a cumbersome product, but it likely would have bombed and then later improved upon by a competitor. But $75 million later, the Xerox 914 made Wilson and his executive team rich and Xerox a household name.

Business can be done with social purposes

Brooks expressed fascination with Wilson's do-gooder rhetoric, concluding that it was genuine.

Today, many companies hype their compassionate corporate cultures, but it was less common in the 1960s. Wilson believed that it was his duty to donate millions of dollars to charities and universities and to have progressive hiring policies during the civil rights movement.

Wilson's unorthodox ideas initially faced pushback, and then, along with similar initiatives, were torn apart in the 1970s by the Nobel Prize-winning-economist Milton Friedman, who advocated for placing utmost primacy on shareholders, not society.

In the post-Great Recession world, however, Wilson's ideals of investing resources into employees and society are now fundamentally seen as beneficial for business performance, and thus good for shareholders, too.

Letting egos lead the way can be disastrous

Another one of Gates' favorite case studies in "Business Adventures" is the story of the Ford Edsel, which remains one of the most disastrous product launches in corporate history.

Ford's executives decided that they would use research to develop the perfect car for middle-class Americans. Its designers and marketers spent two years gathering suggestions from the public and testing ideas on focus groups. But after all that research, Ford's executives did what they wanted.

They also tried to please everyone instead of focusing the brand. Ford debuted the Edsel in 1957 in 18 variations, none of which seemed to target a particular audience.

As for the name, the chairman of the board decided at the last minute that the car would be named after Henry Ford's son Edsel, dismissing the list of names that took endless hours to compile.

You must never place yourself in a situation you can't get out of

Before the car was finished or even named, Ford began promoting teasers for the "E-Car," which promised to revolutionize the automobile industry. Brooks said that the executives never even considered failure an option, creating an entire Edsel division and signing distribution contracts with dealerships before the vehicle was completed.

The stock market took a nose dive in the summer of 1957, and people stopped buying mid-priced cars. The Edsel was set to launch in 1957. Had Ford's leadership acted more cautiously and avoided betting so much on the Edsel, they likely would have been able to avoid losing $350 million.

If you fail, accept it, learn from it, and move on

Despite the countless mistakes that Ford's leadership made with the Edsel, Brooks found that no one would take responsibility for the failure and instead felt they had done everything right.

Edsel marketing manager J.C. Doyle even told Brooks: "People weren't in the mood for the Edsel ... What they'd been buying for several years encouraged the industry to build exactly this kind of car. We gave it to them, and they wouldn't take it. Well, they shouldn't have acted like that."

Managers must communicate clearly with their employees

Brooks also told the story of the 1961 price-fixing scandal among 29 electric companies. He looked particularly at the biggest party involved, General Electric, where employees worked on their own to profit from their illegal actions.

Brooks wrote that even after researching the case thoroughly, he couldn't tell if the higher-ups were responsible or at least aware of the price fixing because GE had a culture in which nobody seemed to communicate with one another. Multiple employees even testified that their bosses would often say things with a wink, making it difficult to ascertain if what they just said was what they actually meant.

Brooks wrote that, "the clear waters of moral responsibility at G.E. became hopelessly muddied by a struggle to communicate  a struggle so confused that in some cases, it would appear, if one of the big bosses at G.E. had ordered a subordinate to break the law, the message would somehow have been garbled in its reception, and if the subordinate had informed the boss that he was holding conspiratorial meetings with competitors, the boss might well have been under the impression that the subordinate was gossiping idly about lawn parties or pinhole sessions."
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The 27th day of February 1844 is the date when Dominicans obtained their Independence and were finally called the Dominican Republic after many years of being a Spanish colony.

Here's a list of 5 things to know about the Dominican Republic.

1. The Dominican Republic is the 2nd largest Caribbean with a surface area of 18,704 square miles (48,442 square kilometres). It has a surface area of 18,704 square miles (48,442 square kilometres). It occupies the eastern two-thirds of The Dominican Republic is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and to the south by the Caribbean Sea.

Surprisingly, It beats out the Cayman Islands, Aruba, Jamaica, and the Virgin Islands as the most visited destination in the Caribbean

2. The word "Dominican" never appears in the Dominican Republic national anthem; instead, the people are referred to as Quisqueyans, a Taino word. The Taino, a peaceful subgroup of the Arawak s, were the native people of the Dominican Republic. So, many Taino words have been integrated into the everyday Spanish vocabulary.

3. The word Dominican has a meaning beyond being born in the Dominican Republic it actually means Gods sons. According to history, the name was given to them after a group of religious educators, who arrived on the island of La Hispanola when they were still a Spanish colony.

4. People in the Caribbean live on a different time. In general, you will notice that people are much more relaxed and easy-going. Things go slower there, and nobody seems to be in a real hurry for anything.

5. The Dominican Republic is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean and it generates over 5 million arrivals each year.
Yes, Don Baba J in partnership with WiFi company Flobyt to give millions of Lagosians free Internet access.

This is how it works. Flobyt, a free WiFi service will be installed in several locations all across Lagos such as eateries, parks, taxis, buses, restaurants, cafes.

The WiFi will be free to access to customers who patronise the services of a business that has Flobyt in its premises. And it is very easy to do so because the router doesn't need any technical knowledge for you to use it. All you have to do is patronise the business or service of the partner outlet and get free wi-fi.

"We know that this is not the first free WiFi proposition in Nigeria. However, we have state of the art technology, speed, security and speed to make it an enduring one" said Dele Odufuye, CEO of Tsaboin who co-founded Flobyt with Don Jazzy.

At the press conference, Don Jazzy dropped hints that Flobyt isn't his only tech investment.

The award winning producer has joined the likes of Nas and Jay Z who have several tech investments.
Ganduje gave the advice during the mass wedding of 1, 520 widows, divorcees and spinsters at the Kano Central Mosque, on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

The governor, according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said he was worried at the number of unmarried women in the state and called on wealthy people to marry more than one wife in order to reduce the number.

He noted that the state government and Islamic scholars will come up with a document which would be presented to the State Assembly.

We are determined in Kano State to come up with laws that will govern marriage and laws that will govern family lives," he said.

Ganduje who decried the high rate of divorce in the state added that the mass wedding was aimed at combating rising rates of divorce, births out of wedlock and the number of impoverished widows and divorcees in the state. 

Earlier at the ceremony, Sanusi II, also decried the high rate of divorce in the society.

The high rate of divorce is a worrisome situation resulting in adultery, prostitution and the births of children out of wedlock, and has become dangerous to society."


Commandant of the Corps, Ibrahim Abdullahi, told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the suspect was arrested at NNPC Mega station, Damboa road, in the state capital on Feb 18.

The operatives arrested the culprit around Mega Area wearing our Arm Squad uniform with the logo of the Corps, thus parading himself as a member.

When interrogated, he claimed to have been given the uniform by his brother, who serves in the southern part of Nigeria, Abdullah said.

He said that this trend portended danger as Boko Haram insurgents now wear camouflage of security agencies to wreak havoc.

We hope this arrest will lead us to more discoveries of these impersonators, he said.
NDLEA commander, Ahmadu Garba, confirmed the development after the pair, Oluwasheto Abiodun, a 39-year-old electrician and his accomplice, Ibe Divine, 33, were nabbed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The suspects were found in possession of 2.035kg of cocaine and 2.485kg of cannabis respectively.

Speaking about his involvement in the crime, Abiodun who is a native of Ondo State said:

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.

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.

For Divine, the second suspect arrested for drug trafficking, it was all about a quest to better income. He stated this in an interrogation with reporters.

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 said.

The arrest is one of many for the NDLEA, an agency which is hell bent on ensuring a drug free society.

Their attention is now focused on arresting importers of abandoned heroin.
A Press Release by the Nigerian Army stated that troops in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested the three Chadian terrorists who belonged to the Abu Musab al-Barnawi faction of the sect in Gombe, Gombe State.

The three Chadian terrorist suspects whose names were given as Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed, and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar, were arrested at Arawa and Mallam Inna Areas of Gombe metropolis.

They were reportedly arrested when they sneaked into Gombe to carry out some terror attacks.

During the operation, one of them, Umar who attempted to escape, was shot in the leg and is currently undergoing treatment while the rest are undergoing interrogation.

The terrorists were reportedly arrested with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials that they could have coupled and attack parts of the state.
The lecturer identified as Ishaq Yusuf popularly known as I. G. Yusuf, according to a member of the National Youth Service Corps, Simon Adunnu, is in the department of English in the institution and had been victimizing female students with his incessant demands for sex for marks.

According to the story, Yusuf had been troubling a 400-level student for sex so she could pass her course and the distraught girl reported the matter to her boyfriend and the guy and some friends came up with a plan to set up the randy man up.

On the day of reckoning, he had gone to the girl's apartment to keep a date with the sex rendezvous when the guys cornered him and stripped him naked.

He was even made to mop the floor and pose for photos in his birthday suit.

Adunnu narrated further:

"A 400-level female student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, IBBU, Lapai, Niger, decided to finally put an end to the torture, emotional and academic blackmail suffered by female students in the university for years.

A lecturer of English department named Ishaq Yusuf who is popularly known as I.G. Yusuf was caught pants down with one of his preys.

I.G is fond of failing female students who refuse to succumb to his sexual advances.

Also if you are a guy and he finds you around any girl he likes, you are sure of carrying over his course just for that reason.

The 400-level student in question has been carrying over his course since 100-level because she refused to allow him to sleep with her.

When the problem was becoming too much, she decided to set him up, when he requested to come to her room. She arranged with some of her male friends and they hid in her toilet.

I.G Yusuf came to the room and she decided to play along and he stripped down for her, ready for action.

The guys came out of the toilet and instructed him to remain that way and they took nude pictures of him.

Innocent students tears and prayers have been answered and we need a serious disciplinary action against him. He has been going scot free all these years."

The Chairman of the universitys Servicom Unit which sees to complaints lodged to the school, Dr. Ebenezer Ogungbe, said he learned about the incident on the social media, adding that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken.

In the same vein, the management of the school, on the institutions website, confirmed that a committee had been set up to investigate the case and if found guilty, I.G Yusuf will be made to face the full weight of the law.

However, the randy lecturer has denied the allegation that he attempted to have sex with the student, stating that the girl connived with some men to kidnap him on his way home in the night, adding that he was forced to remove his clothes.

There was a test conducted by a fellow lecturer on Tuesday for 400-level students. I dont take any course at that level. They had to be split into two and the lecturer invited me to assist him to administer the test.

Towards the end of the test, I noticed there was a boy sitting in front of the girl. He raised his paper up for the girl to copy.

I saw them and warned the boy. He just smiled instead of him to obey my warning and continued. I asked to forward his paper if he had finished and he reluctantly forwarded it to me.

The rule of the test is that if you are found cheating, we will tear your paper. I wrote on his paper found cheating. I tore the paper and threw it into a dustbin.

Later in the evening, I began to receive calls from this girl, asking me to see her. She said the boy whose paper I tore had not let her have peace and that he wanted to see me so that the lecturer could consider him for a make-up (test).

I told her she should let us meet the next day. On my way home, as I reached a junction leading to her house, I saw her standing by the roadside with some men.

As soon as she entered my car, the men also entered from behind and pressed a metal on my back. So, I drove until they got to the house.

As soon as I got into the room, they removed my clothes and poured water on me. They demanded N2 million ransom from me. I have been traumatized. Presently, I have been suspended and will appear before a panel on Monday (today).
Addressing journalists in Abuja at the weekend, director of the group, Stella Okoli, said Amnesty International should be held responsible for any further unrest in the country.

She noted that "already defeated" Boko Haram terrorists have resurfaced and escalated its attack coinciding with the release of the amnesty report.

"The recent attacks being launched on military positions by Boko Haram vindicate our position as a civil society that Amnesty International is out to embolden terrorists to attack the Nigerian state and its citizenry," Okolie said.

"What Nigeria requires at the moment is a permanent solution to the humanitarian crisis fueled by the likes of Amnesty International in the north east of the country.

"Nigerians will not hesitate to adopt home grown solutions to salvage the situation if the world chooses to believe a compromised entity like Amnesty International over brave people that toil and sacrifice daily to correct the mess created from abroad," Okolie added.

She alleged that Amnesty's report attempts to protect violent groups like IMN, IPOB, MASSOB, armed robbers as well as Boko Haram terrorists.

ALSO READ: NGO faults Amnesty International report on Nigeria

"The world's most deadly terrorist group that has displaced millions of people, killed several thousands and destroyed an entire region. These terrorists abduct and rape children who they then sell off as child-brides while converting the males into child-fighters.

"Since the fall of their last camp in Sambisa Forest they have turned ten year olds into suicide bombers and also force women with babies strapped on their backs to carry out suicide bombings. The group's original goal was to deny all other Nigerians the right to freedom of religion through the forced implementation of Sharia across board.

"Amnesty International is campaigning for the killers in this group to be invited for talks over sumptuous lunch as pre-condition to issue a certificate that they have been treated humanely.

"The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a fanatical militarized Islamic group that the Kaduna state government had to outlaw after its violent confrontation with the military left several persons dead, also enjoys the patronage of Amnesty International," she added.
Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement that the suspects were arrested on Sunday, February 26, 2017, after a painstaking tracking.

Usman identified them as Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar, adding that they were arrested at Arawa and Mallam Inna areas of Gombe.

They were reported to be members of Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram that operates in Chad and mostly northern part of Borno but came to Gombe State for another heinous assignment.

During the operation, one of them, Bilal Muhammed Umar attempted to escape and was shot in the leg. He was, however, apprehended and is receiving medical treatment, he said.

The suspects are in custody undergoing preliminary investigation, Usman added.

ALSO READ:Air force jets bomb Boko Haram location at Tagoshe Mountain
The NGO described the report is part of a global conspiracy to undermine the Nigerian state.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja, President of GAW, Philip Agbese said the AI report is not only wrong but that the Nigerian Military should be commended for doing their best to halt threats to citizens as exemplified by Boko Haram and other insurgency groups.

He said had the military allowed itself to be blackmailed into inaction as Amnesty International intended, Boko Haram would have overrun the country by now while IPOB separatists with other criminal elements would have mutated into groups worse than Boko Haram.

Agbese, a Human Rights Law researcher at the Middlesex University London, said Amnesty International does not expect the military to fold it's arms while armed groups over run the country and kill innocent Nigerians.

"Amnesty International failed to recognise the current threats the nation and its citizenry face under Boko Haram's campaign of terror and horror and its threat to the collective existence of man in this part of the world," Agbese said

"It is unfortunate that rather than face the reality and point out the state actors that are exporting suffering across the world, AI is pursuing a sick obsession of defending killer groups like the , , and even accused the Military of being harsh in its operations against Boko Haram even when it admitted that the terror group was committing crimes against humanity.

"These groups have at various times carried out unwarranted attacks on peace-loving Nigerians and even members of the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement agencies have not been spared as they randomly and regularly get killed in the course of trying to stop attacks on Nigerians," he added.

Agbese accused Amnesty International of doctoring same "false reports" which plunged countries like Libya, Iraq and Yemen into crisis.
The senator made the comments over the weekend during a tour of the late Mallam Aminu Kano museum in Kano.

Buhari is an island in his government and by the time he is back, he needs to disinfect and fumigate his government because in his anti-corruption crusade, he is the only person who believes in the anti-corruption war, people within his corridors of power are simply Buhari in their faces, but anti-Buhari at hearts, Sani said according to ThisDay.

Now, tell me, how a president (Buhari) who publicly declared his own assets; and apart from him and his vice-president, nobody, even within his own close kitchen cabinet or outside veranda cabinet could publicly declare their assets. This shows the disbelief in the style of his own life and his own manner of leadership.

President Buhari is surrounded by vultures and hyena. And you can see the very prudent life Mallam Aminu Kano has left behind, and could have served as a beckon to which we will find a new and transparent Nigeria. You should also understand it very well that achieving an absolutely corrupt-free society is theoretical illusion, but it is also a developmental necessity.

We cannot achieve one hundred percent corrupt-free society, but our struggle to achieve it will be a continuous process. Nigerian politicians have since abandoned the prudent way of Mallam Aminu Kano and the honesty of Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. They have since abandoned the focus of these great leaders.

What matters to them is how they can build political empire and then also use it as a launching pad to build a business empire. They are not entrusted in freeing the masses from poverty.

They are simply interested in leveraging themselves to stupendous position of wealth. We live in a country whereby people in the position of power seem to create jobs for the children of the poor; while there are reserved positions for children of the rich in Federal Civil Service, this is what has become of this country today.

If we are to build a new democratic, transparent and corrupt-free society, we must start by public office holders. We must begin to lay clear examples because we cannot have governors, rich senators, rich members of House of Representatives, rich ministers who have simply become rich because they are in public office and for you to expect any fundamental change in the way and manner Nigeria is today.

We must begin to act fast because Nigerians were corrupted by the leaders, not that Nigerians corrupted the leaders. Indeed, it is the leaders that corrupted our people, he added.

Sani had earlier accused President Buhari of taking corruption in his government too lightly.

He made the comment on Tuesday, January 24, after Buhari told the Senate that he would not sack the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal despite fraud allegations made against him.

ALSO READ:Senate tells Lawal to resign immediately over misuse of IDP funds
He said the insinuations that the President is critically ill and in the hospital are absolutely untrue.

Mohammed stated this on Monday, February 27, at the second town hall meeting for the southeast and the launch of national reorientation campaign, "Change Begins With Me" Umuahia, Abia State.

When asked to open up on Buhari's true state of health, he said Nigerians have no reason to be worried because the President is very fine, adding that he spoke with him over the weekend.

He said: "I can say here very boldly and confidently that there is absolutely no cause for alarm.

"Mr president called me at 2.43 p.m. on Saturday and we spoke.

"If Mr. President is in the hospital or is critically ill, as minister of information, I will give daily bulletin on his health.

"Mr. President is neither critically ill nor in the hospital and there is nothing life threatening about the checks he is going through."

Buhari has been on medical vacation in London since January 19, 2017.

On the state of the economy, the Mohammed said it is corruption that made the prices of commodities to go up.

He noted that no economy in the world could survive the blind and reckless looting perpetrated by the previous administration.

"If one person was found with almost $10 million in an uncompleted house and another with $136 million in fake account and other with N7 billion, how can the economy survive the kind of looting," the minister said.

"Naturally the price of commodities will go up.

"These are funds meant for development of infrastructure and for provision of services.

"That is why you cannot do anything with the economy without first facing corruption squarely.

"But the good news is that the government is doing both together. As we are fighting corruption, we are also making sure that we are ensuring we are out of recession by investing heavily on infrastructure," he added.

Mohammed also pacified the audience who lamented the spate of attacks on farmers by herdsmen.

He said contrary to the position of some elements who want to destroy the unity of the country, the government is not supporting any section of the country against the other.
OBJ said God has been so partial to me by showing me much favour to achieve what I didnt deserve. God has done for me much more than I deserve. I praise God and I thank God for this.

The ceremony was to mark the 80th birthday of the former Nigerian President coming up on March 5, 2017.

OBJ, as he is fondly called, also revealed that the Late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela encouraged him to run for President when he came out from prison.

The former President also said Reverend Desmond Tutu advised him to contest in the 1999 presidential election.

According to him,  When I came out from prison for an offence I didnt commit and people started putting pressure on me to be Nigerias President, I was confused but in that confusion I sought advice. I went first to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Mandela said Olu, whatever your instinct tells you, follow it.

In his remarks, the Ogun state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun who was represented by his deputy, Yetunde Onanuga, said he is proud to have OBJ as a citizen of Ogun state, adding that he is an exemplary leader.
The Public Relations Officer of Board, Malam Yunusa Abdullahi, said this on Monday in Kaduna.

According to Abdullahi, the Director-General, Bureau of Interfaith, Namadi Musa, made the remark while addressing intending pilgrims at the weekend.

He said the state government would soon exclude names of absentees intending pilgrims in this years Hajj list.

Musa said the Hajj enlightenment programmes was aimed at teaching intending pilgrims how to perform the Hajj exercise in line with the teaching of the Quran and the practices of Prophet Muhammad.

He decried how intending pilgrims paid millions of naira to go to Hajj without knowing the basics of Hajj exercise and also not ready to learn.

The director-general urged intending pilgrims to acquire Islamic knowledge.

According to him, it is only through Islamic knowledge that Hajj would be accepted.

He commended the Islamic scholars for their efforts and determination toward educating the intending pilgrims.
The Managing Director of the authority, Mrs Amaka Anajemba, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

It is the civic responsibility of residents of the state to support our environment-friendly Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to check all forms of flooding in the state."

It is a known fact that the governor has opened up all natural water channels in Enugu and Nsukka metropolises as well as constructed and re-constructed drainage systems on roads in major towns."

However, it lies on the residents to work on their neighbourhoods and ensure that silts and dirt do not block the small water channels that empty in the big drainage systems, she said.

The managing director also lauded the residents for their participation in the February edition of the states monthly sanitation.

We urge the residents to keep it up and continue to support government programmes and policies meant to better their lives."
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Aro Lambo, ordered the accused to produce two sureties in like sum.

Lambo said that one of the sureties must reside in his own property, while the other should be a cleric or community leader.

He said the sureties must show evidence of tax payments and had verifiable addresses.

Yakara, who lives on No. 26, Bello Road, Obele, Surulere, is facing a one-count charge of assault, which she pleaded not guilty.The Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offence at No. 26, Bello Road, Obele, Surulere, Lagos, between 2015 and 2017.

Osayande said the accused had been flogging the girl, on her back and legs with an electric wire and cane, and inflicted various degrees of injuries on her.The offence contravened Sections 10(a) of the Child Right Law of Lagos State, 2007.
Mr Suleiman Modibbo-Masaka, the National Chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT) of the organisation, made the appeal on Sunday while speaking with newsmen in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

He said that poverty would be tackled in the society when wealthy individuals complement government efforts by extending hands of friendship and love to the poor by assisting them with different skills and money to start businesses of their own.

Modibbo-Masaka also appealed to Biafra agitators and Niger Delta avengers to join hands and give their maximum support to the present administration, assuring that President Muhammadu Buhari would not fail Nigerians.

Empowering the poor would not only tackle poverty and crime but would also foster unity, peace in the society."

God will also reward any one that assisted the poor positively, the chairman said.

Besides, he advised Nigerians spreading false rumour on Buharis health to desist in the interest of peace, urging Nigerians to continue to pray for the good health of the president and other elected leaders.

We are all aware that this organisation is formed with the aimed of promoting peace, unity and progress of our dear country, Nigeria, as well as to assist widows, orphans and the needy in the society as the name implies, and the organisation has been fulfilling its mandates."

BCO is also assisting deserving and less privileged youths through the awards of scholarship and grant so as to improve the standard of education as well as to reduce the burden of school fees on their parents."

Let me inform you that we have empowered different people with cash to start businesses of their own in which some of them today engaged in provision stores, frying akara, bread and tea, selling soft drinks and pure water, among others."

We have provided all these intervention so as to tackle poverty in the society and to improve on the beneficiaries standard of living, hence the need for wealthy Nigerians to assist the poor for the betterment of the society, he said.
He said for Nigeria to make significant progress, the issue of poor leadership must urgently be fixed.

Obasanjo stated this at a seminar in Kaduna state on Monday, February 27.

He said if the country does not resolve the issue to bad leadership, it would just be a case of taking "one step forward and another step backward."

"Nigerian leaders must be tough and ready to bite the bullet, because Nigeria cannot have it easy and until we get the right leadership, the problem will continue.

"Some leaders lack focus, commitment, and continuity, hence we have not been able to achieve meaningful result," he said.

On the inconsistency in policies, Obasanjo said, as military head of state, his administration banned the importation of toothpick in 1977, because it is the "most stupid thing to import when we can produce it here."

However, Obasanjo expressed shock at the listing of the embargo about 40 years later. He said one of the presidents who succeeded him reversed the ban.

He said: "One of the presidents that came after me, I wont mention his name, unbanned toothpick. Then, I put on my Babanriga (a native attire) and went to Abuja to express my shock about the policy, but to my greatest surprise, the president told me, he signed the document unbanning toothpick without reading it.

"Another thing is that, he came in saying he will generate additional 30,000 megawatts to the 3,500megawatts we left behind, and I told him, dont trouble yourself, if you can add 3,000 megawatts to the one we left behind, you will receive the best of awards. But, to my greatest shock, he couldnt add one megawatt before leaving office."

ALSO READ: God has been partial to me  Obasanjo says

The elder statesman added that lack of synergy in public and private sectors is responsible for the setback in the nations economic growth.

He said the public sector and the private sector are "two legs that when brought together can accelerate development in all sectors of the economy."

On the privatisation of the oil sector, which was revoked by the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua, he said: "When we were in office, we privatised NNPC and sold to Dangote and partners, but the government that succeeded me revoked it and that is why till today, NNPC cannot work optimally.
He said this at a reception held in his hometown, Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new state government of All Progressives Congress (APC) headed by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu and Ajayi were sworn-in as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively on Friday in Akure.

Ajayi said that there were enormous tasks ahead of the new government, coupled with high expectations of the people.

He advised people to exercise patience with the new administration in order to be fair to all.

We are aware of the huge task ahead of us and the high expectations of the people of the state but we plead with the people to exercise patience for us to study what is on ground."

We will make our people happy and we promise to be fair to all and not to disappoint all for the trust and confidence that have in us,  Ajayi said.

The deputy governor, however gave thanks to the Almighty God for the opportunity to serve and also to the electorate that voted for the new government to steer the ship of the state for a four-year term.

He advised indigenes of the state to cooperate with the new government by renewing their support and prayers for the government to succeed in order to re-distribute the dividends of democracy.
In a statement by Mr Laolu Akande, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Osinbajo said he joined all Nigerians and Shagaris family in celebrating selfless service, leadership and steadfast commitment to Nigeria.

He said that decades after serving as the second republic President of Nigeria, Shagari had continued to advance the unity, peace and prosperity of the nation.

According to him, the patriotism, principles and lofty values the former President displayed throughout his public life as teacher, politician, parliamentarian, president and now, as elder statesman, make him one of the foremost national leaders.

The acting president expressed confidence that the honesty and strength of character with which Shagari had been known, would continue to be a source of inspiration.

While wishing the nonagenarian many happy returns of the day in good health and joy, he said that prayer for the former president was that as his days were, so shall his strength and favour be.
In a recent broadcast, the cleric accused African leaders of neglecting her youth.

"Africa has neglected her youths," the cleric said. "Africa has abandoned the youths to themselves. Africa has failed to make provision for the youths, whereas tomorrows Africa is the youths.

"When I think about the future of Africa, I have sleepless nights. Everything looks gloomy, frustrating, hopeless, dark, darksome, shadowy, shaded, dull, sunless and unilluminated," he added.

Frank, in a statement statement issued in Abuja on Monday, February 27, 2017, called on religious and political leaders to emulate and support Prophet Joshua's move on how how to tackle the problems of youth unemployment, drugs abuse among youths and other social vices.

Frank, who said Prophet Joshua's latest broadcast is a challenge to unite Africa, also believe that the cleric has "always demonstrated the qualities of a true leader" with a vision to better the lives of youths in Africa and the world in general.

"What the man of God said is true," Frank said. "There is much poverty, unemployment and total neglect of youths by the governments across the Africa continent. It is high time African youths to come together and fight their common enemies, and also work together as one to prepare a better tomorrow for the continent."
According to reports, Gigaba said that the issue of the Xenophobic attacks will be settled at a diplomatic level.

In her response, Dabiri-Erewa said that xenophobia has become a social disease which some South Africans need to be cured of.

According to Vanguard, she also said that the Nigerian government will no longer sit and fold its arms while its citizens are being killed.

The presidential aide said It appears that Mr. Gigaba would rather dwell on and entertain himself with diplomatic niceties when the welfare of Nigerians resident in South Africa are at stake now more than any time in recent history.

His response to the xenophobic attacks, which has now become a recurring decimal on Africans, most especially Nigerians living peacefully in their host country of South Africa was, indeed, unfortunate.

While its no longer news that law-abiding Nigerians in that country have borne the major brunt of these attacks, the news by the Home Affairs Minister that his country is trying to get rid of criminals in his country at the time when indiscriminate mayhem and looting of law-abiding Nigerians is very suspicious, to say the least.

Nigeria and South Africa have a long-standing diplomatic relationship in which the former played a critical, if not a pivotal role that culminated in ending apartheid, among so many of her positive interventions.

Indiscriminate killings, in which 116 deaths have been recorded of her people MUST not be how Nigeria should be paid back. Xenophobia is such a debilitating social disease, based mostly on ignorance, in which its carrier also suffers. I therefore suggest that the home affairs minister should engage in the mass education of the South African people about the debilitating effects of this disease with immediate effect.

Its apt to mention at this juncture that the home affairs minister only met with African consulates forum, an association of African consuls general, based in South Africa recently , despite the fact that this meeting was long overdue.

Mr. Gigabas response to the mayhem that a segment of the South African people perpetrated on law-abiding Nigerians in South Africa smirks of insensitivity, and its therefore very reprehensible, if not unacceptable. In view of this unfortunate statement, I am therefore restating my earlier call on the African Union (AU) to take up the South Africas xenophobic issue as a matter of urgency.

The days that the Nigerian government will fold its arms while its citizens are maltreated to the point that some of them have lost their lives for no just cause are long gone," she added.
Umahi was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the forum attended by all the governors from the zone in Enugu on Sunday.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, who announced this after a closed door meeting, said that the lot fell on Umahi to lead the group because Abia and Anambra had had their turns in the past.

I want to specially recognise the oldest member of this forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra.

We have just risen from a meeting and it is my pleasure to officially introduce the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum in the person of Gov. Dave Umahi.

He is our chairman today because Anambra and Abia have taken their turns in the past and we are moving forward from Ebonyi flank at this moment, Ikpeazu said.

Umahi said his election was an honour to lead the forum even though he might not be the most qualified.

I want to thank my brother governors and to accept the leadership position my colleagues have pushed on me.

Not being the most qualified but they decided that I should be the chairman of the forum at a time like this. I want to thank them with all sense of humility, Umahi said.

ALSO READ: Governor Umahi bans sale of foreign rice in Ebonyi markets

NAN reports that this is the first time after the 2015 general elections that all the governors were meeting face to face at the forums meeting.
The APC chieftain also threatened to send the Osun Governor back to Lagos state, where they brought him from.

He also alleged that Governor Aregbesola has been running the APC like his personal estate.

According to Daily Post, Oyedele said this at an empowerment program for women and youths, organised by the Deputy Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Lasun Yussuff.

ALSO READ:

He said Anybody who wants to be governor must be courageous. Governorship race is not for people, who are feeble-minded. We went to Lagos to bring him, (Aregbesola), we will send him back to Lagos.
There they chanted 'Za dom spremni' ('For the Homeland ready'), the slogan used by Croatia's World War II pro-Nazi regime, and took an oath "to the homeland."

The Ustasha regime persecuted and killed hundreds of thousands of Jews, Serbs, Roma and anti-fascist Croatians.

The participants of Sunday's march, who were dressed in black, waved a US and a Croatian flag, as well as the flag of the German far-right NPD party.

They also voiced support for US President Donald Trump.

Police said they arrested a 53-year-old man, whom local media identified as party leader Drazen Keleminec.

A police statement said the suspect was held for "violating public order" and that a probe was ongoing.

The government strongly condemned the far-right gathering and said in a statement it opposed "all forms of hate speech, intolerance and discrimination."

It also slammed anti-Serb posters which have recently appeared in the eastern town of Vukovar, labelling them "offensive and shameful."

The posters, put up at Vukovar bus stations Friday, featured a picture of a tree with bodies hanging from it with the caption "'Serbian family tree" written in English.

Police on Sunday also arrested a 19-year-old man suspected of putting up the offending posters.

Relations with ethnic Serbs, who are Croatias largest minority, remain fragile since the 1990s war between Zagreb and Serb rebels.

Conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who came to power after a snap election in October, has pledged to move away from extremism.

The previous centre-right government was accused by critics of turning a blind eye to a far-right surge in the country, a European Union member, including nostalgia for a pro-Nazi past.

But critics say the current administration has not done enough to move away from its predecessor's policies, thus encouraging extremists.

Earlier this month unknown attackers released tear gas in a Zagreb nightclub which was hosting a gay party.
This isn't America's especially bitter presidential election campaign last year, but France's in 2017.

The latest comments from conservative Francois Fillon, who accused the Socialist government Sunday of failing to ensure security for candidates, underline the increasingly ugly tone of France's campaign.

"I solemnly accuse the prime minister and the government of failing to create the conditions for the peaceful exercise of democracy," Fillon said in a statement late on Sunday.

"They carry a heavy responsibility for allowing a climate of near civil war to develop in the country," he added.

He referred to clashes in the western city of Nantes at the weekend during a demonstration against far-right leader Marine Le Pen which degenerated when anarchists and vandals attacked police and property.

Seven officers were injured including one with serious burns, and shop windows were broken.

Fillon, the former frontrunner whose bid has been thrown into turmoil by a corruption investigation, also said his campaign events were being disrupted "every day" by far-left activists.

Both Fillon and Le Pen have also attacked investigations of their use of allegedly fake parliamentary aides as an attempt to influence the election by outgoing Socialist President Francois Hollande.

Fillon has described an inquiry launched in January as an "institutional coup d'etat" and has accused journalists of trying to carry out a "lynching" and an "assassination".

The 62-year-old former prime minister faces allegations he paid his wife for 15 years as a fake assistant, while one of Le Pen's aides was charged last week over allegations the party defrauded the European parliament.

Both deny any wrongdoing but their attacks have questioned the independence and neutrality of the justice system ahead of a two-stage presidential election on April 23 and May 7.

"To imagine that investigations could have been ordered on Fillon or Marine Le Pen is completely absurd because it's illegal," Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas told a newspaper on Sunday.

Le Pen went ahead with her rally in Nantes on Sunday where she delivered a speech laced with criticism of how French democracy had been corrupted by the political establishment, the media and financial interests.

She refused to be questioned by anti-corruption investigators last week, saying she would not respond to summons during the presidential campaign.

Faced with Fillon's and Le Pen's mounting defiance and attacks, Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve responded on Monday.

"In politics, especially during campaigning, you need a certain dignity, a high-mindedness, and respect for the truth," he said during a visit to a farm show.

Urvoas went further in an interview on France 2 television, accusing Fillon of trying to divert attention away from his legal problems.
"There can be no middle ground for the well-being of our people. We will not be kind,"Perfecto Yasay told the opening of the 47-member council's main annual session in Geneva.

"We will not hesitate to destroy criminals who seek the wholesale destruction of our society," he added.

More than 6,500 people have been killed in Duterte's drug war, launched after he took office eight months ago.

"It is lamentable that international observers, are more focused on the so-called human rights of criminals but have done nothing to help in eliminating the drug problem that has grown to pandemic proportions," Yasay said.

Duterte's highest profile critic at home, Senator Leila de Lima, was arrested last week on drug trafficking charges.

De Lima, a former human rights commissioner, has said she is innocent and her 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 southern Davao city.
"Notified of its expulsion from the country's territorial waters for having failed to comply with immigration regulations" late Saturday, the crew requested permission to set sail, he said. The activists saw no patients.

The immigration authorities ordered the expulsion on Friday, saying the group's members lied in their entry declaration papers, claiming to be tourists and not members of a "health organization" that aimed to perform abortions.

Abortion is allowed in Guatemala only in cases in which a mother's life is deemed in danger.

The sailboat Adelaide arrived at the southern port of San Jose on Tuesday carrying 10 activists from Guatemala, as well as from Brazil, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

They had planned to offer abortions in international waters off Guatemala's coast over five days, picking up five women at a time by dinghy.

Abortions were to be induced with two pills. Counseling, treatment and aftercare were also to be available for women seeking the group's services.

However, following the Dutch-registered boat's arrival, President Jimmy Morales ordered the government to file a formal complaint with the prosecutor's office.

Port officials ordered the activists to stay on board their ship, saying they had not declared the motive of their trip and therefore could not go ashore.

Stopping, unsafe illegal abortions

Women on Waves says some 65,000 illegal and unsafe abortions take place in the Central American country every year.

Although the group would use all available legal means to carry out its campaign, it would also respect Guatemalan law, spokeswoman Leticia Zenevich said.

Women on Waves had previously said its sailing ship was illegally "detained" by the military, which it accused of "obstructing a lawful protest against the state's restrictions on the Guatemalan women's right to safe abortion."

Its arrival had prompted protests by conservative as well as religious groups.

"It's very offensive that this group comes here to practice abortion, which is ultimately to practice murder," said Gonzalo de Villa, president of Guatemala's Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Guatemala Evangelical Alliance president Cesar Vasquez, called the NGO's activities "crimes against humanity."

However, some feminist groups supported the campaign.

Set up in 1999, Women on Waves has generated controversy in the past.

It sent the boat to Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Spain in previous years, prompting protests by pro-life groups in each country.
Sunday evening was particularly difficult with five boats carrying 210 people from sub-Saharan Africa rescued, while the remaining 47 were recovered from their dinghies on Saturday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the coast guard told AFP.

They were all taken to various ports in southern Spain such as Almeria and Motril, where they were attended to by the Red Cross.

Some were suffering from hypothermia but none were in any serious condition, the spokeswoman said.

The coast guard also said they had pulled a body from the sea not far from the small stretch of water between Gibraltar and Morocco, but they were not able to say whether it was that of a migrant.

According to the International Organization for Migration, around 1,000 migrants arrived in Spain by sea between January 1 and February 22, and 38 did not make it, dying on the way.

Another 13,000 crossed the Mediterranean to Italy and Greece.

The Spanish territory of Ceuta in northern Morocco, which with the enclave of Melilla further east forms the only land frontier between Africa and the European Union, has also been the scene of unrest recently as hundreds of migrants have stormed the border fence.

On February 17, nearly 500 migrants managed to get through the double wire, six-metre (20-foot) high fence in one of the biggest breaches since the border barrier was reinforced in 2005.
How interesting that Get Out, a horror movie thats also a commentary on contemporary race issues, was released simultaneously with the Oscar-nominated I Am Not Your Negro.

In 1979, the late novelist, poet and playwright James Baldwin  the author of Go Tell It On the Mountain, among other novels -- who died in 1987, decided to work on a project called Remember This House. The book was supposed to be about the lives and assassinations of his close friends and civil rights activists Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

Only 30 pages of the manuscript were finished. So director Raoul Peck (Lumumba) puts his own spin on what that book might have become in a documentary thats a sort of essay or monologue, using footage of Baldwin on televised interviews and with narrator Samuel L. Jackson  in a surprisingly restrained delivery  delivering Baldwins words.

Baldwins words from decades ago are heard over visuals of recent race-related protests and violence. representation in Hollywood and beyond.

Watching the great intellectual Baldwin speak about the African-American experience is squirm-inducing, partly because what he has to say still applies to contemporary society. History is present. We carry our history with us. To think otherwise is criminal, Baldwin says.

African-Americans never bought into the concepts that white Americans have, that Americans have always dealt honorably with Mexicans and Indians and all other neighbors or inferiors, that American men are the world's most direct and virile, that American women are pure.

Baldwin mentions that, in the 1960s, Robert Kennedy said he saw no reason in the foreseeable future that a negro could not also be president of the United States.

Baldwins words, along with Pecks images, are provocative and challenging  the very title of the film itself is challenging.

Watching the archival footage isnt easy. The rallies against integration, children simply trying to go to school and up-close sequences of faces consumed with hate made my blood run cold.

Clips from films that are decades old are shown to depict the difference between the way whites and African-Americans are fascinating, especially a sequence from The Defiant Ones, in which Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier play escaped convicts chained together.

So whos the audience for this penetrating, controversial analysis of racial tension then and now? I think its important for the generations to see it together. Grandparents, take your older grandchildren (this definitely is not for little children). Teachers, take your students.
The new site will be at a warehouse behind Davenport Guns & Shooting Club, 3701 Mississippi Ave., Davenport. The rally is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

A number of "Spirit of America" rallies are being held across the country to support the president, and this event is part of the effort, said Jeanita McNulty of Davenport, an organizer who is active in the National Federation of Republican Women and its state and local affiliates.
LeCLAIRE  Buffalo Bill has been gone for 100 years. But you wouldnt know it from the way his likeness and his legend thrived Sunday at the LeClaire museum that bears his name.

Hundreds of visitors came to the Buffalo Bill Museum to celebrate Buffalo Bills birthday (he was born Feb. 26, 1846). January marked the 100th anniversary of the death of William Buffalo Bill Cody, 71, who was well-known for his Wild West shows.

Volunteer Janet Willman, who greeted guests, said the annual celebration brings recognition to Codys legacy and also brings the community together.

Throughout the years, many visitors come from other countries. Theyre familiar with Cody because he traveled overseas with his Wild West show, she said.

The birthday celebration, which included free admission to the museum, helps keep Cody in everyones mind, especially young children, said board president Ron Leiby. Additionally, guests can see the regional history exhibits the museum offers. For those who hail from the area, People who live in this area should know their history, Leiby said.

Joe Scherschel, of Hampton, Illinois, has a personal attachment to the Cody legend: the mother of his great-grandmother Sarah Adams was a great friend of Codys mother. According to a newspaper account, "Mrs. Adams was born on April 5, 1844, near the site of the home of Buffalo Bill's parents." Adams' mother took her as an infant to the Cody home and put her "in the big, old-fashioned cradle with the future Buffalo Bill."

Scherschel also has another connection to the museum: He well remembers riding the Quinlan steamer, depicted in pictures at the museum entrance: For a nickel you could stay on as long as you wanted to, he said.

Not only did guests learn about history, but they also learned whats coming up for the museum. Leiby said the board is working on an expansion to the north for a one-room school that used to be on Territory Road.

This is probably the premier small-town museum for 50 miles around, he said. We take great pride in it.

The museum boasts thousands of items on display, as well as an archive room with records and other history about the LeClaire area, and the dry-docked Lone Star, a wooden hull, steam-powered stern-wheeler that guests can tour.

By 2:30 p.m., more than 264 people had visited the museum, where refreshments were served and Acoustic Friends performed folk and pop tunes. Members of Ballet Quad-Cities were on hand to promote the troupes upcoming The Wild Wild West show.

Visitors included Paula Mess of Camanche, Iowa and her daughters Abby, 10 and Taylor, 8, along with her mother-in-law Rosemary Mess of Princeton, who was born and raised in LeClaire.

The girls played a kind of scavenger hunt game in which they searched for images and objects in the museum. I like looking around at the old stuff, and how people used to live, said Paula Mess, who enjoyed being able to go board the Lone Star and see how life was lived back then.

There were no cell phones, and you had to talk face-to-face, Taylor Mess said.
The Trump administration's 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 isn't 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' room. Tell him that's 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 Spicer's 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 administration's argument is with Title IX itself. Why should a transgender student in Gloucester County, 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 that the authors of Title IX didn't have transgender students in mind. That's 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 didn't 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 -- it's what the late Justice Antonin Scalia advocated. Thus Grimm's 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 Obama argued in a lower court brief in Grimm's 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 administration's decision to express its position through a guidance letter to school districts rather than by passing a new regulation. Don't 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."
DES MOINES  The problems to be solved by an election bill under consideration by Iowa lawmakers dont exist and are not likely to be issues in the future, either, speakers told a House panel Monday.

We dont understand what problem you are trying to fix, Connie Ryan of the Interfaith Alliance for Iowa Action Fund told an Iowa House State Government Committee panel.

Specifically, she said, the alliance opposes the bill because of its proposed signature verification and voter identification requirements.

When the people go to the polls and they have to prove who they are, that goes against the grain of what we are as a nation, she said. We dont have a voter fraud issue in the state of Iowa, and it makes no sense to put in provisions that would limit peoples ability to vote.

State Government Committee Chairman Ken Rizer, R-Cedar Rapids, has acknowledged voter fraud is not a large problem in Iowa, but he rejects the argument that is reason enough to stop going ahead with the bill.

If Iowa wants to remain a state with the most secure elections, then changes proposed in HSB 93 are needed to protect election integrity, he wrote in a newsletter to constituents.

Rizer said the bill, which the State Government Committee will take up Tuesday, would strengthen Iowas election integrity, encourage the use of new voting technology, provide a system of checks and balances to ensure voter identity fraud is not occurring and align some of Iowas voting regulations with many of the states Midwestern neighbors, all without suppressing or infringing voter rights.

Speakers at the hearing, however, werent convinced of the need or that the bill wouldnt suppress voting.

Although there is a gut level feeling that voter impersonation is rampant in Iowa, Myrna Loehrlein of the League of Women Voters said studies do not bear out those fears.

There needs to be some provision of replacement for voter ID documents in case they are lost or stolen, Loehrlein said. That was a concern for Laura Hessburg of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, who said abusers often take or destroy personal documents.

Loehrlein was one of several speakers to oppose the signature verification language in the bill. Signatures change over time because of age and disability, she said, and there are no safeguards in the bill to prevent poll workers from targeting specific voters  people of color, for example.

The bill addresses a problem that likely will never exist, added Bill Brauch, a former Iowa assistant attorney general who helped write the states identity theft law.

He warned that the plan to mail voter ID cards to the 85,000 Iowans without other accepted forms of voter ID is a potential danger if the cards are mailed to outdated addresses where the voter no longer lives, he said.

Lawmakers also heard from One Iowa Action Fund that transgender Iowans would face barriers because their IDs may not accurately reflect their gender.

The ACLU-Iowa warned the bill would erect barriers for black voters. Nationally, about 25 percent of blacks do not have acceptable voter IDs, Daniel Zeno said. In Black Hawk County, 27 percent lack adequate IDs. In Scott County, its about 24 percent.

Speakers did not offer only criticism. Amy Campbell, a lobbyist for the League of Women Voters, AARP and disability groups, thanked the Secretary of State's Office for reaching out to the league. She also liked provisions calling for the expansion of e-pollbooks and post-election audits.

However, she tempered her compliments by asking lawmakers to proceed more slowly by updating the current system to ensure the information is accurate and to make the voter experience better.

A public hearing on the bill will be scheduled later, Rizer said.
The last gift John Jack Apland gave his family was a powerful life lesson: Anyone, regardless of age or ability, can make a positive difference in the world.

Apland died at age 89 on Oct. 30. A longtime Belle Fourche resident and rancher, Apland spent the final months of his life battling illness  but found purpose.

Apland and his family launched the "Knots of Love" project  inspired by Aplands own struggles  that provides blankets for foster children.

Apland had always been an active man who enjoyed sports, ranching and raising his children, his daughter Lisa Wells said. Even being diagnosed with diabetes, and then with a progressive lung disease a few years later, didnt slow Apland down much. In November 2015, his health started spiraling downward when what was supposed to have been a same-day surgery developed into an infection and then MRSA, a dangerous staph infection.

Apland began 2016 fighting for his life, his daughter said. Due to the excellent care that he received at Rapid City Regional Hospital as well as Belle Fourche Rehabilitation Center, (Dad) did improve greatly and was cleared of MRSA by spring, Wells said.

Wells, of Rapid City, her brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Pam Apland, and her sister Nora Lee Apland were vigilant about visiting and supporting their father during his hospitalization. He almost didnt make it, Wells said. The hospital staff kept telling us part of reason he alive was he had somebody keeping his spirits up.

'Virtual hug'

During his months of care, Aplands family came up with the idea of giving their father a virtual hug in the form of a fleece blanket.

We went out and got blanket material  with a fishing print on it. He loved to fish, Wells said. We tied it while he was laying in bed. We spread it on him and took turns tying it and told him to remember wherever he was, (the blanket) was like a big warm hug from people (who loved him).

Although he overcame MRSA, Aplands health issues meant he couldnt return to his own home. He eventually moved to Belle Estates elderly care facility. Apland was happy he could be back in his hometown of Belle Fourche but frustrated that his active lifestyle was largely gone.

He told me that he was upset. He felt like a worthless lump that couldnt do anything but tell his kids and others what to do for him, instead of doing it for himself, Wells said. It broke my heart.

Determined to keep her fathers spirits up, Wells shifted his focus. (We) talked about his entire life, that this past year was a small part of his whole life, how blessed he was with so many good memories, so many people who loved and cared for him, and the great place he was able to live in, she said.

Aplands Knots of Love blanket project developed out of the conversation. (We) talked about the people out there that werent as lucky, especially children in foster care, Wells said. (Dad) had something in common with those kids  he was taken from his home, which was not of his choosing, and had to live somewhere else. However, he was able to choose his alternative and make his own decisions about how he would spend his days.

In August, Apland and his family set a goal to have 45 blankets completed by Thanksgiving to give foster children. (We) decided to call his project Knots of Love because of the knots tied, but also because he lovingly referred to his kids as knot heads when we were acting up, Wells said.

'Still a part of the world'

Like the fish-print fleece blanket Apland had received, Knots of Love blankets would remind children they were cared about. They would have something of their own, no matter where they were, something that would give them comfort and warmth, Wells said. It was something (Dad) could do physically do himself on his terms, according to his abilities.

There was so much he couldnt do anything about, but so much he could, Wells said. It was important to keep him involved and let him know hes still a part of the world.

Apland, a mechanic at heart, figured out how to tie knots more efficiently and easily by using needle-nose pliers. Family members and staff members at Belle Estates tied knots with him. Blanket tying became a friendly competition between Apland and Wells, who were each working on Knots of Love blankets.

Apland celebrated his 89th birthday on Sept. 16. He was in high spirits, receiving birthday cards from around the United States. Hed taken up painting, as well as his blanket project. He said, This is the best birthday I can remember. I feel great! Wells said.

Then his health took a turn for the worse, and Apland died weeks later. He had pneumonia again, Wells said. Dad worked on three blankets and got one done. Those last few days we were sitting around with him tying blankets.

Before he died, his children promised Apland theyd complete the blanket project. Friends, family, neighbors and Zion Lutheran Churchs Dorcas Circle bought or made blankets to donate to Knots of Love so Aplands family could keep their promise.

By working with the Department of Social Services, we were able to deliver 67 blankets on behalf of Dad to children in the foster care program in (Belle Fourche and Sturgis), on time, Wells said.

Aplands family plans to continue "Knots of Love" every year in honor of their dad. Wells said the family hopes the blanket project inspires other families to make a positive difference by working together to support causes they believe in. We want people to find their own way to give, Wells said. Dad would like that.

Dad proved to himself and others this last year that attitude is a powerful medicine and that no matter your age, circumstances or abilities, everyone has value and can make a difference, if they choose, Wells said.
STURGIS | City officials, feeling the sting of an incident last summer involving a beehive within the city limits, asked Sturgis government staff to draft an ordinance to regulate hobby beekeeping.

The ordinance passed first reading at the Sturgis City Council meeting Tuesday and will have a second and final reading at the council meeting next Monday.

During the incident in August, a dog was killed and Sturgis police officers were stung multiple times by bees at a residence.

Police Chief Geody VanDewater said at the time of the incident that officers were called to a home in the 1800 block of Davenport Street after the beekeeper attempted to add more bees to the hive.

Her dog, a black lab mixed breed, was in the vicinity of the hive, and the Brazilian and German honey bees began to attack.

"The bees got more upset because the people were trying to get them off by spraying water on the dog," VanDewater said.

After that incident, City Manager Daniel Ainslie said the city council asked if the city attorney and staff could develop a draft of a potential amendment to city ordinances to provide guidance for the acceptable manner of keeping bees within the city.

The city has had an ordinance for some years that regulates the keeping of cats, dogs and a limited number of other animals within the city limits, but bees were not specifically mentioned.

City staff reviewed ordinances in some other South Dakota towns as well as current statutes and regulations adopted by the state, all of which regulate many aspects of beekeeping, Ainslie said.

"In recent years, both within the state and nationwide, there has been an increase in interest in private beekeeping," he said.

The ordinance largely reiterates that anyone who is keeping bees must comply with state regulations, Ainslie said.

The city did state specifically in its ordinance the maximum number of hives allowable on certain plots of land.

"It's a maximum of one hive unless the lot is at least 150 feet wide," Ainslie said.

The council also discussed who would be liable if there was damage caused by the bees, he said.

"That's another area that will be discussed at the second reading," Ainslie said.

He said a preliminary draft of the revised ordinance was a discussion item on the Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 7, and the comments of commission members and beekeepers who attended that meeting were considered in preparing the draft for first reading of the ordinance.

Under the new ordinance, no one may establish or maintain a hive or keep any bees within 15 feet of neighboring dwellings. Hives also may not be placed in any setbacks or drainage easements.

Also, if the colony is found to be a nuisance, the hobby beekeeper must relocate or destroy all hives, at the beekeeper's expense, within 30 days after a final determination that a nuisance exists.

The ordinance also states that the city cannot be held liable for any damage to bees, hives, colonies or hobby beekeeping operations resulting from the city's use of spray to kill pests or weeds on public rights-of-way, public property, city property, or in other approved areas.

Much of the ordinance follows the provisions found in South Dakota Codified Laws Chapter 38-18.
YANKTON | The Yankton Homeless Shelter has been serving the community since 1994. However, a new location and expanded services spurred the nonprofit to seek a new name that encompassed all the work it was doing.

The choice: Pathways Shelter for the Homeless, the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan reported.

"'Pathways'  the new name  felt that it encompassed all that we do," said executive director Jesse Bailey. "We are a pathway along (our client's) line, so we can help get them back on the path to success.

"'Yankton Homeless Shelter' just didn't quite encompass all that we were doing. We wanted a more positive connotation with the name and we wanted something where the clients could be proud that they are staying here. So, they can say they are staying not at the homeless shelter, but instead, 'I am staying at Pathways until I get back on my feet.'"

Bailey said that he hopes with the name change, people ask, "Why?"

"We want them to know that we try to be all-encompassing, that we are not just a warm place for people to lay their heads at night," he said. "We provide, food, clothing, everything they need so they don't have to spend their own money, but we want people to know that we work really hard to get our clients back on their feet. That it is a hand up, not a hand-out."

He said the shelter is not meant to be a long-term home. The shelter's main goal is to get anyone who needs its services into a permanent home.

"We are a first-come, first-serve location," Bailey said. "We want people in this area who are struggling to become productive citizens and get back in the work force."

The biggest change in the history of the organization  the purchase of the new shelter facility at 412 E. Fourth Street (the former Starbright Motel)  has allowed the group to expand its services. However, its most basic service, providing a home for the homeless, is growing exponentially.

"I think homelessness is something they knew was always going to be here and that they needed a larger facility," said Bailey, who took on his role in July 2015. "(In the past), they were not only turning people away because of limited space, they were spending a lot of money on motel rooms."

To look at 2015 and 2016 in comparison:

In 2015, there were 228 clients served, for a total of 2,580 shelter nights. However, there were just under 2,000 nights in the shelter and about 600 nights in the motel.

In 2016, there were 400 clients served, for 5,380 shelter nights, with just 100 nights in motel rooms.

"I think with the bigger facility, you can serve more clients and hopefully be a better help for the issue of homelessness in the community," Bailey said. "I think the community has recognized that. There has been a positive increase in the support from the community and the partnerships that we have been creating with various organizations. We have been able to provide better services to the clients that have come in here, and they need that."

Bailey said currently, the shelter can house 48 people.

"We have four rooms that can fit families of six or more," he said. "We have two full-size beds in those rooms and we can bring in cots if we need to fit more in there. They have two rooms, so they are a bit bigger. We have a laundry room on site for all of the clients to use for free. Then we have rooms that have two single beds. We do try to give individuals their own rooms if we are not full. Then two rooms have queen beds, which we try to use for a married couple or a small family of three."

While providing shelter is the main service provided, others include administering an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and connecting clients with other service agencies in town.

"We have an ESG that is administered by the South Dakota Housing Authority, which allows us to run two programs for those in need," Bailey said. "We offer a homeless prevention program, where individuals who may be short on rent and have received an eviction notice, can call us and say, 'Hey, this is happening, can you guys help?'"

The program does require the client to meet both an income guideline and a fair market rent value to qualify.

"That program allows us to pay rent arrears, so if they are late on rent or will be late on upcoming rents, we can pay that and also help with utilities," he said. "Hopefully, we will be able to help them to stay in their house."

The second part of the ESG program is rapid rehousing.

"Once people do experience homelessness  they are evicted, they have no place to go  they can stay here for as long as it takes for us to find them an apartment that they can afford," Bailey said. "We will be able to cover their first month's rent, deposit, utilities, that kind of thing that will allow them to get out of here more quickly and back on their feet. Hopefully, by that time they will have found work and have their own income. But, that way they don't have to save up."

In 2015, there were 22 clients with just under $9,000 provided in ESG program services. In 2016, the program had 158 clients and spent more than $24,000.

The average stay at the homeless shelter is less than four weeks, Bailey noted. He added that the shelter's success rate is right around 85 percent, even with the increased numbers seen in 2016. If the first few weeks of 2017 are anything to go by, the demand will continue to rise.

"In winter months, our numbers have typically been low, right around 15-20 nights per month," he said. "We blew those numbers right out of the water this year in November and December. January is already looking to be a busy month. We are practically full. We have a few spots where we could double people up, but that is it. An average month we had, say, 28, but we have been seeing more than 30 every month for the past five months."

He also noted the success of the shelter is in big part because of the willingness of the community to give people a second chance.

"I would say more than half of our clients have some kind of a criminal history," Bailey said. "They have burnt bridges. It is very hard when you don't have a past good reference to get work. So, they have to find places in town that haven't heard about them or are willing to give them a second chance. There is a negative connotation when people see your background, but most of the clients we serve just want that second chance."

While the name change is happening immediately, Bailey noted that the open house to celebrate it will not be held until April when the shelter can utilize its outdoor area. Until that time, he said the staff can give tours of the facility.
Although President Trump has been in office for more than 30 days now, many of his Cabinet nominees are still waiting for a simple up-or-down vote in the U.S. Senate. These delays have little to do with the nominees qualifications and everything to do with Senate Democrats failure to accept the results of the 2016 election.

To put this historic level of obstruction into perspective, the confirmation process for President Trumps nominees is the slowest since George Washington was president  you know, when people had to travel by horse and buggy.

Since the 1950s, most (if not all) Cabinet nominees for incoming presidents had been confirmed by this point in their presidencies. From 1881 to 1933 when Franklin Roosevelt became president, every single Cabinet nominee was confirmed on the first day of a new administration. When Senate Republicans were in the minority and President Obama came into office, we didnt stall the confirmation process. While we disagreed politically, we knew how important it was for the new government to get up and running as quickly as possible.

Despite this obstruction, the Senate has already made progress on our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare. Earlier this year, we passed an Obamacare repeal resolution that gives Congress the tools it needs to dismantle this failed law and replace it with reforms that drive down costs and increase access to quality care. After significant delays, the Senate approved Dr. Tom Price to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He will play an integral role in our effort to reform our health care system so it works more efficiently for the American people.

Our 2017 agenda also includes reforming our outdated tax code for the first time in 30 years. In todays global economy, a simpler and fairer tax code would give U.S. businesses a more competitive edge. It would also help strengthen our economy  get us back to growth rates of 3 percent or higher. A strong, healthy economy leads to more good-paying jobs, which is exactly what we need.

Also this year, well confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court. Theres no shortage of ways to describe Judge Gorsuch: mainstream, well-qualified, universally respected, just to name a few. By the time his nomination comes before the Senate, I hope cooler heads will have prevailed and Democrats will give him an up-or-down vote  the same courtesy Republicans gave to President Obamas first-term Supreme Court nominees.

While I understand my colleagues disappointment with having lost the election (Ive been in their shoes, too), this is what happens in a democracy. But there are no winners when progress is held hostage purely out of spite and anger. Whether or not Democrats change their approach and work with, rather than against Republicans  and I hope they will  Im not going to let that get in the way of delivering for South Dakota.
Kindergarten ex-teacher sentenced for repost turns to ECHR - report

Context Woman sentenced for sharing video turns down pardon in favor of other inmates

MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI)  Former kindergarten teacher Yevgeniya Chudnovets convicted of child pornography distribution by repost on social media has filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Kommersant newspaper reported Monday.

Chudnovets in the application complains that her rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression have been violated, the newspaper wrote citing lawyer Damir Gainutdinov.

Reportedly, the woman regularly published videos on her social networking pages to draw public attention to problems in Yekaterinburg and violation of rights of local citizens.

In November 2016, Chudnovets, ex-teacher in a Yekaterinburg kindergarten, was sentenced to 6 months in prison for distribution of child pornography. Later, her prison term was reduced to 5 months. She made repost of video showing humiliation of a boy in children's camp to attract public attention to the problem, according to Gainutdinov.

Prosecutor demanded a 5-year prison sentence for Chudnovets.
Former Trust Bank top manager gets 7 years in prison for embezzlement

MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI, Yevgeniya Sokolova)  Moscows Basmanny District Court on Monday sentenced former Trust Bank top manager Oleg Dikusar to 7 years in prison for embezzling 14.6 billion rubles ($227 million), RAPSI reports from the courtroom.

Another defendant in the case, ex-deputy chairman of the board at Trust Bank and former banks CFO Yevgeny Romakov, received a 4-year prison term.

Earlier, prosecutors have asked the court to sentence Dikusar to 7.5 years behind bars.

According to investigators, from 2012 to 2014, Dikusar and Romakov forged loan agreements with several Cyprus-based companies inflicting a 9.9 billion-ruble ($154 million) loss on the bank.

Moreover, between 2013 and 2014, Dikusar alienated a total of 4.6 billion rubles ($71.6 million) Eurobonds which were on the banks balance sheet on behalf of Trust Bank owners.

Russias Deposit Insurance Agency sustained large damages because it was required to compensate the embezzled funds to defrauded investors.

Midsized lender Trust Bank reported losses of 18.8 billion rubles ($293 million) in 2014 amid a financial crisis. As of December 1, 2014, its assets were estimated at over 290 billion rubles ($4.5 billion).

The Central Bank estimated that the banks debts exceeded the value of its assets by 67.8 billion rubles ($1 billion).
Russian Supreme Courts judge inquires into case against woman sentenced for sharing video

MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  A judge from the Supreme Court of Russia has requested an inquiry into criminal case against Yevgeniya Chudnovets, kindergarten teacher, who was sentenced for distribution of pornography by sharing video in a social network, RAPSI learnt from lawyer Aleksey Bushmakov on Monday.

Earlier, Deputy Prosecutor General Leonid Korzhinek has asked the Supreme Court to repeal the sentence and close the case against Chudnovets.

Chudnovets legal team filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) earlier today.

According to the case documents, Chudnovets published video, where a little child was shown naked, on the Vkontakte social network. Aleksey Bushmakov earlier told RAPSI that this was a video made by someone else, shared by Chudnovets to bring attention to situation in recreational camps for children. She was sentenced to six months in a penal colony.

Later, the Kurgan Regional Court ruled to reduce her sentence to five months. Prosecutors asked to choose another punishment for Chudnovets, one not related to imprisonment. During the initial hearings prosecutors asked for five years in prison.
Comments and links to reports on science, and its applications.




Guwahati, February 27 : The Assam police sleuths on Monday grilled former minister Gautam Roy in Guwahati for a couple of hours in connection with the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)'s cash-for-job scam.



A team of Assam police led by Dibrugarh ASP SS Panesar had grilled the former Congress minister at the premises of Assam police Special Branch at Kahilipara.



The team was believed to have a few statement from Roy on his alleged involvement in the job scam.



A top police official said that, the former Congress minister, who is known very close with Rakesh Paul, the sacked chairman of APSC, had allegedly brokered the deal with a number of Congress leaders to ensure jobs under APSC for their candidates.



Gautam Roy, one of the powerful politician of Barak Valley, helped Rakesh Paul to get the top post in APSC.



Roy was earlier grilled by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption branch of Assam police last month for his alleged involvement in the Rs 2250 crore scam in the Social Welfare department.



In the cash-for-job scam, Assam police had already arrested eight persons including former APSC chairman Paul, his associates Samedur Rahman, Basanta Doley, an engineer.



Meanwhile, the top police official said that, Assam police is all set to submit first charge sheet of the scam before the court within short time.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)




Guwahati, February 27 : Assam government on Monday said that, the state government will not take any more burden of excess cost to provide salary to more teachers and employees by provincialising more venture educational institutions.



While submitting the White Paper on Provincialisation of Services Employees of educational institutions under Assam Venture Educational Institutional Institutions (Provincialisation of Service) Act, 2011 in Assam assembly on the behalf of Assam Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that, the total additional financial implication to meet the expenditure for provincialisation of services of the employees of the venture educational institutions would be Rs 756 crore annually for the institutions falling under Elementary, Secondary and Higher education.



'Apart from it, the state government would be required additional of fund of around Rs 40 crore annually for provincialisation of services of employees of Madrasa institutions and Sanskrit Tols,'A Patowary said.



The Assam minister said that, to cope with the requirement of additional funds, it will necessary as education cess may have to be levied on certain Goods and Services.



'For the purpose of provincialisation of the services of the employees of venture educational institutions, the state government can by separate acts or rules as the case may be created a pool of fund from various sources through taxation, levies, toll cess. After such imposition and collection, the shortage can be supplemented from the consolidated fund of the state to meet the requirement of salary and other dues,'A Patowary said.



The state government said in the White Paper that, the services of 41,658 employees of 8,490 elementary, secondary and higher educational institutions have been provincialised under the provincialisation act, 2011.



Apart from it, a total of 33,668 employees of 6608 institutions, which are eligible as per the provincialisation act, 2011, but have not yet been provincialised.



The state government had suggested through the White Paper that, total ban on provincialisation of educational institutions which were not recognized or received permission or concurrence up to last class before January 1, 2006.



Covers all eligible teachers on the basis of the total enrolment of schools, colleges including subject wise enrolment without discriminating on the basis of maximum ceiling on the number of teachers,' the state

government suggested.





*(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)*






Guwahati, February 27 : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said that, the state government is committed to the equal development of Barak Valley along with Brahmaputra Valley and a total of two thousand crore for initiating rapid development of Barak Valley has already been earmarked.



While participating as the chief guest in the Special Distribution Camp for Divyangjan held under the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase, Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme at Town Club Ground, Silchar, the Assam CM said that four bridges over Barak River will be built and flyovers would be constructed for easing traffic congestions.



Stating that all government offices and institutions in the state would be made 'barrier free' for facilitating easy accessibility for the specially able persons, Sonowal said that ex gratia of 5000 rupees and monthly 1000

rupees would be provided by the state government for differently able persons for their treatment from the next year.



Saying that the state government along with Central government has initiated many welfare schemes for the differently able section of the society, Sonowal urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the schemes for their betterment.



Stating that differently able people have lots of potential to make meaningful contribution to the society Sonowal reiterated the government's commitment to their welfare.



Stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sabka sath sabka vikash is the guiding mantra of the government to develop all sections of the society equally, the Assam CM urged the people to keep a strict watch over the government's functioning for ensuring good governance at all levels.



The Assam CM distributed various equipments like wheel chair, tricycle to the beneficiaries in today' s camp.

He also handed a cheque of Rs 4 lakhs as ex gratia to a person named Shivcharan Das who lost his wife due to burn injuries.



Presiding over the meeting Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said that the Central government is taking all steps to improve the social perceptions of specially able persons in the country and many schemes have been launched for the welfare of specially able persons like insurance of two lakh rupees, free treatment, free distribution of mobile and other digital equipments etc.



Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar also spoke in the meeting. *



State PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Dilip Paul, MP Sushmita Deb were also present in the meeting.



Former Central Minister Kabindra Purkayastha along with several MLAs were present in the meeting.*



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
File-South Korean Prime Minister and the acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn releases a statement to the nation at the Goverment Complex in Seoul, South Korea, on December 9, 2016. Photo: Reuters

SEOUL: South Koreas acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn will not extend the current special prosecutors investigation into an influence-peddling scandal that could topple South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Hwangs office said on Monday.

Hwangs spokesman Hong Kwon-heui said during a televised briefing that the special prosecution probe had served its purpose and it was in the countrys best interests for the investigation to conclude as scheduled on Tuesday.

After much deliberation the acting president has decided that it would be best for the countrys stability to not extend the special investigation and for the prosecutors to take over, Hong said.

The corruption scandal erupted late last year over accusations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back the presidents policy initiatives.

The scandal has led to weekly protests by tens of thousands of Koreans. While some of the protesters support Park, most want her to become South Koreas first democratically elected leader to be thrown from office.

Park (65) was impeached by parliament in December and has been stripped of her powers while the South Korean Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold parliaments impeachment vote, with Hwang acting president in her place.

She cannot be prosecuted while she remains president.

The scandal has also engulfed Samsung Group [SAGR.UL], South Koreas largest chaebol, or conglomerate. Jay Y Lee, the head of the smartphones-to-biopharmaceuticals conglomerate, was arrested on February 17.

Park, Choi, Lee and Samsung all deny any wrongdoing.

Hwang, who was appointed prime minister by Park in 2015, is seen as a potential candidate if Parks impeachment is upheld, which would necessitate an election.

However, soon after announcing there would be no extension of the investigation, Hwang found himself dragged into the scandals fallout when South Koreas two main opposition parties said they would seek his impeachment.

Special prosecution spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said Hwangs decision to decline the investigation teams request for an extension was very regrettable and that it had not had enough time to complete its probe, which ultimately targets Park.

The special prosecutors office will complete its investigation in a thorough manner, Lee said.

The special prosecution has already indicted former Park aide Kim Ki-choon and former culture minister Cho Yoon-sun.

It had also sought to question Park but was now unlikely to have time.

Should the Constitutional Court uphold parliaments impeachment of Park, South Korea would hold an election within 60 days of the ruling.

The presidents office has voiced concern that the special prosecutors investigation could affect the outcome of any early presidential election.




KATHMANDU: Major opposition CPN-UML and the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal have been registered at the Election Commission for participation in the coming local elections.



As per ECs notice, FSFNs Chief Whip ShivaJi Yadav reached the EC to register the party, while a team led by Krishna Glopal Shrestha from UML reached there for the party registration.



It may be noted that the FSFN has been showing reservation on the constitution amendment bill.



Yadav told the RSS that his party was expanding organization in all districts. Party Chairman is busy in Tarai to strengthen organization while the preparations are on to hold the convention too, he added.



Similarly, UML central member Krishna Gopal Shrestha said, Local level election was being held after 19 years. Local election is the foundation of democracy. According to him, the announcement of local election has created jubilation among political party and cadres across the country.



With these, seven political parties have been registered at the EC. The EC said 16 others have filled up forms for the registration.



Chairman of Rastriya Janamukti Party, Shiva Lal Thapa, who had also come to register observed that political parties have not mobilized cadres in villages. Meetings and discussion with voters has been intensified.RSS




Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav



Janakpurdham, Nepal: Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has underlined the need of national consensus among the political parties to break the current political impasse of the country.



Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Federation of Nepali Journalistss 10th Dhanusha district convention on Monday former President Dr. Yadav also urged the main opposition CPN-UML and the agitating Untied Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) to be flexible.



During the function he also urged the ruling parties to play a coordinating role among the main opposition party UML and the agitating UDMF in order to break the current political deadlock and to pave the way for the elections.



He also suggested to the parties to go into elections only after settling the differences among the parties.








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The Diplomat

Washington urgently needs a comprehensive geo-economic strategy to counter Chinas hegemonic ambition to establish a Sino-centric sphere of influence. If unchecked, this threatens to weaken the U.S. security alliance system as well as displace the U.S.-led open and rules-based order that has brought relative stability and astounding prosperity to Asia since the end of World War II.

To be sure, when it comes to Asia policy, the White House has had a surprisingly good run after an uncertain and disruptive start. If recent development are any sign of the future, then the White House may be expected to take a more risk-tolerant yet measured approach toward challenging Chinas hegemonic ambitions in Asia. However, there is no indication that the White House currently has, or even contemplates, a geo-economic strategy  that is, deliberately leveraging trade and financial tools to advance specific geopolitical and security goals.

Economic nationalism is not a geo-economic strategy. Trumps decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a 12-nation multilateral trade agreement, is a major setback for reasons discussed below. To be fair, the Obama administrations support for the TPP stalled once it become the target of populist domestic politics. And, while the TPP was promoted as a component of the so-called Asia Rebalance it was not part of a larger geo-economic strategy.

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The Trump administration has a stated preference for bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). Yet, regardless of how many FTAs the White House successfully negotiates over the next four years, it will not have the same network effects of the multilateral TPP. This bilateral approach will not give the U.S. a leading role in writing the rules of regional trade and commerce in the Asia-Pacific. Most member countries, especially Japan, invested considerable political capital in overcoming domestic opposition to move the TPP forward. As a result, the decision to withdrawal from TPP further undermines regional perceptions of U.S. credibility.

It is uncertain whether the White House will renegotiate and repackage the TPP or if other member countries will proceed with a so-called TPP-minus-one option. Without the TPP or some variation, the Asia-Pacific is more likely to move forward with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This proposed multilateral trade agreement includes the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states along with Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. Notably, RCEP does not include the U.S. as a participant and would give China a role in writing regional trade rules  which are certain to have less stringent standards than the TPP and also be less favorable to U.S. interests.

Building Bridges

In a best case scenario, bilateral FTAs with Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam as well securing more favorable and reciprocal trade relations with China will do little to enable the U.S. to halt Chinas geo-economic march across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and Eurasian heartland. This is because trade agreements alone are an inadequate and mismatched response to the transformational potential of Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, also known as the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-century Maritime Silk Road. Through an extensive network of energy, transportation, and communication infrastructure projects, OBOR seeks to integrate large swaths of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East into a Sino-centric economic order that advances Chinas larger geopolitical and strategic interests. OBOR is partly funded by the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Chinas Silk Road Fund, and Chinas state policy banks.

Combined with Chinas impressive military modernization and naval expansion, OBOR and AIIB are the strategic building blocks of an emerging Sino-centric sphere of influence. Indeed, China uses its economic leverage (both carrots and sticks) to shape the behavior of U.S. allies and partners through engagement, coercion, and alliance splitting. Many U.S. allies and partners in Asia are increasingly tied to Chinas economy while relying on the U.S as a security provider. This fundamental tension between economics and security is driving small states in Chinas periphery to pursue hedging strategies to balance relations with Washington and Beijing, while some eventually choose to bandwagon with China as the real or perceived balance of power continues to shift in Chinas favor. These trends carry the risk that U.S. allies and partners  such as Thailand and Philippines for example  may increase defense and security ties with China as economic interdependence with China deepens.

So what is to be done? The elephant in the room is that Washington must directly respond to Chinas geo-economic strategy with its own regional infrastructure initiative. However, the United States lags behind in international competitiveness  with seven of the top ten global engineering and construction firms being Chinese. Washington also lacks a whole of government approach to promoting global infrastructure development and doesnt have the political will to fully fund such an initiative alone.

To overcome these constraints and limitations, Washington should join Tokyo in leading a coordinated strategic initiative that jointly pools capital, technology, and know-how to promote infrastructure projects in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Other U.S allies and partners should be invited to participate, such as Australia, India, Singapore, and South Korea. Notably, Japan has been doing this on its own for years. More recently, Tokyo launched a five-year $200 billion infrastructure initiative in 2016 that doubled AIIBs $100 billion founding capitalizationa herculean and underappreciated effort.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Japan in the face of Chinas geo-economic offensive would send a strong signal about enduring U.S. leadership and commitment to the Asia-Pacific. Putting America First means continuing to uphold an open, stable, secure and prosperous rules-based order in Asia. It is therefore imperative that the White House invest the political and financial capital necessary to counter Chinas ground game. If, however, the White House chooses a misguided economic nationalism at the expense of a coherent geo-economic strategy, then the U.S. risks losing much of what it and its allies have established in Asia over the past 70 years.

Jeremy Maxie is an Associate at Strategika Group Asia Pacific. He tweets at @jeremy_maxie.
Zambia confirmed on Saturday, through its Foreign Minister, Harry Kalaba, that it withdrew its recognition of the pseudo SADR, self-proclaimed by the Polisario, and severed all its ties with the entity.

In a statement to the Moroccan news agency MAP, the Zambian top diplomat renewed his countrys position on the issue of Western Sahara as he had already explained it during a visit in Rabat last July.

I reiterate my statement made in Rabat on July 9, 2016, he said. Kalaba had then announced Zambias decision to withdraw its recognition of the SADR and to severe all its ties with that entity.

Zambia, he added, is actually willing to contribute constructively to these efforts, through a neutral position open to the stakeholders, and to continue supporting the efforts of the United Nations to reach a final settlement to the regional dispute over Western Sahara.

In another development, King Mohammed VI called on UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Friday (February 24) to express his concerns about the repeated incursions by Polisario elements in the Guerguarat region in the Moroccan Sahara.

Indeed, since October 2016, a group of armed militiamen of the Polisario took position in the buffer zone near the Moroccan border post of Guerguarat, and started hindering the traffic of freight carriers between Morocco and Mauritania.

Guterres promptly responded to the concerns of the King of Morocco. In a statement released by his spokesman Saturday, the UN Secretary General underscored that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo of the Buffer Strip.

It is quite clear that through his message, the UN chief indirectly addresses the Polisario outlaws who are brandishing their Kalashnikovs in the demilitarized area, monitored by the MINURSO, in a flagrant violation of the ceasefire established in 1991.

After they suffered serious setbacks and lost a lot of ground in their diplomatic battle about the Moroccan Sahara, the Polisario and its Algerian protectors are now firing their last cartridges, although they are empty, in a desperate attempt to fuel tension.
Animals and plants of the Biaowieza Forest can be watched online

Internet users around the world will be able to see the animals and plants of the Biaowieza Forest. 1400 research plots have been designated and inventoried - Minister of the Environment Jan Szyszko said last week on Thursday.

The press conference summing up, among other things, the inventory of the Biaowieza Forest was held last week on Thursday. Minister of the Environment said that a natural and cultural inventory of the forest was carried out over the past year in order to describe the state of nature. It was carried out by over 200 specialists, in 1400 designated research plots. The cost of the inventory exceeded 5 million zlotys.

Szyszko said that this was the first phase of the inventory. He added that maps of more than 200 species had been prepared. "We would like to interest the whole world in these data and these activities" - he said.

More than 1400 sites have been inventoried in terms of presence of animals and plants. "Everyone around the world will be able to access each of these carefully inventoried 1,400 points online, watch these tree stands, see what species live there. Internet users can also keep track of what will be happening there in the coming years" - said Szyszko.

Director General of the State Forests Konrad Tomaszewski, who attended the press conference, emphasized that the inventory of the forest was a unique project. "What we have done with the help of hundreds or even more people in the Biaowieza Forest, is an absolutely unique undertaking" - he said.

"Archaeological research and satellite observations, and finally documents queries, leave no doubt that this area, which UNESCO has recognized as pristine and untouched by human hand, was very strongly penetrated by human activity in the past, possibly including an episode of agricultural use of this land over a long period" - he said.

Szyszko argued that restoration of habitats in the forest was being done "in accordance with applicable law, in accordance with the principles of protection tasks related to Natura 2000". He reminded that so-called reference areas had been designated in one third area of the forest. New plantings or sanitation felling is not carried out in these areas. Such activities are to be conducted in the remaining area. The ministry argues that they are necessary to save valuable natural habitats.

Poland has also proposed an experiment similar to that which is carried out in the forest to other EU countries, where the human activity destroyed original habitats, similar to those of the Biaowieza Forest.

We also proposed to "export" our bison. Szyszko said that five countries responded to this proposal: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany and Romania. Bulgarians and Romanians are interested in "importing" bison, while the Germans and the Dutch have not expressed interest.

Minister Szyszko explained that Bulgaria declared willingness to accept six animals, while Romania is interested in receiving the bison only from the Lowland-Caucasian line, but without specifying the number. Representatives of the Czech Republic informed that the country was still in the process of preparing a bison breeding project, while the Netherlands pointed to the very small area of the country. As a barrier to the introduction of the bison into the environment, Germany named the fact that the country was densely populated and had a small number of habitat areas that would be suitable for this species.

Bison in Poland live not only in the Biaowieza Forest, but also in the Borecka Forest and Knyszyn Forest, in the Bieszczady Mountains and in Western Pomerania. According to the data for 2015, the size of the bison population in Poland was 1565, including 218 animals living in captivity and 1347 in the wild.

Biaowieza Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. In July 2016, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to keep it on the list, but announced that the issue would be discussed again in 2017. This year\'s session will be held in Krakow.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

aop/ mick/ pad/ agt/

tr. RL
Berlin Independent Film Festival Announce 2017 Winners

http://www.berlinfest.com/festival-2/festival-2017/

Another year, another BIFF. 2017's edition no. 8 afforded Director Jim Devaux & Deputy Director Claudine Biswas-MacKenzie the opportunity to exhibit boundary crossing short films, innovative feature presentations alongside music videos and courageous documentary filmmaking from around the globe. Berlin Independent Film Festival is an international filmmaking shindig which takes place annually at the Babylon. It has steadily grown into a respected screenwriting and filmmaking competition in central Berlin each February.

BIFF is above all a place to exhibit genre-busting work to an international audience, who flock to Berlin for the Berlinale and its European Film Market. The two film festivals remain entirely unconnected. English and German language films play in original versions, whereas foreign language films are subtitled. The popular short film blocks bring film fans in their droves, attracted by the eclecticism of this event. Awards are bestowed in many film & screenplay categories such as Best Feature (over $ 100k), Best Micro-Budget Feature (under $100k) & Best Female Director Feature.

Arthouse narrative drama in the fearlessly experimental vein was championed in the long-form categories of Best Feature Film with the Glaswegian 'Seat in Shadow' by Henry Coombes, and Hong Kong mystery 'Jasmine' by Dax Phelan. Both films demonstrate the endless versatility of the septieme art form up against the constrictions of low-budget filmmaking. The short 'Krampus', a Bavarian 'Bad Santa' richly deserves its Best Short Film prize. On a more serious note, Canadian Lloyd Frost presented his music film on the dangers of free speech in Cuba, 'In Everyone's Eyes', and received the accolade of Best Music Video.

Like more and more producers in Berlin for the top-ranking EFM / Berlinale filmmaker networking events, Parisian exec producer, Gil Aglaure stopped by the Babylon in the historic centre of Mitte to present his movie at BIFF. 'Virtual Revolution' by G.-R. Duvert is a paean to the sci-fi genre and cost just over 3 mio. It was the worthy recipient of the coveted Best Sci-Fi / Horror Feature prize.

BIFF showcases hard-hitting documentaries which year after year have become the forte of this alternative festival. Showcasing the most uncompromising docs has become a staple of the Berlin Independent Film Festival. This year, 'The Uncertainty Has Settled' a film by experienced Dutch documentarist, Marijn Poels won Best Feature Doc at BIFF for his anti-dogmatic stance in raising questions on sustainability in the realm of environmentalism. Emerging from Down Under, crossover experimental documentary, 'The Drover's Boy' pays its respects to Australia's troubled national heritage thanks to Margaret McHugh's daring exploration of the documentary genre. It joins the 8 th BIFF award winners with Best Documentary Short at this prestigious festival.

Prof. Ira Schneider presented his experimental short 'More or Less Related Events in Recent History' which contained rarities such as his footage of the ill-fated Altamont Free Concert of 1969. A BIFF habitue, the Berlin-based New Yorker is a veteran curator, artist and videographer and should be credited as being the founding father of video art, even before his more popular colleagues, Bill Viola and Nam June Paik tried their hand at it. He is a prolific filmmaker who espouses continuous formal experimentation on diverse film stock with rough and ready re-edits of old material, spliced with his own original footage featuring key events juxtaposed with dadaist material and shots of intellectual heavyweights from the past.

The anonymous jury is composed of carefully selected industry professionals from around the world. Low budget films may be submitted to the next edition of BIFF in a timely fashion. Once films have been submitted they are considered for inclusion in the next year's festival programme. Read the BIFF submission guidelines here: http://www.berlinfest.com/film-submission/

That list of Berlin Independent Film Festival winners can be found on the official BIFF website:
Working with director Jamie Patterson must have been such a pleasure that the producers of his latest film Caught and his writer of his debut feature film, Fractured, are willing to work with him again. Christina OShea-Daly of Dandelion Productions and Jeremy Davis of Gael Films will back his next feature film, a psychological horror thriller called The Kindred, written by Christian J. Hearn.

The Kindred follows a woman suffering from amnesia as she pieces together the events that led to her fathers suicide only to be haunted by the ghosts of children that she begins to suspect were murdered by him. Christina OShea-Daly said, I had the pleasure of meeting Christian on the set of my latest movie, Caught, directed by Jamie Patterson. I'm excited of the prospect of collaborating again with a talented director like Jamie and his fantastic team! The Kindred is a heart-wrenching page turner! Christian is a gifted writer who knows how to pull an audience to the edge of their seats.

Production begins this Spring in the Brighton and London areas of the UK.

Caught will have its World Premiere at the Fantasporto Int'l Film Festival on February 28th. ScreenAnarchy will have a review of the film to follow.
 Senate Judiciary Committee this week to consider two (holdover) nominees to US Sentencing Commission | Main | "How Trump's Twitter use could help bring down NC sex offender law" 

February 27, 2017

Ohio Secretary of State reports that 82 non-citizens have recently cast votes in Ohio

Because I continue to be intrigued by Prez Trump's claim that millions of persons committed a crime by voting illegally in our last election, I find interesting this new story about illegal voting in Ohio headlined "82 non-citizens voted in Ohio, Husted says." Here are the details:

Nearly 400 non-citizens are registered to vote in Ohio  82 of whom have managed to cast ballots in at least one election since 2015, Secretary of State Jon Husted said Monday. Husted, a Republican and likely candidate for Ohio governor, said his office discovered the 385 registrations from non-citizens on a biennial review of the state's voter database. In total, 7.9 million people were registered to vote in Ohio as of the November election, so the non-citizens make up fewer than 1 in every 20,000 registered voters  far from the widespread voter fraud President Donald Trump has claimed. Husted is sending law enforcement the names of the 82 non-citizens who voted, so officials can investigate and decide whether to prosecute. His office will send letters to the non-citizens who registered but never voted, requesting they cancel their registration. If they fail to do so, they could ultimately face prosecution. Election fraud can carry a fifth-degree felony charge in Ohio. As Trump has alleged voter fraud in last year's election, Husted has countered that election fraud isn't a common problem. Still, his office has boasted of its three reviews of the voter rolls to look for non-citizens, the first such reviews conducted by an Ohio secretary of state. In light of the national discussion about illegal voting it is important to inform our discussions with facts. The fact is voter fraud happens, it is rare and when it happens, we hold people accountable, Husted said Monday in a statement. Husted didn't say how which elections the 82 non-citizens had voted in, but even if they all voted in November 2016, they couldn't have swayed Ohio's presidential result, for instance. Eighty-two votes would have amounted to 0.0015 percent of the state's November voters. None of the non-citizens cast a vote in a race that was tied or decided by one vote, Husted said.... The secretary of state's office began the biennial review in 2013. Reviews that year and in 2015 uncovered a total of 44 non-citizens who voted in an election. Of those, eight people have been convicted of breaking the law and two other cases still are pending, spokesman Josh Eck said. Trump continues to claim  without any evidence  that massive voter fraud marred the 2016 presidential election. On Jan. 23, the new president told congressional leaders between 3 million and 5 million illegal votes caused him to lose the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump won the election with a convincing victory in the Electoral College, even as Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million votes.

If the Ohio story is reasonably representative of the national story (as is often the case with bellwether Ohio), then we might reasonably suspect that there may have been between 3 thousand and 5 thousand illegal votes case in the 2016 election. Whether or not Ohio is representative of other states in this particular context, I am quite pleased to learn that the crime of voter fraud is not rampant in the great state of Ohio.

February 27, 2017 at 04:22 PM | Permalink

Comments

Video recording rebuts this cover up of Democratic Party voter fraud. This is an accepted campaign strategy. It is likely how Obama won the 2012 election.

http://dailycaller.com/2016/10/18/second-okeefe-video-shows-dem-operative-boasting-about-voter-fraud-video/

Posted by: David Behar | Feb 27, 2017 11:09:11 PM

"If the Ohio story is reasonably representative of the national story (as is often the case with bellwether Ohio), then we might reasonably suspect that there may have been between 3 thousand and 5 thousand illegal votes case in the 2016 election."

That's a big if, given the differences in voting laws around the country.

"In total, 7.9 million people were registered to vote in Ohio as of the November election, so the non-citizens make up fewer than 1 in every 20,000 registered voters  far from the widespread voter fraud President Donald Trump has claimed."

This is fake news. Did Trump claim that the fraud happened in Ohio? No. Did Husted catch all the non-citizens registering? We have no way of knowing. Is Ohio indicative of the rest of the country? The AP article assumes it without proof.

Doug, to quote the execrable Bill O'Reilly, "What say you?"

Posted by: federalist | Feb 28, 2017 9:50:56 AM

federalist, let's see if we can avoid "fake news" labeling. And let's be precise, as the issue raised by Prez Trump is not "non-citizens registering," it is illegal voting.

I agree that quite possible that many other states, due not only to different voting laws but also different voting populations, have experienced a much higher level of "illegal voting." In particular, because states with broad felon disenfranchisement laws have many US citizens barred from voting, I suspect (for pure statistical reasons) that "illegal voting" may be more common in those states. And I suspect, though Prez Trump has never said so, that he believe California (and other coastal states?) are the big problem here.

That all said, I continue to want to see some --- any --- sound basis for believing that there were millions of illegal votes cast in 2016 or any other years. It is very significant and discouraging for a sitting Prez to assert that our democratic process is so very badly corrupted, and I sincerely want there to be a serious examination of these realities if illegal voting is anything close to the problem that Prez Trump suggests. But these new Ohio data seem to provide addition reason to believe that illegal voting is NOT anything close to the problem that Prez Trump suggests.

Can you provide, federalist, some --- any --- sound basis for believing that there were millions of illegal votes cast in 2016 or any other years? Do you think that investigating voter fraud should be a top priority for the DOJ based on the President's assertions of such widespread voting corruption?

And, in case you care, I think a much bigger problem for our democracy is the many millions who do not vote when eligible (I think 90 million fit this reality in 2016). I generally favor an extremely broad approach to the franchise in a democracy as I view voting to be more of a responsibility than a right: e.g., I favor mandatory voting schemes as in Australia, and I think the voting age should be lowered and that there should be almost no voting disqualifications for citizens. I also favor much greater use of direct democracy and having many more votes on many more issues/candidates throughout the year.

Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 28, 2017 11:04:27 AM

Election Law Blog had a reference to coverage of this story and cited one analysis that warns that even this number might be too high.

http://electionlawblog.org/?p=91365

I'm wary of more direct democracy but appreciate DB's remarks.

Posted by: Joe | Feb 28, 2017 1:28:45 PM

I imagine that federalist and his fellow travelers are heartily in favor of any type of investigation / remediation effort which might keep "those" people from voting. By the way, requesting that someone prove a negative is sloppy counterargument.

Posted by: MarK M. | Feb 28, 2017 2:48:29 PM

Prof. Berman. Bin Laden admitted to and praised God for the results of his 9/11 attack. Is that not sufficient evidence of his complicity in the attack?

I provided a confession of a top Democratic party operative that massive voting fraud is a tactic of the Democratic party. Are you calling Bin Laden and this Democratic party operative liars? Is a confession by each of these two not enough evidence?

Posted by: David Behar | Feb 28, 2017 5:28:09 PM

You are getting off topic with Bin Laden references, David, and you tendency to that end is rarely appreciated in this space. At issue is whether there is any evidence of millions of illegal votes cast in 2016, and the O'Keefe video is not evidence of millions of illegal votes cast in 2016. Do you have any actual evidence of millions of illegal votes cast in 2016?

Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 28, 2017 6:42:46 PM

Prof. B. After the election, this organization analyzed 180 million registration records, and estimated 3 million illegal votes. Reviewed here by Milo.

https://milo.yiannopoulos.net/2016/11/illegal-immigrants-3-million-votes/

Posted by: David Behar | Feb 28, 2017 7:38:10 PM

David, there is no evidence at that link, just an assertion that there were 3 million illegal votes AND a reference to a person and website that cannot be verified. That is not evidence of any sort. If that is the best you have, I continue to wonder if you or federalist can provide some --- any --- sound basis for believing that there were millions of illegal votes cast in 2016 or any other years.

Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 28, 2017 9:46:06 PM

A great man and scholar once said, "...let's see if we can avoid "fake news" labeling."

Here is another unrelated survey of Hispanics, by a different academic group.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/15/nearly-2-million-non-citizen-hispanics-illegally-r/

Here is a study meeting Daubert standards from before the Trump nomination, so without electoral partisan interest. It has up to 2.8% of voters being non-citizens.

http://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Do-Non-Citizens-Vote-in-US-Elections-Richman-et-al.pdf

This theory may also explain how Obama confounded the surveys and won the election of 2012, despite an abysmal economic performance.

Posted by: David Behar | Feb 28, 2017 10:43:13 PM

Doug, my beef was with the AP article, and I was curious whether you agree with the AP article's tendentious reporting. Instead, you launch into an attempt to get me to criticize Trump---but that stuff was asked and answered on another thread.

The AP article is fake news.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 1, 2017 9:59:06 AM

These links are closer to evidence, David, though based on a lot of extrapolation from self-reporting surveys, and seemingly undermined by the latest Ohio data. I have seen estimates that Ohio has well over 100,000 non-citizen, and thus the Husted report suggests that less than 0.1% of that population voted recently.

As I have said repeatedly, I sincerely want there to be a serious examination of voting realities if illegal voting is anything close to the problem that Prez Trump suggests. But these new Husted/Ohio data suggests that illegal voting is NOT anything close to the problem that Prez Trump suggests.

Posted by: Doug B. | Mar 1, 2017 10:03:18 AM

federalist, I do not see anything "tendentious" or "fake" in noting that, in Ohio, "non-citizens make up fewer than 1 in every 20,000 registered voters  far from the widespread voter fraud President Donald Trump has claimed." Trump has repeatedly claimed that there was widespread voter fraud, and he has not (to my knowledge) refined that claim by saying he thinks fraud was minimal in some states like Ohio.

Perhaps more to the point, Husted's office is making much of these new numbers in part because Trump has repeatedly claimed that there was widespread voter fraud in 2016. So to note in this article that Husted's data is inconsistent with Trump's claims is itself a way of reporting the context of Husted's recent work. This paragraph continues the accurate reporting of these realities:

"As Trump has alleged voter fraud in last year's election, Husted has countered that election fraud isn't a common problem. Still, his office has boasted of its three reviews of the voter rolls to look for non-citizens, the first such reviews conducted by an Ohio secretary of state. In light of the national discussion about illegal voting it is important to inform our discussions with facts. The fact is voter fraud happens, it is rare and when it happens, we hold people accountable, Husted said Monday in a statement."

As you should know as a regular reader, federalist, I generally try to avoid criticizing the press on the left or the right for whatever spin they consciously or unconsciously incorporate into their reporting. I think everyone in the media and elsewhere is "biased" in various ways, and media (or others) claims to be especially "objective" or "nuetral" always strike me as wishful thinking.

Meanwhile, I was not asking you, federalist, to criticize Trump. Rather, based on your criticism of the AP story, I simply asked whether you could provide some --- any --- sound basis for believing that there were millions of illegal votes cast in 2016 and whether you think that investigating voter fraud should be a top priority for the DOJ based on the President's assertions of such widespread voting corruption. I surmise that your answer to these questions are still no and no, but I thought perhaps you views might have changed based on new information.

Posted by: Doug B | Mar 1, 2017 10:51:56 AM

"...whether you could provide some --- any --- sound basis for believing that there were millions of illegal votes cast in 2016..."

That narrow and specific question requires an investigation which has not yet taken place. The Ohio review you posted is not adequate to answer your question.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 1, 2017 11:42:23 AM

Doug, my criticism of the AP story is that it takes a fake news shot at Trump. Trump is almost certainly wrong about the millions voting, and there is no defense to his comment. My point is that the AP is linking the Ohio findings which (a) may undercount the number of aliens voting and (b) may reflect a voting system that makes it hard for an alien to vote to Trump's statement is just ridiculous.

In other words, Ohio isn't what refutes Trump, as the AP said. However, common sense refutes Trump.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 2, 2017 12:17:55 AM

How does the AP take a "fake news shot" at Trump? I just do not get this accusation at all, federalist. The AP story does not say anything fake, and the line you seem to object to simply notes that the small number of illegal votes now documented in Ohio is "far" from the kind of widespread fraud asserted by Trump.

I do not think the AP article is fairly read to be asserting that the Ohio data conclusively refute what Trump claims. More to the point, there is nothing "fake" --- a hoax or sham --- in this reporting. You might complain that more context might be provided as to the purported basis for Trump's claims, but Trump himself has failed to do that.

Words should have meaning, federalist, but calling something fake which is not fake seems to me to be just a bush league slur. If you want to contend the AP is not being wholly objective, use that terminology rather than distort the meaning of words.

Posted by: Doug B | Mar 2, 2017 1:13:17 AM

Prof. B. You should understand what is going on with the news media. The AP article is worthless. Did they cite the studies I provided, as they had to to provide the other side of the story? They are biased against Trump.

To understand, visit the David Duke web site. Head of the Klan, he hates Jews and blacks. He does not lie or tell wild stories. He selects stories that make them look bad, to prove his hatred point.

The American public finds this self evident, and has an approval score of the press that shows that understanding. These data are from the polling organization web site, not from a news article.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/195542/americans-trust-mass-media-sinks-new-low.aspx

All news media now do that. They are propaganda by selection. All fail to give the other side, as required by their Code of Ethics. All violate the exception fallacy. Both also easily fall for false news stories, when they fit their bias. NPR has an anti-corporation message in every show, even those about food or gardens. Fox is a Republican establishment outlet. The NY Times is controlled by Mexican Carlos Slim and reflects his economic interest. He is angry at losing $16 billion since the pronouncements of Trump dropped the value of the peso. The Washington Post reflects to feelings of Jeff Bezos in every news story.

So anyone citing a mainstream media source is citing a story with the quality and reliability of the David Duke site.

The sole potential exception I can think of is C-SPAN. In response to repeated accusations they are controlled by the Jews, Brian Lamb explained their method. They meticulously count the stories on each side to provide good balance.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 2, 2017 8:19:40 AM

Doug:

I get it that Trump's millions comment is wrong. But the idea that Ohio's experience shows it to be wrong, as the AP's article implies, is just garbage. Trump was talking about millions of votes nationally, not in one particular state.

I'll turn it around--what does Ohio's experience say about Trump's charge? Next to nothing, but the AP article is calculated to make it seem like it does--that's fake news. Let's take another example--let's say that a Dem candidate says, "There are millions of people in the US who are prison for simple marijuana possession." And then, let's say, the NY AG does a survey and shows that .5% of state prisoners are simple possession prisoners--does that disprove what the Dem said? No.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 2, 2017 10:07:46 AM

David: I strongly disagree strongly that the AP and David Duke are comparable news/media sources. I suspect federalist would also disagree, but maybe he shares your views that biases run so deeply that AP and David Duke are equally "fake" as he uses this term.

federalist: let's play out your hypo, imagining a news article reporting on an NY AG report saying very few are in prison for MJ possession, and then the article says this is "far from the widespread imprisonment of MJ offenders Bernie Sanders has claimed." That would not be, in my view, "fake" in any way. And this strikes me as especially appropriate reporting if the NY AG conducted a review of MJ offenders in prison specifically in response to what Bernie was saying about MJ folks in prison.

Do you dispute that Ohio AG Husted himself did this review and published the results in large part because of "the widespread voter fraud President Donald Trump has claimed"? Given that reality as I see it, the AP report is providing context, not "fake" anything.

Again, you can fairly complain that it would be helpful/useful for the AP report to highlight all the anti-fraud measures in place in Ohio that are not in place in other states (though it is not clear that the Ohio AG himself mentioned this). But the call this "fake" strike me as widely off base and confirms my fear that your partisan lens leads you here to slurs that are just not justified here.

But maybe you are in the same camp as David Behar and think the AP and others in the mainstream media cannot be distinguished in any way from the likes of David Duke.

Posted by: Doug B. | Mar 2, 2017 10:33:16 AM

Duke is used for illustration. Yet, most people understand the violation of the Code of Ethics of journalism. They have very low approval ratings for journalism. NPR and the NY Times are in the same category as Duke. Less certain about the AP.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 2, 2017 11:02:57 AM

Sorry Doug, that's foolish. Trump was talking about nationally--Ohio ain't national.

Trump: There are millions of alien votes.

AP: Trump is wrong since there only a handful of alien votes in Ohio.

Sanders: There are millions of MJ simple users in prison in USA.

FED: Sanders is wrong because the NY AG showed that there were very few in NY.

Fake news.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 2, 2017 12:55:24 PM

federalist, what is foolish --- and shows your partisanship because you are now quick to embrace the talking points or certain partisans --- is using the term "fake news" to describe an accurate news story. The AP did not say "Trump is wrong" -- they said the new data on non-citizen voting is Ohio shows a rate of non-citizen voting that is "far from the widespread voter fraud President Donald Trump has claimed."

That you dislike the implications of this accurate statement does not make the story "fake news." Partisans often want to distort the meaning of words to suit their interests, and you again are showing your partisan nature with the repeated assertion that this AP story "takes a fake news shot at Trump." I find it disconcerting that partisans like you now seem so eager to say every statement with implications they dislike is "fake," in large part because I think it serves everyone's interest to save the word "fake" for what is actually made up, a sham, fraudulent. But when you get your partisan juices flowing, federalist, I know it is hard to shake you off your aggressive rhetoric. So I will just close by suggesting that calling this AP story "fake news" dilutes the force of such a accusation when there truly is fake news that needs to be condemned.

If you are eager to continue, federalist, I continue to wonder (1) if you think that investigating voter fraud should be a top priority for the DOJ based on the President's assertions of such widespread voting corruption, and (2) if you agree with David Behar "that NPR and the NY Times are in the same category as [David] Duke" when it comes to legitimacy and accuracy as a news/media outlet.

Posted by: Doug B. | Mar 2, 2017 2:50:36 PM

Here's the quote:

"In total, 7.9 million people were registered to vote in Ohio as of the November election, so the non-citizens make up fewer than 1 in every 20,000 registered voters  far from the widespread voter fraud President Donald Trump has claimed."

The problem with your parsing is that Trump didn't make his claims specific to Ohio. So this write-up, which uses the Ohio findings to falsify Trump's claims, is wrong, and AP doesn't get the benefit of the doubt for an honest mistake. This is fake news.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 2, 2017 5:38:47 PM

Trump has repeatedly alleged "widespread voter fraud," which prompted Husted's review and report of fraud in Ohio, and that review and report showed something "far" from widespread fraud in Ohio. Nothing here is fake or a mistake --- but as a partisan you do not like how these accurate facts are being packaged. Ergo, you reach for the partisan label "fake" and in so doing continue to burnish your partisan reputation.

Meanwhile, you avoid my follow-up questions, which I will ask again hoping honestly to learn of your views: (1) do you think that investigating voter fraud should be a top priority for the DOJ based on the President's assertions of such widespread voting corruption, and (2) do you agree with David Behar "that NPR and the NY Times are in the same category as [David] Duke" when it comes to legitimacy and accuracy as a news/media outlet?

Posted by: Doug B. | Mar 2, 2017 6:12:16 PM

David Duke is obsessed with Jews and Blacks. His entire website is about their perfidy.

The NY Times is obsessed with Donald Trump. NPR is obsessed with capitalist corporations. The content of both is about their perfidy.

David Duke posts less false news than either the NY Times or NPR. All are highly selective of stories that make their obsession look bad. All repeatedly violate the Exception Fallacy.

http://changingminds.org/disciplines/argument/fallacies/exception.htm

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 3, 2017 1:14:11 AM

Prof. B. Do not even think of accusing me of the same.

My speech about the lawyer profession is love speech.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 3, 2017 1:16:37 AM

Doug, I can explain it to you--I cannot understand it for you. Using Ohio, which doesn't prove/disprove Trump, to take a shot at Trump is nonsense. What AP should have said: "Ohio, a state with X electoral votes, provides no support to Trump's claims that millions of illegal votes were cast in the 2016 election." But that's not what AP did, and I don't give the AP the benefit of the doubt.

The NYTimes is a purveyor of partisanship--but David Duke, um no. The DoJ should make assisting states with cleaning up the voter rolls, a statutory duty of it, a priority. Kinda like USERRA that the Holder DoJ blew off.



Posted by: federalist | Mar 3, 2017 9:18:02 AM

The NY Times is controlled by Carlos Slim, a Mexican. The reporters need to disclose that fact in every article about Trump, or else they are worse than Duke. Duke is honest about his hatred. NY Times reporters put on a false front of piety. Slim lost $16 billion as a result of the tweets of Trump, and the devaluation of the peso. The reporters must disclose their economic conflict of interest or else they are less honest than Duke about their biases. If they were pro-Trump, they would be fired. The reader needs to know that before judging credibility.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 3, 2017 3:27:47 PM

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After his application for a free Summer of Love 50th Anniversary concert in Golden Gate Park was denied by the Recreation and Park Department and an appeal of that decision was also denied, Mill Valley promotor Boots Hughston, who had claimed he would pay out of pocket as much as $700,000 for the concert and had been in talks with musicians, says he plans to step down from the application process.

Bottom line is, I think we should resubmit, but resubmit without me, Hughston said according to the Examiner at a meeting of a group calling itself "The Consul of Light," a body made up of San Franciscans with ties to the original Human Be-In and an interest in revisiting the event on its big anniversary. The best I can do is withdraw," Hughston concluded after he was criticized by Rec and Park for advertising the event to the public for tens of thousands more attendees than he'd previously indicated on his application.

Writing to the website where he'd previously advertised the concert as a go, Hughston indicates that "an appeal to the Board of Supervisors" might be in the works, and describes the concert as "on hold." Among other concerns, some musicians Hughston claimed would perform at the event indicated they had not finalized their plans or even discussed the matter with Hughston. Though there were still others who came to Hughston's defense, Rec and Park recommended he resubmit the application with another promotor to help him. Now, at least as it pertains to the application, Hughston is bowing out. Whether he'll till contribute funds or coordinate programming remains to be seen, and SFist has reached out to him to find out just that we'll update this post if and when he responds.

Now the Consul of Light is stepping in, as the Examiner reports from their meeting of abut 60 members like Ann Cohen, an original Human Be-In attendee. The Consul elected to pursue permitting for a Summer of Love party on Haight Street in June, bypassing the Rec and Park Department and encouraging business along the tourist corridor in a street fair atmosphere.

As for a concert in the park, the group says they'll seek permits for a September music festival. Spearheading an application process will be Sunshine Powers, the owner of Haight Street shop Love on Haight. Powers, who was born a little too late for the original hippie movement, in 1980, and grew up in the Sunset, said she was "happy and nervous" to help in the Anniversary effort.

"I live and breathe Haight Street, and I love every moment of it," Powers once told Hoodline. "With all that we have going on in the world today, we need more peace, love, kindness, rainbows and sparkles."

But there's such a thing as too much razzle dazzle. I mightve sparkled you, Powers told a Consul member during the meeting after some glitter she was wearing flew at him while she spoke. We'll have to see how that goes over with the folks at Rec and Park.

Update: Hughston tells SFist "I will support the concert 100 percent, the thing is already together, lights  sound, totally booked, so there's really no loose ends. It's just a matter of Sunshine Powers taking the permit out, and we'll get somebody from Hardly Strictly on our board." As for remaining on the permit application himself, Hughston said "there's just too much flak, they're coming after me personally."

Previously: Rec And Park Commission Denies Appeal For Summer Of Love 50th Anniversary Concert
Gavin Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco who hopes to become California's Governor in 2018, hasn't been shy about his disgust with the White House, speaking out against GOP policies regarding LGBTQ folks on more than one occasion and donating the campaign cash he got from Donald Trump to immigration non-profits. And now the Lieutenant Governor is shaking a fist DC-ward yet again, this time over the administration's still-nascent crackdown on legal recreational marijuana use.

Newsom came out in favor of legal weed as his campaign began to ramp up, and was one of California's loudest voices in favor of the state's legalization measure, which was approved by voters last November. He was apparently as alarmed as the rest of us to hear White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (who should never, ever be referred to as "Sean Sphincter") say last week that the Department of Justice would go after users of recreational marijuana, even in states like California where the substance has been legalized.

As previously reported, Spicer had this to say on the topic Thursday:

Theres two distinct issues here: medical marijuana and recreational marijuana. I think medical marijuana, Ive said before, that the president understands the pain and suffering that many people go through, who are facing especially terminal diseases, and the comfort that some of these drugs, including medical marijuana, can bring to them. And thats one that Congress, through a rider in [2014], put an appropriations bill saying that the Department of Justice wouldnt be funded to go after those folks. Theres a big difference between that and recreational marijuana. And I think that when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people. Theres still a federal law that we need to abide by when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature.

By Friday, Newsom had penned a response to Spicer's vague statement on the topic, and sent it off to the White House with a CC to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Describing current federal pot laws as draconian and prohibitionist," Newsom wrote that "The war on marijuana has failed. It did not, and will not, keep marijuana out of kids hands.

The government must not strip the legal and publicly supported industry of its business and hand it back to drug cartels and criminals. Dealers dont card kids," wrote the father of four.

"I urge you and your administration to work in partnership with California and the other eight 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.

Responding to Spicer's remarks on the opioid addiction crisis, Newsom wrote that "marijuana is nothing like an opioid and there is no scientific evidence that marijuana use increases the use of opioids.

Unlike marijuana, opioids represent an addictive and harmful substance, and I would welcome your administrations focused efforts on tacking this particular public health crisis, he wrote. We cant continue to keep doing what weve done and expect a different result. A tightly regulated marketplace for adult recreational marijuana use is a new and better approach.

You can read Newsom's full letter below:

Dear @POTUS,

The War on Marijuana has failed. We cant continue to keep doing what weve done & expect a different result.

Cc: @jeffsessions pic.twitter.com/qNQbkfVItm  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 25, 2017

Related: Pelosi, Newsom Respond To Trump Directive Reversing School Policy On Bathroom Use For Trans Students
A brazen afternoon shooting claimed the life of a man in San Francisco Friday, the city's eighth homicide for 2017.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, the 29-year-old victim was gunned down on the first block of Westbrook Court in Bayview-Hunters Point at 1:46 p.m. Friday.

The victim was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, police say, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The SFPD had few details on the crime to offer Monday morning, saying that the suspect description, any possible vehicle transporting the suspect, and the type of gun used in the slaying were all "unknown." They did conform, however, that no arrests have been made in the case.

This is San Francisco's eighth homicide for 2017, following the fatal shooting of Preston Bradford near City Hall less than ten days before. The suspect in that slaying was arrested the day of the incident, and remains SF County Jail on suspicion of murder.

Related: SUV Slams Into Cars Near SF City Hall After Driver Is Shot In Head
A case stemming from an innocent 2010 Facebook post about a victory in traffic court has made its way to the Supreme Court because it involves a convicted sex offender and a North Carolina law banning all sex offenders from using social media where children might be present. As the Associated Press reports, Lester Packingham Jr. had been using Facebook under an alias since the passage of the law in 2008  now 36, he served 10 months in jail for "indecent liberties with a minor" when he was 21.

Somehow local law enforcement caught on to Packingham's Facebook use and charged him for violating the law, and his conviction was then reversed in the state's appeals court. But the North Carolina Supreme Court then upheld his conviction, though with a divided decision, largely due to the vagaries of the statute itself and how broadly it could be interpreted. Now it's up to SCOTUS to settle the matter when they hear oral arguments today.

As the Cato Institute, which filed an amicus brief in the case alongside the ACLU, explains:

The North Carolina law bans access not just to what people consider to social-media sites, but also any sites that enable some form of connection between visitors, which would include YouTube, Wikipedia, and even the New York Times. The statute is also vague, in that it covers websites that permit minor children to create profiles or pages  and you cant even find out what a website permits without first looking at its terms of service  itself a violation of the statute. Even if the site purports to stop minors from accessing its content, its impossible for someone to know whether and how that contractual provision is enforced in practice. Someone subject to this law literally cant know what he cant do or say; the police themselves arent sure! The statute also fails constitutional scrutiny because it criminalizes speech based on the identity of the speaker.

Furthermore, says Stanford law professor David Goldberg, who's representing Packingham at the Supreme Court, "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."

There's been no evidence to suggest that Packingham used social media to contact any minors, and says Goldberg to the AP, "There's never been any suggestion that he was up to anything but exercising his freedom of speech."

North Carolina isn't alone in having laws governing social media use by sex offenders. Georgia, Kentucky, and Louisiana have similar laws, but Louisiana has had to amend its law to comply with a court decision. As the AP explains, Nebraska and Indiana have had their similar laws already ruled unconstitutional.

Supporters of such laws say they aren't violating sex offenders' free speech, merely the place and manner of their speech, but the trouble arises in laws that are written so broadly as to encompass the entire internet  and perhaps in 2008 it was not clear that virtually every website was going to have a social media component within a few years.

Stay tuned as the justices mull this one.

Update: Per the Associated Press, five of the eight sitting justices signaled during oral arguments Monday that they were leaning toward striking down the North Carolina law, with Justice Ginsberg saying, "The law does not operate in some sleepy First Amendment quarter. [Instead it] forbids speech on the very platforms on which Americans today are most likely to communicate, to organize for social change, and to petition their government."

Previously: Facebook Marketplace Already A Silk Road-Style S**tshow, Shortly After Launch
Uber's woeful month continues with the ignominious departure of senior vice president of engineering Amit Singhal, forced to resign by company CEO Travis Kalanick after tech publication Recode started asking questions about Singhal's hiring in the first place.

An internal investigation at Singhal's previous company, Google, found sexual harassment allegations against him from an employee were "credible," Recode writes, and the company was ready to fire him if he didn't leave of his own accord, according, again, to Recode's sources. The backdrop for Singhal's presence at Uber and now his sudden departure is inevitably a highly publicized account from a former Uber engineer, Susan Fowler, that revealed a culture of "high performing" employees being given passes despite sexual harassment allegations.

Previously, Singhal's departure from Google, where he was considered as "a giant force inside the company," had been characterized as a retirement. Or at least that's how it seems from a belabored goodbye post that explained, after 15 years with the company it was "a good time to make this important life change" and to make his next 15 years about giving back to others.

Ditching that plan, he took a job with Uber: Singhal wrote on his personal website that "after 15 wonderful years at Google working on search, I wasnt sure that I would find an opportunity as exciting or potentially world-changing. But having spent hours with Travis and many others at the company, I can confidently say Uber fits the bill."

Per Recode: "Sources at Uber said that the company did extensive background checks of Singhal and that it did not uncover any hint of the circumstances of his departure from Google. Singhal disputed the allegation to Google execs at the time." Next time, for the real extensive background check, Uber will have to call Recode's Kara Swisher.

After Fowler's allegations against Uber, which described a workplace where harassment was commonplace and HR failures kept it from being addressed, the New York Times spoke to 30 Uber staffers and characterized Uber's fast-paced, bro-forward work culture as downright "Hobbesian." At the end of the week, Kalanick met with Uber's female engineers to discuss the situation, and BuzzFeed obtained leaked audio from that conversation. Referring to the former attorney general Eric Holder, who has been brought in to investigate the sexual harassment claims, one employee says:

I think that we should kind of address the elephant in the room which is that everyone whos in these rooms now believes that there is a systemic problem here. We wouldnt be here if we didnt... do not think that we need [Eric Holders] help in admitting to ourselves as a company that we have a systemic problem.

There was more bad news for Uber's brand last week when a Google company, Waymo, revealed it was suing Uber over allegedly stealing trade secrets from Google's self-driving car division. Specifically, an ex-Googler is accused of downloading reams of files to help him start a self-driving truck company, Otto, which he sold to Uber before joining that company.

Finally, it came out that a previous PR-nightmare  a self-driving Uber that ran a red light in San Francisco  was in fact driving itself, not being operated by a human driver at the time, despite Uber's protestations to the contrary that pinned the problem on "human error."

All of this might have Uber exec saying "Jesus, take the wheel."

Related: Self-Driving Uber That Was Caught On Video Running Red Light Was Driving Itself
The first sign that La La Land would not sweep Oscar night came early when it lost Best Costume to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. But who could have predicted the embarrassing climax: La La Land is announced for Best Picturebut wait! Wrong envelope! Nothing like that had ever happened at the Academy Awards, an annual event previously marred only by long-winded speeches and insipid production numbers but otherwise has always operated with the precision of an expensive machine.

More interesting than the mix-up is the fact of awarding top honors to Moonlight over La La Land. Its a vote for confronting social problems over escaping them. The seers were stunned. It was supposed to be La La Lands night.

I thought so too, but, as I pointed out in my Oscar preview, the Academy has seldom gone for comedies or musicals for Best Picture. While Academy members of 50 years ago might have been surprised by a film about an African-American boy growing up in poverty and with a complicated sexual orientation, dealing with drug trafficking, incarceration and fractured families, they would have understood the impulse behind giving Moonlight the prize. Best Pictures have often been about large, important topics, however defined by Hollywoods elite.

As the dryly amusing host, Jimmy Kimmel, quipped: whos talking about racism in Hollywood now that we have Trump in the White House [Tweet: Tweet: ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE SPOUTS OFF. SICK]. Never before have so many African Americans been nominated for an Oscar; and Moonlights victory over the inspiring but conventional Hollywood narrative of Hidden Figures indicates that Academy members arent a bunch of old clunkabunks but actually care about the advance of filmmaking itself.

La La Land didnt do so bad, by the way As I predicted, Best Director didnt go to the director of the Best Picture, but I had it backwards: La Las Damien Chazelle took that trophy home, not Moonlights director Barry Jenkins. Along with Emma Stone as Best Actress, La La Land won several other prizes including Best Song for the lovely City of Stars by Milwaukees Justin Hurwitz, a onetime student at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
On Saturday, March 4, Downtown Racine will become a bustling, vivacious music festival as 14 bars and venues will host dozens of concerts to benefit the Racine County Food Bank for the 25th consecutive year.

In fall of 1992, a group of Vietnam veterans who ran Vets 21 of Racine teamed up with Racine County Project Emergency, which eventually became the Racine County Food Bank, and Georges Tavern to help feed hungry families in Racine County.

The concept they developed involved a night of music with local musicians donating their thoughts for food, and the event was born. The first years show featured 12 acts on one stage at Georges, where the tavern was filled beyond capacity before the first act had even finished, and steadily grew for years after.

Dan Taivalkoski, the current executive director of the Racine County Food Bank, got involved with Thoughts for Food in a previous position as a member of the Racine City Tavern League. Taivalkoski began chairing the event in 2001, and took over as executive director of the Racine County Food Bank in 2004.

I had become passionate about the food bank, and hunger issues in the community, says Taivalkoski. The event was near and dear to me.

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The event hit its peak around 2005, generating about 15% of the nonprofits cash income. Since then, there has been a decrease in the net dollars coming in to the food bank. The money raised through this event pays for operating expenses, and is a way to raise awareness for the food bank, allowing them to provide the food that hungry families need.

The monetary and food benefits aside, I think that Thoughts for Food does a great job of raising awareness for what we do, Taivalkoski says. Theres a big focus on feeding the hungry around the holidays. No one wants anyone to be hungry for Thanksgiving or Christmas. But come January the faucet kind of turns off and everyone says, I gave in November and December. Now my bills are coming. We have a few months that are a pretty significant downturn. The same people who were hungry and appreciative for food on Thanksgiving and Christmas are still out there and in need come January, February and March.

While the benefit to the food bank and the families they help are the focus, the sense of community and stewardship Taivalkoski sees makes him happy.

Its really neat seeing more than 50 bands donate their time and talents, he says. When you add up the bands, all of the different volunteer teams and everyone who comes to the shows, you have probably more than 400 people who come out to donate. Its really heartwarming to see that many people helping the Racine County Food Bank.

Thoughts for Food is on Saturday, March 4 at multiple venues in Racine. All proceeds go to the Racine County Food Bank. You can buy tickets in advance for $10 at George's Tavern, The Ivanhoe Pub & Eatery, or online here.
NEW YORK  The flu season has slammed many small businesses, weakening already thin staffing levels and forcing some owners to scramble to cover shifts or get the work done.

All but five of the 26 staffers at BusBank, a transportation booking service, have been sick at some point this season. On the worst day so far, six people were out sick or caring for children with the flu, and four others were on already planned days off.

"It has been hard for us to keep up, with lots of folks running backup for each other," says Brandon Dudley, vice president of the Chicago-based company that arranges bus charters for events ranging from nights on the town to long-distance trips.

Human resources consultants have been hearing from company owners overwhelmed by flu-related absences. In its latest report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 35 states had moderate to high levels of flu cases. More than 5 percent of people seeking medical help complained of flu-like symptoms during the week ended Feb. 11, up from a baseline of 2.2 percent, the CDC said.

"Small businesses' operations are so lean that having two people sick at one time is a very big impact," says Amy Marcum, a human resources consultant with Houston-based Insperity.

Telecommuting has helped lessen the flu's impact on companies like BusBank, where staffers mainly work on laptops. So customers are getting their buses, Dudley says. But some projects like updating the company's website have had to be delayed.

When Denise Stern's staffers are sick, they can't work, period. Stern owns Let Mommy Sleep, a franchise company that provides overnight baby care for children ranging from newborn to 6 months old  and someone who's sick cannot care for an infant. At times during this flu season, Stern has had a quarter of her more than 20 caregivers calling out sick.

"It hit us like a ton of bricks," says Stern, who founded Let Mommy Sleep and runs the Washington, D.C.-area branch of her company. Let Mommy Sleep also has franchises in northern New Jersey and Philadelphia.

When a caregiver is ill, Stern will try to call in a backup. But so many employees have been sick that at times she either has no one available, or found the family is reluctant to have a caregiver they're not familiar with.

"I can't tell you how awful it is to be speaking with a mom on the verge of tears because we don't have staff to help," says Stern, who estimates her profits are down 15 percent for February.

At BOCA Communications, as many as four employees at a time have been sick with either the flu or a stomach virus.

"It's the gnarliest flu season we've seen in 10 years," says Ashley Breinlinger, a senior vice president at the San Francisco-based public relations firm. "People have been sicker than I've ever seen."

The bugs have been so bad that Breinlinger and CEO Kathleen Shanahan have asked staffers when they first start feeling unwell to stay home and not spread their germs.

Employees' ability to work from home as much as possible has limited the impact on BOCA's productivity, and the company is set up so everyone has a backup to finish projects. Another saving grace is that clients are empathizing, not complaining.

"Clients are sick too, so they're understanding," Breinlinger says.

With the flu season expected to last into the spring, Insperity's Marcum advises business owners to be proactive to protect staffers' health as well as company operations. Employees should be encouraged to work at home if they're not feeling well, and to get flu shots if they haven't already done so. Some companies will bring in medical personnel to administer shots onsite.

Now is also the time to create backup plans, designating which staffers will cover for others. Some owners might also want to think in advance about arranging to get temporary help if needed.

Kristen Burris estimates she lost a third of her working days in January when she was sick three times and her son was also ill.

"It's definitely the worst flu season we have experienced in years," says Burris, co-owner of Eagle Acupuncture in Eagle, Idaho.

Her husband, Tony, covered the practice as best he could. But many clients whose sessions were canceled just waited till their next appointment. Practice hours lost to the flu came on top of cancellations forced by record snowfall in Idaho last month.

Burris is adding 12 extra hours to her weekly schedule in hopes of recouping some income. But the rest? "It's 100 percent lost," she says.
A bear. A bat. A butterfly.

Images seen in Rorschach inkblots reveal the viewer's unconscious mind, including any serious mental disorders. Or do they? Is the Rorschach test a brilliant diagnostic tool, or a glorified parlor trick?

"The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing" (Crown) raises these questions and lands in the middle. Author Damion Searls concludes, after much throat-clearing, that patients, in partnership with gifted psychologists, may uncover fascinating areas to explore through the Rorschach. But using the results in parental custody lawsuits or other high-stakes arenas, he writes, is fraught with problems.

For instance, what precisely are we testing when we ask people what they see in inkblots? Surprisingly, we don't know. The test's theoretical underpinnings have never been worked out. That hasn't stopped its runaway success.

The 10 cards, printed with symmetrical forms, remain the same as when Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach first published them in 1921 to accompany his book "Psychodiagnostics." Rorschach's influences included a children's game called klexography, psychoanalysis trailblazers Freud and Jung, and observations of his asylum patients' interpretations of the set of images.

"Rorschach did not conceive of the blots as a 'test' at all: he called it an experiment, a nonjudgmental and open-ended investigation into people's ways of seeing," Searls writes.

Rorschach resisted initial pressure to use his inkblots in schools as an aptitude test. He wrote that the thought of an aspiring student barred from university study because of his work made him feel "a bit like I can't breathe." A systematic collection of test results in a large sample would be required, he wrote, and a solid theoretical basis would need to be established.

Rorschach died tragically at age 37 of peritonitis from a burst appendix a year after publishing "Psychodiagnostics." The inkblots, freed from their creator's control, billowed in popularity as others adapted them to various uses over the decades.

In 1945, a psychiatrist administered the test to Nazi prisoners awaiting judgment in the Nuremberg Trials. In the Sixties, the test peaked at a million uses a year in the United States.

As new data technology emerged in the late 1980s, a new computer program made interpretations based on patient responses to the inkblots. In 2008, Japanese researchers used an MRI to track real-time brain activity of subjects viewing inkblots, finding original and standard answers arise in different parts of the brain.

Pop culture has found the test images irresistible. Andy Warhol made his own series of giant inkblots and titled each of the paintings "Rorschach." Jay Z put one of Warhol's works on the cover of his book "Decoded." Advertisers have used inkblots to sell perfume, investment advice and mobile phones.

Searls, a literary translator of French and German, wades out of his depth when he tries to assess these popularized inkblots as cultural metaphors. The chapter "The Rorschach Test Is Not a Rorschach Test" fails to build a convincing case. But it includes a fun passage where Searls reveals a psychologist tested him with the inkblots and told him he was a little obsessive.

So, there you go: the Rorschach works.

In the end, Searls' obsession with details  gleaned in part from an unpublished archive of source material  grows a bit tiresome. Some readers will find more than they want to know about Rorschach's short life and the subsequent professional feuds over his work's clinical validity and competing scoring systems.

"The Inkblots" is an exhaustive  sometimes exhausting  inspection of a misunderstood psychological test and its inventor. It is impressive to have on the shelf and not always a bear to read. Or is that a butterfly?
SIOUX CITY | The more-than-10-inches of snow that fell on Siouxland Feb. 24 may become a distant memory as this week's weather forecast calls for sunny skies and above-normal temps.

"It may be messy," Tim Master, a technician with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls said Monday morning, "but much of the snow will be melted by this weekend."

Monday's high of 44 should be a good start in getting rid of the white stuff. However, an overnight low of 33 will bring a chance for some widespread fog after 2 a.m.

The fog may stick around 7 a.m. Tuesday and Masters said there is a slight chance for drizzle late Tuesday morning. Otherwise, expect cloudy skies and a high of 42 for Tuesday. Tuesday night will also be cloudy with a low of 26.

The sun will return on Wednesday, with the high reaching 41. This pattern will continue on Thursday and Friday, Masters said, forecasting highs in the 40s and lows in the upper teens and 20s.

This weekend should bring a major warm-up as 60 degree is in the forecast for Saturday and 62 is the anticipated high for Sunday.

"The average high for the first part of March is still in the upper 30s," Masters said. "I don't think anybody will complains with highs that are a good 20 degrees above normal."
DENISON, Iowa | A Denison man has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide in the drowning death of a 15-year-old girl.

Ramon Hernandez, 25, entered his written pleas Monday in Crawford County District Court to vehicular homicide, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, one count of delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and four counts of providing alcohol to a minor.

Hernandez is accused of driving a vehicle carrying four passengers into the Boyer River near Denison after leaving the road and crossing two fields and a set of railroad tracks in the early morning hours of Jan. 19.

A 16-year-old male passenger was able to get out of the submerged vehicle and walk to a nearby residence to call for help. Sheriff's deputies arriving at the scene pulled out three people who were in the water close to the banks and spotted Yoana Acosta about 100 yards down river.

Acosta disappeared in the river before she could be rescued. Her body was found Jan. 26, submerged in 24-inch deep water two miles downstream from the wreck site.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa | Opening arguments and witness testimony in Elias Wanatee's second trial for a fatal stabbing will begin Tuesday morning.

A jury was chosen late Monday and seated in Pottawattamie County District Court.

Wanatee, 48, of Sioux City, has pleaded not guilty to the Feb. 17, 2016, stabbing death of Vernon Mace. Wanatee's first trial in Woodbury County District Court ended Dec. 14 with a hung jury when jurors, after more than 11 hours of deliberations, could not reach a unanimous verdict.

The second trial was moved to Council Bluffs after the defense asked for a change of venue, saying it would be harder to choose another jury in Woodbury County and ensure that Wanatee receive a fair trial.

Wanatee is accused of stabbing Mace, 50, of Sioux City, in the street in the 1900 block of West First Street.
SIOUX CITY | Two men involved in a robbery in which a juvenile was shot have pleaded not guilty.

Darius Wright, 20, of Sioux City, entered his written plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court to attempted murder, willful injury, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and first-degree robbery.

Tykell Robinson, 20, of Sioux City, entered his written plea to first-degree robbery.

Both are scheduled to stand trial April 25.

They are charged in connection with a Feb. 10 robbery of a juvenile male near the 1600 block of Pierce Street in which Wright and Robinson approached a group of people and stole a cellphone and several food items from the juvenile.

Wright is accused of then shooting the juvenile in the torso, bullets piercing the boy's liver and a lung.

Police responded after the wounded juvenile went to the Kum & Go convenience store at 1373 Pierce St. to seek help. While police were at the store, more gunshots were reported from the area where the robbery had taken place.

The shooting victim's friends directed police to an apartment at 423 16th St., where a two-hour standoff ensued until two of the suspects exited the building and surrendered to SWAT members.
SIOUX CITY | In response to the Republican-led Iowa Legislature's sweeping overhaul of the state's collective bargaining law, the Sioux City Council on Monday will take up a resolution that council members say will show solidarity with the city's labor unions.

The proposed resolution, drafted with input from each of the council's members, assures the city's six collective bargaining units that they will still "have a seat at the table" when discussing benefits and workplace conditions and that the city will employ "fair and just" compensation practices and procedures.

"We all benefit when employees have a voice in the workplace," the resolution states.

If passed, the response will take effect just 10 days after Gov. Terry Branstad signed into law the 68-page bill that radically changed Iowa's 43-year-old collective bargaining law. The changes limit most public-sector union contract negotiations primarily to base wages, with issues such as health insurance coverage and supplemental pay no longer mandatory for bargaining. Public safety workers are exempt from most of the changes.

Republican lawmakers contend the overhaul is an effort to give state and local governments greater control in contract talks, reward and retain the best employees, and make the arbitration process more accountable to local taxpayers.

But the Sioux City Council resolution states the city believes the new law "will hurt employee morale, cause division among its employees and lead to the loss of dedicated and conscientious public servants."

Councilwoman Rhonda Capron, who played a major role in drafting the resolution, said it is based on similar resolutions of support passed by county authorities in Johnston and Black Hawk counties earlier this month.

"We want to make it a point that we do take care of our people," Capron said. "When you have happy people, that makes a difference."

Councilman Dan Moore, who supports the resolution, said he believes City Hall's atmosphere has improved in recent years, and keeping morale high is important.

"Its a recognition of the dedication that our employees have, and that we will continue to negotiate in good faith," Moore said.

Along with assuring employees a voice in discussing benefits and conditions, the resolution adds that, if approved, it will be "immediately" sent to every member of the Iowa Legislature and to Branstad.

Capron said the resolution was sent to all city employees Friday and has so far received positive feedback.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man who was stabbed after breaking into a home has been found guilty of burglary and assault.

District Judge Patrick Tott issued a verdict Monday in Woodbury County District Court finding Jamal Randolph, 36, guilty of first-degree burglary and two counts of serious assault and a single count of domestic abuse assault in a separate case. He was found not guilty of second-degree criminal mischief.

Sentencing was set for April 4.

Randolph had waived his right to a jury trial and had his case tried before Tott in January.

Randolph forced his way into an apartment at 2728 S. Helen St. on Aug. 23 and assaulted residents inside. One of the assault victims stabbed Randolph in self-defense, police said.

Randolph, who was unarmed, suffered a non-life-threatening wound.
SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City School Board on Monday evening will discuss setting a 2017-18 fiscal year budget within the reality of the Iowa Legislature guaranteeing 1.11 percent allowable growth, a lesser percentage than has been directed to schools in the last several years.

The school board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, at 627 Fourth St.

School Superintendent Paul Gausman will discuss the FY 2018 budget, which must be set by April 15. Gausman will discuss the budget impact on spending and how property taxes could be affected.

Sioux City school officials are seeking to avoid a negative impact on the budget. After facing a budget deficit one month ago, 50 teachers and other district staff opted for early retirement next year, generating sufficient enough savings that the district will not have to resort to layoffs, administrators said.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad in early February signed Senate File 166 which revamps the states school funding system.

Overall, funding for each student enrolled in K-12 public schools would increase by $73 to $6,664 under the 1.11 percent increase. Overall state general fund spending on education will approach $3.2 billion next school year. Iowas 333 public school districts will receive an extra $40 million in state supplemental aid for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
STORM LAKE, Iowa | A Storm Lake woman has pleaded not guilty to stealing money from the Taco John's restaurant in Storm Lake.

Madison Selzer, 29, entered her written plea Monday in Buena Vista County District Court to three counts of third-degree burglary and single counts of commission of a specified unlawful activity, attempted third-degree burglary, second-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance -- third violation.

According to court documents, Selzer stole a key to the restaurant in January and used it to enter the building and steal cash on Jan. 26, 29 and 30. Police conducting surveillance on the building on Feb. 4 observed Selzer attempting to enter the business.

Selzer fled on foot but was captured. Police said that officers found her in possession of a key to the business, a marijuana pipe and a small amount of marijuana.
SIOUX CITY -- One suspect was injured after a shootout with a Woodbury County law enforcement official early Sunday morning.

Authorities can't confirm at this time how the suspect was injured, but it was a non-life-threatening injury, according to Major Greg Stallman of the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office.

At 3:24 a.m., deputies from the sheriff's office were pursuing suspects south of Sioux City near Interstate 29 and the Port Neal Industrial area.

The pursuit ended near the intersection of Allison Avenue and Sully Road near the Sioux City Police Training Center south of Sioux Gateway Airport.

"It wasn't a relatively long pursuit; it wasn't a relatively short pursuit," Stallman said. "The reason the pursuit ended was because of road conditions  the area that they went to and road conditions."

As the chase came to an end, one or both suspects  the number of shooters is still being determined  began firing a weapon at a deputy, who then fired back.

Stallman was not sure how long the shootout lasted, but said even seconds feel like a lifetime to an officer being shot at.

The first suspect was injured in the shootout and taken to a local medical center with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff's office. A second suspect fled on foot before being apprehended by authorities a little before 7 a.m. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the manhunt.

An aerial search of the area was conducted using an Iowa State Patrol plane that flew in from Des Moines, which is how authorities spotted the fleeing suspect. After locating him, the sheriff's office used a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle it borrowed from the Sioux City Police Department to move in closer with a tactical team and arrest the suspect.

The names of the suspects and the identity of the deputy who wounded the first suspect have not been released at this time. The deputy who shot the suspect was not harmed in the incident.

The shooting is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol and the sheriff's office.
According to court documents, on May 4 Moniz and the woman had been drinking at a house in Walthill. The woman told investigators that she decided to leave, and Moniz followed her and took her into an abandoned house, where he punched her in the head and face approximately 20 times. The woman eventually was able to push him away from her and call police, the documents state.
SIOUX CITY  Nurturing the next generation of animal lovers is why Leigh Spencer spends so much time behind the wheel of the ZooMobile, the nickname for the Great Plains Zoo of Sioux Falls mini-van used to bring traveling animal exhibits to surrounding communities.

Spencer serves as the zoos education services manager. She puts on 100-150 presentations a year while bringing the ZooMobile to cities in a four-state area  Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota  within a 150-mile radius of Sioux Falls.

On Sunday afternoon, the ZooMobile made a stop at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, 4500 Sioux River Road, where a standing-room-only crowd of more than 100 people waited to see what animals Spencer and her two assistants brought with them.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about Boomer the blue-tongued skink, an Australian lizard known for its signature colored mouth organ; Elly the Indian star tortoise, a long-lived member of the turtle family found in parts of Asia; Falco the peregrine falcon, a North American bird of prey; and Petunia the North American porcupine, who also performed simple tricks for the crowd to earn treats of diced carrots and sweet potatoes.

Holly Meis and her husband, Bob, of Sioux City, brought two of their grandchildren  9-year-old Kingston and his little sister, Charlie, 2  to the presentation after reading about the event on the Woodbury County Conservation Boards website. The event was sponsored by the Woodbury County Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the conservation office.

We thought it was awesome, Holly Meis said. We really liked the skink.

The Meis family are big supporters of the nature center, which Bob Meis said was his favorite place in the whole world. One of their children even got married at the center, so they encourage everyone to check out the facility even when events aren't taking place.

Alisha and Dave Riemenschneider traveled from Kingsley with their three children  Jaelyn, 12, Grace, 10, and Blake, 5  and were not disappointed with the presentation, which required audience engagement, allowed kids to pet Boomer and Elly, and lasted about 90 minutes.

I thought it was cool and I learned a lot, Jaelyn said.

Her younger brother Blake nodded in agreement to show his support of the show, while younger sister Grace noted she really liked the segment on Falco, a subject Jaelyn was happy to chime in on.

I learned that peregrine falcons can pretty much live anywhere, Jaelyn said before reciting information from Spencer on how the large birds have learned to adapt and build nests in skyscrapers in bigger cities.

Jaelyn also loved how accessible the program was. She noted it was entertaining enough for kids her age, while also being simple enough that kids her younger brothers age could understand what was happening.

Spencer takes great joy in putting these presentations on and was glad to see such a high turnout in Sioux City. She also was impressed with the questions the kids asked, which often helped her segue into other parts of her presentation.

I just love to inspire the next generation and get them excited, she said.
SIOUX CITY | A 24-year-old Sioux City man was charged with attempted murder in connection to a Sunday morning gunfight south of Sioux City in which a Woodbury County deputy injured another suspect.

Melvin William Spencer, of Sioux City, was charged with attempting to shoot an unidentified deputy, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

At 3:24 a.m., deputies began pursuing the two suspects south of Sioux City near Interstate 29 and the Port Neal Industrial area. The pursuit ended near the intersection of Allison Avenue and Sully Road near the Sioux City Police Training Center south of Sioux Gateway Airport.

As the chase came to an end, one or both suspects -- authorities have not yet confirmed how many -- began firing a weapon at a deputy, who then fired back.

The first suspect was injured in the shootout and taken to a local hospital, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities can't confirm at this time how the suspect was injured, but it was a non-life-threatening injury, according to Major Greg Stallman.

Spencer fled on foot before being apprehended by authorities a little before 7 a.m. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the manhunt.

An aerial search of the area was conducted using an Iowa State Patrol plane that flew in from Des Moines, which is how authorities spotted the fleeing suspect. After locating him in a tree line, the sheriff's office used a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle it borrowed from the Sioux City Police Department to move in closer with a tactical team and arrest the suspect.

The deputy who shot the suspect was not harmed in the incident. The deputy's name, as well as the other suspect's, have yet to be released.

The shooting is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol and the sheriff's office.

Spencer was being held in the Woodbury County Jail on $250,000 bond.
The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that 11 individuals and one foreign company have been charged by the Treasury Department for their role in illegally exporting goods to Syrian Arab Airlines.



The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that 11 individuals and one foreign company have been charged by the Treasury Department for their role in illegally exporting goods to Syrian Arab Airlines.

The Syrian government-owned airline is an entity designated and blocked by the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control for transporting weapons and ammunition to Syria in conjunction with Hizballah, a terrorist organization, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Specifically, the defendants were charged for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations by exporting dual-use goods, or items with both civilian and military application.

U.S. agents arrested Ali Alex Caby, a U.S. permanent resident currently residing in Bulgaria, and Arash Axel Caby and Marjan Caby, both of Miami, in the case. Also charged in the indictment were Adib Zeno, Rizk Ali, Ammar Al Mounajed, Zhelyaz Andreev, Mihaela Nenova, Lyubka Hristova, Iskren Georgiev, Ivan Sergiev, and Syrian Arab Airlines (Syrian Air).

The court documents noted that Ali Caby operated the Bulgaria office of AW-Tronics, a Miami-based export company, which was managed by Arash Caby, and exported various aircraft parts and equipment to Syrian Arab Airlines. Marjan Caby, AW-Tronics export compliance officer and auditor, facilitated the exports by submitting false and misleading electronic export information to federal agencies.

All three defendants closely supervised and encouraged subordinate employees of AW-Tronics in the willful exportation of the parts and equipment to Syrian Arab Airlines, whose activities have assisted the Syrian governments violent crackdown on its people, the Justice Department said.
PetroChina Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in a range of petroleum related products, services, and activities in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Exploration and Production, Refining and Chemicals, Marketing, and Natural Gas and Pipeline segments. The Exploration and Production segment engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. The Refining and Chemicals segment refines crude oil and petroleum products; and produces and markets primary petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products. The Marketing segment is involved in marketing of refined products and trading business. The Natural Gas and Pipeline segment engages in the transmission of natural gas, crude oil, and refined products; and sale of natural gas. As of December 31, 2021, the company had a total length of 26,076 km, including 17,329 km of natural gas pipelines, 7,340 km of crude oil pipelines, and 1,407 km of refined product pipelines. The company is also involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil sands and coalbed methane; trading of crude oil and petrochemical products; storage, chemical engineering, storage facilities, service station, and transportation facilities and related businesses; and production and sales of basic and derivative chemical, and other chemical products. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. PetroChina Company Limited is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation.
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
New progressive annual corporate filing fee proposed under HB691. Currently, a one man company pays the same fee as the largest companies.

COLUMBIA, Md.

(Feb. 22, 2017)Maryland businesses have come out strongly against a proposed change in the annual corporate filing fee that would go from a flat fee structure to a progressive tax based on a company's assets.The annual corporate filing fee is currently a flat fee of $300 in order to maintain the legal entity's existence in the state; the progressive tax could climb as high as $4,000 based on a company's fixed assets.Sponsors of the bill say they've received massive support from constituents with small businesses."This bill is about fairness," said the bill's sponsor, Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, D-Howard County. "And it attempts to put businesses on a graduated scale based on their taxable assets."Under the measure, HB691, 233,000 entities in Maryland would see the annual fee drop to $150 and another 19,000 would see a decrease to $200. Around 11,000 businesses would continue to pay $300, according to the fiscal note.In 2003, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich raised the fee from $100 to $300."Essentially what we would like to do is not make Ben Kramer Save the Puppies LLC to have to pay the same amount as Under Armour," Atterbeary said, using the name of a committee member.But once fixed assets pass $50,000, the fee more than doubles to $750 and climbs north to $4,000 for companies with fixed assets above $200,000."Why should any small business pay the same exact $300 feeas a Northrop Grumman," said one of the bill's cosponsors, Del. Dan Morhaim, D-Baltimore County, in testimony before the House Economic Matters Committee on Wednesday. He said he had received many complaints in recent years about the regressive nature of the tax."This does represent a tax break for entities we often say we want to support," he said.Del. Chris Adams, R-Dorchester, said the fee under the bill appears to be more of a tax increase than a fee increase."We're getting away from the idea that there's a fee that we pay for the privilege of doing business in the state of Maryland and moving [it towards a tax], Adams said. He challenged Morhaim's testimony referring to the fee as a "tax." Morhaim quickly apologized for the characterization.Adams said many CPAs in his district complained more about the proposal than the current sick leave bill moving through legislature."I got more phone calls on this bill than I did the sick pay bill," he said. "I got a lot of opposition from the business community on this one."Champe McCulloch of Maryland Associated General Contractors said the progressive tax would punish businesses that investment in Maryland."Do you as the General Assembly want to hold business that make substantial capital investments in Maryland in disdain and [assess] a higher fee because they are committed to Maryland and committed to investing in Maryland," McCulloch asked the committee.Many who testified against the bill said using fixed assets could raise the fee for companies with higher fixed assets, like trucks and tools, than a small firm with very little fixed assets that makes considerably more from services, like a law firm.Mike O'Halloran, Maryland director of the National Federation of Independent Business, told the committee that the small businesses the bill aims to help can easily have more than $50,000 in fixed assets."You can get up to $50,000 in taxable assets fairly quickly," O'Halloran said. He said a caterer he knew would see an increase simply because the kitchen equipment easily exceeds $50,000 in value.Atterbeary said the proposal was revenue neutral.The initial expenditures to administer the new fee structure comes to $500,000 in fiscal 2018 and $66,000 annually. Revenues are expected to increase by $435,000 annually.But Maryland Chamber of Commerce in written testimony said the bill was an attempt at a revenue increase."The State's Department of Assessments and Taxation has imposed filing fees to offset the administrative cost to the State of updating corporate documents each year," the Chamber said. "To replace the traditional fee with a scaled fee is a veiled attempt to increase State revenue at the expense of small businesses."
LEONARDTOWN, Md.

(Feb. 27, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident reports.SHOTS FIRED IN LEXINGTON PARK: On January 25, at approximately 12:22 p.m., deputies responded to the 21000 block of Saratoga Drive for the report of shots fired. Deputies arrived on scene and found multiple shell casings. No was injured, and the suspect fled the scene before police arrival. The Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective David Alexander at 301-475-4200, ext. *1954 or by email at, David.Alexander@stmarysmd.com.THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) stole a package from a doorstep in the 37000 block of Waterloo Road in Colton's Point. Deputy J. Smith is investigating the case. CASE# 4962-17FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: On January 27, at approximately 8:18 p.m. patrol units responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Poplar Ridge Road in Lexington Park for the report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Deputies arrived on scene with emergency medical personnel to discover two vehicles in the middle of the roadway. Emergency medical personnel pronounced the two occupants of one of the vehicles deceased on the scene. Members of the Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and continued the investigation. The investigation revealed a 2011 Ford Edge operated by Dylan Anonsen, age 24, of Waldorf was traveling northbound on Three Notch Road. A 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300 operated by Donald Daube, age 42 of Pittsburgh, Penna. was traveling southbound on Three Notch Road when for unknown reasons the Mercedes-Benz 300 crossed over the center line and head-on, struck the Ford Edge. Anonsen was trapped in the vehicle and had to be removed by fire personnel before being flown by Trooper 7 to Shock Trauma. Daube and a passenger, William Moeller, age 40 of Pittsburgh, Penna., were both pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Speed does not appear to be a factor in the accident. At this time, It is unknown if alcohol is a contributing factor.BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property in the 45000 block of Frank Hayden Lane in Great Mills. Deputy D. Smith is investigating the case. CASE# 5918-17THEFT: Sometime between 1/27 and 1/28, unknown suspect(s) stole the registration plates from a victim's vehicle in the 20000 block of River Springs Lane in Avenue. Corporal M. Peacher is investigating the case. CASE# 5974-17THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) stole a victim's motor vehicle in the Glen Forest Subdivision in Lexington Park. Deputy M. Beyer is investigating the case. CASE# 6184-17BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a victim's motor vehicle and stole property. Deputy T. Siciliano is investigating the case. CASE# 60686-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a garage and stole property in the 48000 block of Leachburg Road in Lexington Park. Additionally, officers responded to the same location the previous night for a breaking and entering to a motor vehicle. Deputy T. Siciliano is investigating the case. CASE# 6272-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into Lighthouse Liquors in Charlotte Hall and stole property. Corporal T. Snyder is investigating the case. CASE# 6714-17THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) stole a victim's vehicle in the 22000 block of Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown. Deputy First Class J. Maguire is investigating the case. CASE# 6837-17STABBING IN GREAT MILLS: On February 5, at 11:45 p.m, the Patrol Division responded to a reported stabbing at the Villas at Greenview apartment complex in Great Mills, Maryland. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation. The suspects, described as two white males in their early twenties, fled the area before police arrival. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Trevor Teague at Trevor.Teague@stmarysmd.com or by phone, 301-475-4200, ext. *8128.BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property in the 22000 block of Bunny Hill Lane in Bushwood. Corporal J. Yingling is investigating the case. CASE# 6928-17BURGLARY: During the overnight hours, unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property in the 45000 block of Andover Estates in Valley Lee. Deputy M. Beyer is investigating the case. CASE# 6940-17ARSON: Deputies responded to the 21000 block of Joe Baker Court in Lexington Park to assist the Fire Department with a vehicle fire. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office is continuing the investigation. CASE# 7089-17BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle and stole property in the 21000 block of Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. Deputy T. Siciliano is investigating the case. CASE# 7240-17BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a motor vehicle parked at Avis Rent-A-Car in Lexington Park. Corporal E. O' Connor is investigating the case. CASE# 7331-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence in the 22000 block of MacArthur Boulevard in California and stole property. Corporal J. Vezzosi is investigating the case. CASE# 7353-17BURGLARY: During the overnight hours of 2/6 into 2/7, unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the Avis Rent A Car in Lexington Park and stole property. Deputy M. Beyer is investigating the case. CASE# 7095-17BURGLARY: During the overnight hours of 2/6 into 2/7, unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the Wendy's on Great Mills Road and stole property. Deputy J. Bare is investigating the case. CASE# 7096-17BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle and stole property at the America's Best Value Inn and Suites in Lexington Park. Deputy T. Siciliano is investigating the case. CASE# 7240-17BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered multiple motor vehicles at the Avis Rent-A-Car in Lexington Park and caused damage. Corporal J. Stone is investigating the case. CASE# 7560-17 and 7563-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 20000 block of Sawgrass Drive in Lexington Park. Deputy J. Davis is investigating the case. CASE#7537-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 46000 block of Lucca Way in Lexington Park. Nothing appeared to be removed from the residence. CASE# 7521-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) are suspected of tampering with the electric meters in the 26000 block of South Sandgates Road in Mechanicsville. Additionally, unknown suspect(s) forced entry and removed property from the residence. Corporal J. Davis is investigating the case. CASE# 7581-17FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: On February 9, at approximately 11:23 AM, patrol officers responded to the area of Point Lookout Road and Radio Station Way for the report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered a single vehicle off the roadway and into a tree. The operator of the vehicle suffered severe injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Collision Reconstruction Unit responded and continued the investigation. A preliminary investigation determined a 2010 Ford Edge operated by Patrica Ann Smith, 55, of Charlotte Hall, MD was traveling south on Point Lookout Road in the area of Radio Station Way when for unknown reasons Smith's vehicle left the roadway and struck a mailbox. The vehicle continued off the road until it struck a tree. Neither speed nor alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the collision. Anyone with any information regarding the collision is asked to contact Sgt. William Watters at 240-925-6573.ATTEMPTED BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) attempted to force entry into a residence in the 20000 block of Sawgrass Drive in Lexington Park. Entry was not made and nothing appeared to be removed. Deputy M. Beyer is investigating the case. CASE# 7537-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and damaged property in the 21000 block of Suwanne Place in Lexington Park. The case is being investigated by Deputy M. Beyer. CASE# 7744-17THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property in the 49000 block of Demko Road in Lexington Park. The case is being investigated by Deputy D. Holdsworth. CASE# 7728-17PROPERTY DESTRUCTION: Sometime between 2-6-2017 and 2-10-2017, unknown suspect(s) damaged and vandalized property at Elms Beach in Lexington Park. The case is being investigated by Deputy M. Beyer. CASE# 7726-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence and stole property in the 24000 block of Cougar Court in Hollywood. Deputy D. Holdsworth is investigating the case. CASE# 7877-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a parking lot and stole property at the business, A-Plus Paving, and Concrete. The case is being investigated by Deputy B. Fennessey. CASE# 8048-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a shed and stole property in the 30000 block of Triangle Drive in Charlotte Hall. Deputy J. Davis is investigating the case. CASE# 8220-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 40000 block of Port Place in Leonardtown. The case is being investigated by Corporal J. Davis. CASE# 8120-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) attempted to force entry into a vacant residence in the 46000 block of Marshall Boulevard in Lexington Park. The case is being investigated by Deputy J. Davis. CASE# 8203-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 24000 block of Morgan Road in Hollywood. Deputy C. Ball is investigating the case. CASE# 8405-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property in the 21000 block of Stoney Brook Court in Lexington Park. Deputy M. Beyer is investigating the case. CASE# 8878-17BREAKING AND ENTERING TO MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle and stole property in the 45000 block of Tulip Way in Lexington Park. Deputy D. Holdsworth is investigating the case. CASE# 8867-17BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) attempted to enter a motor vehicle parked at the Rite-Aid in Charlotte Hall on Triangle Drive. Deputy J. Davis is investigating the case. CASE# 9331-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a shed and removed property in the 27000 block of Millseat Drive in Mechanicsville. Corporal J. Davis is investigating the case. CASE# 9297-17THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) removed the registration plates from a vehicle parked in a driveway on the 27000 block of Baptist Church Road in Mechanicsville. Deputy J. Davis is investigating the case. CASE# 9280-17ATTEMPTED BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) attempted to force entry into a residence in the 48000 block of Spring Ridge Road in Lexington Park. Corporal O'Connor is investigating the case. CASE# 9489-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 46000 block of Chapman Drive in Lexington Park and stole property. Deputy D. Smith is investigating the case. CASE# 9607-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a shed and stole property in the 38000 block of Chaptico Road in Mechanicsville. Deputy C. Ball is investigating the case. CASE# 10140-17BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 18000 block of Matthew Drive in Lexington Park. Nothing appeared to be stolen. Corporal J. Vezzosi is investigating the case. CASE# 10137-17PROPERTY DESTRUCTION: Unknown suspect(s) threw food on vehicles parked in the 22000 block of Clipper Drive in Great Mills. Corporal J. Stone is investigating the case. CASE# 10248-17, 10285-17, and 10278-17BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a motor vehicle and stole property on Patuxent Beach Road and S. Patuxent Beach Road in California. Deputy J. Maguire is investigating the case. CASE# 10337-17BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a motor vehicle and stole property in the 26000 block of Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville. CASE# 10350-17
(WB) After the biggest mistake in Academy Awards history Moonlight won Best Picture, making it the first LGBT film to win the category, after a surprise mix-up that initially gave its awards show rival La La Land the honor.

Presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, who were reunited on stage in honor of the 50th anniversary of their film Bonnie and Clyde, announced the winner at the end of the more than three-hour long ceremony. Beatty opened the envelope and after checking the envelope twice, causing the crowd to chuckle, handed it over to Dunaway who announced La La Land.

While the cast and crew of La La Land began giving their acceptance speeches, a stage hand could be seen running out to check the envelopes. La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz then took the correct piece of paper from Beattys hands and declared to the Moonlight cast, You guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke.

Beatty explained to the crowd that when he double-checked the envelope he wasnt trying to be funny but was confused when he saw Emma Stone and La La Land written on the paper.

I blame myself, Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the 89th annual Academy Awards, joked to the crowd.

Very clearly, very clearly, even in my dreams, this could not be true, Jenkins said after the La La Land team left the stage and Moonlight finally received its recognition. But to hell with dreams, Im done with it, because this is true.

U.K.-based accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has handled the Oscars ballot-counting for 83 years and manages all aspects of the voting process, apologized in a statement, CNN reports.

We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture, the statement reads. The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

Moonlight already had a decent winning streak from earlier in the night. Barry Jenkins received Best Adapted Screenplay along with Tarell Alvin McCraney, who penned the screenplay In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, for which the films script was based. Mahershala Ali also won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Juan making him the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award.

Other big winners of the night included Best Actor for Casey Afflecks role in Manchester by the Sea, who beat out Ryan Gosling for La La Land. Goslings co-star Emma Stone took home a golden statue instead for Best Actress. Damien Chazelle also won Best Director for La La Land making him the youngest director to win the award at age 32.

Iranian film The Salesman won for Best Foreign Film but its director Asghar Farhadi was not present at the ceremony. Farhadis opted out of appearing at the show in protest of President Donald Trumps immigration ban.

- Mariah Cooper, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association
Protester arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence.

More than 100 protesters participated in a march for transgender rights in Fort Lauderdale Friday night, where one protester was tased and arrested in a separate incident. NBC 6 has exclusive footage of the arrest.

"One main purpose of this is to create a space and a platform for trans youth and queer youth of color," Elijah Drummond, one of the marchs organizers, told NBC 6 about the march.

The march comes after Wednesdays announcement that the Trump administration is rescinding Title IX protections for transgender students in public schools. The protections allow trans students to use public facilities and accommodations consistent with their gender identities. There are an estimated 350,000 transgender students ages 13-24, according to research from the Williams Institute at UCLA.

Miami-Dade and Broward city and school officials have responded by saying gender identity will remain a protected status within their public schools.

Related: Florida Responds to Trump Admin on Title IX and Transgender Protections

"We have this president who said he was our ally, 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," Graciela Mendoza, another organizer of Fridays march, told NBC 6.

Related: Trump Admin Rescinds Title IX Protections for Trans Students

March 28, the Supreme Court will hear the case of Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board. It will be the first Supreme Court case to rule specifically on transgender rights, and will cover issues of public accommodations, and whether gender identity will be considered a protected status under antidiscrimination legislation on the federal level.

Related: #StandWithGavin: Laverne Coxs Grammy Shout Out

But the issue of violence against trans people, especially trans women of color, was also on the minds of the marchers.

Trans women, especially trans women of color are still dying on the streets every single day and marriage is not enough," Drummond said.

Of 53 transgender murders reported from 2013 to 2015, none were prosecuted or reported as a hate crime, according to a report from the Human Rights Campaign. The report recommends the government and law enforcement agencies improve their efforts to record, report and prosecute incidents of violence against transgender people. An effort which is now being bolstered by media sites like Mic.com, who recently launched their own database to record and report on transgender lives affected by violence.

Related: Mic Launches Database to Track Anti-Trans Violence

According to data from the CDC, between 2010 and 2014 Americans were murdered at an annual rate of 25.8 per 100,000 people. Based on this data Alexis Dinno, a social epidemiologist at Portland State University estimates that transwomen of color ages 15 - 34 were murdered between 4.5 and 22. 6 times that rate. Compared to the murder statistics for young cisgender women, the murder rate of transwomen of color ranges from 7.9 to 39.1 times the murder rate of their cisgender counterparts.
Freshman Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL-18) wanted his first in-person town hall meeting to be an hour-and-a-half focused on veterans issues.

Instead, he got an angry crowd of almost 500 grilling him on a range of issues Friday afternoon. Issues like the GOPs plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, defunding Planned Parenthood, the environment, President Donald Trumps anti-Muslim travel ban, the proposed border U.S.-Mexico border wall, and veterans issues.

This has been typical of other Republican lawmakers town halls, where enraged crowds demand their representative oppose the GOP and its leader, President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, two Central Florida Republican Congressman got so upset at their town halls jeering crowds that they left early. Dennis Ross of Lakeland snuck out the back door at an angry town hall. Daniel Webster of Clermont left an hour early without taking questions.

Mast did not run or hide.

He stood on stage at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce and took it all. Demands that he support investigating Russian interference with the Presidential election. Demands that he reveal how the GOP will replace Obamacare without leaving them uninsured. Demands that he explain why he voted to allow coal mines to pollute rivers. Complaints about the Department of Veterans Affairs. Demands that he oppose defunding Planned Parenthood.

For four hours straight, Mast calmly replied to questions and comments from more than 50 people -- answering some, dodging others, and arguing with one. Most of the audience opposed the Congressional GOPs platform. But some Mast supporters asked their Congressman a question or gave a positive comment.

Mast, a 36-year-old Afghanistan war veteran, lost his legs when a roadside bomb in Kandahar destroyed them in 2010. He uses prosthetic legs to get around.

Most cheered when veterans commented on veteran-specific issues -- usually about their awful experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs or how tough it is to find help. The crowd usually cheered after Mast addressed those concerns.

But for the most part, Mast got booed and jeered when he tried to explain or defend his positions.

Justine Somers, a Port Saint Lucie homemaker, asked her Congressman, Do you accept the U.S. taxpayer paying up front to build the wall? And that is a yes or no question, she said, referring to Trumps biggest promise, to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mast joked, Im a Congressman. You should know we dont answer yes or no. So lets talk about the wall for a sec-- but the crowd was not having it. Answer the question! people yelled, Yes or no!

Mast continued, Number one, a wall has my full support on the southern border--

BOO! NO, the crowd snapped back, although a handful cheered Mast. He said border security already costs the federal government $11 billion a year, but gave no estimate about the cost of building and maintaining Trumps wall each year.

So here are the two reasons I come to that conclusion specifically. When you look at money spent [on border security], it is a dollar-saving measure--

BOO! BOOOOO! IS HE SERIOUS?!

And heres the second reason, Mast continued, The advantage of a wall is that it does not discriminate against anybody. It enforces the law--

BOOO! DID HE REALLY SAY THAT?!

Somers was not a fan of what her representative said. I was disappointed by his answer. Im surprised he was direct, she said.

More Mexicans have been leaving America than entering it, Pew Research found in 2015.

Another of Masts constituents, Ann Miller of suburban West Palm Beach, urged Mast not to gut Obamacare.

I am a dead woman walking, she said. Miller has had recurring breast cancer, costing her $200,000 in medical bills, she said. Im a good Republican, she continued, I take care of myself. I pay my taxes. When youre monkeying around with healthcare without a plan a lot of people are put at risk. Doesnt matter what you say, you are destabilizing [the market] by talking about it without a plan.

Miller ended her comment on a cryptic note. I will send you a picture of myself every three months, she said, And when I stop sending pictures, Youll know my medicine stopped working, or I cant afford them. Medicare has no cap on how much it can supplement the insurance Miller gets from work. She is worried that Republicans repeal of ACA will mean Medicare will spend less on her supplement. The ACA covers 12.7 million people.

At one point, Mast argued with Lake Worth resident Melissa Stiehler, regional coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast.

Stiehler said a friend of hers could not find work because she has Crohns disease. She is seven months pregnant and has a three-year-old son. She is not eligible to get disability, Stiehler said, adding that her friend used Planned Parenthood to find medical care she could afford before she got a plan under Obamacare.

Without the ACA, What would be your advice to her? Stiehler demanded.

Mast, who said his mother has Crohns, replied, The options are plentiful.

Stiehler shot back, Its not true. The other clinics have already said to her, No, we cant carry that weight.

Mast dodged the question. I am in favor of the Hyde Amendment, he said, referring to a law passed in 1976 that bans the federal government from paying for abortions. Crowd members yelled, Whats abortion got to do with that?!

Stiehler was not having it. Thats been over since the seventies, she said.

Mast said, Ive heard that three percent of Planned Parenthood [services] are for abortions. Thats still three hundred thousand a year. That set the crowd off. BOOOOO, they yelled.

When Stiehler got back to her seat, she said she was dissatisfied with Mast. He answered with a non-answer, she complained, Hes putting politics over progress. Mast wants to cut all federal spending on Planned Parenthood. On Tuesday about 50 of his constituents went to his Port Saint Lucie office to urge him against this.

A pro-Planned Parenthood constituent, Terri Walden of Port Saint Lucie, at one point said, There is affordable healthcare all along, its called Planned Parenthood, she said, I hope you will not defund it. She added her hope that Mast would oppose spending tax money on privately-run charter schools. Mast did not indicate he would obey her wish.

The most emotional moment came from Peter Hesford, a tall army veteran wearing a shirt reading Iraq war veteran against the war.

Throughout the town hall, he could not contain his anger at the Trump administration. He and an elderly Cuban Trump-supporting woman would argue, to the chagrin of surrounding audience members.

But when Hasden stepped up to the mic, his voice grew hoarse and started crackling as his eyes welled up. I find that one way we can take care of our veterans-- he breathed --is we can stop making combat veterans, he yelled. I think about what we were part of -- torture -- and I am so scared by this nationalist fascist who wants to destroy my country! By this point, Mast had walked down the stage with his prosthetic legs to hug Hasden, veteran to veteran.

One angry woman in the audience looked at the moment and screamed, Fake news! Another yelled back at her, Hes an Iraq veteran and youre gonna call him fake news?!

Hasden fought in Iraq in 1997 against Saddam Hussein, who was committing genocide against the Kurds. Hasden said he lives in Oregon, but went to high school in Jensen Beach, where he was visiting his father.

Mast spent four hours at a town hall originally scheduled for 90 minutes. He spent much of that time getting booed when bringing up the repeal of Obamacare, states rights, his tepid support for auditing Trump, his anti-abortion rights stance. But he was cheered when he promised veterans he would investigate their complaints against the Department of Veterans Affairs -- hes on their health care, unlike most other members of Congress, he said.

Mast was booed for his vote to repeal a rule banning coal companies from dumping debris in rivers, but he justified by saying laws already exist on federal and state level to stop that. Similar reason he voted against a bill known as HJ Res 36, he said.

That bill allows drilling operations to pollute more by relaxing federal regulation meant to limit methane gas byproduct from drilling. Mast said he voted against it since there were no other federal or state-level regulations similar to it. For that, he was cheered.

The Congressman was also cheered when he promised to open an office in the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs buiding.

Mast met Wednesday with 10 members of anti-Trump group Palm Beach Indivisibles. Mark Beaumont, a sign maker and Indivisibles member from Jupiter, organized the meeting.

Masts opinion on Syrian refugees surprised Beaumont. He wrote that the gist of what Mast said was 100,000 Syrians fled into Jordan and have the potential to become terrorists and they did not have the fortitude to stay and fight for their country, why should we help them? Mast denied saying that. He said he told them I am not willing to let my fellow servicemen stand in front of [refugees] but I will ask them to stand alongside them.

Beaumont invited Mast to speak at a Saturday protest against repealing the Affordable Care Act. The rally is scheduled to take place from noon to 3 p.m. in Currie Park at 2400 North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

Masts district covers Saint Lucie and Martin counties, as well as northeastern Palm Beach county.

Around one in nine adults in Masts district are military veterans, compared to one in 12 nationally, Census data shows.

Six out of ten veterans voted for Donald Trump, the New York Times reported.

Mast endorsed Trump during the 2016 campaign. Unlike some Republicans, he never withdrew his endorsement, even after video footage revealed in October showed Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women.

Mast represents Floridas 18th Congressional district, which is not solidly Republican or Democrat. Before the freshman Congressman won the seat in November, it was held by Democrat Patrick Murphy for two terms. Before that, Tea Party Republican Allen West held it.
Police in Key West are investigating an incident of harassment that occurred in the early morning hours last Thursday.

The Miami Herald reports two men were taunted, called gay slurs and intimidated by an individual on a scooter. The men, identified by the Herald as Kevin Seymour, 38, and Kevin Paul Taylor, 49, told police the scooter rider called them faggots and a slew of other anti-gay remarks.

The scooter rider attempted to justify this behavior by dropping the Presidents name.

You live in Trump country now, the suspect allegedly said, adding I bet you faggots voted for that bitch Hillary.

The men were on bicycles at the time of the incident and eyewitnesses told police the scooter rider struck Seymours tire, knocking him to the ground. The suspect is described as a white male in his late 30s with a southern dialect. The scooter, or moped, is described as a black Eclipse.

According to the Herald, the incident took place at 1221 Duval Street. Taylor, the Herald reports, posted on his Facebook page that he and Seymour were victims of a hate crime.

SFGN contacted the Key West Police Department Monday morning. Detectives declined to comment, stating the case is still open.
(EDGE) The Human Rights Campaign reportedly took aim at closeted Republican men who attended this year's Conservative Political Action Conference by releasing an ad on the gay hookup app, Grindr, according to Indy100.

The LGBTQ rights organization released a location-based ad on Grindr in the Maryland area, where CPAC was being held.

"Attention: CPAC attendees, you can't be with us in the hotel room and against us in the CPAC ballroom," the message reportedly read.

LGBT rights activist Raymond Bruan tweeted a screen shot of the message Saturday and Reddit users also posted about it.
Democrats chose a new leader in Atlanta Saturday in the first step to healing a bitterly divided party.

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Perez, 55, narrowly defeated U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota on a second ballot vote.

I have no doubt in my mind it was the right thing to happen, said Ken Evans, state committeeman for the Broward Democratic Executive Committee.

Evans attended the Atlanta meeting and cast his ballot for Perez. He said he had several sit-down meetings and conversations with Perez. Evans said those interactions assured him Perez was the right choice.

He knows how to run a big organization, Evans said.

Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, made a late surge in the voting, but eventually withdrew setting up a clash between Perez and Ellison supporters.

I dont vote for someone just because they are gay, said Evans, who, like Buttigieg identifies as a gay man.

Ellison was backed by the partys liberal wing, which includes diehard supporters of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. After the election, Ellison promised to work with Perez on a 50-state strategy to make Democrats competitive again.

It was a sincere embrace, there was nothing phony about it, Evans said. I think theyll split the job and we have two great leaders.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump monitored the proceedings in Atlanta, tweeting The race for the DNC Chairman, was, of course, totally rigged. Bernies guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance. Clinton demanded Perez!
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.




We can't seem to find the page you are looking for.

You may have typed the address incorrectly or you may have used an outdated link.
Highlight Coffee is a new shop brightening the heart of Glendale, northeast of Los Angeles proper. If youve been to Glendale, you may be familiar with the malls and shopping that many Angelenos venture there for. Surprisingly, though, despite its many stores and dining options, Glendales coffee scene has lagged behind.

The spot was opened by Demitasse alum Frank Kim, whod been in the coffee business for three years before deciding to launch Highlight. Glendale really was almost perfect, as there seems to be a huge amount of newer, younger professional residents moving in, he says. Also, it literally borders so many parts of LA. Highlight sits on the ground floor of a historic, former hotel dating to 1925; now its an apartment building that sits on the corner of bustling East Broadway and Glendale Avenue, a few minutes walk from the popular Americana outdoor shopping center (as well as Glendales police house, a post office, and a mix of corporate and independent businesses). Aware of the areas growing popularity, Kim says he sought to retain some of the small town charm of the building, calling it a diamond in the rough.

Sitting on an angled corner makes Highlight an even more interestingand challengingspace. Most of the design was done by Kim himself, with the help of architect Alan Lu. The design was mostly dictated by the shape of the space, which is a hexagonal corner unit, says Kim. Its tinya touch over 680 square feet. I really had to squeeze everything into every inch of the space. Kim describes the design as classic modern, with solid colors and neutral, light-toned wood furniture to complement both the interior and the 1920s aspects of the building itself. Large windows add a sense of depth and openness, as well as allowing curious passersby to peer in to see the action.

Despite the tight fit, Highlights coffee bar is well-equipped. For espresso, it has a two-group La Marzocco Linea PB teamed with a Nuova Simonelli Mythos One Clima-Pro and Mahlkonig PEAK grinders. The rest of the setup includes a Mahlkonig Kenia/Guatemala brew grinder and a Curtis Gemini G4 batch brewer and hot water tower. Options for manual brews include Kalita Wave and Hario Syphon. The multi-roaster supply currently consists of Demitasse, Turning Point Coffee from San Francisco, and Sweet Bloom Coffee from Colorado; tea is sourced from San Diegos Mad Monk Tea. Pastries come from Downtowns Bread Lounge, with additional sweets like cookies and pies made by a small cottage baker, Emily Broadbent of Sweet & Divine by Emmaline.

Since Kim is just getting used to running his own shop, its all about taking things slow and doing them right. Being a new spot in an area not used to specialty coffee keeps me on my toes to keep my standards as high as possible, he says. He hopes to start a lunch program offering grilled cheese and soup, and develop more coffee specials like the house-made butterscotch latte thats available now. Small-batch ice cream is also a possibility, which would allow the addition of affogato to the menu. But one of the more exciting ways Highlight is setting itself up to succeed is simply by staying open till 9 p.m., in an area where most other businesses close earlier. Glendale is not only finally getting good coffee, but also a place to meet up and hang out.

Tatiana Ernst (@TatianaErnst) is a Sprudge staff writer based in Los Angeles. Read more Tatiana Ernst on Sprudge.
Brazil has hot summers, and, depending on where you live in the country, summer lasts pretty much the whole year. The country is also the worlds largest coffee producer and a heavy consumer of cafezinho, as we call it here (hot filter coffee served in a china demitasse). It would be logical that we venture into the art of preparing cold drinks made with coffee as well, since we love coffee so much. But sometimes its just too hot outside to even imagine sipping a quick espresso. However, we are a little behindBrazilians are rather traditional in the way they drink their coffee, and are still somewhat reluctant to try alternatives like iced coffee or even cold brew.

In the big cities, though, things are starting to change. Thanks to climate changerecord-high temperatures this summer felt like 122F in Rio, for instanceor to the younger coffee consumer crowd, we now have some creative coffee shops and bar owners willing to challenge Brazilians taste buds with coffee-based cold drinks. To our delight, these drinks have come to stay, and we selected five of them for you to try when you come for a visit, or even to prepare in the comfort of your air-conditioned home in whatever season you like.

Tropicalia at Cafe Secreto

One of the good things about living in Rio de Janeiroor any other beach city, reallyis relying on an endless supply of fresh coconut water. Gabriela Ribeiro and the Cafe Secreto crew always wanted to work on a coffee drink that used that ingredient, she tells me. First they started with filtered coffee (actually brewing the coffee with coconut water) but they realized the flavors didnt come out right. Then they tried it with espressopulling a shot regularly and then mixing it with coconut waterand it was an instant hit. I tried it and it is indeed deliciousand Im not much of a fan of cold espresso drinks. Ribeiro was kind enough to share the recipe with us, but when in Rio, dont forget to try this refreshing concoction at Cafe Secreto.

One shot of espresso, around 30 milliliters

150 milliliters of fresh coconut water

Ice

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail mixer. Strain to serve. Enjoy.

Caipicoffee at Noete Cafe Clube

Caipirinha is Brazils national drink, and the original one is made with cachaca, Brazils national liquor. Guilherme Costa and Gabriel Cabral, founders of Noete Cafe Clube in Belo Horizante, thought they ought to come up with a way to incorporate coffee and cachaca together. After all, Minas Gerais, the state where they are located, is world famous for its highly rated specialty coffee and award-winning aged cachacas.

The result is a sweet and delicious drink that could perfectly fit as an appetizer for a late summer afternoon. If you have a good cachacaor vodka, as Cabral suggestsat home, it is also easy to reproduce. Here is Noetes caffeinated take on caipirinha:

75 milliliters of aged cachaca

1 tablespoon of honey (Noete uses honey extracted from coffee tree flowers)

Ice

25 milliliters sparkling water

75 milliliters cold brew

Half a lemon, squeezed

3 slices of lemon

Mix the honey, cachaca, sparkling water, and squeezed lemon together. Pour it in a glass with ice cubes. Add the lemon slices. To finish, top off with cold brew. Stir and enjoy.

White Brew at Um Coffee Company

A few months ago, Midori Martins, one of the baristas at Um Coffee Company, was challenged by the coffee shop owners Garam and Boram Um to come up with coffee-based cold drinks for their summer menu. After a few iterations, the White Brew was created. Martins tells me she always wanted to do something with coconut and coffee, so she started by adding coconut milk and then changing the proportion of the other ingredients until she found the ideal recipe.

When I asked for the exact measurement of each ingredients, Martins and Garam Um laughed and just tipped me off about the proportions. I did it at home using the proportions below and got a very dessert-y, liquor-y type of drink. Now, in order to try the original White Brew, you need to go to their beautiful shop located in the Bom Retiro neighborhood in downtown Sao Paulo.

Sweetened condensed milk

Frothed milk

Coconut milk

Cold brew (at Um Coffee Company they use their natural Yellow Bourbon cold brew)

1 large ice cube

* The proportion suggested is that the cold brew amount is nearly half the amount of the three milk ingredients together. Experiment with it until you find your sweet spot (pun intended).

Mix the 3 milk ingredients with a wire whip.

Place the ice cube in a large glassthe ice helps keep the three parts of the drink separate. Add the milk mix. Add the cold brew very carefully, so that it doesnt mix with the rest. Martins tops it off with milk froth.

Pro tip: serve it with a straw so that the drinker can stir the three parts together before drinking.

Coffee Mojito at CoLAB

Judging by the name, you were probably thinking this drink involved rum. Wrong. At CoLab in Rio de Janeiro, the coffee replaces the rum in their version of a caffeinated mojito. The taste reminds me, of course, of a mojito, and it indeed feels like an alcohol drinkperhaps from the concentration of the espresso joined with the lime zest. A very good drink for a hot summer afternoon (or morning, why not?).

Approximately 10 mint leaves

30 milliliters sugar cane syrup

1 shot of espresso, around 30 milliliters

15 milliliters lime juice

Sparkling water

Lime zest (to taste)

Crushed ice

Gently crush the mint leaves so that they release their oils and aroma. Combine mint, lime juice, sugar cane syrup, and espresso into a glass. Stir. Add the crushed ice and top it off with sparkling water. Garnish with mint leaf, and enjoy.

Cafe Spritz at Birita Casa de Cocktail

Diogo Cypriano is a mixologist who happens to love coffee. He is now working with a good range of specialty coffee drinks and beans at Birita Casa de Cocktail, a cocktail bar in Vitoria, Espirito Santo. One of his inventive drinks is the Cafe Spritz, which uses pitanga, a very acidic and energizing fruit native to Brazil. Again, cachaca is brought together with coffee in this drink, but in a more elaborate manner. This feels like a real cocktail, one that demands time to makeand to drink. Extremely aromatic, citrusy. Perfect for closing a hard workday.

50 milliliters French press coffee (Cypriano suggests preparing it with 10 grams of coffee to 100 milliliters of water, 2 minutes infusion time)

6 ripe pitangas

40 milliliters of lemon syrup

40 milliliters of cachaca

6 ice cubes

120 milliliters sparkling Muscatel

1 slice of orange

1 slice of lime

Macerate the pitangas about 5 times and then shake them together with the other ingredients in a cocktail mixer. Put the ice cubes in a wine glass. Top it with the Muscatel and the coffee. Add the pitanga mix and then the orange and lime slices. Enjoy.

Juliana Ganan is a Brazilian coffee professional and journalist. Read more Juliana Ganan on Sprudge.

Photos courtesy of Cicero Rodrigues, Servulo Coutinho, and Andrea Son.
On Sunday, February 26 at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Canadians played a major role at the 2016 U.S. Harness Writers Associations Dan Patch Awards dinner, presented by Hoosier Park.

Triple Crown champion Marion Marauder was named U.S. Trotter of the Year in the closest vote in the 46-year history of the award (he edged out older mare Hannelore Hanover 73-72 in the voting). The colt is owned by Devin Keeling (of Cambridge, Ont.) along with his grandmother, Marion Jean Wellwood (Stratford, Ont.). The ownership duo was also voted Owners of the Year. The bay won 10 of his 15 seasonal starts in 2016 and was the first performer to capture the Trotting Triple Crown since Glidemaster in 2006. Marion Marauder is trained by Paula Wellwood and Mike Keeling (both of Cambridge, Ont.) and is driven by Ontario native Scott Zeron. "What an honour to win this award, something I never expected in my racing career," Jean Wellwood said. "Devin and I are so happy." Keeling added that the experience has been "the ride of a lifetime," and that Marion Marauder earned the Dan Patch and the connections appreciate it.

Adding to the OBrien Award that they won just weeks before, Al Libfeld (Pickering, Ont.) and Marvin Katz (Toronto, Ont.) took home the Dan Patch Award for Breeders of the Year. The duo has been a force in the upper echelon of the breeding ranks for years now. One of their homebreds, Ariana G, helped their cause, as the bay won nine of her 11 juvenile starts in 2016 en route to being named the Dan Patch Award winner in the two-year-old trotting filly division.

After a masterful 2016 campaign which saw him win 14 of 15 races and all of his stakes tests, Betting Line took home his hardware as the Dan Patch Award recipient in the three-year-old pacing colt division. The Ontario Sired son of Bettors Delight was conditioned by his Cambridge, Ont.-based trainer, Casie Coleman, for her co-owners that include Mac Nichol (Burlington, Ont.), Christine Calhoun (Chatham, Ont.) and Ross Warriner (Burlington, Ont.). Betting Line was the dominant force in the Ontario Sires Stakes program last year, as he won all of his races, including his OSS Super Final division. He was also a dominant winner in the Little Brown Jug, as well as multiple other high end stakes south of the border.

Ontario Sired bay Lady Shadow was honoured as the 2016 older female pacer of the year south of the border on Sunday. The six-year-old daughter of Shadow Play is trained by Ron Adams of Lasalle, Ont. and is co-owned by David Kryway of Amherstburg, Ont. She played host to numerous drivers throughout the 2016 campaign, including Guelph, Ont. residents James MacDonald and Doug McNair, and Quebec native Yannick Gingras. Lady Shadow was a dynamo in 2016, as she won 12 of her 20 starts and banked $945,000 in purse earnings.

Although Idyllic Beach, the 2016 Dan Patch two-year-old pacing filly of the year, may not have Canadian breeding or training connections, she certainly has Canadian ownership connections, as the bay filly is co-owned by John Fielding (Toronto, Ont.) and Marvin Katz (Toronto, Ont) among others. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere won eight of 14 races last season, hit the board in every one of her starts, and banked over $729,000.

On the media side of things, the tandem of Melissa Keith and Keith McCalmont, writing for TROT Magazine, and Dave Briggs, writing for Harness Racing Update, were winners of John Hervey Awards for excellence in harness writing journalism.

Keith accepted the Hervey on behalf of co-winner McCalmont for their story entitled Remembering those lost, which appeared in the February issue of TROT and presented memories of horses lost in the Classy Lane fire from horsemen and horsewomen affected by the tragedy.

"It was very generous of Ben Wallace and Dan Legace (and everyone) for speaking to us," she said. "Thank you to everyone at Classy Lane for their courage, and the people at TROT Magazine, including Darryl Kaplan, Sue Longley, and everyone else."

In addition, Clive Cohen and Mark Hall are winners of the Smallsreed Award for excellence in harness racing photography.
On Monday, February 27, the New York State Gaming Commission and the Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that Yonkers Raceway will host one of the worlds single biggest harness racing events this October.

On Monday, February 27, the New York State Gaming Commission and the Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that Yonkers Raceway will host one of the worlds single biggest harness racing events this October. For the first time, both the New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions and the International Trot will be held together. The event features horses from around the globe and New Yorks best Standardbred horses that compete for more than $3 million in purses.

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (Fund) and Yonkers Raceway will host this premier day of racing on October 14. The Fund  administered by the Gaming Commission, Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Standardbred breeders  runs the sire stakes racing program across the state. The New York Sire Stakes was the first program of its kind and has become the model for state-bred racing programs in North America.

The sire stakes Night of Champions consists of eight races featuring the best New York-bred Standardbreds. They will compete for combined purses of $1.8 million.

The $1 million International Trot is an annual world-class harness racing event held in the New York City area. The race was first held at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury from 1959 to 1988, later moving to Yonkers Raceway until 1995. It returned in 2015 following a 20-year hiatus.

Two $250,000 invitational races have also been added to the card, bringing the total purses for the day to $3.3 million.

This single event elevates New York horse racings international presence at an even higher level, said commission executive director Robert Williams. We look forward to hosting these horses in October and seeing the best compete against the best.

The equine industry significantly benefits agriculture in New York State and this event proves the state is committed to strengthening that connection, said state agriculture commissioner Richard A. Ball. New Yorks horse population is the envy of the world and we are honoured to show off these incredible animals that are bred and raised on New York farms on an international stage.

Yonkers is honoured to host what is sure to be an exciting day of quality horse racing, said Timothy Rooney, Sr., president of Yonkers Raceway. Thanks to our partners in New York State Government, we have an excellent and sustainable racing product of which to be proud.

We are thrilled that Yonkers will be the centre of the harness racing world this October, said Mike Kimelman, fund trustee and prominent Standardbred breeder. Our work with the sire stakes puts the best horses competing in the best races for substantial prizes, ultimately showcasing why New Yorks racing has a storied legacy and a bright future.

Established in 1965, the funds primary mission is to promote and preserve agriculture through the promotion of horse breeding and equine research in New York State. The fund directs the states premier harness racing program designed to stimulate the breeding, buying and racing of Standardbred horses in New York. Because of the states unparalleled breeding industry, there is strong international demand for New York-bred Standardbred horses.

The fund receives money from the mutual handle at the licensed tracks across the state to provide purse money for the New York Sire Stakes in these major areas:
Rutherford Institute Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Hold Police Liable for the Reckless Shooting of a Homeless Couple in the Wake of a Warrantless Raid

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- The Rutherford Institute is urging the United States Supreme Court to hold police liable for recklessly firing 15 times into a backyard shack in which a homeless couple--Angel and Jennifer Mendez--was sheltering. Angel Mendez suffered numerous gunshot wounds, one of which required the amputation of his right leg below the knee, and his wife Jennifer was shot in the back. Los Angeles County police officers claim the use of excessive force against the homeless couple was justified as a defensive action, because Angel's silhouette was allegedly seen holding a BB gun that he used for shooting rats.

In filing an amicus brief in County of Los Angeles v. Mendez, Rutherford Institute attorneys argue that the shooting, which was entirely unjustified and unwarranted, would not have happened had Los Angeles County police officers not first created an untenable, dangerous situation by invading private property without a warrant in pursuit of an alleged parole violator.

The Rutherford Institute's amicus brief in County of Los Angeles v. Mendez is available at www.rutherford.org . Affiliate attorney Anand Agneshwar of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, LLP, assisted The Rutherford Institute in advancing the arguments in the Mendez brief.

"What we are dealing with is a nationwide epidemic of court-sanctioned police violence carried out against individuals posing little or no real threat, who are nevertheless subjected to such excessive police force as to end up maimed or killed," said constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead (photo), president of The Rutherford Institute and author of Battlefield America: The War on the American People. "The U.S. Supreme Court has in the past rationalized its support of qualified immunity for government officials (including police officers) on the grounds that these officials might be too cautious in carrying out their duties if there was a risk that they might be held personally liable for wrongdoing on the job. Frankly, we'd be far better off as a nation if all government officials operated under the constant fear that there would be ramifications for official misconduct."

On October 1, 2010, a 12-person team of Los Angeles County police officers responded to a call that a parole violator was seen entering a store. A search of the store did not turn up the parolee. The officers then received another tip that the parolee had been sighted on a bike in front of the residence of Paula Hughes. The police officers were aware that Angel and Jennifer Mendez, a homeless couple, lived in the backyard of the Hughes residence. Upon arriving at the Hughes residence, two officers were sent to the backyard in order to secure the area and prevent the parolee from possibly escaping via the rear of the home. After a forced entry into the Hughes residence failed to find the parolee, two officers began a search of the backyard and approached the shack occupied by Angel and Jennifer Mendez. Without knocking or announcing themselves and without a warrant, the police opened the door to the shack and saw the silhouette of Angel Mendez, who was allegedly holding a BB gun that he used to shoot rats. One of the officers yelled "Gun!" and both police officers proceeded to fire 15 shots into the shack. Angel Mendez suffered numerous gunshot wounds, one of which required the amputation of his right leg below the knee, and Jennifer Mendez was shot in the back. Although police argued in court that the presence of the BB gun justified their shooting, the lower courts rejected their defense, ruling that where an officer intentionally or recklessly provokes a violent confrontation by violating the Fourth Amendment, the officer may be held liable for his use of deadly force.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton Interview at CPAC: 'Taking on Corrupt and Abusive Government'

"We changed history with the Clinton email scandal."  Tom Fitton Mainstage CPAC Interview

Judicial Watch Groundbreaking Facebook Live Interviews of Leading Conservatives from Broadcast Row

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Judicial Watch announced today the results of its participation as a major participant in the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), from February 23-25, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton was interviewed by Kelly Riddell of The Washington Times on the main stage Thursday, February 23. You can see the full interview beginning at the 2:43:50 mark:

Obviously we changed history with the Clinton email scandal. We uncovered it.  We're still in the middle of the email scandal. We're still trying to get all of the emails. And frankly, President Trump's administration should consider reopening or pursuing the ongoing criminal investigation related to Hillary Clinton.





***





[T]here's this alt-government in place, a government staffed by recent appointees or hires of Obama.  [T]here are lots of Democrats in the bureaucracy, but on the other hand there are also lots of Republicans who think they know better than President Trump and are willing to thwart the rule of law.  They are organizing actively against him and subverting the rule of law. And we see elements of this with the targeting of General Flynn.
Justice and Peace in Africa: Where to Start? Where to Go?

Contact: World Council of Churches, +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press

GENEVE, Feb. 27, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- As the World Council of Churches (WCC) adopts a regional focus on Africa for its pilgrimage of justice and peace during 2017, Rev. Dr Andre Karamaga, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) reflected that the entire continent has reached a crossroads at which it must make the right choices.

Photo: Rev. Dr Andre Karamaga. Peter Williams/WCC

"When we talk about focusing on Africa with regard to the pilgrimage of justice and peace, we have a problem to know where we start and where we are heading to, because in our globalized world, peace is conditioned by internal and external dynamics," he said on behalf of the AACC on 21 February.

He spoke during a meeting of the Reference Group for the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, held 20-27 February in Nigeria.

To understand where Africans are headed, one needs to take time to understand where they are from and the journey they have gone through, Karamaga reflected.

"We will never stop reminding the world that Africa has existed from time immemorial, without external assistance," he said. "On the contrary, it has been a space where people immigrate in search of food and security."

If contemporary statistics indicate world Christianity is gradually shifting to the African continent, other evidence shows the continent is full of suffering and poverty which undermine human dignity, he continued. "We therefore have to interrogate the depth of the contradiction that shows on one hand the massive response to the call from the Gospel for the fullness of life and on the other hand the abundance of misery. What is the content of the hope that the church preaches, where there is hopelessness?"

A growing number of young people are leaving the continent, Karamaga continued. "They leave massively through the agony of sinking in the Mediterranean Sea and a number of them perish in the Sinai desert, victim of human trafficking," he said. "It is as if there is no more hope for our young people in the continent, because they do not see any possibility for a better life."

The time has come for all on the African continent to make the right choices, he said. "It is a matter of life and death, for whichever choice we make defines our fate and to some extent is irreversible."

Karamaga said he valued the AACC's collaboration with Muslim leaders and with other faith-based organizations, and he saluted the collaboration between the AACC and the WCC.

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 348 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway.
More than 60 businesses have benefitted from the program, which was extended through May 1 while a permanent program is in the works.
OUT of twelve prisoners who applied for parole to the parole board, four of them were on Wednesday (February 22) granted early release.





Tesney St. Louis was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of a firearm and would have completed his prison term in November.





He has been released on parole.





St Louis was involved in an altercation with another man in the five cays neighborhood, when left the argument to go home to retrieve his gun, and accidently shot himself in the process.





He was arrested after being treated for the gunshot wound at the hospital.





Another parolee, Rubin Campbell was tried and convicted to twelve years in prison for robbery.

Campbell and two others had robbed employees of TCI lotto of $20,000  money belonging to the company - on April 16, 2010.





He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, which would have ended in 2019.





The third man - Wesley Durmoney  was convicted of aggravated burglary and sentenced to seven years in prison.





His release date was to have been in November this year, but he has now been granted parole.





Durmoney who is a national of Haiti is being deported back to Haiti immediately.





The fourth parolee is Dentery Penn.





He was scheduled for release in July this year after being tried, convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for gun possession. (DELANA ISLES)




THE GRAND TURK clergy has deemed Carnival Cruise Line`s budding "nude event as a blatant disregard to the laws of the land.





According to a letter issued this week by the Grand Turk Ministerial Fraternal, the promotion of a nude beach and nude parties is against the country`s religious customs.





The Clergy in its strongly worded statement noted that : " Further to Carnivals Management Directive to its staff, pertaining to its February 10, 2017 Bare Essentials Cruise on Carnival Pride, it was brought to the attention of the Clergy that there were reported incidents of nudity on our beaches, Carnival's premises and Gibbs Cay National Park.





The clergy noted that while there were previous reports of such occurrences, which were viewed as isolated incidents and not a planned event, Carnivals Management Directive raised the concerns of our citizens who expressed dire indignation over the blatant disregard for the laws of the land, the people`s Christian faith, mores, and godly principles.





"As guardians of our faith and servants of our Almighty and Holy God, we were compelled to address this egregious conduct with our duly elected Government, in the absence of any statements issued by those who were entrusted with the good governance of our country and the enforcement of the laws of our land, for the protection of our people and our faith.





The pastors pointed out that Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson has been informed of the situation and thanked for her timely response, although she advised that her Government was unaware of such incidents.





"The Clergy is encouraged and indeed has derived comfort from her advice that, having conferred with the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police about the laws of our country with respect to nudity in public areas, that she will liaise with Carnival's management, to ensure they are aware of such laws and that the laws will be fully enforced in this regard, in order to mitigate future occurrences.





This publication reached out to Carnival Cruise for a comment on the issue. However efforts to contact them proved futile.












By Daisy Handfield

ENSLEY Rolle, a Bahamian man with Turks and Caicos Islands roots, was killed on Wednesday morning during an alleged home invasion in Kew Town, Providenciales.





Police say that the 29-year-old broke into the home of a Filipino native and was stabbed to death by the owner.





According to a police press statement, at around 3:20 am, Police and Emergency Services were dispatched to an area in Norway, Kew Town after a report was made that a person was caught inside of a home.





Upon arrival, officers met the complainant who stated that while he was asleep the deceased entered his home and during a struggle he was stabbed. The intruder was later pronounced dead by a doctor.





A number of persons are assisting police with the investigation.





This was the second killing incident in Providenciales during the space of one week.





Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police force presently are investigating the murder of 25-year-old James Smith Jr. who was found dead in Blue Hills, Providenciales, on February 17, 2017.





According to a police statement, at around 12:05am, police and medical services responded to the Bay Road area after the numerous reports of shooting were made to 911.





Upon arrival the victims lifeless body was seen and was later pronounced deceased by Dr. King.





No arrest has yet been made in this incident. Smith was a lead suspect in the August 2015 murder of John Jennings of South Caicos, who was shot while playing the slot machine at a lounge in Blue Hills, he was also linked to another murder, in early 2016, where Bachard Walkin was found dead near Walkin Marine in Kew Town.
BY Olivia Rose

VOCATIONAL Training, Sustainable Energy, Marine Biodiversity and Disaster Risk Reduction for Climate Change will all receive a significant boost in the coming months as an additional 14.6m from the European Union (EU) is earmarked for improvements in these sectors.





This comes as the EU approved the European Development Funds (EDF) program 11 aimed at advancing development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.





To this end, Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, along with a delegation consisting of the Deputy Governor Anya Williams, who is the local EU Program Manager, and other officials, are currently attending the 15th European Union Overseas Countries and Territories Forum in Oranjestad, Aruba, which began on February 21st and ends February 24th, 2017.





According to Government statement, the Turks and Caicos is a member of the European Union through its relationship with the United Kingdom and over the years has benefited from several EU Programs.





The TCI is currently a beneficiary of two European Development Funds (EDF) 10 and 11 and is also a participant in several Regional EU Programs.





"Under the EDF 10 Program, which is focused on Strengthening and Improving the Business Sector, TCI has already benefited from a total of 10.6m in direct budget support, with the third and final tranche of 3.1m being received in December 2016.





Whilst in Aruba, Premier Cartwright-Robinson will not only be signing the Programming Documents commissioning the official start of the EDF 11 Program, but will also be assuming the role of Chair of OCTA, a position that TCI last held in 2003 under the leadership of the Hon. Derek Taylor, the release stated.





"Under the EDF 11 program, the TCI is set to receive an additional 14.6m which is slated for improvements in the Education Sector, particularly in the area of Vocational Training.





Commenting on the EU Forum and the continued partnership between the Turks and Caicos and the European Union, the Premier said: "The Turks and Caicos has continued to benefit over the years from funding through the EDF program and I am pleased that the focus of the 11th EDF harmonizes with my Governments agenda for vocational training, climate change and marine biodiversity, which are highlighted in the Change Document, our manifesto.





She noted that over the next three years her government will continue to as one of the few members of OCTA to completely embrace and deliver on the commitments agreed through the EDF programs.





She said: "In demonstration of our commitment I will be establishing a steering committee to swiftly implement the programs of the 11th EDF which will ensure that there are appropriate levels of monitoring and management of the program targets.





In this vein, the Premier pointed out that her administration came to office with a keen focus on the environment and renewable energy for the long term protection, survival and vitality of the country`s marine and eco environments.





"And we have, through the Climate Change Committee which falls under my office, begun to identify initiatives that will lower our carbon emission and footprint and increase our adaptability to climate change, she noted.





Deputy Governor and EU Program Manager Anya Williams underscored that the Turks and Caicos Islands has made great strides in its EU program work over the years since being reinstated into the program in 2012.





She said: "Within a relatively short period of time we have not only seen the completion and closure of the EDF 9 Program, but also the full implementation of EDF 10 with a 92% disbursement of funds based on the achievement of base targets.





"The Turks and Caicos is also only one of five territories that have already advanced our EDF 11 program to the programming and financing stage; in the words of the EU Commission, making us a star amongst the EU Overseas Territories.





"This is quite commendable and I would like to give special recognition to our entire European Union Project Management Team which consists of myself as Program Manager, the Permanent Secretary of Finance - Athenee Harvey, Deputy Secretary of Finance - Shonia Been, Director of Strategic Policy and Planning - Kathleen Forbes and the TCI UK Representative and Head of the London Office - Tracy Knight.





"Without the work of these persons and many others, this major accomplishment would not have been possible and for this we say Thanks.





Williams added that the country looks forward to its continued partnership with the EU as it continues to advance the EDF 11 program





She noted: "We are grateful for both the technical and financial assistance that has been offered through these programs throughout the years.




By Delana Isles

LEADER of the Opposition, Washington Misick is "delighted at the court of appeals decision to dismiss Strata Corporations appeal in the 12 storey case and has a reminder for the Premier that her party never backed the decision.





In a statement on Wednesday, the party leader  who has in the past expressed frustration at the court actions by the hotel - Misick congratulated the court for upholding the decision of the Supreme Court that the former PNP government in exercising its prerogative, followed the correct procedure in changing the policy to allow the development of 12 storey structures in designated areas of Providenciales.





"I am delighted that for the second time the Court has agreed that the process used to change the policy allowing for the increase of building heights in designated areas in the Turks & Caicos Islands by the former PNP Government was indeed correct, Misick said.





Adding: "I hope that this game of attrition by the opponents of this project aimed at frustrating the developer and protecting the status quo will now come to an end.





"We in the Opposition, look forward to the developers following the normal planning and continuing with their development to the benefit of the economy and the people of these islands.





The construction of the Ritz Carlton Resort proposed development in which the Rufus Ewing government had invested tremendous effort with the objective of increasing visitor accommodation, jobs, and counter-balancing other powerful interest in the industry was scheduled to commence development in the middle of 2015, but was frustrated by robust opposition from competitors and their surrogates since 2015, the party leader further stated.





He said that those who are opposed to the development of this high-end project was supported by the current PDM government.





"While in opposition, members of the PDM party either opposed the project outright or gave opponents of the project tacit backing.





"Among those who gave their tacit support to the opponents is the current Premier, who at no time expressed support for the project.





He added that in addition, comments made in her recent contribution to the throne speech may be interpreted that the project may be subject to a new development master plan.





This statement has created uncertainty around her governments commitment to the project.





Now that the court has ruled, the Premier should make a clear and unequivocal statement as to whether her government stands behind the project or not, Misick encouraged.





He said that such a statement may be pre-emptive and should send a strong message to the petitioners who it is rumoured are considering an appeal to the Privy Council.





Commenting on the judgement, PNP Chairman, Royal Robinson stated: "It is imperative that the current government pushes forward with ensuring that this project comes to fruition, as it will tremendously benefit the people of this country opening up new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.





The appellants in the case have always maintained that they are not against development in the country.





In a press statement, last September, they stated: "The Tuscany and Venetian Resorts are in favour of continued development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.





"We support thoughtful building, consistent with the density and height guidelines which have contributed to the beauty and appeal of the islands for Islanders, tourists and investors alike.





"We are opposed to construction authorized under a law where there was so little opportunity for public debate and where no national development plan exists.




By Delana Isles

IN A LAST ditch effort to evade extradition to the United States of America, convicted fraudster David Andrew Smith is now headed to Her Majestys Privy Council.





The move came on Tuesday (February 21) after the local appellate court denied his appeal for a reversal of Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hales March 31, 2016 decision for his extradition to go through.





After the three justices delivered their decision to uphold Ramsay-Hales judgement Smiths lawyer, Clayton Greene (who was standing in for Oliver Smith), immediately applied to the court for a 21-day stay of the Governors signing, issuing and execution of Smiths extradition order until they file an appeal with the

Council, and until that appeal is heard if it gets the go-ahead.





The order was granted, and Smith was returned to Her Majestys Prison in Grand Turk where he will remain until the Privy Councils decision on his application for an appeal.





Smith - who has served time in the TCI prison and is set to serve time in a US federal jail  was convicted of cheating thousands of Jamaicans, Turks and Caicos Islanders and others out of $220M.





Since being released on January 22, 2015 after serving his time in the Turks and Caicos, Smiths lawyers have been fighting vigorously against his extradition to the United States, where he is expected to serve a 20-year sentence.





Smiths attorney has argued that his client should not be extradited as the crimes he has been convicted of in the US are the same as those he has served time for in TCI and therefore the double jeopardy principle applied.





There were further claims that the sentence may amount to inhumane or degrading treatment.





Those defense claims were all dismissed by the Chief Justice last year.





Last week, before the appellate court, the lawyer claimed that the Chief Justice erred in law by not granting or in denying the application for a habeas corpus writ. This was a writ directing the Superintendent of Prisons to release Smith from Her Majestys Prison.





Lack of dual criminality of the money laundering offences

The lawyer told the court that the magistrate at first instance discharged Smith in respect to the wire fraud charges on the ground that wire fraud was an offence not known to the laws of the TCI. He said that subsequently the Chief Justice in discussing the money laundering charges accepted as a fact that the criminal proceeds in the US information are said to arise from the wire fraud.





In those circumstances, the Chief Justice fell into reversible error when she refused to issue the Writ of Habeas Corpus, maintaining that the appellant should be extradited, in respect of conduct, which cannot constitute an offence in TCI as wire fraud, being a federal offence is unknown to this jurisdiction.





Smith added that the circumstances of this case are such that the money laundering offenses are predicated on conduct which is not criminal in the TCI, accordingly dealings with funs which arose from such conduct cannot be considered a criminal offence which would warrant extradition from TCI.





The rule against double jeopardy





He told the court that the Chief Justice again fell into reversible error in concluding that double jeopardy did not attach as each prosecuting authority prosecuted for different crimes.





Adding that the Chief Justice stated in her judgement that the "US proceedings are not founded on the same or substantially the same facts and that "there is no overlap between the offences for which the applicant was convicted here and those for which the United States now seeks his extradition and double jeopardy does not arise.





The appellant maintains that it is one and the same scheme, that is  arising from the same factual stratum, involving seducing investors to deposit money with the appellant on the false promise that he was trading on the Forex Market and guaranteed the investors at the least 10 per cent profit per month on their investment.





The lawyer argued that the Chief Justice did not in her judgment nor did the Crown at the hearing show a different scheme.





Also, in seeking to demonstrate that this matter was not one of double jeopardy the Chief Justice sought to distinguish the principles arising from the case of Fofana and Anor versus Prosecutor Tubin (2006) EWHC 744 as not being applicable to the issues in Smiths case. The lawyer stated that she again fell in reversible error in doing so.





He said that the principles enunciated in that case are directly applicable to the issues raised in the case at bar.





He added that the court fell even further into reversible error by relying on the case of Kulibaba and Anor versus Government of the United States (2014) EWHC 176, and misconstruing the effect of the same, which on a careful reading supports the contentions advanced on the appellants case.





By way of example, the learned Chief Justice at paragraph 22 of the judgment quoted from Kulibaba as follows: "Notwithstanding the common features pointed to by the appellants, the reality is that the US and the UK indictments were not dealing with the same incident and were not founded on substantially the same facts, but were based on different transactions resulting in separate losses.





The appellant contended that this distinction is not supported by the facts of the case, as both the information in the TCI and the indictment in the USA were based on the same ponzi scheme, on the same facts, with the same victims resulting in $220 million-dollar loss that was pleaded in both countries.





He further argued that the principal case submitted by the appellant on the issue of double jeopardy was not considered nor distinguished by the chief justice in her written judgment.





Specialty

The lawyer stated that the Chief Justice again fell into reversible error in concluding that the appellant once he returns to the US could raise challenge by way of habeas corpus in the event the ruling of the chief magistrate is not adhered to by the US authorities.





He stated that in so doing, the court ignored the oral submissions of counsel, which were unchallenged by the prosecution, that there is no such mechanism in the federal law that is available to the applicant at this time.





The law in federal court dealing with habeas corpus after sentence is codified in 28 USC 2255 and has a one year statute of limitations period running from date of the imposition of sentence.





Smith argued that his client is therefore statue barred and cannot now raise this issue  through no fault of his own.





He stated that the Chief Justice failed to have due regard to the evidence before her in particular the posture of the director of public prosecutions to disregard the ruling of the chief magistrate in respect of wire fraud charges.





He added that she also disregarded the unresponsiveness of the US Government to requests to provide the appropriate assurance that the chief magistrates ruling will be upheld.





Constitutional breaches

The lawyer argued that the Chief Justice having accepted that time spent in the TCI is to count against time to be served in the United States failed to pay any or sufficient regard to the fact that the appellant had served a significant proportion of the 10 years which he would be made to serve if extradited.





He said that in the circumstances, the appellant having served the term of imprisonment for which he is sentenced is now being subject to an unlawful deprivation of his liberty.





He concluded that the Chief Justice erred in law in refusing to issue the writ, maintaining that the appellant should be extradited in circumstances which would amount to a breach of his constitutional rights not to be subject to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.








BY OLIVIA ROSE

IN AN EFFORT to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs and firearms within the region, law enforcement officers from agencies across the region are meeting in Nassau, Bahamas for the 23rd Pre-International Drug Enforcement Conference (Pre-IDEC).





Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), James Smith, is attending the four-day seminar which will see drug enforcement Officials discussing trends within the illegal drug trade and best practices on how to combat the challenges that face law enforcement in their own territories.





During the opening ceremony on the 20th February, Minister of National Security, Hon. Bernard J. Nottage and Acting Charge' d' Affaires, Jamie Martin, in their addresses extended a special welcome to the delegates from 23 countries.





The Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas have been identified as major transshipment points for illegal drug trade.





According to a 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy (INCS) report from the US Department of State the Turks and Caicos Islands is being used as a critical transit point for drug trafficking between countries such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.





The report highlighted that drug smugglers are incrementally increasing the quantity of cocaine being trafficked between these countries.





It stated that: "Strong family connections between the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas, coupled with direct flights between Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands, result in many Bahamian smugglers travelling to Haiti via the Turks and Caicos Islands with large amounts of cash for future smuggling ventures.





The report further detailed that: "Smugglers exploit the wide distribution of numerous islands and the high number of recreational vessels flowing through the Bahamas.





It also noted that large loads of drugs are split into smaller loads before entering the southern Bahamas, sometimes bypassing the customs station in Great Inagua, which is strategically located between the Turks and Caicos Islands, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica





"Traffickers move cocaine through the Bahamas via go-fast boats, small commercial freighters, containers, and small aircraft.





"Small sport fishing vessels and pleasure crafts move cocaine from the Bahamas to Florida by blending in with legitimate traffic that transit these areas.





"Larger go fast and sport fishing vessels transport marijuana from Jamaica through the Bahamas and into Florida in the same manner as cocaine.





It pointed out that traffickers also skirt along the loosely monitored Cuban coast line, then head for Florida through Bahamian waters





According to the report, Haitian and Haitian-Bahamian drug trafficking organisations, increasingly networked between Haiti and the significant Haitian diaspora in the Bahamas, continue to play a major role in the movement of cocaine.





Investigations of these organisations are hindered by a lack of trusted and appropriately assigned Creole speakers within the Royal Bahamas Police Force Drug Enforcement Unit.





Over twenty countries are participating in the four-day conference. These are: Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Columbia, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, Puerto Rico.





St. Croix, V.I., St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, V.I., St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands & United States of America.




BY OLIVIA ROSE

THE LOCAL TOURISM Association is worried that the rising crime rate will damage the Turks and Caicos Islands main economic engine.





In a media release issued this week, the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association urged the newly elected administration to urgently address the steadily rising crime rate before the destinations leading industry is severely affected.





The TCHTA in its release said: "With 2,080 crimes reported by the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force between the period January to September 2016, with 87 of these involving crimes against visitors, along with the more recent shooting incident involving a TCHTAs Allied member and TCI businessman Galmo Williams, TCHTA is urging both parties to better equip the local police force in order for them to perform more effectively.





The TCHTA`s board of directors, while pointing out these stark crime statistics, praised the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for having an increased presence along the Grace Bay tourist area.





"The increased presence is welcomed but more must be done and at a much higher level to address this troubling situation.





"Police can patrol the area but if they arent equipped with the necessary resources, or if their manpower is limited, then the issue remains.





The Association called on the countys leaders to engage the countrys influential associations in a serious dialogue to find amicable solutions to the growing crime level.





The board also noted: "This is a critical situation, because not only are crimes being committed against our visitors, but because we live in an age now where the news is in real-time.





"A visitor who is robbed will share the story instantly with their friends and family via social media and will no doubt warn them against the dangers they encountered in the TCI.





"This then endangers our product and the brand we have worked so hard to develop.





The Association pointed out that this puts the country`s tourism product and its reputation of

being a safe tourist destination at great risk.





"Over the past five years our Association and its members have put measures in place to assist the destination with combating the crime situation, including donations to the Police Force and the installation of CCTV cameras along the Grace Bay tourist area.





"However, our hands are tied at this point because there is only so much our members can afford to contribute towards.





The Association further called for a national conversation on crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands.





"At some juncture, there must be national dialogue between all partners, where a serious and detailed analysis of the threat is given and a workable solution found, which includes educating our society about how negatively crime affects the industry.





Only recently the Chamber of Commerce held a petition-signing exercise to gain attention from the country`s leaders on the growing concern over the increase in vicious crimes.





President of the Chamber of Commerce Kyle Smith at the outreach made it clear that the petition signing was not politically motivated but one that took into account the common man`s safety.





He said: "We wish from the outset to declare that this outreach is not politically motivated. We are a large group of businessmen and women, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, neighbours and law abiding citizens who understand and have experienced the benefits of living in close-knit communities, and where historically, petty theft was the primary criminal act.





"We are now faced with a new breed of criminal whose acts extend beyond petty thievery to extreme physical damage to business establishments, and to a level, which has instilled perpetual fear in our citizens.





"We feel very strongly that the time has come for swift action, and Turks and Caicos Islands citizens hereby demand quantifiable results from you, who has responsibility for law and order, immediately.





Smith added that there is a cry that is resonating loudly throughout the TCI community, pleading for action now.





The president said that it is evident that the police force is not adequately resourced to tackle the crime issues that the country is currently facing.





He said: "We call upon you to exercise your powers to enlist external help as a matter of urgency to combat what has now become a national crisis. Furthermore, our reputation as a stable crime-free destination and our attendant livelihood is being jeopardized as word spreads throughout the international media.





Smith pointed out that the business community of the country would also like to have a seat at the table and offer their assistance through recommendations and implementation of real quantifiable action.
Nimish Sawant

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) started off with Aadhaar enrollments back in 2010. It has been close to seven years since, and the 12-digit Aadhaar number is much more than just an identity number now, with over 1.1 bn Indians already enrolled on the Aadhaar platform.

Since the demonetisation drive which started on 8 November 2016, Aadhaar has suddenly come into the limelight as it is being positioned as a one-stop solution for everything from distribution of benefits and salaries, to making online transactions, to authenticating your identity and more.

While that's good, more recently we came across a report of UIDAI filing a complaint with the Delhi Police against Axis Bank, Suvidhaa Infoserve and eMudhra for violating Aadhaar regulations by storing biometric data. So there are some concerns as well.

Aadhaar as a one-stop platform

When enrolling for Aadhaar, you have to submit your demographic data as well as your biometric data such as fingerprints and iris scans. Considering your fingerprint and iris scans are locked to the 12-digit number, there is no need for you to remember any login / password details, as you are always carrying that on your body.

Aadhaar is now connected to around 582 banks, brokerages and government departments which are registered users permitted access to Aadhaar data. RBI allows the use of Aadhaar to verify customers for new accounts as well. Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) links to around 119 banks and up to 27 January, there were around 338.7mn transactions that were recorded using Aadhaar identity according to Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Using Aadhaar authentication for disbursal of benefits really does help bring down any leakages. Aadhaar linked bank accounts are used extensively for Direct Benefit Transfer schemes, which has helped the govt save over Rs 36,000 cr in the last two years, when it comes to public distribution of subsidies for LPG as well as MNREGA worker daily wages payout.

Also thanks to Aadhaar linked bank accounts, it will not matter how many times you change your banks, as your money is being paid to your Aadhaar number and the subsequently linked bank. Government organisations are already using Aadhaar for salary disbursements and maintaining employee records. Private organisations are just about getting started with this.

The Bharat Interface for Money (Bhim) app is going quite aggressive with its integration with Aadhaar. There are a number of payment options currently supported by the Bhim app. Users can use a QR code tied to the account, generate a QR code for a single transaction, transfer money with a UPI address or through an IFSC code. All of these payment options require some kind of authentication or set up by the user, which can be discouraging to people who are unfamiliar with technology. Using the Aadhaar number for payments will make the process even simpler, and will require no additional authentication steps. Payment made through the Aadhaar number will not require mobile banking activated on the bank account, biometric authentication, or a UPI address.

At its Future Decoded event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella showed how Aadhaar authentication could also be used for Skype calls between a job seeker and his interviewer.

Immediate concerns

One of the good things about Aadhaar is that the unique number remains the same for life. This can bypass the need to change your bank details every time you change organisations. But this same advantage could also prove to be the Achilles heel. While Aadhaar may seem like an ideal solution to get a centralised database, for a country as big as ours, everything isnt a bed of roses. In fact, since back in 2012, there have been critics of the program.

Speaking to Tehelka, former army officer and a critic of UIDAI, Mathew Thomas had said, The (Aadhaar) database is to be linked to other databases like banks, phone companies, etc. Once a person hacks into the UID database, s/he can gain access to any other database. We are handing over data to anyone who would like to take it.

According to Rajesh Bansal, senior advisor at BFA and former assistant director general at UIDAI, UIDAI has various levels of firewalls, end to end encryption mechanisms to ensure that only authorised entities have access to Aadhaar database. Also, fingerprints are never stored on the servers, only the templates are stored. Till now, there hasnt been a single case of any compromise on this data.

But recently we came across a report of UIDAI filing a complaint with the Delhi Police against Axis Bank, Suvidhaa Infoserve and eMudhra for violating Aadhaar regulations by storing biometric data. Now in this case, though the central Aadhaar data base was not compromised, it was third parties which were authorised by UIDAI, which were found lax in terms of following regulations. This case shows how the Aadhaar data could be compromised if there is a weak link in the system. UIDAI detected the problem when it found multiple transactions done using the same fingerprint. The official who spoke on conditions of anonymity to Livemint, said that this would not have been possible without storing biometric data.

Back in 2013, the Maharashtra government had lost the personal data of around 3 lakh Aadhaar applicants, when the data was being uploaded from the state IT department to a central server in Bengaluru. Thankfully the data was encrypted.

According to Centre for Internet and Society policy director Pranesh Prakash, The government, as per press reports, is going ahead with using fingerprints for authentication of Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems (AEPS) transactions. While the security architecture of AEPS might in itself be good, the idea of providing your fingerprints to merchants for financial transactions is a terrible idea since that is like asking you to give your bank password to a merchant, and the merchant can reuse that password, and you cant ever change the password.

Lack of strong privacy laws

Another area of concern and a major question mark right now is the lack of strong privacy laws. In cases such as the one seen above, where a government agency loses your biometric data, what happens to user privacy? Who do you go to get a resolution of your fears and concerns? There aren't many issue redressal forums to address such issues.

Passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) still do provide some sort of safety net. If any database is compromised, you can change password or 2FA. But with a fingerprint or iris scan data being compromised, there is no way to change that. And then using just that one measure of authentication for things such as financial transactions, one needs to be 100 percent sure about the security loopholes and have them plugged in time.

There could also be extreme scenarios, where the victim may be coerced by the perpetrator to authenticate monetary transactions by (the victims) fingerprint. For instance, an abusive partner using force to get the victim to authenticate transaction using fingerprint. We are just thinking out loud here, but it could be the case.

The Aadhaar framework is quite innovative and the government is quite bullish on using it for authentication in various fields. This cuts down on time, saves money, plugs leakage of benefits and much more. But at the same time the dangers associated with it, which have been expressed by critics are also not to be taken lightly.

Also the potential to profile individuals is quite high, with that deep an access to personal information. Running computer programs across the Aadhaar databases to identify patterns, could prove to be a double edged sword as well. Population profiling based on caste lines could be a disaster.

History has a precedent on that front.

Tying in the Aadhaar Bill with a robust Privacy law is definitely the need of the hour.
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Buried in the flood of congratulatory messages that the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) received after its recent space feat is one discordant note raising some concern. It is from none other than G. Madhavan Nair, the former chairman of the country's premier space body. Nair, during whose term the agency launched the Chandrayaan mission to the Moon, feels ISRO's latest Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission potentially has some hidden dangers to its own space assets.

On February 15, a PSLV released a flock of over 100 nano- and micro-satellites of overseas customers for a fee. Of them, 88 satellites called "Doves" belonged to Planet, a San Francisco-based startup. All these tiny satellites, each smaller than a briefcase, were lobbed into a polar orbit 506 km above the Earth by the PSLV in a flawless mission. "I am somewhat concerned because the region where so many of these objects have been placed is the same where our own Earth observation satellites are, or will be," Nair told this correspondent over the phone.

The nano-satellites, Nair pointed out, have a short useful life after which they become junk that will keep floating in space for years in the same orbit with chances of colliding with ISRO's operational satellites sharing the same space. "The debris that these nano-satellites will leave after their brief existence in space are potential source of damage to us. Safety of our satellites is more important," Nair maintained.

He cautioned that Isro should carefully weigh a few million dollars of commercial gain from launching foreign nano-satellites into 500-km orbits against the potential harm to the present and future Earth observation satellites close to their lanes. He also noted that in case of a future collision between the debris from any of these nano-satellites and a working satellite belonging to another country, India will have to pay for the damages. "Therefore, I do not know if we should do it," he said.

Nair was referring to the Space Liability Convention that entered into force in 1972, under which launching countries "should bear international responsibility" for all space objects launched from their territory "regardless of to whom the space object belongs". Nair said that in his view, short-lived nano-satellites, if launched, should be put in much lower orbits -- below the operational region of remote sensing satellites. Any junk formed in such low-earth orbits will descend to Earth due to atmospheric drag and pose no problem to the working satellites.

"Also, this issue should be raised in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in order to arrive at a designated corridor for small and nano-satellites." Isro is a member of Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) which coordinates global efforts to reduce man-made and natural space debris by sharing research and identifying debris mitigation options.

While Isro spokesman Deviprasad Karnik said his agency has "no comments" to offer to the concerns raised by the agency's former chairman, Planet spokesperson Rachel Holm dismissed any danger to Isro's operating satellites as feared by Nair. "At Planet, we designed our concept of operations with debris mitigation in mind," the company said in an email. "Our Doves fly at a self-cleaning orbit. After 3-5 years, gravity pulls our satellites down into Earth's atmosphere where they burn up completely."

Nair's concerns have, however, been echoed by space debris experts in different forums. At a recent International Astronautical Congress in Toronto, Hugh Lewis, a leading space debris expert from the University of Southampton, said that since 2005, CubeSats have been involved in more than 360,000 close encounters, "many of these in Sun-synchronous orbits that are popular with remote sensing and Earth science satellites".

Lewis had warned that if CubeSats continue to be launched into long-lived orbits without any means of disposing them of, "they will contribute to the growing space debris hazard". In 2014, the International Space Station had to move three times to avoid lethal chunks of space debris and, only a month ago, European Space Agency had reported that its Swarm-B satellite had a miraculous escape from space debris that came as close as 361 metres.

Experts predict that satellites  just like drones  are increasingly coming within reach of ordinary people. As the cost of getting them in orbit plummets, the risks of collisions in space "will grow," says a recent report from the US National Academy of Sciences.

IANS
tech2 News Staff

After a number of announcements about its 5G networks at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC), Nokia also announced that it has signed a deal with China's Xiaomi in an attempt to branch out beyond its current core base of customers.

According to European Communications , Nokia will provide electronics and internet company Xiaomi with technology that will help Xiaomi overcome its "fast-growing traffic demands".

Nokia's data interconnect solutions will provide a link to Xiaomi's seven data centres in and around Beijing using fibre networks for its private cloud services.

Nokia won the contract and announced it as a part of its pre-MWC show.

Apart from Xiaomi, Nokia also won a deal to provide a communications network to power Portugal's national railways infrastructure operator.

Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri during the announcement said that non-telcos would require more than twice as much capacity as compared to its core base which includes telecom customers.

Nokia would focus on the world's top 4000 large enterprises. The financial details about Nokia's Xiaomi deal were not disclosed.

The Finnish company also secured a 3-year deal with Telefonica to build networks in London, making it the leading network supplier in the UK, surpassing Ericsson in the process.

Read our complete coverage of the Mobile World Congress 2017
tech2 News Staff

Samsung was expected to announce its next Galaxy flagship smartphone, but it chose to announce a bunch of other products at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona. While the invite and some leaks already gave us a hint about the upcoming Galaxy Tab S3, the company announced two Windows based tablets, a new updated VR headset and commitment towards 5G network.

Let's start with the hardware first. The Galaxy Tab series was long overdue to get a flagship, and we have the Tab S3. Taking up where the Tab S2 left off, the new model offers promising upgrade. There is a four speaker system tuned by AKG audio. According to Samsung, each speaker features an auto rotate stereo capability which redirects sound depending on how you hold the tablet. The tablet supports Vulcan API so graphics will be smooth. This tablet is definitely great for media consumption.

The company has again used a 9.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 2048x1536 pixel resolution and HDR support. As for the core hardware, there is Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256GB). There is a 6,000mAh battery that is said to offer 12 hours of video playback, and of course you get fast charging via a USB Type-C port. There is a also an S-Pen for the tablet that supports all the features from the Galaxy Note series. Samsung also announced a partnership with Staedler to make a unique Noris pencil shaped S-Pen. There is also a keyboard cover that uses a pogo-pin style magnetic connector so you can use the tablet for some productivity tasks.

Galaxy Tab S3 specifications:

9.7-inch Super AMOLED 2048 x 1536 resolution panel, 10-bit HDR support

Snapdragon 820 chipset, Adreno 530

4GB RAM

Quad stereo speakers tuned by AKG

S Pen stylus (bundled)

Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung Grace UX

13MP, f/1.9 rear camera, with LED flash

5MP, f/2.2 front camera

32GB storage

microSD card slot

Dual-band Wi-Fi, LTE, USB Type-C 3.1

6,000 mAh battery

Samsung also announced a new range of Windows tablets called the Galaxy Book, replacing the TabPro S. The Galaxy Book 10 and Book 12 look similar to the Tab S3, but offer different specifications and dimensions. Both run on Windows 10 and come with their own set of S-Pen and a slightly different keyboard accessory, but both are available as a bundle with the tablet. The 10-inch model offers an Intel 7th-generation Core m3 processor with 4GB RAM and up to 128GB of storage. On the other hand the 12-inch model offers a 7th-generation Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage.

Galaxy Book 10 specifications:

10.6-inch TFT FHD 1920x1280 resolution

7th Gen Intel Core m3 processor, 2.6GHz

4GB RAM

64GB/128GB storage

microSD up to 256GB

10 hour battery with Fast Charging support

Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS + GLONASS, USB 3.1(Type-C)

Windows 10

5MP front camera

Galaxy Book 12 specifications:

12-inch Super AMOLED 2160x1440 resolution, 10-bit HDR support

7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 3.1GHz

4GB/8GB RAM

128GB/256GB storage

microSD up to 256GB

10hour battery with Fast Charging support

Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS + GLONASS, USB 3.1(Type-C)

Windows 10

13MP rear 5MP front camera

Samsung also spoke about how it investing heavily in 5G connectivity. The company is already working on providing hardware including receivers and routers for the next-generation network. Testing in Japan and the US have already begun. It has partnered with Verizon network in the US and is expected to work closely with the company to deploy 5G connectivity 'very soon.'

Samsung also announced that it will be bringing a new VR headset. It recently introduced an updated version of the Gear VR, and now it gets a controller. The controller comes with a built in touch-pad. The company didn't say much about it, only that it is open to developers and should be coming out this year.

Last, but not the least, Samsung announced that it will host a special Unboxed event on 29 March, and you know what that means. Galaxy S8 will be announced next month. So amrk your calendars.

Read our complete coverage of the Mobile World Congress 2017
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Declaring digital payments will help fight corruption and proliferation of black money, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said each citizen should teach 125 persons how to use the BHIM digital payment app. "Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar, you teach at least 125 persons about downloading the BHIM app," Modi said in his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast.

To encourage digital payments after the November demonetisation of high-value currency notes, the government has recently launched the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) mobile app. IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said earlier this month that the BHIM app had already crossed 140 lakh registrations.

"Lucky Grahak Yojana will complete 100 days on April 14, the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar," the Prime Minister said. Following the ban on Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes, the government launched the Lucky Grahak Yojna (LGY) for consumers and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana (DVY) for merchants to incentivise them and promote digital payments. The schemes will remain open until April 14.

There are 15,000 daily winners qualifying for total prize money of Rs 1.5 crore, as per the schemes. In addition to this, there are over 14,000 weekly winners qualifying for total prize money of over Rs 8.3 crore every week. Customers and merchants who use RuPay Card, BHIM/UPI, USSD based *99# service and Aadhaar Enabled Payment Service are eligible for wining daily and weekly lucky draw prizes.

The government has given away over Rs 153.5 crore reward money to nearly 10 lakh citizens under these schemes, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said earlier this week. "It is a delight to learn that till now, under the Digi-Dhan Yojana, 10 lakh people have been rewarded, over 50,000 traders have won prizes and an amount of almost over a 150 crore rupees has been earned as prize money by people who have promoted and carried forward this great campaign," Modi said.

IANS
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Brian Acton, co-founder of popular messaging app WhatsApp, today called on IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to discuss ways in which the company can contribute to India's vision for digital commerce. 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. Highlighting the country's importance, Acton said WhatsApp hopes to contribute more to "India's vision for digital commerce in future".

"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. 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 company's 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.

PTI
Intelligent lighting plays a huge role in a smart city, said Chris Penrose, president, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. Our collaboration with Current will enable us to use a citys existing lighting infrastructure to more securely connect sensor-enabled networks. This will put them on the path to becoming a smarter, more sustainable city.

The two companies have collaborated before. Current, GEs digital industrial startup business, recently announced a deal with the City of San Diego to upgrade thousands of the citys outdoor light fixtures to sensor-enabled LED technology, making it the worlds largest smart city IoT platform. AT&T will act as the data carrier and provide highly secure connectivity for the San Diego deployment, which is expected to save the city approximately $2.4 million in annual energy costs. In addition, the deal builds on AT&Ts membership in GEs Digital Alliance program, where it serves as a connectivity-as-a-service collaborator for GEs Predix platform.

We are thrilled to expand Currents relationship with AT&T to help cities redefine the civic engagement modelour digital network is based on an open platform, which allows entrepreneurs, incubators and students to get involved in the future development smart city applications, said John Gordon, Chief Digital Officer of Current, powered by GE. AT&T has a long history of working commercially with municipalities, and our technology will be a perfect fit toward helping more cities unleash the limitless potential of the Industrial Internet.

For more than 100 years, AT&T has formed strong relationships with cities across the United States. The companys Smart Cities initiative is bringing connectivity to spotlight cities across the nationhelping these cities become cleaner, safer and more efficient. And secure AT&T network connectivity and IoT platforms like AT&T M2X and AT&T Flow Designer continue to foster IoT innovation around the globe.

Innovation is at the core of who we areand what we do, said Mike Zeto, general manager, AT&T Smart Cities. AT&T and GE are the companies that modernized the telephone and light bulb. Together, we will usher in a new digital frontier, giving cities and citizens alike the benefits of a connected city.

Current, which combines energy technology like LED and solar with sensors and software, aims to help customers like cities, commercial buildings and industrial facilities slash energy costs and create intelligent environments. Its platform enables a wide variety of developers to create new applications that could improve safety, productivity, energy efficiency and other issues that impact municipal, commercial and industrial customers.

Our goal is to bring the combined power of GE and AT&T to municipalities in a way that pulls from the best of both worlds, Currents Gordon said. We are two companies with more than a century of success in solving big problems, and we believe our combined innovation can help build a better world.
Slaughtered body of AL leader's brother found in Khulna

Khulna(South) Correspondent :

A slaughtered dead body of the younger brother of an Awami League leader was found yesterday morning near at a gher (Fish Enclosure) at Beel Pabla area under Arongghata police station in Khulna city.

The deceased was identified as Mohidul Islam Bondo, 41, son of late Moktar Hossain, hailed at Deana South para area under Daulatpur police station in the city.

Police and local people quoting the family members said, a gher trader, went towards Beel Pabla area on Sunday evening and on Monday morning at around 8.am local people found the dead body of Mohidul. Being informed by the local people, police rushed to the spot, recovered the dead body and sent it to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) morgue for autopsy.

Several injury marks were found on the dead body of Mohidul and he might be slaughtered, according to the police.

Mohidul was the younger brother of the general secretary of Daulatpur Thana unit Awami League of Khulna city.Md. Shahidul Islam Bondo.

It is mentionable that open house day meeting regarding the law and order situation was going on in Daulatpur police station from 8 am to 11.50 am.

Officers in charge of Arongghata and Daulatpur police stations Nasim Khan and Anwar hossain respectively ascertained the matter of the murder.

The cause of the murder could not be ascertained immediately, police said.

On condition of anonymity, a trader of Deana area said, due to deterioration of law and order situation, killings, theft. Robbery, snatching and drug peddling have increasing throughout Khulna city and also at nine upazila areas of Khulna district.




New anti-IS strategy may mean deeper US involvement in Syria

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford greets Defense Secretary Jimn Mattis at the Pentagon.

AP, Washington :

A new military strategy to meet President Donald Trump's demand to "obliterate" the Islamic State group is likely to deepen U.S. military involvement in Syria, possibly with more ground troops, even as the current U.S. approach in Iraq appears to be working and will require fewer changes.

Details are sketchy. But recommendations due at the White House on Monday are likely to increase emphasis on nonmilitary elements of the campaign already underway, such as efforts to squeeze IS finances, limit the group's recruiting and counter IS propaganda that is credited with inspiring recent violence in the U.S. and Europe. One official with knowledge of the recommendations said the report would present a broad overview of options as a starting point for a more detailed internal discussion.

The official wasn't authorized to speak to reporters about the contents of the document and demanded anonymity

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that the emerging strategy will take aim not just at the Islamic State militants but at al-Qaida and other extremist organizations in the Middle East and beyond, whose goal is to attack the United States. He emphasized that it would not rest mainly on military might.

"This is a political-military plan," he said. "It is not a military plan."

Dunford's comment suggests that Pentagon leaders have a more nuanced view of the IS problem than is reflected in Trump's promise to "obliterate" the group, as he put it on Friday. Dunford said the U.S. should be careful that in solving the IS problem it does not create others, hinting at the sensitive question of how to deal with Turkey, which is a NATO ally with much at stake in neighboring Syria, and Russia, whose military action in Syria has had the effect of propping up the Syrian regime.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is giving the White House the ingredients of a strategy, which officials say will be fleshed out once Trump has considered the options. Officials described the Mattis report as a "framework" built on broad concepts and based on advice from the State Department, the CIA and other agencies. Officials have indicated the recommended approaches will echo central elements of the Obama administration's strategy, which was based on the idea that the U.S. military should support local forces rather than do the fighting for them. Mattis already has signaled publicly that he sees no value in having U.S. combat forces take over the ground war.

"I would just tell you that by, with and through our allies is the way this coalition is going against Daesh," Mattis said last week in Baghdad, using an Arabic term for the Islamic State group. "We're going to continue to go after them until we destroy them and any kind of belief in the inevitability of their message."

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 28 giving Mattis 30 days to present a "preliminary draft" of a plan. He said it should include a comprehensive strategy that would not only deliver a battlefield victory but also "isolate and delegitimize" the group and its radical ideology.

Asked if adding more U.S. troops or arming the Syrian Kurds was under discussion, Mattis said he will "accommodate any request" from his field commanders.

"We owe some degree of confidentiality on exactly how we're going to do that and the sequencing of that fight so that we don't expose to the enemy what it is we have in mind in terms of the timing of the operations," Mattis told reporters. But he said those are "some of the issues that we'll be dealing with as we go forward, and we'll be addressing each one of them, from intelligence, to tactics, to logistics as we sustain the fight going into this."

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Mideast, has said more American troops may be needed to speed up the fight in Syria. The U.S. currently has about 500 special operations forces in Syria helping to organize, advise and assist local forces.

One of the thorniest problems the Trump administration will consider is whether to change the U.S. approach to Russia's military role in Syria. Although Trump has suggested an interest in working with Russia against IS, the Pentagon has been reluctant to go beyond military-to-military contacts aimed at avoiding accidents in the airspace over Syria.

Senior military leaders, including Mattis, seem more confident in the Iraqi military campaign, lending weight to the idea that the options will put a greater emphasis on Syria.




New Zealand, Iran lay foundations for rebuilding trade

Xinhua, Wellington :

New Zealand is looking to step up exports to Iran after the signing of two agreements between the two countries, Primary Industry Minister Nathan Guy said Monday.

The signing of a meat arrangement agreement in Tehran would enable the resumption of sheep and beef exports to Iran, Guy, who is currently in Iran, said in a statement from his office.

"This is a crucial step for New Zealand meat companies as they look to re-enter the Iranian market," said Guy.

The arrangement between the Iranian Veterinary Organisation and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries provided the conditions for chilled and frozen sheep and beef exports to resume with Iran.

The agreement was witnessed with Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati during a meeting with Guy, when they discussed an action plan for agricultural cooperation in the year ahead.

They also witnessed the signing of a statement of intent between New Zealand kiwifruit giant Zespri and Iran's Ministry of Agriculture acknowledging the potential of the Iranian market as a large fruit consuming and growing country.

"Current import conditions mean that New Zealand is unable to export kiwifruit to Iran. However the letter of intent outlines undertakings to further explore commercial opportunities in Iran," said Guy.

Iran had well established kiwifruit orchards and supply chains, and operated in a counter seasonal supply window to New Zealand.

"This visit is an important opportunity to strengthen our agricultural relationship, following the signing of an Agricultural Cooperation Arrangement last year," said Guy.

"Iran has traditionally been an important market for New Zealand agricultural exporters, particularly dairy, and this visit has identified areas in which we can diversify these commercial ties and further technical cooperation."

Guy's visit is the third ministerial visit to Iran in 12 months, reflecting the growing importance of New Zealand's relationship with the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In December last year, Trade Minister Todd McClay led New Zealand's first trade mission to Tehran in 12 years.

New Zealand has been striving to rebuild trade with Iran since the lifting sanctions over Iran's nuclear program began last year.

New Zealand commodity exports to Iran fell to less than 90 million NZ dollars (64.72 million U.S. dollars) in the year ending September 2015, down from over 163 million NZ dollars (117.21 million U.S. dollars) in 2014.




Albania to receive tranche of 77.6 m USD from IMF

Xinhua, Tirana :

Albania looks to receive a tranche of 77.6 million U.S. dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), local media reported on Sunday.

The IMF Executive Board has completed the two final reviews of Albania's economic program supported by an agreement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The completion of the ninth and tenth reviews allows Albania to draw the equivalent of an additional 73.2 million euros (77.6 million U.S. dollars), bringing total disbursements to the equivalent of 377.3 million euros, according to the IMF in a statement.

Approval of all IMF disbursements confirmed that Albanian authorities had met all conditions and had implemented key structural reforms, demonstrating strong ownership of the program, IMF said.

The IMF approved three years ago a 36-month extended arrangement under the EFF for Albania, with the aim to help Albania restore economic growth and control the rapidly-rising public debt that had threatened economic stability.

The agreement also aimed at strengthening public finances, maintaining financial stability, and implementing structural reforms.




Aparna busy with Bhubon Majhis promotion

Sheikh Arif Bulbon :

For the first time National Film Award winner actress Aparna went to her hometown Chittagong for the promotion of own movie titled Bhubon Majhi. Yesterday from the morning she took part in promotion of the film in Chittagong citys Fine Arts Institute and Theatre Institute and in several other institutions. During her campaign actor Maznun Mizan and filmmaker Fakhrul Arefin Khan were also present on the occasion.

It is noted that Bhubon Majhi is scheduled to be released on March 3. This government-grant movie will be released in more than 10 cinema halls on that day.

The story of Bhubon Majhi is based on a true story of the Liberation War in Kushtia. Fakhrul arefin Khan wrote its story, script, dialogue and also gave its direction. Aparna acted in role of Farida, while Parambrata played the role of a baul later turned into a freedom fighter in the movie.

While talking about the movie its lead actress Aparna told this correspondent, Both my father and grandfather saw the war of independence in 1971. I or like others who are my age informed about the war only by hearing its stories and watching movies. Story of Bhubon Majhi is fully based on the Liberation War so who did not see that war they can get a vivid picture through watching this movie. For this reason, I will request all to watch this movie on the screen. I have tried my level best to portray my role properly in the movie and I am very much optimistic about it.

Meanwhile, after taking part its promotion in Chittagong Aparna will also work for its publicity in Dhaka.

She got the National Film Award for acting in Gazi Rakayets movie Mrittika Maya. Her acted another movie To Be Continued directed by Iftekhar Ahmed Fahmi is waiting to release soon.

Aparna acted other released movies are: Mostafa Sarwar Farookis Third Person Singular Number, Zahidur Rahim Anjans Meghmallar and Prashun Rahmans Sutopar Thikana.

Besides working in movies, Aparna is also acting in the small screen. Now she is acting in Alvi Ahmeds a new serial.

Therefore, Aparna acted other serials - Golam Sohrab Doduls Songsar, Milon Bhattas Indiscipline and R B Pritoms Community - are being aired in different satellite channels now.


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Virginia Vallejo Biography And Her Love Story With Pablo Escobar Virginia Vallejo can be referred to as one of the oldest whistleblowers in history after her involvement with Pablo Escobar which made her famous. Over the years, many questions have been raised about her relationship with the drug lord and why she endangered her life to be with him despite his notorious acts. The death ...

Princess Love Bio  Ethnicity, Real Name & Parents For many people, Princess Love is simply Ray Js wife but there is so much more to this feisty lady than meets the eye. She is a star in her own right and has many feathers on her cap. Princess Love is a reality TV star, a model, video vixen, and fashion designer. She and her ...

Who is Papa Franku Also Known As Filthy Frank or Joji, Where is He Now? The social media as we all know today has given people the opportunity to be creative and innovative and at the same time, make something of themselves. YouTube is one of the known social platforms we have today that makes it possible for people to express their God-given talents and post videos they created to ...

Who Is Molly Qerim, How Did She Become a Famous Sports Anchor and Who Is Her Husband? Molly Qerim is an American sports anchor popularly known for moderating First Take, a highly rated sports talk show, on ESPN. Prior to joining ESPN, Qerim hosted Fantasy Live and NFL AM on NFL Network. It is quite obvious that the widely acclaimed television personality is in a class of her own when it comes ...

Safiya Nygaard  Height, Parents & Net Worth Safiya Nygaard is an American YouTuber, writer, content producer, and director who is popular for posting makeup, beauty and fashion videos on YouTube. Her videos regularly top at least one million views, thanks to her lively character as well as her willingness to experiment with outrageous outfits and different beauty products. Here are the things to ...

The Rigors of Sunlen Serfatys Career Journey Until CNN and Fun Facts About Her Personal Life CNN correspondent, Sunlen Serfaty is an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for covering a broad range of breaking news stories, national news, and Washington politics. She has been able to garner widespread recognition for herself which even goes beyond the sphere of her work. Her profile also increased with the extensive work she did in covering ...

Demystifying Jazz Jennings Real Name, Boyfriend & Family Of One The Youngest Transgenders Jazz Jennings is an unusual personality who became famous as a transgender activist and was recorded as the youngest documented public figure to be seen as transgender. She is also a YouTube personality and spokesmodel for brands, her fans, and other transgenders. She fought for acceptance in her high school with her super supportive family for over ...

Inside Fred Armisens Life  Ethnicity, Romantic Relationships and Gay Rumors Fred Armisen is an award-winning American comedian, he is also a writer, an actor as well as a musician. He was a cast member of the legendary comedy show, Saturday Night Live for 13 years and also one of the brains behind the successful satirical show Portlandia. Find out more about this incredibly talented guy ...

Ed and Lorraine Warren Biography: Cases, Kids, and Family Life Have you ever woken up with fear you could not explain, or felt a strange presence that made the hair at your nape rise or even experienced strange occurrences around you? Well, these were some of the promptings that made the well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into trying to explain the ideas ...

Truth About Tony Romos Wife, Kids and Life Since His NFL Retirement Tony Romo grew from the field as a quarterback to the screens as an American Football Analyst. He was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the richest football league in the world (NFL) before retiring. As a junior, he was honored as an All-Ohio Conference Member, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and ...

Who is Brittany Venti, The Controversial Game Streamer and YouTuber? In recent times, many people live stream themselves playing video games. This has become a popular pastime on the internet and many highly skilled gamers have become internet celebrities through this means. However, some of them rather than becoming renowned for their gaming skills and great commentary, have become controversial and infamous. A good example ...

Rob Dyrdeks Family: His Kids And Relationship With Wife Bryiana Noelle Flores A multi-talented star and an elite pro skateboarder, Rob Dyrdeks success story began at a remarkably young age. Yet another proof that schooling doesnt always correlate with success, Rob has established himself not just as a phenomenal sportsman but also as a successful entrepreneur. Besides perfecting his skill as a natural talent on the board, ...

xChocobars  Biography and Everything You Should Know About Her Having distinguished herself and recorded massive successes in an industry notably dominated by men, it is very safe to say that Xchocobars deserves all the attention and cash she makes from her career. A household name on Twitch (a smart live streaming video platform), the online-gamer is popularly known for streaming classic games such as Stardew ...

Everything To Know About Mary Padian, Her Boyfriend and Net Worth Mary Padian is a famous American television reality personality best known for her involvements on the Reality show Storage Wars. She also has her own shop called Mary finds where she displays her antique collections. Since her childhood, Padian has been a creative learner. At the time, she used to create new items out of reusable ones and ...

Betsy Woodruffs Family Life: Is She Married or Related To Bob Woodruff? An old name in the world of journalism, Betsy Woodruff has warmed her way into the hearts of many with her impressive talents. Through hard work, Woodruff has carved a niche for herself in a very competitive field. Betsy has strong family and work values and is also an advocate for equal opportunities for everyone ...

Matpat (Matthew Patrick)  Wife, Height & Net Worth As far as internet business is concerned, Matpat remains one of the most dynamic and seasoned figures. He boasts a wealth of experience that has helped him in growing his business from one level of greatness to another. Like most successful people, MatPat started out small but today, he makes millions of dollars from his ...

Facts About Ricegum  His Girlfriend, Real Name & Net Worth Ricegum is an online gamer and YouTube sensation who ditched college; took advantage of the digital era, and made a name for himself on the internet. Though he began as a gaming YouTuber, Ricegum soon gained recognition as a controversial internet star following his many diss tracks. Here is everything you need to know about the youngster ...

Joy Taylor Once Married MLBs Richard Giannotti  Inside Look At Her Love Life and Family The erosion of the sexist idea that women have no business in sports broadcasting created a host of women celebrities who attained fame outside of modeling and acting. One of them, Joy Taylor, a radio personality and TV host for Fox Sports 1, has been in the industry since 2009, becoming one of the most ...

What To Know About Conan OBriens Wife, Kids & Family Today The name Conan OBrien is one that jumps right at you almost immediately you start talking about the most popular television hosts in the USA and this is no surprise because the man behind that name has risen to become one of the most admired men in the business. Known for hosting the late-night talk ...

David Letterman  Net Worth, Wife & Son In all of American, one man whose face has been seen frequently by late night TV talk show lovers is none but David Letterman. The comedian and TV show veteran has been hosting late night talk shows for more than three decades. His Late Night with David Letterman show began on February 1st, 1982 aired ...

Demystifying Sssniperwolfs Family Background And The Boyfriends Shes Had Since she launched her eponymously named channel in 2013, Sssniperwolf has been on the rise when it comes to video game influencers. She is one of the biggest names in the online gaming subgenre of YouTube videos. Real name Lia Shelesh, she started with Call of Duty: Black Ops II but has diversified with other ...

Lester Holt  Wife, Family & Net Worth Lester Holt is a multiple award-winning journalist, newscaster, reporter, and actor who has worked for notable media houses like WCBS TV, CBS, MSNBC and among others. His remarkable feat in journalism has endeared him to the hearts of many and earned him some awards and recognitions. Read on to get acquainted with his biography, ethnicity, ...

What Is Louis C.K. Doing Now, Where Are His Family And How Much Is His Net Worth? It is not easy to make it in comedy. It takes more than a funny bone and the ability to elicit a few giggles from a listening audience. For all the complexities that go into making a successful career in comedy, Louis C.K, the Washington D.C-born comedian, did it. For years, he was at the ...

The Progression of Hoda Kotbs Career, Her Ancestry and Family Life Hoda Kotb gained fame as a television host and news anchor for NBC. She anchors the shows signature show Today, and it has been an excellent vehicle for her skills in front of a camera. Kotb has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and Peabody Awards. Simply put, she is one of the most successful ...

Jerry Seinfelds Family: All About The Amazing Comedians Wife and Kids Apparently one of the highly important entertainers in America, Jerry Seinfeld is a man of many talents. A very funny man, he is considered to be one of the most successful comedians in the USA who has been in the business as a professional rib-cracker for more than 40 years. As an actor, he has ...

The Rigors Of Sarah Silvermans Rise To Prominence And Rundown Of The Men She Has Dated A comedian, writer, and actress, Sarah Silvermans art and craft is as unique as you would ever find. Her poignant use of comedy to discuss social issues such as race, sexism, politics, and religion has gained her an impressive following. As unorthodox as her style is, so is her life experiences. She previously suffered from epiglottitis ...

Who Is Hannibal Buress, Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend & Why Was He Arrested? Making people laugh when they are tense or not in the mood is a tough order and to ply the trade, it must indeed take some guts and expertise, this is what the humor maker, Hannibal Buress has been able to achieve and sustain after his inital teething process. The African-American is a screen writer, stand-up ...

The Success of John Mulaneys Career Efforts Since His Work On Saturday Night Live and Facts About His Wife John Mulaney had been working as a professional comedian for years before Saturday Night Live changed his status for life and like many who are now his fans, you probably did not know of him then. However, that changed when he joined the sketch comedy show in 2008. Since then, he has been one of ...

Jeff Dunham  Wife, Children and Net Worth Ventriloquism is a very subtle method of making an inanimate object (like a puppet, doll or dummy) appear to be saying words which are actually coming from the person (holding the inanimate object). In effect, the individual throws his/her voice to the puppet and can even appear to be having a conversation with it. Not ...

Ellen DeGeneres  Net Worth, Wife  Portia de Rossi & Parents Ellen DeGeneres is an American female standup comedian who has proven that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do. Since her journey as a standup comedian started in 1981, she has held swirl as one of the finest comedians America and the world at large has seen. She is often referred to ...

Revisiting Joan Rivers Death  The Daughter, Husband & Net Worth She Left Behind Joan Rivers was a renowned American comedian, TV host, writer, and actress. Her brand of comedy consisted of scathing one-liners and no individual or topic is spared. She hosted her own talk shows in the 80s and 90s and was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy. She was the first woman to host a late night ...

The Struggles of Margaret Chos Childhood, How It Influenced Her Career Growth and Love Life Margaret Cho is best described as a comic star who knows how to maneuver everything related to life into a rib-cracking joke. She is also known to criticize every social and political problem, especially those involving race and sexuality. Apart from her talents as a comic actress, she does amazingly well as a singer and ...

Where Is Eric Bolling Today? Who Is His Son & What Is His Net Worth? Eric Bolling who was once a notable figure on Fox News, is an American TV personality, an author, and versatile Journalist. As a political and financial analyst/commentator, he anchored discussions bothering on finance for Fox Business Channel. Here is everything there is to know about his career, family, and allegations that led to his exit ...

Who Is Chelsea Handler and Does She Have A Husband or Boyfriend? Chelsea Handler is one of Americas top female comedians. She is also an actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She is known to be very outspoken even with things that are very personal. In separate interviews with The New York Times, Handler revealed that she had an abortion twice when she was 16. She has authored five books ...

How Did Laura Lee Achieve Fame, How Much is She Worth and Who is Her Husband? Laura Lee is a popular American YouTuber, make-up artist and beauty blogger. From posting videos of her makeup routines on Instagram, Lee has transformed into a beauty influencer and a YouTube sensation. Today, her YouTube Channel has over 630 million views and 4.5 million subscribers. Asides having millions of followers across all social media platforms, ...

Madison Gesiotto Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Measurements Madison Gesiotto is no ordinary woman; although she excelled in quite a number of pageants and competitions while she was in school, it is her views on politics and issues in America that has made her name known to most people. She possesses beauty and intelligence in a seemingly equal measure and has been able ...

Who Is Lil Tay? Parents, Brother, Sister, Age, Net Worth, Ethnicity Child stardom is nothing new in the entertainment world. With the advent of social media, we have seen more stars made from the internet than ever before, and Lil Tay is one of them. Her uploaded rap videos trademark is cursing, swearing, cash-throwing, and use of obscene languages. Her fame went wild after she dropped ...

What To Know About Tig Notaros Wife, Kids and Family Today Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic star, writer, actress, and radio analyst. Since she started her career in 2001, she has become one of Americas best comedians, particularly when it comes to observational comedy. One prominent aspect of her routine involves her family, which includes a wife and two children. Interestingly, Tig Notaro is part ...

Who Is Chantel Jeffries? What To Know About Her Age, Ethnicity & Net Worth Chantel Jeffries is a lady of many talents. Beyond being celebrated as a DJ, she has fared well as a model, an actress, musician, and as an artist. She first rose to fame on Instagram where she has a large following. However, in recent times, she has hit the spotlight for her rumored relationships with some ...

Is Ellen DeGeneres Married, Who Is The Brother  Vance DeGeneres and Family Members? Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind celebrity in todays world as she has used her wealth for the greater good for many people. She has served a host of famous awards shows like the Grammy, Primetime Emmy and Academy Awards. Moreso, she is probably one of the most decorated entertainment personalities around the world and ...

Carli Bybel Bio  Height, Boyfriend & Net Worth Video blogging is now on the rise and YouTube is the place where most of it happens. If you are a lady who cares about her looks or a guy who likes to help his woman out with her looks, then one person whose name rings a bell when it comes to giving beauty tips ...

Who Is Lexy Panterra? What To Know About Her Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth Lexy Panterra is one of the YouTube personalities whose breakout came through the Twerk dance videos she posted on her social media handles and YouTube which has so far generated over 13 million views for her. From there on, she created her LexTwerkOut workout program in 2014. She is sure very talented as she as moved ...

Who Is AnneMunition? What Is Her Ethnicity & Does She Have A Girlfriend or Boyfriend? AnneMunition is a professional gamer and content creator of American origin. She is one of the most sought-after streamers on Twitch  a popular online platform for watching and streaming videos, especially video games. AnneMunition has almost half a million followers on Twitch and her channel has accumulated at least 13 million views. Her favorite games ...

Norm MacDonald  Former Wife, Son & Net Worth Recently, 59-year-old former Saturday Night Live stand-up comic Norm MacDonald caused a not-so-funny stir when he expressed his personal opinion about the #MeToo movement speaking in defense of Louis CK and Roseanne Barr. Following the backlash of his actions, he is diligently doing damage control for his questionable opinion by posting a public apology on ...

Inside Iliza Shlesingers Life With Husband and How Much She is Worth Now Witty, spontaneous, and truly humorous, Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian who is clearly proving that the stereotypical claim that women are not really funny is not only incredibly wrong but completely outrageous. Having been in the game for more than 10 years, Shlesinger has grown bigger with each step, stunning fans with her incredible ...

Who Is Nessa Diab? Details of her Parents, Ethnicity & Relationship With Colin Kaepernick Nessa Diab has gained more fame as the girlfriend of different footballers than in her career. She is currently with the popular National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, and has stood by his side during his most trying times. Also known for her mononym, Nessa, she recently engaged in a tweet battle with the ...

Samantha Bee  Inside the Life of Full Frontal Comedian and Presenter We have over the decades seen various brands of humor and personalities who have walked the ropes. One of the formidable forces in the world of comedy is no other than the iconic Samantha Bee of the Daily Show who now runs her own television show on TBS channel. She is a Canadian-American political commentator, ...

What Happened To Jessica Williamss Boyfriend And Which Are Her Best Works? Jessica Williams is a woman who has a lot of feathers in her cap  and keeps acquiring more. The former senior political correspondent of the comic Daily Show, who is also a comedian and actress whose recent movie appearance include starring as a playwright just recovering from a recent split with her boyfriend, Damon, and ...

Who is Nicole Byer? Here are 5 Facts You Need To Know About The Comedian Nicole Byer, an American comedian, actress, and writer, made a name for herself after she played supporting roles on MTVs prank show Ladylike and the reality show Girl Code. The latter was a series that featured comedians who analyzed in minute details, all the issues that young women deal with daily, from period to dating, to weird friendship dynamics and questions about sex. Currently, ...

A Closer Look At Bart Kwans Ethnicity, Height & Personal Life Bart Kwan is one of few Asians who is known for being successful in the comic industry at an international level. His fame broke out after the YouTube channel which he created with his close pal Joe Jo garnered up massive followings. The talented duo has been running the channel since 2007 and their success ...

Heres How VanossGaming Achieved Fame Online, His Worth and Other Facts About The Gamer For many years, the decision to drop out of college to pursue an online career was considered to be foolish and self-destructive by conventional wisdom. It was no different when Evan Fong, popularly known as VanossGaming, dropped out of college to pursue a YouTube career. However, that radical move paid off, and he stands shoulder to ...

Desi Perkins  Ethnicity, Net Worth & Husband YouTube is littered with videos of makeup tutorials by different people but if you are interested in learning how to do your makeup like a pro, there is just one person on that platform who you must follow. She is none other than Desi Perkins! She is a popular make-up artist, Instagram star, and vlogger. Desi, ...

The Phases of Casey Neistats Pursuits and His Love Story With Candice Pool YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, and creator extraordinaire; these are just a few hats that Casey Neistat wears and the story of how he got here is incredible. A native of Connecticut, Neistat started out by making refreshingly-authentic short films and videos that featured content that was based on everyday life and called attention to serious issues. He ...

Connor Franta  Inside The Life of American YouTuber YouTube has produced a lot of young celebrities in modern times and Connor Franta happens to be one of them. Apart from being a YouTuber, the young American is also an entrepreneur, entertainer, and writer. His journey to fame began almost a decade ago when he started a self-named YouTube channel where he uploads content ranging ...

Rhett and Link  Bio, Who are Their Wives, Net Worth and Family Facts Rhett and Link refer to an American comedy duo who are very popular on YouTube. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. The show has featured guests such ...

A Walk Through The Maze of Ryan Higas Career Pursuits And Relationship With Arden Cho Ryan Higa is not only celebrated as a YouTube star, but he is also famed for appearing on television screens as an actor and comedian. Nigahiga, his Youtube channel, has gathered over 20 million subscribers and billions of views with his different comic acts, short films, and music videos uploads. With the rise in his career, ...

What to Know About The Shows That Made Craig Ferguson a Star and His Family Ties Rising to the top of your profession can sometimes be a hard and difficult process. It requires days and nights of working consistently hard to be better than what you were yesterday. It requires not giving up when all of your experiences seem to be pushing you to quit. It is because of these challenges ...

David Dobrik Married Liza Koshy for One Month  Inside His Family and Relationships David Dobrik is a YouTube sensation who has garnered fame not just for his vlogs but his love life too. Given his career as a YouTuber, his channel is one place where he shares his romantic escapades. With a cute boyish look like his, this Slovakian young man is definitely a good catch, and not ...

Merrell Twins Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Boyfriend One of the beautiful things about modern life is social media. As rudimentary as it might seem, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that would be invented in the next 50 years because of its impact on human life. Very few tools have revolutionized human behavior and culture as much as social ...

Who Is Bunny Meyer, Is She Married & What Is Her Net Worth? Bunny Meyer is a YouTube celebrity who has amassed over 8.8 million subscribers with 1.5 million viewers on her channel. She is popularly known as Grav3yardgirl and is one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. She initially started out as a fashion designer and later chose the path of a YouTuber. Grav3yardgirl has used her knowledge on fashion, makeup, ...

Ninja  Inside The Life of The American YouTuber and Internet Personality Ninja is a talented video game player known for his mastery of Fortnite and other seemingly difficult games he plays with ease. The video gamer made a career out of what is ordinarily the hobby of many people and has since then amassed a huge online following. Find out about him here, including the controversies that ...

What Is Eva Gutowskis True Sexuality and How Did She Rise So Fast As an Influencer? Ever since Eva Gutowski joined YouTube in 2011, it has been an interesting journey for her, moving from one milestone to the other. Backed by an army of young women and teenage girl fans known as Evanators, she has risen to become one of the most-talked-about personalities in the digital stratosphere. She has also leveraged ...

Emma Chamberlain Biography  Age, Height & Net Worth Before now, people in the entertainment industry could only achieve popularity after many years of dedication and hard work but since social media came into the scene, massive success and overnight popularity became possible. That is the story of Emma Chamberlain who encountered fame as a fifteen-year-old. Emma is one of the many young people who became ...

Anna Akana  Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth There is a new crop of YouTubers known by their different contents with a very strong uniqueness that stands every one of them out, some upload video games, some fashion while some others have comedy video contents to showcase on their channels. Anna Akana has used her platform to showcase her comedy contents to the ...

Revealing Truths About Lilly Singhs Ethnic Background, Family and Her Relationship With Yousef Erakat Lilly Singh is an Indian-Canadian YouTube personality, actress, and comedian also known as Superwoman. She kicked off her YouTube career in 2010 with the launch of her channel IISuperwomanII and followed it up with a vlog channel in 2011. This paved the way for her fame and success which led to a world tour. The ...

Who Is Andrea Constand, Is She Married and What Is Her Connection With Bill Cosby? Many people got sexually molested but could not voice out due to the stigma victims suffer and what will become of them thereafter. Very few of the victims danm every consequence to seek justice and bring the perpetrator to the book, like Andrea Constand. She never got any media buzz, not until her friend cum molester; ...

Who Is Lazarbeam (Lannan Eacott)? Here Are Facts You Need To Know Lannan Eacott became a person of interest after his YouTube channel, LazarBeam pulled him to the limelight. Initially, he started with uploads of Madden Challenge videos before deciding to build his own channel in January 2015. Within the space of three years, his YouTube channel had gathered over 7 million loyal subscribers. Today, he has not ...

Puzzling Facts About Wengies YouTube Success and More About Her Fiance Among the many YouTubers who have succeeded in winning the hearts of millions of people is Wengie. She is a Chinese-Australian YouTube personality, vlogger, singer, and voice actress. Wengie is famous for a lot of things, from her simple life hacks, DIYs, craft ideas to fun experiments, tricks and pranks. Her content portfolio also includes hair tutorials, diet & fitness tips, lookbooks, ...

Is Jeffree Star A Billionaire and How Much Does He Make On YouTube? If looks can be deceptive then theres no other person who proves this maxim better than Jeffree Star. A quick look at Stars pictures would likely leave you wondering whether or not to tag him a male or female. But who says being controversial has to be a curse? For Star, his looks have caught ...

The Place of Rosanna Pansinos Career Hats In Her Rise To Fame and Facts About Her Personal Life There are a few phrases that could summarize Rosanna Pansinos rise to fame. None of them can do it better than the famous axiom, no knowledge is lost. Her popularity YouTube comes out of her foray into other professions, specifically acting. Although acting now occupies one of the major professional hats in Rosannas resume, it was ...

Muselk (Elliott Watkins) Biography  Age, Girlfriend and Net Worth The new and best in-thing in terms of career is video gaming and we have over time seen young men and women make massive income from an activity that was purportedly designed to serve as a hobby or a relaxation activity. One of such individuals is the Australian-born YouTube Celebrity and Twitch streamer, Muselk, whose ...

PopularMMOs Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know We have over the years seen social media millionaires, especially on the YouTube social platform. These celebrities cum millionaires have made names for themselves after carving out niches on the internet, and a typical example of one of such exciting media personality on the YouTube is American Minecraft gamer and YouTube star, PopularMMOs whose channel ...

Jason Nash Once Married Marney Hochman  What To Know About His Ex-Wife and Kids The now-defunct video-sharing app Vine was the path that led Jason Nash to fame. With it, he built an audience of over two million followers, which he parlayed into a significant YouTube career. That move has seen him become one of the most popular personalities on the internet, with the cash income to go with ...

Where Does Dantdm Live? What Do We Know About His Net Worth, Wife and Brother? Most parents buy video games for their kids to occupy their time leisure, while other parents frown at their kids when they play video games. Despite the disparity, every parent would be proud of their child if he/she eventually turns a celebrity or millionaire through playing video games like Dantdm. Biography of Dantdm Dantdm was born Daniel ...

LaurDIY  Biography: 5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTuber LaurDIY is the YouTube channel of Lauren Riihimaki which she created on December 1, 2011, when she was still a college undergrad with the sole aim of giving Do It Yourself (DIY) as well as practical fashion and beauty tips to her followers. She has used the channel to establish herself as a YouTube personality ...

Lachlan Ross Power  Bio And Family Life Of Australian The YouTube Star It is amazing the varied sources of income that the internet has made possible in this day and age. Internet fame can get its holder a whole lot of monetary and social benefits, but it must be noted that it does not come easy or cheap. For those who desire fame, content is the sacrifice ...

Alfie Deyes  Bio and Net Worth: Everything You Need To Know Alfie Deyes is one internet personality you definitely would like to know about. He boasts of over 10 million subscribers on three of his YouTube channels and has three bestseller books to his name. He is probably the most renowned young personality on YouTube today and his vlogging empire continues to grow by the day. ...

Colleen Ballingers Love Story With Husband Erik Stocklin and How Much She Is Worth Now Colleen Ballinger is an American comedian and YouTuber who is a very funny, adventurous, and highly talented woman. She is also an actress, singer, and writer. Collen is widely known for her work on YouTube where she posts content on her channel, Miranda Sings. The comedian has gained many subscribers over the years and has ...

Who Are The Dude Perfect Members and How Much Are They Worth? Entertainment in the 21st century can be digested in many forms and with platforms like YouTube, the creators and purveyors of entertainment have been democratized. Today, one of the most popular platforms to exhibit ones creative talents is YouTube, even though there are other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, who suffer in comparison to YouTube because ...

Who Is Rudy Mancuso, What Is His Earning Power and What Do We Know About His Girlfriend? Rudy Mancuso started his internet journey on Vine. He would later transition to YouTube where he solidified his place among the internets most beloved comedic creators. He is now regarded as one of the renowned internet personalities in the world, with a presence in mainstream TV and film projects like Comedy Centrals Drunk History and ...

Vsauce (Michael Stevens) Biography and Net Worth: All You Need To Know The advent of YouTube and the internet as a whole revolutionized how human beings consume information. With each passing year, the percentage of learning that is done in a traditional classroom decrease as a seismic shift to internet-based learning happens in our education industry. From open courses online to YouTube classes and videos, there are ...

How did Jake Paul Make His YouTube Big Break and Who is His Wife? One of the most interesting Social Media personalities of the 21st century is the young and popular Jake Paul whose elder brother is the famed Vine star, Logan Paul. Jake has utilized the power of the internet to bring himself to the limelight with a channel named JakePaulProductions that has amassed up to six billion ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About Reaction Time (Tal Fishman)  The American YouTuber Before 2015, the leading meaning of reaction time was the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus, until Tal Fishman started his channel, Reaction Time on YouTube and the dominant meaning changed. Today, a google search of Reaction Time would deliver Tal Fishmans videos and YouTube channel link with a few physics ...

Grace Helbig  Net Worth, Boyfriend and Family Life of The YouTuber Grace Helbig is an American internet personality, comedian, actress, and writer. She became popular due to her daily vlog series, DailyGrace, which ran on My Damn Channel from 2008 to 2013. Helbig is also popular for her own indie series on YouTube, ItsGrace, which she launched in 2014. Her vlogs which feature random stuff such as ...

Mark Wiens Bio  Ethnicity, Wife and Parents Food is a great way to connect with people. We all love to eat, if not for the pleasure of food, the satisfaction of quenching hunger, and the very process of providing and sharing that food is part of the strongest bonds that bind humanity together. Maybe it is our historical connection to food, where ...

Is Filthy Frank Dead, What Happened To Him and How Much Is He Worth? As George Kusunoki Miller, he was a nobody. However, as Filthy Frank, George was one of the most famous internet personalities on the planet. The Filthy Frank Show, a sketch series on his YouTube channel, TVFilthyFrank, was one of the platforms most influential creations. He is the reason a crazy dance song, Harlem Shake, made it ...

CaptainSparklez Bio  Net Worth, House and Cars of The Famous YouTuber Sometimes, what society wants from its citizens is quite different from what the citizens want for themselves. This is evident in the life and career of video blogger and American YouTube personality, Jordan Maron famous for his YouTube channel CaptainSparklez. He dropped out of school after discovering his talent in playing an online game called Minecraft. ...

Who is Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg)? Here are Facts You Must Know Canadian Youtube personality, Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg) originally started out polishing and designing nails even before it became a trendy culture in the social media. Simply Nailogica started out her showbiz career in her early days as a child actress, acting in commercials for game and toy companies. Aside from acting, she is blogger, vlogger, specializing ...

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Huda Beauty In the world of entrepreneurship, it is interesting when an individual has a mentor who he/she looks up to, this yield more productivity on the part of the individual. The iconic and rich American beautician and makeup artist Huda Kattan nicknamed Heida is the founder of the Huda Beauty blog which is number one Instagram beauty blog ...

Is Dino MasterChef Gay? Details About His Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Where He Is Now Food, for the better part of the early years of human life, was nothing more than what we needed for survival. There was no artistry or curation to the method of cooking. The scarcity of food left no room for artistic expression until we figured out agriculture and we could make as much as we ...

Who Is Gabbie Hanna And How Did She Become Famous? As the world shifts to digital media and depends more and more on streaming services for its news and entertainment content, YouTubers have become one of the leading creators in the new media world. Their understanding of the online audience: how to create, maintain, and increase followers, are all handy skills that have primed them ...

Jacksepticeye  Height, Girlfriend & Net Worth Jacksepticeye is a YouTuber and actor who gained popularity with a series of gaming videos he uploads on his channel to the delight of millions of his subscribers. He is Known primarily for his comic video game series titled Lets Play and his vlogs. His channel was formerly ranked 46th in the list of most subscribed ...

Chris Heria Personal Details: About His Wife, Height & Ethnicity Background In this generation, keeping fit has become one of the major criteria for being hale and hearty. In fact, most occupations these days are majorly concerned with ones body mass, weight and looks. Unlike the past where most people have to register in a gym to keep fit, social media has made it quite easy ...

Everything You Need To Know About Game Grumps Gaming is becoming incredibly popular on YouTube these days with game vloggers make millions of dollars out of them yearly. One of the most popular up-coming gaming YouTube channels is Game Grumps. The Lets Play series was created in 2012 and celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 18th, 2017. In six years of its existence, the ...

Daithi De Nogla Biography, Girlfriend and Net Worth YouTube has created an avenue for many to make wealth and become famous from the comfort of their homes while having fun. Many have built a career out of the platform, uploading numerous videos that have earned them the admiration of viewers across the globe. For Daithi De Nogla, he is loved for his humorous commentary on ...

Does Phoebe Robinson Have A Boyfriend or Husband and What Do We Know About Her Family? Phoebe Robinson is a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known as the co-creator and co-host of the WNYC Studios podcast 2 Dope Queens. Just like some other female comedians, she never had any original plans of becoming a stand-up comedian even though, according to her, she took a class on a whim at Carolines on Broadway. After ...

Who Are Lex and Alana from Listed Sisters? What Is Their Ethnicity & Is the Show Cancelled? America is a country built on diversity. Everywhere you look all over the country, a countless number of immigrants or children of immigrants have become an integral part of the fabric of the country. From entertainment to business, immigrants are creating a niche for themselves and climbing to the summit of their respective professions. One ...

Riveting Facts About Danielle Lombard And What She Is Best Known For The American entertainment industry is one that provides many avenues for aspiring hopefuls to express their talents and become famous. From films to television shows and game shows, there is no shortage of ways for men and women who desire fame to pursue and earn it in the United States of America. Another tested medium ...

Unearthing New Details About The YouTube Success And Personal Life of Alex Burriss of Wassabi Productions Wildly hilarious and truly audacious, Alex Wassabi is an American YouTuber who has become a very popular face on the video-sharing platform after having garnered millions of subscribers over the years by keeping people glued to his channel with his witty parody video releases. If you have always loved parody videos, there is every chance ...

Everything You Need To Know About H2O Delirious H2O Delirious whose full birth name is reported to be Jonathan Gormon Dennis has successfully kept himself mystified by hiding his face behind the masks leaving his loyal fans speculating who he really is for many years. The American YouTube star is easily identified by the Jason Mask Style with make-up which he wears on his ...

Who Is HolaSoyGerman and What Happened To Him? German Garmendia has certainly seen it all when it comes to internet success. His channels, HolaSoyGerman and JuegaGerman are in the top twenty most subscribed channel on YouTube. The Chilean YouTuber found a way to tap into one of the worlds greatest inventions and make a living from it. He has been able to build ...

Who Are Glenn Becks Family, What Is His Net Worth And What Happened To Him? The American political commentary space is filled with different personalities. A few of them, through their rhetoric, charisma, and resources have been able to build a large following of men and women who listen to them for insight and direction for various political and social issues in the United States. For Conservatives, the story is ...

Following Charissa Thompsons Rise Through The Ranks Of Sports Casting and All About Her Boyfriend Superstar TV host and sportscaster, Charissa Thompson, has been hailed as one of the highest-profile women journalists in America, and the reason is there for all to see. She has worked for popular establishments such as Versus, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, GSN, and Big Ten Network. She currently hosts the popular pre-game show, Fox NFL Kickoff, ...

Is Chris Kattan Gay or Does He Have A Wife? What Is His Net Worth? Chris Kattan is a popular American comedian and actor. He has appeared in several comic movies and TV series such as The Middle, A Night at the Roxbury and Bunnicula. Kattan is, however, most popular for his six-year stint as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. During his time on the legendary show, he ...

Everything You Should Know About the Rise of Insta Star Claire Abbott and Why She Gave It All Up A lot of young Americans have shot into the limelight for uploading different kinds of videos on YouTube. Some of these young stars include Connor Franta, Desi Perkins, Emma Chamberlain, the Dolan Twins (Ethan and Grayson), and Claire Abbott. The latter became a social media celebrity for uploading sexy bikini pictures of herself on social media. Apart from ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTube Channel  h3h3Productions H3h3Productions is a YouTube channel that specializes on Comic responses or reactions of other contents or trendy stories. The celebrity couple that created the channel has over time racked up sizable views for their commentaries and contents. Even though they had their own fair share of copyright cases, thankfully they scored an unprecedented victory in all ...

Lilypichu Bio  Height, Brother and Love Story With Albert SleightlyMusical Chang Like most popular internet celebrities, Lilypichu is one of those Twitch streamers who spend their lives on camera. From daydreaming about the possibility of becoming a full-time professional streamer, she grew to live out her dreams on the popular live streaming platform where people play games, make crafts, and showcase their day-to-day activities. Given the rise of ...

KSI  What To Know About His Girlfriend, Brother  Deji Olatunji & Net Worth Assuredly, when Internet inventors Vint Cerf and Bob Khan created the technological masterpiece, they probably did not know how massive the creation will be harnessed by many for different purposes including as a platform for earning money through content creation. One of such person who smiles to the bank regularly today for spending time creating ...

The Interesting Progression and Highlights of Carrie Keagans Career as a Host and Actress Carrie Keagan has garnered huge fame through her various stints on television. She is not just your regular TV host but one with a difference. Keagan has hosted several high profile events and TV shows, including VH1s Big Morning Buzz Live and Fox News Channels Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. However, not many know she ...

The Gist On Elise Jordans Marriages And Her Rise To Prominence Political commentaries tend to be boring when it is handled by someone who does not have a knack for it. However, when you see the likes of Elise Jordan run the same commentary, you will have a lot of reasons to look forward to watching her again as the journalist is well-versed in the field ...

What Is Timmy Thick Best Known For and How Successful Is The Star? Thanks to the internet, many people whose talents would have ordinarily gone unnoticed have become famous. A very good example of this modern-day internet celebrity is Timmy Thick, an American social media star. He became popular on Instagram due to his penchant for posting raunchy pictures of himself. He also often posted videos of himself ...

What Does Heather Storm Do For a Living and Who Is She Dating? Reality Television is a great way to make a name for oneself as well as amass a fortune. Heather Storm can attest to this as she is one of those who have made a name and earned a lot from reality TV. She made her name appearing on shows like Car Fanatics, Awesome Autos, and, ...

Matt Carriker Biography  Net Worth, Wife & Height Unlike your regular veterinary doctor next door, Matt Carriker chose to spice up his noble profession with the unusual. Though he is known to many as a medical practitioner, Carriker is better renowned as a YouTube star and an animal lover. Having recorded huge successes on his various YouTube channels, the vet doctors name and ...

Jillian Mele of Fox News Career Achievements, Husband & Measurements There are quite a good number of presenters on radio and television who listeners and viewers may never wish to miss any of their shows because of their sensational golden voice, beauty or the special way or artistry they anchor their shows. Jillian Mele is one of such. She has been at the top of ...

Who is Gillian Turner of Fox News? Her Fiance or Husband and Net Worth Gillian Turner is well-known as a news correspondent for Fox News Channel but before she became a TV personality, she built an intimidating resume working for different institutions, including the American government. She served in different capacities at the White House National Security Council during the administration of former US Presidents  George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ...

Gloria Govan Bio  Age, Ethnicity & Height Even as Gloria Govan is famous as an American actress, author, a TV host, and reality television star, shes more popular as the wife of the former NBA player, Matt Barnes. She became known after appearing on the Florida version of the reality television series, Basketball Wives and later, Basketball Wives: LA  after Matt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sadly, ...

Michael Fishmans Interesting Start as an Actor and Why He Divorced His Wife of Many Years When one door closes, another one opens. As silly as that axiom may seem, it is the story of the resurgence of Michael Fishman, who plays D.J Conner on the popular show, Roseanne. Having played the character for several years as a child actor into his teenage years; when the show originally ended, Michael did ...

Who Is October Gonzalez  Tony Gonzalezs Wife? All You Need To Know October Gonzalez is a popular American TV host and media personality. Additionally, she is also a model. Gonzalez has hosted several TV shows such as Beat Shazam, Entertainment Tonight, and Rachel Ray. She has also featured in several reality TV shows. Gonzalezs fame is not just due to her profession but also because of her ...

Who Is Tony Berlin  Harris Faulkners Husband: His Children and Family Facts Tony Berlin is a popular American media guru. He has variously worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for some of the biggest TV networks in America. They include CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC (where he hosted the popular Good Morning America). Berlin has now diversified into public relations and owns his own PR firm. ...

The Progression of Gianna Tobonis Journalism Career and Details About Her Marriage to Kyle Buckley Gianna Toboni may not be your ideal newscaster but her unusual reporting is what made her a household name. The American journalist is renowned for her hard-hitting and authentic reportage. A motivator and activist for total press freedom, Gianna loves to explore pervasive cultural issues. Not only does this unique and ambitious journalist call for all ...

Dog The Bounty Hunters Family Including Details of His Late Wife and Kids Popularly known as Dog, a name which he got from the television series, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman, an American bounty hunter, and one-time bail bondsman, went from being convicted for a felony to being a reality TV star. He was brought to the limelight following the capture of the convicted criminal, Andrew Luster in 2003 and this eventually made ...

Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Cornells Wifes Bio, Children and Family The world of showbiz is made up of different people who serve different roles, and function in a variety of capacities, and one of the most important people are those in the background. Publicists are undoubtedly one of these background people yet they are vital to the life and fame of most of our favorite ...

Joe Rogan Has A Step-Daughter and 2 Other Kids With Wife Jessica Ditzel  Meet His Family Joe Rogan is a popular American stand-up comedian and TV host. His journey to stardom began in the late 80s and has seen him host several shows, the most popular is the game show titled Fear Factor. The exciting show dares contestants to face some of their greatest fears and embark on challenging stunts. The ...

Josh Gates and Wife Hallie Gnatovich Have 2 Kids But Who Has the Higher Net Worth? Best known for his explorations and adventures, Josh Gates, is a television presenter with a voracious appetite for seeing the world and the beauties in it. Some of that beauty, however, is in his home, in the form of two children he shares with his wife, Hallie Gnatovich. Not excluded is their marriage which has lasted ...

Holly Sonders Wiki, Plastic Surgery & Why She Divorced Her Husband  Erik Kuselias After trying everything within her capacity to have a low key wedding, Holly Sonders was drawn to the public because of her husbands controversy at his workplace. Well, the two are rumored to be divorced but the article below will give more light on how true these rumors are. Meanwhile, Holly Sonders is yet to ...

Nadeska Alexis Bio  Age, Boyfriend & Net Worth Journalism is one diverse profession that allows the practitioners to choose their area of specialty, build a career on it by reporting the truth and facts which in the long run will distinguish them as deserving commendation and recognition among their peers. Some choose to specialize in political journalism, while to others it is sports ...

Media Platforms Charlamagne Tha God Has Explored and All The Controversies He Has Courted Charlamagne Tha God is an American on-air personality, radio presenter, and more recently, author. He is popularly known as a co-host on New York radios nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, a program he has been hosting alongside DJ Envy and Angela Yee since 2010. However, his early years had no connection to his current career ...

A Look At Jimmy Fallons Net Worth and Family Including His Wife & Kids Sometimes, a childs passion for something is a pointer to what he/she would become in the future. As a child, Jimmy Fallon was literally obsessed with watching the late-night comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Then, his parents would tape the clean parts for him to watch and later, he and his sister would re-enact sketches from the ...

Kay Adams Biography  Does The Sportscaster Have A Husband or Boyfriend? When you hear the phrase sports enthusiast, women are hardly the first group that comes to mind. Well, thats changing pretty fast. Especially with the rise of female sports analysts and broadcasters like Kay Adams who is famed for knowing more about sports than most men do. And why not, shes paid handsomely for it ...

Ben Shapiros Family  Meet His Wife, Kids and Sister Who is Popular for the Wrong Reasons A multi-talented man, Ben Shapiro is a man of controversial nature, an attribute that has made him an unusual public figure. An intellectual whose career path was clearly defined even before he became a man, the Jewish conservative commentator has always had his way with words. He became popular by sharing his critical and often ...

QVC Shawn Killinger Bio  Husband, Net Worth & Facts To Know Shawn Killinger is a prominent TV personality who has worked her way to the top. Though not initially a journalist by training, she defied the odds and today has established herself as a household name, as well as, worked alongside some industry legends. More than just being a reporter, newscaster, and anchor, heres all you ...

Liv Lo  Dissecting the Ethnicity, Parents and Personal Life of Henry Goldings Wife While many are aware that Liv Lo is the better half to Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, only a few understand why his beautiful wife appears increasingly endearing to fans. A former model turned TV personality, and fitness star, Liv has an impressive resume which when combined with that of her statuesque spouse is considered a perfect ...

Stpeach Age, Husband and Other Facts About The Twitch Streamer Lisa Vannatta, famously known by her online alias, STPeach is a Canadian video game streamer cum vlogger who has garnered fame through her appearances on different video-sharing/social networking platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and Twitter. The beautiful lady got her career to a start in August 2015 when she joined the live streaming video platform, Twitch. She rose to ...

Insights into Seth Meyers Wife, Family and What His Net Worth Is Celebrities are mostly remembered and known for the work they do. For Seth Meyers, his career as a comedian, writer, actor, TV host, and producer is his biggest identifier. He was on Saturday Night Live SNL show as a head writer and cast member for more than ten years during which he built a reputation ...

Who Is Jessica Gadsden  Age, Net Worth & All About Charlamagne tha Gods Wife Jessica Gadsden is an American fitness coach as well as a personal trainer. She is better known as the spouse of popular American media personality, Charlamagne Tha God. Charlamange Tha God is a well-known TV and radio personality in the U.S. He has featured in several shows (both on the radio and TV) and is ...

Who Is Collins Tuohy  Michael Ohers sister ? Her Wedding, Husband & Net Worth Collins Tuohy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, blogger, and social media personality. She is also better known as the adoptive sister of NFL player, Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Blind Side. The Blind Side tells the true life story of Oher who grew up in an impoverished background consisting of a ...

Eye-Popping Facts About The Personal Life And Career Success Of Sportscaster Heidi Watney Heidi Watney is a media personality who has created a niche for herself as a sportscaster. Starting out as a radio presenter, the brilliant young lady has gone on to work for several prominent sports networks, and currently, she is with the MLB. The sportscaster is also known to have been an avid sports lady right ...

Marty Lagina Bio  Siblings (Martina and Rick Lagina), Net Worth and Wife Marty Lagina is an American engineer and businessman who has risen to fame as a reality TV star. This is thanks to his involvement in the adventure TV series, The Curse of Oak Island. The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running TV series which airs on the history channel. The show aims to solve ...

Is Jordan Schlansky Just A Character or a Real Life Person and What Does He Do? The world of late-night television is an interesting one. Shows during that time are geared towards giving viewers comedic relief from a long day at work through interviews and comedy sketches. The often charismatic host of this show requires the balancing talent of a producer whose primary job is to deliver great episodes. It is ...

Heres How Wealthy Jimmy Kimmel Is From All The Phases of His Career, Marriages and Sons Health Jimmy Kimmel is a renowned late-night talk show host known for his charm, wit, and the A-list guests he features on his show. As the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC, Jimmy has been serving comedy to television viewers for years which played a pivotal role in launching him into mainstream fame and enabled ...

Natasha Bertrand Biography  Is She Married? Who Is the Husband & What Is Her Age? Natasha Bertrand is not just a young prominent journalist but a first-rate investigative reporter. With her natural beauty and smile, Natashas sharp, insightful political commentary also makes her a thorough reporter. Her sound political perspective and coverage in the country have made her a force to be reckoned with in the profession. Renowned for her ...

What Happened to Shane Kilcher? His Injury Update, Net Worth and More Shane Kilcher is well-known thanks to the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. It is a show that documents the daily lives of the extended Kilcher family, people who live without plumbing or modern heating. The episodes follow their routines as they rely on hunting and farming for their nutritional needs as well as ...

Is Stephanie Gosk Gay or Lesbian, Who is the Wife or Partner  Jenna Wolfe? In August 2013, NBCs Today viewers were greeted with two shocking news. Today weekend anchor, Jenna Wolfe, announced that she was as a lesbian, introducing her partner as NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, and said the two are expecting their first child. A long time has passed since then and certainly, a lot of things ...

Nikki Mudarris  Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ...

5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ...

Understanding The Height of Fame John Oliver Achieved With The Daily Show and How He Met His Wife Without knowledge of who he is and his exemplary career, John Oliver cuts an unassuming figure of a regular man but he is one of the most influential personalities in America, especially on television. Since he began his career in 1998, he has been a loud and unapologetic agent of change, using his wit and ...

Why Did Big Chief Leave Street Outlaws, Where Is He Now And Why Did He Divorce His Wife? Justin Shearer, otherwise known by his professional name Big Chief is a famous street racer and television personality. He is famously known for being one of the main characters on the racing reality television series, Street Outlaws. Justin, who had been a significant part of the show since its premiere in 2013, appeared in a ...

Who is Josina Anderson of ESPN? Her Husband and Family Facts There has been a gradual paradigm shift in the world of sports which has today produced the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and other female athletes that are pulling great feats in different sporting fields. Their achievements have also been followed by the emergence of female sports journalists such as Jillian Mele, Eboni Williams, ...

Is Brittany Wagner Married, Who Is The Husband, How Old Is She? Brittany Wagner has been an inspiration to a lot of sports youngster. She has won the hearts of many athletic students with her role as a life coach and an academic counselor. She is well groomed in her career and has worked over a decade for The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The National ...

Tati Westbrook Bio  Age, Husband & Net Worth With five videos dished out every week, alongside running her own brand, beauty guru, and YouTube superstar Tati Westbrook has proved to the world that theres utterly no impossibility or limit to whatever one is passionate about. Tati is best known for being the owner and manager of the worlds most-viewed beauty and lifestyle YouTube channel, ...

Cathy Areus Long Road to Becoming a Freelance Journalist and What to Know About Her Kids An American freelance journalist, news analyst, and author, Cathy Areu has built a lasting reputation for herself on cable television. Popular for her skillful and sassy presentation of professional views on varying topics including cultural and feminist issues, Cathy is an inspiration to many women across the globe. In addition to being a journalist, she ...

Tucker Carlsons Love Story With Wife Susan Andrews, their Children and Net Worth Today On the TV screens, Tucker Carlson is that fiery fellow who passionately dishes out his conservative and often controversial views on issues of national importance. Such brazenness has fetched him many enemies, especially on the left-wing, but it has also helped him cement a reputation as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in America. His ...

Paige Wyatts Net Worth, Boyfriend and Where She Is Now Paige Wyatt became popular after the Wyatt family began running the reality television show, American Guns. The Wyatt family comprises Rich Wyatt (father), Renee Wyatt (mother), Paige and Kurt Wyatt (children). Rich Wyatt originally ran a gun shop, the Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado which is outside of Denver. The business which he ran together ...

The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

Lisa Joyners Biography  Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ...

Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

Jessica Goch  Bio: 5 Things You Didnt Know About Ninjas Wife Jessica Goch is the Schofield-born American Social Media Influencer who has worked as a model but is now better known as a host and interviewer of prominent Electronic sports celebrities at popular gaming events/tournaments. The screen queen also serves as the manager of her famous husband Ninja aka Tyler Blevins whose exploits on Twitch and Fortnite has ...

CNNs Chris Cuomo Biography  Wife, Family & Net worth Chris Cuomo needs no elaborate introduction as he has starred graced many prominent Television cable networks and his voice has been heard through acknowledged radio shows. He is a television journalist and Lawyer who has previously worked for ABC News as Chief law and justice correspondent as well as a co-anchor on 20/20. If you still ...

Neil deGrasse Tyson  Family, Religion & Net Worth Neil deGrasse Tyson is a distinguished American astrophysicist and author who has been able to achieve so much after falling in love with astronomy at the age of 9. He has since attended and become an alumnus of prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, and also recorded numerous achievements in his field of ...

Is Simon Cowell Gay? Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend and Why is He Famous? Simon Cowell is a well-known talent show judge, TV producer, entrepreneur and one of the most popular TV personalities that Britain has ever produced. In conjunction with his company, Syco, Cowell is the brain behind hugely successful talent hunt shows such as The X-Factor UK, The X-Factor US, Britains Got Talent, Americas Got Talent and ...

Everything To Know About Joanna Gaines Life With Chip Gaines, Their Business Pursuits and Kids Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip Gaines became celebrities after their television show Fixer Upper began airing back in 2013. The show which was about home renovation and decoration ran for about 6 seasons with a total of 79 episodes before the couple bade farewell to it in April 2018. Apart from their appearances on ...

Who Is Larry The Cable Guy? What To Know About His Wife And Net Worth Larry the Cable Guy is a self-professed country kid renowned for his trademark Southern accent and sensational catchphrase Git-R-Done! The famous comedian who talks about anything under the sun has gone on to become one of the most memorable characters in comedy history. Join us in unearthing lesser-known facts about the former on-air-personality, standup comedy superstar, movie ...

Who Is Patrick Starr, What Is His Net Worth and Gender? The make-up industry over the years has grown to become a billion dollar industry not just because there are probably more women wearing make-up but because a whole lot of men, especially the young ones, have become bold enough to wear it unlike before. A few of these men, like Patrick Starr, have even gone ...

How Did Chris Jansing Become a Senior Correspondent at MSNBC and Who Is Her Husband? An award-winning American television news reporter and journalist, Chris Jansing has succeeded in carving a spectacular niche for herself in the field of TV journalism. Outstanding for not just her excellence in journalism, Chris is also cherished for her incredibly gorgeous looks post 60! For close to four decades, Jansing has continued to soar in her ...

Jaclyn Glenn Biography  Age, Height & Ex-Boyfriend American Youtuber, Jaclyn Glenn, rose to prominence through her self-titled YouTube channel Jaclyn Glenn. She has remained an acclaimed atheist and continues to air her views on hot issues from politics, religion, animal rights, to atheism. During the heated 2016 US Presidential elections, Glenn featured in Hump Trump: Official Donald Trump Song. Her parallel acting career ...

Is Pat Sajak Married to a Wife or is He Gay With a Partner? Pat Sajak is one of the most popular TV game show hosts in America. He commenced his career as a radio disk jockey as well as a TV weatherman before being tapped to host Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States. Sajak has hosted the popular game show from 1983 ...

Nayyera Haqs Bio  What To Know About Her Husband, Parents And Family Nayyera Haq can take anyone on political debates as well as discussions on social issues affecting many. Her ability to masterfully deliver her stance on every issue or political debate has made her a regular face in morning and evening news media platforms. This is not a common feat especially for someone from her kind ...

Inside Guy Fieris Family With Wife, Kids and Sister Who Died of Cancer Over the years we have seen men dominate the kitchen and churn out amazing delicacies from it. Some do it way better than their female counterparts and one of such men is Guy Ramsay Fieri  an American TV host, celebrity chef, restaurant owner, bestselling author of four culinary books, and game show host. His ...

Meet Phil Mudd of CNN  The Former CIA and FBI Exec, Is He Married, Who Is The Wife? When it comes to discussing issues surrounding terrorism, American Counterterrorism and National Security Expert, Phil Mudd, occupies a globally significant position. He has voiced his interest in the fight against terrorism and insecurity on many popular media platforms, both print and broadcast, such as CNN, BBC, CBS, MSNBC, al-Jazeera, ABC, NBC, Fox, The New York Times, ...

Jim Hoffer: Biography, Wife  Mika Brzezinski, Children and Net Worth Jim Hoffer is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an investigative reporter for Eyewitness News, New York City. In his over two decades of investigative journalism, Hoffer has been at the front lines of several crucial stories from the 9/11 attack to the crash of American Flight 587 to the 2003 Blackout. On top of ...

The Ups and Downs of Erin Mcpikes Journalism Career and Other Facts About Her Personal Life Erin McPike is a journalist working for the Independent Journal Review (IJR) as a White House Correspondent but she gained widespread recognition for her coverage of general news. Whether its breaking news or some mainstream story, McPike has a reputation of baring the facts. As a journalist, her work as a White House Correspondent for Independent ...

Bert Kreischer Is Married To LeeAnn Kreischer With 2 Kids  Meet His Family Those familiar with Bert Kreischer mainly have the image of a large-bellied party man whose college life inspired the National Lampoon film, Van Wilder. It is an image that one would not naturally associate with a wholesome family. The standup comedian still maintains his wild party animal image on stage. But, back at home, he is ...

How Brendan Greene Became a Game Designer to Look Out For and Facts About His Failed Marriage The name Brendan Greene may not easily ring a bell in the larger society but for gaming enthusiasts, he is considered a god and this is because of his invention of the video game, Player Unknowns Battlegrounds, also called PUBG. Based on the popular last-man-standing/battle royale concept, Greenes creation has taken the gaming world by ...

WFAAs Sonia Azad Bio  Does The Reporter Have A Husband Or Boyfriend? Emmy Award-winning journalist and Health & Wellness reporter Sonia Azad is on the news segment News 8 Daybreak for the television station WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, a channel which she joined in October of 2015. Besides her time on the news, Azad is also a marathon runner and a certified yoga instructor. She has covered major news ...

This Is Everything You Should Know About Caroline Heldman, Her Career Portfolio and Other Facts Love it or hate it, there is no escaping the fact that feminism has come to stay in our world. The movement has continued to garner momentum over the years and this is due to the sustained push by several women, and even men, including the likes of Caroline Heldman. A Professor of Politics at ...

Understanding The Enigma That Is Gavin McInnes, The Controversies He Has Stirred and All About His Wife Gavin McInnes is a polemical English-born writer and TV personality, who is best known for his racist and fascist ideologies, as well as his co-ownership of Vice Media and Vice Magazine. He is also an actor a
BNP to join next polls, JS told



Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches expressed their firm conviction that Bangladesh would be a develop country by 2041 and the BNP will be compelled to participate in the next general elections.

Taking part in the general discussion on the thanksgiving motion of President M Abdul Hamid's address to the Jatiya Sangsad on January 22, the parliament members highly appreciated the bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that has helped Bangladesh achieving a lower middle-income status in the world by the mean time.

They said the present government is relentlessly working towards advancing the national economy in a faster pace by speeding up development in all sectors.

The MPs said the living standard of all in Bangladesh has already been raised to a higher extent, giving a clear sign of the country's becoming a developed country in course of time. The country has already achieved success in the health, electricity, education, agriculture, food, communications, science and technology, industries, women and children sectors and achieved appreciations and recognitions from various international forums in this regard.

During their speeches, the lawmakers termed the President's speech a realistic and unique document of what the present government did in terms of development on the basis of its future plans to turn Bangladesh into a developed country as early as possible.

Taking part in discussion on Sunday, Awami League lawmaker Fazlul Karim Selim said the speech of the President echoed the hopes and desires of the common people, as it is a clear guideline for the country's future development.

He said the next general elections would be held under the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in line with the constitution, adding, "The BNP will take part in that polls rubbing its nose on the ground and no conspiracy would affect the next election process."

Regarding negotiations with the BNP, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, who is also a residium member of Bangladesh Awami League, said no discussions could be held with such an organization that killed innocent people and torched transports through arson attacks.

He said no 15-February style farce election staged by the BNP will be held in Bangladesh again.

Referring to a recent Canadian federal court observation that termed the BNP a terrorist outfit, the Awami League senior lawmaker urged the countrymen to boycott the party.

Sounding a note of warning, he said the BNP will not find any path to flee Pakistan in face of public wrath if the party again tries to unleash anarchy in the country in the name of movement.

Selim said a graft case has been filed against Begum Khaleda Zia for embezzling the fund of orphanage and the law will take its own courses in this regard.

The rule of law is now established in the country and Khaleda would not be spared for misappropriating the orphanage money, Selim added.

The MPs paid their heartfelt tributes to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyred freedom fighters and also those who made their supreme sacrifices during the War of Liberation and all subsequent democratic movements in the country.

Among others, Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam, Bir Uttam, Tipu Munshi, Abdul Hye, Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, Nabi Newaz, Begum Umme Razia Kajol, Golam Rabbani and opposition bench member Advocate M Ziaul Haque Mridha took part in the general discussion.


Ekushey screen drops today

Rayhanul Islam :

The month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, which reminded us of our glorious sacrifice for Bengali language instilling a sense of patriotism throughout the month of February, comes to an end today (Tuesday).

The long queues of the book lovers were seen at every entry points of the Boi Mela on the Bangla Academy premises and the Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday.

The publishers as well as the visitors were in cheerful mood on Monday. Visiting the Boi Mela, it was witnessed that a large number of book lovers crowded the bookstalls and many of them bought a good number of books.

Tanvir Hasan, a 4th year student of Dhaka University, who bought 17 books as last moment collection, said, he always buys books from the Boi Mela for a year. He was accompanied by his friend Rana , another DU student.

'I have come to the Boi Mela with my friends from Patuakhali at the ending moment of Mela, like the last year. I took a book titled 'The Art of War' of Sun Tzu translated by Sabidin Ibrahim for my younger brother. I bought majority of my favourable books today (Monday) and rest of others will buy tomorrow (Tuesday)', said Zahid Hosain Jony, a student of Galachipa Government College.

Sabidin Ibrahim, translator of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War'' told The New Nation, it is very satisfactory matter that the book lovers, especially young people, are buying more books.

"The Art of War'' is now one of the best seller book of Oitezza publishing house's and my another book titled "History of English Literature'' is also drew attention of the readers'', he said.

The publishers also expressed their satisfaction at the sale position. They said, people are buying a huge number of books everyday for the last few days. They are expecting a huge turn out of readers at the fair today (Tuesday) and they will sell a huge number of books today than the other days, said publishers.

Rabin Ahmed, publisher of Sraban Publishing House, said on Monday that the readers were gathering in front of their stall and buying their favourite books. 'We have sold a huge number of books than in the last year, as the present fair management is better. Readers come at the fair premises without any problem and they bought their preferred books', he said.

Shakir Ahmed, salesman of Anna Prokash, said that they are always busy to feed the readers. A large number of readers always swarm in front of their stall. Their selling position is also good.

Meanwhile, One hundred and fifty five new books arrived at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela on Monday. Of the new books, 16 are storybooks, 25 novels, 7 essay, 47 poems, 2 Thesis, 19 Rhyme, 3 Child Literature, 8 Biography, 3 Liberation War, 2 Science, 3 Science fiction and 16 books on other subjects.

The books were, "Hizal Dangar Mukti Bari'' of Mustafa Masud, "Rajnitier Bidhi Prosonga'' of Ahmad Rafiq and "Sangbader Janmo Kahini'' of S M Rana published by Kotha Prokash, "Labonnoboti'' of Masuma Siddique published by Somoy Prokashoni, "Khudha Brittanta'' of Syed Samsul Haque published by Anna Prokash and "Arthonitir Bijoy'' of Manun Rashid published by Agami Prokashoni, among others.

A discussion titled 'Bangladesher Prokashona: Granta Porikalpona and Sampadona' was held at 4:00 pm in the main podium of academy. Emiratus Publisher Mahiuddin Ahmed presided over the function, while Tarik Sujat presented the keynote paper. Mafidul Haque, Badiuddin Nazir and Khan Mahbub were present as the discussants.

Latter, a fascinating cultural program was held in the main prodime.

At 4:00 pm a discussion titled "Bohuttobadi Samaj O Foklor" will be held on today (Tuesday) in the main podium of academy. Firoz Mahmud will preside over the function, while Shahida Khatun will present the keynote paper. Syed Jamil Ahmed and B B Rasel will participate the discussion.


HC granted bail to 3 in jail nearly a decade

Staff Reporter :

The High Court (HC) on Monday granted bail to three under trial prisoners who have been suffering in jails for more than ten years in separate criminal cases.

The three prisoners are- Dana Mia of Sylhet jail, Asadul Alias Asa of Satkhira jail and Shaju Mia of Narsingdi jail.

The HC also asked the court to finish the trial proceedings against them in next three months. The accused will be on bail till the trial proceedings is completed.

The HC bench of Justice A K M Abdul Hakim and Justice S M Mozibur Rahman passed the order after hearing their statements and examining their case reports.

It asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the incident and submit a report before it on March 19. Earlier in the day, the ASP and officer-in-charge of Bauphal Police Station Azam Khan Faruki placed their explanations appearing before the court. The court also exempted the two police officials from personal appearance. On February 20, the High Court summoned the ASP and the OC to explain the torture of an accused in police custody. Hearing a petition filed by victim's mother Jesna Begum, it had also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why any legal action would not be taken against the alleged police officials and why compensation should not be given to the victim.

The Home secretary, IGP and deputy inspector general of police (DIG) of Barisal zone had been asked to respond to the rule. On February 14, a report headlined 'Torture in Bauphal OC's room' was published in a newspaper.


Stop producing, selling drugs of 28 cos: HC

Staff Reporter :

The High Court (HC) on Monday ordered to stop producing and selling of medicine of 28 companies within 72 hours as they fail to produce standard antibiotic, which information was found in a report of a experts' committee.

The HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order and issued a rule after hearing a writ petition.

The 28 companies are- Amico Pharmaceuticals, Aztec Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bengal Techno Pharma Ltd, Benham Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Central Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Decent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Dr Teams Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Globex Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Greenland Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Inova Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Max Drugs Ltd, Medimet Laboratories Ltd, Modern Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mystic Pharmaceuticals Ltd, National Laboratories Ltd, Organic Health Care Ltd, Wester Pharma Ltd, Premier Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Prime Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Seema Pharmaceuticals Ltd, White Horse Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Momtaz Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Unique Pharmaceuticals Ltd, United Chemical and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, FNF Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Unit-1, Unit-2 and Unit-3 of Techno Drugs Ltd.

In the rule, the court wanted know as to why the inaction of the respondents to stop producing and selling of antibiotic, anti-cancer and hormonal medicine of the 28 companies should not be declared illegal and as to why the respondents should not be directed to stop producing and selling medicines of the 28 companies.

Health Secretary, Industry Secretary and Director General of the Department of Health have to comply this rule.

Five respondents including these three have to submit a progress report in the court within two weeks. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director General of RAB are directed to cooperate in this regard.

Three lawyers of the Supreme Court on behalf of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights organization, filed the writ petition on Sunday challenging the inaction of implementing the recommendations to stop production of these companies by the experts' committee.

Advocate Monzil Murshid took part in the hearing on behalf of the petitioners. He told the reporters that the court ordered to stop producing and selling of antibiotic, anti-cancer and hormonal medicine of 28 companies within 72 hours.
AL man found dead in Khulna

UNB, Khulna :

An activist of local unit Awami League was found dead near a fishing enclosure at Pabla in Arongghata upazila on Monday.

Quoting local people, police said Mahidul Islam Band, 45, an activist of Doulatpur upazila unit Awami League and a resident of Deyana area in the city went to his fishing

enclosure at Pabla on Sunday evening and did not return home. Local people spotted the body of Mahidul, with his throat slit, near the fishing enclosure around 8am and informed police.

On information, police recovered the throat-slit body of Mahidul and sent it to Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. The body bore several injury marks, said Ruhul Amin, sub-inspector of Doulatpur Police Station. Nasim Khan, officer-in-charge of Arongghata Police Station, said Mahidul had an enmity with one group over the fish enclosure and he might have been killed over the issue. However, the reason behind the killing could not be ascertained immediately, he said.


Bus driver held over medical student killing

Staff Reporter :

Police in a drive have arrested the bus driver in connection with the killing of the female medical student in a road crash at Nayabazar in the old part of Dhaka.

Reaz Bagha, 28, driver of a bus owned by 'Tanjil Paribahan' was arrested from the city's Sutrapur on

Sunday night, said Nur-e-Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Bangshal Police Station.

The law enforcers also arrested the helper, Milon and seized the bus from the same area on the day, the police official said.

Sadia Hasan Khan, 23, who was a final year student of National Medical College, was killed and her mother was injured when the bus rammed a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on Saturday morning.

Following the incident, the students of Dhaka National Medical College on Sunday issued another 24-hour ultimatum to the authorities concerned to arrest the bus driver whose reckless driving killed their fellow Sadia Hasan.
Husband gets 10 years RI

Court Correspondent :

The Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 of Dhaka on Monday sentenced husband of Rajshahi University's former student Wahida Sifat, 27, to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment in a case filed for provoking Sifat to commit suicide in March 2015.

Judge Sayeed Ahmed of the tribunal pronounced the verdict in presence of husband, convicted Md Asif. The court acquitted Asif's parents Md Hossain Ramjan and Najmun Nahar

Najli and Dr Jubaidur Rahman, Assistant Professor of the Forensic Department of Rajshahi Medical College, as the charges brought against them were not proved. Dr Jubaidur conducted the autopsy of the victim.

The court rebuked four investigation officers for their failure to unearth the facts of the incident. While delivering the verdict, the judge said prosecution has failed to prove the charges of torturing and killing Sifat for dowry.

Sifat, was a student of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University. She was found dead at her in-laws' house in Mahishbathan area of Rajshahi city on March 29, 2015.

Victim's uncle Mizanur Rahman Khandaker filed a murder case with Rajpara Police Station on April 2, 2015, accusing Sifat's husband Md Asif, father-in-law Md Hossain Ramjan and mother-in-law Nazmun Nahar Najli on charges of torturing and killing Sifat for dowry.

Police later pressed charges against the trio and also included the name of Dr Jubaidur Rahman, Assistant Professor of Rajshahi Medical College for giving a "false" autopsy report of the victim, saying her death as a suicidal one.

Senior ASP of CID Ahmed Ali, the Investigation Officer of the case, submitted a chargesheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Rajshani accusing the four persons. IO Ahmed Ali said, after a long investigation, police found that Sifat did not commit suicide rather she succumbed to her injuries.

The case was later handed over to the Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 of Dhaka which began the trial on November 11 last year.

The couple, has a two-and- a half-year-old son.
ACC launches probe against Kader Khan

UNB, Dhaka :

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a probe against Abdul Kader Khan, a former MP of Jatiya Party and suspected mastermind of MP Liton killing, for allegedly accumulating wealth illegally.

The Commission at its regular meeting decided to

initiate a probe against him after receiving a specific graft allegation, ACC spokesman Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told UNB.

ACC deputy director Benjir Ahmed has been appointed as inquiry officer to carry out the probe into alleged corruption of Kader. Earlier, the ACC received an allegation that Kader Khan illegally amassed a huge amount of wealth using his power and influence and through extortion.

On February 21 last, police arrested Abdul Kader Khan, a former Gaibandha-1 (Sundarganj) MP from Jatiya Party, over the killing of ruling party lawmaker Manjurul Islam Liton.
Recruitment for money!

Appointment business at BSMMU alleged

Reza Mahmud :

Some officials of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) are allegedly involved in appointment of recruits in exchange of money which is dubbed as appointment business as many vacancies have been created there.

These officials from different sections of the university allure the job seekers that they can give jobs to them as Office Assistant and MLSS at BSMMU if they pay a fixed amount of money.

They also tell them that an office order has been pasted in the office board to appoint several hundred employees in the two categories. Some of them are on permanent basis and some on master roll basis, they added.

However, higher officials of BSMMU said that without publishing advertisement these appointments are not possible on permanent basis as per laws of the university.

They said some master roll appointments may be possible under the new move.

The officials involved with the recruitment business said appointment on permanent basis is also going on. They said about 87 persons have been appointed by January this year and 23 got jobs in the first week of February. And all of them have paid a fixed amount of money, they added.

According to the officials, money demanded for appointment on permanent basis to the post of Office Assistant is Tk 6 lakh and the salary will be Tk 26,000 per month. For office assistant in Master roll one needs to pay Tk 3 lakh and the salary will be Tk 23,000 per month.

For permanent job of office assistant advance payment of Tk 2 lakh needed while for master roll one has to pay Tk 1 lakh, they said.

For permanent appointment to the post of MLSS, one has to pay Tk 3 lakh and on master roll basis Tk 2 lakh. Their fixed salary will be Tk 16,000. They need to pay Tk 50,000 as advance payment. After getting appointment letter the total amount of money must be paid within days for every post, they added.

When contacted, the Vice-Chancellor of BSMMU Professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Khan told The New Nation yesterday that, "The allegation of appointment business is not true. If anyone found involved in such activities we must punish them."

He also said, "Some vested quarters are involved to defame my image. Huge development works are taking place in my tenure. Some quarters could not bear it."

About the incident centering appointment of 200 nurses recently in the varsity, the VC said some quarters tried to harm my image but they failed.

"They alleged that the nurses appointments were done violating laws. But finally they failed to prove anything illegal in the process," Professor Kamrul Hasan Khan said.

Other officials however alleged in name of ad hoc appointment of the nurses, the authorities were involved to illegal works.

"They appointed those nurses who had given them money earlier for permanent employment. After suspending the process of nurses' appointment they again appointed the nurses in different ways," said a senior official preferring anonymity.

He said, "It is nearly an open secret to appoint on ad-hoc or master roll basis workforce by taking money. It needs to be stopped."


Khaleda to appear court in 11 cases on March 14

Court Correspondent :

The Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka on Monday directed BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to appear to the court on March 14 in 11 cases filed in connection with arson attack, sabotage and sedition.

Khaleda Zia's lawyers sought time in her absence in the cases, while Judge Md Kamrul Hossain Molla fixed the new date for her appearance after hearing.

The court cautioned the former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia that she is being granted "one last

time". Earlier, she was allowed time a number of times.

Prosecutor Taposh Kumar Pal told the newsmen, Khaleda's lawyers appealed for a new date, saying that she was ill and had a meeting with foreign delegates.

Allowing time on Monday, the court said Begum Khaleda Zia must appear to the court on March 14, the next date of case.

Earlier, Monday (February 27), was fixed to take into cognizance the charge sheets of 11 cases, lodged against Khaleda Zia and others, the Public Prosecutor said.


Tk 3.41 crore looted by fake security guards

6 nabbed: Tk 1.17 cr recovered

Members of RAB in separate drives on Monday arrested six suspected robbers who looted Tk 3.41 crore by breaking open the vault of Knit Plus Garment Factory at Gazipur. Tk 1.17 crore was also recovered in cash from them.

Staff Reporter :

Elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) nabbed six robbers along with Taka 1.17 crore looted from a garments factory at Gazipur.

They also recovered firearm, ammunition, truck and garments machineries from their possession.

They looted Taka 3.41 crore from the vault of Knit Plus Garments at Kaliakoir in Gazipur on the night of January 7, said a RAB official at a press briefing at its headquarters in the city on Monday.

The members of RAB arrested them in separate raids from Rajshahi, Comilla, Barisal, Dhaka and Gopalganj districts from 4am on February 26 to 3pm February 27.

The arrestees are: Mahbubur Rahman alias Firoj Mollah alias Abdul Khalek Mia, 51, Khalilur Rahman Rana alias Rana Sarder alias Rana alias Firoj,40, Belayet Hossain Akand alias Belayet, 42, Iqbal Hossain Rubel alias Ruble, 37, Faruk Hossain alias Babul alias Md Alam Sikder,50, and Ujjal Biswas, 34.

Of them Mahbubur Rahman and Faruk Hossain introducing themselves as Abdul Khaleq and Alam Shikder joined the garment factory company as security guards.

They provided fake IDs, address and information to the security company concerned from where they had been recruited for the garment factory. Later they joined Knit Plus on December 12.

On the night of January 7, six guards including Mahbubur and Faruk were on duty. They offered sedated biscuits and water to the other four guards.

Being eaten biscuits and taken water the four other guards became senseless and laid down on the floor.

Taking the chance Mahbubur and Faruk in association with three other robbers of their gang who were waiting outside broke the vault of the garment factory and looted the money.

But the CCTV installed at the garments factory recorded their all activities during burglary. The other three who were waiting outside wore masks, as it appeared on the CCTV footage.
Banning some risky drug companies is not enough : Govt has to play its part

THE High Court on Monday asked the government to stop producing and marketing of antibiotic, penicillin and hormone drugs of 28 pharmaceutical companies within 72 hours beginning from the same day. Furthermore, the court also issued a rule asking the concerned authorities of the government to explain why the earlier HC ban on production and marketing of those drugs has not been executed. The High Court order came disposing a writ from a human rights body seeking the court's intervention to stop production and marketing of such drugs in public interest.

Producing and marketing of substandard drugs is not anything new in Bangladesh, despite a number of court rulings we have witnessed in the past that went unheeded. Barely ten months ago the Health and Family Welfare Ministry had decided to cancel license of 20 pharmaceutical companies for producing sub-standard and fake drugs. But they didn't stop their operation rendering the HC ruling almost ineffective.

We have our markets flooded with substandard and counterfeit medicines. Substandard products arise from poor quality control using poor manufacturing practices while counterfeit products are the 'products' of criminals. Considering the vast scale of global pharmaceutical industry and the incidence of potentially fatal diseases -- any amount of poor-quality medicine is unacceptable since it increases morbidity and also mortality. That said, we fail to comprehend why the Ministry of Health, besides other concerned authorities, is repeatedly failing to address this prevailing dilemma.

According to a report last year, many companies have repeatedly and grossly failed to ensure good manufacturing practices (GMP) in Bangladesh, and yet continue producing substandard medicines. We don't know how they managed to run, but one thing is clear that medicine quality assurance and regulatory authorities are not fairly functioning.

It can't be said that the government is not serious in battling the menace of poor and counterfeit medicines, but the question is again why it can't prevent the criminal practice so detrimental to public health. We suggest that regulatory bodies must address their limitations in this regard. We believe, banning of innumerable drug manufacturing companies will not solve the problem overnight, what we clearly need is to chalk-out effective policy outlines and strengthen the institutional capacity to implement the policies so that companies will not shut the doors but overcome shortcomings. Producing quality medicine is a highly critical issue. Companies must comprehend gambling with public health. Ii is serious offence that they must avoid and be punished if they continue to do so.

In our view the Directorate of Health Service and Drug Administration must take effective steps for the people to get right medicines.
The Undead Archives

I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world.
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The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
Neshoba County Sheriff(HATTIESBURG, Miss.) -- A manhunt is underway for man who is wanted in connection with two murders, according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.



Alex Bridges Deaton, 28, is considered "armed and extremely dangerous," and remains at large Sunday after having been connected to at least three crimes, authorities said.



Officials said Deaton is connected to Brenda Pinter, who was found murdered Thursday afternoon, and he is wanted in the shooting early Friday of a jogger, who was wounded by "a white male with facial hair."



Deaton is also wanted in connection with 30-year-old Heather Robinson, who was found murdered on Friday afternoon inside her home at the Vineyards Apartments near the Castlewoods subdivision in Rankin County, after the sheriff's department received a request for a welfare check.



A deputy and a family member entered the home and found her dead, according to Sheriff Bryan Bailey of Rankin County.



Deaton is wanted for aggravated assault and murder by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.



Robinson's white 2012 GMC Acadia SUV was missing when her body was found, and authorities say that it's possible Deaton could still be driving that vehicle.



The jogger told police that the shooter fired at her out of the driver's window of a small white SUV, which fits the description of the Acadia.



The vehicle bears a Mississippi Nurses Foundation tag with the number F396 NF.



Deaton may have fled the state, and a law enforcement source told ABC News that he is believed to be in Oklahoma as of Sunday afternoon.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
MURPHYSBORO  A Christian-based social service agency will assume ownership and management of the Illinois Masonic Children's Home in Murphysboro, it was announced Monday.

The United Methodist Children's Home will take over the Murphysboro facility on April 1; the 15 children and 15 staff will remain, it was also announced.

The head of the Mount Vernon group, John Shadowens, said that initially little will change at the Murphysboro site, but that he would like to eventually introduce some of the programming done in Mount Vernon into this area. The new name of the facility will be announced during a 7:30 a.m. March 30 meeting at the Drury Inn & Suites in Mount Vernon.

"I am so excited that these services will be preserved," Shadowens said.

For 104 years, the United Methodist Children's Home has provided services and support to youth and their families; the organization started in 1913 in Creal Springs, before relocating to Mount Vernon in 1921.

In Mount Vernon, the United Methodist Children's Home runs a residential mental health treatment program for 12- to 21-year-olds; a transitional living program for 17- to 21-year-olds; a foster care program for adolescents; a nurse-family program in which nurses visit the homes of women who are having their first children from pregnancy through the first two years of the child's life; a Christian-based day care facility in Mount Vernon; and individual, family and community counseling.

The bulk of the social-service agency's funding comes from the state (90 percent); a portion from the United Methodist Church (6 percent); and the rest from federal grants and other funds.

On either side of need

Representatives from the two groups met a few months ago, after leaders of the Illinois Masons announced that they would be closing their children's home in Murphysboro and another one in La Grange. Leadership cited a concern for potential liability and the Masons' desire to use its resources in a different area.

Two Illinois Masons, Rick Swaney (a past grand marshall who was chairman of the board when the Murphysboro home was built) and Chelsey Williams, led the effort to try and find an agency to assume control of the home, said Most Worshipful Grand Master Anthony Cracco of the Illinois Masons.

"It started out as a journey that we weren't prepared for  but who is?  but it certainly worked out wonderfully, not only for the Masons of the state of Illinois, but also for the United Methodists," Cracco said.

Monday morning's news conference was attended by State Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro; State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg; and Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens. Fowler founded the Fowler Bonan Foundation, which helped raise funds for clothes and coats for needy children throughout Southern Illinois and recently awarded several $1,000 college scholarships to high-school seniors.

All around, people smiled and expressed their excitement about the Children's Home continuing, and as one person said, about the Masons delivering on their promise to help the children.

"Everybody is so excited, and I'm so excited for our kids, 'cause this is home," said Julie O'Connor, a former case manager who was promoted to associate administrator. "We are thrilled that these kids do not get to go anywhere and get to continue in their home."
One man is dead and another is injured after a head-collision Monday morning west of Pinckneyville on Illinois 154.

In a news release, Illinois State Police District 13 said Brian Scholebo, 25, of Pinckneyville, was driving his vehicle east on Illinois 154 around 7:18 a.m. approximately one-half mile east of Rose of Sharon Road when he crossed the center line for an unknown reason, colliding with Michael Gibson, 39, of Sparta, who was traveling westbound.

Scholebo died as a result of the crash. Gibson was airlifted from the scene to an area hospital. Police said he suffered "major injuries."

Traffic was diverted for a time as crews cleaned up the scene.

The crash is still under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

 The Southern
SPRINGFIELD  An Illinois lawmaker is looking to legalize the possession of noise suppressors in Illinois in order to reduce the risk of hearing damage from shooting a gun.

The bill proposed by Democratic Sen. William Haine of Alton is among dozens of firearm-related bills that have been introduced by Illinois lawmakers this year, The State Journal-Register reported.

Haine said noise from firearms is a public health concern for hunters and those who shoot for sport.

"It's the nature of a public health concern, for hunters and sportsmen. It saves them from significant hearing loss for people who use firearms for sports," he said. "It's not a silencer, it's a suppressor. There still would be noise, but it's reduced, so it wouldn't damage the user's hearing nearly as much."

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, shooters without ear protection can suffer a severe hearing loss from as little as one shot.

Exposure to noises greater than 140 decibels can permanently affect hearing. Almost all firearms create noise that is over 140 decibels, and a suppressor would reduce that by 20 to 30 decibels.

John Jackson, director of operations and training at the Shooting Center in Springfield, said hunters don't wear hearing protection for a few reasons.

"It's very difficult to know what's going on around you when you've got hearing protection on," Jackson said. "They could drive a freight train underneath your tree. As far as indoor ranges go, it would greatly reduce the hearing damage to people and the environmental noise pollution subsequent from that."

Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence executive director Colleen Daley said she finds proponents' reasoning flimsy.

"They're calling them suppressors, but they still need to wear hearing protection," Daley said. "It's not about a person's hearing, it's about dollars and cents. I'm much more comfortable trying to do something that helps saves lives, and not have the ability to take more."

Haine said he doesn't think suppressors would lead to more gun-related crime.
The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces more than 85 times, from late Sunday night to early Monday morning.

February 27, 2017, 09:23 Azerbaijan fired 1,150 shots at night

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 27, ARTSAKHPRESS: During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired around 1,150 shots toward the Armenian position-holders, the Artsakh Republic Defense Army informed.

A more intense breach of the truce was recorded in the eastern, northeastern, and northern directions of the line of contact, where the adversary fired 36 mortar shells.

But the Artsakh defense army vanguard units continue confidently carrying out the military task set before them, and they take actions in response, if needed.
Azerbaijan on Sunday failed to remove its casualties from the neutral zone, since it breached the respective agreement.

February 27, 2017, 12:32 Vitaly Balasanyan: Azerbaijan violated agreement

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 27, ARTSAKHPRESS: Yesterday, the Azerbaijani side breached the arrangement, secretary Vitaly Balasanyan of the Artsakh Republic National Security Council told NEWS.am.

Representatives of the Red Cross and the [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group] Co-Chairs were there all day yesterday. However, the Azerbaijani side failed to bring out its dead bodies, since it breached the arrangement. The [respective] negotiations are continuing on location, since this morning.

Five dead bodies of the adversary are still in the neutral zone.

On Sunday evening, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement in this regard.

On February 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces had launched an attack attempt.
STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 27, ARTSAKHPRESS: Azerbaijani Defense Ministry finally published the names of the dead occurred in the no-man's land as result of the Azerbaijani attack at Artsakh military posts on February 25. In the meantime, they didnt forget to replicate another portion of disinformation, claiming the Armenian forces launched an attack in Talish direction today and were pushed back, suffering losses, Hasratyan wrote on Facebook, adding: As the saying goes, any imagination is appreciated to a certain extent, yet this case comes to demonstrate yet another demonstration of Azerbaijani delirium.
CHARLESTON  A record number of attendees met recently for the annual South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference.

Orangeburg County residents Dean and Sara Hutto, Doug and Morgan Sass, Dani Hallman, John Felkel, Kayla and Corey Shuler, Meredith and Heath Prescott, Cate and Ed August, Richard Hutto, Randall Carson, Hank Hutto, Roberta Shuler, Dillon Way, James Shuler and Andrew Bull were among the 300 young farmers and ranchers from across the state who traveled to Charleston to network, become better leaders in their communities and learn how to overcome challenges within the agriculture industry.

Conference attendees had the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of speakers on topics addressing all aspects of agriculture  everything from ag technology and drones to labor, direct market sales, business planning and ag literacy.

Davis Peeler was elected as the 2017 SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair. Peeler takes on this role following the leadership of last years chair Dean Hutto of Orangeburg County.

Dean has shown great leadership during his tenure as Young Farmer and Rancher chair, SCFB President Harry Ott said. Dean has been a true leader. He is a great decision maker, hes trustworthy, fully committed to the task and has selflessly sacrificed for the work of this organization during his term as chair. We are thankful for his efforts and look forward to the guidance and knowledge of our newly elected chair, Davis Peeler.

Orangeburg County received the award for the Largest County Delegation, boasting 25 young farmers and ranchers in attendance at the conference.

Our Young Farmers and Ranchers program is growing as an increasing number of young people recognize the value of Farm Bureau Federation and its mission to promote agricultural interests in South Carolina, said Jessica Cabrera, the SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers coordinator and director of organizational training and leadership development. We were really excited to host our largest group ever this year, growing in attendance more than 30 percent from last years conference.

Nikki Seibert Kelley of Charleston County won the 2017 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. The competition consists of a written application and an oral presentation in front of a panel of judges. Kelley won a brand new ATV, helmet and gloves, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. She will also receive an expense-paid trip to the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation FUSION conference in Pittsburgh and an expense-paid trip to compete at the 2018 AFBF annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Case and Taryn Chumley of Spartanburg County and Zack Snipes of Charleston County were also recognized as finalists for this award.

Ty and Tracy Woodard of Darlington County won the 2017 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. The couple was awarded $1,000 and a new Chevy pickup truck  both courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. They will also receive an expense-paid trip to the 2017 AFBF FUSION conference in Pittsburgh and an expense-paid trip to compete at the 2018 AFBF annual meeting in Nashville.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation and have excelled in their farming or ranching operations while exhibiting superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operations growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

Whitney and Lynne Farr of Spartanburg County and Davis and Cegi Peeler of Anderson County were also recognized as finalists for this award.

The SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers program is one of many purpose activities sponsored by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. By connecting farmers to the larger community, Farm Bureau cultivates understanding about agricultures importance to South Carolinas local economies. To learn more, log on to www.scfb.org.
A Norway man was reunited on Friday with the college ring he lost 45 years ago, thanks to members of an archaeological team.

After graduating from The Citadel in 1972, Lee Williams was farming on about 1,200 acres of leased land at Cheehaw Combahee Plantation in Colleton County. He lost the ring in one of the fields, only months after he had received it.

We went back and searched for it and never could find it, he said.

The loss was hard to take.

A lot of folks may not know what a Citadel class ring means to the graduates, but its truly special, he said.

Recently, members of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust were conducting an archaeological dig on the plantation, trying to locate a Revolutionary War battlefield.

And in the process, we also discovered that there were two Civil War actions that had taken place, said Mike Yianopoulos, archaeology field technician. And at the end of the day when we were looking for this particular Revolutionary War battlefield, the other fellows that were working with us had to leave.

With some extra time, he decided to take 15 minutes to try to locate where they believed a Civil War battle had taken place.

Within a few minutes, I was walking down the road using a metal detector and found the ring, he said.

With a little detective work, Yianopoulos was able to track down the rings owner.

Initially, I called The Citadel Alumni Association, he said. And the girl there that I talked to on the phone found his name and information right away.

But it wasnt going to be quite that easy.

They tried to contact Lee and didnt have any luck. I dont know if it was just the information they had was old or what, he said.

So Yianopoulos took to social media, putting the information on Facebook. He also did some research, contacting the administrator of a Citadel class of 1972 Facebook page.

In the meantime, my wife went online and found some information on Lees daughter, he said.

Yianopoulos wife contacted a former employer of Williams daughter, who reached out to her. She was able to fill her dad in on the situation.

On Friday, Williams met and had lunch with members of the archaeological team at Sweatmans BBQ near Holly Hill. Yianopoulos personally presented Williams with his long-lost ring.

Unbelievable, Williams said of being reunited with his ring after all these years. I was flabbergasted.

Its just one of the best things thats ever happened to me, he said. Im so appreciative to these gentlemen for reuniting me with this ring.

I will forever be grateful to them.
Viola Davis was born at home on a farm in St. Matthews. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Rhode Island.

Growing up in poverty, Davis spent much of her young life acting and writing skits as a way of escape, and her love of acting grew throughout high school.

Davis studied theater at Rhode Island College and the prestigious Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York City.

In 1996, she made her Broadway debut in Seven Guitars. In 2001, Davis won her first Tony Award for her performance in the drama King Hedley II. By 2008, Davis career hit new heights with her performance in the film Doubt, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In 2010, she won a Tony for her role in the play Fences.

Davis won an Emmy in 2015 her portrayal of a ruthless lawyer in "How to Get Away With Murder."
WASHINGTON -- White House press secretary Sean Spicer might owe Melissa McCarthy a thank-you note.

The actress who mocked Spicer in her "Saturday Night Live" caricature 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 didn't curl up in a fetal ball, as one might have expected after McCarthy's hilarious takedown 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 he's 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 Donald Trump's remarks about recent immigration raids, which the president referred to as "a military operation."

Except, not really. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told reporters in Mexico City that no military would be used to deport illegal immigrants.

Then it was Spicer's 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 Trump's unique speech patterns? Such as:

Spicer: The president didn't 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 they're not Mexican?

Spicer: Yes, we're 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 don't always target "bad dudes" is discomfiting. President 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 weren't bad dudes, Trump's 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 you're a Trump supporter, you don't care. If you're 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 flack's contempt for the media. What's 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 he'd treat all reporters with the same respect he wishes for himself. They're a loathsome bunch, to be sure (she said proudly). But they're also suckers for pros who are self-aware enough to not take themselves or this business too seriously.

Adjectively, speaking.
North Koreas most recent missile test underscores that the rogue leaders of the unpredictable nation will present a top challenge for the Trump administration. The reality is, North Korea's unprecedented and accelerating tempo of missile tests and nuclear detonations  64 between 2009 and 2016  shows no sign of abating.

Yet theres another reality at work in North Korea, one that our policy cannot ignore. The hard truth is that North Koreans suffer widespread human rights violations and are denied fundamental freedoms. The 2014 United Nations Commission of Inquiry Report details this all too well. The report documents food shortages, political prison camps, public executions and detentions without due process.

Along with mass labor mobilization, these atrocities all favor the regime and its objectives over the rights of ordinary citizens. And an unprecedented wave of elite purges has led recently to numerous high-level defections.

Fortunately, the COIs charges of crimes against humanity have galvanized world opinion. Nations can no longer ignore the issue when dealing with Pyongyang or those that interact regularly with it. And denuclearization can neither be pursued nor attained without addressing these abuses. Data from the Committee on Human Rights in North Korea shows that revenues from human rights abuses, like the export of slave labor, are suspected to fund nuclear proliferation activities.

Unfortunately, sanctions have not altered the regimes behavior, either toward its own people or in building a nuclear arsenal. We cannot afford to be strategically patient, especially since North Korea will have scores of nuclear weapons by the end of this decade. And those weapons will be mated to ballistic missiles for delivery to regional and intercontinental targets, including perhaps our own West Coast.

Kicking the can down the road is not an option.

Instead, as a new George W. Bush Institute report argues, we need a more engaged North Korea policy that must equally pursue denuclearization and human rights improvement. That policy should include these recommendations:

Integrate non-proliferation and human rights sanctions. We must strengthen our sanctions strategy to isolate and weaken North Korea, including calling out political and military leaders for making money off selling nuclear technologies, illicit activities and human rights abuses.

View China as part of the solution, but not the total solution. We must remind Beijing of its responsibility to use its influence with its clients in Pyongyang to avoid provocations. At the same time, we must resist the temptation to subcontract the most urgent security issue in northeast Asia to China.

Maintain denuclearization goals. While remaining open to diplomatic options, we must insist that the outcome of negotiations include the eventual re-entry of the North into the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime.

Stop horizontal proliferation. We must unambiguously warn the North Koreans at the highest levels that the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology to another state or non-national actor cannot and will not be tolerated by the United States. We must draw a genuine red line.

Remain open to diplomacy. We must avoid making the goals of any negotiations the preconditions for entering those negotiations. We also must be wary of entering protracted negotiations where the North may continue to advance their nuclear or ballistic capability.

Avoid preconceived notions about the format for negotiations. Six party talks may be dead  or not  but the essential participants will be the United States and North Korea, whatever the formal structure may be.

Sustain deterrence and reassure allies. We must continue visible security consultations and exercises with friends and allies in the region. We must also continue quarterly cabinet or sub-cabinet level diplomatic coordination with our allies.

Commit to unification. We must take prudent steps with our allies to prepare for the realization of our ultimate goal of a unified Korea, whether through the slow transformation of the North Korean state, or its sudden collapse.

Dealing with North Korea will not be easy, but we cannot afford to simply manage the problem. As each of these recommendations indicate, we need to be clear in our policy, making sure our new strategy integrates human rights and security concerns.
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They included Rabbie Namaliu, Ben Sabumei, the late Paula Pora and the late Utula Samana, all of whom I liked very much, and we were mentored by Professor Charles Rowley, a personal hero of mine for his scholarship and kindness, who had been principal of the Australian School of Pacific Administration during my two years there as a student.

I hadnt been on campus since 1976, attending a small politics honours class with young men who went on to distinguished careers in politics or business or both.

YESTERDAY, Sunday, the family and I headed out to the University of Papua New Guinea for a liklik lukluk.

Even though Port Moresby has changed so much, there are corners of this city that bring rich memories to the surface.

After passing through a security check, we wandered to the quadrangle where all those years ago students would cluster awaiting the posting of exam results or talk politics outside the library and then, hearing singing, we made our way to the nearby campus church  packed full but mainly with women  and stood at the entrance enjoying the moment.



On our way back to the car, passing near the bookshop, I spotted a man a foot shorter than I but with similar hair and a grey straggly beard who looked just like an ageing John Kasaipwalova might look.

It was the great poet and playwright himself; the onetime student radical whose uncle had said to him, upon his graduation, that it was time to return to his people, become educated in their ways, ascend to a chieftainship and ensure their prosperity and well-being. John Kasaipwalova had returned to Kiriwina in the Trobriand Islands and done all that.

And now, after 40 years, like me he was back on that campus; but him answering the call to manage UPNG Press and Bookshop.

Until November, when I arrived, John told me, I had not used a computer or emails  and now I love them!

UPNG Press suffered a terrible calamity last year when the priceless PNG-Pacific collection of books housed in the old printery building was torched during the student unrest

The building was burned down on Friday 24 June between 4pm and 6am, Gregory Bablis later wrote for PNG Attitude. The PNG-Pacific collection is now just a pile of ashes.

And from this disaster, the newly-arrived John Kasaipwalova is intent not only on rebuilding but on greatly expanding the impact of UPNG Press.

This goal, of course, is of great interest to us who associate ourselves with PNG Attitude and the Crocodile Prize, committed as we are to ensuring that Papua New Guinea can sustain a robust literary culture of its own offering Papua New Guineans better access to their own knowledge and imaginings.

John has many ideas to achieve this  and believes he has the network and resources to do so.

I hope he is right. The current economic dynamics of PNG are not congruent with such projects but there do seem to be some white knights around.

In any event, he wishes to establish a collaboration with Phil Fitzpatricks Pukpuk Publications and Phil, John and I will doubtless now enter a period of email dialogue as we try to figure out how best we can do this.

If Chief John Kasaipwalova manages to build a strong edifice for Papua New Guinean literature from the present tenuous foundations, he will indeed have contributed a mighty gift to his own country and served well not only his own Kiriwina people but the people of this still young nation.
Those of us who knew the Simbu people, even in those very different colonial times, rapidly developed a respect for their enterprise, adaptability, ingenuity, hospitality and strong values.

It does not seem nearly that long.

That is certainly my experience and its with great anticipation that tomorrow I make a return to Kundiawa, capital of the Simbu Province, a region where I spent three years of my life as a very young man and which I last visited exactly 50 years ago.

AN often remarked trait of Australians who have enjoyed an association with Papua New Guinea  especially we who were fortunate enough to spend time beyond the cities and towns  is that we forever carry with us an affection for those places and people with whom we found ourselves.

They were also fine warriors, as my kiap comrades can attest.

And they were opportunists  but in the best sense of the word. People who could espy an opportunity, understand where it might lead and then take appropriate action to advantage themselves of it.

When, after contemplating this return for some years, I finally found the vigour and good sense to do it, I decided to spend three days in the place they call Four Corner Town and to bring with me Ingrid, my youngest son Ben who works in Port Moresby and his partner Becky and daughter Leilani.

My decision was greeted with enthusiasm by my Simbu friends, who immediately recommended modes of transport, appropriate accommodation and a to-do list.

And my barata Francis Nii - author, editor and book publishing consultant - came up with an idea. Projek Wantok. Project Friendship.

Projek Wantok seeks to establish a functional relationship between Simbu Province and Noosa Shire across a range of areas  government, education, the churches, commerce, the arts, womens rights and the environment.

It will require endorsement by the resepctive community leaders  the Simbu governor and the Noosa mayor  and a lot of hard work

Simbu Governor Noah Kool and Provincial Administrator Joe Kunda (pictured) have already recognised the potential of the concept and embraced it.

Now the final details are to be worked out in Kundiawa and a respectful letter delivered to the Mayor of Noosa seeking his cooperation.

The initiative flows from last years visit to Noosa by a group of Papua New Guinean writers  including Francis Nii  who met Mayor Tony Wellington and Noosa MP in the Queensland parliament, Hon Glen Elmes.

Francis espied that, despite the cultural and geographic differences, there was some real compatibility between both regions, particularly in terms of environmental protection as a community value, tourism as a benefit to commerce, education as a road to the future and literature and the arts as cultural assets.

So Francis proposed that, if I thought there was something in it, we should work together to establish Projek Wantok which would aim to encourage young people and community leaders in our respective regions to engage with each other.

We saw that such a relationship would extend the hand of friendship across our cultures, promote the Papua New Guinea-Australia relationship and provide the people of Simbu and Noosa with a strong connection and a helping hand across a range of different community sectors.

So, if the local government of Noosa agrees, we will establish Projek Wantok for a period of a year followed by a review to determine whether it has delivered worthwhile results for both communities.

In these days of Trumpism and global division, we can but try.

Photo: Me with Elizabeth and Willie Kauage, a wife and a son of the great Simbu artist Mathias Kauage OBE and themselves artists
By Laman Ismayilova

A documentary "I want to fly" about Azerbaijani paralympian will be screened in the United States.

Directed by Maria Ibrahimova, film will be shown at Annual Durango Independent festival on March 3, Trend Life reported.

The film's main character is Kamal Mammadov who has become disabled after traffic accident.

Although friends turned their backs on him, but it did not crush him.

Mamadov, confined to a wheelchair, did not lose faith and came to lead an active lifestyle.

He admitted that the first years after the injury were very difficult for him and he had to adapt to new conditions of life.

"After a serious injury when I lost close people, I was very upset. However, as time has passed, I have realized that this is not the end of the world. Many people call us people with disabilities. I wanted to prove that we are people with unlimited physical possibilities!" said Mammadov.

In July 2012, Kamal Mammadov was the first Azerbaijani, disabled of the first group who made a parachute jump.

He did it again with Azerbaijani flag in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

In 2014, Mammadov became the first disabled person in Azerbaijan who made a flight on a paraglider.

He created a public organization to provide assistance to athletes with disabilities. At the same time he joined the Paralympic Committee and became infatuated with fencing and in wheelchair dance sport.

Earlier in 2013 Mammadov took a gold medal at the Paralympics and became the Azerbaijani champion in fencing. He took the bronze in the dancing competition among the disabled in 2012.

The Azerbaijan Paralympics Committee includes hundreds of athletes, many of whom have achieved many successes since 1996 as a result of sound policies. In the same year for the first time, the country was represented in Atlanta Summer Paralympics Games with two athletes, representing two sports.

The project is implemented with the support of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan. Earlier, documentary have been already shown in Bulgaria, India, USA and Egypt.

During this year the film will also be presented in Turkey, Nepal, Ukraine, Germany and Bulgaria.








By Rashid Shirinov

Blogger Alexander Lapshin, who is under arrest in Baku, has one again met with his mother, Lapshins lawyer Eduard Chernin told Trend on February 27.

Chernin said that Bella Lapshin inquired her son about the conditions of detention and his health. The blogger did not express dissatisfaction with detention conditions.

The lawyer refused reports spread by some Armenian news media on Lapshins conditions of detention.

The aim of Armenians in disseminating such information is well-known. My client is kept in normal conditions, as he himself has repeatedly stated. He met twice with mother, and he has no complaint, the lawyer said.

He added that Lapshins spouse is also going to visit Baku. That is, there is no problem with regard to meetings and conditions of his detention. The information spread by Armenians is not true, Chernin noted.

Lapshin will stand trial in Baku for his illegal visits to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The blogger, who owns citizenships of several countries, paid a number of visits to Azerbaijan`s occupied lands, where he voiced support for "independence" of the illegal regime, and made public calls against Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territorial integrity. The blogger was arrested in Belarus and later was extradited from Minsk to Baku.

Earlier, representatives of the Russian and Israeli embassies in Azerbaijan met with Lapshin. After the meetings, the embassies confirmed that Lapshin has no complaints about conditions of detention. Representatives of the ICRC and Azerbaijan Ombudsman Office also met the blogger.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats of unauthorized visits to its territories that are occupied by Armenia, calling them contradictory to international law.

Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions pay special attention to the illegal activity in the occupied areas of Azerbaijan. The work is constantly carried out to prevent such illegal actions.
By Rashid Shirinov

On the background of increasing social protests in public, Armenia's government uses the bloody Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to prolong its life in power.

High tension on the frontline with the Azerbaijani troops helps the current regime to shift the public attention from internal problems to the grave situation on the conflict zone. This tactics turns out the favorite of Serzh Sargsyan's government, which basically includes people taking an active part in the occupation of 20 percent of internationally recognized territory of neighboring Azerbaijan.

Over the last few days, the Armenian Armed Forces have intensified their provocations and sabotages against Azerbaijan on the frontline.

If a week ago the Armenian side breached ceasefire on average 30-40 times a day, now the number of these provocations has increased fourfold to 130. The Armenian army uses mortars of various caliber, sniper rifles and large-caliber machine guns during ceasefire breaching.

Back in February 21, Azerbaijani Armed Forces prevented an act of sabotage by Armenia on the frontline. Azerbaijani army identified the actions of the Armenian side and carried out pre-emptive strikes on the Armenian positions. The enemy, suffering heavy losses, was forced to retreat.

On February 23, the Azerbaijani army detected another Armenian sabotage group trying to carry out provocation near the Talish and Gulustan villages. As a result of immediate measures, Azerbaijani Armed Forces forced the enemy to retreat.

Further, at midnight on February 25, the armed forces of Armenia attempted to penetrate into the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Armenian armed group aimed to conduct large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand-Fizuli direction of the frontline. After heavy battles between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Armenian attacks were prevented. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan had casualties during the battles.

It is noteworthy that this provocation of Armenia took place on the eve of the Khojaly genocide committed against the people of Azerbaijan 25 years ago. After the provocation, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group released a statement expressing their concern over the escalation of violence on the line of contact.

However, on February 27, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry disseminated another statement saying that the Armenian Armed Forces once again tried to commit provocation on the frontline, in the direction of Talish village. The enemy suffered losses and was again forced to retreat.

It is likely that Armenia will continue to take action in order to escalate the situation along the entire frontline.

Political analyst Arzu Nagiyev believes that the tension at the frontline is primarily connected with the parliamentary elections in Armenia scheduled for April 2.

He says that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the trump card in the hands of the Armenian ruling party, and therefore, Armenia always aggravates the situation in the conflict zone on the eve of important political events in Armenia.

The unresolved conflict and the status quo play into the hands of the leadership of Armenia. In this way, it keeps the power of the Karabakh clan and the rule of Serzh Sargsyan for a longer period, Nagiyev said.

Obviously, Armenia provides all the military and political provocations against Azerbaijan in order to prevent substantive negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

More than two decades have passed since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in 1994. For all these years, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been supposed to find a solution by peaceful means. However, the OSCE Minsk Group, which tries to resolve the conflict, still has not managed to make considerable progress.

The fault for this lies on the Armenian side, which always neglects and shows disregard to the negotiation process. The status quo in Nagorno Karabakh fully satisfies the Armenian leadership, which is afraid of being overthrown if Armenia comes to the negotiating table to resolve the long-lasting conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's favorable rating has hit 60 percent for the first time in more than two years, according to a new Siena College poll released Monday.

Cuomo was last viewed favorably by at least 60 percent of voters in January 2015  the first month of his second term as governor.

Along with his favorability, Cuomo's job performance marks received a boost. Half of voters said he's doing an excellent or good job, compared to 48 percent who said he's doing a fair or poor job as governor.

Fifty percent of voters say they'll support Cuomo for a third term as governor.

"Voters like Cuomo more now than at any time since his second term began," Siena pollster Steve Greenberg said. "Maybe it's because they like his 2017 agenda, or perhaps it's a comparison with the president, or it might simply be because it's been quiet the last few months on the corruption front. Whatever the reaosn, Cuomo is riding high with New Yorkers right now."

Siena asked voters for their views on several of Cuomo's signature proposals. At least a majority of respondents supported all of the initiatives, with one exception.

Three-quarters of voters support extending a tax on high income earners and allowing ridesharing in New York. Sixty-five percent of New Yorkers said they support Cuomo's plan to enhance the state's existing middle class child care tax credit.

By a 58 to 39 percent margin, voters said they support Cuomo's plan to offer free tuition at SUNY colleges and universities. Most voters also backed the governor's proposals to limit outside income for legislators and impose term limits on the state Legislature.

Two proposals  raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18 and the DREAM Act, which would allow undocumented immigrants to receive grants through the Tuition Assistance Program  were supported by 53 and 52 percent of voters, respectively.

The lone proposal to be opposed by a majority of voters: Cuomo's plan to complete a 750-mile biking and hiking trail linking several regions of the state.

Siena conducted the survey of 723 registered voters Feb. 19-23. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percent.
By Kamila Aliyeva

Talks on consolidating the Syrian ceasefire held in Kazakhstan this year helped jumpstart the United Nations-led peace negotiations in Geneva.

The ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Syria that was formed at Astana talks last month has laid the foundation toward resuming UN-backed negotiations in Geneva, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 27, RIA Novosti reported.

"A mechanism to monitor the ceasefire has been established, that is, in fact, the most important foundation which provided the opportunity to continue the Geneva talks," Putin said.

He thanked Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev for organizing the Astana talks, stressing that Kazakhstan "has played a very positive role not only as a host and organizer of this event but also influenced the positive results of the meeting in Astana."

Moscow does not rule out an international meeting on Syria after peace talks in Geneva, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said.

"So far we dont have such plans, although I do not rule it out as it is a very important form of collective efforts but for now we have to, first of all, discuss the plans for the future with our American partners in the framework of International Syria Support Group (ISSG)," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian side also hopes that the Syrian opposition will create a unified delegation at the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, according to Bogdanov.

"We hope [to create a unified delegation of the opposition], because, ultimately, they all came there to perform the UN Security Council resolution 2254, and thats why the common goal is clear, but, as I understand it, each delegation has certain nuances in the interpretation of the resolution," Bogdanov told reporters at the conference on the Middle East, organized by Valdai international discussion club.

He stressed that the task of the negotiation process is to come to a common interpretation eventually.

In January, the first round of talks in Astana resulted in Moscow-Tehran-Ankara agreement on the establishment of a tripartite mechanism to monitor the ceasefire in Syria. Many experts assessed the agreement between Russia, Turkey, and Iran on the establishment of a tripartite mechanism as a step to a political solution which might end the six-year war.

Armed conflict continues in Syria since March 2011. Government troops are confronted by militants of different armed rebel groups. Russia has begun airstrikes on terrorist facilities in Syria since 30 September 2015. The Russian military involvement follows an official request from President Bashar Assad to President Vladimir Putin.

The UN has repeatedly tried and failed to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed 300,000 and displaced 11 million since it began five years ago.
By Nigar Abbasova

Moscow and Tehran are discussing oil-for-goods swap. The barter deal would see Moscow buy Iranian oil in exchange for Russian equipment and goods.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, talking to reports on the sidelines of an economic forum in Sochi on February 27, said that he expects the deal to be reached "within weeks."

In the coming weeks we will work at the accelerated pace. All depends on the process of coordination. We are discussing terms of supplies. Authorized agency is Promsiryoimport, a trading unit of Russia's Energy Ministry, Ria Novosti quoted the minister as saying.

Earlier, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh announced that Iran would begin selling 100,000 barrels of oil a day to Russia receive payment half in cash and half in goods and services.

Briefing the media following his meeting with Novak in Tehran, Zanganeh said a number of Russian companies had already signed MoUs with Iranian companies.

Of course, we were ready to sign the contract tonight [February 21] but our Russian counterpart was in a hurry and had to go to the airport, Zanganeh said.

The attractiveness of the mechanism for the Islamic Republic was high during the era of international sanctions as the scheme eliminated an obstacle that the country was facing in selling its oil to other nations.

The hamper was due the fact that nearly all oil transactions worldwide are conducted in dollars, while U.S. sanctions limited Iran's access to the greenback.

In late 2016, eased sanctions on Iran following landmark nuclear agreement, allowed businesses to do dollar transactions with Iran by offshore banking institutions as long as they do not enter the US financial system.

However, Novak earlier said that Russia and Iran can im
National Finance House (NFH), a Bahraini incorporated finance provider, has posted a net profit of BD1.27 million ($3.26 million) for 2016, up by 7 per cent from BD1.18 million in the previous year, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.



To read further, please visit GDNonline.






The GCC Financial Forum, co-hosted by Euromoney Conferences and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) began today at the Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain.

More than 800 leading financial experts, government officials, business leaders and members of the media attended the event from across the region.

David Pritchard, non-executive director of Euromoney Institutional Investor, gave the welcome address on behalf of Euromoney, thanking the EDB for its partnership and ongoing support for conference. The opening remarks were followed by an insightful, in-depth keynote interview with Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive of EDB.

The forum audience then heard from two international speakers: Francis Fukuyama, political commentator, futurist and author; and Lord Adair Turner, chairman of the Institute for New Economic Thinking, who provided some global contextualisation to the discussions which followed.

Both keynote speakers also joined the opening panel of the day, alongside Farouk Soussa, Middle East chief economist for Citi. The session explored how the global and regional macroeconomic and geopolitical environment affects the Gulf, and examined the outlook for the financial sector in the coming year.

The second panel of the morning, which featured Elyas Algaseer, head of Mena Corporate Banking at The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi; and Hasan Al Jabri, chief executive officer of Sedco Capital, focused on defining the GCC financing challenge. Panellists discussed how financial institutions can help to drive economic development and corporate growth in the region and addressed the potential for further integration of the GCC financial markets on the global stage.

Day one of the event also featured a town-hall interview with Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Ggovernor, Central Bank of Bahrain. This unique format, which has now become traditional at the GCC Financial Forum, once again offered the audience the opportunity to put their questions directly to the Governor.

The first day of the forum closed with keynote interviews with two leading bank CEOs: Adel A El Labban, Group chief executive officer of Ahli United Bank, and Bassel Gamal, Group chief executive officer of QIB.

The forum audience have another busy day to look forward to tomorrow (Feb 28). The second day of the event will have keynote addresses from Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrains Minister of Finance, as well as Zayed Rashed Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism for Bahrain.

Tomorrow, the event programme will focus on addressing how innovation and technology can help to tackle the regions financing challenge. Timothy Los, chairman and CEO of Rante Corporation, a leading cloud-based compliance solution provider, remarked: Rante is excited to be involved in the GCC Financial Forum as a sponsor to highlight the importance of regulatory compliance through technology.

Speakers including Rita Liu, head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Alipay; Marcus Treacher, global head of Strategic Accounts at Ripple; and Chris Skinner, a well-known fintech commentator and author; will explore the future of innovation in fintech, and discuss the future trends in the global payments industry and the role that GCC countries can play in the development of this fast-evolving sector.  TradeArabia News Service
More than 30 German companies are participating in Dubai WoodShow to be held in Dubai from March 7 to 9 at Dubai World Trade Centre.



Dubai WoodShow 2017 is a key platform to showcase new products, innovations and technologies governing the industry. Its where business relationships and networks will be built that will benefit the entire wood industry for years to come, said Dawood Al Shezawi, chairman, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai WoodShow.



The Middle East market for wood industry is upbeat. It was noted that the countries in the Mena region have become a major destination for European softwood lumber since mid-2000. In fact, over 10 per cent of world trade of softwood lumber in 2015 was destined for the Mena region. From 2013 to 2015, total import volumes to the Mena region were up 26 per cent, reaching over 11 million cu m in 2015, according to the latest issue of the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).



The wood industry is an important part of this regions economy and Germany is a destination of choice for imports. Were pleased to host the German companies at the Dubai WoodShow once again. The event will not only give them a chance to network with top industry leaders, but will also provide an opportunity discover and explore trending technologies and applications for the industry. The Dubai WoodShow will bring best practices to life, making it easier for visitors to experience the most relevant innovations for their particular needs, added Al Shezawi.



The German wood industry is one of the world's prominent technology and innovation leaders. The countrys tradition of building, processing and refining wood dates back several hundred years. In-line with their industrious-business centred spirit, several German companies are participating in this years WoodShow to tap the booming Middle East market.



A report by the Federation of the German timber industry (HDH) stated that the German wood industry witnessed an increase in sales in 2016 by 2.4 per cent, up to 35 billion. Currently, 939 companies operate in the German wood industry and the industry employs 149,872 people.



The Dubai WoodShow (www.dubaiwoodshow.com) is one of the biggest events of the industry. The show is the first destination for all the international companies aiming to set up their presence in the Mena region, said the statement.



This years Dubai WoodShow will play host to more than 300 exhibitors from 98 countries, with displays spread across more than 15000 sq m. The number of visitors to the show is projected to reach 10,000. - TradeArabia News Service


Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure and raising awareness on quality standards in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has unveiled a certification scheme to verify the quality of interlocking concrete pavers used in pedestrian pathways and roads across the emirate, said a report.

The interlocking concrete paver (also known as a segmental paver) has over the last couple of decades emerged as a very popular alternative to brick, clay or concrete.

The scheme allows suppliers and manufacturers of interlocking concrete pavers that meet the requirements outlined in the certification scheme to apply through the QCCs Jawdah Online System and obtain the Abu Dhabi Trustmark, reported state news agency Wam.



The Interlocking Concrete Pavers Certification Scheme will ensure the compliance of these products to the Abu Specification for Interlocking Concrete Pavers,used in construction projects in Abu Dhabi.



Sultan Saeed Al Mehairi, the director of Information Services and Engagement Department at the QCC, said: "The Interlocking Concrete Pavers Certification Scheme was developed as part of the QCCs mandate to support Abu Dhabis ambitious economic diversification strategy and achieve its effective integration into the global trade system as a leading manufacturer of quality, sustainable products."



"This goal will be achieved through the establishment of reputable local manufacturing standards for the government to build a supporting quality infrastructure around," he noted.



"The Conformity Schemes Services division at the QCC collaborates with relevant stakeholders including both regulators and industry partners to produce certification schemes that contain quality, safety and environmental performance requirements for various products, personnel and services. This assures that products, systems and personnel consistently meet the requirements outlined in a certification scheme that are tailored to the needs of regulators and consumers and capabilities of the industry."



Al Mehairi lauded Al Sultan Industrial Cement(ASIC), one of the biggest interlocking concrete pavers manufacturers in the Middle East, for being the first company to be awarded the certification.



He also stressed QCCs commitment to facilitating the certification process of other companies towards enhancing the quality infrastructure in Abu Dhabi in line with global standards.
Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (Dafza) is taking part at the Gulfood 2017 exhibition, now under way in Dubai, as part of its efforts to meet the needs of the regional and global food and beverage (F&B) sector.



Taking place from February 26 to March 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the trade exhibition will provide Dafza with a global platform to showcase its competitive advantages and business-friendly environment suited for leading international F&B companies, it said.



The 22nd edition of the worlds biggest food and hospitality event will not only highlight the regions latest services, facilities, sophisticated infrastructure, investment solutions, and important business incubation processes but will enable Dafza to shed light on its key contributions to the UAEs economic diversification policy.



Dafza hosts a number of prominent international brands from the food industry and has successfully built an attractive environment for bringing new substantial investments to the local and regional food sectors.



Dafza particularly intends to highlight promising opportunities and the immense potential of Dubais halal food industry to the international community. Additionally, it will discuss the expansion and development of Light Industrial Units (LIUs) designed to ensure an optimal logistical platform for regional, international and multinational companies seeking to capitalize on the expanding global food industry. Augmenting LIUs provides a strong impetus for regional and international investors to enter the regional halal food market via Dubai, which is undertaking proactive efforts to transform itself into a global capital of the Islamic economy by 2021, Dafza said.



Jamal Bin Marghoob, director for marketing and corporate communication, Dafza, said: Gulfood is a crucial international forum for 5,000 exhibitors from leading F&B and halal companies. It is important for us at Dafza to be part of the forum to build direct communication channels with regional and international decision makers, entrepreneurs, and investors who are eager to take advantage of the expanding food market, which is one of our top priorities given its fundamental role in Dubais economic diversification strategy. This will help drive the global Islamic economy as well.



Bin Marghoob added: Dafza pays great attention to its investment incentives, infrastructure, and legislative support to reinforce F&B businesses and help them carve a niche in key regional markets that are considered foreign investment hubs. Our efforts have yielded positive results especially in terms of highlighting Dafza as a business incubator for a wide spectrum of the F&B market. Currently, 8 per cent of the total companies operating at Dafza are from this sector, with about 29 per cent of them are multinational companies. Our successive accomplishments have inspired us to continually pursue our expansion plans and ambitious projects. Among these initiatives are Dafza Square, which received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating, and the Light Industrial Units project, which aims to add 33 LIUs to address the increasing world demand for office spaces and storage and logistical facilities.



Dafza held an extensive panel discussion at the German Pavilion to tackle major opportunities and business growth potentials and developments in Dubai. Top 79 German exhibitors took part in the discussions. The panel also shed light on the local markets aspirations and current developments, as well as Dubais competitive advantages as one of the worlds most prominent business incubators. Further, it enabled German investors became familiarise with modern Dafza facilities and step-by-step procedures on how to set up their business operations at the freezone. - TradeArabia News Service


Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) said it has signed an agreement with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (Gift) to boost co-operation between the two entities.



The MoU calls for sharing best practices of mutual interest, exchanging information on banking, financial service and securities, legislation and regulation, co-operation in the area of training, assistance in organising seminars and conferences on selected issues enhancing the mutual development of the centres, and exchanging information on trends in relevant international financial services activities and products, in particular within the fintech field.



The MoU was signed on Sunday by Arif Amiri, the chief executive officer of DIFC Authority and Ajay Pandey, the director and group CEO of Gift Special Economic Zone.



The terms of co-operation will also include the intention to establish a programme of International Exchange for entities based in DIFC and Gift, enabling them to set up entities in Gujarat/Dubai on mutually agreed terms.



"We are delighted to sign this deal with Gift, especially at a time when UAE ties with India are growing ever closer. India represents the UAEs third largest trading partner as well as one of the worlds fastest growing economies, and natural synergies between the two centres exist which will certainly benefit our respective clients," remarked Amiri.



DIFC, he stated, has provided a natural springboard from which Indian firms can access a concentrated pool of wealthy investors, all underpinned by English common law and unrivalled connectivity to the South to South corridor.



"We look forward to continued collaboration with India as we progress with the delivery of our 2024 Strategy, part of which is become a world-class, leading, financial hub," stated Amiri.



Pandey expressed delight at signing the agreement with DIFC, the leading financial hub located in the region.



"We are certain of the mutual benefits that will arise as a result of the agreement and look forward to share the benefits with our collective clients operating in the financial services sector and beyond," he noted.



DIFC has witnessed an exponential growth in the number of Indian firms operating from the Centre - from hosting one Indian institution in 2007 to more than 25 Indian firms at present.



Indian institutions make up the third largest community of financial firms at the DIFC after the US and the UK and account for more than a quarter of the current employed workforce.-TradeArabia News Service
Global energy leaders including ministers, CEOs, oil company senior management will join as speakers at the 25th Annual Middle East Petroleum & Gas Conference (MPGC 2017) to be held in Dubai, UAE, from April 30 - May 2.



More than 400 delegates are expected at MPGC 2017 and 650 for MPGC Week events being held from April 29 to May 4.



Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Supreme Council for Energy, and Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc), are both expected to attend the MPGC inauguration on May 1, 2017.



Keynote addresses will be delivered Bakhit Al-Rashidi, CEO and president of Kuwait Petroleum International Ltd.; Eelco Hoesktra, CEO of Royal Vopak; and Sanjiv Singh, refineries director of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (CMD designate).



Harold Hamm, chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, will give a special address on US Tight Oil Production: Where We are Heading.



Heads of trading and supply at the corporate level will take the helm with keynote trading addresses by Colin Parfitt, president, supply & trading of Chevron Corporation; Christopher Bake, executive committee & head of origination of Vitol; and Keith Martin, CEO of Uniper Global Commodities.



Other distinguished speakers include Eng Ahmed Mohammed Alkaabi, assistant undersecretary for petroleum gas & mineral resources, Ministry of Energy and UAE Opec Governor; Dr Sun Xiansheng, secretary general of IEF; and Mohamed Firouz Asnan, vice president, marketing and refining of Petronas.



In its ninth year as a host of MPGC, Enocs high-profile attendance includes speakers and chairs from the groups executive leadership team including Hesham Ali Mustafa, executive director, group strategy and new business development, who will represent Enoc on the MPGC 2017 International Advisory Committee, as well as Farid Badri, director of refinery and Aakash Nijhawan, head of investments and corporate solutions as speakers.



Commenting on Enocs participation, Saif Humaid Al Falasi, group CEO of Enoc and co-chairman of MPGC 2017, said: Oil remains the key contributor to the direction of GCC markets for the second consecutive year, after the oil output cut agreement was sealed. With oil prices surging to an 18-month high by year-end 2016, the priority for GCC economies will be to sustain a balanced budget for their respective nations by 2020. Given the impact of volatile price environment and strict sustainability targets on the energy industry, National Oil Companies are looking at alternative models of doing business and events like MPGC offer an apt platform to discuss how we can integrate the outcomes of the new oil future into our long-term goal to diversify the energy mix. Our support of the event reinforces our commitment to further developing the Middle East oil and gas sector and eventually redefining the industry for the betterment of the communities we serve.



Dr Fereidun Fesharaki, chairman of FGE, leading oil and gas industry advisors for the Middle East and Asia and co-chairman of MPGC 2017, said: The oil market has entered into a new phase. Market share policy is supplemented by market management policy. The historic Opec decision to cut production by 1.2 mmb/d in late November supported by the non-Opec commitment of some 600 kb/d have impacted oil prices dramatically. Meanwhile oil demand continues to be strong with some 1.5 mmb/d of growth expected in 2017.



"The refining business seems poised for a smooth ride over the next few years, but there is likely to be another round of refinery construction in Asia and the Middle East. The IMO bunkering regulation putting a sulfur cap of 5,000 ppm (0.5%) is creating a turmoil in the market and many options to respond to this dramatic change are on the table. The natural gas market faces a different set of challenges with re-balancing for LNG taking much longer than oil markets. The upstream projects in Iran are in full swing, but all may be impacted by President Trumps policy, while Iraq continues to expand output in the face of political and economic challenges. MPGC 2017 will address and critique all these issues and more, Dr Fesharaki said.



MPGC 2017 will convene under the theme The Turbulent Path to an Oil Market Recovery: The Challenge of Reaching a Balanced and Sustainable Price, providing the framework of opportunities for the oil and gas markets despite the turbulence as well as the new and ongoing strategies for the global oil and gas markets. - TradeArabia News Service


Saudi Arabia's state oil company Saudi Aramco will invest $7 billion in an oil refinery to be set up by Malaysian oil company Petroliam Nasional (Petronas), Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak has announced.



The announcement was made on the second day of a four-day state visit to Malaysia by Saudi Arabia's King Salman.



The decision follows discussions between top executives from Petronas and Aramco and the plant, Razak was quoted as saying by a Channel News Asia report.



The refinery is part of Malaysia's $27 billion Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in Pengerang in the southern state of Johor.



The agreement is scheduled to be signed tomorrow (Feb 28) and will make Aramco the single largest investor in Rapid, said the report.



The Rapid project, which is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2019, will contain a 300,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery and a petrochemical complex with a production capacity of 7.7 million metric tonnes.
Feb. 27, 1937

Governor Lehman today submitted his supplemental budget of nearly four and a half million dollars to the Legislature, including an item of $347,000 for construction of a new hospital and administration building at Auburn Prison. Nineteen thousand dollars also are included for Auburn Prison for purchase of equipment to manufacture special auto plates publicizing the world's fair in New York in 1939.

The prison hospital and administration building in front on State Street are practically all that remains of the old prison as it was when the great convict riots occurred eight years ago. Extensive alteration, including new cell blocks, have been going on ever since.

Feb. 27, 1962

A color picture of Owasco Lake, blue water, green fields, a blue sky and red farm buildings in the foreground, has appeared in local and national magazines, but it does not advertise the Finger Lakes, but Land-O-Lakes butter. The picture was taken by Truxton Hosely, Auburn photographer, and appeared in the Sunday newspaper supplement as well as American Homes and McCalls magazines.

The photo was taken on the west side of Owasco Lake, about four miles south of the traffic circle. The farm building shown belongs to the Catherine Berlew farm, situated at the junction of Route 38 with Wyckoff Road. Mr. Hosely took the picture last summer. Land-O-Lakes butter, sold in local grocery stores, is distributed by the company with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn.

Feb. 27, 2007

Feb. 27, 2012

The Auburn/Cayuga Adult Branch and Youth Council of the NAACP will celebrate African American History Month by saluting 26 distinguished African Americans in Auburn who have made significant contributions to Auburn and Cayuga County. They are known as Auburn Trailblazers.

Honorees will include: Christine P. Carter, Cordelia Carter, Elmer A. Carter, Rev. Paul G. Carter, Justine Lois Copes, Pauline Copes Johnson, Merritt W. Fletcher, Gloria Griffin, Charles R. Hardy, Eleanor Irvin Hardy, Willard William Hardy, Jerome H. "Brud" Holland, Rev. John C. Humphrey Jr., William W. Jackson, Sean McLeod, Bishop William Murray, Dale Post, Naomi Post Fletcher, Nathan Prue, Cynthia Jane Richardson, Frederick N. Richardson, Joy Richardson, Harriet Tubman, Leslie Walker, Gwendolyn Webber-McLeod and Alberta Whitaker.
The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) celebrated Kuwait National Day by distributing gifts to visitors coming to Bahrain through the Bahrain International Airport and King Fahad Causeway on February 23.



The celebration was in line with enhancing the bilateral relations and strong ties between both countries under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Shaikh Subah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Subah, hence stimulating intra-regional tourism in-line with the GCC Ministers of Tourism objectives.



We would like to express our congratulations and good wishes to the wise leadership and the people of Kuwait on the occasion of their national day. We wish them further progress and prosperity, said Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, the chief executive of BTEA.



The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority has developed a yearlong calendar of events and activities in line with its ongoing efforts to attract tourists to Bahrain and contribute towards the kingdoms economy and the Economic Vision. - TradeArabia News Service


Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways announced today its key sponsorship of the Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Heritage Village.



Held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the village is part of the ongoing sixth edition of the Gulf Popular Heritage Festival which takes place from January 15 to March 15 and reflects Kuwaits cultural heritage and the shared amity and traditions with the GCC neighbors.



As a proud Kuwaiti airline, Jazeera Airways continues to support activities that honour Kuwaits culture and history and firmly believes in Kuwaits and neighboring countries ability to unite over the bond of shared values and history. The Heritage Village provides fantastic educational opportunities and a wide range of fun activities for children and adults alike visiting from Kuwait and from across the region.



Highlighting Jazeera Airways role in the sponsorship, Dr. Mohamed Barakat, vice president, Marketing and Product, said: Our partnership with Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Heritage Village is a matter of great honor for us and an ideal opportunity to celebrate Kuwaits rich history across a magnificent event that promotes such rich cultural exchange while celebrating the true spirit of nationalism. We are extremely proud to be the very first airline to sponsor such a visionary project.



As the airline pioneer grows and reaches new highs, Jazeera Airways seeks new ways to give back to the local community. This latest sponsorship falls under Jazeera Airways CSR strategy that has its focus on providing a platform for Kuwaits talented youth with minds embedded in creativity and a yearning for arts, craft and cultural music and support for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Consistently, the airline company strives to take the lead in promoting progressive growth in all segments of the society while simultaneously keeping alive Kuwaits past, honouring its legacy and reminding Kuwaits youth of how their ancestors history, the GCC brotherhood, had sown the seeds of culture and civilization throughout on their fruitful voyages.



Continuing to foster relations with the Kuwaiti community, Jazeera Airways continues to strongly focus on cultural sponsorships that promote cultural exchanges while welcoming people across the region to visit Kuwait and experience its warm and extraordinary hospitality. - TradeArabia News Service


Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, a part of AA Al Moosa Enterprises with hotel apartments in the region, will continue to highlight its affordable accommodation to travellers from Europe as the team attends this years ITB Berlin in March.



A must-attend event for Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, ITB plays a key role in promoting the property to the European market especially the German market which has always been one of GSHAs top five markets.



Mohammed Khoori, general manager, along with his sales team will meet with decision makers and business partners to share key developments and strategies such as the new loyalty scheme that will be introduced to guests this year and an update on GSHAs website to ensure that it is user-friendly and guests can book easily, offering special deals to loyalty members.



He added: We will discuss ways to further enhance awareness of Golden Sands Hotel Apartments to our key markets by working closely with our partners. However, we will also focus on growing markets such as Scandinavia, Holland, India and Far East. These markets are showing continued growth in number of visitors to Dubai, and they are also key markets for Golden Sands.



Golden Sands continues to participate at key travel and trade exhibitions such as ITB because it is an ideal platform to meet with decision makers and partners to discuss contracts as well as market feedback and trends. Topics for discussion this year are very interesting with high-ranking speakers providing an in-depth look at future and current trends in the hospitality industry which hoteliers in the region can use to create effective and successful marketing strategies.



ITB Berlin is the global travel industrys leading trade show. In 2016 over 10,000 companies and organisations from 187 countries exhibited their products and services to 180,000 visitors, including 120,000 trade visitors.



Golden Sands Hotel Apartments will be exhibiting with Dubais Department of Tourism Commerce & Marketing (DTCM) stand, hall 2.2, Stand 101. - TradeArabia News Service
Have an event, trend or general energy happening youd like to see in the Energy Journal newsletter? Send it to Star-Tribune energy reporter Heather Richards at heather.richards@trib.com. Sign up for the newsletter at www.trib.com/energyjournal.

This week in numbers

Friday oil prices: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) $53.37, Brent (ICE) $55.71

Natural gas weekly averages: Henry Hub $2.61, Wyoming Pool $2.34, Opal $2.38

John Wold

A well-known figure in Wyoming's oil and gas industry and state politics died last week.

The founder of Wold Oil and former U.S. representative was 100 years old.

Wold played an important role in the state's Republican party and was a vanguard in industry, devoting much of his time to exploring opportunities for coal, soda ash and oil and gas.

His sons Jack and Peter continue with the family business.

Earnings

Contura Energy, a spinoff of Alpha Natural Resources, reported earnings of $612 million from its formation to the end of 2016.

Ultra Petroleum, the gas company nearing the end of its reorganization, reported $245 million for the year.

Methane debate will continue without BLM rule

The Bureau of Land Management's methane emissions rule, which curbs venting and flaring and requires increased inspection for leaks, may be struck down by Congress in the coming weeks. But in Wyoming, where emissions rules have long preceded federal standards, environmental advocates will likely turn their attention to tighter state controls. Oil and gas operators hope Congress will strike the rule. They've argued that the BLM doesn't have the right to regulate air quality.

Coal for cars

Ramaco Carbon has come up in Wyoming's news stream often in the last year or two, as it pressed through opposition to obtain a mining permit in Sheridan County. Though that permit is contested, and concerns about mining in the already heavily mined area remain, the company's announcement Wednesday that it would mine coal for manufacturing and carbon fiber products turned heads.

If successful, the venture could mean jobs, revenue and a new face for Wyoming coal.

Facing climate change

A conservative clean energy advocate toured Wyoming last week at the behest of Gov. Matt Mead. Jay Faison's ClearPath Foundation seeks to raise awareness and change policy regarding carbon reducing technologies.

Presidential news

President Donald Trump made a number of energy sections this week. His creation of a task force to cut federal regulations should excite some and worry others in Wyoming. The focus will be on rooting out rules or regs that hamper the economy, are costly or unnecessary, according to this report from Politico.

In a recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the president declared, "Were going to put the regulation industry out of work and out of business."

The President also is said to be using an executive order Monday to begin rolling back the Clean Power Plan, by instructing the Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite it, which should hearten coal supporters nationwide. The Plan, which is now contested in court, was created through a rule making process, and will not be easily or quickly sliced away, experts say.

In another gift to coal proponents, the president is expected to lift the coal moratorium on public lands, allowing for new leasing for coal.

Meanwhile, a new royalty rule, which environmental advocates say would make coal companies pay a fair share of royalties has now been halted by the Department of the Interior, pending litigation.
Andre Bohren stared at his piano teachers hands flowing and darting fearlessly over the keys.

It didnt matter that Janet Ahlquist had never seen the piece hed brought to his lesson, that the tempo was fast or that the notes crowding the sheet music were composed by Prokofiev, notorious for difficult piano music.

She just laid into it, Bohren said.

It wasnt the first or last time he marveled at her skill. She grew up in Wyoming and studied at Eastman and Julliard schools before embarking on a professional career thats taken her around the world and garnered international critical acclaim.

She has pretty small hands, but would play music written for somebody with giant hands, he said. And shes not fazed by it at all.

Their hands will dance together in four-hand piano duets during a pair of concerts in their Wyoming hometowns  March 5 in Casper and March 7 in Thermopolis. Ahlquist also will lead masterclasses and lecture/recitals for students in Thermopolis. The performances will include solos and the premiere of a piece Ahlquist composed.

The two havent performed together in 17 years, when Bohren started his music career.

It will be the first time to hang with her on that kind of level, Bohren said. We can just focus on playing the music, because we know whats going on there rather than looking at the page all the time.

Careers converge

Bohren performs gigs around New Orleans and plays with his rock/funk band Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. He finished his masters degree from University of New Orleans in 2015.

He grew up following the tour schedule of his father, Spencer Bohren, until the family settled in Casper, according to his biography. As a teen, he performed Gershwins Rhapsody In Blue with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and represented the state in several regional piano competitions.

Ahlquist has performed in such venues as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Recital Hall as well as the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., as a top prize winner at the French Piano Institutes Festival International in Paris, according to her biography.

She spent a decade teaching at Casper College and was awarded a Wyoming Governors Art Award for her inspiration to music students and numerous lecture-recitals.

Her career also includes playing recitals of rarely-heard music from Portuguese composers at the Library of Congress, Harvard University, Brown University and the National Conservatory in Lisbon.

The New York Times said, Ahlquist has made a name for herself championing Portuguese keyboard music. She plays with vigor and strength as well as with sensitivity.

Her CD recordings have received critical acclaim and one gold medal at the 2014 Global Music Awards. Ahlquist is currently adjunct faculty at Immaculata University in Philadelphia and teaches an international group of students from ages 7 to 85. Her latest CD will be available at the concert.

Shes excited to premiere her composition and poem, Ode to Native Americans. The piece was inspired by watching Shoshone dancers as a child during the annual Wedding of the Waters event in Thermopolis. The poem simultaneously came to her mind and will be read as she performs. Bohren will accompany the piece on percussion.

Ahlquist often incorporated various arts and cultures into her music. Her workshops with students during her visit will include a Russian sing-a-long tune and a song shared by a student from Iran.

When asked her thoughts on going from a small town in Wyoming to performing in Russia, Norway and France, she said, My exposure to the world is amazing, in that it can happen through music and art.

In fact, we are musicians, but we are humans first. I think I am very aware of our sameness in whether we are children in Russia or children in Iran or children in America  We have things that are certainly specific to our cultures, but we all share the same humanity and the humanness of that which is music  and that spirit can unite us.
A Brooklyn-based firm has been identified by city and state officials as the top choice to lead the design of a regional tourism center in downtown Auburn.

The highest rated of seven applicants that submitted design proposals for the Central New York Regional Welcoming Center was nArchitects. The Auburn site is one of several announced as part of a statewide $55 million tourism initiative, with a facility planned to represent each state region.

The city of Auburn and the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are cooperating on the project's development.

A committee of four state Parks representatives and three Auburn officials reviewed and graded the agencies that responded to the city's request for design proposals, which was issued in November. The city's representatives are City Manager Jeff Dygert, Assistant Civil Engineer Mark Odrzywolski and Jennifer Haines, director of planning and economic development.

The Auburn City Council will vote Thursday to authorize nArchitects for design services at a cost not to exceed $1,049,512.60.

The Brooklyn-based agency has a design portfolio that includes plans for residential apartment complexes, commercial buildings and public spaces. The firm was the designer of Carmel Place, a micro-apartment complex in a New York City neighborhood that opened last fall.

Haines said the committee judged firms according to the following criteria: qualifications and applicable experience (45 points); project proposal fee and scope (20); ability to comply with the project's timeline (20); program development and design approach (10) and workforce diversity goals aligned with the state's Minority and Women's Business Enterprise program (5).

The Brooklyn firm is a certified MWBE, Haines said.

"We were impressed with their creativity and their designs with the other projects they have done, and their flexibility in dealing with a project that may change as it goes along," she said.

The city has not released the names of the other firms who submitted proposals. Robert Freeman, executive director of the Committee on Open Government, said the names of the applicants should be public information.

Scope

Submitted documents by nArchitects detail their multi-phased approach to the development of the project design, construction documents and construction administration.

The firm's project plan includes the design of the welcome center building as well as rights of way improvements for vehicular access and a pedestrian connection to the city's William Street parking garage.

Drafts of planning documents released within the last few days indicate the building area will extend up to around 10,000 square feet. Proposed features include a Taste NY food and beverage market, interactive I Love NY amenities (a mobile app and selfie wall are listed examples), regional travel information and a state Department of Environmental Conservation licensing kiosk.

The overall project's budget is listed as $8,579,500, according to the draft documents.

According to draft planning documents, nArchitects has initially budgeted the building cost at around $5,000,000 with $579,500 for initial phase design.

The latter amount will be covered through a state grant that was awarded to Auburn last winter, but is being re-appropriated.

The city originally sought the grant to support the structural designs of three projects bordering the Owasco River along a portion of Loop Road: a microbrewery, a regional market and a separate downtown welcoming center. City officials had applied for the grant in July, a few months before Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Auburn as a site for a regional welcome center.

The state grant requires a local match of $289,750. Auburn councilors will also vote Thursday to authorize the match through the city's general fund.

The $289,750 is the city's only expense, Haines said.

"The city has a match on the design grant, but the city will not have contributions toward the construction," she said. "That will be fully funded by New York state."

Planning process

In developing the welcoming center, the Brooklyn-based firm will utilize several other firms to serve as consultants for certain design elements, such as landscape architecture, structural engineering and traffic/highway engineering. Haines said the consultants were selected by nArchitects as part of the firm's proposal.

The planning documents indicated that several "visioning workshops" will be scheduled for designers to discuss the project with owners and stakeholders.

Auburn YMCA members and administrators have shown particular interest, citing potential concerns over the siting of the welcoming center in the South Street parking lot that's oft used by YMCA visitors.

Haines said there will be at least one session that's fully open to the public for input. If Thursday's matters are approved by council, she said committee members will work with designers to get the public meeting scheduled as soon as possible  particularly with project developers hoping to have the center opened by June 2018.

"We don't have time to delay to get this process started," she said. "We're excited to get this project underway. We're looking forward to working with our partners and the public in getting the program started."
Wyomings largest group of wildlife scientists announced recently it opposes a bill moving through the Wyoming Legislature that would allow private industry to raise sage grouse using eggs collected in the wild.

The bill, HB271, is not supported by leading science on sage-grouse biology and management and has a high likelihood of resulting in a net negative for sage-grouse populations in Wyoming, a statement from the Wyoming chapter of The Wildlife Society wrote.

In the bill, a licensed bird farm, under the regulations of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, would be able to collect up to 250 sage grouse eggs each year from the wild for use at the farm. A change that would have increased the number of eggs collected to 1,000 was stripped. Sage grouse are a native bird in Wyoming that only recently missed placement on the endangered species list.

Supporters of the bill say the birds could be used in conservation. They cited programs to breed sage grouse in captivity in other places. A farm in Powell, they recently told lawmakers, could add to the mix of places working on raising the chicken-sized bird.

Opponents cite two main problems. First is that sage grouse numbers are down in Wyoming because of a lack of habitat, not a lack of birds. Simply growing more birds and putting them on the landscape in areas that arent suitable would not increase the population, said Holly Copeland, president of the Wyoming chapter of The Wildlife Society.

Second, Copeland continued, is that the science behind raising sage grouse as proposed in the bill and successfully releasing them into the wild is lacking.

Studies touted by both proponents and opponents of the bill show that sage grouse can be reared in captivity but under very specific conditions, she said.

In no way do these papers conclude or indicate potential success for the type of large-scale game farms put forth in HB0271, the science organizations letter to lawmakers continued.

Diamond Wings Upland Game Birds manager went before the Legislature in mid-February to talk about the bird farms plans.

Theres a declining population of sage grouse, not only in Wyoming (but in) Montana and Canada, farm manager Karl Bear said at the time. Theres a lot of effort, millions of dollars being spent in habitat development and various conservation.

Sam Yemington, an attorney for Bears employer, former Wyoming Senate President Diemer True, added that the birds could be used for hunting or possible conservation credits in the future.

Joy Bannon, field director for the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, referenced Wyomings work in sage grouse conservation through local working groups. Sage grouse farms have not been part of the conservation efforts, she said.

Efforts to raise sage-grouse in captivity over a long period of time have resulted in failure, Bannon said. The current research and wildlife expert opinions have shown that the appropriate captive rearing techniques are not in place to successfully implement such game bird farms for sage grouse.

The bill passed its second of three votes Friday in the Senate. It requires one more vote before it would go back to the House for final approval and then to Gov. Matt Mead for a signature.

Sen. John Hastert, a Green River Democrat, opposed the measure. He said it was creating a scenario in which a sensitive, prized species was becoming privatized.

Our wildlife are priceless and belong to the people, he said.

Political reporter Laura Hancock contributed to this report.
All of Grant Elementarys students may have chosen a new home, but faculty members at the soon-to-be closed school are still waiting for their new assignments.

Natrona County School District officials have been meeting with staff, but theres no timeline for reassigning faculty. Thats because faculty placement follows enrollment and the district has not yet completed that process, said Michael Jennings, the districts executive director of human services.

Once the enrollment process has been completed, well start identifying positions to assign faculty into, he said.

But there are two wrinkles this year. First, in Cheyenne, the Legislature is grappling with an education funding shortfall. And here in Casper, officials must wait to see what effects legislative actions have on the district.

And second, enrollment in the district is declining. Superintendent Steve Hopkins said last week that a first look at the latest enrollment figures shows the district down about 200 elementary students and about 100 students overall. Jennings and Rick Skatula, the executive director for school improvement, said that the initial look at enrollment revealed that the district has lost a little less than 100 kindergarteners.

While school officials havent studied the exact cause of declining enrollment, Jennings and Skatula said the economy likely is playing a factor.

When asked if those two factors  cuts and dropping enrollment  could mean layoffs in the near future, Jennings said the district remains focused on avoiding that, which includes the Grant faculty. He said the district is looking for the win-win: the right placement of a teacher with the right building.

But obviously we have to wait and see what our overall enrollment (is) before we can start moving Grant faculty or any faculty and staff into new positions, he said. Right now, were identifying the number of staff needed next year. Once weve identified the staff needed next year, well go through the reassignment process with all teachers in the district, including the Grant teachers.

Jennings added that theres no update to the future of Grant Principal Shawna Smith and said he wasnt sure how many Grant faculty had left the district.

Just over 50 percent of Grants student body will attend the new Journey Elementary next year, Skatula said, and some Grant faculty could end up there, though it was still too early to tell.

He added that all Grant students staying in the district had successfully gone through the enrollment process. Two Grant families who had not gone through the process as the deadline neared were chased down by school and district officials and successfully completed the process.

As for the Grant building itself, it has yet to be appraised and has not been placed on the market, officials said. The process of assessing and marketing it will not take place until after the year has finished and students and staff have closed out their Grant careers, officials said.

In December, the districts board of trustees approved a proposal to close Grant Elementary, along with several other district properties, and eventually remove it from inventory. They cited dropping enrollment, an excess capacity of elementary school seats and significant repairs needed at Grant as the reasons for the closure.
BILLINGS, Mont.  Police in Billings are investigating after a man reportedly tried to detain two suspected shoplifters and then fired a gun at their tires as they drove away.

Sgt. Matt Chaney says the man confronted the suspects at Rimrock Mall on Saturday evening and told them they could not leave. The man reportedly stood behind the car to prevent them from leaving and told them he had a gun and would shoot them if they drove off.

Chaney says the suspects then tried to back over the man, who fired several shots into the tires of the suspect vehicle. The shooting was reported at about 5:40 p.m.

The shoplifting suspects have not been identified.

The man who fired the shots was questioned at the scene and released. No one was injured.
CHEYENNE -- A late change to a bill that would ease gun restrictions at schools is causing confusion among Wyoming lawmakers, who've offered opposing interpretations of whom it would allow to carry firearms.

Some lawmakers say the bill would simply allow local education boards to decide whether they will allow employees and volunteers to carry concealed weapons in school buildings. Others say the bill as recently amended would go much further, making it legal for anyone who does not work for the school system to bring a gun onto a campus.

House Bill 194 was originally written to allow boards of education to choose which employees and volunteers would be allowed to be armed, and in which school buildings they would allow guns. The idea behind the bill, sponsors said, was to allow districts with rural schools that are far away from law enforcement to keep children safe in the case of an active shooting.

There was disagreement, however, over whether an amendment Monday would repeal provisions making schools gun-free zones.

Sen. Anthony Bouchard, a Cheyenne Republican who has run a gun rights organization, proposed the amendment -- which most of his colleagues in the Senate favored -- that specified school districts could only control whether their own employees and volunteers bring concealed weapons to schools.

Some lawmakers -- such as Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette, and Sen. Cale Case, who co-sponsored the amendment -- believe the amendment would permit everyone else, such as parents or repairmen not employed by the school district, to carry a concealed weapon if they chose.

It modifies it," Case said about the gun-free zones rule at school.

Others, such as Cheyenne attorney Sen. Tara Nethercott, a Republican, believe the amendment is more limited, only allowing boards of education to decide whether they will allow or prohibit guns by employees and volunteers.

It doesnt alter the current prohibition, for members of public, as found in statute," she said.

Von Flatern maintains it could be construed many ways.

"You can see by the interpretation, it's not clear," Von Flatern said. "But it'll take a judge to interpret it, no doubt."

HB194 already passed the House. The Senates amendment and vote Monday morning was its final. Since the bill emerged from the lower chamber of the Legislature looking different than the form from which it has emerged the upper chamber, the bill will be returned to the House.

Representatives will review the Senates changes. If the majority agree with them, the bill will be sent to Gov. Matt Meads desk for signature. If they disagree, a process of negotiations between the House and Senate will begin.

Rep. John Eklund, another Cheyenne Republican who is the lead sponsor of the legislation, said Monday afternoon he was still trying to grasp the amendment and couldn't comment at this point.

Dean Braughton, the director of student support services for the Natrona County School District, said if the amendment allows people to carry weapons on campuses, it will be like armed foxes walking into a hen house.

"I want school safety, and Im for gun rights," he said. "But theres common sense."

Superintendent John Lyttle of Laramie County School District No. 1 said he had great concerns about the amendment, assuming it is interpreted to allow the general public to carry guns.

Emotions run high regarding peoples children, he said.

He referenced parents coming to school to have meetings about students being expelled or suspended.

I think its going to create an environment thats not as safe as it is now," he said.

He said the districts board would have to discuss whether to increase security on school campuses.

When he testified before lawmakers, he told them that if they felt schools were unsafe, legislators should provide funding to hire school resource officers.

Weston County School District No. 7 Superintendent Summer Stephens said her district would not support the bill with the amendment as interpreted by some. Previously, she said, they had mixed feelings about it.

Her district is one of the smallest in the state, but she said it doesn't have the same concerns as other rural districts: Weston 7 has law enforcement available.

"I guess thats surprising to me that amendment made it in," she said, adding that her district supports school resource officers.

Kelly Walsh High School has a school resource officer, but principal Brad Diller said the officers duties also include responding to incidents off of school grounds. Beyond that, the schools security falls largely to two campus supervisors, he said, who have a presence in the halls and monitor whats happening. He added that the best security was building a culture where students felt comfortable alerting staff of any threats.

Continue checking trib.com for more on this story.
CHEYENNE  A federal appeals court has ruled that Cheyenne police officers were not negligent when they stopped and shot a man inside a vehicle while his infant son was in the back seat.

The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision affirms a ruling by a federal judge in favor of the city in 2015.

Mathew Carabajal had sued the city, alleging officers were negligent in how they stopped, seized and used force against him during the 2011 incident.

The lawsuit says Carabajal had to have brain surgery after the shooting. His son was not injured.

The officer who shot Carabajal, Joshua Thornton, was not charged after a Laramie County District Attorney's Office investigation.

Thornton told investigators he shot Carabajal to stop his car from advancing and injuring himself and another officer.
Editor:

I was born and came of age during the Cold War. Presidents from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Reagan described Russia with such labels as "the Evil Empire," "the Soviet Menace," and "the Communist Threat." I was taught to fear and mistrust the Russian government. Any politicians who didn't take a "hard line" against the Russians while advocating for the spread of democracy found themselves branded as "soft on Communism" or a "Fellow Traveler."

I don't condone the paranoia of those Cold War years, and the McCarthyism and loyalty oaths it created. However, America's national security was probably well-served by our leaders dealing with Russia in a cautious, wary and skeptical style.

Therefore I am astonished to see that the Trump administration has apparently had secretive dealings with Russia, our nation's philosophical and strategic adversary. The investigations that will now undoubtedly take place will reveal more details, of course. However, if there's even an inkling of evidence to suggest that Trump's team colluded with Russian security, I hope that leaders of both parties will respond in a swift, united and punitive manner.

We've seen many scandals in our illustrious history, from Harding's Teapot Dome, to Nixon's Watergate, to Reagan's Iran-Contra, to Clinton's extra-marital improprieties, but I don't think any of these scandals jeopardized the integrity of our free elections or placed our national security in serious risk at the hands of our former nemesis.

Back in the early 1960s, Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev predicted that the American system would eventually be deconstructed, "conquered from within," "without one shot being fired." Let's hope that the present administration -- due to some combination of incompetence, inexperience and ignorance -- doesn't make Khrushchev's prophecy come true.
Editor:

I had the chance to ask our U.S. Sen. John Barrasso about the threat of abolishing the National Endowment for the Arts at a chamber of commerce meeting in Big Horn. He displayed a complete lack of knowledge of the issue and the organization and answered my question by saying Wyoming should ship beef to South Korea (Im completely serious). When I pressed him a couple more times to answer whether he would support the NEA he dodged and said hed see what Sen. Mike Enzi recommends. Apparently our senators and Rep. Liz Cheney need some help knowing what the NEA brings to Wyoming.

The NEA is .004 percent of the federal budget, and boy, does that money bring bang for the buck. In Pinedale alone, I see its funding in use during our summer concert series and wintertime performances (almost every town in Wyoming has benefited from NEA grants to have music festivals, theater, historic and cultural programs, etc). Abolishing the NEA would strongly affect rural communities more than urban since we do not have the same amount of large cities and private benefactors to rely on for funding. Along with abolishing the NEA, the administration would also like to abolish the NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) and stop funding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (PBS and NPR).

Today I encourage you to simply pick up your phone and call, write a postcard and email our legislators and governor. Let them know how much you enjoy the arts coming to our state and that this is a Wyoming communities issue. It is not a Republican/Democrat issue. Ask for your voice to be heard.

From 1995 to 2015 the NEA provided $14.8 million to Wyoming, $805,900 in 2015 alone. The largest amount of funds go to the Wyoming Arts Council, which matches NEA funds with state allocations and re-grant funding to over 150 non-profit and government entities across the state. For every dollar of arts council grant funding, local communities provide $35 in revenue, private, and corporate giving, showing the significant support for arts programming in local communities.
Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.

 Fred Rogers

It seems only appropriate that a spirits column should wax spiritual from time to time. And on the heels of St. Valentines Day and with St. Patricks Day just around the bend, that time to time might as well be now.

But saintliness should not be rated only (or ever) by the extent to which the masses have co-opted ones name into an over-consumerized holiday. With this in mind, I want to celebrate one of my wifes favorite saints: Fred Rogers. But Mr. Rogers is not a saint because the masses send out cutesy love notes or chug pints of vapid green ale on a day dedicated to his honor. He is a saint because of how he championed love for all of his neighbors and keenly recognized that love is an active noun, like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.

He is a saint because he embraced our shared humanity and mourned how sad it is that we give up on people who are just like us.

He is a saint because he remained hopeful that, with the right help(ers), good will prevail in the face of evil: When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.

There are modern-day saints all around us, good neighborly folks who are willing to help in big ways when life feels scary and to love all our neighbors even through the ugliest of times. And we should want to be in that number, too, because this kind of saintliness gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people  for thriving and living well! Thats my burden of proof.

Boomerang cocktail

A spirited thanks to my South African friends Paul and Pacolito, who encouraged me to find a classic from their motherland and then called my attention to this drink from Robert Vermeires 1922 Cocktails: How to Mix Them. The boomerang cocktail bears striking similarity to the Martinez but uses Angostura instead of orange bitters, London dry instead of Old Tom gin, cuts back on the maraschino and regains its sweetness, additional aromatic spiciness and slightly bitter complexity from the Italian (sweet) vermouth. This drink is simple but surprisingly layered in the glass and superbly balanced. If you usually drink a Manhattan, Martinez or martini, throw back a boomerang instead; you will fly back around for a second round as soon as you finish your first.

Boomerang Cocktail

 oz gin

 oz French (dry) vermouth

 oz Italian (sweet) vermouth

1 tsp maraschino liqueur

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 brandied cherry

1 fresh lemon twist

Combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass and stir with ample ice for 30 seconds before straining into a chilled cocktail glass or coupe. Express the oils from a fresh lemon twist over the drink, then garnish with the twist and a preserved or brandied cherry. Serve up.

This next creation is an original that builds on the Hemingway daiquiri while taking tips from a two other classics: the Pisco Sour and Jack Rose. The Hemingway Daiquiri, also known as the Papa Doble, was created by Constantino Ribalaigua Vert, barman at Hemingways favorite Cuban haunt, a seafood bar and restaurant called El Floridita (formerly La Pina de Plata) that has been around for nearly 200 years.

Hemingways version bolsters the classic daiquiri with the addition of fresh grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur. But grapefruit also pairs perfectly with tarragon, pomegranate and meringue. With this in mind, to Hemingways iconic opus I added an absinthe rinse, tarragon, egg white, homemade grenadine, fromage blanc and bitters.

Hatchery Daiquiri Dock

2 oz white rum

 oz fresh lime juice

 oz fresh grapefruit juice

 oz maraschino

 oz grenadine (or POM juice)

1 egg white

1 sprig fresh tarragon + 1 leaf

1 TBSP fromage blanc (optional)

1 tsp absinthe (rinse)

1 dash fennel bitters (optional)

3 dashes Angostura bitters

Beat the egg white for 30 seconds or dry shake with a whisk ball until foamy and slightly thick. Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with the absinthe and discard (into your mouth, preferably). Add all remaining ingredients except the Angostura and single tarragon leaf. Shake vigorously with ice for 30 seconds to ensure a thoroughly frothy drink. Strain into the chilled absinthe-rinsed glass. Garnish the foamy surface with drops of Angostura bitters, a fresh tarragon leaf, and a few fresh pomegranate seeds. If you do not wish to make your own grenadine, POM brand pomegranate juice works nearly as well and is a far superior substitute for homemade grenadine than the neon-red cough syrup usually branded as grenadine in stores. Avoid that nasty stuff like the plague (also, avoid cliches like the plague).

Here, jammy pomegranate goes swimmingly with the grapefruit while tarragon, absinthe and bitters add a fresh yet complex herbal anisette undercurrent. Lastly, the fromage blanc and egg white hatch meringue-like, creamy mouth feel goodness all over this drink. Crack one open and see!

To round us out, in honor of the recently celebrated Saint Valentino and just in time for your Saint Patricks Day festivities, I offer a foreign drink that is likely more familiar than it appears on first blush. The emerald cocktail combines Irish whiskey and Italian (sweet) vermouth and is one of the few good non-green Irish elixirs. Essentially, this is a Manhattan made with Irish whiskey and orange bitters instead of rye or bourbon and aromatic bitters.

Emerald

2 oz Irish whiskey

1 oz Italian Vermouth

2 dashes orange bitters

Stir all ingredients together for 30 seconds until well chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or coupe. Serve up. For my version, I chose the exceptionally smooth Green Spot Irish Whiskey and a slightly more bitter than usual Italian vermouth, Punt e Mes. The drink, too, is suave with subtle hints of grain, flowers, apple and other orchard fruits, and mellow honey. These flavors from the whiskey fold in seamlessly with the citrus and herbal notes from the bitters and vermouth.

As with many simple cocktails, the emerald is fertile ground to embellish with garnishes and additional flavors. I captured smoke from a smoldering sarsaparilla sliver in a wine decanter (any hardwood will do) and then swirled the combined spirits in the decanter to infuse the drink with light smoke before stirring with ice. And before smoking, I crafted a garnish by skewering a ring of orange peel with a cocktail pick, which I then stuffed with a scant sprig of fresh rosemary and a stub of cinnamon stick. Dip this mini bouquet in Everclear and it will light right up. The charred citrus oils and smoke from the smoldering cinnamon and rosemary are lovely sensory additions that will delight your guests eyes and olfactories. As an added bonus, this is the perfect way to festoon your celebratory creation with a splash of saintly green color. Slainte and saluti!

The burden of proof is now yours. Take a few cues from St. Rogers. Create a beautiful day in this neighborhood. Celebrate love, our shared humanity and all the unsung saints in your life who are loving big and loving well. Cue up some PBS reruns and make a good neighborly drink for a good saintly friend.
Cayuga County will pay $13,000 and relinquish an old radio tower to a transportation company as a result of a settlement involving trees removed in the village of Cato.

The case involves an incident in July 2013, when the village of Cato requested, and was granted, permission from the Keith Titus Corporation to cut down some trees and shrubs to get to its water tower. The village and corporation had an easement agreement to get to the tower, which was not accessible by any public roads.

County Attorney Fred Westphal said in September 2013, the Titus Corporation filed a notice of claim, alleging that Cayuga County and village highway workers had cut down trees outside the easement and on the corporation's property. Westphal said there's a provision in New York state law regarding wrongful tree removal. It says the compensation for the loss of one tree is three times what it's worth.

Westphal said at one point all the parties had blown up an aerial photograph of the property to try and count each tree. No agreement was reached as to how many trees were cut down, but both parties agreed to settle for $13,000. The village also agreed to give up its easement access, as it had relocated its water tower.

The county also had a decades-old radio communications tower on the Titus Corporation's property, which Westphal said was no longer working and the county would maybe check on once or twice a year. Westphal told Cayuga County legislators at the Feb. 21 Ways and Means Committee meeting that bids for its removal came in as high as $27,000.

Rather than remove it, the settlement turns the tower over to the Titus Corporation. Westphal told legislators he expects it will be scrapped. Legislators at the Ways and Means Committee passed a resolution to authorize the settlement. It is expected to also pass at the full Legislature meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the Sixth Floor Chambers of the Cayuga County Office Building, 160 Genesee St., Auburn.
WASHINGTON  A sobering report to governors about the potential consequences of repealing the Obama-era health-care law warns that federal spending cuts probably would create funding gaps for states and threaten many people with the loss of insurance coverage.

The Affordable Care Act has two main components for expanding coverage: subsidized private health insurance available in all 50 states, and an optional Medicaid expansion that has been accepted by 31 states and the District of Columbia. Those two components of the health law cover more than 20 million people.

A report by the consulting firm Avalere Health concluded that the changes under consideration by the GOP-led House would reduce significantly federal dollars for Medicaid and subsidized private insurance.

The effect on Medicaid would be far-reaching. The federal-state program for low-income people covers more than 70 million Americans, many of whom have high health-care needs.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of a slide presentation made by Avalere to governors meeting this weekend in Washington.

The report said the combination of phasing out Medicaid expansion money from the U.S. government, plus transforming the overall program from an open-ended federal entitlement to one that operates under a cap would likely result in state funding gaps. States that expanded Medicaid would face cuts.

States would get more flexibility to design their programs, but the money crunch could lead to cuts in eligibility, benefits, or payments to hospitals and other service providers. The impact of federal spending reductions would compound over time.

The private insurance subsidies provided under Barack Obamas law would also be scaled back, according to the report.

Although states would get some additional safety-net funding, reductions in federal insurance subsidies would expose some consumers to new costs for their coverage. That would probably result in fewer people covered, as some consumers drop their plans.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicaid consumed an average 19 percent of state budgets in 2015, the most current year available, ranging from 7 percent in Utah to 41 percent in New Hampshire.

Budget hawks including House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., support the kind of program flexibility GOP governors are seeking, but chiefly want to spend less on Medicaid.
LOS ANGELES  Joseph Wapner, the retired Los Angeles judge who presided over The Peoples Court with steady force during the heyday of the reality courtroom show, died Sunday at age 97.

Son David Wapner told The Associated Press that his father died at home in his sleep. Joseph Wapner was hospitalized a week ago with breathing problems and had been under home hospice care.

The Peoples Court, on which Wapner decided real small-claims from 1981 to 1993, was one of the granddaddies of the syndicated reality shows of today. His affable, no-nonsense approach attracted many fans, putting The Peoples Court in the top five in syndication at its peak.

Before auditioning for the show, Wapner had spent more than 20 years on the bench in Los Angeles, first in Municipal Court and then in Superior Court. At one time he was presiding judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, the largest court in the United States. He retired as judge in November 1979, the day after his 60th birthday.

Everything on the show is real, Wapner told the AP in a 1986 interview. Theres no script, no rehearsal, no retakes. Everything from beginning to end is like a real courtroom, and I personally consider each case as a trial.

Sometimes I dont even deliberate, he added. I just decide from the bench, its so obvious. The beautiful part is that I have carte blanche.

The Peoples Court cases were tried without lawyers by the rules of Small Claims Court, which has a damage limit of $1,500. Researchers for the producer, Ralph Edwards Productions, checked claims filed in Southern California for interesting cases.

The plaintiff and defendant had to agree to have the case settled on the show and sign a binding arbitration agreement; the show paid for the settlements.

In some metropolitan counties, the number of small claims cases more than tripled during the 1980s; some cited Wapner as a cause.

Johnny Carson invited Wapner to come on The Tonight Show and settle a dispute between himself and David Letterman. Carson wanted to do it as a skit, but Wapner said no and conducted it like a trial.

The dispute was over an old truck that Letterman kept parked by his property in Malibu. Carson said it was an eyesore and had it hauled away. When Letterman got it back, the headlights had been broken.

I awarded Letterman $24.95, said Wapner.
WASHINGTON  The Pentagon wants to expand the militarys ability to battle al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia, potentially putting U.S. forces closer to the fight against a stubborn extremist group that has plotted attacks against America, senior U.S. officials say.

The recommendations sent to the White House would allow U.S. special operations forces to increase assistance to the Somali National Army in its struggle against al-Shabab militants in the fragile Horn of Africa nation, the officials said. They said the proposal would give the military greater flexibility to launch airstrikes against extremists that appear to be a threat.

Beefing up the military effort in Somalia fits with President Trumps broader request for a Pentagon plan to accelerate the U.S.-led battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and defeat other extremist groups, including al-Qaida and its affiliates.

U.S. concerns about al-Shabab escalated in recent years as young Americans from Somali communities traveled to training camps in Somalia, raising fears they might return to the United States and conduct terror attacks.

Somalia was one of the seven predominantly Muslim countries included in Trumps travel ban last month. The executive order has since been suspended by federal courts.

Somalia is our most perplexing challenge, Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, the head of U.S. Africa Command, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The United States is trying to take a look at Somalia from a fresh perspective in the way ahead, he said, describing the need to weaken the decade-old al-Shabab insurgency so that the African nations military can defeat it.

Waldhauser declined to provide details of the new options that have been proposed.

But other officials said elements include giving U.S. special operations forces greater ability to accompany local troops on military operations against al-Shabab and easing restrictions on when the U.S. can conduct airstrikes against the group. The officials werent authorized to publicly discuss the confidential review and spoke on condition of anonymity

Currently there are about 50 U.S. commandos rotating in and out of Somalia to advise and assist the local troops. The new authorities could result in a small increase in the number of U.S. forces in Somalia, officials said.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis approved the recommendations and sent the plan to the White House earlier this month, they added. But no final decisions have been made, and the proposal could prove politically sensitive because of the disastrous downing of two U.S. helicopters over Mogadishu in 1993 that killed 18 American troops.

The White House declined to comment, deferring questions to the Defense Department.

Somalia has been without a truly functioning government for two-and-a-half decades. After warlords ousted dictator Siad Barre in 1991, they quickly turned on one another, making Somalia infamous for its extreme rates of violence and the proliferation of pirates operating off its coasts. Security has improved in recent years as international efforts against al-Shabab gained ground.

After the bodies of American soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu when the helicopters were shot down, the U.S. withdrew from the country. Since then, Islamist hard-liners have vied for power and al-Shababs attacks have spread to Uganda and Kenya.

Some of the U.S. officials with knowledge of the new military proposal said it is aimed at improving the U.S. advisory mission because the African Union is planning to pull its 20,000 peacekeeping troops from Somalia in 2020. Observers say Somali troops are unprepared to fight the extremist threat on their own.

Currently, U.S. forces can transport and accompany local troops. But they must keep their distance from front lines and can only engage the enemy if they come under attack or if Somali forces are in danger of being defeated. The new proposal would give U.S. forces the ability to move with Somali troops into the fight if needed.

While the American military right now can conduct airstrikes in self-defense or to protect Somali troops if they come under attack and request help, the new rules would be broader.

Officials said that under the new recommendations, the military would be able to launch airstrikes against militants on a more pre-emptive basis. For example, the U.S. could target al-Shabab fighters gathering for an attack rather than waiting until friendly forces were under fire.

Al-Shabab has been ousted from most Somali cities and towns, but its suicide bombers continue to kill across large parts of the south and center of the country. That includes Mogadishu, the capital.

Somalias new president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, inaugurated Wednesday, warned that it will take another two decades to fix his country. Mohamed, who also holds U.S. citizenship, won election earlier this month as Somalia tries to restore effective governance.

Waldhauser said the U.S. sees an opportunity to work with Mohamed to train the Somalia national security forces to a level that they can take on al-Shabab on their own.
WASHINGTON  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.

Calls have grown louder from Democrats in Congress for U.S. Attorney General 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 investigate.

Some Republicans have joined the call. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., voiced support Friday on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher for appointing a special prosecutor, though he also said congressional intelligence committees should continue their work.

Issa, who narrowly won re-election last year, was a vociferous critic of the Obama administration when he headed the House Oversight Committee. In that post, he spearheaded investigations on topics like Benghazi and bank bailouts.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian intelligence 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, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House deputy principal White House press secretary, said congressional investigations on Russia and the campaign should be allowed to continue forward before a special prosecutor appointment is 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.
Consumers often search for products and services online. Geographic proximity is important to many consumers, so search engines like Google deliver results that are close by.

For example, if a user in Oro Valley searches for a plumber, the results will tend to favor plumbers who service the Oro Valley area. This is only possible because Google knows the general location of the person searching and the plumber has observed local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) guidelines. The local SEO guidelines differ slightly for companies who provide services at the customers location, as opposed to businesses where the customers come to the business for products and services.

SCORE spoke with Johnny Wyatt, CEO of The J3 Effect, to get some important information business owners need to know about local SEO.

Wyatt recommends you start with your website. Make sure your title tags for each page of your website begin with the keyword customers use to find the services featured on that page. Then add a title tag for your business name and geographic location, in that order. For example: Leak Detection | Best Plumber in Tucson | Oro Valley. No two title tags should be the same.

Be sure all links, to internal and off site locations work. Broken links hurt SEO. Look at the structure of your website. Is it logical, easy to navigate with information visitors need? Adding fresh content helps your SEO, too. Once your website is complete, add new content by writing new blog pages.

Your website must be mobile device friendly, and it must load fast, on both mobile devices and desktops. Google offers a free online analyzer.

Your Google My Business listing and other local listings matter. Online reviews are important too. Get reviews on multiple sites including Google+, Facebook, Better Business Bureau and Yelp.
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.
One recent Sunday morning, I woke up to a text message from a co-worker saying shed been up all night with her mother in the emergency room.

Her mom had fallen, broken her hip, and was getting admitted to the hospital for surgery. As you can imagine, my colleague was exhausted, worried, and facing some important decisions. Even as her mom was being prepped for surgery, the hospitals care coordinator was asking which rehabilitation facility she should be sent to afterward.

As a fellow official of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), my associate has a better-than-average understanding of the health-care system. But shed never had to find a rehabilitation facility for a loved one. So she turned to an online tool CMS developed to help people find a suitable nursing home when they need one.

The tool is called Nursing Home Compare and you can find it on our www.Medicare.gov website. Just click on the button that says Find nursing homes. Enter your ZIP code or city and you can begin your search.

Nursing Home Compare assigns from one to five stars to every nursing facility that participates in Medicare or Medicaid, with five stars being the highest rating. These star ratings give you and your family an easy-to-understand summary of three important dimensions of nursing home quality: health inspection results, staffing information, and quality of care.

The goal of our Five-Star Quality Rating System is to help people distinguish between higher- and lower-performing nursing homes. CMS also wants to help nursing homes identify problem areas and to improve their quality. Nursing facilities receive an overall star rating based on three types of performance indicators, each of which has its own star rating:

Health inspections

Nursing homes that take part in Medicare or Medicaid undergo unannounced, comprehensive inspections about once a year. CMS bases health inspection ratings on the number, scope and severity of deficiencies found during the three most recent inspections, as well as on results of complaint investigations during the most recent 36 months.

Staffing levels

CMS bases staffing ratings on two components: 1) Registered nurse hours per resident day; and 2) total staffing hours (registered nurse plus licensed practical nurse plus nurse aide hours) per resident day. The staffing measures are adjusted for different levels of resident care needs.

Quality measures

These ratings are based on how a nursing home performs on 16 of the 24 quality-of-care measures posted on Nursing Home Compare. The measures reflect whether residents got flu shots, are in pain, or are losing weight. We also look at how well the facility controls pressure ulcers (bed sores) and whether it overuses antipsychotic medications.

A facilitys overall star rating is a composite of the ratings on the measures above. The core of the overall rating is the health inspection rating, which is adjusted up if the facility receives high staffing or quality-of-care ratings, or down if those ratings are low.

You can compare multiple facilities on Nursing Home Compare, as my colleague did when looking for the best spot for her mother. But keep in mind that star ratings are intended to be combined with other sources of information (such as a doctors recommendation) and shouldnt substitute for visiting the nursing home in person.

At www.Medicare.gov, youll also find compare websites for hospitals, home health services, dialysis facilities, medical equipment suppliers, and Medicare-approved health and prescription drug plans.

Choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one is a complex, personal, and often emotionally draining decision. With that in mind, we developed a detailed brochure, Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Care, which you can find online at medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02174.pdf

Among other things, the brochure provides a checklist of questions to ask nursing home managers, alternatives to nursing home care, and the legal rights and protections of nursing home residents.
Adopt A Friend

Pet Name and ID: Louise, A587841 Age: Unknown Breed: Turkish Van Mix Story: Louise is a beautiful, tortie and brown tabby cat. While she can be reserved and shy with new people, she is curious and loves to know what is going on. Louise gets along well with other cats, so she would be a great addition to a family. Give Louise her forever home today! Fees: Since Louise has been with Pima Animal Care over one month, her adoption fees have been waived. Louise will also go home with all of her vaccinations, a microchip and a free vet visit voucher.
ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- While Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the Oscars, the president and first lady hosted a night of glamour of their own Sunday night. But instead of movie stars, the guests at the White House were the nation's governors.



It's an annual tradition for the president to invite the nation's governors to the White House for a dinner. Sunday night's Governor's Ball was a first for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in acting as host and hostess of the White House for a gala-style event.



"I hear this is a record number of governors, 46 and thats the highest that have ever showed up for this evening," the commander-in-chief said during his toast.



The theme of the dinner was "Spring's Renewal," with the first lady noting in a statement that "the scents of jasmine and roses fill the air as we give thanks for this great Nation and the glory of renewal."



The first lady also says the night will be an opportunity to leave political labels behind and unite.



"I am proud to invite all the governors to the White House for this important annual event," the first lady also said. "Tonight, we come together as one Nation, leaving political labels and partisan interests behind."



However, President Trump did briefly tout the accomplishments of his young presidency -- highlighting border security:



"I can say that after four weeks, its been a lot of fun accomplished but weve accomplished almost everything weve started out to accomplish -- the borders are stricter, tighter," he said, complimenting Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly's work.



He also teased the group's upcoming discussion of former President Obama's signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act.



"Tomorrow we're going to meet and were going discuss things like perhaps healthcare will come up, perhaps and I think we've made a lot of progress on that and were going to have a speech Tuesday night and were going to be speaking very specifically about a very complicated subject," the Trump said. "Were going to have it fixed, and were going to repeal and replace, and I think youre going to see something very special."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
City

 Brandon M. Tape, 28, 5 Parsons St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 24 with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, forcible touching and third-degree assault.

 Mark J. Crysler, 31 McLaughlin Lane, Locke, was charged Feb. 23 with third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, unlawful disposal of methamphetamine laboratory material and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Elizabeth A. Crysler, Jr., 25, 31 McLaughlin Lane, Locke, was charged Feb. 23 with third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Jonathan A. Wood, Jr., 31, 5623 Sayles Corners Rd., Moravia, was charged Feb. 23 with third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Ashley M. Wood, 28, 5623 Sayles Corners Rd., Moravia, was charged Feb. 23 with third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Brittany A. Tansley, 24, 1 Warren Ave. Apt. 2, Auburn, was charged Feb. 24 with first-degree identity theft, second-degree forgery and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

 Steven H. Mumford, 38, 3 McConnell Ave., Auburn, was charged Feb. 24 with second-degree criminal contempt, fourth-degree criminal mischief, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Charles E. Barnes, 54, 22 Wood St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 26 with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or 1 percent.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Feb. 27 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.
Arizona high schools remain hostile environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students due to a lack of support and resources, according to findings from a recently released survey.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which has administered the survey since 1999, argues that the presence of school-based supports for LGBTQ students results in lower levels of harassment and better educational outcomes.

For Arizona specifically, the report found that the vast majority of LGBTQ students regularly heard anti-LGBTQ remarks and had been victimized at school. It also found that many LGBTQ students in Arizona reported discriminatory policies or practices at their schools.

We have so much work to do, but we have seen what works in Southern Arizona to improve school climates for LGBTQ students: supportive educators, anti-bullying policies that specifically protect LGBTQ students, inclusive student clubs and school curriculum that positively reflects LGBTQ topics, said Benjamin Lebovitz, chair of GLSEN Tucson.

Rikki Woods, a Rincon High School junior who is bisexual, participated in this years GLSEN survey. While she wasnt exactly surprised by the results, Woods said the problem is larger than she would have guessed.

A lot of people who dont really know much about this issue dont really understand how many problems the LGBTQ community does face, the 16-year-old said. A lot of people assume that its not really a big deal because people can get married now.

Woods said that schools could work toward making the environment more welcoming for LGBTQ students by raising awareness of these issues, especially by administrators.

Its not always directly toward me, but I hear gay as a derogatory term more than I would like to hear it, Woods said. Also a lot of men talking about being OK with women being lesbians but not men being gay. Ive seen a lot of people sexualizing lesbians, which I dont really like.

Ethan Smith Cox, director of development for the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation, suggests that the nature of Arizonas conservative government and public school system is partially to blame for the lack of healthy conversation and discussion.

Just last week at the federal level, transgender students lost protections that allowed them to use school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities.

The Trump administration came down on the side of states rights, lifting Obama-era federal guidelines that had been characterized by Republicans as an example of overreach.

Without the Obama directive, it will be up to states and school districts to interpret federal anti-discrimination law and determine whether students should have access to restrooms in accordance with their expressed gender identity and not just their biological sex.

Obviously no one chooses to be gay and nobody chooses to feel like theyre a different gender than they are, Cox said. So its one of those things that they just need a lot of support, and not talking about it at school is implicitly saying theres something wrong with this.

WORK IS UNDERWAY

Tucsons largest school district is working to implement positive resources for its students in light of the survey results.

An ongoing challenge has been students not realizing the impact of what they say, said Tamara Hille, coordinator of the Tucson Unified School Districts guidance and counseling department.

Some things I think we should continue increasing is more self awareness at our schools, working with our students to increase awareness of what theyre saying and how others could possibly perceive that, Hille said. That could happen through classroom guidance, through clubs and doing lunchtime activities to support this.

In May, all counselors will be trained on LGBTQ issues. The hope, Hille said, is that the counselors can then work with teachers and support staff to aid students.

One specific finding in the GLSEN study was that LGBTQ students in Arizona did not have access to in-school resources and supports.

Hille said that all students in TUSD are allowed to participate in activities related to LGBTQ issues, and that clubs like Gay-Straight Alliance are present in a number of schools. Counselors are also available to students, either to provide individual support or to refer students to community resources.

Additionally, TUSD has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and harassment, Hille said. Earlier this month, the district implemented a new hotline and website where students can report bullying or harassment . From there, the issue could be addressed on-site.

The nine major school districts in the Tucson area all have nondiscrimination policies, but only five specifically mention sexual orientation.

Hector Pacheco, an 18-year-old Rincon senior who is gay, said he personally hasnt experienced discrimination at school based on his sexual orientation, but he could understand that it might be different for LGBTQ students at other campuses.

Brenda Kazen, a counselor at Rincon who advises the Gay-Straight Alliance Club and has been a member of GLSEN for 15 years, said the biggest issue she sees is microaggressions toward LGBTQ students. She also said she thinks that the classified support staff, like monitors and bus drivers, should receive the same kind of training on LGBTQ issues that teachers do.

For students in need of support, there are a number of programs available within the Tucson community, including a youth center that will be available this summer.

The Southern Arizona Aids Foundation is opening the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th, which will support LGBTQ youth.

The center, at 526 N. Fourth Ave., will provide a safe space as well as skills-building, advocacy and culturally competent care to LGBTQ youth and their allies ages 13 to 26.
It all started with a single, last-minute agenda item  at least in the publics eyes.

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board has contemplated  for at least two weeks now  the future of its chief administrator, H.T. Sanchez, who was hired in 2013 to lead the areas largest school district.

Much of the discussion has been happening behind closed doors  in executive sessions and private meetings between several board members and a lawyer who was previously dismissed by the superintendent.

That attorney, Bill Brammer, has now been retained by the five-member board to provide counsel as Governing Board members deal with issues surrounding the superintendents job.

Public discussions on the matter were tabled twice  once at the Feb. 14 board meeting and another time the following week. More than a 100 people, including teachers, parents and district residents, showed up at both meetings to speak about the issue.

Board President Michael Hicks said last week the matter of the superintendents employment will be discussed by the board again Tuesday, Feb. 28. The issue is to be discussed again in executive session. (See box above.)

But for now, the board remains publicly divided, with two members seeking an apparent change in district leadership, two supporting Sanchez, and one, Hicks, who wont say much more than he will do what makes sense, though he has often aligned with board clerk Mark Stegeman on issues.

Sanchez was hired in 2013 and his contract is up for renewal in 2018. He is paid a base salary of $270,000 to oversee about 52,000 students in schools across the city.

Issues brought by new board member

When new board member Rachael Sedgwick first requested to review Sanchezs employment at the Feb. 14 meeting, she said in an interview that she wanted to see about creating a performance plan for the superintendent.

Its always been my intention to bring it to the superintendents attention that things can be improved, she said.

She had been critical of the superintendent ever since she started campaigning for election to the school board.

Upon taking office Jan. 1, she launched an effort to get Sanchez certified as a teacher in Arizona and later requested the district create an anonymous community survey that would include, among other things, a question about perceived administrator efficacy and support, according to an email she wrote to a board assistant Feb. 12.

Sedgwick said what she calls a middle of the road discussion about the superintendents job performance has evolved into something else. Things have definitely developed, she said.

My presence on the board has completely changed the dynamic, she said.

Were getting to know each other. Were discussing a personnel item, and that makes things tense.

Stegeman has been questioning Sanchezs leadership for much longer. He said in an interview that he first began having concerns about Sanchez in late 2013, when the state Attorney Generals Office began an investigation into a TUSD procurement contract.

The investigation did not result in charges or a judgment, but aroused some clear questions, Stegeman said. He has pointed out his concerns regarding Sanchez on multiple occasions. Those include high administrative spending, low student achievement, declining enrollment, student discipline issues and staff turnover.

There are some serious performance issues, he said last week.

In looking into those issues, Stegeman sought the help of attorney Brammer, who formerly represented TUSD in the decades-long desegregation court case on a contract basis, but was not affiliated with the district at that time. Brammer was eventually dismissed by Sanchez.

Brammer helped Stegeman compile a list of Sanchezs performance issues, Stegeman said. I was aware of legal implications and of course I needed to go to a lawyer to understand legal implications.

The attorney also met with Sedgwick and Hicks, according to an email obtained by the Star that was written by Todd Jaeger, the districts current general counsel, who recommended the board seek outside counsel.

Those meetings happened before Brammer was officially appointed last Tuesday to advise the board on Sanchezs employment. Jaeger expressed his discomfort at the possible conflict of interest involving Brammer in the email addressed to board members.

Stegeman said he didnt think it was a conflict of interest. He chose Brammer because he is familiar with the district.

Conflict of interest means that my goals were in conflict with the boards goals, Stegeman said. I dont personally think thats true.

A DIVIDED BOARD

Board President Hicks previously said he wouldnt support a measure to terminate Sanchez that doesnt come with plans for doing whats best for the district. On Friday, he said it would all depend on whether whatever plan of action comes forward makes sense for the district.

Board members Adelita Grijalva and Kristel Foster both have shown support for Sanchez. They wont support a board decision to fire him.

I think that Dr. Sanchez does a good job. You can see that based on the people who are coming out to support him. He has cross-community support, Grijalva said.

Should Sanchez get fired, a new superintendent search would cost about $60,000, said Stefanie Boe, a district spokeswoman. The attorneys advising the board through the process to review Sanchezs employment are paid about $250 to $500 per hour.

Michael Varney, president of the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, said he believes Sanchez has a great track record in boosting high school graduation, engaging with the private sector and minimizing enrollment declines. He has spoken out at different board meetings against terminating the superintendent.

I support him for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that he has been a tremendously effective superintendent, Varney said.

The other issue is the lack of continuity and stability in the superintendents job.

TUSD has had seven superintendents in the past 20 years, and a divided board with political angst doesnt create an optimal atmosphere for an executive, Varney said.

When asked about the perceived animosity among board members, Grijalva said, I think we have to establish trust, and that trust has been broken for me, specifically with Dr. Stegeman.

Hicks said his goal is to not allow the relationships among board members to get too damaged.

I want to make sure that we all are working together for a common goal, which is the betterment of education for our students.

Varney said he hopes for the same.

The entire board needs to find a way to work together to create more effective policy. They have not found a way to work together, and I think thats regrettable, he said.
About 3 years after Phase 1 of the Grant Road Improvement Project was finished, Phase 2 is just weeks away from getting underway.

The Road Runner got a hold of the preliminary construction schedule to help readers plan for the substantial remaking of the major east-west arterial between North Stone and Park avenues.

Once complete in 2023  according to current estimates  the massive six-phase project will provide six lanes of travel, as well as bike lanes and pedestrian safety features, from North Oracle to Swan roads at a cost of about $100 million in 2008 dollars. The engineering estimate for Phase 2 was a little over $17 million, but Phoenix contractor Markham won with a bid of $14.5 million, the money for which will come from the sales-tax-funded Regional Transportation Authority.

Before we dive into the details, an important qualifying note: All of the dates youre about to read are tentative, meaning they are subject to change and vulnerable to the vagaries of Southern Arizonas often extreme weather, among other factors.

Its the best-case scenario, David Burbank, the Tucson transportation departments Phase 2 project manager, said of the preliminary schedule, before graciously walking the Road Runner through each of the projects six stages  many of which run concurrently with other stages  and how they will likely impact the motoring public.

Construction is slated to start March 20, when Markham gets the first stage going, which includes building a retention basin, clearing vegetation along the work area, utility research and laying the new eastbound lane. These elements of the project will have little impact on traffic flow and will last through June 2018, according to Burbank.

Traffics going to flow as if no ones there, he said.

Construction was originally expected to start in 2015, but delays with utility companies moving their communication lines held that up, according to city engineer Fred Felix.

The second stage will kick off May 22, and will involve substantial work to Stone Avenue north and south within a block or two of its intersection with Grant.

Markham will build new sidewalks and access points, among other things. Unlike stage one, the work on Stone, which is expected to last until early August, will come with some lane restrictions.

The following stage, expected to stretch from June 8 to Aug. 18, will be more or less the same as the Stone work, but at First and Euclid avenues, further east.

The fourth stage will deal with westbound Grant, and last from late August through mid-December. Initially, there will be a fair amount of utilities work, and toward the end crews will build the new third lane.

This will impact travel, where were temporarily putting it down to one lane, using the new eastbound Grant Road and moving traffic onto that, Burbank said.

The fifth stage will also have significant traffic impacts as Markham builds the raised median in the middle of Grant from mid-November through early January 2018. To accommodate that work, the lane closest to the median for both directions will be closed, though there will still be two lanes of travel open through much of the project area.

And finally, from late November through early March 2018, Markham will finish off work on westbound grant from Stone west to Castro Avenue. Through all the phases, Burbank said business access would be maintained.

It wont be as painful as everybody thinks, Burbank said, adding later: Be patient with us, we will deliver a roadway thats going to be very usable, its going to improve traffic movement, its going to improve safety, and its going to look modern by the time were done with it.

In addition to the features described above, when all is said and done Grant will have two new indirect left turns, which are also known as Michigan lefts, at Stone and First, in addition to the one that is already at Grants intersection with Oracle.

When Tucson drivers first got a taste of the novel intersections, which are intended to improve traffic flow and safety, many took a dim view of them. However, while 80 percent of respondents to a 2013 Star poll said they disliked the traffic innovation, that number fell to 50 in a similar poll conducted last year.

To keep an eye on how they function in the real world, the RTAs Jim DeGrood said baseline data on the intersections was recently collected to compare it to the intersections after the indirect lefts are constructed. When the data is available, the Road Runner will certainly give it a look.

To promote economic development after Phase 2 is complete, city officials are contemplating what is known as an Urban Overlay District, which allows a degree of regulatory flexibility when it comes to certain zoning requirements. For example, Rebecca Ruopp, who is overseeing land-use planning for Phase 2, said that parking-space requirements could be loosened in exchange for additional landscaping work at a business.

For some of the parcels the city acquired leading up to Phase 2, it is considering soliciting requests for proposals for that land. If youre interested in this side of the project, there will be a public meeting on March 2 at 5:30 pm at the Donna Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 N. Sixth Ave.

DOWN THE ROAD

Its not coming next week, but county residents near Colossal Cave Road should mark their calendars with the following dates.

Between March 13 and March 26, there will two separate closures of the roads railroad crossings with more or less the same traffic impacts.

On March 13-14, the crossing at the northbound tracks will be closed, and from March 15 through March 26, the closure will be at the southbound tracks.

In both cases, motorists trying to get to Colossal Cave Road north of the tracks from Interstate 10 will have to take the Houghton Road exit (275), travel north to Mary Ann Cleveland Way and head east to Colossal Cave. The business center just south of the tracks on Colossal Cave will be the last point of access.

Access to both Acacia Elementary School and Old Vail Middle School will be maintained.
This blog is written solely by John Ray, who has a Ph.D. degree in psychology and 200+ papers published in the academic journals of the social sciences. It does occasionally comment on issues in psychology but is mainly aimed at giving a conservative psychologist's view on a broad range of topics. There are very few conservative psychologists.The blog originated in Australia and many (but not most) posts discuss Australian matters. Australians have an unusually good awareness of events outside their own country. Australian newspapers feature news from Britain and the USA not as an afterthought but as a major part of their coverage. So Australians do tend to have a truly Western heart, which is the reason behind the old name for this blog. So events in Australia, Britain and the USA all feature frequently here, plus occasional coverage of other places, particularly Israel.SCOTUS is the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the landThe "GOP" stands for "Grand Old Party" and refers to the Republican party. The GOP is at present center/Right, while the Democrats have been undergoing a steady drift Leftwards and now have policies similar to mainstream European Leftist parties.The ideological identity of both parties has however been very fluid -- almost reversing itself over time. In the mid 19th century, the GOP was the party of big government and concern for minorities while the Democrats advertised themselves as "The party of the white man" -- an orientation that lasted into the mid 20th century in the South. The Democrats are still obsessed with race but have now flipped into support for discrimination AGAINST whites.Was Pope Urban VIII the first Warmist? Below we see him refusing to look through Galileo's telescope. People tend to refuse to consider evidence if what they might discover contradicts what they believe.Climate scientist Lennart Bengtsson said. The warming we have had the last 100 years is so small that if we didnt have meteorologists and climatologists to measure it we wouldnt have noticed it at all.The term "Fascism" is mostly used by the Left as a brainless term of abuse. But when they do make a serious attempt to define it, they produce very complex and elaborate definitions -- e.g. here and here . In fact, Fascism is simply extreme socialism plus nationalism. But great gyrations are needed to avoid mentioning the first part of that recipe, of course.Beatrice Webb, a founder of the London School of Economics and the Fabian Society, and married to a Labour MP, mused in 1922 on whether when English children were "dying from lack of milk", one should extend "the charitable impulse" to Russian and Chinese children who, if saved this year, might anyway die next. Besides, she continued, there was "the larger question of whether those races are desirable inhabitants" and "obviously" one wouldn't "spend one's available income" on "a Central African negro".Hugh Dalton, offered the Colonial Office during Attlee's 1945-51 Labour government, turned it down because "I had a horrid vision of pullulating, poverty stricken, diseased nigger communities, for whom one can do nothing in the short run and who, the more one tries to help them, are querulous and ungrateful."The book,, authored by T.W. Adorno et al. in 1950, has been massively popular among psychologists. It claims that a set of ideas that were popular in the "Progressive"-dominated America of the prewar era were "authoritarian". Leftist regimes always are authoritarian so that claim was not a big problem. What was quite amazing however is that Adorno et al. identified such ideas as "conservative". They were in fact simply popular ideas of the day but ones that had been most heavily promoted by the Left right up until the then-recent WWII. See here for details of prewar "Progressive" thinking.R.I.P. Augusto Pinochet. Pinochet deposed a law-defying Marxist President at the express and desperate invitation of the Chilean parliament. He pioneered the free-market reforms which Reagan and Thatcher later unleashed to world-changing effect. That he used far-Leftist methods to suppress far-Leftist violence is reasonable if not ideal. The Leftist view that they should have a monopoly of violence and that others should follow the law is a total absurdity which shows only that their hate overcomes their reasonFranklin Delano Roosevelt was a war criminal. Both British and American codebreakers had cracked the Japanese naval code so FDR knew what was coming at Pearl Harbor. But for his own political reasons he warned no-one there. So responsibility for the civilian and military deaths at Pearl Harbor lies with FDR as well as with the Japanese. The huge firepower available at Pearl Harbor, both aboard ship and on land, could have largely neutered the attack. Can you imagine 8 battleships and various lesser craft firing all their AA batteries as the Japanese came in? The Japanese naval airforce would have been annihilated and the war would have been over before it began. FDR prolonged the Depression . He certainly didn't cure it. WWII did NOT end the Great Depression . It just concealed it. It in fact made living standards worse Joe McCarthy was eventually proved right after the fall of the Soviet Union. To accuse anyone of McCarthyism is to accuse them of accuracy! The KKK was intimately associated with the Democratic party . They ATTACKED Republicans!People who mention differences in black vs. white IQ are these days almost universally howled down and subjected to the most extreme abuse. I am a psychometrician, however, so I feel obliged to defend the scientific truth of the matter:The average African adult has about the same IQ as an average white 11-year-old and African Americans (who are partly white in ancestry) average out at a mental age of 14. The American Psychological Association is generally Left-leaning but it is the world's most prestigious body of academic psychologists. And even they have had to concede that sort of gap (one SD) in black vs. white average IQ. 11-year olds can do a lot of things but they also have their limits and there are times when such limits need to be allowed for. America's uncivil war was caused by trade protectionism . The slavery issue was just camouflage, as Abraham Lincoln himself admitted . See also here Leftist psychologists have an amusingly simplistic conception of military organizations and military men. They seem to base it on occasions they have seen troops marching together on parade rather than any real knowledge of military men and the military life. They think that military men are "rigid" -- automatons who are unable to adjust to new challenges or think for themselves. What is incomprehensible to them is that being(to use the extreme Prussian term for following orders) actually requires great flexibility -- enough flexibility to put your own ideas and wishes aside and do something very difficult. Ask any soldier if all commands are easy to obey.
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  More than 100 headstones have been vandalized at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, damage discovered less than a week after similar vandalism in Missouri, authorities said.

A man visiting the cemetery called police at 9:40 a.m. Sunday to report that three of his relatives' headstones had been knocked over and damaged.

"The cemetery was inspected and approximately 100 additional headstones were found to be knocked over," apparently sometime after dark Saturday, a police spokeswoman said in a statement. A criminal mischief-institutional vandalism investigation will be conducted by the police Northeast Detectives Division, she said.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia lists Mount Carmel as a Jewish cemetery.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called the report "shocking and a source of worry," although he added that he had "full confidence" that authorities in the U.S. would be able to catch and punish those responsible.

The damage comes less than a week after a Jewish cemetery in suburban St. Louis reported more than 150 headstones vandalized, many of them tipped over.

Police said Sunday evening that the Anti-Defamation League, due to support from the Mizel Family Foundation, is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. A local Fraternal Order of Police lodge also is offering a reward of $3,000.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said authorities were doing everything possible to find those "who desecrated this final resting place."

"My heart breaks for the families who found their loved ones' headstones toppled," he said in a statement. "Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia."

Aaron Mallin told WPVI-TV that he discovered the damage when he came to visit his father's grave. He called it "very disheartening" and said he hopes it wasn't intended as an anti-Semitic attack.

"I'm hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids," he said. "But the fact that there's so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted."
OPINION: "Im sure you will see, as I have, that for all the 'God talk' that Christian nationalists throw around, their attitudes and actions are starkly antithetical to the gospel of love and inclusion for all advocated by the Jesus they claim to believe in," writes Rev. Gary Nelson, a form
SCOTTSDALE  Police say Scottsdale woman shot her boyfriend multiple times while he slept because she believed he was having an affair.

A probable cause statement to arrest 53-year-old Delia Flores says she shot her live-in boyfriend while he slept in a chair on Sunday.

The Arizona Republic reports that police said she shot him once in the penis and twice in the scrotum.

The boyfriend woke up to what he thought were fireworks but were actually seven gunshot wounds, including his groin area and neck. The victim is expected to survive.

The statement says Flores bought the gun a week earlier. Her boyfriend told police he didn't know she had one and that he didn't have an affair.
Help India!

Lucknow, (IANS): Around 11 per cent of 1.84 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling on Monday for the fifth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, an official said.

Amid complaints of technical snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at many places in the 51 constituencies in 11 districts, people queued up in large numbers to pick their choice from the 617 candidates in the fray.

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Maximum polling was reported from Bahraich and Shrawasti where 12 per cent voters polled till 9 a.m. No violent incidents were reported as polling started at 7 a.m. amid tight security.

In the bitterly canvassed Gonda constituency, the number stood at 11 per cent; in Faizabad it was 11.3 per cent; in Balrampur 11.5; in Ambedkarnagar 11.2; in Sant Kabeernagar at 10 per cent and in both Amethi and Sultanpur it stood at nine till that time.

The prestige of many stalwarts are at stake in the Avadh region as crores of voters take their pick for the 17th 403-seat Vidhan Sabha, for which 43 women are also contesting.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, his wife Ameeta Singh, state minister Gayatri Prajapati and BJPs Garima Singh cast their votes in Amethi (the latter three are candidates from the Gandhi family borough).

While senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar cast his vote from Ayodhya. All leaders claimed victories for their respective parties.

In the 2012 polls, the ruling Samajwadi Party bagged 37 of the 51 seats now at stake.

The Bahujan Samaj Party took three, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress took five each, while the Peace Party took two then.

Former SP parliamentarian Bhal Chandra Yadav, a known strongman, was placed under house arrest in Sant Kabeernagar as the district administration feared he could influence voters. He was, however, allowed to cast his vote.
Help India!

New Delhi, (IANS): Union Ministers Uma Bharti and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday echoed Home Minister Rajnath Singhs stand on the BJP fielding Muslim candidates in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Bharti, Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, said the Bharatiya Janata Party made a huge mistake by not fielding any Muslim candidate.

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Her Cabinet colleague Naqvi too said it would have been better if their party had fielded Muslim candidates.

Rajnath Singh had earlier said Muslims should have been given tickets by the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim. I spoke with (BJP President) Amit Shah and (state party President) Keshav Prasad Maurya about how we could have brought a Muslim to the assembly, Uma Bharti told CNN-News18.

Rajnath ji has said the right thing  we could have given ticket (to Muslims), she said.

Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: As far as tickets are concerned, it would have been better (if tickets were given to Muslims).

We will address their concern by compensating them when we form the government in the state, Naqvi said, without explaining it further.

Rajnath Singh, in an interview to Times Now last week, said: Weve given tickets to minorities in many other states talks must have happened here (in UP) as well I was not there; this is based on what I have learnt. Maybe, they (BJP Parliamentary Board) didnt find any (winnable Muslim candidate). But I believe even they (Muslims) should get it.

Bhartis comments met with opposition from her party colleague and Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar who questioning the logic of BJP fielding Muslims.

When Muslims do not vote for us, why should we give ticket to them? Katiyar asked.
Help India!

New Delhi, (IANS): The Congress on Monday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, urging him to get an FIR registered against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged violation of the model code of conduct.

In a three-page letter to the CEC, the party said that during the election campaign in Uttarakhand, Modi held a public rally in Haridwar on February 10 without requisite permission of the Election Commission (EC) and thus violated the model code.

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It said that on bringing it to the notice of the Chief Election Officer of Uttarakhand and other authorities, a show-cause notice was issued, and since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to convince the EC through its reply, it filed an FIR against the Haridwar Unit of the BJP.

In this connection, we would like to submit that a breach of model code of conduct was committed by (Narendra) Modi himself, amongst others. An FIR should be filed against the perpetrator himself, amongst others, who committed the breach of model code, the party said.

The letter also reminded the EC that an FIR was filed by the Commission against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, as a road show the party had organised in the state on February 12 had got delayed a little.

In this context, we would like to submit that there should not be two yardsticks in filing of FIR. If Election Commission has filed an FIR against the Congress Vice President and the Chief Minister of the state merely on the ground of delay in concluding the road show, which was inadvertent otherwise, and for which prior permission was already taken from the appropriate authority, similarly FIR should also be filed against Narendra Modi, J.P. Nadda, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Madan Kaushik and other BJP leaders, who addressed/participated in the election rally on 10.02.2017 for breach of model code of conduct, it said.
Schools and the Education system have never been such high profile news. With pressure from the Government greater than it ever has been before, local authorities are struggling to maintain teachers for substantial periods within the industry. Budget cuts are not helping those teachers remaining within the profession, as fewer numbers create additional workloads with staff wellbeing already at breaking point.

Is there a solution to the current education crisis?

One national organisation are making it their mission to support schools across United Kingdom.

Evolve: A Social Impact Company have been deploying Health Mentors in the education system throughout the decade to not only support the physical and emotional health and Wellbeing of children but also teachers.

The proclaimed role models are enrolled on a Level 4 training course in conjunction with Newman University in Birmingham and supported by high quality continuous professional development. Their versatility allows Headteachers to develop the Health Mentor timetable around the School Development Plan. Whilst their main outcomes centre around the children, many schools are finding that the sheer passion, energy and enthusiasm adopted by Health Mentors also rub off on the school teaching staff.

Wellbeing events could provide the boost school staff are desperately crying out for

Evolve have identified the need to support wellbeing in education on a regular basis. After successful events in Nottingham, Birmingham and Cardiff, the social enterprise is now gearing up for a week of workshops in the West Midlands and Yorkshire from Monday 6th March.

Working alongside industry leaders Independent Thinking Ltd and Thrive, the evenings will consist of talks from inspirational figures to support wellbeing in education.

Evolve Chairman Graham Morgan explained Evolve is committing resources to promote the health and wellbeing of both teachers and their pupils to tackle the rise in mental health concerns.

Our free workshops for teachers and other professionals will show you how we are having a positive impact in schools. This is a unique opportunity to hear and learn from our speakers, who are inspirational industry leaders.

With research implying that the wellbeing of staff and pupils has a strong correlation with performance, could this be the beginning of the end to low morale in schools? More details on the events can be found at www.evolvesi.com.
The Film industry has had to deal with a number of tragic deaths recently with notable figures such as Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds and John Hurt all passing away to the dismay and heartbreak of film lovers across the world. 2016 was a year where many adored celebrities died and 2017 has unfortunately continued that streak. Sadly, beloved actor Bill Paxton has died at the age of 61 as a result of suffering complications after surgery. This death has shocked many people within the film industry.

Heartbreaking news of Bill Paxton's death. First film @lindaruth1 and I saw together was NEAR DARK. Treasured memory pic.twitter.com/hnWhKei5WR  Mark Kermode (@KermodeMovie) 26 February 2017

RIP Bill Paxton. You gave us some of the funniest moments and instantly recognizable characters in film. Well done sir.  John Campea (@johncampea) 26 February 2017

Nooooo. Bill Paxton is gone. Such a funny, talented, loving human. Louise & the children & family my & support 2 u. #truelies pic.twitter.com/d4zleWdOrR  Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) 26 February 2017

The Early Life of Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and, at the age of 8, was pictured in the crowd when President John F.

Kennedy emerged from his hotel on the morning of his tragic assassination on November 22, 1963. Even as a child, Bill Paxton had written himself into the history books but it would be his career in film and TV that would make him a household name.

Game Over Man, Game Over!

His earliest roles include renowned films such as The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986) and Predator 2 (1990). In fact, he has the honour of being the only actor to play characters who were confronted and killed by a Terminator, a Xenomorph and a Predator. The Terminator and Aliens were both directed by James Cameron and Cameron would use Bill Paxton in future films such as True Lies (1994) and Titanic (1997) and Titanic was, at the time of its release, the highest-grossing film of all time.

Paxton would also have prominent roles in Tombstone (1993), Apollo 13 (1995), Twister (1996) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014).

Television further cemented Paxton's legacy

He also had an impact in the world of television for his lead role in HBOs Big Love (2006-11) which received critical acclaim and he also had a recurring role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

(2014). We can see that Bill Paxton appeared in films and television shows that many people love which makes his unexpected passing all the more heartbreaking. He is survived by his wife Louise Newbury and two children, James and Lydia Paxton.
It may only be February but 2017 is already shaping up to be a monumental year for film and the representation of women in film in particular. Hollywood has long been accused of being a male-dominated industry and with this years Academy Award nominations reflecting this; it is time to shine a light on the movies that showcase the epitome of female talent in front of as well as behind the camera.

'Hidden Figures'

This movie tells the previously untold story of how African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) was hired by NASA to be a computer in a skirt and help send astronaut John Glenn into space to become the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962.

Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae complete the ensemble by playing Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson as the trio endured racial segregation  with the movie placing an emphasis on how they had to walk half a mile to use the coloured womens bathroom  and sexism on a daily basis in the workplace whilst performing calculations that were responsible for one of the most important space flights in US history. Hidden Figures delves into an area of cinema that most directors are scared of venturing into but with Wes Anderson-esque cinematography and an all-female leading cast, it tells the story of how friendship and triumph prevailed in a time when the civil rights movement had only just begun.

'Certain Women'

Kelly Reichardt confirms her presence as one of Americas greatest up-and-coming filmmakers as Kirsten Stewart and Michelle Williams star in this intersecting tale of three women living in Montana. Based on a series of short stories by Maile Meloy, "Certain Women"progresses at a steady, if stagnant, speed as we slowly become accustomed to Reichardts style of finding beauty in a series of quiet and rather unremarkable events.

She has constructed an almost flawless tale of female empowerment despite her tendency to rely on emotion rather than storyline but it is this, as well as the A-list cast, that sets it apart from any other indie film of its generation.

'Wonder Woman'

As well as conveying a strong, female lead, "Wonder Woman" also has the accolade of being directed by Patti Jenkins, the brains behind Best-Actress winning Monster (2003) which depicts the life of convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos.

Although this is her first major theatrical release since then, she is certainly making up for lost time with a $100 million budget and a main character that promises to revolutionise our perception of what a superhero should look like as Jenkins claims: "Weve spent years treating male heroes in certain ways. I just applied those same tropes to her, and all these incredible radical moments suddenly appear to an audience. You will have to wait until June to view it on the big screen but the trailer has already proven that it will be well worth the wait.
People who have valid entry visas are being detained at John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport because of President Trump's Executive Order banning the issuing new visas for anyone from Syria.

Rush to keep promises

Laws seldom take effect immediately, giving time for detailed directions on how to implement them so there isnt chaos when people try to implement what they think the law or Executive Order means. Different rules can be applied in different airports, border crossings, or seaports - any legal port of entry into the United States if an Executive Order takes immediate effect..

NY JFK detentions

Twelve people were detained at the New York airport, including one who worked for the US Army as a translator. All had valid visas. Immigration agents decided the Executive Order also voided existing visas.

Hameed Khalid Darweesh, a long-time US Army employee, was released after 12 hours detention, but only after his lawyer, Mark Doss filed a Federal lawsuit in the middle of the night. Mr Darweesh appeared on camera and told viewers eleven other individuals were still being detained held as of noon.

The Administration may not have considered that many people from those 7 countries have worked for the US and, for that reason, are either terrorist targets or in some instances are sought by the current governments because they aided the US under the promise that they would be protected.

Those people still hold passports from those countries but if deported they may face death or imprisonment.

The people who were detained at JFK boarded the aircraft on Holocaust Memorial Day, before the Presidential decree was signed. Holocaust Memorial Day is the day set aside to recognise the shame which the US government bears for refusing to accept Jewish refugees who wanted to leave Nazi Germany before WWII.

Legal questions

One of the demonstrators said, this harkens back to the most shameful acts of the US Government from the internment of Japanese American citizens, even those born in the US, during WWII to the Jews who died because they werent permitted entry to the US as religious refugees.

Legal action against this ban on Muslims entering the country has come on two fronts.

First is it a violation of the First Amendment which prohibits religious discrimination? And second, does this order require or imply the suspension of habeas corpus which is also unconstitutional.

Habeas Corpus is a legal writ (written demand) which is filed on behalf of someone who has been arrested or detained. The writ requires that the person be brought before a court as quickly as practical at which point the person or agency holding the individual must prove to the judge that they have the right to hold that individual. That right includes the question of whether the arrest itself was justified.

Just because President Trump signs an Executive Order that doesnt make the action constitutional.

Green Card holders

Another looming problem is the initial decision of the Department of Homeland Security to refuse entry to Green Card holders. As of Saturday noon, the DHS policy based on Fridays Executive Order is that people holding valid work permits (known as Green Cards) allowing them to legally hold jobs in the US but whose passports are from one of the 7 countries currently under the Presidential ban, will not be permitted to re-enter the US. CNN is reporting that lawyers are advising any Green Card holders from those countries not leave the country because they may be denied entry.

International consequences

Iran has already reciprocated by banning entry of any Americans to that country because of the Presidential order banning Muslims wanting to enter the US from Iran and 6 other countries.

An as yet unanswered question is whether this Iranian ban will be applied to any US citizen who is also part of the international inspection teams which are a critical part of the Iranian nuclear deal. Other countries are likely to follow suit.
Liz Truss, the Justice Secretary, says that she will not approve any dangerous quick fix to cut down the prison population. She blames criminals serving sentences convicted of violent crimes and sexual crimes in particular for the overcrowding of the countrys prisons.

Truss wants the prison system to implement better reformation processes and earlier intervention in prison life rather than reducing prisoners sentences. Truss has come under scrutiny on the issue recently after the BBC went into a prison to investigate and exposed the hectic, anarchic nature of life inside the prison, which is filled to the brim with far too many inmates.

According to The Howard League, these issues are not just specific to the one prison the BBC infiltrated, as these problems have been found in almost every prison in the country.

Ministry of Justice investigating

The Ministry of Justice has vowed to investigate some discoveries made about HMP Northumberland prison in the BBC programme. Such discoveries include little to no control over the prisoners by the guards, door alarms that in some cases failed to work, drug use across the entire institution, and a gaping hole in one of the security fences that has yet to be repaired. Danny Shaw, the BBC correspondent for domestic affairs, has criticised Truss speech. He says she concentrated on the appalling number of repeat offenders, but she mentioned nothing about what policies she would be putting in place to fix the problem.

The major topics Truss covered during her speech included bulking up prison security with teeth, placing blame on Truss herself for her recommendations; acquiring more focused help for drug offenders; enhancing rehabilitation programmes; no budging on unstipulated sentences in order to protect the public; and the current rate of repeat offences within one year of conviction, which is 25.3%.

Truss warned during her speech at the Centre for Social Justice that reducing the prison numbers by sweeping sentencing cuts is not a magic bullet, instead calling it a dangerous attempt at a quick fix, which she wont approve as long as shes in office. In 1995, 50,962 people were behind bars in England and Wales. In 2016, it had risen to 85,490.
Last nights Oscar winners were sort of predictable, which is a good thing, because it means the awards went to the right people. The only widespread prediction that didnt pan out was La La Land for Best Picture, which surprised even the guy reading the envelope. The award instead went to racially-charged drama Moonlight, which also took home the Best Picture precursor, the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Drama).

Some of the competition in the category for the Best Picture Oscar made for a worthy adversary as similarly touching and emotionally driven and powerful films, like Fences and Hacksaw Ridge. Some, however, were overrated and blown out of proportion, like Arrival and Hell or High Water. And some were a desperate plea for Academy voters who wanted diversity, like Hidden Figures.

The acting awards

The Oscar for Best Actor went to Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea, which critics called the performance of a lifetime. He beat Ryan Goslings two-sided coin comedic/dramatic La La Land performance, which showed great range but may have been let down by his singing, Denzel Washingtons calm, nuanced portrayal of Troy in Fences, and Andrew Garfields solemn, emotional performance in Hacksaw Ridge.

Emma Stones amazing performance in La La Land won her the Oscar for Best Actress, young blood beating out twenty-time nominee Meryl Streep and Natalie Portmans standard Oscar bait biopic Jackie. Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight, becoming the first Muslim to win an Oscar in an age where the Muslim community needed a win, and Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for Fences, in which she stole the show in an emotional portrait of life as a working class black woman.

Davis becomes the first black performer to win an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony for acting. Whoopi Goldberg has a similar achievement, but her Tony is for producing.

The creative, behind-the-camera awards

As predicted, Damien Chazelle took home the Best Director Oscar for his beautifully realised passion project La La Land, beating visionaries such as Barry Jenkins and Denis Villeneuve to the punch, as well as Mel Gibson, who say what you will about his personal life, has serious talent.

As for the screenplay Oscars, Best Original Screenplay went to Kenneth Lonergans heartstring-tugging script for Manchester by the Sea. One might say Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippous absurdist, oddball, brilliant screenplay for The Lobster was more deserving of the award as it masterfully mixed the mundane with the ridiculous, the dark with the cute, but as long as Taylor Sheridans awful Hell or High Water script didnt win, thats the main thing.

The Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay was awarded, like Best Picture, to Moonlight. The screenplay for Moonlight is adapted from Tarell Alvin McCraneys semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, and deserved to win purely because of how touchingly personal it is. While a posthumous win for August Wilson for his adaptation of his own play Fences wouldve been a wonderful tribute to a great writer, it can be argued that Moonlight is the stronger screenplay, and thats what the award is for.

Now for all the others

Zootopia, Disneys allegorical tale of race in a world populated by animals, took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. Irans The Salesman won Best Foreign Language Film, OJ: Made in America won Best Documentary Feature, and La La Land and its song City of Stars won Best Original Score and Best Original Song respectively, and rightly so.
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has extended the Small Stream Flood Advisory for Gila, Yavapai and Coconino counties.

At 11 a.m., river gauge reports indicated very high flow along numerous creeks, washes and rivers in Yavapai and western Gila counties, due to heavy and widespread rainfall overnight.

Some waterways that will experience flooding include Wet and Dry Beaver Creek, Williamson Valley Wash, West Clear Creek, Granite Creek, Fossil Creek, East Verde River and the Agua Fria River.

A flood warning has been issued for Lynx Creek along I-17 near Black Canyon City.

The National Weather Service at 11 a.m. was reporting light snowfall until late afternoon with low accumulation during that time. The snowstorm that began last evening dropped between 13 and 17 inches of snow on Flagstaff. Munds Park and Mormon Lake have received 19 and 20 inches of snow while Arizona Snowbowl has currently seen 19 inches of snow with another 5 inches predicted through the rest of the day.

Snowfall in Flagstaff will drop significantly by this afternoon according National Weather Service Meteorologist Brian Klimowski.

"We are expecting really light snowfall the rest of the day with a really low rate of accumulation," Klimowski said. "We should see the road conditions improve throughout the day."

7:45 a.m. Tuesday: 15 inches on the ground at Pulliam, minor flooding below Rim

A late-February storm has wound up dropping more snow on Flagstaff than in the forecast.

Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff reports 15.5 inches in the gauge this morning, the same amount in the National Weather Service gauge in Bellemont. Unofficial totals include 13 inches in Fort Valley, 19 inches in Munds Park, 18 inches five miles south of Williams and nine inches at Grand Canyon Village.

Predictions had been for between 8 and 12 inches, but a 3 a.m. updated forecast noted that there was more moisture in the system than expected. Areas of Yavapai and Gila counties below the Mogollon Rim have received up to 2 inches of rain, with minor flooding reported this morning.

Farther to the east, spotters in St. Johns, Springerville and Show Low each reported wind gusts over 50 mph.

All schools in the Flagstaff Unified School District are closed Tuesday due to heavy snow and winter road conditions. Coconino Community College has also closed for the day. Northern Arizona University will open at 9 a.m. today. All NAU classes before 9 a.m. are cancelled.

All non-emergency city of Flagstaff operations and services will be on a delayed start and will open at 10 a.m. All non-emergency Coconino County offices and operations will be on a delayed start, opening at 9:30 a.m.

Pine Forest School and STAR School announced two-hour delays last night for this morning.

8 p.m. Monday: Storm to drop between 8 and 12 inches when finished

A snowstorm expected to drop between 8 and 12 inches of snow on the Flagstaff area has already dropped an inch and a half of rain in Oak Creek Canyon by Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Pine Forest and STAR schools announced Monday night a delay to the school day Tuesday as several inches of snow piled up in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Unified School District has not made a call as of 10 p.m.

Snow started out light in the afternoon but was to get heavier between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and roads will start to get sloppy, said Brian Klimowski, meteorologist in charge at the NWS station in Bellemont.

Basically we have a firehose of moisture coming in from southern California streaming into northern Arizona at this time, Klimowski said during a conference call Monday afternoon. The storm will bring some of deepest moisture we've seen so far this year, he said.

Between 5 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday, nearly 8 inches of snow are forecast to fall in Flagstaff. The storm will taper off Tuesday morning, with 1 to 2 inches expected to fall before 11 a.m., Klimowski said.

Wind gusts will reach 10 to 20 miles per hour.

The wet storm will make for heavy, cement-type snow that will be hard to move through and hard to drive through, Klimowski said. He said he is very confident that Arizona Snowbowl will end up with lots of the white stuff, he said.

South of the Mogollon Rim, residents should look out for flooding and be careful at low-water crossings in places like Oak Creek Canyon.

At this point however, no flood watches or warnings are anticipated, Klimowski said.
The White Houses proposed budget will target the lavishly funded Environmental Protection Agency (epa) plus other agencies across the board. Drafted by the Office of Management and Budget, the National Economic Council, and chief strategist Steve Bannon, the budget proposals come just ahead of President Donald Trumps address to Congress on Tuesday evening. Money for military spending will get a boost of $54 million.

The biggest cuts include those to several domestic programs and federal agencies, specifically the EPA and State Department. Under John Kerrys tenure as secretary of State, he made climate change part of his diplomatic mission.

A more comprehensive budget will be released March 13. Trump has already indicated he wont touch entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. He hopes to redirect billions of dollars being spent on EPA global warming programs, research, and grants.

President Donald Trump proposes boosting defense spending by $54 billion in his first budget https://t.co/iR1vBmWwC1 what's your opinion?  VoteSpotter (@VoteSpotter) February 27, 2017

Green Climate Fund

The money saved would be allocated to increase defense spending. During the campaign, Trump said he would stop contributing to the United Nations Green Climate Fund (GCF), ostensibly used to help climate refugees. He said we should be focused on fixing our countrys infrastructure, including its crumbling bridges, airports, highways, and dams.

President Obama has already forked over a billion dollars to the GCF with another $2 billion earmarked for the U.N. During the transition, the incoming Trump administration asked the State Department what it spent on environmental and climate issues. Inspectors estimate at least nearly $80 billion has been spent on climate-related programs since 2008.

Report: Trump to cut EPA funding to boost military spending  TheBlaze - https://t.co/fEEbKXi8Bl pic.twitter.com/R0VlA77lGS  TheBlaze (@theblaze) February 27, 2017

NASAs Earth Sciences

Lawmakers have already drafted legislation that would significantly curtail NASAs global warming spending. Under Obamas tenure, NASAs space exploration program was severely scuttled and billions were diverted toward its Earth Science Divisions program.

NASAs Earth Science gets $5.2 billion and senior administration officials have said as much as 34 percent may get axed.

Currently, at least seven federal agencies study climate change or have climate programs the Trump administration may want to consolidate. Trump said today that many projects get tied up for years due to environmental regulations and will now get approved or rejected much quicker. Before the final budget is released in March, agencies can explain why more money is needed than proposed. The budget will have allocations to build the southern border wall and distribute more money for ICE agents.
One of the costliest fighter planes in the world is the F-35. The cost of the plane had been adversely commented upon by President Donald Trump and the manufacturers had agreed to scale down the cost. despite a slight reduction in cost, the plane is plagued by accidents and other snags. At least 3 accidents have taken place. The plane is bought by the Israeli defense force out of the defense grant given by the USA and the first plane is inducted.

The U.S. military think tank is also thinking along these lines. A plan is being mooted to induct the F-35 to fight the ISIS.

As the F-35 is not a carrier plane, it stands to reason that it will operate from static bases. The plane given the general political atmosphere can operate only from air bases in Saudi Arabia or Qatar.

The deployment of these planes in the "Not too distant future" is indicated by general Herbert J Carlisle, the outgoing head of Air Combat Command' he said " It would deploy as an asset for the (combined air component commander) at Al Udeid in Qatar so he would use it as he saw fit and I would certainly expect it to participate in operations just like the F-22 today". This has been reported by Military.com

The deployment of these planes in the 'not too distant future" is indicated by general Herbert J Carlisle, the outgoing head of Air Combat Command' he said " It would deploy as an asset for the (combined air component commander) at Al Udeid in Qatar so he would use it as he saw fit and I would certainly expect it to participate in operations just like the F-22 today," as reported by Military.com.

Induction of F-35

The F-35 has not yet been used in a combat role and before it is inducted into the Middle East small numbers of these planes would be tested operationally in Europe and Japan. The F-22 is presently being used successfully in the Middle East against the ISIS. No plane has been lost in combat. The bombing has been pretty accurate and has helped the Iraqi army greatly in fighting the ISIS.

The assault on Mosul could not have been mounted without active bombing by the USAF.

A long war

The general has indicated that the induction of the planes for full combat duties may take 2/3 years. This shows that the USA has a long range plan for the Middle East and defeating ISIS is not going to be easy. This also means the cost of fighting the war will escalate.

The failure to win decisively on the ground is a surprise and the negation of Giulio Douhet's theory of air warfare. The Russians are also operating in the Middle East. Both air forces have agreed on a mutual flight safety memorandum which allows both forces to operate by informing each other of their operations.
A 67-year-old California man is facing the possibility of spending years in prison after he was arrested with medical Marijuana in his car as he drove across Texas on is way to Houston to visit his granddaughter, who was battling Cancer.

Phillip Blanton had been driving for nearly 24 hours from Californias Central Valley when he was pulled over for going seven miles over the 70-mile-per hour speed limit on a highway outside of Dallas last month. Blanton says when asked, he admitted to the officer that he had marijuana in his car -- about four ounces of medical marijuana and marijuana brownies -- recommended by a doctor for his chronic pain and that he was bringing to his ailing granddaughter.

Spent night in jail before seeing granddaughter

Medical marijuana is legal in California, as well as 27 other states, but not in Texas, so before making it to a Houston hospital where his 20-year-old granddaughter, Makayla Farley, was being treated for Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphomama, Blanton was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of an illegal substance and taken off to jail.

I'm not a criminal," he told The Houston Chronicle. "I'm not looking to sell my drugs on the streets of Texas."

Facing possibility of years in prison

Regardless, now free on bail after spending a night in jail, Blanton is facing the possibility of decades in prison if charges are filed and if hes eventually convicted.

Wise County District Attorney Greg Lowery told The Chronicle last week that though prosecutors are still reviewing the case, if he is charged and convicted, Blanton could be sentenced to up to two years for the four ounces of marijuana and anywhere from five years to 99 years or life in prison for the marijuana brownies.

Meanwhile, in separate Facebook postings Blanton says his granddaughter is now cancer free, while he's vowing to fight the charges against him and wont agree to a plea deal.

I'm not going to take a plea and I don't know how long of a struggle this will be or how much it's going to cost, but this case is about more than just me, he said in a posting on Saturday. I'm taking a stand for every family who is fighting the battle to be able to use medical marijuana for their issues.

Blanton says hes found an attorney to take his case, while a fundraising campaign has been set up on crowdfunding site YouCaring to help raise money for his legal defense.
The driver of a Pickup Truck is in custody after first hitting two cars, and then plowing into the crowd at the new orleans Mardi Gras parade. According to officials, at least 28 people were injured, five of them seriously. Police say the suspect appeared to be highly intoxicated. Reportedly none of the injuries are life-threatening, but a total of 21 people have been hospitalized. Seven others were hurt, but declined medical attention. According to Police Chief Michael Harrison, the oldest people affected were in their 40s, and the youngest is 3 years of age.

Victims also included a female New Orleans police officer, who was on duty at the parade. According to Harrison, the officer was currently undergoing tests and was in good spirits. According to police, there is no indication that this was a terrorist act.

Endymion Parade in New Orleans

CNN reports that the incident occurred during the Endymion parade, one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras, with thousands thronging the streets of Mid-City to watch the flats pass by. This parade is one of the most popular and family-oriented of the Mardi Gras celebrations with many parents bringing their children to watch. Reportedly hundreds of people ride on the floats in the parade, constantly throwing beads and necklaces into the excited crowd.

The accident occurred at around 6:42 p.m. local time as the parade was heading down Orleans Avenue and before turning right onto Carrollton.

As reported by The New Orleans Advocate, Carrie Kinsella, a woman at the scene, told them a silver-colored truck rushed by her, only feet away from where she was walking. Kinsella said she felt a rush as the truck was traveling so fast.

Kourtney McKinnis, 20, told the newspaper that the driver looked kind of out of it, and seemed to be unaware of what he had done. Reportedly most onlookers were in shock, rushing around to find their loved ones.

Thanks to our first responders for the care you provided to the victims and others watching the parade. pic.twitter.com/b926KBX7iv  Mitch Landrieu (@MayorLandrieu) February 26, 2017

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras is an annual celebration in New Orleans and includes parades, parties and plenty of food in the lead up to the Christian Lent fasting season which starts on Ash Wednesday, the last day of the Carnival season in the city.
A number of contentious congressional townhall meetings in which people, identifying themselves as constituents, yell and protest against the Republican congressman or senator holding the gathering about Obamacare have been depicted in the media as spontaneous uprisings. The media has made the comparison to the early Tea Party, in which constituents yelled at Democratic members of Congress about Obamacare, but from the opposite perspective. However, the Daily Caller reports that a local radio station in Louisiana has obtained a tape of a meeting held by a group that planned how to disrupt a townhall being held by Sen.

Bill Cassidy in the community of Breaux Bridge.

What emerges is a sophisticated campaign to turn what would usually be a sedate townhall into a political circus. Groups of activists were instructed how to dress in order to infiltrate the meeting. They developed tactics of how to ask contentious questions and to prevent anyone else from posing friendlier questions. The idea would be to fill up the available seats early and quickly, shutting out legitimate constituents.

The inside team would be supported by an outside team, which would stage a demonstration outside the townhall venue for the television cameras. The inside team would boo and hiss and shout down the senator, disrupting the townhall, providing more of an impression of chaos and discontent.

The Recording offers a look into the sophisticated strategy behind the so-called resistance to President Donald Trump that would have made the late Saul Alinsky smile. It lacks the spontaneous, grass-roots quality of the Tea Party, a movement organized by ordinary people who often lacked experience in political activism. The current incidents are being orchestrated by individuals steeped in the vagarious of political street combat.

They intend to win at all costs.

Ironically, while Americans are split on President trump personally, not surprisingly for such a polarizing figure, they tend to support his policies. The political activists who are invading townhall meetings and their shadowy leaders are trying to create the opposite impression, with the enthusiastic support of the media. The goal is to frighten enough Republican office holders enough to make them go wobbly when it comes time to repeal and replace Obamacare.
In the first highly publicized military act of the Donald Trump administration, the United States military conducted a raid in Yemen that resulted in the deaths of 14 al-Qaeda members. However, close to 30 civilians also lost their lives, as well as member of the Navy SEALS.

Spicer on SEALS

U.S. Navy Seal William Ryan Owens died last month during a botched mission in Yemen. The death was the first to land at the feet of President Donald Trump, much to the chagrin of the family and the president's critics. In response, the White House declared the mission a "success," despite the fact that a American solider was killed.

While speaking to the Miami Herald over the weekend, Bill Owens, the father of the solider in question, referred to the mission as "stupid," and questioned the timing and why Trump would follow through with the raid in the first place. As reported on February 27, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer addressed the issue, but did so in a way that left many uncomfortable.

While speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, Sean Spicer attempted to defend the Yemen raid. "I think you cant ever say that when theres most importantly loss of life, and people injured, that its 100 percent successful, Spicer noted, but explained that with according to the goals at hand, the mission "achieved its objectives. Not stopping there, Spicer offered his condolences to the Owens family, but then put the blame of death on the solider himself.

He knew that this was part of the job: Sean Spicer blames Navy SEAL for his own death https://t.co/5ikwsS6omW pic.twitter.com/O1JnvelRj0  Raw Story (@RawStory) February 27, 2017

"Its something that as a SEAL and as somebody who deployed 12 times, he knew that this was part of the job and he knew what he was doing," Sean Spicer said.

In regards to the mission itself, Spicer said Donald Trump and the administration are "very comfortable" with the results.

EXCLUSIVE: Father of Navy SEAL killed in Yemen raid wants answers: Dont hide behind my sons death https://t.co/VrLCCf8AGH pic.twitter.com/INwwti7mUv  Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) February 26, 2017

Next up

Donald Trump has only been commander in chief for a little over a month, but he's already created a constant stream of controversy that doesn't appear to be dying down anytime soon.

Though the billionaire real estate mogul has blamed Democrats and the alleged "fake news" media for any negativity that has been reported, a recent poll by Quinnipiac University reports that only 38 percent of the American people view Trump in a favor light, compared to over 50 percent who have a negative opinion of his short time in office.
In an ironic twist, Politico reported on a story about Leaks in the White House and Sean Spicer's reaction to them. Mr. Spicer, the gun-chomping White House Press Secretary, is concerned about leaks. Politico said, "It's not the first time that warnings about leaks have promptly leaked." For example, the U.S. State Department's legal office issued a memo warning about the dangers of leaks. You guessed it: the memo "leaked and was almost immediately posted by the Washington Post.

Mr. Spicer, suspects the leaks about "Russia" are emanating from the White House Communications staff.

For example, the news that leaked that Reince Priebus, White House chief-of-staff, asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to "knock down" the stories about the contacts between the Trump campaign team and Russian intelligence officials coordinating the presidential election.

Sean Spicer called a 'surprise' staff meeting

Politico reported Mr. Spicer called a surprise staff meeting in the White House and administration lawyers, who consulted with counsel Don McGahn, searched the cell phones of all that attended. President Donald Trump spent a good deal of the past week grousing about the "fake news" and the "leaks," which presumably were not "fake" at all.

WH press secretary Sean Spicer is cracking down on White House leaks https://t.co/C6NqrXIRHh pic.twitter.com/My029C99Jc  CNN (@CNN) February 26, 2017

White House press secretary Sean Spicer asked to review staffs phones in effort to discourage leaks, sources say. https://t.co/gifvKEZf6y pic.twitter.com/i8SB6J8RSe  CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 26, 2017

White House communications staff forced to give up cell phones to WH lawyers

The staff was warned about using some specific texting apps, such as Confide and Signal -- both are encrypted and screenshot-protected messaging apps which automatically deletes texts after being sent -- are a violation of the Federal Records Act.

Politico said there were "multiple" sources" in the room, a deliberate message to Trump, who said in a speech delivered at CPAC on Friday, that he did not like anonymous sourcing. Government-issued and personal cell phones were checked at the meeting. Mr. Spicer specifically warned that ay more leaks, presumably this one reported, would result in more problems for those involved.

Trump frustrated by 'leaks'

President Trump is also frustrated by the "leaking" and is untrusting of the FBI and the intelligence agencies, believing they are deliberately releasing information to make him look bad. He is pressuring Mr. Spicer and other staffers to find the source.

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

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  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2017

This will surely come out on the next "Saturday Night Live" with Melissa McCarthy playing the part of Sean Spicer.
Thomas Perez, the newly-installed Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is already saying the right things and making the right moves just minutes after his election on the second ballot in Atlanta. As for what he said, Mr. Perez vowed to lead the resistance against Donald Trump and make him a "one-term" president. He labeled Trump, who has been in the office for a little over a month, as the "worst president in the history of the United States".

The mid-term election in 2018 will be particularly challenging because 10 incumbent Democratic Senators will be fighting in states that Trump won.

On the bright side for Democrats, Hillary Clinton took nearly two dozen GOP GOP Congressional districts. With victories there, the Democrats could regain control of the U.S. House.

Thomas Perez makes the right moves reaching out to Ellison

As far as making the right moves, Mr. Perez named Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) as his chief deputy, a move unanimously endorsed by the 435 delegates attending the gathering. Another winner was Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., who dropped out after the first ballot when it was obvious he could not garner the support needed to win. But he also made a name for himself as a future leader and a bright shining star of the Democrats.

Perez elected DNC chairman, then immediately moved to unify the party by naming Ellison as his deputy chairman https://t.co/qU7d4Zhe58 pic.twitter.com/bEWynMVFPO  POLITICO (@politico) February 26, 2017

The challenge for the Democrats is to regain control of one or both house of Congress in 2018; regain control or cut into the GOP lead in 69 of the country's 99 state legislatures; win back some of the 33 governorships which includes 25 states where the GOP controls both the governors office and the state chambers.

Congratulations pour in for Thomas Perez

The congratulations poured in for Thomas Perez, including former President Barack Obama, who praised him by stating in a press release, "I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership." Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton also sent congratulatory words to the DNC Chair.

Obama congratulates Tom Perez on DNC chair victory: I know he will unite us https://t.co/7q0a2rl0ve pic.twitter.com/MiiiiaWSbB  The Hill (@thehill) February 26, 2017

Congratulations to new DNC Chair Tom Perez, Keith Ellison, & the great field of candidates who ran. United Democrats are stronger Democrats.  Bill Clinton (@billclinton) February 25, 2017

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

Meanwhile, Donald Trump got into a tweeting war with the newly-elected chairman of the DNC.

Trump fired off the first 'twitter' missive in a posting dripping with sarcasm in welcoming and congratulating Mr. Perez.

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

Perez fires back at Trump promising to be his 'worst nightmare'

In what is now essential in a political toolbox, Mr. Perez quickly fired back at Trump, promising to be the Republican Party and Donald Trump's "worst nightmare" as the head of the DNC. Mr. Perez, dripping in his own sarcasm toward Trump, asked Trump to call him "Tom" and advised the president not to get "too happy" about his rise as DNC Chair.

He assured Trump that Democrats will be united.

A united Democratic Party is not only our best hope, it's Donald Trump's worst nightmare. #DNCChair #DNCFuture  Tom Perez (@TomPerez) February 25, 2017

Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. @keithellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare. https://t.co/fu7WvLofrD  Tom Perez (@TomPerez) February 25, 2017

Trump responded by returning to earlier campaign themes in taking a shot back, claiming that Perez is "Hillary's guy" and that the system was "rigged" against Bernie Sanders.

The race for DNC Chairman was, of course, totally "rigged." Bernie's guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance. Clinton demanded Perez!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2017

Sen.

Bernie Sanders ignored Trump, but tweeted, "The Democratic Party must make clear it will stand up to the 1% and lead in the fight for social, racial, economic and environmental justice." He encouraged Mr. Perez to bring in working people and young people in a "new way."
President #Donald Trumps orders to ICE to increase surveillance of arrivals to the country and an incident in Kansas have had an effect on the image of the United States that could change how the country is seen as a future destination for international tourists and businesspeople.

Stops and checks

While the Administration, at least in the courts challenges, does not call the new orders a ban on Moslem immigration to the country, the delays and treatment of arrivals from overseas has presented another image to the world.

The news that former world champion boxers Mohammed Alis second wife and son were stopped by Border agents at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood international airport on their return to the United States and asked about their surname and religion did nothing to allay fears that the orders are directed at a specific group.

As reported by the Guardian and other newspapers, the widow and son were American born and hold American passports, so there was no real reason to block their entry into the country and certainly not for reasons of their religion.

The Guardian quoted him as saying I just have this bad feeling that there is a deliberate attempt to undermine US citizens and US Muslims, he said. If I am a US citizen, I should totally be treated the exact same way as anyone else that is a US citizen. Sadly, Ali was not the only Moslem stopped in this way and strangely, the stops have also included other unsuspected people.

Authors and personalities

Bestselling childrens author Australian Mem Fox was stopped and questioned on the latest of her many trips to the United States over decades and questioned by border agents.

Her stop amazed and worried fellow Australians who wondered if they too may be stopped in their future trips to the country.

Even the Academy awards were affected when 21 year old Syrian filmmaker Khaled Katib was not allowed to enter the country for the ceremony in which his film The White Helmets was a nominee for an Oscar.

This despite the fact he had previously been granted a visa to attend the event.

Kansas shooting

The shooting of two Indians in which one was killed at a bar in #Kansas last Wednesday where, according to the BBC and other agencies, the alleged killer yelled at the two engineers Get out of my country as he shot them made headlines around the world and particularly in India.

There is now a move by some in India, beginning with the father of the dead victim, for Indians to boycott the United States. The widow of the victim has also asked for the incident to be labelled as a hate crime.

These are only some of the incidents reported over the last week that affect the image of the United States internationally.

This is a matter that should worry the month old Administration because the bad publicity caused to the country internationally by these incidents can potentiality affect the country as a tourist and business destination for the international market.

These issues also highlight that the concentration on security is such that the Oval Office is creating an atmosphere of paranoia against foreigners in some parts of the population.

This is not a healthy sign for the country.

Making America great again was a useful campaign slogan, but does this justify the air of suspicion that is now leading to incidents such as these?

As the new work week begins, it is a question that all politicians in the United States should ask themselves, beginning with the man who now sits in the Oval Office.
One of President #Donald Trumps promises on the campaign trail was to repeal Obamacare and the promise came with a generic guarantee that there would be a replacement. His insistence that the ACA be repealed immediately without a replacement is causing problems for Republican Congressmen and Senators. As he prepares his agenda for this week where Obamacare will surely have a place, how many Republicans will follow him blindly?

Worries

There is something wrong when politicians are scared to face their constituents and that is happening in many centres around the United States as Republican politicians struggle to contain the protests against the repeal of Obamacare.

Newspapers such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Guardian and Huffington Post have given regular reports recently of heated #town hall meetings between Republican politicians and their constituents worried about the upcoming repeal of the affordable care act.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was not only politician who felt the sting of constituents worried that they could no longer afford health insurance or that they would not be covered for pre-existing conditions.

Senator Ted Cruz was so worried about the reaction to the repeal that he did not attend a town hall meeting and raised even more the ire of his constituents in Houston who demanded that he answer their worries about the effects of the repeal.

He is not the only Republican to avoid such encounters.

Most important consideration

While the Act was looked upon in disdain when it was originally introduced, even by large sections of the population, in the years of its operations many citizens were able to take advantage of its provisions to undertake cures that they previously could not afford.

Now that the repeal is getting closer many citizens who previously were opposed to it are finding themselves with the real prospect that they will no longer be covered.

Health is the most important and sensitive issue of the lives of many people and so a vague promise during a presidential campaign has become a source of worry for large parts of the populations and a cause of even more embarrassment and concern for those politicians who will vote to repeal it against the wishes of their constituents.

Side effect

There is something wrong when politicians are unwilling to face to those who elected them. Congressmen and Senators are elected to represent their citizens and have an ethical obligation to hear their views on matters under discussion in the House or the Senate.

The proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act has had an unexpected side effect. The Town Hall Meetings are regularly showing that the Republican representatives are scared to address the worries of their constituents.

If they do not act within their duties and responsibilities, how long will it be before those who previously voted for them will consider voting for other candidates? The day is quickly coming that the Republicans will understand that their behaviour may well cost them their positions of privilege.

Are they willing to pay this price to satisfy their Presidents campaign promise?
A report by the New York Times on Sunday highlights the priority of the #Donald Trump Presidency. According to the report the Administration will instruct Departments to find major cuts. Usually these cuts are the sign of overall cost savings by any government; in this case the money saved will be used to increase defence spending. The Administration policy on Security is being well and truly set.

New Security Advisor

Last weeks announcement of Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to replace former General Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor sets the stage for new directions on Security which will probably be played out as much in the meeting rooms of the White House as it will be in meetings with foreign leaders or, ultimately in actions on the field in other countries.

General McMaster brings into the new Administration not only a lifetime of direct experience on the field, but also academic qualifications in military History which may well put him into oonflict with other Senior White House staff who are driven more by personal philosophy than by direct on field experience, beginning with former Breitbart News Chief Steve Bannon.

Up till now the new Security apparatus was seen as following the Presidents direction, but the arrival of General McMaster may well be the start of a more experienced and independent National Security Council than originally intended by President Trump when he took office.

NATO and Mexico

This week will see Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brief the President on his visits to Europe and Mexico.

In the first trip to Europe he advised the NATO partners that the United States expects them to increase their own defence spending, while his visit to #Mexico did not have the result that Donald Trump would have expected or demanded of the countrys southern neighbours.

In terms of the future direction of NATO, talks have already begun on the practical collaboration between the United States and the other member countries, but the issue of costs is still to be finalized.

On the other hand Mexico gave a totally different answer.

Secretary Tillerson was told in no uncertain terms by Mexican government representatives that the country would not pay for the projected border wall between the two countries and that it would retaliate in the case of the proposed use of trade tariffs to force Mexico to pay the construction costs.

The other matter that Mexico rejected was the proposal by the United States to deport to Mexico any foreign nationals that had entered the United States illegally via the countrys mutual border. The Mexican officals also protested the treatment of Mexican citizens during the ICE crackdown currently underway in the United States.

Courts

The forced deportation of foreign citizens to Mexico will probably be another important issue that will make its way through the American court system as by international law the Mexican government is not obliged to accept deported foreign citizens. To make matters more complicated, in the case of stateless foreigners or those not allowed back in their home countries, American Law may also block their forced deportation.

This is of course a sequel to the first court case involving another executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The original order on Moslem immigration banning refugees from seven at risk Middle Eastern countries is still subject to challenge in the courts where recently one judge ordered a list of all the people affected by the original order.

It is not known if the proposed new order will lead to the end of the court challenges, or if will simply add another document that will ultimately be challenged in front of the Supreme Court.

Yet the country cannot be run solely on Security and the Oval Office will also need to address the other campaign promises. Hopefully in a manner that will ensure that they too do not end up in court. The act of transforming campaign promises into reality is not as easy as Donald Trump may have originally thought.
Just one day after Donald Trump signed his controversial executive order banning refugees from Muslim countries into United States, backlash followed almost instantly. After multiple refugees were detained at Kennedy International Airport in New York on Saturday, filmmaker Michael Moore took action.

Moore on Trump ban

Nearly a dozen refugees were detained at the Kennedy International Airport in New York on Saturday afternoon, and as expected, critics of Donald Trump were quick to speak out. The protests started small, but once word got out on social media, the crowd started to multiply.

The executive order suspends immigration from seven countries in the Middle East for the next 120 days, while banning Syrian refugees indefinitely. When Michael Moore got word of the protest, he quickly took to his Facebook and Twitter accounts on January 28 to spread the news, while also calling to shut down airports throughout the United States.

"Everybody in NYC area-- head to JFK Terminal 4 NOW! Big anti-Trump protest forming out of nowhere! Ppl mobilizing against Trump's Muslim ban," Michael Moore wrote on Twitter Saturday night. In his next tweet, Moore took a shot at the billionaire real estate mogul, and those who helped vote him into office. "Trump wants us at war w/ the entire Muslim world.

Who wants to die for Donald J. Trump? Do YOU want 2 die 4 Trump?," Moore tweeted, while adding, "Everyone to JFK demo now!"

Trump wants us at war w/ the entire Muslim world. Who wants to die for Donald J. Trump? Do YOU want 2 die 4 Trump? Everyone to JFK demo now!  Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 28, 2017

Call to action

"If you're not in NYC, head out to the International arrivals at the nearest airport," Michael Moore noted on Twitter, before writing, "If u live in a small town, go to where u protest." Moore then started to live stream the protest on his Facebook page, sending across social media, "Facebook Live: My Facebook site - http://facebook.com/MMFlint - is now LIVE from JFK Trump protest..."

Thousands keep pouring into JFK Terminal 4! An amazing sight! No planning, no organizing - just me and others saying "get to JFK now!"  Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 28, 2017

Homeland Security now detaining 11 innocent Muslims inside JFK Terminal 4. Everybody peacefully to JFK! Term 4!! Shut this place down!  Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 28, 2017

"Holy crap!

Protest growing! Are they going to have to shut down JFK until they release the Muslims they are detaining inside???!!!" he continued. In yet another Twitter post, Michael Moore wrote, "Homeland Security now detaining 11 innocent Muslims inside JFK Terminal 4. Everybody peacefully to JFK! Term 4!! Shut this place down!" As of press time, the protests at JFK airport have increased, with Moore leading the charge in gathering demonstrators to attend the event.
Aberdeenshire-based bakery The Bread Maker is aiming to raise 20k to open a support centre for adults with learning disabilities.

The bakery currently trains people at its site who find it difficult to find employment. It is aiming to open a centre in the Scottish city that will provide training courses that will result in a Scottish vocational qualification (SVQ).

The Bread Makers CEO Donald Anderson said that, as part of its 10th anniversary, the company was looking to become more outreaching and teach more adults with disabilities.

This is an opportunity to take our project out into the community and work with more people, he said. So we are going to open a wellbeing and SVQ centre that will allow adults with disabilities to obtain employment skills.

Each course will take place in 10-week sections, which will include building a CV, interview skills, food hygiene, health & safety, first aid and personal appearance.

Anderson added the bakery was planning its first intake of apprentices at the end of this summer.
Ever since Donald Trump became the President of the United States last November, he's increased his war of words against the mainstream media. In recent weeks, that feud has escalated further, which was evident during his daily Twitter attacks.

Hollywood on Twitter

Over the last year and a half since Donald Trump kicked off his campaign for president, he's made it clear that he's no fan of the mainstream media. Since that time, the former host of "The Apprentice" has made attacking the press part of his daily routine, whether it's in speeches, interviews, or on social media.

Since his inauguration last month, Trump has increased those media attacks, going as far as banning some of the most respected news outlets in the world from a recent White House press briefing. The New York Times, CNN, BBC, and the Los Angeles Times have all become top targets for the president, which doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. As seen across Twitter on February 26, Hollywood stars appear to have had enough.

Instead of lying & crying like a 2 yr. old about fake news,try acting like a POTUS & at least pretend you care about violence against Jews.  Rob Reiner (@robreiner) February 26, 2017

"Instead of lying & crying like a 2 yr. old about Fake News, try acting like a POTUS & at least pretend you care about violence against Jews," actor and director Rob Reiner wrote on his Twitter account on Sunday night.

"THIS IS EVERYTHING WRONG WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION," "Shameless" actress Emmy Rossum tweeted, out, before adding, "@POTUS ACTS OUT OF FEAR AND HATRED OF EVERYTHING HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND."

THIS IS EVERYTHING WRONG WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION. @POTUS ACTS OUT OF FEAR AND HATRED OF EVERYTHING HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND. #RESIST https://t.co/SG9UgSH7R1  Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) February 23, 2017

Actor Seth Rogen decided to give his thoughts on Donald Trump and his increased attacks on the press.

"Donald Trump is trying to embargo the press. If you make movies, you know the only reason to do that is if your sh*t sucks," Rogen wrote on his Twitter account. In a follow-up tweet that directly respond to Trump's earlier message, Rogen wrote, "Once again, real slow this time, the Russia talk can't be considered both an illegal leak AND fake news."

.@realDonaldTrump is trying to embargo the press. If you make movies, you know the only reason to do that is if your shit sucks.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 25, 2017

Once again, real slow this time, the Russia talk can't be considered both an illegal leak AND fake news. https://t.co/y88w7OSVd2  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 26, 2017

Takei takedown

George Takei also gave is thoughts, one in the form of a humorous tweet, and with a more serious video message.

"In case you haven't had a good laugh or gasp today...Tuesday is the State of the Union address," Takei wrote on Twitter. Moments later, Takei sent out a video message that promoted the upcoming ABC special "We Will Rise" that focuses on the LGBT community.

In case you haven't had a good laugh or gasp today... Tuesday is the State of the Union address.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 26, 2017

Civil rights have come a long way in 50 years. See just how far when ABC begins the event #WhenWeRise tomorrow night at 9/8c. #Ad pic.twitter.com/mGKxTWVKey  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 26, 2017

Moving forward

In addition to his sour relationship with the press, most of Hollywood has voiced their opposition to Donald Trump and his administration.

As the Academy Awards and other award shows take place, celebrities have made a habit out of using their acceptance speeches to blast the president, as both sides appear unwilling to find common ground in the future.
"Moonlight" by Barry Jenkins won the Oscar for Best Film on Sunday, February 26, at the 89th ceremony in Los Angeles. Following an imbroglio, the most prestigious award of the American cinema was first attributed by mistake to "La La Land", during a night broadcast live on television. Warren Beatty, who alongside Faye Dunaway, had come on stage to announce the result, explained that he had been given the wrong envelope to open.

The musical "La La Land", which was nominated 14 times (a record shared with "Titanic" and "Eve"), has nevertheless received six Oscars, including that of the best director for the American Damien Chazelle, 32, who becomes the youngest director to be so distinguished.

Emma Stone, 28, received the Oscar for the best actress for her role as a young actress shared between love and dreams of glory. She deprives the French Isabelle Huppert of a new reward for her role in "Elle".

Three statuettes for 'Moonlight'

The Oscar for best actor returns to Casey Affleck, who won his first statuette for his interpretation of a man broken by his past in "Manchester by the Sea". The film also won the Best Screenplay Oscar, written by Kenneth Lonergan, the director of the film.

Viola Davis and the Muslim actor Mahershala Ali won the Oscars for the best female and male roles, the first for her performance in "Fences" and the second for "Moonlight". With the award for best adaptation, the three statuettes of "Moonlight", added to those of Viola Davis, come after a series of critics accusing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of racism after editions 2015 and 2016 marked by the Lack of nominations of black actors and filmmakers.

Donald Trump skewered

The shadow of U.S President Donald Trump hovered throughout the three-and-a-half hours of the ceremony, with Master of Ceremonies Jimmy Kimmel multiplying political pitches against him, even sending him a tweet that he did not get an answer.

In a self-effacing and sarcasm-laden speech, Kimmel, who was hosting the ceremony for the first time, started by saying how hed been told he needed to deliver a message of unity. This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us, he said.
Earthquakes; could the Dominican Republic be facing a massive quake? - February 27 the Dominican Republic experienced a 4.5 magnitude earthquake just 5 km from Cevicos. Although a 4.5 earthquake is designated to be moderate, there are signs that they could be facing the danger of a massive quake in the future.

Dominican Republic - recent quake reports

In the past seven days, the region has experienced seven earthquakes of 3.4 or higher and according to the Earthquake Track Website, there have been more than 14 in the last month or so. Is there a possibility that these earthquakes in the Dominican Republic could be a warning sign that a massive quake might be on the way?

A huge quake that happened in 1946 measured 8.1 on the surface wave magnitude scale. The aftershock four days later on 8th August registered at 7.4 magnitude and a tsunami was triggered. The tsunami was registered across the across Hispaniola where it caused a lot of damage and killed one hundred people. The wave was observed across the Caribbean and the southern Atlantic Ocean.

The Enriquillo fault system wakes up

The Washington Post released information from a report by scientists which indicated that the 2010 Haiti quake which killed "314,000 people and toppled thousands of crudely built homes," was due to dangerous Seismic Activity along the Enriquillo fault system. According to William Bakun of the U.S.

Geological Survey, The entire Enriquillo fault system appears to be seismically active; Haiti and the Dominican Republic should prepare for future devastating earthquakes.

The Enriquillo fault system had previously been quiescence for 240 years and "The possibility that a newly active period has begun underscores the need for Haiti and the Dominican Republic to focus on building seismic-proof structures," Bakun said.

Is the Dominican Republic equipped to handle a massive quake?

The reality is that news came to light that indicates the Dominican Republic is simply not ready to face a massive earthquake. In February 2012 the Dominican Watchdog cited a report by Dominican Today as saying that the director of the Emergency Operations Center said they had too little money and not enough resources to educate and instruct the population about earthquake dangers and impacts.

This may be better addressed in 2017 as Tsunami drills have been practiced in the country. In 2015 a large-scale tsunami response exercise happened in the Caribbean which was aimed at "advancing tsunami preparedness efforts in the Caribbean and Adjacent regions." Earthquakes and Tsunami's go hand in hand

The US Embassy in San Domingo advise their citizens to be aware that the area is seismic but say the danger is moderate. However, much like California, the possibility of the "Big One" does exist.
Irrespective of what the world thinks, President Donald Trump is firm on his commitment to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico and to impose a border tax to recover the cost of building the wall. He has been harping on this issue regularly in every post-election speech and has, now, sought proposals for the design of the proposed wall by next month. He also wants full details of financial assistance that Mexico has received from the United States in the previous five years.

Mexico threatens to retaliate

Mexico has reacted to the veiled threats by suggesting that they would impose levies on select goods that target regions which rely mainly on supplies from south of the border.

Luis Videgaray, the foreign minister clarified that Mexico would respond to any tax levied by America in their own way and that they did not need any financial help adding that his country believes in free trade.

On the subject of the possibility of losing out on United States aid, another minister indicated that Mexico will find a solution. He is Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong and he clarified that majority of aid is channelized through the Plan Merida program. As per the terms of this program, $2.6bn is earmarked for security assistance out of which $1.6bn has already been spent. The balance available is like a drop in the ocean and would not pay for the border wall which is estimated to cost $21.6bn.

Reasons for Mexican resentment

President Donald Trump has earned the displeasure of Mexico by not only proposing to build the border wall but also by his attitude towards immigrants. He had advised businesses to stop investing south of the border. These are sensitive areas and the resentment kept growing.

Trumps plan to deport third-country nationals to Mexico was probably the proverbial last straw on the camels back and it led to further outrage.

As per the plan, non-Mexican illegal immigrants arrested along the border would be sent back to Mexico while their immigration cases were decided in the United States. This was not acceptable to Mexico.

Obviously, the president would have to rethink his strategies on Mexico because, building the border wall may not solve his problems but could create new ones.
The logo of the China Development Bank is seen at a building in Beijing, Jan 9, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

BEIJING - China Development Bank said it has provided 984 billion yuan ($143 billion) 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 is located 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.
For students at the Avenues World School, doing a Chinese language play in both Chinese and English was a difficult but rewarding learning experience.

The high schoolers had finished their final rehearsal for Tang Ying's The Winter We Danced - the school's choice of foreign language play this year - and spoke of learning about a side of China they're not usually taught about, one that celebrated dancing after the end of the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

The play, which is being made into a movie in China, tells the story of Xinmei, a young Shanghainese girl who discovers ballroom dancing for the first time after she enters college. Set in 1978 after university entrance examinations were reestablished, the play describes Xinmei's foray into dance as people around her learn about new Western culture in Chinese society.

"It's interesting because you go to Shanghai now and it's such a modern city and there's definitely ways to see old Shanghai, but it's harder to get a larger understanding of that," said Oliver Cohen, a 16-year-old student at the private school in New York who performed in the play.

"It was really great for me to do because I was able to take these smaller finer connections this show offered - almost these memories that I don't have and are part of the show - and all of a sudden I learn there's much more to Shanghai," he said.

Cohen said he liked acting and his experience with learning Chinese and studying at Shanghai Jiao Tong University led him to participate in the play. He has been taking Chinese at Avenues School and will be studying acting at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts next year.

The main character Xinmei is played by two different 14-year-old ninth graders at the school - Lynn Rong and Amber Shen - because the director felt the role was too big for just one actress.

Rong had just moved to New York four months ago from Beijing and thought that participating in the play - an extracurricular activity and not part of the language curriculum - would be a good way to make friends and take part in something that showcased her home country's culture, she said.

"It's my first year here and I really like dramas," she said. "It's a Shanghainese play, I'm Chinese, Shanghai's in China, so I wanted to do this play."

"I came from China so I already knew a lot about the 'cultural revolution'. [Yongling Lu, curriculum specialist at Avenues] shared a lot of her own experiences, so I learned more about that," she said. "I also learned how to ballroom dance!"

Shen, who was born in the US, said her parents were both from Shanghai so it "was cool to see what it would have been like when they were growing up."

Shen has been a student at Avenues School, a private school serving grades pre-K through 12 grades that opened in 2012, for a year.

"The play was really interesting. It was sad, but I assumed that what happened in the play didn't happen to my parents," she joked.

Lu, who manages the Chinese language program at Avenues, said she felt the play was important because it teaches American students another side of China.

"For American kids, when they think about China they think about Chinatown or kung fu or queues. They don't really connect to the [other parts] of the culture," she said. "This play gives them a fuller background."

Students perform The Winter We Danced by Chinese playwright Tang Ying at the Avenues World School in New York on Thursday. The private school serving pre-K to 12th grade offers Chinese-language immersion courses for younger students and is looking to expand into China. Amy He / China Daily

(China Daily USA 02/27/2017 page2)
Carnival Corporation & plc recently announced that its cruise joint venture in China has signed a new memorandum of agreement to order the first China-built cruise ships for the Chinese market. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The global leisure travel company, Carnival Corporation, recently announced that its cruise joint venture in China would acquire China-built cruise ships.

An agreement to this effect was signed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and company representatives.

Under the agreement, the cruise joint venture will have two cruise ships built by a China-based shipbuilding joint venture comprising China State Shipbuilding Corporation and the Italy-based Fincantieri S.p.A.

The cruise joint venture also has the option to order four more China-built cruise ships.

The ships will be built with supervision and support from Carnival Corporation, and the first ship is expected to be ready in 2023.

Arnold Donald, the CEO of Carnival Corporation, said that the company was proud to order its first China-built cruise ships and play a meaningful role in developing cruise shipbuilding capabilities in China.

He added that the deal demonstrated the company's commitment to helping China become a leading cruise market.

The US-based company operates several popular cruise brands in China such as Costa and Princess. In 2015, the company formed a joint venture in China with CSSC and China Investment Corporation.

Related:

Foreign Ministry showcases Yunnan to the world

Australia offers new incentives to woo Chinese
Tom Perez addresses the audience after being elected Democratic National Chair during the Democratic National Committee winter meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Feb 25, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

ATLANTA - US Democrats elected former Labor Secretary Tom Perez as chairman on Saturday, choosing a veteran of the Obama administration to lead the daunting task of rebuilding the party and heading the opposition to Republican President Donald Trump.

Members of the Democratic National Committee, the administrative and fundraising arm of the party, picked Perez on the second round of voting over US Representative Keith Ellison, a liberal from Minnesota.

Following one of the most crowded and competitive party leadership elections in decades, Perez faces a challenge in unifying and rejuvenating a party still reeling from the Nov 8 loss of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. He immediately made Ellison his deputy.

After losing the presidency and failing to recapture majorities in Congress, party leaders are anxious to channel the growing grassroots resistance to Trump into political support for Democrats at all levels of government across the country.

"We are suffering from a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance," Perez, a favorite of former Obama administration officials, told DNC members. He promised to lead the fight against Trump and change the DNC's culture to make it a more grassroots operation.

Perez, the son of Dominican immigrants who was considered a potential running mate for Clinton, overcame a strong challenge from Ellison and prevailed on a 235-200 second-round vote. Ellison, who is the first Muslim elected to the US Congress, was backed by liberal leader US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

The showdown between candidates backed by the establishment and progressive wings of the party echoed the bitter 2016 primary between Clinton and Sanders, a rift Democrats will try to put behind them as they turn their focus to fighting Trump.

Those divisions persisted through the months-long race for chair, as many in the party's liberal wing were suspicious of Perez's ties to the establishment and some Democrats raised questions about possible anti-Semitism in Ellison's past.

Some Ellison supporters chanted "Not big money, party for the people" after the result was announced.

But both Perez and Ellison moved quickly to bring the rival factions together. At Perez's urging, the DNC suspended the rules after the vote and appointed Ellison the deputy chairman of the party.

"I am asking you to give everything you've got to support Chairman Perez," Ellison told DNC members after the vote. "We don't have the luxury, folks, to walk out of this room divided."

'TRUMP'S NIGHTMARE'

Perez said the party would come together.

"We are one family, and I know we will leave here united today," Perez said. "A united Democratic Party is not only our best hope, it is Donald Trump's nightmare."

Trump took a dig at Perez and Democrats in a tweet offering his congratulations on the election.

"I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!" Trump said.

Perez and Ellison wore each other's campaign buttons and stood shoulder-to-shoulder at a news conference after the vote. Perez said the two had talked "for some time" about teaming up, and Ellison said they had "good synergy."

"We need to do more to collaborate with our partners in the progressive movement," Perez said, adding he and Ellison would look for ways to "channel this incredible momentum" in the protests against Trump and against Republican efforts to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare plan.

Sanders issued a statement congratulating Perez and urging changes at the DNC.

"It is imperative that Tom understands that the same-old, same-old is not working," Sanders said. "We must open the doors of the party to working people and young people in a way that has never been done before."

The election offered the DNC a fresh start after last year's forced resignation of chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who stepped aside when the release of hacked emails appeared to show DNC officials trying to help Clinton defeat Sanders in the primaries.

Both Perez and Ellison 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.

Perez said he would redefine the role of the DNC to make it work not just to elect Democrats to the White House but in races ranging from local school boards to the US Senate, pledging to "organize, organize, organize."

"I recognize I have a lot of work to do," he said. "I will be out there listening and learning in the weeks ahead."

Perez fell one vote short of the simple majority of 214.5 votes needed for election in the first round of voting, getting 213.5 votes to Ellison's 200. Also on the first ballot were four other candidates -- Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown, election lawyer Peter Peckarsky, and activists Jehmu Greene and Sam Ronan.

Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, withdrew just before the voting, while Brown, Greene and Ronan dropped out after the first round.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he is seeking a "historic increase" in military spending to be funded by cuts elsewhere in government.

Trump will seek to boost Pentagon spending by $54 billion in his first budget proposal and slash the same amount from non-defense spending, including a large reduction in foreign aid, a White House budget official said.

"This budget will be a public safety and national security budget," Trump told state governors at the White House. "It will include an historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it," he said.

The US military is already the world's most powerful fighting force and the United States spends far more than any other country on defense.

The White House will send Trump's proposal to federal departments on Monday as he gears up for budget negotiations with Congress that often take months to play out. Congress, controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, has the final say on federal spending.

In a speech to conservative activists on Friday, Trump promised "one of the greatest military buildups in American history."

Two officials familiar with Trump's proposal said the planned defense spending increase would be financed partly by cuts to the State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other non-defense programs.

One of the officials said Trump's request for the Pentagon included more money for shipbuilding, military aircraft and establishing "a more robust presence in key international waterways and chokepoints" such as the Strait of Hormuz and South China Sea.

A second official said the State Department's budget could be cut by as much as 30 percent, which would force a major restructuring of the department and elimination of programs.

Some defense experts have questioned the need for a large increase in US military spending, which already stands at roughly $600 billion annually. By contrast, the United States spends about $50 billion annually on the State Department and foreign assistance.

Trump also said he would talk about his plans for infrastructure spending in a speech to Congress on Tuesday. "We're going to start spending on infrastructure big," he said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking on Fox News on Sunday, said Trump's budget would not seek cuts in federal social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Reuters
Former Republican US president George W. Bush diverged sharply from Donald Trump's new administration on Monday, saying he supported a welcoming immigration policy and praising the media as "indispensable to democracy."

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Today" show, Bush also said he did not know if a special prosecutor was needed to investigate contacts between Trump associates and Russia but added, "We all need answers."

Bush, in some of his first televised comments since Trump took office, was asked if he had seen signs that Trump was trying to close the rift in the US electorate after his divisive campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. He acknowledged that his own presidency from 2001 to 2009 began after a contentious election but that it was "hard to compare times."

He said that Trump is still in the early stage of his presidency and that Americans have "got to take the man at his word."

Asked whether he supported Trump's travel ban on people from seven majority Muslim countries, Bush said, "I am for an immigration policy that is welcoming and that upholds the law."

Bush, whose presidency was shaped by the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on America, also called for religious tolerance.

"One of our great strengths is for people to be able to worship the way they want to or not worship at all," he said.

After the attacks, Bush had made a point of supporting Muslims and praising Islam's teachings as peaceful.

Trump has branded some news outlets as "the enemy of the people" but Bush said: "I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy, that we need an independent media to hold people like me to account," he said.

"It's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power."

He said that during his presidency he tried to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept the concept of an independent news media. "It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent, free press and we're not willing to have one ourselves," Bush told NBC.

Trump, the first Republican president since Bush left office, won the November presidential election after besting 16 other Republican candidates for the party's nomination, including Bush's brother Jeb.

His victory came amid lukewarm backing from establishment wing of the party as prominent Republicans, including Bush and his father, former president George H.W. Bush, shunned him or offered lukewarm support.

Reuters
Conwy-based chocolatier Baravellis has been approached by Harrods to produce a dozen handmade Easter eggs.

The 12 Easter eggs will be split into four each of three designs and have been designed by mural painter Camille Walala.

The chocolate eggs will use Harrods house blend of 41% cocoa milk chocolate and will be displayed at the front of the Knightsbridge shop window.

We have had to source bespoke chocolate moulds and to increase the chocolate output of our workshop specially to complete the Camille Walala and Harrods Easter collection, said Mark Baravelli, managing director.

We are one of only a handful of bean to bar chocolate producers in the UK and we are passionate about the quality and bespoke design of our chocolates. This is an amazing opportunity to work with Harrods.

The award-winning Baravellis is Wales first bean to bar chocolatier and all of its confectionery is made on the premises.
A Pentagon-led preliminary plan to defeat Islamic State has been delivered to the White House and US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will brief senior administration officials later on Monday, a Defense Department spokesman told reporters.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters that it was the framework for a broader plan and looked at Islamic State around the world, not just Iraq and Syria.

Davis said the plan would define what defeating Islamic State meant and was one that would rapidly defeat the militant group.

He added that Mattis would discuss the plan, which is primarily a written one with accompanying graphics, with members of the cabinet-level Principals Committee on Monday afternoon.

The review of US strategy comes at a decisive moment in the US-led coalition effort against Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria, and could lead to relaxing some of the former Obama administration's policy restrictions, like limits on troop numbers. The Trump administration has said defeating "radical Islamic terror groups" is among its top foreign policy goals.

The Baghdad-based US commander on the ground, Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, has said he believes US-backed forces would recapture both of Islamic State's major strongholds - the cities of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria - within the next six months.

Iraqi forces expect a fierce battle against Islamic State to retake Mosul.

In Syria, the United States must soon decide whether to arm Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters, despite objections from NATO ally Turkey, which brands the militia group as terrorists.

The US military-led review includes input from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, as well as from the Treasury Department and the US intelligence community.

Davis said that in addition to diplomacy, the plan would include a military framework that builds on capabilities and goals on the battlefield.

Reuters
Bosch Packaging Technology has rolled out a microsite designed to help producers find the right machinery systems.

Aimed at the bakery, confectionery, nuts, snacks and powder industries, www.solutions4value.com helps producers find the right machinery systems to meet their needs.

Offering a single point of contact for expertise in shelf appeal, flexibility in bag styles and gentle handling of products such as cookies and crackers, it also offers bakery technology solutions from Kliklok-Woodman, which was acquired by Bosch in 2015.

Bosch has recently created a system for gentle handling of products such as cookies and crackers, capable of packing up to 200 bags per minute and 150 cartons.

Leon van de Wiel, general manager for Bosch Packaging Technology (Netherlands), said the microsite would enable customers to navigate the complex world of packaging technology. There is also an Insights section with advice about common challenges faced by producers when selecting and running packaging equipment.

Challenges include end-pack result, brand positioning, features such as resealable options, flexibility, production output and footprint.

Choosing a complete system is far more complex than selecting an individual machine, said van de Wiel. Our goal is to make the process of finding the right technology as easy and clear as possible.

He said the microsite allowed manufacturers to review various bag, pack, carton and case styles, and to identify the optimum system for their specific needs.

To be competitive, food and non-food producers are constantly required to come up with new recipes and appealing pack styles. The range of pack styles has expanded significantly over the past year, and shipping distances have increased too, demanding thorough product protection, while retailers favour shelf-ready or easy-to-handle cases.

Overall, manufacturers have to decide on primary, secondary, tertiary or end-of-line packaging. They also have to marry marketing needs with production and business constraints, such as investment, output and footprint.
Family-run operation Welsh Hills Bakery triumphed at the South and Mid Wales Chambers Welsh Business Awards in the Success in Overseas Trade category and went on to be named overall winner on the night.

The Hirwaun-based business, which supplies gluten-, dairy- and wheat-free cakes and biscuits to countries including Australia and the Middle East, triumphed in the Success through Overseas Trade category for the second year running, before being named overall winner at the ceremony last week (23 February).

The 60-year-old bakery was started in 1956 by Aberdare baker Ernest Rule and his wife Ruby. It is now run by the third generation of the same family, employs 82 staff and produces over 80 product lines.

Last year the business sold around 5m-worth of products, 20% of which were exports. The first company to supply two major UK supermarket chains (Sainsburys and Tesco) with their own brand of gluten-free products, it has since added others to the portfolio including Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons and Holland & Barrett.

Last year, at these awards, we were privileged to win the Success through Overseas Trade Welsh Business Award, said Julian Cruttenden, commercial head of Welsh Hills Bakery. To win it twice is overwhelming. The acknowledgement that we were doing a great job encouraged us to focus our efforts even more on the export sector.

In 2016, 20% of our sales were in exports. We are currently in talks with Japan and Dubai and planning to increase that figure by a further 50% in the next 12 months. All this and we are about to appear in a Morrisons advert. This support and validation means the world to us.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The father of William "Ryan" Owens, a U.S. Navy SEAL who died in a military raid in Yemen last month, is demanding answers from the Trump administration.

In an interview with the Miami Herald published Sunday, Bill Owens said he refused to see President Trump when he and his daughter Ivanka Trump paid their respects at Dover Air Force Base with the Owens family for the dignified transfer.

I told them I didnt want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldnt let me talk to him, Owens said to the Miami Herald.

Chief Special Warfare Operator Ryan Owens was the only U.S. service member to die in a January raid on an al-Qaeda compound carried out by SEAL Team Six, the elite Navy special operations unit involved in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Officials told ABC News the raid in southern Yemen targeted three senior leaders with al-Qaeda and was intended to gather intelligence on the terror group.

The Trump administration claimed the raid was a success and hit back against critics like Sen. John McCain, who noted reports that the mission killed a number of civilians along with the Navy SEAL.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer criticized McCain in a press briefing, saying that anybody who undermines the success of that raid, owes an apology and [does] disservice to the life of Chief Owens."

Bill Owens told the Miami Herald he wants an investigation into his son's death.

Dont hide behind my sons death to prevent an investigation," he said to the Miami Herald.

I want an investigation.  The government owes my son an investigation."

U.S. Central Command has confirmed to ABC News that there is a 15-6 investigation underway into Owens' death as we routinely do anytime there is a death of our of valued brothers and sisters during operations.

A 15-16 is standard for the death of any deployed U.S. military service member and is typically conducted by the unit. A White House official told ABC News an investigation would occur and "it is standard operating procedure to investigate any mission that results in a fatality."

Central Command has not launched a 15-6 investigation into the mission itself. It is still conducting a review known as a credibility assessment into civilian casualties. Theyve acknowledged some civilian deaths from the incident and are determining if there were more.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Read Across America Day is officially on March 2, but students at Lincoln Elementary in Beatrice are building up to the big day with a week filled with Dr. Seuss books and theme days.

Started by the National Education Association in 1998, Read Across America Day is celebrated by schools around the country, including several in Gage County. It falls on March 2 each year, the birthday of famed author Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss), which means Seussian themes abound.

We do this every year to emphasize reading, said Lincoln Elementary principal Theresa Smith. It falls around Dr. Seusss birthday and it also falls on Nebraskas birthday this year.

Monday was PJ Day, were kids could show up to school in their pajamasthough they did have to wear regular shoes, no slippers allowedan idea based on Seusss "The Sleep Book" and "I Will Not Get Up Today." Kindergarten students all gathered around to read Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues, about a cat who isnt ready to go to sleep.

Each student received their own copy of the book, and each grade got a different book as a gift from the Parent Teachers Organization.

The PTO gave us these books, said kindergarten teacher Mary Jo Bures. They gave all the students a book. And since its pajama day, it fit right in.

Tuesday is Hat day, based on, obviously, "The Cat in the Hat" and "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins."

Then comes Wednesday, which marks 150 years of Nebraska statehood. Kids will wear their Nebraska gear and will sing Happy Birthday to Nebraska during the morning announcements. Lincoln Elementary fourth graders are also planning a birthday party for Nebraska.

On Thursday, each grade wears a different color to celebrate Dr. Seusss birthday, and then things close out on Friday with Silly Sock Day.
If the deal goes through to sell General Motors Opel/Vauxhall business, GM might allow PSA Group to use their electric-car technology, a German magazine reported.

GM CEO Mary Barra will allow PSA Group to use the electric-car technology in the new Opel/Ampera-e/Chevrolet Bolt long-range battery-powered cars. The name would be used under licensing in Europe, Automotive News Europe reports that Manager Magazin said on Friday.

Automotive News Europe also reported that Manager Magazin noted that Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann has been working on a strategy to turn Opel into an electric only car brand by the year 2030. PSA could help put that plan into action, Manager Magazin reported.

On Wednesday, Barra visited Opels headquarters in Ruesselsheim. Barra told executives that PSA Group CEO Carlos Tavares is on board with the continuity at Opel and plans to keep Neumann and the brands management board, Manager Magazin said.

It was also reported earlier this week that Tavares would assure German politicians and unions of his intentions to keep Opel as a German company and his plans to maintain the companys current management structure.

We are doing everything we can to shape a sustainable and successful future for Opel. /KTN, Neumann tweeted on Friday.

We are doing everything we can to shape a sustainable and successful future for Opel. /KTN  Karl-Thomas Neumann (@KT_Neumann) February 17, 2017

PSA could benefit from gaining access to GMs electric-car technology. The Bolt is already on sale in the United States, meanwhile the Ampera-e is set for release this year. The Ampera-e can drive 323 miles (520 km) on a single charge, under European tests.

Meanwhile, PSAs current electric vehicles, which are made by Mitsubishi and marketed as the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero, are not gaining much attention.

PSA is currently working on developing an EV platform with Dongfeng Motors. The EV platform would underpin four electric vehicle models to be introduced by 2021, and offer a driving range of up to about 279 miles (450 km).

On Friday, Germanys economy ministry noted that the talks between GM and PSA were at the advanced stages. A spokeswoman said the job guarantees for workers in Germany would be up to the management and labor representatives.

Meanwhile, labor representatives advised that they are prepared to hold constructive talks with PSA. The fundamental basis for these talks must be the unequivocal recognition and implementation of existing agreements for all Opel/Vauxhall sites, the German and European works councils and the IG Metall trade union said on Friday.

France said it will evaluate the proposed sale. We are in discussion primarily to share information because we too learned of this announcement in the press, Industry Minister Christophe Sirugue said on Friday.
According to two senior officials on Thursday, the Trump administration told four top State Department management officials that their services were no longer needed as part of an effort to clean house at the White House.

Sources reported that Patrick Kennedy, who served for nine years as the undersecretary for management, Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Consular Affairs Joyce Anne Barr and Michele Bond, and Ambassador Gentry Smith, director of the Office for Foreign Missions, were sent letters by the White House that their service was no longer required. All four career officers, who were serving in positions appointed by the President, submitted letters of resignation per tradition at the beginning of a new administration.

The letters from the White House said that their resignations were accepted and they were thanked for their service. However, the White House usually asks career officials in such positions to remain for a few months until their successors are confirmed.

Any implication that that these four people quit is wrong, one senior State Department official said. These people are loyal to the secretary, the President and to the State Department. There is just not any attempt here to dis the President. People are not quitting and running away in disgust. This is the White House cleaning house.

JUST IN: The Trump administration has asked 4 top State Department management officials to leave, officials say https://t.co/PUnyJnWJB1  CNN (@CNN) January 26, 2017

These positions are political appointments, and require the President to nominate and the Senate to confirm them in these roles. They are not career appointments but of limited term, said the State Departments acting spokesman, Mark Toner.

He continued, Of the officers whose resignations were accepted, some will continue in the Foreign Service in other positions, and others will retire by choice or because they have exceeded the time limits of their grade in service.

There is now a huge management hole at the State Department, with a combined 150 years of institutional experience among all of the named officials. Victoria Nuland, the State Departments assistant secretary for Europe, left on her own.

The department will not collapse, said one official. Everyone has good deputies. Its a huge institutional loss, but the department has excellent subordinates and the career people will step up. They will take up the responsibility.

In her parting letter, Bond told her colleagues, It has been an honor to serve with you as the Assistant Secretary for the past 17 months, and to have represented the United States as a Foreign Service officer for 40 years. What a privilege it has been.
Illegal immigration has long plagued American craftsman and has far-reaching implications that communities and federal, state and local governments have yet to realize, according to those who have worked in the construction industry.

If you wait 20 years, youre going to see what happens to all of these houses and buildings, said Kevin Larsen, a veteran brick mason with 33 years of experience.

Larsen left his trade several years ago and now works at a railroad yard. He applauds the federal judges Feb. 16 decision to halt President Barack Obamas executive order that protects as many as five million immigrants crossing the border illegally from deportation.

Larsen said the federal government should have taken tougher stance years ago. He is dismayed at the Obama administrations reaction of continuing to prepare to accommodate the undocumented immigrants and the Department of Justice appealing the federal courts order.

If youre illegal, its easy for you to hide everything because nothing is questioned by the administration or questioned by the government, he said.

Meanwhile, millions have lost good jobs.

I knew if I didnt leave when I did that I wouldnt be able to work at all, Larsen said.

The former bricklayer said he recently talked with a long-time friend in New Orleans. His friends family owned the largest masonry company in the city. The company went out of business and his friend, who has 30 years experience, hasnt worked in a year.

He cant get work. He is down to where all he has is electricity in his house. He had to sell his truck to pay the taxes on his house, Larsen said.

According to Larsen, problems in New Orleans began after a large Hispanic population settled in the city after Hurricane Katrina. Hispanic workers, who had no experience in construction or brick masonry, began taking all the work and agreeing to work for as little as $5 an hour. No legitimate company could compete, especially on larger projects that require larger crews, he said.

Larsen said the same scenario is playing out in major cities across the country. In Atlanta, where he worked in construction, contractors started hiring no one but undocumented immigrants.

He said he was turned away from two jobs, a museum and a baseball stadium, with the foreman telling him they would only hire only Hispanic workers.

E-verify laws have done little to relieve the situation, he said. Construction companies have figured a way around them.

Larsen said an undocumented worker gives the contractor bogus identification, Social Security number and other papers. The employer sends it through E-verify, which gives the employer 90 days to work the employee before a decision is made.

When the E-verify is declined, the employer tells the undocumented worker to get proper papers to continue to work. Larsen said the worker buys more bogus papers and turns them in and the 90-day cycle begins again. He said this goes on indefinitely.

Larsen said contractors are starting to suffer as much as craftsmen now because illegal immigrants are figuring out ways to become the contractor instead of just maintaining worker jobs.

If they have a brother or a cousin who is legal, they put the business in his name, Larsen said.

He said contractors greed is now returning to hurt their livelihoods.

They all thought they were going to get rich by hiring all the illegals. Its biting them in the butt because the illegals are becoming contractors and now they cant find work, Larsen said.

He said buildings, which include many public buildings like schools and government administrative offices, built back in the 1980s and 1990s are already starting to deteriorate because the undocumented workers didnt perform their jobs to fulfill basic standards.

Many of those flaws went undetected because of lax state laws regarding inspections.

One problem surfacing is the lack of wall ties, which affix bricks to the construction wall. All the bricks on Atlantas Olympic Village had to be replaced because of construction flaw, Larsen said.

Local governments owning these substandard buildings will end up paying for significant repairs, which will then fall on taxpayers, he said.

He attributes construction flaws to a lack of training and experience. Most undocumented workers have no knowledge of craftsman trades like brick masonry, carpentry, and drywall, he said.

Brick laying is a craft. Its an art. Its not something you can teach someone in a short period of time. Its a trade. You have to learn that trade, he said.
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Contact: Emily Weeks

Emily Weeks Emily.Weeks@ncgop.org

Raleigh, NC Today the North Carolina Senate provided Larry Hall with a third and final opportunity to come before them for his confirmation hearing. After refusing to show up at his previous two hearings, they announced that a subpoena would be issued to Hall if he did not show up at the 1:00 PM hearing today. The North Carolina constitution gives the Senate the power and authority to confirm Governor Roy Cooper's Cabinet secretaries. Senator Rabin even stated a few weeks ago that he expected the Senate to confirm the Cabinet picks. Unless Larry Hall and Governor Cooper have something to hide, why is Governor Cooper taking on a Richard Nixon persona and instructing his Cabinet members to break the law?-Dallas Woodhouse, NCGOP Executive DirectorArticle 5A Chapter 120 of the North Carolina General Statutes gives the committees the authority to issue subpoenas. The person receiving it is then lawfully required to appear before the court that issued it. Following Hall's no-show at 1:00 PM today, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Insurance voted to issue the subpoena, which calls for Hall's attendance and testimony before the committee on March 2, 2017 at 11:00 AM inside the legislative building.
Investors watch transactions at a securities company.  VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI  The domestic stock market will likely experience another correction in early sessions this week, as selling pressure continues to build around the short-term peak on the main exchanges, experts say.

The benchmark VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange decreased in the last two weekend sessions, but still gained 1 per cent for the week, closing Friday at 714.5 points.

The southern market index increased 7.5 per cent this year.

Liquidity remained high last week, averaging some 221 million shares worth VN3.83 trillion (US$167 million) per session, an increase of 26.8 per cent in volume and 15 per cent in value, compared to the previous weeks figures.

These numbers were 100 and 50 per cent higher, compared to Januarys daily trading volume and value, respectively.

On the smaller exchange in Ha Noi, the HNX-Index increased 0.5 per cent for the week, ending Friday at 86.3 points. The northern market index gained 7.7 per cent this year.

Liquidity was positive in the northern market, with over 53 million shares worth VN484 billion traded during each session.

Investors should be watchful of short-term market trends, as the VN-Index has advanced for nine consecutive weeks and many stocks have gained substantially, which intensified selling pressure on the market, BIDV Securities Cos weekly review said.

The report noted that the VN-Index moved some 715 points in the last three sessions, with over 200 million shares traded, which is signaling a possible reversal in the short term.

The market needs new impetus to break the level points, whereas liquidity is continuously increasing and has triggered a risk of downward possibilities, the report said.

Apart from blue chips, property and agricultural stocks were the biggest gainers.

Van Phat Hung Corp (VPH), FLC Group (FLC), Thu uc Housing Development JSC (TDH), Hoa Binh Construction and Real Estate Corp (HBC) were among the top 10 largest runners on the HCM Stock Exchange, with total gains of between 22 and 34 per cent for the week.

These were the companies having posted impressive business results for 2016.

Other companies, such as Novaland Investment (NVL), Hoang Quan Consulting-Trading-Service Real Estate (HQC), Tan Tao Investment Industry Corp (ITA) and Kinh Bac City Development Share Holding Corp (KBC), also performed well on positive outook for the real estate market this year.

An Giang Fisheries Import Export JSC (AGF) recorded over 17.4 per cent last week.

Agribusiness Hoang Anh Gia Lai Co (HAG) dropped nearly 7 per cent in Fridays trade, but still increased 4.7 per cent for the week and 41.7 per cent this year.

According to analysts at Vietnam Investment Securities, the VN-Index will likely decline in the early session today to test the 715-point level, and can bounce back towards the end of the session.

Cash inflows remain very strong... and we believe the upturn will come back in later sessions of the week, they wrote in a market report.

Foreign investors were net buyers for a second week, lifting their total net buy values to VN631 billion on the two exchanges. Their buys focused on large-cap stocks, such as dairy giant Vinamilk (VNM), real estate developer VinGroup (VIC), Vietcombank (VCB), Eximbank (EIB) and brewery Sabeco (SAB).  VNS
HA NOI  The domestic vegetable and fruit industry will face obstacles in maintaining sustainable growth in export value at the current high level, according to the Viet Nam Vegetable and Fruit Association.

Total national export value of vegetables and fruits reached US$2.4 billion in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 30 per cent. Export value is expected to increase to $3 billion this year.

The year 2016 witnessed impressive growth in the export value of vegetables and fruits, as a result of which their export value exceeded their export value of rice.

Viet Nams fruit and vegetable products were exported to 60 countries and territories, but trade promotion and steps to maintain the freshness of these products have not been developed according to expectations, the association said.

For instance, local vegetable and fruit products were sold at only a few places in California and New York in the United States, partly due to poor trade promotion, it said.

US apples had, however, entered all distribution systems -- from traditional markets to modern trading centres -- because the products retained their freshness for six months and the US Department of Agriculture ensured funds were contributed by local enterprises of importing counties for trade promotion activities.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese vegetable and fruit products remained fresh only for a few days, the association said, adding that it expected that a contribution from the states credit package worth VN100 trillion for hi-tech agriculture would create favourable conditions for development of processing technology for Vietnamese vegetable and fruit products.

Nguyen Huu at from the Viet Nam Vegetable and Fruit Association said it was necessary to have preferential loans for the development of modern processing lines that met international standards at enterprises.

Additionally, the state should have preferential loans for research institutes, centres and colleges to research and develop vegetable and fruit seeds and plant protection products, such as pesticides and herbicides. The research facilities also required cooperation with enterprises and producers to ensure efficiency in vegetable and fruit production.

Nguyen inh Tung, general director of local professional fruit exporter VINA T&T, said the vegetable and fruit industry needed funds amounting to VN500 billion for current projects on researching preservation technology for farming products.

He expected that after processing, Viet Nams major fruit products, such as dragon fruit and longan, could be kept fresh longer than the current period of 1-2 months.

The association also said local fruit exporters should continue paying attention to food hygiene and safety as they have done over the past eight years, chinhphu.vn reported.

If importing countries identified even one case where food hygiene and safety regulations were violated, they would gradually increase the percentage of imported fruits inspected from five per cent of total imported batches, at present, to 50 per cent or even 100 per cent.

This inspection would take time, affecting consumption and quality of fruits in the export market, leading to losses and eventually a loss of the enrite market. It would also affect local vegetable and fruit production.

at said to stand firm in strict and large export markets, local vegetable and fruit exporters should actively partner to implement suitable trade promotion programmes, step-by-step enter distribution systems in exporting markets and protect as well as improve competitive ability of Vietnamese vegetable and fruit products in the world market.  VNS
HA NOI  Eighty-eight per cent of flights operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and its members Jetstar Pacific Airlines and Viet Nam Air Service Company (VASCO) in the first two months of this year, including during the peak Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday period, were on time.

The airlines said the figure, an increase of 10 per cent compared with the same period last year, was cause for celebration, as the airlines had to operate in overloaded infrastructure, especially at Tan San Nhat International Airport.

VNA reported that its carriage of passenger was up 20 per cent during the period, a slight drop compared with last years recorded growth of 34 per cent.

VNA and VNA Group have pushed operations in key routes from Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and a Nang with a market share of between 64 and 67 per cent, and maintained its domestic route market share at 61 per cent.

While the firms costs remained stable over the first two months, the price of oil rocketed, causing additional costs of VN300 billion more than the same period last year.

VNA and VNA Group have been looking for solutions to cope with the situation. They will focus on co-operation with other airlines of Skyteam to raise the efficiency of services. VNA will continue exploiting the international market with a passenger growth rate of 14 per cent.

With a fleet of wide-body aircraft including ten B787, six A350, six A330 and four B777, the carrier in the first two months occupied 90 per cent of the market share of domestic goods transportation. It has expanded services to export goods to foreign territories, including Europe and Japan.  VNS
HCM CITY  Vietnamese delegations from several provinces are visiting India to attend the 4th India-CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam) Business Conclave in Jaipur, Rajasthan from February 27-28, following the invitation of the government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Vietnamese participants include Nguyen Van Tram, chairman of Binh Phuoc Province Peoples Committee, Luu Xuan Vinh, chairman of Ninh Thuan Province Peoples Committee, Nguyen uc Hoang, vice chairman of Gia Lai Peoples Committee, Pham Anh Tuan, vice chairman of Tien Giang Peoples Committee, and officers of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade and many Vietnamese business executives.

The major areas of interest for the delegates are in hi-tech agriculture, horticulture, seafood, processing industry, construction, infrastructure, education, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Prior to the trip, the Consulate General of India in HCM City held business interactions with Vietnamese delegates in HCM City on February 24-25.

Themed Economic Integration: Way Forward for Sustainable Development, the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave is a two-day programme which will consist of sectoral sessions, country sessions and business-to-business meetings and will focus on sectors such as pharma, healthcare, agribusiness, food processing, infrastructure, gems and jewellery, textiles, mining, leather and renewable energy.

According to the consulate, Indian companies are exploring investment possibilities in Vietnamese provinces like Soc Trang, Ninh Thuan and Biinh Thuan.

One of the biggest Indian conglomerates, the TATA group, is investing in several areas including thermal power, coffee and hi-tech machinery in different provinces, while others are entering a stable business environment and taking advantage of preferential policies offered by Viet Nam.

The visit of the Vietnamese delegation is expected to open several new vistas of co-operation between Viet Nam and India and bring in more Indian companies to the expanding Viet Nam market.  VNS
PHU YEN  Forest rangers of south central Phu Yen Provinces Tuy Hoa City have received two grey-shanked douc langurs, among the worlds 25 most endangered primates, from two locals.

The langurs - a mother langur and her son - together weigh some 5kg.

The forest rangers said on Sunday the grey-shanked douc langur, a species native to Viet Nam, was included in Vietnam Red Books list of endangered species.

Nguyen Quang ang, one of the residents who gave the langurs to the forest rangers, said he and his friend found the two langurs being displayed for sale at a restaurant in the city.

Realising that the langurs, which were a rare and endangered species, looked weak, he decided to buy the animals and deliver them to authorised agencies.

Nguyen uc Hieu, head of Tuy Hoa Citys forest management division, said ang and his friends action was highly appreciated. The division is carrying out necessary legal procedures to deliver the two langurs to a Wildlife Rescue Centre in HCM City.

The two langurs would be released into the forest after they completely recovered, he said.

Doucs are native to Southeast Asia and are categorised under three species -- red-shanked, grey-shanked and black-shanked.

The grey-shanked doucs generally have dappled grey bodies, black hands and feet and white cheeks.

This species, scientifically named Pygathrix cinerea, is native to the Vietnamese provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh inh, Kon Tum and Gia Lai. They feed primarily on leaves and live in tribes comprising up to 50 animals, although individual tribe population numbers have fallen significantly to only 4-15 in recent years.

Grey-shanked doucs, along with three other primates that are native to Viet Nam, have consistently been listed among the worlds 25 most endangered primates since 2000 by the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCNs) Species Survival Commissions Primate Specialist Group, the International Primatological Society and Conservation International.

The species is also on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, categorised as critically endangered, with only 800-1,000 animals left worldwide.  VNS
HA NOI  Late artist Nguyen Van Ty used his creativity to contribute to the growth of traditional lacquer painting, Tran Khanh Chuong, chairman of Viet Nam Fine Arts Association said.

"Nguyen Van Ty created art works in different genres such as lacquer, silk and oil on canvas. He was known for using eggshells to make lacquer paintings, which was unique," Chuong said, during an event to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the artist recently in Ha Noi.

"In the late 1930s and 1940s, titanium white powder was not available to colour lacquer paintings. So, he used a large amount of eggshells and oyster shells to get the white colour in his lacquer paintings.

"He not only trained many artists, but also made great contributions towards the growth of the association in the early days. We are proud of Nguyen Van Ty because of his efforts to develop Vietnamese fine art," said Chuong.

Nguyen Van Ty (1917-1992) was born in Ha Noi. He studied at the Indochina School of Fine Art from 1936 to 1941, along with Hoang Tich Chu and Nguyen Tien Chung, who were his classmates.

In 1936, he won the first prize at an exhibition organised by Annamese Association for the Encouragement of Art and Industry  a society of artists and artisans that operated from 1935 to 1939 with French artist Victor Tardieu as its first chairman.

Over the next few years, many of his works were sent abroad to be part of international exhibitions in France, Brussels, Indonesia and the US. In the summer of 1942, he visited and painted at Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

A year later, as part of a cultural exchange with Japan, involving Japanese artist Fujita Tsuguhary, he was invited with Nam Son and Luong Xuan Nhi to research and exhibit in three Japanese cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe.

In 1946, Ty became involved in the national resistance against the French colonialists. During that time, he wrote for newspapers, made propaganda posters and taught art students in Viet Bac.

On his return to Ha Noi after the French resistance, he taught at the Viet Nam Fine Arts College, a post that he held until 1969. He was also appointed as the first General Secretary of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association. His paintings were shown at exhibitions in the country, as well as in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

In 1965, one of his painting carved on wood won the silver medal at an international exhibition for graphic arts in Leipzig, Germany.

Artist Ty died in Ha Noi. He was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh prize in 2000 for his lacquer painting series, including Nha Tranh Goc Mit (Rural House with Jackfruit Tree) in 1958; Bac Nam Thong Nhat (Unification of North and South) in 1961; and Phong Canh (Landscape) in 1991.

His works are part of the permanent collections of the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow and the Viet Nam National Fine Arts Museum in Ha Noi.

"His techniques to develop lacquer paintings are recognised worldwide, especially for colouring in white and turquoise," Dr. Le Van Suu, head of Viet Nam Academy of Fine Arts, said. "He was the teacher of many generations of Vietnamese artists."  VNS
HA NOI  The world-famous London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) will visit Ha Noi and present an outdoor concert this Saturday, March 4.

The first ever concert by a British orchestra in Viet Nam is being held as part of the annual Vietnam Airlines Classic. The event, held by the national carrier, aims to bring world-class cultural and artistic performances to local audiences, as well as promote cultural exchange between Viet Nam and other parts of the world.

On Saturday, the 95-member orchestra, under the baton of one of the worlds finest conductors, Elim Chan, will present a performance filled with musical virtuosity and enthusiasm. The concert will open with the Vietnamese national anthem, followed by works from Russian composers Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich and Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff, and British Benjamin Britten.

Conductor Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1986, and studied cello and piano as a child. In December 2014, Chan became the first female conductor to win the annual Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition, before going on to become the conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. In April 2016, the Swedish Opera Norrlands Operan announced Chan as its conductor for the next three years, starting in 2017.

Founded in 1904 by a collective of the most talented musicians in London, over the past 100 years the LSO has pursued its strong commitment to bringing top quality music to audiences all over the world.

Owned by its members, and comprising nearly 100 talented artists from many nations, the orchestra continues to showcase high levels of talent  as well as being a regular presence at the Barbican in London, with about 70 shows each year, the LSO also performs more than 70 international concerts annually.

LSO works with some of the most talented artists, including the worlds best conductors, such as Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director; conductors Gianandrea Noseda, Daniel Harding, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Andre Previn.

LSO is also known for LSO Discovery  a musical education and community programme which offers inspiring musical experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds who have not necessarily had much contact with classical music and musicians. About 60,000 people of varying ages, abilities and backgrounds participate in LSO Discovery every year.

LSO also connects with more people under their own record label, LSO Live, which was founded in 1999, bringing classical music to millions of homes around the world.

The LSO concert in Ha Noi, which will take place at Ly Thai To Square by Hoan Kiem Lake from 7.45pm to 9.30pm, will be brought to an even larger audience via three big screens placed at both ends of inh Tien Hoang Street and in ong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

While many music lovers are eager for the upcoming concert, some wonder if the sound quality suffer from the outdoor setting.

Honna Tetsuji, the Japanese Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra said: Of course, you should not compare the sound quality of an outdoor concert with one held in a hall. However, if the organisers can handle the technical matters, you can be sure about the concerts sound quality.

Myself, I have conducted or attended many outdoor concerts with big audiences, and I was satisfied with all of those performances.

Vietnamese composer and music producer Quoc Trung, who will act as general director of the concert on Saturday said his team have worked extremely hard to prepare for the event.

Were saving the best for the night. Alongside a standard 22m-by-15m stage with a temporary waterproof roof, we also will set up the worlds No 1 sound system, L-Acoustics, with more than 100 DPA high-end microphones for the performance.

As well as everything else, we also have to consider the humidity, to make sure that all the music instruments are in the best condition.

Trung and his team are quietly confident about their event organising experience. After all, he is the brains behind the Monsoon Music Festival  an international music event held annually in the capital city.  VNS
A NANG  The Hoang Sa District Peoples Committee will display a shipwreck that was rammed by Chinese boats in Vietnamese waters off the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago at the citys Hoang Sa Museum.

An official from the district, Le Phu Nguyen told Viet Nam News yesterday that the shipwreck (fishing trawler DNa TS 90152), hit by Chinese ships in 2014 and then salvaged and brought to Tho Quang shipyard, will be placed in the yard of the under construction Hoang Sa Museum in Son Tra Peninsula.

Nguyen said the citys Peoples Committee and Peoples Council agreed to reserve a 500sq.m location to display the shipwreck as evidence of the attack by Chinese ships on Vietnamese fishing vessels in Viet Nams sovereign waters.

The shipwreck display is scheduled to be launched this September at the same time as the inauguration of the Hoang Sa Museum on Hoang Sa Road, according to Nguyen.

Nguyen also said the shipwreck will lure tourists and local residents to study Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago history with vintage documents, photos and objects from Viet Nams islands.

In 2015, the city started construction on Hoang Sa Museum, inspired by the design of a 1835-made seal from the Nguyen Dynastys King Minh Mang for the Hoang Sa Flotilla.

The districts Peoples Committee said the seal shows Viet Nams sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.

The museum will store and display collections of artefacts and documents on Viet Nams sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly islands.

According to Hoang Sa District, a collection of 95 maps published between 1626 and 1980, 10 of which indicate that the Paracel and Spratly archipelagoes belong to Viet Nam, and 102 books published in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and the Han Chinese script will be displayed. Many maps in the exhibition also indicate that the frontier of Southern China is Hainan Island and that Paracel belongs to Viet Nam.

Many domestic and overseas Vietnamese collectors have donated old maps and documents related to Viet Nams sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes.

Many ancient maps and documents published during the Ming and Qing dynasties between the 16th and early 20th century show that Chinas borders did not include the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) islands.

In January, the Hoang Sa District Peoples Committee held a meeting of 12 people who lived, worked and protected the Hoang Sa from 1959-1974.

Hoang Sa was illegally occupied by Chinese forces on January 19, 1974.

The city has set aside 128,543ha for the development of Hoang Sa District, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel), following the Prime Ministers decision on the citys adjusted master urban plan for 2030 and 2050.

The Hoang Sa Districts Peoples Committee hopes to include two fishing precincts, Tho Quang and Man Thai, in Hoang Sa Island District.  VNS

On May 26, 2014, the fishing ship DNa TS 90152 from a Nang was fishing 17 nautical miles away from the illegally placed Chinese oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 when the Chinese ship rammed it from behind, causing it to sink. Fortunately, the ships crew was saved by Vietnamese coast guard vessels in the vicinity.

The Chinese ship (code 11209) intentionally rammed the Vietnamese fishing ship to harm the 10 fishermen on board.

Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa, owner of the Vietnamese trawler, said she kept the wreck as proof of the illegal and brutal actions of the Chinese.
Japans Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will pay a State visit to Viet Nam for the first time, from February 28-March 5.  VNA/VNS Photo

TOKYO  The first ever visit to Viet Nam by a Japanese Emperor and Empress is a historical event of great significance that will reinforce mutual trust and friendship, says a senior Japanese official.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) ahead of the historic visit, Hatsuhisa Takashima, press secretary to Emperor Akihito, recalled the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

The relationship dates back to the 16th century with the presence of the first Japanese street in Viet Nam, he said.

The visit by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko is happening at a time when bilateral rapport is at its best after undergoing historical ups and downs, he said.

Takashima noted that Viet Nam and Japan were carrying out many activities to strengthen amity.

He said that as the biggest aid provider for Viet Nam, Japan has been co-operating with the Southeast Asian country to support its development.

He cited as examples the donation of maritime patrol vessels, building of the Viet NamJapan University, and the active operation of Japanese businesses in Viet Nam.

Effective bilateral co-operation in economics, human resources training and infrastructure improvement have contributed to the good relationship between the two countries, Takashima said.

Most awaited

He said the Japanese Emperor and Empress were touched by the warm invitations from Vietnamese leaders, adding that the visit is one of the most-awaited events for the people and political circles in both countries.

Viet Nams Ambassador to Japan, Nguyen Quoc Cuong, said that the visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to Viet Nam, beginning tomorrow, will be an important landmark in Viet Nam-Japan relations.

Cuong said both the Emperor and Empress were looking forward to the trip.

He echoed press secretary Takashima, saying the first trip of the Emperor to Viet Nam since the two countries established diplomatic relations 44 years ago was a historic and important landmark in the relationship.

Mutual trust has brought both countries closer to each other, he said.

A keen interest in history and culture was the main reason for the Japanese Royalty to visit Hue City in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Cuong said.

The Emperor and Empress have expressed their admiration for the Nha Nhac (ceremonial music) of the Hue Court, which was recognised in 2003 by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and is being performed in Japans Royal Palace.

Japan has given a lot of assistance to the renovation of historic sites, in the Hue citadel, Cuong noted.

He further said that the visit was a manifestation of growth in bilateral relations that will also take them to new heights.  VNS
Senior officials from APEC economies, as well as experts and scholars have discussed the possibility of establishing a free trade area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) along with its potential impacts and difficulties facing the process.  VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan

KHANH HOA  Senior officials from APEC economies, as well as experts and scholars have discussed the possibility of establishing a free trade area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) along with its potential impacts and difficulties facing the process.

The workshop on realising FTAAP was held in Nha Trang, in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, on Saturday as part of activities around the APEC First Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) and related talks.

The FTAAP was first mentioned in the statement of the APEC Economic Leaders Meetings in Ha Noi in 2006. Last year, APEC leaders released the Lima Declaration on FTAAP, which emphasized the role of APEC in proposing contents related to such a free trade area with a view to gradually realising the idea.

Besides the workshop, meetings were held during the day by nine committees and working groups, namely the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI), Economic Committee (EC), Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS), Oceans and Fisheries Working Groups (OFWG), Tourism Working Group (TWG), Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG), Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2), Competition Policy and Law Group (CPLG) and Market Access Group (MAG).

The PPFS meeting looked at the implementation of long-term strategies, including the APEC strategic framework on rural-urban development to strengthen food security and quality growth, and the APEC programme on food security and climate change.

Participants also gave ideas to the APEC statement that is scheduled to be discussed at the high-level dialogue on food security and sustainable agriculture adaptable to climate change slated for Can Tho in Viet Nam in August.

Meanwhile, OFWG members debated a working plan for 2017 and reviewed co-operation activities related to sea and oceans recently. They also updated each other on the progress of several initiatives, including the enhancement of capacity to deal with maritime waste and the building of a tool set to measure ecological risks posed by climate change to aquatic resources, as well as the encouragement of private sector engagement in the preservation of maritime environment, sustainable fisheries and livelihood.

At the same time, the MAG approved the agenda for their next meeting scheduled for August as part of the third SOM and related meetings in HCM City.

Within the framework of the EC meeting, the Friends of the Chair on Strengthening Economic Legal Infrastructure focused on projects to reinforce the regional economic legal foundation, including the possibility of building an APEC co-operation framework on tackling online conflicts in transactions of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

On the day, the Tourism Working Group (TWG), Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG), Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) convened their last meetings, with cooperation projects reviewed and new initiatives given.

The TWG agreed on the organization of a roundtable on high-level policies on sustainable tourism in Ha Long City in June, while the ECSG listened to reports by some economies and international organizations on the development trend of electronic commerce.

The Vietnamese delegation continued to show strong performance with proposals on an action plan for implementing the APEC strategic framework on rural-urban development to strengthen food security and quality growth, and the APEC programme on food security and climate change.

Vietnamese officials also contributed ideas to the APEC manual on boosting sustainable tourism growth amidst climate change and the framework on facilitating cross-border electronic commerce.

Sustainable use of aquatic resources

Sustainable use and development of aquatic resources in Asia-Pacific was one of the priorities in APEC fisheries co-operation highlighted at the APEC Oceans and Fisheries Working Groups (OFWG) meeting in Nha Trang on the same day.

The meeting also underscored the need to strengthen resilience of coastal communities against natural disasters, extreme climate conditions and complicated natural developments.

Sustainable use and development of aquatic resources and ensured livelihood for coastal communities are also among priorities for Viet Nam, stated Tran inh Luan, Vice Director of the Directorate of Fisheries, who was a Vietnamese delegate to the OFWG meeting.

He noted that Viet Nams fisheries sector is operating on a smaller and less modern scale compared to that of other countries in the world, adding that the policies Viet Nam has implemented to ensure sustainable livelihood for fishermen have contributed to the economic growth in localities as well as the country.

Meanwhile, Toshihiko Horiuchi from Japan said that it is crucial to improve capacity in supporting fishermen and women in coastal areas as well as the fisheries communities of APEC member economies.

He stressed the need to help fishermen access markets and improve their products quality as well as exploit sea resources in a sustainable way.

He held that APEC economies should strengthen the role of governments and local communities in managing sea areas, thus ensuring sustainable exploitation. The application of science and technology will also help increase productivity and ensure sustainable fishing, he added.

During the meeting, the Japanese delegation proposed various measures to develop fisheries and encourage APEC economies to build policies on fisheries.  VNS
HELENA  A resolution introduced in the state House against selling federal lands or transferring them to Montana met the same fate as a similar measure introduced in the Senate this week, with majority Republicans voting to table the measure.

On Friday, Rep. Virginia Court, D-Billings, brought House Joint Resolution 11 before the House Natural Resources Committee. The resolution, which states a policy position and is not legally binding, recognizes the value of public lands to Montanas economy, recreation, heritage and quality of life, and opposed efforts to claim, take over or sell off those lands.

Court told the committee that she was impressed at the Jan. 30 rally at the Capitol in which 1,000 or more public land advocates rallied in opposition of federal land transfers and sales.

I was amazed not only by the oldsters but the young people and young families, she said. The message was loud and clear: dont mess with our public lands.

Transferring federal lands to states has become a contentious political topic across the West.

Transfer supporters argue states would better manage the lands and benefit financially through natural resource production.

Opponents see state ownership as a path to privatization due to management costs including firefighting. Many opposed also emphasize the national ownership of federal lands as belonging to all Americans.

HJ11 is similar to SJ17 brought on Wednesday by Sen. Diane Sands, D-Missoula. The Senate Natural Resources Committee heard, and then the Republican majority on the committee voted to table, the measure. A blast motion to bring the resolution to the floor failed.

On Friday, proponents brought economic, social and cultural arguments for HJ11s passage in testimony wavering between practical and personal.

Ben Goertzen described himself as a professional skier and wildlife filmmaker and stressed the importance of public lands to his and others' businesses.

Dan Roper with Montana Audubon hammered the potential economic consequences of Montana taking ownership of potentially tens of millions of acres, and an estimated $500 million management cost.

(There may be) more logging and or mineral rights, but can the state actually come up with $500 million year after year? he asked.

Several speakers referenced recent developments in Utah, where officials in that state have pushed legally and legislatively to transfer federal lands. The decision of a $45 million outdoor retailer show to pull out of Utah is an indication of the economic consequences of those policies, they said.

Heidi Buzzetti, vice president of the Montana State University Wilderness Association, said that she would not remind the committee of the intrinsic and practical values of public lands because it hasnt worked.

Buzzetti continued, saying that young people recognize the value of public lands, and we will vote to ensure we always have access to them.

Montana does not want to see lost economic opportunities, Court said in closing on the resolution. She offered personal accounts of herself and her family enjoying public lands and pointed to land transfer opposition from Montanas congressional delegation, saying the Legislature should make it clear they stand with them.

No one testified against the resolution and the committee asked no questions.

During executive action, some Republicans on the committee indicated they would be inclined to support the measure if language was struck essentially making the resolution only opposed to selling federal lands. Some of those on the fence indicated concern that smaller land transfers that often consolidate ownership would not be protected by the resolution.

Amendments to strike convey and take over and to alter language in the resolution to oppose transfer and sell off of federal lands failed.

The original resolution failed on a vote of 7-8, with Republican Rep. Kelly Flynn of Townsend and all of the Democrats on the committee voting in favor. The committee then voted along party lines to table the measure.
HUNG YEN  Farmers in Hung Yen Province are panicking over the mass deaths of ong tao chicken-a rare Vietnamese breed-following the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Local authorities said they were coordinating with the veterinary office to determine the cause of the deaths, Dan Tri online newspaper reported on Monday.

Nguyen Trong Thuan, Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Khoai Chau Districts ong Tao Commune where the special chicken are mostly raised, said the deaths occurred before and after Tet.

Locals were hiding their chickens because they feared their own breeds could be infected and the deaths could affect the market consumption, according to Thuan.

He also affirmed that authorities had not yet identified the cause of the mass deaths, although farmers believed the chickens suffered from a blood disease, and not the flu.

Following Tet holidays, the issue was reported to the districts veterinary centre and local households were asked to destroy their dead chickens following regulations for environment protection, Thuan said.

We are still counting the dead chickens so we cannot report the exact number right now, he added.

However, according to the media, many farmers buried their dead chickens in the ground or threw them away randomly and this had adversely affected the environment.

The dead chickens were thrown in canals and rice fields thus had led to a bad smell and risked the spread of an epidemic.

Le Thi Kim, a local, told Viet Nam Television the stench could be smelt in the entire area and made people uncomfortable.

A flock of 40 strong chickens in my farm also died due to contact with the dead chickens that were thrown all over the area, Kim said.

The ong Tao chicken trademark is the result of a project started in 2013 by Hung Yen s Department of Science and Technology and the Investip Company.

Distinctive for their gigantic drumsticks, ong Tao chicken have heavy figures, thick skin and red meat.

The delicacy has long been popular among gourmet groups across the country.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM Citys Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union on Sunday kicked off Youth Month with social activities in the citys 24 districts.

The programme, whose theme is HCM Citys Youth Develops a Civilised City and New Rural Areas, promotes the role of youth in socio-economic development.

It has attracted thousands of members, including young people, public servants, soldiers and students at schools and universities in the city.

The 2017 Youth Month for volunteer groups will focus on repairing electrical systems, publicising the importance of fire prevention and fighting, teaching survival skills, maintaining traffic safety, building parks without rubbish, and creating green projects in residential areas.

After the opening ceremony, a group of young people collected rubbish on small lanes to create a clean atmosphere for residents in District 4.

Besides collecting rubbish, they installed lights, painted walls, took out advertisements, planted trees, decorated locals houses, and visited families subject to the Governments preferential policies, the poor and disadvantaged elderly.

The programme also encourages residents to keep hygienic quarters, practice fire prevention, and promote food safety.

Another group of young people, who have skills in various scientific fields, have launched training activities, including the teaching of animal breeding and farming techniques to residents in five outlying districts.

Continuing with the Green Sunday campaign, 1,300 young people of the citys Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, High Command, Ministry of Public Securitys special police battalion No 2, Steering Centre of Urban Flood Control Programme cleared out waste, rubbish and water hyacinths in the Cau Suoi Canal in Binh Chanh Districts Vinh Loc B Commune.

Le Thanh Liem, deputy chairman of the citys Peoples Committee, took part in the activity at the canal.

About 500 metres of the canal were cleared of water hyacinth within two hours.

2017 Youth Month celebrates the 86th founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. It will end on March 31.  VNS




BINH DUONG  Enterprises in Binh Duongs southern industrial hub are seeking 22,700 workers to participate in a job fair held on Sunday.

According to Nguyen Thanh Phuong, deputy director of the local job service centre, participating firms need over 22,700 labourers - 21,000 manual workers and over 1,600 professionals.

The enterprises are offering over VN5.5 million (US$240) per month to manual workers and a salary for professionals determined by the role and qualifications.

Huynh Vinh Quang, representative of Phonak Viet Nam Company, said the company recruited new workers monthly to meet the companys production demand.

The company also had a policy to support a portion of tuition for workers children under 5-year-old, Quang said.

Other firms attending the fair are also offering interesting supporting policies to attract more workers.

Labour situation in Binh Duong Province has been relatively stable following Tet (Lunar New Year) festival compared with the previous years.

This is the third fair held in the province so far this year.

Located in the southern key economic region, Binh Duong is a leading Vietnamese industrial hub.

Currently, industry makes up 63 per cent of the localitys economy.

Thanks to its improved investment environment, Binh Duong has attracted $25.7 billion in foreign investment, with $2.4 billion in 2016 alone.  VNS
Florida Welcome Centers

Planning a visit to Florida? Be sure to stop by one of the state's welcome centers for information, maps - and a free cup of Florida citrus juice.

Since 1949, millions of auto travelers entering Florida along the major thoroughfares have found a warm greeting at the Official Florida Welcome Centers. In addition to the traditional cup of complimentary Florida citrus juice, these visitors have found friendly, informative staff people and a vast assortment of brochures promoting all the state has to offer.



Today, that tradition continues at the Official Florida Welcome Centers located on I-10 west of Pensacola, I-75 at Jennings (near Lake City) and I-95 north of Yulee (near Jacksonville). Another center is located at the west entrance of the State Capitol Building in Tallahassee. Each center is staffed by personnel who have undergone rigorous training to receive national Information Specialist certification. Along with in-person information, Welcome Center visitors learn about the states diverse destinations.



In an effort to build on the success of our hospitality and demonstrate our desire to further welcome visitors traveling with small children, each of the three highway Welcome Centers has a designated area for visitors traveling with children. VISIT FLORIDA Kid's Corner offers a "play" area to educate and entertain the children.



The Official Florida Welcome Centers also provide Official Florida Transportation Maps to all visitors (or click here to order a map and VISIT FLORIDA Magazine in advance of your visit).



Our highway Welcome Centers offer clean, well maintained restroom facilities and all are handicapped accessible. Vending machines and payphones are on-site. Designated areas in each parking lot accommodate large bus, RV and truck parking.
WATERLOO  A 85-unit senior housing project in downtown Waterloo has changed hands.

Cedar River Tower, built by a union local representing former Rath Packing Co. workers in 1986, has been purchased by Chesapeake Community Advisors of Baltimore and Trinity Village Nonprofit Housing Corp. of Muskegon, Mich., from Cedar River Housing Corp.  the entity that had owned it since its foundation.

Mercy Loan Fund of Denver, Colo. provided financing for the transaction, which closed Jan. 26.

The new owners say improvements are planned for the community room, the office, furniture and the fire system. Over the course of 10 years, they also plan on updating the unit bathrooms and kitchens.

CCA is thrilled to partner with Mercy Loan Fund and Trinity Village Non-Profit Housing Corp. on our seventh affordable housing development, said David Prout, president of Chesapeake Community Advisors. The financing provided in partnership with MLF supports our efforts to provide a safe, decent housing resource for the elderly residents of Waterloo

The nine-story high rise complex was built in 1986 by Local 46 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, the local which represented unionized Rath Packing Co. employees on a site purchased from the city of Waterloo.

Rath liquidated in 1985. It was built for retired Local 46 members as well as elderly and disabled people and those who met federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines. It was built with a federal loan and low-income housing tax credits. Residents were to pay no more than 25 percent of their income toward rent under HUDs Section 8 program.

CCA has completed a renewal process under which the community is now required to remain affordable until at least 2036. It has served as a development consultant for more than 75 developments in 15 states. Trinity Village and Community Non Profit Housing Corp. (Trinity) collaborates with the Church of God in Christ congregations and community organizations throughout the United States to develop high quality, affordable housing and rebated support services in targeted urban areas, according to a press release announcing the transaction.
OSAGE  Many brides today are seeking nontraditional locations, dresses, colors and invitations for their special day. In addition, many are starting to choose a nontraditional officiant to oversee the big day.

Thats where Osage resident Jerry Myers can be of assistance to the bride-to-be, with his business, Reverend SCARYjerrys Wedding and Event Service.

Myers said he decided to become a licensed wedding officiant after receiving a call from a high school friend who was getting married.

One day, I got a call from a guy who was a very good friend in high school, asking me to meet him at the local courthouse, because he was getting married. He wanted me to be there for the event. Myers said. I asked him why he was getting married at a courthouse. He said it was because no one would marry him, because he was going to be in a same-sex marriage.

I told him that wasnt right and to wait while I got my license.

Myers went online and decided to receive a license through the Universal Church of Life, based in Modesto, Calif.

That was 2010, when the Iowa Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriages were legal in the state. Since then, Myers has completed close to 200 weddings, mainly occurring between April and September.

He has presided over several same-sex marriages, as well as a Christian-Muslim wedding that occurred in Mitchell County.

Many people are not connected to a traditional church, so I offer a nontraditional, personalized wedding experience, Myers said. I spend time getting to know the couple. I then write something for the couple. I can be as religious or nonreligious as they want.

Locations of ceremonies are typically community centers or outside locations, although he has done a few in a church. Nontraditional locations have included a biker rally and jail. Myers also will dress accordingly for the wedding, even including a sugar mask for one particular wedding.

Something unique that Myers includes in many of his ceremonies is a Celtic handfasting ceremony. It is when a couple will bind their hands together during the wedding ceremony (before, during or after reciting their vows), often to symbolize their connection and devotion to one another.

I always tell couples the day is about and for them, Myers said, and the people who come are there to just watch.

Myers said the thing he has enjoyed most about being a wedding officiant has been the lasting friendships that have developed.

It has expanded my circle of friends and family, Myers said. I may have never met these people otherwise.

One of the most poignant moments for Myers came this past summer when he married Nicole and Jason Brahm. Jason died in a motorcycle accident shortly after the ceremony.

They were a great couple to work with, Myers said. I did his wedding and his funeral three weeks apart. My wife, Erin, and I continue to be very close to Nicole.

That is just one of many stories of friendships Myers has developed over the past seven years.

Myers had joked his tagline was Marry, bury and baptize. Last summer, he did two funerals.

With working full time at Harley-Davidson in Mason City, which includes Saturdays, Myers is not always able to perform a ceremony, so Erin also has become a licensed officiant.

We have done some ceremonies together, he said. We have traveled as far as Des Moines and Minneapolis for ceremonies.
Waterloo

Fire Alarms Feb. 18

Ambulance runs: 24

10:16 a.m., 1119 Kent Circle, assist resident.

1:46 p.m., 2824 Violet Drive, assist resident.

6:42 p.m., Broadway Street and Burton Avenue, automobile accident.

7:17 p.m., 1051 Wisconsin St., assist resident.

9:48 p.m., South Elk Run Road and Osage Road, investigate smoke.

Fire Alarms Feb. 19 Ambulance runs: 18

9:53 a.m., 1104 W. Fifth St., building fire.

12:12 p.m., 3400 Osage Ave., automobile accident.

1:18 p.m., 1114 Virginia St., false alarm.

3:30 p.m., 1307 W. Ridgeway Ave., false alarm.

4:05 p.m., 84 W. Mullan Ave., automobile accident.

4:57 p.m., 209 W. Fifth St., cooking fire.

5:13 p.m., 710 W. Second St., unauthorized burning.

9:09 p.m., 155 Morgan Road, carbon monoxide alarm.

Fire Alarms Feb. 20

Ambulance runs: 21

6:18 a.m., 834 Newton St., assist resident.

7:59 a.m., 1709 La Porte Road, vehicle fire.

9:52 a.m., 1220 N. Barclay St., trash fire.

10:03 a.m., 1719 Kimball Ave., assist resident.

12:58 p.m., 105 Madison St., assist resident.

1:43 p.m., 1051 Wisconsin St., assist resident.

6:42 p.m., 106 E. Third St., false alarm.

Police Log

Taylor Lynn Norris, 18, of 1754 Easton Ave., was arrested Feb. 17 at 1823 Downing Ave. for first-offense operating while intoxicated following a traffic accident.

Bo Matthew Cordes, 21, of 116 E. 15th St., Cedar Falls, was arrested Feb. 3 at the police station for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Officers with the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force found marijuana during an Oct. 20 search.

Darwin Dean harms, 56, of 314 E. Sixth St., was arrested Feb. 3 for third-degree theft. He allegedly took items from CVS, 205 Franklin St.

Timothy John Mackay, 30, of Parkersburg, was arrested Feb. 3 at 1825 Logan Ave. for domestic assault with strangulation, obstruction emergency communication and violation of a no contact order. He allegedly assaulted Brittany Beck on Jan. 26.

Meho Dogic, 52, of 791 Russell Road, was arrested Jan. 31 at his home for domestic assault with strangulation and obstruction of emergency communications. He allegedly assaulted Razija Pivic.

Pedro Arlandris Wiley, 40, of 125 Peek St., was arrested Jan. 30 on Crescent Place for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, violation of the drug tax stamp act and child endangerment. Police found marijuana and $1,772 in cash during a traffic stop.

Cole Steven Headington, 19, of 1939 College St., Cedar Falls, was arrested Jan. 20 on Highway 63 for first-offense operating while intoxicated following a traffic stop.

Aaliyah Renee Wright, 19, of 1021 Grove St., Cedar Falls, was arrested Jan. 20 at the police station for serious domestic assault. She allegedly assaulted Austin Johnson.

Clarence Tejan, 28, of Waterloo, was arrested Jan. 19 at 794 Russell Road for third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief and violation of a no contact order. He was found in the garage at 794 Russell Road.

Cedar Falls

Police Log

Oscar Osvaldo Alonzo, 34, of 125 Southbrooke Drive, was arrested Jan. 8 on Second Street for first-offense operating while intoxicated following a traffic stop.

Matthew William Snyder, 29, of 2260 Independence Ave., Waterloo, was arrested Jan. 24 in the 1700 block of Lincoln Street for third-degree theft and trespassing. He allegedly took tires from Aikeys Auto.

Raymond Earl Holmes, 65, of Waterloo, was arrested Jan. 7 at 6301 University Ave. for third-degree theft. He allegedly took $84 worth of items from Hy-Vee.

Kerston Moore, 31, of 3951 Valdez Drive, Waterloo, was arrested Jan. 28 on Highway 20 for first-offense operating while intoxicated following a traffic accident.

Guy Robert Ray, 23, of 1202 Williston Ave., Waterloo, was arrested Jan. 28 at Sixth and Washington streets for first-offense operating while intoxicated and fourth-degree theft following a traffic stop.

Danny Terrell Louis, 30, of Waterloo, was arrested Jan. 28 in the 4600 block of University Avenue for first-offense operating while intoxicated following a traffic accident.

Bradlee Joe Rasmussen, 20, of 1108 Garnet Road, was arrested Jan. 28 for domestic assault with strangulation, serious domestic assault and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. He allegedly assaulted Mariah Gartley.

Black Hawk County

Sheriffs Log

Christa Lynn Bauer, 29, of Cresco, was arrested Feb. 20 at West Seventh Street for third-offense operating while intoxicated and possession of methamphetamine.

Lester Edward Lee, 37, of Waterloo, was arrested Feb. 7 at the jail for aggravated assault. He allegedly assaulted Jovida Owens on Dec. 20.
The next generation of rodeo stars was on full display in Billings over the weekend with riders and ropers as young as 3 years old competing in the Big Sky Little Britches Rodeo near Laurel.

The rodeo series is in its third year at Millers Horse Palace after the National Little Britches Rodeo Associations decadeslong absence from Montana. Organizer Jami Howell has two children competing and decided to bring a chapter of the national rodeo organization back to Montana to give kids an opportunity to compete against talent from other states.

We had so many times the Montana kids, when they qualified for nationals, never saw out-of-state competition, Howell said.

The rodeos fill a gap in many young athletes schedules. It serves as a warm-up for the junior high school and high school seasons and a good chance to keep riders and horses in shape.

When most kids are taking it easy and letting their horse get fat, these kids are out riding in the snow, Howell said.

Bailey Benson is a 13-year-old Laurel Middle School eighth-grader who participated in three events on Sunday, including pole bending, breakaway and goat tying. Benson said its her first year in Little Britches but shes been riding her whole life and competes in junior high rodeo. The increasing talent pool at the Horse Palace events and the practice for the spring rodeo season attracted her to the Little Britches event.

Its starting to get a lot tougher since the girls from Canada and Wyoming are coming, she said.

Last year the Little Britches rodeos at the Horse Palace hosted an average of 40 kids of all ages. This year 120 riders and ropers are competing in the indoor arena. Some of them drive 12 hours to enter the rodeos and hail from Canada and states including Colorado, Wyoming and Minnesota.

Others are competing a few minutes from home.

Makenna Tobel, a 6-year-old from Joliet, won her first belt buckle in the last Little Britches rodeo held the weekend of Feb. 4. Tobel was happy to wear her trophy while competing on Saturday and Sunday. She said her times really starting falling when she got her new quarterhorse, Patti.

Shes a really nice horse, Tobel said. She likes me a lot.

Patti and Tobel compete in the Trail Hand division for cowboys and cowgirls 7 years old and younger. But the rodeo is open to kids up to 18 years old. For more information on the local series and upcoming events, visit www.bigskylittlebritches.com.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man who is serving prison time for robbing a grocery store at closing time is now also convicted of robbing a fast food restaurant at closing time.

Jurors deliberated for just over two hours on Monday before finding 22-year-old Jessie Lee Mathews guilty of first-degree robbery in the April 2014 holdup at Burger King on Jefferson Street.

As Mathews left the courtroom in handcuffs following the verdict, his attorney, James Moriarty, commented to him about filing an appeal.

I dont care, Mathews responded without looking back.

Mathews faces up to 25 years in prison in the case with a mandatory 17 and a half years before he can be considered for parole. Sentencing will be at a later date.

One of the pending issues will be whether the time will be added to a 10-year sentence Mathews is currently serving for second-degree robbery for allegedly using a BB gun to stick up the owner of the former Byron Supermarket as she left with the night deposit in October 2014.

In the fast-food heist, Prosecutor Brad Walz said an accomplice, Charles C.J. Jenkins entered Burger King shortly before closing, ordered a hamburger and used the sandwich to prop open an emergency exit. After closing, Mathews, Tyler Qualice Chandler and another person  two of them armed with handguns --- entered the store, beat the assistant manager and fled with cash, Walz said.

Investigators found Jenkinss DNA on the leftover sandwich, and although store employees couldnt identify Mathews, other witnesses said he was involved.

At trial, Moriarty challenged the witnesses credibility. Trial began Feb. 21, and testimony ended on Friday.

Chandler was convicted during a July 2016 trial and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jenkins pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree robbery on Friday and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a seven-year minimum before parole.
CEDAR FALLS  Collective bargaining changes recently signed into law for Iowas public employees were colorfully illustrated, literally, as Cedar Falls Community Schools exchanged initial proposals last week with two staff groups.

Adrian Talbot, director of human resources, distributed color-coded sheets containing the districts initial proposals to representatives of the bargaining units during meetings Wednesday and Thursday.

The highlighted sections helped delineate subjects that are permissive and mandatory for bargaining as a consequence of changes in the law, said Talbot. Subjects that are newly excluded from bargaining had a line drawn through the words.

Negotiations got underway with the Cedar Falls Educational Support Professionals, which represents 177 general and special education para-educators, library para-educators, and building secretaries. Bargaining also began with Teamsters Local 238, which represents 47 employees including various custodial positions, groundskeepers, mail deliverers, laundry workers, warehouse workers, plumbers, painters, carpenters, technicians, and electricians. New contracts based on the negotiations will go into effect July 1.

The proposal to the CFESP contained the table of contents from the current contract. Five of the 14 articles making up the contract had a line through them  dues deductions, insurance, transfer procedures, procedures for staff reduction and evaluation procedures. All are now excluded from bargaining.

Seven other articles and the appendix listed on the contents page were highlighted in green as permissive subjects, which means both sides can negotiate these items if it is mutually agreed, said Talbot. Only article 3, salaries, was highlighted in yellow. Legally, that would be the only thing wed be required to bargain, he added.

We were hoping that some of the things that are permissible would be placed in a memo or the handbook, said John Grider, CFESP chief negotiator, in hopes of retaining the items.

District officials did not propose eliminating the permissive subjects and suggested opening up articles on work hours and grievance procedures for negotiations. In addition, they proposed a 15-cent per hour wage increase for current employees. Base rates for new employees would rise by about 50 percent of that amount, or eight cents per hour. Current base rates range from $10.38 to $11.58 per hour, depending on the job classification.

The union proposed a two-year contract with a 50-cent per hour increase for existing employees each year. A 25-cent per hour increase was proposed for base wages.

To maintain the good people we have and to bring more good people in, we need to have a good settlement this year, said Grider.

District officials also proposed a 15-cent per hour increase for existing employees in the Teamsters Local 238 union, and a 14-cent increase in hourly base wages. Current base rates range from $13.50 to $18.53 per hour.

The union is in the midst of a two-year contract and was only planning to bargain on wages and insurance this year. As a result of the changed law, though, the union only proposed a 75-cent hourly wage increase for existing employees. Under the proposal, base wages for new employees would remain unchanged from the current contract.

Along with striking insurance provisions, the districts proposal noted a series of permissive items, but didnt remove them. We see no reason to to do that, thats why theyre still there, said Talbot.
WATERLOO  A 60-year-old statue honoring Waterloos five Sullivan brothers killed while serving in the Navy during World War II has completed another voyage.

The memorial, with a 2 1/2-ton base engraved with the brothers names, is topped by an Italian marble Roman Catholic statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace. It has been relocated to an outdoor chapel on the grounds of Columbus High School, 3231 W. Ninth St.

Shes home, sighed 1980 Columbus graduate Ed Hau, a member of Waterloo Knights of Columbus Council 700 and a former council grand knight. The statue was moved from Council 700s current location on Locke Avenue as that building is for sale.

A small group of students and current and former faculty gathered to watch as crews from Emerson Crane Rental in Waterloo and Black Hawk Memorial in Cedar Falls lowered and situated the statue in place last week. A formal dedication is anticipated later this spring.

Hau helped engineer the statues 2010 restoration and first relocation, to the K of C hall from the grounds of the former St. Marys Catholic Church at East Fourth and Parker streets, the Sullivans home parish, which closed as a worship site in 2003.

The statues relocation is of special significance to longtime Columbus history teacher Gary Schnieders. He was a 10-year-old altar boy at St. Marys during a Mass when the statue was dedicated there in 1956. He also teaches world history and, for more than a decade, has taken his Advanced Placement European History students to tour World War I and World War II battlefields in western Europe each spring. Another trip is planned next month.

Its part of Catholic education, Schnieders said of the statue, noting the Sullivans attended St. Marys elementary school before going to public East High School. But more importantly, for these young people, it is a symbol of what sacrifice means. Its not just a statue. Its what it represents.

So Im real excited to have it here. It represents parents who saw their sons give up their lives for their country. Five young men, parents, who in my mind went above and beyond. They gave everything for the country. For our freedoms.

George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert Sullivan, the sons of Thomas and Alleta Sullivan, died when their ship, the cruiser USS Juneau, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sunk on Nov. 13, 1942, as it and other battle-damaged U.S. ships were returning from the naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

All but 13 of the Juneaus crew of 700 perished, including all five Sullivans. It was the greatest combat-related loss of life by one family at one time in U.S. military history.

Many Juneau sailors survived the actual sinking but died of wounds, exposure or shark attacks in the days that followed, including George Sullivan, according to most survivor accounts.

According to an April 15, 1956, Courier article, the statue was imported from Italy and is made of rare Carrara marble. It was purchased with funds contributed by Sullivans throughout the nation to honor the five brothers memory.

The fund drive was started by Sullivans in Boston and spread from there. Contributions were solicited from school children around the country.

When it was announced last fall that the Knights of Columbus building would be put up for sale, longtime Columbus math teacher Dave Will and student government leaders suggested the Sullivan statue be brought there.

Kelly Sullivan, a Cedar Falls elementary school teacher and granddaughter and grandniece of the Sullivans, said, upon hearing the statues move had been completed, Awesome. Columbus is the perfect place for her.

It belongs here, Schnieders said. The kids are going to see it. Itll be a learning experience. I know one class wholl be coming out here  his.

Another Catholic memorial at the Knights of Columbus hall, the Teardrop Memorial to the Unborn, also has been relocated to a prominent spot at Mount Olivet Catholic cemetery on West Fourth Street in the southwest part of the city.
DES MOINES  If and when he leaves office to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to China, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will see an increase to his six-figure salary, will remain eligible to receive a five-figure state pension and also could become eligible for a federal pension, according to state and federal officials.

Branstad, the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, has been paid an annual salary of $130,000 each of the past five years, according to state data.

Once he becomes ambassador, Branstad will stop receiving his state salary, and instead, he will be paid a federal salary between about $170,000 and $187,000, according to a U.S. State Department spokesman.

Branstad also will remain eligible to collect a state pension from his first stint as governor and time as lieutenant governor and a state legislator, a state official said. That pension, in recent years, has been valued at about $50,000, according to his tax returns.

That would push Branstads annual compensation, with the combination of federal salary and state pension, above $200,000.

U.S. ambassadors also can receive various allowances, such as cost of living.

Whats more, Branstad also could, depending on various factors, become eligible for a federal pension from his job as ambassador.

Branstad would not receive a second, separate pension for his second stint as governor, the state officials said.

Branstads spokesman declined to comment on the governors current and future compensation, but he said the governor is grateful Iowans have elected him to serve the state.

Gov. Branstad is humbled that a farm kid from Leland would have the opportunity to serve Iowans for over 22 years as their governor, spokesman Ben Hammes said in an emailed statement. He is also thankful for the friendships he has made in all 99 counties and grateful for the prayers from Iowans who have encouraged him as he transitions to become the U.S. Ambassador to China.

Branstads nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as ambassador to China is yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, although that generally is considered a formality and a matter of time. Once confirmed, Branstad will resign as Iowas governor, a post he held from 1983 to 1999 and again since 2011.

The head of the states largest public employee union has criticized Branstad for simultaneously collecting a state salary and pension.

When asked about Branstad remaining eligible for a state pension while serving in a federal role, Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61, once again criticized Branstad. He referred to recent changes signed into law by Branstad that significantly weakened public employees collective bargaining rights.

Gov. Branstad has proven his uncanny ability to disparage public employees while reaping their benefits in the same breath, Homan said in an emailed statement. How hypocritical of us to send an ambassador to China to encourage the advancement of workers rights when he has just decimated the rights of over 180,000 workers in Iowa.

Branstad has earned more than $2 million in salary over his 24 calendar years as Iowas governor, according to state data. He became the states first million-dollar governor, in terms of career earnings, during his first stint, in 1999.

Branstads salary of $130,000 was just less than the national average in 2016, according to the Council of State Governments.

The highest-paid governor in 2016 was New Yorks Andrew Cuomo at $179,000, according to the councils report.
CEDAR FALLS  City officials are looking for ways to handle its engineering workload with the departure of two senior members of that staff.

City Engineer Randy Lorenzen said he plans to retire at the end of March after 27 years with the city. Michelle Sweeney is leaving effective Tuesday after nine years with the city to take a position with the AECOM engineering firm in Waterloo.

The departure of more than 35 years experience comes as the city has several major road projects in various stages of preparation, in addition to the ongoing construction of University Avenue, and a major interceptor sewer project beginning.

Cedar Falls Community Development Director Stephanie Houk Sheetz, who oversees the engineering division, said city staff will make a presentation to the City Council soon about managing that workload.

We have the City Engineer job posting out, seeking applications by March 8, Sheetz said. Matt Hosford is a licensed professional engineer and a Civil Engineer III with us, just as Michelle is. Chase Schrage is also on our engineering staff.

City Administrator Ron Gaines also is a professional engineer and previously served as city engineer.

We are reviewing our 2017 construction season projects list in light of these changes and the timing, to develop a plan, Sheetz said.

The city typically evaluates its staffing needs following such turnover, Sheetz said, but the city plans to fill the city engineer post, as required.

The city has many projects in the works  the reconstruction of West First Street, the extension of Greenhill Road, the proposed Highway 58/Viking Road interchange and the Dry Run Creek sanitary sewer project, in addition to University Avenue. Theres also the annual street and sewer rehabilitation and maintenance programs.

But the city also has been utilizing consulting firms on several of those projects in addition to city staff, and Iowa Department of Transportation staff is handling the 58/Viking interchange.

All the projects will keep moving forward, Sheetz said, noting their timing and staging is relatively staggered.
DES MOINES  The problems to be solved by an election bill under consideration by Iowa lawmakers dont exist and are not likely to be issues in the future, either, speakers told a House panel Monday.

We dont understand what problem you are trying to fix, Connie Ryan of the Interfaith Alliance for Iowa Action Fund told an Iowa House State Government Committee panel.

Specifically, she said, the alliance opposes the bill because of its proposed signature verification and voter identification requirements.

When the people go to the polls and they have to prove who they are, that goes against the grain of what we are as a nation, she said. We dont have a voter fraud issue in the state of Iowa and it makes no sense to put in provisions that would limit peoples ability to vote.

State Government Committee Chairman Ken Rizer, R-Cedar Rapids, has acknowledged voter fraud is not a large problem in Iowa. But he rejects the argument that is reason enough to stop going ahead with the bill.

If Iowa wants to remain a state with the most secure elections, then changes proposed in HSB 93 are needed to protect election integrity, he wrote in a newsletter to constituents.

Rizer said the bill, which the State Government Committee will take up today, would strengthen Iowas election integrity, encourage the use of new voting technology, provide a system of checks and balances to ensure voter identity fraud is not occurring and align some of Iowas voting regulations with many of the states Midwestern neighbors all without suppressing or infringing voter rights.

However, speakers at the hearing werent convinced of the need or that the bill wouldnt suppress voting.

Although there is a gut level feeling voter impersonation is rampant in Iowa, Myrna Loehrlein of the League of Women Voters said studies do not bear out those fears.

There needs to be some provision of replacement for voter ID documents in case they are lost or stolen, Loehrlein said. That was a concern for Laura Hessburg of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, who said abusers often take or destroy personal documents.

Loehrlein was one of several speakers to oppose the signature verification language in the bill. Signatures change over time due to age and disability, she said, and there are no safeguards in the bill to prevent poll workers from targeting specific voters  people of color, for example.

The bill addresses a problem that likely will never exist, added Bill Brauch, a former Iowa assistant attorney general who helped write the states identity theft law.

He warned the plan to mail voter ID cards to the 85,000 Iowans without other accepted forms of voter ID is a potential danger if the cards are mailed to outdated addresses where the voter no longer lives, he said.

Lawmakers also heard from One Iowa Action Fund that transgender Iowans would face barriers because their IDs may not accurately reflect their gender.

The ACLU-Iowa warned HSB 93 would erect barriers for African-American voters. Nationally, about 25 percent of African-Americans do not have acceptable voter IDs, Daniel Zeno said. In Black Hawk County, 27 percent lack adequate IDs. In Scott County, its about 24 percent.Speakers did not offer only criticism. Amy Campbell, a lobbyist for the League of Women Voters, AARP and disability groups, thanked the Secretary of State Office for reaching out to the league. She also liked provisions calling for the expansion of e-pollbooks and post-election audits.
OSAGE -- An Illinois man was hurt in a crash near Osage Sunday evening.

Chaudhary Jitendrakumar, 25, of Woodridge, Ill., crossed the centerline of Highway 9 about 7:30 p.m. and struck a westbound semitrailer driven by Nathan Schrom, 30, of Austin, Minn., near Cameo Avenue, according to an Iowa State Patrol crash report.

The crash was about eight miles west of Osage.

Troopers say the impact tore a wheel off Jitendrakumar's Toyota Camry and rolled his car onto the shoulder. The loose wheel hit a Pontiac Grand Am driven by a Bailey Young, 16, of Osage. She was not hurt.

Jitendrakumar was flown by helicopter to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. His condition was not available Monday.

Schrom also was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.
With the whirlwind flurry of chaotic Iowa and federal politics that started in January, its time to critically assess the situation.

The first step to critical political analysis begins with examining similarities and differences.

Q: What are the similarities of Iowas 2007-2011 and current legislative sessions as well as between the 111th Congress (2009-2011) and 115th Congress that just began?

A: For Iowa, one party controlled the governor, Senate and House, and in D.C., one party controls the presidency and Congress.

For the sake of differences, lets examine Iowa politics first and then discuss D.C. politics.

Iowa

Theres only one difference between Iowas 2007-2011 Democrat-controlled Capitol under Gov. Chet Culver and todays Republican-dominated Statehouse with Gov. Terry Branstad. During 2007-2011, six of the 56 Democrats in the House were centrist Democrats who could shift the partisan vote tally to an even split of 50-50. In todays Republican-controlled Iowa, there are no moderate Republicans as witnessed by their strict party-line voting and absence of bipartisanship behavior.

During 2007-2011, the six fiscally conservative and pro-business Democrats, aptly named The Six Pack, challenged their partys policy and lobbyists who funded the party. The Six Pack did not always follow the party line and worked across the aisle with their Republican counterparts.

Despite the Six Packs popularity by their constituents, these practical-minded public servants did not receive re-election support from Democrats, union lobbyists, bio-diesel industry and credit unions; only one was re-elected.

USA

Similarly, when Barack Obama had Democratic control in Congress from 2009-2011, a lot was accomplished, including the Affordable Care Act, which gave health care coverage to 20 million uninsured Americans. The pendulum swung too far to the left, and Republicans took back the House in January 2011.

Current Iowa and USA political commonalities: Iowas far right-wing legislation has curtailed collective bargaining rights and is trying to expand Big Brother government control over womens health-care rights, voter rights, gender rights and school choice. President Trump is showing us a dizzying flurry of action, sparking significant controversy and turmoil where the quantity of executive orders supersedes quality and reasoned thought.

An examination of the legislative topics presented reveals Republicans in Iowa and D.C. have become the puppets of Americans for Prosperity, a nonprofit group funded by David H. and Charles Koch. The policy issues and bills being advocated in Des Moines and D.C. follow this conservative advocacy group, lock, stock and barrel.

Summary of todays political world:

The likelihood of having centrist politicians again is remote.

The good old days of bipartisanship exhibited by Iowas Six Pack or between Ronald Reagan and Tip ONeill and between Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich are gone.

The lobbyists and political action committees power of the pocket book with politicians supersedes the desires of the common voter like you and me.

Strict party-line voting has become a standard in all legislatures.

A one-party controlled government costs citizens liberties and rights and has rarely, if ever, worked.

Party politics prevail over the we the people.

Conclusion: In order for our diverse views to be fairly represented in a practical, common sense manner, lets vow: 1) never permit one-party control again at the state or federal level. 2) work to put a lid on campaign spending. 3) Support and elect moderate, not political party-, lobby- or PAC-puppet legislators.
When Amy Rice's children attended Lockwood Schools last year, a doctor's appointment during classes would cost kids a big chunk of their school day.

"Then I'm way behind," fifth-grader Quincy Rice said.

Rice and his sister are attending Orchard Elementary this year, where they can duck into a school-based clinic only feet from their classrooms, missing far less seat time. And their older brother, who attends Riverside Middle School, can use the clinic thanks to expanded services this year.

The clinic, a partnership between RiverStone Health and Billings Clinic, was the first of its kind in Billings and one of a few in the state when it opened last school year. It's seen its usage roughly double this year when it expanded from Orchard students and families to include Ponderosa, Newman and Washington elementary schools and Riverside.

"We've used it quite a bit in the last few months," said Amy Rice, who lives near Orchard. "When they're sick, I can call and usually get them in right away, which is nice."

Quincy Rice's favorite topic is P.E., but he prefers math over other academic topics, especially the partner work  something that's irreplaceable if he misses class time.

His mom usually attends appointments with him at the Orchard clinic, but there's no travel time or additional waiting. Good attendance is strongly linked to better academic outcomes.

"Usually I can bring them here and they can go back to class," she said.

Streamlined approach

When the clinic launched, it aimed to provide full care, meeting physical and mental health needs. It hosts a registered nurse, physician assistant, behavioral health counselor and child psychiatrist.

This year, that approach has improved, said Andrea Frangiosa, the physician assistant.

"We were just not working as well-oiled a machine as we could have (last year)," she said. "We've definitely streamlined that process a lot better."

It's included two-way communication with school staff, with referrals from teachers and check-ins from medical staff.

"(If) kids don't show up to school or they don't show up for an appointment ... it's pretty easy to walk down to the office and say, 'how is this kid?''' Frangiosa said.

While it makes sense that a stomachache interferes with learning, a strong body of research documents how past trauma affects students' brain function.

"It affects how we're able to learn," Frangiosa said, citing effects on kids' impulse control. "We have to be able to control our impulses if we're going to sit in a chair and learn all day."

Frangiosa recently held training for teachers at Orchard about small changes in the classroom that can help such students.

Usage

The clinic doesn't handle scraped knees, which fall to the traditional school nurse at Orchard. But if a student has a sore throat and the nurse recommends a strep test, that's where the clinic can step in.

It saves parents a trip to an off-site clinic, and, if the sore throat isn't contagious, students can return to class.

The clinic prefers scheduled appointments, but can usually see students in a pinch for physical aliments.

Part of the challenge for the clinic is getting folks to use it.

"It's a very well-kept secret," said registered nurse Kelli Miller. "We want to get the word out there."

Almost 200 of Orchard's students are enrolled to use the clinic, or about 60 percent of the school. Visits are still mostly by Orchard students, but the inclusion of Riverside and more families has resulted in more teenagers using the clinic.

The clinic expanded into dental services this year, offering Wednesday cleanings and x-rays which handle about five students a day and are usually booked up.

SD2 officials have said they'd like to open another school-based clinic, potentially in the Heights, but school space and funding remain an obstacle.

The clinic doesn't appear to have sparked an increase in clinics across Montana, despite evidence that clinics flourish in rural areas.

Rural expansion

About half of school-based health centers nationally are found in urban schools, but rural areas account for 34 percent of health centers, according to the most recent national census conducted by the School-Based Health Alliance, which assessed centers existing in the 2013-2014 school year. The rest were in suburban areas.

A 2008 study found that a greater number of total students in urban areas used the health centers, but a higher percentage of rural students in each school used them. A 2000 study examining health centers in urban and rural areas in West Virginia found that about twice as many rural students were enrolled to use a health center than students in urban areas, and that enrollment rates more than doubled in schools statewide.

The census found almost 400 more health centers than a 2010-2011 count, and the percentage of health centers in rural areas increased from 27 to 34 percent.

Health centers are stronger priorities in some states than others. West Virginia, New York and Maine all have implemented expansive networks in rural areas, but all also have financial support from the state. About 18 states dedicate state funding to health centers, and about 70 percent of existing health centers receive state money.

The Northern Rockies and Plains had few health centers in the census, but there were more than the previous count. Montana had only one in 2010-11 and South Dakota had six; Idaho, Wyoming and North Dakota had none.

The newer count shows two in Montana, two in Idaho, one in Wyoming and six in South Dakota. North Dakota still has none.

Currently, Montana has some type of school-based health center in Missoula, Libby, Billings and four on the Fort Peck reservation.

Quincy Rice and his older brother, Kevin, spent a rare 60-degree February afternoon on Tuesday at a local skate park. They appear to have kicked the winter sniffles, which had been making their rounds.

Frangiosa chatted with their mother as the family left the clinic Wednesday, inquiring about how the kids were doing.

"We treat children," she said later, "and we treat families here."
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By The Associated Press

Feb. 26, 2017 | LOS ANGELES, CA

By The Associated Press Feb. 26, 2017 | 12:01 PM | LOS ANGELES, CA

Bill Paxton, the prolific and charismatic actor whose many memorable roles included an astronaut in "Apollo 13" and a treasure hunter in "Titanic," has died from complications due to surgery. He was 61.



A family representative issued a statement Sunday on the death but provided no further details.



Paxton, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, appeared in dozens of movies and television shows and seemed to be around when history was made both on and off screen.



As a boy, he was in the crowd that welcomed President John F. Kennedy in Texas on the morning of Nov. 22, 1963, hours before Kennedy was killed in Dallas. As a young man, he worked in the art department for "B'' movie king Roger Corman, who helped launch the careers of numerous actors and filmmakers.



Paxton's movie credits included some of the signature works of the past 40 years, from "Titanic" and "Apollo 13" to "The Terminator and "Aliens."



Paxton brought a reliably human dimension to big-budget action adventures and science fiction. He was, sci-fi fans like to point out, the only actor killed by a Predator, a Terminator and an Alien.



But Paxton, famously genial and well-liked throughout Hollywood, defined his career less by his marquee status than as a character actor whose regular Joes appeared across the likes of "One False Move," ''A Simple Plan" and "Nightcrawler."



One of the industry's busiest actors, Paxton once said the hardest part of his career wasn't the work itself, but the time in between.



"You know all the time I've been in this business which is a long, long time now, I go from having incredible days like shooting the part of Sam Houston and then all of a sudden I'm home and I'm out of work and it's two o'clock in the afternoon, I'm in my boxer shorts watching Turner Classic Movies," he told The Associated Press in 2015. "And all I can tell you is, thank God for Turner Classic Movies and Robert Osborn. "
UNITED STATES  After the widespread attention given to a binding spell action against President Donald Trump, members the Facebook-based group Pagans for Trump began talking about doing a counter-spell. At the same time, it was reported in various media outlets that a group of Christians were planning to pray the hex away .

In describing her own work to counter the binding, Lori Lyttle, a member of Pagans for Trump said, Its a blocking and protection spell. She used black and white candles, incense, and many, many gems, which were all laid out on her altar.

Trump supporter Katie Roberts was also planning to work against the mass binding spell. She said, The collective spell [to bind Trump] will literally be a huge mess. Not to mention they are also attempting to do the same to all who abet him. That would be anyone who supports or helps the President.

Thats an awful lot of people, Roberts added. Their spell has a massive chance of going awry and backfiring.

A video posted to The Daily Mail caught this politically-driven spell conflict unfolding in front of New York Citys Trump Tower. As the binders start their work, a Witch brandishing a mirror begins chanting to reflect it back upon them. Later in the same video and rife throughout its Facebook comments, devout Christians invoke the power of their own god.

Within the greater Pagan community, this entire episode has revived conversations about the ethics of binding, hexing, and other similar magical work. The Wild Hunt highlighted the various arguments in the article President Trump attracts magical ire.

* * *

CANADA  Author and astronomer Charles Ennis, known to many as Kerr Cuhulain, is featured in a new film short called Starry Nights. The film joins Cuhulain, who is the president of the Sunshine Coast RASC, in an exploration of the night sky, reminding us to turn out the lights and look up. The films description reads, Since time began, humans have had a connection to the stars. The heavens shaped our art, philosophy, religion and culture, and gave us a sense of place in the universe.

The film offers an introduction to astronomy through the eyes of Cuhulain, who ties nature and the stars to his own Pagan spirituality. Starry Nights director is Wild Hunt journalist Dodie Graham McKay. She said, Many thanks to all of the amateur astronomers who we met along the way, for letting us peek through their telescopes.

Starry Nights is now available for viewing via the BravoFact website if you live in Canada, and available internationally on YouTube.

* * *

TWH  The U.S. Pagan community is currently in the heart of convention season. PantheaCon, Feast of Lights, the Conference on Current Pagan Studies, and ConVocation are now finished for the year. The next two big conferences to be held are Sacred Space and Paganicon.

Sacred Space is hosted by the Sacred Space Foundation and is held each year in the D.C. region. Organizers describe the event as an annual esoteric conference [] for intermediate to advanced practitioners. They add that the conference specifically features teachers who offer a wide variety of workshops and rituals developed for a more advanced audience. Some of this years instructors include: Apetha, Rev. Patrick McCollum, and Judika Illes. Sacred Space will be held Mar. 9-12 in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

The following week, Paganicon opens its doors in Minnesota. Hosted by Twin Cities Pagan Pride, Paganicon is now in its seventh year. As we reported in December, this years conference will play host to two special guests: Arvol Looking Horse and Sharon Day. The two speakers will help to guide conversations concerning indigenous rights, the conflict at Standing Rock, and other similar topics. Additionally, Paganicon will be welcoming Laura Tempest Zakroff, Michelle Belanger, the Nathaniel Johnstone Band, and Wendy Rule. Paganicon runs Mar. 17-19 in St. Louis Park, near Minneapolis.

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But its not simply a story of brilliant women. The author paints an eye-opening portrait of segregation in the South, and how the black communities banded together to create a whole network of opportunities in business and education which allowed them to excel and achieve despite all the obstacles in their way. Its one of the most moving books Ive read in a long time. It ought to be required reading in schools, for it tells a story in American history thats been hidden for far too long. (The movie is wonderful, tooI highly recommend it!)

We start with Andrea/Cara. This month my reading has been about heroines, though in very different contexts . . . First off, was Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly , the inspiring story of the Black women mathematicians who played such a criticalyet unsungpart in not only the U.S. Mercury and Apollo Space programs, but also in the aeronautic innovations that helped win WWII. Its a truly amazing panorama, with heartwarming (and heartbreaking) stories of the individual women who faced the dual prejudices of race and gender but ultimately triumphed in pursuing their dreams of fulfilling their remarkable talents through courage, grace, grit and the sheer force of their brilliance.

Anne here, reporting on what some of the wenches have been reading during the month of February. I say "some of the wenches" because several of us are storming towards an imminent deadline. And this month we have a lovely mixed bag for you  non-fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, alternate reality, historical and contemporaries.

Totally switching gears, I got an ARC of A Twist in Time by Julie McElwain, a time slip novel which features a a crack female FBI agent who slips through a wormhole" in time in an English castle while pursuing a serial killer and finds herself in the Regency era.

This is the second book (I havent yet gone back to read the first one) so I dont have all the backstory, but basically, she was lucky enough that the castle's Regency owner is a duke whos very interested in science, and he comes to believe her story. Hes made her his ward and while shes desperately trying to figure out how to find the hole to return to modern times, she has to try to learn Regency rules governing what a woman can and cannot dowhich as you can imagine has some amusing scenes. In this book, shes drawn in to helping prove the duke's nephew (the love interest in the book) didnt commit an heinous murder.

Suffice it to say, its a fun read, with a smart, gritty female trying to fit into a totally strange world. The author does a very good job with the Regency manners and rules, and how the heroine works with a Bow Street Runner to solve the crime is well done. The cast of supporting characters is interesting, too. Ill definitely be going back to read the first book, A Murder in Time.

Next is Mary Jo, who says: I'm a huge fan of Lois McMaster Bujold's writing, in particular her wonderful space opera Vorkosigan series, but also her fantasy novels. Her book The Curse of Chalion is one of my all time favorite novels. Now she's writing a series of novellas set in the same world as Chalion featuring young Penric. Three novellas have been published and a fourth is on the way; I assume when LMB has enough, she'll publish a collection of the stories so we can watch Penric's growth.

Here's the description of the first story, Penric's Demon:

On his way to his betrothal, young Lord Penric comes upon a riding accident with an elderly lady on the ground, her maidservant and guardsmen distraught. As he approaches to help, he discovers that the lady is a Temple divine, servant to the five gods of this world. Her avowed god is The Bastard, "master of all disasters out of season", and with her dying breath she bequeaths her mysterious powers to Penric.

Poor Penric! The Temple divine's demon leaps to Penric as the best available host, and he suddenly finds that inside his head is a demon who has lived ten lives--as well as two as a horse and lioness--and they were all female. It's like having a bunch of bossy, ribald aunts trying to run his life. Embarrassing! But also useful since the demon carries the knowledge and experiences of those women. This first story shows how Penric works to come to terms with the transformation of his life, and how he and the demon can become partners. The story is a lot of fun, and it is followed by two more: Penric and the Shaman and Penric's Mission. Penric is a very nice fellow who struggles to do his best on his unexpected path--and his best is very good! I look forward to his continuing adventures.

Also, for those of you who are fans of Lucy Parker's first book, ACT LIKE IT, her second, PRETTY FACE, was released recently. ($3.99) I'd preordered it so it slid neatly onto my Kindle just as I was posting today's blog. I've read 24% and so far it's as sharp and funny as Act Like It.

Next we have Pat Rice who is recommending DIGITAL DIVIDE. Pat says: " Digital Divide is not a romanceI hesitate to even call it urban fantasy or futuristic. Perhaps Alternate Reality. The setting is very much Washington DC. The people are contemporary police and federal agents.

But before the book begins, a mad social scientist had created a brain implant that allows brains to connect with technology automagically. (Just think, and the computer writes your book!)

The experimental program was ended after 500 implants, leaving many of the cyborgs abandoned and/or not functional. Those still operating form an organization that is trying to integrate with normal society. All the cyborgs are people who were once top in their professions. They are now attempting to re-enter a world theyd once conquered when they were fully human.

The protagonist of this book was military intelligence and is attempting to fit in with normal cops. The story is action/adventure, but the cyborgs are fascinatingly human, trying to develop relationships outside of the hive mind. Since characterization is my favorite part of a book, I totally endorse this one!"

Susan King says: Now and then, reading so many historicals and mysteries, I just want the quick energy hit of an enjoyable contemporary, and that's what I found in Sophie Kinsella's newest, My Not So Perfect Life. I'm a Kinsella fan (particularly her delightful, romantic comedy stand-alone novels like I've Got Your Number and Wedding Night - I'm not so keen on the Shopaholic series).

My Not So Perfect Life is one of her best, a fresh, funny and touching read. Katie Brenner is a marketing professional in London whose life isn't even close to perfect, much as she tries. The romance thread in this is truly yummy, but takes a secondary role at times. The real focus is the evolution of a conflict with her boss, the haughty Demeter, that challenges Katie to look beyond perfection to discover compassion--and her own strengths. It's a refreshing, endearing story full of surprises, and I loved it. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Fiona Hardingham, whose reading is scrumptious--and perfect for this.

On the historical side, I picked up an older book, The Book of Kells by R.A. MacAvoy, and I'm happily working my way through it. This is a time-slip tale of an Irish professor and Canadian artist who discover a mysterious portal that brings, first, a girl from ancient Ireland into the artist's bathroom--and shortly enough, brings all of them back to her time. As they travel through early Ireland fighting Viking invaders and looking for a way back to the modern world, the mystical properties of Celtic art spiral into a mystery holding the secret of their destinies. This is an old-school, richly detailed novel, beautifully wrought, and I'm loving it and wondering why I didn't read it years ago!

Anne here. I've been reading books for the RITA competition and also the R*BY competition (from Romance writers of America, and RWAustralia respectively) and thus I can't discuss them. So as a result I don't have as many books to talk about as usual.

I did manage to squeeze in Kristan Higgins' ON SECOND THOUGHT, which was, as always, a very good read. Kristin has the knack of exploring some of the issues that women today face, and somehow manages to do it with a light enough touch that it's an enjoyable and entertaining readand sometimes laugh out loud while still going deep. This is more towards the "womens fiction" end of the spectrum than romance, but still highly recommended.

I've also recently glommed a series by Ilona Andrews, the first two books of which are CLEAN SWEEP and SWEEP IN PEACE. I have the third waiting on my kindle. These are paranormals with an element of sci-fi as well, with aliens and space thrown in. Entertaining, with good characterization and world building, I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series, which is waiting on my kindle. I'll also definitely read more of Ilona Andrews.

Finally I recently reread The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. If you haven't read it, I recommend you try at once. With a very subtle and gently evolving romance, it's really about people in small island community, and reveals through a series of letters from a range of people, a little of what it was like in Guernsey under the Nazi occupation  something I knew nothing about. But it's not a gut-wrenching torrid read  it's heart-warming and uplifting and delightful.

And that's it for us this month. So, over to you, what have you been reading in the last month, and what do you recommend?
A man who escaped a minimum-security lockdown in May and fled to Tennessee will spend an extra year in prison.

"Escape is a serious offense, said South Central District Judge Cynthia Feland as she sentenced the 31-year-old man to one year behind bars. "There have to be serious penalties for that. Because frankly, otherwise it encourages people to engage in the same behavior you did."

Leroy Hollman pleaded guilty to felony escape on Monday morning. He told the judge he fled the Missouri River Correctional Center after he got high.

While you were at the Department of Corrections? Feland asked, incredulous.

I got all freaked out and left, Hollman said.

Though Hollman said hed learned a lesson, Feland gave him a significantly longer sentence than the prosecutor requested. Burleigh County Assistant States Attorney Helene Herauf asked he only serve 90 extra days in prison, with two more years suspended.

Hollman walked away from the farm on May 1 and fled to Newport, Tenn., where he was recovered by Cocke County deputies on May 28. According to law enforcement there, Hollman was in possession of a car and drivers license stolen from Bismarck. He also had some suspected methamphetamine, a vehicle unlocking kit and a BB gun. Hollman has family in that area, according to local authorities.

Hollman indicated in court that he faces four years on probation for charges related to the incident in Tennessee. He was extradited to North Dakota in November and owes about $3,200 in related fees, he said.

When he escaped, Hollman was serving an 18-month sentence for drug possession, theft and giving false information to law enforcement in North Dakota. He was expected to get out of prison in June 2017, according to the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Hollman said he is participating in drug and alcohol treatment in prison.

MRCC is an unfenced, minimum-security facility, located in Bismarck, for inmates nearing the end of their sentences.
MIAMI, FL, February 27, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Communication is an essential tool in business, those who are capable of effectively communicating will achieve more in their working careers.



Florida Business Consulting is keen to promote the power of body language. With signals and messages being shared all day through body language, the firm highlights their top body language hacks to improve overall communication skills:



About Florida Business Consulting: http://floridabusinessconsulting.net/about.html



Be open to new people: Day-to-day in business it is likely that introduction to new people is inevitable. It makes good sense to approach new relationships positively. Burning bridges before they have been built will prove difficult to repair post event. Consciously display open body language, anything ranging from a handshake to a smile will get you off to a good start.



Stand up straight, and relax: Posture is a great way to demonstrate confidence. By slouching, the message of disinterest, insecurity and dislike of the situation or person is portrayed.



Greet the crowd: By addressing a group on an initial entering of a room, it is showing confidence. Mixed with a healthy dose of eye contact and a smile this will encourage people to mirror behaviors and form a closer, relaxed connection.



Angle yourself towards the person you are speaking to: Avoid angling away from the person you are talking to, as it signifies insecurity or mistrust, angling away sends negative signals.



Florida Business Consulting is a marketing and fundraising company located in Miami. The firm specializes in direct sales and marketing techniques on behalf of their clients' brands. The firm can connect with consumers one-to-one through face-to-face marketing techniques which allow them to establish long-lasting and personal business connections between brand and consumer. This often leads to increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty for their clients.



Often the firm's contractors will ask how they can improve their conversion rates on sales; the firm is confident that with proper attention and discipline, incorporating these body language hacks will offer customers a better level of customer experience, and build trust during customer interactions. The firm is committed to developing additional skills in their contractors, to ensure their clients are offered premier representation.



Source: http://www.lifehack.org/316057/23-body-language-tricks-that-make-you- ... y-likeable



Established in 2011, Florida Business Consulting is a privately held marketing and fundraising services company in Downtown Miami. For more information Follow the company on Twitter @FloridaBizC and 'Like' them on Facebook.



# # #
Feb 27, 2017 | By Benedict

Milan-based 3D printing company FABtotum has launched FABUI COLIBRI, an operating system for FABtotum 3D printers. The OS will be in beta for around 40 days, after which it will automatically update with improvements and fixes.

When one thinks of the defining characteristics of the hummingbird, the distinct humming that gives the bird its name is surely up there. Fortunately, Italian 3D printing company FABtotum hasnt named its brand new operating system COLIBRI (Italian for hummingbird) because it hums. Instead, it likens its new OS to the hummingbird because it is light, fast, and stablequalities that can each be found in the tiny avian creature.

FABtotum is the Milan-based company behind the FABtotum Personal Fabricator, an all-in-one fabrication platform for 3D printing, milling, and 3D scanning. Brought to life by an incredibly successful Indiegogo campaign back in 2013, the Personal Fabricator has become a popular consumer-level machine, retailing for 1,289. Since the release of the hybrid 3D printer, FABtotum users have operated their machine through FABUI, a web interface with a dedicated IP address. That, however, is about to change.

Over the last few years, FABtotum and its community of 3D printer users have been busy developing FABUI COLIBRI, a new OS designed from scratch that promises resilience against power failures, fast booting, a full backend redesign, an online plugin repository, built-in gCode help, and much more. As of February 23, the new OS is live in Beta testing, with a working version to be released in around 40 days.

So just what does COLIBRI have in common with the hummingbird, again? According to FABtotum, the new operating system is light, in the sense of taking up little storage, just 150 MB; it is fast, booting up in 60 seconds the first time and around 15 seconds on subsequent occasions; it is also stable, with a precisely engineered recovery method that protects against loss of files.

COLIBRI also comes with a bunch of useful new features, including new algorithms for print management, a pause function, virtual visualization, improved 3D scanning, and the ability to both update and downgrade both software and firmware should they need to. A revamped skin retains many of the features of the old interface, but with a sharper focus on the most commonly accessed areas.

Since the FABtotum 3D printer is largely open source, the Italian 3D printing company has provided COLIBRI with a dedicated area for custom heads and plugins. This should give developers the chance to build their own FABtotum software additions, while a new Head Development Kit offers support on the hardware side.

The FABUI COLIBRI, also known as FABUI 1.0, is ready to be downloaded and tried, FABtotum says. After a first round of [feedback], it will then pop up as [an] update for everyone. As said, it is a major change but will still work on every existing unit.

FABUI COLIBRI is designed to work with FABtotum 3D printers only.

Posted in 3D Software

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by Amanda Beth Peery



In Pliny the Elder's Natural History, he describes a fourth-century BC painter, Apelles of Kos, as superior to all other painters. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Apelles "continues to be regarded as the greatest painter of antiquity even though none of his work survives." How is it possible that the artist seen as the greatest painter of all of antiquity is one who left no surviving works? One possibility is that his fame has been expanded by myth and time, and with no works left to show the truth, his skills have been inflated beyond their due. That's probably true, but I believe there's another, more legitimate reason for Apelles' reputation. Apelles' artoften conveyed through the descriptions of ancient writers like Plinyhas engendered other art. One way of measuring the greatness of a work of art is to ask whether it gives rise to other works, or to say it differently, whether or not it inspires.

Apelles of Kos was the court painter of Macedon under Alexander the Great. Pliny recounts various stories about him, many of them gems. In one, Apelles comes to Egypt, then ruled by one of the Ptolemies (the first Ptolemy, I think) whom Apelles once knew. A court jester invites Apelles to a feast at the royal palace, but unbeknownst to Apelles, Ptolemy has long harbored a hatred for the artist and the pharaoh is enraged to see him at the feast. Ptolemy commands Apelles to tell him who invited him. Apelles, who never knew or doesn't remember the jester's name, picks up a piece of charcoal from the cold hearth and begins to draw the jester's face on the palace wall. Within just a stroke (or two), Ptolemy recognizes his jester. Apelles has captured the jester with just a single line.

Apelles is famed not only for his superior skill but also for his dedication to his art. Pliny attributes to Apelles the phrase "nulla dies sine linea," or "not a day without a line," because the artist worked every day. Apelles exemplified the artist's lifestyle and was so respectable and respected that he could speak out against Alexander the Great himself. In one story, Alexander is sitting for a portrait expounding his theories on art, going on at length, until the artist quietly begs him to stop because the boys grinding the colors will laugh at him. We don't know what Alexander was saying, but by stopping him, Apellesin his innocenceasserted the artist's superior knowledge of the craft and maybe even the way of seeing and ways of creating that artists are able to access. Alexander, who had been tutored by Aristotle (who was tutored in turn by Plato, who was tutored by Socrates) cannot rival Apelles'or the color-grinding boys'intimate knowledge and experience of art. In this story Apelles rejects the very sources of knowledge in the West. He is insisting that there is another type of knowledge. Or he is insisting, at least, that there are other things to know.

***

At the risk of being an Alexander, I want to talk about what makes art good or true. One way to tell good art from the rest, I think, is that it inspires other artists.

The idea that art is immortal and immortalizing is common in the history of art and literature. In epics like Beowulf, for example, the names of heroes are sung to commemorate their brave deeds, and they are thus immortalized. Their stories are twisted and made enchanted over time, and their names have different sounds on modern tongues, but they live on in some form in surviving epics. When authors' names began to be passed down with their works, they too began to seek immortality, or at least inhuman longevity, by creating works that lived on after their death.

But more important than immortality is that a work of art give rise to others, that it passes some small light along and drives people who see it to write, sculpt, paint, or compose. It's possible that this is the only way that art can begin to approach immortality. Immortal things can live in a glass box slowly, eternally withering, but art, I think, is not immortal in the same way. Instead, it carries a certain immortal madness in it that passes from the mind of one artist to another. This madness is what drives artists to rival the gods by daring to create. Or, in today's more banal formulation, it is what we might call "inspiration." Art begets art.

When Apelles was asked why he "touched and retouched his paintings so continually" he said, "I paint for eternity." This quote survives while none of his art does. (Some of his paintings were supposedly destroyed in a fire in Caesar Augustus's mansion on Palatine Hill). But his paintings were described by Pliny and by Lucian, and some of them were painted again centuries later, during the Renaissance.

Using the famed concubine Campaspe as a model, Apelles painted Aphrodite raising from the sea, wringing her hair, with silver water droplets veiling around her. According to Pliny, "time and damp" eventually destroyed Apelles' Venus Anadyomene after first washing away the lower half (as though Aphrodite were being gradually reclaimed by the sea). When just the lower half was destroyed, no one with the necessary skill could be found to restore the painting. Some sources say that this was not Apelles' only painting of Aphrodite rising from the sea and wringing her hair. He began another, also using Campaspe as a model, but died before he could finish it. This second Venus Anadyomene was said to be even more beautiful than the first. Apelles left only an outline.

Apelles' beautiful painting, as it was described by ancient writers, was a source of inspiration for Botticelli's Birth of Venus. Maybe, with Botticelli, a painter of the requisite skill was finally found, and the destroyed painting or the unfinished painting could be finished. This was not the only one of Apelles' paintings that Renaissance artists brought back to life from ancient writers' descriptions. Botticelli, for one, also painted "The Calumny of Apelles," basing his version of the allegorical painting on Lucian's description of the original.

Is it possible that the whole history of art is a series of collaborations over time? Maybe this is only true of great art; that great works are not the product of a single mind but grow over time through the work of many hands and many imaginations. In Moby Dick, Ishmael says "For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand one, true ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draughtnay, but the draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!"

I wrote earlier that Botticelli might have finished Apelles' ruined or unfinished Venus. But maybe that's not where the line ended. Maybe the many artists who have been inspired by Botticelli's goddess have continued in an unending process of creation, with the painting taking different forms over time, some morphing so that the goddess is only a hint or a shade, but all, when they are successful, somehow passing on some quality of its exquisite beauty or its glory, or something else at the heart of it.

Jorge Luis Borges writes about how works of art are passed along to other works, sometimes through the medium of dreams. In "The Dream of Coleridge" he writes about Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan." Borges tells the story, based on the poet's own account, of how Coleridge fell into an opium dream while reading about the thirteenth-century Mongolian emperor Kubla Khan's summer palace. Coleridge woke up with a poem of 200 to 300 lines perfectly formed in his mind. He began to write it. After writing just 54 lines, he was interrupted by a person from Porlock, a nearby town, who had come on business, and when he sat back down to finish the poem, the rest had vanished into the mists of a forgotten dream.

Borges writes that what Coleridge did not know and could not have known was that the palace itself came to Kubla Khan in a dream. A Persian source that described the origins of the palace in the emperor's dream only appeared in the West twenty years after Coleridge published his poem. In Borges' gorgeous essay, the Argentine writer says:

The first dreamer was given the vision of the palace and he built it; the second, who did not know of the other's dream, was given the poem about the palace. If the plan does not fail, some reader of "Kubla Khan" will dream, on a night centuries removed from us, of marble or of music. This man will not know that two others also dreamed. Perhaps the series of dreams has no end, or perhaps the last one who dreams will have the key.

After writing all this, I perceiveor think I perceiveanother explanation. Perhaps an archetype not yet revealed to men, an eternal object (to use Whitehead's term) is gradually entering the world; its first manifestation was the palace; its second was the poem. Whoever compared them would have seen that they were essentially the same.

***

Is it possible that art is the gradual bringing-into-being of eternal objects? The story of Apelles' Venus seems to suggest this theory holds water. In some sources, Apelles' second, more beautiful and unfinished version of the painting was only an "outline." Maybe the ancient description of the painting, another outline, was "essentially the same" as Apelles' work. Maybe even Botticelli's rich recreation was, in its essentials, again the same. (And maybe the third iteration of Kubla Khan's palace was not of marble or of music but appeared in the form of Borges' essay.)

When the caves at Lascaux were discovered, Picasso went to see the prehistoric paintings, preserved from "time and damp" in the caves' long-sealed chambers and passageways. Afterwards, Picasso said, "we have learned nothing in 12,000 years." (Today it is believed that the paintings are closer to 17,000 years old.) Some paintings on the walls of Lascaux bear an eerie resemblance to Picasso's work, painted before the caves were discovered. The resemblance between the cave art and the modern art of the early twentieth century seems clear to me. Maybe this is evidence of eternal objects, or forms, coming into being.

Plato imagined forms that cast shadows against the walls of another cave. Maybe the objects in the Lascaux paintings flickered up like shadows, or maybe they were spirits emerging from the walls, as some archeologists think the prehistoric painters believed. I think it's interesting that these paintings, like Apelles' last Venus, strike some of us modern viewers as outlines. Many of Picasso's paintings, too, have heavy outlines and simple, stylized forms. Maybe these outlines are, in some way, the core or essence of an object struggling into the world. Apelles captured the nature of the jester's face with one or two strokes of charcoal on Ptolemy's wall.

We don't need to believe in the spirit world or in eternal objects to believe that two works of art, separated by time, can struggle to bring the same thingoften the same otherwise inexpressible object or qualityinto the world. I think the art that most often inspires is art that has partially succeeded in bringing something with life in it into the world. But like Alexander, I've been expounding on art in Plato's shadow, and I can only hope that the boys grinding the colors aren't laughing. All I knowor think I knowis that art, when it has life in it, has inspired other artists to risk creating.

***

Amanda Beth Peery is an Assistant Editor of History at Princeton University Press. She has also worked in philosophy, literary criticism, and economics at Harvard University Press.
District 32 Republican Rep. Pat Heinert said his day job prepped him well in the past several years to successfully learn the ropes in the first half of his first legislative session.

He said his past experience testifying before legislative committees and lobbying on behalf of law enforcement organizations while serving as Burleigh County's sheriff provided him with valuable experience prior to taking office.

Heinert, who was elected sheriff in 2006, said one thing he found out quickly is that theres a significant amount of conversations between lawmakers to flesh out bills in committee work rather than during the time for testimony.

Bills hell be keeping an eye on during the second half of the session will be those relating to law enforcement.

Im always watching things that relate to the jails, said Heinert, adding that hell also be watching legislation that relates to mental health services as it relates to corrections.

Heinert serves on the House Education Committee as well as the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

He was the primary sponsor of two bills this session and was a co-sponsor on 14 others. House Bill 1204, relating to youth hunting, passed the House 93-2 while House Concurrent Resolution 3002, a study of correctional facilities, passed 88-1.

Some bills that were of interest to him during the first half included gun legislation through the energy and natural resources committee.

He voted in favor of an amended version of House Bill 1310, which would permit schools to allow trained staff to have a concealed carry firearm. He also favored House Bill 1169 allowing for constitutional carry in the state, allowing those to conceal carry without a government permit.

On House Bill 1169, Heinert was on the fence until a series of amendments he wanted were included in the bill that allowed it to pass the House by an 83-9 vote.

Heinert wanted amendments to allow for those who can carry to be North Dakota residents and have a state-issued identification.

A duty to inform amendment, which requires those with a concealed firearm to immediately inform law enforcement of their status when pulled over or approached by an officer on the street, also was included.

House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, gave high marks to the 24-member House freshman class prior to the mid-session break.

Theyre doing a good job, said Carlson, pointing to a sharp learning curve amid a tight budget situation.

Heinert said the experience has been positive overall, and the House works well in providing mentoring to freshman and adapting new members to the process.

Ive gotten some negative feedback on my choice on an educational standards bill, Heinert said, referring to his vote against House Bill 1432, a bill to eliminate Common Core in North Dakota.

Though hes not in favor of Common Core, Heinert said on the floor hed spoken to multiple teachers working on crafting new standards and found they werent being steered toward any particular types of curriculum and the process has been free and open. This was a deciding factor in his vote.
by Jalees Rehman

The Affordable Care Act, also known as the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act", "Obamacare" or the ACA, is a comprehensive healthcare reform law enacted in March 2010 which profoundly changed healthcare in the United States. This reform allowed millions of previously uninsured Americans to gain health insurance by establishing several new measures, including the expansion of the federal Medicaid health insurance coverage program, introducing the rule that patients with pre-existing illnesses could no longer be rejected or overcharged by health insurance companies, and by allowing dependents to remain on their parents' health insurance plan until the age of 26. The widespread increase in health insurance coverage  especially for vulnerable Americans who were unemployed, underemployed or worked for employers that did not provide health insurance benefits  was also accompanied by new regulations targeting the healthcare system itself. Healthcare providers and hospitals were provided with financial incentives to introduce electronic medical records and healthcare quality metrics.

As someone who grew up in Germany where health insurance coverage is guaranteed for everyone, I assumed that over time, the vast majority of Americans would appreciate the benefits of universal coverage. One no longer has to fear financial bankruptcy as a consequence of a major illness and a government-back health insurance also provides for peace of mind when changing jobs. Instead of accepting employment primarily because it offers health benefits, one can instead choose a job based on the nature of the work. But I was surprised to see the profound antipathy towards this new law, especially among Americans who identified themselves as conservatives or Republicans, even if they were potential beneficiaries of the reform. Was the hatred of progressive-liberal views, the Democrats and President Obama who had passed the ACA so intense among Republicans that they were willing to relinquish the benefits of universal health coverage for the sake of their political ideology? Or were they simply not aware of the actual content of the law and opposed it simply for political reasons?

A recent study published by a team of researchers led by Sarah Gollust at the University of Minnesota may shed some light on this question. Gollust and her colleagues analyzed 1,569 local evening television news stories related to the ACA that were aired in the United States during the early months of when the health care reform was rolled out (between October 1, 2013, and April 19, 2014). They focused on analyzing local television news broadcasts because these continue to constitute the primary source of news for Americans, especially for those who are age 50 and higher. A Pew survey recently showed that 57% of all U.S. adults rely on television for their news, and among this group, local TV new (46%) is a more common source than cable news (31%) or network news (30%).

Gollust and colleagues found that 55% of the news stories either focused on the politics of the ACA such as political disagreements over its implementation (26.5%) or combined information regarding its politics with information on how it would affect healthcare insurance options (28.6%). Only 45% of the news stories focused exclusively on the healthcare insurance options provided by the law. The politics-focused news stories were also more likely to refer to the law as "Obamacare" whereas healthcare insurance focused news segments used the official name "Affordable Care Act" or "ACA". Surprisingly, the expansion of Medicaid, which was one of the cornerstones of the ACA because it would increase the potential access to health insurance for millions of Americans, was often ignored. Only 7.4% of news stories mentioned Medicaid at all, and only 5% had a Medicaid focus.

What were the sources of information used for the news stories? President Obama was cited in nearly 40% of the stories, whereas other sources included White House staff or other federal executive agencies (28.7%), Republican (22.3%) or Democratic (15.9%) politicians and officials. Researchers, academics or members of think tanks and foundations were cited in only 3.9% of the news stories about the ACA even though they could have provided important scholarly insights about the ACA and its consequences for individual healthcare as well as the healthcare system in general.

The study by Gollust and colleagues has its limitations. It did not analyze TV network news, cable news, or online news outlets which have significantly gained in importance as news sources during the past decade. The researchers also did not analyze news stories aired after April 2014 which may have been a better reflection of initial experiences of previously uninsured individuals who signed up for health insurance through the mechanisms provided by the ACA. Despite these limitations, the study suggests that one major reason for the strong opposition among Republicans against the ACA may have been the fact that it was often framed in a political context and understated the profound effects that the ACA had on access to healthcare and the reform of the healthcare system itself.

During the 2016 election campaign, many Republican politicians used the idea of "repealing" the ACA to energize their voters, without necessarily clarifying what exactly they wanted to repeal. Should all the aspects of the ACA  from the Medicaid expansion to the new healthcare quality metrics in hospitals be repealed? If voters relied on the local television news to learn about the ACA, and if this coverage  as is suggested by Gollust's study  viewed the ACA predominantly as a political entity, then it is not surprising that voters failed to demand nuanced views from politicians who vowed to repeal the law. The research also highlights the important role that television reporting plays in framing the debate about healthcare reform. By emphasizing the actual content of the healthcare reform and its medical implications and by using more scholars instead of politicians as information sources, these media outlets could educate the public about the law.

There are many legitimate debates about the pros and cons of the healthcare reform that are not rooted in politics. For example, electronic medical records allow healthcare providers to easily monitor the results of laboratory tests and avoid wasting patient's time and money on unnecessary tests that may have been ordered by another provider. However, physicians who are continuously staring at their screens to scroll through test results may not be able to form the interpersonal bond that is critical for a patient-doctor relationship. One could consider modifying the requirements and developing better record-keeping measures to ensure a balance between adequate documentation and sufficient face-to-face doctor-patient time. The ACA's desire to track quality of healthcare delivery and penalize hospitals or providers who deliver suboptimal care could significantly improve adherence to guidelines based on sound science. On the other hand, one cannot demand robot-like adherence to guidelines, especially when treating severely ill, complex patients who require highly individualized care. These content-driven discussions are more productive than wholesale political endorsements or rejections of the healthcare reform.

Healthcare will always be a political issue but all of us  engaged citizens, patients, healthcare providers or journalists  need to do our part to ensure that this debates about this issue which directly impacts millions of lives are primarily driven by objective information and not by political ideologies.

Reference:

Gollust, S. E., Baum, L. M., Niederdeppe, J., Barry, C. L., & Fowler, E. F. (2017). Local Television News Coverage of the Affordable Care Act: Emphasizing Politics Over Consumer Information. American Journal of Public Health, (published online Feb 16, 2017).
Mark Twain, The Grateful Dead, and Thee Oh Sees hail from three very different centuries. But these artists share something in common besides their San Francisco provenance: They could (or can) all easily buy marijuana in SF. Two of the three could do so legally.



When Twain arrived in the city in the 1860s, San Francisco newspapers carried advertisements for hasheesh candies, sold over the counter at pharmacies on Montgomery Street. By the time Thee Oh Sees formed a decade ago, there were city-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries (some selling knock-you-on-your ass-strength hash candies) all over town. Only the Dead, pioneers of the San Francisco sound during the Summer of Love 50 years ago, had the ill fortune of existing during the 20th Century intermezzo when cannabis was outright illegal. But even then, weed was easier to find in town than a fast-food drive-thru.

San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next Advertisements for hasheesh candy, like this one from The Good Samaritan and Domestic Physician, were quite common in newspapers the 1860s and 1870s. (Courtesy of cannabisculture.com) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next Once known as the Harlem of the West, San Francisco's Fillmore Street was a home away from home for jazz musicians including Louis Armstrong (seated, second from right), who was well known to enjoy the reefer. Armstrong is pictured here at a party in the Fillmore in the 1940s. (Courtesy of the Hall Family) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next When Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead called Haight-Ashbury home, the weed was flowing, however illegally, in San Francisco. San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next In October 1967, the Grateful Dead held a press conference in their San Francisco home in protest of their recent arrest for possession of marijuana. (Courtesy of CNN) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next "Brownie" Mary Rathbun, an SF General Hospital volunteer turned medical marijuana advocate, handed out tens of thousands of illegal pot brownies to patients in need of pain relief during San Francisco's HIV/AIDS crisis. San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next In 1992, Dennis Peron opened the country's first medical marijuana dispensary, San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club, on Church Street, just across Market Street from the original location of The Apothecarium. (Courtesy of marijuana.com) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next A Cannabis Buyers' Club visitors pass. (Courtesy of herb.co) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next Proposition 64 passed in California in November 2016, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in California. Prop 64 is expected to go into effect in January 2018. (Courtesy of Friends of Prop 64) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next In a ceremony at SF City Hall on Feb. 14, 2017, district 8 supe Jeff Sheehy awarded cannabis advocate Dennis Peron an official certificate of honor. (Sari Staver for Bay Area Reporter) San Francisco's History as America's Cannabis Capital Previous Next Twenty-five years since Dennis Peron opened the country's first public dispensary on Church Street, San Francisco is home to a budding generation of cannabis advocates operating sleek, modern dispensaries soon to operate under full legalization for recreational use. (Courtesy of Medithrive)





SF has always been a port town and a boom town: Here, people and goods and contraband and ideas from all over the world meet and coalesce. And whether in candies gobbled by writers, Civil War veterans, and railroad barons, or in "reefers" tucked away in the instrument cases of jazz musicians playing in long-vanished clubs on Fillmore Street, marijuana has been here for almost two centuries.





Few other tonics of life cross lines of culture and class so easilyperhaps only staples like alcohol and caffeine are as indispensable. Black and white, rich and poor, San Franciscans like weed, and we've always been very San Francisco about it. Even before we were able to walk into an art-directed cannabis storefront and browse venture-capital-backed cannabis brands, San Franciscans were weed snobs.





So how did we get here?





On Friday in the Castro, escaping the cold and soggy afternoon outside, a few dozen people huddled under the corrugated tin roof at Cafe Flore doing what they've done here for more than 40 yearssmoking weed. They were celebrating the lifetime achievements of one of the city's leading cannabis advocates: 70-year-old Dennis Peron. It was here in 1973 that Peron, a gay Vietnam veteran, met Mary Rathbun, a divorced single mother who was waiting tables at IHOP. The unlikely pair bonded over a joint (which had just recently been outlawed by Richard Nixon's Controlled Substances Act) and, as journalist Martin A. Lee wrote in Smoke Signals, the definitive social history of marijuana in the United States, their joining led directly to marijuana prohibition's undoing.





San Francisco became the nexus of 1960s counterculture because it was a portal, the point of entry and exit for soldiers on their way to or from Southeast Asia. The marginalized and the ostracized also found a home here. There were more outcasts, freaks, and queers here than anywhere else in the U.S.. When Peron arrived back to the States from Vietnam with two pounds of Thai weed in his duffle bag, SF was the perfect place to settle down and set up shop. Nobody can agree on exactly when the first marijuana merchant started operating out of a storefront in the city, but what became known as "The Big Top"a barely clandestine marijuana emporium located above a health food cafe, which Harvey Milk briefly used as a campaign headquarters in the mid-'70swas one of the first and possibly the least underground of the "underground" dispensaries to spring up a generation ago. These dispensaries, and the cannabis advocates who ran them, would become pivotal caretakers to SF's LGBT community as the HIV/AIDS epidemic took hold here.





In the early 1980s, even as President Ronald Reagan denied the existence of AIDS and baffled health experts struggled to find a cause and a cure, marijuana was one of the few substances that did anything to help AIDS-related wasting syndrome. Mary Rathbun, who volunteered at San Francisco General Hospitalthe first American hospital to open a dedicated AIDS ward, in 1983patrolled Ward 5B handing out tens of thousands of brownies baked with Peron's weed. Famously, she became known as Brownie Marythe two even published a cookbook. Peron, whose lover died of AIDS, had reprised The Big Top with the aim of public health: His San Francisco Cannabis Buyers' Club, opened in a loft at 194 Church Street in 1992, was the first American medical marijuana dispensary.





And so it was, in the 1990s, that 20th Century Americans began to buy the notion known to Western physicians since the age of Queen Victoria: Weed is medicine. From here, it was a rapid and natural progression to the realization that adults should be able to enjoy marijuana in peace, like they always have, no matter what the law said.





Peron now lives in a world he practically doesn't recognizehe didn't support Proposition 64 (the California state measure that legalized the recreational use of marijuana in November 2016) because he believes weed has become too commercialized. Billboards, newspapers, and Instagram are full of advertisements for vape pens and Whole Foodsquality craft cannabis, all of which will be readily available to every Californian over the age of 21 come 2018. But the pioneering advocate has late-stage lung cancer and doesn't expect to live that long. "The doctors said, 'Make it the best year of your life,'" Peron's brother, Brian, told us on Friday.





A few days before, on Valentine's Day, the Board of Supervisors had given Peron an official certificate of honor; the party Friday at Cafe Flore was organized in his honor by the restaurant's new owners. One, Terrance Alan, is a former nightclub owner, party promoter, pornographer, and now chairman of a city-commissioned task force charged with incorporating recreational cannabis into San Francisco's fabric. If Alan has his way, Flore, as it will soon be renamed, will become the first business in town to sell food, coffee, alcohol, and cannabis with a city imprimatur. We think Mark Twain would have approved.





This article is presented by our friends at Medithrive.
Getty Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaways epic fail. The costars of Bonnie and Clyde gave the nights biggest award to the wrong movie. Moonlight went home with the best picture award, but for a few short minutes La La Land got the glory (and acceptance speeches)  because Beatty, it seems, had been handed the wrong card.

Viola Davis emotional thanks. The best-supporting actress paid tribute to her parents, playwright August Wilson, Fences director Denzel Washington, her husband and her daughter. A standout in red Armani, Davis declared acting the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life. An AARP Movies for Grownups winner this year, too, Davis now has an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award. Other Movies for Grownups winners who took Oscar home include Manchester by the Sea director and writer Kenneth Lonergan and La La Land director Damian Chazelle.
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.
File Photo: Activists of Free Balochistan Movement protesting against Chinese involvement in Balochistan.

The message of Hyrbyair Marri, leader of the Free Balochistan Movement, was read by his representative in the British Parliament on 23 February 2017. His message addressed regional concerns, geopolitics, national question of Balochistan, Pakistani terrorism, Iranian terrorism and Chinese role in Balochistan. Free Balochistan Movement is a political movement against the colonisation of Balochistan by Pakistan and Iran.

London, United Kingdom  The message of Hyrbyair Marri, leader of the Free Balochistan Movement, was read in a seminar by his representative on 23 February 2017. The seminar titled History of Balochistan revisited was held in the British Parliament and was organised by the Democracy Forum.

Hyrbyair Marris message read that the Baloch struggle against British Empire to regain their independence is well-known because in 1838 when the British Imperial Army wanted to attack Afghanistan via Balochistan. We, Baloch, refused to allow them to use our land to attack our neighbouring brotherly nation. In retaliation, the British army attacked Balochistan on 13 November 1839 and killed the sovereign of Balochistan, Mir Mehrab Khan along with his Hindu Finance Minister Dewan Bucha Mull and hundreds of others.

He further said in his message that Before the British withdrawal in 1947, Pakistan recognised Balochistan as an independent state in the Standstill agreement signed by Baloch ruler and Pakistans representative Mr Jinnah in presence of the Crown representative. Furthermore, on 11th August 1947, we declared our freedom. The news of our independence was well known. Balochistan relationship with Britain rested on several treaties that were signed between Britain and the rulers of Balochistan. One of these agreements was the 1854 treaty, which was ratified in 1876. Under this treaty, the British could station their forces in Balochistan and in return, they would defend Balochistan from any foreign aggression. He described Britain covert help to Pakistan against Balochistan during 1947-48 as betrayal and violation of the Treaty of 1876.

Mr Marri also raised the question of the validity of the accession treaty which merged Balochistan into Pakistan. He said that the so-called Accession Treaty created in 1948, that Pakistani media and pseudo-intellectuals refer to in their statements and rhetoric are signed on two different dates. Jinnah signed it on one date and Balochistans sovereign on another date. There is no evidence when this agreement was signed, where it was signed, who signed it and in the presence of whom, it was signed. There were no witnesses whatsoever! This is supposed to be an agreement between two states! How more absurd can it be? The fact is, even if you rent a house youll need witnesses and need to sign a tenancy agreement in presence of those witnesses.

His message also highlighted Pakistans human rights violation which were committed against several nations. He said that in 1970-71 Pakistan army killed, displaced and raped millions of Muslim Bengali people. They have destroyed the Pashtun secular democratic movement completely and used their jihadist suicide squad against Afghanistan, the Baloch and many different religious minorities. They launched three major wars against India. In short, the list of their criminal activities is endless. Mr Marri emphasised that a free democratic Balochistan would have been different from what is now under the occupation of the fanatic states of Pakistan and Iran.

He also criticised Chinese presence in Balochistan and said that the outcome of China-Pakistan nexus is not much different from their collaboration with other powers and fundamentalist groups. They use anyone and anything if they can stay in power. Communist China wants to build a naval base in Balochistans coastal city Gwadar which would allow Chinese navy to have full access to the strategic Strait of Hurmuz. Hyrbyair Marris message also highlighted the potential use of Balochistans port against American and Indian interests. He said that it [Gwadar port] will enable the Chinese to build a naval base there to counter Indian and American influence in the region.

Mr Marri also said that Balochistan would be a prosperous nation once it is free from the colonisation. He said that trillions of dollar worth of natural resources have been discovered in Balochistan including gold, copper, titanium, coal, chromite and natural gas. In the end, his message read that a free democratic Balochistan will end Punjabi religious hegemony in the region, which in turn liberate the Sindhi and Pashtuns from the yoke of Muslim Punjabi army. It is then we will have an Afghanistan that is free of Pakistani suicide bombers and religious fanatics.

The seminar was attended by several academics, students, diplomats and media representatives. British parliamentarian Nigel Huddleston MP and Chairman of the Democracy Forum also attended the meeting.

Media Contact

Company Name: Free Balochistan

Contact Person: Press Office

Email: Press@freeBalochistanmovement.org

Phone: 00447459753839

Country: United Kingdom

Website: www.freebalochistanmovement.org
Major policy and fiscal questions are expected to make the second half of the legislative session more complex than the first half, which ended Thursday.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood, has seen a reduction in the introduction of policy bills because most understand the Legislature must work within tight budget constraints.

An updated revenue forecast is set for a March 9 release, and itll provide a clearer picture as to how much deeper cuts will be required.

Proposed amendments to the Public Employees Retirement System budget would change the PERS boards makeup will be a major issue -- one that had been unresolved during the previous legislative session and required lawmakers to return for a special three-day summer session.

I think theres pretty good support for a number of those changes, Delzer said. (But) thatll take some compromise.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, saw the higher education budget weather a smooth process.

Most of the agencies were up front and most were very supportive of the governors budget, Holmberg said.

House Human Services Committee Chairman Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, said his committee has been seeing a fewer number of bills introduced.

A failed bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation was among those that drew the most headlines.

The second half, well have medical marijuana, Weisz said of Senate Bill 2344. We need to make sure its available. Its got to be as safe as possible.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Kelly Armstrong, R-Dickinson, said hes expecting lengthy debate over criminal justice reform, firearms and any Dakota Access Pipeline protest-bills during the remainder of the legislative session. He indicated that attitudes on the part of law enforcement and the public have changed on criminal justice reform and tough sentencing laws.

Weve got to look at making criminal justice more efficient, Armstrong said.

House Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Todd Porter, R-Mandan, said he expects to see lengthy debate over a proposal to create an environmental department with a cabinet-level department head.

Thats kind of a new direction for the state to look at, Porter said.

Senate Finance and Taxation Committee Chairman Dwight Cook, R-Mandan, said the proposed state takeover of funding of county social services funding was a highlight during the first half of the legislative session.

One of the largest bills of the session but was very easy to do, Cook said.

Senate Bill 2206 aims to eliminate the county cap of 20 mills in property taxes to be levied for such programming. Its been sold as a way to provide permanent property tax relief by making a 12 percent state-paid property tax credit passed in recent sessions permanent.

Cooks counterpart in the other chamber, House Finance and Taxation Committee Chairman Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, said there are some concerns with SB2206 the chamber will want to consider.

Im pretty sure well make some significant changes, Headland said.

The primary concern is over the $80 million of the total cost for the biennium to hold each county harmless.

Headland said hold-harmless funding, such as in a similar K-12 formula passed in 2013, tends not to go away. The House may want to create a mechanism to phase out the hold harmless or eliminate it.
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (NYSE:ASX) (TPE:2311) is the world's largest provider of independent semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly and test. The group develops and offers complete turnkey solutions covering IC packaging, design and production of interconnect materials, front-end engineering test, wafer probing and final test, as well as electronic manufacturing services through USI, Inc. As a global leader, ASE provides a complete scope of services for the semiconductor market, driven by superior technologies, breakthrough innovations, and advanced development programs. The ASE Group is co-listed on NYSE (NYSE:ASX) and TSEC (TPE:2311), has 65000 employees globally and a market capitalisation of approximately USD$8bn. http://www.aseglobal.com
International Business Machines Corporation(IBM) (NYSE: IBM). The Group offers customer solutions with the help of advanced information technology. The solutions offered include, singularly or in some combination, technologies, systems, products, services, software and financing. The operations of the Group comprise of three Hardware product segments (Technology, Personal and Enterprise Systems); Global services segment; Software segment; Global Financing segment and an Enterprise Investments segment. The products are licensed under a number of patents that vary in duration. The Group operates in more than 150 countries worldwide and offers the products through its global sales and distribution organizations and third-party business partners. Global services accounted for 41% of 2001 revenues; hardware, 39%; software, 15%; global financing, 4% and enterprise investments/other, 1%.


Half Year Report

Perth, Feb 27, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The directors of Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd ( ASX:LNG ) ( LNGLY:OTCMKTS ) submit their report for the half-year ended 31 December 2016.



REVIEW AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (LNGL or the Company) holds a strong competitive position in the mid-scale LNG industry with our three LNG projects: Magnolia LNG, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA; Bear Head LNG in Richmond County, Nova Scotia, Canada; and Fisherman's Landing LNG, in Queensland, Australia. Our North American projects have successfully achieved milestones that provide indisputable evidence that Magnolia LNG and Bear Head LNG should be at the forefront of supplying the next wave of global LNG demand.



The Magnolia LNG project enters 2017 shovel ready and first in-line to satisfy demand for new LNG supply. Our team is solely focused on completing our marketing of Magnolia LNG's offtake capacity in order to take FID (a financial investment decision). The project has all required US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and US Department of Energy (DoE) permits and approvals, has construction price certainty through its industry competitive LSTK engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract price with KSJV (a KBR - SKE&C joint venture led by KBR), certainty of gas supply, equity via a commitment from Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, and a debt financing process led by BNP Paribas.



For LNG buyers attempting to determine which US greenfield LNG project is most likely to succeed and thus to contract with, you must look no further than Magnolia LNG. Once bankable offtake is sold, Magnolia LNG will move straight to financial close and construction. The project has no other obligations to meet. As LNG developments are considered, Magnolia LNG is the most viable greenfield liquefaction project in the world today.



Likewise, Bear Head LNG has completed its regulatory permitting process. Bear Head markets itself as a viable outlet for stranded Canadian natural gas resources looking for economic access to global LNG markets, demand, and pricing. Bear Head is uniquely positioned as a key component of an East Coast Canada export strategy. Our Fisherman's Landing LNG site remains a viable project as our team looks to find feed gas supply in sufficient quantities to progress towards an FID decision.



In keeping with our promise to shareholders, LNGL managed its liquidity consistent with our stated plans. We closed December 2016 with the Company's total cash position at A$59.9 million (A$34.7 million in cash and cash equivalents plus A$25.2 million in investments in term deposits classified as Other Financial Assets on the Statement of Financial Position). The Company has no debt.



To view the full report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/ZJ468ZV8





About Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd





Liquefied Natural Gas Limited ( ASX:LNG) ( OTCMKTS:LNGLY) (LNGL) is an ASX listed company whose portfolio consists of 100% ownership of the following companies:

- Magnolia LNG, LLC (Magnolia LNG), a US-based subsidiary, which is developing an eight mtpa or greater LNG export terminal, in the Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA;

- Bear Head LNG Corporation Inc. (Bear Head LNG), a Canadian-based subsidiary, which is developing an 8  12 mtpa LNG export terminal in Richmond County, Nova Scotia, Canada with potential for further expansion;

- Bear Paw Pipeline Corporation Inc. (Bear Paw), which is proposing to construct and operate a 62.5 km gas pipeline lateral to connect gas supply to Bear Head LNG; and

- LNG Technology Pty Ltd, a subsidiary which owns and develops the Company's OSMR LNG liquefaction process, a midscale LNG business model that plans to deliver lower capital and operating costs, faster construction, and improved efficiency, relative to larger traditional LNG projects.


MOU Signed with Advanced Semiconductor Engineering

Melbourne, Feb 27, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Xped Limited ( ASX:XPE ) ("Xped" or "the Company") is pleased to announce they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc ( NYSE:ASX ) ( TPE:2311 ) ("ASE") of Taiwan. The companies will now collaboratively engage to develop a binding agreement to license several Xped technologies, develop specific solutions for ASE, and collaboratively market and develop solutions for ASE customer base.



Highlights



- MOU signed with Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (Taiwan) for licensing of Xped ADRC Technologies



- Proposed agreement allows ASE to incorporate Xped ADRC technologies into their product lines



- ASE are co-listed on NYSE ( NYSE:ASX ) and TSEC ( TPE:2311 ) and are a USD$8 Billion company with 65000 employees worldwide.



- Trial projects identified in Smart Health and Smart Factory Solutions.



When a binding agreement is reached, ASE will incorporate Xped ADRC Proxy and the RML Translation technology into ASE modules for:



- Automation Devices

- Sensors

- Beacons



Under the proposed terms Xped will provide ASE branded versions of the Xped App customised for:



- Virtual Gateway

- Asset Tracking

- Building Automation

- Smart Factory Solution



Under the proposed terms, when a binding agreement is reached, the fee will be negotiated from the standard Xped licensing cost sheet:



- Smart Things: USD$0.15 per Thing

- Smart Gateways: USD$1.00 per Gateway

- Smart Platform: USD$2.00 per Platform



In addition, ongoing Maintenance Fees are to be negotiated as part of the final binding agreement.



ASE have identified 3 internal projects as initial trial opportunities These trials involve Asset Tracking and Smart Factory solutions. Details are being finalised however these will showcase the versatility and functionality of Xped ADRC technologies. Further details will be provided on these projects as they progress.



Now that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed Xped and ASE will work together to progress to binding agreements. Xped hopes to reach binding agreements for both the trial statements of work and a licensing agreement for ADRC technology with ASE in Q2 2017. An update will be made to the market as soon as progress has been made.



ASE is the world's largest subcontractor of semiconductor back-end manufacturing services. In addition, ASE has developed a tremendous line-up of radio and sensor modules. The key engagement point with Xped will be bringing the ADRC technology to the ASE WiFi, BLE, and 802.15.4 radio modules as well as promoting the ASE sensor modules to our OEM partners.



The next steps for the relationship are to move into binding agreements both in regards to the suggested trials as well as with a licensing agreement for the Xped technology. ASE has the potential to be a direct customer for Xped in their own factories as well as a channel partner who can promote ADRC to their customers. Once the binding agreements have been signed it should take approximately 9 months to see the project reach production.



Xped's Managing Director Martin Despain commented: "This is an exciting opportunity for Xped to work with ASE and demonstrates the attractiveness of our technology solution. The trial projects will provide opportunity to showcase our ADRC solution in both Asset Tracking and in a new market segment of Smart Factories"



ABOUT ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING ("ASE GROUP")



The ASE Group is the world's largest provider of independent semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly and test. The group develops and offers complete turnkey solutions covering IC packaging, design and production of interconnect materials, front-end engineering test, wafer probing and final test, as well as electronic manufacturing services through USI, Inc. As a global leader, ASE provides a complete scope of services for the semiconductor market, driven by superior technologies, breakthrough innovations, and advanced development programs. The ASE Group is co-listed on NYSE ( NYSE:ASX ) and TSEC ( TPE:2311 ), has 65000 employees globally and a market capitalisation of approximately USD$8bn. http://www.aseglobal.com





About XPED Ltd





XPED Ltd (ASX:XPE) is an Australian Internet of Things (IoT) technology business. Xped has developed revolutionary and patent-protected technology that allows any consumer, regardless of their technical capability, to connect, monitor and control devices and appliances found in our everyday environment. Xped provides technology solutions for Smart Home, Smart Building, and Healthcare.

At Xped, were Making Technology Easy Again(TM)
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up and thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

Important work often goes unnoticed. Last week the Federal Bureau of Investigations Minneapolis Division put the spotlight on two North Dakota women. Jessica Ahmann and Shannon Hilfer received the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for 2016. The women work at Sanford Health Dakota Children's Advocacy Center, a program that supports child abuse victims and offers forensic interviewing and medical services. Sanford's Children's Advocacy Center is the first recipient of the award in North Dakota since the award's inception in 1990. The center served 450 children in 2016, with referrals from 28 North Dakota counties and two Native American reservations. It was nice that the FBI called attention to their work.

Down

Members of Congress have been getting rough receptions at town halls and forums when they return home. Some voters are unhappy about changes occurring under the Trump administration. You dont expect hecklers in North Dakota, but Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., encountered them in Fargo on Thursday. At an overflowing town hall meeting at the Beans Coffee Bar the states lone representative was heckled often, according to a Forum News Service story. Tough questions are fine  our representatives should expect to be grilled about their actions. However, heckling and yelling achieve nothing. Cramer apparently handled the situation well and tried to answer the questions. We would hope future audiences would be more respectful. Ask the tough questions and give the speaker a chance to respond.

Up

A different kind of coffee event was held in Bismarck last Monday and everyone got along. The Bismarck Police Department held Coffee with a Cop to give residents an opportunity to meet officers and learn about their jobs. Too often our contacts with police are in emergency situations. Coffee with a Cop is held in a relaxed atmosphere and hopefully will help create better community relations. The event is worthwhile.

Down

At a time when universities across the state are making budget cuts that include staff reductions, the University of North Dakota advertised for an event coordinator. UND was trying to replace the outgoing coordinator, but the advertisement created a storm. The school decided to put the job on hold and that was a wise choice. In a time of belt-tightening, schools and state offices need to give serious thought to which jobs are filled and which ones go vacant. The event coordinator may be important, but the timing was bad.

Up

The University of Mary hit the $60 million mark last week in the first of a three-phase fundraising campaign. The overall goal is $272 million. The money will go for building projects, renovations, scholarships and a new engineering department. The university plays a prominent role in the community and its good to see support for the school. It bodes well for everyone.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) today announced that Bangkok Airways has been successfully recertified to the international safety standards of ICAO, becoming the first of Thailand's international airlines to receive its AOC recertification as part of CAAT's recertification programme, in partnership with CAA International (CAAi), part of the International Directorate of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA).





Dr Chula Sukmanop, Director General of CAAT said: Bangkok Airways is the first out of nine airlines that are expected to be granted AOCs as they are in the initial group. The remaining eight are still in the process because each airlines inspection period depends on the complexity of the organisation, the size of aircraft fleet and the companys operation complication. However, we look forward to issuing the AOC to the other eight airlines of the first group by June 2017.



CAAi was appointed by CAAT in 2016 to provide full-scale technical assistance and capacity building in the recertification of all Thai registered international airlines and to support CAAT ahead of its next ICAO audit. The eight Thai operators currently undergoing recertification include the six largest airlines in Thailand that account for carrying a combined total of more than 100 million passengers per year.



Mr Ben Alcott, International Director for the UK CAA said: This is a significant milestone for CAAT, the Thai aviation and tourism industry. With over 600,000 passengers flying to Thailand from the UK alone each year, the UK CAA is fully committed to supporting Thailand to improve its level of international compliance as well as building regulatory capacity within CAAT, to enable a sustainable, effective, autonomous aviation regulator.



Thailand is expected to be audited by ICAO in 2017 to address the Significant Safety Concern (SSC) finding in 2015. CAAi will be providing audit preparation assistance to CAAT to help resolve the SSC. Through a combination of on and off-site assistance, CAAi will work with CAAT to raise Thailands level of effective implementation across all of ICAOs eight 'critical elements', with the initial focus on the SSC and related areas, ensuring CAAT are in the strongest position for its next ICAO audit.
The Defence Secretary has 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.



Courtesy MoD



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."



Scotlands 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 Clydes 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 RAFs 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 countrys 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.
Distinguished service since 72

The history of the 12th Flying Training Wing stretches back to World War II and has been part of Air Education and Training Command since it was activated as part of Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas on May 1, 1972.



Although the wing celebrates the lineage of its predecessor unit, the 12th Bombardment Group, the wings history began with its establishment on Oct. 27, 1950. It has been identified by several different names since then including the 12th Fighter-Escort Wing, 12th Strategic Fighter Wing and 12th Fighter-Day Wing in the 1950s; and the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing in the 1960s. Throughout this time the wing amassed an impressive array of honors.



With its re-designation in March 1972, the 12th FTW began training pilots to be instructor pilots. To accomplish this mission, the wing flew T 37 Tweets and T 38 Talons. At the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, ATC temporarily expanded the wings mission to include T-37, T 38, and T-39 pilot requalification training for over 150 Air Force pilots who had been prisoners of war.



From 1976 until December 1992, the wings sole mission was pilot instructor training but a new mission was on the horizon.



On Dec. 15, 1992, with the pending closure of Mather Air Force Base, California, ATC opened the door to a new era of training for the 12th FTW by activating the first of three navigator training squadrons.



As the Air Force made a transition to specialized undergraduate pilot training, ATC activated the wings T-1A Jayhawk unit on May 14, 1993, to prepare student pilots for assignments in airlift and tanker aircraft.



In October, 1993, the 12th FTW gained responsibility for conducting introduction to fighter fundamentals training. IFF was, and still is a training program where new fighter pilots learn tactics in a familiar aircraft like the T-38 before continuing training in a more complex, contemporary fighter.



In 1994, Randolphs military aircraft maintenance operation was converted to an in-house, all-civilian operation. Eventually that force would grow to support flying operations in both Florida and Texas and in 2017 it became the wings fourth group.



Reflecting an evolution in airpower, the wing began unmanned aircraft system fundamentals training at Randolph in November, 2008. Success overseas led to greater demand for operators of all types and the term remotely piloted aircraft replaced the term UAS. More than 2,000 RPA pilots and sensor operators have completed training here.



As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, the 479th Flying Training Group stood up at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, with its three squadrons to conduct combat systems officer training. The group activated a fourth squadron in 2016.



By 2010 the 12th FTWs responsibility as Randolphs host wing changed with a BRAC directed re-designation to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph with one host wing for San Antonios major military installations. After 38 years as Randolphs host wing, the 12th FTW became a tenant unit of JBSA.



The wings mission grew again in 2012 when it gained a second major geographically separated unit and took responsibility for the parachute, powered flight, and glider airmanship training programs at the United States Air Force Academys 306th Flying Training Group. The wing also assumed oversite of contractor operated initial flight training at the 1st Flying Training Squadron, Pueblo, Colorado.



Through the years the wing has celebrated historic firsts and innovation. For example, in 2016 enlisted pilots soloed at IFT before continuing on to JBSA-Randolph where they train as RPA pilots for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. The wing also pursues efficient resource utilization and stewardship through the vigorous application of continuous process improvements.



Today the 12th FTW conducts the combat systems officer training program at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The wing also conducts remotely piloted aircraft training, introduction to fighter fundamentals, and pilot instructor training at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. It continues to serve as a leading mission partner in JBSA, Pensacola, Florida and Colorado Springs, Colorado with the community on initiatives that support compatible development and Air Force readiness.



Just as it had in the 1950s and 1960s, the 12th FTW has distinguished itself since 1972 as the source of Americas airpower in AETC.



*Editors note-this article is part of a series focused on the roles AETCs wings have played in the commands first 75 years.


Goldfeins revitalizing squadrons initiative base visits begins

The Air Force District of Washington and Joint Base Andrews are on the leading edge of a chief of staff of the Air Force initiative that will impact the total force Air Force.



The core project team tasked with overseeing a three-phase, full-time project to revitalize Air Force squadrons chose AFDW and JB Andrews as its first field visit.



Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein stated in a letter to all Airmen dated Aug. 9, 2016, during his first month as CSAF, The squadron is the beating heart of the United States Air Force; our most essential team.



In that letter, he further explained how a myriad of challenges have degraded over time the core fighting unit of the Air Force and stated, Revitalizing squadrons as the core fighting unit in our Air Force will be the primary focus in my first year as your Chief.



This a chance for Airmens voices to be heard as we travel across the Air Force, said Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, the focus area lead  Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons team. "The visit to (JB Andrews) and AFDW has been particularly important because it gave our team a chance to test our approach with Airmen and make several adjustments that will pay benefits as we continue to conduct field visits across the Air Force. The enthusiasm and support of the Andrews Airmen was remarkable.



Among the dozens of AFDW and JB Andrews Airmen participating in this first field visit was Lt. Robin Danielson, who said he was excited for the opportunity for Airmen to have their voices heard and for the prospect of improving things for all Airmen, but especially for first-term Airmen.



I would really hope something positive comes from this, like possible changes to improve programs or eliminate programs that just dont work, said Danielson, an emergency room nurse in the ER department at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center. This is a tremendous opportunity to provide feedback about what can be fixed to make our processes better for the Air Force.



A prior-enlisted troop who served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Danielson said he hopes the results from the process focus on first-term Airmen.



We have to make things better for them so they will stay in and do their job with the highest morale possible  Id love for them to enjoy every single moment and come out of the Air Force after their term, or stay an entire career with a positive attitude, he said.



Danielson also highlighted the Airmen in the squadrons are the ones doing the hardest jobs, making things happen, and noted that they are the reason that squadrons succeed in accomplishing the mission, a sentiment shared by Col. Kim R. Brooks, the project manager  Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons team.



Air Force squadrons are extremely successful and effective in accomplishing their missions, but challenges like manpower reductions and diminished resources coupled with ever-increasing operations tempo are definitely impacting our squadrons, Brooks said. These cumulative effects threaten and actually degrade readiness, morale and combat capability.



Consequently, a review of the squadron, and the support it receives, is necessary.



The objective of this initiative is to discover big opportunities that will improve the squadron as the cohesive, ready and agile fighting force that the Air Force, combatant commanders and nation requires, Davis said.



Further, he said, the Air Force-wide review will help determine how best to support a squadron, spread best practices and eliminate obstacles to success.



Eliminating obstacles to success is something Airmen like Tech. Sgt. David Patterson, of the 213th Maintenance Squadron, is looking forward to for his fellow maintenance Airmen.



I hope this results in changes in Air Force Instructions and reducing regulation, where needed, and to see if they have a way to restructure in ways to better help us get our job done, said Patterson, a 14-year veteran. I hope they can streamline things even more. I dont think there are any major problems -- the Air Force is really good at doing what we do, but if we can make things better especially for newer troops coming in, to have a simpler, streamlined Air Force, that is what I think we need.



The Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons team is tasked to:



 Identify and disseminate best practices

 Address issues identified by Airmen in the field to improve squadrons and squadron-like organizations

 Identify and eliminate impediments to mission success

 Ensure higher headquarters policies, processes and actions support squadron success

 Improve preparation and support for squadron leadership teams in all of their mission and force development responsibilities, including fun, family and culture

 Determine if squadrons are properly organized and resourced for their missions in the 21st century

 Determine if squadrons are properly sized and have the most effective total force and military/civilian mix to accomplish their missions

 Determine if decision authorities are at the right level for squadron success



The effort consists of three major phases: the analysis phase, to gather data; the review phase, to analyze data to generate recommended solutions; and the implementation phase to implement approved recommendations and track them to completion.



The project team will turn meta-data, survey data, and field observations into conclusions and recommendations, resulting in a preliminary report outlining cost-effective, risk-acceptable actions the Air Force could implement effectively within most squadrons to meaningfully improve both current and future readiness, effectiveness and morale, Brooks said.



Following the AFDW and JB Andrews field interviews, there will be follow-on visits at more than 20 bases, major commands and Numbered Air Forces through August 2017. The initial report with recommendations is expected in fall of 2017.



Looking forward to the initial report and its recommendations is Master Sgt. Mary Wise, of the 213th Maintenance Squadron.



The goal is to be the best Air Force that we can be, and that involves constant change and constant evolution, said Wise, a 15-year veteran. Weve seen the good, weve seen the bad, if we can help fix the bad well be in a better place and leave the Air Force better for those who come behind us.
Iowa air refueling wing supports NATO

This month, members of the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing based in Sioux City, Iowa, are refueling NATO Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft while assigned here.



Approximately 40 members from the 185th ARW are in Germany for two weeks supporting NATO missions.



The AWACS involves multifaceted radar equipped aircraft that provide surveillance, command and control for NATO areas of responsibility. Onboard aircraft crews provide communications and control for U.S. and partner nations, while also keeping a close eye on potential adversaries. These missions require long flight times and in-flight refueling provided by Air Guard units like the 185th ARW.



According to Royal Netherlands Air Force Capt. Andre Bongers, a public affairs officer stationed at Geilenkirchen, the long-standing partnership with the Air Guard is important to maintaining stability in the region.



"This has always been a very successful partnership, Bongers said. During 40 weeks per year the Air Guard provides essential training to the NATO E-3A Component. This is vital because pilots at the E-3A Component normally stay around for only four years. This means theres a high demand for training to ensure new crew members are combat ready. The high level of professionalism and flexibility delivered by the Air Guard is of great importance to get the right amount of training."



NATO AWACS play a critical role in many ongoing missions in the region, Bongers said, such as counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria operations, Eastern Europe surveillances and Mediterranean maritime operations. He said they also fly for high visibility events such as the recent NATO summit in Warsaw and big regional exercises like Red Flag and Arctic Challenge.



According to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Bosch, the Air National Guards liaison in Geilenkirchen, the Air Guard has been working with NATO forces since 2015. Bosch also said that the Air Guard brings a level of unmatched experience to refueling operations, especially units like the 185th ARW.



"It is always a pleasure having the 185th (ARW). This wing has a special dedication to this mission and shows time and again how much they love our mission here. Sioux City always brings their A game to make this special spot better than when they arrived," Bosch said.

The 185th ARW will remain in Germany until the end of the week and will be followed by another Air Guard unit from Topeka, Kansas.
North Dakotans should know that 2017 looks to be a promising year in the North Dakota oil industry. Investment budgets are rising across almost every company with oil prices hovering above $50 per barrel, and this price point attracts new drilling rigs and the hiring of frack crews.

The state is forecast to drill more wells in 2017 than 2016, and the inventory of DUCs (drilled but uncompleted wells) is likely to shrink. Thus, production is positioned to increase. The growing confidence amongst operators will help workers and entrepreneurs in all facets of the industry, from workover rigs to casing crews to trucking of all types, and their activity will be noticeable to small-business owners on main street, too.

Improved housing options has attracted more families to the Bakken since the downturn, which has markedly improved the quality of life in communities across the region. New leadership offers promise as well. The granting of the final easement for Dakota Access will lower shipping costs for North Dakota oil by as much as $8 per barrel, and those gains are shared amongst producers, mineral owners and state government. The stronger financial position of these entities produces benefits for all involved, including businesses in nearly every job sector.

Unquestionably, Doug Burgum is at the helm of an administration whose focus is on attracting capital, spurring economic growth and empowering entrepreneurs. As a small business, our company believes 2017 is the year of recovery for the oil and gas industry, and we have prepared accordingly. While we may not experience the boom of before, current markets provide a healthy environment to grow a company. Without doubt, the oil industry can look forward to decades of promise in North Dakota.

Kevin Black, Minot
A court in Indore on Monday sentenced SIMI operative Safdar Nagori and 10 others to life imprisonment on charges of sedition and indulging in terrorist activities.

Besides Nagori, who is a former general secretary of banned Students Islamic Movement of India, Qamruddin, Shaduli, Kamran, Yaseen, Dr. Ahmad Baig, Amil Parvez, Ansar Hafeez, Shivni and Munroz were also awarded life term by the court.

Munroz, who was out on bail, was also arrested by police to serve the sentence, said the District Prosecution Officer Vimal Mishra.

The CBI court delivered the verdict through video conferencing as all convicts including Nagori are presently lodged in Ahmedabads Sabarmati jail in Gujarat.

Being tried for Ahmedabad bomb blast cases, the accused heard the quantum of punishment in Gujarat jail.

The convicted members of the SIMI were awarded life imprisonment for possessing weapons, explosives and ammunition and also for plotting anti-national activities, according to local media reports.

The police, in 2008, had accused them of planning terror attacks in the country. Explosives, firearms and ammunition, among other things, were also recovered from a farmhouse near Indore on the intervening night of March 26-27, 2008.

The death toll in the attacks, carried out on July 26, 2008, was reportedly 57 people. Nagori had been lodged at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad for a long period before he was sentenced.

Students outfit SIMI was banned in 2001 and a case was registered against Nagori in Ujjains Mahakal Police Station way back in 1997. Thereafter, he was declared an absconder on December 11, 2000.

Reportedly, serial blasts in Ahmedabad carried out on July 26 was part of a larger conspiracy, hatched by IM and SIMI in order to foment terror in Gujarat to avenge the 2002 post-Godhra riots killings of Muslims.
US President Donald Trump will instruct federal agencies on Monday to assemble a budget for the coming fiscal year that includes sharp increases in Defence Department spending and drastic cuts to domestic agencies, according to administration officials.

A day before delivering a high-stakes address on Tuesday to a joint session of Congress, Trump will demand a budget with billions of dollars in reductions to the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department, according to the officials with direct knowledge of the plan.

Social safety net programmes, aside from the big entitlement programs for retirees, would also be hit hard, the New York Times reported.

The budget plan, a numerical sketch that will probably be substantially altered by House and Senate Republicans  and opposed by congressional Democrats  will be Trumps first big step into a legislative fray he has largely avoided during the first 40 days of his administration, according to the daily.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said that Trumps first budget would not touch Social Security or Medicare.

Trumps policy on entitlement reform is unclear, and his administration has not proposed a way to salvage Social Security and Medicare, the most expensive piece of the federal budget, or refuel trust funds expected to run dry in less than 20 years, The Hill magazine reported.

Instead, Trumps plan to pay down the nearly $20 trillion national debt rests on bolstering economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation.

Trumps team is also considering tax cuts without equivalent spending cuts, but insist lower corporate taxes will fuel domestic manufacturing and investment

The budget will predict 2.4 per cent growth in 2017, according to the New York Times. That is more than the 1.6 per cent former President Barack Obamas administration average but below the 4 per cent to 6 per cent growth Trump promised on the campaign trail.

Mnuchin said the administration would like to complete comprehensive tax reform by August, an ambitious goal given the jam-packed legislative calendar.

The White House and Congress will have to raise the debt ceiling around March 16 and fund the government by the end April 28.
Former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse appeared before the Dinkar Zoting committee which is looking into the allegations of land grab against him.

During the hearing Khadse appealed for recasting of issues. We have objected to it, as all the issues, arguments and evidence have already been addressed, said Chandrashekhar Jaltare, Counsel for MIDC-Pune.

Khadse will be questioned again on Tuesday, he said.

The Zoting committee was appointed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis following allegations that a plot of land of MIDC in Pune located at Bhosari was transferred in the name of Khadses wife (Mandakini).

Khadses role had come under suspicion as it was alleged that the case was of conflict of interest by the minister who had exercised his quasi-judicial powers to clear the land transfer.

When the facts related to the MIDC land in Pune started coming out during the arguments, Khadse changed his stand and claimed that he was not aware of the land transaction till June 2016, Jaltare had earlier said.

Khadse, who appeared before the Committee at Ravi Bhavan at around 12.30 PM and left around 2 PM, refused to speak anything on the land grab case and the proceedings.

However, on recent political developments after the conclusion of civic polls, Khadse expressed confidence that Mumbai will have a BJP mayor this time.
South Koreas spy agency said on Monday that the North Korean government was behind the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, adding that those involved worked for the countrys foreign ministry and spy body.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said four of the eight suspects behind the murder worked for Pyongyangs Ministry of State Security, with two others being from the foreign ministry, Yonhap reported.

The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was killed earlier this month after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from the Kuala Lumpur Airport. Malaysia said an autopsy showed he was poisoned with VX nerve agent and died within 20 minutes.

However, North Korea has not acknowledged the death yet.

The South Korean spy agency also provided lawmakers with various updates on developments taking place in Pyongyang.

The NIS said North Korea is prepared to conduct nuclear tests anytime. It said the No.2 tunnel at the Norths nuclear test site in Punggye-ri was maintained throughout the winter, and that the No.3 tunnel can be used to conduct a nuke test if the countrys leadership gives the order.

North Korea is also presumed to have produced 10 kg of plutonium at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, and its reprocessing is expected to improve by the end of this year, it added.
As the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls concluded, all eyes were focused on Amethi which is known as a bastion of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Residents of Amethi have bizarre choice to make between sitting MLA Gayatri Prasad Prajapati of the Samajwadi Party, the one who is accused of a gangrape case and two queens who have claimed to have married Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. The case against Prajapati was lodged on charges including gangrape, attempt to rape, criminal intimidation, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace under the IPC, as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). The apex courts direction came on a PIL filed by a woman who alleged repeatedly gangraped by Prajapati and others and sought the courts direction for lodging of an FIR. The incident had first taken place in October 2014 and continued till July 2016 and when the accused tried to molest the minor daughter of the petitioner. The woman lodged a complaint after her written request to the DGP in October 2016 allegedly went unheeded.

Garima Singh, Sanjays first wife, returned to Amethi in 2014 after over 20 years, claiming that the high court and Supreme Court had declared their divorce as null and void (on account of an imposter being presented instead of her) and that she and her children still rightfully belonged in Bhupati Bhawan (the 500-room ancestral home of Sanjays talukdar family). Garima has been living there since and is now contesting against Ameeta. This is her first-ever election. Her campaign has focused on justice for her family, which she says can only be given to her by the voters.

Sanjay Singh (also known as Sinh) is a politician from the state of Uttar Pradesh. He was twice elected to the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh during the 1980s and held state ministerial posts. In 1990, he became Rajya Sabha MP and in 1998, he was elected to the Lok Sabha. His term in the 12th Lok Sabha session lasted until the following year. Subsequently, in 2009, he was successful in obtaining a second term in that house as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha representing the Sultanpur constituency of Uttar Pradesh. He currently represents the state of Assam in the Rajya Sabha.

Singh has held various ministerial portfolios and committee positions over the years, including as Union Minister for Communications in 1991. He had lent support to Sanjay Gandhi when that member of the Nehru-Gandhi family had chosen to contest the Amethi constituency in the elections of 1980. The Amethi area has strong links to the Nehru-Gandhi family and at that time the neighbouring constituency of Rae Bareli was held by Sanjays mother, Indira Gandhi. He subsequently became a friend of Rajiv Gandhi, who succeeded Sanjay as the representative for Amethi.

However, Singh left the Gandhi-led Indian National Congress (INC) party in 1988 and joined Janata Dal, which was led by a relative of his first wife. Despite a general mood favouring Janata Dal, Singhs attempt to oust Rajiv Gandhi in the Indian general election, 1989 did not reflect it and he was heavily defeated by the incumbent. He later changed his allegiance to that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, he won the Amethi constituency seat. After the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, a colleague of Gandhi in the INC, Capt. Satish Sharma, had become the Amethi representative but he neglected his constituents and caused them to flock to Singh. Although, Singh contested again as the BJP candidate in the 1999 elections, he had to face challenge from Rajiv Gandhis widow Sonia who highlighted about her familys contributions towards the constituencys development. He rejoined the INC in 2003, choosing to announce his move on the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.

Syed Modi, a badminton player who had won numerous national and international titles, was shot dead on 28 July 1988 in Lucknow. The murder attracted worldwide attention. There were suggestions that Modis wife, Ameeta, was involved in a relationship with Singh, who was a close friend of the couple and at whose house they had married. Later on, CBI launched search of Singhs house. The investigation was urged upon the CBI by the government of Uttar Pradesh and in November 1988, Ameeta Modi, Singh and another politician, Akhilesh Singh, were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Singh claims to be married to Modis widow, Ameeta, but his first wife, Garima, has contested the legitimacy of the marriage. Garima claims that both the High Court and Supreme Court have declared the alleged mutual divorce between herself and Singh in 1995 to be null and void. Singh has accepted the court rulings but denies her claim that they were made because he arranged for an imposter to portray her in the divorce case. Despite the rulings, he maintains that Ameeta is his legally wedded wife.

Ameeta, a three-time MLA from Amethi, has chosen not to speak about Garima during the campaign, focusing any attacks on the BJP. Ameeta said that she prefers to talk about the work the Congress has done and will continue to do in the area. Meanwhile, Sanjay is not actively campaigning for Ameeta. While the personal is political takes on a new meaning for this so-called royal family in Amethi, it remains to be seen how residents of the constituency respond to this unusual mix of candidates.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur on Monday complained to the citys women rights panel that she was threatened with rape for her social media campaign against the ABVP.

A student of citys Lady Shri Ram College, Kaur took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after violence erupted in the citys Ramjas College on February 22.

However, Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Monday wondered who was polluting the mind of a Delhi University student whose campaign on social media against the ABVP over the Ramjas College violence has gone viral. The Ministers tweet attracted opposition flak.

Whos polluting this young girls mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded, Rijiju tweeted.

Even, going one step ahead of his colleagues another BJP MP Pratap Simha has stoked a controversy when he took to Twitter comparing Kargil martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur to fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. On Sunday evening, he posted a picture collage on Twitter with Kaur on one side and Ibrahim on the other side.

A line above Kaurs picture reads soldiers daughter and that above Dawood reads as policemans son. The incident developed after Kaur posted in Facebook holding a placard that supported freedom of speech and said that she wasnt scared of ABVP, which was a start to the Not Afraid of ABVP campaign.

Simha taking a jibe at Kaur, manufactured this picture which shows both Kaur and Dawood holding placards, with Kaurs saying Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him and Dawoods reading I didnt kill people in 1993, bombs did. He took another venomous jibe at Kaur where he said at least Dawood didnt use his fathers name to justify his anti-national stand.

The 20-year-old student had posted a profile picture on Facebook holding up a placard saying, 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. Her post followed clashes at the Ramjas College last week over Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid being invited to speak. The invite was cancelled after activists of the ABVP or Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad allegedly barged in and vandalised the college, alleging that it was anti-national to call Umar Khalid, who was accused of sedition last year.

Kaur met Delhi commission for women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal and complained against the online threats she had received, a DCW official said.

She is yet to go to police but a member of the ABVP, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological parent of the BJP, lodged a complaint that she was molested by two activists of the Left-affiliated All India Student Association (AISA) on February 21.

Police said they had received the complaint but had not registered a separate FIR. The ABVP members complaint was made part of the common FIR lodged after February 22 violence.

This is a completely false propaganda by the ABVP. There is no evidence of such a thing, AISA leader Aman Awaz said.
Sena should take a call pertaining to whether it should continue to have an alliance with BJP in the state says Rane.

Congress leader Narayan Rane took a jibe at Shiv Sena by saying that the party wont quit Fadnavis government unless and until it is ousted. Rane added that the government will fall as soon as Sena withdraws support and there is no need to bring in a no confidence motion against them. He said that ahead of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election Sena leaders had threatened to withdraw support to the Fadnavis government but they didnt tender their resignation. Rane hinted that Congress and NCP are likely to bring no confidence motion against the government as it wont have mandate if Sena withdraws support. He added that the government is short of 23 seats required for majority therefore it is dependent on Sena. There is uncertainty pertaining to the stability of the government.

Shiv Sena should take a call pertaining to whether it should continue to have an alliance with the BJP in the state. The party wont quit the government until it is shown the door. Sena is keen to remain in power at any cost, said Rane.

There is no need for a no confidence motion if Sena quits the government. The government lacks mandate and is dependent on Senas support. If Sena withdraws support then the government will fall, he added.

Rane also took potshots at BJP and said, BJP should realise that it has not won the BMC elections and has only improved its tally in the polls. No party has clear majority to stake claim for mayors post in the civic body.

On the other hand, Sena is rethinking about its decision to withdraw support to the Fadnavis government. BJPs good performance in the BMC polls has forced Sena leadership to rethink about its strategy to pull out of the government.

According to sources from Sena, If we quit the government, then it may lead to mid-term polls and the BJP will win more seats and emerge stronger. If BJPs performance improves then it will put us in a state of bother.

The BJP has won 8 out of 10 municipal corporation elections in the state. Even though Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party in the BMC polls by winning 84 seats but the party lacks majority. Since 114 seats are required for reaching the simple majority mark Sena may have to rely on Congress support. However, some leaders of Congress party are reluctant to have tie-up with Sena as it may hamper their electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. Right now all parties are adopting a wait and watch mode and a clear picture will only emerge by March 9, the date when parties will have to claim majority.
FARGO -- Fargo police will undergo cultural sensitivity training after an officer arrested a man late last week for legally using a Native American sweat lodge in southwest Fargo.

Mayor Tim Mahoney said a man was arrested Thursday night at the sweat lodge, which is on an open patch of land just west of 39th Street South between 36th Avenue South and 37th Avenue South near a city salt and sand storage facility.

He said the Fargo Police Department officer, Jacob Rued, saw what appeared to be a large fire at the site and didnt know about the sweat lodge, which has been there for three or four years. Mahoney said participants use a fire outside to heat stones that are then moved inside the makeshift shelter lined with blankets. Its shouldnt have been an issue, the mayor said.

Rued went to check on it and he questioned a man who didnt want to comply with his orders because he said he had the right to be there, Mahoney said.

The man arrested is Zebadiah Gartner, 20, Mahoney confirmed. He was booked into the Cass County Jail at 10:24 p.m. Thursday and released at 1:41 a.m. Friday, according to jail records.

Gartner was charged in Fargo Municipal Court with resisting a police officer, a Class B misdemeanor, the lowest level misdemeanor in North Dakota. But the charge was dismissed the day after his arrest, according to online court records.

The Forum was unable to get in contact with Gartner for this article. Court records say he is a Horace resident.

Willard Yellow Bird, a cultural planner with the city of Fargo and liaison to the Fargo Native American Commission, posted to his Facebook page Friday about the incident. The Native American Commission helped find a spot for a community sweat lodge.

Yellow Bird wrote that the Fargo Police Department wants to work with the Native American Commission on cultural competency training, which will also include the Fire Department.

Mahoney said the goal of this training will be to explain to officers what the sweat lodge is and that its use as the site of a religious ceremony should be respected.

But he said the incident also shows the need to make some changes at the site, which had signs up before but is no longer is clearly marked after the signs were removed during a street reconstruction project.

On Sunday, the site was surrounded by several logs, as well as stones and seats near the large, low sweat lodge that is covered in blankets.

Were going to talk to the Native American Commission and see what they can do, too, because itd be nice if this is a little bit taken care of in a better manner, Mahoney said. We want to clean it up a bit and do it so it can be handled easier.

Minor changes could improve the site while also making it more obvious why its there, he said. He said the city will work to correct this incident and prevent more problems in the future.

Were sorry it was a misunderstanding, Mahoney said.
By Mark Blaxill

A study published earlier this month (see HERE ) examining the effect of vaccination on mortality in 3-5 month old infants in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau showed a fivefold higher death rates in infants who received diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and oral polio (OPV) vaccines compared to unvaccinated infants. The study, published in the journal EBioMedicine by Danish researchers from the Statens Serum Institut (SSI), was based on infants born between 1980 and 1983 and used data collected by the SSIs Bandim Health Project (BHP). The study of vaccinated and unvaccinated African infants represents a rare, albeit limited, example of the kind of vaxxed/unvaxxed study that many critics of American vaccination policy have long called for.

In their prospective study of over 1,000 infants, the SSI authors examined the effects on infant mortality of a new vaccination program that included both OPV and DTP vaccines. They reserved their harshest assessment for the newly introduced DTP vaccine, observing pointedly that DTP was associated with 5-fold higher mortality than being unvaccinated. No prospective study has shown beneficial survival effects of DTP.

In a broader criticism of global vaccine policy, the authors continued, Unfortunately, DTP is the most widely used vaccine, and the proportion who receives DTP3 [three doses of the DTP vaccine] is used globally as an indicator of the performance of national vaccination programs. In a further criticism of DTP vaccines, the analysis suggests that the OPV, which was typically administered together with DTP vaccine, had a moderating effect on the death risk of DTP. When (due to logistical problems with OPV availability) infants were vaccinated with DTP only, the death rates were even worse: as much as ten times higher than unvaccinated infants.

Unlike the recently leaked vax/unvaxxed study on homeschool children (see HERE) and the more commonly understood usage today of the vaxxed/unvaxxed concept, this analysis was narrower. The study examined infants during a brief window of timethe period between 3 and 6 months of age--and measured a single outcomedeath. Described by the authors as a natural experiment, the study was designed in order to address on ongoing debate over the efficacy in low-income countries of the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) since its introduction in the 1970s. At the time, the EPI targeted countries like Guinea-Bissau that had high infant mortality rates--under-five mortality rates were close to 50% there in 1978-9and included four vaccines for seven diseases. Since individual vaccines included in the EPI might have different effects, the authors decried the absence of individually randomized studies, noting that surprisingly few studies examined the introduction of vaccines and their impact on child survival.

Due to its specific focus, the study design has little to say about the vaccine schedule debate in high-income countries and has several key limitations. Most notably, the unvaccinated children in the BHP study group only remained unvaccinated for a period of less than 14 weeks between 3 and 6 months of age until they attended the quarterly weighing sessions when OPV and DTP vaccines were administered. Even this briefly unvaccinated group wasnt fully unvaccinated. The authors noted that of the 651 unvaccinated children, 219 received DTP and/or OPV before their first weighing examination. These children counted as unvaccinated until their first weighing examination. Even though the death rate in the unvaccinated group was lower than in the vaccinated group, death rates were high on both sides. Five of the eighteen deaths covered in the study period occurred in the unvaccinated group and the authors dont disclose whether any of these deaths had received a vaccination before the official examination landmarks used to define vaccination events in the database.
In 1905, 1,033 Koreans boarded the SS Ilford, bound for Mexico and an imagined prosperous new life. The reality that awaited them was indentured servitude in Henequen plantations harvesting an agave then known as the green gold of Mexico. Many fled to Cuba, where they again faced work in Henequen 
A large statue of Jesus sits outside of a home inside Murphy Village, home to a large number of Irish Travelers.
Opponents of plastic bags say single-use plastic bags are produced from a non-renewable resource, consumed in extremely high volumes, and since it is not practical to recycle them, 90 percent end up in landfills, where they stay for an indeterminate period of time.
Mass Assyrian Emigration From Iraq Makes Future of Church Uncertain

An Iraqi Assyrian man from Mosul, who fled with his family from violence in their country, reads a book at the Latin Patriarchate Church in Amman, Jordan, Aug. 21, 2014. (VOA) -- Hind Safaa has returned to her hometown of Qaraqosh in northern Iraq after Islamic State fighters were pushed out of the town. She and her family left the area two years ago due to fears that Islamic State fighters will target them as religious minorities. Safaa was shocked to witness the destruction and ruins brought upon a town she once called home. Her house where she spent her entire childhood was destroyed. "I can't describe how I really feel. All of these pieces that have been thrown and destroyed carry beautiful memories," Safaa said. "These are things that mom and dad worked very hard to build." Safaa, her parents and siblings were lucky to have left the town in August 2014 two hours before Islamic State took over. Some in town weren't as lucky. Before IS attacked Qaraqosh, Safaa was going to Mosul's College of Medicine and dreamed of becoming a doctor. Her family left everything behind, taking refuge in the relatively safer Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. Saffa told VOA that militants have taken whatever they could and destroyed the rest. "In every room, there were shattered parts of furniture, broken plates and torn clothes making it hard to walk through the house," Saffa said. "It was so messy because IS fighters were planning to burn the house, but for some reasons they didn't." Saffa added that IS burned hundreds of other houses that belonged to Christian minorities in the area, including the tall church of St. Mary al-Tahira. "IS graffiti has been smeared on its [church] walls, the nave is scorched black by fire and the altar has been vandalized," Saffa said. St. Mary al-Tahira church was once Iraq's largest Christian church, and about 3,000 people attended the church every Sunday. Its symbolic significance for Iraqi Christians explains why hundreds of residents rushed back to the town to re-establish the church in late 2016. But things for many Christians including Saffa are not the same anymore. The rebirth of the Christian community in Qaraqosh and the rest of Iraq seems difficult as most Christians who fled the town refuse to return, and instead are embarking on journeys to settle abroad. IS blow to coexistence The mass Christian departure from Iraq has made the future survivability of the church uncertain in a region where Muslims and Christians have lived as neighbors for centuries. IS not only targeted minority Christians, but also broke societal fabrics in Iraq. Iraqi Assyrians, who fled violence brought by Islamic State militants in the village of Qaraqosh, seek refuge inside a church building in Irbil, north of Baghdad, Aug. 11, 2014. "I don't want to live in this place again. I don't want to ever live next to people who chose to stay under IS rule," Safaa told VOA. She and her entire family are attempting to leave Iraq and join their community diaspora in Europe. Migration to the West for her is not only an attempt to find safety, but also a door for opportunities. "Two of my friends who moved to France are now preparing to study medicine. And my high school friend, Maryana, has become a great photographer there," Safaa said. Maryana Habash, Safaa's friend from high school, left with her family the night IS attacked Qaraqosh as well. "The situation was so complicated that night that I didn't even know where some of my family members were," Habash told VOA. "I could think about anything but how to find a safe place for my two little sisters." Habash and her family took political asylum in France in early 2016. She now lives in Riems, France and began school. Just like her friend Safaa, Habash, too, thinks Qaraqosh is in her past now. "I might want to travel there at some point in the future, but I will never live there again. The values of human rights are non-existent in Iraq," Habash said. Habash says eight more families from Qaraqosh also are settled in Riems, France, and more are on the way, suggesting that Riems will become their new Qaraqosh in the future. Mass Christian immigration from Iraq is undermining the efforts of Christian leaders who want to establish an autonomous region for Christians in northern Iraq with Qaraqosh as its capital. "Continued mass migration of our people to the West is the greatest danger to our existence as a religious minority in Iraq," said Romeo Hakari, who heads the Bait-al-Nahrain, Assyrian Christian political party in Iraq. Iraq had 1.5 million Christians There is no official data about how many Christians live in Iraq, but it is estimated that more than 1.5 million Christians lived in Iraq before 2003. According to Iraqi Christian Relief Council, a non-profit organization that advocates for Christian minorities in the country, sectarian violence following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and systematic targeting of religious minorities by IS and other militant groups have forced approximately 80 percent of the Christian population to leave the country. Hakari of the Baitl-al-Nahrain political party puts part of the blame for mass Christian immigration from Iraq on the West for encouraging people to settle in Europe and elsewhere. "European embassies in Iraq, especially the French and German embassies, have facilitated the migration of our people," Hakari said Western countries have shown more willingness to accept Iraqi Christian and Yazidis, citing continued IS persecution of these groups as a justification. Earlier this year, an official from the U.S. State Department told VOA that the U.S government and Canada were working to permanently resettle hundreds of Yazidis and Christians from Iraq. Iraqi Christian leaders are continuously meeting with the U.S. and European officials to discourage such programs, Hakari told VOA. "Western countries can play a major role in providing us with assistance to rebuild our homes and defend ourselves in an autonomous region," he added. But for many Christians like Safaa returning is not an option. "With time we have realized that it doesn't matter where we live and what system is in place. What really matters is the people around us."
CARRINGTON -- The father is in a Twin Cities burn unit with serious injuries, while the mother and another survivor have been treated and released after a tragic mobile home fire Saturday took the lives of three east-central North Dakota children.

There were three adults and three children in the home when the fire started in a front bedroom.

The father, Brandon Tufte, 32, was first taken to CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Medical Center and then airlifted to the Twin Cities.

His condition was unknown Sunday night, said Carrington police Sgt. Nathan Kruse, but he was suffering from severe burns and cuts.

His wife, Dawn, 31, was taken to the Carrington hospital and treated and released as well as the couples roommate, Garrett Phillips, 29.

The Tuftes three children who died were Alex, 11, Melody, 8, and Spencer, 7.

Kruse said they werent releasing many other details about the fire to give the family time to get through this.

We are a small community, and this isnt easy, Kruse said.

The police sergeant was amazed at how a GoFundMe page had raised more than $51,000 for the family only a day after fire. The page can be found at http://bit.ly/2lW6fb8.

Carrington, with its approximate 2,000 residents, is about 40 miles north of Jamestown.

The cause of the fire hasnt been determined, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the state fire marshal are investigating.

Kruse said the investigators have completed their on-scene work and have left.

The burned home at 420 17th Ave. N in Westside Trailer Court was a total loss, Carrington Fire Chief Ken Wangen said Saturday.

When his volunteer firefighters arrived about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, he said the home was fully engulfed in flames.

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, he said.

Twenty 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 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 helped survivors with their immediate needs, said Gretchen Hjelmstad, regional communications officer. Since the home was a total loss, the Red Cross provided comfort kits to the survivors and offered them emergency shelter, she said.

On Saturday, Brittany Overby, who lives two trailers from the burned home, said she could see the fire from her kitchen window. She and other neighbors were evacuated while firefighters fought the blaze.

Overby said she is proud of the fire department for keeping the fire contained.

Katie Fairbanks contributed to this report.
February 27, 2017

For a period of six days, the ancient city of Aswan  a tourist hotspot in Upper Egypt  hosted the first Aswan International Woman Film Festival (AIWFF), showcasing various films that tackled women's issues from different parts of the world, as it aimed to support women and ensure their voices were heard.

Not only was this an artistic event, but the festival's organizers also sought to contribute to society by creating volunteer opportunities for Upper Egyptian women, raise awareness against gender-based violence and boost tourism.

Being southern Egypts strategic and commercial gateway since antiquity, and given that it is a land that has witnessed great periods of ancient Egyptian history where women were honored with marvelous paintings on temples and magnificent statues, Aswan was a perfect choice to be the setting for this international event.

This city has a very ancient civilization, which women played a very important part in. Thats why we chose to have our first women's film festival here, Hassan Abu Elela, the festival manager, told Al-Monitor.

The festival came after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced during a youth conference in Aswan in January that the government aims to make Aswan the capital of the African economy and culture.

We also wanted to give a message that festivals should move out of Cairo. We have many cities in Egypt that have great history and [their] own culture, but we dont really benefit from it. Aswan is one of these cities that should be in the limelight, Abu Elela said.

Over 30 films from Egypt, Italy, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Morocco, Tunisia, France, Algeria, Iraq, Germany, Russia, China, Romania and Azerbaijan participated in the festival, which was organized with support from the Egyptian Culture Ministry, the Tourism Ministry and Aswan governorate. The festival took place at the Helnan Hotel in Aswan.

The participating movies were either written or directed by women or tackled important womens issues such as gender equality, empowerment and violence against women, which is the main theme of this years edition.

Womens issues are always similar throughout the whole world. Thats why all movies [in the festival] present issues that concern Egyptian women, even if they come from different countries, Abu Elela added.

Egyptian women are commonly featured in today's commercial movies as either romantic, sexy or trivial figures; however, in the Aswan festival, real, marginalized women were in the spotlight.

The festival's films were carefully chosen, as we aimed to feature stories of real, everyday women and [highlight] concerns facing all women in different parts of the world, Abu Elela said.

A parallel forum titled Nut, headed by Egyptian writer and feminist Azza Kamel, was held during the festival. Kamel said that Nut in the ancient Egyptian culture referred to the goddess of the sky who lights the darkness and spreads love and peace.

Feminists, activists, intellectuals and filmmakers from various countries participated in the forum and discussed women's issues. The forum also held seminars and screened movies that support the cause and raise awareness against gender violence.

Art has a great role in fighting violence against women; thats why we dedicate this edition to this theme, Kamel said during a seminar held at the Nut forum titled With art we fight violence against women.

Nut also launched an initiative called White Scarf to fight gender-based violence as each participant was asked to wear a white scarf during the events and pledge that they would not commit or be silent about violence against women.

The festival was operated in cooperation and partnership with the National Council for Women and other feminist associations to help improve the image of women in cinema.

"We supported the festival from the very beginning and we worked with the organizers like unknown soldiers, as it is a great opportunity for us to be part of this festival and our aim is to boost tourism in Aswan, Safinaz Ibrahim, the director of Women of the South Association, told Al-Monitor.

Ibrahim, who volunteered with other members of the association in preparation for the AIWFF, said women can fight violence against them by showing determination and proving themselves in their work as leaders.

Women have many great things to do, but we have to give them a chance. Most people, when seeing a successful woman, they attack her for no reason, she added.

The first major festival in Aswan also gave a great opportunity for women to participate as well as to volunteer in its events. It organized workshops in photography, documentaries and graphics, which allowed Upper Egyptian youths, especially females, to express their own problems through art, according to organizers.

We are very happy to see women and men engage in such an event, Ibrahim told Al-Monitor.

Since the period that followed the 2011 revolution and until last year, the ancient city suffered from a great setback in tourism, sending it into recession and leaving many people unemployed.

Many people in Aswan have been suffering from unemployment for the past years due to the dramatic decrease in the number of tourists. We also have few investors and few projects in Aswan. Thats why we mainly depend on tourism. And the AIWFF is not only a womens festival but it is the biggest international festival to be held here, she added.

We see it as a great success to have this festival happen every year from now on, Ibrahim added.

On the other side, the festival plays an important role in boosting tourism, Abu Elela said.

We invited over 200 guests and about 70 foreign filmmakers from five continents and media people from international news outlets to send an important message  that Egypt is safe  and this can boost tourism, he explained.

Aswan Gov. Magdi Hegazi said during the closing ceremony of the festival that organizing the AIWFF in this ancient city that has so many temples, museums and sights to see adds an artistic and cultural momentum to the African capital of economy and culture.
February 22, 2017

Ancient Egyptians were known for their scientific excellence and genius, especially in the fields of astronomy, sculpture and construction. For instance, the three pyramids are considered among the Seven Wonders of the World. Pharaonic arts and antiquities still hide secrets that no scientists have managed to explain or understand.

Every year, a Pharaonic miracle has been happening for 33 centuries.

At the main entrance of the Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan governorate, a solar alignment is witnessed on the face of the King Ramses II statue twice a year, once on his birthday, Oct. 22, and again on his coronation day, Feb. 22.

Ramses II built his temple, which took 19 years to complete, in 1275 B.C. At the same time, the king inaugurated another temple for his wife, Queen Nefertari, who was said to be the most beautiful among Pharaonic queens. He ordered her shrine to be located near his own, on a mountain overlooking the Nile.

King Ramses II, of the ninth Pharaonic family, was born in 1315 B.C. He came to power in 1290 B.C. and gained wide popularity for several reasons. For one, he acceded to the throne when he was a young, ambitious and enthusiastic man and remained king for 67 years. He also inherited a strong and rich country from his father who taught him the arts of war, rule and politics.

Civilians and soldiers supported him, and he defeated the Hittites, the largest military power at the time. He was passionate about immortalizing his memory and honoring himself. For that purpose, he built more shrines, palaces, statues and obelisks than any other ruler before him. During his reign, Egypt built a new capital called Pi-Ramesses, which became one of the most important capitals of the ancient Near East.

When the sun shines, its rays creep into his deep shrine, which is about 60 meters (197 feet) from the entrance, to illuminate it. The aim is for the suns rays to fall on Ramses IIs face from the east from a narrow opening.

British explorer Amelia Edwards and her team detected this phenomenon in 1848, and she recorded it in her book A Thousand Miles Up the Nile. She wrote, The statues of Abu Simbel Temple gain huge influence and are surrounded by an aura of praise and respect when the sunrays shine and set on them.

Al-Monitor attended the Aswan governorate's celebration of the phenomenon. According to Aswan Gov. Magdy Hijazi, the governorate holds several artistic and cultural events for the occasion.

This year, the celebration was more organized, given the development of the work and performance to suit its grandiosity, Hijazi told Al-Monitor. He noted that the event was made possible in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Culture in Aswan. The governorate was spending large sums of money on the celebrations of solar alignment in the past, but it is currently agreeing with other parties to support and improve the celebrations as part of the expenditure rationalization policy, he said.

The celebration marked the beginning of the fifth Aswan International Festival for Arts and Culture, in which 17 folk art troupes participated, including ones from China, India, Greece, Sudan, Nigeria, Armenia, South Korea and Thailand.

Among those who participated in the event were Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Culture Helmy al-Namnam and Minister of Tourism Yehia Rashed. About 4,000 people attended the solar alignment event, including 1,500 tourists.

The first Aswan International Womens Film Festival coincided with the solar alignment and was launched over six days under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism. The festival's prize statue comes in the shape of the ancient Egyptian goddess of the moon and motherhood, Isis.

Mohammad Idriss, the general manager of the Ministry of Culture in Aswan, told Al-Monitor, The festival program includes performances from the participating troupes. It took place in several cultural locations and youth centers in the governorate.

In a Feb. 6 press statement, Houssam Abboud, the director general of Abu Simbel antiquities at the Ministry of Antiquities, said the ministry took great efforts to prepare the celebrations for the occasion, which is a boon for tourism.

He added that the solar alignment phenomenon stems from the ancient Egyptian belief that King Ramses II was intricately connected to the sun god Ra.

Residents of Abu Simbel also participated in the celebration and promoted their city. They held an exhibition to display their antiquities and city folklore, as well as handicrafts from the families of tribes in Abu Simbel to reflect their culture to foreigners and Egyptians.

Aswan University participated in this global event by sending students from the Faculty of Linguistics to help guide foreign tourists who attended the celebrations.
February 26, 2017

When Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, then defense minister, gave a televised speech on July 3, 2013, announcing that President Mohammed Morsi had just been overthrown, he was flanked by Egypts top religious leaders, Pope Tawadros, the head of Egypts Coptic Orthodox Church, and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar. Tayeb, who had earlier called on Morsi  the countrys first democratically elected president  to step down to end the bloodshed, threw his weight behind the military man who helped rid Egypt of the Muslim Brotherhood, since designated by the country as a terrorist group.

Now, nearly four years later, cracks have appeared in the alliance between Sisi (himself a devout Muslim), who became president in 2014, and Al-Azhar, Sunni Islams oldest seat of learning. Al-Azhar has resisted repeated appeals by Sisi to renew Islamic discourse and modernize the faith. Any doubts skeptics might have had about Tayeb and Sisi not seeing eye to eye in regard to "modernizing Islam vanished when the president publicly took a jab at the grand imam last month, telling him, You wear me out. While the remark was made jokingly, it signaled underlying tensions in their relationship, suggesting Sisis patience with Al-Azhars intransigence on reforms may be wearing thin.

Sisi first made his impassioned plea for what he called a religious revolution two years ago during a New Years Day speech at Al-Azhar, lamenting that radicalized thinking is antagonizing the entire world and tearing the umma [Islamic nation] apart. His bold comments earned him praise from Western supporters who noted that Sisi had done something that no Western leader had had the courage to do. Skeptics, however, cautioned that Sisi was an unlikely reformer as he champions the application of Islamic law [Sharia]. Furthermore, Sisi had given no specifics regarding the revolution he seeks, argued Daniel Pipes in an article published by the Middle East Forum think tank he heads.

At home, Al-Azhar scholars took Sisis exhortations for religious reforms with a grain of salt. Any change must come from scholars of Islam, not from the government, an Al-Azhar official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press, told Al-Monitor. Hinting that Al-Azhar preachers resent state interference in their religious affairs, he criticized the decision by the Ministry of Religious Endowments to unify sermons at Friday congregational prayers in mosques across the country.

The Ministry of Religious Endowments decides on the topics the imams will be preaching on each week, but often the sermons prepared by the ministry are insensitive to the circumstances of the place where they are being delivered, he complained. A sermon on cleanliness may be well received by mosque-goers in Cairo but would be unsuitable when preached in mosques in the northern Sinai town of el-Arish, a hotspot for violence in recent months."

He also rejected claims by some critics that Al-Azhar's curriculum promotes fundamentalism and violence. Tens of thousands of students  local and foreign  study at Al-Azhar. How many of them have become terrorists? he asked. The grand imam, too, has rebutted the allegation that the centuries-old Islamic institution was spreading radical ideas, insisting that Al-Azhar is the pulpit of moderate, centrist and tolerant Islam.

A special committee of educational experts, created in 2015 at the behest of Sisi, has been reviewing and updating Al-Azhars educational curriculum, weeding out content perceived to be inciting violence. Meanwhile, a YouTube channel launched two years ago and overseen by Al-Azhar scholars has the declared aim of countering Islamic State propaganda. Plans are also underway to launch a new Al-Azhar TV channel in the coming months to promote moderate thought. While these are all steps in the right direction, they fall well short of Sisis aspiration of revolutionizing Islam. Much more needs to be done if Al-Azhar wants to show it is serious about combating the surge in terrorist attacks and curbing the spread of extremism, alongside the government, which is battling IS-affiliated groups in the Sinai Peninsula.

Al-Azhars senior scholars have thus far refused to accuse IS of heresy, arguing that Islam prohibits accusations of heresy as only God knows what is in someones heart. They claim that IS cannot be considered heretical as long as its members have uttered the shahada (the Muslim declaration that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet.) The institutions clerics have also failed to back calls by rights activists to annul the countrys controversial blasphemy laws that allow citizens to be prosecuted for "insulting religion" despite Sisi's giving a nod to such calls.

Islamic thinker and TV talk show host Islam El-Beheiry spent the most part of 2016 behind bars on the charge of contempt of religion for questioning the authenticity of various religious texts interpreting the Quran and calling for their revision on his show on the privately owned Al-Kahira Wal Nas Channel. A legal complaint was filed against him by a private citizen after Al-Azhar demanded the suspension of his show for defaming Islam. Beheiry was originally handed down a five-year sentence that was reduced to one year by an appeals court in December 2015. He was released in November after Sisi granted him amnesty and has since vowed to continue to speak out against radical thought. In his first television appearance on the privately owned Al-Mehwar channel days after his release, he denied having committed a crime and paid tribute to Al-Azhar. However, he said that "the problem lies with the Salafists within the institution who continue to defend problematic religious texts upon which IS practices are based. Al-Azhar condemns the actions of IS, saying IS members are misinterpreting the texts. They are not; the texts tell them to kill and it is these texts that should be condemned.

Beheiry told Al-Monitor that Sisi is serious about reforming Islamic discourse, but unifying the sermons in mosques will not change anything. To counter the threat of terrorism, Al-Azhar needs to acknowledge that the problem lies in outdated Islamic heritage books that were written in the medieval period or earlier. These books promote jihad [holy war] and intolerance. Terrorist attacks will continue as long as these books are available, poisoning peoples minds, he said.

Eslam Abdel Raouf, an assistant professor of journalism at Al-Azhar, acknowledged that there are internal divisions within the institution. Like any other institution in the country, Al-Azhar has reformists and ultraconservatives. The former group supports Sisis calls for reform while the latter is against it, he told Al-Monitor. The dominant view among Al-Azhar clerics is that change is welcome as long as it does not touch the fundamentals of the religion. While it is fine to modernize religious discourse to make it more appealing to the youth, state interference in religious edicts [fatwas] is considered a red line that must not be crossed.

Sisi was perceived by the clerics as having crossed that line when he recently called for a law banning verbal divorce in Egypt in an attempt to reduce the countrys burgeoning divorce rate, which in 2015 went up by 10.8%, according to Egypts Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. Sisi had lamented in a speech he gave at the Police Academy on the eve of National Police Day on Jan. 25 that 40% of all marriages in Egypt end within the first five years. He urged the grand imam, who was present in the audience, to lend his support to the proposed legislation.

In a rare show of defiance, however, Al-Azhar rejected the plan, drawing a clear line between religion and politics. A statement released by Al-Azhar's Council of Senior Clerics stated, Verbal divorce, when meeting all the conditions  the husband has to be fully conscious and of sound mind when uttering the words 'I divorce you'  has been an undisputed practice since the days of the Prophet Muhammad.

Al-Azhars rejection of Sisis proposal places the religious institution on a direct collision course with the head of state, signaling a marked shift in the relationship and possibly the beginning of a tug of war for greater autonomy for the institution  perceived as "politicized" by some analysts. In the meantime, Sisis push for religious reforms hangs in the balance.
February 26, 2017

Iran resets Palestinian fault line

Iran is intensifying its support for Palestinian groups in response to being put "on notice" by the Trump administration and reports of the United States' trying to broker an intelligence-sharing relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states.

Ali Hashem writes from Tehran, With regional wars intensifying from Yemen to Syria, and with US President Donald Trump having officially put Iran 'on notice,' the Islamic Republic has chosen to respond in a different manner. Iran has highlighted its decision a year ago to boost its support for Palestinian factions fighting Israel and to say openly that it's putting this issue at the top of its agenda.  But it's worth mentioning that if it wasn't for the yearlong renewed dialogue between the Palestinian faction Hamas and Tehran, alongside other mainstream Palestinian groups, little could have happened. Indeed, Palestinian groups complain they are left without any Arab or Islamic support to confront Israel, and that their cause is day by day becoming more forgotten and ignored.

On Feb. 21-22, Iran hosted a conference in Tehran with participants from the major Palestinian parties including Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani both gave speeches at the conference. The Palestinian delegates also met with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani.

Adnan Abu Amer reports that the election of Yahya Sanwar as the head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, replacing Ismail Haniyeh, signals an acceleration of the warming trend in Irans ties to Hamas. Remarkably, Abu Amer writes from Gaza, following Sanwars victory, there were repeated talks on Hamas willingness to promote ties with Iran, which have worsened since 2012 [over Syria]. Hamas military apparatus insists on preserving ties with Iran, as Iran is an important source of financial and military support.

Sanwar is one of Hamas most prominent military leaders and activists who was arrested by Israel in 1988 and sentenced to four life terms. He was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit, and since his release has been among the top ranks of Hamas leaders, including handling the account that deals with captured Israeli prisoners in the 2014 war.

Turkish limitations exposed in al-Bab

On Feb. 24, Turkeys military claimed that its forces and Syrian armed groups had finally defeated the Islamic State (IS) in al-Bab and seized control of the city.

The Turkish campaign in al-Bab has revealed the limitations of Turkeys ambitions in Syria. Syrian armed groups backed by Turkey attacked al-Bab in December to head off an offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which consists primarily of Syrian Kurdish militias. An SDF victory would have been a step toward linking the two Kurdish cantons in northern Syria. Despite Russian support, it took the Turkish military and its proxy forces almost three months to dislodge IS from this town just 18 miles from the Turkish border.

Cengiz Candar writes, The second alternative plan  Turkey's preferred approach  is moving to Raqqa from Tell Abyad in the north, some 62 miles away. This would allow Turkish forces to proceed through largely empty territory and without the natural barrier of the Euphrates River. This proposal to the United States envisions a line of 12 miles to allow the Turkish army to march to Raqqa.

He continues, That plan would divide the territory controlled by the YPG [People's Protection Units] and the US-supported Kurdish nationalist Democratic Union Party [PYD] into two. Actually, this is the gist of the Turkish proposal: dividing the Kurds so Turkey can provide support to the United States to liberate Raqqa. In fact, Ankara doesn't just want to prevent the two Kurdish cantons east of the Euphrates River uniting with the one on the west (Afrin); it wants to also separate the two cantons on the east.

With the victory in al-Bab, Ankara may now believe that its hand is strengthened in convincing the United States to back off its reliance on the SDF for the eventual assault on Raqqa, IS' capital in eastern Syria.

Amberin Zaman reports that these may be false hopes. The Pentagon, and the US Central Command in particular, are in favor of proceeding with the SDF, she writes. Should their recommendations be heeded, Trump will sign a special legal dispensation known as Section 1209 that authorizes the Pentagon to train and equip nonstate armed groups ahead of a planned operation to take Raqqa proper.

Zaman adds, Turkey is said to have until Feb. 27 to submit its own plans, but Washington remains unconvinced that any of them can work for logistical and other reasons that have been amply covered. It is above all skeptical about the numbers and the battle-readiness of an Arab force that the Turkish army is said to be training inside Turkey.

Last week, this column summarized Al-Monitor Turkey Pulse reporting on the motley crew of armed groups backed by Turkey, which struggled against IS forces in al-Bab. Candar observes that a military force that is unable to maintain control over al-Bab even with some Russian support cannot be an asset for taking Raqqa, which is a far more formidable task.

The United States is seeking to assure Turkey that even if the SDF leads the ground assault on Raqqa, it will not be the force that holds the city once it is liberated. Washington is also sharing targeting information with Ankara against the Kurdistan Workers Party bases in Iraqi Kurdistan. But Turkey, Zaman notes, is unlikely to be satisfied.

The possibility of a confrontation between the Turkish military and affiliated armed groups on the one hand and Syrian Kurdish forces on the other seems greater than ever, including in Manbij, which is under Syrian Kurdish administration.

Zaman argues that there might be a case for freezing the current battle lines and holding off on Raqqa for now. That situation may suit the Syrian Kurds just fine, she writes. Since the start of the Syrian uprising, the Kurds have displayed a remarkable ability to take maximum advantage of events on the ground, adapting to the dizzying shifts in power balances, playing at once with the Russians and the United States and holding the regime at bay. But they have reached the limits of their territorial expansion and with Turkish forces firmly wedged between their eastern and western cantons, the chances of their being able to link them for now appear to be low. Besides, the prospects that Washington will recognize the Syrian Kurds' self-declared Northern Syrian Federation are fading by the day. Against this background, the Syrian Kurds have little interest in engaging in a battle that is likely to be very bloody and with no immediate benefit for their cause.

In the meantime, Turkey has intensified its rhetoric against Iran as scapegoat for its troubles in Syria and the region. Semih Idiz writes, Turkeys much more modest aim today is to contain developments that have evolved to its disadvantage, rather than trying to be a key player that charts the future of the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has become the target of Ankaras ire for blocking Turkeys regional ambitions.

Fehim Tastekin adds that the anti-Iran line also reflects 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.
February 27, 2017

US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi have spoken over the phone about the Iranian threat in the region, according to a White House statement issued Feb. 10.

On Feb. 1, Trump tweeted, Iran is rapidly taking over more and more of Iraq. Iranian influence in Iraq has risen since the fall of Saddam Husseins regime in 2003, and especially after the withdrawal of the last US troops at the end of 2011.

Since the new US administration took office on Jan. 20, it has adopted a strict stance toward Iran. As a result, disputes between the two countries have increased. In response to Irans ballistic missile test and following the Iran-backed Houthis targeting of a Saudi warship off the Yemeni coast, former US National Security Adviser Michael Flynn officially warned Iran on Feb. 1 and condemned its activities that he said undermine security, prosperity and stability  in the Middle East.

On Feb. 4, Secretary of Defense James Mattis described Iran as the single biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Vice President Mike Pence echoed Mattis in his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 18.

In response to the US statements, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Feb. 3, Iran is unmoved by these threats. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Gen. Hussein Salami said on Feb. 2, Our missiles, warships and launchers will increase by the day.

The commander of the IRGC Ground Forces Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour threatened the United States on Feb. 22 with a painful slap in the face if it makes a faux pas. Press reports noted that the United States is taking steps in the region to form an anti-Iranian military alliance including Arab states and sharing intelligence with Israel.

There are concerns about Iraq once again becoming a battlefield to settle accounts between Iran and the United States. In a clear indication of Iraqs unwillingness to become involved in conflicts between the United States and Iran, the report issued by Abadis office on Feb. 9 regarding his phone call with Trump did not mention the Iranian threat. When asked about his phone call with Trump during the weekly press conference on Feb. 14, Abadi said, The US and Iran are enemies, but Iraq is not part of this enmity. Abadi repeated his stance at the next press conference on Feb. 21.

Former Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily told Al-Monitor over the phone, The first signs indicate increasing pressure on Iraq, especially since Trump, unlike his predecessor Obama, does not want to improve relations with Iran. He added, The Iraqi government is closely watching the moves of the US and Iran, which might have a bad influence on Iraq and its attempts to manage the risks threatening it.

Maysam Behravesh, a Ph.D. candidate in international relations at the Swedish Lund University, told Al-Monitor over the phone, Iran is at its strongest in Iraq now. The Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups have gained wide fighting experience through their battles with the Islamic State [IS]. They now carry arms and equipment that they did not have before. Besides, these groups have a large public base because they succeeded in halting IS advancement in 2014 and played a remarkable role in liberating important regions in Iraq. This will make their participation in the upcoming elections strong.

During the US invasion of Iraq, Iran backed armed factions there to keep the threat of a US attack on itself at bay. Behravesh, who follows Irans foreign policy closely, told Al-Monitor, If the escalated tone in statements is coupled with realistic military threats, Iran will use the Iraqi armed factions to pressure the United States. This might result in a military clash between the United States and Iran on Iraqi territories.

Any military clash between the United States and these factions would undermine Abadis attempts to contain the Shiite factions in Iraq and increase Iranian influence, going against the goals of Trumps administration to limit Iran's activities in the region. Unlike his predecessor Nouri al-Maliki, Abadi does not have ties to Iran. Tensions between Abadi and several leaders of the Popular Mobilization Units, who are close to Iran, have surfaced in the past. They accused him of marginalizing the group. If Iran feels an imminent threat, it will not only exert military and security pressure on Iraq, but will also use its political influence to push for the election of a friendlier prime minister to reduce US influence there.

A clash between the United States and Iran-backed Iraqi military factions will weaken these factions in their fight against IS, making an IS comeback possible. As Trump indicated by calling on US military leaders to create a plan to defeat IS within 30 days, the US administration is unlikely to jeopardize this goal.
February 27, 2017

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech to election officials that he wants to ensure a smooth presidential election in May and warned off any potential government groups that might attempt to rig the vote in their favor.

We all have to be careful that government resources are not used in favor of one individual or party, Rouhani told the officials Feb. 25. This is a sin. By government, I mean the executive, the judiciary, the armed forces. I mean all the organizations that use public funds. No one has a right to use a public platform, public media, newspaper or website that uses public funds in the election.

Rouhani told the audience that it is the responsibility of the Interior Ministry and provincial governors to administer a healthy election. With regard to the Guardian Council, the conservative body that vets candidates for approval to run in the election, Rouhani said, I cannot accept anyone saying that the responsible group [for administering the election] is the Guardian Council. No. The administration is responsible. The Guardian Council supervises. This point about who ultimately controls the election process has been a long-running dispute between Rouhani and Guardian Council head Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati.

With regard to interference in the election from other bodies in the government, Rouhani said, We have to take a stand if someone commits a violation, if someone uses public funds, a military force, a security force, an armed force. We have to say something, we have to stand up. This final comment received applause from the audience members.

While Rouhani did not make any specific allegation, there were accusations that the 2009 presidential election was rigged and that conservative figures close to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had manipulated the ballot box to secure his re-election against the Reformist candidates. That election led to protests, hundreds of arrests and dozens of deaths and created a crisis that conservative officials fear could resurface at any moment.

While Ahmadinejad has said he has no plans for the upcoming president election, his former Vice President Hamid Baghaei, announced that he would be running in the election, a view that many believe would open the door for the former president to step into national prominence once again. Ahmadinejads former right-hand man, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, broke his nearly four-year media silence to express support for Baghaei. We are here to announce that we will continue the path of Dr. Ahmadinejad, Mashaei said at a press conference Feb. 26.

Mashaei continued, I take pride if I have similarities with Ahmadinejad, but I can say that Baghaei is more like Ahmadinejad. He also said that Baghaei has no competition in this election.

Despite not running in the election, Ahmadinejad still makes top headlines in the Iranian media. His most recent act was a Feb. 26 letter to US President Donald Trump. In the 3,000-world letter, Ahmadinejad clarified that reaching out to the president was not a political act but rather from one human to another human. However, Ahmadinejad did offer a 10-point recommendation to the American president. Ahmadinejads staff published the article both in Persian and English.
February 24, 2017

NAJAF, Iraq  Amid the reform protests taking place in Baghdad, political differences between Shiite clerics interested in Iraqi affairs have been widening in the two cities of Qom and Najaf.

While controversial cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement, continues to support the demonstrations that significantly sparked these Shiite differences, Shiite clerics based in Qom have issued fatwas condemning the protests and saying that they would lead to a devastating mess. The most recent demonstration took place Feb. 17 in Baghdad and in other Shiite provinces in southern Iraq. On Feb. 11, five protesters were killed and 320 were injured in Baghdad. Other Shiite clerics close to the Iranian regime also issued fatwas against the protests in Iraq, such as Kazem al-Haeri and Sheikh Mahdi Asefi.

Kamal Al-Haidari, a high-ranking cleric close to the Iranian regime, said during his religious lectures Feb. 16, My religious and political position is that institutional reform cannot take place through begging in the streets, and that reform should only be brought about through constitutional and legal institutions.

Meanwhile, the Sadrists sharply responded to his statements by accusing him of unfairness, lack of impartiality and unawareness of Iraqi affairs. Saleh Mohammed al-Iraqi, a close associate of the Sadrist movement leader and an occasional spokesman of his, launched a scathing attack on Haidari, describing him as unauthorized and lacking expertise and fairness in opinion regarding the protests and the calls for reform.

If you are to give your opinion about a certain topic, you should be fair, and you should be following the related developments. You cannot live in Qom and interfere in the affairs of Najaf, Iraqi said.

This is a clear indication that the escalating dispute between Sadr and Haidari falls within the context of the different views of Qom and Najaf. The dispute is originally over the relationship between the religion and the state, and it started when some Shiite authorities in Qom led the Iranian Revolution against the Shah and got deeply involved in the details of the countrys political affairs at a time when Najaf kept a clear distance from politics and the government altogether  even after it was offered a chance to rule after 2003.

This led to a fierce debate between the Najaf and Qom schools. While the former represents the traditional vision of the Shiite opposition to the participation of the clergy in power, the latter represents the pro-velayat-e faqih (doctrine that hands supreme power to a religious figure) modern vision. While the controversy gradually started to evolve with the degeneration of the unstable political situation in Iraq, it is now expanding to include detailed political topics related to the political affairs of Iraq.

Haidari enjoys the full support of the Iranian regime. The official Iranian Al-Kawthar TV, an Arabic-language channel, offered him a show that has been on for more than a decade. The show aims to criticize the ideological positions and the related political affairs opposing the official Iranian stance, and it had provided Haidari with fame and influence among the Shiite Arabs, especially in Iraq.

A source close to Haidari said on condition of anonymity that Haidari has also received financial support directly from the office of the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a monthly basis. In addition, the Iranian regime has provided Haidari with special security protection from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while many other senior clerics in Qom were not treated with such privilege.

Consequently, Haidari allowed himself to claim the Shiite authority for his own and proclaim himself as the religious authority, Sayyid Kamal al-Haidari, as well as expand his circle of influence among Iraqis. Today, he gives weekly intensive lectures about Shiite theology, jurisprudence and mysticism, in addition to conveying his own political views.

Meanwhile, he has been trying to gain popularity within Najafs hawza since 2003, but he has been failing due to the opposition expressed by the traditional school there.

Haidari is known for not only opposing, but even attacking Najafs traditional school and its main pillars, such as Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei and Ali al-Sistani. The dispute between them was originally due to Haidaris affiliation with the Iranian velayat-e faqih, clearly opposed by Najaf, and he is now one of the prime candidates for the Iranian regimes endeavor in Najaf after the 86-year-old Sistani, the current authority there.

Meanwhile, instability prevails within the Sadrist movement over becoming associated with either Najaf or Qom. The Sadrist movement is believed to be the product of the fundamentalist Shiite vision that opposes Najafs traditional school. As a result, Sadrs father, Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr, was involved in a bitter and long struggle with Sistani and other religious authorities in Najaf, which is why Sadr kept Sistani at a distance after the death of his father in 1999. He then became associated with Haeri in Qom, who provided him with a religious cover to form the Mahdi Army in resistance to the US forces.

However, political difference soon drove a wedge between Sadr and Haeri, who abided by the official Iran position to the word, while Sadr wanted to maintain a sense of independence in his positions.

This prompted Sadr to turn to Haidari in August 2013, when Sheikh Mahmoud al-Jayashi, the director of Sadrs office, was able to arrange a meeting between the two because he was also one of Haidaris most prominent disciples.

After the meeting was held, Sadr's office stated, that both sides discussed the regions affairs in general and Iraqs issues in particular, noting that the two agreed to coordinate future positions.

Regardless, the current political disputes between the two are pushing Sadr to reconsider his positions so he does not lose popularity after losing his religious cover.

In a nutshell, all these developments are signs of broad political and religious disagreements that would take over Iraqi society after the death of Sistani, the strongest and most important sponsor of the political process in Iraq after 2003.
February 27, 2017

Last August, Israel's Interior Minister Aryeh Deri and Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan decided to set up an interagency task force to bar foreign nationals who support the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement from entering the country. Knesset members Roy Folkman of the center-right Kulanu Party and Bezalel Smotrich of the ultra-right HaBayit HaYehudi Party authored similar legislation that has already received preliminary approval, even by opposition head and leader of the center-left Zionist Camp, Isaac Herzog.

But what started out as a measure against anti-Israel boycott supporters has in the past few weeks been expanded to include human rights activists. On Feb. 8, Israeli border police detained Jennifer Gorovitz, the vice president for operations and administration of the New Israel Fund.

In a Feb. 16 piece in Haaretz, Gorovitz shared her feelings about her experience at Ben Gurion Airport. "My privilege as a Jew means I never imagined that Israel could or would deny me entrance, she wrote. And so I was not prepared for a passport control officer to sneer at my explanation that the New Israel Fund (and Shatil) support civil society: You mean Palestinian civil society.  After multiple interrogations focusing on NIFs work, it became clear that I had been detained for political reasons  no other explanation fit."

Gorovitz was eventually released only after the intervention of the NIF president, attorney Talia Sasson.

On Feb. 24, Israels Ministry of Interior refused to issue a work visa for Omar Shakir, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, claiming that the organization was a Palestinian propaganda tool fronting as a human rights group. The Foreign Ministrys position on the issue  as expressed in a statement by spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon  was that we are no longer willing to turn the other cheek. Only when the Donald Trump administration demanded to know why Israel was denying entry to an American citizen working for an American organization, and after the intervention of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, did the Foreign Ministry make a U-turn, announcing that the application would be re-examined.

In a joint statement protesting the conduct of the Interior Ministry, 16 human rights groups accused Israeli immigration authorities of acting like a thought police. The activists claimed that preventing entrance into the country would not prevent the reporting on human rights violations, and that attempts to silence the messenger will not suppress our message.

Theres a sense of a tightening noose, Sasson told Al-Monitor. This is manifested in attempts to prevent the public from being exposed to opinions other than those of the government, both by direct de-legitimization and through indirect legislation and various regulations.

Sasson said that when she called the airport and asked the policeman in charge why Gorovitz was being questioned, he answered that it was for security reasons. What security reason could there be? I advised prime ministers about security-related legal issues and there can be no security issue involving a 50-something lawyer from the United States who has been active her entire life in raising funds for Israel, said Sasson, who served in senior positions in the State Attorneys office for 25 years.

Sasson added that during her questioning, Gorovitz, herself also a lawyer, saw the police holding a document on which the letters BDS were written, but the police denied that this had anything to do with her questioning. I think the BDS issue is being used to try and keep out of Israel people whose views differ from those of the government, Sasson said.

BTselem spokesman Amit Gilutz told Al-Monitor that the various human rights organizations are under constant attack, but nonetheless there are other swaths of the public that mobilize to support us and protest the limitations placed on us. Surprising data published by his human rights group indicates that after the October 2016 speech delivered by BTselem Executive Director Hagai Elad at the United Nations, following which coalition chairman David Bitan demanded that Elads citizenship be revoked, donations to the organization by Israeli citizens living in Israel skyrocketed 855%. Still, activists of BTselem and other organizations are deeply fearful of the continued attacks on them under the guise of security.

According to Sasson, Security has become a catchword used to camouflage the political goal behind the attack on the organizations. You can parse the security explanations any way you like so they can be used to silence us, and were not allowed to object.

Sasson noted that the organizations options for legal measures are limited, and thats why the issue has to be exposed as much as possible. The media is vital to this struggle and exposure abroad is critical. The fact is that in the case of Omar Shakir, when the US administration heard that a researcher for an organization registered in the United States was being barred from entering Israel, they were angered and demanded explanations. We, Israelis who fear for our democracy, for freedom of expression and political freedom, have to get Trumps protection? How ridiculous is that?

As if this was not enough, Knesset member Shuli Mualem of HaBayit HaYehudi recently tabled legislation designed to make it harder for human rights organizations to compile information from government ministries and public authorities. According to her proposed bill, not only will their usual exemption from these fees be revoked, they will be obliged to pay a double fee. The Israeli taxpayer doesnt have to bear the cost of generating information for hostile elements funded by the European Union and other foreign states, she explained.
February 27, 2017

The president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani, has renewed calls for Turkey to release Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), and other lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish bloc who are being held on a mind-numbing array of thinly supported terror charges.

Barzani made the appeal during an hour-long meeting Feb. 25 with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, reported the Iraqi Kurdish Rudaw media organization. Barzani described his talks with Erdogan at the sumptuous Ottoman-era Mabeyn kiosk as very good. He said, We discussed all subjects, but chose not to elaborate.

Coming ahead of a referendum on expanding the powers of the Turkish presidency due to be held on April 16, the Iraqi Kurdish leaders visit has sparked speculation that Erdogan hopes a halo effect will win him votes from conservative Kurds.

Barzanis close ties with Erdogan remain a matter of controversy in Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan alike. Turkish Kurds who identify with imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan resent Barzanis cooperation with the Turkish government and there is escalating pressure on the HDP and its sister party, the Democratic Regions Party (DPB), since the breakdown of a two-and-a-half-year cease-fire between the PKK and the state in July 2015.

At least 11 HDP parliamentarians have been in custody since November and the party says 5,741 of its members and supporters have been detained and 1,482 arrested in recent months.

In the past year, 69 DBP mayors, including Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli, the co-mayors of the Kurds unofficial capital of Diyarbakir, were arrested and 50 government administrators appointed to their seats.

At home, Barzani faces criticism over a major energy deal signed with Turkey in 2013 covering oil pipelines and planned gas sales. Opposition Change Movement leaders accuse Barzanis Kurdistan Democratic Party of profiting from the deal. But the Kurdistan Regional Government recently agreed to have all its accounts, including proceeds from oil sales made via Turkey, externally audited, making it a lot harder for such charges to stick.

Barzani, who is pushing for independence, has to walk a fine line managing relations with Turkey and the Kurdish public opinion.

Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistans sole outlet to the West, gave these plans a big boost when it allowed the Iraqi Kurds to export their oil independently of Baghdad via the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan in May 2014. Barzani also sees the presence of several thousand Turkish troops, including near Mosul, as protection against Shiite militias and Iran, which is stiffly opposed to Kurdish statehood.

Even so, Barzani has deftly managed to cultivate Ankara without bowing to pressure to fight the PKK as he did during the 1990s, when the Turkish army was dictating Turkish policy from behind the scenes. Instead he helped broker the first-ever direct peace talks between Turkey and the PKK in 2009, but these and subsequent stabs at a deal came to naught.

Barzanis meeting with Ahmet Turk, the DBP mayor of Mardin who was recently released from prison and is seen as the doyen of Kurdish politics in Turkey, sparked fresh rumors that a new round of talks might be in the works.

The pro-government Turkish media has been hinting for some time that when endowed with full executive powers, Erdogan will reach out the Kurds again and Barzani may play a part.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Barzani, Turk declared, President Massoud Barzani is an important actor for the Kurds. President Barzani is a leader of the Kurds and I believe he will do his utmost for the [Kurdish] peace process.

But relations between Barzani and the PKK have gotten trickier since the PKK moved into the mainly Yazidi area of Sinjar in 2014, which is part of the disputed territories that the Iraqi Kurds and the central government each claim as their own.

Several hundred PKK fighters remain in Sinjar after helping to rescue thousands of Yazidis facing imminent slaughter by the Islamic State. The PKK has since overseen the establishment of local councils and a Yazidi militia known as the Sinjar Resistance Units. Barzani sees all of this as a direct challenge to his governments authority and says the PKK needs to go.

Turkey feels the same way. The group uses Sinjar to ferry goods and people from Iraqi Kurdistan to the large chunk of northeastern Syria that is controlled by Syrian Kurds, who are loyal to Ocalan and therefore viewed by Turkey as a threat to its national security. Both Barzani and Turkey have threatened to use military force if need be.

Baghdad is said to be backing the PKK presence as a counterweight to the Turkish forces dug in around Bashiqa, west of Mosul, whom Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has repeatedly asked to leave. But as things stand, nobody seems to be leaving anytime soon.
February 27, 2017

GAZA, Gaza Strip  According to official figures published by the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics on Feb. 16, the unemployment rate in Palestine climbed to 26.9%, with 360,500 unemployed out of a total workforce of 1.3 million in Palestine, while the poverty rate in the Gaza Strip exceeded 80%, according to the Zakat Department affiliated with the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments.

Despite these staggering figures, the Palestinian Cabinet announced Feb. 15 the cancellation of all health insurance benefits granted to unemployed citizens starting March 1.

The Cabinet decision irked and outraged civil society organizations. On Feb. 15, the coalition of economic and social rights (a coalition of more than 55 Palestinian civil society organizations and trade unions) called on the Council of Ministers to renounce its halt of health insurance benefits for the unemployed, saying the government's decision is a violation of the Palestinian Basic Law.

Suheil al-Hindi, the Field Research Department coordinator at Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, The government's decision is unjust to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families who cannot afford health service costs, which would put their lives at risk. The government should have held prior discussions with civil society organizations on this unjust decision instead of making up false justifications.

The head of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, Sami al-Amsi, told Al-Monitor, The Palestinian government's decision to cancel free health insurance for Palestinian unemployed citizens crossed all red lines and we will resort to all means and tools to prevent its execution. We will stage protests and sit-ins until the Cabinet renounces its unjust decision. Palestinian citizens expected the government of national consensus to establish programs that would lead to their employment or ensure their childrens employment to allow them to have a stable life. Instead they saw the level of the services provided to them downgraded.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) had granted unemployed citizens free health insurance by virtue of a decision by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in 2000 in light of the deterioration of the economic and social situation in the Palestinian territories with the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in the same year.

In 2000, 39,000 unemployed citizens benefited from free health insurance. According to estimates of the Palestinian Health Ministry, the number of beneficiaries of this free insurance reached around 250,000 in 2016.

In turn, Youssef Abu al-Rish, the director general of the Hospitals Department at the Health Ministry in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Until the end of 2016, 235,000 families benefited from free health insurance granted by the Health Ministry in Gaza, including 95,000 beneficiaries who have access to free health insurance from among the category of unemployed, families of martyrs and wounded, prisoners and beneficiaries of Social Affairs Ministry programs.

He added, The Ministry of Health in Gaza will not abide by the Palestinian Cabinets recent decision and vows to maintain the free health insurance benefits for those who meet the conditions, noting that the ministry will add a new category of beneficiaries from the free health insurance consisting of citizens earning less than the minimum wage, which currently stands at 1,450 shekels (around $396) a month.

Health insurance in Palestine is divided into two schemes. The first is mandatory health insurance, where individual participants pay a monthly contribution ranging between 50-75 shekels ($14-$21) while public or retired employees have 5% deducted from their basic salary or pension.

The Social Security Law guarantees this to any person. Until the end of 2014, 150,464 families benefited from this insurance scheme in the West Bank.

The second insurance scheme is free health insurance granted to unemployed citizens, families of martyrs and wounded, prisoners, and beneficiaries of the Ministry of Social Affairs programs.

It should be noted that after the Palestinian division and Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued on June 14, 2007, Decree No. 18 of 2007 that exempts Gaza Strip citizens from paying any fees or taxes on all services provided by PA departments, including health insurance; the decision includes all citizens, including employees and retirees.

Atef Adwan, a Hamas parliamentarian and the head of the Economic Committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council, told Al-Monitor, The Ramallah government shall bear the consequences of the decision to halt free health insurance for the unemployed since it is exploiting the state of political vacuum and the disruption of the Legislative Council since the Fatah-Hamas division in 2007 to pass decisions aimed at fragmenting the social fabric and that serve Israel.

He added, The free health insurance granted to unemployed citizens costs the Health Ministry in Gaza up to 81 million shekels [$22.1 million] every year, in the absence of any financial assistance from the PA in the last 10 years.

The Palestinian Legislative Council has been holding extraordinary sessions since the outbreak of the Palestinian division in 2007, and the last session in Gaza was held on Jan. 26.

Youssef Mahmoud, the spokesman for the consensus government, told Al-Monitor, Many have misunderstood the Council of Ministers' decision, which provides for the suspension of the free health insurance scheme as of the beginning of March to allow workforce-related data to be updated. The decision does not provide for the definitive halt of this insurance as some have alleged.

The dean of the Faculty of Law at Umma University, Abbas Noureddine, is not convinced by Mahmouds argument. He told Al-Monitor, According to the applicable legislative regulations in force in Palestine, the Cabinet decisions shall be published in the Palestinian Official Gazette (al-Waqa'eh) to enter into force and become legally binding.

He noted that any governmental explanation about any legislation in force should be published in the Palestinian official gazette and not made public through press statements. Did the government take back its decision to halt free health insurance benefits? he asked.

One cannot predict what will happen if the government of consensus decides to execute its decision to stop free health insurance for the unemployed as of the beginning of March. However, it is likely that this step would lead to protests and sit-ins against the government by unemployed citizens in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, demanding back their right to free health insurance.
February 24, 2017

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Since early February, Egyptian fish have become available again in the Gaza Strip after they had disappeared for nearly four years. They were unavailable due to an intensified Egyptian security crackdown on the tunnels built along the border with Rafah that started in July 2013.

Yazid Ismail stands in front of the fish market carrying a bag of Egyptian fish. He happily told Al-Monitor, I was previously unable to purchase bass caught in the Gaza sea, due to high prices that went up to 45 shekels [$12] per kilogram [2.2 pounds, $5.45 per pound]. Today, I managed to buy 3 kilograms at once, as 1 kilogram is sold at 28 shekels.

He added, Fish coming from Egypt are sold at low prices, which enables large families and medium-income households to purchase fish that were usually limited to high-income earners.

Ismail hopes that political circumstances get better in Egypt so that raw materials and goods can enter Gaza through Egypt.

Fish started coming into Gaza after Darar Alwan and his brothers repeatedly tried to contact Egyptian companies via his Mazin al-Quds company. Alwan is the official and sole supplier of fish through the crossing. Three other suppliers who import fish through the tunnels compete with him.

The company introduced 22 tons of fish in two batches through the Rafah border crossing, while undetermined quantities entered intermittently via the tunnels.

Alwan told Al-Monitor, A year and a half ago, we contacted many Egyptian trade companies to bring fish into Gaza, whether officially through the Rafah crossing or through the tunnels. An agreement was reached with these companies, but its implementation was delayed due to Egypts political circumstances.

On the fish species and how they enter Gaza, he said, The meagre, mullet and tilapia are the types of fish we bring into Gaza through the tunnels, and they are raised in farms in el-Arish town. The sea fish are brought from Alexandria in containers filled with ice. One day and a half are required before they reach the crossing.

Tons of fish have entered Gaza via the tunnels or officially through the Rafah border crossing, as Egypt has lately facilitated the introduction of a number of goods, including cement, iron, wheat, fish and other materials, after Hamas-Egyptian ties improved.

Atiya Abu Moussa, who transports fish from the tunnels, told Al-Monitor, I work, along with seven others, in the transport of fish in trucks from the tunnels to Rafah, which takes us four hours. The fish are then placed in refrigerators to be sold to merchants the next morning or the same day.

Walid Thabet, the director general of fish farming at the Gaza Ministry of Agriculture, told Al-Monitor, Twelve thousand [metric] tons [13,200 US tons] of sea fish per year are needed in the Gaza Strip. The quantity of fishing ranges between 2,500-3,000 [metric] tons only, due to the Israeli decision to ban fishermen from going too far from shore.

The fish coming from Egypt have compensated for the shortfall in the domestic market. Also, their price is relatively lower that those caught in the Gaza sea or those produced by aquaculture in the Gaza Strip. For instance, 1 kilogram of mullet from the Egyptian el-Arish aquafarms is sold at 15 shekels, while 1 kilogram of mullet from the Gazan aquafarms is 30 shekels.

On whether or not the entry of fish will have an impact on the Gazan fishing market, Nizar Ayyash, the head of the Gaza Fishermen Syndicate, told Al-Monitor, Fishing requires high costs in Gaza, and the fishing quantity is small. Egyptian fish will have a negative impact on the market of fresh fish caught in the Gaza sea. Thus, fishermen will have to reduce the price of Gaza sea fish, due to a higher supply on the market, and bear the cost of fuel and boat maintenance.

Ayyash said the quality of Egyptian fish is lower than Gaza sea fish, and added, The required distance before fish arrive from Alexandria to the crossing or tunnels highly affects quality, which decreases significantly.

He said demands to halt the introduction of fish from Egypt should not be granted given the limited quantity of fish that Gazan fishermen make available on the local market. He said the entry of Egyptian fish helps meet domestic market needs and availability of fish at low prices.

The quantity of Egyptian fish, along with others caught in the Gaza sea or raised in aquafarms, would temporarily help meet the needs of Gazans. The entry of fish, however, depends on the Egyptian policy toward the Rafah crossing or the security situation in the Sinai Peninsula. This signals that fish will not be available at low prices around the clock.
February 27, 2017

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Feb. 16 that while the US is not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level with Russia, our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, meeting on the same day with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, added that the United States will consider working with Russia where we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people.

This is a worthy approach. The Islamic State (IS) poses a long-term insurgency and terrorism threat to Russia and the West, even as the territory it controls is diminishing. If the Trump administration is considering sending US ground forces to Syria to enforce safe zones or help take Raqqa, IS capital in Syria, this would represent a significant military escalation. Given the murky and complicated regional dynamics of the Syrian war, the US might benefit from a Russian assist.

In meetings in Moscow this month as part of a Track II delegation organized by the Center for the National Interest, Russian officials and foreign policy experts suggested that the fight against IS is both a shared interest and a way to improve ties with the West. Relations have declined sharply since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and launched a war in eastern Ukraine.

American officials have in the past charged that Russias military has been a paper tiger in dealing with IS in Syria. This is mostly true. Syria and Russia have picked their spots in battling IS. Russias priority has been to prevent the collapse of the Syrian government, which, if it led to Libya-like chaos, would harm US interests as well. Russia also has a strong interest in leveraging its support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad into a secure long-term position in Syria, which already involves a major air base and naval facilities that underpin Russias position in the eastern Mediterranean.

So, yes, Russia could do more against IS. And there is a shared interest in defeating Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, al-Qaedas Syrian affiliate. The Obama administration actually came to the same conclusion. In September, former Secretary of State John Kerry and Lavrov worked out an agreement for US-Russia intelligence and military coordination, which was scuttled after US warplanes inadvertently killed Syrian forces battling IS in Deir ez-Zor.

Progress toward a long-term political solution to Syria could benefit from US-Russian coordination. Moscow holds more of the diplomatic cards following the Syrian governments victory in Aleppo, launching new security talks with Turkey and Iran and floating proposals for a new Syrian constitution. The US has no influence with Syria and Iran, and US-Turkish relations are strained over US support for the Syrian Kurds. Russians understand, however, that the diplomatic process cannot succeed without US participation and leadership. Only Washington can bring along European and Gulf allies and the Syrian Kurdish parties. All must eventually be part of any enduring cease-fire and political solution, not to mention as a source of financing for the reconstruction that will be needed.

Even if the US were willing to consider partnership with Russia, would such cooperation serve the long-term interests of both countries? Russias interests in Syria are linked to those of the Assad regime and Iran. The Trump administration is reportedly considering new means of challenging Iran in the region. Based on recent conversations in Moscow, an emerging US hard line on Iran could be an impediment to US-Russian coordination in Syria and the greater Middle East.

What the US should not do is get sucked into another regime change misadventure, as happened in Iraq and Libya. Safe zones and more US ground forces are significant military escalations and loaded with risk. And the consequence of turning up the heat on Iran, which has extensive military and intelligence assets in Syria and no intention of exiting, will likely lead to more war and a potentially failed state.

If Russia is willing to cooperate with the US-led coalition in the fight against IS and al-Qaeda, and help end Syrias civil war through a UN-brokered process, it should be welcomed. This collaboration would be a handshake between Russia and the West, not an embrace, and it would be a good place to start, given the current poor state of relations.
By Laura McAlister

Photos by Jean Allsopp

This story appears in Birmingham magazine's February 2017 issue. Subscribe today!

When Dr. Andrew and Jennifer Cordover built their Mountain Brook home some 15 years ago, they had a few priorities.

They wanted an open space, a big spiral stairwell, and real pinewood floors. But perhaps at the top of that list, the couple wanted a home that would be comfortable for their three boys, as well as their family dogs.

When they first moved in, they gave little thought to decor. Jennifer jokes that they had so little furniture, they were using boxes as nightstands in their bedroom. However, as time passed, the New Orleans native grew a collection of beloved antiques. She sought the help of famed Birmingham designer

Richard Tubbs to help update her home's look, while utilizing those cherished pieces. And of course, it had to be teenager and dog-friendly.

Jennifer and Andrew's two oldest sons now have since left home, but they still have a freshman in high school, as well as two rescue dogs that Jennifer says are a part of the family.

"We just wanted it all to be comfortable, not fancy," Jennifer says of the house. "We didn't want to live like we were in a museum."

Jennifer got her open floor plan and spiral staircase. The staircase is the centerpiece of the main level of the house and lends to the high ceilings, where Tubbs incorporated appropriate scale artwork and furniture, as well as Jennifer's favorite antiques.

"I'm from New Orleans, and I love antiques," she says. "That's not really

Richard's thing, but he worked in the pieces, and I'm thrilled."

As would any true New Orleans lady, Jennifer wanted a parlor. Located off the main entryway of the home, she says it is her favorite room. It's opens to the main space, but can be closed off with pocket doors. She prefers to keep it open, though, because it showcases some of her favorite work from Tubbs, as well as her prized antiques.

Like most of the home, this space has a neutral color palette. The light grey settee sits opposite two chairs in the same color and velvet fabric, making for a comfortable conversation area. Tubbs mixed in more modern pieces with Jennifer's antiques.

An antique coal bin from New Orleans, one of Jennifer's more unique pieces, sits on the hearth of the fireplace. On one side of the fireplace is a teak chest, and on the other, the modern artwork looks like birch tree trunks but is actually made of paper.

While the parlor is Jennifer's favorite space, her teenage sons and pups prefer the family room. There, the furniture is simple and elegant, but comfort is key. A television hangs above the two-way fireplace, and Jennifer jokes that her youngest son is typically planted on the sofa. "I'm surprised he doesn't grow roots," she says. Seating surrounds the sofa, and a large leather ottoman offers plenty of space to kick your feet up and relax.

"Everything in this room had to be comfortable," Jennifer says. "If it wasn't, I'd never see my kids, and I like seeing them."

Although the room is designed for comfort, Tubbs added a few elegant touches with large floor-length mirrors to optimize the space, as well as some fine antiques from Jennifer's collection.

A large cabinet from France, estimated to be about 300 years old, anchors the space, and a baby grand piano that Jennifer often plays takes up one corner of the room.

On the other side of the fireplace is the kitchen, where everyone tends to gather when the couple frequently entertains. There's plenty of room for people to mingle in the kitchen.

Four club chairs are arranged around the fireplace and center of the room--this is Andrew's favorite space. A brightly-colored Turkish rug adds pops of color to the otherwise neutral space.

Jennifer wanted wood for the kitchen cabinetry. The double cabinets reach the ceiling, offering plenty of storage. The island offers more seating for family and friends, as does the custom-made breakfast table on the other side. It, along with the formal table in the adjoining dining room, were made from reclaimed wood in Scotland. The custom-made dining table can seat up to 12.

A butler's pantry with more storage separates the dining room from the kitchen, where again, entertaining was key. The boys' rooms are upstairs, along with a guest bedroom, where Tubbs again simplified the space with neutral colors and decor they could grow with. The master is on the main level, so Andrew and Jennifer can adapt with the house, as well, when their youngest son leaves home.

"We built the house so we could close off the upstairs and live completely downstairs," Jennifer says. "Everything we need is on the main level."

That includes her four-legged babies, which the main level suits just fine, as well.
Five startup teams from Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Selma, Mobile and Orange Beach will face off in April in the finale of the Alabama Launchpad Startup Competition Finale.

Between them, they will vie for $250,000 for their companies in this program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, which funds and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs.

The five teams were chosen from seven which competed Friday at Evonik Auditorium in Birmingham.

The five teams competing will be:

Tuscaloosa-based AYAS Renewables, Inc., a company affiliated with the University of Alabama, producing waste bio-based glycerin that replaces expensive petroleum products.

Teams competing in the Alabama Launchpad competition Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at Evonik Auditorium in Birmingham.

Mobile's CigarClub.com, a tailored monthly subscription service of premium cigars.

G Mommas Cookies, based in Selma, which makes southern-style cookies baked with real ingredients.

Maho Shades, LLC of Orange Beach, which offers sunglasses and eyeglasses made in Alabama.

Wyndy, based in Birmingham, a mobile app connecting parents and college babysitters.

The five finalist teams will make live pitches at a free event before a panel of entrepreneurs, investors and corporate stakeholders on April 27 at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, 65 Government Street, Mobile, beginning at 4 p.m.

Over the last decade, Alabama Launchpad has invested over $2.9 million in 61 companies, with the startups creating 502 jobs and securing $50 million in additional funding.

Judges for the competition are Chris Beaman, founder and chairman, New Leaf Digital; Josh Girvin, chief executive officer, O3 Insight; Gwen Fewell, chief commercial officer and co-founder, transOMIC Technologies; Nik Martin, founder, Open Frame and Boyd Stephens, founder, Netelysis.

The funds teams receive are based more on a startups' financial needs and the marketability of the venture, not on competition against other teams.

Alabama Launchpad Program Director Greg Sheek said by providing startups with the right support, they can "realize their true potential to help create jobs for the state and to show that Alabama is a good place for businesses to start, stay and grow."
Gigabit Internet is coming to Tuscaloosa homes and businesses this year.

General view at the Comcast Center seen Monday, October 19, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pa. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)

Comcast said it will deliver DOCSIS 3.1 technology in 2017, allowing for super-fast speeds through existing wiring already found at most homes and businesses in Tuscaloosa. To take advantage of the speeds, eligible customers must install a new DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.

Comcast, which is looking to expand in other Alabama cities, said the service will allow residential customers to download a 5-gigabyte HD movie in 40 seconds, a 600-megabyte TV episode in four seconds, a 150-megabyte music album in two seconds and a 15-gigabyte video game in two minutes.

"Between today's exciting news, and the upcoming grand opening of our new Xfinity Customer Retail Center in Tuscaloosa, our strong investment in Alabama continues," Comcast Regional SVP Doug Guthrie said in a statement. "The launch of gigabit service puts Tuscaloosa squarely on the map as a city able to offer a premier technology experience to its residents and businesses."

Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago and Detroit homes and businesses already have access to DOCSIS 3 speeds. Comcast announced in February it will bring gigabit Internet to Huntsville homes and businesses.

It is unclear now what the service will cost or when it will start.
At the beginning of this month, we at AL.com asked y'all to tell us your favorite Alabama meat-and-threes. (Read more here.) And you let us know. Thousands of nominations poured in, and then we put them all up to a regional vote (See your favorites here). After the votes, fellow AL.com writer Jared Boyd and I traveled the state to try your topspots -- plus a few wildcard picks. (Here are the 14 places we visited, and find our full list of stories here.)

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Your nominations took us everywhere.

We visited Johnny's Restaurant, the home to a James Beard semifinalist. I made a stop at one of the oldest restaurants on Sand Mountain. We also traveled to a small town where the cook was also a server. We saw almost every type of meat-and-three you could imagine.

And guess what they all had in common? They were all absolutely delicious and were owned by some of the nicest people we've ever met.

We hated narrowing the list down to a top 8, because all of them had amazing food, but, well, that was our job.

Say what you want about Alabama, but no one can out-cook us.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

One last thing ...

We judged the meat-and-threes based on several factors: The deliciousness of the food, atmosphere, variety of menu and the sweetness of the tea. We couldn't try every item at every restaurant, because, hey, we have limits. But we tried a lot. We put on the pounds. Trust us on this one.

And remember, again -- every restaurant we visited was super. Make sure to give them a visit, because these people are working long hours every day to bring you yummy Southern food. Support your mom-and-pops. (Find that list one more time here.)

I'll hush now. Here are the top eight meat-and-threes in Alabama:

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

8. Walton's Southern Table

Walton's Southern Table has only been open for two years, but it's already become a fixture in Huntsville's culinary scene. With a day-and-night menu, wine offerings and more, this isn't your typical meat-and-three.

Location: 4901 Whitesburg Drive S., Huntsville

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Why we love it

Walton's offered up their own spin on Southern classics. Fried green tomatoes? They were cut thin and flash-fried, making them more like potato chips. Mashed potatoes? You had the choice to get them topped with white or mushroom gravy. And each dish came with the side of three sweet pickles -- a nice touch.

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One must-try dish

Definitely, definitely check out the strawberry pretzel salad if you're looking for a sweet treat. (And even if you're not, check it out anyway.) A layer of cream cheese icing is smashed between a salty pretzel crust and strawberry gelatinous topping, and it's so good that you won't be able to stop eating it.

Read more about Walton's here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

7. City Cafe

City Cafe, one of the oldest restaurants in the Tuscaloosa area, is a favorite among locals for its Southern comfort food. Ask any current or former Alabama student where they got their country cooking fix, and they're sure to answer City Cafe.

Location: 408 Main Ave., Northport

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Why we love it

City Cafe is all about the community. There's a long line that snakes throughout the restaurant, and everyone in line helps each other out. Whenever a larger table opens, people at the front of the line yell out that there's a larger table available for bigger parties. This kind of teamwork keeps lunch time down a minimum.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

One must-try dish

Oh, goodness gracious. City Cafe's macaroni and cheese is the absolute best. Creamy and cheesy and buttery, you won't be able to stop eating it -- and we'll probably judge you a bit if you stop. It's that good.

Read more about City Cafe here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

6. Martin's Restaurant

Travel to the Capital City and you'll find the meat-and-three trifecta: Out-of-this-world food, friendly service and devoted regulars. Martin's is definitely the place to go in Montgomery if you're looking for down-home Southern food.

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Why we loved it

Walking into Martin's is like a blast from the past -- besides the wood-paneling, you'll spot many familiar faces, because most of the staff has been working for Martin's for a long time. You may also spot Maryanne Merritt, the owner, who's quick to tell you stories about the restaurant.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Must-try dish

The fried chicken is pretty famous at Martin's (Patrick Swayze tried it once), as it should be: It's juicy and has the perfect peppery notes. Added bonus: If you want, you can order pulley bones instead. It's definitely an Alabama food must-try.

Read more about Martin's here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

5. Mary's Southern Cooking

Mary's may not look like much from the outside, but don't judge a meat-and-three by its exterior. Because when you walk in the doors you'll be greeted by some of the best-smelling -- and tastiest -- soul food you've ever encountered.

Location: 3011 SpringHill Ave., Mobile

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Why we love it

Mary's is a family affair. We didn't meet namesake Miss Mary Smith, but we met her daughter, Felicia Bloxon, and granddaughter, Georgia Bloxon. They immediately treated us like family, directing us through the small cafeteria and calling us "hun."

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Must-try dish

Oh my goodness. You're not going to go wrong with anything you get at Mary's, but if you see the candied yams, make sure you order them. Don't think twice. Perfectly sweet and packed with flavor, this is absolute dessert heaven.

Read more about Mary's here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

4. Pannie George's Kitchen

Pannie George's has been serving Southern fare to hungry Auburnites and more since 2005, when they opened up shop on College Street. And when the students at nearby Auburn and Tuskegee universities start missing their grandmothers' cooking, the pull up to Pannie-George's to get some delicious homemade meals -- and large portions.

Location: 2328 S. College St. #6, Auburn

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Why we loved it

Jared and I were both impressed by the hospitality the moment we walked in the doors at Pannie-George's. As Jared wrote, "'Ohana' means 'family' and 'no one is left behind.' So does Pannie-George's. As soon as you walk inside, you should feel as if you're being served by people who care for you, just as much as they care about their craft. They hug. They smile. And they deliver on the recipes that they eat back home."

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

The must-try dish

I mean, I want to say you need to try everything at Pannie-George's, because you do. (Just maybe not in one day.) But two must-tries? The fried chicken (one of their most popular items) and the creamed corn, which is slightly sweet and oh-so-perfect. I could have just eaten it as a meal.

Read more about Pannie-George's here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

3. Niki's West

Nothing says "Welcome to Birmingham" quite like Niki's West. The ultra-popular cafeteria is like a well-oiled machine -- it seems impossible that they can serve so much Greek-inspired food to so many hungry customers each day (and night), but yet they do.

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Why we loved it

It doesn't matter who you bring along with you to Niki's -- they're going to find something they love. With dozens of delicious meats and veggies offered daily, the only downside to Niki's is that there's way too much to choose from.

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Must-try dish

It's hard to save room for dessert when you have so many meat-and-three options, but just trust us: Do it. The chocolate pie -- which is approximately the size of a toddler's head -- is one must-try, with the tallest layer of icing I've ever seen. It's definitely worth the sugar coma that comes after.

Read more about Niki's West here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

2. Johnny's Restaurant

A few days after we announced we were visiting Johnny's for the meat-and-three challenge, Johnny's got some big news: Chef Tim Hontzas was one of the semifinalists for best chef in the South from the James Beard Foundation. (Read more about that here.) Since the Beard announcement, Hontzas said that business had doubled -- and it'll probably keep increasing, as more and more people find out about the award-winning food that's coming out of the tiny restaurant in Homewood.

Location: 2902 18th St. S. Suite 200, Homewood.

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Why we loved it

Oh, the food, y'all. Johnny's menu is Greek meets Southern, and it's seriously good stuff. When Tim Hontzas stopped by our table to talk (he roamed the restaurant, talking to customers and giving suggestions), he meticulously detailed the process to make each dish, and let me just tell you: Lots of thought goes into each item he prepares, and that's why people nationwide are taking notice.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Must-try Dish No. 1

Greek meatballs with tzatziki isn't your typical meat-and-three fare, but it should be. The meatballs have the perfect hint of mint that gives it a fresh kick. It's just heavenly.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Must-try dish No. 2

We can't talk about Johnny's without talking about the parmesan grit cake. As Jared puts it, "Here's something every Southerner (or wannabe Southerner) should try before they die. It is worth the trip to Birmimgham, no matter how far and wide travelers must come."

It's so, so hard to cook grits perfectly, but bite into this small cake and you'll taste the best grits you've had your whole life. Give these to your Northerner friends and they'll definitely try to move South.

Read more about Johnny's here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

1. Zack's Family Restaurant

Jared and I rolled into Zack's around 10:30 a.m. near the end of our meat-and-three journey and saw a halfway-full parking lot. Again: At 10:30 a.m. Apparently, people of Dothan and beyond start arriving at Zack's at 10 a.m. (even though it doesn't even open until 10:30 a.m.) to be first in line to get their Zack's fix. And it's easy to see why: It's Alabama's Best Meat-and-Three.

Location: 1495 Headland Ave, Dothan

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Why we loved it.

Walking into Zack's is like walking into your family's Sunday lunch -- but you don't have to do the dishes. Owners Zack and Dianne Whaley are two of the nicest people you'll meet. They greeted us (and plenty of the other guests) with a hug and handshakes and told us plenty of jokes throughout our visit. It's pretty obvious that Zack's is such a successful restaurant because of the way they (and their employees) care about the customers. Throughout our visit, we saw plenty of Zack's employees carrying trays and dishes for customers that couldn't carry them to their seats.

Or, as Jared put it, "The Southern hospitality is laid on so thick, you'll wonder if you walked into some kind of resort with a seasoned staff of people around the world, playing up their idea of what Alabama should feel like. It's just that warm there."

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Must-try dish No. 1

Oh, y'all. I never imagined that pear cobbler would become one of my new favorite desserts (confession: I don't even like pears that much), but Zack's makes some boss pear cobbler. As Jared put it, "I don't know what they are doing to this cobbler, but I would carry it around in a pouch in my pocket if I didn't think my friends would judge me." Ditto, Jared. Ditto.

The only caveat: This was the special dessert of the day, so you're not going to find it every day. (But we have no worries that you'll find something else you love just as much.)

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Must-try dish No. 2

Honestly, it's really hard to narrow down the must-try dishes at Zack's, because the only thing better than the hospitality there is the food. But you won't go wrong if you order the country-fried steak. It's crispy and fresh and topped with flavorful white gravy. With a side of sweet tea, this is exactly what the South should taste like.

Read more about Zack's here.

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Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Want to read more Alabama's Best stories? Well, you're in the right spot.

Alabama's Best Doughnut is ...

Alabama's Best Coffee Shop

Alabama's Best BBQ Sandwich

Alabama's Best Pizza

Alabama's Best Farmers Markets

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The sudden and shocking death of actor Bill Paxton sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood and social media on the industry's biggest day, with the Oscars ceremony set to take place just hours after. During her intro to the In Memoriam segment of the broadcast, Jennifer Aniston paid a touching tribute to Paxton, whose passing seemed to hit his fellow actors pretty hard, as well as fans who grew up on his movies. Children of the 1990s knew Paxton to be pretty synonymous with their moviegoing life, and we consider this loss a tragedy, considering he died far too young at 61 and likely had plenty of great work left to do. So let's look back at some pivotal roles that not only established a fine career for Bill Paxton, but also contributed to our upbringing as die-hard film fans.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Punk Leader, "The Terminator" (1984)

Along with square-jawed B-movie vet Brian Thompson, a spiky blue-haired Paxton played a punk keen on terrorizing a naked Arnold Schwarzenegger. Unbeknownst to the punks, he was a cyborg death machine sent from the future to wipe out just about everything in his path, starting with them. In the first of his four collaborations with director James Cameron, we got a brief introduction to Paxton's manic and goofy energy, thanks to lines like "I think this guy's a couple of cans short of a six-pack."

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Chet Donnelly, "Weird Science" (1985)

Speaking of goofy, in his very next film, Paxton earned a little more screen-time as the mean older brother of a geek who creates a beautiful woman on a computer in John Hughes' underrated "Weird Science." A cigar-chomping scumbag and would-be drill sergeant to his weak little brother, Chet is downright torturous, that is, until his bro's all-powerful new creation turns the tables on him. A perfect 80s movie heel.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Private William Hudson, "Aliens" (1986)

His second film with James Cameron, "Aliens" remains one of the greatest action movies ever, with a lot of humor to spare thanks to Paxton's wiry space marine Pvt. Hudson. When the going gets tough, he ultimately goes down in a blaze of glory, but he has some terrific freakouts when his squad realizes just what their up against, a colony of acid-spewing killer aliens. "Game over, man! Game over!"

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon, "One False Move" (1992)

Carl Franklin's thriller co-written by Billy Bob Thornton let Paxton test his leading man chops, which proved perfect for this hard-boiled Arkansas-set crime flick. As an affable small town police chief keen on doing some "real police work" when murderous drug dealers roll through his town, he's quickly pushed to his limit, having to drop the naivete to crack down on the bad guys. Underrated gem from the early 1990s and Paxton's filmography.

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Morgan Earp, "Tombstone" (1993)

As one of Wyatt Earp's brothers who also moves to Tombstone, Ariz., to settle down before engaging in the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Paxton played a crucial role in one of the best westerns of the 1990s (and maybe ever). Playing opposite Kurt Russell and Sam Elliott, he more than holds his own in steady supporting work.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Simon, "True Lies" (1994)

His third film with James Cameron, and perhaps my favorite overall performance from his career, Paxton plays a scummy car salesman who moonlights as a fake secret agent to take advantage of bored housewives like Jamie Lee Curtis in "True Lies." When her husband, an actual spy played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, catches on, he makes life hell for the loudmouthed idiot. Paxton and Arnold have terrific chemistry in a few scenes, namely when they take a sports-car for a test spin and Simon brags about hustling Curtis. Plus, Paxton's at his smarmy best when finally confronted by Arnold in a siege that literally makes him wet his pants.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Fred Haise, "Apollo 13" (1995)

As astronaut Fred Haise, part of the Apollo 13 moon landing crew who became stranded in space after a malfunction, Paxton delivered a terrific non-showy performance that gave perfect support to stars like Tom Hanks and Ed Harris in Ron Howard's thrilling historical space adventure.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Bill "The Extreme" Harding, "Twister" (1996)

At the peak of his 1990s boom, Paxton landed the lead role in Jan de Bont's special effects blockbuster about tornado chasers in Oklahoma. Starring opposite Helen Hunt, he played a newly straight-laced weather expert who can't escape his need for adrenaline despite his best efforts. Easily established himself as a go-to leading man whenever Hollywood needed him.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Brock Lovett, "Titanic" (1997)

In his fourth and final collaboration with James Cameron, Paxton plays a treasure hunter (complete with a pirate earring) search the wreck of RMS Titanic to find a necklace with a rare diamond, but he gets more than he bargained for with a lead on the jewel shares her gripping love story from the ill-fated voyage. It's a smaller role, but so cool that Cameron tapped his buddy Paxton to play to give viewers that piece of familiarity when jumping from past to present and back again.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Hank, "A Simple Plan" (1998)

As an unassuming family man in rural and snowy Minnesota who happens upon a crashed plane containing a dead body and millions of dollars, Paxton perfect conveys the transformation of seemingly good people corrupted by blood money in Sam Raimi's underrated thrilller. Great to see him reunite with Billy Bob Thornton a few years after "One False Move."

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Dad Meiks, "Frailty" (2001)

Few knew Paxton had the chops to step behind the camera to surprise us with one of the better horror flicks of the 2000s in "Frailty," about two boys and their fanatically religious father, who believes that he has been commanded by God to kill demons disguised as people. Told in flashback, it co-stars Matthew McConaughey, who tells the story of his brother and father and the terrible things they did. Truly creepy, and deftly directed by Paxton.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Bill Henrickson, "Big Love" (2006-2011)

Paxton landed the lead role as the leader of a fundamentalist Mormon family in Utah that practices polygamy on the highly acclaimed HBO series, during the peak of the network's powers. Nominated three times at the Golden Globes, Paxton did some of his finest work as a lead performer and helped to carry a rich and complex series featuring controversial subject matter.

Don't Edit

Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Randolph McCoy, "Hatfields & McCoys" (2012)

The History Channel-produced miniseries about the HatfieldMcCoy feud starring Kevin Costner and Paxton has a loyal following, thanks in part to the big stars they cast in the lead roles. In fact, after quieter years in films following his "Big Love" run, this likely gave Paxton a boost in finding more prominent movie roles again.

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Master Sergeant Farell, "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014)

In a film that owes at least a fraction of its success to "Aliens," we loved seeing Paxton turn up as a military commander leading a squadron against alien invaders. While a smaller role (featuring a "Kentucky" accent), Paxton has a lot of fun with it, sharing the screen with Tom Cruise in several of the film's funnier scenes. Also a great way to start off a big 2014 for the actor.

Don't Edit

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Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

Joe Loder, "Nightcrawler" (2014)

Paxton reached back into his bag of smarmy tricks to play a competitive freelance crime journalist who crosses paths with Jake Gyllenhaal's hyper-ambitious (and menacing) rookie in the industry. One of the highlights of Dan Gilroy's engrossing and electrifying thriller, Paxton reinforced his on-screen magnetism and comic timing, especially in one scene during which he offers Gyllenhaal a job. One of the best performances of his career.

Don't Edit

Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com

RIP, Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton died from complications due to surgery. He was 61. He will be missed. (AP)
Alabama Oscar Winners 2017.jpg

Oscar-winners "Moonlight," "Piper" and "Hacksaw Ridge" each have a unique connection to Alabama. (A24, Disney, Summit Entertainment)

While Alabama itself didn't actually win any Oscars, our state will happily claim its natives' big wins Sunday night, in a few different categories. Congratulations to this year's winners as well as those with state ties who received nominations.

MOONLIGHT

Let's start with best picture. Now that we actually know who won, we can celebrate Bessemer native

Andre Holland's

connection to this year's winner,

"Moonlight."

The film found itself in the midst of controversy when presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway accidentally announced "La La Land" had won the big prize. But that film's producer Jordan Horowitz quickly set the record straight when informed "Moonlight" had actually won it. That is, after the "La La Land" team had made a few victory speeches. Awkward!

That said, we happily congratulate the "Moonlight" team, including co-star and Alabama native Andre Holland,

to talk about his performance as well as how he stays connected to his home state.

"Moonlight" won for best picture, supporting actor (Mahershala Ali) and adapted screenplay.

HACKSAW RIDGE

Mel Gibson's World War II film tells the harrowing story of

Desmond Doss

, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor for his exploits during the Battle of Okinawa. It scored wins for best film editing and best sound mixing, and it has an interesting connection to Alabama.

As AL.com's William Thornton writes, Doss lived in Piedmont, "where memorials and memories still persist of the medic who doggedly treated 75 wounded men and carried them to safety, one at a time...On Alabama 9, just north of town, is Piedmont Seventh Day Adventist Church, sitting on Desmond T. Doss Drive. Its pastor, Rick Blythe, and his wife Ginger, tell stories of Doss as a devout man who attended regularly into his late 80s. Doss sat in the front row and used a magnifying glass to read his Bible during services while his wife took notes for him."

PIPER

Few of us ever get the opportunity to see the nominees in the best animated feature category, unless of course we catch a Pixar short prior to the main course in theaters. Those who saw "Finding Dory" at the multiplex surely saw this year's animated short winner,

"Piper,"

a sweet little story about a hungry baby sandpiper learning to overcome her fear of water.

Turns out Mobile native

Catherine Hicks

is a longtime animator at Pixar, having worked on recent classics like "Toy Story 3" and "Inside Out." It just so happens she also served as animator on Sunday night's big winner "Piper."

at the time of the release of Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur.
Federal prosecutors say a state inmate and an Etowah County woman attempted to defraud the Social Security Administration by collecting disability benefits for the inmate.

Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Richard Earl Stanley, 56, of Boaz, on six wire fraud counts and one count of theft of government property.

In addition, Kristin Blair Fox, 34, of Southside, has been charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government property.

Authorities say Stanley received $42,870 in disability payments between January 2013 and September 2015. They also say Fox helped Stanley collect the payments.

In conjunction with the charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office also filed a plea agreement with Fox. Its terms were not announced.

Prosecutors say the charges are based on ATM cash withdrawals from Stanley's Comerica Bank account, where Stanley's disability benefits were deposited. Stanley was awarded the Social Security disability benefits in 2002. In June 2007, he was convicted of a felony and imprisoned.

The Social Security Administration notified him in September 2007 that he could no longer receive the benefits because he was confined in an institution in connection with a criminal case and that his stay was "being paid for with public funds." Stanley was incarcerated again in March 2012, but in July 2012 provided documentation to SSA that he was released from custody in June of that year, so his benefits could be reinstated, according to his indictment.

When he was convicted of a felony later in 2012, Stanley did not notify the SSA that he had been re-incarcerated, because he knew he would not be entitled to receive benefits while in custody, the indictment states.

According to the indictment, in January 2013 a fellow inmate referred Stanley to Fox as someone who might help Stanley access his disability benefits and have money transferred to his prison commissary account.

According to Stanley's indictment and Fox's information and plea agreement, Stanley contacted Fox by letter in February 2013 and offered to pay her to help him access his disability payments. He arranged for Fox to collect his personal property at the prison, which included his Comerica Bank debit card. Fox was to take $175 each month from the disability payments and deposit $300 monthly into Stanley's prison commissary account.

However, Stanley requested money and complained when Fox failed to send it, and Fox withdrew money from the Comerica account for herself, presumably without Stanley's knowledge. Stanley's debit card was to expire in December 2014 and Stanley gave Fox directions on how to renew it through Social Security, but Fox did not attempt to do so.

Stanley's benefits were stopped in September 2015.
An Alabama inmate - who was just 16 when he fatally shot an Adamsville grandmother outside of Kmart - was stabbed to death in prison on Sunday afternoon.

DeMarko Quinta Carlisle, 36, was stabbed during an altercation with another inmate inside the facility, said Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton. The assault happened at 2:45 p.m. at Elmore Correctional Facility, and Carlisle died at 3:40 p.m.

Carlisle is the second inmate stabbed to death at the Elmore Correctional Facility in the last 10 days. Grant Mickens, 35, died Feb. 16, when he was fatally stabbed by Demetric Horsley, 31, who was charged with capital murder in Mickens' death.

Also, inmate David Sanders was the victim of an attack at the Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore on Feb. 16. Sanders died from his injuries at a Montgomery hospital on Feb. 18. Four inmates were detained as suspects in Sander's death.

The recent incidents at the Elmore and Staton Correctional Facilities are unrelated, according to prison officials. Elmore Correctional Facility was locked down Sunday pending an investigation into the most recent incident.

Carlisle pleaded guilty in 1999 to the felony charges in a 1997 crime spree that left JoAnn Busby dead. On April 1, 1997, Busby was visiting her oldest daughter, who had been recovering from an operation. On her way home, she stopped at Kmart on Forestdale Boulevard to pick up a few things.

JoAnn Busby

After unlocking her doors and getting in the driver's seat, two teenage boys approached her, one standing on either side of the car. Both of them had loaded guns pointed at her. They demanded her purse, but she refused and started honking the car horn and yelling for help. That is when Carlisle shot her.

Busby left behind two daughters, six grandchildren, a sister and countless friends.

Two years later, Carlisle pleaded guilty to killing Busby. He also pleaded guilty to robbing people on March 24, March 29 and later the night of April 1 outside the WalMart down the road from the Kmart.

Carlisle, who was 16 at the time of the killing, was the only defendant charged in Busby's death. He had two co-defendants in the WalMart robberies. Carlisle was facing capital murder for Busby's death, but that charge was reduced to felony murder. Carlisle received three life sentences, to be run consecutively.
The Levite Jewish Community Center received a bomb threat this morning- their third threat this year.

LJCC Executive Director Betzy Lynch said the call was answered by a community center employee just after 8 a.m. Monday. The caller said there was a bomb in the building.

Lynch said the center enacted its emergency protocol, and the evacuation procedure went off "flawlessly." Birmingham police and K9 units responded to search the community center, which is located on Montclair Road.

Officials did not find any suspicious devices, Lynch said. "We're going to return to school and everything will go back to normal," she said.

According to the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, centers in 11 states received bomb threats today. Mlive.com reported there was a threat at the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor at approximately 9:20 a.m., and Pennlive.com reported threats made to JCCs in two different counties. NBC New York reported at least six JCCs in their region were evacuated after threats.

The LJCC received a similar bomb threat on Feb. 20, and another one on Jan. 18. The JCC Association of North America reported that 11 Jewish community centers received bomb threats on Feb. 20, including centers in Chicago, Buffalo, Houston and Tampa. On Jan. 18, 28 centers received threats.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham division released a statement about Monday's bomb threats: "The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with threats to Jewish Community Centers across the country. The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence, and will ensure this matter is investigated in a fair, thorough, and impartial manner."

"Obviously it's incredibly disconcerting, the wave of anti-semitism that's coming across the country," Lynch said about the multiple threats. "I believe that... now the threats seem to be going beyond just Jewish community centers into obviously Jewish cemeteries, and into Jewish day schools, and it just seems to be escalating."
Madison County District Judge Claude Hundley. (AL.com file photo)

Granting a motion filed by prosecutors last week, a judge has dismissed two counts of child sex abuse against a physics professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

All charges against Massimiliano Bonamente, arrested on Feb. 10 by Madison police, have been dropped.

Madison County District Judge Claude Hundley issued his order Monday morning in response to a motion filed by Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle Helix.

In her motion, Helix said the alleged victims had recanted their testimony and provided other evidence that indicated Bonamente should not be prosecuted.
More than 70 percent of Alabamians own their own home, one of the highest ownership rates in the country.

And, due to below-average housing costs, Alabamians also carry some of the lowest mortgage debt in the country.

The average American owes $196,013 on their home. People in Washington, D.C. owe the most ($385,159) while those in West Virginia owe the least ($113,436), according to Business Insider.

With an average of $138,154, Alabama ranks 14th for lowest average amount of mortgage debt.

That's hundreds of thousands less than the second and third most home-poor states - Hawaii ($331,180) and California ($336,250.)

Welcome to Monday's Wake-up Call. Here's what's going on:

Ivanka's perfume a top seller

The controversy around Ivanka Trump's fashion line isn't hurting sales of her signature perfume.

Ivanka Trump Eu de Parfum Spray for Women and Ivanka Trump for Women Roller Ball were recently among the top sellers in Amazon's beauty section. The perfumes cost between $15 and $46.50.

Trump's clothing line was recently dropped by Nordstrom, Belks and Neiman Marcus.

Obama spotted in NYC

President Obama created quite a stir recently when he was spotted outside a Starbucks in downtown New York City. The former president was seen leaving the store, coffee in hand, on Friday. Several people posted video of Obama as he exited to the cheers of the crowd.

Obama has long been popular in New York, with people there giving him 81 percent of the vote compared to 18 percent for Republican challenger Mitt Romney in 2012. New Yorkers also opted to support Democrat Hillary Clinton over President Donald Trump.

Trump's choice for Air Force Secretary withdraws

Philip Bilden, President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of the Navy, is withdrawing his name from consideration.

Bilden, a businessman and former military intelligence officer in the Army Reserve, said he was removing his name from nomination due to concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Bilden recently retired from a global private equity management firm, HarbourVest Partners LLC, after 25 years.

New Hampshire changes gun law

Firearm owners in New Hampshire may now carry a concealed, loaded gun without a license.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill last week eliminated the concealed carry license requirement for pistol and revolver owners. The new law allows anyone who can legally possess a gun under state and federal law to carry it concealed in a purse, car or briefcase without obtaining a license.

New Hampshire is 12th state to enact such a policy.

Until tomorrow.
Officers with the Irondale Police Department met with Latino immigrants at a block party-style event outside a small Mexican grocery store next to an immigrant-majority trailer park on the outskirts of Irondale on Saturday.

Co-hosted by the police department and the community development organization Irondale on the Move, the meet-up was initially met with fear and trepidation on the part of area residents, many of whom are undocumented. About three dozen area residents were in attendance Saturday.

Their fear was that the event - which police advertised by distributing fliers to residents of the Eastwood Mobile Home Village and nearby areas - was a front for an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) round-up.

"This is just some of the people who live here, and I think more people didn't come because they thought ICE would be here," Adriana Ortega, a former resident of the area who now lives in Center Point, said.

The fears were compounded by President Donald Trump's executive order last week restricting immigration and directing ICE to detain and deport undocumented immigrants who have not been convicted of crimes. The change marks a major shift from the Obama administration's policy of not targeting immigrants with clean records.

"It's important for the community to have more information about the situation for undocumented people," Francisco Mendez, a Mexican immigrant who plays guitar in the band that performed for the attendees of the event, said. "The people are so scared about the situation with this new president, Mr. Trump. It's a big problem."

A band featuring Francisco Mendez (right) on guitar played live music at the Saturday event in Irondale. (Connor Sheets | csheets@al.com)

But Irondale Police Chief Ken Atkinson said Saturday that the event was just a chance for members of the community to meet members of their police department while enjoying live music and free tamales and hot dogs.

"We're local law enforcement, not immigration officers. We have very limited resources and our primary focus is to protect the people of Irondale," he said.

He added that though he has "no idea what the future is going to hold," his officers are not checking the immigration status of people they encounter on the beat, nor are they engaging in immigration raids.

Members of the community were given an open forum to ask questions and air grievances about how they are treated by Irondale police officers. Most of the questions concerned the way the department handles speeding tickets and other minor infractions, as well as the allegation that officers unfairly target nearby Acton Road for traffic monitoring and enforcement.

"Why do you impound the cars even if they're moms with babies?" one woman asked via a translator.

"By state law, we can't let them drive it if they don't have someone in the car with a license," Lt. Jason Wiggins explained.

The event was a positive, uneventful opportunity to bring the community together, as Darryl Washington, program director for Irondale on the Move, said Saturday. It is also the third of five such events the police and his group plan to host - one in each council district, Washington said.

"The concept is to give the community an opportunity to interact with the police department in a social environment," he said. "The purpose of this event is not to arrest or deport anybody."

Officers with the Irondale Police Department met with members of a majority-immigrant part of Irondale on Saturday. (Connor Sheets | csheets@al.com)

City Councilman Stephen Marino also attended the meet-up at the Las Macarenas grocery store. He too said the event was aimed at community-building, not immigration enforcement.

"There was a lot of concern from the community about what the purpose was, but once we got past that it's worked out really well," he said.

But a deep undercurrent of tension and fear persists in the tight-knit immigrant community, as reports of deportations across the state and nation have emerged with what they perceive to be increasing frequency in recent weeks.

"A lot of people are scared to go to work and find out ICE is there or that police officers for Alabama or Irondale are going to cooperate with ICE and get them," Ortega said.
President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress Tuesday night but like most other first-term presidents, he's not calling the event a "State of the Union" speech.

Trump's speech is planned for 9 p.m. ET. The address will be broadcast on major networks.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the theme will be "renewal of the American spirit."

"I think (the president) is going to talk very optimistically about where we're going to go as a country and the general policies that he's going to pursue to get us there," Spicer said. "I don't think this is going to be the same old Christmas tree kind of State of the Union. And I think there is a little bit of a traditional tweak between a joint address and a State of the Union."

First term presidents have generally not called their initial address a State of the Union speech. President Barack Obama didn't call his first speech a State of the Union address in 2009, in keeping with the practices of every president since John F. Kennedy in 1962.

What to expect in the Trump speech

Spicer said Tuesday night's address will include more information on Trump's budget proposal, as well as plans to beef up the military. The White House indicated Trump will also provide details on how he would like to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, former President Obama's signature healthcare law.

Over the weekend, Trump told governors gathered in Washington, D.C., the healthcare law will be addressed during the speech.

"We're going to be speaking very specifically about a very complicated subject," Trump said. "I think we have something that is really going to be excellent."

The president's tax plan - and the potential for widespread cuts - will likely be on the agenda as well.
The White House is dodging questions about whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions should consider withdrawing from the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

A prominent Republican, California Rep. Darrell Issa, has called for a special prosecutor and said it would be improper for Sessions to lead the investigation as the nation's chief law enforcement official. Sessions was an early supporter of President Donald Trump's candidacy.

Deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is steering clear of directly answering whether the former Alabama senator should step aside from overseeing the bureau's investigation.

She tells ABC's "This Week" that congressional committees need to complete their own investigations, and then it would be appropriate to discuss Sessions' role.

But those are separate reviews, independent of the FBI's work.
MINOT -- A nearly 100-year-old monument in a Minot cemetery holds an important place in the history of World War I memorials in the United States.

The white marble monument erected by the Girls Military Squad of Minot in May 1918 is believed to be the first permanent memorial in the nation to recognize local soldiers who died during the war.

Susan Wefald of Bismarck has been compiling North Dakota information for the national World War I Memorial Inventory Project for the past two years.

"Around North Dakota I have found about 40 World War I monuments and memorials," she said. Completed between 1918 and 1941, they are among thousands across the country.

When she came across the Minot monument in Rosehill Cemetery, she brought it to the attention of the project director, Mark Levitch. Levitch responded that there are a handful of memorials from 1917 that celebrate the troops' departures and one memorial in Arkansas dated November 1917 that honors the first three members of the American Expeditionary Forces killed in the war, although the originality of the existing structure is not clearly documented. A cornerstone for a memorial home in Indiana, honoring the mother of one of the first three killed in action, dates to April 1918. The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917.

Minot's memorial appears to be the first major, permanent monument to local war dead, and the best documented, Levitch wrote. He confirmed that distinction this week, saying it is unusual for memorials to have been erected that early in the war. Most monuments were erected after the war ended. So the existence of the Minot monument was a pleasant surprise.

"That really stands out," he said.

The Minot memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1918, in Riverside Park, now Roosevelt Park. It was moved to Rosehill Cemetery due to flooding, Wefald said. The date of the move is uncertain. Cemetery and park officials are researching to locate that date, known to be before 1962, and welcome any information the public might have.

Visitors to Rosehill will notice the 9-foot spire standing over veterans' graves, but few may be familiar with the Girls' Military Squad, the organization that erected it.

The April 12, 1917, issue of the Ward County Independent announced the formation of the squad, which by then had already held several meetings. The young women had ordered khaki suits of the regulation military style, and a military instructor planned to drill the women. They were to use regular Army guns for drilling, and with some practice, planned to make appearances in the parks.

Women across the country were organizing such squads, the article noted.

"It affords excellent exercise and gives the young women an opportunity to learn what our young men have to undergo in times of war. The moral influence on our patriotism is increased, and in case of necessity, they will be better enabled to defend themselves," the article stated.

Members at that time were Sayde Pinkerton, Hazel Holt, Martha Piper, Corene Ash, Margaret Guthrie, Margaret Falconer, Mrs. Ethelda Luce, Catherine Leet, Mabel Olson, Lola Smith, Eva Taplin, Hilda Balerud, Dagney Jensen, Willa Edminster, Gladys Myers, Pearl Adams, Ida Schomacher, May Hardak, Hazel Rusk and Mrs. Will E. Holbein.

Wefald said Holbein may have been a primary organizer. Her husband was a prominent newspaperman and politician. He established the Lansford Journal in 1909 and was secretary for the N.D. Press Association from 1911 to 1914. He moved to Minot in December 1915 to become secretary of the Minot Commercial Club. He had been a Republican candidate for agriculture commission and labor secretary in 1914. The Holbeins moved to Bismarck in 1920.

A Ward County Independent article on April 26, 1917, noted 54 young ladies attended the latest meeting of the squad at the Association of Commerce rooms. The first drill was held in the same location on April 26. The squad also held the first of what would be several dances that month.

The Girls' Military Squad wasn't without controversy, though.

The June 21, 1917, issue of the Ward County Independent wrote of the criticism the young women were receiving for wearing soldiers' uniforms and drilling, which were considered unseemly by some residents. The article argued that since most of the young women work in stores or offices, the outdoor, physical activity is a good thing, and their intent to be a service to the country is commendable.

The article stated their activities were considered wrong "because they have had the temerity to organize such a military company without conferring with the high and mighty men and women who have set themselves up as dictators of conduct, mode of living and who have established a code of military ethics. These young women are told to take to the sewing machine and knitting needle."

According to the article, the squad was organized to:

stimulate desire for outdoor life.

give young ladies gymnastic training.

assist the Red Cross Society through teaching first aid.

assist the local military authorities in recruiting.

assist the home guards in every possible way.

take part in activities that might arise on account of the war.

The squad showed up on Registration Day to see that men who registered for the draft were tagged. They helped recruit membership for the Red Cross and sold tickets to raise funds to assist the committee in charge of the Loyalty Day parade. They assisted in furnishing enlisted men with small conveniences not provided by the government.

Squad members also arranged for the monument in memory of heroes who enlisted in Minot and died in the fight. Members of Companies A and D who were memorialized were Pvts. Claude Keller of Glenburn, Frank Midak of Minot, Theodore Wong of Sanish, Ernest Fulkerson of Parshall, Wallace Hatchard of Velva, Clarence Larson of Tunbridge, Willie Remine of Silva and Rolly Darling of Berthold. Also recognized were John Engen of Des Lacs, Ole Victor Cox of Max and Carl Boardson of Minot, who died of disease at Camp Dodge, Iowa.

The base of the monument is inscribed on all four sides. On the north side is engraved, "Erected by the Girls Military Squad, Minot, ND, May 30, 1918." Other inscriptions read, "All For Our Country," "In Memory of Minot's Heroes Who Have Sacrificed Their Lives In The World's Great Struggle for Universal Democracy," and "That Government of, by, and for the People Might Not Perish From the Earth."

At the time, the squad consisted of about 25 women who arranged financing of the monument and organized the dedication.

Two other memorials to World War I veterans in Ward County are the Kenmare Memorial Building and the Ward County Memorial Courthouse with its ex-servicemen's room. Both were erected around 1930.

The World War I Memorial Inventory Project plans to document memorials and monuments online at wwi-inventory.org.Monumental memorial
Edhi, who founded the worlds largest volunteer ambulance network, would have been 89 on Tuesday.

Abdul Sattar Edhi founded the worlds largest volunteer ambulance network in Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation.

Unlike wealthy individuals that fund charities in their names, Edhi dedicated his life to the poor from the age of 20, when he himself was penniless in Karachi.

The reach of Edhis foundation grew internationally, and in 2005 the organisation raised $100,000 in aid relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Edhi was born before partition in Bantva, Gujarat, India on February 28, 1928.

He died last year in Karachi of renal failure. He was offered treatment abroad, but insisted on being treated in a government hospital at home.

The Edhi Foundations slogan is: Live and help live.

Today would have been his 89th birthday.

In his honour, Google changed its logo in the United States; Iceland; Portugal; Australia; New Zealand; Japan; Estonia; the UK; Denmark; Ireland and Pakistan to a doodle, or illustration, of Edhi.

Google hailed Edhis super-efficient ambulance service.

In celebration of Abdul Sattar Edhi, lets all lend a hand to someone in need today, it said.

The technology giants team has created more than 2,000 doodles for homepages around the world. Among those recently celebrated are Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Fred Korematsu and Edmonia Lewis.

The doodle selection process aims to celebrate interesting events and anniversaries that reflect Googles personality and love for innovation, the company says.

No religion higher than humanity

With more than 1,800 ambulances stationed across Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation is Pakistans largest welfare organisation. In 1997, the foundation entered the Guinness World Records as the largest volunteer ambulance organisation.

If you call 115 in the South Asian nation, the Edhi Foundation will answer.

People have become educated, but have yet to become human by Abdul Sattar Edhi

In his words, at the start of his work, Edhi begged for donations and people gave.

This allowed him to convert a tiny room into a medical dispensary. He also bought an ambulance that he himself drove around.

Raising more donations and enlisting medical students as volunteers, his humanitarian reach expanded across the country.

Today the Edhi Foundation runs outpatient hospitals, a child adoption centre and rescue boats.

It also helps in the burials of unidentified bodies.

There are cradles for unwanted babies outside Edhi emergency centres.

READ MORE: Thousands attend funeral for Pakistans legendary Edhi

Throughout his life, Edhi emphasised the humanitarian, rather than religious, motivation for his work.

His foundation receives zakat (Islamic charity) donations, which he used to help Muslims, Christians and Hindus.

Asked why he helped non-Muslims, he said: Because my ambulance is more Muslim than you.

He also famously lamented: People have become educated  but have yet to become human.

When he died, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: Edhi was the real manifestation of love for those who are socially vulnerable, impoverished, helpless and poor. We have lost a great servant of humanity.

Who was Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pakistans Angel of Mercy who founded the worlds largest volunteer ambulance network? https://t.co/1uo3FMH9Nl pic.twitter.com/11BFnU8VC2  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 27, 2017

Nobel Peace Prize

Throughout his life and after he died, many questioned why Edhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize.





After the nominations in 2014, the hashtag #NobelPrizeforEdhi was created; many said he should have been recognised instead of Malala Yousafzai, who is also from Pakistan.

In an interview with the Express Tribune newspaper, Edhi said: I dont care about it. The Nobel Prize doesnt mean anything to me. I want these people, I want humanity.

In that same interview, he recalled an incident that he would never forget.

There was a woman who committed suicide by jumping into the sea along with her six children, he said. I was really saddened while giving them ghusal (Islamic washing ritual after death) as part of the funeral rituals.

According to Pakistans Nation newspaper, the State Bank of Pakistan will next month issue a commemorative coin of Rs50 in memory of Edhi.
Tens of thousands of cases of online incitement via Israeli social media were documented last year.

Ramallah  When Haneen Zoabi learned that she had been incited against more than anyone else on Israeli social media last year, she was unfazed.

I dont pay any attention. I dont even read these messages. I let my assistants handle it, she told Al Jazeera.

A Palestinian member of the Israeli parliament since 2009, Zoabi has been verbally and physically assaulted since she participated in a flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza in 2010. She has also received threats by telephone and email to her office.

According to a recent study by the Palestinian digital rights group 7amleh, Zoabi was the subject of 60,000 hateful online posts in 2016. Her fellow Knesset member, Ahmed Tibi, was the subject of 40,000 posts, while President Mahmoud Abbas appeared in 30,000 posts.

The police do not pay attention to the incitement, even though it is directed, and it is so obvious that it can threaten my life, Zoabi said, noting that she used to refer the most serious threats to police, but stopped when she found that it did not lead to investigations or charges against the inciters.

READ MORE: Is Facebook neutral on Palestine-Israel conflict?

The 7amleh study, released this month, tracked Hebrew-language posts on Facebook, Twitter and blogs, along with comments on news stories. It flagged certain keywords associated with hate speech or incitement to racism and violence.

The index revealed that the number of hateful posts against Palestinians reached 675,000 in 2016, more than double the previous years total.

Theres a strong correlation between news events in 2016 and the level of incitement, said Nadim Nashif, cofounder of 7amleh. Indeed, online incitement spiked during and after a number of major news stories in Israel, including a shooting incident in Hebron when an Israeli soldier killed a wounded Palestinian assailant, the recital of a Mahmoud Darwish poem at an Israeli cultural awards ceremony, and the wildfires that swept across Israel in November.





As these events unfolded, a number of senior Israeli ministers made public remarks, which were followed by an outburst of hate speech and incitement online. An example cited by Nashif took place when Israels culture minister, Miri Regev, walked out of the Ophir awards in September after two artists performed part of a poem written by Darwish, the Palestinian national poet.

She left the hall and declared something to the press, and then [online] there was lots of cursing and incitement about Mahmoud Darwish . So, you can see it is obviously linked to either the event, or the politicians declaration, Nashif said, adding that 7amleh has been considering presenting its findings to Israeli police.

Israels public security minister, Gilad Erdan, has also been accused of inciting against Palestinians, both through remarks he made about the wildfires in Israel and in the statements he posted after the death of a Palestinian and a policeman in the unrecognised Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran.

The shift is from politically correct racism and politically correct liberal racism to politically incorrect fascist racism. This is the change. by Haneen Zoabi, Palestinian MK

In December, 10 days after the fires began, Erdan posted on his Facebook page: Israel has experienced arson terrorism and I wont let anyone sweep this fact under the rug  Why does it seem unrealistic that Arabs would want to harm Jews? Three months after the fires, no arson charges have been brought against any Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Then, on January 18  when village resident Yacoub Abu al-Qiyan was shot before accelerating his car in the direction of a group of Israeli police officers who had arrived to carry out home demolitions in Umm al-Hiran  Erdan took to social media to claim that a terrorist attack had occurred.

The terrorist sharply turned his wheel and quickly accelerated in order to run over a group of police officers, Erdan posted on Twitter. Later that day, he made a statement on Facebook, claiming that Palestinian Knesset members had blood on their hands and were a disgrace to the state of Israel.

READ MORE: West Bank activists use Facebook to halt Israeli raids

In late January, Adalah, the legal centre for Arab minority rights in Israel, sent a letter to Israels attorney general demanding a criminal investigation into Erdan for incitement to racism against the Palestinian population in Israel.

Everything that he says has a major impact on the public and in the public sphere because hes a minister. So, thats one of the reasons we think that he needs to be held accountable, said Nadeem Shehadah, an advocate at Adalah who drafted the letter. According to the law, these kinds of statements, without any kind of basis against a group of citizens, adds up to, according to the penal code, incitement to racism. Youre targeting a group of people based on their ethnicity.

Erdan has subsequently said that he would apologise for his comments on the Umm al-Hiran incident if it turned out not to have been a terror attack.

While online incitement peaked in 2016, Zoabi told Al Jazeera that an atmosphere of intolerance towards Palestinian citizens of Israel has gradually worsened since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his second term in 2009.

Something changed dramatically to the political correctness of Zionism. Its like Trump. But Netanyahu and Israel had Trumps model long, long before Trump. They had the Trump model from 2009, she said.

The shift is from politically correct racism and politically correct liberal racism to politically incorrect fascist racism. This is the change.

Online incitement is one of the results of a wider campaign to discredit Palestinian political leaders and their demands, Zoabi added.

They are blocking any possibility for these people and ideas to be promoted, because they know that our debate is a legitimate debate, she said. This is the real fear of our debate, that it is a democratic debate based on democratic and universal values, and they think that letting this debate promote itself within Israeli political discourse, this debate would win.
New Delhi, India  Sangeeta Gupta still cannot forget the moment she was assaulted by eight to 10 men in the presence of the police, who she says did not intervene.

The goons should be arrested as soon as possible, the undergraduate student at Aurobindo College of Delhi University said, referring to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (the All Indian Students Council) or ABVP.

The ABVP is a nationalist student group which has been accused of assaulting students and teachers on the campus on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gupta on Thursday joined other students and activists in front of the headquarters of the Delhi Police to demand that the police register an official complaint, a First Information Report, against ABVP activists and their supporters.

I came here for justice. If the Delhi Police will not give me justice then who else can, she said, showing a prescription for medicine that she brought to prove she was admitted to hospital after the attack.

On Tuesday, ABVP activists disrupted a two-day seminar organised by the Literary Society of Ramjas College at Delhi University entitled, Cultures of Protest.

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: Loud and clear, Indian students send message of freedom

The ABVP, an affiliate of the far-right Hindu organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), objected to the participation of student leader Shehla Rashid and scholar Umar Khalid, who studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and was arrested last year for allegedly raising anti- India slogans.

The events at Ramjas College are a shameful reminder of how intimidation and threats continue to restrict free speech on university campuses by Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty International India

More than a year on, Delhi Police has yet to file a charge sheet for the case, but the ABVP made it clear they did not want Khalid and Rashid on the campus.

The colleges eventual decision to cancel Khalids participation did not pacify the ABVP, which dominates the student union at Delhi University.

Amnesty International India said there was a growing threat to freedom of expression on Indian university campuses.

Universities are supposed to be safe spaces for debate and discussion. But the events at Ramjas College are a shameful reminder of how intimidation and threats continue to restrict free speech on university campuses, Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty International India, said in a statement.

Khalid has been vocal against the governments military operation in the mineral-rich tribal areas of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand  two states ruled by Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Violence erupted after students, led by the leftist All India Students Association and Students Federation of India, marched against ABVPs actions.

IN PICTURES: Thousands call for students freedom

Surya Prakash, a student at Delhi University, recalls ABVP activists attacking students as they marched towards the Maurice Nagar police station.

The police was present there, but they didnt save us; instead they helped ABVP activists in beating us, Prakash told Al Jazeera. There are many students who were admitted to hospitals because of the injuries.

Threats of rape and acid attacks

Swali Prakash, an undergraduate student at the university, told Al Jazeera that she wanted the culprits to be put behind bars.

Five to six ABVP activists asked me if I am a communist, they said if you are a communist we will throw acid on your face and rape you, a visibly terrified Prakash, a student of English literature, said. She declined to reveal the name of her college out of fear of reprisal.

Dozens of students and faculty members have been injured in the incident that raises many questions about the freedom of speech and security on campuses around the country.

This is not the first time that the ABVP has been accused of resorting to violence to send a message.

READ MORE: Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition and freedom in India

ABVPs legacy of violence August 2016: ABVP members stormed Amnesty event in Bangalore city

February 2016: JNU student Najeeb Ahmad went missing after an altercation with ABVP supporters

January 2016: Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student at Hyderabad University, committed suicide after a scuffle with ABVP activists

August 2015: ABVP disrupts screening at Delhi University of a documentary on the 2013 Muzaffarnagar religious riots

January 2012: The far-right student group protested the screening of documentary Jash-e-Azadi in Pune city

February 2008: ABVP vandalises Delhi Universitys history department over the inclusion of an essay, Three Hundred Ramayanas, in a textbook

November 2008: Professor SAR Geelani, who had been acquitted in the Parliament attack of 2001 not allowed to speak at Delhi University



A student of JNU, Najeeb Ahmad has been missing since October last year after a scuffle with ABVP activists. In 2015, the screening of a documentary on the Muzaffarnagar religious riots was disrupted at Delhi Universitys Kirorimal College.

Since Narendra Modi of the BJP came to power in 2014, far-right Hindu groups have been emboldened, with vigilante groups taking the law into their hands  such as the 2015 lynching of a man rumoured to have eaten beef  to enforce their interpretation of nationalism and Indian culture.

Sumangala Damodaran, professor at Ambedkar University based in Delhi, said: Universities are being targeted, teachers and students are beaten, freedom of speech and expression is being curbed.

The [Modi] government has let loose their goons everywhere in this country and these kinds of incidents are increasing day by day, she said.

Democracy will win

In a Facebook post, Danish Shafey, a faculty member of Delhi University, accused ABVP activists of attacking seminar participants without any provocation.

Shreerang Kulkarni, national media head of the ABVP, denied that their supporters assaulted anyone.

They [the students] are lying, our members didnt assault anyone, he said, admitting nonetheless that there was a fight between his supporters and the AISA and SFI activists.

Kulkarni told Al Jazeera that they have no problem with the seminar but his groups will not allow Khalid to speak there. He accused Khalid of chanting slogans against our country.

Yesterday, they shouted slogans like Kashmir ki Azadi [freedom for Kashmir] and Bastar ki Azadi [freedom for Bastar]. We will not tolerate anything against our nation, he said.

Khalid was expected to speak about the war in the Adivasi areas, Indias tribal areas.

The government has deployed tens of thousands of troops in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh state  the epicentre of a decades-long Maoist rebellion.

Activists say innocent tribal people are bearing the brunt of police excesses, such as mass sexual violence and extrajudicial killings.

The ruling BJP, the political wing of the RSS, and ABVP criticise those activists who oppose a military solution to the conflict.

As students, academics and activists from across Delhi staged a sit-in in front of the Delhi Police headquarters, Dependra Pathak, the Delhi Police spokesman, assured action against errant policemen.

During yesterdays protest in North Campus, it has come to notice that a few cops had indulged in inappropriate and unprofessional action. An inquiry has been instituted and strict action will be taken, Pathak said on Thursday.

Hours later, three policemen were suspended and the case was transferred to the crime branch, but so far no arrests have been made.

Khalid, who gave a speech at the police headquarters, said ABVP and its supporters want to create an environment of fear.

Goondagardi [hooliganism] is not nationalism, he said, adding that one day, democracy will win and all those who are against [democracy]  will lose.
A Syrian freelancer who lost his leg during a gun battle between rebels and regime forces shares his story of hope.

Istanbul, Turkey  The metal detector beeped loudly, prompting a group of security guards to converge around Mohammad Kaddour as he attempted to enter a shopping mall in Istanbuls Uskudar neighbourhood.

From a distance, the guards asked Kaddour, 20, to lift the leg of his combat trouser, as other shoppers warily looked on.

Its a prosthetic leg, he explained with a grin, before the apologetic guards allowed him into the mall.

The attack last month at an Istanbul nightclub, which killed 39 people and was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS), has left the country on edge. But for Kaddour, Turkey is a haven  a place where he has made many new friends, while escaping possible death in Syria.

Kaddour, a Syrian freelance journalist, lost his leg in September 2013, after a botched attack against regime soldiers by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters with whom he was embedded.

Before FSA fighters attacked the regime soldiers, we came under fire, he said of the incident in al-Mastouma town in Idlib province, where rebels had hoped to destroy the regimes alleged chemical arsenal. He was shot a dozen times.

A wounded Kaddour tried to hide in a pit in the ground, but one regime soldier followed him and shot him again. The soldier was killed when a rebel fighter shot him in the back.

I survived. It was Gods will, Kaddour said, noting he was then operated on for hours in a hospital along the Turkey-Syria border before being transferred to a state hospital in Turkey.

In Turkey, doctors had to amputate my leg. I gave the consent. I had to. I wanted to live. There wasnt any option left, he told Al Jazeera.

Before the 2011 Syrian uprising, Kaddour dreamed of becoming a computer engineer. But as conflict gripped his country, his plans changed.

His passion for visual documentation sprung from his experiences during the uprising. Kaddours family, including his parents and four brothers, lived in northern Latakia until 2012, when they moved to their native village in Idlib, near the Turkish border.

He recalls how he used to snap covert photos of protests that unfolded in Latakia.

Id pretend to be talking on my Nokia [mobile phone] while I was actually clicking pictures, Kaddour said. I managed to take many pictures of the regime forces standing in line against the protesters. Those pictures gave me a sense of how important it was for us to document what was happening in our country.

His brother later helped him to buy an HD camera, and soon he was back in the streets of Syria documenting history. He initially worked as a freelancer and fixer, selling his footage to local and international television stations. Then, starting in April 2013, he began working as an independent journalist.

The international media survived the Syrian conflict only by getting information from the local Syrians, who volunteered to share the information. I think no channel or magazine gave us what we deserved, he said, noting that he did not believe Syrian freelancers had been compensated fairly for the dangerous work they took on.

But by social media, we have tried for our voices to be heard  There are people here in Turkey asking me whats going on in Syria, or did the conflict finish, he added.

READ MORE: If we lose this generation, we lose Syria

Just 15 when he first began shooting videos, Kaddour said that he was not taken seriously by regime forces or protesters, allowing him to fly under the radar and get better shots. He travelled to Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir Az Zor, among other locations, and later embedded with the FSA in hopes of getting some protection during dangerous shoots.

The September 2013 skirmish in al-Mastouma town nearly killed him. Now, with a leg amputated and deep scars, Kaddour is studying cinema and television at Istanbuls Sehir University, where he aspires to continue telling his countrys story.

We Syrians havent realised the importance of media  We have plenty of foreign narratives of Syria, but not many from Syrians themselves, he said. Thats why I plan to tell stories about my motherland through writing and filmmaking.

Unlike many refugees, Kaddour had a chance to go to the United States in 2015, through a United Nations refugee programme that would have covered the costs of his medical treatment and education. But he turned the offer down, deciding he would rather remain closer to Syria.

Since then, he has watched with dismay the fallout from US President Donald Trumps Muslim ban: Trump has, in a way, sided with the terrorists. [He says he wants to fight them], but at the same time he doesnt want their victims to run for safety  It has made all Syrians suffer more, Kaddour said. But Im glad to see American people resisting the ban.

I may have lost my leg after receiving 13 bullets, but not hope. by Mohammad Kaddour, Syrian journalist

In his spare time, Kaddour volunteers with Syrian refugee children in Turkey, teaching and playing with them.

I miss my country, he said, noting that he has tried to maintain his friendship with an Alawite friend after they became estranged amid the 2011 uprising. In 2015, I found my friend on Facebook. I enquired about his well-being, avoiding the political questions. But he was like, It is good here, why did you go to an area under FSA control? Why did you support FSA? Why did you leave the city?'

His answers did not convince his friend, who blocked Kaddour on Facebook. I didnt feel dejected, because I still love my friend  not his ruler [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad], though, he added.

Meanwhile, Kaddour has made many new friends in Turkey. And although he lost his camera and some key footage during the operation that cost him his leg, he intends  once he has completed his studies  to pick up his camera and return to shoot in Syria once again.

Hope is all I have for myself and for a better Syria, he said. I may have lost my leg after receiving 13 bullets, but not hope.

Follow Baba Tamim on Twitter: @babatamim
Glasgow, United Kingdom  When UK Prime Minister Theresa May became the first foreign leader to visit US President Donald Trump at the White House last month, few in Britain remained impassive.

For critics of Mays first appointment with Americas 45th commander-in-chief, the trip was nothing short of a political embarrassment. With the UKs decision to quit the European Union dominating domestic politics, many baulked at the sight of Britains premier eagerly accepting an early invitation from a controversial Trump administration because of a British need to establish a future UK-US trade deal in the countrys post-Brexit era.

For Mays supporters, however, the Conservative Party leaders journey to Washington was the start of Britains brave new world. This, they said, not only held out the possibility of the UK being handed preferential treatment in any forthcoming transatlantic trade arrangement  helpfully aided by Trumps much-vaunted British heritage via his late Scottish mother  but also offered a vital opportunity to reaffirm the so-called special relationship.





The term was first coined by the UKs wartime prime minister Winston Churchill during a lecture tour of the United States in 1946 to describe the depth of Anglo-American friendship following World War II. Churchill, whose mother was American, may have then been speaking as a private citizen on account of him losing power at the general election the previous year, but the special relationship has been a mainstay of British political discourse  and UK media coverage  ever since.

[The term] is trying to explain that the UK has a privileged place in American strategic calculation, Jacob Parakilas, assistant head of the US and the Americas programme at Londons Chatham House, told Al Jazeera. That the UK can rely on American support and will always be consulted by the Americans when they make big decisions.

From a UK perspective, Mays visit was incessantly couched within the context of the special relationship. And just as the brash billionaire and reality TV star turned US head of state has heavily divided opinion in his native country, so has he sparked great debate among those in Britain who have either been appalled or charmed by the actions of the White Houses newest occupant. Indeed, while both nations are bound together by a shared history, said Sir Richard Dalton there are always risks to Britain in getting too involved in the conduct of its larger ally.

READ MORE: Donald Trump and Theresa May meet at White House

The British danger is that you are seen not to have had any serious influence, that you are seen to have been the poodle rather than the candid friend on an equal footing, said Dalton, a former UK ambassador to Iran and Libya, speaking to Al Jazeera. But these two countries are fated to deal with each other and Mrs May chose this high-profile, high-risk route to carry out her duty to get alongside President Trump and only history will tell whether it pays off.

In recent decades, the special relationship found its most profound expression in the dealings between UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US President Ronald Reagan during the late Cold War era of the 1980s. As Nicholas Wapshott, author of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher  A Political Marriage, wrote in The New York Times in 2013: From the moment they met, in April 1975, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan bonded. They agreed on almost everything, and even completed each others thoughts  On the world stage, she was mostly the good cop to Reagans bad, though sometimes they switched places.

That said, and even accounting for the  widely reviled  close bond that developed between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W Bush that saw them execute their joint plan to invade Saddam Husseins Iraq in 2003, the special relationship is largely bogus, say many analysts. It began as a Churchill public relations exercise, said Scott Lucas, as the UK statesman tried to whip up American support for the British position over Europe and therefore over the Soviet Union in a tour that saw the cigar-chomping Briton deliver his Iron Curtain speech.

That means, in a sense, that the special relationship has always been a PR device, continued Lucas, a politics professor at the University of Birmingham. Which has been used primarily by the British because the British have needed the Americans more than the Americans have needed the Brits at high level. That doesnt mean that at certain points you dont get people who embrace that as being a reality, or at least grasp that relationship as certainly having a priority.

READ MORE: Trump is in the way of Theresa Mays global gamble

Lucas said that, during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when UK Prime Minister Harold Macmillan had the tricky task of basically downsizing Britain, he cloaked it with the idea that Britain had a special relationship with the Americans.

Macmillan kept selling the idea that Britain was the brains to American brawn, added the academic.

While the prime ministerial-presidential relationships of Macmillan and John F Kennedy  when images of a young JFK and an older Macmillan gave the appearance of the former being the latters protege  and Thatcher and Reagan, when both railed against the political ideals of the Soviet Union, fed the notion of the special relationship, the lopsided status of both nations has been apparent from the time Britain began giving way to the US as the worlds global superpower in the post-war era. And it is the uneven nature of Britains relationship with the US  and the fact that America has, in the likes of Canada and Japan, other crucial international partnerships  that has, for the terms detractors, made it almost redundant in meaning. Yet, with historical institutional ties of the military and intelligence variety dating back to World War II, the UK-US alliance is a relationship worthy of a name, said Dalton.

There was a period under [former UK Premier David] Cameron and [Barack] Obama when  I think  an effort was made to drop special and replace it with essential, stated the former British ambassador. I would rather that that had been kept up and special quietly dropped, as it is prone to ridicule when the reality does not match the rhetoric.

Those who place great weight on the special relationship have seen the decades-old term come under strain. The image of May and Trump briefly holding hands as they strolled through the White House grounds together invited scorn upon the UK prime minister. And the widely signed British petition against Trump making an official state visit to Britain, together with the announcement by House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, outlining his opposition to the US president addressing Westminster have also combined to put the Anglo-American alliance on shaky ground.

So, what does the future hold for Mays Britain as she attempts to place her own stamp on what the British government continues to deem the special relationship?

May could find herself in the position that Tony Blair did with respect to the Bush presidency, warned Parakilas. That is, trying to stay close to the US and being linked into some kind of unpopular and distracting and damaging foreign engagement. Trumps own popularity ratings are not good at the moment  This wont help Mays own position vis-a-vis China, the EU and other necessary negotiating partners if shes seen as too close to Trump, who, at the moment, is not a brand that the world has a high opinion of yet.
Violence against foreigners has flared up again in parts of South Africa.

Earlier this month, immigrants homes and businesses were looted and torched in suburbs of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the capital city, raising concerns about anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.

The latest attacks follow previous bouts of xenophobic violence in 2008 and 2015 which resulted in the deaths of foreign nationals and the displacement of hundreds of migrants who were too afraid to continue living in the new communities they now called home.

With the end of apartheid and the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa opened itself up to the world.

A steady stream of migrants from around Africa made their way south in search of safety and better opportunities, in what was once the continents fastest-growing and largest economy.

But nowadays, with the economy static and youth unemployment rising, some locals are accusing foreigners of stealing jobs and of being involved in criminal activities, such as drug peddling and prostitution.

Anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise with community leaders and some in government echoing the dangerous rhetoric heard in parts of Europe and the United States.

On Friday, authorities gave permission to a group of people to hold an anti-immigrant rally in Pretoria. The march descended into violence when some protesters attempted to storm into a suburb of Pretoria West, which is home to a predominantly migrant community.

The migrants in the area mobilised and vowed to fight back as a large contingent of riot police had to be deployed to avoid large-scale violence between the two groups.
Canada is trying to be an example for the world by welcoming refugees, but its doors are still not open to Roma.

Dafina Savic is the founder of Romanipe, a not-for-profit organisation seeking to fight discrimination against Roma.

While the world is outraged, and rightly so, by recent policies south of its border, we are quick to forget that not too long ago the Canadian government imposed its own ban of sorts, one that aimed to restrict entry into the country of a specific group of people fleeing persecution.

It did so on the premise that these people were bogus refugees undeserving of Canadas protection and explicitly targeted them as criminals.

Earlier this month, Anthony Housefather, Member of Parliament for Mount Royal delivered a poignant speech during the emergency debate on the executive order signed by United States President Donald Trump to ban refugees and immigrants of Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.

Housefather shed light on Canadas own issues of xenophobia and the politics of fear. From the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the rejection of Jewish refugees aboard the St. Louis, he cited example after example of the darker side of Canadas past.

And although these historic examples rung strong and true, where was mention of the more recent instances of injustice and discrimination in Canadian immigration policy?

Canadas dark secrets





In 2013, financed with Canadian taxpayer money, the government initiated a billboard campaign in the predominant countries of origin of Roma claimants.

It sought to deliberately deter Roma from seeking asylum in Canada, stating that people who make a [refugee] claim without sound reasons will be processed faster and deported faster.

The billboards were placed in countries such as Hungary, a country which is still listed as safe under the current government.

Until the federal court deemed it unconstitutional in 2015, refugee claimants from the Designated Country of Origin (DCO) list were denied their right to appeal in cases of rejection, so as to avoid abuse of the system.

The Conservative governments policy and rhetoric targeting Roma asylum seekers as bogus and fraudulent refugees undeserving of Canadas protection were not only effective in blocking Roma from entering the country.

They also served to embed in Canadian media and political discourse the very stereotypes and hate Roma were seeking to flee in their countries of origin.

OPINION: Warning  Canada is not what you think it is

In this climate of animosity and hostile attitudes towards Roma, many Roma refugee claimants were being taken advantage of by their legal representatives and subjected to biased decision-making at the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Despite increasing refugee acceptance numbers under the current administration, Canadian authorities continue to practise racial profiling against Roma. In 2015, dozens of Hungarian Roma with valid travel documents were prevented from boarding flights to Canada for allegedly lacking proper documentation to enter the country due to their Roma ethnicity.

Without a thorough review of the policy in Canada, Roma refugees fleeing persecution and racism in Europe will be left behind while our very own ban will be left unaddressed. by

With little attention from the media, in May 2016 the Canadian government reinstated visas on Bulgaria and Romania to curb Roma immigration.

However, with European Union hesitation and the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the Canadian-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the move proved to be problematic, and the Trudeau administration was forced to lift the visa requirements on those countries.

Such disagreements regarding CETA ratification are reminiscent of the pressures that had stalled the agreement under the previous government and which eventually led to the imposition of discriminatory policy measures against Roma refugees.

However, the more it changes, the more its the same thing. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Europe in mid-February to finalise the CETA agreement, all issues affecting Roma were left off the agenda and conveniently unaddressed.

A two-tier refugee system

Despite recent court decisions and widespread criticism that the DCO creates a two-tier refugee system, the Safe Country Review Panel was recently dropped from the mandate of the current Minister of Immigration Ahmed Hussen.

This not only means that the DCO list will remain as is, but also that no panel of experts will be delegated to review and reassess the human rights situation of the countries listed.

While a designated Safe Country may be safe for most of its inhabitants, it is by no means safe for all. Without a thorough review of the policy in Canada, Roma refugees fleeing persecution and racism in Europe will be left behind while our very own ban will be left unaddressed.

As raised in a recent opinion article published by Al Jazeera, Roma are often made to be the culprits of anti-refugee sentiment in Europe, while they are fleeing those very issues. Even in situations of violent conflict certain populations are not granted equal attention, treatment and compassion.

Noteworthy is the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)s report that the Domari populations, who have been present in the Middle East for thousands of years, have been equally, if not doubly, affected by the ongoing crisis and violence in the region.

According to a 2014 ERRC report, out of the estimated one million registered and unregistered refugees from Turkey, some 30,000 were of Domari origin. Political polarisation and ethnic and religious divisions often make it impossible for Syrian Domari populations to stay in official refugee camps.

OPINION: Why are Roma blamed for Europes rejection of refugees?

After meeting with President Trump, Trudeau reiterated that we ought to be an example for the world by being the open country we are. Now is a crucial time for Trudeau to demonstrate his and the countrys true commitment to refugees.

A step in the right direction would be to end the two-tier Designated Countries of Origin system and suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement with the US, and to implement authentic review and assessment of each refugee claimants case on the basis of merit.

Only then can the light of true justice prevail, and hope be given to Roma and others who have suffered the consequences of Canadas failed legal system. It is, indeed, only by facing our darker moments that we can hope to learn from them.

Dafina Savic is the founder of Romanipe, a Montreal-based, not-for-profit organisation seeking to fight discrimination against Roma worldwide.

Debbie Folaron is associate professor in Translation Studies at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

Cristina Ruscio holds a Master of Laws (LLM); Comparative Law, Economics and Finance. During her studies, she worked as a legal aid.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Roman Dobrokhotov is a Moscow-based journalist and civil activist. He is the editor-in-chief of The Insider.

Russia has been making the headlines of international media for a while now. But none of that had to do with a strong economy or a powerful army because Russia simply doesnt have either. Instead, it has learned to interfere through other means in the politics, media, elections and national security of other countries.

The United States still cannot get over the Russian interference in last years presidential elections, while European countries are terrified at the prospect of something like that happening to them this year.

The new methods of Russian influence are well-known, but it seems that Western countries have turned out to be unprepared for them.

Hackers

In the coming months, a whole bunch of European countries will be having elections: in March, the Netherlands; in April, France; in September, Germany and Norway; and perhaps early elections in Italy. And all of these countries without exception have already complained about attacks by Russian hackers.





In France, they attacked Emmanuel Macron, the main opponent to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who insists on the revoking of sanctions on Russia.

In Germany, they attacked Angela Merkel, a big critic of the Kremlin. In Italy, reportedly, the foreign ministry and armed forces suffered attacks.

In Norway, Russian connection was discovered in a phishing attack on a police station and a host of government officials. In the Netherlands, after many attacks by Russian hackers on government servers, it was decided that votes will be counted by hand.

And these are not all the incidents by far. International media has focused on the scandal with Russian hackers in the US, but actually there isnt a western country that has not faced cyberattacks from Russia.

The United Kingdom recently complained about the increase in Russian hackers activity, while cyberattacks were also reported by Turkey, the Baltic countries, Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Finland, Sweden and many others.

In Russia, there are two major Kremlin-sponsored hacker groups: Fancy Bear (APT 28) and Cozy Bear (APT 29). They use similar methods and both have a big budget, state of the art equipment and a wide network of employees working every day.

READ MORE: Donald Trump: Russian hacking had no effect on vote

They know well which politicians, officials and journalists they should attack and who to send the obtained compromising information to. It is known that one of these groups Fancy Bear also attacked Russian opposition activists inside the country and enemies of the Kremlin abroad, including the Democratic Party in the US.

This has been confirmed by at least four independent cybersecurity organisations which analysed the phishing emails used in the attacks. Given the objects of these attacks, its not difficult to guess who stands behind Fancy Bear.

Even Al Jazeeras website suffered an attack by Fancy Bear. Clearly, the Kremlin has not limited its cyber-warfare to the West.

Fake news

Cyberattacks are not the only tactic the Kremlin has used trying to boost its political influence abroad. Another fashionable tool these days is fake news.

Spreading disinformation was a favourite KGB tool in Soviet times, but now in the Facebook era, old methods are being used on a new level.

All around the world there are enough people who are earnestly ready to share news in social networks. According to a BuzzFeed investigation, if one is to judge by the number of shares, the 20 most popular fake news about the elections in the US turned out to be more popular than the 20 most popular real news.

OPINION: Mr Trump, meet Bond, James Bond  From Russia with love

A separate role is played by the Russian diaspora, a significant part of which watches mainly Russian TV channels. This is quite a big problem for countries where Russian speakers are a significant part of the population  countries of the former Soviet Union.

But in recent times, it has also become a problem for Western Europe, where the diaspora, too, has become an active object of Russian state influence.

For example, some of the demonstrations of the marginal nationalist movement Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (Pegida) in Germany were organised by representatives of Russian diaspora organisations, which are funded by the Kremlin; speeches at some of these rallies would be given in Russian.

Fake news broadcast by Russia One channel about a Russian girl who was raped by migrants was used as an excuse for one of these rallies. The news of course was widely shared within the Russian diaspora.

Freaks

Pegida is only one example of the tens of marginal political parties and movements which the Kremlin supports in different countries and more often than not these are ultra-right, anti-globalisation, and separatist movements.

Every year, the Kremlin organises a major get-together for these movements in Moscow and sometimes in other countries. Within the network of Russian influence, there are also members of parliament, even if not that prominent, of some major parties.

Some of them will attend big Kremlin-sponsored forums in exchange for a serious honorarium and when needed will make the necessary statements about, for example, the Crimea referendum being transparent and free.

The world economy survived Trump and Brexit but if Europe is hit by another wave of protectionism and nationalism as happened after World War I, the consequences of that would be so grave that it would put the survival of the Russian state under question. by

At first glance, it seems that the support of local freaks is simply a waste of money. But it can be seen as a venture capital investment. Most of the supported projects will fail, but there is a possibility that some of them might take off.

Sometimes marginal politicians such as Marine Le Pen, who received a loan from a Russian bank turn into political heavyweights.

Donald Trump was seen for a long time as marginal and an outsider and, if the rumours about his ties to the Kremlin are confirmed, then certainly he would be the most successful of all Russian venture capital investments.

Trolls

Another player in Russias cyberwars are the trolls who try to simulate societal reactions and undertake the vicious persecution of targeted individuals on social networks and in the comment sections of foreign media outlets.

 sizeable troll office is located on Savushkina Street in St Petersburg, where employees work a full work day and receive $500.

There are also other troll factories, including one in Moscow which specialises in spamming outlets such as Fox News, CNN, BBC, the Huffington Post and others.

Usually a trolls account is easy to recognise: it is either empty of content, or is filled with reposts. Even if trolls dont succeed in convincing their victims that they are real, they still manage to interfere with attempts to have a normal discussion with an audience. Because of trolling, many media organisations have been forced to drop comment sections from their websites.

Pranksters

One of the latest inventions of Russian propaganda are the Kremlins pranksters. A prime time show on Russian One channel had pranksters call high-level politicians  such as former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and US Senator John McCain  using a variety of pretexts to try to provoke them into saying something not politically correct.

The task  if not to discredit  is at least to poke fun of the politicians who dont have good relations with the Kremlin. In a time when, on Russian state TV, one cannot even sneeze without the permission of the censor, it is not difficult to guess the motivation behind having such a show.

Soft power v propaganda

Russias new information warfare is more powerful and effective than Soviet propaganda. But no matter how inventive Moscow is in using new technologies for information warfare, it still has the same vulnerability which led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union  propaganda is useless if it is not backed with soft power, or the power of being a model nation.

Hackers and trolls might help you discredit the opponent, but they cannot create a positive image of your country, when it is a poor, unfree state with rampant corruption, backward education and a weak healthcare system.

Yes, Russia is a serious threat to the West in the sense that it can encourage the growth of the ultra-conservative and populist forces, pushing for disintegration and nationalism  all this might affect negatively economic growth and security. But the problem is that Moscow does not really get anything out of it.

OPINION: The inevitable Trumputin divorce

The children of US officials dont go to study in Moscow University; Swiss businessmen are not depositing their money in Russian banks; Germans are not buying Russian cars.

Paradoxically, Russia will be the first to suffer from the weakening of the West. In a time of crisis, investors will first withdraw their money from unstable developing markets, including Russia.

The world economy survived Trump and Brexit but if Europe is hit by another wave of protectionism and nationalism as happened after World War I, the consequences of that would be so grave that it would put the survival of the Russian state under question.

Roman Dobrokhotov is a Moscow-based journalist and civil activist. He is the editor-in-chief of The Insider.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Geneva, Switzerland  Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has called on the international community to defend the two-state solution in an address at the opening of the 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Abbas told member states on Monday that Israel was moving towards an apartheid solution in Palestine in light of a new Israeli law passed earlier this month that legalised dozens of Jewish-only settlement outposts built on private Palestinian land.

He also cautioned states against moving their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem, in a warning seen as a direct response to promises made by US President Donald Trump during his campaign for the White House in which he threatened to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the divided holy city.

Palestine will remain the litmus test for this council  and whether it succeeds or not, will be crucial for the credibility of the human rights system throughout the world, said Abbas.

READ MORE: Israels hateful posts target Palestinian politicians

Abbas was the first of more than 100 dignitaries to speak at the high-level segment of this years session.

The last and only time Abbas addressed the council was in 2015.

The 34th session also marked first address to the UNHRC by Antonio Guterres, who began his tenure as the new UN secretary-general in January.

After the three-day, high-level session, the council is expected to move on to issues such as the death penalty, racial profiling and incitement.

Palestine today is a truth, a reality anchored in history and the international system. It was recognised by the international community in 2012, 138 states have recognised it and its flag is raised at the United Nations, he said.

We call for the establishment of a system that would guarantee an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders.

Israel has militarily occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip since 1967, and has since facilitated the creation of hundreds of Jewish-only settlements across the occupied territories.

More than a half million Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli rights group BTselem.

While all settlements are considered illegal under international law, more than 100 outposts have been built without authorisation and are considered illegal by even the Israeli government.

Abbas went on to reiterate his appeal for an international protection regime that would guarantee the end of Israels occupation, the confiscation of land, the theft of water resources and the destruction of homes.

READ MORE: Palestinian diaspora abroad create new political entity

He called on states that have not done so to recognise officially the state of Palestine, and for the international community to come up with a precise timetable for an end to Israels occupation.

Abbas speech at the UNHRC comes just weeks after President Donald Trump appeared to walk away from a long-standing US commitment to the two-state-solution.

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 during a joint press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, I sraels prime minister, in advance of their first official meeting at the White House.

INTERACTIVE: Palestine Remix  The borders of Palestine and Israel explained

A two-state solution  the idea of Israel and Palestine living side-by-side and at peace  has been the bedrock of US diplomacy for the past two decades.

Nikki Haley, the n ewly appointed US ambassador to the UN, quickly put out a statement saying the US absolutely supports a two-state-solution, but was looking for new ideas to push things forward.

US-based outlet Politico reported on Saturday that the Trump administration was debating the idea of quitting the UNHRC over its alleged anti-Israeli bias.

READ MORE: Palestinian women lead resistance in Budrus

During this years session, the council is expected to receive at least three reports detailing allegations of Israeli human-rights abuses against Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

A separate report set to be submitted during this years session will focus on the Druze community in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, according to the Jerusalem Post.

A resolution reiterating the UNHRCs call for Israel to return the Golan Heights to Syria is expected by the end of this years session on March 24.

Israel captured the Syrian Golan Heights during the 1967 Middle East war, and officially annexed it in 1981.












Sebastian Kurz says his country is overspending on refugees and migrants, but his German counterpart dismisses proposal.

Austrias foreign minister has called for setting up mass camps in North Africa for refugees and migrants who fled to Europe, a proposal that his German counterpart has dismissed as unrealistic.

At a joint news conference on Monday in Austria with Sigmar Gabriel, Sebastian Kurz, who is known for his anti-immigration stance, said his government was overspending on refugees in his country.

Austria, a nation of 8.5 million people, became a key transit country for hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees entering the European Union in 2015, with tens of thousands of people requesting asylum there.

We dont want to pay hundreds of millions of euros in family support for foreign children a year who dont even live in Austria, Kurz said.

READ MORE: Divided Austria votes in rerun of presidential contest

It is unfair to pay out these sums to the same extent when the costs of living are substantially less elsewhere.

Kurz has cited the success of the EU-Turkey deal in reducing the influx of migrants from outside Europe as something that can serve as a model for possible EU pacts with Libya and other North African countries.

Gabriel, however, suggested the comparison was flawed, arguing that the chaos and anarchy gripping Libya doomed such an agreement.

We have a state in Turkey, whatever ones opinion about it is, he told reporters. Not so in Libya.

READ MORE: Germany: 10 attacks a day against refugees, migrants and shelters

Gabriel also dismissed expectations that Tunisia would be able to host mass concentrations of migrants, warning that could be destabilising in a North Africa country that is struggling to nurture its fragile democracy.

The news conference came a day after Germanys interior ministry said that in 2016 Germany saw an average of 10 attacks a day against refugees, migrants and their shelters.

More than 2,500 refugees in Germany were attacked last year, according to the ministry, raising fears over the safety of those who have fled war and persecution.

The attacks left at least 560 people injured, including 43 children.
Explosion hits close to army checkpoint after al-Shabab threatens attacks against new president, Mohamed Abdullahi.

A car laden with explosives has blown up near an army checkpoint outside Mogadishu, wounding at least four soldiers, according to a Somali security officer.

Soldiers reportedly chased the driver before he detonated the explosives.

We received information of the car bomb and we pursued it, but he blew up while we were chasing him, the security officer said.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the explosion.

In the past, al-Shabab has taken responsibility for blasts and gun attacks in the capital.

The armed group has said that it would launch deadly attacks against Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, Somalias new president, also known as Farmajo.

#UPDATE: Four soldiers wounded after suicide bomber blew himself up near army checkpoint outside #Mogadishu  Witness #Somalia pic.twitter.com/md5wH58h6C  Live From Somalia (@Tuuryare_Africa) February 27, 2017

Al-Shabab earlier this week denounced Mohameds election, calling him an apostate.

The new president, who was inaugurated on Wednesday , has promised to make security a priority.

On Sunday, a car bomb in the capital killed at least 39 people .

Fighters affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) have also emerged in Somalia.
Troops take Gawsaq and reach strategic Fourth Bridge as ISIL fights back with anti-tank missiles and suicide car bombs.

Iraqi security forces have pushed deeper into western Mosul, gaining control of a neighbourhood along the Tigris River and the foot of one of the citys five bridges amid intense clashes with ISIL fighters, according to a senior Iraqi commander.

Thamir al-Hussaini said the troops pushed deeper into Gawsaq on Monday and reached the bridge known locally as the Fourth Bridge.

All of Mosuls bridges spanning the Tigris River and connecting the western part of the city, still held by ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, with its eastern sector, were disabled by air strikes last year.

The western part of Mosul, the countrys second-largest city, is the last significant urban area that ISIL holds in Iraq.

Snipers and car bombs

Hussaini told the Associated Press news agency that ISIL, also known as ISIS, was fighting back with snipers, anti-tank missiles and suicide car bombs, and described the clashes as fierce.

He said Iraqi troops suffered casualties, but did not give a specific number.

He said Iraqi counterterrorism forces moved later on Monday from Gawsaq into the nearby Wadi Hajar neighbourhood.





Al Mayadeen, the Lebanon-based private broadcaster, aired live footage from Gawsaq, showing Iraqi troops in armoured vehicles and Humvees pushing through dusty streets as gunfire echoed.

Thick black smoke was seen billowing from different areas following air strikes.

The advances come after Iraqi forces last week took Mosuls international airport and a large military base next to it before pushing into Mamun, the first neighbourhood in the western half of the city after the airport.

Though incremental and only the beginning of what is expected to be a long and protracted battle for the rest of Mosul, the latest developments reflect the Iraqi militarys determination to liberate the city.

Iraqi authorities declared the citys eastern half fully liberated from the group in January, three months after launching the operation to take back Mosul.

The city fell to ISIL in the summer of 2014, along with large expanses of northern and western Iraq.
Film on Syrian rescue group wins best short documentary in ceremony marked by reaction to Trump immigration policies.

A film celebrating the White Helmets , a volunteer rescue group that operates in rebel-held parts of Syria, has scooped an Oscar for best short documentary on a night marked by politics.

The eponymously titled White Helmets, a 40-minute Netflix film, gives a window into the lives of the groups volunteers as they scramble to pull people from the rubble of buildings flattened in bombing raids.

Accepting the Academy Award, director Orlando von Einsiedel urged the audience to get out of their seats and call for an end to Syrias six-year civil war , which led to a standing ovation.

Von Einsiedel read a statement from White Helmets founder Raed al-Saleh in which he thanked the academy and said the group had saved tens of thousands of lives since it was formed in 2014.

We are so grateful that this film has highlighted our work to the world. Our organisation is guided by a verse from the Quran: To save one life is to save all of humanity, Salehs statement said.

READ MORE: Year of diversity at Oscars does little to even score

We have saved more than 82,000 Syrian lives. I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life to stop the bloodshed in Syria and around the world.

Rescue workers in Syria are at risk of being killed in so-called double tap air raids that target them as they arrive at the scene of a strike. The group says that many of its volunteers have been killed.

Syrian cinematographer Khaled Khatib, who worked on the documentary, was unable to attend after being barred from entering the US despite being granted a visa.

US officials reportedly discovered derogatory information about him, according to a document seen by the Associated Press news agency.

The incident happened after US President Donald Trumps now halted temporary travel ban that targeted seven Muslim-majority countries, including Syria.

Iranian win after protest

An Iranian film, The Salesman, won the best foreign language film award after its director, Asghar Farhadi, refused to attend the ceremony as a protest against Trumps immigration policies. Iran was on the list of seven countries.

A female Iranian astronaut, Anousheh Ansari, accepted the award on his behalf.

Im sorry Im not with you tonight, Farhadi said in a statement read by Ansari. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US.





Dividing the world into the US and our enemies categories creates fear  a deceitful justification for aggression and war.

It was the second Oscar for Farhadi, who won in the same category for A Separation in 2012.

Though Donald Trump s name was rarely mentioned during the ceremony, his policies were a running subtext throughout proceedings.

Several actors and actresses, including the Ethiopian Irish Ruth Negga who was nominated in the best actress category, wore blue ribbons in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, a high-profile civil rights group.

Trump connnection

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, MC for the evening, did mention Trump several times.

I want to say thank you to President Trump, Kimmel said as the ceremony opened.

Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?

In 2015, criticism swirled around a lack of diversity among nominees, stirring a campaign that became known by the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite .

That criticism continued into 2016, with several people, including actor Will Smith, boycotting the ceremony.

READ MORE: Taraneh Alidoosti boycotting Oscars

A record six black actors were nominated this year, though, and a person of colour was nominated in each of the main acting categories  the first time that has happened.

On Friday, the directors of all five Oscar-nominated foreign language films, including Farhadi, had condemned what they described as a climate of fanaticism and nationalism in the US and elsewhere in a joint statement.

They said that, whoever won, the award would be dedicated to people working to foster unity and understanding.

Tonight is proof that art has no borders, no single language and does not belong to a single faith, academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who has worked to diversify its membership, said.

Mahershala Ali, an Ahmadi Muslim, won the best-supporting actor award for his role in Moonlight, which also won best picture.

In his acceptance speech, he announced the birth of his daughter and thanked his wife as well as many wonderful teachers.

Celebrities had used the spotlight at earlier award shows to denounce the Trump administrations stance on immigration, transgender rights and the media.

The Oscars is the highlight of the Tinseltown calendar, and wraps up two months of glittering prize galas.
South Koreas acting leader Hwang Kyo-ahn has refused to extend a probe by special prosecutors into a huge scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye, drawing the ire of the countrys opposition parties.

The corruption controversy erupted late last year over accusations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back the presidents policy initiatives.

Hwangs spokesman Hong Kwon-heui said during a televised briefing on Monday that the probe had served its purpose and it was in the countrys best interests for the investigation to conclude as scheduled on Tuesday.

After much deliberation, the acting president has decided that it would be best for the countrys stability to not extend the special investigation and for the prosecutors to take over, Hong said.

The scandal has led to weekly rival protests by tens of thousands of South Koreans, with some supporting Park and others calling for the ouster of the countrys first democratically elected leader.

IN PICTURES: Seoul impeachment protests

Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from the capital, Seoul, said Hwangs decision had angered opposition parties, with one calling it an example of tyranny.

There was a meeting of four main opposition parties and at least three of them now want to impeach the acting president, he said.

The special prosecutors team had sought to question Park but is now unlikely to have time.

In a statement, it said the decision was regrettable but vowed to thoroughly wrap up the case and cooperate with the state prosecutors who will retake control over the investigation.

The prosecutors are disappointed as during the 70-day investigation they have not been able to examine the full scope of the scandal and that they have been denied to interview the president as well, Fawcett said.

Park, 65, was impeached by parliament in December and has been stripped of her powers until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove her from office.

Should the Constitutional Court uphold parliaments impeachment of Park, South Korea would hold an election within 60 days of the ruling.

Park cannot be prosecuted while she remains president.








Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 88-year-old founder of the far-right party, called members of persecuted minority smelly.

The father of French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has been ordered to pay 5,000 euros ($5,300) after describing people from the Roma minority as smelly.

ROMA IN EUROPE Between 10 and 12 million Roma are estimated to live in Europe, with most in eastern parts of the continent. With ancestral roots in India, the Roma migrated to Eastern Europe in the 10th century and have been persecuted throughout history. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the break-up of Yugoslavia, many travelled west, seeking to escape poverty and discrimination. In 2010, the European Union criticised France over a crackdown on illegal Roma camps launched by then-President Nicolas Sarkozy. In the same year, thousands of Roma were deported to Romania and Bulgaria from France.

An appeals court on Monday in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence found Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 88-year-old founder of the National Front (FN) party, guilty of inciting hate and making racist and negationist statements with the comments at a press conference in Nice in 2013.

Le Pen said at the time: It appears you have a problem with several hundred Roma who have an irritating and, lets say, smelly presence in this city.

Le Pen lost an appeal against the conviction.

It was the ninth time that Le Pen, who infamously repeatedly referred to the Holocaust as a detail of history, has been convicted of such offences.

I stick by these terms because it is what I think, Le Pen said at an earlier hearing.

Jean-Marie Le Pens words were extremely serious and an open call to hate and ethnic discrimination, said Sonny Phung of the anti-racism group SOS Racisme, which will receive around $2,100 of Le Pens fine.

The Roma minority largely come from Bulgaria and Romania and are often stigmatised in France where they have been accused of being responsible for a rise in petty crime.

Le Pen was the runner-up in the 2002 presidential election that rocked the French political establishment.

READ MORE: Thousands of Roma made homeless in France in 2016

In recent years, he has had a public falling out with his daughter after she took over the reins of the party and has sought to purge it of its more controversial elements.

Marine Le Pen is currently forecast to win the first round of Frances presidential election on April 23, but lose the all-important May 7 runoff to either centrist Emmanuel Macron or conservative Francois Fillon.

However, polls show she has significantly reduced the projected margin of defeat in the past two months.
Moonlight bags the best picture after an astonishing flub in which La La Land was initially named the winner.

The coming-of-age drama Moonlight has won the Academy Award for best picture in an extraordinary Oscar upset and an unprecedented gaffe that saw one winner swapped for another.

While announcing the top honour of Sundays event, an apparent mix-up of cards created uproar and confusion in which presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty initially declared smash hit musical La La Land the winner.

OSCAR WINNERS 2017: Best Picture: Moonlight Best Directing: Damien Chazelle  La La Land Best Actress: Emma Stone  La La Land Best Actor: Casey Affleck  Manchester by the Sea Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis  Fences Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali  Moonlight Foreign Language Film: The Salesman (Iran) Animated Feature Film: Zootopia Documentary Feature: OJ: Made in America Live Action Short Film: Sing Animated Short Film: Piper Documentary Short Subject: The White Helmets Cinematography: La La Land Adapted Screenplay: Moonlight Original Screenplay: Manchester by the Sea Original Score: La La Land Original Song: City Of Stars  La La Land Sound Editing: Arrival Sound Mixing: Hacksaw Ridge Production Design: La La Land Visual Effects: The Jungle Book Film Editing: Hacksaw Ridge Costume Design: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Make-up and Hairstyling: Suicide Squad

But as La La Lands producers were accepting the award, they were interrupted for a highly unusual correction: La La Land was not the winner, Moonlight was.

A chagrined Beatty blamed the flub on the envelope, which he said had contained a duplicate of the card for the best actress trophy.

I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land, he said. I wasnt trying to be funny.

Host Jimmy Kimmel had come forward to inform the cast that Moonlight had indeed won, showing the inside of the envelope as proof. I knew I would screw this up, said Kimmel, a first-time host.

I promise to never come back.

Producer Jordan Horwitz then graciously passed his statue to the Moonlight producers.

Al Jazeeras Andy Gallacher, reporting from Los Angeles, said there was complete chaos after the error and people were confused.

This was not exactly the Hollywood ending, he said.

As the La La Land crew got on stage to receive the award, one of the members put up the card to the camera and said this is not a joke, Moonlight won.

The mistake has overshadowed the entire awards night. Now the only thing people will remember is this monumental mistake, which was  great news for Moonlight and bad news for La La Land, Gallacher said.

The best picture award was the third Oscar for Barry Jenkins film about an African American boy growing up gay in a poor neighbourhood in Miami.

Moonlight also won best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali  the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar  and best adapted screenplay for Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney.

The film has won plaudits as a vital portrait of contemporary African American life and is praised in equal measure as a groundbreaking and personal meditation on identity, family, friendship and love.

Besides La La Land, Moonlight beat seven other films, including alien thriller Arrival and family dramas Manchester by the Sea and Fences for best picture honours.

La La Land, however, still collected a leading six awards, including honours for cinematography, production design, score, the song City of Stars and best director for Damien Chazelle, who at 32 became the youngest filmmaker to win the category.

La La Land star Emma Stone also won best actress for her portrayal of an aspiring actress forced to endure the indignities of failed auditions, while Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck was named best actor for his performance as a taciturn janitor with a troubled past.

Man, I wish I had something better and more meaningful to say  Im just dumbfounded that Im included, said Affleck, a first-time Oscar winner.

Viola Davis, meanwhile, won her first Oscar for her supporting roles in Fences. The wins of Davis and Ali marked the first time in more than a decade that multiple Oscar acting honours went to black actors.

Earlier in the show, US President Trump had been the target of numerous jokes, capping an awards season marked by fiery protests by celebrities at his policies.

Kimmel fired off political zingers and even tweeted at the Republican president, getting no immediate response.

Insisting he was at a loss for words to help unite a divided country, the host exhorted viewers to make their own efforts at reconciliation by reaching out to political adversaries they knew personally to have a positive, considerate conversation, not as liberals or conservatives, as Americans.

If we could all do that, we could make America great again, he said, an allusion to Trumps own campaign slogan.

Kimmel also showed a willingness to tweak the motion picture academy for its own shortcomings, drawing a sly parallel between the criticism both the president and the Oscars have taken for a perceived lack of racial sensitivity.

I want to say, Thank you, President Trump,' he said. I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? he asked rhetorically in a reference to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy which clouded the Academy Awards in 2016.

Several celebrities wore blue ribbons on Sunday in support of the American Civil Liberties Union advocacy group that worked to get Trumps bid to ban travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations blocked in US courts.

But for the most part, speeches at the ceremony were mild or made general pleas for tolerance rather than directly attacking Trump.
Istanbul, Turkey  After two days of meetings here, the organisers of the Palestinians Abroad Conference have established a new political entity to represent Palestinian diaspora communities and strive for greater Palestinian rights.

Conference leaders said on Sunday that they aspired to play a bigger role in the struggle against Israels occupation of Palestinian territories, alongside the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO).

They insisted that their new organisation does not aim to replace the PLO  the organisation that has been representing the Palestinian people since 1964.

We are trying here to create a supporting structure to be an asset to the PLO, not against it, said Ribhi Halloum, a former PLO ambassador.

Though still without a formal name, the new organisation called for the end of the Oslo agreement signed between Israel and the PLO in 1993, the restructuring of the PLO on a more representative basis for all Palestinians, and the formation of a democratically elected Palestinian National Council, which is the PLOs legislative body in exile.

INTERACTIVE: Palestinian Remix

The conference leaders said that the Oslo agreement has destroyed the PLO and created a new class of Palestinian leaders in the occupied territories beholden only to Israeli military will.

The final statement read by Anis al-Qasem, a legal scholar, blamed PLO leaders for squandering Palestinian historic rights in agreements with Israel that it said prolonged Israeli occupation and worsened Palestinian suffering.

They also asserted the right of Palestinians to resist Israeli occupation, called for the return of refugees to their homes and towns in historic Palestine and said they would strive for Palestinian statehood.

Mounir Shafiq, a Palestinian scholar, said that while Palestinians have the right to all of historic Palestine as a matter of principle, it is not obligatory for individual diaspora communities to adhere to this vision.

Palestinian diaspora communities are free to work within the norms of their adopted countries, said Shafiq, who will head the newly established General Secretariat of the Conference.

READ MORE: Palestinian diaspora gathers for a common vision

Khalid Turaani, a spokesman for the conference, said that while Palestinians insisted on their right to return to their lands, it was up to Israelis to decide their future, not the Palestinians.

Fatah, the main Palestinian faction, issued a statement Sunday attacking the conference accusing it of being an attempt to divide the Palestinian people. Other small factions based in Ramallah also criticised the conference calling it an attack on the PLO.

This kind of criticism is unfounded. We as Palestinian diaspora have the right to organise and tell the traditional Palestinian leaders what we think is the best way forward, Said Ziyad al Aloul, the conference spokesman.

The conference established a General Commission headed by Palestinian historian Salman abu Sitta and Majed al-Zeer, a Britain-based activist, Naela al-Waari, a scholar and womens rights activist, and Saif Abu Kishah, a youth activist, as his three deputies.

Leaders of the conference said that this was not yet another Palestinian faction rather, an independent organisation open to all Palestinians.

The new organisation will be based in Beirut, Lebanon .

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports



Inside Story  What happens to global support for two-state solution?




Government and rebels trade accusations after deadly clashes amid fresh tension over control of Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia-backed fighters have handed over the bodies of five Azerbaijani soldiers, two days after they were killed along the boundary with the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The troops died in clashes early on Saturday in the remote Khojavend and Fizuli regions, but the separatists prevented the recovery of the bodies until Monday, Azerbaijans defence ministry said.

International mediators from the OSCE Minsk Group had called on the two sides to keep heavy military equipment in its present positions and to allow recovery of the dead.





The rebels said in a statement: Evacuation of bodies did not take place because Azerbaijan violated agreements.

The breakaway regions self-declared defence ministry accused Azerbaijans military of trying to infiltrate its territory.

There were no casualties on their side, the separatists said.

Clashes over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which lies inside Azerbaijan but is controlled by ethnic Armenians, have stirred fears of a wider conflict breaking out in the South Caucasus, which is crisscrossed by oil and gas pipelines.

The conflict first erupted in 1991 and a ceasefire was agreed in 1994.

But Azerbaijan and Armenia regularly trade accusations of violence around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border.

The ceasefire was broken last April when dozens were killed.

Efforts to secure a permanent settlement have failed despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States.
Ukraine-run businesses to be seized in Donetsk and Luhansk if blockade does not end, say Russia-backed rebel leaders.

Separatists in eastern Ukraine have threatened to take control of Ukraine-run businesses in rebel-held areas if the Kiev government does not end a rail blockade that had halted coal supplies.

The ultimatum came on Monday, a month since a group of Ukrainian legislators and army veterans started blocking some rail traffic in eastern regions.

The blockade is opposed by the Ukrainian government, as it prevents coal produced in the rebel-held territory from reaching power plants and the steel industry in the rest of the country, whose exports are a keystone of Ukraines economy.

INTERACTIVE: Ukraine divided  stories from warring sides

In a joint statement, leaders of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics (DNR and LNR) said on Monday the blockade had caused many businesses to suffer in rebel-held areas and that it went against the spirit of the 2015 Minsk peace agreement.

Alexander Zakharchenko, of the DNR, and the LNRs Igor Plotnitsky said: We are forced to announce that if, by midnight on Wednesday, the blockade is not taken down, we will introduce a system of external management on all companies registered in Ukraines jurisdiction that operate in the DNR and LNR.

They also said they would stop selling coal to Ukraine and send future coal supplies to Russia or elsewhere.

Heorhiy Tuka, Ukraines deputy minister for issues relating to rebel territories, dismissed the separatists threat to seize the companies.

Its an attempt to scare us, he said in a statement published by website InfoResist, saying the separatists did not have the ability to manage the large industrial companies.

Low coal stocks

In government-controlled areas, the economic effect of the blockade is already being felt.

The government has warned that low coal stocks in power plants could lead to rolling blackouts, while the central bank has said it could take emergency measures if the supply squeeze hits steelmakers export revenue.

Ukraine stands to lose up to $2bn in foreign currency revenue if the blockade continues, according to President Petro Poroshenko.

READ MORE: Ukraine  Who controls what

Metinvest, Ukraines largest steel producer, is one of the biggest employers in eastern regions on both sides of the front line. The blockade has already forced it to halt production temporarily at one of its mills and several coal mines.

Metinvest said it would be unacceptable for separatist officials to take control of its businesses in rebel-held areas, saying this would force it to halt the affected operations.

In those specific businesses alone, almost 20,000 people would face redundancy. This would inevitably be followed by the dismissal of people at related businesses  and contractors, which would lead to social upheaval, Metinvest said in emailed comments.

Trading with the enemy

Authorities in Kiev remains reluctant to use force against strikers, who accuse officials of trading with their foes, as well as allowing contraband to reach the east from Ukraine.

Trade with the rebel regions has gone on even as Kiev and the separatists are locked in a 34-month conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

In order to continue trading with the rest of Ukraine, the firms have been registered legally in government-controlled areas, but pay taxes to both the rebels and the central government.

As the dispute over the blockade heats up, there are reports of more deadly clashes between the rival sides along their volatile front line.

READ MORE: Losing everything in Ukraines Avdiivka

Ukraines army said two of its soldiers were killed and another four wounded despite a supposed truce coming into force last week.

On Sunday, the United States called on Russia to immediately observe the ceasefire in Ukraine, accusing combined Russian and separatist forces of targeting international monitors.

We condemn Fridays targeting of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) monitors and the seizure of an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle by combined-Russian separatist forces, said Mark Toner, the US state department spokesperson, referring to the civilian observers with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Taliban confirms Mullah Abdul Salam Akhunds death, saying he was killed by a US bombing raid in Afghan province.

A senior Taliban commander has been killed in an air raid in northern Afghanistan, the armed group said on Monday.

Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund, who oversaw a Taliban offensive that briefly seized Kunduz city in 2015, had previously been reported dead several times by Afghan officials.

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, confirmed Akhunds death in a statement blaming the United States.

Akhund was one of three fighters killed in an air raid by an unmanned aircraft in the Kunduz province, a senior Taliban official in the province told the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity.

He was on a journey a few days ago and stopped at a house at Dasht-e-Archi town [in Kunduz] when the drone fired missiles, the official said.

The raid killed Akhund and eight other Taliban members, Sher Aziz Kamawal, a senior police commander in northern Afghanistan, said.

READ MORE: Afghan civilian casualties at record high in 2016  UN

A US military spokesman said an American jet had carried out a bombing raid in the city on Sunday, but the command did not have confirmation of the results.

Taliban gains in the Helmand and Uruzgan regions, where they also threaten provincial capitals, have underlined the groups growing strength and exposed weaknesses in the government.

The group maintains that its fight is against foreign military forces and the foreign-backed government, not ordinary Afghans.

On Sunday, its leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, urged Afghans to plant more trees in a statement, calling on civilians and fighters to plant one or several fruit or non-fruit trees for the beautification of Earth and the benefit of almighty Gods creations.

The message, carried on official Taliban outlets, was a shift from the usual fiery rhetoric against the Afghan government and NATO forces.








Geneva, Switzerland  Syrias main opposition group has urged Russia to put pressure on the government of President Bashar al-Assad to shore up faltering efforts to end the conflict.

The rebels comments on Monday at a fourth round of UN-backed talks in Geneva came as a ceasefire at home fell apart.

The High Negotiations Committee, the main opposition group at the UN-sponsored talks, said it expects to meet a Russian delegation on Tuesday in the Swiss city.

We hope  that we will see real, positive and constructive support to the political process, said lead opposition negotiator Nasr al-Hariri after holding talks with Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria.

We hope  to see support [from Moscow] for the peace process which will ultimately lead to peace by putting pressure on the regime.

Catastrophic humanitarian situation

Hariris comments came on the heels of the oppositions second meeting with de Mistura in Geneva.

[Moscow] has tried to be neutral, Hariri said. The fact that it has recognised [moderate rebel factions] as a negotiating party is an indication of Russias openness and we are hopeful that tomorrows meeting is also a positive indication.

He said the High Negotiations Committee had presented de Mistura with a proposed agenda and two memoranda of understanding that dealt with the catastrophic humanitarian situation in opposition areas and ceasefire violations that have taken place since February 23, when the delegations arrived in Geneva.

Moscow, a central backer of the Assad government, has taken a lead role in the diplomatic process since its air force helped the Syrian army and its allied militias defeat rebels in Aleppo last year, dealing the opposition its biggest loss of the war.

On the heels of multilateral talks in Kazakhstan, the Geneva meetings mark the latest initiative to bring an end to a six-year war that has killed nearly half a million people and displaced more than half the countrys prewar population.

But a fragile ceasefire intended to facilitate the diplomatic process fell further apart over the weekend, as suicide attacks and air strikes threatened to derail the nascent talks.

READ MORE: Government forces target rebels in Syrian cities

In a press conference over the weekend, hours after a deadly suicide attack on army intelligence branches in Homs, lead government negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari talked almost exclusively about anti-terrorism.

The opposition believes the governments emphasis on terrorism means Damascus is not committed to a real diplomatic process in Geneva.

The regime must stop its lies. It is the biggest terrorist and it has continued to play the terrorism card to delegitimise the revolution, said Hariri.

Until this moment, we have not found a serious partner for peace and stability in Syria.

1,161 civilians killed

Air strikes and ground battles have steadily increased over the past month as pro-government forces press offensives on key opposition areas such as besieged East Ghouta in the Damascus countryside, the besieged neighbourhood of al-Waer  the last rebel-held area in Homs  and the province of Deraa in the countrys south.

During Mondays press conference, Hariri accused the government of killing 1,161 civilians  including 216 children and more than 150 women  since a nationwide ceasefire went into effect on December 30. Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the figures.

Rebel leader and negotiator Mohammed Alloush, who led talks last month in Astana but has kept a low profile since arriving to Geneva, told Reuters earlier on Monday that the increase in violence was a sign that the Russians have failed to enforce the truce despite promises from the highest levels of the Russian delegation.

While the line up of Russias delegation for Tuesdays meeting has not yet been finalised, it could include Russias Middle East director Sergei Vershinin, who attended the talks in Astana, and possibly Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov, who arrived in Geneva on Monday to take part in the annual UN Human Rights Council meeting.

We sincerely hope to persuade Russia to stand by the Syrian people, said Hariri. We hope that Russia will bet on the Syrian people instead of one person who has decided to destroy the whole of Syria so as to remain in power.

De Mistura, who is charged with keeping the talks alive, has so far met both sides in separate meetings, and is set to meet again with the government delegation on Tuesday.

While bilateral meetings so far have primarily covered issues relating to the format of the talks, the UNs goal is to bring government and opposition delegations together to discuss elements of a transition in Syria, including governance, a constitution and elections.

For the Syrian opposition, the only route for lasting peace remains a political transition that ensures Assads removal, but the government in Damascus has consistently refused to consider the presidents removal an option.

Follow Dylan Collins on Al Jazeera: @collinsdyl
Proposal, which could entail big cuts in foreign aid and spending on domestic agencies, to fulfil key campaign promise.

Donald Trump has reportedly proposed an increase in the 2018 US defence budget by $54bn while imposing funding cuts to other domestic programmes and foreign aid.

Administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity at the White Houses insistence, spoke about the bid to boost military spending by about 10 percent on Monday, the same day that Trump promised a historic increase in the defence budget.

This budget follows through on my promise on keeping Americans safe  It will include a historic increase in budget spending, Trump said as he met state governors at the White House.

The Pentagons budget increase would fulfil a Trump campaign promise to build up the military.

A senior budget office official said there will be a large reduction in foreign aid and that most domestic agencies will have to absorb cuts, without offering more details.





Tentative proposals for the 2018 budget year that begins on October 1 are being sent to agencies, which will have a chance to propose changes to the cuts as part of a long-standing tradition at the budget office.

Trumps budget, once finalised and sent to Congress in mid-March, is expected to set off a major political debate in Washington, DC.

Democrats and some Republicans are certain to resist the cuts to domestic agencies and any legislation to implement them would have to overcome a filibuster threat by Senate Democrats.

Upcoming blueprint

According to an administration official, Trumps budget also will not make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare.

Capitol Hill aides confirmed details of the upcoming blueprint on the condition of anonymity to discuss information that has not yet been made public.

Trumps first major initiative will land in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint session of Congress.

For Trump, the prime-time speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centrepiece of his White House run.
Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty made a mistake of historic proportions at the 2017 Academy Awards, when they mistakenly awarded the Oscar for Best Picture to La La Land. They should have awarded it to The Founder, the new biopic about McDonalds founder Ray Kroc which, alas, did not garner any Oscar nominations.

I saw The Founder on February 8. By happenstance, that is the birthday of Joseph A. Schumpeter, the Viennese economist whose key contribution to his discipline was his analysis of entrepreneurship. The fortuitous pairing proved a match made in Heaven.

The film depicts how McDonalds grew from a regional chain to a global phenomenon that revolutionized the food industry through the insight of one man: Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton). While selling milkshake machines at their San Bernardino restaurant, he encounters Dick and Mac McDonald (Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch) and sees in their efficient and innovative store model something far more than a potentially successful burger stand. In a bid to convince the brothers to let him franchise the store, Keaton tells them:

I drove through a lot of towns  a lot of small towns  and they all had two things in common. They had a courthouse, and they had a church. On top of the church, got a cross. And on top of the courthouse, theyd have a flag. Flags, crosses; crosses, flags. Im driving around. And I just cannot stop thinking about this tremendous restaurant. Now, at the risk of sounding blasphemous, forgive me, those arches have a lot in common with those buildings. A building with a cross on top  what is that? Its a gathering place where decent, wholesome people come together, and they share values protected by that American flag. It could be said that that beautiful building flanked by those arches signifies, more or less, the same thing. It doesnt just say, delicious hamburgers inside. They signify family. It signifies community. Its a place where Americans come together to break bread. I am telling you, McDonalds can be the new American church  feeding bodies and feeding souls, and its not just open on Sundays, boys. Its open seven days a week. Crosses, flags, arches.

Fueled by that vision, Kroc  who is portrayed as a lonely mediocrity and burgeoning alcoholic  single-handedly builds a national network of franchisees, eschewing wealthy absentee owners in favor of giving middle class couples a shot at the American Dream. Along the way, he and the brothers increasingly clash over goals, as well as means. Finally in 1961 the 59-year-old muscles the brothers out of their eponymous business (and the legal rights to their surname), reneges on a (not legally binding) handshake deal to continue profit-sharing with them, and divorces his first wife, Ethel.

Such a film could easily devolve into caricature, but the script and Keatons pitch-perfect performance (one of several) maintains dramatic balance. (Laura Dern, one of the finest actresses of her generation, also deserves credit for getting the most out of the script, which gives her little more to do than look forlorn.) It was Kroc who did all the legwork to recruit franchisees, who standardized production, assured quality control, and nearly went bankrupt promoting their business while they cashed the checks and seemed intent on placing every conceivable barrier in his way.

Thanks to the pacing of director John Lee Hancock, when Krocs ruthless ways appear, it seems less like a transformation  in the sense of Michael Corleone or Anakin Skywalker  from hero to villain than a deeper revelation of Krocs multifaceted personality.

The script omits key aspects of Krocs relationship with the brothers  like the fact that, when he went to open his own restaurant in 1955, he had to pay a rival company $25,000 because the McDonald brothers had already licensed the area out from under him. Kroc revealed that he could not afford the price  nearly a quarter of a million dollars today  because he was already in debt for all I was worth from promoting their brand. Krocs inexcusable reactions are never presented as the inevitable byproduct of the free market, making the film less than a full-throated brief against capitalism.

The Founder serves as much as an eloquent petition for subsidiarity. Bureaucracy, embodied by the McDonald brothers, is portrayed as remote, unresponsive, uninformed, and indifferent to others. Kroc felt responsible for the young families he had recruited, leading him to come up with an innovative solution to keep them from financial ruin. Had Dick and Mac been willing to delegate to Kroc  or even learn from the objective failure of their methods and the success of his  the story may well have ended differently.

So, what would the economist most associated with entrepreneurship say about all of this?

Schumpeter, and two popes, on entrepreneurship

Joseph A. Schumpeter died in 1950, three years before the McDonald brothers began franchising their assembly line Speedee Service System. Despite his intellectual flexibility, he is remembered for his celebration of entrepreneurial innovation.

The entrepreneur, to Schumpeter, is not just anyone who starts a new business. A person qualifies as an entrepreneur by introducing an untried technological possibility for producing a new commodity or producing an old one in a new way, or by reorganizing an industry. That ingenuity allows the economy to break out of its circular process of replicating existing businesses. The creative destruction of outmoded businesses  Mom-and-Pop stores like the brothers envisioned  serves that end, he wrote.

He would have seen Kroc, rather than the McDonald brothers, as the innovator. The pure new idea is not adequate by itself to lead to implementation, Schumpeter wrote. It is not part of the entrepreneurs function to find or to create new possibilities. They are always present  But nobody was in a position to do it. His key criterion is doing the thing. The entrepreneur, like Kroc, succeeds more by will than by intellect  more by authority, personal weight, and so forth than by original ideas.

Schumpeter had more in common with Kroc than the McDonald brothers on a personal level. He, too, failed miserably when his would-be magnum opus  a ponderous, two-volume rival to John Maynard Keynes General Theory  was a bust. Schumpeter stood accused of an extraordinary willingness to modify his views in order to advance his career, and he confided to his diary: I  have no garment that I could not remove. Relativism runs in my blood. That is one of the reasons I cant win. (His amoral penchant for disrobing extended to his personal life, as well.)

However, one need not be an academic libertine to see the entrepreneurial vocation as one of the greatest forces in service of mankind. In a series of radio addresses in the 1950s, Pope Pius XII said that the entrepreneur arouses latent and sometimes unexpected energies, and stimulates the spirit of enterprise and invention, which makes him of great benefit to the community. The world suffered, he said, from those too short-sightedly timid to follow the indispensable functions of the private entrepreneur. (For more, see Private Initiative, Entrepreneurship, and Business in the Teaching of Pius XII by Anthony G. Percy in the Spring 2004 issue of Markets and Morality.) Pope John Paul II would praise initiative and entrepreneurial ability in Centesimus Annus.

Schumpeter, too, understood service, and elevating the least well-off, as the heart of innovation:

The capitalist engine is first and last an engine of mass production which unavoidably also means production for the masses.  The capitalist achievement does not typically consist in providing more silk stockings for queens but in bringing them within reach of factory girls in return for steadily decreasing amounts of effort.

That may be McDonalds least celebrated accomplishment. Stephen Dubner of Freakanomics asked his readers to debate whether the McDouble was the cheapest, most nutritious, and bountiful food that has ever existed in human history. Where else but McDonalds can poor people obtain so many calories per dollar? replied New York Post columnist Kyle Smith. Their queries provoked a newfound appreciation of the franchises social contribution, made without any philanthropic intent except to serve their consumers well.

The biggest unreported story in the past three quarters of a century, said Blake Hurst, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau during that debate, is this increase in availability of food for the common person. Yet today, McDonalds is the subject of boundless disapprobation, as are genetically modified foods (GMOs)  another safe and innovative source of nutrition.

Ray Kroc was not the inventor of the McDonalds process, and his business ethics were sometimes indefensible. But his foresight, and his alone, brought a new service  and low-cost protein  to billions and billions.

Supporters and critics of the free market alike should agree that The Founder is worth seeing, and Kroc worth appreciating in all his complexity.

(Photo credit: Phillip Pessar. Cropped. CC BY 2.0.)
Following news that the Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs director would resign in March, allegations have surfaced detailing potential abuses of power.

The allegations, put forward by two ambassadors for APIA in the Multicultural and Diversity Affairs office, detail instances of Krystie Nguyen asking students to do her dishes, fold her clothes or watch her dog.

UF student ambassadors reached out to university officials to express concern over Nguyens leadership four days before she resigned.

Jeshow Yang and Jennifer Zhang, the APIA ambassadors, said Nguyens behavior overstepped boundaries, caused them emotional distress and forced them to fall behind in classes.

Krysties actions have caused severe academic and emotional toll on several ambassadors, and many of us are really uncomfortable with the hostile and unsafe work environment that is now in the APIA Affairs room, Zhang said.

The two and other students decided to speak with UF vice president for student affairs, David Parrott, and assistant vice president for student affairs, Mary Kay Carodine, about how Nguyen made them uncomfortable in the office.

Nguyen announced her resignation Feb. 20, according to Alligator archives.

Yang, a 21-year-old UF political science and economics junior, said Nguyen has previously asked students to do her dishes or fold her laundry.

He said he was often forced to work between 15 and 20 hours a week, even though ambassadors are only required to work eight.

Ive been pulling all-nighters left and right, Yang said.

Zhang, a 21-year-old UF biology junior, said Nguyen once asked her to watch her dog.

She decided to speak to officials after Nguyen told her she should take time off from her position and not attend a conference. She said she felt it was retaliation for going against Nguyen in the past.

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Whatever personal thing that she had against me was affecting my ability to go to learning opportunities and my ability to work, Zhang said.

Carodine confirmed in an email that she met with APIA ambassadors.

They were thoughtful and expressed their concerns regarding the current situation, she said.

After the Alligator reported that Nyugen was resigning for personal reasons, both Zhang and Yang said they felt the whole story wasnt being told.

Nguyen wrote in an email that the first time she heard about a student concerned about being overworked was earlier this month. In response, she tried to help by going over each persons position.

It was not healthy for me to believe that our office ran like a well-oil(ed) machine, because at the end of the day, we are not machines, she said. We all have our limitations.

Both Yang and Zhang said they felt Nguyen shouldnt have another job with students again because of how she treated them.

It was really emotionally taxing for all of us, and it affected us in multiple different ways, Yang said.

Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @romyellenbogen

Krystie Nguyen
Two UF students are planning to make 100 prosthetic arms by August to give to children in less developed countries.

Candelaria Baez, a UF chemical engineering senior, and Arthi Balasubramaniam, a UF psychology junior, cofounded their nonprofit Outreach3D to build free prosthetic arms for children in South America, the Middle East and South Asia, Baez, 23, said.

These limbs will cost about $20 each and be made at Florida Polytechnic Universitys Rapid Application Development Makerspace Lab, which has 55 3-D printers and digital object scanners, Baez said.

To fund the project, the two raised $880 between Saturdays Heartwood Music Festival and Sundays Active Streets Gainesville but will need an additional $1,120 to create the prosthetic arms by Aug. 1, Baez said.

Working with another student at Florida Polytechnic, Baez and Balasubramaniam will make prosthetics that use the movements of muscles in the residual limb to open and close the hand, Balasubramaniam, 20, said.

This design is made using plastic, elastic cord, fishing line and velcro straps, she said. Because of this, it is less expensive than most prosthetics, which use sensors, batteries and small motors and cost thousands of dollars.

The two UF students plan to travel abroad to personally deliver some of the prosthetics, focusing on South America first.

Rather than just being a part of one medical innovation, we can actually travel to these places and spark the minds of children to actually become engineers and teach them these principles, Baez said.

For Balasubramaniam, an aspiring pediatrician, the reward for building prosthetic arms is in knowing these children will be able to do simple actions like play on a swing set or hold a bottle of water.

I have a passion for helping to improve the lives of children and I saw this as a great opportunity, she said.

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The star of an upcoming WE TV soap opera, a cosmetic surgeon named Dr. Miami spoke to students Friday about how he finds compatibility between Judaism and plastic surgery.

Dr. Michael Salzhauer, who goes by Dr. Miami on social media and television, spoke to a crowd of about 200 at UFs Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Center.

An Orthodox Jew, he told the crowd plastic surgery embodies Jewish ideals, such as finding harmony between ones body and soul and being comfortable in ones body in order to live life to the fullest.

Salzhauer, known for posting videos of cosmetic surgeries live on Snapchat, has used social media to promote and explain plastic surgery. He said he believes operations are permissible for health reasons and to aid in finding a spouse.

Getting Instagram followers isnt a reason to get plastic surgery, Salzhauer said. A lot of people look at plastic surgery as the least religious practice. Vanity has nothing to do with godliness.

Finding a spouse is good for mental health, he said, and if someone wants to have surgery for the purpose of becoming more attractive, Salzhauer will willingly guide them through the process.

Chabad Rabbi Berl Goldman said he invited Salzhauer because of his following on social media. He wanted to show students they can live a life balanced between religion and work, noting Salzhauers discussion about how he has stayed at the hospital Saturday because, if needed for a surgery, he wouldnt be able to drive to the Hospital on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.

For Arik Maurice, a UF mechanical and aerospace engineering senior, seeing Salzhauer discuss his career success and his background was inspirational.

You dont alter the creation of God, but if youre bettering the people around you, thats a good means to that end, the 22-year-old said.

Dr. Michael Salzhauer

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Following the sale of their building, Dough Religion restaurant and ooZoo bar will close this week.

The custom-pizza restaurant and bars last day will be when all remaining inventory has run out  probably Tuesday or Wednesday  after being open just over one year, said manager David Scott.

Although the business, located across from UF campus at 1404 W. University Ave, was not going through financial hardship, the owners felt it wasnt meeting expectations and informed employees Friday that they sold the building, the 31-year-old said.

Businesses will make their decisions for what they feel is best for the future, and its not always easy for everybody involved, Scott said. The ownership group decided to sell the building as a business decision, and as a result of that we are not going to continue.

Since opening in October 2015, Scott said the business has received a tremendous amount of support, and hes extremely disappointed they wont be a part of Midtowns ongoing expansion.

We were definitely on an upward trajectory, and in that sense its a bit frustrating to not see this thing through, he said.

After hearing raving reviews from friends, James DiMarco finally got the chance to try Dough Religions pizza Sunday. It will likely be the first and last time the UF aerospace engineering freshman visits the restaurant.

Ive heard nothing but good things, DiMarco, 19, said. Its a little surprising, I guess, because I know Burrito Brothers just closed the other day, too.

If community members are upset about the closure, the best thing they can do is continue to support local businesses, Scott said.

Ade Goode, a Dough Religion employee, was shocked when he found out that he would soon be out of a job.

Although Goode has made hundreds of unique, specialty pizzas for students and community members in the past year, he said the most popular pie is the Kumoniwannalaya: pizza with red sauce, shredded mozzarella, bacon, ham and red onion with a hot, honey garlic drizzle.

Goode says after the restaurant closes, he doesnt know what hell do.

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I was really surprised, Goode said. Sometimes you dont really think about it until stuff like this happens.

Contact Molly Vossler at mvossler@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @molly_vossler

Destinee Collins, a 25-year-old drummer for the cover band timesUp and a worker at Dough Religion Pizza, jams out to cover songs like Brick House on Jan. 6, 2016 at the Oozoo Bar.
A bill introduced by Florida Sen. Keith Perry on Tuesday proposes a new check on federal courts.

Perrys memorial bill, SM 1106, would suggest to U.S. Congress a new constitutional amendment allowing Congress to void U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals decisions with a 60-percent majority. Perry, who lives in Gainesville, is a Republican senator who represents the newly formed District 8, which includes Alachua County, Putnam County and parts of Marion County.

Perry said his proposal would provide an additional check on the U.S. judicial branch. The bill states that judges include their own political leanings in the decisions they make.

The judicial branch of the federal government has taken on an increasingly activist role aimed at molding legislation according to the political beliefs of its members, the bill reads.

Three-fourths of states must ratify Perrys amendment for it to pass.

Perry wrote in the bill that judges are not elected to their office, and its unjust for them to have ultimate authority.

The United States Supreme Court currently possesses ultimate and unchecked authority on matters of the constitutionality of the United States laws, according to the bill.

The bill he proposed is similar to a bill put forward by Florida Rep. Julio Gonzalez. Gonzalezs bill, HJR 121, would give the Florida legislature the power to declare a law active if two-thirds of Floridas House and Senate agrees, even if Florida judges voted against it.

Gonzalezs bill would ensure the Florida courts wouldnt become too political, Perry said.

(Floridas supreme court) operates under its own rules, Perry said. Once they rule, there is zero opportunity for the legislature or the governor to do anything about it.

Kristen Bryant saw an article about the bill and shared it on Facebook. She called Perrys office to complain and left a voicemail.

I expressed my extreme disappointment that he would file such a bill, the Gainesville resident said.

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Bryant said even her 12-year-old daughter understands the checks-and-balances system, and it doesnt need improvement.

UF law professor Danaya Wright called the bill unconstitutional.

It would dramatically change the checks and balances, she said. They are absolutely trying to shift the power to the legislative branch.

Wright said it was unlikely Perrys suggestion could become a constitutional amendment.

Theres no way you are going to get the states to ratify this idiotic thing, she said. I think its just grandstanding.

Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield

Keith Perry
Last week in Kansas, three men were shot  one killed  by a shooter who was tossing ethnic slurs at two of the men, who were from India (the third had jumped in to help). Last Friday, near the Tampa area, a prayer-hall in the Islamic Society of New Tampa was intentionally set on fire. Thats just in the last week.

Since January, theres been a rise in violent and hateful crime toward specific groups of people. Acts of vandalism of mosques and Jewish cemeteries, bomb threats to Jewish community centers and slurs written across various college campuses have been constantly in the news. UF is not immune, with acts happening on our own campus.

To the acts of anti-Semitism happening around the country, President Donald Trump had this eloquent tidbit to say: (Its) horrible, and its going to stop and has to stop. He elaborated a little bit on how horrible threats to Jewish community centers were and how work ... must be done to root out hate. Perhaps this would not be as much of an issue, Mr. President, had you not appointed Steve Bannon, someone with strong alt-right ties, to be your chief strategist. But we digress.

The fact is that hate crimes toward Muslim-Americans, Jewish-Americans, immigrants, people of color have increased since this election. Weve seen it on campus  with the uprooting last week of the sign outside the African American Studies department and the Center for Jewish Studies, and the hateful words written across whiteboards inside an Anderson Hall classroom on Feb. 10.

Weve seen people rise against them, but ultimately, nothing has been done about these things. Some of us are scared to walk around campus, in fear of becoming a headline tomorrow.

Except for that brief comment on anti-Semitic acts, Trump has been silent about the acts of violence across the country. This isnt just a party situation, mind you. Back in 2001, just a week after the 9/11 attacks, when the whole country was freshly wounded, riled and angry, former President George W. Bush visited a mosque, urging Americans not to turn against Muslim-Americans. He defended their religion, saying Islam is peace. These terrorists dont represent peace, they represent evil and war.

This was in 2001. This was after a large-scale terror attack on our homeland. This was spoken by a Republican president. Dont try to tell us Trump is justified in his silence. The wound that 9/11 left on our country was still fresh when Bush urged for peace. If he knew in 2001 that Islam stood for peace and that we should say no to hate and violence, then theres no reason Trump cannot realize that in 2017.

Now, with threats, vandalism, gunfire, violence  theres silence. We get one passing comment, addressing only one facet of the hatred brewing in our country: Its horrible.

Yes, we know its horrible. The Tampa area, where the mosque was set on fire last Friday, is home to many UF students. Some of us may have driven past this mosque when visiting our parents. Some of us may have attended it. Yet this story is just tacked on the ever-growing list of hate crimes, dismissed as a lone-wolf attacker. When do we start holding these lone wolves accountable? When do we realize they may not be motivated by mental instability or weapon access but by hatred of a specific group of people? When are we going to stop piling on these stories and start doing something about them?

We can start here. We need to combat this hate. Fight it by letting people know we wont stand for hatred. If we are loud enough, perhaps those in charge will hear. But till then, keep on fighting.

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English News Does AIADMK not want Sasikala to be out of prison?

Alwihda Info | Par Hem Raj Jain - 27 Fevrier 2017



Bengaluru, India

Dear Editor



In the interest of bringing Sasikala out of prison at the earliest, on February 16, 2017 I sent the following Registered A/D letter to then Chief Minister in-the-waiting Sasikala and its copies were sent not only to AIADMK head office at Chennai but also to about 125 AIADMK Members and candidates of Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu and about 50 Members of Parliament of AIADMK.



xxxxxxxxx



Regd A/D



To

Ms Sasikala (AIADMK General Secretary)

Prisoner No. 9435

Bengaluru Central Prison

Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru  560100



Dear Madam



Sub:- Open Letter for filing Review Petition in SCI



---Being General Secretary of AIADMK people look towards you for political guidance. The politics of your goodness and of AIADMK will not be worth the name if you discriminately remain in Jail in Disproportion Asset (D/A) case whereas about 10 Lakh Indians remain free who are keeping with them the D/A of about Rs 2,500 Lakh Crore (Trillion) with impunity. If you or your family or relatives or friends or party members or supporters etc have any remedy to take you out at the earliest from jail then kindly follow it. Otherwise in this regard I have a Legal / Constitutional remedy for you as given below:-



(1)- You should not have been sentenced with prison term by SCI when D/A is no more a crime in India. Your sentence became possible for the simple reason that the public servants of Government of India (GOI) abused the process of the Courts.



(2)- Because you have been discriminated against (as mentioned above) hence in order to rectify it you should immediately file Review Petition in Supreme Court of India (SCI, against February, 14 order in D/A case) under Article 13, 14, 137, 142 of the Constitution read with 166, 177, 182, 187 IPC and 482 of CrPC

[Related to law inconsistent with fundamental rights, denial of equality before law, inherent power of SCI for review and in the interest of complete justice, public servants of GOI disobeying law causing injury to you, furnishing false information by public servants of GOI causing SCI to cause injury to you, exercise of inherent power of High Court by appellate Court in the interest of justice and to prevent abuse of the process of the Court].



(3)- In this Review Petition in addition to other prayers you should mainly pray that SCI (i)- Under Article 13 and 14 of the Constitution strikes down the Income Tax or any other law which discriminately punishes any person for D/A (ii)- Eliminates this discrimination in any other manner in consonance with the Constitution and Laws of India.



(4)- This Review Petition because about 1 million Indians are being allowed to keep D/A of Rs ~ 2,500 Lakh Crore which was illegally declared between 2008 and 2014 as agriculture income as was shown on News Nation TV channel on March 15, 2016 as given at  [ http://www.newsnation.in/article/121125-news-nation-disclosure-on-blackmoney-kharabpati-farmers-take-agriculture-route-t.html] - and was also discussed in Indian Parliament the next day (and which should fetch Rs ~ 1,000 Trillion Income Tax even without penal Income Tax).



(5)- In this Review Petition an application should also be filed in SCI with the prayer that Stay should be granted on February, 14 Order and you should be released on bail till Review Petition is decided.



(6)- In this application you should mention that all the three essential conditions for granting Stay on February, 14 Order are in your favor (hence bail to you) namely (i)- Very bright chances of success in Review Petition (ii)- Irretrievable loss if Stay / Bail is not granted to you and (iii)- Balance of convenience (including public interest) is in your favor if Stay / Bail is granted to you.



If you think that I can be of any help / assistance in drafting and or in fighting this Review Petition and Application in SCI then I will be glad to be of any service to you.



With warm Regards



Yours truly



Hem Raj Jain



(Author of Betrayal of Americanism)



Bengaluru - 560078, Karnataka, India



February 16, 2017



CC (email and hard copy) to:- AIADMK Office #226, Avvai Shanmugam Salai,

Royapettah, Chennai  600014, Tamil Nadu, India.



CC Email to - AIADMK Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and AIADMK MLAs and candidates from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.



Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Because Review Petition has to be filed within 30 days in Supreme Court of India (SCI) it is surprising that no one from AIADMK has so far informed me that a review petition is going to be filed in SCI (not necessarily as I have advised).



On the contrary reports are appearing in media that meaningless petitions are to be filed for shifting Sasikala from Bengaluru to Chennai prison etc (whereas what to talk of shifting the jail, by this time Sasikala would have been out of prison if Review Petition had been filed as I advised).



This raises a suspicion that these office bearers and peoples representative of AIADMK are not interested in bringing Sasikala out of prison for the reasons best known to them only.



Regards



Hem Raj Jain



Bengaluru, India





Dans la meme rubrique : < > Irrigation project in Jiangsu gets world heritage designation World's largest stand-alone duty-free shopping complex opens in China Chongqing drives high-quality development with high-level opening up Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
In his first visit to Egypt as Foreign Secretary, Mr Johnson will also host a reception with British investors and some of Egypts best and brightest entrepreneurs. During the trip the Foreign Secretary will also meet with representatives of civil society and Human Rights activists. Speaking ahead of the visit, the Foreign Secretary said: I []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...
 NY Times: Hamas Seeking to Put Off War, Israelis Itching for Conflict | Main | The Washington Post Omits the Anti-Israel Record of Human Rights Watch 

February 27, 2017

Wheres the Coverage? Iran Calls for Palestinian Terrorist Attacks



The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for Palestinians to carry out terror attacks against Israel. Khameneis Feb. 21, 2017 exhortation was underreported by major U.S. news media outlets.

Reuters news serviceciting a transcript of Khameneis remarks posted on the Ayatollahs official websitereported the dictators comments. Khamenei called Israel a cancerous tumor? and claimed, With Allahs permission, we will see this intifada will begin a very important chapter in the history of fighting and that it will inflict another defeat on that usurping regime.? The phrase, usurping regime? is frequently used by Islamists to refer to the Jewish states presence on land that they consider to be Muslim.

Khamenei also asserted: The Palestinian intifada continues to gallop forward in a thunderous manner so that it can achieve its other goals until the complete liberation of Palestine.? As CAMERA has noted, Irans desire to liberate? Palestine? includes the theocratic regimes self-stated objectives of the destruction of Israel and the genocide of its Jewish citizens.

According to the ADL, Khameneis remarks were delivered at the opening address at the annual Sixth International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada (uprising). The Conference was reportedly attended by delegates from 80 countries, a representative of the Jewish anti-Zionist Netueri Karta group, and leaders of the Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah terror organizations.?

CAMERA has pointed out that Tehran supports several U.S.-designated terrorist groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah, which carry out terror attacks against Israelis. In its report, Reuters omitted this pertinent fact.

Reuters, however, was one of the few U.S. news outlets to even note Khameneis vow to support Palestinian terrorism. According to a Lexis-Nexis search, many major newspapers, such as The Washington Post, USA Today and The Baltimore Sun, failed to report the Supreme Leaders remarks.

An English-language transcript of Khameneis speech can be found here.

Posted by SD at February 27, 2017 01:44 PM

Will the ADL, under its current leadership, do any more than report news of this importance on its blog? American Jewish leaders should be kicking up more of a fuss - including about the sanctimonious and arguably hypocritical remarks made at the Oscar ceremony honouring the Iranian film "The Salesman".

Posted by: Paul at February 28, 2017 06:06 AM

Guidelines for posting

This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material.

Post a comment










English News Nobel laureate, Turing award winner become Chinese citizens

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 27 Fevrier 2017



Starting from 1990s, China has launched a series of programs to lure back talents. The Thousand Talents Program, one of those programs, offers attractive financial packages and generous funding to researchers returned to China.

By Huang Fahong from Peoples Daily Nobel laureate Chen Ning Yang and Turing Award-winning computer scientist Andrew Chi-Chih Yao have given up their foreign citizenship and become domestic academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).



The two scientists are the first domestic academicians that were inducted from foreign members in CAS history. The Chinese government also introduced an interim plan to cope with such situation.



Yang, born in China, went to the US for studies in 1945 and worked there after graduating from the University of Chicago. He received the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics together with Tsung-dao Lee for their work on parity non-conservation of weak interaction, becoming the first Chinese scientist awarded with the honor. Yang became a US citizen in 1964.



Yao received the Turing Award, the most prestigious award in computer science, in 2000 for his achievements in the study of computer quantum information science.



The duos returns to the homeland were greeted by the Chinese republic, proving that Chinas growing national strength and talent-introducing policies are attracting more elites back home.



The country has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) in recent years. Data showed that China spent 1.4 trillion yuan in R&D in 2015, second only to the US. The volume means a 38.1% increase compared with that in 2012, and an 11.4% annual growth, indicating that overseas Chinese talent will be braced with better market prospects and more capitals if they establish their careers back in China.



Zhang Ji, a Chinese returnee from Canada, can serve as another example. When returning to China in 2009, he brought back a heart valve implantation system. After a 30-minute presentation, Zhang received huge investment from some domestic investors as well as policy support from local government.



Only one third of overseas Chinese students chose to return to China back to 10 years ago, but now the proportion has been rising to 80 percent. The growth rate can be attributed to the countrys favorable policies to introduce talents.



Starting from 1990s, China has launched a series of programs to lure back talents. The Thousand Talents Program, one of those programs, offers attractive financial packages and generous funding to researchers returned to China.



Other programs included Changjiang (Yangtze River) Scholars Program, the highest academic award issued by the Ministry of Education, the Hundred Talents Program, a major project in CAS to recruit outstanding talents overseas, as well as the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. Thanks to those efforts, more and more returned talents have helped push forward the development of new technologies and high-tech industries.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Irrigation project in Jiangsu gets world heritage designation World's largest stand-alone duty-free shopping complex opens in China Chongqing drives high-quality development with high-level opening up Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari thanks millions of Nigerians who have been sending good wishes and praying for his health and well-being in mosques and churches throughout the country. The President is immensely grateful for the prayers, show of love and concern. President Buhari wishes to reassure Nigerians that there is no cause for worry. During his normal annual checkup, tests showed he needed a longer period of rest, necessitating the President staying longer than originally planned. FEMI ADESINA Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) February 21, 2017
In an unusual opinion that at times reads more like an op-ed at the New York Times than a legal ruling, the 4th Circuit Court last week upheld Maryland's highly restrictive "Firearms Safety Act." It's apparent that the 4th Circuit acted in anticipation of a Hillary Clinton victory in November, in which case its decision would have gone unchallenged by the Supreme Court or affirmed, thus substantially laying the groundwork for the overturn of the Supreme Court's ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller, and with that the effective national evisceration of the 2nd Amendment under a second Clinton administration. The 4th Circuit, like a lot of people, miscalculated, and their judicial overreach should push a heretofore reluctant Supreme Court to reinforce the Heller decision.

The 4th Circuit's decision in Kolbe et al v. Maryland was a direct, if often legally incomprehensible attempt to greatly limit the Supreme Court's seminal decision in Heller and set the stage for a new national ban on semi-automatic rifles. Heller held that the 2nd Amendment confers an individual not a collective right to keep and bear arms. Kolbe, so long as it stands, says this individual right does not extend to any firearm with military utility, which is arguably pretty much every gun ever made.

That's for the long term. More immediately, the decision transparently is an attempt to pave the way for a return of a national ban on AR-15-type rifles, falsely labeled by the Court and various gun banners "assault rifles." Had Hillary won the election in November, as the Court expected, it would have been a done deal.

Following a decision against the plaintiff gun owners in the Maryland District Court, Kolbe went to the 4th Circuit on appeal over a year ago. Oral arguments in 2015 appeared to go in favor the plaintiff/appellants when the case was heard before a mostly sympathetic three-judge panel, giving Maryland gun owners some sense of hope. In 2016, that panel vacated the District Court's ruling as unconstitutional in that the lower court had applied an inappropriate standard of "intermediate scrutiny" to the Maryland statute. The panel remanded the case to the District for rehearing under the appropriate standard of "strict scrutiny" that ordinarily applies to laws that seek to restrict fundamental constitutional rights.

At this point, the rest of the left-leaning 4th Circuit stepped in, vacating their own panel's decision, and ordered the case to be reheard en banc (before the entire 4th Circuit). That happened in May 2016, and it's likely the Court reached its decision not too long after but awaited the outcome of the November presidential election to issue the opinion. Expecting a Clinton victory, the decision would have given Hillary the entry point she needed to reimpose the "assault rifle" ban  thus the relatively breathtaking nature of the decision, which did not merely disagree with the panel that found that the District Court did not apply the proper standard of review, but rather found that the 2nd Amendment did not even apply to the to the case.

That determination was based on a highly tendentious argument that takes five words from the Heller decision  that the 2nd Amendment does not apply to "M-16 rifles and the like." In specifying the M-16, the Supreme Court clearly meant weapons that are fully automatic, such as machine guns, which have long been subject to strict regulation. This is what distinguishes an M-16 from an AR-15, and why only the former is an assault rifle. Instead, the 4th Circuit devised an argument  quite as if it were the appellee rather than the court hearing the appeal  that the AR-15 (and the large-capacity magazines that feed it) are essentially indistinguishable from M-16 and other weapons with particular military utility, even though neither the U.S. military nor any other military has adopted the AR-15. For analyses of the factual and legal contortions the 4th Circuit goes through to get to that conclusion, National Review has good stuff here and here.

What is more interesting politically is that most of the 4th Circuit's opinion is really surplusage  that is, gratuitous commentary that lawyers also call dicta. While not binding on other courts, dicta can be cited and added to the briefs of gun control advocates in future cases, form the basis of more restrictive substantive rulings by this Court or other courts, or support legislative initiatives in blue states to further restrict 2nd Amendment rights.

Much of the 4th Circuit's dicta surround the efficacy and success of the 1994 statute that banned AR-15-type rifles, which expired in 2004. The plaintiffs in Kolbe noted the ban's almost nonexistent impact on reducing criminal activity and, similarly, the negligible effect of the lifting of the ban. Through extraneous commentary and footnotes, the Court repeatedly suggests that the ban was effective despite convincing unbiased evidence to the contrary.

Most of the rest of the 4th Circuit's dicta constitute an explanation that even had the guns subject to the ban been subject to the 2nd Amendment, the trial court's selection of a lower standard of review (intermediate scrutiny) was appropriate. This obviously to buttress the opinion in case the Supreme Court does go after it, along with an accounting of three other Circuits (Second, Ninth, and Seventh) that have upheld various state restrictions on similar weapons since the Heller ruling but on less aggressive grounds.

Despite Clinton's loss, the 4th Circuit decided not to back off its decision and put down a marker to challenge the Supreme Court. It's a bold step but not an unreasonable one for these leftist jurists. The Supreme Court has proved reluctant to take 2nd Amendment cases and has basically done little to support Heller. But in Kolbe, the 4th Circuit has gone far beyond what the other Circuits have done, boldly rewriting Justice Scalia's decision in a fashion the late Justice would never have condoned.

The case will be appealed, and Justice Gorsuch should be on the bench by the time the decision for review is ripe. It's incumbent on the Roberts Court to act appropriately, make the justices of the 4th Circuit pay for their gamble, and put some meat on Heller. A failure to do so would set the stage for a quick national ban in the event that Trump does not win re-election in 2020.
One of my first duties as a newly installed squadron executive officer was to sign the separation orders for 20 Marines. They had been clinically diagnosed with having a "personality disorder." After almost 17 years in the Marine Corps, I hadn't heard that term before, so I asked the legal officer standing in front of my desk to explain it and the separation process. Also, how could 20 Marines have gotten through boot camp and infantry training, only now to be determined unfit for military service with a disqualifying "personality disorder"? I smelled a rat.

It was late 1990 in Millington, Tennessee, and the first Gulf War was about to start. I played racquetball frequently with the naval hospital commanding officer; I got on his calendar and was brought up to speed on the psychiatry behind "personality disorders."

Like most Americans, I was aware of the Jamie Farr character, "Corporal Klinger," from the television series M*A*S*H. Everyone in America knew that Corporal Klinger wore dresses to try to convince the army that he was crazy and deserved a Section 8 discharge. Klinger always played up his bizarre behavior to visiting high-ranking officers in an attempt to gain their sympathy and convince them that he was unfit to serve. When the Colonel Sherman Potter character took command, Klinger immediately tried the same shtick with him, but Potter saw through his scam immediately.

The commanding officer and I entered the office of the shrink who had rendered his diagnosis on my 20 Marines. I left the naval hospital with new information: nearly all of my 20 Marines didn't really have "personality disorders." Like the Corporal Klinger character, they just wanted to get out of the Marine Corps. There was a psychiatrist who was sympathetic to the Marines who "didn't want to be there" and had signed off on a diagnosis that would result in an immediate discharge.

I had the barracks gunnery sergeant bring the 20 Marines to my office. I read them their rights. I charged them with filing a false official statement.

Klinger gave up wearing women's clothing after Colonel Potter explained how a Section 8 discharge would adversely affect his life. I told my young Marines I wasn't going to contribute to their poor decision-making, and if they didn't come clean on their little scheme to get out of the Marine Corps, they were going to the brig. Nineteen Marines sang like birds, got an ass-chewing they would likely never forget, and went back to school. I signed one discharge for a personality disorder when that Marine admitted to sleeping with his mother and would have had sex with her on the floor of my office. The idiot psychiatrist got one right. Mommy was just as screwed up as her son.

I learned much from that experience and took for granted the mental state of those military men and women entrusted with operating and maintaining supersonic planes, nuclear submarines, thermonuclear missiles, artillery, and hundreds of other critical positions across the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. Good, productive men and women in uniform must be of sound mind and body. The reason for identifying and discharging military men and women with bona fide "personality disorders" is to ensure we have the best balanced and responsible people in critical positions.

Transgenderism is a hot political topic. Dr. Paul R. McHugh, the former psychiatrist-in-chief for Johns Hopkins Hospital, has written that transgenderism is a "mental disorder" that merits treatment, that sex change is "biologically impossible," and that people who promote "sexual reassignment" surgery are collaborating with and promoting a mental disorder.

"The assumption that one's gender is only in the mind regardless of anatomical reality, has led some transgendered people to push for social acceptance and affirmation of their own subjective 'personal truth,'" said Dr. McHugh. As a result, some states  California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts  have passed laws barring psychiatrists, "even with parental permission, from striving to restore natural gender feelings to a transgender minor."

Dr. McHugh also said, "The pro-transgender advocates do not want to know that studies show between 70% and 80% of children who express transgender feelings 'spontaneously lose those feelings' over time. Also, for those who had sexual reassignment [sic] surgery, most said they were 'satisfied' with the operation 'but their subsequent psycho-social adjustments were no better than those who didn't have the surgery.'"

He also warned against enabling or encouraging certain subgroups of the transgendered, such as young people "susceptible to suggestion from 'everything is normal' sex education" and the schools' "diversity counselors," who, like "cult leaders," may "encourage these young people to distance themselves from their families and offer advice on rebutting arguments against having transgender surgery."

Dr. McHugh reported that there are "misguided doctors" who, working with very young children who seem to imitate the opposite sex, will administer "puberty-delaying hormones to render later sex-change surgeries less onerous  even though the drugs stunt the children's growth and risk causing sterility."

The misguided psychiatrist at the naval hospital in 1990 was more interested in collaborating with a couple of dozen misguided Marines and their get-out-of-the-Marine Corps scheme even though his diagnosis would have forever stigmatized them with a mental disorder they did not have.

Such action comes "close to child abuse," said Dr. McHugh, given that close to 80% of those kids will "abandon their confusion and grow naturally into adult life if untreated."

'"Sex change' is biologically impossible. People who undergo sex-reassignment [sic] surgery do not change from men to women or vice versa. Rather, they become feminized men or masculinized women. Claiming that this is civil-rights matter and encouraging surgical intervention is in reality to collaborate with and promote a mental disorder."

For all of human history, boy meant boy and girl meant girl. Boy did not mean girl or vice versa. With the executive order that transgenders, people with a clinical diagnosis of "gender identity disorder," could openly serve in the armed forces, President Barack Obama declared that transgenderism is a normal condition, not a clinical "mental disorder" that merits treatment.

If you don't see anything wrong with having sex with your mother, or if you cannot recognize that there is a problem with boys pretending to be girls and girls pretending to be boys, it's not a good idea to have you flying high-performance fighters over Europe or on watch in a missile silo in Wyoming or monitoring the health of a sub's nuclear reactor in Pearl Harbor.

If the left is going to dictate to America that we are supposed to pretend that men are women and women are men, and that it is okay and normal for transgenders to serve in the military, then they are going to have a fight on their hands. We should not modify basic biology because it threatens their distorted and subjective sense of what they are.

Transgenders have an issue, and we wish them Godspeed in dealing with it. They do not merit a position in our military based on a politicized presidential executive order. They deserve and merit treatment for a personality disorder.

President Trump needs to rescind President Obama's executive order. Transgenders have no business in or leading the men and women of the military.

Mark retired from the Marine Corps and is an author.
Donald Trump is one month into his presidency. For his supporters, every day is Christmas. Cabinet picks under the Christmas tree. Executive orders in the stockings hung by the chimney with care on Nov. 8. Smiles on the faces of most Republicans. Democrats gnashing their teeth and pulling out their hair.

Are all Republicans happy? Surprisingly no. I say surprisingly because for most Republicans, the current legislative landscape is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The GOP controls the White House and both houses of Congress. As well as most state governorships and legislatures. Not to mention numerous county and local offices.

Despite pre-election predictions to the contrary, Republicans ran the table on Nov. 8. Now there is no threat of a presidential veto. Even the filibuster has been neutered thanks to Harry Reids myopic view of his partys future control of the U.S. Senate.

Republicans, particularly self-described conservatives, should celebrating and perhaps even gloating. President Trump, while not a textbook conservative, is a dream come true for the conservative movement. To start with, he is doing exactly what he said he would do, following through on campaign promises. Unlike most GOP members of Congress.

The promised wall will be built. The bidding process for the southern border wall has begun. Trump signed an executive order this week establishing task forces to eliminate anti-business and anti-job regulations. The U.S. pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Another executive order froze federal hiring, a first but necessary step for reining in a gargantuan government.

The Keystone and Dakota pipelines will move forward after another executive order, a necessary step for energy independence. The opening gambit for Obamacare repeal came in the form of another executive order directing federal agencies to take steps to ease the burden of Obamacare.

Immigration reform, despite the Ninth Circuit bump in the road, is proceeding. Funding for sanctuary cities will be cut as will catch and release programs. Soon Trump will issue a new executive order limiting immigration from terror haven countries. Dont forget tax cuts, the likes of which havent been seen since the Reagan era.

Going further is the promise to build up a massively depleted military. Along with resetting a neglected relationship with Israel. And standing up to Iranian missile threats.

And long overdue, a Republican punching back at a biased and agenda-driven media. Something that the Bushes, McCain and Romney couldnt or wouldnt do. Music to Republican ears, a president calling out CNN as fake news and disinviting left-wing news organizations CNN, New York Times, Politico and BuzzFeed from a recent press briefing.

All in all, conservative dreams coming true. Smaller government, less regulation, secure borders, tax cuts, and a strong military.

Then there are his cabinet picks. Trumps cabinet has a more conservative rating than even Reagans, according to the American Conservative Union. His first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, is described as a textualist and originalist in the mold of Justice Scalia.

So why arent conservatives giddy? Either they are not really conservatives. Or else their hatred of Donald Trump trumps their so-called conservatism. Want some examples?

George Will, described in his Wikipedia entry as a conservative political commentator, believes conservatives will turn on Trump by mid-summer. Poor George left the Republican Party over Trumps election, lost his gig as a Fox News contributor, and is now a regular on MSNBC. What happened to his conservative principles?

Bill Kristol, editor of the supposedly conservative Weekly Standard, prefers a political victory of the deep state to the Trump state. He is joined by Sen. John McCain, referring to President Trump as a dictator. He is much more of a critic of his partys president than he ever was of the opposing partys president and his 2008 presidential opponent.

George, Bill and John, so-called conservative Republicans, sounding far more like Nancy Pelosi or Maxine Waters. The mask is off. They are anything but conservatives. Why else would they so oppose a once in a lifetime opportunity to realize their political hopes and dreams?

There are many others in Congress, other halls of government and the media similarly revealing their skin-deep conservatism by criticizing or opposing President Trump. The Bush family and Mitt Romney are examples. They wouldnt support his candidacy and wont support his presidency. We all have friends or relatives fitting this description. Supposed conservative Republicans who thought Trump was a lunatic and unfit for public office, voting instead for Hillary Clinton, and still hurling vitriol at Trump on social media and to anyone who will listen to their rants.

Some conservatives. If it was President Jeb Bush saying and doing exactly the same things as Trump, but in his own low energy Jeb way, would George Will, Bill Kristol and all the other faux-conservatives be happier? Or would they really prefer that we have a Madame President today, raising taxes, opening our borders, pushing single-payer healthcare, appointing far left cabinet officials and Supreme Court justices?

Besides hitting the reset button after eight years of a hard-left social, political and economic drift of America, President Trump is shining a light on fake conservatives. Those not to be listened to, not to be trusted, and not to be taken seriously as conservatives.

As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis observed, Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. Trump is shining a bright light on the faux conservatives.

Brian C. Joondeph, MD, MPS, is a Denver-based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
It was just revealed that a staffer at the National Security Council quit shortly after Donald Trump became president over his short-lived ban on entry into the country from seven chaotic (Muslim) countries.

A White House national security staffer resigned after eight days in the Trump administration. The Maryland woman is a Muslim-American whose family emigrated from Bangladesh. She was a holdover from the Obama White House who had hoped to stay. "It was a very tense and unwelcoming feeling," Rumana Ahmed said. Ahmed said one of the last straws for her was the president's executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Less than two weeks into the Trump presidency, she quit.

As you can see from the photos below, Ahmed wears a hijab, in compliance with sharia law.

Although not everyone reading this may agree, there is nothing inherently wrong with having Muslims working in the federal government. The enemy we are fighting are all Muslims, but not all Muslims are our enemy  not all Muslims believe in forcing women to wear burkas, not all Muslims want to establish a caliphate, etc.

But when you have a Muslim who works in the White House who wears a hijab, that's another story. The hijab is a clear sign of a believer of sharia law. We don't know which Muslims are our enemy and which are not, but of the ones who are, 100% of their women wear hijabs or burkas. Those who believe in sharia law are much more likely to be sympathetic to the radical Islamic terrorists.

Beyond that, even if Ahmed was not sympathetic to the Islamic State, another fundamental issue needs to be addressed: does she support all the tenets of sharia law that come with wearing a hijab? Because if so, her employment at the highest levels of national security is entirely inappropriate.

Sharia law dictates that a religious caliphate be established to rule the world. Sharia law dictates that women be treated like property or, in the case of non-Muslim women, sometimes treated as sex slaves. Sharia law dictates that women be mutilated and homosexuals be executed. This is not a minority viewpoint; this is actually how sharia law is enforced in many Muslim countries. And sharia law, as it is practiced, is entirely incompatible with the freedoms we associate with the United States.

If a woman wears a hijab, it is possible she doesn't agree with all the tenets of sharia law, but at the very least, it creates a tremendous question mark about her. You have to wonder how carefully she was vetted and what kind of advice she was giving Obama. You have to wonder how many more Islamists are squirreled away in the national security bureaucracy, now working for a new leader who once again agrees with them never to use the term "radical Islamic terrorist."

One would hope that the Trump administration carefully vets the Obama holdovers. It's hard to be comfortable with the idea of a person working at the NSC who wears a symbol of the very radicalism we are fighting.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
Much has been written about Rachel Carson's 1962 book Silent Spring and the claims Carson made about the dangers of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, known as DDT, which led to various prohibitions on its use, despite its effectiveness at killing mosquitoes that carry malaria. A search for "Rachel Carson" or "DDT" at the website of the Competitive Enterprise Institute yields many articles critical of Carson, as does a separate CEI website . In his article published on September 27, 2012 in The New Atlantis, titled "The Truth About DDT and Silent Spring," Robert Zubrin makes a convincing case that Carson's claims about DDT were false. Even a Bill Moyers Journal episode on the Public Broadcasting System in September 2007 titled "Rachel Carson and DDT" stated:

Still, even Carson supporters agree that certain assertions she made regarding the dangerous effects of DDT, did not stand the test of time, particularly her assertion that the insecticide was a carcinogen. "Repeated studies have found no evidence that DDT exposure increases the risk of Cancer," writes [Kirsten] Weir in SALON.

On February 3, 2017, The Daily Beast published an article by Professor Paul A. Offit, M.D., titled "How Rachel Carson Cost Millions of People Their Lives." Offit accused Carson of mistakenly writing in Silent Spring that DDT caused children to suffer sudden death, aplastic anemia, birth defects, liver disease, chromosomal abnormalities, and leukemia, and women to suffer infertility and uterine cancer. According to Offit, studies in Europe, Canada, and the United States have since shown that DDT didn't cause these ailments in humans. Offit explained that DDT was effective in fighting malaria, which has killed more people than any other infection. Offit wrote that by 1960, largely because of DDT, malaria had been eliminated from eleven countries, including the United States. But since the mid-1970s, when use of DDT was eliminated, tens of millions of people have died from malaria unnecessarily, most of whom have been children less than five years old.

There is reason to wonder whether such criticisms of Carson are taught at the University of California at Santa Cruz. UCSC announced in September 2016:

College Eight at UC Santa Cruz was born embracing environmentalism. Today, it's getting a name befitting that passion: Rachel Carson College. Rachel Carson, writer and conservationist, is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Her 1962 book, Silent Spring, dramatically chronicled the damage caused by indiscriminate application of chemicals in an attempt to control pests. Her larger theme: humans are a part of naturenot its masters. The naming gift from the Helen and Will Webster Foundation recognizes Carson for her courage and pivotal role in awakening the public to environmental issues. It establishes an endowment to ensure the college can provide research and educational opportunities for students in perpetuity and establishes a chair in ecology and environmental justice. Concurrently, citing the impact of Carson's writings, a chair in science communication is also being created. The gift package totals $7 million. "We could not think of anyone who would better embody the core values of UC Santa Cruz than this environmental pioneer," Alec and Claudia Webster wrote in a letter to Chancellor George Blumenthal on their proposal to recognize Rachel Carson. "Rachel Carson challenged authority, risked everything, and changed the world for the better. In doing so, she provided a model that students need and deserve, and that we, as a society, require." University of California President Janet Napolitano is among those who share the sentiment. "It is wonderful to see Rachel Carson honored in this way. She exemplifies so much of what is right in life. She has long been one of my personal heroes: a champion for the environment, a woman excelling in science, a person of dignity."

The announcement does not state anything about reduced use of DDT causing deaths from malaria.

If you would like to have a discussion with UCSC faculty members about the evidence and arguments made by people such as Zubrin and Offit, or about what UCSC faculty are teaching their students about Carson and DDT, your opportunity is near. On March 30, 2017, at 6:30 p.m., UCSC will hold a public event titled "A Rich Tradition of Non-traditional Thinking: The Legacy of Rachel Carson." UCSC describes the event as "compelling faculty talks illustrating the legacy of Rachel Carson, leader of the environmental movement." The event will be held at Annenberg Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, California 90402. Admission is $15 per person, and "[e]veryone" is invited.

Despite the evidence that Carson was at least negligent in describing the effects of DDT, and bears partial responsibility for millions of black African deaths from malaria, I do not expect any demonstration at the event by members of Black Lives Matter.

Allan J. Favish is an attorney in Los Angeles. His website is allanfavish.com. James Fernald and Mr. Favish have co-authored a book about what might happen if the government ran Disneyland, entitled Fireworks! If the Government Ran the Fairest Kingdom of Them All (A Very Unauthorized Fantasy).
Yesterday, another clueless media mandarin, CNN's "media critic," Brian Stelter, inadvertently revealed how badly the cultural (and therefore political) dominance of the left has been damaged by President Trump. The left, and CNN in particular, branded as "very fake news," is unintentionally revealing how telling this criticism is.

Allow me to explain.

Donald Trump fights back against the cultural power of the left, something no other leading Republican has done in my lifetime. His guts in doing so shock and dismays the left, and that is one of the underlying reasons why leftists are so anxious to demonize and ultimately drive him from office. They strongly prefer Republicans like John McCain, who forever defined his fealty to the cultural power of the progressives when he rebuked Bill Cunningham, a radio talk show host in Cincinnati, at a 2008 presidential campaign rally in that city for referring to then-candidate Barack Obama as "Barack Hussein Obama," his actual full name (unless one wishes to include the name Barry Soetoro, which he also used at an earlier point in life). In doing so, McCain signaled that media definitions of virtue would be his guiding principle.

Donald Trump refuses to follow that path toward powerlessness, which may be one reason why the Arizona senator seems to hate him so much.

The problem for the left is that their cultural power, like the Emperor's New Clothes fable, exists only so long as everyone nods in agreement that yes, abortion is just a "choice" (and who doesn't want to offer people a choice?) and that no, we can't use a presidential candidate's full name (because everyone knows that Americans are so bigoted against Muslims). By role-modeling resistance from the highest office in t he land, President Trump is changing the rules of politics and destroying one of the principal power bases of the left.

The first sign of bigger trouble for the left  mass emulation on the right of Trump's policy  was when the meme of "fake news" was manufactured as a means of discrediting Trump's election. If you remember, the supposed malign influence of clickbait fantasy news stories, circulated mostly via social media, was offered as a reason why Hillary Clinton lost. The hashtag #fakenews was created by leftists as shorthand to express what they saw as an unfair impediment to her inevitable victory.

The problem, as practically every conservative knows, is that the left has been manufacturing fake news for generations. The New York Times "reported" "chaos" in the Trump transition team days after the election, a claim belied by the rapid rollout of nominations for the Cabinet.

So conservatives correctly began calling out the pervasive bias of the leftist media with the term "fake news," and the left could not stand it. There have been a series of comical protests.

The first example was a Washington Post columnist who, even before the inauguration, solemnly instructed her colleagues that "[i]t's time to retire the tainted term 'fake news.'" But the era in which a mandarin wannabe in the formerly prestigious media could ban an inconvenient term is over.

So that led to perhaps the most pathetic (and short-lived) attempt at thought control ever:

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo on Thursday pushed back on the label "fake news," saying he views it as the equivalent of an ethnic slur for journalists. "I see being called 'fake news' as the equivalent of the N-word for journalists," Cuomo said on Sirius XM's "POTUS." "[It's] the equivalent of calling an Italian any of the ugly words that people have for that ethnicity. That's what fake news is to a journalist," he continued. "It is an ugly insult, and you had better be right if you're going to charge a journalist with lying on purpose," the host of CNN's "New Day" added. "The president was not right here and he's not been right in the past."

While the right reacted with gales of laughter, the race lobby was outraged. Nothing  not even the Holocaust  approaches the evil of the "n-word"  a term so powerful that it may not be used in print.

I was wrong. Calling a journalist fake -nothing compared to the pain of a racial slur. I should not have said it. I apologize https://t.co/TJGUgWz9Q2  Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) February 9, 2017

The term still functions as a burr under the saddle of the media. They know they slant the news, and they think that is a good thing. They just don't want a convenient, not to mention a powerful, label to exist to call them out. This led CNN's Stelter to have another go at Cuomo's gambit, while studiously avoiding the perils of the power of the racial grievance industry. Transcript via Grabien:

STELTER: Hey, welcome back to RELIABLE SOURCES. Our panel is standing by to react to Dean Baquet's comments. But, first, redefining fake news. That's the subject of my essay today. President Trump's CPAC speech on Friday was all about us versus them, including when it came to the media. I heard him trying to delineate between good outlets and bad news outlets. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: So, I'm not against the media. I'm not against the press. But I am only against the fake news media or press. Fake. Fake. (END VIDEO CLIP) STELTER: Fake. That word has gotten a lot of use in the past few months. Back before the election, you might remember, the media reporters like yours truly warned about the plague of fake news polluting Facebook and Google and Twitter. Now, what we meant by fake news was this. This is classic example. Stories on made up websites claiming that the pope had endorsed Donald Trump during the campaign. Many people were fooled by these fake stories. I've been snuckered a time or two myself. Anonymous writers invent these stories either to profit from the clicks or to spread propaganda for a government. That's the media industry definition of fake news. But after election day, Trump and some of his conservative media allies thought to redefine the term and they've largely succeeded. To Trump, fake news is any story, any network that he doesn't seem to like. So, let me take a minute and translate Trump for you. Here is more of what he said at CPAC. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: 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. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) (END VIDEO CLIP) STELTER: Translation: Trump is incensed by reporting from "The Times," CNN, "The Washington Post," and other newsrooms, reporting using anonymous sources. But faking a source is a fireable offense. When anyone at these places has to use an anonymous source, they vet the source carefully and get approval from their bosses. But I think, when Trump says these things, we need to explain that to our viewers watching. Now back to Trump. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: And they make up something else, and you saw that before the election  polls, polls, the polls. Take a look at their polls over the last two years. Now, you'd think they'd fire the pollster, right? (LAUGHTER) TRUMP: After years and years of getting battered. But I  I don't know. I mean, who knows. Maybe they're just bad at polling. Or maybe they're not legit. (END VIDEO CLIP) STELTER: Translation: Maybe Trump wants his approval ratings to rise. But polls are not fake. They are scientifically based. Now, some polls are better than others. And that's why CNN and other outlets have polling standards. But polls are not fake news. So, on Friday, when Trump ripped into CNN and other news outlets, FOX's Shepard Smith tried to correct him. Watch. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SHEPARD SMITH, FOX NEWS: In short, fake news is made-up nonsense delivered for financial gain. CNN's reporting was not fake news. Its journalists follow the same standards to which other news organizations, including FOX News, adhere. (END VIDEO CLIP) STELTER: Thanks, Shep. So, I think you see what's happening here. Partisans are trying to redefine fake news as an insult, as a slur. Rather than trying to reclaim the term, experts are suggesting we all choose our words more carefully, choose our terms more carefully. This weekend at a conference all about misinformation, Claire Wardle said there's a spectrum of fake stuff out there. Check this out. Over on the left, you see satire, like "The Daily Show" and The Onion, not intending to hurt anybody. And then, on the right side, these are the worst of all, fabricated content, 100 percent false stories designed to deceive and do harm. Now, she defines fabricated content and that kind of stuff, that's what we've talked about when we say fake news months ago. But as these terms are redefined and exploited for partisan purposes, it is complicated out there. And, as Tara Palmeri was saying earlier, people don't know what to believe.

They only make themselves look ridiculous.
The untimely death of the Russian ambassador to the U.N. last week took many off guard, and this being Russia, there are always a few conspiracy theories.

Mike Allen's Axios has come up with quite an impressive list of Russian diplomats who have died under mysterious circumstances in the wake of the election of Donald Trump. The range goes from the horrific assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey last Dec. 26 to the "brief illness" and death the month after of the Russian ambassador to India to the U.N. ambassador's sudden demise. But there also was a former KGB chief linked to the gross-out phony "dossier" published by Buzzfeed without verification, as well as a slew of lesser diplomats who died in curious "accidents."

If the dots can be connected, it raises the question of whether a spy network was rolled up and the Western intelligence agencies have lost a string of informants  and whether the CIA is leaking this story to the Swamp, of which Mike Allen is one of the leading bullfrogs.

So far, the dots haven't been connected, and there are a lot of mitigating factors. Russian envoys often live hard-drinking, unhealthy lives, which throughout the country has worked to shorten life spans in general. Two, Russia's diplomatic service is also well known for being large, which would mean there will always be a few deaths from natural causes around the world, as this would appear on the surface. Third, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, gets blamed a lot for things he didn't do.

The 1999 apartment bombings the Wall Street Journal editorial page keeps trying to pin on Putin probably were the work of Russian security forces, but not necessarily Putin. As a strategy to power for Putin, it was highly uncertain that bombing apartments would get voters to elect him president, and better ways were out there, as we know Putin used: he curried Yeltsin's favor at the time, and Putin's rise was far more closely linked to having Yeltsin's good favor than to terrifying the Russian public into voting "correctly." The other thing is, Putin didn't have that much power at the time, the intelligence agencies blamed for the bombings were highly intersected with gangs at least then and perhaps still now, and they often went their own way without submitting to centralizing power.

Author Paul Klebnikov, in his top-notch book The Godfather of the Kremlin, on how gangsters had interacted and taken over parts of the Russian government, expressed skepticism that Putin was behind the bombings. (Klebnikov himself was the victim of a Chechen hit job in Moscow in 2004, and the Kremlin rather suspiciously protested that his killer was put on the sanctions list, so the twists and turns re-loop again.)

Meanwhile, the Brits never proved that Putin himself had poisoned London-based dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who died of polonium poisoning in 2006. Once again, no doubt that state actors were involved, but Litvinenko was rather crazy himself, and a lot of people would have wanted him dead, Putin not particularly one of them. He was an Islamic convert, hung out with Chechen gangsters, and horrified his Russian oligarch sponsor, Godfather gangster Boris Berezovsky (who was exposed by Klebnikov and also died under mysterious circumstances)  who cut him off from financing after Litvinenko proposed a string of assassinations. That was one heck of a soup that may not have included Putin. The best the Brits could come up with was that Putin "probably" did it.

In short, Putin seems to get blamed for a lot for things he didn't do, based on the premise that he controls every element in a chaotic, crook-infested bureaucracy. Not sure about that.

But the string of deaths is noteworthy all the same, seemingly a sign of something gone awry. Could it have been a rolled up spy network? Why not just bust the traitors and hold a few trials to show the others? Well, killings send an even more impressive message to wannabe traitors without messy trials. How is that? Or is it the Security Services cracking down on internal dissent without treason? Putin does face a formidable task of keeping the government loyal as sanctions bite. A few "Putincides" might serve to send a message that his internal security forces still have teeth.

The other thing to consider is how Axios got this story at all. Sure, a clever Googler who follows the untranslated Russian press closely and by the day might come up with this list. But just as likely, it may be the result of a leak from a U.S. intelligence agency, eager to "get" Putin and cognizant of what the agency is watching. The recent leaks against Donald Trump show an active U.S. intelligence community eager to leak to reporters. Mike Allen, as noted earlier, is one of the kings of the Swamp that Trump decries, so he and his agency would be a logical target for a leak.

The jury is out on this one, but there are a whole host of interesting things to keep watching. Get out the popcorn.
The news that Rachel Dolezal claims to be on the verge of homelessness threatens progressives with the internal contradictions of their dogma becoming public.

Ms. Dolezal, a white woman who for years so successfully pretended to be black that she became head of an NAACP chapter, revealed to the U.K. Guardian that she:

 is jobless, and feeding her family with food stamps. A friend helped her pay this month's rent; next month she expects to be homeless. She has applied for more than 100 jobs, but no one will hire her, not even to stack supermarket shelves. She applied for a position at the university where she used to teach, and says she was interviewed by former colleagues who pretended to have no recollection of having met her. The only work she has been offered is reality TV, and porn. She has changed her name on all her legal documents, but is still recognised wherever she goes. People point at her and laugh. ... She has written a memoir, titled In Full Color, but 30 publishing houses turned her down before she found one willing to print it. "The narrative was that I'd offended both communities in an unforgivable way, so anybody who gave me a dime would be contributing to wrong and oppression and bad things. To a liar and a fraud and a con."

Photo credit: Patrick Kehoe, the Guardian

The huge problem for the dogma of the left is this (emphasis added):

She wrote it, she says, "to set the record straight. But also to open up this dialogue about race and identity, and to just encourage people to be exactly who they are." Some will read it as the first draft of a new version of identity politics, which casts race  just like gender  on a spectrum, and its author as the world's first trans-black case. Others won't believe a word of it. I'm not even sure whether this is a story about race, or a strange tale of one family's dysfunction.

Had Dolezal pretended to be male instead of black, she would be a heroine to progressives. Her comparison of race and sex as categories that can be self-defined is a grave threat, because sex is much more fundamentally biological in nature than race, existing at the chromosomal level. A person either has two X-chromosomes (and is therefore female) or has an X- and a Y-chromosome (and is male). There is zero ambiguity.

But when it comes to race, there is an actual spectrum. Elizabeth Warren claimed to be Native American because she claimed 1/32 Cherokee heritage. This was enough for Harvard University to tally her as a minority for the racial bean-counting madness that had academia in its grip. But ordinary people look at her pale skin and laugh. There is no possibility for a person to be 1/32 male.

It is solely for ideological reasons that the left has adopted transgenderism as a pet cause. Leftists want to destroy the natural family and legitimize every permutation and combination of sexual activity, destroying biblically based norms.

On the other hand, with race, there is a huge racial grievance industry that keeps blacks voting at 90% levels for Democrat presidential candidates. Opening up race as a fluid concept threatens the spoils that the left offers to blacks in the form of affirmative action, race-based government contracts, and racial intimidation of corporations and nonprofits.

Because she is so threatening to the ideological con game being played, expect Ms. Dolezal to gain no sympathy if she becomes homeless. Ordinarily, the homeless are portrayed as victims of society's heartlessness. But not Dolezal.

She just picked the wrong fantasy to live out. If she were smart, she'd claim to be a male.
As you may have heard, or even watched (that's okay, don't be embarrassed, many people did), the bash President Donald J. Trump (R) specially wrapped into a self-love-fest known as the Academy Awards simpered for four hours Sunday night. Attired in outfits that cost more than a month's salary for the average citizen  and that's just the men  while surrounded and protected by guards (some even with guns) and other protective barriers, (sort of like, um, walls), several of the presenters, the winners, and the host, Jimmy Kimmel, threw in digs at the president while proclaiming their own superiority and love. Yeah, that smugness will pack the 48% of the people who voted for Trump into the theaters.

Even an aging Warren Beatty, who did more than grab his you-know-what (I can't really tell you, as this is a blog suitable for family reading) in his prime, did manage to squeeze in a few cliches of love and peace and getting along with everyone, which proved handy when he mistakenly announced the wrong winner of the best film at the finale. And so, quite suitably, the messy program ended as it began. And the lo-o-o-ng in-between wasn't much better.

Of course, the foreigners (or should I say non-citizens?) got in on the self-righteous act. Graciously nominated for best foreign-language film, the nominees released a puffy, self-righteous statement two days before the big event, knocking the host country, the U.S., while:

... condemning "the climate of fanaticism and nationalism" in the U.S. and other countries. They dedicated the Oscar, no matter which film wins, to those working toward unity. They directors [sic] symbolically rejected the borders that define their category's nominees, saying, "We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color. We want this award to stand as a symbol of the unity between nations and the freedom of the arts." The statement does not name President Trump but points in his direction, referring to an unhealthy climate stoked by parts of the population, "including leading politicians." ... On Friday, Farhadi joined with the other directors  Martin Zandvliet, Land of Mine (Denmark); Hannes Holm, A Man Called Ove (Sweden); Maren Ade, Toni Erdmann (Germany) and Marin Butler and Bentley Dean, Tanna (Australia)  to decry division and dedicate themselves to using the power of film to bring people together. The statement opens with a condemnation of the political mood: "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 U.S. and in so many other countries, in parts of the population and, most unfortunately of all, among leading politicians." The directors then spoke against division by gender, race, religion and other categories. "The fear generated by dividing us into genders, colors, religions and sexualities as a means to justify violence destroys the things that we depend on  not only as artists but as humans: the diversity of cultures, the chance to be enriched by something seemingly 'foreign' and the belief that human encounters can change us for the better. These divisive walls prevent people from experiencing something simple but fundamental: from discovering that we are all not so different," they write. ... "Although we don't want to overestimate the power of movies, we do believe that no other medium can offer such deep insight into other people's circumstances and transform feelings of unfamiliarity into curiosity, empathy and compassion  even for those we have been told are our enemies." They concluded the statement with a plea on behalf of respecting human rights and dedicated the Oscar to those working for unity and human dignity.

The Oscar went to an Iranian, Asghar Farhadi, for this film The Salesman. He did not attend the ceremony as a protest against the Obama-Trump ban on citizens from chaotic and terrorist countries entering the U.S.

"I am sorry I am not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'Us' and 'Our Enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war."

Not so surprisingly, Farhadi has remained silent about Iran's division of the world into the "'US' and 'Our Enemies'" categories that are doing more that creating, but are applying "fear" and "a deceitful justification for aggression and war."

A recent video posted this week shows Islamic Republic strategist Hassan Abbassi discussing the destructive potential of Iran's hidden army within the U.S.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Abbassi admitted to having terror cells situated and ready to strike in the United States.

Abbassi: I'll be brief. We have two million Iranians there. Be certain that I will raise a guerilla army from amongst them against you. You know this well. Look how vulnerable you were on 9-11 when four Arabs who don't know how to fight managed to endanger your foundations.

Iran is also slaughtering civilians in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon  for them, women, children, and the elderly are all the enemy, but this doesn't bother Oscar winner Farhadi. Iranian generals proudly boast of having and planning to use missiles capable of destroying Israel, inscribed in Hebrew with "Death of Israel."

And still silence from Oscar nominee and now Oscar winner Farhadi because of "of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S." In other words, he is for fear and hate and war.

So, Asghar Farhadi, cuddle up with your Oscar in your inhumane, barbaric, war-mongering country of Iran.

And Warren Beatty, don't feel bad; you didn't make the greatest mistake in Academy Awards history. Those five foreign filmmakers, who condemned the wrong country while praising the wrong country, did. In so doing they condemned hundreds of thousands to more horror.
They say old habits die hard. In the case of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it is certainly true.

There are two seemingly unrelated events out of Iran in the past few days. One is the mullahs' renewal of Ayatollah Khomeini's 1989 fatwa (religious decree) for Salman Rushdie's head, which forced the London-based writer into hiding for fear of his life. The other was an interview with Anis Al-Naqqash, a well known terrorist imprisoned for his crimes in France for a decade.

Coming at the same time, the two events send a message that Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the most active agent of Iran's state sponsor of terrorism mission, have not seen the Obama administration's vaunted Iran deal as any obstacle to going back to their old barbaric activity. In fact, they may have tried to hide their true colors from the Obama administration to soften sanctions, but these acts indicate that they will not hesitate to use their old tactics.

Such actions are second nature to the IRGC simply because it was founded on the idea of saving the regime at all costs. They may be updating their tactics, but under the surface, it is the same work of the same masterminds in Tehran. They still threaten world peace as they always have  from running a proxy war in Syria to fomenting trouble in Iraq to bankrolling a rebellion in Yemen  and they remain an instrument in the hands of the Iranian regime for suppressing their citizens internally and harboring terrorists from around the region. This is not a national force, but a terrorist organization, and it in every way deserves a spot on the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list.

My more detailed article about this can be read here.
XI'AN - Cargo train services have begun between Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, and Uzbekistan.

A train carrying 1,000 tons of cotton yarn in 41 carriages arrived on Friday at Xinzhu station in Xi'an from Tashkent, said an official with Xi'an railway bureau.

The new route has cut the delivery time from one month to 15 to 18 days.

Around 3,000 tons of quality cotton yarn will be imported from Uzbekistan every month. After arrival, the yarn will be distributed to eastern and northern parts of China.

Xi'an started cargo train services to Central Asia in 2013 and later extended to Europe. As of Thursday, 290 trains had run carrying a total of 454,000 tons of cargo to cities like Almaty, Hamburg and Moscow, said the official.
The HSUS lawsuit originally pulled the USDA in the right direction, but a much more recent lawsuit by two individuals in Texas cited for horse soring appears to have been tugging the agency in the opposite direction. Photo by The HSUS

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The coalition of groups demanding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture restore inspection reports and violation notices called for under the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act is growing at a rapid pace and strengthening its reach. Last week New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, a Republican, weighed in and called on the USDA to restore the documents. They join 120 federal lawmakers, editorial boards throughout the nation, and an enormous number of animal welfare groups and even animal industry groups who are pressing the USDA to turn this situation around quickly.

Indeed, its becoming a common view that the USDA took a radical and unwarranted action when it wiped vital animal welfare records from its website  preventing the public from readily accessing enforcement records for thousands of laboratory facilities that use animals for cosmetic testing and biomedical research, roadside zoos that often inhumanely confine and exploit wildlife, puppy mills that are serial violators of animal care standards, and trainers and owners who intentionally inflict pain on Tennessee walking horses to win blue ribbons.

Immediately upon learning that the documents had been taken down, The HSUS served notice on the U.S. Department of Justice that the USDAs data blackout violated a 2009 court-ordered settlement agreement regarding annual reports of animal research facilities, which contain details of the number of animals used in experiments that cause pain or distress without anesthetic or painkillers. On Friday, the USDA said it would post annual reports on the use of animals in research  an action that appears to be partly responsive to the original settlement we struck with the agency in 2009.

But while our lawsuit originally pulled the USDA in the right direction  ultimately leading the agency to post not only the animal research annual reports and inspection reports but all inspection and violator notices under the AWA and HPA starting in 2011  a much more recent lawsuit by two individuals in Texas cited for horse soring appears to have been tugging the agency in the opposite direction. These alleged horse-soring violators are acting as proxies for the larger class of soring lawbreakers who dont want their names published on the USDA website at all.

Under the Trump administration  with USDA transition team leader Brian Klippenstein, who has long worked as a paid operative for a group dedicated to action on behalf of the horse soring crowd, puppy mills, roadside zoos, and others inspected by the agency  the USDA has used the Texas case as an apparent pretext for its massive document takedown.

Given that the USDA is trying to explain a massive dump of documents through a pretty narrow case dealing only with horse soring, we decided to intervene in this Texas lawsuit. Something about the case smells rotten  almost as if it were a coordinated set-up between the plaintiffs and the new people calling the shots at the USDA. You can be sure that we didnt want the new faces at the USDA and the DOJ cooking up a deal with the horse soring crowd that locks down information not only mandated under the HPA but also under the AWA.

Its clear theres a tug of war going on. We represent the forces of transparency demanding vigorous enforcement of our nations animal protection laws. And the horse soring crowd, the puppy mills, and the others that routinely violate the law, well, they want a get-out-of-jail-free card. Whats more, they dont want anybody knowing about their questionable or illegal conduct.

Lets be clear that the USDA in 2011 did not go out on a limb by posting these records and providing transparency when it comes to inspections that may reveal violations of certain laws, regulations, or standards. What the agency did is consistent with how other enforcement agencies handle violations they uncover. Many states and localities also post reports of code violations found during inspections of nursing homes, schools and child care centers, school buses, and restaurants, that have not been fully adjudicated. Its customary for police reports on traffic violations, arrests, or other alleged criminal activity (sex offenders, for example) to be posted prior to a court date/hearing. In terms of the federal governments position on such matters, there are plenty of examples that show that the privacy explanation is absurd.

Heres the latest surprise though. Late last week, the plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit  the owners charged with injuring the feet and legs of their horses to force them to perform the pain-based big lick gait  abruptly threw in the towel and consented to dismiss that case. Were not sure if they cut a secret deal with the USDA behind the judges and the publics back, or if they just realized that they had a very difficult path to prevail in court, given The HSUSs intervention.

Either way, we wont stand for the data takedown; were going to stand up for animals and for the bright light of public scrutiny and oversight to which we are all rightly accustomed. Theres not only a rising chorus of objections from animal protection advocates and lawmakers  the USDA has also heard from some of the regulated industries (e.g., Petland, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Speaking of Research) encouraging the agency to repost the documents. New Jersey lawmakers called on the agency to do so, given that the states own restriction on the sale of dogs from mills with poor USDA inspection records is now unworkable. Other states are expected to chime in with similar demands.

We wont relent in our national campaign to enforce our federal laws whose purpose is to protect animals. The question for the USDA is simple: does it stand with a broad coalition that calls for more transparency and the rule of law, or does it stand with the worst violators of the law and plan on colluding with them in an ongoing cover-up of their transgressions?
Raffaldini Vineyards

Raffaldini Vineyards in Ronda, N.C., is open 11a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. It's closed Tuesdays.

(Facebook)

Raffaldini Vineyards is a relative unknown to most wine drinkers outside North Carolina, although many involved in the industry along the East Coast have heard of it.

Located in the northwestern part of the state in Ronda, not far from the Virginia border in mountainous terrain that shoots up on both sides of the Yadkin River, the winery is known for its Italian wines, from Montepulciano to Sangiovese to Sagrantino (which is ready for its first release), all but one of those dry.

Tastings at Raffaldini Vineyards are $12/person, which includes samples of all the wines sold there in addition to a commemorative Riedel wine glass.

Jay Raffaldini, the owner and winemaker at Raffaldini, said in a phone interview Friday that he sells 95 percent of his product in-state and 85 percent out of his winery.

"If you drink wine and you live in North Carolina, you absolutely know about us, there's no doubt in my mind," he said. "If you drink wine in general, most people still don't know about North Carolina. So in that sense, I think, [the industry is] in its infancy."

Less than 1 percent of all the wine sold in North Carolina is made is the state, he said, leaving potential for growth. "The upside is huge," he said. "Just to go to 3 percent, we would all be sold out for years. There's a lot of work we have to do there, but I think it's going in the right direction."

The winery just secured its license to ship to Pennsylvania, adding to a list of states that can legally receive its wine. Raffaldini said a majority of what he ships is purchased in Ohio and South Carolina.

One way to grow the industry is produce more grapes to source, and Raffaldini said he has purchased land around the winery and sold it to a number of individuals who want to start growing grapes. "So we'll have four vineyards that will be adjacent to each other. People say, 'Are you out of your mind, you're inviting competition.' I say, 'No I'm not, I'm creating a destination,' because people will do three or four vineyards in a day, and that's it.

"The point is that the pie is still expanding. You want to cluster, you want to have proximity, and you want to grow and multiply," he added. "You do that by having marketing associations or groups in a small region like this. So, very few people outside of this state know who we are. Instate is growing rapidly because we're supporting each other."

Look for more on Raffaldini Vineyards, its philosophy on dry vs. sweet wines and holding events, during the next couple days.
During my time at the British Library working on the Asian and African Collection backlog cataloguing project I have come across a number of thought-provoking printed works in the Armenian Collection. The following post describes three examples which for me highlight the fascinating adaptability and ever changing nature of diasporas. They describe Armenian communities which reached their zenith long ago, and are now seldom remembered, but at the same time they exemplify a willingness to embrace the host culture while remembering and respecting their own cultural roots.







The title page and portrait of Doctor Sarkis Tateosian Avedumiants in Ardi Hndkahay Bzhiskner: Masn A. Vienna: Mkhitarean Tparan, 1896 (BL 17033.d.23(7))

Ardi Hndkahay Bzhiskner Modern Armenian Doctors by Doctor Vahram Y. Torgomian (BL 17033.d.23(7)) printed in 1896 by the Mkhitarian Press, Vienna, describes the lives of Armenian Indian doctors. One of the more interesting life stories in the book is that of Doctor Sarkis Avedumiants, who was born in 1854 in Calcutta and baptised in Saint Nazareth Armenian church of Calcutta. He attended the La Martiniere School, Calcutta  where there were many Armenian students  and was awarded a gold medal for excellence. He subsequently graduated from St. Thomas Hospital in London in 1879 before training with the military in Britain and then returning to India as a British army doctor. contributing to campaigns in Afghanistan and Baluchistan. He achieved high ranks within the army becoming the Commander in Chief of the Bombay Army and Surgeon Major in addition to receiving many awards. He afterwards continued his medical studies, studying at Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital and publishing research on combatting dysentery in the British Medical Journal. Dr Avedumiants career is described in detail in the book but, published at a time of growing political consciousness, is interpreted from a nationalistic point of view in terms of an achievement of an Armenian in India that Armenians should be proud of.

Dr Avedumiants record can also be found in the India Office Records at the British Library under the name Sarkies Thaddeus Avetoom ( L/MIL/9/408 f.129).







The coat of arms on the left is Diana Apcars rendition of a potential coat of arms for an independent Armenian nation. Notice the elements of Armenian culture she highlights in the drawing compared with the coat of arms of the modern Armenian Republic and the 1918 Armenian Republic. The Japanese text gives the publication details: printed 15 May in year 43 in the Meiji period (1910) by the Japan Gazette in Yokohama (BL 08028.ddd.24)

My second title is Betrayed Armenia, a pamphlet by Diana Apcar published in 1910 by the Japan Gazette in Yokohama (BL 08028.ddd.24). Having married into the famous Apcar trading dynasty the author lived in Yokohama, Japan and spent a lot of her time trying to raise awareness of the conditions of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently she did humanitarian work before becoming the Armenian ambassador to Japan in 1920 after Armenias independence. The author specifies that this second edition was intended for circulation in the United States in consequence of the massacre of Armenians in 1909 in Adana. Linking events closely to Armenias ancient Christian tradition, she writes, for example, that Armenians may be led again as sheep to the slaughter and the work of extermination may be completed, a prophecy which would become an unfortunate reality in 1915 and subsequent years. My fascination with this text, however, is less concerned with the content than the context. Publishing in Japan, Apcar demonstrated an ability to adapt to the local environment despite being so far from her homeland. The distance from Armenia did not deter her diaspora nationalism and appreciation for her ancient culture.[1] It is the passion of this Japanese-Armenian author which makes this printed work so special.







The Lise Teferi Magoneni School students and their Armenian teachers. The teacher on the left is Kevork Nalbandian, a prominent Armeno-Ethiopian musician who taught at the school and wrote the music for the Imperial Ethiopian National Anthem[2]. From Ardi Etovpian ew Hay Gaghut e. Venice: S.Ghazar, 1930 (BL HEC.1994.a.509)

My final choice is Ardi Etovpian ew Hay Gaghut e Modern Ethiopia and the Armenian Community (BL HEC.1994.a.509). Like many works in the Armenian collection, it was printed in 1930 in Venice in the famous Saint Ghazar printing press. The first half of the book describes in detail Ethopias politics, society, economics, culture and religion. The second half explores the Armenian community in Ethiopia detailing the lives of prominent Ethiopian-Armenians in fields as diverse as religion, economics, government, education, the military, artists, musicians and commerce.

The book includes a brief Armenian-Ethiopian dictionary of 1300 words. Here the Armenian word is given on the left followed by the Ethiopian word in Ethiopian script in the middle, and a phonetic transcription of the Ethiopian word in Armenian script on the right.



An Armenian-Ethiopian wordlist (BL HEC.1994.a.509)

Armenian emigration is much older than the exodus following the Armenian Genocide of 1915 as is shown by two of the examples above. In time the communities adapted to modern political-economic circumstances and either assimilated or emigrated once again. This has led to the near extinction of long established communities in India and Ethiopia and the Armenian presence in Japan is hardly remembered at all. Nonetheless, new diaspora communities have arisen in many more locations globally. Tragic as it is that many prestigious communities have been forgotten, their achievements and existence survive through their literary works preserved, for example, at the British Library and are available for anyone who wishes to remember them.

I am grateful to Momoko Sekido and Eyob Derillo for their assistance in translating Japanese and Amharic script respectively.



Vahe Boghosian, Curatorial Intern, Armenian Books







--------------------

[1] For more on diaspora nationalism see Smith, Anthony et al., The Call Of The Homeland. Leiden: Brill, 2010 and Anderson, Benedict R. O'G., Imagined Communities. London: Verso, 1991.

[2] For more on Kevork Nalbandian and the Royal Imperial Brass Band formed of Armenian orphans Arba Lijoch see In The Company of Emperors: The Story of Ethiopian Armenians.
In response to President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown, the California School Boards Association has released legal guidance and sample resolution and policies that address the rights of undocumented K-12-students.

The association released the information as district leaders question what they can to do uphold their obligation to serve all students, regardless of immigration status, a press release from the association reads.

Memos signed recently by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly grant federal authorities power to immediately deport vastly more undocumented immigrants. The sweeping changes to immigration enforcement policies could complicate the education of millions of students in the nations K-12 schools, including those who are unaccompanied minors and the children of immigrants.

The Pew Research Center estimates that, in 2014, nearly 4 million kindergarten through 12th grade students in U.S. public and private schools were the children of undocumented immigrants.

And in the last four years, hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied minors, many from Central American countries, have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in search of refuge. New immigration policies could make it tougher for the children to reunite with their parents or guardians already living in the United States.

Kellys memos estimate that 60 percent of unaccompanied minors are placed into the care of one of more parents living illegally in the United States.

Many of the children could be turned around at the border, and their guardians could face a similar fate: the Homeland Security memos could make them subject to prosecution or deportation if they attempt to bring their children across the border.

Heres a look at the legal guidance and sample policies and resolutions adopted by the California School Boards Association.

Related Stories

How Much Can School Protect Undocumented Students?

As Trump Weighs Fate of Immigrant Students, Schools Ponder Their Roles

Report: Unaccompanied Minors Blocked from Enrolling in School in 14 States

Surge of Unaccompanied Minors Crossing Border Presents Education Challenges

Unaccompanied Minors Face Uneven Experiences in U.S. Schools

In U.S. Schools, Undocumented Youths Strive to Adjust
Croydon car wash crash horror: lets blame the victims

Can the story of the suspected drunk driver who ploughed into five people at a car wash be turned into an immigration issue? In the Daily Mail it can, yes. In the very first line of the horror near Catford bus garage in Bellingham, south-east London, the paper makes the victims nationality known and key to the story:

A suspected drunk driver smashed into five Romanian workers following an alleged row as they washed his car.

Why tell us the bloodied victims nationalities but not that of the alleged criminal?

The Sun does the same in its headline:

Suspected drink-driver deliberately mowed down Romanian car wash workers leaving man, 25, critical and four others injured after rowing with them moments earlier

The Croydon Advertiser is less concerned with the victims place of birth. Driver questioned after car hits five outside car wash, runs its headline.

The paper quotes the police, who say the injured people were pedestrians. Detectives continue to investigate following a collision in Lewisham which left a number of pedestrians requiring hospital treatment, says the Mets report.

Romanian workers or pedestrians?

The Mail says a man aged 25 is fighting for his life. Two others are in a serious condition. Two more suffered injuries to their feet and legs. The alleged drunk driver is said to have got out of the car and run down the street before an off-duty officer grabbed him. He was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving. He was treated for a head injury.

You might be wondering about the innocent victims, but the Mail is more concerned with what they were doing here in the first place. Why are so many car wash staff migrants? it asks. Maybe its because so many newspaper journalists arent. You go where the work is. The Mail comes over a bit thick and defers to experts who say such work is cash-in-hand and easy to get.

But the Mail cant end it there. It wants to smear the victims in more than their own blood. So it quotes Dawn Fraser, of something called the Car Wash Advisory Service, and says that only 1,000 of the countrys 20,000 hand car washes are thought to adhere to UK business laws.

No-one has been arrested for being run over at work. Yet.

Paul Sorene

Posted: 27th, February 2017 | In: Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Saudi Arabias King packs 459 tonnes of luggage and two elevators for 9-day trip

When Saudi Arabias king travels to Indonesia hell have packed 506 tons of stuff into his bags. As well as spare knickers, travel plugs and mints, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz will travel with two Mercedes limousines and two elevators?

Its the first time the King has visited Indonesia for 46 years. He was meant to go earlier but by the time the hand luggage was sorted and hed found the wife he wasnt sure if hed packed or not, the 1980s and 1990s had come and gone.

The Washington Post looks on:

The Jakarta Post reports that the Saudi group will total about 1,500 people, including 10 ministers, 25 princes and at least 100 security personnel.

Not all of the staff will in the hold.

Karen Strike

Posted: 27th, February 2017 | In: Royal Family, Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Brussels, February 27 - The EU is set to open infringement procedures against countries who do not meet commitments on relocating almost 100,000 migrants from Italy and Greece by September 2017, EU sources told ANSA Monday. They said the European Commission would announce the move in a formal recommendation on Wednesday. The EC will also recommend detaining migrants ahead of repatriation; boosting resources for encouraging voluntary returns; and cutting national red tape to accelerate the repatriation process.


(ANSA) - Rome, February 27 - The first Italian foreign fighter to travel to Syria wanted to carry out acts of terrorism in person, the explanation of a recent nine-year jail sentence said Monday. Maria Giulia 'Fatima' Sergio was "strongly determined to give her contribution to the implementation of terrorist actions, and indeed was desirous of carrying them out in person," the explanation said. On December 19 A Milan court sentenced in absentia Sergio to nine years in prison for terrorism.

Sergio, 29, is believed to be in Syria, where she has been a combatant for the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group since 2014.

Her father Sergio Sergio was sentenced to four years in jail and her husband, Albanian national Aldo Kobuzi, to 10 years in jail by the same court.

Sergio's sister was tried separately and sentenced to five years four months in prison.

The family, all of whom were converts to Islam, were arrested in July 2015 when prosecutors said they and seven other suspects had joined ISIS and were on the verge of leaving to fight in Syria.

The mother, Assunta Buonfiglio, died of cardiac arrest aged 60 in October 2015, on the eve of her release into house arrest.

The sentence was the first in Italy to be handed down against a foreign fighter still in the combat zone.


Croatia: neo-Nazi parade in Zagreb, praising Trump Harsh condemnation from the US embassy and local government

(ANSA) - ZAGREB - A parade of about fifty Croatian neo-Nazis walked yesterday down the streets of Zagreb, as in previous years, but this time the American stars-and-stripes waved next to the symbols of the Croatian pro-Nazi Ustasha movement. The leader of the neo-Nazi party, Drazen Keleminec, explained that the American flag wanted to express support for the new president Donald Trump. At the end of the rally, Keleminec was taken to the police station for shouting several times the motto ''For the homeland - ready!'', which was used in the Second World War by the Croatian Ustasha regime, an ally of Hitler and Mussolini. The Ustasha were found guilty of thousands of atrocious crimes, especially at the Jasenovac death camp, where between 1941 and 1945 about 100 thousand people were killed or died, the majority of Serb and Jewish ethnicity. This morning, the US Embassy in Zagreb has harshly condemned the neo-Nazi rally, firmly rejecting ''any attempt to connect this hated ideology with the United States of America''. The government in Zagreb, criticized in recent months for its ambiguous positions towards far-right nationalism, has ''condemned all forms of extremism'' arguing that the gathering was intended to ''spread fear and intolerance and to act against government targets''.(ANSA).





 Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved
Updated.

Critics of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos are seizing on a comment she made at the Conservative Political Action Conference this week that she is perhaps the first person to tell Bernie Sanders to his face that theres no such thing as a free lunch.

And many are wrongly claiming she suggested eliminating free lunches in the National School Lunch Program as part of her speech.

After a heated confirmation battle in which critics panned the wealthy donors education policy views as out-of-touch with the needs of everyday students, theyve been quick to point out that millions of U.S. public school students actually do receive free lunches, and that many rely on those subsidized meals to make up for a deficit of nutrition at home.

But no such thing as a free lunch is a phrase dating back decades. And DeVos made no mention of school meals in her speech.

Many of the criticisms of her comments this week are based on inaccurate information.

So according to Betsy DeVos

Theres shouldnt be free lunch at schools

But there should be guns to protect us from grizzly bear attacks. pic.twitter.com/zFiNTQErCy -- DemsTalk (@DemsTalk) February 24, 2017

DeVos Could End Nutrition Program For Poor Kids , reads a headline in the International Business Times, which said DeVos, a staunch opponent of public schools, is taking over the nations free lunch program that provides nutrition to low-income students. That story was picked up by Yahoo! with the headline DeVos Questions if Schools Should Provide Free Lunch.



Thats not true.

The National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program are under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the Education Department. President Donald Trump has nominated former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to be his agriculture secretary.

It is true that the programs have faced scrutiny from lawmakers in recent years. It is true that some policy proposals may have restricted the ability of some high-poverty schools to participate in a program that allows them to provide free lunches to all students with less red tape . And it is true that those discussions will likely continue in the future. But its not true that DeVos will be at the center of those decisions.

Of course, DeVos was using the aphorism to speak more broadly about her approach to government, not meals. And its worth debating how that broader view colors her approach to education policy. After all, more than half of Americas students now qualify for free and reduced-price meals , a common marker of poverty, and schools will be stretched to meet their needs both inside and outside the classroom.

But its also important to be accurate.

Photo: USDA

Further reading on school lunches and student nutrition:

Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox.
ASWAN - The image of Egyptian society as traditionalist, sexist, and far from overcoming some taboos is portrayed in 32-year-old director Mohammed Hammad's film Akhbar Yabes (Withered Green, 2016), shown at the first-ever Aswan International Woman Film Festival, which closed on Sunday.

Hammad's first feature-length film tells the story of two sisters, Iman and Noha, who are left orphans after the death of their parents.

When Iman, the younger of the two, receives a marriage proposal, her traditionalist and conservative ways require her to ask that her aunt and uncle meet the man and his family.

According to local custom, in fact, the presence of a man from the bride's family is necessary in order to contract a marriage.

Hammad told ANSA that Iman represents the "paradigm of Egyptian society".

"Despite the fact that's she still young, she has an old mind," he said.

The two protagonists are two girls like many others, who he said "self-censor, because the neighbours, social and religious pressure, are still too strong and oppressive to let them live freely. Unfortunately Iman embodies our society". Withered Green was also screened at the Namur International French-Language Film Festival and in Dubai and Locarno; in Egypt, however, it still hasn't been shown.

"It still has to pass the scrutiny of censorship, because I shot the film without first having the permits and having had the script approved," Hammad said.

He said that was a risk mainly for the external shots in various neighbourhoods of Cairo.

The film will be screened in Italy as part of Middle East Now, a film festival dedicated to Middle Eastern cinema to be held April 4-9 in Florence.


BERLIN - Budapest is reinforcing its anti-refugee wall along the Serbian border by installing a second "intelligent" barrier with sensors and surveillance cameras, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's chief internal security advisor Gyorgy Bakondi told Hungarian daily Magyar Hirlap.

Work has already begun and a first stretch of the wall, put up on an experimental basis, has given good results.

"The test, made along a 10-kilometre stretch, went well," Bakondi said.

"The sensors set off the alarm immediately. There are practically no more illegal migrants here," he said.

The Hungarian Interior Ministry allocated 130 million euros to build the intelligent barrier along its border with Serbia.

Bakondi said the pressure of illegal immigration will increase: at least 80,000 migrants are pushing from the Balkans for entrance into the EU through Hungary.
Italian archeological consortium launched in Jordan Project includes significant sites operated by Italian missions

(ANSAmed) - AMMAN, FEBRUARY 27 - The Italian Archaeological Consortium in Jordan was launched in collaboration with Jordanian authorities to strengthen operation of Italian entities engaged in protection and the valorization of the Jordanian cultural heritage, diplomat said today.



The project will include some of the significant sites being operated by Italian missions such as Mosaics restoration of the Memorial of Moses - since 1999, "Evolution and prehistory in the Zarqa's Valley," Khirbet al-Batrawy, the Italian-Spanish Archaeological Mission in Jebel al-Mutawwaq, financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, 'Medieval' Petra.



Additionally, Italy assigned a grant to the conservation project of Qusayr 'Amra, or "desert castles", built in the 8th century AD. Diplomats and Jordanian officials said they hoped the consortium will lead to further cooperation between the kingdom and Italy in this field. (ANSAmed).




Migrants: 50 new refugees in Italy with human corridors On March 2 another group of 75 Syrians to arrive in Rome

(ANSAmed) - FIUMICINO, FEBRUARY 27 - A new group of 50 Syrian refugees - among whom there were many women, children, and ill - arrived at Rome's Fiumicino airport Monday morning on an Alitalia flight from Beirut, thanks to the "human corridors" sponsored by the Community of Sant'Egidio, the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy and the Waldensian Round Table (Tavola Valdese).



Another 75 Syrian refugees will arrive on March 2, bringing the total refugees who have arrived through the human corridors to 665 since the project began on December 15, 2015, following the signing of an agreement between the ecumenical organisations and the Italian Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry.



Following the arrival of the flight at 6:50 am, the migrant reception process began with the refugees being accompanied to a special area for them where border police could begin their procedures for admitting the refugees into the country, including identification and digital fingerprinting.



The refugees will then be transferred to various reception centres and families already arranged for them throughout Italy, to begin the process of resettlement and integration.(ANSAmed).




Migrants: At San Carlo in Naples, concert for welcoming Organisers say art must be accessible to all for living together

(ANSAmed) - NAPLES, FEBRUARY 27 - The San Carlo opera house in Naples is opening its doors to migrants with a free concert to be held for them as part of the intercultural "Art and Welcoming" project sponsored by the February 3 Antiracist Interethnic Association.



In a statement, the organisation said it is offering the choral and piano concert "as a sign of welcoming and solidarity in a place that's so important in the city of Naples and the European culture".



"We want art to be accessible to all, for people to live together in peace," said event organiser Gianluca Petruzzo, the association's national president, who is also active in migrant support in Naples and its province.



"In times in which walls are going up and borders, not people, are being defended, our initiative shows another way.



For the first time a theatre of this stature is opening to the people of the world. This is also how we affirm full welcoming of all refugees and migrants for a free, open, and supportive society," he said.



"For our association, this is an additional step in the effort for a free, open, and supportive society," the statement said.



"It's also an important sign that the city of Naples, and those who contributed to make this event possible, are sending to all of Italy, in a time in which it's easier to build walls and close oneself off to history in the making. It's a concrete, peaceful, positive response to the provocations of racist politicians, Salvini leading the way, who are riding on, for their own purposes, the fears - sometimes ill-considered, sometimes real - that people are experiencing".(ANSAmed).




Migrants: Budapest reinforces wall with 'intelligent' fence On Serbian border, sensors set off migrant alarms

(ANSAmed) - BERLIN, FEBRUARY 27 - Budapest is reinforcing its anti-refugee wall along the Serbian border by installing a second "intelligent" barrier with sensors and surveillance cameras, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's chief internal security advisor Gyorgy Bakondi told Hungarian daily Magyar Hirlap.



Work has already begun and a first stretch of the wall, put up on an experimental basis, has given good results.



"The test, made along a 10-kilometre stretch, went well," Bakondi said.



"The sensors set off the alarm immediately. There are practically no more illegal migrants here," he said.



The Hungarian Interior Ministry allocated 130 million euros to build the intelligent barrier along its border with Serbia.



Bakondi said the pressure of illegal immigration will increase: at least 80,000 migrants are pushing from the Balkans for entrance into the EU through Hungary.(ANSAmed).




Thousands of Coptics fleeing ISIS in Sinai Over 100 families flee Al-Arish. 'The govt doesn't protect us'

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, FEBRUARY 27 - Over 100 Coptic Christian families in the Egyptian town of Al-Arish, in northern Sinai, have fled from their homes to escape ISIS and are accusing the government of not protecting them.



Coptic Christians are a religious minority comprising just 10% of the population in Muslim-majority Egypt, the Arab world's most densely populated country with 92 million residents.



Eyewitness accounts said those fleeing are "exhausted and terrified".



The refugees fled to Ismailia and two other cities in Egypt's interior, following the killing of seven Coptics and the continual threat from ISIS, which also claimed responsibility for the December bombing that killed 29 people in Cairo at Egypt's largest Coptic cathedral, St. Peter and Paul Church.



Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi convened an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and the defence, foreign affairs, interior, justice and finance ministers, as well as the governor of Egypt's Central Bank, to order maximum reception and assistance to the displaced families from Al-Arish.



The government also arranged for the intensification of anti-terrorism operations in northern Sinai.



The prime minister said he has formed a task force to manage the emergency.



According to MENA news agency, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Omar Marawan said 118 families have fled Al-Arish thus far. They have transferred to four governorates: 96 to Ismailia, eight to Qalyubia, 12 to Asyut, and two to Cairo.



Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly travelled to Ismailia and met with 47 families (211 people) to reassure them of the government's commitment to end the emergency and to allow them to return to their city as soon as possible.



More than a week ago, ISIS sources released a 20-minute web video that made reference to the December bombing and threatened Coptics.



"You, crusaders of Egypt: this operation that hit you in your temple is just the first, and it will be followed by operations, if God allows," said a masked man in the video.



"You are our primary objective and our favorite prey".



A few days after the video was released, three Coptics were killed in Al-Arish.



A 60-year-old man was shot to death in a school and the body of his 40-year-old son was found burnt to death, but there aren't precise details on the third victim.



In July 2016 Father Rafael Moussa of the Mar Girgis church in Al-Arish was shot to death by ISIS, against whom the Egyptian army and police have been waging a continuous battle in northern Sinai for about two years.



In addition to the solidarity for the Coptics expressed by the government and the patriarch of the Coptic church, Pope Tawadros II, the Anglican church has hosted about 30 of the refugee families in Ismailia.(ANSAmed).




'Youth burnt alive by ISIS' in Egypt's Sinai Eyewitnesses say victim was accused of collaborating

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, FEBRUARY 27 - At least four eyewitnesses told ANSA they saw a young Muslim named Ahmad Hamed "burnt alive" by ISIS jihadists "in Rafah", a town in northeastern Sinai.



The eyewitnesses also said "his eyes were gouged out".



They said the man was killed under the accusation of collaborating with Egyptian authorities in the fight against ISIS in the area bordering the Gaza Strip.



Other Egyptians who worked with authorities to fight ISIS in the area have been killed in retaliation and as an attempt to deter others from collaborating.



There have been several cases of killings by throat slashing or decapitation - about 20 between 2013 and 2014, according to figures from an Egyptian site.



In northeastern Sinai, the Egyptian branch of ISIS (formerly known as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis) has been waging a bloody war for three years against the Egyptian army.



The military spokesman on his Facebook page announced that six "takfiri" (a term used to indicate ISIS jihadists) had been killed and 18 "suspects" were arrested.



The spokesman, who also said that two "weapons depositories" were destroyed, didn't specify the length of time in which the killings took place; however, they can be defined as frequent, with about 500 between September and the start of last month according to official sources.



Sources in Sinai said there had been "one dead among the recruits and three other wounded".(ANSAmed).




Two fast-moving bills aim to alter the look of the accountability plans under the Every Students Succeeds Act for both Kentucky and West Virginia.

This has been a critical year for state legislatures and education as many lawmakers use their sessions to take advantage of newfound flexibilities under ESSA. States with new state superintendents or governors are seeing some of the biggest changes as they look to fulfill campaign promises or break away from their predecessors education agendas.

In West Virginia, Jim Justice, the recently elected Democratic governor, last week proposed Senate Bill 420 which would, among other things, pull the state out of the Smarter Balanced testing consortium, limit testing, and get rid of school and district letter grades.

West Virginias students and teachers are being crushed by a boulder of bureaucracy in Charleston, Justice said, according to local media reports . Our local school districts and parents have lost control of whats going on in the classroom. 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.

Superintendent Michael J. Martirano, whose tenure ends this summer, told me that pending the governors proposed bill and regulations yet to be sent from the U.S. Department of Education, hes placed on hold his department making any major decisions regarding the ESSA plan and will likely turn in the plan in September, rather than April, as it had previously intended.

Kentuckys Senate Bill 1 proposes that local school officials have more say over how to improve low-performing schools, would overhaul the states accountability system, and would force the state board to review its use of the Common Core State Standards.

According to the Courier-Journal, Kentucky state Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt said that the states ESSA task forces will continue to work on their ESSA plan and to really let the system be owned by Kentucky.

Kentuckys statehouse for the first time in many years is controlled by Republicans. On several policy issues, the governor and legislature are moving at a rapid pace in passing bills this year.

Earlier Thursday, Feb. 23, the House passed a bill that would allow students to attend schools closest to their homes, essentially threatening Louisvilles longstanding desegregation efforts. The legislature also is considering several bills that would expand charter schools and vouchers in the state.

Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.
airBaltic will operate the Riga  Abu Dhabi route 4 times weekly with a long-range Bombardier CS300 aircraft. Etihad Airways will be its codeshare partner on the route.

Martin Gauss, chief executive officer of airBaltic: We are delighted to link Latvia and the UAE with our brand-new Bombardier CS300 that fly longer distances and reach airports that we were not able to serve with our fleet before. Our codeshare cooperation with Etihad Airways will offer convenient connections to passengers travelling from the Baltic airports to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi and further to key destinations in Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as provide new travelling opportunities from Abu Dhabi to European and Scandinavian airports.

Abu Dhabi is a strategic aviation hub in the Middle East and its landmark tourist attractions such as Formula 1 and Ferrari World will attract many travelers from the Baltics and Scandinavia.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: Through this new agreement with airBaltic, we are offering guests greater travel options to and from Latvia and the surrounding region. This reflects Etihad Airways ongoing commitment to provide the travelling public with more choice and an expanded network in collaboration with our partners around the world.
The village is part of the on-going sixth edition of the Gulf Popular Heritage Festival which takes place from 15 January to 15 March 2017 and reflects Kuwaits cultural heritage and the shared amity and traditions with the GCC neighbors.

As a proud Kuwaiti airline, Jazeera Airways continues to support activities that honor Kuwaits culture and history and firmly believes in Kuwaits and neighboring countries ability to unite over the bond of shared values and history. The Heritage Village provides fantastic educational opportunities and a wide range of fun activities for children and adults alike visiting from Kuwait and from across the region.

Dr. Mohamed Barakat, vice president marketing and product said, Our partnership with Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Heritage Village is a matter of great honor for us and an ideal opportunity to celebrate Kuwaits rich history across a magnificent event that promotes such rich cultural exchange while celebrating the true spirit of nationalism. We are extremely proud to be the very first airline to sponsor such a visionary project.


The incentive-firm letter contract calls for the system to be integrated into the Qatar integrated air and missile defense enterprise.

Work will be performed at Raytheons plant in Woburn, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2021.

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity under the US government regulations for 100% foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.


Schools across the country have long struggled to find enough teachers trained to work with students in need of special education services. Lawmakers in two states are working to stem the shortages in their districts.

Arizona State Sentator Sylvia Tenney Allen has introduced a bill that would let any credentialed teacher in the state educate students with individualized education plans (IEPs) . The bill, which won unanimous approval from the state senate and is now in the state house, has parents of students with disabilities worried.

I think its a big mistake, Debra Mergner, a Phoenix mother whose son has Aspergers syndrome, told the Phoenix New Times . A special-ed teacher has a unique tool belt that they wear for teaching because they understand the exceptionality of each student. Regular teachers dont have that.

The newspaper reports that while officials at the state education department share some of Mergners concerns, the department has taken a neutral position on the bill.

Meanwhile, state officials in Louisiana are asking the states teacher preparation programs to come up with proposals to increase the number of new teachers with special education certifications, reports The Advocate .

One possible solution might be found at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. The university is located in rural northern Louisianaan area where administrators have found it particularly difficult to attract enough special education teachers. At Louisiana Tech, all prospective teachers get a bit of special education training, reports The Advocate.

Were seeing more and more candidates who originally thought they only wanted to teach elementary education realize there are amazing opportunities to work in special education, Amy Vessel, an associate professor at the school, told the newspaper.
Utah State Representative Marie Poulson has a harrowing tale from her time as a junior high school teacher. Poulson said she had to chase down a student who brazenly stole her purse. After turning him in, she said she started to receive abusive phone calls from his parents, who blamed her for their sons subsequent legal troubles. The calls continued for the rest of the school year. Poulson said she had little recourse; she tried to get the student out of her class but her pleas went unanswered.

The Democrat from suburban Salt Lake City told her story as part of her testimony in support of a bill that would require school districts and charter schools to set up a grievance process for school employees who are being bullied by students or parents, reports The Salt Lake Tribune .

After receiving unanimous approval from both chambers of the Utah legislature, the billwhich united the often feuding Utah Education Association, the state teachers union and an affiliate of the National Education Association, with state Republicansnow only awaits the governors signature.

But just how pervasive is the problem? According to a 2012 neaToday article , one survey found that a quarter of school employees across the country complained of being bullied. But that survey didnt specify who was doing the bullying. It could have been other educators, thus not falling under the purview of the Utah bill. In a survey done by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), one of the largest teachers unions in the United Kingdom, over half of teachers reported being bullied by parents just on social media .

Over the three years the NASUWT has been running this survey the situation has deteriorated, Chris Keates, the general secretary of the NASUWT said in a statement. There are still too many cases where no appropriate action is taken when abuse is reported to head teachers, the police or the social networks themselves.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan thanked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for supporting the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Armenpress reports President Sargsyan mentioned in the joint press conference with Jens Stoltenberg that during the meeting they discussed the issue of the most explosive security threats  the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

In this context I strictly highlighted the support of the NATO and personally Mr Stoltenberg to the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs aimed at the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I am thankful to you, Mr Secretary General, for supporting us, I mean the OSCE Minsk Group. The April war and the regular shootings following it with the use of heavy artillery and military equipment document that this conflict is unfrozen and today more than ever it is necessary that the international community consolidates upon a civilized settlement by supporting the OSCE Minsk Group efforts for a peaceful settlement, the Armenian President said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has invited NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to visit Armenia, President Sargsyan announced during the joint press conference with Stoltenberg in Brussels.

I invited Mr. Secretary General to visit Armenia which will be a very good opportunity to sum up our works done in the last 25 years and to outline our future activities, Armenpress reports President Sargsyan said, hoping that his next meeting with the NATO Gen-Sec will take place in Yerevan.
Our relationship with the icons of culture has changed, refracted through our politics. At the Oscars, the people who made those movies look out of touch in their Harry Winston jewelry and blue velvet dinner jackets. When they declaim a wall on the Mexican border, or quote the Koran, it sounds naive, even insulting, to a good-sized number of people. Somehow not even movies about the emotional pain of working class Massachusetts townies or tough modern Texan cowboys shooting it out against the backdrop of economic disaster could get over that hump.
Victor 18255-A, the first jazz record, was cut in New York one hundred years ago yesterday, five years after the word jazz first appeared in print. On it, the Original Dixieland Jass Band, a group of five white musicians from New Orleans, can be heard playing Dixie Jass Band One-Step and Livery Stable Blues, a pair of more or less original tunes.

Contrary to the claims of Nick LaRocca, the bands cornet player, the ODJB didnt invent jazznobody did, really, least of all Jelly Roll Morton, who made the same claimbut its recordings played a pivotal role in popularizing and disseminating what soon came to be generally recognized as one of Americas first wholly original styles of music. As I wrote in Pops, my biography of Louis Armstrong:

The records made by the Original Dixieland Jazz Bandsound like jazz as we know it, primitive but recognizable, with the now-familiar front line of clarinet, cornet, and trombone playing the loosely woven, rough-and-ready counterpoint that would soon become known the world over. We have it on the best authority that they were recognized as such in their makers home town, for Louis Armstrong listened to Livery Stable Blues and Tiger Rag on his first phonograph, along with the opera arias whose Italianate ardor and showy virtuosity also left their mark on his style. Between you and me, its still the best, he wrote in Satchmo of the ODJBs 1918 recording of Tiger Rag.

I rarely listen to the ODJBs records for pleasure, and when I do, Im more likely to opt for the electrically recorded remakes of its acoustic 78 sides that the band cut in 1936, which are much clearer-sounding and closely similar in style to the originals. Nevertheless, I do get pleasure out of them, for they are raucously vivid and vital souvenirs of jazz when it was still fresh from the cradle.

Nor do I lose any sleep over LaRoccas oft-quoted, patently preposterous claim that the Negroes learned to play this rhythm and music from the whites, which is reflexively trotted out whenever the ODJBs name is mentioned by those who are more interested in politics than music. LaRocca was, of course, talking through his hatbut what of it? The inescapable fact remains that the ODJB, for whatever reason or reasons, made it into the studio before anybody else, and the records they cut there were more than good enough to open the ears of the world.

A century later, jazz is no longer a popular music, a fact about which I wrote to controversial effect in 2009:

As late as the early 50s, jazz was still for the most part a genuinely popular music, a utilitarian, song-based idiom to which ordinary people could dance if they felt like it. But by the 60s, it had evolved into a challenging concert music whose complexities repelled many of the same youngsters who were falling hard for rock and soul. Yes, John Coltranes A Love Supreme sold very well for a jazz album in 1965but most kids preferred California Girls and The Tracks of My Tears, and still do now that they have kids of their own.

Thats as true today as it was eight years ago, La La Land and Whiplash notwithstanding, and I dont expect the situation to change in my lifetime. Be that as it may, jazzgreat jazzis still being played in New York and all over the world, and I dont expect that to change any time soon, either.

I was a professional jazz musician once upon a time, and my involvement in jazz continues to this day, albeit as a journalist, biographer, and playwright rather than a performer. Hardly a day goes by on which I dont listen to at least one jazz record, usually on my MacBook, to which I have uploaded thousands of the performances I love best. I have no favorite kind of music, but I simply cant imagine a world without the particular kind of music to which I have happily devoted so much of my life.

As Philip Larkin said of the records of Sidney Bechet, one of the first great jazz musicians:

On me your voice falls as they say love should,

Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City

Is where your speech alone is understood,

And greeted as the natural noise of good,

Scattering long-haired grief and scored pity.

Blessings, then, on the members of the Original Dixieland Jass Band, who first spoke the enormous yes of jazz into the horn of a recording machine. We have been in their debt for a century now. May we remain so throughout the century to come.

* * *

The surviving members of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band recreate their first recording session in a 1937 March of Time newsreel:

Eddie Edwards and Tony Sbarbaro, the original trombonist and drummer of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, appear as guests on an episode of Ive Got a Secret originally telecast on CBS on November 9, 1960. Their secret was that they had made the first jazz record in 1917. (Sbarbaro subsequently changed his last name to Spargo.) After stumping the panel, they play Original Dixieland One-Step with Phil Napoleon, Tony Parenti, and J. Russel Robinson, all of whom worked with the band at various times:
Are orchestras better than ever? Riccardo Muti thinks so. Recently, dedicating a bust of Fritz Reiner at Chicagos Orchestra Hall, he said: The level of the orchestras in the world  especially in the seventies and eighties  has gone up everywhere.

What is Muti talking about? I suppose hes applying the criterion of perfection. Perfect intonation, perfect ensemble. What kind of criterion is that?

Thanks to the exceptional WWFM The Classical Network, Ive been able to respond to this parochial claim at three hours length, in colloquy with Bill McGlaughlin. You can hear the resulting rant here and here. Bill and I auditioned fabulous concert and studio recordings by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony, Dmitri Mitropoulos and the Minneapolis Symphony, Arturo Toscanini and the New York Philharmonic, Artur Bodanzky and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Evgeny Mravinsky and the Leningrad Philharmonic.

Three things bear mentioning about these historic pairings. The first is that  to a degree unknown today  the conductors stayed put. There were no airplanes. The music director was the music director.

The second thing that leaps to mind  and to the attentive ear  is that each of these conductors honed a distinctive sonic imprint. No one could possibly mistake a Stokowski orchestra for a Mitropoulos orchestra.

Thirdly, each of these conductors pursued a distinctive mission allied with repertoire. Except in the cases of Bodanzky and Toscanini, the espoused repertoire was fresh.

Take Koussevitzky in Boston (a 25-year tenure). He gave the American premiere of Ravels orchestration of Mussorgskys Pictures at an Exhibition. He gave the world premiere of Bartoks Concerto for Orchestra. What is more, he commissioned both these famous compositions. His Boston broadcasts capture the most galvanizing readings of both pieces I have ever heard. Bill and I listened to them together. You can hear Koussevitzkys indescribably hot Mussorgsky/Ravel at 51:40 here  after which I exclaimed Give me a break! You cant possibly tell me orchestras are better than ever!

Then there is Mitropoulos in Minneapolis  an extremist, the Dr. Caligari of the podium. This was an orchestra whose concertmaster, Louis Krasner, had premiered the Berg and Schoenberg concertos. Its stylistic base was Mahler and the Second Viennese School. In 1940 Mitropoulos made the first and best recording of Mahlers First Symphony. Check it out at 10:16 here. If Mitropoulos (as I argue, citing evidence) conducts Mahler a la Mahler, his Schumann Second Symphony a la Mahler is an acquired taste. Bill (at 32:38) was bewildered: It makes me really jittery. I cant understand this Schumann. I know that Schumann was meshugana. Its almost like an Expressionist Schuman . . . this is so crazy-making for me. Help me out!

The larger premise of this three-hour harangue is that nothing like the bristling sense of occasion once registered by Koussevitzky and Mitropoulos  or by Bodanzkys powderkeg of a pit orchestra, so much more distinctive than the generic Met Opera orchestra of today  can any longer be assured. The concert experience needs to be refreshed and rethought. Thats the premise of PostClassical Ensemble, the DC-based chamber orchestra I co-founded with Angel Gil-Ordonez 14 years ago.

In April, WWFM inaugurates PostClassical, a series of two-hour thematic specials culling live and recorded PCE performances. We begin by celebrating the Lou Harrison Centenary on April 28. In June, we argue that Bernard Herrmann was the most underrated American composer of the 20th century. Others shows in the series will include Schubert Uncorked (with bass trombonist David Taylor), Stravinsky and Shostakovich Reconsidered (with pianist Alexander Toradze), Dvorak and Hiawatha, and Silvestre Revueltas: Better than Copland.

Stay tuned.
Youre looking at a photo of me  the old guy with the beard  being thanked by students at East Lake High School, a semi-rural public high school on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas. Five hundred East Lake students had just spent 90 minutes watching and listening to a presentation sampling Redes (1935)  the iconic film of the Mexican Revolution, a tale of exploited fishermen who unite and revolt.

As readers of this blog know, Redes is an obsession of mine. However little acknowledged, its one of the peak examples, in all cinema, of great music wedded to great cinematography. As the composer is Silvestre Revueltas, and the cinematographer Paul Strand, Redes also documents a historic Mexican/American collaboration during a decade when Diego Riveras Mexico exemplified how artists and intellectuals could power social change. Heres a galvanizing Redes sequence: the funeral of a child.

For Naxos, my DC-based PostClassical Ensemble (Im Executive Director) has produced a DVD mating Redes to a freshly recorded soundtrack. Its that DVD that I sampled for the East Lake students as part of a week-long El Paso festival, Copland and Mexico. As Ive previously written, El Paso (about 80 percent Hispanic) is an ideal incubator for impactful art.

Copand and Mexico is a product of Music Unwound, the NEH-supported national consortium of orchestras, festivals, and universities that I direct. In El Paso, the festival included (among many other activities) three screenings of Redes with live accompaniment by the El Paso Symphony. The third of these was a free performance in neighboring Juarez, Mexico. The Juarez audience was unlike any I have previously witnessed at a symphonic performance. Many families attended. The hall  an exemplary 10-year-old facility on the campus of the university  was full of children. Everyone was raptly attentive. I have little doubt that for many of those who came, the story of the cultural efflorescence that drew Copland, Strand, Steinbeck, Eisenstein, and Langston Hughes to Mexico  a phenomenon concurrently explored in many classrooms at the remarkable University of Texas/El Paso  was a revelation.

The El Paso Copland and Mexico festival was covered by Armando Trull of National Public Radio. He filed two stories: one on NPR, another for The Huffington Post. The interviews included one with a fifteen-year old who attended a Redes presentation at Tornillo High School. Thirty miles south of El Paso, Tornillo (population 3,000) is a colonia. So is East Lake  certified by the State of Texas as a residential area along the Texas-Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living necessities, such as potable water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing. The young man in Tornillo told Trull: Its important [for us] to know that there are Mexican composers and artists who became successful. Tornillo students were bussed to the El Paso Symphony concert.

Trulls story instantly provoked a listener response on the NPR site. It read:

Propaganda festival. Get rid of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Totally unnecessary government office. If you want to talk about the contributions of Mexicans, you need to cover the whole spectrum. 7 out of 10 federal foreign prisoners in this country are from Mexico. Their welfare usage rates are much higher than the general population and their tax contributions are significantly lower. Mexican immigrants (legal and illegal) drive down wages for American workers. Billions of dollars of drugs (and associated crime) pour across the Mexican border every year, which is tragically killing our young people and destroying our society.

In fact, far from being conceived as a propaganda instrument challenging our new President, the Music Unwound Copland and Mexico presentation  a multi-media exegesis with an actor, an orchestra, and a continuous visual track additional to Redes  originated in 2012. The first consortium participant was the Louisville Orchestra. From there Copland and Mexico was taken up by the Austin Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, and the Buffalo Philharmonic. The script used in El Paso was verbatim what I wrote five years ago in the conviction that culture can be a potent tool for human betterment and mutual understanding.

I have never been more convinced of that than I am today.

Copland and Mexico will next travel to the New Hampshire Music Festival, then the Las Vegas Philharmonic, then the South Dakota Symphony, then the Brevard Music Center. Its pertinence will not fade. Check out the eyes of the East Lake students in the photo below. They are discovering Redes.

(Please note that the views expressed by this posting do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.)
BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Culture on Monday said 36 online game operators have been punished for providing illegal content.

The 36 online game operators, which were found providing gambling-related and other illegal content and instigating crimes, were fined and their illegal gains were confiscated, the ministry said.

The punishment came after the ministry held a random inspection tour for online games in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and others.

The ministry said it has planned another random inspection of livestreaming services, saying that the first round of inspection will select 50 of the country's 100 operators.

Law enforcement teams will crack down on prohibited content, including immoral, superstitious and pornographic material.

Operators who break the law will be shut down if circumstances are serious, the ministry said.
Can Trump Cancel the Iran Deal?

In 2015, the United States and Iran negotiated a historic deal to curtail Iran's nuclear program in return for a rollback on international economic sanctions. But, like many other Obama-era policies, President Trump has indicated his displeasure with the deal, declaring Iran "should write us a letter of thank you" for "the stupidest deal of all time."

This would seem to be a clear indication that Trump would want the U.S. to back out of the Iran deal, but is that even possible at this point?

Coming Together

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was negotiated between the European Union, Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States -- and Germany. Although U.S. officials spearheaded the talks, signatories to the deal include the seven nations and the European Union, and the agreement has also been ratified in a U.N. Security Council resolution. So can one country unilaterally scuttle the agreement?

State Department spokesman Mark Toner told USA Today in November that it is possible: "The agreement is valid only as long as all parties uphold it." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani disagreed, saying, "Iran exercised prudence concerning the nuclear agreement as it confirmed JCPOA as a U.N. Security Council Resolution, not as an agreement with one government." Rouhani also dismissed the idea that Trump could negotiate a better deal. "Renegotiation is out of the question," he told reporters last month, saying the agreement "isn't something where one person elected can say, 'I don't like it.'"

Falling Apart

While President Trump could conceivably rescind U.S. approval of the agreement, more likely is aggressive American enforcement of the terms of the deal. "If unreasonable moves are made by Trump, and Iran continues to abide by the nuclear commitments," Ellie Geranmayeh, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations told Foreign Policy, "Europe, Russia, and China are highly likely to side with Iran, and the unified stance on sanctions in pre-2013 days will be broken."

Geranmayeh noted that the Obama administration had signed waivers of past sanctions, which Trump could rescind. "If Trump fails to renew these [waivers], sanctions snap back, essentially," she said, meaning the deal would essentially fall apart.

Related Resources:
Battle to free humanity accelerates in US Japan Israel Korea and elsewhere

benjamin Posted by

The world-wide takedown of the Khazarian mafia is accelerating with arrests, assassinations, information warfare, financial warfare and more esoteric forms of combat, according to multiple sources.There is also a flare up of activity in Antarctica. Top US and Russian generals Joseph Dunford and Valery Gerasimov met on February 16th and launched a combined US-Russian force steaming toward Antarctica after the cabal set off nuke, according to Pentagon sources. This nuke is apparently the source of radiation being detected in various parts of the atmosphere and so there will be serious retaliation, other Pentagon sources said.There are also reports that all civilian personnel are being evacuated from Antarctica and that large contingencies of special forces are arriving with state of the art scalar and other weapons technology.,Mass Evacuation Of Antarctica As Special Ops And Military www.disclose.tv- UFOs & Aliens  Mass Evacuation Of Antarctica Happening Just Now. All Civilians and Scientists Being Flown Out. Special Operations And Military Moving In.This Pentagon sources are also saying the Deep quake in Bolivia may have been a message to the Bushes in Paraguay and their drug lords in Peru and Bolivia.There is also a lot going on in Japan and Korea related to the Bush/Clinton Nazi factions allies the Unification Church, who have a ranch next to the Bush ranch in Paraguay.The official government seal or chop (the Japanese equivalent of a Presidential signature) of Japan has passed into the hands of Crown Prince Naruhito and he immediately started a major clean up, targeting the treasonous regime of Shinzo Abe in preparation for the start of a new age in that country. That is why all the Japanese newspapers suddenly started reporting a real estate scandal involving Abe and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada.Akie Abes message deleted from nationalist schools website as PMs wife gives up honorary title | The Japan Timeswww.japantimes.co.jpAkie Abe gives up her honorary title at a nationalist school making real estate and hate speech waves in Osaka that is also linked to defense chief Tomomi Inada.There are also moves being made against high-level thugs like Tenzan Nakai, who once tried to get this writer to drink a glass of orange juice laced with amphetamines so he could film me appearing to be mentally unstable. The video of me on amphetamines would have then been used to convince the drug hating Asian secret societies to lift their protection of me so I could be killed, Sources close to Nakai also inform me he poisoned my webmaster Lisa with a cancer causing agent.
The overall business performance was better in December with higher disbursements and better recoveries as businesses resumed.

The first week of November was strong, but new businesses were almost frozen for most of the second and third week.

Mumbai: While non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have managed to report better that expected numbers for the quarter ended December 2016, experts feel that the January-March period will provide a better picture of the exact impact of demonetisation on their balance sheet.

Housing finance firms catering to the salaried class, unsecured loans to the urban or salaried segment and wholesale lending companies were least affected on asset quality though retail growth has taken a knock.

However, the institutional research desk at Kotak Securities noted that the impact was more pronounced on niche NBFCs focussed on the lower end segments like small business loans, small fleet commercial vehicle operators and micro finance sector.

NBFC stocks have bounced back likely indicating that demonetisation has no impact on the real world. We would wait for better operational trends before getting more assertive on the sector. We believe that the impact of demonetisation will be tested in Q4FY17 when business gets back to normal. The major concern is that small businesses will take time to resume business due to disruption in the cash ecosystem, said analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities.

Pointing out that the October-December period was an eventful quarter for NBFCs with distinct trends in each of the three months, Kotak Securities said October being a festive period reported strong disbursements, which spilled over to early November as well.

The first week of November was strong, but new businesses were almost frozen for most of the second and third week. NBFCs were aggressively engaged in collections during the period as large cash deposits in the borrowers bank account supported collections even as business activity was weak.

The overall business performance was better in December with higher disbursements and better recoveries as businesses resumed.

While the commentary of NBFCs on impact of demonetisation was fairly mixed in Q3FY17 earnings conference calls, NBFCs at our recent conference in Mumbai alluded to the fact that demonetisation will have longer impact on growth of businesses and loan growth of NBFCs, Kotak Securities added.
Before proceeding to develop this report aclararte wanted a concept that brings many people into error. If at some point you have come to pledge, secure or phrases to emphasize the same or similar to these "build your business for free" zero investment, big profits "" earn extra money without paying anything, "I can assure you, you will lying. No Free Business may be made with more or less investment but all require an amount to start, and if not so, beware, it may be an illegal business or investment will ask you later when you have achieved your trust or will be these wonderful inventions to send spam to anyone who approaches their networks into believing they will be rich overnight. More info: Lakshman Achuthan. These concepts may be the wrong idea by some people who believe that everything online is free and when they find something valuable, something they love or what they are really looking for and ask for a price they feel offended and raise their voices saying it is a scam. Did you look at a window, you see some shoes that you love, you go and tell the clerk to give you those shoes so wonderful? But free, thank you very much! No one would happen to us over the head to do so, right? Well traslademoslo Internet. Why a service or an asset that is of quality or fill out our expectations we will have to be free? Now I moved to have her own business on the Internet. I do not know anyone who has a business, be it traditional, is the internet that has cost him nothing, there could be higher or lower investment, but something has had to invest in the economic section. I have met many people who when they have been informed that he had to invest in the business have provided me as loving phrases like "these crazy if I pay for work" or "you are a dreamer if you'll pay for a job." Sometimes I answer and sometimes not even bother me and now I'll explain that: 1.



Do not tell them because they have not understood anything and I doubt they come to understand. 2. I do not think I have explained well and I think a lot of laps where I could put that I am offering a job. I do not offer a job, I offer a business. 3. I explain this and also stress, it is not, but when the case you're being offered a job, have you invested heavily in studying and I formed to have a degree?, Have you invested in buying newspapers and watching commercials job opportunities?, have not you bought a particular clothing to attend job interviews?, have you done that course you think you are going to provide more opportunities for the post you want to achieve?, do not spend money in public and private transport, etc?. So yes, we need investment, which is very important to know if you are willing to do it, if you can make, if you're going to be constant so that this investment is insignificant when you see the results you have obtained in one year, and if ultimately you have chosen well before doing it and you've made the right decision with the type of business, sector, company, your sponsor, if you've studied and read the fine print and then not going to ask for more investment to achieve certain levels as well as your hard work.
But Gurmehar Kaur on Monday said that she was ready to take a bullet for the country just as her father had done 17 years ago.

New Delhi: Attacking Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh's daughter Gurmehar Kaur for saying she was not afraid of RSS student union ABVP, MoS Home Kiren Rijiju on Monday asked, "Who is polluting this young girl's mind?"

In a tweet, Rijiju asked, Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.

Rijiju was referring to the Facebook profile photo of Gurmehar Kaur, in which she held a placard stating "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".

Her reference was to the recent violence at Ramjas University of DU, where Left-wing AISA and RSS youth wing ABVP clashed over a planned speech by JNU student Umar Khalid.

Kaur had on Sunday faced backlash on social media, with some threatening her with violence and rape.

Responding to the threats, Gurmehar Kaur on Monday said that she was ready to take a bullet for the country just as her father had done 17 years ago.

Speaking to ANI on the recent violence at Ramjas College of Delhi Universitys North Campus, Kaur said, I will not be scared or be cowed down (by the threats). My father took a bullet for the country, and I am also ready to take a bullet.

Attacking ABVP for taking law and order into their own hands, Kaur asserted her patriotism. I love my country. I also love my fellow students, and I support their right to freedom of speech, she said.

Asked about ABVP students protesting against Umar Khalids speech, Gurmehar Kaur said, The stones were not pelted on Umar Khalid. He was not even present (at Ramjas College). Stones were pelted on students present there.
DSP said Sikandar came into contact with the woman on the social networking site over two years ago and claimed that both were in love.

Chandigarh: A 30-year-old city resident was nabbed on Monday by BSF from near the Indo-Pak border at Ferozepur while trying to sneak out of the country to meet his "Facebook girlfriend" at Lahore.

Sikandar Khan, a resident of Sector 49 in Chandigarh, was caught while "moving under suspicious circumstances" near Lakho Ke Behram border in Ferozepur district, police said.

"A patrolling team of Border Security Force (BSF) caught Sikandar Khan who wanted to go to Pakistan to meet a woman whom he loved," said Ferozepur DSP Balwinder Singh.

DSP said Sikandar came into contact with the woman on the social networking site over two years ago and claimed that both of them were in love.

Sikandar, who works at a marriage bureau in Chandigarh, was not carrying his passport, DSP said.

BSF handed him over to the local police, which has booked him under section 12 of the Passport Act, 1967.
Andaz was kidnapped while he was playing outside his house in Karawal Nagar on February 20, said an officer.

New Delhi: A seven-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped and killed by his abductors by pushing him into the Yamuna river, police said on Sunday.

Two accused, Vikas, the main conspirator and his accomplice, Laxman have been arrested while another man has been detained, said a senior police officer.

The body of the child has been recovered on Sunday afternoon from the Yamuna Khadar area of Geeta Colony.

Andaz was kidnapped while he was playing outside his house in Karawal Nagar on February 20, said the officer.

Vikas knew the boy's family and allegedly lured the child on the pretext of treating him to momos.

After kidnapping the minor boy, the accused were trying to find a place to hide the kid and they took him to Mori Gate area near ISBT.

They were scared that the boy might tell his parents about Vikas being one of the kidnappers and they pushed him into the river.

Then on February 22, the kidnappers made a ransom call to the boy's father Swarn Kumar Mishra who works at a pharmacy. The two demanded a ransom of Rs 2.5 lakh for the child's release, police said.

They asked him to come with the ransom money at an isolated spot in Karawal Nagar and claimed the boy will be found at a florist shop in the same area.

When the father went to the spot, he found that nobody was there.

As police was tracking the calls received by the boy's father, they managed to trace the accused.

During sustained interrogation, the accused confessed that they committed the crime as they were under debt.

"Vikas confessed that he was under the debt of Rs 40,000 and also had to pay someone Rs 12,000. Therefore, in order to repay his debt, Vikas along with Laxman committed the crime of kidnapping the seven-year-old boy." the officer said.
The victim, employed in a private company, and his brother, are married to two sisters of the same family from Palwal.

Gurgaon: A resident of Khedla village in Sohna, Gurgaon, registered a complaint with the police on Saturday alleging that his wife slashed his throat with a sharp object after tying him to a chair during a sexual act.

According to the Hindustan Times, the man in his complaint to the police mentioned that his mother had gone to Delhi that morning. Around 12:30 pm, his wife took him to the bedroom, blindfolded him, tied him to the chair and started playing music, and dancing to it.

Then, all of a sudden, she allegedly slashed his throat and threatened him, right before leaving the house.

While he was deserted, bleeding heavily, one of his friends came and rescued him, hearing him scream in agony.

The victim was initially taken to Sohna hospital, where from he was taken to Gurgaon civil hospital. Later, he was shifted to Safdarjung in New Delhi in a serious condition.

The victim, employed in a private company, and his brother, are married to two sisters of the same family from Palwal.

The victim was seriously injured but neither he nor his family could tell us how he managed to untie himself. The whereabouts of the woman are not known yet. There is something more than what meets the eye but we will investigate and unravel the mystery, said assistant sub-inspector Surjeet Kumar.

An FIR was registered at Sohna police station under section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.
Though caste politics is common across India, politicians prefer to play it intensely in UP and Bihar.

Despite the Supreme Courts ruling last month that political parties cannot seek votes in the name of religion, caste, region or language, they have been doing exactly the same. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Indians dont cast their votes; they vote their caste. Nowhere this adage is exemplified than in the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous and politically important state.

Despite the Supreme Courts ruling last month that political parties cannot seek votes in the name of religion, caste, region or language, they have been doing exactly the same. Though caste politics is common across India, politicians prefer to play it intensely in UP and Bihar.

Even in Rajasthan, parties give election tickets in proportion to a castes population  and they call it social engineering. Jats get the maximum tickets and ministerial berths. Out of 200 Assembly seats, 107 are dominated by only two communities.

Yet, Rajasthan has proved to be an exception. For the longest time, it has been ruled by chief ministers who defied logic of caste politics.

Despite belonging to a community not in a position to influence electoral outcome, they became chief ministers more than once. Along with them, some other political stalwarts also broke caste barriers to win from a constituency dominated by other castes:

Mohan Lal Sukhadia: The longest-serving chief minister belonged to Jain community, which controls trade and business. It is heavily concentrated in some pockets still not in a position to influence a single seat. In 1954, Sukhadia defeated the tallest Congress leader of that time, Jai Narayan Vyas, to become the youngest chief minister at the age of 34, which he held continuously for 17 years till 1971.

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat: The former Vice-President, affectionately called Babo sa by supporters, was not only the chief minister thrice, but also the most admired and popular leader even after his death. He came from a traditional Rajput family, yet took a firm stand against sati (widow killing herself) and jagirdari system (land tenancy).

A proof of Shekhawats popularity can be gauged from the fact that he contested elections from different parts of the state, from Sriganganagar in the north to Chabra in Jhalawar district in the south, from urban Jaipur to rural Dataramgarh, a constituency dominated by Rajputs arch rivals, Jats.





Barkatullah Khan: Rajasthan is the fifth state in the country, apart from Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir, to appoint a Muslim chief minister.

Khan replaced Mohan Lal Sukhadia in 1971 as chief minister till his death in 1973. Although Muslims play a crucial role  not in Jodhpur from where he used to get elected  the city is dominated by Pushkarna Brahmins, Oswal Jains and Mali community.

Shiv Charan Mathur: Born in Madhya Pradesh, Mathur is a Kayastha by caste, a community that is numerically insignificant on a single seat. However, regarded as an able administrator, Mathur twice served as chief minister of the state, besides Union minister and governor.

Ashok Gehlot: He became Union minister at 29; state Congress chief at 33, and chief minister at 47. His case is bit different as his Mali community has significant presence in different areas across the state, but still not that much to give him a chance to become chief minister twice.

Vasundhara Raje: Daughter of BJPs founder Vijaya Raje Scindia, Ms Raje is a Maratha who married into the royal family of Dholpur, which was a Jat kingdom. She is the most popular leader of the BJP after late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. She gave BJP its first majority government in 2003.
For free and fair polls, 1,442 sector magistrates, 180 zonal magistrates and 170 static magistrates have been deployed besides police.

Lucknow: Amid tight security, polling began on Monday morning in 51 Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh spread across 11 districts that figure in the fifth phase, with all eyes on the Nehru-Gandhi pocket borough Amethi.

There has been a voter turnout of 57.36 per cent till 5 pm.

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 spouse, making the contest a "rani versus rani" affair.

The districts going to polls in this phase are Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Basti, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur.

Due to death of Samajwadi Party candidate Chandrashekhar Kanaujia in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar), the EC has announced fresh date of voting in this constituency on March 9.

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 and Peace Party two.

In all, 607 candidates are in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats in Siddharth Nagar district.

Over 1.81 crore voters, including over about 84 lakh women, will decide the fate of 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, among others, in this phase.

Maximum number of 4,38,106 voters are in Mehdawal (Sant Kabir Nagar), while minimum 3,04934 voters are in Tanta (Ambedkarnagar).

There are 12,555 polling centres and 18,822 polling booths in this phase. The turnout in these constituencies in 2012 was 57.09 per cent.

For free and fair polls, 1,442 sector magistrates, 180 zonal magistrates and 170 static magistrates have been deployed besides police and general observers.

Gonda is close to Nepal and so are Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur and Sidhharth Nagar districts, adjacent to the Terai region in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Central forces are on high alert in these areas to ensure that no mischief monger sneaks into the Indian territory or escapes after committing any crime.

In his speech in Gonda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to the Kanpur train tragedy in which 150 people were killed and said the accident was due to a "conspiracy" and the perpetrators carried it out "sitting across the border".
Naqvi, however, was quick to add that the concerns of Muslims will be addressed when the BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh.

New Delhi/Lucknow: With the BJP not giving a ticket to any Muslim candidate in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Union minister of state for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi felt it might have been better if the lotus brigade had taken the minorities along. When reminded that top ministers Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti had raised the issue of the BJP not giving tickets to Muslims, Mr Naqvi toed their line and said the BJP should also have given tickets to Muslims. It would have been a good signal. Taking the opposite viewpoint, Hindutva hawk Vinay Katiyar justified the partys move to not give tickets to Muslims, saying: When Muslims dont vote us, why should we give tickets to them?

Mr Naqvi, however, was quick to add that the concerns of Muslims will be addressed when the BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, Ms Bharti, who was in favour of giving tickets to Muslims, had said she would raise the issue with BJP president Amit Shah. Union home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh had told a TV channel on Thursday that the BJP should have given tickets to Muslims in UP.

Talking about sabka saath, sabka vikas, Mr Naqvi said the BJP believed in taking all sections of society along with it. Sources said the BJP had consciously decided not to field any Muslim candidates as the party was not expecting any votes from this community, a senior party leader said. For the BJP, giving a ticket to a Muslim candidate would be a complete waste. A senior leader explained: Its not that if we field a Muslim candidate, they will vote for us. Instead, not only will no Muslim vote for us, but by fielding a Muslim candidate we could also lose the support of the our core votebank, which is the Hindu vote.
Modi said when he as the Prime Minister shakes hands with world leaders they see 125 crore Hindustanis in him.

Lucknow/New Delhi: As Uttar Pradesh entered the last leg of the Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke of a hung Assembly and made a pitch to voters to give the BJP a decisive mandate, arguing that the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party would resort to bargaining in case of a fractured verdict. The BJP had got a huge mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, getting 71 out of the states 80 parliamentary seats.

Mr Modi said at a rally in Mau on Monday that the SP and BSP had sensed defeat and had thus launched a new gameplan for a fractured mandate in Uttar Pradesh ... so that they can have bargaining power.

Mr Modi said: The SP and BSP, after the third phase of polling, have realised they have no chance of winning ... so they have launched a new game, a new technique... Even if we are defeated or our seats decrease, no one (else) should get a majority. The PM then went on to add: You (SP, BSP) might be thinking that in case of a hung House, you will get a chance to bargain, but the people of UP have shown you in the Lok Sabha polls by ensuring a full majority for the BJP, and in these elections they will ensure that the BJP wins with a huge margin.

The PM said voters should give the BJP a full majority in the state so that Uttar Pradesh was hailed across the country like India was being praised across the world after the BJP got a full majority in the general election.

Mr Modi said when he as the Prime Minister shakes hands with world leaders they see 125 crore Hindustanis in him.

Hitting out at the leadership of the SP and BSP, he said: I want to tell the leaders of the SP and BSP to try whatever means they can to defeat the BJP, there is no problem with it... But do not play with the future of UP. It has suffered a lot in the past.

When the polls were announced, the SP got afraid that it will not win, (so) in a hurry they went and sat in the lap of the Congress... they boarded a sinking ship. They got encouraged by media coverage and got intoxicated and thought they will befool people, Mr Modi said. He then added that the people, however, know how to differentiate milk from water.

Significantly Mr Modi also said that his party believes in taking its allies along even if it got a majority on its own. The PM said all its alliance partners would be made part of the BJP government in UP if it comes to power, even though on its own. The ship of the Samajwadis has sunk... The BSP is not able to do anyhing... Bhatija (Akhilesh) is thinking how to save himself, while Bua (Mayawati) is worried (about) what bhatija has done, he added.

It is not as if leaders sitting in Delhi are not aware of the situation here, but they dont have any concern... There cannot be a bigger crime...The Congress has committed a big crime, and also the SP and BSP, and they all need to be punished, Mr Modi said.

He warned that bahubalis will not be able to treat jails as a safe haven after March 11. Why is it that when a bahubali goes to jail, he smiles and poses for cameras? This is because he is safe inside and can carry out his activities without getting nailed. He gets all the comfort inside. All this is going to stop after March 11, the PM added.

Mau, incidentally, is the stronghold of mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is contesting the seat on a BSP ticket. Mukhtar, who is now in jail, was denied parole to campaign by the Delhi high court on Monday. The BJP, ironically, does not have a candidate here as the papers of its nominee were rejected during scrutiny.

Mr Modi also asked people to punish the SP, Congress and BSP for the backwardness of eastern UP, or Purvanchal. Criticising chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mr Modi said the Centre had given `18,000 crores for power to the state government, but half of it remained unspent.

One leader recently said his comment on donkeys was a joke. Are police stations turning into Samajwadi offices a joke? Are murders, loot and crime against women a joke? You can make fun of me if it gives you sound sleep, but you have turned Uttar Pradesh into a joke in five years, he said.
Palanisami is on his first visit to Delhi after he took charge of the state on February 16.

New Delhi/Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palanisami on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and brought up the need for urgent-financial assistance to the drought-hit state, release of funds for rehabilitation work in the aftermath of the havoc caused by cyclone Vardah, and exemption for the state from the National Eligilibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Mr Palanisami also pressed for the formation of a Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for the implementation of the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Sources privy to developments said that Mr Palanisami, who arrived in the national capital on February 26, met the Prime Minister at 5.45 pm on Monday. The Tamil Nadu CM, who is on his first visit to Delhi after he took charge of the state on February 16, had earlier met Mr Modi on February 24 when the PM had visited Coimbatore to unveil a Shiva statue on the occasion of Shivaratri.

Senior AIADMK MPs and government officials also accompanied Mr Palaniswami during his visit. Though there was no official statement issued by the PMO regarding the details of the meeting, sources close to the CM said that the crucial issue of seeking protection of traditional fishing rights for Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and ensuring their safety was also brought to the notice of Mr Modi.

On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Mr Palaniswamis memorandum said, Democratic decentralisation through the 13th amendment to the island Constitution should be the spring board for the self determination rights of Tamils, through which the Lankan Tamils could eventually realise the aspiraction of Tamil Eelam. Other demands included grant of dual citizenship for Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu, adoption of Tamil as an official language of the Union and use of Tamil in the high court of Madras.

The chief minister sought sanction of an annual special grant of `2,000 crore to compensate Tamil Nadu for the adverse treatment by the 14th finance commission and special allocation of funds for strengthening judicial infrastructure. Demanding early release of shortfalls in disbursement of share in central taxes as pointed out, he also wanted the grants pending in the 13th finance commission recommended grants.

AIADMK MLA Mr Palaniswami was entrusted with the chief ministership by party chief V K Sasikala, after she was convicted in a case related to disproportionate assets.

Amid chaos he had managed to win the confidence motion in the state assembly earlier this month, thus ending a 10-day long political uncertainty. The constitutional crisis had begun after caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam had revolted against Ms Sasikala.

Ultimately Mr Palaniswami received support of 122 MLAs of AIADMK and became the chief minister. Mr Modi in a telephonic conversation had congratulated him on taking over as chief minister of Tamil Nadu, soon after.
JD(U) to contest all seats, taking on AAP on its home turf.

New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) is all set to contest the upcoming Assembly polls as Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is going to address two rallies in the national capital, where JD(U) will contest all the 272 seats, taking on the AAP on its home turf.

Sanjay Jha, JD(U) in-charge Delhi announced in an event where few district-level Aam Aadmi Party workers, mainly from East Delhi, joined JD(U), accusing the AAP of neglecting Poorvanchalis in MCD ticket distribution.

Mr Jha said JD(U) aims to tap the discontent among the AAPs Poorvanchali voters base. He said the Poorvanchalis here have been let down by the Kejriwal government despite having extended every possible backing to it over the last two years.

Nitish Kumar will address two rallies, one each in North and South Delhi after Holi. The first list of our candidates will be out within a week, he said.

BJPs decision to appoint Bhojpuri artist Manoj Tiwari as its Delhi unit chief is also being seen as an attempt to woo the Poorvanchali community, comprising the people from the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Delhi unit of JD(U) was constituted during Mr Kumars visit here in national capital on December 3 last year.

Mr Jha brushed aside Mr Kumars perceived closeness with Mr Kejriwal, saying JD(U) will work for expanding its base and work towards ensuring fair representation of the Poorvanchali population.

The AAP had supported the JD(U) in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls and the two parties often cooperate in Parliament.

The AAP has already released its first list of 109 candidates, which includes 49 women. The party is eyeing to wrest power of the civic bodies from the BJP.

Vinod Jha, who was among the ones who joined JD(U), claimed AAP will lose support of the Poorvanchalis owing to its denial of tickets to people of the region.

They had committed that they will provide at least one ticket to a Poorvanchali in each of the assembly constituencies, he said.
Paddy prices have dropped to a very low rate [but] there are no buyers at all. As a result, the farmers are having a hard time returning money that was borrowed from the governments Agricultural Bank, said U Hla Aung Sein, one of the leaders of the February 25 demonstration. At the gathering, farmers from 20 villages called on the government to help bring up the market price for paddy or oversee more favorable loan conditions.

If the price continues to fall, the farmers would like to deliver the paddy directly to the Agricultural Bank, U Hla Aung Sein told Narinjara News. Last year, Shwe-wah-tun paddy was worth K300,000 for a hundred baskets. This year, the price is K240,000 for the same paddy. Yet even though the price has decreased, we have no buyers at all.

In Mrauk-U township there are 59,302 acres of paddy fields across 97 village tracts. Over 8,700 farmers grow paddy on a regular basis. According to Agricultural and Development Bank manager U Moe Zaw Che, more than K8.9 billion in loans have been paid out to farmers for this season, with only K729 million, or 8.1 percent, paid back so far. Up to K150,000 is loaned per acre.

The farmers have to pay back all their rainy season loans no later than April 15. If they fail to return the borrowed money on time, then they have to pay it back with 8% interest annually and 12% additional interest as a penalty fee, he said.

Mrauk-U township is the biggest paddy growing district in Rakhine State.

Translated by Zin Linn

Edited by Laignee Barron
It also noted that there was no medical evidence to substantiate the woman's version that she was raped by the accused.

New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted a man of the charges of raping and criminally intimidating a married woman in a hotel room in Haryana in 2016, saying her testimony did not inspire confidence.

Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Kumar granted the relief to the Southwest Delhi resident, noting that there was a delay of over three months in lodging the FIR which too was not properly explained by the prosecution.

"The prosecutrix (woman) had ample opportunity to lodge a complaint against the accused after the incident. The stand taken by her that she did not lodge the complaint against the accused as she was threatened, does not inspire confidence.

"On scrutinising the versions narrated by the woman, it seems that the prosecutrix has not presented the true facts," the court said.

It also noted that there was no medical evidence to substantiate the woman's version that she was raped by the accused.

"The delay in lodging the FIR, the testimonies of the witnesses and the associated circumstances leave a mark of doubt to treat the testimony of the woman as so natural and truthful to inspire confidence.

"As the prosecution case would show, her testimony does not inspire confidence and the circumstantial evidence do not lend any support to the same. In the absence of both, this court is of the view that accused is liable to be acquitted," the court said.

According to the prosecution, in June 2016, the woman lodged a complaint alleging that the man, who was known to her for seven years being her neighbour, had raped her in March 2016 after giving her stupefying substance mixed in water in a hotel room at Bahadurgarh, Haryana.

She had also alleged that the accused had threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

An FIR was registered on her complaint and later the court framed charges against the accused under the Sections of 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 506 (criminal intimidation) under IPC.

The accused pleaded that he had given money to the husband of the woman and when he demanded it, the couple lodged a false case against him.
Fadnavis is keen to prevent discussion on his partys fractured ties with Shiv Sena.

Mumbai: To avoid a possible spat in his Cabinet, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has postponed a meeting of his ministers this week. The Cabinet meet was to take place on Tuesday but the buzz is that CM does not want ministers to confront each other, in a bid to avoid discussion on the fractured ties with Shiv Sena amid a possible threat to their coalition government in the state.

Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had snapped ties for local body elections, which resulted in a bitter campaign. After the results, Sena has been trying to get Congress on board to win the mayoral post in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC).

The BJP has challenged Sena to go with Congress and the saffron partys central leadership has asked its men in the state not to bow down before Sena over the mayoral post. The new mayor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to be decided on March 9. The CM has decided to postpone the Cabinet meeting for a week and wait for both sides to get a clear idea about their partnership. However, this measure has raised questions over the survival of Mr Fadnavis government.

A senior BJP minister in the state Cabinet admitted that tensions were high, but maintained that it is the CMs prerogative whether or not to call Cabinet meetings. We dont want to give the upper hand to Sena. If we called a meeting and they boycotted it, a message would be sent to the cadre that we tried to tone things down. In such a situation, given our huge victory, why would we give Sena a chance to demoralise our cadre? he said on condition of anonymity.

However, Sena leader Divakar Raote sarcastically said, Generally meetings schedules come to us before every session as many bills need to be cleared by the Cabinet. But this time it seems our government doesnt have business to place before the House other than the budget. So Mr Fadnavis is not calling the meeting.
The buzz in political circles is that Sena is trying to seal a deal, direct or indirect, with Congress, for mayoral elections.

Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena seems to be preparing ground for a possible alliance with Congress in the forthcoming BMC mayoral election. Sena mouthpiece Saamana on Monday lambasted BJP, citing examples of the latter sharing power with PDP in J&K. The editorial said Congress was better than BJP, making a strong case for a possible alliance with the party.

The edit derided BJP for its comments on Senas recent bonhomie with Congress. The chief minister said his party will not go with Congress. But we want to ask him about the large induction of Congress leaders in his party. You may pretend not to go with Congress but through this induction, BJP itself has become the new Congress, said the edit. Cornering BJP on its Hindutva premise, it questioned, You (BJP) are allying with PDP in Kashmir. PDP praises Afzal Guru who was hung by the Congress government. How does it suit you to share power with somebody who praises Afzal?

The buzz in political circles is that Sena is trying to seal a deal, direct or indirect, with Congress, for mayoral elections. Whether Congress abstains or offers its candidates, it will ultimately help Sena to pocket the city heads post.

Interestingly, Sena was born out of the late sixties United Maharashtra Movement which was also against the then Congress government. Initially it was called a party for the Maharashtrian cause but later in the eighties, it changed tack to the Hindutva narrative. Throughout, Congress remained Senas main target and so, it would be tough for hardcore Sena supporters to digest an alliance between Sena and Congress. Senas citing examples of BJP alliances is being perceived as a last-ditch effort by the party to convince its voter base. Meanwhile, BJP has decided not to give importance to the Saamana editorial with no one from the party reacting.
Under the Tricolour, the ship clocked more than 22,622 flying hours by various aircrafts in the past three decades.

Naval officers on the deck of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat at the Naval Dockyard ahead of its decommissioning after 30 years of service. (Photo: Debasish Dey)

Mumbai: The Indian Navy, on Monday, announced the decommissioning of its 30-year-old aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, on March 6 in Mumbai. INS Viraats decommissioning, which holds the Guinness world of record for being the longest serving warship in the world, will be followed by the decommissioning of its submarine Sindhurakhshak by June this year.

The aircraft carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987, spending 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy. All personnel who served the legendary ship in the past, along with officers from the United Kingdom, will attend the decommissioning ceremony. A book on the history of Viraat, along with the release of special cover by Army Postal Service will be released on March 6.

Under the Tricolour, the ship clocked more than 22,622 flying hours by various aircrafts in the past three decades and has spent nearly 2,252 days at sea sailing and 5,88,287 NM. She played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 in Sri Lankan Peace Keeping operation, after which she was affiliated with Garhwal Riffles and Scouts of the Indian Army in 1990. Her major participation was seen during Operation Parakram in 2001-2002 where India and Pakistan were engaged in a stand off post terrorist attack on the Parliament.

Chhatrapati Shivaji first adopted the maxim in the 17th century as one of the guiding principles of his military strategy. Her role in operation Mercy in 1974 and Falklands in 1982 are now text book references for victory for future navies, said the Navy spokesperson.

Fate of the ship after it is decommissioned will depend on the level of interest shown by various states. According to officials, Andhra Pradesh has shown interest in procuring the ship but the states havent given official intimation to the centre regarding the same.
Haji Ghalib and Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, whose friendship coalesced around a shared love for poetry, were scooped up post-9/11.

Bati Kot, Afghanistan: Two Afghan friends were incarcerated together at Guantanamo Bay, but they chose starkly divergent paths after release -- one became an Islamic State jihadist, the other joined the US-led government fight to crush the group.

Haji Ghalib and Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, whose friendship coalesced around a shared love for poetry, were scooped up in the post-9/11 American dragnet and shipped off to the prison camp in Cuba.

Their journey encapsulates Guantanamo's failed legacy in the fight to expunge radicalism, as President Donald Trump appears set to reverse previous US efforts to scale it back.

"Guantanamo is the worst place on Earth," said Ghalib, who estimates he is 49, deep creases lining his gaunt face.

"Every day I ask myself the same questions: 'Why was I taken? Why did they ruin five years of my life? Why is there no justice, no compensation?'"

After burnishing his reputation as a fearsome commander against the Soviets and the Taliban, Ghalib was serving in the Afghan police in 2003 when he was unexpectedly accused of insurgent links.

Authorities ignominiously stripped him of his post, tore his uniform off publicly, and sent him to Guantanamo until the American military concluded in 2007 that he was "not assessed as being a member of Al Qaeda or the Taliban".

When freed, Ghalib channelled his resentment to fight not the Americans but those he calls the "real enemies of Afghanistan" -- the Taliban and, recently, Islamic State jihadists, who are making inroads into the country.

That includes his former friend Muslim Dost, who Western and Afghan officials describe as a top IS commander in eastern Nangarhar province, and who was released from Guantanamo two years before Ghalib.

'Seedbed of terrorism'

A gifted demagogue, Muslim Dost spent his time inside Guantanamo praying and preaching to other inmates about jihad alongside 9/11 accused Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

"When he preached the inmates wept," Ghalib recalled. "They were left shaken by his loud, mesmerising voice."

Muslim Dost scribbled poems on drinking cups for lack of writing material.

One verse published in the book "Poems of Guantanamo" by US law professor Marc Falkoff reads:

"Consider what might compel a man to kill himself, or another. Does oppression not demand some reaction against the oppressor?"

"Guantanamo is a seedbed of terrorism," said Kako, 35, who was imprisoned along with his cousin Ghalib and returned to be a corn farmer. "It gave legitimacy to fanatics like Muslim Dost."

Guantanamo, opened in 2002, remains a lightning rod for anti-American sentiment.

Nearly a quarter of the total number of detainees were Afghans, most later found to be noncombatants who were mistakenly apprehended or wrongfully turned over by local bounty-hunters or personal rivals.

"Arbitrary detention was a powerful factor driving some Afghans to insurgency, helping spark a new phase in a long and bitter conflict," said "Kafka in Cuba", a recent report from the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

The report by AAN analyst Kate Clark revealed that eight of the longest-serving Afghan detainees were held on "vague accusations, rife with hearsay, gross errors of fact and testimony obtained under duress and torture".

"It is now 16 years since the US began its intervention in Afghanistan and 15 years since it sent the first Afghans to Cuba. Yet the conflict, like America's dilemma of what to do with its legacy of war on terror detainees, shows no sign of ending."

'Won't let him go alive'

Barack Obama, who sought to shut down Guantanamo, shipped detainees out until the last days of his presidency. But Trump may be set to bar the transfers and bring in new detainees, US media have said, citing a draft executive order.

"America may consider Guantanamo a necessity, but they need to differentiate between fundamentalists and patriots," Ghalib said.

Ghalib, seen as a loyal US ally, is the district chief of Bati Kot in Nangarhar, a patchwork of rolling hills and orange and melon farms sandwiched between Taliban and IS bastions.

His loyalty is undergirded partly by personal tragedy. In 2013, the Taliban killed his brother guarding a highway project in Nangarhar.

Just weeks later, the Taliban dug explosives at the grave site where Ghalib's extended family had gathered to mourn, killing 18 people including his two wives and grandchildren.

His eldest son brought more sobering news, a walkie talkie snatched from the Taliban dangling from his chest, as Ghalib spoke to AFP inside his fortified base.

A close relative, who had poured him tea just minutes earlier, had been killed in a hit-and-run shooting as he stepped out of the base.

Ghalib turned pensive, his face dropping into his hands.

"People like Muslim Dost are fighting foreigners but mostly killing Afghans," he said as he composed himself. "If I ever see him on the frontline I won't let him go alive."
Mahershala Ali won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of a drug dealer in 'Moonlight'.

United States: Heavily-backed favorite Mahershala Ali won the best supporting actor Oscar on Sunday for his portrayal of a drug dealer in coming-of-age drama 'Moonlight' -- becoming the first Muslim film star to pick up a golden statuette.

A first-time nominee, the 43-year-old actor saw off competition from Britain's Dev Patel, veteran US actors Jeff Bridges and Michael Shannon and newcomer Lucas Hedges.

"I want to thank my teachers, my professors," Ali said. "One thing that they consistently told me... 'It's not about you. It's about these characters. You are a servant. You're in service to these stories and these characters'."

He thanked his fellow cast members -- and his wife, who gave birth to their first child, a baby girl, just days earlier.

Barry Jenkins's 'Moonlight' tells the life story of a young African-American struggling to find his place as he grows up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

In a brief but acclaimed performance, Ali's drug dealer Juan imparts life lessons to the protagonist Chiron that help him survive in prison and in the outside world.

The role won Oakland-born Ali best supporting actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, although he lost out to Aaron Taylor-Johnson ('Nocturnal Animals') at the Golden Globes.

Ali, a Muslim convert since 1999 with a Christian minister for a mother, joined the minority Ahmadiyya Community, a movement seen as heretical by other Islamic sects, in 2001.

Muslims have won Oscars in various categories over the years -- including Pakistani documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and feature director Asghar Farhadi -- but none has taken a statuette for acting.

Ellen Burstyn, who won a best actress Oscar in 1975, has practiced a blend of Sufism and other religions since her late 30s but has said she considers herself a "spirit open to the truth" rather than a Muslim.

Ali recently told Britain's Radio Times magazine that he discovered he was on an FBI watchlist after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"If you convert to Islam after a couple of decades of being a black man in the US, the discrimination you receive as a Muslim doesn't feel like a shock," he said.

"I've been pulled over, asked where my gun is, asked if I'm a pimp, had my car pulled apart. Muslims will feel like there's this new discrimination that they hadn't received before -- but it's not new for us."

From 'House of Cards' to 'Luke Cage'

Ali's previous notable roles have come in Derek Cianfrance's 'The Place Beyond the Pines', Gary Ross's civil war era drama 'Free State of Jones', the final two 'The Hunger Games' films and, on television, Netflix's 'Marvel's Luke Cage'.

He is best known however for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of White House lobbyist turned chief of staff Remy Danton in Netflix political drama 'House of Cards'.

Born Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore -- he was named after a child of the biblical prophet Isiah -- and raised near San Francisco, Ali studied mass communications at St. Mary's College of California.

He made his professional debut performing with the California Shakespeare Festival and, soon after, earned a master's degree in acting from New York University.

His first major movie role was in David Fincher's 2008 fantasy drama 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', opposite Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

Ali and his wife Amatus Sami-Karim have a cat called Nas, named after the US rapper.
Zarb-i-Azb was a transition from pure counterinsurgency to more complicated counterterrorism.

A vague new operation, a court judgment unknown  the only thing that felt real this week was the fear. Fake bomb, real bomb, Lahore confirmed that anxiety stalks the land again. A nascent trust in the states ability to protect has cracked.

Lets work through the bits we know, and the few we can guess at. Military operations work. Where they are meant to recover territory, they do. Swat is steady and North Waziristan (NWA) no more terror central.

Where operations are meant to deny free movement to militants, they do. Bajaur, Mohmand, South Waziristan  none of them truly normal, but a long way removed from a decade ago.

Military operations dont work. In none  zero  of the areas in which the military has gone in has the military been able to leave. Drawdowns, adjustments, tweaks to the mission  but nowhere an exit. Thats fine. Its a long war. We cant very well not fight it.

Zarb-i-Azb was a transition from pure counterinsurgency to more complicated counterterrorism. Because NWA was different  both a terror bastion and a hub from which Pakistan proper could be penetrated.

Look up a map. NWA to Lakki, Tank and D.I. Khan  and then all of Pakistan opens up: central and north Punjab and the triangle where Sindh, Balochistan and south Punjab meet.

It was terrors dream. Dismantling the NWA hub and spokes took about two years  wrapped up in the sound of jets pounding NWA and the jargon of intelligence-based operations.

Zarb-i-Azb was the end of the plan. From Kayani and Swat and South Waziristan, the outline of the plan had been evident. Hesitatingly-methodically, like so much else here, the plan was executed. Sweep up and sweep down the map until youre left with a concentration of militants in NWA.

Then smash them there and follow that up breaking the spokes that reached out into the provinces and the cities. It was roughly a 10-year plan, from the early days of Kayani to the last of Raheel.

Fasaad is the articulation of failure. From Swat to NWA, agree with the approach and the pace or not, you could see the outline of the plan. Now, worryingly, were stuck in a loop and maybe worse.

There was an obvious problem with the plan until NWA. Because it was a contingent problem, dependent on a bunch of other variables, it didnt get discussed much: After NWA, what if the militants found sanctuary in Afghanistan?

You can see why it was never addressed  doing so would have meant a higher-level strategic shift and military operations dont wait for ideal scenarios.

Now the problem has become real. The boys response has been to retool Zarb-i-Azb, but already it feels inadequate. From a hub-and-spoke model of NWA and penetrating into Pakistan proper, we have an eastern Afghanistan hub that is radiating into Pakistan.

But we cant smash the Afghan hub like we could NWA. So the boys have chosen the next best thing: intensifying the dismantling of terror linkages inside Pakistan and doing more to interdict at the border.

Think of it this way: for a decade or so, we were slowly zooming in, pinching our fingers closer; now were zooming out, spreading our fingers apart. Doesnt look like success, does it? Nor much by way of a plan. Fasaad is a return to confusion. The recent spike in violence will likely subside quickly.

A determined military with carte blanche and a country willing to look the other way as enemies are hunted down in whatever way usually produces results. It has in every instance before and theres no real reason to doubt it wont again. But much is muddled again.

Zarb-i-Azb ended with the risk inherent in the strategy  i.e. what would happen if eviction from NWA resulted in sanctuary in Afghanistan?  exploding without us having begun work on the next phase. Roughly, there are three categories of militants here: India-centric, Afghan-centric and anti-Pakistan. On each, the boys and the civilians have their differences.

The boys want the anti-Pakistan lot eradicated, but the N-League doesnt see it as their war beyond maybe some of the sectarian stuff. The N-League wants the anti-India lot muzzled, but the boys wont do it under duress.

And on the Afghan-centric bunch, the government wants a downturn in violence and blame heaped on Pakistan, but has struggled to articulate anything nearing a plan. But now theres a new operation and most of the bandwidth for state action and dialogue will be taken up by it. This year, at least, is gone.

Next itll be 2018 and election mode and good luck to anyone, civilian or military, trying to find strategic security clarity in the middle of that. Fasaad is a return to whack-a-mole  never a good place from which to steer strategic change. Fear has a long memory. Militancy changed us, perhaps in a way that Pakistan is only just beginning to realise.

Look back to the terrors of 2009-2011 and this was a country dazed and battered. But because we had never seen anything like it before, it took an awesome wave of violence to plunge the country into chaos and fear.

This time, it took a lot less to send ripples of fear and uncertainty across the country. The enemy will have seen that.

By arrangement with Dawn
Both leaders are fond of staged television interviews, with interviewers vetted and subjected to a list of dos and donts.

In the one intriguing comment Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made about US President Donald Trump, he has suggested that like the latter he was also an outsider in the 2014 general election. Indeed, there are many striking similarities between the two as there are some differences.

As is apparent to the world, the two leaders are devotees of Twitter in giving their take on issues and making policy announcements. The logic in this addiction is clear: it is a one-way communication leaving no scope for embarrassing questions being asked. Both Mr Modi and Mr Trump distrust media. The difference is that the US leader is fighting frontally, describing them collectively as fake news and enemy of the people, while the Indian leader is more restrained in expressing his distrust.

Both leaders are fond of staged television interviews, with interviewers vetted and subjected to a list of dos and donts. So if a Fareed Zakaria of CNN is granted an interview, he has to follow the rules. His TV interview had to be done twice over because Mr Modi was not satisfied with the first take.

Mr Modi also carries a heavier load in the genre of TV encounters. He has never quite got over the fiasco of his interview with Karan Thapar when he was Gujarats chief minister. In a memorable scene, he walks out of a live interview because he could not satisfactory answer probing questions on the Gujarat riots and the television channel made most of the bonanza by showing the entire scene, with Mr Modi unceremoniously walking out of the set.

Mr Trump apparently believes that as far as the media are concerned, offence is the best form of defence. He took the unprecedented step of keeping a number of international media representatives, including the CNN and BBC, out of an off-the-record White House briefing. His favourite is the right-wing Fox News channel on the basis of which he recently berated Sweden for taking in Muslim refugees  the highest in Europe on per capita terms  to the amazement of Swedes. He had apparently based his comments on a Fox News item. Mr Trump has now taken his battle to boycotting the hallowed annual black tie White House correspondents dinner as the most powerful man on the planet is brought down to earth through the weapon of humour. In Mr Trumps case, it would have been a riot.

Mr Modi has taken a more indirect route to avoid being questioned by an irreverent media. Although the US President has taken the occasional press conference to decry media, the Indian Prime Minister simply does not hold press conferences which he cannot control. He is the first Prime Minister not to hold a free-for-all general press conference in his three years in office basking in the glow of official TV channels, which are suitably reverential. The only publicly-funded free channel is Rajya Sabha TV, but the channels contributors are counting their days with foreboding because they do not know who will take over from vice-president Hamid Ansari, the present chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

At the same time, there are some striking dissimilarities between the two men. Mr Trump is fond of beautiful women, indulges in locker room ribaldry, ran beauty contests for a time and was a reality TV host. I have on my desk a copy of a cartoon by the incomparable Chappatte in the New York Times showing Mr Trump pinching the bottom of the Statue of Liberty in New York, to her amazement, at a time his bottom-pinching proclivities were a subject of raging debate in the US.

In sharp contrast, Mr Modis instincts are more puritanical. Apart from his attachment to his mother, he has foresworn family ties, including to his wife, and mocks the Indian tradition of family rule, exemplified not merely by the Nehru-Gandhi clan, but by the Yadavs in Uttar Pradesh bringing in their family tree into the government.

Beyond this difference lie other areas of similarities. Both men are capable of taking bold decisions if they are convinced of their virtue. In Mr Modis case, it was demonetisation of high currency notes and Mr Trump broke the mould on the demonisation of Russia.

Their ascent to power came on the strength of very different impulses. In the US, Mr Trumps unlikely victory came from blue-collar white workers marooned by technology, resentment towards a self-serving elite and a measure of resentment of black and coloured communities. In India, the impulses for change came from the performance of coalition governments, particularly in the last five years of the Manmohan Singh-Sonia Gandhi arrangement, and the desire for a decisive leader.

Indeed, both leaders have an authoritarian bent of mind, Mr Trump more flamboyant in expressing himself even though Mr Modi remains very conscious of his power and can be ruthless in striking at political opponents. The two leaders face immense challenges.

Mr Trump is finding out the strength of US democratic institutions, as in staying his executive order banning travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries and in the mettle of the free press. He might cry himself hoarse on America First and bringing lost jobs home, often barking up the wrong tree because manufacturing jobs will not provide many openings in todays world. He will continue to discover institutional and constitutional hurdles at every step.

For Mr Modi, the monumental task is of changing the halo of the Independence movement and the value of secularism in a diverse country. Unsurprisingly, history is being rewritten to hew close to the lines of the ruling BJPs mentor RSS of a Hindu India. There seem to be some difference of perspectives between the two but the rush to appoint RSS men or sympathisers to public-funded historical and research institutions tells its own story. The Communists were the last ones to rewrite history. How long the present exercise will last and to what end remain to be seen.
South Sudan has been engulfed by civil war since 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his rival of plotting a coup.

UNHCR said since the war erupted nearly 330,000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Sudan fleeing war and food insecurity in their country. (Photo: AP)

Khartoum: About 32,000 South Sudanese have entered Sudan since the start of the year, with tens of thousands more expected to arrive fleeing a famine in their country, the UN refugee agency said Sunday.

On Monday, South Sudan, the world's youngest nation formed after splitting from the north in 2011, declared famine in some regions, saying 100,000 people faced starvation and another million were on the brink of famine.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said it was initially expecting up to 60,000 South Sudanese to arrive in Sudan in the whole of 2017, but "the level of new arrivals has thus far surpassed initial expectations".

"So far, nearly 32,000 refugees are estimated to have arrived in Sudan in 2017," UNHCR said in a report released on Sunday.

"The food security situation is expected to deteriorate further in coming months" in South Sudan given that a famine has been declared in parts of the country's Unity State, it said.

UNHCR said refugees have reported walking for five to seven days to reach Sudan's border state like White Nile, and that 90 percent of the new arrivals there are women and children.

"Many arrive exhausted and in poor health, often with critical levels of malnutrition," it said.

UNHCR anticipates a continuous influx of South Sudanese refugees throughout 2017, but was concerned over the drop in funding to meet their needs.

The agency and partners have appealed for $ 166.65 million to meet the needs of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan, it said.

"So far, inter-agency partners have raised approximately five percent of funds needed."

Aid groups have slammed a "man-made" famine caused by bloodshed in South Sudan where civil war has forced people to flee, disrupted agriculture, sent prices soaring and cut off aid agencies from some of the worst-hit areas.

South Sudan has been engulfed by civil war since 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his rival and former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

UNHCR said since the war erupted nearly 330,000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Sudan fleeing war and food insecurity in their country.
Madasani called the shooting 'an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States.'

Olathe: One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying "I wish it was a dream."

The Kansas City Star reported Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that "what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend."

Madasani's friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in Wednesday night's shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, also was wounded in the shooting.

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani said. "He would have been here for me."

Madasani and Kuchibhotla both worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was - is," Madasani said.

Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at the two Indian men before he opened fire.

Madasani called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States." That drew applause from the audience at the vigil.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, state Sen. Rob Olson, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

"When you grieve, we all grieve," Copeland said. "We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us."
Aung Win Khine, who has escaped so far, is the cousin of Aung Win Zaw, and he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2015. Aung Win Zaw, who has already been detained, is said to be the suspect who personally asked gunman Kyi Lin to assassinate lawyer Ko Ni.

Who was behind laywer U Ko Ni? Did his [U Ko Nis] group do it because they dislike what U Ko Ni did? Is the reason that they want to create problems between the Tatmadaw [Myanmar Armed Forces] and the government? Or do they want to create problems between Tatmadaw and citizens. There are many points to be pondered. So we cannot stop. We must investigate continuously, said the Home Affairs Minister. So, it is important to catch Aung Win Khine. We have cooperated with Tatmadaw to do it.

The suspects who asked gunman Kyi Lin to assassinate Ko Ni are Zaya Phyo and Aung Win Khine. Zaya Phyo was arrested on February 3. But Aung Win Khine is still at large.

According to the investigation, in April 2016, former Lieutenant Colonel Aung Win Khine gave his cousin Aung Win Zaw 40 million Kyat and asked him to assassinate Ko Ni. But more money was needed, so Aung Win Khine informed Zaya Phyo. And then Zaya Phyo gave Aung Win Khine and additional 100 million Kyat.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar police force have sent Aung Win Khines photo and information to all states and regions of Myanmar, to the police forces of ASEAN countries and to INTERPOL.
After the shooting, the suspect fled across the Kansas border into Missouri.

Washington: The Kansas governor and his counterpart in Missouri have strongly condemned the shooting incident that resulted in the death of an Indian engineer this week.

This sort of senseless violence is never acceptable. Law enforcement in Kansas will continue to thoroughly investigate this crime, Kansas governor Sam Brownback said.

The friends and family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla are in our prayers. We hope for a speedy recovery for the other men who were shot, Mr Brownback said.

Missouri governor Eric Greitens thanked his state law enforcement official for arresting the shooter who had fled Kansas after shooting the two Indian men. It is alleged that, when the suspect went into the bar, he shouted get out of my country before firing his weapon. We will learn the truth of what happened in the bar soon enough, but what we can say for certain is this: this hate has no place in our state, he said.

Violence has no place in our state. If you are a violent criminal who harms the innocent, you will find no quarter in our state. Come across our border, and we will find you and bring you to justice, he said.

After the shooting, the suspect fled across the Kansas border into Missouri. It was Missouri police officers from the Clinton police department who arrested him. He was sent back to Kansas and will face the judgment of the court on Monday, he said.

We owe our thanks to Missouri law enforcement for their quick action, Mr Greitens said.
UN says Glocom, a front company run by North spies, sells battlefield radio equipment.

Kuala Lumpur: It is in Kuala Lumpurs Little India neighbourhood, behind an unmarked door on the second floor of a rundown building, where a military equipment company called Glocom says it has its office.

Glocom is a front company run by North Korean intelligence agents that sells battlefield radio equipment in violation of United Nations sanctions, according to a United Nations report submitted to the security council.

Glocom advertises over 30 radio systems for military and paramilitary organisations on its Malaysian website, glocom.com.my.

Glocoms Malaysian website, which was taken down late last year, listed the Little India address in its contacts section.

No one answers the door there and the mailbox outside is stuffed with unopened letters. In fact, no company by that name exists in Malaysia. But two Malaysian companies controlled by North Korean shareholders and directors registered Glocoms website in 2009, according to website and company registration documents.

And it does have a business, the unreleased UN report says. Last July, an air shipment of North Korean military communications equipment, sent from China and bound for Eritrea, was intercepted in an unnamed country. The seized equipment included 45 boxes of battlefield radios and accessories labelled Glocom, short for Global Communications Company.

Glocom is controlled by Reconnaissance General Bureau, the North Korean intelligence agency tasked with overseas operations and weapons procurement, the report says.

A spokesman for North Koreas mission at the UN said he had no information about Glocom.

UN resolution 1874, adopted in 2009, expanded the arms embargo against North Korea to include military equipment and all related material.

But implementation of the sanctions remains insufficient among member countries, the UN report says, and North Korea is using evasion techniques that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication.
by Loula Lahham

In only ten days, seven people have been shot, beheaded or burnt to death. Refugees have been welcomed in Ismailia, Suez, and Cairo. Christians are Daeshs new target.

Cairo (AsiaNews)  Dozens of Coptic families have fled El Arish, capital of the North Sinai governorate, following a series of attacks that cost the lives of seven Christians last week.

Located in eastern Egypt, the area covers some 61,000 sq km. In 2014, the Islamic State (Daesh) set up its self-proclaimed Wilayat Sinai it (Sinai Province).

Egyptian security forces have been fighting the group for the past five years. But for Copts, the situation has become unbearable after several of their co-religionists were murdered in the past few days.

Whilst Kamel Raouf, 40, was shot dead, his daughter Justina was beheaded and their house torched. Saad Hakim, 65, was shot dead, his son, 40, was burned alive before his eyes. Earlier in the week, a 67-year-old doctor, a 45-year-old merchant, and a 55-year-old teacher were shot to death. Seven people in just ten days.

A Church source estimates that up to a thousand Copts have fled El Arish, or about 40 families, out of 1,700 Copts living in the town. In view of the situation, the governor of North Sinai decided that Copts absent from school or work are on a furlough.

A Protestant church on the Suez Canal took in some of the 40 families. Donations in goods and cash have been pouring into the small church in Ismailia. Other families found shelter with relatives in the capital Cairo or in the city of Suez.

Many Copts are reacting to tragedy with a great deal of scepticism, especially after security forces stood by Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahmans funeral. The well-known cleric issued several jihadi fatwas (religious opinions) against the government, the military, culture, arts, tourism and, of course, the Copts.

For now, Sinai Copts have a stark choice: shot or burnt to death or flee. It is now their turn to be the target of the Islamic state after the security forces lost thousands of men in their attempts to counter Islamic terrorism in this area.
by Loula Lahham

Copts who fled El Arish tell harrowing stories of point-blank shootings, robberies and fires. Some of those who fought in the Sinai War in 1973 are now branded "Crusaders" by Daesh. Death threats have appeared on homes, or just the word Go. Some refugees sleep in several cars to ensure that some at least survive in case of an attack. Muslims in Ismailia show friendship.

Ismailia (AsiaNews)  In a little more than two days, dozens of Christian families  almost a thousand people, mostly Copts  fled northern Sinai after the Islamic State fulfilled its promise of attacking "Egypts infidels". In the past ten days, the group has shot to death, beheaded, or burnt alive seven people. Refugees found shelter in Ismailia, Suez and Cairo among Christians and Muslims, settled in vacant homes, received clothes and utensils, and more. Here are some of their first-hand stories.

They rang at my door at 10 pm. Two hooded men with automatic weapons shot my son and forced their way inside. They had a list with the names of local Christians. They opened the door to the bedroom and shot my 76-year-old husband. They asked for gold but I only had my wedding ring. Then they set fire to the house.

Nabila Fawzi, a Coptic woman who fled El Arish

Some Copts in El Arish found death threats written on the door of their homes, or sometimes just a single word "Go. They accuse us of being Crusaders. We left everything fearing for the lives of our children who will end up losing a school year.

Hanna Daniel, a woman who fled

Can you imagine that to get our stuff out of the city of El Arish we had to get city hall to authorise lorries to leave!

A man who required anonymity

Now we are out into the street. I put my family into three cars, lest they all die at the same time in an explosion or shooting.

Qadri, a Coptic man from El Arish

I am a doctor and I volunteer to check on the health of old and sick refugees at your church. I can even get some medicine.

Dr Zeinab, a veiled woman doctor living in Ismailia

I preferred to go to a friend's house, to leave room for a family seeking shelter. I fled with my wife and three children. The smallest, Rami, is used to the sound of gunfire and explosions. But the eldest, Joseph, shakes at every noise. We decided to leave whatever our financial losses.

A father who fled El Arish

Terrorists killed my husband in El Arish on 9 January. We love this land and my husband defended it against the attacks of Israeli settlers in 1973. We do not deserve this.

Oum Ossama, a widow who fled El Arish

We have started to be afraid of our own shadows. We are afraid of being followed and shot in the back. Its dreadful that Christians are targeted.

A young man who requested anonymity
They are the brothers Wasim and Naeem Ramodiya, both computer scientists. Within "one or two days" they would have hit the famous temple of Chamunda, in Surendranagar district. A military arsenal and Islamic propaganda material found in their apartment.

Ahmedabad (AsiaNews) - Gujarat anti-terrorism agents have arrested two brothers in connection with the Islamic Caliphate who were planning a massacre at a Hindu temple. Police reported that the two Islamic radicals, and Wasim and Naeem Ramodiya, both computer scientists, were ready to hit the temple of Chamunda in Chotila, in Surendranagar district, "in one or two days." If successful, their plan would have caused carnage in one of the busiest temples for Hindu pilgrims in the Indian state, which welcomes thousands of visitors every day.

The arrest took place on the night between 25 and 26 February last. The counterterrorism agency reports that the brothers were under surveillance for at least a year and a half. Investigations reveal the two men were in close contact with an Islamic State figure, who equipped and motivated them to carry out an attack that would have "made the news".

A military arsenal was found in their apartment: 98 bullets, explosives, fuses and devices to activate them, residues of gunpowder. Also they were found eight issues of "Dabik" the magazine of the militants of the Caliphate and their different Islamic propaganda machine.

The Ramodiya brothers are charged with conspiracy to damage India according to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosive Substances Act. Gujarat is one of the Indian states with a larger Muslim population. According to the 2011census data on religions (the latest available poll), the growth in Islamic faithful was more than 24% compared to Hindus, although they continue to comprise the majority of the population.

There have long been bitter tensions between the Muslim and Hindu communities in Gujarat. The most violent incident happened in 2002 with the massacre of at least 1,000 Muslims all over the state, after the Godhra attack on a group of Hindus who traveled aboard the Sabarmati Express train. The attack left 59 dead and sparked retaliation by Hindu fundamentalists. A still burning feud alive is over the destruction of the Babri Masjid (mosque Babar) in 1992 at Ayodhya, which Indian tradition considers the birthplace of Ram (the incarnation of the god Vishnu).
A Kazakh blogger is held for trying to interview a protester. Authorities crackdown on press freedom and opposition media.

Astana (AsiaNews/Agencies)  A Kazakh blogger, Ashkat Bersalimov, was sentenced to jail for 15 days on 23 February for ostensibly organising an illegal public gathering.

The blogger was trying to report on a protest against the incarceration of Zhanbolat Mamai, an independent journalist, who had been arrested on charges of money laundering in favour of a criminal group led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, a Kazakh political dissident.

Mamay, acting editor of the Sayasi Qalam-Tribuna (The Political Pen-Tribune), was jailed for using his paper to launder money allegedly embezzled by Mukhtar Ablyazov.

He and a cousin are accused of laundering money allegedly embezzled by Ablyazov and his associate Zhaksylyk Zharimbetov from the BTA Bank.

The charges against the journalist are based on Zharimbetovs testimony. The latter had fled to Turkey but was abducted by the Kazakh intelligence service three weeks ago.

During his trial, Mamay said that he was never involved in business or financial operations. In his view, the case against him is politically motivated and a move designed to stop his political activism and shut down his paper.

This is not the first time that Kazakh authorities try activists, journalists and government opponents.

Under Art 193, paragraph 3 of the Penal Code, Mamay faces up to seven years in prison.

Subject to repression in the past, the Sayasi Qalam-Tribuna received a hefty fine, beyond its ability to pay (US$ 9,000-16,000)

Since Mamays arrest, concern has mounted about his health after reports surfaced that he was physically mistreated.

An independent committee against torture stated on 23 February that it visited the detention facility where Mamay is held and found evidence of abuse, including psychological and physical intimidation.

The use of physical violence against him only ceased after the issue had reached the attention of the general public, Mamays lawyer said.

Human rights activists argue that investigators habitually place suspects in cells with other dangerous prisoners as a form of intimidation.

At a press conference, members of the anti-torture committee said that Mamay should be transferred to another cell for his safety.
by Melani Manel Perera

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga spoke of widespread exploitation, touching more than 80,000 women with children in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. The lack of livelihood makes them even more vulnerable. Although the military has denied any wrongdoing, in the past it has cracked down on troop misconduct.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Many war widows are sexually abused by soldiers, asked to perform sexual favours to speed up paper work, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga recently told foreign correspondents.

The former head of state, the only woman to occupy the post, noted that many women who lost their husbands in the countrys civil war in the northern and eastern provinces are faced with widespread sexual exploitation by officials in their own community as well as by the military.

According to some estimates, more than 80,000 war widows live in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Most of them struggle daily to survive, with children but often without a home.

Ms Bandaranaike Kumaratunga knows firsthand this kind of pain. Her father, Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike, was assassinated in 1959, succeeded by his wife, Sirimavo Bandaranaike. In 1988, she too lost her husband, a famous actor, killed before her eyes, and was left with two children to raise.

Currently chairing the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, Bandaranaike Kumaratunga dared to lift the veil on a very widespread practice in the island-nation.

There were several incidents of officials demanding sexual favours from women, she explained. Even to sign a document, women were abused and of course some people in the armed forces continue to commit sexual abuse".

Responding to her statement, the Sri Lankan military denied the charges, calling the allegations baseless since the Armed Forces are not involved in the civilian administration.

Nevertheless, in the past the military did crackdown on troop misconduct. But there is no overall picture of the situation since there is no data base, and most cases are not reported.

For Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, women are even more vulnerable because they often lack the means to survive and so are more easily victims of exploitation.

In view of this, she noted that war widows need psychological counselling to cope with the trauma they experienced, and that this should be done with local, not foreign resources.
Guys On Reddit Reveal The Boldest Sexual Advances They've Made

Trending News: Guys Reveal Bold Sexual Advances They Made That Actually Worked

Quick Take

I don't think anyone would argue with the notion that, when it comes to being successful with women, the biggest barrier for most men is their own lack of confidence. True, she can't reject you if you don't ask, but then again she also can't give you a handy in the Applebee's bathroom if you don't ask, either.

But confidence is key for things like getting phone numbers and smooches, right? Surely, when it comes to sex the best advice is to build rapport and use courtship to slowly make yourself irresistible to her, right? Yes  but not 100% of the time.

At AskReddit, someone asked the community to share their most aggressive sexual advances (we're talking legal and consensual here, obviously). While they didn't always work, the guys who shared success stories will make you think twice about all those shots you never took. The next time you're waffling on whether to ask her out, queue up one of these stories and remember that fortune favors the bold.

2glamtogiveadamn:

My boss was a really good looking woman. A milf describes her quite well. Her personality was relatively flirty so we kind of traded pick up lines here and there, but playfully. We get sent to an event in Vegas, all expenses paid with a few other employees. As it came closer people were in an accident or quit so it ended up just being me and her. Day 1 in Vegas we get Hammered and we're dancing kind of hanging on each other all playfully though because that's what I thought it was. We somehow managed to find our way back to the hotel and she said "I hope you have a good night." I responded with a great drunk idea of saying "I think it will be, I'm going to finish myself off thinking of you." I was about to slap myself but she responded with a mischievous smile and said I outta come inside so she can show me around. We did horrible things to each other in that room, my love for eating ass was also born that night as well. It could have went pretty bad but the stars lined up for me in that moment. Please don't try to hit on your boss though there's a very good chance it won't go well TL;DR: Hit on my boss, she gave me a full tour of her birthing caverns instead

Is hitting on your boss a good idea? No, probably not. Is somehow bypassing the flirting process and having sex with your boss without hitting on her good idea? It sounds pretty good to me. No downside, tbh.

thisguy9898:

Sleeping in the same bed with a girl at a buddies cabin (weekend trip with a bunch of us). We had never flirted or anything. Anywho. We're both in bed, about to go to sleep, I ask if I can go down on her, because i had never done that before. She was shocked, but she said maybe later if she couldnt fall asleep. 5 minutes later I was eating her out. Good times.

This probably wouldn't work much past high school or college, but sometimes it's not about romance.

ooo-ooo-oooyea:

I had to get leg surgery, while I was out getting cut up a girl who was kind of on the periphery of our friends also broke her leg. So I'm walking around on crutches... she's walking around on crutches. Our eyes meet, and I said something like "wanna find out if two people with two legs can f*ck?". She said yes, and the answer is... no unless you have something to hold one of you up.

At the very least, they both got to check off an item on their bucket list that day.

woody65341:

Went on a first date with a girl from Tinder, just kinda walking around and getting to know each other. It's getting dark and we're sitting on a park bench talking. Forget what I said but she responds "well that's surprising". "I'm full of surprises" "Like what?" kisses girl Make out ensued and 15 mins later I'm fingering her on this bench and she asks "Am I going to get to f*ck you?" Didn't really think of it as bold at the time buy looking back I'd say it's my top moment.

I'm gonna say that in this case, his date was the bold one. Also, Tinder sounds fun.

Throwaway-account-23:

At a fraternity party. Girl I'd been 100% talking to in a completely non-sexual, non-flirty way "accidentally" walks into the men's room and acts embarrassed. I was finishing up at the urinal and jokingly asked her if she wanted to hold it for me. She held it with her hand in that minute, then with her mouth about two minutes later. We never really think about how kind of gross blowjobs can be until time proximity to peeing is very near.

This is some very strong fratting.

richyhx1:

Standing in the line for taxis after coming out of a club. I stagger to the girl at the front of the que. Me: "can I share your taxi?" Girl: "where are you going?" Me: "your house" Girl: "ok, get in" There's a guy already in the passenger seat Me: "who's this" Girl: "it's my brother" Brother: strong and stern stare Me: smiles and jumps in Ballsiest thing I ever pulled off. (That's what she said too)

While I appreciate the guile and determination, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel for the brother a little bit.

JJRL:

Airplane. The one and only time I've ever sat next to a hot chick. I had 2 screwtop (decent Penfolds) bottles of wine I had bought at duty free. As soon as we took off, I said, "wanna get fucked up?" Four hours later and 45 minutes after landing, we were bumping nasties at the Four Seasons in Hong Kong.

I have never been seated next to an attractive woman on a plane, but if I ever were this is exactly how I picture it going.

SirMontego:

I was at a party and a girl said to me "can you hold my beer?" I didn't know her or had talked to her before, but I said "ok" and she gave me her beer to hold. She then took off her jacket and I handed her beer back to her like a normal person would do. She said "thanks." I then said to her "can I hold your beer again?" "Why?" she asked. "Because every time I hold your beer, you take something off." I said "Follow me." She said. And I followed her upstairs and we did it. I love holding other peoples' beers.

I almost don't believe this one, because it's a little too perfect.

The whole thread is great (and big), so I recommend scrolling through the whole thing.

Drop This Fact

A survey by sex toy website Adam & Eve found that 70% of Americans report having had a one-night stand.
In the press conference, held at the Drug Elimination Museum in Yangon, the Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe and other top officials explained to the media about their ongoing investigation into the assassination.

Based on the current investigation, the Home Affairs Minister said in the press conference that extreme patriotic fervour and a personal grudge led to the assassination of lawyer Ko Ni.

Currently, suspects Zaya Phyo and Aung Win Zaw and Naga Lay aka Aung Naing Myint, have been arrested and detained.

Police Major General Win said clues as to the suspects personal grudge towards lawyer Ko Ni have been found.

The investigation is ongoing and has yet to be brought to court.

Muslim lawyer and National League for Democracy Party advisor Ko Ni was shot dead at Yangon International Airport on January 29.
Saturdays seizures took place in 3 different locations; one truck was seized in Paung Town, 3 trucks were seized in Mottama Town and other 3 trucks were seized at the toll gate of Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State.

The confiscated logs are a type of the gum-kino logs and are currently on the governments banned hard-wood list. This is the largest number of illegal [gum-kino] logs to be seized in Mon State, according to U Myint Aung, deputy director of Mawlamyine/Thaton District Forestry Department.

Last year, we seized over 100 tons of logs. However, they were not hard-wood. These seized logs are on the list of the governments banned hard-wood. This time, it is the largest amount of illegal logs that we have confiscated and at a good market value, said U Myint Aung.

The forestry department received information in advance that the logs carried by the 7 trucks would head to Mon States Mudon Town, where they would then be shipped abroad. With that information, the forestry department officials came to seize the illegal logs.

They kept the logs under bags of plums. The gum-kino wood produces a certain smell. So, they covered them with plum bags to mask the smell. They also covered the truck with two layers of waterproof canvas. They tried to make it to look like a truck carrying cement [bags], said U Myint Aung.

The seized gum-kino logs from the 7 trucks is up to 50 tons in weight. The forestry department also confiscated a smaller truck carrying 0.8 tons of gum-kino logs earlier this month [February] in Kyaikhto Town, Mon State.

Those who are connected to this illegal log seizure will face charges under article 3 of the public property protection law, and links to this case will be inquired and exposed in respective townships in Mon State, according to the Mon States Forestry Department.
Richard Davies writes, "Einstein's childhood building blocks have been listed for sale on the AbeBooks.com marketplace for books and collectibles."

"Housed in two wooden boxes, the set features approximately 160 pieces with some chipped from use. The set was created by Anker-Steinbaukasten  a German company famous for its toy stone building blocks that come in red, blue and tan colors. They are made from a composite natural material that includes quartz sand, chalk, coloring, and linseed oil. Anker blocks have a long history in helping child development, dating back to the 1880s. The blocks are listed for sale at $160,000 [+$3 for shipping -Ed] by a seller called Seth Kaller from White Plains, New York. I have blogged about the blocks and the interesting history of Anker-Steinbaukasten here."

Kaller purchased the blocks at auction last year after they were put up for sale by an agent working on behalf of Einstein's descendants. Kaller specializes in historic documents and artifacts. He will be displaying the blocks at this year's New York Antiquarian Book Fair on March 9-12. Kaller describes them as "a unique and important artifact of Einstein's childhood." He adds: "Fellow scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, as well as architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Gropius, are among the geniuses who are known to have played with Anker blocks."

The Building Blocks of Albert Einstein's Creative Mind

[Abebooks]
Bega triumphs despite global challenges ahead





Bega has posted a $15.7 million profit for the first half of its 2017 financial year whilst competitor Murray Goulburn has reported a significant loss.

Despite Begas success, and a predicted turnaround for the currently turbulent dairy industry, Bega has pre-warned the market of challenging times ahead.

For the first half of its 2017 financial year, Bega achieved an after tax profit of 8.2 per cent on its 2016 first half results.

Bega said growth in its retailers own brand business, an improvement in global dairy commodity prices and increased first half sales in its nutritional business all positively contributed to the revenue and profit improvement.

I am very pleased to present a strong first half performance particularly in the context of the recent upheaval in the Australian dairy industry, a highly competitive retail environment and significant disruption in infant formula supply channels into China, Begas Executive Chairman, Barry Irvin said.

While pleased with the results, Irvin said he expected the second half of the year to be more challenging and said end of year results will be broadly in line with what was achieved in Begas 2016 end of financial year results.

Ingredients market improving

Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Paul van Heerwaarden, said whilst nutritionals is having a tough year, the ingredients market is improving rapidly.

We always remain alert to changes in the market and supply and demand dynamics endeavouring to position ourselves to be agile enough to meet challenges and respond to opportunity, he said.

Vegemite, Kraft transition going smoothly

The first half of the companys 2017 financial year included its acquisition of Vegemite and a number of Kraft products from Mondelez International.

Both Bega and Mondelez are now implementing a transition plan with the aim of completing the transition over to Bega by the end of the 2017 financial year on 30 June 2017.

CEO Heerwaarden said Bega was happy with the progress of the transition and the excitement the acquisition has created in the community.

There is no doubt that in the future we will look back on the past six months as one of the most significant periods in the Companys history, Chairman Irvin said.

Related articles
Retail Food Group finds added success from Hudson Pacific acquisition



An Australian Donut King store

The Retail Food Group (RFG) has posted net profits after tax of $33.5 million for the first half of its 2017 financial year.

This is a 17.3 per cent increase on its first half results for its 2016 financial year results.

RFG is responsible for a number of Australian quick-service food and drink franchises including Donut King, Crust pizza, Gloria Jeans, Brumbys, Pizza Capers and Michels Patisserie.

Colin Archer, RFG Chairman, said the results were in-part a reflection of the groups success with its acquisition of the Hudson Pacific Corporation, a business which delivers bulk food products to the hospitality industry.

The acquisition of Hudson Pacific Corporation, completed in September 2016, heralded the further evolution of RFG into a genuine full service food and beverage company, possessed of a diversified and global operating platform which offers an abundance of opportunity and scope for lasting shareholder rewards, Archer said.

Franchise footprint grows

RFG commissioned 138 new outlets across its domestic and international networks, resulting in a global total of 2, 556 outlets for the group by 31 December 2016.

A significant focus for the Company has been fortification of key business drivers to realise lasting positive change, Managing Director of RFG, Andre Nell said.

Leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic third party collaborations and a strong motivation to innovate across product, store design and promotional platforms, the company has implemented a number of initiatives programmed to drive CY17 performance, Nell stated.

Coffee and beverage success

RFG said its coffee and allied beverage division achieved a number of milestones throughout the first half of the financial year including a 6.4 per cent increase in coffee contribution to the groups earnings before interest, taxes and amortisations.

A strategic long term driver of growth within the coffee space is the leveraging of new foodservice channels for penetration of RFGs coffee and allied beverage products, Nell said.

Initiatives to realise this opportunity are underway, with bespoke foodservice offers focused on that market, Nell said.

Related articles
hello everyone

am civil engineer with about three years experience , right now am on Sydney with 476 visa .. looking for job so bad can someone help me please ,, and i will be grateful if someone have 457 sponsor
Just curious, do we really not accept those done by an Australian hospital? My wife had them done two months ago, but immigration won't accept that, so we have to spend another $100 to repeat them! Seriously just another waste of money, for something that has the potential to cause cancer. Does not make sense, but then the government never does I guess.
Thonnon

Calendar-year 2016 was another exciting year for fleet management and lease companies in Europe  with acquisitions and consolidations, global partnerships, and new CEOs. With new visions and new strategies, the time was ripe to transform the business model. Mobility management is here to stay. And additionally, the private market is increasingly coming into focus. We are witnessing a smart revolution in the car lease world, one that will see its impact in 2017.

Car manufacturers are eyeing a share of the lease business. There are plenty of examples: BMWs Alphabet model  launched in 1997 - is gaining a following. PSA Bank and Santander Consumer Finance develop their partnership in Italy and the Netherlands, following similar deals in France, Spain, the UK, Portugal and Switzerland.

In 2016 a new big entrance was officialised: after months of rumours, it finally was Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, that got the deal done and acquired multibrand car leasing and mobility service company Athlon International, the alliance partner of Donlen in North America. The deal, worth 1.1 billion euros, includes all 14 markets where Athlon International has subsidiaries, and will give Daimler Financial Services the opportunity to expand its fleet and mobility services as a multibrand service provider under the Athlon brand with a portfolio exceeding 350,000 vehicles.

And finally, at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, car group PSA  with brands Peugeot, Citroen and DS - launched Free2Move, a new brand gathering together all the Group's new mobility initiatives. Part of this structure is Free2Move Lease, a leasing offer that was launched in France and the UK in January 2017 and will further expand to other European markets this year.

More Consolidation and Global Alliances

On the consolidation side, ALD Automotive acquired the 61,500 vehicles of Parcours Group in France, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg and Portugal. The company subsequently acquired Hungarian fleet management company MKB-Euroleasing Autopark and its Bulgarian subsidiary MKB-Autopark. In March 2016, ALD Automotive already acquired Dutch leasing company Bright Lease, consolidating its position on this mature market.

ALD Automotive and Wheels were also the first major international fleet companies to access the Argentinean fleet market, via a deal in June 2016 with AutoCorp. This new partnership reinforces ALD Automotives presence on the South American continent, following on recent openings of ALD subsidiaries in Chile and Peru.

And the conquest of Latin America continues: ALD and Wheels also extend their coverage into Central America, signing a partnership agreement with Arrend Leasing, a Guatemala-based car leasing company present in four Central American markets. In the beginning of 2017 ALDs mother company, banking institute Societe General, announced the plans to float its car leasing branch ALD Automotive still this year on the stock market. ALD Automotive has almost 1.4 million vehicles under contract.

ALD Automotive is not the only car leasing company focusing on Latin America. Arval and Relsa completed their joint venture in South America. And the Element-Arval Global Alliance has added RDA Renting as a new member, growing the world-spanning fleet management partnership to 50 countries. RDA Renting operates in Argentina and Uruguay. In 2016 Arval proudly announced passing the milestone of one million vehicles in management in its 28 markets across the globe.

New Shareholders

The consortium of long-term investors that purchased LeasePlan in the middle of last year for a total of 3.7 billion euros has completed the acquisition. Today marks the start of a new era for LeasePlan, said LeasePlan CEO Vahid Daemi.

At the start of September, LeasePlan welcomed a new CEO: Tex Gunning made clear he intends to effect great changes within the lease company, with a more centralised approach and a move from a multi-local organisation to a fully integrated One LeasePlan organization, leveraging the scale and best practices of LeasePlan across its 32 countries to enhance efficiency. In terms of the fleet under contract, the LeasePlan fleet grew by 8% to 1.674 million in 2016.

Mobility Integrators

Meanwhile in Europe, car lease companies are profiling themselves more and more as fleet management providers. From Leasing to Consulting to Mobility Integrators, the focus is not just on the fleet manager but also on the employees, who are in charge of their own mobility.

One: the Business Model Is Changing

For years, operational or full-service leasing was all about financing, insurance, maintenance and repair, and controlling residual values. Then, leasing companies developed a fleet consulting approach to help fleet managers with the car policy, global reporting, greening the fleet, implementing telematics and car sharing and driver communication.

Now, leasing companies are focused on becoming mobility integrators; on delivering added value through mobility services, data management and connectivity. Fleet management specialists and leasing companies are in the process of becoming mobility and travel management companies. Huge efforts are being made to provide high-tech apps and digital platforms that put the employee in control of his or her own mobility. These apps will influence the travel behaviour and the vehicles chosen. Key words are: mobility budgets, private lease and predictive flexibility. And the result is lower costs and lower CO2 emissions, combined with a greater driver satisfaction.

Two: the Client Is Changing

For years, leasing and fleet management companies did business with fleet managers and the procurement/purchasing department. We expect the traditional fleet manager to slowly disappear and we call the new people in control the Global Mobility Architects. Also, the employees get more and more of a say. They want to be in control of their own mobility, so they want to shop between the services provided by the integrators.

Three: the Business Environment Is Changing

Lets call it the jungle, because the competition is going berserk. Everyone wants a piece of the cake: Car Manufacturers, their spin-offs in car sharing, the disruptors, the travel management companies, the daily rental business. Start-ups have been pushing innovation into the market. In 2016, more than ever, we saw the manufacturers (re)enter the leasing market, a trend that will continue in 2017.

Editor's note: Caroline Thonnon is the CEO of Nexus Communications.

P.S. Check out the latest on the 2017 Global Fleet Conference in Miami June 6-8, 2017: www.globalfleetconference.com
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.
Last October, floods of traffic from Internet of Things devices infected by the Mirai worm brought down several high profile internet services, from Level 3 to Dyn to Twitter and Reddit.

At the time, the attack was blamed on Wikileaks supporters, who were said to be outraged that the Ecuadoran embassy in London had changed its wifi password, disconnecting Julian Assange from the internet, in retaliation for the Wikileaks publication of the DNC emails (Assange was quickly reconnected, presumably through a mobile hotspot).

After the high-profile attacks, Mirai botnets flourished and fractured, hybridizing with other strains of malware and taking over hundreds of thousands of devices; as the supply outstripped demand, criminals began to advertise absurdly overpowered botnets of Mirai-compromised DVRs, CCTVs and other devices.

One botnet was dubbed "Shadowkill" and also "Botnet 14," and was used to attack and bring down the entire nation of Liberia, as well as significant parts of Deutsche Telekom's network in Germany.

Now, British police, acting on an international arrest warrant from Cologne, Germany, have taken an unnamed, 29 year old suspect into custody at an unspecified London airport, claiming he was responsible for Botnet #14. The German authorities are now attempting to extradite their suspect to Germany.

Back in November, a hacker by the name of Bestbuy (also known as Popopret), who was advertising a Mirai botnet-for-hire via XMPP spam messages, claimed responsibility for the attempts to hijack routers in Germany and the UK. Efforts to contact the hacker via usual communications channels were unsuccessful before this article's publication.

UK Police Arrest Suspect Behind Mirai Malware Attacks on Deutsche Telekom

[Catalin Cimpanu/Bleeping Computer]
Azerbaijans Defense Ministry officially confirmed on Monday that at least five Azerbaijani soldiers were killed by Armenian forces over the weekend in what was the worst fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh in almost a year.

The ministry identified all of them and also effectively acknowledged that they died in the no-mans land on the Karabakh line of contact.

According to Azerbaijani media reports, one of those servicemen, Aqsin Abdullayev, had the military rank of major. Karabakhs Armenian-backed Defense Army claimed earlier that Abdullayev was the chief of reconnaissance of an Azerbaijani army brigade.

The Defense Army claimed to have repelled Azerbaijani attacks at two sections of the frontline early on Saturday. It said Azerbaijani commando units used demining equipment to try to seize its positions there but were pushed back, suffering significant casualties in the process. No Karabakh Armenian soldiers were killed or wounded in the fighting, it said.

The Azerbaijani military claimed, however, that it was the Armenians who attempted to capture more beneficial positions. It admitted combat deaths in within its ranks but did not specify their number until Monday morning.

The Karabakh Armenian army dismissed the Azerbaijani version of events, saying the fact that the bodies of the Azerbaijani soldiers were left lying in the no-mans land only proves that they had gone on the offensive. It also released night-vision footage purportedly showing Azerbaijani troops coming under precise artillery fire while trying unsuccessfully to cross the frontline.

U.S., Russian and French mediators co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group expressed concern at the escalation, the worst since the April 2016 hostilities in and around Karabakh, but did not blame either party for it. The Co-chairs remind the Parties of their commitments to refrain from the use of force, they said in a statement released on Sunday.

The statement also said: The Co-chairs call upon the Parties to keep heavy military equipment, which had been moved earlier close to the [Line of Contact,] in its present positions and to allow recovery of the dead, as it was agreed upon yesterday under mediation of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

The Defense Ministry in Baku said that representatives of the OSCE as well as the International Red Committee of the Red Cross were due to retrieve the bodies of its soldiers and hand them over to the Azerbaijani side on Sunday. It claimed that the Armenians scuttled the handover with new and unacceptable conditions set at the last minute.

The Karabakh Armenian army was quick to deny that, saying that the bodies were not recovered because the Azerbaijani military breached relevant agreements reached beforehand during negotiations. It did not elaborate.

All five bodies were handed over to the Azerbaijani side later on Monday.
27 February 2017 11:12 (UTC+04:00)

February 26 marked the 25th anniversary of the bloody tragedy, which went down in history of mankind in the 20th century as the Khojaly Genocide.

Photos of 613 civilians who were murdered by the Armenian armed forces in the town of Khojaly were displayed on the side of a building in Baku as a nationwide march, which was joined by more than 40,000 people, commemorated the 25th anniversary of the genocidal act, Azertac reported.

The statistics of the slaughter were displayed on large monitors along the streets, and on placards on building walls and balconies as the people marched from Azadliq Square to Khojaly memorial.

Of 3,000 people who were in the town of Khojaly at the moment of the attack 613 were killed, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elders. 487 people were severely wounded, including 76 children. 1,275 people were captured and subjected to unprecedented torture, the fate of 197 people still remains unknown. 8 families were totally annihilated, 130 children lost one and 25 lost both parents.

Khojaly is one of one of the most gruesome and tragic acts of genocide in recent history.

And, for the most part, it is a massacre disremembered, given only a passing mention  if any  in most modern-day history texts.

But for the people of Azerbaijan, the haunting anamnesis of the ruthless decimation of an entire village will be engrained in their collective memory forever.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 10:28 (UTC+04:00)

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America, have released a statement expressing their concern over the escalation of violence on the line of contact between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to reports from the Ministries of Defense of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as other sources, in the early morning of February 25 there was a serious breach of cease fire on the Line of Contact, resulting in casualties. Several bodies remain in the no-man's land. The Sides accuse each other of an incursion attempt, the Co-Chairs said in the statement.

The Co-chairs urged the parties to keep heavy military equipment, which had been moved earlier close to the LOC, in its present positions and to allow recovery of the dead, as it was agreed upon under mediation of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

The co-chairs reminded the Parties of their commitments to refrain from the use of force.

Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from February 24 to February 25.

The Armenian side attempted to seize favorable positions on the Khojavand-Fuzuli part of the frontline, said the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, adding heavy battles took place between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.

The Armenian sides large-scale provocation attempt was timely detected and resolutely prevented. Azerbaijani military units courageously prevented the attacks and the Armenian side was forced to retreat. Azerbaijan has casualties as a result of the battles.

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.

---

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27 February 2017 10:39 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Armenian Armed Forces continue to take action in order to escalate the situation along the entire frontline.

Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian side has once again tried to carry out provocation in the direction of Talish village.

The enemy's attempts to approach to the positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces were strongly suppressed thanks to the vigilance of Azerbaijani military units located on frontline, the ministry said, adding that the enemy suffered losses and was forced to retreat.

Azerbaijani Armed Forces did not suffer any losses.

Overall, the Armenian armed units shattered ceasefire with Azerbaijan a total of 129 times throughout the day using 60 and 82-millimeter mortars (a total of 9 shells) and large-caliber machine guns.

The Armenian armed forces, stationed in Armenia`s Shavarshavan, Voskevan and Dovekh villages and nameless hills in Noyemberyan district, Chinari and Aygedzor villages in Berd, Paravakar village in Ijevan districts subjected to fire the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces located in Farahli, Kohnegishlag, Gushchu Ayrim, Kamarli villages and nameless hills in Gazakh district, Munjuglu and Aghbulag villages in Tovuz district.

The ceasefire was also violated in Chilaburt and Goyarkh villages in Tartar district , Shikhlar, Sarijali, Namirli, Garagashli, Javahirli and Merzili villages in Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village in Khojavand district, Gorgan, Horadiz, Ashagi Veyselli and Garakhanbayli villages in Fuzuli district, Mehdili village in Jabrayil district as well as nameless hills in Tartar, Khojavand , Goronboy, Aghdam, Jabrayil and Fuzuli districts.

Given the operational situation, the Azerbaijani army took adequate retaliatory actions.

Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims. Since the 1990s war, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal, but they have not been enforced to this day.

---

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27 February 2017 11:31 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Armenia has violated the rules for relocating bodies of Azerbaijani soldiers from the battlefield, achieved with participation of international mediators, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported on February 27.

Through the mediation of the OSCE and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives, it was planned to take appropriate measures at 12:00 on February 26 in order to remove bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen Abdullayev Agshin Ismayil oglu, Nazarov Shahlar Yashar oglu, Hashimli Tural Abdul oglu, Gadimov Zulfu Rahim oglu and Jafarov Zakir Nazim oglu, who were killed over the night from February 24 to 25 while preventing the large-scale provocations committed by Armenian Armed Forces along the front line, the Defense Ministry said.

However, when the removal process was started, Armenia, in violation of conditions agreed in advance in the presence of international mediators, deliberately put forward new demands to interfere in the operation.

Furthermore, the enemy fired from weapons and artillery systems of various calibers on Azerbaijani positions in several directions of the frontline and attempted to carry out a diversion in a planned way in several directions, said the Ministry.

Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from February 24 to February 25.

The Armenian side attempted to seize favorable positions on the Khojavand-Fuzuli part of the frontline, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported earlier.

The Armenian sides large-scale provocation attempt was timely detected and resolutely prevented. Azerbaijani military units courageously prevented the attacks and the Armenian side was forced to retreat. Azerbaijan has casualties as a result of the battles.

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.

---

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27 February 2017 11:37 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) continues operations on mine cleaning in the Jojug Marjanli village.

The village was liberated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the Armenian occupation in April 2016.

On February 26, ANAMA held an operation on cleaning a territory of 36,835 square meters of Jojug Marjanli. The Agency discovered 482 fragments of exploded ordnance, one unexploded part of a missile engine PQ-7, two anti-personnel mines OZM-72, two anti-tank mines TM-57, and 24 MVZ-57 fuses of anti-tank mines.

In general, a territory of 653,059 square meters and 89 houses were cleared by ANAMA since the beginning of operations in Jojug Marjanli. Following ANAMA's demining operations, the work on construction of new houses will be launched in the liberated village.

ANAMA was established in 1998 for planning and coordination, management and monitoring of mine action related activities all over the country.

ANAMA cleared more than 393,832,826 square meters of Azerbaijans territory, discovered and defused over 754,010 pieces of unexploded ordnance since the beginning of its activity. Most of the unexploded ordnance is the result of Armenian aggression.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

--

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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Old-school bOING bOING editor Jon Lebkowsky invites everyone to Cyberpunk2017, the Annual EFF/EFF-Austin SXSW Afterparty in Austin, Texas, Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 5pm to 1am! It's free!



Jon writes:

Our latest EFF/EFF-Austin event takes a cyberpunk perspective on 2017, exploring how our vision of the future has changed over the last forty years of science-fiction made real, and considering this year as a turning point in the way we live our lives and participate in our society, as well as our sense of personal autonomy.





Cyberpunk imagined a world where the average person's autonomy and privacy is commoditized and exploited by the shadowy machinations of global forces beyond our comprehension. "Information wants to be free," and when a person's image, voice, and words all manifest as data, their personal identity is potentially free for the taking.





In a world where dead actors are resurrected as data objects in major motion picture blockbusters, where a billion people's account data can be stolen by a few rogue hackers, where software can edit video to show a person doing and saying things they never actually did or said, where services are free because users are the product, where truth is secondary to narrative, how can we hope to ensure that privacy and the right to one's data and representation remains a fundamental, enshrined, and preserved right?





Taking place at The Butterfly Bar/The Vortex on Saturday, March 11th from 5:00pm-1:00am, there will be free drinks for our supporters who register in advance as well as illuminating talks from a variety of speakers including Cory Doctorow, Jon Lebkowsky, David DeMaris, Todd Manning, Jonathan Morgan, Owen McNally, and others. Special guests Neil Harbisson, Bruce Sterling, and Moon Rivas may be in attendance as well, confirmation pending. There will also be cutting-edge electronic music from Michael Garfield, Electronic Planet Ensemble, UBA, Erich Ragsdale, and others, 8-bit LED video games, representatives from private communications non-profit The Operator Foundation, antique WWII-era spygear, projections, an interactive generative music station, cyberpunk cosplayers, lockpicking, and much more!
27 February 2017 10:58 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan will showcase its production branded Made in Azerbaijan at Gulfood 2017 exhibition, the worlds largest annual food and beverage trade show.

The participation of the country is organized by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) with the support of Economy Ministry.

The exhibition is taking place from February 26 to March 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Earlier, the ministry held a competition for those wishing to take part in the exhibition, while some 24 companies got a chance to participate.

The stand of the country will exhibit a range of traditional Azerbaijani specialties and delicacies such as fruit, tea, honey, confectionaries and other products. All costs (related to the organization of the stand) are covered by the government.

In late 2016, with a view to bring the economy to a new level Azerbaijan started promoting the Made in Azerbaijan brand in foreign markets and developed a number of promotional mechanisms, including participation in international exhibitions.

Today Azerbaijan outputs more than 250 kinds of home-made products in food, light, heavy and construction industries.

A total of 3 million manats ($1.71 million) was allocated out of the Azerbaijani Presidents Reserve Fund in the 2016 State Budget to finance the export support measures.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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27 February 2017 11:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan and its southern neighbor Iran continue to explore business opportunities for expanding the economic ties.

An Azerbaijani business delegation, headed by Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, paid a visit to Iran on February 22-24 and participated in business forums and business meetings in Ardebil and Urmia.

The visit was aimed at bolstering of relations, integration of regional transport networks, as well as implementation of mutually advantageous business projects. Such spheres as agriculture, banking sector, pharmaceutics, as well as cooperation within the international North-South Transport Corridor were in the focus.

Mustafayev, talking about results of the visit, said that the Islamic Republic intends to expand investments in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijans economy. He said that Iran has so far invested some $2.7 billion in the Azerbaijani economy, however, most of the investments account for the oil sector.

Investments in oil sector amounted to $2.6 billion, and Iranian companies have already received a $1.7-billion income from these investments, Mustafayev said.

The sides anew demonstrated that they are determined to increase their non-oil trade as the current level of cooperation in the sphere is far from the existing potential. Investments in Azerbaijans non-oil sector from Iran amounted to only about $150 million, which does not satisfy either of the sides. The trade turnover between the countries hit some $15.77 million in January 2017, while the index of the last year stands at $9.56 million.

Mustafayev went on to add that the two countries have already created several joint ventures and their number will increase in the future. Some 538 companies with Iranian capital are operating in Azerbaijan.

Cooperation may be established between Azerbaijan and Maku Free Trade Zone, Mustafayev said, noting that Urmia`s businessmen would benefit from Azerbaijan`s opportunities and will deliver products to the foreign markets.

Iranian ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi, who headed Iranian delegation, earlier said that the two countries would work to decrease dependence on oil.

He said that political and economic ties between the two countries have increased in recent years and the two sides have made serious efforts to boost mutual ties, mentioning that grounds have already been prepared for private sector investors from the two countries to launch mutual cooperation.

Cooperation in the banking sphere was also discussed during the visit. Mustafayev said that an Azerbaijani bank will soon open its branch in Iran, thus expanding Azerbaijans banking sector in the country.

I cannot say what bank it will be, but, I want to note that now work is underway to create a relevant legal base. Besides, the issue of raising the status of the Baku branch of Bank Melli Iran is being considered, he said.

Iran's Central Bank Chief Valiollah Seif earlier told Trend that it is planned to create a new bank with 100 percent of Iranian capital in Azerbaijan. He said Bank Melli Irans branch in Azerbaijan will turn into an independent Azerbaijani bank, and all the shares of the new bank will be owned by Bank Melli Iran.

Expansion of the ties in aviation sector was also high on agenda. The number of non-stop flights between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Azerbaijan is expected to be increased in the short run. Mustafayev said that non-stop flight between Gabala and Urmia are planned to be operated in the near future.

"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.

The tourist flow between the two countries intensified with the introduction of simplified visa regime, which has come into force starting from January 10, 2017. Iranian citizens became eligible to register visas for entry into Azerbaijan via the ASAN Viza system, as a result of which, they got a right to obtain visas within three days.

Since February 2010, Iran unilaterally abolished its visa regime for all citizens of Azerbaijan. The citizens of Azerbaijan can travel to Iran and stay in the country without visa from 15 to 90 days.

The Islamic Republic may also join Azerbaijan-Georgia- Turkey trilateral format of cooperation.

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. This step can attract Iran to this format, leading to future quadrilateral business forums. We want to attract Iran to this event as well and we are working in this direction, Mustafayev said.

The minister added that work is also underway to create a trilateral cooperation format between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran.

Azerbaijan and Iran have signed two memorandums of understanding as part of a joint business forum in Ardabil.

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.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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27 February 2017 13:08 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan has managed to maintain the unemployment rate at the level of five percent.

Labor and Social Protection Minister Salim Muslimov said that last year employment authorities of the country provided employment for some 56,631 people, while the figure is twofold higher than the index fixed in 2015 (28,000 people).

As a result we have managed to keep the unemployment rate at the level of five percent, which is by far lower index as compared to that in developed countries. For instance, in Spain the rate stands at 19.6 percent, in France  9.9 percent and Sweden  6.9 percent, he said.

The minister went on to add that the government will continue to pursue its employment policy, adding that new work places are being created within the policy of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Some 40,000 people were provided with a job in January-February 2017, he said.

He further said that the country has also managed to maintain poverty level at a range of 5-6 percent.

This is one of the lowest rates among CIS states, as well as among Eastern European countries, he said.

Over the past five years, the State Employment Service under the Ministry has provided employment for about 30,000 people. Most of them are young people.

In tote, over the past 10 years, the number of people attracted to professional training courses by employment agencies and receiving additional education increased 2.5 times. Some 34,400 unemployed people were registered in Azerbaijan as of September 1, 2016, with 37.8 percent of them being women.

Muslimov also said that a special attention has been recently attributed to programs of self-employment.

Roughly 200 people received financial means in the regions of the country within last two months. By the end of January the figure was 103. By late April, the number of people is expected to amount to 1, 430, he said.

In 2016, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on additional measures in the field of self-employment and allocated some 6 million manats ($ 3.43 million) from the Presidential Reserve Fund to the Ministry.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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27 February 2017 12:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

This year marks the 25th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and India.

The Embassy of India in Baku and the Indian Association invite everyone to join Cultural Evening and Reception scheduled for February 28.

Lovers of Indian food will have a great opportunity to sample the flavors of Indian cuisine.

The event will be held in the State Musical Theatre named after Rashid Behbudov. The event will start at 19:00.

India is a land of diversity in race, region, caste, language, flora and fauna and so on.

India has close and friendly relations with Azerbaijan and was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan and establish diplomatic ties.

Last year the trade and economic exchanges between India and Azerbaijan progressed from strength to strength, increasing by 63 percent in 2016 as compared to 2015.

Building on Indias ONGC Videsh presence as a shareholder in AzeriChiragGunashli oilfield and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC), Indian companies are keen for partnership in undertaking projects in petrochemical sector such as building and renovating oil refineries. The companies are also eager to make use of opportunities in non-oil sectors, like agriculture and pharmaceuticals and information technology.

This visa would soon become available to Azerbaijani travelers who plan to visit India for recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit. The visa applicants can apply online and it would not require any facilitation by any intermediary/agents.



In December 2016, Azerbaijan also included India among the 81 countries whose citizens can take advantage of ASAN Visa through ASAN Visa Portal designed to simplify the procedure for issuing visas to foreigners.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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27 February 2017 13:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

YARAT Contemporary Art Space invites everyone to enjoy Second Bullet, a short film by a young director Natig Rauslov.

The film's screening will take place on February 28.

"Second Bullet" features events happening during the wedding day in one Azerbaijani village. In order to inform all villagers about the outcome of the first wedding night, people resort to tradition named second bullet. But, due to a small mistake, all things go wrong and characters confront difficult situation.

The producer of the film is Nariman Mammadov, cinematographer-Kirill Gerra, executive producer-Emin Guliyev.The cast includes honored artists Vidadi Hasanov, Nasiba Eldarova, Husniyya Murvatova, actors Manaf Dadashov, Elmin Badalov, Elgun Hamidov and Leyla Valiyeva.

Film will be shown in Azerbaijani language.

The even will start at 19:00.

YARAT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing an understanding of contemporary art in Azerbaijan and to creating a platform for Azerbaijani art, both nationally and internationally. Based in Baku, YARAT (meaning CREATE in Azerbaijani) was founded by Aida Mahmudova in 2011.

YARAT realizes its mission through an on-going program of exhibitions, education events and festivals. YARAT facilitates exchange between local and international artistic networks including foundations, galleries and museums.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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27 February 2017 16:04 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and the United States signed a memorandum on reopening of American stands in the countrys regions.

The agreement was inked on February 23, as Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev received U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta.

The memorandum envisages reopening of American stands in Ganja, Khachmaz, Salyan and Kurdamir regions.



The project will take an important place in the ministry's work plan for 2017, said Garayev, commenting on the memo.



I hope that the U.S. will also take part in one of the important projects organized by Azerbaijan soon. This is the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue organized by UNESCO, UN Alliance Civilization, World Tourism Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, European Union, ISESCO, North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and scheduled for May 4-6. As you see this forum is supported by worlds leading organizations. I hope that the U.S. will also be seriously interested in the project, the minister said, noting that Azerbaijan has already sent a letter on participation to the U.S. Secretary of State.

In turn, Cekuta noted that MoU will be beneficial for the two countries and will serve both Azerbaijani and U.S. citizens to obtain useful information.

If to consider that the project includes not only culture, but also tourism field, then we will stimulate development of relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijani tourism agencies. American stands will be installed in libraries and will give a chance for local residents to use internet and educational materials for free, the ambassador explained.

Cekuta is sure that the project is also an incredible opportunity for Azerbaijani young people to improve their English skills and learn more about the U.S. culture and society.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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27 February 2017 10:15 (UTC+04:00)

Afghanistan's Ambassador to Baku Mohammad Taqi Khalili, Ambassador sent a message to the Azerbaijani people over the 25th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

The message reads:

"In moments of reluctance, and in shame, and sometimes moved by a faint light of courage in the human conscience, the international community has met the ugly face of genocide on far too many occasions.

It is a meeting that often has ended in silence and in tears, and one which has forced upon the world a lingering question: to what extent are we, the global community, willing to defend the basic rights of man, to accept him not as we wish him to be, but as he is  culturally, socially, and ethnically? And for those amongst us who were not regarded as worthy of life, how can we now give life to our words so that people know when they hear us speak that they did not die in vain?

Today, deeply moved by the need to answer this question and to answer it sincerely, the people of Afghanistan, commemorate with the people of Azerbaijan, those precious lives that were lost in the tragic genocide of Khojaly on February 25-26 in 1992.

With you, we continue to demand justice for the crimes committed against innocent lives in Azerbaijani territories, and stand fully with the entire international community in our fidelity to the cause of speaking out against genocide not only today, but in every chapter of human history," he said.

--

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27 February 2017 15:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

On the background of increasing social protests in public, Armenia's government uses the bloody Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to prolong its life in power.

High tension on the frontline with the Azerbaijani troops helps the current regime to shift the public attention from internal problems to the grave situation on the conflict zone. This tactics turns out the favorite of Serzh Sargsyan's government, which basically includes people taking an active part in the occupation of 20 percent of internationally recognized territory of neighboring Azerbaijan.

Over the last few days, the Armenian Armed Forces have intensified their provocations and sabotages against Azerbaijan on the frontline.

If a week ago the Armenian side breached ceasefire on average 30-40 times a day, now the number of these provocations has increased fourfold to 130. The Armenian army uses mortars of various caliber, sniper rifles and large-caliber machine guns during ceasefire breaching.

Back in February 21, Azerbaijani Armed Forces prevented an act of sabotage by Armenia on the frontline. Azerbaijani army identified the actions of the Armenian side and carried out pre-emptive strikes on the Armenian positions. The enemy, suffering heavy losses, was forced to retreat.

On February 23, the Azerbaijani army detected another Armenian sabotage group trying to carry out provocation near the Talish and Gulustan villages. As a result of immediate measures, Azerbaijani Armed Forces forced the enemy to retreat.

Further, at midnight on February 25, the armed forces of Armenia attempted to penetrate into the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Armenian armed group aimed to conduct large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand-Fizuli direction of the frontline. After heavy battles between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Armenian attacks were prevented. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan had casualties during the battles.

It is noteworthy that this provocation of Armenia took place on the eve of the Khojaly genocide committed against the people of Azerbaijan 25 years ago. After the provocation, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group released a statement expressing their concern over the escalation of violence on the line of contact.

However, on February 27, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry disseminated another statement saying that the Armenian Armed Forces once again tried to commit provocation on the frontline, in the direction of Talish village. The enemy suffered losses and was again forced to retreat.

It is likely that Armenia will continue to take action in order to escalate the situation along the entire frontline.

Political analyst Arzu Nagiyev believes that the tension at the frontline is primarily connected with the parliamentary elections in Armenia scheduled for April 2.

He says that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the trump card in the hands of the Armenian ruling party, and therefore, Armenia always aggravates the situation in the conflict zone on the eve of important political events in Armenia.

The unresolved conflict and the status quo play into the hands of the leadership of Armenia. In this way, it keeps the power of the Karabakh clan and the rule of Serzh Sargsyan for a longer period, Nagiyev said.

Obviously, Armenia provides all the military and political provocations against Azerbaijan in order to prevent substantive negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

More than two decades have passed since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in 1994. For all these years, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been supposed to find a solution by peaceful means. However, the OSCE Minsk Group, which tries to resolve the conflict, still has not managed to make considerable progress.

The fault for this lies on the Armenian side, which always neglects and shows disregard to the negotiation process. The status quo in Nagorno Karabakh fully satisfies the Armenian leadership, which is afraid of being overthrown if Armenia comes to the negotiating table to resolve the long-lasting conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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27 February 2017 15:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Blogger Alexander Lapshin, who is under arrest in Baku, has one again met with his mother, Lapshins lawyer Eduard Chernin told Trend on February 27.

Chernin said that Bella Lapshin inquired her son about the conditions of detention and his health. The blogger did not express dissatisfaction with detention conditions.

The lawyer refused reports spread by some Armenian news media on Lapshins conditions of detention.

The aim of Armenians in disseminating such information is well-known. My client is kept in normal conditions, as he himself has repeatedly stated. He met twice with mother, and he has no complaint, the lawyer said.

He added that Lapshins spouse is also going to visit Baku. That is, there is no problem with regard to meetings and conditions of his detention. The information spread by Armenians is not true, Chernin noted.

Lapshin will stand trial in Baku for his illegal visits to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The blogger, who owns citizenships of several countries, paid a number of visits to Azerbaijan`s occupied lands, where he voiced support for "independence" of the illegal regime, and made public calls against Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territorial integrity. The blogger was arrested in Belarus and later was extradited from Minsk to Baku.

Earlier, representatives of the Russian and Israeli embassies in Azerbaijan met with Lapshin. After the meetings, the embassies confirmed that Lapshin has no complaints about conditions of detention. Representatives of the ICRC and Azerbaijan Ombudsman Office also met the blogger.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats of unauthorized visits to its territories that are occupied by Armenia, calling them contradictory to international law.

Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions pay special attention to the illegal activity in the occupied areas of Azerbaijan. The work is constantly carried out to prevent such illegal actions.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 10:03 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Chairman of Al Faisal Holding and the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani in Doha on February 26, Azertac reported.

The importance of the Azerbaijani President`s visit to Qatar in terms of the expansion of the bilateral relations was stressed at the meeting.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani recalled his Azerbaijan trip, and shared his good impressions of the country.

He described Azerbaijan as a modern and safe country. He hailed good attitude towards Qatari citizens in Azerbaijan. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani said they will visit Azerbaijan with a large delegation in the near future.

They discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of trade and investment.

Later, President Ilham Aliyev met with President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.

They discussed prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Qatar Petroleum, and highlighted the possibility of joint involvement in a number of projects.

They also exchanged views over the possibility of Qatar Petroleum`s participation in projects in the Caspian Sea or SOCAR`s projects in other countries.

---

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There's carry-on and checked baggage, but what do you call luggage that weighs 506 tons, including two Mercedes limousines and two elevators? It's just a nine-day trip to Indonesia, but Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz isn't leaving any of his creature comforts behind.

According to the Washington Post:

The Saudi royal is expected to bring 459 metric tonnes (506 U.S. tons) of cargo with him on his trip  including two Mercedes-Benz s600 limousines and two electric elevators The Jakarta Post reports that the Saudi group will total about 1,500 people, including 10 ministers, 25 princes and at least 100 security personnel.

But apparently this isn't excessive, relatively speaking.

While the Saudi king's colossal cargo hold may seem large, it is not necessarily out of scale with other world leaders. When President Barack Obama visited sub-Saharan Africa in 2013, he was accompanied by 56 support vehicles, including 14 limousines, and hundreds of U.S. Secret Service agents tasked with helping secure locations in Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania.

It'll be the first time in 46 years that the King has traveled to Indonesia, and with that kind of packing checklist, it's a wonder he travels at all.
27 February 2017 09:57 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The Endless Corridor film was has been screened at Nizami cinema center on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

Prior to the screening vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva viewed an exhibition of photos reflecting atrocities committed in Khojaly.

The screening was attended by officials of the Administration of the Azerbaijani President, MPs, representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations, and representatives of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS).

A multi-award-winning independent documentary, Endless Corridor is a film produced and directed by Aleksandras Brokas. Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, it has invariably proved deeply moving to its audiences  reducing some to tears.

Produced at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, the film covers the events and the aftermath of the massacre of 613 people that took place in February 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It follows two journalists, Lithuanian Ricardas (Richard) Lapaitis and Russian Victoria Ivleva, as they return to Azerbaijan to discover what had happened to survivors they had met at the time.

Endless Corridor premiered at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in London in 2014.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 13:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijans first national navigation system AzNav was presented by the Center for Information Technology and Information Management of the State Committee on Property Issues.

Committees Deputy Chairman Rustam Shahbazov, speaking at the presentation, said the SCPI has established Address Register Information System (ARIS) with the introduction of information and communication technologies, geographical information systems.

GPS navigation system "Aznav" was developed on the basis of ARIS data, according to Shahbazov.

"Aznav" is extremely helpful in cases of medical aid, fire, accident, police, emergency services and other activities. Also, the navigation system will simplify search for addresses and prevent loss of time. This system operates both online and offline. All mobile devices, phones and tablets of Android", "iOS" (Apple), Windows CE operating systems support the system.

Shahbazov noted that besides Azerbaijani language, "Aznav" also supports several languages.



"The system supports Russian, English, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish and Georgian languages, as well has an interface in the mentioned languages," he said.



The navigation database includes 353 towns and settlements, 5,321 villages, 759,227 buildings and structures, 77,972 facilitates, 117 bridges and 558 pedestrian crossings, 521 radar and monitoring road camera.

AzNav operates autonomously and does not require connection to the Internet for search and navigation, which is advantageous when using the system abroad.

Navigation AzNav base also includes maps of European countries, South and North America and Africa.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 11:24 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Irans President Hassan Rouhani plans to run for next term in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for May 19, 2017.

President Hassan Rouhani has decided to run for re-election in May, IRNA reported referring to Vice-President for Parliamentary Affairs Hosseinali Amiri

In recent weeks, Mr Rouhani has reached a conclusion to take part in the presidential elections, he told reporters.

President Rouhani won the 2013 presidential election, and if reelected, this will be his second term in office.

Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate who has pushed for greater social freedoms and improved ties with the West, has been widely expected to run for a second term but has yet to formally announce his candidature.

He remains popular for stabilizing the economy and ending sanctions through a nuclear deal with world powers. After lifting the sanctions, Rouhani visited a number of European states and made deals that worth billions of dollars. European companies started looking for investment opportunities in the growing Iranian market.

Many Iranians, however, consider the benefits have yet to trickle down to them and any profits could be at risk due to President Donald Trumps dislike of the deal as well as U.S. strained dialogue with the Islamic Republic.

Last October, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that the president intends to participate in presidential elections in 2017. The minister said that registration of candidates will take place from April 10-14, the election campaign officially will begin on April 27 and will last until May 16.

Fars News Agency reported earlier that a former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has no plans to run for the presidential elections next year.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 11:58 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The U.S. President Donald Trumps administration is considering the possibility to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, Politico magazine reported.

The Trump administration is considering pulling the United States out of the United Nations Human Rights Council, a body that has been accused of being biased against Israel and criticized for including abusive governments, according to two sources in regular contact with former and current U.S. officials.

No immediate withdrawal is expected ahead of the councils next session, which starts on February 27, the sources of Politico assured but stressed that the U.S. State Department chief Rex Tillerson had been increasingly skeptical of the UN body.

"Theres been a series of requests coming from the secretary of state's office that suggests that he is questioning the value of the U.S. belonging to the Human Rights Council," the departments former official familiar with the matter told Politico.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner did not confirm whether the issue was being considered and would only say that "our delegation will be fully involved in the work of the HRC session which starts on Monday."

Some of the concerns are that the council has been targeting Israel, a key U.S. ally, over its treatment of the Palestinian minority, including a perceived lenient jail term for an Israeli soldier who had killed an incapacitated Palestinian attacker. Washington has also been critical of the UN body for giving seats to China and Saudi Arabia.

In any case, even talks on abandoning the council are likely to alarm international activists which are already worried that the United States will take a lower profile on global human rights issues under President Donald Trump.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 13:58 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Syrian settlement will be high on the agenda during the talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during Erdogans upcoming visit to Moscow.

Adviser to the Turkish President Ilnur Cevik announced about this on February 27, RIA Novosti reported.

"Of course, it will be one of the most important issues they will discuss, Cevik said answering a question on the agenda of the upcoming talks scheduled for early March.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the Turkish President's visit to Russia and meeting with Putin on March 9-10.

The leaders are expected to discuss boosting up the bilateral relations and trade, especially in the fields of energy. The approval of a visa exemption for Turkish businessmen and politicians is also among the planned topics for the discussions.

Both leaders met earlier in October 2016 in Istanbul, where they discussed restoring trade, the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, and cooperation in Syria.

The Ankara-Moscow relations appear to be on the mend these days, after a drastic worsening in November 2015, when a Russian Su-24 bomber was shot down by the Turkish Air Force. Russia imposed a wave of economic sanctions against Turkey in response to the incident, with the two countries requiring over a year to mend relations.

Erdogan visited Russia in August 2016  his first meeting with Putin since the downing of the Russian jet. Both sides agreed to restore and develop relations.

In December, Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was shot and killed during a speech at an exhibition in Ankara by Mevlut Mert Altintas, a Turkish police officer. Erdogan condemned the attack and called for an investigation.

In February 2017, Russian airstrikes accidentally killed three Turkish soldiers and injured 11 others in northern Syria. Putin immediately apologized for the incident. Ankara said it was satisfied with the Kremlin's actions and statements.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 15:05 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Moscow and Tehran are discussing oil-for-goods swap. The barter deal would see Moscow buy Iranian oil in exchange for Russian equipment and goods.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, talking to reports on the sidelines of an economic forum in Sochi on February 27, said that he expects the deal to be reached "within weeks."

In the coming weeks we will work at the accelerated pace. All depends on the process of coordination. We are discussing terms of supplies. Authorized agency is Promsiryoimport, a trading unit of Russia's Energy Ministry, Ria Novosti quoted the minister as saying.

Earlier, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh announced that Iran would begin selling 100,000 barrels of oil a day to Russia receive payment half in cash and half in goods and services.

Briefing the media following his meeting with Novak in Tehran, Zanganeh said a number of Russian companies had already signed MoUs with Iranian companies.

Of course, we were ready to sign the contract tonight [February 21] but our Russian counterpart was in a hurry and had to go to the airport, Zanganeh said.

The attractiveness of the mechanism for the Islamic Republic was high during the era of international sanctions as the scheme eliminated an obstacle that the country was facing in selling its oil to other nations.

The hamper was due the fact that nearly all oil transactions worldwide are conducted in dollars, while U.S. sanctions limited Iran's access to the greenback.

In late 2016, eased sanctions on Iran following landmark nuclear agreement, allowed businesses to do dollar transactions with Iran by offshore banking institutions as long as they do not enter the US financial system.

However, Novak earlier said that Russia and Iran can implement the "oil-for-goods" deal despite lifting of the sanctions earlier imposed on Iran.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 15:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Talks on consolidating the Syrian ceasefire held in Kazakhstan this year helped jumpstart the United Nations-led peace negotiations in Geneva.

The ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Syria that was formed at Astana talks last month has laid the foundation toward resuming UN-backed negotiations in Geneva, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 27, RIA Novosti reported.

"A mechanism to monitor the ceasefire has been established, that is, in fact, the most important foundation which provided the opportunity to continue the Geneva talks," Putin said.

He thanked Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev for organizing the Astana talks, stressing that Kazakhstan "has played a very positive role not only as a host and organizer of this event but also influenced the positive results of the meeting in Astana."

Moscow does not rule out an international meeting on Syria after peace talks in Geneva, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said.

"So far we dont have such plans, although I do not rule it out as it is a very important form of collective efforts but for now we have to, first of all, discuss the plans for the future with our American partners in the framework of International Syria Support Group (ISSG)," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian side also hopes that the Syrian opposition will create a unified delegation at the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, according to Bogdanov.

"We hope [to create a unified delegation of the opposition], because, ultimately, they all came there to perform the UN Security Council resolution 2254, and thats why the common goal is clear, but, as I understand it, each delegation has certain nuances in the interpretation of the resolution," Bogdanov told reporters at the conference on the Middle East, organized by Valdai international discussion club.

He stressed that the task of the negotiation process is to come to a common interpretation eventually.

In January, the first round of talks in Astana resulted in Moscow-Tehran-Ankara agreement on the establishment of a tripartite mechanism to monitor the ceasefire in Syria. Many experts assessed the agreement between Russia, Turkey, and Iran on the establishment of a tripartite mechanism as a step to a political solution which might end the six-year war.

Armed conflict continues in Syria since March 2011. Government troops are confronted by militants of different armed rebel groups. Russia has begun airstrikes on terrorist facilities in Syria since 30 September 2015. The Russian military involvement follows an official request from President Bashar Assad to President Vladimir Putin.

The UN has repeatedly tried and failed to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed 300,000 and displaced 11 million since it began five years ago.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 15:54 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The EU Council on February 27 adopted a regulation on visa liberalization for Georgians travelling to the EU for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period.

The Council and the European Parliament now need to sign the adopted regulation. The text will then be published in the EU Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days later, at the same time as the new visa waiver suspension mechanism, the Council reported.

The regulation formally amends regulation 539/2001, moving Georgia from Annex I (countries whose nationals need a visa to enter the Schengen area) to Annex II (visa free countries). Georgian citizens with a biometric passport travelling to the EU for up to 90 days for business, tourist or family purposes will no longer need a visa. These measures will not apply to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The signing ceremony of the agreement on visa-free regime between Georgia and the European Union countries is expected to be held in Brussels on March 1, 2017.

On March 9, 2016, the European Commission submitted to the European Parliament and the Council a legislative proposal on visa liberalization for Georgia. In late 2016, the EU approved the completion of the legislative process of providing the citizens of Georgia with the visa-free regime with the EU member states.

The prospect of easier travel to Europe has been used by the pro-Western government in Tbilisi to win popular backing for EU-sponsored reforms.

Negotiations on visa liberalization for Georgia began back in 2008 as part of the Eastern Partnership Program. Georgia entered the practical phase of those talks in 2012 as it prepared for associate EU membership. Georgia abolished visa requirements for EU citizens back in 2006.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has made appointments to form a new government.

The appointments come after the February 12 presidential election, where Berdimuhamedov was re-elected for a third term.

Berdimuhamedova ppointed Purli Agamyradov as minister of education, Nurmuhammet Annanepesov as minister of health and medical industry, Toyly Komekov as chairman of the State Committee for Sports, and Gulshat Orazmuhammedova as minister of culture, the Turkmen government said in a message.

He also appointed Akmyrat Khudayberdiyev as chairman of the State Publishing Service, Bekdurdy Amansaryev as chairman of the State Information Agency, and Serdar Cholukov as chairman of the State Committee for Tourism.

Chary Gylyjov was appointed as chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber.

Berdimuhamedov dismissed the Cabinet of Ministers on February 17 due to formation of a new government. The members of the Government were instructed to carry out their duties until the adoption of a new composition of the cabinet of Ministers.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 February 2017 17:43 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Ankara wants to cooperate with the United States in Syria on the condition that Washington ends its support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey.

Senior Adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Ilnur Cevik said that U.S. President Donald Trump could become a vital partner to the Russian and Turkish leaders on Syria if he recognizes the importance of Moscow-Ankara contacts, Sputnik reported.

"Russia and Turkey currently play a very constructive role in the international arena. If Trump is really a wise politician and leader, he would see the closeness of the relationship between [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, and would serve as a third force to strengthen this dialogue," Ilnur Cevik said at a conference on Russian-Turkish ties.

Armed conflict continues in Syria since March 2011. Government troops are confronted by militants of different armed rebel groups. The UN has repeatedly tried and failed to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed 300,000 and displaced 11 million since it began five years ago.

Cevik further expressed hope for a constructive cooperation on the Syrian settlement between Russia, Turkey and the United States.

"If Trump joins the position of Turkey and Russia on the Syrian settlement, I think all countries will benefit from that. We hope [Washington] will make the right decision," Cevik said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier said that Moscow was ready to consider Washington's initiatives on the cooperation on Syria.

--

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
GUANGZHOU -- Song Lin, former chairman of state-owned China Resources Group, stood trial on charges of embezzlement and bribery on Monday in South China's Guangzhou city.

The trial was handled by Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate People's Court. The procuratorate accused Song of embezzling over 9.74 million yuan ($1.42 million) from 2014 to 2013.

The accused is also alleged to have accepted 23.36 million yuan from 2005 to 2012 in return for helping other companies or individuals to secure project cooperation, promotion and other issues.

Song pled guilty to all charges.

Over 80 lawmakers, journalists and citizens attended the open trial.
Sean Spicer  spokesman for the leakiest White House in history  summoned his staff to a surprise meeting where they were forced undergo a "phone check" where they unlocked their phones to prove they had "nothing to hide."

Spicer then went on to lecture his staff that using privacy-oriented messaging apps like Signal and Confide "was a violation of the Presidential Records Act."

Word is that Spicer is worried that his boss  whose trademark, after all, is to bark "you're fired"  is growing impatient with the the shambolic nature of White House communications, and that this is why Trump staged his own, off-script, bizarre and ominous press-conference.

At the meeting, Spicer told his staff they'd be subjected to worse punishments if news of the meeting was leaked.

News of the meeting has now leaked.



But with mounting tension inside the West Wing over stories portraying an administration lurching between crises and simmering in dysfunction, aides are increasingly frustrated by the pressure-cooker environment and worried about their futures there. Within the communications office, the mood has grown tense. During a recent staff meeting, Spicer harshly criticized some of the work deputy communications director Jessica Ditto had done, causing her to cry, according to two people familiar with the incident. "The only time Jessica recalls almost getting emotional is when we had to relay the information on the death of Chief Ryan Owens," Spicer said, referring to the Navy SEAL killed recently in action in Yemen. Ditto also denied the accounts. "This is 100 percent not true," she said Sunday after the incident was reported. "Sean and I have a great working relationship." Spicer declined to comment about the leak crackdown.

Sean Spicer targets own staff in leak crackdown

[Annie Karni and Alex Isenstadt/Politico]

(Thanks, Hans!)
Aussie traders, huddle up!

Weve got a top-tier catalyst comin up from the La La Land Down Under this week in the form of a quarterly GDP report.

If youre thinking of trading this release, make sure you take note of these things.

Back-to-back GDP misses

First off, keep in mind that Australia just printed weaker than expected headline GDP readings for two consecutive quarters, which suggests that there could be a good chance of the actual figure undershooting forecasts once more.

Analysts had been expecting to see a 0.2% expansion for Q3 2016 but were surprised to find out that the economy contracted by 0.5% in reality. The Q2 reading also came in a notch lower than the 0.6% consensus, although it enjoyed an upward revision later on.

In fact, several revisions to previous releases can be seen, which goes to show that these folks dont always get things right the first time.

Maybe they got the wrong card? This also explains why the Aussie tends to have a muted reaction to the official release, but more on this later on.

Economic rebound expected

For Q4 2016, a rebound of 0.7% is expected as the previous drag from a huge slump in government investment isnt likely to come into play.

Aside from that, the economy probably got a big boost from trade activity since its December surplus grew to $3.5 billion due to a 5.4% jump in exports, following another trade surplus in November of $2.04 billion.

To top it off, business credit picked up pace in the last three months of 2016, likely translating to an increase in investment. Housing loans posted an increase, also another plus for investment activity, but consumer spending likely slowed on weaker personal credit and retail sales for the period.

Also, keep in mind that the RBA projected that Q4 growth will come in at 2% year-over-year, at least according to its February Statement of Monetary Policy.

AUD price reaction

As mentioned earlier, the initial reaction of AUD pairs to the quarterly GDP report doesnt tend to last, possibly because traders are still holding out for revisions later on.

For AUD/USD, the price made a sharp drop upon seeing the headline figures but didnt head much further south. In fact, the price bounced off its intraday lows and proceeded to reverse the entire move in the succeeding sessions.

AUD/JPY also had a strong initial reaction to the data miss but it eventually recouped its losses until the next Asian session.

If youre trying to scalp pips off this report, you might want to consider waiting for the initial move to pan out then fading the reaction at least until the intraday highs or lows.
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Criminal proceedings against a man accused of gunning down three people in 2010 will remain suspended as attorneys attempt to gather more info
Heres what you need to know about getting a home loan as a retiree or senior.

6 min read Sep 29, 2022
South Sudan is starving and needs our prayers

Famine is the latest problem to beset one of the worlds most fragile states, and BMS World Mission is helping hundreds of people in desperate need



It wasnt supposed to be like this.



There was much hope when South Sudan became the worlds newest country in July 2011. Over 1.5 million people had lost their lives during decades of conflict with the north of Sudan. It was hoped, by breaking away, such hardship would come to an end.



But barely two years later a dispute between the President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Vice-President Riek Machar led to civil war which has exploited tribal divisions. More than 300,000 people have been killed and 3.5 million have been displaced, many of whom are living in extreme poverty.



Last week, a famine was declared by the UN in some parts of South Sudan, the first time in six years that a famine has been declared anywhere in the world.



BMS has already been responding to the desperate situation in South Sudan, alongside Christian partners around the world. In 2015, it helped 2,000 displaced families in Narus, providing them a kit containing blankets, plastic sheets, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, fishing nets, hooks and jerry cans.



In autumn 2016, BMS helped provide food packages (maize flour, rice and beans) and emergency relief kits (blankets, mosquito nets and cooking utensils) for around 500 needy families living close to Juba. One woman who received the relief, spoke for many families when she said how thankful they were for our support. When we arrived here after fleeing from our homes we came with nothing, she said. The blankets, mosquito nets and the food we received will make our stay here more bearable.



As well as emergency relief, BMS has also been responding to the many cases of gender based violence (GBV) that have taken place during the civil war in South Sudan. Research by the BMS-supported We Will Speak Out Coalition in 2016, when many survivors of sexual violence bravely shared their horrific experiences, was taken up with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by BMS Deputy Director for Mission Steve Sanderson.



Steve says that BMS is looking into other ways to support South Sudan and has something to say to all UK Christians.



The insecurity in South Sudan has led to death, displacement and now famine. I urge all BMS supporters to pray for the country and its desperate people, he said.





Please pray for South Sudan in your church services, home groups and quiet times. Pray for:



 all those displaced in South Sudan who are struggling to survive

 healing for survivors of GBV during the conflict

 international efforts to bring an end to the fighting

 guidance as BMS explores ways it can best help the people of South Sudan further through the local church





This article first appeared on the website of BMS World Mission and is used with permission.

BMS World Mission, 27/02/2017
Former President George W. Bush will be in Tampa Monday for a book signing.

President George W. Bush to visit MacDill Air Force Base

Bush to sign new book, Portraits of Courage

Book signing held 2:30 p.m. Monday

The 43rd president of the United States will visit MacDill Air Force Base to sign copies of his new book titled Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors.

Portraits of Courage is a collection of oil paintings by Bush depicting stories of military servicemen and women and honoring their sacrifice and courage. Proceeds of the book benefit the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Military Service Initiative.

The book signing starts at 2:30 p.m. It will be held at MacDill Air Force Base Surf's Edge Club. For more information call 813-840-2020.
San Marcos officials gave a consensus on five proposed rule changes to its city parks Tuesday.

The proposed regulations, which affect parking and picnic sites, among other things, would go into effect Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kick off for tubing season in Central Texas said city spokesman Trey Hatt in an email to mySA.com.

RELATED: Texas fisherman shares surprise encounter with 4-foot-long river snake

Hatt said city staff are currently moving picnic tables away from the river, and all other changes will be addressed by ordinance changes and will be presented to city council in March or April.

"I think the residents of San Marcos have been feeling this crunch for years," said Councilwoman Lisa Prewitt, Place 1. "We just kind of quit going to the parks on weekends a lot. I think it would be nice for residents here to start to have that opportunity again."

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
Orange police are searching for man after the aggravated robbery of a Chevron Food Mart.

Orange police officer were dispatched to the store at 2323 Lutcher Dr. at 9:14 p.m. on Saturday, according to a release from the department.

Police said determined that the clerk had been robbed of an undetermined amount of money by a man with an unknown weapon.

The suspect fled in a maroon colored vehicle heading eastbound on an I-1o feeder road, according to the release.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange Police Department Detective Division at (409) 883-1095.
Here are 10 top revenue cycle management leaders at healthcare vendors.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order.

Wesley Arnett. Executive Vice President of Deployment at R1 RCM (Chicago). Mr. Arnett has worked for R1, formerly Accretive Health, for more than a decade. In his current position, he helps with onboarding new customers and integrating the company's Performance StackTM offering into customers' organizations, among other duties. Mr. Arnett also previously led the company's East Region.

Sam Champagnie. Senior Director of Health Information Management Operations at himagine solutions (St. Louis). Ms. Champagnie has more than two decades of healthcare business management experience focusing on large national health systems. She has experience in a number of areas, such as revenue cycle management, optimization and consolidation of business office operations, and developing healthcare reimbursement strategies. Prior to joining himagine solutions, Ms. Champagnie was vice president of revenue cycle at Physician Partners of America in Tampa, Fla.

Ken Christensen. COO for Physician RCM Services at Conifer Health Solutions (Tinley Park, Ill.). Mr. Christensen has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare services. He has served in his current role since January 2015. Prior to joining Conifer Health, he was senior vice president of operations at SPi Healthcare, an integrated revenue cycle and clinical documentation improvement firm. He also previously worked as a healthcare consultant at Professional Business Consultants in Oak Brook, Ill., and served as a practice manager at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

Steven Huddleston. President and Chief Client Officer at nThrive (Alpharetta, Ga.). Mr. Huddleston is responsible for sales, consulting, client success, channel partnerships and commercial operations for nThrive's revenue cycle offerings. Prior to taking on his current role, he was chief strategy and transformation officer at nThrive. Mr. Huddleston also previously served as senior advisor at private equity firm Pamplona Capital Management, and in 2011 helped launch Parallon, a wholly owned health services subsidiary of Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville.

Jeff Hurst. Senior Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management at Cerner and President of RevWorks (Kansas City, Mo.). Mr. Hurst has worked for Cerner since September 2016. At Cerner, he focuses on accountability for the company's revenue cycle business, including strategy and market success. Previously, he served as senior vice president and senior finance officer at Florida Hospital in Orlando. Outside of this experience, he spent a decade serving in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Hurst earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a master's degree in business administration from Creighton University in Omaha.

Jennifer Igel. Vice President of Client Operations at Optum360 (Phoenix). Ms. Igel oversees revenue cycle management operations for San Francisco-based Dignity Health, one of the company's clients. She previously served in leadership positions at Dignity Health, including senior director of revenue services. Ms. Igel earned a master's degree in health services administration from Arizona State University in Tempe and a bachelor's degree in biology from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University.

David J. Law. Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Zotec Partners (Carmel, Ind.). Mr. Law heads Zotec's business development and marketing strategies. He is part of various industry organizations, including the Radiology Business Management Association and the American College of Radiology. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Butler University in Indianapolis.

Mike Morris. President of Xtend Healthcare (Hendersonville, Tenn.). Mr. Morris has more than 25 years of revenue cycle management experience. In his current role, which he began last year, he is responsible for Xtend's operations and customer performance. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of North Texas in Denton. He is part of various industry organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Pete Thompson. Senior Solutions Architect at ClearBalance (San Diego). Mr. Thompsonhas worked for ClearBalance since 2004. In his current position, he is responsible for client solution design, including financial modeling and return on investment analysis, among other duties, according to the company. Prior to his current role, he held various client program performance roles, including management of the funding department and director of client services. Mr. Thompson also previously served as a senior analyst with Cardinal Health, a healthcare services company based in Dublin, Ohio.

Ryan Wise. Vice President of Emerging Services at athenahealth (Lexington, Mass.). Mr. Wise has worked for athenahealth for nearly 20 years. In his current role, he leads revenue cycle management for the company. Prior to taking on that role, he held various other positions at athenahealth, including vice president of enterprise operations, vice president of product strategy and vice president of product innovation. Athenahealth said he played a key role in founding and scaling the company's cloud-based RCM services, designing services and software to scale from 20 providers to more than 87,000. Mr. Wise also headed the extension of athenaCollector services into hospitals, the company added.
Humble (Texas) Surgical Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 24, after a judge ordered the hospital to pay Aetna $51.4 million in an out-of-network billing case in December.

In its bankruptcy petition, Humble Surgical Hospital certified it had liabilities of at least $50 million and assets of at least $10 million. The hospital said in its filing that it has between 200 and 999 creditors.

Humble Surgical Hospital's bankruptcy comes after a judge ordered the hospital to pay Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna $51.4 million, including nearly $10 million in interest, in a seven-year-old court battle over the hospital's out-of-network charges.

Aetna sued Humble Surgical Hospital in 2012, alleging the hospital had charged 10-times market rates for out-of-network procedures. The insurance company contended Humble Surgical Hospital offered discounts to out-of-network patients so their fees were similar to in-network patients, but billed Aetna higher rates as an out-of-network provider. The court denied Humble Surgical Hospital's motion to reconsider the judgment earlier this month.

Regarding the hospital filing for bankruptcy, Edward L. Rotherberg, who is representing Humble Surgical Hospital in its bankruptcy case, told the Houston Chronicle the hospital was solvent prior to the judgment in the Aetna case. Mr. Rotherberg said he doesn't anticipate the hospital being able to generate enough revenue to satisfy the judgment.

Anjie Coplin, director of communications for Aetna, told the Houston Chronicle, "Aetna plans to actively participate in the bankruptcy proceeding to ensure that our customers receive payment."

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Despite revenue jump, LifePoint's net income falls 31% in 2016

Bankrupt California hospital closes
Wired and HP have worked together to find 10 individuals who are rethinking the modern day hospital, whether through IT initiatives or improved means of waste management.

Here are the Wired HP Re-Inventors.

1. Gary Cohen, president and cofounder of Health Care Without Harm. Mr. Cohen is working to reduce hospitals' waste and therefore decrease their harm on the environment. His efforts have already helped Boston-based Beth Israel-Deaconess and thousands of other healthcare facilities remove mercury thermometers.

2. Dr. Paul Schmidt, consultant physician in acute medicine at Portsmouth Hospitals Trust. Dr. Schmidt designed an electronic system  called VitalPAC  that helps monitor and record patients' vital signs at their bedside. The mobile system, which has been proved to decrease death rates, has already been implemented at 51 hospitals in the United Kingdom.

3. Ake Ostman, CEO of AISAB. Based in Sweden, AISAB was the first in the country to make an "environmental ambulance," which removed environmentally harmful chemicals and plastics and reduced hazardous effects on the planet.

4. Fabrice Goffin, managing partner at Zora Robotics. Mr. Goffin's company, Zora Robotics, is using robots in patient-facing roles. A few of the company's bots are capable of holding conversations with elderly patients. Zora Robotics' technology is also being tested as robot hospital receptionists in Belgium.

5. Erik S. Poulsen, MD, CEO and cofounder of Cortrium. Dr. Poulsen and his company have created a Bluetooth device that records patients' vital signs, including their body temperatures. If future tests prove fruitful, the device could allow physicians to remotely monitor patients from home.

6. Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics. Neuroelectronics has developed devices that stimulate and treat the human brain. Through wearables and other wireless software, Ms. Maiques' company is working to make brain scanning more mobile.

7. Stefan van Rooijen, MD, PhD, CEO and founder of VisitU. In 2015, Dr. van Rooijen launched VisitU, which uses virtual reality headsets to enable patients to see outside the hospital's walls. Patients can see and speak with family and friends that are not in the medical facility.

8. Lucien Engelen, director of Radbound University Medical Centre's Radboundumc REshape Center for Innovation. With Mr. Engelen's assistance, the Netherlands-based RadboundumcREshapeCenter for Innovation has led the way in bringing technologies  like Google Glass  to a clinical setting. Mr. Engelen's next project involves launching the REshapeCenter for Healthcare Design.

9. Rufus Grig, former CTO of Azzurri Communications. In his work at Azzurri Communications, Mr. Grig helped University College London Hospitals implement a more effective digital strategy.

10. Lynn Britton, president and CEO of Mercy. St. Louis-based Mercy offers financial assistance programs for uninsured patients at 45 of its acute care and specialty hospitals and 700 of its physician practices. Mr. Britton has been with the nonprofit for more than 18 years.

Wired and HP also mentioned the work Switzerland-based Schulthess Klinik is doing to make its printer usage more environmentally friendly.
When anesthesiologist Brian Dunn, MD, went into liver failure last year, a fellow surgeon at Newport, Calif.-based Hoag Health System gave him an exceptional gift: a new kidney.

When Brian Dunn, MD, was 16, a physician discovered a large tumor in his stomach and an enlarged testicle, reports the Orange County Register.

"The doctor told me I had less than a 1 percent chance to live," said Dr. Dunn. "He told us to consider hospice care."

Dr. Dunn's parents took him to Indianapolis, where he was given a new combination of chemotherapy drugs that saved his life, but ruined his kidneys. Dr. Dunn went on to become the valedictorian of his graduating class in high school, before attending Stanford (Calif.) University for his undergrad and getting his medical degree from University of California, Irvine.

At age 25, physicians told Dunn his kidneys were failing. Without any hesitation, his mother gave him a kidney. While the kidney kept Dunn healthy for two decades, he started dialysis in April 2016.

Colleen Coleman, MD, a surgeon at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, had worked with Dr. Dunn for more than a decade in the operating room. After Dr. Coleman discovered she and Dr. Dunn had the same blood type, she took a test to see if she was a compatible donor match. The test came back negative and Dr. Dunn spent months unsuccessfully looking for other suitable matches.

It wasn't until last June that the testing company reached out to Dr. Coleman informing her there had been an error in her test, and she was in fact a match. The physicians underwent organ transplant surgeries on Jan. 30 and Dr. Dunn's health has improved dramatically.
From the co-founder of a physician-owned hospital in Dallas pleading guilty in a kickback case to a surgeon being sentenced to life in prison for maiming a patient, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.

1. Owner of medical supply company gets 27 years for fraud

Daniel Thomason Smith, owner of DTS Medical Supply in Devine, Texas, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in a $3.5 million healthcare fraud scheme.

2. Lawsuit claims DaVita steered patients to commercial plans to boost profits

The Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Georgia sued Denver-based DaVita for allegedly inflating its profits by steering Medicare and Medicaid patients to private insurers that paid DaVita 10 times more for dialysis treatments than the government health plans.

3. Bermuda's ex-premier denies taking bribes from Lahey

Bermuda's attorney general filed a lawsuit against Boston-based Lahey Hospital & Medical Center earlier this month accusing the hospital group of bribing the island's former premier Ewart F. Brown, MD, in exchange for preferential treatment in winning government healthcare contracts. In an interview with The Boston Globe last week, Dr. Brown defended his 20-year relationship with Lahey, claiming the lawsuit is racially and politically motivated.

4. Laundry provider responds in UPMC mold case: 9 things to know

After an internal report commissioned by Pittsburgh-based UPMC pointed to its outsourced laundry provider as the possible cause of a deadly mold outbreak that temporarily shut down UPMC's transplant program in 2015, the laundry provider has been roped into at least three lawsuits.

5. Co-founder of Forest Park Medical Center pleads guilty in kickback case

Richard Toussaint, MD, co-founder of physician-owned Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks and one count of commercial bribery.

6. Surgeon sentenced to life in prison for maiming elderly patient

Former neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, MD, PhD, was sentenced Feb. 20 to life in prison for injury to an elderly person, which is a first-degree felony.

More articles on legal and regulatory issues:

HHS: Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute are barriers to innovative payment models

Bankrupt Louisiana hospital faces lawsuit over layoff notification

TeamHealth to pay $60M to resolve false claims case
Daniel Thomason Smith, owner of DTS Medical Supply in Devine, Texas, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in a $3.5 million healthcare fraud scheme, according to the Department of Justice.

In June, Mr. Smith was convicted of 11 counts of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft, eight counts of aiding and abetting false statements related to a healthcare matter and one count each of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and aiding and abetting healthcare fraud.

Evidence presented during the trial showed Mr. Smith paid commission to individuals to recruit customers. One of Mr. Smith's co-conspirators used the information collected from customers to submit fraudulent claims to Medicaid and Medicare for powered wheelchairs. As part of the scheme, which ran from May 2006 to January 2010, Mr. Smith and his co-conspirators included physician names to support the false claims for reimbursement even though the physicians never prescribed a powered wheelchair for the customers. Although DTS billed Medicare and Medicaid for powered wheelchairs, the company delivered less expensive powered scooters to customers, according to the DOJ.

In addition to his prison term, Mr. Smith was ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution.

More articles on legal and regulatory issues:

Lawsuit claims DaVita steered patients to commercial plans to boost profits

Surgeon sentenced to life in prison for maiming elderly patient

Co-founder of Forest Park Medical Center pleads guilty in kickback case
Physicians are advocating on behalf of better payment model education in response to the possibility of healthcare policy changes, according to Hartford Business.

Here are six things to know:

1. New physicians don't know enough about the potentially beneficial financial models.

2. Steven Schultzer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and director of Hartford-based St. Francis' Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute believes that more doctors should learn about alternative payment structures: "It's not that complicated conceptually Operationally, it's incredibly complicated."

3. In December, Dr. Schultzer led a Hartford seminar with New England-area physician residents to discuss and learn about healthcare payment models.

4. An ongoing debate pins physicians advocating for increased payment system education against those who prioritize teaching the knowledge and skills needed to provide medical care.

5. Young physicians who understand various payment models are more attractive to physician groups.

6. The American College of Physicians has developed alternative model curriculums in the past. The programs are accessible to hospitals and have been downloaded over 45,000 times.

More practice management articles:

How publishing strategy online makes a difference for orthopedic institutions in value-based care



4 recommendations on measuring elective total joint, spine surgery appropriateness



SD gives NPs full practice authority: 5 notes




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Ibrahim Dogus said a global 'current of divisive populism' was 'turning people against each other'

The founder of the British Kebab Awards has warned "uncertainty" caused by the Brexit vote is putting small businesses at risk.

Ibrahim Dogus said a global "current of divisive populism" was "turning people against each other" in comments in the programme for the industry's fifth annual awards in London on Sunday.

Mr Dogus wrote that as well as celebrating an industry with a Middle Eastern background that contributed some 2.8 billion to the UK economy annually, the awards were also to "celebrate the country that had accepted so many and those many who have not just adapted to this country but made it even greater".

He added: "However, we must also remember that we are living in difficult times. A current of divisive populism is sweeping the world, turning people against each other.

"A small-minded minority in this country felt empowered by the Brexit vote to turn against their neighbours.

"The uncertainty of the Brexit process is damaging our economy and putting our SMEs, so vital to our society, at great risk.

"It is in times like these that solidarity and celebrating what makes us who we are, are so important."

In a subsequent speech at the awards at the Park Plaza Hotel, Mr Dogus also highlighted "the places around the world which many of us feel an affinity with (that) have been struck by violence".

The awards were supported by politicians from across the political spectrum, with messages of support from Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn among others.

They brought together more than 1,000 business owners and politicians, with MPs including Labour's Barry Gardiner and Wes Streeting and Tory Ben Howlett on hand to give out some of the awards, compered by BBC Radio 1 DJs Scott Mills and Chris Stark.

Among the awards was kebab van of the year, which was won by Atalay, based in Thame, Oxfordshire.
Asghar Farhadi, the Oscar-nominated Iranian director boycotting the awards because of Donald Trump's travel ban

Stars are arriving on the red carpet at the Oscars where musical La La Land could make history after earning a record-equalling 14 nominations.

Best actress nominee Ruth Negga was among the first celebrities to arrive at the ceremony in Hollywood, which is expected to be dominated by political speeches.

The Irish-Ethiopian star, wearing a red Valentino dress, was sporting an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ribbon as she posed for photographs outside the Dolby Theatre.

Negga, who is nominated for her role in drama Loving, described the film as a "once in a lifetime opportunity".

She told E!: " Films you've either watched or been in, they stay with you and leave residue with you.

"This is one of those films, I don't think it'll ever leave me."

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the Oscar-nominated song How Far I'll Go from Moana, arrived on the red carpet with his mother.

They were both wearing ACLU ribbons.

Isabelle Huppert, who is nominated for best actress for her role in psychological thriller Elle, told ABC: "I feel so thrilled about this film in particular. The whole road has been amazing.

"There's a wonderful atmosphere. It's all about being happy here."

Sting is nominated for best song for The Empty Chair which played during Jim: The James Foley Story, a documentary about the American journalist captured and beheaded by Isis.

He told ABC: "This is my fourth nomination. I've never won one."

The British music star said the documentary told the story of "an important subject".
George Mitchell, the American senator who helped broker the Good Friday Agreement, has said Brexit could harm relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The former US Senator George Mitchell said he hoped the UKs decision to leave the European Union would not stop the establishment of a new power-sharing government after Thursday's crucial vote.

Senator Mitchell, asked if Brexit could "destroy" the Good Friday Agreement, he told Sky News: "I believe that the European Union was an important factor that led the United Kingdom and Ireland to co-operate in establishing a process that led to the Good Friday Agreement and I think the UK being out of the European Union may reduce the prospect for further co-operation."

For four years Senator Mitchell worked with the political parties and the British and Irish governments on the historic 1998 peace accord, refusing to give up until a deal was brokered.

In the past two decades crisis has followed crisis with some calling for a rethink on the devolved institutions.

"We recognised at the time and I said on the day that by itself, the agreement did not assure peace or prosperity or reconciliation. It made them possible," he added.

"So what I said at the time was that it would take many years and many difficult decisions by courageous leaders in Northern Ireland to attain those goals.

"I think everyone anticipated that these arrangements were established to meet the problems and the needs of that time it is a normal part of the development of every society that over time institutions should be reviewed, processes should be reviewed.

Sen. Mitchell added: "The real heroes of the Northern Ireland peace process were the political leaders of Northern Ireland and the people of Northern Ireland. It is they who made the crucial decisions, not me, not the Prime Ministers, it was those directly involved.

"It's fashionable in all of our societies to criticise, demean, ridicule political leaders and often they deserve it but on that occasion, men and women of great courage rose to the occasion, took a difficult decision in the interest of the people and that really must never be forgotten.

"I'm an American and proud of it but a very large part of my heart, my emotions and my mind will always be in Northern Ireland," said Sen Mitchell.
Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
A veteran Ulster Unionist councillor has claimed that voters are abandoning his party over fears that Sinn Fein could win the greatest number of seats at Stormont.

Belfast City councillor Jim Rodgers last night told the Belfast Telegraph that people planning to vote UUP had now switched to the DUP as they were scared that Sinn Fein would emerge with the most MLAs.

Mr Rodgers said: "This is a vitally important election for the UUP and, over the last week, things seem to have changed a lot.

"I've been out and about and many people, who had indicated earlier that they were going to vote for us, are now telling me that they're supporting the DUP, or sticking with the DUP, because they don't want to see Sinn Fein become the largest party."

In an apparent swipe at his leader Mike Nesbitt, who has been deeply critical of the DUP, Mr Rodgers said: "It's easy to be critical of other parties, but you have to offer something different.

"We can all criticise, but people get a bit fed up of hearing politicians tear into other parties. They want you to tell them what you can offer."

However, councillor Alex Baird - on whose Facebook page the debate about the UUP's likely performance started - said there was no evidence in his constituency that the party's voters were switching to the DUP, and that anger over 'cash for ash' was considerable.

UUP Fermanagh and Omagh District councillor Mr Baird said: "Canvassing for our candidate, Rosemary Barton, I've seen nothing to suggest that our voters are jumping ship to the DUP.

"Far from finding that UUP voters are wobbling and leaving us, I've come across considerable anger at the doors over the DUP's RHI shenanigans."

Mr Baird insisted that Mr Nesbitt's decision to give his second preference vote to the SDLP wasn't a major issue on the ground.

"It's been raised once or twice, no more than that," he said.

"Mike's personal preference was played out of all proportion in the media. It's come and gone like yesterday's fish and chip papers."

On Mr Baird's Facebook page, Mr Rodgers said: "We should be worried about our own party. Feedback from the electorate in many areas is not good.

"I have been at a number of events and the message is loud and clear. We will be voting DUP because if we don't Sinn Fein will have the most seats.

"Next Friday and Saturday will be vitally important days for the UUP. If the results go against us there, there will almost certainly be serious repercussions."

Fellow Belfast UUP councillor Chris McGimpsey joined in the discussion and warned that if his party couldn't make gains over the DUP in the midst of the 'cash for ash' scandal, there must be "serious changes".

Mr McGimpsey continued: "With so much ammunition in our war chest, if we cannot gain ground at this election, then there needs to be serious questions posed.

"We have a lot riding on the results. It could be another decade before we have such an opportunity again."

Responding to the comments made by Rodgers and McGimpsey, the UUP last night rounded on the DUP for using scare tactics in a highly unpredictable election.

"The DUP are running Project Fear because their record in government with Sinn Fein is appalling," a spokesman said.

"Despite their chest-beating last May, the DUP jumped straight back in with Sinn Fein. DUP pledges before an election disappear like snow off a ditch afterwards."

The UUP spokesman said it was "understandable for people to be nervous in advance of an election".

But he insisted that Thursday offered "an opportunity for change and a move away from the scandals, disappointments and whiff of corruption which is endemic around a Sinn Fein/DUP government".
Claire Sugden has revealed she would again take up the position of Justice Minister if the Executive is restored.

The independent candidate said: "I would like to finish the job I started." Ms Sugden also said former First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness had let her down by creating the current Stormont crisis, with no guarantee the Executive will return in the near future.

But confirmation she would again accept the role removes one major obstacle to the formation of an Executive, since neither the DUP nor Sinn Fein would agree to the other holding the position.

Ms Sugden said: "I would not turn down an opportunity for my constituents to have a seat at the Executive table."

But she clashed with TUV leader Jim Allister, who accused her of intending to "prop up" ministers she had once referred to as "jokers".

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics show, Mr Allister told Ms Sugden that after the last Executive was formed "you told us the system was now fixed".

He said: "Your own testimony today tells how it failed and you can't keep on putting a sticking plaster across... a system that will not work."

Ms Sugden also rejected Mr Allister's proposal for UK ministers to be held to account by the Assembly if direct rule returns.

"It is not an idea that is going to work, the problems we have in Northern Ireland is because we have had direct rule for so long," she said. "The UK doesn't want NI to go back into direct rule, it is probably the last thing on their agenda."

Meanwhile, the Conservatives' historic win in the Copeland by-election in Cumbria could help trigger a breakthrough in this week's Assembly election, the party has forecast.

The Tories stopped short of predicting their first Assembly seat, but calculated they should "significantly increase" their vote share after historically taking an English constituency which has returned Labour candidates for 80 years.

NI Conservatives' chairman Alan Dunlop said: "Our stunning success in Cumbria is the result of our remarkable record competently and effectively managing the UK Government, economy and public services over the last seven years."

As the party also launched its manifesto, parliamentary private secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, Craig Whittaker MP, added: "After many years of unreliable leadership in Stormont, it is time for change in Northern Ireland.

"However, the only way to achieve change is if people vote for it."

And East Belfast candidate Sheila Bodel claimed: "Many voters are telling us that they will be voting for the Conservatives as their first preference for the first time."

The party also pointed to Scotland last year, where it surpassed Labour as the second largest party after the year before in the general election becoming the only party to increase its number of seats in Wales.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson has said he agrees with comparisons between Sinn Fein and Islamic terror group ISIS.

The East Antrim MP appeared as part of a segment on American broadcaster PBS's News Hour programme over the weekend.

The piece 'Brexit stirs up old divides in Northern Ireland' discussed the UK's forthcoming departure from the EU and the recent political upheaval at Stormont.

Also featured was loyalist and republican murals across Belfast.

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It showed one loyalist display depicting the Omagh bombing, and attacks in London's Hyde Park and Canary Wharf, beside photos of the aftermath of the Paris attacks in 2015.

"IRA - Sinn Fein - ISIS, no difference," reads the caption.

Sammy Wilson was asked what that told him.

"First thing that tells me is that there has always been an affiliation between Irish republicans and terrorist groups especially in the middle east," he said.

Asked if he agreed with the message equating Sinn Fein with ISIS, Mr Wilson responded: "Yes, yes of course I do."

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Sinn Fein said: "Sinn Fein is on the record condemning the deplorable, murderous attacks perpetrated in Paris and elsewhere and all of us need to stand against fundamentalism, bigotry, sectarianism and racism.

"Sammy Wilsons comments are another crass attempt to engage in distraction politics.

"He would rather speak about anything else other than the botched RHI scheme and other financial scandals or the Brexit donation to the DUP by a group of ultra right wing business and corporate interests."
Brexit could damage relations between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, the man who brokered the Good Friday Agreement has warned.

Senator George Mitchell played a key role as chairman of the talks that led to the 1998 Agreement.

Now in his early 80s, the peacemaker still takes a keen interest in Northern Ireland.

In an interview with Sky News, the American diplomat said: "I believe that the European Union was an important factor that led the United Kingdom and Ireland to co-operate in establishing a process that led to the Good Friday Agreement.

"And I think the UK being out of the European Union may reduce the prospects for further co-operation."

He added: "We recognised at the time that by itself, the Agreement did not assure peace or prosperity or reconciliation. It made them possible.

"So what I said at the time was that it would take many years and many difficult decisions by courageous leaders in Northern Ireland to attain those goals."

His comments came as it emerged Labour peers will today attempt to build protections for Northern Ireland and the Republic into the negotiations leading to the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

The peers include former Secretary of State Paul Murphy and NIO Minister Angela Smith, who want to ensure no 'hard border' between the province and the Republic emerges over the next two years.

As the House of Lords moves to the committee stage of the legislation to trigger the negotiations, amendments can be introduced.

Peers including Lord Tommy McAvoy - Labour's shadow spokesman on Northern Ireland - are tabling one today calling on the government to have regard to the constitutional, institutional and rights provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Murphy said: "We must have a commitment that the provisions of the Agreement will remain in place, and be respected both in letter and in spirit.

"There are implications for the border and the free movement of people, goods and services.

"Those born in and residing in Northern Ireland who choose to take up their right to Irish citizenship will, by virtue of that right, remain citizens of the EU.

"The long-standing rights of Irish citizens within the UK must also be protected, and vital institutions preserved.

"Mrs May and her ministers need to demonstrate that they understand these realities, and respect not just Northern Ireland's past but its future, too."

And a second former Labour Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has argued the island of Ireland is becoming "almost daily united in everyday life".

Writing in the Observer yesterday, he said: "It has been as if the border no longer matters. Citizens on either side can and do take advantage of the health and educational services nearest to where they live on a cross-border basis. People cross the border freely to work, play and socialise.

"Northern Ireland businesses invest without hindrance in the Republic and the same occurs for businesses in reverse. The two economies are being steadily integrated: even the level of corporation tax in Northern Ireland is being cut to synchronise with the low rate in the South."

But he said after Brexit, politics in Northern Ireland will again come to be dominated by the border.

"Of course, the island of Ireland has not been united politically or constitutionally, but it is almost daily becoming united in everyday life.

"And that is welcomed by unionists as well, secure in the knowledge that there can be no change in the constitutional position without their consent.

"The government disturbs that normalisation at everyone's great and grim peril. I don't say that we will go back to the murder and mayhem of the Troubles, but I do insist the process could so easily unravel.

"It requires continuous forward momentum, and a reimposed border with restrictions in any way is the very reverse of that.

"If the referendum result means Brexit at any price, it might well come at a dangerously high cost for the Northern Ireland peace process."
The Sphinx in Glengormley has been named best in Northern Ireland.

The Sphinx in Glengormley has been named best in Northern Ireland.

The Sphinx in Glengormley has been named best in Northern Ireland.

Ahmad Jaber (Glengormley manager), Vladislav Opanov (Stranmillis manager), Errol Jenkins and wife Avril with the award for best kebab house in Northern Ireland. Picture: Mehmet Er

The Sphinx kebab house in Glengormley has been named Northern Ireland's best.

The Co Antrim takeaway was handed the title at the British Kebab Awards in London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on Sunday.

Over 1,500 people from across the industry gathered along with VIPs and MPs for the awards.

The Sphinx in Glengormley was shortlisted among nine others in the category from right across Northern Ireland and also nominated in the Best Newcomer Outside London category.

Members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite kebab shops. These were whittled down to a shortlist based on the number of public votes received, nominations from MPs and social media mentions.

For the Sphinx owners it is their third year in a row they have come home victorious, with their Stranmillis shop taking the award in the past two years.

Owner Errol Jenkins, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from London, said: "We are delighted. It is a credit to the staff for all their hard work and the manager Ahmad Jaber who has been with us for the past 10 years.

"The Stranmillis shop won it the previous two years and the awards, although in their fifth year, have only really been open to Northern Ireland in the past three years.

"It was only last year that we branched out to Glengormley. So it's the cherry on the cake to win the award and actually beat Stranmillis."

Errol, who has in the past run a butcher's as well as fish and chip shops, took over the original Sphinx in south Belfast in 2005 from Muhammad Shaker who had established the kebab shop's legend in the city.

"He got the ball rolling," added Templepatrick man Errol.

"He sold us the name and the original Egyptian recipe that we still continue to use to this day."

Asked his secrets, he said: "It would be fair to say we are the only kebab shop in the UK that has its own in-house butcher. We use beef in our kebabs that has been matured for four weeks.

"The judges recognised that in their awards as well as our five-star hygiene ratings which is very important to us."

For those wanting to experience a Sphinx for the first time, Errol recommends kebab on chips with house sauce.

"Can't wait to get home and have one for my dinner tonight," he said.

The annual event is the only one to recognise the contribution made by the kebab industry to the British economy - worth more than 2.8billion a year, supporting around 200,000 jobs across restaurants, suppliers and the food industry.

There are now over 20,000 kebab outlets in the UK selling around 2,500 tonnes of lamb and chicken doner a week. There are also around 200 doner kebab manufacturers in the UK, with a turnover in excess of 750m.

It's thought 1.3million kebabs are consumed each and every day across the UK.

British Kebab Awards and Bira creator Ibrahim Dogus said: Every year we see the competition get tougher so I congratulate every kebab business that won a British Kebab Award.

MPs got behind their kebab shops and restaurants by the dozen with more than 40 nominating businesses in their constituencies and thats great to see. I look forward to seeing what the contenders serve up in 2018.

Graham Corfield, UK managing director of award sponsor Just Eat, added: On behalf of Just Eat, I would like to congratulate all of the winners on receiving a British Kebab Award in 2017.

It is a phenomenal achievement in what are well established and highly competitive fields. The kebab businesses that have succeeded this year serve as shining examples within their local communities and, at the same time, support the thriving UK kebab industry.

"The award for every winner is hugely deserved.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood appealed for non-voters to come out in a bid to deliver power-sharing in spirit through the SDLP and UUP

Northern Ireland's devolved government will be endangered if the election does not produce change, Colum Eastwood said.

The SDLP leader appealed for the 50% who normally did not vote to help snub the strained DUP and Sinn Fein partnership and deliver power-sharing in spirit through the SDLP and UUP.

UUP chief Mike Nesbitt has faced criticism from within his own party after he said he would select the nationalist party as his second preference on the Assembly election ballot paper on Thursday.

The SDLP chief said: "I genuinely do think devolution is under enormous stress and threat and I just think it is worth fighting for.

"We are in a very dangerous place and I think the result on Thursday will determine what kind of future we have."

The DUP and Sinn Fein enjoyed increasingly fractious relations following revelations about the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) while divisions over an Irish language act have been stark.

Direct rule from London cannot be ruled out if the parties cannot reach post-election compromise.

The SDLP leader warned: "I think if we return the same people in the same way with the same number of seats and the same power bases, then it is going to be very difficult to form a government."

Mr Eastwood said the idea that the UUP and SDLP were supposed to have a common platform after eight months was nonsense.

He withheld backing from Ulster Unionist proposals like a common enterprise zone covering the whole of Northern Ireland.

He said: "We are two political parties, all we are saying is we don't have an electoral pact, but what we are saying is we have an attitude that means we can work together."

The key to change would be encouraging the 50% who do not vote to come out.

"Einstein talked about repeating the same thing over and over again, it is insanity.

"If they want something different, they should come out and vote for something different.

"How much worse can it be?

"I think there is an opportunity if people vote for it, but it is really in the lap of the gods and in the lap of people."

Brexit negotiations made it even more important Northern Ireland was not left voiceless, the Foyle candidate told a business event in South Belfast organised by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He claimed the border should be around Great Britain rather than on the island of Ireland.

Mr Eastwood apologised to business leaders for the delay in delivering a reduced rate of corporation tax while Tory cuts in Britain made the measure less attractive in Northern Ireland.

He said political uncertainty around Europe had created the "perfect storm".

"We must take back control of the powers we continue to hold in an uncertain economic climate. We must begin to create our own certainty in Northern Ireland."
The sheer despair etched on the face of Hester Glenn tells of a mother's agonising wait for the River Foyle to give her back her son.

Jack Glenn, a popular, talented and much-loved young man with seemingly everything to live for, was seen entering the river on February 2.

In the days and weeks since, a relentless search operation has continued for the 23-year-old involving agencies from across Northern Ireland and the Republic, as well as hundreds of volunteers.

Waiting every day at a makeshift base now called 'Camp Jacko' are Jack's parents Hester and Colin and his sister Katie, all hoping with each passing minute that their vigil will end so they can begin the painful process of saying their final goodbyes to the son and brother they loved dearly.

It is Saturday evening, and as the light fades and another search ends, Hester admits she is struggling to believe the heartbreaking wait will ever end.

But she draws strength from Katie's optimism that soon the murky depths of the Foyle will release their hold on Jack.

"I have to say, every day I am getting worse and this past week it has been really bad," said a tearful Hester.

"I know now he is not coming home; I was looking at pictures of him in the bedroom and it is hitting home now that Jack is not coming home.

"I hope we find his wee body, but I know I am never going to see Jack again, it is terrible.

"I kiss his wee picture every night before I lie down, but I sleep very little. I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time in about three weeks and I was shocked at myself.

"I couldn't see Hester, I just saw the grey face and these black eyes. I can't recognise myself, it is a struggle.

"It is the people around me here and my family that keeps me coming to this spot every day. Sometimes when I am on my own I think too much, so I am better here where I am distracted, but then the day passes and we don't find Jack and that's hard."

For almost a month now the Glenn family have had nothing else to think about - only Jack - and in retrospect Hester ponders on little moments they had that now are so meaningful.

She explained: "I remember how he was on Christmas Day, Jack came up for dinner and he was so positive - 2017 was going to be his year.

"He threw his arms around me when I opened the door and said 'I love you, mum', and he wasn't a touchy boy; he was loving, but not touchy. Thinking of him like that is what will keep me going, but in hindsight now I wonder about how he was really.

"We never thought for one second he was suicidal, but the past four or five months before this his moods would have gone up and down and we were worried about him."

On Saturday, like previous weekends, the intensity of the search was ramped up.

The Belfast Telegraph joined divers from Meath Rescue and Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery, as well as Andrew McQuillan, a pilot with Belfast-based Crowded Space Drones.

Wayne Glenn, Jack's uncle, has been at the head of the family's campaign asking for help to get Jack back.

He said: "I am just trying to co-ordinate things for Colin and Hester so that we have some sort of organisation of what we are doing.

"This weekend we have divers from Co Meath, the River Boyne Search and Rescue, Lough Neagh Rescue, Foyle Search and Rescue, the PSNI, and there are 11 drones in the sky as we speak, as well as six independent boats.

"We also have 10 static searches ongoing, where two people are placed at strategic points with binoculars from 9am to 3pm, and at low tide we have searches along the riverbank.

"The thing about it is, we are a family in a desperate situation trying anything and everything to get Jack out of the river again."

Peter Robinson, a diver with the Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery, has been in Derry every weekend since Jack went missing.

He explained the difficulties facing the searchers who are on the river. "The water is anything between 10 and 22 meters deep," he said.

"I have been in the water, and the difficulty is, once you go below three metres your visibility is gone completely, and now there is so much silt in the river that even with a torch your visibility is nil.

"Our method of searching is you have two divers either back to back or shoulder to shoulder on a bar, and your search area is basically whatever you can feel. You are completely blind.

"In the sense of a needle in a haystack, that is it. Something could be inches from your fingers and you could miss it completely.

"It is a divable river, but it is a cruel river."

Alongside these experienced searchers have been "ordinary" men and women, some familiar to the family, but the majority unknown faces who just want to try and alleviate their unceasing agony.

Beverly Duffy and Anne-Marie O'Hanlon have no connection to the Glenn family, nor indeed to Derry city, but they left their homes in Lisburn and Crumlin at 6am to be at Camp Jacko for 8am. Binoculars in hand, the women had already spent hours on one of the static search points and were preparing to take up their positions at another after a well-earned cup of hot soup.

Ms Duffy said: "We don't know anyone up here, but we saw on Facebook that this family need help.

"It is just so sad, it is devastating. It's someone's child and these people are begging for help, so Anne-Marie and I decided we would come up and help."

Ms O'Hanlon added: "We have never been here before, so we used the sat nav and it brought us right here.

"We met Wayne and offered to do what we could and we really hope we find Jack, because then his family will be put at ease.

"For us it wasn't a hard decision to come here, we are two extra pairs of eyes that weren't here before, and that was reason enough for us to come."
Talks to agree a single transfer test system in Northern Ireland are due to start next week, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal. Stock image posed by model

Talks to agree a single transfer test system in Northern Ireland are due to start next week, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.

The two groups which currently run the unofficial transfer tests - sat by more than 14,000 P7 children across Northern Ireland each year - say they are "eager to work together to find a common transfer test".

Since the final official transfer test was sat by pupils in 2008, the vast majority of selective grammar schools here have used tests set by two private organisations to decide their Year 8 intake.

Most controlled grammars whose boards of governors contain representatives of the Protestant Churches accept test scores from the Association of Quality Education (AQE).

Most Catholic-maintained schools accept grades from the GL Assessment tests run by the Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC).

A small number of grammars accept either.

Children who use both systems face sitting five tests.

Education Minister Peter Weir has spoken of his delight at the breakthrough.

Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph he says he believes a resolution can be found "within the very near future".

The old 11-plus was abolished by former Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitriona Ruane.

In response to that, the AQE and the PPTC were set up by grammar school supporters to run unofficial transfer tests.

However, the two organisations have never been able to agree a single test system.

When Mr Weir took on the Education portfolio last May, he was the first in the post since the restoration of devolution to back academic selection.

He overturned a ban on primary schools being able to prepare their pupils to sit the unofficial transfer tests during class hours.

Last October Mr Weir appointed Durham University educationalist Professor Peter Tymms to lead an initiative to investigate whether agreement could be reached for a single transfer test in Northern Ireland.

Following the conclusion of his work this month, the AQE and the PPTC have committed to enter talks - starting next week - to agree a single test.

It is understood that the first meeting will be chaired by a neutral facilitator, and that both sides will agree participants - up to five - as well as an agenda for discussion and dates for future meetings.

In a joint statement the AQE and PPTC said: "We believe this to be in the best interest of pupils, parents and schools.

"The initiative taken by the minister and the significant policy changes by his department offer a starting point for further discussion.

"Both groups greatly appreciate the input and support from the Education Minister, Peter Weir."

Among those consulted were Department of Education officials, the PPTC, AQE, a number of grammar schools, non-selective secondary schools, the Education Authority, parents' groups and teachers' unions.

Today the Belfast Telegraph can also reveal that the Tymms initiative has produced a discussion paper that provides a road map for negotiations between AQE and PPTC.

It has found there was general agreement among consultees that a move to a single selection test would be a good thing, that the existing assessments are effective and are backed by the schools that use them, and that the major differences of opinion about the current two systems centre on who should pay, the number of tests, and the format of assessments.

However, it also heard strong views that the assessments cause families stress and cost primary schools financially.

The report found that while a move to a new single assessment would not resolve all the outstanding issues, it has the potential to make improvements.

"It would have to have the support of the great majority of grammar schools and gain their confidence," the findings read.

"Knowing that previous attempts to make towards a single assessment have failed, it must be acknowledged that any move will not be easy.

"But there is goodwill and it does not, to the outsiders who wrote this report, seem that the two groups are very far apart."

The findings conclude: "It is our view that any move towards a single assessment must come from the selective schools themselves.

"They have the organising power, the necessary knowledge and a desire to improve education in Northern Ireland.

"The backing of the Education Minister will hopefully act as the necessary catalyst for the move."

DUP education spokesman Lord Morrow welcomed the breakthrough.

He said: "For almost a decade, the DUP have actively engaged with both groups to support their work. During any future negotiations, we will stand firm on this issue. We believe selection allows every child, regardless of their background, postcode or religion, the opportunity to succeed.

"Even in the face of huge political opposition, both assessment providers have stood firm, ensuring every child is afforded the opportunity to enter a grammar school.

"I commend them for their efforts and implore them to work together towards one common entrance assessment."
The Fire Service is at the scene.

The oldest linen mill still working in Ireland has been severely damaged in a fire.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at the premises of William Clark & Co at Upperlands, Co Londonderry yesterday afternoon, as flames swept through the 150-year-old building on the historic industrial site.

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokeswoman said yesterday evening that 30 firefighters battled the intense heat of the blaze.

Three pumping appliances and three specialist appliances were dispatched to the incident, she added.

NIFRS Group Commander Andy Sinclair said that appliances had to be brought from as far away as Kilrea, Magherafelt and Belfast to fight the fire, which was spotted by a dog walker at lunchtime yesterday.

"When we arrived, the old building was well alight, and our priority was to try to ensure that the fire did not spread to any of the other buildings on the site," he said.

The historic building has suffered severe structural damage.

Its roof has collapsed and engineers will have to inspect what remains to see if anything of it can be saved.

The cause of the fire is not known, said Group Commander Sinclair, who confirmed that an investigation has been launched into how the blaze started.

A company spokesman said manufacturing operations of the company - which employs 35 people - will not be affected.
Children of She ethnic group sit in front of a monument that reads "China's No. 1 Poverty Relief Village" at Chixi Village, Panxi town, Fuding city in East China's Fujian province, Feb 14, 2016. The village has shaken off poverty thanks to assistance from Party and government officials at all levels over the past 30 years. [Photo/Xinhua]

It is one thing to make promises, but quite another to keep them. The Chinese government has promised to eradicate poverty by 2020the target year for China to become a "moderately prosperous" societyand the country is confident this promise will be kept.

China's economic growth has been astonishing over the past three decades, but the economy must provide for 1.3 billion people. The gap between rich and poor remains as wide in China as it does in many other countries, and the Chinese government knows it.

But there have been more than 55 million success stories in the past four years. And this drive will not stop until the day dawns when the last person living in poverty finds his or her rightful place as a citizen of a well-off society.

China uses a combination of incentives and policies to tackle the problem, with "precision" the key to their success: spending money exactly where it is needed, and no more than is needed.

"You should not bomb fleas with grenades," means appropriate resources should be used in the right place at the right time. It is the very poorest of people who should feel the most benefit.

Local governments have compiled databases of how many people are living in poverty and why, and timetables for action have been drawn up.

Projects have been arranged according to the specifics of every region, even every family. Better use of resources leads to more and better jobs. People must move to places where jobs are to be found, and where public services are fit for purpose.

Proper training will produce an army of workers with the skills that modern, sustainable industries need. Special care must be given to left-behind children, those who remain in their hometowns while their parents work elsewhere seeking to give them a better life. What the government gives in support should not be taken away again in taxation.

Policy is just the first step. Implementation of those policies is the responsibility of cadres of the Communist Party of China. Cadres at all levels must put the people at center of their work. They must seek out the very poorest and work with them. They must meet their poverty alleviation targets or they will find themselves in trouble.

To ensure impartiality, the work in one place is evaluated by officials from other places. These assessments of the poverty alleviation work are an important yardstick in advancing careers.

Local officials must interact with people and businesses to work out solutions and mobilize all available resources including money, markets and non-governmental organizations. It is a down-to-earth style and hard work that has led to such unprecedented progress.

Corruption, fraud or embezzlement of poverty relief funds will be severely dealt with.

Declaring "war on poverty" is easy. The hard part is striking at the root causes of poverty.

China is the world's largest laboratory of economic, political and social experimentation. Hundreds of reform measures have covered education, healthcare, finance and innovation. Most have proved helpful. After internet training, for instance, tens of thousands of farmers have begun to sell their products online and seen their incomes increase.

China's model may not work in other countries due to different systems and development stages, but it may inspire the world that, as long as a government makes real promises and takes real action, poverty can be conquered. The Chinese government has the courage and wisdom to carry on.
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Northern Ireland's constitutional future would be thrown up in the air if Sinn Fein was to emerge from the Assembly election as the largest party, Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has warned.

Mrs Foster said such a result would see the UK Government come under renewed republican pressure to hold a referendum on a united Ireland.

The DUP leader said she made "no apologies" for adopting a campaign line that has been branded as another version of "project fear" by political rivals.

"I am not going to apologise for the fact there's a huge threat to Northern Ireland," she said.

"People have talked about scare tactics and talked about fear, the reality (of a Sinn Fein victory) would be much worse for Northern Ireland than just talking about it.

"People should be concerned, they should be worried."

The region faces a snap poll on Thursday after Sinn Fein pulled the plug on the devolved institutions in protest at Mrs Foster's handling of a botched green energy scheme that had left Stormont facing a potential overspend of almost 500 million

Mrs Foster claimed the renewable heat incentive (RHI) affair was not the republican party's real motivation.

"They wanted to take me out, they wanted to weaken unionism, I understand all that but this election is much more important than one individual," she said.

The power to call a border poll rests with Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire, legislation dictates he should take the step if there is evidence of a clear shift in public opinion in favour of Irish reunification.

Mrs Foster said Sinn Fein displacing the DUP in the First Minister's office would be seized upon by republicans as such evidence.

Critics have accused the DUP leader of turning an election about alleged financial mismanagement into a traditional green/orange battle in a bid to deflect the public attention from RHI.

Rivals have also claimed her repeated reference to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who is not standing in the election, is an example of using a "bogeyman" to galvanise the unionist vote.

Mrs Foster defended her approach, dismissing those who highlight the fact Stormont's First Minister has exactly the same power as the Deputy First Minister.

"We must be the only country in the world where it doesn't matter who wins the election," she said.

"That's just wrong, of course it matters who wins the election.

"We are not just talking about the system of government, you are also talking about what it says to the world, what it says to our government about where we are in terms of a border poll

"If they have the larger number of seats in the Assembly they will push for a border poll.

"That will be very divisive, very destabilising for Northern Ireland at any time, but particularly at a time when we are dealing with our exit from the European Union."

Of the DUP's desire to retain its position as the biggest party, she added: "It's not just about the First Minister's office, it's about how we drive the agenda forward for Northern Ireland, it's a recognition that the majority of people in Northern Ireland want to stay in the United Kingdom.

"If we had a situation where Sinn Fein were the largest party all of that would be thrown up in the air and we would get to a situation where they would be pressing the Government for a border poll."

The DUP leader rejected any suggestion her stance was detrimental to the wider task of forging reconciliation between nationalist and unionists in Northern Ireland.

At one point in the campaign Mrs Foster referred to Sinn Fein representatives as "crocodiles".

"Look at my record," she said.

"Nationalism has absolutely nothing to fear in relation to the way in which I do my business.

"I work with everybody, I will try to help everybody if they need help."

Ulster Unionist peer Lord Reg Empey said the DUP's record in government was so bad that the only tactic it had left was to try and scare the electorate into voting for them.

"It should be remembered that Ian Paisley and the DUP promised to smash Sinn Fein.

"Now the DUP are using their failure to do so to threaten voters."

He said it showed his rivals' contempt for the electorate.

"We do not believe there will be a Sinn Fein First Minister, but it is still a convenient bogeyman for the DUP to wheel out to detract from their own pitiful record.

"On Thursday it is essential that the people of Northern Ireland reject fear.

"The only thing to fear is another five years of DUP/Sinn Fein government."
Loyalist Winston "Winkie" Rea, who is facing prosecution over the murders of two Catholic workmen in Belfast more than 25 years ago, could mount a legal bid to have the case thrown out, it emerged on Monday.

Rea's lawyers told a court they are considering whether to seek a preliminary hearing to test the strength of the evidence against him.

Newly-instructed defence counsel also revealed that they are still to receive papers setting out details of the allegations.

Rea, of Springwell Crescent in Groomsport, Co Down, currently stands charged with the paramilitary killings of John Devine in 1989 and John O'Hara in 1991.

The 66-year-old is also accused of two other attempted murders, including an attack on Malachy McAllister in the city in October 1988, weapons offences and membership of the outlawed Red Hand Commando terror grouping.

Rea was charged in June last year by detectives from the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch investigating killings stretching back into the Troubles. He denies the allegations.

The renewed probe came after police won a legal battle to gain access to interviews he gave to Boston College researchers behind a project on the Northern Ireland conflict.

John Devine, 37, was shot dead at his home on Fallswater Street in west Belfast on July 23, 1989.

He was sitting in his living room with his 13-year-old son when gunmen forced their way in and killed him.

Taxi driver John O'Hara, 41, was murdered at Dunluce Avenue in the south of the city on April 17, 1991.

He was en route to pick up a passenger when two masked men approached and fired several shots at his car, fatally injuring him.

Other charges currently brought against Rea include another attempted murder of an unknown male in the city's Falls Road area sometime between January 1, 1971 and February 23, 1973.

He also faces counts of membership of a proscribed organisation on dates between 1973 and 1996, possession of an AK47 assault rifle, three revolvers, a 9mm Browning pistol and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

A further charge of possessing information useful to terrorists relates to claims that between 1984 and 1986 he had documents containing the identification and address details of suspected members of the IRA.

In November last year the Public Prosecution Service confirmed its intention to take the case to the Crown Court.

A PPS lawyer indicated at that stage that it wanted to put him on trial for offences related to the murders and a "multitude" of other counts.

But at Belfast Magistrates' Court today defence representatives raised the possibility of an attempt to halt the case before it reaches that stage.

Barrister Tom McCreanor said: "Since we don't have the papers at this stage, the contents are of some guesswork."

Requesting a further review in two weeks, he said a decision would be taken then on whether to continue with normal committal proceedings or to seek a Preliminary INquiry (PI) hearing.

Under the PI route defence lawyers can test the strength of the evidence in an attempt to secure a ruling that the accused has no case to answer.

With Rea facing continued health issues, his solicitor Pat Kelly obtained permission for him to be excused from attending the next review.
Union chiefs have ordered an all-out strike at Bus Eireann which will cripple the country-wide bus network.

Industrial action was declared after bosses at the State bus company threw down the gauntlet, insisting they were pressing ahead with cost-cutting measures.

Bus Eireann has told workers it is axing routes between Dublin and Derry, Clonmel and Westport within weeks while services between the capital and Limerick and Galway are being curtailed.

The cutbacks are expected to impact on pay and jobs.

Bus Eireann is adamant they are necessary "due to the perilous state of the company's finances and the failure to reach agreement with unions" in its row over a survival plan for the beleaguered carrier.

The "immediate cost savings" are to be implemented next Monday.

The threat immediately drew retaliation from the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), which declared an "all-out indefinite strike" from the same date.

Dermot O'Leary, NBRU's general secretary, accused Bus Eireann bosses of steering workers towards conflict by issuing ultimatums before they have had the opportunity to digest previous manoeuvres.

"The fact is that by informing staff that they are going to introduce far-reaching and financially impactful measures from next Monday, without agreement, Bus Eireann has left us with no option but to inform the company that we will reactivate our previously notified strike action to coincide with the implementation of these measures," he added.

Trade union Siptu followed suit, saying it too would back all-out strike action.

Willie Noone, Siptu organiser, said workers are "amazed at the attitude" of bosses in announcing a plan to "render Bus Eireann services unrecognisable and massively curtail the public service the company currently provides".

"Siptu representatives have always been, and remain, available to discuss the introduction of efficiencies at Bus Eireann," he added.

"However, what is being outlined is the destruction of the company as a public service provider and in light of this it is inconceivable that the Minister for Transport Shane Ross will not intervene to rein in a management which is clearly acting against the interests of the travelling public."

But Bus Eireann has warned a 12 million euro cost-cutting package is "vital" to ensure the company doesn't go bust.

"The company must deal with its challenges directly, and the board (of directors) have a duty to ensure Bus Eireann is financially sustainable and therefore must take the necessary steps to secure this," a company spokeswoman said.

"Further dialogue aimed at urgently resolving these challenges would be welcome."

Before a parliamentary committee last month, Ray Hernan, acting chief executive at the State bus company, said it lost between 8 and 9 million euro last year, and had only 7 million euro left in reserves.

Mr Hernan said Bus Eireann will be insolvent by the end of this year - on its 30th anniversary - with the loss of all 2,600 jobs unless an emergency survival plan is agreed.

He also indicated staffing costs other than basic pay, such as overtime shift allowances, rota allowances and lunch expenses, will come under the axe in a root and branch cost-cutting review expected in March.

Absenteeism, which is double the national average, will also have to be tackled, he told the hearing.

Mr Hernan said Bus Eireann's board of directors has until the end of March to sign off on last year's accounts but it would not be able to do so unless there is a drastic and decisive rescue plan in place before then.

Unions claim cost-cutting measures being proposed by the company will result in effective pay cuts of up to 30%.
The minister aims to see first-hand the impact of the six-year conflict on Syrian families (AP)

The Government has pledged another 3 million euro to support Syrian refugees who have fled the civil war to Jordan and Lebanon.

Junior minister for international development Joe McHugh is travelling across the region this week to see first-hand the impact of the six-year conflict on families and their lives as refugees.

The trip takes place as the Department of Foreign Affairs revealed 70 million euro has been spent by the state on humanitarian aid in relation to the Syrian crisis since 2012.

Mr McHugh will also visit the 336 Irish soldiers serving with the United Nations' Unifil peacekeeping force in South Lebanon.

"Ireland is committed to supporting those affected by the crisis in Syria," he said.

"The displacement of millions inside Syria and the flight of millions to neighbouring countries underlines the horrific violence and the appalling suffering caused by this conflict.

"This visit to Jordan and Lebanon is to witness first-hand the situation for Syrian refugees in these countries, and how this has impacted on host communities."

During the trip Mr McHugh will visit Za'atari refugee camp near the Syrian border in Jordan.

About 80,000 people now live in the near permanent settlement and almost half a million people have passed through it in the last five years.
Police at the scene where five people were hit by a car

A driver whose vehicle mowed down five people outside a car wash in south London has been released on bail by police.

The 23-year-old was detained at the scene by an off-duty policeman before being arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was also arrested on suspicion of drink-driving before being treated at a south London hospital with a head injury.

The driver was taken to a south London police station for questioning and has been bailed until early May pending further inquiries, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 31-year-old man remains in a critical condition after the Mercedes mounted the pavement and ploughed through the group in Bellingham, south-east London, just before 8.20am on Sunday.

Another 25-year-old man and a woman of 35 are in a serious but stable condition, while two other men aged 36 and 46 escaped with minor injuries.

The crash, which Scotland Yard said was not terror-related, happened opposite a row of shops in Bromley Road.

The Mercedes careered through a row of bollards before hitting a low wall at the end of a hedge.

The car's bonnet and boot were popped open by the impact, its airbags deployed, while debris was strewn across the pavement.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance attended and roads around the area were closed while investigators examined the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to call officers on 101 or 0208 285 1574.
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Ginnifer Goodwin attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Visual effects artist Dan Lemmon (R), winner of the award for Visual Effects for 'The Jungle Book,' attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Paul Janeway of St. Paul and The Broken Bones performs during the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for EJAF)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: PricewaterhouseCoopers representatives attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: NBA Player Metta World Peace attends the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Dancer Kym Johnson (L) and businessman Robert Herjavec attend the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for EJAF)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Recording artist Paul Janeway (L) and Sir Elton John perform onstage at the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for EJAF)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Model Daria Strokous attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Director Garth Davis (L) and Nicola Lester attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actors Naomie Harris and Dwayne Johnson attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actors Naomie Harris and Dwayne Johnson attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Mike C. Manning attends the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Paul Janeway of St. Paul and The Broken Bones performs during the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for EJAF)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Director Martin Pieter Zandvliet (L) attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Model Chrissy Teigen attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Musician Brianna Perez attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Aldis Hodge attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ben Peterson/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Director Roger Ross Williams (L) and producer Julie Goldman attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Blanca Blanco attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Aldis Hodge attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ben Peterson/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Lucas Hedges attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Cinematographer Dan Krauss (L) attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Sofia Carson attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Blanca Blanco arriving at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 26, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Oscars. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Producer Raphaela Neihausen attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Chef Wolfgang Puck (in black) presents Oscar cuisine before the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Blanca Blanco attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Olivia Culpo attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ben Peterson/Getty Images)

Blanca Blanco arriving at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 26, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Oscars. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Cinematographer Dan Krauss (L) attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Aldis Hodge attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Wolfgang Puck (second right) arriving at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 26, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Oscars. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

Wolfgang Puck (second right) arriving at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 26, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Oscars. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) TV personalities Debbie Matenopoulos and Louis Aguirre attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Lucas Hedges arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Auli'i Cravalho arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Actors Ryan Gosling and Rosemarie DeWitt, composers Benj Pasek and Justin Hurwitz, and actress Emma Stone look on as 'La La Land' wins Best Picture due to a presentation error (later corrected to 'Moonlight') onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Spencer Stone (L) and actress Emma Stone attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The accounting firm responsible for the counting and collation of votes for the Oscars has apologised for its part in the blunder that saw La La Land announced as the winner of best picture instead of Moonlight.

The mix-up saw the musical announced as the victor due to duplicate sets of cards, held by the only two people who knew the results, being mistakenly handed out to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

A statement from accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) said: " We sincerely apologise to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for best picture.

"The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected.

"We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

"We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation."

Beatty and Dunaway had been given a card that revealed that La La Land's Emma Stone was the leading actress winner, prompting them to incorrectly announce the musical as the winner.

Backstage, a confused Stone later said that she was still holding her winner's card in her hand when best picture was announced, but there are in fact two identical sets of cards.

Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz from PWC, the tax partner to the awards ceremony, were forced to intervene on stage amidst the confusion and chaos.

The major blunder came at the very end of the Oscars' ceremony, which was the worst for British talent in a decade.

The producers of La La Land were coming to the end of their acceptance speeches before it was revealed there had been a mix-up and that Moonlight was the victor of the coveted accolade.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz announced the error to the audience, holding up the correct card with the best picture winner, as he said: "There's a mistake. Moonlight you guys won best picture.

"This is no joke. I'm afraid they read the wrong thing. This is not a joke, Moonlight, you won best picture."

Beatty returned to the microphone to say: "I want to tell you what happened, I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land, and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you.

"I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture."

Cullinan and Ruiz are responsible for manually counting the 7,000 votes made by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and are the only two people to know the full list of winners before the ceremony.

They were earlier seen arriving on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, showcasing their matching briefcases filled with the 24 winners cards, which they each give out at either side of the stage to the presenters of the awards.

Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins said, after the film was correctly revealed as the winner: "Very clearly even in my dreams this can't be true. But to hell with dreams because this is true. It's true, it's not fake."

Meanwhile, while in recent years the Oscars has seen a spate of British actors winning the top awards, Sunday's ceremony was the worst for Britain's stars in 10 years.

White Helmets, a 40-minute Netflix film about a volunteer rescue group operating in war-torn Syria, saw its British director Orlando von Einsiedel and British producer Joanna Natasegara take the best documentary short award.

They were the only British winners at the prize-giving ceremony, as acting nominees including Dev Patel and Naomie Harris missed out.

La La Land, which had scored a record-tying 14 nominations, ended up with just six wins, including best actress for Emma Stone and best director for Damien Chazelle, who is the youngest winner of the prize at 32.

Moonlight, which follows the life of a young black boy dealing with his sexuality, scooped three prizes in total, landing best picture, best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.

The film's producer Dede Gardner said: "I'm still not sure this is real. It's very humbling to be up here and I hope it's inspiring to little black boys and brown girls who feel marginalised. I hope they take some inspiration from seeing this beautiful group of artists."

Host Jimmy Kimmel joked that he knew he would mess up compering the ceremony.

He added: "Personally I blame Steve Harvey for this," referring to Harvey's mistake in announcing the Miss Universe winner in 2015.

Stone, 28, who has already received a Golden Globe and Bafta for her role in the hit musical, thanked Chazelle and Ryan Gosling, saying of her co-star: "Thank you for making me laugh and for always raising the bar and for being the best partner in this crazy adventure."

Ali won the first Oscar of the 89th Academy Awards when he scooped the best supporting actor prize.

He welcomed his first child, Bari Najma, on February 22 and thanked his wife Amatus Sami-Karim saying: "My wife was in her third trimester doing awards seasons, we just had a daughter four days ago. I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process."

Viola Davis received a standing ovation and cheers as she won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in Fences.

Davis, who has been nominated twice before, for Doubt and The Help, had been the frontrunner for the prize all through awards season.

She paid tribute to her co-star and director Denzel Washington, saying: "Oh captain, my captain, Denzel Washington, thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat, August Wilson and God and they served me well."

Casey Affleck won the best actor in a leading role Oscar for his role in Manchester By The Sea, beating fellow actors Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington, Andrew Garfield and Viggo Mortensen.

Affleck, 41, was hugged and kissed by his brother, Batman star Ben Affleck, as his name was called and received a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage.

The actor was tearful as he made his acceptance speech, saying: "This means so much to me, thank you. One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington and I just met him tonight for the first time."

Affleck ended his speech by thanking his parents for "mostly believing in me" and added: "Ben, I love you, you ain't heavy."

Many had expected the ceremony to be dominated by political speeches but references to President Donald Trump were mainly limited to jibes from Kimmel, who kicked off the ceremony by thanking the president for making the Oscars appear less racist.

He added: "I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? It's gone!"

The Salesman, directed by Iranian film-maker Asghar Farhadi, who is boycotting the ceremony because of Donald Trump's travel ban, has won the foreign language film Oscar.

In a statement read on his behalf, Farhadi, whose film A Separation won the same prize in 2012, said it was a "great honour" to receive the prize for a second time.

He added: "I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US.

"Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression."

During a break in awards, Kimmel said he was worried about President Trump because he had not yet tweeted anything about the ceremony.

He wrote on his Twitter account: "Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?" and followed it up with "@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi".

The president has not yet commented on the ceremony.

Tarell Alvin McCraney, who won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for Moonlight, told Radio 4 Today: "One of the things that helped was the cast and crew of La La Land being so gracious and so powerfully intimate and loving.

"They looked to us and said to us 'This is your award, you won this award'.

"There was nothing more amicable that I can imagine from them. They were in an awkward position and for them to be so gracious was staggeringly beautiful."

Despite the huge error, there was another moment at the ceremony also capturing viewers' attention, Nicole Kidman's clapping.

The way in which the Lion star applauded when an award was introduced on stage prompted much comment on Twitter.

Baratunde wrote: " Anyone see Nicole Kidman clapping? She claps like a seal. Awesome."

@steveleng wrote: " Little known fact about Nicole Kidman - she is in fact half sea lion."
Conservative Eurosceptics have attacked "bitter" and "craven" former prime minister Sir John Major over his stinging criticism of Theresa May's Brexit strategy.

In a scathing intervention, the ex-Tory leader said the public were being led to expect a future outside the European Union that is "unreal and over-optimistic".

Sir John called on the PM to inject "a little more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric" into the Brexit negotiations.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the former premier of being a "bitter man".

He told the BBC: "It was a craven and defeated speech of a bitter man who was heavily defeated by the electorate for his own failings in Europe in 1997, was defeated again last June and now wishes to take out his failures on Mrs May."

Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, a thorn in Sir John's side over the EU during his premiership, said the speech was "peculiar" and "sad".

He told BBC Two's Newsnight: "What I thought when I looked at this speech was that this was a peculiar speech in the sense that it looked backwards the whole time.

" It was almost like a re-fight of the referendum, all the same threats and issues that came up during Project Fear were all in here.

"Strangely bitter, really, and almost, really, the speech of someone who simply refuses to accept that the British people should have made a decision such as they did, and wants them almost to rerun it again until they get it right, which is rather sad, really."

In a speech at Chatham House in London on Monday night, Sir John said v oters must be told how the outcomes of the negotiations will affect them.

" I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic," he said.

"Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery."

Sir John said the talks require "statesmanship of a high order" and warned of a "real risk" of the exit deal falling " well below the hopes and expectations".

" I see little chance we will be able to match the advantages of the single market," he said.

"In my own experience, the most successful results are obtained when talks are conducted with goodwill: it is much easier to reach agreement with a friend than a quarrelsome neighbour.

"Behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour. A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UK's interests."

The former premier's time in Number 10 was marked by a series of bruising battles with his own MPs over Europe and his outspoken opposition to quitting the bloc has previously angered Eurosceptic Tories.

Sir John said Leave voters backed Brexit in the belief it would improve their lives.

" If events go badly, their expectations will not be met, and whole communities will be worse off," he said.

"The particular fear I have is that those most likely to be hurt will be those least able to protect themselves."

Sir John said it was "time to stop" the attacks on Remain supporters, insisting they are demeaning and intolerant.

A No 10 source said: " The Government is determined to make a success of our departure from the European Union and to move beyond the language of Leave and Remain to unite our country.

"The Prime Minister set out her 12 negotiating objectives for Brexit in January. We have a clear plan to get the best deal for the United Kingdom and are going to get on with the job of delivering it."
Seven people were killed when gunmen shot at a bus transporting prisoners to a court in south west Sri Lanka, news reports say

Seven people were killed when gunmen shot at a bus transporting prisoners to a court in south west Sri Lanka, reports say.

Five inmates, including a suspected gang leader, and two prison guards were killed in the attack near the town of Kalutara, about 30 miles south of the capital, Colombo, privately owned Maharaja TV reported.

Two other inmates were injured and and taken to hospital.

The gunmen escaped after the shooting.

The motive for the attack was not immediately known. Police and prison officials were unavailable for comment.

There have been several incidents in the past in Sri Lanka in which rival criminal gangs have targeted each other on court premises or inside prison vehicles.

AP
Susan Howarth and her husband Robert Lynn (pictured) were targeted by a gang

Susan Howarth and her husband Robert Lynn were targeted by a gang

Three suspects are due in court today charged with a violent robbery at a remote South African farm in which a Northern Ireland man was tortured and his wife murdered.

The three, who are aged between 23 and 32, are accused of a series of offences linked to the horrific attack on Robert Lynn and Susan Howarth.

An armed gang broke into the pensioners isolated farm at Dullstroom, around 150 miles east of Johannesburg. The couple were tortured for hours before being bundled into a pick-up truck and driven to a mountain pass.

Susan, also known as Sue, was shot twice in the head and Robert, a former electrical engineer from Belfast, once in the neck.

He miraculously survived, but his wife passed away in hospital. Police said she had been left unrecognisable from her injuries.

Five suspects were arrested and three will appear in court today to face charges of murder, house robbery, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The couple, aged 66 and 64, were overpowered by raiders who broke into their house on the farm last Sunday. The gang entered through a window, shot at the couple and tied them up.

They demanded money and, refusing to believe they did not have a safe, burned their bodies with a blowtorch as they screamed for help.

Police said they were put through a horrific ordeal lasting several hours in which they were savagely beaten around the head and cut with a knife.

Susan, originally from Hampshire, had a plastic bag jammed down her throat and Robert had a bag tied round his neck in an effort to strangle him.

After being driven to the mountain pass, they were shot and left for dead in a ditch.

Susan was rushed to hospital but died 48 hours later after slipping into a coma. Her husband was treated in intensive care but survived and has returned to the farm.

He still has a bullet lodged in his head, which surgeons say is too dangerous to remove.

Robert told the Middelburg Observer he must face the demons and deal with the sadness of losing his best friend, adding: She had a great life just to end up dumped in a ditch with her hands tied behind her back.

He said he was amazed at how good people have been to him, but will never forget the evil people are capable of.

Robert described how he and his injured wife were driven away after being tortured.

Robbers walked with him into a field, where he was ordered to get to his knees.

That was the last thing I remember. I thought I was dead after that until I looked up and saw the stars, he added.

He eventually freed himself, before finding his wife lying in a ditch, bleeding from her head.
In Irish tradition, it used to be said that old age was the time for "telling your beads" (saying the Rosary in preparation for the next world) but now, we are informed, it's time for a renewal of sexual activity. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing reports, cheerily, that two-thirds of people over 50 are sexually active these days, and even for those over 75, more than a fifth of them are still regularly "having sex", as they put it, not very romantically (or erotically).

Quite a few people over 60 in the Republic are marrying, too: 12 years ago, 232 men over 60 wed; in 2015, this had risen to 420. Many had been married before so it was the second time around - but it does tend to show there is relationship commitment.

Mind you, for all our changed attitudes towards sexual freedom, there is still a distinct link between sex and marriage. The study showed that married people have more sex than those who are single, separated or divorced - certainly among the older group. Being married for those heading for pensionable age tends to mean a steadier sex life.

But a gender-biased pattern also emerges. When older men marry, their brides are usually in a younger age group. Of the 420 men over 60 who married in 2015, only 156 of their brides were around the same age. This is a similar overall pattern to previous statistics.

As time goes on, this difference between males and females is emphasised. More than a fifth of those over 75 are still sexually active - 23% - but the study tells us that "older men have more sex than older women, and the decline in women's sexual activity is more rapid".

The sociologists believe this is because women are more likely to be widowed than men: men usually die first. To me, this is a superficial analysis. I believe that men, as a group - not all men - are hardwired by biology to be attracted to younger women, so that when they dump a first wife, they frequently choose a younger woman as the second.

The advent of Viagra has been a tremendous boost for older men. The great anxiety, for older guys, is the loss of potency, and the greatest mockery that an older man fears is a reputation that he "can't get it up". The French-Russian novelist Romain Gary wrote an autobiographical book about this worry: the French slang for having an erection is bander, and the entire book was about an ageing man's inability to bander. In the end, he shot himself in the head. Poor Romain Gary. If only he had had that little blue pill, he could have gone on into his dotage.

The anxiety, for older women who still want to be involved in a sexual relationship, is the difficulty of finding a boyfriend. (The word 'partner' is so cold and businesslike and removed from romance, as though we were auditing accounts.) I write an advice page for The Oldie magazine, and the experience has made me aware of the way the market is skewed against older women. Many a gal in her 60s and 70s is eager to 'date', as it's put, but where are the men? They go onto dating sites on the internet, they join clubs, they advertise and respond to adverts, but they return to the old saw: a good man is hard to find.

Whenever a widower or a divorce becomes available in the senior years, there's often a queue of women fussing around him. One correspondent dubbed these 'the casserole ladies'; she once brought a casserole lunch to an elderly widower in her block of flats, meaning to be kind. He answered the door with something of a rebuff: "Oh, Esther has already brought me a lunch casserole, thank you." There seemed to be a plethora of ladies of a certain age keen to court him.

There are inequalities that neither law nor custom can change, and these are the inequalities inherent in nature. Older men are always going to be attracted to, and aroused by, younger women, and rich older men will always have their pick. (Look at Donald Trump: each succeeding wife younger.) Indissoluble lifelong marriage was one way for women to deter ageing men from being led astray by their hormones, even if it had its restrictions and vexations. My sister once heard a woman say on a Brooklyn bus: "Look, honey, you're either fightin' or lonely. Better be fightin'."

Yet individuals are infinitely variable, and there's a literature springing up about sex and romance among the oldies: it's called 'grandma lit'. Hilary Boyd, who wrote Thursdays in the Park (about a grandmother who meets a lover while taking the grandkids to the park) is credited with inventing it. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton did an oldsters' romcom together, Something's Gotta Give, although the sex scenes were notably decorous: another law of nature (and Hollywood) is that naked bodies on screen for erotic purposes must be young, lithe and flawless.

It's fine and dandy that older people should be encouraged to enjoy their sex lives. And there have probably always been a few vigorous and randy oldsters around.

When Dermot MacMurrough abducted Dervorgilla, wife of the King of Breifne, in 1152, he was 42, and she was described as being "of advanced years" - so she was probably well over 50. And that's the episode that started all the trouble!
High energy prices are bad for industry and domestic consumers and are holding back the United Kingdom as a whole. The difficulties at Port Talbot and the closure of the Michelin factory in Ballymena are examples.

The culprit is premature decarbonisation and thus enforced energy shortages. There are also too many salesmen offering one the same energy when there needs to be more blue collar people in overalls working in actual UK-wide energy infrastructure both in expansion and maintenance.

The solution is to put closure of coal-fired stations into reverse, reopen a few coal mines and to increase nuclear power. Cheap and plentiful energy will be a spur to initiative and employment and Brexit makes it an imperative.

We all hope there won't be a hard border. However, by building up genuine UK-wide energy infrastructure in the here-and-now this will help offset hard border difficulties from the viewpoint of inward investors.

The Prime Minister and her Government need to understand that Brexit is not merely a negotiation, but also involves hard strategic UK-wide infrastructure to make the UK 'Brexit-fit'.

JOHN BARSTOW

Pulborough, West Sussex
This is the most important election in a generation and may well be the most dangerous one for unionism since the creation of Northern Ireland. By lunchtime on Saturday we will know the result of the election. Every political commentator, analyst or pundit accepts that either the DUP or Sinn Fein will win the most seats.

The other parties aren't even running enough candidates to compete for the top spot - and in any event the polls suggest that they lag well behind the DUP and Sinn Fein, who are running neck and neck.

It is too close to call.

The only way you can ensure that Sinn Fein do not emerge as the largest party at the election is to vote DUP.

A vote for any other unionist party will simply split the vote and allow Sinn Fein to come out ahead. Indeed, with the UUP there is a real danger that first preference unionist votes will end up electing nationalists ahead of other unionists!

Every vote will matter. Your vote will decide the future direction of Northern Ireland. How you cast your vote in the polling booth on Thursday will determine not just the make-up of any new Assembly and Executive, it will determine what kind of country we will live in.

An Assembly election is a choice, not a referendum. Some people have sought to make this a referendum on the RHI. It is not. People are understandably angry about the RHI, and undoubtedly mistakes were made, but a full public inquiry has been established that will take all of the evidence and reach conclusions. Since December we have been working to put right the flaws in the scheme and to limit the cost to the budget.

It would be a disaster for unionism if the handling of a renewable energy scheme was allowed to be used as a catalyst to undermine the Union. This would be particularly unnecessary in advance of any findings of wrongdoing by the public inquiry; and given the fact that I have made a commitment to accept the outcome of whatever the inquiry concludes.

In every election the issues are complex and complicated, with many different perspectives, but when the moment comes to mark your ballot paper the choice is actually very simple.

Do you want a DUP-led administration at Stormont working for everyone or do you want Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein given a mandate to set the agenda for your future?

What matters on Thursday is the future direction of Northern Ireland. That will be determined by the party that has the most seats. I want the DUP to have the most seats so that we can stand up for unionism and deliver on our plans for more jobs and a better health service. I want the DUP to have the most seats so that we can negotiate the best Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. I want us to get back to delivering for the people who elected us.

However, the consequence of us not winning the election will be that Gerry Adams will be in a position to push his radical republican agenda. Some people say it doesn't matter who wins the election. They could not be more wrong.

If Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein win the election it would give republicans a massive mandate for their demands with the British Government. They would use an election victory as a justification for a border poll, which would be divisive and destabilising.

Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein would use an election victory for vindication of their position that the border between the UK and the EU should be the Irish Sea - not the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein would take an election victory for republicans as a mandate to pursue their strategy of putting our soldiers and security forces in the dock and of rewriting history.

By vindicating the decisions to force an election, it would not only make devolution harder to restore, but would reward those who caused the crisis and make devolution permanently unstable. Make no mistake, it is not the DUP, but the British Government that Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein want to be dealing with.

It would threaten our economic recovery by undermining the prospects for a reduction in corporation tax and make the needs of the Northern Ireland economy subservient to the narrow party political interests of Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein.

If, as Sinn Fein has sought, the Justice Department is selected by d'Hondt, it would allow a Sinn Fein Justice Minister for the first time in history, while the PSNI and security services state that the IRA Army Council still exists, and some believe that it continues to control Sinn Fein.

It would lead to the sort of sectarian abuse of power that has been seen wherever Sinn Fein have been able to do so - from the removal of the Union flag at City Hall to the glorification of convicted terrorists, to the ministerial abuse of office which has been adjudicated upon by the courts.

It would likely give Sinn Fein the power to run the most government departments in Northern Ireland with the ability to shape policy consistent with Gerry Adams' all-Ireland agenda in a thousand different ways.

It would give Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein a hugely significant world-wide propaganda boost just months after nationalism's worst election since 1993 and would undermine the unionist confidence which is being rebuilt after so many years in decline. And finally, it would of course give Sinn Fein the right to nominate a First Minister.

I don't agree with everything that unionist commentator Alex Kane has to say, but I did agree with his comment last week that: "It is quite possible that Sinn Fein could win the most seats on March 2: and it is also quite possible that unionists, for the first time ever, would not represent a majority in a Northern Ireland Parliament or Assembly Not having an overall unionist majority  would I believe have a huge psychological impact across unionism."

That is not the sort of future that I want to see for Northern Ireland. That's why on Thursday I am asking you to turn out to vote DUP and then to transfer to other unionists.
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

This Constitution our Constitution Leader Abigale Mupambi has distanced her self from a Whatsapp message calling for African immigrants to rise up and revenge to South Africans following the out break of xenophobic attacks on foreigners in that country.Bulawayo 24 recently published a story based on Whatsapp message which circulated in Zimbabwe purportedly in her name in which she was alleged to have called for revenge on violent South Africans. But Mupambi has contacted this publication registering his concerns and distancing herself from the message."Kindly help remove and denounce xenophobia related article. Actually I do not know it," she wrote."This is a deliberately meant to counter my self and our campaign on constitutionalism agenda, myself being a pro-democracy activist and human rights defender."She said this means she can not call for violence any how.South Africa has of late experienced a spate of foreign nationals attacks by citizens with quite a number of people having been killed in the violence.
Wikicommons/Public Domain

You know him as a conqueror. You know him as the man who killed fully 5 percent of the worlds population through a brutal series of wars that carved out what was, for a time, the largest contiguous empire ever seen. And indeed, Genghis Khan, the founder of the mighty Mongol Empire, was all of these things.

Consider this quote, attributed to Khan in the Jami al-tawarikh.

The greatest happiness is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see those dear to them bathed in tears, to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters.

If that quote sounds familiar, its because it was repurposed in the 1982 film, Conan the Barbarian, famously said by Conan, a brutal warrior, when he is asked, What is best in life?

But what if you found out that Genghis Khan, in addition to being all of this, was a champion of religious freedom, and that his legacy affected Americas founding fathers?

The Conqueror

Genghis Khan was a military genius, able to create fear, which spread before him like a disease, infecting and weakening his enemies. The impending arrival of his Mongol hordes caused absolute terrora terror he crafted as only an artist could.

"Khan was known to catapult diseased bodies into enemy cities, causing massive casualties when that disease began to spread."

Born in 1162, Khan arose from a disgraced and exiled family, growing up in a desolate place where provisions were scarce. Few could have guessed that he would grow into an unparalleled warrior who would go on to establish one of the largest land empires in history, uniting the warring tribes of the Mongolian plateau and conquering large swaths of central Asia and China.

At its largest, the Mongolian Empire was comprised of about 12 million square miles of territory.

Khan did this through the complete devastation of his enemies. It wasnt enough for him to winhe shattered, leaving nothing behind but crows and wolves in those places that felt his hand of judgment. Subjugated cities had to take carea single act of resistance would immediately bring down that hand.

No tactic was too gruesome for the founder of the Mongol Empire. Khan was known to catapult diseased bodies into enemy cities, causing massive casualties when that disease began to spread. The use of such methods is thought to have begun the Black Death in Europe.

In the face of all this, most enemies willingly bent the knee to Genghis Khan rather than joining the more than 40 million dead at his hand.

The terror of this razor-edged choice between death and alliance was what drove Khans conquestswhen foreign leaders heard what happened to neighboring cities when they resisted, they were much less likely to resist, themselves, especially when Khan promised protection and relative independence upon surrender, as long as they agreed to pay regular tributes.

And so with fear going before him like a plague, Khan made full use of what we would call psychological warfare, destroying certain populations so that the rest might be tamed, made subordinate to Khan, and become an additional source of income.

With all this, Khans forces became an unstoppable engine of war.

The Leader

As great a warrior as Genghis Khan was when in the saddle of a warhorse, he knew that an equal amount of skill must be applied when governing on the groundit was from this attitude that Khans revolutionary ideas of religious freedom flowed.

Khan knew that slavery and utter subjugation were not the path toward a stable empire, and so he allowed relative autonomy in those kingdoms he defeated. As weve learned, Khans deal was all-or-nothingeven the barest hint of resistance was met with total destruction. Alliance, though, was met with striking equality.

Khans kingdom was a meritocracypeople were promoted and given positions of power based on skill, experience, and talent rather than heritage or class. This was a huge break from tradition, at the time, and gave Khan an advantagehis armies were made up of those who were best at shedding blood, not of those who were merely of the best blood.

Because of this, Khan frequently made officers of his most powerful enemies. In one famous story, Khans horse was shot out from under him during a battle. After his forces triumphed, he lined up his enemies and demanded that the soldier who loosed the arrow reveal himself. When the soldier boldly stood and proclaimed himself the shooter, Khan made him an officer and gave him the nickname Jebe, which means arrow.

Jebe went on to be one Khans greatest and most feared field commanders.

Khans attitude toward equal opportunity extended, most notably, to religious worship, and he enthusiastically embraced the diversity of his many conquered lands.

As his empire grew, Khan began to pass laws that established religious freedom for all citizens and granted tax exemptions for places of worship.

The Mongols were extremely open-minded in their views toward religion, openly embracing the existence of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and pagans. This was partly to ensure the happinessand resulting passivityof conquered peoples, but also because of Khans intense interest in spirituality. He had a great love of philosophy, and in much the same way he assembled his government and armies, he assembled philosophical and spiritual knowledge, picking what he felt was the best and incorporating it into his worldview.

It was this habit that would, strangely, find its way to America during the revolutionary period, perhaps paving the way toward the nations embrace of religious freedom.

Champion of Religious Freedom

George and Martha Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and major parts of the populations of revolutionary Charleston, New York, and Philadelphia, were obsessed with the story of Genghis Khan.

While it may sound odd for these early Americans to so love a Mongolian warlord who took millions of lives, the countrys rebellion against English rule created a peculiar craving. They sought out historical models for their new country outside of traditional Christian, European historythis simply didnt work for them, as the American colonies were comprised of opposing religious sects and political dissenters.

What they found was the story of Genghis Khan.

Soon, his biography became popular. It was in George and Marthas library. Ben Franklin sold his own copies. Plays about Khan were put on across several states. Khans style of governance had reached out from the 12th century, and into the 18th.

His success in both taming religious extremism, and in creating an empire out of a patchwork of beliefs, attitudes, and worldviews, made him a hero amongst American rebelsparticularly to Americas founding fathers.

Thomas Jefferson adored a French copy of Khans biography by French scholar Francois Petis de la Croix, and was fascinated by Khans allowance not only of certain religious traditions, but of total freedom of religion at the individual level.

It so it was that the example of Genghis Khan, the destroyer of millions, became the model the Virginia law of religious freedomthe first of Americas religious freedom laws. In fact, Jeffersons wording almost exactly paralleled that of Khans, as it was written in the French biography.

The Legacy of a Warlord

Who would have ever thought the words of a man who flung diseased bodies over walls, killed so many people that weather patterns were disturbed, and who utterly mastered the art of fear, would form such an important part of the foundation of our nation?

They did, though, and so the next time you head to church, you might want to give a little thanks that famed leader of the Mongols.

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.
Shutterstock.com

All in the name of religion.

Terror and violence both have a long-standing tradition of division and a knack to divide and conquer.





In the name of religion, blood is shed--lives are marked with fear. Religion-based violence is nothing new. Look no further than to the pages of a dark world history. The Inquisition, the Crusades, the Holocaust and violence against minorities through the KKK.





Why do we even trouble ourselves with this principle when we generalize? Judging people based on the actions of one psychotic person or persons does this as we see with radical Islam in American soil and abroad. The social contract of the Declaration of Independence is seemingly abandoned in the U.S., to people on the left and people on the right of the political isle. To some Americans, the entire religion of Islam is demonized because of the actions of others. This stereotype has become pervasive in our society, especially after 911. A recent PRRI found that this line of thinking is feasible. There is a double standard in the nation when it comes to religious understanding in America among Christians. The questionnaire asked people the following questions: Many of us were taught in our youth to treat all people as equals as stated in the second paragraph of the United States, Declaration of Independence from 1776: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."Why do we even trouble ourselves with this principle when we generalize? Judging people based on the actions of one psychotic person or persons does this as we see with radical Islam in American soil and abroad. The social contract of the Declaration of Independence is seemingly abandoned in the U.S., to people on the left and people on the right of the political isle. To some Americans, the entire religion of Islam is demonized because of the actions of others. This stereotype has become pervasive in our society, especially after 911.



"When people claim to be ________ and commit acts of violence in the name of ________, do you believe they really are ______?"









As a nation that is pretty polarized, don't assume that political beliefs are in this twisted mess. The poll started with the Republicans. It found that 72 percent of conservatives believed that self-described Christians who shed violence in the name of Christianity are not true Christians. This is compared to the Democrats who polled at 79 percent. Independents were surveyed at 72 percent. This is where the double standard comes into light. "Republicans were far less likely to make these same allowances for Muslims. Only one-third (33 percent) of Republicans believed that people who committed acts of violence in the name of Islam are not actually Muslim," the study found.



Both Democrats and independents said that those who commit violence in the name of Islam were not true Muslims. To break down the PPRI poll further. The group that had the largest double standard on religious violence were white evangelical Protestants (87 percent), who claimed they would disown Christian terrorists in the name of their religion but are the least to say the same about Muslim terrorists at 44 percent.



Writer Anhvinh Doanvo, who is a contributor for The Hill said that the Republican party only defends the Christian faith and not any other group. Doanvo also shared that they discriminate against Muslims and the LGBTQ community. He explained that the party played into ISISs hands "by taking offense at the very sight of a subgroup of Muslims that express themselves through their clothing and portraying Islam as incompatible with the West."



Arab America explained that treatment needs to be equal across the board when it comes to terror in the name of any religion. "Unwarranted hatred and fear of Muslims will only continue without a change in how the word terrorism is used in American media." The article shared that we need to observe acts of violence on an individual case and create more of a barrier between religion and terrorism. This will prevent the politicians from using the American Muslim community as a scapegoat.



A poll done shortly after the terrorists attack in San Bernardino, California where 14 people were gunned down in 2015 showed what was revealed by PRRI in 2017. The Public Religion Research Institute found that 75 percent of Americans believed Christians who committed acts of violence in the name their religion were not Christians. Only 19 percent of those who were surveyed said: "they believe these types of perpetrators are authentic Christians."



Americans believe that American Muslims have not worked hard enough to condemn the extremist in their respective communities. In many cases, it is true. However, the Muslims United for San Bernardino took a stand and denounced the shooters of the shootings in 2015 and raised over 100,000 to help with the needs of the victims.



There is a double standard in America because of fear. Acting in the name of religion to perpetrate hate is detestable. All religions need to get on board to denounce any acts criminal activity and other heinous crimes. Hate never unites, no matter where you stand in your politics or your religion--it only propagates. The survey found that 75 percent of the public said that Christians who commit acts of violence in the name of Christianity arent really Christian. "Fifty percent of the public said the same about people who claimed to be Muslim and commit religiously-motivated violence. Fewer than 37 percent said that such people are actually Muslim, while 13 percent were uncertain."As a nation that is pretty polarized, don't assume that political beliefs are in this twisted mess. The poll started with the Republicans. It found that 72 percent of conservatives believed that self-described Christians who shed violence in the name of Christianity are not true Christians. This is compared to the Democrats who polled at 79 percent. Independents were surveyed at 72 percent. This is where the double standard comes into light. "Republicans were far less likely to make these same allowances for Muslims. Only one-third (33 percent) of Republicans believed that people who committed acts of violence in the name of Islam are not actually Muslim," the study found.Both Democrats and independents said that those who commit violence in the name of Islam were not true Muslims. To break down the PPRI poll further. The group that had the largest double standard on religious violence were white evangelical Protestants (87 percent), who claimed they would disown Christian terrorists in the name of their religion but are the least to say the same about Muslim terrorists at 44 percent.Writer Anhvinh Doanvo, who is a contributor for The Hill said that the Republican party only defends the Christian faith and not any other group. Doanvo also shared that they discriminate against Muslims and the LGBTQ community. He explained that the party played into ISISs hands "by taking offense at the very sight of a subgroup of Muslims that express themselves through their clothing and portraying Islam as incompatible with the West."Arab America explained that treatment needs to be equal across the board when it comes to terror in the name of any religion. "Unwarranted hatred and fear of Muslims will only continue without a change in how the word terrorism is used in American media." The article shared that we need to observe acts of violence on an individual case and create more of a barrier between religion and terrorism. This will prevent the politicians from using the American Muslim community as a scapegoat.A poll done shortly after the terrorists attack in San Bernardino, California where 14 people were gunned down in 2015 showed what was revealed by PRRI in 2017. The Public Religion Research Institute found that 75 percent of Americans believed Christians who committed acts of violence in the name their religion were not Christians. Only 19 percent of those who were surveyed said: "they believe these types of perpetrators are authentic Christians."Americans believe that American Muslims have not worked hard enough to condemn the extremist in their respective communities. In many cases, it is true. However, the Muslims United for San Bernardino took a stand and denounced the shooters of the shootings in 2015 and raised over 100,000 to help with the needs of the victims.There is a double standard in America because of fear. Acting in the name of religion to perpetrate hate is detestable. All religions need to get on board to denounce any acts criminal activity and other heinous crimes. Hate never unites, no matter where you stand in your politics or your religion--it only propagates.

All in the name of violence.

Corine Gatti-Santillo is a freelance digital journalist, editor, and content producer. She is also the The Christian Post Voices Editor. She is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com.
An Indian court Monday granted police a 12-day remand to question two brothers who were arrested for alleged links to the Islamic State (IS), although their lawyer claimed police had no tangible evidence.

Wasim Ramodiya, 32, and Naem Ramodiya, 28, who were taken into custody by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday, will face interrogation before they are produced in court on March 10, police said.

The Ramodiya brothers were under surveillance for two years, Gujarat ATS Superintendent of Police Himanshu Shukla told BenarNews.

We arrested them just in the nick of time as they were planning a terror strike on a famous temple in the state soon, Shukla said, adding that while Wasim was arrested in Gujarats Rajkot town, Naem was picked up in Bhavnagar, about 175 km (108 miles) away.

Police recovered bomb-making materials and IS literature from the suspects, Shukla said.

We also have audio recordings of their telephone conversations that indicate they were in touch with IS handlers. Our surveillance revealed that the brothers were in touch with IS suspect Mufti Qasmi, he said. Qasmi was arrested in Uttar Pradesh state in February 2016.

So far they havent denied any of these accusations, but are answering our questions in a vague manner. We want to put them through intense questioning over the next 12 days to collect enough evidence against them, Shukla said.

Lawyer: flimsy evidence

Lawyer Imtiyaz Hussain Koreja said his clients had been arrested based on extremely flimsy and circumstantial evidence and would contest their arrests.

The allegations made by the police are baseless. There is no tangible or even intangible evidence against my clients that they are connected to any terror organization. We will be challenging the arrests and move a bail application on March 10, Koreja told BenarNews.

We will also be taking up the issue on various other fronts, including with human rights organizations, because this is not the first time Indian police have tried to falsely implicate innocent people in terror-related cases, he said.

While government officials consistently deny IS has made any significant inroads in India, about 70 people have been arrested and are facing trial for alleged links with the Middle East-based terror outfit.

Intelligence agencies claim that some 50 Indian Muslims have left for the Middle East to fight alongside the IS. Among them, at least seven have died in battle.

Rights activist Kavita Srivastava of the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties said she found it hard to believe allegations leveled against the Ramodiya brothers.

Indian security agencies routinely target members of the Muslim community by falsely implicating them in terror cases. I wouldnt be the least bit surprised if years later the court releases them (Ramodiya brothers) because the police had no evidence to back the allegations, Srivastava told BenarNews.

The government conveniently ignores the fact that such targeting only leads to more alienation and bitter ashes of memories among minority groups, she said.

Meanwhile, the suspects father, Arif Ramodiya, is shocked that his sons have been arrested on terrorism charges.

The police have not presented me with any information or documents regarding the arrest of my sons. I have no idea what to do, who to approach or what to say, Arif told BenarNews from Rajkot.
An Indonesian police sniper takes position during a firefight at a government office building in Bandung, Feb. 27, 2017.

Indonesian police shot dead a suspected militant believed to have links to the Islamic State (IS) after allegedly he blew up a bomb in a park in the West Java city of Bandung on Monday.

Yayat Cahyadi, 42, was killed during a shootout in a government office where he tried to escape after detonating a pressure cooker bomb at the nearby public park, police said.

National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian linked Yayat to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an Indonesian militant organization that has pledged support to IS.

[We see] an alleged link to JAD because the perpetrator said the bomb was for his friends who were arrested by Densus 88 to be released, Tito told Tribunnews, referring to the national polices elite counter-terrorist squad.

National Police spokesman Martinus Sitompul did not elaborate on the JAD link.

So far, what we know is he acted by himself, Martinus told BenarNews, responding to a question about Yayats statement about his friends.

That was the information from the community. He threatened the people, said he had business with the Densus 88 and not with the people there, Martinus said.

Two suspects?

No one was injured but many were startled when Yayats pressure cooker bomb exploded in Pandawa Park, the police spokesman said. He tried to escape from a crowd chasing him by running into the nearby village office.

Yayat, who had another bomb in his backpack, did not take any hostages, although police said a second suspect escaped from the building. Martinus gave no details about this other person.

We are still investigating, Martinus said. Based on witnesses information, there are two persons, but only one perpetrator is known.

According to West Java Police spokesman Yusri Yunus, officers tried to persuade Yayat to surrender, but he set fire to the second floor of the building and threw the pressure cooker-bomb at police.

That bomb almost hit the Bandung police chief, Yusri told BenarNews. If he had surrendered, he would be alive.

Jailed previously

Martinus said Yayat was familiar to investigators of terror networks in Indonesia. He was jailed from 2012 to 2015 for connections to military-style training in Aceh in 2010.

His death adds to the list of JAD sympathizers killed over alleged ties to terrorism.

In October 2016, Sultan Azianzah, a JAD sympathizer stabbed three police officers with a knife in a station in Tangerang, Banten, a city about 88 km (55 miles) from Jakarta. Sultan, who was killed by police, brought two pipe bombs that did not explode.

Ridlwan Habib, a terrorism analyst at the University of Indonesia, said he suspected that Yayat tried to strike fear in the community ahead of a nine-day visit by Saudi King Salman beginning Wednesday.

In an effort to cancel the visit, the atmosphere of fear was created, Ridlwan told BenarNews.

Muradi, an analyst at West Javas Padjajaran University, agreed. IS is known for disliking Saudi Arabia under the administration of King Salman, Muradi said.

So, terror is created, this could be to warn King Salman not to come, Muradi said.

Police denied any possible links to the royal visit, and government officials said plans around the kings stay in Indonesia have not changed.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

President Robert Mugabe yesterday basked in reverence as his wife, Grace, heaped praises on the nonagenarian while he was feted with giant cakes at a colourful feast to mark his 93rd birthday.Mugabe - who was born on February 21, 1924 - was showered with praises not only by his wife, but by everyone who could get to the microphone in a fawning contest at his birthday gala, which was held at Matobo training centre.The annual jamboree was delayed for a few hours as the ground was muddy and graders had to be brought in to fill it up with sands.Zanu-PF supporters had to either wear gumboots or walk barefooted just to get close to the man they revere as a hero.Showing their might, Zanu-PF forced the Rhodes Preparatory School (Reps) to change its name to Matopos Jnr School as the ruling party sought to obliterate a historical relic that was deemed too colonial.Ironically, the birthday bash was held just a few kilometres from mass graves of Gukurahundi victims and not far from the graves of Cecil Rhodes and King Mzilikazi.Describing her husband as "amazing", Grace said Mugabe - accused by some of gross human rights abuses and single-handedly tendering the country's economy to the dogs on a silver platter - is "a rare gift from God"."Fellow comrades attaining the age of 93 years in good health is truly a milestone achievement in one's lifetime, a feat many of us cannot accomplish, which can only be regarded as a special gift from God," Grace said.While Mugabe has been able to live to the ripe age of 93, most Zimbabweans are dying much younger as they fail to access basic medical care due to the collapse of the health sector under Zanu-PF's rule.Data from the United Nations shows that the average Zimbabwean male only lives to 34 while women have a life expectancy of 37 years.Surrounded by poverty in the marginalised Matabeleland South province, the fete's irony was lost on Zanu-PF bigwigs as they wined and dined close to graves of victims of the infamous Gukurahundi massacres and villagers staring hunger in the face after floods destroyed most of their crop."The president is a moving encyclopaedia, a very knowledgeable person who is widely readhe is very amazing at the manner in which he grasps issues, be they political, social, economic or cultural."The bottom line is that . . . Mugabe is a very intelligent person, who has a very sharp memory, which like wine gets better with age, again a rare gift from God," Grace said.Her lavish praises on Mugabe came just a week after the nonagenarian also went into overdrive as he extolled his wife describing her as "fireworks".During his birthday interview, Mugabe described Grace as a strong character and seasoned politician, following her Buhera rally where she declared Zimbabweans can vote for Mugabe's corpse.Despite the country's economic and social problems, Mugabe's birthday celebration is now an annual event that gobbles millions and often disrupts school activities.The Zanu-PF youth wing, which organised yesterday's birthday party is presently hankering for the 21st of February to be declared a national holiday."The personality being celebrated today carries a plethora of qualities appreciated by many to me and the family, he is a loving husband, an exemplary father, to the nation he is an iconic leader, a revolutionary par excellence, a statesman and above all a liberator."Suffice to say, he is everything virtuous to the downtrodden people of this world," she said, adding the 93-year-old was God's answer to Zimbabwe's problems.Even though millions of Zimbabweans are living in the Diaspora, as they seek economic refugee, Grace said Mugabe has managed to keep the people of Zimbabwe together, leading to Western countries imposing sanctions against the country.
By Caitlin Maloney

BGSU biology graduate student Preston Thompson spent his winter break volunteering at El Parque Marino del Pacifico in Costa Rica, aiding marine wildlife. This was Thompsons first time outside the United States, and the experience was valuable for both him and the animals he was helping to rehabilitate. He was inspired to return home with the mission to raise an ambitious $10,000 for the organization to fund improvements to its facility so that it can help more turtles and wildlife in need.

El Parque Marino del Pacifico is located in the Punta Arenas province of Costa Rica. Its goal is to educate the public about protecting marine life and to mitigate harmful interactions between humans and wildlife. The park also houses a marine life rehabilitation center that receives injured animals and either returns them to the wild after they have been successfully rehabilitated or houses those animals that are too ill or injured to be returned.

While there, Thompson performed a variety of tasks, including cleaning aquariums, changing filters, feeding sea turtles, cleaning their shells and helping to provide medical care for sick wildlife.

A lot of sea turtles wash up on the beaches as juveniles, but [the marine park] doesnt know if this is due to pollution or if the turtles are eating plastic, he said.

Many of the turtles that come to the rehabilitation center are the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and the vulnerable Olive Ridley turtle. In fact, all sea turtles are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered or threatened. Thompson said that the sea turtle populations face a variety of major threats including destruction of nesting habitat, capture as bycatch by fisheries, entanglement in debris and boat strikes. In addition to sea turtles, the park also helps to rehabilitate and house sea birds that collide with boats. Many of these birds are unable to be released back into the environment because they have broken wings and can no longer fly.

Organizations like El Parque Marino del Pacifico are important for helping sea turtles and other wildlife recover, but without help these organizations cannot do their work, he said.

The park is becoming more popular but its been difficult to get funding because it is located in one of the most impoverished areas of Costa Rica, Thompson said. The little funding it receives from the government allows it to get by, but it is not enough. It relies mainly on donations from marine groups such as the BGSU Marine Lab. This great need is why Thompson has decided to raise money through a crowd-funding campaign and a fundraiser on April 8 at Howards Club H, 210 S. Main St. in Bowling Green. There will be live bands playing and all proceeds will go to helping the wildlife rehabilitation effort of El Parque Marino del Pacifico. The money raised will go to a new clinical area to house and quarantine incoming sea turtles and other wildlife and laboratory equipment to diagnose sick animals.

Thompson said he is excited to raise funds for this group. My favorite thing about the program was how everyone really cared about what they were doing. Everyone was very motived to educate the public. Additionally, he noted how the program has changed his outlook on conservation. He said he learned that saving the environment and saving species from extinction is a global effort. He hopes to continue helping developing countries protect their environments in the future as he pursues his masters degree in biology.

To donate to the rehabilitation center, visit Thompsons Go Fund Me page.
Although most have never met him, children the world over have an important advocate in Dr. Eric Dubow, a BGSU professor of psychology. For more than 25 years, his contributions to the field of child clinical psychology and child mental health, from research and theory to mentoring and student training, have earned him the respect of psychologists worldwide. An extraordinarily productive scholar known for his commitment to hard work, he has also served the profession both as a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and more recently as editor of the prestigious journal Developmental Psychology.

The BGSU Board of Trustees recognized Dubows record of achievement and dedication by naming him a Distinguished Research Professor. Established in 1982 by the board of trustees, the title is conferred upon faculty members who hold the rank of professor and who have established outstanding national and international recognition through research and publication in their disciplines.

The title was conferred upon Dubow at the boards Feb. 17 meeting. Dubows nomination for the honor included letters of support from Dr. Michael Zickar, chair of the BGSU psychology department; Dr. Kenneth Pargament, BGSU professor emeritus of psychology; Dr. Rowell Huesmann, the Amos N. Tversky Collegiate Professor of Communication Studies and Psychology at the University of Michigan (with whom he has worked for 36 years), and Dr. E. Mark Cummings, chair of the psychology department at the University of Notre Dame.

The impact of Dubows research into the roots of childhood aggression, its long-term effects into adulthood, and methods for assessing and ameliorating abnormal behavior is widely recognized, said his supporters, and has helped guide psychologists, school leaders and policy makers. He has published 76 articles in peer-reviewed journals and edited handbooks, and his work has been cited nearly 6,000 times, a reflection of his stature as a researcher. Since 1998 he has brought in more than $1.4 million in grant funding, which will continue through 2021. Much of it has been from the National Institute of Child and Human Development, the National Science Foundation and the American Psychological Foundation.

He is a top world scholar in developmental psychology and aggression research, Huesmann said.

He has taken a special interest in the effects of violence on children living among the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which breaks new ground toward a cutting-edge, process-oriented social-ecological understanding of political violence and child adjustment, particularly with regard to aggression, Cummings wrote. Dubow and his collaborators have conducted longitudinal studies not only of violences impact, including post-traumatic stress, but also of the efficacy of intervention efforts and specific styles of parental behavior and protective factors such as resilience characteristics. Much of this work has been done with international collaborators through the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, where he is a research professor in the Research Center for Group Dynamics Aggression Research Group.

In a world where violence is increasingly visible not only firsthand but in multiple other cultural environments, Dubows research into the connections between violence and the development of childhood aggression is especially relevant. He has examined timely issues of compulsive texting, television and video game violence and problem drinking. Locally, he and his graduate students have collaborated with the Bowling Green City Schools for more than 20 years implementing and evaluating a stress and coping curriculum for elementary school children. Further, he has for several years worked with the Wood County Family and Children First Council, the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, the Childrens Resource Center, Boys and Girls Clubs and Fostoria City Schools.

As a child clinical psychologist, Dr. Dubow has been very much committed to research that holds practical implications for the mental health of children, Pargament wrote. For example, when he came to BGSU, he designed and implemented a primary prevention program, I Can Do, to foster problem solving and resilience skills in elementary school children. It was, and remains, one of the finest examples of its kind and provided a remarkable service to the school systems in northwest Ohio for over 25 years.

He is equally committed to preparing the next generation of child psychologists, Zickar said, and has had 36 Ph.D. students, with whom he has numerous co-authorships and many of whom have gone on to prestigious positions. He received the Outstanding Contributor to Graduate Education Award from Graduate Student Senate in 1993. He has also contributed on the administrative level, serving as director of graduate studies and chair of the Clinical Colloquium Committee in his department.

In addition to his NIH grant reviewing, Dubow has served in elected council positions for the International Society for Research for Aggression and as a consulting editor for the journal Aggressive Behavior. Since early in his career he has been a sought-after reviewer for the most prestigious developmental journals, which led to his being named consulting editor and associate editor for several, and finally to the top post at the flagship journal in the field, Developmental Psychology.

Although he is known as a hard-nosed gatekeeper for important research, Huesmann said, he is also a teacher of young scholars. His decision letters are masterpieces of mentoring and reinforcing.

Dubow has been on the BGSU faculty since 1985 and a full professor since 1995. He earned his bachelors degree in psychology from Columbia University in 1980, masters degree in psychology from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1982 and Ph.D. in clinical-developmental psychology in 1985, also from Illinois-Chicago. He is a member of the Society for Research on Child Development and the Society for Research on Adolescence.
The companionship of animals can play an important role in optimal aging, as the first session in BGSUs Optimal Aging Institute spring program series demonstrated. The Feb. 23 gathering was part research presentation, part demonstration and all pleasure for attendees from the University, community and Brookdale Senior Living in Bowling Green.

Providing firsthand proof of the power of pets as social lubricants were Snowy the cat, belonging to Dr. Cynthia Spitler, gerontology; Sophie and Brodie, the sister and brother Shetland sheep dogs of Dr. Christopher Dunn, criminal justice, and retiree Susan Dunn, formerly of University Advancement; Frederick the Shih Tzu, a therapy dog who works with Marie Rogers of Bowling Green, and Reba the Labrador retriever, a fully trained assistance dog who aids community member Sandy Sundmeier, who is in a wheelchair.

The animals received a warm welcome and treats from the audience, sparking conversation and praise. Snowy, a remarkably outgoing former shelter cat who now serves as a therapy pet, walked about and greeted everyone, including the dogs; Brookdale residents Roy Hayes and Colleen Dunn held the Shelties on their laps, and everyone admired all the animal visitors. Rogers told about her work with Bowling Green resident Bryce Christensen, brain damaged as the result of a near-drowning as a child. Now 23, he has had pet therapy with Rogers since he was 13.

Spitler, who takes Snowy to senior living centers, gave historical background on the salutary effect of animals, first mentioned by Florence Nightingale. It was later researched beginning in 1961 by psychologist Dr. Boris Levenson of Yeshiva University, who coined the phrase pet therapy (which he later revised to animal-assisted therapy) and was the first to scientifically document its impact on a variety of people in different settings and with different needs. In the elderly, contact with animals has been found to motivate people to be more self-reliant and active, Spitler said. Likewise, for those who experience sensory deprivation, the touch of an animal is therapeutic and can fill in some of the gaps left by loss of other senses. Animals can also reduce aggressive behavior in people with forms of dementia and provide comfort to people in prison and children with anxiety, depression or who are grieving. They improve morale of both residents and staff in institutional settings.

They enhance social and emotional well-being, Spitler said.

Gerontology majors Kassidy Roe, a sophomore from Dundee, Mich., and Bethany Sara, a junior from Parma, Ohio, shared the results of their study of animal assisted therapy for the research methods class they take with Christopher Dunn. A faculty member in criminology, he had become interested in pet therapy after he and his wife began visiting friends in Brookdale with their dogs, who are not certified therapy dogs but are naturally very gentle and friendly. Roe and Sara took Brodie and Sophie to three area residential facilities, including a group home for people with developmental disabilities, and studied the effect the dogs had on residents.

In the memory care home, seeing the dogs would sometimes cause people to recall a dog they had had, Roe said. One person remembered a golden retriever and another talked about her Dachshund. That was great to see.

People would get very happy when they saw the dogs, Sara said.

Sundmeier, who swims at the Recreation Center most days, explained how Reba helps her in her daily life, which Reba demonstrated by picking up a variety of items and giving them back to her.

The rest of the OAI Spring Program schedule includes:

Preventing Osteoporosis through Exercise, on March 2.

Ukulele for Beginners, on March 22 and March 29

Images of the Great Depression in America, on April 6

Care Compass Project: Personal Care Training for Caregivers/Legal Services.

Sessions are held in various locations around Bowling Green. Check the website for full details.
Opinion / Columnist

Parental Alienation Solutions gives one of the best explanation of the proverb; Give a fool enough rope and he will hang himself!"The classic novelists Hermann Hesse, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Oscar Wilde and others have written about how people allow themselves to be part of a Chain of Fools who have very dysfunctional values; lying, manipulating, abusing and harming others and eventually they "get enough rope to hang themselves" or in other words they believe their own lies and are very delusional that they end up being their own worst enemy and destroying themselves due to THEIR FALSE SENSE OF POWER, ENTITLEMENT AND REALITY."Tsvangirai and his MDC-T friends have become a stereotypical chain of fools and, as expected, they are now hanging themselves!"The MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told his party youth to join Zanu PF in numbers, do slogans, perform activities in order that they benefit from opportunities that are exclusive to ruling party supporters," reported Zimeye."He said youth must not complain that they are being excluded from industrial attachments, training programmes like nursing or even employment. "Don't tell me you can't say pamberi neZanu PF. Do it and join them in their activities but know where to vote when the elections come," said Tsvangirai.Zanu PF is a party of thugs who have used every dirty trick in the book to rig elections including harassment, intimidation, vote buying, beating, rape and even murder of the innocent. The regime has murdered over 30 000 innocent Zimbabweans for its selfish political gain. The regime has applied these dirty tactics on everyone it considered a threat to its no-regime-change mantra be they critics, political opponents and their supporters, local civic organisation, charitable foreign donors, foreign governments, etc.So, if Tsvangirai's advice to the party youths to join Zanu PF is sound and strategic, it must also be sound and strategic to the rest of the party members to join Zanu PF; especially those in the rural areas who have been denied government food aid, have had their homes burnt and worse.Most of these MDC-T supporters who outwardly, according to the new Tsvangirai's strategy, are giving token support to Zanu PF out of fear will NOT overcome their fear and vote for MDC-T.In a political environment where fear of reprisals is so perverse; by instructing his supporters to join Zanu PF to avoid being victimised Tsvangirai is per se acknowledging that the culture of fear in Zimbabwe is indeed real and perverse; the people will vote to appease the bully they fear the most, particularly when it is certain the bully will win and the challenger will never protect them even if the later was to win! This is exactly what happen in the 2008 Presidential run-off!In the March 2008 vote Tsvangirai won 73% of the votes, by Mugabe's own admission, but MDC was too weak and naive to claim victory. After five weeks of recounting the vote ZEC finally announce the result with Tsvangirai's lead reduced to 47% to President Mugabe's 43%.In the presidential run-off that followed, President Mugabe launched Operation "Mavhotera papi!" (Whom did you vote for!), a military style reprisal to punish the electorate for having voted for Tsvangirai in the early vote. Zanu PF youths and war veterans with the active support of the Army, Police and CIO were granted carte blanche powers to intimidate, harass, beat, rape and even kill for the single purpose of forcing the electorate to vote for Mugabe in the run-off. It worked; President Mugabe overturned Tsvangirai's earlier 73% into a comfortable 85% Mugabe landslide victory!It is a matter of public record that Zanu PF has routinely instructed traditional leaders like village heads and chiefs to list the names of suspected opposition supporters in their area. Now that votes of each polling station are counted separately it is easy to ascertain how people voted in each area. It is therefore not surprising to hear that some people have willingly allow the village heads to see how they have voted just to make sure their support of Zanu PF is never questioned.Tsvangirai's cowardly failure to stand up to Zanu PF bullying is graphically illustrated in his failure to implement even one democratic reform during the GNU. Yes, President Mugabe bribe Tsvangirai and company to kick the reforms into the tall grass but there is no doubt that MDC leaders have never had the confidence they could rule the country alone without Zanu PF approval. Hence MDC-T's reluctance to implement the reforms and thus end Zanu PF's autocratic dominance.So, by instructing MDC-T supporters to join Zanu PF, Tsvangirai has just confirmed MDC-T to be a political weakling always destined to be play a subservient role to the village bully, Zanu PF. As any victim of playground bully will tell you, it is foolhardy to side with a weakling against the bully; you will be punished for backing the wrong horse!What MDC-T should be doing is accept the political reality that it is impossible to hold free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe's current political environment in which the electorate fear their livelihoods, personal safety and even their very lives. This is totally unacceptable and MDC-T and the rest of the opposition camp should stop contesting such blatantly flawed elections.President Mugabe has since learnt that as long as he throws away a few seats during elections, there will always be some opposition politicians who will contest the elections to win these bait-seats regardless how flawed the election process gets. As far as Tsvangirai is concerned winning the few give-away seats and thus securing a few gravy train seats for MDC-T members and remaining the country's main opposition party is now more important than securing everyone's freedoms and basic rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections.By telling MDC-T supporters to join Zanu PF for their own protection; Tsvangirai has therefore, unwittingly, confirmed MDC-T will never stand-up to Zanu PF vote rigging and other bullying tactic. He has hammered the last nail in MDC-T's political coffin; if MDC-T cannot bring about any meaningful political change, then why risk life and limp voting for such a party!
Von: Franz Solms-Laubach and Hanno Kautz

Their attacks take place without any bloodshed. But they are extremely dangerous  and they are growing in number every day.

Hackers are trying more and more often to access the computer systems of German companies and governmental institutions. They aim to cause damage, to steal information, and to weaken the state system.

This is shown by new statistics from the Federal Office for Information Security (FOIS) and the Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces). According to these statistics, there are more than 20 highly specialized attacks on the government network every day.

The Bundeswehr has been counting: During the first five weeks of 2017, the Bundeswehr registered approximately 120 000 events that can be interpreted as potential cyber attacks.

Lesen Sie auch

In a recent report, the FOIS has analysed these cyber attacks. The result is bleak. It says that Germany is under constant fire by hackers and internet trolls.

 According to the FOIS, there are many thousands of cyber-attacks on the German government networks every day. The government networks are subject to both random mass attacks and targeted attack campaigns. On average, the FOIS detects approximately 400 attacks per day that would not have been identified by commercial security products. This also includes approximately 20 highly specialized attacks per day.

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 The number of cyber attacks has multiplied over the past few years. In the first half of 2016, the FOIS intercepted, on average, 44 000 infected emails per month before they could reach their addressee. This is four times as many as in the first half of the previous year (2015: 10 000).

 The quality of the attacks has also changed. The FOISs assessment is that both the quantity and the quality of the cyber attacks are on the increase.

 The attacks are increasingly aimed at the so-called critical infrastructure (German Rail, nuclear plants, etc.). The consequences could be catastrophic. In late 2016, almost one million Telekom customers lost their internet, phone, and TV connection, because hackers had attacked and jammed the companys router.

Concern about smear campaigns with stolen data

It is not always clear who is behind these attacks. However, many trails lead to Russia.

The domestic security agency Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is quite confident that the attack on parliament in May 2015 was conducted by Russian cyber terrorists. They stole data from the computers of 14 members of parliament, and even one computer in Angela Merkels office. The hackers acquired 16 gigabytes of data. The exact nature of this data is unclear  as too is what it will be used for.

Lesen Sie auch Former Bush Advisor Malmgren : Trump wants to help dismantle the EU Donald Trump detests supranational institutions like the European Union, says policy expert Dr. Philippa Malmgren in her interview with BILD.

In Berlins government district, people are concerned that the data might be used for election campaigning. MPs could be blackmailed  or, almost worse, exposed. The credibility of the political system is at risk.

A high-ranking security expert tells BILD: This will resurface in the election year.

Politicians are also very concerned about internet trolls who spread hoaxes, mostly on behalf of Russia. Recently, even the Bundeswehr had to deal with the fake accusation that German soldiers had raped a girl in Lithuania while on a mission there.

Is Germany sufficiently prepared?

Given this threat, the question arises whether Germany is at all prepared for this new number and quality of cyber attacks. The Bundeswehr tries to react.

Minister of the Defense, Ursula von der Leyen, is developing a new military branch. However, this takes time. The FOIS is also upgrading. For 2017 alone, 180 new positions are planned.

We have to increase Germanys resilience to cyber risks, the head of FOIS, Arne Schonbohm, insists in a conversation with BILD. Otherwise the success of digitization would be at risk.

Schonbohm: Germanys big digitization projects in areas such as eHealth or autonomous driving will only benefit everybody if an adequate level of safety can be guaranteed.

This resembles the views of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Even smaller states are capable of attacking industrial countries in the web, warned the President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maaen, last week at the European Police Congress in Berlin.

Maaen: If one has well-trained cyber warriors, it is not that difficult to bring an industrial country to its knees.

The paradox is that the more developed a national economy is, the more susceptible it is for cyber attacks. Maaen: Our attack surface keeps increasing.
For Immediate Release, February 27, 2017 Contact: Miyoko Sakashita, (510) 844-7108, miyoko@biologicaldiversity.org EPA Chief Urged to Stop Cook Inlet Gas Leak or Face Lawsuit Hilcorp's Broken Pipeline Hurts Endangered Belugas, Violates Federal Law WASHINGTON The Center for Biological Diversity today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce federal laws that Hilcorp Alaska is violating with its ongoing natural gas pipeline leak in Alaska's Cook Inlet. The underwater leak, discovered Feb. 7, threatens critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales and other wildlife by creating a low-oxygen dead zone. In a notice letter to the new EPA chief Scott Pruitt, the Center urged the EPA to prosecute the oil company's violations of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Today's letter to the EPA and Hilcorp threatened legal action if the agency fails to take enforcement action and also cited violations of the Endangered Species Act for the leak's impacts on Cook Inlet belugas. Belugas and their prey are being harmed every day this leak continues. We can't wait another month or more for the sea ice to clear before plugging the leak, said Miyoko Sakashita, the Center's oceans program director. Every day they delay, wildlife is harmed, boaters are at risk, and a potent greenhouse gas rises into the atmosphere. Hilcorp has said that up to 310,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day  about what two households would use in a year  bubbles out of a broken pipeline about three miles offshore from Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula. The company also said it won't repair the leak until sea ice clears. State and federal regulators have repeatedly warned and fined Hilcorp for its disregard for regulatory compliance. A company that defies regulatory oversight shouldn't be calling the shots here. The EPA needs to intervene and enforce laws that protect wildlife and human health, Sakashita said. This uncontrolled natural gas leak in sensitive waters will be the first test of Scott Pruitt's approach to regulating the oil industry.



The Center's letter details the biological and environmental damage from natural gas and its primary component, methane, a powerful contributor to global climate change. The conservation group Cook InletKeeper has also filed a notice of intent to sue over the pipeline leak. Natural gas is toxic to fish and shellfish, and even low levels can displace them from their habitat. The leak is in the heart of critical habitat designated to protect Cook Inlet's belugas, which now number just 340. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
Bachem announced that Dr. Alex Fassler has been appointed to its Corporate Executive Committee as a new member, effective April 1, 2017. Alex Fassler will have global responsibility for the Groups production sites as Chief Operations Officer (COO). He will strengthen the Corporate Executive Committee, which currently consists of Dr. Thomas Fruh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stephan Schindler, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Dr. Jose de Chastonay, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Dr. Gunther Loidl, Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Alex Fassler is 61 years old and has dual Swiss-American citizenship. He studied chemistry at ETH Zurich, where he received his Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Eschenmoser. After holding a position as a research fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, he spent more than 10 years with Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis) conducting chemical research in Basel, Switzerland, Summit, USA and Macclesfield, UK. Alex Fassler joined the Bachem Group in 1998. He began as a production manager in Bubendorf, Switzerland and was subsequently assigned to the California plant, where he initially served as production manager, then plant manager and, ultimately, as Regional COO for North America. Alex Fassler returned to company headquarters in 2013 and has since managed the production plants in Switzerland, Germany and England as Regional COO for Europe.

Dr. Kuno Sommer, Chairman of the Board of Directors: Bachem has grown rapidly in recent years and the demands this has placed on our production activities have grown considerably. We are now addressing this situation by creating the global function of Chief Operations Officer and are further strengthening our executive

management in preparation for the Groups anticipated future growth. I am very pleased that we can fill this position with such a well-qualified, long-standing and highly experienced employee as Alex Fassler."
It can be tough to be a vegetarian. You have to work harder than everyone else to make sure youre getting all the nutrients your body needs. So, when its time to take a
Opinion / Columnist

MDC and opposition enjoyed power traps

Grass roots connectivity



Lack of urgency

Lack of confidence in the system

Putting a wrong candidate

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability. MINDS is a civic society organization responsible for policy research, gender and development studies, public finance, sustainable development through Agriculture and rural development. He is also a consultant in Development and Capacity Development and Institutional Building. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com

Voter apathy occurs when eligible voters do not vote in public elections. Outside of election time, voters may seem disillusioned with the political process or politicians in general. In a country supposedly run by elected officials, disenchanted and inactive citizens can present problems. For example, when very few people vote, the politicians elected do not represent the beliefs and values of the general population. Voter apathy has been compared with a sort of political depression, where one feels helpless and unable to influence important events.For decades Zimbabweans have been in the political wilderness searching for a political life line but still with no solutions at hand. If you check in 2013 there was serious voter apathy mainly from the opposition support base probably because of mistrust amongst politicians and other factors as well. People can never be forced to vote, because mainly they don't benefit anything from voting and also politicians do not own people, citizens make their own choices on whether to participate in an election or not. In politics, voter apathy is perceived apathy (lack of caring) among voters in an election. Voter apathy or lack of interest is often cited as a cause of low turnout among eligible voters in jurisdictions where voting is optional and the donkey vote where voting is compulsory.One of the main key drivers why most opposition supporters are no longer supporting in any election it is probably because of mistrust mainly from the main Mdc party. Mdc top leadership were involved in sexual scandals and episodes which destroyed their brand also corruption issues. In politics one has to protect his or her own brand and guard jealously from things that can destroy one's image. Most MDC ministers amassed a lot of wealthy within a short space of time and this had a negative impact on their political image whilst their supporters were languishing in poverty. They lost touch with reality on the ground. Their support base declined because of those issues. They started demanding hefty packages and allowances instead of addressing national matters. Most of these senior officials cannot explain their wealthy and one would wonder then what happened during the GNU and a lot of people in Zimbabwe still feel MDC AND ZANU PF are the same, and 45% of the electorate felt cheated during the GNU era.Most rural electorate depend on farming and food hand-outs. Mdc and other small opposition parties are focusing much in urban areas. Statistics show that rural electorate provide 65% of the voter's turn out and urban places provide 35% of the electorate and it is very difficult for Mdc to garner 50+1 percent if they remain focused in urban places only. What the MDC should do is to seek grass roots connectivity, mobilize resources for 2018 and give hand outs, clothes and other basic needs to the rural electorate. Most rural areas they need to be taught how to vote, the importance of voting in any election. They need to be told that there is life beyond food hand outs as well. What Tsvangirai is doing is really 100% correct by going to the grass roots talking to people, hearing their grievances and addressing their issues. If opposition wins the hearts of people in rural areas chances of them getting 65% of the votes is very high.Mostly during the voting day people will go with their normal businesses forgetting that a vote contributes significantly. People need to be taught what voting is all about, the importance of voting, how to protect their votes and why are they participating in a national election. In 2013 most MDC supporters did not participate in the election. Most MDC supporters were seen in towns doing other things. Tsvangirai had huge high turnout in rallies and the largest being 120 000 people but when results came out he lost dismally. Most of his supporters did not vote. Zanu Pf made sure that their supporters are on the voter's roll and they made sure that their supporters have enough man power and transport to go to polling stations. A lack of agency, when citizens doubt their ability to make a difference, or minorities may feel under-represented in government, disenchantment with politics and politicians, and a lack of interest in public affairs and the responsibilities of citizenship, mostly caused by a lack of civic education in the school .In Zimbabwe we have disputed elections since independence and this has caused voter apathy. We have more than 6 million people and only 2.5 million participated in 2013 elections which is a quarter of the electorate, and this is mainly because of lack of confidence in the electoral system. Rigging claims has been another contributing factor and most people would prefer doing other thing citing the issue of cheating and manipulation in the nation elections. The high levels of apathy in elections are indicative of a malaise in the political system. It is imperative that Government and all stakeholders should find lasting solutions to rejuvenate citizens' direct participation in politics. Democracy by its very nature assumes that an active electorate is a sine qua non that drives the process.MDC lost dismally mainly because of poor choice and selection criteria during their primary election. I would second the issue of adoption of candidates. This was done in Zambia and it was very successful during Lungu's time when Michael Sata passed away. Lungu is a strategist and he learnt few lessons during the 2015 by-elections and PF was very careful in their way of selecting candidates for MPs, mayoral and councils. This is what a political party should do when doing their selection process. Chamisa was responsible for selection process and he manipulated the system by fielding his own people and this did not go down well with senior officials of the party.
As the CEO of Mall for Africa , the continent's largest online shopping platform, Nigeria-born Chris Folayan knows a thing or two about creating experiences that keep online consumers coming back for more.

Chris Folayan, founder and CEO, Mall for Africa

The business began operating from his spare bedroom in 2011 and has since evolved into an online empire, selling over 8.5 billion items across 20,000 categories from more than 150 stores. The global mall acts as a middleman between US and UK retailers and consumers in Africas emerging markets, providing top international brands with access to an often hard-to-reach consumer base.

At last weeks eCommerce MoneyAfrica Confex held in Cape Town, Folayan shared practical advice on how to facilitate an international online shopping experience, with top tips on identifying the nuances that exist between different regions and how to cater to the consumers within them.

Cross-border website design

Building a better online environment for cross-border trade begins with site design and colour is a big part of this. Colour should be used to give your website personality, he said. For Mall for Africa, light blue has tended to work well on kids sites whereas darker tones have proved successful with shoes and clothing. He also said to stay away from reds and yellows, and if youre able to use GEO IP to modify colour according to region thats a bonus.

Images are equally important but its vital to look at the environment that you plan to sell in and take note of regional preferences. Images from one country might not always go off well in another. Risque images, for example, wont do too well in the Middle East.

An interesting point that was echoed by a number of other speakers is that an offline presence in often required to prosper in online business. According to Folayan, having a tangible presence in the country youre selling in  whether a billboard or an ad in a newspaper  goes a long way in building credibility and value for ones online brand, especially in emerging markets.

Customer focus and support

When it comes to customer focus, personalisation and customisation are key; and with the wealth of data available it neednt be rocket science. Personalised contact can be as simple as using a customer's name and surname in email communication, said the Mall for Africa CEO. He also said that profiling users into groups allows you to target them  for example, a female with a newborn baby boy  with suitable advertising.

Use click-through intelligence to find out how your customer is navigating your site, and use that to create customised messages. A simple Hey, we noticed you forgot this in your shopping cart has helped many e-commerce sites do better.

Moving on to customer support, Folayan rated the three main cross-border communication methods from good, to better to best.

Emails are good but messages, no matter how simple they, are not always interpreted the same in different regions. If youre going to be doing cross-border trade and utilising mainly email as support youll probably need a different email format for West Africa than you would for the Middle East, for example. And if any images are used youll need to once again consider if theyre appropriate for that country.

Online chat is better because it involves one-on-one communication with the customer in real-time, but Folayan said phone calls have proven to be best, noting that the ROI on phone calls is about five times what it would be with email.

Aside from having service agents that speak in a language and accent understandable by the customer, Folayan also urged companies to utilise services that allow local calls to be accessed from an external location at a cheap rate. A 10-minute call for 10 cents will have the customer coming back to you over and over again.

Localising your site

Folayan strongly urged conference delegates dabbling in the e-commerce space to localise their site in the following five ways.

Payment methods: Look at the mobile and non-mobile payment options accepted within each region and make sure the dominant ones are accepted on your site. If you are in Kenya for example and you dont accept mPesa, good luck to you, he quipped.

Language: Aside from ensuring content is translated according to the main language spoken in each country, Folayan also said to leverage local slang. Weve noticed that ads incorporating local lingo and slang tend to do much better that those with a more British or American tone.

SEO targeting: Research what people in specific regions are searching for and then localise SEO accordingly. Utilising local lingo will also improve your organic search rankings. If youre going to have an impact all over the world you have to look at each country youre trading in. Localise language and slang SEO based on the country you are trying to reach.

Local celebrities: Involving local celebrities in your marketing and advertising arouses interest and shows that your site is part of a global family. Its one thing to be Macys in America, but to be Macys in Kenya or Ghana brings people in and helps them feel like the the company has an interest in their country.

Local events: A simple and effective way to give your brand visibility and relevance is to leverage local events. Put your logo on local events and people will not only see your brand is in their country, but theyll see the brands as part of their environment.

Rewards push sales

Folayan is a proponent of using rewards to push online sales, but there are some strategies that work better than others, and one in particular that doesnt seem to work at all.

Discounts  especially those upwards of 20% off  work well and Mall for Africa has seen positive feedback and improved sales from utilising them. The buy more, save more strategy, he said, works even better. For example: spend R300 and get R50 off, but get R100 off when you spend for R600. The sales strategy thats proved the most effective for Mall for Africa and its clients is the loyalty programme. It keeps people engaged with the company and is a little bit like getting married to the customer.

But Folayan warned to stay away from FREE. This is the quickest way to kill your company. Once customers use it, theyll simply wait until they get it again, and will likely not purchase until they get the same deal.

Logistics

Based on customer surveys, Folayan laid out the top five logistics priorities for online shopping retail businesses. Shipping speed, unsurpringly, was voted as most important - the faster the customer gets the product the more likely they are to buy. Secondly, customers want to be able to track their product, so having a tracking system in place is important.

Easy returns comes in at third place and is a promise that needs to be stated clearly on your website, not hidden in an email or the FAQs. Having good local support, as detailed earlier, should be the fourth priority; and lastly, clearing products from import duties so that your customers dont have to.

Ultimately, noting that one in every five online transactions will be done through global e-commerce by 2020, Folayan affirmed that cross-border trade is becoming an increasingly good business space to be in.

The eCommerce MoneyAfrica Confex took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 22 and 23 February.
Ann Nurock, who normally does the interviewing for us as roving reporter at local and international creative award shows like Cannes Lions, One Show and the Loeries, is also Africa partner for Relationship Audits and Management or RAM's Radar. Here, Nurock shares more about her day job and how Radar clarifies agencies' understanding of their relationships with clients.

Ann Nurock

Explaining what it is that she does, Nurock provides context as follows, When business relationships are optimised, both parties in that relationship prosper.

While she says that may sound obvious, many companies simply dont realise how important the actual relationship is in a business environment. We live in such a fast-moving and, at times, parity world and the one thing that truly sets companies apart is the quality of their relationships.

Relationship quality is a difficult concept to explain though, which is where Radars Relationship Audits and Management tool set fits in

Business relationships under the microscope

Explaining the tools local origin story, Nurock says she needed a new challenge and one that was still related to the advertising industry on her return from Toronto in 2011 after three years as president/CEO Grey Canada. She says, It was reinvention time, which came in the form of being approached and accepting the position of Africa Partner for Relationship Audits and Management (RAM). RAM is a global consultancy that does one thing only: measure the health of B2B relationships in order to mitigate risk, identify weaknesses and optimise success.

Example of the Radar dashboard. click to enlarge

Nurock explains that Relationship Radar was then launched in South Africa mid-2012, after much success globally in all sectors of business, particularly marketing services. Now, after almost five years, the off-take has been phenomenal, with Radar having been used by over 40 agencies of all disciplines, as well as three major banks, alcoholic beverage and FMCG companies, as well as law firms and property companies, with the bulk of these surveys conducted into the health of those all-important client-agency relationships.

Radar works on the fact that senior management in any organisation are accountable, but just dont have the time to know what is going on at every level of the business: Its often the problems you dont know about that get you fired. As a result, Nurock explains Radars competitive advantage as follows:

Simplicity : Radar literally takes less than five minutes to complete online via any device, which is hugely important in a world where time is the scarcest resource and no one has the time to spend time on onerous surveys. This is why Radars completion rates vary between 70% and 100%. The output of Radar is not only a working document with strategic recommendations, but also involves accessing the intuitive user-friendly dashboard to analyse the data any way you choose.

: Radar literally takes less than five minutes to complete online via any device, which is hugely important in a world where time is the scarcest resource and no one has the time to spend time on onerous surveys. This is why Radars completion rates vary between 70% and 100%. The output of Radar is not only a working document with strategic recommendations, but also involves accessing the intuitive user-friendly dashboard to analyse the data any way you choose. Every KPI is benchmarked against very robust norms both locally and globally, which provides both clients and agencies with a view on how they are performing.

both locally and globally, which provides both clients and agencies with a view on how they are performing. The value proposition of actionable intelligence indicates remedial actions via its report as both a working document and the intuitive dashboard.In addition, you can take immediate remedial action from the real-time email alerts if your recommendation score is below par.

indicates remedial actions via its report as both a working document and the intuitive dashboard.In addition, you can take immediate remedial action from the real-time email alerts if your recommendation score is below par. Besides being cost effective, the biggest benefit of Radar is that it facilitates a conversation and in todays world of technology, which is often lacking.

Back to basics in 2017

Nurock says, After conducting hundreds of Radar surveys in South Africa and across the continent, the results are very clear in that its the basics that count. Most clients want the same things from their agencies:

Agility , in todays fast-moving economy.

, in todays fast-moving economy. Understanding of their business , in order to provide them with an informed point of view. Often clients feel that middle management are order takers and too transactional.

, in order to provide them with an informed point of view. Often clients feel that middle management are order takers and too transactional. Collaboration between their agencies in order to provide the client with a totally integrated solution. They are not interested in project managing their agencies, but need them to work together with the best interest of the brands in mind.

between their agencies in order to provide the client with a totally integrated solution. They are not interested in project managing their agencies, but need them to work together with the best interest of the brands in mind. Adding value to their business by being proactive, informed and providing thought leadership.

Having said all this, Nurock says agencies have similar needs in terms of understanding their process, providing insightful briefs and agility in reverting with clear actions. While this may sound like table stakes, not every agency or client is providing the correct basics for a good relationship.

So, how are the South African agencies doing?

Naturally there are the good, the bad and the ugly, but Nurock says that overall, our agencies are in a pretty good place. Despite all the talk of doom and gloom, the overall average of over 40 agencies covering all disciplines is in the 7 range, which is identified by Radar as good. Despite this, there is very seldom that there are no signs of improvement. Thats why Nurock says her greatest satisfaction from Radar is the response and actions taken by both clients and agencies on receiving their results. And the tool is proving its value by picking up its own awards, with one of Nurocks proudest moments when Radar received the Bronze Award for Best in Class Portfolio Management at the global Pernod Ricard Premier Awards in Munich last month.

Charl Bassil, marketing director of Pernod Ricard, explained at the time: Pernod Ricard has at its very core the philosophy that we are creators of conviviality. What this means for us is that we strive to develop authentic relationships with the people we work with, which is particularly appropriate for the invaluable partnerships we are creating with our agencies. Radar ensures that we continue having relevant and meaningful conversations with our agency partners so that we can continuously work at improving those relationships. Ultimately, we know that authentic relationships allow for improved understanding and therefore genuine passion for our business and our brands. The Premier Awards Bronze is recognition from our global business that the tool we have chosen in Radar reflects our business culture.

With those glowing words from last years IAB Bookmarks digital marketer of the year, theres no better time to put your own business relationships under the microscope. For more on Radar, visit their website. Click here to follow them on Twitter and here for Nurocks feed.
Waku-doki' (the Japanese expression for heart-pumping excitement) is a philosophy that drives Toyota's marketing and it's at the centre of the latest Love Driving campaign for the new Corolla.

South Africans have always loved the Corolla and with the launch of the new model, they are destined to fall in love with it all over again. The commercial shows a driver who just cant contain his love and excitement for his new Corolla. As a result, an imaginary R&B group appear in the backseat and serenade the Corolla with a super catchy love song.

Created by Creative Directors Tian Van Den Heever and Simon Fabricius, Copywriter Lazola Gola and Art Director Jacques Moodley following a strategic brief from FCB Joburgs Strategic Director, Kabelo Lehlongwane, the 30-second spot was shot by Bioscope Films in Johannesburg on a four-day shoot.

Intended to also reinforce the vehicles reputation for reliability, dependability and practicality, the ads prime objectives are to draw awareness to the Toyota Corollas new design as well as highlight driving enjoyment it delivers.

Seamlessly highlighting the vehicles new features  sophisticated design, improved safety and convenience and revised interior styling  it targets males between the ages of 35 and 49, and is supported by digital media, social, radio, outdoor, magazine and newspaper executions.

The sheer joy and satisfaction of driving a Toyota Corolla are very evident on the drivers face, said Toyotas Senior Manager of Advertising & Digital Marketing, Aidan Castille. He genuinely loves his Toyota, and this makes his heart beat faster. Its a true waku-doki moment for him each time he reaches out to open that drivers door.

Credits:

Client: Toyota SA

Brand: Corolla

Senior Manager of Advertising & Digital Marketing: Aidan Castille

Brand Manager: Zhandre Brandt

Creative agency: FCB Joburg

Executive Business Director: Reagen Kok

Account Director: Nicole Malan

Project Manager: Christine Lubbe

Executive Creative Director: Brett Morris

Creative Director: Tian Van Den Heever and Simon Fabricius

Copywriter: Lazola Gola

Art director: Jacques Moodley

Strategic planner: Kabelo Lehlongwane

TV production: Nakita Bolus

Media planners: Sonet Geyer, Whitley Stallbaum and Gwen Bezuidenhout

Production companies: Bioscope films, Upstairs Ludas, Frequency sound




A special report, released by StatisticsBrain last year, indicated South Africans were third in the world for sex toy searches online. Following this, upmarket sex toy brand Desir commissioned a survey to find out more about the complex relationship South Africans seem to have with their sex toys.

The countrys first dedicated sex toy industry survey reveals that over three-quarters (76.7%) of the respondents use sex toys and that the biggest reason for people not using them (23.3% of the sample) is because they are ignorant about the choice available and what sex toys can do for them, rather than being embarrassed or ashamed to use them.

Double the amount of people buy their sex toys online (42.9%) rather than from a brick and mortar store (20.7%) and the biggest reason people gave for buying sex toys was for spicing up their sex life (44.4%) or for introducing something new in their sex life (17.5%).

Key findings

Other key findings from the survey include:

Problem of achieving orgasms, which nearly 30% of the test group attested to



Preferred use for sex toys was as a couple (43.2%)



When asked how sex toys could improve relationships, a fifth of the sample said sex toys extend foreplay (20.8%) with over a quarter saying that sex toys make orgasms stronger and/or better (26%)



When asked how often they used sex toys, 80.4% of respondents admitted to regular usage (often, once a week or 1-5 times a month)



The surveys respondents are sexually active, with nearly three-quarters (73%) having sex in general either multiple times per week or up to five times a month



When using a sex toy, the vast majority (94%) reach orgasm when using a sex toy

However, non-users of sex toys would prefer to buy a sex toy for use as a couple (64.4%) than for solo use and nearly a quarter of them (24.2%) admitted they didnt have enough sex, with many of them saying the quality of their sexual relations could be improved (only 24.8% were really satisfied with their sex life).

The vibrator still scores highest in terms of being favourite, most frequently bought and most used.

Still shame around sexuality

Desir's CEO, Brodie Meyer, says, The non-user group responses confirmed many of the outdated biases and stigmas that challenge us here at Desir. People want to be able to buy sex toys safely, in non-judgemental environments, which are not associated with smut or porn. There is still so much shame around sexuality and sexual expression in South Africa and it needs to change.

We will continue to strive to combat negative sentiment by introducing more and more education and awareness about sexual health and in a bid to help free people from sexual prisons.

Methodology

The Desir survey involved more than 700 respondents, and collected data on sex toy perceptions, usage and attitudes from both users and non-users. The survey was conducted via various platforms, including www.desir.co.za, Cosmopolitan SA and 2OceansVibe.

To read the full report and the detailed infographic, click here.
Restaurant franchisor Spur Corporation is relishing the opportunity to expand its recently acquired gourmet burger business RocoMamas and upmarket steakhouse Hussar Grill.

RocoMamas

The company's results for the six months to end-December released on Thursday showed fast-growing RocoMamas, now a 48-strong restaurant chain, managed to more than double turnover to R232.5m.

The Hussar Grill, which opened three new restaurants in the interim period, saw revenue up 58% to R73m.

In a presentation to shareholders, Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder said RocoMamas benefited from three menu price increases - 1.7% in the first half of 2016, 3.3% in the second half of 2016 and 2.3% more in November 2016.

He said RocoMamas's "edgy brand" appealed to millennials, noting huge customer and franchisee interest. Another two RocoMamas restaurants have been opened after the close of the interim period, bringing the store numbers to 50.

Van Tonder said the Hussar Grill's performance underlined the resilience of the brand's higher-income customer base.

At franchise level, RocoMamas generated 50% more in top line at R11.9m, with operating profit coming in 62% higher at R8.2m. The operating margin was 70.4%. At franchise level the Hussar Grill pushed up operating income by 174% to R2.3m on a 67% operating margin.

Captain DoRegos reported a sales decline of 15.8% with another five outlets that were underperforming closed in the interim period.

Van Tonder said Spur management were committed to the brand and were reviewing the business model in order to improve profitability.

Source: Business Day
A huge deficit, high unemployment numbers and people dependent on social grants are indicators that South Africa's economy is not well.

We (South Africans) must say to ourselves that our economy is not okay, says Judge Bernard Ngoepe, South Africas first tax ombud.

My ultimate question is: Do we really live in a political stable country that allows for a healthy economy? We are becoming a corrupted society. People are employed based on their political connections, he says.

He adds: Just because there is a mere absence of civil war in the country does not imply that we are politically stable as a country.

When parliament opened, over 400 soldiers of the defence force were deployed for law and order. Can you really argue that it is a political stable country? Something is not right.

Commenting on the burden of tax collection, he says he was concerned that the increased tax bracket will influence the culture of paying tax. One of the basis for tax collection is that we are forced to pay it, but I think people should also feel morally obliged to pay tax. If we dont spend tax prudently then people will begin to justify their reluctance to pay.

You never know in what form or way that reluctance will be expressed. Some people come up with very aggressive tax invasion schemes. We are losing billions and billions of rands of money going out of the country as a result, he says.
Media reports indicate that Fall armyworm has been identified in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and possibly more countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and farmers are calling for urgent regional action to help control the infestation.

Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility via Wikimedia Commons

FAO, SADC and the International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA) met in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 14 to 16 February to discuss the ongoing infestation.

The Armyworm is known to have a negative impact on agriculture, food security, and trade, making Sub-Saharan Africa more vulnerable due to its high dependence on agriculture, says the President of the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), Dr Theo de Jager.

Staple crops such as maize, sorghum, wheat, soya beans, groundnuts, and potatoes have been attacked. Farmers are encouraged to regularly inspect their crops for eggs and spray pesticides straight after detection. SACAU further encourages farmers to constantly communicate with one another during this season and share information on how to better handle the outbreak.

After identification, correct steps towards measuring the extent of damage on crops as well as control measures need to be taken," he says. Pyrethroid class insecticides and carbaryl material can be used as control regulators, however, it is better to control the worm in its early stage due to its ability to build resilience against pesticides.

We believe that remedial methods should be integrated and informed by expert advice from farmers based in the worms native countries because, unlike us, they have dealt with the pest for many years, says Dr De Jager.

The regional workshop ended with the following key recommendations:

 There is urgent need for strengthening information and surveillance systems through sharing of information at national and regional levels and effective functioning of regional databases

 There is need to improve on the quality of information and reporting protocols for plant and animal pests

 Improvement of early warning systems through addressing fragmentation of national and regional information systems

 Strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration at country level

 Establishing the necessary structures for rapid response to emerging pests and diseases

 Revise SADC structures for coordination of technical and sub-technical committees on transboundary pests and diseases

 Need for research to fill information and knowledge gaps

 Address lack of awareness and communication of risks caused by transboundary pests and diseases

 Improve laboratory diagnostics and capacities

SACAU urges farmers to be on the lookout for unusual sightings and alert their nearest farmers organisation and relevant authorities accordingly.
This year's QS Best Student Cities survey saw Johannesburg ranked 84th of 100 top cities to study in, with Cairo being the only other African country to make it onto the list at 88. Johannesburg hasn't previously appeared in the top 100. Johannesburg achieved a particularly high score for affordability in the Best Student Cities index, reflecting its fairly low tuition fees and living costs. Montreal was voted the world's number one student city, bringing an end to Paris' four-year reign at the top.

QSs Student View indicator is based on the survey responses of 18,000 students worldwide. Students were asked to name the city in which they would most like to study, their experience studying in a particular city, and their intention to remain post-graduation. Cities were ranked according to performance in six composite indicators: Desirability, Rankings, Student Mix, Employer Activity, Affordability, and Student View.

For students looking for a welcoming environment to study with all the perks of a big city feel but a supportive friendly environment, Johannesburg may not always come to mind. However, it is easy to see why so many students love living in the City of Gold.

Here are 10 reasons why Joburg made the grade:
Opinion / Columnist

President Robert Mugabe is soon to wine and dine with a potion of his supporters at a time the nation is reeling under myriad problems. Just like last year the lavish bash will be held at a time of great distress for the province involved. Last year it was in Masvingo, a province then groaning under the Mutokwe-Mukosi displacement and a crippling drought. This time it is in a province smitten by floods. We still have the lingering picture of that woman scavenging for crumbs soon after the lavish bash in Masvingo. This Lazarus act is a microcosm of the greater macrocosm which is the nation. We are scavengers scrounging for food under the table after the Divas chefs have had their fill. Mugabe's bash is being thrown in one of the most marginalized provinces of our nation. Mugabe goes to thumb his nose at them by displaying affluence in a region of penury. Mugabe's bash is also being held in a region that suffered under Gukurahundi. Mugabe goes to celebrate with the survivors and progeny of his induced atrocities.Ironically in his pre-event interview he never alluded to the Gukurahundi atrocities. He has never publicly apologized for what he termed, "a time of madness." One wonders who was mad?Doubtless much money was and will be spent to carry through this bash. Of course many people "donated" towards this event. Thousands of dollars were raised. Money that could have been poured towards improving infrastructure in the province and helping to alleviate the poverty in the region. Mugabe could actually celebrate his birthday in a far humane way by asking for donations towards humanitarian efforts as a way of celebrating his birthday. I know of an overseas celebrity who did just that. Truth be said the celebrations are of no value to the nation other than promoting what Edgar Tekere termed, "a very dangerous personality cult." It seems the Mugabes are not at all capable of having any qualms in spending huge sums of money while the country suffers. Are we not aware of that expensive birth in Singapore and subsequent "baby clinic" check ups in the same country? Are we not aware of the numerous foreign trips and holidays all at the taxpayer's expense? One wishes that Magufula's father had visited Zimbabwe at the time of the conception of some of our leaders.Doubtless ZanuPf will argue that the party raised money on it's own. Everyone knows of the party's methods in "sourcing donations." No audit will ever clear the party of dipping fingers in state coffers. After all the state apparatus that man the bash are never funded by the party. We need a more human government for our nation.However, we shall always ask, "what is the nation celebrating anyway?" Yes, Mugabe was one of the nationalist leaders during the period of African struggle. This he shares with many others on the continent. He is not special there. After all the man was a relative late comer in the struggle and freed the third last state on the continent. One wonders why he is given preference even over Samora Machel and Kenneth Kaunda among others who actually helped him free his country.One will Talk of the "development" he wrought. Well, even Hitler had some positives and some demons have healing powers, but they remain what they are; agents of darkness.He is credited with creating an education system that produces unemployed graduates, he is credited with embarking on an agrarian reform programme which practically killed off the very agriculture it was meant to boost. He is credited with pioneering an indigenisation programme that that killed the country's industrial production and growth.What legacy then are we celebrating?Those of us who were old enough remember the nightmare of the Gukurahundi genocide. Harrowing stories of pregnant women being bayonetted with the embryo flopping out to remove "mwana wedissident" and those of infants picked by the legs to be dashed against rocks with brains gushing out still linger. When the so called unity accord was signed we all thought the ordeal was over. We saw the shooting of Patrick Kombayi and the attempted murder of Jerry Nyambuya. 2008 saw unprecedented levels of terror with the murders of Talent Chiminya and Tichaona Chiminya together with Fainos Zhou. The year saw the ugly emergence of unpleasant characters like Chibhamure Mawarire aka Black Jesus, Joseph Chinotimba, Tom "Kitsiyatota" Zimunya, Biggie Chitoro, Matthew Mwale and one Black Jesus. This is also the year that saw the disappearance of Patrick Nabanyama among many others. Areas like Mberengwa and many of the Mashonaland Provinces were simply out of bounds for the opposition and even innocent visitors to these areas found themselves victimized.Of course we cannot forget 2008 what of the ugliest periods of our history when over 500 people lost their lives. A trail of tears and blood grasped the country like forceps of steel. Fear hung over the land like an enchanted cloak. Areas like Mutoko, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe and Muzarabani again became death camps for the opposition.The haunting picture of the roasted Joshua Bakacheza comes to mind. We remember the mangled remains of Tonderai Ndira. We shall never forget Godfrey Kauzani, Beta Chokururama and Cain Nyevhe who were killed and eaten. I make no apologies when I say they were eaten for how else does one explain the neat slicing away of prime steak from a corpse. For me to be seen celebrating the birth of a man presiding over a cannibal regime would be hypocrisy of the highest order. One of the heroes of our liberation struggle was a man called Edison Sithole. The man was whisked away in broad daylight by agents of the Rhodesian regime. He disappeared never to be heard of again. Yet with one eye Mugabe's henchmen mourn the disappearance of this man yet with the other they masterminded the kidnapping of Itai Dzamara. This is hypocrisy of the highest order.Mugabe has created a monstrosity; he has turned a portion of our citizens into automatons and murderous zombies. Every five years elections are held in the country. This is a normal process in other countries but in Zimbabwe it has become the most dreaded time. It has become an orgy of torture, rape, arson, maiming, murder and a shameless rigging of elections. These have become synonymous with Robert Mugabe and ZanuPf.What legacy is Mugabe bequeathing to our youth?Violence, lack of respect for the sanctity of life and the rule of law, intolerance for democracy and divergent views?While this profanity of idolatrous celebrations is going on let the rest of us show our displeasure by expressing in the strongest terms our distaste for this vulgarity. Let us as a nation shun and condemn this insensitivity to our suffering. Poverty and want are all around us and there is nothing to celebrate. It is ironical that Mugabe celebrates his birthday with the youth and children whose future he is destroying. Yes, Mugabe celebrates his long life and relatively good health. For the rest of us there is nothing to celebrateAs PDP, Harare Province we join all the progressive forces locally and elsewhere in condemning this outrage.The future has long since abandoned Mugabe and all he stands for. Let us all embrace the future. Lets unite for change. We owe it to the departed heroes of the struggle, to ourselves and to our children after us.PDP....COURAGE TO BE DIFFERENT.Nqobizitha Dumakude KhumaloProvincial SpokespersonHarare ProvincePDP.
A total of 365 hotel chain development pipelines were reported in Africa in 2016, with 64,231 rooms. This is according to a report by the W-Hospitality Group, providing advisory services in the hotel, tourism, leisure, and real estate industries to investors.

This is a record 29.2% increase from the 2015 numbers of 270 hotels and 49,715 rooms in the pipeline activity. Furthermore, a JLL hotel research (Jones Lang LaSalle) predicts an investment of $1.7 billion in 2017, in hotels in Sub-Saharan Africa with $1.9 billion more in 2018. This is expected to increase the number of hotel rooms in the region from the current approximate of 257,000.

Image by Kaspars Grinvalds

Africa's continuous economic growth is constantly attracting both domestic and international investors due to extensive business opportunities. The hospitality industry is a major beneficiary of these investments because of its lucrative nature, a factor that explains the increasing development of hotels.

A rising middle class especially concentrated in urban areas is also a contributor to the expansion of hotels in the continent. It is estimated that by 2030, Africas top 18 cities are likely to have a combined spending power of $1.3 trillion. This will prompt more Africans to travel, internationally and domestically, as a result of growing disposable income, thus the need for more accommodation facilities.

However, even with the continuous growth in the hotel industry, the tourist demand in Africa surpasses the provision of accommodation. Data by UNWTO shows that Africa received 58 million international arrivals in 2016, with the number expected to grow further in coming years. The growth is not only influenced by the rush for investment, provision of affordable travel by travel agencies, and flexible visa requirements but also the fact that major airlines have expanded their direct flights to most African countries.

Moves by travel stakeholders such as Jumia Travel to capitalise on this demand and offer diverse travel services including hotel booking, packages, and the just launched flights, is an assurance that the influx of tourists to Africa is only bound to go higher. Therefore, hospitality providers, especially hotels, have a huge gap to fill in meeting the consumers at their point of need and demand. The biggest challenge will perhaps be striking a balance between quantity and quality, as the new generation of travellers shifts focus from generic products to more customised and personalised experience.
RABAT, MOROCCO: Morocco's key tourism sector barely grew last year amid security challenges, but operators are hoping Chinese and Russian visitors will boost their fortunes in the coming years.

Larsonb via pixabay

While political turmoil and jihadist attacks have battered the sector in Egypt and Tunisia, Morocco registered 10 million visitors last year, according to the Moroccan Tourism Observatory. That was a barely perceptible rise of 1.5 percent from 2015, it said.

But hoteliers in the narrow streets of the capital Rabat's old city were cautiously positive. "Last year was better than 2015. And the first two months of 2017 augured an even better year," said Hanane, manager of a local guesthouse.

Tourists are easy to spot wandering through Rabat's old city with its craft stalls, Andalusian-style houses and a 12th-century kasbah overlooking the Atlantic.

But while tourism revenues rose 3.4 percent to $6.3 billion (5.9 billion euros) in 2016, visitor arrivals to Morocco have fallen far short of an ambitious official target of 20 million per year by 2020.

A growing number of visits by Moroccans who live abroad - counted as tourists when they come home - accounted for much of the sector's buoyancy. Foreign visitor arrivals last year were down by 0.9 percent.

Karim, owner of a travel agency in commercial capital Casablanca, said more work was needed to drum up new business. "The situation is pushing us to look for new markets outside Europe," he said. "But overall, it can be said that there was a slight recovery in 2016."

Authorities are hoping for an influx of Russian and Chinese tourists, who currently account for just one percent of total visitors. That is far behind the French, who make up almost a third of arrivals - a figure that includes many of Moroccan origin.

"Europeans still top the list, but the number of Chinese visitors is growing," Hanane said. "Since visas for the Chinese were abolished in June, a door has been opened."

Tourism a vital pillar of the Moroccan economy

Tourism remains a vital pillar of the Moroccan economy and the country's second biggest employer, after agriculture. The sector accounts for 10 percent of national income and, along with exports and remittances from Moroccans overseas, it is one of the country's main sources of foreign currency.

Former imperial city Marrakesh, with its UNESCO-listed old town, and the coastal town of Agadir have long been key attractions.

They remain popular - in contrast to Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt, where visitor numbers have plummeted following the Arab Spring uprisings and repeated jihadist attacks. Morocco has not experienced an attack since a 2011 bombing in Marrakesh's famed Jamaa El Fna Square, which killed 17 people, mainly European tourists.

Today, security forces stand guard at Morocco's main tourist sites. The government, a key security partner of European countries, regularly announces it has dismantled jihadist cells. But while the kingdom remains safer than other countries in the region, visitor numbers have stubbornly refused to rise.

Vision 2020

The local press calls the sector's performance "lackluster and disappointing" compared with a 2010 plan to double arrivals.

Back then, "Vision 2020" envisioned creating 200,000 new hotel beds and attracting 20 million visitors a year by the end of the decade. Since then, "many international factors" had disrupted the government's efforts, Observatory chief Said Mouhid said. "We will not reach 20 million in 2020, for sure, but it remains a symbolic figure to mobilise operators," he said.

He defended last year's performance as "respectable and positive."

"We are in a difficult international context, marked by many obstacles to travel," he said.

"These figures prove the resilience of Moroccan tourism, even if they remain below our ambitions."

Source: AFP
Speakers from Google, Airbnb, MIT and other tech startups will share their future visions with design graduates and others from 1-3 March 2017 at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town.

This annual event is a three-day showcase of the worlds best creative minds and broadcast live to multiple cities via simulcast.

"Design Indaba provides endless inspiration, fresh perspectives and universal solutions to new and familiar challenges. Technology is a problem solver and will feature strongly this week," said conference founder, Ravi Naidoo.

The conference has been a highlight of South Africas creative calendar since 1995. It contributes vastly to uplifting the design sector and associated industries that benefit from the economy of ideas.

"We all know the future is digital. Recognising this, Design Indaba 2017 will be a veritable gathering of the greatest minds in technology today. From the founder of Airbnb to MIT Fellows and the best graduates from the best schools, they'll be in Cape Town this week," Naidoo added.

Tech speakers

Joe Gebbia spearheaded the sharing economy with his innovative accommodation platform Airbnb. Serial innovator and extraordinary genius Luis von Ahn sold two companies to Google in his twenties, is a MacArthur Fellow and a Carnegie Mellon professor. Von Ahn also created the worlds most successful language learning platform, Duolingo.

Meanwhile, ex-Nokia product designer and MIT Fellow Marko Ahtisaari built a platform that collects detailed, unique data sets to create personalised musical therapeutics (medicines).

TL Uglow, creative director of Googles Creative Lab in Sydney, explores the intersection of technology and the arts through augmented audio, digital books, proximity tech, non-linear storytelling and the physical web.

Lost your way? British tech entrepreneur Chris Sheldrick got fed up with losing his and created what3words pinpoint locations using three easy-to-remember words. Sheldrick is the most-awarded techie in Britain, and what3words won an Innovation Lions Grand Prix at Cannes.

Information designer Giorgia Lupi, best known for her book Dear Data, creates visual metaphors through which she shares intimate details of human behaviour.

Combining the digital with the tangible

Artist and data designer Ekene Ijeoma creates socially focussed work in multiple mediums to trigger emotional responses in his audience. These two master interpreters translate data into forms, expressions and languages that we can understand on a more human level.

Triggerfish animation studios are using digital technologies to bring to life African mythologies, revolting rhymes, and other imaginative stories to life in superb animation.

"Young talent combining the digital with the tangible to create real-world systems that respond in intuitive ways will feature strongly next week. We encourage interested South Africans to lend their creative sparks to the growing Design Indaba talent pool," concluded Mr Naidoo.
On the first day of the fourth edition of the biennial trade fair, ACA 2017, organised by STAT Media Group at the Emperors Palace last week, Air Cargo Africa (ACA) 2017 kicked off its discussions with an interactive dialogue on Unlocking Africa's civil aviation potential: the time is now to set the rules for tomorrow.'

The session had a look at Africas current growth potential as well as the challenges hindering economic development. The continents burgeoning young population formed a strong area of focus during the debate, which explored Africas population as both a future workforce and customer to stimulate prosperity.

Currently, the region has the youngest population in the world and it is estimated that by 2050, Africa will make up 20% of the global population. This places it in a solid position to become a major player in the e-commerce industry.

However, although air cargo infrastructure is growing, it is the lack of ground infrastructure  such as road transport, logistics, governance, credit card penetration and common local regulations  that are proving to be obstacles to e-commerce. In addition, security on the continent in particular affects the final mile people', who without an adequate payment infrastructure act as mini ATMs carrying wads of cash for COD payments, placing them in a vulnerable position.

As the panellist stated, the people of Africa are certainly ready for e-commerce, but Africa is not. Keen interest was demonstrated by creating advocacy and collaboration amongst influencing parties to shape policies that address the challenges on the ground. Talk especially focused on setting up effective ground cargo programmes that reflect the current successful air cargo initiatives taking place on the continent.

Of note too is that the region is a frontrunner of mobile connection and handheld technology, making it a ripe region for the adoption of e-commerce.

Infrastructure therefore urgently needs to catch up and a solution is through investment  be it an attractive proposal for private investors, especially property investments, or the repurposing of air passenger cargo for small package deliveries.

The conclusion was that in order to improve, partnerships in Africa that provide an ease of access to the market through open skies and the harmonisation of regulatory requirements across borders, are essential. Simply put, successful air cargo needs to be combined with solid ground services.

The International Air Transport Associations (IATA) global head of cargo, Glyn Hughes, moderated the panel discussion. The panel members were Graham Perkins, VP sales and marketing, (EMEIA), Atlas Air; Barry D Nassberg, group COO at Worldwide Flight Services; Rudolf Steiner, senior VP cargo, global accounts and commercial at Swissport International; Rainer Mueller, VP commercial at Saudia Cargo; and Jan de Vegt, COO at Kenya Airways.
The world needs more design-centric companies, run by design-minded people, to create products and processes with human wants, needs and behaviours in mind.

Were reframing the discourse around design. In the old days of design, youd buy a decor magazine to gawk at an artefact and talk about the colour or texture. But design is not about consumption or collectibles anymore. It serves a wider purpose. Many of the worlds most valuable companies  companies like Airbnb that are changing the way we live  are designer-founded.

More South African companies are using design thinking as a tool to face the challenges of the 21st century. They are on trend  why else would McKinsey, Accenture, Deloitte and other management companies be buying design agencies. It gives them a new methodology in driving innovation and problem solving. About half our Design Indaba Conference audience are commissioners (not practitioners) of design, who want to educate themselves. Take a quick scan of the Conference theatre and youre likely to see the entire global marketing team of Nandos sitting in the audience or the entire marketing team of Investec, who attend Design Indaba and then convene for their global marketing conference the week after.

Whats a bank is doing at a design conference? Firstly, theyre able to tap into the zeitgeist of the creative world and draw inspiration from a diverse range of disciplines, but its more than that. The world is more connected and the competition has increased. With social media, were instantly global. We have to differentiate and to do that we must be led by design. We think you should join them at Design Indaba Conference 2017.

Meet a few of our cast of design thinkers:

Designer-turned-entreprenuer Joe Gebbia spearheaded the sharing economy, and revolutionised the hotel industry by looking at a simple problem through the lens of design. His company Airbnb is used all over the world and is valued at over $30 billion. Great designers see the detail: design is not just how it looks, its how it works.

Like Joe Gebbia, Chris Sheldrick used design thinking to identify a key problem. The British tech entrepreneur came up with the most user-friendly addressing system that exists. His startup what3words pinpoints exact locations using three easy-to-remember words. Sheldrick is the most awarded techie in Britain, and what3words won an Innovation Lions Grand Prix at Cannes.

Serial innovator Luis von Ahn sold two companies to Google in his twenties and is also a MacArthur fellow and a Carnegie Mellon professor. In the data-driven world of business, von Ahn creates with the human experience in mind. He created the worlds most successful language learning platform, Duolingo. This kind of thinking has a crucial, competitive edge in the over-crowded world of consumer technology and services.

The world needs more design-centric companies, run by design-minded people, to create products with human wants, needs and behaviours in mind. Designers break rules, not conform to them  that is where true innovation lies.

Now is the time for the business world to embrace design as a new way of thinking.

These innovative thinkers, and many more, are speaking at Design Indaba Conference 2017. Book now.
#Newsmaker: Graeme Stiles, director at Algorithm Agency

Graeme Stiles' interest in performance marketing has led him to start an agency that specialises in SEO, paid media and data. Everything we do has its foundation in data and this rolls out into our SEO and paid media campaigns. Our focus is not so much on creative executions but rather on hard metrics and a strong return on investment for our clients, explains Stiles.

Admitting that Algorithm will never be a jack of all trades, he says the greatest challenge has been staying true to these specialist areas. "It's been very tempting to branch out into other areas, and we're often asked by clients if we can assist them with other service lines. The revenue is always tempting for a small agency and it has sometimes been hard to pass this up, however we feel strongly about our positioning and being excellent at what we do rather than being good at a lot of things." When and why did you start Algorithm? When and why did you start Algorithm? Algorithm started a year ago in February 2016. After several years of working in one of the bigger digital agencies in South Africa, I wanted to start something that specialised in performance marketing. A year later, we're going from strength to strength, and were excited to bring a specialist performance marketing approach to the market in SA. What does your average workday look like? What does your average workday look like? Being in the startup phase and our hands-on approach to clients' campaigns means my day-to-day role is varied. Typically, my day is made up of strategic direction across our client portfolio and ensuring that we have the best processes and strategy in place to drive results. I also spend a fair amount of time on client service and communication, as well as new business development. We have seen first-hand the risks of having too many layers between the client and the specialist working on the campaign. In light of this, we've decided to remove the client service layer and to make sure the client has direct access to those responsible for delivering results. A big part of what I do daily is ensuring this all comes together. What is the size of your team? What is the size of your team? We currently have a team of seven covering the disciplines of SEO, paid media (search and display), conversion optimisation and performance copywriting. Why performance marketing? Why performance marketing? Performance marketing for me embodies the core principles and foundations on which digital advertising and marketing is built. For many years one of the main selling points for digital has been its measurability. The problem, though, is that this principle often seems to get lost along the way and in recent years seems to have slipped into the background slightly.

As the digital industry in South Africa matures and bigger budgets have been unlocked, the focus has shifted slightly towards improved creative. Dont get me wrong, this is good, but in my mind the focus needs to be on results first. Did anyone see your campaign, and better yet, how many leads or how much revenue did the campaign drive versus what you spent on it?

These are the questions we like to work with and its why we specialise in performance marketing. For us its about using data to drive strategic decisions and focusing on client return on investment above all else.

What has been your most noteworthy learning of the space? What has been your most noteworthy learning of the space?

One of the things I enjoy most about this space is the constant change and adaptation required to stay competitive. In the performance marketing space things change on a day to day basis so learning and staying up to date needs to be a big part of your workflow.

At Algorithm things really came together once we were able to build out a step by step process incorporating up-to-date best practice in a framework that allowed us to scale. This has been the biggest learning curve and something that is now paying off in our day-to-day delivery.

What do you love most about marketing as a career? What do you love most about marketing as a career?

As mentioned above the constant change is something I enjoy. I love the fact that you can never stand still and that you constantly need to be learning and ensuring that your theory is up to date. Adding to this I enjoy the test and experimental nature of performance marketing. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the magic happens when you take the theory you've learnt and apply it in different and unique ways.

What trends do you predict for your industry in 2017? What trends do you predict for your industry in 2017?

These may not play out in 2017, but in the short term I expect to see a shift in client budget from the big generalist agencies to specialist agencies, especially in the performance marketing space. As clients become more educated about what they want from their digital marketing efforts and with the economic climate getting tougher, return on investment and campaign results that directly impact the bottom line will become more important.

Further to this, as Google and other platforms move more into a pay to play model, the ecosystem will become more competitive and you'll need true subject matter experts to get the best results. This I believe will spin out into an approach that looks at performance marketing as a whole rather than siloed channels, i.e. we will no longer see the focus being on individual tactics, for example just SEO, or just Google AdWords but rather on performance marketing as a channel or funnel with all the various tactics combining to drive revenue and return for clients.

A big part of pulling this big picture approach together will be data and reporting. The more actionable insights and data we can intelligently gather and analyse to provide clients with the information to make business decisions, the better.

What are your goals for the year? What are your goals for the year?

Algorithm's goals for the year are to continue growing and to establish ourselves as a top of mind specialist agency. Our initial growth has been great and we aim to continue this while continuing to provide best in class performance marketing services for our clients.

Further to this we want to kick off our internal training programme in earnest. The idea here is to provide a platform to teach and offer practical experience in the field of performance marketing, a skill set we've found in scarce supply in South Africa and one that offers good career opportunities.

What's at the top of your to-do list?

At the moment, there are a number of client proposals that are in the works, as well as some items around APIs and report integrations that I'm experimenting with.

What inspires you?

Growing Algorithm and ensuring we're successful is currently a massive motivation, and seeing things panning out this far has been a big inspiration and a strong driving factor to keep things going and improving.

What are you currently reading/listening to for work?

I am currently busy with The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman and have recently finished Zero to One by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel and The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, both of which were relevant to Algorithm and provided some useful context and guidance in getting things off the ground.

Tell us something about yourself not generally known.

I am a big fan of heavy metal and was a drummer in a local heavy metal band for a number of years!
Every so often, a complex residential roof, of average scale and with relatively small truss spans, arrives for design and estimation at a timber roof truss fabricator. While it may not necessarily be of grand scale, even relatively small yet complex projects can cause frustrations to all along the supply chain  with mounting time and cost implications.

Stian de Jager, Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) Category A Roof Inspector, weighs in on installation difficulties with complex residential roofs by drawing lessons from a completed roofing project in Kensington, Johannesburg, in which he was involved.

Truss hangers not installed due to a mix-up with a different section and detail.

De Jager explains that the roof structure of this new residence, with a roof area of a little over 300m2, was designed to carry concrete roof tiles and was, at first, nothing out of the ordinary. That is until the walls that were designed and built just slightly (less than five degrees) out of square, with the roof specified to be square, were taken into account, says de Jager. In addition, the building had a cranked section at 40 degrees that further complicated the design and measuring of the site. This resulted in a roof design with over 100 different truss labels  enough to scare some of the most competent of roof installers.

Multiple origins of the problem

A prominent finding of the study revealed that the eventual installation difficulties experienced on site were not ascribed to a single source. De Jager expounds, In my experience, these issues often arise from a combination of factors, starting with uninformed clients and inexperienced or easily-conceding architects. Add to this designers working under pressure and installers lacking in effective communication and it becomes clear how the installation on site can spiral out of control.

In these situations, installers can be easily overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of the design and even experienced installers can start making novice mistakes. At this point, planning and good communication are abandoned, a make-do approach is adopted, and any disconnect between designer, installer and inspector further exacerbates the problem, says de Jager, adding, Insufficient or incomplete details given to the roof designer by the architect can also lead to assumptions being made about the roof design, which can later develop into disputes once the trusses have been fabricated. Another factor contributing to these installation difficulties could also be the lack of special installation details from the manufacturers designer that should accompany the drawings when sent to site for the installer.

Difficulties that can arise on site

The misapplication of the universal nailing details as specified by the various systems for roof truss manufacturing in Southern Africa is a common error that occurs on site. Nailing details are often applied incorrectly at the perpendicular connections of jack trusses to girders at open hips or 90-degree infill hips, remarks de Jager.

Inadequate or incorrect nailing of truss hangers, bracing, truss and batten connections is another common error. De Jager notes, Because of the overwhelming complexity, confusion of bracing items, cleats, hanger and other details can occur, with many being switched around and some even being left out completely. In the same way, several of the small trusses can be neglected, because the main trusses are repeatedly repositioned in an attempt to make the roof fit. These are then left out of the structure, causing some unstructured open spaces in the roof, which then leaves the adjacent trusses to carry an additional load that they were not designed to bear.

A 45-degree truss hanger not installed and a 90-degree hanger not completely nailed.

Another major issue that can arise is the on-site modification and cutting of trusses by installers without the prior consent and instruction detail from the designers. Not only does this compromise the integrity of the roof structure, it is also not necessary in most cases. The trusses might merely need to be positioned correctly, says de Jager. Finally, many support blocks on internal walls that were meant to temporarily aid in the positioning can be forgotten and left in place. If this is not picked up by an inspector prior to roof loading, severe bending moments around these points can be created, for which the trusses were not designed, and they can fail at these or other points.

While the above list is extensive, it only highlights the most prominent errors that presented themselves in this project.

Impacting effects and results

Sometimes, installers will start loading the roof tiles before the structure has been inspected, which can have damaging results. In complex roofs where bracing and metalwork can easily be installed in the wrong positions or neglected, long compression truss members can buckle and tension members can pull out of nail plates, comments de Jager.

Fortunately, in the case of this project, the installation problems were on a new residence and de Jager was called out to inspect the structure timeously. That said, when taking the cost of capital at interest and other consequential costs into account, it is clear that all delays caused by installation difficulties can be detrimental to the scope of the project.

The solution

Ideally, clients, architects and roof designers should all meet during the planning stage of the project for discussion on any complex and out-of-the-ordinary roofs necessitated by walls that are not perpendicular and the like. However, this is not always possible and quite often the walls have already been started by the time the truss manufacturer receives the drawings to estimate for the roof.

When a collaborative approach is not possible from the start of the project, it can be of great benefit to all parties to get a competent roof inspector involved from the start of the roof installation, advises de Jager. Depending on the complexity and scale of the project, the roof inspector would visit the site at least daily to ensure that mistakes are not compounded and that the communication between installer and designer is clear. The inspector or engineer responsible for signing off the roof should also be able to observe and request any required special details in a timely manner. These simple steps can greatly reduce the time spent on site and ensure an accurate and efficient installation process, he concludes.

For more information or to find an ITC-SA-accredited roof inspector, go to www.itc-sa.org.
Kaya FM is pleased to announce that business journalist Gugulethu Cele will be the new host of Kaya Bizz as of 6 March 2017. As the South African economy remains at centre stage and the country grapples with the economic realities of participating globally and tackling slowing economic growth. Kaya FM is proud to be playing this part of now giving listeners a front-row seat to a dialogue with entrepreneurs, industrialists, politicians and analysts to move these pivotal enterprises tools and keys to the next phase.

Gugulethu Cele

With new anchor Gugulethu Cele at the helm of Gautengs biggest business radio show, Kaya Bizz, Gugulethu will be leading the conversation on what is next for the Afropolitan business landscape. The show will present local and international business news, entrepreneurship, corporate and investment banking. Since its inception in May 2006 Kaya Bizz has grown from a half-an-hour daily finance update to an hour show bringing compelling business news and market reviews to listeners.

"I am excited to be joining Kaya FM and engaging with Afropolitans on their financial aspirations on an individual as well as business level and helping them get there. Kaya Bizz has proven to be a powerful platform which has allowed Afropolitans to be more than just observers of the market, as such I am looking forward to building on the foundation that has been set, says Cele.

KayaBizz is an established African-focused radio business show and a reliable source of information different features and themes for each day including entrepreneurship and technology. This Kaya FM business stronghold has been ever present in the inception, birthing and growth of the Afropolitan business evolution.

Some of the topical features include The SMME Clinic on Mondays that offers advice and resolve issues faced by entrepreneurs especially SMEs and covers personal finance. Many of these small businesses are budding and fruitful enterprises employing a number of employees and have given meaningful and gainful employment to many communities in and around the country.

The African continent is the focus of Tuesdays show and technology stories relevant to our listeners. Entrepreneurship is our theme on Wednesdays. As we round up the week on Thursdays we look at business and leisure.

Gugulethu is a seasoned finance and business journalist who also works as a senior anchor at CNBC Africa, where daily she engages with c-suite executives, political leaders and captains of industry from across the continent, covering a range of issues from market moving news, current affairs and economic insights. Her previous work experiences include Talk Radio 702 and providing market report updates for Moneyweb and their affiliates, SA FM and Lotus FM. Some of her career highlights include attending and reporting from the 2014 and 2016 Annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and the 2015 World Economic Forum in Africa.

As a leading business content platform Kaya Bizz continues to to empower the black middle class, specifically Afropolitans by making the subject matter accessible to our listeners, bringing expert analysts and top business minds on the show to delve into complex subjects. Kaya Bizz aims to be a transformation agent in our listeners lives as it educates, informs and entertains.




Ornico, a brand and media intelligence company, will move into and operate from the newly restored historic site of the Natal Bank Building, which is situated at 90 Albertina Sisulu Street in Johannesburg. It will now be called Ornico City.

Ornicos move from Sandton to inner city Johannesburg is being celebrated by throwing the doors of the heritage site open to the public. This past weekend, it hosted a public art exhibition, which featured top local artists, including internationally acclaimed artist Mbongeni Buthelezi, together with Tshidzo Mangena, Solomon Omolayo Omogboye, Azael Langa, Ndabuko Julukani Ntuli, Johnnyguava, Michael Tshepo Selekane, Dario Manjate Art, Nkhensani Rihlampfu, and Cebo Simphiwe Xulu.

I was looking for a new location for Ornicos head office, and was set on moving back to Johannesburg from Sandton, says Oresti Patricios, CEO of Ornico, who acquired the premises after the media and brand research company had outgrown its old premises in Grayston Drive, Sandton. Urban spaces are our future, and Johannesburgs inner city is very much the heart and soul of what it means to be South African. One loses a sense of that pulse out in Sandton. There is energy, enthusiasm and opportunity for massive innovation in the city that is contagious.

Heritage site

Ornico acquired the old Natal Bank Building situated at 90 Albertina Sisulu Road, Johannesburg in January 2016, and has been working for the past year to restore the grand old site to its former glory. The building was provisionally declared a national heritage site in 1990, and is the oldest standing bank building in Johannesburg.

The building is remarkable. The minute I walked into it, it was love at first sight - the mastery of the construction, the absolute detail in the counters, lights and pressed ceilings. The height from ceiling to floor, the typical curves so common to architecture of its time, and the balconies that lead out and overlook Johannesburg, Patricios enthusiastically explains. The design of the building is Neoclassical in style, with a broad arched window dominating the front, with Ionic columns on all three levels.

Ornico City, formerly called the Natal Bank Building, was constructed immediately after the Anglo Boer War. Occupied in 1903, the original cost of the buildings construction was 29,847 (a princely sum at the time). Just one block from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the National Bank of the South African Republic, the Natal Bank overlooked the old market square, on what was then Market Street.

Local construction

Ornico has spent the last six months working with Sakhive Construction, a Jozi based construction and restoration company, to repair and renovate the site.

Ornico Citys interior refurbishment is being done by StudioA, an international award-winning boutique interior architecture firm based in Johannesburg. Founded by 28-year-old Tristan du Plessis, a locally renowned young designer who has had eight years experience in the South African hospitality design sector, StudioAs portfolio of completed projects includes some of the most spoken about hospitality spaces in the country and abroad.

We handled the full interior design concept, says du Plessis. Our biggest challenge was to create a space that felt like it celebrated the Ornico brand, while being respectful to the history of the building.

As a heritage site, the owner is tasked with maintaining the buildings historical integrity. We accepted the task of restoring the property to its former glory, which meant furnishing it to Ornicos needs and giving it a contemporary edge, while still respecting the beautiful historic building, says du Plessis.

Colourful history

The building has a colourful history. In 1914 the Natal Bank was taken over by National Bank, which in 1926 was taken over by Barclays Bank. In 1961 it was used by a theatrical group, the Bank Players, as a storage and rehearsal centre; and in 1963 it housed the SA governments Republican Intelligence, the forerunner to the infamous BOSS (SA Bureau of State Security).

In 1978, Barclays converted it into the Barclays Bank Museum, which then became the FNB Museum. The building was provisionally declared a national monument in 1990, and it is the oldest surviving bank building in Johannesburg.

The interior contains finishings that were typical of banks of the day, which have all been restored and repaired due to their historical importance. Beyond that, the workmanship is irreplaceable, says du Plessis. Nothing we could do today could compete with it. There are beautiful, carved counters, and a heavily ornate ceiling that must have taken years to complete. Its typical of the era, and the budget spent was significant  as witnessed by the level of detail and opulent materials that were used.
An event recently held at the Turbine Hall in Newtown Johannesburg, saw the official launch of IBM's Digital Nation' initiative - an initiative aimed at increasing digital literacy in Africa. According to the technology giant, the launch of this skills initiative is part of IBM's push to build New Collar careers for the youth of Africa.

Hamilton Ratshefola

ITNewsAfrica met with country general manager for IBM South Africa, Hamilton Ratshefola to discuss the program in detail.

Q: How will the IBM digital nation initiative impact economic growth in Africa?

A: In todays global economy there is a heavy dependency on the availability of a digitally enabled workforce and citizens. This initiative is focused on the millennial generation and is designed to equip them with basic digital literacy skills through to more advanced IT skills and then to entrepreneurial enablement. The success of this initiative will be illustrated through the creation of more high value jobs, which will have a positive impact on the economic growth of the African countries in which it is available.

Start-ups and developers can partner with IBM to help develop innovative solutions using digital skills obtained from the IBM cloud and cognitive technologies offered through this initiative. This initiative will drive new businesses. It will also support the creation of local digital communities, which in turn can help support new and existing businesses embrace the new economic opportunities.

Q: What role does education play in shaping society?

A: Africa has approximately 200 million people between the ages of 15 and 24. By 2040, the continent is expected to be home to the worlds largest labour force, with an estimated working age population of 1 billion (*State of Education in Africa Report 2015). Yet many African companies cite a local skills gap as a major bottleneck to growth. IBM sees effective, high quality IT education as a key driver of economic vitality in Africa. IBM engages with communities around the globe by offering its technology, services, and expertise to solve some of the worlds most complex problems, applying technology and expertise to societal issues such as education development.

Q: How can interested individuals sign up to become part of the programme and what is the selection criteria?

A: The programme is freely accessible through an online portal available on IBMs Cloud platform Bluemix, accessible via www.digitalnationafrica.com and will provide a vast range of enablement resources ranging from fundamental areas of digital citizenship to highly sought after advanced IT skills.

The programme is not only for students but targets young people between the age of 15 and 34 (any high school students, students in university and people who are unemployed). It targets all citizens in Africa who belong to all levels of knowledge in digital literacy. Anyone can access the content in the portal without the need to login, but if they decide to login there will be additional benefits, including tracking of learning hours and accumulation of Blue points, that can be used to unlock additional advanced educational content, paid cloud services, open badge exams, and even purchase IBM memorabilia in the IBM Store. All registered users will have access to their Achievements Dashboard where they can see all the learning achievements unlocked, and be able to participate in forums and communities with other members of the programme.

Q: How will IBM ensure the initiative is sustainable and continues to make a difference?

A: As we have been doing over the past couple of years with the Job Skills Programme, the initiative is designed to create enabled communities together with a volunteer programme which will help foster all levels of the programme from basic acquisition of digital skills all the way to establishing innovative software companies. So, whilst IBM will both maintain the portal and update the training material, much of the programme will be self-sustaining.

The programme is designed to provide free learning to help improve citizens digital competence for work and employability, learning, leisure, consumption, and participation in society. We hope to advance the digital competency of citizens at learning hubs, professional spaces, and otherwise that will enable them to connect, collaborate, and participate actively in society. This is also part of IBMs global push to build next generation skills needed for New Collar careers. New Collar is a term used by IBM to describe new kinds of careers that do not always require a four-year college degree but rather sought-after skills in cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, cloud and much more.

Q: What plans does IBM have in further developing the trained candidates and please tell us more about the IBM Code off?

A: The candidates that complete the training can apply for jobs anywhere, including at IBM. The primary purpose of the programme is to help bridge the skill gaps that exist in the job market today, and to prepare the Millennials and the countries for the needs of the future. Through this programme, IBM believes that it will be providing the foundations for economic growth and success. Our current programme extends to helping graduates create professional CVs and find suitable jobs. IBM is offering training that will assist candidates to be employable within the new environment and therefore they can apply for suitable jobs anywhere and not just at IBM.

The IBM Code Off was a competition run by IBM where Developers from various backgrounds  students, freelancers and start-ups were challenged to develop a prototype Chat bot in 3 hours, using IBMs Bluemix platform. The participants were judged based on a diverse criteria including creativity, viability, intuitiveness, feasibility and unique-ness.

The Code Off was aimed at allowing them to experience, in a fun and dynamic way how easy it is to create a simple chat bot on IBMs Bluemix.
Radio stations broadcasting to rural areas in the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal will be producing children's stories in both home languages and English as part of their regular programming as of March 2017. These radio stations include Inkonjane FM, Good News Community Radio, Ugu Youth Radio, Radio Sunny South, Radio Khwezi and Link FM.

The broadcasts will be in support of the Nal'ibali campaign's new Story Powered Schools project, which was launched at the start of the new school year by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to bring literacy development to rural schools. The project will be working with a total of 720 schools over a three-year period in the Ugu and Uthukela districts in KwaZulu-Natal and the Maluti and Bizana districts in the Eastern Cape.

For more information on the Story Powered Schools project, visit www.storypoweredschools.org.
US President Donald Trump's recent nuclear wake-up call has aroused alert and vigilance on the Russian side and could risk setting off a new Cold War-style nuclear arms race between Washington and Moscow, observers say.

Trump, in an interview with the Reuters news agency in the Oval Office on Thursday, expressed his dissatisfaction with the New START Treaty and declared the aim of ensuring the US nuclear arsenal "at the top of the pack".

Analysts believe that if the United States gives up the nuclear balance of power adopted by past US administrations and resorts to unilateral advantages, US nuclear arsenal expansion would make US-Russian relations more complicated and take the bilateral relationship toward a dead end.

RUSSIA FEARS "RETURN TO COLD WAR"

In the Reuters interview, Trump called the New START Treaty, or the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, "one-sided" and "a bad deal" for Washington.

The pact was signed by the United States and Russia in 2010. Following ratification by the US Senate and the Federal Assembly of Russia, the treaty went into force in 2011. Under the treaty, the two nations agreed to cut the number of deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 and the number of deployed missiles and bombers to 700. The treaty is expected to last until 2021 and it may be extended for a period of no more than five years.

Trump said the United States was going to be "at the top of the pack" in terms of nuclear capacities and would never "fall behind on nuclear power".

He also complained that the Russian deployment of a ground-based cruise missile is in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), an agreement signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987.

Asked if he would raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said he would do so "if and when we meet." But he had no meetings scheduled as of yet with Putin.

Trump's words have made a big splash in Russia. Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Russian lower house of parliament's international affairs committee, said if Washington seriously aims for the dominance in nuclear sphere, a return to cold war and arms race will be inevitable.

Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the international affairs committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament, said Trump's words are arguably the "most alarming statement" on the subject of relations with Russia.
Naw Blooming Night Zan, one of the forum organizers, told KIC that there is currently little to no youth programing in the camps, so the forum was meant to inspire the younger residents to discuss activities that they might want to lead.

The three-day forum from February 21 to 23 was held at the Mae La camp, and included 54 youth attendees. Four topics were discussed: youth and leadership, basic health, youth and media and youth and civil society.

The Karen Refugee Committee partnered with 10 other local organizations to put together the forum.

As there are currently no particular programs for the youth, by convening this forum they got to know each other, and realized what they might want to do together, said Naw Blooming Night Zan.

As NGOs are increasingly channel funding away from the camps and into other projects, including now within Myanmar, camp organizers say there are fewer and fewer opportunities for the youth population in the camps.

Naw San San New, a forum attendee from the Umpiem refugee camp, told KIC,  By participating in such a forum, youth can develop friendships and realize how to build cooperation with and organize the youth.

As of 2014, the nine official refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border hosted over 75,460 registered refugees, according to the UN refugee agency. The Thai Border Consortium notes a higher figure of around 120,000, which may include non-registered camp residents. Since 2005, some 96,000 camp residents have been resettled into third countries, the majority going to the United States.
The Taung Ka Lay taung quarry, located between Kawt Yin village and Naung Kyan village in Hpa-an township, had its license extended for one year in February 2016, according to Saw Zar Li, a local resident. He said to preserve the environment the permit should not be renewed.

Two-fifths of the mountain has already been extracted, he said. Since our ancestors time, there was a tunnel through the mountain that local people used to carry paddy and travel from one side to the other. But due to the mining, the entrance of that tunnel has been closed. Wed like to see the mountain returned to its natural state in the future.

He added that 30 acres of farmland around the quarry has been ruined, allegedly due to pollution from the mining.

Ahead of the expiration of the quarrys permit, upper Kawt Yin village tract officials brought their concerns to the village administrators office. Locals say currently, no extraction work is going on at the quarry.

Saw Shwe Thein, the administrator of Upper Kawt Yin village told KIC, [The quarry] has been stopped. The business owners have already submitted their application to the respective government department requesting their permit be renewed for another year. We will have to observe the project and see if there is a mutual benefit. The most important thing to consider is the locals opinion of the project.

According to area residents, when the quarry is active, explosions occur throughout the day and shake nearby houses. A monastery built on the mountains western slope had its roof reportedly blown off by such an explosion.

Kayin State villagers are lobbying local authorities not to renew the license of a stone quarry they claim has had deleterious affects on the local environment.

The Taung Ka Lay taung quarry, located between Kawt Yin village and Naung Kyan village in Hpa-an township, had its license extended for one year in February 2016, according to Saw Zar Li, a local resident. He said to preserve the environment the permit should not be renewed.

Two-fifths of the mountain has already been extracted, he said. Since our ancestors time, there was a tunnel through the mountain that local people used to carry paddy and travel from one side to the other. But due to the mining, the entrance of that tunnel has been closed. Wed like to see the mountain returned to its natural state in the future.

He added that 30 acres of farmland around the quarry has been ruined, allegedly due to pollution from the mining.

Ahead of the expiration of the quarrys permit, upper Kawt Yin village tract officials brought their concerns to the village administrators office. Locals say currently, no extraction work is going on at the quarry.

Saw Shwe Thein, the administrator of Upper Kawt Yin village told KIC, [The quarry] has been stopped. The business owners have already submitted their application to the respective government department requesting their permit be renewed for another year. We will have to observe the project and see if there is a mutual benefit. The most important thing to consider is the locals opinion of the project.

According to area residents, when the quarry is active, explosions occur throughout the day and shake nearby houses. A monastery built on the mountains western slope had its roof reportedly blown off by such an explosion.

Edited by Laignee Barron for BNI
The fighting that broke out in September 2016 between the breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and the Burma Army and its militia, the Border Guard Force (BGF) forced more than 6,000 villagers in the Mae Tha Waw area out of their homes. Some of the displaced villagers tried to return, but the majority stayed in the temporary camps unable to go back to their village because of the conflict and fear of landmines.

Displaced villagers living in the Myaing Gyi Ngu temporary shelter, mainly depend on food donations from non-government organizations, civil society organizations and some government departments.

After five months, the displaced people are now receiving less food and services as donations are decreasing for the people living in the temporary shelters.

Naw Tin Hla, a Food Warehouse manager at the displaced camp told Karen News that the food stock is getting less and less. Naw Tin Hla opened the warehouse and pointed to some newly donated food stocks and said.

We now have this much stock, because it just came in today. If it hadnt come, we wouldnt have this much food left. It came in this morning.

Naw Tin Hla said that as the time pass by, the food donations have decreased.

When we first arrived here, there were many donors, but now [the donations] do not come once a week or once in 15 days or even once in three months  we have had only one in in 4 months.

The displaced villagers have noticed that it is not only food donations that have been reduced, but other basic services like health care have also dropped off at the temporary shelters.

Saw Kyaw Tako, a displaced villager from Klaw Day village told Karen News that now people cant get basic healthcare service like they had in the beginning.

There was a healthcare outpost here. Some health workers stayed there. When we suffered from minor illnesses, we sought treatment there. Now there is no more health worker, so we have to go to Myaing Gyi Ngu [hospital]. We gather the sick people and send them there. When the health workers was here, we didnt need to go there. We got treated here.

For most of the villagers, returning to their village is uncertain as the armed conflict in the areas has not stopped. Those that did return did so in fear of landmines, as both armed groups landmined the area resulting in a number of fatal casualties  one villager died, one lost a leg and several livestock were killed.

While talk in Burma is currently centered around the benefits of peace, the Mae Tha Waw displaced villagers are caught in an armed conflict with no end. All they want to do is go home.
The latest spat of taxation reportedly began on February 20. Village heads from Kungmong, Kongsong, Kungpaung and Salang say they were called to a meeting where Captain Tun Sein, head of the Manpang Peoples Militias political department, asked them to donate to the force.

Our village leaders were called for a meeting in Narsone Village on February 20. They were told that it was not a tax, but that the militia was asking for their help, said Sai Khay, a villager who fled to Lashio. We, the residents of the Salag village tract, were asked for K1 million to K1.6 million per village, or over K8 million in total. In the village tracts visited by Lieutenant Lone Nyunt, the residents were told to pay K4-5 million. In Mongyaw village the locals were even asked to pay K16 million.

The Manpang Peoples Militia has long been accused of taxing northern Shan State residents.

In addition to demanding money, the peoples militia also forces villagers to supply food and forced labour, another resident told SHAN.

They told us that they need assistance since they are no longer able to engage in logging. They need funds. I said that the maize corn and other crops are not good this year. We also have to give them rice yearly. They collect money from the streets. Now and again, they come by asking for donations. I do not know why the government continues to allow this militia group as it has not done anything for the public, said Sai Naung, a villager.

According to the Asia Foundations report on militias released last year, the Manpang Militia is led by Bo Man, a former member of the Mong Tai Army, and consists of several hundred men. The militia has been accused of engaging in narcotics trafficking, and according to UK-based watchdog Global Witness, they have benefitted from extensive land confiscation carried out by the Tatmadaw, such as receiving a portion of over five million acres ostensibly leased for commercial agriculture.

Sai Wanlaing Kham, an Amyotha Hluttaw representative from Lashio, criticized the Manpang Peoples Militia for pressuring villagers.

People are facing difficulties as they are having to pay all different kinds of taxes. Now, this militia is requesting K4-5 millions, he said. If the militia is having a hard time it should disband. There have been no development projects in the area where the Manpang Peoples Militia Force is active. There are no good roads or electricity access. Instead of working for the benefit of the people, they are turning on the people for financial help. How can the villagers continue to live there?



According to Kongsong village tract residents, seven villagers were arrested by the Manpang Peoples Militia on January 29. No reason was given for the arrest, but the militia has previously been accused of forced recruitment practices.

Translated by Aong Jaeneh

Edited by Laignee Barron
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From the eastern to the western points of the Himalayan plateau, the rivers of the Bengal Delta trace out a vast network of river traffic routes open to Southeast Asia. Unified Bengal  present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal  was the central hub of the Northern Bay of Bengal, [1] a space that also included Arakan, north Burma, southwest China, the states in northeast India, and north Odisha. The traffic that ran through it made it a major locus for the construction of the world economy.

Oblivious to circulation within this space, the delineation of the India-Bangladesh border (the fifth largest in the world and also the most fragmented) has created human flows and made illegal immigration a structural phenomenon.

The process of creating an internal and external partition across this space transformed free and shifting border zones, formerly spaces of negotiation and trade, into rigid borders. Both religious and based on administrative division of land, the India-Bangladesh border was imposed to the detriment of networks of sociability born from intense circulation and complex interdependencies. The true significance of analysing the ambivalence between map and land lies here. Of Bangladeshi migration to India, how much was generated by the border and how much pre-existed it? In what framework can we place the recent plans for corridors within the Northern Bay of Bengal, a space in which Bangladesh, Bengal, and northeast India all hold a central place?

The border between India and Bangladesh flies in the face of both geomorphological realities and human circulation.

Partition: from exodus to migration

Partition is the accepted term for the creation of the India-Pakistan border in 1947, which then resulted, in 1971, in the border separating India and Bangladesh. In 1905, an initial attempt at partition between west and east Bengal by Viceroy Lord Curzon led to violent resistance towards the British colonial administration under the auspices of the swadeshi movement. Le Temps, a French moderate newspaper with quasi-official status, wrote on August 21st, 1906: In the eyes of Hindus, the major damage caused by this territorial division () was that it gave formidable ascendancy over the Hindu minority to the Muslim majority in the new province and split up the Hindus homeland in an arbitrary fashion (). The newspaper interpreted the first attempt at partition as a wrong that can still be righted () because the Bengalis discontent was beginning to spread among the 300 million inhabitants of this vast empire. In the same newspaper, three days later, the promotion of religious identities pursued by British authorities in India gave rise to the following comment: It would be imprudent to consider encouraging, as some are already doing, the aspirations of the Muslim minority in a direction that is hostile to Hindus. Divide and rule is a short-lived maxim of government.

From 1909 onwards, the division of the Hindu and Muslim electorate reshaped the political landscape, placing religious identity at the heart of the political game. Nationalist aspirations began to take on an exclusively religious dimension in the work and propaganda of several representatives of the Hindu and Muslim communities. In the 1930s, the plan to separate the Muslim and Hindu populations into two separate territories was born, driven by Mohammed Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, an opposition party to the Congress. In 1947, this project came into effect with the creation of Pakistan. Both its name and constitution reflected its religious identity, unlike India, which, under Prime Minister Nehru, was framed as a secular nation. However, Hindu nationalist culture continued to develop in India in the domestic sphere, also finding some support in the spheres of power.

The border between Bangladesh and India was set up in two main stages. Partition proper took place on August 15th, 1947 and divided the British Empire in India into two parts, with East Bengal made a part of Pakistan. This division took the notion of religious territoriality to its extreme. The two parts of the Pakistani territory were separated from the Indian territory by about 1,500 kilometres. West Pakistan stretched from the Punjab and the Sindh to Afghanistan and Iran, while East Pakistan included East Bengal, the Chittagong region and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a hilly region with a mostly tribal, non-Bengali population where Muslims made up no more than 3% of the population.

The 1947 Partition was followed by mass massacres between the different religious communities, essentially Hindu and Sikh on the one hand, and Muslim on the other. The total number of casualties remains unknown today. No sooner had they been created than the two nations were the stage for the massive re-appropriation of exiles wealth and land by members of the now majority religion. Partition led to the exodus of over 14.5 million people, with some 11 million fleeing to the Punjab and just over 3 million to Bengal, already bled dry by the huge famine of 1943-1944. Unlike the Punjab, the flow of refugees and migrants from East Pakistan to India continued over the years to come. In March 1971, on the eve of Independence, more than 4 million migrants were counted just in the Indian state of neighbouring West Bengal, making up 10% of the states population. In Calcutta, they made up 27% of the population.

On December 16th, 1971, thanks to Indias military help, Bangladesh gained independence after ten months of conflict with Pakistan. During the conflict, the Pakistani army conducted a genocide, denounced by representatives of international civil society but not officially recognised by global bodies. 10 million refugees were taken in by the Indian government. While West Bengal was the destination of most refugees, the other states neighbouring Bangladesh also took some in, particularly Assam and Tripura, but also all the territories of the Indian union.

Today, the number of illegal Bangladeshi migrants living in Assam is estimated at over 6 million. A rise, far above the national average, in enrolments on the electoral register drew attention to this immigration. In the neighbouring state of Tripura, population shifts have changed the demographics, with the tribal populations, previously in the majority, now in the minority. Bangladeshi immigration has also combined with other migratory flows, particularly from Nepal and other Indian states, in particular West Bengal and Bihar, in a context of a high population growth rate and increasing tensions surrounding identity. In certain states in northeast India, these tensions have led ethnic regionalist movements to demand that certain restrictions on internal movement, established under British colonial rule and abolished after Indian independence, be reinstated.

Manufacturing illegality

Even before the first attempt at Partition, the relationship between East and West Bengal was characterised by economic imbalance. Factories were mainly in the west, while the fertile east provided raw materials. Substantial population flows between East Bengal and neighbouring regions had therefore already taken place during the period that preceded the border division. Partition further heightened this imbalance, as industry was no longer concentrated in another part of Bengal but on the other side of a border separating two Nation-states.

During the genocide of the Liberation War, Hindus and intellectuals were the Pakistani armys main targets. Their assassination or migration, along with the Pakistani armys destruction of the infrastructures of what would become Bangladesh, further exacerbated the disparities between the newly independent country and its Indian neighbour. The development of the textile industry in Bangladesh over the last two decades is largely based on the low cost of labour, which makes it attractive even for the Indian job market.

Alongside legal flows and a massive number of visa applications at Indian consular services in Bangladesh (around 500 000 per year), the India-Bangladesh border also gave rise to illegal human circulation. The first waves of migrants from East Pakistan, whether at the time of Partition or during the Liberation War, were considered refugees. From the 1980s onwards, however, and particularly after the 1983 Illegal Migrant Act, migrants from Bangladesh were considered illegal. However, while this law established the illegality of migrants from Bangladesh, it did not provide any real reception and regulation policy. Data concerning migrants therefore remain very hit and miss. Media estimations put the number of Bangladeshi emigrants in India at 20 million, but do not distinguish between times of migration or types of migration (seasonal migrants, medical tourism, refugees, family reunification, etc.). They also sometimes mistakenly group together workers from West Bengal and workers from Bangladesh under a generic Bengali identity.

This illegality makes it easier for Bangladeshi migrants in India to be exploited. They form a captive electorate, at the mercy of local politicians who exchange voting cards for votes, in a legal context where voting cards serve as proof of identity. At the same time, the political classes denounce this immigration as a threat to the countrys territorial integrity. And yet, these migrants play an ever-increasing role in the economy of the states neighbouring Bangladesh and of India in general. Illegal immigration itself also represents an important economy on both sides of the border, through the activity generated by smugglers, fake documentation, paid collusion of state representatives, savings sent home, and, above all, exploitable labour available at lower prices than the Indian market for tasks Indian workers consider beneath them.

The fifth longest border in the world is also, as mentioned above, the most fragmented. It created 123 Indian enclaves in Bangladeshi land and 74 Bangladeshi enclaves in Indian land: 197 enclaves out of the 250 that exist worldwide. Willem Van Schendel has examined the concept of citizenship in these enclaves, where inhabitants find themselves deprived of access to both circulation and the State. [2]Until the 2015 ratification of the exchange of enclaves (the application of which remains to be studied), inhabitants had to use a passport and obtain a visa for any travel outside their village. As none of their villages had administrative or consular services, these citizens were de facto forced into illegality. Moreover, territorial divisions prohibited inhabitants from accessing the surrounding markets, just as it prohibited inhabitants of surrounding villages from accessing their market.

The extremely fragile legal and economic situation of these inhabitants made them vulnerable to all sorts of injustice. Just like the old French lodges in India, the enclaves offered outlaws a refuge beyond the jurisdiction of their State. As all legal economic activity was effectively made impossible in the enclaves, the border generated a clandestine economy based on violating legal circulation. In turn, this clandestine economy fostered the development of larger scale networks of illegal immigration, which became structural for both countries. Despite repeated negotiations since 1958 and various decisions by their respective Parliaments, the two nations failure to resolve the issue of the enclaves status proved, until 2015, the incapacity of both States to view the border in terms of different modes of circulation and transnational citizenship. In May 2015, the Indian Parliament voted an agreement for exchanging the territories of the enclaves, making a potential evolution of the situation conceivable. Official Indian experts testified that the exchanges took place properly. However, the implementation and impact of this agreement remains to be studied.

In order to justify a very slight loss of territory, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs foregrounded the possibility of better securing the border and thereby containing circulation, thanks to a less fragmented delineation. As for the Indian Prime Minister, he has often reiterated his desire to welcome Hindu Bangladeshis. While the situation of the enclaves seems on the point of being resolved, the religious divide and the obstacle to circulation at the origin of the India-Bangladesh border project have not been called into question.

Collective beliefs about the border

Dividing the British Empire in India up according to religious affiliations fuelled a climate of tension and generated suspicion of members of religious minorities. This is particularly true of cases where these minorities were in the majority in neighbouring countries, for example Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh and Muslims in India.

With Bangladesh almost completely hemmed-in, this generated an obsessive relationship to the border and designated India as the neighbour surrounding and stifling the country. Although Bangladesh acquired its independence thanks to Indias logistical and military support, India did not win the favour of most Bangladeshis. On the contrary, in their collective beliefs, India embodies the omnipresent, Machiavellian, and exploitative Other, draining their national resources. These collective beliefs are also fuelled by executions of Bangladeshis by Indian armed forces at the border between the two countries, tragedies that regularly make front-page news in Bangladeshi media. In the context of a strong contraband economy in the border zone, these executions also concern Indian citizens, but in much lower proportions.

Popular perceptions of India in Bangladesh continue the legacy of anti-Hindu animosity born in the early-twentieth century in East Bengal, when many Hindus still held privileged positions and the first religious antagonism became clear. While this resentment remains strong, it is nevertheless an anachronism in modern-day Bangladesh insofar as Hindus are now in the minority and marginalised. It also reflects a certain amnesia about the different forces involved in the Liberation War. This stance has been largely fuelled by the reactionary forces, under Pakistani influence, that took power in Bangladesh in 1975. Violence against religious minorities is frequent, particularly against Hindus, but also against certain strands of Islam considered deviant. Furthermore, the transnational nature of religious identity is bolstered to the detriment of regional and cultural affinities, through massive worker immigration, tourism of economic elites to the Middle East, and the establishment of satellite television, social networks, and religious schools supported by the oil emirates.

As for the Indians, the absence of any migration policy, [3] means the border maintains phantasies about risks of surges and destabilisation. The border separates the country from a threatening Other, perceived as a relay for terrorist activities and a support base for anti-Indian armed organisations. Indeed, Bangladesh was used as an arms supply route, and perhaps even a support base, by representatives of separatist groups from the United Liberation Front of Assam. However, this did not prevent the separatist movement in question from making opposition to Bangladeshi immigrants one of the rallying cries of its propaganda.

In the context of these fears and reactions against circulation from Bangladesh, a plan emerged to build a wall and ultra-secure border posts, following the North American model, with large avenues lit by powerful projectors. This plan has only been partially implemented to date, mainly at the border of the state of West Bengal. It flies in the face of both geomorphological and human realities. The border crosses huge rivers with shifting courses, mangroves, and steep hills on soft soil, not to mention, of course, the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Building a wall reflects a very map-based conception of territory, with no regard for human experiences and the topographical reality of the land.

This plan also ignores a political and economic reality where substantial numbers of Bangladeshi migrants have been made into a captive electoral base for local politics and into a labour force dependent on the business world. Is it in the best interests of the latter for illegal migratory flows to be stemmed or to be normalised?

Fragmenting land and identity

The religious aspect gave ideological justification to Partition. The colonial administrations system for controlling land and tax was used to delineate the India-Bangladesh border. The enclaves were the legacy of Mughal administrative control, which had remained incomplete on its eastern fringes. These administrative units were then used by the British East India Company when it set up its tax system and again by the British Crown to delineate the border between the two countries.

This approach to tax, and later territoriality, based on administrative land divisions, caused deep upheaval throughout the peninsula and particularly in the so-called tribal regions of northeast India and Bangladesh. [4] Fixing tax based on administrative divisions of land redefined social affiliations. This was particularly clear in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the southeast part of Bangladesh bordering India, where social structure was based on itinerant agrarian practices, collective ownerships of plots, and a system of tolls adapted to these practices. The reification of territorial units and sovereignty based on a fixed tax system reconfigured identity strategies, with effects that can still be seen today. [5]

Furthermore, in the 1930s, excluded areas were created for regions with a tribal majority and these included the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The administration had discretionary power in these areas and there were restrictions on non-tribal populations settling there. The official aim of these excluded areas was to protect tribal populations from predation by the plains populations. However, for the British colonial powers, it was also a way of ensuring direct control over the resources in these regions and creating buffer zones in the eastern confines of the empire.

The new, extremely restrictive, regime of circulation between the plains and hills regions hindered the multiple synergies at work between them  trade, matrimonial ties, etc. Excluding these tribal regions from the national political game then played a significant role in their marginalisation during decolonialisation. It also fostered antinomical identities between the populations of the hills and those of the plains, worsened by the stranglehold the respective armies on each side of the border had over these regions.

Territoriality was redefined in a way that essentialised topographical identities, setting the populations of the hills against those of the plains. In line with this opposition, there was also an exercise in administrative power that now worked only one-way: from the plains to the hills. Together, these two factors led to the idea that the hills tribal identity was characterised by isolation and a simplistic nature, compared to the plains populations engaged in an evolving civilising process.

This complex and fragmented regional context between India and Bangladesh was the backdrop for attempts to activate circulation corridors in the Bay of Bengal extending beyond the limits of current political zones. Can this be understood as a desire to overcome the obstacles that modern borders pose to human circulation?

Reconfiguring the routes of the past

A range of initiatives have contributed to a regional reconfiguration placing the Northern Bay of Bengal centre stage once again. These include plans: to build deep-water ports in Bangladesh and Burma, along with corridors leading there from China and India; for a trilateral motorway across India, Myanmar, and Thailand; to build Sittwe Port, connecting it with the state of Mizoram in India, near the port and special economic zone of Kyaukphyu under Chinese control, connected to a pipeline in Yunnan; to reopen the Chinese-Indian border post in Nathu La in Sikkim; and to reconstruct the Ledo Road (or Stilwell Road). Nepal and Bhutan, whose proximity to the Bengal Delta is often overlooked, are also affected by plans for corridors to the Bay of Bengal and human circulations of different types  labour, tourism, students, medical tourism, etc.

These projects look to the past for legitimacy, referring back to traffic routes such as the Southwestern Silk Road or the Ancient Tea Horse Road. However, the corridors they mention were often based on different trade structures and territorial divisions from those contemporary Nation-states want to establish. These corridors were made up of segments with overlapping regional political entities that contributed to this trade, while using their strategic position as a bargaining chip. The trade networks using these corridors extended beyond the limits of large political groups and, to some extent, escaped their control. These networks and circulations, established over the centuries before the Christian era and active until the nineteenth century, were not determined by control of administrative land divisions or by regional and religious exclusiveness.

These plans have met with varying degrees of fortune due to the geo-strategic power struggles of alliances between China and Pakistan, on the one hand, and, since the 2000s, India, Japan, Australia, and the United States on the other, with Bangladesh and Burma using their cooperation as a bargaining chip. Moreover, India has long proved reticent to opening up its borders to China, as the two countries continue a long-standing dispute in which the Chinese government refuses to recognise the validity of the border in question, known as the McMahon line.

These plans show how flows and traffic routes persist above and beyond political divisions and any resulting fragmentation. However, while the countries in the Northern Bay of Bengal are looking to rebuild the traffic routes within this space, the territoriality created by the contemporary borders of these Nation-states is an impediment to this project. Although the trans-regional circulation of goods and raw materials lies at the heart of these projects, the question of human circulation has not been addressed.

Conclusion

Elaborated by historians, particularly Fernand Braudel, the notion of space, which extends beyond regional and state borders, provides an understanding of the stakes of contemporary circulation around the India-Bangladesh border. Since the end of the twentieth century, the Nation-states of the Northern Bay of Bengal have shown their willingness to reopen the trade corridors that existed before their borders were drawn up. At the heart of this space, the border between Bangladesh and India has resulted in the extreme fragmentation of these traffic routes. It has also given rise to a process marginalising and exploiting migrants, particularly since the 1980s. The border is the stage for one of the most substantial illegal migratory flows in the contemporary world, but also one of the least well understood.

The India-Bangladesh border highlights the consequences of the imbalances created by a conception of territoriality that is singular, religious, and based on administrative land divisions. The question arises as to whether this border is not in danger of being overtaken by the flows it exploits, and sometimes generates, by forcing them into illegality. In this sense, human circulation between India and Bangladesh sheds useful on the challenges of contemporary territoriality.
President Ian Khama has declared this coming Sunday (5th March) a day of national thanks giving for the huge amounts of rainfall the country has recently experienced.

Most of the country previously experienced crippling drought in recent years before experiencing record amounts of rain during the early part of this year. My fellow Batswana, there is nothing more precious to us than the blessing of good rains. In this respect, we have been truly humbled these past few weeks by the rains that have occurred throughout our country, Khama said through a statement this week.

Today almost all our dams are full, including the Gaborone Dam for the first time in sixteen years.





Khama explains that as much as these rains were an answer to fervent prayers that saw some churches hosting mass prayers recently, the president said it is only befitting that Batswana should now give thanks to the Lord who makes all things possible. In this regard, I am declaring that this coming Sunday, the 5th of March 2017, should be a day of national thanksgiving, Khama said.

I, together with my Cabinet and other citizens will be taking part in a small prayer gathering at Gaborone Dam this coming Sunday. It is my hope that our churches and other religious and civil institutions will also take this cue and give special thanks on the day.
Watching TV, we learn about great new prescription medications available for addressing all manner of aches, pains, symptoms and diseases. Take a pill, or get a shot, and well be good as new (or so it seems). And we often see or read news about major medical advances, reports of researchers on the verge of easing or eradicating various maladies. For strugglers with chronic illnesses, such information offers welcomed hope.

Theres one health alternative, however, thats typically overlooked: Laughter.



Back in the 1970s, Norman Cousins, a journalist, author, educator and world peace advocate, brought this cure to light. In his book, An Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient, Cousins wrote about a degenerative disease he contracted following a stress-filled trip to the Soviet Union in 1964. Racked with constant pain, he sought medical treatment only to be informed death was imminent.



Cousins, however, reasoned his distress must have been stress-induced, so he prescribed for himself an antidote  extremely high doses of vitamin C, accompanied by a continual stream of humorous films and similar laughing matter. He discovered 10 minutes of hilarious laughter would provide two hours of pain-free sleep, something even morphine and other pain medications could not do.



His health slowly improved; within six months he was back on his feet. After two years, he resumed work full-time as an editor of the Saturday Review. Cousins amazing recovery baffled scientists, but he maintained the key was being able to laugh his way to health.



I thought about this while pondering our society, which is ailing in so many ways. Everyone seems angry, easily offended, and up in arms about practically anything they can imagine. Smiles, much less laughter, seem in short supply. We have emojis to represent various feelings, but theyre a poor substitute.



Maybe if we intentionally tried laughing, resolving to do it often, we  and society  would become a lot healthier. As a newspaper colleague of mine used to say years ago, Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.



Perhaps thats why I enjoy my status as a perpetrator of puns. Maybe the humor isnt particularly sophisticated, but if it elicits a laugh, a chuckle, even a smile, its served its purpose.



Cousins wasnt the first to discover the healing powers of humor, of cultivating a happy heart. Far from it. The Bibles book of Proverbs repeatedly speaks of the benefits of an high-spirited heart:



A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:13).

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast (Proverbs 15:15).

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones (Proverbs 15:30).

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones ((Proverbs 16:24).

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

The strong spirit of a man will sustain him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear? (Proverbs 18:14, Amplified).

Such observations and admonitions arent limited to the Old Testament. In fact, one of the shortest verses in the Bible makes this simple declaration: Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16). And if our hope and confidence come from the Lord alone, rejoicing isnt an unreasonable expectation.



Several books have been written called Happiness Is a Choice. Indeed, it is. We can let the world manipulate our emotions and moods, or we can focus on things that make us smile, laugh  and even rejoice  giving us a happy heart. And with cheerful looks, pleasant words, and even silly jokes, we can help others to do the same!


Watch Fans Go Wild With Joy After Chance The Rapper Buys Out Theater For 'Get Out' Screenings

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 27, 2017 5:40PM



Chance the Rapper performing at Magnificent Coloring Day / Photo: Tyler LaRiviere

Taking a brilliant move from the Taraji P. Henson playbook, Chicago hip-hop favorite and certifiable Good Dude Chance the Rapper on Sunday did his fans a solid by purchasing all the tickets for Get Out so that moviegoers could catch the brilliant, Jordan Peele-directed race-relations horror satire for free.

Even better was the fact that the Chatham native made the ticket gift available to those from his own backyard, buying tickets from the Chatham 14 Theaters (210 W. 87th St). (None of that Kanye-style suburbinization from Chance, thank you.) All of the theater's three evening screenings5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.were covered, so the theater ended up adding another showing, at 11:15 p.m.

Nearly as wonderful as the gesture itself were the fan reactions, which includedno kiddingactual dancing in the streets.

After Henson and now Chance, the buy-all-the-tix-and-give-'em-away move is turning into something of a tradition now. Apparently, Twista is on boardon Sunday he vowed to grab next.
Double Door Leaves Wicker Park For Good, As Staff Alleges Landlord Shenanigans

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 27, 2017 7:07PM



The Atomic Numbers were amazing. Go find that album.

Its over. Double Door is officially done in Wicker Park. The beloved music club was officially evicted from its home of 23 years on Milwaukee Avenue earlier this month, and as of last weekend, they're gone.

On a personal note, Ive avoided writing about these final stages in hopes that landlord Brian Strauss would change his mind, but last weekend the staff of the iconic venue was given access to the space to move everything outwhile being constantly watched and videotaped by Strauss staff. (Chicagoist reached out to Strauss via his attorney, and we'll update this post if we hear back.)



June! (On the left. My patron saint.) spent tens of thousands of dollars of its own money to overhaul the space.

As Double Door's longtime staff look for a place to move next, it's still unclear what will take its place at 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. The Double Doors staff made the final move out between Friday and Sunday. After being locked out of the space for weeks, the staff says they were only allowed to move out during three, eight-hour days. That's 24 hours total to move 24 years' worth of gear out of the building.

Double Door staff, who spoke to Chicagoist anonymously, said they spotted local Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) screaming at Strauss on the sidewalk in front of the club (a sign, we can only hope, that the space is headed for a rezoning).

Moreno told us, "As you know, I am a big fan of music and it is difficult to see Double Door being evicted because the landlord is being unreasonable. I want him to get a fair price, but in the opinion of many independent real estate professionals, his ask is totally unreasonable. What started out as an amicable conversation, became an intense one because we are both adamant about our stances. I don't want Double Door to leave and at the end of the day, I want to do everything I can to make sure a Wicker Park institution stays in the neighborhood."

The staff also said they found several unpleasant surprises when they entered the building over the weekend, for which they blame Strauss. For example, according to one longtime Double Door staffer, when they finally gained re-entry, they discovered the  petty cash room was kicked open (with no sign of forced entry on the outside of the building) and $2700 in cash was stolen during the 18 days we were locked out. Additionally, all the audio and lighting breakers were turned on, so our gear was hot as fire when we got let in on Friday the 24th.

Strauss gave us three eight-hour days to clear out, which is not only unfair but also totally unsafe," the staffer also told us. "On the final day he would not let us use the bathrooms in the buildingwe had to leave and go elsewhereand we were not allowed to eat or drink in the building.

Furthermore, Strauss would not allow us to put a "Thank You Wicker Park for 23 Great Years" sign on our marquee that we paid for, the staffer claimed, and would not even allow some longtime office employees access to the building to say their farewells at all.

Our source says the Double Door staff should never have been subjected to this treatment.

We were always current on our rent, in spite of what has been reported and is generally believed ... We chose to take the high road and not comment during legal proceedings and lease negotiations. Everything that Brian Strauss says is a lie or meant to manipulate the situation in some manner. You just don't kick out a tenant of 23 years when you have no tenant lined up and your building isn't even on the market."

Ive worked in Wicker Park for over 20 years, and it seems Strauss is the latest landlord in the bustling area to let booming real estate values inspire shortsighted decisions. But, he owed Double Door better. And whoever he talks into moving into that space next will never fill the hole that venues eviction has left.



No lights. No speaker. No bands. No music.

Wicker Park used to be the heartbeat of Chicagos music scene; you couldnt stumble four feet without running into a band playing in a club, on the street or in the back of a taco shop. With this move, Wicker Park has lost one of its great cultural anchors.

Losing Double Door is a huge blow to Chicago. The only thing that lessens that blow is the understanding that the owners are looking into a new space and will launch a new era of live music elsewhere. But if ever you thought you heard the death knell of what made Wicker Park Wicker Park, it has finally sounded now.

I was lucky enough to unknowingly see the venue's final showa bill that included many bands I'd booked in the past and both bandmates and staff I had spent decades with. I prefer to remember the room like that: vibrant and full of life. But I think it's a crime no one ever got to say a proper goodbye.

A side note: I have a deep personal history with Double Door, too. While Ive been made to feel at home by a large number of Chicago music venues, for over 20 years Double Door was my musical home. I made many bad decisions thereincluding skipping this little band known as the Killers set in order to see the band I really wanted to see that night, *stellastar. And, um, I've made many bad personal decisions, usually in the basement of the venue at 3 a.m.but through it all, the staff was always there to catch me and remind me that it was only rock and/or roll; and I liked it.




The new missile will be the land-based variant of the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) developed for the Indian Navy (in picture).

NEW DELHI (PTI): A Rs 17,000 crore deal has been cleared by the Indian Government for jointly developing with Israel a medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) for the Army, reflecting India's fast growing defence ties with the Jewish nation.



The project will be implemented by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Israeli Aircraft Industry (IAI).



The approval for the deal comes ahead of a possible visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel later this year.



2017 marks the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.



A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last Wednesday approved the missile deal, sources said.



The MR-SAM, a land-based version of the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) for the Navy, will have a strike range of up 70 km. The deal envisages 40 firing units and around 200 missiles.



India is Israel's largest buyer of military hardware and the latter has been supplying various weapon systems, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles over the last few years but the transactions have largely remained behind the curtains.



Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had visited India in November during which both sides had decided to "broadbase" their already close defence partnership.



Last week, the director of Israel's Defense Export Controls Agency, a division of the Defense Ministry, had conveyed to some Israeli lawmakers that the country had planned to relax its regulations on export of arms and defence equipment.




A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Navy has carried out a mega exercise which saw participation of its strategic assets including nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, besides Su-30 and Jaguar fighter jets of IAF.



The Theatre-level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) was conducted to test combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Navy, the Air Force, the Army and the Coast Guard.



The aim of the month-long exercise, which was carried out across the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea and the North Central Indian Ocean, was to test the combat readiness of the forces to deal with any possible threat.



"TROPEX 2017 assumes great significance in the backdrop of current security scenario.



"The exercise provided an apt-opportunity to test the combat capability of the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard, and strengthened inter-operability and joint operations in complex conflict situation," the Defence Ministry said.



Over 45 ships from both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands, five submarines including the nuclear powered Chakra, 50 Naval aircraft, 11 ships from the Coast Guard, troops from the Army and 20 aircraft from the Air Force including Su-30s and Jaguars participated in the exercise from January 24 to February 23.



"The exercise, in complete coordination with the Army and Air Force, was conducted in phases to test the various facets of war-fighting and joint combat capabilities of the armed forces to respond to given threat situations," the Ministry said.



It witnessed various weapon firings by ships, submarines and aircraft from both the Navy and the Air Force.



The Ministry said the interaction of the forces helped validate operational war fighting concepts and provided valuable lessons to sharpen combat skills.




Navy Chief Adm. Sunil Lanba with Commander of UAE Naval Forces Maj. Gen. Ebrahim Salem Mohammed Al Mushrakh. An Indian Navy photo via Twitter

DUBAI (PTI): Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Sunday held extensive talks with the top brass of UAE's defence establishment and explored ways to bolster strategic partnership between the two navies, in tune with India's efforts to deepen security ties with the key Gulf nation.



On the first day of his three-day trip, Lanba held separate deliberations with Commander of UAE Naval Forces Maj. Gen. Ebrahim Salem Mohammed Al Mushrakh and Matar Salem Ali Al Dahri, a key functionary in UAE's Defence Ministry and discussed a range of key issues relating to maritime security.



The talks focused on enhancing current level cooperation between naval forces of the two countries, and boosting overall strategic defence ties in the wake of the current security scenario in the region, Indian defence sources said.



Lanba is also scheduled to meet Minister of State for Defence Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi and Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi.



The Navy Chief also met Commander of UAE's National Defence College Maj. Gen. Pilot Rashed Mohammed Salem Al Saadi.



New Delhi is looking at increasing defence and security engagement with UAE, a major player in the strategically important Gulf region.



Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India last month during which both sides had decided to step up defence and security cooperation.



However, much-anticipated pact pertaining to the USD 75 billion investment fund, committed by the UAE, was not among the fourteen pacts which were signed after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.



On the second leg of his trip, Lanba will visit Oman from March 1-2 where he will hold bilateral talks with 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. Ten editions have been held so far, the last one being held off the Goa coast in January 2016.






CUTTACK (PTI): Scientist Dr Kota Harinarayana, who is credited with developing India's first home-grown light combat aircraft 'Tajas', has been conferred honorary Doctor of Science degree by Ravenshaw University in Cuttack.



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.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, might be 9,829 kilometres away from Brandon, but it didnt seem to matter among those celebrating the Brazilian Carnival at the Prairie Oasis Senior Centre on Saturday.

About 170 people showed up for the event, which included many traditional acts, including organizer Aron Ramalhos specialty  capoeira, a Brazilian martial art infused with dance.

In past years, the cultural event has been encompassed within a pavilion at the Westman Multicultural Festival. But this time around, Ramalho said that they shifted it to Feb. 25 to coincide with Carnival.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Jennifer Barr and other members of Brandons Capoeira Guanabara club dance the Samba in colourful costumes during a Brazilian Carnival at the Prairie Oasis Seniors Centre on Eighth Street on Saturday evening. The event included food, dancing and performances by Capoeira Guanabara.

This is very important for us Brazilians who arent there, Ramalho said of the annual festival held prior to Lent.

Brazilian Andrea Werner added that sharing ones culture with others is always important and that Carnival is well-enough known to non-Brazilians to draw them in.

Fellow Brazilian Gabriela Santos, 18, arrived in Brandon last August as part of a year-long travel exchange through Rotary Club of Brandon Sunset.

She attended Saturdays event with host family member Jacquie Lane  one of many cultural practices she has helped pass on to her host family.

Lanes daughter has since taken up capoeira, and Lane tried her hand at Brazilian dance last week.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Blake Hamilton spins on one hand while performing capoeira during a Brazilian Carnival at the Prairie Oasis Seniors Centre on Eighth Street on Saturday evening. The event included food, dancing and performances by Brandons Brazilian martial arts group Capoeira Guanabara.

I would have never tried the Brazilian dance class if not for her, she said, happy to have given it a shot.

Its great to see we can share our culture with different people so people can know more about Brazil in a different way, Santos said. Its good to show the culture and everything.

One of Saturdays dance performers, Jennifer Barr, joins Lane in absorbing Brazilian culture as an outsider.

Originally from Winnipeg, the Moosomin, Sask., resident said that theres something about Brazilian cultural practices  the sensuality, passion and colourful fun of it all  that draws her to events such as Saturdays Carnival.

Theres just so much to it, she said prior to her performance alongside other visiting and local performers.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Natalie Sluis of Brandons Capoeira Guanabara club flips through the air while performing the Brazilian martial art capoeira during the Brazilian Carnival on Saturday.

Ramalho said that hes aware of about 30 people of Brazilian heritage in Brandon, which he said is a growing population in the area, with many coming to Brandon University.

For Ramalho, relocating to Brandon was out of necessity to follow his wife, whom he met while she was studying in Brazil.

He injects Brazilian culture into Brandon on a regular basis through the work of Capoeira Guanabara, a Brazilian martial arts group he runs out of Brandon and Shoal Lake.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There will be a fourth annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser at this time next year, event director Carmen Perret-Smith confirmed on Sunday.

The previous evenings walk fundraiser found 126 participants raised about $36,800 for Samaritan House Ministries, she reported.

Although this total is shy of the $40,000 goal theyd set out for themselves, its still about $1,000 more than they raised last year, with Perret-Smith considering the total they managed to achieve a success.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Volunteers Kendra Savage with Brandon Search and Rescue and Terry Browett with Brandon Fire and Emergency Services high five and cheer on participants in the annual Coldest Night of the Year winter walk-a-thon as they walk along Victoria Avenue on Saturday evening.

The annual events continuation into next year was not guaranteed a few days ago, Perret-Smith said on Sunday, noting that in the days leading up to this years event they were down in both volunteers and registered participants compared with previous years.

In fact, their final participation level of 126 is still much lower than the 190 people who took part in last years event.

But when these 126 participants fundraising efforts were tallied up as more successful than last years, despite fewer people involved this time, the organizers decision to keep the event alive was strengthened.

On top of the financial total, Perret-Smith also reported a heartening, incident-free evening of community fun.

In the midst of co-ordinating volunteers on Saturday, Samaritan House employee Barbara McNish took a moment to reflect on the crowd of people in front of her.

My heart just goes out to everyone, she said. We as the front-line workers cannot do this work without the support of Brandon.

Its an important effort, with all proceeds going toward the Samaritan House Ministries programs that help Brandons most vulnerable citizens, she said.

Primarily, these funds will go toward bolstering the organizations food bank hampers and their Safe and Warm Shelter cold weather cots, which operate from Nov. 1 to March 31.

Between about nine and 15 people have been using the cots per night this winter, McNish said.

About 1,600 food hampers are handed out per month, she said, adding that theyve run short on supplies this year and havent been able to put as much material into each hamper as they would like to.

The community supports Samaritan House, it really does, but I just think were in a year where moneys tight and people arent sure about jobs as well, McNish said.

They usually have a stockpile of extra food to draw from during low points, but Perret-Smith said that even that is low.

As such, she said that Saturdays successful fundraiser is a big deal for us.

Future food purchases will likely centre on high-protein items, she said, noting that this is an area that hampers have been lacking of late.

While Perret-Smith said that they appreciate the donation of food to Samaritan House Ministries, the best donation one can make is of money.

The organization is able to tap into special deals with local grocery stores that the regular consumer cannot, as well as target their purchases toward specific things they need.

For those who missed Saturdays fundraiser, donations can be made online at samaritanhouse.net or in person at their downtown location at 820 Pacific Ave.

The Coldest Night of the Year is a national fundraising effort thats intended to raise money for the hungry, homeless and hurting across Canada.

Samaritan House Ministries executive director Thea Dennis said that all funds raised locally would stay local.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tourism into North Dakota from Canada appears to be down, but dont blame the so-called Trump Slump, Minot Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Phyllis Burckhard said.

The devalued Canadian dollar, currently at 76 cents in United States currency, is the primary culprit, she said, adding that she hasnt had any Trump-related travel concerns relayed to her by staff.

At Westman Immigrant Services, settlement facilitator Naty Delbridge said that shes still working with clients on getting United States visas and that while she cant speak on behalf of the general population, the immigrant clients she works with dont appear to have been impacted by a Trump Slump.

As far as Im concerned, I have not heard anything from the clients, Delbridge said.

Broader reports indicate that United States President Donald Trumps anti-immigration America First rhetoric remains on the minds of those travelling into the country.

Internationally, Travel Weekly estimates a decline in foreign tourism at 6.8 per cent as a result of a Trump Slump.

The travel search and research site hopper.com recently amassed data that reveals searches for United States-bound flights has recently dropped in 94 of 122 countries in their report.

Among those making travel plans in Brandon, Trumps presidency remains a topic of conversation, Marlin Travel agent Cassie Rose reported.

One couple jokingly refused to do connections in the United States in order to avoid the United States, but Rose said that comments she has heard about boycotting the United States travel appear to be in jest.

We have clients that kind of joke about it, but we still book packages to the States, she said, noting that travel to destinations such as Disney World remain popular, albeit down slightly due to the Canadian dollar.

As temperatures warm their bookings are beginning to shift from beach paradises to European destinations, however theyre also making a consorted effort to promote in-Canada travel for the nations 150th anniversary.

Guided city tours are popular, Rose said, noting; Staying within Canada you dont have to worry about that exchange rate, which is always nice.

In Minot, Burckhard said that she expects to see their number of Canadian guests increase as the exchange rate improves.

Visitors from Westman are a huge boon to Minot area tourism, she said, noting that her organization always make a point of attending trade shows in Brandon and Regina each year to advertise North Dakotas attractions.

With shopping the No. 1 reason people visit Minot, the exchange rate remains a key piece to the puzzle, but Burckhard points to other attractions, such as Septembers Norsk Hostfest Scandinavian festival, the North Dakota State Fair in July and the citys MAYSA Arena, with three sheets of ice, as additional reasons for the visit down south.

On this front, Burckhard said that various pieces of area infrastructure have been updated in recent years, which should help better accommodate visitors once the exchange rate improves.

While she admits they remain in a slump, she said, were still looking to turning things around toward a positive future.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
Updated: Gov. Rauner Is Meeting With Chance The Rapper This Week To Talk 'Important Issues'

By aaroncynic in News on Feb 27, 2017 4:33PM



Chance the Rapper performing at Magnificent Coloring Day / Photo: Tyler LaRiviere

Update, March 1:

The scheduled meeting between Chance and Gov. Rauner was canceled due to the tornadoes and severe weather that battered north central Illinois. Rauner was making his way to storm-affected areas in Illinois on Wednesday morning.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected," Chance said via Twitter.

There's no word yet on the possibility of a rescheduled meeting to discuss education funding.

Due to the Tornado in southern Illinois, @GovRauner canceled our meeting this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.  Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 1, 2017

Update, 3 p.m.:

The meeting between Gov. Rauner and Chance will take place on Wednesday, according to tweet sent by the rapper on Monday. The two will discuss education funding in Chicago, Chance wrote.

I'm meeting privately with the governor Wednesday. The two of us will address funding education in Chicago. I'm eager to hear his ideas.  Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) February 27, 2017

Original:

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will privately meet sometime this week with Chance the Rapper, after the pair began Tweeting at each other after Chance took home three awards at the Grammys two weeks ago.

Chance Tweeted at the governors account to request the meeting after the account praised him for his big win.





Thank you Governor, I would love to have meeting with you this week if possible. https://t.co/wFC41NQqGq  Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) February 13, 2017





The Chicago Tribunes Morning Spin reports Rauner let the information slip at a Black History Month event that took place at the Thompson Center on Friday. While giving praise to Dorothy Jean Tillman, a 10 year-old who was receiving a young achievement award for her work as a performance artist, Rauner said:

"I tell you, Dorothy Jean Tillman, this young lady, 10 years old, extraordinary talent. What an inspiration she is. I look forward to seeing her next week. She's going to come when I'm getting together with Chance the Rapper, I think the middle of next week."

The governors office did not say where or when the meeting would take place, only that the two would discuss important issues affecting our state.

We suspect Chance might want to address how the lack of a state budget has affected an already crippled system of social services that many in Chicago's neighborhoods rely on. Or, it's entirely possible (and hopeful) they might discuss the fight between the governor and Chicago Public Schools, which has had to freeze millions from some of the poorest schools in the city.

Chance, meanwhile, continued to do amazing things over the weekend, buying out an entire theater in Chatham so anyone who wanted could see the movie Get Out.


The world's foremost forensic scientist Henry Lee appeared on stage at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday to promote "Evil Minds: City Light," a movie adaptation of a bestselling crime novel series.

Henry Lee and Deng Chao hold a detective magnifying glass on stage at a press conference held in Beijing to promote "Evil Minds: City Light" on Feb. 25, 2017. [Photo / China.org.cn]

"They let me read the movie script, and I love the story, which is great and touches people's hearts, so I came here to lend my support," Henry Lee said, who worked in the O.J. Simpson and Laci Peterson cases as well as in the post-9/11 forensic investigation.

Lee also interacted with actors on stage  including Deng Chao, Cecilia Liu, Ethan Juan, Karena Lam and the film's writer Lei Mi, who has a cameo in the film  in several detective games at the press conference.

"Evil Minds: City Light," based on the final volume of the novel series, will be directed by Xu Jizhou, an acclaimed TV drama director, and produced by China's producer guru Bill Kong and Ren Zhonglun, who previously collaborated on Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution."

Bill Kong said at the press conference that he hoped to raise the bar and push the Chinese crime genre film to a new level through this film.

Another "Evil Minds" adaptation feature film will come out in 2017, which is based on the first volume of the novel, and is directed by Xie Dongshen, with Liao Fan and Li Yifeng playing the leading roles.
Cork may soon have its own vegan bakery on Georges Quay after a local baking entrepreneur set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to fit out a unit in the city centre.

Cork may soon have its own vegan bakery on Georges Quay after a local baking entrepreneur set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to fit out a unit in the city centre.

It would be the first of its kind in the city.

Sarah Murphy, who owns Miam bakery and is a vegan herself, wants to sell sweet treats that contain no traces of animal products to Corks growing vegan community and for every donation she receives, she will give out a voucher for the same value to be spent at the bakery when it opens.

Ms Murphy already has a unit, but needs funds to get a kitchen and counter fitted and has plans for pop-up restaurant evenings, workshops and music sessions at the business.

It would be the first fully vegan eatery in Cork.

The vegan community in Cork is growing quite fast and a lot of restaurants in Cork have started to develop vegan menus and options, said Ms Murphy.

I think vegans in Cork would love to walk into a place and not have to ask, theyll know they can order whatever they want and they know its going to be fine, she added.

Ms Murphy said there is no discernible difference in taste between vegan and non-vegan baking.

You absolutely wouldnt be able to tell the difference. If I put a slice of one of my cakes down next to a chocolate cake youd buy from a cafe, you wouldnt know which was vegan.

Cork city is good for vegans. It has lots of options but its just about knowing where to go. It takes a bit of research, you just wouldnt want to get caught off guard and end up somewhere hungry and not be sure youll be able to get anything, she added.

Ms Murphy has plans to hire at least one person and then take on more if the business is successful.

The GoFundMe page was set up on Tuesday and several people have already donated. She hopes to raise 20,000 for the kitchen and counter area.

Im trying GoFundMe. I know its not something thats seen a lot in Ireland, but its worth a shot. The vegan community in Ireland are really supportive and encouraging.

Miams vegan doughnuts are already on sale at Oh My Donut, Washington Street, every Tuesday through to Saturday.

This article first appeared in the Evening Echo newspaper.
Gardai have made an arrest in connection with a shooting in Dublin 7 last year.

A man escaped unharmed in the incident, despite being shot at a number of times, at Drumalee Park on September 2.
The Government has pledged another 3m to support Syrian refugees who have fled the civil war to Jordan and Lebanon.

Junior minister for international development Joe McHugh is travelling across the region this week to see first-hand the impact of the six-year conflict on families and their lives as refugees.

The trip takes place as the Department of Foreign Affairs revealed 70m has been spent by the state on humanitarian aid in relation to the Syrian crisis since 2012.

Mr McHugh will also visit the 336 Irish soldiers serving with the United Nations' Unifil peacekeeping force in South Lebanon.

"Ireland is committed to supporting those affected by the crisis in Syria," he said.

"The displacement of millions inside Syria and the flight of millions to neighbouring countries underlines the horrific violence and the appalling suffering caused by this conflict.

"This visit to Jordan and Lebanon is to witness first-hand the situation for Syrian refugees in these countries, and how this has impacted on host communities."

During the trip Mr McHugh will visit Za'atari refugee camp near the Syrian border in Jordan.

About 80,000 people now live in the near permanent settlement and almost half a million people have passed through it in the last five years.
Errors in the process of prescribing, dispensing, administering and monitoring medication usage are among the biggest causes of harm in our hospitals, according to the health watchdog.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has carried out is first ever medication safety check at seven acute hospitals around the country, including the Mater in Dublin and Bantry General in Cork.
A High Court judge has said it was "totally inappropriate" that a letter was sent to her on behalf of an Irishman facing terror charges in Lithuania.

Authorities in the Baltic state want to prosecute Liam Campbell over alleged terrorism offences and trafficking of weapons to Ireland.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly is expected to rule on the application to extradite him later this year.

But at a hearing at the High Court, Dublin, today Ms Justice Donnelly revealed she had received direct correspondence on the matter.

She added that she believed the letter had been written on behalf of the respondent in the case, Mr Campbell.

Ms Justice Donnelly told the court that she hadnt bothered reading beyond the first paragraph of the letter as it was totally inappropriate to attempt to influence a judge in dealing with a particular case.

After the judge made the letter available to the State and the defence, Mr Campbells counsel, Brian Gageby told the court that he had not seen the letter in question which, according to court sources, had been sent to the judge's office.

Last year, Mr Campbell was granted bail by the court following his arrest at Upper Faughart, Dundalk Co Louth, on December 2, 2016, on foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities.

Mr Campbell was remanded on continuing bail until March 20.

A previous hearing was told the arrest warrant for Mr Campbell had stated that between the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007 he had allegedly organised the preparation for the smuggling in support of the terrorist grouping the RIRA.

While acting in an organised group he made arrangements for illegal possession of a considerable amount of powerful firearms, ammunition, explosive devices and substances, according to the warrant which was endorsed by the High Court in Dublin in November 2016.

On December 2, 2016, Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan, of the Garda Extradition Unit, told the High Court that he arrested Mr Campbell at Upper Faughart, Co Louth, on foot of the warrant earlier that morning.

Det Sgt Kirwan said he showed Mr Campbell a photograph attached to the warrant and when asked was the photograph of him, Mr Campbell said yes.

Mr Campbell was taken to Dundalk Garda station and processed as an arrested person.
Update 1.55pm: Anyone with information relevant to the alleged smear campaign against Sergeant Maurice McCabe has been asked to come forward to the Disclosures Tribunal in the next two weeks.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton has called on people who may have information or may be a witness to the tribunal to come forward and submit a written statement to the inquiry.

Mr Justice Charleton said he wants to conclude the inquiry as quickly as possible and get to the truth.

He has warned that anyone lying is wasting taxpayers' money.

Opening the tribunal with a public statement, Mr Justice Charleton said he has one task, to establish the truth.

Update 11.05am: A judge has issued a hard-hitting warning to anyone who misleads a public inquiry into allegations Garda chiefs orchestrated a smear campaign against a high-profile whistleblower.

Supreme Court judge Peter Charleton, who heads the Disclosures Tribunal, said the investigation is being bankrolled by ordinary men and women through their taxes.

Any attempts to thwart its mission to establish the truth would be an unwelcome wasting of the money of hard-working people across the country, he said.

"This tribunal is a drain on the resources of the Irish people and it is paid for by their submission to the democratic structures of which taxation has been a central part in our tradition," the judge said.

"Every lie told to this tribunal will be a waste of what ordinary men and women have paid for through their unremitting efforts.

"Every action of obfuscation, of diversion of focus and non-cooperation is unwelcome for that reason."

Judge #Charlton describes #DisclosuresTribunal as a drain on Ireland's resources and has a warning for liars: pic.twitter.com/2tcLyEDBHB  Chris Donoghue (@chrisrdonoghue) February 27, 2017

Judge Charleton made his remarks in the opening address of the Disclosures Tribunal at Dublin Castle.

The tribunal will investigate an alleged smear campaign against Sergeant Maurice McCabe, including the role of the State child and family agency Tusla, relating to its file containing false allegations of sexual abuse.

It will also look at allegations of "inappropriate contacts" between the force and Tusla in relation to garda Keith Harrison and other whistleblower officers and investigate the role of the media in the scandal.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton says the Disclosures Tribunal will abide by existing court rules, the rules of evidence do not apply pic.twitter.com/8Bgtq7rGxN  RTE News (@rtenews) February 27, 2017

Superintendent Dave Taylor, former head of the Garda press office, made the allegation of a smear campaign against Mr McCabe in a protected disclosure last year.

"There are no preconceived notions in this tribunal as to who is a villain and who is a victim, if there are such, and it may be that what the tribunal finds will not be to everyone's taste," Judge Charleton said.

"The truth is bitter though it is not shameful."

Judge Charleton appealed for witnesses with any knowledge relating to the investigation to contact the tribunal urgently.

An interim report is expected within three months.

Judge Charleton previously worked as senior counsel to the Morris Tribunal, which spent years examining corruption and negligence among some gardai in Donegal in the 1990s.

Earlier:

The judge in charge of a new tribunal into Garda smearing, has questioned whether the media was used for "naked deceit".

Justice Peter Charleton is this morning giving his opening statement at the Tribunal into certain Garda disclosures.

It has been set up to examine the treatment of certain Garda whistleblowers, including Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

Supreme Court Judge Peter Charleton outlines the modules that will be examined in the Disclosures Tribunal pic.twitter.com/6IRMATB9he  RTE News (@rtenews) February 27, 2017

It is claimed that Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan told her lawyers to question Maurice McCabe's motives at a previous Commission of Investigation.

Justice Charleton says it is not clear exactly whether O'Sullivan can be forced to give evidence about her instructions.

"Is there a privilege against disclosing instructions given by a client to their lawyer, as to what is to be pursued in cross-examination," he said.

"Submissions will be heard on that matter since it is now a matter of conjecture as to what happened.

"The original transcript of the O'Higgins Commission is already in the possession of the tribunal and is being read in full."
Li Lijuan and her adopted children take a walk outside their house. [Photo/Beijing News]

On Feb. 18, another abandoned child was sent to the "Village Care" in Wu'an, a county-level city of Handan in Hebei Province. It was the 103rd abandoned child Li Lijuan has adopted since 1996.

Li became a millionaire as a president of a mining company in the 1990s. Now, she owes friends more than two million yuan and suffers from lymphatic cancer. However, she is doing something that brings her much contentment.

"Village Care" in Wu'an

Li's "Village Care" is located at the foot of a hill in Shangquan Village of Wu'an. There was no street or store before, only a row of cob houses standing on bleak land. Li has reclaimed wasteland around these houses to raise dozens of chickens, sheep, pigs and dogs.

Li is now aged 48. When she was 27, however, she adopted her first child who was named Li Yongchao.

On the early morning of May 9, 1996, Li was on her way to work when she found an abandoned little girl huddled at the roadside. She took the girl back home and began her life being a mum of abandoned children.

In 2016 alone, more than 20 children were dumped in front of the gate of Li's house. Among her 103 children, most are suffering physical disability and mental disease.

Raising 103 children in two decades

Li usually gets up at 5 o'clock in the morning to prepare breakfast for her children. Some of her grown-up children now work outside or are in universities; most children at the home currently are little ones, or in primary or secondary schools.

After breakfast, Li sends off dozens of them to go to school. There are seven different schools involved, none of them nearby, so the children have to be delivered in three different cars.

With the children temporarily off her hands, Li has to wash mountains of clothes, take care of sick children and prepare lunch. Besides all the housework, Li also must feed her animals, do other farm work and sell some daily necessities in the town to earn more money.

In 2011, she was found to be suffering from lymphatic cancer. Doctors ask her to stay in hospital for further treatment, but she refused. She prefers to stay at home with her children. "The doctor told me that I could only live another seven months. Yet, look, I'm still alive now," said Li with a big smile.
Staying in the running to become the nicest guy in showbiz, Ed Sheeran, has make a very special donation to the London Irish Centre charity this week.

In the build-up to the launch of his new album,  (divide), on March 3rd, Ed has donated an exclusive meet and greet experience and tickets to a show on his sold-out UK tour to the charitys annual gala auction, which takes place on the same day.
Bill Cosby's lawyers are pushing to have the actor's trial moved from the Philadelphia suburbs because of worldwide media reports that brand him "a serial rapist".

Lawyer Brian McMonagle asked a judge to hold the trial in Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh area, arguing the larger, more diverse population will make it easier to find unbiased jurors.
"Made in Italy" has always had two advantages in markets around the world, including China.

First, Italy's machinery and technology is sought after mainly by small and medium-sized enterprises. SME's that have been able to remain flexible and adapt to customers' requirements have reached a pivotal point compared to companies in other countries.

This flexibility has been much appreciated in the last three decades in China, when Italy rose to rank among the top suppliers of lightweight technology in textile machinery, tanneries, packaging, ceramics, plastics, wood, glass and machine tools  sectors that have allowed China to evolve in recent decades to become the world's leading manufacturer.

Capital goods and machinery in fact account for almost 30 percent of Italian supplies to China.

Second, Italy's consumer goods have made the country famous worldwide for their high quality. In Italy, we call them the "4 F's": food, furniture, fashion and  fun (or Ferrari).

A growing number of Chinese are becoming aware that Italy is the world's biggest producer of fine wine, design and decor. The Italian lifestyle in China is becoming synonymous with exclusivity, creativity and good living.

For this reason, and due to the safety of its products, Italy will continue to be an excellent partner for China throughout the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), providing Chinese consumers with safe, beautiful and well-made products.

Last year, Italian furniture exports grew by 17 percent, while Italian wine exports to China grew by 32 percent, two times the international average.

The author is the director of the Italian Trade Commission in China.
Donald Trump's choice to be US navy secretary has said he is withdrawing from consideration for the post, citing concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Businessman Philip Bilden's withdrawal raises similar issues to that of Vincent Viola, President Trump's nominee for army secretary who stepped aside earlier this month.

Just last week, the Pentagon sought to damp down reports that Mr Bilden might pull out.

Mr Bilden was an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve from 1986-1996 and relocated to Hong Kong to set up an Asian presence for HarbourVest Partners, a global private equity management firm.

Mr Bilden recently retired from HarbourVest Partners after 25 years.

In a statement released by the Pentagon, Mr Bilden said he determined that he would not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without what he called "undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family's private financial interests".

Defence secretary Jim Mattis said he would make a recommendation to Mr Trump for a nominee in the coming days.

On February 19, after press reports suggested that Mr Bilden might drop out, the Pentagon issued a statement saying Mr Bilden had assured Mr Mattis he remained committed to serving as navy secretary if confirmed by the Senate and that Mr Mattis was confident Mr Bilden was "the right leader" to rebuild the navy and marine corps.

Mr Viola cited his inability to successfully navigate the confirmation process and Defence Department rules concerning family businesses.

The military veteran and former Airborne Ranger infantry officer was also the founder of several businesses, including the electronic trading firm Virtu Financial.

Mr Viola also owns the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and is a past chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Hungary has begun building a second fence on its border with Serbia to stop refugees from freely entering the country.

The government spokesman's office confirmed a report published today in pro-government newspaper Magyar Idok.

Hungary built a barrier along the length of its borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015.

The government says the second fence is needed because it expects a surge of refugees and migrants to reach its borders this year.

Human rights advocates have been strongly critical of Hungary's migration policies, including measures that would lock asylum-seekers in border camps made of shipping containers while their cases are decided.

In a letter to the European Commission, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch said the planned legal changes in Hungary would go against EU rules by, for example, "severely" limiting refugees' access to asylum.
The ACT's Chief Minister Andrew Barr says it will abandon a new national convention centre unless the federal government helps pay.

He's suggested the project would cost close to $900 million, but the figure is well outside any estimates to date.

Mr Barr referred to a 2015 rapid business case, which put the cost of the Australia Forum at $433 million. He said the reference design found the project would cost close to double that.

Under questioning he sought to justify his decision this month to shelve plans to spend $8 million in the coming budget on preparing a proposal for the centre.

But the reference design actually estimated the project would cost $500 million to $700 million.
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre has recorded a dramatic increase in the number of 14 to 25-year-olds seeking support for school or technology-related incidents.

Chief executive Chrystina Stanford attributed the rise to a growing awareness of sexual assaults at universities and the prevalence of mobile phones.

Music festivals are starting to talk about sexual assault.

As the head of Canberra's only dedicated sexual assault service Ms Stanford was unable to release exact figures for fear of making future contacts concerned about their privacy.

However, "each year there are growing numbers of young people, and those people we're seeing much more in sexual assault services dealing with all sorts of different experiences of violence than what we would've seen in decades before," she said.
Thousands more ACT properties will be connected to the National Broadband Network over the next two years with completion due in 2019.

A company spokesman told The Canberra Times construction began late last year to connect 22,000 premises in parts of Hall, Casey, Turner, O'Connor, Braddon, Dickson, Lyneham, Hackett, Watson, Downer, Greenway, Oxley, Wanniassa and Kambah.

Thousands more Canberra premises will be connected to the NBN this year.

The areas under construction will progressively be able to access the network from late April up to August this year.

"In addition, work to connect another 32,400 homes and businesses will begin this year in parts of Ainslie, Braddon, Reid, Dickson, Downer, Farrer, Mawson, Isaacs, O'Malley, Phillip, Latham, Macgregor, Evatt, McKellar, Melba, Florey, Flynn, Fraser, Spence, Charnwood [and] Dunlop," the spokesman said.
Brisbane-based Qantas engineers have spent the best part of the past month installing sensitive atmospheric monitoring sensors on a Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 in a bid to fill a major gap in global climate research.

The equipment, worth about $825,000 and weighing 107 kilograms, was installed on the A330 in Qantas's Brisbane hangar over the past month.

Qantas engineer Andrew Howard oversaw the 500-hour installation on the Hawaiian Airlines plane. Credit:Lisa Maree Williams

Hawaiian Airlines was the first US carrier to join the Brussels-based In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) network, which aimed to "fill the gap" between data available at ground level and through satellite observations.

The jet flew back to its Honolulu base on Saturday with the monitoring equipment, which would autonomously measure high-altitude greenhouse gas and radiation levels, along with icing information that could assist in aircraft safety studies.
Business guru and Celebrity Apprentice host Mark Bouris promised to fire himself if his financial group, Yellow Brick Road, did not make a profit this year.

He was joking of course, but the good news for Bouris is that he won't have to worry about his long suffering fellow investors holding him to it.

YBR was very pleased to report on Monday that it has in fact made a profit following last year's restructure, which saw Bouris fire  sorry, let go  a number of his senior executives to cut costs and put in place an executive team that was more hands on.

The company posted a $400,000 net profit after tax for the half year with encouraging results across the business.
Universities and colleges struggling with how to manage a tide of on-campus sexual assaults are not in uncharted waters and do not have to reinvent the wheel.

The institutions, which have been accused of a culture of cover-up, would do well to look to the Australian Defence Force Academy for a road map to follow.

The Canberra-based officer training college, which is an annex of the University of NSW, went from being the epicenter of the "Skype scandal" in 2011 to receiving "White Ribbon" accreditation as a centre of excellence in preventing workplace violence against women in late 2015.

The journey was both painful and expensive. It had been driven by a raft of inquiries into ADFA specifically and the ADF in general that cost the tax payer well in excess of $10 million.
I experienced my first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras from the comfort of my living room couch in suburban Sydney, snug in my pyjamas and slurping noisily from a freshly delivered container of short soup.

It was a Sunday somewhere in the mid-'90s, I was about 10, and I had stumbled across the ABC's broadcast of the parade accidentally.

A spectacular feathered costume during the 2016 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

It was a lot for my Catholic schoolboy eyes to take in. So much colour and music and leather and glitter. And so many questions. Why, I wondered, were those men wearing make-up? And why were those other men wearing very little at all? What was a dyke, why were they so fond of Harleys and why were they not so fond of this craggy Reverend Nile bloke?

Watching the parade was like staring into a kaleidoscope for 50 or so minutes  transfixing, confusing, brilliant  and when I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again. And I would, tuning in the next year, and the year after. It wasn't that I suddenly found my tribe; I wouldn't really understand the fundamental thing I had in common with these parading free spirits for well over a decade. But I had found a corner of the world I hadn't seen before.
Best actress winner Emma Stone was as perplexed as the international media when it came to the on-stage gaffe that saw La La Land momentarily named best film before the error was spotted.

The glitch, as presenter Warren Beatty explained it, was that he was in fact holding Stone's best actress winner's card which is why, when he showed it to his co-presenter Faye Dunaway, she announded La La Land as the winner. But Stone revealed she was still holding her winner's card.

"I was also holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time," she said backstage. "I'm not trying to start anything, but I'm not sure what happened."

In fact it is Oscar protocol to have two sets of winner announcement envelopes so it is possible the second envelope was somehow left on stage, or handed to Beatty in error.

"Is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time?" Stone said. "I guess we made history tonight. I think it's an incredible outcome but a very strange happening for Oscar history."
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has received a request to help fund a $1.2 billion coal fired power plant. [Adam Morton, Amy Remeikis/Fairfax] This comes just days after the government signalled it would be freeing up the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in, decidedly non-clean sources of power - ie. coal. On Monday, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann was insisting the government was not against renewables, perhaps a response to last week's polling showing the attack on clean energy is so far failing. Treasurer Scott Morrison with a lump of coal during question time on Thursday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Coalition's only legitimate assault on renewables should be about the cost, rather than carrying lumps of coal into Question Time.

Similar to the 2008/2009 ETS debate, when climate change was a dominant issue, the Liberals would argue that as soon as you started asking voters if they were prepared to pay for the cost of addressing climate change support would drop. Today's Newspoll suggests a similar effect with renewables which remain popular with mainstream voters. However only 26 per cent say they'll pay $10 more to adjust to a clean energy source while 45 per cent don't way to pay one cent more. [David Crowe/The Australian] The AWU wants the government to quarantine a portion of Australia's booming gas exports for domestic use, to help address the energy crisis. [Peter Ryan/ABC] The Parliamentary committee investigating a way forward for changing the Racial Discrimination Act is due to report today. [James Massola/Fairfax]

Business, which likes to wring its hands about the political dysfunction and subsequent lack of economic reform, is "lukewarm" about helping the government campaign on the merits of the independent Fair Work Commission's decision to pare back Sunday penalty rates. [Philip Coorey/Financial Review] The reasons range from: doesn't affect our members (big business) to we don't have the money (small business), excuses that were somehow missing when it came to attempting to tax the mining companies more on their super profits. No such hesitance from the left. The construction union says it's going to launch a major campaign accusing the government of waging war on "the fair go". [Joe Kelly/The Australian] Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Conservatives within the government have accepted the wisdom their moderate counterparts failed to heed before the last election - better to let a wounded leader limp to defeat then roll them, setting up a term of instability, destabilisation and dysfunction. [Philip Coorey/Financial Review]

But who can blame the architects of Turnbull's installation as leader? It's not as if they had had this played out for them and a script to read showing the high transaction costs of rolling a prime minister in their first term. Turnbull is reported to be grooming his son-in-law James Brown for his prized Sydney seat of Wentworth. [The New Daily] You only have to look at the US political system to see how well keeping things in the family appears to voters. And now Abbott would refuse an invitation back into Cabinet in the impossible event one was issued, reports Simon Benson. [The Australian] Senator Cory Bernardi. Credit:Andrew Meares

The Liberal-turned-defector Senator Cory Bernardi is being blamed for the story in The Australian yesterday about the so-called "Deplorables" plotting a return for Abbott to the Cabinet. [My report] My sources, none of whom would go on the record, said to me their text-chats were much more innocent and the usual back-and-forth between right-wing members on policy issues. But they all felt stitched up by whomever ratted on them and sought to make it out to be something more sinister than it was. Bernardi is inviting Abbott to join his Australian Conservatives party seeing as there is no room within the Liberal party for the ideas the former PM advocated last week. [Sky News] And former Labor leader Mark Latham is welcoming Tony Abbott to the Outsiders club. [Daily Telegraph] Final word: Michelle Grattan on how all the government can talk about is Bill Shorten. Julia Gillard did this with Tony Abbott. It was as nauseating then as it is now and likely to be just as ineffective. [The Conversation]

4. UK inquiry hears of children sent to Australia There have been moving scenes in London where former ABC managing director David Hill has testified before the UK government's inquiry into child abuse about his experience as one of the many child migrants shipped off to Australia and other parts of the Commonwealth during the 1940s and 50s. [Llyod Jones/AAP] Thousands of British children were sent to Australia, many were abused and used as forced labour. [Tom Symonds/BBC] After three years the inquiry has started. [BBC] An emotional David Hill told the inquiry he wanted the perpetrators of abuse "named and shamed."

5. Middle East The son-in-law of Osama bin Laden and one of al-Qaeda's most senior leaders has been killed in a US drone strike in Syria. Displaced Iraqis flee their homes on the western side of Mosul, Iraq. Credit:AP The death of Abu al-Khayr al-Masri is regarded as significant as the death of bin Laden, reports The Guardian. [Martin Chulov, Tom McCarthy] And in Mosul Iraqi forces have taken back from Islamic State a strategically important bridge. [BBC]

6. The Fourth Turning Steve Bannon. Credit:Pete Marovich If you have been a Double Shot reader since the US election you know I have been recommending you read this book stat. Since then, it turns out that Steve Bannon, Trump's very controversial advisor and formerly chairman of the alt-right website Breitbart, was a Fourth Turning reader years ago. In fact he's drawn inspiration from it, setting up a perfect chicken or egg question. The Fourth Turning, written in 1997 predicted what is happening now would happen, in relation to the isolationism, rise of authoritarianism and so on we are seeing around the world.
End of the day for me. What happened?

outgoing Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour feels "sorry" for Pauline Hanson ;

feels "sorry" for ; Mr Fahour made the comments at a Senate committee hearing that was supposed to be about his salary but turned into more:

made the comments at a Senate committee hearing that was supposed to be about his salary but turned into more: question time was - again - dominated by penalty rates;

was - again - dominated by penalty rates; National Party MP George Christensen has stepped down as whip because he is too "outspoken";

has stepped down as whip because he is too "outspoken"; Attorney-General George Brandis faces more questions about his role in the Bell litigation matter; and

faces more questions about his role in the Bell litigation matter; and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a NSW man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to help foreign terrorists.

My thanks, as always, to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their superb work and to you for reading and commenting.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Andrew, Alex and I will be back in the morning. We hope to see you then. Good evening.
He's been called on to #AskHerMore while working the red carpet, but Ryan Seacrest seems to think along the lines of, "it's my show and I'll do what I want to."

While others at the Oscars 2017 politely smiled through some of his more awkward questioning, Scarlett Johansson called the E! host out live on his very own network.

Seacrest asked Johansson, who's presenting an award, if she wore her Oscar night shoes for her practice run. (Can you imagine him asking that same question to the likes of Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield or even no-nonsense talking Cate Blanchett?)

"What a ridiculous question," she replied, laughing.

He tried to defend himself by explaining he read about it from fellow presenter Halle Berry, but Johansson, who is no stranger to calling out double standards in Hollywood, did not seem to buy it.
A Supreme Court defamation case brought by halal certifier Mohamed El-Mouelhy against the far-right Q Society has been settled out of court, with the organisation, its board members and politician Kirralie Smith making an apology.

Mr El-Mouelhy, chairman of the Halal Certification Authority, brought defamation action against the Q Society and Ms Smith in early 2015, over two YouTube videos she presented on halal certification.

Kirralie Smith speaks at a Q Society fundraiser for her legal battle on February 9. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Ms Smith, who was a senate candidate for the Australian Liberty Alliance at the last federal election, is the face of the anti-halal campaign "Halal Choices".

Mr El-Mouelhy alleged the videos - both of which named him - portrayed him as "part of a conspiracy to destroy Western civilisation from within".
Lionel Patea has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his former partner Tara Brown on the Gold Coast in September 2015.

Patea unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on the first day of his trial on Monday to killing Ms Brown.

The 25-year-old will have to spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole, after being sentenced by Justice Debra Mullins on Monday afternoon

"You have to live every day of your life knowing that you deprived Ms Brown of her life and your daughter of her mother," Justice Mullins told him.
The mother of murdered Gold Coast woman Tara Brown has criticised the police response to her daughter's plea for help in the lead-up to her death.

She also revealed she would never read a letter written by former bikie Lionel Patea after he pleaded guilty to Ms Brown's murder in a surprise move on the first day of his trial on Monday.

Speaking the day after the 24-year-old's killer was sentenced to life in prison, Natalie Hinton described a visit to the Southport Police Station in the week before the fatal attack on her daughter on September 8, 2015.

"Lionel Patea had a record as long as our arms. He was known for his violent behaviour," she told Channel Nine's Today.
Fu Ying, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress of China, addresses the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan)

The international political system is in a state of flux. Doubts have been expressed about the efficacy and viability of some of the key institutions which are the mainstay of the political and security order put in place after the end of World War II to regulate world affairs.

For some time experts have been pointing out in explicit or implicit terminology that the emergence of new global players, the rise of China and the resurgence of Russia, has brought the world to a point where vital adjustments are required to keep the system moving ahead without any major mishaps.

The election of Donald Trump provided new force to the whispers about the incoming change on the horizon of global politics. His disdain for shouldering the burden of key allies in Europe, Asia Pacific and elsewhere has created an environment for powers like Russia to openly question the dominance of the West.

The strongest call for revision of the existing order has been issued by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Addressing the 53rd Munich Security Conference, Mr. Lavrov advocated the need for a new "Post-West World Order." Lambasting NATO as a relic of the Cold War era, he said that responsible world leaders would help to create a new world order.

He has not explained the details of the new world order. But the way Mr. Lavrov phrased - Post-West World Order - it is obvious that it should be free of the dominance of the U.S. and Western Europe.

The current system pegged on the trans-Atlantic security arrangement was designed to counter the now defunct USSR. NATO was the main plank in the system, which under Article 5 of the alliance provided collective security for its members.

Ideally, the system should have been overhauled right after the demise of the former USSR. But since it helped to maintain U.S. supremacy while assuring security of its smaller members under the surrogacy of Washington, it was kept in place despite its failings and inadequacies. But now due to the reluctance of the U.S. to continue to play its former role, it has become clear enough that the old order is unable to cater for its needs or to manage the conflicts of the 21st century.

For example, it has failed to address the threat posed by extremism and militancy. The solution applied in the wake of 9/11 badly backfired and instead of containing the problem, it has increased manifold. That is why the world is more threatened due to militancy today than a decade ago.

The existing security mechanism has also failed to address the horrendous civil war in Syria and the raging conflict in Ukraine. NATO had no answer except issuing ineffective condemnations when Russia moved its forces to annex Crimea.

Mr. Lavrov is not the first to demand changes in the current dispensation. In fact, Mr. Trump was the first to openly question the existence of NATO and the vast resources spent by America to keep its allies safe. Though, Vice President Mike Pence tried to reassure European allies in Munich that the U.S. was standing by them. But it came with tag: "The time has come to do more," Mr. Pence told his allies.

It is obvious that the U.S. would not be doing everything for free, as it did in the past. The demand is not to just pay the dues in time but to also pay more. Actually, the message is that the European countries should pay for their defense.

Mr. Trump's idea of NATO resonates with Mr. Lavrov's. The latter said in Munich that the trans-Atlantic alliance was still stuck in the Cold War mode of thinking. It shows that America may be ready to reform the existing order to reduce its own military expenses and foreign commitments.

The changes will not come overnight. But I think that the post-Cold War transition marked by U.S. dominance might be nearing its end. The system is highly lopsided and it is important that adjustments should be made. New power centers should be given their due role in stabilizing the world.

Apart from Russia which is demanding equality with the West in the Post-West order, it would be vital to give China its due share vis-a-vis its economic and military power. China may not settle for a secondary role in the new world because it is not like Japan which, despite being the second biggest economy for a long period, virtually had no role in the global security apparatus.

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
A siege in Melbourne's north-west appears to have come to an end after heavily-armed police stormed the property, following a four-hour standoff.

Special operations police surrounded the residence on Levenia Street in St Albans shortly before 10am, smashing the property's windows and storming the house through a rear door.

It remains unclear whether the house had been empty since reports of shots being fired earlier on Monday but nobody appears to have been taken from the property.

Police are yet to confirm if an arrest was made, or whether reports of gunfire were incorrect.
Colin Barnett has conceded colourful, but flawed, former Treasurer Troy Buswell could be Premier today if he hadn't gone off the rails.

Mr Buswell quit politics in September 2014 citing an ongoing battle with mental illness as the main reason.

The one-time Liberal leader's political career lurched from one crisis to another culminated in him crashing his ministerial car in the early hours of the morning on February 23, 2014 in Subiaco, after leaving a wedding.

The Premier also lamented the loss of former MP Christian Porter who quit state politics in June 2012 to pursue a career in federal politics.
Manila: The Philippines on Monday condemned the "barbaric beheading" of a German captive by Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, who posted a video of the killing after a deadline for a 30m peso, or around $777, 600, ransom passed.

The video showed a machete-wielding militant behead the elderly German hostage, Jurgen Kantner, who had appealed for help twice in short video messages, saying he would be killed if ransom was not paid.

Undated image made from militant video shows German hostage Jurgen Kantner at an undisclosed location. Credit:AP

Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the Philippine peace process, said officials had exhausted all efforts to save Mr Kantner, who was held on the tiny southern island of Jolo, but to no avail.

"We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Mr Dureza said.
President Donald Trump's initial address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night may be the most anticipated in memory. Not, as Trump would claim, because he's so compelling. Rather it's because, when it comes to substance, we don't know who he is.

For Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, a first February speech to Congress was a chance to add definition to well-articulated policy architecture. Trump, by contrast, has conveyed little sense of a governing structure, preferring to recycle the insults and cliches that defined his campaign.

On issues ranging from health care, taxes and the budget to China, NATO and foreign interventions, in five weeks he has created more confusion than clarity. Whether that reflects a lack of knowledge or lack of interest, Tuesday offers an opportunity for a reset.

In broad strokes -- he's not presenting a budget, so it's reasonable to leave out the fine detail -- he can spell out priorities and preferences. Is he willing to delay his announcement of a huge infrastructure project until next year, as many Republican congressional leaders wish? How will he slash spending without touching big entitlements like Social Security and Medicare, as he promised voters in the fall?
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Police have confirmed they were called to a school in north Bristol after a pupil threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot people in a post on social media.

Redland Green School went into 'amber alert' - one down from a full lockdown - when a pupil showed a teacher the Instagram post of another pupil.

The post threatened that the un-named pupil was coming into the school with a gun and would shoot people.

The school went into amber alert while it checked out the credibility of the threat, and although they soon discovered that the pupil was not serious, some parents came early to collect their children from the school after hearing about the incident.

Avon and Somerset police confirmed they were called to the school on Friday, and concluded the incident by speaking to the pupil involved.

Police were called in today after unsubstantiated claims by a teen on social media he "had a gun" and warned he might open fire at Redland Green School in Bristol.

In a post on Instagram, he is said to have threatened to "come to school and shoot someone".

Police attended to 'reassure parents and pupils' but some frightened mums and dads turned up early to take children home.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers had spoken to a young person in connection with the post - which was not considered credible - and were solely at the school to provide reassurance.

It is understood police were called by a member of the public who spotted the message online on Thursday night.

Pupils are also thought to have brought the post to the attention of teachers on Friday morning.

A school source, who did not want to be identified, said on Friday, as the incident unfolded: "The school is on high alert for going into complete lockdown.

"The police are on site and have apparently searched the premises and not found the boy or anything.

"Apparently the boy put on Instagram that he is going to go to the school and shoot somebody. He said he has a gun and he is going to the school.

"I think it was brought to the attention of the teachers by another pupil who saw it.

"They reported it to someone and they followed protocol. They called the police and they are now on the school premises."

The source added: "They are on amber alert. Red alert is where they go into full lockdown.

"They are not going into full lockdown yet because the haven't substantiated it yet.

"The police have also searched where he lives but he's not there.

"Parents have started turning up at the school to take their kids home, so they are obviously worried enough to do that.

"It is a hectic situation at the school at the moment," the source added on Friday.

Inspector Paul Bolton-Jones, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We are aware of a rumour circulating around the school regarding a threat to pupils.

"We are not treating it as credible.

"Neighbourhood officers are at the school solely to reassure pupils and parents," he added on Friday.

On Monday morning, a spokesman for Redland Green School said they were not commenting on the incident, and referred the Bristol Post to the police.
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Regular customers at the Deco Lounge in Cotham will have to find a new venue for their mid-morning flat white coffees and evening beer and tapas as the popular cafe/bar has closed suddenly.

The business, run by Bristol-based company Loungers, opened in 2005 but a sign posted in the window of the Cotham Hill branch has alerted customers of the closure, thanking them for their business over the past 12 years.

Its the first branch of the Loungers Bristol cafes to close since they launched the company began with their original Bedminster site in 2002.

Founders Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop have since expanded the business with 90 outlets across the UK and set up a sister chain of bars/restaurants for town and city centres called Cosy Club, one of which is in Bristols Corn Street.

Alex Reilley says that the closure of the Cotham Hill Deco Lounge was more to do with the size of the space than anything else.

He said: Were nearing the end of the lease of that site and, as a space, it no longer feels that relevant for us. Its half the size of the minimum amount of space we'd look for in a new site.

Its a real shame as we had to fight really hard to open Deco back in 2005 and weve had a great 12 years but it's the right time to close.

Cotham Hill has got an increasingly exciting independent restaurant scene and it would be nice to see Deco replaced by one of the new emerging independents.

Reilley added that there were no plans to close any more Lounge sites in Bristol. The others are in Bedminster, Gloucester Road, Totterdown, Fishponds and Westbury-on-Trym.

Im happy to say we have no plans to close any other sites and, if anything, were likely to add one or two more sites in Bristol in the coming years.

The company began in 2002 when an old opticians was converted into the first Lounge in North Street, Bedminster, and recent expansion plans have been funded by investment from private equity firm, Lion Capital.
Latest News Mortgage stress hits Australian households Learn seven ways to ease the interest rate burden, says broker

New investor strengthens Invoice Finance Group Partnership will provide funding, new products for SMEs

Small business lender OnDeck has announced the launch of a new broker product and will be in discussion with local brokers over the next couple of months.Speaking to Australian Broker at the AltFi Australasia Summit 2017 held yesterday (27 February), Cameron Poolman, CEO of OnDeck Australia, said the lender was ready after successfully implementing the proper systems and processes.Over the next period of weeks and months, well be speaking to a number of brokers in Australia. Were really excited by the initial response, he said.We realise that over 70% of small businesses in Australia like to access capital through an intermediary like a broker so this is very important for us.With OnDeck Australias systems transferred from the US where the firms headquarters are located, the portal will be slick, convenient and efficient, Poolman said.Were really excited with how thats going to work.OnDeck delivers unsecured SME loans of between $10,000 and $150,000 which can be used to purchase equipment or for the installation of equipment.This move comes in parallel with the recent appointment of Michael Burke as head of sales. One of the main aims of this expanded leadership team is to help OnDeck establish a strong foothold among brokers.From the outset, OnDeck has focused on building a multi-skilled management team from a range of backgrounds, with experience, spanning e-commerce, banking, technology and payments. Michael will add to this diverse team, as well as bringing a wealth of contacts and knowledge from the broker channel, Poolman said.
Latest News Mortgage stress hits Australian households Learn seven ways to ease the interest rate burden, says broker

New investor strengthens Invoice Finance Group Partnership will provide funding, new products for SMEs

Suncorp Bank has announced the return of its annual Small Business Masterclass series for brokers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.



Over 1,000 brokers have already taken part in the yearly workshops which are designed to provide key insights into managing the financial needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as the opportunities available for brokers across the SME lending sector.



The interactive workshops will help brokers diversify into the small business lending space, said Robynne Frost, national manager small business & commercial at Suncorp.



The aim of our Small Business Masterclass series is to provide brokers with an understanding of some of the challenges small business owners are facing, and support them with the tools, resources and education they need to meet their needs.



Since around 30% of Suncorps home loan customers are self-employed, this presents a fantastic opportunity for brokers to service these clients SME lending needs, she said.



Australia is home to more than two million small businesses, accounting for 96% of the countrys business sector, yet only 8% use brokers for their lending.



If brokers can provide expert advice, innovative products, easy onboarding and speedy execution, the opportunities are endless.



The three-hour workshops will also help brokers assess the financial strengths and weaknesses of a clients business. They will also teach methods of identifying ways to improve management efficiency and financing strategies so brokers can engage clients in meaningful conversations.



Were serious about helping our broker partners diversify their business and committed to investing in educational programs like this so they can deliver even greater propositions to customers, said Frost.



The masterclass will be held in these locations on the associated dates:

Perth (21 March)

Melbourne (23 March)

Brisbane (30 March)

Sydney (4 April)

Related stories:



Fast track training to boost broker skills and revenue



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Aussie casts out net for passionate brokers
Protestors gather at JFK Airport in New York City to voice opposition to President Donald Trumps travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations on January 30 (XINHUA)

While the former U.S. administration was perceived by its Arab allies in the Gulf as prioritizing an appeasement deal with Iran, the new administration is coming back to the old neoconservative stance, antagonizing Iran.

Tehran has denied that its recent missile test launch, which some claimed violates a UN resolution, was a message to test the new U.S. leader. In return, the swift reaction of President Donald Trump signaled that he may test the "P5+1" nuclear agreement. The Trump administration ordered sanctions against more than two dozen people and companies from the Gulf in retaliation.

In a toughly worded statement before his resignation, Michael Flynn, ex-national security adviser, said, "The days of turning a blind eye to Iran's hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over."

This provoked two answers from the Iranians. The first was diplomatic, coming from Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi: Tehran denied accusations that its test launch was a violation of UN resolutions. The second response was defiant: Brigadier General Hossein Salami, Lieutenant Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said, "The number of Iranian missiles, warships and defense missile launchers is growing every day... and the sky, land and sea are under the control of this nation... This is not a land where an outsider can set foot with sinister intentions."

Controversies

Iran has test-fired several ballistic missiles since UN Resolution 2231 was passed on July 20, 2015. However, the latest test, carried out on January 29, was the first since Trump entered the White House. As with many other decisions he has taken during this new administration, Trump's reaction caused controversy.

Some argue that Iranian ballistic missiles do not fall under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran deal. These are conventional missiles, while the JCPOA only concerns nuclear technology.

Two key features of Resolution 2231, which terminated all previous UN sanctions against Iran, need to be made clear at this point. First, Resolution 2231 did not prohibit Iran from developing conventional weapons or missiles, nor did it provide any prescription for punishment in case Iran transgressed the agreement. Second, the resolution "calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." Iran claims it does not haveand never hadsuch nuclear capacities.

Is the Trump administration "stretching" the UN resolution for its own political goals? If so, what are those goals? It is worth remembering that Trump has called the international nuclear deal with Iran, "disastrous" and "the worst deal ever negotiated by Washington."

So, is it possible to withdraw from the JCPOA, either by explicitly declaring so or through policy sanctions that would violate the agreement? Technically yes, though Trump did not suggest this was his purpose. Instead, he said he will renegotiate the agreement. Considering this is a collective agreement, co-signed by Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the UN, rather than a bilateral U.S.-Iran deal, this will be tricky.

It is not obvious that Trump would find support in Europe for such a venturepossibly with the exception of the UK. All the co-signatories of the deal have resumed business relations with Iran, with the latest unilateral sanctions imposed by the Trump administration being of great concern to them.

A strange silence

Some observers claim that the only beneficiaries of Trump's hardline Iranian position are Saudi Arabia and a few Gulf allies. The same voices note that when Trump announced the executive order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, nothing happened in those places. The reactions against the ban in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf were very "meek." There were no protests or systematic media bashing, just a polite follow-up. Most strikingly, there was no official criticism, with some officials even sympathizing with the concerns of the U.S. president.

In short, there were more protests in Christian nations (in Europe and the United States itself) against the "Muslim ban" than in Muslim countries. But, this is no mystery. In the Gulf region, the former U.S. administration did not leave good souvenirs. Many regional powers believe they were marginalized by the United States, allowing Iran to expand at their expense. Although they accepted the JCPOA, they think of it almost in the same terms as President Trump and his camp.

Mutual interests

In the U.S. camp, the Saudis and their allies have tried to maintain influence. Among them, Jeb Bush and Dennis Ross co-published an op-ed in Time magazine on January 19 calling for the isolation of Iran. They claim the JCPOA has not halted Iran's path to a bomb, but merely delayed it, "at the

considerable price of abandoning Western leverage against Iran."

Jeb Bush was a Republican rival to Trump during the electoral campaign, while Ambassador Ross served in both the George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. He played a role in assisting the Israelis and Palestinians to reach the 1995 Interim Agreement, brokered the 1997 Hebron Protocol, and facilitated the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty. But he failed to bring Israel and Syria together. The Bush family and Ross still have excellent connections in the Gulf.

Therefore, by taking a tough stance against Iran, Trump does not fear isolation. All the hawks who served former Republican presidents are well disposed toward him. An inspection of the conservative and neoconservative think tanks in Washington would convince any skeptic that the rightward shift in U.S. politics underlined by the George W. Bush administration remains and is happy to lend a hand to another mess in the Middle East.

John Bolton, for example, opines that Trump should tear up his predecessor's deal with Tehran. First, because of what he calls the strategic miscalculations embodied in the deal which endanger the United States and its allies. Second, because the entire agreement reflects appeasement, which for Bolton translates as weak diplomacy. Indeed, Bolton was one of Bush's backers in the war against Iraq. In his own words, this deal endangers the United States by "lending legitimacy to the ayatollahs, the world's central bankers for terrorism."

Another right-wing hawk, Michael Rubin, advises a series of U.S. actions against Iran, including stationing two carrier strike groups in the northern Indian Ocean and imposing sanctions against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in a bid to end the nuclear deal.

While you cannot charge the neocons and other conservatives with idealistic love for the Saudis, they do see them as potential "bankers" for any military enterprise. Iran is the meeting point between the Saudi camp and U.S. right-wingers.

The latter have never forgotten the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the U.S.-backed regime. They accuse pro-Iranian Hezbollah forces of thwarting U.S. and Saudi interests in Lebanon and other nations, creating thousands of victims. In Yemen and Syria the conflict is still ongoing.

U.S. right-wingers and their Middle Eastern allies consider that without Iran's underhand tactics and ambitious regional expansion (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen), there would not be much to hear about Sunni terrorism. This implies that Sunni terrorism is a reaction to Shiite expansionism, though no evidence supports this. Some also consider the invasion of Iraq, instead of Iran, under Bush as a grave mistake, barely concealing their desire for Trump to carry this out.

All of this leads to a bleak sight; diplomacy is the greatest absence in this picture. A new era has emerged in the United States, yet instead of turning the page of conflict and opening a path to peace, it is calling back the "veterans" of past wars.

The author is an op-ed contributor to Beijing Review and non-resident senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing
A few years back when I was working for Axceler, I was frustrated by what I viewed as a slow response to hybrid SharePoint by many of the SharePoint vendors. I saw hybrid as a necessary next step for most on-premises solutions given the time, cost, and complexity of transitioning highly customized environments to Office 365. Of course, at the time, Microsoft was not really talking about hybrid (except for Bill Baer), and the push from their salespeople was all about moving straight to the cloud. My argument at the time was that Microsoft was missing the reality on the ground of the customers who were most heavily invested in on-premises SharePoint, and that at the very least a transition was necessary to shift infrastructure to the cloud. It took a couple years for Microsoft to figure it all out, but once the enterprise customer data started to roll in, Microsoft recognized the error in their messaging and made the necessary changes  brining to the forefront many of the hybrid solutions and discussions that had been happening off the grid.

Last summer, following a couple interesting discussions at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, I started digging into the data surrounding hybrid, trying to understand what was out there beyond the occasional vendor survey. There was not much out there. Im not knocking the many different vendor surveys  but I did not find anything with real depth, or with statistical accuracy that would help Microsoft, partners, or customers understand the issues driving (or restricting) growth of SharePoint in the cloud. I wanted to know, definitively, how many customers were leveraging hybrid as an informed, planned strategy  versus those who were using hybrid out of necessity. Additionally, I wanted to know how many customers refused to move to the cloud (or hybrid) and why, but also understand those who bypassed hybrid and went to the cloud but with reservations, and why.

At the MVP Summit that took place on the Microsoft campus last November, I chatted with Dan Holme (@danholme) and Bill Baer (@williambaer) about the data they had internally, which was fairly light, and proposed a formal research project to try and quantify hybrid SharePoint. They confirmed that most of the data they had in place was broader, focused more on cloud adoption of the entire Office 365 stack and all of its workloads, with only 2 or 3 questions specifically around SharePoint hybrid. I proposed the idea for a standalone survey to both of them, as well as to SharePoint and OneDrive CVP, Jeff Teper (@jeffteper), and they were all supportive. And so I moved forward with the idea.

Having recently moved to Utah last summer, I visited some of my contacts at Brigham Young University (where I did most of my undergrad) in Provo, and was introduced to the field research team at the Marriott School of Management, and very quickly the project was outlined and approved, and was kicked off in late January with a team of graduate students, faculty advisors, and all of the research tools available to a major university. Going forward, I will be working with BYU on many other research projects under my CollabTalk brand  but am excited about this first major project.

If you are a SharePoint customer, and meet one of the following criteria, please take a few minutes to complete our anonymous survey:

You are currently using hybrid SharePoint solutions, or are planning to use hybrid solutions

You are on-prem today, and have decided against a hybrid strategy, and plan to remain on-prem

You are on-prem today, and plan to move entirely to the cloud without using hybrid

You are entirely cloud today (SharePoint Online standalone SKU, or any Office 365 SKU), and bypassed a hybrid strategy

You are entirely cloud today, but are considering using a hybrid solution

You can find the survey at http://hybrid-sp.collabtalk.com/

The Hybrid SharePoint research project is underway right now, with primary and secondary research being collected by the BYU team. The customer survey is anonymous  no personal information is being collected or shared with the project sponsors, and will remain open through March 22nd. The final results will be shared in mid-April, and will be shared through a special panel discussion at SPTechCon Austin on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 with myself, PixelMills Eric Overfield (@ericoverfield), tyGraphs John White (@diverdown1964), and Microsofts Mark Mashman (@mkashman).

Im really proud of the sponsors for this project, as well. We have a great group of highly engaged sponsors and media partners.

If youre interested in sponsoring, I have two more Silver sponsorships available. Please contact me at cbuck at collabtalk.com for more information.

Thanks for your support and for participating in our survey! I am really looking forward to sharing these results, and talking with more customers about the impact of hybrid SharePoint to their businesses.
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.
 Flash

Britain is facing a level of terrorism threat not seen since the bombings by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the 1970s, the country's new terrorism watchdog has warned.

Max Hill, named earlier this week as Britain's new independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, warned that so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorists are planning indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians on a scale similar to those perpetrated by the IRA 40 years ago.

Hill, the lawyer tasked with overseeing British laws on terrorism, told the Sunday Telegraph that Islamists were targeting British cities, adding there was an "enormous ongoing risk which none of us can ignore".

He expressed enormous concern at the imminent return of hundreds of British jihadists who have been fighting for the IS in Syria.

He also warned that British teenagers as young as 14 are being radicalized online by extremist videos and hate speech.

In terms of current threats, Hill thought the intensity and the potential frequency of serious plot planning "represents an enormous ongoing risk that none of us can ignore".

"So I think that there is undoubtedly significant ongoing risk which is at least as great as the threat to London in the seventies when the IRA were active on the mainland," he said in the interview.

During the 1970s, Britain faced a concerted terrorist campaign from Irish republicans that saw bars, train stations and parliament repeatedly targeted in bomb attacks.

The so-called Troubles came to an end in the late 1990s, after the Belfast Agreement, a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s, ended three decades of bloodshed in Northern Ireland.

The job, which Hill has taken over, dates back to the height of the IRA threats. It tasks him with reporting to British parliament on the state of British terror legislation as well as undertaking his own reviews.

Hill referred to the concern that hundreds of British citizens who left the country in order to fight in the Middle East are now returning to Britain, or may be about to return.

He said: "Of course the imminent fall of Mosul and perhaps the prospective retaking of Raqqa are both bound to lead to a higher instance of returning fighters. Does that mean that the British public need to be immediately alarmed at a spike in terrorist activity within this country?

"The answer to that is, I don't know, but it doesn't follow as a matter of fact that those who chose to go to live or fight abroad will bring that fight back to this country."

Hill's warning came right after five London teenagers, aged 15 to 19, were remanded in custody by magistrates charged with terrorism offences.

Four of the male teenagers are alleged to have planned to travel to Syria to join so-called Islamic State. All four are accused of plotting to carry out acts of terrorism abroad.

A fifth boy, aged 15, was accused of having terrorist materials, including IS publication Inspire and a bomb-making video.

The five will appear at the Old Bailey criminal court in London on March 17.
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...
Redland has announced a new manufacturing line for its plain-tile appearance product, DuoPlain, and large-format concrete tiles and slates.

The multi-million pound investment will help secure supply of these products into a UK market that is currently experiencing huge demand and extensive lead times.

The new line will be located at the companys Shawell plant, its most centrally located facility. Work on the installation is underway, and a number of new skilled jobs will be created when production commences later this year.

Andy Dennis, country manager UK and Ireland, said: The drive to build more homes, fueled by government targets and a generally buoyant housing market, has put enormous pressure on manufacturers. The UKs ability to build more homes is restricted by the availability of roof tiles and other construction materials. Demand currently outstrips supply, especially for large-format and plain-appearance tiles, which housebuilders have been increasingly adopting as their preferred formats.

The new line at Shawell demonstrates not only a commitment to our customers and the industry, but also shows the confidence that the Braas Monier Building Group has in Redland. We will, as a result of this investment, be better placed to meet the challenges faced by the UK housebuilding industry.
Everything you need to know for MLS Cup 2022
 Flash

Greece will likely need a fourth bailout program, according to Cypriot economist and 2010 Nobel laureate Christoforos Pissarides.

"I am afraid there will be a fourth memorandum," 69-year-old Pissarides said in an interview with local SKAI television's program "Weekend with Action".

"The crisis and austerity will end when Greece will be able to return to international financial markets," Pissarides said, adding that in his view it was rather unlikely to happen before the end of the current bailout in August 2018.

The expert called for more reforms with no delays to attract investment in order to exit the seven-year debt crisis.

Pissarides referred to political instability and shortage of political willingness to carry out reforms as the main factors behind Greece's problems in the implementation of the bailouts.

Greece had signed three bailout programs with international lenders since May 2010 to address the debt crisis.
Telecom major has decided to do away with national roaming charges for both voice and data services, a move that is sure to benefit its 268 million users, in order to take on Mukesh Ambani's Reliance JioInfocomm.
There are unconfirmed reports that the government might ask Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to acquire Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC), as part of an earlier stated aim to create a mega entity in the sector.
Indian solar cells and modules manufacturers have not able to cash in on the opportunity of rising solar power installations thanks to Chinese competition. Between April and October 2016, India imported solar power material worth more than $1 billion.
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.

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The IT body said both freshers and employees of software services should look at self-learning to stay relevant at a time when more businesses are focusing on digitisation.

"An aspect of diversity in the is going to be self-learning. It is no more going to be like Infosys will take you to Mysore campus and train for 3-6 months then you come back and get job-ready. Today it is on-the-job training, go do a big data analytics programme, do something on virtual reality and get certified. While the employer's responsibility is obviously to show where the future is and what kind of skill development can exist within the company and outside, in today's environment the individual has to be equally worried about his or her future," said Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice-president, at an event here.
After a year of its launch, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments Startup India initiative has managed to disburse only Rs 5.66 crore  of the promised Rs 10,000 crore  to fledgling .
A BJP MP from Karnataka on Monday courted controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim

Kaur, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College.

BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents Mysuru, on Sunday posted an image on microblogging site Twitter with the pictures of Gurmehar Kaur on one side and on the other.

In the post Kaur is addressed as a soldier's daughter and is compared with Dawood, who is addressed as the son of a policeman.

Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war.

In the image the girl is holding a placard "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him" while Dawood is seen holding a notice which reads "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them."

The post also has a caption which reads "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti- stand".

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.
For many in India, Donald Trumps election victory in the United States wasnt surreal as much as an uncanny replay of familiar stories, especially for those accustomed to the saga and careers of south Indias film-star politicians.
The Delhi University student, whose social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) recently went viral, on Sunday alleged that she had received "rape threats".

Lady Sri Ram Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, said she has attracted a barrage of hate messages over her stand on the issue.

"I have been getting a lot of threats on social media. I think it is very scary when people threaten you with violence or with rape," she told NDTV.

Issuing rape threats "in the name of nationalism" is not right, she added.

Her comments received widespread support, including from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"Just listen to this. THIS is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism," he tweeted while sharing her statement.

After the North Campus clash, Kaur had 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".





Delhi University's Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of All India Students' Association and ABVP workers. 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 ABVP.




Ruling out the possibility of its ATM machines dispensing fake notes, on Monday ordered a probe into an incident where a customer in Rohtak in Haryana reportedly got Rs 2,000 notes bearing 'Children Bank of India'.

Apart from this, some notes were printed with 'Ek Kadam Swachhta ki Aur' and 'Bharatiya Manoranjan Bank'.

ICICI Bank's spokesperson said that the bank has installed state-of-the-art note sorting machines that check the quality of millions of notes every day.

"If a note, while being checked by any of these machines, fails to conform to RBI security measures, the same note is again checked manually by highly experienced bank officials. Any forged note found is separated and reported to the local police. Hence, it is not possible for a fake note to be dispensed from the bank's ATM network," the spokesperson said.

"We are investigating the matter," the spokesperson added.

The incident came close on the heels of State Bank of India (SBI) ATMs pushing out similar notes in Delhi.

On February 25, another SBI ATM, this time in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, purportedly dispensed a scanned copy of a Rs 2,000 note.

On November 8, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 old notes, he had said the move was to suck out counterfeit currency making its way into the country from across the border, which was largely responsible for funding terror.

On February 24, a 27-year-old man working with an ATM cash loading company was arrested on charges of exchanging five original Rs 2,000 bills with the 'Children's Bank of India' notes that were dispensed from the SBI ATM in Delhi.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Monday that the UK must realise the importance of Indian students to its economy because they help "subsidise" education costs.

Referring to a major drop in students coming to study at the UK universities over the last few years, he highlighted that there were other countries that were more welcoming.

"They (the UK) have to realise that when international students come here (Britain), they subsidise the educational costs here," he told PTI.

"We already have a reality where the quantum of students coming into the UK is declining and other jurisdictions are available. The UK also is a part of the competitive market in that area," Jaitley said.

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs is in the UK to represent the Indian government at a special reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to launch the UK-India Year of Culture.

"It is a great positive gesture that Her Majesty herself is hosting a reception to mark the UK-India Year of Culture. This only re-emphasises the importance which is attached to the Indo-UK relationship," he said.

Earlier on Monday, the minister attended a special market opening ceremony at the London Stock Exchange followed by a round-table with investors where he met UK Minister for International Trade Liam Fox.

He then attended an 'In Conversation' event organised by the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) and Federation Chambers of Indian Industry (FICCI) at the Taj hotel in London, when he stressed on India being open to foreign investments as any idea of a "protectionist economy was no longer relevant".

"There is a huge mindset change in India with much greater support for reform activity...India being a democracy has its own dynamism and decision-making process. Nothing in India is ever ruled out," he said.

Jaitley is also scheduled to meet UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson before heading to the Palace.

He will be meeting his British counterpart Chancellor Philip Hammond on Tuesday.

Jaitley is also scheduled to meet a series of investors and CEOs tomorrow at events organised by JP Morgan and Confederation of British Industry (CBI) before he leaves for India.
Members of the Jat community will gather at Jantar Mantar here on Thursday to decide on the future course of action regarding its ongoing agitation in Haryana for quota in government jobs and educational institutions in the state.

Jats from Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country will demonstrate at Jantar Mantar on March 2 and decide on the future course of action, Yashpal Malik, the president of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, which is leading the stir in Haryana, said.

A memorandum on "injustice" meted out to Jats by the Haryana government will be submitted to President Pranab Mukherjee, he said.

"The government has failed to address our demands and the next course of action will be decided at Jantar Mantar," Malik said.

The state government has set up a committee which has no power to take a decision. So, no talks will be held with any such panel in the future, he said.

The agitation will enter its next phase with a "non-cooperation" campaign from March 1 during which people will be asked not to pay government dues and charges of water and electricity besides stopping supply of milk and vegetables, he said.

The AIJASS leader said the protests will intensify from March 1 and more sit-ins will be held.

Besides reservation, the Jats have been demanding that cases registered against the youth during the agitation last year be withdrawn.

Thirty people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year's Jat stir which had turned violent.
A still image taken from a video shows the brother of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in a possible hate crime in Kansas state of the US, talking to the media in Hyderabad, Telangana. Photo: ANI
The mortal remains of the Indian engineer, who was shot dead in the United States in an apparent hate crime incident, arrived at the international airport in Hyderabad on Monday night.

The body was taken to his residence in Bachupally area of the city after it arrived in a flight at Shamsabad.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting on Wednesday night. Another Indian and his colleague, Alok Madasani, was injured in the incident.

The incident took place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused, Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.
. Photo: Reuters The 89th Academy Awards for excellence in cinema

The - as they are commonly known - were presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honor the best films of 2016. The show was hosted by TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Most of the trends on Twitter and Facebook are related to one or the other aspect of these awards this morning. Marked by an irreverence for the newly inducted American President Donald Trump, the awards seem to be underlining the importance of dissent. La La Land was the big winner at the awards. Mahershala Ali got the Oscar for best performance in a supporting role for the movie Moonlight and Viola Davis won the Oscar for best supporting actress for the movie Fences. Emma Stone won the best actress award for movie La La Land.

Oscars 2017: Dev Patel loses best supporting actor award to Mahershala Ali Read more about the Awards here:

Asghar Farhadi

Asghar Farhadi is an Iranian film director and screenwriter. His movie ' The Salesman' won the oscar in the best foreign language category. But Asghar Farhadi didn't attend the award ceremony to protest Donald Trump's travel ban. Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari accepted the awatd on the behalf of director Asghar Farhadi.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said there is an "alliance of subversion" on certain Indian campuses and that the ultra-Left and separatists are speaking the same language.

They must also allow others with different opinions to speak, he said while delivering a talk at London School of Economics on Saturday.

The minister said it was his personal belief that "free speech" in society needs to be debated, adding that "violence is however not the method".

The comment comes days after a violent clash outside Delhi University's Ramjas college between activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad  the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's students wing  and other students groups on February 22 during a march against forced suspension of an event a day earlier.

"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," Jaitley 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.

"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," Jaitley said.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, speaking on similar lines to a news channel in New Delhi, said the groups advocating freedom of speech were not allowing others to speak. He said abusing the sovereignty of India had become a "fashion".

"If this is a sample of the kind of tolerance practised by this lobby, one wonders, one shudders, what kind of tolerance do they expect from others," Jitendra Singh told Times Now news channel.

"Every nation, including some of the liberated democracies of the world like the US and UK, observe and also follow certain bottom lines which do not tend to question the integrity of the republic."

"Those who tend to do so, are possibly doing so to gain some kind of publicity and this has, off late, become a fashion in India, including among the so-called intellectuals who try to gain some headlines by abusing the sovereignty of Mother India," he said.

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said Jaitley was "scared" of the situation as he understands students' politics.

"Jaitley has been involved in students union activities; he understands the situation and he is scared... he believes what is happening today in Ramjas is more than what was happening in the 1970s," Dikshit said.

"Unlike his Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) who has never had any role in students politics, Jaitley has some idea and, therefore, Jaitley is scared," Dikshit told a news channel.

Delhi University's Ramjas college witnessed violent clashes on February 22, after ABVP members allegedly disrupted a march against forced suspension of an event to be addressed by Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid a day earlier.

Khalid was one of the students at the centre of a controversy on the JNU campus last year, and was also jailed on sedition charge along with Anirban Bhattacharya and then JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar.
India's and exports may soon face minimum interference by foreign customs authorities during trans-shipments as the government mulls signing an international agreement in this regard.
The government will consider the demands made by foreign retailers for allowing non-food items such as home care products under the policy, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said.

Last year, the government had allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in marketing of food products which are produced and manufactured in India.

"Many big global retailers are keen to set up their stores in India after we allowed 100 per cent in food processing sector. But they are demanding they should be allowed to sell non-food items such as home care products," Badal told PTI.

The Minister today held a meeting with representatives of 22 countries for inviting them to participate in World Food Fair to be organised here in October this year.

In the meeting, she said the representatives also sought that foreign retailers should be allowed to import food products for initial 6-8 months to test these items in Indian market before establishing manufacturing facility here.

Badal said she will take up the concerns of foreign retailers and all other stakeholders with Prime Minister's Office and other departments including DIPP.

Speaking on the upcoming global food fair, Badal said that countries like UAE have expressed their desire to be part of this event.

The Minister further said that she is aiming to make this event a global platform for all stakeholders of food industry with special focus being given to India.

At the meeting with ambassadors and High Commissioners of leading food processing and food retailing countries, Badal said: "Recently, the Government of India has allowed 100 per cent in marketing of food products produced and manufactured in India. This initiative has opened up vast opportunities for international companies to invest in India in the food processing manufacturing, supply and marketing."



The focus is also being given to supply-chain related infrastructure, such as cold storage, abattoirs and food parks.

"The whole idea is to spur greater growth in the food processing sector and transform Indian food economy as well as connect farmers with the value chain to increase their returns," she said in an official statement.

The Minister invited the countries to partner with World Food India 2017  a three day flagship event being organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries at New Delhi.

The event will focus on showcasing achievements and opportunities of the Indian Food Processing Sector and fostering maximum investment commitments.

The event will also provide a platform for exhibiting innovative products and manufacturing processes, showcasing the entire value chain of food processing industry with a vision to leverage innovation, technology, development and sustainability of the sector.
Recently, a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM in Delhi allegedly dispensed fake Rs 2,000 notes. While the police are investigating the source, SBI says it has a system to monitor the quality of notes and the possibility of fake notes from the banks ATMs is very remote. The fake note in this case was easy to recognise with Childrens Bank of India printed on it. But, its not always easy to recognise counterfeit notes. Here are 10 features you can use to check:




During his tour of India as the chief guest at the republic day celebrations, one of the things on top of UAEs crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's agenda was investing in Indias sovereign wealth fund established in 2015. However, the pact envisaging a $75 billion investment by UAEs sovereign fund in Indias fund could not be signed. Called the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, UAEs sovereign fund is the worlds third largest sovereign fund with close to $800 billion in assets across the world.
Finance Minister on Monday said the Indian government takes the issue of defaulters very seriously and indicated that he may raise the issue of defaulters based in Britain with the UK government, in an apparent reference to liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

"Certainly, when the opportunity does come, I do take that opportunity to mention it (issue of defaulters based in Britain) to my counterparts here," he told reporters here when asked if the issue of defaulters based in the UK will feature on the agenda of his discussions with British ministers.

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs is set to meet UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson later on Monday, when the issue may come up.

"As far as the government of India is concerned, we take this issue of defaults against the financial system in India very seriously and we have already sent a strong signal that if [you] dupe the exchequer or dupe the banking system, the government of India will lend its full support to all financial institutions to recover up to their last pie," Jaitley told reporters at a media briefing in London on Monday.

"It is obvious that because of this strong position the government has taken, that some defaulters are on the run. Being on the run, they find refuge in certain other jurisdictions, exploiting the systems in other parts of the world," the minister added.

He said Indian investigating agencies are utilising every provision of the law available to them to recover amounts and attach assets in India to "get these people back and held responsible as per law".

Over the weekend, Jaitley had said that the UK's democracy was "liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay here", in an apparent reference to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is wanted in India for loan default and other cases.

Mallya, the chief of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, had moved to Britain in March last year after banks sued him to recover around $1.4 billion owed by the airline.

Earlier this month, the Indian government formally requested Britain to extradite him to India to stand trial for alleged loan default and money laundering.
Despite the governments efforts to attract investment under its Make-in-India campaign, sales of manufactured goods fell 3.7% during 2015-16the first decline in seven yearssparking fears of layoffs and debt default in the months to come.

Spurred by a global slowdown and lack of demand, sales of manufactured goods were falling even before demonetisation, affecting sectors ranging from textiles to leather to steel.

As a result, in the six months to September 2016, engineering major Larsen & Toubro laid off some 14,000 employees. Companies such as Microsoft, IBM and Nokia were also reported to have cut back on their workforce in 2016albeit on a smaller scaleblaming sluggish demand for downsizing.
An extradition case involving a Ukrainian oligarch who has business connections to both Russian president Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trumps former campaign manager is likely to turn the focus back towards a now-forgotten in Andhra Pradesh that involves a senior Congress politician with cross-party connections so extensive that no government seems eager to dig very deep.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions in the sector, has called a one-day strike on February 28 to protest the government's "anti-people banking reforms" as well as to demand compensation for employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation.

United Forum of Bank Unions, comprising nine unions in the banking sector -- namely AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO -- bank employees and officers in all public sector banks, including SBI, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural and Cooperative will observe one-day strike on February 28," All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C.H. Venkatachalam said in a statement here.

"The unions in the banking industry have been fighting for more than two decades against the reform measures of the government as these are against the interests of general public and labour force in the country," AIBEA said.

"Further, every effort is being made to outsource permanent jobs in the banking industry, too, which is fraught with risks," it added.

Venkatachalam said the strike call comes after all attempts to find a solution to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results.

The conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner on February 21 failed to break the deadlock as the bank management body -- Indian Association (IBA) -- did not agree to the union demands.

Most state-run banks have informed customers that functioning of branches and offices will be hit if the strike goes ahead on Tuesday.
Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi chairs 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi, today

The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that some vested interests are creating various obstacles in development of waqf properties and utilisation of these properties for welfare of the society. Shri Naqvi said that serious irregularities in some State Waqf Boards have also come to notice. A high-level inquiry has been going on into these matters and strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible. Shri Naqvi stated it while addressing the 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi, today. The Minister said that proper utilisation of waqf properties is an important part of our efforts towards empowerment of Minorities. Several State Governments and Waqf Boards have been performing very well in this regard. Shri Naqvi said that Central Government is making efforts to ensure that all the waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. Minority Affairs Ministry has been providing all possible help to the state waqf boards. The Computerisation of waqf boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency. Shri Naqvi said that a one-man Board of Adjudication at the Central level has been established under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court justice to deal with complaints and disputes regarding waqf properties. Three-member tribunals are being established in the states. About 24 states have established these tribunals so far. Other states should also do this soon.

There are about 4,49,314 registered and non-registered waqf properties across the country. The number of these properties will be increased after computerisation of waqf boards. It has also been come to our notice that some waqf boards are not registering the waqf properties properly during the computerisation process. Strict action is being taken in such complaints.

Shri Naqvi said that in the Budget 2017-18, Rs 3.30 crore has been allocated for computerisation of records of state waqf boards; Rs 9.70 crore have been given for strengthening of state waqf boards while Rs 3.18 crore have been allocated as grants-in-aid to Waqf.

Shri Naqvi said that the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the guidance of Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities as a mission and commitment. Keeping this in mind, the Centre has increased the Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry in the Union Budget (General) 2017-18. This increased budget will be helpful in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities.

The Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry has been increased to Rs 4195.48 crore for 2017-18. This is Rs 368.23 crore more than 2016-17 Budget of Rs 3827.25 crore with an increase of about 9.6 per cent.

Shri Naqvi said that the Governments efforts for empowerment of Minorities include Progress Panchayat, Hunar Haat, Gurukul type residential schools, Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre, Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for girls, establishing five world class educational institutes for Minorities and 500 quality residential schools and job-oriented skill development centres.
A preliminary report from Malaysian authorities has found that Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, was killed by the banned nerve agent VX

He died on his way to hospital from Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13 2017. Its claimed that two women, who have now been detained, rubbed the chemical on his face.
A hefty on goods produced in China could accelerate a trend already well under way: Chinese companies setting up factories and expanding in the US.
The has all but ended a planned merger with Deutsche Boerse to create Europe's biggest stock exchange by ruling out a European antitrust demand, saying it has strong prospects alone.

In a bid to create a European trading powerhouse that would better compete against US rivals making inroads on their home turf, the two exchanges struck a 29 billion euro ($30.1 billion) deal just over a year ago.

If the merger fails, it will be the latest in a series of doomed efforts at dealmaking by stock exchanges and the likely breakdown of the latest attempt disappointed investors, with shares in Deutsche Boerse tumbling more than four per cent in early trading and shares down three per cent.

In a highly unusual step, the (LSE) on Sunday preempted a European Commission antitrust decision, saying it was unlikely to give clearance for the merger after the London bourse had refused to sell an electronic trading platform in Italy.

A deal would now only be possible if the Commission, which declined to comment, were to change its demands - an outcome that is unlikely given its approach in other mergers.

There had already been four attempts, two public and two informal, to combine the London and Frankfurt bourses during the past decade, while the European Union (EU) blocked a $17 billion tie-up between what was then NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse in 2012.

However, while hopes had been high that the plan to create what the head of Deutsche Boerse dubbed a financial bridge between continental Europe and Britain, this had been called into question by Brexit, with German politicians demanding Frankfurt not London be the headquarters of the group because Britain would be leaving the trading bloc.

The question over where the headquarters should be, which would have arisen had EU authorities given the deal a green light, worried LSE executives, two people familiar with the matter said.

Britain's departure from the EU may isolate London as Europe's financial centre and that had turned the tables in favour of Frankfurt.

But a source close to LSE described the sale of fixed-income trading platform MTS as a key problem because such a move was firmly opposed by Rome.

"MTS has the largest chunk of Italian government bonds which made the Italian authorities wary of a change of ownership."

Deutsche Boerse said that decision not to sell MTS had been made by the LSE, adding that it expected a decision by the Commission by the end of the month.

The LSE had said in a statement late on Sunday that the Commission had asked it to sell its 60 per cent stake in MTS to satisfy antitrust concerns over the merger of Europe's two largest market operators.

DISPROPORTIONATE

Calling the request "disproportionate," the British exchange said it believed that it would struggle to sell MTS and that such a sale would be detrimental to its business.

"Based on the commission's current position, LSE believes that the Commission is unlikely to provide clearance for the merger," it said.

The exchanges had already agreed to sell part of LSE's clearing business, LCH SA, in order to satisfy antitrust requirements.

LSE said the Commission had also raised concerns this month about the impact on the European market landscape of access to bond and repo trading feeds were the two exchanges to merge. LSE said it had offered certain proposals to address this but that the commission had requested they sell all of MTS instead.

MTS is a small part of LSE's business but it said it was a major platform for trading European government bonds, particularly in Italy, and that it was "systemically important".

LSE said that such a sale would need regulatory approval from several governments in Europe, and it would be detrimental to its wider Italian business.

"Taking all relevant factors into account, and acting in the best interests of shareholders, the LSE Board on Monday concluded that it could not commit to the divestment of MTS," the exchange said.
Celebrities, including Ruth Negga and Barry Jenkins, registered protest against US President Donald Trump's travel ban at the 89th Academy Awards ceremony here by wearing blue ribbons.

A number of Oscar nominees have thrown their support behind the organisation which first challenged Trump's travel ban.

The award gala is being held at Dolby Theatre here on Sunday.

The blue ribbon represents the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and is part of their new initiative titled Stand With ACLU.

Irish-Ethiopian star Ruth Negga, who is up for Best Actress for her role in Loving, was first on the red carpet and sported the political accessory on her red Valentino dress, reports telegraph.co.uk.

Negga was followed by the Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and his mother who both wore the pin. Miranda is nominated for writing music and lyrics for "How far I'll go" from animated movie "Moana".

Director of best film nominee Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, was also spotted with the blue bow pinned to his suit.

The ACLU was among the first to launch a legal challenge following Trump's travel ban, which bars people from seven Muslim-majority countries entering America.

Other stars with blue ribbons were  Karlie Kloss, Casey Affleck and Benj Pasek.
The Palestinian's top envoy to the United States is warning that moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem could disrupt efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.

Maen Areikat says an "emotional decision" to shift the embassy's location "is going to have very, very negative repercussions" and could seriously complicate and undermine any future efforts to resolve the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Areikat, chief of the PLO delegation in Washington, spoke on Monday at a conference sponsored by J Street, a liberal Jewish advocacy group.

Conservative Republicans favour moving the embassy to Jerusalem and President Donald Trump endorsed the relocation during the presidential campaign.

Areikat says the Palestinians have made their position clear, directly and indirectly, to the Trump administration.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Monday that Saudi Arabia's state oil company Saudi Aramco will invest $7 billion in an oil refinery and petrochemical project in Malaysia's southern state of Johor.

Najib said the decision was made before noon on Monday after discussions between top executives from Saudi Aramco andMalaysia's state-owned energy company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), the sponsor of the $27 billion Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project.

Najib's statement marks a dramatic reversal in RAPID's fortunes after industry sources familiar with the matter said inJanuary that Aramco planned to drop its participation in a partnership with in the project. At the time, said it would move ahead in spite of Aramco dropping out. Najib did not give any details on the change of heart.

"This is a significant investment and more details will be announced tomorrow," Najib said at a brief news conference after hosting a state luncheon for Saudi Arabia's King Salman and his entourage.

"I just want to confirm that the agreement has been reached and King Salman is satisfied that the deal will be signed tomorrow," Najib said.

and Saudi Aramco executives are scheduled to sign the agreement on Tuesday.

An industry source familiar with the matter says Aramco will buy a stake in RAPID's refinery, cracker and petrochemical operations. Aramco will also supply at least 50 percent of the crude that will be processed at RAPID, with an option to increase the supply, the source said.

The Aramco funding will help move RAPID to fruition and the desire of Saudi and Malaysian leaders to maintain close links between the countries likely helped cement a deal, said Subramanya Bettadapura, an oil and gas analyst with consultants Frost & Sullivan based in Kuala Lumpur.

"This investment confirmation would help bring the RAPID project to the commissioning stage," said Subramanya. "It's the goodwill of the Saudi king himself to invest and to maintain good ties with Malaysia, boost bilateral ties."

The RAPID project, located at Pengerang in Johor, is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2019. RAPID will contain a 300,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery and a petrochemical complex with a production capacity of 7.7 million metric tonnes. The complex will sit alongside an existing oil storage site at Pengerang.

Last year, Petronas sought proposals for a $7.2 billion loan for the project, with separate guarantees from the company andAramco, Thomson Reuters IFR reported in June.

Besides the Petronas-Saudi Aramco deal to be signed on Tuesday, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia signed four other agreements dealing with bilateral trade, human resources, scientific and educational cooperation and a news-sharing agreement between the state news wires of both countries.

Malaysia is the first stop in a rare month-long tour of Asia by the Saudis seeking to build ties and draw more investments to the oil-rich gulf nation.

King Salman is also expected to visit Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China, the Maldives and Jordan "to meet with the leaders of those countries to discuss bilateral relations and regional and issues of common concern," a royal court statement carried on Saudi Arabia's state media SPA reported.
When you left London the was a trading company, Tom Hardys troubled anti-hero James Delaney is warned in the second episode of the BBCs prime-time drama Taboo. Now it is God Almighty. Discussing the show before it aired, writer Stephen Knight referred to the as the equivalent of the CIA, the NSA and the biggest, baddest multinational corporation on earth, all rolled into one self-righteous, religiously motivated monolith.
In December 2015, I was heading to the library here at Berea College to study for finals when I got a call from my mothers lawyer. He said Ma was fighting deportation to Ghana, and I would need to write an affidavit explaining why she should be allowed to stay in the United States.
The White House said today that the early reports coming from Kansas, where an Indian engineer was shot dead and another injured in an apparent hate crime, were "disturbing".

The White House also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the US.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them "get out of my country".

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Spicer, during his briefing, also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

His remarks came after vandals broke and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States.
Mid-caps will also do well in the current situation where domestic institutional investors have seen big inflows, Samir Arora, founder and fund manager of Helios Capital Management, tells Puneet Wadhwa. However, a market-cap agnostic fund could be better for new investments, he advises. Edited excerpts:

Will economic and stock market growth in developed regions outpace that in emerging economies and

It is difficult to say but we are happy either way. There is a lot of optimism across all and a large part of it is justified.

What are the key triggers and risks the are looking at for direction? Will the outcome of state elections, especially of Uttar Pradesh (UP), be a big trigger?

We do not believe the outcome of state elections can be a big development for the market. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win in UP, the only election that matters in this round, if at all. Even if they do not win, we dont think investors will project this to derive conclusions about the 2019 national elections. If they win, the market will have more reasons to go up.

Currently, Indian markets are going up for two or three reasons: All emerging markets, and indeed all equity markets worldwide, are going up; earnings for the recent quarter have been better than expected in mid-November or early December, when fear about the impact of demonetisation on the economy and corporate performance were at their peak; domestic mutual funds have got significant inflow, which helped counter FII (foreign institutional investor) selling in November-January.

The mid-cap segment has seen a healthy run-up since its recent low in December. Whats your advice for someone who is already invested in this space and someone who wants to invest now?

In general, we think investors should invest in all-cap funds. In many sectors (for example, private sector banking) the biggest companies are the best. However, we believe mid-caps will also do well in the current situation where domestic institutional investors have big inflows, as they prefer mid-cap companies to try and outperform their peer group. Mid-cap stocks could do well in a rising market but correct sharply in any weakness. Therefore, a market-cap agnostic fund might be better for new investments.

How are FIIs viewing India as an investment destination after demonetisation and the Union Budget? Do you expect the pace of FII flow to pick up?

It will pick up pace with time. There is a wrong feeling that the markets fall because FII investors sell. The reality, mostly, is they sell because markets were falling and not vice versa. Everyone likes a strong market. You also saw how FIIs bought nearly $1.5 billion of HDFC Bank in just a few hours last week.

What has been your investment strategy over the past six months? Which sectors are you overweight and underweight on?

We have been overweight on Indian financials for threefour years. We were nervous about the prospects of some of these companies during the demonetisation fear and reduced our weightage on a few at that time. In early January, we bought back the same stocks, as we realised these companies have not had the pain we feared.

Do you see a tilt in favour of consumption- and banking-related sectors, as the impact of note ban fades?

For us, clearly so. For, these are the only two sectors-themes we really like and are bullish on.

The information technology (IT) sector has been hit by the new H1-B visa-related issues. What is the road ahead? Is it a good contrarian play from a 1224 month perspective?

We are significantly underweight on this sector. The problems are known and it is not easy to change strategy when there is so much invested in the current way of business.

With Tata Consultancy Services announcing a buyback, do you expect more IT companies to follow?

Buyback of shares is only a short-term financial trigger and does not make the underlying business more attractive.
Shares of Limited (RIL) gained as much as 6.5 per cent on Monday after global brokerage Morgan Stanley raised its 12-month target price by 17 per cent to Rs 1,506.
The Securities and Exchange board of India (Sebi) surveillance team has conducted a special inspection of the books of the Delhi- based technology firm OPG securities to check if it got unfair access to National Stock Exchange Ltd (NSE) co - location server, said a source privy to the development.
India's largest telecommunications services provider Bharti Airtel on Monday announced radical changes in its value proposition for domestic and international roaming as the customers will now be able to carry their numbers across India and the world and stay connected all the time without having to worry about high call/data charges.

Under national roaming, the network will offer free incoming calls with no premium on outgoing calls along with no data roaming charges.

Starting from April 1 2017, Airtel customers can enjoy roaming within India with free incoming calls/SMS and there will be no premium on outgoing calls allowing them to speak freely wherever they are within the country.

Also, there will be no additional data charges on national roaming. Home

data packs for customers will apply even while they roam across India.

"This marks the death of national roaming and the whole country will now be like a local network for our customers, who will not have to think twice before making or receiving calls or using data while traveling outside their home base. Airtel has again set the benchmark in delivering best in class value backed by a great network experience," said MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Bharti Airtel, Gopal Vittal.

The largest telecom network has also announced no bill shocks on International Roaming as it has already launched innovative and affordable International Roaming packs for all major countries across the world.

These packs come with convenient validity options of 1 day, 10 days, and 30

days and offer loads of benefits including free incoming calls/SMS, calling minutes and texts both to India and the local country as well as generous dollops of data to stay online.

These packs have received an overwhelming response from customers, shielding them from any bill shock and eliminating the need for a local country SIM.

However, there are still several cases of customers inadvertently failing to choose these packs and suffering bill shocks due to the steep roaming charges on international networks.

When a customer traveling to the USA without a pack hits the threshold of Rs. 649 (the price of the one day pack for USA), he or she will automatically move to the one day pack with free incoming calls/SMS, 100 India and local country outgoing minutes, 300 MB data and a host of other benefits.

Similarly, a customer traveling to Singapore will move to the one day pack the moment his/her usage hits the Rs. 499 mark.

"At Airtel, we are changing the international roaming paradigm, which will allow our customers to take their number to every corner of the world. As an industry, operators across the world must collaborate to remove the cost barrier to roaming and offer customers the convenience of staying connected without the fear of exorbitant bill charges," said chairman Bharti Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least seven people were killed in an attack on a prison bus in Colombo, according to local media reports.

The attackers opened fire on the bus transporting prisoners from Kalutara prison to a magistrate court.

The bus was attacked at Nagaha junction in Kalutara, Colombo.

Report says that among the dead was notorious underworld figure Aruna Damith Udayanga alias 'Samayan' and two prison officials.

Gunmen opened fire on a prison bus in Colombo on Monday, killing five prisoners and two warders on their way to court in what was believed to be a gangland dispute.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
All may not be well between the 'all weather friends' Pakistan and China.

According to sources, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is refusing to overlook payment of compensation in a road accident case where a car driven by the son of a Counsellor-level Pakistani diplomat, posted at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, caused grievous injury to a Chinese national.

It appears that despite the Beijing City Court having imposed a financial penalty equivalent to around USD 85,000 on the driver, the Embassy has dragged its foot by paying the compensation.

The diplomat and his family involved in the incident have since been posted out of Beijing, leaving the Chinese side with very limited options.

As a result, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has due to the inaction of the Pakistani Embassy on this matter threatened that unless the penalty was paid immediately, it would refer the case to Interpol for the arrest of the diplomat's son.

The Chinese Government is generally seen to be lenient in matters related to Pakistan. Therefore, the fact that it has decided to press for the payment of compensation in this case could be seen as an indication of a sense of frustration with Islamabad on numerous other issues including the blatant misuse of diplomatic immunity by Pakistani diplomats based in China.

The Pakistani Embassy has earlier been ticked off by the Chinese Foreign Ministry for sending unauthorised items through the diplomatic bag.

Consequently, the Chinese authorities are known to carefully scan consignments sent through Pakistan Airlines flights to and from Beijing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday wrote to the Delhi Police seeking swift action against the miscreants who harassed Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) student organisation ABVP went viral.

Addressing the media here, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal informed that she has written a letter to the Delhi Police seeking an FIR against those people, who threatened her with death and rape online.

"She (Kaur) has sent us screenshots of how some boys are continuously threatening her with rape online. The DCW has taken cognisance of the situation and we have written a letter to the Delhi Police, seeking an immediate FIR against these miscreants, so that they are put behind bars," Maliwal said.

Calling on the Delhi Police to take responsibility for the safety and security of Kaur and her family, the DCW chief said that at present there is a despicable trend of people going online to attack women with taunts and threats, adding that an example needs to be set by teaching these men a lesson.

"We need to find who these people are who are targeting her. She (Kaur) has called for action against some ABVP members. If these boys are let go, then it will send a message that you can get away with targeting women. All she wants is peace in our Universities and she is just putting her point across, which we need to respect," Maliwal said.

Further asserting that the DCW does not support any 'anti-national' elements whatsoever, she defended Kaur from charges of hurting sentiments, adding that all she wanted was peace in the Delhi Universities.

Earlier, Gurmehar asserted that her campaign is aimed at raising voice against organisations, which challenge the law of the land and try to curb the fundamental right of 'freedom of speech'.

"I will not be scared or be cowed down, my father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to take bullet for the country, I also have the courage to take a bullet for the nation. I want all students to raise their voices against the violence and say that they will not tolerate this," she said.

After the North Campus clash, Kaur had 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."

Gurmehar had earlier said that she received rape threats on social media after the campaign. Kaur has faced verbal backlash on Facebook, with many saying her father would be extremely unhappy with her for supporting 'anti-nationals'.

Delhi University's Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and 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.

Meanwhile, a political slugfest is underway over Kargil braveheart's martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur against the ABVP.

Hours after BJP MP Pratap Simha compared Kaur with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted to suggest that Kaur was being influenced by someone or a group.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said.

"At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti- stand," Simha, who represents Mysore in the Lok Sabha, said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Defence Expert Major General (Retd.) P.K. Sehgal on Monday said the concerns over possible clamp down on H-1B visas and safety of Indians in the United States are at present the most 'critically important' factors to India and must to be taken up with America in a major way.

Defence Expert (Retd.) Sehgal told ANI that the Indian contention and view point is that the Indian IT companies are actually in a very major way contributing to the growth of American economy plus they are also employing around 200-300 thousands Indian and hence it is a mutual win-win situation for both.

"These issues are of critically important to India. As far as H-1B is concerned at least 300 to 500 thousands Indian are working in It companies in America. And the largest number H-1B recipients are Indians. Trump says America first, always and every time and he wants to take a very harsh view on it. The Indian contention and Indian view point is that the Indian IT companies are actually in a very major way contributing to the growth of American economy plus they are also employing around 200-300 thousands Americans and hence, it is a mutual win-win situation for both. And this is one issue we are going to take with America in a very major way," he added.

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will embark on a four-day official visit to the United States beginning February 28.

During his visit, the Foreign Secretary will be meeting with chairpersons of key Congressional Committees besides Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

He is expected to discuss various bilateral issues including India's concerns over possible curtailing of H-1B visas and workers' safety following the Kansas hate crime during his four-day U.S. visit.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows the U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged President Donald Trump to speak out against hate crimes following a rise of the same across the country.

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Hillary tweeted.

Hillary's tweet was linked with the news story depicting the plight of Sunayana Dumala, whose husband, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, was killed by a gunman in an alleged racial attack Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe.

Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer last week said that it was too early to call the act a hate crime.

This comes in wake after an Indian engineer was shot to dead in Kansas, U.S. in an alleged racial attack, after the gunman was heard shouting "get out of my country".

According to local media, the gunman Adam Purinton, 51 who is a Navy veteran, was arrested after fleeing the when he allegedly blasted off several rounds on Thursday.

The Police say Purinton shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani.

He was reportedly taken into custody by the police at Applebee's 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.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, as Indian engineer who was shot dead in Kansas in an alleged hate crime, arrived here today, from where it will be taken to his home for final rites.

State Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali was also present at the airport.

Police personnel were deployed at the cargo terminal building and Minister of Transport for Telangana, Mahender Reddy was earlier present at the airport but left due to flight's delay.

Kuchibhotla was killed died when 52-year-old Adam Purinton, walked into Austins Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe and opened fire on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani, and Ian Grillot, a bar-goer who tried to intervene in the attack, were also shot, but survived.

Witnesses told local media they heard the suspect yell, "Get out of my country." Meanwhile, the FBI has launched an investigation to determine whether the shooting was a hate crime.

Purinton has been charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

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.

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.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Kerala church priest has been detained for raping a plus one student in Kerala's Kannur.

A case has been registered in Kelakam Police Station against Father Robin under POCSO and IPC Section 376.

The girl gave birth to a child last week.

On February 25, an anonymous letter was received by the Child line mentioning the incident and they informed of the case to Kelakam Police Station on the same day in the evening.

A woman police officer met the victim yesterday morning and recorded her statement.

In the initial stages, the victim had given a statement that her own father had committed the crime. But on further questioning the parents of the victim, the truth was revealed and the accused was identified as the priest of the church who is also the manager of the school where the minor girl studied.

As per the statement, the incident took place in May, 2016.

On getting the information, 48-year-old Father Robin absconded from the location.

A team comprising Peravoor CI Sunil Kumar and Kelakam SI Pradeep TV located the accused and detained him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that nobody knew health care could be so complicated, adding that his administration has come up with a solution which is very good.

"We have come up with a solution that's really, really I think very good. Now, I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew health care could be so complicated, CNN quoted Trump as saying during a meeting of the nation's governors at the White House.

Trump was speaking as Republicans on Capitol Hill continue to work toward developing a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, the Obama-era law which they argue is too costly and complicated.

The Republicans have long pledged to repeal Obamacare, which they say is too costly and complicated.

Trump is likely to speak on health care during his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

Trump also met with CEOs of leading U.S. health insurance companies and said that a replacement plan would be revealed soon.

"We have a plan that I think is going to be fantastic. It's going to be released fairly soon," Trump said Monday. "I think it's going to be something special ... I think you're going to like what you hear," he said.

Trump described his meeting with the CEOs as 'Great'.

"Great meeting with CEOs of leading U.S. health insurance companies who provide great healthcare to the American people," Trump tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 89th annual Academy Awards became a platform to take a jibe at the U.S President Donald Trump and his recent policies.

Some celebs, who came out openly, speaking against Trump, at the event, are Jimmy Kemmel, Asghar Farhadi and others.

 Kimmel's opening monologue:

The Oscars host spent little time before laying into Trump. "I want to say 'Thank You' to President Trump," Kimmel said during his opening monologue.

"Remember, last year, when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?," referring to last year's Academy Awards, when no non-white actors were nominated for awards for a second straight year.

"That's gone, thanks to him," Kimmel added, implying that the award show seems much less racist now in comparison.

"Some of you get to come on this stage and make a speech that the President of the United States will tweet about in all caps during his 5 a.m. bowel movement," Kimmel said.

Kimmel's other moments of political humor included telling French actress Isabelle Huppert, "I'm glad Homeland Security let you in tonight."

Kimmel also made light of Trump's Tweet calling Streep "overrated," with the Oscars host joking that Streep's career had "stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances."

Kimmel proceeded to ridicule Trump's swipe at the iconic actress while the audience gave Streep a standing ovation.

Kimmel couldn't help but add a joke about the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, who has recently seen several retailers drop her clothing line. "Nice dress, by the way," Kimmel said to Streep, "Is that an Ivanka?"

 Asghar Farhadi - reason for absence

The Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's 'The Salesman' won the trophy in the 'Best Foreign Picture' category. But Farhadi did not attend the event, in protest of President Trump's attempted travel ban covering Farhadi's home country as well as six other Muslim-majority nations.

In a statement on behalf of Farhadi, as his acceptance speech, read, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear-a deceitful justification for aggression and war."

Gael Garcia Bernal's Mexican stand:

Star of Amazon's Mozart in the Jungle, Gael Garcia Bernal reminded the audience about his own Mexican heritage (with an obvious reference to the president's plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border) before he introduced the nominees for Best Animated Feature.

"As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I am against any form of wall that wants to separate us," Garcia Bernal said.

 'White Helmets' cinematographer halt:

Khaled Khatib, the 21-year-old cinematographer for 'White Helmets,' who worked to draw attention to the plight of his country's civil war, was not allowed to board his flight to from Istanbul to Los Angeles for the Academy Awards night.

Reportedly, he was stopped by US officials who said they had uncovered "derogatory information" about him.

'The White Helmets,' a 40-minute Netflix documentary, 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.

On a related note, an unusually tense atmosphere coalesced before the Dolby Theatre ceremony, with protests, rallies and boycotts swirling around this year's Oscars.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Here are the 14 craziest moments that were witnessed at this year's 89th Oscars

'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz (L) holds up the winner card reading actual Best Picture winner 'Moonlight' with actor Warren Beatty onstage. Beatty opened wrong envelope, mistakenly announced "La La Land" as Best Film. Finally "Moonlight" got best Oscar award. It was the most dramatic moment in the history of the Academy Awards. "There's a mistake. Moonlight, you won best picture," Fred Berger, the La La Land producer, announced to the gasps of a shocked crowd. He held up the card clearly showing the winner was Moonlight.

It was an extraordinary scene. The La La Land team was halfway through their victory speeches when it was noticed that the wrong film's name had been read out by Warren Beatty and that Moonlight was actually the winner. Finally, the stars and crew of La La Land shuffled off the stage and handed their gold statuettes to a jubilant Moonlight team. Beatty said that he had been given the wrong envelope to open. "I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land," he said, adding that he had not done it "to try to be funny".

At backstage Emma Stone was heard saying : "I was holding my best actress card the whole time so whatever story you heard, I don't know what happened, but I wanted to tell you that."

"When it happened I was just on such a buzzy stage, I was already on another planet. "I think it's a good outcome but a very strange happening for Oscar history." "Is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time? Cool. We made history tonight. Craziest moment." - Emma said.

Jokes and attacks on President Trump.

The awards were handed out in between jokes and attacks on President Donald Trump.

Live coverage in 225 countries

"This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans, and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us, and I think that is amazing," Kimmel said at the opening of the awards show.

Jimmy Kimmel attempted a hilarious prank.

Jimmy Kimmel just made an attempt at a hilarious prank at the Oscars. The Oscars host gathered some unsuspecting people from a Los Angeles tour bus and brought them into the theatre, turning off all the lights to surprise them. However, he miserably failed in his aim which was apparently to capture the surprise on their faces the moment they realised they were at the Oscars which, with some fans at least, paid off.

Mahershala Ali : First Muslim actor to win an Oscar

Mahershala Ali becomes first Muslim actor to win an Oscar for his role in 'Moonlight'. Ali, a first time nominee, won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of a drug dealer, who mentors a young boy who is being teased and bullied in the heartbreaking coming of age tale.

Jimmy Kimmel's protest against Trump

Opening the show, Jimmy Kimmel, the talk show host, thanked President Donald Trump for making the Oscars appear less racist as he opened the 89th Academy Awards saying "I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? It's gone!" he quipped.

"The ceremony was being watched around the world by "countries that now hate us." "The country is divided right now, I've been getting advice that I need to say something to unite us". "Let me say something. I can't do that. There is only one brave heart in this room and he's not going to do that either," he said in a dig at Mel Gibson.

Standing ovation to Meryl Streep

He made the audience give Meryl Streep a standing ovation. He said the actress was "over-rated" while echoing the President's appraisal of her following Streep's anti-Trump speech at the Golden Globes.

View image on Twitter

"Any publication with the word "Times" leave the building"

He then referenced the exclusion from a White House press briefing of certain news organisations on Friday. He asked anyone from CNN, New York Times or any publication with the word "times" in to leave the building.

Oscar nominees wear blue ribbons as mark of protest against Trump

Several Oscar nominees threw their support behind the organisation American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which first challenged President Donald Trump's travel ban by wearing blue ribbons to the ceremony.

Loving Ruth Negga first sported blue ribbons

Irish-Ethiopian star Ruth Negga, who is up for best actress for her role in 'Loving', was first on the red carpet and sported the political accessory on her red Valentino dress.

Actor Ruth Negga attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards

Ruth Negga was followed by the Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and his mother who wore the pin. Miranda has been nominated for music and lyrics for How Far I'll Go from animated movie 'Moana'.

Lin-Manuel Miranda with his mother

Director of best film nominee Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, was also spotted with the blue bow pinned to his suit.

"I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S." Iranian director Asghar Farhadi said in one of the most poignant moments of the ceremony. The Salesman won the best foreign language film, allowing director Asghar Farhadi to attack President Trump's "inhuman" travel ban.

Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari accepted the award on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan made clear his political motivation in hosting the British premiere of the "The Salesman", saying: "President Trump cannot silence me." Thousands of people braved London's winter drizzle earlier on Sunday for a screening of the Oscar-nominated movie that has become a rallying point for opponents of Trump's immigration policy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The final match in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 series will be held in Lahore as scheduled, confirmed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday.

"The announcement to hold the final in Lahore will be made shortly by the Chief Minister Secretariat," said the law minister.

He further noted that preparations have been made to hold the final at the Gaddafi Stadium and final preparations are underway, reported Dawn.

The decision was made in a meeting held earlier today.

PSL Chairman Najam Sethi said the decision, which was made in a meeting held earlier today, has been announced by the Punjab government and added that the tickets for the final will go on sale from Tuesday.

"Tickets will go on sale from tomorrow and will be available online and through outlets. We have to wait till March 3 to know which foreign players will travel to Lahore, as we still do not know which two teams will qualify," said the PSL chairman.

Heaping praises on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the decision, the Chairman further said that all provincial and federal authorities, including security forces, are "on the same page".

"This is a time for the people to be united and resilient," said Sethi adding that the decision has shown the country will not be held hostage by terrorism.

Following a recent wave of terrorism in the country, security concerns rose over the final of PSL not being held in Pakistan

Due to security concerns following a recent wave of terror attacks in different parts of the country, including Lahore, there had been speculation that the PSL final may not be held in Pakistan after all.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi who is showing his displeasure against U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban by not attending the Oscars this year, feels global protest to this ban is powerful.

The 44 year-old, while talking to 10,000 protestors in London said that solidarity in the face of the ban across different parts of the world "has developed into a powerful and unified movement," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

"This solidarity is off to a great start. I hope this movement will continue and spread for it has within itself the power to stand up to fascism, be victorious in the face of extremism and say no to oppressive political powers everywhere," he added.

'A Separation' director spoke to the protestors through a video link from Tehran to people attending a London protest gathering, including a public screening of The Salesman in Trafalgar Square.

London's mayor Sadiq Khan, who was present at the screening with Farhadi said, "President Trump can't silence me. As I look around Trafalgar Square, I am proud and you should be proud, too, because here today we have men and women, old and young, rich and poor, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists ... we have people from all around the world and the key message we send to the world is London is open."

Farhadi, also said that we all are citizens of the world and he endeavour to spread this unity.

On a related note, Farhadi's 'The Salesman' is nominated for the best foreign-language film category at the Oscars.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Taliban confirmed on Monday through a statement that one of its senior commanders had been killed in an air strike in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province.

The Taliban said Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund was killed over the weekend by an unmanned aircraft.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Akhund's death in a statement, reports the Dawn.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trump administration has cancelled the scheduled informal talks between a North Korean delegation and a team of former U.S. officials by withdrawing its initial approval of the North Koreans' visas.

A six-member team of North Koreans led by Choe Son-hui, the director of the American affairs bureau of the country's foreign ministry and the US experts were scheduled to hold the back-channel talks in New York for next week.

CNN quoted the two people who had planned to participate in meeting as saying that a follow email was sent to the participants of the meeting after an earlier email had said that meeting would proceed as scheduled by Donald Zagoria, the head of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, an advocacy group that was organizing the talks , saying the visas were not approved and the talks have been called off.

This move comes after the announcement by the Malaysian Government that VX nerve agent was used to assassinate Kim Jong-nam on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

VX nerve agent is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations due to its extreme chemical toxic nature.

Trump administration officials even did not considered State Department in cancelling the talks as the latter supported the talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother, Kim Jong Nam died on February 13 after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau from Kuala Lumpur.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 14 persons were killed when Afghan security forces repelled a Taliban attack in Jawzjan province, an official said on Monday.

"Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints in Darzab district on Sunday night. Nine others were wounded as security forces repelled the attack," Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying.

Sporadic clashes continued in the district on Monday morning.

Jawzjan and the neighbouring Faryab province have scene heavy clashes in recent months as the Taliban has been trying to challenge Kabul in the once relatively peaceful region.

--IANS

py/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Some 170 peacocks have reportedly succumbed to an avian disease in Pakistan's Tharparkar region, local media reported.

Tharparkar's honorary district game warden Talook Chand Valasai confirmed the death toll, saying at least 30 birds died in various parts of the desert during the last couple of days.

The sudden spike in the deaths of the birds has sparked doubt and fear among local experts as well as natives who said it might be an onset of the Newcastle disease, locally known as Ranikhet, a contagious avian disease, Dawn reported.

Abdul Majeed Junejo, chairman of Joru union council near Mithi, told the local journalists that during past couple of weeks, more than 30 peafowls have died of disease.

"The neck of the birds swell up after contracting the infection, after which they eventually collapse and die," Junejo added, saying there were plenty of birds who are ailing and are in a need of treatment.

He said that he, along with locals, has time and again requested the wildlife department to visit the area and determine what was causing the sudden deaths of the birds but to no avail.

Ashfaque Ahmed Memon, an official at the wildlife department, said that despite a shortage of staff in the vast desert region, teams were being sent to villages to collect samples of dead birds as well as vaccinate the sick peafowls. He added that four additional teams had been formed on an emergency basis to vaccinate the ailing birds.

--IANS

ahm/dg

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AAP legislator Rajesh Rishi's brother was arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting and molesting an elderly woman over a parking dispute, police said.

Rajeev Rishi was accused of assaulting the victim's husband Virender Singh and molesting her in the incident that happened on Sunday night at Dabri in west Delhi.

Police said Rajeev Rishi and his friend Satish Yadav were arrested on charges of attacking the couple over parking issues.

"Rajeev Rishi and Satish and some AAP workers got into a fight with their neighbours after the couple opposed the parking of cars in Dabri as it created a nuisance for residents," Deputy Commissioner of Police Surender Kumar told IANS.

Rajesh Rishi, the legislator from Janakpuri, denied the charges against his brother and said the police were acting under pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He said his brother never attacked anyone but it was he (brother) who was assaulted.

"What do you do when people forcefully enter your home and start abusing you? We called the police and filed a complaint first. But police did not file a FIR on our complaint but fabricated and levelled criminal charges against my brother," the legislator told IANS.

"I was not at my residence when the incident happened. Else the police would have framed fabricated charges against me as well," he said.

The Delhi Police have so far arrested at least 16 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs on various charges but have struggled to have them convicted in courts.

Officer Kumar said the elderly couple demanded that AAP supporters' cars be removed from their street.

The victim alleged that the parking trouble started in January when many people began arriving at Rishi's home to get ticket for the upcoming civic polls.

"Some drivers were found consuming liquor in the cars in the evening," Kumar quoted the victim as saying.

The couple said they went to meet Rajeev Rishi to discuss the parking problems but instead got manhandled. The entire incident was captured on mobile phones by some residents, Kumar added.

The two men were booked for wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, assaulting a woman with intent to outrage her modesty and criminal intimidation.

The woman was injured in the upper part of her body, the officer said.

--IANS

sp-vv/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
AAP legislator Rajesh Rishi's brother was arrested here on Monday for allegedly assaulting an elderly woman over a parking dispute, police said.

The Janakpuri MLA's brother, Rajeev Rishi, was also accused of assaulting the victim's husband Virender Singh in the Sunday night incident at Dabri in west Delhi.

Police said Rishi and his friend Satish Yadav were arrested after they attacked the couple over parking issues.

"Rajeev and Satish along with some AAP workers got into a fight with their neighbours after the couple opposed the parking of cars as it created nuisance for residents," Deputy Commissioner of Police Surender Kumar told IANS.

The elderly couple demanded that the Aam Aadmi Party supporters remove their cars, Kumar said.

According to the police, the victim alleged that the parking trouble started in January when a large number of ticket seekers came to Rishi's home to seek ticket for the upcoming civic polls.

"Some drivers were found consuming liquor in the cars in the evenings," Kumar quoted the victim as saying.

The couple said they had gone to Rishi to discuss the parking problem but instead got manhandled by the two men now under arrest, Kumar said.

The entire incident was captured on mobile phones by some residents, Kumar added.

--IANS

sp/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Aam Aadmi Party legislator Rajeev Rishi's brother was arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting an elderly woman over a parking dispute, a senior Delhi Police official said.

The Janakpuri MLA's brother Rajesh Rishi was also accused of assaulting the victim's husband Virender Singh in the incident that happened on Sunday night in Dabri in west Delhi.

Police said Rishi and his friend Satish Yadav were arrested after they attacked the couple over parking issues.

"Rajesh and Satish along with some supporters and AAP workers got into a fight with their neighbours after the couple opposed the parking of cars in Dabri as it created menace for the local residents," Deputy Commissioner of Police Surender Kumar told IANS.

The elderly couple demanded that AAP supporters cars be removed from their street, Kumar said.

According to the police, the victim has alleged that the parking trouble started in January with a large number of ticket seekers arriving to Rishi's home to get tickets for the upcoming civic polls in the national capital.

"Some of the party workers' drivers were found consuming liquor in cars in the evenings," Kumar quoted the victim as saying.

The couple said they had gone to Rishi to discuss the parking problem but instead got manhandled by the two, who are now under arrest, Kumar said.

The entire incident was captured on mobile phones by some local residents, Kumar added.

The two were booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code for wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, assaulting a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, criminal intimidation besides others, Kumar added.

It was also found that the woman received injuries to the upper part of her body during her medical examination, the officer said.

Meanwhile, Rajeev Rishi has claimed that the couple used abusive language against the others that led to the face-off.

--IANS

sp/in/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi University North Campus on Monday saw protests by right-wing student and teacher organisations against 'anti-national' activities by "left-leaning" students.

The Rashtiya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a "Tiranga march" protesting against "left-leaning students supporting anti-national activities", while the Rashtravadi Shikshak Sangh, a teacher's body affiliated to the RSS, organised a dharna to protest against what they termed as "leftist conspiracies".

Members of the BJP-backed National Democratic Teachers' Front (NDTF) also took part in it.

The protest marches came days after clashes erupted between activists of the ABVP and the left-wing All India Students' Association (AISA) outside Ramjas College after the RSS' students body forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid on February 21.

Khalid was jailed in 2016 on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

On Monday, protesting students, mainly belonging to the ABVP, marched from Ramjas College to the Arts Faculty holding a large Tricolour and shouting slogans of "Vande Mataram".

They raised slogans about nationalism and blamed the left-wing groups for creating unrest in the university campus.

"What happened in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University), we will not let it happen in DU," Delhi University Students' Union President Amit Tanwar, who is from the ABVP, told IANS.

DUSU Vice President Priyanka Chhawari said "The march is in the solidarity with Ramjas students, who took a stand against people raising anti-national slogans and slogans about the freedom of Kashmir on February 22.

"There were more than 500 students from Ramjas, who became a part of it."

The teachers' organisations also endorsed similar ideologies in their protest outside Arts Faculty.

"Around 300 people became a part of this programme today in response to what leftists did in Ramjas College," a Kirorimal College teacher and member of Rashtravadi Shikshak Sangh, Pramod Shastri told IANS.

"We won't let their ideologies bloom here in the campus. Leftism has vanished from India and from across the world. They have been exposed in JNU. Now, they wish to bring their ideologies to Delhi University. We will condemn all their attempts," he said.

According to DU President of AISA, Kawalpreet Kaur, ABVP attacks everyone in the disguise of nationalism and the turmoil in DU has nothing to do with her party.

"The debate is being polarised as if it is violence between left and right," Kaur told IANS. "Our DUSU secretary stated that any student who takes part in any anti-ABVP possession, will have his fingers chopped."

"They vandalised the February 21 programme at Ramjas that was being organised by teachers and students of the college. AISA is a body of common students who were just there."

"They have never respected the Tiranga (national flag) and now they are trying to justify their violence by labelling teachers and students as 'anti-nationals'," she questioned.

"Who is national and who is anti national? Is it ABVP's duty to certify everybody's nationalism?," Kaur questioned.

Students and teachers from the university will now hold a peace march at Khalsa College on Tuesday along with AISA workers in an attempt to restore peace and safety in the campus.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday said his country is not a threat to any other country.

"Afghanistan is an independent country and will remain so for hundreds of years to come," Ghani said here.

"Those who want to change Afghanistan into a battle field will take their wishes to the grave with them."

The President also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the security forces and said: "Mawlawi Salam, [Taliban's shadow governor for Kunduz] and his fighters were eliminated in Kunduz because of you."

"Terrorists do not have the ability to face Afghan security forces," he said.

--IANS

py/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Washington, Feb 27 (IANS/AKI) Al Qaedas alleged deputy leader Abu Khayr al-Masri was killed in a drone strike in northwest Syria, US-based terrorism-tracking website SITE Intelligence said on Monday, citing jihadist sources.

The 59-year-old Egyptian national, the deputy of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Syria died in the US drone strike near the city of Idlib, according to the report.

On Monday, the Pentagon confirmed it carried out a strike in northwest Syria on Sunday but did not say who the attack had targeted.

Photos posted on social media show a car with a gaping hole in its roof after the attack but its windscreen mostly intact. Activists from the Britain-based watchdog Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported al-Masri's death.

Al-Masri, a son-in-law of late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, was implicated in the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in which more than 200 people, mostly civilians, died.

He was part of the global jihadist organisation for three decades and was one of Al Qaeda's most senior leaders. He fought alongside bin Laden in Afghanistan and was a veteran of conflicts in Egypt, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Pakistan according to experts.

He was born Abdullah Muhammad Rajab abd al-Rahman in Kafr al-Shaykh, Egypt, on November 3, 1957, according to the US Treasury Department.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reggio Calabria (Italy), Feb 28 (IANS/AKI) Police in southern Italy on Monday impounded assets worth 2.5 million euros in an operation that targeted Calabrian mafia suspect Giuseppe Stefano Tito Liuzzo and his family.

The property included six buildings, a company, three cars and financial assets, tax police said.

The seizures were carried out by Italian tax police on the orders of anti-mafia prosecutors in Reggio Calabria.

Liuzzo, a prominent local builder was arrested in 2013 together with his brother on suspicion of mafia association.

Liuzzo belongs to the Calabrian mafia or 'Ndrangheta's Rosmini clan and handled its finances, especially its interests in the building sector, according to prosecutors.

Liuzzo had registered various items of property in other people's names, including that of his partner and her brother, investigators said.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A BJP MP from Karnataka on Monday courted controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents Mysuru, on Sunday posted an image on micro-blogging site Twitter with the pictures of Gurmehar, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, on one side and Dawood on the other.

In the post, Gurmehar, who launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College, is addressed as a soldier's daughter and is compared with Dawood, who is addressed as the son of a policeman.

In the image, she is holding a placard "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him" while Dawood is shown holding a placard which reads "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them." The caption reads "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand".

Condemning this, Congress said Simha "doesn't deserve to be in Parliament".

"Someone who has no respect for the families of martyrs, someone who has no respect for the pain of a young lady who grew up without her father because her father laid down his life to protect the unity and integrity of the country.

"Such a gentleman definitely has no right to sit on the highest portals of the Indian democracy," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

"Unfortunately this is an ethos which has become intrinsic to the BJP because it flows from the top.

"When you have the prime minister (Narendra Modi) referring to the media as 'bazaroo', ministers referring to journalists as 'presstitutes', front organisations of the RSS and BJP perpetrating violence, then obviously their members of parliament feel that possibly by insulting the family members of the Kargil martyrs, they also may find a place in Modi's cabinet," he added.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rabat, Feb 27 (IANS/MAP) Brazil has commended the return of Morocco to the African Union (AU) which, it said, is likely to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among African countries.

Morocco's presence within the AU will contribute to strengthening dialogue and cooperation ties binding the community of African countries, said Brazil's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Brazil also reaffirmed its determination to continue to work with Morocco to promote the bonds of friendship between the two countries.

Morocco joined the AU in January after a 33-year gap. The country left the AU's predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, in 1984 after the body recognised the independence of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Border Security Force (BSF) has handed over to Pakistani authorities a man who had crossed into Indian territory inadvertently in the Gurdaspur sector, officials said here on Monday.

The Pakistani national, Sabir Hussain, aged around 50 years, and resident of Narowal in Pakistan, was apprehended by BSF troopers on Sunday, after he inadvertently crossed the International Boundary, a BSF spokesman said.

The Pakistani national was apprehended in the operation area of Border Out Post (BoP) Kassowal in Gurdaspur sector, the BSF spokesman said.

"The Pakistan Rangers were contacted today (Monday) and the apprehended Pakistani national was handed over to them on humanitarian ground and considering that he had inadvertently crossed the border," the spokesman added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former US President George W. Bush has called for "answers" regarding Russia's alleged interference in the November 8 presidential elections.

"I think we all need answers," efe news agency quoted Bush as saying in an interview with NBC.

"I'm not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that question needs to be answered," Bush said, adding that he was not the proper person to ask regarding what specifically should be done in the investigation into the matter.

He said that Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Burr would be the person to select -- if necessary -- a special prosecutor to investigate Moscow's apparent involvement in the election.

In the interview, Bush made no criticism of US President Donald Trump, despite having clearly distanced himself from the mogul during the campaign, not attending the Republican National Convention and announcing -- through a spokesman -- that he would not vote either for him or for Hillary Clinton in the election.

Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans believe that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should recuse himself from the investigation into Russian interference because he was a key figure in Trump's campaign and, thus, lacks the independence needed to conduct such a probe.

The White House on Sunday did not rule out removing Sessions from the investigation but added that it was still too early to make a decision on whether or not to appoint a special prosecutor.

On February 17, the Senate Intelligence Committee sent a letter to the White House and several government agencies requesting that they preserve records of all communications with Russia for the investigation.

After the sending of the letter became public, Trump's chief of staff, Reince Priebus, tried to downplay the matter, telling NBC, "As long as they do their job, and we cooperate with them, they'll issue a report, and the report will say there's nothing there.

He categorically denied any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials because, as he said, "top level people" in the US intelligence community had assured him that that did not occur.

Bush said that he had urged Russian President Vladimir Putin "to accept the notion of an independent press."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi Police has recommended categorisation of interstate buses and alloting nearest terminal points from respective state borders to decongest traffic on city roads, especially during peak hours, a senior officer said on Monday.

The recommendations to Delhi Special Transport Commissioner K.K Dahiya were made after a detailed survey conducted at Anand Vihar Inter State Bus Terminus.

"In the month long survey, interstate buses were found to be the biggest reason of traffic snarls. Hence, we recommended to Dahiya these interstate buses be categorised and terminal points in outer area nearest to respective state borders fixed for them," Special Commissioner of Police, Ajay Kashyap told IANS.

He said that Delhi was already facing excessive volumes of four wheelers that leads to major traffic bottlenecks on different major stretches.

As per the directives, the interstate buses coming from Uttar Pradesh via national Highway 24 are to be terminated at Anand Vihar ISBT, and those coming from Agra via DND and Badarpur Border to be terminated at Sarai Kale Khan bus depot.

Similarly, the interstate buses coming from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh via National Highway-1 through Mukarba Chowk are to conclude services at Jahangirpuri and Kashmiri Gate ISBT.

Besides interstate buses, Delhi has several thousands of Delhi Transport Corporation, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Roadways buses.

As of now, there is no provision of fixing the bus terminals for interstate buses of different routes. As a result, a majority of state run transport agencies opt for terminals that provide high volumes of passengers despite being situated longer distance from respective state borders.

"During the study, we made alternate plans to make smooth flow of traffic movements at Anand Vihar terminal as huge traffic snarl occurred at the entry gates almost every day. We have recommended total 685 buses to allow their operation from there and rest will be shifted to other ISBTs," the officer added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China's top diplomat Yang Jeichi on Monday started a two-day visit to the US with which Beijing's relations have come under strain after the election of President Donald Trump.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi was invited by the US government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Yang's visit comes at time when ties between China and the US have been hit by several issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan.

However, Trump , who initially challenged Beijing's claim over Taiwan, telephoned his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, assuring that the US would adhere to the 'One China policy.'

Yang will exchange views with senior US officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, Lu said.

Yang is the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Trump took office on January 20, Xinhua said.

Yang will have an extensive range of topics to discuss with the US officials but the foremost would be to reaffirm the tone of bilateral relations set by the two heads of state in their telephonic conversation, said Jia Xiudong of the China Institute of International Studies.

Yang's visit will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979.

Despite twists and turns over the past four decades, China-US relations have progressed ahead as both the Republican and Democratic parties understand the importance of the relationship, Jia said.

During Yang's tour, China and US will have exchanges on trade, security and international issues, on which Trump may take policies different from the Obama administration, according to Jia.

The Xi-Trump meeting will be on top agenda of Yang and US officials, who are to discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet.

The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, climate change, energy and Syria are also possible to be on the agenda, Jia said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A private zoo in Chongqing in China was ordered to suspend operations after the media reported about the poor living conditions of animals.

The zoo, which housed over 20 animals including a lion, black bear and several monkeys, has attracted vitriol online after photos of malnourished animals cowering in small cages were posted online, People's Daily said.

In response to public concern over the treatment of the animals, authorities in Fuling district published a notification on China's Twitter Sina Weibo on February 24 that the zoo had been shut down.

According to Beijing Youth Daily, the zoo was originally established in the 1970s as a privately owned enterprise.

Due to mismanagement and competition from other zoos in the region, the institution has recently faced a shortage of funds, which led to the malnutrition and other issues.

"The monthly income of the zoo is around 8,000 yuan on average. The expense on animals' food is about 4,000 yuan per month, which is only enough to keep them alive," said Tan Decai, the owner of the zoo.

According to Tan, food for the bear and the monkeys is a thin mixture of corn and rice while the birds were given rotten vegetables collected from the local market.

Denouncing the public criticism, Tan said the animals were lucky as they only "eat and sleep".

Local authorities said an investigation into the zoo's operation had been conducted but revealed no other details.

Private zoos have been castigated by the Chinese public in recent years, as incidents of animal abuse and death emerge from such institutions in a seemingly endless stream.

--IANS

gsh/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday invited both governments and business communities of CLMV countries -- Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam -- to actively partner in India's 'Make in India' programme.

Speaking at the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), she said: "India would also participate with the CLMV countries in the region's manufacturing growth."

"India and the CLMV countries could deepen each other's manufacturing capabilities, learn from each other's experiences and create a stronger regional platform for trade and commerce," the Minister said.

She said there is a great potential for Indian investments in the CMLV countries.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said the Southeast Asian countries Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) could become important strategic business partners with Rajasthan.

She pointed out that Rajasthan was successful in business partnerships and "our associations with Japan and Singapore were examples of this".

She said these countries should extend cooperation with the state in agriculture, manufacturing, jewellery and tourism. Inviting the entrepreneurs and governments of these countries to partner for business and investment she said that through these collaborations they could play an important role in the socio-economic development in the respective countries.

--IANS

as/ruwa/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Monday demanded that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley apologise for "insulting" the Indian academia for his remark at the London School of Economics (LSE) that "there is an alliance of subversion on Indian campuses", in reference to last week's violence at Ramjas College.

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram too hit out at Jaitley.

"When Mr. Jaitley was president of DUSU in 1975, was he heading an 'Alliance of Subversion'?" - he asked sarcastically on Twitter.

"The Finance Minister went to London. At LSE, he said 'there is an alliance of subversion across university campuses in India'. Thus spoke the Finance Minister in the erstwhile capital of Imperial Britain," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari at a media conference here.

"He has insulted the academia of India, insulted its students, teachers and the other members of the fraternity. He (Jaitley) should apologise for the language he has used against Indian academia and that too on foreign soil," he added.

Delivering a talk at the LSE on Saturday, Jaitley had: "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."

Jaitley's comment comes days after violent clashes outside Delhi University's Ramjas college between activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad - the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's students wing - and the left-wing All India Students Association (AISA) on February 22.

Tewari also said Jaitley's remarks reflect the deep-seated fear in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that there is an instinctive alliance of subversion coming together.

"That instinctive alliance of subversion is predicated on undermining the fascist principle, which is intrinsic to the BJP. That is the alliance which challenges their intolerance and their right to dominate the discourse which is making the government paranoid," he said.

"The violence which took place in Ramjas College is absolutely abhorrent. What is more shocking, is the attempts made by senior members of the government to justify the violence.

"Nobody holds the brief for the Balkanistaion of India or supports those who advocate the secession of India. Right to freedom of expression includes the right to offend and those offended have recourse to the law, if the reasonable restrictions are in any manner transgressed," Tewari added.

Accusing the Modi government of joining forces with the Sangh Parivar to unleash assaults on Indian democracy, the Congress leader also said the assault on students and teachers by ABVP activists at Ramjas College was part of a concerted effort by right-wing forces.

"The incident (at Ramjas) is not isolated. Ever since this government came to power, attempts have been on to adjust the discourse 90 degrees to the right.

"There is this pattern of intimidation and violence going across the country which challenges the fundamental precept on which the Constitution of India rests, the idea on which the country has been founded.

"Therefore, time has come for all progressive, pluralistic and patriotic forces to come together and fight this relentless assault on the Indian democracy by elements of the Sangh Parivar (that) has complete and absolute backing of the government right up to the Prime Minister," said Tewari.

"This is indicative by the kind of people the Prime Minister has chosen to follow on his Twitter handle."

Earlier, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien had said that Modi was following on Twitter certain trolls who write "venomous, misogynist" stuff besides issuing "murderous threats".

The clashes at Ramjas between the two groups erupted after the ABVP forced cancellation of a seminar that was to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid. Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans.

The discord took a new turn after Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College and daughter of an army officer killed in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP.

Kaur posted a photo on social media, holding a placard saying: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me" with the hashtag #studentsagainstabvp.

--IANS

sid/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Monday demanded that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley apologise for "insulting" the Indian academia by his remark at the London School of Economics (LSE) that "there is an alliance of subversion on Indian campuses".

Jaitley said this on Saturday in reference to last week's violence at Ramjas College of Delhi University.

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram took a dig at Jaitley. "When Mr. Jaitley was president of DUSU in 1975, was he heading an 'Alliance of Subversion'?" he said sarcastically on Twitter.

The Congress also accused the government of justifying the violence on the campus and said this was nothing but "fascist in nature".

"The Finance Minister went to London. At LSE, he said 'there is an alliance of subversion across university campuses in India'. Thus spoke the Finance Minister in the erstwhile capital of Imperial Britain," said Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari at a media conference here.

"He has insulted the academia of India, insulted its students, teachers and other members of the fraternity. He (Jaitley) should apologise for the language he has used against the Indian academia and that too on foreign soil," he said.

Delivering a talk at the LSE on Saturday, Jaitley had 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."

Jaitley's comment came days after violent clashes outside Ramjas College between activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad -- the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's students wing -- and the left-wing All India Students Association (AISA) on February 22.

Tewari also said Jaitley's remarks reflected the deep-seated fear in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that there was an instinctive alliance of subversion coming together.

"That instinctive alliance of subversion is predicated on undermining the fascist principle, which is intrinsic to the BJP. That is the alliance which challenges their intolerance and their right to dominate the discourse which is making the government paranoid," he said.

"The violence which took place in Ramjas College is absolutely abhorrent. What is more shocking, is the attempts made by seniors in the government to justify the violence.

"Nobody holds the brief for the balkanisation of India or supports those who advocate the secession of India. The Right to Freedom of Expression includes the right to offend and those offended have recourse to the law, if the reasonable restrictions are in any manner transgressed," Tewari added.

Accusing the Modi government of joining forces with the Sangh Parivar to unleash assaults on Indian democracy, the Congress leader also said the assault on students and teachers by the ABVP activists at Ramjas College was part of a concerted effort by the right-wing forces.

"The incident (at Ramjas) is not isolated. Ever since this government came to power, attempts have been on to adjust the discourse 90 degrees to the right.

"There is this pattern of intimidation and violence going on across the country, which challenges the fundamental precept on which the Constitution of India rests, the idea on which the country has been founded.

"Therefore, time has come for all progressive, pluralistic and patriotic forces to come together and fight this relentless assault on Indian democracy by elements of the Sangh Parivar...(that) has complete and absolute backing of the government right up to the Prime Minister," said Tewari.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien had said that Modi was following on Twitter certain trolls who write "venomous, misogynist" stuff besides issuing "murderous threats".

The clashes at Ramjas between the two groups erupted after the ABVP forced cancellation of a seminar that was to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid. Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans.

The discord took a new turn after Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College and daughter of an army officer killed in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP.

Kaur posted a photo in social media, holding a placard saying "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me," with hashtag #studentsagainstabvp.

--IANS

sid/nir/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With a face-off between the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), suspense continued on Monday over who would bag the plum post of Mayor of the country's richest civic body, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation.

Senior leaders of both sides kept stirring the hot cauldron by asserting that they would bag the BMC's top post - indicating none was willing to compromise on the issue.

Some peace-brokers suggested equally sharing the post for two-and-half years each, while power brokers threw up several 'formulae' to break the deadlock, but the Shiv Sena adopted a "wait and watch" stance.

Party MP and Saamana Executive Editor Sanjay Raut reiterated that the state government of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis "continues to be on notice period" and hinted that everything would be known by March 9, when the Mayoral elections are due.

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Narayan Rane dismissed speculation of the party moving a 'no-confidence motion' against the BJP-Shiv Sena state government in the upcoming budget session.

"The Shiv Sena will not give up power till it is pushed and thrown out of the government," Rane said.

His statement came in the wake of some Congress leaders' musings that the party would consider extending support to the Shiv Sena if it walked out of the BJP-led governments in the Centre and in Maharashtra.

The recent BMC elections threw up an acutely fractured mandate in the 227-member house, which makes it difficult for either the Shiv Sena (84 seats) or BJP (82) to bag the Mayor's post independently.

They would be compelled to form an alliance between them, or rely on the direct or indirect support of the other major parties like Congress (31), Nationalist Congress Party (nine), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (seven), Samajwadi Party (six), AIMIM (two), one elected from a local party and independents (five).

--IANS

qn/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court here on Monday extended the custody of a man who was arrested in connection with a corruption case against Chhattisgarh IAS officer B.L. Agrawal.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal allowed the probe agency to further quiz the Hyderabad-based private person, Syed Burhanuddin.

Burhanuddin, who was arrested on February 23, was presented before the court on expiry of his five-day CBI custody.

The probe agency has sought extension of custody on the ground that he has to be confronted with other accused, including B.L. Agrawal, who were arrested on February 21 and are currently in the CBI custody.

The other accused were arrested for helping Agrawal to settle a case being investigated by the agency.

Apart from Agrawal, a 1988-batch IAS officer, posted as the Principal Secretary (Higher Education) in Chhattisgarh government, his brother-in-law Anand Agrawal and a private person Bhagwan Singh, a resident of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, are also accused in the case.

The agency on February 18 registered an FIR against Agrawal, Singh, Burhanuddin and others under relevant sections of criminal conspiracy and Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI said that the IAS officer had agreed to pay Rs 1.5 crore to Burhanuddin as gratification for helping him in a case being investigated by the agency.

The probe agency alleged that Agrawal first approached Singh over the issue, who arranged his meeting with Burhanuddin on February 11 in Delhi. Burhanuddin told the Chhattisgarh officer that he works in the Prime Minister's Office and would easily settle the matter in his favour in lieu of Rs 1.5 crore gratification.

The officer said that Burhanuddin also assured Agrawal that he would get the case transferred from the CBI to the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing.

--IANS

akk/nir/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Police have arrested a 36-year-old pub owner-cum-builder, who was a proclaimed offender in a cheating case involving Rs 11.5 crore, police said on Monday.

They said Sachin Dutta was crowned "Mahamandaleshwar" in 2015 and christened Sachidanand Giri Maharaj, but he was stripped of the title soon after allegations that he owned a bar at Centerstage Mall in Noida.

"Police team on Sunday morning arrested Dutta on a tip-off from his residence at Gomti Nagar Extension in Lucknow, where he had been living secretly since last year," Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajit Kumar Singla said.

"Dutta was declared proclaimed offender on May 10, 2016 by Karkardooma court after he did not attend court hearings and was found absconding later," Singla said.

A complainant, Narendra Barmecha, a resident of Anand Vihar in Delhi, had filed a complaint against Dutta on November 16, 2015 with the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police.

Barmecha had alleged that he had a partnership dispute with Dutta and his parents Tripta and R.K. Dutta after they did not give him his Rs 11.5 crore, which he invested in a real estate project in Manakpur village of Noida, the officer said.

"On questioning, Sachin Dutta told police that his family business was of construction and they were leading builders by the name of Balaji Construction that has developed Balaji Residency and Foster Heights in Indirapuram at Ghaziabad," the officer said.

Dutta was also involved in a fraud case registered against him and his company with Sector 58 police at Noida for allegedly mortgaging sold flats to obtain loans, he said.

Dutta, commonly known as "Builder Baba", had also business dealings with Ponty Chaddha and his relatives, Singla said.

Ponty Chaddha was former Managing Director of Wave Group, who died in a shootout on November 17, 2012.

--IANS

sp/nir

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ghaziabad police have registered a complaint against the city's well-known Yashoda Hospital on charges of cheating and extortion of a retired Indian Air Force officer, who was admitted there for treatment, police said on Monday.

The officer was allegedly forced to buy expensive medicines from the hospital pharmacy despite being covered under the central government's Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and was told that if certain medicines were not bought, his life would be at risk.

Angry over the hospital's "tricks to extort money", the officer's son Amit Tyagi lodged a complaint at the Indirapuram Police Station on February 24 last.

The FIR was registered after the Ghaziabad Chief Medical Officer (CMO) submitted its report against the hospital on the instruction of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's office from Lucknow. The report supports the officer's allegations of cheating and extorting money.

"It seems that the patient was referred to another hospital due to the patient's complaint regarding charging of payments in violation of ECHS rules to provide cashless treatment," the CMO's report states.

According to the FIR, the retired IAF officer -- Sergeant Yashvir Singh Tyagi -- was admitted on 26/05/2016 with a history of carcinoma soft palate and some other complications.

During the treatment, the condition of the patient worsened from "acute renal failure" to "chronic kidney disease". Later, the patient was referred to Fortis Hospital in Noida allegedly after Yashoda Hospital authorities came to know about the complaint against them.

The FIR seeks legal action against Director of the hospital Upasna Arora, Dr. Vikram Grover and others. However, while the column in the FIR provided for giving the names of suspect/accused does mention the names of Dr. A.P. Singh, Dr. Vikram Grover and Dr. Sudhir Tyagi, Director Upasna Arora's name does not find a mention there.

"The FIR has been registered and arrests would be made soon," said SP City of Ghaziabad Salman Taj Patil.

When the officer was informed about the anomaly -- omission of Director Upasna Arora's name from the list of suspects in the FIR, the SP City said: "It does not make any difference. If the (FIR) content has her name, she would be treated as a suspect and the investigation would include her role also."

The FIR further states that after admitting the officer, the hospital told Yashvir Singh Tyagi's son to buy medicines from the hospital pharmacy, saying that certain items were not covered under ECHS.

Amit had to buy costly medicines from the pharmacy several times. Although Amit met consultant Dr. Vikram Grover, who talked to the ECHS officials and said no medicines would be bought any further, they kept forcing Amit to buy medicines.

On May 5, 2016, Dr. A.P. Singh told Amit that his father was critical, so they were referring him to the Army's Research & Referral Hospital. But Amit preferred to get his father shifted to the nearby Fortis Hospital, where attending doctor told him that his father was alright. After nine days of treatment in ICU, they shifted him to a private room and also did not charge any cash.

Amit then lodged the complaint with the Managing Director of ECHS. Later, Amit lodged similar complaints with the Prime Minister's Office, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office, CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers, and the Union Health Minister. He also posted the matter on social media.

Following his complaints, the hospital authorities, instead of addressing the complaint, started threatening him. Finally, Ghaziabad police registered the FIR against the hospital.

--IANS

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Vatican City, Feb 27 (IANS/AKI) Merciful God will help Catholics up should they stumble on life's "uncertain" journey, Pope Francis said on Monday.

"When the journey is uncertain and you fall, God, rich in mercy, will extend his hand to pick you up," Francis tweeted.

His nine-language @pontifex account on Twitter has over 30 million followers.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
EAU CLAIRE  Candi Rose Ayres, 41, of Eau Claire died Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at her home.

She was born in Springfield, Minn., Oct. 6, 1975, to Richard and Mary (Edmondson) Ayres. She grew up in Lambertson, Minn., and Menomonie, graduating from Menomonie High School in 1994.

Candi loved listening to music, reading, drag racing and much to her familys dismay, her pet ferrets. She was very artistic and enjoyed doing crafts of all kindsbut above all, she loved her family dearly.

She will be forever missed by her mother, Mary (Richard) Heitkamp of Colfax; daughter, Shawna Gove, age 15; son, Colton, age 4; sister, Brandie (Jarrod) Anderson of Chippewa Falls; brother, Seve Ayres of Worthington, Minn.; and two nephews, Alexander Anderson and Levi Weinberg.

She was preceded in death by her father and her grandparents.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Faith Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with the Rev. William Plautz officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery, village of Lake Hallie.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.
Gopal Baglay, who headed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) division dealing with Pakistan, on Monday assumed charge as Ministry spokesperson.

An Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1992 batch, Baglay has earlier dealt with media as press counsellor at the embassy in Kathmandu. He has also served as director in the external publicity division of the MEA.

He served as Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad from 2011 to 2014. He was heading the ministry's Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran (PAI) division in the ministry. He has also served as Joint Secretary (States) from October 2014 to December 2015 and was tasked with the creation of a separate Department in the ministry to facilitate international outreach of the Indian states.

Outgoing spokesperson Vikas Swarup, who has been appointed envoy to Canada, tweeted his farewell.

"Today I bid farewell as the Official Spokesperson, an extraordinary privilege and honour!" Swarup posted.

"I wish my successor all the best for the new assignment. He will take MEA communications to the next level, online & offline," Swarup added.
The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to release gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari on parole for canvassing in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls.

Justice Mukta Gupta set aside the trial court's order granting bail to Ansari till March 4 to campaign and said: "A right to contest the election cannot imply that the candidate gets a right to be released from jail for canvassing as a candidate for being elected.

"If the candidate is in custody for an alleged offence, it would be the discretion of the court to release him or not, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case," the court added.

When a person in custody fills up nomination as a candidate, he "does not get a vested right" to be released for canvassing, said the court.

It said he (candidate in jail) runs the risk of not being released on bail to contest election from custody.

Ansari is contesting from Mau Sadar on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket.

The High Court had on February 17 stayed the custody parole after the Election Commission moved the court seeking its cancellation on the ground that Ansari might influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case.

A special court in Delhi earlier granted bail to Ansari in the murder case of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Krishnanand Rai for which he is facing trial.

The Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant in the case also opposed Ansari's release from a Lucknow jail.

The poll panel had said that Ansari's release may create fear in the minds of the voters if he was allowed to roam around in the constituency.

Rai, along with six supporters, was shot dead at Bhanwarkol in Ghazipur district on November 29, 2005. The case was transferred from Ghazipur to Delhi by the Supreme Court in 2013 on a plea filed by Alka Rai, wife of the murdered BJP leader.

A four-time legislator from Mau Sadar, Ansari is in jail since 2005. He has more than 40 criminal cases against him, including murder and kidnapping.

The BSP had welcomed him and his family in January after his Qaumi Ekta Dal merged with the party ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Renowned Indian-origin South African human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Essa Moosa has died aged 81.

Moosa passed away on Sunday in his sleep at his home in Cape Town and was buried later in the day as per Muslim customs, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported.

"His passing is an enormous loss to South Africa of one of our seasoned human rights activists. We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Moosa family and relatives. Our prayers and thoughts are with them during this difficult period. May his soul rest in peace," President Jacob Zuma said in a statement.

The Presidency said Moosa will be remembered for his immense contribution in promoting and protecting human rights during his tenure as Supreme Court Judge as well as the founding and executive member of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, where he chaired its Human Rights Committee.

The opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), expressed deep sadness at the death of Moosa. "We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time," DA spokeswoman Glynnis Breytenbach said.

Moosa qualified as a lawyer in 1962. Hailing from the District Six area, he became one of the South Africa's leading activists in the fight against apartheid and acted a number of prominent anti-apartheid activists, said the report.

He practised as an attorney until December 1997 and was appointed as a judge of the Western Cape High Court in 1998 where he served for 13 years before retiring in February 2011.

He also challenged human right violations such as detention without trial, freedom of association, expression and movement.

As the Secretary of the Constitutional Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) he gave logistical support to the ANC negotiations team -- led by former President Nelson Mandela -- for the establishment of a democratic South Africa.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tehran, Feb 27 (IANS/AKI) Iran's Culture Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday lauded prominent director Asghar Farhadi's best foreign film Oscar win for his movie "The Salesman".

"With Farhadi's film The Salesman, the voice of the Iranian culture was heard in the world," state news agency Irna quoted Salehi-Amri as stating.

"Iranian culture is a culture of peace, friendship, convergence and coexistence.

"This message and this award showed that the US President's behaviour is against peace and friendship," Salehi-Amir added in a reference to Donald Trump's controversial ban on citizens of seven Muslim countries.

Salehi-Amir praised the art and cinema community for awarding Farhadi an Oscar at the Los Angeles awards ceremony on Sunday - and his boycotting of the star-studded event.

"Your symbolic absence from the Oscar awards ceremony has unmasked the so-called defenders of human rights while revealing the true image of Iranians."

Zarif added his praise of Farhadi's Oscar win.

"Proud of cast & crew of 'The Salesman' for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia," Zarif tweeted.

In his acceptance statement, read out by two Iranian Americans at the ceremony in Los Angeles, Farhadi said his absence was in protest at Trump's "disrespectful" three-month travel and visa ban.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US," read Farhadi's statement.

"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war," the statement added.

All six directors nominated in the best foreign language film category signed a statement before the ceremony condemning a "climate of fascism" in the US.

Despite being granted special permission to attend, Farhadi said last month he would not take part in the Oscar awards after Trump on 27 January imposed the ban on nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Taraneh Alidoosti, leading actress in the movie, also declined to attend the Oscars ceremony to show her rejection of what she called Trump's "racist" visa ban for Iranians.

"The Salesman" tells the tale of a married couple who are appearing in a local production of Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" and whose lives are thrown into turmoil after the wife is attacked while home alone, causing the husband to seek revenge.

Before the Oscar ceremony on Sunday, "The Salesman" was screened in London's Trafalgar Square at the request of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who referred to the Trump ban as "cruel" and "shameful".

US courts have blocked the travel ban but the Trump administration is preparing a new executive order.

Farhadi's earlier drama "A Separation" won the best foreign language film Oscar in 2012 and a Golden Globe award the same year.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iran on Monday successfully tested an advanced indigenously-made guided missile system during ongoing military manoeuvres staged by the Navy in waters south of the country.

Dehlaviyeh, laser-guided anti-ship missiles, was first tested to destroy simulated hostile targets, according to Iran's news agency Tasnim.

The latest Iranian cruise missile, dubbed Nasir, was also launched and successfully hit its targets, Iranian Defence Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan said on Monday, reported Efe news.

The last phase of the military drills, Velayat 95, began on Sunday in a vast area stretching from the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, to the northern part of the Indian Ocean and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Iran said the aim of such manoeuvres is defensive and aimed at improving its capabilities in the fight against terrorism and piracy.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iraqi forces on Monday continued to engage in fierce clashes with Islamic State (IS) militants in western Mosul but seized a neighbourhood on the outskirts of the embattled city, the military said.

Federal police and interior ministry special forces, known as Rapid Response, recaptured al-Tayaran neighbourhood and raised the Iraqi flag over some of its buildings, Xinhua news agency quoted Lt. General Abdul-Amir Yarallah, from the Joint Operations Command (JOC), as saying.

The troops are clearing the neighbourhood of IS militants, who sustained heavy casualties after days of fierce fighting, Yarallah said.

The forces are also fighting in the adjacent neighbourhood of Jawsaq and focusing on securing a strategic bridge across the Tigris River, a security source said.

Yarallah on Sunday said Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces completely liberated al-Mamoun neighbourhood after three days of fighting with the IS in southern Mosul, which is locally known as the left bank of Tigris River.

The forces have also entered the adjacent neighbourhood of Wadi Hajar and are battling the IS, according to the source.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced on February 19 the start of an offensive to drive militants out of the western side of Mosul.

Abadi late in January declared the liberation of eastern Mosul after more than 100 days of fighting against the IS.

However, the western part of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a population between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge for the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Iraqi military on Monday said it has retaken a bridge across River Tigris in Mosul city, after driving back Islamic State militants in the city's southwest.

The security forces also took control of two neighbourhoods in the western half of the northern city of Mosul, still under the control of the IS, a senior security official told EFE news agency.

Commander of the Rapid Response Forces Maj. Gen. Thamer al-Husseini said that the neighbourhoods of al-Tayaran and al-Juseq are located nearby the city's airport, which has been completely liberated.

Al-Husseini added that these advances, achieved after three days of intense fighting, have led security forces to reach the southern-most bridge across the Tigris River.

Mosul's five bridges have been badly damaged in fighting since October.

Security forces were combing both neighbourhoods in search of IS extremists hiding in tunnels, snipers, and suicide bombers, according to al-Husseini.

On February 19, Iraqi forces, including the Popular Mobilization militias, launched an offensive to retake the western part of Mosul from IS militants.

--IANS

soni/dg

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Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday performed the ceremony to mark the opening of the London Stock Exchange followed by sessions with investors and financial technology (fintech) company leaders.

"Finance Minister Arun Jaitley opened the market at London Stock Exchange on February 27," the Indian Finance Ministry said in a tweet.

He was accompanied for the special ceremony by Britain's Minister for International Trade Liam Fox and London Stock Exchange Group CEO Xavier Rolet.

Post the ceremony, Jaitley and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) delegation met in a roundtable conference with fintech companies, investors and bond issuers at LSE, the ministry said.

Jaitley also attended a business interaction session with over 100 investors organised by the UK-India Businesses Council (UKIBC).

The Finance Minister is on a five-day official visit to Britain from February 24-28.

On Saturday, Jaitley delivered a talk at the London School of Economics on 'Transforming India: Vision for the Next Decade', where he spoke about the country aspiring to be a more open economy.

"An aspirational India poised to be more open and less protectionist," Jaitley had said, adding that country's "emphasis is on infrastructure and rural sectors."

The Finance Minister is also slated to attend a reception by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

On Tuesday, Jaitley will meet with his British counterpart. Thereafter, he will meet with CEOs at a meeting being organised by the Confederation of British Industry.

Jaitley will return to the national capital early on March 1.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rome, Feb 27 (IANS/AKI) Even if the Islamic State jihadist group suffers military defeat this year, Islamist terrorism remains a major threat for Italy and other European countries, Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni warned on Monday.

"The threat posed by Islamist terrorism remains one of our central concerns and is at the heart of the government's programme of work and its security cooperation with neighbouring countries," Gentiloni said during the presentation to the cabinet of an annual report by the government's Department of Information Security (DIS).

The report predicted more 'lone wolf' terror attacks and possible chemical, bacteriological and nuclear ones. It also warned that the growing number of children being recruited as fighters and indoctrinated by IS were "a long-term threat".

"While 2017 may be the year of IS's military defeat, the jihadist threat represented by the group, by Al Qaeda and other splinter groups will not end," Gentiloni said.

"We must not lower our guard," he added.

IS has been progressively routed from areas of Iraq and Syria, its finances depleted and it propaganda weakened, the report noted.

The group has been increasingly on the back foot since Russian air raids began in Syria in 2015 and the 68-member military coalition to which Italy belongs stepped up air strikes against IS and killed prominent leaders such as IS spokesman Abu Mohammad al Adnani (in August 2016), the DIS report said.

The report flagged up the Balkan region which it said continued to be a "hub" for the recruitment of foreign fighters and a safe-haven for jihadists returning to Europe from Middle East war zones.

"Numerous" individuals of Balkan origins had joined thousands of foreign fighters including from Italy who travelled to wage jihad in Syria and Iraq, the report claimed.

The jihadists were aided by powerful network of radical Muslims with ties to communities in Europe and elsewhere, the report said.

Besides providing logistical support to jihadists, the network also played a key role in proselytising and in recruiting foreign fighters, the report noted.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It was a moment of surprise and awe when Jimmy Kimmel escorted a group of wide-eyed tourists with selfie sticks into the Dolby Theatre in the middle of the 89th Academy Awards ceremony here.

Kimmel asked for the lights to be turned off and requested audience to stay silent, as he said: "They (tourists) think they're about to walk into an exhibit."

"Welcome to the Dolby Theatre, the home of the Academy Awards, which are in fact happening right now," Kimmel told the tourists as he escorted them on Sunday night.

He then went ahead and introduced several stars including Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer and Ryan Gosling to the tourists, whom he got from a Hollywood tour bus.

The highlight of the surprise came when actor Denzel Washington got up and pronounced a tourist couple husband and wife.

Washington got Gary from Chicago and his fiance, Vicki married live on TV.

There were several other light moments like when the American writer-comedian-voice actor, who is hosting the award gala for the first time, asked the tourists not to look into Ryan Gosling's eyes.

Kimmel also asked actress Jennifer Aniston to give her sunglasses to one of the tourists and she complied.

The popular late-night talk show host also gave a tour to the tourists, and passed over actress Meryl Streep saying she is "overrated", taking a dig at US President Donald Trump's view of the 20-times nominated actress.

Then Kimmel had each of them touch Mahershala Ali's Oscar, which he won for his role in "Moonlight".

--IANS

sug/in

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CADOTT  Cornell High School senior Garret Kralewski fired up an oxyacetylene torch and prepared to do some more cutting on a piece of metal when his instructor looked at the flame and gave him an important tip. A little more oxygen, Garret, said Chrystal Reidt, a Chippewa Valley Technical College Welding instructor.

Kralewski is one of a dozen students from Cornell, Cadott, Stanley-Boyd and Gilman high schools picking up basic instruction and finer points of welding during a Welding Academy held at Cadott High School through a cooperative agreement between CVTC and the partner school districts. But welding knowledge is not all the students are picking up.

Its saving me a few hundred dollars. Its nine college credits, Kralewski said. And Im planning on enrolling in CVTCs Welding program.

This gives me nine credits, so it could get me out faster, said Cadott student Jonathan Parquette, who is also planning to attend CVTC.

Besides credits, students are earning basic certificates in wire feed welding and an OSHA 10 certificate for safety, credentials that could lead to immediate employment.

This helps prepare me for the future, said Kevin Cota, a Gilman student. I plan on going to North Dakota this summer to work on the pipeline. When I get there, they wont have to teach me.

Im thinking about getting a welding job to get a start, then going to school for an engineering degree, said Stanley-Boyd, a student Eric Hoffstatter.

Whether its to prepare them for college or the workplace, preparing high school students for their future earlier is one of the ideas behind CVTC partnering with K-12 school districts to establish academies. The concept of offering high school students dual credit at their school and at CVTC is not a new one. CVTC has 153 dual credit agreements with 35 different schools, totaling 215 course sections this year.

In an academy, students are offered a cluster of courses in a particular subject, usually leading to an industry-recognized certificate. The Welding Academy enables the partner high schools to offer a higher level of technical education. With the help of grant funds, CVTC was able to provide equipment to add to what Cadott High School already had.

Reidt said the students, who were pre-selected by the schools based on their interest and their academic and attendance records, are doing very well with the college-level learning. These are some of the better welders from the high schools, Reidt said.

The Welding Academy is taking the students skills to the next level, beyond what they could have achieved in their high school classes.

Im definitely getting a lot more welding experience in school, Hoffstatter said. We had one welding class at Stanley-Boyd. This is every day now.

Im learning how to slow down and be more patient with my welds, said Jacob Couillard of Gilman.

This is more rigorous, and harder to pass, said Micah Raatz of Cornell. Im learning more about the difference between a good weld and a bad weld.

Im learning more about proper welding angles and setting up your welder, said Cole Redburn of Cadott.

The classes in the Welding Academy include Welding Safety and Orientation, Basic Wire Feed Welding, Print Reading for Welders and Industrial Skills.

At school, we werent getting print reading, which is something we are going over really heavily here, Hoffstatter said.

Reidt noted the class has a way of waking students up to the importance of their other academic subjects, something first year CVTC students often discover. Being a good welder takes math skills as well, which are covered in the Industrial Skills class.

Its important that they pay attention to the other classes they have in high school, like math, Reidt said. We will show them how to use it.

While most of the students plan to go on to CVTCs Welding program, they also see the benefit of having some early training that gives them employment opportunities. It is common for CVTC Welding students to be hired as part-time welders while they are going to school. The Academy students may have that opportunity sooner than others.

Reidt noted the way the CVTC program is structured, the Academy students may not be able to finish the program early, despite starting with nine credits on their transcripts. That is being worked on for a future year. However, the credits will allow them to take a lighter CVTC class schedule, freeing them up for work to help pay for college.

Were already making plans for next year, Reidt said.
Industry body Assocham on Monday said Karnataka must promote more inclusive tourism policies to attract over 15 crore domestic tourists and about 10 lakh foreign travellers by 2019.

"Domestic tourist visits in Karnataka can grow at a rate of about six per cent considering the recent trends of rise in domestic tourist visits together with improvement seen in physical infrastructure, rise in income and an increasing thrust on tourism promotion by the state government," noted a research paper by Assocham.

The industry body observed that with over 13 per cent year-on-year growth, the state recorded over six lakh foreign tourist visits in 2015.

However, the state must further develop necessary tourist infrastructure and promote several other potential cities, it added.

"With about 12 per cent share in total investments attracted by hotels and tourism industry across India, Karnataka ranked third after Maharashtra (17 per cent) and Gujarat (14.5 per cent)," said the paper conducted by Assocham Economic Research Bureau (AERB).

"Karnataka attracted investments worth over Rs 11,000 crore of the total outstanding investments worth over Rs 93,400 crore attracted by the hotels and tourism industry in India as of June 2016," it said.

The Assocham study suggested that perking up infrastructure, building tourism industry on core and naturally viable resources, better co-ordination amid various government agencies and departments, promoting concepts like tourism circuits through effective marketing plans, programmes and road shows can enhance the potential of domestic tourism sector in the country.

"The state government should look towards promoting tourism circuit concept by grouping together a number of tourist destinations and offer the same as a package, such circuits can be formed through conjunction of sites in order to offer the travellers with a more complete experience," said R. Shivakumar, Chairman of Assocham Karnataka Regional Development Council.

"Given the growth of India's economy, expansion of middle classes and ongoing westernisation of their lifestyles, the relative importance of domestic tourism can only be expected to increase exponentially over the coming decades," Shivakumar added.

--IANS

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Refusing to accept the refund from a private hospital for allegedly having refused to release a patient over money, the family of the deceased patient on Monday cleared the bill dues calling for "revenge".

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 Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, hours back.

The private hospital denied the charges but had agreed to refund the amount paid by Roy's family after Trinamool Congress leader Madan Mitra intervened.

"They were experimenting with my husband. If my husband had died on spot, I would have understood. But he didn't. He was not given water to drink, his hands and legs were tied up. Where was this empathy when my husband needed it?

"If he had been moved at the required time, then he would have been alive today. We do not need their money now as my husband is dead and the money can't bring him back," Roy's wife Ruby told the media here.

"I can't get my husband back. I want punishment for all the doctors involved in his case... I want revenge and I will talk to Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) about getting us justice," asserted Ruby.

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.

Roy's family lodged an FIR against the private hospital in the local police station.

"We have cleared all the dues today (Monday) and got back the fixed deposit certificates. In fact the hospital authorities asked me to sign a document which mentions that we have received a lump-sum amount but we have declined to sign. The police seized the document," said Roy's wife.

However, the private hospital authorities said they stand committed to refund the entire cost of treatment.

"We stand by our commitment to refund the entire cost of treatment of Shri Sanjoy Roy. However, out of respect for the wishes and sentiments of his family, we have accepted the balance, and returned all documents that were deposited with us," said the hospital's Chief Operating Officer Dr Joy Basu.

The West Bengal government on Saturday summoned the hospital authorities as it was not completely satisfied with the explanation given by them.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A memorial to Magsaysay award winning late author and social activist Mahasweta Devi will be set up at her residence in Rajdanga here, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Monday.

"The memorial is ready. The memorial will house her belongings, books, and other materials used by her," Banerjee said during an informal interaction with mediapersons at Eco Park.

Jnanpith awardee Mahasweta Devi, who crusaded for the rights of tribals and the marginalised throughout her life, died on July 28 last year.

Banerjee also said the state government would establish memorials for famed journalists Barun Sengupta, Gour Kishore Ghosh and Amitabha Chowdhury.

The government also had plans to rename roads after the three journalists.

A road close to the office of the Bartaman newspaper on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass founded by Sengupta would be rechristened after him.

The government was on the lookout for sites to set up the memorials on June 19.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reigning national Time Speed Distance (TSD) champions Ajgar Ali and Mohammed Mustafa (co-driver) cruised to the lead after first two legs of the Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 5 here on Monday.

Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta (co-driver) were placed second followed by Deep Dutta and Prakash Muthuswamy (co-driver)

Bengal boy Ajgar and Tamil Nadu's Mustapha braved sub zero temperatures and almost zero visibility due to mist as they traversed the hilly terrains of Bhutan to end the day in the treacherous riverbed ahead of their rivals in the national category.

In the open category, Amit Garg and Abhishek Khemka (co-driver) are top of the tree.

On the first day, dense fog coupled with dipping mercury greeted the 46 rallyists (18 in the national and open category) on their way from Siliguri to Paro.

Day two was shorter and smoother albeit the riverbed area at the end which had multiple entry points making navigation cumbersome.

"We are rallying for the first time in Paro, Bhutan. The loop and the speed was okay today and we enjoyed it. Three days left, let's see," Mustafa told IANS at the end of the second day.

"In the mountains, you cannot maintain speed. This is a high speed TSD where the difference is in the terrain. It is difficult to maintain speed. In the riverbeds, it is difficult to get the routes.

"Like in big junctions, it is easily figured out. But in riverbeds, what happens is there are multiple tracks which can be misleading and you have to get the right road in less time," Ali said.

--IANS

dm/gau/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A total of 2,580 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been injured in over 200 violent incidents in Jammu and after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last July.

Data from the CRPF said that its troopers were injured in 142 stone pelting incidents, 47 grenade blasts, three firing incidents and 43 instances of acid attacks or petrol or kerosene bomb attacks in the state.

Of the injured troopers, 122 inflicted grievous injuries, the data said.

The unrest in Jammu and began July 9, a day after the death of Wani in a gunfight with security forces. Over 90 civilians were killed and around 12,000 injured in the violence.

"An additional 158 companies (over 16,000 personnel) of the CRPF were deployed in Jammu and considering the surge in violence both in terms of militant activities and law and order situation," outgoing CRPF Director General K. Durga Prasad told IANS.

He also said the attacks on the force's personnel by Jammu and Kashmir's civilians came as they were threatened by the militants.

"Locals in the state are obstructing our counter-militancy operations as they are under duress by the militants. However, the situation has improved compared to last year," Prasad said.

Prasad, who will retire from the service on February 28, also said that the Home Ministry as well as the Central Welfare Fund of CRPF will provide financial assistance to the troopers injured in the stone pelting attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The CRPF chief said that the Home Ministry would provide Rs 2,500 to those who suffered minor injuries and Rs 7,500 for the personnel injured grievously.

"We will provide financial assistance to our men from CRPF's welfare fund but it is divided in different categories. Those suffered minor injuries will be given Rs 4,000, and grievously injured will get Rs 25,000 after hospitalisation. Those grievously injured after being hit by bullet or blasts during operation will get Rs 50,000.

"For grievous injuries in action during operational duties leading to hospitalisation, we provide Rs 1 lakh," Prasad added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Korea's spy agency said on Monday that the North Korean government was behind the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, adding that those involved worked for the country's foreign ministry and spy body.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said four of the eight suspects behind the murder worked for Pyongyang's Ministry of State Security, with two others being from the foreign ministry, Yonhap reported.

The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was killed earlier this month after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from the Kuala Lumpur Airport. Malaysia said an autopsy showed he was poisoned with VX nerve agent and died within 20 minutes.

However, North Korea has not acknowledged the death yet.

The South Korean spy agency also provided lawmakers with various updates on developments taking place in Pyongyang.

The NIS said North Korea is prepared to conduct nuclear tests anytime. It said the No.2 tunnel at the North's nuclear test site in Punggye-ri was maintained throughout the winter, and that the No.3 tunnel can be used to conduct a nuke test if the country's leadership gives the order.

North Korea is also presumed to have produced 10 kg of plutonium at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, and its reprocessing is expected to improve by the end of this year, it added.

--IANS

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(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 Monday urged private hospitals across the state to draw a line between business and service while ordering a stop to child smuggling and kidney rackets in both private and state-run establishments.

"Who gave permission to set up hospitals in the suburbs in name of Kolkata's PG hospital? No kidney racket will be allowed to run in the name of any hospital or nursing home. There will be no child smuggling in name of nursing homes, whether in private or government set ups," Banerjee said.

She was speaking at the inauguration of Kamalnayan Bajaj Sankara Nethralaya, the second centre of Sankara Nethralaya in Bengal.

Promising support to private entities in the healthcare sector in the state, the Trinamool Congress supremo, however, warned them against fleecing patients.

"I have no complaints against you (Sankara Nethralaya). You have just started. You are a new-born baby. Let us watch, let us see. It is not our duty to interfere in internal matters. Our state government is ready to provide full cooperation to you (to private sector) but not for fleecing the poor and appeasing some," she said.

Banerjee cautioned against the unbridled money-making attitude of the private sector.

"If this is allowed to go unbridled, this will not be a business, it will be a butcher shop. Please take care of the commoner and draw a line between business and service. Hospital is not a business. It's a sacrifice, it's a self-less service," she said.

She said the state government's complaints are not against each and every private hospital rather a section of them.

"This issue (unethical money making) has become important. I readied a bill (for the proposed West Bengal Regulatory Health Commission) before coming to the inauguration. Negligence is a crime. Let us start afresh," she urged the private sector.

However, Banerjee didn't spare the government hospitals in her speech for unethical practices.

"There must be some kind of mistake (by both private and government sector) that is why this situation has come. District private hospitals too I appeal to think about drawing a line," she said.

But she also conceded that government hospital expenses are exceeding the budget and a balance needs to be brought about.

"We are incurring a lot of expense in our own hospitals. I can't say no to patients from neighbouring states and to treat patients free we are exceeding our budget. We will think about it later, how to bring about a balance," she said.

In apparent reference to the Apollo Gleneagles patient death where the city based private hospital allegedly refused to release a patient over money and even taking possession of his fixed deposit certificates, Banerjee dubbed it "excess".

"One girl had come crying to us yesterday (Sunday) saying all savings in the form of fixed deposit certificate was taken up by the hospital. Isn't this excess? Please do not ask those who can't afford, to submit fixed deposit certificates or anything like that," she said.

"Even if somebody tells me that you get admitted to my hospital and I will bill you Rs 5 lakh I will not be able to pay. Should I resort to thievery or dacoity then," she wondered.

--IANS

sgh/pgh/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose campaign against the ABVP has gone viral, found herself at the centre of a major row on Monday as the ruling BJP and the opposition traded charges over the Ramjas College clashes, re-igniting the intolerance debate.

Facing death and rape threats after her social media campaign against the RSS student wing, Kaur, daughter of an Army officer killed in the Kargil war, was compared to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim by a BJP MP while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju wondered who was "polluting" her mind.

But Kaur got the endorsement of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and many others for her stand against the ABVP and violence on the campus. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) urged the police to act against those threatening her.

Kaur, a student of the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College, insisted she won't be intimidated.

"I am not afraid because I am fighting for the right thing," she said, adding she was getting numerous threats on phone and social media besides filthy comments.

"It would be very nice if I get protection. Fear is not in my blood. My father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to do that," she added.

Kaur, 20, told the media that nobody had the right to threaten any woman with rape.

Kaur took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which controls the Delhi University Students Union, after ABVP activists were blamed for the attacks on students, teachers and journalists in the campus.

Students opposed to the Ramjas College violence of February 22 and the online threats against Kaur have decided to take out a march in the Delhi University on Tuesday.

The issue triggered a war of words between the BJP and the Congress.

"Criticise the government but don't abuse the motherland," Rijiju said, after Kaur also posted: "Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him."

BJP MP Pratap Simha from Mysuru posted an image of Dawood on Twitter with the words "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them."

The MP added: "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti- stand."

Both Rijiju and Simha faced widespread flak.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a ."

Said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari: "An atmosphere is being created to protect those who support violence or are fascist in nature. But those who try to express something within the limits of the Constitution, they face violence."

The Congress also targeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his remark in London that "there is an alliance of subversion on Indian campuses".

Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party blamed the Modi government for the threats to Kaur and accused the ABVP of unleashing violence "both in the real and the online world".

Union ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back at the opposition for its narrative of attack on freedom of expression.

"Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country? Does freedom of expression mean raising slogans like Azadi for Kashmir, Azadi for Bastar?" asked Prasad.

Naidu accused Leftists of trying to turn universities into "laboratories for separatist experiments". He called the ABVP "a nationalist organisation".

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Varanasi: "I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner."
The body of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US last week in a suspected hate crime, was flown in here Monday night.

The body was brought by a cargo flight, which arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 10 p.m.

Kuchibhotla's parents K. Madhusudhana Sastry and Parvata Vardhini and other family members received the body. After completing all formalities, the body was carried in an ambulance to his house at Bachupally on the city outskirts.

Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached the city by a passenger flight.

Telangan Transport Minister Mahender Reddy and some leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were also present at the airport to receive the body.

The Ministry of External Affairs has made arrangements to bring the mortal remains.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport and media persons were barred from the cargo terminal.

The last rites will be performed Tuesday at Jubliee Hills, family members said.

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.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday visited the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SRGH) here for a routine medical check up, said authorities.

"Soniaji came in the afternoon and underwent routine medical check up. She left around 7.30 p.m," hospital authorities, not willing to be named, told IANS.

Earlier, Gandhi was twice admitted to the SRGH for her ill-health, during which she underwent a minor shoulder surgery.

The Congress president has not been keeping very good health since she collapsed during a rally in Varanasi last August. She was admitted to the SRGH for a shoulder surgery.

Sonia Gandhi has not addressed any election campaign in Uttar Pradesh and instead issued appeal to voters through a statement and video.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
To Trump supporters who are about to skip this story in disgust, you might want to read on for insight into the dark side.

To those traumatized and paralyzed but eager to help resist the Trump regime, read this to explore options for joining the civic fray.

Lawyers are asked for free legal counsel, doctors for diagnoses, brokers for tips. Washington hacks  pols, reporters, consultants and policy wonks  are asked for the real story behind the fake story. Most of the time, though, the questions we get are really just opinions in question form.

Not so this year.

Like many colleagues and acquaintances, I have been bombarded with a single earnest question: What can I do, however small, to help save the country from Donald Trump?

I have the liberty in my job to argue for my own opinions. I have opposed Trump futilely, but with all my might, for the past year, so I dont get many questions about helping President Trump succeed. Nor do many people in my orbit.

When Bill Clinton was first elected, tons of people in my world were disgusted and embarrassed for the country. But no one asked me how he or she could resist him. Same thing when George W. Bush was elected. I endured many outraged sermons about the injustice of the Florida recount, but no one asked how to join the Bush resistance.

This year is a whole different ball game, a different mentality. Many people are scared about what Trump will do, depressed, disgusted by the anti-values he flaunts and unable to tolerate their feelings of powerlessness. Perhaps if Hillary Clinton had won, the Hillary haters would feel the same way. Regardless, we got ourselves a genuine phenomenon here.

So I thought I would offer a short sample of activities that might be effective right now that I have gathered from my fellow creatures of the old D.C. swamp.

Protests 2.0. Spies call this technique psy-ops. Trump is barely able to tolerate in-his-face attacks and mockery. He rages at hecklers. Live demonstrators instantly inspire Trump to wax nostalgic about the olden days when police could knock the livers out of longhairs, black people and other malcontents.

So there should be organized protests every single time Trump leaves his many compounds. Every protester should have an American flag to signify they are not there primarily because they are Democrats, female, gay, Hispanic and so on, but because they are Americans protesting Trumps un-American positions and values.

Subvert the NRA. This one is devious. How cool would it be if massive numbers of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, city slickers, LBGT folks and members of the clergy became dues-paying members of the NRA? The NRA leadership would freak out at the idea of so many of their enemies becoming gun lovers. And maybe the subversives could gain control of an organization so important to GOP politics.

Mass pressure on GOP moderates. Trumps key source of power right now is that the GOP has Stockholm Syndrome and quivers at his every bark. Until that changes, Trumps power is hard to constrain. Waiting for the 2018 elections is too risky. There is a small group of Republican senators with moderate dispositions and remnants of a spine. They need incentives to stand firm against Trump. Voters in a few states have the power to create that incentive by relentlessly engaging their senators with phone calls to their offices, appearing in number at all town meetings (a tactic that already is showing promise) and working all the local press, using social media and registering voters. Out-of-state Trump resisters can help through donations and contributing skilled work such as graphic design, programming, data management, research and plain old grunt work.

Indivisible. A group of Democratic congressional staffers and alumni has put out a crowd-sourced how-to manual on effectively engaging and influencing your own representatives. It is very clear, simple and practical. The key point: When it comes to voters, members only care about voters in their districts or states.

Young people. Stop calling them millennials and Gen-Xers  and dont make up a new nickname for the next cohort. Young people did not turn out in 2016, and that was a disaster for the Democrats. There are signs, maybe, that there is substantial abstainers regret on campuses.

I dont know what might spur more dopey kids  oops, I mean young people  to engage politically off-campus. From my limited observations, Ive been discouraged that the issues college students seem most intensely involved with are insular and focused on their safe spaces but not on genocide in Syria, opioid addiction in rural America or Donald Trump. Political correctness, which I find irritating, is not the big problem as conservatives maintain. Self-centeredness is. Non-academic, politically savvy people need to do a better job of bringing the great national and international arguments to the academy.

This is a dinky sample. An hour on social media and the web will add dozens of others ideas.

That leads me to a final sermon: Virtual action is not action, it is self-soothing. Thumbs do not persuade; eye contact, listening, good manners and complete sentences do  sometimes.
US Press Secretary Sean Spicer has launched a crackdown on leaks to the media, with increased security measures that include random phone checks of the White House staff.

The crackdown comes after a week in which President Donald Trump strongly criticized the for using unnamed sources in stories and expressed growing frustration with the unauthorised sharing of information by individuals in his administration, the Politico daily reported on Sunday.

Last week, after Spicer became aware that information had leaked out of a planning meeting with his communications staffers, he reconvened the group in his office to express his frustration.

Upon entering Spicer's office, the staffers were told to dump their phones on a table for a "phone check" to prove they had nothing to hide.

There, he explicitly warned staffers that using texting apps like Confide - an encrypted and screenshot-protected messaging app that automatically deletes texts after they are sent - and Signal, another encrypted messaging system, was a violation of the Presidential Records Act, the report said.

Within the communications office, the mood has grown tense, the daily said.

Spicer has harshly criticised some of the work Deputy Communications Director Jessica Ditto had done, causing her to cry, according to two people familiar with the incident.

"The only time Jessica recalls almost getting emotional is when we had to relay the information on the death of Chief Ryan Owens," Spicer said, referring to the navy serviceman killed in Yemen.

On Friday, Trump called the the "enemy of the American people" during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in which he railed against journalists for using anonymous sources.

Later on Friday, Spicer blocked certain media, including CNN, The New York Times, BuzzFeed and Politico, from attending an off-camera press briefing in his office.

On Saturday, Trump said he would not attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.

--IANS

ksk/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman living in the UK who had been married to a British man for 27 years has been forcibly removed from the country, a media report said on Monday.

Irene Clennell, who made headlines when she was placed in immigration detention, was deported to Singapore on Sunday, the Guardian reported.

Clennell first arrived in London in 1988 and married John, a British man, two years later. They settled in County Durham and had two children.

Her sister-in-law Angela confirmed Clennell had been deported. She said she had been subject to "insensitive and unfair government rules" and that Irene's husband, her brother, was seriously ill.

She told the Guardian: "It's outrageous what has happened. I'm appalled by it especially doing it on a Sunday so you can't contact anyone to try and stop it happening.

"I made numerous phone calls to immigration solicitors... I feel sick about the whole situation."

She said her sister-in-law only had 12 pounds in her pocket but a fellow Singaporean made contact with the family and offered her a place to stay for two weeks.

A Go Fund Me page to raise money for her legal fees passed 8,000 pounds after the news broke that she had been deported

The UK government's spousal visa system requires the British partner to prove earnings of at least 18,600 pounds and the couple being able to show long stretches of uninterrupted time living in the UK.

Her last visitor visa expired last year and she was sent to a detention centre in Scotland after a routine appointment with immigration service in mid-January.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva, who is reaching Mumbai, will commute in a local train to inspect the city's lifeline, the suburban train network, on Tuesday morning, an official statement said.

She will visit a school serving slum-dwellers of Dharavi and children with special needs, as part of the centre's World-Bank-supported initiative, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Georgieva, who will be accompanied by World Bank South Asia Vice-President Annette Dixon and Country Director Junaid Ahmad, is coming on her first official visit to India.

In Mumbai, she will take the opportunity to see how the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban railway system, which ferries eight million commuters daily, is serving the fast-growing and urbanising India.

Her school visit would be examine how Mumbai's administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents of the city, one-third of whom live in slums.

Georgieva's other major engagements in Mumbai include a meeting with Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. She will also meet other top policy makers in New Delhi.

"India is our biggest middle-income client. It economic growth influences global growth. Its achievements in health and education contribute to the world achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," she remarked on her visit.

At a time when the country's economic growth is one of the bright spots in the global economy, she expressed her keenness to learn more about India as a "laboratory for the world" to learn what works in development and fine new ways to collaborate.

As of January 2017, the WB's total IBRD and IDA net commitments stood at $27 billion (IBRD $16 billion and IDA $11 billion) across 95 projects in India.

--IANS

qn/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The murder of 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian technology worker from Hyderabad, by Adam Purinton, a white US Navy veteran, in a crowded bar in Kansas City last week has understandably shocked the whole country. Before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and his friend, Alok Madasani, who was injured in the shooting, Mr Purinton reportedly shouted, Get out of my country. He confessed later that he had mistaken them for West Asian Muslims. There is no doubt that this is yet another example of racial hate crime in the US.
Trashing opposition charge of lack of under the Modi government, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said there was so much liberty in the country that even the Prime Minister could be compared to a donkey.

"You have such freedom of expression in the country that you can call the Prime Minister by name, you write articles  if the Prime Minister dies tomorrow, X will be the Prime Minister. You compare him with a donkey.... And now you say there is no freedom of expression," Naidu told a press conference.

Naidu, however, insisted the government did not favour the idea of freedom of expression to mean liberty to advocate disintegration of the country.

He also accused Congress and the Left of trying to give a "different colour" to happenings on some campuses.

"I am surprised about the efforts made by the Congress and the Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in a few universities saying it is an assault on freedom of expression," Naidu told reporters in New Delhi.

He claimed certain "misguided" sections were trying to mislead the young population and create social tensions and hurt the sentiments of the people of India.

"Where is the question of not having the freedom of expression? It is guaranteed under the Constitution," Naidu said. He said there were also certain "reasonable restrictions" on freedom of expression in place.

"You cannot hurt others' religious feeling, you cannot question the nation's unity and integrity. You cannot advocate separatism. Dissent, having a different opinion apart from the majority opinion is agreeable but not disintegration. Nobody can advocate disintegration. What is azaadi? What is azaadi of Kashmir?" Naidu said.

His comments came in the backdrop of a political slugfest following last week's clashes between activists of RSS- affiliated ABVP and Left-backed AISA over a seminar invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, an accused in a sedition case.

The ABVP, Naidu said, was a "nationalistic organisation", adding those who have different views can also express their them but asked, "why should outsiders go and disturb the peace of campuses."

"How can anybody advocate azaadi for Jammu and Kashmir?" the senior minister asked noting the Parliament had passed a resolution that the whole of J&K, including PoK, was part of India.

"You want to make universities laboratories for separatist experiments? There is a systematic effort going on  you want to have a anniversary for Afzal Guru, who was responsible (for) and spearheaded the attack on Parliament, the temple of democracy. And then you appeal to others that freedom of expression is affected," he said.

Attacking the Congress, Naidu said the people who had imposed Emergency, put restrictions on fundamental rights, people who put entire opposition behind bars and imposed censorship on the media are now giving sermons on freedom of expression.

"The Congress imposed Emergency while the Left supported the black deeds of Emergency," he said.
Amidst a row in Delhi University, Congress leader P Chidambaram today asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley whether he was heading an "alliance of subversion", as suggested by him a day earlier, when he was heading the varsity's students union in 1975.

"When Mr Jaitley was President of DUSU in 1975, was he heading an 'Alliance of Subversion'?" the former Finance and Home Minister in the UPA government tweeted.

Jaitley had said yesterday that there was an "alliance of subversion" on certain Indian campuses and that the ultra-Left and separatists were speaking the same language.

They must also allow others with different opinions to speak, he said while delivering a talk at London School of Economics.

The minister said it was his personal belief that "free speech" in society needs to be debated, adding that "violence is however not the method".

The comments came amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP in Delhi University's North Campus.

Tension prevailed in DU's North Campus in the wake of Wednesday's incident even as members of students' groups protested at many places, including at the Delhi Police headquarters, seeking action against the ABVP members.

Jaitley was President of Students Union (DUSU) in 1974-75.
After the bitter fight, there is still no sign of rapprochement between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena for the revival of an alliance in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Instead, both are making claims about winning the mayoral election slated for March 9.
A man has been sent to prison for 10 years for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, with a city court saying the victim's testimony was truthful and consistent.

Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Manan also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Uttar Pradesh resident Rohit who was convicted for committing the offence in 2013.

"Forensic evidence lends support to the version of the victim and establishes that accused had sexually assaulted the victim," the judge said.

"Testimony of victim is found to be truthful and consistent in material particulars," the judge added.

The court also asked the Delhi State Legal Services Authority to pay Rs three lakh as compensation to the family of the victim as restorative and compensatory justice.

The accused was held guilty of the offences under sections 376 (Punishment for rape), 342 (Punishment for wrongful confinement)and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC along with section 6 (Punishment for aggrevated penetrative sexual assault) of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual offences) Act.

According to the prosecution, the accused assaulted the girl when she went to the first floor of a factory where she was residing with her family near Narela in north Delhi. It was alleged that he pushed her into a room and raped her.

The accused denied all the allegations and claimed he was falsely implicated in the case.

He had contended that the father of girl had borrowed Rs 5,000 from him. When he demanded the money back, her father picked up a fight with him.

The court relied up on the forensic evidence to establish sexual assault and noted that the victim's stand was consistent throughout the trial.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Government air strikes on northwest Syria killed at least 11 people overnight, most of them civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said today.

"Government warplanes carried out air strikes after midnight on several areas in the town of Ariha" in Idlib province, said the monitoring group's head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"The preliminary toll is 11 killed, including at least seven civilians," three of them children, he said.

Others were still missing and rescue teams were searching for anyone trapped under the rubble, Abdel Rahman added.

Leith Fares, a rescue worker in Ariha, told AFP his team had pulled at least 20 wounded people out of the rubble.

"We've been working since 3:00 am (0100 GMT) to rescue victims still under the rubble of two four-storey buildings that totally collapsed on the residents inside," he said.

"We're still looking for two families, estimated at eight to 10 members each, that are still trapped," Fares said.

The deaths come two days after 10 civilians were killed in government air strikes on Ariha, held since spring 2015 by an anti-regime coalition dominated by jihadists.

Idlib province has been battered by heavy air strikes in recent weeks, with intensifying bombing raids by regime warplanes in particular, according to the Observatory.

It has also been rocked by infighting between rebel and jihadist factions, including Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, Fateh al-Sham Front.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 20 children and the driver of the school bus they were travelling in were today injured after the vehicle overturned in Rasoolabad in Kanpur Dehat district, police said.

The bus carrying about 40 students of a private school in Kakwan overturned after the driver lost control over the vehicle, SP Kanpur Dehat Prabhakar Chaudhary said.

The children were students of class one to eight and between the age of 5 to 14 years.

Police rescued the children with the help of locals, he said, adding the bus driver was undergoing treatment as his hand got fractured.

Some 20 children suffered minor injuries and were taken to a primary heath centre. Later they were sent home after first-aid, he said, adding four among the injured were admitted to a government hospital in Kakwan.

The four children were later shifted to private hospitals by their respective parents, Pandey said.

The bus belonged to a private school which does not have accreditation from the government, Kakwan Police station Inspector Dinesh Pandey said.

The investigation is underway and all the children are stated to be out of danger, the SP said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The next time you read about a newsroom making cuts, think about the extraordinary reporting shedding light on the new administration.

When I made that point in a tweet recently, it accumulated more than a thousand likes. Of course, it fell on deaf ears at the White House, where, two days later, @realDonaldTrump tweeted: The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!

The last time I checked, he had generated 154,693 likes, but it didnt persuade me. Nor, apparently, the many who began using the hashtag #NotTheEnemy.

From literally day one  think crowd size at the inauguration  President Trump has used every opportunity to bash the mainstream media. Typical were his comments at that epic news conference:

The press has become so dishonest that if we dont talk about it, we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people  tremendous disservice. ... The level of dishonesty is out of control.

 ... How does the press get this information thats classified? ... Because its an illegal process, and the press should be ashamed of themselves. But, more importantly, the people that gave out the information to the press should be ashamed of themselves. Really ashamed.

The president is attacking one of our best checks on government  especially at a time when Congress shows no interest in playing that role with regard to the relationship between the presidents pals and Russia. His anger was precipitated by revelatory journalism that takes time and money, including:

CNNs accurate report Jan. 12 that both President Barack Obama and the president-elect were briefed on allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump.

David Ignatius Jan. 12 report in the Washington Post revealing that Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn had spoken with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding the sanctions imposed by Obama.

And the New York Times front-page, above-the-fold story Feb. 15 revealing that Trump associates had ongoing dialogues with Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election.

We know (what little) we know only because of old-fashioned, gumshoe reporting of the kind that is in short supply these days because of newsroom layoffs across the country. Sure, theres been an explosion of self-described journalist bloggers, but people with laptops sitting in their PJs are no substitute for investigative reporters. Where print advertising has plummeted and newspaper staffs have been eviscerated, we are seeing a damaging trend where theres less investigative journalism and government goes unchecked. And not just on a national level. Think about some of the local stories uncovered by sleuthing.

Nobody likes leaking, including me. But the reality is that were it not for the leaks about Michael Flynn, hed still be a national security adviser whod spoken with the Russian ambassador about sanctions but said otherwise publicly and to the vice president  a situation known both to him and the Russians, creating the risk of blackmail.

Trump attempted to cloak himself in the words of a founding father while speaking at a rally last weekend in Florida. He quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying in 1807 that nothing can be believed which is seen in a newspaper. The full quote, which was contained in a letter to John Norvell, is more nuanced:

It is a melancholy truth, that a suppression of the press could not more compleatly (sic) deprive the nation of its benefits, than is done by its abandoned prostitution to falsehood. Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.

Jefferson had grown more skeptical of the press while president. But 20 years prior, as U.S. minister to France, Jefferson said the following in a letter to Edward Carrington:

Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.
After a three-day stay at Isha Yoga Centre on the outskirts, senior BJP leader L K Advani left for Delhi by Air this evening.

Advani had come on February 25 and stayed there and participated in Yoga classes, Isha sources said.

He also offered prayers to the newly consecrated 112-foot tall face of Adiyogi unveiled by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on February 24, they said.

Tight security cover was thrown en-route Air Port, a distance of nearly 35 KMs from Isha, as the serial blasts were executed during his visit in 1998, which had claimed 58 lives.

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Albania's defense minister says it plans to send an infantry platoon to become part of the anti-IS coalition in Iraq.

Mimi Kodheli today told a parliamentary committee that following a request from the United States they had agreed to send a unit with about 30 infantry troops for military operations in Iraq.

The Iraqi government must agree before the Albanian government will seek parliamentary approval, she said, as "we are not speaking as being part of NATO, but of a volunteer global coalition."



Albania has been in Iraq before with army units protecting or accompanying military or public objects but not with a ground-operational platoon.

Albania, a NATO member since 2009, takes part in international peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Mali and the Aegean Sea.

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Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today flagged off the first Antodaya Express and the fourth Humsafar Express through video conferencing from here.

The Ernakulam-Howrah Antodaya weekly express will travel through Salem, Katpadi and Vishakhapatnam while Sri Ganganagar-Tiruchirappalli Humsafar weekly express will travel through Krishnarajapuram, Pune and Ahmedabad.

Speaking on the occasion, Prabhu said, "This is the fourth Humsafar Express to be launched and it will cross the entire country from the north to the south."



He said the train is a fully air conditioned 3-AC service with facilities like GPS-based passenger information system, passenger announcement system, fire and smoke detection and suppression system, CCTVs, comfortable seats, mobile and laptop charging points, integrated Braille display, LCD display above compartment doors in the aisle, fire retardant curtains.

"Today we are launching the country's first Antodaya Express. Tejas and UDAY Express will be launched soon. Antodaya Express is a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service for the common man, to be operated on dense routes," he added.

The base fare of Antodaya Express will be 15 per cent higher than the existing Mail/Express fare.

Antodaya service has facilities like cushioned luggage racks which can serve as seats, LED lights, modular toilets, pleasing interior colour scheme, toilet occupation indication display board and anti-graffiti coating for exterior painting.

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Goa Congress today said the alleged leak of question papers of Army recruitment exam was a serious issue and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar must look into it.

"The leak of examination paper for Army recruitment is a serious issue. The Defence Minister should wake up from his slumber (and take action)," Goa Congress Legislature Party spokesman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco told reporters here in the presence of Leader of Opposition Pratapsinh Rane.

The Army on Sunday countermanded examinations in six centres in western India for some lower-level posts following the alleged leak of question papers.

The examination centres where the tests were cancelled were Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee (in Pune), Army sources said.

The examination papers of Army Recruitment Board were allegedly leaked following which the Thane Police's Crime Branch conducted raids and arrested 18 persons from Maharashtra and Goa.

The examinations were held for a number of posts, including soldier clerk and tradesman, in 52 centres across the country.

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Syrian government forces seized territory from the Islamic State group on several fronts in the country's north today.

Fighting rocked the strategic province of Aleppo, which borders Turkey and has seen some of the worst violence of Syria's nearly six-year conflict.

Today, troops "seized 18 towns and villages, including the town of Taduf and a number of strategic hilltops in eastern Aleppo province, totalling about 600 square kilometres," a Syrian military source said.

Taduf had been held by IS jihadists and lies near Al-Bab, a key town where rebels backed by Turkish soldiers, artillery and air power defeated IS last week.

Regime forces today also moved into nearly two dozen villages abandoned by IS near the town of Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Manbij is held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. IS withdrew from the area earlier Monday in what Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman called a sign of "swift collapse" of jihadist ranks.

"Regime forces moved into those 23 villages, linking up with SDF forces in the area," he said.

SDF spokesman Talal Sello told AFP today that his forces would not clash with the regime there.

"We are adjacent to regime forces in several places (across northern Syria), and there's been a kind of truce between us. So there will not be clashes between us" at Manbij, Sello said.

The Observatory says the government advance in the area is part of a bid to block Turkish-backed forces from expanding their zones of control in Aleppo province.

But regime troops are also trying to advance east to reach IS-held Khafsah, the main station pumping water into Aleppo city, Abdel Rahman said.

Residents of the northern city have been had no water for 42 days, after IS jihadists cut the supply at Khafsah around 90 kilometres away.

And further south, government troops fought to within four kilometres of the ancient desert city of Palmyra, which IS recaptured in December.

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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt mesmerised the audience with their whole new avatar as they walked down the ramp for the 12th edition of 'caring with style' fashion show here.

The event was in association with Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA).

The "Badrinath ki Dulhania" co-stars were the show stoppers for designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Varun and Alia walked the ramp and shook a leg to their latest chartbuster, "Tamma Tamma".

Shortly thereafter, Bachchan made a solo entry and walked the runway for Jani and Khosla. Later, all three of them along with the designer duo walked the ramp again.

Varun did Bachchan's trademark dance move on the iconic "Mere Angne Mein", followed by Alia.

Highlighting the importance to donate for causes like these, Bachchan said, "Charity exists through donation and we are here tonight to provoke, request and urge you with folded hands to make a generous contribution towards this cause.

"It's a very sad sight to see a young child suffering from cancer and your donation can go a long way in giving an opportunity to these young souls to lead a healthy life," Bachchan added.

The actor also donated Rs 11 Lakhs to CPAA.

At the event, backed by Fevicol, Shaina NC also showcased her collection. Several celebrities like Disha Patani, Iulia Vantur and Ragini Khanna, among others walked the ramp.

The night began with a performance by Iulia who sang songs like Teri Meri, Jag Ghoomeya among others. She was joined on stage by Himesh Reshammiya.

Apart from them, Sussanne Khan and Sonali Bendre also walked the ramp.

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BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan today said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark the word 'Hindustan' was communal amounted to insulting hundreds of freedom fighters of the country who participated in independence struggle.

Rajasekharan said in a face book post that Vijayan had made the remark during his recent public rally held at Mangaluru.

"Statement of Vijayan that it was communal to address Bharat as Hindustan was without understanding the history", Rajasekharan said.

Chief Minister should tender apology for insulting the freedom fighters of the country who had uphold the slogan 'Jai Hind' during independence struggle, Rajasekharan said.

Taking a dig at Vijayan, Rajasekharan said Chief Minister who consider the word Hindustan as communal should change his name Vijayan, which evokes the memory of Lord Krishna.

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The toll rose to 10 in the boat tragedy that struck a group of tourists in the sea off Tuticorin district with the body of a minor girl being retrieved by the Coast Guard today.

The Coast Guard, which undertook the search and rescue operations, said 42 tourists were "reported" to have been travelling in the fishing boat when it capsized off Manapadu Beach last evening and 32 of them have been rescued.

Amid reports that the boat was overloaded, police said they have booked its driver and owner for "causing death due to negligence".

Hours after the incident, District Collector M Ravi Kumar had yesterday said eight tourists drowned and 17 others were rescued.

He, however, had clarified that there was no information then about the number of tourists who were onboard the boat at the time of the incident.

The Coast Guard in a release today said its Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre here received information from the Coastal Security Group about the incident that occurred around 6 PM.

After which, Coast Guard Ship Aadesh and a Dornier aircraft were deployed for search and rescue of the missing tourists.

"A total of 42 tourists were reported to be on board, out of whom 32 survivors have been rescued. A total of 10 bodies have been recovered including that of a girl of around 12 years by ICGS Aadesh this morning, and handed over to local authorities," it said.

Meanwhile, police said a case has been registered against the boat driver Selvam and owner Kevin under relevant IPC sections for "causing death due to negligence" and were on look-out for them.

The two were absconding along with their family members, police said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs two lakh each to the families of the deceased.

DMK Working President and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly M K Stalin condoled the death of the tourists, expressing 'shock' over the incident.

"Any amount of consoling cannot calm the grieving relatives of the deceased. Recurrence of such accidents should be prevented," he said in a statement.

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He has been long considered the quitessintial Hollywood underdog but Casey Affleck shrugged away that title as he took home the best actor Oscar for his sublime turn as a troubled loner in "Manchester by the Sea".

It is the first Academy award win for Afleck, who is better known as the young brother of Oscar winner Ben Affleck. He was earlier nominated for his supporting work in 2007 film "The Assassination of Jesse James".

An emotional Affleck acknowledged fellow nominee Denzel Washington, saying he was the first person to teach him how to act.

"I'm here because of the goodwill of so many people but most importantly Kenneth Lonergan who made this part without which I would not be here. I wish I had something more meaningful to say but I am just happy to be part of this fraternity," Affleck said while also paying tribute to his brother and producer Matt Damon.

For the win, Affleck saw off competiton from Joel Edgerton for "Loving", Ryan Gosling for "La La Land", Andrew Garfield for "Hacksaw Ridge", Viggo Mortensen for "Captain Fantastic" and Washington for "Fences".

Except Gosling, this year's Oscar race for best actor featured performers, who have played troubled protagonists in dramas with heavy themes.

"Manchester" a haunting, intensely powerful film and much of the credit goes to Affleck for playing a depressed Massachusetts janitor coping with the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy and becoming the guardian of a teenager.

Notably, Affleck's role was passed on by "Manchester" Damon. The film was initialliy conceived of by Damon and co- producer John Krasinski.

The actor's road to Oscar glory was a mixed bag. He won won the Golden Globes and dozens of other awards but his Oscar nomination had invited objections on the grounds that the Academy disregarded the 2010 sexual harassment suits against Affleck by two women who had worked on his experimental film "I'm Still Here", starring his brother-in-law Joaquin Phoenix.

Affleck was sued for USD 2 million by one woman and USD 2.25 million by the other. Both cases were settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in 2010.

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The government is likely to impose anti-dumping duty of up to USD 135.40 per tonne on imports of a chemical used in foam making from Thailand.

The move is aimed at protecting domestic players from cheap imports of 'Flexible Slabstock Polyol' from the South-East Asian country.

The application for the anti-dumping investigation was filed by Manali Petrochemicals Ltd on behalf of the domestic industry. The company has claimed that these account for more than 95 per cent of the total production for the product.

In its final findings, the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD), under the commerce ministry, has concluded that the domestic industry has suffered material injury due to the dumped imports from Thailand.

"The authority considers it necessary to recommend imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of the subject goods (chemical) from Thailand," DGAD said in a notification.

The chemical is used in the foam industry, which is used in upholstery, mattresses, pillows, transport seating and packaging.

While DGAD recommends the duty, the finance ministry imposes it.

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by a flooding of below-cost imports. As a counter-measure, they impose duties under the multi-lateral WTO regime.

Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products.

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A former chairman of state-owned China Resources Group today pleaded guilty for charges of embezzlement and bribery.

Song Lin was charged with embezzling over USD 1.42 million.

The trial was handled by Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate People's Court.

The procuratorate accused Song of embezzling over 9.74 million yuan from 2013 to 2014, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

The accused is also alleged to have accepted 23.36 million yuan from 2005 to 2012 in return for helping other companies or individuals to secure project cooperation, promotion and other issues.

Song pleaded guilty to all charges, the report said.

Over 80 lawmakers, journalists and citizens attended the open trial, it said.

Hundreds of Chinese officials from different ranks were prosecuted and punished in the anti-corruption campaign initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping after he took over power in 2013.

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Over 100 Chinese investors today attended 'India Budget 2017', a presentation-cum-panel discussion on Union Budget organised to highlight investment opportunities in India.

Amit Narang, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Enwright Desales, Senior Partner with Deloitte,gave the presentation on the highlights ofthe Budget and investment opportunities in India.

Besides discussing their experiences of investing in India, they also highlighted on tax reforms, specially India's efforts to roll out Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Over 100 officials from Chinese banks and chambers of commerce took part in the event.

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: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today handed over Rs 45.95 lakh as education loan to 91 students belonging to the Backward Classes and minorities under a government scheme.

The scheme is under the Corporation for Development of BCs and Minorities.

Of the total amount, Rs 44.82 lakh was provided by the National Corporation for Development of BCs and Rs 1.13 lakh by the Puducherry government.

The scheme benefitted 91 students doing different professional and technical courses in the union territory, a release from office of Chief Minister said.

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The Congress today accused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of insulting the country's academia on foreign soil and demanded that he apologise for his 'alliance of subversion' remark.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also alleged that certain fascist forces have perked up across the country with the support of the present dispensation and urged all secular forces to unitedly fight them.

"The Finance Minister while addressing students said there is an alliance of subversion across universities campuses in India. He has insulted all the other elements which make up all the academic fraternity of India.

"He insulted the academia of India, students, teachers. The Finance Minister should apologise for the language he used against Indian academia and that too on foreign soil," Tewari said.

Congress leader P Chidambaram also took a dig at Jaitley for his remarks, asking whether he was leading an "alliance of subversion" when he was the DUSU president in 1975.

"When Mr Jaitley was President of DUSU in 1975, was he heading an 'Alliance of Subversion'?" the former finance minister said in a tweet yesterday.

Tewari claimed Jaitley's remarks reflect the deep-seated paranoia and fear in the government and the BJP that there is an instinctive alliance of subversion which is coming together across Indian universities.

He said the instinctive alliance of subversion is predicated on undermining the fascist principal which is so intrinsic in the government of the NDA and the BJP.

The Congress leader said it is not an isolated incident and alleged that ever since this government came to power 33 months ago, there has been an attempt to try and adjust the discourse 90 degree to the right.

He said such tendencies challenge the fundamental precepts on which the Constitution rests and the ideals on which this country was founded and its is indicative of the kind of people the PM has chosen to follow on Twitter.

"Time has come for all progressive, pluralistic and patriotic forces to come together and fight this relentless assault on Indian democracy which is being fronted by elements of Sangh Parivar, but has the complete and absolute backing of the government, right up to the level of the PM," he claimed.

Jaitley had in London said there was an "alliance of subversion" on certain Indian campuses and that the ultra-Left and separatists were speaking the same language.

While delivering a talk at London School of Economics on Saturday, the Union Minister said they must also allow others with different opinions to speak, he said.

Tewari claimed that the alliance referred to by Jaitley



is challenging fascism, intolerance and their right to dominate the discourse which is making the government both "uneasy and paranoid".

He said the violence at Ramjas College was "abhorrent" but even more reprehensible was the attempt by the senior BJP functionaries and the ministers of the government to justify it.

"Let me make it very clear that nobody holds the brief for the balkanisation of India and nobody supports those who advocate the secession of India but it's equally important to understand that freedom of speech and expression also includes the right to offend," he said.

He said those offended have recourse to the law if reasonable expressions circumscribe speech and expressions are in any manner transgressed.

"Violence that took place in Ramjas College is not the solution and attempts to justify that violence by the senior functionaries of the government are both fascist and displays the arrogance of power.

He said the violence would not have been possible had the members of the ABVP known that the Delhi Police would not be a silent bystander.

The Congress leader said the Sangh Parivar supporters tried to question the patriotism of BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav who exposed the alleged inadequacies in food served to paramilitary forces.

He also cited example of Sudheendra Kulkarni, advisor to Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, whose face was blackened in Mumbai and of former NDA Minister Arun Shourie whose son was attacked in an attempt to intimidate him.

Noting that there is a pattern of "intimidation and violence which goes across the country", he gave examples of violence in Patiala House Court where the Delhi Police was a "silent bystander", incidents at JNU, the campuses of Haryana University, Hyderabad Central University.

To a question on whether there is a deliberate effort on the part of BJP to influence the Uttar Pradesh elections, Tewari said going by the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi it is very clear that he has lost faith in him.

"The way in which, after 33 months, the Prime Minister has taken to communal agenda and left the language of development, it is clear that he longer believes in his web of Start Up and Stand Up India and other jumlas.

"He only has faith in how this country can be communally polarised for making his political gains," he claimed.
The Rajasthan Assembly today witnessed disruption by the Congress during Zero Hour with several Opposition members rushing into the well to seek the government's stand on reservation to Special Backward Classes.

Seeking to attract the government's attention towards the ongoing fast-unto-death by SBCs youths, Congress MLA Ghanshyam Mehar demanded to know if the government would give reservation to SBCs or not.

Other Congress members too joined Mehar alleging that the government wants to distract SBCs on the reservation issue.

Rubbishing the allegations, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Arun Chaturvedi said the government has been reiterating its commitment repeatedly to issue, which is pending in the Supreme Court.

We are ready to debate on the issue based on the logic and on the rules, he added.

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The opposition Congress today staged a walkout in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly alleging that the jailbreak by eight SIMI operatives last year was result of the state government's failure to ensure the security in prisons.

Eight SIMI men awaiting trial escaped from the high security Bhopal Central Jail on October 30 last year after killing a prison guard. They were subsequently killed in an alleged encounter with police.

Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Shailendra Patel (Congress) said the district administration officials had not inspected the jail even once in the last two year, despite it being mandatory to do once in every three months.

"This shows the lapses on the part of the state government towards security of jail, which resulted in the jailbreak by SIMI operatives on the night of Diwali last year," he alleged.

Patel said that DIG (Jails) also did not carry out the routine inspection according to the jail manual.

Replying to a question by Patel on the issue, the Minister for Jails, Kusum Singh Mehedle, admitted that no inspection was carried out at the Bhopal Central Jail by the Collector or any other officer of the district administration two years prior to jailbreak incident.

Pressed for further details, the minister said that the district administration officers inspected Bhopal Central Jail on December 7 and December 22 last year.

Expressing dissatisfaction at the reply, the opposition members stood up and accused the minister of misleading the House.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh said this was an issue of serious security lapse and staged a walk out along with his party colleagues.

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A Delhi court has acquitted a man of charges of raping and criminally intimidating a married woman in a hotel room in Haryana last year, saying her testimony did not inspire confidence.

Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Kumar granted the relief to the Southwest Delhi resident, noting that there was a delay of over three months in lodging the FIR which too was not properly explained by the prosecution.

"The prosecutrix (woman) had ample opportunity to lodge a complaint against the accused after the incident. The stand taken by her that she did not lodge the complaint against the accused as she was threatened, does not inspire confidence.

"On scrutinising the versions narrated by the woman, it seems that the prosecutrix has not presented the true facts," the court said.

It also noted that there was no medical evidence to substantiate the woman's version that she was raped by the accused.

"The delay in lodging the FIR, the testimonies of the witnesses and the associated circumstances leave a mark of doubt to treat the testimony of the woman as so natural and truthful to inspire confidence.

"As the prosecution case would show, her testimony does not inspire confidence and the circumstantial evidence do not lend any support to the same. In the absence of both, this court is of the view that accused is liable to be acquitted," the court said.

According to the prosecution, in June last year, the woman lodged a complaint alleging that the man, who was known to her for seven years being her neighbour, had raped her in March 2016 after giving her stupefying substance mixed in water in a hotel room at Bahadurgarh, Haryana.

She had also alleged that the accused had threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

An FIR was registered on her complaint and later the court framed charges against the accused under the sections of 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 506 (criminal intimidation) under IPC.

The accused pleaded that he had given money to the husband of the woman and when he demanded it, the couple lodged a false case against him.

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Post demonetisation, demand shot up for storage devices in India, according to global data storage devices maker Seagate.

While this has benefitted the company, surveillance and mass data consumption hold promise for the future, it says.

According to Seagate's senior vice president for global sales & marketing, Teh Ban Seng (BS), the company is in talks with various stakeholders to explore opportunities in these areas.

"We find it terribly exciting. In the area of security, India has been one of the fastest growing regions in the recent past. Demonetisation in November triggered a huge demand for storage drives from major banks as well as for scaling up surveillance installation. We see that as a big (growth) driver," BS told a contingent of Indian media visiting here.

Post-demonetisation, banks in India went rushed to save data on external storage devices for better safekeeping which boosted demand for the devices, the company said.

Seagate is in talks at various levels in India so as to explore demand for data storage solutions, BS said.

"We are talking to everybody to understand how we can participate more effectively with end users, be it government, banks, system integrators, original equipment manufactures (OEMs)," he said.

The company sees huge demand coming from surveillance as well as personal data consumption as it would automatically generate the need for storage, he added.

Globally, there is a shift in data storage location from personal computer (PC) to non-PC storage, the company said.

In a presentation, it said that in 2010 more than half the data storage (65 per cent) was shipped into the PC market, while the rest (35 per cent) data at a capacity of 105 exabytes was into non-PC storage.

By 2020, that predominance will dramatically shift to non-PC storage (69 per cent) to 907 exabytes. By this time, PC storage is expected to shrink to 20 per cent while rest of 11 per cent data are to be stored on smartphones and tablets.

In India, the official said, data drive shipments towards surveillance is increasing fast which is promising.

On smart cities, he said: "From our point of view, (data) storage is one of the growth vertices in India. Other than smart cities, there is a huge potential from consumers."



The PC penetration market in India is still very low. Sale of smartphones is going through the roof, which is great because more the content devices are generating, more the data you are generating and that translates to more opportunities, he said.

"We see Bollywood as a huge opportunity for us in terms of data storage and video editing. It is an area we are putting a lot of focus on," BS added.

This apart, cloud computing with a change in Indian legislation to store data at local centres and big data analytics are areas of interest for Seagate, he said.

In the second quarter of FY2017, the company shipped 68.2 exabytes of hard disk drive (HDD) and earned revenues of over USD 2.89 billion. The company follows July-June fiscal calender.

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An FIR was today lodged against three doctors of a private hospital in Kaushambi here for allegedly cheating and overcharging a patient.

The FIR has been lodged against Sudhir Tyagi, Vikram Grover and A P Singh under sections 420 (cheating) and 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt) of the IPC, Superintendent of Police (City) Salman Taj Patil said.

The FIR was lodged after an inquiry was carried out against the hospital on the direction of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) based on a complaint filed by Amit Tyagi.

Tyagi said that his father Yashveer Singh Tyagi, a retired Air Force officer, was admitted to the hospital in May last year for treatment of kidney-related ailments.

In his complaint to the CMO, he alleged that they were forced to buy medicines from the medical store of the hospital despite his father being entitled to get all facilities and treatment as well as medicines free of cost under the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECSH).

He also alleged that the doctors treating his father "extorted" money from them. Later, the ex-serviceman was shifted to another hospital and he passed away on February 8 this year.

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A major fire broke out on Monday at a multi-storey building housing several godowns in central Kolkata's Burrabazar, creating panic among the residents.

The fire broke out at around 10 pm near Bagri bazar area and 25 fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire intensified due to the presence of inflammable material, including gas cylinders in the godown, a senior official of the fire department said.

"There is no report of any casualty so far and few persons who were trapped inside the building have been rescued," the official said, adding people living in the adjacent buildings were also evacuated.

"It is a massive fire and we are trying to douse it, but the thick smoke is making it difficult for us to reach the spot since the building is located in a congested area behind Burrabazar police station. The blaze is also spreading fast due to the presence of inflammable materials," he said.

State fire minister Sovan Chatterjee, who rushed to the spot, said, "We are trying hard to douse the fire. Our senior officers are here."

Chatterjee, who is also the mayor of the city, supervised the fire fighting operations. Two to three cylinders were taken out during the evacuation in his presence, a fire department personnel said.

"The entire area has been cordoned off for the convenience of the fire fighters. Traffic at Rabindra Sarani has been stopped while the traffic in the MG road area was partially stopped," a police officer said.
Over 350 suspects, including Afghan and Uzbek nationals, have been arrested and arms and drugs recovered from them during a series of countrywide search operations against terrorists, the Army said.

Law enforcement agencies claimed to have recovered arms from the restive North Waziristan and foiled a terror bid in Quetta, the provincial capital of troubled Balochistan.

The agencies arrested over 350 suspects, including Afghan and Uzbek nationals during the countrywide search operations on Saturday night and yesterday, The International said.

They have also recovered arms and drugs from their possession.

Army said a huge cache of arms was recovered from Shirani village of Dattakhel, North Waziristan.

The law enforcers arrested more than 30 suspects and seized arms and drugs during a raid in Gulberg and other areas of Peshawar, while 75 persons were detained in Bannu.

About a dozen Afghan nationals were among 20 people arrested in Karmpur and Jamal Ghouspur areas of Kashmore in Sindh province. Similarly, Rangers and other law enforcers arrested over 160 people, including Afghan nationals, from different parts of Karachi.

In Bahawalpur, 22 suspects were arrested which also included Uzbeks and Afghans.

The police in Quetta claimed to have foiled a major terror bid by recovering a bomb planted on Arbab Karam Khan Road, which was defused by the bomb disposal squad.

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Former Maharashtra Revenue Minister EknathKhadse today appeared before the Dinkar Zoting committee which is looking into the allegations of land grab against him.

"During the hearing Khadse appealed for 'recasting' of issues. We have objected to it, as all the issues, arguments and evidence have already been addressed," counsel for MIDC-Pune Chandrashekhar Jaltare told PTI.

Khadse will be questioned again tommorow, he said.

The Zoting committee was appointed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis following allegations that a plot of land of MIDC in Pune located at Bhosari was transferred in the name of Khadse's wife (Mandakini).

Khadse's role had come under suspicion as it was alleged that the case was of conflict of interest by the minister who had exercised his quasi-judicial powers to clear the land transfer.

When the facts related to the MIDC land in Pune started coming outduring the arguments,Khadsechanged his stand and claimed that he was not aware of the land transaction till June 2016, Jaltare had earlier said.

Khadse, who appeared before the Committee at Ravi Bhavan at around 12.30 PM and left around 2 PM, refused to speak anything on the land grab case and the proceedings.

However, on recent political developments after the conclusion of civic polls, Khadse expressed confidence that Mumbai will have a BJP mayor this time.

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Former Union Minister P Shivshankar, an influential Congress leader during the governments of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, passed away here today. He was 90.

He died this morning due to old age-related health issues, his son Vinay Kumar told PTI.

Shivshankar served as a judge in the then Andhra Pradesh High Court, but resigned from his job and practised law in the High Court and Supreme Court, he said.

He successfully handled cases, especially those related to the Emergency, on the request of Indira Gandhi and won as an MP from Secunderabad in 1978 and 1980.

He served as Union Law Minister in 1980 and also as Minister for Energy (Petroleum).

Indira Gandhi used to wait for Shivshankar's arrival for important meetings, Kumar claimed.

The senior leader played an important role in Congress affairs as well. After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, amid doubts expressed by some, Shivshankar felt that Rajiv Gandhi could become the Prime Minister.

He lost narrowly from Medak Lok Sabha constituency, which was earlier represented by Indira Gandhi. He was, however, elected to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat and held important portfolios like the External Affairs, HRD, Commerce and Planning in Union Cabinet.

He served as Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and also as Leader of Opposition in the Upper House.

In 1998, he was elected to Lok Sabha from Tenali in Coastal Andhra.

He also served as Governor of Sikkim and Kerala.

He joined the Praja Rajyam Party of actor turned politician Chiranjeevi which subsequently merged with Congress.

Born in Hyderabad as one among 11 children, Shivshankar ran away from home as he could not continue studies and reached Amritsar, Kumar said.

He did odd jobs like shoe-polishing in Amritsar, but educated himself. He returned to Hyderabad and joined as PA to then Mayor of the city before becoming a judge in the High Court, he added.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy and several other leaders have condoled the death of Shivshankar.

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Gujarat International Financial Tec-City Special Economic Zone (GIFT SEZ IFSC) today said it has partnered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for exchanging views and expertise in the fields of banking, financial services and securities regulation of each jurisdiction.

The partnership with ADGM, an international finance centre (IFC) in the UAE, also enables both organisations to explore joint activities and training initiatives that will develop human capital capabilities and foster greater growth in both financial markets, a statement issued here stated.

"The growing economies of India and UAE continue to offer business and growth opportunities for companies, corporates and investors worldwide. With markets getting more inter-connected and entities operating globally, we will work with industry and regulators to increase cross-border opportunities for corporates and investors in Gujarat and Abu Dhabi," ADGM CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority Richard Teng said.

GIFT SEZ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gujarat International Financial Tec-City Company (GIFTCL) and is responsible for the development of the special economic zone with regards to International Financial Services Centre.

GIFT SEZ Director and Group CEO Ajay Pandey said, "the collaboration provides a great opportunity for both the centres to work on mutually beneficial areas and synergise the efforts made for progressing the IFCs. This collaboration would go long way in providing institutions located at both the centres to expand in different regions.

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Mobile commerce app Goodbox today said it will be raising more than Rs 16.5 crore (USD 2.5 million) in a little over two months in the next round after seeing a great traction due to sharp increase in mini apps signed in by merchants in just 75 days after "Do-It-Yourself" feature was added.

The next round of funds will be utilised to invest in technology and expansion across India, Goodbox Co-Founder and CEO Abey Zachariah told PTI here.

He said the DIY feature has helped Goodbox to add another 8,000 mini apps in their mega app (Goodbox).

"We addedanother 8,000 mini apps in our mega app in just two-and-half months. We right now boast of 13,000 mini apps on our platform," he said.

DIY is a feature which helps businesses create their own commerce-ready apps on Goodbox platform without much hassles.

Apps are expensive to make and manage, besides involves highmarketing costs.

At present, Goodbox is operational in Bengaluru with 13,000 merchants signed up, including supermarkets, restaurants, laundry chains, rental providers and the like, Zachariah said.

"Goodbox aims to add one lakh mini apps on its platform by the end of this year," he added.

Goodbox had raised nearly Rs 16.5 crore from Nexus Venture Partners in November, 2015, Zachariah said.

The company had earlier raised seed-funding from the Manipal Group, Aprameya Radhakrishna (co-founder TaxiForSure) and Charan Padmaraju (co-founder redBus).

Zachariah said "mini apps are apps within a mega app. So a consumer just has to download the mega app and gets access to 1000s of Mini Apps through the mega app."



"Consumers prefer to download one app from which they can buy from and interact with multiple businesses. These apps are rarely deleted because they have 1000s of businesses on one platform."



"They can search for the name of a business, find their Mini App and just click on + to add that business' Mini App to their home screen. Adding a Mini App to your home screen takes less than 10 mili seconds," he added.

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Senior diplomat Gopal Baglay was today appointed Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry succeeding Vikas Swarup, who was made India's new High Commissioner to Canada.

A 1992-batch officer of Indian Foreign Service, Baglay was handling the sensitive PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) division in the ministry till now. Deepak Mittal is the new in-charge of the PAI division.

"Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors," Baglay tweeted.

Apart from Spokesperson, his designation would also be Joint Secretary External Publicity (XP).

"I wish my successor Gopal Baglay all the best for the new assignment. He will take MEA communications to the next level, online & offline!



"Today I bid farewell as the Official Spokesperson, an extraordinary privilege and honour! You can follow me in my new role on @VikasSwarup," Swarup tweeted while handing over the charge to Baglay.

Baglay has held many key positions including Director, XP, Director PAI and Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Mittal, who joined the IFS in 1998, has since served in Bangladesh, Egypt and Israel in various capacities and as Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. His last position was as Joint Secretary in CPV (Consular, Passport and Visa) division.

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Unidentified miscreants shot dead a security guard and a cashier of an ATM cash van today near 17 number under Sohsarai police station of Bihar's Nalanda district.

Sohsarai Police Station Officer In-charge J P Yadav said the deceased have been identified as Brajnandan Prasad (security guard) and Ranjit Kumar (cashier) of the cash van.

Prasad was the resident of Jadnandanpur village under Rahui Police Station and Kumar was the resident of Mansur Nagar village within the limits of Biharsharif police station of the district, Yadav said.

He said the armed miscreants shot dead the guard and the cashier when they were bringing in cash to replenish an ATM.

There were four criminals on two motorcycles who had come to loot the cash van, he said, adding the miscreants also took away the rifle of the security guard with them.

Yadav said the criminals fled from the scene after throwing away the rifle in a field.

The bodies have been sent to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for post-mortem and raids were on to nab the miscreants, he said.

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The movement for reservation will continue and the Patidar community needs to put up a united fight for it, quota agitation leader Hardik Patel said, as he held his first rally here since over one-and-a-half years.

"There are divisions within our community, we need to unite to make our movement strong," said Hardik, who shot to fame after galvanizing Patidar masses in a Gujarat-wide movement to demand reservations under the OBC quota in 2015.

"We should not forget violence inflicted upon our people after the GMDC rally. The deaths of our youths were due to atrocities inflicted on them by the administration," the 23-year-old leader said.

This was Hardik's first public meet in the city after the mega rally on August 25, 2015. After Hardik was detained from the GMDC ground here on that day, violence had broken out in different parts of the state and around 10 youths had died in clashes with the police.

Later, he was arrested on sedition charges and jailed before being released on bail by Gujarat High Court on July 15 last year on the condition that he will stay outside the state for six months, starting from July 17.

He then stayed at Udaipur in Rajasthan and returned to Gujarat on January 17.

"In the last 18 months, the ruling party tried to break our agitation time and again. Sedition cases were filed against us. But we are not going to break, the reservation stir will go on and nobody can stop it," he said.

Hardik said the agitation is for the future generations of Patels, as they will benefit from reservation.

The meeting, held in Nikol area of the city, was organised to felicitate the families of Army soldiers -- Lance Naik Gopal Sinh Bhadoriya and Major Rushikesh Ramani -- who lost their lives while fighting against insurgents and also Patidar youths who died during the quota stir.

Hardik also reminded his community members that they have had "not given proper respect" to former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, who is from their community.

"During Keshubhai's time, Gujarat's debt was Rs 36,000 crore but now it is more than Rs 3 lakh crore, what sort of development is this?," he claimed, adding, "Keshubhai started schemes that were responsible for development of the state. But our community has not given due respect to him.

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India and Israel are planning to hold a series of events to celebrate 25 years of establishment of their diplomatic ties.

India had established full diplomatic relationship with Israel in 1992 though it had recognised the country in 1950.

"Both the governments are contemplating to hold a series of events on a variety of subjects to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The ties between the two countries are on an upswing, particularly in areas of defence and agriculture.

India is the largest buyer of Israel's military hardware and the latter has been supplying various weapon systems, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles over the last few years but the transactions have largely remained behind the curtains.

"India and Israel have been cooperating each other on many fronts including cooperation in defence and in agriculture and achieved milestones in fostering bilateral relationship," the MEA said.

It said both the countries are committed to further deepening and diversifying the relation in many areas including those of space, science and technology, education and innovation.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had visited India in November during which both sides had decided to "broadbase" their already close defence partnership.

There were indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit the country sometime this year.

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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!)
Pakistan today deployed extra police and paramilitary troops in Islamabad as the national capital was put on high alert ahead of a high-profile multi-nation regional economic summit on Wednesday.

Officials from Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan have already arrived here to take part in the preparatory meetings of the 10-member Economic Cooperation Organisation.

Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan chaired a high-level meeting today to discuss security and recommend measures as part of the foolproof security arrangements.

Khan told the officials that it was "question of image of Pakistan" and every necessary step will be taken to ensure the security of the foreign guests.

"The government has announced local holiday in the capital and neighbouring Rawalpindi on March 1 while the office and educational institutions will close at mid-day on February 28," according to an official announcement.

A major highway leading to venue of the summit will also be closed. Extra police and paramilitary troops will patrol the capital and man the major points. Extra checking points have also been established.

A senior official of the interior ministry said that already special measures had been taken to protect the capital from any attack after a wave of suicide bombings this month but the security was further enhanced due to the ECO summit.

"Now the security is in high alert mode in the capital," he said.

More than 125 people were killed and hundreds others injured in a string of bombings and suicide attacks recently.

The deteriorating security situation forced Pakistan government to launch nationwide Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to eliminate terrorism.

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A Palestinian woman suspected of intending to attack Israeli guards at a West Bank checkpoint into Jerusalem was shot and injured by security forces today, police said.

The 30-year-old woman walked towards the guards at the Qalandia checkpoint using the vehicle-only lane "all the time clutching her handbag in a way that made them suspicious", police spokeswoman Luba Samri wrote in a statement.

She had ignored repeated orders to halt and they opened fire.

The Palestinian woman was lightly injured and taken by Israeli ambulance for medical treatment, Samri added, without specifying if any suspect items were found in her handbag.

Since a wave of violence broke out in October 2015, 252 Palestinians, 41 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities, with others were killed during protests, in clashes or Israeli air raids on Gaza.

The rate of attacks has declined sharply in recent months.

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Israeli aircraft hit targets in the Gaza Strip today, hours after a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory slammed into southern Israel.

"Three bombs were dropped by the air force on a Hamas military base east of Nusseirat refugee camp," south of Gaza city, a Palestinian security source said.

The planes also made two raids against Hamas lookout posts along the border with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, and on a base of Islamic Jihad's military wing in the north of the strip, the source said.

Israeli tanks along the border fired at several targets.

The Gaza health ministry said four people were wounded, none of them seriously.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman confirmed the strikes, blaming Hamas.

"We have no intention to initiate a military action in Gaza but we have no intention to accept sporadic fire," Lieberman said at a meeting of his political party.

Hamas said Israel carried "full responsibility" for what it called a "dangerous escalation."



Before dawn the Israeli military said "a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area...In southern Israel". There were no casualties.

Early in February, Israel hit Gaza with tank fire and air strikes that wounded three Palestinians in response to a projectile fired from the Palestinian territory which did not inflict casualties.

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The issue of division of Uttar Pradesh has once again bounced back to the centre stage of state politics with BSP supremo Mayawati raking up the issue that had been lying dormant in the polls till now.

"If BSP forms government, it will not sit idle...It will divide UP into four smaller states, including Purvanchal, as proposed by the previous BSP government," Mayawati had said at an election meeting in Gorakhpur.

Gorakhpur is the hub of eastern UP or Purvanchal, the area which is considered to have lagged behind in development. Polling will take place in this area in the sixth and penultimate phase on March 4.

Mayawati had passed a resolution in the UP Assembly towards the fag end of her government in 2011 to carve out Harit Pradesh (western UP), Poorvanchal (eastern UP), Bundelkhand and Awadh.

"Your under-developed district can't be developed till the creation of a separate state. Efforts in this direction will be stepped up if the BSP comes to power. This election, you need to punish the Congress, BJP and SP, which have been opposing creation of Purvanchal," Mayawati had said on Sunday.

The issue of division of Uttar Pradesh had been lying dormant till now with major political parties including the BSP preferring silence so far.

Though there had been demands from different quarters, it was the BSP which had taken a concrete step in this direction by passing a resolution for division of UP.

Mayawati, who has been a strong supporter of the issue, had also used it to corner the Samajwadi Party on development and law and order issues, maintaining that smaller states could be governed better.

She had first raised the issue way back in 2007.

Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, by whose name Mayawati swears, had recommended division of Uttar Pradesh in his book "Bhashayi Rajya".

Both BJP and Congress had supported the resolution brought by Mayawati in the House. But, as Mayawati lost power in 2012 and ended up with just 80 seats against 206 seats in 2007, her demand lost steam and the issue surprisingly finds no mention in manifestos of other parties or in speeches made by their leaders this time.

As BJP-led NDA had carved out Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh from UP, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh respectively, it was believed that further division of UP might find favour with it but the party has been silent on the issue and understandably so as its stakes are high.

The saffron party has preferred skirting the issue in these election though it even recently used to emphasise on giving recognition to regional aspirations.

Samajwadi Party, which is opposed to the idea of any further division of the state, has ignored the issue in its campaign fearing that such a development might harm its electoral prospects while giving an edge to Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) headed by Ajit Singh, BJP and Congress.

The BJP manifesto is silent on the issue and speaks only about setting up Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal development boards if voted to power in UP.

All the more interesting is the fact that Ajit Singh's RLD, which used to sing the Harit Pradesh tune every election, is silent on the issue which even five years ago was central to campaigning by almost all political parties barring SP.

Besides RLD, Raja Bundela's Bundelkhand Congress, Kalyan Singh's erstwhile Jan Kranti Party, Amar Singh's now defunct Rashtriya Lok Manch and Ayub Khan's Peace Party  all pitched for division of the state  but most of them drew a blank in the Assembly elections in 2012.

While Mayawati's strength dropped to 80 seats from 206, RLD got nine - one less than the previous tally, and Peace Party could get only four. On the other hand, Samajwadi Party, the only party to oppose the demand, stormed to power with a landslide victory, bagging 224 of the 403 Assembly seats.

Analysts said one reason could be the fact that people took pride in being residents of one of the country's largest state and did not wish to give up that identity.
The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to spell out its stand on PILs seeking removal of portraits of late chief minister Jayalalithaa from government offices and schemes on the ground she had been 'convicted' in a disproportionate wealth case.

The first bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan asked the government to respond by March 20 and posted the matter to that day.

The court gave the direction on petitions by senior DMK functionary J Anbalagan, MLA, and Advocates Forum for Social Justice with similar pleas.

The bench orally observed that display of portraits in private offices or offices of political parties could not be gone into, but said the government should respond to all queries raised by the petitioners related to display of portraits in government offices and schemes.

Senior counsel P Wilson appearing for Anbalagan, contended that only because of her demise the charges against Jayalalithaa were abated and was not sentenced to jail but she was convicted by the Supreme Court. She was constitutionally debarred from occupying any public office, he submitted.

The portraits of a convicted person cannot be displayed in the government offices or in the schemes implemented by the government, he argued.

He further submitted that a representation was already made to the government in this regard on February 25.

To this, the bench observed, "Give them breathing time. Let them take a decision on displaying the portraits in public offices post-conviction.Let them answer all queries raised by you."



President of Advocates Forum for Social Justice K Balu, submitted that the Supreme Court had not given a clean chit to Jayalalithaa instead found guilty of offences such as conspiracy and corruption.

Noting that her photographs were affixed on doles such as free table fan, mixie and grinder, besides school bag, geometry box, etc, Balu said, "Even in a dictator-ruled nation this would not happen."



To this, the bench remarked, "This is the style of administration that exists here for several decades."



The petitioner had sought removal of Jayalalithaa's photograph and the name 'Amma', as the late leader was affectionately called, from all government schemes.

On February 14, the Supreme Court had restored in toto the judgement and findings of the trial court in Bengaluru which held all the accused, including Jayalalithaa, guilty in the corruption case.

However, the apex court abated the proceedings against Jayalalithaa in view of her death on December 5 last.

Jayalalithaa, her close aide and current AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala and two others were accused of amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during her first term as the chief minister from 1991 to 1996.

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Airstrikes on Syria's rebel-held Idlib province killed at least 11 people today, opposition activists said, in the latest spasm of violence to mar UN-brokered talks in Geneva between the government and the opposition.

Separately, there were unconfirmed reports that a top al-Qaeda official was killed in an airstrike, also in Idlib. Also today, pro-government forces drove Islamic State militants out of a line of villages in the congested Turkish frontier region, blocking the path of rival Turkish-backed opposition forces from reaching the de facto IS capital, Raqqa, activists said.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, said Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, the deputy to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, may have been killed in a US airstrike on an unmarked sedan on Sunday evening. It cited reports circulating on Jihadist social media accounts.

The northwestern province falls largely under the control of an al-Qaida-linked rebel coalition. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by fighting are living as refugees there. Images of the vehicle purported to have been carrying Abdulrahman, known more widely by his nom de guerre Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, showed damage to the passenger compartment of the beige Kia sedan but no damage to the engine block.

The roof was blown open on the right side of the vehicle. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a top al-Qaida official was killed in a drone strike, but could not confirm it was al-Masri.

Al-Masri was a close affiliate to late al-Qaida founder Osama Bin Laden and was once the chairman of the organization's management council, according to a Washington Post report citing leaked US intelligence documents dating back to 2008.

Iranian authorities are believed to have jailed him following the 9/11 attacks before releasing him in a prison exchange with al-Qaida in Yemen in 2015.

A senior official at a rival jihadist faction in northern Syria urged caution over the reports, saying other top al-Qaida officials in Syria had staged their own deaths only to defect from the organization.

The official asked not to be identified because of rivalries between the various factions.

There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon. In central-north Syria, government forces and allied Hezbollah militiamen cut an arc through Islamic State-held territory to reach independent, Kurdish-led forces near the Euphrates River, effectively preventing Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces from heading south from the frontier toward Raqqa.

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Karnataka can attract over 15 crore domestic tourists and about 10 lakh foreigners by 2019, if the state promotes more inclusive tourism policies to derive better synergy of tourism and infrastructure development, a study conducted by industry body ASSOCHAM said.

It also said Karnataka has acquired third highest share in investments attracted by hospitality business.

Domestic tourist visits in Karnataka can grow at a rate of about six per cent considering the recent trends of rise in domestic tourist visits together with improvement seen in physical infrastructure, rise in income and an increasing thrust on tourism promotion by state government, it said.

The research, conducted by the The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Economic Research Bureau, was released to the media here.

It said with an year-on-year growth of over 13 per cent, Karnataka recorded over six lakh foreign tourist visits in 2015. However, it must further develop necessary tourist infrastructure and promote several other potential cities.

"The state government should look towards promoting tourism circuit concept by grouping together a number of tourist destinations and offer the same as a package. Such circuits can be formed through conjunction of sites in order to offer the travellers with a more complete experience," ASSOCHAM Karnataka Regional Development Council Chairman Shivakumar said.

With about 12 per cent share in total investments attracted by hotels and tourism industry across the country, Karnataka ranked third after Maharashtra (17 per cent) and Gujarat (14.5 per cent), the research report said.

The state attracted investments worth over Rs 11,000 crore of the total outstanding investments worth over Rs 93,400 crore attracted by the hotels and tourism industry in India as of June 2016.

Though more emphasis is being laid upon luring foreign tourists in India, interestingly the share of domestic tourists travelling within India has increased from 95.5 per cent in 1991 to over 98 per cent in 2015, while share of foreign tourists has decreased significantly from 4.5 per cent to 1.6 per cent during this period, the study said.

The number of domestic tourists has increased from about 67 million in 1991 to 1,432 million in 2015, whereas the number of foreign tourists visiting India from about three million to 23 million during the same period, it added.

Pointing out that Tamil Nadu leads in attracting maximum domestic tourists with a share of over 23 per cent in the total (143 crore) domestic tourist visits in 2015, the study said it is followed by Uttar Pradesh (14 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (8.5 per cent) and Karnataka (8.4 per cent).

It said in number of domestic tourist visits, West Bengal has recorded highest year-on-year (2014-2015) growth rate of over 43 per cent. It is followed by Telangana (30.5 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (30.3 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (22.6 per cent) and Gujarat (17.4 per cent), the study added.

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With the arrest of two persons and the apprehension of a juvenile, police claimed to have rescued a seven-year-old boy kidnapped from near his home in northwest Delhi.

The kidnapping plan was hatched by a jilted lover of the victim's aunt to teach his maternal grandfather a lesson, said Vijayanta Arya, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-I (Northwest).

The child's maternal aunt had been compelled by her family to break up with the accused and he wanted to exact revenge on the woman's father.

He roped in his friends by promising them to give the money which they would get as ransom, the police officer said.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he didn't kidnap the child for ransom.

Around 8 PM on February 25, the accused persons reached outside the boy's house near Raja Park in northwest Delhi on a white scooty.

One of them misled the child, who was playing with his friends, by asking him to come with them as they will take him to his maternal uncle for a party.

The child easily believed him and sat on the scooty. The other two then took him to a room in Tri Nagar.

Around 7 AM the next day, one of the accused called the child's mother from a PCO booth at New Delhi railway station and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakh for the child's release.

The caller also told her that he would call her around 3 PM to let her know the place and the mode of payment.

Extensive search was conducted in the neighbourhood areas based on the description of the accused and the victim.

The mother informed police that she doesn't live with her husband. It was also found that the child's maternal aunt had ended her relationship with a man due to family pressure, she said.

Based on call detail records and local intelligence, the accused was identified as Mohd Kapil, a resident of Shakurpur.

He was arrested, along with Hasan, and a juvenile was apprehended.

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The Liberian coast guard has detained three foreign vessels that were fishing illegally in the country's waters, in a joint operation with the Sea Sheperd environmental group, the defence ministry said today.

Two of the ships were from China and Ghana, Defence Ministry spokesman David Dahn said.

He did not indicate the nationality of the third, which was held "near the Ivoirian border but in our waters", but Sea Sheperd said it was from Senegal.

The joint Operation Sola Stella involving some 20 people began more than three weeks ago in order to "totally eradicate the illegal fishing in our waters", Dahn said.

Sea Shepherd confirmed the information in a statement.

It said two Israeli maritime advisors and conservationists were "providing training assistance" as part of the operation.

The NGO quoted Defence Minister Brownie Samukai as saying he would "personally make sure" that those arrested "will be punished to the full extent of the law. We will make it very, very clear that the time for illegal fishing is over.

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Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said that the government's decision to allow Jharkhand Beverage Corporation Limited to control the retail business of liquor was aimed at complete prohibition of liquor in the state.

"The government has decided to allow the corporation to control the retail liquor business and gradually make people aware before imposing liquor ban so that there is complete involvement of the people," Das said.

Referring to the meeting with the corporate representatives, Das said, "Tata Steel would provide Rs 15 crore, which is one per cent of the amount to be received under corporate social responsibility for Swach Bharat Mission (rural) in East and West Singhbhum district per annum."



"The amount would be utilised to make the district free from open defecation," he said.

"Tata Motors has been entrusted with the responsibility to develop 45 villages in East Singhbhum district as ODF," he said.

The chief minister also said that the youth of the state would be provided with skill development training along with quality education.

"The government would launch recruitment process from July to enrol 45,000 people in various departments including teachers and police," he said, adding that a men and women battalion of primitive tribe would also be raised.

Besides, the government would also form 'Entrepreneur Sakhi Mandal' to empower women.

Asked on the recently concluded Global Investors Summit, the chief minister said that investment was needed for all round development of the state and emphasis has been given to encourage small and medium scale industries for development of rural pockets.

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The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature will begin here on March 6, amid severe strains in ties of the ruling partners BJP and Shiv Sena after a bitter face-off by the saffron parties in the recent civic polls across the state.

The state budget for 2017-18, the third since the Devendra Fadnavis government came to power in 2014, will be presented on March 18.

After a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) today, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat said the session, having 23 working days, will conclude on April 7.

The session will commence with Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint sitting of the both houses of the legislature, laying down the roadmap for the government for the year ahead.

Discussion on the Governor's address will take place on March 8 and 9, followed by the Chief Minister's reply.

Supplementary Demands will be taken up on March 15 and Vote on Account on March 22. Discussions on department- wise budgetary demands will begin from March 24.

There will be a three-day break for Gudi Padwa from March 26 to 28, while for Ram Navmi from April 2 to 4.

The legislative business before the house includes two pending bills and six ordinances to be replaced by legislations.

On March 21, both houses will felicitate NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and PWP legislator Ganpatrao Deshmukh, who have completed 50 years in electoral politics.

The legislature will also pay homage to former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Shivtare from the Sena was present at the BAC meeting.

The civic polls across the state had witnessed a grim battle between Shiv Sena and the BJP, especially in the prestigeous Brihanmumbai Municipal Corportation (BMC), where the results threw up a fractured verdict.

The suspense over alignment of parties for controlling the Mumbai civic body continues, with the Congress, which finished third in the race with 31 seats, ruling out support to Shiv Sena and the BJP refusing to accept Congress's backing.

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A murder convict lodged at the central prison here escaped from the jail this afternoon, police said.

"The prisoner, identified as Shamal Dinesh Biswas, was convicted in a murder case and was serving a life imprisonment in the central jail here," Dhantoli Police Inspector Rajan Mane said.

According to the officer, the prisoners, including Shamal, had gathered for lunch around 11.30 am today.

"However, during the counting of the prisoners held around 1.30 pm, he was not found," Mane added.

Police have launched a massive search operation to trace the prisoner, the officer said.

He was earlier lodged in a Kolhapur jail, but was transferred to Nagpur jail last year.

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Pakistan's former dictator General Pervez Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in Dubai, seems to have chosen mainstream media as his career of choice after failing to make a dent in politics, according to a media report.

The 73-year-old retired general and former president seems to have chosen mainstream media as his career of choice with Bol TV billing him as the main attraction of a weekly TV programme, Dawn newspaper reported.

According to the promotional video aired by Bol TV, the weekly show is called 'Sab Se Pehle Pakistan with President Musharraf' and will be aired every Sunday at 8 pm, it said.

The first episode, which was aired yesterday, saw Musharraf responding to an anchor's questions from Dubai - where he is currently living in self-exile.

The Nawaz Sharif government had in March 2016 allowed Musharraf to travel abroad to seek "medical attention" after the Supreme Court lifted a ban on his travel abroad.

This had stirred a controversy as Musharraf had been facing a treason case for abrogating the Constitution and imposing an emergency in 2007.

An anti-terrorism court had on December 8, 2016 given a month's deadline to Musharraf to surrender in the judges' detention case. The court had warned that Musharraf would be declared a 'proclaimed offender' if he failed to comply with the deadline.

Musharraf, who went into self-imposed exile in Dubai after being forced to resign as president facing impeachment following the 2008 elections, had returned to Pakistan in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several cases. He also lost in the polls.

Meanwhile, Bol TV, which is hosting Musharraf, was recently mired in a tussle with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) over 'hate speech' aired from its platform.

Last month, Pemra had issued a show-cause notice to Labbaik Pvt Ltd (Bol News channel) for defying an order to discontinue the Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga programme, and to keep its host, Amir Liaquat, off the air.

The electronic media regulator had taken exception to the programme over its "controversial and hate-based contents" and barred Liaquat from appearing on any TV screen.
plans to send its first robotic spacecraft to the Sun next year that is slated to get within six million kilometres of the blazing star to probe its atmosphere.

Humans have sent spacecraft to the Moon, Mars and even distant interstellar space. Now, plans to launch the Solar Probe Plus mission to the Sun which is about 149 million kilometres from the Earth.

"This is going to be our first mission to fly to the Sun," said Eric Christian, a research scientist at Goddard Space Flight Centre.

"We can't get to the very surface of the Sun," but the mission will get close enough to answer three important questions, Christian said.

First, the mission will hopefully unveil why the surface of the Sun, called the photosphere, is not as hot as its atmosphere, called the corona.

According to NASA, the surface temperature of the Sun is only about 5,500 degrees Celsius. However, the atmosphere above it is a sizzling two million degrees Celsius.

"You would think the farther away you get from a heat source, you would get colder. Why the atmosphere is hotter than the surface is a big puzzle," Christian said.

The scientists also want to know how solar wind gets its speed, 'Live Science' reported.

"The Sun blows a stream of charged particles in all directions at a million miles an hour. But we do not understand how that gets accelerated," he said.

The mission may also ascertain why the Sun occasionally emits high-energy particles that are a danger to unprotected astronauts and spacecraft.

NASA has designed a 11.4 centimetres carbon-composite shield, which is designed to withstand temperatures outside the spacecraft of 1,370 degrees Celsius.

The unmanned probe will have special heat tubes called thermal radiators that will radiate heat that permeates the heat shield to open space, "so it does not go to the instruments, which are sensitive to heat," Christian added.
Naxalswentona rampagein parts of Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Bastar region damaging a culvert on national highway and torching trucks to ensure that their day-long bandh today was successful.

"Naxals executed three incidents at separate places last night in Sukma district to enforce their shutdown call for today," a senior police official told PTI.

The maoists blew up an under-construction culvert near Pedakurti village under Dornapal police station limits on NH- 30 between Sukma town and Konta, he said.

However, vehicular movement on the route was unaffected, he added.

In the second incident, maoists damaged a slurry pipeline belonging to a private steel company in Gadiras area of the district bordering Dantewada district, he said.

The pipeline was constructed by the steel company to transport iron from Bailadila iron ore mines (Dantewada) in the slurry form to its plant in Visakhapatnam, he said.

Soon after being informed, security forces were sent to the spot, the officer said.

Maintenance work was underway and supply will be restored soon, the official said.

In another incident, two trucks were set ablaze by naxals in Kukanar police station of the district, he added.

"No incident was reported today in Bastar division," he added.

The bandh call has hit normal life in the interior pockets of Bastar as transporters havestoppedplying buses to the remote areas fearingnaxalattacks.

However, traffic was normal between district headquarters and major towns, he added.

Meanwhile, the naxals have thrown pamphlets and put up posters in the interiors of Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur districts appealing to support their bandh call which is a protest against fake encounters, rapes of tribal women by security personnel and failure on part of the state government to fulfill promises made to the farmers.

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Bihar Assembly today witnessed vociferous protest by NDA members demanding CBI probe into the paper leak scam in clerical grade examination of Bihar State Service Commission (BSSC).

They were also demanding the sacking of ministers reported to have sent recommendation to the BSSC Chairman in favour of their candidates.

As the House sat for the day, Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar demanded suspension of the Question Hour to take up the urgent matter of the paper leak in BSSC exam.

With the Speaker refusing to accept the plea citing that it was not in accordance with rules and it was not the right time for raising it, BJP and its NDA allies trooped into the Well and demanded a CBI probe and the sacking of the ministers.

The Question Hour continued despite slogan shouting by the opposition members.

NDA members whose names were called out for raising questions did not do so and remained in the Well.

The opposition protest intensified subsequently and before the House was adjourned till 2 PM, some members upturned Assembly reporters' table forcing the staff to vacate their seat and also flew order papers in the air.

The protest gained momentum when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrived in the House.

The Speaker urged the agitating members and Leader of



the Opposition to maintain order in the House but his repeated pleas failed to stop the protesting MLAs.

Later outside the House, former Chief Minister and BJP's ally Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) President Jitan Ram Manjhi attacked the Grand Alliance government over the issue.

Manjhi, during whose tenure BSSC Chairman Sudhir Kumar, who is under arrest now in connection with the paper leak issue, was the Home Secretary, told reporters that his arrest reflects the "vindictive" attitude of the government.

"I have some papers which I will make public in a day or two regaring ministers and other members of Grand Alliance government sending recommendation to BSSC Chairman in favour of their candidates in the exam for recruitment of clerks," Manjhi said.

Inspector General of Police N H Khan who had come to the Assembly, in reply to repeated queries of mediapersons on the paper leak issue, said the inquiry was moving ahead in the "right direction".

Meanwhile, IAS officers wore black ribbon while attending duty to continue with their protest against colleague Sudhir Kumar whom they described as an "honest" officer.

Vivek Kumar Singh, state IAS Association Secretary, said they would continue to protest against the BSSC Chairman's arrest.
One can now apply for visas to multiple countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Latvia, in Pune with the launch of VFS Global's new joint visa application centre today.

The centre will also serve 15 other Schengen countries, including Sweden, Swiss, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Norway, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Estonia, a release issued here said.

In addition to this, the centre will also cater to the client governments of Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey and UAE, it said.

With the launch of the new joint visa application centre, VFS Global has consolidated all visa requirements under one roof.

"We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Joint Visa Application Centre in Pune city that will cater to visa requirements for multiple countries.

"Through this modern and spacious visa application facility, we will serve the increasing volumes of visa applications from the city, maintaining best-in-class standards of service quality," VFS Global Chief Operating Officer, Middle East and South Asia, Vinay Malhotra said.

"At VFS Global, we are committed to provide professional and convenient services to applicants in a manner that is safe and secure, ensuring a smooth travel experience," said Malhotra.

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A top Congressman heading the House intelligence committee said today that there is "no evidence" of any contact between the Trump Campaign and Russia.

"There is no evidence that I've been presented (by the intelligence community) of regular contact with anybody in the Trump campaign. The way it sounds like to me is, it's been looked into, and there's no evidence of anything there," House Intelligence Committee Chairman David Nunes told reporters here.

Addressing a conference here, on Russian hacking reports, Nunes said he and his committee members have not seen any evidence of anyone from the Trump campaign or any other campaign for that matter that has communicated with the Russian government.

Responding to questions, Nunes said the recent leaks being reported in the mainstream media is committing a major crime.

"If you look at what's happened, major crimes have been committed. And what I'm concerned about is this, no one is focusing on major leaks that have occurred here," he said.

"So right after the leak of the transcript that President (Donald) Trump had with the Australian Prime Minister, I was in contact with the Australian ambassador. I was also in contact with the White House and the appropriate agencies because we can't run a government like this. A government can't function with massive leaks at the highest level of our president talking to foreign leaders," he said.

Nunes said one should be concerned about these major leaks.

Insisting that there would be no evidence of that nor is there any evidence of the Trump advisers speaking to Russians, he claimed that it has been known for a long time that the Russians have been very interested in manipulating elections, manipulating the press.

"They're very good at propaganda. That's what caused me a year ago to come out and criticise the intelligence agencies for the largest intelligence failure since 9/11 because of the lack of good intelligence we were getting on Putin's plans and intentions," he said.

"We do need to have some scrutiny put on to the Russian government and we do need to know if there are any Americans that are talking to the Russians and anybody connected to the Russian government or Russian agents. But at this time, I want to be very careful that we can't just go on a witch hunt against Americans because they appear in a story somewhere," Nunes said in response to a question.

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The iconic Nokia 3310 is set to make a comeback in a new trendier avatar, with HMD Global bringing the handset to India in the next quarter for about Rs 3,500.

HMD Global, which has struck a 10-year brand licensing agreement with Nokia for mobile phones and tablets, will also bring in Android-powered Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 to India in the second quarter of this year.

"All the products that we have announced Nokia 3310, Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 will be available in the second quarter of this year in India. Average global selling price for Nokia 3310 is 49 euros," HMD Global Oy Chief Marketing Officer Pekka Rantala told PTI in an interview here.

The revamped 3310 model features bigger screen. Its 22 hours of talk time and up to one month of standby time are expected to position the handset as a back-up for smartphone users.

Nokia 3310, known for its robustness, was the most widely used feature phone globally in 2000-05. It is estimated to have sold 126 million units globally when there were only a few countries with mobile networks.

The model was discontinued in 2005 globally. It was when India had very small mobile subscriber base of less than 85 million compared to over 1 billion at present.

Once the world's biggest handset company, Nokia in 2014 sold its ailing handset operations to Microsoft for USD 7 billion to focus on its network equipment business.

However, last year, the brand got a new lease of life with HMD Global, a new company led by ex-Nokia executives, getting the licence.

"Now, we are celebrating the new era of Nokia brand that is the reason we are with HMD Global. Let me also be very clear that we would not license the Nokia brand to just anybody. It means too much to us. We chose carefully. We looked at the market. We looked at Google to be our brand licensing partner which could do this for a long time," Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri said.

The new Nokia 3310 is a dual SIM 2.5G feature phone with 1200 mAH battery that promises around 22 hours of talk time with one-time full charge.

It has 2.4-inch display, 2 megapixel camera with LED flash, bluetooth and USB connectivity option and 16 MB internal with external storage option of up to 32 GB. To be available in 4 colours, the Nokia 3310 will allow users to play iconic games like Snake as well.

"When we went to our distributors for price survey, they mentioned higher prices. But we want to sell our phones at prices which are sustainable. When it comes to India, I believe there is a consumer profile which will see it (Nokia 3310) as a second phone," Rantala said.

In countries like India, there is a huge population and target group that will see Nokia 3310 as their first phone or primary phone, he added.

HMD Global has also unveiled Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 smartphones for 189 euros and 139 euros, respectively, built on Google's Android platform. The company has already been selling Nokia 6 in China.

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The Dao Division of the Assam



Rifles has apprehended a cadre of the NSCN(K) outfit from Mulong village.

The cadre, identified as Machow Ngaimong, was arrested from the village yesterday during an operation launched by the Assam Rifles team based on specific intelligence inputs, Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer informed in a release today.

The arrested cadre was involved in terrorising people and carrying out extortion in the village.

A pistol and live ammunitions were recovered from his possession, the release said.

On interrogation, the cadre admitted allegiance to NSCN(K) and divulged that he has been actively working for the outfit for the last seven years. With this arrest, the security forces have so far apprehended several cadres of the outfit in the last two weeks, the release said.

The security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations in the district and the arrest of the cadre has struck a blow to the extortion activities being carried out by the cadres of the group in the area, the release claimed.

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Opposition parties rushed to the defence of a Kargil martyr's daughter after she came under harsh criticism today from BJP members for her campaign against violence in the name of nationalism.

One BJP MP, Pratap Simha of Karnataka, compared Gurmehar Kaur to wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim, while Union minister Kiren Rijiju suggested her mind was "polluted". One person, on Facebook, threatened to rape her.

"You may not like what the person thinks but...Mindless threats, trolling emanating from people whom the Prime Minister of India follows (sic). This is the worst form of state intimidation and this is not how democracies and democratic countries function," said Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari.

The 24-year-old Kaur's social media campaign, promoting free speech and condemning violence in the name of nationalism, has also won her massive support and caught the imagination of many young people.

In her campaign, she has blasted the ABVP, the RSS-aligned students wing, for instigating violence at New Delhi's Ramjas College last week.

"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 Indian's heart.

"It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation," Kaur said in a Facebook status.

Taking on the Delhi University student, Simha tweeted, "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand."



To mock her, Simha also posted a photograph showing Dawood with the message, "I didn't kill people in 1993. Bombs killed them."



Rijiju also took to Twitter to take a dig at her.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the minister of state for Home Affairs said.

Talking to reporters, he later said, "One should not say things which could demoralise the countrymen and the forces. Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country.

Apart from the Congress, the AAP and the CPI(M) also



reacted sharply and demanded "strict action" against those who allegedly threaten to rape Kaur.

Posting a video of Kaur, where she is talking about rape threats issued to her, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "THIS is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism (sic)."



"Women are afraid to speak their mind because of rape threats...Strict action against must be taken against those who threatened Kaur with rape," Atishi Marlena, a member of the AAP's political affairs committee (PAC), said.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury attributed the alleged threat to "fascistic tendency" of the RSS and its affiliates.

He demanded that the central government should ensure protection to life and liberty of individuals.

"This is exactly the culture of the RSS and all its organisations. They will not allow any plurality of opinion ...This is a fascistic tendency," Yechury alleged.

Former attorney general Soli Sorabjee said, "This is scandalous. This can't be. You can't give such threats to women. This is disgraceful and must be put down with a heavy hand."



Reacting to Rijiju's tweet, Marlena said, "Who is polluting whose mind? The ABVP, through social media, is threatening women with rape. The MoS Home should not know what his priorities are when women are receiving such explicit threats."



She said, "The hooliganism which the ABVP and the BJP supporters resort to happens in the real world. But it is also happening in the virtual world.

"Sexual abuse against women is very common, women are getting rape threats and those who give such threats are being followed by senior BJP leader.
In a goodwill gesture, a 50-year-old Pakistani national was sent back to his home country today, a day after he inadvertantly crossed over to the Indian territory in Punjab.

"On Februray 26, BSF troops of Border Out Post Kassowal, Gurdaspur Sector apprehended one Pak National namely Sabir Hussain, son of Fazal Hussain, resident of Narowal (Pakistan) while he inadvertently crossed International Boundary and entered inside the Indian territory and reached near Border Security Fence," a BSF official said here.

He said the Pakistan Rangers were contacted today and Sabir was handed over to them on humanitarian grounds.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is in the national capital to meet the Prime Minister today where he is expected to raise issues like Cauvery water sharing and exmeption of the state from NEET.

This is Palaniswami's maiden visit to Delhi after taking charge as Chief Minister.

He is expected to raise before Prime Minister Narendra Modi a range of issues including exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET, Cauvery water sharing, besides seeking central funds for damage caused by cyclone 'Vardah' in the meeting this evening.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai and other MPs belonging to V K Sasikala camp made visits to the Tamil Nadu House to meet Palaniswami.

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan too visited Palaniswami who is on a two-day visit here. The Chief Minister arrived here last night.

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today urged the international community to protect the two-state solution, in a message aimed at Israel and the new US administration of President Donald Trump.

At a White House meeting earlier this month, both Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared to back away from the internationally supported idea of the establishment of an independent Palestine alongside Israel.

In an address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Abbas called on states that believe in two states "to come to the defence of that solution" and recognize the state of Palestine.

"This solution must be protected from any attempt to withdraw from it or simply disregard it," he said.

The international community, including the US, has long supported the idea of a two-state solution as the best way to create peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In January, dozens of countries reiterated their support for this goal at an international conference in France, days before Trump took office.

But at a joint press conference with Trump on February 15, Netanyahu made no mention of the two-state solution.

Instead, he talked of searching for "new ways" forward, including a regional approach involving other Arab countries. Trump, meanwhile, said he could favor any agreement between the parties, including a single Israeli-Palestinian state, a solution that neither side favors. He also referred to a "much bigger deal" involving "many countries."



Abbas said he is ready to work in a "positive spirit" with Trump, but rejected the idea of an interim agreement or single state.

"We should no longer be speaking of integrating Palestine within a larger regional framework and that is precisely what the government of Israel is attempting to do by withdrawing from progress previously achieved," he said.

He also denounced Israel's settlement activity on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and Israel's passage this month of a law meant to retroactively legalize thousands of West Bank settlement homes built unlawfully on private Palestinian land.

He said the law "legitimises the theft of occupied Palestinian lands."



Abbas also cautioned against the transfer of any embassy to Jerusalem, a scenario raised by Trump.

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Pakistan's ailing national carrier, PIA has issued show-cause notices to a pilot and two others officials for allowing seven extra passengers on a flight to Saudi Arabia last month in a serious violation of air safety regulations, according to a media report today.

Pakistan International Airlines spokesman Danyal Gilani did not comment on the development, but said separately that: "Disciplinary action has been taken against all concerned officials."



Capt Anwer Adil, senior purser (air hostess) Hina Turab, and terminal manager Akbar Ali Shah were issued notices for allegedly letting extra passengers travel on jump seats and the cockpit on PIA flight PK-743, Dawn newspaper reported.

The development came after an inquiry committee set up by the airline found the allegations to be true, it said.

The Boeing 777 aircraft has a seating capacity of 409, including jump seats, while flight PK-743 carried 416 passengers from Karachi to Madina on January 20.

"After in-depth investigation... It has been confirmed that passenger[s] travelled on [the] flight are over and above of the aircraft configuration (including jump seats) which is a clear violation of SOP [standard operating procedures] and violation of passenger safety," says a report signed by Manager Operations Sohail Jaffar Ali.

As per SOPs in cases like these, the report said, the aircraft should be parked again to offload extra passengers "which was not done in this case", the paper quoted the document as saying.

"Such type of violation/irregularity cannot be ignored in which safety of the passenger[s] is on [sic] stake," it said.

Quoting sources, the paper said Capt Adil will not be able to operate flights after being issued the the notice. The Civil Aviation Authority is also investigating allegations of safety violation against the captain.

As many as seven passengers aboard the PIA flight were forced to stand throughout the over three-hour flight after the airline boarded excess passengers, the Dawn had reported last week.

PIA yesterday said it would investigate the allegations, but denied the extra passengers 'stood in the aisles' for the three-hour journey.

The airline's spokesman said media reports that some passengers travelled standing were "exaggerated and baseless. It is not possible for anyone to travel like that in an aircraft, regardless of the duration of the flight," he had said.

PIA, was once a symbol of Pakistan's engineering and aviation prowess but now suffers from huge debts, an aging fleet and a string of corruption scandals.

The airline has accumulated liabilities of over Rs 300 billion and an additional loss of over Rs 5.6 billion is being added to this amount every month, the PIA management told a Senate committee at a briefing last month. The panel was also informed that the airline earned around Rs 7.5 billion a month while its expenses were over Rs 13.14 billion.

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Odisha Assembly today witnessed a protest against Narendra Modi's alleged "anti-Odisha" remark with Congress questioning Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's silence on the issue and ruling BJD demanding an apology from the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister's remark on Odisha's poverty at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh continued to rock the Assembly for the second day with Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress raising the matter during Zero Hour.

"This House should condemn Prime Minister's remark. How could the Prime Minister not know about Odisha's poverty though BJP was in coalition government with BJD in the state and Modi has been in office for three years," Mishra said.

Raising question on Patnaik's silence on Modi's "anti-Odisha" remark, Mishra said "the Chief Minister has not uttered a single word so far even as his party members are creating ruckus in the Assembly. I do not understand Patnaik's silence."



Blaming both the BJD and the BJP for the prevailing poverty in Odisha, Mishra said "the NDA government led by BJP has stopped several welfare schemes meant for poor people of Odisha. What prompted you to stop schemes like BRGF (backward region grant fund), IAP (integrated action plan) and others."



Claiming that Modi's remark has severely hurt the people of the State, Mishra said the Prime Minister had no right to insult Odisha at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh.

"He (PM) was trading with poverty and miseries of Odisha. This is unfortunate and condemnable," Mishra said, adding that the intention of Modi was nothing but to humiliate the people of Odisha.

Congress chief Taraprasad Bahinipati said many people from the Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) region migrated elsewhere after the Centre stopped several welfare schemes.

The NDA government had also changed the fund sharing pattern between the Centre and the state on different schemes.

"A resolution should be passed in the Assembly condemning the Prime Minister's statement," he said.

The treasury bench members also joined the opposition Congress MLAs and demanded unconditional apology from the Prime Minister for his remark on the state's poverty.

The BJD members shouted anti-Modi slogans like "Modi Hai...Hai", prompting Speaker Niranjan Pujari to adjourn the House till 3 pm.

BJP member Pradip Purohit outside the Assembly said the allegation made against Modi was politically motivated and lacked truth.

"They (Cong, BJD) are intolerant to the growing popularity of the Prime Minister in Odisha. This is an attempt to instigate the people against the Prime Minister," he said.

Modi, while referring to results of rural polls in Odisha had said at an election rally at Gonda in Uttar Pradesh last week, "Odisha, where there is so much poverty, starvation, unemployment and where BJP even had no foothold to place its flag, people have given so much support that everyone is taken aback...Even the poor of Odisha have come with the BJP.

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The Academy Awards as expected got political, with host Jimmy Kimmel, presenters and winners making a statement against US President Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban.

Kimmel fired his first salvo at Trump by saying this broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? It has been an amazing year for movies. Black people saved Nasa and white people saved jazz. That's what you call progress," he said.

He later touched on Trump's "overrated" tweet about Meryl Streep, stemming from her speech this year at the Golden Globe Awards.

Kimmel joked about the 20-time Oscar nominee's "mediocre early work" and "underwhelming" performances, adding that she's "phoned it in for more than 50 films."



Then he made Streep get up for an "undeserved" standing ovation from the audience.

The political theme continued as the speeches began, starting with the Italian winners of the Oscar for best makeup and hairstyling.

"I'm an immigrant," one of the winners declared, dedicating his Oscar to other immigrants and drawing a round of applause from the audience.

That was followed by the winner of the best documentary feature. Producer and director Ezra Edelman accepted his award on behalf of victims of police violence, police brutality and criminal injustice.

"This is their story as well as Ron's and Nicole's," he said, referring to murder victims Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown.

Viola Davis continued the theme, paying tribute to everyday people as she accepted her first Oscar for best supporting actress.

"You know, there's one place with all the people with the greatest potential are gathered, and that's the graveyard," she said.

"People ask me all the time, 'What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?' And I say, exhume those bodies, exhume those stories. The stories of the people who dream big and never saw those dreams to fruition. People who fell in love and lost."



After Davis speech, in which she brought many in the audience to tears, Kimmel joked that she should get an Emmy nomination just for speech.

Accepting the award for best adapted screenplay, "Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins told the audience, "If you feel like there is no mirror for you, the Academy has your back, the ACLU has your back, we have your back and over the next four years we will not leave you alone. We will not forget you.

Tarell Alvin McCraney, whose story and play the screenplay was based on, sent his award out "to all those black and brown boys and girls and non-gender conforming who don't see themselves, we are trying to show you, you and us." Later, the pair returned to the stage along with the rest of the cast and crew of "Moonlight" after the film won best picture.

As "Moonlight" producer Adele Romanski accepted her trophy she still seemed shaken up but was able to dedicate the award to "little black boys and little brown girls who are watching at home and feel marginalized."



Mexican actor-director Gael Garcia Bernal took a stand against Trump's controversial immigration policies, saying as a human being he was against "any kind of wall that wants to separate us."



The issue of Trump's immigration ban was the crux of Iranian filmmaker "The Salesman" director Asghar Farhadi's speech when the film was announced best foreign language film.

As promised, Farhadi did not attend the Oscars in protest of the president's executive order temporarily banning travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Instead, he sent a statement, which was read by a representative of the film, Anousheh Ansari.

Apologizing for his absence, Farhadi wrote, it was "out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations" that have been "disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US."



Also affected by the travel ban was the head of a group of Syrian volunteers featured in the Oscar-winning documentary "The White Helmets."



Instead, the producers read a statement from Raed Saleh, who is Syrian and the leader of the Syria Civil Defense group, saying how grateful they are that the this film has highlighted their work of saving more than 82,000 civilian lives.
Hundreds of protesters today gathered outside the school where a 7-year-old girl was allegedly molested by two senior students in west Delhi's Moti Nagar area, police said.

Around 150-200 protesters, who claimed to be affiliated to various political parties, demonstrated outside the school premises this afternoon and shouted slogans against the school authorities, said a senior police officer, adding that no law and order situation was reported.

Meanwhile, police is planning to conduct sensitisation sessions in the schools of the area to create awareness against such kind of abuse.

"Handling such kinds of situation requires intellect and patience. We will be speaking to teachers of the school concerned and also other schools on how to deal with such incidents," said the officer.

The student, who had accused the senior girls of allegedly molesting her after sedating her, is in a state of shock and is being counselled, he said.

She is a little incoherent about the sequence of events, but she is being counselled and even her parents are being counselled so that they can help her come out of the trauma, the officer said.

In her statement, the girl had said that two girls of senior classes used to take her to a vacant room in the school during lunch time and take off her clothes as well as theirs. They would also sedate her, the minor told her counsellor.

"They allegedly touched her private parts. When she tried to resist, they would threaten her," the officer had said.

This was happening for the last few months, he said.

The girl talked about the incident with her parents who then approached the police.

One of the accused, who is a major, has been arrested while the other, a juvenile, has been identified, the officer said.

Police is also speaking to other students to gauge whether others were also violated on similar lines.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Protests today intensified against the proposed hydrocarbon project of the Union Government at Neduvasal in the district with students in some areas boycotting classes.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people converged at Neduvasal to discuss the project and ways to oppose it. Locals expressed their apprehensions about the project.

Students of Government Arts College at Karambakudi in Pudukottai district and a college at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district boycotted their classes, protesting against the project.

Meanwhile, traders of Pudukottai decided to down their shutters on March one to express solidarity with the protesters.

Some farmers associations alleged that the proposed project was to divert the people's attention from the cauvery water dispute. They urged the Centre to take steps to constitute cauvery water management board and not to delay it further.

(REOPENS MES6)



Meanwhile, Union Minister and senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu Pon Radhakrishnan today said he took up the matter with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who assured him that the concerns of the people would be studied.

Pradhan explained to him about the advantages of the hydrocarbon project including job creation and allayed concerns that it would affect farming and ground water level, Radhakrishnan said in a release in Chennai.

He also told Radhakrishnan that government would seek the views of the local residents and if they still did not want the project, it would not go ahead with it.

The Petroleum Minister said similar projects had been implemented in some other districts of Tamil Nadu and also in several other states where there was no opposition.

Stating that people should should keep in mind that no political party had the scientific clarity required to determine whether a project was good or bad, Radhakrishnan said a decision on the hydrocarbon project should be taken only after clearly understanding whether it would benefit the people of Neduvasal.
While infant mortality rate in the country has been registered at 42 deaths of kids per 1000 births the Union Territory of Puducherry has established a record of having lesser rate of infant mortality.

Director of Health and Family Welfare Services K V Raman told PTI today that Union Territory was having 11 deaths of children per 1000 babies born.

"This is a recordand is culmination of initiatives of various departments including the Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Health and other departments implementing the Integrated Child Development scheme", he said.

Puducherry ranked third in the achievement next to Goa and Kerala.

He said that the government hospitals here had necessary infrastructures to address the health issues of young children including cardiac surgeries.

The Director said that the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital here had performed as many as 100 heart surgeries during the last one year and the services of the Chennai based Frontier Lifeline hospital were requisitioned and the team from the Chennai based hospital was rendering good service benefiting patients suffering from the cardiac problems and belonging to below poverty line.

The Puducherry government is operating a Medical Relief Society through which assistance was also available to patients to get specialist treatment for critical ailments.

Valve replacement and bypass surgery formed part of the treatment available in the government hospital here, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reserve Bank of India today asked the banks in Rajasthan to open branches in villages with 5000 or more population, besides improving their credit-deposit ratio, which has registered a negative growth post demonetisation.

Briefing media persons here today after a meeting with officers of all major banks, RBI's Deputy Governor Subhash S Mundra said the credit-deposit ratio in the state has declined.

"The credit-deposit ratio in Rajasthan has generally been good but post demonetisation, the ratio has declined despite an increase in the deposits in the banks," said Mundra.

"It is a matter of concern and I have asked the banks to improve it.

The state government has launched several schemes for livestock improvement, agriculture value chains and I asked the bank officers to associate them with these schemes so that credit could be enhanced," he said.

He also asked the banks to open branches in villages where population is 5000 or above.

"There are 972 villages with population of 5000 and above in Rajasthan and 171 villages have no bank branch," he said.

After demonetisation, there is a need to push digital economy and the banks have also been asked to make people aware about the apps like BHIM launched recently.

On the issue of cash crunch following demonetisation last November, he said the situation has returned to normalcy and if there are complaints, they will be looked into and addressed.

(REOPENING NRG14)



On the issue of pilot project to introduce plastic



currency notes worth Rs 10, the Deputy Governor said that the RBI has got clearance from various agencies on security and the pilot project would be launched soon.

He said that Jaipur is among other cities where the plastic currency notes will be made available through the RBI regional office.

The notes will be printed at one place and circulated in various parts of the country through the RBI offices, he said adding the tender process for securing printing material, ink etc would be initiated soon.

Mundra said there will no further extension of the date for exchanging demonetised currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 which in present is open for NRIs and PIOs in five cities including four metros.
The echo of the violence in Delhi's Ramjas College was felt on the campus of Panjab University where activists of ABVP and rival Students For Society (SFS) clashed today.

The incident took place when the ABVP activists were staging a protest against certain derogatory comments allegedly made by some SFS activists against the security forces.

The police denied knowledge of any objectionable remarks being made. However, SHO of Sector 11 Police Station said four students from each group have been taken into preventive custody.

SFS, a Left-leaning union, claimed that they had organised a demonstration on Saturday last over the violence in Ramjas College.

The clashes between RSS-backed ABVP and Left-affiliated AISA members in Ramjas College occurred over the invitation to controversial JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid.

During the demonstration here, an SFS speaker, citing an NHRC report on the rapes of 16 tribal women allegedly by security forces in Chhattisgarh, had argued that such issues should be raised in universities.

This was objected to by the ABVP activists who staged the protest today, during which the clash took place.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court today rapped the government for not implementing its 1991 directions including making 'Environment Science' a compulsory subject in college and school curricula.

"You (Centre) are a party which is just not bothered. You have constituted a committee (for implementation of SC orders) which has never met," a bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul said when the counsel for the Centre sought some more time.

The bench said though a committee has been set up, it has not met so far and nothing has been done to implement the directions issued 26 years ago.

However, the bench acceded to the request of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) P S Patwalia, appearing for the government, and adjourned the hearing on the plea of environmentalist M C Mehta for hearing on March 6.

Earlier, the ASG had apprised the court that the Centre has constituted a Core Committee comprising a Chairman and four other Members to monitor and review matters relating to the implementation of directions issued in its order passed on November 22, 1991 on Mehta's PIL.

The bench was hearing an interim plea of Mehta alleging that the directions passed in 1991 on his PIL have not been complied with letter and spirit and had asked the Centre to apprise it on what steps could be taken to ensure that the curricula include 'Environment Science' as compulsory subject.

The ASG had said that the state boards, responsible for deciding school curriculum, functioned under state administrations and hence cannot be forced by it to do the needful.

In the 1991 verdict, a bench headed by then Chief Justice Rangnath Misra had said "the UGC will take appropriate steps immediately to give effect to what we have said, i.E. requiring the Universities to prescribe a course on environment. They would consider the feasibility of making this a compulsory subject at every level in college education.

"So far as education up to college level is concerned, we would require every state Government and every Education Board connected with education up to matriculation or even intermediate colleges to immediately take steps to enforce compulsory education on environment in a graded way. This should be so done that in the next academic year, there would be compliance of this requirement.

Besides making 'Environment Science' a compulsory



subject, it had then passed a slew of directions including an order to "cinema halls, touring cinemas and video parlours to exhibit free of cost at least two slides/messages on environment in each show undertaken by them".

Disposing of the PIL in 1991, the bench had asked the Centre to issue appropriate directions to state governments and Union Territories to "invariably enforce as a condition of license of all cinema hails, touring cinemas and video parlours" to show slides on environment free of cost.

"The Ministry of Environment should within two months from now come out with appropriate slide material which would be brief ... To efficiently carry the message home on various aspects of environment and pollution."



It had said that the materials to be shown by exhibitors, would be given to the District Collectors, the licensing authorities for the cinema exhibition halls, for compliance.

"Failure to comply with our order should be treated as a ground for cancellation of the licence by the appropriate authorities. The material for the slides should be such that it would at once be impressive, striking and leave as impact on every one who sees the slide," it had said then.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry should start without delay producing information films of short duration on various aspects of environment and pollution bringing out the benefits for society on the environment being protected and the hazards involved in the environment being polluted, it said.

It had asked the then Attorney General to have a dialogue with the Ministry as to the manner the All India Radio and Doordarshan could assist this process of education.

"We accept on principle that through the medium of education awareness of the environment and its problems related to pollution should be taught as a compulsory subject," the apex court had said.

Environmentalist Mehta, in his fresh plea, alleged that the directions have not been complied with in letter and spirit even after the lapse of so many years.
Chinese police have arrested seven persons after a major fire at a multi-storey luxurious hotel in Nanchang killed 10 people last week.

Seven persons, including workers and contractors for an ongoing construction project that went ablaze, were arrested yesterday on suspicion of negligence that caused the fire at the hotel in Nanchang, capital of China's eastern Jiangxi Province, state-run Xinhua agency said today, quoting government of Nanchang city.

The fire at HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in Nanchang City killed 10, including three hotel guests and seven construction workers, according to the city government.

The condition of the three persons who were among the nine injured in the deadly fire was stated to be serious.

Yesterday, it was reported thatpolice have detained 24 people in connection with Saturday's fire.

Twenty-four people, including hotel shareholders, the contractor of the project and workers, have been taken into police custody, the report said.

A preliminary investigation found the blaze was caused by welding and cutting which violated safety rules.

Over 260 residents of a 24-storey apartment building connected to the hotel also had a providential escape.

This was the second major fire accident in China this month. Eighteen people were killed in a fire at a foot massage parlour caught fire in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out today in a market in northeast Beijing, but no casualties were reported.

The market deals in secondhand furniture, books, antiques and other items.

A total of 46 fire engines were deployed to put out the fire and police cordoned off surrounding areas and diverted traffic.

The flames were put out in about two hours. Clean-up efforts are under way and the cause of the fire is under investigation, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP president Amit Shah today hit out at BSP chief Mayawati on her promise to end 'goonda raj' in Uttar Pradesh by pointing out at her party's posters with photos of Mukhtar Ansari and his brother Afzal.

His remarks came hours after the Delhi High Court rejected custody parole to Mukhtar, the sitting MLA from Mau, to canvass for himself in the ongoing Assembly polls.

"Mayawati says she will end goonda raj. But BSP candidates' posters prominently bear the photographs of Mukhtar Ansari and Afzal Ansari," Shah said here.

Ansari, who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest from Mau Assembly seat, was given custody parole by a trial court on February 16 till March 4, enabling him to campaign in the election.

The order was stayed the next day by the High Court after the Election Commission of India (ECI) moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole on the ground that he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai in which he is facing trial in a Delhi court.

Addressing an election meeting here, Shah claimed, "BJP tsunami will knock off its political opponents and time has come when Poorvanchal (eastern UP) is on the threshold of good days."



"Keep your future in mind and vote for the BJP," he appealed to the electorates.

Seeking a performance report from the Congress for 60 years of its rule in the country, Shah claimed once the BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh, development would reach every nook and corner and it would become the number one state in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Shannen Doherty is one step closer to beating cancer after completing her last session of chemotherapy.

The "Charmed" star has been battling breast cancer since 2015 and has shared her journey on social media. The 45-year-old has now taken to Instagram to mark a huge milestone



in her treatment.

"...Last day of chemo. Exhausted," she wrote on Instagram on Friday along with a picture of herself laying in bed.

"Now that I'm done with chemo and radiation, the waiting game is here. Waiting for test. Waiting to see if I'm clear or not. Waiting for reconstruction. Waiting. I think when



one gets cancer, they are always waiting to a certain extent. To those who know... I'm waiting with you. #cancerslayer."



Shannen's milestone comes a month after she announced she finished her last session of gruelling radiation therapy, and paid tribute to her team of doctors, and the radiation machine she christened Maggie.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ivory smuggling in China, the world's biggest ivory market, fell by 80 per cent last year from previous peak years following a steady crackdown, the government claimed today.

China will stop commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of this year.

Last year, it imposed a three-year ban on ivory imports in an escalated fight against illegal trading of wild animals and plants.

The number of illegal wildlife trade cases has been on the decline since last year, Liu Dongsheng, deputy head of the State Forestry Administration (SFA) said yesterday.

He said the ivory smuggling fell by 80 per cent but did not disclose details, sate-run Xinhua agency quoted Liu as saying.

Meanwhile, the numbers of critically endangered species in China, including giant pandas, crested ibis, Yangtze alligators and Tibetan antelopes have been increasing steadily, he said.

China's newly-revised law on wild animal protection took effect at the start of this year, imposing harsher punishment on overkilling and illegal utilisation of wild animals.

Last December, China said it would gradually stop the processing and sale of ivories for commercial purpose by the end of 2017.

The decision came after China had imposed a three-year ban onivoryimports in March last year.

The move will affect China's 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues, with dozens to be closed by the end of March 2017, the agency quoted an official statement as saying.

Before that deadline, law enforcement agencies will continue to clamp down on illegalities associated with the elephants' tusk, an official told the agency.

China's move, if implemented strictly, could be a game changer specially for the African elephant conservation as hundreds get killed every year by poachers to feed into the burgeoning markets in China and Hong Kong.

As a result, the number of Africa's savannah elephants dropped to 3.5 lakh thousand in 2014, according to the conservation groups.

While the international market in ivory has been closed since 1989, legal domestic markets have continued in many countries around the world.

A surge in the killing of elephants over the past seven years has seen populations across Africa shrink by a third, according to the recently published Great Elephant Census.

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Senior CPI leader Binoy Viswam today described as "mysterious" the silence of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and top Malayalam movie stars amid cries for investigation into the "conspiracy angle" of the abduction and assault of a noted actress.

Welcoming statement issued by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday clarifying that he has not said that there was no conspiracy behind the incident, Viswam, who is also a former state minister, said a "meaningful probe" was required to identify the "real culprits" allegedly operating behind the scene.

"Barring Prithviraj, Manju Warrier and some other artistes, not a single noted film personality or AMMA-- the association of film actors who work in Malayalam cinema--have come forwarded seeking probe into conspiracy angle in the incident. It is mysterious," Viswam told PTI.

The national executive committee member of the CPI said a driver and his companion would never dare to commit such a "heinous crime" against a popular actress without the support of "powerful forces."



"Malayalam film world is not supposed to follow the bollywood which is influenced by the underworld and mafia to a large extent. Lot of illegal money is involved in the film production industry. It is a threat to our safety and security."



"The role of some bollywood personalities in the Bombay riots in 1990s was established through probe. Such a situation should not be created in Malayalam movie industry," he said.

He hailed the actress for the exemplary courage she displayed after the incident and wished her all success in her career.

"The way in which she reacted to the incident signifies the present mood of a segment of Kerala women who are aware of their rights and position in the society," Viswam said.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team probing the case took the key accused 'Pulsar' Suni and his accomplice V P Vigeesh to Vagamon tourist spot today as part of its probe.

The accused had allegedly visited the tourist spot in the Idukki district after committing the crime.

The actress, who has starred in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car for two hours by the accused.

The accused had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17 and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi.

Kerala Police have arrested six people in connection with the incident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fathers who use cocaine at the time of conceiving a child may be putting their sons at risk of learning disabilities and memory loss, a new study has warned.

The findings reveal that drug abuse by fathers - separate from the well-established effects of cocaine use in mothers - may negatively impact cognitive development in their male offspring, researchers said.

The study by researchers at University of Pennsylvania in the US found evidence that the sons of fathers that ingested cocaine prior to conception struggle to make new memories.

Their findings demonstrated that the sons - but not the daughters - of male rats that consumed cocaine for an extended period of time could not remember the location of items in their surroundings and had impaired synaptic plasticity in hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and spatial navigation in humans and rodents.

"These results suggest that the sons of male cocaine addicts may be at risk for learning deficits," said R Christopher Pierce, professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pierce and his colleagues propose that epigenetic mechanisms are at the root of the problem. Epigenetics refers to heritable traits that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence, as is the case with genetic inheritance.

DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, like thread around a spool and chemical changes to histones influence the expression of genes, which is an epigenetic process.

The research showed that cocaine use in dads caused epigenetic changes in the brain of their sons, thereby changing the expression of genes important for memory formation.

D-serine, a molecule essential for memory, was depleted in male rats whose father took cocaine and replenishing the levels of D-serine in the sons' hippocampus improved learning in these animals.

The researchers showed that cocaine abuse in dads broadly altered the chemical marks on histones in the brain of their sons, even though the offspring were never exposed to cocaine.

Chemical modifications on the histones were changed to favour active transcription of genes in the hippocampus of male rats with a paternal history of cocaine taking, allowing more production of the enzyme D-amino acid oxidase, which degrades D-serine.

The researchers propose that increased expression of the enzyme, driven by changes in the epigenetic landscape, cause the memory problems in the sons of addicted rats.

"There is substantial interest in the development of D-serine and related compounds, which are well tolerated by humans, as drug therapies," Pierce said.

"The ability of D-serine to reverse the adverse effects of paternal cocaine taking on learning adds potential clinical relevance to our research," he added.

The findings were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

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Sri Lanka today vowed to honour government bonds of up to 1,780 billion rupees (USD 11.86 billion) even as the central bank admitted "procedural shortcomings" in state-issued securities.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake hastily summoned reporters to announce that Sri Lanka will meet its domestic debt repayment commitments despite legal issues uncovered during a recent insider trading investigation.

"Sri Lanka will accept responsibility for the bonds," the minister said. "No one should have any concern about the validity of the securities issued by the government of Sri Lanka."



A 1937 law requires that the finance minister announce bond auctions at the beginning of each year.

But a presidential inquiry last week into an alleged insider trading allegation against the former central bank governor Arjuna Mahendran said the mandatory announcement for 2015 was made almost two years later.

It was backdated and issued under the authority of Mahinda Rajapakse, the former president and finance minister.

Rajapakse, who was voted out in January 2015, has denied authorising the sale of bonds, raising doubts about their legality.

Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy admitted that the public debt department -- which comes under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka -- had issued the notice without the authority of Rajapakse.

However Coomaraswamy said the bonds were "not illegal" despite the procedural violations and that the state would honour its debt.

"There are shortcomings in the procedure... But the bottom line is that the government of Sri Lanka is going to honour the piece of paper the people of Sri Lanka hold as promissary notes," Coomaraswamy told reporters in Colombo.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Staff of Andhra Pradesh Legislature relocated to the state's new capital Amaravati from Hyderabad today, ahead of the Budget session that begins in the new Legislature complex at Velagapudi on March 6.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the new building on March 2.

The state government had earlier planned to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the event, which did not materialise.

Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao and Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu welcomed the Legislature staff and later inspected the state of the works and the allocation of chambers.

"Everything is in place and the Budget session will begin on March 6 with an address by the Governor to the joint session of the Council and the Assembly. The Budget for 2017-18 will be presented to the House on March 13 followed by a separate budget for agriculture," Yanamala told reporters on the occasion.

"We will decide on the exact dates at the Business Advisory Committee meeting on the 6th," Yanamala, who is also the Finance Minister, said.

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A large number of stolen mobiles estimated to cost about Rs 80 lakh were seized in a raid on a den West Bengal's Malda district and 10 persons were arrested in connection with it today.

Malda superintendent of police Arnab Ghosh said 753 expensive mobile phones were seized from the den at Sujapur in Kaliachak area.

The raid was conducted following a tip off and the phones are expected to cost an estimated Rs 80 lakh.

The phones, he said, were stolen from various places and kept in the place.

Of the ten arrested nine haill from Kaliachak itself and one from neighbouring Murshidabad district, police said.

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Adam Purinton, the man charged with killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others in an apparent hate crime at a pub in Kansas, has made his first court appearance.

The US Navy veteran, appeared before a court here yesterday.

Michelle Durrett from the Johnson County Public Defenders Office will serve as Purinton's attorney.

According to Steve Howe, Johnson County District Attorney, Purintonfaces hard 50 on state charges.

The FBI is also helping gather evidence in the shooting because Kansas does not have a hate crime statute.

If their agents can prove that Purinton's alleged actions constitute a hate crime, hecould face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.

Purintonis currently being held in the Johnson County jail on aUSD 2-million cash bond.

Prosecutors claim Purinton opened fire inside Austin's restaurant in Olathe on last Wednesday night, killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding his Indian colleague Alok Madasani. Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

Police arrested Purintonin Henry County, west central Missouri, after he reportedly walked into an Applebee's restaurant there and confided to the bartenderthat he had been involved in a shooting.

The shooter was charged Thursday with first- degree murder. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Alok and Grillot.

He wasextradited back to Kansason Friday.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) today said it is working with Tata Communications to support the roll-out of India's first LoRaWAN-based network.

LoRaWAN is a low-power wide area network with features that support low-cost, mobile, and secure communication.

Tata Communications had unveiled plans for its LoRaWAN network last year.

"The first phase of the roll-out targets tier I, II, III and IV cities in India, touching over 400 million people. Alongside successful field trials in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, there are also 35 proof-of-concept applications in trial on the network," a statement said.

* * * *



Alcatel launches slew of smartphones



* Handset maker Alcatel today launched three new smartphones -- Alcatel A5 LED, Alcatel A3, Alcatel U3 and a 2-in-1 tablet, Alcatel Plus 12 at the Mobile World Congress here.

"Our customers have told us that taking and sharing photos, gaming, and streaming video are essential elements of a fun and social smartphone lifestyle," Alcatel Portfolio Management Director William Dowie said.

As of now, the company has not revealed the pricing and availability of these devices.

* * * *



Blackberry launches BlackBerry KEYone



* Canadian handset-maker Blackberry has launched BlackBerry KEYone smartphone for USD 549 (about Rs 39,000) here.

The device will be manufactured by Chinese handset-maker TCL. It hits shelves in April and will be available globally.

* * * *



Motorola launches Moto G5, G5 Plus



* Motorola has launched two new smartphones -- the Moto G5 and G5 Plus -- here with prices starting at USD 299 (about Rs 14,000).

The devices will start retailing in March.

* * * *



LG unveils G6



* Korean handset-maker LG has launched its new flagship smartphone -- the G6 -- here.

The G6 comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 5.7-inch display, 3,300 mAh battery.

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Ten armed dacoits were arrested before they could execute their plot to commit dacoity in a house at Sukanta Pally here today.

Acting on an information, a police team was waiting for the dacoits to come and as they turned up, they were caught, police said.

Some fire arms and sharp weapons were recovered from them.

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At least ten persons, including Patel quota leader Lalji Patel, were today detained by the city police for allegedly trying to attack Rutvij Patel, the Gujarat unit chief of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), during his rally here today.

However, while Rutvij held the Congress responsible for the attack, Lalji Patel-led quota body Sardar Patel Group (SPG) claimed the responsibility.

Mehsana District Superintendent of Police Chaitanya Mandlik said, "We have detained ten persons, including Lalji Patel, while trying to attack Rutvij Patel at his rally near Modhera cross roads near the city this afternoon. They will be released once the program ends."



Lalji Patel once worked closely with Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). However, due to some ideological differences, they parted ways some time back.

In an apparent bid to counter the threat of the Patel quota agitation and to pacify the Patidar community ahead of Assembly polls this year, the ruling BJP had recently appointed Rutvij Patel as BJYM's state unit chief.

"When his vehicle rally reached near Modhera cross roads on the outskirts of city this afternoon, some people barged into the rally and allegedly tried to manhandle Rutvij, following which, police nabbed these people and taken them away," said an eye witness.

SPG spokesperson Purvin Patel said Lalji Patel and other members wanted to give a message to BJP that SPG will not rest till their demands are not heard by the state government.

"Even after so many meetings, BJP government has not taken any decision about our demands, including reservation to Patel community. Therefore, Laljibhai and other SPG members today staged protests in Mehsana and confronted Rutvij during his rally," Purvin Patel said.

Meanwhile, Rutvij Patel blamed Congress for trying to disrupt his rally in order to create a rift between him and Patels.

"Patel community today invited me at Mehsana to felicitate me. Those who tried to attack me were anti-social elements sent by Congress, who wants to create a rift between us. But, Patel community is firmly standing besides me," said Patel.

Meanwhile, Congress slammed the young BJP leader for accusing the opposition party of attacking him.

"It shows sheer frustration of BJP leaders, as they are seeing Congress' hand in everything which is going against them. They must have forgotten that Mehsana is the same city, where angry people had burned down houses of BJP leaders and some ministers in the recent past," state Congress spokesperson Himanshu Patel said.

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: The Tamil Nadu government today said it is considering introducing Yoga in schools, particularly in rural areas.

"The government is holding discussions with yoga experts, as students need not only education, but extra-curricular activities like yoga," School Education Minister K S Sengottayan told reporters at the airport here.

On the February 18 trust vote, he said AIADMK MLAs had kept their cool during the ruckus in the assembly and proved that they were in the majority.

To a question on reports that some MLAs who had voted for the winning V K Sasikala faction were not allowed in their constituencies, he said he had not faced any such problem.

Sengottayan said he had participated in two functions in his constituency since that day, which was attended by more than 10,000 people, he claimed



The minister asserted that the AIADMK's two leaves symbol belonged to the faction headed by Sasikala after they had won the trust vote and that some people were spreading 'false news' that it belonged to them.

He said the Palaniswami led government was implementing schemes announced by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in letter and spirit.

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Philip Bilden, US President Donald Trump's nominee for navy secretary, withdrew his name from consideration citing privacy concerns and "significant challenges" he faced in separating himself from his business interests.

Bilden's withdrawal a month after he had been named for the post marks the latest in a series of similar decisions by other nominees who have their names removed from consideration to serve under Trump.

Previous withdrawals include that of Vincent Viola, a billionaire Wall Street trader, nominated as Army secretary, and labour secretary nominee Andrew Puzder. The withdrawals were marked by concerns over the nominees' business records.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement that Bilden, a former military intelligence officer, wrote to him to consider his request to withdraw his nomination. "Mr Philip Bilden has informed me that he has come to the difficult decision to withdraw from consideration to be secretary of the navy.

"This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests," Mattis said.

Bilden, who recently retired from HarbourVest Partners LLC after 25 years, said that he fully supported the president's agenda. But he realised after an extensive review process that "I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family's private financial interests."



Bilden said in a statement that he was greatly honoured by Trump's consideration of him to lead the "committed and capable sailors and marines".

Mattis said he will make a recommendation to Trump for a leader "who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the president's vision to rebuild our military".

The secretary of the navy serves as the chief executive officer for both the Navy and the Marine Corps.

Earlier this month, Michael Flynn resigned from the post of national security adviser after facing accusations of lying about his communications with Russian officials.

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Turkey's deputy prime minister says it is the democratic right of Turkish leaders to stage campaign rallies in European countries in advance of a national referendum.

The April 16 vote is on on shifting to a presidential system, which critics fear will concentrate too many powers in the hands of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has already campaigned for a "yes" vote in Germany and said Erdogan also would address Turkish citizens in Europe.

In a response to criticism from Austria, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said after a Cabinet meeting that the Turkish leaders would not be interfering in elections in that country.

He added: "both the 'yes' and 'no' camps will campaign. To hinder that. Would amount to misinterpreting democracy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Historian Audrey Truschke refuses to buy the argument that Aurangzeb razed temples because he hated Hindus saying it has roots in colonial-era scholarship, where positing timeless Hindu-Muslim animosity embodied the British strategy of divide and conquer.

In her new book, she also says that had Aurangzeb's reign been 20 years shorter, he would have been judged differently by modern historians.

Truschke, an assistant professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University in Newark and an avid follower of Mughal history, New Jersey, has now come up with a new biography on Aurangzeb.

"Aurangzeb: The Man and The Myth", published by Penguin Random House, takes a fresh look at the controversial Mughal emperor.

According to Truschke, Hindu and Jain temples dotting the landscape of Aurangzeb's kingdom were entitled to Mughal state protection, and he generally endeavoured to ensure their well-being.

"By the same token, from a Mughal perspective, that goodwill could be revoked when specific temples or their associates acted against imperial interests. Accordingly, Emperor Aurangzeb authorised targeted temple destructions and desecrations throughout his rule," she claims.

"Many modern people view Aurangzeb's orders to harm specific temples as symptomatic of a larger vendetta against Hindus. Such views have roots in colonial-era scholarship, where positing timeless Hindu-Muslim animosity embodied the British strategy of divide and conquer," she writes.

She says there are, however, numerous gaping holes in the proposition that Aurangzeb razed temples because he hated Hindus.

"Most glaringly, Aurangzeb counted thousands of Hindu temples within his domains and yet destroyed, at most, a few dozen. This incongruity makes little sense if we cling to a vision of Aurangzeb as a cartoon bigot driven by a single-minded agenda of ridding India of Hindu places of worship.

"A historically legitimate view of Aurangzeb must explain why he protected Hindu temples more often than he demolished them."



Truschke argues that Aurangzeb followed Islamic law in granting protection to non-Muslim religious leaders and institutions.

"Indo-Muslim rulers had counted Hindus as dhimmis, a protected class under Islamic law, since the eighth century, and Hindus were thus entitled to certain rights and state defences.

"Yet, Aurangzeb went beyond the requirements of Islamic law in his conduct towards Hindu and Jain religious communities. Instead, for Aurangzeb, protecting and, at times, razing temples served the cause of ensuring justice for all throughout the Mughal Empire.

Truschke claims state interests constrained religious



freedom in Mughal India, and Aurangzeb did not hesitate to strike hard against religious institutions and leaders that he deemed seditious or immoral.

"But in the absence of such concerns, Aurangzeb's vision of himself as an even-handed ruler of all Indians prompted him to extend state security to temples."



She says Aurangzeb had 49 years to make good on his princely promise of cultivating religious tolerance in the Mughal Empire, and he got off to a strong start.

"In one of his early acts as emperor, Aurangzeb issued an imperial order (farman) to local Mughal officials at Benares that directed them to halt any interference in the affairs of local temples."



Truschke claims that political events incited Aurangzeb to initiate assaults on certain Hindu temples.

She also argues that if Aurangzeb's reign had been 20 years shorter, closer to that of Jahangir (who ruled for 22 years) or Shah Jahan (who ruled for 30 years), modern historians would judge him rather differently.

"But Aurangzeb's later decades of fettering his sons, depending on an increasingly bloated administration, and undertaking ill-advised warring are a hefty part of his tangled legacy. Thus, we are left with a mixed assessment of a complex man and monarch who was plagued by an unbridgeable gap between his lofty ambitions and the realities of Mughal India," she writes.
The phones of White House staffers have been checked under a crackdown after the leakage of information to the press about Trump Administration's private conversations and meetings, according to a media report.

Quoting sources, Politico reported that the incident comes a week after President Donald Trump criticised the media for using unnamed sources in stories and expressed growing frustration with the unauthorised sharing of information by individuals in his administration.

Last week, after US Press Secretary Sean Spicer became aware that information had leaked out of a planning meeting with about a dozen of his communications staffers, he reconvened the group in his office to express his frustration over the number of private conversations and meetings that were showing up in unflattering stories, the report quoted sources as saying.

Staffers were also asked to dump their phones on a table for a "phone check", to prove they had nothing to hide.

Spicer, who consulted with White House counsel Don McGahn before calling the meeting, was accompanied by White House lawyers in the room, the report said.

There, he explicitly warned staffers that using texting apps that automatically deletes texts after they are sent are a violation of the Presidential Records Act, it said.

The phone checks included whatever electronics staffers were carrying when they were summoned to the unexpected follow-up meeting, including government-issued and personal cellphones.

Spicer also warned the group of "more problems" if of the phone checks and the meeting about leaks was given to the media, the report said.

It's not the first time that warnings about leaks have promptly leaked. The State Department's legal office issued a four-page memo warning of the dangers of leaks, and that memo was immediately posted by The Washington Post.

Later on Friday, Spicer blocked certain media, including CNN, The New York Times, BuzzFeed and POLITICO, from attending an off-camera press briefing in his office.

On Saturday, Trump said he would not attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington in April.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The world's only sample of metallic hydrogen created in the lab - touted as the "holy grail of high-pressure physics" - has disappeared, Harvard scientists say.

Last month physicists from Harvard University in the US had claimed to have successfully turned hydrogen into a metal - something researchers had been struggling to achieve for more than 80 years.

However, the team has now announced that the sample has disappeared.

The metallic hydrogen was being stored at temperatures around minus 193 degrees Celsius and at incredibly high pressures between two diamonds.

Further testing caused the diamonds to break and the researchers have not been able to find the metallic hydrogen since.

The sample was only around 1.5 micrometres thick and 10 micrometres in diameter - a fifth the diameter of a strand of human hair.

It is possible that the sample is stable somewhere and missing, researchers said.

Another possibility is that, once the diamonds broke, the hydrogen dissipated back into a gas, which suggests that the material is not stable at room pressure.

"Basically, it's disappeared. It's either someplace at room pressure, very small, or it just turned back into a gas. We don't know," team leader Isaac F Silvera was quoted as saying by 'ScienceAlert'.

"We're preparing a new experiment to see if we can reproduce the pressures we achieved the first time, and reproduce our metallic hydrogen," said Silvera, who has spent more than 45 years working on metallic hydrogen.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 23-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with two air hostesses on a Jet Airways flight here, police said today.

Following the incident which occurred on the Mumbai-Nagpur flight on Saturday, police had detained Suyash Gupta on the basis of the complaint lodged by the flight captain after one of the air hostesses gave a written plaint.

Gupta, a resident of Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, was detained by the CISF before he was handed over to Sonegaon police near Nagpur airport.

Police yesterday booked Gupta under section 354 A (sexual harassment) of the IPC and produced him before a holiday court here. He was released him on bail on the production of cash surety of Rs 5000.

Further investigation is on, an official said.

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Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, who will campaign in troubled Manipur on Tuesday, is expected to target the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) divisive politics in the poll-bound north-eastern state.
It would have been better if the BJP gave tickets to Muslims for the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said.

He, however, said the BJP believes in taking along all the sections of the society and the community will be adequately compensated after the party forms the government in the state.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti had reportedly made similar comments earlier.

"As far as tickets are concerned, it would have been better (if tickets were given to Muslims).

"We will address their concern by compensating them when we form the government in the state," Naqvi said, without elaborating in what ways the party will deal with the issue.

The minister said the NDA government's performance should not be assessed in the light of the BJP not offering tickets to Muslims.

"The BJP believes in taking along all the sections of the society. We formed government at the Centre with cooperation of all. Similarly, we will form government in the state...," he said.

Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh had on Thursday reportedly said that Muslims should have been given tickets.

Water Resources Minister Bharti had echoed his views yesterday.

The BJP has not fielded even a single Muslim candidate in the state, which has sizeable Muslim population and is considered crucial in the country's electoral politics.

The fifth round of polling is underway for 51 assembly constituencies spread across 11 districts of the state.
Meru has announced major reduction its Radio Taxi categoryfares to Rs. 16 per km on all 'Now' rides booked via Meru App in Delhi NCR fromthe existing government approved rates of Rs. 23 per Km for day time and Rs. 28.75per Km during night time.



The new price, available exclusively on Meru's mobileapplication comes with no surge price, no ride time charge, no base fare and nonight time charge.

The new fares will be without surge price, ride timecharges, base fare and night time charges. It seems like the company is takinga dig at two most popular cab-hailing services, Ola and Uber for the recentchaos with the drivers' strike.

Commenting on the development, Nilesh Sangoi, CEO, Merusaid, "Keeping its promise of offering reliable taxi services ataffordable prices, Meru has introduced new prices to provide affordable ridesfor our esteemed customers in Delhi NCR. Meru continues to be the only majorplayer in the taxi service industry that does not charge its customers surgeprice. By providing competitive prices in Radio Taxi services, we aim toprovide even more affordable travel options to our ever growing customerbase".
Over one lakh drivers attached to two cab aggregators, who began an indefinite strike in Bengaluru from February 22 demanding better incentives and stopping attachment of new cabs, today sought Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's intervention to solve the deadlock.

"We have started talks with major political parties to lend support to the protests demanding better incentives and stopping attachment of cabs, following inaction of the state government and the aggregators," Uber, TaxiForSure and Ola (UTO) Drivers and Owners Association President Tanveer Pasha said.

Last evening, the protesters met former Karnataka Minister and BJP Leader Sobha Karandlaje who has assured them to put a word into the ears of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari solve the vexed problem, Pasha said.

"We met Shobahji last evening, and she has assured us to put a word into the ears of Gadkari to address our problems," Pasha said.

The protesters also are scheduled to meet State JDS President HD Kumaraswamy tomorrow morning to give support to the agitation, Tanveer said.

Pasha blamed government and aggregators for the present dilemma.

He said the government should prevail over the aggregators in asking them to adhere to the provisions under Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016.

The drivers also want Ola and Uber to stop attachment of new cabs as it affects their bookings, as also immediate stoppage of penalising drivers, based on customer ratings.

Before going on an indefinite strike, hundreds of drivers had staged a protest here against the transport department, asking for enforcement of the rules, on February 19.
India's state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation will take control of Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) as part of the government's plan to create an integrated public sector oil entity comparable with big global oil companies like Shell, BP and Exxon, a report in The Economic Times said.

"It is a very big decision. A Cabinet note will soon be moved. The government of India will transfer its majority shareholding (of 51.11% in HPCL) to ONGC, which will then become the holding company of HPCL," the report quoted an official without identifying.

The move will stop short of a complete merger, which may take longer, but the purpose will be served with this step, the report said citing the same people.

India has about a dozen state-run oil and gas companies - including Indian Oil Corp, Oil and Natural Gas Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp. But alone they do not have the financial power to rival global oil majors in bids for overseas oil assets.

The report comes close on the heels of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's announcement during the budget speech earlier this month to "create an integrated public sector oil major which will be able to match the performance of international and domestic private sector oil and gas companies."



Combining them "will give them capacity to bear higher risks, avail economies of scale, take higher investment decisions and create more value for shareholders," Jaitley had said.



The status of all other oil companies such as Oil India Ltd (OIL) and Indian Oil Corp. (IOC) would remain unchanged.

ONGC's exploration functions will be integrated with HPCL's refining and distribution capabilities. HPCL, which owns and operates two major refineries in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, has India's largest lubricants unit and second largest pipeline network of 3,015 km apart from a vast marketing system.
Innovate or get left behind. Businesses today know this and have seen it happen over the years. From Amazon to Uber and Netflix, we have all seen new or small companies disrupt or vanish within months. Leveraging technology is key. Firms of all sizes and industries need to use new technology, to create advanced business models that have greater value for their customers.

Governments, too, are on board. From Singapore's Committee on the future economy to the ASEAN Economic Community formed in 2015 and India's Innovation Growth Programme, government leaders and influential organizations in the region are increasingly enabling companies of all sizes to develop innovative capabilities, make better use of technology, and implement new business models in order to stay relevant and competitive.

The opportunities are there, but what do business leaders need to consider when embracing this revolution? Here's a checklist to kick things off:

Start with the customers (and their data) With the expansion of digital lifestyles, customers today are spoilt for choice and have higher expectations than ever before. It is essential for businesses to understand the ever-changing needs of their customers and put them at the center of decision-making. How do they do this? It all starts with the data.

Today, all organizations (big or small) should have the capabilities to embrace a data-driven model where employees can extract insights from data and create a holistic picture of their customer segments. In fact, according to a recent Forrester report, customer insight-driven companies are growing significantly faster than their competitors as they are able to optimize every aspect of their business. With the right tools that canutilizedata generated from disparate sources, customer data can easily be transformed into the greatest business asset ever.

Transform company culture Collaboration is the key to success. All stakeholders, departments, and employees within a business need to be aligned in order for creative disruption to take place. Nothing can happen in isolation.

Marketing comes to the forefront in this process, with the most knowledge on customer behavior and touchpoints, lines of business have a clear view on overall business objectives and challenges. IT has the engineering and knowledge to implement advanced technologies, and every employee has a role to play in developing company culture and their own individual skills. Everyone needs to work together.

At the same time, it is essential for business leaders to embody the spirit of innovation, encourage company-wide adoption of disruptive technologies, and focus on the upskilling of every individual worker in order to create an innovative company culture. It starts from the top, but needs to trickle down to everyone.

Embrace the skills future The people make a company. No matter how smart the technology, strong companies are built on skilled employees, who know how best to leverage information and technology for greater business value.

However, today there is still an IT skills gap in Asia Pacific and it is essential that current employers provide the right training and opportunities for employees to hone their skills. At the same time, businesses need to work together with the public sector, academic institutions, and talent placement organizations to ensure the right people are given the right opportunities and placed in the right jobs.

From a business perspective, the onus is on leaders to ensure their teams are given opportunities to upskill, collaborate, and stay in-tune with innovative technologies and new business processes.

Find the right partner One way for companies to get smarter is to find the right technology partner to drive their data strategies.

With the growing demand to process and analyze massive volumes of data, the right technology will enable companies to leverage various data types and unlock insights and value. The right partner can help bridge the IT skills gap by expanding the skillsets of employees through training and support. The right partner should no longer just be in charge of infrastructure or implementation, but should be fully aligned with business objectives, strategies, and needs in implementing the technology. The right partner should help drive businesses to ask more questions of their data, find more meaningful answers, and make smarter decisions.

There is no doubt that the future of any businesses today lies in disruption or destruction. Only then can companies effectively embrace much needed technological change in this digital era.



(The writer is Senior Director, APAC, Cloudera)
Billionaire Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group is set to give wings to PM Modi's UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik) scheme to improve flight connectivity for small towns and villages.

JSW Group made a bid in an ongoing auction process which will allow companies asking for minimum government subsidies to operate scheduled commercial flights to the country's underutilized airstrips, a Bloomberg report said on Monday.

The aim is to improve connectivity between the group's plants, the report quoted Chief Financial Officer Seshagiri Rao.

The firm isn't bidding under listed entities such as JSW Steel Ltd., India's largest privately owned producer of the material, the report added.

The government's ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik) scheme aims at boosting air connectivity to and from unserved and under-served airports and making flying more affordable.



Terming UDAN as a game changer and a "step change" in Indian aviation, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha had earlier said that Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received 43 initial proposals from 11 bidders for 190 routes under the scheme.

"We have 75 operational airports currently in the country. Through the bids that we have received for UDAN, it appears that we will now have 43 new airports that will be joining our aviation network. So now 118 airports are going to be operational once UDAN gets implemented next month or so," Sinha added.

PM Modi has promised tax breaks and waivers of landing and parking charges for some underused airfields in the world's fastest growing aviation market.
Country's largest telco Bharti Airtel on Monday announced 'war on roaming' or free incoming calls/SMS and no premium on outgoing calls while roaming across India.

On the overseas roaming charges, the firm said daily billing will be adjusted to the price of basic one day pack even for customers who don't buy a roaming pack.



ALSO READ: Reliance Jio Prime membership: All you need to know



Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel said ,"This marks the death of national roaming and the whole country will be like a local network for our customers, who will not have to think twice before making or receiving calls or using data while travelling outside their home base." The move is likely to benefit 268 million Airtel subscribers. Idea Cellular and Vodafone are likely to follow suit in a bid to protect their subscriber base, under threat from the newest entrant in the telecom sector - Reliance Jio.

The Bharti Airtel stock closed 2.83 percent or 10.35 points lower at Rs 355.70 on the BSE.

The announcement comes almost a week after billionaire Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio announced the launch of Prime Membership for existing Jio customers and revealed tariff plans.

ALSO READ: Reliance Jio tariff plans to begin from April 1, Prime membership on offer



From April 1, Reliance Jio will start its tariff plans. All domestic voice calls to remain free, no roaming charges, no hidden charges, Ambani said on February 21.

Jio prime members will get unlimited benefits of New Year offer for another 12 months at only Rs 303 per month or Rs 10 per day for another full year.

Those enrolling for Jio Prime membership will have to pay Rs 99 as membership fee. Enrollment for prime membership will start from March 1 till 31 March 2017.


Most regulators still live in "analogue world", India's telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal said on Monday, nudging them to allow consolidation while underlining that a large number of operators does not ensure greater competition.

Large countries only need three service providers while smaller nations could be covered by two carriers, he said.

The comments come days after his company, Bharti Airtel announced acquisition of Norwegian company Telenor's India unit. Also, its smaller rivals Vodafone and Idea Cellular are considering merging.

"Governments have got it wrong for too long. Regulators have always felt giving out new licences means more money for the government and more competition for the customers. It's quite the contrary," he said delivering a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress here.

The Airtel Chairman said one doesn't want a situation where there are one or two "healthy" operators, while another similar number struggle while other "three or four are in the ICU".

"You really want a few sustainable solid operators, who can put out the investments that are required to deal with the new technologies, demand of data, the speeds that you want.

It's extremely important that the regulators re-calibrate demand," he said.

Mittal cited examples from the US and Europe and said these issues are of concern to the telecom industry globally.

"In Africa, again and again when I meet regulators and ministers, they talk about issuing new licences. The time for a licence and 500,000 base stations creating a value is over.

You can give as many licences as you want but please allow consolidation," he urged.

He expressed delight that Indian government is comfortable with the country having five operators now, from 12 a few years ago.

"Probably it will be down to 4, let's see where it ends up," he said.

Telecom Secretary J S Deepak had said on Sunday that the fresh round of consolidation unfolding in the Indian telecom market is likely to yield five major players ensuring "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum".

Most competition and communications regulators still live in an "analogue world", Mittal said, adding that they need to realise that more operators does not mean more competition.

"My opinion to all regulators around the globe is have few solid operators and encourage consolidation," he said, adding, it is important that players get a reasonable return on their investments.


LOGAN  A judge has sentenced 36-year-old Dustin T. Wilcox to prison, saying the North Logan man has become a dangerous person.

Wilcox was arrested last summer, after allegedly assaulting his estranged wife outside a Nibley home, while she was trying to retrieve the couples children. The victim claimed that he took her car keys, and threw her cell phone into a nearby field as she was trying to video the assault.

Wilcox shook his head repeatedly as he appeared in 1st District Court Monday afternoon for sentencing. He told the court, there were a lot of things in his past he wished that he could change. He apologized for his actions against his ex-wife saying he was a drug addict.

In January, Wilcox accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to one count of violating a protective order, a third-degree felony and two misdemeanors. As part of the plea, prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining 10 charges against him.

During Monday sentencing, the victim pleaded with the court to send Wilcox to prison. She tearfully described how probation and protection orders had not protected her and her children. She said the recent murder of three Preston, Idaho children by their father, 37-year-old Tate Spillet, who then killed himself, is a tragic example of what her ex-husband is capable of doing.

Defense attorney Wayne Caldwell argued to have his client be placed on probation, stating he struggled from mental health issues in addition to drug addictions. He said sending the defendant to prison would not help the situation.

State attorney Jacob Gordon said Wilcox had continually violated the rules before and after his arrest. He said, the defendant had shown he cant control himself. He stated the best thing for society at this point, was to take Wilcox out of it.

Judge Kevin Allen sentenced Wilcox to the maximum term of zero-to-five years in the Utah State Prison. He said it would be up to the State Board of Pardons, to determine when the defendant would be released.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
Hon Norbert Mbile Archives

Hon. Norbert Mbile has expressed his surprised at heavy criticism at him after his statement on the people of the north West region at the famous South West Elites Forum meeting which held in Buea on February 2, 2017 .

The Member of Parliament said people misunderstood him when he said North Westerners are more resilient, hardworking and more in number than South Westerners. The Post newspaper reports that the Chief of Batanga in Ndian Division, South West region said he was instead praising the people of North West for their bravery and not insulting them. He revealed that after that meeting he received a series of insulting messages.

He said he had argued that the South Westerners, in line with the 1996 Constitution are advocating for ten states Federation whereby each region will have quasi autonomy but that the position of the North West region for a two state Federation might be difficult to obtain because the Government will find it difficult to share resources 50-50 with the Southern Cameroons.

The member of the National Anti Corruption Commission, CONAC said he sees North Westerners as his brothers and that the two English speaking regions are one and indivisible like the one and indivisible Cameroon.

Hon Mbile said the strike in the two English regions has exposed the gross marginalization going on in the country especially the problems faced in the bi-jural and bi-cultural aspects of lives. He however said all strikes have an end and the best thing to do is call off the strike and send children to school which according to him will pave way for positive and inclusive dialogue with the government.
This was the major outcome of the 6th ordinary congress of the party that held over the weekend in Yaounde.

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The National Chairman of the National Union for Democracy and Progress, NUDP, Bello Bouba Maigari has once again won the confidence of members of the party who by acclamation voted him as NUDP chairman for the next five years. Bello Bouba Maigari who has been the National Chairman of the party since 1992 was re-elected unopposed during the 6th ordinary congress of NUDP that held in Yaounde on February 25, 2017.



Massively attended by delegates and militants from the ten regions of the country and scores of representatives from friendly political parties like the ruling CPDM, SDF, UPC, FSNC, UPF, MP, MDP amongst others, the congress served as an opportunity for the party to assess the path covered within the last five years and chart a way forward on the wake of a municipal, legislative and presidential elections in 2018. In his policy speech, the National Chairman called for the improvement of the electoral system by extending the biometric system to the polling stations, the institution of a single ballot paper as well as the reduction of voting age to 18 years. He also expressed the desire of the party to see Government Delegates replaced by elected mayors.

The current security and socio-political and economic situation of the country did not leave the NUDP chairman indifferent as he praised President Paul Biya and his government for efforts in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group that has for the past two years posed a security threat in the Far North Region of the country. On the situation in the two English Speaking regions, Bello Bouba Maigari encouraged government to continue dialogue so that the future of the country is not compromised. Cameroon, he added, has to remain one and indivisible, united in its diversity. He hailed the creation of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism urging the Head of State to appoint its members as soon as possible.

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| BY Ricki Green |

An older piece taken from the archives of damonsbrain  a blog written by Damon Stapleton, chief creative officer of DDB New Zealand

A great quote from Napoleon Bonaparte. Admittedly, it all ended pretty badly for him on a godforsaken island in the South Atlantic but I am sure on a clear day the views were almost spectacular.

The reason I use this quote is I was recently reading Dave Trotts remarkable and excellent book Predatory Thinking.

In one of the chapters he talks about how marketing departments always want to grow and to do that they need to take somebody elses lunch. To survive they have to win.

Advertising agencies are no different.

And to win, you have to attack. You have to beat the opposition. You have to have a better plan of battle otherwise you die.

Many dont like to talk about this because it is brutal. But this is the truth of our business. And those that succeed, fundamentally understand that unless you attack at some point you will never win a battle. Or, to put it another way you cannot succeed unless you are prepared to fail. These days waiting for the battle to come to you is not a formula for success.

I listen to many talking about defending their way to glory.They use large words and have many intricate strategies with colourful pie charts.

Well, in the words of Mike Tyson, everybody has a strategy until they get punched in the face. Our business is littered with examples of people who have tried to just hold on to what they have and failed dismally.

And if you want an example of this outside our business I will give you one. Kodak. It blows my mind that a company of that size can die. The strangest part of their demise is they invented what killed them. They had a digital camera in 1976 but didnt develop it because it would threaten their core business. They were right.

I think some in our business are going to succeed and some are about to experience their own Kodak moment.

Jack Welch said if the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near. Well, I would say the rate of change is so fast right now by the time you have put up your defences, your own army has moved. Or the weapons have changed. Or the battlefield is somewhere else.

I honestly believe attack is important simply because it creates movement. It does not guarantee success but it creates a target and energy. And most importantly, you might get to a better position than you are in right now.

Defence at best guarantees the status quo. As a strategy these days, that is not an option.

To attack takes a large amount of bravery and daring. And even if you have buckets of both, there are no guarantees. What I do know however, is that people are normally remembered for what they tried to do. Very few are remembered for doing nothing.

It was called the Charge of the Light Brigade not the defence of the Light Brigade.They were celebrated because they gave it a go, the nobility of trying, instead of waiting for someone else to decide their fate.
| BY Lynchy |

Ogilvy & Mather Japan Group has a new management lineup with immediate effect. Jack Mickle joins the network as Chief Executive Officer, and Leo Shiina  Group Finance Director  will be taking on new responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer.

Mickle (pictured) is an international advertising executive with deep experience in the U.S. and Asia, where he worked for twelve years with Saatchi & Saatchi in Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan. Mickle brings a wealth of experience and will be overseeing key client relationships in addition to O&Ms overall growth strategy in the Japanese market.

Commenting on Mickles appointment, Chris Reitermann, co-CEO, O&M Asia Pacific said, Jack has substantial agency experience in Japan and throughout Asia, having worked in Tokyo for a number of years serving large international and Japanese clients. We are very pleased that he has accepted this role to further evolve Ogilvy Japan with its continued focus to deliver integrated modern marketing services for our clients.

Mickle further added, I am honored to be joining the Ogilvy network in Japan. Ogilvy has an exceptional global culture and the talent in our Japan office is second to none. This is a new and very exciting opportunity, and Im looking forward to returning to Japan and working together with our team and clients on the ground.
| BY Lynchy |

RED2 Digital has been appointed as Pocari Sweats digital agency in Vietnam. This came about following a review of Pocari Sweats digital activities and RED2s core capabilities.

After entering the market in 2012, Pocari Sweats market share has risen to No.2 in what is a highly competitive market. As a leading product for parent company Otsuka Thang Nutrition, theyre looking to make an even greater impact on this lucrative, growing market.

Pocaris growth in Vietnam has been almost entirely digitally-led, which is revolutionary for a FMCG brand, said Rich Pham, Managing Director of Otsuka Thang Nutrition. He noted the importance of an agency partner that understands the new competitive landscape in the digital age, and one that looks beyond traditional advertising alone. Pocari Sweat Vietnam is known for its innovative marketing campaigns, which maintain a strong focus on digital and social media.

RED2 has been tasked with creating best in class strategy and creative across all digital channels, while continuously driving innovation for the brand. The appointment includes media planning and buying, mobile, social media, SEO and analytics, as well as creative and content development.

RED2s strong understanding of the digital world and their impeccable data analysis are what weve been looking for from a digital agency partner, Pham added. They demonstrate the best in class thinking through their digital expertise, and they have a real commitment to performance marketing results.

Luke Janich, CEO of RED2 (pictured above), said, We are honored to be partnering with a brand thats as iconic as Pocari Sweat. From a creative point of view, Im excited to have the opportunity to develop innovative and inspiring work across their entire digital and social ecosystem.
The proposed change to the wording of the act is considered one of the most ambitious options for change in the report and it is by no means certain that it would be taken up by Mr Turnbull - though the Prime Minister is certain to face pressure from the Right of his party to adopt this big change.
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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Sometimes its good to be reminded of just how good a car is by giving it go once more. In the case of the Mitsubishi Xpander, its the smal...
U.K.-regulated ship insurers are preparing plans to open new outposts in European Union jurisdictions such as Luxembourg and Cyprus, fearing that Brexit will hinder access to the EUs financial market, industry sources involved say.

Britain dominates the global marine insurance market and losing access to specialist Protection and Indemnity (P&I) clubs  marine insurers owned by shipping firms  could further weaken other parts of its multi-billion pound shipping services sector. Several Greek shipowners have already moved operations out of Britain anticipating changes that could remove their favorable non-domicile tax status.

Of the 13 major global P&I clubs, six are regulated in the United Kingdom and are estimated to account for over half the total market share of an industry that insures about 90 percent of the worlds ocean-going tonnage. Many of the clubs have been an integral part of the City of London for nearly two centuries.

Many sections of the financial industry have said they may need to relocate certain businesses after Brexit, but for P&I clubs the issue is particularly acute because a greater share of their earnings comes from elsewhere in Europe.

While negotiations between Britain and the EU have yet to start, the central concern is the loss of passporting rights that enable financial firms to operate across the bloc under the supervision of one member states regulator.

Anthony Jones, director with London Club, one of the six, said it was actively exploring our options for a post-hard Brexit operating scenario, referring to Britain making a clean break with the European Union.

We have prepared a shortlist of potential jurisdictions from which we could write EEA (European Economic Area) business, and our investigations are continuing as we attempt to identify which of these might best suit our requirements, Jones said, declining further comment.

Insurance and shipping sources say landlocked Luxembourg is among the top contenders. Two P&I clubs are already regulated there, it has a cluster of other maritime companies and businesses like its regulatory and tax regimes.

A spokeswoman for Luxembourg for Finance  the national financial development agency  said numerous U.K. companies including insurers were currently considering Luxembourg for their post-Brexit set-up. She declined further comment.

Claude Wirion, director of Luxembourgs insurance regulator CAA, said it had a long track record of supervising internationally active insurers including P&I clubs. He declined comment on whether there were discussions with other clubs.

Shipping sources said Cyprus was another possible destination, keen to boost its maritime industry and recently attracting more shipping companies, including Greek shipowners previously based in London.

A Cypriot official said there had been early communication over potential interest by clubs to establish a base there, declining further comment.

Andrew Bardot, executive officer of the International Group of P&I Clubs  the umbrella association for the 13 insurers  said other possible jurisdictions included Ireland, Germany and Greece.

Wait and see is not an option given the time that it will take (to set up) a regulated subsidiary within an EU member state, he said.

British Economy

Europe represents 30 to 50 percent of the clubs global business, partly due to the dominance of Greek shipping companies in the industry. In contrast Lloyds of London, the worlds leading specialty insurance market, gets around 11 percent of its business from countries outside Britain in the EUs shared market.

A study conducted by the City of London Corporation last year showed P&I clubs with a presence in the U.K. accounted for over 1 billion pounds ($1.25 billion) of U.K. gross earned premiums, out of a total of 7.5 billion pounds for the marine insurance sector in 2014.

North Club, another British-regulated P&I insurer, said it was working on a range of contingency plans, which included a new EU outpost.

Britannia Club said it was considering its options, while Standard Club and UK Club declined to comment on their plans. Steamship Mutual Club did not have immediate comment.

Of the two regulated in Luxembourg, Shipowners Club declined to comment.

The other, West of England Club, said U.K. regulated clubs were likely to be getting on with some form of dialog with regulators like Luxembourg.

If you had to do it, you would want to be talking to at least a handful of regulators to get a dialog going with each to ensure not being at the back of the queue, said West of Englands CEO Peter Spendlove. ($1 = 0.7967 pounds)

(Additional reporting by Michele Kambas in Athens, Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels and Pamela Barbaglia in London.)
Although BMWs i division is shifting its focus towards the development of advanced autonomous technologies, the German brand still thinks were quite some time away from fully self-driving cars.



During an interview with Drive Mag, senior engineer automated driving at BMW, Dr. Dirk Wisselmann, said that we are at least 10 years away from when cars are able to handle unforeseen circumstances without any driver involvement.

Safety systems will help, but not take over 100%. Weve got at least ten years ahead of us of assisted driving in such situations, not autonomous driving, Wisselmann said.

Interestingly, BMWs timeline is much greater than some other automakers. Ford, for example, says it will offer a level 4 autonomous vehicle to consumers in 2021. The key difference between level 4 and the level 5 system BMW is discussing is that level 5 autonomous vehicles can instantly adapt to all driving conditions without the presence of a human on board.

For a company like BMW which says it sells The Ultimate Driving Machine, autonomous systems may seem like a backward step. However, Wisselmann says that the technology will work seamlessly with the driver focused appeal of its vehicles.

You can switch it on when you need it, and off when you dont need it. Autonomous driving just takes care of the most boring parts of driving and lets the driver enjoy his BMW when he wants. Theres no fun to commute on a very busy highway. But in the countryside, or on winding roads, youll still be able  and encouraged  to take matters into your own hands, he said.

PHOTO GALLERY
BMW is pondering building the upcoming all-electric Mini in Germany rather than Britain as originally intended.



According to German publication Handelsblatt, the automaker was planning on building the electric Mini in the UK but has lost interest since the UK public voted for the country to leave the European Union.

Although BMW hasnt officially commented, it is reported that BMW also wont go through with its planned investments at the Minis plant in Oxford due to Brexit. Officials from BMW are due to meet with the British government in the coming weeks to discuss the plans before a final decision is made in the second half of the year.

At this stage, it is thought that instead of the UK, the electric Mini will be built at BMWs plants in Regensburg and Leipzig. Additionally, Dutch automotive producer Nedcar may also be contracted to handle a portion of electric Mini production.

The electric Mini is expected to hit the market in 2019.

Note: Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 pictured

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: The Canadian Press

It cost an estimated $350,000 to clean up the site, now the provincial government has been ordered to pay the legal costs of a group of homeless people who lived in Victoria's tent city last year.

Hundreds of people lived in the homeless camp before it was shut down last August.

At the time, the government said more than 300 people had moved into government housing, including 100 who moved into a newly renovated building offering supported housing.

The B.C. Supreme Court has ordered the province to pay the law firm that represented the campers in the tent city, according to CTV News.

A Victoria-based legal advocacy group helped retain two lawyers pro-bono to represent dozens of homeless campers during two injunction hearings.

The province will pay the law firm up to $55,000 for some of that work, which was valued at almost $250,000.
UPDATE: 4 p.m.

A Vernon woman has been sentenced to three years in prison for a drunk driving collision that killed a nurse from Kelowna.

Lori Vance, 39, was also given a one-year sentence, to be served concurrently, for seriously injuring another nurse in the collision that occurred on Oct. 23, 2014.

Vance pleaded guilty in Vernon provincial court earlier Monday to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm.

On the day of the crash, Vance consumed six pints of Guinness and six tequila shooters before leaving a bar after 1 a.m., said Judge Richard Hewson in his summation.

He said Vance's decision to ignore a server's suggestion she get a ride home led to the death of Erin Rae Smith, 33, and serious injuries sustained by Lindsey Hauck of Vernon.

Vance's vehicle T-boned the women's car at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 32nd Street while she travelled east at a high rate of speed.

Hauck suffers from the effects of her injuries to this day, Hewson told the court.

The judge looked at four aggravating factors, including: Vance's decision to drive despite her intoxication, the speed at which she drove over the posted limit, her failure to see the red light at the intersection, and her high level of intoxication.

One mitigating factor was Vance's remorse over the crash, said the judge.

As well, Vance had no criminal or Motor Vehicle Act record and she has an obligation to her family, he said.

Looking at Smith's parents, Hewson said there was no sentence that would be proportionate to the loss they endured.

As well as prison, Vance was banned from driving for six years, ordered to pay a $400 victim surcharge and submit to DNA testing.

Six other charges against her were stayed, confirmed Crown lawyer Iain Currie, who refused further comment.

ORIGINAL: 12:20 p.m.

A woman has admitted her guilt in connection with a 2014 car crash in Vernon that killed a Kelowna nurse and seriously injured another.

Lori Vance, 39, of Vernon, pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm, Monday, in Vernon provincial court.

"I'm so sorry," Vance wept as she faced the courtroom, describing how she knew the parents of Erin Rae Smith would never be able to hold their daughter again. "I despise myself for the hurt and pain I've caused."

Smith's parents left the courtroom before Vance began her statement.

The victims of the horrific collision were on a coffee run from Vernon Jubilee Hospital early on Oct. 23, 2014, when Vance's vehicle went through a red light at the intersection at 30th Avenue and 32nd Street and T-boned their car.

Smith, who was 33 when the incident occurred, died shortly after the crash, while Lindsey Hauck of Vernon, who was 31 at the time, was seriously hurt with skull and arm fractures and abdominal injuries that required immediate surgery.

Earlier, Crown counsel Iain Currie said Vance was almost three times over the legal limit for alcohol, after drinking Guinness, beer and four shooters at the Village Green Hotel pub. And she was driving almost double the speed limit, he said.

"The level of moral culpability is high," Currie told Judge Richard Hewson, noting Vance did not take the advice of a server at the bar to take a driving service home.

Vance has six other charges against her, but it appears a deal has been struck with the Crown so they will be stayed.

Defence lawyer Wade Jenson said Vance, who has four children, co-operated with police and the courts, and was truly remorseful.

A victim impact statement was read out by Brian Smith, the father of the dead woman.

Weeping at times, Smith described Erin as a beautiful person who had two university degrees and was planning to become an emergency room nurse.

"She loved her profession. She was making a difference in people's lives," Smith told the judge. "The hurt, pain and grief still lingers. It's pervasive and permeates everything we do. Her life has been reduced to memories."

Hewson is expected to rule on the case later today.
Photo: Contributed

Winnipeg police say they're waiting for a forensic examination of a substance a man allegedly sprayed on a teenage girl in a shopping mall before deciding whether to lay charges.

Investigators released a security image on Saturday from the St. Vital Centre of someone they describe as a person of interest, who they say they later found and interviewed.

They say he has been co-operative.

Police say a group of girls were in the mall on February 19 when they observed a strange man closely following them.

They say the girls tried to evade him by entering a store, but just outside the shop he appeared to spray or deposit an unknown substance on the clothing of one of the girls.

Police say he remained in the area for a brief period before fleeing.

"Members of the Sex Crimes Unit continued to investigate and due to the support of the public, the person of interest previously described has been positively identified," police said in a news release Sunday.

Police say the girls were not injured as a result of the incident.

Last week when police announced they were looking into the incident, investigators said the substance may have been a bodily fluid.

Police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said the girls were clearly uncomfortable as the suspect followed them.

Michalyshen did not speculate on what charges could be laid other than to say it was "a form of assault."
"...king of the hate left..."--

"As my friend Capper -- the best Wisconsin blogger ever -- says, there will be more. There's always more." - karoli

"...the psychiatrically attuned Capper..."--

"This is really great of you! I'm so proud to know someone like you"--

"Capper, a reasonable (and maybe even likeable) Lefty..."--

"capper, the Sidney Freedman of the hate left..."--

"I love capper because, well, what's not to love. But I also hate capper for alerting me to nonsense like this."---

"Capper, you really have a knack for this kind of writing. Really."--

"Crap. I agree with capper. Can Armageddon be far behind?"--

"capper is right. OMG, did I actually say that?"--
Photo: The Canadian Press

The federal prison population is on the decline, but a new attorney general who talks tough on drugs and crime and already has indicated a looming need for private prison cells seems poised to usher in a reversal of that trend.

Jeff Sessions, a former federal prosecutor sworn in this month as the country's chief law enforcement officer, signalled at his confirmation hearing  and during private meetings in his first days on the job  that he sees a central role for the federal government in combating drug addiction and violence as well as in strict enforcement of immigration laws.

The result could be in an increase not only in the number of drug prosecutions brought by the Justice Department but also in the average length of sentence prosecutors pursue for even lower-level criminals. If that happens, the resources of a prison system that for years has struggled with overcrowding, but experienced a population drop as Justice Department leaders pushed a different approach to drug prosecutions, could be taxed again.

"Given the rhetoric coming out of the White House and the selection of Sessions as attorney general, an increase in the federal prison population and a chilling effect on state reforms is a very real possibility," said Inimai Chettiar, justice program director at the Brennan Center for Justice.

The approach by Sessions, a former Alabama senator, to drug crimes will matter in courtrooms across the country and also to the Justice Department's bottom line.

Nearly half of federal prisoners are in custody for drug offences, and the Bureau of Prisons budget accounts for about one-third of the department's overall $29 billion spending plan. The population ballooned during the 1980s-era war on drugs as Congress abolished parole and as federal prosecutors relied on mandatory minimum sentences  rigid punishments strictly tied to drug quantity  to seek decades-long prison terms for drug criminals.

But in recent years, fiscal-minded Republicans, and Democrats pushing criminal justice efforts, have raised concerns about bloated prison costs and tried to develop ways to cut the population.

The Justice Department's inspector general has said mounting prison expenses detract from other programs and initiatives, and a 2012 Government Accountability Office report said overcrowding at bureau facilities had caused additional double- and triple-bunking, higher inmate-to-guard ratios and long waiting lists for educational programs.

The federal prison population now stands at just under 190,000, down from nearly 220,000 in 2013.

Factors contributing to the decline include Obama administration clemency grants to more than 1,700 inmates; decisions by the independent U.S. Sentencing Commission to reduce drug sentencing guidelines and apply the changes retroactively; and a 2013 Justice Department initiative known as "Smart on Crime," in which then-Attorney General Eric Holder directed prosecutors not to seek mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent and low-level offenders.

Justice Department officials in the Obama administration say their efforts to shrink the prison population were driven not only by cost concerns but also by a desire to correct what they said were excessive punishments doled out by judges. They said last year that that while the number of drug prosecutions had fallen, the cases prosecutors were pursuing involved more serious crimes.
Photo: The Canadian Press

President Donald Trump toasted the nation's governors Sunday night, welcoming state leaders to a black-tie ball at the White House ahead of discussions about his plans to repeal and replace the so-called Obamacare law.

Trump welcomed 46 governors and their spouses to the annual Governors' Ball at the White House, the first major social event of his administration. The president congratulated first lady Melania Trump on the elegant candle-lit event in the State Dining Room, telling the audience, "The room, they say, has never looked better, but who knows."

During his toast, the president noted his Monday meeting with the governors at the White House, saying, "Perhaps health care will come up," a nod to the effort in Congress to repeal and replace the sweeping health care law installed under President Barack Obama.

Trump saluted the nation's governors, joking that "it's such an easy job you have." Despite some of the turmoil at the start of his administration and legal challenges to his executive order temporarily banning travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Trump told the governors he had already made strides.

"I can say that after four weeks  it's been a lot of fun  but we've accomplished almost everything we've started out to accomplish. The borders are stricter, tighter," Trump said, praising the work of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. "We're very happy with the way things are working but, again, we've made a lot of promises over the last two years and many of those promises already are kept so we're very honoured by that."

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat and longtime ally of Trump's campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, led the governors in a toast of Trump. McAuliffe, the chairman of the National Governors Association, said they all shared the common goals of jobs, education, quality health care and infrastructure across the nation.

"We want to work with you to build on those ideals," McAuliffe said.

The governors, their guests and members of Trump's Cabinet sat at long tables topped with white floral centerpieces and candles in the State Dining Room, where Trump addressed the guests from a lectern near a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The president wore a black tuxedo while the first lady was dressed in a long black evening gown.

At the tables, Vice-President Mike Pence was seated next to his successor, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, while chief of staff Reince Priebus sat next to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, his friend from his home state. The president's daughter Ivanka Trump was seated between Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The 89th Academy Awards kicked off with Justin Timberlake dancing down the Dolby Theatre aisles, Jimmy Kimmel mocking Matt Damon and a standing ovation for the "highly overrated" Meryl Streep.

Timberlake's ebullient song  "Can't Stop the Feeling," from the animated film "Trolls"  was an early cue that the Oscars would steer toward festiveness instead of heavy-handed politics. Protests, boycotts and rallies have swirled ahead of Sunday night's Oscars. But host Kimmel, in his opening monologue, quickly acknowledged that he "was not that guy" to heal a divided America.

Kimmel instead struck an irreverent but sarcastic tone, singling out Streep, whom President Donald Trump derided as "overrated" after her fiery Golden Globes speech last month. Listing some of her credits, Kimmel said Streep has "phoned it in for over 50 films." He led a standing ovation for the "overrated" actress before adding a pointed punchline: "Nice dress, by the way," he said. "Is that an Ivanka?"

The host then predicted Trump was sure to tweet about the night's awards at 5 a.m. "during his Bowl movement."

As expected, the night's first winner was Mahershala Ali for best supporting actor. The "Moonlight" co-star glowed on the stage as he informed that crowd that he and his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, welcomed a daughter four days earlier. He thanked his wife for "being such a soldier through the process."

Most expect another day of sun for Damien Chazelle's celebrated musical "La La Land," up for a record-tying 14 nominations. But its night started off with an upset, losing out on costume design to the Harry Potter spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Ezra Edelman's "O.J.: Made in America" took best documentary, making it  at 467 minutes  the longest Oscar winner ever, beating out the 1969 Best Foreign Language Film winner "War and Peace" (431 minutes). Edelman's documentary, while it received an Oscar-qualifying theatrical release, was seen by most on ESPN as a serial, prompting some to claim its place was at the Emmys, not the Oscars.

Edelman dedicated the award to the victims of the famous crime, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

"This is also for other victims, victims of police violence, police brutality," Edelman said. "This is their story as it is Ron and Nicole's."

The "OscarsSoWhite" crisis of the last two years was largely quelled this season by a richly diverse slate of nominees, thanks to films like "Moonlight," ''Fences" and "Hidden Figures." A record six black actors are nominated. For the first time ever, a person of colour is nominated in each acting category. And four of the five best documentary nominees were also directed by black filmmakers.

"Remember last year when it was the Oscars that were racist?" joked Kimmel in the opening.
Photo: Contributed

Its easy to dream about it, but much harder to execute it  Gary Vaynerchuk

Everyone has a dream, but very few people are out there living their dream. Why is that?

Well, the hard truth is that dreams are nothing without the dedication, hard work and sacrifice it takes to get them off the ground.

I am currently attempting to fulfill my own dream to live a life of purpose, passion, and exploration.

At this moment, Im attempting to orchestrate a journey to travel across Canada in a bus while challenging myself to tackle new and exciting goals and attempting to connect with amazing Canadians along the way.

This is no small venture and it is already pushing me to my limits.

At the end of the day though, I know there is only one way to make my dreams come true: hustle.

Hustle to make sacrifices

Nothing worth accomplishing ever comes without some sort of sacrifice, so you need to be willing to give up everything if you hope to ever get everything you are looking for.

The question is, do you want it bad enough?

Are you willing sacrifice enough fun now to be able to achieve great things later? Are you willing to forgo your freedom and comfort if it'll bring you success and happiness?

For most people, that answer (despite what they may tell you) is no.

When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful. a Eric Thomas

So far along my own journey, I have had to say no to friends, forgo fun weekends, challenge my relationship with my girlfriend (love you, Britt) and basically minimize everything that doesn't directly impact making my dream come true.

This is easily the most difficult part of hustling for your dreams, but it's also the most important. It's these daily distractions that will serve to delay and deter you most from reaching your goals.

Hustle to get uncomfortable

If you're not uncomfortable, then you're simply not hustling hard enough.

If what you are doing isn't scary, challenging or exhausting, then most likely it's either far too easy or you're drastically underachieving your goals.

It's only when you get to the edge of your comfort zone and push (throw) yourself over that edge that you can discover true success.

I've learned the hard way that this is where dreams live; not wrapped up in a pretty package with a bow, but on the other side of the hundredth phone call you don't want to make, or the extra push-up youre too tired to try.

Hustle the hard work

"Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living a dream." - Peter McWilliams

It's not always the most talented or the smartest person that is able to achieve their dreams, often it's simply the person who is willing to work the hardest to get there.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." - Tim Notke

I've always struggled with execution. What takes some people an hour, almost always takes me three or four, but I learned a long time ago that my work ethic could be my difference maker.

I realized that if you can wake up every day and dedicate everything you have to your goals then you can accomplish almost anything.

It's this dedication to do what the other guy (or girl) won't and to do that work consistently every single day, that will get you to your goals.

At this point, I have no doubt in my mind that I will get to the bus that I am seeking and the life that I desire.

My dreams may be big but I know my dedication to hustle won't let me fail.

So now I'd like to ask you, are you hustling for your dreams?

Are you content to just be a dreamer, or you are you committed to be what you need to be to make your dreams become a reality?

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The driver accused of plowing into a Mardi Gras parade crowd in New Orleans had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit, police say.

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement identifying the man as 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto. He's being held at the city's jail on charges of first-degree negligent vehicular injuring, hit-and-run driving causing serious injury and reckless operation of a vehicle.

The accident happened Saturday during one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras when thousands of people throng the streets of Mid-City to watch the elaborate floats and clamour to catch beads and trinkets tossed from riders.

Police said Sunday that 28 people were hurt in the accident that sent 21 people to the hospital; an additional seven people at the scene declined medical help. At least three victims remained hospitalized overnight with moderate to serious injuries, police said Sunday. There were no fatalities.

Ages of the victims ranged from 1 year old to patients in their 50s, police said.

Police say a breath alcohol test determined Rizzuto's alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

"We suspect that that subject was highly intoxicated," Police Chief Michael Harrison had said on Saturday evening.

Harrison was asked by the media if terrorism was suspected. While he didn't say "No," he did say it looks like a case of DWI.

Rizzuto is being held on $125,000 bond in a New Orleans jail, The Advocate reported.
Photo: Getty Images

New research suggests that providing universal coverage for more than 100 prescription medications could save Canadians as much as $3 billion per year.

A paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday says providing all Canadians access to 117 essential medications would cover gaps that currently exist in health-care programs across the country.

Many Canadians don't realize that up to one in 10 people across the country aren't filling their prescriptions because they can't afford the out-of-pocket expenses, said Dr. Nav Persaud, a family doctor at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

"Most people don't realize this is even an issue ... They figure there was some kind of government program already in place," said Persaud, who helped create the list of "essential" medications.

"People who have access to medications tend not to think about it."

Persaud said he and his team wanted to look at which drugs should be publicly funded, and used guidelines from the World Health Organization to come up with a list.

The 117 prescription drugs include anti-depressants, oral contraceptives, painkillers and medications for managing blood pressure and diabetes.

The new study shows the essential medications account for 44 per cent of prescriptions written across Canada, and that number grows to 77 per cent if drugs that are therapeutically comparable are also included.

Generic versions of the same drugs are offered at hugely discounted rates in other countries that have government funded pharmacare programs, said Steve Morgan, a co-author of the study.

The single-payer system allows an agency to negotiate the lowest-possible price for medications by ensuring that manufacturers get the supply necessary to justify offering the drugs at a low cost, he explained.

"That's something that Canada's system doesn't do today, particularly for generic drugs," Morgan said.

Prices under the Swedish system are about 60 per cent lower, and in New Zealand the drugs cost about 84 per cent less, said Morgan, a professor with the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health.

"With price savings on that order of magnitude, even if you take the median or middle of those price reductions, that's where you see the tremendous power of a single-payer in the pharmaceutical market," he said. "As a consequence, there's billions in savings to be had."

The study found that creating a system in Canada where all 117 were covered for everyone would cost the public sector about $1.23 billion per year, but it would also save employers, unions and families who don't have prescription drug coverage $4.27 billion per year.
Photo: CTV

Canada's prison service faced 1,200 legal actions at the end of last March  a figure the federal prison ombudsman says is enough to keep an entire law firm busy.

"It's an awful lot ... they are paying about $10 million in legal fees, which is quite high. It's equivalent to a small to medium-sized law firm," said Ivan Zinger, the correctional investigator of Canada.

The figures, released by Correctional Service Canada to The Canadian Press, are a sign that the rising violence that Zinger documented between 2005 and last year  such as deaths, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and guards' use of pepper spray  need to be further addressed, he said.

"That's an awful lot of energy devoted to fighting lawsuits and I'm of the view some of that energy could be better channelled by developing a strategy to reduce the number of issues raised in the lawsuits," he said during an interview.

The number of legal actions in the course of a year rose from 1,122 active cases in 2014-15 to 1,203 cases in 2015-16.

Of that total, about 459 are civil lawsuits  rather than human rights cases and coroners' inquests  with CSC estimating about a quarter to a third  115 to 152  involved assaults or deaths of prisoners, according to the federal agency.

Zinger, who was appointed in January, said the CSC has about 15 lawyers on staff, and uses the federal Department of Justice for further legal advice.

Deaths and injuries in custody could be reduced with changes such as reducing overcrowding, improving mental health services, increasing parole, and teaching guards alternatives to using pepper spray in prisons, said Zinger.

During the year, the department paid out $643,000 in out-of-court settlements.
Photo: The Canadian Press

California water authorities will stop the outflow from the Oroville Dam's crippled spillway to allow workers to remove debris blocking a hydroelectric plant from working, officials said Sunday.

The Department of Water Resources said it will start gradually reducing outflows from the Northern California dam beginning Monday morning and completely halt them by the afternoon.

The outflow from behind the 770-foot-tall dam will be stopped for several days to allow workers to clear concrete, silt and other debris from a pool at the bottom of the spillway. Removing the debris will protect a shuttered underground hydroelectric plant and allow it to eventually resume operations, the agency said.

"Once operational, the Hyatt Power Plant can discharge roughly 14,000 cubic feet per second, which will allow DWR to better manage reservoir levels through the remaining spring runoff season," it said.

The reservoir's water level has been reduced nearly 60 feet since it reached capacity at 901 feet earlier this month, the department said.

The department said it will continue releasing 50,000 cubic feet of water per second the rest of Sunday and overnight. With inflows of water at only 25,000 cubic feet of water per second, more space will be made at the reservoir before the outflows are cut on Monday.

On Feb. 11, water managers used the emergency spillway for the first time in the dam's 48-year-history after a chunk of concrete tore out the main spillway, creating a 200-foot-long, 30-foot-deep crater. But the flow of water ripped through a road below and carved out deep chasms in the ground, leading authorities to order a two-day evacuation of 188,000 people for fear the emergency spillway could fail.

Since then, crews have been working to fortify the badly eroded emergency spillway.
Photo: RCMP

Demonstrators will rally at police headquarters in St. John's today following a weekend of outrage after a Newfoundland officer was acquitted of sexual assault.

A jury Friday found Const. Doug Snelgrove not guilty after he drove an intoxicated woman home from the bar district while on duty and had sex with her in 2014.

The Crown argued the 10-year veteran of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary took advantage of a vulnerable woman, but the case turned on consent.

Snelgrove's lawyer suggested the jury must have had reasonable doubt about whether she consented or Snelgrove believed she had.

About 70 people protested outside the courthouse Friday night, and graffiti appeared over the weekend attacking Snelgrove and the force.

Lawyer Allison Conway says she understands the anger and that people may want the law to better reflect a moral standard of consent.

However, she says the law as it stands allows that someone who was drunk or can't remember may still have consented.

Snelgrove has been suspended without pay since July 2015 and still faces a disciplinary process, which could include dismissal.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A jury from outside the Philadelphia suburbs will be brought in to decide the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby, a judge ruled Monday, rejecting a defence request to move the trial itself because of worldwide media reports that brand the actor a "serial rapist."

Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill said jurors will remain sequestered during Cosby's June trial on charges that he drugged and molested a former Temple University employee in 2004.

O'Neill's ruling came after lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star argued that his trial should be moved to Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh area. The larger, more diverse population would make it easier to find unbiased jurors, lawyer Brian McMonagle argued, but even then, he said, there was no guarantee that Cosby could get a fair hearing.

"Unless you've been living under a rock, the message that has been promoted, in insidious fashion, is that Bill Cosby is guilty, and that Bill Cosby is a serial rapist," McMonagle said. "I do not believe that there's a place anywhere in this country now where he can receive a fair trial. Not here, not anywhere. I hope I'm wrong."

Prosecutors accused the defence of trying to shop for a jury.

In a court filing, District Attorney Kevin Steele called the pretrial publicity argument "a red herring." He said Cosby couldn't expect to find a jury anywhere that is "oblivious" to the dozens of sex assault accusations lodged against him by Andrea Constand and other accusers.

"He's not entitled to a jury that is ignorant of the facts surrounding his case," Steele wrote. "The publicity that necessarily follows the rich and famous cannot insulate them from prosecution."
COLUMBUS  One man was transported to the hospital Monday morning following a two-vehicle accident on 23rd Street.

The man was injured when his white Hyundai Elantra, traveling west on 23rd Street, apparently slammed into the back of a fuel tanker semi in the inside lane at the Third Avenue intersection.

The extent of the man's injuries was unknown.

Several police and rescue crews responded to the accident, which limited traffic to one lane on both sides of the street for a period of time.

Airbags were deployed in the Elantra, a Platte County vehicle that sustained significant front-end damage. The semi, owned by Girton Transport Services of Kansas and Missouri and also driven by one man, received minor damage to the back end.

The names of the drivers were not released by police, who responded to the accident at approximately 11 a.m.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The Okanagan-Skaha school board is set to take a look at an amended budget for the 2016-17 school year Monday evening.

The new budget comes in at just over $64.8 million according to a staff report, compared to an initial budget of $62.4 million.

Since their original budget in June, the provincial government has announced a rural education fund to mitigate school closures, reneged administrative savings funding cuts and lost a Supreme Court case over teachers' rights to bargain class size and composition.

While the full settlement from the Supreme Court hasn't been doled out, an initial $50 million has been provided to school districts across the province to budget for 1,100 new teachers.

The rural education enhancement fund is set to bring in nearly $800,000 to the school district, according to the new budget, with nearly $250,000 of that going to teachers' salaries.

The capital budget is also expected to see a surplus of over $1 million  up from $290,000 in the initial budget.

The board is also set to begin the process of a "very global budget" for School District 67's 2017-18 school year Monday evening.

A meeting is currently set for April 27 for the public and district parents to have a look at what's in store for next year's budget.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Moscow municipal workers have demolished the impromptu memorial to Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov on the day he was killed two years ago.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was shot dead late on Feb. 27, 2015, just outside the Kremlin wall in an apparent contract killing.

Thousands of mourners marched across Moscow on Sunday and brought flowers and lit candles to the bridge where he was killed.

Activists who tend to the makeshift memorial said on Monday that municipal workers took away all the flowers and pictures in the early hours. Municipal workers have torn down the memorial in the past, calling it a safety hazard.

By late Monday morning, Nemtsov supporters flocked to the bridge to bring more flowers.
Photo: Contributed

The Penticton Indian Band has come out strongly opposed to a contentious 380-unit seniors development proposed for Summerland.

In a letter to district council, PIB Chief Chad Eneas states they do not approve, consent or in any other manner agree, to the development planned for 13610 Banks Crescent.

Eneas writes that the development falls adjacent to a culturally important area for the band, with extremely high archaeological potential.

The letter also states the area is currently under claim by the PIB, through the South Okanagan Commonage Specific claim, first submitted in 2011.

These lands are syilx/Penticton Indian Band lands and we are of the opinion that the proposed operations have the potential to pose threat and burden to the environment, water, wildlife and our economy, Eneas writes, going on to state that Summerland's current water supply is not equipped for an increase in population.

District staff are recommending council set up a meeting between the PIB and district staff to identify opportunities for additional communication, between the two groups, and to work with the RDOS to establish a regional referral process with First Nations.

A pair of letters from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. are also hitting councillors desks, outlining outstanding concerns about the development.

The largest issue to be resolved is the need for a permanent contingency water source for the hatchery, should something go wrong with Shaughnessy Springs as a result of construction or operation of the seniors complex.

The project developer is in very preliminary discussion of groundwater-based options for developing an alternative water source, including new groundwater supply wells, surface water intake or treated municipal supply, according to a report from the engineering firm the hatchery hired to examine the project.

The project proponents are actively considering options to identify an alternative water source for FFSBC operations, as a contingency in the event that Shaughnessy Springs water quality is altered and becomes unsuitable for Summerland Trout Hatchery aquatic environment, writes Matthew Munn, Senior Hydrogeologist, Exp Services.

The hatchery is also asking for a water quality monitoring system to be implemented.

A district staff report states they will be requesting more information from the developer, and will update council once more study is complete.
Photo: Contributed

The BC Coroners Service is investigating the discovery of a body over the weekend.

Vernon RCMP were called to a home on Cameo Drive about 7 a.m. Saturday, where they found the body of a 32-year-old man in the backyard.

The name of the deceased is not being released at this time.

Police conducted a "rigorous investigation," said Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, and determined the death does not appear to be suspicious.

The file is now being managed by the Coroners Service.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A fight in the halls of a Penticton high school made its way to court Monday morning, with a 15-year-old girl pleading guilty to an assault charge.

The girl was accused of punching another girl three times in the head at Penticton Secondary School.

The Crown lawyer on the case and defence lawyer James Pennington agreed that there had been simmering tensions between the two, with the girls calling each other names.

"I don't care what happens, it's the last day of school," the accused reportedly said in class of hitting the victim.

That comment had made the victim uneasy according to the Crown, and she decided to distance herself, but the accused grabbed her by the backpack and punched her in the face and head three times.

The attack ended after a teacher intervened, pulling the two girls apart. Both girls were sent to the office, and the victim and her parents were ultimately brought to the RCMP detachment to file a report.

While she was in custody, officers say the accused was rowdy and unco-operative. When an officer asked her to remove her belly button ring, she reportedly refused, swinging at the officer and pulling away.

After continued resistance, in which the girl reportedly continued to pull away from the officer and yell that they had no right to make her take off her piercing, she was taken to the floor by a pair of officers and put in handcuffs.

"A little attitude going on here; I didn't like the way you acted in the police station," Judge Gale Sinclair said during sentencing. "They're just doing their job."

Pennington characterized the fight as nothing special, noting that a schoolyard fight has not been uncommon in the past.

"Usually the way we settled things was you met outside, somebody got a punch in the mouth and best of friends afterwards," he said, adding that the girl had largely ignored comments made about her until an accusation of threats had her sent to the principal's office. "The badmouthing continued, and finally on this day, she had enough and took care of the matter."

However, the victim said in an impact statement that she has been afraid to go out, and that her daily life has been interrupted because of the incident.

"I'm continuously scared and always looking over my shoulder," she said, adding that she's switched schools and started getting rides to school from her family. "I'm always scared and worried each night as to what tomorrow will bring."

The girl was given a 15-month probation sentence, including an order not to go within 50 metres of the victim.
Photo: Contributed

The Soldiers of Odin are hitting the bars to keep women safe.

Ty Hero, with the Vernon chapter of the club, said the SOO has received reports of women being drugged at local clubs.

I heard of a few cases from (a recent) show as well as a young lady at a local pub...that never made it out conscious, Hero posted Monday on the community Facebook page.

SOO is forming preventative surveillance teams to keep a watchful eye for the next while in hopes to catch the perpetrator(s) and make people out on the town feel a little safer.

We're looking for volunteers to assist us in spreading out, staying sober and paying attention to the surroundings at these places on Friday and Saturday nights.

Hero said anyone interested in volunteering can message him through Facebook.

Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, with the Vernon RCMP, said she is unaware of any reports of women being drugged in area bars.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The son of a Nazi official has returned three artworks that his family had looted from the southern Polish city of Krakow during the Second World War.

Polish officials said Monday they hoped the gesture by Horst von Waechter of Austria would inspire other Nazi descendants to follow suit.

In the ceremony Sunday in Krakow, von Waechter returned an 18th-century map of Poland, built into a small table, and two historic drawings that his mother, Charlotte von Waechter, had appropriated there in late 1939. It was shortly after her husband, Otto von Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war. Von Waechter ordered the Krakow ghetto be set up in 1941.

The handover took place at the office of the Krakow provincial governor and was the result of efforts by Polish historian and politician Magdalena Ogorek, according to Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the governor.

He said one of the paintings had Charlotte von Waechter's handwritten pencil inscription saying it came from the Potocki Palace in Krakow, where the Waechters resided during the war.
Photo: Contributed

Black Press is shuttering its press operations in Penticton, meaning the Penticton Western News will now be printed in Vernon.

The move is a result of Aberdeen Publishing, the company behind Kamloops This Week, Merritt Herald, Peachland View, Oliver Chronicle and the Osoyoos Times, pulling their print work out of the facility.

The Penticton Black Press facility will be consolidated with its sister plant in Vernon, according to an announcement on the Western Newss website. Over 20 people were employed at the Penticton facility.

The competing Penticton Herald is reporting that Aberdeen Publishing has awarded their parent company the contract to print the Chronicle, Times and View at it's Kelowna press plant. The remaining newspapers will be printed in Vancouver.
Photo: Harwinder Sandhu Harwinder Sandhu is one of two Vernon residents hoping to win the NDP nomination.

The NDP will have a candidate for the Vernon-Monashee riding in May's provincial election. A nomination meeting is set for next month, said an official.

The two Vernon residents vying for the nomination are: Harwinder Sandhu, a nurse, and Barry Dorval, a teacher.

Sandhu is described by the NDP as a strong advocate for healthcare, seniors' care, public education and affordable childcare.

Born and raised in India, Sandhu immigrated to Canada in 2001 and has lived in Vernon with her husband and two daughters since 2012.

Dorval is described by the NDP as a dedicated English teacher at W.L. Seaton Secondary School in Vernon and an advocate for social justice and the environment.

He has lived in Vernon with his wife since 1999.

The nomination meeting is slated for 1:30 p.m. on March 12 at the Vernon Elks Lodge.

Two people are already in the race including sitting Liberal MLA Eric Foster and the Green Party's Keli Westgate.
Photo: Contributed

A man allegedly exposed himself to others in the family change room at Johnson Bentley Aquatic Centre on Saturday, RCMP say.

Police responded about 7:30 p.m. and found the suspect inside a change stall. The 34-year-old Kelowna man refused to identify himself.

He was arrested and taken into custody, where investigators identified him by his fingerprints.

RCMP are taking this reported incident very seriously, said Sgt. Lesli Roseberry.

Were pleased that staff of the facility were quick to call the police, which allowed our officers to make an arrest before others could be further victimized.

The suspect was held in custody over the weekend and is facing potential charges.

We suspect that there may be other members of the public who were at the pool, who may have witnessed this mans behaviour prior to or after the alleged incident, or (who) may have been victimized themselves, said Cpl. Jesse ODonaghey.

Wed like to encourage those witnesses to come forward to speak to our investigators."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 250-768-2880.
LINCOLN -- The alarm spread quickly through South Omaha, into households, down the commercial corridor on 24th Street, sweeping across social media, pouring into the schools.

An immigration enforcement raid at Nebraska Beef's big meatpacking plant!

Undocumented workers on the production line; mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, families at risk.

False alarm.

"We were getting calls and emails," Sen. Tony Vargas said.

"The fear on that day (earlier this month) reminded me how tenuous things are now. People were reacting to fear that is palpable now."

Vargas says "it's OK to be afraid," because Latinos, in particular, face the possibility that family members or friends, or even themselves, might be caught up in the next sweep by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as the Trump administration beefs up the ICE force and pulls the strings tighter on undocumented immigrants.

Perhaps as many as half of the people who live in Vargas' richly tapestried legislative district are Latinos. Many of them -- Vargas said he wouldn't want to estimate how many -- crossed the Mexican border without documentation, often bringing their children with them.

Those children currently are protected from the threat of arrest and expulsion by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive action taken by former President Barack Obama, and they're anxiously awaiting a decision by President Donald Trump as to whether they will retain that protection.

Vargas has introduced a legislative resolution (LR26) to renew the Nebraska Legislature's support for those youths by declaring its opposition to any action to erase the DACA protection.

The resolution will receive a public hearing by the Judiciary Committee on March 22, and that will test the nonpartisan Legislature's continuing commitment to DACA youth under a new Republican administration.

"It is critical we stand by that no matter what administration exists," Vargas said. "It's important that we show we are still a nonpartisan body."

During the past two years, the Legislature has enacted bills to grant DACA youths the ability to get Nebraska driver's licenses and the professional and occupational licenses they may need to work in the state.

Those bills were enacted over the vetoes of Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Vargas said he and his staff are trying to get the best information and answers for his constituents who are concerned or alarmed by the changing landscape for immigrants.

"We want to help pacify people's concerns," he said.

Vargas is working with organizations like Nebraska Appleseed, ACLU of Nebraska and the Heartland Workers Center in his district.

"We need to make sure people know they have rights no matter who they are," he said, "and we need to find out what we can do to help. That is why I was elected."

Vargas is the son of immigrants from Peru; he grew up in New York City and taught middle school in Brooklyn for two years. Last November, he was elected to the Legislature.

Looking back, he said, he "couldn't imagine what life would be like if my family had been torn apart. "

"This is a critical moment now," Vargas said.

"We need to make sure we are prepared. We need to try to make sure people's lives are kept intact because that's our job."

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Vargas isn't the only state senator with a large Latino or immigrant population in his or her district.

Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete said she hears indirect reports of concern in her district southwest of Lincoln.

"Some people are scared to death to go out," she said. "There's a lot of fear among workers who are new immigrants."

A Smithfield Foods pork plant in Crete employs a largely Latino workforce.

Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg said he has not heard any reports about the mood in nearby Lexington, where a large Latino and Somalian workforce labors at the Tyson beef plant that employs 2,600 meatpacking workers.

The Somalians are predominantly Muslim, another immigrant population that might be feeling some stress at this time.

Sen. Dan Quick of Grand Island said he has heard nothing from his community first-hand, "but I'm going to guess there is fear."

Swift operates a meatpacking plant at Grand Island.

"Many of those people no doubt work in fear every day," Quick said, "and they can't fight back."

Ebke expressed empathy for the new immigrants.

"I don't want people ignoring laws," she said, "but I can't fault anybody that comes here for a better life. That's what all our families did."
A Kelowna man is angry after he says he was denied medical attention at a Lakeshore Road walk-in-clinic over an outstanding bill of $50.

Aaron Korpaski says that decision nearly killed him.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet Aaron Korpaski nearly three weeks after surgery to relieve an aneurysm

Korpaski says he went to the walk-in-clinic at 3970 Lakeshore Rd. Monday, Feb. 4 after feeling intense pain in his head, face and neck.

"I stood up and within two to three seconds my head all of a sudden became pressurized. I had immense pain go from by forehead to the base of my neck at which point the base of my neck felt completely paralyzed, I could not move my head or turn it," says Korpaski.

"The pain grew more intense. I began sweating, became very dizzy, lost balance, I could not focus. It was the worst pain I have had in my head or neck in my whole life."

It was later discovered Korpaski had suffered an aneurysm - a blood vessel in his brain had burst.

Korpaski says he drove himself to the walk-in-clinic near his home on Lakeshore Road to seek medical attention.

"I told them I have something very severe going on in my head and I need to see a doctor immediately. I couldn't talk properly - I was holding on to the reception window with both hands trying to keep myself upright," says Korpaski.

"I was just a mess trying to get some medical attention and asked to see a doctor - even for a minute."

Korpaski didn't have his Care Card with him and when the receptionist entered his name in the computer he was informed he had an outstanding $50 charge and she couldn't help him until that was paid.

He says he offered to pay using his bank card but was informed the machine was not working.

"She said I'm sorry sir we can't have a doctor look at you. I basically begged and pleaded to see a doctor."

Korpaski says at one point a doctor poked his head out from the back but was told to go back to what he was doing - 'don't worry about it'.

He says he was told he would have to go to emergency.

"I was so appalled by it. There were probably three doctors there but none of them was allowed to come and see me."

Despite an offer to call an ambulance, Korpaski decided it would be quicker to drive himself to the hospital where he says he was ushered in immediately and diagnosed with the aneurysm.

"They told me I was extremely lucky to be alive and if I hadn't got here quickly, I would have most likely died."

Korpaski says he underwent surgery the following day and remains at Kelowna General Hospital recuperating. He says his prognosis is good.

After two weeks Korpaski remains bitter with the way he was treated at the walk-in-clinic - that his life was reduced to a mere $50.

"If I hadn't got to the hospital I could have died. Who are they to choose a life over a $50 charge that I was willing to pay but I couldn't pay."

"I was absolutely surprised I had that ($50 charge) I had received no letters from anybody asking for this to be paid."

He says he had no idea he would be denied medical attention over $50.

Dr. David Goldberg, one of the owners of Lakeshore Medical Centre says his clinic has a policy that, "anybody in dire need of medical assistance gets it regardless of whether they have a care card or anything."

He acknowledges there was an outstanding bill and says his staff is instructed in situations like this to ask for payment before a patient sees a physician except in cases of emergency.

"Clearly that communication between the patient and the staff wasn't clear that he was in a dire emergent situation," says Goldberg.

While he was not in the office at the time of the incident Dr. Goldberg says he was told Korpaski was asked if he was 'in distress' to the point he felt he needed immediate medical attention and declined it.

"My staff remembers that quite clearly. Then he put up the big fuss," stated Dr. Goldberg.



"According to my staff one of our physicians came forward just to check because when you get a bit off commotion at the front desk and, I think they asked the same question whether the person was in need of immediate attention and again was told it wasn't that type of an emergency."

He says he was told the doctor actually said we can call an ambulance for you if you like.

"He refused that and I think stormed out at that point."

Dr. Goldberg adds that in this case Korpaski was better off in the hospital than at the clinic.

"If he didn't have the specific symptoms that would have triggered the physicians to warrant a phone call or sending him by ambulance to the hospital he could have ended up going home and having a much more serious problem," says Dr. Goldberg.



"While I'm sure he isn't happy with the way this situation turned he may have gotten lucky."
Turkey: Sabanci Holding announce investment funds

27 February 2017

Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding has plans to make TRY4.5bn worth (US$1.25bn) of investments in 2017, the group's CEO said. The holding has plans to invest the funds in Turkey throughout 2017, up TRY0.4bn (US$110m) or 10 per cent from last year, Zafer Kurtul said at a Sabanc group annual briefing meeting where last years financials were announced.



Mr Kurtul said nearly 80 per cent of this amount would be channelled into expanding production capacity while the remainder would be set aside for technology investments. The better part of the announced investment amount would be used to expand capacity in cement, tyre and textile factories. TRY1.5bn (US$410m) would be allocated to energy sector investments and TRY1bn is to be used for technological enhancements.

He said they expect calmer market conditions in Turkey and a recovery in other macro-economic figures.

"We expect 2017 to be a better year than 2016 in exchange rate volatility, economic growth and recovery in unemployment," Mr Kurtul said.





Published under
Indonesia: PT Semen Padang secures coal supply

27 February 2017

PT Semen Padang has signed a purchase order with BlackGold Natural Resources Ltd's subsidiary PT Samantaka Batubara, to the value of US$12.6m to supply coal to the cement producer.

PT Samantaka Batubara expects to complete the order within the next 11 months for Cement Padang, a state-owned company and a subsidiary of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk.



Mr Philip Rickard, CEO of the BlackGold Natural Resources group, commented: "We are very pleased to receive this purchase order from Cement Padang. This order represents another critical milestone for BlackGold, as the group adds another esteemed state-owned company to its current portfolio of customers."

PT Semen Padang currently operates an integrated plant in Indarung and a grinding plant in Dumai. It is also currently building a new 3Mta kiln line in Indarung, West Sumatra.

Published under
The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASFs Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, opened its first regional innovation and technology center for applied surface treatment technology in Shanghai, China. The new 2,600 square meter center will focus on developing adv ... more

Despite the continued high raw materials and energy prices, BASF achieved solid earnings in the third quarter, said Dr. Martin Brudermuller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, presenting the results for the third quarter of 2022 together with Chief Financial Officer ... more

BASFs Supervisory Board confirms Martin Brudermuller as Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and appoints Dirk Elvermann Chief Financial Officer

The Supervisory Board of BASF SE extended the appointment of Dr. Martin Brudermuller (61) as BASFs Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors until the end of the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting; Brudermullers appointment was originally scheduled to end in 2023. Brudermuller has been ... more
The INM  Leibniz Institute for New Materials officially began its collaborative effort with the University of Namibia (UNAM) by holding a kick-off workshop. The aim of the joint project, NaMiComp, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, is to analyze Namibias locally available natural resources and then use them as a basis for new materials for industrial applications. INM and UNAM are working together on the NaMiComp project in order to establish and strengthen research competence in materials science at UNAM. In the long term, the aim is to build an on-site materials science institute at the University of Namibia.

The two-day long workshop, which was held at the INM, was the inaugural event for building this cooperation. Further multi-day workshops, reciprocal visits by experts, field surveys and learning cafes are set to follow.



Were delighted that this collaborative effort is now gaining pace, says Gunter Weber, INMs Business Director. Many different skills are needed to transform a natural product into a commercially profitable material. This starts with the analysis of the different types of wood, and includes the actual material and product development right through to the marketing of potential products.



The example of acacia trees and shrubs should be highlighted to demonstrate how this biomass can be used to produce sustainable, fire resistant building materials for use in cost-effective housing construction. The large number of acacia bush-invader in Namibia has now become an environmental issue.



Kenneth Kamwi Matengu, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia explains: We have found a strong German partner in INM. This partnership will allow us to further our Universitys research mission and to contribute to a commercial solution for the further processing of acacia wood into a variety of commercial products. Now that this project is underway, we have the opportunity to bring our joint vision a step closer to reality.
Amazon's artificial intelligence assistant Alexa is set to join the lineup of snap-on accessories called Mods for the Moto Z smartphone. (Motorola photo )

Alexa, Amazon's artificial intelligence assistant, is set to join the lineup of snap-on accessories called Mods for the Moto Z smartphone later this year, Motorola announced Sunday.

The add-on will let Moto Z users use Alexa to get news updates or control smart home appliances with voice commands. Amazon's Echo devices, powered by Alexa, were some of the hottest gifts over the holidays, helping push Amazon to record sales highs.

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Motorola, which is owned by Beijing-based Lenovo, did not disclose pricing nor a release date for the Alexa Mod.

"This is just the beginning for Alexa and Motorola," the company wrote in a blog post. "Later this year, we'll add Alexa integration into our phones  and you won't have to unlock the phone first."

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A Motorola representative said the company had no additional comment.

Analyst Ramon Llamas said the inclusion of Alexa is interesting, but won't be the reason people buy the Moto Z, which is available at Verizon from $624. He is a research manager for wearables and mobile phones at Framingham, Mass.-based market intelligence firm IDC.

"Nobody really buys a phone to get access to the accessories," he said. "It's the other way around."

Moto Mods  which also include a projector, high-quality camera, speaker and battery packs  are one way for Motorola and Lenovo to keep the phone feeling fresh, he said. They range from $49 for the just-announced Moto Power Pack to $299.99 for the projector and camera attachments.

Llamas also said Alexa as a hardware offering raised many questions. They include: Will voice-controlled Alexa on a phone be easier to use than smartphone apps? How far can the Alexa integration go on Moto devices, which run on Android, whose maker Google offers its own AI assistant? Would it be better to simply offer Alexa as a piece of software instead?

Plus, will it deliver on Alexa's core value proposition: convenience?

Llamas said one of his concerns about the Mods since they were introduced last June was how users would carry the spare accessories, since he expects Motorola would like customers to buy more than one.

"Having three, four, five of these things, do you keep them in your bag? You certainly don't keep them in your wallet," he said. "It just gets really inconvenient at some point."

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If users select a default Mod to keep attached all the time and don't carry around the others, that might be less of a problem, he said.

aelahi@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @aminamania
Former employees of Chicago-based coffee roaster and cafe chain Bow Truss have filed a wage theft lawsuit against the company and its management.

The suit, which was filed Monday morning in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges the company's incomplete or late payment of regular and overtime wages. The 10 employees also allege Bow Truss made deductions from wages for tax withholdings and benefits programs  including health and dental insurance and a retirement savings plan  but said those deductions were not put toward those purposes.

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The lawsuit names Bow Truss and its founder Phil Tadros. It also names Darren Marshall, Tadros' business partner, and their digital agency Doejo.

In mid-January, all local locations of Bow Truss shut down as the business struggled to pay employees and rent. The company's employees said at the time they closed stores and refused to return after many had paychecks bounce. All but two locations  one in the Loop and another in River North  have remained closed.

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Two former employees announced the lawsuit Monday morning at a press conference outside Bow Truss' 406 N. Wells St. location.

"We have friends still who have not been paid, even though the company closed most of its shops a month and a half ago," former employee Benjamin Creech said.

State Sen. Daniel Biss, Ald. Scott Waguespack, Ald. Ricardo Munoz and Cook County Board Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia also spoke in support of the Bow Truss employees at the conference.

"We have legislation on the state level to put more teeth in the law, and the process starts when workers are willing to stand up for their rights and fight, the way these workers are doing," Biss said. "This is an important step to send a message to businesses, to employers, across our region to let them know, they might think that in the past they could get away with behavior like this but that's not going to happen anymore."

Tadros, reached by phone Monday morning, said the company has tried to pay missed wages, but that it's been difficult to reach all employees now that they're no longer working at the stores. He said he believed the employees who filed the suit had been paid.

"As horrible as it is to be late, we definitely tried really hard to patch everybody up as soon as possible," he said. He said any former employee with outstanding issues should contact the company.

"We're very approachable, responsive, helpful and reasonable  as horrible as the situation has been, we weren't ignoring anybody."

mgraham@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @megancgraham
"Gary from Chicago" and his fiancee won't have a single worry about their wedding if local business owners have anything to say about it.

They'll also have free pizza, free tickets to a Bulls game and gifts from Wal-Mart.

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Businesses big and small are searching the Twitterverse for the new Oscar darling, who introduced himself as Gary Coe from Chicago and took social media by storm following his supposedly surprise appearance Sunday night at the Academy Awards.

Coe and his fiancee were part of a tourist group Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel had ushered into Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre during the awards show. Kimmel latched onto Coe, introducing him to the A-list celebrities packed into the theater. Denzel Washington pretended to marry the couple; Ryan Gosling appeared to whisper something into Coe's fiancee's ear.

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And all the while, Coe and his fiancee played the tourist part. They had their phones at the ready, making sure to record the whole thing. Coe sported a shirt that said "Hollywood" and a star-struck expression.

Soon after, the hashtag #GaryfromChicago was trending, and brands entered the social media frenzy, offering free products and services to Coe.

The Bulls were one of the first, offering tickets to a game. Gino's East offered free pizza, and Wal-Mart tweeted that there were "complimentary gifts" in store.

Gary from Chicago! We've got you covered if you want to come to a game! #Oscars  Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 27, 2017

If anyone knows who #garyfromchicago is, have him tweet us because we want to give him some pizza #Oscars  Gino's East (@ginoseast) February 27, 2017

Chicago-area small businesses followed suit.

"I saw the Bulls tweet and I said, 'You know, that's a nice gesture,'" said Tondalah Stroud, president and owner of F.O.G. Cosmetics in Calumet City's River Oaks Center. "The one thing I can offer is to do their makeup, so I offered right after the Bulls."

Gary from Chicago! FOG Cosmetics from Chgo got your fiance's makeup covered for your wedding if she wants! #Oscars #GaryFromChicago  F.O.G. COSMETICS (@fogcosmetics) February 27, 2017

If Stroud hears back from Coe, she plans to send a makeup artist for his fiancee and her bridesmaids on the couple's wedding day. F.O.G. typically charges $165 for the bride's makeup and $65 for each bridesmaid, Stroud said. She also wants to throw in a free $250 compact vanity product.

Ebony "Khavoni" Roberts of NK Artistry Professional Salon Care in Tinley Park wants to do Coe's fiancee's hair on her wedding day and can also do makeup. And she didn't even watch the Oscars.

"I saw the highlights," Roberts said. "One of my friends was explaining to me what the hashtag was. When I saw the clip I was like, 'Oh my God, this is amazing.' Then it hit me: Everyone was offering something. 'You can do hair, so why not offer them something?'"

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If Coe and his fiancee don't want Roberts to do makeup and hair, she has a long list of other bridal vendors she's worked with that she can connect them to.

"Whatever they need, we can be available for it," Roberts said.

Jumping in on trending topics can be a good brand builder for companies, said Molly Lynch, founder of Chicago-based Lynch Communications Group. It gives companies exposure they may not otherwise get, Lynch said.

#GaryFromChicago #Khavonismane from Chgo is offering bridal services to your fiance for your Big Day! #Oscars2017 pic.twitter.com/nx4Iumpa8x  Ebony Roberts (@KhavonisMane) February 27, 2017

As the Internet is taking a knee for Vicky & #GaryFromChicago, we'd like to offer some complimentary gifts on us. #SayYes #HelpUsFindGandV pic.twitter.com/BeLzK9zcbr  Walmart (@Walmart) February 27, 2017

But there needs to be some vetting, she said. A brand needs to make sure its image aligns with the "influencer"  in this case, Coe  before making public connections, be that forming a long-term partnership or offering free stuff.

"If Gary from Chicago as an influencer, as a person, doesn't make sense for your brand, it's going to fall flat," Lynch said.

Roberts said she doesn't think her gesture will necessarily bring in more business. Like everyone else seems to be, she was charmed by Coe and his fiancee.

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"They look like regular people, like us," Roberts said. "It just made sense."

It seems, however, that the brands showering Gary from Chicago with offers have yet to hear back from the mystery tourist.

Shelby St. Cin, social media strategist for Gino's East, said the pizza chain often extends free offers to keep its audience engaged and expects to hear from Coe soon.

After all, she said, "Why would you hide when you have all these freebies coming at you?"

A previous version of this story misidentified Coe as Gary Cole.

amarotti@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @AllyMarotti
The cannabis industry was rattled Thursday after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he expects the Department of Justice to increase enforcement of federal laws prohibiting recreational pot, even in states where it's already legal.

Along with the District of Columbia, eight states have legalized recreational use among adults, including California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada just this past November. That means one in five American adults can smoke, vape, drink, or eat cannabis as they please under state law.

Meanwhile, over half of the nation's states have legalized medical marijuana despite federal laws prohibiting its sale. The industry is estimated to be worth north of $6 billion and will hit $50 billion by 2026, according to Cowen & Co.

"Today's news coming out of the administration regarding the adult use of cannabis is, of course, disappointing," Derek Peterson, CEO of marijuana cultivator Terra Tech Corp., said Thursday in a statement. "We have hoped and still hope that the federal government will respect states' rights in the same manner they have on several other issues."

Spicer sought to distinguish the prospect of federal enforcement for medical, versus recreational, cannabis use, saying "there's still a federal law that we need to abide by when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature."

Spicer's statements reanimated industry concern that first arose when Republican President Donald Trump's short-list of potential attorney general nominees emerged. The final pick, former senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a Republican, has long opposed cannabis use, but is a major proponent of state's rights.

In his mid-January confirmation hearing, Sessions said he wouldn't "commit to never enforcing federal law" but added that "absolutely it's a problem of resources for the federal government." He said that if Congress felt marijuana possession should no longer be illegal, it "should pass a law." Trump has similarly gone back and forth on the issue of legalization.

The Bloomberg Intelligence Global Cannabis Index fell as much as 3.7 percent after Spicer's press briefing.

A crackdown on the industry would reverse existing federal policy and go against public opinion. The Obama administration largely deferred to the states, instead focusing on preventing distribution to minors, blocking sales across state lines, and keeping it out of the hands of gangs and criminals. A recent poll from Quinnipiac University found 71 percent of voters think "the government should not enforce federal laws against marijuana in states that have legalized medical or recreational use."

The Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit organization that advocates for drug policy reform, cited the poll on Twitter in a reaction to Spicer's statement. Of the more than 1,300 voters polled, 59 percent said marijuana should be legal in the U.S. Notably, Republicans opposed widespread legalization 61 percent to 35 percent.

Some in the cannabis industry see the federal reversal as a contradiction of the administration's stated positions on state's rights and job creation.

"To have Mr. Spicer say in one sentence that they're a state's rights administration and in the very next sentence say they're going to crack down ... it just defies logic," said Robert Capecchi, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, an organization that lobbies for pot-friendly changes to drug-related legislation.

The industry is also an abundant source of revenue, according to Patrece Bryan, president of Cannabrand, a pot focused marketing firm. New Frontier Data says the cannabis industry will create more than 283,000 jobs by 2020.

"This is absurd. For a president who ran under the banner of job creation, he actually needs to start looking at where the jobs are being created," she said. "With Colorado generating $1.8 billion over a 10 month period, this is America's new agriculture. Why would we take this revenue away from our country?"

The Drug Policy Alliance echoed Bryan's point, noting that eliminating part of the legal cannabis market would mean "wiping out tax-paying jobs and eliminating billions of dollars in taxes."

Still, not everyone was frantic about Spicer's comments. The tacit endorsement of medical pot use was comforting, said Allen St. Pierre, a partner at Strategic Alternative Investments, which focuses on marijuana. Ian Eisenberg, founder of Seattle-based pot retailer Uncle Ike's, was also sanguine.

"After the feds learn how well regulated Washington's adult use and medical cannabis markets are, they will leave it status quo," he said. Between July 2014 and April 2016, the state reportedly collected close to $200 million in tax revenue on cannabis.

Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, where pot is legal, said he was assured before Sessions' confirmation that there would be no drastic changes to federal policy. "That was the take-away from my conversation with Jeff," Gardner said. "It's not a priority of the Trump administration."

Other politicians in states where recreational use is allowed said they will act to protect the industry. "These comments leave doubt and uncertainty for the marijuana industry, stifling job growth in our state," said Democratic Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado.

Nevada Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford, a Democrat, said his state's attorney general "must make it immediately clear that he will vigorously defend Nevada's recreational marijuana laws from federal overreach."

Given the size and growth trajectory of the industry, entrepreneurs are not going to shut their doors without a fight, warns Troy Dayton, CEO of Arcview, a cannabis market research firm.

"People don't respond well to having freedom taken away," Dayton said.
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday announced plans to revamp the state's system for insuring many of its poorest residents, saying the changes could save taxpayers money and improve health.

But it remains uncertain how much money the overhaul might save the cash-strapped state.

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About 2 million Illinois residents  nearly two-thirds of Illinois residents on Medicaid, a state- and federally funded health insurance program for the poor and disabled  are part of managed care plans. In Medicaid managed care, private insurers administer Medicaid benefits. The state administers benefits in traditional Medicaid plans.

Rauner plans to expand Medicare managed care programs to 80 percent of Illinois residents on Medicaid, in every county in the state as well as to children under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services. He also wants to make sure the program focuses more on coordinating care for patients and paying doctors and hospitals based on results rather than just for services  something that has always been a goal of the program.

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Former Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill in 2011 mandating that half of all Medicaid beneficiaries be in managed care plans by 2015.

"We've done managed care in Illinois but like a lot of things we've done in state government, it's kind of in name only," Rauner said.

Rauner said the state would slash the number of insurers involved in Medicaid managed care from 12 companies to no more than seven.

Reducing the number of insurers will eliminate some of the administrative headaches the program has created for providers and ease confusion it's sowed among patients, said Felicia Norwood, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. In recent months, some central Illinois hospitals have dropped out of Medicaid managed care plans, leaving Medicaid beneficiaries in some counties without options, she said.

Medicaid managed care expenditures are expected to total an estimated $10.8 billion in state and federal dollars between summer 2016 and summer 2017.

Rauner, however, said Monday he couldn't speculate on how much cash the changes might ultimately save the state, saying officials will have to see what insurers propose when they respond to a new request for proposals.

The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans released a statement Monday saying it's reviewing the request for proposals and it looks forward to working on the rollout of a statewide program.

The association noted that since Illinois transitioned 2 million people into managed care programs, hospital readmissions have gone down, babies' birth weights have increased and a larger number of people are regularly seeing their primary care doctors and getting their prescription drugs on time.

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lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
A commercial United Airlines flight is the first plane to land on the new 28L-10R runway at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Oct. 15, 2015. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Some of United Airlines' newest destinations from Chicago  Champaign, Columbia, Mo., and Rochester, Minn.  don't sound like travel hot spots.

But they're part of United's push to win back market share in its domestic hubs, including O'Hare International Airport, lost during the airline's years as a "docile competitor," said United President Scott Kirby.

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"I like to think of this as the day we go back on offense," he said.

United will begin flying 47 new daily round-trip flights this summer, including service to six new destinations from O'Hare, the airline announced Monday.

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Among the new destinations are Midwest cities it once ignored. United isn't banking on filling the three daily flights from Champaign with passengers stopping in Chicago. Rather, it's hoping to attract customers connecting at O'Hare with other flights.

There isn't enough demand in the Chicago area to support nonstop flights to international destinations like Tel Aviv or more frequent flights to some U.S. cities. But add in passengers from smaller cities around the country, and those routes may start making sense, Kirby said.

United's new Midwest destinations  Champaign, Columbia and Rochester  are already currently served by American Airlines. Delta Air Lines also flies to Rochester.

At one point, there were 18 markets near Chicago that American served and United did not, said Kirby, who was president of American before joining United in August.

"I never understood why United Airlines let American get away with that," he said.

United also is adding daily service from O'Hare to Charlottesville, Va.; Reno, Nev.; and Spokane, Wash.

Kirby said United will continue to add routes and destinations as long it can grow while improving profitability and reliability. At O'Hare, growth also depends on getting access to more gates and avoiding cost increases, he said.

The Chicago Department of Aviation has spent and budgeted a total of nearly $5.5 billion on improvements to O'Hare's airfield, including new runways. But a gate shortage still could limit flight traffic if there aren't enough spots for planes to load and unload passengers. United leases 77 of O'Hare's 186 gates, while American has 67, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

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In July, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced major airlines had agreed to build up to nine new gates at O'Hare. At the time, city officials said they were still discussing plans for a bigger expansion with O'Hare's major airlines.

"We are fully supportive of their plans to grow and will always provide the facilities to do that," said Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans. "Right now we are somewhat constrained, and we have to provide not only for United but other airlines that want to expand."

Kirby said United wants to see a plan that adds some gates quickly and cost-effectively before embarking on a major overhaul.

Since connecting passengers don't care whether they fly through Chicago or Charlotte, O'Hare is competing with every other airport for connecting business, he said.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the cost of the modernization program.

lzumbach@chicagotribune.com

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Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool, seen here in 2016, said that the school district may be forced to end the school year two weeks early due to lack of funding. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Public Schools upped the stakes of its legal challenge to state education funding on Monday, warning that the school year could end nearly three weeks early and summer school programs could be cut if the district doesn't get a quick and favorable ruling.

"These possibilities are deeply painful to every school community," district CEO Forrest Claypool said in a letter to CPS families in which he asked them "to add your voices to this fight."

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Claypool told parents the school year could end June 1 instead of June 20 without a fast-tracked, preliminary ruling from a Cook County judge. In addition, CPS said summer school could be eliminated for all elementary and middle-school students except those in special education programs.

The moves are the district's latest effort to prod Gov. Bruce Rauner and state lawmakers into tossing CPS another fiscal lifeline, but a shortened school year figures to be a tough sell to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who campaigned in his first term to extend the year for CPS students. At a news conference on Monday, Claypool said the district has not come to any final decisions.

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"I want to make clear that's the worst-case scenario," Claypool said of the June 1 date. "It could be any number of days in between or it could be none at all if we are successful on this thing."

Claypool said success would depend on the courts or what's been billed as a "grand bargain" in Springfield to solve the state's record budget impasse.

Emanuel's school board earlier this month accused the state of employing "separate and unequal systems of funding for public education in Illinois" in a lawsuit filed against Rauner and the Illinois State Board of Education. CPS described the legal move as the "last stand" for a cash-strapped district that's "on the brink."

In its filing on Monday, the district asked Judge Franklin Ulyses Valderrama of the Cook County Chancery Division to issue a preliminary injunction that would prevent the state from "continuing to fund two separate but massively unequal systems of education."

CPS said it would present its case for an injunction to Valderrama on Friday.

CPS officials said in the court filing that cuts to summer school and the academic year could save about $96 million, an estimate Claypool said was "as conservative as possible."

At the same time, CPS officials acknowledged that the shortened school year could violate state requirements on the length of the public school year, which could imperil some state aid.

It would also present a significant challenge for school administrators. Nate Pietrini, principal of Hawthorne Scholastic Academy in Lakeview, said the uncertainty created by Monday's announcement makes it even harder to keep teachers, students and parents positive about the district's future.

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"All that stuff is difficult when you don't know when your school year is going to end, and you don't know if you need to reorganize major pieces of your curriculum and major culture-building events within your school," he said.

Hawthorne's graduation celebration, eighth-grade class trips and year-end literacy celebration ceremony would be at risk. Then there are matters of deciding whether to, for example, condense or eliminate part of the school's third-grade math curriculum.

"You can move an event," Pietrini said. "You can't move 13 days worth of instruction."

CPS has been scrambling to fill a budget hole since December, when Rauner vetoed a measure that would have provided CPS with $215 million from the state. The governor argued that the money was contingent on Democratic leaders agreeing to broader state pension reforms.

The district has already instituted cost-cutting measures that include four furlough days, which were scheduled so they didn't affect classroom time. The district also froze $46 million in school budgets and threatened $18 million in cuts to independently operated schools, only to restore about a third of that money last week after criticism that the cuts had a disproportionate effect on poor and minority students.

The Chicago Board of Education last week approved a $5.4 billion operating budget that includes a shortfall close to $130 million.

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State Education Secretary Beth Purvis on Monday said that instead of threatening cuts to the school year, CPS should focus on pushing legislation to overhaul the state's education funding formula.

"I hope that they would really look seriously at not cutting days from the school year," Purvis said in an interview. "I think people need to understand that the CPS board adopted a budget with a $215 million hole in it. Why is the governor being held responsible for that instead of the CPS board?"

Schools officials presented a grim picture of the potential harm other cuts could bring in Monday's court filing.

"If CPS ends the school year on June 1  instead of June 20  students will receive fewer days of instruction. If students are not in class, they forever lose those days of learning. There is no way to compensate for missed time in the classroom," CPS Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson said in an affidavit.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

In a separate affidavit, CPS Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett said the shortened school year would save about $91 million, while cutting summer school would save an additional $5 million.

The Chicago Teachers Union issued a statement on Monday that again accused Emanuel and CPS of playing politics instead of turning to solutions to help schools such as raising taxes.

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"The mayor behaving as if he has zero solutions is incredibly irresponsible," CTU President Karen Lewis said in the statement. "Rahm wants us to let him off the hook for under-funding our schools and instead wait for the Bad Bargain to pass the Senate or Rauner's cold, cold heart to melt and provide fair funds."

Claypool would not say when the district would cement a decision to shorten the school year.

"We think it would be wrong to prematurely set a final date for a decision when we still have the opportunity to prevent a shorter school year," he said.

jjperez@tribpub.com

Twitter: @PerezJr
A meeting Friday afternoon between President Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, his former rival in the GOP primaries, had no set agenda. But Kasich came armed with one anyway: his hope to blunt drastic changes to the nation's health-care system envisioned by some conservatives in Washington.

Over the next 45 minutes, according to Kasich and others briefed on the session, the governor made his pitch while the president eagerly called in several top aides and then got Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price on the phone. At one point, senior adviser Jared Kushner reminded his father-in-law that House Republicans are sketching out a different approach to providing access to coverage. "Well, I like this better," Trump replied, according to a Kasich adviser.

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The freewheeling session, which concluded with the president instructing Price and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to meet with Kasich the next day, underscores the unorthodox way the White House is proceeding as Republicans work to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and replace it with something else. The day after Kasich delivered his impromptu tutorial, Trump spent lunch discussing the same topic with two other GOP governors with a very different vision - Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida.

Scott said Sunday that he used the lunch to press for principles he has pushed publicly, such as financial compensation for states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA and the importance of providing competition and cutting required benefits to allow people to "buy insurance that fits them."

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While leaving most of the detail work to lawmakers, top White House aides are divided on how dramatic an overhaul effort the party should pursue. And the biggest wild card remains the president himself, who has devoted only a modest amount of time to the grinding task of mastering health-care policy but has repeatedly suggested that his sweeping new plan is nearly complete.

This conundrum will be on full display Monday, when Trump meets at the White House with some of the nation's largest health insurers. The session, which will include top executives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna and Humana, is not expected to produce a major policy announcement. But it will provide an opportunity for one more important constituency to lobby the nation's leader on an issue he has said is at the top of his agenda.

Democrats and their allies are already mobilizing supporters to hammer lawmakers about the possible impact of rolling back the ACA, holding more than 100 rallies across the country Saturday. And a new analysis for the National Governors Association that modeled the effect of imposing a cap on Medicaid spending - a key component of House Republicans' strategy - provided Democrats with fresh ammunition because of its finding that the number of insured Americans could fall significantly.

Trump, for his part, continues to express confidence about his administration's ostensible plan. He suggested Wednesday that it would be out within a few weeks.

"So we're doing the health care - again, moving along very well - sometime during the month of March, maybe mid- to early March, we'll be submitting something that I think people will be very impressed by," he told reporters during a budget meeting in the Roosevelt Room.

Yet some lawmakers, state leaders and policy experts who have discussed the matter with either Trump or his top aides say the administration is largely delegating the development of an ACA substitute to Capitol Hill. The president, who attended part of a lengthy heath-care policy session his aides held at Mar-a-Lago a week ago, appears more interested in brokering specific questions, such as how to negotiate drug prices, than in steering the plan's drafting.

"The legislative branch, the House first and foremost, is providing the policy," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who noted that the White House lacks "a big policy shop" and that Price and some key principals just recently got in place. Seema Verma, whom Trump has nominated to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, should play a key role in any reform effort if she is confirmed.

In the current process, the White House becomes "the political sounding board" in altering Obamacare, as the 2010 law is known, "and the final voice of reason is what the Senate can accept," Cole said.

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Within the administration, aides are debating how far and fast Republicans can afford to move when it comes to undoing key aspects of the ACA. White House officials declined to comment for this story.

Several people in Trump's orbit are eager to make bold changes to reduce the government's role in the health-care system. That camp includes Vice President Mike Pence, who told conservative activists last week that "America's Obamacare nightmare is about to end," as well as Domestic Policy Council aides Andrew Bremberg and Katy Talento and National Economic Council aide Brian Blase.

Blase, who most recently worked as a senior research fellow at George Mason University's Mercatus Center, published a paper in December titled "Replacing the Affordable Care Act the Right Way." Its conservative blueprint emphasized the "need to reduce government bias towards comprehensive coverage" for all Americans and a revamping of Medicaid, which was expanded under the ACA and added 11 million Americans to the rolls.

"Medicaid needs fundamental reform with the goals of dramatically reducing the number of people enrolled in the program and providing a higher-quality program for remaining enrollees," Blase wrote.

Other White House advisers, according to multiple individuals who asked for anonymity to describe private discussions, have emphasized the potential political costs to moving aggressively. That group includes Kushner, NEC Director Gary Cohn, senior policy adviser Stephen Miller and chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon.

Asked by George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC's "This Week," whether Trump "won't touch Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid," White House principal deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "Look, the president is committed to doing that. ... And I don't see any reason to start thinking differently."

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Where Trump will end up remains unclear, although in both public and private settings he has tended to stress the importance of providing health coverage"for everybody"while lowering its cost. However, Price testified during his recent confirmation hearings that the administration would seek to give Americans access to, not guaranteed, coverage.

The policy proposal Trump has embraced most forcefully, albeit not always consistently, is to pressure pharmaceutical firms to lower their prices by negotiating government drug purchases through Medicare. The idea has considerable support among Democrats and from some Republicans but is currently prohibited under law.

Kasich has proposed paring back some of the ACA's more generous aspects, such as reducing the number of benefits insurers are required to offer and potentially cutting the eligibility level for Medicaid recipients from 138 percent of the poverty level to 100 percent if there is a stable marketplace with adequate subsidies they can join. He also wants states to have more flexibility in how they manage their Medicaid programs, as well as aspects of the private insurance market.

But he has expressed skepticism about turning Medicaid funding into a block grant and opposes any move that would eliminate the coverage many adults in his state now have without a clear path to transition them to new plans.

"Frankly the reason why people are on Medicaid is because they don't have any money," he said Friday. "So what are we supposed to say, 'Work harder?' "

Asked to describe Trump's reaction to his overall approach, the Ohio governor replied, "What he said is, he found it interesting. . . . It takes time, so you have to explain it, and explain it again."

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The Washington Post's Dan Balz contributed to this report.
CLINTON, Iowa  Tom Godat, a union electrician who has always voted for Democrats, cast his ballot for Donald Trump last year as "the lesser of two evils" compared to Hillary Clinton.

He's already a little embarrassed about it.

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There's a lot that Godat likes about President Donald Trump, especially his pledge to make the country great again by ignoring lobbyists, challenging both political parties and increasing the number of good-paying jobs.

But Godat was surprised by the utter chaos that came with the president's first month. He said it often felt like Trump and his staff were impulsively firing off executive orders instead of really thinking things through.

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"I didn't think he would come in blazing like he has," said Godat, 39, who has three kids and works at the same aluminum rolling plant where his father worked. "It seems almost like a dictatorship at times. He's got a lot of controversial stuff going on and rather than thinking it through, I'm afraid that he's jumping into the frying pan with both feet."

Of the six swing states that were key to Trump's unexpected win in November, his margin of victory was the highest in Iowa, where he beat Clinton by 9 percentage points. Yet at the dawn of his presidency, only 42 percent of Iowans approve of the job that he's doing and 49 percent disapprove, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll this month.

That support varies across the state: Here in eastern Iowa, it's in the low 40s. It's highest in northwest Iowa, where 55 percent of Iowans approve of the president's performance thus far, and it's lowest in the southeast corner of the state and the Des Moines area, where only 31 percent of Iowans approve, according to the poll.

Tom Godat has voted for Democrats in the past but now wants to give Trump a chance. He was enjoying breakfast with his 3-year-old son Talon at the Old Town restaurant in Clinton, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

A meandering 370-mile drive across the state last week - starting at the Mississippi River in the east on Wednesday and ending at the Missouri River in the west on Saturday - took a Washington Post reporter and photographer through a range of communities that mirror many parts of America. Along the way, more than 100 Iowans explained why so many of them are already disappointed in the new president.

While Iowa is still home to many strong supporters who say it's too early to judge him, there are others who say they voted for Trump simply because he wasn't Clinton. Many Iowans worry Trump might cut support for wind-energy and ethanol programs; that his trade policies could hurt farms that export their crops; that mass deportations would empty the state's factories and meat-packing plants; and that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would yank health insurance away from thousands. While the hyper-simplicity of Trump's campaign promises helped him win over voters, they are no match for the hyper-complexity of Iowa's economy and values.

As the temperature hit 73 degrees last Wednesday afternoon, Godat took his two sons - ages 3 and 15 - to a playground near the Mississippi. He has lived for most of his life in Clinton, a town of nearly 27,000 that is home to a major corn-processing plant and other manufacturers.

Hillary Clinton won the city by more than 2,000 votes - but Trump won Clinton County, which was one of more than 25 counties in eastern Iowa that flipped from voting for Barack Obama in 2012 to Trump in 2016. That shift here and in other Midwestern states was largely driven by white working-class voters like Godat.

Godat commutes more than 30 miles south to Bettendorf, where he gets paid a base wage of $34 per hour to help prepare aluminum used for airplanes and cars. There's a shortage of trained electricians, and last year Godat said he worked 600 overtime hours, bringing his total pay to about $110,000. His wife provides in-home care for the elderly.

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Godat hopes his son will get an apprenticeship at the plant after high school. He is confident that his employer won't lay off workers or shut down the plant because it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Iowa and does specialized work that would be difficult to move. He hopes Trump can create more jobs like his across the country.

And that's why he wishes he could tell the president: "Focus on us, on our country, on our issues here."

Just then a train rolled by the playground, carrying coal, scrap metal and corn. Godat turned to his son and told him: "That's the sound of progress."

Lost Nation

On the other end of Clinton County is the tiny town of Lost Nation, where the president received 66 percent of the vote. On Wednesday night, a couple dozen local farmers and union guys gathered to play pool at the Pub Club, situated amid downtown storefronts that once contained a funeral home. (Beer is chilled where bodies were once stored.)

Near the front window, three friends in their early 20s sipped beer. They all voted for Trump because he's an outsider who speaks his mind - and they like what he's doing so far.

"He's doing what he said he was going to do, that's the biggest thing," said Tyler Schurbon, 23, who describes himself as a "progressive Republican" who falls asleep watching Fox News each night. "A lot of people get into the presidency, and they just completely forget what they talked about."

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Schurbon trims trees for power companies, a full-time union job that pays $60,000 per year and full benefits. He drives a nice pickup truck and bought a two-story farmhouse for $50,000 last year.

"That's pretty good living for not having a college degree," Schurbon said.

The Pub Club in Lost Nation Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

While he doesn't like how politicized unions have become, he's grateful for the wages they negotiated over the years. The Republican-run Iowa Legislature, empowered by Trump's win, voted this month to dramatically scale back the collective bargaining rights of the state's public workers - worrying members of private unions like Schurbon.

While others in the bar insist that Trump supports unions, Schurbon doesn't think so: "Nope, he's completely against them."

Schurbon and his dad farm about 500 acres of soybeans and corn, so he's also worried about the president's promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which could hurt farmers that export their crops to Canada and Mexico.

"He's really hurting us, even though everybody around here is conservative," Schurbon said, thumping his bottle of Budweiser on the table to emphasize some of his points. "When you cut off trade, that cuts off everything. Where do our crops go? They don't stay here."

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But still, Schurbon likes much of what Trump is doing - and he wishes protesters would give him a break. The day before, hundreds descended on an event hosted by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, just up the road in Maquoketa.

"Everybody might at least try. At least a little bit. Just try and help," he said. "You don't have to agree with him, but you don't have to just completely block him, everything he's doing."

Newton

About 140 miles southwest of Lost Nation is the much larger town of Newton, which for generations was home to a Maytag factory that once employed one in four residents. The factory closed in 2007, laying off more than 3,000 workers. In 2010, "60 Minutes" profiled the struggling town - catching the attention of Trump, who reached out to some of the residents who were profiled.

Newton has somewhat recovered, although most locals commute out of town for work. Two companies that manufacture wind turbine parts have taken over part of the Maytag factory, creating hundreds of jobs, although they pay less than Maytag did. While Trump claimed on the campaign trail to support wind energy, he has also fought wind projects near his properties, and Iowans worry he could cut subsidies that are vital to the industry.

Nearly a dozen local retirees gathered at a barbershop downtown on Thursday morning, chatting about the cold reception Republican senators were getting at town halls as they ate chili out of plastic foam bowls at 10 a.m.

Nearly all of them voted for Clinton, although Trump won the surrounding county of Jasper.

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The shuttered headquarters for the Maytag company that had a long and successful run of over one hundred years in Newton, Iowa. (Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

"I hate to say it, but I voted for Hillary," said Dave Drew, 71, a longtime Democrat who retired from Maytag in the early 1990s after working there for 27 years. "I voted against Trump. We didn't have a choice. I mean, I don't think she was the greatest choice. I don't think he was, either. Joe Biden would have been my choice."

Although this was a room full of Democrats and left-leaning independents, the conversation was far from politically correct. There were jokes about Clinton's health, and a racial slur was used to describe Middle Easterners. The group mostly agreed that mass deportations of undocumented immigrants would tank the state's economy, although they wondered why immigrants don't learn English before coming to the United States.

Jerry Wylie, 73, praised Latinos for having a strong work ethic and taking low-paying factory and meat-packing plant jobs that most Iowans don't want to work - especially, he said, black Iowans whom he accused of being lazy.

As Wylie told two stereotype-filled stories to back up his claim, another retiree in the barbershop argued that most longtime welfare recipients in the state are rural whites.

At one point, a Trump-supporting 30-year-old truck driver who stopped in for a haircut looked at Wylie and said: "What's your problem?"

The truck driver, who lives in the next town and didn't want to give his name, said he mowed "Trump" into his yard last summer. While the older guys in the barbershop worked during the golden age of manufacturing and retired comfortably with pensions, the truck driver says his annual pay has decreased by $5,000 in the seven years he has worked for a dairy company in Marshalltown. Something has to change, and that's why he supports Trump.

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"He went against the grain - took it up as a hobby and asked the questions no one wanted to ask," he said. "I have never heard of a president getting scolded or put down for upholding his promises."

Urbandale

Another 40 miles west of Newton is the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale, a maze of cul-de-sacs and big-box stores. Clinton narrowly won this city of nearly 42,000.

As a light rain fell Thursday afternoon, the corridors of Merle Hay Mall filled with retirees speed-walking and moms pushing strollers - including Steventjie Hasna and her 1-year-old daughter.

Hasna, 24, is a conservative Christian who is deeply opposed to abortion and usually backs Republicans. This election, she decided not to vote.

"The balance between Hillary or Trump - they're both horrible, in my opinion - but Trump outweighed it just because of his racist stance on everything," Hasna said.

Hasna was stunned when Trump won, and her young family has deeply felt the ramifications of the president's first month in office. Her husband, Hosen Hasna, is from Syria and came to the Midwest for college. He later took a job in the small Iowa town where Steventjie Hasna - her first name is Dutch and she took her husband's Arabic last name - grew up. He works as an electrical engineer at a tire factory, while she stays home with their daughter, Nehad.

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She continues to practice her Christian faith, while he attends Friday prayers at a local mosque when he can. His parents, who live in Damascus, often visit Iowa for five months at a time - visits that may no longer happen if the president institutes another travel ban, which Hasna said does little to protect the country.

"I don't care what he says, you're attacking Muslims here," she said. "And that's not American at all. We're American. We stand for American values and that's the exact opposite of what he stands for."

Hasna is terrified that her husband's mosque will be attacked or that he will be targeted.

"You don't know what some crazy guy might get in his head," she said. "People are going to do what they are going to do. I'm not going to say that it's Trump's fault. ... But with him having the hateful stance that he had and then being voted as president, it made people feel like: 'Hey, maybe my racist stance on things isn't wrong.' "

Her husband is in the process of becoming a citizen, and they have discussed what they might do if they need to flee the country. If her husband could vote, he likely would have voted for Clinton.

Hasna's mom and sister skipped voting - but her father cast a ballot for Trump.

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"Yeah," Hasna said, drawing out the word and then taking a deep breath, still clearly upset about it. "He didn't want to vote for Hillary, so he voted for Trump. I told him: 'You know, you shouldn't have voted, Dad, if you don't like either one of them.' "

Perry

About 30 miles northwest of Urbandale is Perry, which has been revitalized with the help of thousands of Latinos and other immigrants who moved to the area to work at a meat-packing plant.

The town of about 8,000 has long struggled with racial tensions. A month before Trump launched his presidential campaign, a bilingual kindergarten concert was interrupted by a man shouting: "USA! English only. USA! English only."

The president's threat to quickly deport millions of undocumented immigrants has scared many law-abiding residents of Perry, said Oscar Ramirez, 41, a legal resident who owns the Oasis grocery store downtown and has hired a lawyer to help him become a citizen.

Oscar Ramirez at work in his Oasis grocery store. (Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

Ramirez moved from rural El Salvador to New York in 1990 when he was 15. After eight years there, he moved to Perry to work at the meat-packing plant because he heard that the Midwest was a crime-free place to raise children. Four years ago, he and his wife opened their store. Lately, Ramirez said people have come to him with their fears of Trump.

"A lot of people are scared," Ramirez said, as he hauled trays of pastries into the shop on Thursday afternoon. "They come to me, and they talk to me, and I say, 'Hey, calm down. Nothing is going to happen, everything is going to be OK. You have to have hope that everything will be OK.' "

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Belinda Ramirez, 4, plays on her laptop inside her father's grocery store. (Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

Jim George, 68, a retired county engineer who has lived in Perry for 20 years, said he voted for Trump but that his view of immigrants is different. "These are good folks," George said. "This place would not be functioning without the folks that have come in here."

"I voted for the Supreme Court. I didn't want to vote for Trump," said George, who is opposed to abortion. "With Trump, you just hold your nose."

Missouri Valley

Continuing west takes you through the deeply conservative Fourth Congressional District represented by Rep. Steve King, R, who fought for some of Trump's immigration proposals back when they were fringe ideas. Trump won the district by 27 points, while his approval rating in the latest Iowa Poll was 55 percent.

The small town of Missouri Valley sits nestled between the river of the same name and the railroad tracks. Trump received nearly 60 percent of the votes here.

On Saturday morning - the day after a sudden snowstorm closed schools - women ranging in ages and political beliefs ventured to Abundant Moon Yoga.

Owner Rachelle Pfouts, 40, is careful to keep politics out of her studio - although she says compassion is a key tenet of yoga that seems to be lacking in Washington right now.

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Rachelle Pfouts teaches yoga classes at her studio in downtown Missouri Valley. (Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

Pfouts' 8:30 a.m. class included a 48-year-old special education teacher, a 39-year-old mother of three and a 42-year-old administrative assistant who doesn't have children - all of whom voted for Clinton and are gravely worried about the future of public education in their state and across the country.

A 10 a.m. class attracted two retirees from Woodbine who usually vote for Republicans, although they consider themselves independents. Lois Surber, a 67-year-old retired city clerk, said she didn't like either candidate for president but voted for Trump. Libby Ring, a 70-year-old retired nursing assistant, said she didn't vote - and she doesn't approve of Trump's first month.

Neither woman could name a thing the president has done that they liked, but they both said that protests and negative commentary are not helping.

"I'm going to support what he does just because I think that we need to," Surber said.

Ring agreed: "We have to be adults and whoever is elected, we're going to have to follow them."

Ring paused and then added: "But he's very hard to follow."

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The Washington Post's Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report.
It's 3 a.m. on a Sunday in Logan Square and a young woman is eating a chicken kebab salad. She's riding piggyback on her boyfriend.

"That's good!" she shouts. "That's f------ good!"

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On Saturdays, from midnight to 3 a.m., the view from the serving window of the DonerMen food truck is of hungry and happy customers entering and exiting the Slippery Slope and other nearby bars on Milwaukee Avenue.

Enjoying that view, former bandmates and DonerMen owners Shawn Podgurski and Phil Naumann found a life beyond the musician's routine of late nights and bars: more late nights and bars.

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"No other trucks are going out late night at this point, unless it's an event. The key to food trucks is, you got to get that foot traffic," Podgurski says. "It's a big hit with the drunk folks."

Podgurski and Naumann made several research trips to Europe before they settled on the recipes for their version of the Turkish-inspired, German-perfected, street fare of currywursts and chicken kebabs.

They still depend on catering and lunch crowds, lining up on certain weekdays behind other trucks at places like Ellis Avenue at University of Chicago, one of a few easy-parking zones in the city where a lunch business is concentrated.

But the late-night shift is where their heart is.

"It's real 'food truck,'" Podgurski says. "The lunches are kind of like, dry, in comparison."

Naumann agrees. "I'm glad to see it actually work, the plan that we had," he says.

"The plan was to serve drunk people food, like they serve drunk people food in Berlin. And that's the coolest part about the late night. So many things on a food truck  it never works out the way you think it will. And to have like, one thing work out the way we thought it would, it's kind of nice!"
The Loop location of Broken English Taco Pub, pictured, was just the beginning: The restaurant opened its second location in Old Town, and will open number three this spring in Lincoln Park. (Marcin Cymmer)

WEST LOOP  The Polenta Bar, a fast-casual Italian restaurant specializing in polenta (of course), opened Saturday. The menu features a modest selection of Italian staples to pair with polenta, including some vegetarian, vegan, and dairy- and gluten-free options. 1002 W. Lake St., 773-999-1721, www.thepolentabar.com

RIVER NORTH  Signage is up at Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery, a restaurant and taproom that will focus on craft beer from around the world. Doors will open March 10, according to its website. 733 N. LaSalle Drive, 312-284-5353, www.centennialchicago.com

GOLD COAST  Get ready, Gold Coast coffee lovers, as La Colombe is preparing to open its first location downtown (and fifth in Chicago). Its website lists the cafe as coming soon. 4 E. Elm St., www.lacolombe.com

LINCOLN PARK  Adolfo Garcia and Phil Stefani are opening the third location of their Broken English Taco Pub in the former Kings County tap space across from Jonquil Park. 2576 N. Lincoln Ave., www.tacopub.com

reports Werewolf Coffee will specialize in small-batch coffees and teas, with an expected opening date in March. 1765 N. Elston Ave. LINCOLN PARK  The newest operation from DMK Restaurants will be a coffee shop along Elston Avenue a couple of blocks north of North Avenue. Eater 1765 N. Elston Ave.

RIVER NORTH  Live music, karaoke and standard bar fare are on tap at Moms Place, which opened Friday, DNA Info reports. 650 N. Dearborn St., 312-265-0768, www.momsplacechicago.com

WICKER PARK  Tapster, the long-awaited pour-your-own-beer spot just west of the Damen/Milwaukee/North intersection, could finally open this weekend. 2027 W. North Ave., 773-661-2182

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE  Tru alum Lauren Khan opened Curious, A Chefs Playground last week. She'll serve comfort food from around the world, but there's no set menu  each day, Khan will decide what to serve that night. The restaurant is BYOB for now. 2020 W. Chicago Ave., 773-360-7534

ROGERS PARK  Empirical Brewery has signed on to open a brewpub next to Mayne Stage. 1328 W. Morse Ave., www.empiricalbrewery.com

LAKEVIEW  Chicago Diplomat Cafe held a grand opening in early February. The Georgian, European and Mediterranean eatery is open for breakfast and lunch during the week and dinner on the weekends. Eater first noticed the opening. 3134 N. Lincoln Ave., 773- 262-2722, www.chicagodiplomatcafe.com

BEVERLY  Wild Blossom Meadery hosts a soft opening of its taproom Friday. The new space is more than 8,000 square feet, according to Wild Blossoms Facebook page, so there should be enough room to find a spot. 10033 S. Western Ave., 773-233-7579, www.wildblossommeadery.com

EDISON PARK  Tony & Millie's Italian Ice Bar is moving into a permanent, year-round location on the Northwest Side, DNA Info reports, with a storefront attached to the Edison Park Inn. Owners said any money that isnt funneled back into the business will be donated to Shriners Hospital for Children and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. 6709 N. Olmsted Ave., 847-527-9009.

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When I think of wine bottle closures  and who doesn't think of wine bottle closures every once in a while?  I'm reminded of a classic Jerry Seinfeld bit.

"I'll tell you what I like about Chinese people," Seinfeld says. "They're hanging in there with the chopsticks, aren't they? You know they've seen the fork. They're staying with the sticks. I'm impressed by that."

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You can sort of guess why they're staying with the sticks. In the mouth they feel better than a fork that is made of some kind of metal. They're part of a tradition. They work relatively well, especially when they're matched with the bite-size style of food they're meant to pick up. (Chopsticks: horrible for soup and massive porterhouse steaks.) What's that old saying? A billion Chinese people can't be wrong?

In the wine world, specifically where bottle closures are concerned, such a unified mindset does not exist. There is no consensus about which kind of bottle closure is best for business, which means thousands of winemakers can be right, and thousands more can also be right, even when they're using different equipment. The traditionalists still swear by the cork, despite its drawbacks, and others have gravitated away from natural closures  or stoppers, as they're also called  in favor of other newfangled implements, mostly synthetic corks and screw tops.

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None of them is perfect. Each has its benefits and handicaps  just like chopsticks. In Seinfeld's bit, he goes on to imply that the Chinese should have, at some point, recognized that a farmer uses a shovel, which is the agrarian equivalent of a spoon. "There it is," he says. "You're not plowing 40 acres with a couple of pool cues." Even though natural corks can be pricey and somewhat risky due to contamination  making them as metaphorically inefficient as pool cues in a farm field, or chopsticks in a soup bowl  it's safe to predict that natural corks will never go away completely, at least not for certain wine styles. Those styles would fall mostly within the small percentage of wines that have the potential to continue to improve after they've been bottled. The so-called fine wines of the world.

Natural cork is a thing of beauty, a product of the earth. It comes from the bark of  hold on to your hat for this one  the cork tree. That's a type of oak that grows best in Portugal and Spain. Portugal is the bull's-eye of the wine-cork dartboard (which, coincidentally, is also made of cork), considering that the country produces about half of the world's corks.

Unquestionably, natural corks are still the No. 1 wine bottle stoppers on earth and have been for at least a couple hundred years. But competition has been creeping in for about the past 30. Today that competition includes agglomerate corks (the plywood of corks, they're made of cork pieces pressed and glued together), synthetic corks (which are made of various plastics  in a delightful range of colors!) and, of course, the much-debated screw cap (which you might call the Stelvin closure if you're prone to calling all facial tissue Kleenex). On the sparkling wine side there's also the crown cap, which pops off with a bottle opener. Look for those stoppers on some bottles of prosecco and of-the-moment petillant-naturel, or "pet-nat" if you're in a hurry.

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You've seen versions of the screw cap topping bottles of olive oil and surely wine, too, and maybe you have wondered if that utilitarian cap said something about the wine underneath it. Actually, it did.

One, it said that the wine likely was intended to be consumed young and not aged for years in a cellar. It also probably said that the wine did not come from an Old World wine region hemmed in, or pinned down, by regulations. But the biggest statement that cap made was: "This wine will not receive one bit of cork taint from me, no ma'am." And this  cork taint  is the reason that stoppers other than natural corks have gained popularity among winemakers in recent decades.

The scientific abbreviation for the chemical that causes cork taint is TCA (for 2,4,6-trichloroanisole). It leeches from a cork into a wine and gives it a mustiness (often compared to wet cardboard) at worst, or it simply chokes off the wine's fruit when the chemical occurs in smaller amounts. Either way, it's not going to kill you, but it's going to turn you away from that wine. This is what winemakers want to avoid  you being turned away by their wine  and if they are using natural corks, they risk turning you away due to a TCA-tainted cork as many as five out of 100 times. That doesn't seem like a lot until you're paying for those five bottles, either as a winery or a consumer. Don't get all paranoid about cork taint. That's not what this is about. It's just a means to explain why there are cork alternatives.

A wine that has been affected by TCA is referred to as being "corked" or "corky." If you're an iconoclast, consider employing "corkish," "corkified," "corkalistic" or "corkacious." As an average consumer, you're not going to come across many corked wines over the course of your lifetime, and sometimes you won't even notice it when you do. In the same regard, don't write off wines with synthetic corks or screw caps. Improvements have made some of them (in both styles) able to mimic the best qualities of natural cork  ageability being the most important of those.

The bottom line on any bottle-top closure is, its only job is to preserve a wine in the way it was intended to be preserved. No one wants a plastic cork in a bottle of long-aging Bordeaux or Barolo, and no winery needs to spend more than necessary on closures for wines meant to be drunk young. If a wine is in good condition and drinks the way it was made to, the stopper ceases to be of any consequence. You're only concern at that point would be whether to keep the stopper as a memento or not.

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Pomace, the seeds, stems and skins leftover from pressing wine grapes, doesn't get wasted. In some regions, it is used to make marc, a French brandy. (Don Bayley, Getty Images)

"Do you like grappa?" came the question while we visited Gabriel Boudier, a spirits maker in Dijon, France.

"Sure," we shrugged.

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"This is better," continued managing director Jean Battault, holding up a bottle of Boudier's Marc de Bourgogne.

We agreed.

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France's marc, like Italy's grappa, is a brandy, a distilled wine, made from pomace, the skins, seeds and general gunk left over after wine grapes are pressed.

Marc (rhymes with "car"), like Roquefort or Champagne, is a name protected by French law. To be called marc, the spirit must be produced in a specific way.

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The key difference between marc and grappa, according to master sommelier Alpana Singh, a Chicago restaurateur and former host of "Check, Please!," is that marc is usually aged, giving the liquor a softer, more rounded quality than might be found in much grappa.

Grappa sometimes seems harsh and one-dimensional. Hoping for more mellowness with the French version of pomace brandy, we purchased one aged 20 years: Domaine de al Folie. It was not cheap, about $100 a bottle. The nose is resinlike, perhaps not as inviting as Scotch or bourbon. The first sip starts hot on the tongue, but the heat quickly subsides to a pleasant warmth, with notes of vanilla and raisins. Marc also has an almost bitter note, perhaps due to the grape seeds in the pomace.

Though much marc is aged for a few years, more aging seems to improve it, and the best marc is produced in Burgundy. So, when purchasing marc, look for a Burgundian bottle with as much aging as you can afford. Marc can be expensive; bottles from the wine house of Romanee-Conti list at a staggering $500.

At the Intercontinental in San Francisco, beverage manager Marissa Payne oversees one of the country's most extensive selections of grappa and marc. Payne had good things to say about Jules Belin, a marc that she says "has a lot of depth due to its extended aging process. Its caramel and fig notes lend it to being consumed on its own or mixed into cocktails."

In New York, Aaron Polsky, formerly of Eleven Madison Park and currently beverage director/head bartender at Mulberry Project, adores marc. "I think marc can provide the richness of cognac," with the complex funk of grappa," says Polsky. "Splitting a base spirit with marc can add layers to a shaken cocktail, and as a base for a Manhattan, it can provide something unexpected but familiar."

Though marc isn't often if ever used in cooking, it is used to wash the rind of Epoisses de Bourgogne, the supremely stinky French cheese, also from Burgundy. Regularly washing the cheese with marc, says Lydia Burns of Pastoral cheese shops in Chicago, creates a "fertile environment for bacteria that ups the stank factor and contributes to the meaty, savory profile characteristic of Epoisses."

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French epicure and writer Brillat-Savarin deemed Epoisses to be king of all cheese, and marc is one reason for its powerful deliciousness. Merci a marc!
Chance the Rapper accepts the best new artist artist award during the 59th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 12, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Grammy winner Chance the Rapper said he rented a South Side theater Sunday so Chicagoans could see the new movie "Get Out" for free.

"I bought all the tickets to #GetOut at Chatham Theatre on 87th. Just pull up with ID and enjoy the movie," tweeted the rapper, who was raised on the South Side and won three Grammys two weeks ago.

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It's already bussin, I just left and might have to come back for a later showing!! #getout https://t.co/tlWWspgMH5  Chance The Rapper Album in July (@chancetherapper) February 26, 2017

"Get Out," released Friday, is a "social thriller" directed by Second City alumnus Jordan Peele. Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya star.

Sunday showtimes at the Studio Movie Grill Chatham for 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. were sold out, according to the theater website.

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Chance's move comes weeks after Taraji P. Henson, who films the Fox drama "Empire" in Chicago, rented a Southwest Side theater so fans could see her movie "Hidden Figures" for free.
Steve Harvey holding up the card showing the winners after he incorrectly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez at the winner at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas in 2015. (John Locher / AP)

One surprise winner from Sunday night's Oscars ceremony was nowhere near the Dolby Theatre - and slumbering away in what we can only assume are exquisitely tailored matching pajamas.

For more than a year, Steve Harvey's flub at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant had turned him into an internet meme - the dapper host who messed up big on national television.

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At the Miss Universe pageant in December 2015, Harvey declared Miss Colombia the victor. She wasn't - and Harvey quickly announced the real winner, Miss Philippines.

"OK, folks," Harvey backpedaled as Miss Colombia, still in the dark, waved to a cheering crowd. "I have to apologize."

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But it was too late - Harvey's flub was already rocketing around the world.

If you were also slumbering in your matching pajamas and missed Sunday night's surprise ending to the Oscars, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly declared "La La Land" the best picture winner.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

Moments later, in what is now the biggest award show mix-up in history, the truth came out: "Moonlight" won.

In the ensuing chaos, Jimmy Kimmel name-dropped Harvey: "Personally, I blame Steve Harvey for this."

Harvey addressed the mix-up on his morning radio show after hinting at the error on Twitter: "YOU KNOW I have something to say."

Monday morning, he joked that the burden was lifted.

"I'd like to say in the words of Martin Luther King: 'Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I'm free at last.' "

Harvey also made comments on his show in defense of Beatty.

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"Because Warren Beatty made this mistake, does he have to die?" Harvey asked. "Should he lose his life for this? Y'all want to kill him? Will he need security because of this?"

Harvey later alluded to a Kimmel gag from earlier in the night, when tourists who thought they were going to a wax museum walked into the live broadcast of the Oscars.

"Warren Beatty and me look like Vicky and them when they got off the bus and found out - Gary and Vicky," Harvey said. "That's the same look me and Warren had. I can get Warren through this. Call me, Warren Beatty. Me and Warren Beatty gonna take photos together."

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
The irony isn't lost on Mem Fox. The author of books advocating tolerance and acceptance was detained by U.S. immigration officials as she arrived in America to give a talk about the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Fox, perhaps Australia's most famous children's author, has written such books as "Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes," which celebrates the humanity common to all children. No matter where someone is born, no matter what a child looks like, the book reminds us, we all have "ten little fingers/ and ten little toes."

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Her latest book, to be published in Australia this week, is called "I'm Australian Too." Among its lines: "We open doors to strangers./ Yes, everyone's a friend." (Simon & Schuster is in negotiations to buy the book and publish it in the United States.)

Fox was on her way from Australia to a conference in Milwaukee on Feb. 6, scheduled to speak about this very theme, when she was detained by immigration officers at Los Angeles International Airport. She was held for just under two hours, she says, and aggressively questioned about her visa status.

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"I was going for such a good reason," she says of the trip, noting it would have been her 117th visit to the United States. After her experience at the airport, she says, she is unlikely to return.

"The worst of it," she says, is that she was questioned not because she was a children's author "but because I was just anybody." About 20 travelers were taken to a holding room, she says, "and the manner in which we were interrogated - in public view about really private information - was terrible. It was the insolence that was beyond mind-boggling."

I'm Australian Too (Scholastic Australia / Handout)

Fox says that she was waiting in the immigration line when she was pulled aside. Ensconced in a book - Stendhal's "The Red and the Black" - she at first did not hear officers calling her name. She says that when she politely apologized, the officer asked her, "What do you want me to do, stand here while you finish it?"

And that "was just the beginning of it," she says.

Fox says she was aggressively asked about her finances and the nature of her trip. The implication, she says, was that she was coming here to work. Fox says that the conference organizers were paying for her hotel and an honorarium that just about covered the cost of her flight.

Over the past decade, Fox, a grandmother who will turn 71 next month, has made numerous trips under similar arrangements. She was sure her visa status was correct. It took about 15 minutes of questioning for officers to arrive at the same conclusion.

"I was so frightened," she says. "The heel of my right hand was on my heart to try to stop it from beating so hard."

Others in the room were being treated similarly, she says. "I felt ashamed to be a human being."

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After returning to her home in Adelaide, Fox filed a complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Canberra and received a "charming" email in response. "I took it as an apology from all of America," she says.

Fox, the author of more than 30 books, has remained publicly quiet about the incident until recently, when she began doing interviews about her new book. She says the difference between her message of tolerance and her experience in the United States was too stark to ignore.

Fox, who appeared at the 2010 National Book Festival in Washington, says she has been pleased by the support she has received since coming forward.

Has it changed her view of the United States? "As a whole, everyone is charming, friendly welcoming, gorgeous," she says. But "the U.S. is changing its mind about what the U.S. is. That is what is coming through. That is the tragedy."






What should you do if you have a problem with the neighbors? (SIphotography / iStock)

Amanda Wendel realized she had bad neighbors as soon as her son started walking.

When her little boy took his first steps and toppled over, her downstairs neighbors turned on their music. Loudly.

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"They said that they're turning on the music because he's falling," said Wendel, a stay-at-home mother who lives in the Chicago suburbs.

The neighbors, who rarely leave their home, now blast their music daily, from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

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Wendel isn't the only one dealing with neighbor issues. A 2015 Pew Research Center study found that 48 percent of people trust none or some of their neighbors.

If you're at odds with neighbors, you're going to have to face the problem, said Bob Borzotta, author of "Neighbors From Hell."

The first step is to approach the neighbor carefully, directly and in person.

"When I say carefully, I mean without seeming angry or demeaning, because this makes people defensive, and it makes you look unreasonable," Borzotta said. "I say directly, though, because it's important to address the concern unapologetically; you'll otherwise seem like a pushover whose desires are not important."

Borzotta advises against written communications because notes can be misconstrued, shared and even used against you in a harassment case.

If speaking with the neighbors doesn't help and you live in a condo or a co-op, consider contacting the homeowners association, Borzotta said.

If it's a noise problem, you could call the police. If it's an eyesore issue  for example, the neighbor's yard is littered with junk  call municipal ordinance officials to report possible code violations.

Alternatively, you could take legal action, said Michelle Freudenberger, a real estate attorney in New York, where the most common neighbor complaints are noise and offensive odors. However:

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"Litigation is expensive and time-consuming," she said.

Borzotta sometimes likes to take matters into his own hands by being a bad neighbor, himself.

"I'm not one to get up at 8 on a Sunday and start using the lawn mower and leaf blower, even though I'm allowed to by code," he said. "But if I have a neighbor who is keeping me up until 2, and I've tried everything, then I'm going to do that."

But, he said, be mindful of the other neighbors  the ones who didn't disturb you.

As a last resort, you can simply move.

That's what writer Phillip Mlynar did after he realized he was living above an illegal gambling den in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Every day, cigarette smoke floated throughout the building, and his landlord refused to deal with the multiple problems in the building.

"After the landlady insisted that it was nothing more than an after-church club taking place in the basement, I just told her to keep the deposit as last month's rent, and left," Mlynar said.

Now, Mlynar always takes the time to find buildings where neighbors get along.

"I always advocate taking the time to find a smaller building where being on good terms and being respectful to your neighbors is vital," he said.

Danielle Braff is a freelancer.

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The majority of Americans don't like the way President Donald Trump is running the country. That's probably an understatement.

Trump has a 43.7 percent approval rating, according to an average of polls compiled by Real Clear Politics. It's the lowest of any U.S. president this early in his administration since 1953. And it keeps going lower.

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The only thing that could get Trump out of this slump is a war. I'm not saying that's what the president wants, but I fear it could be where we're headed.

Wars have a way of pulling the country together, with everyone scrambling to line up behind our leader. Take former President George W. Bush, for example. His overall job approval rating skyrocketed 13 points to 71 percent after launching the Iraq War in 2003, according to Gallup polls.

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The same thing happened with his dad. President George H.W. Bush saw his job approval rating jump to 18 points to 82 percent after the start of the Persian Gulf war in 1991, Gallup found.

There have been plenty of presidents with whom I disagreed on their policies. But Trump is another matter. Many Americans, including myself, are afraid of the man.

This week, we learned that Trump plans to ask for a $54 billion increase in defense spending. It raises the questions, why so much and why now?

Does the president have something up his sleeve that the American people don't know about? Is there an imminent threat that he's keeping from us?

Trump doesn't have the patience to avert a nuclear war like President John F. Kennedy did during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

He certainly does not have the diplomacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who took it upon himself to step in and avert a crisis between the U.S. and North Korea over nuclear arms in 1994.

While most Americans don't follow the government's day-to-day dealings with foreign countries, we do pay attention to Trump's Twitter account. And we know childish bullying when we see it.

If anything, Trump has done more to provoke these volatile countries than try to improve our fragile relationships with them.

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His careless declarations regarding Iran, North Korea, China or any other country he doesn't respect put Americans in danger and make our allies uneasy.

While Trump insists that the Iran nuclear deal is "really, really bad," he seems to have sensibly backed off his campaign promise to tear it up, at least for now.

But his constant taunting of the Middle Eastern nation on Twitter, including a tweet describing Iran as "#1 in terror" and another claiming that "Iran is playing with fire," is another way of saying, "I dare you!"

In January, when North Korea's Kim Jong Un announced that his country was in the final stage of test-launching a ballistic missile that could be capable of reaching the U.S. West Coast, Trump tweeted, "It won't happen."

Well, guess what? A month later, North Korea test-launched a ballistic missile. But it was also a test of our new president, the way children sometimes test their parents.

Trump's response was like an inexperienced mother saying to a defiant child, "Just wait until your father gets home!"

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Obviously, tough talk isn't enough when dealing with dictators or terrorists, for that matter.

We are sadly mistaken if we don't think our adversaries aren't taking notes. They are always looking for an opening to slip in and bring our country to its knees.

We can't trust Iran or North Korea to do the right thing, but the world is doomed if the U.S. president doesn't know how to be the adult in the room.

If President Trump doesn't stay off Twitter, we could end up in a nuclear war.

And if that happens, no amount of money poured into our military would be enough to save us.

dglanton@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @dahleeng
Faced with an $18.6 billion shortfall in the city's government pension program last year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel did what a mayor is supposed to do.

He pulled City Hall together and figured out how to fix it.

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Police and firefighters were on his back. And teachers were again threatening to strike.

There was no question that bringing Chicago's finances under control was at the top of the mayor's agenda. The city's economic future depended on it. The mayor's political future did, too.

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That's how things get done when you make them a priority.

With nearly 100 homicides on the books in Chicago, this year is starting out just as violent as last year  one of the deadliest in Chicago in two decades. That follows last year's disturbing totals  more than 760 homicides and 4,300 shootings.

There's no question that our city has a murder crisis on its hands. It has to be addressed with the same urgency as the city's budget crisis was.

Five months ago, the mayor laid out his blueprint for combating violence. In his televised speech, Emanuel said gun violence is "pulling us apart at the very moment that our city needs to come together."

And he declared, "Ending this string of tragedies is our top priority as a city."

We wanted to believe him, but many of us were skeptical.

Emanuel's plan to hire more police officers, create jobs in economically depressed neighborhoods and provide mentoring for young men who are at risk didn't seem like enough, and it would take too long. In the meantime, young people would keep shooting and dying in our streets.

Clearly, city officials don't really know how to end the violence. It's time they listened to the people.

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Residents who live in the neighborhoods hardest hit by violence likely have a pretty good idea about what needs to be done in the short-term. Chicagoans who don't live with the daily killings at their front door might have something to offer, too.

Chicagoans need a forum in which their voices can be heard.

If the mayor and aldermen really want to know what to do about the violence, they need to hold community forums in all 50 wards. Constituents need to be able to look their elected officials in eye and tell them what they need. And in return, the mayor and aldermen will have to look the residents in the eye and promise to deliver.

There are so many people in Chicago who are willing to do whatever they can to help solve this problem. What they need desperately, though, is leadership.

Just like curbing the city's violence, the financial mess wasn't an easy fix either. But that didn't stop the mayor from doing whatever he had to do, even making some very unpopular moves to address the problem.

To balance the city budget this year, plastic bags that used to be free now cost us 7 cents when we go to the grocery store. Chicago Cubs fans have to dole out an extra $2 if they use metered parking near Wrigley Field. Commercial delivery trucks are being charged $14 an hour in downtown loading zones. And typical homeowners are paying about $400 more a year in taxes to cover the pension shortfall.

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Nobody likes shelling out more money to the government, but Chicagoans understood that it had to be done.

We were able to accept it because it was spread out among all of us. The financial burden doesn't lie with just one community. Everybody, one way or the other, is contributing.

That's exactly how we should approach the violence problem. Everybody has ideas, no matter where they live in the city. Everybody has something to offer. Everybody deserves a chance to be heard.

The mayor recently reminded us that five years ago, Chicago was on the financial brink. Today, he says, Chicago is back on solid ground.

Five years from now, we want to hear our mayor declare the same about violence.

But it won't happen unless we put our heads together and come up with solutions. Otherwise, we'll continue to see year after year of dreadful bloodshed.

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dglanton@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @dahleeng
Sivasubramani Rajaram leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 3, 2015, after his arraignment. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

A Des Plaines man who allegedly paid a $15,000 bribe to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown to secure a job is scheduled to be sentenced Monday for lying to a federal grand jury investigating pay-to-play allegations in Brown's office.

Sivasubramani Rajaram, 48, pleaded guilty last year to one count of perjury, admitting in a plea agreement with prosecutors that he falsely testified he had not talked with Brown after his 2014 hiring. He also acknowledged lying to the grand jury when he said he had spoken only "three or four times" to another high-ranking clerk's office employee  identified by prosecutors only as Individual B.

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Prosecutors are seeking 15 months in prison for Rajaram. His attorney, Robert Gevirtz, told the Tribune he would seek probation.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman allowed the defense to file its entire sentencing memorandum under seal, going against long precedent in Chicago's federal court. Court records also show Gevirtz had also taken the extraordinary step of seeking to close the sentencing hearing to the public, but the judge denied that request.

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Gevirtz would not comment further on the case or why he asked for the closed-door hearing.

In a Feb. 17 filing, prosecutors alleged for the first time that Brown had exchanged numerous phone calls and text messages with Rajaram around the time he "loaned" $15,000 to Goat Masters Corp., a goat meat supply company Brown and her husband, Benton Cook III, had recently founded.

Individual B had "suggested" Rajaram make the loan to Brown in order to be hired and then helped him get the money to Brown's company, prosecutors said.

The filing also alleged Brown had solicited and received an additional $10,000 loan for the same company from a "senior-level" employee of the clerk's office.

By lying to the grand jury, Rajaram not only sought to protect himself and his job but also to divert the investigation into Brown, Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather McShain wrote.

"The effect of defendant's lies was to hide his own criminality  in paying a bribe to a public official to obtain a job and cheat honest applicants from obtaining that position  and divert attention from (Brown) and Individual B," McShain said.

Brown's criminal defense attorney, Edward Genson, said earlier this month the money paid by Rajaram was a legitimate loan that had "nothing to do" with his hiring.

"It certainly wasn't a bribe," said Genson, adding that the money has since been paid back.

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Grand jury transcripts provided in the prosecution filing show Rajaram testified he knew Individual B from a previous stint in the clerk's office that ended when he moved to India in 2010.

The transcripts show Rajaram testified he'd seen Brown at several of her clerk's office functions, including at a staff picnic and an American Heritage Month event at Daley Plaza, but he denied talking to her. He also falsely testified that he had spoken to Individual B "three or four times" and that none of those conversations was by phone.

Asked if he'd ever had a conversation with Brown at all  by phone or in person  about his application, Rajaram answered, "No," according to the transcript.

A few weeks after Rajaram's false testimony, Brown's cellphone was seized by the FBI. Brown had his number stored in her contacts list and had exchanged 26 text messages with Rajaram between August 2014 and January 2015, according to the filing. She also made three outgoing calls to Rajaram's cellphone and received two incoming calls from him.

In one text, Rajaram wished Brown a happy birthday "and many happy returns of the day," signing the message with his first name as well as his wife's name, the filing said. Prosecutors said Rajaram's wife also had sought employment with the clerk's office, but county records indicate she was never hired.

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Records obtained during the investigation show Rajaram had at least two in-person meetings with Brown, prosecutors said. In a December 2014 voicemail message left on Individual B's phone, Rajaram said that he and his wife had met with the "honorable clerk" and her husband and that his wife was "very happy," according to the filing.

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"And what word you gave me, I told them," Rajaram said, according to the filing.

Now in her fifth term, Brown beat out two challengers in last year's primary even though the Cook County Democratic Party had dropped its endorsement of her after the public disclosure of the federal investigation.

Brown has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In a 2016 interview with the Tribune Editorial Board, she said it's "impossible for me or anyone else to sell any jobs in that office."

But she has denied Tribune requests for copies of subpoenas related to the federal probe, saying they are not subject to state open records laws.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jmetr22b
Jesse Jackson Jr. waits for a status hearing in the divorce from his wife, Sandi Jackson, on the 16th floor of the Daley Center in Chicago on Feb. 27, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

An emotionally raw Jesse Jackson Jr. said Monday that he feels "attacked from all angles"  by a wife in Washington, D.C., who wants his "whole disability check" in their bitter divorce case and by the Chicago media that think he "doesn't even deserve a disability check."

Speaking to the media in Chicago for the first time since he and his wife were released from federal prison for looting his campaign fund, Jackson said he deserved the $138,400 a year in federal workers' compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance payments he has been receiving since he quit Congress to deal with mental health issues.

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"I earned it," he said. "I still meet with professional counselors on a regular basis."

The disability payments have become a topic of controversy after they were detailed in a recent divorce court filing and reported in the Chicago Tribune. On Friday, an ethics expert called for them to be federally investigated, calling the workers' comp payments to a convicted felon "troubling" and saying it wasn't clear how Jackson's work as a congressman led to his bipolar disorder.

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But that wasn't all that got Jackson fired up on Monday. In a bizarre section of a 10-minute speech he gave outside divorce court, he also said last month he had tried to subpoena former police Supt. Garry McCarthy and two other men in his divorce case "because I don't want my children to ever walk through a grocery store line and see what I found  and look at what we know exists."

Jackson's claim that he wanted to keep what he knows about McCarthy, McCarthy's former business partner, Richard Simon, and former Chicago cop James Love, out of the "tabloids" was hard to square with his decision to subpoena the three men last month  prompting a media feeding frenzy about their possible involvement in his marriage.

Jackson, though, asked the media and the Chicago public to go easy on him through what he said he hopes is his "final public" ordeal.

Wearing a Batman belt with his somber business suit, he apologized to his former constituents for having "erred profoundly" when he used his campaign funds to illegally buy luxuries including a fedora hat that once belonged to pop legend Michael Jackson. He described the strains his incarceration has placed on his marriage and his family as "very difficult."

"I've been with Sandra for 30 years," he said. "On June 1 we would have celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary."

"Maybe if my name were not Jesse Jackson Jr. and maybe if I wasn't your former representative in the Congress of the United States, maybe I could walk in and out of this building like other families who have this struggle and don't have to read about it in the morning."

But he added, "I don't get to run from it or hide from it because of who I am."

"I have a 13-year-old son who's aware of many of the issues, and he said, 'Don't worry, Daddy, these individuals are going to take care of Mommy,' and it was hard for me to hear that."

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He added, "It's not my psychology that's at stake, it's the psychology of my 17-year-old daughter, who's aware of these issues for a number of years, including while I was in prison, and before my incarceration, and during my criminal trial and during my medical convalescence."

"I do want (my children) to know is that their dad did the best he could in fighting back. ... I don't want their classmates to see it, what I know and what I have discovered."

That innuendo has been robustly and repeatedly denied by McCarthy and the other men, and criticized as "harassment" by Sandi Jackson's lawyers. Simon earlier this month filed an affidavit swearing that his only interactions with the Jacksons were a single meeting and a 60-second phone call in which Jesse Jackson asked him if he knew his wife.

But at a hearing earlier Monday, Jesse Jackson's attorney, Brendan Hammer, said his client was ready to testify that there was more to the call than Simon's affidavit let on.

Cook County Judge Carole Bellows put a stop to that, getting all the parties in the case to agree a deal under which Jesse Jackson attempt to subpoena the three men was postponed, potentially indefinitely. Bellows will instead first deal with the issue of the Jacksons' residency and their prenuptial agreement, as she attempts to decide whether the divorce will ultimately be heard in Chicago, as Jesse Jackson wants, or in Washington, D.C., which Sandi Jackson prefers.

The couple's fight over jurisdiction and money isn't getting any friendlier. After Jesse Jackson initially filed for divorce in Chicago late last year while Sandi Jackson was still in prison, she filed a counter suit in the nation's capital.

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Despite Jackson claim that his wife "is asking for everything," court papers show that Sandi Jackson asked for the couple's marital property and debts to be "equitably" divided. She is asking for alimony, child support, attorney fees and exclusive use of the couple's home in DuPont Circle, which she wants Jackson to pay the mortgage and taxes on while their divorce is fought.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Jackson said Monday that he feels "fantastic" despite his divorce, his prison time, his battle with bipolar disorder and his divorce. He described meeting and learning from less fortunate prison inmates  including one who he said told him, "Jackson, get out of bed. I don't know what you're complaining about. My Daddy set me on fire"  as "the best thing that ever happened to me."

But he acknowledged, "There are up and down days."

"I'm near bankruptcy right now," he said. "I paid the government back and I also paid with my time, and my flesh and blood in an institution. And now I'm paying with my marriage because it did not survive this process, and sometimes it feels like it just doesn't end."

The next hearing in the Chicago case is April 3.

Contributing: Katherine Skiba

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kjanssen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimjnews
Chicago Police and Chicago Fire departments investigate a fire in the 8300 block of South Baker in Chicago where a man was found dead. (Brian Jackson, for the Chicago Tribune)

A man who did security work for Chicago rapper Twista was found shot to death and lit on fire in a South Side home Friday.

The man was identified as Davy Easterling by the Cook County medical examiner's office Sunday.

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Easterling was found in an apartment about 6 a.m. Friday in the 8300 block of South Baker Avenue. That same day, Twista had put out messages on Twitter and Instagram, saying that Easterling, who acted as a bodyguard for Twista and who he described as "A close friend of mine," had been missing for three days.

Twista has represented Chicago in his music for two decades and his name is a nod to his ability to rap fast in a clear and concise manner  he previously was known as Tung Twista.

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On Saturday, Twista sent out "#RIP Davy Easterling aka 6'9 I have lost too many good friends to these streets."

State records indicate Easterling had received a firearms training certificate that would enable him to carry a gun as a security guard.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Police were conducting a homicide investigation.

The Fire Department's Office of Fire Investigations determined that the fire was incendiary --meaning that it was somehow started by a person -- said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford on Saturday.

Firefighters were called to the 2-story building on Baker Avenue around 6 a.m. Friday, Langford said.

The man found was dead in the bedroom during a primary search, he said.

Smoke detectors were working in the building, Langford said.

Bomb and Arson investigators from the Chicago Police Department are continuing to investigate.

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chicagobreaking@tribune.com | Twitter: @ChicagoBreaking
Four people were killed and 10 others were wounded over the weekend in Chicago as violence this year continues to outpace last year.



As of Monday morning, the city had logged 103 homicides, compared with 101 this time a year ago, according to data compiled by the Tribune. At least 513 people have been shot this year, compared with 466 over the same time last year.



Homicides had been lagging behind last year, but that changed last week when the city experienced its deadliest day this year with seven people shot to death.

Over the weekend, the city recorded its 100th and 101st homicides when shots were fired early Saturday at a house party in Woodlawn on the South Side.



Samuel Head, 38, and Lance A. Jefferson, 20, were pronounced dead at the scene after someone inside the house in the 6500 block of South Drexel Avenue opened fire, authorities said.



Head was hit in the chest, and Jefferson was shot in the face and torso, police said. A 29-year-old woman was grazed in the thigh.



Among those wounded over the weekend were two teens shot in separate attacks.



A 15-year-old boy was shot several times about 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the first block of South Mayfield Avenue, police said. He was taken in serious condition to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.



About 8:05 a.m. Saturday, a 15-year-old girl was one of three people shot while in a black Toyota van in the 7400 block of South Baldwin Avenue, police said. The girl was hit in the left buttock, and her condition was stabilized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Sivasubramani Rajaram leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 3, 2015, after his arraignment. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

A man prosecutors say paid a $15,000 bribe to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown to secure a job was sentenced to three years of probation Monday for lying to a federal grand jury investigating pay-to-play allegations in Brown's office.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman spared Sivasubramani Rajaram from prison, saying she took into account the toll the case has taken on his mental health as well as his family. The judge said his actions undermined the public's faith in the criminal justice system but also commented that his lies did not amount to "the crime of the century."

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Rajaram, had told the judge he lied in his October 2015 grand jury testimony because he feared retaliation from Brown and other high-ranking members of the circuit clerk's office.

"These were high-powered people politically," Rajaram said. "My motivation is to protect myself and my family, nothing else."

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Rajaram said he suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized last year after considering going back before the grand jury to testify under a grant of immunity from additional prosecution. But that return trip to the grand jury never happened, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors had sought 15 months in prison for Rajaram, arguing that his dishonesty "went to the very heart" of a wider probe of allegations that bribes were being paid for jobs and promotions in Brown's office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather McShain told the judge that in addition to lying to the grand jury, Rajaram had lied to FBI agents on two separate occasions when they visited him at his Des Plaines home in 2015.

"He chose to willingly obstruct this investigation," McShain said.

Brown has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has not been charged.

Rajaram, 49, showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down. Seated in the front row of the courtroom gallery, his 16-year-old daughter, who moments before had read an emotional plea for leniency to the judge, dabbed tears from her eyes.

Rajaram pleaded guilty last year to one count of perjury, admitting in a plea agreement with prosecutors that he falsely testified that he had not talked with Brown after his 2014 hiring. He also acknowledged lying to the grand jury when he said he had spoken only "three or four times" to another high-ranking clerk's office employee  identified by prosecutors only as Individual B.

In a Feb. 17 filing, prosecutors alleged for the first time that Brown had exchanged numerous phone calls and text messages with Rajaram around the time he "loaned" $15,000 to Goat Masters Corp., a goat meat supply company Brown and her husband, Benton Cook III, had recently founded.

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Individual B had "suggested" Rajaram make the loan to Brown in order to be hired and then helped him get the money to Brown's company, prosecutors said. Their filing also alleged Brown had solicited and received an additional $10,000 loan for the same company from a "senior-level" employee of the clerk's office.

By lying to the grand jury, Rajaram not only sought to protect himself and his job but also to divert the investigation into Brown, McShain wrote in the memo.

"The effect of defendant's lies was to hide his own criminality  in paying a bribe to a public official to obtain a job and cheat honest applicants from obtaining that position  and divert attention from (Brown) and Individual B," McShain said.

Brown's criminal defense attorney, Edward Genson, said earlier this month the money paid by Rajaram was a legitimate loan that had "nothing to do" with his hiring.

"It certainly wasn't a bribe," said Genson, adding that the money has since been paid back.

Grand jury transcripts provided in the prosecution filing show Rajaram answered, "No," when asked if he'd had any contact with Brown  either by phone or in person.

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A few weeks after Rajaram's false testimony, Brown's cellphone was seized by the FBI. Brown had his number stored in her contacts list and had exchanged 26 text messages with Rajaram between August 2014 and January 2015, according to the filing. She also made three outgoing calls to Rajaram's cellphone and received two incoming calls from him.

Records obtained during the investigation show Rajaram had at least two in-person meetings with Brown, prosecutors said. In a December 2014 voicemail message left on Individual B's phone, Rajaram said that he and his wife had met with the "honorable clerk" and her husband and that his wife was "very happy," according to the filing.

"And what word you gave me, I told them," Rajaram said, according to the filing.

McShain said Monday that Rajaram had also personally met with Brown in December 2014  on a Saturday afternoon  about the same time he was seeking a work transfer from the Leighton Criminal Court Building on the Southwest Side to the Daley Center in the Loop.

Now in her fifth term, Brown beat out two challengers in last year's primary even though the Cook County Democratic Party had dropped its endorsement of her after the public disclosure of the federal investigation.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

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Nau Carranza, 22, of Chicago, is charged with attempted murder after prosecutors say he tried to shoot a police officer Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, in the 3800 block of South Albany Avenue. (Cook County sheriff's photo)

A 22-year-old gang member shot at a Chicago police officer Friday after the officer responded to a call of a person flashing a gun in a Brighton Park neighborhood liquor store, prosecutors said.

Nau Carranza, a self-admitted Two-Six gang member, stood silent before Cook County Judge James Brown as prosecutors detailed the circumstances of his arrest on Friday on charges of attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

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Around 5 p.m. Friday, police were called to a liquor store in the 3800 block of South Albany Avenue in Brighton Park for reports of a person with a gun, according to assistant state's attorney Oscar Garcia. Inside the liquor store, Carranza, who was with several other people, was showing a handgun and harassing customers, Garcia said.

When a police spotted several people who matched the description of the suspects, he began to follow them. Without Carranza, the four other suspects walked into the middle of the street where they flashed gang signs at the plainclothes officer.

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Carranza "then pulled a gun from his pocket and aimed at officer and at his vehicle," Garcia said. "As the officer began to drive away, he heard a single gunshot (fired in) his direction."

Minutes later, additional officers responded to the area and found Carranza in the threshold of a mechanic's garage, Garcia said. Police found a box with a blue steel, .44-caliber revolver with four rounds and a spent shell casing, according to prosecutors and court records.

Carranza, of the 2900 block of West 38 th St made admissions to law enforcement, which were corroborated by witnesses, Garcia said. The shooting was also captured on video.

Brown set Carranza's bail at $500,000.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she is willing to work with the Trump administration on infrastructure spending, but federal aid has to consist of more than tax credits to private investors who pony up for public projects.

The new senator, who met with transportation and local elected officials in Chicago on Monday, said that she is not the kind of Democrat who would refuse to cooperate with the Republican president. She said if President Donald Trump comes forward with a "decent" infrastructure investment plan, she will work with him and make sure money comes back to the state.

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Trump told a group of governors on Monday that he would make a statement about infrastructure in his Tuesday night address to a joint session of Congress. His campaign had discussed a $1 trillion, 10-year infrastructure investment plan, with private investments spurred by tax credits.

Duckworth said that this would not work for projects like fixing potholes and rural roads, which do not create big returns for investors. Referring to Trump's promise to "send in the feds" in response to the city's murder rate, Duckworth said she wished the administration would define this as sending in federal dollars rather than the National Guard.

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"If they truly want to help Chicago, then they need to make these investments in the economic opportunity and economic vitality in this city," Duckworth told officials at the downtown meeting Monday morning.

Duckworth said she is willing to discuss public-private partnerships, but there has to be a multi-prong approach to infrastructure funding that includes low-cost federal loans and direct funding.

She emphasized the importance of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program, or Create, a partnership among the state, the federal government, the city, Metra, Amtrak and freight railroads to unknot the rail system by taking trains out of the way of other trains and car traffic.

The problem of freight congestion in Chicago is hurting the entire country's economy, Duckworth said. She noted that southeastern states buy corn from Peru since it's cheaper than buying it from Illinois, because of transport problems.

"To be the greatest nation on the face of the earth and have the slowest trains  and not to be able to just transport corn and soybeans from the heart of the country to another part of the country  is just ridiculous," Duckworth said.

The White House on Monday said Trump's upcoming budget will propose a $54 billion increase in defense spending and cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid.

Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, said she wants to give troops what they need but the military is not the "sole source of the nation's strength."

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"Our economy is just as important," Duckworth said. "If we do not make these investments in our infrastructure we are not making the investments in our economy that we need to be globally competitive."

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Among the officials meeting with Duckworth on Monday was state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, head of the transportation committee. He said transportation needs to be made a national priority.

'We've got the slowest planes, the slowest cars, the slowest trains," Sandoval said. "That should not be the case."

Metra CEO Don Orseno told Duckworth the agency needs long-term, sustainable capital funding, noting that Metra last year had to cancel an order of 367 rail cars because funding did not come through. He said the agency needs $1.2 billion a year to bring the system to a state of good repair.

"We need to get our arms around this," Orseno said.

mwisniewski@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @marywizchicago
Kendra Curry-Khanna, 37, left, talks with Nicole Melanie Davis, 36, CEO and founder of Mindful Indulgences at a pop-up store in Wicker Park on Feb. 6, 2017, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

When Mayor Rahm Emanuel got the City Council to approve his "people plazas" program in spring 2015, he envisioned it as a way to transform dozens of empty pieces of land and underused public spaces around the city into inviting places for Chicagoans to meet up and hang out.

The parcels would get city money for physical improvements and greater attention to keeping them clean, along with occasional cultural installations like live music or art exhibits to draw people in. Companies would be allowed to advertise in the plazas, sponsor them or set up shop to sell food and coffee to raise money and eventually make them self-sustaining.

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"Chicago is known as the 'City of Neighborhoods,' and the People Plaza Program is designed to create spaces where our residents can gather and celebrate the unique characteristics of their neighborhoods," the mayor said in a May 2015 news release. "The People Plaza Program sets the stage for local entrepreneurs, merchants and artists to take part in revitalizing communities across the city."

More than 18 months after the ordinance was passed and a local architectural design firm was awarded a contract to run it, the program is still struggling to achieve liftoff.

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There have been a handful of events at some of the sites, a hodgepodge of properties big and small the city acquired over the years, many ending up with the Chicago Department of Transportation when streets were added to the grid and others were closed to traffic. But most have seen little or no activity. And the hoped-for permanent improvements like new benches or artwork have only been installed in a few spots.

At the time the City Council approved the plan, some aldermen expressed concern the plazas would get overcommercialized with advertisements. That hasn't been the case.

The people plazas program has generated $7,000 in sponsorship money through September, and the majority of the 49 pieces of property around the city have seen no evidence of inclusion in the program, according to Department of Transportation records.

Aldermanic concerns that lower-profile neighborhoods would get less attention under the program appear to be more justified.

During the bidding process, the transportation agency called for 10 plazas to be "activated" in the first year of the agreement, and another 10 the second year. The paperwork said "the plazas should be managed and operated year-round and be activated during all seasons."

So far, events have been held in 17 plaza sites around the city, according to reports the firm hired to run the program provided to the Department of Transportation. There were dance routines involving local teens at several of the spots. A DJ played in a plaza on the Far Southeast Side, in Little Village on the Southwest Side and elsewhere.

The kind of permanent "capital improvements" envisioned in the city's plan have only been made at three sites. Two of them are "pop-up" stores called Boomboxes that are decorated versions of metal shipping containers that freight trains carry. Those are at plazas in Wicker Park and next to the Whole Foods in Englewood. There's also a mural reading "You Are Beautiful" at a plaza in Chinatown.

Meanwhile, a site at the intersection of 100th Street and Ewing Avenue in the 10th Ward on the Far Southeast Side was removed from the first set of plazas to be activated after the "community partner completely dropped out of the picture and voided the contract to produce objects and events on the plaza," according to reports to the city.

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Last year, there were 56 events, and 11 of the 17 plazas that hosted an event had just one or two over the course of the year.

In the scheme of Emanuel's efforts to remake the city at street level into a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly environment with a lot more advertising and private investment, this one is fairly small-scale.

The city set aside $50,000 for the program, and the administration has since authorized another $38,600, but has not disbursed the money, said Mike Claffey, Transportation Department spokesman. The company also received a separate budget of $78,250 through the city Department of Planning and Development to build the pop-up store near the Whole Foods in Englewood, Claffey said.

There hasn't been any revenue sharing with the city, according to Claffey, who also said Latent Design founder Katherine Darnstadt hasn't recouped her costs.

Claffey called the program an ambitious one "with a very modest investment of public funding." He also argued Darnstadt should get credit for initial steps to try to grow the endeavor. "What she's doing is hard, trying to build community involvement in these programs," Claffey said.

Reached by phone, Darnstadt referred questions about the program to the city.

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Claffey said Latent has used $11,000 from the people plazas budget to pay for cultural programming at the plazas. He also said the company was paid an additional $28,000 by the city planning department for setting up the Englewood boombox, but Latent said that's not true.

Groupon paid $3,000 in sponsorship money for the mural in the Chinatown plaza.

Deeplocal, a company that helps market Nest thermostats, paid $4,000 to hold promotional events at the Polish Triangle plaza in upscale Wicker Park and at a plaza location near the Chicago Board of Trade downtown, Claffey said.

Through September, the Boombox leases had brought in $9,300 in revenue, including $5,800 last spring, according to quarterly financial reports the company filed with the city. A furniture company paid $250 to lease space for 10 days in 2015 in a Boombox store built by Latent at Mautene Court, another Wicker Park plaza.

Two other companies had Boombox leases in the runup to Valentine's Day. A'Vents by August got a $300, two-week lease to sell flowers at the Englewood pop-up store, and Mindful Indulgences had a $400, two-week lease to sell chocolates from the one in Wicker Park.

The Englewood pop-up store was put together on a piece of land next to the Whole Foods store at 63rd and Halsted streets, a project Emanuel frequently has promoted as evidence of his commitment to addressing the dearth of grocery stores in some African-American neighborhoods. The mayor named Englewood in 2013 as one of seven neighborhoods that would get heavy investment as "opportunity areas."

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The people plazas program is the latest of the mayor's attempts over the years to use public assets to make money or bring services to city neighborhoods to be met with mixed results.

Shortly after taking office, Emanuel sought to raise about $25 million to help balance the city budget by allowing companies to advertise on Chicago's iconic downtown bridges. That program went nowhere, and the administration eventually dropped it.

The corporate-backed Get IN Chicago youth anti-violence foundation Emanuel launched with much fanfare in 2013 has fallen short of its mission to use social science techniques to find and fund programs doing the best work to quell the city's bloodshed.

And Emanuel's initiative to bring fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods in buses foundered when the company running it reported more than $200,000 in losses in 2011 and 2012. The mayor relaunched a version of the Fresh Moves produce program in 2015, and it added a second bus late last year.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_johnbyrne

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*An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the amount of money brought in by sponsorships. It is $7,000. The amount of planning department money also was incorrectly stated. It is $78,250. Also, ad agency Deeplocal helps market Nest thermostats but does not manufacture them. In addition, the city has authorized another $38,600 for the program, but it has yet to be disbursed.
Less than two months into his presidency, Donald Trump faces a pivotal week ahead, with plans to address GOP lawmakers who are jittery about key aspects of his legislative agenda and to roll out a new travel ban in a fashion that will ease doubts about his administration's competence.

President Trump's speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress comes as fellow Republicans are returning to Washington after raucous town hall meetings where they've faced crowds angered by the lack of a coherent plan to replace the Affordable Care Act after its promised repeal.

The new president is under growing pressure from his own party to offer specifics on that front as well as on his pledge to provide sweeping tax reform - another issue on which promises of bold action are threatened by divisions among Republicans and a lack of clear direction from Trump.

Trump's prime-time address Tuesday will have ramifications far beyond Capitol Hill: It offers a president with sagging job-approval numbers an opportunity to recast his agenda for the American people and to change the focus of news coverage that has been dominated in recent days by stories about his campaign's contacts with Russia.

Whether Trump will provide enough direction to satisfy fellow Republicans remains unclear. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Sunday that his speech will be cast in largely broad strokes, touching on an array of topics including health care, jobs, infrastructure and border security.

Trump has said he will offer detailed plans on health care and tax policy around the middle of next month, issues that will be on the agenda Monday when Trump is set to meet jointly with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Many in the party say clarity on such issues needs to come sooner rather than later for Trump to seize the mantle on issues that could go a long way toward determining fate of his presidency.

"On many of these issues, President Trump will be the referee; he'll be the tiebreaker," said Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., the House Republican Conference's policy chairman. "I do think the sooner he makes clear his preferences the better, because it will help us work through these policy debates within our own party. My guess is some of that will start [Tuesday] night."

On Monday, Trump is expected to direct federal agencies to help him craft a budget that focuses on scaling up the military but also includes "big cuts" to the Environmental Protection Agency and foreign aid, among other targets.

Trump's directive, although not binding in the budget process, suggests a sense of priorities as Trump seeks to look assertive in controlling spending and putting his priorities out front.

Trump's trip to the Capitol on Tuesday is not officially a "State of the Union" address but it will have many of the trappings of such visits. Both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are planning to travel outside Washington later in the week to reinforce their priorities - something administrations typically do following agenda-setting speeches.

Through a series of executive orders in his first five weeks, Trump has set the framework on several initiatives, including stepped-up immigration enforcement and cutting regulations on businesses. He has also nominated a judge to the Supreme Court with strong conservative credentials.

But Trump can claim no major victories so far in Congress, where he is seeking an array of bold initiatives, including what aides say is a forthcoming infrastructure package.

"Despite some of the spin the White House is putting out about how much progress they've made on their legislative agenda, I'm not sure many Republicans see much progress on two key issues - health care and tax reform - and they're getting a little nervous," said Jim Manley, a lobbyist who was a longtime aide to former Senate minority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Republican lawmakers are now hustling to assemble health-care legislation that addresses dueling concerns within the party. On one hand, they are eager to fulfill seven years of promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act and lessen the federal government's role in health care. On the other hand, many are wary of roiling insurance markets and rolling back the ACA's expansion of Medicaid, a program that covers 76 million Americans.

"I think there are some very conservative Republicans in the House who are going to say, just get rid of the whole thing," Ohio Gov. John Kasich, R, said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation." "That's not acceptable when you have 20 million people or 700,000 people in my state, because where do the mentally ill go, where do the drug addicts go?"

Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio, one of the House Republicans who opposes maintaining the Medicaid expansion or other Obamacare programs, retorted on ABC's "This Week": "We didn't tell the American people we're going to repeal it except we're going to keep the Medicaid expansion . . . We told them we were going to repeal it and replace it with a market-centered, patient-centered plan that actually brings back affordable health insurance."

Asked if he was confident there were votes in Congress for that, Jordan said, "We better have the votes for that, because that's what we told the people."

Trump and his deputies have offered little guidance on specific steps, and he has passed up opportunities to do so. In a January address to a Republican congressional retreat in Philadelphia, Trump offered no new details on what provisions he wants to see.

Any health-care legislation will require making major trade-offs between coverage levels and government spending that will ultimately affect millions of Americans, and Trump has committed to keeping two costly ACA mandates: requiring insurers to cover applicants who have preexisting health conditions, and allowing children younger than 26 to remain on their parents' health plans.

Trump also said repeatedly on the campaign trail that he would not touch Medicaid - a promise that is at odds with the plans of House Republicans.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Sunday during an appearance on ABC's "This Week" that nothing has changed on that front.

At town hall events across the country last week, pro-ACA activists and others pushed GOP lawmakers to explain how their plan would affect those now covered. Without key debates resolved on tax incentives, coverage requirements and the fate of Medicaid, lawmakers have largely responded in generalities.

"Health care can be a very stressful thing," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who faced a furious crowd of more than 2,000 constituents last week, said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "That's why when we repeal Obamacare, we have to get it right."

Trump is facing similarly hard choices on tax reform, where Ryan is pushing a major change to the corporate income tax known as "a border adjustment tax," under which companies' imports would be taxed but their exports would not be.

That concept would appear to be compatible with Trump's preference for hefty border tariffs, and it could also offset the cost of a major reduction in corporate tax rates that Trump has promised. But some economists say it would raise the price of imported goods in the U.S. and complicate existing free trade agreements.

In an interview Thursday with Reuters, Trump said border adjustment "could lead to a lot more jobs in the United States" but did not explicitly endorse it. He had previously told the Wall Street Journal that it was "too complicated."

Ryan has set out an aggressive timeline for passing a tax reform bill, eyeing passage by year's end. Last week, Pence said he and Trump would deliver tax relief "by summertime." But that schedule assumes that Republicans don't get bogged down in health-care legislation over the next six weeks.

In the nearer term, Trump has pledged to issue a new executive order this week in the wake of judges blocking a previous directive that sought to restrict travel to the United States by refugees and people in seven majority-Muslim countries.

The first order was rolled out hastily and led to confusion across the globe. Spicer said last week that the administration is coordinating widely on the second attempt and that it will be "implemented flawlessly."
After 20 years, the big Outdoor Retailer trade show is leaving Salt Lake City  not because it ran out of space or got a better deal elsewhere but because Utah lawmakers opposed an expansion of the industry's biggest federal subsidy.

To most Americans, national parks and monuments are places to enjoy the outdoors while preserving natural and historical treasures. To the Outdoor Industry Association, they're also a business necessity. It calls public lands "the backbone of the industry's sales."

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"Utah elected officials do not support public lands conservation nor do they value the economic benefits  $12 billion in consumer spending and 122,000 jobs  that the outdoor recreation industry brings to their state," Rose Marcario, the president and chief executive of Patagonia, declared in a statement announcing that her company would no longer attend the Salt Lake City show.

Other industry leaders, including Polartec and Arc'teryx Equipment Inc., quickly joined in. Then after a conference call Feb. 16 with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert that ended on a "curt" note, the show's organizers said they'll go elsewhere when their contract expires next year. Colorado is campaigning for their business.

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At issue is the December designation of 1.35 million acres of federal land as Bears Ears National Monument. How to preserve the area has long been a contentious subject in Utah. President Barack Obama's late-term action thrilled environmentalists and tribal leaders, upset ranchers and other rural residents and thwarted oil and mineral development and the blue-collar jobs it might mean. The Republican governor, legislature and congressional delegation all opposed the designation. In response, the legislature passed a resolution calling on the Trump administration to reverse Obama's decision. When the governor signed it, calls for the boycott began.

Since it frankly acknowledges that its sales depend on public lands, is the outdoor industry applying a moral veneer to its quest for profits? Or is it using a corporate fig leaf to promote managers' political views? The two motives are in fact impossible to separate.

When it comes to public lands, the outdoor industry shares the view of pioneering labor leader Samuel Gompers: "We do want more, and when it becomes more, we shall still want more." As with the union movement, the industry's financial interests are inextricable from its social values.

As I've previously written, the industry is one example of a much larger cultural and economic phenomenon: the shift from function to meaning as a source of economic value and, with it, the melding of consumption, politics and identity. What we buy increasingly expresses who we are.

Brands built on specific political or cultural values will inevitably take public stances, using their economic clout to influence public policy, whether out of genuine conviction, cold-eyed market positioning or both. It's not surprising that Patagonia Inc., the outdoor apparel brand most prominently built on its political stances, led the anti-Utah charge.

The bigger question is whether in the Donald Trump era brands that aren't traditionally political will feel forced to choose sides. Overtly political shopping is on the rise. Every week seems to bring a new boycott: against North Carolina over its bathroom bill, Nordstrom Inc. stores because they carry  or stopped carrying  Ivanka Trump's merchandise, Kellogg Co. for dropping ads on Breitbart News, Under Armour Inc. for its chief executive's nice words about Trump, Starbucks Corp. for pledging to hire refugees and on and on. Wegmans Food Markets Inc. recently sold out of Trump Winery products in Virginia. The reason: calls for the chain to drop the wines, which produced a pro-Trump backlash.

Wine, breakfast cereal, workout clothes and business apparel aren't inherently political goods. Brand choices may reflect largely unconscious tribal affinities, but they allow some play. You can eat organic food and vote Republican or drive an SUV and vote Democratic. Conservatives can enjoy Meryl Streep and liberals can esteem Clint Eastwood. "Vote right, live left," an urbanite conservative advised me many years ago. Despite Trump's frequent attacks on Jeff Bezos, Americans of all stripes like Amazon.com.

Now, however, that pluralism is at risk. We seem headed toward an economy of red brands and blue brands, red employers and blue employers, with no common ground. In this context, the outdoor industry's action is a disturbing bellwether, as is the increasing partisanship of once-evenhanded fashion magazines like Vogue.

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Outdoor activity appeals to Americans of all political persuasions, and the country's western landscape has long helped define the national identity. People can disagree over how best to enjoy and protect that landscape, and how to weigh preservation against other values, while still sharing much in common. Enforcing the party line by declaring an entire state off limits is an extreme step.

Writing with the memory of religious wars, Voltaire in 1733 offered a peaceful alternative. "Go into the London Stock Exchange  a more respectable place than many a court  and you will see representatives from all nations gathered together for the utility of men," he wrote.

"Here Jew, Mohammedan and Christian deal with each other as though they were all of the same faith, and only apply the word infidel to people who go bankrupt. Here the Presbyterian trusts the Anabaptist and the Anglican accepts a promise from the Quaker. On leaving these peaceful and free assemblies some go to the Synagogue and others for a drink, this one goes to be baptized in a great bath in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, that one has his son's foreskin cut and has some Hebrew words he doesn't understand mumbled over the child, others go to their church and await the inspiration of God with their hats on, and everybody is happy."

Once the great solvent of difference, commerce threatens to become its enforcer. And everyone is unhappy.

Virginia Postrel is a Bloomberg View columnist.
Since he was sworn in, President Donald Trump has given several speeches (including a Conservative Political Action Conference rant bashing the media and a campaign-style rally in Florida), one solo news conference, a TV interview with ABC News and another with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly before the Super Bowl, and has announced several executive orders and tweeted over and over again.

He's lied outrageously about dozens of matters  including alleged illegal votes, his margin of victory, his inauguration crowd size, crime statistics and some sort of incident in Sweden. He repeatedly demonized the press and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which struck down his Muslim travel ban. He has promised to cover "everybody" on a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, build a wall, renegotiate NAFTA, present a tax plan, increase the defense budget, eradicate the Islamic State, move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and institute "extreme vetting" of immigrants from certain majority-Muslim countries.

He has, in nearly 40 days, however, not told us what the substance of any  let alone all  of his major proposals will look like. We have not received a concrete health-care plan, a tax plan, a plan to eradicate the Islamic State, a defense buildup plan nor a replacement for his invalidated travel ban. On international matters, aside from wild threats (slap tariffs on China), generic aspirations (increase respect for America), fanciful promises (negotiate a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians) and criticisms of his predecessor (on the Iran deal, most especially), we don't have actual foreign policies wherein concrete objectives and the means to attain them are spelled out.

We have yet to find out, among other things, how much Trump's spending plans will cost and how much revenue will be lost from his tax plans; how he will pay for them; how he will address the $20 trillion debt; or how he can cover the same number of people as Obamacare has done without Obamacare taxes.

Put differently, he has yet to give a presidential-style speech to lay out an attainable agenda. Neither he nor his senior White House staff members seem to understand how a presidential agenda and concrete policies are developed (and it's not by issuing a half-baked travel ban dreamed up by the xenophobic duo of Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller). His Cabinet appointees who might be capable of doing so don't have deputies or lower-level political appointees and have no idea if their ideas sync up with president's. Like Capt. James T. Kirk on the bridge of the Enterprise, there are plenty of lights, sound effects and histrionics, but nothing much is happening in real life. It's a show, which is fitting because Trump is a showman above all else and a raging narcissist who does not care for the details of policy so long as he gets approval.

It's therefore hard to imagine him delivering a meaty address to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday night in the style of Presidents Barack Obama or Bill Clinton, who had laundry lists of policy ideas to run through. We find it hard to conceive he can detail foreign goals and give a realistic assessment of our progress to date. It's hard to fill time when you don't have much of substance to say. We think it likely to be a shorter speech than most in recent years.

As for tone, with Trump we'll never know if he will jump off script to complain about the press or the reaction of the crowd. No matter how strenuously his White House flacks insist he is "unifying" and optimistic, his message and tone invariably have been dark, angry and fear-inducing.

A Day 40 reset (that pivot we have been promised enumerable times), then, would be a presidential-level speech with concrete ideas, some discussion of means to attain his goals, a realistic assessment of the country as opposed to a fictional dystopia and, lastly, some genuine inspiration. The safe bet is that Trump will be Trump and hence decidedly unpresidential. So don't get your hopes up for Tuesday's speech that he'll say much of anything different from what we have heard before.

Washington Post

Jennifer Rubin is a Washington Post columnist.

Related articles:

What President Trump should say on Tuesday night
Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday unveiled a legislative agendafocusing on five areas: the budget, limiting the influence of money in politics, job creation, education and improving community health and safety. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

In case you haven't heard, a fringe group of California progressives is agitating for the Golden State to secede from the Union in the wake of Donald Trump's election. They're collecting signatures to put the question of "Calexit" to voters on the next statewide ballot.

California ultimately won't leave the country  nor should it. Yes, it's incredibly far to the left culturally and politically, chock-full of self-important, politically correct bureaucrats and arrogant Hollywood elites. But it's also home to a massive economy driven by cutting-edge entrepreneurship, great food, great weather and some of Mother Nature's finest masterpieces.

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I grew up in the West, just south of Seattle, and while those of us in Washington state always had a bit of an inferiority complex regarding California in those days, I'd personally hate to see her go.

Illinois is a different story. I've spent most of my adult life here; for more than 25 years I've called Chicagoland home. I started a business and raised my family here. But the more I've watched the city of Chicago and the state flail about in the past few years, unable to protect its citizens and unwilling to put its fiscal house in order, the more convinced I've become that maybe it's time for Illinois to leave the Union  as a favor to the rest of America.

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I'm joking about "ILexit," but less than you might think.

In the city of Chicago, the carnage  and, yes, I use that Trumpian phrase on purpose  continues unabated. Seven people were shot dead on Wednesday, including a pregnant woman in her 20s, making it the deadliest single day in the city since eight people were killed on Christmas. So far this year, homicides are outpacing last year's obscene total of 763, the highest number of homicides the city has seen since 1996.

Decades of mismanagement, lavish spending programs and kowtowing to public employee unions have left the city's finances in shambles. Taxes and fees in the city are skyrocketing, while its bond status has been reduced to junk. Despite all this, voters have continued to reward just one party with power. Democrats have run the city of Chicago since before Franklin Roosevelt was president.

Outside of Chicago, things are no better, even if they're a bit more bipartisan. Of Illinois' last four governors, two (Republican George Ryan and Democrat Rod Blagojevich) went to prison. (Two other governors of the last half-century, Otto Kerner and Dan Walker, both Democrats, also spent time in the slammer.)

In Springfield, Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, another Chicago Democrat, has ruled the state legislature with an iron fist for 32 of the past 34 years. During his tenure, Illinois has gone from the Midwest's economic powerhouse all the way to the poorhouse. Illinois currently has a backlog of $11.9 billion in unpaid bills and roughly $130 billion in unfunded pension liabilities  the worst of any state in America. A Moody's report issued in early January characterized Illinois as "one of the Midwest's weakest links, reflecting both soft job creation and the state's descent into fiscal quicksand."

Let's face it, Illinois currently has only two things going for it: the Cubs, and the possibility that global warming has made the winters bearable. Beyond that, decades of dysfunctional government, public apathy and lack of accountability have trapped the state in a death spiral.

So maybe it's time to pull the plug with "ILexit"  for the good of the rest of the country. Nothing will change for Illinois, of course. We still will exist as a corrupt, debtor nation, surrounded by and dependent on better managed, more productive neighbors. A Greece of the American heartland. Wrigley Field will be our Acropolis.

Sure, "ILexit" is just as crazy as "Calexit"  and with just as much chance of success. Then again, that same Moody's report from January highlighted the fact that because of the state's lackluster economy and high taxes, Illinois has suffered a massive outmigration in the past year. More than 115,000 people have fled, with about half of those not heading to far-flung tax havens in sunnier climes, but to states right next door. In other words, "ILexit" is already happening, like it or not.

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Tom Bevan is the co-founder and publisher of RealClearPolitics and co-author of "Election 2012: A Time for Choosing."

tom@realclearpolitics.com

Twitter: @TomBevanRCP

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Wake up, Illinois. You're surrounded.
When Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway looked at the card, smiled and said, "La La Land," the Hollywood luminaries assembled Sunday in the Dolby Theatre burst into applause and cheers, as did many of the TV viewers still awake. They, like the producers of the remarkably successful musical, thought that the movie had been named best picture of the year.

Not so. Moments later, when Jordan Horowitz, producer of "La La Land," took the microphone and began waving his index finger in the air, it was clear something was not exactly right. "Sorry guys, hold on. There's a mistake. 'Moonlight,' you guys won best picture. This is not a joke." He then held up the correct card and the camera zoomed in on the print. Sure enough, "Moonlight" was listed as best picture.

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How does this happen? It was reminiscent of Steve Harvey announcing in 2015 that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, had won the Miss Universe contest. In fact, she was runner-up. Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Philippines, had been voted the winner that year. Apologies, tears, recriminations and a thousand rewrites for late evening newscasts quickly followed.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, the venerable public accounting and professional services firm, issued a statement of apology by 3 a.m., some 2 1/2 hours later: "We sincerely apologize to 'Moonlight,' 'La La Land,' Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for best picture. The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope, and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred."

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In fairness, at the ceremony PwC responded immediately. A PwC accountant jumped up after the announcement and yelled, "He (Warren Beatty) took the wrong envelope!" and ran on stage.

The question here is whether you blame your client for "taking the wrong envelope" or the supervising CPA for handing it to him. Either way, they got it wrong. The error was quickly corrected, but the damage will last for years. Even if race and the dust-up over #OscarsSoWhite last year weren't part of the discussion, the moment was tarnished for "Moonlight" producers Adele Romanski, Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner. They can't have it back.

And, of course, when stage hosts for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences began taking back the Oscar statuettes from "La La Land" producers, that was a moment in itself.

Most public accounting firms can quickly file a Form 1040X to revise a filing error in your tax return, or can assist in restating earnings on an 1120X if a company's chief financial officer should get it wrong. Most of those errors are easily corrected and, for the most part, little known outside of the financial community.

Not so with an Academy Award. This one was public, live and enormously embarrassing. It's not Arthur Andersen certifying the earnings of Enron, but it's pretty bad. The Securities and Exchange Commission will not move to bar PwC from auditing publicly traded companies, but unless Beatty fesses up and says, "Yeah, it was my fault," PwC is likely to be tarred with this event as the punchline to a joke involving a less-than-fully-competent accounting firm.

The apology must be followed by a thorough explanation of the facts, as best they can be determined, and a resolution never to allow such a publicly humiliating event to occur again. That is, if they're given the job next year.

Then again, this is Hollywood, the land of make-believe. Every moviemaker wants to believe, if only for a moment, that this is really his or her turn in the spotlight. And perhaps many more moviegoers will want to see "Moonlight."

James S. O'Rourke is a professor of management and director of the Fanning Center for Business Communication in the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.
Republican lawmakers across the country have grown wary of holding town hall meetings with constituents.

What's scaring these brave public servants? Paid protesters.

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Specifically, paid liberal protesters. (It's a well-known fact that all conservative protesters are volunteer and have legitimate gripes that must be heard.)

Most in the FAKE NEWS media will claim there's no such thing as a paid liberal protester. They'll say people are simply turning out to express frustration over GOP policies and because they don't want to lose their health care and die.

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But I'm here to tell you otherwise: Paid liberal protesters totally exist; it's an excellent career choice with surprisingly good benefits; and each protester earns $1,500 a week.

I know that last fact thanks to Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association. During last week's Conservative Political Action Conference (it's like Burning Man for people who believe Burning Men should only be allowed to marry Burning Women), LaPierre railed against "full-time" liberal protesters, saying they earn "$1500 a week."

He said: "All share one thing in common: They're angry, they're militant and they're willing to engage in criminal acts to get what they want."

(That's three things in common, but who's counting.)

LaPierre, who earns a measly $1 million a year not caring about gun violence, is clearly upset that a long-haired leftist protester can earn $78,000 a year just for yelling and waving a stupid sign.

Sounds far-fetched, given that such a salary would be more than $20,000 over the median household income in the United States. But I'm telling you, it's the truth.

How do I know? Well, for starters, I read about it on paidliberalprotester.com, a website that I definitely did not create using $1.17 funneled to me via a vast network of leftist organizations funded by billionaire George Soros.

Paid Liberal Protesters website: http://paidliberalprotester.com.

That website clearly says of paid liberal protesting: "It's a thing. And it pays BIG BUCKS!" It even quotes me saying: "A great career choice." And I would never lie to me.

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More important than the online evidence is my personal testimony as a man who has built a successful paid protesting career. (Please don't tell my employer, the Chicago Tribune, about this activity as it is forbidden by our ethics policy and would undoubtedly lead to my immediate dismissal. Your discretion is appreciated.)

I won't bore you with the full text of my Paid Liberal Protester Employment Contract, but here are some key excerpts:

 "The initial job title of the Employee will be the following: Paid Liberal Protester. The initial job duties the Employee will be expected to perform will be the following: Be angry. Be militant. Engage in criminal acts to get what Employer wants. Cause Republican lawmakers to rush into 'safe spaces' and fear people they used to dismissively refer to as 'sensitive snowflakes.' "

 "Compensation paid to the Employee for the services rendered by the Employee as required by this Agreement will include a wage at a rate of $1,500 per week."

 "The Employee's primary place of work will be at the following location: Any space where Republican lawmakers are attempting to hold a meeting with 'Constituents.' Employee shall be a 'Constituent' of said lawmaker, but won't count because 'Employee' is a Paid Liberal Protester, as detailed in 'Job Title and Description' and as announced by frightened lawmaker."

 "The Employee will be entitled to the following benefits: Retirement Savings Plan in which all Employer wealth is evenly redistributed to 'the workers,' aka 'Employees'; free marijuana; two round-trip flights per-year aboard private jets owned by Employer (George Soros); annual subscription to 'Rhyming Liberal Protest Chants Digest'; comprehensive health insurance plan (no dental); and free tuition to qualifying Liberal Indoctrination Centers (aka 'universities')."

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 "Employer shall not discriminate against any Employee as long as said Employee is one of the following: an anarchist, a Marxist, a communist or a member in good standing of the left-wing Socialist brigade."

While most people become paid liberal protesters either for the money or the free marijuana, I've found the best benefit is the power that comes with the job.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Cowardville, said Sunday that he won't take part in any town hall meetings because "liberal activists" will "heckle and scream at me."

Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Scaredytown, said in a statement that he won't do town hall meetings for now: "Unfortunately, at this time there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety."

(Worth noting, I recently had "Havoc Wreaker" tattooed on my forehead.)

Even Illinois Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Dontyellatme, has said he prefers to meet with constituents in small groups because some liberal protesters are "following a well-publicized 'playbook' on how best to disrupt and prevent a civil dialogue." That's correct. The playbook is distributed with the employee manual and the black ski mask employees are required to wear while vandalizing.

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See what I mean about power? All that and a cushy retirement plan.

Now that's what I call a career.

It's also what I call democracy.

rhuppke@chicagotribune.com

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February 2017 is staking out a prominent place in Chicago weather history. The month's historic warm spell not only rewrote the weather books, but also helped propel it to what appears to be a lofty, third warmest February on record. In addition, the month was virtually snowless with traces on just two days, joining ranks with only five other Chicago winter months since 1884-85 that have failed to produce measurable snow.

The month will end on a very spring-like note with Tuesday's temperatures approaching 60 degrees along with a threat of thunderstorms, some potentially strong or severe. March's opening days will feature a temperature downturn with two chances for some snow, one on the tail end of Tuesday's storm and the second associated with a Thursday clipper. A quick warmup will follow with the mercury surging back to near 60 by next weekend.
Kendall County Circuit Clerk Robyn Ingemunson pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to battery, a Class A misdemeanor, in connection with a charge that she pushed a female employee of her office in the head at the county chiefs of police Christmas party in December.

The woman, who is married to Ingemunson's ex-husband, was not present at the hearing Monday.

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After Ingemunson submitted her guilty plea, she requested an immediate sentencing hearing.

DeKalb County Judge William Brady, who traveled to Kendall County's courthouse to preside over the case, sentenced Ingemunson to 18 months of supervision, along with fines and costs, an order of no abusive contact with the woman she pushed, and the agreement that she appear in court in Sycamore in six months for a compliance hearing. He did not order drug and alcohol evaluation or community service, which the prosecution had requested.

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While attending the Christmas party at a Yorkville restaurant, Ingemunson was talking to another woman and became upset, according to police reports. With an open hand, Ingemunson is accused of pushing the side of the other woman's head once, according to police reports. The other woman did not sustain any injuries, according to police reports.

Ingemunson and her lawyer, Lisa Accardi, declined to comment after the sentencing Monday. Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Phelps, who prosecuted the case, deferred questions to State's Attorney Eric Weis.

This story will be updated.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
Saw a picture of former President Barack Obama in New York getting a cup of coffee ( a big deal ) with a full flank of Secret Service agents, a few SUV's, and foot and vehicle traffic being blocked. Would it not make more sense for an agent to just jump out the SUV and buy him a latte? Got a feeling he needed a little boost to the self esteem and what better way than to cause an uproar on the streets of New York. Still a poor decision maker.

Orland Park

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I hate Orland Park's vehicle stickers. Our current sticker honors the Vietnam war which my family protested against back in the 70's. My cousin died and a friend came out with drug/alcohol problems that lasted his entire life. It was a war we did not support and my family has been involved in every American war since the revolution. The next sticker is a police life matters theme which I do not want on my car. I have police in my family but feel this issue is a slap in the face for those who have been killed by bad officers. Why do we need politics on our stickers? The village can't force their opinions on everyone.

Lynn, Orland Park

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I'm so tired of political programming on both radio and television where comments and opinions are as predictable as the political allegiance of the speaker. There is no talk of compromise, just absolute praise or criticism based on the speaker's political affiliation. That's not how democracy works and explains why ours is not working.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Tinley Park

Aah, the Academy Awards  when multi-millionaires stand up on the stage in their thousand dollar outfits and lecture us poor savages on how awful we are and how bad life is. Then, at the end of the night, they collect their awards and their $100,000 goody bags, and they scurry back to their multi-million dollar mansions.

Oak Forest

I was so glad to read that Bill Owens, the father of Navy Seal Ryan Owens who died during President Donald Trump's first raid in Yemen, is demanding an investigation into the raid. The raid that Trump decided on and approved over dinner with his son-in-law Jared Kushner. They have zero national security experience. Also, it has come out that during the raid, as our military were risking their lives, Trump was tweeting. He was not in the Situation Room monitoring the mission. When questioned about this disastrous mission that killed many people, including women and children, Trump's team tried to blame former President Barack Obama. Obama did not authorize this mission, Trump did. It's too bad that this failure hasn't gotten enough media attention.

SS

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Trinity United Church of Christ Pastor Susan Chamberlin Smith stands outside the Deerfield church. She will retire March 1. (Steve Sadin / Pioneer Press)

When Pastor Susan Chamberlin Smith of Deerfield's Trinity United Church of Christ started divinity school in 1981, she had never met a female minister though the first was ordained in her movement in 1853.

As Smith retires March 1 after 25 years at her Deerfield church, she said women in the ministry are a much more common occurrence.

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"It's pretty much 50-50 right now," Smith said. "The United Church of Christ ordained its first woman minister in 1853. Once you experience it you get comfortable."

Smith preached her final sermon during the morning service Feb. 26, and then said goodbye to the congregation and community during a Service of Farewell and Thanksgiving the same day.

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The farewell service is a celebration, according to Smith.

"The congregation and I give thanks to each other, ask each other to forgive each other for mistakes we've made and acknowledge I no longer have a position in the congregation," Smith said.

Smith said an interim minister who specializes in transitions will take over to help the church hire a new pastor.

Smith said she and her husband, Bill Smith, will move to Durham, N.C., where they have family. He retired in December after 39 years working for the Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Growing up in the Chicago area, Smith started playing the organ in church when she was 12. She was a music major at Illinois Wesleyan University where she met her husband. He was studying music too.

Barbara Struthers, a church member for 33 years and a Deerfield village trustee, said Smith's musical talent, as well as that of her husband Bill Smith, has been a valuable contribution to the church.

"She added to the music of the church immeasurably," Struthers said. "She and her husband are extraordinary musicians. When her kids come to visit they sing with us too."

The Smith's children, Alexis Kagel and Greg Smith, now adults, grew up in the church, according to Smith.

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When Bill Smith was transferred to Northern California by Hyatt, Susan Smith said she worked as a church organist, sold pianos at a music store and was an accompanist for a choir. One day she had a conversation with the minister at the church where she played that changed her life.

"He said his wife was a divinity student," Smith said. "At that time I had never met a woman who was a minister."

It was 1981.

Smith enrolled at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., and three years later she was ordained. After two other jobs, she arrived at Trinity Church in Deerfield in 1992.

As retirement approaches, Smith said she is going to miss the people she has known through times of joy and sorrow. She said she has baptized the children of congregants she had previously confirmed and married.

"For some, I'm the only pastor they've ever known," Smith said. "When they say I'm going to miss you it really tugs at your heart."

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Lars-Birger Sponberg, who has lived in Deerfield since 1952 and has been a member of the church since it opened its doors, said friendship is one of Smith's best traits.

"She's a friend of everyone," Sponberg said. "Susan (Smith) is a really loyal friend. She has a relationship with each member and cares for us as a group."

Struthers also talks about Smith's personal touch.

"She's really good at hospital visits," Struthers said. "She visits people in the hospital. She was really good with me when I had all my knee surgeries. She also got us involved in social action."

Smith said she and her husband will not be inactive in retirement. She said she will volunteer at places where her skills will make a difference and will also do some things she has not had time for as a pastor.

"I'm going to do the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle on Sunday," Smith said. "I may play the organ in a church nearby and take a few Sundays off. I've always wanted to make pots on a wheel. I'm going to throw pots."

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Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Guerin Prep student Aliza Aguada models a garbage bag gown designed by Ashley Delgado during the Project Greenway Fashion Show on Feb. 24 in River Grove. The show featured several outfits made and modeled by the students from recycled materials. (Eric P. Davis / Pioneer Press)

Guerin College Prep senior Sam Stocco tapped into his passion for fashion on Feb. 24. Stocco helped organize and create outfits for the Guerin Prep Project Greenway 2017 Fashion Show in the Guerin auditorium.

"I wanted to get super involved, since it's my senior year," he said. "After school each day, I would go to the fashion lab and work on my designs."

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Guerin teacher and fashion show organizer Suzanne Giacotto said the inspiration for the show came from materials that could be recycled.

Giacotto explained that the students created clothes from pop tabs, water bottles, repurposed clothing, old T-shirts and scarves, newspapers and other recyclable items.

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Sophomore Rodrigo Gonzalez said he made a skirt out of a pillowcase.

"One student created a pop tab belt that took her 40 hours to complete," Giacotto said. "The students learned to love their clothes without having to refresh their wardrobe."

"I made a summer dress with pop tabs and beer bottle caps, and I glued them on a dress," Stocco said.

Giacotto said that around 50 students signed up to be a part of the show, which included designers, models, sound and music, makeup, lighting and more. The fashion show was considered an after-school activity, with several students staying after their classes to complete their clothes. Some of the students took their pieces home if they were in extracurricular activities after school.

Guerin Prep juniors Paige Hudson (left) and and Vikki Cruz work the runway during the Project Greenway Fashion Show on Feb. 24 in River Grove. The show featured several outfits made and modeled by the students from recycled materials. (Eric P. Davis / Pioneer Press)

Besides students from Guerin College Prep, kids from St. William Catholic School also participated in modeling and creating pieces in the fashion show.

Junior Paige Hudson, who was also a show organizer and designer, said that her inspiration came after visiting China. One of Hudson's pieces was a men's suit that she gave a more feminine look for women.

"I saw a pair of pants in China that looked a little more baggier than we usually wear," she explained. "During this fashion show experience, I've learned that I love fashion and I love creativity."

Hudson was also in charge of the models and helped them learn how to walk, strut on the runway and how to be confident when showing off the clothes.

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"The fashion industry is something that I'm definitely interested in," she said about her future goals.

As for Giacotto, her fashion ties run deep, with her great-aunt coming to America from France to design clothes for Marshall Field.

"Fashion has always been an interest of mine, along with these students," she said. "I think this fashion show was a beautiful marriage between saving the planet and fashion."

Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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A man arrested Monday in Evanston for allegedly possessing a loaded gun is being held in Cook County Jail on $75,000 bail for that charge, according to law enforcement officials.

The Chicago man "also has a no-bond hold for the Illinois Department of Corrections," according to Cook County Sheriff's Offices spokeswoman Sofia Ansari.

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Jacquese T. Sims, 22, was arrested early Monday morning on gun charges after a traffic stop for expired registration.

Sims was pulled over about 1 a.m. at Howard Street and Western Avenue in the north suburb, according to an Evanston police statement.

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Officers talking to the driver and passenger noticed a handgun on the driver's side floorboard, according to the statement.

Sims, who was driving, and a 28-year old female passenger were taken into custody.

The recovered handgun was a loaded .45 caliber Smith and Wesson, according to the statement.

A serial number check showed it was stolen in July 2016 during an Evanston burglary.

Sims was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony; misdemeanor possession of firearm/ammunition without a valid firearm owner's identification card; and expired registration and no driver's license on his person, both traffic violations, according to police.

Sims was on parole, according to the statement, and the Illinois Department of Corrections issued a parole violation warrant due to the circumstances of the arrest.

The passenger was released without charges, police said.

Sims is due back in court at the Skokie courthouse March 13.

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Gbookwalter@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @GenevieveBook
Davis African Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated its nearly 123-year history in La Grange with dance, music, food and prayer.

More than 200 people attended a Founder's Day banquet Saturday at Crystal Sky Banquet Hall in McCook.

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The church was founded in 1894, according to its pastor, the Rev. Theodore Moran, who said it is the oldest African-American organization of any kind operating in western Cook County.

The church has 56 members, but former members who have since moved from the area make it a point to come to the annual banquet. Their attendance reflects long-standing ties their families have had to the church and its importance to the community, said Rev. Alfredo Banks.

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"They're connected," he said. "It's an historical church."

One of the church's former pastors, the Rev. Blaine Ramsey, Jr., inaugurated the Founders' Day event 19 years ago to honor African Methodist Episcopal denomination founder Richard Allen, who was born Feb. 14, 1760, and to celebrate Black History month, Moran said.

The church also uses the occasion to bestow the Richard Allen Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have done exemplary service to the community.

This year, the church honored Gladys Wallace, owner of the Wallace Funeral Home, which operates in Broadview, Bellwood, Maywood and other west suburban communities.

"She, along with her late husband, Vernon, has for many decades provided very special and caring service to families, especially minority families that white funeral homes would not serve in their time of sorrow and bereavement," Moran said.

The other honoree was the Rev. Lisa Marie Thomas, a La Grange native and career medical health executive, and former pastor of Solid Rock AME Church of Bolingbrook.

The banquet raised money that will be used to make improvements to the church, that was built in 1916.

"We want to install a handicap ramp. You know at Davis we have those steep steps," said the Rev. Barbara Brown. "We don't want to prevent anyone from coming into the house of the Lord."

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La Grange Village President Thomas Livingston read a village proclamation honoring the church at 320 E. Calendar Ave. He called the church a spiritual home and community anchor.

"We appreciate everything you're about and what you do," he said.

amannion@tribpub.com

Twitter @triblocalam
Listings are subject to change. Please call the venue in advance. To submit items to the calendar, go to newssunonline.com/community.

Thursday

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Free yoga night: Enjoy a free yoga night on the first Thursday of every month. 6 p.m. Thursday, Ami Ami Boutique in Highland Park, 668 Central Ave., Highland Park, free

Adult Coloring: Coloring for adults is a popular way to reduce stress and relax. Coloring sheets and colored pencils are provided to both children and adults and there are refreshments. 6 p.m. Thursday, North Chicago Public Library, 2100 Argonne Drive, North Chicago, free, 847-689-0125

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Friday

Friday Fish Fry: Join us at Cadwell's Grille for Fish Fry Fridays! Enjoy endless fish with soup or salad, coleslaw and fries every week. 4 p.m. Friday, Cadwell's Grille, 1445 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, $14, 847-945-4500

Freddie's Voice Friday's Karaoke: Freddie's Voice Friday's hosted Karaoke takes place every week. 9 p.m. Friday, Famous Freddie's  Fox Lake, 510 Park St., Fox Lake, free, 847-587-9677

Har Shalom's Shabbat Service: All are welcome to Har Shalom's weekly Shabbat Service each Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. Join our email list for details about monthly special Shabbat program for young families and other events. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Har Shalom at Lakeside, 1221 Lake Cook Road, Highland Park, free, 847-814-7456

Play n' OM - Parent and Child Class Series: Feb-March: This is for 2- to 4-year olds. Music, moving and grooving, fun, mindfulness, and creative play keeps your child smiling while creating connection, motivating expression, and building emotional intelligence. 10:30 a.m. Friday, Infinity Foundation, 1280 Old Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park, Price for six-week series, 847-831-8828

GLMV Conversations 4 Success Network Group: At Chamber networking group meetings, meet two presenters on first Fridays and learn how to address business challenges on third Fridays. Also, enjoy a light breakfast. 7:30 a.m. Friday, Holiday Inn Express, 975 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, free, 847-680-0750

Saturday

Wisconsin Lutheran College Choir Concert: The Wisconsin Lutheran Choir and Chamber Choir of Wisconsin Lutheran College, under the direction of Dr. James A. Nowack, perform a concert featuring sacred and secular choral works. For more information about the works in this program, which span several periods and genres, contact the church. To learn more about the Wisconsin Lutheran Choir, visit wlc.edu/choir. 7 p.m. Saturday, Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road, Antioch, free, 847-395-1660

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Ragged Rascals: Hear this talented band perform rousing versions of Irish street ballads. Registration is required. Please call or visit the library's website at www.eapl.org to register or for more information. 3 p.m. Saturday, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich, free, 847-438-3433

1-on-1 Tech Help Saturday mornings: Teen volunteers give patient help with cell phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras and email, social media and the internet. Patrons may drop in during morning hours offered at Libertyville location. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Cook Memorial Public Library-Cook Park, 413 N Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, free, 847-362-2330

1-on-1 Tech Help Saturday afternoons: Teen volunteers give patient help with cell phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras and email, social media and the internet. Patrons may drop in during afternoon hours offered at Vernon Hills location. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Cook Memorial Public Library-Aspen Drive, 701 Aspen Dr, Vernon Hills, free, 847-362-2330

Sunday

"Elemeno Pea": Two-time LeComte du Nuoy Prize Winner Molly Smith Metzler's keenly observed comedy about ambition, regret and the choices that shape who we become, "Elemeno Pea" was the talk of the Humana Festival when it debuted in 2011. There is strong language, and has mature material, with aPG-13 rating. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, $35-38, 847-735-8554

"Upright Grand": Dad tickles ivories in a dive. His daughter dazzles in concert halls. In between them the bittersweet dance of parent and child, present and past, dream and disappointment plays out in the key of life. 8 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, $35-38, 847-735-8554

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North Shore Artisan Food Market: The market is held twice monthly on Sundays. Parking is free; pets welcome. 10 a.m. Sunday, Lake Forest West Train Station, 911 Telegraph Road, Lake Forest, free

Brown Bear Turns 50: The Art of Eric Carle Exhibit: Fifty years ago, Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle created their first book together, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" Since 1967, the book has been popular with children and parents around the world. Step into the pages of this colorful classic when Ela Area Public Library hosts the exhibit "Brown Bear Turns 50" featuring artwork exclusively from the book. 9 a.m. daily, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich, free, 847-438-3433
Crews in Round Lake Beach had to wait until daylight to lift a sport-utility vehicle out of a retention pond Sunday after a man crashed it into the water overnight. Joe Shuman/For The Lake County News-Su (Joe Shuman / Chicago Tribune)

Crews in Round Lake Beach had to wait until daylight to lift a sport-utility vehicle out of a retention pond Sunday after a man crashed it into the water overnight, officials said.

The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District received a call at about 2:37 a.m. about a vehicle accident, said Battalion Chief Tony Carraro. A man had gone into a Meijer store to report that his vehicle was in the water.

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The automobile  a small Suzuki sport-utility vehicle  was submerged in a retention pond at the Home Depot in Round Lake Beach, Carraro said. The store is on the west side of Illinois Route 83 and north of Hook Drive, near the Round Lake Beach train station. Officials determined it was "too hazardous" to recover the vehicle in the dark, Carraro said.

Crews began to retrieve the vehicle at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Carraro.

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There were no other passengers in the vehicle, Carraro said. The driver was evaluated by an ambulance crew but was not transported to the hospital, he added.

lhammill@tribpub.com

Twitter @lucashammill
There has been an inordinate amount of hand-wringing of late from the media over the Trump administration's utter disdain for the Fourth Estate.

Instead, President Trump and his minions are treating the press as a Fifth Column, the enemy of the people. The administration has lambasted newspapers, television and the reporters who cover the new president.

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They have barred them from press conference scrums. They don't call on certain reporters during media briefings.

To which I say: good. The media should be the opposition Trump speaks of so often. That's been our job since George Washington.

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It's now interesting to watch network and media coastal elites squirm during press briefings. They have a short memory.

Presidents for decades haven't liked the media, and the same can be said for elected officials across the governmental spectrum. President Nixon had his enemies list. It was a matter of pride to be on that list if you were a reporter or editor.

The Nixon administration, like Trump's, railed against White House leaks and anonymous sources. That was during Watergate.

It's easy to wrap oneself around the First Amendment when you're in a television studio surrounded by other talking heads and doing stories based on press releases and handouts from assistant press secretaries.

Be the lone press representative at a city council or school board meeting and object when they move to go into a closed session to discuss "personnel." Or remember the reception you get when you hand in forms for a Freedom of Information Act request.

Watch a newspaper photographer get doused with beer at an election night "victory" party by supporters  read folks beholden for jobs or contracts  of an incumbent candidate who's getting beaten badly in a race he was supposed to win easily.

Try to get past a police line during a night of rioting and see how far a press pass will get you. You were lucky at the 1968 Democratic National Convention if you didn't get the fat side of a police baton.

That's called the trenches, and that's what newspapers, radio stations and television crews do every day in this country, whether they're big or small, rural radio stations or minor market television. They do their jobs for a lot less money than members of the White House press corps get.

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They don't whine about it. They don't take it personally that the powerful don't like them.

Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

But there is that satisfaction of making a difference and helping readers, listeners and viewers. Like the story this newspaper did last month on the attempt by the Village of Beach Park to get the Illinois Department of Transportation to install improved lighting along Sheridan Road.

Since the article, Village Administrator Jon Kindseth said, "We had gotten more response and communication from IDOT than the previous four years." In an email, Kindseth said, "We are confident that the media has played a significant role in calling much needed attention to this safety issue."

People lost their lives along Sheridan Road because of poor lighting and antiquated traffic signals. The story pointed that out and the frustration village officials had with state government. It got the process moving. It may save lives in the future.

That's the job of the working press, without fear or favor. Or hand-wringing.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

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sellenews@gmail.com

Twitter: @sellenews
Stand up for America

All these sign carriers are not accomplishing anything. People today burn the American flag in public. How about standing up for America? Being a military veteran, I say burning the flag is a disgrace. Former President Obama divided our country for eight years, yet people went along with his mistakes. President Trump wants to get the bad guys out of our country. How about making signs supporting our country? A handshake always accomplishes more than a closed fist.

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Necessary ordinance

The Zion ordinance is not a nuisance. As a former Zion resident, I watched when people were forced to rent their houses because they couldn't sell them. The owners of these buildings should not be terrorized by tenants who constantly cause problems. This is what the ordinance is for. As a former landlord, I checked people's backgrounds. If they had a bunch of bad reports, they never rented from me. Unfortunately, Zion is turning into the Section 8 capital of Lake County, like Waukegan already is. Do you want your city to be like that? Nobody does.

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Roused about Rudd

Dr. Thomas Rudd is one of the most honest politicians in Lake County. He won't play with the good old boy gang. He tells the truth. Now they want to prosecute him. This is another case of wrongful association. This is all the way wrong.

Get tough on crime

This is about a police sting raid netting arrests. We have two Hispanic names. They found drugs. They found guns. They set the bond at $7,500, and these two guys are now back on the street. What do you think their next stop will be? Probably Mexico. I bet they are going to be on the run. The plan to lower the prison population won't work unless we have sentences strict enough to keep people out of prison. Right now, it's Club Med for these prisoners. They sleep all day. When they get out, they say they wouldn't mind doing it again. We must get tough on crime if we ever want to lessen our prison population.

Oust Madigan

Ever since Speaker of the House Michael Madigan and former Governor Edgar got together in the 1990s and changed stuff for the pension plan, they have been pocketing this money every year. The State of Illinois is basically putting out tax dollars to support the City of Chicago and its pension funds. How can people pay into pension funds for years and there's no money? Madigan needs to go. The state won't have a balanced budget as long as he is in office.

Tweak it

The Republicans want to roll back Obamacare. Instead, they should tweak it and make it better. That's what happened with Social Security when it came out. They tweaked it and made it better. Now these Republicans want to redo Obamacare. There are 20 million people who have health care coverage now who didn't have it before. If you eliminate their coverage, they will be in your face.

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Twitter @NewsSun

Editor's Note

Talk of the County is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, please tell us. Call us at 312-222-4554 or email talkofthecounty@tribpub.com. For a continuously updating blog of Talk of the County comments, go to newssunonline.com/talk.
Two strikes and you're out

Every weekend, there is something in the newspapers about illegal immigrants. Here's an article about a repeat felon who was kicked out of the country in 1996. He sneaked back into the United States in 2000 and moved in with his parents in Chicago. Using fake identification, he held a variety of jobs and watched his grandchildren grow up. In 2010, he was busted for a minor drug offense. Here you go. He is banished again from the United States. He can't keep his nose clean. This is the kind of person President Trump wants to deport. I'm sorry you have grandkids here, but you had your chance and you screwed it up.

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Crossing the border

This goes out to all the high school and college students who think it's wrong to deport illegal aliens. I guarantee that if you went on spring break to Mexico and got in trouble, you would land in jail and then be dropped at the border. You cannot live in Mexico without being a citizen. They do not want any illegal aliens in their country, yet you think our country should open our doors and support illegal immigrants. Read about some of the people who have been deported from the United States because of drugs or stealing. All you bleeding hearts need to wake up.

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Kudos to Talk of the County

Glad to see Talk of the County again the way it used to be. Talk of the County always took up half a page. It was very informative, very large and very long. It wasn't just one or two comments. Now you need to fix your phone line so it will take calls. Most of the time for the last month and a half when I call in, the mailbox is full.

Ladies next?

Males do run the world. Every conflict from yore until now, men were in charge. Maybe its time for women to take over. Peace of mind would be a true statement.

Be prepared to pay more

To all the "what part of 'illegal' don't you understand" people: Americans want low prices and that encourages businesses to pay low wages. "Illegals" would not be coming here if there was not a "demand" for what they "supply." Instead of demonizing these people, recognize our own contribution to the problem. Tell Congress to prosecute businesses who hire illegals. Be willing to pay more for yard work, house cleaning, produce and meat. Or get immigration reform done that finds a way to legally "supply" all the labor we "demand."

Where is the common sense?

Being a nation of immigrants, this country has always been open to immigration, and rightfully so. That said, we haven't enforced our immigration laws that have been on the books for many years. What doesn't make sense to me is allowing unlimited numbers of people to stream across the border who cannot be accounted for and will obviously need assistance, when we still have close to 50 million people living below the poverty line. We can't take care of our own, but we are expected by some to just open the borders and help millions more? Charity and a sensible immigration policy is one thing, but a death wish for the country is another. With the national debt being out of control, and the country far from being in great shape yet economically, an open border policy is pretty much suicide, not to mention a national security risk. What ever happened to common sense?

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Twitter @NewsSun

Editor's Note

Talk of the County is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, please tell us. Call us at 312-222-4554 or email talkofthecounty@tribpub.com. For a continuously updating blog of Talk of the County comments, go to newssunonline.com/talk.
The League of Women Voters of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff is holding two sets of candidate debates in March for contested races in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, according to a press release.

On March 12, candidates for the Board of Education at District 115, the Board of Education for District 67 and the second ward seat of the Lake Forest City Council have been invited to debate. The debates will take place at Lake Forest High School, 1285 N. McKinley Road. The first debate starts at 1:30 p.m.

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On March 19, candidates for the Lake Bluff Board of Trustees, Lake Bluff Village Clerk and Shields Township Supervisors have been invited to debate. The debates will take place at Lake Bluff Recreation Center, 355 W. Washington Avenue. The first debate starts at 2 p.m.

The format for each event will be similar: candidates will present an opening statement, participate in a question-and-answer segment, and finish with a closing statement, according to the release. Index cards will be provided to audience members for submitting questions to the candidates.

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Candidates are:

District 115  Sally Davis, Cindy Good, David Lane, Patrick Marshall, Lisa Mienville, Ted Moorman, Tomas Nemickas, and Jennifer Neubauer.

District 67  Mike Borkowski, Jeff Folker, Robert Lemke, Alice LeVert and Patrick Patt.

Lake Forest City Council Ward 2  Paul Hamann and Melanie Rummel.

Lake Bluff Trustee  Kate Briand, Eric Grenier, Bill Meyer, and Aaron Towle.

Lake Bluff Clerk  Joy Markee and Sarah Wnek.

Shields Township Supervisor  Teresa "Terry" Darraugh and Cynthia Maloney.

For more information, check out the League's website at http://LWV-LFLB.org/
A Wheeling man faces charges after, police said, he sexually abused a former acquaintance in Lincolnshire.

Kevin Perez-Galeana, 19, was charged with criminal sexual assault  a Class 1 felony  and criminal sexual abuse  a Class 4 felony, Lincolnshire police said Monday.

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Police started investigating after receiving a report Feb. 22 of criminal sexual abuse that happened Feb. 20 in the 200 block of Parkway Drive.

Lincolnshire police did not issue additional details, including how the two knew each other, because officers still are investigating the incident, Sgt. Kim Covelli said.

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"At this time, we're not releasing further information," Covelli said.

Authorities with the Lake County Jail said Monday that Perez-Galeana remains in custody. He is scheduled to appear March 10 at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, police said.

rwachter@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @RonnieAtPioneer
Lincolnwood police Chief Robert LaMantia addresses residents during the Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 village board meeting where a plan was proposed to change the rules on parking recreational and commercial vehicles. (Libby Elliott / Pioneer Press)

Lincolnwood officials revisited a long-simmering issue last week when a controversial proposal that the police chief introduced a while back  but discussion on it was tabled multiple times  resurfaced during a village board meeting.

Police Chief Robert LaMantia brought before village trustees at the Feb. 21 meeting a plan for tightening village rules on the parking of recreational and commercial vehicles in residential areas.

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A discussion of a proposed amendment to the current village rules originated with the Traffic Commission, which the police chief heads, in response to complaints from Lincolnwood homeowners worried about the negative impact parked commercial vehicles may have on their neighboring property values.

"There is no doubt it has a direct affect on a homeowner's ability to sell a home and the value of that home," Trustee Jesal Patel said during the village board meeting. "We get complaints and we have to act on that."

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The revised ordinance police LaMantia is backing prohibits construction equipment from being parked in residential areas unless it is in front of an active construction site.

Also, vehicles would be limited to a maximum of 8-feet-6-inches in height and 20 feet in length, and certain classes of vehicles would not be allowed to park in residential driveways unless the vehicle is for personal use.

Rooftop advertising, which is currently unregulated, would be prohibited under the police chief's proposal, and commercial signage on parked vehicles would be limited to 10 square feet per side.

"This is specifically to address the issue of the wrapped vehicles," said LaMantia, referencing the process by which a large vinyl graphic or decal is applied directly over the original paint of a vehicle. "Wrapped vehicles would be prohibited."

Some 40 residents were at the Tuesday night meeting and voiced their concerns about proposed restrictions limiting their existing rights to park commercial pick-up trucks, vans, snow plows, storage containers, taxis, vans and trailers in residential driveways.

Several affected residents reported receiving notice of the proposed changes from the village less than a week before the Feb. 21 village board meeting, while others claimed they had never received written notification.

"It really makes all of us feel that you're trying to slide this under the rug and pass something without any of our consent," said Steve Hedeen, who owns a construction company and said he has lived in the village for 27 years. "We should have had one month notification at least."

Village Manager Timothy Wiberg defended the administration's process of notification, citing information that had been posted on the village's website, in social media, as well as letters mailed to residents from a list of names compiled at open meetings over the years.

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Still, though, Trustee Barry Bass asked that the issue be tabled, due to residents' report of short or no notice about the proposed changes.

"These are individuals whose lives and livelihoods are affected by these restrictions," Bass said.

Resident Peter Reinemann, who voiced his opinion on the proposed restrictions at a 2016 village board meeting, spoke passionately again at the Tuesday night meeting.

"Some of this stuff just feels petty," said Reinemann, citing the importance of economic and professional diversity in the community.

"The fact of the matter is, we're talking about aesthetics here. It's not fair to say 'I don't like the looks of your car because it's a commercial vehicle' and that 'living next to it somehow demeans me.'"

After a lengthy discussion, Village President Gerald Turry agreed to place a notification of the proposed ordinance in the village's May/June newsletter.

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In the end, trustees agreed to hold off further discussing the proposal until the June village board meeting.

Trustee Craig Klatzco then encouraged residents in attendance to spread the word.

"Please sign up and tell your friends to sign up with us on the village website," said Klatzco. "We need you to participate as well because we cannot guess out of thin air where every truck is located and where people live."

Libby Elliott is a freelancer.
A candidate for an open trustee seat on the Morton Grove Village Board unsuccessfully filed objections against the nomination papers of the ruling Action Party, which has slated candidates for village president, village trustee and village clerk, officials said.

Mark Albers, current Morton Grove library board president, objected to the party's papers on several grounds, but his request for a hearing was turned down based on timeliness, he said.

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Albers said he received a letter from Village Clerk Connie Travis, who is also running for trustee on the Action Party ticket, saying that his objection papers had to be turned in by Dec. 5 based on a Feb. 28 primary election schedule.

"Your documents were not received until after the statutory deadline for filing objections," Travis wrote in a letter to Albers that he shared with the Morton Grove Champion. "Hence, after consultation with Cook County election officials, the village's corporation counsel, and special counsel, I have determined that I cannot accept your objection, and I am therefore returning your documents to you."

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Albers said he was confused by the rejection since no primary election was scheduled Feb. 28 in the village.

Five Action Party candidates are running for five open seats  one for village president, one for village clerk and three for trustee, which made a primary unnecessary.

Nevertheless, said Ken Menzel, general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Elections, the village clerk was correct in saying that the deadline for objecting to the papers was in early December.

Candidates for local established parties have to file using the primary schedule in case enough candidates step forward where a primary would have to be held, Menzel said. The Action Party ran candidates during a previous election and got at least five percent of the vote, which makes the party "established" under the law, he said.

"You don't know until the filing period is over whether there is going to be a primary," he said.

Action Party candidates were able to advance to the April 4 election automatically and without a primary based on not having contested seats within the party. Objections to nominating papers still had to have been filed within five business days of the filing period, which would have made the deadline early December, Menzel said.

Albers' objections were filed Dec. 23, making the papers late, according to Menzel.

"Those candidate petitions are presumed to be valid and the candidates move on  even if there were flaws in the petitions  because the time window for the challenges passed," he said.

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Albers maintained that the Action Party nomination papers were accepted a half hour before the clerk's office opened and questioned whether statements of economic interest were filed with the clerk during the filing period.

According to Menzel, there is no rule about what hours the clerk's office has to remain open and he said the only likely impact regarding accepting papers early is ballot placement.

Not filing statements of economic impact during a filing period could be "fatal," he acknowledged, but there is no way to investigate further because of the lack of timeliness.

"The only way to challenge candidates' petitions and qualifications to get onto the ballot is through the objection process and it has a hard and fast deadline," he said. "I'm not going to speculate what happened here, but there isn't a format to challenge because they were too late with their objections."

misaacs@pioneerlocal.com

@SKReview_Mike
Black Violin is taking what you think you know about the violin and turning it on its bow.

Black Violin consists of classically trained string instrumentalists Kevin Sylvester (violin) and Wilner Baptiste (viola), who met first in high school in Miami. They reconnected after college and discovered that not only did they both still play, they were inspired by the same artists including Curtis Mayfield and jazz violinist Stuff Smith. Together they formed Black Violin, with the idea of fusing the classical musical they were trained on with the hip-hop they loved.

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They caught the nation's attention when they accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Awards, going on to perform on the same bill as Wu-Tang Clan and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. They even appeared on an episode of PBS's "Angelina Ballerina."

Black Violin comes to the College of DuPage March 11 for a 7:30 p.m. show at the McAninch Arts Center.

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"You're going to hear music from a violinist's perspective," Baptiste said. "It's hip-hop, it's classical, but it's also so much more than that. Particularly when you think about all the genres in the world  country, blues, jazz  I like to call it a melting pot of music. Obviously, hip-hop and classical are the main ingredients, but if you're a person who just listens to jazz or blues, there's something in there for you. It's a high-energy show you can bring your cousin to; your grandmother, your grandfather, your kids. It's a family-friendly show. It's going to be a good time."

Joining the group onstage will be DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes.

"DJ SPS is a champion DJ. He competes on a major level around the world. He's what you call a true instrumentalist when it comes to the turntables," Baptiste said. "And our drummer is just what you would call a bad boy. He's one of the baddest drummers I've ever met or ever played with."

Adding a disc jockey and percussionist to the mix only enhanced the Black Violin dynamic, he said.

"It adds another layer, another level," he said. "It's like making a cake and putting the frosting and the cherry on top. It makes the show more dynamic."

The response from audiences has been extremely positive, he said.

"They're masters at what they do and it comes across in the way they perform and the crowd loves them," he said. "Especially someone who has never heard a DJ do the things that he does, and (when) they hear it for the first time, they're completely blown away."

Audiences respond in kind to Black Violin as well.

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"The response is pretty much, 'Man, I didn't think the violin could do what you guys are doing with it,' and also, 'I've never seen two black guys that look like you guys play the way that you play,'" Baptiste said. "It's something we understand. It's been the case with us since the day we started playing the violin. And our show is about breaking stereotypes. It's about unity. When you come to a Black Violin concert, there are so many people in the audience experiencing something together. To me, that's what our show does, it brings people together. Not only that, you're being inspired, you're being uplifted, you're able to see something you probably have never seen before."

Glen Ellyn audiences will hear a lot of the original music from Black Violin's three albums; including 2015's "Stereotypes."

"We do covers here and there, but it's mainly 85 percent originals and 15 percent covers," he said.

Black Violin is designed for audiences who want to experience something unique and new, he said.

"I think our goal is create great music and continue this movement," he said. "It's a movement breaking stereotypes and allow people to be themselves at our concerts. Hopefully when they leave our concerts they look at each other differently. Kids particularly, hopefully kids see our show and not necessarily want to pick up the violin  but want to do something they have a passion for. We just want to make a difference, one stage at a time. And if the Grammys come, that's cool, too."

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.

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'Black Violin'

When: March 11

Where: McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Tickets: $40-$50

Information: 630-942-4000; www.attemac.org
Niles mayor Andrew Przybylo, right, talks with Village Manager Steve Vinezeano in this Monday, May 2, 2016 photo. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

Niles' current village president faces a challenger in the April 4 general election, while three of Niles' six village board members will hold on to their positions after no one filed to run against them.

Mayor Andrew Przybylo with the Promises Kept party will run against challenger Steven Yasell, an independent, according to the Cook County Clerk's office.

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Przybylo was elected mayor in 2013 after 24 years as a trustee.

Village board members George Alpogianis, Danette O'Donovan Matyas and John Jekot, all of the Promises Kept party, are running unopposed and will be reseated, according to the county clerk's office. All three were seated with Przybylo as part of a 2013 slate called the New Niles Party.

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Steven Yasell (Steven Yasell / Handout)

Steven Yasell

Yasell, 28, a lifelong Niles resident, was the first baby born in the village in 1989, he said. He is challenging Przybylo because "the village needs strong leadership."

Yasell got involved with local politics after flooding affected his home in 2008 and he felt the village's response was inadequate, he said. He hopes to improve Niles' flood management and repair aging water mains that break with increasing frequency, among other projects.

Yasell said he supports Niles' agreement to buy Lake Michigan drinking water from Evanston instead of Chicago, the village's current provider. But he would like to see Niles hold off on replacing pipes carrying water from Chicago if village leaders soon will build new ones to tie into Evanston's system.

"There's no point to making pipes bigger from Chicago if we're going to be cutting them off in a few years," he said.

Andrew Przybylo

Przybylo, 65, has lived in the village since 1981. He's running to keep his seat because, "I started quite a bit of projects that another four years would allow me to complete," he said.

Przybylo said he also is concerned about flood control and plans to move on to the next phase of the village's flood control project this year, which would include repairing and replacing water pipes. He plans to continue Niles' ethics training, senior crime reduction program and animal control efforts, which have been especially helpful in curbing the village's skunk problem.

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If elected, new projects could include dealing with the city's firefighter and police pensions; building a "cozy shopping district" to attract those who now buy online; and listing Niles' leaning tower as a National Historic Landmark, among other efforts, Przybylo said. That shopping district could include redeveloping around the tower.

gbookwalter@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @GenevieveBook
A Norridge man was arrested after being accused of hitting a relative in the back of the head and waving a gun around after smoking crystal meth, according to Norridge police.

Sergio Buizing, 36, of the 4100 block of Oriole Avenue, Norridge, was charged Feb. 13 with two counts of felony aggravated unlawful restraint and domestic battery. He was released from custody Feb. 24 after posting 10 percent of a $200,000 bond and will be placed on GPS monitoring, according to Janet De La Torre, communications liaison for the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

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Buizing could not immediately be reached for comment.

Officers responded to Buizing's residence Feb. 13 for a well-being check after a call from a third party, according to a police report. Buizing reportedly opened the door, and officers spotted a box of Winchester .38-caliber ammunition on the table and two other women in the home. One told police Buizing had struck her on the head twice that day after he had been smoking crystal meth, according to the report, and had also been carrying around a gun. Police found a loaded Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver in a closet next to a crystal meth pipe, according to the report. Police also found a FOID card, which officers confiscated, according to the report.

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Buizing was subsequently taken into custody and charged with domestic battery, police said.

A relative told officers that Buizing placed metal bed frames on the backdoor to prevent entry and exit through them. Buizing then allegedly began smoking crystal meth while carrying a gun around the house, the report said.

The woman said that while she was on a couch, Buizing hit her on the back of her head and used the handle of a screwdriver to hit her hard on the toe, police said. She told police she did not feel able to leave the home or call 911 because she was afraid of Buizing and that Buizing had taken her phone away.

After reviewing the case, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved two counts of felony aggravated unlawful restraint against Buizing, police said. Officers said they contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to make a report.

According to police, Buizing is next due in court on March 3.

Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Nations meet on battlefields, or preferably the United Nations. They meet at interfaith conclaves and international conferences. But actually they might meet most often in concert halls where the masterpieces of their composers vie for pride of place with their musical counterparts around the globe.

Maestro Lawrence Rapchak has structured an interesting program for his Northbrook Symphony to present during these waning days of winter. Titled "Where Nations Meet," it includes such popular orchestral pieces as "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius, which Rapchak calls a kind of anthem, as well as "The Capture of the Kars" by Modest Mussorgsky, whose Russian homeland shares a border with Finland.

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That composer, however, looked to his own country and Turkey for his "Triumphal March," which taps into Russian and Turkish folk songs. "This kind of program is slightly lighter than we usually do," Rapchak explained," but there are so many charming shorter pieces that I'd like our audiences to hear."

Among such charmers are Ludwig Van Beethoven's "Seven Contredanses" and British composer Malcolm Arnold's "Eight English Dances." "These are beautiful little gems," Rapchak said.

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The New Tradition Chorus, a Northbrook-based a cappella men's barbershop ensemble, will join the orchestra for the classic "Academic Festival Overture," in which Brahms uses melodies based on 19th century college drinking songs. Jay Giallombardo directs the chorus, which has won gold, silver and bronze medals in choral competitions since he began leading it in the 1980s. His chorus will sing the "Gaudeamus Igitur" in English, German and the most often heard Latin.

This will be the fourth time the chorus has appeared with the Northbrook Symphony. The program includes Giallombardo's arrangement of American patriotic anthems, such as "America the Beautiful" and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," He has also written a tribute to our neighbors to the north, weaving the national anthems of Canada and the United States with "Ode to Joy" from the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

Also to be performed is the Fred Warning arrangement of "Give me your tired, your poor" with music by Irving Berlin. He used the words from a poem by Emma Lazarus, which is on the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. Both Berlin and Lazarus were themselves immigrants.

The afternoon concludes with the rollicking sea chantey "A rovin,'" with Maestro Rapchak making adjustments to its salty lyrics. "This is a family-friendly audience," he said. "People bring their grandchildren."

In fact, to encourage more children to this concert, ticket-holding grandparents will be given a free ticket for each grandchild they bring.

Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and the New Tradition Chorus

When: 4 p.m. March 5

Where: Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, Glenbrook North High School, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook

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Tickets: $10-$50

Contact: 847-272-0755; northbrooksymphony.org
An Illinois Appellate Court has affirmed a lower court decision in allowing three Oak Park village candidates to remain on the April 4 ballot.

The ruling means incumbent village trustee candidates Peter Barber and Glenn Brewer, as well as village clerk candidate Lori Malinski, can appear on the spring ballot.

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"For the past two months, we have expended our resources, both in time and in money, to rightfully remain on the ballot," a statement released by the candidates read. "To date, two levels of our judicial system, the municipal electoral board and the 735 residents that signed our petitions agree that our candidates deserve to be on the ballot this April 4."

Presiding Justice James F. Smith delivered the judgment of the court, which was released Feb. 24. Justices Daniel J. Pierce and Cynthia Y. Cobbs concurred in the judgment.

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Oak Park residents Kevin Peppard and Robert Milstein had challenged the validity of the candidates' nominating petition, and sought to have them removed from the ballot.

Peppard and Milstein argued the three violated the election code by filing one single petition with 735 signatures. The challengers argued the three candidates should have filed separate petitions, each with 251 valid signatures. Even if the three had gathered 251 signatures each on single petitions, for a total of 753, they would still fall 18 signatures short, the challenges argued.

"Here, the respondent candidates did not fail to meet the minimum threshold," the decision states. "Quite the opposite: they obtained 735 signatures where 251 signatures were needed."

According to a statement released by Barber, Brewer and Malinski's campaign manager Michelle Wiley, the three now hope to reach out to their challengers to address their concerns.

"In the spirit of Oak Park, we invite Mr. Milstein and Mr. Peppard to meet with us individually or as a group so that we can better understand their issues and they can understand why we believe we can lead Oak Park forward," the statement read.

In affirming the decision, the Appellate Court judges specifically cited the language on the candidates' petition, which read "We, the undersigned, qualified voters in the Village of Oak Park in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, do hereby petition that the following named persons shall be Independent Candidates for election to the offices hereinafter specified to be voted for at the Consolidated Election to be held on April 4, 2017."

"It is clear from this language that the voters intended that their signatures stand for each of the candidates," the decision states. "While combining the independent respondent candidates' names into one petition was technically deficient, the 735 signatures on the petitions are signatures for each of the candidates, and these signatures meet the threshold requirements to be on the ballot."

Attorney Brian Wojcicki, who represented the candidates, said he was pleased with the ruling.

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"I am happy the Appellate Court agreed with our argument that the candidates should remain on the ballot and have the opportunity to be elected by the voters of Oak Park," Wojcicki said.

Attorney Burt Odelson, who represents Peppard and Milstein, did not respond to requests for comment or answer if they plan to appeal the Appellate Court's ruling.

On Jan. 12, the Oak Park Electoral Board voted 2-1 to keep the candidates on the ballot. That decision was appealed by Peppard and Milstein to the Circuit Court of Cook County. On Feb. 7, Judge Margarita Kulys Hoffman also ruled in favor of the candidates to remain on the ballot.

In November, the three candidates were endorsed by the Oak Park Village Manager Association.

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering
East Chicago Public Library interim director Charles Moore described a recent Black History Month event as, "Bringing Sunday to a Saturday."

Indeed, The I Too Sing America Inc. organization offered a 90-minute stage production, titled, "Freedom of Religion  A Historical View of James Weldon Johnson's 'God's Trombones,'" with assistance from ECPL staff, community members and local churches.

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Consisting of 16 acts, the performances focused on Johnson's book as well as the history and heritage of East Chicago's African-American church community. Included were examples of a funeral eulogy, a usual Sunday sermon and praise dancing, among others.

"People have backgrounds they don't even know about," said Naseera Salahuddin, a member of the East Chicago Central High School Choir, which offered musical numbers before the program began. "It's important for young people to know who they are and where they come from."

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Indeed, more than 100 audience members received quite a history lesson, covering many areas.

The story of Noah and the Ark, the Crucifixion and other Sunday staple sermons of yesteryear were delivered throughout the 16 acts of the performance.

"The old-time preachers were important in black America. They were the foundation of hope and inspiration for their people," said Patricia Dixon-Darden, director of "God's Trombones," as she introduced the segments of history. "They preached promises of better days amid the frustrations of reality. If Christ was the answer, the black minister knew how to ask the right questions."

The stories of the Prodigal Son, the perils of early Egypt-land and other lectures kept the audience enthralled, with musical selections interspersed.

A dance expression to "How Great Thou Art" by minister Cheryl Frith Brown of Greater Destiny Bible Church set the mood, to be followed by The Top Twenty II Students Dance group.

"These young girls are so graceful and serious," said audience member Harriet Jones of East Chicago, as they lined up for their first number. "We hear so much negative about young people today, but his is all about positive  we are blessed to have them here today."

The Templeton Gallery, located in the middle of the library, always offers a display in conjunction with whatever program is currently running.

This month, Black History of the community is highlighted with African-American artifacts and historical photos of the first churches in East Chicago.

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Many visitors, including ECPL board member Diane Artis, perused the walls and glass cases of the exhibit after the play production

"If you don't know your history, you're destined to repeat mistakes," Artis said, of the importance of community awareness. "Black history events like today are entertaining, inspirational and educational."

Ancestors were instrumental in laying a foundation for future generations, she added.

"We also need to celebrate their many accomplishments," Artis said.

And, as with any church meeting worth its salt, fellowship and refreshments followed the afternoon celebration.

"I feel like good spirits are in the library today," said East Chicago resident Mary Lock, as she lined up with others headed to the Community Room for some authentic African-American dishes. "This library always does good things for the community, everyone is happy today, I feel like I just left church."

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The East Chicago Public Library offers many programs during the year for both children and adults. For more information, call 219-397-2453.

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Students were treated to a high-energy experience recently when Connie Kann spoke at Ivy Tech College in East Chicago.

Kann, who developed a program which focuses on positivity, said her presentation is modeled after the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

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"For every nine people who denounce innovation, only one will encourage it," Kann said. "For every nine people who do things the way they have always been done, only one will ever wonder if there is a better way. For every nine people who stand in line in front of a locked building, only one will ever come around and check the back door."

Her presentation  which focuses on the lessons learned from luminaries such as Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Buddha, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Blaise Pascal, and Soren Kierkegaard  was met with enthusiasm from Ivy Tech student and staff.

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Ivy Tech Director of Student Life Uzoma Obidike said Ivy Tech tries to introduce students to a variety of programming and events.

"Portions of Connie's presentation, 'A Revival of Hope,' relates to black history so we invited her to showcase it to our students" Obidike said. "The presentation told a story through another lens and perspective. Our hope is that this event encouraged important follow-up conversations amongst our students and other attendees."

Kann uses music, props and images to help student learn how to examine their present and help plan their futures. The multisensory, high-energy program includes Kann weaving together her own personal experiences with current events, encouraging people to become agents of positive change.

For more information about Kann's positivity program, go to www.arevivalofhope.com.

Jane Bokun is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
The cash-strapped Gary Community School Corp. could consider hiring attorney Clorius Lay as a part-time consultant to Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt at its Feb. 28 regular meeting.

If approved, Lay could be hired to provide advice and assist with policy-making issues. According to his proposed contract discussed at a Feb. 24 work session, he would be paid up to $50,000 a year for a 20-hour per week position -- or $4,166 per month -- to run from March 1 through February 2018.

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His hire was originally set to be considered at the board's Feb. 14 regular meeting, but was removed from the agenda at its start. At that time, Lay's salary was proposed at $25,000 for the same number of working hours.

Board Trustee Nellie Moore opposed the hire, noting the board already retains two law firms. She also voiced concerns that the money could come from the district's general fund -- a school district's main spending account that is typically used to fund salaries, books and supplies.

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State lawmakers are considering a pending proposal in Indianapolis to shift control of the district's finances for up to five years away from the school board in exchange for some possible loan forgiveness and other financial concessions.

In recent years, the district has closed numerous schools and cut staff in a bid to reduce its massive long-term debt -- estimated at $101 million by the summer, officials said.

"We are constantly under the microscope for how we spend money," Moore said during the meeting.

Pruitt cited Lay's expertise in law and as a public official that would be an asset to the district. The board voted to cut staff including 11 custodians at its Feb. 14 meeting.

"I can understand (the opposition after) reducing staff, but there are a number of skill sets needed to help get over this hump," she said during the meeting. The district needs "to have some additional support" to help guide it through financial difficulties.

Trustees Robert Buggs, James Piggee and Norman Bailey spoke in favor of Lay's hire. Board Trustee Carlos Tolliver agreed with Moore.

"The optics are that we are laying off custodians, we are laying off people in the classroom, we are increasing class sizes," he said. "Is it more important for us to have a legal assistant, or to have a plumber service our schools?"

Lay, who attended the session told the board that he intended to provide policy advice, not act as an attorney.

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"I have no interest in being your attorney," he said.

Lay is a member of the Calumet Township board. As an attorney, he has also represented Gary Councilwoman Mary Brown in her attempt to hold simultaneous positions on the Common Council and at the Sanitary District.

No decision was taken. The board is set to consider the proposal at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Gary Career Center. It is also scheduled to consider rehiring former district spokeswoman Charmella Greer.

mcolias@post-trib.com

Twitter: @meredithcolias
Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, right, speaks during the Feb. 23, 2017, town hall he hosted with county Clerk David Orr, left. The pair held the event to provide voters information on the election process. (Libby Elliott / Pioneer Press)

Amid national reports of possible foreign government meddling in the November 2016 general election, two county officials held a town hall meeting in Skokie to share election and voting rights information with local constituents.

Over 100 people gathered in the Oakton Community Center in Skokie Thursday to voice their growing concerns about the integrity of the U.S. electoral system.

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Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, D-13th Dist., and Cook County Clerk David Orr hosted the town hall meeting.

The meeting comes as some municipalities will hold a primary election Feb. 28 and statewide. Then the consolidated election, where offices from village president, mayor and clerk to school and park boards will be on the ballot, is scheduled for April 4.

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"The subject matter tonight becomes timely because of congressional investigations into the November national election where we had potential interference by a foreign government," said Suffredin. 'There are a number of people concerned that there was fraud in registration, fraud in turnout and fraud in the count."

The event was held in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky's, D-9th Dist., office and area state senators and representatives. The League of Women Voters of Cook County, the local chapter of a non-partisan national organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, was also a co-sponsor.

"The League of Women Voters is all about voting rights," said Cate Whitcomb, a volunteer with the group's Evanston branch. "Our organization is fighting on a national level to help people whose voting rights are being denied."

Suffredin touted the election process as being integral to the democratic system of governing.

"If you don't have a good election system, you don't have a democracy. You have a rigged government," he said.

Suffredin and Orr sought not only to reassure voters on the integrity of Cook County's electoral system, but also to educate constituents.

"The entire election process begins with voter registration," said Suffredin.

The commissioner said that process should come with ease.

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"We should not be putting obstacles up in the way of people registering to vote," he said.

Citing the landmark 2010 Supreme Court case Citizens United versus The Federal Election Commission, Orr outlined his concerns about the rise of money in politics, especially when it comes to unclear or unknown donors.

"I believe we have very serious threats to our democracy," Orr said. "We are now seeing a new reality that money grossly amplifies speech and influence in this country."

Orr pointed to several initiatives a few states are undertaking to address the issue of campaign finance. He pointed to Washington state and California as examples, and to a small donor-matching program recently enacted in New York.

Ill. Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, recently introduced legislation to bring the New York program here.

Of equal concern for Orr, he said, is the rise of voter suppression.

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He said such things as restrictions on voter identification and redistricting are examples of that. Orr explained that those actions tend to obstruct voter registration and access to polling stations.

"I know there's a great deal of misinformation today coming from the White House, regarding all this talk about massive fraud and busloads going to New Hampshire," said Orr. "It's good theater but it detracts us all from the real problem, which is not covered in the press, and that's voter suppression. "

Orr listed a series of federal initiatives that Illinois adopted to facilitate voter registration, motor vehicle registration, early voting, voting by mail and online registration. Proposals to adopt automatic voter registration software, an Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), and election day registration policies, have been contested by state Republicans, but will be "key battles" going forward, he said.

The county clerk said new election equipment is needed, along with audits, paper trails and forensic testing to maintain the state's electoral integrity.

"To fight fraud and save money is what both Republicans and Democrats want, by and large," said Orr.

He urged citizens to remain active and politically engaged.

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Libby Elliott is a freelancer.
Three candidates will vie for two open seats on the Skokie Park District board during the April 4 election, marking one of the few contested races in the village.

The certainty about the election is that the park board will see at least one new face as current board President Jerry Clarito is not seeking reelection.

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That leaves Commissioner Mike Reid as the only incumbent in the race.

Khem Khoeun is on the ballot with Reid, and both candidates acknowledged they thought the race would be uncontested. But Kenneth Mantel threw his hat in as well.

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Reid said he has been on the park board since 2005 and is seeking his third term after serving eight years as a Skokie School District 68 board member. He works as a credit manager, he said.

"I felt I did all I could do on the District 68 board and it was suggested I run for the park board and I'd be a good addition," he said.

Khem Khoeun. (Khem Khoeun )

During his time on the board, Reid said, the Park District has put together a renovation plan for all the parks. He said the board most recently responded to concerns from residents about the conditions at Winnebago Park and work is scheduled there this spring.

Reid also noted the major renovation of the Skatium ice rink and this year's slated renovation of the Weber Leisure Center as accomplishments during his board tenure.

"The Park District, I think, touches more households over a longer age span than any other government," Reid said about why he has remained on the board for 14 years. "The Skokie Park District offers child care, from six months on at the Tot Learning Center, all the way up to senior programming."

Khoeun said she is a 12-year resident of Skokie who is used to being active  mostly with the immigrant community in the Chicago area. A former community activist and organizer, she said she took some time off and then joined the board of directors of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum in Chicago.

"Our family is very familiar with the Park District," she said. "We utilize it all the time. I actually bought my house a couple years ago in front of Laramie Park because of the park. We love the outdoors and we love the space for our children to grow up in."

Mike Reid. (Mike Reid )

Khoeun said that since most of her work has been in the broader Chicago area, she believed it was time to become involved more locally.

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About 30 percent of Skokie is Asian American, she said, and one of her goals would be to find ways to get that community involved.

"I see my role participating in the Skokie Park District as an opportunity to invite and engage (ethnic) communities," she said. "We've got other groups that have tried to open themselves up and be welcoming to the foreign immigrant community here and I think I can be a part of that in terms of being a liaison."

Khoeun said she wants to advocate for more programming for immigrant community members.

Mantel moved back to Skokie a year ago, but he said he lived in the village from fifth grade through college. One reason his family returned is because of his young children who he said would benefit from Skokie, including its parks.

Mantel said he works in regulatory compliance in contract administration in the health insurance field and writes policies.

"Running for the park board is just something that evolved from discussion with my neighbors," he said.

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Kenneth Mantel and family. (Kenneth Mantel )

Mantel said he has always been an involved person, from being secretary of his fraternity to serving as condo association president when he lived in the city.

"Leadership and being able to help with my community have always been important to me," he said. "It's just the greatest feeling when people tell you how much they appreciate it."

Mantel said there are a lot of people like himself who are moving back to the area with families that include kids.

"Everybody talks about how much they love the park programs and the pools," he said. "My kids absolutely love the Skokie Water Playground. It's just amazing what it looks like now compared to when I was a kid."

Mantel said he wants to continue "a fiscal conservative approach" to maintain the high standards of the park district. He favors reaching out to the business community more to offset the tax base, he said.

"Although we have great parks, great infrastructure, I want to make sure that I can provide as much as I can for my kids' future so they experience the same opportunities that I did," he said.

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Mantel said the park board needs a voice for younger families  even while acknowledging the current board has done "an amazing job" overseeing the Park District.

misaacs@pioneerlocal.com

@SKReview_Mike
After 27 years on the Skokie Library Board, Zelda Rich, pictured in this Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 photo, is retiring after the board's March meeting. (Mike Isaacs / Pioneer Press)

Long before the Skokie Public Library would amass the accolades and recognitions it currently has, Zelda Rich joined the library board because she wanted to see improvements made, she said.

"I'm a big library user and reader," Rich said. "In Chicago where we lived, the library was not great. The library in Skokie was pretty good, but I really had a lot of issues with it and I wanted to have a voice."

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For 27 years and part of four different decades, Rich, 87, has shared that voice as a library trustee.

She is retiring from the board and will attend her final meeting March 17, she said.

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Rich is moving out of Skokie to an independent living facility in Glenview  otherwise she would have remained on the board, she said.

She originally joined because of some concerns she had about the village's library  chief among them the library's children's section  and said she never could have predicted this kind of longevity.

"They built a whole new section and the children were upstairs," she said. "The children should never be upstairs. They shouldn't have been on the second floor. There was a staircase and the kids were hanging out over the staircase."

Little did Rich know, however, that a library director the board had recently hired was thinking the same way.

Carolyn Anthony served as director for about 30 years  most of them coinciding with Rich's tenure on the board  before she, herself, retired last year.

When Rich arrived on the board, the library's collection was primarily books and other print materials with the exception of some vinyl record albums.

In addition to rapid technology changes, the library met the needs of a changing community, she said.

During her time on the library board, Rich has seen the library implement use of audiocassettes, videocassettes, CDs, DVDs Blu-ray players, e-books and audiobooks.

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She was also present for the momentous advent of the library's Internet services that opened to the public in 1995.

These new technologies were not always immediately embraced by all board members, Rich recalled, but they were by her.

She always welcomed their addition when Anthony introduced them, often ahead of other libraries, Rich said.

"Without that director," she said, "I wouldn't have been here that long."

In 2008, the library received a National Medal for Library Service that was awarded at the White House. It won the Community Aware Award in 2012, and receipt of five stars (highest honor) from the Library Journal in 2013.

According to library officials, 815,262 patrons walked through the library doors last year. That count doesn't include people who used the bookmobile or who only used electronic books or other digital resources, they said.

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Rich said she is proud to have served on a board that helped oversee this kind of growth and popularity.

The village commissions an independent citizen survey every three years and the most recent one showed that 95 percent of respondents gave the library the highest marks.

In some ways, though, Rich sees the board's greatest responsibility as overseeing finances while library leaders implement services.

"The board is really in charge of the money," she said. "It's a public board and that's what we mainly do. I think we've done a good job."

The library's 2016-2017 budget of $13.9 million reflects less than a 1.2 percent increase over last year. While the library is run independently under its own board, it is under the village's taxing authority, which Rich said has made the job easier.

"If you have a good village, it's easier to have a very good library," Rich said. "They're very good to the library. They protect us. They give us our money and we don't have to worry about politics."

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The Skokie Public Library has a reputation for long-serving board members and staff. In fact, Rich is only the second longest-serving member on the board  behind library board Trustee Diana Hunter.

"Zelda was very committed to the library as a broad institution," Hunter said. "She was interested in the children's area in the library and that it would be a special place. She always contributed her valuable perspective to that."

Rich said that the children's area was always a point of special interest for her. Once the children's area moved to the lower floor, she said, she supported more programming to meet children's needs.

"This is not a young community," Rich said. "I remember saying to the board, 'you know, the demographics are changing in this community. We're not old people anymore. And we're not keeping up with 2-year-olds and up.'"

Rich also said one of her most important accomplishments as a board member was hiring a successor to Anthony last year.

She said new library Director Richard Kong is poised to continue the library on its successful path for years to come.

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Earlier in life, Rich worked as a social worker on the West Side of Chicago. Her husband, who died last year, was an orthopedic surgeon who worked on the South Side of Chicago, she said.

That's why the couple and their children moved to Skokie some 40 years ago, she said. In Skokie, her husband could still jump on the expressway and get to work in the city in relatively short time.

Rich remains active  playing the piano, drawing, using a computer and even bringing a good book to bed, she said.

Her final meeting will be a quiet one, and the library board is holding a small, private celebration for her, officials said.

"That last one is going to feel terrible," Rich admitted. "It will mean that this is really it. It's over."

She said she plans to get to know her new local library in Glenview, but it won't be the same.

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"The Skokie library is one of a kind," she said. "It can't be duplicated."

misaacs@pioneerlocal.com

@SKReview_Mike
Tony nominee and Chicagoan Felicia Fields will talk about her life and career at a Theatre of Western Springs event. (Jen Stanko Photography)

Felicia Fields considers the pinnacle of her career creating the role of Sofia in the Broadway production of "The Color Purple." She earned a Tony nomination for that role as well as the 2006 Clarence Derwent Award for the most promising female performance on the New York theater scene.

But there have been many other amazing performances from this dynamo in her 30-plus-year career in Chicago. The South Side native will share stories about her life and career March 6 during "An Evening with Felicia Fields," part of the Cattell Series of free lectures at the Theatre of Western Springs.

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The series is hosted by Greg Kolack, artist in residence at the Theatre of Western Springs.

Kolack chose Fields for the series because, "She's got a ton of experience. She's a phenomenal talent and she was with 'The Color Purple' from the very beginning workshop phases. She's well respected among her peers and she's a very funny lady with a great outgoing personality."

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Kolack will lead an informal discussion with Fields for about an hour and then there will be a question-and-answer session with the audience.

When we caught up with Fields, she had just completed a run in "Muscle Shoals: I'll Take You There" at the Lone Tree Arts Center in Colorado. "It's about the Muscle Shoals Recording Studios. It talks about the different people that recorded there  Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett," Fields said. She was in the original production of the show in Alabama, home to that famous recording studio, and is hopeful that there will be a Chicago production.

Next up is Fields' directing debut, "Five Guys Named Moe," at the Court Theatre. Ron OJ Parsons directs and Fields is associate director. "I really am excited about working on this project," she said.

Fields brings excitement to every onstage project. She was nominated for nine Joseph Jefferson Awards and won one for Actress in a Revue for "Sophisticated Ladies" at Drury Lane South.

Her local perfornances have included venues such as Goodman Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northlight Theatre, Court Theatre and the Broadway Playhouse.

Fields agreed to be part of the Cattell Series because of her longtime friendship with Greg Kolack. She is also hoping to share a little wisdom.

"I feel like our purpose in being in theater is that you can pass information on to people who aspire to be in this business," Fields said. "And having been in this business, I can honestly tell you the journey and things that happen that are good and things that happen that are not so good. I hope to get someone prepared to not be discouraged. And, if they actually have talent, to stay in the race."

Despite her Broadway success, Fields is firmly rooted in Chicago. She said that she can't live anywhere else because, "I'd miss my family too much." That's especially true now that she has grandchildren. Fields declared that whenever she is with her family, "it's a party."

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'An Evening with Felicia Fields'

When: 7:30 p.m. March 6

Where: Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs

Tickets: Admission is free but reservations are requested. There will be a reception following the lecture.

Information: (708) 246-3380; www.theatreofwesternsprings.com
Brad Goldstein will take over the position of chief financial officer at the Winnetka Public Schools District 36 on July 1, district officials said last week. (Brad Goldstein / HANDOUT)

Brad Goldstein, a Lake County school district financial official, will become the newest chief financial officer at Winnetka Public Schools District 36, district officials announced last week.

Goldstein succeeds Greg Kurr, who came out of retirement in 2015 to handle district financial affairs for two years following the retirement of Susan Pingitore, according to District Supt. Trisha Kocanda.

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Goldstein currently serves as associate superintendent of finance and business in Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District 73, a six-school elementary school district in Vernon Hills. He will officially take over the Winnetka position on July 1, Kocanda said.

Between now and his official first day, Goldstein will work with Kurr to ensure a smooth handover, she said: "Beginning in March, Brad will have his first site visit, and we can begin to tailor a transition plan for him."

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Goldstein's responsibilities will include overseeing the district's finance operations, as well as well as management of the district's buildings and grounds.

Kocanda said that Goldstein's experience with what she called "complicated and not always intuitive" Illinois school finance procedures was one reason the district chose him. She said his experience in the private sector, prior to several positions with Illinois school districts, was another plus in the eyes of district officials.

"It's important that we have someone in this position that understands that teaching and learning are our highest priorities, but who is also respectful of our taxpayers, and is a good steward with our resources," she said.

The district school board, which met Feb. 21, approved a two-year contract with Goldstein. According to the contract, his annual salary will be $170,000 the first year, and he will have a $30,000 annual cash stipend that can be used to purchase insurance, as well as a $6,000 contribution toward an annuity or custodial retirement account. The district will also pay Goldstein's required contributions to the state's Teachers' Retirement System, according to the contract.

Kocanda said the district hired the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates last November to gather a pool of roughly 40 potential candidates, "which was twice what we'd expected and a good indicator of how we're viewed as a district."

A panel of district principals, administrators, board members and representatives of the Winnetka Education Association helped winnow the pool down, and a smaller group of district representatives interviewed the finalists, Kocanda said.

In a Feb. 21 press release from District 36, Goldstein said, "I look forward to collaborating with the Winnetka Public Schools community to focus on the district's facility needs, and ensure that the finances of the district serve to meet the educational goals of the students."

Before Goldstein's term with Hawthorne District 73, he was the chief business official at Community Consolidated School District 46 in Lake County, according the press release.

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He has a master's degree in education with an emphasis on school business management from Northern Illinois University, and a bachelor's degree from the College of Business and Michigan State University, it said.

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @pioneer_kathy
Esgar: Our rights are on the ballot this Tuesday
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China will tighten supervision of stock markets to prevent systematic financial risks, said an official with the country's securities regulator on Sunday.

"We will fully implement compliance risk management, standardize investment banking business and keep enriching financial products," said Li Chao, deputy head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) at a press conference.

Li noted that stock markets fluctuations in 2015 were a painful lesson for regulators.

In 2016, regulators stopped the expansion of some financial companies and dealt with illegal acts, Li said.

Regulators imposed more than 200 administrative measures against securities firms, fund managers and others who were found to be acting improperly, he added.

The insurance regulator said Saturday that it had restricted stock trading by Evergrande Life, a unit of property conglomerate Evergrande Group, for one year due to irregular operations.

On Friday, the insurance regulator barred Yao Zhenhua, chairman of Foresea Life Insurance, from the insurance industry for 10 years for irregular market operations.
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Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai has urged more efforts to make the country's manufacturing industry smarter and more competitive.

China has made headway in smart manufacturing development since "Made in China 2025" was unveiled, but the country still had a long way to go to reach international advanced levels, Ma said during an inspection tour in northeast China's Liaoning Province from Thursday to Friday.

"Made in China 2025" was a plan released by the government in 2015 to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power.

Authorities and companies should give priority to smart manufacturing in their efforts to upgrade the manufacturing industry, said Ma.

He demanded more work to achieve breakthrough in key technologies and core equipment in several fields, including numerically-controlled machine tools, robots, smart sensors and smart logistics.

Key supporting software should be developed faster and the standards for smart manufacturing should be improved, Ma said.

He also called for efforts to develop new business models such as customized production, and smart transformation of traditional industries and small firms.
The war between MoBike and ofo follows a new round of fundraising frenzies among bike sharing start-ups in China.

On Feb. 21 this year, MoBike announced an equity investment from Singapore based Temasek Holdings, which has enabled its funding to go beyond US$300 million in total since the beginning of 2017.

However, a day later, ofo declared its cooperation with China Telecom and Huawei, China's two leading telecommunication providers, for exploring bike sharing experiences with the support of the Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT).

During the last few weeks, MoBike has disclosed three rounds of venture capital, while, ofo has voiced none.

Since its establishment in 2015, MoBike has completed nine rounds of funds from prominent investors including Sinovation Ventures, Sequoia Capital China, Hillhouse Capital Group, Tencent and Foxconn.

"We'll never stop finding investors because we are yet to establish a profitable model," said Wang Xiaofeng, CEO of MoBike. "We need money to help us survive and endure," he added.

MoBike's relentless efforts in reaching top fund firms may place considerable pressure on ofo's investors, making them weigh carefully about the pros and cons on whether to join the intensifying fundraising battle.

However, the rivalry seems never to stop. On Feb. 9, this year, the Wall Street Journal unclosed that ofo will receive a fund of US$150 million, but the second largest bike sharing provider in China by size declined to comment on the report.

In the last round of fundraising on Oct., 2016, ofo rallied a prestigious lineup of business magnates such as DIDI Chuxing and Xiaomi Technology.

Despite MoBike's leading role in fundraising, ofo is managing to get an upper hand by accelerating market expansion. It launched its bicycles in 11 cities in 10 days in January, giving it a 14-city lead on Mobike's coverage which is reportedly 21 in total by Feb. 22, 2017. Moreover, it issues discounts, coupons and random free rides to win the favor of users.

The competition has intensified beyond MoBike and ofo in the bike sharing market. However, in the ruthless market, smaller pedaling start-ups have experienced grimmer challenges than those that may face the bigger ones.

One of the best-known cases is the Kala bicycles launched in Putian, Fujian Province. Having been refused several times ahead of securing the first capital influx, Kala Bike contracted its first bill with a supply of 5,000 bikes in the beginning of this year. It launched more than 600 bikes between Jan. and Feb., but only to see the investment go sour with the loss of more than 400 cycles.

The loss of bicycles for large companies supported by gigantic investments is a smaller problem than for the small companies involved in life or death struggles.

Industrial insiders have compared the bike sharing market with the previous battle of the ride hailing APPs of Didi and Kauidi which ended up with acquisition.

"After contending for users and platforms, MoBike and ofo may see their futures depend on the running of supply chains," said Huang Gang, director of China Supply Chain Alliance.

The rivals have two different supply chains, among which, Mobike has a designated supply from Foxconn, while, ofo partners with a wider range of homegrown manufacturers, such as, Pigeon and Phoenix.
The Guangzhou Dialogue with Fortune Global 500. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]



Along with the opening of the 2017 Fortune Most Powerful Women International (MPWI) Summit in Hong Kong, a roadshow meeting of 2017 Fortune Global Forum was held in the same city on February 27, 2017. The meeting was hosted by Guangzhou municipal government, led by Guangzhou Municipal Commission of Commerce and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, and organized by Nansha Development Zone. This is the second stop of Guangzhous global roadshow launched for the Forum. Chaolin Cai, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou attended the meeting and made the keynote speech. Present at the meeting were Steve Marcopoto, President, Time Inc. International, Gregory So Kam-leung, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the Hong Kong S.A.R., John Needham, Managing Director, Fortune Global Forum, Nina Easton, Co-Chair, Global Forum and Chair, MPWI, Fortune, as well as representatives of the Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in Hong Kong and Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.C in Hong Kong, participants of 2017 Fortune MPWI Summit and representatives from Fortune Global 500 companies and industrial leaders.

In his keynote speech, Cai said that Guangzhou and Hong Kong have seen closer and fruitful cooperation in the past two decades and will have more promising prospect for future cooperation. Hong Kong, as the bridge for multinationals to invest in Guangzhou and for Guangzhou enterprises to invest globally, has played a very important role in Guangzhous socioeconomic development. Therefore, Guangzhou regarded Hong Kong as an important stop in its global roadshow of 2017 Fortune Global Forum.

Cai said that Guangzhou achieved a GDP of 1.96 trillion Yuan in 2016, 8.2% up compared to last year. This ranked Guangzhou just after Shanghai and Beijing in Chinese Mainland and made it comparable to Hong Kong and Singapore. In recent years, Guangzhou has spared no efforts in developing the hubs for international shipping, aviation and S&T innovation, and has completed its functions as a comprehensive hub. Meanwhile, the reform and innovation are injecting new momentum into the citys sustainable development. So far Guangzhou has well established itself in the emerging industries including internet, biomedicine, new material, industrial robots, drone and 3D printing. Along with the reform deepening, Guangzhou has embraced the investments from a great number of Fortune Global 500 companies and multinationals since last year, such as Cisco Smart City, COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd, GE Bio-park and Foxconn 10.5-Generation Displays Ecological Industrial Park. China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Nansha Area of Guangzhou, as an important platform for deepening the Guangzhou-Hong Kong cooperation, has developed 209 reform and innovation initiatives, many of which are at the forefront in China, and is becoming a new benchmark of institutional innovation.

Cai said that Guangzhou is attracting the worlds attention with its rapid growth and development. The opening of 2017 Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou represents the recognition of the city by the multinationals and the expectation they cherish for the city. With Openness and Innovation as the theme of the Forum, Guangzhou hopes to explore with the business leaders on how to inject new momentum into the economic growth in an open and innovative manner and generate more opportunities for the investors. Cai invited the meeting attendees to visit Guangzhou for the Forum and learn more about the investment environment in Guangzhou.

After the remarks given by Nina Easton, Co-Chair, Global Forum and Chair, MPWI, Fortune and Gregory So Kam-leung, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the Hong Kong S.A.R., a dialogue on FTZ, Openness and Innovation took place on the stage among Qinghong Zeng, Chairman, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd (GAC Group), George Leung Siu-kay, Advisor, HSBC, Helmuth Hennig, Group Managing Director, Jebsen Group, Qiao Xi, Executive Vice President, Ericsson Region Northeast Asia, and Li Zhou, Assistant Dean, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB).

As reported, the 2017 Fortune Global Forum will take place in Guangzhou on December 6to 8with the theme of Openness and Innovation: Shaping the Global Economy. The Forum will gather leaders of business, governments, Fortune Global 500 companies, multinationals and other fields to explore how to inject new momentum into the economic growth, lead the world out of difficulties and shape up the global economy.
Jinggangshan, the heartland of the early revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China (CPC) announced Sunday that it has been officially taken off the list of impoverished areas.

Jinggangshan, east China's Jiangxi Province, was home to the CPC's first rural revolutionary base established in 1927. Today, people who live under the poverty line account for 1.6 percent of the total population, lower than the national standard of 2 percent, according to the city government.

The local government attributed the success to the precision poverty relief campaign in full swing across the country. Precision means that money should be spent exactly where it is needed, and no more than is needed.

Jinggangshan's poor population stood at 16,934 in 2014. That figure has fallen to 1,417 today. The average net income of poor families has grown from 2,600 yuan (378 U.S. dollars) to over 4,500 yuan.

Jinggangshan helped people to start their own businesses or find jobs, while providing a safety net for those who were unable. In addition, it helped poor people move into quality homes and improved rural infrastructure in rural areas.

The government has encouraged the poor people to be part of the city's most successful industries, such as tea, bamboo and fruit plantations and processing, as well as aquaculture.

Zhong Wanyin has stopped worrying about money since he started work in his village fish farm and earns more than 20,000 yuan a year. He is also a shareholder in the farm with an investment of 5,000 yuan funded by the government, which has brought him a 20 percent annual dividend.

E-COMMERCE AND TOURISM CUTS POVERTY

E-commerce has helped produce from Jinggangshan's 18 townships reach buyers beyond the mountains, benefiting more than 2,400 people.

"Over 17,000 parcels, worth some 1.6 million yuan, have been sent since this e-commerce service center opened over a year ago," said Huang Xiaohua, head of the e-commerce service center in Huang'ao Township.

Jinggangshan has also capitalized on its fame as the revolutionary heartland. More than 13 million people visited Jinggangshan last year.

Bashang Village offers a one-day training program to experience the life of the Red Army and attracted more than 40,000 participants in 2016.

Lai Puxiu, a villager from Bashang Village, prepares lunch for her visitors every day.

"I charge each person 33 yuan for their meal," Lai, 58, said. "The food is simple and similar to that eaten by Red Army soldiers."

"In the past, we grew crops in a few fields and life was hard," Lai said. "But these days so many visitors come to our village that we started a catering business."

Bashang is home to more than 630 registered residents, but about 400 of them are off seeking their fortunes in the big cities. The village's reinvention of itself with the catering business has brought more than 100 of them back.

Lai Puxiu gets up early to buy ingredients from the nearest town, but also grows vegetables in her backyard.

"My husband and I usually prepare bamboo shoots, pumpkin, eggplant, fish and braised pork in soy sauce," Lai said.

While Lai prepares lunch, she has her visitors pound cooked glutinous rice into paste, a traditional way to make a local snack called "ciba." She charges each visitor 100 yuan for the privilege of making ciba and provides all the ingredients as well as the equipment for making it.

To add some razzmatazz to the visitor experience, Lai has decorated her house "Red style." Inside stands an old stove and a few rickety wooden tables. Outside, flutter a pair of duilian, hanging scrolls of inspirational couplets.

In peak season, she can receive 40 visitors a day. This year, she has catered for about 900 visitors. Other families in Bashang have seen their income increase by an average of 18,000 yuan this year.

"My family hosted 850 people attending the program last year, and earned more than 10,000 yuan by providing room and board," said villager Xiao Fumin.

PRESSING TASK

Poverty alleviation remains a pressing task. The Chinese government has decided to eradicate poverty by 2020, the target year for China to become a "moderately prosperous" society.

According to official figures, China still had 55.75 million people living under the poverty line at the end of 2015. The government has said 10 million people were lifted out of poverty in 2016 and another 10 million will be this year.

A national coordinated development strategy has contributed to poverty reduction in Hebei Province, 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 in Hebei through supplying agricultural products to those two rich neighbors. There are plans for a number of resorts in the province to accommodate city residents keen to spend their weekends in the mountains.

Southwest China's Yunnan Province plans to bring 1 million of its 3.5 million poor people above the poverty line in 2017.
Chinese police seized more than 800 suspects in 380 major cases worth 900 billion yuan (US$131 billion) related to underground banks in 2016, said the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Sunday.

A campaign against underground banks to maintain financial order and security is helping the country's anti-corruption drive recover the assets of fugitive officials, said the ministry.

In 2016, the ministry worked with the central bank and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to crack down on the transfer of illicit money via offshore companies and underground banks.

Officials with the MPS said that the ministry will continue action against illegal private banks in cooperation with the central bank and the foreign exchanges regulator in 2017.

"For a long time, underground banks have become a fast channel to transfer money, for they are anonymous and hidden. Many criminals have taken advantage of the channel to transfer their illegal gains to the overseas," said Zhang Niannian, an official with the central bank.

Underground banks have also offered a quick passageway for corrupt officials to transfer their properties, Zhang added.

The central bank will track and analyze new methods of crimes, especially in special non-financial institutions and sector, and improve measures of anti-money laundering, Zhang said.

Shu Jianping, head of the anti-money laundering office of the economic crime investigation division of the MPS, said that cases related to underground banks covered several industries, including foreign trade and real estates.

Harms of underground banks are increasing, Shu said, adding that local public security organs were urged to continue the campaign against underground banks.
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Officers from the State Forestry Administration and the General Administration of Customs destroy 6.1 tons of illegal ivory items in Dongguan, Guangdong province, in January in 2014. It was the first time China destroyed confiscated elephant ivory. [Li Xin / Xinhua ]

The amount of smuggled ivory tracked down in China fell 80 percent in 2016 from previous peak years, the State Forestry Administration (SFA) said Sunday.

Liu Dongsheng, deputy head of the SFA, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a wildlife protection campaign, without specifying detailed numbers.

China will stop commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of this year. Last year, it imposed a three-year ban on ivory imports in an escalated fight against illegal trading of wild animals and plants.

The number of illegal wildlife trade cases has been on the decline since last year, said Liu.

Meanwhile, the numbers of critically endangered species in China, including giant pandas, crested ibis, Yangtze alligators and Tibetan antelopes, have been increasing steadily, he said.

China's newly-revised law on wild animal protection took effect at the start of this year, imposing harsher punishment on overkilling and illegal utilization of wild animals.
Lijiang Old Town [File photo]

The Old Town of Lijiang, a national 5-A scenic spot in Southwest China's Yunnan province, posted a statement on its official micro blog on Saturday afternoon, saying it was willing to accept punishment by the China National Tourism Administration and work to resolve issues with the services it provides.

"We apologize for our insufficient work. We are open to tourists' criticism and suggestions, and will make things right," said the government of Gucheng district, where the town is located, in the post.

The post came after the National Tourism Administration issued warnings to three 5-A scenic spots on Saturday morning, including the Old Town of Lijiang, demanding rectification of issues within six months.

The other two scenic spots are Jingpo Lake in Mudanjiang city, Heilongjiang province, and Laohutan Ocean Park in Dalian, Liaoning province.

Peng Decheng, director of the administration's Planning and Finance Department, said the number of tourist complaints about Lijiang has remained high, with frequent incidents relating to tourists' personal safety or property.

"Local residents have had serious conflicts with tourists," Peng said. "The scenic spot has failed to maintain quality equipment and services."

In recent years, there have been many reports of tourists being overcharged or being forced to shop in Lijiang.

This year alone, there have already been at least three incidents involving tourists being beaten in Lijiang. In one incident, a female tourist lost her purse and was disfigured after being beaten by a dozen people at a restaurant.

These high-profile incidents have attracted widespread public attention and put the town, well-known for its long history and as home to several ethnic groups, at the center of controversy.

Zheng Yi, mayor of Lijiang, said in a Government Work Report during the ongoing Lijiang People's Congress that Lijiang has gained a bad reputation for insufficient supervision and administration, as well as unsatisfactory services and public security.

Zheng requested that relevant departments shoulder responsibility and make efforts to solve the issues.

Liu Jian, a 31-year-old Beijing resident who traveled to the old town in September 2015, said: "I was lucky compared with some tourists who were beaten, as I was only overcharged there. But the experiences were enough to leave me with a bad impression.

"I'm glad to hear that the old town will start to rectify its issues and I hope it will be reformed."
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.
Zhao Leji (R), head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

The Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the highest level of bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore starts today, February 27. Singapore Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a three day visit at the invitation of China's Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. Both leaders are co-chairs of the platform, which is for promoting dialogue between China and Singapore.

This is a good development, and at this stage it is important to remember, that ASEAN neutrality is key for a Chinese grand strategy and Chinese policy makers should keep that in mind, and work to bolster that. There have of course been challenges regarding geopolitics, despite which, trade and economic relations between the two Asian countries continue to flourish and China is the biggest foreign investor in Singapore. Singapore is also among the top trading partners of China.

Mr Teo sounded extremely cautious and diplomatic when he said that there are bound to be differences; given each country in the region has a different history and different sensibilities -- a nod at the current geostrategic questions in the Asia pacific.

However, he maintained that there are broader chances of cooperation. "The fundamental position of our two countries, that we share a common interest in the peaceful growth and development of our two countries and the region, remains the same. Our common interest in building a peaceful and growing region is much greater than any occasional differences of views," Teo was quoted to say.

In a further interview with Xinhua, Mr Teo stated Singapore's constructive engagement with China and seeked Chinese positive influence in the region. Singapore's position as the coordinator for ASEAN-China relations, in this regard, is beneficial. Teo also constantly maintained his support for the One China policy, which has recently been under a renewed spotlight after the election win of U.S. President Donald Trump, and which China considers as one of its cornerstones of diplomacy.

Singapore's intention of having China as a trade and investment partner is also going to soothe Asian markets, as Mr Teo maintained that Singapore welcomes Chinese investment in infrastructure and railways between Singapore and Malaysia. Other agreements between China and Singapore that were signed were related to water resources management, digital media and healthcare, research and development of "smart city" plans.

This is going to be fundamentally a key element, in a Chinese grand strategy in Southeast Asia, whereby the local powers are at best friendly, or at worst indifferent to geostrategic pulls. Singapore is, by that geostrategic logic, an ally to the Chinese position in Asia. ASEAN neutrality is the key strategic importance for Chinese policy makers, and how to maintain that neutrality is a cause of concern and planning.

Recent history has shown that individual countries can hijack the agenda of ASEAN and the focus might shift from trade and development to geostrategic confrontations. Chinese policy should ideally be to consistently hedge on and focus on trade. With American withdrawal from the TPP, and subsequent market turmoil, there will be a lot of demand for a steady balance in the region, and Beijing can be uniquely poised to provide that market stability and investment and security.

There are two kinds of rising powers according to IR theory. One is a random monolithic expansionist power, which relies on strength to grow and coerce other countries to follow. The other is a perceptive, cooperative but growing power, secured enough and astute enough to know the power of economic forces, and how to use them in a geostrategic region. The aspiration of Beijing should be commensurate with her economic prowess, but with careful consideration as to not alter too rapidly the balance of power in Asia. The China-Singapore summit proves that there might be more willing partners.

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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South Korean President Park Geun-hye has decided not to attend a final hearing of the constitutional court, which is deliberating Park's impeachment motion, local media reported on Sunday.

The final hearing is scheduled to be held Monday. The court had asked the impeached leader to decide whether to appear at the last pleading session by Sunday to testify in court as a defendant.

During the first pleading session on Jan 3, the impeached president refused to appear in court.

Under the constitution, the defendant is not obliged to appear at the hearing, but possibility had been raised for Park to testify as the previous sessions were not favorable to her.

Instead, Park's legal team was quoted as saying that her written statement would be submitted to the court. They haven't given any detail on the reason for nonattendance.

The court's ruling on the impeachment bill, which was passed in the parliament on Dec. 9, is widely forecast to be made around March 13, the date when the acting chief justice is set to retire. It takes 10-14 days for the court to reach a final conclusion following the final session.

To uphold the motion, at least six of the remaining eight justices are required to approve it. The retirement of one more judge can danger the legitimacy of the court's decision. The former chief judge resigned in late January as his tenure ended.

President Park is suspected of allowing her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is a private citizen and has no public position, to meddle in state affairs behind the scenes and take bribes from business conglomerates.

Park has been identified by prosecutors as an accomplice to Choi, who is at the center of the corruption scandal that led to Park's impeachment.
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More than half of construction of a concrete wall along the Turkish-Syrian border was completed, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Sunday.

According to Ergun Turan, the president of Turkey's state-owned housing agency (TOKI), 290 km of the wall has finished along the Syrian border.

Turkey planned to build 511 km concrete wall along Turkey's border provinces.

The construction is ongoing in cooperation of TOKI and the ministries of defense and finance.

Seven tons of mobile blocks, which are 2-meter wide and 3-meter high, have been topped with one-meter high razor wire, the report said.

The Defense Minister Fikri Isik said in November that the construction of a concrete wall along the Turkish-Syrian border will be completed in the first half of 2017.

Turkey says the separation wall will help enhance border security against the Kurdish military and other terrorists.

Turkey shares a 900-kilometer border with Syria, which has been locked in a civil war since 2011.
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Syrian army captured a key town in northern countryside of Aleppo province on Sunday, following battles with Islamic State (IS) group, according to state news agency SANA.

Capturing the town of Tadef enables the Syrian army to secure transportation routes in eastern Aleppo, and constitute a base for launching attacks and undermining the presence of the IS militants in that part of the province, a general-command of the Syrian army said in a statement.

The town is also located southeast of city al-Bab, which has recently been captured by Turkish forces and allied rebel fighters.

The Syrian army unleashed a wide-scale offensive in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, after succeeding to wrest control over the city of Aleppo last December.

The offensive enabled the military forces to become in control of 600 km east of Aleppo.

Also, the army has laid a siege on the southern rim of al-Bab city, to secure the eastern part of Aleppo city from the IS attacks, or the possible advance of the Turkish-backed rebels.

Observers believe that there was a Russian-Turkish understanding for splitting the battles in al-Bab.

For the Turks, capturing al-Bab cuts the way in the face of the growing Kurdish influence in northern Syria, a red line drawn by Turkey.

For the Syrian army, laying a siege to al-Bab from its southern edge prevents IS fighters to withdraw toward other stronghold in eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group.

The Syrian government has always looked to the Turkish moves in northern Syria as an encroachment upon the sovereignty of the country, claiming that Ankara is capturing areas in northern Syria to build a wall, which could be a prelude to setting Ankara's long-demanded safe zones in northern Syria, near the Turkish borders.
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) man died a painful death minutes after being swabbed with a high dosage of lethal VX nerve agent, Malaysia's Health Minister S. Subramaniam said Sunday.

"He died in the ambulance. He fainted in the clinic. I would say from the time of onsite (treatment), about 15 to 20 minutes," the minister told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

He said autopsy findings were very much in line with the VX nerve agent found by the Chemistry Department earlier.

"The doses were so high that it did it so fast and all over the body, so it affected the heart and lungs and affected everything," he said, adding the dosage in this case is more than the normal lethal volume of 10 milligram.

According to the minister, doctors at the beginning suspected the DPRK man, with a passport name of "Kim Chol," died from organophosphate poisoning, but found out it was "much much much more poisoning than the type we kill normal insects."

He said the full autopsy report will be given to the police while the next challenge for health authorities would be identification of the deceased.

The best option, said the minister, would still be to have the next-of-kin to do DNA profiling, but multiple methods also suffice but with different sensitivity, such as dental profiling.

"We could use dental profiling as well as comparing him to his pictures where we could identify him by the identification marks such as moles," he said.

The DPRK man was attacked on Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. After seeking help from the airport staff, he died en route to hospital.

The Malaysian police are holding three suspects in custody, an Indonesian woman, a Vietnamese woman and a DPRK man.

They still want to question seven others, including a second secretary of the DPRK embassy in Malaysia. Four of the seven are believed to have fled the country.
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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit the United States from Monday to Tuesday at the invitation of the U.S. government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on Sunday.

Yang will exchange views with senior U.S. officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, Lu said.

Yang is the first senior Chinese official to visit the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office on January 20.

President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken over the phone earlier this month. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his U.S. counterpart Rex Tillerson met in the sidelines of the foreign ministers meeting of the G20 last week.

Yang will have an extensive range of topics to discuss with the U.S. officials but the foremost would be to reaffirm the tone of bilateral relations set by the two heads of state in their phone conversation, said Jia Xiudong, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.

Xi told Trump that building a sound China-U.S. relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and it is also the responsibility China and the U.S. need to assume as the world's major countries.

Yang's visit will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979.

Despite twists and turns over the past four decades, China-U.S. relations have progressed ahead as both the Republican and Democratic parties understand the importance of the relationship, Jia said.

During Yang's tour, China and U.S. will have exchanges on trade, security and international issues, on which Trump may take policies different from the Obama administration, according to Jia.

Jia said Yang would be the point man to be sent to the U.S.. He was a former Chinese ambassador to Washington and former foreign minister, a respectable diplomat in the U.S. and has rich experience in dealing with the country.

Xi-Trump meeting will be on top agenda of Yang and U.S. officials, who are to discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet as they looked forward to a meeting at an early date in their phone conversation, according to Jia.

Nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, climate change, energy and Syria are also possible to be on the agenda, Jia said.
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Islamic Hamas movement rejected on Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to send international forces to the Gaza Strip, the coastal enclave that Hamas has been ruling since 2007.

Abdulatif al-Qanou, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said in an emailed press statement that sending international forces to the Gaza Strip "is a dangerous matter and it is totally rejected."

Earlier Sunday, the Israeli media reported that Netanyahu made the proposal in a meeting he held with the Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu suggested that the Israeli Army must take control of the West Bank, and, to examine security alternatives in Gaza, having international forces monitor the territory "and deal with the terrorism issues."

Hamas warned that any foreign power or international forces sent to the Gaza Strip "will be treated as an occupation force," adding that "Hamas would never accept another new occupation."

The movement seized control of the coastal enclave in 2007 following weeks of internal fighting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas security forces and his Fatah Party. Division between the two rivals are not over yet.

Al-Qanou said that the idea of sending international forces to the Gaza Strip "is a severe interference into the internal affairs of the enclave," adding "we will forcibly confront it with all out powers whatever the price is."

He stressed that the Palestinian "armed resistance will protect Gaza, which is the cornerstone of resistance and the gate that will lead us to the liberation of the entire occupied Palestinian territories from the Israeli occupation."
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China Aviation Daily | Feb. 27, 2017

The airlines in the Lufthansa Group -- Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines -- will be an even more attractive option for holidaymakers this summer. As always, passengers can rely on the high standard of service, quality and reliability of the Lufthansa Group.

In the forthcoming 2017 summer flight timetable, the airlines will offer their customers precisely 23,476 flights each week around the world. This summer, the Lufthansa Group airlines will link 308 destinations in 103 countries via their hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels, but also via many point-to-point routes. These services will be supplemented by more than 18,000 code-sharing flights with some 30 partner airlines, offering passengers a network which almost spans the globe. The summer flight timetables for the individual Group airlines apply from Sunday, March 26, 2017 until Saturday, October 28, 2017.

The main news from the Lufthansa Group airlines:

Lufthansa

Lufthansa is adding new attractive tourist destinations to its European flight timetable for the forthcoming summer season 2017. Lufthansa flies its holiday passengers to the "best weeks of the year" with the service of a scheduled airline - whether it's for a beach holiday, an expedition or a city break.

From the end of March 2017 for the first time, there will be three flights a week from Frankfurt to Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Bordeaux (France) is on Lufthansa's flight plan from Frankfurt twice a week for wine fans and sun-seekers. Flights leave on Thursdays and Sundays for the metropolis on the Gironde, the economic, political and cultural capital of south-west France.

Lufthansa is offering flights to Shannon (Ireland) once a week from Frankfurt. Shannon is in County Clare, one of Ireland's most popular holiday regions.

The programme of summer destinations from Frankfurt is completed by Pula in Croatia and the Baltic resort of Heringsdorf.

Last but not least, fans of the flower island of Madeira will be happy, because Lufthansa is now offering flights to Funchal (Portugal) from Frankfurt all year round, not just in winter. And Frankfurt-Paderborn is now back in the Lufthansa flight plan, too.

Starting this summer, Lufthansa will be extending its route network from Munich to include two great new flight destinations. Beginning March 28, 2017, there will be flights six times a week from Munich to Nantes, located in the Pays de la Loire region of France. Additionally, at the beginning of the Easter holidays, on April 9, 2017, Lufthansa will, for the first time, offer flights from Bavaria's capital to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. From March 27, 2017 onwards, there will also be flights departing from Frankfurt every Monday, Thursday and Friday to the pilgrimage destination in Spain. This summer travelers will also have the chance to fly non-stop to Marrakech for the first time. There will be flights twice a week to the Moroccan royal city - popular with lovers of culture - departing every Friday and Sunday.

Aside from these new destinations, the summer flight schedule is also being expanded to include more flights to some already popular destinations. There will be more weekly flights to Malta, Cologne, Dublin, the Romanian city of Sibiu, Geneva, Graz and St. Petersburg.

North America fans starting from Munich will be happy too - both the Canadian city of Montreal and Denver in the U.S. will be featured daily in the future flight program. There is also something special coming for Lufthansa passengers traveling to Boston - from March 14, 2017 onwards, the new Lufthansa A350-900 will be flying to this city in Massachusetts. A third A350-900 service will start to Mumbai in the second half of April. This aircraft is currently the most advanced and most environmentally-friendly long haul aircraft in the world. If you don't want to wait until then for this amazing new flight experience, starting February 10, 2017, you can fly with the Airbus A350-900 to New Delhi. Lufthansa will be operating daily flights to the Indian capital throughout the summer.

Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines is adding another long-haul destination in North America to its 2017 summer flight timetable. From April 10, 2017, there will be up to six flights a week with a Boeing 777 to the biggest city in California, Los Angeles (U.S.). Austrian Airlines will offer a total of up to 44 weekly non-stop flights to North America in the 2017 summer flight plan. They include up to five flights a week to Miami, up to six a week to Los Angeles and Toronto, and up to seven connections a week to Washington and Chicago. Austrian will continue to offer a total of 13 flights a week to Newark and JFK in New York. The airline will be adding a second long-haul destination to its portfolio in 2017. From October 25, 2017, there will be a non-stop flight every Wednesday from Vienna to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Austrian Airlines will offer its passengers a wide range of up to 130 destinations in total in its 2017 summer flight timetable.

Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is welcoming five new destinations this summer. From March 30, the Belgian airline in the Lufthansa Group will connect Brussels Airport five times a week with Mumbai (India). Several tourist destinations will be added to the short- and medium-haul route network at Brussels Airlines. Funchal (Portugal), Comiso (Italy), Rhodes (Greece) and Palma de Mallorca (Spain) will feature in the Brussels Airlines flight plan for the first time. As well as introducing new destinations, the Belgian airline is also increasing the number of flights on existing routes. Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Accra (Ghana), Lisbon, Porto (both Portugal), Alicante (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Billund (Denmark), Warsaw (Poland) and Athens (Greece) will have more frequent connections to Brussels Airport, the Brussels Airlines hub.

Eurowings

Eurowings will continue to expand its long-haul programme from Cologne/Bonn in the forthcoming 2017 summer flight timetable. From June, passengers can fly twice a week to Las Vegas (U.S.). Windhoek (Namibia) is the first route to Africa to feature in the flight timetable. Another new destination from Cologne is the iconic German island of Sylt. It will be served with three flights a week, with one flight a week to the Greek island of Karpathos. Then there are the eastern European cities of Pula (Croatia) and Cracow (Poland), with two and six flights a week respectively from Dusseldorf.

For passengers who don't want to fly far for their sun and sand, Eurowings is flying three times a week to Ibiza (Spain) and once a week to Cagliari (Sardinia) from Hanover this summer. Our passengers also have the opportunity to fly to Faro, on the Portuguese Algarve, twice a week.

Passengers can also fly from Berlin Tegel to Faro (Portugal) every Sunday and to the Greek island of Mykonos once a week.

There are also two new connections for Eurowings passengers from Stuttgart. They can fly three times a week to Pisa (Italy) and once a week to Cyprus.

Eurowings is also adding four new routes from Vienna to its summer flight timetable. There are two flights a week to Kavala in the Macedonia region of Greece and one to Lamezia Terme in Calabria. Zadar in northern Dalmatia will be served with three flights a week, with two flights a week to Santorini (Greece).

Two Airbus A320s are initially to be stationed at the new Eurowings base in Palma de Mallorca from the end of May 2017. In the summer, they will fly from Mallorca to Paderborn/Lippstadt, Munster/Osnabruck and Saarbrucken, as well as to Basel in Switzerland.

Eurowings is offering a total of 32 new routes from Munich for the first time, starting in the summer. They include six connections a week from Munich to Paris, London and Amsterdam, along with three to Naples and two to Mykonos.

SWISS

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will expand its capacity from Zurich and Geneva in the forthcoming summer flight timetable. From April 22, 2017, SWISS will operate new daily services from Zurich to San Francisco (U.S.) with the Boeing 777-300ER. Between June and October 2017, the Boeing 777-300ER will also be in service on six of the 12 weekly connections to Chicago. SWISS will add five new seasonal destinations to its summer flight plan: Bergen, Cork, Figari, Nis and Sylt. Introducing additional Bombardier CSeries aircraft in Zurich and Geneva will enable SWISS to offer its passengers even greater comfort on European routes. Edelweiss, the sister airline of SWISS, will begin services to the Greek island of Zakynthos in the summer season.

Contributed by Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Co-chaired by Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, the meeting of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation held in Beijing on Monday signaled that bilateral ties have returned to normal after the frictions between the two countries last year.

They also co-chaired meetings on three government flagship projects between China and Singapore  the Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-city and Chongqing Connectivity Initiative  showing both sides are keen to cast aside their recent differences and now want to focus on deepening the meaningful cooperation, which is a boon not only to both countries, but also the region at large.

China has always valued its ties with Singapore, viewing it as an important partner for economic cooperation and a bridge between China and countries in Southeast Asia.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping and his Singaporean counterpart Tony Tan Keng Yam exchanged state visits to commemorate the 25 years of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, and the two countries decided to establish an all-round cooperative partnership.

The high-level meetings being held in Beijing this week provide a good opportunity for the two sides to take concrete steps toward substantiating the proposed partnership between them as the two have good prospects for broadening cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

More specifically, as an international shipping hub, Singapore can play an important role in China's Belt and Road Initiative by aligning its development strategies with China's and actively pushing for bilateral cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, finance and information technology.

To build on this desirable momentum, the two sides should manage the differences that exist between them in a more prudent manner. Last year, bilateral ties were overshadowed by Singapore's stance on the South China Sea arbitration case and the detainment of armored vehicles returning to Singapore after an exercise by Hong Kong customs.

But as Teo said, Singapore and China have a broad and long-standing relationship, and their common interest in building a peaceful region is much greater than their occasional differences.

"We share similar views on most issues, and have worked well together to advance these common interests," he told Chinese news agency Xinhua in an e-mail interview ahead of his visit to Beijing that started on Sunday.

For bilateral ties to steer clear of unnecessary disruptions in the future, mutual respect for each other's core interests and accommodation to each other's major concerns is the key.
MA XUEJING and SU JINGBO / CHINA DAILY

Changing consumer preferences, shopping habits, and rising incomes force retailers to reshape strategies

Millennials aged 18-37 are now a crucial 415-million strong segment of Chinese consumers, constituting nearly one-third of the nation's total consumers. Their changing preferences, shopping habits and spending power are influencing retailers and brands alike to reshape their business strategies, promising to infuse fresh vigor into the economy.

One of the most striking aspects of this trend is the re-emergence of physical shopping, as opposed to online shopping, as a popular pastimeretail therapy, if you will.

For instaince, Zeng Yingqi, 26, an institutional client manager at a State-owned securities company, buys almost everything online, from single-prong hairpin to soft-leather tote, but still needs to shop once a week for leisure.

"Surely, I can get whatever I need on the internet. But it can't replace the shopping habit. In stores, I can see and touch the products, try them on, and also spend time with my friends."

Recent reports show that Chinese millennials, mostly born in the 1980s and 1990s, though internet-savvy, have a tendency to spend more time and money on experience-based consumption such as shopping at physical stores, traveling and dining out.

Brands are studying closely such consumers' shopping patterns, predilections. They are "entering their prime consumption years", according to a Goldman Sachs report.

China, which will soon be the world's largest consumer market, has been abuzz with e-commerce, mobile games and live streaming platforms. Brand-new online business models have been burgeoning in the digital era to woo the millennials.

But now, it seems, consumerism has come a full circle in China, with attention shifting back from mobile screens to real-world shopping.

A report by global real estate advisory firm CBRE China found that tech-savvy millennials do like to shop online, but only physical retail, particularly shopping centres, can provide them with the experiences and social elements they crave.

Tangibility and experience are listed as the top two reasons for millennial consumers to visit physical stores, according to CBRE's research.

"I think retailers should integrate their online channels and offline stores more deeply. I mean real integration," said Zeng, adding that several times, it took her days to find a pair of shoes in another branch of the same store. "The physical stores can curtail inventory and serve only as an experience center."

Ann Fishman, founder of Generational Targeted Marketing, said: "Millennials' concerns must be your concerns." She has been at the forefront of major generational trends for decades.

By 2025, Chinese millennials' aggregate income is estimated to surge to $3 trillion as average annual incomes increase from $5,900 to $13,000, according to Asian consumer research of Goldman Sachs.

Such an increase in spending power, the research said, would amount to more than half of the estimated $5 trillion that would be added to total US private consumption expenditure over the next 10 years, if the US were to sustain the compound annual growth rate of 3.7 percent that it achieved over the past decade.

So, retail marketers are racking their brains to figure out how to win over this most influential consumer segment.

For instance, Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd has tied up with department store chain Intime Retail Group Co. The partnership has reportedly given the e-commerce giant access to Intime's inventory and allowed its online customers to pick up orders from physical stores.

Other retailers are also adopting similar strategies.

Shanghai Malianghang (Hong Kong) Design Co Ltd, a three-year-old custom-made jewelry company that started online, opened the first retail store in Shanghai last year and planned to open up to 30 stores nationwide within two to three years.

Company CEO Bill Hu, a post-'90s person who manages a cohort of millennial staff, believes consumers should be able to "feel the products", and that it is essential for his customers to experience on their own how to use 3-D printing technology to make custom jewelry.

"At a time when winning customers online has become costlier, it is particularly important for online retailers to get the offline side up to standard," Hu said.

For its part, the Chinese government is also determined to strengthen online and offline integration in retail.
A staff member at a gold store arranges jewelry in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, on Nov 6, 2016. SI WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY

Investors see in precious metal a safe haven and hedge tool in times of volatility

Sellers of gold-backed financial products are expanding their online sales channels and attracting more investors to the precious metal as a hedging tool and asset safe haven, analysts have said.

More than 20 internet-based service providers have launched gold-backed financial management products so far, including Tencent Holdings Ltd, which started enabling users to give digital red packets of physical-gold-backed assets that can be transacted in real time.

Zeng Yan, an analyst with Guibao Precious Metal Investment Co, said: "The rising price of gold and its nature as a hedging tool are the major reasons financial service providers are launching these products. They believe market fluctuation and investor sentiment are affected by uncertainties in the global economy. Going online is an effective way for gold to touch more investors, particularly young ones."

Also, in China, the consumption of gold and physical gold investment are closely related and investors would like to buy gold when prices rise as they believe a rising price is a signal that the precious metal is maintaining value.

In 2016, gold's price rose by 8.6 percent in US dollars, or rose by 18 percent in renminbi, much higher than the average yield of wealth management products developed by banks (3.81 percent) and trust (6.8 percent), according to data from Shanghai-based Wind Financial Information.

A report from the China Gold Association said in 2016, investment demand for gold bars rose 28.19 percent and for coins by 36.8 percent.

A report from the World Gold Council in 2016 said: "A four-year high in investment drove price gains and demand growth."

Wang Lixin, general manager with the WGC's China operation, said: "Innovations and the development of the gold market have been constantly boosting demand."

For investors and users of online gold-backed financial management services, these new online channels help lower the threshold for physical gold investment.

In traditional channels, such as banks or retailers, physical gold is sold most often in the forms of bars or coins starting from 10 grams for more than 3,000 yuan ($436), while digital channels enable investment starting from 1g, or even smaller portions.

Online gold-backed products also help raise investors' awareness about gold price trends and investment skills.

He Meixue, a 29-year-old graphic designer, said that digitalized gold investment has changed her attitude to gold. She received gold bracelets and necklaces as gifts from her grandparents but she never cared about their value and simply locked them away.

"I never regarded myself as a gold investor. My boyfriend gave me a digital red packet of 5.2g of gold on Valentine's Day, which was about 1,500 yuan, not a huge sum but it aroused my curiosity about how price changes every minute. Now I check prices on my smartphone from time to time and I have now started learning about gold trading. I also realize that investing in gold does not guarantee good returns, because sometimes price can fluctuate wildly. The experience gets me much closer to gold investment."

According to Xiao Lei, a researcher at G-banker.com, an online gold investment service provider, more financial institutions and internet-based technology companies are likely to introduce products and services benefiting gold investors, making investment in the precious metals category easier.
College graduates at a job fair in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, June 5, 2016 [Photo/VCG]

For the past five months, Xiang Ying, 26, a resident of Beijing, has been a full-time jobseeker, looking for her fourth job.

"I want to find a stable job at a big company," said Xiang, whose last two employers were startups.

Xiang said somehow she has regrets about resigning from a State-owned commercial bank, the first job she got after graduating with a bachelor's degree in arts.

Like Xiang, about two-thirds of millennials worldwide said they prefer full-time jobs, showing their desire for security, according to a recent report from Deloitte. In addition, millennials favor flexible working arrangements, showed the report.

Arrangements such as flexible work hours make millennials much more loyal to their employers, the Deloitte report said.

The findings debunk the stereotype about millennials, who, for years, have been labeled as rebellious and, to some extent, disloyal to employers.

The reason that they feel less likely to leave the security of their jobs, showed the report, is that political and economic turbulence in 2016, such as terror attacks in Europe and Brexit, seems to have dented millennials' confidence.

"The events of last year were a wake-up call for business and government leaders," said Punit Renjen, Deloitte Global CEO.

"The business community can, and must, address millennials' pessimism by doing more for society. We're in the best position to address many of society's most challenging problems and lead the way in creating an economy that works for everyone."

Millennials believe highly flexible organizations would not only enable "greater productivity and employee engagement" but benefit their "well-being, health, and happiness".

Three-quarters of those offered flexible work hours or roles said they trust their colleagues, and 78 percent of them feel trusted by their line managers.

"Within the workplace, flexible working continues to be a feature of most millennials' working lives, and we hear them through our engagement survey in January 2017," said Jungle Wong, chief talent officer, Deloitte China.

"This year, Deloitte will observe the solid foundation of trust that enables organizations to increasingly offer and operate flexible working arrangements, including timing, locations and personal commitment. Respondents believe flexibility increases their accountabilitywhich they want. They said their proven ability to assume accountability is leading to greater opportunities."

Deloitte's report was based on a survey of nearly 8,000 millennials from 30 countries.
Young workers chat with each other in the CBD area in Beijing. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Chinese millennials attach stronger importance to workplace environment, which is expected to drive companies to improve their physical space, according to some reports.

Some 81 percent of millennials, mostly born in the 1980s and 1990s, consider that high quality office design and layout could improve their engagement and satisfaction at workplace, shows a report by global real estate advisory firm CBRE China.

The 18- to 37-year-olds, according to CBRE research, also display the strongest demand for office rest areas and food-and-beverage facilities in any market in Asia.

When considering new jobs, 45 percent of Chinese respondents said they consider "the quality of physical working environment" as an important factor, two-percentage points higher than the average number of Asia-Pacific countries.

Qi Shuhan, 21, a resident of Chengdu, Sichuan province, who is now doing her internship at a multinational company, said, she feels as if she is "in heaven" each morning when she finds imported dark chocolate bars, raisins, and bottles of soda water neatly placed in the pantry.

"Snacks, fruits, and beverages are free, and they change everyday," said Qi, a sophomore from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

Qi said her peers, too, think working environment is important, though they are unlikely to make job decisions based only on factors like free food and drinks.

Workplace location and commuting time, however, appear to be less important to Chinese millennials, compared with employees in other Asia-Pacific countries.

Chinese millennials work 48 hours a week on average, according to a report by workforce solutions provider Manpower Group.

Analysts said companies could use the physical space as a strategy to engage their employees.

Workplaces can be part of a holistic strategy to increase engagement, as they have impact on not only employees' productivity but their attitudes and beliefs, said Steelcase Inc, CEO, Jim Keane, in the company's global report entitled Engagement and The Global Workplace.

Firms should design the workplace as "an ecosystem of interconnected zones" that serve as destinations where people have choice and control over how they work, the Steelcase report showed.

Chinese employees give their workplaces high scores for quality of life at work, ranking third globally behind Mexico and India, according to the findings.

However, it shows quite a few Chinese employees felt disengaged at workplace, and the number is lower than the global average. Reasons behind their relatively negative work attitudes include lower levels of pride and happiness.
A cyclist passes by a plot of land where a home costing more than A$1 million ($768,900) was to be built, in the new Sydney suburb of Greenhills Beach, on May 13, 2014. JASON REED / REUTERS

Australia's politicians, economists and analysts agree foreign investment, including from China, in real estate is key to economic growth

Sydney - Foreign investment in real estate has long been a politically and financially contentious issue in Australiadespite bipartisan political support for foreign investment from both sides of the party divide to allow overseas investment in property.

Analysts say that in the face of popularly widespread doubts to the contrary, it plays a positive dynamic role and is key to the workings of the local real estate market and the wider economy.

But they add that erroneous misconceptions remain as to the actual impact that foreignand in particular Chinese investmenthas Down Under.

Despite substantive evidence to the contrary, such as the findings of an Australian Treasury report issued late last year, a stubborn perception persists among many Australianswith many keen to point the finger at Chinese and other foreign nationals for the explosive price growth in recent years in the major Sydney and Melbourne housing markets.

While the blame game over price rises has taken place, at the same time Chinese nationals have been courted by Australian policymakers as a way to boost Australia's housing stockwith the same Treasury department report clearly stressing "foreign investment is being channelled into increasing the property supply as intended," with Chinese demand singled out as being critical.

One analyst said that with the positives of foreign investment on clear display, it was of paramount importance that the public was better educated as to not only the benefits of wide scale foreign investment in the real estate sector, but also the other factors at play that were causing Australia's current housing supply and affordability crisis.

David Rodgers, senior lecturer in architecture, design and planning at the University of Sydney, told Xinhua that the impact of Chinese investment on real estate was minimal and too much emphasis was being placed on looking for "easy answers to complex problems" in the real estate market.

"I think an easy answer people have come up with about the housing affordability problem is to say, well, it's all the Chinese capital," Rodgers said.

"The housing affordability problem is a very complex problem and the ways that you might address it can be quite confronting to people," he added.

Reports in The Australian newspaper on Jan 30 suggested that billions of dollars in "dodgy" Chinese investment money was making its way to Australian shoresand reported that government agency Austrac investigated A$1 billion ($769 million) of "suspicious" transactions involving real estate investments from China.

The story drove a narrative about a perceived threat to Australian housing affordability from China, yet admitted: "These so-called 'suspicious matter reports' are not definitive evidence of wrongdoing, but rather indications wrongdoing may have occurred."

Analysts say stories such as these added fuel to the fears regarding foreign investment that were held by the public. But the incidents comprised a small amount of the value of total real estate, in either new dwellings, which foreign investors can actually buy, or established dwellings, which they are barred from investing in.

Foreign direct investment in Australia is never going to be infallible, analysts pointed out. They said there will always be instances where regulatory guidelines are not correctly followed, or instances where the Foreign Investment Review Board is required to step in with a determination that approval for an investment or purchase should be denied.

The Australian head of one of the biggest real estate websites in China said that over 2,000 investigations had been done into real estate investments, with a finding of wrongdoing in a mere 61 sales, said Juwai.com's Gavin Norris.

He said that small figure, when seen against the total investment of foreign capital in Australia's real estate, was an even more insignificant number.

"It's a quite minuscule problem, I think."

The deputy director of the Australia China Relations Institute told Xinhua that not enough stories were being shared about the benefits of foreign investment, with Chinese companies such as Greenland and Dalian Wanda building new residential developments across the country and employing Australians.

"These companies employ thousands of Australian workers putting up these apartments. These aren't Chinese workers putting up these apartments. They have jobs that they wouldn't have had without this kind of investment," James Laurenceson said.

"And think of all the Australian families who now have a place to live, because these apartments were built thanks to foreign investment."
An employee counts yuan banknotes at a bank in Beijing, April 13, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - 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) at the end of 2016, 18.3 billion yuan more at the end of the third quarter. 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.
SHENYANG - Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai has urged more efforts to make the country's manufacturing industry smarter and more competitive.

China has made headway in smart manufacturing development since "Made in China 2025" was unveiled, but the country still had a long way to go to reach international advanced levels, Ma said during an inspection tour in Northeast China's Liaoning province from Thursday to Friday.

"Made in China 2025" was a plan released by the government in 2015 to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power.

Authorities and companies should give priority to smart manufacturing in their efforts to upgrade the manufacturing industry, said Ma.

He demanded more work to achieve breakthrough in key technologies and core equipment in several fields, including numerically-controlled machine tools, robots, smart sensors and smart logistics.

Key supporting software should be developed faster and the standards for smart manufacturing should be improved, Ma said.

He also called for efforts to develop new business models such as customized production, and smart transformation of traditional industries and small firms.
BEIJING - China defied a broader regional trend in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the financial sector last year, according to a report.

Chinese companies made M&A deals worth $25 billion in 2016, up 13 percent, while total transactions in the Asia-Pacific fell 38 percent, according to a report by Deloitte.

Jonathan Daniel, head of portfolio lead advisory services, Japan, Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial Advisory, described 2016 as a year of volatility, exacerbated by unexpected events, such as Brexit, the outcome of the US presidential election, and continued slowing in the Chinese economy.

China was again the most active country in terms of deal value, followed by the Republic of Korea and Thailand.

In terms of a destination for foreign investors, China replaced Indonesia as the most appealing market.

"In 2016, Chinese M&A activities were in part energized by the country's Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese investors were not only active in acquiring business in the financial services sector, but also in other industries, including energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, information, technology and software," said Rosa Yang, Deloitte global Chinese services group chairman.

Looking ahead, the report predicts that 2017 is likely to be another year of economic and political vagaries.

Patrick Yip, national M&A leader, Deloitte China, said in the short term, Chinese investors may take a wait-and-see approach towards outbound M&A given current political and economic uncertainties.

In the long term, however, Chinese companies will continue to acquire strategic assets overseas because of their need for diversification, supported by the Belt and Road Initiative, Yip added.
Via the South China Morning Post: Black market for live chickens thrives in China despite bird flu bans. Excerpt:

Guangdong housewife Zhang Yi makes no compromises on the quality of chicken for her Sunday family feasts.

Once a week, Zhang scours the narrow alleyways near the Wancongyuan wet market in Guangzhous Haizhu district.

The market has four poultry stalls but she disregards them all because she, like many other cooks in the city, is a diehard devotee of freshly slaughtered chicken  something that even the deadly H7N9 bird flu outbreak has failed to dampen.

Freshly slaughtered chicken has been off the official menu in downtown Guangzhou for more than a year but Zhang combs the alleys looking for signs of black market poultry on offer. One signal could be a temporary boiler set up on a quiet side street.

These mobile vendors are always on the move. They dont stay in the same spot to avoid being caught, Zhang said.

Some operate from a van so they can drive away the moment inspectors turn up.

Guangzhou introduced a five-year live poultry ban in 2015, with the restrictions applying to various downtown districts, including Yuexiu and parts of Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun and Liwan.

Under the ban, wet market vendors are only allowed to sell chilled chickens killed at a central slaughterhouse  a deeply unappetising prospect for the citys Lao Guang, or long-time residents.

The poultry trade has also been banned at wet markets citywide for cleaning between the 16th and 18th days of January, February and March.

The aim of the bans is to contain the spread of bird flu. Since January, the H7N9 strain of the virus has killed at least 94 people across the country  the highest death toll since the first known case of human infection in 2013.
Private businesses played an increasing role in Guangdong's economy last year, generating more than half of the province's GDP, according to an official.

"Private economy took a leading position in Guangdong's overall economic development, growing rapidly in exports and industrial transformation," Yao Dehong, director of Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, said.

Private businesses, of which most are small and medium-sized enterprises, generated 53.6 percent of Guangdong's GDP in 2016, one of the largest economies in South China, according to Yao.

The value of Guangdong-based private businesses grew 7.8 percent year-on-year to 4.25 trillion yuan ($618 billion) in 2016.

"Private businesses also created more than 80 percent of new jobs in Guangdong, with more investment pouring into emerging industries including equipment manufacturing, electronics and telecommunication and medical facilities," Yao said.

Yao made the remarks during a forum focusing on cooperation between Chinese SMEs and their Japanese counterparts last week.

According to Yao, private enterprises exported goods worth of 1.75 trillion yuan in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 8.1 percent.
China's newly appointed minister of commerce vowed on Monday to further boost foreign direct investment and let foreign companies play a bigger role driving local manufacturing and service industries.

Zhong Shan, who replaces Gao Hucheng, spoke of the importance of pilot free trade zones and supply-side reform at a national conference to attract FDI. "A total of 114 innovative ways to get things done have been duplicated as a result of experiments that have taken place in the country's four FTZs, including Shanghai and Guangdong," he said.

The experiments have included allowing foreign firms to run healthcare and education businesses, and removing restrictions on foreign financial institutions like securities and fund management companies.

Products such companies manufacture in China also will be treated fairly in government procurement, he said.

Such measures will be promoted nationwide and are expected to further drive FDI, said Li Gang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing.

"FDI management has taken a major leap from case-by-case approval to negative-list management," said Zhong. "International business interactions also have been accelerated by national economic and technology development zones and economic cooperation areas along the borders in Jilin and Yunnan provinces."

The negative list specifies sectors off-limits to foreign investors, meaning overseas and Chinese companies in sectors not on the list should be treated equally.

China attracted $489.42 billion in foreign capital in the past four years, and annual FDI from high-tech enterprises rose by 11.7 percent year-on-year on average from 2013 to 2016, according to the ministry.

Foreign-invested businesses contributed almost half of China's foreign trade volume, even though they accounted for less than 3 percent of the total number of enterprises.

"But now China is facing heavy pressures from other countries in attracting FDI," Li said.

Li said China must become an innovative economy and create new growth points to encourage foreign companies to invest in its high-end and service industries.

Zheng Yiran contributed to this story.
China has 14 cities whose local fiscal revenue exceeded 100 billion yuan ($14.54 billion) in 2016, China Business News reported citing official data.

The fiscal revenue of Shanghai totaled 640.61 billion yuan in 2016, taking the lead among all cities around China.

Beijing followed Shanghai, posting 508.13 billion yuan last year. Shenzhen overtook Tianjin, taking the third place with 313.64 billion yuan. It is the first time that Shenzhen saw its fiscal revenue exceed 300 billion yuan.

Let's take a look at the 10 cities with most fiscal revenue.

No 10 Chengdu

Fiscal revenue: 117.5 billion yuan
A Tesla model X on display at a new energy expo in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. WANG QIMING / FOR CHINA DAILY

Elon Musk delivered a mixed bag for Tesla Inc shareholders, reassuring them that his mass-market electric sedan will arrive on time in July while disclosing the departure of a senior executive and warning the company will probably need another cash infusion.

The Model 3 electric sedan remains on schedule and will reach production of about 5,000 units per week by the end of the year, Tesla said on Wednesday.

Reassurances from Musk on the car's timing are relieving the fret over whether the company can overcome its long history of product delays.

Management ranks, on the other hand, remain unstable; Chief Financial Officer Jason Wheeler, who joined the company about 15 months ago, will leave in April.

Priced at close to $35,000 before incentives, the Model 3 looms as the linchpin in Tesla's plans to manufacture at high volumes and achieve the profitability that's eluded the company in all but two quarters since going public.

After a loss for the final three months of last year, Musk said Tesla will be cutting it close bringing the vehicle to market without seeking more funds for the company coffers.

"How close to the edge do we want to go? According to our financial plan, no capital needs to be raised for the Model 3, but we get very close to the edge," Musk said on a conference call with analysts on Wednesday. Since "that's probably not the best thing for shareholders", the CEO said, "it probably makes sense to raise capital to reduce the risk."

Tesla declined as much as 5.8 percent and traded down 5 percent to $259.75 as of 9:52 am in New York. The stock had surged more than 40 percent from early December through the close on Wednesday, as the steady state of the Model 3 led investors to bid up the 14-year-old company's market value to rival automakers that have been around more than a century and sell millions of cars each year.

The company reported a fourth-quarter loss, excluding some items, of 69 cents a share on Wednesday, narrower than the $1.14-a-share average estimate among analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

The results were Tesla's first since closing the acquisition of panel installer SolarCity Corp in late November.

Tesla expects to deliver as many as 50,000 vehicles in the first half of this year.

Its ambitions for Model 3 output next year show just how steep a curve Musk intends to climbthe company foresees production of 10,000 units a week by sometime in 2018.

"The Model 3 is designed for manufacturing," Musk told analysts. Compared with the Model S and Model X, both of which can sell for more than $100,000, the smaller Model 3 will be simpler to build.

"It's a very compelling car, and we understand manufacturing a lot better than we did in the past," Musk said.

Hiking output to an annual run rate of half a million Model 3s would put the car on a par with the BMW 3 Series, which competes in a similar price segment.

Other models in a similar sales league include the Volkswagen Passat, Audi A4 or the $24,000 Toyota Camry, according to Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler.

"There are only a handful of models in that mid-price range that manage to shift half a million units annually," Pieper said.

"This is a very ambitious and not overly probable target. Mass production, something Tesla hasn't got experience with so far, is very complex."

The Model 3 will rely on lower battery costs from the so-called gigafactory east of Reno, Nevada, that began producing battery cells earlier this year in partnership with Japan's Panasonic Corp.

The two have said they'll start jointly making solar cells and panels this summer at a factory in Buffalo, New York.

Tesla now refers to the solar plant that it acquired as part of the Solar-City merger as Gigafactory 2. The company expects to finalize locations for a total of as many as five factories later this year, according to a letter to shareholders.

Musk has vowed to make 500,000 cars annually in 2018.

Meeting that ambitious target will depend a great deal on the Model 3, which is expected to boast at least 215 miles (350 kilometers) of battery range per charge.

Tesla reported 373,000 pre-orders for the Model 3 as of May, when it last updated its reservation tally.

Scaling up for the car will be costly. Tesla forecast as much as $2.5 billion in capital expenditures for the first half of the year, more than Ryan Brinkman, a JPMorgan Chase & Co analyst, was estimating the company would spend for all of 2017.

Tesla's plans are "seemingly increasing the likelihood of another equity capital raise over the near-term", Brinkman wrote in a note to clients on Thursday. "And with a market cap approaching that of GM and Ford, arguably it could be done on amenable terms."

Tesla's departing CFO Wheeler, a former vice-president of finance at Google, is leaving to "pursue opportunities in public policy", according to a company blog post.

He participated in Wednesday's conference call and will stay through early April as Deepak Ahuja leaves retirement to return for a second tour of duty.

Ahuja, a former vehicle line controller at Ford Motor Co, served as Tesla's CFO from July 2008 through a turbulent period that saw Tesla careen from near bankruptcy to its June 2010 initial public offering. He'll come back to the company he left in late 2015 to help set the stage for the Model 3.

Bloomberg
The shadow of an attendee sits on a podium wall during a Lenovo Group Ltd news conference in Hong Kong, China, May 26, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

BARCELONA - China's Lenovo Moto presented its new mobile devices Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus on Sunday in Barcelona, Northeastern Spain, on the occasion of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's largest mobile industry event.

Moto G5 has a 2,800 mAh battery offering up to 24 hours of battery life.

Moreover, users can be always connected thanks to its rapid charging, which enables hours of battery with only a few minutes of charge.

With a Snapdragon 430 processor, the Moto G5 has a 13 MP rear camera with autofocus software and a 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution.

The Moto G5 Plus has a 3,000 mAh battery, also offering up to 24 hours of battery life, which thanks to its TurboPower charger can be extended up to six hours of extra time in just 15 minutes.

With a 5.2-inch screen, the Moto G5 Plus has a rear camera with 12 MP with dual autofocus pixels, 5 MP front camera and a Snapdragon 625 processor.

The company said the Moto G5 Plus device will hit the market in the second quarter of 2017, while the Moto G5 will be available in late March in two different models with 2GB RAM or 3GB RAM.

On Sunday, several companies presented their new devices on the eve of the official opening of the MWC, which is expected to gather 2,200 exhibitors, 101,000 trade visitors from 200 countries and regions.
A view of Alibaba Group's headquarters in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, March 21, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

HANGZHOU - 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 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 then 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.
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State Councilor Yang Jiechi.[Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit the United States from Monday to Tuesday at the invitation of the U.S. government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on Sunday.



Yang will exchange views with senior U.S. officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, Lu said.



Yang is the first senior Chinese official to visit the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office on January 20.



President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken over the phone earlier this month. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his U.S. counterpart Rex Tillerson met in the sidelines of the foreign ministers meeting of the G20 last week.



Yang will have an extensive range of topics to discuss with the U.S. officials but the foremost would be to reaffirm the tone of bilateral relations set by the two heads of state in their phone conversation, said Jia Xiudong, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.



Xi told Trump that building a sound China-U.S. relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and it is also the responsibility China and the U.S. need to assume as the world's major countries.



Yang's visit will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979.



Despite twists and turns over the past four decades, China-U.S. relations have progressed ahead as both the Republican and Democratic parties understand the importance of the relationship, Jia said.



During Yang's tour, China and U.S. will have exchanges on trade, security and international issues, on which Trump may take policies different from the Obama administration, according to Jia.



Jia said Yang would be the point man to be sent to the U.S.. He was a former Chinese ambassador to Washington and former foreign minister, a respectable diplomat in the U.S. and has rich experience in dealing with the country.



Xi-Trump meeting will be on top agenda of Yang and U.S. officials, who are to discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet as they looked forward to a meeting at an early date in their phone conversation, according to Jia.



Nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, climate change, energy and Syria are also possible to be on the agenda, Jia said.
Military urged to study Xi's remarks on ministerial-level workshop

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-02-27 07:26

BEIJING - China's military and armed police are ordered to carefully study the remarks made by President Xi Jinping at the opening session of a workshop.



According to a circular issued by the general office of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the CMC called on officers and soldiers to study and understand the remarks by Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CMC.



At the workshop on the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, attended by provincial and ministerial officials on Feb. 13, Xi told leading officials to practice strict self-discipline and eliminate privileges.



The circular urged leading military officials to be brave in self-examination and conduct strict self-discipline.



Officers and soldiers should acquire the norms of political life within the Party in the new era and the regulation on intra-Party supervision, Xi's remarks on strict CPC governance, and the new concept of managing state affairs, the circular said.



The circular called on to further the anti-corruption drive, eliminate the pernicious influence of Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, two corrupt former CMC vice chairmen, and work for better political life in the armed forces.



It also urged to deepen national defense and military reform, and improve military preparedness and fighting capacity, it said.
China sees sharp decline in ivory smuggling in 2016

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-02-27 07:27

BEIJING - The amount of smuggled ivory tracked down in China fell 80 percent in 2016 from previous peak years, the State Forestry Administration (SFA) said Sunday.



Liu Dongsheng, deputy head of the SFA, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a wildlife protection campaign, without specifying detailed numbers.



China will stop commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of this year. Last year, it imposed a three-year ban on ivory imports in an escalated fight against illegal trading of wild animals and plants.



The number of illegal wildlife trade cases has been on the decline since last year, said Liu.



Meanwhile, the numbers of critically endangered species in China, including giant pandas, crested ibis, Yangtze alligators and Tibetan antelopes, have been increasing steadily, he said.



China's newly-revised law on wild animal protection took effect at the start of this year, imposing harsher punishment on overkilling and illegal utilization of wild animals.
Via the Daily Trust: Lassa Fever: Three persons on admission in Bauchi. Excerpt:

Three persons with confirmed cases of Lassa Fever are currently on admission at an Isolation Ward for Lassa Fever patients at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital ( ATBUTH) Bauchi.

Bauchi State Commissioner for health, Dr. Halima Mukaddas disclosed this in Bauchi on Monday while speaking on the recent resurgence of the disease in the state.

Over 15 people died from Lassa fever in 2016 in Bauchi State while four people out of five reported cases died between January and February 2017.

Shortage of drugs and other needed equipment has been identified as some of the factors hindering the treatment of the disease in the state according to findings.
China steps up air pollution inspections

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-02-27 07:27

BEIJING - China's environmental inspectors named and shamed more cities on Sunday for poor air quality control as the fight against smog continues.



Inspections of 18 cities in north China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and nearby areas used unannounced checks at night and undercover methods, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said.



Handan city of Hebei Province continues to illegally operate coal-fired boilers though officials had ordered them closed. After the inspections, the boilers were dismantled and a police investigation opened.



In Cangzhou, also in Hebei, an oil pipe maker, a major source of emissions, was not included in the list of companies to halt production on heavily polluted days.



A cement producer in Beijing used more electricity than usual in December, when it should have suspended production. Two other cement firms were wrongly exempted from production suspensions.



On Friday, the MEP criticized several cities in Hebei, Shanxi and Henan for not doing enough in curbing the use of "scattered coal," coal burned by households or small factories for heating and is much more dirty than that used by thermal plants, which have the equipment to reduce emissions.



China is intensifying efforts to fight pollution and environmental degradation after decades of growth left the country saddled with problems such as smog and contaminated soil.



A total of 720 people were detained and 6,454 held accountable in China for environment-related wrongdoing in 2016, according to earlier official information.



Chinese cities suffered from more days of air pollution in January, with northern areas being the worst affected.



The share of days with good air quality in BTH were a mere 36.2 percent in January, a year-on-year drop of 19.6 percentage points.
By Wang Jian in Nanchang and Hou Liqiang in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-02-27 07:51

Emergency workers treat a victim after arriving at the scene of a fire at a high-rise in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, on Saturday.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Three people were fighting for their lives on Sunday after being rescued from a fatal blaze at a karaoke bar under renovation in eastern China.

Ten people were killed and ten others injured on Saturday after a fire broke out at a high-rise housing a KTV bar, hotel, offices and apartments in Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi province.

Three victims remain in critical condition, the city authorities said on Sunday, adding that investigations showed the fire started at the KTV bar when construction workers cut through "decoration materials".

Police have detained 24 people in connection with the accident, including decorators and karaoke bar employees.

A subcontractor responsible for the renovation and eight shareholders in the KTV business are still at large, according to the authorities.

Flames swept through an area of about 1,500 square meters inside the 24-story building in the city's Honggutan new district. The KTV bar takes up the first two floors.

Three victims died at the hospital, while firefighters recovered seven bodies from the debris of the blaze. Among the dead were three hotel guests and seven construction workers.

Luo Shiyao, who was working on the second floor of the KTV bar at the time of the fire, told China News Agency: "All of a sudden, I found smoke was coming from the first floor. It was choking. I heard someone shouting 'fire'."

He said he managed to run out into the street with five colleagues, while two others jumped from a second-floor window. "They were injured in the fall and had to be sent to the hospital. Their faces were black with smoke," Luo said.

Ni Kangtai, a guest in the hotel from Wuhan, Hubei province, was asleep on the 21st floor when he was woken up by the smoke.

"I realized I was in danger when I opened the door. I went back into my room and filled the gap between the door and its frame with wet towels and waited to be rescued," he told the news agency.

The city authorities said 20 fire trucks and more than 160 firefighters were sent to put out the fire, while more than 260 people had to be evacuated.

On Saturday afternoon, officials in Nanchang called for citywide checks to identify and solve potential safety hazards.
The Old Town of Lijiang, a national 5-A scenic spot in Southwest China's Yunnan province, posted a statement on its official micro blog on Saturday afternoon, saying it was willing to accept punishment by the China National Tourism Administration and work to resolve issues with the services it provides.

"We apologize for our insufficient work. We are open to tourists' criticism and suggestions, and will make things right," said the government of Gucheng district, where the town is located, in the post.

The post came after the National Tourism Administration issued warnings to three 5-A scenic spots on Saturday morning, including the Old Town of Lijiang, demanding rectification of issues within six months.

The other two scenic spots are Jingpo Lake in Mudanjiang city, Heilongjiang province, and Laohutan Ocean Park in Dalian, Liaoning province.

Peng Decheng, director of the administration's Planning and Finance Department, said the number of tourist complaints about Lijiang has remained high, with frequent incidents relating to tourists' personal safety or property.

"Local residents have had serious conflicts with tourists," Peng said. "The scenic spot has failed to maintain quality equipment and services."

In recent years, there have been many reports of tourists being overcharged or being forced to shop in Lijiang.

This year alone, there have already been at least three incidents involving tourists being beaten in Lijiang. In one incident, a female tourist lost her purse and was disfigured after being beaten by a dozen people at a restaurant.

These high-profile incidents have attracted widespread public attention and put the town, well-known for its long history and as home to several ethnic groups, at the center of controversy.

Zheng Yi, mayor of Lijiang, said in a Government Work Report during the ongoing Lijiang People's Congress that Lijiang has gained a bad reputation for insufficient supervision and administration, as well as unsatisfactory services and public security.

Zheng requested that relevant departments shoulder responsibility and make efforts to solve the issues.

Liu Jian, a 31-year-old Beijing resident who traveled to the old town in September 2015, said: "I was lucky compared with some tourists who were beaten, as I was only overcharged there. But the experiences were enough to leave me with a bad impression.

"I'm glad to hear that the old town will start to rectify its issues and I hope it will be reformed."
File photo of Minister of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic of China Wang Yi [Photo/China Daily]

In his speech at the UN office in Geneva in mid January, President Xi Jinping addressed in great depth the subject of building of a community of shared future for mankind, which is the call of our time. The speech has been well received by various parties. The vision of a community of shared future for mankind is rooted in the time-honored Chinese civilization and answers the call of the international community for peace, development and cooperation. It puts forth an important pathway for addressing the prominent global challenges and is also highly relevant for improving international human rights governance.

I

"Human rights for all" is a lofty goal that mankind has consistently pursued. After "the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind", our forefathers, based on the hard lessons learned, decided to establish the United Nations to "promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom". A new chapter was opened in the international human rights cause.

In the past 70-plus years since its inception, the United Nations has witnessed the development and progress of the international cause of human rights. The world has been broadly peaceful and tranquil, people of most countries and regions are free from wars and conflicts, and the right to peace and right to life have been safeguarded on the whole. Guided by the UN Millennium Development Goals, 1.1 billion people around the world have been lifted out of poverty. Net enrollment rate in primary education in developing countries has reached 91 percent, global population with access to drinking tap water has risen by 1.9 billion and 3.5 billion people are now connected to the internet. With tremendous progress achieved in right to survival and right to development, the living standard of people has generally improved worldwide. Building on the historical endeavors, the international community has formulated the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, drawing a grand blueprint to eradicate poverty by 2030. The human rights cause has increasingly become mainstream and international human rights cooperation has enjoyed vigorous development. The principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectiveness have become the foundation of UN's work on human rights.

On the other hand, the United Nations has also witnessed risks and challenges to the international cause of human rights in the past 70-plus years. There is still injustice, intolerance and instability in our world today, and lack of adequate balance, coordination and sustainability in development. Over 700 million people still struggle in the extreme poverty and more than 128 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Some 65 million people are displaced from homeland, 24 million children in conflict areas cannot go to school. There is a rising tendency to politicize human rights and application of double standards remains rampant. Such a disturbing situation of human rights tests the conscience of mankind and erodes the basic value of human rights. It has also exposed the "governance deficit" in the international cause of human rights.

To safeguard human rights is an important part of building a community of shared future for mankind. We should think about how to enhance and improve global human rights governance and promote sound development of the international cause of human rights to serve the high goal of building a community of shared future for mankind.

II

President Xi Jinping pointed out that in building a community of shared future for mankind, the international community should promote partnership, security, economic development, inter-civilization exchange and ecological progress, and strive for a world of lasting peace, a world of common security for all, a world of common prosperity, an open and inclusive world and a clean and beautiful world. This provides important guidance to the building of a fair and equitable international human rights governance system.

 Sovereign equality is the foundation for promoting and protecting human rights. Sovereign equality is the most important norm governing state-to-state relations, and is also a basic principle in international human rights law and UN's work on human rights. As a Chinese saying goes, a single silk strand does not make a thread and a single tree cannot make a forest. International human rights affairs should be handled through joint consultations by all countries. The global human rights governance system should be jointly developed by all countries. And the achievements of human rights development should be shared by all people around the world. It is important to faithfully observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adhere to the principle of state sovereignty, and carry out human rights exchanges and cooperation as equal partners. We all should take a fair and objective view on other countries' human rights development. No one should politicize human rights or interfere in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, not to mention attempting at regime change. To impose one's own values and model of human rights development on others, willfully interfere in others' internal affairs or even wage wars will only result in chaos and persistent turmoil, just like opening the Pandora box. There are quite many examples.

 Peace and security are the prerequisites for promoting and protecting human rights. Security is the paramount human right. War, conflict and turbulence in a region are the primary cause of massive violations of human rights. Alan Kurdi (Aylan Kurdi), the little Syrian boy, lost his right to survival even before he could grow old enough to understand what human rights are. This sobering case gives us much food for thought. How could one possibly enjoy human rights, dignity and freedom without first having peace, security and stability? Use of force must give way to a pursuit of peace and harmony to ensure an external environment needed for human rights promotion and protection. Domestic security and stability, too, is indispensable for any country to develop human rights. There are no such things as good criminals and bad criminals, just like no distinction could be drawn between good terrorists and bad terrorists. All are equal before the law. Any organization or individual that has violated the law must be duly punished. This is the only right way to interpret the rule of law. In this connection, the efforts of countries to crack down on criminal offences and maintain public order and security deserve respect and support.

 Development for all is crucial for promoting and protecting human rights. As an old Chinese saying goes, "People begin to pay attention to manners only when they have enough food to eat." Development, an eternal pursuit of mankind, creates the basic conditions for human rights to be realized. The 2008 financial crisis dealt a heavy blow to global development and added to the challenges of people around the world to pursue a better life and uphold their right to development. We should follow the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, take a development-based approach in implementing the 2030 Agenda, promote coordinated economic, social and environmental development, and deliver a decent life to all. Countries are entitled to participate as equals in development undertakings, and all peoples have the right to a fair share of development benefits. The international community should step up assistance to developing countries through North-South cooperation as the main channel. In rendering such assistance, elimination of hunger and poverty must be prioritized so that people in developing countries can realize their rights to survival and development. We must make sure that no one is left behind.

 Inclusiveness and mutual learning are conducive to promoting and protecting human rights. No two tree leaves are exactly the same. Inclusiveness makes a society vibrant, while diversity defines a splendid civilization. There is no one-size-fits-all path or model to develop and protect human rights. As an integral part of any country's economic and social development, human rights must be advanced in light of specific national circumstances and people's needs. The varied approaches and practices of different countries in human rights development should serve as a source of strength for human rights development in the world, rather than a cause of confrontation or rivalry. Different countries, civilizations and ethnicities should communicate as equals, learn from and complement each other, and make progress together. We need to respect the path of human rights development chosen by the people themselves, and pursue constructive dialogue to properly handle differences and jointly explore effective ways to promote and protect human rights.

 Democracy and people's well-being are important means to promote and protect human rights. They are two dimensions of human rights, like the two wings of a bird or two wheels of a vehicle. They both are important goals of international human rights development. Economic, social and cultural rights are connected with and inseparable from civil and political rights. The various human rights are equally important. None should be emphasized at the expense of another. Countries should advance these two main categories of human rights in a balanced way that reflects their social and economic reality and the needs of their people. In this process, due regard should be given to both the universality and particularity of human rights, both individual and collective rights, and both rights and obligations.

III

China is committed to advancing human rights. While striving to improve human rights of its own people, China is also contributing to human rights development in the world.

 China has been actively exploring a path of human rights development. We believe that human rights have both universality and particularity, collective and individual human rights should be harmonized, progress in democracy should come with betterment of people's lives, and the two categories of human rights should be advanced in a coordinated way. We have blazed a distinctly Chinese path of human rights development tailored to China's national circumstances, and have scored many proud achievements. China has become the world's second largest economy. Last year, China's GDP exceeded RMB 70 trillion. The government is able to provide adequate food and clothing for the 1.3 billion people. Over 700 million Chinese have been lifted out of poverty, which accounts for more than 70 percent of poverty reduction worldwide, making China the first to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people living in poverty. This is a major contribution to the world. Currently, the government creates jobs for 770 million people. Every child and teenager enjoys nine-year compulsory education. Care and support is provided to 230 million senior citizens, over 7 million college graduates and 85 million people with disabilities. More than 60 million urban and rural residents receive subsistence allowance from the government. The life expectancy of the Chinese people has been raised from 35 years in 1949 to over 76 years now. The UN lauded China for enjoying the most rapid development in the past 30 years. Democracy and the rule of law have been advanced in China, judicial work and human rights protection have registered major progress, and Chinese people enjoy far greater democratic rights and freedoms than before. The lawful rights of ethnic minorities, women, children, senior citizens and the disabled are safeguarded and upheld. These notable achievements are there for all to see and demonstrate the strength of the Chinese system and development path.

 China plays an active part in global human rights governance. Following the principles of equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness, mutual learning and win-win cooperation, China is deeply involved in all aspects of international human rights cooperation and works for a just and fair international human rights system. Last year, China was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the fourth time with as many as 180 votes. The fact that few countries have been elected as many times is a good demonstration of the world's recognition of China's progress. China has joined 26 international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and five other core human rights conventions. China takes its human rights obligations seriously and has duly received Universal Periodic Reviews and reviews on implementation of human rights conventions. We conduct human rights dialogue and exchange with nearly 40 countries and carry out constructive cooperation with UN human rights agencies. All this contributes to international human rights governance. We feel keenly that dialogue and cooperation works better than confrontation, and that exchange and mutual learning works better than finger-pointing. This view is shared by the majority of UN member states.

 China is a strong supporter of the international human rights cause. By the end of 2016, China has provided over RMB400 billion of foreign aid, and rendered medical assistance to 69 countries. Over 600,000 Chinese aid workers have been sent abroad and help has been given to more than 120 developing countries in meeting the MDGs. The China-UN Peace and Development Fund is up and running and the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund has been launched, both of which will contribute to the cause of world peace and development. This May, China will host the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing to make sure that the Belt and Road Initiative will deliver greater benefits to the world. As President Xi has pointed out, China will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa. The world will see that while developing itself, China will make an even bigger contribution to global human rights.

The Communist Party of China will hold the 19th National Congress later this year, a pivotal conference that coincides with a crucial stage of China's development. We will continue to act on the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development; advance balanced progress in five key areas; implement the four-pronged comprehensive strategy; and remain confident as ever of the path, theories, system and culture of our own country. We are determined to meet the goals we have set for 2020, including doubling the 2010 GDP and per capita income in rural as well as urban areas, eliminating poverty, improving people's democracy and realizing law-based governance.

The Chinese people are pursuing the "two centenary goals" and the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation. China's human rights aspiration is for our country to be strong and prosperous, for our people to enjoy happiness and for the world to have peace, development and win-win cooperation. Let us work together to promote and protect human rights worldwide so that human rights are truly enjoyed by all humans.

The authors is Minister of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic of China.
A city traffic officer who stopped jaywalkers and errant bicycle riders, and made them fill a notebook page with the phrase "Red for stop, green for go", has been ordered to stop it.

Ji Xuefeng, an auxiliary traffic officer in Linfen, Shanxi province, made rule-breakers fill an entire page in a notebook before he would let them go - a method he insists has helped change people's behavior.

"Most people I've punished this way haven't done it again," Ji told Xinhua News Agency.

An officer for 16 years, Ji first employed his novel method in 2002 on jaywalkers, bicyclists and drivers of electric scooters who ran red lights. According to Shanxi Economics Daily, he has collected a dozen plastic bags filled with notebooks.

"I was in a hurry to pick up my child from school and ran a red light on my scooter," said a resident, whom Xinhua News Agency identified as Wang. Wang was required to write out the phrase.

"At first I was resentful, but afterward, I realized I was in the wrong," Wang said.

The practice has received a mixed response online, with praise and criticism offered in equal measure. However, some legal experts raised questions about whether Ji was overstepping his authority.

Tian Siyuan, an associate professor at Tsinghua University School of Law, said that while he supports efforts to educate rather than punish people for minor traffic or pedestrian offenses, the officer had no legal basis for making people write.

"As China is building a service-oriented government, traffic officers should also be service-oriented, focusing on education supported by punishment," Tian was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Linfen's traffic police bureau told People's Daily on Wednesday that the penalty was "a personal act" and that Ji had been ordered to stop using it to allow for further discussion.

According to China's traffic safety laws and regulations, pedestrians, passengers and drivers of nonmotorized vehicles face a warning or a fine ranging from 5 to 50 yuan ($0.70 to $7) for various violations. While a warning can be given in verbal or written form, no regulation explicitly states how it can be delivered.

Unconventional punishments for breaches of safety laws have been seen across China. In 2015, police officers in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, punished jaywalkers by making them wear green jackets and hats and stop other jaywalkers. In Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, drivers who failed to dim their full-beam headlights for oncoming motorists have been made to sit on a chair and stare at their full-beam headlights for one minute.

In both cases, the methods were voluntary and offenders could choose instead to pay a fine.
A nurse in Zhengzhou, Henan province, has hit upon an unusual way to keep her patients' spirits up - drawing cartoons.

Ding Miaowen, a 29-year-old nurse who works at Zhengzhou Central Hospital, was thrust into the public eye after one of her doodles, drawn for a 23-year-old man who was badly injured in a car crash in August, went viral recently.

The patient had to undergo microsurgery on his broken leg, followed by a four-monthlong recovery.

"I was touched by this man's suffering, as he bore the pain all alone and was unwilling to increase the burden on his parents," Ding said.

He showed courage during his recovery, but still had moments where he felt down, so the nurse decided to try and cheer him up.

"Four months is quite a long time," she said. "Any patient can have emotional moments, no matter how hard they try to stay optimistic."

Her first cartoon for the injured man showed him lying in bed with a broken leg and a nurse approaching carrying a tray. At the top of the drawing, dated Aug 19, Ding wrote: "Your body temperature is a little higher today, but please do not be nervous. This is a normal reaction as your body has to protect itself. You will feel better day by day."

On another of her drawings, she showed him sat smiling in a wheelchair. "Accompanied by your mom and a doctor, you went outside and saw the sunshine for the first time in a long time. Your bright smile excited us all. You are the best. Just hang on for a while and you can go home," she wrote.

By the time the young man was discharged, Ding had drawn 15 cartoons for him. One, which was posted on social media by a colleague in January, became an instant hit.

But the young man was not the first patient Ding has drawn for. In her 12 years as a nurse, she has brightened many patients' days by drawing on their plaster casts or coloring-in her colleagues' cups.

"I did not learn to paint professionally. I only learned how to sketch in pencil and draw with crayons in primary school," she said.

"But I love art, because drawing cartoons brings happiness to the patients and tome."

Wang Yunfei, director of the hospital's microsurgery department, said cartoons can relieve patients' anxiety and help build a better relationship between patients and medical staff.

"We also show patients our success stories to encourage them, increasing their self-confidence to fight their illness," Wang said.

"A positive attitude and mutual trust are beneficial to patients' recovery."
Emmanuel Dennis (right), a 54-year-old French adviser to the head of Hehong village committee in Ninghai, Zhejiang province, talks with local villager Xu Xiaohua (middle) earlier in February. Huang Zongzhi / Xinhua

French businessman looks to tourism for future prosperity

NINGBO, ZHEJIANG - Frenchman Emmanuel Dennis, 54, is a busy man. In addition to running two companies, the Ninghai-based businessman has also acted as an adviser to the head of Hehong village committee for the past year. The unpaid job puts him at the forefront of the community's development.

His latest plan is to attract investors to the village, which boasts centuries-old architecture, to manage accommodation and boost tourism.

Last week, he brought 12 investors from the United States, Japan and Taiwan to Hehong, who he said recognized its potential as a tourist destination.

Dennis is active in the village community, having self-financed the construction of a recreational pavilion and organized banquets for the elderly.

Hailing from the southeastern French town of Valence, Dennis worked in finance in the US and the United Kingdom before he first visited China in 1997.

In 2002, he moved to Ninghai with his wife, who was born there, and started a stationery and toy business, which has a turnover of about 100 million yuan ($14.5 million).

Last year, a Ninghai official asked Dennis to help develop the county's rural areas. He chose Hehong because of the many traditional elements that remain in the village.

"When I was in Valence, I lived in a 400-year-old house. When there was heavy rain outside, there was light rain inside. It was old, but beautiful," he said. "My family repaired it with our own hands."

Old buildings should be protected for future generations, Dennis said: "I'm happy that the central government now pays more attention to this."

In recent years, the local government has improved the way it approaches the renovation of villages, and has taken steps to limit damage to the original structures and layout.

"The village is great! Old houses, beautiful landscape," said Henry Zahn, 80, an entrepreneur from the US, who was in the village to look for a building to convert into a hotel.

Another investor, Sun Ningchu from the US, found a renovated courtyard building that he said would be a suitable site for a boutique inn.

Dennis is interested in an old house by the river.

"I want to preserve the appearance of the traditional structure, but the inside will be the same quality as a five-star hotel. It will be a combination of Chinese and Western elements," he said.

In addition, he proposed that villagers run inns for backpackers and that services should be offered to make travel between villages more convenient.

Dennis believes his plan to boost tourism may attract young people to visit the village.

"They can just relax, go fishing, eat local food - just enjoy the slow rural life," he said.
Target to eliminate excess production from steel, coal sectors will pose a major challenge in 2017

Editor's note: This is the fourth story in a series of previews on the two sessions-the annual gatherings of the nation's top legislature and its top body of political advisers. The sessions will start in early March.

China will further reduce excessive steel and coal capacity this year, building on the progress it made in 2016, when it cut 45 million metric tons of steel and 250 million tons of coal.

The government will unveil its 2017 capacity reduction target soon, according to Xin Renzhou, deputy director of industrial policy for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The Government Work Report, to be presented by Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday, is also likely to review the efforts to eliminate excess capacity last year, he said.

Xin said supply-side structural reform will continue to be a priority for the steel sector - as well as a hot topic at this year's meetings of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body - as the country presses ahead with major economic reforms amid downward pressure.

The mission to cut overcapacity in the steel and coal sectors remains a big challenge, he added.

By 2020, China aims to cut overall steel capacity by 150 million tons and coal capacity by 800 million tons, with most of that done by the end of this year.

The National Energy Administration earlier set a goal for the coal industry to cut capacity by 50 million tons, down by 80 percent on the 2016 target of 250 million tons.

State-owned enterprises managed by the central government have promised to cut excess steel and coal capacity by 5.95 million tons and 24.73 million tons respectively this year, according to the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

The government also plans to scrap 300 loss-making enterprises as well as 500 enterprises that have been in long-term difficulty.

Provincial governments have published capacity reduction targets, too, including Hebei, Shandong and Shanxi provinces and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Hebei, for example, has said it will cut steel capacity by 31.86 million tons and coal capacity by 7.42 million tons as well as close four "zombie" enterprises, which are economically inviable businesses that survive only because of financing from governments or banks. Last year, Hebei cut about 33 million tons from its steel capacity.

"2017 will be our toughest year for capacity reduction," said Zhang Qingwei, the governor of Hebei, which produces one-fourth of China's iron and steel.

Xin said companies should focus on eliminating substandard steel.

Xu Lejiang, the vice-minister of industry and information technology, said at a recent news conference that China will not waver in its resolve nor slacken its efforts to implement the strategy.

To get steel companies to further cut capacity, the central government is encouraging them to sign long-term contracts with coal and downstream steel consumers while improving the quality of their products.

The measure, set out in a document issued by five ministry-level bodies, is aimed at stabilizing steel prices, which have seen fast increases of late, and further cutting industrial overcapacity.

Despite rises in the spot and future prices of steel in the short term and a recent recovery in output and sales, steel companies should make further efforts to cut capacity to support economic growth, according to a report by the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, and four ministries.

The report said China's oversupplied steel sector has seen years of plunging prices and factory shutdowns due to the sluggish economy.

Jiang Zhimin, president of the National Coal Industry Association, said the goal for the coal sector may look lower this year, but in reality the challenge is even more daunting.

"Unlike last year, when many mines were shut down and no longer producing, or were about to be closed, this year's capacity reduction target is aimed at a great number of coal mines that are still in operation," Jiang said.

Xu He contributed to this story.
Beijing resident Chen Minghui commutes on a Beijing-Tianjin bullet train to work on Feb 20, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

"Dear passengers, our short journey is about to end, ..." the train radio is streaming. This is Beijing resident Chen Minghui's typical Monday morning, commuting on a Beijing-Tianjin bullet train to work on Feb 20, 2017. But unlike so many others headed from Tianjin to Beijing, his is the other way around.

Some Beijingers may like to live in ease and comfort in Beijing, but not 28-year-old Chen. He wants to do something.

Chen accepted a marketing job offer in Tianjin last June. This is his eighth month as a Beijing-Tianjin commuter. "At least Tianjin, unlike Beijing, is not too congested, since I have to frequently drive here and there every day," replied Chen, when asked about the advantages of working in Tianjin.

It only takes about an hour for Chen to go from his home in Beijing to his office in Tianjin, which is less than the time it took him to reach office during his previous job in Beijing. Now, he takes the high-speed train every Monday, stays in Tianjin for the week and goes back to Beijing on Friday.

There are expectations that the Beijing-Tianjin bullet train may launch a monthly pass system. Chen is looking forward to it as then he could go home and see his three-year-old daughter every single day.
(ECNS) -- International schools in China are posing new challenges for parents who spend huge sums but often find themselves unprepared for a range of issues, Legal Daily reported.

In top-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai, many parents send their children to international schools to allow them early preparation for studying abroad. Admission has become more competitive amid China's rising number of high income earners and some schools now assess parental participation in community activities before admitting a child.

Yingzi, a Beijing girl, quit public school mainly because she couldn't bear the heavy workload, which usually needed three hours to finish every night, as well as the school's lack of tolerance for individuality.

But recent report by the think tank Center for China and Globalization and Beijing Royal School said international schools in the country lack standards on tuition, vary greatly in educational quality, while school ownership is sometimes unclear.

International schools in the country come in different forms and many follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum or that of the country they represent.

As a new approach, some public high schools have also opened international classes to offer a quick transition abroad. They have become popular among parents, though native English speakers are in the minority as Chinese students comprise 90 percent of classes.

A mother surnamed Lu said her family business has expanded across borders so she considered an international education for her child before moving to another country. Her dream primary school requires both parents and the child to have foreign passports, a new criterion to select students. She had to choose another school in Beijing's Chaoyang District asking tuition of 180,000 yuan ($26,000) per school year.

Many international schools are just educational training institutions operated by some private organizations, Lu said.

In Shanghai, Zheng Yonghua said children in international schools are either from rich or powerful families so her daughter could develop a high-level network from the time she is young.

Zheng also said it's much easier for Chinese students to get admitted by a foreign university of similar quality to top domestic schools like Fudan University and Shanghai Jiaotong University, though the cost is 20 times higher.

The report said half of families whose children study in international schools have an annual household income of at least 500,000 yuan. But money does not guarantee a child's academic success in the new environment.

Bao Xiaojuan, a former teacher at an international school in Beijing, said many Chinese students failed in English studies and some find it hard to adapt to an environment where there's less control in comparison with public schools.

Beijing student Yinagzi took two years to catch up in English proficiency and transfer from a bilingual class to an English-only class.

One mother said her son had to take costly tutoring services to keep up with studies because some schools are dedicated to maintaining a high graduation rate and persuade slow learners to quit or take exams the following year.

Chen Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of education information portal eol.cn, said China needs to introduce a supervision system for international schools.
Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), delivers a report on the SPC's work during the third plenary meeting of the fourth session of China's 12th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Foreword

I. Basic Situation of the Deepening of Judicial Transparency by People's Courts

II. Disclosure of Trial Process

III. Openness of Court Trial

IV. Disclosure of Judgments, Verdicts and Conciliation Statements

V. Disclosure of Enforcement Information

VI. Enriching and Innovating the Content and Form of Judicial Transparency

Conclusion

Foreword

"Justice Must Not Only be Done, but Must be Seen to be Done!" Judicial transparency is an important means to facilitate judicial fairness, prevent corruption in the judicial system and improve judicial credibility, and is the purpose of carrying out the constitutional and juristical principles and protecting the litigation rights of citizens as well as demonstrating modern legal civilization, and is also a must in comprehensively promoting the rule of law and accelerating the construction of China's rule of law.

People's courts have been paying high attention to judicial transparency and always treat it as an important constituent to deepen the reform in judicial system and working mechanism; for that reason, they take various measures to constantly expand the width and depth of judicial transparency, and make innovations on the forms and channels of judicial transparency so as to spend great efforts in building up an open, dynamic, transparent and convenient judicial mechanism.

In the new century and new stage, facing new requirements of the Party and the State, new expectations of the people and new challenges in the era of information, the deepening of judicial transparency has become more important and urgent. The 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party emphasizes on the promotion of transparency and standardization of the exercise and operation of powers, and the 3rd and 4th Plenary Sessions of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party propose to deepen judicial transparency and build up an open, dynamic, transparent and convenient judicial mechanism. As the legal construction process accelerates, the general public has stronger expectations on the transparency of judicial transparency. With the rapid development of big data, cloud computing and new media, the speed, models and patterns of information dissemination change greatly, and the demands by general public for judicial information increase, the promotion of judicial transparency under the new situation faces unprecedented opportunities as well as great challenges.




The media center for the annual sessions of China's top legislature and advisory body will accommodate reporters from home and abroad. The fifth annual session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) will open on March 5 in Beijing while the fifth session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will open two days earlier. [Photo/VCG]
NANNING -- A nature reserve along the China-Vietnam border, where a new bird species was spotted about a decade ago, has attracted a growing number of birdwatchers and conservationists.

Longzhou county in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous eegion hosted its first international birdwatching festival last week. Over 80 birdwatching enthusiasts from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Germany and Malaysia participated in the festival.

In 2008, Chinese ornithologist Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu announced the discovery of a new bird species -- the Nonggang babbler, or Stachyris nonggangensis. The bird was named for the region where it was discovered.

The fist-sized babbler is a dark brown bird with white specks on its chest. There are about 1,300 Nonggang babblers in the reserve, Zhou told Xinhua.

The Nonggang Nature Reserve stretches about 34 kilometers from west to east with dense forests, karst caves and abundant bird species.

A growing interest in birdwatching has benefited the area and helped local people realize the value of local birds, Zhou said.

Few people hunt the birds now and farmers have built ponds to store water for them, he said.

Lu Yun, a middle-aged member of a birdwatching club, travelled from Tianjin, a northern port city, down to Guangxi for the festival.

"With my camera, I have captured many birds we never see in the north. It was quite a 'harvest' for me," he said.

With the help of a guide, Lu spotted several Nonggang babblers. "I was lucky to see the bird for myself," he said.

"In our circle, if one gets a rare bird, it makes you a big star," Lu said.

There are five villages near the reserve. Many villagers have profited from the growing interest in birding. Huang Zhiqiang, 33, was a sugarcane farmer before he started a new career as a guide for birdwatchers.

"The Nonggang babbler is the star bird, but tourists have a hard time finding one unless they hire a local guide," said Huang.

"I know how to mimic the chirping sound of the bird and where they typically gather. They are easily frightened, and we should be careful not to disturb them," he said.

"The villagers have realized that the birds are closely connected to their livelihood, and if they can protect them, they can keep the tourists," said Liu Shengyuan, who works in the reserve.

There are about 20 spots to watch birds in and around the reserve, Liu said.

"With a growing number of people adopting birding as a hobby, we think that it is a good chance to develop tourism. But the most important thing is to protect them first," said Zhong Lei, head of the Longzhou county government.
The overall quality of baby formula in China has improved, and the government's next step in the fight against inferior formula is to further regulate brands, labeling and advertising in the market, said Bi Jingquan, director of the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Feb. 27.

The CFDA has initiated the registration process for baby formula according to food safety laws. The government inspected 2,532 batches of baby formula in 2016, out of which 32 batches earned scores below the minimum standard. Twenty-two had safety problems and 10 had insufficiently detailed labeling.

Addressing the situation, Bi made it clear that tighter supervision must be imposed over the process, from manufacturing to sourcing, production, sales and more. The government encourages formula manufacturers to establish their own milk sources and tighten management of production environments, equipment and procedures. Moreover, competent authorities should conduct regular spot checks, weed out violators, and recall and halt the production of sub-standard products in a timely manner.
BEIJING -- China on Monday warned against the deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in the Republic of Korea (ROK), saying China's security interests should not be undermined.

There were media reports that the Lotte Group board of directors met on Monday to approve a land swap deal between the military and Lotte -- a move to facilitate the deployment of the US Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

The THAAD deployment initiated by the United States and the ROK seriously undermines regional strategic balance and the strategic security interests of regional countries including China, and is not favorable to safeguarding peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular news briefing.

"China has stressed time and again that it understands the reasonable security concerns of certain parties, but one country's security should not come at the expense of another," Geng said.

China regrets the persistent ignoring of its concerns over security interests, the spokesperson said. "China expresses firm opposition and strong dissatisfaction," he said.

China will take necessary measures to safeguard its security interests, and the U.S. and the ROK will have to bear all the resulting consequences, the spokesperson said.
BEIJING -- A book featuring a selection of outcome documents from the G20 Hangzhou summit has been published by the Foreign Language Press, the publisher said Monday.

The Chinese-English bilingual publication features ten important outcome documents, including the G20 leaders's communique, the G20 blueprint on innovative growth and the G20 action plan on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 11th summit of the G20 was held in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, in September 2016. It is regarded as a key meeting on new directions for global economic growth.
China's top diplomat embarked on a trip to the United States on Monday, the first since President Donald Trump took office.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will meet with senior US officials and exchange views "on issues jointly concerned by both sides", Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular news conference on Monday when asked whether the two sides will talk about the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea and currency rate issues.

The spokesman said that the two sides are keeping work-level communications for the high-level exchanges.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone earlier this month, and both sides expressed the willingness to meet soon, he added.

Yang, who served as China's ambassador to the US from 2000-2004 and as foreign minister from 2007 to 2013, is the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Trump took office on Jan 20.

His visit also will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979.

Last Thursday, Trump told Reuters that he has not "held back" in his assessment that China manipulates its yuan currency. Earlier in the day, US Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed no urgency to designate China as a currency manipulator.
KIEV - Singing the Chinese folk song Jasmine Blossom, doing a traditional Chinese dance and performing a Chinese wedding ceremony, Ukrainian college students share their understanding of Chinese culture during a theatrical performance.

The show, titled Golden Rooster Heralds the Arrival of Spring, was recently held at the Confucius Institute of the Kiev National Linguistic University.

The fluency in Chinese, demonstrated by the young Ukrainian performers, means much to them as Chinese is deemed in Ukraine as "a language of new chances".
Zhang Jun keeps pushing the boundaries of Kunqu Opera in projects like I, Hamlet and Blossoms on a Spring Moonlit Night (above).[Photo provided to China Daily]

It was perhaps a twist of fate. In 1986, when representatives of the Shanghai Drama School came to the metropolis' Qingpu district to recruit new students, Zhang Jun, then age 12, took the exam. His mother had him learn the accordion and the erhu (two-stringed fiddle), so Zhang signed up as an instrument major.

But to his surprise, after several rounds of interviews, Zhang found himself on the long list of candidates vying to study Kunqu Opera, an ancient Chinese theatrical art form.

Famous Kunqu Opera actress Zhang Xunpeng, a judge of the exam, told Zhang Jun's mother that her son's high-pitched, silky voice and slim, handsome face were perfect for xiaosheng, young male roles in the opera.

Three decades later, Zhang Jun has become one of China's top Kunqu Opera performers.

He won the Plum Performance Award, the highest honor for Chinese theater artists, and is regarded as the "prince of Kunqu". After graduating from the Shanghai Drama School, Zhang Jun earned his master's degree from the Shanghai Theater Academy.
Singing the Chinese folk song Jasmine Blossom, doing a traditional Chinese dance and performing a Chinese wedding ceremony, Ukrainian college students share their understanding of Chinese culture during a theatrical performance.

The show, titled Golden Rooster Heralds the Arrival of Spring, was recently held at the Confucius Institute of the Kiev National Linguistic University.

The fluency in Chinese, demonstrated by the young Ukrainian performers, means much to them as Chinese is deemed in Ukraine as "a language of new chances".

"I learn Chinese because it means tremendous opportunities in Kiev," says Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi, a final-year student in his early 20s at the Confucius Institute.

Zvenyhorodskyi has already received several job offers from Ukrainian and foreign companies because he is proficient in Chinese. This is still a language that few of his fellow Ukrainians can speak.

His love for Chinese culture and language was fostered in childhood while watching Chinese movies on VHS tapes in his hometown of Chernigov in northern Ukraine.

Zvenyhorodskyi, who won a prize in the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition for foreign college students, has drawn wide attention in Ukraine. He says it would have been impossible for him to achieve this without the support of his teachers at the Confucius Institute.

"These people are very committed to their job. They do their work not because it is a duty, not because they are paid the salary, but because it is the call of their hearts and souls," says Zvenyhorodskyi.

The efforts of the Confucius Institute teachers were greatly appreciated not only by the students, but also by professionals.

In 2015, the KNLU Confucius Institute, which was then less than 3 years old, was ranked among top 20 Confucius Institutes worldwide.

In 2016, Shi Yajun, president of the KNLU Confucius Institute, was granted an individual honor for his outstanding contribution.

Shi says he attaches great importance to combining the complementary advantages of teachers from China and Ukraine.

"Chinese teachers are native speakers, and they have vast experiences in tutoring, while Ukrainians are well aware of how to teach local students," says Shi.

As China is cementing its position in the global arena, Chinese is rapidly gaining popularity in Ukraine.

The number of students enrolled at the KNLU Confucius Institute increased more than tenfold between 2013 and 2017.

"Now we teach between 800 and 1,000 students per year. There were only 59 students learning Chinese when the institute opened," says Shi.

Singing the Chinese folk song Jasmine Blossom, doing a traditional Chinese dance and performing a Chinese wedding ceremony, Ukrainian college students share their understanding of Chinese culture during a theatrical performance.

The show, titled Golden Rooster Heralds the Arrival of Spring, was recently held at the Confucius Institute of the Kiev National Linguistic University.

The fluency in Chinese, demonstrated by the young Ukrainian performers, means much to them as Chinese is deemed in Ukraine as "a language of new chances".

"I learn Chinese because it means tremendous opportunities in Kiev," says Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi, a final-year student in his early 20s at the Confucius Institute.

Zvenyhorodskyi has already received several job offers from Ukrainian and foreign companies because he is proficient in Chinese. This is still a language that few of his fellow Ukrainians can speak.

His love for Chinese culture and language was fostered in childhood while watching Chinese movies on VHS tapes in his hometown of Chernigov in northern Ukraine.

Zvenyhorodskyi, who won a prize in the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition for foreign college students, has drawn wide attention in Ukraine. He says it would have been impossible for him to achieve this without the support of his teachers at the Confucius Institute.

"These people are very committed to their job. They do their work not because it is a duty, not because they are paid the salary, but because it is the call of their hearts and souls," says Zvenyhorodskyi.

The efforts of the Confucius Institute teachers were greatly appreciated not only by the students, but also by professionals.

In 2015, the KNLU Confucius Institute, which was then less than 3 years old, was ranked among top 20 Confucius Institutes worldwide.

In 2016, Shi Yajun, president of the KNLU Confucius Institute, was granted an individual honor for his outstanding contribution.

Shi says he attaches great importance to combining the complementary advantages of teachers from China and Ukraine.

"Chinese teachers are native speakers, and they have vast experiences in tutoring, while Ukrainians are well aware of how to teach local students," says Shi.

As China is cementing its position in the global arena, Chinese is rapidly gaining popularity in Ukraine.

The number of students enrolled at the KNLU Confucius Institute increased more than tenfold between 2013 and 2017.

"Now we teach between 800 and 1,000 students per year. There were only 59 students learning Chinese when the institute opened," says Shi.
Jewish centers and schools across the nation coped with another wave of bomb threats Monday as officials in Philadelphia began raising money to repair and restore hundreds of vandalized headstones at a Jewish cemetery.

Jewish Community Centers and day schools in at least a dozen states received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No bombs were found. All 20 buildings  13 community centers and seven schools  were cleared by Monday afternoon and had resumed normal operations, the association said.

ABC27 reported two Midstate Jewish community centers were among those receiving threats.

The local news station reported that police cleared both the Jewish Community Center in Harrisburg, as well as the community center in York, after someone called in threats.

The Harrisburg center on Front Street was evacuated after 10 a.m. Monday after the call, the Jewish Federation president told ABC27. The center on Hollywood Drive in York was also evacuated, with children relocated to York Suburban High School, the center said in a statement.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro confirmed there were several threats to Jewish institutions around Pennsylvania. Were in touch with local law enforcement and offered assistance in investigations.

Gov. Tom Wolf, who has long ties to the York center, having served on its board, called the bomb threats and cemetery vandalism reprehensible.

These acts are cowardly and disturbing, Wolf told reporters in a conference call Monday. We must find those responsible and hold them accountable for these hate crimes.

It was the fifth round of bomb threats against Jewish institutions since January, prompting outrage and exasperation among Jewish leaders as well as calls for an aggressive federal response to put a stop to it.

The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out  and speak out forcefully  against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country, said David Posner, an official with JCC Association of North America. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities.

The FBI and the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division are probing the threats.

In Philadelphia, police investigated what they called an abominable crime after several hundred headstones were toppled during the weekend at Mount Carmel Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery dating to the late 1800s.

Police said the vandalism appeared to be targeted at the Jewish community, though they cautioned they had not confirmed the motive. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said authorities were doing everything possible to find those who desecrated this final resting place.

The damage comes less than a week after a Jewish cemetery in suburban St. Louis reported more than 150 headstones vandalized, many of them tipped over.

Im hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids, said Aaron Mallin, who discovered the damage at the Philadelphia cemetery during a visit to his fathers grave. But the fact that theres so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted, he told WPVI-TV.

Well-intentioned volunteers rushed to the cemetery after the damage was discovered Sunday to begin putting the headstones back up, complicating efforts to tally the damage and perhaps investigate the crime, said Steven Rosenberg, chief marketing officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

A day later, Jewish Community Centers in nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware, and a day school in the Philadelphia suburbs were among those getting bomb threats that Rosenberg called a complete nuisance.

Theres plenty of people who are scared, said Rosenberg, who denounced the hoaxsters as an embarrassment to civilized society.

Some 200 people were evacuated from the Jewish Community Center in York after a caller told the front desk there was a bomb in the building, said Melissa Plotkin, the York JCCs director of community engagement and diversity. Police entered the building and cleared it, she said.

Jewish centers and schools in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia also were threatened, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Since January, the group has tracked a total of 89 incidents in 30 states and Canada.
Wang Qiang sits in one of his hand-built light aircraft near his home in Cixi, Zhejiang province. The 41-year-old could not explain why he was so compelled to build aircraft, but said flying is "my dream, my joy; it's pretty much my life.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Photographer Xiaoxiao Xu travelled across China documenting the impoverished farmers striving to build their own aircraft, Dominic Morgan reports.

At 200 meters in the air, terror gripped Xiaoxiao Xu. She was sitting in the back of a rickety autogyro that her pilot, a baby-faced 42-year-old from rural Zhejiang province named Xu Bin, said he had designed and built himself, and she had just made the mistake of looking down.

I felt the wind through my hair and saw the houses, mountains, fields and lakes passing by below my feet, Xu recalls in her recently published book Aeronautics in the Backyard. I started to picture how exactly we were going to crash.

But then I spotted Xu Bin looking down below with the curiosity of a little boy. He was gleaming with intense happiness. I began to appreciate just how much enjoyment he gets out of flying, she continues. My fear faded, and I looked out to enjoy the view with him.

This combination of joy, wonder and just a hint of madness runs through Xu's new book, an uplifting collection of tales and photographs from her experience searching out China's rural dreamers who, against all odds, are taking to the skies in their own hand-built aircraft.

Xu's adventure began on a quiet afternoon in April 2014 at her home in Amsterdam, when an article titled "Air Castles" in the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant caught her eye.

"The article was about how some people in China were building their own aircraft," Xu tells China Daily via e-mail. "The images accompanying the article showed the most bizarrely designed airplanes. I was immediately fascinated by the rich imaginations of these people and the contrast between their romantic pursuit and their poor material existence."

Xu had spent most of her career photographing modern China, the country she left as a 15-year-old to move to the Netherlands, and she quickly decided to make the DIY aviators her next project.

However, as soon as she began her initial research for the project, Xu ran up against a daunting obstacle:How do you track down a group of farmers with no internet presence in a country of 1.4 billion people?

Faced with such a seemingly intractable problem, many people would have chosen quietly to concede defeat and move on. But much like the subjects she was seeking out, something drove Xu to take a leap of faith.

"I found some newspaper articles about them, what their names were and where they came from, and with this basic information I went to China," she says.

Armed with her list of names, Xu flew out to China in January 2015. Starting in southern Guangdong province, she threw herself into a gruelling, slightly frantic manhunt, travelling from village to village by train and juddering rural buses.
The headquarters of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission in Beijing. It said recently that insurers can put premiums generated from policies written before 1999 into isolated accounts and invest in blue chips. [Provided to China Daily]

On Friday,the top insurance regulator removed Yao Zhenhua, chairman of Foresea Life Insurance, from his position and banned him from the insurance industry for 10 years for irregular market operations, after speculative purchases of stakes in listed companies including real estate giant Vanke and leading appliance manufacturer Gree. Beijing News commented on Saturday:

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission said in a statement that Foresea Life violated insurance regulations and provided false information about its increase in capital.

In fact, Yao is not alone in encroaching on bricks-and-mortar businesses at the risk of disrupting the capital market. In 2015 alone, nine insurers built up their stakes in some 31 listed companies, and seven insurance investors did the same with 14 listed companies last year. Some of them, the Baoneng Group included, of which Foresea Life is an affiliate, are suspected of fueling speculation in the market at the expense of small investors and threatening the management of public companies.

For example, bypassing the restrictions capping the maximum investment in equities could cause unnecessary turbulence in the equity market, which might affect the operations of other insurers and banks.

The insurance regulator therefore decided to act to clean up the illegal practices and nip any financial risks in the bud. What the insurers should do is to offer more financing options to the enterprises struggling to attract investment, not make speculative investment in them.

The hefty sanctions on Yao should serve as a key step in drawing the boundaries over which private capital cannot cross.
CHINA DAILY

In his speech at the UN office in Geneva in mid January, President Xi Jinping addressed in great depth the subject of building of a community of shared future for mankind, which is the call of our time. The speech has been well received by various parties. The vision of a community of shared future for mankind is rooted in the time-honored Chinese civilization and answers the call of the international community for peace, development and cooperation. It puts forth an important pathway for addressing the prominent global challenges and is also highly relevant for improving international human rights governance.

I

"Human rights for all" is a lofty goal that mankind has consistently pursued. After "the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind", our forefathers, based on the hard lessons learned, decided to establish the United Nations to "promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom". A new chapter was opened in the international human rights cause.

In the past 70-plus years since its inception, the United Nations has witnessed the development and progress of the international cause of human rights. The world has been broadly peaceful and tranquil, people of most countries and regions are free from wars and conflicts, and the right to peace and right to life have been safeguarded on the whole. Guided by the UN Millennium Development Goals, 1.1 billion people around the world have been lifted out of poverty. Net enrollment rate in primary education in developing countries has reached 91 percent, global population with access to drinking tap water has risen by 1.9 billion and 3.5 billion people are now connected to the internet. With tremendous progress achieved in right to survival and right to development, the living standard of people has generally improved worldwide. Building on the historical endeavors, the international community has formulated the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, drawing a grand blueprint to eradicate poverty by 2030. The human rights cause has increasingly become mainstream and international human rights cooperation has enjoyed vigorous development. The principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectiveness have become the foundation of UN's work on human rights.

On the other hand, the United Nations has also witnessed risks and challenges to the international cause of human rights in the past 70-plus years. There is still injustice, intolerance and instability in our world today, and lack of adequate balance, coordination and sustainability in development. Over 700 million people still struggle in the extreme poverty and more than 128 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Some 65 million people are displaced from homeland, 24 million children in conflict areas cannot go to school. There is a rising tendency to politicize human rights and application of double standards remains rampant. Such a disturbing situation of human rights tests the conscience of mankind and erodes the basic value of human rights. It has also exposed the "governance deficit" in the international cause of human rights.

To safeguard human rights is an important part of building a community of shared future for mankind. We should think about how to enhance and improve global human rights governance and promote sound development of the international cause of human rights to serve the high goal of building a community of shared future for mankind.
US President Donald Trump (C) gestures to media before boarding Marine One departing for Andrews Air Force Base en route to West Palm Beach, Florida, at White House in Washington D.C.,the United States, Feb. 3, 2017. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

Donald Trump's first month as US. president has seen more controversy than that of any other commander-in-chief in recent memory. While many blast him for several missteps, others argue that he has got a number of things right.

Others still contend that it's too early to fully assess the billionaire-turned-president.

FULFILLING CAMPAIGN PROMISES ON DOMESTIC ISSUES

Trump's outspoken manner has put him in the media spotlight for over a year now, and the controversy continued in his first month in office.

In the past month, Trump has been fighting an unprecedented war of words with the mainstream US. media.

He repeatedly slammed some US. journalists and major news outlets as "the most dishonest human beings on earth," "fake media" and "fake news" for their largely negative news coverage of his administration.

But the past 30 days witnessed Trump's rapid fulfilling of his campaign promises on domestic issues with a number of executive orders, including some that have caused controversy and criticism.

"I would say that Trump has had a challenging first month as he has sought to execute an ambitious agenda," said Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

In terms of what he has done right, Trump has continued to pursue his policy goals and foster support from his very strident base by holding to his campaign promises, Mahaffee told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, Mahaffee noted the Trump team's "poor planning of some measures, the challenges posed by an incomplete roster of officials and difficulties in working with the Washington establishment."

Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies of the Brookings Institution, said that the Trump administration had a slow first month, as many of his top appointments have not been confirmed and most top positions don't even have a nominee.

"It could be months before there is a fully functioning government," West told Xinhua.

This has prevented Trump from doing anything other than issuing some executive orders, and Republicans have not passed any major legislation yet, he said.

West added that Trump's best move has been nominating a Supreme Court Justice who has received a positive reaction in general. "This may be his most impactful move," he said.

A major setback in Trump's domestic moves was the controversial travel ban rolled out in a bid to keep terrorists from sneaking into the country.

The ban, which bars citizens from seven predominantly Islamic nations from entering the United States, was rejected by a federal judge in Washington state, whose ruling was later upheld by a federal appeals court.

Some have blasted the ban as anti-Muslim and un-American, while others said the problem was mainly with the rollout, as it came as a surprise to many airport customs agents and government agencies. It led to the detention of innocent travelers with no ties to terrorism.

The ban, as well as Trump's order to build a long wall along the border with Mexico, triggered widespread protests at home and abroad.
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,comesas 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 tighteningborder control.

In the US, the Republicans are now consideringa 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 gainsare 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 protectionistafter 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.
French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve delivers a speech at the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, Feb 24, 2017. [Photo/ cnhubei.com]

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve toured the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City of Wuhan, Hubei province on Feb 24 in a bid to promote further cooperation with Wuhan, especially in the demo project's construction.

This was after his meeting with China's Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, a part of his three-day official visit to China from Feb 21, his first since he took office.

The Sino-French Wuhan Eco Demo City was his last stop in China. At the demo city, he watched a driverless Renault car travel along a two-kilometer lakeside road at Houguanhu Wetland Park. This will soon become China's first driverless vehicle demonstration zone open to the public, said an official from Dongfeng Renault, a Chinese-French joint venture in Wuhan.

Cazeneuve also talked with representatives from Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile, another Chinese-French joint venture, on the company's development, and tried their latest product.

Driverless vehicle running at the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City. [Photo/ cnhubei.com]

"France will keep on supporting the development of the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City", said Cazeneuve, who highly praised the project, hoping it will become an example for future world cities construction.

Noting ties between Wuhan and France, he commented that the two sides have established close collaboration in various sectors including environmental protection, finance, technology and the automotive industry, and hoped the demo city project will play an increasingly significant role in promoting further cooperation.

Cazeneuve also attended both the opening ceremony of the Wuhan P4 lab, China's first high level biosafety laboratory to study class four pathogens (P4), and the welcome ceremony for the return of this year's first China-Europe train. In addition, he planted a tree representing friendship between China and France.

The Han River China-France friendship bridge linking the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City and the world. [Photo/ cnhubei.com]

With a reputation of "Little France", Wuhan has the most concentrated investment from France in China. Currently there are 87 French companies invested there. It is also home to the largest population of French expatriates in China. France and Wuhan cooperate in various sectors including automotives, energy, finance, retail, high-tech and transportation.

Aerial photo of the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City. [Photo/ cnhubei.com]

Initiated in Paris during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France in 2014, the demo city project is now located in the Houguan Lake area, Caidian district of Wuhan. Covering about 39 square kilometers, it will tap cooperation between China and France mainly in the auto parts industry, circular economy, the creative culture, information technology, and general aviation industries, and farms with wineries, on its way to becoming a world-level sustainable development demonstration city.
The Classic of Mountains and RiversTongtian Tree (above) and Faraway Dinosaur are among a series of upcoming performances that will be staged at Beijing's major venues long term to enhance visitors' experiences. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Beijing will stage a series of performances to enhance visitors' experiences in the capital.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development recently summoned performance groups and travel agencies to promote the shows that'll be staged in major venues long term.

China International Travel Services and Tuniu have signed deals to promote the new shows and will put them on their itineraries.

Beijing has 24 theaters that host shows targeting tourists.

They staged over 11,000 performances last year, a 6 percent increase over 2015. The number of viewers increased by over 17 percent to more than 3.1 million, bringing box-office revenue to 202 million yuan ($29 million).

The upcoming show Faraway Dinosaur is the first of its kind in China.

It integrates dinosaurs with stage performance and offers unprecedented stage effects to present scenes from over 65 million years ago.

Dozens of robotic prehistoric reptiles fly, walk and swim in the show.
Australia has been gaining popularity among Chinese visitors, who have surpassed New Zealanders to become the top spenders. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Land Down Under is set to significantly up the number of Chinese visitors since the China-Australia Year of Tourism began on Feb 5.

That's following recently introduced enticements for Chinese to visit Oz, such as increased flights, 10-year visas and a Chinese-language online visa-application system.

"The China-Australia Year of Tourism will go a long way in promoting bilateral exchanges in tourism and other fields," China National Tourism Administration chair Li Jinzao says.

China is Australia's most valuable inbound-tourism market.

Australia's tourism authority estimates its value may exceed AU$13 billion ($9.96 billion) by 2020.

Australia has been gaining popularity among Chinese visitorsjust over a year ago, they surpassed New Zealand to become the top spenders Down Under, to the tune of $21 million a day.

Last year, 1.2 million Chinese visited the Land Down Under. They spent over $9 billion, up 18 percent compared with the previous year.

"We anticipate this will grow during the China-Australia Year of Tourism and will continue to grow afterward," says Australia's minister for trade, tourism and investment, Steven Ciobo.

Australia has also launched initiatives to expand two-way tourism arrivals.

It began offering 10-year multi-entry visas to Chinese on a trial basis, allowing for up to three-months per stay.

Chinese visitors no longer need to visit visa centers, thanks to the new Chinese application website.

A recent agreement removes all capacity restrictions for both sides' airlines.
GAZA - Islamic Hamas movement rejected on Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to send international forces to the Gaza Strip, the coastal enclave that Hamas has been ruling since 2007.

Abdulatif al-Qanou, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said in an emailed press statement that sending international forces to the Gaza Strip "is a dangerous matter and it is totally rejected."

Earlier Sunday, the Israeli media reported that Netanyahu made the proposal in a meeting he held with the Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu suggested that the Israeli Army must take control of the West Bank, and, to examine security alternatives in Gaza, having international forces monitor the territory "and deal with the terrorism issues."

Hamas warned that any foreign power or international forces sent to the Gaza Strip "will be treated as an occupation force," adding that "Hamas would never accept another new occupation."

The movement seized control of the coastal enclave in 2007 following weeks of internal fighting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas security forces and his Fatah Party. Division between the two rivals are not over yet.

Al-Qanou said that the idea of sending international forces to the Gaza Strip "is a severe interference into the internal affairs of the enclave," adding "we will forcibly confront it with all out powers whatever the price is."

He stressed that the Palestinian "armed resistance will protect Gaza, which is the cornerstone of resistance and the gate that will lead us to the liberation of the entire occupied Palestinian territories from the Israeli occupation."
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi starts his two-day visit to the US on Monday at the invitation of the US government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on Sunday.

Yang will exchange views with senior US officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, Lu said.

Yang is the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since US President Donald Trump took office on Jan 20.

President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken over the phone earlier this month. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart Rex Tillerson met on the sidelines of the foreign ministers meeting of the G20 last week.

Yang will have an extensive range of topics to discuss with US officials but foremost would be to reaffirm the tone of bilateral relations set by the two heads of state in their phone conversation, said Jia Xiudong, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.

Xi told Trump that building a sound China-US relationship is in the fundamental interest of the two nations, and it is also a responsibility China and the US need to assume as the world's major countries.

Yang's visit will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979.

Despite twists and turns over the past four decades, China-US relations have progressed ahead as both the Republican and Democratic parties understand the importance of the relationship, Jia said.

During Yang's tour, China and US officials will have exchanges on trade, security and international issues, on which Trump may take policies different from the Obama administration, according to Jia.

Jia said Yang would be the point man to be sent to the US. He is a former Chinese ambassador to Washington and former foreign minister, a respected diplomat in the US with a wealth of experience in dealing with the country.

A Xi-Trump meeting will be at the top of the agenda for Yang and US officials, who are to discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet, as they said they looked forward to a meeting at an early date in their phone conversation, according to Jia.

The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, climate change, energy and Syria will also possibly be on the agenda, Jia said.
JAKARTA - An Indonesian anti-terror squad on Monday arrested a terrorist after he set off a bomb and burned an office building in the capital city of West Java province, local police chief said.

"The militant has been paralyzed and sustained wounds," Inspector General Anton Charlian, West Java police chief, was quoted by Metro TV as saying at the scene.

The militant exploded one of the two bombs he carried at Pandawa park in Bandung city, the capital of the province at around 9 am, and escaped to a nearby Pandawa village office and burned the office building, he said.

"We have followed the movement of the man, he is a member of a terrorist group, classified as an old terrorist network," said Charlian.

He disclosed that the exploded bomb was categorized as being low explosive.

Police seized a gun and a backpack after paralyzing the militant, he added.
SEOUL - South Korean prosecutors independently investigating the scandal embroiling President Park Geun-hye said Monday that who is to be indicted among suspects over the scandal will be decided the next day when their official investigation is scheduled to end.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman of the independent counsel team, told a press briefing that those who will be subject to the indictment will be announced en bloc on Tuesday.

The team, which kicked off investigation on Dec 21 into the corruption scandal that led to Park's impeachment, is set to wrap it up Tuesday as Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is serving as acting president, rejected a request for an extended probe earlier in the day.

Subject to the prosecution would be Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is now in custody for bribery charges, and President Park's longtime friend Choi Soon-sil who is at the center of the influence-peddling scandal.

Some of key Samsung executives could be placed under indictment together with doctors and college professors who are suspected of being implicated in the scandal.

The spokesman said 10 to 15 suspects would be prosecuted in addition to 13 suspects, who had been already under indictment. He noted that most of Samsung suspects would be indicted.

Regarding the failed face-to-face interrogation of President Park, the spokesman said the president side adhered to a position that her interrogation can never be recorded or video-recorded.

He said the recording was necessary on uncertainties about what would happen during the questioning.

Choi, Park's decades-long friend, had insisted that she was intimidated during her questioning, flatly denied by the special prosecutors. Choi's insistence on the intimidation was believed to damage the legitimacy of the probe.
A model holds the Nokia 3310 in London, Britain February 24, 2017. Picture taken February 24, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

SYDNEY - Referred to as "the unbreakable phone," the Nokia 3310 has been relaunched worldwide on Monday, to the delight of nostalgic tech enthusiasts.

With popular games like snake, huge battery life and an affordable price tag, the product sold 126 million units worldwide, making it the most popular phone in the late 90's and early 2000's.

"I think it was the simplicity," UNSW, School of Electrical Engineering Professor, Jinhong Yuan told Xinhua.

But today's launch in Spain, has hit a snag with the Australian market, because the new sleeker model is designed for 2G networks, which are in the midst of being phased out in Australia as the network is updated to 3G.

The Finnish brand, now backed by electronics firm Foxconn, did state that they will tailor the phone to individual markets, whether that includes Australia however is unclear.

"It depends on quite a few issues, for the phone to be working in the Australian environment it will have to be certified with Australia's frequency band regulation," Yuan said.

"Mobile phones use different frequency bands in different countries, it depends on different standardisations."

Updates to the device will include a colour screen, camera, a micro SD card slot and the ability to play MP3s.

"The love for the brand is immense. It gets a lot of affection from millions and millions of people," Nokia Chief Executive Rajeev Suri said at the launch.

But the marketing strategy to reintroduce a 17 year old phone, doesn't have everyone convinced.

"HMD (Nokia) owns a retro hit and is surfing on the 'vintage' hype to re-create buzz around the Nokia brand," Forrester Research consumer devices analyst, Thomas Husson said.
The United States attaches great importance to cooperative relations with China, US President Donald Trump said on Monday in his first meeting with a senior Chinese official since his inauguration last month.

In their meeting at the White House, China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Trump, who expressed his gratitude, and asked Yang to return his greetings to his Chinese counterpart, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry.

Yang, who is in the US on a two-day visit, said the phone call between Xi and Trump earlier this month is of great significance because it charted the course for the next phase in the development of the Sino-US relationship.

"In line with the spirit of the phone conversation, and following the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to ramp up exchanges with the US at high and various levels, expand cooperation and coordination in wide-ranging bilateral areas and on major regional and international issues and respect each other's core interests and major concerns," Yang said.

The efforts are meant to advance China-US relations in a steady and healthy fashion, and to deliver more benefits to the people of the two nations and the world at large, Yang said, according to the release.

Trump said he was glad to have the very important phone conversation with Xi, and the US side highly stressed the importance of cooperative relations with China, according to the release.

Trump also said that China and the US need to strengthen high-level contacts, enhance collaboration in various fields and increase cooperation and coordination in international affairs.

Vice-President Mike Pence and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also attended the Trump-Yang meeting.

On Monday, Yang also exchanged ideas on Sino-US relations and other issues of mutual interest with senior US officials including Kushner, White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.

Yang is expected to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday.

A meeting of Xi and Trump will be at the top of the agenda for Yang and US officials, who will discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet, as they said in their phone conversation that they looked forward to a meeting at an early date, Jia Xiudong, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies, was quoted by Xinhua as saying on Sunday.

Yang's visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of the historical visit to China in 1972 by President Richard Nixon, whose trip paved the way for the two countries to establish diplomatic relations in 1979.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
In an odd turn of events, Moonlight became the surprise winner of Best Picture  a surprise that involved a mistaken reading of the winner.

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, reading from the wrong envelope that declared Emma Stone the Oscar winner for leading actress, mistook it (according to Beatty at the ceremony) and declared frontrunner La La Land as the winner for Best Picture.

That mistake was only rectified after the crew of La La Land reached the stage and they were in the middle of their speech.

Bizarrely, the Academy Awards main Twitter feed also posted that "La La Land" had won the Best Picture Oscar, though that tweet was later deleted.

The crew of La La Land took the crushing mistake in stride while on stage, handing over the Oscar to the cast and crew of Moonlight.

It was one of many losses of La La Land, though the film still gave Stone her first Oscar, and awarded director Damien Chazelle. It also earned Oscars for Original Score and Original Song (City of Stars, not the better song, Audition). But it fell far behind the record of 12 wins  something it was clearly not going to get at the beginning of the show when it lost Costume Design, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing awards.

Though the end was a strange twist, the acting awards followed along most predictions.

Mahershala Ali was the first winner of the night, taking the Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar for his work in Moonlight. A few awards later, Viola Davis added an Oscar to the awards she received for her role in Fences, something that already earned her a SAG award, BAFTA and Golden Globe.

Late in the night, Casey Affleck took home the Oscar for leading actor for Manchester by the Sea, while Emma Stone took home the actress Oscar for La La Land.

When it came down to politics, many of the celebrities didnt touch upon it. All of the acting awards went to first-time Oscar winners whose speeches focused on family and film crews.

That didnt stop host Jimmy Kimmel from making comments continually through the show, or from other winners using the stage to their advantage. In a statement for his Foreign Language Film win, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi fought against the immigration ban, the crew behind the short documentary The White Helmets reminded the audience of the ongoing war in Syria, while the makers of the Oscar-winning documentary O.J.: Made in America discussed police brutality and how race plays a factor. The Moonlight writers also gave a spotlight to the ACLU, whose ribbons were worn by many in attendance at the ceremony.

Some presenters also used the stage to their advantage, including Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal who likened an actors life to migrants and railed against the idea of a wall separating people.

Even outside the show itself, viewers still saw political messages in commercials, though that and many messages during the Oscars focused on unity rather than opposition.

In a still rather tame night, heres a look at some of the best and worst moments of the Oscars:

Best

Kate McKinnons pseudo audition for host next year, followed closely by Dwayne Johnson also making a case for a charming host.

AuliI Cravalho not missing a beat during her performance of nominated song How Far Ill Go from Moana, despite singing in front of an A-list crowd, being just 16 years old and taking a hit from a wayward dancers flag.

Jimmy Kimmels ongoing feud with Matt Damon leading up to a satire of the Oscars own segments pairing actors with their on-screen heroes. Arguably a too-lengthy bit, Kimmel gets to play music over Damon and introduce him as Ben Afflecks guest for presenter.

Worst

Suicide Squad is now an Academy Award-winning film.

Multiple ongoing jokes about not understanding aspects of filmmaking  what production design is, what the technical awards are  or generally not knowing what nominated movies are about.

A man and woman designated to bull rush people off stage, along with the usual music.

Making presenters give awards to movies that are not their films. Theres no need to have Felicity Jones and Riz Ahmed take on the VFX award to give to The Jungle Book when Rogue One was also nominated, and Amy Adams handing an award to Moonlight instead of Arrival for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Americans have way too much stuff.

According to the American Psychological Association, Americans own twice as many cars per person, eat out twice as often and enjoy endless other commodities that werent around in 1957  big-screen TVs, microwave ovens, SUVs and handheld wireless devices, to name a few.

Yet we are LESS happy, according to a variety of studies, than we were six decades ago.

Frank Capra explored materialism in his classic 1938 movie, You Cant Take It With You. The main character is an old fellow played by Lionel Barrymore. Friends and neighbors refer to him as Grandpa. It took him a lifetime, but in his early 70s, he knows what is really important in life.

Thirty years earlier, Grandpa had been an up-and-coming businessman. He was on his way to acquiring great wealth. One day, after riding an elevator to his top-floor office, he didnt get out when the doors opened.

Something snapped in him.

He took the elevator back to the lobby, left the building and never returned. Instead, he used the money he had saved, a modest amount, to fund a world of beauty and creativity within the colorful home where he and several others lived.

His daughter is a mystery writer who taps continuously on her typewriter in the living room. His son-in-law invents rockets and fireworks in the basement. Another inventor living in the house had come to deliver ice 15 years earlier and never left.

Grandpas grandson-in-law is a musician and also an inventor. His granddaughter is a dancer whose Russian teacher never misses a free dinner at the home. Another fellow had been a frustrated bookkeeper, but Grandpa talks him into quitting his job so he can work full-time making scary rubber masks.

The plot thickens when a rich businessman tries buying Grandpas house. The businessman has plans to tear down the neighborhood to build a factory and get richer, but Grandpa refuses to selleven though he is offered four times the value of the house.

All sorts of amusement and chaos take place, but toward the movies end, Grandpa finds himself in trouble with the lawfor making unlicensed fireworks and disturbing the peace when the fireworks go haywire. Dozens of neighbors and friends, whom Grandpa has helped over the years, arrive and collect all the money they have to bail Grandpa out of jail. The rich businessman comes around in the end and realizes that you really cant take material possessions with you.

But dont we all know this  and keep forgetting it? We keep building massive houses, buying cars we dont need and cant afford, and racking up credit-card debt to buy more stuff.

Like Grandpa, we know that the happiest moments in our own lives involve friends and family  people we love. These are the people who affect the deeper parts of our nature  our spirits and souls  where true happiness resides. These are the people who can make us laugh so hard our guts hurt, help us when were down and engage us in deeply satisfying conversations.

The Mayo Clinic confirms this obvious truth. Its research finds that people who are happy seem to intuitively know that their happiness is the sum of their life choices.

People who are happy do five things that Grandpa did: They devote time to family and friends, appreciate what they have, maintain an optimistic outlook, feel a sense of purpose and live in the moment.

Grandpa was right. People and creativity and laughter make us happy  not the material junk that we cant take with us.
(Photo : PLAN) Shenyang J-15 fighters take-off from the CNS Liaoning.

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China will make a significant boost to the budget of its People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) amid the continuing perception the Trump administration is bent on fighting a war in the South China Sea.



China will reveal its defense budget for 2017 at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing starting March 3. Speculation is rife that money intended for PLAN will make a huge leap given the growing bitterness between Washington and Beijing over the South China Sea.



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China makes it a point not to reveal exactly how much it spends on the PLAN. China said its "official" defense spending for 2016 for all services amounted to only $139 billion, most likely an understatement, according to diplomats.



PLAN has received a lot of new spending over the past 15 years, according to western analysts, who also noted the stepped-up pace of warship construction. China is currently building one corvette every six weeks, for example.



China will almost double its military spending this decade to $233 billion in 2020 compared to $123 billion in 2010, according to a new report.



Analysts said the 2017 budget for the PLAN is also intended to allow China to curb U.S. dominance of the high seas and boost its own power projection capability worldwide.



"It's opportunity in crisis," said a Beijing-based Asian diplomat about China naval build-up. "China fears Trump will turn on them eventually as he's so unpredictable, and it's getting ready."



Trump has vowed to increase the size of the U.S. Navy to 350 ships from the current 290 as part of "one of the greatest military buildups in American history," a move aides say is needed to counter China's rise.



The U.S. Navy, however, only plans to have 308 warships, an effort that will cost the American taxpayer a mammoth $566 billion and will take over 30 years to complete.



The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which made this cost assessment, also estimated the United States will have to spend $19 billion a year for the new ships, an amount 36 percent higher than the historical average of $14 billion the Navy normally spends for warship construction every year.



Ship construction will be a phased approach. Seven ships will be built this year; 38 ships between 2017 and 2021 and another 216 ships between 2022 and 2046.



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Tagschina, People's Liberation Army Navy, PLAN, 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, United States, U.S. Navy
(Photo : Getty Images. ) China is sending its state councillor Yang Jiechi to U.S this week. Yang would be the most senior Chinese official to visit U.S since President Donald Trump assumed the office in January.

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China is sending a high-ranking diplomat to the U.S. this week, marking yet another rapprochement between the two powerful countries following strains in their relationship over the past couple of months.



State Councilor Yang Jiechi would visit the United States on Monday and Tuesday, making him the most senior Chinese official to visit the U.S. since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, Chinese state media reported.



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The visit comes immediately after last week's phone conversation between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, where both leaders acknowledged the importance of a constructive U.S. - Sino relationship.



Among other things, laying the groundwork for the first meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would dominate Yang's visit, a government-backed Chinese think tank claims.



The North Korea issue is also likely to dominate the high-profile visit, following the latest missile test by the reclusive communist state earlier this month, which was soon followed by a coal ban import imposed by China.



China and the U.S. have been busy mending their strained ties in past couple of weeks, after a rocky start to their bilateral relationship following Trump's stunning victory in the U.S. presidential election in November last year.



Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Trump tested nerves of Chinese leadership by making several controversial statements on issues that are considered as highly sensitive, including the One China policy, South China Sea dispute, and the North Korea issue.



But Trump has considerably mellowed his stance against China since arriving at the White House. In a surprising development, he made a u-turn on One China policy during a phone conversation with Xi barely weeks after taking office.



China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held a one-to-one meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson earlier this month in Germany on the sidelines of G20 Foreign Minister's Meeting. The meeting signified the improving ties between the two countries.



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(Photo : USAF) U.S. Air Force Space Command worldwide locations.

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The United States sees a war in space as inevitable and has established the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center in Colorado to command and control U.S. warfighting operations in space.



An op-ed in a U.S. military website by the two ranking U.S. Air Force generals in charge of the effort to make certain the U.S. wins the world's first space war, whether against Russia and China, reveals the U.S.' plans to fight in a war where no man has fought before.



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Gen. David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, and Gen. John Raymond, Commander of U.S. Air Force Space Command, together wrote the op-ed, saying "the Air Force is focused intensely on making sure that if and when conflict comes, the United States is prepared to protect our interests and, in a larger sense, our way of life."



They noted that for the past 25 years the Air Force has led the integration of real-time, global information from space into the way it conducts military operations. And when the U.S. military goes to fight, it does so backed by key space technologies such as over-the-horizon communications and remote tracking.



They revealed that in 2018, the Air Force will talk a lot about space and how it works closely with the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.



"We believe it is imperative that Americans understand the nature of what is at stake as we rapidly prepare to defend our satellites and networks from attack and develop capabilities that will deter future adversaries from trying."



But the clear distinction both generals want to get across is "There is no such thing as a war in space. There is just war. It's with an adversary and if it extends into space we have to figure out how to fight it."



They said the Air Force needs "to treat space just like the land, sea and air warfighting domains."



They pointed out the Air Force is "now leading the effort to preserve our use of space by preparing for the war that extends into space -- which we hope never comes."



But whether or not a war in space erupts means the Air Force will continue along the path its chosen. That path involves developing a "warfighting construct" to prepare for a conflict that extends to space and enhancing the Air Force's ability to see threats, and to command and control space assets in a contested environment.



The U.S. is also building a more survivable space infrastructure and strengthening partnerships across the Department of Defense and intelligence community to protect, defend and operate critical national security space systems.



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TagsUnited States, war in space, Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center, Gen. David Goldfein, Gen. John Raymond, U.S. Air Force
A Chinese pastor is now under house arrest after he and his congregation refused to comply with Chinas government-mandated rules for churches.

In keeping with Chinas increased crackdown on churches that are not state-sanctioned, authorities are holding Pastor Jin Tianming under house arrest for refusing to register his congregation, Shouwang Church in Beijing, with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM)--the organization of government-approved churches.

According to persecution watchdog group China Aid, government authorities are now monitoring Jins house at all times and he is only allowed visitors at four p.m. every day.

Authorities offered to make a deal with him and promised he would be released if his church stopped meeting, but Jin told his congregation not to give in.

The church is currently meeting secretly in small house groups, fearing to meet openly.

China ranks 39th on persecution charity Open Doors 2017 World Watch List.

The church is the largest social force in China not controlled by the Communist Party, Open Doors said, according to Christian Today.

'As a result, there are increasing efforts to restrict the way Christians operate. A considerable number of Christians are still imprisoned. Violence is at a very high level and is increasing. Church meetings continue to be disrupted in several provinces. Churches were also closed and landlords pressured to stop renting premises to Christians.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: February 27, 2017
A rowdy crowd greeted Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy at his town hall meeting at the East Jefferson Parish Library. Cassidy showed up to the town hall late after surveying tornado damage in a nearby area. The venue for the meeting, designed to hold 200 people, was not big enough to hold the crowd who showed up to pepper the Senator with questions about the Affordable Care Act, Education Secretary Betsy Devos, and other issues.

The already testy crowd exploded when Cassidy introduced Louisiana State Chaplain Michael Sprague. One woman can be heard shrieking Prayer! Prayer! while others yelled separation of church and state. Only small portions of Spragues prayer can be heard on the video as protestors yelled, pray on your own time.

The crowds protests subsided briefly before Sprague closed the prayer by saying, we pray in Jesus name. At this the crowd roared again with boos, jeers, and shouts of separation of church and state.

The meeting did not get better from there for the Senator, as the crowd grew restless and angry during his opening remarks on the ACA. Other audience members kept their backs turned until he started taking questions.

The Senator saw Chaplain Sprague in the hall after the meeting ended and expressed his gratitude. Thanks for doing that Mike. Wow, they booed the name of Jesus.

Photo courtesy: Freestockphotos.biz

Publication date: February 27, 2017
I had never heard of Milo Yiannopoulos until recently, perhaps because I dont visit some of the websites where his musings are published.

Milo, as he calls himself because of the difficulty some have pronouncing his last name, was disinvited from this weeks Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) annual gathering of the right in Washington. Apparently the organizers were not bothered by Milos association with the so-called alt-right. CPAC withdrew the invitation only after a video surfaced showing him apparently endorsing man-boy relationships that qualify under the definition of pedophilia. Yiannopoulos has resigned as an editor at Breitbart.com and apologized for his remarks.

The editors of National Review, as well as other traditional conservative publications and individuals, criticized CPAC for inviting Yiannopoulos to speak. The conservatism of Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley Jr. and Ronald Reagan was about ideas, not emotion and exclusion. Reagan, whom the modern right likes to claim as one of its own, was an optimist. Even when he criticized the lefts policies, he almost always presented a superior alternative. He wanted to attract as many people to his worldview as possible by winning the argument and converting opponents, whom he always regarded as fellow Americans and friends, even when he disagreed with them.

Today, conservatism has become known in the eyes of many for what and who it is against, not what and who it is for. Yes, part of this is due to media stereotyping, but not all. Traditional conservatism has been a positive we can do better, an inspiring and uplifting philosophy that motivates rather than denigrates.

In his 1993 book The Politics of Prudence, Russell Kirk set down principles he believed should define conservatism. Among them were the following: an enduring moral order; an adherence to custom, convention and continuity guided by the principle of prudence; the principle of imperfectability, meaning we dont look to government to create perfect men and women, or a perfect society, thus rejecting utopianism; the belief that freedom and property are closely linked; conservatives uphold voluntary community and reject involuntary collectivism; the need for prudent restraints upon power and upon human passions; permanence and change must be recognized and reconciled in a vigorous society.

That last one bears elaboration, and Kirk offers it: The conservative knows that any healthy society is influenced by two forces, which Samuel Taylor Coleridge called its Permanence and its Progression. The Permanence of a society is formed by those enduring interests and convictions that give us stability and continuity; without that Permanence, the fountains of the great deep are broken up, society slipping into anarchy. The Progression in a society is that spirit and that body of talents which urge us on to prudent reform and improvement; without that Progression, a people stagnate.

One sees this in the debate over the Constitution between liberals, who believe it to be a living document, subject to constant change and updating, and conservatives, who believe it a rock of stability that serves as a guide even in the face of rapid technological and cultural change. Just as a GPS must have a starting point in order to arrive at an intended destination, so too must America have a source from which it can plot its direction and not get lost on the journey.

In 1962, William F. Buckley Jr. denounced the John Birch Society as far removed from common sense and urged the Republican Party to purge the movement from its ranks. So too must todays conservatives separate themselves from the alt-right white supremacists and anti-Semites and reclaim traditional conservatism as the authentic brand.

Conservatives can win elections and govern without beyond-the-fringe types like Milo Yiannopoulos. If they cant, they dont deserve to win.
Humanitarian agencies are urging the international community to help provide food and resources in South Sudan, saying that as many as 5 million people will face extreme food shortages by the summer if agencies and governments do not act.

According to an update on February 20 from the agencies, more than 40 percent of South Sudans population are urgently in need of food.

"More than one million children are currently estimated to be acutely malnourished across South Sudan; over a quarter of a million children are already severely malnourished. If we do not reach these children with urgent aid many of them will die," said Jeremy Hopkins, a UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, in a joint statement released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations (FAO), the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP).

"We urge all parties to allow humanitarian organizations unrestricted access to the affected populations, so we can assist the most vulnerable and prevent yet another humanitarian catastrophe, Hopkins added.

The agencies also said that the food shortage crisis is man-made, and is the result of years of conflict and violence in the country.

It has not been sudden, George Fomiyen, a spokesman of the FAO at Juba told CNN. Food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition has been getting steadily worse since the conflict started three years ago.

Humanitarian agencies are asking the government and donors for added efforts to help alleviate the crisis. Fomiyen told CNN that the FAO must secure more funds within the next six months to provide the resources needed in the country.

Perry Mansfield, the national director of World Vision which is partnering with the FAO to provide food in South Sudan, said that if aid, funding and deliveries are not immediately scaled up we should expect to see children facing starvation.

The rainy season is only weeks away and once that arrives the roads become impassable, meaning that millions of people will be cut off from aid, Mansfield said. We have a small and rapidly closing window of opportunity to get food into these remote areas, to preposition it, before it is too late.
Coptic Christians are fleeing Egypts Sinai Peninsula in unprecedented numbers.

In the last few days, more than 100 families have left their homes for the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, 125 miles west.

The reason: On February 19, the Egypt chapter of ISIS released a video calling Copts our priority and our preferred prey. Three days later, one man was shot and his adult son burned alive. Other killings followed.

As families flee, a Protestant church is there to receive them.

We were the first to respond, said Atef Samy, associate pastor at Kasr el-Dobara Evangelical Church in Cairo. Two of those killed were very dear to our church.

This is sheer terrorism, he said. They want to embarrass the government and claim they can cleanse the Christian presence.

In recent weeks, seven Copts have been killed. Witnesses say they were murdered in cold blood, with no negotiation, theft, or attempts to convert to Islam.

Hit lists are also reportedly being circulated, warning Christians to leave or die.

I am not going to wait for death, Rami Mina, who left Arish on Friday morning, told Reuters. I shut down my restaurant and got out of there. These people are ruthless.

Samy declined to name those killed, but identified them as born-again Christians active in ministry. His church quickly mobilized to help others leave, and provided support to the Ismailia church that has assisted dozens. Mattresses, blankets, food, and medical supplies are the most pressing needs.

Adel Shukrallah, responsible for youth ministry in the Evangelical Church of Ismailia, is heading the Protestant relief effort locally. Four compounds have been prepared to provide immediate ...

1
What would Chuck Smith do?

Three years after the Calvary Chapel founders death, church leaders continue to look to his legacy to defend competing views of the movements future.

Smiths son-in-law and successor at California flagship Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Brian Brodersen, left the Calvary Chapel Association (CCA) this past fall with plans to build on Smiths visionbut from outside the fellowship that Pastor Chuck began.

As I look at the current situation within Calvary Chapel, I dont see this separation as negative but rather [as] necessary for Gods work to be expanded, announced Brodersen, who launched a broader, looser body focused on international missions called the Calvary Chapel Global Network (CCGN).

His statement likened the split to the biblical example of Paul and Barnabas going different ways based on different understandings of mission.

However, a CCA council member compared Brodersens departure to a different biblical example: Mark leaving Pauls authority.

Brodersens congregation maintains CalvaryChapel.com, and still includes the associations 1,700 churches in the new CCGN unless they opt out. The CCA council stated they cannot endorse Brodersens network and recommended that churches leave it.

What he sees as growing Smiths vision, they see as diluting it.

Pastor Chuck left us a glorious legacy. Yet the new [CCGN], established by Brian Brodersen, now threatens that legacy, the CCA council stated in late November. Such a network will ultimately de-emphasize our Calvary Chapel distinctives  and will cause confusion.

A post on Calvary Chapel Costa Mesas ...

1

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H. Wilbert Norton, whose lifelong leadership brought a missions focus to Christian higher education, died last Monday, less than a week after celebrating his 102nd birthday.

Norton served at more than a half-dozen Christian schools prior to his retirement in 2003, expanded theological education in Africa as an Evangelical Free Church missionary, and helped organize InterVarsity Christian Fellowships earliest student mission conference.

Nortons widespread impact as a church and denominational leader, educator, and missionary has left an amazing legacy, said Trinity International University president David S. Dockery, who gave the sermon at his funeral Saturday. We offer thanks to God for [his] life and influence.

Norton launched missions programs at: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he also served as president; Wheaton College Graduate School, where he also served as dean; and Reformed Theological Seminary, where he taught in Jackson, Mississippi, ...

1
Last month, missionary Petr Jasek was sentenced to life in prison by Sudan for allegedly spying and waging war against the state.

This weekend, he returned to his native Czech Republic as a free man.

The Czech Republic had broken off relations with Sudan in protest of Jaseks sentence, so its ambassador to Egypt helped negotiate his release.

"President [Omar al-Bashir] has pardoned Czech national Petr Jasek because of good relations between Sudan and the Czech Republic," Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour said. The Czech foreign minister escorted Jasek back to Prague on Sunday.

The two Sudanese pastors who were sentenced to 12 years for allegedly helping Jasek with his work are still in prison.

Logic would dictate they should also be freedperhaps on similar grounds, the Sudan advocacy officer for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) told Premier, a UK Christian media company. The use of a presidential pardon is a discretionary powerits ...

1
Later this year, Redeemer Presbyterian will no longer be a multisite megachurch in Manhattan, and Tim Keller will no longer be its senior pastor.

Keller, 66, announced at all eight Sunday services today that he will be stepping down from the pulpit. The move corresponds with a decades-long plan to transition the single Presbyterian Church in America congregationwhich has grown to 5,000 members since it began 28 years agointo three particular churches.

His last day as senior pastor will be July 1.

This move does not mean retirement for Manhattans most popular evangelical pastor and apologist; instead, Keller will work full-time teaching in a partner program with Reformed Theological Seminary and working with Redeemers City to City church planting network.

Kathy and I are not going anywhere. New York is our home, and you are our people. Were not leaving New York or the fellowship of Redeemer, he assured the church Sunday. Im becoming ...

1
No major Protestant denominational family in post-Revolutionary America was immune from interracial strife. Whites and blacks confronted each other over who could govern, who could be pastor, who could own church property, and who could discipline congregants. For generations those rules were set by whites, who told the Africans (as they were collectively designated) only whites could govern. Only whites could discipline. Only whites could manage church property.

Richard Allen changed the rules. The first Christian bishop of African descent in North America, he founded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of America's first truly independent black denominations.

Preaching in his sleep

Allen's desire to preach had come with his conversion in his late teens. "I was constrained to go from house to house, exhorting my old companions and telling to all around what a dear Savior I had found," he wrote in his autobiography. But he was still enslaved. "Slavery is a bitter pill, notwithstanding we had a good master." Fortunately, he wrote, "a door was opened up unexpectedly for me to buy my time and enjoy my liberty."

Joining a Methodist class meeting, Allen convinced white circuit rider Freeborn Garrettson to preach at his unconverted master's house. Like Allen's owner, Stokeley Sturgis, the New Yorker Garrettson had been a slaveholder until his own conversion four years earlier led him to free his chattels. Garrettson's sermon from the Book of Daniel"Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting"convicted Sturgis. Within two months, he contracted to grant Allen and his brother their freedom upon payment of 60, or $2000 continental ...
Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good, stated Charlotte Elizabeth Whitton, the first female mayor of a major Canadian city.

Female leaders have experienced this firsthand for decades, and Whittons observation has been validated not only through personal experiences but also through study after study finding women must work harder to get hired, promoted, or named to leadership positions.

We expect a lot from womento the point of perfection.

In its recent State of Pastors report, the Barna Group compiled findings from five different sources in addition to their own research to prompt leaders to examine the support systems that surround pastors and imagine ways to strengthen those who serve todayand more adequately prepare the generation of pastors who will serve tomorrow.

One trend the Barna Group noted is the slow and steady rise of female pastors. One of every 11 Protestant pastors is a womantriple as many as 25 years agoyet women often lead smaller congregations than men.

Though most pastors, regardless of gender, are satisfied with their role, female pastors are more likely than male pastors to wish they had been more prepared for the expectation they must do everything and must do it perfectly.

Further, the Barna Group found that female pastors are more likely than male pastors to report that congregants comments on their leadership were critical, judging, and unhelpful.

The researchers suggested that these results might be explained by the fact that women, who tend to serve smaller churches, have closer contact with congregants; by the fact they ...

1
Bishop Angaelos Implores Action For Egypt's Coptic Christians 'Being Killed In The Streets'

Coptic Christians in Egypt are being forced to flee their homes after increasingly violent and direct attacks from ISIS that have killed seven since January.

Hundreds have fled El-Arish, a coastal city in Northern Sinai, Egypt following threats and attacks from violent jihadists targeting Coptic Christians in the region.

Christian Today spoke with Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK.

'We're seeing an increase in targeted attacks against the Christian community, they are no longer sporadic,' said the bishop, who described the 'displacement of scores of families from places that they've lived for generations'.

ISIS have previously called on militant affiliates to target 'infidel' Christians. Now, Angaelos says, 'lists of churches and individuals have been released...to be targeted by those who believe in the cause'.

Bishop Angaelos said: 'This isn't a hypothetical situation. People are making decisions not just about the wellbeing, but the safety and security of their families.'

He added that 'This doesn't change the overall resilience we've seen in the Coptic community. They've been facing attacks for months now, almost on a daily basis.'

Recent weeks have seen Coptic Christians shot in the street, stabbed in their sleep at home and burned to death by ISIS militants. The community represent about 10 per cent of Egypt's majority Muslim populaiton.

'The community remains resilient and strong, but they're crying out for a sustainable situation of law and order that allows them to be safe in their homes,' Angaelos said.

He said that there has been action to help those affected at a national level, but that this is frequently hampered at the regional level, where local enforcement fails to act competently, or 'turns a blind eye' to what is going on.

Angaelos said: 'We can't safeguard anyone from all criminal activity. But we do need to hold people accountable. Through the intelligence services, law enforcement and judiciary we can hold perpetrators account, and make sure others are deterred by a robust system of law and order, that protects citizens and their country, not just a certain community.'

Angaelos said that this was the 'same principle' of displacement that took forced Christians to flee Mosul in Iraq, albeit on a smaller scale at the moment. It remains unclear what the long term situation will be, he said, though he expects intensified attacks on wider targets to come.

He said the attacks of radical Islamists have not changed the Christian relationship with Muslims at large, and that there has been an 'outpouring of sentiment from the wider Muslim community, assuring Christians that not all Muslims are like that'.

But nonetheless 'the actions of a minority are having substantial impact on community...[assurance from moderates] doesn't help those who are being killed in the streets'.

His Grace has spoken to the Coptic Bishop in Ismaliya and says that the Coptic Church are actively suppporting those who have been displaced. The community are providing financial assistance, accommodation and are planning to set up schooling and university programmes for those who have now been deprived of their education.

Angaelos, who was born in Egypt, said: 'The Christian community in Egypt has faced persecution for centuries, and particularly in recent decades. It continues to be faithful, prayerful and vibrant. That's something we're proud of and inspired by.

'But we should not let this forgiving nature to allow us to turn our eyes and not see what they're going through, in pursuit of basic human dignity, the sanctity of life, and the value of citizenship.'

George Makeen of Christian satellite network SAT-7 told Christian Today that many Christians in Sinai have reported receiving threats from radicals. Increasingly those threats 'have been translated into action'. Inevitably, many have no choice but to flee.

Makeen says that 'the police themselves are afraid and don't know what to do. So the only option is for people to flee their homes.'

In Ismaliya, 125 miles west of El-Arish, more than 150 families have been hosted by Protestant and Catholic churches who are providing for the needs of those now without homes. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said that those fleeing will still be paid despite having to leave their places of work and that the government is working to return the displaced to their homes.

Makeen emphasises that ISIS' killing spree is not simply an attack on Christianity, but is part of an attack on Egypt at large. Christians are a target because they are a vulnerable minority. 'ISIS want to destroy the country, so they aim for the weakest,' he said.

He said that so far 'the government has failed' in protecting its citizens, and advocated for 'freedom' and an 'active security system that can protect all people'.

The charity Open Doors has called the increased kidnappings and killings by radicals 'incredibly worrying'.

The Egyptian Council of Churches issued a statement, calling the crisis a 'violation of the Egyptian constitution and the basic rights of citizenship'.

It added: 'We support with all our power the families of the victims and those who were forcibly displaced and their belongings stolen. We trust that the government is capable of handling this crisis and we look forward to the return of those displaced to their homes and work as soon as possible and towards the management of their needs to end their suffering as soon as possible.'
India, Bangladesh ink MoU to provide financial assistance for development of Sylhet city

Published: February 27, 2017

India and Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the sustainable development of Sylhet, a metropolitan city in northeastern Bangladesh with financial aid from India.

The signing of MoU comes after Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankars visit to Bangladesh to discuss preparatory aspects of PM Sheikh Hasinas proposed visit to India in April 2017 and other aspects of bilateral relations.

Key Facts

Under the MoU, three projects construction of six-storeyed Cleaner Colony Building and Development of Dhupa Dighipar area, a five-storeyed Kindergarten and High School Building.

The signing of MoU was the follow-up of an earlier MoU which was signed between both countries in April 2013 for implementation of sustainable development projects in socio-economic sectors of Bangladesh.

India will also carry out similar sustainable development projects for Rajshahi under a MoU signed recently in this regard.

India also sanctioned an amount of Taka (currency of Bangladesh) 120 million for the sustainable development of Khulna city. MoU in this regard will be signed shortly.

Sylhet is an ancient city and a historically vibrant city. It part of the former Assam province of India before Independence. It was focal point for 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War between India and Pakistan. It is a also hub of commercial activities.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2017

Topics: India-Bangladesh  National  Places in News  Sylhet city

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Chinese Pastor Arrested After Refusing State Surveillance Of Church

A Chinese pastor has been detained and the church building illegally tampered with after the congregation refused to come under state surveillance.

Jin Tianming, who leads Shouwang Church, Beijing, resisted pressure to join the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, (TSPM), the state-approved Protestant body, in 2009.

Once churches join the TSPM they must accept government supervision and approval.

Now Jin is under house arrest and church members harassed, according to persecution watchdog China Aid. Government agents monitor Jin's house at all times and is wife is not allowed out on Sundays. Visitors are heavily restricted and only allowed to see him at 4pm each day.

Officials offered to release him in exchange for the congregation refusing to meet outside. But Jin told his congregation not to accept to deal, according to China Aid.

Shouwang Church was initially evicted from their building and started to meet outside. But after sustained pressure from the authorities who routinely came to disperse their meetings, the congregation is now split into various house groups, fearing to meet centrally.

Now the persecution charity has learnt their building has been renovated illegally, doubling its value and leading to fears the developer could force them out indefinitely.

A statement from the watchdog read: 'China Aid exposes the suffering inflicted on Shouwang Church to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.'

China is ranked 39th on Open Door World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution.

'The church is the largest social force in China not controlled by the Communist Party,' the annual report noted.

'As a result, there are increasing efforts to restrict the way Christians operate. A considerable number of Christians are still imprisoned. Violence is at a very high level and is increasing. Church meetings continue to be disrupted in several provinces. Churches were also closed and landlords pressured to stop renting premises to Christians.'
Czech Christian Jailed In Sudan Has Been Freed

A Czech Christian aid worker who has been detained in Sudanese prison since December 2015 has now been released and pardoned.

Petr Jasek, 52, had been arrested in December 2015 and was sentenced in January this year to 24 years in jail with charges of inciting hatred and spying. Now Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has ordered Jasek's pardon and release, News24 reports.

Jasek, part of a small Protestant church called Cirkev Bratrska, went to Sudan in the hope of helping persecuted Christians in the region.

He was arrested in 2015 after attempting to support the medical costs of a Sudanese student. In January Jasek was convicted by a court of entering Sudan illegally, inciting hatred, and spying on the military. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison and fined 100,000 Sudanese pounds (about 12,500) for working with an NGO without a permit.

On Sunday a joint press conference in Khartoum between Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour and Czech foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek announced Jasek's release.

'President Bashir has pardoned Czech national Petr Jasek because of good relations between Sudan and the Czech Republic. Mr Jasek will accompany the Czech foreign minister to his homeland,' Ghandour said.

Zaoralek said: 'I am very glad that we are able today to conclude the case of Mr Jasek,' adding that the Sudanese government was now convinced that Jasek 'had no intention to undermine' them.

On Sunday, Jasek flew back to Prague with Zaoralek.

World Watch Monitor reports that over 400,000 people signed a CitizenGO petition appealing for Jasek's release, and that friends of Jasek wept at the news of his release.

Sudan is fifth on Open Door's 2017 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries where it is hardest to be a Christian. Many Christians in Sudan face arrest and extended detention on the charge of 'undermining national security'.
Donald Trump And The Emperor Theodosius: What The Church Got Wrong On February 27, AD 380

There's a very strong argument for saying that today marks the day in history when things began to go very, very wrong for the Christian Church. It's the day it sold its soul for political power, and that deal with the devil has been a source of corruption and conflict ever since. In the world of Donald Trump, the consequences of that diabolical transaction are on public view once again.

For today is the anniversary of the Edict of Thessalonica in AD 380. The Roman Emperor Theodosius, with his co-emperors Gratian and Valentian II, irritated by doctrinal squabbles between Arians who denied the divinity of Christ and Nicenes who believed in the Trinity, decided to come down firmly on the orthodox Nicene side. From now on, it would be the Christianity of the Council of Nicea that prevailed. Furthermore: 'As for the others, since, in our judgment they are foolish madmen, we decree that they shall be branded with the ignominious name of heretics, and shall not presume to give to their conventicles the name of churches. They will suffer in the first place the chastisement of the divine condemnation and in the second the punishment of our authority which in accordance with the will of Heaven we shall decide to inflict.'

You see what's happening here? For the first time, the Church was established by law. An all-powerful totalitarian state was decreeing that Christianity  and a particular brand of Christianity, at that  was true. And Christianity has never quite got over that mis-step, when it was shown all the kingdoms of the world and promised all their power and authority, on one condition (Luke 4:6)  and made the wrong choice.

It's easy to see how it happened; here was a godly emperor (more or less) offering something that was obviously desirable (making everyone Christians). What's not to like? But that unholy marriage of secular and sacred authority was always wrong. Yes, in countries with an established state church, it has often been able to moderate the worst excesses of their rulers  and St Ambrose famously stood up to Theodosius over the massacre he instigated at Thessalonica. But it's also been fatally compromised when its leaders have ended up as spokesman for ideologies that have nothing to do with the gospel and everything to do with maintaining power.

The Church is not about secular power. It's not coterminous with the state. To be a Christian it's not enough to be born in a particular country. You have to choose to follow a particular person. And what happened on February 27, 380, set the trend for what happened in many other places in many other eras: freedom of religion was annulled, explicitly or implicitly, in the interests of social cohesion or political expediency. Europe's rulers said, 'You have to be a Christian, and you have to be our kind of Christian.'

What's happening in parts of the Western world today is a reflection of that religious imperialism. In Hungary and Poland, politicians appeal to their countries' Christian roots and call for resistance to an influx of Muslims. In America, the support of evangelical Protestants was a major factor in Donald Trump's election as president  and many of these evangelicals are driven by a belief that America is Christian, and that recent godless governments have been undermining its fundamental character. That's why Trump's attempt to ban Muslims and refugees plays so well: the power of the state is supporting the institution of Christianity by eliminating its rivals.

There's another way of doing Church, though. It's quieter and a lot less dramatic. It doesn't involve strident calls for Christian rights. It doesn't do Christian flags or banners. It doesn't seek to pull the levers of power, though it will take up civic responsibilities willingly enough. It works through small gatherings of ordinary people, who are led by a desire to be Christ-like disciples.

These people don't seek to impose their views on others  not because they aren't confident of them, but because they know it would be pointless. They don't want people to behave in a moral way because they have to, they want them to do it because they want to. They know that one of the greatest gifts of God is freedom to choose.

They know Theodosius got it wrong  and the Church gets it wrong when it lines itself up with the powerful instead of siding with the poor and insignificant. You cannot impose faith; you can only offer it. And evangelicals in America may yet pay a high price for identifying their own interests with that of a secular ruler who they believe will give them what they want.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods
Dying Bishop Calls For Church To Allow Gay Marriage

A serving bishop has openly called on the Church of England to welcome gay marriage in a letter announcing he has a terminal illness.

Rt Rev John Wraw, Bishop of Bradwell in Essex, said the Church's obsession with same sex relationships had 'severely weakened our contribution' to national life.

In a moving letter telling clergy his illness was terminal, the bishop, who has myeloma, called for blessings for gay couples to be immediately introduced.

Speaking on his condition, a form of cancer, he wrote: 'There is much that can still be done in terms of symptom control and pain relief, but little to keep the myeloma itself under control.'

He added: 'This is palliative care and not treatment,' saying he intends to keep on working.

Wraw used the opportunity to reflect on the state of the CofE, saying its attitude to gay couples meant it had failed to champion the 'fundamental and core values of commitment, fidelity, openness, trust, intimacy and indeed faithfulness, both within the Church and more widely in society'.

He admitted there were deep disagreements between the more liberal Anglican churches in America and Canada and the deeply conservative African provinces. But he said they had much more to agree on than disagree on.

'Unity in Christ is a fact, a command, a promise; not simply something we can opt in and out of as we pick and choose, he wrote. 'We need to live with our differences, not simply listening to those who see differently but offering true attentiveness.'

The Church's ruling General Synod refused to accept a bishops' report this month that kept the traditional line that marriage is between one man and one woman. The largely conservative report was criticised by those on the liberal wing for its tone, that they said depicted gay Christians as a problem rather than as members of the Church.

Although Wraw did not criticise his fellow bishops he said: 'There is still a lack of pastoral understanding and care shown in public pronouncements and a lack of venturesome and creative theological reflection on the nature of relationships and the place of marriage within that.

'More time does need to be given to a well-founded theology of relationship, friendship and marriage which I hope will lead in time to a full acceptance of same sex marriages in the Church of England.

'That will take time. However, that should not hold us back in the immediate from proper recognition through prayers, blessing, celebration and affirmation of all that is good and wholesome in a wide variety of relationships including stable, faithful, committed and God given same sex relationships.'
England's Cathedrals Are Not 'Too Big To Fail' Archbishop Warns

The cathedrals of England are not 'too big to fail' the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

The warning came in a letter in which Archbishop Justin Welby made clear the Church of England will not rescue Guildford Cathedral, which has an annual deficit of 100,000, from the financial difficulties it is currently in.

Welby, writing before a planning meeting where Guildford councillors refused permission for a housing development next to the cathedral, said: 'Naturally there are ways of offering assistance and advice, but it is extremely unlikely that any part of the Church would be able to compensate financially for the effects of this development not going ahead.

'I hope that anyone who has been misinformed on this point will understand that the future of Guildford's Cathedral rests very much in the decision the council makes.'

The cathedral, designed by Sir Edward Maufe and built in the last century in the brutalist style of the period between the two world wars and the 1960s, is arguably one of the Britain's ugliest. It does look beautiful at night, however, when lit up by numerous electric lights, and when it is a sight to contemplate for drivers as they whiz past on the nearby A3.

It is also spacious and aesthetically pleasing to some on the inside, although the acoustic qualities of such a cavernous space can present challenges for the choir and those listening or singing in the congregation.

Welby continued: 'I appreciate the striking picture that Guildford Cathedral makes, sitting alone on its hill. However this picture is not one that the cathedral wishes to present; it wishes to be rooted deeply in providing solace and joy to all who live in its diocese. Cathedrals are living buildings which thrive on welcoming people in; medieval cathedrals are often crowded around with houses, as at Lincoln or York.'

Christian Today reported that Guildford Cathedral faces possible closure after councillors at the planning meeting turned down the scheme to build new 134 homes on Stag Hill that would have given the cathedral 2 million and an annual income of a few hundred thousand pounds.

However, even the development would have fallen well short of the 17.2 million needed to save it.

Planning permission for the new housing development was refused even though Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson said there was a real possibility of the cathdral 'closing its doors' as a result.

One way it was financed was by inviting people to 'buy a brick' for Guildford.

In his new book, England's Cathedrals, former Times editor Simon Jenkins writes: 'As a child, I "bought a brick" for Guildford. When later taken to see it in place, I was mortified. It was lost among millions of bricks, among cliffs of interminable, relentless brickwork. Disappointment still hangs about this place, lonely on its hill outside the town.

'Cars stream along the A3 below, scarcely noticing. Even the approach road has been likened to the entrance to a crematorium.'

Jenkins gave it just one star in his five-star cathedral ratings guide in the book, making it equal bottom with others such as Derby and Bradford, and also Brentwood Roman Catholic Cathedral.
Hundreds Of Christians Flee Spate Of ISIS Killings In Egypt

Hundreds of Coptic Christians are arriving in Ismailia, northern Egypt, having fled their homes after ISIS killings increased.

Following a video call for a surge in attacks on Christians, militants killed several Copts with one beheaded and another set on fire. As many as 29 have been killed in recent weeks.

One priest in the terror-struck town of Al-Arish, northern Sinai, said 550 had fled. Other estimates put the total at 250.

Evangelical churches in Ismailia are joining Coptic churches to provide shelter for the refugees.

Evangelical pastor Ezzat Afifi said: 'They are in a state of fear and shock. Each and every one of them received direct death threats. I hope that this is only temporary. I hope they return to their homes, their schools and friends.'

He added: 'Many families lost their loved ones, cousins, relatives and friends by killing.'

One refugee, Morcos Bahgat, whose father was killed in a shooting, said: 'Two masked men attacked my father in his clinic at 2pm. They took him out to the street and made him kneel.

'They threatened to kill him if he doesn't confess to Islam. When he refused to do that, they shot him immediately. The police didn't come and no one did anything, everyone stood there watching.'

Another refugee, whose sister lost her husband and son in the attacks, said: 'We received death threats.'

She added according to SAT-7, a Christian charity: 'Our houses are built on hills and we are not able to install any security cameras to know who is on the other side of the door. Whoever opens the door of their home is killed.'

A statement from the Egytian Council of Churches described a 'great sadness and worry' over the killings.

The statement read: 'This matter is a violation of the Egyptian constitution and the basic rights of citizenship and an assault on the country's status tarnishing its reputation and destroying its achievements.

'We support with all our power the families of the victims and those who were forcibly displaced and their belongings stolen. We trust that the government is capable of handling this crisis and we look forward to the return of those displaced to their homes and work as soon as possible and towards the management of their needs to end their suffering as soon as possible.

'We appreciate all the sacrifices made by our armed and police forces to resist terrorism and achieving security and peace. We also appreciate the role of the different churches to help those affected. We pray for the peace of our country and the lifting of injustice and the hardship of those in suffering.'
In France, People Who Speak Against Abortion Will Now Be Treated As Criminals

People who try to discourage women from having abortions are now virtually considered criminals in France.

By a show of hands, French lawmakers voted to pass the law "sanctioning websites that aim to dissuade women from terminating a pregnancy by using 'misleading claims' on abortion."

By "misleading," they mean websites which "emphasize the negative psychological and physical impacts that abortions can have on women," according to the National Right to Life.

Violators of the new law, which was passed on Feb. 16, face a punishment of two years in jail or a 30,000 ($37,000) fine, The Catholic Herald reported.

France has already imposed a ban on pro-lifers demonstrating outside abortion clinics.

Pro-choice supporters argued that the new law is needed since pro-life activists have moved their campaign online, which they say has got to be stopped.

Laurence Rossignol, the minister for women's rights, said pro-life activists could still voice their opposition to abortion, as long as it was "under the condition they openly state who they are, what they do and what they want," according to Agence France Presse.

Days before the law was passed, tens of thousands of protesters vented their fury at the measure during a mass rally in Paris in January.

Archbishop Georges Pontier of Marseille, president of the French bishops' conference, had reportedly conveyed to President Francois Hollande his concern over the new law, calling it a "serious infringement of democratic principles."

CBN News reported on the new French law, by saying, "Your free speech rights are canceled! That's the message the French government is sending to anyone who wants to defend the rights of the unborn on the internet in France.

"Bottom line: The government has decided that people who express pro-life beliefs online will now be treated as criminals."

The European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ) Director Gregor Puppinck said the law also affects churches.

"(It) may prohibit the church from publishing its position on abortion. If you teach that it is a sin, then teaching itself would be sufficient for prosecution," Puppinck said.
Islamist Extremists Attack Churches, Terrorise Nuns In Bid To Sabotage Church's Peace Mission In The Congo

Islamist extremism is bringing death and destruction not only in the Middle East but in other parts of the world as well.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire, in Central Africa, Islamist extremists have been targeting churches in what a top Roman Catholic official believes is a deliberate effort to "sabotage the church's mission of peace and reconciliation" in the country and bring it back from the brink of war.

Roman Catholic Cardinal Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need that churches in the DRC are being desecrated and Christian nuns terrorised by "violent thugs" amid a wave of increased hostility on Christians.

Last week, the extremists burned the Malole major seminary and "sown terror among the Carmelite Sisters" in nearby Kananga, Pasinya said.

The extremists also attacked the St. Dominic church in the town of Limete. They "overturned the tabernacle, ransacked the altar, smashed some of the benches and attempted to set fire to the church," the archbishop said.

Late last year, at least 38 people were killed when the Islamist militant group Allied Democratic Force (ADF) attacked the DRC town of Beni, according to Open Doors USA.

The ADF has reportedly killed more than 700 people in various attacks since 2014. Christians believe the Islamist extremists want to uproot and drive them out of the Congo so that the extremists can take control of the East Africa Lakes area.

In August last year, Pope Francis denounced the Christian persecution in the Congo after at least 36 Christians were hacked to death by the jihadist group in the North Kivu region.

"My thoughts go to the people of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who have been recently hit with fresh massacres, which have for some time been perpetrated in shameful silence, without attracting even as much as our attention," Francis was quoted by the Radio Vaticana as saying.

"Unfortunately, they are part of the too many innocent people who have no weight on world opinion," the pope lamented.
Major Gaffe Mars Oscars As Moonlight Upsets La La Land For Best Picture

African-American coming-of-age tale Moonlight won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday on a big night for Hollywood diversity that was overshadowed by an embarrassing onstage gaffe over the top award.

In a mishap that caused uproar and confusion, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway initially announced that romantic musical La La Land, the presumed favourite for best picture, had won.

As the casts of both films stood awkwardly on stage, Beatty explained he had been given the wrong envelope to open.

It was the first time in living memory that such a major mistake had been made at the Academy Awards, Hollywood's biggest night. It even eclipsed the prior three hours of a show peppered with jokes about US President Donald Trump.

Officials from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and accountants Price Waterhouse Cooper who oversee the ballots, were not immediately available to comment.

'Is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time?' Stone, who won the best actress Oscar for her "La La Land" role as a struggling actress, told reporters backstage 'It's a very strange happening for Oscar history.'

Moonlight, about a young boy struggling with poverty and his sexuality in Miami, also brought a supporting actor Oscar for first timer Mahershala Ali, a best adapted screenplay statuette.

Viola Davis won for her supporting role as a long suffering housewife in African-American family drama Fences.

The recognition for both the actors and their films made a stark contrast to the 2016 Academy Awards when no actors of colour were even nominated.

Moonlight producer Adele Romanski said she hoped the movie would inspire 'little black boys and brown girls and other folks watching at home who feel marginalised'.

La La Land wins six awards

La La Land went into the Oscars with a leading 14 nominations and emerged with six, including for its score and theme song 'City of Stars'. La La Land director Damien Chazelle, 32, became the youngest person to ever win a best director Oscar.

Elsewhere, Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck was named best actor, winning his first Oscar despite 2010 sexual harassment allegations that resurfaced during awards season. Affleck denied the allegations which were settled out of court.

'Man, I wish I had something better and more meaningful to say...I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included,' said Affleck, who played a heart-broken father in the movie.

Earlier in the show, Trump had been the butt of numerous jokes, capping an awards season marked by fiery protests by celebrities at his policies.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel fired off political zingers and even tweeted at the Republican president, getting no immediate response.

Several celebrities wore blue ribbons on Sunday in support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advocacy group that worked to get Trump's bid to ban travelers from seven majority Muslim nations blocked in US courts. But for the most part, speeches at the ceremony were mild or made general pleas for tolerance rather than directly attacking Trump.

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi was an exception. His drama The Salesman was named best foreign language film but Farhadi, boycotted Sunday's ceremony because of the Trump's travel ban.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Iranian-American space expert Anousheh Ansari, Farhadi said his absence was due to 'an inhumane law that bans entry into the US... Dividing the world into the "us" and "our enemies" categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war.'
Mexican Church Says Trump Migrant Plans Are 'Terrorism'

The Catholic Church in Mexico is accusing its government of submitting to Donald Trump's immigration plans, labelling the measure 'terrorism'.

Church figures accused officials of only making 'declarations and promises, adding that their reactions were lukewarm, that they showed fear and even worse, submission'.

An editorial in the Church's From the Faith weekly magazine was entitled 'Migrant Terrorism' and criticised President Trump's plans to deport millions of undocumented migrants in the United States.

'What Mr Trump does is not only apply inhuman legalism, but a real act of terror,' it read.

The crackdown was ordered on Tuesday and will affect Mexicans among the estimated 11 million unregistered migrants in the US. The new measures make it easier for US Border Patrol and immigration officers to quickly deport any illegal immigrants with children one of very few exceptions.

But despite the order's threat, US homeland security secretary John Kelly and secretary of state Rex Tillerson promised Mexican minister no 'mass deportations' or use of military force against migrants in a meeting last Thursday, according to AFP.

The Mexican government has been infruriated by Trump's suggestion they would pay for a border wall to keep unregistered Mexican migrants out of the US. The foreign minister has threated to impose tariffs on US products if the US taxes Mexican imports to pay for the wall.

In another show of strength Mexico has vowed not to accept deportees from the US if they are not Mexican nationals.
India, Germany ratify 2011 Pact on Social Security Investment

Published: February 27, 2017

India and Germany have ratified a comprehensive Social Security Agreement (SSA) to improve investment flows between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in October 2011 and its instruments of ratification were exchanged in February 2017. It will come into force from May 1, 2017.

Key Facts

The SSA establishes the rights and obligations of nationals of both countries and provides for equal treatment and unrestricted payment of pensions even in case of residence in the other contracting state.

It also integrate the provisions of the 2008 social insurance pact and is expected to reduce the operational costs of companies on both countries active in either of the countries.

Under it, requirements to be entitled to pension can be met by aggregating periods of insurance completed in India and Germany, whereby each country only pays pension for insurance periods covered by its laws.

This comprehensive SSA will favorably impact the profitability and competitive position of Indian and German companies with foreign by reducing their cost of doing business abroad. It will also help promote more investment flows between the two countries.

Background

India and Germany had earlier signed an Agreement on Social Insurance in October 2008. It exempted detached workers of the two countries from making social security contributions in either countries as long as they were making such contributions in their respective countries. Later, both countries, negotiated for a wider encompassing SSA including totalisation of benefits and was signed in October 2011. So far, India has signed and operationalised similar agreements with 18 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, South Korea, Belgium and Japan

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2017

Topics: Business  Current Affairs - 2017  Economy  India-German  National  Social Security  Totalisation Agreement

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Pope Francis May Visit War-Torn South Sudan With Archbishop Of Canterbury

Pope Francis is considering visiting the troubled nation of South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

South Sudan, the world's newest country, and which has a Christian majority, has suffered relentless ethnic violence since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and has been in civil war since 2013.

The Pope revealed his plans during a visit to All Saints Anglican Church in Rome, the first visit by a Pope to an Anglican church in Rome.

The Pope presided over evensong with the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in Europe, Robert Innes, and also took questions from the congregation.

It was during these questions that he revealed that a visit to South Sudan is being looked at. He also said there was a possiblity that he would be accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, according to Vatican Radio.

The visit would be for one day only because of the 'difficult' situation in the country, the Pope said.

In his homily, he added: 'As Catholics and Anglicans, we are humbly grateful that, after centuries of mutual mistrust, we are now able to recognise that the fruitful grace of Christ is at work also in others.

'Today we can be encouraged by our gathering.'

Pope Francis has built close ties with the Anglican Church and has forged a strong friendship with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, to whom he is similar to in many respects. Evangelisation is a priority for both leaders, along with addressing the persecution of Christians and members of other faiths around the world.
Tim Keller Steps Down From Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Pastor and Bible teacher Tim Keller has announced he is stepping down as minister of Redeemer Christian Presbyterian Church.

Keller, 66, is a highly-regarded and influential theologian who has won praise for his Christian apologetics ministry.

His church has grown to around 5,000 members since it was founded 28 years ago. It will now transition into three separate congregations.

His wife Kathy Keller, a staff member at Redeemer Church, told Christianity Today: 'This is not primarily a succession plan. It is a vision for not being a megachurch.'

The three Redeemer churches will work together but will officially be their own congregations. They will each plant churches in three more locations, resulting in nine total daughter churches,

Keller himself will not retire, but will work full time teaching with Reformed Theological Seminary and working with Redeemer's City to City church planting network.

Kathy Keller said: 'There's a certain level of him that's going to mourn the connection with a congregation and being their pastor. It's a loss. But there's also something very exciting that he's going to.'

Redeemer Presbyterian appeals particularly to young professionals attracted by Keller's orthodox teaching and engagement with real-life issues. His church proclaims that 'sceptics are welcome' at its services.
U.S. School District Yields To Atheist Group's Demand, Agrees To Remove Ten Commandments Monument

A school district in America has yielded to a demand by a group of atheists to remove a Ten Commandments monument in one of the schools under its jurisdiction.

Moreover, the New Kensington-Arnold School District in Pennsylvania will even pay $163,500 in legal fees, including over $40,000 payable to the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) atheist organisation, Christian News reported.

"In order to take the high road, as they say, we compromised and agreed to remove the monument," New Kensington-Arnold School District Superintendent John Pallone said in defence of the school district's decision.

Commenting on this, Fox News & Commentary host Todd Starnes said what the school district did was "hardly a compromise" and "more like appeasement."

In his statement to the press, Pallone said the district decided to surrender to the demand of the FFRF even though it "had a winnable case."

"We're in a position where we just can't continue to fight this distraction," he said.

Pallone even acknowledged that the "opportunist" FFRF lawyers "made a mockery of the judicial system" by forcing "the district into a situation where we had to make this decision," according to Christian News.

Starnes said the school district's response was "infuriating" since it "chose to throw in the towel  for the sake of expedience" even though it "had an opportunity to demonstrate to children how to defend our rights under the Constitution."

"And in doing so  the school district violated an eleventh commandment: Thou Shall Not Tucketh Tail and Run," the conservative commentator said.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed in 2012 by self-avowed atheist Marie Schaub.

Schaub claimed the six-foot stone monument erected outside Valley High School in New Kensington, Pennsylvania was a religious symbol and therefore was in violation of the U.S. Constitution. She also complained that the presence of the monument disturbed her and her daughter.

In July 2015, U.S. District Judge Terrence McVerry rejected the claim, saying Schaub "failed to establish that they were forced to come into 'direct, regular, and unwelcome contact' with the Ten Commandments monument..."

However, the FFRF appealed the ruling to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which overturned McVerry's ruling, saying that Schaub did have a case as removing her daughter from the school to avoid seeing the monument constituted injury.
Where Is Jeff Woodke? Concern Grows For Missing US Missionary

Concern is growing for a US Christian missionary kidnapped in Niger more than four months ago.

Jeff Woodke, 55, who worked for Jeunesse en Mission Entraide et Developpement, part of Youth With a Mission, was abducted by armed men from his home in Abalak in northern Niger.

His kidnappers, who murdered his guard and housekeeper, are understood to have taken him to Mali, according to World Watch Monitor.

No group has claimed responsibility but the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa is thought to be behind the kidnapping.

Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum told AFP: 'We followed the kidnappers when they crossed the Malian border. They headed to the Menaka region (eastern Mali ), near the Niger border, an area controlled by the Mujao.'

One possible explanation is that Woodke is being held as collateral for a stolen shipment of drugs.

Woodke, from California, is a devout Christian who is open about his faith but was careful not to proselytise while working abroard. His wife and two sons, who were with him in Niger, have returned to the US. He had been working in the country for over 20 years, running projects around farming, health, literacy, education and water.

Bilou Mohamed, the mayor of Abalak, told World Watch Monitor the community had 'suffered a terrible tragedy' and locals 'wept with sorrow, lamenting the loss of a friend' the day after his abduction. He said: 'This man has lived among us for years, even in when it has been difficult to accompany vulnerable populations Everyone knows his goodness.'
Transom: A pyrotechnic display of Robert Rauschenbergs groundbreaking visual language

Senior Specialist in Post-War and Contemporary Art Alice de Roquemaurel takes a closer look at Transom (1963), offered in our Evening Auction on 7 March in London

When you look at this work you can really see how much Rauschenberg has influenced contemporary art and contemporary artists, comments Senior Specialist Alice de Roquemaurel as she gazes at Robert Rauschenbergs Transom, a silkscreen painting made in 1963. Rauschenberg was a pioneer of silkscreening, commencing this series at around the same time as his friend Andy Warhol first employed the process. A number of the Silkscreen Paintings were part of the show that earned Rauschenberg the Grand Prize for painting at the 1964 Venice Biennale.

Open a larger version of this image Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), Transom, 1963. Oil and silkscreen ink on canvas, 56 x 50 in (142.2 x 127 cm). Estimate: 4,000,000-6,000,000. This lot is offered in Post War & Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 7 March 2017 at Christies in London, King Street

His win was a watershed in 20th-century art. Despite the spectacular rise of the New York School over the preceding decade, the Grand Prize for painting had until this point regularly been awarded to European painters, especially those who were followers of the School of Paris. With Rauschenberg, American Pop had arrived in Europe  to cries of cultural colonisation from outraged European critics. Rauschenberg is currently the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at Londons Tate Modern (until April 2017, later travelling to the Museum of Modern Art, New York), where a key room is dedicated to the Silkscreen Paintings  many of them on loan from major museum collections. Reflecting their centrality to his oeuvre, these works mark a full flowering of Rauschenbergs freeform creativity. Unlike Rauschenbergs earlier Combines, which married painting, assemblage and sculpture, the Silkscreen Paintings are exclusively photograph-based, sourced from his own snapshots or from magazines such as LIFE, Time and National Geographic.

Almost the whole of Rauschenbergs oeuvre, but most particularly the Silkscreen Paintings, anticipates contemporary works in which images are used to create images  Roni Feinstein
Billy Smith II/Staff

United Airlines announced a slew of changes to its route network on Monday morning, including some from Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Starting June 8, United will offer two daily flights from Bush Intercontinental Airport to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, Mo.
In a plot twist that would make any Hollywood screenwriter envious, viewers of the Academy Awards last night had the red carpet pulled out from under them when a best picture win for "La La Land" turned out to be a gaffe  "Moonlight," in fact, was the winner.

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, presenting the night's final award, originally told audiences that "La La Land," the awards front-runner throughout the evening, nabbed the coveted prize, only to later reveal that they had been handed the wrong envelope.

When Beatty opened the first slip, he paused and studied it because it was in fact the envelope for Emma Stone, who had won best actress for "La La Land" earlier in the evening. He offered the card to "Bonnie and Clyde" co-star Dunaway, who announced the false news.

The realization came only after the audience heard emotional acceptance speeches from the producers of the Damien Chazelle-directed film about jazz and Hollywood  the 32-year-old Chazelle became the youngest person to win a best director award that night.

"I wasn't trying to be funny," said Beatty, after the producers of "Moonlight," Barry Jenkins' drama starring Mahershala Ali and Janelle Monae, shuffled incredulously onstage.

It was perhaps one of the biggest flubs in Oscars history, a truly unexpected closing moment for a ceremony that was supposed to be about how artists respond to politics but was ultimately defined by a single red envelope.

Much of the evening, after all, was positioned to be a statement on artists' importance during politically charged times. A standing ovation for Meryl Streep. Blue A.C.L.U. ribbons on the red carpet. Talk of immigration, fake news and the Twitter habits of President Donald Trump. The big news coming from the Academy Awards Sunday night would have been not who won or lost but how Hollywood reacted to, and often stood against, the Trump administration during the annual ceremony.

And the optics of a movie, sometimes criticized for being a jazz film starring white people, being upstaged by a portrait of the African-American experience wasn't without irony. After last year's self-critical, #OscarsSoWhite-dominated event, the Oscars this year aimed to point its criticisms outward, making the case that, during times of political and racial division, artists are on the right side of history.

In a plea to "make America great again," host Jimmy Kimmel pleaded to viewers to reach out to someone they disagreed with and build a relationship with them. The late night TV host played a difficult balancing act, juggling political commentary and jokes about the movie industry.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump," Kimmel said during his opening monologue. "I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? It's gone."

"All you people out there who feel like there's no mirror for you, that your life is not reflected, the academy has your back, the ACLU has your back, we have your back and over the next four years we will not leave you alone," said Jenkins after winning best adapted screenplay. "We will not forget you."

Though perhaps the ceremony's harshest indictment of Trump came from someone who wasn't there. Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, who won an award for best foreign language film, boycotted the event as a protest to Trump's travel ban.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.," he wrote in a statement, which was read out loud in lieu of a thank you speech. "Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war."Farhadi, echoing a common sentiment of the evening, said artists are a necessary salve against bigotry. "Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions," he said. "They create empathy between us and others, an empathy we need today more than ever."

In fact, some of the harshest criticisms of the Trump administration came not from American artists but the people directly affected by Trump's policies  non-citizens. Directors from the entire Foreign Language category denounced, in an open letter, the "fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the US and other countries." Alessandro Bertolazzi, the Italian make-up artist for "Suicide Squad," which won the make-up category, said during his acceptance speech that "this is for all the immigrants."

Kimmel chose a more light-hearted approach to commentary.

"This is being watched live by millions of people in 225 countries that now hate us," he said.

In the end, the host's humor wasn't a punctuation point on politics, but the levity diffusing a gaffe unseen in the Oscars' 89 years, "I knew I would screw this show up. I really did," he said as the telecast ended.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders set Twitter on fire Saturday with an epic troll of President Donald Trump and his unending obsession with the size of the crowds that he draws.

Early Saturday, Trump tweeted that if the people who voted for him held a rally, "It would be the biggest of them all!"

To which Sanders issued this scorching reply:

Sanders, who became the voice of the progressive movement during his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, regularly trolls Trump on Twitter, sharply criticizing the president's policies and rhetoric.

Saturday's response poked at a particularly sore spot for Trump, who vehemently disputed estimates by the news media about the size of the crowd that attended his inauguration last month. Sanders' tweet showed a side-by-side comparison of aerial photos of the Mall on Inauguration Day and the Women's March. The protest march was held the day after Trump's inauguration and was estimated to be three times larger.

But even before the Women's March, which organizers said drew at least 500,000 in Washington and millions around the country and the globe, Trump aides railed against photos put out by the National Park Service that showed fewer people on the Mall this year than in 2008 for former president Barack Obama's first inauguration. In his first press briefing for the new administration, press secretary Sean Spicer argued "this was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration - period." The claim was widely disproved by fact-checkers.

On Friday, while speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor in suburban Washington, Trump boasted " . . . this place is packed, there are lines that go back six blocks and I tell you that because you won't read about it, okay. But there are lines that go back six blocks, there is such love in this country for everything we stand for, you saw that on Election Day."

But news outlets reported there were no such lines.

As of mid-afternoon, Trump had not replied to Sanders, moving on to tweet complaints about the news media, including announcing that he would not be attending the annual White House correspondents' dinner.

Vanessa Williams is a staff writer at The Post. Contact her at Vanessa.Williams@washpost.com.

@wapovanessa
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A 22-year-old man is dead ad a co-worker is charged with murder after a shooting at a Montgomery County resort.

Conroe Police Sgt. Jimmy Waller said 29-year-old Devin Najel Harris of New Orleans shot a co-worker, 22-year-old Jonathan Gonzalez of Willis at about 11:47 a.m. Sunday.

The shooting happened at the Piney Shores Resort on Lake Conroe, located at 8350 Piney Shores Drive in Conroe.

CRUSHED: Car impaled on roof after driving off parking garage

Witnesses told investigators that one employee of an outside cleaning company shot another and the shooter was still on the resort property.

Officers found Harris and arrested him without incident.

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack said a fellow staff member did the shooting because he had an issue with the man.

Harris, who police say moved to the area about a year ago, is being held at the Montgomery County Jail.

>>>Scroll through the above gallery to see more images from the Montgomery County scene, then keep clicking to see unsolved slayings in the Houston suburbs
How emergency room bills unexpectedly spike; the saga of a father facing deportation after 16 years in the U.S. and a University of Houston student's find of yet another previously unknown Walt Whitman work - all part of this week's long-form and investigative reporting.

Surprise bills in store for many Texas ER patients

By Jenny Deam @jenny_deam

Texas has been slammed in other recent studies as one of the worst states in the nation for surprise medical bills from emergency room care. Last week, economists with the Federal Trade Commission reported that Texans had a more than one-in-three chance of learning after the fact that some of their treatment had fallen outside an insurer's network.

Local immigrant facing deportation after checking in with authorities

By Lomi Kriel @lomikriel

After 16 years in the United States, Jose Escobar was arrested last week during what he and his family believed would be a routine check-in appointment at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office last week. The father of two originally moved north from El Salvador as a teen and qualified for temporary protected status in the United States, which is available for people fleeing disasters in certain countries. But a paperwork mistake led to a lapse in his status and now, with a U.S. Citizen wife and kids who depend on him, he has been scooped up into ICE custody and is awaiting deportation.

Marie D. De Jesus/Staff

Sheriff cuts ties with ICE program over immigrant detention

By James Pinkerton and St. John Barned-Smith

@ChronJP and @stjbs



Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has ended a controversial partnership with federal immigration authorities that had trained a team of county deputies to determine the immigration status of jailed suspects and hold those selected for deportation. Gonzalez, a Democrat who took office in January, said he will reassign 10 deputies trained under a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program known as 287(g) that cost at least $675,000 in salaries and deploy them to other law enforcement duties. Gonzalez said he will still cooperate with ICE, but it's unclear whether ending the jail program will land him in hot water with state officials.

A wrestler's quest puts spotlight on transgender issue

By David Barron @dfbarron



At 5 feet 2 and 110 pounds, Mack Beggs is a flurry of arms and legs, quickness and technique - "a little spider monkey," in his mother's words. Those qualities would make him a handful for any high school wrestler in his weight class, male or female. The question is in which category should Mack compete?

Melissa Phillip/Staff

Beggs, 17, is in the middle of transitioning from female to male. And because of Texas rules, the transgender teen is forced to compete against girls, a move that has some people posing questions.

Jon Shapley/Staff

A UH grad student's latest big find: An unknown novel by Walt Whitman

By Alyson Ward

@alysonward

Zachary Turpin was propped up in bed with his laptop in May, his wife and newborn son sleeping beside him, when he made a discovery that could rock the literary world. There on his screen, he saw a small ad in an 1852 newspaper. The ad promised "A Rich Revelation:" A six-installment piece of fiction called "Life and Adventures of Jack Engle" was coming soon to the Sunday Dispatch, a three-penny weekly published in Manhattan.

The short novel, like the newspaper that published it, was all but lost to the ages. But the author, Turpin believed, was Walt Whitman, one of America's best-known and most beloved poets. Turpin previously made a similar discovery -uncovering a 13-part 47,000 word series called "Manly Health and Training" that the poet wrote for the New York Atlas in 1858 under the pen name Mose Velsor.
      :       FIR;        
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Nine days after he was reported missing, a 44-year-old nurse manager at St. Luke's hospital was found dead Saturday near a walking trail in a Spring neighborhood. Police are investigating the death as a homicide.

Glenser Soliman was reported missing Feb. 16, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Hospital coworkers grew concerned when he did not show up for work that day.

Police did not find any sign of a break-in at his Spring-area home. However, a longtime friend was worried by the disarray in Soliman's bedroom.

FRUSTRATED FAMILY: Friends, relatives of missing nurse puzzled by lack of leads

"I know for some people an unmade bed is no big deal," his friend Mags Salvan-Silverio told the Chronicle earlier this month. "We've been insisting that this is out of character for him."

A week went by without any sign of Soliman, until a man walking his dog near the 2800 block of Hirschfield discovered a man's body under debris, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

The Harris County medical examiner's office identified the body as Soliman's. Authorities notified his sister.

As of Monday afternoon, the medical examiner's office had not determined what caused Soliman's death, spokeswoman Tricia Bentley said. However, the sheriff's office described the investigation as a possible murder.

SEARCHING: Sheriff's office looking for missing 44-year-old man

The nurse manager's last known residence was about 5 miles southwest of the trail where his body was found.

After his disappearance, a GoFundMe site sprang up to cover the costs of an extended search.

"Glenser has been a nurse for more than two decades and has dedicated his life to helping others and alleviate the suffering of his patients," the page reads. "It's now our time to help Glenser and his family."

Forty people donated more than $4,000 before news broke of his death and at one point over the weekend, his friends and supporters gathered for a prayer vigil at a Houston-area church.

Volunteers with Texas Equusearch planned to search a nearby area on Saturday, according to the organization's website, starting just a few miles from where his body was found by the man walking his dog.

After Saturday's find, friends and family took to social media to mourn.

"Prayers for his eternal rest," wrote one Facebook user. Others posted pictures of Soliman hamming it up for the camera in happier times.

>>>Scroll through the above gallery to see more missing persons cases in Texas
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Mary Carson picks up her leopard-print tote bag and tugs on her leopard-print scarf.

"I'm 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.

"I'm very disappointed in what's happened with the Trump line," she tells him. "I hate to do this - I'm 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 Trump's 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, that's 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. She'd 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, Virginia. "'It's a shame you couldn't keep your mouths shut about our president.'"

Some companies have announced in recent weeks that they would be culling Ivanka Trump's 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. It's 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 Trump's 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.

More for you Nordstrom has a tough quarter, but Nordstrom Rack soars

The first five weeks of Trump's 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 - they've literally been around forever - but we're 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."

Back at Neiman Marcus, Carson is telling the manager that she intends to do just that. It didn't bother her so much when Macy's dropped President Donald Trump's 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, I'll be back to ask more questions," she says. "I'm going to keep my eye on this."

- - -

A few days later, Carson is back at the mall. It's 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. "It's not appropriate," she says. When he refuses - it's his opinion against hers, he tells her - she enlists the mall's 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 Trump's victory and with it, swift backlash from the left. Take, for instance, the Women's 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 I'm sorry, I'm Catholic, I'm 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, I'm going to go and march with her in the Women's March? I'm sorry, but that, to me, isn't 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.

And she isn't 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 weren't 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. "That's what these stores don't 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 Ivanka's brand, that was a dealbreaker for me," she said, adding that she owns about 25 pieces of clothing and at least eight pairs of shoes from Ivanka Trump's line. "If management is going to be so narrow-minded, I'm 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 brand's performance, we've decided not to buy it for this season."

There are small signs that the campaign is working. Ivanka Trump's perfume skyrocketed to the top of Amazon.com's best-selling fragrances as the president's supporters looked to make their mark. (Jeffrey 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 O'Connor of Oxford, Michigan, who put her Nordstrom Rewards card through the shredder after she heard the company had dropped Ivanka Trump's 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 homewares at the store.

No longer.

"When TJ Maxx tries to make a statement against the president's family, that to me is just unnecessary," said Veazey, a registered Republican from Cleveland, Tenn., who backed President Trump from the beginning.

"It's really cramped my style," she said last week, "but you've got to stand by your principles. I've 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 couldn't resist. Gosh, I'm not a very good boycotter.

"But," she added, "I'm trying."

- - -

In terms of large-scale influence, analysts say it's unlikely boycotts will make or break mainstream retailers. It's too soon to tell, for example, whether Nordstrom's earnings will be affected by the political firestorm. Nordstrom's president on Thursday said "it's 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.

"We're in such a hyper-polarized environment - I've 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.

Mary Carson is not about convenience. Four years ago, after she'd 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 wouldn't.

"I looked at him and I thought, that's 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. I'm 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 it's important to note that she bristles at the president's 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, I'd 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 (Virginia) Free Lance-Star.

Everyone seems to be against the president, Carson says. There have been leaders she hasn't agreed with, but she's never made a fuss.

But now she says she's 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.



Abha Bhattarai is a business reporter for The Washington Post. She has previously written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and the St. Petersburg Times.

(c) 2017, The Washington Post
It was Feb. 28, 1993, a cold and drizzly Sunday morning just outside of Waco.

Eric Evers lay bleeding in a ditch as bullets whizzed by.

He'd already been shot five times, but his armored vest had stopped three rounds. A rifle round smashed through the webbing, however, boring deep into his shoulder; another bullet struck his forearm.

"This isn't a game," said Evers, a special agent in Houston with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "They're putting real bullets down. They're going to drop one in your head."

Now Playing: ATF agents recall the raid on Mount Carmel. WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS LANGUAGE SOME MAY FIND OFFENSIVE. Video: Jon Shapley

Just yards away, Agent Gary Orchowski lay sprawled in cold, muddy water, with his radio crackling from its perch on his back. He heard reports of his own death, but before he could respond, another round zipped past his ear and hit the radio head-on.

The gunfire bombarded the agents so heavily that branches on nearby trees began to fall.

"I've learned the meaning of sheer terror," said Evers, now 52.

Evers, Orchowski and more than 130 other ATF special agents and support staff had traveled from Houston, Dallas and New Orleans to execute search warrants on the Branch Davidians for illegal stockpiles of automatic weapons and explosives.

They had also been ordered to arrest the group's leader, David Koresh, a 33-year-old from Houston who stood accused of having sex with his followers' children, some as young as 11 years old.



The agents had heard stories that the youngest of Koresh's followers had never been allowed to leave the compound.

"We were more or less looking at it like a humanitarian mission," said Orchowski, 55, a former police officer in Georgia who is now the assistant special agent in charge of the ATF's Houston field office. "That meant they had never had a candy bar. A bunch of us had gone to Walmart ... In our vests, there were candy bars we planned on giving to the kids."

The agents rarely talk about the raid that kicked off a seven-week siege at the cult's compound. But the government's decision to return their gear last year brought it all back. Now, nearly 25 years later, the agents say they're ready to share the experiences that have largely gone untold.

WANT MORE? Read the full story on our subscriber website, HoustonChronicle.com.

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A man was shot and killed in front of his wife early Monday morning in north Harris County near Holston Place, in what Harris County homicide detectives described as an act of road rage.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said Oscar Reyes, 21, died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. The shooter also began shooting at Reyes' wife as she attempted to flee.

According to deputies, she escaped physically unharmed and the shooter fled the scene.

RESORT SHOOTING: Police investigating death at Conroe resort

According to the sheriff's office, the incident began when the couple started having car trouble and their car stalled near the corner of the corner of Aldine Westfield and Hartwick roads.

That's when a muscular man with tattoos driving a large SUV -- possibly white or silver -- began honking and pushing the couple's stalled vehicle, irritated that the couple's disabled vehicle was blocking the roadway.

Reyes exited the vehicle to confront the man and an argument started, according to the sheriff's office.

The suspect opened fire, hit Reyes multiple times and left him to die in the middle of the road.

CRASHED: Driver hospitalized after car plunges onto roof from parking garage

After the shooting, a second vehicle, unrelated to the first, ran over Reyes' body and fled. Authorities don't know if Reyes was still alive when the second vehicle ran him over. The medical examiner's autopsy report may answer that question.

Detectives are now searching for both the shooter and the hit-and-run driver. The case is still under investigation.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

Reporter Andrew Kragie contributed to this report.
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Texas' governor has boosted the reward for information in the case of an 8-year-old Houston girl fatally shot early Saturday after her mother was involved in a crash.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that his office's Criminal Justice Division offered up to $10,000 for information that helps police identify and arrest those who killed De'Maree Adkins. The original Crime Stoppers' reward was up to $5,000.

The child's mother, Latoyia Thomas, was involved in a crash about 2 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Beltway 8 and West Fuqua, according to Houston police. Someone pulled out a gun and started shooting Thomas' car, striking the girl who had been sleeping in the backseat before the crash.

GUNNED DOWN: 8-year-old girl shot to death after traffic accident

Thomas believes it was a woman who opened fire.

"I don't know who it was and I don't know why she was shooting," she said.

After shots were fired, the mother didn't realize her daughter was injured until she tried to take her out of the car. That's when she noticed blood on De'Maree's jacket.

More for you Gunman kills girl, 8, after car accident

"I told her to stay with me, stay with me," Thomas said, breaking down into tears. "Her body just went limp."

ERRANT TEXT: Police: Man sends request for help to kill wife to boss by mistake

Paramedics transported De'Maree to the hospital, where she later died. Thomas was not injured.

"Cecilia and I send our deepest sympathies to De'Maree's family during this unimaginably difficult time," Abbott said in a news release. "There is no place for heinous acts like this in Texas. We urge anyone who has any information to contact Houston Crime Stoppers immediately to bring those involved to justice."

To be eligible for the rewards, tipsters must send information to Houston Crime Stoppers by calling the hotline at 713-222-8477, texting TIP610 plus the information to 274637, or submitting online at crime-stoppers.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

>>>Scroll through the above gallery to see which cases Texas Rangers are seeking the public's help to solve
Firefighters in Texas are encountering a problem that no previous generation of first responders have had to face.

Over the weekend, Texas A&M Forest Service officials asked residents to not fly drones near wildfires they are trying to battle near college station.
The chairman of Houston's fire pension board has blasted Mayor Sylvester Turner for ending negotiations on the final language of a pension reform bill.

Turner had said at last Wednesday's City Council meeting that he was making good on 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. Turner said he had instructed legislative attorneys drafting the bill to roughly match the firefighters' terms to those agreed to by the police pension.

"Our mayor, the former state legislator, has decided to use the insider's game of the legislative process to pursue his own one-sided plan," Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund chairman David Keller wrote in a letter to members released late Friday. "If the mayor's plan for us is the version we last saw or worse, we will absolutely oppose it."

In explaining his reason for breaking off negotiations this week, Turner had said that Keller's board had not provided comprehensive data on plan participants to enable the city to accurately predict future costs under the reform plan. As a result, Turner said, the city was forced to propose deeper cuts to ensure the originally projected cost savings are achieved.

"Even in this message, there is no indication they are going to provide the data we have asked for repeatedly," Turner said Friday evening, responding to Keller's letter. "Without those numbers, we are unable to verify the cost of the reforms they have offered. I have been very patient throughout this entire process, but the time has come to move forward, and I am doing so in the best interest of the city."

Keller accusing Turner of making "misleading" comments blaming his board fund for the breakdown in talks, and said the other two funds had received preferential treatment during the negotiations.

The fire fund was wary throughout the year-long reform talks, expressing hesitance even when it agreed to basic terms last October. Throughout, their talks with the city progressed the slowest of the three pension groups.

"We will inform legislators about our concerns and the unfolding situation," Keller wrote. "We refuse to sit idly by while attempts are made to bulldoze us."
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.
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When Trevor Harris started reading about Henry Rowe Schoolcrafts journey he found himself searching for a map of some sort that showed exactly where Schoolcraft traveled. There has never been a definitive map of where he went, so a small grant was used to do a radio series. It also enabled him to come out to events like the Moses Austin Festival and produce a map.

I decided to map out Schoolcrafts route because nobody had done it before, said Harris. We have a guy at Mizzou, Jim Coombs, who is into historical geography and he had done a Lewis and Clark bicentennial map of the core of discovery. So I approached him and asked if he could make this map. He said somebody needs to, so we did it.

Schoolcraft is known to the Potosi area for publishing a journal based on a 900 mile journey that started in Potosi. The journal gives a detailed account of Missouris pre-settlement landscapes and also discusses animals such as buffalo and elk and describes the landscapes of that time period. Schoolcraft started his journey in November 1818 and walked through the winter months returning to Potosi in January 1819.

Harris said they used a Missouri Humanities Council grant fund to print 1,100 of these 24 by 26 maps. Harris said nobody had done it and it seemed like a great project to take on as he learned more about Schoolcraft.

I found myself craving one place, one map, that I could go to and see his route, said Harris. Milton Raffertys book, Rude Pursuits and Rugged Peaks, is not in any great detail and it doesnt really sync up with Schoolcrafts journal, Journal of a Tour into the Interior of Missouri and Arkansas.

Harris said he was motivated to want to do the map because he knew Jim Harlan, a geography professor at the University Of Missouri Department Of Geography, could do it. In past conversations with Jim Harlan, Harris said he knew he had a strong suit in mapping out geographies.

Jim mapped the four discoveries/travels between 1804 and 1806, explained Harris. I knew he was familiar with the era when Schoolcraft traveled through Missouri. I dont want to represent his work, but I know making this map was easier said than done. Its a testament to his diligence in creating an honest route map of where Schoolcraft was.

Harris said Harlan ran into some pretty significant challenges with working in the landscapes that Schoolcraft walked in Missouri and Arkansas. Schoolcraft traveled over a lot of landscapes and they would go back and pick through the journal to find the landscapes kept changing.

If youre into stuff like this, it is really neat, said Harris. I realize this will be a great teaching tool. A history professor made my whole trip worthwhile, he told me he would hang it in his classroom and use it.

Harris said Jim used multiple sources to determine points on the map and he was so happy to see his vison come to life. The map and the free community events the grant has sponsored as well has been great.

The big kickoff will be the bi-centennial commemoration of Schoolcrafts travels, which will come up in 2018, said Harris. There is a group in Springfield who is planning to have more activities in the Springfield area coming up in the next two years for the bi-centennial.

Harriss role in the map was writing the grant and they received a $4,000 award. The grant funded Harlans time to make the map, the printing of the map as a poster, the travel and Harriss travels to get audio for a three part radio series about how the landscapes have changed over the last 200 years.

The radio series is finished and they have appeared on KBIA in Columbia and KFMU in Springfield and they are also on our website at kbia.org, said Harris. Henry Schoolcraft left from Potosi in 1818 and walked across the Ozarks, 900 miles in 90 days.

Harris was giving away the maps during this past year's Moses Austin Festival in Washington County because he wants to get them in peoples hands who are teachers, history buffs, or Potosi residents who have an interest in it.

Harris feels Schoolcraft was a little bit restless in his life back in New York. His dad ran a glass factory in Keene, New Hampshire, so his future was somewhat secure if he wanted it to following his fathers footsteps in the glass empire.

According to The State Historical Society of Missouri, Schoolcraft received a standard education and at age 13 began working at the glass factory where he learned the trade from his father.

Even though Schoolcraft did not attend college, he did privately study mineralogy and geology with Professor Frederick Hall of Middlebury College. Schoolcraft was praised for his scientific aptitude and despite his promise as a chemist, Schoolcraft proved to be unsuccessful as the owner and superintendent of the glassworks factory. By 1817 he declared bankruptcy and sought a fresh start in the West.

Schoolcraft and his companion, Levi Pettibone, a fellow New Yorker, were poorly prepared when they went on their journey. They were both inexperienced as outdoorsmen and they lacked the proper clothing and equipment for the winter expedition they were set on taking. During the first week of their trip they suffered several hardships. Their packhorse wandered off twice, then when they were trying to cross a river, the packhorse fell into the water and ruined most of their supplies.

Shortly after they came across a hunter who helped them by feeding them and sheltering them. They ended up buying supplies from the man and headed for the James River, which is a branch of the White River. While there they found lead deposits and conducted tests and recorded their findings.

Harris said Schoolcraft was significant because no white person wrote in greater detail in that era about the interior of Missouri territory.

There were the journals of Lewis & Clark for sure, but Schoolcraft is significant because of the only accounts we have of what this place looked like before the whites came in and changed it all forever, said Harris.
Ever since the news of Akhil Akkineni's breakup with Shriya Bhupal has come out, there is a huge spotlight on the family members.As the messages to cancel the trip to Rome, Italy got spread wild, various rumours have started to come out about the high-profile wedding being called off. However, none of Akkineni's, who are quite active on twitter all the time, never gave any clarity.



But media folks are said to be waiting for either Nagarjuna or anyone from the family to come up before the cameras, such that they could ask about it. Other day its the turn of Amala Akkineni to be in the news as she attended a couple of inaugurations in Hyderabad city.



However, she chose her steps very carefully as she didn't let the camera guys talk to her. This mega escape is something anyone in her position would like, but it will be tough to control media guys who want to shoot questions on Akhil to her.



No doubt, the Akkineni Daughter-in-law, wife of Nagarjuna, feels the pulse of her son's personal life every second, but that doesn't mean she will talk about in public dominion
Steven Abramovich Appointed Head of Sales, Americas for Henkels Electronics Business Published: 27 February 2017 by Chelsey Drysdale by Chelsey Drysdale

February 27, 2017  Henkel Adhesive Technologies today announced that Steven Abramovich has been named Head of Sales, Americas for its electronics business. Previously Vice President of Channel Management for the company, Abramovich lends 30 years of results-driven sales and marketing experience to his new role.

I am honored to lead Henkels talented group of sales professionals, says Abramovich, who thrives on developing strategic sales organizations and structures to achieve business growth. Electronics manufacturers appreciate Henkels knowledgeable and adaptive sales team; we look forward to further enabling our customers success by providing unique technology expertise that leverages our extensive portfolio of advanced materials.

Prior to joining Henkel, Abramovich held numerous sales and marketing positions at some of the electronics industrys top players, including an 18-year tenure at Tyco Electronics where he was instrumental in delivering significant revenue growth and implementing sales force modifications that enabled successful outcomes for ambitious targets. Following Tyco, Abramovich took on an executive sales and marketing role at thermal materials leader, The Bergquist Company, which was acquired by Henkel in late 2014.

As Head of Sales, Americas for Henkel, Abramovich will prioritize alignment of the sales structure with the companys business objectives. Initiatives include expansion of the inside sales team, holistic integration of all sales and business development programs, market expansion and cultivation of new customers, and more successful leverage of the companys forward-looking market intelligence.

Commenting on this appointment, Henkel Corporate Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Electronics Business, Benoit Pouliquen, says: Stevens impressive track record speaks for itself. I have had the pleasure of experiencing his dynamic approach to sales leadership and am confident he will create an environment that fosters achievement, creativity and positive results.

Abramovich will oversee Henkels internal and direct external sales organization in North, Central and South America. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York Albany and will be based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Henkel in North America

Henkel markets a wide range of well-known consumer and industrial brands in North America, including Dial soaps, Persil, Purex and all laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners, Right Guard antiperspirants, got2b hair gels, and Loctite adhesives. Visit www.henkel-northamerica.com for more information.

About Henkel

Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market  across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2015, Henkel reported sales of 18.1 billion euros (20.1 billion US dollars), adjusted operating profit of 2.9 billion euros (3.2 billion US dollars). Its three top brands, Persil (detergent), Schwarzkopf (hair care) and Loctite (adhesives) generated more than 6 billion euros (around 6.6 billion US dollars) in combined sales. Henkel employs around 50,000 people globally  a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkels preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com
BNM anunta concurs pentru postul vacant de expert coordonator (durata determinata) responsabil de control pe teren si din oficiu a sistemelor de plati
Monday

Leadwood Board of Alderpersons

The Leadwood Board of Alderpersons meets in regular session at 6 p.m. in the Leadwood Fire House, located at 1101 Mill St. The meeting is open to the public.

Farmington City Council

The Farmington City Council meets in regular session 6:30 p.m. in council chambers, located at 110 W. Columbia St. The meeting is open to the public.

Tuesday

Park Hills City Council

The Park Hills City Council meets at 6 p.m. for a work session in the municipal court chambers at city hall, located at 9 Bennett St. The meeting is open to the public.
Backed by the cheery fiddle and guitar of Tom Mosss Gypsy Night Dance, the bespectacled white-haired gentleman in a blue blazer, striped bow tie, and pocket square is holding forth on the language issue of the day.

Im sometimes asked, he tells the camera, speaking patiently but gesturing intensely, Is data singular or plural? The answer is yes.

During his puckish two-minute presentation, John E. McIntyre will parse the difference between data and datum, broach whether media indicates one or many, and conclude reassuringly, Latin is not the boss of us.

McIntyre, the night content production manager at the Baltimore Sun, is one of an increasingly visible and robust breed of public masters of style and usage who have parlayed journalistic copy-desk expertise into an enthusiastic online following. In an age of texting and tweeting, these folks are trying to keep the mother tongue healthy, and their presence constitutes a refreshing renaissance for a profession that is generally underappreciated and rarely noticeduntil, of course, a mistake shows up in print.

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McIntyres particular contribution is an outgrowth of a blog he has written for more than a decade. Since last summer he has issued some 30 web commentaries; subjects have ranged from the traditional taboo about beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction to the utility of the word impactful. Lately, his popularity has exploded.

My blog does reasonably well for the sort of narrow audience it is aimed at, he says. It averages between 20 to 30,000 page views a month. Then we put up that first video, about the singular they, and it got more than a million views. It was the single most successful video the Sun had done to date. McIntyre estimates that in less than a year, as many as seven million people have tuned in.

Another online copyediting star is Mary Norris of The New Yorker. Like McIntyres, her web efforts are rooted in columns. Her celebrity kicked off with her 2012 piece In Defense of Nutty Commas, which garnered my biggest readership ever, she says. This and other essays were the basis of her 2015 W.W. Norton book Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen.

Partly to help promote the volume, Norris filmed a series of 32 shorts of some two or three minutes each. One of them, Mad Dash, teases out the fine distinctions among hyphens, en dashes and em dashes. Another explores the origins of the ampersand.

In a Halloween-timed entry about Further or Farther, Norris donned a regal wardrobe of aluminum crown and silvery cape, both adorned with comma motifs. For good measure, she wielded a giant pencil as a scepter (or sceptre, depending on your Anglophilia).

Ive had the good luck to be noticed, says Norris. I would think that the popularity of the videos shows there is a great interest in copy editors.

Any general, newfound attention to grammatical, spelling, and punctuation standards may well have begun with the unexpected 2003 success of Lynne Trusss Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Copy Editing. Further gains arrived via Mignon Fogarty, a former technical writer who now holds the Donald W. Reynolds Chair in Media Entrepreneurship at the University of Nevada. In 2006 she cast herself as Grammar Girl and commenced on a series of podcasts that, according to Newsday, sparked what you might call a worldwide, syntax-driven fiesta.

I didnt know all the rules, Fogarty recalls. I was constantly looking things up in the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style. And I wanted to convey it to other people. My goal was not to show how superior I was. I just wanted to help people learn.

Fogarty soon published a bestselling St. Martins Griffin volume, Grammar Girls Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing; she has since published six other Grammar Girl books. Today, she estimates that her podcasts have been downloaded some 70 million times by audiences in Saudi Arabia, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan, and elsewhere. She also offers an interactive course for those who want to improve their AP style. I thought, This cant last, but it did.

This sort of interest does not surprise Mark Allen, formerly of the Columbus Dispatch and the coordinator of next months national conference of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

People are getting more information than they ever have, whether its in ink or electronically, he says. People want to read, and they want to read without stumbling. And thats where the copy editor comes in. The copy editor is the bridge who keeps the writer from tripping up.

ACES exec @suebb weighs in on the importance of presidential spell checking. | https://t.co/8LBQzKwhHV  ACES (@copyeditors) February 16, 2017

Membership in ACES, which began as an outgrowth of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, plummeted with the crash of 2008 and consequent layoffs, downsizings, and buyouts. But enrollment has improved considerably since then, and Allen believes the burgeoning numbers augur well for those who wield itchy pencils.

The recovery has been amazing, he says. We have perhaps 1,800 members. Indeed, Allen said, last years ACES conference in Portland, Oregon, drew approximately a third of the societys current members, and the upcoming gathering is on track to attract close to that number. Among the sessions will be The Online Misinformation Ecosystem, Averting Burnout Constructively and Decisively, and French Toast vs. french fries: The Wild West of Food Editing.

We try not to get too hung up on the split infinitive, says Allen.

Whither copy editing amid emojis, slangy acronyms (e.g. BTW, FYI, LOL), plain electronic sloppiness and even the gradual extinction of the period at the end of a sentence? The answer is far from clear. But there is cause for hope. As part of its much heralded hiring spree, the Washington Post in January advertised for energetic copy editors with a flair for headline writing and a strong understanding of language and style.

The copy editor is the bridge who keeps the writer from tripping up.

Before retiring this month after 38 years at The New Yorker, Mary Norris and her colleague Elizabeth Pearson-Griffiths, along with copy department head Ann Goldstein (who herself will retire in March), gave a master class for their younger counterparts. Around the same time, in full video view, their compatriot Andrew Boynton fiercely marked up President Trumps sloppy Black History Month speechas well as his equally egregious remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast. Boynton took almost an hour to do so.

Indeed, the new administration may unwittingly spark renewed support of proofreading alone. As The Week noted, Trumps list of purportedly underreported terrorist attacks might have appeared more credible if it hadnt misspelled things like attacker and San Bernardino. And critics have pounced on a new Library of Congress print issued to celebrate Trumps inauguration. In the space of just 20 words, it managed to deploy the word to when too was called for.

Admittedly, the copy editors lot generally remains a lonely one; whether working in graphite or keystroke, practitioners dont often endear themselves to their writers. Ask John McIntyre, who served two terms as president of ACES from 2001 to 2005. Recently, he recalled the organizations first conference 20 years ago in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for CJR.

There were maybe 300 people, he says, and someone said that was probably the largest gathering of copy editors in one place in history. I came back and told that to my wife. And she said, Except in hell.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Thomas Vinciguerra , a freelance writer and former CJR intern, is the author of Cast of Characters: Wolcott Gibbs, E.B. White, James Thurber, and the Golden Age of The New Yorker (W.W. Norton). He has published approximately 170 articles, essays, and reviews in The New York Times.
In the deluge of recent media stories about who will lose if Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act (ACA), one crucial provision has received short shrift from journalists: the so-called Cadillac tax, written into the law as a way to raise money for government subsidies for the uninsured.

The Cadillac tax, which will affect nearly everyone with employer-sponsored coverage when it takes effect in 2020, is currently the target of bipartisan repeal efforts. Should the tax be repealed, it is not clear how the government would finance those Obamacare subsidies that it helped fund. Which makes the Cadillac tax central to the nations health care concerns, and a valuable focal point for reportersprovided they can parse and then relay its significance.

Architects of the ACA intended the Cadillac tax to rein in overly generous health insurance coverage provided by employers to their workers. The tax takes effect in 2020, at which point the value of health plans above $10,800 (for single-person coverage) and $29,100 (for family coverage) will be taxed at a rate of 40 percent. (Those values include the costs of on-site clinics and employer contributions to health savings accounts.)

The result? In a few short years, the tax will affect all employer plans, says Steve Wojcik, a vice president at the National Business Group on Health, which is working to repeal the tax. If employers need to reduce the value of their plans to avoid the tax, then they will need to reduce benefits or increase their workers share of the cost, which could result in significant increases in out-of-pocket costs for 177 million workers.

Economists, in particular, wanted the tax; MITs Jonathan Gruber, who helped to craft the ACA, even predicted the tax might raise workers wages from 2010 to 2019. If employers spent less on rich health benefits, the theory went, theyd pass the savings onto their workers in the form of higher wages.

However, says Wojcik, The reality doesnt match the theory. The Kaiser Family Foundation, for example, reported that, between 2011 and 2016, deductibles for single workers increased by 63 percent while wages increased by only 11 percent.

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RELATED: What Trump can (and cant) do to restrict press freedom

You would think a provision with such far-reaching financial consequences for so many people would have sparked more media coverage. Its hard to say whether that dearth of attention is because taxes are hard to understand or because Cadillac Tax opponents are working behind the scenes in the halls of Congress rather than delivering anecdotes about sick people fearful of losing their coverage, as many Obamacare supporters have recently done. Whatever the reason, the press needs to start explaining the tax, and soon.

There have been a few stories about politicians introducing bills to repeal the tax, like this one from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which reported that 1.3 million people in Nevada would be hit by the tax. Occasionally, the tax comes up in the context of a broader story about other ACA provisions or taxes, like this one in The New York Times, in which Sen. Orrin Hatch says, All of the Obamacare taxes need to go as part of the repeal process.

But explanations of the taxhow it came to pass, whether it will raise revenue and increase paychecks (as its advocates promised) or destabilize the employer insurance market (as James Klein, president of the American Benefits Council, an opponent of the tax, predicts), what might succeed ithave been missing from most coverage so far.

One option for replacing the Cadillac tax is to tax a portion of a workers employer-provided coverage. Those benefits are currently exempt from income taxes. But that solution may not help workers very much: Wojcik told the Wall Street Journal, In the end, [both taxes] would have similar effects, including pushing companies toward skinnier health plans.

Last week in the Wall Street Journal, Anna Wilde Mathews began to explore such tax proposals. Gary Claxton, a vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, warned that employees insurance would have to change, meaning that higher deductibles and narrower provider networks would be coming. Perhaps thats what the framers of the ACA had in mind. Still, such changes would also affect less generous health insurance packages.

You could be in a high-deductible health plan and still find the tax would be triggered, Klein told me. Plans will trigger the tax, not because benefits are richer, but because the population covered by the plan is more expensive to insure. That means businesses whose employees have expensive medical carewomen of child-bearing age, or older people with greater health care needs, or people with high-cost chronic conditionsare more likely to pay the tax.

Local journalists that can identify such businesses in their communities have an opportunity to present valuable anecdotes and explore the impact of the Cadillac tax in their communities. But such reporting depends on understanding the tax and its consequences.

A few weeks ago, a piece in the Los Angeles Times joined the sizable batch of media stories that have detailed how repealing Obamacare would hurt various groups of Americans. Its headline, Obamacare repeal would also affect your employer health insurance, seemed reasonable enough. I moved to the lede, which explained that 31-year-old Stephanie Blythe is expecting a baby in April but has already ordered a breast pump through her insurance company. She is worried about the future of the Affordable Care Act. Once I have it they cant take it away from me, she told the paper. If I want to continue breast feeding, Im going to have to pump and do that at work. If its something the ACA covers for you, then why not take advantage of it?

I read on, hoping to find a discussion of the Cadillac taxs impending impact. The Times focused on other preventive benefits the ACA mandates besides breast pumps: diabetes screenings, folic acid supplements for pregnant women, colonoscopies, contraceptives, counseling for women. The Times told its readers, Experts say well-woman visits, breast pumps and contraception are in particular danger because theyre on a list of covered preventive services that apply only to women and can be undone without a congressional vote.

That may be. But if the Cadillac tax takes effect as scheduled, and employers reduce the value of the benefits they offer, then those benefits and many others workers have come to enjoy may disappear.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Trudy Lieberman is a longtime contributing editor to the Columbia Journalism Review. She is the lead writer for CJR's Covering the Health Care Fight. She also blogs for Health News Review and the Center for Health Journalism. Follow her on Twitter @Trudy_Lieberman.
Andrew Fastow, former chief financial officer (CFO) of Enron Corp., a now-defunct energy trading company swept up in a massive fraud scandal in the early 2000s, warned a room full of directors and officers (D&O) underwriters that some companies today may be unknowingly following in Enrons footsteps. He was speaking at the Professional Liability Underwriting Societys 2017 D&O Symposium held earlier this month at New Yorks Marriott Marquis.

Its easy to justify unethical, materially misleading behavior by saying, Im following the rules,' he said. Since the rules are very gray in accounting, it gives you a lot of room to maneuver as a CFO or director to get to the answer you want. But if you can justify these transactions because there are rules that allow you to do it, when is it not okay to justify a transaction where the rules allow it? That was a trap I fell into.

As he spoke, he held two props  a trophy he received for being named CFO Magazines CFO of the year in 2000 and his prison identification card, which he received just two years later after Enrons downfall, which culminated in the firm declaring bankruptcy and Fastow spending six years in federal prison.

I got both of these for doing the same deals, he said. How is it possible to be CFO of the year and go to federal prison doing the same deals? How is it possible to be CFO of the year and commit the greatest fraud in corporate American history doing the same deals?

He stated that while they were ultimately materially misleading and fraudulent, the deals he carried out while at Enron were initially approved by Enron accountants, outside auditors, Enrons inside and outside attorneys and the board of directors without any information being withheld.

If I could sum it up in one word, I would use the word loophole,' he said. Companies who underwrite can find a way to get from point A to point B by not necessarily breaking the rules, but by finding loopholes, by rationalizing. Very often, executives and directors dont see the problem with their decisions  they rationalize.

Fastow explained that he found it easy to rationalize deals at Enron by believing the transactions would benefit shareholders, save millions of dollars through off-balance sheet financing, increase stock prices and be awarded and recognized.

Finally, I thought, [The deals have] been approved. I dont have to think about it,' he said. Thats how a lot of officers and directors think. The off-balance sheet financing and structured finance going on today is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than what was going on in the year 2000. People just dont talk about it and give public awards for it anymore.

In the span of about four months, however, Fastow saw Enron move from being considered the 7th largest company in the U.S. by revenue to declaring bankruptcy in the wake of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation.

When I was at Enron, it never even dawned upon me that I might be committing fraud, he said. I thought that what I was doing was the right thing. The way I thought about it was everybody gets the rulebooks. Whoever can best exploit those rules and find the loophole gets an advantage. They called me CFO, but my job title should have been chief loophole officer. Thats all I did. Everyday. Looking for ways to get around the intent or purpose of the rules.

After serving his prison sentence for securities fraud, Fastow now speaks and teaches classes on business ethics. He also provides consulting services for short sellers, in which he works to identify questionable items in a companys financials where the company may be technically complying with rules but is being materially misleading.

This is because it is important to look beyond what is black and white in business ethics, he explained. He added that it is important for business executives to not only ask themselves if they are following the rules, but to also ask themselves if what they are doing is right in spite of the rules.

Business executives, directors and officers tend to conflate those two questions and think theyre asking the same thing, he said. They think, If my attorney is signing off on it, and if my accountant is signing off on it, then its okay. In corporate America, when everything is going well, people only ask one question: Are you following the rules? When something goes wrong, however, the SEC and plaintiff attorneys come in and ask a different question: Is it right?

Fastow said the main problem he sees today is that most directors have limited information and are only given a few metrics, such as earnings, credit ratings and information from the CEO.

They dont know when they need to get involved, he said. Some directors might try to do too much, but most directors do too little because they just dont have the tools.

He pointed to one solution as using artificial intelligence software to monitor emails and company communications and detect when tension levels among management spike. He added this can be a useful resource in offering valuable information to directors and significantly lowering risk for underwriters.

People usually know when there are problems or feel uncomfortable when management is making bad decisions but dont raise their hands, he said. There was a big spike in tension levels at Enron in 1999 following one of the most controversial structured finance deals I did. I thought this deal was genius and so did the Chairman, CEO and directors. None of the top 150 executives at Enron raised their hands and objected to the deal, but they ran this anonymous software against Enrons database of emails, and it showed tension levels appeared almost as bad as on the day Enron declared bankruptcy. The data showed exactly what the board needed to see. This is the deal that eventually led to the SEC investigation, and the signals were there two years earlier.
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday called for a boost in spending on water and transportation infrastructure as the waterlogged state grapples with an emergency dam repair, frantic levee fixes and catastrophic road damage caused by storms.

The Democratic governor redirected $50 million from the general fund for emergency response to flooding and asked state lawmakers to speed up $387 million in flood-control spending from a 2014 voter-approved water bond.

But his plan would address just a fraction of the $187 billion in unmet water and transportation infrastructure needs he identified. Brown said he didnt have the full answer on how exactly the state would generate enough money to shore up infrastructure but suggested tax increases would likely be needed.

Despite what you hear from many conservatives, there has to be a very healthy public expenditure based on taxes, Brown said.

The governor 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 following five years of drought.

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 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.

The governor deflected blame from himself and the Department of Water Resources for failing water infrastructure in the state, particularly the Oroville Dam, where two damaged spillways threatened massive flooding and caused an urgent evacuation.

This is the way the world works, Brown said. If we want to guard against any problem 100 percent, youd have to quadruple the spending, and that wouldnt make any sense.

He downplayed the significance of concerns that environmental groups raised more than a decade ago about the safety of the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam. In 2005, three advocacy groups filed a motion with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that warned using the emergency spillway could cause significant erosion.

I dont think thats very significant that an environmental group filed something, he said, noting that the state can never completely eliminate risks associated with infrastructure like the dams massive earthen spillway.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
AKRON, Ohio - The GAR Foundation has announced $1,405,000 in grants for community organizations in Summit County, including Akron Public Schools and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, at its quarterly meeting.

Akron Public Schools was one of the foundation's largest grant recipients, receiving a three-year, $300,000 grant to expand the College and Career Academies at North High School. The College and Career Academies will offer high-school students the opportunity to prepare for careers in the fields of health and human services, global technology and business.

"GAR is extremely confident in the evolution at Akron Public Schools. We view the new College and Career Academies of Akron as an excellent model for deep, comprehensive learning experiences for our students and the strategic development of our future workforce," said Kirstin Toth, senior vice president of GAR Foundation, in a release.

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition received a $300,000 grant from the GAR Foundation for Akron's Reimagining the Civic Commons project. The project, part of a national initiative to boost civic engagement, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability, will revive public spaces in the Civic Gateway, Park East and Summit Lake Park in an effort to restore civic engagement.

Additional organizations receiving grants include:
Broadview Heights Colantuono Plan.png

Developer Tom Ferry has introduced this plan for attached townhouses or cluster homes west of Broadview Road in Broadview Heights. Ohio 82 is shown on the right.

(Bob Sandrick, special to cleveland.com)

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio - A Broadview Heights developer wants to build 43 townhouses or cluster homes on Royalton Road just west of Broadview Road - but he faces a couple of obstacles.

Tom Ferry, formerly of Petros Development Corp. in Broadview Heights, would build the homes off the north side of Royalton, immediately west of Weeping Cherry Village apartments.

However, Ferry would first need voters to rezone the site, which measures about 11 acres, from a single-family district to the city's relatively new special-zoning district B, which allows townhouses and cluster homes.

Also, Ferry would need both owners of the 11 acres to go along with his plan. Now, only one of the property owners is on board.

Ferry presented a conceptual plan last week to City Council's Building Codes and Public Building and Growth, Planning and Zoning committees. The committees tabled the proposal to give Ferry time to reach an agreement with the second property owner.

The attached townhouses or cluster homes would stand on three parcels, two of which are owned by Louis Colatuono, who is working with Ferry on the development. One of Colatuono's lots contains a rental house and the other is vacant.

The third parcel, measuring about 3 acres, is owned by another family. Ferry acknowledged the family has not yet agreed to sell its property, although talks have taken place between the family and Colatuono.

Ferry said the townhouses or cluster homes, with appropriate landscaping and signs, would serve as an attractive western entrance into Broadview Heights from North Royalton. He would market the homes to empty-nesters, first-time home buyers and young professionals.

Ferry said the city's special zoning district B allows up to six living units an acre. His development would contain about 3.9 units an acre.

Building Official Michael Skvasik said it's possible - depending on if and when Ferry can gain control of all three parcels - that a rezoning would appear on the November ballot.

Kristina Sorensen, the city's economic development coordinator, said she would like Ferry to provide more information on the homes and what they would look like.

Voters created special planning districts A and B in May 2013. District A, centered at Royalton and Broadview, is a multi-use retail, office and residential zone. The city hoped the new zoning would bring more of a town-center feel to the area.

Special planning district B, which surrounds district A, is also multi-use but is geared more toward office and residential. City officials believed district B would complement the town center.
Screen Shot 2017-02-27 at 12.08.59 PM.png

Growbots, based in the Silicon Valley, opens a sales operations office in The Flats area of Cleveland.

(Courtesy of Growbots)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - For the second time in just over a year, Cleveland will become home to part of an emerging growth Silicon Valley startup.

Growbots has announced it will build the sales operations for its outbound sales software platform on the west side of the Flats in Cleveland. Last year, BrightEdge signed a long-term lease in downtown Cleveland's Tower City to build its national sales operations.

Growbots was part of the 500 Startups "batch 12" of tech companies to graduate in 2016. And it was the first company ever to be accepted and funded by 500 Startups without even a beta software to present. In the beginning, co-founders of Growbots Greg Pietruszynski and Luke Deka showed the 500 Startups judges a napkin with the concept on the back and a passion for what the idea could represent.

"Cleveland has the right attitude with employees who are excited about working in a start-up environment," said Chad Supers, sales leader at Growbots,

The company has created an outbound sales platform for growing B2B companies. The platform automates the sales process for its clients allowing smaller sales teams to drive larger revenue opportunities. Growbots in its first 15 months generated more than $3 million in an annual revenue run rate. The company has raised $600,000 so far and is now reviewing a significant Series A funding round.

Growbots employs more than 80 employees in three cities - Warsaw, Poland (home of the two co-founders), San Francisco and now Cleveland. The goal in 2017 is to build out its U.S. sales presence.

The company has rented space in the Tenk Building on the west side of the Flats. There are currently four people in the local Growbots space - including former co-founder of Phenom Mike Eppich who has joined in a sales leadership role. Supers said the company is hiring more and hopes to bring in 25 sales professionals and some administrative roles by the end of this year.

Supers, who was born in Elyria, noted that the cost of hiring, training and housing employees in Cleveland is a fraction of the West Coast cost. "We believe we can build a solid, fun and young sales team in Cleveland," Supers added.
hallewarehouse.png

Cuyahoga County will build a parking lot near the Halle Warehouse Building because of a lack of parking for workers during elections.

(Google Maps)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County will spend $1 million to buy property and create a parking lot because it misjudged how many people would be working in the Halle Brothers Warehouse, used primarily for storage.

The warehouse at East 40th Street and Perkins Avenue is being leased by the county to consolidate records from several locations, including the county archives.

The Board of Elections operations center in the building draws a large number of employees on election nights, public works director Michael Dever told County Council's finance committee last week.

"Unfortunately when we moved forward with that project there was no accounting for parking," Dever said."We were lucky enough to be able to identify a parking lot in close proximity."

Council member Michael Gallagher was angered by the proposal.

He said council in 2013 questioned whether parking would be sufficient before it voted to lease the building and Dever's predecessor, Bonnie Teeuwen, said it would be.

"We disagreed vehemently," he told Dever. "This is not on you. This was not our pick of buildings and the money we put it into it was ridiculous. Now we are spending $1 million on parking."

He said board of elections officials said they would not need more parking, so the board should have to pay for the lot.

"Now we are getting a million-dollar tag," he said. "This was not our pick. Your predecessor shoved this literally down our throats."

What is the status of the building?

The 204,300-square-foot industrial building was constructed in 1915 at 1858-1890 East 40th Street.

County Council approved a $10 million, 10-year lease in August 2014 after numerous debates and discussions.

The county is spending $6.6 million for renovations. Owner/landlord Greystone Properties LLC. Is contributing $2.4 million.

The building needed new wiring, HVAC, sprinkler, alarms and had to be handicap accessible.

What is in the building?

Board of Elections - operations center and storage.

Cuyahoga County archives - not fully moved in.

Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services - records.

Department of Jobs and Family Services - records.

Public Works storage - still housed at RTA's Harvard Avenue garage.

When will renovations be complete?

Dever said the renovations will be completed by summer.

The county is spending $219,000 this year to continue to store furniture and documents at RTA's garage in Newburgh Heights. The items should be moved into the warehouse by the end of the year.

County Council in November 2013 agreed to sell the existing county archives building, a Victorian, Italianate mansion built in 1874 on Franklin Boulevard on Cleveland's West side for $650,000 to Welcome House Inc. The nonprofit company plans to convert the building into housing for residents with developmental disabilities.

The county expected to be out of the building by the end of 2015 but is continuing to lease it for $10 a year.

Welcome Home executive director Tony Thomas said in 2015 that the organization planned to use the building and was raising funds. He could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Where is the new parking lot?

The county will buy a grass lot from a bricklayers union for $325,000 and spend $750,000 to create a 100-space parking lot.

Dever said the proposed parking lot is adjacent to a parking lot leased by the county at the southeast corner of Perkins Avenue and East 40th Street.

The new lot will also be used for employees and visitors to the Jane Edna Hunter Social Services building, Dever said.
Gold recovered late Monday after sliding in response to Robert Kaplan's comments. With it's late-day moves, the precious metal rose to settle at a 3-1/2 month high.

Kaplan, a voting member on The Fed's policymaking committee, reiterated his view that a rate hike should come sooner rather than later.

The Fed is scheduled to hold its next monetary policy meeting March 14, with the possibility of a rate hike high enough to keep investors intrigued. Market expectations for a rate hike in March are around 50 percent, according to Fed funds futures.

Spot gold was up 0.03 percent at $1,256.95 per ounce. The metal hit its highest since Nov. 11 at $1,260.10 in the previous session. U.S. gold futures rose 50 cents to settle at $1,258.80.

Investors area also waiting on details of President Donald Trump's policy, which he should revel to Congress when he addresses them Tuesday.

"What he reveals might be important for gold. For example, if he announces significant fiscal easing, that would raise inflation expectations and lead investors into gold," said Danske Bank analyst Jens Pederson.

"But the border adjustment tax (import tax) could push the dollar higher and that could be negative for gold ... The whole area of foreign policy may mean more political uncertainty and that's positive for gold."
Add to the original program rampant crimes in no-go zones of major urban and suburban areas, horrendous terrorist carnage, insecurity of France's open borders and uncontrollable religious and social militancy of minority groups -- and you have a perfectly updated political platform of Ms. Le Pen's Front National.

Being an astute politician, Ms. Le Pen is mixing this up with France's rising poverty, an unemployment rate of 9.6 percent and the economy's quasi-stagnation (with growth rates of 1 percent) to show the dismal failure of the governing elites.

That is not a bluff. She has votes on all these points. But the bluff is her threat to take France out of the E.U. and the euro area. She has no votes for that.

Ms. Le Pen is railing against the E.U. for reasons of uncontrolled immigration, open borders, security problems and too much sovereignty ceded to the E.U. Commission over a broad range of economic, political and social issues. So, if elected, she says she would not go to Berlin, as is the custom, but to Brussels to negotiate these issues. And, of course, she would delight in ruffling the feathers in Berlin, because she would not allow the Germans to boss France around by using Brussels bureaucracy.

Can she win? Yes. She has a clear shot at the presidency if the centrist candidate, the young Mr. Macron, continues to conduct his bland, "same-old-thing" colorless campaign. His repeated trips to Berlin may also be his political kiss of death. [Mr. Francois Fillon, an experienced right-of-center politician would win hands on, but he is being destroyed by law suits.] Ms. Le Pen, by contrast, is a formidable fighter "au nom du people" (in the name of the people), with arguments that are connecting with people's concerns -- and she is driven by a rage to win (aka, "fire in the belly").

Germany has also become an exciting political theater. The scorched-earth austerity policies, huge social and security problems created by unbridled immigration, and a rejection of German highhandedness in the rest of the E.U. have taken a toll on the governing center-right Christian Democrats. The long-serving Chancellor Angela Merkel is losing ground in the run-up to next September elections to Martin Schultz, a passionate European and a candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
The country's main opposition party, the Democratic Party, will seek to impeach Hwang in conjunction with other opposition entities, Yonhap News reported on Monday. This comes after Hwang announced earlier in the day that an official investigation into a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye would end as scheduled on Feb. 28.

"Honestly, I didn't even know you could impeach an acting President/Prime Minister," said Robert Kelly, associate professor at Pusan National University. "This will only worsen the crisis...the scandal is far bigger than anyone thought and the probe should have been given the time it needs."



The probe, carried out by the special prosecutor's office, was launched last year after 65-year old Park, currently stripped of powers, was accused of colluding with a personal friend, Choi Soon-il, in securing donations from the nation's biggest enterprises for foundations that backed Park's policies.

The special prosecution team had requested to extend the investigation for 30 days but their demand was denied early on Monday, with Hwang's office saying the probe had progressed enough to achieve its purpose, Yonhap reported. The impact on potential early presidential elections was also a factor, but another inquiry could be launched in the future, Hwang's office added.

The special prosecutor's team called the decision "regrettable" while the Democratic Party called Hwang "Park's co-conspirator."



The investigation had implicated several chaebols, or family-run Korean conglomerates, and sparked hopes for government policies to curtail the crony capitalism many allege is rampant among the country's business elites. In November, the offices of Lotte and SK Group were raided, while Samsung Group chief Lee Jae-yong was arrested earlier this month for allegedly paying bribes worth $37 million to Choi.
Guo Shuqing answers media questions before the second plenary session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), at the Great Hall of the People on March 8, 2015 in Beijing, China. Feng Li | Getty Images

One of China's biggest official supporters of a free market has returned to Beijing to head the country's banking industry watchdog to oversee a huge industry plagued by rising bad loans and thinning profits. Guo Shuqing's comeback  he headed the stock market regulator before being posted to the coastal province of Shandong  has triggered speculation that he might have been promised a higher role in a future reshuffle in the financial regulatory system. Guo, 60, has been governor of Shandong for the past four years and was at the China Banking Regulatory Commission on Friday to take up his new role, state media reported. The regulator's present head, Shang Fulin, 66, will take up a post at the country's main political advisory body, according to Caixin. More from the South China Morning Post:

China's muddled regulatory battlefront against stock market 'monsters'

China's stock market regulator vows to 'capture' more tycoons

China's small cities to lead home sales growth Guo's job will give him a central role in implementing the government's plans to shake up the financial industry. Securities and insurance regulators have already pledged to take action against "big crocodiles"  speculators accused of manipulating financial markets.

watch now

John Wong, professorial fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, described Guo as "experienced and strict", saying he was one of the mainland's few outstanding financial technocrats. "He is also open and internationally minded," Wong said. "He should play a positive role in stepping up the much-needed financial sector reform for China's next phase of development." Chen Zhiwu, director of the Asia Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong, said Guo's appointment might be part of preparations to merge the three regulators overseeing banking, securities and insurance into one to cover the whole of the financial sector. "Guo is a scholar and a senior official. He's a quick learner. He'll be the key person to solve China's financial problems," Chen said. There has been speculation for some time that Guo could go on to replace Zhou Xiaochuan, who has headed the central bank for more than 14 years and is close to retirement. Guo has extensive experience to prepare him for a top position overseeing the economy. He designed economic reform plans in the 1980s, helped in the management of the foreign exchange market and the People's Bank of China, and is a former chairman of China Construction Bank. He spearheaded the lender's restructuring and listing before heading the securities regulator in 2011.

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Interior view of the flagship store of lingerie brand Victoria's Secret at Huaihai Road on February 22, 2017 in Shanghai, China.

Victoria's Secret has opened its first lingerie store in Shanghai after years of selling branded accessories in China, as it picked the most cosmopolitan among major Chinese cities to be the test bed for its offerings of designer under garments.

Fronted by an iconic pink glass facade, the four-storey Victoria's Secret store occupying 2,500 square metres opened its doors on Thursday along Huaihai Road, a five-minute stroll from Shanghai's upscale Xintiandi shopping area. Prior to this, the US brand had only operated concept stores in China, selling branded accessories.

The opening of the flagship store will satisfy Chinese women's "desire to keep up with the pace at the forefront of international fashion," said Savills Shanghai Retail's senior associate director Joey Chio, who helped Victoria's Secret scout its Shanghai site.

More from the South China Morning Post:

Hong Kong retail spending plunges to 17-year low

'Grand champions of currency manipulation': Trump ratchets up attack on China

How big data can help struggling Hong Kong retailers



Almost two decades of break neck economic growth and increasing prosperity has gotten enough women accustomed to Western tastes and fashion sensibilities that they are dumping local brands.

Victoria's Secret, which first entered China in 2015, has unveiled an aggressive expansion plan in the fast-growing Chinese market. It'll bring its annual show of lingerie and underwear to Shanghai by the end of 2017, besides opening a second store in the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu to serve the southwestern Chinese market.
"Ambiguous" counterfeiting laws in China are the fundamental factor hampering Alibaba's fight against counterfeiting, the company said in a statement . While Alibaba is feeding leads to Chinese law enforcement, only a sliver are followed up by criminal investigators, the company said.

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba is pointing fingers at Chinese lawmakers, as accusations of widespread counterfeiting loom over its U.S. expansion.

In the year leading up to August 2016, Alibaba took down 380 million product listings as an anti-counterfeiting measure. But just a fraction of cases made it through the criminal justice system, the company said: Of nearly 4,500 eligible cases last year identified by Alibaba, 1,184 were pursued by law enforcement, leading to 33 convictions, Alibaba said.

"As a private enterprise, Alibaba has no law-enforcement power, " Alibaba said. "The criminalization of drunk driving once delivered a clear message to society that violators will have to face serious consequences for their actions. Such a message served as a deterrent. We hope our society can reach a consensus to collectively increase the resources and efforts towards combating counterfeiting to no lesser extent than was done with drunk driving."

Alibaba sued two merchants over counterfeiting earlier this year, the first case of its kind the company has filed. The suit came after Alibaba marketplace Taobao was placed on the blacklist of "notorious marketplaces" by U.S. regulators.

The black mark came at a bad time for a company that's gunning for a massive U.S. expansion. Executive chairman Jack Ma told President Donald Trump that he plans to support 1 million new U.S. jobs over the next five years.
No CEO is safe.

Among the most popular tactics being used by activist investors of late is to oust companies' chief executive officers  an approach so prevalent that there have been several developments in the last week alone.

In some cases, activist investors are arriving on the scene with their own replacement CEOs at the ready. In others, they're encouraging chief executives to retire, and then placing themselves in the middle of the search process for the next leader.

The trend may also be related to the recent rally in the markets, according to Josh Black of the research firm Activist Insight. He said that breakups and buybacks  the more traditional activist plays  have less upside at the top of the market than at the bottom, so seeking operational changes, such as getting rid of the CEO, makes more sense right now.

Take Arconic , for example. Activist firm Elliott Management seeks to overthrow Klaus Kleinfeld, current CEO of Arconic, which sells metal products to the transportation and energy industries. Elliott revealed it is the largest holder of Arconic, with a stake of more than 13 percent in the $13 billion company.

Elliott teamed up with Larry Lawson, former CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, saying in a letter this month that Lawson has the skills to "lead a turnaround of Arconic's woefully underperforming business." Arconic has defended Kleinfeld and questioned Elliott's "shifting numbers, data sources and valuations" related to the investor's diligence of the company.
Bankruptcy cases surged in China last year, indicating growing economic stress as well as progress in the ruling Communist party's efforts to use the country's courts to deal with indebted "zombie" companies and reduce industrial overcapacity.

Chinese courts accepted 5,665 bankruptcy cases in 2016, an increase of 54 per cent from the year before, the country's top court said on Friday. About 3,600 of those cases were resolved, with 85 per cent of the resolved cases resulting in liquidation.

"It is linked to getting rid of zombie companies and making the economy more efficient," said Susan Finder, law scholar in residence at Peking University's Shenzhen Graduate School. "Provincial courts state this when they report the number of bankruptcy cases. The idea is to save the companies that can be saved and liquidate the ones that can't."

More from Financial Times:

Can a pro-EU party thrive in Dutch elections?

BMW considers making electric Mini outside UK because of Brexit

Brussels sets out tough new line on equivalence

The court did not give full regional figures but companies from China's eastern regions, which are known for manufacturing by small and medium-sized enterprises, appeared to contribute a large chunk of cases, with more than 1,600 coming from the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu alone.

Many of the cases were also from economically troubled north-east China, with 346 coming from Liaoning province, which recorded a 23 per cent decline in nominal gross domestic product last year amid a downturn in heavy industry. The province was home to one of last year's highest profile bankruptcy cases, when Dongbei Special Steel Group formally entered into a restructuring process in October following serial bond defaults.

China is home to thousands of economically unviable "zombie" enterprises that survive with the support of local governments and state-owned banks. China's top state-owned asset regulator last year compiled a list of central government-owned zombie enterprises, identifying 2,041 entities with total assets of Rmb3.1tn.

China's legislature approved a modern bankruptcy law in 2007 but for years it was seldom used. Debt disputes were often handled through backroom negotiations, mainly because local officials are typically more worried about the prospect of creating unemployment than they are about angering creditors.

"China's economy is on a downward trend that increases the number of bankruptcy cases," said Ye Zengsheng, a law professor at Zhejiang University. Overall, the number of bankruptcy case numbers remained low as governments used "roguish methods" such as debt-for-equity swaps and private-public partnerships to keep insolvent firms alive, he added.

China's 6.7 per cent growth last year was the lowest since 1990.

Just under 20,000 bankruptcy cases in total were accepted between 2008 and 2015. For each insolvency case accepted by China's courts, another 100-250 enterprises are estimated to have gone out of business, mostly through deregistration and business licence cancellation, the International Monetary Fund said in a working paper last year.

The ruling Communist party has increased calls for the courts to take on more bankruptcy proceedings since 2015. Special divisions have been set up in lower-level courts to handle liquidation and bankruptcy cases.

But legal experts say most legal bankruptcies involve SMEs, where the social impact is limited, while party-controlled courts still face strong incentives to keep larger companies operating rather than rule them insolvent.
In the wake of President Donald Trump's repeated attacks on the media, CNN's president criticized many leaders in Congress for not speaking up.

"I do think that one of the things that has surprised me is how gutless many Congressional leaders have been in standing up to these attacks on the media," said CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker, in a discussion with reporter Wolf Blitzer held Sunday at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center in New York City.

Since Trump's election, he has blasted U.S. news media for spreading what he calls "fake news"  a designation he often makes for reports that are critical of the administration.

In a recent appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, he criticized the use of anonymous sources and doubled down on recent critiques. On Twitter, he claimed "fake news media" are "the enemy of the American People" and "a great danger" to America and likened critical news coverage to "a total political witch hunt." CNN and The New York Times have been two of the president's most frequent targets.

President Trump Tweet: 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!

President Trump Tweet: The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!

Zucker praised Sen. John McCain's recent comments on the media. McCain, who has been an outspoken critic of some of Trump's actions in the Oval Office, called the free press "vital" in an interview earlier this month with NBC's "Meet the Press." Without it, McCain cautioned, America would lose too many "individual liberties," adding, "that's how dictators get started."
Warren Buffett was persuaded to drop Kraft Heinz 's $143bn takeover approach for Unilever by the corporate-financier Michael Klein, making the dealmaker the unlikely executioner of what would have been the second-largest merger in corporate history.

Earlier this month, Kraft Heinz, which is backed by Mr Buffett and Brazil's 3G, revealed that it was seeking to acquire the Anglo-Dutch company behind brands such as Dove soap and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Two days after the proposal became public on Friday February 17, Mr Buffett, the billionaire head of Berkshire Hathaway , awoke to a letter from Paul Polman, Unilever chief executive, explaining his hostility to the deal.

Mr Klein, a former Citigroup executive who has worked alongside Tony Blair, former British prime minister, on some deals, then telephoned Mr Buffett to explain political sensitivities around the deal, according to people briefed on the discussion.

In the UK, Theresa May's Conservative government has been pushing for stronger industrial policy that safeguarded jobs, and MPs had already voiced opposition to the deal. In the Netherlands, home of half of Unilever, parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 15.



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Mr Klein then put Mr Buffett on the line with Mr Polman. Within hours, Kraft Heinz had pulled its bid.

Mr Klein is better known as a consummate dealmaker. He helped to organize peace talks between Ivan Glasenberg, Glencore chief, and Mick Davis, Xstrata chief, which paved the way for an $90bn merger of the two commodities groups in 2013.

Representatives at M Klein & Company, Mr Klein's advisory group, could not be reached for comment.

The failure of the Kraft Heinz approach for Unilever is a rare stumble for Mr Buffett and his partners at 3G.

The latter is known for adopting aggressive cost-cutting tactics that are upending the consumer goods industry. They have taken stakes in the beverages group Anheuser-Busch InBev and Restaurant Brands International, the owner of the Burger King and Tim Hortons restaurant chains.

Last week, Unilever said the aborted bid had been a "trigger" for it to work harder and faster on delivering better returns to investors. It has launched a review of its business to be concluded by early April.
By now, many have seen the headlines: "White House Spokesman Predicts More Federal Action Against Marijuana" (NPR), "White House: Feds will step up marijuana law enforcement" (CNN), "Marijuana entrepreneurs try to stay calm after Spicer comments on weed" (CNBC). It is hard to believe a minute and a half out of an hour-long press briefing could cause so much commotion.

Let's examine what White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer actually said. He essentially said two things. He distinguished medical marijuana from adult use, and he believes "you'll see greater enforcement" of the Controlled Substance Act against recreational use.

Mr. Spicer did not say there were any imminent actions from the U.S. Department of Justice, the agency charged with enforcing federal law. In fact, he said the question of enforcement would be better addressed by the DOJ itself. Mr. Spicer was stating what he believes.

Here's what I believe. I believe Mr. Spicer's acknowledgement that the president supports state's rights when it comes to medical marijuana is a positive development. Mr. Spicer also referenced the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, first passed in 2014, which currently prohibits the federal government from prosecuting medical marijuana in states where it is legal.

"The president understands the pain and suffering that many people go through who are facing especially terminal diseases and the comfort that some of these drugs, including medical marijuana, can bring to them," Mr. Spicer said.

So at least on the question of medical marijuana, there seems to be broad consensus. Medical marijuana is now legal in 28 states and accounts for about three quarters of the burgeoning legal cannabis industry.
Early on in the exclusive sit-down, the former president expressed a clear-eyed support for the news media, saying a free press was "indispensable to democracy.

"We needed the media to hold people like me to account," Bush told TODAY'S Matt Lauer.

"Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power."

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Bush was asked about the media's role in light of President Donald Trump's recent characterization of the media as "enemies of America." He noted he spent a lot of time during his two terms trying to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to embrace an independent press.

"It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when we're not willing to have one ourselves," he said.

Bush also addressed the controversy over Trump advisers and the role they may have played in the scandal involving Russian hackers who tried to intervene in the election, saying he would leave questions about whether a special prosecutor should investigate up to the Senate intelligence committee leaders.

"I think we all need answers," he said, noting that he was not a lawyer so, "I'm not sure the right avenue to take."

Bush, the last Republican to occupy the White House before Trump, also was asked about President Trump's controversial executive order that banned immigrants from predominantly Muslim nations.

Asked pointedly if he favored or opposed the policy, Bush said, "I am for an immigration policy that is welcoming and upholds the law."

Bush won the 2000 presidential election after one of the most contentious and controversial decisions in American history. He took office after a divided Supreme Court ruled over a dispute involving a contested recount in Florida.

Bush also returned to the show to discuss his new book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors," a collection of portraits of some of the military veterans he has met.

Proceeds of the book will be donated to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization that helps post-Sept. 11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life.

The portraits are also currently on display as part of an exhibition at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.

By Eun Kyung Kim, TODAY.com.

See more News from The TODAY Show at our Facebook and Twitter.
Trump met Monday with a group of governors as Congress began to take up proposals to "repeal and replace" the health care law, one of Trump's main campaign promises.



"It's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated," Trump told the governors.



The reaction from the governors has been mixed.



Republican Gov. Gary Herbert of Utah told a news conference that he supports the GOP plan to cap federal funding and give states more flexibility. But Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada says he's concerned his state could be "punished" under that plan.



That assessment was echoed in a recent report from the Urban Institute, which said wealthier states would likely get bigger block grants and higher spending caps, based on current levels of Medicaid spending.



"These proposals would lock in these spending differences," the report said.



Trump also met Monday with health insurance executives, some of whom are worried that the uncertainty over the health care law's future is spilling into the marketplace.



Without offering specific details, Trump said the current health insurance market is "going to absolutely implode" and called on the executives to work with the government to plot a path forward.



"We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare," he said.



Trump is expected to provide more detail in a major speech scheduled for Tuesday night. The Medicaid block grants proposal dates back to the Reagan administration. Proponents argue that the change would give states more flexibility to innovate with their programs. The proposal was also backed by House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1995 and President George W. Bush in 2003.



But critics of the plan, including some GOP governors, fear it would simply shift a greater financial burden onto already tight state budgets.



The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the block grant systems could cut Medicaid spending by as much as a third over the next decade. A recent report by the consulting firms Avalere Health and McKinsey & Company said the change would create funding gaps for states.



That would force states to cut Medicaid benefits, shift more cost to Medicaid patients, raise state taxes, cut other state spending  or a combination of those moves. Rising Medicaid costs have already put pressure on many state budgets, forcing spending cuts on other services.



The change could also reduce or eliminate coverage for millions of people. Under the Affordable Care Act, an option to expand Medicaid was enacted by 31 states and the District of Columbia.



(The Associated Press contributed.)
Aeries swimwear selection at its SoHo pop-up store. Source: Aerie

Teen retail is a game of survival. Under siege from fast-fashion, off-price and online competitors, the growing list of retailers filing for Chapter 11 has been peppered with names like Aeropostale and Pacific Sunwear. Yet as its competitors flounder, one teen brand is reveling in five straight quarters of greater than 20 percent comparable sales growth. Aerie, the intimates label owned by incumbent teen player American Eagle , is steadily becoming a larger piece of its parent company's revenue. The antithesis to Victoria's Secret 's bombshell branding, Aerie's body-positive grassroots advertising campaign has resonated with the retailer's target shoppers. The chain's early entry into the booming bralette business has helped, as well.

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Now, Aerie is looking to build on its momentum by opening 50 new stores in 2017, and going after a category that Victoria's Secret left behind: swimwear. "I feel like Aerie can own the swim business," Jennifer Foyle, the label's global brand president, told CNBC. Bikinis have been part of Aerie's business since its launch 11 years ago. But with Victoria's Secret's retreat from the category putting an estimated $500 million in annual sales up for grabs, Aerie is pushing harder into the business. It's doing so by showcasing more beachwear in its Aerie real campaign, which bans the air brushing of models. The launch of that campaign has been critical to Aerie's success since it began three years ago, and has been credited with much of its growth. The label is also using data from its website, where swim is sold year-round, to buy deeper into key trends when it stocks the shelves in its stores. Popular styles leading into the spring include one-piece suits with a high leg and cutouts. "We are seeing some new statistics in swim that are like, 'Whoa,'" Foyle said. "Market share's up for grabs for sure."

Aerie's swimwear selection at its SoHo pop-up store. David A. Grogan | CNBC

Becoming more aggressive in swimwear is a logical step for Aerie, whose budget-friendly prices and on-trend merchandise have helped it build a loyal shopper base, said Jan Kniffen, CEO of the J Rogers Kniffen research and consulting firm and a CNBC contributor. It should also help it attract new customers.

"Their advantage for the first time in their lives ... [is] the mindset of the customer is where they are and not where Victoria's Secret is," Kniffen said. Even before ramping up its focus on swim, Aerie grew its revenue in the category by 17.5 percent, to $61.2 million, last year, according to Euromonitor. Along with its push into swimwear and the recent launch of an activewear line, Aerie plans boost its top line by opening 50 new stores this year. Some of those shops will be stand-alone locations, while others will be adjacent to traditional American Eagle stores. Aerie currently has 190 locations, though they're spread across just 13 states and concentrated mostly on the East Coast. In December, it opened a pop-up store in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, which was designed to feel like a modern marketplace. The shop features a room in the back that can be converted into a yoga studio and space for a flower vendor. Aerie will use certain elements from this store in its future locations, Foyle said.

Aerie pop-up store in SoHo, New York. Krystina Gustafson | CNBC

"We are going to be like Lewis and Clark this year. We're going to go west," she said, adding the brand recently opened locations in Honolulu and Denver. Yet even as Kniffen said he expects Aerie's momentum to continue for the next few years, he cautioned that at just under 10 percent of American Eagle's revenue, it's too small to move the needle for the company at large. Competition in the teen space remains fierce, he added, saying he expects sales growth at the retailer  which achieved record revenue in the fiscal third quarter  to slip. Still, that doesn't take anything away from Aerie's trajectory, Kniffen said. "If Aerie was its own stock, I'd have everybody buying that sucker tomorrow," Kniffen said. American Eagle said last month that its comparable sales for November and December were roughly flat. The company is scheduled to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday and expects a profit of 37 cents to 39 cents a share.

Watch: Does retail have more room to run?

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Investors appear to have shrugged off any Brexit concerns to adjudge the U.K. as the third most important country in terms of company growth prospects, according to a report published Monday.

Britain's international business standing has not been negatively impacted by looming Brexit negotiations and has moved up one place to be level pegging alongside Germany, according to analysis from professional services giant PwC.

"Importance could be interpreted in a positive light  that the countries selected would be those expected to grow most or fastest. On that basis, the Brexit vote and all the uncertainty surrounding the U.K.'s future relationship with the EU appear not to be deterring investors," Hilary Eastman, head of global investor engagement at PwC, said in a note.

One in three of the 550 global investors and 1,300 CEOs surveyed placed the U.K. in their top three countries in terms of corporate growth, up from just 19 percent last year when Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU).

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May is widely expected to meet her self-imposed April deadline to begin divorce talks with the bloc.
Jeremy Siegel, professor of finance at the Wharton School, says the Dow could be headed toward 22,000 given the pro-growth economic policies expected under the Trump administration. "I think 22,000 is what's justified if we get the Republican part of the Trump agenda and that is lower corporate taxes and lower regulation," Siegel said. "My feeling is that should give you 20 percent altogether  we've had 10 percent since he's been elected," he added. The new target by Siegel, who had been calling for Dow 20,000 since 2014, implies a gain of about 6 percent from where the benchmark closed Monday. In this exclusive interview, Siegel is joined by Dennis Berman, business editor at The Wall Street Journal, who discusses what could be ahead for the market. PRO members have access to this content, which originally appeared on "Closing Bell."

Jeremy Siegel, professor of finance at the Wharton School, says the Dow could be headed toward 22,000 given the pro-growth economic policies expected under the Trump administration. "I think 22,000 is what's justified if we get the Republican part of the Trump agenda and that is lower corporate taxes and lower regulation," Siegel said. "My feeling is that should give you 20 percent altogether  we've had 10 percent since he's been elected," he added. The new target by Siegel, who had been calling for Dow 20,000 since 2014, implies a gain of about 6 percent from where the benchmark closed Monday. In this exclusive interview, Siegel is joined by Dennis Berman, business editor at The Wall Street Journal, who discusses what could be ahead for the market. PRO members have access to this content, which originally appeared on "Closing Bell."
If U.S. President Donald Trump proceeds with plans to label China a currency manipulator, the confrontation would likely escalate beyond trade, David Roche, global strategist at Independent Strategy, told CNBC on Monday.

"Although there are actually no economic grounds, according to the U.S. Treasury's own criteria, for judging a country to be a currency manipulator, I believe on the grounds of politics, Trump will force this through his Republican support and that'll be the start of a confrontation with China, which I think is actually the point at which the proverbial soft stuff hits the fan," Roche told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Monday.

During his campaign, Trump vowed to label the country a currency manipulator for the purposes of a competitive trade advantage on his first day in office and threatened to impose a tariff of as much as 45 percent on China's exports to the U.S.

On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that the administration would stick to the existing process to judge whether China was a currency manipulator. By those standards, China doesn't match the definition.

In fact, China's policymakers have appeared to be supporting in recent months, not trying to push it lower.
Mollenkopf spoke from international tech trade show Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where Qualcomm's new Snapdragon processors were front and center, powering new phones like the Sony's Xperia XZ Premium . The trade show comes as American lawmakers are debating a tax that would essentially subsidize exports and tax imports .

"We are integral to a global supply chain that supports electronics," Mollenkopf told " Squawk on the Street ." " It's actually quite good for America .... I also think that stability or success in American business  or overseas success of American business  is a great stabilizing force for the country as a whole, and we think we have a role to play there."

"If you look at a company like Qualcomm, we're a big exporter," Mollenkopf said. "We essentially have tremendous revenue offshore and large employment onshore. I think it's very difficult to make big changes in that."

For instance, Mollenkopf said American companies have big opportunities to take advantage of a booming wireless industry in India and Southeast Asia, as mobile penetration rises there.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm is in the midst of a $1 billion legal battle with a giant customer  Apple. Apple has accused Qualcomm of charging Apple "at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors" combined. On a recent conference call with investors, Apple CEO Tim Cook said "it's somewhat like buying a sofa, and you charge somebody a different price depending upon the price of the house that it goes into."

"We're not going to win the case or lose the case based on the strength of a metaphor," Mollenkopf said. "We're very integral in creating the industries that a lot of people come in and are successful in. We're actually very happy that that occurs."

Mollenkopf pointed to mega-start-ups like Snapchat and Uber, which are mobile-first companies that are expected to go public soon.

"The core technologies that we create, and that others create, enable new business models," Mollenkopf said. "In Uber's or Snap's case, you couldn't do that without connected devices in your pocket, the ability to have a high-quality camera connected to the cloud at all times, or the ability to have position location. We've been working on those technologies for 20 years."
Here are some of the key stories CNBC is following this hour:

Investigators are trying to figure out why a single-engine plane crashed into a Colorado reservoir. Two men were killed in the plane crash Monday morning. Drivers are searching the water to make sure there are not any other victims.



Bill Cosby's legal team won a victory today in Pennsylvania. A judge ruled that a jury from outside of Montgomery County can hear the sexual assault case against the actor. Cosby's lawyers have been concerned pre-trial publicity could hurt their case. He's set to go on trial June 5.

It's almost cherry blossom season in Washington D.C. The National Park Service is expected to reveal its "peak season" predictions on Wednesday. The forecast indicates when at least 70 percent of the trees around the city's tidal basin are expected to blossom.

A report from data analytics firm Nielsen suggests YouTube could soon top television viewership, as the Alphabet -owned unit has surpassed one billion hours of watch time a day. That figure is far larger than previously reported. U.S. television viewership averages around 1.25 billion hours a day.
Here are some of the key stories CNBC is following this hour:



Israel carried out airstrikes on Monday, aiming for militant sites across the Gaza Strip.This comes hours after a rocket was fired into southern Israel, where it landed in an empty field. No one was injured.

A group of activists took on President Donald Trump in Mexico on the issue of the border wall. They painted the message, "We are neither criminals nor illegals. We are international workers."



A North Carolina law that prohibits sex offenders from using Facebook and other sites may soon be declared unconstitutional. At least five Supreme Court justices suggested on Monday that they would rule against it. Justice Elena Kagan pointed out the law is so broad that it also prevents people from reading Twitter accounts, including Trump's.



Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has worked with the Academy for 82 years, said it deeply regrets its error regarding the best picture award Sunday night. Tabulators gave presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope by mistake. The envelope had "La La Land" and Emma Stone written on it instead of the real winner: "Moonlight."


Jordan Horowitz, producer of the movie "La La Land," was forced to acknowledge the major error last night. Moonlight wins the Best Picture Oscar after a mishap that named La La Land the winner at the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

Here are some of the key stories CNBC is following this hour:

Top accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is doing damage control this morning after an epic mix-up at the Oscars over the best picture award. Jordan Horowitz, producer of the movie "La La Land," was forced to acknowledge the major error last night. The actual winner for best picture was "Moonlight." Tabulators gave presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope.

Bill Cosby returned to a Pennyslvania courtroom Monday, with his defense team asking the judge to bring in outside jurors for his criminal sexual assault trial. Cosby is accused of sexually assaulting a former Temple University employee. Cosby's lawyers are concerned pre-trial publicity could hurt their case.

A new survey finds children between the ages of 13 and 17 are almost as disillusioned as their parents about the nation's political divide. However, the poll, conducted by the Associated Press NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, did find that the teens were a bit more optimistic about the future.
Europe's biggest tech showcase, Mobile World Congress (MWC), kicked off on Monday with a raft of global smartphone makers launching devices.

But the notable absence was a flagship smartphone from Samsung , the world's biggest vendor. The South Korean giant usually uses MWC to take the wraps of its new smartphones. But following the exploding Note 7 saga, which saw the company's biggest recall and eventual discontinuation of the handset, Samsung said it would delay the Galaxy S8 launch.

Rivals which are biting at the heels of Samsung are hoping to take advantage of the opportunity.

"This year has presented an unexpected window of opportunity for Samsung's rivals to position their new devices in the limelight. It's a unique chance to get airtime before the Samsung marketing freight train grabs all the headlines when the widely anticipated Galaxy S8 breaks cover," Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, told CNBC in an interview on Sunday.

Huawei unveiled the P10 smartphone on Sunday with great fanfare at MWC in Barcelona. Queues of people were lining up waiting to get into the event which used dramatic music, lighting and visuals to dazzle the audience. Richard Yu, the head of Huawei's consumer division, used the press conference to make continual comparisons between the P10 and Samsung's flagship S7 device and Apple's iPhone.

TWEET

Yu told CNBC on the sidelines of the company's press conference that the absence of a Samsung flagship phone for at least another month presents an opening for rivals.

"Yes, it's an opportunity, it's an opportunity for everyone," Yu said.

South Korea's LG, Samsung's fiercest rival, also launched its new phone called the G6, while TCL Communications brought out a new BlackBerry running Google's Android software and boasting a physical keyboard. Sony also took the wraps of its flagship Xperia XZ Premium.

Samsung used MWC to launch two tablets, and teased the S8 launch which will be held on March 29. It will be hoping consumers will stay loyal to the brand and wait for the Galaxy S8 rather than jumping to rivals.
Walk around any phone store or browse online, and you'll find rows of similar looking rectangular shaped smartphones. Compared to some of the crazy designs pioneered by Nokia, Ericsson and the rest in the early days of mobiles, things look pretty tame now.

It's also an age when sub-$200 smartphones are powerful enough for most people and even flagship phones from the likes of Apple and Samsung don't look radically different from their predecessors.

My musings come ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona which kicks off this week. It's usually the place for the latest cutting edge smartphones, but this year looks flat. Samsung has delayed their next device  the Galaxy S8  after the exploding Note 7 saga, and rumors and leaks so far have not suggested anything surprising. Though the Nokia 3310 could be making a return. Has the mobile phone world run out of ideas?

It's easy to dismiss smartphone innovation as dead. In fact, one in two people think the smartphone itself will be obsolete within five years, according to an Ericsson survey of 100,000 people globally, released at the end of 2015.

Yes, smartphones will be dead in five years but not in the sense of being wiped out. Instead, innovation will come from new areas, not hardware, and the way we interact with devices will change. Smartphones as we know them today will be dead.
The Sony Xperia Touch projector. Benjamin Hall | CNBC

Sony unveiled last year a concept projector product that allowed users to interact with any surface as if it was a touch screen. The prototype was buggy and difficult to use. But a year later, the Xperia Touch as it's now called, has been vastly improved and Sony is commercializing the product. In Spring, Sony will launch the Xperia Touch priced at 1,499 euros ($1,587) beginning in Japan and Europe and later coming to the U.S, the company announced on Monday at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona. It runs Google's mobile operating system Android allowing users full access to apps from the Google Play store.

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The Xperia Touch has built-in speakers and is small enough to be portable. It can project against both a horizontal and vertical surface with a screen of up to 80 inches. However, at 80 inches, the image loses its touch capabilities, something Sony said it is working on to improve. Sony has been trying to push into new product categories amid stiff competition in smartphones where it has failed to gain significant market share. The company sees its future in the so-called Internet of Things (IOT) market, which refers to devices connected to the internet. To that end, it also showed off a concept product called the Xperia Ear Open Concept, which is a wireless earphone with a built-in artificial voice assistant. Last year, Sony unveiled the Xperia Ear but has since gone back to the drawing board and redesigned the concept. This has not yet been commercialized.

A demo of a DJ app on the Sony Xperia Touch projector. Benjamin Hall | CNBC
How long is a fiscal quarter? Maybe you thought it was a quarter of a year, or three months?

You'd be right most of the time, but for a handful of public companies, that assumption is dead wrong. A few firms, including big names like PepsiCo, Kroger and AutoZone, use a rare reporting system that makes one quarter of each year a full month longer than the rest.

For market watchers comparing companies or attempting seasonal analysis, those dramatically different quarter lengths could throw a wrench in calculations, because one quarter is 33 percent longer. And most people have no idea those long quarters even exist.

"I discovered it totally by accident and said, 'I can't believe this,'" said Martin Gosman, an economics professor at Wesleyan University who has co-written a paper about the long quarters and warns students about them in his classes. "I asked people who have audited and been in public accounting, and they said they'd never heard of it."

There's nothing in SEC rules that says a company can't have uneven quarters, as long as they're consistent year to year. But it is extremely unusual  only seven companies in the S&P 500 use the system, according to a CNBC analysis.
Chalk that up to a growing political tribalism. Yet the real tests of tribal solidarity have barely begun. His actual governance on issues like taxes, trade and health care will present escalating potential strains for Trump's diverse coalition and agenda. Consider the latest A minority of 44 percent now approves of Trump's performance as president, just slightly below the 46 percent of the popular vote he won last November. Some 48 percent disapproves, matching the percentage that voted for Hillary Clinton. Among those who identify with a political party, 9 percent of Democrats approve; 8 precent voted for him. Fully 86 percent of Republicans approve, just a tick below the 88 percent who voted for him. Tribal feeling, sometimes described as group solidarity or ethnocentrism, reflect survival instincts that have always impelled human beings to distinguish friends from foes. In recent decades, that sentiment has dramatically strengthened within the American party system. The increasing congruence of ideology and partisanship has so sharpened the divide that 9 in 10 Democrats and Republicans now routinely back their party's nominee.

Among African-Americans, political solidarity surged in Democrats' favor after Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A similar trend occurred among Hispanics after 2004, as Republicans took a hard line against legal status for undocumented immigrants.



Lately, solidarity among whites has increased in Republicans' favor. As the U.S. Census projects America will become a majority minority nation within three decades, psychologists at UCLA in a 2015 study found fear among whites of losing their status as the "prototypical" ethnic group.



That fear, they wrote, represents "a novel, emerging source of resistance toward diversity in 21st Century America." Trump harnessed it better than anyone in last year's Republican field, as the first African-American president prepared to leave office.



In early 2016, political scientists from the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt examined data from the American National Election Study on voter attitudes toward candidates and different racial, ethnic and religious groups.

Their conclusion: Group solidarity among whites represented Trump's critical edge.



"Ethnocentrism among white Americans explains Trump's astonishing emergence," concluded Donald Kinder and Cindy Kam. In November, Trump defeated Clinton by 20 percentage points among whites.



Yet the concrete allocation of governing rewards will test the allegiance of two different groups of Trump supporters: financially squeezed blue-collar voters who welcome crackdowns on immigration, trade deals and crime; and affluent pro-business Republicans who seek cuts in taxes and regulations.



The Affordable Care Act that Trump pledges to repeal would eliminate insurance subsidies for many blue-collar workers who backed him, while cutting taxes for the wealthy. The tax cut plan he campaigned for would also disproportionately benefit high-earners.



In the name of working-class allies, Trump has scuttled the That disappointed business supporters who have flourished in the globalized economy. His , now stymied in federal court, triggered complaints from Silicon Valley and other multinational U.S. corporations.



In any event, solidarity within Trump's coalition could hold. An experiment by British psychologists, offering different groups of schoolboys choices of monetary rewards, found that individual teenagers chose options that benefited their groups, even if they received less themselves.



Members of groups, Vanderbilt's Kam explained, often prefer "the self-esteem they derive from where their in-group stands," regardless of material self-interest.



Yet research also shows that such solidarity weakens with higher levels of education. That means that upscale Trump supporters may be most susceptible to defection if policies adversely affect them, Kam speculated. The NBC/WSJ poll shows that, compared to Election Day, Trump's standing among college-educated whites has fallen slightly more than among non-college whites.
President Donald Trump's executive order to remove undocumented migrants living in the United States delivers on one of his main campaign promises. The president has blamed Mexican migrants for serious crimes, including rape. He frames the measure as both enforcing immigration laws and protecting Americans from what the president has called "a significant threat to national security and public safety."

Following through on this order is no small task. Although the number of unauthorized immigrants has decreased over the last decade, about 11 million undocumented immigrants currently live in the U.S. according to the Pew Research Center. About half of them are Mexican, although the percentage from Asian and Central American countries has increased in recent years. Most undocumented migrants have spent a good part of their lives in this country: an estimated two thirds of adults have lived in the U.S. for at least a decade.

A recent Pew Research poll suggests that 58 percent of Americans support increasing deportations of people here illegally. President Trump's new policy might therefore win political points in the short-term, but is likely to produce a number of negative economic and political costs in the longer term:

1. Worsening the labor shortage

There is a shortage of labor in America's agricultural industry, where between 25 percent and 70 percent of the U.S. farm workforce is estimated to be undocumented. Both the decline in Mexican migration to the U.S. and the Obama administration's roughly 2.7 million deportations have contributed to this shortage, which has been driving up the price of agricultural products. If the Trump administration proceeds with mass deportations, the labor shortage would worsen dramatically, forcing American farm owners to shut down, resulting in higher prices for the American consumer, and making the industry less competitive internationally.

2. Costing American taxpayers

Deporting millions of undocumented migrants comes at a huge additional expense by the government. The 5,000 border patrol and 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the government intends to hire represent 25 percent and 50 percent increases, respectively. One conservative estimate puts the additional cost around $4 billion in the agencies' yearly operating expenditures.

3. Undermining trust in local police

If the local police are acting as immigration agents to enforce federal law, Latino communities will come to fear rather than trust local police. This would affect not only unauthorized migrants' willingness to approach law enforcement to denounce crimes or tip the police, but also Latino U.S. citizens who would become wary of interacting with local police out of concern for relatives or acquaintances who have made their lives in the U.S. The inability to rely on information from the community would become a major road block for policing, especially in those communities that might be most vulnerable to crime.

4. Driving millions into the shadows

The administration's efforts to deport unauthorized migrants for minor infractions would force these sectors deeper underground. Unauthorized migrants would become reluctant to seek medical services, which could lead to public health problems. They could also keep their childrenmany of them U.S. citizens-from attending school because of fear of deportation. In a post 9/11 world, the U.S. will be safer by bringing unauthorized migrants increasingly into the system, not by marginalizing them.

It is not clear that deporting millions of undocumented migrants already living in the U.S. would bring large enough benefits to compensate for the significant associated costs. The Trump administration should pursue measures to secure America's borders and prevent unauthorized migration, but the cost of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants without a criminal record is a misguided and ultimately harmful policy.



Commentary by Gustavo A. Flores-Macias, associate professor of government at Cornell University. He is the author of After Neoliberalism? The Left and Economic Reforms in Latin America. Follow him on Twitter @Gustavo_F_M.



For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCOpinion on Twitter.


This revelation comes at a dicey time for Uber, as it has been under scrutiny of late , due to an explosive blog post by a former female engineer who alleged numerous incidents of sexism , sexual harassment and also painted a picture of a very dysfunctional HR department and management structure.

Sources at Uber said that the company did extensive background checks of Singhal and that it did not uncover any hint of the circumstances of his departure from Google. Singhal disputed the allegation to Google execs at the time.

Uber execs found out about the situation after Recode informed them of the chain of events between Singhal and the search giant this week.

Amit Singhal has left his job at Uber as its SVP of engineering , because he did not disclose to the car-hailing company that he left Google a year earlier after top executives there informed him of an allegation of sexual harassment from an employee that an internal investigation had found "credible."

To be clear, Singhal's dispute with Google has nothing to do with that situation or the recent lawsuit that Google's parent company, Alphabet, has waged against Uber's Otto division.

But having Singhal at the head of an organization under siege over sexual harassment issues when he was not candid with Uber over his departure from Google was considered untenable.

Indeed. According to multiple sources and internal notes read to me, after discussing the claims of an alleged encounter between Singhal and a female employee first with former Google HR head Laszlo Bock and also Google CEO Sundar Pichai in late 2015, he denied those claims. He also apparently stated a number of times that there were two sides to every story.

But, after the Christmas holidays, he then decided to resign himself after a 15-year career there.

Sources said that Google was prepared to fire Singhal over the allegations, after looking into the incident, but that it did not have to do so after he resigned.

Sources said the female employee who filed the formal complaint against Singhal did not work for him directly, but worked closely with the search team. She also did not want to go public with the charges, which is apparently why Google decided to allow Singhal to leave quietly.

He was also a well-regarded executive there, who was well liked by many I have spoken to at Google. He rose to a top job as SVP of search and has had a distinguished career as a technologist in Silicon Valley. (You can hear an interview I did with him onstage at Code Mobile conference in late 2015 here.)

But his sudden departure from Google in early 2016 came soon after he had reorganized his huge and critical division, a move that definitely set off alarm bells with me and many others both inside and outside of Google.

You could not tell that there were any problems, though, from the outward behavior of both sides. When Singhal left, said sources, Google settled major outstanding grants he had and his own goodbye letter read more like a retirement missive. More to the point, it gave no hint of acrimony between himself and his longtime employer.

"As I entered the fifteenth year of working at Google, I've been asking myself the question, 'What would you want to do for the next fifteen?' The answer has overwhelmingly been: Give back to others. It has always been a priority for me to give back to people who are less fortunate, and make time for my family amidst competing work constraints  but on both fronts, I simply want to give and do more," he wrote. "Now is a good time to make this important life change."

But within a year, rather than do good, Singhal had gotten a top job at Uber.

Google declined to comment on the circumstances of Singhal's departure. Uber also declined to comment beyond its statement about the details of his hiring.

By Kara Swisher, Recode.net.

CNBC's parent NBCUniversal is an investor in Recode's parent Vox, and the companies have a content-sharing arrangement.


Yields on U.S. government debt rose on Monday after 10-year Treasury yields hit a five-week low on Friday.

Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan, a voting member of the central bank's policymaking committee, reiterated his view that a rate hike should come sooner rather than later.

Peter Boockvar, chief market analyst at The Lindsey Group said, "I have to put the drop in long-term yields as more in response to a flattening of the curve to what is now a growing belief that a March hike very well might happen."

The Fed is scheduled to hold its next monetary policy meeting March 14, with the possibility of a rate hike high enough to keep investors intrigued. Market expectations for a rate hike in March are around 50 percent, according to Fed funds futures.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 2.365 percent from Friday's close of 2.317, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was marginally higher at 2.983 from 2.953 on Friday.

Last week, the 10-year Treasury yield fell 11 basis points, the steepest weekly decline since July 2016, according to Reuters.
When President Donald Trump delivers his address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress, one constituency will be paying closer attention than usual: Wall Street.

For Trump to score on the Street, the president will have to display one characteristic that hasn't been a particularly strong suit of his  focus.

That, along with at least some detail on how the 45th president plans to accelerate economic growth, could help assuage at least a few frayed nerves in the investment and business community.

"The market has embraced pro-growth, pro-business. At the very core of that embrace is tax reform, it is scaling back regulation," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial. "The market wants to make sure that that agenda is ... still a top priority."

To maintain confidence, Trump will need to avoid some of the haphazardness he has displayed during the early days of his presidency, according to views from a slew of Wall Street pros.

On any given day, Trump at one moment can be meeting with business leaders and making welcomed statements about expanding economic opportunities, then a few hours later causing tumult with a stray tweet or by tongue-lashing the media.

The speech, then, gives him a chance to deliver at least a broad outline to show that the economy remains his primary target.

"This particular speech has taken on a more prominent role for the market than it has in the past. It's important, but it's not where he's going to get into specifics," Krosby said. "This has become a must-see for the markets."
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett told CNBC on Monday he would judge President Donald Trump after four years, first and foremost, by how safe the U.S. has been kept.



"That is the No. 1 job of the chief executive of the United States," he said. "And that's not an easy job."

Buffett said on "Squawk Box" his top concern is how to prevent rogue nations from getting weapons of mass destruction, and he singled out North Korea as a specific threat.

The health of the economy at the end of four years is a second yardstick by which Buffett said he'd evaluate the Republican Trump administration.

"And then third, I'll judge him on if the economy does well, which I expected it to do, how wide the participation in a better economy extends."

The chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway , who supported Democrat Hillary Clinton for president, said he would have judged her by the same standards.

Reminding investors of his past statements, Buffett pointed out that he said the U.S. economy would be fine under Clinton or Trump.

To that end, Buffett told CNBC on Monday that mixing politics and investment strategies would be a "big mistake."



"Probably half the time [in] my adult life, I've had a president other than the one I voted for," he said. "But that's never taken me out of stocks."

Concerning Trump's Cabinet picks, Buffett praised Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and CEO of Exxon , as "the kind of person" he would have chosen.

"Tillerson makes a lot of sense," he said. "Tillerson is going to be working for the United States in that job."



"I don't worry at all about whether somebody comes from the oil industry or if they have a lot of money," Buffett said.

Evaluating Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, and Commerce Secretary-designate Wilbur Ross, Buffett said: "They're Wall Street guys. They're smart guys."

Ross, a billionaire who made his fortune investing in distressed assets, is expected to be confirmed in a Senate vote scheduled for Monday evening.

Mnuchin and Cohn were both Goldman Sachs alums.


Though Warren Buffett is worth almost $80 billion, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway does not wear bespoke, couture suits from Italy. In fact, though he has about 20 suits, each was made in China. Buffett has a long-term relationship with the suit-maker and self-made entrepreneur behind Dalian Dayang Trands, Madam Li. Years ago, she took a risk, caught his attention and then won his respect. As Buffett recalls on CNBC's "Squawk Box," his relationship with Madam Li began when two of her employees greeted Buffett at his hotel in Dalian, China, and started taking his measurements.

Warren Buffett Photo by Bloomberg

"They started sticking tape measures around me and everything and then they showed me a book with ... a whole bunch of samples and said, 'Pick out a suit. Madam Li wants to give it to you,'" says Buffett. At the tailor's urging, he picked out two suits. She sent him those and then more. Eventually, Buffett met the founder and was impressed by the way she had worked her way up, perhaps because it reminded him in some ways of how he did as well.

It's a story that should inspire people in China and inspire people around the world. Warren Buffett chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

"She had started with a sewing machine," says Buffett. "And she employed 15,000 people. And she was a marvelous woman." In 2009, in honor of Dalian Dayang Trands' 30th anniversary, Buffett recorded a video praising Madam Li and her entrepreneurial success.

"It's a remarkable achievement," says Buffett in the video. "It's a story that should inspire people in China and inspire people around the world. I have told that story to many people here in the United States and they marvel at what Dalian Trends has achieved over just these 30 years." Buffett's business partner Charlie Munger and his long-time friend and fellow billionaire Bill Gates also have suits made by Madam Li. They count themselves among her satisfied customers.
While Trump may be wrong that journalists are the "enemy of the people," he is correct that legacy media organizations are often adverse to Republicans and conservatives. This is why boycotts from the right almost never work as well as boycotts from the left. I have seen time and again throughout my career media organizations dismiss consumer boycotts from conservatives as "mean spirited," but insurrections from, say, environmentalists and LGBT rights activists as fair game.



Trump has already succeeded in convincing vast swaths of the electorate that the media are a special interest  not a sanctified public trust. He doesn't just keep rising from the ashes, the ashes keep rising from him and end up covering the media in soot.



There are limits, of course, to his strategy. There are pathways to Trump's toppling besides the media, primarily prosecutors with subpoenas, witnesses under oath with damning testimony and Members of Congress who come to view Trump as a liability.



These scenarios have not come to pass, of course, but the climate is volatile and a president who picks fights with the media, law enforcement and the intelligence community can expect future visits.



Commentary by Eric Dezenhall, CEO of Dezenhall Resources, a crisis-management firm in Washington, DC. He is also the author of "Glass Jaw: A Manifesto for Defending Fragile Reputations in an Age of Instant Scandal." Follow him on Twitter @EricDezenhall.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
SYRACUSE, N.Y.  Immigrants living in the Syracuse area in 2014 contributed $1.7 billion to the metro areas gross domestic product (GDP).

Thats among the findings in a year-long study that CenterState CEO and the New American Economy (NAE) released on Feb. 21.

The report documents the critical impact that new Americans have on the economies of Syracuse and Buffalo, CenterState CEO said in the report.

The New York Citybased New American Economy describes itself as [bringing] together more than 500 Republican, Democratic, and Independent mayors and business leaders who support immigration reforms that will help create jobs for Americans today, per its website.

The research focuses on the contributions immigrants and refugees make through population growth, workforce participation, tax contributions, entrepreneurship, and spending power.

The organizations released the report in conjunction with the launch of Map the Impact  an NAE campaign to highlight the power of immigrants in communities across the country through state- and sector-specific data available for each of the nations 435 Congressional districts.

Refugees and immigrant populations are economically important to Central New York as they contribute to the local labor force, and to the tax base as the region battles population loss. They also help reduce rates of vacancy in the housing market, creating a stabilizing effect to the issues of urban and rural blight, Dominic Robinson, VP of economic inclusion at CenterState CEO, contended in the report. As Central New York business leaders seek to participate in global markets and compete with other regions for talent, the rich cultural diversity created by refugees and immigrants helps foster greater global fluency and connections, resulting in a competitive advantage for the region.

Key findings for Syracuse

Besides the GDP contributions in 2014, the foreign-born population contributed $140.4 million in federal taxes and $93.9 million in state and local taxes, in 2014, and held $607.8 million in spending power, the report found.

Immigrant residents in 2014 also contributed $89.2 million to Social Security and $22.4 million to Medicare.

Between 2000 and 2014, immigrants and refugees helped offset decades of population decline in the Syracuse region, the research found. The U.S.-born population stayed stagnant, but the foreign-born population grew about 42 percent.

In the same time period, the increase in the foreign-born population raised the total housing value in metro Syracuse by $406.5 million.

The research also found that 1,681 foreign-born entrepreneurs generated $22.3 million in business income in Syracuse during 2014.

In addition, by 2014, the 40,815 foreign-born residents in the metro Syracuse area had helped create or preserve 1,877 local manufacturing jobs that would have otherwise vanished or moved elsewhere, the report contended.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
Images for Australias $10 bank note reveal the design of the higher tech Fourth Issue $10 bank note scheduled for release in September 2017. The images show the basic design artwork on each side of the banknote. The white areas are clear.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has released the design of the new $10 bank note that will enter circulation in September 2017.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has released the design of the new $10 bank note that will enter circulation in September 2017. This is the second issue in the banks Fourth Series of notes. The $5 note was issued in September 2016.

For ease of recognition and minimum business disruption, the Fourth Issue $10 note has the same color, size, and subjects as the Third Series $10 note but with enhanced security features. It celebrates the same two famous Australian writers, Dame Mary Gilmore and A.B. Banjo Paterson. Their individual works are recognized in several design elements on the bank note, including a pen nib in two of the clear windows and excerpts of their poetry in microprinting.

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The note also has a clear patch with a rolling color-changing effect, holograms, areas that are visible only under ultraviolet light, intaglio printing, and tactile features along the edge in the form of raised bumps to assist the visually impaired.

Each bank note in the new series will feature a different species of native Australian wattle and bird. The $10 note shows the bramble wattle (Acacia victoriae) and the sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

The serial number will appear on the side of the note depicting Dame Mary and the signatures will appear on the side depicting Paterson.

All previous issues of Australian bank notes are still legal tender.

The existing $10 polymer bank note was first issued on Nov. 1, 1993.

Full details of the design and security features on the new $10 bank note are available on the banks website.

More about the new note program

Here is what the Reserve Bank of Australia says about its note redesign program:

A core function of the Reserve Bank is to maintain public confidence in Australias banknotes. Australia has one of the safest and most secure currencies in the world and has experienced relatively low levels of counterfeiting for many years. To ensure that this continues to be the case, the Reserve Bank researches anti-counterfeit technologies and developments in banknote design.The results of this work have culminated in a project to upgrade the security of Australia's banknotes.

The first denomination in the new series, the $5 banknote, was issued on 1 September 2016. The $10 banknote will be issued in September 2017, followed by the $50 then the remaining denominations in subsequent years.

Considerable work has already been undertaken on this project, including the development and review of banknote designs and production trials of new security features. It is important that the new features are durable, effectively incorporated into the banknote designs and rigorously tested. One aspect of this process is that the Reserve Bank has consulted extensively with key users of banknotes, including banknote equipment manufacturers, retail organisations, financial institutions and the vision-impaired community. Advice has also been sought through a number of channels during the development process, including a Design Advisory Panel, subject-matter experts and focus groups comprising members of the public. These ongoing consultations provide an opportunity to ensure that the new banknotes meet the needs of the community.

More can be found here.
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According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, former New Jersey coin dealer William Dominick fraudulently opened credit cards under other identities to buy hundreds of thousands of dollars in coins from the U.S. Mint and avoid paying taxes on profits from reselling the products.

A former New Jersey coin dealer pleaded guilty Feb. 14 in federal court to avoiding taxes on more than $400,000 in income derived from fraudulently obtaining credit cards to purchase bulk quantities of coin products from the U.S. Mint to corner the market, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The dealer, William Dominick, 68, formerly of Old Tappan, N.J., but now residing in Collier County, Fla., pleaded guilty in Trenton before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson on one count each of tax evasion and identity theft.

The count of identity theft to which Dominick pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The count of tax evasion carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison. Both counts also carry a fine of up to $250,000.

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Dominicks sentencing is scheduled for May 23, 2017.

According to a news release issued from the office of U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, Dominick owned and operated Westwood Rare Coin out of his home in Old Tappan. During calendar year 2013, Dominick failed to report on his individual IRS 1040 form $400,000 in income earned by Westwood Rare Coin as required by law. Dominick carried out the tax evasion scheme by using other peoples identities to open credit cards to purchase bulk quantities of coins from the U.S. Mint in an attempt to corner the market, according to the news release.

Dominick then sold those coins through his business, retained the proceeds for his personal use, and failed to include the proceeds on the tax return that he signed and filed with the IRS, according to the news release.

Under terms of his plea agreement, Dominick will file amended returns and make full restitution for years 2010 through 2014, according to the news release.

Fishman credited several people with the investigation leading to Dominicks guilty plea: special agents of the FBI, under the direction of special agent in charge Timothy Gallagher; special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn.
Feb. 27, 2017

 Only a few days after the Smithsonian's announcement of a national tour for Columbia, the historic spacecraft that flew the first men to walk on the moon, two notable artifacts from the Apollo 11 command module have turned up at a different type of roadshow.



On the next new episode of Antiques Roadshow, airing on PBS on Monday night (Feb. 27), an engineer who worked on Columbia before and after its 1969 journey to the moon shares his collection.



"When the spacecraft would come back to Downey [Calif.], we would strip them all down," explained the retired North American Aviation (now Boeing) engineer, whose name is not given on the television show. "And so this arrow... they were scraping all this stuff off and throwing it away in a big pile, so they just gave it to me."







Columbia, the Apollo 11 command module, seen after its recovery from the ocean. A "RESCUE" arrow decal can be seen still affixed to the spacecraft's crew access hatch. (NASA)

The gold-color arrow decal, which reads "RESCUE," had been affixed to Columbia's crew access hatch, pointing to the panel to gain entrance to the crew cabin. Normally, the astronauts would open the hatch from the inside, but in the case of a problem or emergency, the arrow would serve to direct rescuers to where the find the proper panel.



The arrow, almost 50 years later, still shows the wear and tear it received from Columbia's entry into the atmosphere as documented in photographs of the command module at the time of its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.



The contractor was also given the main assembly parts tag removed from inside Columbia after the Apollo 11 mission. The tag identifies the spacecraft as a "Command Module," lists its part and serial numbers, and is embossed with two inspection marks.



"This label another guy gave to me because I was the final person to stamp it, saying 'Hey, we've got a good product," recounted the tag's owner. "This is the serial number, '107.' So we called it '107' and when it went to [Cape Canaveral], it became Apollo 11."







A retired North American Aviation engineer describes his artifacts to Antiques Roadshow appraiser Matthew Quinn. (WGBH)

Antiques Roadshow's appraiser, Matthew Quinn of Quinn's Auction Galleries in Virginia, was excited to see the Apollo artifacts.



"You realize that space nerds everywhere are going crazy right now?" said Quinn to the decals' owner while filming in Palm Springs, California.



Components of Columbia are rare in private hands. As the only part of the Apollo 11 spacecraft to return to Earth (the service module was jettisoned; the descent stage of Eagle, the lunar module, is still at Tranquility Base; and its ascent stage crashed back to the moon), the command module is considered a national treasure.



Small pieces of the thermal protection foil that covered the outside of the craft  saved as a memento by those who recovered and worked on the vehicle after splashdown  sell today for hundreds of dollars each, at minimum. Heat shield samples, removed as part of the post-flight testing and then embedded in acrylic for presentation by NASA to team members, have been auctioned for several thousand dollars each.



Perhaps the most significant artifact from Columbia sold to date, an exterior hand rail that was removed and released from federal property as a part of its post-flight testing, was sold for tens of thousands of dollars.







A retired North American Aviation engineer reacts to the appraisal of his Apollo mementos on the Antiques Roadshow. (WGBH)

Quinn's appraisal of the arrow and parts tag is comparable with the hand rail. The two decals' estimated value though, adds to an even larger total based on two other mementos shown as part of the Roadshow segment  an "Electronic Launch Team Technician" jacket that originally sold for $40 and a vintage North American Aviation scale model of the Apollo spacecraft that the engineer had autographed by 15 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.



Learning their value, the artifacts' owner said he intends to donate the decals to his niece, "so she'll be happy to hear that."



Antiques Roadshow has featured other space exploration artifacts over the course of its 39 years airing in the United Kingdom and the U.S. (the latter now in its 20th season). Recent appraisals have included the artwork for the Apollo 11 mission patch and the personal possessions of German rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun, as were brought to the Roadshow by officials at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.



The Apollo 11 command module is currently undergoing a conservation at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in northern Virginia. Columbia will depart on a two-year national tour later this year, visiting museums in Houston, Saint Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle.
2022 Voters Guide

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EquipmentShare will expand its corporate office footprint in Columbia following the success of its application for a 10-year property tax abatement.
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THREE WINS LAST WEEK!

SB 224, Register Voters 3 Days Before Elections, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Steinborn, passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee on Friday.

This bill will extend the Voter Registration Deadline by allowing registration, in real time, through the Saturday before Election Day. The next stop for this bill is the Senate Floor for a full vote!

Democracy works best when the highest number of people participate in the process. Low voter turnout has been a problem in New Mexico, and registering through early voting is an effective way to boost voter turnout.

Our election officials currently have the technology to process voter registration forms in real time thus allowing registration through the Saturday before Election Day.

HB 174, Local Election Act, sponsored by Rep. James Smith and Sen. Ivey-Soto, passed the House Floor on a 38-29 vote! Now we are headed to the Senate!

The bill would streamline the included local elections by consolidating their procedures. The elections named in the act would be conducted on the same date, with the same dates and processes for filings, campaign finance reports, and declarations of candidacy, thus potentially reducing costs and administrative burdens associated with conducting several different elections with related procedures and timelines.

This is an important bill for democracy. Low turn-out elections are a problem for democracy and elections which are not held at the same time as either the general election or a municipal election have poor turn out, which can tend to skew things in one direction or another.

Monday February 27

SB 393, Lobbyist Reporting Requirements, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto and Rep. James Smith, is scheduled in the Senate Rules Committee at 8:30 a.m. in Room 321. This bill amends the Lobbyist Regulation Act changing the reporting threshold to require cumulative reporting of expenses incurred under $100, in addition to the existing requirement for reporting single transactions over $100.

HB 225, Live & Archived Public Meeting Webcasts, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Fajardo and Rep. James Smith, is scheduled for the House Appropriations and Finance Committee at 1:30 p.m. in Room 307. This bill amends the Open Meetings Act to require boards, commissions, administrative adjudicatory bodies and other policymaking bodies conducting public meetings to provide for live and archived video and audio transmission of the meetings via the internet no later than January 1, 2018. Information concerning where to access the live and archived transmissions must be provided in the meeting notice. The access point utilized must be a public access website or a website available without cost or subscription.

This bill does exempt municipalities with less than 15,000 in population, counties other than Class A and political subdivisions of the state other than a county or municipality. It also requires a state public body to produce an electronic media exact copy of the transmission of a public meeting and to post it to their website within 48 hours of the end of the meeting.

This is a great step forward that will allow New Mexicos citizens greater access to our government and an increased ability to participate in its process.

Tuesday February 28

HJR 3, Independent Redistricting Commission, sponsored by Representative Carl Trujillo, Senator Bill ONeil and Senator Mark Moores, will have its second hearing in the House Local Government, Elections, Land Grant and Cultural Affairs Committee at 1:30 PM in Room 315, to review a newly amended version of HJR3 that will include language requiring that the commissions make-up reflect a broad geographic distribution from around the state and a few other technical changes.

Thursday March 2

SB 97, Public Financing of Campaign Fixes, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth, is on the agenda in the House Local Government, Elections, Land Grant & Cultural Affairs Committee at 1:30pm in Room 315.

New Mexico currently has three systems for public financing of campaigns: the Public Regulation Commission, Court of Appeals and the NM Supreme Court. This bill fixes current statutory language that is unconstitutional following recent case rulings, it prohibits candidates who run unopposed from receiving more than 10% of the public funding available to them, and prohibits the use of campaign funds for living expenses or compensation to the candidate or candidates family.

Please check in for an update from the Common Cause New Mexico team tomorrow so see what other bills may be added to committee calendars on the Democracy Wire page of our website!

Follow us on Twitter @commoncausenm & like us on Facebook for mid-day updates and remember to CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS!




The U.S. retail payments space seems to be built on a series of increasingly massive unintended consequences, with moves and rules put in place before anyone has considered what is likely to happen next.

This has happened with EMV in more ways than one, and with PCI in general and gas station payments in particular. The whole way that payment processors are paid is also impressively wacky.

But EMV is arguably the best example. In an attempt to make transactions slightly more secure  and, admittedly, to pretty much destroy the cloned card market in the U.S., assuming EMV ever gets enough market penetration  it has made life miserable for merchants and driven many to embrace mobile payments or cash. That's a pretty impressive unintended consequence.

February now brings yet another example. In an excellent deep-dive piece, PaymentsSource looked into the fallout from Mastercard's seemingly innocuous decision to add card numbers beginning with a 2 in addition to its numbers starting with a 5. It was all intended to deal with a very real card number shortage, partially fueled by tokenization.

This simple change caused confusion and forced both software and hardware changes on small merchants who hadn't anticipated it and certainly couldn't afford it. On the plus side for Mastercard, this will likely force merchants to upgrade to EMV-friendly systems.

On the downside, it may push some to move to NFC payment systems more quickly. Although near-term mobile moves will still be overwhelmingly funded by current payment cards, it places those cards in environments that they don't control. It might make it easier for those Mastercards to be replaced later. And some small merchants may also surrender and go back to accepting only cash.

The software and/or hardware changes are trivial compared to the confusion. Some merchants need simple downloads, others involved software upgrades and still others hardware changes. There is no simple formula for figuring out which one a merchant will need. It's not, for example, merely an issue for those with very old systems.

There's yet more confusion to be had. Mastercard's deadline for retailers and e-tailers to be able to accept these 2-series numbers (and associated cards) is June 30, 2017. Failure exposes merchants to fines of as much as $25,000 per month.

Why would a fine be confusing? It is when a Mastercard executive says the fines may not be levied. Maybe. Maybe not. (As Clint Eastwood would have asked, "Do you feel lucky, merchant? Well do you?")

The PaymentsSource story quoted Chiro Aikat, Mastercards senior vice president of product delivery, saying that "noncompliance doesnt always result in a direct fine" and that "it is hard to predict" the "level of effort that will be required by acquirers and merchants to complete the transition to the 2-series."

Let me get this straight. On the one hand, Aikat's comment is literally true. Noncompliance with rules in fact does not always result in a direct fine or even an indirect fine. There's the little matter of getting caught. When it comes to any kind of fine or punishment, getting caught is the ultimate prerequisite.

What I assume Aikat meant is that even many merchants who get caught not being in compliance will not get fined. Is he suggesting that very few will? Because, yet again, it's an obvious statement of fact that every noncompliant situation doesn't result in a fine. But it is a curious observation to make months before a deadline has kicked in. Isn't the threat of a fine the only reason most will comply?

In this case, the most logical and natural consequence would kick in. If shoppers walk into a store and want to make a large purchase with their new Mastercard starting with a 2, that merchant risks losing that sale. Isn't that enough of an incentive to upgrade systems?

Let's go back to Aikat's quote. He seemed to pair his comment about fines with this: "it is hard to predict" the "level of effort that will be required by acquirers and merchants to complete the transition to the 2-series." Is this Mastercard exec trying to say that if it's really hard to do, Mastercard will be inclined to waive a fine? Since when is that a fine factor?

This comment also gets at the heart of the confusion issue. If Mastercard finds that "it is hard to predict" what he dubbed the "level of effort that will be required" to be compliant, how confusing must it be for the merchant? Shouldn't this be much more straightforward?

Apparently not. The story gave a great example. It quotes Aikat as saying "terminals that are 15-20 years old will probably require replacement." But it then adds that "even merchants with newer terminals are being told by their merchant services providers that Mastercards 2-series initiative will require them to replace their hardware this year. Raleigh, N.C.-based First Citizens Bank notified a merchant in Scottsdale, Ariz., who declined to be identified, that his single Verifone VX510 payment terminal, which was new in December 2011, will no longer allow cards acceptance after June 30, 2017, because its not equipped to receive the 2-series software update. A replacement terminal  which includes EMV and software update support  will cost $250. According to Verifone, this terminal model is capable of receiving software updates. It is a manual process, not an automated one, handled through the acquirer."

These card brand sorts are great at motivating behavior. It's just rarely the behavior the processors wanted to motivate.
Soon, your Samsung phone may be able to recognize your iris and log you into your Windows PC.

Iris-scanning via phone is not yet a feature available for Samsung's latest Galaxy Book 2-in-1s, which were announced at Mobile World Congress. But the company wants to quickly bridge the gap between its Galaxy smartphones, which run on Android, and its Windows PCs and 2-in-1s.

Software called Samsung Flow links the company's Android smartphones to Windows PCs. Samsung and Microsoft are looking to collaborate on logins via Windows Hello -- designed to use biometric authentication to log into PCs -- and one big Flow feature is the ability to use Galaxy smartphones to wirelessly log into the new Galaxy Book.

Samsung is providing the ability to log into its Windows 10 PCs with Galaxy smartphones for convenience and security. For example, users will be able to bypass Windows Hello and keep retina scan information on a smartphone once that feature is available.

Otherwise, a user now can swipe a finger on a Galaxy smartphone or use pattern authentication to log into Galaxy Book. That's a unique feature and independent of Windows Hello. The Galaxy Book doesn't have a fingerprint scanner, so the smartphone is needed for that. An NFC connection is established for smartphone-based logins into Windows PCs.

Samsung is working with Microsoft to integrate more advanced authentication features, said Eric McCarty, vice president of mobile product marketing for Samsung Electronics America.

Samsung has some unique biometric authentication technology on its handsets that could be used to log into Windows PCs. The now defunct Galaxy Note 7 had an iris scanner, which could make it to future Galaxy handsets.

In addition to its efforts on authentication, Samsung is trying to figure out ways to better link up its Android handsets, Windows PCs and Tizen OSes. There is a considerable gap between Samsung's Windows PCs and devices with Tizen, like smartwatches and TVs. Samsung Flow links the Galaxy Books only to Android handsets, not Tizen devices.

That's a big hole in an otherwise strong product lineup, and keeps it a step behind main rival Apple, whose devices link up seamlessly.

Samsung is also looking at ways for wearables to better communicate with its PCs, McCarty said.

These are forward-looking plans, and Samsung has to determine the best user experience and utility for customers, McCarty said.
OK Google, when is Assistant coming to my phone?

For many Android users, very soon. Google will start rolling out its virtual assistant as early as this week for some people -- but the update isn't coming to everyone. So will you be one of the lucky ones?

In IT Blogwatch, we ask Google for the answers.

So what is going on? Kellex has some background:

Starting this week, Google is bringing Google Assistant to all Android phones running Android 7.0 Nougat and 6.0 Marshmallow...it [will] arrive automatically on your phone through the latest Google Play Services update. The rollout may take some time, but many of you are about to gain access to Google Assistant very soon.

Great! Remind us exactly what Google Assistant is again? Aloysius Low has the details:

Google Assistant lets you talk to your phone in a conversational way, providing answers to questions about the weather, flight information and appointments. The assistant can even control your smart home...Besides smartphones, Assistant is already available on the Google Home smart speaker, Android Wear 2.0 devices, and will soon come to TVs and cars.

And will Assistant come to everyone at once? Adam Westlake is in the know:

The voice-powered Google Assistant...rollout will begin with English users in the U.S., followed by English users in Australia, Canada and the UK, and then...German speakers in Germany. More languages will be supported throughout the year.

And how will those of us who haven't used Assistant before know how to access it? Michael Simon fills us in:

Users will...summon Assistant by saying OK Google or long-pressing on the home button. While Assistants capabilities vary depending on...device or app...it appears...the full Pixel version will be used here, letting you tap into Maps and Calendar, receive weather reports, and control smart devices, among numerous other commands.

But wasn't Assistant already going to be coming to other Android devices soon? And is this rollout a strategic move on Google's part? Carl Velasco has that info:

Google's decision follows LG's announcement that the just-unveiled G6 will be the first non-Pixel phone to have Assistant built in...that's an incentive it can't trumpet anymore once Assistant releases to other...devices.

...

Google's move is wise, if a little late. Tech companies are beginning to experiment with their own virtual assistants. With millions of...phones running Marshmallow and Nougat...Google's own virtual assistant gains ubiquity in the race for proprietary voice-enabled companions.

So how do users feel about this? Ole I. Christensen thinks Google deserves some love:

Ok Google -- give yourself a big hug!
The smartphone world will be rocked with MediaTek's new 10-core Helio X30 chip, which will bring premium features like Google's DayDream virtual reality platform to Android handsets with prices starting at US$300.

The Helio X30 has the most cores of all smartphone chips, and that makes it blazing fast. With the chip, low-cost Android handsets will also get high-resolution cameras and screens, fast LTE, and high-end GPUs.

The goal with the X30 is to bring the power, performance, and features in pricey smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy S7 and Google's Pixel to more affordable handsets, said Finbarr Moynihan, general manager of sales at MediaTek.

Helio X30 is one of the few smartphone chips supporting Google's DayDream VR platform. DayDream was a feature originally reserved for high-end smartphones, but prices are tumbling with ZTE's recently released $400 Axon 7 handset.

Smartphones with Helio X30 will appear in the coming months, though MediaTek declined to name vendors using the chip. MediaTek chips are used in many smartphones sold in Asian countries, and the company is trying to break into North America, where carriers and device makers are backing market leader Qualcomm.

You'll end up paying top-dollar for smartphones with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835, which will dominate top Android smartphones. The Helio X30 chip is more of a low-cost alternative for handsets and phablets that have a premium feel but are in the $300 to $500 price range.

Besides smartphones, the Helio X30 could also be used in tablets or Chromebooks, Moynihan said. But the main focus is on smartphones, which is a growing market.

The new chip succeeds another 10-core chip, last year's Helio X20, and provides a big upgrade in LTE speed, graphics, CPU performance, and power efficiency. The Helio X30 is 35 percent faster and 50 percent more power-efficient than the X20. That means longer battery life and a faster smartphone.

The Helio X30 is made using the 10-nanometer process, which is also is used for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835. The chips are competitive on processor technology, but the Helio X30 doesn't match up to Snapdragon 835 on LTE speeds and graphics. MediaTek had to make some tradeoffs so the chips are feasible for affordable handsets.

An integrated Cat 10 LTE modem in the Helio X30 has downlink speeds of up to 450Mbps (bits per second), while the Snapdragon 835 can reach download speeds of up to 1Gbps. The X30 has a PowerVR Series7XT GPU, which can handle 3D video required for DayDream. The Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon 835 has some of the latest graphics technologies.

The big question remains: Do you need a 10-core chip in a smartphone when quad-core configurations are considered sufficient That was a big question MediaTek faced with its first 10-core Helio X20 chip, which shipped last year. Analysts at the time said using the X20 in smartphones was like putting a jet engine in a car.

The 10 cores in Helio X30 make more sense now, especially with VR and other applications emerging. The chip has a unique tri-cluster design, with groups of CPUs providing differing levels of performance.

Two brawny Cortex-A73 CPU cores provide muscle for demanding applications, four Cortex-A53 mid-range cores handle regular phone applications, and four Cortex-A35 low-power cores take on mundane tasks like voice and streaming music.

MediaTek's CorePilot technology assigns the right tasks to the right cores, which helps preserve battery life on smartphones. The high-powered Cortex-A73 cores will turn on only for demanding applications like multimedia.

The CPU technologies are certainly impressive as the core groupings can run smartphones themselves. Many smartphones can run on four Cortex-A53 cores or Cortex-A35 alone.

It is good to have the two superfast CPU cores as insurance to run demanding applications, Moynihan said.

MediaTek's also looking to move up the ladder into more premium smartphones with Helio X30. The brand MTK -- which is a common prefix attached to MediaTek chips -- conjures up thoughts of low-end to mid-range device, so the company has work to do.

"We've been working hard to move the needle. We've been making progress," Moynihan said. "It's still fair to acknowledge we still have work to do on the highest tier."

The company's smartphone chip market share has been growing slowly, Moynihan said, with around a third of all mobile devices.

The Helio X30 is being announced at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona.
BARCELONA -- The big themes of Mobile World Congress (MWC) so far center around the internet of things, artificial intelligence and 5G wireless.

But you can add in more than 35 new smartphones and a smattering of products and services related to just about anything in wireless communications and mobility.

There are 100,000 visitors at MWC this year and thousands of vendors. There is something, it seems, for everybody.

Major companies like Samsung have mega-booths, but there are some thematic exhibits too, like the GSM Association's Innovation City, which focuses heavily on smart city-related tech.

AT&T has set up an exhibit also showing off smart city tech, including a light pole equipped with sensors that can communicate to public safety and traffic officials about road, parking and pedestrian conditions. Sensors can also be installed to monitor air pollution, weather or the sound of gunshots.

On Monday, AT&T announced it has joined in an exclusive agreement with Current, a division of GE, to deliver internet of things technology to cities in the U.S. and Mexico. Specifically, AT&T will be GE's exclusive reseller of intelligent sensor nodes in the two countries.

The nodes are integrated within light poles, almost invisibly, and can work with lighting elements from multiple manufacturers, AT&T said. They are equipped with three cameras and multiple sensors. Data from the nodes can be sent wirelessly over AT&T's 4G LTE network, or it can be connected to a fiber optic backhaul.

City governments can use existing light poles and power supplies that are then equipped with more energy-efficient LED lighting. Costs savings from energy-efficient lighting can be used to pay for sensors and for the software platform used to aggregate sensor data.

Matt Hamblen Mike Zeto, AT&T smart cities general manager, points out an intelligent sensor node on a mockup of a streetlight at Mobile World Congress.

The city of San Diego has a project to equip 3,200 streetlights with LED lighting and sensors, expected to bring a $2.4 million reduction in energy usage annually, AT&T said. Added savings could come from reduced labor costs to maintain the lights and poles.

While energy savings from new lighting might be the initial lure for smart cities, the long-term benefit is expected to come from data from sensors that is shared widely. That way, students, developers and entrepreneurs can access the data to build applications.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

John Gordon, chief digital officer of Current, said in an interview that GE technology helps keep the intelligent-node sensor data available for general purposes. In the past, cities were forced to tie one type of sensor to one application.

"Anybody can access this data," Gordon said.

Mike Zeto, general manager of AT&T smart cities, said the open data movement made available with such intelligent node technology is what has pumped energy into smart city programs.

"Cities are not dragged along kicking and screaming anymore" to the smart city concept, he said in an interview. "There are cost efficiencies for public safety, the environment and even economic development. You can even add in public Wi-Fi."

In the coming year and into 2018, many U.S. cities plan to move their smart city pilot projects ahead to the point of commissioning full-scale proposals from technology and infrastructure vendors, Zeto said.

Over at another booth at MWC, Harman announced an early detection and warning system that could be useful to city utilities for monitoring vibrations from water pumps or other mechanical infrastructure.

The Harman Quick Predict system was developed using a vibration analysis algorithm built by Intel and has already been put to use in Intel's fabrication facilities, said Andrew Till, vice president of technology for Harman. Harman has a 30,000-plus workforce and makes software for connected products used in autos, industrial settings and more. Its brands include JBL and Lexicon.

Till said the Quick Predict system uses machine learning to detect when machine vibrations have reached a point when problems might arise. After an earthquake, for example, the system could be used to assess the health of machines used in factories or utilities that process water or sewer.
The White House plans to substantially hike defense spending, but it's going to cut other agency budgets with a big axe. It is nail-biting time for people who develop supercomputers and do other scientific work that relies on federal R&D funding.

The White House said today it will increase defense spending, currently at about $600 billion, by $54 billion or 9%. But most other agencies, with the exception of "security agencies," will see budget reductions, it said at a briefing for reporters.

This means the cuts will fall heavily on agencies such as the Department of Energy, which funds exascale supercomputing development. Another target may be the National Science Foundation, a major funder of basic scientific research. Overall, the cuts will be focused on civilian agencies because there isn't a lot of room to cut otherwise. The Trump administration is expected to leave Medicare and Social Security alone.

"If the president wants to cut things like exascale computing, we can be absolutely 100% sure that America will be less great," said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).

China continues to remind the U.S. that it is winning the supercomputing race. It plans to release the first prototype exascale supercomputer, the Tianhe-3, in early 2018 -- state media had previously reported late 2017 -- according to a recent report in China Daily, a state-run news outlet.

China's exascale system "will be made entirely in China from processors to operating system," and will be fully operational by 2020 -- "earlier than the U.S. plan for its exascale supercomputer," the China Daily noted.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

In December, the U.S. developed a plan to shave two years off its exascale timetable with the goal of releasing a system by 2021, still a year behind China. This accelerated schedule, developed before President Donald Trump took office, requires more funding, but a cut in the DOE's advanced computing budget may well delay a U.S.-made exascale system.

A petaflop system can perform one quadrillion arithmetic operations per second. An exascale system runs at 1,000 petaflops.

The problem with the Trump administration is it may not be convinced it's in competition with China or with other nations globally.

The ITIF Monday released a report warning that the Trump administration will "torpedo U.S. growth" if it adopts conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's "ideological blueprint" for federal investment.

The United States' R&D funding as a percentage of GDP has been declining while China's increases, said Atkinson. "There should be zero doubt about what's going to happen after you keep that trend up a while," said Atkinson. "They will win if we don't change course."

Atkinson would like to see the U.S. increase, over five years, R&D by $100 billion, which would raise the R&D budget to a level that is comparable with that in President Ronald Reagan's era.

If the Trump administration follows Heritage's advice and rolls back the Department of Energy's advanced-computing research to the 2008 level -- a 35% cut -- the U.S. "would cede the advantage to America's global competitors, which are doing the exact opposite -- significantly increasing their investment in R&D and deployment of these technologies," the ITIF said in its report.

Ray Bjorklund, president of government IT market research firm Birchgrove Consulting, expects the Trump administration will get some, but not all, of what it asks for from Congress. The Democrats will likely seek increases in domestic spending in exchange for a large hike in national security spending, he said.

Bjorklund believes that federal contract spending in most agencies will decline 10%.

"The ramp-up in national security spending will be largely directed to hiring people, namely armed service members and law enforcement officers for border protection and customs and immigration enforcement," said Bjorklund.

The Trump budget also could spell trouble for other science-based agencies such as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Read more articles by Margaret Jackson.

Margaret is a veteran Denver real estate reporter and can be contacted here
Nicholas Boys Smith is the Director of Create Streets

Much of the public debate about this months Housing White Paper has focused on the change (or, depending on your point of view, lack of change) to green belt policy. This is an important subject. But, in truth it is a little hard to tell how impactful the governments key proposal will be. Forcing all councils to use similar housing needs methodologies might be a profound step in stopping anti-housing councils hiding behind artificially low assessments. Or it might add up to nothing at all  an ineffectual centralising thrust which will be easily parried by localist obfuscation and befuddlement. Similarly, obliging developers to make use of planning permissions more quickly may bring forward some sites more quickly and reduce land speculation. It may just stop other sites getting permission in the first place. As nearly always, Beelzebub is hiding in the detail and success or failure will be a consequence of execution not intent.

In truth, the reforms are less radical than some hoped for and more radical than others feared, a classic example of the governing philosophy of British Toryism, a compromise between what some politicians think should be done and others believe can be done. And (though this point of view is currently unfashionable) in a democracy there is nothing ignoble about such a balance.

However, below the line there were some axiomatically important announcements that, in time, could just help start to change our planning system for the better and very fundamentally indeed. They have been discussed in the mainstream media not at all and in the specialist media barely and, largely, uncomprehendingly. To grasp their importance, you need to know two, little understood things about British planning.

The first is that British planning is not a twentieth century creation. It did not, as most planners assume, start in 1947 with the Attlee Governments Town and Country Planning Act. All that (admittedly seminal) Act did was turn back the clock from what might be termed an enlightenment system (which regulated primarily what you built) to an early-modern one (which regulated your right to build it). As is not now realised, late sixteenth and early seventeenth century London had what we would now term a greenbelt. Homes built beyond certain fixed limits could be pulled down and their developers imprisoned. It was the replacement of the numerous Elizabeth and early Stuart proclamations and legislation preventing the expansion of London with a series of Building and then Metropolitan Building Acts which permitted the explosion of Georgian and Victorian London. These regulated not the landowners rights to build but, sometimes very strictly, what types of building they could build and the spatial relationship between the building and the surrounding city. Looked at through this long view our planning system for the last seventy years is very odd indeed. At any rate it is different from the one under which we built homes for two hundred and fifty years.

The second fact is that the modern British planning system is not just odd in historic terms. It is odd in international comparative terms as well. It is (unashamedly and proudly) 1940s socialist and all-encompassing in its intent. But, it has been very common law and unpredictable in its implementation. Seventy years of the British legal system with it multitude of applications, appeals, precedents and judgements has produced a system that combines a view on nearly everything and utter certainty on nearly nothing. Many regard this as a good thing. It is certainly very English and very flexible (a word I hear used with pride in many planning or design seminars.) However, it also means that what can be built on a plot of land (density, design, use) is far more open to debate and judgement than in many other countries. Most foreign planning systems are less ambitious in their scope but more rule-based with greater certainty about what can and cannot be delivered. They start with the position that you have the right to build on your land (which is, for example, guaranteed in the German constitution) but you just have to do so in certain, on the whole quite predictable, ways. This is often (and increasingly in places like the US) set out visually so that there is no room for ambiguity. Our system starts from the opposite position. Other than a few permitted developments, you have no right to develop until the government grants it to you. However, what you can build is the subject of potentially infinite debate and much (and expensive) detailed pre-approval demonstration of what you plan to do.

This matters because it increases planning risk. The problem is not planning per se. It is planning risk. It is not even complexity. It is unpredictability. How much you can pay for land is uncertain. What you can build on it is uncertain. In many cases, whether you can build is uncertain. What you need to spend to find out and win planning permission (a telling use of words) is a major cost and not proportionally less for smaller and infill sites. All this creates highly non-trivial barriers to entry to development far greater than many landowners or developers face in other countries or faced in this country until seventy years ago. Nearly all societies have some sort of planning legislation or regulation. London has since at least the twelfth century. What person A does on the land he owns next to person B can very materially impact person B. Managing this is a legitimate role for the state. At any rate, as a statement of fact, it is a role that most states find themselves undertaking. The trick is to do it in a way that does not choke off supply or popular support for new housing. This the British approach has failed to do other than by propping up supply with more state-building than most other countries find necessary.

It gets worse. Many of the rules that we do have (particularly in London where national requirements are thickly and foolishly gold-plated) arent very good and make it harder to deliver the type of finely grained, high density traditional and walkable town that many people love  and will pay extra for. As the president-elect of RIBA put it; its actually quite hard to design streets which are streets in the sense that citizens will recognise. Polling and pricing data also consistently shows that too many modern developments, once over their new-build boost, do not achieve the same levels of desirability or resident satisfaction as their historic predecessors. It is surely beyond ridiculous that two thirds of respondents say they would not even consider buying a newly-built home.

What we need to do is pull all these strands together and grow a system that is better at delivering certainty of what can be developed and far better links what we build to the type of homes and neighbourhood that, provably, more people prefer and will pay for. Until we evolve the question from how do we build new homes to how do we make new homes more popular and do so with confidence it will continue to be hard to build sufficient homes. Fixing the supply of housing is not just, or even primarily, about the green belt.

Fundamental change of the planning system and housing market cant be done with a big bang or the system would fall over and house building collapse further. This is in no ones interests. As in every market, the current big players know and understand the current system. Throwing it all up in the air would just stop them delivering. And, for the moment, we need them. The new system needs to grow within the old.

That is why most of the Housing White Paper is about a multitude of reforms to force more homes through the current pipe. Quite right too. But, in time, we need to build a new, wider, pipe  and do so with popular consent. In this way the planning system and sub-functional housing market can evolve to one that is better able to help residents and communities confidently and visually express what they like and what they will support. Then in turn it can provide greater clarity to developers about what is and is not acceptable in local neighbourhoods. We also need to change the process from one where compliance with planning requirements needs to be demonstrated in detail prior to permission (which costs money and acts as a barrier to entry) to one where compliance to simpler but clearer rules is assumed but mendacious non-compliance is financially or legally prohibitive.

Here, then, are a few observations about the White Paper that you may not have read elsewhere but which, we in Create Streets believe, are more important than many that you will have read.

Firstly, the good news is that this months Housing White Paper starts the process of fundamental reform with a range of practical and incremental steps which permit communities more clearly to express and explain what they like and will support. (As a declaration of interest, I should add that many of these proposals appear to reflect and certainly cite the research, community work, publications and policy suggestions of the organisation which I lead  Create Streets.) If sensibly continued in years to come, this could start an axiomatic shift towards a planning system which is more predictable and better linked to what people prefer and will support. The White Paper is quite clear about its intent to give communities a stronger voice in the design of new housing to drive up the quality and character of new development, building on the success of neighbourhood planning. But it also follows through with practical suggestions for how visual tools (often known in the industry as design codes) and local consultation on form should be better stressed within the National Planning Policy Framework. It proposes to encourage greater use of Local Development Orders and area-wide design codes. We are delighted about this. As our community work and research has shown, people respond positively when they are genuinely engaged with and when visual tools that give a comprehensible sense of what new development will look and feel like is used, rather than (often misleading) industry jargon.

Similarly, we were also delighted with the proposals to expect that local and neighbourhood plans  should set out clear design expectations following consultation with local communities. This will provide greater certainty for applicants about the sort of design which is likely to be acceptable  using visual tools such as design codes that respond to local character and provide a clear basis for making decisions on development proposals. . To really feel involved in the process, we need to help local people to describe what good design and local character looks like in their view. The longer term ambition is that the Government will support the development of digital platforms on design, to create pattern-books or 3D models that can be implemented through the planning process and used to consult local people on potential designs for their area. This is very sensible and potentially very important. We suggested something very similar in the 2015 Direct Planning (Pilot) Bill of 2015 promulgated by Lord Lexden which we helped draft. It aligns with emerging research on how best to build public support for development  and deliver more valuable development. Having clearer popular rules, including one that can be visually expressed for utter certainty and clarity is a key step. Sadly, some very senior industry figures (including some of those supposedly supporting neighbourhood planning) are privately scathing about such an approach. They prevent design innovation, people just want homes that look the same one senior manager in an important publicly-funded organisation complained to me last year. Time to smell the caffeine.

Secondly, we welcome the encouragement in the White Paper to Neighbourhood Plans to be far bolder. In our work we have found, frustratingly frequently, that communities do not always realise the potential of Neighbourhood Planning to set where new development should go and what it should look like. We are therefore pleased to see the proposals to change the NPPF to highlight the opportunities that neighbourhood plans present for identifying and allocating sites that are suitable for housing, drawing on the knowledge of local communities. Neighbourhood Plans are, so far, leading to more support for new housing. This can further boost their benign impact.

Thirdly, the way in which the government focuses on the use of public sector land is correct. The Government has recognised that (in the current situation) this cant just be a model of sale for the highest price up front but needs to involve public / private sector working together. For nearly three years we have been urging the Government to permit public bodies more readily not to have to apply best value rules and giving them more flexibility to assemble land and sell more readily at use value. Public sector land is a key part of the puzzle for building and one on which the land value bullet can, in part, be dodged. In this context, the focus on estate regeneration is correctly balanced with a proposal to amend national policy to encourage local planning authorities to consider the social and economic benefits of estate regeneration, and use their planning powers to help deliver this to a high standard. It is right to stress that estate regeneration must be done well and with local consent. Some recent examples have not been a success, and these have understandably been the highest profile cases. However, done properly, with genuine resident support and input, estate regeneration provides more homes and a better place to live.

The White paper is absolutely right to recognise that high-density housing can be popular and attractive. When people picture high-density housing, they tend to think of unattractive tower blocks, but some of the most desirable places to live in the capital are in areas of higher density mansion blocks, mews houses and terraced streets. Spatially, and environmentally, this is the way to meet our housing need in a form that is viable, popular, sustainable, walkable and beautiful.

Finally, the White Paper is right to realise that certain standards can have unintended negative consequences. The proposed NPPF amendments include that plans and individual development proposals should ensure that the density and form of development reflect the character, accessibility and infrastructure capacity of an area, and the nature of local housing needs; and take a flexible approach in adopting and applying policy and guidance that could inhibit these objectives  for example, avoiding a rigid application of open space standards if there is adequate provision in the wider area. We suspect however that the answer is more about getting the rules right but keeping them predictable than adding more uncertainty. More work required.

Ultimately, our vision for a society of acceptable housing supply, fairness and prosperity must be for a planning and housing market ten to fifteen years hence which is fundamentally far better at providing the sort of place where people want to live, will support and where they will thrive.

The White Paper has not tried to get there in one bound. Nor should it. The current development-control based system needs to keep spinning while a more predictable, more populist system grows in its place. But this White Paper is a potentially very important and welcome step in the right direction. Building far more homes and far more places of beauty with public support is a mission of existential importance to fairness and opportunity in modern Britain.
Four years ago, the TaxPayers Alliance reported that in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories.

Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts.

Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply dont apply in the same number as Labour supporters.

To help remedy this, every fortnight we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented.

         

The Office for Students  Chief Executive

The Chief Executive is a full time executive role at the forefront of the Governments Higher Education reform agenda. The Chief Executive will both lead the creation of the OfS in the run up to its legal establishment in April 2018, and lead the operational work of the OfS in its first years of existence. This role will be integral to the success of this new organisation, having responsibility for a multi-faceted organisation with a substantial budget.

Time: Full time.

Remuneration: 200,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Closes: 13 February

         

UK Sport  Chair

The Chair will lead UK Sport during a time of increased competitive and economic challenges, when the organisation looks to deliver its ambitious high performance strategy through to Tokyo 2020. They will have a passion and commitment to delivering UK sporting success on the world stage. They will also have a strong understanding of non-executive leadership, delivering results within a performance-focussed organisation. The Chair will demonstrate a strategic and collegiate approach to objective setting and decision taking with the ability to facilitate focussed and relevant discussions.

Time: Two days per week on average.

Remuneration: 40,000 per annum.

Closes: 03 March

         

Port of Tyne  Chair

The Port of Tyne are inviting applications to become the next Chair and succeed the incumbent, who steps down at the end of June 2017. The new Chair will provide the strong leadership needed to lead and develop a cohesive, dynamic and effective Board, the majority of which comprises non-executive directors with a variety of backgrounds including those drawn from the North East region and maritime related industries. The Board supports and challenges the executive team in meeting the Port of Tynes role as a strategically important international gateway, ensures the continuing commercial success of the Port while contributing to the local economy, and sustains the highest standards of safety and security for the benefit of Port customers and users.

Time: One day per week.

Remuneration: 52,000 per annum.

Closes: 10 March

         

Met Office  Chair

The Met Office Chair is appointed by the Secretary of State for BEIS, and will be responsible for advising the Minister on the organisations overall direction and performance. The role of Chair is pivotal and demands effective strategic leadership of the Board and the ability to speak on its behalf. The Chair will work closely with the full-time Chief Executive, who is also the Met Offices Accounting Officer The Secretary of State is seeking applications from individuals with top-level strategic experience commensurate with the responsibilities and the challenges of the Met Office. Applicants are invited from both public and commercial settings.

Time: 36 days per annum.

Remuneration: 35,000 per annum plus reasonable expenses.

Closes: 13 March

         

Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy  Small Business Commissioner

We are seeking to appoint the UKs first Small Business Commissioner. This is a new statutory role covering the UK and established under provisions within the Enterprise Act 2016. The Small Business Commissioner will enable small businesses to resolve payment disputes with their larger customers and avoid future issues by encouraging a culture change in how businesses deal with each other. They will provide general advice and guidance to small businesses to prevent disputes occurring in the first place, direct them to existing support and help them resolve their complaints about payment issues.

Time: Full-time.

Remuneration: 120,000-130,000 per annum.

Closes: 13 March

         

College of Policing  Chair

Together with the College Board of Directors, the Chair will set the Colleges strategic direction and aims against budgets and priorities. They will provide the College Chief Executive and their Executive team with the necessary leadership, challenge and support to enable the College to meet its goals. The Chair and Board hold the Executive to account to ensure that the College meets all of its statutory responsibilities and financial imperatives. The College is still in its early stages of development, so the Chair will play a leading role in shaping the organisations values and culture as it builds the profession of policing and wins the confidence of the public, its members, policing and Parliament.

Time: 4-6 days per month.

Remuneration: 135,000 pro rata.

Closes: 13 March

         

Independent Office for Police Conduct  Director General

The role of the Director General is to ensure that the IOPC delivers on the following 3 functions: to independently investigate serious and sensitive cases where police misconduct is alleged or where someone has died or sustained serious injury; to act as an appellate body for members of the public whose complaints, if proven, could result in charges of misconduct or criminality,[and] to ensure public confidence in the police complaints system as a whole This is a demanding and high profile role which demands strong leadership skills proven in a complex environment with multiple and diverse stakeholders. There is no prescribed background for the Director General and you do not need experience in the criminal justice system but candidates will need to demonstrate a broad understanding of the IOPC remit and policing.

Time: Full time.

Remuneration: 140,000-160,000 per annum.

Closes: 13 March

         

UK Research & Innovation  Board Members

The UKRI Board will be expected to support the set-up of the organisation, providing clear strategic direction and oversight, promoting the importance of UK Research and Innovation and supporting the senior leadership team of the organisation to embed new ways of working across UKRI As well as the above requirements which would be expected for all UKRI Board Members, there are specific roles on the Board that will require additional expertise, and a larger time commitment to UKRI.

Time: 20 days per annum.

Remuneration: 9,180 per annum, plus 459 per diem for extra days.

Closes: 31 March
Nicky Morgan is a former Education Secretary, and is MP for Loughborough.

I suspect Ronald Reagans sayings will be remembered for longer than Donald Trumps. My favourite Reaganism is: The nine most terrifying words in the English language are  Im from the Government and Im here to help.

This phrase kept going though my head as I travelled with fellow MPs, peers and others on the Conservative Friends of Israel visit to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during the half-term recess. Over the years CFI, has taken dozens of MPs and Peers to meet with Israelis and Palestinians, to the West Bank and Gaza border and the Knesset.

The sense that I took away from Israel, helped by that weeks White House press conference between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, is that the politicians seem no nearer to securing a lasting, peaceful settlement. But another impression I gained from our conversations is that the non-politicians on both sides of the debate now simply want to get on with their lives and their work.

We visited two inspirational charities  Beit Issie Shapiro and Save a Childrens Heart. In both cases, they work with families and children on the basis of need, regardless of their nationality, background or religion. Individuals told us about their working relationships and friendships with people from the other side.

Beit Issie Shapiro was set up to support and educate children with disabilities and their families. As Jean Judes, its executive director, told us: Parents of children with disabilities arent interested in politics.

At Save a Childrens Heart, we met a young girl with her father who had left Gaza that day and travelled to the hospital in Tel Aviv for treatment. We met doctors from around the world, including a Palestinian doctor working there, who has to explain to his friends and family why he feels that it is the right place for him to use his skills.

One of the questions which always comes up when hopeful Conservative candidates are putting themselves forward for selection is: Why are you a Conservative? Since my first selection meeting in 2000 my answer has always been: Because I believe in the power of individuals and individual responsibility. I firmly believe it is people who change their communities and their own lives.

Of course Government can be an enabler. The welfare safety net is an absolute necessity to support people at their most vulnerable. Government can pump-prime projects and encourage individuals to come together for the benefit of themselves and their wider areas. That is the principle behind such policies as neighbourhood planning and schemes like the Big Lottery, for example.

As an MP, I visit local organisations and charities all the time. The people who work and volunteer for them havent waited to be asked to tackle a problem or take control. Yes, they sometimes need some support from some part of the state. But, once that support is in place, I would argue that they offer a much better, more individual response, than any arm of the state ever can. This is the fundamental difference in worldview between Conservatives and those on the Left.

All the nonsense spouted about the NHS being privatised completely misses the level of charitable involvement in our health services. In 2015, the Kings Fund estimated that about 10 per cent of NHS spend on health services is on non-NHS providers which includes, yes, some for-profit companies, but also local authorities, social enterprises, charities and community interest companies.

One of the great policies of the Coalition Government, driven by Francis Maude, was to encourage the development of public sector mutuals. Public service mutuals are organisations that have left the public sector but continue delivering public services. Employee control plays a significant role in their operation. Mutuals can be co-operatives or social enterprises. They are free from government control, and help their staff deliver services as they know best by enabling those staff to take charge of providing them, often leading to improvements, and in which they have a personal stake and accept individual responsibility.

In Loughborough, I am involved in a project called the Loughborough Wellbeing Project. It came about following a survey that I did on mental health needs locally. I was contacted by a young constituent who had just left hospital after a spell as patient in our local mental health unit. She was looking for somewhere she could go to meet other young people and adults who could understand what she had been through, in a safe and supportive environment.

With very little funding and thanks to some dedicated volunteers, the LWP cafe now opens once a month and is attracting more customers and volunteers with plans to open more often. No one asked us to set this up, but a local need was identified and local people responded. There must be hundreds of thousands of similar examples across the UK.

To return to Israel; the point is that the charities we visited and the people in them that we met havent waited for the political situation to stabilise nor for peace to break out. Of course they hope that will happen but, in the meantime, they saw that the need for their expertise and services was there, and they responded. I believe we could apply that lesson here by taking our lead from those willing to step up, and trusting people more to resolve situations for themselves, lead service improvements and change things for the better.
As the triggering of Article 50 approaches, were starting to glean the first hints of Mays plan for a post-Brexit immigration policy.

The first thing to note is that, of course, such a policy wouldnt necessarily be permanent. In our political arena weve become used to the idea that unpopular migration rules cant be changed  in large part as a result of 40 years of EU membership. So those who arent happy with how the Government sets things up might be tempted to decry it as a permanent disaster/outrage/horror. It might take a bit of getting used to, but the whole point of Brexit is that we can now change any and all policies through the ballot box  so if you dont like how May arranges things, youll still have the right to campaign to change it if you wish. That in itself is an improvement on the previous system, which involved any concerns being answered with the simple words lump it.

From whats been revealed in the last couple of days, it seems that the Government is moving towards a work permit scheme  a sensible approach, widely used, which allows for as much or as little fine tuning by sector and so on as we might wish. So far, whats been discussed publicly is a system of five-year permits, though there are various reasons to think that might not be sufficiently flexible. If, say, farms need seasonal workers then a five-year work permit wouldnt be appropriate.

To go with that permit system is a proposal to ban migrants from claiming benefits in that five-year period. This would be both sensible and popular  the payment of welfare to migrants is an obvious and instant reduction in the economic benefits of migration, and an irritant for many voters. It would also contrast with Camerons renegotiation, which offered the temporary application of tapered access at the discretion of the EU Commission, rather than the British Government.

Whats a little more worrying is the idea that the government would seek to take political heat out of immigration by getting an independent body to advise on how many visas should be issued. This is always tempting for politicians  deferring important decisions to independent experts in the hope that by doing so they can pre-emptively dodge any blame from voters. But its a bad idea.

For a start, it tends not to work  the establishment of the OBR didnt avoid George Osborne getting grief about his Budgets, and the existence of IPSA hasnt stopped MPs being criticised for their pay rates. Neither body has solved the practical or political problems it was set up to address.

Nor does this outsourcing approach bring meaningful independence. We might like the sound of taking politics out of important decisions, but technocrats are no less political than anyone else. Their analysis will still be based on personal ideology because they are human, and you can be sure that they would be heavily lobbied solely by those parts of industry that want as much immigration as possible. Not only do voters not then get the policy the want, but the fudged responsibility means politicians get the blame for decisions they cannot correct, which is the worst of both worlds.

The best outcome of a system by which an independent body comes up with the number of visas that should be issued would be that the Government disagrees and publicly ignores its advice. In that circumstance, thered be a brief opportunity for grandstanding but really wed all have been better off with the Government just deciding for itself in the first place.

If Downing Street really wants to bring a panel of experts on board as a defensive mechanism for its immigration policy, it should structure things very differently. The people have voted to take back control of migration policy, so the peoples representatives in Government should decide how many visas they want to issue in total. They could then task their expert body to work out how those visas should be distributed by sector  allowing business to make its case, but by the different sectors competing with one another rather than uniting them to push the total numbers up.
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University of Adelaide, located in South Australia, is the third oldest university in the country. The university is associated with 104 Rhodes scholars and five Nobel laureates and was also a member of Sandstone universities as well as the Group of Eight. Its main campus is on North Terrace where the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide University Medical and Dental Schools are located.

And according to ABC News Australia, a newly-built health and medical sciences research facility was opened in Adelaide. The facility is worth around $246 million and has 14 storeys.It is the latest addition to North Terrace medical precinct, which is also home to SAHMR one and soon-to-open New Royale Adelaide Hospital.

The level two of the newly-built university building will serve as a place for the students to simulate operations using computerized mannequins. It will also serves as the location for students who wants to study surgical procedures. And inside the birthing site, there is a life-sized mother and a baby lay in waiting.

Dr. Simon Pattern said that the new building will be used to prepare their students, nurses and theater doctors for clinical practice. He also said that they can simulate any of the diseases that might face a newborn. Because in doing these, students will not only gain knowledge on how to deliver a baby but also the things that they could do if things go wrong.

Dr. Pattern stated that lecturers would be able to experiment through a wide range of simulated emergencies with the students and will provide real life-like results. He said that instead of the students coming into wards and figuring out how they could talk to a parent and how to react, they will get that experience from using the technology. The robotic mother will also be utilized in multiple training situations.

The new building will shelter around 600 researchers and 1,600 students. It also has three lecture theaters and four floors of laboratories. The construction of this building will combine Adelaide Nursing School, School of Public Health campuses, Adelaide Medical School and Adelaide Dental School in one site.

Aside from this new medical facility at the University of Adelaide in South Australia, a new $57 million medical building was opened at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, as per WIS. The facility will allow the 20th Medical Clinic to fund the medical needs of around 31,000 eligible beneficiaries. As of now, there are an estimated of 12,500 members that are enrolled for primary care.

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A professional food photographer has identified a pattern in Instagram posts about food that might be classified as racists. People should take time to educate themselves about the culture associated with a given food.

Celeste Noche is a professional photographer in Portland, Oregon. She has observed that a lot of food photos, not just on Instagram but also on gourmet magazine spreads, wind up being stereotyped and misrepresented.

Noche said that some people have always thought the Western culture is the status quo. Anything other than that is just considered "other." This could lead people to exotify food photos in their Instagram or other social media posts. Some are also quick to accessorize utensils or condiments that are not even used in a certain culture.

Food stylists or photographers need to do proper research before posting on Instagram. An example, according to Noche, is a pair of chopsticks photographed sticking out of a bowl, or plunged vertically into a bowl of rice. In some Asian cultures, this is rude or sometimes symbolic of death.

Last year, Saveur featured two dishes styled on mahjong table. After some reaction from the readers, it was later explained that the mahjong table was homage to the chef's father at his restaurant.

Instagram food photos, or anywhere else, conveys more than what is simply in the photo. It offers insights and interpretation of the world. Eating a specific dish might be casual for some, for the others it could be a direct link to their cultural heritage.

Noche advises to learn more about food before posting on Instagram. If it is unfamiliar, one should make a research or talk to a person from that culture. One should never also call a food gross or weird just because it is unusual. Food should not be merely fashionable especially if it has a long history in a country's culture.

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A recent study in the journal Neurology suggests that older people who begin sleeping longer than 9 hours at night have a higher risk of developing dementia.

While there was no increased risk among elders who have always slept 9 hours or more according to the New York Times, those who recently felt the need to get some extra slumber time might be facing some problems in the future.

Web MD reported that senior who starts to snooze 9 hours and longer as they got older are believed to have increased their chances of having dementia by 2.5 times more. Researchers also suggested that education might help prevent dementia.

The researchers found that the possibility of developing dementia increased sixfold among older people without a high school diploma who suddenly felt the need to get extra hours of sleep at night.

Matthew Pase, neurology fellow at the Boston University School of Medicine and co-author of the study said that sleeping longer as people age doesn't mean they will eventually develop dementia. What their research show is an association between the 2 but does not establish a cause and effect relationship.

Dr. Sudha Seshadri, neurology professor, also from Boston University School of Medicine and senior author of the study said that there is no need to restrict sleep. Pase also said they found no implications that would need treatment based on their research.

Pase further suggests it might be a good idea to monitor sleep and get a memory assessment when one suddenly becomes an extended sleeper.

Dr. Seshadri guessed that the need to sleep for a few more hours is a 'compensatory mechanism" wherein the brain is trying to remove amyloid protein, a toxic protein that builds up plaque formations in the brain that causes Alzheimer's disease. The doctor cautioned it's only a hypothesis and further research is needed to determine if it is so.

Researchers used data from about 2,500 people with an average age of 72 who were part of the Framingham Heart Study that has been monitoring participants and their descendants since 1948.

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Lucille Conlin Horn weighed just 2 pounds when she was born in 1920. She was a premature baby and her twin had died at birth. At that time, babies that were born prematurely had very little chance of survival. But Martin Couney pioneered the use of incubators to keep infants like Horn alive.

With the help of the sideshow at New York's Coney Island, Couney was able to raise money to fund his research to help keep premature babies alive. The incubators were rejected by the medical establishment at that time that he resorted to funding his work in an unconventional way. By displaying the babies in a Coney Island slideshow, they charged $25 to see the show.

According to NPR, Horn's father insisted, so she became Couney's patient-attractions. Couney did not charge her parents, just as he did with thousands of other babies he treated at Coney Island. Six months later, Horn was healthy enough to go home.

Couney continued for four decades until his death in 1950. Incubators like his were then finally adopted in hospitals.

According to Boston Globe, Horn was born in Brooklyn then later moved to Long Island. She went on to have five children of her own and worked as a crossing guard and then as a legal secretary for her husband. After living nearly a century, she died on Feb. 11 at the age of 96.

In 2015, Horn told her daughter years after her treatment in Couney's incubator at Coney Island, she said she returned to the exhibit and introduced herself to Dr. Couney who saved her life.

Dr. Couney was standing in front of one of the incubators looking at his baby said Horn. Couney went over to her and tapped her on the shoulder.

Dr. Couney said, "Look at this young lady. She's one of our babies. And that's how your baby's gonna grow up."

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Ellie-May Clark died on Jan. 26, 2015 of an asthma attack after Dr. Joanne Rowe, 53, refused to see them. The Clark family has called for a criminal inquiry into the doctor and said her license should be removed. Dr. Rowe was given a warning by the General Medical Council.

BBC reported that Dr. Rowe, from Cardiff, did not comment on the issue. Ellie-May's mother, Shanice, 25, from Newport, South Wales said they were only a few minutes.

Ellie-May had a history of severe asthma and she had already been treated five times in a hospital high dependency unit. Dr. Rowe's practice had been warned by a pediatrician that Ellie-May was at risk of a life-threatening asthma attack according to The Sun.

Ellie-May was sent home early from school, Shanice made an emergency appointment for 5 P.M. at the Grange Clinic. When she checked her phone, time showed 5:04 P.M. when they arrived.

After they were turned away they went home and called 999 at 10:35 P.M. when Ellie-May suffered a seizure and stopped breathing. They took her to the Royal Gwent Hospital via ambulance. Doctors worked on Elli-May for 30 minutes but were unable to bring her back.

Brandi Clark, 43, Ellie-May's grandmother said they felt terribly let down and that Dr. Rowe should go to jail. Dr. Rowe did not issue any apology and is still in practice.

The General Medical Council investigation found Rowe failed to consider the medical history of the child and was given a warning that will stay on her record for five years.

The Aneurin Bevan Health Board reported that Shanice and Ellie-May arrived 8 minutes late. The report said the receptionist called Dr. Rowe, but she refused to see them and claimed she was with another patient. The health board checked the computer records and found that she did not see any patients between 4:55 and 5:20 after a number of cancelled appointments.

After being suspended on full pay for six months, Dr Rowe has since joined the Cloughmore Surgery in Splott, Cardiff.

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Scottish mom was able to capture the heartwarming moment when her twins held hands. One of her babies battled for life and the other was there all the way.

Kerrie Keen, 36, from Clakmannan, gave birth to sons Cooper and Lucas by emergency C-section in April 2013. Cooper suffered seizures overnight and his oxygen level dipped.

Doctors from Yorkhill Children's Hospital, in Glasgow told Ms. Keen that Cooper suffered multiple brain bleeds while inside the womb. They set up a cot next to his incubator so that the twins could lie next to each other.

Kerrie always took Lucas to visit Cooper and she was amazed to see that they instantly bonded. They would often put Lucas inside the incubator with Cooper and they would hold hands. She said it boosted her faith when he saw Cooper had strength to pull through.

According to The Sun, Cooper was able to recover, but in November 2013 he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluids in the brain. A tube fitted to his head to drain the liquid and relieve the pressure on his brain. The treatment worked but had long-term effects.

Cooper cannot walk, and needs help since he cannot sit on his own. Even though he can't walk, his brother Lucas is always there to help him. The twins are now three years old and the boys are as close as ever.

Lucas continues to look out for his brother. Kerrie said the two are inseparable.

The Daily Record reported that Kerrie shared her twin's picture as part of a fundraising campaign. They aim to help Cooper maintain his independence. The family have now set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds in order to make the necessary alterations to their home to suit Cooper's needs.

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A doctor suggests that using the term PTSD cannot fully describe the condition that Syrian children are bound to face. Dr. M.K. Hamza and his team came up with the Human Devastation Syndrome. The term was coined by Hamza and his team after he explained that Syrian children suffer a never ending trauma which is said to be far worse than PTSD.

Dr. Hamza, a neuropsychologist with the Syrian-American Medical Society opened up about the devastation young children would have to face following the Syrian war. Hamza is part of the chair for the mental health committee of SAMS. The team currently has 1,000 Syrian American members, the majority of which are volunteers who provide medical support the victims of the war.

"We have talked to so many children, and their devastation is above and beyond what even soldiers are able to see in the war," Dr. Hamza told ATTN during an interview. "They have seen dismantled human beings that used to be their parents or their siblings. You get out of a family of five or six or 10 or whatever - you get one survivor, two survivors sometimes. A lot of them have physical impairments. Amputations. Severe injuries. And they've made it to the refugee camp somehow."

Children are highly affected by the Syrian war and Hamza mentioned that the devastation that the children are bound to face are never ending. These children are engulfed with fear as they take on both emotional, physical and material problems. The Syrian civilians are not just struggling with poverty, but the residents are struggling for their lives as well.

In a statistic released by the United Nations Refugee, more than 500 thousand Syrians have been killed sine war erupted, while 6.3 million were displaced. Aside from Dr. Hamza, Iyad Alkhouri, a volunteer psychiatrist also testified about the struggles Syrian children would have to go through. It was then added that the term "Human Devastation Syndrome" can best describe the Syrian condition, but it is yet to be made official.

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911 is the emergency telephone number for North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Just like other emergency numbers around the globe, this number must be called for emergency circumstances only.

In Canada and the United States, any person calling 911 using a telephone will be transferred to an emergency dispatch office called a Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP). After receiving the call, PSAP can send some emergency responders to the location of the caller if there's an emergency happening. In an estimated 96 percent of U.S. residents, the Enhanced 911 system connects caller number with physical address.

In Chicago, all the dispatchers and call takers in the 911 police operations center have undergone a mental health awareness and de-escalation training, as per Chicago Tribune. The main objective of this training is to improve on the way the dispatchers and call takers respond to crisis situations.

Deputy Director of 911 operations Dionne Tate said that since the training, the awareness of their employees has been heightened and they already know what to look for.

The mental awareness and de-escalation training was developed by Office of Emergency Management and Communications of Chicago and collaborate with National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago and Chicago Police Department, as per NBC Chicago. The training was announced Mayor Rahm Emanuel after a fatal shooting of Quintonio LeGrier and neighbor Bettie Jones two months ago.

LeGrier called for help through 911 telling that someone was threatening his life. But the agents who answered the call didn't send a police right away until the third call by LeGrier. One of the officers, LeGrier and - by mistake - Jones were all killed during that incident. Because of this, two 911 dispatchers were suspended without a pay because they failed to send police when LeGrier call for a help.

In a report released last month, U.S. Department of Justice said that the incident is clearly a failure in crisis response systems of CPD. The failure includes dispatchers who did not recognize that LeGrier may be mentally ill and the officers who respond in the incident didn't use techniques in crisis prevention.

Tate said that the call center employees working in 911 department will go through an annual refresher mental health and de-escalation training.

On the other hand, OEMC, Fire Department and Police Department will start a new pilot training program this spring. The focus of the training will be improving collaborations for treating and recognizing someone that is experiencing a mental health emergency.

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People who are placed in nursing homes are often left there by their families, expecting their loved one to be given the utmost care. According to an investigation, however, it was revealed that the seniors are being placed in peril as some of them have suffered from sexual assault.

CNN covered a report that showed seniors placed in nursing homes are victims of sexual assault. Identifying the predator and justifying the sexual assault case took a while as most victims can barely move, let alone talk and identify the suspect.

The news website narrated the story of a senior, who was raped during her stay in a nursing home. Maya Fischer opened up about her mother's experience as her 83-year-old mother, Sonja was assaulted by George Kpingbah in 2014. The case was justified as a witness, who saw Kpingbah inside Sonja's room as he assaulted her. Maya and her mother won the case as the predator was sentenced to eight years in prison and was guilty of third-degree criminal sexual assault.

George Kpingbah is only one of the predators who assault seniors in their rooms as they betrayed the public's trust. During his sentencing, Judge Elizabeth Cutter pointed out that what Kpingbah caused havoc among nursing homes as he posed as a threat and can potentially cause distrust among the families that takes their elders to nursing homes to be taken care of.

"You violated (a) position of authority, a position of trust," Judge Cutter stated during the hearing. "The ramifications of what you did are so far-reaching. ... It also affected everyone in that facility. Everyone who stays in that facility. Everyone who works at that facility. It affects everyone who has to place a loved one in a facility."

Sonja's case is only one of the few as CNN mentioned that there are more than 1,000 nursing homes that are said to be mishandling their residents. Some of the common complaints were sexual assault related, yet none were accounted for.

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Politics, books, history, foreign affairs, Caribbean, Middle East, Palestine, Israel, Iraq, China, Britain, United Nations, Oil For Food, Bush the Deserter, sex and rum and 1776 and tequilla and lots of fun things from someone who has more columns than the Parthenon.
right to left said: So, that's a grave violation, but the US/Turk/Saudi triumvirate's backfired plan of sending Islamic Jihad groups in to force out Assad, and replace it (after ethnic cleansing of 30% non-Sunni pop.) with another Sunni theocracy that allows gas pipelines connecting the Gulf to European markets..apparently that's not a grave violation! Click to expand...

In fact, the bloody and blasphemous assad regime committed genocide and war crimes against the Syrian people, murdering in cold blood tens of thousands of Syrian women and children.The unchangeable principle of international law commands to provide personal weapons to the people against which genocide is committed if such a people desires to take up personal weapons to defend life, freedom from enslavement, dignity from rape and physical assault, movable property, land up to 100 hectares per citizen of the state/family and kin of the citizens of the state and real estate situated upon such land: there are no exceptions whatsoever from this unchangeable principle of international law, confirmed inter alias in the laws of the Persians and the Iranians and Persian and Iranian kings, that are unchangeable and in force as long as the Persian and Iranian peoples and the earth exists, and all nations of the world, great and small, including superpowers, and all international organizations, including the UN, must comply with this unchangeable principle of international law.The selfsame unchangeable principle of international law compels any state, neighboring a state that committed genocide, that is, within last seven years murdered more than 10,000 (wo)men who did not commit the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age)), abominations (child murders (abortions), change of gender, cannibalism, human cloning), intentional murder, enslavement of men/women or selling of men/women to slavery, is forcefully abolished, and a new state established, respectful of the commandments of God and Lord Jesus Christ, customs and traditions of the state-forming people, and natural rights, derivative-natural rights, civil rights, traditional rights of the citizens and residents of the state (Exodus 17:14,16, I Samuel 15:3), to let pass through its territory volunteers, armed with personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions, or unarmed, joining the lawful holy war on behalf of the people against which genocide or aggressive war is committed. The state that refuses under any pretext whatsoever, including concerns of national sovereignty or national security, any international law and any law of mankind, to let pass through its territory volunteers, armed with personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions, or unarmed, joining the lawful holy war on behalf of the people against which genocide or aggressive war is committed, becomes co-responsible for genocide and aggressive war committed against another people, thereby bringing destruction and desolation upon the state and the state-forming people, that refuses under any pretext whatsoever, including concerns of national sovereignty or national security, to let pass through its territory volunteers, armed with personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions, or unarmed, joining the lawful holy war on behalf of the people against which genocide or aggressive war is committed.The Bible illustrates this principle multiple times, and there are no exceptions whatsoever for any people, including a jewish people, a Christian people, including an American people, except for a small remnant, or any state, including a jewish or a Christian state, or a state of Israel.Two common examples are:- when the Hebrews were engaging in lawful holy war against canaanites who committed the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age)), abominations (child murders (abortions), change of gender, cannibalism, human cloning), intentional murder, enslavement of men/women or selling of men/women to slavery, the wicked king of the Amorites, Sihon, refused to let the Hebrews pass, God held Sihon, king of the Amorites, co-responsible for the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age)), abominations (child murders (abortions), change of gender, cannibalism, human cloning), intentional murder, enslavement of men/women or selling of men/women to slavery, committed by canaanites, and the Hebrews killed all the people of Sihon, king of the Amorites, subject to the command of God (Numbers 21);- when the righteous Israeli king, Josiah, interfered with the lawful holy war waged by the pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, refusing to let pass the army of Egyptian volunteers who came to fight for the Assyrians against the Babylonians initiating an aggressive war against the Assyrian empire, the pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, killed the righteous Israeli king, Josiah, and God subsequently destroyed the Hebrew people, except for a small remnant, and the state of Israel, holding the state of Israel and the Hebrew people co-responsible for an aggressive war against the Assyrian empire.This signifies that until the bloody and blasphemous assad regime is overthrown, all states are required by international law:- not to interfere with travel through their territory within first ten days of presence in their territory of any and all islamic volunteers who come to join any brigade of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, let such islamic volunteers, who come to join any brigade of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, to leave their territory into Syrian territory or into the territory of the third state willing to accept such islamic volunteers, who come to join any brigade of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham;- not to interfere with supply of personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions to any and all brigades of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham;- not to interfere with financial assistance, supplies of food, clothing and medicine for any and all brigades of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or Syrian refugees.God said:Book of Enoch, Section 17, Chapter 90And I saw till great swords were given to the sheepLord Jesus Christ said:St. Luke 22:36But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy oneAdditionally, glorious and mighty Assyrian king Tiglath Pileser III, who defeated Israeli zionism, issued a decree, allowing resident from neighboring nations to serve in the Syrian army and the self-defense militias of the Syrian people, to defend the Syrian people from foreign and domestic enemies: the decrees of the Syrian and Assyrian kings are unchangeable and in force as long as the Syrian people and the Assyrian people exist.Furthermore, at the beginning of the Syrian civil war, when it was possible to negotiate reasonable peace settlement in Syria, the bloody and blasphemous assad regime for more than a year rejected all proposals of Syrian freedom fighters and Syrian opposition for ceasefire negotiations and peace negotiations, more than a dozen in total, murdering tens of thousands of Syrian women and children instead and thereby committing genocide of the Syrian people.Almighty God, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit  burning fire - clearly said: there is no peace to the bloody and blasphemous assad regime that committed genocide of the Syrian people and the abominable deeds of intentional murder and enslavement of Syrian men and women, as there was no, there is no and there will be no peace to the wicked, to those who committed aggressive war (Exodus 17:14,16, I Samuel 15:3), genocide (Exodus 17:14,16, I Samuel 15:3), abominable deeds of the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), lesbianism (Leviticus 20:13), bestiality (Leviticus 20:15), incest (Leviticus 20:11-17), ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age) (Leviticus 20:2-3, Matthew 18:6)), abominations (child murders (abortions) (Leviticus 20:2-3, Exodus 21:22-25), change of gender (Book of Enoch, section XVII, chapter 86; section II, chapter 10), cannibalism (Book of Enoch, section II, chapter 7,10), human cloning (Book of Enoch, section XVII, chapter 86; section II, chapter 10)), intentional murder (Exodus 21:14), enslavement of men/women (Exodus 21:16) and selling men/women to slavery (Exodus 21:16) (Isaiah 48:22). And despite any statements of any and all states, nations and peoples, including all member states of the UN Security Council, the whole humanity, Almighty God, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit will never change, as it is written:Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and God doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?Thus, no peace and no ceasefire with the bloody and blasphemous assad regime is possible, and all peace negotiations and all ceasefire negotiations with assad regime will fall: member-states of UN Security Council can only create illusion of ceasefire negotiations and peace negotiations that cannot and will not achieve either lasting ceasefire or lasting peace in Syria.Thus, all messengers of false peace, as you are, are false prophets, peddling peace, when there is no peace, as false prophets always do.
Applications & OS News

SAP Readies Apple iOS SDK For Release, Anticipates Wave Of Innovation From Channel Partners

Rick Whiting

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SAP is set to release on March 30 a cloud platform software developer kit for iOS, a key deliverable in the SAP-Apple alliance that will help SAP channel partners develop native iPhone and iPad iOS applications for critical business operations.

"I believe we're going to grow a whole new partner ecosystem through this SDK," said Rick Knowles, an SAP senior vice president and general manager of the Apple partnership, in an interview with CRN.

SAP unveiled the scheduled availability of the SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS Monday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

[Related: SAP Targets Digital Transformation Projects With Its Next Generation Of The HANA Platform]

SAP also said developers could now register for SAP Academy for iOS to receive training in using the SDK. Initial classes and workshops are available with a global rollout slated for later this year.

Altogether there are an estimated 2.5 million SAP developers globally and 13 million Apple developers, according to SAP.

The May 5 news of the alliance between SAP and Apple was seen by many as a watershed moment for both companies. For Walldorf, Germany-based SAP, it offers the vendor, its customers and partners a new way to provide access to SAP's business systems and applications. For Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple, it provides a new route into the enterprise market.

The SDK provides a way for developers to build enterprise-grade applications for iPhone and iPad devices based on the SAP Cloud Platform and Apple's Swift programming language.

"It really gives our customers more flexibility than they have had in the past," said Knowles, adding the development of iOS applications that connect to SAP applications should extend the use of SAP software inside large organizations to more employees.

IT services provider, systems integrator and SAP partner Atos already has developers working with both the SAP Cloud Platform and iOS, so adoption of the new SDK is a natural, said Martin Gruber, a digital transformation executive with Bezons, France-based Atos.

"This is what our customers are expecting from us, to help them digitally transform their businesses," Gruber said in an interview with CRN. "Clearly, Apple mobile is a key component for us in the digital transformation journey for our customers."

Atos has been working with an early version of the SDK to develop applications for Fundermax, a European manufacturer of derived timber products and decorative laminates, that digitally transform the company's sales processes.

The SDK incorporates elements of Fiori, SAP's application user interface design language, and application programming interfaces for linking mobile applications with back-end systems such as the SAP S/4HANA application suite and third-party applications. Knowles said. It also includes a library of pre-built user interface components that access device capabilities such as Touch ID, location services and notifications.

SAP is currently building its own native iOS applications for specific industries, such as manufacturing and retail, and for lines of business to support core work processes.

The first of these applications, set for a March 30 release, is SAP Project Companion for Managers and Consultants, designed for professional service providers to improve collaboration within project teams. The application links to the SAP S/4HANA Professional Services Cloud via the SAP Cloud Platform.

SAP is also developing a native iOS application for SAP's SuccessFactors talent management cloud application, Knowles said.

But Knowles said SAP believes that "the vast amount of innovation" will come from customers and the SAP partner community. He also saw an opportunity for partners to provide applications and development services for business customers who need the iOS applications, but don't want to devote internal IT resources to develop them.


Security News

Imperva Global Channel Chief Soderlund Jumps To 8x8

Sarah Kuranda

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Imperva global channel chief Karl Soderlund has jumped to 8x8, taking a role as group vice president, worldwide channels and alliances at the VoIP vendor.

Soderlund announced his departure on LinkedIn, saying he was "very excited to be starting my next adventure leading global channels at 8x8" and that it is a "great company with huge potential."

Imperva confirmed by email that Soderlund had left the company, saying his departure was part of a company restructuring in November. A spokesperson said the channel will now be led by Brian Feeney, vice president of channels, and Kirt Jorgenson, senior director of channel and alliance marketing. Feeney is now overseeing worldwide channels in his role.

[Related: 10 Security Companies To Watch In 2017]

"Imperva is a strong proponent of the channel and continues to invest in it and in our Imperva ChannelSphere Partner Program," the spokesperson said in an email.

8x8 did not respond to requests for comment from CRN. CRN also reached out directly to Soderlund for comment on his move, but has not yet heard back.

Soderlund joined Imperva as vice president, worldwide channels and alliances in August 2015, helping overhaul the company's partner program this summer and move all of the company's portfolio through the channel. According to his LinkedIn profile, Soderlund left Imperva in December, joining 8x8 this month.

The departure is the latest example of challenges at Imperva, which has been plagued by takeover rumors in recent months. Companies interested in an acquisition of the data and application security company have reportedly included Cisco Systems, Forcepoint and IBM.

Imperva has also faced pressure from activist investor Elliott Management, which owns a 10.9 percent share of the company and is well-known for its technology investments, as well as a habit of publicly pushing those companies to make drastic changes. Elliott Management said in a filing that it was talking to Imperva about strategic and operational opportunities.

Soderlund joined Imperva from Aruba Networks, where he was vice president, worldwide channels and alliances. Prior to joining Aruba in 2011, he held a variety of sales, marketing and channel roles at HP, Fortinet and Extreme Networks.
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DANBURY  During a routine speeding stop near Exit 5 on I-84 Monday morning, state police arrested a Maine woman who they say had a trove of pot-infused snacks.

Danielle Keith, 26, was the passenger in a car going 86 miles an hour eastbound on the interstate, police said. When police searched the car with a drug-sniffing dog they found 835 grams of marijuana and snacks infused with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the high-producing chemical in pot.
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BRIDGEPORT - Nidia Yubi Gonzalez had come here from her native Guatemala to make a better life for herself and now her family is trying to raise money to bring her body home.

Police said Gonzalezs boyfriend, Oscar Hernandez, in a jealous rage stabbed the 26-year-old woman to death in their Greenwood Street basement apartment early Friday morning. He then fled with their 6-year-old daughter, Aylin, sparking an Amber Alert.
BRIDGEPORT  Police are investigating two unrelated stabbing incidents Sunday night, and both victims are expected to survive.

Officers were called to Quickies Mart at 165 Washington Avenue on a report of a stabbing at about 7:45 p.m. Sunday and found a 47-year-old man bleeding from his wounds, Capt. Brian Fitzgerald said.
The state has cited and fined three nursing homes  including one in Westport  for various violations, many of them involving mismanagement of medication.

The state Department of Public Health fined Westport Rehabilitation Complex $2,330 for five incidents that occurred in 2015 and 2016.

In one case, staff gave incorrect medications to a residents family member who took the relative home for an overnight visit on May 29, 2016. The family member was sent home with two drugs  Clozapine, an anti-psychotic that the residents physician did not order, and Omeprazole, a heartburn medication, which the physician had discontinued two months earlier.

After noticing behaviorial changes, the family member took the resident to the hospital, where the resident had an abnormally slow heartbeat, which can be a side effect of Clozapine. After being monitored in the intensive care unit, the resident was discharged and returned to the facility June 1.

A nurse failed to check the physicians medication orders before giving the drugs to the family member, the citation said.

In a separate incident, a resident was found wandering on Post Road on Jan. 24, 2016, and was returned by police escort, the citation said. The resident was seen trying to leave the building several times between Jan. 21 and Jan. 24, getting as far as the facilitys lobby. According to DPH, the facility failed to document whether an investigation of the incident took place.

Other violations at the facility involved staffs failure to investigate the cause of a residents bruises and broken finger; failure to investigate a residents claim of mistreatment by a nurses aide; and failure to follow a care plan, which resulted in a resident falling from a wheelchair.

The facilitys executive director, Anna Durkovic, said the incidents have been addressed.

Our residents well-being is always our top priority, she said. After addressing the concerns identified by DPH, Westport Rehabilitation Complex is back in compliance.

Other nursing homes fined by the state include Talmadge Park East Haven, which was fined $1,160 for an incident dating back to 2012 in which a nurses aide forcibly pulled a resident into a chair. Witnesses told investigators the resident was in a wheelchair and tried to stand up and one of the nurses aides forcibly pulled the resident back down into the wheelchair from behind. That nurses aide subsequently was fired.

The state also fined Apple Rehab Rocky Hill $3,000 for seven incidents. One incident on Oct. 27, 2016, involved a residents hospitalization for an uncontrolled nosebleed. DPH found staff had mismanaged the residents anticoagulant medication prescriptions.

The other six incidents involved residents developing pressure bed sores, or being put at risk of developing pressure bed sores. DPH found staff ignored care plans and did not place pillows under residents feet to alleviate pressure.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team ( www.c-hit.org ).
Humanities Center

has new director

Christopher McKnight Nichols, an associate professor of history at Oregon State University, has been named director of the OSU Center for the Humanities.

The Center for the Humanities is an interdisciplinary research center with the primary mission of advancing the vitality and quality of humanities research at OSU. The center offers fellowships and grants to support innovative, influential scholarship by OSU faculty pursuing projects related to the humanities. It also sponsors activities on campus and in the community that explore issues across cultural and disciplinary boundaries and demonstrate the relevance of the humanities to a wider public.

Nichols succeeds David Robinson, Oregon Professor of English at OSU, who retired in December after leading the center for more than 15 years.

Nichols is an expert on the history of the United States and its relationship to the rest of the world, particularly in the areas of isolationism, internationalism and globalization, and is the author of several works, including the book Promise and Peril: America at the Dawn of a Global Age, which traces the origins of modern American isolationism and internationalism.

Partners help LBCC

with imaging labs

Samsung and IS Healthcare are partnering with Linn-Benton Community College to provide state-of-the art X-ray equipment to its diagnostic imaging program.

The strategic partnership will allow the college to purchase the equipment at a reduced price, completely outfitting the program. In exchange, Samsung-IS Healthcare will use the imaging labs during off times for employee training and equipment demonstrations.

Jennifer Clayton, LBCC Diagnostic Imaging faculty chair, cited the need for updated equipment for the program.

The equipment will be installed in the spring at LBCCs new Healthcare Occupations Center in Lebanon, with classes starting summer term.

LBCCs Diagnostic Imaging program is a statewide 22-month Associate of Applied Science degree program that offers training for students to become a certified radiologic technician.

The program is one of 10 LBCC healthcare programs moving into the new Healthcare Occupations Center, slated to open for all students in the fall.

Realty office

hires new Realtor

Kaari Sommer is a new Realtor at Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers Albany Office.

Sommer has experience as a business owner, and is from the Albany area. She can be reached at 503-949-1132.

Local distillery

takes top award

Vivacity Spirits of Corvallis is a Good Foods Award winner in the 2017 Spirits Judging, for its Turkish Coffee Liqueur.

The company was among seven distilleries and 10 modifiers nationwide to accept awards at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center on Jan. 20.

The Good Food Awards celebrate food that is tasty, authentic and responsible.

Vivacity Spirits has been producing award-winning spirits since 2011. Its current lineup includes Fine Vodka, Bankers Gin, Native Gin, Traditional Rum and the Turkish Coffee Liqueur. Brandy made from pinot noir wine will be released soon. Other unique products are available, including the Bankers Gin Spice rub, Hot Buttered Rum Mix and Turkish Coffee Liqueur sprinkles.

Tasting room hours and other information are available at 541-286-4285 or Vivacitspirits.com. The business is at 720 NE Granger Ave., Suite C.
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 ...
When Corvallis-area companies need workers  from bankers to beekeepers to clerks and construction workers  they often go to McLellan Temporaries, Inc., which has been in business for 29 years.

McLellan Temporaries made a major change this January when it moved into the former Oregon State University Poultry Building at Eighth Street and Washington Avenue. The 1893 Victorian Italianate structure and its site has been a great fit for the company, said owner Kevin McLellan.

The new location is larger, has better parking and, as its about halfway between campus and downtown, plenty of street traffic.

Its easy for employees and clients to get to us. We have a lot of employees who are college students, said office manager Susan MacNeil.

It has beautiful light. We dont even need to have the lights on, McLellan said, as he noted the large windows of the structure.

The new building is about eight blocks away from McLellan Temporaries former downtown space at First Street and Western Boulevard. The business also operated out of the basement of the Corvallis Post Office for more than 20 years.

McLellan Temporaries is one of two independent staffing agencies in town, and it usually has about 50 to 60 employees on assignment at any time.

The agencys beginnings seem pulled from fiction.

McLellan was a fur buyer and fish buyer in Canada, in the Saskatchewan wilderness, when a vacationing angler gave him a book about the coming economic revolution of the 1990s.

The book pegged temporary employment as a growth field, and suggested that towns of about 50,000 population or those with a land-grant university would be wise places to start a business.

McLellan moved from a town of 70 people to Corvallis, where family members had gone to college.

He said that over the years, Corvallis has grown tremendously and hes enjoyed meeting residents and discovering their talents.

You see a lot of people and theyre always happy when you find them a job, he added.

For many people in the community, a temporary gig led to a permanent position and a career, McLellan added.

McLellan Temporaries, 800 S.W. Washington Ave., is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 541-754-9616 or go to mclellantemporaries.com.
We must rethink the U.S. response to infectious disease. Here's why.
This year's pairings on Married At First Sight Australia have proven dramatic, with four out of the original 11 couples calling it quits.

More than one of the contestants have expressed anger and disappointment at the person they were matched with.

Two in particular, male stripper Michael and ex-model Debbie, voiced their displeasure at their partners not meeting up to physical expectations.

Badly matched: Married At First Sight's Debbie (left) was unhappy being matched with John (right)

'From the islands': Debbie told John she asked experts to match her with a Polynesian man

Debbie infamously told husband John on their wedding day that she asked experts for a 'Polynesian man from the islands'.

Throughout her time on the show the 53-year-old told father-of-two John that their marriage would not work because he was not Polynesian.

When her groom walked out on her after the first commitment ceremony, Debbie stuck to her guns and got in one final jab.

'It'll be nice to go home and hopefully find my Polynesian man,' she told producers.

Tragedy: Debbie and John split up because she continually told him she wanted a Polynesian husband

'We don't match to order': But expert Dr Trisha Stratford (pictured) has revealed why the experts matched the pair

But now Married At First Sight relationship expert Dr Trisha Stratford has revealed why Debbie was not matched with a 'man from the islands' on the show.

She told Stuff.co.nz that if a contestant is very specific about physical attributes they want in a partner, the experts give them the opposite of what they ask for.

'We don't match to order,' she explained. 'If somebody says, "I want someone tall or short or (with) blonde or black hair" they are immediately out of the mix. We match scientifically and to the best of our ability.'

Details: She said they give the contestants the opposite of what they ask for

Lovebirds: But the strategy has proven effective for some couples, like Sharon and Nick (pictured)

While Debbie and John's marriage didn't last, the tactic has proven successful for a number of other couples.

Sharon and Nick, for example, seem extremely loved up in recent episodes and have even been spotted in Sydney together in recent weeks.

Vanessa and Andy, Anthony and Nadia and Simon and Alene are all also going strong.

Married At First Sight returns at 7:30pm Monday on Channel Nine.
Just when a horrific chapter of her life had finally come to a close, one man tried to make sure Sarah Monahan would be stuck in the past.

Sarah was a witness in the child molestation case against her Hey Dad! co-star and screen dad, Robert Hughes, who was found guilty and convicted on 10 of 11 child sex charges in 2014 and is serving at least six years in prison.

Hughes, who maintains his innocence, is appealing his conviction.

But one morning Sarah awoke to find a different man, protected behind the comfort of his own computer screen, had set his sights on making her miserable.

Former Hey Dad! child star Sarah Monahan is opening up about the online troll who harassed her online for months and posted hundreds of pro-paeodphile posts on her Facebook

The 39-year-old was shocked when she found that her public Facebook page had suddenly been filled with hundreds of posts in support of Hughes.

Sarah had moved from Australia to Florida with her American husband Matt Morris, ready to start life anew. Now, her past was staring straight back at her.

'Just when I thought I was finally happy, I got this crazy stalker!' she told New Idea.

She said it soon became a 'full-time job' deleting the troll's posts.

'Most of it was pretty gross and it was very upsetting, triggering flashbacks for a lot of my followers, who are also sex abuse survivors,' Sarah told the magazine.

And the former child star also began to struggle with migraines, nightmares and panic attacks as she was forced to relive painful memories from the past.

The troll - who used aliases including Rolf Harris, Gary Glitter and DJ Jimmy Saville - was unrelenting with his online abuse.

He would post on threads on Sarah's page, causing her phone to beep 'constantly' with notifications.

'I didn't know who this guy was, although it was clear he was very pro-paedophile,' she told New Idea. 'He congratulated every single sex offender.'

The online abuse began not long after Monahan watched her former co-star and TV dad Robert Hughes (she is pictured here sitting on his lap) get convicted for child molestation

Sarah knew the 16,000 kilometers of distance between them kept her physically safe, but she finally had enough after the man posted a story on her page about a baby's sexual abuse.

She contacted the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center in America and, just a couple weeks later, the Australian Federal Police made an arrest.

In February, Luke James Wallis, 34, appeared at Bendigo County Court where he pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, and one count of transmitting child pornographic material.

Wallis, a registered sex offender, will be sentenced later this month.

Sarah contacted the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center in America about her online troll and he was arrested just a couple weeks later by the Australian Federal Police in Victoria

Sarah is finally getting her chance to move on.

The former actress, who was on Hey Dad! from 1987 to 1993, has recently added fashion designer to her varied resume.

Sarah, who left the acting world for good in her early teens, had worked for the Texas State Guard as a medical officer from 2011 to 2014.

She has since launched Shrimptank, a fashion label that specialises in clothes for petite women.

Sarah is also looking forward to her 40th birthday next month, and recently purchased a yacht to enjoy with her husband Matt.
As one of the world's most successful supermodels, Karlie Kloss is used to wowing the crowds on the catwalk at high-profile fashion shows.

But the model-turned-coding expert proved on Sunday night that she is equally as skilled when it comes to stealing the spotlight on the red carpet while putting on an effortlessly-chic display at the 89th Academy Awards.

Karlie, who appears to have attended the event without her boyfriend Joshua Kushner, looked stunning in a bright white caped gown by British designer Stella McCartney - which she accessorized with a distinctive blue ACLU ribbon, worn in protest of President Trump's travel ban.

Bright white: Karlie Kloss dazzled on the Oscars red carpet in a Stella McCartney number

Making a statement: The 24-year-old paired her floor-length gown with a politically-motivated accessory in the form of a blue ACLU ribbon, worn in protest against Trump's travel ban

Karlie's relationship makes her bold political accessory all the more poignant; her boyfriend Joshua is the brother of Ivanka Trump's husband - and Trump advisor - Jared.

But that family connection didn't stop the starlet from proudly pinning the bright blue ribbon to her ensemble, with the model opting to place the political accessory by her left hip.

While the ribbon was certainly the most intriguing accessory, it was by no means the only interesting addition to Karlie's outfit.

Karlie injected some additional glamour and sparkle to her look courtesy of a large diamond choker necklace and large diamond stud earrings, both from Nirav Modi.

She finished off her look with a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels - which remained mostly hidden under her long white gown.

Dazzle: In addition to the ACLU ribbon, Karlie accessorized her dress with some diamond jewelry from Nirav Modi

You glow girl! Make-up artist Hung Vanngo ensured Karlie looked radiant during her red carpet appearance, creating a beautiful bronzed look for her

Strike a pose: When she wasn't strutting her stuff for the cameras, Karlie was snapping her own images on a 360-degree camera, which she carried around on a selfie stick

And while Karlie looked totally put together by the time she arrived on the red carpet, a behind-the-scenes selfie shared on her Instagram account a few hours before the ceremony revealed a very different picture.

The image, which showed Karlie posing with her stylist Karla Welch, saw the duo posing among a vast array of shoes, clothing and accessories, no doubt taken during the important process of selecting the fashion star's final outfit.

Beauty-wise, Karlie's blonde shoulder-length hair was styled in loose waves by L'Oreal stylist Giannandrea, and then parted to one side, no doubt to ensure that plenty of attention remained focused on her dazzling diamond jewelry.

Sticking with a simple smokey eye and a beautiful bronzed glow, make-up artist Hung Vanngo finished off Karlie's glamorous look with a slick of orange-red lipstick.

Glow my god: Karlie showed off her highlighted cheekbones in an image posted to make-up artist Hung's Instagram

Decisions, decision! Hours before the ceremony was due to begin, Karlie posed among an array of clothing and shoe choices with her stylist Karla Welch

Hung proudly showed off the finished look on his Instagram account, posting an image of the stunning supermodel, while praising her in the caption as 'one of the hardest-working women I know'.

However, it was the ACLU ribbon that drew the most attention from the crowds when it came to Karlie's overall outfit.

The blue accessory, which was also worn by the likes of best actress nominee Ruth Negga, and Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda, is in support of the organization's 'Stand With ACLU' campaign, which launched earlier this week.

ACLU called on Oscar nominees and celebrities to stand behind the organization amid Trump's controversial immigration ban.
Throughout this season of Married At First Sight, 25-year-old Cheryl has proven to be at the centre of the show's more dramatic moments.

The hair salon manager clashed with other contestants when she controversially re-entered the experiment with new partner Andrew after their matches both didn't work out.

But there was more drama on Monday night's episode when Cheryl's father rejected her new beau, launching into an expletive-laden tirade when meeting the 38-year-old for the first time.

Clashing: On Monday night's episode of Married At First Sight, Cheryl's Dad Hamish (pictured) clashed with her new husband Andrew

'I don't know what to do': He criticised Andrew for his appearance and height

'He was nice': In an awkward moment, Hamish told the couple how much he liked Cheryl's first husband, Jonathan

At the end of a week-long home stay in Cheryl's Gold Coast home, she and Andrew travelled to the Sunshine Coast to meet her dad.

Father Hamish, who is Scottish, was outspoken when the pair arrived at his home.

'He's so small, and look at his tattoos,' Hamish said to Cheryl in front of Andrew, before turning to her new partner and demanding to see the size of his hands.

He then proceeded to talk about how nice he thought Cheryl's first husband Jonathan was, before warning Andrew he was 'protective' of his youngest daughter.

'It's important to me': Cheryl had previously said how it meant a lot to her that the meeting went well

'Get the f*** out': Her father made Jonathan leave the house and get changed to 'impress' him

Pants off: So the 38-year-old got changed outside into jeans and a shirt

He went on to make it clear to the firefighter that he wasn't happy with how he was dressed and made him leave.

'Get the f*** out of the house and get ready. I'm serious,' the protective dad ordered Andrew.

A defeated Andrew left the house, got changed into jeans and a collared shirt, and returned, but Hamish still wasn't impressed.

'He's not suitable for my daughter. It's not going to happen, it's not meant to be,' Hamish said. 'If I can come between these guys, I'm going to break them up for sure.'

Bridesmaid from hell: Meanwhile, Simon was getting grilled by Alene's best friend Amanda

'How do you feel about her?': The friend, who was Alene's bridesmaid, wasn't sure about Simon at the wedding

'I'm not sure if you're her type': She wasn't shy about telling her friend's husband what she thought

Meanwhile, Simon was also having a tough time, with Alene's best friend Amanda, who was critical of him at their wedding, grilling the 39-year-old at dinner.

She asked if there was chemistry between the two, and then remarked that it didn't seem like there were any 'sparks' between them.

'I'm not sure if you're her type,' Amanda said. 'How do you feel about her?'

After some tough questions, Simon revealed more about his struggle with epilepsy in his 20s and why he was on the show, which seemed to make Amanda more sure of him.

'I do see a stronger connection between them now,' Alene's friend told producers.

Trouble in paradise: Vanessa and Andy fought once again about the ex-Army soldier's shyness

Tears: But Vanessa ended up crying, saying she had hurt Andy's feelings and felt horrible

In the sun: Anthony once again expressed concerns about Nadia's lack of career 'direction'

Meanwhile Andy and Vanessa also had a tough time, arguing about the ex-Army soldier's shyness once again.

The student said that she needed him to talk more and give her more, but Andy got frustrated with that.

'You're making me look like a f***ing idiot,' he said. 'I think I'm progressing.'

In the end Vanessa ended up crying, telling producers she thought she didn't express herself well to her husband.

'I've hurt him. It's a horrible thing to say to someone, that who they are isn't enough,' she said.

Cheers: Sean and Susan enjoyed time in Perth with Susan's mother

Fun and games: While Jesse and Nick were quizzed by the twins' mother with paddles saying 'yes' and 'no'

Good fun: Sharon and Michelle laughed as the boys answered questions

Anthony and Nadia, by contrast, seemed to be doing well, although the racing broadcaster once again expressed he was worried about his wife's lack of career 'direction'.

Three of the couples were in Perth, as Susan, Sharon and Michelle all call the city home.

Things were sailing smoother there, with Sean meeting Susan's mother and friends, and Jesse and Nick heading to the twins' house for dinner with their mum.

Michelle and Sharon's mum even created a game for the boys, giving them ping pong paddles with the words 'yes' on one side and 'no' on the other.

The mum then grilled the men on their dance moves, intentions, and bedroom skills, making them answer with the paddles.

Married At First Sight returns at 7:30pm Tuesday on Channel Nine.
A budget conscious traveller has lived the 'high life' in 22 countries thanks to the help of men who paid to meet her in glamorous locations.

Lucia Khabzi, 24, from Sydney, NSW, has travelled to exotic holiday destinations, including Dubai, India and Morocco meeting men she was introduced to on a travel based dating site.

Since joining Miss Travel, a Tinder style dating app, during a year long backpacking trip, the singleton and has taken full advantage of the generosity of the men she meets and lived a luxury lifestyle of cocktails and fine dining.

Lucia Khabzi, 24, from Sydney, has travelled to exotic holiday destinations meeting men she was introduced to on a travel based dating site

Though she's yet to find love, the young traveller is adamant it's the best way to date

The unemployed sales-assistant estimates each all-expenses paid trip she's been whisked away on costs her dates at least $10,000, and always include five-star accommodation, business class flights and adventurous activities.

Though she's yet to find love, the young traveller is adamant it's the best way to date, and says she's never felt pressured by any of the men she's travelled with.

Lucia said: 'Before I started using Miss Travel, I was backpacking on a budget and was very conscious of money.

'But since joining the site, I've been flown to luxury locations, stayed in plush hotels and experienced the high life.

'The men that pay to jet me somewhere nice are all really good guys, mostly interested in friendship and looking for company.

'Since joining the site, I've been flown to luxury locations, stayed in plush hotels and experienced the high life,' she said

As a result of her dates, Lucia has enjoyed days lounging by infinity pools, witnessed world-class views and on one trip, was even gifted her own chauffeur for the duration of her stay

'Because of them, my year-long backpacking experience has been far more indulgent than I could have ever afforded alone.'

As a result of her dates, Lucia has enjoyed days lounging by infinity pools, witnessed world-class views and on one trip, was even gifted her own chauffeur for the duration of her stay.

She said: 'It's been pretty outrageous what some guys will pay out for. Flights, hotels, food and drinks the list goes on.

'They literally won't let me buy a single drink which at at first, was actually really hard to accept.

'Then I realised, they just wanted someone to share their experience with them, so the guilt faded.'

'They literally won't let me buy a single drink which at at first, was actually really hard to accept,' she said

WHERE HAS LUCIA BEEN ON DATES? June 16 - Iran - hitch hiked through country on budget Aug 16 - Was flown business class to Dubai, stayed in 5* hotel Sep - Dec- Backpacked through Europe, visiting 23 countries and dating men in local cities who paid for fancy dinners and tours. Countries included Italy, Greece, Spain, Iceland and the UK. Jan 17 - Morocco, Turkey, Israel, Palestine - Dated Miss Travel users who whisked her away on sunset tours, camel rides and desert adventures Feb 17 India - Flown business to meet hotel owner. Stayed in 5* accommodation for free for a month Nepal - Visited with another Miss Travel date met in India Egypt - Paid for upcoming trip in March 17 by Miss Travel date, includes chauffeur pick up from airport Dubai - Another planned trip to visit date who has covered all expenses to date, including flights Advertisement

Despite being gifted all-expenses paid trips, Lucia insists she's not in it for financial gain.

'Mostly I use the site because I enjoy meeting new people. If those people want to pay for me to explore a new place with them, that's a bonus.

'Miss Travel has been a great tool for connecting with new people. If they let me chat to girls, I would but the app doesn't work that way.'

The forensics graduate embarked on a year-long backpacking holiday in April last year, with just $15,000 in her bank account, but thanks to the dating app, has managed to stay in hotels that cost $1,000 a night.

She said: 'The first trip I went on, I was flown business class to Dubai and picked up from the airport in a Jaguar.

'I was then chauffeured to the Rixos hotel at The Palm, and my date didn't even turn up because of work commitments.

'Instead, I got to spend a whole week exploring a place I would never have travelled to normally, in complete luxury.

'From then on, I knew Miss Travel was something I wanted to use more to explore the world and experience new things.'

She added: 'I've always wanted to travel, so I had to save all through university to go on my trip once I graduated.

Lucia insists she's not on the site for financial gain, but that she simply enjoys meeting new people

'I was single so why not? Plus, if I found love along the way it would be the perfect scenario,' she said

'Quite quickly, I realised just how expensive travelling was and was having to do things like hitch-hiking to get by. That's why I decided to give Miss Travel a go.

'After all, I was single so why not? Plus, if I found love along the way it would be the perfect scenario.'

In the last 12 months, Lucia has visited 22 countries, many of which have been aided by the men she's been travel dating.

She said: 'For me, I was always going travelling, but meeting the guys I've met on the app has just meant I've been able to travel in a different style.

'The guys I've met have all been well respected business men and I've made it clear before we met up, that there was no guarantee anything would blossom between us.

Lucia said all the men she has met have been respectable business men and she has made it clear that there was no guarantee anything would blossom between them

'I think it's important to establish a friendship. If anything else develops, it would be a bonus,' she said

Whilst Lucia said her parents were iniutia

'I think it's important to establish a friendship. If anything else develops, it would be a bonus.

'Unfortunately, love hasn't developed between any of the men I've met. I've not even kissed any of my dates. Regardless, they've all treated me well and we've had a great time.

'I'm still friends with most of them now and update them with photos of where I am in the world. It's been a really nice experience.'

She added: 'I've been really open with my friends and family about the way I'm dating whilst overseas.

'My parents were a bit concerned initially, but mostly no one was surprised. I've always loved meeting new people.

'This is just a new, fun way of doing it and I'm happy to keep dating strangers and letting them share their lives and travel experiences with me whilst I'm still single.'
Holly Willoughby's neighbours have claimed victory in an ongoing battle to halt an extension to her luxury London home - after planning officials refused the television presenter's latest appeal.

The This Morning star, 36, submitted plans in July last year to dramatically overhaul the 3million London mansion she shares with her husband Dan Baldwin and children, Belle, Harry and Chester, but faced angry complaints from surrounding residents.

The plans were rejected in September but the couple decided to appeal. Now, a government planning inspector has rejected the appeal and again refused permission for the wraparound extension to the historic tower property.

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Holly Willoughby, 36, and her husband Dan Baldwin have seen their appeal against a rejection of their ambitious property extension plans also fail. The couple had hoped to put a two-storey extension on their 3million Edwardian home in South West London

Five bedrooms and a swimming pool will have to do! The couple had hoped that the wraparound extension would finally get the green light, giving them two additional bedrooms

Willoughby had hoped to increase the number of bedrooms from five to seven with the extension but found herself at war with those living close by, who said the planned work would leave their privacy at risk.

In a letter to the local council last year, neighbours Dr Christina Atchison and Kirsty Brown wrote: 'The justification made by the applicants regarding using the proposed alterations to remove out of context flat roof ground floor extensions, is flawed.

'Firstly, it was the present applicants who made these unsympathetic extensions in 2012, secondly it would set a bad precedent and send the wrong message that house owners can exploit their previous poor developments as a justification for further development.'

Another resident, Julie Halstead, wrote: 'As my home looks directly into the tower - a two-storey extension would mean that I will be much more overlooked with loss of privacy.'

Now, official documents published on 16th February have issued a further red light to the This Morning presenter, saying: ' Miss Willoughby's home is a designated Building of Townscape Merit and "exceptional architectural quality".

The planning inspector ruled: 'The extensions would be of an excessive scale, depth and width and would be prominent additions, readily visible from public viewpoints, and dominant in the context of the host dwelling.

The North-West elevation of the celebrity couple's house where they live with their children

'In undermining the character and appearance of the host dwelling, the proposed development would also cause harm to the character, appearance and significance of the conservation area.

'The proposed development could improve privacy for the appellants. This may be the case, however this is a private benefit that only carries very limited weight.'

The two-storey extension plans that neighbours said were flawed and would affect them and their neighbourhood (pictured in grey left)

After the two-storey plans were rejected Mr and Mrs Baldwin have now submitted a large basement extension (pictured tunneling below main house)

The couple have been previously accused of having noisy, late-night parties - a claim they vehemently denied - and they have also been criticised for causing excessive disruption to neighbours when they had previous building work done five years ago.

The couple submitted plans for the first and second floor extension in July. But their neighbours complained the work would disturb the area and breach conservation rules.

Undeterred by previous complaints, the day after their two-storey extension was denied on September 26 2016, the couple submitted a separate application for a 'super' basement extension to their house on September 27, which permission was granted for in November last year.

Willoughby and her husband, Dan Baldwin (pictured here at the British Grand Prix) were also accused of having a loud party

In 2012 they were given the green light to build a flat-roofed, ground-floor extension, which they said would enhance the design and appearance of the house.

But their latest plans, to build on top of this extension, say that the building has been unsympathetically extended with the addition of flat roof elements.

In objection letters to her local council, residents said this means the application is flawed and that approving the work would set a bad precedent.

After neighbours received an anonymous letter accusing the couple of throwing raucous parties, Mr Baldwin responded by emailing 50 neighbours, many of whom the couple had never met, seeking help in tracking down the letter-writer.

And he denied creating any noise, claiming that he and Miss Willoughby were instead watching the US drama Nashville on the night in question.

In one resident's letter of objection they emphasise the noise and the persona impact on them
It's the biggest night of the showbiz calendar with some of the most revered stars gathering under one roof.

So, for three best friends from London, being asked to provide their fledgling water brand at The Oscars after party was the biggest coup of their career.

Josh White, Ariel Booker and Perry Alexander Fielding, who are all under 25, are the founders of CanO Water - 99p ($1.25) cans of water with resealable lids that they created to help the environment after their trip to a bottle-strewn beach in Thailand.

Josh White, Perry Alexander Fielding and Ariel Booker, founded CanO Water, which, with a resealable lid, is designed to be environmentally friendly

The cans, which are filled with water from a spring in Austria, are now stocked in Selfridges and Whole Foods, but Josh says receiving a call from the Oscars was a 'dream come true'.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Josh, whose brand sponsored London Fashion Week last year, said: 'I nearly dropped the phone when Vanity Fair called asking for 2,000 of our product to stock at their Oscars after party to keep the stars hydrated as they celebrate.

'The Oscars is the biggest event on any celebrity's social calendar so to be asked to provide our cans of water for one of the biggest, most famous after-party is a dream-come-true.'

The brand was inspired by an environmental problem his business partner Ariel Brooker witnessed first-hand.

The cans, which are filled with water from a spring in Austria, are now stocked in Selfridges and Whole Foods

Celebrities such as Dougie Poynter, left, and supermodel David Gandy, right, are fans of the environmentally-friendly tipple

Explaining the inspiration behind the brand's concept, Josh said: 'You might be reading at your desk, or on the train, sipping from a bottle of water  and I'm guessing the problem of plastic pollution is a million miles away from your thoughts.

'But catch a plane to Thailand, take a canoe to some of the country's small remote islands, and like Ariel, you'll see the impact eight million tonnes of plastic has on the ocean.'

On his return to the UK, rather than accepting the status quo, Ariel, together with Josh and co-founder Perry Alexander Fielding, launched the UK's first-ever canned water product. The three founders each invested 3,000 up front and secured private investment, too.

'From idea, to concept, to store shelves in six months, the gamble has worked', he said.

'We never imagined the product would take off so quickly; two weeks ago we found ourselves on Sky News talking alongside Richard Branson and Prince Charles about environmental issues  it's just been crazy.'

Sharing his advice for other entrepreneurs with a big idea and bold ambitions, Josh added: 'Just do it! There is no good time to quit your job, and no good time to start up a new business'

Success, says Josh, comes down to good timing, a great concept, communication, and the guts to take a risk: 'It's like the gamble to sponsor London Fashion Week  a small business like us, supporting a huge event like that, has paid off.'

He continued: 'Obviously it's still hard as a start-up, but the three of us are big believers in test and learn, in trying something different  seeing if it works, or learning if it fails. And making those judgement calls relies on constant collaboration and smooth, quick communication. '

MEET THE ENTREPRENEURS Josh, Ariel and Perry are three childhood friends from London, all under 25. With over a decade of experience in branding and graphic design, Perry decided to apply his skills to his new venture. With the vision of creating a product that has an impact visually as well as functionally for the environment, Perry teamed up with his good friends Ariel and Josh to help further develop the idea and launch CanO Water. Ariel has a background in the city where he was a headhunter scouting programmers and quant researchers for hedge funds and banks globally. After helping to bring the concept to life, he left his job to focus full time on CanO Water as he saw a gap in the market and was keen to educate people on the benefits of using aluminum vs plastic. Josh's background lies in the events and nightlife industry, with experience in marketing and having previously run a successful events company, Josh saw a perfect fit within the vision of CanO Water and his passion for the healthy lifestyle. L-R: With over a decade of experience in branding and graphic design, Perry decided to apply his skills to his new venture. Ariel has a background in the city where he was a headhunter. Josh's background lies in the events and nightlife industry, with experience in marketing Advertisement

Having been successful in their mission to 'crack' the UK drinks market, the founders now have their eyes set on the US, and believe the Oscars is an opportunity to hit the states with a bang.

'The US is a massive target for us  especially now that cities such as San Francisco have banned the sale of all plastic bottles under one litre.'

The brand already has celebrity support from Ellie Goulding, David Gandy and Dougie from McFly, as well as a number of other celebrities sharing their passion to fight for change.

Josh concluded: 'We don't just see CanO Water as a product on the shelves, it could change everything. By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish  and we're aiming to change that. We take risks because we want to build a brand, that can help us be a part of something better.'

Sharing his advice for other entrepreneurs with a big idea and bold ambitions, Josh added: 'Just do it! There is no good time to quit your job, and no good time to start up a new business.

'You could find a million hurdles, a million reasons not to do it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.'
A teenager with scoliosis who was picked on because of her twisted spine is now a beauty queen - and she's determined to use her platform to highlight the impact of bullying.

When Dakota Swiger, 14, from Bridgeport in West Virginia, was born her back appeared so twisted doctors thought she had broken a rib, and rods were inserted into her spine to help straighten it when she was just four years old.

Despite enduring bullying and name-calling because of her curved spine, Dakota pursued her dream of becoming a beauty queen, and recently qualified to compete at national level after being crowned Miss West Virginia Jr High.

Dakota (pictured above) is now a beauty queen competing at national level in the US

At school, she was left out of activities and bullied by classmates who didn't understand the seriousness of her condition.

Since entering beauty pageants four years ago, she's used her platform to talk about the impact of bullying as well as promoting understanding of scoliosis.

Three months ago, she was announced as Miss West Virginia Jr. High and is now hoping to scoop another sash at the national competitions in June.

Dakota, an aspiring journalist, said: 'I remember watching pageants on TV and wanting to do it, I kept competing and now am at the national level.

The fourteen year old teen (pictured above on the left) was diagnosed with scoliosis at birth

Her condition caused her spine to curve at a 66-degree angle (above is an x-ray of her curved spine)

'I like using pageants as a way of getting my story out there, I like being onstage and knowing that what I've done can impact and change people's lives.

'Mostly my bullying occurred because I have scoliosis so now I'm using my platform to promote how harmful it can be.

'The main thing I'm trying to highlight is that scoliosis affects one in 40 people, yet is relatively unknown, when I talk to my friends about it half of them don't know what the condition is.

'Due to my scoliosis, I couldn't participate in gym class and had to sit out, which was hard for me and led to bullying.

'Because people can't see my scars as they are beneath my clothes, when I say I can't do things some people have insulted me or made me feel singled out.

The young teen (above) has now been signed to Models of Diversity (MOD) - an organisation who aim to promote models not typically shown in the media

Dakota (above with her mother Heather) says she was bullied at school and thinks it was because people couldn't see the scars underneath her clothes

Dakota (above with her West Virginia crown) says due to her scoliosis, she couldn't participate in gym class

'Whenever I took off time from school for surgeries people didn't understand and thought it was just an excuse.

'When I get onto the runway and model, I don't think about who I am, I just go up there and do my stuff.'

Dakota was diagnosed with scoliosis at birth after doctors expressed concern at the curvature of her spine.

At four-months-old, doctors removed one of her ribs and fused the side of her spine to help to straighten it.

Mum Heather, 44, said: 'When Dakota was born, she came out very twisted and at first doctors thought she had broken a rib.

'She was leaning to one side as a baby because her spine was at a 66 degree curve. Later x-rays revealed she had a curved spine from scoliosis.'

She had to have surgery at four months old to remove a rib and fuse her spine (pictured above); and at four she had a rod inserted into her back and extended every six months to lengthen and straighten her spine

Dakota even partakes in cross-country, track and field events (above) - her scoliosis means she doesn't win the races but she relishes taking part

Despite suffering with mobility issues from her scoliosis, parents Heather and David encouraged their daughter to not be held back by her condition.

Heather, who works in adoption, said: 'We weren't the type of parents to shelter her.

'We knew she could get hurt taking part in activities but we tried to encourage her to do as much as she could.

'Since the surgeries, she started running for her school's cross-country, track and field teams, which made us really proud.'

Dakota was nine-years-old when she entered her first pageant and now uses the stage as a platform to promote her anti-bullying message.

Dakota (above) holds a sign thanking the Bridgeport Youth Football team

Heather added: 'She talks a lot about her scoliosis to encourage teens not to be afraid to bear their scars and the bullying she faced because of her condition.

'She was picked on for not being able to run as fast as others and was left out events like parties.

'For me, I'm very proud of her, everything that she's been through has made her a more determined and passionate girl.'

Since placing Miss West Virginia Jr. High in a competition three months ago, she's qualified for national competition, in June, where she'll parade in an evening gown and answer questions from a panel of judges.

Dakota's mother, Heather, says she is very proud of her daughter (above) and everything she has achieved

Mother Heather says that she's amazed by her daughter's transformation from reserved teen to empowered model when she hits the runway.

Heather said: 'In real life, she can be quite shy but when she's on the stage she's a totally different person and becomes a very confident, young lady.

'When the judges ask her questions she never hesitates and it always amazes me to watch Dakota when she hits the stage.

'We're all so excited for her, she's working on a national platform and is raising awareness of bullying.

'Naturally Dakota would love to win but she's happy to be able to promote the platform all over the state is reward enough.'

Dakota has been signed to Models of Diversity (MOD) an organisation who aim to promote models not typically shown in the media and selected her due to her inspiring story.

Angel Sinclair, 55, the agency's founder said: 'It's always great to see someone with the drive and determination to succeed but especially so when they have to face additional challenges and yet win through.'
He became an unlikely Internet star after social media users were whipped into a frenzy by photographs of Ivanka Trump, the Duchess of Cambridge and even Donald Trump appearing to gaze longingly at him.

And now Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has become an online hit again - thanks to his pert posterior.

Twitter and Instagram users have been sharing snaps of the 45-year-old's asset in their droves after Nilah Shea shared the snap on Facebook.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has become a star of the internet again as women go into meltdown over his pert posterior, sharing hilarious memes in homage

Many have turned his behind into viral memes, whilst others have set an image of his bottom to their phone background.

One fan has even created an online poll asking people to express how Justin's bottom 'makes them feel'.

Justin went viral earlier this month after a snap showed President Trump's daughter looking captivated as she stole glances at Mr Trudeau during a roundtable discussion at the White House.

A day after the Oscars, one Twitter users hailed a new and more worthy winner of an award

Women have been whipped into a frenzy over the 45-year-old's pert posterior

Some users compared President Donald Trump's behind to his Canadian counterpart

Countless women are such fans of his behind that they set their phone background to the prized asset

Someone even created an online poll asking internet users to vote on how the father-of-three's bottom made them feel

Pictures of the exchange sparked a flurry of memes on Instagram and Twitter, with users jokingly suggesting they revealed Ms Trump's secret feelings for the Canadian politician.

Seizing on the moment, creative social media users then looked back and found other high profile figures - from the Duchess of Cambridge to actress Emma Watson - who appear to have been similarly taken when introduced to Mr Trudeau.

And it wasn't only famous women who became the butt of the joke. President Trump and Barack Obama have both been caught on camera appearing to gaze wistfully at Mr Trudeau in snaps that inspired their own hilarious memes, and saw one internet wit declaring that 'no one is safe!'

Justin has been married to wife Sophie, with whom he has three children, since 2005.

One lady who shared an epic description of her feelings towards his bottom saw her post go viral with thousands of likes and comments

Twitter users took to the social media site in their droves to compliment his behind

Sparked by photos of Ivanka Trump staring wistfully at Justin Trudeau, top right, one social media user pointed out other celebrities had been charmed by the politician

The President's daughter was caught on camera as she flashed a smile at Mr Trudeau during a roundtable discussion on women in business at the White House earlier this month

Some memes suggested Ms Trump was harbouring secret feelings for Mr Trudeau

Like father, like daughter: Others drew comparisons between Ms Trump's glances at the Canadian prime minister (top), and the way her father was caught looking at him (below)

The pictures of Ms Trump prompted social media users to look back through old pictures of Mr Trudeau, and pointed to others who had apparently been charmed

Some of the memes starred a beaming Duchess of Cambridge as she and Prince William were introduced to Mr Trudeau and his wife during the royal visit to Canada

Actress Emma Watson, who met Mr Trudeau in September last year, also featured

Others pointed to the close relationship this picture suggests Mr Trudeau had with Barack Obama
The Dutch royal family were in high spirits as they took to the slopes in Lech, Austria, for an official photocall.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were joined on the getaway by their three daughters - Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane.

Stylish Maxima shunned her usual brightly coloured clothing for a chic all-black ensemble, which she accessorised with a purple patterned scarf and pink aviator sunglasses.

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane were well wrapped up for the chilly weather

Glamorous Maxima donned a colourful scarf and pink sunglasses to complement her all-black outfit

King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima have been married since 2002

The family posed for playful shots during the holiday photoshoot in Austria

The princesses also looked stylish on the slopes, with Catharina-Amalia, 13, opting for all black like her mother, while Alexia, 11, and Ariane, nine, chose bold blue and red.

The exclusive resort of Lech has long been a favourite with royals and A-listers.

The mountain village in the Bludenz district has also been frequented by Princess Victoria of Sweden and was reported to have been Princess Diana's favourite ski destination.

Maxima, 45, and husband Willem-Alexander, 49, have long been fans of the resort - and the couple looked loved-up as they laughed and joked together on the slopes.

The princesses showed they were adept on the slopes as their parents followed behind

Maxima looked pleased to be on the active family trip

The loved-up royals shared a laugh as they prepared to hit the pistes

Maxima was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville in 1999.

Despite reportedly having no idea that Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when the pair first met, she eventually became the Dutch Queen when her husband was crowned in April 2013.

King Willem-Alexander shows his affection for his eldest daughter and heir apparent to the throne Catharina-Amalia
If it ain't broke, then don't fix it is clearly the style mantra of Jennifer Aniston when it comes to attending Hollywood's biggest occasion.

It's 17 years since a 31-year-old Aniston attended the Academy Awards on the arm of Brad Pitt in 2000, wearing a plunging black gown... but, as images from last night's awards show reveal, Aniston has a trusted style formula and she's sticking to it.

Fast forward to 2017 and the 48-year-old may be standing next to a different man - husband of two years Justin Theroux - but her hair, dress and even make-up look remarkably similar to her millennium year look.

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That's my look and I'm sticking to it! Jennifer Aniston wore a variation of her favoured black gown with plunging neckline and thigh split - this time by Atelier Versace - as she attended the 89th Oscars in Hollywood with husband Justin Theroux

Back in 2000, the 31-year-old wore a similar look while attending the Academy Awards with Brad Pitt. The plunging neckline and flowing gown teamed with poker straight blonde hair

Last night, the actress looked stunning in a black custom gown by Atelier Versace and black strappy heeled sandals.

The glimmering bespoke gown flaunted her gym-honed figure but protected her modesty with a scattering of sequins.

Other additions? A cool $10million worth of diamonds and a black box clutch purse in her hand.

Details of the custom-made Lorraine Scwartz 100 carat diamond earrings, which were worth $9,500,000, and a matching 20 carat Golconda diamond ring worth $1,200,000 were posted by the jeweller on social media.

Add in her perfectly honed physique and poker straight long blonde tresses and Aniston's age-defying time capsule look was complete.

Revealing just enough thigh, Aniston shows off her red carpet look at this year's Oscars. Right, the black dress with revealing neckline that she donned back in 2000 with Brad Pitt

She was joined on the red carpet by actor husband Theroux, 45, who looked not too shoddy himself in a sharp black suit with a Pulp Fiction-style thin black tie.

'SHE PLAYS IT SAFE BUT LOOKS FAB': FEMAIL'S VERDICT ON ANISTON'S SINGLE-MINDED STYLE

Freelance fashion writer, Simon Glazin, said of Jennifer's approach to fashion: 'She may have changed husbands over the years, but Jennifer hasn't altered her style! 'They say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and this rings true with Jennifer's red carpet choice. She loves dark colours: black, dark navy blue, sometimes a deep jewel tone, and won't deviate. And it works her for. As long as it's black, I'm wearing it: Aniston's other outings at the Oscars, including this one in 2003 (left) have seen her favour the darkest colour. Right: In 2006, the actress went for a flowing, sheer number 'As do the cuts she favours. She'll always follow that fashion rule of only showing lots of leg, or cleavage. Never together. 'She'll wear a sexy strappy dress, but it will be long. Or she'll choose something low cut at the neck and it will graze her ankles. She might be one of those A listers who plays it safe, but she always looks fabulous, and her dresses always flatter her figure.' Advertisement

The couple, who married in 2015, cosied up and grinned for the sea of cameras, walking arm in arm and acting seemingly inseparable throughout the evening.

Far from being stuck in a style rut, the 48-year-old clearly knows exactly what works for her.

Her hair, super straight and super glossy looked almost identical to the way she wore it back in 2000, when she was at the height of her Friends fame and married to one of the world's most famous men.

Of Aniston's faithful approach to fashion, fashion writer Simon Glazin told Femail: '

'She may have changed husbands over the years, but Jennifer hasn't altered her style!

They say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and this rings true with Jennifer's red carpet choice. She loves dark colours: black, dark navy blue, sometimes a deep jewel tone, and won't deviate. And it works her for.'

Jen and Justin looked to be having a fabulous time at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party

The couple smiled for the mass of paparazzi as they made their way through the backstage area at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center

We're off to party: The couple glance back at photographers as they make a quick exit to the aftershow party

Aniston mingled with Will And Grace star Megan Mullally and Reese Witherspoon

While Aniston looked sensational last night, her former beau Brad Pitt was among the stars giving the glitzy ceremony the boot this year.

While Pitt did make an appearance at the Golden Globes earlier this month, he clearly didn't fancy an evening with his fellow A-listers.

Other notable absences included Pitt's ex-wife Angelina Jolie, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney and Julianne Moore.
The Duchess of Cornwall didn't let a little rain dampen her spirits as she kicked off the week with a trip to the Normandy Barracks on Monday.

Camilla, who was resplendent in a military-inspired green coat, suede boots and a fur hat, was helped by an officer as the heaven's opened.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Royal Colonel, was at the 4th Battalion The Rifles at the Normandy Barracks in Aldershot for a homecoming parade.

The Duchess of Cornwall was handed an umbrella by soldiers and officers as she visited the 4th Battalion The Rifles at Normandy Barracks in Aldershot on a dreary Monday

Whilst here, she met soldiers who have recently returned from a deployment to Iraq.

Camilla last visited Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, in November where she placed a posy on the 4 Rifles Memorial Wall, which includes the names of those killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 4th Battalion the Rifles (4 Rifles), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Carl Boswell, currently has 250 Riflemen based at Al Asad Air Base, 100 miles west of Baghdad, providing training support to the Iraqi army.

Last week The Duchess of Cornwall urged Twitter followers to stay safe as bad weather batters the country.

Camilla was resplendent in a military-inspired green coat, suede boots and a fur hat for the occasion

A member of the military helped the Duchess as the heaven's opened during the homecoming parade

Camilla smiled as she met soldiers who have recently returned from a deployment to Iraq

Wrapped up warm in a woolly hat and thick leg warmers, the Duchess posed on skis for a snap posted to the Clarence House account with the message: 'Take care in Storm Doris.'

The image was taken on a previous snowy day at the royals' Birkhall Estate in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Earlier in the week Camilla helped to launch The Great Get Together - community get-togethers across the UK in memory of the murdered MP Jo Cox.

She was joined by celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to ice cupcakes in the kitchen at Clarence House.

Camilla last visited Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, in November where she placed a posy on the 4 Rifles Memorial Wall

Camilla no doubt paid a visit to the wall, which includes the names of those killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan
Their victory may have been a bit overshadowed by an embarrassing flub, but the stars of Best Picture Oscar winner Moonlight are still having a heck of a 24 hours.

Though host Jimmy Kimmel joked in the beginning of the Academy Awards broadcast that no one had seen the film, it went on to win best picture  and its stars also all scored theirs first major modeling campaigns.

Just hours after taking home their golden statues, Mahershala Ali, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex R. Hibbert were all announced as the new faces of Calvin Klein.

Calvin Klein has revealed that four of the stars of Moonlight, including Mahershala Ali (pictured), are the new faces of Calvin Klein underwear

Trevante Rhodes, 27, also models in the campaign, showing off toned abs and muscular arms

The campaign also stars 21-year-old Ashton Sanders and was shot by photographer Willy Vandeperre

Alex R. Hibbert, 12, is the fourth star of the ads; he, Ashton, and Trevante all play the same character at different ages

Eagle-eyed fashion fans may have suspected something was up when most of the cast turned up to the Academy Awards wearing Calvin Klein.

Even Best Supporting Actress nominee Naomi Harris wore a dress by the brand, joining 27-year-old Trevante, 21-year-old Ashton, and 12-year-old Alex.

The three young men all play the film's main character, Chiron, at different stages of his life. Naomie plays their mother Paula, and Mahershala, 43  the only one of the group who opted for a Ermenegildo Zegna Couture tux  plays a drug-dealing father figure named Juan.

Mahershala, 43, poses shirtless in several black-and-white shots

The ads were revealed on social media just hours after Moonlight took home the Oscar for Best Picture

Mahershala also took home his own statue for Best Supporting Actor

Calvin Klein proudly shared snaps of the actors getting ready for the event on social media, followed by more on the red carpet.

But the news wasn't announced until early this morning, when Calvin Klein updated its Facebook page

'Introducing the Spring '17 mens underwear campaign, starring actors Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Mahershala Ali, and Trevante Rhodes,' the brand wrote, uploading nine shots by photographer Willy Vandeperre.

Mahershala and Trevante both show off chiseled abs in the ads, Mahershala taking off his shirt while wearing low-hanging jeans and Trevante lounging in a chair in just a pair of briefs.

This is the first ad campaign for the newcomers, and was shot before the Academy Awards

The film was one of the breakout stars of the award show season and came as a surprise win

Trevante (left), Alex (center), and Ashton (right) all wore Calvin Klein to the award show

Naomie Harris, who also appeared in the film, wore Calvin Klein as well, while Mahershala wore Ermenegildo Zegna Couture

Ashton also gives off a moody stare while modeling boxer briefs, while Alex  the only teen of the bunch  keeps his pants on and flashes an adorable smile instead. In another shot, the youngster seems to be mimicking his older co-stars, rolling up a sleeve to show off some muscle.

'You get older and you think you have some things figured out, but [these younger guys] remind me of the power of exploring,' Mahershala said while shooting the campaign. 'They reminded me that it's okay to not know everything about life.'

This is the second campaign under designer Raf Simons, who took over the label in August and showed his first collection in January at men's fashion week.
The Oscars may arguably be the biggest awards night in the world - but in the UK, it was another ceremony that had everyone talking.

The British Kebab Awards, held in central London last night, briefly trended on Twitter above the prestigious Academy Awards in the UK as kebab shops from across the country were honoured in front of 1,200 people.

And for many people, the glitter and glamour of the star-studded film awards night in Hollywood couldn't compete with a ceremony paying homage to the humble high street kebab.

Every day 1.3m kebabs are sold across Britain, a significant contribution to the British economy - something which was honoured at last night's British Kebab Awards

Prime Minister Theresa May wrote a foreword for the British Kebab Awards last night, paying tribute to the UK's 'successful kebab restaurants' and the 'thriving British kebab industry'

Many people on Twitter jokingly said that the British Kebab Awards was the biggest awards ceremony of the night - despite the Academy Awards being held on the same evening

Though A-listers in eye-dropping gowns may have been missing from the night, there were still plenty of famous faces at the biggest event of the year for the kebab world.

Radio 1 DJs Scott Mills and Chris Stark hosted the event, and among the guest speakers were Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn.

Prime Minister Theresa May even wrote a foreword paying tribute to kebab shops across the country - though the leader sadly couldn't make it to the ceremony herself.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS Just Eat Best Delivery: I am Doner, Leeds Highly Recommended: Irmak BBQ, North Dunstable Customer Satisfaction: Kosk, Edmonton Highly Recommended: Koz Mediterranean Restaurant, Beckenham Best Newcomer Restaurant/ Takeaway in London: Tarshish, Wood Green Highly Recommended: Bababoom, Battersea Best Newcomer Restaurant/ Takeaway outside London: Elder and Wolf, Whitley Bay Best Kebab House in Northern Ireland: Sphinx Glengormley, Glengormley Best Kebab House in Wales: Mezza Luna, Cardiff Best Kebab House in Scotland: Alla Turca, Glasgow Best Kebab House Regional: Meze Mangal, Bushey Highly Recommended: Akdeniz Turkish Restaurant, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex Best Takeaway Regional: Ellesmere Port Kebab House, Ellesmere Port Best Kebab Restaurant in North and West London: Gokyuzu, Haringey Highly Recommended: German Doner Kebab, West Ealing Best Kebab Restaurant in South and East London: The Meze Bexleyheath, Bexleyheath Highly Recommended: Efes Restaurant (Brick Lane), Whitechapel Best Takeaway in London: Pizza King Kebab House, Edmonton Best Value: The Iskele, Shoreditch Highly Recommended: Grand Bazaar, Marylebone Chef of the Year: Mazlum Demir (Skewd Kitchen), Barnet Fine Dining Restaurant: Veyso's, Hertford Kebab Van of the Year: Atalay Kebab Van, Thame, Oxfordshire Outstanding Contribution: Prime Quality Foods, Enfield Advertisement

Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn also wrote a foreword for the awards night, paying tribute to the 2 billion annual that the kebab industry contributes to the British economy

There was a large number of tributes from MPs in the British Kebab Awards programme. More than 50 MPs and peers attended the glamorous event

Twitter users joked that the Oscars clashed with the Kebab Awards rather than the other way around

It wasn't just political party leaders who supported the ceremony however - more than 50 MP and peers attended the glamorous event to support small businesses and kebab shops in their constituencies.

Kebab shops from across the UK picked up gongs last night in categories including best delivery, best newcomer, best value and kebab van of the year.

London kebab houses picked up the majority of the awards, but eateries in every part of the country were given gongs - including northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.

THE HISTORY OF THE KEBAB The UKs first kebab shop, Istanbul Restaurant in Soho, opened during the Second World War - there are pictures of it in the Imperial War Museum. However it was not until 1966 that the famous doner kebab - cooked on a vertical spit - first appeared with the opening of the Hodja Nasreddin Kebab House by Cetin Bukey and Kojay Husey in in north Londons Newington Green. There are now over 20,000 kebab outlets in the UK selling around 2,500 tonnes of lamb and chicken doner a week. There are also around 200 doner kebab manufacturers in the UK, with a turnover in excess of 750m. Advertisement

Ibrahim Dogus, of the British Kebab Awards, said: 'Every year we see the competition get tougher so I congratulate every kebab business that won a British Kebab Award.

'MPs got behind their kebab shops and restaurants by the dozen with more than 40 nominating businesses in their constituencies and that's great to see. I look forward to seeing what the contenders serve up in 2018.'

Graham Corfield, UK managing director of Just Eat, which sponsored the event, said: 'On behalf of Just Eat, I would like to congratulate all of the winners on receiving a British Kebab Award in 2017.

'It is a phenomenal achievement in what are well established and highly competitive fields. The kebab businesses that have succeeded this year serve as shining examples within their local communities and, at the same time, support the thriving UK kebab industry. The award for every winner is hugely deserved.'

The annual event is the only one to recognise the contribution made by the kebab industry to the British economy - worth more than 2.8billion a year. This year's awards raised money for veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress.
A New York City restaurant seems to have taken the term 'foodporn' a bit more literally than most, but the results are definitely satisfying.

Raw Material, a Lower East Side eatery, debuted its very unique exploding Burger Bomb late last year. And though the item doesn't even appear on the menu  in-the-know diners have to ask for it by name  it's already become a huge hit on Instagram.

That's because the very photogenic cheeseburger isn't simply topped with a slice of American or Cheddar. Instead, the bun on top is filled with a creamy, gooey cheese sauce that oozes and pours out of it in a truly drool-worthy way  to which FEMAIL can attest.

Get ready to drool! Raw Material on Manhattan's Lower East Side starting selling its Burger Bomb late last year

Chef Sandy Dee Hall told Daily Mail Online that he first came up with the burger last year when a publicist suggested he create a burger with a bread bowl on top, similar to the ones sold at Panera.

Instead, the innovative chef decided to fill the top bun with cheese sauce to keep everything a bit more contained  and offer a surprise.

For the dish, he makes a bechamel sauce out of cream, herbs, and two-year aged cheddar, which he injects into a bun before toasting it. The cheese-filled bun sits on top of a burger, which is also sprinkled with chives.

The top bun is filled with a bechamel sauce made from cream and cheddar cheese, which pours out when the dish is cut into

Since the $15 burger debuted, it's caught the attention of food-obsessed Instagrammers, who went wild for videos posted by the likes of Brunch Boys and Food Baby, which show the burger in all its gooey glory.

Viewers have left comments about drooling over the dish, with some describing the exploding bun as pornographic.

And after FEMAIL had the chance to try it out, we can vouch for the fact that it tastes even better than it looks.

Yum! The very tasty burger isn't listed on the menu but can be ordered by name, and chef Sandy Dee Hall is experimenting with more versions of the dish

Definitely a fork-and-knife sandwich  unless you don't mind getting your hands very, very messy  the delicious menu item just tastes like a well-cooked burger slathered in really good mac-and-cheese sauce.

After the bun is cut open, the cheese ends up soaking everything  the bun, the meat, your hands  which is pretty much a dream come true for any serious cheese lover.

Hall also revealed that he may offer twists on the Burger Bomb in the future, like a fried-chicken-with-blue-cheese option, or even a Hollandaise-filled breakfast sandwich.
As any new parent will attest, looking after a baby can leave you feeling exhausted.

But mothers suffer far more than fathers from interrupted sleep after having children, research suggests.

For every child a woman has, the chances of regularly not getting enough sleep goes up by 50 per cent, scientists have found.

Mothers suffer far more than fathers from interrupted sleep after having children, research suggests

But mens sleep patterns are unaffected by fatherhood, no matter how many children they have, the researchers claimed. They said this showed that women were disproportionately affected by parenthood.

Study leader Dr Kelly Sullivan, from Georgia Southern University in the US, said: I think these findings may bolster those women who say they feel exhausted.

Our study found not only are they not sleeping long enough, they also report feeling tired throughout the day.

The team interviewed 5,805 people aged 45 and under about their sleeping habits, with seven to nine hours considered optimal and less than six hours insufficient.

Among 2,908 women a clear link was found between poor sleep and having children.

Overall, 48 per cent of women with children reported getting at least seven hours of sleep compared with 62 per cent of those without children.

And each child in a household increased the chances of not getting enough sleep by a further 50 per cent. But for the 2,897 men in the study, no difference was found between those who had children and those who did not.

No other factors, including exercise, marital status and education, appeared to influence how long younger women slept.

Dr Sullivan said: Children in the household were associated with the frequency of feeling unrested among younger women, but not among younger men. This fits with other research that has shown that women report sleep difficulties about twice as often as men and actually need more sleep than men in order to feel rested.

Mens sleep patterns are unaffected by fatherhood, no matter how many children they have, the researchers claimed

There are also biologic considerations unique to women that have to be considered throughout the life cycle such as hormonal influences of pregnancy and menopause, as well as the demands of breastfeeding. The findings will be presented at the American Academy of Neurologys annual meeting in Boston in April.

The study found that not only was living with children associated with how long younger women slept, but also how often they felt tired.

Younger women with children reported feeling tired 14 days per month, on average, compared to 11 days for younger women without children in the household.

Dr Sullivan added: Getting enough sleep is a key component of overall health and can impact the heart, mind and weight.

Its important to learn what is keeping people from getting the rest they need so we can help them work towards better health.

Prioritising healthy sleep is important and includes limiting caffeine intake, keeping the bedroom dark and reducing exposure to bright screens such as phones and TVs close to bedtime.
Xander Cabales has left been effectively blind after taking Motrin - a common US drug for children

A 10-year-old boy has been left blind after having a rare reaction to an over-the-counter drug to treat his fever.

Xander Cabales had taken Motrin - a common US drug for children, similar to ibuprofen, in June 2014.

But over a period of just five days, his condition deteriorated rapidly after reacting to the drug and he was left seriously ill.

His small left lung collapsed, his skin melted and he went into a state of septic shock, as blood poisoning took over his body.

Doctors say he developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, leaving him effectively blind, despite once having 20/20 eyesight.

Now he has to wear sunglasses when outside or under bright lights or he risks losing the rest of his minimal vision.

Now, his mother, Laura 42, from Hawaii, has released a series of shocking pictures to highlight the effects.

She called that, at his sickest, doctors had to physically stitch a breathing tube to the inside of his mouth because his skin was melting away so quickly.

Shockingly, it was the only way the tube  which enabled him to breathe while his lung was incapacitated  would stay secure.

Mrs Cabales said: 'Touching his skin was like swiping an iPhone. The lightest touch would see layers of it come off in your hand.

'He was blistering, peeling, burning from the inside out. It was devastating.'

Now he has to wear sunglasses when outside or under bright lights or he risks losing the rest of his minimal vision (pictured after he was given the medication)

Mrs Cabales and her husband, military worker, Ronnie, 42, gave Xander Motrin to soothe him after he complained he was unwell.

The fever vanished, but a few hours later it returned, worse than before.

Touching his skin was like swiping an iPhone. The lightest touch would see layers of it come off in your hand Laura Cabales, 42

His temperature soared to 40.5 C and he was lethargic, with discharge streaming from his eyes.

Concerned, his parents rushed him to Tripler Medical Center Hospital in Honolulu, near their home.

As his condition worsened, Xander's behaviour became aggressive and he was admitted to casualty.

Diagnosed with a series of medical complaints, including a collapsed lung, acute respiratory distress syndrome and bacterial pneumonia, his time was running out.

Mrs Cabales said: 'Doctors said he was the sickest patient they had. He was dying. His skin blistered and burnt and he developed lesions on his body.'

They were told he had Stevens-Johnson syndrome - a rare illness, where a person suffers an extreme and unpredictable adverse reaction to medication.

Over a period of just five days, his condition deteriorated rapidly after reacting to the drug and he was left seriously ill (pictured in hospital)

Classed as a medical emergency, according to the NHS, it causes a sufferer's skin and mucus membrane to peel off.

He was taken to Kapiolani Hospital, also in Honolulu, where doctors placed him in an induced coma so he could recover.

WHAT IS STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME? Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare disorder that begins with flu-like symptoms. These are followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of the affected skin dies and sheds. The illness, which is a form of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, is typically a reaction to a drug or an infection, and can prove fatal. Treatment focuses on eliminating the underlying cause, controlling symptoms and minimizing complications. Patient recovery can take weeks to months, depending on the severity of the syndrome. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement

On life support, Xander spent the next three weeks unconscious.

Finally, after being pumped full of antibiotics, he started to respond to treatment and come round.

He eventually woke up more than a month after developing the fever.

Now, nearly three years after his ordeal started, Xander is much better. But the long-term impact of his illness has been significant.

He doesn't produce saliva anymore and the tiny hairs on the inside of his lungs have gone, meaning he can't cough or clear any mucus.

And he has also suffered long-lasting damage to his lungs and is forced to rely on a nebuliser three times a day to aid his breathing.

And since returning to school after recovering, he has been bullied for his condition.

A spokesman from Johnson and Johnson, who make Motrin, said: 'As the makers of MOTRIN (ibuprofen) products, we are committed to providing consumers with safe and effective over-the-counter medicines.

'Over decades and millions of uses, ibuprofen has proven safe and effective when used as directed. We are sympathetic to the pain and hardships suffered by anyone affected by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.'

The family were supported by charities the Kapiolani Health Foundation and the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation.
Thousands of patients could unnecessarily be having surgery due to an inaccurate test, a heart doctor has warned.

And needless operations performed because of the exam may be costing the NHS 60 million a year, says Professor Gerry McCann.

The cardiologist, father of Madeleine who has been missing since May 2007, led a team of researchers from the University of Leicester.

Professor Gerry McCann, a cardiologist and father of Madeleine who has been missing since May 2007, led a team of researchers from the University of Leicester

Exercise testing has been used to assess people with the heart valve condition aortic stenosis (AS) since 2012.

It has been approved by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology.

Patients are asked to pedal a stationary bike to see if they require surgery to correct the problem, caused by a narrowing of the aortic valve opening.

But a study published in the European Heart Journal shows that the test only has a 60 per cent accuracy rate, suggesting many are sent for surgery prematurely.

They found that thousands of heart patients could unnecessarily be having surgery due to an inaccurate test for a condition

GERRY MCCANN'S LAST FEW WEEKS... Last week Professor McCann and his wife Kate confirmed they are fighting a Portuguese court decision to side with ex-police chief Goncalo Amaral. In his 2008 book, 'The Truth of the Lie', he claimed the McCanns faked Madeleine's abduction to cover up her death in their Algarve apartment. The country's Supreme Court last month rejected their last-ditch appeal against a lower court's decision to reverse their 2015 libel win. The couple have always insisted their daughter was snatched from a holiday flat while they were dining in a nearby tapas bar. But they also hit out at ITV's This Morning for letting a TV detective voice his 'astonishing new theory' about Madeleine's disappearance. Mark Williams-Thomas, an investigative journalist, believes she walked out of the apartment searching for her parents. Advertisement

Each year in the UK about 10,000 aortic valve replacements are carried out at a cost of up to 15,000 per procedure.

According to the new findings on a study of 174 patients, roughly 40 per cent of these operations may be unnecessary.

Professor McCann said: 'There is no doubt that valve replacement therapy is highly effective for patients with symptoms, however there are risks involved.

'It's a major operation and there's a 1 per cent chance of people dying or having a stroke during or after. There's also the chance they could develop an infection.

'It can often take six months to recover, but if they survive they tend to do very well afterwards.

'However, if we know a patient has AS and no symptoms and we do nothing, there's also a 1 per cent chance they will die, so there's a fine line between whether we should intervene or not.'

Almost twice the number of people who became breathless during the test did not develop symptoms within a year, he added.

Professor McCann plans to search for a more accurate way of deciding which patients with AS should undergo surgery.

A clinical study comparing early surgery with waiting for symptoms to develop is needed, he said.
More women in middle age are showing signs of eating disorders, according to research by BEAT, the eating disorders charity.

That means someone you work with could be suffering in silence and hiding severe illness. Here's how to spot the signs  and help.

Earlier this year, an article written by Dr Nadia Micali, a psychiatrist at Maudsley Hospital, made headlines.

Dr Micali 's research, which appeared in the British Medical Journal, found that eating disorders in middle aged women aged between 40 and 50 were significantly higher than previously thought.

Fifteen percent of the women in the study met the criteria of a lifelong eating disorder but less than 30 percent of those had sought help for their problem.

These women could be anyone including a colleague or even your boss.

A study done by BEAT in 2015, found that 30 percent of women dealing with an eating disorder at work felt stigmatized due to their illness.

The majority of the women in the study felt that their coworkers and peers were uneducated about eating disorders which made them unhelpful in their recovery.

We spoke to experts about how to spot the signs.

Dangerous: Dr Nadia Micali, a psychiatrist, has published research showing that more and more women in their 40s and 50s are being diagnosed with eating disorders (file image)

How to spot someone with an eating disorder at work

1. Drastic changes in mood and behavior

'The early signs of an eating disorder will be psychological,' says Rebecca Field, of BEAT.

'Physical signs of an eating disorder will come much later'.

When you are depriving yourself of the necessary nutrients your body needs it will use all of its reserves, working in over time your body becomes exhausted.

Starvation affects your mood, concentration, decision-making ability, socially withdrawn and makes you irritable.

Someone who was once the life of lunchtime may start focusing heavily on their food, cutting it into small pieces or avoiding lunchtime altogether.

Comments about their body, every conversation revolving around food and/or disappearing to the toilet for a period of time after lunch could be signs of an eating disorder states, Amy Wickstead, a psychologist and head of the British Psychological Society's (BPS) faculty for eating disorders.

Changes in behavior are key signs. Starvation affects your mood, concentration, decision-making ability, socially withdrawn and makes you irritable, experts warn (file image)

2. Physical changes

You do not have to be underweight to have an eating disorder.

'It is harder to tell when someone isn't losing weight but their eating is getting quite chaotic and you are concerned about a bulimia problem', explains Wickstead.

Bloating, cuts that take a long time to heal and complaints of cold fingers and toes could all be indicators that someone has an eating disorder.

Weight loss is often accompanied with a myriad of other mental changes that are usually more noticeable and quicker to detect than a physical change, quotes Field.

There are people who do not lose much weight but have disordered eating habits that can quickly become dangerous.

3. Wearing really baggy  or really tight  clothes

Some people who feel larger in baggy clothes may begin to wear extremely tight fitting clothing to reassure themselves that they are small

Along with the behavioral changes that would be geared to hiding an eating disorder at work, there are countless ways that someone could hide their eating disorder.

Wearing increasingly baggy clothing or isolating themselves from colleagues and becoming incredibly secretive are a few ways that someone could hide their eating disorder at work, claims Field.

Some people may feel larger in baggy clothes they then would begin to wear extremely tight fitting clothing to reassure themselves that they are small and getting smaller, explains Wickstead along with explaining that people usually will look for the stereotypical signs of anorexia when in fact, anorexia is the least common of the types of eating disorder.

How to help someone with an eating disorder at work

1. If you consider them a friend  be compassionate

Always, always, always be compassionate.

'Being there for someone is the most important thing. Help them reconnect with the things that they loved before their eating disorder,' explains Field.

Find a way to talk about their eating disorder without making it about the food. Most of the time the eating disorder is not about food but has an underlying issue that usually stems from childhood.

Micali found that childhood sexual abuse was typically associated with all binge/purge type disorders and an external point of control was associated with binge-eating disorder.

Offer to help them talk to someone about their eating disorder. Use caring language and always share your concern for their wellbeing states Wickstead.

Micali found that childhood sexual abuse was typically associated with all binge/purge type disorders

Language such as, 'I've been noticing weight loss and I am worried about you, are you worried too?' or 'Would it help if I could help you talk to someone about this?' are great ways to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about.

Find a way to talk about their eating disorder without making it about the food

2. If you don't know them well  tell someone who does

Handle this the same way a friend would.

Right now there is an advent around early intervention as the prognosis of recovery is much better, argues Wickstead.

State your concern and show that you are coming from a caring place, not an argumentative place

If you are concerned about someone but are not close with them, continue as you would in any other context, Wickstead urges.

State your concern for them and show that you are coming from a caring place, not from an argumentative place.

If you really don't know someone flag up someone that is close with them and ask if they are finding the same signs.

Many times they will be and will be just as concerned as you. Then one, or both of you can talk to that person in a caring and compassionate way.

3. If you're their boss  provide structured support

Thirty percent of the women in a recent study said they had little to no support while at work

An employer has a responsibility to aid in the recovery with an eating disorder just as much as any other illness, this is true of mental health in general, says Field.

There are a lot of ways that an employer could make recovery easier on someone.

An employer has a responsibility to aid in the recovery with an eating disorder just as much as any other illness, this is true of mental health in general

Providing time off for appointments, allowing a longer lunch time for so that someone with anorexia can eat a full meal and being understanding as to how quickly someone can go back to work.

In the survey done by Beat, the women indicated that they would have benefited from having access to a formal or informal mechanism of support at work.

Thirty percent of the women in the study claimed that they had little to no support while at work.

The number one thing that these women wanted at work was a policy regarding mental health and eating disorders.

This article was originally published by Healthista
Thousands of people fitted with pacemakers could be at risk from household devices such as hairdryers, electric razors and hand drills, a study suggests.

The electromagnetic fields generated by everyday appliances are sufficient to interfere with the ability of pacemakers to regulate the heart, researchers found.

Hundreds of thousands in the UK rely on a pacemaker to keep their heart beating, with 39,000 having one of the devices implanted every year.

Thousands of people fitted with pacemakers could be at risk from household devices such as hairdryers, electric razors and hand drills, a study suggests

The gadgets work by sending electrical pulses to the heart, ensuring it pumps blood around the body with a regular rhythm.

All people with pacemakers are advised to stay away from strong electromagnetic fields, such as those produced by induction cookers, and are advised not to linger near airport X-ray machines.

But the latest research, published in the American Heart Associations journal Circulation, suggests a far greater variety of implements could interfere with the devices in close proximity.

Researchers at Aachen University Hospital in Germany found that hairdryers, electric razors, lawnmowers and circular saws generated magnetic fields strong enough to interfere with a pacemaker.

Cardiologist Dr Andreas Napp, who led the research, stressed that for each device the field peters out within 12 inches, so most tools will be safe if used carefully.

But he added: The key is the distance. Twice a month or so I see a patient whose pacemaker has been affected by a household appliance.

Often this is when someone uses a hand drill, and pushes their chest against it to force it against the wall.

That brings it very close to the pacemaker and it can interfere with the signal. If they keep it at forearms length they will be fine.

Hundreds of thousands in the UK rely on a pacemaker to keep their heart beating, with 39,000 having one of the devices implanted every year

He added: Electromagnetic interference with pacemakers can result in bradycardia, or a slow heart rate.

The risk of interference depends on many different factors, such as the settings of the implant or strength of the field source.

Dr Napp said that on occasion patients had passed out when their pacemakers stopped working.

He had never had a patient die as a result of electromagnetic interference, but said it was a risk.

His team tested 119 patients, exposing them to increasing electromagnetic fields until a failure in the pacemakers sensing mechanism was seen.

They found, for example, that an electric razor affected 56 per cent of patients within an inch, but was safe at eight inches.
Unreliable informants have become a serious threat to the safety of Army units operating against militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to sources, twice in the past fortnight the army's local informers in the Valley have provided red herring information to the units involved in operations, leading the jawans directly into the militants' trap.

According to Army sources in the Valley, intelligence inputs provided by local informers in both Hajin and Shopian operations were proven wrong, leading to the death of six army personnel.

Army officers carry the body of L/NK Ghulam Mohi ud din at his native Panjpora village of Bijbehara in south Kashmir

In a recent case in South Kashmir's Shopian district, three army men were killed and one critically injured in an ambush on 44 Rashtriya Rifles when an Army patrol party was returning from a search operation in Kungoo village based on intelligence inputs.

The incident has pressed the alarm bell for security establishment as it is 'unusual phenomenon' that in ten days, two major intelligence inputs have gone wrong, sources said.

On February 14, at least three soldiers were killed and 15 security personnel were injured during an encounter with terrorists at Hajin in Bandipora district based on false intelligence inputs.

Twice in the past fortnight the Indian army's local informers in the Valley have double-crossed troops and led them to their death (file pic)

A militant was also killed during the encounter, which began after security personnel received intelligence inputs concerning the presence of gunmen in a residential part of the district.

According to the source, in the Shopian attack, the army company was given a tip-off about a hideout of some militants but after hours of search, they couldn't find anyone and were attacked on their way back.

'It was apparently a trap as the army men were attacked with great effectiveness on their way back from the patrol. Soldiers were caught unaware as militants came prepared and fired indiscriminately,' the source said.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the ambush and the group has also released a video, which shows a group of armed men celebrating the success of the attack.

The fallen soldiers have been identified as Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin from Anantnag, Sreejith MJ from Kerala and Sepoy Vikas Singh Gurjar from Rajasthan. A civilian was killed by a stray bullet.

The attack also left two army officers, Lieutenant Colonel Mukesh Jha and Major Amardeep Singh, injured while they were travelling together in a light vehicle.

Senior officials claimed that after the Burhan Wani protests, the army placed added importance on strengthening its intelligence network that also got many positive results.

In the past couple of months, the army carried out 15-20 successful operation killing over two dozen militants.

They also cracked down their network and seizure arms in heavy quantity. According to the source, now militants have started targeting informers and planting misleading information to the army.

Official said the police and the army had launched a joint search operation following a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in a residential house in Hajin.

But according to senior defence ministry sources, forces zeroed down on a building but the attack came from terrorists hiding on the flanks.

Sources said army had specific input about a building in which militants were hiding but as soon the building was covered, the firing started from the opposite directions leaving them trapped.

After resorting to heavy firing, one terrorist was killed in the encounter.
For Professor Prasanta Chakravarty, February 22 began like any other Wednesday.

Chakravarty was in the Arts Faculty, Delhi University, and then at Ramjas College to support the students protesting the cancellation of talks by JNU scholars Shehla Rashid and Umar Khalid.

However the comparative peace ended when a clash between the AISA (All India Students Association, the student wing of the CPI-ML) and the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the BJP) broke out that afternoon.

Professor Prasanta Chakravarty was pushed to the floor and repeatedly kicked allegedly by thugs from the BJP's student wing, the ABVP

The clash took a violent turn with marauding students fighting and being beaten by police across campus.

The ABVP has been accused of orchestrating the attacks on the students in Ramjas on February 22.

....the constant climate of intimidation in many parts of our country now....is a perfect fascist moment we are passing through. - Professor Chakravarty

This mob beat up Professor Chakravarty, pushing him to the ground and kicking him repeatedly. A man also allegedly tried to strangle Chakravarty with his muffler.

The Delhi Police meanwhile, allegedly, watched this entire incident play out in front of them. Some policemen and policewomen, onlookers alleged, even joined the ABVP in attacking the other faction of students present on campus that day.

Teachers and students were beaten up during violent clashes between two student groups

While the incident sent shock-waves across university campuses all over the country, the price of supporting free speech has cost Chakravarty his health.

Since the ruckus he has been in and out of hospital and on Sunday morning he passed out with 'shooting abdominal pain' and was sent back to the hospital once again.

All India Students Association (AISA) and Jawaharlal Nehru University students hold a protest demanding the arrest of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members at the police headquarters on February 23, 2017 in New Delhi, India

The professor posted the MLC report from the hospital authorities on Facebook:

'He has been diagnosed with contusion and concealed spasms on the right kidney and on spinal extensor muscles... effected by heavy boot kicks.

'A couple of ribs also impaired - will require protracted treatment. Pain needs to abate first now. Intravenous meds and drips on.

'If that does not work, other possibilities will be explored'.

When Mail Today spoke to him on the morning of February 23, the professor was in hospital, being treated for the injuries.

The ABVP mob allegedly beat up Chakravarty, pushed him to the ground, kicked him repeatedly. A man also allegedly tried to strangle the professor with his muffler

That evening, he was back home but said he'd have to keep going to the hospital till he was fine.

A Facebook post from him on February 24 reads: 'In the past two days, circumstances have overtaken my life.

'But just like any event, the social value of newsworthiness will subside. And that is a good thing.

'What ought not to subside is awareness of the constant climate of intimidation in many parts of our country now. Indeed, in many places of the world now, since it is a perfect fascist moment we are passing through.

'I feel a bit perplexed, and inadequate about narrating personal stuff. I am simply not good at that.

Clash breaks out between activists of ABVP and the AISA at Delhi University

'I shall be most happy to go back to classes and to reading groups and to my poetry. I only wanted to make two points, and then let us move on.

'One, that I have got enormous and genuine support and faith from my students.

'And as I tried to say yesterday on television, I believe that it is they and their compatriots all around the nation who can bring about a change in real terms across campuses and then connect campus issues with the larger political and social contexts.

'It is for them to diagnose and act upon the time that they are passing through.

'Indeed, seize time and fortune and not be detached from their times. It goes far beyond empathizing with me or with other newsworthy events that shall continue to happen.

Students of Ramjas college during the protest march on Wednesday

'The second point is about difference and solidarities: there has and must remain ideological and positional differences among the best of friends.

'And we must keep on highlighting them, for thinking people who are passionate about life must build up poetics and politics on subtlety and positional nuance.

'But there is also a question of existential solidarity at this hour. If we are able to come together now, not by sublimating our differences, but by bringing forth those and yet building up broad fronts of togetherness and planning and hard strategy that these times demand, only then can we take on these regressive, narrow and debilitating brand of populism that haunts our nation and the world right now.

ABVP members clicking selfie with Bharat Mata: The ABVP is a right-wing student collective who are often accused of violently attacking those they see as 'anti-national'

'...But we must rise above our silos and egos and come together - students, teachers and everybody else who wish to see a different climate from the one we find ourselves in today.'

While the ABVP and AISA have taken turns to blame each other for the violence, the Delhi Police are still 'investigating' the matter.
A great deal has been spoken about India's demographic dividend. By 2020, it is said, India will become the youngest country in the world, with its population's median age at 29.

That means a growing working age population which can purchase goods and services, and a growing middle class.

China, by contrast, will have a population with a median age of 37. But the reality for a poor developing country like India is that the working age population must have jobs and education that will provide them jobs which will give them a reasonable income.

By 2020, it is said, India will become the youngest country in the world, with its population's median age at 29

Massive job demand

The problems achieving this goal are obvious. At 142, India remains near the bottom of the ease of doing business list and lags in the proportion of manufacturing in its GDP mix.

Economic growth has been weak and has been further weakened by demonetisation.

Private sector investment is just not taking place and corporate earnings are down.

India needs to generate one million jobs a month to meet the demand, but according to the government's Employment and Unemployment Survey, 2012 and 2015, it produced 5 million jobs, a deficit of 29 million.

At 142, India remains near the bottom of the ease of doing business list and lags in the proportion of manufacturing in its GDP mix

Employment was inadequate for women, and even those that had jobs often had low quality ones such as labourers with no regular income.

Official figures show that after witnessing a slight uptick of 0.5 per cent in 2014, employment creation saw a slump of 67 per cent in 2015.

The figures for the second quarter of 2016 indicate that in eight key sectors of manufacturing - construction, trade, transport, accommodation & restaurant, IT/BPO, education and health added just 77,000 jobs in the April-June 2016 period.

The government continues to speak bravely, if somewhat rashly on the issue.

At a press conference earlier this month, the Union Minister for labour and employment claimed that the Union government would ensure jobs for 50 million people in the country by 2020.

Given the trends outlined above this target hardly seems feasible, considering it means producing a little more than 10 million jobs per annum.

Clearly, the big danger is that the demographic dividend is becoming a demographic nightmare.

This has two features - large number of people without jobs or having marginal employment and a large number of young people who have gone through the educational process, but have degrees and qualifications that simply do not provide them with the skills to hold down a good job which, of course, as we have seen from the figures above, are just not being created.

Political manifestation

This results in frustration and anger and is manifested in a variety of different ways.

You can be sure that whether it is the stone pelters in Kashmir, Jat agitators of Haryana, Marathas marching in Mumbai or Hardik Patel and his patidars - all in varying measure - are a result of this joblessness.

The government has sought to address the problem through special schemes and its 'Make in India' campaign.

Unfortunately, outcome of the schemes like the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gramin Kaushalya Vikas Yojna and the Prime Minister's Employment Generation scheme have been disappointing.

They have created just 1,10,000 jobs in two and half years of the Modi government.

In fact, the one that has done well is the one the government wanted to squeeze, the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Guarantee Employment (MGNREGA) scheme.

At a press conference earlier this month, the Union Minister for labour and employment claimed that the Union government would ensure jobs for 50 million people in the country by 2020

Figures speak volumes

The problem does not lie with the Modi government alone. Manufacturing as a share of the country's GDP has remained flat at a little over 15 per cent in the past decade.

But it was the Modi government that sought to give the big push to change things through its Make in India scheme.

To start with, the steps taken by the government to ease doing of business and the PM's foreign tours helped FDI to jump to $ 45 billion in 2015-16, an all time high.

But looked at closely the figures revealed that after a record jump of $ 9.6 billion FDI in 2014-2015, FDI in manufacturing actually fell in 2015-16 and the per centage of FDI flowing to manufacturing fell to 23 per cent in 2015-16 from the figure of 35-40 per cent in the previous four years.

A young boy works at a stone mine within the province Rajasthan

FDI was indeed flowing, but to the services sector which did not generate the kind of jobs that manufacturing does.

Instead of focusing on the hard grind to promote manufacturing and hence jobs -through easing land use and labour laws and pushing private and public investment to build India's infrastructure, the BJP is slipping back to a barely masked divisive agenda to win elections.

The danger is that if the situation does not improve we will see more of the same in 2019 when Modi is up for re-election.




The nationality of Mohd Qamar, 58, is being decided under the Foreigners Act

India and Pakistan appear to be in agreement on one issue: neither country wants Mohd Qamar.

The fate of the 58-year-old inmate of a detention centre in Delhi is in limbo as he strives to reunite with his wife and five children living in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Qamar recently approached the Delhi High Court through his advocate, ND Pancholi, seeking permission to be released and allowed to stay with his family until the question of his nationality is settled under the Foreigners Act.

The two countries have detained hundreds of each other's citizens for illegally crossing the frontier and for spying, as well as holding prisoners from the three India-Pakistan wars.

The court has sought the Centre's response.

Rajesh Gogna, counsel for the Union of India, said: 'We have learnt that the Pakistan government is not accepting him as its citizen and India is saying that he is not ours. This makes him fall in the category of a 'stateless person'.

'We will be filing the status report as per the instructions from the Centre.'

Born to Indian parents in Meerut in 1959, Qamar says he moved to Pakistan with his mother at the age of seven on a three-month visa.

He has been detained and is prevented from returning to his family in Meerut, UP

'After my father died, my mother and I along with my stepbrother went to Pakistan. During the visit my mother died, leaving me at the mercy of my maternal grandmother and other relatives in Pakistan,' Qamar told Mail Today.

Sharing his ordeal in the petition, he said: 'I never wanted to stay in Pakistan. I was too little to manage on my own and even lost my Indian passport.

'Under forced circumstances and technical difficulties, I obtained a Pakistani passport with a view to come back to India.

'Any assertion of Indian nationality while living in Pakistan could have brought trouble to me including jail term for several years.'

Qamar came to India in 1990 and married Shahnaaj Begam. He worked as a labourer for the next two decades.

However, a complaint was filed with the Meerut police in 2011 that he was a Pakistani national living illegally in India.

Qamar accuses his relatives of implicating him in a false case over a property dispute.

The local intelligence unit arrested him that year under the Foreigners Act.

Finding evidence against Qamar, the trial court in 2014 convicted him of residing in India as a Pakistani national without valid documents.

He was sentenced to jail for three years and six months and fined Rs 500.

His lawyer said: 'Qamar has an Indian voter card issued to him in 2011. He is an Indian citizen and deporting him to Pakistan or elsewhere merely on the wrongful assumption that he is not an Indian national will deprive him of his right to life and impact his family. He did not renounce his Indian citizenship voluntarily.'

Pancholi said there are several cases where merely obtaining the passport of a different country cannot in all cases merely mean receiving the passport.
Maharashtra bar dancers have waltzed up to the Supreme Court and argued that the prevailing ban-like atmosphere in the state could push them into activities like prostitution.

Members of the Bharatiya Bar Girls Union knocked on the court's door on Monday against the 'unjust and arbitrary' new restrictions such as curbs on body movement, ban on acceptance of tips and showering of money as well as serving of liquor in performing areas.

They reminded the court that the closing down of the bars in 2005 left over 75,000 female workers unemployed.

Female bar dancers were banned in 2005 for being a 'bad influence on society'

The group brought to the apex court's attention the observation of another bench that struck down a similar state law. The plea will be heard on March 2.

The Maharashtra government had over a decade ago suspended the licences of bars and hotels where young women were employed to dance to racy film songs for male customers, claiming they were a bad influence on society.

But the top court said last year that bars could once again apply for licences.

Certain body movements are now banned, tips are prohibited and alcohol cannot be served to customers in performance areas

The SC had in an earlier judgment said: 'It has been brought on the record that many of them (bar dancers) have been compelled to take up prostitution out of necessity for maintenance of their families.

'In our opinion, the impugned legislation has proved to be totally counterproductive and cannot be sustained'.

This is the first time that bar dancers themselves have come forward to oppose the Maharashtra law.

Dancers claim that the tightened rules will push girls into prostitution (photo for representation only)

Until now the challenge was only from hotel, restaurant and dance bar owners.

The fresh plea has termed the new Act as 'arbitrary' and 'violative' of their right to earn a livelihood through legitimate means.

The union alleges that the term 'obscene dance' in the Act has been deliberately kept vague to allow police to harass performers.

The SC had earlier slammed the Maharashtra Police on the matter.

The apex court summoned and reminded the Mumbai DCP (licensing) that it was better for women to perform in dance bars than indulge in 'unacceptable activities'.

'You have to change your mindset,' Justice Dipak Misra had said. 'Regulation is different from prohibition.'
The attempt by Deutsche Boerse to swallow the London Stock Exchange in a 21bn merger of equals should have been doomed from the day it was announced.

The possibility that Britain would vote to leave the European Union always meant Frankfurt would be very unhappy the headquarters of the enlarged exchange would be in London.

Moreover, cost savings from the merger were always marginal, especially when it became obvious that clearing operations, one of the biggest generators of income, would remain on respective home turfs.

Deutsche Boerse wanted to buy LSE for 21bn, which critics said was against the UK's interest

This deal always had the appearance of having been cooked up by investment bankers, advisers and executives for their own benefit. LSE chief executive Xavier Rolet may have done a brilliant job in increasing the market value of the LSE but was also known to be looking for an exit.

The Wimbledon-based German boss of Deutsche Boerse was seeking an easier commute and more power. Judging from his odd pattern of share purchases ahead of the deal, the money was attractive too.

So what scuppered the transaction? It would have been nice to think it was the rejection of the deal by the Government or UK regulators. But throughout the process we barely heard a word of protest over the possibility that one of the great pillars of the City was about to be sold. If ever there was a dereliction of duty, it was this.

At least EU politicians spoke up, with both Paris and Frankfurt laying out their reservations. If there was a worry in London it was about the financial stability implications of the deal.

But in true British fashion, these were whispers rather than shouts. The truth is that the new exchange looked as if it would be grossly undercapitalised for the levels of clearing which the exchanges have taken on now that the investment banks are out of over-the-counter activities.

The surprise about the pull back from the merger is that it was the Italian fixed-income platform MTS which was at the core of the decision by the EU Competition Commissioner. Throughout the process, MTS has barely been mentioned. Nevertheless, as Europes most important fixed-income platform, handling 100bn of transactions each day, it was hugely important.

It may be too early to celebrate the continued independence of the LSE, although the tone of its language suggests the German game is all but up. What this whole episode demonstrates is that even with the most expensive advice in the world, deals can go horribly wrong. Huge amounts of money have been wasted.

Save our Marmite! Just a week has passed since Unilever gave would be predator Kraft Heinz and its backers the heave-ho

Shareholders should be angry at the misjudgements which led management down this path and the future leadership of both chairman Donald Brydon and Rolet hang by a thread.

The big question is, will the ruthless Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange, owner of the New York Stock Exchange, make a fresh pass? ICE would offer an unwelcome challenge. But in contrast to Deutsche Boerse it at least understands how free-market capitalism works and would not stifle Londons innovation.

Save our Marmite

Just a week has passed since Unilever gave would be predator Kraft Heinz and its backers the heave-ho. In the aftermath Unilever chief executive Paul Polman and his board promised a hurried review of operations to be finished by April.

That has led to all kinds of speculation of a break-up of the group or splits in the manner of ICI back in the early 1990s. Any such radical changes should be resisted as strongly as Kraft Heinz.

The whole beauty of a diversified consumer products company such as Unilever is that if one part of the business is sub-performing another will fill the vacuum. Sure, there is always room for some tidying up.

It is time to unwind the complex Anglo-Dutch shareholding structure and bring the group under one transparent ownership.

There may also a case for selling of some of the UK domestic brands such as Marmite and focusing on those appealing in emerging markets.

We should never forget the quirky tastes of some of our trading partners. Horlicks, one of GlaxoSmithKlines less heralded brands, is a best-seller in India. So even Marmite and PG Tips may be big, little earners.

Audit lessons

Hard to feel sympathy for PwC after the Oscar-night fiasco. Hollywood and a worldwide audience have gained some insight into the auditing skills which brought us Tescos accounting fraud, the audit of Sir Philip Greens private empire and the recent accounting snafu at BTs Italian offshoot.

And we used to think accountants were safe and boring.
Lord Mandelson has been named president of the German-British Forum

Serpentine ex-business secretary Lord Mandelson is named president of the German-British Forum, an elite networking organisation for pro-EU business types. His Lordship enjoys a string of these lofty-sounding posts.

Hes president of the Great Britain China Centre, High Steward of Kingston-upon-Hull and Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University. Thats on top of his remunerated roles as adviser to Lazard as well as running his modestly-named consultancy firm, Global Counsel. Busy little fellow, isnt he?

After the collapse of the London Stock Exchanges 21bn merger with Deutsche Boerse, what now for touchy LSE boss Xavier Rolet? He was due to retire from his 6.6m-a-year role after the deal.

A political career back in France was mooted, but the surprise emergence of Emmanuel Macron as presidential favourite may complicate matters. While economics minister, Monsieur Macron was openly hostile towards Rolets LSE deal, reckoning it would thwart Pariss ambitions as a financial centre.

The opportunity for lunch and advice with bijou TalkTalk boss Dido Harding fetches 120 in a fundraising auction for the Countryside Alliance. A rather modest sum. Its possible Didos business counsel has depreciated in value somewhat since announcing plans to quit the troubled telecoms firm in May.

Too much information, perhaps, from insurer Hiscoxs imposing, South African-born chief executive Bronek Masojada, who muses: I lie in my bath at night and think that one day the London Market business will reprice. Odd chap, Bronek, 54. He once took his wife and five children on a family holiday to North Korea as a special treat.

Sunday nights Oscar fiasco is yet another feather in the cap for accountants PwC, who are held responsible for the cock-up. Previous black marks include its auditing of now defunct BHS and failed lender Northern Rock.

It also failed to spot a multi-million pound black hole in Tescos accounts two years ago. The firms recent chairman, mild-mannered Ian Powell, 60, still managed to snatch a knighthood in the New Years Honours.
The London Stock Exchange's 24billion merger with Germany's Deutsche Borse looks set to be blocked by the European Commission.

The LSE has failed to meet the Commission's demands, after Brussels had ordered the London bourse to sell its majority stake in its Italian business MTS.

The Commission gave the exchange until this morning to sell MTS, but the LSE labelled the demand 'disproportionate'.

Collapse: The LSE said its deal with Deutsche Borse was unlikely to be approved by the European Commission

The LSE said last night: 'Based on the commission's current position, LSE believes that the commission is unlikely to provide clearance for the merger.

'Nevertheless, the LSE board remains convinced of the strategic benefits of the merger and recognises the strong support from shareholders for the transaction.

'LSE will continue to take steps to seek to implement the merger.'

MTS is a small part of LSE's business but it is a major platform for trading European government bonds, particularly in Italy.

The LSE had already agreed to sell part of its clearing business, LCH, in order to satisfy antitrust requirements.

Critic: Lord Lawson has been a critic of the deal

The Commission is expected to reach its decision on the merger by the end of this month.

Many in the City of London have been sceptical about the deal after German politicians demanded Frankfurt be the headquarters of the group.

Last week, 40 Eurosceptic City figures wrote a letter to The Times, calling for the merger to be delayed until after Brexit negotiations.

The City wants the deal postponed until at least Britains future relationship with the European Union has been settled.

Deutsche would control 54 per cent of the business, with the signatories to last week's letter fearing that Frankfurt may try to grab London's lucrative euro clearing business too.

Britain's departure from the EU may isolate London as Europe's financial centre and that has turned the tables in favour of Frankfurt.

Shares in LSE fell 2per cent, or 63p, at 3062p this session.

Earlier this month, the merger was dealt a hammer blow after Deutsche Boerse chief executive Carsten Kengeter had his Frankfurt apartment raided by police amid a probe into suspected insider trading.

Kengeter bought 4.5million (3.85million) of stock in the exchange he runs in 2015 only two months before it announced merger talks with the London Stock Exchange.

State prosecutors in Frankfurt said the investigation centred on whether secret merger talks with the London Stock Exchange were under way when he bought the shares.
Bosses of Britains fastest-growing discount chain have funnelled more than 150 million through tax havens in Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands, the Mail can reveal.

B&M, which has more than 500 outposts around the country and boasts former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy as chairman, has paid 152.6 million in dividends in the past three years into a holding company in Luxembourg, despite having no shops in the country or employing any workers there.

Leahy, meanwhile, who stepped down from Britains biggest supermarket in 2011, has his stake in the company held through a US investment fund which is registered in the Cayman Islands.

Bosses of Britains fastest-growing discount chain have funnelled more than 150 million through tax havens in Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands, the Mail can reveal

With its distinctive purple and orange store fronts, B&M was built by brothers Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora.

It has developed a reputation for selling low-cost goods to cash-strapped families.

In the past 13 years it has expanded hugely, with 3 million shoppers a week passing through its doors, and is seen as a rival to established giants Poundland and Wilko.

B&M now boasts 522 stores and is growing rapidly in the home counties and Europe.

B&M was built by brothers Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora (pictured above with former prime minister David Cameron)

Meanwhile, the Arora brothers have become multi-millionaires with an estimated fortune of 1.9 billion. They are beneficiaries from the tens of millions of pounds of dividends paid through the Luxembourg business.

There is no suggestion the brothers or Leahy have avoided paying tax, but John Christensen, chairman of the Tax Justice Network, said: The situation at B&M raises questions about why they chose to be domiciled in Luxembourg because its not a place where many people choose to live. In many cases, complexity is introduced primarily to create opportunities for avoiding tax.

A spokesman for B&M said the company was based in Luxembourg because it had aspirations to be a pan-European retailer and it made commercial sense.

Luxembourg is a large, established treasury and corporate finance centre for pan-European groups and is within the EU, he said.

B&M Retail Group was founded in 1978 in Lancashire, but its major expansion happened when the Arora brothers took over in 2004.

Jet set lifestyle: When Robin Arora, 33, married his fiancee Esha in 2015, the couple chartered a private plane to fly their guests to Ibiza for a Champagne-fuelled bash

At the time it had just 21 discount stores and a turnover of 65 million. They transformed the shop by shipping products directly from Asia and focusing only on best-selling lines.

Filling the void left when Woolworths crashed off the High Street, it attracted families with its eclectic mix of everyday products. It joined a handful of retailers, including Poundland, Aldi and Lidl, in expanding rapidly while the big supermarkets and other traditional chains struggled.

Last month B&M revealed it had experienced a bumper Christmas trading period, with sales up 20.5 per cent to 789.1 million in the three months to Christmas Eve. It sold 6m festive crackers alone.

The chain also operates 73 stores under the Jawoll brand in Germany. In 2012, its rapid growth caught the attention of US investor Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. It appointed Leahy as an adviser and bought a 60 per cent stake in B&M. This earned the brothers 380 million.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is tucked away in the Cayman Islands, a notorious tax haven.

Leahy, 60, who still acts as an adviser to CD&R, stands to benefit from advantageous tax treatment of any money received from B&M that is paid through this firm. Two years after the CD&R deal was struck, B&M floated on the London Stock Exchange  handing the Aroras a 1 billion windfall.

Over two years, four dividends of 32 million, 41 million, 48.3 million and 31.3 million, have been paid out by B&M into this tax haven.

B&M boasts former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy (pictured) as chairman

Because of the complicated structure of the company accounts it is not possible to see where the money goes from here. Had the dividends been paid in the UK, tax would have been payable on any handed to shareholders.

The Luxembourg holding company doled out 148 million in dividends to shareholders in just one year.

These include a number of institutional investors who will have bought shares when the company listed on the stock market in 2014.

But another company called SSA Investments, also domiciled in Luxembourg, holds almost 21 per cent of B&Ms shares and received some of this cash. SSA Investments is owned by Simon and Bobby, who each have a 50 per cent stake.

While the money has poured in, the Arora brothers have been able to live an extravagant lifestyle. They are the sons of an Indian migrant who arrived in Britain in the 1960s and became a market trader.

When Robin, 33, married his fiancee Esha in 2015, the couple chartered a private plane to fly their guests to Ibiza for a Champagne-fuelled bash.

Simon, 47, has two daughters with his wife Shalni, 45. Described as slick and intelligent, he runs B&M and received a 299 per cent rise in his salary to 575,000 last year, which took his total package to 601,638. Bobby, 44, is trading director and is credited with transforming the business with savvy purchases. Luxembourgs opaque and complex tax rules have helped big firms such as Pepsi, Ikea, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, Heinz, JP Morgan and FedEx avoid massive tax bills  all perfectly legally. In its prospectus ahead of the flotation in 2014, B&M said: The company is a fully taxable company resident for tax purposes in Luxembourg.

B&M Retail does pay the full rate of corporation tax in the UK on its profits. In the year to March 26, 2016, it made 168.1 million in profit and paid 27.9 million in tax, according to the latest accounts posted on firm-register Companies House. Thats a rate of 16.1 per cent in UK tax.

B&Ms spokesman said the Arora brothers and Leahy were all UK residents and paid full tax on any income.
Tesco is demoting 1,600 managers at its convenience stores and cutting their pay.

The supermarket is scrapping the deputy manager role at its Express outlets across the UK.

It will replace the lost jobs with 3,300 lower-ranking shift manager positions  which are worse-paid roles with less responsibility.

The supermarket is scrapping the deputy manager role at its Express outlets across the UK

Deputy managers will be given a choice of redundancy, a shift-manager job or redeployment elsewhere in the business.

The shift-manager positions are likely to be worth between 3,000 and 5,000 less a year. In some cases, that would equate to a weekly pay cut of nearly 100.

A 60-day consultation on the plans started this week, with anyone who takes demotion set to be offered a one-off lump sum to keep them sweet.

Tesco claims the changes will mean more front-of-store staff to help customers.

But campaigners warned against forcing workers to accept an unfair change to their contracts, and pledged to fight to get them the best deal.

Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh, who has previously challenged similar moves by Marks & Spencer and DIY chain B&Q, said: This will lead to people earning less.

And it doesnt seem to me that deputy managers at Tesco were probably living the high life. Tesco  which has more than 1,800 Express stores across the UK  said the new system would allow it to create more jobs.

Tesco shares have recently slid back after a revival saw them rise above 200p, they were trading down 0.5 per cent at 188.2p today.

Tracey Clements, managing director of convenience, said: To help improve our service to customers in our Express stores we are aiming to have more of our colleagues on the shop floor, more often.

To help achieve this we are creating more than 3,300 shift leader roles which, in turn, means we will no longer have deputy managers.

We appreciate that these changes will impact our deputy manager colleagues, and will do everything we can to support them throughout this period.

Tesco shares have seen something of a revival over the past year but still remain down substantially on where they were four years ago, before the supermarket's woes set in

Tesco announced 1,000 redundancies last month as part of a shake-up of its distribution network, cutting the number of warehouses from 25 to 23.

However, it said 500 jobs would be created by the changes, which will come into force by June.

The grocery giant is midway through a turnaround plan launched by chief executive Dave Lewis as it seeks to revive its flagging fortunes.

The boss  nicknamed Drastic Dave for his cost-cutting approach  took over in 2014 after an accounting scandal and has since impressed analysts by pushing up sales. We feel were extremely stable and nows the time to step it up, he said in October last year.

I dont think there is a person at Tesco who thinks this is going to be easy.

Yesterday, Tesco shares fell 0.5 per cent, or 0.9p, to 189.1p.

Separately, John Lewis has announced it is axing nearly 400 jobs as part of a shake-up in its home estimation, fitting and catering teams.

Just a few weeks ago, sister company Waitrose pledged to shut six stores and remove a management level at its supermarkets. That move puts nearly 700 jobs at risk.
A young Chinese man whose skin is as fragile as butterfly wings has had to live his entire life being wrapped in gauze.

Mei Xiao, 19, suffers from a genetic illness known as epidermolysis bullosa, which means any movement would create blisters on his body.

The man, dubbed the 'butterfly boy' by media, needs to be covered with medical fabric every day to prevent his wounds from being infected.

Wu Wenxiu, from east China, carefully wraps his son, Mei Xiao, with gauze at home

The woman has carried out the daily medical procedure for his son for 19 years

Mei suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, and any movement would create blisters on his body

Due to the severe condition, Mei doesn't have epidermis on 50 per cent of his body.

WHAT IS EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA? Epidermolysis bullosa is a severe genetic skin disorder that affects one in 50,000 live births. Skin is made up of two layers; the outer layer is the epidermis and the inner layer is the dermis. In healthy skin, proteins hold the two layers together so they do not move separately. In those born with EB, the layers do not have the protein that holds them together. It means that any movement that creates friction between the two layers creates blisters. Many babies with the condition die after developing infections or from breathing problems after blisters develop in the respiratory tract. Blisters can develop anywhere on the skin, and the mouth and eyes are particularly susceptible to the sores. Heat exacerbates the condition. Some sufferers are born with blisters but others will develop them in the first few weeks of their life. Advertisement

His mother, Wu Wenxiu, spends three hours every day dressing his wounds.

She uses 16 rolls of gauze each time because as much as 70 per cent of Mei's body needs to be covered.

Speaking to a reporter on February 24, the woman said: 'The gauze cannot be removed too quickly, otherwise it will get stuck on the body and it will be painful to rip it off.'

Mei's family live in Chizhou, Anhui Province, in east China.

His father, the sole breadwinner, is a mechanic worker. He lives in the factory and comes back home twice a month.

Mei's grandfather is bed-bound and his brother is a primary school pupil. His mother spends all her time looking after Mei, Mei's grandfather and Mei's brother on her husband's monthly salary of 5,000 yuan (586).

The woman said because of the family's poor financial situation, she has to recycle the gauze.

She said: 'I would wash the gauze so I can use them again. Sometimes, there is more gauze being dried in our house than our clothes.'

The man has been dubbed the 'butterfly boy' because his skin is as fragile as butterfly wings

Epidermolysis bullosa, a severe genetic skin disorder, has caused Mei's digits to shrink

Every day, Mei's mother carefully and slowly changes the gauze for him to minimise the pain

Apparently, it's not just the wounded skin that Mei has to suffer.

Due to complications, Mei's fingers and toes started shrinking when he was three years old. By the time when he was eight, all his 10 fingers had disappeared. His left eye has also gone blind.

Mei's family said the doctors had tried to give Mei a skin grafting operation when he was young, but the operation failed.

Due to complications, all of Mei's 10 fingers had disappeared when he was eight years old

Mei's mother said because of the family's poor financial situation, she has to recycle the gauze.

The woman said: 'I would wash the gauze so I can use them again. Sometimes, there is more gauze being dried in our house than our clothes'

Despite his poor health, Mei loves studying. His mother sends him to school every day

In order to write his homework, Mei attaches a pen to his hand with the help of the gauze

Despite his poor health, Mei loves studying and is a top student at school.

Because of his shrinking feet, Mei lost the ability to walk when he was in his senior high school. To help him carrying on studying, his mother pushed him to school every day in a wheel chair before buying a scooter for the daily commute.

Although he gradually lost his fingers, Mei has found a new way to write. Instead of using fingers, he attaches a pen to his hand with the help of the gauze.

Mei's mother carries him up and down the stairs in his school to prevent him getting injured

The 19-year-old has been a top student at school and is now studying accounting in a college

After graduating from senior high school, Mei was admitted into the Chizhou College of Vocational and Technical.

Because Mei needs to move more slowly then his classmates, he spends more time writing his homework. It's not unusual for Mei to stay up to midnight in order to finish all the assignments.

Nevertheless, the determined man has obtained the accounting certificate through his perseverance.

Commenting his life, the strong-willed man said: 'If the others can do something, I can do it better.'

He added that he truly believes 'when god closes a door, he always opens a window.'

As Mei moves more slowly then his classmates, he spends more time doing his homework
Alexa Curtin, daughter of Real Housewife star Lynne, is claiming the officer who allegedly raped her has a history of sexually assaulting women while on duty - and the Orange County Sheriff's Department knew and took no action.

Curtin has filed new documents in her case against Deputy Nicholas Lee Caropino, seen exclusively by DailyMail.com, demanding a judge force the Department to turn over his personnel file.

The documents state: 'Unfortunately for the community, Ms. Curtin was not the only person Deputy Caropino sexually assaulted,' claiming a woman contacted Curtin's lawyer to relay her own experience with Caropino .

In 2013, the woman, identified in the documents as 'Jane Doe #1', says the officer pulled her over for a DUI. He then asked her if she would ever 'date a cop' to which she replied that she would not.

Alexa Curtin (above), daughter of Real Housewife star Lynne, claims the officer who allegedly raped her has a history of sexually assaulting women while on duty - and the Orange County Sheriff's Department knew and took no action against him

Caropino allegedly then asked her if she had been drinking and as she feared for her safety, she admitted to having had a 'few margaritas'. Caropino then turned off all his recording devices and took the investigation one step further.

'Deputy Caropino then asked if Ms. Doe #1 was "wet" and that he wanted to 'feel her'. He then reached in through the driver side window and forced his hand under her panties to fondle her genitals.

Caropino then said, 'I want to f**k you right now,' and told Ms. Doe #1 to follow him. Still fearful that he would harm her or take her to jail, she complied.

'She followed him to a parking lot, where he parked his squad car next to hers and directed her to get into the backseat of her car.

'He then engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse with her in the backseat.

'Before leaving, Deputy Caropino asked Ms. Doe #1 for her phone number and she gave it to him. A few days later he started sending her vulgar threatening text messages that Ms. Doe #1 did not reciprocate.'

Curtin's new bombshell documents explain that the unnamed woman is willing to testify in her case and claim that the Orange County Sheriff's Department knew about Deputy Caropino's prior incidents of sexual assault from 2013 and took no action against him.

Curtin also claims that through her own independent investigation she found another victim of Caropino.

Jane Doe #2 says that while under arrest and in the back of a squad car, the officer uncuffed her hands and forced her to touch his genitals through his uniform.

He then intimidated her, coerced her and sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, he allegedly called and texted and showed up to her house in uniform to have 'non-consensual sex'.

Curtin's new documents demand the court order the Orange County Sheriff's Department to hand over Caropino's personnel file, any internal affairs investigations and criminal investigation records including 'any sexual misconduct, assaults or inappropriate behavior' while on duty.

But the Department argues that she is not entitled to any of the documents or records due to 'federal laws protecting the privacy interests of employees' an argument Curtin says is nonsense.

Curtin has filed new documents in her case against Deputy Caropino 'proving' that he sexually assaulted other women while on duty. The document above is a suit filed by another woman, 'Jane Doe #1', against Orange County claiming she was assaulted by Caropino in 2013

Curtin's new documents demand a judge to force the Department to turn over Caropino's personnel file. 'Jane Doe #1', says the officer pulled her over for a DUI and then violated her

'Unfortunately for the community, Ms. Curtin was not the only person Deputy Caropino sexually assaulted,' her new documents claim, detailing Jane Doe #1's experience with the cop

The documents explain the unnamed woman is willing to testify in her case and that the O.C. Sheriff's Department knew about Caropino's prior incidents of sexual assault and took no action against him . Curtin also claims that through her own independent investigation she found another victim of Deputy Caropino

The Orange County Sheriff's Department does not want to hand over Caropino's personnel file, asserting that while it may contain 'information she wants', she should have not 'carte blanche access' to any individual's personnel file 'as a matter of law'

This is the latest in the ongoing legal battle between Curtin and the Sheriff's department.

Earlier this month, an Orange County judge banned her from testifying about any 'bladder infections, post-traumatic stress or loss of enjoyment of sex' in her rape case.

The judge ordered Curtin not to present any evidence relating to these 'injuries' or to seek damages for them.

Specifically, the order states that Curtin could not testify that she has 'loss interest in sex or suffered post-traumatic stress disorder or that she may require mental health treatment.'

The judged added that the 23-year-old cannot discuss any 'bladder infections' or 'other urological disorders' as part of her testimony.

Last year, Curtin filed a suit claiming that in April 2014, she was raped by an Orange County Sheriff's Deputy at a traffic stop.

Orange County has demanded the case be thrown out, saying the reality star consented to any alleged sexual activity that occurred.

In her original lawsuit, Curtin claimed that she was visiting her then-boyfriend at his home in Dana Point, California, when the two got in an argument and she left to drive home.

As she was driving the Orange County Sheriff's Department arrived and pulled her over. A deputy approached her car and began questioning her.

The lawsuit states: 'The Deputy searched Plaintiff's vehicle. Plaintiff had some of her clothing in her vehicle. While searching the Deputy found some of Plaintiff's underwear and began inappropriately questioning Plaintiff about her underwear, asking if the underwear belonged to her, how many pairs she had, why she needed the underwear, etc.'

The suit says the Deputy then had to leave to tend to 'another more pressing matter', but told Curtin she wasn't free to leave and ordered her to remain in her vehicle.

Twenty minutes later the same deputy returned but in his personal vehicle and out of uniform. He then got into the car and sat in the passenger seat next to Curtin.

The suit states: 'The Deputy began issuing orders to Plaintiff. Based on information and belief the Deputy said, 'Since you are still here, I am going to f**k the s**t out of you'.

'Based on information and belief, the Deputy stated to Plaintiff, 'show me your p***y'.'

The suit says Curtin was 'afraid and feared for her own safety, and she complied with all of the Deputy's commands'.

This is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Alexa. Her grandmother, Marilou 88, recently filed an 'elder abuse' restraining order against her. Pictured from left to right Raquel Curtin (Alexa's sister), Marilou Colee, Lynne Curtin and Alexa Curtin

It added: 'Then the Deputy groped Plaintiff's vagina and digitally penetrated her while commenting on her anatomy.'

Curtin was reportedly ordered to then straddle the officer.

She claims she complied because she 'was still in fear for her safety and knew that many in law enforcement carry guns'.

'Plaintiff was violated, traumatized, emotionally drained, in shock, and fearing for her own safety. Specifically, Plaintiff feared that given the Deputy's position, he would find her and harm her again,' the documents state.

Curtin sued both the Sheriff's Deputy and Orange County Sheriff's Department asking for damages for mental anguish, emotional distress and financial losses and is demanding general, special and exemplary damages along with attorney fees.

But Orange County fired back at Curtin's allegations, accusing her of consenting to any alleged acts she claimed took place in her car with an officer.

The county denied all allegations that an officer raped the reality star at a traffic stop, but it also admitted to not having sufficient knowledge or information about the alleged incident.

'Any injury to the plaintiff was due to and caused by the negligence and omissions of plaintiff to care for herself, which carelessness and negligence and omissions were the proximate cause of the damage, if any, to plaintiff,' court papers say.

Orange County points out a specific law, claiming it cannot be responsible for the actions of police officers.

In a separate incident, months after Curtin filed her lawsuit she was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and not evidence of current registration for her vehicle by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Curtin was pulled over by police last May and was cited and released the same day.

Police records do not state the type of drug that law enforcement officers allegedly found on her.

Curtin has had a couple of run-ins with the law, one a domestic violence incident with her boyfriend in 2013 and she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for public drinking last year

Curtin's grandmother, Marilou Colee, 88, also recently filed an 'elder abuse' restraining order against the troubled star, claiming that her granddaughter has spiraled out of control and broke into her California home in Mission Viejo.

Alexa Curtin is the daughter of Real Housewife of Orange County star Lynne Curtin and appeared regularly in the Bravo reality series herself alongside big sister Raquel.

Lynne left the show in season five, and soon after departing the series, she filed for divorce from her husband.

In May 2014 Lynne was shocked to discover her daughter did porn under the alias 'Jayden Taylors' to pay for plastic surgery.

'When I found out that Alexa was involved in porn I became physically ill,' the 59-year-old reality star said in the National Enquirer.

The jewelry designer was under the impression her daughter was just modeling lingerie.

Curtin has had a couple of run-ins with the law in the past, one a domestic violence incident with her boyfriend in 2013 and she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for public drinking last year.
Thousands of Russians have marched through Moscow shouting slogans such as 'Russia will be free!' to mark the second anniversary of the assassination of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov outside the Kremlin.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin.

He was shot dead on February 27, 2015 in what appeared to be a contract killing, sparking an outpouring of anger and fear in Russia's beleaguered opposition movement.

Around 10,000 people marched through Moscow and there was a similar demonstration in St Petersburg.

People gather in Moscow to march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was killed two years ago

People hold posters reading 'Who ordered the murder?' during a rally in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in St. Petersburg

Pensioner Galina Zolina, said: 'We came to pay tribute to the honesty and bravery of Boris Nemtsov. We want to show the authorities that we haven't forgotten.'

Five men are on trial for Nemtsov's murder in a Moscow military court. Investigators allege the man who shot Nemtsov was Zaur Dadayev, a former officer in an elite Chechen police unit.

'It's very important that after two years people continue to come out and show their solidarity with the ideas for which Boris Nemtsov fought for and gave his life,' opposition activist Ilya Yashin, told the Interfax news agency.

Boris Nemtsov (pictured, left) was gunned down in Moscow two years ago today. Five men are on trial for his murder, including Zaur Dadayev (right), a former officer in an elite Chechen police unit

Demonstrators carried Russian flags, banners of opposition political parties and placards with quotes from Nemtsov, including 'If there's Putin, there's no Russia,' and 'Our only chance left is the street.' Some carried cardboard Russian flags with bullet holes in them.

'For us, Nemtsov represents free-thinking Russia and the democratic values for which we strive: free elections and no corruption,' participant Yekaterina Getgarts said.

Nemtsov's family and friends say it was a political hit with a trail that leads to senior officials in Chechnya, who have not been charged or even questioned.

The Moscow rally largely passed without incident, but an unknown assailant threw green dye in the face of opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov. Police made several arrests.

Police detain a man who threw paint in the face of former Russian Prime Minister and opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov, during the march

'This is the hysteria of the government. They do not know what to do. The government is afraid,' opposition activist Gennady Gudkov, a former deputy in the lower house of parliament, said of the attack on Kasyanov.

While large crowds are rare at opposition demonstrations in Putin's Russia, the attendance at Sunday's rally was significantly lower than a year ago, when organizers estimated almost 25,000 people joined a Nemtsov memorial march.

Russia's opposition has been fragmented in recent years by pressure from the Kremlin, the flight abroad of leading activists and political infighting.

After the march, thousands of people laid flowers on the bridge where Nemtsov was shot in the back several times while walking home with his girlfriend.

Similar demonstrations took place Sunday in other Russian cities, including St. Petersburg and Nemtsov's hometown of Nizhny Novgorod. Several thousand people participated in St. Petersburg, but the turnout was low elsewhere.

People gather in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov

A portrait of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a Russian national flag and flowers are laid at the place where he was gunned down, in Moscow

A man displays a poster reading 'Putin controls murderers' during a rally in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in St Petersburg

People gather in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in St Petersburg

Russian opposition activist Ilya Yashin holds a loudspeaker during a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, in Moscow

People, with flags of different opposition movements, march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, in Moscow

People carry a poster, reading: Heroes do not die! Russia will be free! during a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, in Moscow

People, with flags of different opposition movements, march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, in Moscow

People, with flags of different opposition movements, march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, in Moscow

People, with flags of different opposition movements, march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center and his wife Yulia take a selfie during a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow

People march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, portrait in center, in Moscow

People march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia, second left, take part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow

Russian former opposition lawmaker Gennady Gudkov, center, takes part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow

People march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, (portrait in centre), in Moscow

People march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow

A woman hold flowers during a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow
The White House will propose major defense spending increases and slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, a longtime Republican target.

Those changes are part of a set of marching orders to agencies as the White House prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

President Donald Trump's proposal for the 2018 budget year will be sent to agencies on Monday.

An administration official said the budget won't make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare.

President Donald Trump's proposed budget for 2018 includes boosting military spending and slashing funding for the Environmental Protection Agency

The official, as well as Capitol Hill aides, confirmed details of the upcoming blueprint on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information and a sensitive process.

Trump's first major fiscal marker will land in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint session of Congress.

For Trump, the primetime speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

The Pentagon is due for a huge boost, as Trump promised during the campaign.

But many nondefense agencies and foreign aid programs are facing cuts, including at the State Department.

The specific numbers aren't final and agencies will have a chance to argue against the cuts as part of a longstanding tradition at the budget office.

Trump is expected to release his final budget proposal in mid-March, although Congress ultimately determines how the federal government's money is spent.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (pictured) said cuts to Social Security and Medicare would not be part of the Trump administration's first budget

The president previewed a boost in military spending during a speech Friday to conservative activists, pledging 'one of the greatest build-ups in American history'.

'We will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything, bigger and better and stronger than ever before,' said Trump in a February 24 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Meanwhile, Trump advisers said EPA funding could be slashed below its $8.3billion budget this fiscal year.

The agencys workforce could also be cut to a third of its current size - about 15,000 employees nationwide, Myron Ebell, who led the Trump transition team focused on the EPA, told Bloomberg.

In an interview with Fox News Channel's 'Sunday Morning Futures,' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said cuts to Social Security and Medicare would not be part of the administration's first budget.

Trump's priority is passing legislation to reduce middle-class and corporate taxes, he said.

House Speaker Paul Ryan doesn't want this year's tax reform drive to add to the budget deficit

As a candidate, Trump promised to leave major entitlements untouched, breaking with some Republican leaders who believe the costly programs need to be reformed.

The White House budget office issued a statement confirming that an interim budget submission will be released in mid-March but declining to comment on an 'internal discussion'.

'The president and his Cabinet are working collaboratively to create a budget that keeps the president's promises to secure the country and restore fiscal sanity to how we spend American taxpayers' money,' said Office of Management and Budget spokesman John Czwartacki.

Czwartacki said that the March submission would only address agency operating budgets funded by Congress and that proposals on tax reform and so-called mandatory programs - they include food stamps, student loans, health programs and farm subsidies - will be released later.

Office of Management and Budget spokesman John Czwartacki said Trump's working to create a budget that keeps his campaign promises and 'restore fiscal sanity'

The March release is also expected to include an immediate infusion of cash for the Pentagon that's expected to register about $20billion or so and contain the first wave of funding for Trump's promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.

By increasing defense and leaving Medicare and Social Security untouched, the Trump final budget plan is sure to project sizable deficits.

In the campaign Trump promised huge tax cuts but top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin don't want this year's tax reform drive to add to the budget deficit.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer reportedly enlisted the CIA director and a Republican senator in an effort to discredit a newspaper report about the Trump campaigns communications with Russia.



After the New York Times reported Feb. 15 that Trump campaign aides had repeated contacts with Russian intelligence officials, Spicer connected reporters from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal with CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Senate Select Intelligence Committee Chair Richard Burr (R-NC), reported Axios.



Spicer also gave reporters phone numbers to Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, who offered to make the calls himself but was in and out of an event, according to a senior administration official who described the press secretarys campaign to the website.



The Axios report adds new details and reveals Pompeo was involved in a pushback campaign reported Friday by the Washington Post.



Spicer personally picked up the phone and connected Pompeo and Burr with the reporters and then remained on the line for their brief conversations, Axios reported.



Those calls were orchestrated after White House chief of staff Reince Priebus tried unsuccessfully to get the FBIs director and deputy director to speak with news organizations to dispute the accuracy of reporting on the alleged campaign ties to Russia, the Post reported.



Pompeo and Burr told the reporters simply that the Times report was not accurate but frustrated the journalists by declining to offer specifics.

President Donald Trumps connections to Russia have been well documented, but it doesnt sound like Rep. Devin Nunes  the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a Republican  is that eager to investigate them.



During a press conference with reporters on Monday, Rep. Nunes downplayed claims that the White House had asked members of the CIA and FBI to squelch reports of contact between Russia and members of Trumps presidential campaign, saying that there was nothing wrong with what he characterized as attempts to have a better working relationship with the press. He also said that the committee wanted evidence of any American citizens who may have talked to Russian officials, implicitly broadening the issue beyond the Trump campaign and administration. He characterized the FBI as being very upfront with his committee about what they know about Trumps potential connections with Russia, although he admitted that hed like to know more.



When asked if they have any evidence of contacts specifically from the Trump campaign, Nunes replied: Its been looked into and theres no evidence of anything there. Obviously wed like to know if there is. He also dismissed concerns that Flynn had violated the Logan Act as ridiculous and said that they would not subpoena Trumps tax returns, which puts him at odds with Senate Intelligence Committee member Susan Collins, R-Maine. Throughout the press conference, Nunes insisted that both he and the White House were simply trying to be transparent and claimed to be confused as to why the Trump administration providing his phone number to a reporter would be a news story. He also repeated his earlier statements about wanting to avoid McCarthyism and witch hunts based on reports that Americans may have connections to the Russian regime.



This is almost like McCarthyism revisited, Nunes told reporters at the California Republican Partys spring convention on Saturday. Were going to go on a witch hunt against, against innocent Americans?

People who think the government should be run like a business naturally believe that everyone answers to the president like he's the CEO of America . That isn't actually how it works:And the Republicans in congress and the administration are happy to toss aside all the normal procedures and sell their reputations to protect that cretinous imbecile. Here's one now: I don't think I need to articulate how inane this is. Trump has a responsibility to be transparent about his business dealings from which he continues to benefit directly. It's not a witch hunt to demand he do that.Neither is it a witch hunt for the head of the Intelligence Committee to keep an open mind about the Russian connections at this early stage. It may turn out to be nothing but there is a process and he's supposed to recognize it. It's one thing for him to criticize the leaks. That's a legitimate complaint. It's not legitimate for him to exonerate the administration and the campaign before the facts are in.But then, he should not be involved in the investigation in the first place because he was a member of the president's transition team. At the very least he should be strictly following protocol in order to avoid the appearance of being a partisan stooge as the head of the Intelligence Committee. But I guess that's old fashioned in the Trump era. A Republican's job is to defend The Trump Presidency Inc  and that's what he's going to do.
Television chef Nigella Lawson has been pictured on a dinner date with a writer once wrongly jailed for a terrorist killing.

Miss Lawson, 57, was seen smiling as she walked alongside writer and TV producer Ronan Bennett  who was imprisoned for the IRA murder of a policeman in 1975.

He was freed 18 months later when the conviction was quashed, but, an admitted anarchist, he faced court proceedings again in 1979 accused of possessing an explosive substance. That time he was cleared by the jury.

Nigella Lawson was seen smiling as she walked alongside writer and TV producer Ronan Bennett

The 57-year-old television chef dined with Mr Bennett at the trendy Japanese restaurant in east London

Mr Bennett was imprisoned for the IRA murder of a policeman in 1975 - but today he is a successful author

Today Mr Bennett, 61, is a successful author  and on Thursday night he and Miss Lawson enjoyed a meal together at Japanese restaurant My Neighbours The Dumplings close to his home in Hackney, east London.

Bennett found notoriety in 1975 when he was convicted of the murder of Royal Ulster Constabulary inspector Bill Elliott

Miss Lawson lost her first husband, journalist John Diamond, to cancer in 2001.

She remarried to advertising tycoon-turned-modern art collector Charles Saatchi, but famously divorced him after he was filmed grabbing her by the throat during a bitter argument outside Scotts restaurant in Mayfair, London, in 2013.

In a criminal trial later that year, where two domestic assistants were sensationally cleared of stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from the pair, Saatchi turned against her, and she was forced to admit she had snorted cocaine and smoked cannabis in front of her children.

Since that grim break-up Miss Lawson had been pictured with novelist friend Salman Rushdie, while Saatchi has moved on to fashion journalist and TV presenter Trinny Woodall.

But TV cook Miss Lawson has not for years been seen so animated as she was with Mr Bennett last week.

According to a Sun report, the pair spent three hours dining together.

The pair enjoyed a meal together at Japanese restaurant My Neighbours The Dumplings close to his home in Hackney, east London

Bennett was held in the infamous Maze prison, but freed on appal after 18 months when his identification was judged to be unsatisfactory

According to the paper an onlooker said: I assumed they were a couple from their body language and the way they looked at each other.

She and Ronan met at the restaurant at about 8pm, she arrived by herself.

The tables were decked out with candles so there was a romantic atmosphere.

The flirtatious body language was there, she was playing with her hair and they seemed quite touchy-feely.

The pair left together just after 11.15pm and were laughing as they took a stroll.

Bennetts journalist wife Georgina Henry died of cancer in 2014.

The Sun reported a source close to Miss Lawson as saying of the dinner date: They are friends. Nigella was a friend of his wife Georgina who sadly died.

Bennett found notoriety in 1975 when he was convicted of the murder of Royal Ulster Constabulary inspector Bill Elliott, who died in a shoot-out during a bank robbery near Belfast.

He was held in the infamous Maze prison, but freed on appal after 18 months when his identification was judged to be unsatisfactory.

Bennett is not a big noise in the cooking world  but was once said to have been stopped by jumpy police because he was carrying a bag of sugar

The pair laughed and joked as they walked out of the Japanese restaurant in London

He moved to England, and soon after, in 1977, was arrested in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Initially he was told to leave the country, but appealed and was allowed to stay.

The following year he was arrested again and held for 16 months before facing an Old Bailey trial, along with three fellow anarchists, accused of conspiracy to rob, handling stolen goods and possession of an explosive substance.

The jury was told that at a flat Bennett used police found a copy of the terror manual The Anarchist Cookbook, along with wigs, stick on moustaches, balaclavas and bogus passports. But Bennett was cleared after a 14 week trial.

He then talked of opening an anarchist centre in London, but eventually moved on to respectability in the literature and TV worlds, authoring eight books and creating the acclaimed Channel 4 drama Top Boy.

Bennett is not a big noise in the cooking world  but was once said to have been stopped by jumpy police because he was carrying a bag of sugar.

Sugar can be used in home made smoke bombs  but he said he was planning to create nothing more explosive than a pavlova.

There was controversy in 1987 when future Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn gave Bennett a researchers pass for the House of Commons. The pass was withdrawn.
President Donald Trump warned the Islamic Republic after its ballistic missile test on January 29 that it was playing with fire and all US options were on the table

Iran launched naval drills at the mouth of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean on Sunday, a naval commander said, as tensions with the United States escalated after President Donald Trump put Tehran 'on notice'.

Since taking office last month, Trump has pledged to get tough with Iran, warning the Islamic Republic after its ballistic missile test on January 29 that it was playing with fire and all US options were on the table.

The missile test was carried out from a well-known site near Semnan, east of Tehran.

Iran's annual exercises will be held in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, the Bab el-Mandab and northern parts of the Indian Ocean, to train in the fight against terrorism and piracy, said Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, according to state media.

Millions of barrels of oil are transported daily to Europe, the US and Asia through the Bab el-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz, waterways that run along the coasts of Yemen and Iran.

Navy ships, submarines and helicopters will take part in the drills across an area of about 2 million square kilometers (772,000 square miles) and marines will showcase their skills along Iran's southeastern coast, the state news agency IRNA said.

Iran's annual exercises will be held in the Strait of Hormuz (pictured), the Gulf of Oman, the Bab el-Mandab and northern parts of the Indian Ocean

Military speedboats are seen during Iranian naval manoeuvres in the Sea of Oman, Iran

Iran's annual exercises train in the fight against terrorism and piracy, said Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, according to state media

Iranian navy boat conducts Naval Exercises in the Sea of Oman, Iran, on January 1, 2012

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in the region and protects shipping lanes in the Gulf and nearby waters.

Last month, a US Navy destroyer fired warning shots at four Iranian fast-attack vessels near the Strait of Hormuz after they closed in at high speed. The vessels belonged to Iran's Revolutionary Guards which are not participating in the current war games.

Trump said earlier this month that 'Iran has been put formally put on notice' for firing a ballistic missile, and later imposed new sanctions on Tehran.

Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a 3,500-word letter to Trump on Sunday, criticizing him over his travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (above) speaks during a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate the 38th anniversary of Iran's Islamic fundamentalist revolution on February 10

In the letter, published by Iranian media outlets, Ahmadinejad noted Trump won the election while he 'truthfully described the US political system and electoral structure as corrupt'.

Ahmadinejad decried US 'dominance' over the United Nations, as well as American meddling in the world that has brought 'insecurity, war, division, killing and (the) displacement of nations'.

Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (file above) sent a letter Sunday to President Donald Trump saying 'the contemporary US belongs to all nations'

He also acknowledged the some 1 million people of Iranian descent living in America, saying that US policies should 'value respect toward the diversity of nations and races'.

'In other words, the contemporary US belongs to all nations, including the natives of the land,' Ahmadinejad wrote.

'No one may consider themselves the owner and view others as guests or immigrants.'

A judge later blocked Trump's travel ban, and an appeals court refused to reinstate it. Trump has promised to issue a revised order soon, saying it's necessary to keep America safe.
Support for One Nation is surging across the country and has matched the Greens with 10 per cent of the primary vote.

The latest Newspoll published in The Australian on Monday revealed Pauline Hanson's party has more than doubled its support since November.

On the same day, a ReachTEL poll revealed One Nation and the Liberal National Party are neck-and-neck in the north Queensland seat of Dawson, which is held by renegade MP George Christensen, who sits in the Nationals party room in Canberra.

Scroll down for video

Support for Pauline Hanson's controversial One Nation party is surging

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal party is continuing to slip in the polls

One Nation's ascent comes at a turbulent time for the Coalition with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal party continuing to slip in the polls.

Poll Who would you vote for if a Federal Election was held today? Coalition Labor Party The Greens One Nation Other Who would you vote for if a Federal Election was held today? Coalition 68 votes

Labor Party 104 votes

The Greens 28 votes

One Nation 593 votes

Other 43 votes Now share your opinion





Labor holds a 55-45 per cent advantage over the Coalition, after preferences in the latest Newspoll, as Mr Turnbull suffers another blow to his personal standing.

Disaffected voters have pushed Pauline Hanson's One Nation to 10 per cent of the primary vote, more than doubling the minor party's national support since November.

Senior cabinet minister Mathias Cormann has blamed the Coalition's decline on too much internal government bickering.

'It's not a surprise after the internal conversation we've had through the media in recent days,' he told ABC radio on Monday.

'People mark us down for that.'

Meanwhile Mr Christensen, who has threatened to quit the Coalition over a local sugar dispute, could be in trouble in his own seat after a ReachTEL poll put One Nation and the LNP on even ground.

One Nation declined to run a candidate in his Mackay-centred electorate last year, citing Mr Christensen's call to restrict Muslim migration which Senator Hanson's party also campaigned on.

Senator Hanson's party and Mr Christensen now have 30 per cent and 30.4 per cent respectively of first-preference votes in the regional north Queensland seat, which Labor has only held once since 1975.

One Nation has matched the Greens with 10 per cent of the primary vote (pictured centre is Greens leader Richard Di Natale with Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Adam Bandt)
Millions of viewers have been impatiently watching a YouTube livestream of a pregnant giraffe for four days.

April, a 15-year-old giraffe at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York, is expected to give birth to her fourth calf any day now.

Giraffe pregnancies last about 15 months. Labor can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

April has become a worldwide sensation, causing some animal lovers to share memes and tweets that capture the anticipation - and their impatience.

People have been watching a YouTube livestream of April, a 15-year-old giraffe at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York (above), who is expected to give birth to her fourth calf any day now

April has become a worldwide sensation, causing some animal lovers to share memes and tweets that capture the anticipation - and their impatience

Zoo keepers have noted that Aprils appetite is dropping off a bit, which is a good sign of imminent labor.

On Thursday, the livestream abruptly ended after activists complained the video contained nudity and sexual content.

But under pressure from viewers, YouTube reinstated it.

The steam, which may have gone unnoticed, made headlines after the controversy.

Some livestream viewers are worried they won't see April give birth and have voiced their concern via #4daysofmylifewasted on Twitter

One Twitter user shared an image of a Google search that reads, 'signs a giraffe is about to give birth', proving how many viewers cant get April off their minds

Under #AprilTheGiraffe, some people have mentioned that they've watched April's livestream for numerous hours

April's livestream may have spawned the new drinking game, 'Hoof or Poop,' one Twitter user joked

Unofficial bets are being made on whether President Donald Trump will get impeached before April has her calf

Fans were recently treated to a clip of April's baby twisting and turning in her stomach.

The mommy-to-be and her partner Oliver, 5, will be welcoming their first child together.

The calf will weigh around 150 pounds and stand about six feet tall at birth.

No one knows when April's new calf will arrive, but viewers can enjoy nature taking its course - and think of a name for the newborn to submit to the zoo's contest.

Once the calf is born and its sex is determined, Animal Adventures will post a contest announcement on their social media platforms where users can submit their name suggestions.
Nokia has gone retro and have re-launched an updated version of its classic 3310 model - 17 years after it was first released.

The 3310 phone was a massive hit with users back in 2000, and now the mobile phone giant is relaunching it with month-long battery life, 22 hours of talk-time, and even the phone's popular game, Snake.

However, there could be one rather big problem using the phone in Australia, according to Nokia's own website.

Scroll down for video

The new look 3310 which comes complete with its predecessor's popular game, snake and a month-long battery life

The website shows the Nokia 3310 model uses 2G connectivity for calling and texting

The 2G GSM network the phone requires to make and receive calls is being phased out in Australia - and may be completely turned off sometime in 2017.

Among the three major communication networks in Australia, Telstra have already switched off 2G, Optus will be phasing it out by August 2017 and Vodafone will cut ties with the network in September.

The network could cause a problem for Nokia 3310 as the model uses 2G for phone calls and messaging.

The 3310, with a slick new look that pays homage to its original design, was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.

Nokia has re-released its classic 3310 model 17 years after it was first launched at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona

While the handset looks similar to its predecessor, Nokia has brought its new model up to date and instead of the original display, a monochrome 84 x 84, it has a colour screen.

THE NEW 3310 - Thin, light and durable - 22-hour talk time - One month battery life - Four colours - red, yellow, dark blue and grey - Costs $67 in Australia Advertisement

However, it has limited internet capabilities, relying on 2.5G connectivity, with users browsing at speeds slower than if they were using 3G.

It also has a single camera which has just two megapixels.

The phone, which sold 126million handsets until it was phased out in 2005, will be sold by Finish company HMD Global.

The firm believe the revamped 3310 offers users the perfect compromise to a modern life.

Chief executive Arto Nummela told the BBC: 'It's almost like a digital detox or a holiday phone.

'If you want to switch off to an extent but you still need to have a [mobile] lifeline, it's a brilliant solution.

'Why wouldn't you buy this like candy? If you see this hanging on the shelf at the checkout in a [see-through] package, then you'd just buy it as an accessory.'

The revamped 3310 has a new colour screen but has limited internet capabilities relying on 2.5G connectivity - offering users slower browsing speed than with 3G

Pictured: Finish company HMD Global are selling the new model and bosses believed it offers the perfect compromise to modern life obsessed with being hooked up online

Once the undisputed king of the mobile market, Nokia's fortunes took a turn for the worse after its decision to support the Windows mobile operating system exclusively.

With stiff competition from iOS and Android, the flagging firm's handset activities were sold in 2014 to Microsoft to allow Nokia to focus on mobile network equipment.

The phone, which sold 126million handsets until it was phased out in 2005, will be sold by Finish company HMD Global

However, HMD now hope that they can cash in world's affection for the 3310 with handsets costing around 49 euros each.

Nokia also revealed three other new devices at the event - the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6.

The Nokia 6 was first launched in China in December, where it sold out in just 23 seconds, and had a 97 per cent satisfaction rate.

Nokia also revealed three other new devices at the event - the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6

The phone features a 5.5 inch panel, smart amplifier and Nokia has even released a special edition glossy black version.

The phone will retail at 229 euros (190/$240).

The Nokia 5 is slightly smaller at 4.2 inches, and will cost 189 euros (160/$200).

And finally, the Nokia 3 has been introduced, which has a 5-inch display, but costs just 139 euros (117/$150).
A murderer who strangled his 14-year-old girlfriend has been freed and deported to back to Britain despite being ruled as too dangerous to be released in America.

Demspey Hawkins, 57, killed beau Susan Jacobson on Staten Island, New York, in May 1976.

London-born Hawkins, then 16, lured the teen to an underground bunker and strangled her with his shirt sleeve, before stuffing her lifeless body in an oil drum.

Two years later, he was caught and sentenced to 22 years in prison. But It would be 20 years until he finally confessed to killing his victim.

After he was turned down for parole 10 times by US prison chiefs, top lawyers got involved and he was finally granted his freedom on the ruling that he was shipped back to England.

The decision has sparked outrage among his victim's family, who fear he could kill again.

Dempsey Hawkins (right), 57, killed 14-year-old beau Susan Jacobson (left) on Staten Island, New York, in May 1976

Now he is back in the country of his birth after campaigning by Cambridge University criminology expert Dr Ruth Armstrong, Prisoners Abroad, a human rights charity, and support by the British Consulate.

Dempsey, who moved to the US aged six, is living in Cambridge and working at a Mexican restaurant in the city, run by Dr Armstrong's husband.

On arrival at Heathrow Airport in January, it is believed he was handed a British passport by immigration officials and supporters welcomed him with a collection of poet John Betjemans writings, reports the Sun.

However, while campaigners, including an academic from Yale University in the US, have celebrated Dempsey's freedom, his victim's sister, Barbara Reno, is distraught and described him as a 'convincing liar'.

Hawkins, pictured in 1976, was sentenced to 22 years to life for the brutal murder of Susan

She told the Sun: 'I think hes very capable of killing again.

'He has a bad soul. He has lied and manipulated from day one. While he was in prison he spun a woe is me sob story, as if it was some kind of love story and he was heartbroken.'

Susan's family are still haunted by the twisted killing of the teenager decades ago.

Hawkins is back in Britain after campaigning by Cambridge University criminology expert, Dr Ruth Armstrong (pictured)

Dempsey had been dating Susan for about a year at the time of the attack, but she had been ordered to break the relationship off by her parents after she was forced to have an abortion.

Her boyfriend could not dare to think of Susan being with someone else and decided that if he couldn't have her, no one else could either.

During a phone interview from behind bars in 2011, he later admitted: 'It was a warm day.

'With the arm of the shirt, I put it around her neck, as if to kiss her, and I just started squeezing it. Her hands went up to the shirt and I just looked away and just kept squeezing the shirt.'

When friends and family searched for the missing teen, Dempsey joined the party and misled loved ones every time they got close to the scene of her death.

Susan's sister Janice, told the New York Times, that he would often try and suggest she had fled to another state, like Florida or Chicago.

She recalled: 'Every time we got close, he would come up with a story to take us to a different location.'

Dempsey later moved to live with his father on an United States Air Force base in Joppa, Illinois and carried on with his high school education - as if nothing had happened.

Hawkins is living and working in Cambridge, at this restaurant run by Dr Armstrong's husband

However, he was arrested after a young boy found what he thought were 'dog bones' in a barrel.

After he was sentenced, it would be years until Dempsey finally admitted in a letter to Susan's family: 'Im terribly sorry for what Ive done, and I have been for a long time.'

The killer is now enjoying a new life in England and harbours ambitions to become a writer.

He told the Sun: 'Im in a dream state right now. My job is going to be to find a better job. Something to do with writing.'

MailOnline has approached Prisoners Abroad and Dr Ruth Armstrong for comment.
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A memorial service was held in lower Manhattan on Sunday afternoon to commemorate victims on the 24th anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, days after one of the terrorists died in prison.

NYPD officers, friends, and families paid tribute and observed a moment of silence at Ground Zero at 12.18pm, the time the fatal attack took place nearly a quarter-century ago.

Six people were killed and 1,042 were injured on the afternoon of February 26, 1993 when a truck exploded beneath the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Egyptian cleric and blind sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was sentenced to life in prison for plotting the attack, died last week.

Memorial service: Port Authority Police officers salute during a commemoration ceremony of the 24th anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing at the north reflecting pool of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site

An attendee lays a flower in commemoration of the six killed and 1,042 who were left injured in the attacks

An man places a rose at the North Pool during the ceremony. Six men were sentenced to life in prison for the attacks

The terror attack was carried out by seven Islamist extremists and was intended to bring down both towers, but failed to do so. The bombing was considered the worst terrorist attack in the US, but was overshadowed by the 9/11 attack, eight years later.

Ramzi Yousef, Nidal Ayyad, Mohammed Salameh, and Abdul Yasin, Ahmed Ajaj, and Eyad Ismoi were convicted in the bombing. Yasin was the only terrorist to avoid life in prison.

On the fatal Friday, Salameh rented a Ryder van to deliver the bomb which was made by Ayyad. Yousef was the mastermind working under Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

The men drove though the parking garage under the World Trade Center around noon where Yousef ignited the 20ft fuse. The bomb exploded 12 minutes later.

The explosion created a nearly 100ft wide hole through the concrete and sent thick smoke up to the 93rd floor of both towers.

Six of the seven men were convicted and are serving life sentences. Yasin fled to Iraq the day after he was released and currently remains on the FBI's most wanted list.

In 2012, Ramzi filed a lawsuit to end his solitary confinement. During his 1998 sentencing, the man proclaimed he was a proud terrorist.

Abdel-Rahman, 78, died of natural causes on February 18, at the Federal Medical Center, Butner, part of a federal prison compound in Butner, North Carolina.

He also plotted attacks on other landmarks in New York City, including the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, the United Nations headquarters and the George Washington Bridge.

The cleric, who had diabetes and coronary artery disease, had been incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Complex, Butner, for nearly 10 years.

Blind sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was sentenced to life in prison for plotting the attack, died behind bars last week

World Trade Center Bomb 1993: Police and office workers flee after the blast. An underground explosion rocked the twin towers causing the ceiling of a train station to collapse and setting off fires below the landmark building

Poignant: Family members of the victims hold roses during the ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing

Families of the victims laid roses on the North Pool of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site.

John DiGiovanni, 45, Robert Kirkpatrick, 61, Stephen Knapp, 47, Bill Macko, 57, Wilfredo Mercado, 37, Monica Rodriguez Smith, 36, were killed in the bombing. Smith was seven months pregnant at the time.

Nicole Rossilli, 12, attended the ceremony to pay tribute to her late grandfather, Stephen Knapp, who she never met. Knapp was 47 at the time of his death.

The Staten Island girl and her family travel to Ground Zero every year on the anniversary of the attack to commemorate his life, Newsday reported. Rossilli vowed to visit every year for the rest of her life.

Marileen Brown, a former Port Authority employee, and survivor of both the bombing and 9/11 attacks, attended the memorial service for the 1993 incident for the first time. Brown told the paper it took nearly ten years for her to return to the World Trade Center site after surviving the attacks.

A family member speaks during the commemoration ceremony. One salesman, three maintenance supervisors, a receiving agent, a secretary were killed in the attack

Roses lay on the north reflecting pool of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site following a commemoration ceremony of the 24th anniversary

Bagpipers representing various agencies perform during the emotional ceremony

A survivor lays a flower during a commemoration ceremony which killed six: John DiGiovanni, 45, Robert Kirkpatrick, 61, Stephen Knapp, 47, Bill Macko, 57, Wilfredo Mercado, 37, Monica Rodriguez Smith, 36

Brian Rolford is pictured in 1993 outside the World Trade Center after walking down from the 105th floor after a bomb exploded in a parking garage below the complex
Motorists are being duped into buying former hire cars and company vehicles, it has emerged.

Dealers are routinely selling cars with one previous owner, but not telling customers the vehicle has been rented out to multiple drivers.

Some have paid over the odds for former hire cars, which are often seen as less desirable because they have been driven by so many people, and tend to be driven less carefully.

Motorists are being duped into buying former hire cars and company vehicles, it has emerged

The practice has caused such concern that MPs may investigate the second-hand car industry.

The Advertising Standards Authority says it is probing a complaint from a driver who unwittingly bought a former hire car advertised on Alfa Romeos website, and sold via one of its approved dealers  Palmers in Hemel Hempstead.

How the gas guzzler levy will also hit small motors New cars registered after April 1 will be hit with a higher vehicle tax in a bid to lower air pollution. Even smaller cars that emit less pollution, such as Ford Fiestas, will be hit Motorists who buy new cars registered after April 1 will be clobbered with higher vehicle tax. The new rates are part of a bid to lower air pollution  but even families buying smaller cars that emit less pollution  such as Ford Fiestas  will be hit. Today the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association issued a reminder to drivers that there is just over a month to go before the new rates come into force. They will apply to all new cars registered from April 2017  not to anyone who has already bought their car. The shake-up of Vehicle Excise Duty, announced by former chancellor George Osborne in 2015, has been billed as part of the Governments efforts to crack down on air pollution by penalising the owners of gas-guzzling cars, while encouraging people to switch to cleaner alternatives. But while the new system will hammer those who buy expensive, inefficient cars, even those who buy smaller cars will pay hundreds of pounds more over the years. Vehicle tax on new cars will continue to be based on C02 emissions, but only for the first year. After that it will fall to a flat rate based on the type of vehicle. Owners of petrol or diesel vehicles will pay a flat annual rate of 140, while drivers of hybrids will pay 130 a year. Those who buy cars worth more than 40,000 face an additional rate of 310 a year for the first five years. Howard Cox, of the FairFuelUK campaign group, said: The Government has missed the chance to encourage sales of low emissions vehicles. New more economical cars will face the biggest tax hike  in some cases, more than nine times what theyre paying now. Advertisement

The driver was told the car had one previous owner. But after experiencing problems with the clutch and the radio, Ashley Rumbold, 44, discovered by looking at the cars logbook that the previous owner was hire car firm Hertz.

He said he would have either not paid as much for the car, or not bought it in the first place.

A spokesman for Palmers Alfa Romeo confirmed its salesmen do not tell customers if a car is a former rental car and will only mention it if asked.

He said that for most customers this is not an issue.

A spokesman for Palmers Alfa Romeo confirmed its salesmen do not tell customers if a car is a former rental car and will only mention it if asked

But consumer protection laws clearly stipulate that second hand car dealers cannot create a misleading impression about the previous usage of a vehicle.

This includes giving the impression that a vehicle has one previous owner when in fact it is an ex-business use vehicle that has had multiple previous users (such as an ex-rental, driving school vehicle or taxi).

Some of the worlds biggest car manufacturers  and Britains largest car dealer, Pendragon  told the Mail they do not have a policy to tell customers whether a vehicle is a former hire.

Last night, Louise Ellman, chairman of the Commons transport committee, said: If the industry is to regain their trust, it is in its interest to be as open with customers as possible. I will ask the committee to consider the possibility of an inquiry.
A woman has made an emotional plea for the return of her son's ashes after her house was burgled.

The callous thieves took the ashes along with thousands of dollars worth of jewellery from Raewyn and Edgar Wahnig's home in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Thursday.

Ms Wahnig has since erected a wooden sign outside her home with a blunt message to the thieves - 'return our son's ashes'.

A New Zealand woman has made an emotional plea for the return of her son's ashes after her house was burgled on Thursday

The heartbroken woman lost son Thomas at birth over 20 years ago and believes the thieves may have mistaken the ashes for drugs as they 'were a creamy colour, not white'.

'I lost my child a long time ago - and now I've just lost him again,' she told The New Zealand Herald.

'It's like losing a son all over again.'

Ms Raewyn also took to Facebook on Saturday to ask for the safe return of the ashes.

'On Thursday afternoon we were burgled. All our jewellery passports and other random stuff was taken,' the post began.

'Also our sons ashes were taken. We want them back so very much. Thomas doesn't deserve to be thrown away once the scum realise that he isn't what they first thought it was.

'Please share this and maybe someone saw something on Thursday around 3.55-4pm. Buckleys road. Just return our boy.'
Firms could be told to drop questions about criminal convictions on job application forms, as part of controversial plans being considered by ministers.

The Government is also looking at providing financial incentives to companies that hire convicts, such as cuts to their national insurance.

MPs have urged the Government to do more to help offenders get a job when they leave prison, rather than relying on benefits or falling back into a life of crime. But businesses are likely to be wary of the proposals.

Criminal convictions could be dropped from job applications and firms incentivized to hire convicts, in a potential Government strategy to prevent re-offending among ex-prisoners

The Commons work and pensions committee said former prisoners trying to make a new life for themselves walk over a cliff edge when they leave prison. It said finding a home and a job was absolutely central to preventing re-offending which costs the criminal justice system alone 15 billion a year, without including the costs of benefits, healthcare and the human costs of crime.

The Ministry of Justice said it was exploring a range of options which would recognise or reward those organisations which actively employ ex-offenders.

It added that it was also considering whether more can be done to persuade both public and private sector firms to remove the disclosure box on application forms which people have to tick if they have a criminal conviction. But City veteran David Buik, who works for stockbroker Panmure Gordon, said many firms will be wary.

He said: This is a massive ask for employers. Businesses will be very wary  particularly if you are talking about serious crimes. The Government has already removed the criminal conviction box on application forms from 380,000 civil service roles  or 97 per cent of the service. Some 76 employers, including Barclays, Boots, Timpson and Virgin Trains have also ditched the box.

Neil Carberry, director of people and skills at the CBI, said: Many businesses are keen to give ex-offenders a path back into work and rehabilitation. Working together with the Government, firms and charities have an important role to play in prison reforms.

The work and pensions committee said ex-prisoners were often turned out literally on the street with a 46 resettlement payment. Often they have to wait for weeks to receive benefits including Jobseekers Allowance. The Government has already rejected the committees calls for it to process claims for benefits in prison, so former offenders can receive it on the day they leave jail.

The Ministry of Justice said it was exploring a range of options which would recognise or reward those organisations which actively employ ex-offenders acknowledging that convicts finding housing and employment was crucial following their release from prison

Justice Secretary Liz Truss has stressed that the key purpose of prisons should be to reform and rehabilitate offenders.

She said this would be enshrined into law by the Prisons and Courts Bill, which was published last week.

Under the legislation, prison governors are to be held to account for getting offenders off drugs, into jobs and learning English and maths.
Ministers are accused of shifting money around to hide a financial black hole, while Theresa May has fallen out with NHS England boss Simon Stevens

Patients are being let down by bickering between health bosses and politicians while the NHS spirals into crisis, MPs warn today.

The Governments funding plans are simply not up the job, according to the Commons public accounts committee.

Ministers are accused of shifting money around to hide a financial black hole, while Theresa May has fallen out with NHS England boss Simon Stevens.

The fact that key players running our NHS are bickering in public does little to inspire confidence that patients are at the heart of everyones priorities, says the report.

The NHS is facing huge challenges. This requires a united effort to resolve these for the long term.

The Government has come under severe pressure over funding in recent months, as the winter health crisis has seen waiting times lengthen and hospitals turn patients away.

Official figures last week revealed that hospitals have overspent their budgets by nearly 900million so far this year, despite being given a 1.8billion cash injection.

Health watchdogs described the black hole as unsustainable and unaffordable, and warned that an extremely challenging winter had made matters worse.

The winter crisis has passed its peak, but pressure on the Government is only set to grow, with a Commons debate on NHS finances scheduled for this afternoon.

Mr Stevens waved a copy of a Daily Mail article during a select committee hearing to show Britain spends less than other European countries on doctors and beds

Earlier this month it emerged that 15,000 hospital beds have been axed in the past six years  equivalent to closing 24 hospitals.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted her Government has given the NHS more than it needed  at the same time that other public services had received funding cuts.

But Mr Stevens last month told MPs it would be stretching it to say this was true.

He waved a copy of a Daily Mail article during a select committee hearing to show Britain spends less than other European countries on doctors and beds.

Meg Hillier, the Labour MP who chairs the public accounts committee, said last night: Contradictory statements about funding from the Prime Minister and head of NHS England are an insult to taxpayers who deserve an honest, grown-up conversation about future finance and service provision.

Governments rigid adherence to a set of stock lines about funding, in the face of mounting evidence its plan isnt up to the job, is not it.

It is inconceivable the Government would allow a catastrophic failure in the NHS and we expect it to take targeted action to support NHS bodies facing severe financial problems.

Chris Hopson of NHS Providers, which represents hospital and ambulance trusts, said: This report conveys in stark detail the gravity of the challenges facing the NHS.

Dr Mark Porter, council chairman at the British Medical Association, said: The NHS is at breaking point because politicians have chosen to underfund our health and social care system and ignore the warnings of healthcare professionals.

A Department of Health spokesman said last night: We are united behind the ambition to make the NHS the safest, highest-quality healthcare system in the world, which also means ensuring financial sustainability for the future.' File pic

Tragically it is our patients who are unfairly suffering the consequences of these bad choices.

A Department of Health spokesman said last night: We are united behind the ambition to make the NHS the safest, highest-quality healthcare system in the world, which also means ensuring financial sustainability for the future.

'The hospital sectors financial position has now improved by 1.3billion compared with this time last year, with 44 fewer trusts in deficit.

n Hospitals could join prisons and social care in a crisis, cash, repeat cycle without better financial planning and reforms, a report warns.

Public services face failing or breaching spending controls, the Institute for Government and Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy said.
Tara Brown (pictured) died after she suffered critical head injuries in 2015

A former Bandidos bikie has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-partner Tara Brown.

Lionel John Patea, 25, unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on the first day of his trial earlier on Monday to killing the mother-of-one.

He will have to spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole, after being sentenced by Justice Debra Mullins on Monday afternoon.

'You have to live every day of your life knowing that you deprived Ms Brown of her life and your daughter of her mother,' Justice Mullins told him.

The 24-year-old New Zealand woman was bludgeoned to death with a metal fire hydrant cover after Patea ran her car off a Gold Coast suburban street in September 2015.

The court heard a triple zero call made by Ms Brown captured her final moments - as she begged for her life, crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'

Lionel John Patea (left) has pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his former partner

Supporters of the murdered mother arrived at the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday

Natalie Hinton (centre), mother of murdered woman Tara Brown, arrives at court on Monday

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT BY TARA BROWN'S MOTHER Tara Brown's mother Natalie Hinton has read out a victim impact statement to the court on Monday about the 'monster' who claimed her daughter's life. 'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting. She was a lover of life from a very young age,' Ms Hinton said. 'The monster was now in control, she feared him. He took full advantage of her vulnerability. I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions. 'My whole world caved in around me as this misogynistic narcissist murdered my baby girl.' Advertisement

Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends packed the court room on Monday, with many standing when Patea change his plea.

Many had a white ribbon pinned to their clothes, the official symbol for Australia's campaign to prevent men's violence against women.

In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Campbell McCallum, Patea said he pleaded guilty with the full support of his family, who had encouraged him to face up to his actions.

'I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice,' Patea said in the statement.

'I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately be judged by God.

'I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven.

'I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family.'

Jonathan Gardner, stepfather of Ms Brown, speaks to the media outside court on Monday

Dozens of family and friends arrived at court holding a framed photo of her on Monday

Patea was expected to stand trial for one week in court but changed his plea on Monday

Mr McCallum said Patea never wanted to go to trial but was not able to plead guilty until a few days ago under the advice of his legal team.

'He had always acknowledged he committed the offence,' Mr McCallum said.

'He expects no leniency.

'He is remorseful, he accepts his actions and he is certainly taking full responsibility for his role in Tara Brown's death.'

Ms Brown had just dropped off her three-year-old daughter Aria at day care when Patea chased down her hatchback with a four-wheel-drive.

She had been hiding from him at a safe house and friends' homes since taking out a domestic violence order against him just days earlier.

The pair had been together since 2011 - and they had a daughter the following year.

Witnesses saw the pair reaching speeds of more than 100km/h and Patea bashing on Ms Brown's driver's side window with both fists when she had to stop at red lights.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her

Hundreds of mourners - including her three-year-old daughter - turned out for Ms Brown's funeral, remembering her as a 'beautiful' woman who loved rugby and touch football

Patea ultimately rammed the back of Ms Brown's car, forcing her down an embankment and trapping her inside the overturned vehicle.

He used the metal slab weighing 7.8 kilogram taken from the side of the road to repeatedly bash her head, causing 'non-survivable' brain injuries.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her.

It wasn't until they heard her crying out that they realised what he was doing and tried to stop him, but he fought them off.

Emergency operators listened helplessly as the mother cried for help - as more than a dozen 'thumping' sounds were recorded over the phone.

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.

WITNESS STATEMENT When Tara Brown's car crashed down a Gold Coast embankment, witness Lisa Kennedy believed the man attempting to smash the vehicle's window was trying to help the mother of one. She went over to try to help. What she saw next, and her inability to stop it, is a burden she will carry forever, she says. Lionel Patea pleaded guilty in court on Monday to bludgeoning his former partner to death with a metal fire hydrant cover in 2015. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Kennedy said she heard Ms Brown's hatchback crash but did not realise Patea had run her off the road with his 4WD. Ms Kennedy said she was a strong-willed person who had witnessed injury and death first-hand, but nothing could have prepared her for what happened next. 'What I saw you do to Tara horrified me to my core,' Ms Kennedy said. 'It was a domestic violence situation that resulted in you beating to death a woman as she lay trapped in her car unable to help herself.' Ms Kennedy jumped on Patea's back in an attempt to stop him from bashing the 24-year-old but the well-built former Bandidos bikie flung her off with ease. 'Even though I tried my best to stop you, I felt hopeless and helpless at the scene,' Ms Kennedy said. 'For the first six months, every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tara. 'She is screaming at me for help, just like she was on September 8, 2015 when I arrived at her car and you were already there. 'My eyes would well up with tears because of the guilt I carry - that I will forever carry - that I failed her in not recognising and understanding that her fear was of you. 'She was screaming at me to help her from you.' Ms Kennedy said she has not slept a full night since Ms Brown died and suffers from bloody nightmares of her own family and friends being viciously murdered. 'I have never felt so alone,' she said. Advertisement

Patea fronted court on the first day of his trial over the death of Ms Brown who died in 2015
Facebook and Twitter could face new laws if they fail to help stop cyber bullying, the Culture Secretary will warn today.

Karen Bradley is launching a new drive on internet safety and plans to outline a raft of new tactics to combat the problem.

Tech giants are set to be summoned to Whitehall to discuss new solutions but sources have played down the idea of an easy technological fix.

Parents will be warned they must 'face up' to the dangers of cyber bullying and make sure their children are aware of the risks of going online.

Unveiling new policies on internet safety, Ms Bradley warns of the potentially devastating consequences of cyber-bullying, sexting and online trolls.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley warns of the potentially devastating consequences of cyber-bullying

The summit with tech firms will include looking at technological solutions such as filters but also helping parents face up to the dangers and discuss them with children, officials said.

Many parents are unaware of the risks their children face on social media  including a torrent of bullying and threats  because they do not use such sites themselves.

As a result they might not know how to confront the issues or stop their children being exposed to harmful sites linked to self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.

Mrs Bradley said: The internet has provided young people with amazing opportunities but has also introduced a host of new dangers which children and parents have never faced before.

It is increasingly clear that some behaviours which are unacceptable offline are being tolerated or even encouraged online  sometimes with devastating consequences.

We are determined to make Britain the safest place in the world to be online, and to help people protect themselves from the risks they might face.

To do that we want to understand the full scale of the problem and explore how everyone  including Government, social media companies, technology firms, parents and others  can play their part in tackling it.

Many parents are unaware of the risks their children face on social media  including a torrent of bullying and threats  because they do not use such sites themselves

Although making direct threats to rape or kill online should result in police action, lower level trolling and bullying is not considered a criminal offence.

A green paper which could lead to new laws will be produced this summer.

The new push on web safety follows a major crackdown on internet porn led by Mrs Bradley, which will see compulsory age checks for explicit websites for the first time.

The Digital Economy Bill currently going through Parliament will see sites which refuse to comply with these checks blocked.

The announcement came as a poll showed a majority of Britons think children should be taught about internet pornography in schools.

A survey of 2,000 adults found three-quarters want children to be taught about the impact of online adult material.
Medical chiefs were branded an absolute disgrace last night after it emerged a GP who refused to treat a critically ill five-year-old girl was disciplined in secret.

Ellie-May Clark, from Newport, South Wales, died of an asthma attack five hours after Dr Joanne Rowe refused to see her, claiming she was eight minutes late for her emergency appointment.

Yet despite the appalling error, the doctors watchdog agreed to discipline Dr Rowe, 53, in a secret hearing intended to shield doctors from the stress of public exposure.

Ellie-May Clark (right) died of an asthma attack hours after Dr Joanne Rowe (left) turned her away claiming she was late for her emergency appointment at The Grange Clinic in Newport

Astonishingly, Dr Rowe was let off with a 294-word warning by the General Medical Council (GMC) in May last year. It concluded her failings were not so serious to warrant her being struck off.

She was allowed to carry on working at a new surgery in Cardiff, yet none of her patients would have known about her fatal mistake had they not been exposed by a Sunday newspaper.

Doctors can avoid public fitness to practise hearings if they accept an initial sanction, or, as in the case of Dr Rowe, if they agree to accept a written warning not to do it again.

But yesterday MPs said the GMC appeared to be protecting the welfare of doctors and the profession above the publics right to know about their fatal errors.

Andrew Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: The way in which this has been handled needs to be exposed, and its an absolute disgrace that hearings of this kind can be held behind closed doors.

One can only feel huge sympathy for the Clark family, and I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the GMC to establish what steps are being taken to ensure that this never happens again.

The public must be able to have confidence that the disciplinary process is configured to protect patient safety - not the profession.

He added: A young child has paid the ultimate price for the negligence of a doctor who chose to put clock-watching above her responsibility to provide treatment, and people will be scratching their heads trying to understand how she has escaped with such a lenient punishment.

Ellie-May Clark was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead

Dr James Davies, a qualified GP and Tory MP, said he would be meeting the GMC in the interests of transparency.

He said: This was a tragic incident and I note from the GMC register that a formal warning was issued to the doctor concerned in May of last year. I understand that in this instance, the case did not go to tribunal.

In the interests of transparency and in order to ensure confidence in the fitness to practise regulations, it is important that patients are always clear why and how such processes have been followed. I intend to discuss this with the GMC.

The failings were exposed in a confidential report from the local health board, which oversees GP surgeries in the area where Ellie-May Clark lived with her mother.

It found the bright and fun-loving girl was sent home from school early on 26 January, 2015, because teachers were concerned her asthma was deteriorating.

Her mother Shanice, 25, made an emergency appointment at The Grange Clinic in Newport and was told to arrive at 5pm.

But that gave her just 25 minutes to arrange childcare for her two-month-old baby, and she had to plead with a friend to give her and Ellie-May a lift to the surgery a mile away.

Miss Clark claims her mobile phone was showing 5.04pm when she arrived and was faced with a queue at the reception desk.

Earlier this month the Mail revealed how 19 doctors whose mistakes led to fatal errors had been let off with a warning by the GMC

But she was turned away and an NHS serious concern report claimed Dr Rowe shouted at a receptionist: No, Im not seeing her shes late.

After being turned away, Miss Clark took her daughter home. But five hours later, at 10.35pm, she suffered a seizure and stopped breathing.

The unconscious schoolgirl was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital by ambulance with Miss Clark following in a police car, but tragically she was pronounced dead.

A subsequent health board investigation found staff were fearful of questioning Dr Rowe, who claimed to be prone to angry outbursts.

It concluded the root cause of Ellie-Mays death was that Dr Rowe refused to see her because she was brought in late.

It also revealed that Dr Rowe had been warned months earlier by a paediatrician that Ellie-May was at risk of another episode of severe / life-threatening asthma.

She agreed to attend a GMC hearing in May last year, held behind closed doors, where she agreed to have a written warning added to her record, which will be removed in five years.

Ellie-Mays grandmother, Brandi Clark, 43, said: They were a few minutes late and Shanice even told the receptionist they wouldnt be there on time.

But Dr Rowe was angry that they werent punctual and sent them away. Her decision cost our gorgeous little girl her life.

Our lives have been shattered but Dr Rowe has been allowed to get a new job and quietly move on with her life as if nothing ever happened.

An Aneurin Bevan University Health Board spokeswoman said: Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Ellie-May.

We can confirm that Dr Rowe no longer works within the health board area, and also that we referred the doctor to the GMC who investigated in accordance with their procedures.

Earlier this month the Mail revealed how 19 doctors whose mistakes led to fatal errors had been let off with a warning by the GMC.

Their identities and details of their mistakes would have remained a secret had they not been exposed in a freedom of information request.

Allegations against doctors are considered by two senior GMC staff, who can choose to take no further action, to issue a warning, to agree re-training, or to refer to a medical tribunal.

Warnings are held against a medics name on the GMC register for five years, after which they are cleared entirely, but they are not displayed in surgeries.

Charlie Massey, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said: We strive to keep patients and their families fully informed about the progress of our investigations. We accept that this didnt happen in this case and we would like to apologise to the family for not doing so. We will contact the Clark family to discuss this further.

Formal warnings are issued after a thorough investigation, when a doctors behaviour or performance shows a significant departure from the standards we expect of them. We publish the warning - detailing the shortcomings in the care provided - on the online register for all patients and employers to see.

Only when two case examiners decide that a warning is appropriate  and the doctor has not disputed the facts  we will issue this serious response, which remains on a doctors pubic record for five years.

As part of revalidation we expect all doctors to have reflected on significant events, feedback from patients, and complaints, in order to demonstrate they are fit to practise.

Additional reporting: Tom Bedford
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall was wrong to run for Parliament so soon after taking over the party, his deputy said yesterday.

Mr Nuttall was beaten by Labour in last weeks by-election in Stoke  a seat where seven in ten voters had backed Leave in the EU referendum.

Deputy leader Peter Whittle said voters did not have time to get to know Mr Nuttall, who took the helm 12 weeks ago.

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall (left) was wrong to run in the Stoke by-election according to his own deputy leader Peter Whittle (right). Twelve weeks at the helm was insufficient time to win over new voters he said

Despite pledging to seize power from Labour in the Stoke Central constituency, Mr Nuttall came second, only a whisker ahead of the Conservative candidate, and barely increased Ukips share of the vote.

The result sparked a spate of in-fighting between allies of Mr Nuttall and those loyal to former Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

On Friday Mr Farage complained his successor was not tough enough on immigration and had allowed Theresa May to pick up the Brexit mantle. Mr Nuttall was due to be interviewed on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show in person yesterday but cancelled his appearance. Mr Whittle said the party leader wanted to rest up after a bruising by-election.

He had a trip booked, as you might imagine straight after the by-election, and he wanted to break it but we insisted, particularly after what hed been through, we insisted that he go  so Im afraid youve got the B team.

He added: If there was one mistake we made, it was that maybe Paul shouldnt have run so early. Hes only been leader for 12 weeks. People hadnt got to know him well enough, I think.

Mr Whittle, who holds a seat in the London Assembly, dismissed threats from top Ukip donor Arron Banks to pull his funding and set up another party unless he was made chairman.

Mr Banks said he wants the powerful role so that he can purge members and stop the party being run like a jumble sale.

Mr Nuttall was beaten soundly by Labour candidate Gareth Snell and only narrowly beat out the Conservative candidate. The result sparked a spate of in-fighting between allies of Mr Nuttall and those loyal to former Ukip leader Nigel Farage

I am giving Paul Nuttall an ultimatum that either I become chairman and sort out Ukip by bringing in business people and professionals to make the party electable, or I am out of there, he told the Sunday Express. Asked if he did not want Mr Banks as Ukip chairman, Mr Whittle said: Ive always been very, very grateful for Arrons contributions. If Arron does take his money away, there are other people. Obviously I wouldnt want that to happen.

Patrick OFlynn, Mr Nuttalls principal political adviser, told the BBCs Sunday Politics: I think weve got an excellent chairman in Paul Oakden  and the idea that Leave.EU [bankrolled by Mr Banks] for instance was this smooth-running brilliant machine doesnt really sit with the facts.

Im always happy if people who want to give money and support to our party want to stay in the party but I think the best donors donate and dont seek to dictate.

Nigel Farage wined and dined the Donald in Washington

Taking a seat among President Trumps closest advisers, Nigel Farage enjoyed what he called Dinner with The Donald on Saturday.

The former Ukip leader, right, tweeted the above photo which was taken at the Trump International Hotel near the White House  with the US leader, his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and Florida governor Rick Scott.
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Storm Doris has claimed a fourth victim as a man in his 80s died in hospital after his car was hit by a tree.

The news of the pensioners death yesterday following the accident near Church Stretton in Shropshire on Thursday came as Britain braces itself for a new cold snap today with temperatures dropping to -4C.

The elderly man was a front seat passenger in a Ford Focus car being driven by a 75-year-old man and died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital three days after the incident which happened at about 9.30am on the A49.

Storm Doris has claimed a fourth victim as a man in his 80s died in hospital after his car was hit by a tree in Shropshire

The news of the pensioners death yesterday following the accident near Church Stretton in Shropshire on Thursday

At the time of the incident, West Midlands Ambulance Service said a large tree came to rest on the bonnet of the car

The wife of the man who has since died was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle in Shropshire and had not been injured

At the time of the incident, West Midlands Ambulance Service said a large tree came to rest on the bonnet of the car. The wife of the man who has since died was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle and had not been injured.

The driver of the car suffered neck and chest pain and was assessed at the scene before being taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The latest fatality means Thursdays storm is now linked to four deaths.

University worker Tahnie Martin, 29, from Stafford, died from head injuries after being struck by a large piece of wood while walking past a Starbucks cafe in Wolverhampton city centre at around midday on Thursday.

A 32-year-old woman in Swindon died when the wind caught hold of her empty pram and dragged her into the path of a street sweeper, while a lorry driver died after hitting a lamppost in New Cross, South East London.

A girl was also left with life-threatening injuries after part of a ceiling collapsed in a school sports hall in Milton Keynes as winds of up to 94mph hit the UK. Police said it was possible the collapse was caused by bad weather.

Meanwhile, meteorological spring may officially begin on Wednesday, but there is no sign of any warmer weather just yet. Britain is set for a cold snap as conditions turn chillier this week, with a risk of snow and stormy winds.

A gritter lorry on the Hartside road on the Cumbria border this morning as Britain was hit by more bad weather

The P&O ferry Spirit of Britain arrives at the Port of Dover in Kent, as stormy weather conditions continue across the country

A woman uses a bag as an improvised rain cover as London is hit by downpours, while a man puts a jacket over his head

Waves crash against the harbour wall at Dover in Kent today as stormy weather conditions continue across the country

Today the mercury could plunge to as low as -4C (25F) in some parts of the country, and forecasters warned of wind, hail, sleet and thunder across Britain with ice 'almost anywhere'.

Meanwhile, just days after Storm Doris wreaked havoc across the UK, Storm Ewan was roaring through Ireland, with expected wind speeds of up to 70mph.

Forecasters say it is sweeping across the Irish Sea on course to hit Wales and Scotland, but that by the time it reaches Britain it will have lost much of its severity.

The Met Office has therefore issued yellow wind warnings instead of the amber criteria required for a named storm.

As well as warnings in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, there are also wind warnings in place for the north west of England, where gusts could reach speeds of 50 to 60mph.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: 'On Monday and Tuesday there is an ongoing risk of sleet and showers in high areas of England and Wales.

'The wet and windy weather we've been having will give way to much colder and more showery [conditions], with hail.

'Early in the week, especially on Tuesday, there is a risk of ice almost anywhere. And temperatures could well reach several degrees below freezing, especially in the north.'

A series of frontal systems will drift across the UK this week (today, left; and tomorrow, right, are pictured)

Ewan, the fifth-named storm of the season, hit Ireland yesterday before sweeping across the Irish Sea and the north-west coast of the UK

Forecasters named Ewan when a 'developing wave' of wind looked as though it could turn into a low pressure system.

However, in the end, Ewan formed no such system - the extent of the damage was from high winds on the south coast.

Liz Walsh, forecaster at Met Eireann, said the worst was over by 3pm on Sunday, with the highest gust recorded at around 55mph. She said: 'To be honest, he didn't end up being as strong as we forecast.'

The storm was named Ewan as is protocol when amber weather warnings are put in place.

It comes after Storm Doris caused travel disruption, damaged buildings and sent debris flying.

Storms with the potential to cause a substantial impact are named by the Met Office and Met Eireann, moving through the alphabet.

The first was named Abigail in November 2015, after members of the public suggested monikers for the 'name our storms' project.

Forecasters are now in their second run through the alphabet. After Ewan, Britons can expect to hear of Fleur and Gabriel.

Waves crash over the promenade in Dover, Kent, as Britain is hit by stormy weather conditions this morning

A gritter on the Hartside road on the Cumbria border as Ireland's Storm Ewan failed to cause significant damage in Britain

Large waves crash against the coast of Blackpool, Lancashire, at high tide today as Britain is hit by heavy rainfall

The P&O ferry Spirit of Britain arrives at the Port of Dover in Kent, as stormy weather conditions continue in the UK today

Nadya Trichova inspects fruit at Medlar Fruit Farm in Lancashire as Aldi brings homegrown British strawberries to customers

The Met Office also warned there was the possibility of 'a more prolonged cold spell, with an increased chance of snow' later next month.

But despite the North suffering chilly temperatures, Gareth Harvey, who is a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said the weather was largely normal: 'In general, you're more likely to see snow over Easter than Christmas'.

But while we shiver away in a cold snap, strawberries may provide an unexpected comfort.

Mild weather earlier in the winter has meant that British-grown strawberries are arriving early.

Punnets are hitting supermarket shelves this week, more than two months before the start of the traditional season.

The berry season officially starts on May 1 and lasts until the end of September, according to the British Summer Fruits growers' association.

But technological improvements and mild temperatures mean that producers across the UK will be supplying strawberries from the end of February.

M&S and Tesco will both have British-grown fruit in selected stores this week, with availability increasing through the spring.

Meanwhile Aldi's joint managing director of corporate buying, Tony Baines, said the supermarket was 'first to market with British strawberries and delighted to be offering these home-grown classics to our customers for an increased amount of time.'
A group of women who have accused the late politician of being part of a satanic paedophile cult have talked about possible pay-outs and one woman may have already submitted a claim, it is understood

The alleged victims of Sir Edward Heath have already discussed making compensation claims for sexual abuse before the police investigation of the former prime minister concludes.

A group of women who have accused the late politician of being part of a satanic paedophile cult have talked about possible pay-outs and one woman may have already submitted a claim, it is understood.

The family say the MP was part of a satanic sex cult run by their parents who killed as many as 16 children, which would make them the worst child murderers in British history if the claims were true.

But there are no records of missing or murdered children that match their accounts.

The womens lurid claims were dismissed by police in 1989 when they first came forward. But Sir Edwards name was never mentioned to police then. It was only last year that he was named for the first time after one woman said she had remembered a man they called Ed was part of a network of paedophile abusers.

The development comes as it was reported yesterday that police have also quizzed a convicted hoaxer, a Twitter fantasist and a sex offender over the allegations.

More than 30 people have come forward so far giving accounts of child sexual abuse, which the chief of the investigating police force is said to believe 120 per cent even though some accusers are sex offenders themselves.

Wiltshire Police are preparing a report expected to justify their 900,000 18-month long probe.

The report could pave the way for a flood of compensation claims on the estate of Sir Edward, who died in 2005 at 89, leaving his 6million mansion, Arundells, to a charity, which opened the Grade-II listed property to the public.

But the future of the Salisbury house future could be in doubt if compensation claims are made. Accounts from the Charity Commission show that the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation made profits of just 14,700 in 2015.

More than 30 people have come forward so far giving accounts of child sexual abuse, which the chief of the investigating police force is said to believe 120 per cent even though some accusers are sex offenders themselves

Yesterday the charity was unavailable for comment. A spokesman for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority would not confirm if any compensation claim had been made.

The allegations angered Sir Edwards godson Lincoln Seligman, who said: Even when they are shown to be rubbish, further damage will have been done to the reputation of a man who cannot defend himself.

Yesterday it was reported that police had interviewed a number of criminals over the child abuse claims.

Among those believed to have been quizzed is Michael Shrimpton, a suspended barrister jailed for 12 months in February 2015 for falsely reporting a hoax claim that a nuclear device was planted in London during the 2012 Olympics.

In his book, Spyhunter, Shrimpton said Heath was a paedophile who also arranged the murder of boys.

Yesterday a Wiltshire police spokesman said: We are not prepared to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Its a question for the modern age  do you think a robot could do your job better?

And, if you answered yes  would you admit it to your boss?

That is what insurance giant Aviva will be asking its 16,000 employees  and the ones who say they could be replaced by a machine will be retrained for another role at the firm.

Aviva will be asking its 16,000 employees if they could be replaced by a robot - and the ones who say they could be replaced by a machine will be retrained for another role at the firm

Call centre staff and those who assess customers credit ratings and calculate the price of insurance are most likely to have to transfer.

The increasing sophistication of robots has preoccupied company bosses across the world looking to cut costs and boost efficiency.

But Aviva is thought to be the first company in the world to pose this question directly to its staff, according to The Sunday Times.

Robots have already replaced tens of thousands of jobs in manufacturing  including in the car industry.

But experts have warned entire professions dominated by middle-class workers  such as accountancy  could be pushed to the brink of extinction as developments in computers make their roles redundant.

Ministers believe the onward march of the robots is inevitable and must be embraced.

Last weekend the Government announced it will hand 17million to universities for artificial intelligence research, including robots and driverless cars.

It has seized on estimates from consultancy firm Accenture that artificial intelligence could provide a 654billion boost to the UK economy by 2035, creating more highly skilled jobs.

But the latest developments will fuel concerns that many white collar jobs will also soon be obsolete. Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned in December that 15million Britons  almost half of the 31.8million workforce  could be replaced by robots over the coming years as livelihoods were mercilessly destroyed by the technological revolution.

Experts have warned entire professions dominated by middle-class workers  such as accountancy  could be pushed to the brink of extinction as developments in computers make their roles redundant

Deeply worrying forecasts from the Bank say that a new machine age would be particularly devastating for those on lower incomes.

Researchers from Oxford University also recently compiled a list of jobs which are most in danger of being automated, and found that 35 per cent of jobs in the UK could potentially be done by robots.

Insurance underwriters were top of the list, with a 98.9 per cent risk of becoming automated. Other high-risk professions were estate agents, postal service workers, and accountants.

But firefighters, dentists and doctors all have a less than 1 per cent chance of being replaced by robots.
Missing man Joel Koppie, 36, has been found in Sydney

A man who went missing on New Year's Day has been found 285 kilometres away, nearly two months after he disappeared.

Joel Koppie, 36, was last seen in the early hours of January 1, after the band he and his father play in finished their show at a hotel in Braidwood, NSW.

On Monday NSW Police said they located the man 'safe and well' in Sydney on the 23rd of February.

Mr Koppie, from Canberra, spent New Year's Eve playing alongside father Mick and the rest of their fellow 'Sly Dog' band members at the Royal Mail Hotel.

After finishing their set the men shared a beer before Mick headed to bed about 2.30am, The Age reported.

At the time, ACT Police said the man may have been heading for the NSW South Coast.

The 36-year-old was last seen in the early hours of New Year's Day

He had played a gig at the Royal Mail Hotel in Braidwood, NSW (pictured)

Two weeks after his son disappeared, Mick issued a heartfelt plea for his son to come home.

'It just doesn't make sense,' he said in January.

'I just want to find him and know he's OK.'
Former CIA Director John Brennan has reopened his feud with Donald Trump, saying he doesn't think any sort of travel ban proposed by Donald Trump will be effective.

'I don't think the travel ban is going to help in any significant way,' he said in an interview with 'Face the Nation' on CBS.

Trump's team is in the process of drafting a revised travel ban, which is expected to be released this week.

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Former CIA Director John Brennan said he doesn't think any sort of travel ban proposed by Donald Trump will be effective. He said: 'I don't think the travel ban is going to help in any significant way,' in an interview with 'Face the Nation' on CBS

Trump's team is in the process of drafting a revised travel ban, which is expected to be released this week.

Brennan cited a Department of Homeland Security report that determined that country of origin is not a major factor in determining who might be a terrorist.

He told CBS: 'The vetting process that needs to go on has to take into account multiple factors, not just countries of origin or where they may be departing from.'

The draft report released Friday found that few people from the countries listed in Trump's travel ban - Syria, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen - have carried out attacks or been involved in terrorism-related activities in the U.S. since Syria's civil war started in 2011.

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 U.S. citizens born in the United States.

Brennan told CBS: 'The vetting process that needs to go on has to take into account multiple factors, not just countries of origin or where they may be departing from.' He also said a ban specific to nationalities sends a 'very bad message' to the rest of the world

The others were from 26 countries, led by Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iraq and Uzbekistan.

Of the other five nations affected by Trump's travel ban, 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.

Brennan also said a ban specific to nationalities sends a 'very bad message' to the rest of the world.

Brennan spoke to CBS in his first media interview since his term as CIA director ended following the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Brennan served as CIA director during Obama's second term and was Homeland Security Advisor during Obama's first term.

The CIA director under Donald Trump is Mike Pompeo.
When it was in its heyday, BBC2s Newsnight was essential viewing for anyone interested in current affairs.

Presenter Jeremy Paxman was a forensic and often ferocious interrogator. Yet following his decision to step down after 25 years at the helm, the programme has become peripheral to public debate.

Now, I can reveal that Newsnights very existence is being questioned at the highest level within the BBC and an internal review of the programme is under way.

Newsnights very existence is being questioned at the highest level within the BBC and an internal review of the programme is under way. current presenter Evan Davis is not a patch on Paxo

The Corporations director of News, James Harding, has asked for ideas for an alternative.

This is hardly a surprise  the bells have been tolling for the now-dreary programme for some time. These days, many Cabinet ministers refuse invitations to appear, leading to tension between the production team and Downing Street.

As a result, viewers have, instead, been regaled by bizarre stunts such as an environmental campaigner butchering a squirrel and recommending the animal be marinated in lemon and fried  as part of an item on the raw, feral thrill of such food compared with farmed meat.

When it was in its heyday, BBC2s Newsnight was essential viewing for anyone interested in current affairs. Presenter Jeremy Paxman was a forensic and often ferocious interrogator

Sadly, current presenter Evan Davis is not a patch on Paxo. Hes a likeable and gifted broadcaster but seems only too willing to pander to the editors obsession with frivolity.

Newsnights viewing figures average 550,000, but sometimes fall as low as 400,000.

One option being canvassed by Harding is to move the programmes start from 10.30pm to 11pm, rename it, make it more analytical and introduce a different presenter. Watch this space.

Michael Heseltines latest ego-trip  to use his position as a peer to try to delay Brexit  has angered many, considering his shockingly poor record in the Lords.

Hes taken part in fewer than 3 per cent of the votes in the Upper House and hasnt spoken there for almost 18 months.

Former Commonwealth Secretariat big-wig Baroness Falkner of Margravine says she wont back her fellow Lib Dems in the Lords to try to scupper Brexit

A Liberal dose of Brexit sense

Former Commonwealth Secretariat big-wig Baroness Falkner of Margravine says she wont back her fellow Lib Dems in the Lords to try to scupper Brexit.

She says: I am married to a German, I have lived and worked in France, and I have a house in Italy.

'So I have a big dog in this fight, not a little whippet . . . It is not because I am any less a remainer today than I was on 23 June . . . I believe that a second referendum entails risks for which the price is too high.

'In my view, people had a very clear idea of the destination: the destination was a break from the EU.

The 55 billion HS2 project (which was given the Royal Assent last week) is already providing a rich gravy train for civil servants  with around 200 involved in the rail link earning more than 75,000 a year.

Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan has the nerve to tease his boss, Boris Johnson, saying: The Foreign Secretary is living proof that the woolly mammoth can return from extinction.

Despite a double-barrelled name that sounds most unegalitarian, the Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey is being widely touted as the partys secret weapon in challenging the Tory government.

However, the Salford dockers daughter faces choppy waters. For a poll by YouGov shows that only 5 per cent of the public have heard of her.

The profits of doom-mongers

Having admitted he regrets running for the Tory leadership, Michael Gove has embarked on the after-dinner speaking circuit.

But what does it say about the mindset of those City types who pay ex-ministers fees that they are happy to give ex-Chancellor George Osborne, the Project Fear cheerleader, as much as 80,000 a time, whereas Brexit apostle Gove was recently paid (by wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin) a mere 15,000?
Secondary schools should stop dividing children into sets or streams because it harms children from poorer homes, a Government-backed report said yesterday.

It said that being put into lower sets means that children from disadvantaged backgrounds get worse teaching and no encouragement from their schools.

The report also warned that white British children from the low income homes are performing worse at school than any other group  because ethnic minority children from poor backgrounds get much better help and support from their parents.

Secondary schools should stop dividing children into sets or streams because it harms children from poorer homes, a Government-backed report said yesterday. File pic

Pressure for an end to setting, which means children are divided by ability in particular subjects, and streaming, which divides children into different ability bands across all subjects, came from the Governments Social Mobility Commission.

It runs counter to Theresa Mays campaign to re-introduce selection by ability into the school system on a grand scale by allowing the opening of new grammar schools.

Supporters of selective schools said that suppressing sets and streaming in schools would be a retrograde step and a disaster for poor children.

They warned the pupils who would suffer most would be the most able children from the worst-off homes.

The Commission, led by former Labour Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn, said poor children fall behind pupils from better-off homes during their secondary school years, and that the attainment gap which opens up is mainly between children at the same schools.

It blamed streaming and said heads should exercise great caution in using setting and streaming practices that can negatively impact on pupils from low income backgrounds.

Pressure for an end to setting runs counter to Theresa Mays campaign to re-introduce selection by ability

The author of the report, Bart Shaw, said: Whilst we should be concerned about the high attaining pupils from low income families who get overtaken at secondary schools, it is at least as important to focus on low and middle attaining pupils from poorer backgrounds.

There are no statistics on how many schools use setting and streaming to separate the best and worst-performing pupils.

The fashion for child-centred teaching methods and the drive for equality which gripped the education system in the 1980s and 90s, following the abolition of selection by school in many areas in the 70s, led to the end of streaming in a large number of schools.

However the practice is thought to have been adopted more widely in recent years.

The Commission report was based on research into the National Pupil Database, and said that 88 per cent of the differences in achievement between well-off children in others are found between pupils in the same secondary schools.

It said: This is partly due to the treatment of children on free school meals, who are more likely to be placed in lower sets, have access to less qualified teachers, and have lower expectations set for them by the school.

The report continued: Highly prevalent practices in English secondary schools can contribute to this by entrenching, and even widening progress gaps between low income pupils and the rest.

Setting and streaming practices hold pupils with low prior attainment back and these pupils are particularly likely to come from low-income households. Linked to setting, there is evidence that across the country, teachers hold lower expectations of low income pupils.

Supporters of selective schools said that suppressing sets and streaming in schools would be a retrograde step and a disaster for poor children. File pic

Poor children doing badly were also held down by the concentration of schools on children expected to get good GCSE results, it added.

Mr Milburn said the gap between rich and poor was shocking and added: If social mobility is to improve, schools need to do more to bridge the education attainment divide between poorer children and their better-off classmates.

'Closing the gap needs to be top of mind for every teacher in every school.

The report also called for cuts to the numbers of pupils from low income homes who are excluded from schools.

It confirmed growing evidence that it is white British children from poor homes who are likely to do worst.

NEW CUTS FOR SCHOOLS Schools are facing the first real-terms cuts to their funding since the mid-1990s, a leading think-tank has said. Spending per pupil is set to fall by 6.5 per cent by 2019/20, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, although it added that school funding has been well protected over the past two decades. Report author Luke Sibieta said: Over the next few years, both further education and schools are due to experience cuts. Advertisement

Poor ethnic minority pupils make better progress at secondary schools than poor white children, it said, adding that this is partly because some evidence suggests that low income ethnic minority parents seem to provide support that is more effective for their children at home.

The largest gaps in progress are between poor white children and their more affluent peers. Most low income ethnic minority groups make progress that is in line with the national average for all pupils.

The report said that parents from some ethnic minorities have higher levels of engagement with school or schoolwork. This may help explain the relatively faster progress made by pupils in those groups.

The better performance of pupils from low income homes in city schools, particularly in London, may be because they have more low income pupils from ethnic minorities, particularly those of recent migrants, whose parents are often more engaged with education.

Critics said that abolishing streaming would damage the chances of poorer children.

Chris McGovern of the Campaign for Real Education said: A shift to mixed-ability teaching would be a disastrous failure.

'A reason that our schools do not do well in international comparisons is that we do not teach all children according to their ability. Children fail because they are badly taught in mixed-ability classes, and it is the most able children who suffer the most.

In the 1990s teaching in mixed-ability classes was a state religion, but schools have begun to move away from that. This is producing a political reaction.

'It would be a disgrace, a retrograde step, and a greater disaster, if we were to move to mixed-ability teaching again.
Consumers should use a sniff test rather than rely on use-by dates for milk, under proposals revealed last night.

Waste-reduction charity, Wrap, said the simple move would save more than 100 million pints of milk that are needlessly thrown out by every year.

It is in talks with the dairy industry, Food Standards Agency and government officials over whether to scrap the use-by dates altogether.

Consumers should use a sniff test rather than rely on use-by dates for milk, under proposals revealed last night (file photo)

The charity believes date stamps, designed to stop people from consuming foods which can become harmful such as meat, are being used on products which do not need them.

Best-before dates should be used on dairy products instead, the charity suggests.

Research found a fifth of the estimated 500 million pints of milk that are wasted each year is as a result of retailers and consumers throwing it away after the use-by date.

Wrap looked at the habits of Waitrose, M&S, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys, ASDA, Aldi, Lidl and The Co-op.

Andrew Parry, the charitys special advisor on food and drink, said he hoped new guidance would be issued by the end of the year.

Waste charity Wrap is in talks with the dairy industry, Food Standards Agency and government officials over whether to scrap the use-by dates (file photo)

We are exploring with the dairy sector whether milk could move to a best-before date, he told The Times, adding: That could really help reduce milk wastage.

Andrew Opie, of the British Retail Consortium, said: Retailers recognise they have an important role in helping customers avoid waste, while ensuring the highest standards of food safety.
These are the shocking images of a small puppy who Iraqi rebels claim had been fitted with a tiny explosive vest to be used in an ISIS terrorist attack.

Jihadis wanted the dog to cross the front lines towards rival forces where the device would have been detonated by remote control, according to rebels who posted video of the animal online.

The two-minute clip shows three Iraqi rebels involved in the fight against ISIS discussing the device.

Shocking footage has emerged of a puppy who Iraqi rebels claim had been fitted with an explosive suicide vest

Iraqi rebel forces claim they rescued the animal before the bomb could be detonated

One of the rebels explains during the video how the bomb would have worked if detonated

ISIS has been deploying a range of increasingly desperate weapons as they battle to hold on to their strongholds in Mosul, Iraq and Raqqa in Syria.

The terror organisation has equipped remote control drones with improvised hand grenade holders allowing the jihadis to drop bombs on rival forces.

The Iraqi government has launched a major offensive against ISIS in Mosul, looking to drive the terror group out of the country.

The device strapped to the animalwas defused by a government-backed militia, it is claimed.

The bomb was made from several bottles connected by some electrical wires. The device was designed to kill or seriously injure up to four people, the rebels said.

The rebels claimed ISIS sent the dog, pictured, through the front lines to try and kill them
Nghi Le, 33,has handed himself into police after a five-hour standoff

A gunman who was on the run after a five-hour standoff which saw shots fired at police has handed himself in.

Nghi Le, 33, was believed to be armed with a firearm when shots were exchanged with dozens of heavily armed officers storming a Levenia St home in St Albans at about 5.30am.

Eight more suspects were arrested as police execute related raids in Maribyrnong, Sunshine, Cairnlea and two properties in Melbournes CBD.

Dramatic footage has surfaced of the moment heavily armed officers stormed the St Albans property with a warrant targeting an international drug syndicate.

Heavily armed stormed a Melbourne home where shots were fired during a five-hour standoff

A 39-year-old Maribyrnong man, a 27-year-old Maribyrnong woman, a 26-year-old Melbourne man, a 28-year-old Italian national, a 44-year-old Cairnlea man, a 56-year-old Cairnlea man, and a 33-year-old St Albans man were also arrested.

A clandestine laboratory and precursor chemicals believed to be for drug manufacture were located inside the St Albans house.

No one was reportedly found during the search and the investigation continues, police said.

Footage shows officers storming the backdoor of the property after heavily armoured police vehicle using a battering ram to tear off the gates.

A nearby primary school was locked down and residents were blocked from their homes as police cordoned off the street.

No one was injured in the gunfire, but paramedics were sent s a precaution.

No one was reportedly found during the search after officers stormed the backdoor of the property

Heavily armoured police vehicle using a battering ram to tear off the gates

Damage to the front gates of a house in Leveniua Street, St Albans

Police previously shut down the surrounding streets as about 40 officers arrived at the property, including the Special Operations Group.

Just before 8am, residents from a neighbouring property were evacuated by police, 7 News reported.

More on this to come.

Eight more suspects have been arrested as police execute related warrant across Melbourne

The Special Operations Group cordoned off the street
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President Donald Trump boasted that his administration had accomplished 'almost everything we've started out to accomplish' in a month as he proposed a toast at the Governors' Dinner during Melania Trump's first big hosting gig.

He toasted the nation's governors at the White House, joking with them that they have 'such an easy job.'

During his opening speech, he did not mention the Academy Awards, which was taking place at the same time. He also failed to mention the White House Correspondents' Dinner which he will not be attending this year.

Instead he declared while complimenting Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly: 'I can say that after four weeks, its been a lot of fun accomplished but weve accomplished almost everything weve started out to accomplish  the borders are stricter, tighter.'

Scroll down for video

President Donald Trump makes a toast during a dinner at the annual Governors' Ball, the First Lady's first big hosting event

First Lady Melania Trump hosts the annual Governors' Dinner with her husband President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House

Ivanka Trump stands as President Donald Trump makes a toast during the Governors' Dinner in a strapless black dress

The theme of the dinner is 'Spring's Renewal,' the White House announced, adding that the executive mansion has 'come to life, gleaming with the dazzling, sensorial experience of eternal spring.'

First Daughter Ivanka Trump was spotted at the event in a chic black dress with polka-dot detailing. The First Lady appeared to be sporting a black, sleeveless number.

On Sunday, Trump's choice to be secretary of the Navy withdrew his nomination. Philip Bilden cited concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Trump said: 'As you know, we have a fantastic team. We have an A team and I'm getting some good reports. As you know there are some big problems in the world, you know that very well. But we are very happy with the way things are working.'

President Trump's approval rating meanwhile sits at 44 per cent, the lowest ever rating for a new president.

First Lady Melania Trump smiles as her husband toasts the governors at the White House Governors' Ball

President Donald Trump takes his seat after giving a toast during the annual Governors' Dinner

The president also said: 'We've made a lot of promises in the last two years and many of those promises already are kept.'

Trump welcomed 46 governors and their spouses for the annual black-tie ball at the White House. It's the first major social event under the Trump administration.

The president will be meeting with the governors on Monday at the White House. He says 'perhaps health care will come up,' a nod to the effort in Congress to repeal and replace the sweeping health care law approved under former President Barack Obama. He emphasized his administration planned on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat and the chairman of the National Governors Association, led the governors in a toast of Trump. Trump referred to the governor as 'a friend of mine' and joked that by saying that he just destroyed his political career.

Ivanka Trump watches as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Governors' Dinner in the State Dining Room

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attends the annual Governors' Dinner Sunday night

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (back to camera), Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and other sit together during the annual Governors Dinner in the East Room of the White House

President Trump said 'perhaps health care will come up,' a nod to the effort in Congress to repeal and replace the sweeping health care law approved under former President Barack Obama

President Donald Trump shakes hands with National Governors Association Chair Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Ivanka Trump posted a photo of her Jared Kushner captioned: 'From the monster truck show to the Governor's Ball...'; she later tweeted 'Just arrived home after an amazing night at The White House with @realdonaldtrump, @Flotus and 46 governors from across the nation'

On the theme, Melania Trump said that 'the scents of jasmine and roses fill the air as we give thanks for this great nation and the glory of renewal.'

'I am proud to invite all the governors to the White House for this important annual event,' the first lady said in a statement. 'Tonight, we come together as one Nation, leaving political labels and partisan interests behind.'

At the dinner Sunday evening, President Trump congratulated his wife on hosting the event.

He said: 'I want to just congratulate the First Lady on having done a really beautiful job. The room, they say, has never looked better. But who knows? I'm sure it has looked good many times. Melania, congratulations.'

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer pointed out the scheduling conflict when asked by a reporter earlier in the week if the president planned to watch the Oscars  and respond to any criticism of his administration coming from the starlets on stage.

Spicer noted how the president and first lady will be hosting the Governors' Ball that night, which is part of the National Governors Association's winter meeting in Washington.

'Mrs. Trump looks forward to putting on a phenomenal event,' Spicer said. 'And the first lady's put a lot of time into this event that's going to occur, welcoming our nation's governors to the capital and I have a feeling that that's where the president and the first lady are going to be focused on, on Sunday night.'

First lady Melania Trump chose the theme Spring's Renewal for tonight's Governors' Ball, her first foray into large-scale entertaining at the White House

The president sent out a tweet Sunday to preview the dinner, which is an annual tradition as part of the National Governors Association winter meeting

'And so we'll go from there,' Spicer added.

Debra Saunders, White House correspondent for the Las Vegas Journal-Review, had posed the question, bringing up what she called the 'Meryl Streep moment,' asking Spicer why he thought Hollywood celebrities were speaking out against Trump.

'I have no idea, it's a free country,' he said, adding, 'I think Hollywood is known for being rather far to the left in its opinion.'

Without ever using Trump's name, Streep went after the new president at the Golden Globes ceremony last month, particularly knocking him for making fun of a disabled reporter, which Trump has said he didn't actually do.

'There was one performance this year that stunned me,' the award-winning actress said.

Trump took to Twitter the next day to offer a rebuttal.

'Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn't know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes,' the president said in a series of tweets. 'She is a Hillary flunky who lost big.'

Trump added that he didn't mock a disabled reporter 'but simply showed him "groveling" when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to make me look bad. Just more very dishonest media!'

Critics suggested that Trump's response was beneath the office of president of the United States.

This time around, Trump will have a glitzy distraction to keep him occupied.

The ball, which is an annual tradition, will bring governors of both political persuasions to the White House and will give the public their first peek of Melania Trump in the role of White House host.

'It is really considered kind of the first formal state dinner-type event at the White House, particularly with a new administration,' said Anita McBride, who most recently worked in the White House as Laura Bush's chief of staff.

The former aide, who now is an Executive-in-Residence at American University, also said the dinner has taken place during the Oscars in past years as well.

'This tends to be, in recent years, this dinner is always at the same time as the Oscars,' McBride told DailyMail.com. 'It's always this last Sunday, or this last week in February, where the National Governors Association meeting takes place.'

The event, McBride said, is every bit as large as a state dinner, as there are 50 governors and their plus-ones, making it a crowd of at least 100 people.

The State Dining Room, she noted, holds 134, so the Trumps will likely invite a handful of other guests as well.

The ball is part of four days worth of programming for the governors, which also included an appearance by actress Jennifer Garner on a panel discussion Saturday about early childhood education.

The first lady has still been living in New York and thus has been slow to staff up.

She has, however, hired a chief of staff, Lindsay Reynolds, and a White House social secretary, local party planner Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd, known around town as 'Rickie.'

Lloyd, McBride said, is 'extremely experienced' and called it a 'great appointment' and pointed to the fact that Reynolds is a White House veteran as well.

And while Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton came from their respective governors' mansions to the White House  unlike Trump's entrance from the business world  McBride pointed to Vice President Mike Pence, Indiana's former governor, and his wife Karen, who likely attended the Governors' Ball in the past and can guide the Trumps through their first big event.

The first lady, McBride said, has so far seemed 'comfortable' being the 'hostess of the nation,' as she's entertained Akie Abe, the Japanese prime minister's wife, and Sara Netanyahu, the spouse of Israel's prime minister, in Mar-a-Lago and D.C. respectively.

'I'm sure she's very conscious of the traditions of an event like this,' McBride said of Sunday's dinner. 'And what has been done before, what some of the expectations are. And how she can put her own stamp on it.'
Theresa May fears the Scottish government will call another independence referendum as she triggers the formal Brexit process.

Downing Street is preparing for Nicola Sturgeon to use the start of the country's exit from the European Union to call a new vote on breaking up the UK.

The move would be a huge gamble by the First Minister - with poll still showing a small majority of Scots against splitting.

Previously the SNP had indicated they would only go for another referendum if there was a consistent 10-point lead for independence.

Theresa May, pictured in Copeland last week, fears the Scottish government will call another independence referendum as she triggers the formal Brexit process

It would leave Mrs May facing a tough decision over whether to try to block a new vote and risk a constitutional crisis - or accept it and potentially imperil the future of the union.

The pound dipped sharply against the US dollar and the euro on the growing speculation about a referendum this morning.

The PM has promised to invoke Article 50 by the end of March, and is expected to launch the process in the middle of the month despite wrangling over the Brexit Bill.

In a sign of nerves in No10, the premier has urged voters in Scotland to use May's council elections to make clear to Ms Sturgeon that they do not want another independence referendum.

The SNP insisted during the last campaign in 2014 that the outcome would settle the issue for a generation.

But the historic vote to leave the EU last June put independence back on the table, as voters north of the border voted overwhelmingly to remain in the Brussels club.

Ms Sturgeon has warned that Mrs May's plans for a hard Brexit, taking the UK out of the single market, 'undoubtedly' made that a more likely prospect.

But writing in Holyrood magazine, the Prime Minister said her party would be 'looking forward to the local elections in May, when voters across Scotland will have the chance to send a clear message to the SNP that they do not want a second independence referendum, by voting Scottish Conservative and Unionist'.

Nicola Sturgeon has been threatening to stage another independence referendum

No 10 today refused to speculate on what scale of Tory vote would send such a signal but did not deny work to prepare for a second referendum was underway in Whitehall.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour has launched a dedicated website TogetherStronger.scot, where people can register their objection to a possible second independence referendum.

Leader Kezia Dugdale called on people to do so if they 'believe that our country is already divided enough' and that the First Minister should 'shelve her plans for a second referendum'.

An SNP spokesman said: 'There is already a cast-iron democratic mandate for an independence referendum - that was delivered in last year's Holyrood election, however much the Tories might try to deny it.

'That mandate also stems from the EU referendum, which saw Scotland vote by a 24-point margin to stay in Europe - and Theresa May's reckless pursuit of an economically ruinous hard Brexit will only strengthen opinion in Scotland against leaving Europe.

'The Prime Minister couldn't be more wrong to suggest there is considerable common ground between her Government and the Scottish government on Brexit - her party is hell-bent on taking us out of the world's biggest single market, with all the economic damage that would cause, while we are intent on protecting Scotland's vital national interests.'
Thousands of patients may have suffered delays to treatment after it was revealed that the NHS failed to deliver more than half a million sensitive documents to GPs.

Test results from biopsies and patient treatment plans were among the thousands of official records that went missing between 2011 and 2016.

The hospital documents did not reach the intended recipients because patients had either moved away or were not known showing up on practice records.

Thousands of confidential letters outlining patient treatments have gone missing, file photo

Rather than redirect the documents, the company in charge of their delivery mistakenly stored them in a warehouse, it was revealed last night.

An inquiry by NHS England has discovered 2,500 cases that need further investigation.

The bill will run into millions of pounds, the Guardian reported. The clinical review of patients who have died since the mistake came to light in March 2016 will examine whether the delays played any part in their deaths.

The incident relates to documentation sent by hospitals and other GPs in the East Midlands, the South West and North East London. NHS Shared Business Services, a private firm which is co-owned by the Department of Health and the French company Sopra Steria, had been working as a post service within the NHS until March last year.

It was discovered that 708,000 pieces of correspondence, including details of hospital visits, cancer treatments and 200,000 change of address forms, had not been delivered.

Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt has been accused of trying to play down the matter

Sensitive information  including cases of child protection and A&E diagnoses  was also affected. Following the discovery, the lost material has been returned to 7,700 GP surgeries.

A team, led by Jill Matthews, head of public health and primary care for NHS England, has been investigating the data breach. GPs have so far been paid 2.2million to examine the correspondence, comparing it with patients medical records.

Richard Vautrey, chairman of the British Medical Associations GP committee, said it should never have happened.

Jill Matthews, head of public health and primary care for NHS England is leading an investigation into the missing documents

Undoubtedly, there will be cases where patients have been seen by their home GP without (them having) the information from previous consultations or tests being their file  so they may not know whether antibiotics have been prescribed to a patient or whether tests and investigations have been done. Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ainsworth accused the Government of being complacent and evasive, claiming Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had played down the matter.

This was denied by the Department of Health, which insisted it had been completely transparent while work has been ongoing to resolve this issue, with patient safety as ever our first priority.

An NHS England spokesman said: Some correspondence forwarded to NHS Shared Business Services between 2011 and 2016 was not redirected or forwarded by them to GP surgeries or linked to the medical record when the sender sent correspondence to the wrong GP or the patient changed practice.

A team including clinical experts has reviewed that old correspondence and it has now all been delivered wherever possible to the correct practice.
The infamous 'Cash Me Ousside' viral sensation is at it again.

Danielle Bregoli and friends caused chaos outside a Lake Worth, Florida bar.

She was in tow with at least two girlfriends when customers at the bar started started saying her iconic 'Cash Me Ousside' phrase.

The infamous 'Cash Me Ousside' viral sensation (pictured) is seen in video footage outside a bar

Customers at the bar started saying her iconic 'Cash Me Ousside' phrase. She is seen here in the footage

Fights broke out before Danielle Bregoli and friends left the scene. She was not arrested in the chaos

At first, Danielle and her friend enjoyed the attention and even offered selfies with the foul-mouthed teenager for $10, TMZ reported.

But she then tired of the back-and-forth and one of her friends attacked a bar patron.

Then many fights appeared to break out before Danielle and her friends left.

She was not arrested in the chaos.

Police were called to the 13-year-old's home in Boynton Beach 51 times last year for a range of offenses including stolen cars, verbal threats and domestic tiffs.

The most recent incident was just last week and only a few days before Danielle reappeared in Dr Phil McGraw's studio to tell him: 'You were nothin' before I came on this show.'

The teen rose to fame after an fiery performance on Dr Phil where she propositioned the audience to a fight by telling them to 'cash me ousside.'

Police were called to the 13-year-old's home in Boynton Beach 51 times last year

Officers have also come to the house she shares with her feisty mother Barbara Ann for lewd and lascivious behavior, general disturbances, fraud and obscene calls.

Danielle was also caught up in a tussle on board a Spirit Airlines plane before it took off from LAX this month.

They were thrown off the flight after Danielle punched a fellow passenger she said was 'in her mom's face.'
The mother of murdered Tara Brown has told of how her 'whole world came down' after her daughter was beaten to death by her former bikie boyfriend.

Lionel Patea has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ms Brown who he bashed to death with a fire hydrant lid after running her car off the road in 2015.

The 25-year-old man unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on the first day of his trial earlier on Monday.

Patea will have to spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.

Natalie Hinton, Ms Brown's mother, blasted Patea as a 'monster' and a 'misogynistic narcissist' as she spoke to Brisbane Supreme Court about the impact of the murder.

Natalie Hinton, the mother of murdered Tara Brown, described killer Lionel Patea as a 'monster' and a 'misogynistic narcissist' in court on Monday

Ms Hinton told how her 'whole world came down' after her daughter's death, describing her as a wonderful person with a 'love of life'

Lionel John Patea (left), 25, pleaded guilty to killing Ms Brown, 24 (right), after running her car off the road and beating her with a fire hydrant lid in September 2015

She said: 'My whole world came down around me. My life is not the same, it has been changed forever because of one person's selfish act.

'The pain in my heart from the enormous hole Tara's death has left is indescribable.'

She added that the couple's daughter, Aria, asks for her mother every day, and still doesn't know about the full extent of Patea's brutality.

Ms Brown suffered six facial and head fractures during the beating which came shortly after she tried to break up with Patea

According to ABC, she added: 'Aria and Tara were inseparable - a bond like no other, and at the tender age of three her innocent life was destroyed.

'What father would do this to his own child? I have and continue to cuddle and comfort her through her tears of missing mummy.'

Ms Brown had tried to break up with Patea shortly before the attack, and had been hiding at safe houses and a friend's house after taking a domestic violence order out on him just days earlier.

Despite the safety precautions, Ms Hilton said when she received a call from the hospital there was no doubt in her mind that Patea had found her daughter.

Visiting Ms Brown in hospital, she said her daughter was 'broken' and 'a shadow of her beauty.'

Ms Brown suffered six facial and head fractures after being repeatedly hit by a metal fire hydrant cover weighing almost 8kg.

Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends packed the court room on Monday morning, with many standing as they watched Patea change his plea.

Ms Hinton hugged supporters outside court on Monday after listening to Patea, who had been expected to stand trial, change his plea to guilty

Family members turned out to support Ms Brown's family at Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, wearing white ribbons to symbolise the fight against domestic violence

Ms Brown had been dating Patea since 2011, and the pair had daughter Aria together in 2012. Ms Brown tried to split from him shortly before she was killed

Many had a white ribbon pinned to their clothes, the official symbol for Australia's campaign to prevent men's violence against women.

Patea, handcuffed and dressed in a blue suit in the dock, remained emotionless.

'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting,' Ms Hinton said through heavy sobs.

'She was a lover of life from a very young age.'

Ms Hinton said Patea constantly sought validation from Ms Brown and used domestic violence tactics like gaslighting to destroy her self-confidence.

'The monster was now in control, she feared him,' Ms Hinton said.

'He took full advantage of her vulnerability.'

'I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions,' she said.

The 24-year-old New Zealand woman was killed after Patea ran her car off a Gold Coast suburban street in September 2015.

The court heard a triple zero call made by Ms Brown captured more than a dozen 'thumping' sounds as well as her crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her

Hundreds of mourners - including her three-year-old daughter - turned out for Ms Brown's funeral, remembering her as a 'beautiful' woman who loved rugby and touch football

Ms Brown had just dropped off her three-year-old daughter Aria at day care when Patea chased down her hatchback with a four-wheel-drive.

Witnesses saw the pair reaching speeds of more than 100km/h and Patea bashing on Ms Brown's driver's side window with both fists when she had to stop at red lights.

Patea ultimately rammed the back of Ms Brown's car, forcing her down an embankment and trapping her inside the overturned vehicle.

He used the metal slab weighing 7.8 kilogram taken from the side of the road to repeatedly bash her head, causing 'non-survivable' brain injuries.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her.

It wasn't until they heard her crying out that they realised what he was doing and tried to stop him, but he fought them off.

Patea will be sentenced on Monday afternoon.

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
Adam Purinton, 51, (above) confessed to an Applebee's bartender on Wednesday night that he had shot three 'Middle Eastern' men

Hours after allegedly shooting three people in Kansas, killing one, the gunman walked into an Applebee's restaurant in nearby Missouri and confessed to the crimes to a bartender, police said.

On Wednesday night, Adam Purinton was at the bar of an Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, when he reportedly told a bartender that he had just shot 'Middle Eastern' men, even though two of his alleged victims are of Indian decent, and needed a place to hide.

'He said that he shot and killed two ... people in Olathe. And I looked it up on the news, there are these shootings like three hours ago,' the bartender told CNN.

The employee called 911 around 11.30pm, and Purinton was arrested about 70 miles away from the scene of the crime.

She told officers not to drive up to the restaurant with sirens blaring.

'There's people in the building... If the cops come in here, they need to do it quietly and not have sirens on because I'm afraid he's gonna freak out', she told police.

Purinton confessed to an Applebee's bartender in Clinton, Missouri, on Wednesday night that he had shot three 'Middle Eastern' men in neighboring Kansas

Purinton allegedly shot and wounded Alok Madasani, 32, (above) at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday night

Madasani (pictured) was hospitalized and released on Thursday morning

Hours earlier, Purinton, a 51-year-old Navy veteran, yelled 'get out of my country' and screamed racial slurs, according to a witness who spoke to the Kansas City Star.

Purinton was thrown out of Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, before he returned and opened fire, police said.

Police said Purinton shot Alok Madasani and Srinivas Kuchibhotla, both 32, and Ian Grillot, 24.

Grillot told CNN that he had defended Madasani and Kuchibhotla and asked Purinton to leave the bar.

'I opened the door and was like, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave, sir. There's no reason to act like that around this bar. This is a family restaurant,"' Grillot told KMBC-TV.

Police said Purinton fatally shot Srinivas Kuchibhotla (right)

Here Madasani and his wife, Reepthi Gangula, attend a candlelight vigil for Kuchibhotla at Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas

A boy holds up a candle during a vigil for Kuchibhotla at a conference center in Olathe, Kansas

Ian Grillot hid under a table before he chased Purinton in hopes of subduing him

Laura Grillot (left) consoles her sister Maggie, after their brother Ian Grillot was injured trying to stop Purinton

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. Madasani was released from hospital on Thursday morning.

Madasani and Kuchibhotla, originally from India, worked at GPS device-maker Garmin.

Madasani told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in on Sunday that 'what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend'.

'The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done.

'He would have been here for me.'

At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

'He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was - is,' Madasani said.

People march before a vigil for Kuchibhotla in Olathe, Kansas

Srinivasacharyulu, from the Hindu Temple of Kansas City, prays during a vigil for Kuchibhotla

Hira Nair leads a chant during a march before a vigil for Kuchibhotla in Olathe, Kansas

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 to determine whether the shootings are hate crimes.

Purinton was charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

He's scheduled to appear in court on Monday and is being held on a $2million bond.
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi may have boycotted the Oscars over Donald Trump's travel ban, but it didn't stop him making a statement when he won Best Foreign Language Film.

The director of 'The Salesman' had a surrogate, Iranian-American engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari, read a statement about empathy in his acceptance speech.

In the statement by Farhadi, Ansari said: 'My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those from the other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US.'

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Asghar Farhadi (left) had Anousheh Ansari (right) accept his award for best foreign film

'Dividing the world into the "us" and "our enemies" categories creates fear  a deceitful justification for aggression and war.'

'These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves have been victims of aggression. Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions.'

'They create empathy between us and others. An empathy which we need today more than ever.'

Ansari was the first Iranian go to space. Farhadi was the first Iranian to win an Oscar, for his 2011 film, 'A Separation'.

Farhadi said in a statement that while he had initially planned to attend the ceremony, he had been forced to change his mind.

Ansari said in Farhadi's statement: 'Dividing the world into the "us" and "our enemies" categories creates fear  a deceitful justification for aggression and war'

Farhadi was the first Iranian to win an Oscar, for his 2011 film, 'A Separation'

Farhadi said in a statement that while he had initially planned to attend the ceremony, he had been forced to change his mind

After the ban was announced, Farhadi, 45, said in a statement to the New York Times: 'I neither had the intention to not attend nor did I want to boycott the event as a show of objection, for I know that many in the American film industry and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are opposed to the fanaticism and extremism which are today taking place more than ever.'

He added: 'However, it now seems that the possibility of this presence is being accompanied by ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip.'

He said hardliners in United States and Iran acted with the same mentality.
She was the inspiration for the Oscar-nominated Hidden Figures, a film looking at the characters behind-the-scenes that contributed to NASA's historic breakthroughs in space.

But Katherine Johnson was finally given the spotlight she deserved yesterday, accompanying the screen-stars of the movie at the most prestigious film event on Earth.

The 98-year-old former NASA mathematician who worked on the project that put the first ever American in space joined the cast on the stage in her wheelchair as they presented the award for best documentary.

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The 98-year-old former NASA mathematician who was one of the women who inspired the movie Hidden Figures joined the cast on stage at the Oscars on Sunday

Taraji P Henson (second from right), next to the woman she plays (seated), Octavia Spencer (right) and Janelle Monae (left), presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature

Katherine Johnson appears on stage during the ceremony, at which the movie Hidden Figures was in the running for Best Picture, the most coveted award of the night

She was met with rapturous applause when she was introduced by Taraji P Henson, the actress who plays her in the movie, which received a nomination for Best Picture.

The movie tells the story of three black female maths wizards who helped launch American astronaut John Glenn into space.

Katherine Johnson at work for NASA in 1966

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were known as the 'computers in skirts' who worked on the Redstone, Mercury and Apollo space missions using the limited technology of the time.

African-American women played a crucial role in providing the mathematical data needed to safely complete space missions, including Mr Glenn's pioneering spaceflight in 1962.

Working as a NASA 'computer' paid more than the majority of jobs available to women, and provided an entry into aeronautical research at a time when few jobs besides teaching were offered to those with degrees in the sciences.

Their work has barely earned them a mention in the annals of history, but that may change as a result of Margot Lee Shetterly's novel Hidden Figures: the American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians who helped win the Space Race and the film it inspired.

Based on the lives of these NASA pioneers, Hidden Figures celebrates the lives and groundbreaking work of these three women.

Johnson was born in 1918 in in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and 'loved to count' from an early age.

'I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed ... anything that could be counted, I did,' she told NASA in a recent interview.

She began her career in 1953 at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the agency that preceded NASA, just as it was beginning its work on space.

Johnson at her desk with an adding machine and a 'Celestial Training device' at NASA Langley Research Center in 1962

Later on in her three-decade career, Johnson, by now a scientist working with engineers, she poses for a photo in front of a then state-of-the-art machine in 1980

Johnson pictured again in 1980, posing in front of her computer at Langley, Virginia

Johnson, pictured at the Oscars on Sunday, began her career in 1953 at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the agency that preceded NASA

Johnson became known for her training in geometry, her leadership, and her inquisitive nature, and was the only woman at the time promoted from the computing pool to work with engineers on other programs.

She spent three decades working at Langley from 1953 until her retirement in 1986, making critical technical contributions which included calculating the trajectory of the 1961 flight of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.

'The early trajectory was a parabola, and it was easy to predict where it would be at any point,' Johnson said.

'Early on, when they said they wanted the capsule to come down at a certain place, they were trying to compute when it should start. I said, "Let me do it. You tell me when you want it and where you want it to land, and I'll do it backwards and tell you when to take off". That was my forte.'

Hidden Figures (pictured) tells the story of three black female maths wizards who helped launch American astronaut John Glenn into space.

Johnson is also known for verifying the calculations made by electronic computers of John Glenn's 1962 launch to orbit and the 1969 Apollo 11 trajectory to the moon.

She also worked on the space shuttle program and the Earth Resources Satellite and encouraged students to pursue careers in science and technology.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama on November 24, 2015.

Pharrell Williams, an executive producer on the movie who also wrote several songs for it, added his voice to the call to have women's contributions in the sciences more widely acknowledged.

Janelle Monae, left, Taraji P Henson, second right and Octavia Spencer, right, introduce Katherine Johnson, seated, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles

Mr Williams told the Directors Guild of America last month: 'Up until recently, a womans contribution to history has often been dismissed, discounted and often at times even erased from public acknowledgement.'

A pivotal scene in the film is when Glenn requests that Johnson personally confirm the complex trajectory calculations before his orbital spaceflight around Earth in 1962.

Johnson, a 2015 National Medal of Freedom recipient, had calculated the trajectory for America's first trip to space a year prior.

Since then, Johnson has resisted taking full credit for the work of the 'computers'.

Speaking in a 2010 interview on America's First Space Flight, she said: 'We always worked as a team. It's never just one person.'
Hollywood heavyweights have garnered praise and controversy for speeches hitting out at President Donald Trump and his political agenda.

And ads during the Oscars - Hollywood's biggest night of the year - seem to follow suit with many directly or indirectly referencing today's divided political and cultural climate.

Notably, the New York Times ran its first television commercial since 2010 - and its first-ever Oscars commercial - called 'The Truth is Hard.'

The New York Times

Ads during the Oscars - Hollywood's biggest night of the year - are directly or indirectly referencing Donald Trump and today's divided political and cultural climate. The New York Times ran its first TV commercial since 2010 titled 'The Truth is Hard'

The newspaper's 30-second spot features a simple white screen as a cacophonous jumble of various commentators preceding statements with 'the truth is' is heard.

The text picks out certain quotations from the noise, including 'The truth is our nation is more divided than ever,' 'the truth is the media is dishonest' and 'the truth is his refugee policy is a backdoor Muslim ban.'

The advertisement ends with the proclamation: 'The truth is hard to find. The truth is hard to know. The truth is more important now than ever.'

The New York Times has been embroiled in a battle with Donald Trump which most recently came to a head when Times reporters were barred from a White House briefing on Friday.

Trump was not amused by news of the ad, though it is not clear whether or not he watched it before criticizing it.

Trump was not amused by news of the ad, though it is not clear whether or not he watched it before criticizing it. The ad does not directly name him

He tweeted: 'For first time the failing New York Times will take an ad (a bad one) to help save its failing reputation. Try reporting accurately & fairly!'

The ad does not directly name Trump.

It has been watched 4.4m times on YouTube since it was uploaded on February 23.

Hyatt

Hotel company Hyatt released a one-minute, dialogue-less spot to Burt Bacharach's tune of 'What the World Needs Now' sung by Andra Day.

It's refrain 'What the world needs now is love, sweet love,' could be a take on the fractious political and cultural climate of the United States.

The ad, called 'For a World of Understanding,' features people of different ethnicity and nationality helping each other with small acts of kindness as they travel through the world.

It ends with the text: 'For a world of understanding. World of Hyatt.'

Hotel company Hyatt released a one-minute, dialogue-less spot to Burt Bacharach's tune of 'What the World Needs Now' sung by Andra Day. The ad features people of different ethnicity and nationality helping each other with small acts of kindness as they travel through the world

Its celebration of multiculturalism - particularly a scene in which a hijab-wearing woman kindly picks up an item a white woman dropped on a train - is in stark contrast to the nativist populism espoused by Trump.

Hyatt's chief marketing officer maryam Bankharim told Variety: 'It was really about understanding and what understanding can afford people.'

She added that the commercial would debut 'in an interesting cultural moment that will force people to look at this in a different light.'

Cadillac

Cadillac ran an ad, called 'Carry,' that did not reference cars but did take a broad approach to today's culture.

It begins with black and white footage of protests with the voice over: 'We are a nation divided. That's what they tell us, right? This chasm between us.'

Uplifting music and a switch to color signals a tonal shift.

Cadillac ran an ad, called 'Carry,' that did not reference cars but did take a broad approach to today's culture. It begins with black and white footage of protests before switching to color and uplifting images as a voice says: 'We carry each other forward no matter who we are'

The voice says: 'But what they don't tell you, what doesn't make the news, is this.'

Images include a black man hugging a white police officer, soldiers carrying a wounded comrade and a man holding a sign that says: 'You belong. Stay strong. Be blessed. We are one America.'

The voice says: 'We carry each other forward no matter who we are or what we believe or where we come from.

'We've had the privilege to carry a century of humanity: lovers, fighters, leaders.

Images include a black man hugging a white police officer, soldiers carrying a wounded comrade and a man, pictured, holding a sign that says: 'You belong. Stay strong. Be blessed. We are one America'

'But maybe what we carry isn't just people. It's an idea that while we're not the same, we can be one.'



'And all it takes is the willingness to dare.'

Audible

Audio book company Audible released a series of 30-second spots featuring narrators recording passages from books.

One in particular resonated with today's climate - Zachary Quinto reading aloud from George Orwell's 1984.

The particular passage Quinto read was: 'If he were allowed contact with foreigners he would discover that they are creatures similar to himself and that most of what he had been told about them is lies.

'The sealed world in which he lives would be broken and the fear hatred and self-righteousness on which his morale depends might evaporate.'

Audio book company Audible released a series of 30-second spots featuring narrators including Zachary Quinto, pictured, recording passages from books. Quinto read from 1984. Following Kellyanne Conway's coinage of the term 'Alternative Facts,' book sales skyrocketed

Following Kellyanne Conway's infamous coinage of the phrase 'Alternative Facts' with regard to disputed crowds at Trump's inauguration, sales of the 1949 dystopian book skyrocketed.

It topped Amazon's bestseller list, USA Today reported.

Other spots included Homeland actress Claire Danes reading Les Miserables and Luke Cage actor Mike Colter reading from To Kill a Mockingbird.

General Electric

General Electric ran an inspiring ad promoting women in science.

The ad treats Millie Dresselhaus, the first woman to win the national medal of science and engineering, as a celebrity.

The commercial shows children wanting Mille dolls, her appearing on talk shows and even an emoji inspired by the scientist.

General Electric ran an inspiring ad promoting women in science. The ad treats Millie Dresselhaus, pictured, as a celebrity

A voiceover asks: 'What if we treated great female scientists like they were stars?' Pictured: A woman getting her photo taken in front of a Millie mural

A voiceover asks: 'What if we treated great female scientists like they were stars?'

The piece ends with Dresselhaus giving a lecture to an enthusiastic crowd that includes younger women who appear to be inspired by her scientific success.

The technologically savvy advertisement even features an emoji inspired by Millie Dresselhaus

The commercial shows children wanting Mille dolls, such as the daughter of Charlie Harvey, pictured. The inventive filmmakers even added trending stories related to science on the fictional Facebook

The voiceover asks: 'What if we lived in a world like that?'

Text then reads: 'GE is helping create that world. Our goal is 20,000 women in technical roles by 2020.'

The commercial had added poignancy due to Dresselhaus's death on February 20.

Walmart

Walmart unwittingly found itself the subject of controversy following its release of three ads for the Oscars that saw three different filmmakers make three different commercials incorporating six items on a shopping receipt. Pictured: Antoine Fuqua's film

The spots were directed by Magnificent Seven filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, whose spot is pictured, World War Z filmmaker Marc Forster and Sausage Party duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Walmart unwittingly found itself the subject of controversy following its release of three ads for the Oscars.

The spots were directed by Magnificent Seven filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, whose spot is featured above, World War Z filmmaker Marc Forster and Sausage Party duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Armed with six items on a Walmart shopping receipt, the filmmakers were told to go out and make a one-minute spot using those props.

Fuqua's ad charts the journey of a young boy's interaction with aliens.

But viewers on social media took offense to what they considered the commercials's extravagance - particularly in the context of what some consider too-low wages.

User Elisabeth Rappe wrote: 'I feel like Walmart should pay their workers a living wage instead of hiring filmmakers for Oscar ads.'

As of June 2016, Walmart paid $10 an hour for work. This is below the $15 that is argued by such groups as 'The Fight for 15' for a living wage.

Social media users took offense to what they considered the commercials's extravagance - particularly in context of what some consider too-low wages. Cari Beauchamp wrote: 'Imagine if Walmart had taken millions spent on their Oscars ads and paid their workers a living wage'

Some on social media said the Oscars ads were better than the Super Bowl ones, including ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon.

Wilbon wrote: 'The Oscars commercials are so much smarter, more creative and at times in touch with the human spirit than the overrated junk Super Bowl ads.'

The Oscars ads follow numerous Super Bowl ads that engaged with the political climate.

In particular, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Airbnb, Audi and 84 Lumber were targeted as having an alleged left-wing, anti-Trump agenda.

Coca-Cola, Budweiser and 84 Lumber and Airbnb all focused on multiculturalism while Budweiser and 84 Lumber particularly focused on immigration - which some saw as a direct call-out of Trump's immigration policy. Audi's commercial advocated for equal pay for women.

Social media users expressed enthusiasm for the Oscars commercials.ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon wrote: 'The Oscars commercials are so much smarter, more creative and at times in touch with the human spirit than the overrated junk Super Bowl ads'

Oscars ads don't command quite as hefty a price tag as Super Bowl spots but still reach a wide audience.

Nat Ives, an AdAge editor, told The Frame that Oscar spots went for between $2m and $2.5m, compared to a $5m average for the Super Bowl.

He said that the audience skews more liberal for the broadcast, which last year attracted 34m viewers.

By comparison, this years Super Bowl was watched by an estimated 111m.
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Political speeches dominated the Oscars on Sunday night with winners lining up to outdo each other as they spoke out against President Donald Trump's immigration ban.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel kicked things off when he fired several shots at Trump during his opening monologue.

But as the night progressed, actors, directors and designers quickly started dedicating their Academy Awards to 'the immigrants', spoke out against the Mexican wall and went as far as calling Trump's immigration policy 'inhumane'.

While Alessandro Bertolazzi is not a well known name outside the film industry, the makeup artist was the first Oscar winner to mention politics in his acceptance speech.

The Italian dedicated his win in the makeup and hair-styling category to 'all the immigrants'.

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, stars of 1967's classic Bonnie and Clyde, presented the Oscar for best picture.

'Our goal in politics is the same in our goal in art, and that's to get to the truth,' Beatty said on stage.

He said the movies nominated 'show us the increasing diversity in our community and our respect for diversity and freedom all over the world.'

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Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, stars of 1967's classic Bonnie and Clyde, presented the Oscar for best picture saying: 'Our goal in politics is the same in our goal in art, and that's to get to the truth'

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal (pictured with Hailee Steinfeld) was presenting an award when he made it clear he was against Donald Trump building a wall on the Mexican-U.S. border

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi took home the Academy Award for best foreign film for his drama The Salesman. He was not present in protest and his Oscar was accepted on his behalf by Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi took home the Academy Award for best foreign film for his drama The Salesman. The director had previously said he was not attending the Oscars in revolt against Trump's immigration ban and it was accepted on his behalf by Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

'I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and the other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S,' he said in a statement read out on his behalf.

'Dividing the world into the U.S. and our enemies categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

'Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and other. An empathy which we need today more than ever.'

Italian make up artist Alessandro Bertolazzi (center) was the first Oscar winner to mention politics in his acceptance speech as he dedicated his win to 'all the immigrants'

Co-director of Zootopia Rich Moore (center) said: 'We are so grateful to audiences to audiences all over the world who embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other'

Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said in accepting the Oscar for adapted screenplay that people who don't feel like they have support can look to the American Civil Liberties Union and artists over the next four years

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal also weighed in as he presented an award.

BIGGEST OSCARS POLITICAL SPEECHES: Warren Beatty said: 'Our goal in politics is the same in our goal in art, and that's to get to the truth.' Italian make up artist Alessandro Bertolazzi dedicated his win to 'all the immigrants'. Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal said: 'I'm against any form of wall that wants to separate us'. Iranian director Asghar Farhadi called Trump's immigration ban an 'inhumane law'. Director Rich Moore said: 'Tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other'. Director Barry Jenkins said that people who don't feel like they have support over the next four years can look to the American Civil Liberties Union for help. Advertisement

'Flesh and blood actors are migrant workers,' Bernal said. 'We travel all over the world. We construct families, we build life but we cannot be divided. As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being I'm against any form of wall that wants to separate us.

'I'm against any form of wall that wants to separate us.'

Even the directors of animated film Zootopia had something to say about tolerance.

'We are so grateful to audiences to audiences all over the world who embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other,' co-director Rich Moore said.

Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said in accepting the Oscar for adapted screenplay that people who don't feel like they have support can look to the American Civil Liberties Union and artists over the next four years.

'All you people who feel like there's no mirror for you... we have your back,' he said.

Jimmy Kimmel had earlier poked fun at Trump during his opening monologue saying the Academy Awards were being watching across the globe 'in more than 225 countries that now hate us'.

'I want to say thank you to President Trump... remember last year when it seemed the Oscars were racist?' Kimmel told the star-studded audience.

He later took to the president's favorite medium - Twitter - to write: 'Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?' and '@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi.'

The Oscars got off to a predictably political start on Sunday night when host Jimmy Kimmel took several shots at President Donald Trump

Host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted President Donald Trump from the stage at the Oscars on Sunday night. He wrote: 'Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?' and '@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi'

Kimmel was serious for a moment when he addressed how divided the country was. He said everyone could make America great again if people reached out to someone they disagreed with to have a positive conversation.

But that moment quickly passed as he began roasting Trump again.

He later called on the crowd to give an 'highly overrated' Meryl Streep a standing ovation for her 20 Oscar nominations throughout her career.

'One actress has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances,' Kimmel said. 'This is Meryl's 20th Oscar nomination... she wasn't even in a movie this year, we just wrote her name in out of habit.'

He riffed off the president's post-Globes tweet calling Streep 'overrated' after her anti-Trump speech at the Golden Globes overshadowed that show's awards last month.

'Nice dress by the way... Is that an Ivanka?' Kimmel asked Streep.

Kimmel joked that Trump would tweet about all of the Oscar winner's acceptance speeches 'in all caps during his 5am bowel movement tomorrow'.

The host alluded to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's banning of some reporters from a briefing on Friday, saying that reporters from CNN, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and others needed to leave.

'We have no tolerance for fake news,' he said.

Later in the night, Kimmel tweeted Trump to check if he was awake and also to say that Meryl Streep said hello.

Kimmel called on the crowd to give an 'highly overrated' Meryl Streep a standing ovation for her 20 Oscar nominations throughout her career. She refrained from making any comments in relation to Trump

The late-night host poked fun at Trump during his opening monologue saying the Academy Awards were being watching across the globe 'in more than 225 countries that now hate us'

Kimmel was quick to also turn on close friend and pretend-enemy Matt Damon as he called on people to bury the hatchet with people they might not agree with

He was quick to also turn on close friend and pretend-enemy Matt Damon as he called on people to bury the hatchet with people they might not agree with amid America's disunity.

'I would like to bury the hatchet with someone I've had issues with... Matt Damon,' he said.

'When I first met Matt, I was the fat one. He's a selfish person, but Matt did something very unselfish. He could have starred in Manchester by the Sea... but he gave that role to Casey Affleck.'

He pointed out that Damon went on to star in a 'Chinese ponytail movie instead and that movie went on to lose $80 million. Smooth move dumba**.'

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs gave a speech about diversity after the Oscars faced backlash in 2016.

She said the film industry was becoming more inclusive and diverse with each passing day.

'Tonight is proof that art has no borders, no single language and does not belong to a single faith,' she said. 'The power of art is that it transcends all these things.'

Karlie Kloss and actress Ruth Negga were among the several stars to wear a blue ribbon in support of the American Civil Liberties Union

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs gave a speech about diversity after the Oscars faced backlash in 2016, saying the film industry was becoming more inclusive and diverse with each passing day
Tara Brown (pictured) died after she suffered critical head injuries in 2015

A former Bandidos bikie has said he knows he will never be forgiven for murdering his ex-partner but does not want to cause her family further pain.

Lionel Patea, 25, unexpectedly pleaded guilty to murder on the first day of his trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday.

He was later sentenced to life in prison.

Patea bludgeoned 24-year-old Tara Brown to death with a 7.8kg metal fire hydrant cover as she lay trapped in an overturned vehicle on September 8, 2015.

In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Campbell McCallum, Patea said he pleaded guilty with the full support of his family who had encouraged him to face up to his actions.

'I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice,' Patea said in the statement.

'I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately be judged by God.

'I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven.

Scroll down for video

Lionel John Patea (left) has pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his former partner

Natalie Hinton, mother of murdered woman Tara Brown and her stepfather Jonathan Gardner leave the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday

'I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family.'

Patea also said he now only lives for his daughter Aria, who was just three-years-old when her mother was murdered.

PATEA'S STATEMENT 'I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice,' Patea said in the statement. 'I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately be judged by God. 'I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven. 'I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family.' Advertisement

Mr McCallum said Patea never wanted to go to trial but was not able to plead guilty until a few days ago under the advice of his legal team.

'He had always acknowledged he committed the offence,' Mr McCallum said.

'He expects no leniency.

'He is remorseful, he accepts his actions and he is certainly taking full responsibility for his role in Tara Brown's death.'

The New Zealand woman was killed after Patea ran her car off a Gold Coast suburban street.

The court heard a triple zero call made by Ms Brown earlier captured the sounds of more than a dozen 'thumping' sounds as well as her crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'

Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends packed the court room on Monday morning, with many standing as they watched Patea change his plea.

Supporters of the murdered mother arrived at the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday

Natalie Hinton (centre), mother of murdered woman Tara Brown, arrives at court on Monday

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT BY TARA BROWN'S MOTHER Tara Brown's mother Natalie Hinton has read out a victim impact statement to the court on Monday about the 'monster' who claimed her daughter's life. 'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting. She was a lover of life from a very young age,' Ms Hinton said. 'The monster was now in control, she feared him. He took full advantage of her vulnerability. I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions. 'My whole world caved in around me as this misogynistic narcissist murdered my baby girl.' Advertisement

Many had a white ribbon pinned to their clothes, the official symbol for Australia's campaign to prevent men's violence against women.

Patea, handcuffed and dressed in a blue suit in the dock, remained emotionless as Ms Brown's mother Natalie Hinton told the court of the 'monster' who claimed her daughter's life.

'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting,' Ms Hinton said through heavy sobs.

'She was a lover of life from a very young age.'

Ms Hinton said Patea constantly sought validation from Ms Brown and used domestic violence tactics like gaslighting to destroy her self-confidence.

'The monster was now in control, she feared him,' Ms Hinton said.

'He took full advantage of her vulnerability.'

Jonathan Gardner, stepfather of Ms Brown, speaks to the media outside court on Monday

Dozens of family and friends arrived at court holding a framed photo of her on Monday

Patea was expected to stand trial for one week in court but changed his plea on Monday

Ms Hinton said when she was told her daughter was in hospital, she knew in the pit of her stomach that Patea had found her and hurt her.

'I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions,' she said.

'My whole world caved in around me as this misogynistic narcissist murdered my baby girl.'

Ms Brown had just dropped off her three-year-old daughter Aria at day care when Patea chased down her hatchback with a four-wheel-drive.

She had been hiding from him at a safe house and friends' homes since taking out a domestic violence order against him just days earlier.

The pair had been together since 2011 - and they had a daughter the following year.

Witnesses saw the pair reaching speeds of more than 100km/h and Patea bashing on Ms Brown's driver's side window with both fists when she had to stop at red lights.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her

Hundreds of mourners - including her three-year-old daughter - turned out for Ms Brown's funeral, remembering her as a 'beautiful' woman who loved rugby and touch football

Patea ultimately rammed the back of Ms Brown's car, forcing her down an embankment and trapping her inside the overturned vehicle.

He used the metal slab weighing 7.8 kilogram taken from the side of the road to repeatedly bash her head, causing 'non-survivable' brain injuries.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her.

It wasn't until they heard her crying out that they realised what he was doing and tried to stop him, but he fought them off.

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.

WITNESS STATEMENT When Tara Brown's car crashed down a Gold Coast embankment, witness Lisa Kennedy believed the man attempting to smash the vehicle's window was trying to help the mother of one. She went over to try to help. What she saw next, and her inability to stop it, is a burden she will carry forever, she says. Lionel Patea pleaded guilty in court on Monday to bludgeoning his former partner to death with a metal fire hydrant cover in 2015. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Kennedy said she heard Ms Brown's hatchback crash but did not realise Patea had run her off the road with his 4WD. Ms Kennedy said she was a strong-willed person who had witnessed injury and death first-hand, but nothing could have prepared her for what happened next. 'What I saw you do to Tara horrified me to my core,' Ms Kennedy said. 'It was a domestic violence situation that resulted in you beating to death a woman as she lay trapped in her car unable to help herself.' Ms Kennedy jumped on Patea's back in an attempt to stop him from bashing the 24-year-old but the well-built former Bandidos bikie flung her off with ease. 'Even though I tried my best to stop you, I felt hopeless and helpless at the scene,' Ms Kennedy said. 'For the first six months, every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tara. 'She is screaming at me for help, just like she was on September 8, 2015 when I arrived at her car and you were already there. 'My eyes would well up with tears because of the guilt I carry - that I will forever carry - that I failed her in not recognising and understanding that her fear was of you. 'She was screaming at me to help her from you.' Ms Kennedy said she has not slept a full night since Ms Brown died and suffers from bloody nightmares of her own family and friends being viciously murdered. 'I have never felt so alone,' she said. Advertisement

Patea fronted court on the first day of his trial over the death of Ms Brown who died in 2015
Kelly Slater has called for sharks off the coast of a popular surfing island in the Indian Ocean to be culled after a spate of attacks.

The American surfer  who has 11 world titles to his name  made the declaration in a passionate Instagram post on Sunday.

Slater, 45, stoked the debate after a young bodyboarder was killed last week in the 20th shark attack in six years off Reunion Island.

Kelly Slater has called for sharks off the coast of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean to be culled after a spate of attacks

Honestly, I wont be popular for saying this but there needs to be a serious cull on Reunion and it should happen everyday, he wrote to his almost two million followers on Instagram.

There is a clear imbalance happening in the ocean there.

Slater added that if the whole world had these rates of attack nobody would use the ocean and literally millions of people would be dying like this.

His comments sparked a backlash on social media, with many blasting Slater for his stance.

Honestly, I wont be popular for saying this but there needs to be a serious cull on Reunion and it should happen everyday, he wrote on Instagram

Slater, 45, stoked the debate after a young bodyboarder was killed last week in the 20th shark attack in six years off Reunion Island

We have no more of a right to control their environment than we do anyone elses, said one person on Instagram.

Another added: This makes me sick. Shark numbers are already far too low and yet you want to cull them because of your hobby?

The waters are their home and by entering, you are no longer top dog, so accept it. Accept it and continue to take the risk, or get out of the waters.

And another person wrote: Tragic that people are dying in shark attacks anywhere.

Many people commented on Slater's Instagram post, blasting him for his stance on the issue

But and a big but it is -you can't possibly advocate a cull at Reunion so you can surf.

C'mon Kelly. It's the shark's ocean and all humans who use and love the ocean know the odds.

The criticism led Slater to say he was being vehemently attacked by the people I have most identified with for the majority of my life.

But Slater has previously opposed culls and said he would be honoured to be killed by a shark.
Disaster struck at the Oscars after Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway wrongly announced La La Land as the winner of Best Picture, rather than the triumphant Moonlight, and Twitter showed no mercy.

In a heart-stopping moment the stars and producers of La La Land rushed to the stage to give enthusiastic thank you speeches, before being forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight.

Social media users immediately took to Twitter to criticize the 89th Academy Awards and announcers with hilarious memes of Steve Harvey, and some even called for Beatty to announce the 'real' 2016 election results.

Scroll down for video

Disaster struck at the Oscars after Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway (pictured) wrongly announced La La Land as the winner of Best Picture, rather than the triumphant Moonlight

And Twitter ruthlessly criticized the awards show with hilarious memes of Steve Harvey, and some even called for Beatty to announce the 'real' 2016 election results

Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from La La Land when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

It has since emerged that there are back up envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Emma Stone back up envelope by mistake.

Off stage, they realized that they still had two best picture envelopes. The best picture envelope for Moonlight hadn't yet been opened.

Executives from Price Waterhouse who tally the Oscar results immediately realized there was a problem when Dunaway read out the name La La Land. An official tried to get on stage to immediately rectify the mistake.

Just seconds before, confusion was etched across Beatty's face after he opened the envelope. He took a second glance inside the winner's envelope before handing it over to Dunaway who read out La La Land.

Host Jimmy Kimmel came forward to inform the cast that Moonlight had indeed won, showing the inside of the envelope as proof.

La La Land producer Jordan Horwitz immediately called up the producers of Moonlight and graciously passed his statue over.

'I knew I would screw this up,' Kimmel, a first-time host, joked. 'I promise to never come back.'

Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins said: 'Very clearly even in my dreams this cant be true. But to hell with it because this is true. It's true, it's not fake.'

Beatty's son, Stephen Ira, was quick to defend his father by tweeting: 'Proud of my dad for his grace! It's live, stuff happens. Showbiz!'

The fiasco triggered the remembrance of a similar incident that took place in 2015 when comedian and host Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner of Miss Universe.

Harvey announced that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, was the winner of the pageant over actual victor Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach.

Beatty's son, Stephen Ira, was quick to defend his father by tweeting: 'Proud of my dad for his grace! It's live, stuff happens. Showbiz!'

The unbelievable mishap came at the end of an otherwise flawless evening.

Actress Viola Davis took home her first ever Oscar as she was crowned Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences.

Casey Affleck and Emma Stone took home their first Oscars for Manchester by the Sea and La La Land respectively.

The musical had already won four other awards at the event held at the Dolby Theater, and nearly clinched a fifth, until it was revealed Moonlight was the true winner.

Airline Ryanair was among those to poke fun at the Oscars fiasco with this tweet

It has since emerged that there are back up envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Emma Stone back up envelope by mistake. Off stage, they realized that they still had two best picture envelopes

The best picture envelope for Moonlight hadn't yet been opened. Executives from Price Waterhouse who tally the Oscar results realized there was a problem when Dunaway read out the name La La Land. An official tried to get on stage to immediately rectify the mistake

Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins (pictured) said: 'Very clearly even in my dreams this cant be true. But to hell with it because this is true. It's true, it's not fake'




The 89th Academy Awards proved to be a remarkable night for black actors a year after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2016.

This year's show saw Mahershala Ali and Viola Davis scoop awards for best supporting actor and actress. Ali became the first Muslim actor to win the award and Davis accepted her first Oscar win.

In a shocking twist at the end of the show, the most coveted award of the night went to drama film Moonlight.

This year's show saw Mahershala Ali and Viola Davis scoop awards for best supporting actor and actress for Moonlight and Fences, respectively

In a shocking twist of events, Moonlight took home the award for best picture after it was mistakenly awarded to La La Land. Film director Barry Jenkins pictured with the award

The Academy Award for best picture was snatched out of the hands of La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz and handed to the cast of Moonlight after Warren Beatty mistakenly announced the wrong winner.

The award-winning film features a predominantly black cast, directed by Barry Jenkins.

Earlier that night Ali had won the award for his role as a Cuban crack dealer, Juan, in the drama film. The film took home three awards out of the eight nominations, including best adapted screenply.

Viola Davis delivered a long and emotional speech after nabbing the award for Fences.

She went on to thank her costar and director: 'And captain, my captain Denzel Washington. Thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat: August and God. and they served you well.'

Davis had tears in her eyes as she said: 'I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.'

The actress beat out Naomie Harris, Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer, and Michelle Williams. She is the first black actor to win an Emmy, Oscar, and Tony award in an acting category.

Whoopi Goldberg has won in all four award shows, but she was awarded as a producer for her Tony.

La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz holds up the winner card reading actual Best Picture winner 'Moonlight' with actor Warren Beatty and host Jimmy Kimmel onstage

Actor Mahershala Ali (R) accepts Best Supporting Actor for 'Moonlight' from actor Alicia Vikander

Viola had tears in her eyes as she said: 'I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.'

Users took to Twitter after the Mahershala Ali's historic win after he was awarded the first Oscar of the night for best supporting actor

However, Denzel Washington, lost the award to Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea for best actor in a leading role.

Ezra Edelman, who is biracial, won best documentary for OJ Simpson: Made in America.

The victory comes a year after the award show was accused of being racist after numerous actors and members of minority groups noted the lack of diversity in the nominations.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs gave a speech about diversity addressing the issue. She said the film industry was becoming more inclusive and diverse with each passing day.

'Tonight is proof that art has no borders, no single language and does not belong to a single faith,' she said. 'The power of art is that it transcends all these things.'

Host Jimmy Kimmel took nearly every chance to trash Donald Trump, in reference to his controversial remarks about minorities.

'I want to say thank you to President Trump... remember last year when it seemed the Oscars were racist?' Kimmel told the star-studded audience. 'That's gone, thanks to him.'
Star Wars fans are outraged that Harrison Ford did not sing for Carrie Fisher during her In Memoriam at the Oscars Sunday.

In a 2010 interview, Carrie Fisher told Rebel Force Radio: 'I asked him [at a party] if he would be in my death reel, and if he would sing. Its just something I want.'

She jokingly said: 'Hes going to sing "Melancholy Wookiee".'

Carrie Fisher said in a 2010 interview she wanted Harrison Ford to sing 'Melancholy Wookiee' for her In Memoriam

People were hopeful that Ford (pictured left last week) would sing to honor the late actress at the Oscars (pictured right as Han Solo and Princess Leia in Star Wars

Twitter was in shock that the 74-year-old actor didn't belt out the song to honor the late actress.

Instead, Sara Bareilles sang at the Oscars during the video montage.

One person tweeted: 'all I needed was Harrison Ford to sing for Carrie Fisher, she loved him so much. I'm so sad and mad rn.'

People said they were 'sad and mad' that Ford did not sing for Fisher

Some saw this as the perfect opportunity to honor the actress and felt 'cheated'

Some saw this as the biggest let down of the 2017 Oscars, which was filled with upsets

Harrison Ford is not on Twitter but that didn't stop people from trying to tweet at him

Another said: 'Didn't Carrie Fisher want Harrison Ford to sing her death tribute? I feel cheated.'

Some expressed their anger in all caps saying: 'YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO SING FOR CARRIE FISHER'

One person tweeted: 'My biggest disappointment with this #Oscars is that Harrison Ford didn't sing for @carrieffisher'

Ford did release a touching statement about the late actress after her death in December: 'Carrie was one-of-a-kind brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life, bravely'

Though it would have been completely out of character, some people were hopeful that the actor would get onstage and sing for Carrie Fisher.

One person said: 'So Harrison Ford is going to sing during Carrie Fisher's In Memorium tribute right?'

During the Grammy's, someone tweeted: 'the Grammys is cute but yes or no, will Harrison Ford sing at the Oscars??'

Another user said: 'If I don't see Harrison Ford sing Melancholy Wookiee tonight this whole show is worthless.'

Before the awards show, people were hopeful Ford would sing for Fisher

Even at the Grammy's people were hopeful Ford would pay tribute through song

Twitter users deemed the show 'worthless' without Ford singing
A Victorian man coerced girls into sending him explicit photos and videos, then blackmailed them into sending more by threatening to post the material on the internet.

Fabian Roy Meharry, 28, engaged in sexual chat with his victims, who were as young as 11, then blackmailed them into sending him nude images or videos.

Meharry, a well known BMX rider in Echuca, has pleaded guilty to 62 abuse charges for the period between 2006 to 2015.

Fabian Roy Meharry has pleaded guilty to 62 abuse charges for the period between 2006 to 2015

Meharry, a well known BMX rider in Echuca, Victoria, engaged in sexual chat with his victims, who were as young as 11

Meharry coerced girls into sending him explicit photos and videos

The online predator compelled some of his victims to perform sex acts with animals and objects which he then recorded via Skype or webcam.

He also coerced one girl into having sex with her brother, the Victorian County Court was told on Monday.

If the victims failed to comply with his requests to send more explicit photos or videos, he threatened to post explicit material of them online, tell their parents, or self-harm.

He told one girl: 'If you don't show me, then I will put photos of you online and make it go viral.'

Meharry met three of his victims in person and performed sex acts with them.

One of his victims, aged 14 when abused, told the plea hearing she blamed herself and now suffered post traumatic stress.

'I've never been made to feel so belittled or ashamed by anyone. You broke me,' she told Meharry.

The online predator compelled some of his victims to perform sex acts with animals and objects

Meharry was already a registered sex offender when he committed some of the crimes

'You saw my weaknesses and used every single one against me.

'No one has the right to take someone's innocence.'

Judge Liz Gaynor told the girl it was not her fault and praised her for her bravery in giving evidence.

'That says a great deal to me about your strength and intelligence,' she said.

Meharry was already a registered sex offender when he committed some of the crimes, having been convicted of sex and indecent acts with a minor and possessing child pornography.

His latest charges included the persistent sexual abuse of a child under 16, compelling sexual penetration, sexual penetration of a child under 16, producing child pornography and using a carriage service for sexual activity.

The plea hearing is continuing on Tuesday.
A teenage P-plate driver allegedly towed a fully-loaded trailer with only one tyre as his wife and child sat in the car with him.

The man, 19, was caught travelling at 110 kilometres an hour along the Great Eastern Highway, east of Northam in Western Australia, on Sunday afternoon.

Police at Wyalkatchem, a town 192km north-east of Perth, expressed their disbelief on Twitter at pulling over a driver, who was allegedly towing a trailer with one tyre missing rubber around the battered metal rim.

Police at Wyalkatchem, north-east of Perth, issued a Twitter message expressing disbelief

'P plater with wife and child on board towing a fully-loaded trailer travelling at 110km/h on one tyre only, stupidity plus,' they said.

Arresting officer acting Sergeant Glenn Stoddart told The West Australian he was horrified to discover the 19-year-old driver was transporting his wife and a five-year-old child at 1.30pm on Sunday.

The driver claimed he didnt know the trailer was missing a tyre on the left wheel which was only a metal rim, police told the newspaper.

He was charged with dangerous driving.
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Shocking photographs have emerged of young Indonesians being whipped until they collapse for having sex outside of marriage.

The barbaric caning was handed down by Islamic legislators after eight locals were deemed to have broken strict Sharia law which condemns any sexual contact between a man and a woman if they are not married.

The beatings occurred in Aceh, which is the only province in the country which implements Sharia law in full.

A man grimaces as the Sharia law enforcer brings the wooden cane down hard onto his back in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

The man collapses on stage as he was getting caned for spending time with a woman who was not his wife in Aceh, Indonesia

An Acehnese man gets carried away by four men after he collapsed while getting caned by a religious officer in Indonesia

The woman braces herself for the cane across her back for violating the strict Sharia law in the region of Aceh in Indonesia

The woman was whipped for having a sex outside of marriage and grips her arm as her masked punisher stands above her

Herizal bin Yunus, 27, fainted after being caned eight times in front of a crowd in Aceh, the only province of the world's most populous Muslim-majority country that imposes sharia law.

Officials carried him off stage after he collapsed during the punishment outside a mosque in the provincial capital Banda Aceh, which was carried out by a religious official dressed in an all-encompassing, hooded cloak.

But once he came to, a doctor examined him and said he was in good health, and he was taken back up on stage to be flogged another 14 times.

A local religious court had sentenced him to be caned a total of 22 times.

The man had broken Islamic laws that forbid people in Aceh from spending time in close proximity with members of the opposite sex who are not their husband or wife.

He was one of eight people publicly caned on Monday for breaking the province's Islamic regulations.

Public canings take place regularly in Aceh, and people can be punished for offences ranging from gambling, to drinking alcohol, to gay sex. However it is rare for someone to collapse.

The province began implementing Sharia law after being granted autonomy in 2001  an attempt by the government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

Islamic laws have been strengthened since Aceh struck a peace deal with Jakarta in 2005.

People are flogged for a range of offences including gambling, drinking alcohol, gay sex or any sexual relationship outside marriage.

More than 90 per cent of the 255million people who live in Indonesia describe themselves as Muslim, but the vast majority practice a moderate form of the faith.

The three young Indonesians were whipped on Monday and can be seen grimacing in pain before collapsing.

The man, who was caned in front of a huge crowd, was carried unconscious from the podium by four men.

Their supposed crimes range from spending time in 'close proximity'to men or women who was not their spouse to having sex before marriage.

It is the latest beating in a series of similar public punishments which have generated widespread condemnation.

An Acehnese woman covers her face as she is whipped in front of the public for violating sharia law in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

An Acehnese is escorted by the sharia police to be whipped in front of the public for violating sharia law in Banda Aceh

An Acehnese woman pleas to a religious officer who will cane her for spending time with a man other than her own husband

A religious officer canes an Acehnese man (R) for spending time in close proximity with a woman who is not his wife

An Acehnese woman holds her hand across her face as she gets caned by a religious officer

Back in September 2014, Aceh approved an anti-homosexuality law that can punish anyone caught having gay sex with 100 lashes.

After a three-decade-old separatist movement, a peace agreement signed in 2005 granted special autonomy to Aceh, at the northern tip of Sumatra, on condition that it remained part of the sprawling archipelago.

As part of that deal, Aceh won the right to be the only Indonesian province to use Islamic sharia law as its legal code.

Anybody caught engaging in consensual gay sex is punished with 100 lashes, 100 months in jail or a fine of 1,000 grams of gold.

The law also set out punishment for sex crimes, unmarried people engaging in displays of affection, people caught found guilty of adultery and underage sex.

Religious police in Aceh have been known to target Muslim women without head scarves or those wearing tight clothes, and people drinking alcohol or gambling.

Over the past decade, the central government has devolved more power to regional authorities to increase autonomy and speed up development.

Engaging in homosexual acts is not a crime under Indonesia's national criminal code but remains taboo in many conservative parts of the country with the world's largest Muslim population.
Terrified passengers refused to re-board a Ryanair flight after vomiting due to extreme turbulence caused by Storm Ewan which saw the plane diverted.

Families on the Boeing 737 travelling from Madrid yesterday were left shaken when the plane had to abort its landing at Dublin Airport with a 'go around' in high winds.

The flight had suffered extreme turbulence towards the end of its journey and the pilot had to pull out its landing approach before preparing for a second try.

Up in the air: The flight had suffered extreme turbulence towards the end of its journey and the pilot had to pull out its landing approach before preparing for a second try (file picture)

But the crew on flight FR-7257 were told they were sixth in a queue to land and so the flight was diverted 135 miles away to Shannon, where it safety touched down.

However passengers told the Irish Mirror that they would not be allowed out of the airport for up to six hours if they did not want to fly back to Dublin.

One mother of two told the newspaper: 'It was an extremely turbulent flight and there were people vomiting and absolutely terrified.

'We were supposed to land in Dublin at 12.20pm. The pilot tried to land but took off again. We were told we were diverting to Shannon and we arrived there at 1.15pm.'

Up to 25 passengers were so scared by their ordeal that they refused to continue on the flight back to Dublin, according to the witness.

Flight FR-7257: Families on the Boeing 737 travelling from Madrid yesterday were left shaken when the plane had to abort its landing at Dublin with a 'go around' and divert to Shannon

But they were told at 3.30pm that it could take until 7pm to allow them to leave Shannon Airport if they decided not to board.

The Ryanair flight from Madrid was diverted to Shannon and eventually landed at Dublin

A Ryanair spokesman said: 'This flight from Madrid to Dublin diverted to Shannon due to high winds at Dublin Airport.

'The aircraft landed normally and a number of customers requested to disembark and did so, before the aircraft was cleared to depart to Dublin.

'Ryanair apologised to all customers affected by this weather diversion, which was entirely beyond our control.'

A source at the airline added that the plane left for Dublin at 4.45pm and denied there was a six-hour wait.

The current weather system has been dubbed Storm Ewan in Ireland but conditions are not severe enough in the UK to be categorised as a storm.

However, temperatures could drop below freezing overnight, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in England before the official start of spring on Wednesday.
This is the shocking moment a motorcyclist fell 50ft to his death minutes after posting an online plea for help with a leg infection.

Harrowing footage shows German expat Christian Melzer, 39, lose control of his bike and fly over the railings of a raised motorway in Bangkok, Thailand.

Just half an hour earlier he posted a gruesome picture of his septic leg with a desperate appeal for hospital recommendations.

Mr Melzer (left) posted a gruesome picture of his septic leg (right) with a desperate appeal for hospital recommendations just before his fall

He complained that he was in 'a lot of pain' and said he had been battling the wound for 'six months' - before friends urged him to get urgent medical attention.

Driver Nuttawut Ketkeaw, 34, screamed as dashcam footage caught the German's death.

It shows Mr Melzer speeding along the outside lane of a raised motorway before colliding with the barrier and falling over the edge.

Paramedics found his body in the undergrowth below the road.

Police believe that the German expat, who had been running a tool shop in Thailand for several years, lost control of the bike because he was speeding.

Facebook posts from earlier that afternoon reveal Mr Melzer had been struggling to treat his wound as he could not afford the treatment and did not have medical insurance.

Harrowing footage shows German expat Christian Melzer, 39, lose control of his bike and fly over the railings of a raised motorway in Bangkok, Thailand

It shows Mr Melzer speeding along the outside lane of a raised motorway before colliding with the barrier and falling over the edge

He wrote: 'Who can tell me a good, really good hospital which I can visit with Social Security?

'Never mind in which area in BKK Ort around. I have 6 months to fight with an infection and my hospital (Chalurat 9) not get it away.

'I have much pain and I don't know what to do anymore.'

He added: 'Thank you for all the replies, but it seems I also can forget that. Even to change the allowed hospital by the social security take about one month.'

Mr Melzer's motorbike - which only days earlier he had been trying to sell - was recovered after it skidded further down the road

Mr Melzer posted his message at 3.56pm on Friday. He is believed to have crashed before 4.26pm which was when the paramedics dashed to the scene.

Mr Melzer's motorbike - which only days earlier he had been trying to sell - was recovered after it skidded further down the road.

Officers from Lat Krabang police station believe that Mr Melzer had been speeding up the incline and then lost control of his bike before falling over the edge.

Mr Melzer's body was sent for a post mortem examination and the German Embassy in Bangkok has been informed of his death.
Far-Right candidate Marine Le Pen has hit a record high in a new poll as France's former leaders have admitted she could become the country's president.

The Kantar poll currently has the National Front party leader at 45 percent in a second round contest against conservative candidate Francois Fillon.

Her popularity drops to 42 percent against centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron, who is currently favourite to win.

Marine Le Pen (pictured) has refused to meet with investigating magistrates who are probing allegations of irregularities within her party. The far right leader claimed the timing of the investigation was politically motivated to stop her current successes in the opinion polls

The figures come as two former prime ministers have said the anti-EU politician could pick up momentum and steal victory in May.

They say a Le Pen victory could come as a result of the worldwide wave anti-establishment resentment that saw Donald Trump elected US President in November.

Former conservative prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said: 'Madame Le Pen could be elected.'

Le Pen refuses to talk to police about corruption scandal Marine Le Pen has refused to speak to police about a corruption scandal. The scandal relates to an enquiry into fake jobs at the European Parliament. She received a summons to attend the judicial police headquarters in the Paris suburb of Nanterre but failed to turn up. Her Chief of Staff, Catherine Griset, has been formally charged with breach of trust and faces a trial. Le Pen's bodyguard Thierry Legier, known as The Gorilla, is also being probed Advertisement

Another former premier, the Socialist Manuel Valls, has also warned of the 'danger' of assuming Le Pen cannot win.

Last week polls put the anti-immigration candidate in the lead to win the first round of elections at the end of April.

A BVA-Salesforce poll published on Thursday put Le Pen at 27.5 percent, ahead of Macron on 21 percent and Fillon on 19 percent.

Polls show support for the 48-year-old has been consistent for four years now.

Since 2013 surveys have shown she will progress through the first round to reach the runoff stage in France's two-stage presidential election.

Pollsters say although Le Pen is not currently forecast to win the all-important showdown on May 7, she has whittled down the projected gap between herself and her main challengers.

At the headquarters of her National Front (FN) party in Nanterre, outside Paris, officials believe the same forces that led to the Brexit vote in Britain and Donald Trump's victory in the United States could carry Le Pen to power.

The legal woes of Fillon have especially played into Le Pen's hands.

When Fillon saw off pre-contest favourite Alain Juppe to clinch the right-wing nomination in late November, polls showed he would win 67 percent of the vote in the runoff to 33 percent for Le Pen.

Then in January allegations surfaced that Fillon had paid his wife hundreds of thousands of euros for parliamentary work she might not have done. Surveys now show Le Pen would score 44 percent to 56 percent for Fillon if the second round was held today.

Le Pen's chief of staff Catherine Griset, right, has been charged with breach of trust, while her bodyguard Thierry Legier, left, is also facing investigation by authorities

The pressure on 62-year-old Fillon moved up a notch on Friday when prosecutors announced he would face a full judicial investigation into the claims.

A similar picture emerges when Le Pen's projected second-round score is compared to that of Macron, the pro-business centrist who has moved from outsider to genuine contender in the space of a few months.

Speaking at a rally in Nantes yesterday, Le Pen accused Macron of wanting to create a 'migrant motorway' between France and north Africa and claimed he had the support of 'financial interests and their intermediaries in the media'.

In an attack that recalled President Trump's confrontation with journalists, she added: 'The media have chosen their candidate. They are campaigning hysterically for their darling.

'They take the moral high ground, pretend to only analyse the facts and then shout about the freedom of the press as soon as you criticise them,' she said to cheers.

Le Pen is also caught up in an expenses scandal and faces accusations she has misused European Parliament funds. Yet unlike Fillon, who once led the race, the allegations have not damaged her support.

Experts caution however that predicting the second-round scores in a contest that has already thrown up a host of surprises is fraught with risk.

And the polls have been wrong in election after election over the last two years.

When canvassed by L'Opinion newspaper in mid-February, polling experts were divided on whether Le Pen could win.

Bernard Sananes of the Elabe polling group said it was 'both possible and improbable'.

Jerome Sainte-Marie of Polling Vox nuanced his answer, saying: 'Against Macron, she has a chance of winning.'

Le Pen (pictured) said her rival, Emmanuel Macron, was supported by 'financial interests and their intermediaries in the media'

Ifop's Jerome Fourquet told AFP that if on the eve of the second round, the polls show Le Pen at 40 percent to 60 percent for a rival, 'the gap is too big for there to be a surprise'.

'But if it's 55-45, it could be a different matter,' he said.

Fourquet said Le Pen's performance in the first round would be crucial to see if she can gain the momentum to snatch a win in the runoff.

In the 2002 presidential election, Marine's father Jean-Marie Le Pen rocked the political establishment by reaching the runoff.

But in that second round, voters of various political stripes reluctantly got behind conservative candidate Jacques Chirac to block the far right.

Regional elections in December 2015 give a more recent precedent. Both Le Pen and her 27-year-old niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen were soundly beaten in the second round despite high scores in the first round, as the mainstream parties joined forces to block them.

Since then, 'Le Pen has cleared another hurdle, but the barrier she still has to clear is very high,' Fourquet said.

Researcher Joel Gombin, a specialist on the FN, believes Le Pen is still some way short of getting the keys to the glittering Elysee Palace.

'As things stand, where are the votes necessary to move up from 25 percent or even 30 percent to 50 percent?,' he said.
The two accountants responsible for handing out the envelopes announcing the winners at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony smiled for photographs on the red carpet just hours before everything went wrong at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan of PricewaterhouseCoopers were tasked with tabulating the votes made by over 7,000 Academy members in each of the 24 categories at this year's Academy Awards, and then handing out the envelope for each category to the celebrity presenter just before they took the stage on Sunday.

Since there were two entrances, Ruiz and Cullinan stood at opposite sides, each with a matching briefcase that contained an envelope for each of the 24 categories. Ruiz was on stage left handing out envelopes during the show while Cullinan was on stage right.

This system backfired spectacularly however when actor Warren Beatty was handed the duplicate envelope for Best Actress in a Leading Role rather than the one for Best Picture before entering from stage right to present the final award of the evening.

Beatty made things worse by then opening that envelope, despite the fact that the category was clearly written across the front in block letters, and then asking a confused Dunaway to read what she saw, resulting in her declaring La La Land the winner.

Within moments, the stage manager, a stagehand, host Jimmy Kimmel and the two accountants had run out on stage to try and fix the untenable mishap, but it was too late.

La La Land star Emma Stone could be seen on stage at the moment she realized what had occurred, looking completely stunned while repeatedly saying, 'Oh my god.'

Just moments before that, Cullinan had taken a photo of Stone and posted it to his Twitter account with the caption: 'Best Actress Emma Stone backstage!'

This would have been taken at the same time Beatty and Dunaway were heading out on stage to present their award.

Scroll down for videos

Dynamic duo: Two PwC accountants, Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan, oversee Oscars results were responsible for handing out the envelopes on Sunday night (above on the red carpet)

The beginning of the end: Warren Beatty entered from stage right on Sunday night, and could be seen walking to the podium holding an envelope that clearly said 'Actress in a Leading Role' (above)

Pasing it off: Beatty grew confused when he opened the envelope and saw that it read 'Emma Stone' and 'La La Land' inside, so he handed it to Dunaway (above)

No turning back: Dunaway, who at that point seemed to believe Beatty was doing some sort of bit, declared La La Land the winner before she was seen saying: 'It said Emma'

Not good: Ruiz and Cullinan look on after handing the correct envelope to Beatty, who reportedly refused to hand it over to stage manager Gary Natoli (center)

Disbelief: Ryan Gosling (left) and Emma Stone (right) could be seen on stage as they learned about the mistake (above)

Shock: Audience members look on in shock as the mistake in announced live on air (front row l to r: Casey Affleck, Christine Boldt, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps and Ben Affleck; second row: Matt Damon, Jimmy Kimmel and Selma Hayek; third row: Rosalind Ross, Mel Gibson, and Lucas Hedges))

Bad timing: Cullinan also posted photo to Twitter just before the incident of Emma Stone backstage after her Oscar win (above), which he later deleted from his account. it was posted around the same time Dunaway and Beatty took the stage

No worries: After the outcry, Ruiz posted a photo of herself and Cullinan posing with Michael Strahan with the caption: 'On the Red Carpet.....'

Stone later joked about the situation with reporters in the press room, starting off her interview by asking: 'Whew. Did you guys see that?'

BRIAN CULLINAN Cullinan, 57, lives with his wife Andrea, 52, in a 4,100 square feet Malibu home with Pacific views worth an estimated $2.9 million. The couple, who were married in 1988, have three children, - sons Brett and Drew and 20-year-old daughter Bree. Cullinan family: Brian, Bree, Andrea Brett, and Drew Cullinan is a 32-year veteran and partner at PwC. He is a graduate of Cornell University in New York, where he majored in psychology, and also holds a master's degree in accounting from Northeastern University. Cullinan became just the 13th person at PwC to land the much coveted spot of Oscar ballot counter after his predecessor stepped down a few years back and offered him the role. His first Academy Awards ceremony was in 2014. The view from Cullinan's Malibu home Advertisement

The 28-year-old actress then spoke about how happy she was to see Moonlight win, despite the circumstances of the evening.

'I f***ing love Moonlight,' said Stone.

'Of course it was an amazing thing to hear them say La La Land - we would have loved to win best picture, but we're so happy for Moonlight. I think it's one of the best films of all time, so I was pretty beside myself.'

Later that evening she spoke more about what happened with ABC, saying: 'As far as I'm concerned, I think this is the coolest outcome ever. But the process of getting there was a trip.'

It is not entirely clear who handed the envelope to Beatty however, as even though Ruiz and Cullinan claim to station themselves at different stage entrances they were seen standing together last night just 20 minutes before the last award in a photo posted to the PricewaterhouseCoopers Twitter account.

'Spotted backstage at the#Oscars @briancullinan_ and @MarthaLTRuiz keep watch over the envelopes,' read the caption.

That was just one of many photos posted by the company on Sunday to their social media, who also posted two red carpet photos to Twitter.

'Instead of "Where's Waldo?" let's play "Where's the #BallotBriefcase?" Can you spot it?' read one of Cullinan as he photobombed Pharell.

The other shows Cullinan and Ruiz posing together on the carpet, joking that it was a 'celeb sighting.'

Both Cullinan and Ruiz stayed off social media after the awards Sunday night, but Ruiz was back on early Monday posting a photo of herself and Cullinnan with Good morning America host Michael Strahan.

'On the Red Carpet.....' wrote Ruiz on the post.

Breaking it down: The faces on stage when the Oscar mishap was realized (above)

Brief winners: La La Land stars Ryan Gosling and Rosemarie De Witt (left); Emma Stone and John Legend (right)

Oscar mayhem: Cullinan and Ruiz (above) clearly could not believe what had happened during the show and did not hide how upset they were on stage

Bad feeling: La La Land director Damian Chazelle and cinemotographer Linus Sandgren (left); La La Land producer Fred Berger, Faye Dunaway and Marc Platt (right)

Bad luck: La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, Warren Beatty and Jimmy Kimmel (above)

Cullinan and Ruiz both seem to be big fans of social media and celebrities, having posted multiple photos from the red carpet at last year's event on Twitter and Instagram posing with the likes of Chris Rock and Alicia Vikander.

Cullinan, 57, lives with his wife Andrea, 52, in a 4,100 square feet Malibu home with Pacific views worth an estimated $2.9 million. The couple have three children, two sons and a daughter.

MARTHA RUIZ Ruiz, 44, was just named to the balloting team in 2015, making this her third Oscar ceremony. The daughter of immigrants, Ruiz's father is from Peru and her mother from Mexico. Ruiz was raised in Los Angeles and attended college nearby at California State University, becoming a CPS soon after and getting recruited in 1997 by PwC. Martha in 2004 counting Oscar ballots She is just the second woman and the first Latina to hold the Oscar position, which comes in addition to her role working with entertainment clients. Around that time she also married her college sweetheart Javier, and the couple have two young daughters - Monet Catherine. She spent a decade as part of the group who tabulated the votes before making the leap to her current position. A PwC veteran of nearly 18 years, Ruiz specializes in providing tax compliance and advisory services to a variety of entertainment clients throughout Southern California. Martha and husband Javier with their two daughters Advertisement

He is a 32-year veteran of PwC and a graduate of Cornell University in New York. He also holds a master's degree in accounting from Northeastern University

Ruiz, 44, was just named to the balloting team in 2015, making this her third Oscar ceremony.

The daughter of immigrants, Ruiz's father is from Peru and her mother from Mexico.

Ruiz was raised in Los Angeles and attended college nearby at California State University, becoming a CPS soon after and getting recruited in 1997 by PwC.

She is just the second woman and the first Latina to hold the Oscar position, which comes in addition to her role working with entertainment clients.

Around that time she also married her college sweetheart Javier, and the couple have two young daughters - Monet Catherine.

She spent a decade as part of the group who tabulated the votes before making the leap to her current position.

A PwC veteran of nearly 18 years, Ruiz specializes in providing tax compliance and advisory services to a variety of entertainment clients throughout Southern California

Cullinan said in an interview when news of Ruiz's promotion to the Oscars team was announced: 'The Oscars balloting process is a symbol of PwCs culture of integrity and trust.

'Each year, the Oscars serve as an immense source of pride for the people of PwC. This year, I look forward to working closely with Martha, and, on behalf of PwC and the Academy, thank Rick Rosas for his 14 years of impeccable service.'

In that same press release, Dawn Hudson, the CEO of the Academy, said: 'The foundation of our long-standing relationship with PwC is based on integrity and trust. We look forward to working with Martha, Brian and PwC for many years to come.'

Righting a wrong: Kimmel ran up to the stage from his seat in the audience while Horowitz tried to assure the crowd La La Land had not won, and Moonlight was in fact the winner while Beatty and Cullinan look on

Delay: There were further problems when Beatty reportedly would not let go of the envelope, leading to Horowitz grabbing the paper from the actor (above moments before)

Cutting to the chase: La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz moved things along by eventually walking over the microphone and announcing there had been a mistake before grabbing an envelope to show that Moonlight was the winner (above) as Gosling laughed and clapped

Not nice words: Beatty (left) was seen speaking to Cullinan after the mistake as Ruiz looked on was while the Moonlight cast (Mahershala Ali foreground) gathers on stage

Against the rules: Ruiz and Cullinan are supposed to be stationed at opposite stage entrances, but were photographed standing together just before the Best Picture category (above)

The problem began with Stone's category on Sunday, which was the penultimate Oscar to be handed out at the show.

Leonardo DiCaprio entered from stage left to present the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Ruiz was in the wings waiting to hand him the envelope for that category.

The correct envelope was given and after DiCaprio announced that the winner was Stone, she took the stage and gave her speech before exiting stage left with both her Oscar and the envelope.

She later made it very clear that she did not cause any problems as well, firmly telling reporters that she had her envelope.

'I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time,' said Stone backstage.

'I don't mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was - I had that card.'

After Stone's win, Beatty and Dunaway were announced to present the final award of the night, Best Picture.

All smiles: Cullinan handed Brie Larson (above) the Actor in a Leading Role envelope two categories prior to Best Picture, while holding a handful of other envelopes

All good: Leonardo DiCaprio then presented Emma Stone with Best Actress in a Leading Role (left) and then walked off stage with the envelope (right) prior to Best Picture

Problem: Beatty then entered with Dunaway from stage right with the incorrect envelope (above)

Fake news: Beatty and Dunaway hand off the Oscars to Horowitz and Fred Berger, the producers of La La Land (above), after declaring that film the winner

The gang's all here: Horowitz gave his speech first (above) while his cast and crew gathered behind him before moving to the side of the stage

Checking things out: Stage manager Gary Natoli (in headset) then came out and asked to look at the envelope, at which point Horowitz and Fred Berger saw it was not the Best Picture category

Going for it: Berger (center with Oscar) gave an acceptance speech at that point despite knowing he was not a winner as the stage manager and accountants sorted things out

Beatty entered from stage right however, and instead of being given the Best Picture envelope was given the duplicate envelope for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Brie Larson had also entered from stage right two categories prior when she presented Casey Affleck with the Actor in a Leading Role award, so it is likely that Beatty was just handed the next envelope in order, which would have been Actress.

That is why after opening the envelope, a noticeably puzzled Beatty did not know what to say, and looked to his co-presenter Dunaway to see if she could figure out why the envelope said Stone's name and not one of the Best Picture nominees.

When Beatty showed Dunaway however, who seemed to be under the impression that her Bonnie & Clyde co-star was doing some sort of bit, she announced La La Land as the winner.

Moments later though, Dunaway could be seen mouthing to Beatty: 'It said Emma.'

At that moment, there was serious panic backstage, where one stagehand was overheard saying: 'Oh, f***. Oh my God. He got the wrong envelope.'

Wonderful surprise: Moonlight actor Jharrel Jerome (center in white jacket) reacts to the news that his film had won Best Picture

Hear him out: Beatty (above) launched into an explanation of what happened after the mishap

Unreal moment: Moonlight stars Jaden Piner and Alex R Hibbert embarace after their win

Gracious in defeat: Stone greets Moonlight star Mahershala Ali as he takes the stage while Ryan Gosling still looks shocked by the turn of events

Crazy moment: Beatty continued to speak while the Moonlight cast and crew were warmly greeted by everyone from La La Land (Horowitz hugging Barry Jenkins center)

More shock: Moonlight editor Joi McMillon (center) reacts on stage after learning the film won best Picture while Rosemarie DeWitt of La La Land (right) smiles with the cast

Super jazzed: Janelle Monae (above) cheers on the Moonlight win on Sunday night while producer Adele Romanski stands at the microphone

Best buds: Moonlight producers Jenkins (left) and Romanski (center) are best friends who met in college

watching the cast of moonlight react to their best picture win announcement is so heartwarming pic.twitter.com/xTU8Ay9csq  Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) February 27, 2017

Meanwhile, the producers and cast of La La Land began to take the stage, and as producer Jordan Horowitz explained later that night, it soon became clear that there was a problem.

He said that after saying a few words and walking to the side of the stage with the envelope, a stagehand approached him and said he needed to look at the card inside, which he soon saw clearly contained Stone's name.

At the same time, Cullinan and Ruiz made their way on stage, with Cullinan seen on the telecast handing the Best Picture envelope to Beatty.

Things then took another unexpected turn according to the Los Angeles Times when stage manager Gary Natoli said that Beatty was holding on to the envelope and refusing to let anyone see the winner.

Beatty later said that he wanted to show Moonlight director Barry Jenkins the envelope first, and footage from the telecast shows Beatty remaining at the center of the stage while Dunaway backed further and further away from the crowd.

Horowitz, having figured out that La La Land had not won, eventually rushed to the microphone to announce the mistake, and inform the audience that their film had not taken home the night's big prize.

He then ripped an envelope out of the hands of Beatty to show that it said Moonlight.

The room where it happened: Beatty speaks with Cullinan and an AMPAS staffer while Dunaway (left) looks on in shock)

Coping: Dunaway (above) seemed to find the entire iuncident amusing on Sunday night

Close eye: Ruiz was seen hanging by Beatty's side as he exited the stage on Sunday night (above)

Keepsake: Beatty was seen carrying the Actress envelope with him later that night at the Governor's Ball (above)

Practice makes perfect: Ruiz and Cullinan posted a photo last week as they attended rehersal for Sunday night's awards show (above)

That resulted in an odd moment where the cast and crew of La La Land began to slowly exit the stage while the all-black cast of Moonlight walked up with director Barry Jenkins and their three producers.

Beatty meanwhile tried to explain his gaff, while host Jimmy Kimmel repeatedly jumped in to joke about the situation in a clear attempt to diffuse the incredibly tense and uncomfortable moment.

'I opened the envelope and it said "Emma Stone, La La Land,"' said Beatty onstage.

'That's why I looked at Faye, and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny.'

Some took issue with Beatty commanding the microphone at that moment given the magnitude of the Moonlight win, being the first LGBT film to win Best Picture as well as the first movie with an all-black cast to claim that honor.

Oscars producer Michael De Luca had already poured champagne to celebrate the night, and later thanked Kimmel for how he handled the situation.

'Yeah, but no one is going to remember that now. I don't know what happened. We will analyze every bit of it,' replied Kimmel.

Beatty meanwhile seemed to enjoy the situation, and was later seen carrying the envelope with him at an afterparty.

He tried to make light of the situation, while Dunaway would not speak of what happened on stage when approached by reporters.

Job requirement: Cullinan and Ruiz spent the pre-show posing for photographs on the red carpet that were posted to PwC Twitter (above)

Date night ruined: Cullinan and his wife at Sunday night's ceremony before the mishap (above)

Work event: Cullinan and Ruiz also cozied up to model Chrissy Teigen at the 2016 ceremony (above)

Selfie time: The accountants also took a selfie with Chris Rock in 2016 at the Oscars (left) while Cullinan's son Brett posted a photo he captioned as 'Dad and Uncle Matt' that same year

PricewaterhouseCoopers released a statement at the request of the Academy on Monday stating: 'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture.

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

'We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.'

Kimmel meanwhile closed out the show Sunbday by accepoting all blame for the situation.

'Well, I dont know what happened; I blame myself for this,' said the host.

'Lets remember, its just an awards show. I mean, we hate to see people disappointed, but the good news is, we got to see some extra speeches.

'We had some great movies. I knew I would screw this show up, I really did. Thank you for watching.

'Im back to work tomorrow night at my regular show. I promise Ill never come back. Good night.'

WHAT CAUSED THE OSCARS BEST FILM BLUNDER? Cullinan (right) and Ruiz (left) are responsible for manually counting the ballots for the 24 Oscars categories and collating the winners The spotlight has been shone on those responsible for the counting and handing out of the winners at the Oscars following the spectacular blunder that saw the wrong film announced as the best picture victor. Accountancy firm PwC has apologized for the error, which saw presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announce La La Land as the winner instead of Moonlight, before they were stopped by PwC's Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz. The company has said they are 'investigating' the mix-up, which will go down in Oscars history as one of the prize-giving ceremony's biggest mistakes ever. Here's what you need to know about the Oscars winner votes and how the error may have occurred. What is PwC? PwC is the accountancy firm in charge of counting the 7,000 votes made by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who vote via post or electronically, to collate the full list of winners for the Oscars. Who are Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz? Cullinan and Ruiz are partners at the US branch of PwC. They are responsible for manually counting the ballots for the 24 Oscars categories and collating the winners. They are then tasked with transporting them to the awards ceremony to hand out to presenters ahead of each prize-giving. How do they count the winners? In the days leading up to the awards, Cullinan and Ruiz - with the help of a few colleagues - collect the 7,000 votes and count them manually. Ruiz previously told the BBC: 'Once polls close, we print everything and go through a very manual process. 'We do that for a variety of reasons. We want to make sure that no results reside in any one system or computer, and want to ensure a variety of different mechanisms (are used) to secure the process and the results.' PwC has apologised for the error, which saw presenters Warren Beatty (pictured) and Faye Dunaway announce La La Land as the winner instead of Moonlight Who is aware of the Oscar winners before they are announced? Only Cullinan and Ruiz know the full list of winners prior to the ceremony. During the counting process, those helping them only see a 'small fraction' of the paper printed out by Cullinan and Ruiz so as not to reveal the full list to anybody else. Ruiz said: 'It's up to Brian and I to fully count everything together once, twice and sometimes multiple times to make sure it's correct.' What happens with the winners cards? Two duplicate sets of winners cards in envelopes are produced and put into matching briefcases, which are carried the red carpet and into the Dolby Theatre ahead of the ceremony. Why are there duplicate sets of winners cards? Two identical sets are made for safety purposes, in case one of the sets is compromised or stolen on the way to the ceremony. Cullinan and Ruiz arrive separately and take different routes while flanked by security at all times to ensure they make it safely to the event. Either Cullinan or Ruiz, who stand at either sides of the stage throughout the ceremony to dole out the winners cards, should have handed Beatty and Dunaway an envelope housing the winner for best picture Did Cullinan and Ruiz have the wrong winner? No. Moonlight was the correct winner for best picture, but the incorrect envelope was handed to presenters Beatty and Dunaway. What should have happened? Either Cullinan or Ruiz, who stand at either sides of the stage throughout the ceremony to dole out the winners cards, should have handed Beatty and Dunaway an envelope housing the winner for best picture. Why was the wrong envelope handed out? PWC has said it is going to investigate how the mistake happened. How was the mistake corrected? Cullinan and Ruiz appeared on stage to correct the error. The mistake was then addressed by La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, who took to the microphone to reveal that Moonlight had been named best picture while holding up the correct winners card. Following the incident, Emma Stone (left), most likely unaware that there are two duplicate sets of winners cards, said that she was holding onto her winners card as best picture was announced Why did Beatty announce La La Land as the winner? Despite being given the card for leading actress, which had earlier been given to La La Land's Emma Stone, Beatty thought the winner was the musical. After the error was cleared-up, he returned to the microphone to say: 'I want to tell you what happened, I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land, and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. 'I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture.' How did Stone initially cast doubt over the mix-up? Following the incident, Stone, most likely unaware that there are two duplicate sets of winners cards, said that she was holding onto her winners card as best picture was announced. She said: 'I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time. I don't mean to start stuff but whatever story that was, I had that card. So I'm not sure what happened.' Advertisement
Jeremy Corbyn has been warned he cannot keep making excuses for Labour's miserable performance as allies complained of a 'soft coup' against him.

The veteran left-winger insisted he was preparing 'very coherent' policies amid a wave of criticism of his bungling leadership after the devastating by-election loss in Copeland.

But former Cabinet minister Harriet Harman said Mr Corbyn had to recognise that the 'buck stops with him', voicing fears that Labour is on track to be routed by the Tories in 2020.

Jeremy Corbyn lost his temper during an interview with Sky News yesterday. He has issued a plea for more time to put together 'coherent' policies

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused moderate MPs of launching a fresh bid to unseat the leader, saying they are 'intent on destroying Jeremy and all that he stands for'. A spokesman played down the article, published on the Labour Briefing website overnight, saying it was written last week following criticism from Tony Blair.

Shadow cabinet colleague Barry Gardiner suggested Mr McDonnell had been 'on the late night typewriter' and written the piece 'out of frustration'.

Mr Corbyn has endured a torrid few days after the party recorded its worst result in a by-election since the Second World War.

Mr Corbyn dramatically lost his temper yesterday as he was repeatedly challenged to confirm he would stay in post to fight the next general election.

After twice trying to dodge questions during an interview with Sky News, Mr Corbyn snapped: 'I've given you a very clear answer, yes.' He then stalked off.

The grumpy clash came after he vowed defiance in an at times bizarre speech to a half-full hall at the Scottish Labour conference.

Despite finally conceding that he bore some responsibility for the humiliating loss to the Tories in Copeland, Mr Corbyn said he would ignore pleas from party moderates for a change in direction.

'It's not called The Struggle for nothing,' he told the sparse audience in Perth.

In a performance that seemed to nonplus the crowd and senior Labour figures on the stage with him, Mr Corbyn deployed Marxist language to complain that the Conservatives were only capable of representing the 'owners not the workers'.

At one point he confused 'MSP' with 'SNP' as he tried to make a tortuous joke.

The veteran left-winger put on a show of defiance in an at times bizarre speech to a half-full hall at the Scottish Labour conference in Perth yesterday

Former deputy leader Harriet Harman has told Mr Corbyn that the 'buck stops with him'

In an interview with the Guardian today, Mr Corbyn promised to bring forward 'very coherent', 'credible' and 'solid' policies to help revive Labour's fortunes.

The Labour leader appeared to reject suggestions his leadership style was to blame for the party's poor performance, saying 'people obviously have a view, perceptions, about party leaders, and I have mine'.

He suggested the defeat to the Tories in the Cumbrian seat of Copeland, which had been held by Labour since 1935, was down to demographic change, with the party's majority gradually tumbling in recent elections.

'There's also a longer term issue in Copeland that the Labour vote has actually been unfortunately going down for quite a long time and the area has changed; the area also needs an investment plan so it doesn't need to rely solely on nuclear but relies on other industries as well,' he said.

Mr Corbyn put on a show of defiance as he addressed the Scottish Labour conference in Perth yesterday, insisting 'The Struggle' would continue

He said his 'democratic' approach to policy-making meant the process was 'longer and slightly more cumbersome than calling in a few experts into my office to tell me what the policies should be.'

Mr Corbyn went on: 'We are going to be producing some very coherent policies on health, social care, mental health issues and funding. But crucially it's the economic questions.

'This is exciting involvement in an economic strategy-building across the whole country. It doesn't necessarily have the same media headlines immediately, but I tell you, in the longer term this is actually a more credible and more solid way of doing things.'

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour, Ms Harman dismissed Mr Corbyn's excuses.

'The thing about being leader is the buck stops with you. You can't be blaming anybody - you can't be saying the members have got it wrong, you can't be saying the public has got it wrong, you can't be saying MPs have got it wrong,' she said.

'The buck stops with you and you have to take responsibility for making it right, not getting it wrong and blaming other people  whether it's the media or anyone else.'

She warned Labour could lose the next two general elections unless it faced up to the problems.

In his article on the left-wing Labour Briefing website, Mr McDonnell said he wanted to 'alert party members that the soft coup is under way'

In his article on the left-wing website, Mr McDonnell said he wanted to 'alert party members that the soft coup is under way'.

'Its planned, co-ordinated and fully resourced. It is being perpetrated by an alliance between elements in the Labour Party and the Murdoch media empire, both intent on destroying Jeremy Corbyn and all that he stands for,' he said.

'The coup is not being waged up front in public but strictly behind the scenes. Having learned the lesson of the last coup attempt - that a direct attack on Jeremy and his policies will provoke a backlash from many party members - the coup perpetrators are this time round pursuing a covert strategy.'

A spokesman for the shadow chancellor said: 'This article was written over a week ago in response to the intervention from Tony Blair.

'It was published in print last week and only went online last night. However, as John said yesterday he wants us all to focus on party unity following last weeks by-election results.'

Mr Gardiner told the BBC's Daily Politics show: 'I think this was frustration. You will recall that there were the interventions by the Labour grandees just before the by-elections. John obviously got on the late-night typewriter, as it used to be, and out of frustration penned this.'

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show yesterday, shadow attorney general Baroness Chakrabarti again denied that Mr Corbyn was an issue

Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson denied that it was 'suicide' to keep Mr Corbyn in place but warned that he needed to be more 'coherent'

Close Corbyn ally Baroness Chakrabarti made an extraordinary claim yesterday that the devastating result in Copeland - where Conservative Trudy Harrison romped to victory in a seat Labour has held since the 1930s - was partly down to supporters not having cars.

Deputy leader Tom Watson played down the prospects of a fresh bid to unseat Mr Corbyn, which rebels believed would be rejected by the increasingly left-wing membership.

But he raised concerns that the meltdown Labour has suffered in Scotland could be repeated in England unless something changes soon.

'The country now know he's a conviction politician; I think they now want to see him giving greater policy coherence,' Mr Watson told ITV's Peston programme.

Mr Watson also took aim at Unite chief Len McCluskey, a key supporter of Mr Corbyn, for keeping silent since the Copeland result.

'If I've got some frustrations, it's that those people that are Jeremy's cheerleaders, that made sure that he was elected a second time last September, they should be sticking with their leader in the bad times, not just the good,' Mr Watson said.
A grandmother who was trapped inside her car for 11 hours after it crashed into a ditch has miraculously been pulled from the wreckage.

Melissa Jones slammed into an embankment after she lost control of her vehicle in the NSW Central Tablelands, near Bathurst, at about 11pm on Sunday.

The 43-year-old managed to call triple-0 as she was trapped inside the mangled car, but couldn't tell emergency services her location.

A grandmother who was trapped inside her car for 11 hours after it crashed into a ditch has miraculously been pulled from the wreckage

Melissa Jones (pictured) slammed into an embankment after she lost control of her vehicle in the NSW Central Tablelands, near Bathurst, at about 11pm on Sunday

The 43-year-old managed to call triple-0 as she was trapped inside the mangled car

Soon after, her phone ran out of battery and she spent the night stuck in the wreckage.

'A lot of the information was contradictory,' Inspector Gerald Powell told Nine News.

'Clearly the lady didn't know the are well. It would have been a very scary situation.'

Emergency crews and family members, including her Ms Jones' son, Steven Kemp, searched for the wreckage throughout the night.

'When I got the call I couldn't sit at home and just let it be,' Mr Kemp told the network.

Emergency crews and family members, including her Ms Jones' son, Steven Kemp, searched for the wreckage throughout the night

'When I got the call I couldn't sit at home and just let it be,' Mr Kemp said

'The SES team and us, we drove past where the car was a couple of times, but because she was so far in the gully you couldn't see the car.'

'It's been a rough 12 hours but we're right now we've got bit of closure, we know she is going to be OK. The main thing is we found her safe.'

Ms Jones is believed to have suffered a broken leg and a dislocated shoulder.

Her son said: 'It's been a rough 12 hours but we're right now we've got bit of closure, we know she is going to be OK. The main thing is we found her safe'
An aunt and another relative were stabbed to death in the street after a vigil for her autistic nephew who fell from a cliff.

Julie McCash, 43, and David Sorrie, 32, died when violence erupted at a flat in Dundee during a gathering for Ralphie Duffy, 18.

The trouble then spilled into the street, where neighbours tried to save the couple from their injuries.

Julie McCash (left), 43, and David Sorrie (right), 32, died when violence erupted at a flat in Dundee during a gathering for Ralphie Duffy, 18

Ms McCash, a hairdresser, and Mr Sorrie, were both pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday morning.

One resident told The Sun: 'The woman was lying on the ground and people were trying to rescue her but it wasnt going to be enough. I could hear someone scream, "Get an ambulance". It was chaos.'

The couple had gathered with other friends and family to support one another after Ralphie disappeared on Saturday morning.

The teenager had fallen from cliffs in Arbroath while he was walking with his father and has not been seen since. Police, lifeboats and a helicopter are still scouring the coast for signs of the teenager.

One family member told the Daily Record: 'Ralphie was autistic and the wind noise might have spooked him. He probably didn't realise they were walking near to the cliff edge.

'It's a terrible tragedy. His parents are distraught.'

Ralphie (pictured) had fallen from cliffs in Arbroath while he was walking with his father on Saturday and has not been seen since

A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Police Scotland attended following reports of the deaths of two people, a 32-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

'A 42-year-old man has been detained in connection with the incident and inquiries are ongoing.'

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie, from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, said: 'There will be a strong police presence in the area while our investigation continues and I'd like to thank the community in advance for their patience.

'I would also like to take this opportunity to stress that this has been a contained and isolated incident. There has been no threat to the wider public at any stage.
The initiative is being brought in at Colchester Academy in Essex, by principal Fiona Pierson, in a bid to stop truancy

A school is set to charge parents for each of their child's GCSE exams if the pupil's attendance drops below 90 per cent.

The initiative is being brought in at Colchester Academy in Essex, by principal Fiona Pierson, in a bid to stop truancy.

If a pupil's record dips below the figure - the equivalent of missing 20 lessons in a year - in any of their subjects, their parents will be asked to pay 65 for the exam in that particular subject.

Pupils were told in an assembly that they need to meet these expectations and letters were sent to their homes.

Principal Ms Pierson said: 'Since sending this letter out we have seen an improvement in Year 11 attendance of 1.1 per cent.

'In addition, the number of students who have an attendance figure below 90 per cent has decreased by over half.

'Both of these improvements will have a significant impact on the successes these young people will experience in the future and that is my aim.'

In the correspondence sent to parents, Ms Pierson explained how she is not prepared to enter students for exams if they have not shown enough commitment.

To justify this she pointed out 'the financial position of the public sector at present'.

However she also explained how 'exceptional circumstances where there may be medical evidence to explain the level of absence' would make parents exempt of penalties.

She said: 'I am extremely sympathetic to student needs and there are some who have an attendance figure below this 90 per cent mark who will not be asked for a financial contribution.

Colchester Academy principal Fiona Pierson and pupils celebrated a turnraound in GCSE results in 2015

'However, there is now a small minority of parents who will be approached. I have not received any resistance from parents, I think the approach has been measured.'

The Colchester school was rated as requiring improvement in its last Ofsted inspection in 2015 and had been in special measures.

LAW ON TRUANCY Headteachers have been able to fine parents of regular truants under laws introduced by Labour in 2003. The Government axed their discretionary power to allow children up to 10 days off during term time. Now, many schools are targeting children who regularly miss registration. As there is no clarification in the law, schools are able to mark anyone, who is not at registration in time, as absent. In 2015, some schools in England began to fine parents 60 for lateness. The penalty can be doubled if it is not paid within 21 days, and parents who refuse to pay could be prosecuted and even jailed. Advertisement

A key finding was GCSE pupils were not making enough progress.

Last year a grammar school in Salisbury, Wiltshire, was accused of 'money grabbing' after asking parents if they could cover the cost of some of their children's GCSE exams.

However, unlike those planned by Colchester Academy these charges were not compulsory.

In 2015, some schools in England began to fine parents 60 for lateness.

The penalty can be doubled if it is not paid within 21 days, and parents who refuse to pay could be prosecuted and even jailed.

Headteachers have been able to fine parents of regular truants under laws introduced by Labour in 2003.

The Government axed their discretionary power to allow children up to ten days off during term time.
President Trump seems to be showing uncharacteristic restraint as he remains silent about the Oscars on Twitter despite being goaded by the ceremony's host.

Stars last night lined up to slam the President, who is famous for his outspoken rants on Twitter and feuds with stars such as Meryl Streep and Rosie O'Donnell.

Host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted Trump while on stage, asking 'are you up' followed by 'merylsayshi' as the actress received a nomination, despite not being in a movie this year.

Trump, pictured at the annual Governors Dinner at the White House last night, has still not reacted to the heavy criticism he received at the Oscars last night

He tweeted only about his Governors dinner and 'FAKE NEWS' about Russia last night (pictured), despite being heavily criticised by numerous stars

The host, Jimmy Kimmel (pictured), even tweeted President Trump live on stage, writing 'merylsayshi', a reference to his long-running feud with Meryl Streep

Kimmel sent the President these two tweets last night, but Trump, who has all but live tweeted the Oscars in the past, has still said nothing of last night's star-studded event

But Trump, who has all but live tweeted the Oscars in the past, has still said nothing about the ceremony, in which he was hammered by Hollywood's elite.

Last night, he tweeted: 'Big dinner with Governors tonight at White House. Much to be discussed, including healthcare,' but made no reference to the event.

Two hours before, he wrote: 'Russia talk is 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!'

Kimmel took aim at President Trump, trashing him throughout the night, starting with his opening monologue.

He joked that the Academy Awards were being watching across the globe 'in more than 225 countries that now hate us'.

Best Foreign Language Film was won by The Salesman, but Iranian director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the awards due to the controversial Trump 'travel ban'.

PRESIDENT'S FAMOUS TWEETS, RANTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA FEUDS The famous tweet in which Trump suggested that Obama was not really American Trump takes aim at British comedian Russell Brand after he married singer Katy Perry Before becoming president, Trump used social media to launch a very personal attack on the Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington Trump's take on the scandal surrounding Democrat Anthony Weiner, who has been caught up in numerous sexting scandals, the latest of which hit headlines last year The businessman attacks Rosie O'Donnell, who he once called a 'pig' and has been involved in a feud with for more than a decade This is the bizarre tweet from Trump attacking American actress Kristen Stewart in the wake of allegations she cheated on Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson In 2015, he criticised the Oscars and Obama, later suggesting that he should host it Trump opens up on his opinion of sexual assault in the military, which he seems to suggest is inevitable 'when they put men & women together' He has also always liked to share his odd musings on life, here suggesting that he has never seen a thin person drinking Diet Coke In 2013, Trump shows his famous tact as he answers his critics on social media Not famous for his humility, Trump proclaims himself as the best tweeter in the world Advertisement

Kimmel added: 'I want to say thank you to President Trump... remember last year when it seemed the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him.'

He then took to the President's favorite medium - Twitter - to write: 'Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?' and '@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi.'

He later took aim again at Trump, calling on the crowd to give a 'highly over-rated' Meryl Streep a standing ovation for her 20 Oscar nominations throughout her career.

It's a reference to the long-running feud between the President and Streep, who he called 'the most overrated actress in Hollywood' on Twitter after she attacked him during a Golden Globes speech last month.

'One actress has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances. This is Meryl's 20th Oscar nomination... she wasn't even in a movie this year, we just wrote her name in out of habit,' Kimmel said.

He then said to Streep: 'Nice dress by the way... Is that an Ivanka?,' a sly jibe at the President's wife's troubled fashion label, which was dumped by department store Nordstrom this month.

Kimmel joked that Trump would tweet about all of the Oscar winner's acceptance speeches 'in all caps during his 5am bowel movement tomorrow', but so far he has said nothing on the ceremony.
One Nation co-founder David Oldfield has clashed with Waleed Aly on The Project over whether Malcolm Turnbull has any real convictions.

The Project host escalated the exchange by suggesting the Liberal prime minister was a small-l liberal who was progressive on social issues.

'Isn't his problem that he is actually a liberal in a party that's not letting him be liberal?' Aly asked on Monday night.

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David Oldfield, who worked for Tony Abbott, said Malcolm Turnbull only cared about himself

Waleed Aly (pictured left with co-host Carrie Bickmore) suggested Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was a small-l liberal on social issues

Mr Oldfield, who previously worked as former prime minister Tony Abbott's electorate officer, said Mr Turnbull only wanted to lead the party for personal gain.

'Maybe you're just not as aware of his past as I am and his allegiances,' he told the Network Ten program.

'Malcolm Turnbull's basic allegiance is to Malcolm Turnbull.'

Mr Oldfield, a former Liberal Party member who co-founded One Nation with Pauline Hanson in 1997, said Mr Turnbull never believed in the party's conservative values.

'No, Malcolm was never really a Liberal. Malcolm would have been a Green if it would have got him the position of prime minister,' he said.

'He's more of a mercenary where this is concerned.'

David Oldfield said Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) never shared the Liberal Party's conservative values

Aly suggested Mr Turnbull, a former merchant banker and millionaire tech entrepreneur, believed in free markets.

'He comes from a business background. He's liberal on culture just as he's liberal on business,' he said.

Mr Oldfield, a former NSW upper house MP with One Nation, said Mr Turnbull had no real convictions and only cared about himself.

'It's like a bucket list for him becoming prime minister,' he said.

'There's no real ideology driving what it is that Malcolm Turnbull wants to do and we've seen that by virtue of the fact that he's not doing anything because he's become a pawn of the party itself.'

A Newspoll shows national support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation has jumped to 10 per cent

Malcolm Turnbull's government is even more unpopular than Tony Abbott's team was

The criticism comes as a Newspoll, published in The Australian, showed Mr Turnbull's Coalition government trailing Labor 45 to 55 per cent, after preferences.

This would see the Bill Shorten-led opposition pick up at least a dozen seats and sweep to power if an election were held now.

Mr Turnbull's government is even more unpopular than Mr Abbott's team was when he was knifed as a first-term prime minister in September 2015.

The same poll also showed support for One Nation had more than doubled since November and now stood at 10 per cent nationally, giving the minor party equal standing with the Greens.

Before becoming prime minister in 2015, Mr Turnbull expressed support for gay marriage and had earlier backed an emissions trading scheme to tackle climate change.

However, he kept his predecessor Mr Abbott's ban on a free vote for same-sex marriage, arguing instead for a plebiscite to keep conservative elements of the Liberal and National parties on side.
A New Zealand woman is in a coma after she was punched in the throat while leaving a music festival.

Amelia Rayner, 29, was walking with her boyfriend from the Electric Avenue festival shortly after 11pm Saturday when she was allegedly attacked, according to police and media reports.

Investigators have not been able to interview Ms Rayner because of her condition, a police spokesperson said.

Amelia Rayner, 29, was walking with her boyfriend from the Electric Avenue festival shortly after 11pm Saturday when she was allegedly attacked

Ms Rayner is in a coma after she was punched in the throat while leaving a music festival

Based on information from Ms Rayner's family, the New Zealand news website Stuff reported she was in an induced coma.

A Christchurch Hospital spokesperson said she remains in critical condition, declining to provide further information and referring to a family request for privacy.

The alleged assault happened at the intersection of Park Terrace and Salisbury Street near South Hagley Park, police said.

Investigators have not been able to interview Ms Rayner because of her condition

Ms Rayner's mother, Barbara, told Stuff the alleged attack happened after three men came up to the couple and took Ms Rayner's hat.

After taking the hat back, a scuffle ensued, and Ms Rayner was punched in the throat, causing her trachea to be 'crushed,' Stuff reported.

Police had no information on the boyfriend's condition, but Ms Rayner's mother said he suffered bruises.

On social media, friends expressed their shock at the incident and described Ms Rayner as a 'beautiful spirited girl.'

'Who would do this to my beautiful, kind, sweet friend!!?? If anyone in [Christchurch] has any info please get in touch with the police,' one woman wrote.

'Amelia Rayner is a amazing woman with a big heart who doesn't deserve that done to her,' wrote another friend.
These shocking images show a zebra calmly walking around a field after being impaled by a spear in Kenya.

The photographs were taken at The Maasai Mara National Reserve, where Larry Broutman and his tour guide, Peter, spotted a small group of zebra and noticed through their binoculars that one appeared to have an unusual profile.

On closer inspection they were shocked to see that a spear was penetrating the zebra's body and coming out the other side.

The bloodied zebra had been impaled by a spear which is believed to have been fashioned by the Maasai tribe in Kenya

Astonishingly the animal could be seen calmly walking and grazing despite its horrific injury

Mr Broutman, from Chicago, said: 'My guide explained how he had never seen anything like this before, we were all speechless.

'It was incredible to see the zebra walking and grazing with the other animals, it was as if nothing was wrong.

'Since we were miles away from our own camp, we decided to go to a near Maasai family village where I showed them the images on my digital camera and they were also shocked.

'We could determine that the spear was typical of a Maasai fashioned spear, but they had no idea who could have done something like this.

'People have asked why we didn't seek immediate help or put the zebra out of its misery, but the guides do not carry weapons and there are no vets nearby so all we could do was report it to the park rangers.'

The photographs were taken by American tourist Larry Broutman while on safari

Mr Broutman holding the spear after it had been kept by the chief of the Maasai family village

The zebra was found dead along with the spear a few days after the pictures were taken

A few months later, Mr Broutman returned to Maasai family village to ask about the zebra.

He added: 'The chief of the village greeted us and was holding the very spear which had penetrated the zebra.

'We were told that a few days after we spotted the animal, one of their herders came across its remains including the spear and they saved it for us knowing of our plans to return.'
A conman 'courier' who scammed three elderly women out of more than 7,000 by pretending to be a bank worker is being hunted by police.

The three pensioners were each tricked into handing their bank cards and PINs to a man who turned up at their homes claiming to work for their banks in South London.

All three were bombarded with calls and one in her 80s was kept on the phone for more than two hours and threatened with being sent to jail if she did not comply.

Wanted: Police have now released CCTV footage of the suspect withdrawing his first victims' money from ATMs and have urged anyone who recognises him to come forward

The conman targeted the three women over a three-month period, police said. The first victim was tricked into handing over her cards on November 14.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'An elderly woman in her 80s was deceived into handing over her bank cards, along with her PIN number.

'She received a phone call from a man claiming to be from her bank.

'He stated he needed to collect her cards from her home address in order for him to provide her with new cards the following day.'

The next day, the woman visited her branch to ask when she would receive her new cards. A member of staff became concerned and checked her account.

She was shocked to find 1,000 had been withdrawn from the victim's account in a Beckenham branch of Barclays.

On January 6, police were called to a similar courier fraud report in Thornton Heath. A women in her 70s had received a call from a man claiming to be from her bank.

He told her there was an issue with her bank cards and said he would arrange for a courier to come and collect them, along with her PIN numbers.

The force spokesman said: 'A short while later a man attended her home and collected the cards and PINs. The suspect withdrew 5,600 from a cash point at Barclays in Thornton Heath.'

Another elderly woman was targeted in an even more disturbing scam on January 23. The woman, aged in her 80s, was told fraud had been committed on her bank account and that the cards would be collected by a courier.

A woman handed over her cards to a conman, before a member of staff later found out 1,000 had been withdrawn from the victim's account in a Beckenham branch of Barclays (above)

The suspect kept the victim on the phone for more than two hours and warned her if she did not comply with him she would be arrested and sent to prison. The man collected her cards and withdrew 500 from her account at a cash point in Norbury.

Police have now released CCTV footage of the suspect withdrawing his first victims' money from ATMs and have urged anyone who recognises him to come forward.

The Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'The suspect is described as a black man, around 5ft 8ins to 6ft tall, with dreadlocks/braids tied up at the back.

'During one of the incidents he wore glasses and distinctive red tracksuit bottoms with the number 23 in white on the right thigh.'
A chilling letter written by a schoolboy to his parents before he blew himself up in a suicide attack has been found in an Islamic State training compound in Iraq.

The hand-written note contains the parting words of teenager Alaa Abd al-Akeedi to his family before he set off from the Mosul camp for the attack against Iraqi security forces last year.

'My dear family, please forgive me,' the letter reads. 'Don't be sad and don't wear the black clothes (of mourning). I asked to get married and you did not marry me off. So, by God, I will marry the 72 virgins in paradise.'

Teenage militant Alaa Abd al-Akeedi's final letter to his parents before he blew himself up in a suicide attack on Iraqi security forces

The letter was written on an Islamic State form marked 'Soldiers' Department, Martyrs' Brigade' in an envelope addressed to his parents' home in western Mosul.

Akeedi, aged 15 or 16 when he signed up, was one of dozens of young recruits who passed through the training facility in the past two and a half years as they prepared to wage jihad.

In several cases this involved carrying out suicide attacks - Islamic State's most effective weapon against a US-backed military campaign to retake the group's last major urban bastion in Iraq.

His letter never reached his family.

It was left behind with a handful of other bombers' notes to relatives when ISIS abandoned the facility in the face of an army offensive that has reclaimed more than half of the city since October.

The letter was written on an Islamic State form marked 'Soldiers' Department, Martyrs' Brigade' in an envelope addressed to his parents' home in western Mosul

The militants also left a handwritten registry containing the personal details of about 50 recruits.

Not all entries had years of birth, and only about a dozen had photographs attached, but many recruits were in their teens or early 20s.

These documents, found after the army recaptured the area from ISIS, include some of the first first-hand accounts from Islamic State's suicide bombers to be made public and offer an insight into the mindset of young recruits prepared to die for Islamic State's ultra-hardline ideology.

Relatives of three of the fighters including Akeedi were interviewed by news agency Reuters to help determine where they came from and why they chose jihad.

Akeedi's letter asked his family for their forgiveness and told them he was 'going to marry 72 virgins in paradise'

In rare testimonies by families of Islamic State suicide bombers, they told of teenagers who joined the jihadists to their dismay and bewilderment, and died within months.

ISIS have attracted thousands of young recruits in Mosul - by far the biggest city in the caliphate it declared in 2014 over territory it seized in Iraq and Syria.

The group has carried out hundreds of suicide attacks in the Middle East and plotted or inspired dozens of attacks in the West.

The training compound consisted of three villas confiscated from Mosul residents.

Man-sized holes knocked through exterior walls allowed easy access between the villas.

Lower floors were littered with IS posters and pamphlets on topics ranging from religion to weaponry, as well as tests on warfare and the Koran.

Green paint and bed sheets on the windows obscured the view from outside and gave the rooms an eerie glow.

Body armour and human-shaped shooting targets filled one room, while medicines and syringes were scattered around another that appeared to have served as a clinic.

The rooms upstairs were packed full of bunk beds with space for almost 100 people.

Printed signs outlined strict house rules. One ordered: 'Brother jihadi, respect quiet and cleanliness'.

Most of the recruits listed in the registry were Iraqi but there were a few from the United States, Iran, Morocco and India.

Akeedi's entry says he pledged allegiance on Dec. 1, 2014, a few months after the jihadists seized Mosul.

A relative, who did not want to be named, said the fighter's father was deeply distressed by his son's decision but feared punishment if he tried to remove him from Islamic State's ranks.

Akeedi rarely visited his family after joining the jihadists.

On his last trip home he told his father he was going to carry out a suicide attack in Baiji, an oil refinery town south of Mosul where the militants had been fighting off repeated offensives by the Iraqi military.

The relative said: 'He told his father, "I am going to seek martyrdom."'

A few months later, Akeedi's family was told by the militants that he had succeeded.

The ID card of teenage Islamic State militant Atheer Ali. He was killed in an air in Bshiqa

Another recruit of the same age, Atheer Ali, is listed in the registry beside a passport-sized photo showing a boy with bushy eyebrows and large brown eyes.

He wears a dark collar-less tunic, a brown head covering and a cautious smile.

His father, Abu Amir, said his son had been an outstanding student who excelled in science and was always watching the National Geographic TV channel.

He loved to swim and fish in a nearby river and would help out on his uncle's vegetable farm after school.

Ali was shy and slim, lacking a fighter's mentality or build, Abu Amir said in an interview at his eastern Mosul home, sifting through family photos.

A childhood photo of Ali, pictured left, his family say he joined ISIS one day after school

A document left by Ali. His father said he was an outstanding student who excelled in science

So the father was horrified when one day in early 2015 Ali didn't come home from school but ran off with seven classmates to join Islamic State.

When Abu Amir went to the militants' offices across the city to track down his son, they threatened to jail him.

He never saw his son alive again.

A few months later, three Islamic State fighters pulled up at Abu Amir's house in a pickup truck and handed him a scrap of paper informing him he was dead

Ali's entry in an Islamic State registry found in a training facility in eastern Mosul

Abu Amir retrieved Ali's body from the morgue. Shrapnel was lodged in his arms and chest.

He said the fighters told him he had been hit by an air strike on a mortar position in Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul. They described him as a 'hero'.

Ali's relatives have said he was brainwashed.

Many of his school friends fled Mosul after the militants took control and Ali fell in with a new crowd, but his family never noticed a change in his behaviour.

'Even now I'm still astounded. I don't know how they convinced him to join,' said Abu Amir. 'I'm just glad we could bury him and put this whole thing to rest.'

Sheet Omar was also 15 or 16 years old when he joined Islamic State in August 2014, weeks after the group captured Mosul. Next to his registry entry is the fatal addendum: 'Conducted martyrdom operation'.

Shalal Younis, Omar's sister's father-in-law, confirmed he had died carrying out a suicide attack, though he was uncertain about the details.

He said the teenager, from the Intisar district of eastern Mosul, had been overweight and insecure and joined the jihadists after his father's death.

'His mind was fragile and they took advantage of that, promising him virgins and lecturing him about being a good Muslim,' said Younis. 'If someone had tempted him with drugs and alcohol, he probably would have done that instead.'
This remarkable footage captures the day David Lloyd George cosied up to Hitler during a pre-war trip to Germany before hailing him as 'the greatest living German'.

The grainy black and white film shows the politician and his entourage travelling around Germany in 1936, where they dined with the Nazi ruler and rode together on new autobahns.

The 16mm propaganda film also captures Lloyd George schmoozing and laughing with the dictator as he tours a Bavarian town.

In another clip, the British PM lays a wreath at a war memorial in Munich, while the flags of the Nazi Party and the UK hang side by side in the background.

The remarkable film captures the day David Lloyd George cosied up to Hitler before hailing him as 'the greatest living German' (pictured)

The black and white video, filmed in 1936, shows the politician and his entourage travelling to Germany, where they dined with the Nazi ruler and travelled together on new autobahns

Following the visit, Lloyd George described Hitler as a 'remarkable personality' and lauded him as 'one of the greatest I have ever met in the whole of my life'.

Hitler added that he was pleased to have met 'the man who won the war', prompting Lloyd George to call Hitler 'the greatest living German'.

He said in a newspaper interview: 'Germany does not want war. Hitler does not want war. He is a most remarkable personality, one of the greatest I have ever met in the whole of my life, and I have met some very great men.

'Affection is a quite inadequate word to describe the attitude of the German people towards Hitler. It amounts almost to worship.'

He added that there was 'no whisper of criticism' of the Nazi leader.

'I have never seen anything like it,' he continued. 'Some men I met who are not Nazis told me that they did not know what the country would have done without him.

'They are inclined to blame Hitler's supporters for some of the things which they do not approve, but there is no whisper of criticism of Hitler.

The 16mm propaganda film also captures Lloyd George schmoozing and laughing with the dictator (pictured)

The British Prime Minister, pictured at the war memorial, later praised the Nazi leader as 'the George Washington of Germany'

The pair first met alone at the Berghof, before Lloyd George returned for tea the following night (pictured)

'It is just like our motto, "The King can do no wrong"'.

He also praised the Nazi leader as 'the George Washington of Germany'.

The visit came about when Lloyd George, the Prime Minister during the First World War against Germany, visited Hitler's home at Haus Wachenfeld near Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps.

The pair first met alone at the Berghof, before Lloyd George returned for tea the following night.

During the visit, Lloyd George was impressed by Germany's public works programmes which he saw first hand.

During the visit, Lloyd George was impressed by Germany's public works programmes which he saw first hand

He believed Hitler was rearming Germany for defence and that a war between Germany and Russia would not happen for at least 10 years. He is pictured in the footage

Pictured in stills of the film is Hitler's new headquarters in Munich with a memorial to the victims of 18th November 1923 revolution

He believed Hitler was rearming Germany for defence and that a war between Germany and Russia would not happen for at least 10 years.

The film, which belongs to a British historian, has now been put up for sale for 1,200.

Ben Jones, auctioneer at Shropshire-based Mullock's Auctions which is selling the film, said: 'It is a significant film and interesting to see how Lloyd George was laughing and joking and everything appears to be okay.

The film (pictured), which belongs to a British historian, has been put up for sale for 1,200

'Hitler was able to cover up all of his emotions and what he was really thinking to fool people into thinking he was a different person to the one we witnessed by the end of the war.

'My guess is this film was made by someone from Lloyd George's entourage perhaps for propaganda purposes because you can see the Germans don't look at the camera while Lloyd George's entourage do acknowledge it.

'The person who has the film in his possession is a British historian who is a big collector with so much material he needs to start selling some of it.'

The auction takes place tomorrow.
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This is the moment armed police swooped on a British shopping centre as part of a terror attack training drill.

West Midlands Police officers, carrying automatic rifles, took up positions outside Nando's at Merry Hill mall in Brierley Hill.

Actors who played victims of the Paris-style 'attack' laid strewn across the floor in dramatic pictures of the operation, which took place last night.

This is the moment armed police swooped on a British shopping centre as part of a terror attack training drill

Actors who played victims of the Paris-style 'attack' laid strewn across the floor in dramatic pictures of the operation, which took place last night

West Midlands Police, together with partner emergency services, took part in a live-play training exercise at intu Merry Hill last night

It was one of a number of exercises that have taken place across the country to prepare for the threat of a terror attack.

Police said they had kept the operation secret to allow the emergency services to respond as they would in a real incident.

Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale said: 'Routine exercises like this are important as they enable us to test our ability to deal with large scale incidents.

'I would like to thank intu Merry Hill and the local community for their support.

'The exercise was not based on any threat or intelligence and although it is unlikely that an incident like this would occur, recent national and international events have once again highlighted the importance of public organisations testing their emergency response procedures to assure the safety of the communities we serve.'

The exercise took place after the shopping centre and nearby restaurants had closed.

The exercise was designed to enhance the skills of emergency responders when managing a major incident and was not in relation to any specific threat. Actors who played victims can be seen lying on the floor, while a smoke bomb goes off

West Midlands Police officers, carrying automatic rifles, took up positions outside Nando's at Merry Hill mall in Brierley Hill

This was just one of many exercises held regularly across the country and provides invaluable training and experience for all staff

A police spokesman said: 'The area was tightly controlled and there was no impact on the public.

'Officers and security staff were on patrol during the night to reassure any local residents who may have been affected by increased activity, noise and presence of the emergency services.

'However, it was business as usual for the force and officers.'

Details of the exercise were not shared in advance to allow the emergency services to respond spontaneously as they would in a real incident

A police officer sticks their rifle out in a hallway of the shopping centre as part of the terror training exercise

The area was tightly controlled and there was no impact on the public. Officers and security staff were on patrol during the night to reassure any local residents who may have been affected by increased activity, noise and presence

The exercise comes months after it was revealed that Britain's security services were probing at least four plots to commit terrorist atrocities , with shopping centres and stadiums thought to be at particular risk

West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Fire Service also took part in the operation.

The exercise comes months after it was revealed that Britain's security services were probing at least four plots to commit terrorist atrocities, with shopping centres and stadiums thought to be at particular risk.

Hours before the drill, Max Hill QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism laws, said Britain faced a terror threat not seen since the IRA bombings of the 1970s, and Islamist extremists were targeting UK cities.

He revealed his 'enormous concern' over the threat posed by British jihadis returning from Syria fighting for Islamic State.

Last July a gunman in Munich murdered nine people during a mall shooting spree.
Experts have revealed they can work out Kim Jong-un's nuclear plans and capabilities by analysing just a single image of the leader.

A single propaganda photograph of the North Korean leader appears to give away more about the secretive nation than its security officials might like.

Professionals analysing North Korea can pinpoint the location of the photographs and even the date they were taken depending on how fat he is.

Team of experts have picked apart this photo of Kim Jong-un to give an insight into his plans

A team of professionals told The New York Times how they can gauge the rang of the missiles in the pictures and even his standing in the military from a single photograph.

The image from March 2016 shows the dictator standing around a bomb with a group of men in front of a rocket.

North Korean state media portrayed it as an unveiling of the country's newest nuclear device which analysts have described as the disco ball.

There is some debate surrounding the bomb which has been nicknamed the disco ball

Jeffrey Lewis, an analyst at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told The New York Times it weighs a few hundred kilograms and is roughly as destructive as the bombs the US dropped on Japan.

He said the telling thing to take from the spherical weapon was its ability to fit on their long-range missiles.

Because it is only 60cm in diameter, it means it is small enough to be mounted on the ballistic weapons, meaning a big step forward for their nuclear programme.

With only one angle available, there are conflicting theories on the bomb's functionality, with some experts saying it could even feature a toxic gas.

Kim Jong-un is wearing a jacket belonging to his grandfather, who is synonymous with the Korean War and which points to the country being on the war path once again

Kim Il-sung (left) wearing the jacket his grandson was wearing in March 2016 and Kim Jong-il (right) wearing much plainer clothes which depicts his style

Even the coat work by Kim Jong-un is significant.

Historians recognise the coat as the current dictator's grandfather Kim Il-sung, the nation's founding leader, who is synonymous with the Korean War.

By donning his grandfather's coat, experts believe the country is once again on the war path, as it means he is breaking away from the traditions of his father Kim Jong-il - a man who preferred to lead through the military and the Communist Party.

The coat is a symbolic gesture that he and he alone is in charge, which helps the analysts get an idea of the government's dynamics.

It goes hand-in-hand with the experts' theory on the carefully-selected gathered crowd.

Officials dressed in civilian clothing points to the dictator's personal involvement in the nuclear programme and their studious note-taking is to prove he is in charge

Michael Madden, who tracks appearances by North Korean officials, picked out the head of the nuclear program and the head of missile forces both wearing civilian clothing.

The meaning behind this, he told The New York Times, was that Kim runs North Korea's nuclear programme personally.

Fellow expert Joshua Pollack backed the theory up by saying: 'This is not rule by the military anymore. This is rule by one man.'

Adding to the message that he was boss is the fact Kim is directing the officials, who are studiously note-taking.

Experts have picked out the word 'support' on the missile, which they believe is capable of achieving a range of thousands of miles

David Schmerler, who works at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, spotted white lettering on the missile behind the crowd, reading 'support'.

He told the American paper he could measure the missile's capabilities and the type of fuel it used.

The result is a harrowing one - it has a range of thousands of miles which would mean Washington and London are within striking distance.

The team of professionals were also able to pinpoint the location of the photograph as being just outside Pyongyang and they regularly use the dictator's fluctuating weight to determine when a photograph is taken.

Summarising, Mr Pollack told The New York Times: 'This is a deadly serious programme.'

This month, the UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches and warned of 'further significant measures' if Pyongyang does not stop nuclear testing.

However, North Korea has fired back angrily rejecting the U.N. Security Council's statement and declaring on Tuesday that all of its tests are 'self-defence measures' to protect its people.

Kim Jong Un's men successfully launched a new type of medium-to long-range ballistic missile on Sunday, the first test of U.S. President Donald Trump's vow to get tough on the isolated regime.

Han Tae Song, the new ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the United Nations in Geneva, told the Conference on Disarmament:

'The various test fires conducted by DPRK for building up self-defence capabilities are, with no exception, self-defence measures to protect national sovereignty and the safety of the people against direct threats by hostile forces.
Megyn Kelly made her first public appearance in over two months on Sunday night, walking the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles.

The former Fox News anchor has not been seen since she signed off from The Kelly File on January 6, just four days after announcing that she would be leaving her post at the cable news network and taking on a new role at NBC.

Kelly will be hosting an hour-long morning show weekdays on NBC when she joins the teams later this year, and she seemed to be preparing for that new task on Sunday by debuting a new, softer look on the red carpet.

Her normally chopped blonde hair is now a few shades lighter and much longer, falling past her shoulders and styled with dramatic waves to frame her face.

For the occasion, Kelly chose to wear an understated but elegant black and beige dress that was covered in black, white and beige sequins and included a keyhole front with a thigh-high slit running up the side.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Kelly's future NBC co-worker Savannah Guthrie made a surprise return to Today just 12 weeks after she left the show for the birth of her second child, son Charles Max Feldman.

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She's back: Megyn Kelly attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles on Sunday night (above)

Back in the spotlight: It was her first public appearance since she announced she would be joining NBC in a new role and leaving Fox News after over a decade

Plus one: Kelly, 46, debuted a new softer look with her hair running past her shoulders and a few shades lighter (above with Douglas Brunt)

This is the second year in a row that Kelly has made an appearance at the Vanity Fair party, and once again she took her husband Douglas Brunt as her date.

Kelly managed to fly below the radar at the event, which was attended by a bevy of A-list stars and all the night's big winners.

After walking the red carpet with Brunt, Kelly took some time to pose for a photo inside with Pitch Perfect star and director Elizabeth Banks.

Kelly was on the cover of the magazine back in January of 2016, and in that interview spoke mostly about her ongoing feud with President Donald Trump.

The 46-year-old mother of three is no longer on President Trump's radar these days, with Kelly barred from appearing on air until Fox News lets her out of her contract with the network which had been set to expire in July.

She is not completely avoiding the spotlight though, and has been hosting a book club on Facebook Live once a week for the past month where she discusses her memoir Settle For More with fans.

In those videos Kelly has also been keeping her hair pulled back, which allowed her to reveal her new look for the first time on the red carpet Sunday.

An NBC insider told Dailymail.com that the plan is for the former Fox News darling to get her own hour of morning television that would not fall under the Today show brand, would be a new brand, and would cancel the fourth hour of the program altogether.

Kathie Lee and Hoda are expected to move to third hour now, and the fourth hour will be cancelled to make room for Kelly's new show.

Also back: Across the country, Kelly's future NBC co-worker Savannah Guthrie made a surprise return from maternity leave to host the morning show on Monday (above)

Fan frenzy: Guthrie was welcomed back by her two-longtime co-hosts Matt Lauer and Al Roker (above)

It was one month into Guthrie's maternity leave that NBC announced they were bringing Kelly onboard, a decision that was reportedly not shared with any of the talent on the network save Matt Lauer.

That move has led to reports that Kelly is being groomed to one day take over for Guthrie on Today, a claimed that NBC reps have repeatedly scoffed at over the past two months.

Guthrie was one of the first to congratulate Kelly when NBC announced that she was joining the network, writing on Twitter: 'Big welcome to @MegynKelly - awesome get for @NBCNews !! May I not be nine months pregnant in the next picture we take side-by-side!'

She included a photo of herself and Kelly from when the Today host interviewed her in November while she was promoting her memoir.

Guthrie was all smiles as she returned to work on Monday, the morning after the Academy Awards.

She posted a photo on Twitter the night before of her alarm being set for 3am, writing: 'We meet again.'

Guthrie also shared the note she left for Charlie and her two-year-old daughter Vale that read: 'I will see you for lunch. Love, Mommy.'

Lauer welcomed her by opening an envelope in a nod to the Oscar fiasco one night prior and announcing Guthrie as his co-host.

He opened the envelope however and said, 'That can't be right, before calling over Al Roker to have a look.

Guthrie then made her entrance, saying: 'I'd like to thank the Academy.'

Changes: Kelly had kept her new look hidden in a Facebook video she did ladst week (left) just days before the Vanity fair Party (right)

False narrative: There have been rumors that Kelly is being groomed to take over for Guthrie (pair above in April 2016) on Today, but those claims are being denied by NBC reps

Out: Kelly's move to NBC led to the exit of Tamron Hall, who chose not to resign with thge network (Hall above with the cast of Moonlight)

It was a big day on the show, as in addition to Guthrie's return former president George W. Bush was making a rare television appearance to sit down with Lauer.

Earlier this month, the veteran Today anchor gave an rare interview to TV Insider in honor of his 20th anniversary at the helm of the popular NBC morning show, and spoke for the first time about the news that Kelly had left Fox News to join them team at the Peacock Network.

'Ive seen her on morning shows. Shes multi-talented and would fit right in [at NBC],' said Lauer.

'Shes a remarkable broadcaster and journalist, a real force.'

Talk also turned to the rumors that pop up every few years suggesting that Lauer may be leaving the show.

'This is still my dream job. I havent found anything in broadcasting or journalism that I am as well-suited for,' said Lauer.

'Ive joked that I could host ESPNs old show Fly Fishing the World.'

He then added: 'I will tell you that I do have a time in mind when Ill leave.'

Lauer's interview came right on the heels of a member of his team leaving, with Tamron Hall electing not to sign a new contract with the network after learning she and Roker would not longer be hosting the third hour of Today when Kelly arrives at the network later this year.

At the time Hall was being offered a multi-million dollar contract after 10 years with the network.
A couple have been left with a legal bill of nearly 70,000 after losing a battle to keep their beloved terrier in their 1m penthouse.

Gabby and Florian Kuehn were fighting their management firm over its no-pets policy after being told their dog Vinnie could not live in their home.

The couple claimed that, when they bought the property in Limehouse, east London, they were told their Yorkshire-Maltese cross could stay with them.

They said that re-homing Vinnie 'is not an option' because he is an 'integral' part of their family and has a 'therapeutic effect' on their lives.

Gabby and Florian Kuehn (pictured today) have lost a court fight to keep their dog Vinnie in their flat in east London

Last week, dozens of supporters arrived at the Mayor's and City of London Court to support the couple while a judge heard the case

But the management company, Victory Place, have now been granted an injunction to evict Vinnie from the home following a 15 month battle.

Approving the company's bid, the judge said the Kuehn's only defence was 'I love my dog', which was 'not an unusual state of affairs'.

The Kuehns - who were already expected to have a 48,700 bill of their own - have now been ordered to pay the other side's 20,000 legal costs.

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Kuehn hit out at the 'small-minded' policies which she said 'discriminate' against dogs and said the couple appeal the decision.

If they take the case to the Court of Appeal, Vinnie will be able to stay in the flat during that process.

'We are obviously very disappointed that the other side got an injunction against our dog,' she said.

'It has been a very, very difficult 15 months. But I am proud of the fact that we have stood up for what we believe in.

'I am going to continue to campaign against these ridiculous small-minded policies that discriminate against people with pets. And let's see what the future brings.'

She added: 'We live in a society of tolerance and inclusion - supposedly - and yet we don't have people who recognise pets as companions and family units.'

Asked about their appeal, she said: 'We will be taking legal advice but I would suggest the answer to that is yes.'

Gabby Kuehn (pictured with Vinnie) said the dog is an 'integral' part of the family

During the hearing, Victory Place said that Vinnie had repeatedly disturbed neighbours by barking.

Mrs Kuehn defended Vinnie by saying she would never leave him barking in distress, explaining that she monitored his movements with a camera at home.

Recruitment consultant Mrs Kuehn also said the dog has a 'therapeutic effect' on her and that she bought it during a stressful period of her life.

But when asked for medical evidence she did not provide it, The Mayor's and City of London Court was told.

The court also heard how, at an AGM meeting last February, 75 leaseholders at Victory Place voted in favour of the existing policy.

The only people to vote against the policy were the Kuehns.

Ruling against them, Judge Donald Cryan said: 'The defendants have given no special reasons why consent should be given here.

'There is some reference to benefits. But they were specifically invited to provide medical evidence, which was in their power to produce.

'But nothing was presented from the defendants to show of particular medical support, for either of the defendants.

'In the event all the defendants' case came down to is, 'I love my dog'. An emotion which one can readily understand and indeed sympathise with. But it is hardly an unusual state of affairs for a dog owner to love his dog.'

He added: 'The defendants, on their own account, knew of the terms of the lease, the prohibition of maintaining a dog within the premises without consent for a long time.

'They know that they have not had consent. I appreciate that they challenge whether that consent was reasonable or not. But in the event, they nevertheless sought to act upon their interpretation of leasing circumstances, which was wrong.

'They had taken a risk and they had done so deliberately. The defendants are in breach in terms of their lease. The dog, sadly for them, will have to go.'

Summing up the case, Judge Cryan said: 'I accept the evidence for the claimant that since the start of the Victory Place development, it has been an estate where dogs and other pets have not been allowed by the management company.

The management firm Victory Place said the couple knew of the no-pets policy before they bought the property. The block of flats is pictured above

'Whenever permission of the management company has been sought, it has been refused on the perceived policy that pets were not to be allowed.'

Mrs Kuehn said nobody at Victory Place had made her aware of the 'no-pets' policy until after she bought the penthouse flat.

She said she had made enquiries with the estate agent to check it would be okay to bring Vinnie and was told it would not be a problem.

The freeholder granted consent and they were provided with a licence.

Mrs Kuehn told the court how the concierge had approached her and told her of the no-dog rule when he saw her with Vinnie.

When the management firm told her she would have to remove the dog, the couple refused.

After the hearing, Victory Place Management Company said the estate had always been advertised as a pet-free development since it was built in 1996/97.

The company's board of directors said it did not think it was right to break away from its established policy without the approval of the majority of leaseholders.

They asked the other residents if they wanted to change the policy and they 'overwhelmingly' backed a ban, they said.

In the statement, the board said: 'This policy was very clear and always communicated as such to any prospective buyers.

'This attracted a number of people for whom this point was very important. Some of them have allergies to dogs and cats' hair, or have small children suffering from it.

'Others have dog phobia and do not want to have barking dogs in a closely compacted development such as Victory Place.'

The couple, who moved to the gated block in November 2015, previously launched a petition on change.org, which was signed by more than 2,000 people.

The petition read: 'We would like to see the UK move towards the animal welfare legislation in other European countries based on the recognition that all animals, from pets to farm animals are sentient beings  i.e. they have powers of perception and feeling.

'We would also like to see no pet clauses nullified together with the acknowledgement of the health and wellbeing benefits of pet's companions.'

They added: 'This petition is not about our court case, it's about showing support for the acknowledgment of the importance of pets in the lives of those who choose to keep them.'
A grandmother, who has been married to a British man for nearly 30 years after arriving in the UK in 1998, has been deported back to Singapore.

Irene Clennell, 53, from County Durham, who is the main carer for her husband John was placed in an immigration detention centre before being flown to her home country yesterday.

Mrs Clennell, who has two sons and a granddaughter, reportedly had just 12 in her pocket and no change of clothes when she was removed from the country.

Irene Clennell, 53, from County Durham, who is the main carer for her husband John was placed in an immigration detention centre before being flown to her home country yesterday

Irene and John Clennel. Irene has to care for John as he suffered from a blockage in his arteries and had a hernia

In response, her family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise legal fees for her case, as they fight what they call the 'insensitive and unfair government rules'.

The page has had huge support already, reaching just under 30,000 by lunchtime today.

Devastated John, 50, said: 'She text me this morning to say that she had landed.

'But she has every right to be here - she has the same right as me or anyone else because she is a British citizen.

'Her family is here, and we are a very close family - it's hard on us.

'She has literally nothing to go back to. Her family don't have a house there anymore.

'All if her belongings are here - she will have to have all new clothes.

'She doesn't have to funds for that - she had 12 in her pocket yesterday. It is a disgrace.'

John who worked in construction up until 14 months ago, suffers from a femoral artery bypass and a hernia.

He said: 'It has been called a marriage of convenience, but surely after 27 years people can see it isn't.

'If her appeal is rejected, then Irene will have to stay in Singapore for 10 years.

'I won't be able to move out there because of health reasons.

'But I shouldn't have to move there, she should be able to be here because she is British.'

The Clennel's have two grown up children, born in the UK, and a granddaughter

Sister-in-law Angela Clennell said: 'We are all in a state of shock after they took Irene away. We just can't understand why they would take a grandmother, wife and carer away from her family after 30 years.

'We will continue to fight as hard as we can to bring Irene home where she belongs and we are absolutely blown away by the generosity and kindness of everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe page and shared it with friends and family. Irene will need this money more than ever.'

Mrs Clennell arrived in the UK in 1988, but since spent periods of time back in Singapore to care for her parents before they died.

HOME OFFICE RULES You need a Returning Resident visa to come back to live in the UK if you were previously settled (given 'indefinite leave to enter or remain') and you have either: lost your documentation

been away for more than 2 years You may still need to apply for a visa if you've been asked to confirm you can travel to the UK, for example by the airline you're travelling with. You must: plan to return to live in the UK permanently

have been settled in the UK before you last left

not have been given public funds to help you leave the UK The ruling does not apply if an applicant has a spouse or partner who is a member of the UK armed forces and joins them overseas Advertisement

It is thought she has lost her leave to remain as a result of the Government's spousal visa system, which requires the British partner to prove earnings of at least 18,600 and the couple being able to demonstrate long stretches of uninterrupted time living in the UK.

The Go Fund Me page says: 'For 30 years, my sister-in-law Irene has lived in Britain after arriving here from Singapore. She has a British husband, two wonderful British children and a granddaughter she dotes upon.

'She has worked hard for those 30 years raising her family and being an important and beloved member of the local community.

'Now, because of insensitive and unfair government rules, she has been taken away to a detention centre and has been told she will be deported.

'Her husband John - my brother - is seriously ill and Irene is his sole caretaker. Without her to look after him, we're all worried for him, and to rip apart a family after 30 years of happiness seems so unfair.'

John Coventry, from Go Fund Me, said the campaign had seen 'explosive growth' as news spread.

Speaking to reporters last year Mrs Clennel said the prospect of being sent back to her country of her birth is 'frightening.'

She said: 'It happened so quickly. I was driven (here) feeling like some kind of criminal.'

'I have got no family in Singapore and I have no property in Singapore. My parents are dead. My only family is a sister, and she is working in India. My husband is British. I do not see why I cannot stay.

'I understand not everyone can come into the UK and stay, but surely I should be treated differently. I hope common sense will win, but I'm frightened.'
Two twins, aged three, were killed after they climbed into a washing machine and drowned in India.

The two little boys, called Naksh and Neeshu had been left alone in their Delhi home for 'around six minutes' as their mother, Rakhi, went to a shop to buy detergent.

When she returned, the three-year-old twins could not be found leading the mother to panic. Neighbours were also called into the search.

Jaipur Golden Hospital in Rohini, where doctors seconded the opinion and confirmed the death of the toddler twins

The twins' father Ravinder, employed as a manager with Kotak Life Insurance, rushed home from work to aid the search.

To his utter shock, he found them inside the washing machine filled with '12 to 15 litres of water' about half an hour after they went missing.

The incident was reported at 12.39pm on Saturday from the modern Avantika apartments in Sector 1 of Delhi's Rohini district.

Ravinder took the children to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

But the grieving father refused to believe the doctors and carried his boys to Jaipur Golden Hospital in Rohini, where doctors seconded the opinion and confirmed their death.

Police said the two toddlers had seemingly drowned but ruled out the possibility of foul play, for now.

An early investigation has found the toddlers may have slipped into the washing machine after climbing on to a nearby pile of laundry.

A police officer told IBT: 'It is possible that the children tried to peep in out of inquisitiveness but we are probing how they managed to climb to a height from which they could fall into the tumbler.'

'The family is in deep shock over this unfortunate incident and is hardly speaking to anyone,' a senior police official, MN Tiwari Tiwari.

The family have reportedly decided against a post-mortem examination being carried out.
Political commentator and former Liberal staffer Peta Credlin is adamant Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will lose the next election.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott's chief-of-staff told conservative broadcaster Andrew Bolt the government's electoral prospects were doomed as a Newspoll showed the Coalition suffering its worst result in two years.

Im pretty pessimistic that Malcolm Turnbull can dig them out of the hole,' Ms Credlin told Sky News on Monday night.

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Peta Credlin says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) is likely to lose the next election

She also hit out at Mr Turnbull , who on Monday accused his Liberal predecessor of causing the Coalition's popularity to dive.

Tony Abbott spoke out on Thursday because the polls are plummeting,' she said.

'Him speaking out on Thursday is not the reason the polls have plummeted and thats where the prime minister was wrong today.

Mr Turnbull on Monday blamed Mr Abbott's 'outburst on Thursday' for producing a Newspoll result that saw the Coalition government trail Labor 45 to 55 per cent after preferences.

Peta Credlin said her former boss Tony Abbott (pictured) wasn't to blame for the poor Newspoll result

That result was worse for the government than September 2015, when Mr Turnbull knifed Mr Abbott as a first-term prime minister.

The latest opinion poll was taken in the days after Mr Abbott told Sky News the government was 'drifting to defeat' on the same night he told a book launch Mr Turnbull was governing as a 'Labor-lite' leader.

Ms Credlin, who lost her job after that leadership coup, said Liberal MPs had told her they expected to lose the next election.

The colleagues Ive spoken to are basically assuming that theyve lost the next election  and theyre looking at how they can sure up a ministerial job before theyre turfed out to help their prospects afterwards,' she said.

Tony Abbott (right) told Andrew Bolt on Thursday the government was 'drifting to defeat'

She pointed out the government's unpopularity had worsened after Mr Turnbull's Coalition government was narrowly re-elected at the July 2016 poll with a one-seat majority, after losing seats in New South Wales and Queensland.

The deviation away from the Coalition started not long after the 14-seat loss,' she said.

'Now no one can say Tony Abbott was a wrecker during the campaign.

'He played a very straight game, went to marginal seats, raised money, lifted the profile and held some seats with his advocacy.

However, Ms Credlin cautioned the government against changing leaders again, after Labor in power dumped Kevin Rudd for Julia Gillard in 2010, before reinstating him again three years later.

Peta Credlin says the Liberal Party is damaged by copying Labor's approach of knifing leaders

Labor lost its majority at the 2010 election but kept power in a hung parliament, after Mr Rudd was accused of leaking confidential cabinet discussions involving Ms Gillard to the media during the campaign.

'I don't think changing the leaders is the answer,' Ms Credlin said.

She added she had spoken out against a Liberal leadership change in September 2015, when a Newspoll had Mr Abbott's Coalition government trailing Labor 46 to 54 per cent after preferences.

'I remember the night of the leadership challenge when Tony Abbott lost: "If go to the path of Labor, we will wear the costs that Labor wore",' she said.

'We will end up with the damage wrecked upon ourselves that happened to Labor.

'We would have that same cataclysmic split in our base and it is exactly what has happened and I don't know why we thought it would be any different.'
Six people were injured when a soldier blew up a cafe bar after accidentally pulling the pin out of a hand grenade.

The Ukrainian soldier was showing off to his friends in a cafe in Rivne Oblast, north-western Ukraine.

He produced a RGD-5 hand grenade and started messing about with it to scare his companions.

Six people were injured when a soldier blew up a cafe bar after accidentally pulling the pin out of a hand grenade

But then he accidentally pulled out the pin, panicked and threw the grenade under a table.

Six people were hurt in the resulting explosion, three of them seriously enough to need hospital treatment.

The unnamed soldier suffered a shrapnel wound to his face and was one of those who had to be sent to hospital.

The RGD-5 grenade contains a 3.9-oz charge of TNT and is supposed to be lethal within a range of 82 feet.

The explosion was captured on the cafe's security cameras and footage shows customers fleeing in terror as glasses crash down off shelves behind the bar.

The Ukrainian soldier was showing off to his friends in a cafe in Rivne Oblast, north-western Ukraine. Pictured: The aftermath

The unnamed soldier suffered a shrapnel wound to his face and was one of those who had to be sent to hospital. Pictured: The aftermath

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. They say that the soldier had gone home on special leave.

The RGD-5 hand grenade is a post-World War II Soviet anti-personnel grenade which was designed in the early 1950s.

It is still manufactured in Russia and remains in service in many former Soviet states as well as Arab nations such as Iraq.
A southern Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for killing a 15-month-old girl after kidnapping her from a relative's home.

An Owen County judge accepted a plea agreement Monday for 23-year-old Kyle Parker of Spencer that dropped rape and other charges against him.

Prosecutors say Parker drank whiskey with Shaylyn Ammerman's uncle on March 23 then waited until the family fell asleep in the Spencer home before abducting, raping and killing the toddler.

He pleaded guilty on February 3 to murder and kidnapping.

Judge Lori Thatcher Quillen said while many in the rural community wanted Parker to stand trial and face a sentence of life without parole, the risk was too great that he might not be convicted.

An Owen County judge accepted a plea agreement Monday for 23-year-old Kyle Parker (left) of Spencer, Indiana that dropped rape and other charges against him in the brutal killing of 15-month-old Shaylyn Ammerman (right)

If Parker exhibits good behavior in prison, he could be released on parole in 45 years, according to RTV 6. He would be 68 years old at the time.

Parker was a 'family acquaintance' who visited her home a dozen times and used to play with the child, according to Fox 59.

Shaylyn's uncle, Adam Ammerman, said: 'He knew Shaylyn, he's played with her, he's taken care of her. He rocked her to sleep.'

He added: 'I knew Kyle through a friend of a friend and he was supposed to be one good friend, and then he turned around and does this to our family, and all I can say right now is I hope he burns in Hell.'

Prosecutors say Parker drank whiskey with Shaylyn Ammerman's uncle on March 23 then waited until the family fell asleep in the Spencer home before abducting, raping and killing the toddler. Shaylyn is seen on the right with her mother, Jessica Stewart

Shaylyn's uncle, Adam Ammerman, said of Parker: 'He knew Shaylyn, he's played with her, he's taken care of her. He rocked her to sleep.'

Parker, 22, described by Adam Ammerman as a 'family acquaintance,' was arrested last March after Shaylyn's body near the White River, around nine miles from her home.

She had previously been seen alive at midnight on March 23, 2016, when her grandmother checked on her as she slept in her cot.

The child, who had earlier been put to bed by her father, Justin Ammerman, had disappeared by the following morning.

An autopsy found Shaylyn suffered severe sexual trauma and died from asphyxiation.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Donna Stewart, who specializes in pediatric autopsies involving sexual battery and molestation, said that the toddler's sexual assault was the 'worst case of sexual trauma she had seen in her career,' the affidavit said.

'I knew Kyle through a friend of a friend and he was supposed to be one good friend, and then he turned around and does this to our family, and all I can say right now is I hope he burns in Hell,' said Shaylyn's uncle, Adam Ammerman (above)

Shaylyn was last seen alive at midnight on March 23, 2016, when her grandmother checked on her as she slept in her cot. The child, who had earlier been put to bed by her father, Justin Ammerman (seen above with Shaylyn), had disappeared by the following morning

She said Shaylyn was beaten, raped, smothered and strangled.

Parker confessed to his stepfather that he raped and then smothered the toddler, before he poured bleach on both of their bodies in an attempt to destroy DNA.

He also reportedly told his stepfather that he burned Shaylyn's clothing and pacifier.

In addition, Parker reportedly told his stepfather that he acted alone in the horrific crime, but planned to try and confuse investigators by accusing one of her family members.

Friends of Parker told police that he was attracted to young girls and that he liked pornographic videos with sadistic and masochistic themes.

However, he reportedly denied those claims when he was interviewed by authorities.
It has been described as the biggest mistake in Oscar history, the astonishing moment when they announced the wrong movie for the most coveted award of the night.

Organisers today attempted to explain just how Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, the stars of Bonnie and Clyde, managed to read out La La Land when Moonlight had won Best Picture.

But viewers have got their own ideas of what might have happened, with one suggesting that Leonardo DiCaprio was getting his revenge after years of being overlooked.

Warren Beatty had confusion etched on his face as he saw the words 'Emma Stone from La La Land' before handing it over to Dunaway who read out La La Land

The actors and producers in La La Land had to give back their awards as Moonlight was announced as the winner in the biggest mix-up in Oscar history

Many commentators said it was nothing short of a scandal that DiCaprio had not been given an award for one of numerous worthy performances until he finally won Best Actor for his role in the Revenant.

And when one viewer spotted DiCaprio holding the Best Actress envelope that he handed to Emma Stone for La La Land, which preceded Best Picture, she had her suspicions.

Kelly Oxford wrote: 'OMG it was Leo's fault. Leo carried that card offstage, put it down when he saw Warren and Warren picked it up.'

Warren Beatty looked confused as he opened the envelope last night and reading the name La La Land, at which point the stage was flooded with its triumphant actors and producers.

But moments later, they were forced to stop their speeches and hand back their awards as host Jimmy Kimmel announced that there had been a mistake and Moonlight was the winner.

Beatty, who looked embarrassed on stage, explained that he had seen Emma Stone for La La Land on the sheet of paper, which is why he appeared confused before reading out the name.

He said: 'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture.

Kelly Oxford suggested that it might be Leonardo DiCaprio's revenge after years of being overlooked for an Oscar until the 2016 ceremony

One alternative theory was that it was actually a prank by Matt Damon, who has a long-running fake feud with presenter Jimmy Kimmel and must have plotted to ruin his evening

But despite his apparent embarrassment, some weren't convinced by the actor's performance, with Matt Buckland writing: 'Bonnie and Clyde's final crime, the old Oscar swicheroo.'

Price Waterhouse Coopers, which tallies up the votes and organises the envelopes, later revealed that every one has a duplicate and the presenters had been given the Best Actress card.

One alternative theory suggested is that it was actually a prank by Matt Damon, who has a long-running fake feud with presenter Jimmy Kimmel and must have plotted to ruin his evening.

Tanner Pearson wrote: 'I'm convinced Matt Damon did it so he has something on @jimmykimmel #AcademyAwards,' after Kimmel mocked the actor during the ceremony.

Another suspicious mind suggested that Ryan Gosling, the lead actor in La La Land, switched the envelopes, posting of him whispering what he had done to a fan who is looking horrified

During the ceremony, Kimmel joked: 'When I first met Matt, I was the fat one. He's a selfish person, but Matt did something very unselfish. He could have starred in Manchester by the Sea... but he gave that role to Casey Affleck.'

He pointed out that Damon went on to star in a 'Chinese ponytail movie instead and that movie went on to lose $80 million. Smooth move dumba**.'

Another suspicious mind suggested that Ryan Gosling, the lead actor in La La Land, switched the envelopes, posting of him whispering what he had done to a fan who is looking horrified.

Hours after the blunder, accounting firm PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, who tally the Oscar results, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a joint statement to apologize for the biggest Oscar screw up in the ceremony's history.

DiCaprio appears to hold on to the envelope after Emma Stone picks up her award and gives her speech, leading one person to believe he left it backstage and Beatty picked it up

The statement said: 'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture.

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

'We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.'

Only two people know the Oscars winners list and supervise the counting procedures - PwC tax adviser Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan an accountant who is the chairman of PwC's US board.

Cullinan and Ruiz each carry a suitcase containing a copy of the winning envelope for all the categories - meaning there are two envelopes for each award.

The pair stand on opposite sides backstage and memorize the winners to avoid having to write them down and have revealed in the past how they carry out rigorous checks to ensure they have stuffed the envelopes correctly.

The stage is flooded with actors and producers as the La La Land cast and crew make their way off the stage to make room for the real winners, Moonlight

Warren Beatty looks confused as he shows the envelope he had been given to a backstage official after the error

When Beatty and Dunaway took the stage to announce the Best Picture award, Cullinan and Ruiz realized that they still had two best picture envelopes. The best picture envelope for Moonlight hadn't yet been opened.

Executives from PwC immediately realized there was a problem, but they were too late to rectify the mistake as Dunaway read out the name La La Land. An official tried to get on stage to immediately afterwards.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone after being told about the mix up and said 'Moonlight won Best Picture' and insisting that 'this is not a joke'.

Just seconds before, confusion was etched across Beatty's face after he opened the envelope. He took a second glance inside the winner's envelope before showing it to Dunaway who mistakenly thought he was asking her to read out La La Land.

'It's one of the strangest things that's ever happened to me,' Beatty said backstage. 'Thank God there were two of us up there,' Dunaway responded.

The actress then asked Beatty, 'Who else should I tell?'

'Everybody,' he said.

At that point, a security guard tried to take the real envelope and Beatty said, 'Security is not getting this. I'm giving it to (Moonlight director) Barry Jenkins at a later time.' Beatty also refused to show it to anyone else.

An investigation is continuing into how La La Land was wrongly named Best Picture rather than the triumphant Moonlight.
In an effort to knock down a controversial New York Times story, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer personally connected reporters from other news organizations to intelligence officials, Axios has learned.

Spicer was pushing back on the Times story, which broke late in the day on Valentine's Day, that said President Donald Trump's campaign aides had repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials.

A senior intelligence official told Axios' Mike Allen that Spicer reached out to CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Senate Select Intelligence Committee Chair, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and connected them with reporters from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer personally connected reporters with top intelligence officials, including the CIA director, to knock down a New York Times story

The White House pushed back aggressively against a Times report that said Donald Trump's campaign aides had been in touch with Russian intelligence officials during the campaign

Additionally, Spicer provided reporters' phone numbers to House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., who offered to call the journalists himself, the same senior official said. 'He was in and out of an event,' Axios' source explained.

Spicer stayed on the line during the calls.

The press secretary's moves show just how intent the White House was to knock down the Times' reporting, as any Trump team contacts with Russia make the campaign look exceedingly guilty of being in 'cahoots,' as the new Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez put it, with those who hacked the DNC.

That despite there's no evidence that Trump's team had anything to do with the election year hacks.

On the calls, Pompeo and Burr told reporters that the Times story wasn't true, but couldn't provide additional details, which frustrated the competing journalists, Axios' source said.

'Both of them said: All I can tell you is the story is not accurate,' the source divulged.

Still unclear, Allen wrote, is how many calls were made or which official was a source to which reporter.

'By the way, it was one reporter,' Nunes said today on Capitol Hill, explaining his role in the story to journalists.

Speaking today at the National Press Club, both Democratic Leaders, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. were critical of the White House tapping Nunes and Burr for these jobs.

'So. Sen Burr is on notice because what he did was wrong and this is not the way to conduct a fair, impartial investigation that goes wherever the facts lead,' Schumer said.

Schumer said he was 'very disappointed' that Burr would contact reporters on behalf of the administration.

'It certainly gives the appearance, if not the reality, of a lack of impartiality,' Schumer said.

The Senate Minority Leader said he had spoken with the Intelligence Committee's ranking member, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and said the 'Democrats are united in demanding that Sen. Burr give a complete, full investigation without bias, without compromise and just go to the facts, wherever they lead,' Schumer told reporters Monday afternoon.

Schumer also noted how two Republicans senators had voiced their concerns over Burr's willingness to help the White House.

Those senators were Maine's Susan Collins and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

'I think it's very important that the work of the Senate Intelligence Committee be 100 percent credible  that when we issue our report, everyone on both sides of the aisle looks at it and says, "this was a serious effort free from politics,"' Rubio told his local CBS affiliate in an interview on Sunday.

Beyond the Members of Congress tapped on behalf of the administration, Axios' Allen pointed out it's extremely unusual for a CIA Director to get on the phone with an individual reporter.

Instead, Pompeo, or an official of his caliber, might be in touch with the executive editor or publisher of a news organization if that organization plans to publish something that could impact national security, Allen noted.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer acknowledged to the Washington Post that the White House had connected reporters with sources who could 'corroborate the FBI's version of the story,' which was that the Times piece wasn't accurate

Spicer declined to comment for the piece, but had wanted reporters to make connections with the intelligence officials before evening deadlines, the source said.

'We'd been getting incoming all day,' the official told Axios. 'Ironically, the White House was actually encouraging people with direct knowledge of the accuracy of the Times story to discuss it with other reporters.'

Some of the White House's efforts to push back on the story were already known.

An FBI official had told White House staff that the story was 'B.S.,' but when the agency wouldn't talk to reporters, the White House looked for other sources who would knock the article down.

'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,' Spicer had told the Washington Post.

White House officials told Axios that they truly believe there's isn't a true Russia link to team Trump.

'Fox six months, we have heard about these alleged contacts with Russia,' the official said. 'And yet, ... with all the leaks [that] have come out, there's "there" there,' the source said.
A woman jailed last year for killing her husband will walk free within days after she was granted parole.

Dr Chamari Liyanage was sentenced to four years in prison last year after being convicted of manslaughter for killing her husband with a mallet, ABC reported.

The Sri Lankan-born doctor was eligible for release last July, but chose not to apply for parole because of issues with her visa, her legal counsel, George Giudice, told ABC.

Dr Chamari Liyanage was sentenced to four years in prison last year after being convicted of manslaughter for killing her husband with a mallet. She was recently granted parole

Liyanage's husband, Dinendra Athukorala (couple pictured together) was slain in 2014 while lying in bed in the couple's Geraldton, WA home, a court heard during her trial

Those visa issues have now been resolved, Mr Giudice said.

Liyanage's husband, Dinendra Athukorala, was slain in 2014 while lying in bed in the couple's Geraldton, WA home, a court heard during her trial.

The court heard Liyanage had suffered sexual, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband during their five-year marriage, ABC reported.

She has been in custody since June 2014 and was due to remain in prison until June 2018.

Mr Giudice said his client will be released within 'the next couple of days' and that she feels 'relieved and very happy.'
A 19-year-old could face the death penalty after being charged with the murder of his two-month-old baby son in southeastern Alabama.

Jaylin Jamal Toles was arrested in Ozark after calling to report an unresponsive child at around 1.40am Saturday.

Chief Marlos Walker said a preliminary examination by Dale County Sheriff's deputies suggested blunt force trauma as the cause for the child's death.

Arrested: Jaylin Toles (left) was arrested early Saturday morning for allegedly murdering his two-month-old son. The photo on the right is believed to be of the child in question

A photograph on Toles' Facebook account shows what appears to be a newborn child at Christmas, named 'Baby J'. The baby is believed to be Toles's son.

The baby, who is not yet being formally identified, was found at the mother's home on the 100 block of Claybank Avenue.

No other adults or children were inside the house when police arrived, Walker said.

The infant was rushed Dale Medical Center around a mile and a half away, where he was pronounced dead.

His body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for further investigation. The results of an autopsy are expected within the next 48 hours.

Because Alabama allows capital murder charges on victims under 14 years old, Toles could face the death penalty if convicted, WTVY reported.

'This is a horrible tragedy and our prayers go out to the family of our two-month-old victim,' Walker said.

Toles has been jailed without bond. He is expected to go to court some time this week.
Stuart Suss (above) was said to have told one of his professors that there were 'too many Jews' on staff at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn

A senior administrator at New York City's public university system allegedly complained about 'too many Jews' on the faculty of one of the schools  even though he himself is Jewish.

Stuart Suss, a former interim president at Brooklyn's Kingsborough Community College, was said to have made the remark to one of his professors, who then told a colleague while secretly recording the conversation, according to the New York Post.

On April 4, Jeffrey Lax, the chairman of Kingsborough's Business Department, had a conversation with math professor Ronald Forman.

'What did you hear him say?' Lax asked Forman.

'Oh, that there are too many Jews,' Forman is said to have replied.

The revelations surfaced during litigation of a civil suit filed by Lax against Suss in Brooklyn federal court.

Suss serves as the vice president of academic affairs at the City University of New York's (CUNY) Guttman Community College.

Lax is suing because he alleges that Suss made anti-Semitic remarks and cut down the number of Jews on the Kingsborough faculty.

Lax says that Suss has 'permitted and encouraged a dangerous atmosphere for Jewish faculty members.'

He says that a faculty member's car 'which bears an American and Israeli flag' was repeatedly vandalized, as was another Israeli flag that hangs on campus.

On April 4, Jeffrey Lax (left), the chairman of Kingsborough's Business Department, had a conversation with math professor Ronald Forman (right). Forman was secretly recorded telling Lax that Suss made the remark

Lax also alleges that 'numerous swastikas have been drawn or scratched at various locations' and 'a Jewish professor found a swastika carved into her classroom door, and her keyboard drenched in urine.'

Suss is also alleged to have expressed 'support' for suicide bombers who have killed Jews.

Forman is recorded on the tape as saying that he is reluctant to publicly accuse Suss, whom he considers a friend.

'I'll never admit it, but I heard him say it,' Forman is alleged to have said.

'Don't quote me, I'll deny I said it,' Forman allegedly said.

Lax is suing Suss because he alleges that Suss made anti-Semitic remarks and cut down the number of Jews on the Kingsborough faculty

'Stuart is my oldest friend here, OK?'

In the tapes, Forman did acknowledge that he empathized with Lax.

'I understand where you're coming from. Trust me.'

All three individuals involved in the case are Jews, though Suss and Forman are with a Conservative synagogue while Lax is identified in court papers as 'Orthodox' or 'obvious Jew.'

Forman told the Post on Sunday that he was 'pissed' at Lax because he 'didn't get my permission to record me.'

On the other hand, Forman did not deny making the remarks.

'If it's on the tape, it's on the tape,' he said.

Forman appeared to acknowledge that there was some validity to Lax's allegations against Suss.

He thought Suss 'was acting on behalf of higher-ups,' he told the Post.

'He is known as a very good soldier,' Forman said.

When reached by the Post, Suss said: 'I'm not allowed to talk to you.'

Lax's attorney has turned the tape over to the city, which is representing Suss and CUNY in the lawsuit.
Murderer Lionel Patea has described his former girlfriend Tara Brown as a 'dream catch' and his 'angel on earth' in an insensitive three-page letter to her grieving mother.

Patea was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for the murder of Ms Brown, who he bashed to death with a fire hydrant lid after running her car off a Gold Coast road in September, 2015.

The 25-year-old man's letter had been prepared for his first day of trial at the Brisbane Supreme Court, but was released to the media by Justice Debra Mullins after he unexpectedly pleaded guilty, according to the NZ Herald.

Ms Brown's mother, Natalie Hinton, told the court she refused to read the handwritten statement from Patea.

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Lionel Patea (left) described his former girlfriend Tara Brown (right) as a 'dream catch' in an insensitive letter to her family after pleading guilty to her murder in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday

Patea was sentenced to life in prison this week for the murder of Ms Brown (pictured)

Ms Brown's mother, Natalie Hinton (left), told the court she refused to read the handwritten statement from Patea

Patea opens the letter by saying he is 'remorseful' for the events leading up to Ms Brown's death.

'Nothing I can say can bring Tara back. Nothing I can do can get her returning home to us,' he said, adding that if there was a way he would do it in a 'heartbeat.'

Patea apologized to both sides of the family and the young daughter the couple shared before questioning 'how such a tragedy like this could ever have even happened?'

Ms Brown suffered six facial and head fractures during the beating which came shortly after she tried to break up with Patea

'Unfortunately I don't have the answers and can't clarify it for myself either.'

Patea said he hoped his guilty plea and sentencing brought people closure.

The 25-year-old wrote that his 'sun rose and set' for Ms Brown, who was his 'everything.'

'Tara was a dream catch, that one-in-a-million girl.'

'Beautiful, gentle, warm, kind hearted and loving.'

'My own angel on earth - that is how she will always be remembered by me.'

Patea described his actions as 'unforgiveable' before claiming both his and Ms Brown's families have lost someone by her death and his imprisonment.

'The hardest sentence of all? One day I am going to have to explain to my daughter what happened to mummy,' he said.

Patea will have to spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.

Patea opens the letter by saying he is 'remorseful' for the events leading up to Ms Brown's death

He described Ms Brown as 'My own angel on earth'

'Maybe one day I can help prevent another occurrence like this from ever happening again' Patea wrote

'Tara was a dream catch, that one-in-a-million girl,' Patea said in the letter

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her

Ms Brown had been dating Patea since 2011, and the pair had daughter Aria together in 2012. Ms Brown tried to split from him shortly before she was killed

LIONEL PATEA'S LETTER There are no words that can possibly describe how remorseful I am for the events leading up to and on September the 8th of 2015. Nothing I can say can bring Tara back. Nothing I can do can get her returning home to us. If there was I would do it in a heart beat. I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart to both sides of our family - especially to her later father Patrick. Pat, I really let you down. I would like to apologise to my daughter. These events and outcomes are simply unspeakable and I only have myself to blame. So many people have been affected by this. The question that haunts us all - how such a tragedy like this could ever have even happened? Unfortunately I don't have the answers and can't clarify it for myself either. I hoped today in court gives everyone personally involved some sort of closure. Tara was everything to me. Those of you that were close to her, those of you that were close to us all know how my sun rose and set for her. She was my everything - still is. Tara was a dream catch, that one-in-a-million girl. Beautiful, gentle, warm, kind hearted and loving. My own angel on earth - that is how she will always be remembered by me. That is how I want her to always be remembered by everybody else too. (My daughter) has lost a mum and dad. Both families lose. A mother, daughter, father, sister and son. There is no winning here, it's a loss for everybody involved. My actions were unforgivable and I do not expect forgiveness. I am not expecting any leniency from the Crown here today either. Life is jail is only part one of my sentence. Living out our days without Tara is part two. The hardest sentence of all? One day I am going to have to explain to my daughter what happened to mummy. As (she) grows old I expect her features and her demeanour will be constant reminders of how beautiful her mother was, the likeness in her being so familiar - like mother, like daughter. I will endeavour to rehabilitate whilst in custody. Maybe one day I can help prevent another occurrence like this from every happen ding again. I pray that Tara's legacy thrives and lives on in (my daughter). Lionel John Patea, 27/02/2017 Source: NZ Herald Advertisement

Ms Hinton, Ms Brown's mother, blasted Patea as a 'monster' and a 'misogynistic narcissist' as she spoke to Brisbane Supreme Court about the impact of her daughter's murder.

She said: 'My whole world came down around me. My life is not the same, it has been changed forever because of one person's selfish act.

'The pain in my heart from the enormous hole Tara's death has left is indescribable.'

She added that the couple's daughter asks for her mother every day, and still doesn't know about the full extent of Patea's brutality.

According to ABC, she added: 'Aria and Tara were inseparable - a bond like no other, and at the tender age of three her innocent life was destroyed.

'What father would do this to his own child? I have and continue to cuddle and comfort her through her tears of missing mummy.'

Ms Hinton told how her 'whole world came down' after her daughter's death, describing her as a wonderful person with a 'love of life'

Hundreds of mourners - including her three-year-old daughter - turned out for Ms Brown's funeral, remembering her as a 'beautiful' woman who loved rugby and touch football

TARA BROWN'S FINAL DAYS: A TIMELINE SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 Tara Brown and Lionel Patea have a fight at Auckland Airport. After the altercation the ex-bikie returns to Ms Brown's Gold Coast home, to where their daughter is in the car. According to police, Patea cornered his ex-partner in their bedroom, before he held a pair of scissors to her throat and 'threatened her', according to the Courier Mail. SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 Mr Brown has not been allowed to see her daughter for two days. The young woman tells her boss Jason Hall the events of the last few days. Mr Hall is a lawyer, and he takes her to Southport police station to report the incident. Ms Brown also applies for a temporary protection order and then returns to Mr Hall's office, before contacting a domestic violence refuge. SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 Ms Brown leaves the Gold Coast with her daughter and checks into a hotel in Brisbane. She seeks refuge in a women's shelter. SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 In the shelter, Ms Brown see a woman using drugs in a communal area. She is worried about the safety of her daughter so she returns to the Gold Coast. At this time her lawyers spend the next two days negotiating a custody agreement. SEPTEMBER 7, 2015 The custody documents are finalised and sent to Patea's lawyers. There is an interim order put in place which means Patea can visit his daughter but must behave, according to the Courier Mail. SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 Ms Brown drops her daughter off to daycare and discusses custody arrangements with the child's teacher. Earlier, Patea had called the centre to see whether his daughter would be attending that day. At 8.40am Ms Brown rings Triple-0, extremely distressed. Patea is tailing her and she tells the operator she's about to crash. Patea continues to chase Ms Brown, before getting out of the vehicle and hitting it with his hands and a knife. The former bikie jumps back in his car and continues to chase Ms Brown, before running her off the road. Ms Brown is still on the phone to Triple-0 throughout the horrific ordeal, and her car is now on its side in the front yard of a home. Patea approaches the car and tries to remove Ms Brown from the wreckage. A male witness assumes he's trying to free her and helps pull the windscreen off. Patea then hits Ms Brown sixteen times with an eight kilogram fire hydrant cover, as witnesses try to interfere. One woman describes Ms Brown as 'not in a good way, her face was caved in and covered in blood', the Courier Mail reported. Patea then escapes in a stolen utility truck, after a council worker who stopped to help direct traffic leaves his keys in it. A short time later he hands himself in to Coomera Police station, with multiple self-inflicted stab wounds. Patea is taken to hospital under police guard and tells officers he ran Ms Brown off the road, but says he doesn't remember assaulting her. Ms Brown dies a few hours later, surrounded by family and friends. In his hospital bed Patea is charged with attempted murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle. FEBRUARY 27, 2017 In the Brisbane Supreme Court, Patea pleads guilty to Ms Brown's murder and is sentenced to life in prison. Source: The Courier Mail Advertisement

Ms Hinton also said that while the sentence was a 'relief', it would 'never be enough'.

'I'm grateful for the sentencing that he received, but it doesn't bring back Tara,' her mother Natalie Hinton told Nine in an interview shown on Tuesday.

Ms Hinton said not enough was done to help Tara before her death.

'Lionel Patea had a record as long as our arms. He was known - his violent behaviour. He was known as a Bandido bikie. And Tara was scared,' Ms Hinton said.

'She was hoping the police would put in place the domestic violence order.'

Ms Brown had tried to break up with Patea shortly before the attack, and had been hiding at safe houses and a friend's house after taking a domestic violence order out on him just days earlier.

Despite the safety precautions, Ms Hilton said when she received a call from the hospital there was no doubt in her mind that Patea had found her daughter.

Visiting Ms Brown in hospital, she said her daughter was 'broken' and 'a shadow of her beauty.'

Ms Brown suffered six facial and head fractures after being repeatedly hit by a metal fire hydrant cover weighing almost 8kg.

Patea (far left) has pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his former partner

Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends packed the court room on Monday morning, with many standing as they watched Patea change his plea.

Many had a white ribbon pinned to their clothes, the official symbol for Australia's campaign to prevent men's violence against women.

Patea, handcuffed and dressed in a blue suit in the dock, remained emotionless.

'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting,' Ms Hinton said through heavy sobs.

'She was a lover of life from a very young age.'

Ms Hinton hugged supporters outside court on Monday after listening to Patea, who had been expected to stand trial, change his plea to guilty

Ms Hinton said Patea constantly sought validation from Ms Brown and used domestic violence tactics like gaslighting to destroy her self-confidence.

'The monster was now in control, she feared him,' Ms Hinton said.

'He took full advantage of her vulnerability.'

'I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions,' she said.

The court heard a triple zero call made by Ms Brown captured more than a dozen 'thumping' sounds as well as her crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'

Ms Brown had just dropped off her three-year-old daughter Aria at day care when Patea chased down her hatchback with a four-wheel-drive.

Witnesses saw the pair reaching speeds of more than 100km/h and Patea bashing on Ms Brown's driver's side window with both fists when she had to stop at red lights.

Family members turned out to support Ms Brown's family at Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, wearing white ribbons to symbolise the fight against domestic violence

Patea ultimately rammed the back of Ms Brown's car, forcing her down an embankment and trapping her inside the overturned vehicle.

He used the metal slab weighing 7.8 kilogram taken from the side of the road to repeatedly bash her head, causing 'non-survivable' brain injuries.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her.

It wasn't until they heard her crying out that they realised what he was doing and tried to stop him, but he fought them off.

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
An elderly woman died from bed bugs after an infestation of the parasites occurred at her caretaker's home, who is now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and neglect of care.

Mary Stoner, 96, was rushed to an emergency room two days after she was moved out of caretaker Deborah Butler's home in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in February 2016.

Doctors found that Stoner had sores and an infection from bug bites and when she died days later, the autopsy determined it was from 'complications of sepsis following a bed bug infestation'.

West Manheim Township Police searched the home of Butler, 72, and they found a massive infestation of the vermin, as they crawled on walls, in sheets and on pillows, leading to a felony charge filed against Butler on Friday.

Mary Stoner, 96, died last February from complications from bed bug bites after she was in the care of Deborah Butler, 72, in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Police found an infestation of the vermin at the Baltimore Pike residence (pictured) and Butler was charged on Friday

Butler faces the first-degree felony charge of neglect of care and involuntary manslaughter, a misdemeanor, reports the Evening Sun.

Stoner died on February 22 at York Hospital, just two weeks after her family removed her from the care of Butler after they noticed a rapid decline in her health.

Although Butler said she didn't notice any change in Stoner's conditions, police said 'the victim's condition would have been clearly visible and obvious that serious medical attention was required.'

When officials entered the residence on Baltimore Pike they immediately noticed the bed bugs, which were on the walls, sheets, pillows, in a massive infestation.

West Manheim Township Police found bed bugs (stock photo above) on walls, in sheets and on pillows. Another woman in the care of Butler said she could 'feel them crawling' on her

Another of Butler's patients who was blind said she could 'feel them crawling' across her body and biting her.

Butler had been caring for the women out of her personal home after her licensed home care facility, Luckenbaugh Personal Care Home, was closed.

The Evening Sun reports that the previous facility had no violations with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Keith Chan, 25, said he was glad to be alive after being bashed with a hammer

A Melbourne real estate agent said he was bashed by two robbers armed with a hammer after they struck his car to trick him into pulling over.

Keith Chan, 25, said he was glad to be alive after the horrifying alleged incident in the north-eastern suburb of Bulleen shortly before 1am on Monday.

'It's been tough, but look, I'm glad I'm alive... I could have been in a worse place,' the bruised Mr Chan told Nine News.

Police are searching for two men in their late twenties, who are suspected of having robbed Mr Chan after hitting his vehicle with theirs.

Mr Chan said his 'natural reaction' after noticing the collision was to pull over in order to exchange details.

But after he got out of his car near the intersection at Manningham Road, the two men allegedly jumped him, struck the front of his head with a hammer and then repeatedly punched him in the face as he was on the ground, police said.

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Mr Chan said he was bashed by two robbers armed with a hammer after they struck his car to trick him into pulling over.

The men then yelled at him to give up his car keys and phone, but Mr Chan was unable to respond and allegedly received a kick to the back of his head, police said.

Next, the men allegedly entered his car and stole his wallet before driving off in their own vehicle, a late model Honda Integra, police said.

'It was very scary,' Mr Chan said.

He was admitted to hospital but released later on Monday.

The suspects were described by police as looking 'Southern European' and sporting beards.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
Muhammad Ali Jr has spoken about how he was detained and questioned in a Florida airport by immigration officials who appeared to find his religion suspicious.

He and mom Khalilah Camacho Ali had passed through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport immigration control on February 7 when he was pulled over by immigration officials while heading to the baggage claim.

He was asked his name and his religion, he says, and when he told them he was a Muslim, he was taken to another room for questioning.

'That situation made me feel like I was at my father's funeral,' he told CBS. 'I didn't know what to think.'

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Questioned: Muhammad Ali Jr (left) was stopped after passing through immigration in Florida on Feb 7. He was separated from mom Khalilah (right) and questioned for nearly 2 hours

Son: Ali Jr (right) said officials asked him twice about his religion. He thinks he was targeted because he is a Muslim, and for his name. He is the son of famed boxer Muhammad Ali (left)

Both Ali Jr, 44, and his mother, 66, were in wheelchairs due to bad knees, they told the channel. They were separated when he was wheeled off to a side room.

Once inside the interrogation room, Ali Jr said, the questions began again.

'It was like he didn't believe me, or whatever, but he asked me again: 'What is your name?" and "What is your religion?" and again I answered.'

Ali Jr - an American citizen who was born in Philadelphia - was then subjected to an hour and 45 minutes of questions, despite already having cleared immigration and been allowed onto US soil.

He said they also asked him about where he was born, his destination, where he had traveled from and other details.'

'I'm like what difference does it make?' he asked. 'I'm a US citizen, you've seen my state ID, you've seen my passport, I got my social security card so why are you stopping me?'

He thinks they didn't believe that he was the son of The Greatest either, he said.

Eventually, he was released - but he questions why it had happened at all, especially as he was through immigration, and suspects it's likely because of his religion.

Upset: Khalilah says she was scared by her son being taken away. Ali Jr is a US citizen with no criminal record and had flown from Jamaica - not a hotbed of radical Islamic activity

He has no criminal record, he said, and was flying from Jamaica.

Donald Trump's travel ban was on hold at the time, but Jamaica was never on the list of concerned countries. The US Bureau of Consular Affairs has no travel warnings about the country on its site.

'It was always a problem in history, it's just gotten a lot worse,' Ali Jr said of racial and religious profiling.

Customs Border Patrol told the station it would not comment on the specific case due to 'privacy issues' but said: 'CBP does not discriminate based on religion, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.'

Khalilah Ali says she was 'scared' to be separated from her son during the questioning. 'I said where is he going,' she said, 'and they said "He'll see you on the other side."'

She ended the interview by bringing out a Quran, which she said she wanted to give to President Trump - though one of the hosts objected, saying she wasn't sure Trump could be blamed for this.

'I'm not blaming the president, I'm saying that we are people of peace and the Koran should be read to know that,' she said.

She added: 'I wish... For my birthday would he take "Muslim" and "Islamic" off the terrorism agenda?'
A suburban Philadelphia judge has ruled that a jury from outside the area will hear the sexual assault case against comedian Bill Cosby.

Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill ruled Monday. He says the jury will be sequestered during the trial.

Lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star had pushed to have his trial moved out of the Philadelphia suburbs because of worldwide media reports that brand him 'a serial rapist.'

A judge ruled on Monday that a jury from another county will decide Bill Cosby's sexual assault trial. The comedian is pictured above arriving at court on Monday

Lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star had pushed to have his trial moved out of the Philadelphia suburbs because of worldwide media reports that brand him 'a serial rapist'

Cosby is set to go on trial on June 5 for the alleged drugging and rape of Andrea Constand

Cosby is set to go on trial June 5 on accusations that he drugged and molested a former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will decide where in Pennsylvania the jurors will be selected.

This is the second win for Cosby in these pre-trial hearings.

Last week, a judge ordered that only one of 13 other accusers could testify during the trial.

Constand (pictured above) says Cosby drugged and raped her at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004

The one witness who can testify - identified only as Prior Alleged Victim Six - says the comic drugged and assaulted her in 1996 at a Los Angeles hotel.

She is represented by attorney Gloria Allred, who released a statement in response to the judge's order on Friday.

'Although I agree with the prosecutors previous argument that it would have been important for the jury to hear the testimony of all 13 prior bad act witnesses I am glad that at least one such witness will be able to testify in this case,' Allred said.

With O'Neill's ruling, the trial 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, 79, who is free on $1 million bail, could get 10 years in prison if convicted.
Former first daughter Barbara Pierce Bush is set to speak on Wednesday at a Planned Parenthood event in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bush will be giving the keynote speech at the Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas' annual Forth Worth luncheon, helping to raise money for the organization that provides women's health services as well as abortions.

Buzzfeed reports that more than 2,000 are expected to attend the luncheon and that tickets cost $150 to $20,000 a table.

The 35-year-old appears to be making a big ideological break from her father, President George W. Bush, and grandfather, President George H.W. Bush - both pro-life Republicans.

Barbara Pierce Bush is set to give a keynote address at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser in Texas on Wednesday. She pictured above in April 2016

Bush is pictured center with her father, President George W. Bush (right), grandfather President George H.W. Bush (bottom), and twin sister Jenna Bush Hager (left)

Bush's father was pro-life, but her mother is pro-choice. From left to right: President Bush, Barbara Pierce Bush, Laura Bush, Mila Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Poppy Bush and Henry Chase Hager

However, Bush hasn't been afraid of speaking her mind in the past, especially when they differed from the Republican party line.

During the presidential election, Bush attended a fundraiser for Democrat Hillary Clinton. And in a New York Times interview, she previously called Planned Parenthood an 'exceptional organization'.

Bush's mother, Laura Bush, has also spoken in favor of a woman's right to choose on a handful of occasions.

Bush is the CEO and co-founder of Global Health Corps, a non-profit that 'mobilizes a global community of young leaders to build the movement for health equity'.

The non-profit partners with organizations (including Planned Parenthood) to place fellows on year-long tenures overseas promoting world health.

Since the GOP took control of both the White House and Congress, the Republicans have been threatening to defund Planned Parenthood because it provides abortions - despite the fact that no federal funding goes towards these procedures.

The fight against Planned Parenthood has been especially fraught in Texas, where lawmakers moved to stop Medicaid payments to the organizations 30 health care centers in the state.

But last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the move, saying the state did not provide 'even a scintilla of evidence' that Planned Parenthood was unqualified to provide medical services.
A British holidaymaker, who was pushed to his death during a brutal attack by a mob of 30 Spaniards, died trying to protect his teenage sons.

Stephen Mallon, 49, from Bournemouth, came to the defence of his twin sons Peter and Carl, 16, when they got into an unprovoked row with a gang of local me outside a bar in Malaga eight years ago.

The 30-strong mob were armed with knuckledusters, koshes, metal bars taken from parasols bricks, belts, flower pots and bottles.

During the extremely violent assault Mr Mallon was hit on the head with a beer bottle before being shoved 16ft off a ledge.

Stephen Mallon, 49, from Bournemouth, came to the defence of his twin sons Peter and Carl (pictured at Celtic Park in Glasgow in 2003), 16, when they got into an unprovoked row with a gang of local me outside a bar in Malaga eight years ago

Peter and Carl (right) escaped the brutal attack, which killed their father (left) with broken bones, cuts and bruises

He suffered fatal head injuries in the fall. Despite lying motionless on the ground two of the gang carried on kicking his lifeless body.

Paramedics who turned up felt frightened and threatened by the crowd who at one point tried to overturn their ambulance as they battled to save Mr Mallon, a roofer.

Peter and Carl escaped the brutal attack with broken bones, cuts and bruises.

Their father was rushed to hospital and spent 11 days in a coma before the family made the heart-rending decision to switch off his life-support machine in June 2009.

The Spanish authorities held on to Mr Mallon's body for five years while they investigated his death.

The 'inhumane' delay meant Mr Mallon's widow, Teresa and their children Jenny, Peter and Carl, have not been able to hold a funeral for him.

Jenny Mallon, 27, told the inquest into her father's death: 'The violence that my brothers and my dad experienced in this unprovoked attack just took them by shock.

Jenny Mallon (pictured with her mother Teresa), 27, told the inquest into her father's death: 'The violence that my brothers and my dad experienced in this unprovoked attack just took them by shock

'The sheer quantity that were attacking them and the fear they must have felt.

'My brothers are only here today because they were able to fight for their lives. My dad tried to save them.

'For my brothers it's been impossible to recover. You lose your faith in humanity, we have spent a lot of time trying to imagine how they could have attacked with such violence and not have wanted to kill them.

'We all get terrible nightmares and panic attacks and it's just been ongoing. It happened in 2009, it's now 2017 and it's still ongoing.'

In 2014, ringleader Jose Jimenez Martin who pushed Mr Mallon off the ledge, was jailed for just three years after he was convicted of severe negligent homicide.

Today a coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing in relation to Mr Mallon's death at an inquest held in his home town of Bournemouth, Dorset.

The hearing heard the Mallons owned a holiday home in the mountain village of Compete, near Malaga. In June 2009 Mr Mallon, Peter and Carl and three friends went to the La Estrella bar in the village.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, investigated the matter on behalf of Dorset police and the coroner.

He said: 'The initial indication was it had been a fight in Competa but it quickly became clear it wasn't just a fight. As the weeks, months and years that followed it became quite apparent to me that term was quite inaccurate.

Stephen Mallon, pictured with daughter Jenny in 1993. Today a coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing in relation to Mr Mallon's death at an inquest held in his home town of Bournemouth, Dorset

Stephen and Teresa Mallon with daughter Jenny (centre) and sons Peter (left) and Carl (right) in June 1998

'There was significant evidence to indicate that Steve and his two boys were attacked by a large mob of local Spaniards, up to 30 Spanish individuals and six English were involved.

'There was a suggestion an incident had taken place within the bar which meant the owner decided to close and essentially forced Steve, Peter and Carl to leave the premises.

'That is when they were faced by this mob who were armed with weapons including knuckledusters, koshes, iron bars, bricks, belts, flower pots and bottles.'

DI Huxter said the gang started attacking the Mallons. He added: 'They were fighting and doing whatever they could to defend themselves because they were being attacked by a large, angry, very violent mob.

'They were clearly significantly outnumbered.'

The inquest heard Mr Mallon was hit by a bottle before he ran up a flight of stairs to escape.

Carl, Peter, Jenny, Stephen Mallon in Spain 2008. Stephen was murdered in Malaga in 2009

Stephen Mallon with Peter, Jenny and Carl Mallon in Bournemouth 1996.

DI Huxter said: 'During the altercation Mr Mallon ran up some stairs where the defendant and his brother were. Both went towards him and he received a punch.

'Martin hit him several times and finally pushed him, causing him to fall down a height of four metres, hitting his head.

'Another English lady who was there hid behind a vehicle due to the level of violence. She didn't see how Steve fell but she heard the fall and attended to Steve as soon as she possibly could.

'While she was attending to him two boys started kicking him to the head.'

DI Huxter said the paramedics who attended the scene felt threatened by the Spanish individuals and confirmed they had tried to overturn the ambulance.

He said Mr Mallon had 18 separate injuries to his body and head. A post mortem examination revealed he died from a brain haemorrhage.

Stepen Mallon with sons Carl (left) Peter (right) on Bournemouth Beach in 1996

DI Huxter said the facts established by the Spanish court were that the fall which killed Mr Mallon was caused by the defendant and not a loss of balance.

After the inquest Mrs Mallon said in a statement: 'My husband was killed by a mob while trying to protect our twin boys who were aged just 16 at the time.

'The seven years from June 2009 were full of pain for myself and our daughter and two sons which was made so much worse by the appalling misinformation provided by those in authority.

'We have been unable to grieve and begin to move forward and coping with the trauma of Steve's killing.'

Rachael Griffin, the Dorset coroner, told the Mallon family: 'I am sorry not only for your loss but for the nature in which that loss occurred and the time it has taken to get to this stage.'

Mr Mallon's body will now be buried - eight years after the tragedy.

A statement on behalf of Teresa Mallon, released through the family's lawyers, said: 'My huuband Stephen Mallon was killed by a mob whilst trying to protect our twin boys who were aged just 16 at the time, in the Spanish village of Competa.

'They were attacked in June 6 2009 and we spent 11 days by Steve's bedside in a Spanish hospital before his life support machine was turned off.

'It was Steve's wish that his body be cremated, but we were repeatedly told that this could not happen until the Spanish criminal process had finished.. Steve's killer was convicted on May 30 2014, along with others who had participated in the attack on our family.

Mr Mallon's body will now be buried this year - eight years after the tragedy

'However, we only learned in December 2015 that what we had understood to be possible multiple appeals had in fact concluded 12 months earlier. It wasn't until Guy Bastable of BCL Solicitors and Richard Matthews QC agreed to help us and represent us at the inquest that we were able to engage with the inquest process culminating in today's hearing.

'The seven years from June 2009 were full of pain for myself and our daughter and two sons which was made so much worse by the appalling misinformation provided by those in authority in Spain and the UK who should have been there to help us, to answer our questions and to facilitate Steve being laid to rest with dignity.

'We have been unable to grieve and unable to even begin to move forward in coping with the trauma of Steve's killing and the massive emotional loss that we have suffered.'
Transcription

1 Research Report MUNISH 12 Please think about the environment and do not print this research report unless absolutely necessary.

2 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 Forum: Issue: Student Officer: Advisory Panel on the Question of Sudan and South Sudan The Question of Sudan and South Sudan Thomas Litan and Andrea Rachkov Position: President and Deputy President of APQSSS, MUNISH 2012 Introduction Over a year ago, on the 9 th of July 2011, Sudan, a region long burdened with conflict, was separated into two different states (Sudan and South Sudan). The Republic of South Sudan is currently the world s newest country and the 193 rd member of the United Nations (UN). Despite the declaration of South Sudan s independence many pressing political, humanitarian, and economical issues remain unresolved, furthering tensions between the North and the South. Definition of Key Terms Sudan Refers to the region as a whole, both North and South Sudan The Republic of Sudan The North of Sudan, often mentioned as the North The Republic of South Sudan The South of Sudan, often mention as the South or South Sudan Marginalization The placement of something in a position of lesser importance Referendum The question posed to an entire population of a country Sharia law Legal system based on the Koran, also known as the Islamic law Page 2 of 14 Research Report

3 Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 XXII Annual Session Ceasefire An agreement to suspend fighting Autonomous Independent and self-controlled rather than by exterior forces Literate (In the case of this text) Those who are over the age of 15 and are able to read and write General Overview General information Sudan Sudan has an area of 1,886,068 square kilometres, making it the third biggest country in Africa. The North has a population of 30.9 million people. The primary religion is Sunni Muslim, and alongside exists a small Christian minority. The languages that are officially spoken are Arabic and English. Approximately 61% of the total population is literate (72% of the males and 52% of the females).the Sudanese government is situated in the city of Khartoum (the capital). Sudan is officially a federal republic (run by the National Congress Party) since The legal system is a mix between Islamic law and English common law. As for the constitution, Sudan is in the process of creating a new one to replace the Interim National Constitution, which was approved in July The on-going conflict in the western region of Darfur and the split in oil production has troubled Sudan s trade and markets. This turned out to be very worrisome for the employment rates of the people. Sudan is currently making an effort to provide new sources of income (such as gold mining). South Sudan South Sudan has an area of 644,329 square kilometres (comparable to the areas of either France or Afghanistan). The Republic has a population of 9.1 million people. Over 4.5 million of these people are under the age of 18. Roughly 27% of the total population is literate (40% of the males and 16% of the females). The Map of Sudan and South Sudan primary religions are Animist and Christian. Same as in Sudan, the official languages are both English and Arabic, which include Juba and other Sudanese forms of Arabic. The South Research Report Page 3 of 14

4 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 Sudanese government is located in the capital of Juba. The constitution of the republic is officially titled the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 (ratified in July 2011). Roughly 7.3 million reside in rural areas and are mainly supported by livestock and farming. This year, the World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) anticipated that 5 out of every 9 people in South Sudan would experience difficulties feeding themselves. Historical background Until its independence in 1956, Sudan was under British and Egyptian control for 57 years. British-Egyptian authority kept a clear divide between the northern and southern regions of Sudan. As development was concentrated in the North, the South (including regions such as Darfur) became marginalized both politically and economically. In 1946, both halves of Sudan were united. However, governmental authority purposefully remained located in the North. As a result, a bitter attitude arose from the population in southern regions. The South soon struck up a rebellion, afraid that they would continue to be ignored politically and economically. To end this conflict, a peace agreement was established in However, terms of the agreement were violated, breaking the (already) unstable peace. Also, the enforcement of Sharia law in Sudan outraged the inhabitants of the South who are primarily Christians and Animists. In 1983, the anger broke out into open conflict which lasted 22 years, killing over 2 million people and leaving approximately 4 million people homeless. Finally, in 2005, the Naivasha Agreement was signed by both the Nation Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM). Despite the agreement, struggles still continue between the North and South. More recent As a requirement of the Naivasha Agreement or Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), a referendum was held in the beginning of January, With a nearly unanimous vote of 99% a decision was made to grant South Sudan separation from Sudan. Indeed, half a year later, July 9 th, the Republic of South Sudan marked its independence. However, most problems remained unaddressed, and only began to worsen. Roughly 20% of the border lines have not yet been decided upon. Also, citizenship is a very pressing issue at the moment. Due to the many of the fleeing refugees out of the conflict areas, there are an approximately 2 million South Sudanese living in Sudan (the North). At the top of the pile of issues, however, are how to split the oil profits and national debt of about 38 billion dollars. Page 4 of 14 Research Report

5 Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 XXII Annual Session Darfur Darfur is a region located in western Sudan and for the North it is the main origin of conflict. The heavy situation for the region of Darfur commenced in the early 1980s when it experienced an intense drought. Many northerners were forced to move to the South increasing the competition for land. This issue worsened with the contrasting views on land ownership as well as the ridding of local committees, which usually dealt with such matters. Finally, in 2003, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) revolted against the government. In response, Janjaweed (the Arab militia) raped, killed, and kidnapped rebels as well as civilians in Darfur. (The government continues to deny that it had anything to do with this). Six years later, in 2009, President Omar al-bashir was officially accused of being involved with the Arab militia and the International Criminal Court called for his arrest. Disloyalty of the Sudanese government became apparent once it claimed that there were only 10,000 victims of conflict, when the UN estimated there to be around 300,000. Also 2.7 million people were left displaced, residing in refugee camps located in Central African Republic and Chad. In 2006, a ceasefire was signed by, among others, the SLA; however, the JEM refused to do so. This quickly changed the way the conflict was unfolding. In 2008, the African Union (AU) United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) - the UN-AU joint peacekeeping mission - was brought into action in Darfur. Finally, in 2010, the JEM signed a ceasefire; however, it soon began to break down due to slow progress in peace talks. Issues Luckily, in the last few months, the revolting groups have shown growing desires to cooperate. On July 14 th of 2011, the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed by the government, the SLA and the JEM. Economical issues Villages burnt by the Janjaweed (the Arab militia) in Darfur In 2004, the discontinuance of belligerency in Sudan and the expansion of unrefined petroleum (more commonly known as crude oil) resulted in an almost doubling of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita since The twodecade civil war and poor infrastructure stood in the way of further growth. Measures were also taken to establish a market-based economy (rather than socialist based); however, the government remained engaged with the economy. With the separation of the two United Nations peacekeeping forces in Sudan Research Report Page 5 of 14

6 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 Sudan s the economies were immediately impacted. The way the new Sudanese economy will be structured still remains unclear; however, it is certain it cannot rely on oil production, which was in fact the main source economic growth in the past. Sudan will now be forced to target agriculture and mining for economic development. Humanitarian issues The humanitarian situation in Sudan is unpleasantly tough. Due to two decades of civil war and conflict between the Sudanese government and the SLA, famine and violence have left 2 million dead and more than 4.5 million people displaced within Sudan and in neighbouring regions and countries. After the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for president al-bashir, the Sudanese government banished a dozen humanitarian aid organizations as well as 3 national ones. The UN stated that this affected 50 percent of the aid delivery to Sudan. Map of oil producing regions in Sudan and South Sudan Major Parties Involved and Their Views The Republic of Sudan Also known as North Sudan, this country is one of Sudanese refugee camp in Chad the two main countries the conflict revolves around. After North and South Sudan were united in 1946, most of the political, administrative and economic power was concentrated in the northern part of the country. This has led the South and other peripheral regions, such as Darfur, to become marginalised. The inequality of the division led to feelings of anger and resentment among inhabitants of the South. Apart from this, North Sudan has also been the centre of development and aid from foreign countries for a long time. Therefore, it has always had an advantage compared to the South, a position that has stirred up emotions in the South. One of the disputed issues is the revenue of oil from oil fields in the North and the use of a strategic pipeline. The population of the North is largely dominated by Muslims, who mostly supported the introduction of Sharia law in Page 6 of 14 Research Report

7 Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 XXII Annual Session The Republic of South Sudan Also known as South Sudan, this country is one of the two main countries the conflict revolves around. The South has always been at a disadvantage, since the government (and the rulers of Great Britain and Egypt before them) located almost all power (political, adminstrative and economic), as well as development, in the northern part of the country after the independence. Due to this unbalanced division, the South has always regarded itself as being sidelined by the authorities and has subsequently shown its resentment by rebelling against the government s rule. From the start, South Sudan has been one of the world s poorest and most corrupt countries, making a stable situation far more difficult to achieve. Most of the inhabitants of the South are Christians, who were heavily opposed to the imposition of Sharia law in This decision, along with others, caused the formation of many rebellion groups who oppose the government in the North. In 2011, over 99 % of the population voted in favour of the independence of the South. The Three Areas This is the common name for three regions in the middle of former Sudan: Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. These areas are still the centre of conflict and fighting and have not aligned with either the North or the South, even though the CPA contained regulations for a process that would help these regions determine their future. Abyei has been claimed by both countries for its oil reserves. The main concern of this region is the importance of the Masseriya tribe, a tribe consisting of Arab nomads who consider Abyei their home for part of the year. While they are given full voting rights by the North, the South is reluctant to grant full voting rights to non-permanent citizens of Abyei. For a brief period, Abyei was seized by the North, which created a tension that was solved by a demilitarisation of the area and by deploying UN peacekeeping forces in the Area. South Kordofan and Blue Nile have also failed to see an end to the violence and a definitive decision concerning their position in the conflict. Research Report Page 7 of 14

8 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 Map of The Three Areas (Abyei is located in the south-western part of Southern Kordofan) Egypt and Great Britain As former rulers of Sudan, both countries have some responsibility when it comes to reaching a solution to the conflict. Inhabitants of the South will likely see both countries as partially responsible for their marginalisation and the current problems with food, water, medical care and the economy. Egypt is also a neighbouring country of North Sudan and is therefore immediately affected by a sudden escalation of the conflict. As one of the richest and most influential countries on the continent and in the AU, Egypt is perfectly placed to play an important role in reaching a solution to the conflict. Great Britain may not be an African nation, but is still the possessor of a rare P5 membership in the Security Council and thus able to influence other major countries in the world to send immediate aid to the conflict areas. Chad and the Central African Republic Chad is a country that borders North Sudan on the western side, meaning it borders the region of Darfur. It has received thousands of refugees during the long-standing civil war in Darfur, many of whom still refuse to return to a country that is still in conflict. The influx of refugees has only increased during recent conflicts. The Central African Republic, which border both North and South Sudan in the (south) west has also received a huge amount of refugees. Refugee camps have been set up in these countries, but the situation in these camps is far from ideal. Food and water problems, along with a lack of medical care, have led to life-threatening situations for the former inhabitants of Sudan. The International Criminal Court Page 8 of 14 Research Report

9 Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 XXII Annual Session The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-bashir, who is suspected of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is widely believed that his government supported the Janjaweed militias in the Darfur conflict and therefore caused the deaths of many people. Until now, every arrest warrant has been ignored by the Sudanese government. President al-bashir still has many allies among other African rulers and has so far managed to evade capture by the ICC. Despite his strong position within the African continent and in Russia and China, Western countries call for his immediate arrest and trial and Western aid may prove vital in maintaining a peaceful and stable situation in Sudan. The Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army The SPLA, which was formed in 1983 as a form of rebellion against the government, has played an important role in the process of gaining independence of South Sudan and was one of the parties to sign the CPA. It is the military branch of the South Sudanese government and plays an important role in the upholding of ceasefires and peace treaties. The Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement The SPLM is the political branch of the South Sudanese government and has been the ruling party since the independence in It is one of the main parties in negotiations concerning peace treaties and ceasefires. In recent times, it has tried to create a more stable situation and move towards an opening for opposition parties in the South. It is, however, facing problems within its own ranks, further complicating the process of forming a stable government in the South. The National Congress Party The NCP is the main ruling party in North Sudan and the party of President al-bashir. It was one of the parties to sign the CPA and it gave permission for the independence of the South. It also signed peace treaties concerning the region of Darfur. When it comes to finding a definitive solution to the escalating violence in the country, the NCP has the governmental influence to play an important role. Timeline of Events The text next to each year is written in chronological order. Date Description of event 1899 British-Egyptian authority established in Sudan Sudan becomes independent Civil war commences (primarily in the South) A peace agreement is signed, granting the southern regions limited governance. Research Report Page 9 of 14

10 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague Oil reserves found in the South Islamic Sharia law imposed on all of Sudan. The Sudanese People s Liberation Army (SPLA) is formed and revolt against the government. A peace deal is signed by the SPLA and the government guaranteeing a half-year ceasefire and bringing an end to 19 years of civil war In Darfur, two rebel groups revolt against the government because they believe the western region has been neglected A ceasefire in the South is agreed upon by the SPLA and the rebels of the JEM. Meantime, in Darfur, hundreds of thousand refugees escape to Chad because of violent uprisings. Janjaweed (Arab militias that are in support of the government) perform organized killings in the villages of Darfur. In terms of the North-South dealings, advancement is made with power-sharing protocols. The United States of America (USA) refers to the situation in Darfur as genocide. The UN agrees that Sudan is unable to demilitarize the military forces in support of the government, however, does not acknowledge the term genocide. The AU sends in protection forces. A permanent comprehensive peace deal is signed by the rebels in the South and the government. The United Nations Security Council states that those who perform acts of cruelty in Darfur may be sent to the ICC. An autonomous authority is shaped in the South. The United Nations Security Council takes a decision to deploy a 26,000 peacekeeping force to Darfur; however, the Sudanese president does not grant permission for this to happen. The ICC submits the first authorizations of arrest for Sudanese minister and a militia leader. Sudan finally allows the stationing of the 26,000 AU-UN forces to the region of Darfur (also known as UNAMID African Union United Nations Mission In Darfur) Troops are sent to Chad and the Central African Republic to help the refugees from Darfur. The United Nations predicts that the conflict in Darfur had resulted in approximately 300,000 deaths. The government bombs schools and market places in Darfur leaving 13 dead. The North and South begin to fight over the oil rich Abyei. The ICC issues an arrest warrant for the president of Sudan (Omar al- Bashir) for atrocities and war crime in Darfur; however, Sudan refuses the Page 10 of 14 Research Report

11 charges. Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 XXII Annual Session The ICC in The Hague calls for the arrest for the President al-bashir. The Hague gives the North control over the Abyei region. South Sudan gains independence. South Sudan becomes the 193 rd member of the United Nations and the 54 th member of the African Union. South Sudan launches its own currency. UN involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events The UN has been involved in the conflicts that plague Sudan and the surrounding areas from the start. One of the main ways to help ease the tension between the opposing parties and to prevent escalation of the situation was to send peacekeeping troops (mainly from countries in the area, such as Ethiopia). Also, the UN has created specific peacekeeping missions for the Darfur conflict - the United Nations African Union Mission In Darfur (UNAMID) - and for the situation in Abyei - the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The UN has closely followed peace talks between the North and the South and has supported both countries in terms of development aid. It made the decision to decrease its involvement in certain affairs, handing authority back to local governments and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGO s). Perhaps the most important mission of the UN was the United Nations Mission In Sudan (UNMIS). UNMIS was created to oversee the implementation of the CPA, which formed the basis of peace talks and a process to establish an autonomous (and later fully independent) region in the South. Furthermore, UNMIS provided UN funds and aid in areas concerning humanitarian aid and development, as well as the promotion and protection of human rights. In short, UNMIS hoped to provide assistance in accomplishing a stable and strong government in both halves of Sudan, ending a long-standing problem in North Africa. Most recently, the UN welcomed South Sudan as its 193 rd member and the newest country in the world. South Sudan is now represented in the UN and is therefore capable of informing the world of the current situation and of trying to gather support for further development. Due to the new situation that emerged after the independence, the UN decided to close UNMIS and to create the United Nations Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS) to address the serious threat to international peace and security the Sudan conflict was deemed to be. Research Report Page 11 of 14

12 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 Below are the resolutions which helped create the UNMIS and the UNMISS: Establishment of the United Nations Mission In Sudan, 24 March 2005 (S/RES/1590) Establishment of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, 8 July 2011 (S/RES/1996) Other resolutions on situations in Sudan can be found in the Appendix section. Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue The UN has created several missions to ensure the establishment of a peaceful situation in Sudan. On top of that, it has provided the inhabitants of both countries with humanitarian aid and has tried to assist wherever possible in achieving a recovery of a democratic and well-governed system. One of the best examples to use is the CPA, one of the main attempts to create a continuous situation of peace in the region. While the CPA tried to achieve a transformation of the conflict area into a stable and durable governance system, it failed in many aspects. The CPA only recognised the SPLM as a rebel group and ignored most of the others and lacked sound improvements in areas of accountability for people s role in the conflict and reformation in the governance and legal area. On top of that, the government failed to put most of the aspects into action, rendering the CPA a flawed attempt at improvement. In short, the CPA only increased the division of wealth and power between the North and the South. Many other peace treaties were not as highly regarded as the CPA, but still lacked in tackling the fundamental problems Sudan s inhabitants were facing. Possible Solutions When tackling the problems Sudan and South Sudan are facing at this moment, it is necessary to consider the many aspects the problem comprises of. First of all, it is necessary to maintain a stable and durable atmosphere of peace in the region, for stopping the fighting is vital to opening doors to full recovery and development. One should look at the failed facets of earlier treaties, such as the CPA, and consider how these flaws can be improved. South Sudan should be transformed into a country with a stable government, a fair legal system and an acceptable living environment for its inhabitants. Help from other countries should be taken into account as well. One might try to persuade refugees currently residing in neighbouring countries to consider a return to their home in Sudan, as many people are needed to build up the country again. Western countries may be asked to send in aid and primary needs for the Sudanese people (via the UN for example). A problem that may emerge here is the current status of President Omar al-bashir. If Western countries refuse to send aid without his immediate arrest, it may be necessary to reach a definitive decision on this issue as well. Page 12 of 14 Research Report

13 Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 XXII Annual Session When attempting to create a solution to the problem, one should try to take the responsibilities, wishes and needs of all of Sudan s inhabitants into account. After all, a feeling of resentment and anger among the sidelined people in the South was one of the main causes for this conflict. Whatever solution one comes up with, the only way for it to be definitive, durable and sustainable is when every party engaged in the Sudan conflict is content with the outcome. Bibliography Works Cited "Abyei Patrol." UN. Web. 22 August < Patrol2.jpg> BBC. 1 May Web. 27 July < "Darfur Genocide." Operation Broken Silence. Web. 22 August < < "Darfur Refugee Camp in Chad." Wikimedia. Web. 22 August dia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/darfur_refugee_camp_in_chad.jpg>. Insight on Conflict. Peace Direct, Web. 27 July < conflicts/sudan/>. Insight on Conflict. Web. 27 July < sudan/>. Insight on Conflict. Web. 31 July < Map of Sudan and South Sudan. MSN. Web. 22 August < Graphics/Sudan_2-5col.jpg>. Map of The Three Areas. Human Rights Watch. Web. 21 August < South Sudan" CIA World Factbook. Web. 15 August < Sudan" CIA World Factbook. Web. 15 August < "Sudan Oil." Amazonaws. Web. 22 August < aebrzxibjazhenufjoaedatizdjeteddnosjspcxvaueeeaqdajqmjbldngm/ Research Report Page 13 of 14

14 XXII Annual Session Model United Nations International School of The Hague 2012 sudan_oil_col_09.jpg.scaled696.jpg?awsaccesskeyid=akiajfzae65uyrt34aoq&expires= &Signature=fxN2kObrnlb63yGgdus7FiE6KuM%3D>. United Nations. Web. 1 August < United Nations. Web. 1 August < US Department of State. Web. 27 July < WFP. Web. 27 July < WFP. Web. 27 July < Appendix or Appendices A collection of many resolution concerning Sudan, South Sudan, the Darfur region and other (closely) related topics : Two of the most important resolutions can be found in the UN Involvement section. The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement Between The Government of The Republic of The Sudan and The Sudan People s Liberation Movement/Sudan People s Liberation Army: Page 14 of 14 Research Report
Police in Maryland are searching for a missing 18-year-old woman who is a cousin of a teenage girl who was murdered earlier this month in Virginia.

Angelica Ivania Barahona-Rivas was reported missing after she failed to return home from work on Saturday night.

According to police in Montgomery County, Barahona-Rivas took off from her job at the Wok Express eatery on Lost Knife Road in Gaithersburg at 9pm, about an hour before the end of her shift.

Mystery: Angelica Ivania Barahona-Rivas, 18 (left), went missing on Saturday in Maryland, two weeks after her cousin Damaris Alexandra Reyes Rivas, 15 (right) was found murdered

Last sighting: Barahona-Rivas took off from her job at the Wok Express eatery on Lost Knife Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland, an hour early

Investigators believe the teen may have traveled to New Jersey. So far, her family have been unable to reach her and they are concerned.

Barahona-Rivas' disappearance came two weeks to the day after her 15-year-old cousin Damaris Alexandra Reyes Rivas was discovered murdered in an industrial park in Springfield, Virginia, in what police have characterized as a gang-related homicide.

In the days after the grisly find, 10 people have been charged in connection to Reyes Rivas' killing, among them four adults and six juveniles.

Cindy Blanco Hernandez, 18; Wilmer Sanchez-Serano, 21; Aldair Miranda Carcamo, 18, and Jose Castillo Rivas, 18, have been arrested and charged with abduction and gang participation.

The underage suspects in Reyes Rivas' kidnapping and slaying included three girls and three boys between the ages 15-17.

Police would not say which gang was believed to have been responsible for the attack, but the victims mother pointed a finger of blame at the Salvadoran-based MS-13.

The mother said her 15-year-old daughter began to run away after befriending teens in Virginia linked to the notorious gang.

She first ran away in November, but then returned after eight days.

Reyes Rivas took off again in December after she learned that her mother was planning to send her to live with a relative in another state.

Runaway: Reyes Rivas was found murdered in an industrial park in Springfield, Virginia, in what police have characterized as a gang-related homicide

While out on the lam, the 15-yer-old contacted her mother several times in January through social media to tell her that she was unharmed and that she did not want to come home.

The mother said she last heard from Reyes Rivas on January 6.

Detectives believe that two days later, the girl was taken against her will to Lake Accotink Park in Fairfax County, where she was assaulted and murdered. Her body was then dumped in a nearby industrial park.

Police Chief Ed Roessler would not comment on the exact manner of death but described the teenager's killing as 'savage' and 'horrific,' according to the station WTOP.

An autopsy of the girls remains found trauma to her upper body, police said, reported Fox Baltimore.

Suspects: Jose Castillo Rivas, 18 (left), and Wilmer Sanchez-Serano, 21 (right) have been arrested and charged with abduction and gang participation

Cindy Blanco Hernandez, 18 (left), and Aldair Miranda Carcamo, 18 (right) were among four adults and six juveniles arrested in connection to Reyes Rivas' kidnapping and killing

Detectives were led to Reyes Rivas' body after uncovering video evidence in the course of another murder investigation.

Christian Alexander Sosa Rivas, 21, was found dead on January 12 in Dumfries, Virginia.

In the wake of the mans slaying, two other teenage girls, Lizzy Colindres, 16, and Venus Romero Iraheta, 17, also had vanished but later returned home safe.

Colindres and her 5-month-old baby went missing on January 14 and came home only a month later.

The child's father, Jose Castillo Rivas, was later arrested and charged in Damaris Reyes Rivas' Kidnapping and slaying.

Where is Angelica? Barahona-Rivas is 5-foot-3 and weighing 150lbs. She was last seen wearing a tan shirt, a tan skirt, a gray jacket and black boots

Iraheta went missing a day after Colindres and came home earlier this month, saying she had been staying with friends.

She told NBC4 that she fled out of fear after the killing of her boyfriend, Christians Sosa Rivas.

The 17-year-old girl was taken into custody a short time after her return, with police claiming that she was linked to Damaris Reyes Rivas' death.

It is unclear if the murdered teenager's missing cousin, Angelica Barahona-Rivas, is any way connected to that case.

Barahona-Rivas is 5-foot-3 and weighing 150lbs. She was last seen wearing a tan shirt, a tan skirt, a gray jacket and black boots. She was carrying a pink purse when she left work.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being asked to call Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000.
Monica Lewinsky returned to Hollywood on Sunday for one of the city's most dazzling bashes - The Academy Awards.

Lewinsky walked the red carpet at Sunday night's 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California.

The author and handbag designer, best known for her internship at the White House from 1995 to 1996 where she and then-President Bill Clinton engaged in an 'inappropriate relationship' that led to his impeachment, opted for a youthfully styled ankle-length black dress, adorned with tulle and sequins.

Monica Lewinsky walked the red carpet with Hollywood's biggest stars at Sunday nights Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California

Lewinsky opted for a youthfully styled ankle-length black dress, adorned with tulle and sequins

The bottom of the dress flared out with layers of tulle, while the top was finished off with an off-the-shoulder fishnet covering over the spaghetti-strap dress.

Lewinsky paired the frock with red heels and a large silver ring on her left middle finger.

Lewinsky attended the event just a month after it was announced that the next series of American Crime Story would focus on her scandal with former President Bill Clinton

She kept it simple with her brown locks in long curls and wore a nude lip as she smiled for cameras at the event.

Lewinsky was joined by Hollywood's finest, including Emma Stone, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson.

She posed at the event with Vice Chairman of NBCUniversal Ron Meyer and writer Jemima Goldsmith.

Filming for the fourth season of American Crime Story - which will focus on the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal - is expected to start later this year.

It was previously announced that Sarah Paulson had been cast for the show.

Producer Ryan Murphy previously revealed that Paulson would not be playing Hillary Clinton.

Murphy would not, however, reveal her role on the FX anthology series.

Ryan Murphy has reportedly optioned Jeffrey Toobin's bestselling book 'A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President' for the upcoming season.

The author and handbag designer kept it simple with her brown locks in long curls and wore a nude lip

The book tells that tale of Bill Clinton's affair with a young Lewinsky, and Linda Tripp, the woman who revealed the details of the pair's intimate indiscretions to the world.

The series is currently being fast-tracked according to The Hollywood Reporter, and Murphy has been meeting with actors to play the roles of Lewinsky and Tripp.

It might be some time before the show airs however, with two seasons of American Crime Story currently being filmed in the wake of The People V. OJ Simpson.

Filming is currently underway on the second season, about Hurricane Katrina, and the third season, about the murder of Gianni Versace, which are both expected to air next year.

Season three will cover the murder of Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace who was shot dead in Florida in 1997.

Murphy, best known for Glee and American Horror Story, is also working on a story about the rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford that is set to premiere in March, Feud.
Rodney Coronado has come clean for the first time about his ecoterror crimes of the 1990s

A notorious animal rights ecoterrorist has come clean for the first time about the reign of terror he conducted across six scientific research sites and farms in the 1990s, renouncing violence and urging young activists to engage in more constructive tactics.

Tuesday will mark the 25th anniversary of former Animal Liberation Front activist Rodney Coronado's most infamous attack, the firebombing of a research lab at Michigan State University that did not injure anyone, but destroyed decades of scientific work.

Coronado pleaded guilty to arson in that attack, serving four years prison in a plea deal to avoid charges in five other property attacks, but had always maintained his innocence until now.

'I won't sugar coat it; we were about psychological warfare,' Coronado told the Lansing State Journal in an interview last week, explaining for the first time his violent campaign against scientific researchers. 'We wanted them to live in fear.'

A Michigan State staffer surveys the damage Coronado's firebomb caused in 1992. Though he pleaded guilty to the arson in a deal, he had maintained his innocence until now

Coronado spent two years on the run until he was arrested in Arizona. He now admits he committed five other property attacks in the 1990s, in addition to the MSU firebomb

Coronado was 26 when, in the early pre-dawn hours of February 28, 1992, he crept through an open window on the MSU campus and kicked in the office door of Richard Aulerich, a researcher investigating declines in the natural mink population.

The ALF activist was convinced that Aulerich was funded by the mink industry and harming the animals in his research. He tore through the office searching for evidence of cruelty, even videotaping the burglary wearing a mask to protect his identity.

Then Coronado constructed a pyre using wooden furniture and papers, and ignited the office with a crude but utterly effective homemade firebomb. Though nobody was injured, 32 years of Aulerich's work was destroyed.

Coronado is shown in his Arizona home in this file photo from 2007. After serving four years in prison, he toured the country telling others how to make Molotov cocktails, but now says that communication is the best way forward for activists.

'We wanted researchers like Aulerich never to know when they came to work and opened their office door whether there had been an attack,' Coronado, now in his 50s, explained to the State Journal.

'I felt we had to do something more to impact business, but I knew it would be at a high cost of public acceptance,' Coronado said. 'The public was not ready to accept destruction or economic sabotage in peace time.'

Coronado admits to conducting five other ALF attacks against universities and farms, ranging from fires to vandalism. At the time, he did not consider the attacks to be violent, as nobody was physically injured in them.

'We consider any action that prioritizes life over property to be nonviolent,' he said in 1992, according to Rolling Stone.

Today, however, Coronado is dedicated to pursuing animal welfare through legal means.

He is the founder of Great Lakes Wolf Patrol, a citizen monitoring group that monitors public lands in an attempt to document and report illegal poaching of federally protected grey wolves.

Though he sometimes comes face-to-face with armed hunters who are unsympathetic to his cause, Coronado insists his only weapon these days is his GoPro camera.

'Changing attitudes is done with communication,' he said. 'Our efforts are damaged when you push someone against a wall and antagonize with direct action.'
The brother of X Factor judge Louis Walsh has cheated death after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a garage in New Jersey.

Irishman Joe Walsh was flying with a passenger when the chopper came down near the Chatham Village Apartments, about three miles south of Morristown Airport.

Pictures show the downed aircraft near a row of garages while eyewitnesses say they heard an 'explosion' as it crashed down.

But incredibly Walsh, 54, and his passenger - who were flying from Richmond, Virginia to Lincoln Park, New Jersey - both escaped major injury.

The brother of X Factor judge Louis Walsh has cheated death after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a garage in New Jersey

Incredibly Walsh, 54, and his passenger - who were flying from Richmond, Virginia to Lincoln Park, New Jersey - both escaped major injury

US-based Walsh, from County Mayo in Ireland, is the brother of X Factor judge Louis Walsh (pictured)

US-based Walsh, from County Mayo in Ireland, is the brother of Louis Walsh - a music mogul and judge on the UK's X Factor talent show.

He was flying the helicopter himself when the crash took place just after 6.30pm on Friday and was reportedly just 10 minutes away from his intended destination.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter, a Robinson R44, is registered to a Delaware address.

Sean Flood, who lives near the crash scene, told NJ.com the helicopter appeared to have struck a one-story garage before hitting the ground.

He says he saw a man taking items from the helicopter as authorities were securing the scene.

Irishman Joe Walsh was flying with a passenger when the chopper came down near the Chatham Village Apartments, about three miles south of Morristown Airport

Walsh was flying the helicopter himself when the crash took place just after 6.30pm on Friday

The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter, a Robinson R44, is registered to a Delaware address. Emergency crews are pictured at the scene

According to the CBS2, police praised the actions of the pilot.

'I think the pilot, from my vantage point, did a wonderful job landing this helicopter where he did and could have averted catastrophe,' a Chatham spokesperson said.

Neighbor and eyewitness, Jeff Andrews said of the drama: 'It looked really low in the sky and it just kind of lunged forward, and we heard a bang. It sounded like it hit metal or something.'

Another said they heard what sounded like an 'explosion'.

The FAA are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Three men have appeared in court in South Africa accused of torturing and shooting a British woman, Sue Howarth, who was killed on her remote farm last week.

Mrs Howarth, 64, and her husband Robert Lynn, 66, were attacked in the middle of the night. They were tortured with a blowtorch and then both were shot. She was killed and Mr Lynn was left for dead.

It has also emerged Themba William Yika, Nkosinathi Yika and Lucas Makua were out on bail at the time for another robbery.

ACCUSED: (Left to right) Themba William Yika, Nkosinathi Yika and Lucas Makua appearing before magistrates in the small town of Belfast in Mpumalanga province

Sue Howarth (pictured) was brutally murdered by a gang who broke into her home

The Middelburg Observer newspaper reported the trio were found with a camera, a bank card and several mobile phones owned by Mrs Howarth.

About 150 friends and supporters of Mrs Howarth and her husband turned up outside with the court with placards calling for a stop to farm attacks.

Mrs Howarth's friend Claire Taylor said she was 'overwhelmed' by the support from the community.

The couple were asleep in bed on their farm in Dullstroom in South Africa's Mpumalanga province, when three men broke in through a window at 2am and tied them up.

The attackers refused to believe the couple did not have a safe and tortured them with a blowtorch.

Three men bundled the couple into their own pick-up truck, with plastic bags over their heads and tape around their necks during the horrific ordeal.

They were driven off before Mrs Howarth was shot twice in the head and her husband once in the neck, before the thugs dumped the couple by the roadside.

Around 150 farmers turned up outside the court where the three suspects appeared

Racial tensions in the area have been raised by the crime. Most of those demonstrating outside court were white, while the accused are all black

Demonstrators put up posters outside the court. The attack has outraged many people in the farming communities of Mpumalanga province

A mob of protesters hold placards outside the court where the defendants appeared

She had a plastic bag jammed down her throat and he had a bag tied round his neck but he survived to tell detectives what had happened.

Police said the horrific ordeal lasted several hours.

The three suspects were arrested over the weekend.

Close friend Claire Taylor invited local paper the Middleburg Observer into the hospital to photograph Sue in bed to show the full horror of what local farmers are going through. She said: 'She would have wanted the world to see what happened to her. What they did to her'

Back home: Roberet Lynn recovers after the farm attack which saw his wife murdered

But incredibly retired Robert survived the brutal attack and managed to free himself and find his terribly injured wife nearby.

Police said she was unrecognisable from her injuries and was in a coma. Her husband raised the alarm she was rushed to hospital but died 48 hours later.

She had multiple fractures to her her skull and gunshot wounds and horrific burns from the blowtorch to her breasts.

It is thought her life support machine was switched off after doctors said she would not survive.

Her husband was treated in the intensive care unit but incredibly has survived and has returned home. It was the third violent farm attack in the province this month.

Border collie lover Sue who is originally from Southsea, Hampshire, was extremely well-known in sheepdog trial circles and had three rescue collie dogs of her own.

They are believed to have lived in the area for over 20 years and, although they have different surnames, they were married.

The couple lived at a remote farm 150 miles from Pretoria, with their three border collie dogs

The couple (pictured about 20 years ago) lived on a farm called Marshland with their three border collie rescue dogs.

The couple lived on a farm called Marshlandin in Dullstroom in Mpumalanga province. The suspects appeared in court in nearby Belfast

The couple lived on a farm called Marchlands with their three border collie rescue dogs.

Hi-Tech Security Highlands manager Mr Johan Pierterse said the gang broke in through a window and tied up the couple, demanding cash.

'They demanded money but could not find any in the house,' he said.

He said the attackers then forced the couple into their own bakkie and drove them to a point on the R37 between Belfast and Stoffberg.

Sue Howarth is pictured with her best friend and fellow Briton Claire Taylor at sheepdog trials in Dullstroom

Close friends held a vigil at a Dutch Reform Church in Dullstroom to mourn death of Sue Howarth

Three men broke into the bungalow through a window and tied the terrified Brits up

A spokesman for the Democratic Alliance said: 'Sue and husband Robert were overpowered and tortured and left left for dead.

'Since the beginning of February, 30 farms have have been attacked and 15 people have lost their lives in farm attacks across the country.

'We simply cannot allow these horrendous acts to continue and or our rural communities to live in fear.

'We call on the government to employ rural safety units to protect rural communities from rural crime'.
A senior RAF officer who abused his wife when he suspected she was having an affair has failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned.

Wing Commander Allan Steele, 42, grappled with wife Linzi, 43, in an attempt to seize a laptop computer he claimed contained evidence of her cheating.

The qualified solicitor and military legal advisor - who was decorated by US President Barack Obama after serving at the Pentagon - also accused his wife of leaving her sex toys 'within the reach' of their three children in July 2016.

Last September he was found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour at a house in Waterside, Ayrshire - an assault charge was found not proven.

But Steele has returned to court to challenge that decision at the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh.

Row: Wing Commander Allan Steele, 42, left, grappled with wife Linzi, 43, right, in an attempt to seize a laptop computer he claimed contained evidence of her cheating

He argued that he should have been given an absolute discharge meaning he would have escaped a criminal record.

His lawyers argued that a criminal conviction would be unfair as Steele would face harsh disciplinary action from the RAF and the Law Society of Scotland.

They said he had no previous convictions and pointed to Steele's 'exemplary and meritorious' military service.

However Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen rejected the appeal and said Steele's 'angry and aggressive' behaviour had left his wife in fear of him.

She said: 'We take the view that the sheriff was entitled to find that this was not trivial and that the circumstances of the offence were concerning and serious.

Wing Commander Steele argued that he should have been given an absolute discharge meaning he would have escaped a criminal record

'The behaviour is described as angry, aggressive, threatening and abusive behaviour (jealous controlling behaviour is another way of putting it) involving the appellant's determination to obtain and elicit information from his wife's phone and laptop.

'The sheriff's assessment of the gravity of the offences is underlined by the complainer's fear that the appellant would continue to contact her once these proceedings were concluded. She did not wish that to happen.

'The sheriff's decision to monitor the appellant's behaviour by way of a deferral of sentence continuing the special conditions ofbail is a disposal which we consider to be entirely understandable and appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

'We fully accept that the consequences for the appellant may well be serious. It is however a matter for the RAF to decide what steps ought to be taken in respect of discipline and it is for them to take account of the appellant's meritorious record in the exercise of their judgment on the matter of discipline.

'Likewise the Law Society of Scotland may institute disciplinary proceedings and if they do the outcome of such proceedings will involve a range of penalties from reprimand upwards to more significant consequences.'

The senior NATO officer had uncovered text messages and emails between Mrs Steele and an old school friend she had met at a reunion, Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard.

Steele said he had earlier turned up unexpectedly and asked her to use the 'find my iPhone' app, as he thought he had left his phone in the officers mess at Joint Forces Command HQ in Northwood, near London.

But he took her phone after Mrs Steele asked him to 'give her five or 10 minutes'. He wandered the streets and sat in a park, where he discovered the phone had been disconnected.

Before it went dead he saw a Facebook notification containing the phrases 'he has come back' and 'he knows everything'.

Steele told the court: 'That was perhaps the most hurtful part.'

His family were so concerned about him they urged him to see a doctor and he was later referred to an 'emergency team'.

Steele admitted taking the laptop but denied assaulting his wife or being abusive to her.

He said he lost his balance and stumbled forward as Mrs Steele fell onto a bed.

'At that stage Linzi bit me on the arm,' Steele said, adding he was bitten four times before escaping with the laptop.

Steele told the court he wanted to search for 'further evidence of adultery,' adding: 'I was convinced at that stage that there was something dreadful on the laptop computer that I wanted to know about.'

He took the laptop and his wife's phone to a data recovery company in Glasgow for forensic analysis. 'I think it was the correct thing to do,' he said.

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court (pictured) last September, Sheriff David Hall found Steele guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour but found a charge alleging he assaulted his wife not proven

John Scott QC, defending, asked Mrs Steele: 'Can you see why that might suggest an inappropriate relationship between two people married to other people?' She disagreed.

Confronted with screenshots of emails and texts in which she had said in one message to Mr McKenzie: 'Have a great day, sweetheart. Thinking about you all the time xxx', Mrs Steele responded: 'It's not uncommon for me to have a term of endearment with my friends.'

Mrs Steele said her husband barged in to the house and pushed her against a wall. He called her a 's**t' and accused her of leaving sex toys in the living room 'within children's reach'.

Mr Scott asked her if her husband had found a condom in the house which was 'not relevant to the marriage'.

Mrs Steele said she had been given contraceptives after a smear test but had 'shoved them in a drawer as I would not need them with Mr Steele. Or anybody.'

Referring to the struggle for the laptop, she added: 'I ended up on the bed with my head pressed against the bed while he was on my back trying to get it off me.'

The struggle continued in another bedroom and she bit Steele on the arm in an effort to get him off her. 'It's all I could do,' she said.

Mrs Steele insisted her husband was 'aggressive and abusive'. She added: 'He begged me not to leave him. He wouldn't accept I was leaving him because I didn't love him any more.

'I was told by Allan my phone was being sent to a forensic lab for analysis to prove the explicit sexual affair I was supposed to be having. He called me a slut and other terrible swear words.

'He shouted that he'd found my sex toys and that was proof I was having an affair. He said they'd been all over the home and in the middle of the living room floor.'

Mr Scott asked: 'Were they?' Mrs Steele replied: 'Of course they weren't.' She also denied attacking her husband in a bid to keep the laptop.

He claimed that he lost his balance and stumbled forward as Mrs Steele fell onto a bed.

Sheriff David Hall found Steele guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour but found a charge alleging he assaulted her not proven.

Steele, of Giffnock, Renfrewshire, previously served on an exchange with the US Air Force at the Pentagon.
A creative man penned this unique resignation letter, pictured, on a piece of toilet roll

Many people have felt at one time or another that their company is going down the toilet, but one man took that literally when penning his resignation letter.

A picture has emerged on reddit of a man giving in his written notice on a piece of toilet paper.

The stunt has caused a stir online, with many people praising the mans ingenuity and effort to tell his bosses what he really thinks.

The note reads: I have chosen this type of paper for my two weeks resignation as a symbol of how I feel this company has treated me, and ironically, how it is disposed of is where I feel this company is going.

The mans name is obscured but it is signed next to a picture of a toilet.

It was uploaded to reddit by user Girlofgodsbadday, who claimed the letter was written by her husband.

She appears to live in New Mexico, US, and describes herself as an emergency room nurse.

It is unclear what her husband does for a living, but responding to others on reddit she said: He's fortunately in a place he can do without a reference.

After being asked if her husband felt good about it, the woman added: Oh my yes. I've never seen him so happy and relaxed!

The method of resignation struck a chord with many on the social media site, who voiced their support for the mans actions.

One user wrote: My last employer was like that. If they found out you were even looking for a job you were fired.

The man said the toilet was a symbol of both 'how he had been treated' and 'where the company was going' (file picture)

Zero chance you were ever getting a reference from them anyway. My resignation letter wasn't on toilet paper, but the message was the same.

Another wrote: I've worked for some employers that I'm positive would have done anything to ruin former employee's chances at anything better. Sometimes you work for a sonofab**** with whom you have to cut all ties.

But there were others who disagreed with the stunt and called it immature.

One user wrote: It seems petty and immature. "Oh, I don't like my job and the people that run it are dumb," said every person with a job ever. If you don't like it, quit with a pair of b**** not some p***y note on toilet paper. Be professional, don't stoop to their level.
A longtime GOP operative is asking Congress to investigate whether or not Russia is behind the murder of a young Democratic National Committee staffer.

Seth Rich, 27, was fatally shot in the back while walking home alone in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of D.C. in the early hours of July 10 last year. At the time of his death, he was working as a data analyst for the DNC.

Eight months on, there are no leads and no suspects in the homicide investigation. DC police have said nothing was stolen from Rich and that the murder was a botched robbery.

Now, GOP lobbyist and DC lawyer Jack Burkman has formally appealed to Congress to investigate following new evidence he says he's obtained that Russia may be behind Rich's murder.

Seth Rich, 27, was fatally shot in the back while walking home alone in D.C. in the early hours of July 10 last year. At the time of his death, he was working as a data analyst for the DNC

GOP lobbyist and D.C. lawyer Jack Burkman (left) has appealed to Congress to investigate following new evidence that Russia may be behind Rich's murder. Right, billboards go up in the Bloomingdale neighborhood highlighting Rich's murder, organized by Burkman

In an exclusive interview, Burkman told DailyMail.com, that when he first came across the murder in a newspaper, it struck him as 'very, very odd'.

He said: 'Nothing was taken from Seth  not his wallet, gold chain, credit cards or a sizeable amount of cash. So you know there's no robbery gone awry. Then the question becomes, what was it?

'Now I think we have our first big news in the case  we have leads and evidence of Russian involvement.'

While Burkman is reluctant to elaborate, he revealed he was recently contacted about the investigation by a man claiming to be a former U.S. intelligence officer. The source is an older man, 65-70 years old, who claims to have been a contractor in Iraq in the 1970s, he revealed.

'The source has claimed that it [the murder] was arranged by the Russian government at a very high level,' Burkman said.

'He didn't specify who or how. He just said he had knowledge it was arranged by the Russian government and stressed that it was at a high level.'

He added: 'I've met this person and he seems very credible. We're now investigating the allegations he has made.'

Burkman believes the source will cooperate with the investigation. He is wary about revealing too much and has hired a private security firm to protect his family.

'These days we all know what the Russian government is like and because I'm concerned with my safety and my family's safety, I have to be careful about what I put on the record,' he said.

Burkman believes that Rich was killed after discovering Russian operatives had hacked the DNC through his work on a 'highly important voter registration program'.

Last week, Burkman sent letters to Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Michael McCaul, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, formally asking them to launch an investigation

Burkman's investigation points to a Russia connection to the murder, asserting that Rich was murdered after discovering Russian operatives had hacked the DNC

Less than two weeks after Rich's murder, WikiLeaks published thousands of hacked DNC emails.

Weeks after Rich's murder, WikiLeaks offered $20,000 to help solve the case but WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange insisted that Russia had nothing to do with the leak.

However the U.S. intelligence community later concluded that Russian operatives were behind the hack and had further meddled in the U.S. elections.

Burkman is working pro bono on the investigation with the blessing of the Rich family, even though Rich's parents  Joel and Mary Rich  have said publicly that they support the D.C. police's theory that their son's murder was a robbery gone wrong.

Burkman has donated a $105,000 reward to find Rich's killer.

When added to earlier donations - $25,000 from DC police and $20,000 from WikiLeaks  the reward is the largest ever offered to solve a murder in D.C. history.

Although Burkman has no personal connection to the Rich family, he felt compelled to help.

'Seth was tragically killed before I ever got a chance to meet him,' Burkman said. 'We had no professional connection  only the kinship that bonds all of us who are political operatives. Seth and I are on different sides of the aisle - he was a Democrat, I'm a Republican - but I wanted to help.

'I have young Republicans and Democrats that work for me and what happened to Seth could have happened to any one of us.'

Burkman, who attended Georgetown Law School and now has his own firm, hired private investigators to work on the case. He also makes appeals for information on his syndicated radio talk show.

Last week, Burkman sent letters to Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Michael McCaul, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, formally asking them to launch an investigation.

'We're calling on Congress to investigate the Seth Rich murder with a specific accent on the Russian involvement. We need Congress's help,' he said.

Rich was on the phone to his girlfriend (above with Rich) at the time of his murder

Burkman donated $105,000 of his own money to the reward for information about Rich's killer. Above, Rich's mother, Mary, giving a press conference and showing the DC police's bounty

'The allegation is that Seth had discovered what the Russians were doing and that the Russians retaliated because of that discovery.

'Seth was in charge of all the tech guys and a whole technical aspect of voting at the DNC. He was the avant-garde of tech.

'It's very logical and very likely that if anyone would have discovered this [Russian hack]  Seth would have.'

Over the last six months, Burkman has been in touch with the DNC, including former chairwoman Donna Brazile. 'We have found the DNC to be very helpful,' he said.

In an interview with Politico published today, Brazile said she was 'scared' when she learned from the FBI about Russia's role in the extensive hack of the DNC.

On July 22, 2016, thousands of DNC emails were released by WikiLeaks, dealing a damaging blow to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

A month earlier, the Washington Post reported that Russian government hackers breached the DNC computer network.

Rich was found lying on the street on the southwest corner of Flagler Place and W Street Northwest (above) with gun shot wounds to his back at 4:19 am

'I believe that Seth happened upon their hacking,' Burkman said. 'And what's logical about that are two things: the timeline and the fact that he would have been the one to find it.'

Burkman's investigation is still working to find further digital evidence that Rich could have been a Russian target but believes that it is unlikely that the staffer would have left an email trail. He said that the police, his investigators and Rich's family have all searched his laptop for clues.

Burkman said: 'Seth was too smart to have ever put anything like this in an email.

'He was a very discreet, smart young man and my guess is if he found out about it [Russian hacking], he would have verbally told someone in the command [of the DNC].

'We know he was in touch with the high command of the campaign on a regular basis. And the week after he died, he had been scheduled to join the Clinton campaign in Brooklyn.'

In the coming weeks, Burkman said his team would be digging deeper for digital evidence  on other computers and devices and possibly with other people.

SETH RICH TIMELINE

June 14, 2016: The Democratic National Committee database is compromised by Russian government hackers, U.S. security sources tell the Washington Post. A Kremlin spokesman rules out Russian involvement to Reuters. June 15, 2016: Solo, anonymous hacker Guccifer 2.0 takes credit for hacking the DNC database, saying it was very easy on his website. July 10, 2016: DNC tech staffer Seth Rich, 27, is killed on a DC street after being shot twice in the back in the early hours of the morning. DC police say he is the victim of a botched robbery and offer $25,000 to help catch his killer. July 22, 2016: Thousands of DNC emails released by WikiLeaks  a damaging blow to the Democrats presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. July 24, 2016: Fallout from the DNC hack continues as chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigns. August 9, 2016: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange floats the idea that Rich was an informant for his organization, telling a Dutch TV show: Whistle blowers often take very significant efforts to bring us material and often at very significant risks. Theres a 27-year-old who works for the DNC and who was shot in the back, murdered, just a few weeks ago, for unknown reasons as he was walking down the streets in Washington. WikiLeaks offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in Rich's murder but later clarifies in a Twitter post that they always protect the anonymity of their sources. September, 2016: GOP lobbyist Jack Burkman adds $100,000 donation to the reward money to catch Richs killer  making it the largest ever reward to solve a murder case in DC history. December, 2016: The U.S. intelligence community says that Russia was behind the hack of the DNC emails and meddled in the U.S. presidential elections. December, 2016: Assange denies that the Russian government was involved in providing the hacked DNC emails that WikiLeaks received and published during the election. February, 2017: Billboards are posted in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of DC where Rich was killed, encouraging those with information to come forward. Nine months on, police have announced no suspects or leads in the investigation. Advertisement

'We will continue our search in other areas and hopefully we will find something which will shed light on this,' he said.

Burkman said that he hasn't taken new evidence to the Metropolitan Police Department in DC and did not tell them about his request for a Congressional inquiry.

'For any metro police force, there are thousands of murders and many of them go unsolved,' Burkman said.

'I think they've about wrapped up their part in this. This is now something for Congress  it's a political issue, it's a federal issue. This has to go to the top level.

'It's very clear to any logical observer of American politics that Putin is involved in many facets of American life and he's not involved in a good way.

'These are big steps to take but I felt it was my duty to the family and to my country to investigate this.'

Burkman said that he has not considered the possibility that Rich was working for Russia or for WikiLeaks and rubbished the claim.

'I doubt it sincerely because Seth was a loyal Democrat, a loyal patriot and loyal American. He loved Hillary Clinton. I don't think at any time he was ever working for anybody but the DNC,' he said.

'I think Seth was on the other side  that's why [Russia] likely did what they did.'

Weeks after Rich was murdered, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange muddied the waters by alluding to the DNC staffer in connection to the risks taken by whistleblowers and the DNC email hack.

WikiLeaks later clarified by tweeting their 'original and only statement' on Rich's murder.

Burkman said that neither he nor the Rich family had been in contact with Julian Assange.

Joel Rich said last month that he did not believe that his son was behind the DNC email hack and would not have shared emails with WikiLeaks.

'Anyone who knew Seth knew that wasn't the way he would have handled the problem,' Rich's father, Joel Rich, told Fox News. 'He would not go outside the system.'

He called Assange's comments 'bizarre', and says he, like the police, believes that his son's death was the result of a robbery gone wrong.

Burkman said that the Rich family were aware of the letters he was sending to Congress Above, Burkman shakes hands with a resident as he canvasses the Bloomingdale neighborhood in January

Burkman first spoke with Seth's father and mother, Mary Rich, in September and met them in November in DC.

'It's so hard for them. I've never seen people with greater strength, courage and fortitude, to be able to come to Washington to fight to get to the truth. I don't think I've ever admired people more than I admire them,' he said.

Burkman has only spoken once to Rich's girlfriend, who he was on the phone with at the time he was murdered.

'She's taking it very, very hard,' he said. 'I don't think she wants to talk about it too much.'

Burkman said that the Rich family were aware of the letters he was sending to Congress but he was unclear whether they gave credence to his belief that Russia played a role in their son's death.

CAN YOU HELP FIND SETH RICH'S KiLLER? If you know who killed Seth Rich, please contact the Metropolitan Police Department. Anonymous Tips: (202) 727-9099 or Text 50411 Command Info Center: (202) 727-9099 Advertisement

'I don't know  my job is really to follow the evidence wherever it leads,' he said.

'The family and I are certainly in agreement against the notion that Hillary Clinton or the Democrats were involved. We don't want that kind of talk and we don't believe in anything like that.'

He added: 'The only goal I have is to get to the bottom of who killed Seth.

'There's a mother and father grieving and I certainly want to get this over with before there's any security threats to me and my family.

'It's my job to bring closure to the family as quickly as we can.'

Burkman made a direct appeal to the killer of Seth Rich or anyone with information on his murder.

'I encourage everyone to come forth with any information. Come to me  I give out my cell phone number publicly  call me and let me know.'

Today, bus depot billboards will go up in the Bloomingdale neighborhood highlighting Rich's murder and larger billboards will be added in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit www.whokilledseth.com.
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The Hollywood A-listers seated in the front row of Sunday night's Academy Awards were just as stunned as viewers at home when it was revealed that the Best Picture award had accidentally been given to the makers of La La Land.

A photo has surfaced showing the stunned faces of Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and many others as one of La La Land's producers revealed that the real winner was actually Moonlight.

Announcers Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had accidentally been given the wrong envelope by accountants with PriceWaterHouseCoopers, who tabulate the Academy's voting.

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A photo has surfaced showing the stunned faces of Mel Gibson, Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in the second row, and front row Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Busy Phillips, Ben Affleck and far right Meryl Streep, when the Academy Award for Best Picture was given to the wrong movie Sunday night

A slightly earlier picture shows host Jimmy Kimmel sitting in the seat vacated by Damon's wife. He quickly got out to help sort out the confusion when one of La La Land's producers said that Moonlight had in fact won

The photo captures shock among the A-listers seated in the front row for the award show. Meryl Streep gaped towards the stage, while The Rock, seated behind her, looked equally confused. Sitting another row back was the Academy's president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who seemed just as out of the loop.

Ben Affleck's first reaction was to look down the row towards his little brother Casey, who won the Best Actor award, and childhood friend Matt Damon. Casey Affleck speaks with the woman next to him while Damon sits slack-jawed - completely stunned at what just happened.

Just a few moments before, another photo showed Jimmy Kimmel sitting in the seat vacated by Damon's wife. Soon after, he got up to help sort things out as the evening's host.

Other photos from the night show the celebration elsewhere in the Dolby Theatre when it was announced that Moonlight had won.

Moonlight actors Trevante Rhodes (left) and Mahershala Ali (center back), and producer Adele Romanski (right, back) look on from the audience as their film is announced as the Best Picture winner

Barry Jenkins reacts as Moonlight is announced as the true winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday

The group was still confused as they headed to the stage to accept their surprise award

Actor Trevante Rhodes grabbed as his heart as he walked towards the stage to accept the award on Sunday

Announcers Warren Beatty (center) and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong card, causing the mix-up. La La Land's producers were informed on stage as they were giving their acceptance speeches. Producer Jordan Horowitz, left, eventually spoke up and revealed that Moonlight was the real winner

Moonlight producer Adele Romanski (center) accepts the Oscar with the rest of the cast on stage at the Academy Awards Sunday night

The cast was seated further back in the theater and jumped to their feet when they heard the good news.

PriceWaterHouseCoopers issued a statement after the mix-up taking full responsibility.

'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture,' their statement reads. 'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.'

In a heart-stopping moment, the stars and producers of La La Land were stopped midway through their acceptance speeches and forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight after their film was announced as Best Picture in one of the biggest blunders in Oscar history.

Accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers's Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz were in charge of this year's top-secret Academy Awards results. They're posed together above with the two sets of envelopes, which are carried in briefcases

The terrible end to an otherwise triumphant show left the audience gasping in horror as Beatty revealed he had incorrectly read La La Land as the winner.

As the La La Land cast were walking on stage to accept the accolade, a stagehand standing in the wings could be heard saying 'Oh ... Oh my god, he got the wrong envelope' and walking back and forth, according to the LA Times .

While still on stage, Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from 'La La Land' when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

An investigation is continuing into how La La Land was wrongly named Best Picture rather than the triumphant Moonlight.

Only two people know the Oscars winners list and supervise the counting procedures - PwC tax adviser Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan an accountant who is the chairman of PwC's US board.

Just days before the showcase event, they told the Huffington Post that they were unsure of the exact procedure in the event that the wrong actor or film was named as a winner in any given category since such a mistake had never been made in the awards' 88-year history.

Cullinan and Ruiz each carry a suitcase containing a copy of the winning envelope for all the categories - meaning there are two envelopes for each award.

The pair stand on opposite sides backstage and memorize the winners to avoid having to write them down and have revealed in the past how they carry out rigorous checks to ensure they have stuffed the envelopes correctly.

It is believed Ruiz and Cullinan are ordered to destroy the duplicate cards as the presentation goes on, so by the time Best Picture is awarded, the only envelopes left are the two for Best Picture, according to Free Press .

When Beatty and Dunaway took the stage to announce the Best Picture award, Cullinan and Ruiz realized that they still had two best picture envelopes, meaning that the envelope taken on stage was a duplicate for an award that had already been announced.

It is unknown why there was still a Best Actress duplicate available when Beatty walked on stage.

Executives from PwC immediately realized there was a problem, but they were too late to rectify the mistake as Dunaway read out the name La La Land from a card that was meant to be for the Best Actress award, which Emma Stone won for her role in the film earlier in the night.

After the officials realized what had happened, they tried to get on stage immediately. But the news was broken to the La La Land cast and crew after they had started their acceptance speeches.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone after being told about the mix up and said 'Moonlight won Best Picture' and insisting that 'this is not a joke'.

Just seconds before, confusion was etched across Beatty's face after he opened the envelope. He took a second glance inside the winner's envelope before showing it to Dunaway who mistakenly thought he was asking her to read out La La Land.

Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty walk on stage to present the award for Best Picture. The pair's appearance at the show is meant to be a triumphant reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of 1967's Bonnie And Clyde

Beatty opens the envelope, sees the words 'Emma Stone from La La Land' and confusion spreads across his face. He looks to Dunaway, who reads out 'La La Land' as the Best Picture winner

La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger (left) arrive on stage to accept the award from Dunaway and Beatty as the cast and crew follow suit

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz accepts the award and and thanks his cast and crew after being announced Best Picture

Suddenly, a backstage official with a headset rushes on to the stage to correct the mishap. He arrives with a new envelope, with the correct details inside. He came on stage after executives from PwC, who tally the Oscar results, realized there was a problem when Dunaway read out the name La La Land

A shocked Horowitz and Jimmy Kimmel react as Beatty reveals the correct winner to him midway through his acceptance speech. It has since emerged that there are duplicate envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Best Actress duplicate envelope by mistake

Horowitz presents the envelope reading 'Moonlight' as the winner as he calls up the producers of the film to graciously pass over his statue

La La Land's Horowitz invites the Moonlight cast and crew on stage as Beatty explains that he had received the wrong results envelope from officials

Beatty tells the crowd that the card he received had Emma Stone's name in it, because it was a card for Best Actress instead of Best Picture

Beatty explains how he read the incorrect card to the crowd as shocked cast and crew from La La Land and Moonlight stand behind him

Horowitz embraces Jenkins on stage and hands over his Oscar after the revelation that it belonged to the Moonlight director

Writer and director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, holds his Oscar and speaks to the crowd after being awarded the Best Picture Academy Award

Beatty and Dunaway arrive at an Academy Awards after party following the chaotic ceremony. Beatty brought the Best Actress card to the party with him following the mishap

When Jenkins finally receives his Oscar, the director has the trophy engraved backstage, a tradition that follows each presentation

'It's one of the strangest things that's ever happened to me,' Beatty said backstage. 'Thank God there were two of us up there,' Dunaway responded.

The actress then asked Beatty, 'Who else should I tell?'

'Everybody,' he said.

At that point, a security guard tried to take the real envelope and Beatty said, 'Security is not getting this. I'm giving it to (Moonlight director) Barry Jenkins at a later time.' Beatty also refused to show it to anyone else.

ABC News, tweeting about the ceremony broadcast on its network, said the envelope held by Beatty read, 'Actress in a leading role.' A close-up photo of Beatty onstage verified that.

PwC has counted votes and provides winner envelopes for the Oscars and has done so for more than 80 years.

This is the first time in Oscar history that the wrong envelope had been opened while an award was being announced.

Host Jimmy Kimmel came forward to inform the cast that Moonlight had indeed won, showing the inside of the envelope as proof.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz immediately called up the producers of Moonlight and graciously passed his statue over.

Warren Beatty was forced to explain the mishap as the cast of La La Land handed over their Oscars to the producers of Moonlight on stage

'I knew I would screw this up,' Kimmel, a first-time host, joked. 'I promise to never come back.'

Beatty's son, Stephen Ira, was quick to defend his father by tweeting: 'Proud of my dad for his grace! It's live, stuff happens. Showbiz!'

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said Academy officials met with PriceWaterhouseCooper to figure out exactly what had happened when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given a duplicate envelope containing Emma Stone's best actress win.

Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins told the crowd: 'Very clearly even in my dreams this can't be true. But to hell with it because this is true. It's true, it's not fake.'

Even though it wasn't strictly speaking Beatty's fault, he exited the Dolby Theatre through a back exit to avoid press.

He later told the Daily Mail the reason he paused for so long was because he knew there was a problem.

'People thought I was being dramatic but I wasn't . There was something wrong . I showed it to Faye and she said La La Land,' Beatty said.

The Moonlight director Jenkins said backstage: 'I noticed the commotion that was happening and I thought that something strange had occurred.

'The last 20 minutes of my life have been insane.'

He added: 'It made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.'

He told reporters he had not been given a formal explanation but he understood that mistakes happen.

'I will say, I saw two cards, and so things just happen,' Jenkins said. 'I wanted to see the card... and Warren refused to show the card to anybody before he showed it to me. And so he did. He came upstairs and he walked over to me, and he showed the card.

'Everyone was asking, 'Can I see the card?' And he was like, 'No, Barry Jenkins has to see the card, I need him to know'. And I felt better about what had happened.'

He said that cast and crew of La La Land were 'so gracious' during the mayhem.

'I can't imagine being in their position and having to do that,' he said.

Meanwhile, Emma Stone, with her Best Actress Oscar in hand, told reporters she was 'distraught ' over the best picture screw up.

'Wow - Its horrible,' she said of the monumental flap over the wrong film being announced as best picture.

'I f***ing love Moonlight. God, I love Moonlight so much, I'm so excited for Moonlight, and umm, of course it was an amazing thing to hear La La Land.

'I think we all wouldve loved to win Best Picture. But we are so excited for Moonlight, I think its one of the best films of all time.

'So I was pretty beside myself. I also was holding my Best Actress in a Leading Role card that entire time.

'So whatever story, I dont mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was, I had my card.'

The star of La La Land also said she wasn't aware until later that there were duplicate envelopes for every Oscar category.

'I didn't know until now that they have two of everything,' she said.

Moonlight star Mahershala Ali also spoke about the mix-up, saying he was concerned about what was happening with staffers began rushing the stage during La La Land's short-lived acceptance speeches.

'When I did see security come out on stage and their moment was being disrupted in some way I got really worried,' he told USA Today .

'It's hard to feel joy in a moment like that, in front of them.But I feel fortunate for us to have walked away with the best picture award.'
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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's sister has shared a heartfelt tribute following the former It Girl's private funeral.

Santa Montefiore posted the eulogy on her official Facebook and Twitter accounts and thanked the hundreds of close friends and family that attended the service at a parish church in the village of Dummer, Hampshire, this afternoon.

Among the mourners were the journalist's parents Patricia and Charles, as well as former boyfriends Duncan James and Nick Rhodes.

The funeral was held after it was revealed an inquest would not be held to investigate the former model's death on February 8, because a post-mortem examination found she died of natural causes.

Santa, an author, read a touching eulogy to her little sister during the service. She said: 'I know that Tara is here with us today in Spirit, so Im going to address this to her.

'My darling Tara. I hope you know how much we miss you. From the moment you were born we were a family of five, but now we are four and that just isnt right.

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Pictured: Santa Montefiore outside the parish church in Dummer, Hampshire, and a sombre Duncan James making his way to Tara's funeral service

A mourner holds the service order for Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's funeral in Hampshire today, with the words 'Music, Laughter, Friends, Couture' on the front

Tara's father, Charles Palmer-Tomkinson, a close friend of Prince Charles, and her mother Patricia, walk towards the church as they attend their daughter's funeral in Dummer, Hampshire

Tara's ex-boyfriend Nick Rhodes, who achieved fame in the 1980s with group Duran Duran, speaks to another mourner outside the church

Fashion mogul Sir David Tang and his wife Lady Lucy Tang arrive at Tara's funeral service, while mourners comfort each other outside the church

Santa was joined by her historian husband Simon Sebag Montefiore (right) at the funeral today in Hampshire

The service was a private affair and was attended by groups of friends and family only. Pictured, mourners arrive outside the church in Dummer, Hampshire

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's private funeral service was held at this church in the rural village of Dummer in Hampshire

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's sister Santa (pictured right, with the former model) read a moving eulogy for her younger sibling

Following the private funeral service Santa, an author, shared her deeply touching eulogy on her social media accounts

'I hope youre aware of all the lovely things people have written about you, and that you are touched, because you never believed you lit up a room or made people feel special, but you did. You really did.

'I hope that you are resting, because you found life hard and now it is done.

'My beloved sister, I dont think you realised that success is never about the big things, but about the small things, and that just being you was enough.

'I hope the old Dummer dogs have found you and given you a tremendous welcome, because you adored the dogs, and they will make Heaven feel more like home.

'I hope the angels wrap their wings around you, because, although you shrank from embraces in life, you need to be hugged. You really do.

'I hope you can make rabbit ears and witty rhymes up there, because your loopy humour was your gift to us and now it is your gift to them. How they will laugh. I envy them that.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (pictured left, in 2004 and right, in 1994) died on February 8 at her home in London

In a statement, Tara's family, pictured, said she was 'happy and feeling good' shortly before her death at home in London

Tara was a close family friend of the Royals, after her father taught Prince Charles how to ski in the 1970s. Left, she hugs Prince Charles in 2003 and right, at a function with the Duchess of Cambridge in 2007

'As your sister I always wanted to look after you and I tried, I really tried. I hope they are looking after you now in Heaven and that you are letting them, and that you heal.

'Most of all, my dearest Tara, I hope you know that we love you, with all our hearts, we really do.'

Writing on Twitter earlier this month Mrs Montefiore revealed a coroner had concluded that her sister died after a perforated ulcer triggered peritonitis, a severe inflammation of the stomach lining, and blood poisoning.

Tara's death at just 45 on February 8, at her home in Earls Court, west London, came months after she had made a shocking revelation about her health.

The funeral was held the week after it was revealed an inquest would not be held to investigate the former model's death on February 8 because a post-mortem examination found she died of natural causes

Tara was found in her flat in Earls Court, west London, ringed left, earlier this month

Unknown to those outside of her inner circle, she had been treated for a brain tumour since January 2016.

A benign growth in her pituitary gland was discovered following numerous blood tests after she began to feel terribly run down the previous summer.

Tara's ex boyfriend Duncan James, pictured with the socialite in 2003, was among the mourners at her private funeral

Tara also revealed that she had been battling a rare and unnamed auto-immune disease.

She told the Daily Mail: 'I feel I'm breaking through the cloud with this. The sun is coming out.

'I am not going to be that person who lies in bed feeling a victim because of what's happened.

'I'm going to get on with my business and grab life by the horns.

'A party doesn't have to be full of lights and music. The party is what you want it to be  and my party isn't over.'

Tara's death prompted an outpouring of grief from friends and fans across the world.

In a statement, her family said: 'We would like to thank the many people who have contacted us about Tara following her untimely death.

'It has been a source of great comfort to know how loved she was by so many people.

'Tara died peacefully in her sleep due to a perforated ulcer and peritonitis.

'Those that knew and were close to Tara knew that there was no retreat to a 'dark place' as some have disappointingly sought to suggest. In the last few weeks Tara was happy, positive and making plans for when she recovered her health.

'As usual she had been busy with the friends and family she loved, and who loved her in return.

Left, Tara in 2007 and right, arriving at Westminster Abbey for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011

'She was in communication with her family and others of whom she was fond over her final weekend and had spent a lot of her time recording music and playing the piano in her apartment - a sure sign that she was happy and feeling good.

'Tara's funeral will be on the February 27. This will be a private moment for family and close friends to grieve and we would ask that our privacy at this time is respected.

'We will miss Tara very much and will never forget the joy, love and humour she bought to our lives.

'The family will not be making any further comment on this matter.'

Charles Anthony Palmer-Tomkinson, 77, Tara's father, is a landowner, philanthropist and former Olympic skier - and a close friend of Prince Charles.
Transcription

1 TOWARDS BIRTH ATTENDANTS SKILLED IN NEONATAL CARE IN SUDAN Dr Abdelmoniem Mohamed Hamid, ABSTRACT Neonatal mortality in Sudan is estimated at (31 per 1000). The high figure is attributed to poor neonatal care resources, and shortage of staff trained in neonatal care. Midwives are the first line staff to deal with neonates requiring urgent help. Neonatal care training is deficient in midwifery schools. Also there is lack of in-service training m neonatal cai'e for hospital midwives. We established a two days course in March 2007 in Khartoum named (Neonatal care and infection prevention).this has targeted Hospital midwives in its first phase. Ten courses were held between March 2007 and June Five of these were held in Khartoum, whereas five were organized in the districts in the White Nile (Kosti), The Blue Nile (Sinja), Algazeera (Almanagil), Gedarif and Kassala. The courses compnse lectures on common neonatal problems, as well as practicals on neonatal resuscitation, neonatal examination and infection prevention. 240 midwives have been trained so far. Of these, 50 candidates have been selected to become future trainers in their own hospitals. They attended a Training of the Trainers course in December We conclude that more neonatal care courses are required to cover all midwives involved in delivery and care of the newborn. We believe that improving neonatal care training for midwives, as well as applying scientific measures at infection prevention, will contribute to reduction of neonatal mortality and morbidity. *Head Department of Pediatrics, Alneelain University, Khartoum, Sudan Correspondence to co.uk Background Midwives in Sudan start their careers as nurses. After completion of Nursing School and working for some years, they are selected to enroll in midwifery schools and graduate as midwives who either join a hospital, or become a certified midwife who can attend home deliveries at her local area. Basic requirements for selection for midwifery schools in the past were simple, and many midwives were illiterate when they started their midwifery. Requirements for rural midwives are even simpler.

2 They are usually selected from their local community to be enrolled in rural midwifery schools. They serve the same community after graduation. Neonatal care services in Sudan have not progressed well over the years. Medical and nursing staff involved in newborn care in the delivery rooms or special care baby units have not gained much experience in proper neonatal care. Neonatal intensive care units are scarce with limited resources for ventilation. Neonatal mortality in Sudan is estimated at (31 per 1000). The high figure is attributed to poor neonatal care resources, and shortage of staff trained in neonatal care Few developing countries like Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Mali and Nepal started to implement newborn health interventions targeting birth attendants in the community, aiming at reducing Perinatal and Neonatal morbidity and mortality(!) Neonatal Resuscitation trammg (NRP) for Doctors was established in Sudan in the year Some midwives were also trained in that programme. Attention over the last 5 years started to focus more on midwives and the need for enrolling them in programmes of training and acquiring new skills, so as to improve perinatal services, especially in the districts. Neonatal Care Training for Midwives More attention was paid to midwives trammg in 2005 m Obstetrics as well as Neonatal care. The main objective was to produce more skilled birth attendants and to upgrade rural midwives services (6). 225 Rural midwifery school teachers from all over the country were targeted in 5 training courses each lasting for 3 weeks. This covered different topics in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, besides 2 days of theoretical and practical teaching in Neonatal care. A revision and updating of the curriculum for rural midwifety schools was also started. As we know, 10% of all newborns require neonatal resuscitation at birth. This could be performed by trained medical or paramedical personnel and plays an important role in reduction of mortality and morbidity in newborns. (3,4,5) In March 2007, we established a two days course in Khartoum named (Neonatal care and infection prevention).this has targeted Hospital midwives at this stage. Courses have been running monthly, with the majority held in the Continuous Professional Development Centre (CPD) in Khartoum, which is run by the Ministry of Health. However, some of the courses were organized at district hospitals. A total of 10 courses were held between March 2007 and June Five of these were held in Khartoum,

3 whereas three were organized in the White Nile Province (Kosti Hospital), The Blue Nile Province (Sinja Hospital) and Algazeera Province (Almanagil Hospital). 240 midwives. have been trained so far, from the districts and the capital. 50 candidates have been selected from all the courses to become future trainers in their own hospitals. They were called at end of 2008 and enrolled in a Training of the Trainers course. Neonatal Care and Infection Prevention Courses for Midwives Target Hospital midwives Aim and objectives of the course The aim of the course is to develop birth attendants skilled in neonatal care and measures of infection prevention, so that they could contribute to reduction of neonatal mortality and morbidity rate. The mm1~ -::-Jjectives of the course are: 1. Acquiring knowledge of common neonatal problems 2. Recognition of the sick neonate. 3. Acquiring skills of neonatal resuscitation 5. Acquiring skills of neonatal examination 6. Applying scientific measures for infection prevention for mothers and babies. Knowledge By the end of the course the midwife should Understand physiological changes immediately after birth. Understand common neonatal problems problems, haematological problems prematurity and low birth weight babies. Ill the newborn including respiratory and problems of Understand neonatal infections and measures to prevent including immunizations. " Understand symptoms of illness, early management and early referral for medical care Understand the benefits of breast feeding and the need to counsel the mother about its importance. Acquire the knowledge of applying measures to prevent infection including hand washing, sterilization and disinfection. Understand the principles of neonatal resuscitation. Acquire the knowledge to look for congenital abnormalities m the newborn.

4 Skills By the end of the course the midwife should Demonstrate, ability to recognize the ill.neonate, initiate plan of initial man'agement before referral to medical care. Be able to recogmze symptoms and s1gns of neonatal infections..recognize symptoms and stgns of common neonatal problems Demonstrate ability to counsel mothers about breast feeding and its importance. Demonstrate ability to counsel mothers about infection prevention and immunization. Be able to apply measures to reduce complications which occur in preterm and low birth weight babies. Be able to recognize common neonatal surgical problems and the need for urgent referral in some. Demonstrate ability to perform neonatal resuscitation when needed, and call for urgent help at the appropriate time. Demonstrate ability to perform neonatal examination. Demonstrate the ability to recognize neonatal congenital malformations and refer for medical care as appropriate. Demonstrate ability to apply measures of infection prevention including: Proper hand washing Sterilization for surgical equipments and others - Proper cleaning and use of disinfectants Attitude: By the end of the course the midwife should demonstrate the ability to Be caring and compassionate. Communicate with mothers and handle their babies with best care Work as a team member Learn from others and convey the knowledge and skills acquired. Be sensitive to moral and ethical issues Treat the newborn with respect when alive. Treat the newborn with respect when dying and be sympathetic and supportive to the parents. Course structure: 1. The course is taught in Arabic.

5 VOLUME 9, 2. The course is for 2 days. The first day covers lectures in common neonatal emergencies and problems. The second day is a practical session about neonatal examination (2 hrs) and neonatal resuscitation (2hrs). There is also a session about infection control which includes theory and practical (3 v; hrs). 3. Total h9urs of the course= 12hrs 4. Candidates from the capital and all districts are invited. 5. Courses are scheduled to run monthly 6. Proposed number of candidates is 40 in each course. 7 Teachers: 4 consultant Paediatricians and 2 sisters. Course Content: o.:j';l.11 h ~ ;j_j lb.ll ~~ - 'I w':lh ~~ 1 1 ~: :q ~c ~ y ~ _) ~ ' 0 (...)-"'='_)A,~ (.F o..l':/)1 ~h Jl.ib':/1 ~ ls_,..a..ll +~I L;j_,ll ~\_j_) e::~l Jl.ib'll Evaluation By the end of the course, candidates sit an MCQ written test. The test consists of 20 questions which test the knowledge taught in the course. Assessment is also performed during the practical sessions of neonatal examination and neonatal resuscitation and outstanding candidates are ticked. Candidates are required to pass the written and practical part and a certificate of attendance is issued. Those who fail are advised to repeat the course. Candidates, who get high scores in the written test, and also recommendation by the practical session panels, are selected to attend future TOT courses. The future of the course is to have Trainers all over the country to contribute in runnmg country-wide courses for training all hospital midwives. Conclusion: Resources at neonatal care m Sudan are limited. Neonatal mortality is high. Though not many studies were done to specify the causes of its rising, yet measures can be done to reduce risk factors. We believe that Neonatal care training of skilled birth attendants, as well as applying scientific measures at infection prevention, will contribute to reduction of neonatal mortality and ( _y..a..l..1.l ~ y -'\ L.}'l ~~~ ;; 0 ~) 0 t!. 'I U...)::" ~~~~)\ (~ 3 t?p) o.:j':/_,ll ~h Jl.ib';l ~~.J.J ls_,..a..ll L.>-a ~lj _,JI (~ 3 t?p) o..:l':/_,ll ~h J\.ib':/1 ~~.J_, ls_,..a..ll L.>-a ~t!_,ji C~) ~~~~)c. u..:;&l\ C~) ~~~ ~~l

6 SUDANESE JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRlCIANS - morbidity. Neonatal care courses for midwives is a step forward, and more courses are required in the future, to cover all midwives involved in delivery and care of the newborn. References: I. Developing community-based intervention strategies to save newborn lives: lessons!earned from formative research in five countries. J Perinatal Dec;28 Suppl 2:S WHO EMRO, Demographic indicators, Sudan who. int/sudan 3. Implementing community-based perinatal care: results from a pilot study in rural Pakistan. Bhutta ZA. Memon ZA. Soofi S. Salat MS. Cousens S, Martines J Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. zuljiqar. edu 5. Evaluating the effectiveness of a strategy for teaching neonatal resuscitation in West Africa.Enweronu-Laryea C, Engmann C, Osafo A, Bose C. Resuscitation Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print] 6. Educational impact of the neonatal resuscitation program in low-risk delivery centers in a developing country. Carlo WA, Wright LL, Chomba E, McClure EM, Carlo ME, Bann CM,CollinsM, Harris H.J Pediatr Apr; 154(4): Effect of WHO newborn care training on neonatal mortality by education. Chomba E, McClure EM, Wright LL, Carlo WA, Chakraborty H, Harris H Ambul Pedialr Sep Oct; 8(5):300-4
Tina Poirier, 28, was taken into custody at her Winter Park, Florida, home on Saturday after shooting her husband twice

A Florida woman was arrested after shooting her husband twice during an argument about the man's pregnant mistress, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said.

Tina Poirier, 28, was taken into custody at her Winter Park home on Saturday night after an argument she was having with her 48-year-old husband, Dennis Lugo, turned violent.

When deputies arrived at about 9.45pm, Poirier said that she and Lugo were fighting about Lugo's mistress, who is pregnant with the man's second child, officials said.

It is unclear who the mother of Lugo's first child is.

During the argument, Poirier grabbed a gun from the couple's bedroom nightstand and fired shots at Lugo, according to an affidavit obtained by My News 13.

Lugo suffered gunshot wounds to his wrist and the left side of his chest and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

When deputies arrived at about 9.45pm, Poirier (left) said that she and Lugo (right) were fighting about Lugo's mistress, who is pregnant with the man's second child.

Proirier was arrested at her home, and was seen rocking back and forth in handcuffs following the arrest on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Lugo was taken to the hospital in critical condition

Poirier was charged with attempted homicide and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. She was booked into John E Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford and was held on no bond.

A neighbor who called 911 said he heard three shots come from the home before police arrived.

'There was a guy down in the driveway and a lady screaming,' the neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told Fox 35.

Lugo and Porier were engaged in 2007 and married the same year, according to Lugo's Facebook.

According to Poirier's Facebook, she is an aspiring model, actress and drag racer. Lugo's occupation is unknown.
Peter Tripp, pictured, 70, has been jailed for life for the brutal murder of his wife Belen, 52

A former soldier who murdered his Filipino wife by stabbing her 24 times and battering her over the head with rolling pin has been jailed for life.

Peter Tripp, 70, launched the 'violent and brutal' attack on his wife Belen, 52, after flying into a rage at their home on November 15 last year.

A court heard he plunged the blade repeatedly into his wife's body leaving her with multiple stab wounds - some of which were five inches deep.

A chilling 999 call also revealed her screams for help as he continued the attack.

He then callously left his wife to die on the landing at the property in Telford, Shropshire, in a pool of blood while she begged for a doctor.

Tripp previously admitted murder and was today jailed for life at Stafford Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 13 years.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers, said: 'This was in any view a sustained and brutal attack in which you stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife and struck her to the head with a rolling pin.

'This was an unprovoked attack following the culmination in the failure of your marriage which clearly at that stage was very unhappy and difficult indeed.

'She must have suffered during this sustained attack as she fought for her life.

'You ignored her pleas for help.'

Mrs Tripp, pictured, was stabbed 24 times by her husband and beaten with a rolling pin

The court heard he 'left her to die in a pool of blood' on the landing of their home in Telford. A 999 call played to the court revealed her screams for help as the attack continued

The court was played a recording of the 999 call Belen had made as she desperately fought for her life.

The harrowing 10-minute clip included the care worker repeatedly screaming and asking her husband to get her a doctor.

At one point she asked 'Do you want me to die?' to which Tripp chillingly responded by saying 'Yes'.

Judge Chambers added: 'The 999 call has been played to the court during the course of these proceedings and it is a chilling episode.

'She herself called 999 and the line remained open for some 10 minutes. She can be heard groaning and screaming in agony.

'She repeatedly asks you to call a doctor. Not only do you not do so but in turn refuse to do so. "Why should I call a doctor" you said.

'When she replies "you want me to die" you can be heard to reply "yes".'

Mrs Tripp was found at the property, pictured, with wounds to her hands, arms and left side, as well as her head, which had been struck by the rolling pin

Police, pictured at the scene left and right, tried to break down the door to get into the home and were eventually greeted by a blood-covered Tripp in a t-shirt and underwear

Prosecutor Rachel Bland said the attack had caused damage to the victim's heart, lungs, spleen and shoulder blade.

A pathologist told the court the injuries would have been inflicted using 'considerable force.'

She was also found with with defence wounds to her hands, arms and left side, likely made as she tried to fend off the attack.

The court heard the couple had been married since 2004, when Tripp was introduced to his wife to be by a mutual friend, who was already married to Belan's sister.

Tripp had travelled to the Philippines to meet her and she had returned to live with him in England.

Mrs Bland told how the couple had been in an unhappy relationship and had not spoken for 15 days before Belen was killed.

She said Belen returned home from work on the night she was killed at 11pm and had called police by 11.20pm.

Officers were dispatched to the property after call handlers were unable to communicate with Belen as she lay dying.

When they arrived they first attempted to break down the door before Tripp answered in his boxer shorts and a t-shirt with blood on his hands and his clothes.

The court heard Mrs Tripp, pictured, and her husband had been in an 'unhappy relationship' and that they had met in the Philippines before she came back to England with him

Tripp, who served in the army for nine years and worked at MoD Donnington for 26 years, was said only to have spoken to police to say 'my wife'.

Police also found the gas taps in the house had been turned on because Tripp had intended to commit suicide after the attack.

After the case, Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, of West Mercia Police, said: 'Belen Tripp suffered horrific abuse at the end of her life, at the hands of her husband.

'We hope that the jail sentence handed to Peter Tripp gives some comfort to Belen's family who have had to come to terms with the loss of Belen in the most painful way.

'I would like to take this opportunity to commend Belen for her courage in calling for help, despite suffering tremendous abuse.

'In spite of her immense courage the injuries inflicted upon her by her husband were too severe and she paid the ultimate price.

'Nobody should suffer such violence at the hands of a family member. I urge anyone suffering domestic violence and abuse to seek help.'

Police, pictured outside the scene, praised Mrs Tripp for making the 999 call and encouraged all victims of domestic violence to come forward

A family tribute released at the time of the death said: 'Belen, a loving sister, sister-in-law and auntie, was a source of great joy and laughter.

'Her laugh is something we will never forget, her family were so important to her and she treasured the time she spent with them.

'We are all absolutely devastated and she will forever leave footprints in all of our hearts.

'The Filipino community in Telford will never ever forget her, we know they cherished all the good times and camaraderie.

'Goodbye our big sis and auntie, rest in peace now, we love you.'
Casey Affleck will be riding high after scoring his first Oscar win on Sunday night, for his starring role in Manchester By The Sea.

But the younger Affleck, 41, was showed up on camera - and in front of tens of millions of Academy Awards viewers - by big brother Ben, 44, who congratulated him in adorably embarrassing fashion.

Casey had barely raised himself out of his seat to claim his prize when he was accosted by Ben.

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Embarrassment: Casey (left) was hugged by brother Ben (right) after winning Best Lead Actor at the Oscars on Sunday. The sweet but embarrassing moment was seen by tens of millions

Beefcake Ben - who has two Academy Awards to his name and is towering over everyone after bulking up to play Batman - dived in and clutched his little sibling to his chest.

Casey appeared to be able to do nothing more than pat his brother frantically on the back, until he was able to peel off and pick up the Oscar.

Of course, he went on to thank Ben in his acceptance speech, along with his parents, friends, Manchester By The Sea's producer, Matt Damon, and its screenwriter and director Kenneth Lonergan

He also teared up as he thanked fellow Denzel Washington, who was also nominated for the trophy.

'One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington, and I just met him tonight for the first time,' he said.

Two surprising omissions were his sons, Atticus and Indiana. He later told E! Online that he regretted that mistake.

'I didn't thank my children, which is something that I'll probably never ever live down,' he said. 'About three seconds after I made it backstage, my phone rang and my son said, "You didn't even mention us." And my heart just sank.

'So, you know, that probably would have been the most meaningful thing I could have said and I failed.'

He must be especially bothered because his error follows hot on the heels of his Golden Globes speech, in which he forgot to name-check Ben.

Star: Casey, 41, won the top spot for his role as a janitor who must care for his dead brother's son in Manchester By The Sea (pictured)

Emotional: Casey got emotional as he thanked brother Ben, 44, his family and even fellow nominee Denzel Washington - but forgot to thank his own children

The older brother got his revenge later, in early January, when he told Jimmy Kimmel of the potential Oscar win: '[It would be] the very first time someone would win an Oscar who didn't brush his teeth from ages 10 to 14.

'It would be the very first time someone would win an Oscar who pulls his pants all the way down at the urinal. Most Oscar winners don't do that. This would be historic in many ways.'

Casey beat four others to win Best Lead Actor Sunday: Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge, Ryan Gosling for La La Land, Viggo Mortensen for Captain Fantastic, and Denzel Washington for Fences.

In Manchester By The Sea he plays a janitor who is forced to confront his dysfunctional family and care for his teenage nephew after his brother dies.

Casey had previously been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Robert Ford opposite Brad Pitt in 2007's The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Ben Affleck has won two Oscars so far in his career: Best Original Screenplay in 1998 for Good Will hunting, and Best Picture in 2013 for Argo, which he directed.
A senior al-Qaeda leader is thought to have been killed by a US drone strike in Syria's Idlib province.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, said Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, who had been deputy to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, was thought to have been killed last night in an attack on a car.

Egyptian-born Abdulrahman, known by his nom de guerre Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, had also been close to Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by a team of US Navy Seals in Pakistan in 2011.

Eleven people were killed in a separate air strike in the town of Ariha in Idlib today (pictured)

Images of the car he was driving showed damage to the passenger side of the beige Kia saloon but no damage to the engine block.

The roof was blown open on the right side of the vehicle.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed a top al-Qaeda figure was killed in the drone strike but could not confirm if it was Abdulrahman, who once chaired al-Qaeda's key management council.

There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon.

He is believed to have fled Afghanistan in 2003 but there had been reports he was later jailed in Iran.

But the Iranians reportedly released him in 2015 after a prisoner exchange with al-Qaeda in Yemen.

A senior official at a rival jihadist faction in northern Syria urged caution over the reports, saying top al-Qaeda officials in Syria had staged their own deaths to cover their defection from the organisation.

The drone strike took place in Idlib province, close to the border with Turkey

Eleven people were killed during a separate airstrike in the town of Ariha in Idlib province today.

Many Syrian rebels, including groups aligned with al-Qaeda, fled to Idlib after the Assad regime regained control of the city of Aleppo.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by fighting are living as refugees in Idlib province.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad today also drove ISIS militants out of a line of villages along Turkish frontier, making it harder for rival Turkish-backed rebel forces from reaching the de facto ISIS capital, Raqqa.
A police force was blasted over tweeting comments claiming prosecuting parents over female genital mutilation (FGM) would not 'benefit' the child.

West Midlands Police urged viewers watching an episode of BBC hit drama Call The Midwife addressing FGM to visit their website for more information.

So far no one in Britain has ever been convicted of FGM, despite it being outlawed for 30 years.

This tweet by West Midlands Police, which was later deleted, caused anger online last night

The tweet was posted during an episode of the BBC's Call The Midwife which dealt with FGM

One woman, Manda Ponium, tweeted the force, asking why the police did not go after the parents of victims, claiming FGM was often 'arranged' by them.

She tweeted: 'Why have there been no prosecutions? It's the parents who arrange this, so it's easy enough to track them down if reported!'

The force replied: '@Manda-Ponium Hi Manda - education and safeguarding vulnerable girls is the focus. Prosecuting / jailing parents unlikely to benefit child.'

The police post, from 8.35pm on Sunday has since been deleted but provoked an angry response from others on the social network.

ITV investigative reporter Mark Williams-Thomas replied: 'So @WMPolice your force policy is not to prosecute Female genital mutilation (FGM)?

'Just how many cases have you dealt with like this?'

Politicians and campaigners were incensed by the message posted last night

Another Twitter user added: 'Child Abuse,Sexual abuse,Torture? Surely prosecution would be in every child's best interest?'

West Midlands Police later tweeted: 'Lots of views on #FGMletstalk to be clear we will arrest and bring prosecutions against those committing FGM.'

In a statement, the force said today: 'The vast majority of girls and women affected by FGM living in this country today had the act performed in their country of origin before they came to England.

'We do not have any power or jurisdiction over these countries so prosecution for offences is impossible.

'However we continue to lead the way in the use of new FGM Protection Orders to safeguard women and girls thought to be at risk.'

The force was accused of turning a blind eye to the crime over the online comment

The spokesman added: 'If a victim is identified we safeguard other children within the family and potentially any unborn children.

'Until the Serious Crime Act of 2015 we did not have any powers to protect girls taken abroad who weren't British nationals.

'However the new legislation gives us extra jurisdiction over girls who are 'habitually resident' in the UK and has created an offence of failing to protect a child from FGM anywhere in the world.

'Education is key to tackle FGM: we need to continue raising awareness, to stress it's illegal, and let girls and women know how we can help.'
A 26-year-old US Air Force veteran has been arrested and charged with capital murder after police say he fatally shot his 23-year-old girlfriend over the weekend in Alabama.

The bullet-riddled body of Bethany Evans, a nurse from Alabama, was discovered inside the home of Patrick Dorsett in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon.

Just hours later, Blount County Distract Attorney Pamela Casey announced the arrest of the victims on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Domestic drama: Patrick Dorsett, 26 (left), has been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of his sometimes-girlfriend Bethany Evans, 23 (right), in Alabama

Military man: The 26-year-old had served in the US Air Force as a weather forecaster

Dorsett, who had served in the Air Force as a weather forecaster, was ordered held without bond in the Blount County Correctional Facility.

The 26-year-old does not have a history of prior convictions or arrests.

Bethany Evans worked as a registered oncology nurse at Brookwood Medical Center, and according to her aunt, she only recently had accepted a new job in Nashville and was excited about her career move.

The victim's father, Samford University police officer Tim Evans, said of his late daughter that she loved everyone and was dedicated to serving others.

'My heart is completely broken and I am crushed to my very core, as are her two sisters,' Mr Evans told Al.com.

A life of service: Evans, pictured right with his sister, worked as a registered oncology nurse at Brookwood Medical Center in Alabama

Parent's worst nightmare: Evans' father, Samford University police officer Tim Evans (seen together) said his heart was broken

Evans's aunt said that she had gone to Dorsett's (right) his home in Cleveland, Alabama, Saturday to collect some belongings

Friends remembered the 23-year-old medical worker for her infectious laugh and bubbly personality.

'I've never met anyone that was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was truly a breath of fresh air and she touched the lives of every patient she had on our floor,' said Cheryl Winfrey, Evans' former colleague at St Vincent's East.

Clean record: The 26-year-old murder suspect has no history of prior arrests

The Rev Bill Evans, Bethany's uncle and pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church who baptized her as a child, called the 23-year-old nurse 'a good Christian girl' and said he was certain that she is in heaven now.

Bethany Evans's aunt said that she and Patrick Dorsett had been in a relationship, and that on Saturday her niece had gone to his home off Tuscaloosa Pike in Cleveland to collect some belongings.

At around 11.30am, police officers responded to the man's residence and found Evans with several gunshot wounds. She is survived by her father and two sisters.

Tim Evans posted a touching tribute to his late daughter on Facebook Monday morning, describing his loss as a 'horrible nightmare.'

'I continue to get up during the night and look out the window hoping to see her car in the driveway,' he writes. 'But the fact is my baby is not coming home anymore and the pain is absolutely indescribable.'

A friend has launched a GoFundMe campaign benefiting Evans' family, which so far has drawn under $500.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc on Monday won the dismissal of a US lawsuit accusing the world's largest retailer of defrauding shareholders in its Wal-Mart de Mexico unit by concealing its suspected bribery of public officials in Mexico.

US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla in Manhattan said holders of Wal-Mex's American depository shares (ADRs) cannot pursue claims that Wal-Mex's former Chairman Ernesto Vega and Chief Executive Scot Rank knew or were reckless in not knowing about the bribery allegations.

She also rejected shareholder claims that Wal-Mex and Wal-Mart were liable for Vega's and Rank's activity, and that Wal-Mex misled shareholders by saying it operated legally and ethically during the alleged bribery scheme.

Lawyers for lead plaintiff Michael Fogel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla (left) said holders of Wal-Mex's American depository shares cannot pursue claims that Wal-Mex's former Chairman Ernesto Vega and Chief Executive Scot Rank (right) knew or were reckless in not knowing about the bribery allegations

The lawsuit is one of several targeting Wal-Mart after The New York Times in April 2012 reported that the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer bribed Mexican officials for years to speed up store openings.

Wal-Mart's market value fell about $17 billion over three days after that report was issued.

The Times' reporter later won a Pulitzer Prize for the report.

Last September, a federal judge in Fayetteville, Arkansas said holders of Wal-Mart's US-listed shares, represented by a different law firm, may pursue their claims in a class action, potentially boosting their recovery.

People pass by a sign at a Wal-Mart store in Monterrey, Mexico in this August 10, 2016 file photo. Wal-Mart's market value fell about $17 billion over three days after a report alleged that the company bribed Mexican officials for years in an effort to speed up store openings

A federal appeals court later rejected Wal-Mart's appeal of that ruling.

In the ADR case, Failla rejected as speculative a claim that Vega, who also chaired the Wal-Mex board's audit committee, and Rank were put on notice of the alleged bribery because a senior Wal-Mex audit executive 'reported' to them.

Failla said it was at least equally likely that Vega in particular might not have known because his relationship with the audit executive 'was attenuated, or because an employee is likely to hide his wrongdoing from his supervisor.'

In her 45-page decision, Failla also said statements by Wal-Mex in several annual reports that it complied with Mexican law and tried to follow 'corporate best practices' amounted to 'inactionable, immaterial puffery.'

Wal-Mart spokesman Randy Hargrove in an email said 'we appreciate the court's careful consideration of the issues and dismissing these claims,' and that it 'wouldn't be appropriate' to discuss how it might affect other lawsuits.
Natalie Tither, pictured, made no indication when she appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

A producer working for an award-winning online video firm bought gifts and holidays around the world using a company credit card, a court heard.

Natalie Tither, 30, is alleged to have dishonestly abused [her] position by spending the money on herself and another individual while employed by Casual Films.

The company, based in Canonbury, north London, counts Nestle, Ernst and Young, Barclays and Samsung among its clients.

Tither, of Solon Road, Brixton, south London, is charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position, to which she made no indication.

The charge alleges she abused her position intending thereby to make a gain, namely you bought goods and holidays, for yourself and Nick Tanda.

Kirsten Marenah, prosecuting, told Highbury Corner Magistrates Court: The allegations relate to the defendant misusing a work credit card.'

The 30-year-old is alleged to have dishonestly abused [her] position by spending the money on herself and another individual while employed by the award-winning film firm

Tither was bailed on condition she not attend Casual Films office ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court on 24 March.

The company, which has bases in London and New York, has won dozens of awards for its films.
Bernie Ecclestone's daughter Petra had a near-death brush with meningitis which altered her life so dramatically that she is now terrified of public spaces and white rooms, she has revealed.

The 28-year-old, now known as Petra Stunt, was struck down by the illness when she was 13 and had to be rushed to hospital where she spent a week being treated.

Petra said the incident changed her a 'huge deal', reminding her of the unpredictability of health - regardless of a person's bank balance - and forcing her to keep her well-heeled feet on the ground.

Bernie Ecclestone's daughter Petra (left, with her father and sister Tamara and right with husband James Stunt) has revealed she had a near-death brush with meningitis which altered her life so dramatically that she is still terrified of people, public spaces and white rooms

When she moved into her $85m home in Los Angeles, Petra even had to re-paint the property's white rooms because the modern finish reminded her too much of hospitals.

The complete antithesis of what is normally associated with the super rich, the mother-of-three says the trauma made her 'hate' travelling or staying in hotels, setting her apart from lavish older sister Tamara and her 'extrovert' husband James.

She told The Times: 'It doesn't matter how wealthy you might be, it doesn't stop you getting sick.

'We're all born the same way, we die in the same way, whether rich or not. Money can't buy happiness, it buys things.'

Petra was living with her father Bernie - who is worth an estimated 2billion - her ex-model mother Slavica and her elder sister Tamara when she was struck down by the disease.

She deteriorated within minutes, her legs turning to jelly as she tried to walk to the Tube, and was rushed to hospital by her father after a visit from a private GP.

Results showed that Petra was suffering with viral meningitis and she needed to remain in Chelsea and Westminster hospital for a further week for close monitoring because she was so weak.

Once home, Petra was bedbound for three weeks. A month later she was back at school but had lost nearly a stone in weight.

The incident, when she was 13, changed Petra a 'huge deal', she said

Petra says she was far from well when she returned to her studies, remaining too weak to play sports. She also found it incredibly hard to concentrate in classes because she felt so tired.

Petra is aware that she was lucky enough to have a GP come to the surgery on a Sunday afternoon when others might not have had the option.

But, regardless, it was a trauma that shaped the rest of her life. Shortly after, she became an ambassador for the Meningitis Trust.

She later donated money to the NHS to fund information cards about the condition, which are given to mothers in hospital.

And when she married her husband James Stunt in a 12million wedding, Petra insisted no one buy them gifts and instead donate money to the Meningitis Trust - a request which raised 150,000.

Petra has now turned her hand to another charitable campaign, again inspired by her personal experience.

Her daughter Lavinia, who is now four, spent her toddler years struggling to talk and, becoming increasingly frustrated at the situation, would have tantrums.

Petra said the advice from NHS doctors was to 'get a nanny' but that, in Los Angeles, she saw an entirely different approach.

In the US, early intervention is becoming increasingly common and Petra believes children with autism in Britain are missing out because the NHS does not act quickly enough.

With that in mind, Petra has launched a treatment programme for children with autism.

When she married her husband (left), their nuptials cost 12million, but Petra (right) insisted guests donate money to the Meningitis Trust - a request which raised 150,000

She said: 'I realised in England there is very little for kids who need early intervention. In the UK, they turn almost a blind eye to it in a young child, saying things like "Oh give it time".

'I love the UK but they are behind America in this.'

The first centre, which will be led by US doctors, is PS Place in South Kensington, but Petra hopes there will soon be ten around the country.

She is funding the project herself and will select 30 children with the 'greatest need' for the first centre. She says she has not teamed up with recognised charities so that she can take a more intense approach, such as in the US.

As well as her daughter, Petra has twin boys. She said her close circle is small, consisting of her sister, her husband and the children.

Petra is private about her children, having a private Instragram with just ten followers.

'I don't want the world seeing what my children look like,' she added.
Donald Trump brushed off a question on Monday about whether he would endorse the appointment of a special prosecutor to probe alleged links between his presidential campaign and the nation of Russia.

A White House pool reporter wrote that the president mouthed the word 'no' to a group of health insurance executives gathered at the White House.

And as press staffers herded journalists out of the Roosevelt Room, Trump told his guests: 'I haven't called Russia in 10 years.'

There's no evidence he has made such a call in the past decade  although he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin via telephone last month.

Donald Trump told health insurance CEOs at the White House, shortly after this photo was taken, that he hasn't 'called Russia in 10 years'  while ducking a question about whether a special prosecutor should probe his presidential campaign's alleged ties with Moscow

Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the telephone just 30 days earlier, on January 28, from his desk in the Oval Office at the White House

And his past business ties with Russia have raised eyebrows since shortly after he launched his presidential campaign in July 2015.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are now investigating allegations that his campaign colluded with Russians in a series of election-year computer hacks which dominated headlines for weeks in 2016.

I haven't called Russia in 10 years. President Donald Trump, on Monday

The president also visited Moscow personally in 2013, after partnering with a Russian billionaire to hold that year's the Miss Universe pageant Russia's capital city.

And in 2008  nine years ago  Trump sold his $95 million Palm beach, Florida mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev.

It's unknown whether or not he placed phone calls to anyone in Russia in conjunction with those to business ventures.

Trump visited Moscow personally in 2013 to oversee his Miss Universe pageant when the contest was held in the Russian capital

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa (right) told HBO host Bill Maher (left) that the Justice Department should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and was in touch with Trump's team during the campaign

The larger issue of Trumpworld's alleged links with Russia during the campaign led California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, a hard-nosed former House Oversight Committee chairman, to call on Friday for a special prosecutor.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, he said, was himself linked to the Trump campaign, giving him a conflict of interest.

'You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office,' he said on HBO's 'Real Time with Bill Maher.'

Intelligence committees in both the House and Senate are in the preliminary stages of separate investigations. Both committees are headed by Republicans.

In the House, Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes told reporters on Monday that 'the scoping of our investigation' is finished' but committee lawyers have yet 'to move into actually receiving the evidence.'

Speaking about 'the initial inquires I have made to the appropriate agencies,' Nunes said, 'I dont have any evidence.'

Former President George W. Bush said Monday morning that 'we all need answers' about whether or not Trump campaign officials colluded with Kremlin figures to gain an edge against Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton

He also said that his committee has 'broadened the scope of the investigation to include any involvement in our elections here, and of course any ties that there might be to any government officials at any level.'

Monday morning on NBC's 'Today' show, former president George W. Bush hinted that Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr would make the right decision about whether a special prosecutor is necessary.

'I think we all need answers,' the former president said.

'I've never been a lawyer. You know, I'm not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered.'
It's easy to look at Republicans, especially Trumpists, and their information sources-- Fox, Hate Talk Radio, Breitbart...-- and dismiss them as ignorant morons incapable of abstract thought. Remember, abstract thought doesn't come easy to folks with IQs of less than 100-- and half the population, by definition, has 2-digit IQs. If you want to be honest, though, not everyone lacing the ability for critical thinking is a Trumpist... or even a Republicans. There are probably as many moron Democrats-- or almost as many-- as there are moron Republicans. A cult of personality is much easier than understanding complex and nuanced issues-- whether for Trump fans or, alas, Bernie fans. The difference, though, is that Trump encourages it every day and in every way. Bernie doesn't.





I don't know what percentage of Democratic politicians sided with Hillary over Bernie during the 2016 cycle. But let me guess: 85%. Just a guess. It could have been 90%. But let's look at it from a different perspective. Ask yourself how many Democratic politicians preferred Bernie's agenda and positions to Hillary's. That's where we see a more even split between the progressives-- the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party-- and the corrupt careerists of the establishment along with the Blue Dogs and New Dems-- the Republican wing of the Democratic Party, the Clinton wing. Now we're talking about a more even split-- 50/50? 60/40?





As you probably know, I dedicate a few hours a day talking with Democratic candidates and perspective candidates. Virtually all of them bring up Bernie's issues. Virtually none of them bring up Hillary's agenda. NONE.





Ted Lieu has probably been the most effective and galvanizing voice in Congress resisting Trump. He was just elected-- not selected-- regional vice chairman of the DCCC for the West Coast. Yesterday afternoon he told us why he's backing Jimmy Gomez for the CA-34 congressional primary. It makes a lot more sense than talking about who supported who in last year's primary election. "During these extraordinarily dangerous times, we need fighters like Jimmy Gomez in Congress. I served with Jimmy in the California Legislature and I know he will always and relentlessly fight for progressive values. More importantly, I need Jimmy with me as soon as possible so that we can keep punching back against the failing Donald Trump."

Bernie was the founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus-- and it's first chairman. Last year his first endorsements came from the current co-chairs, Raul Grijalva and Keith Ellison. The only other members who endorsed him were Alan Grayson (FL) and Peter Welch (VT). Since then, Berniecrats Pramila Jayapal (WA) and Ro Khanna (CA) have been elected to Congress ands have joined the caucus. Most of the other caucus members were Hillary backers, although a few, super-progressives, like Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan, stayed neutral and expressed equal admiration for both candidates. Today, the two freshmen with 100% Progressive Punch crucial vote scores are Pramila Jayapal, the Seattle Berniecrat, and Ruben Kihuen, a strong Clinton backer from the Las Vegas area. On policy, though, both are identical in their advocacy of what amounts to the Bernie agenda.





Republicans whose voting records are more supportive of Bernie's positions than Peterson is. Conservative Democrats Tulsi Gabbard (HI) and Collin Peterson (MN) both endorsed Bernie during the primary, Gabbard in a very big way. Gabbard's Progressive Punch crucial vote score is a dismal 73.90, an "F" in one of the bluest districts in America. Perhaps it helps her get more bookings on Fox and helps enhance her friendship with Bannon Adelson and the throngs of Islamaphobes and homophobes who recognize her as a kindred soul . Peterson, who hasn't been embraced by most Bernie supporters is even worse than Gabbard. His Progressive Punch crucial vote score for the current session is ZERO and for his whole career 39.75. Don't ask me what makes him a Democrat, but he virtually votes opposite of Bernie on every single important issue to come before Congress. So far this year there are 11whose voting records are more supportive of Bernie's positions than Peterson is.





Nice of him to endorse Bernie for the Democratic nomination though. His western Minnesota district voted 61.6% to 38.4% for Bernie and against Hillary in the caucuses last year. Gabbard's district (basically all of Hawaii outside Honolulu) was even stronger for Bernie-- 69.8% to 30.0%. Just sayin'.





So what do you want-- a party that pledges fealty to a personality or a party that pledges fealty to a progressive agenda? Many Democrats who backed Hillary are good solid, sincere progressives who made a bad mistake for whatever reason. And there were many reasons-- from personal relationships to fear of the Clinton Machine to wanting to be with a winner. Terrible but across the country I'm seeing Bernie fans getting behind next-to-worthless candidates who, on some level, backed Bernie over Hillary but have, literally, nothing else to recommend them.





One of the worst examples from last year was contemptible corporate whore Shawn O'Connor in New Hampshire's first congressional district. One day O'Connor was campaigning on "compromising" with the Republicans by cutting Medicare and Social Security and, finally realizing that's a bad message for a Democratic primary, he endorsed Bernie and went around the state with him-- a Bernie low-point in my eyes. (No one's perfect.) Polling showed the million dollar self-funding Wall Street creep O'Connor losing the primary. Furious, he decide dot try to beat progressive Democrat Carol Shea-Porter (a Clinton backer with a solid progressive record) by running as an Independent and throwing the November election to Tea Party incumbent Frank Guinta.





He nearly succeeded. A worthless pile of garbage, O'Connor managed to grab 34,612 votes (9.4%)-- many of them from deluded Bernie fans-- giving Shea-Porter an uncomfortably close call in a district that went for Trump. Shea-Porter won 161,828 votes (44.2%) while Guinta took 157,011 votes (42.9%). Trump won NH-01 48.2% to 46.6%. It was a miracle Shea-Porter won.





but today I see the vision of Bernie Sanders for America is one we must bring to pass. I believe todays Democratic party is ill-equipped to fight the Trump administrations assault on women, on people of color, on the poor, and on the LGBT community. We do have true progressives, but too often they dont have the support of the party establishment." Her district is entirely within Suffolk County where primary votes pretty overwhelmingly went for Hillary over Bernie-- 78,083 (57.1%) to 57,872 (41.8%). Wu's statement about Bernie vision for America is similar to candidates I'm hearing from everywhere. Bernie fans would be making a big mistake to write them off as unworthy of support because it took them too long to understand why Bernie would have been a far better candidate than Clinton. When I interview candidates for Congress I ask them where they stood on the Bernie-Hillary primary. But the answer isn't determinative. If they were for Bernie, that starts out as a plus but it's not nearly as important as where the candidate stands on Bernie's issues, how they look on the courageousness scale and what kind of experience they've had. Example: Brianna Wu, one of the women targeted by Milo and the other Gamergate thugs, was an outspoken Hillary supporter. Today she's running for Congress against right-wing Democrat Stephen Lynch. In her official announcement of candidacy , she writes that "the contentious primary between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton revealed a deep divide that must be reconciled. There is a disconnect between those marginalized and our party leaders who vote too often as moderate Republicans. I personally supported Hillary Clinton in the primary,. I believe todays Democratic party is ill-equipped to fight the Trump administrations assault on women, on people of color, on the poor, and on the LGBT community. We do have true progressives, but too often they dont have the support of the party establishment." Her district is entirely within Suffolk County where primary votes pretty overwhelmingly went for Hillary over Bernie-- 78,083 (57.1%) to 57,872 (41.8%). Wu's statement about Bernie vision for America is similar to candidates I'm hearing from everywhere. Bernie fans would be making a big mistake to write them off as unworthy of support because it took them too long to understand why Bernie would have been a far better candidate than Clinton.

On an average tweet I post, I get around 7-800 impressions. There's a reason why these two from Saturday after the DNC election were so much more.













Sunday afternoon, Keith Ellison reached out to his supporters-- like myself-- with this message of unity in the face of Trumpism:
Sir John Major has branded Brexit an 'historic mistake' and demanded Theresa May halt the 'cheap rhetoric' that is damaging the chance of a good deal.

In an incendiary speech that will infuriate Brexiteers, the ex-PM said his successor must 'charm' her EU allies and prepare the public for hard times ahead.

Sir John hit out at Brexit less than a fortnight after Tony Blair urged Remain supporters to 'rise up' in defiance of Brexit.

In a gloomy assessment of Britain's prospects, Sir John said a hard Brexit would leave the UK dependant on a dominant and unpredictable United States.

He admitted the economy had been more 'tranquil' than expected but warned the public was being 'led to expect a future that seems to be unreal'.

And Sir John warned the political tensions in the Brexit risked smashing apart the Union, as Scottish nationalists strive for a re-run of the 2014 referendum and Northern Ireland's politicians wrestle with the future of devolution.

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Sir John Major, pictured making his speech at the Chatham House think tank tonight, has branded Brexit an 'historic mistake' and demanded Theresa May halt the 'cheap rhetoric' that is damaging the chance of a good deal

Sir John's speech is his first public intervention since he campaigned for Remain at last year's referendum on the European Union

He also warned quitting the EU without a deal and turning Britain into a low-tax, low low-regulation economy would end the welfare state and never gain popular support.

Speaking at Chatham House in London, Sir John said: 'Eight months ago a majority of voters opted to leave the European Union. I believed then  as I do now  that was an historic mistake, but it was one  once asked  that the British nation had every right to make.

'The Government cannot ignore the nation's decision and must now shape a new future for our country.

'Some changes may be beneficial: others may not. A hard Brexit  which is where we seem to be headed  is high risk. Some will gain. Others  will lose.'

Answering questions after his speech, Sir John said he was not calling for a second referendum 'at this stage' and added: 'We cannot turn the clock back. We cannot overturn the result. We must get the best deal we can.'

A Brexit backlash was underway tonight as senior Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg told MailOnline Sir John was 'yesterday's man with yesterday's opinions'.

Former Conservative Party vice-chair Michael Fabricant said he was 'disappointed' at this 'almost personal attack'.

Leading Brexit supporter Andrew Bridgen said Sir John's attack was misdirected, insisting Mrs May had never promised there would be no 'bumps' along the way as was working hard for a 'successful' Brexit.

Sir John hit out at Brexit less than a fortnight after Tony Blair urged Remain supporters to 'rise up' in defiance of Brexit (pictured together in Londonderry last year)

The two former Prime Minister's campaigned together to warn Brexit could damage the Good Friday Agreement (pictured) and Sir John today warned Brexit risked peace

Sir John said the referendum had been 'one of the most divisive votes in British history' that had 'opened up divisions' across society.

And he warned: 'I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic.

'Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery.'

Sir John said if those expectations failed to be met, those hurt most would be those least able to bear it.

And in remarks that may be aimed at the criticism his speech will generate, Sir John condemned those on the Brexit side 'shouting down legitimate comment'.

Sir Joh warned Theresa May (pictured celebrating her historic by-election win last week' needed goodwill in Europe but current faced a 'sour' diplomatic atmosphere

The former Tory leader, who won a general election in 1992, said closing Parliament out of the Brexit negotiations altogether would leave ministers deaf to public concern.

And he warned it was crucial the public was aware of challenges ahead as.

Quoting Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson directly, but not naming him, Sir John said: 'The hopes of those who favoured leaving the European Union are sky-high. We are told that countries ''are queuing up to do trade deals with us''. That ''our best days lie ahead''.

'It all sounds very enticing. And  for the sake of our country  I hope the optimists are proved right. But I'm not sure they will be.

'My own experience of international negotiations  and the national self-interest that accompanies them  makes me doubt the rosy confidence being offered to the British people.

'Negotiations are all about 'give' and 'take'. We know what the Brexiteers wish to take: yet we hear nothing about what our country may have to give in return.

'If anyone genuinely believes that Europe will concede all we wish for  and exact no price for doing so  then they are extraordinarily naive.'

Sir John (pictured with David Cameron and Harriet Harman on the eve of the referendum) said anyone who expected to Europe to give Britain everything it wanted was 'naive'

Sir John said Mrs May would need 'goodwill' on both sides to achieve a good deal for Britain

Sir John said Mrs May would need 'goodwill' on both sides to achieve a good deal for Britain.

But he warned that behind public diplomatic niceties, the atmosphere was already difficult - and warned of a 'politically explosive' start to negotiations if the EU stands by its demand for a 60billion divorce bill as a precursor to talks.

The former PM warned that behind public diplomatic niceties, the atmosphere was already difficult

He said: 'Behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour. A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UK's interests.'

On the divorce bill he said: 'Of course that is true: but when you leave any club, you are obliged to settle your debts, and that is what the European Union is going to expect the UK to do.

'There are liabilities to be met: pension costs, legacy costs, contingent liabilities, a proportional share of work-in-progress. The EU will argue we have a legal obligation to pay these bills.'

And he warned: 'So there is a choice to be made, a price to be paid; we cannot move to a radical enterprise economy without moving away from a welfare state.

'Such a direction of policy, once understood by the public, would never command support. It would make all previous rows over social policy seem a minor distraction.'

Sir John's intervention comes just 11 days after Tony Blair urged Remian voters to 'rise up' against Brexit. The pair campaigned together in Northern Ireland (pictured)

Sir John said Brexit was undermining Europe and fuelling 'populist' parties on the continent that would cause even more damage

Sir John said Brexit was undermining Europe and fuelling 'populist' parties on the continent that would cause even more damage.

He said the vote had 'energised' anti-EU, anti-immigrant nationalists' ahead of elections in France, Germany and Holland.

Sir John said: 'None of these populist groups is sympathetic to the broadly tolerant and liberal instincts of the British.

'Nonetheless, their pitch is straightforward. If Britain  sober, stable, moderate, reliable Britain, with its ancient Parliament and anti-revolutionary history  can break free of a repressive bureaucracy in Brussels, why, then ''so can anyone''.

'It is a potent appeal.'

Sir John (pictured campaigning for Remain) said the Brexit vote had fuelled populist groups across the EU

Sir John added: 'I caution everyone to be wary of this kind of populism. It seems to be a mixture of bigotry, prejudice and intolerance. It scapegoats minorities.

'It is a poison in any political system  destroying civility and decency and understanding. Here in the UK we should give it short shrift, for it is not the people we are  nor the country we are.'

Sir John said Britain would be left dependant on the United States after Brexit and warned the UK was most useful as an ally inside the bloc.

He said the UK was 'by far the junior partner' because America 'dwarfs the UK in economic and military power'.

The ex-PM said: 'Inevitably there will be disagreements: the US wish to contain China and engage Russia; we wish to contain Russia and engage China.

'We seem likely to disagree also on refugees, free trade, the legality of Jewish settlements, and climate change.

'How many disagreements can there be before even the closest of ties begin to fray?'

In an apparent dig at Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (pictured with Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop last week), Sir John quoted the leading Brexiteer directly but not by name as he warned against raising expectations too high

In any event, Sir John said, trade between Britain and US was already high and low cost.

He warned: 'The Government must also replicate the 53 deals struck on our behalf by the European Union. So far, only 12 are in play.

'There is a very, very long way to go, and the question arises: are 65 million Britons likely to get the same favourable outcome as 500 million Europeans?

'I set out these difficulties, not because I don't think deals can be done  some certainly can  but to be realistic about the timescale and complexity of the huge undertaking that lies ahead.

'It is crucial to business and the public  that our expectations are consistent with what can be delivered. It matters to the Government, too: Ministers must not over-promise.'

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said Sir John was re-fighting the referendum and said he was 'disappointed' by the speech

Senior Conservative Mr Fabricant told MailOnline: 'I am disappointed that a former Prime Minister has chosen to embark on this almost personal attack.

'He is resurrecting tired old arguments which were all made during the long referendum campaign, which failed to convince then and have since been proven wrong.

HIS FEARS OVER TYRANNY...OF THE MAJORITY This is not the first time Sir John has launched a Brexit broadside. Last November he claimed that Brexit should not be dictated by the tyranny of the majority and said there was a perfectly credible case for holding a second referendum to reverse the will of the people who voted on June 23. Sir John, who campaigned for Remain, said: I hear the argument that the 48 per cent of people who voted to stay should have no say in what happens. I find that very difficult to accept. The tyranny of the majority has never applied in a democracy and it should not apply in this particular democracy. He was quickly slapped down by Number Ten. Advertisement

'This is all based in the past and is blinkered to the bright opportunities for our future.

'The bitterness of those who reject the will of the people is not an edifying sight.'

Tory Andrew Bridgen said: 'I think it is always dangerous when politicians claim that when they lose an election, it is the people who have got it wrong.

'I don't think Theresa May has ever said there won't be bumps along the road as we leave the European Union.

'Theresa May has made clear we are going to work hard to deliver the most successful Brexit that we can.'

John Longworth, co-chairman of the Leave Means Leave campaign, said: 'No deal is better than a bad deal with the EU  Britain must walk away from the table and revert back to WTO rules if the EU is unwilling to do a deal.

'Britain is in a strong negotiating position - the EU needs access to to the London capital markets for its own growth.

'Instead of carping from the sidelines and damaging Britain, Sir John Major should heed his own advice. After the 1997 election he said ''when the curtain falls, it is time to get off the stage''.'

Leave Mean Leave chief John Longworth said Britain was in a 'strong negotiating position' and accused Sir John of 'carping from the sidelines'

Chuka Umunna MP, leading supporter of Open Britain, said: 'Sir John is right to question how likely that is but it is there is no chance at all of it being delivered if our European partners across the negotiating table continue to be demonised.

'It is vital that Parliament is given a meaningful vote on the final agreement, with the power to send the Government back to the negotiating table if the deal they come back with is not good enough for Britain.'

Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said: 'The Conservatives should listen to the likes of John Major and Heseltine instead of sneering at them.

'These are people with huge experience of negotiating with Europe, while the Brexiteers have no clear strategy.

'There is nothing patriotic about shutting down debate on the risks of a hard Brexit for our country's prosperity and security.'

A No 10 source said: 'The Government is determined to make a success of our departure from the European Union and to move beyond the language of leave and remain to unite our country.

'The Prime Minister set out her 12 negotiating objectives for Brexit in January. We have a clear plan to get the best deal for the United Kingdom and are going to get on with the job of delivering it.'
A British boy lost a toe after his foot got caught in an escalator while wearing a pair of rubber Crocs while on holiday in Dubai.

Stanley Wood, five, was on holiday with his parents Helen and Ben as well as his seven year old sister when the accident happened.

The youngster was travelling down an escalator when his foot got stuck in the side of the escalator and his foot became mangled.

Stanley Wood, pictured, is recovering from surgery in Dubai after having his big toe crushed

The youngster's Croc got caught in the side of the escalator as he was leaving the hotel

The family, from Chiselhurst, Bromley were in Dubai to celebrate Stanley's fifth birthday.

Unfortunately, medics were unable to save part of the youngster's toe. He also lost his entire plantar ligament which connects the big toe with the calf.

According to the Gulf News, Stanley was rushed to Al Zahra Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Dr Mohan Rangaswamy, a plastic surgeon said the severed toe was so badly mangled it could not be reattached. Instead, he covered some of the exposed bone with a skin graft taken from Stanley's thigh.

Dr Rangaswamy said: 'The big toe has two bones with a joint. The piece that went off included the nail and the tendon that was at the bottom and top surface for flexing and extension.

'The entire tendon got pulled out right up to the calf muscle as the force of the machine was so strong. We needed to cover the open wound with a flap. The patient was left with a bone sticking out and a large wound, it was trauma situation and this was an avulsion wound where most of the tissues were injured at different levels.'

Stanley underwent emergency surgery at the Al Zahra Hospital in Dubai, pictured

Dr Mohan Rangaswamy, pictured, performed emergency surgery on Stanley Wood

Stanley will have to undergo at least three different operations as he recovers from his injuries.

Mrs Wood has used her Facebook page to campaign for awareness of the dangers presented by Crocs and escalators.

She wrote: 'Child Crocs are dangerous and shouldn't ever be worn on escalators. Please read and share:

'Our beautiful 5 year old son Stanley has sustained horrific and life changing injuries as a result of his Crocs being dragged into a moving escalator.

'Stanley has lost his big toe and has extensive tissue and ligament damage to the underside of his foot.

'He will need multiple operations to reconstruct the remaining part of his foot.'

MailOnline has approached Crocs for a comment.
Darren Churchill, 21, from Kent was killed when bus driver Hussein Al-Shabib, 56, turned right at a junction without checking, he went on trial at the Old Bailey today

A 21-year-old biker crashed into the side of a bus and died despite having the right of way on a major route out of London, a court was told.

Darren Churchill, from Ashford in Kent, was thrown off his motorcycle when he hit the single-decker travelling from Heathrow Airport to Hounslow, west London, just after 9pm on February 27 2015.

On the second anniversary of Mr Churchill's death, Hussein Al-Shabib, 56, went trial at the Old Bailey accused of causing his death by careless driving.

Prosecutor Kate Lumsdon told how the bus driver was turning right at a traffic light junction on the A30 Great West Road into the Causeway when tragedy struck.

She said: 'Mr Al-Shabib turned across the path of Mr Churchill. Mr Churchill applied his breaks but it was too late. He crashed into the side of the bus and he was killed.'

Mr Churchill had been riding in the opposite direction and had begun to cross the junction a fraction of a second after his light turned amber, 'too soon for him to be expected to stop', the prosecutor said.

Darren Churchill was thrown off his motorcycle when he hit the single-decker travelling from Heathrow Airport to Hounslow, west London, just after 9pm on February 27 2015. Al-Shabib, of Hounslow failed to check his mirrors despite Mr Churchill having the right of way

Despite the efforts of other drivers, police and ambulance staff, there was nothing that could be done to save him, jurors were told.

Al-Shabib had completed his right-hand turn and pulled up after a passenger on the bus told him about the motorcycle, the court heard.

Ms Lumsdon said that CCTV from the bus was at odds with the defendant's account of what happened in the moments before the crash.

In police interview, Al-Shabib said he did not turn across the carriageway until he had seen a car in the other direction stop at a red light. He said he knew then that he was safe to cross.

He allegedly said he saw the motorcyclist from 'far away', adding: 'By that time everyone had stopped so it is my right of way.'

But Ms Lumsdon said: 'The Crown say Mr Al-Shabib was mistaken in a number of respects as is shown by the CCTV.

'He did not stop at the green light to wait for the road to be clear. He drove across the junction at an average speed.

'There was another car coming from the same direction as Mr Churchill but it did not pull up at the traffic lights until after the collision had occurred.

Two years to the day after Mr Churchill was killed, Al-Shabib went on trial at the Old Bailey charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Prosecuting Kate Lumsden said Al-Shabib turned 'too soon for him [Mr Churchill] to be expected to stop'

'When Mr Al-Shabib saw Mr Churchill on his motorcycle, the light was still green. At the time of the collision, the traffic light for both Mr Al-Shabib and Mr Churchill was showing amber.

'The Crown say it was not for Mr Churchill to give way to Mr Al-Shabib. It was for Mr Al-Shabib to give way to Mr Churchill. He did not give way to Mr Churchill and as a result Mr Churchill crashed into his bus.'

The defendant, of Hounslow, denies the charge against him and the trial was adjourned until Tuesday.
A second suspect in a brutal double murder of a couple in Massachusetts has been captured in South Carolina, more than 900 miles away from the crime scene.

Wes Doughty, 39, was apprehended in Spartanburg on Friday, nearly a week after police in Massachusetts say he took part in a deadly shooting in Peabody.

The Spartanburg Sheriffs Office said in a statement that Doughty was stopped while begging for money outside a McDonald's along Highway 9 on Friday.

Fugitive caught: Wes Doughty (left) has been arrested in South Carolina in connection to the murders of Mark Greenlaw and Jennifer O'Connor (both pictured right) in Massachussets

Police found the couple's bodies in the basement of their home in Peabody. They had been shot, then wrapped in plastic and carpets. It's believed they were killed in the basement

On the lam: Police believe Doughty carjacked a man in Middleton, Massachusetts, after the February 18 murders and traveled more than 900 miles south to South Carolina

When the arresting deputies ran his name through a national criminal database, they discovered that he was wanted in Massachusetts for the February 18 slaying of Mark Greenlaw, 37, and his fiancee, 39-year-old Jennifer O'Conner.

Doughty is also a suspect in a carjacking that took place last Wednesday night in Middleton.

According to the Boston Herald, the victim, 64-year-old Kenneth Metz, told police that Doughty dropped him off in Boston before apparently heading south in his 2006 Honda Accord.

Metz claimed that Doughty confessed to him that he killed the couple from Peabody because they had given heroin to his godfather, reportedWicked Local.

Sheriffs' deputies who eventually apprehended Doughy in Spartanburg on Friday recovered the stolen Honda in a parking lot.

Accomplice: Michael Hebb appeared in court last Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder. He was arrested on February 18

Doughty (left and right) is also a suspect in a carjacking that took place last Wednesday night in Middleton. The victim told police that Doughty confessed to the murders to him

On Monday, Doughty waived rendition in South Carolina, clearing the way for his transfer to Massachusetts to be arraigned on murder charges on Tuesday.

His alleged accomplice Michael Hebb, 45, was arrested last Monday in connection to the gruesome slayings in Peabody and had two not guilty pleas entered on his behalf.

Hebb's attorney did not request bail and said his client is co-operating with police. He is due back in court on March 28.

The mutilated bodies of Mark Greenlaw, a construction worker with a 'white power' chest tattoo, and his fiancee were found in the basement of their home, wrapped in plastic and rugs, on the night of February 18.

They had been shot, and their bodies were so badly mutilated that forensics teams had to use X-ray machines to work out just how many corpses were at the scene.

O'Connor's father, Edward O'Connor, said the young woman had turned to drink after a lifetime of health problems, which included childhood leukemia, a stroke as a teenager and an almost fatal bout with a flesh-eating disease.

Hebb, 45, (right), is believed to have killed the couple. Cops said the scene where their bodies were found was gruesome

They were so badly mutilated that state police had to use an X-ray machine to figure out how many corpses there were

They were called to the crime scene after a woman staying at the home found the corpses in the basement and ran outside to flag down a passing motorist. They then drove together to a police station to inform officers of the grim discovery.

Police had previously been to the house for drug- and gun-related incidents.

It's not clear whether Jennifer worked or how long the couple had been together.

Friends of Mark, who described himself as a construction worker, said he was 'one of the good guys'.
It ranks as one of the most awkward moment of Oscar history.

La La Land's producer Jordan Horowitz has just finished giving his acceptance speech when news spread that the announcers had got it wrong; the award should have gone to Moonlight.

'Guys, guys, I'm sorry. No. There's a mistake,' Horowitz said, handing over the award. 'Moonlight,' you guys won best picture. This is not a joke.'

But, while some could have been understandably bitter about the experience, Horowitz remained incredibly gracious in defeat, and was even able to joke about the moment the next day.

'Hey, I won the Oscar for best picture. I got to thank my wife and kids. And then I got to present the Oscar for best picture! Not many people can say that,' he told CNN on Monday.

'It was a surreal moment for sure,' Horowitz said on ABC this morning. 'It was like this slow, steady realization that something wasn't right. It needed to be corrected so we jumped in and did it.

Hug it out: La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz (facing front) embraced Moonlight'writer/director Barry Jenkins after the blunder

No hard feelings: Horowitz (L) hands over the Best Picture award to Barry Jenkins after La La Land was mistakenly announced as winner

Gracious: 'The first thing I did was give him a hug,' said Jenkins after Horowitz announced that Moonlight had won Best Picture

'Life throws you a curveball sometimes.'

Yet, while some could have been understandably bitter about the experience, Horowitz remained incredibly gracious in defeat, and was even able to joke about the moment the next day.

Moonlight writer director Barry Jenkins and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney were clearly disappointed the blunder had robbed them of their moment in the limelight.

Referring to it as a 'Shakespearean tragedy', Jenkins said that the celebration of their win was now 'bound up now between our film and 'La La Land' and the Academy in a very complicated way.'

But nothing could shake their friendship with the devastated La La Land team.

'The first thing I did was give him a hug,' said Jenkins after Horowitz announced that Moonlight had won Best Picture.

'I've probably given him too many hugs at this point because they were so gracious and compassionate in the way they handled it.

The pair tweeted each other after the awards ceremony with Horowitz congratulating Jenkins

Announcers Warren Beatty (center) and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong card, causing the mix-up. La La Land's producers were informed on stage as they were giving their acceptance speeches. Producer Jordan Horowitz, left, eventually spoke up and revealed that Moonlight was the real winner

'Backstage... we were trying to find each other, you know, to sort of share the moment, but also, two, to find the other side of the aisle, to give them whatever comfort they needed.'

The filmmakers, writers and producers of both Moonlight and La La Land have forged a friendship over the last few months on the awards show circuit together.

And despite everything, Horowitz said he felt 'really proud' to present the award to his friends.

'It's a beautiful film made by some beautiful people,' he added

Jenkins, the director of 'Moonlight tweeted about Horowitz later that night saying: 'Wow. I'm slipping slowly into reflection, perspective. Much respect to that dude.'

Horowitz replied, saying, 'Thank you, Barry. Congratulations and much love. '

A slightly earlier picture shows host Jimmy Kimmel sitting in the seat vacated by Damon's wife. He quickly got out to help sort out the confusion when one of La La Land's producers said that Moonlight had in fact won

A photo has surfaced showing the stunned faces of Mel Gibson, Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in the second row, and front row Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Busy Phillips, Ben Affleck and far right Meryl Streep, when the Academy Award for Best Picture was given to the wrong movie Sunday night

Jenkins said he realized instantly that Horowitz was not joking after he announced 'Moonlight, you guys won.'

'I could see in Jordan's face that he was telling the truth.'

In a heart-stopping moment, the stars and producers of La La Land were stopped midway through their acceptance speeches and forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight after their film was announced as Best Picture in one of the biggest blunders in Oscar history.

The terrible end to an otherwise triumphant show left the audience gasping in horror as Beatty revealed he had incorrectly read La La Land as the winner.

A photo reveals a line of stunned A-listers including Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson during the shock announcement.

Announcers Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had accidentally been given the wrong envelope by accountants with PriceWaterHouseCoopers, who tabulate the Academy's voting.

As the La La Land cast were walking on stage to accept the accolade, a stagehand standing in the wings could be heard saying 'Oh ... Oh my god, he got the wrong envelope' and walking back and forth, according to the LA Times .

Beatty opens the envelope, sees the words 'Emma Stone from La La Land' and confusion spreads across his face. He looks to Dunaway, who reads out 'La La Land' as the Best Picture winner

Moonlight producer Adele Romanski (center) accepts the Oscar with the rest of the cast on stage at the Academy Awards Sunday night

While still on stage, Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from 'La La Land' when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

An investigation is continuing into how La La Land was wrongly named Best Picture rather than the triumphant Moonlight.

Only two people know the Oscars winners list and supervise the counting procedures - PwC tax adviser Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan an accountant who is the chairman of PwC's US board.

Just days before the showcase event, they told the Huffington Post that they were unsure of the exact procedure in the event that the wrong actor or film was named as a winner in any given category since such a mistake had never been made in the awards' 88-year history.

Cullinan and Ruiz each carry a suitcase containing a copy of the winning envelope for all the categories - meaning there are two envelopes for each award.

Horowitz embraces Jenkins on stage and hands over his Oscar after the revelation that it belonged to the Moonlight director

The pair stand on opposite sides backstage and memorize the winners to avoid having to write them down and have revealed in the past how they carry out rigorous checks to ensure they have stuffed the envelopes correctly.

It is believed Ruiz and Cullinan are ordered to destroy the duplicate cards as the presentation goes on, so by the time Best Picture is awarded, the only envelopes left are the two for Best Picture, according to Free Press .

When Beatty and Dunaway took the stage to announce the Best Picture award, Cullinan and Ruiz realized that they still had two best picture envelopes, meaning that the envelope taken on stage was a duplicate for an award that had already been announced.

It is unknown why there was still a Best Actress duplicate available when Beatty walked on stage.

Asked whether he feels like he's essentially sharing the best picture award because of the mix-up, he replies that: 'No, this award belongs entirely to 'Moonlight.' I don't want this to take away from them at all.'
Andy Potter, 55, shocked fans when he revealed he had terminal cancer live on air

A BBC radio presenter who revealed live on air that he had terminal cancer has died just one month after bravely telling listeners about his illness.

Andy Potter, 55, shocked fans when he said the disease had spread to his bowel, liver and kidneys on the BBC Radio Derby breakfast show on January 25.

The host, who had been with Radio Derby since 1999, told listeners that he had just 'months left' during a poignant broadcast from his hospital bed.

He died surrounded by his family at Royal Derby Hospital in the early hours of Sunday.

Tributes to the popular presenter have since flooded in describing him as a 'gentleman', an 'outstanding broadcaster' and a 'champion of the arts'.

Actress Brenda Blethyn also remembered 'lovely' Mr Potter and said he will be 'missed by many'.

The veteran radio announced his cancer battle in January.

He told fans: 'I honestly didn't know how to deal with it, when someone tells you this is the end of your life.

'I even told the consultant 'I suppose I have had better days'.

'It is in a few places in my body, including my bowels, and I have been told I have just months left.

'My wife and son were, of course, the first people to hear the news but I wanted to get it out there to those who listen to my show and those who know me.

Broadcasting from his hospital bed, Mr Potter told listeners he had just 'months left'

'It means that I won't be going back to work at BBC Radio Derby.'

In a family statement, his wife Anne and children Amy and Simon praised his 'tremendous' courage in fighting the disease.

They said: 'During the last seven days, as his condition advanced, myself, Amy his daughter, and Anne his wife of 25 years, have sat by his side 24 hours every day, helping him face what is an evil disease.

'He has taken each day as it came and dealt with everything that has been thrown at him.

'The messages, cards and mentions of him were passed onto him, every message, comment and 'like' sent from those that knew him got to him, and from the bottom of our hearts thank you.

'People's love for him, the beautiful words and unbelievable kindness that we have witnessed is beyond words and will not be forgotten.

'Andy is so many different things to so many different people, including radio presenter, friend, interviewer, colleague, journalist, printer, volunteer or one of a thousand others.

'To us though he holds the simplest yet most important titles amongst them all, my dad, grandad and my Andy, and we will miss him every day.

Tributes to Mr Potter, who joined Radio Derby in 1999, have flooded across Twitter with people calling him an 'outstanding broadcaster' (pictured, interviewing Joanna Lumley)

'We urge you to please take that image of him that you personally have, think about it, think about talking to him, think about the words spoken and please remember him, and just simply smile.'

The family also thanked staff and volunteers at the Nightingale MacMillan Unit of Derby Royal Hospital for their 'compassion'.

Presenter Ian Skye broke the news of Potter's death to devastated listeners on his breakfast show today.

Simon Cornes, BBC Radio Derby editor, said: 'Andy is going to be deeply missed by all his friends at Radio Derby as well as the thousands of listeners who regularly tuned into his programmes.

'He's been a big part of the station for many years and it's hard to imagine the place without him.

'He was a Derby man through and through and a great champion of the city's arts scene.

Mr Potter died surrounded by his family at Royal Derby Hospital in the early hours of Sunday

'If there was an event taking place in Derby it was a pretty safe bet that Andy would be there and a good chance that he'd be hosting it.

'Our thoughts are with Andy's loved ones at this difficult time.'

Celebrities also paid tribute, with Academy Award nominated actress Blethyn writing: 'So sad to hear of the passing of lovely Andy Potter, radio Derby broadcaster. He will be missed by so many. RIP Andy xxx.'

While former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison wrote: 'Really sad to hear the wonderful @BBC radio presenter Andy Potter has passed away. He interviewed me a few times and was so lovely and fun, a gent.'

Mid Derbyshire Conservative MP Pauline Latham lauded Mr Potter's work on Derby's arts scene, she tweeted: 'Terrible to hear of Andy Potter's death today. A real champion for the arts whose enthusiasm for local amateur performances was infectious.'

Celebrities, including actress Brenda Blethyn, and listeners have paid tribute to Mr Potter

Fans also paid tribute on social media with Andrew Walker tweeting: 'Such sad news on hearing of the passing of Andy potter.

'A wonderful man who I had the pleasure of meeting on his radio show.'

Gareth Tibbles added: 'Sorry to hear the sad news of the death of BBC Derby's own Andy Potter. Will be missed by so many.'

Alison Martin wrote: 'Sad to hear of the passing of Andy Potter. He was a dignified and interesting presenter for Derby folk.'

While Richard Pinkett posted: 'What a sad day. Farewell Andy Potter outstanding broadcaster, caring person and a lovely man. Condolences to his family.'

James Allen PR shared: 'Sad to hear of Andy Potter's death. Such a nice bloke, accomplished broadcaster, community stalwart and he DJ'd my wedding. RIP Andy.'
A Minnesota police officer has pleaded not guilty over the shooting death a black man who was in a car with his girlfriend and a young child.

St. Anthony Officer Jeronimo Yanez entered his plea Monday in a brief hearing after being charged in November 2016 with second-degree manslaughter and two counts of dangerous discharge of a firearm.

After the cop pleaded not guilty, Ramsey County District Judge William Leary III set a May 30 trial date.

Prosecutors argue Yanez shot 32-year-old Philando Castile - a school cafeteria worker - seven times during a July 6 traffic stop after he told the cop he was armed.

Minnesota cop Jeronimo Yanez (left, in his mugshot, and right, in his police uniform) has pleaded not guilty over the shooting death a black man who was in a car with his girlfriend

Philando Castile (pictured), 32, was shot and killed by cop Jeronimo Yanez during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, on July 6

Castile had a permit to carry the weapon. Audio recordings, NBC News reported last year, also revealed the cop pulled the car over because Castile and his girlfriend: 'just look like people that were involved in a robbery'.

Yanez's lawyers argued their client feared for his life and had no choice but to shoot Castile.

The shooting garnered headlines around the world because the 32-year-old girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, live streamed the moments after the shooting on Facebook.

There were widespread protests after the shooting as a result of the footage being broadcast.

The shooting's gruesome aftermath was streamed on Facebook by Castile's girlfriend, who was with him in the car along with her young daughter. At first the cop's gun could be seen being pointed through the window (left), before Castile was then covered in blood after being shot

Castile slumped to the side after he was shot (left), as his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, live streamed the moments after the shooting on Facebook

It was revealed for the first time what Castile's final words were moments before Reynolds started filming.

'I wasn't reaching for it,' Castile said seconds after he was hit with the bullets that would kill him.

Yanez was the first officer to have been charged in more than 150 police-involved deaths in Minnesota since 2000.

If convicted, he could face 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
A drunk man on a scooter hurled homophobic slurs at a gay couple and ran one of the men off of his bike in a shocking road rage attack.

Kevin Seymour, 38, and Kevin Paul Taylor, 49, were left shaken after the couple said a drunk tourist harassed them while they were biking home from dinner in Key West, Florida, on Thursday.

The intoxicated male shouted anti-gay slurs at Seymour and Taylor and yelled 'you live in Trump country now', before he knocked one of the men to the ground and threatened to 'cut' him, according to a police report.

Kevin Paul Taylor, 49, (left) and Kevin Seymour, 38, (right) said they were victims of a hate crime after a drunk tourist hurled homophobic slurs at the couple and said they 'were in Trump country now' on Thursday

Taylor wrote in a Facebook post and called the attack a 'hate crime' after the man said 'I bet you f*****s' voted for that b***h Hillary' before knocking his partner to the ground

Taylor described the attack as a hate crime in a Facebook post and now officials are searching for the suspect, described as a white man with a 'southern accent' in his mid to late 30s.

He said the man, who was drunkenly swerving his moped, called them 'f*****s' and bet that they had 'voted for that b***h Hillary' before adding 'you live in Trump country now'.

Taylor added: 'He kept stopping in front of us and swerving into us. Finally Kevin got ahead of him and the guy charges him with his scooter and runs into him and knocks him off his bike.

'Thankful Kevin is okay and our emotional wounds will heal. I think the cops will be able to track him down.'

The incident occurred on Duval Street in Key West, Florida, after the men were biking home from dinner and a white man with a 'southern accent' began the attack on the couple

Taylor (far left and far right) wrote in the Facebook post: 'Thankful Kevin is okay and our emotional wounds will heal. I think the cops will be able to track him down'

Before speeding away on the scooter, the man threatened the couple after Seymour told the suspect he was going to report the verbal and physical attack to police.

According to the Miami Herald, the police report said the drunk man replied: 'If you do that, Ill cut you up.'

Taylor wrote they had the suspect scooter's license plate number and a business nearby had surveillance video that could confirm what had happened.

Police later found the suspect's vehicle, which was rented from a nearby scooter business, according to the police report. The suspect was not with the scooter at the time.
A man has fled the scene of a four vehicle crash after he struck a morgue van, causing a body it was transporting to fall onto the street.

Emergency services were called to King Street in Newtown, Sydney's inner west, about 9.50pm on Monday to find the van flipped on its side.

The 53-year-old driver and his male passenger were left with minor injuries and were taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital along with a 24-year-old pedestrian who suffered a fractured wrist.

A man has fled the scene of a four vehicle crash after he struck a morgue van, causing a body it was transporting to fall onto the street (pictured)

The 21-year-old driver of the Ford Focus, who allegedly caused the crash, fled the scene on foot

The 21-year-old driver of the Ford Focus, who allegedly caused the crash, fled the scene on foot.

The male driver of the Toyota Yaris, aged 25, and the 20-year-old female driver of a Nissan Qashqai were uninjured in the crash.

Officers believe the driver of the Ford Focus was travelling south on King Street when he struck the three other vehicles.

Photos show emergency services moving the body from the street after it fell from the van.

Police have urged anyone with information in relation to the crash to contact Crime Stoppers.

Emergency services were called to King Street in Newtown, Sydney's inner west, about 9.50pm on Monday to find the van flipped on its side
The man responsible for handing Warren Beatty the incorrect envelope at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony has been identified as Brian Cullinan, a 57-year-old father of three who has been a accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers for 32 years.

This was only Cullinan's fourth Oscar ceremony, and he was stationed at the stage right entrance used by Beatty and his Bonnie & Clyde co-star Faye Dunaway when they walked out to present the award for Best Picture at the ceremony.

Instead of handing them that envelope however, Cullinan gave Beatty a duplicate envelope he was holding for Best Actress in a Leading Role, the award that had just been presented to Emma Stone of La La Land.

That is why in her confusion, Dunaway announced La La Land as the winner when Beatty showed her the card.

It is unclear what caused the mistake, but it is known that Cullinan had spent the night snapping photos of celebrities and posting them on social media, including one of Stone moments before Beatty took the stage.

It seems to be his favorite perk of the job, that and the many interviews and television appearances it comes with, photos of which he frequently posts on social media.

In addition to his Oscar duties, Cullinan is a US Board Member at PwC and Managing Partner for the Southern California, Nevada and Arizona Markets - and according to the company, a Matt Damon lookalike.

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Dynamic duo: Accountants Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan are in charge of overseeing Oscars results, and were the two PwC employees at the Dolby theater on Sunday (above on the red carpet)

Going for it: Everyone on stage starred in disbelief Sunday night as Cullinan pulled out three envelopes at one point (from left: Emma Stone, Jordan Horowitz, Stage manager Gary Natoli, Warren Beatty, Cullinan, John Legend and Ruiz)

Selfie time: Brian Cullinan (left with Oprah Winfrey in 2015, right with Matt Damon in 2016) is the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant who handed off the wrong envelope to Warren Beatty at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony

Matt Damon lookalike - according to his own firm: This was how sober accountants PwC profiled Cullinan just before last year's Oscars

Rough night: Cullinan (above in 2015 with Matthew McConaughey) is stationed at one of the entrances to the stage to hand out the envelope announcing the winner in each category

Paparazzi: In addition to posing for photos with celebs when he can, Cullinan also snaps backstage pics of some stars (Sofia Vergara left in 2015, Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet right)

Not nice words: Beatty (left) was seen speaking to Cullinan in what looked to be a stern tone after the mistake as Ruiz looked on

False alarm: Ryan Gosling (left) and Emma Stone (top center) were on stage when they learned that La La Land had not won

In the past four years, Cullinan has managed to snap photos with a number of A-list celebrities at the Oscars, and happily shares the photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Among the celebs he has posed with are Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Chrissy Teigen.

Cullinan has also taken backstage shots of a number of stars, including Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara and Kate Winslet at the 2016 ceremony.

Bad timing: Cullinan posted a photo of Emma Stone backstage after her Oscar win (above)

Cullinan spoke about his job in an interview with his Cornell alumni magazine a few years back, raving about the celebrity access it affords him and telling a story about how Samuel L. Jackson has a photo of him on his cell phone.

'Everyone who goes out [on stage], you're hanging out with right before,' said Cullinan.

'I was standing next to and chit-chattingit's mostly small talkwith Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Bette Midler, Matthew McConaughey. To see all those people in the course of about an hourit's a unique spot to be in.'

He also spoke about a playful shoving match between himself and Cate Blanchett a few years back.

'She was yanking the bag and I was kidding around, holding it with two hands,' said Cullinan.

'What was interesting is that I knew that in the bag was the envelope saying that she had won Best Actress.'

Big deal: Cullinan posted grabs from his Fox News interview over the weekend (above)

Happy couple: Cullinan and his wife Andrea (above on Sunday), 52, have been married for almost 30 years

Family time: Cullinan and his family pose with Santa Clkaus over the hoplidays ( l to r: Brian, Bree, Santa, Andrea, Brett, and Drew)

Stunning: The family lives in a 4,100 square feet Malibu home with Pacific views worth an estimated $2.9 million (view from the home above)

No worries: After the outcry, Ruiz posted a photo of herself and Cullinan posing with Michael Strahan with the caption: 'On the Red Carpet.....'

Hanging with friends: Cullinan backstage with Lupita Nyong'o before she presented the best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 2015 ceremony (above)

Gang's all here: Cullinan and Ruiz pose with Chrissy Teigen and John Legend on the Oscars red carpet in 2016 (above)

Cullinan lives with his wife Andrea, 52, in a 4,100 square feet Malibu home with Pacific views worth an estimated $2.9 million. The couple have three children, sons Brett and Drew and a 20-year-old daughter Bree.

The couple married in 1988, shortly after Cullinan graduated from Cornell University in New York. He also holds a master's degree in accounting from Northeastern University.

It was his former boss who got Cullinan the Oscar ballot position he has said in the past, handing it over when he decided to step down.

Cullinan speaks about his Oscar job all the time it seems with press from around the world, posting images as he is filmed to his Twitter.

He said of his job back in 2015 when Martha Ruiz joined him as a member of the two-person Oscar team: 'The Oscars balloting process is a symbol of PwCs culture of integrity and trust.

'Each year, the Oscars serve as an immense source of pride for the people of PwC. This year, I look forward to working closely with Martha, and, on behalf of PwC and the Academy, thank Rick Rosas for his 14 years of impeccable service.'

In that same press release, Dawn Hudson, the CEO of the Academy, said: 'The foundation of our long-standing relationship with PwC is based on integrity and trust. We look forward to working with Martha, Brian and PwC for many years to come.'

Just before the ceremony, Cullinan also gave an interview to The Huffington Post about the possibility of something going wrong during the ceremony.

He was quick to point out before answering however that a mistake had never happened at that point in the 88-year history of the Oscars.

'We would make sure that the correct person was known very quickly,' said Cullinan.

'Whether that entails stopping the show, us walking onstage, us signaling to the stage manager - thats really a game-time decision, if something like that were to happen. Again, its so unlikely.'

Ruiz meanwhile does not seem the least bit worried about the incident, having not been the person who handed off the incorrect envelope on Sunday.

In fact, she even posted another celebrity photo on Monday after the outcry that featured and Cullinan with Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan.

She also dismissed the possibility of a mistake in that same interview last week, saying: 'Its him checking me and me checking him, and we do it multiple times against each other to make sure that when we leave and are ultimately handing the envelopes to someone, were very confident theyre getting the right envelopes and the contents in them are accurate

Against the rules: Ruiz and Cullinan are supposed to be stationed at opposite stage entrances, but were photographed standing together just before the Best Picture category (above)

Partner in crime: Cullinan and Martha Ruiz (above) are the two-person team that tabulates up the Oscar ballots

Practice makes perfect: Ruiz and Cullinan posted a photo last week as they attended rehersal for Sunday night's awards show (above)

Internationally in-demand: Cullinan filming a segment for a Japanese news program (above) while carrying the infamous briefcase

A star is born: Cullinan frequently posts photos of the press and television appearances he does as part of the Oscar ballot team (above earlier this year)

All smiles: Cullinan handed Brie Larson (above) the Actor in a Leading Role envelope two categories prior to Best Picture, while holding a handful of other envelopes on Sunday

PricewaterhouseCoopers released a statement at the request of the Academy on Monday stating: 'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture.

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

'We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.'

The problem began with Stone's category on Sunday night, which was the penultimate Oscar to be handed out at the show.

Leonardo DiCaprio entered from stage left to present the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Ruiz was in the wings waiting to hand him the envelope for that category.

The correct envelope was given and after DiCaprio announced that the winner was Stone, she took the stage and gave her speech before exiting stage left with both her Oscar and the envelope.

She later made it very clear that she did not cause any problems as well, firmly telling reporters that she had her envelope.

'I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time,' said Stone backstage.

'I don't mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was - I had that card.'

Not good: Ruiz and Cullinan look on after handing the correct envelope to Beatty, who reportedly refused to hand it over to stage manager Gary Natoli (center)

Oscar mayhem: Cullinan and Ruiz (above) clearly could not believe what had happened during the show and did not hide how upset they were on stage

'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone and said 'Moonlight won Best Picture' and insisting that 'this is not a joke'

Going for it: Everyone on stage starred in disbelief Sunday night as Cullinan pulled out the envelope for Best Picture (clockwise from left: Stage manager Gary Natoli, Emma Stone, La La Land producer Mike Jackson, Warren Beatty, Cullinan and Ruiz)

As Warren tried to explain what happened after the Moonlight producers and castmembers took the stage, the shamed accountant stood in the back with his colleague

He stared at his colleague, by then knowing he was to blame, while Emma Stone stood grinning feet away clutching her co-stars arm in shocked disbelief

After Stone's win, Beatty and Dunaway were announced to present the final award of the night, Best Picture.

Beatty entered from stage right however, and instead of being given the Best Picture envelope was given the duplicate envelope for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Brie Larson had also entered from stage right two categories prior when she presented Casey Affleck with the Actor in a Leading Role award, so it is likely that Beatty was just handed the next envelope in order, which would have been Actress.

That is why after opening the envelope, a noticeably puzzled Beatty did not know what to say, and looked to his co-presenter Dunaway to see if she could figure out why the envelope said Stone's name and not one of the Best Picture nominees.

When Beatty showed Dunaway however, who seemed to be under the impression that her Bonnie & Clyde co-star was doing some sort of bit, she announced La La Land as the winner.

Moments later though, Dunaway could be seen mouthing to Beatty: 'It said Emma.'

At that moment, there was serious panic backstage, where one stagehand was overheard saying: 'Oh, f***. Oh my God. He got the wrong envelope.'

Problem: Beatty then entered with Dunaway from stage right with the incorrect envelope (above)

The beginning of the end: Warren Beatty entered from stage right on Sunday night, and could be seen walking to the podium holding an envelope that clearly said 'Actress in a Leading Role' (above)

Fake news: Beatty and Dunaway hand off the Oscars to Horowitz and Fred Berger, the producers of La La Land (above), after declaring that film the winner

The gang's all here: Horowitz gave his speech first (above) while his cast and crew gathered behind him before moving to the side of the stage

Checking things out: Stage manager Gary Natoli (in headset) then came out and asked to look at the envelope, at which point Horowitz and Fred Berger saw it was not the Best Picture category

Meanwhile, the producers and cast of La La Land began to take the stage, and as producer Jordan Horowitz explained later that night, it soon became clear that there was a problem.

He said that after saying a few words and walking to the side of the stage with the envelope, a stagehand approached him and said he needed to look at the card inside, which he soon saw clearly contained Stone's name.

At the same time, Cullinan and Ruiz made their way on stage, with Cullinan seen on the telecast handing the Best Picture envelope to Beatty.

Things then took another unexpected turn according to the Los Angeles Times when stage manager Gary Natoli said that Beatty was holding on to the envelope and refusing to let anyone see the winner.

Beatty later said that he wanted to show Moonlight director Barry Jenkins the envelope first, and footage from the telecast shows Beatty remaining at the center of the stage while Dunaway backed further and further away from the crowd.

Horowitz, having figured out that La La Land had not won, eventually rushed to the microphone to announce the mistake, and inform the audience that their film had not taken home the night's big prize.

He then ripped an envelope out of the hands of Beatty to show that it said Moonlight.

That resulted in an odd moment where the cast and crew of La La Land began to slowly exit the stage while the all-black cast of Moonlight walked up with director Barry Jenkins and their three producers.

Disbelief: Ryan Gosling (left) and Emma Stone (right) could be seen on stage as they learned about the mistake (above)

Shock: Audience members look on in shock as the mistake in announced live on air (front row l to r: Casey Affleck, Christine Boldt, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps and Ben Affleck; second row: Matt Damon, Jimmy Kimmel and Selma Hayek; third row: Rosalind Ross, Mel Gibson, and Lucas Hedges)

Wonderful surprise: Moonlight actor Jharrel Jerome (center in white jacket) reacts to the news that his film had won Best Picture

Hear him out: Beatty (above) launched into an explanation of what happened after the mishap

Best buds: Moonlight producers Jenkins (left) and Romanski (center) are best friends who met in college

watching the cast of moonlight react to their best picture win announcement is so heartwarming pic.twitter.com/xTU8Ay9csq  Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) February 27, 2017

Beatty meanwhile tried to explain his gaff, while host Jimmy Kimmel repeatedly jumped in to joke about the situation in a clear attempt to diffuse the incredibly tense and uncomfortable moment.

'I opened the envelope and it said "Emma Stone, La La Land,"' said Beatty onstage.

'That's why I looked at Faye, and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny.'

Some took issue with Beatty commanding the microphone at that moment given the magnitude of the Moonlight win, being the first LGBT film to win Best Picture as well as the first movie with an all-black cast to claim that honor.

Oscars producer Michael De Luca had already poured champagne to celebrate the night, and later thanked Kimmel for how he handled the situation.

'Yeah, but no one is going to remember that now. I don't know what happened. We will analyze every bit of it,' replied Kimmel.

The room where it happened: Beatty speaks with Cullinan and an AMPAS staffer while Dunaway (left) looks on in shock)

Coping: Dunaway (above) seemed to find the entire iuncident amusing on Sunday night

Close eye: Ruiz was seen hanging by Beatty's side as he exited the stage on Sunday night (above)

Keepsake: Beatty was seen carrying the Actress envelope with him later that night at the Governor's Ball (above)

Beatty meanwhile seemed to enjoy the situation, and was later seen carrying the envelope with him at an afterparty.

He tried to make light of the situation, while Dunaway would not speak of what happened on stage when approached by reporters.

Kimmel meanwhile closed out the show Sunday by accepting all blame for the situation.

'Well, I dont know what happened; I blame myself for this,' said the host.

'Lets remember, its just an awards show. I mean, we hate to see people disappointed, but the good news is, we got to see some extra speeches.

'We had some great movies. I knew I would screw this show up, I really did. Thank you for watching.

'Im back to work tomorrow night at my regular show.
Trump and Putin re working furiously to reshape access to the minds of their followers, primarily by undermining public confidence in the media. Putin actually has media people who step too far out of line murdered. So far Trump has resisted that particular authoritarian impulse. But it's early yet.

While Trump and his regime were intensifying their campaign against theand the TV networks last week, the Putin regime was accusing , Bloomberg and NBC of spreading false information about Mother Russia. American polls show that, by wide margins, Americans have more faith in the media than in either Trump or Putin, both of whom are widely seen as congenital liars and manipulators.

Rememeber Hillary's "vast right wing conspiracy?" Trump and Putin are just cogs-- big ones-- in that wheel. But they're not alone. Yesterday thetook a closer look at Fox News' attempt to justify Trump's crackpot statements about Sweden by airing an interview by Bill O'Reilly-- a master of fake news-- with a make believe Swedish national security advisor. Fox should lose its license to broadcast because of this incident. Seems harsh? I don't think so. Let's look into who Nils Bildt is.

Sweden may be laughing at Fox and Trump but Americans shouldn't be. Bildt is just a random right-wing nut from Sweden who O'Reilly and Fox tried portraying as a national security official to give credence to his reactionary, xenophobic ravings. The government of Sweden has denounced him as an imposter. Let's hope Trump doesn't appoint him to the National Security Council with all the other crackpots he's "accidentally" put onto that body!

[I]f viewers might have taken the 'advisor' for a government insider, the Swedish Defense Ministry and Foreign Office told the newspaper Dagens Nyheter they knew nothing of him.





In fact Bildt is an 'independent analyst' who moved to the US in 1994. He describes himself as a founding member of Modulus World LLC, a corporate geopolitical strategy and security consulting business which has offices in Washington, Brussels and Tokyo.





In his bio, Bildt boasted of his expertise on defense and national security issues. He said he had served as a naval officer, worked for Japanese officials and had written books on creating business opportunities in hostile environments.





But security experts in Sweden said he wasn't a familiar figure in their ranks in that country.





'He is in not in any way a known quantity in Sweden and has never been part of the Swedish debate,' Swedish Defence University leadership professor Robert Egnell said by email to The Associated Press on Saturday.





He and Bildt-- also known then as Nils Tolling-- were in a master's degree program in war studies together at King's College London in 2002-2003, and Bildt moved to Japan soon after, he said.





Bildt has since admitted that he is merely an 'independent analyst' and says Fox knew as much when it booked him to appear on the show.





He told the Washington Post he made it 'clear' to producers before going on-air that he did not work in official capacity. In his response to Mediate, he said his job title wasn't the issue.





'Sorry for any confusion caused, but needless to say I think that is not really the issue. The issue is Swedish refusal to discuss their social problems and issues.'





Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who has a brother and son with the same name, said he believed the man was cashing in on his family's political pull.





The executive producer of The O'Reilly Factor said Bildt was recommended by people the show's booker consulted with while making numerous inquiries about potential guests.





'After pre-interviewing him and reviewing his bio, we agreed that he would make a good guest for the topic that evening,' executive producer David Tabacoff said in a statement.





The network said O'Reilly was expected to address the subject further on Monday's show.





Bildt's appearance comes a week after Donald Trump appeared to refer to a terror attack in Sweden which never happened.





The president cited 'what's happening in Sweden right now' during a speech on terror across Europe, prompting many to deduce he was out of touch with facts.





President Trump later said he was in fact referring to the country's immigration issues that he'd read on Fox News.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer emphatically rejected new calls for a special prosecutor who would investigate Russian election interference  asking what would even be investigated.

'I guess my question would be, a special prosecutor for what?' Spicer said Monday, when asked about calls for an independent investigation.

Democratic Senate Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been pressing the case for such an inquiry  a call that has now been joined by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a former chair of the House Oversight Committee. Issa, who made headlines hounding Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration, faces a competitive reelection.

Spicer then blasted media reports about alleged Russian interference.'We have now for six months heard story after story come out about unnnamed sources saying the same thing over and over again,' Spicer said.

'I guess my question would be, a special prosecutor for what?' White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday

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'We've heard the same people, the same anecdotes. So at one point, you have to ask yourself what are you investigating?' Spicer asked.

His claim that Russia has already been investigated came as the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee say its investigation was just getting started.

'The scoping of our investigation' is finished' Nunes said on Capitol Hill Monday, but committee lawyers have yet 'to move into actually receiving the evidence.'

Spicer also repeated a claim by President Trump, that he hasn't called Russia 'for years.'

President Trump brushed off a question on Monday about whether he would endorse the appointment of a special prosecutor to probe alleged links between his presidential campaign and the nation of Russia.

A White House pool reporter wrote that the president mouthed the word 'no' to a group of health insurance executives gathered at the White House.

And as press staffers herded journalists out of the Roosevelt Room, Trump told his guests: 'I haven't called Russia in 10 years.'

There's no evidence he has made such a call in the past decade  although he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin via telephone last month.

Donald Trump told health insurance CEOs at the White House, shortly after this photo was taken, that he hasn't 'called Russia in 10 years'  while ducking a question about whether a special prosecutor should probe his presidential campaign's alleged ties with Moscow

White House press secretary Sean Spicer got asked about Republican California Rep. Darrell Issa's call for a special prosecutor

Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the telephone just 30 days earlier, on January 28, from his desk in the Oval Office at the White House

And his past business ties with Russia have raised eyebrows since shortly after he launched his presidential campaign in July 2015.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are now investigating allegations that his campaign colluded with Russians in a series of election-year computer hacks which dominated headlines for weeks in 2016.

I haven't called Russia in 10 years. President Donald Trump, on Monday

The president also visited Moscow personally in 2013, after partnering with a Russian billionaire to hold that year's the Miss Universe pageant Russia's capital city.

And in 2008  nine years ago  Trump sold his $95 million Palm beach, Florida mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev.

It's unknown whether or not he placed phone calls to anyone in Russia in conjunction with those to business ventures.

Trump visited Moscow personally in 2013 to oversee his Miss Universe pageant when the contest was held in the Russian capital

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa (right) told HBO host Bill Maher (left) that the Justice Department should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and was in touch with Trump's team during the campaign

The larger issue of Trumpworld's alleged links with Russia during the campaign led California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, a hard-nosed former House Oversight Committee chairman, to call on Friday for a special prosecutor.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, he said, was himself linked to the Trump campaign, giving him a conflict of interest.

'You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office,' he said on HBO's 'Real Time with Bill Maher.'

Intelligence committees in both the House and Senate are in the preliminary stages of separate investigations. Both committees are headed by Republicans.

In the House, Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes told reporters on Monday that 'the scoping of our investigation' is finished' but committee lawyers have yet 'to move into actually receiving the evidence.'

Speaking about 'the initial inquires I have made to the appropriate agencies,' Nunes said, 'I don't have any evidence.'

Former President George W. Bush said Monday morning that 'we all need answers' about whether or not Trump campaign officials colluded with Kremlin figures to gain an edge against Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton

He also said that his committee has 'broadened the scope of the investigation to include any involvement in our elections here, and of course any ties that there might be to any government officials at any level.'

Monday morning on NBC's 'Today' show, former president George W. Bush hinted that Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr would make the right decision about whether a special prosecutor is necessary.

'I think we all need answers,' the former president said.

'I've never been a lawyer. You know, I'm not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered.'
Theresa May's top security advisor has quit after being accused of 'mansplaining' to the Prime Minister and irritating Donald Trump.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant has resigned as Mrs May's national security advisor after less than two years in the role.

The resignation comes after Sir Mark was accused of 'mansplaining' - or talking in a condescending manner to women - by multiple sources at Number 10.

Theresa May's top security advisor has quit after being accused of 'mansplaining' to the Prime Minister and irritating Donald Trump

The source said the Old Etonian, who was a UK ambassador to the UN before taking over the national security adviser role, spoke over the Prime Minister during a meeting at Downing Street.

It is also claimed that Sir Mark did not hit it off with President Donald Trump during a recent visit to Washington and riled the leader with his manner.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant has resigned as Mrs May's national security advisor after less than two years in the role

Mrs May said: 'I would like to thank Mark Lyall Grant for his long years of public service, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, at the United Nations and also in particular for his work since 2015 as national security adviser.

'Mark has made a huge contribution and I wish him every success for the future.'

The 60-year-old will be replaced by Mark Sedwill, the Permanent Secretary in charge of the Home Office, who has worked alongside Mrs May before.

The Prime Minister said: 'Mark Sedwill's experience means that he is ideally qualified to take up the critically important role of national security adviser.

It is also claimed that Sir Mark did not hit it off with President Donald Trump during a recent visit to Washington

'As well as his recent time in the Home Office, he has served in both Afghanistan and Pakistan and has wide-ranging experience of foreign and security policy issues.'

Sir Mark's resignation is the latest in a substantial list of key officials to leave their posts since Mrs May took power.

They include Bank of England Governor Mark Carney  who is cutting short his tenure  EU Ambassador Sir Ivan Rogers ,and Treasury adviser Jim O'Neill.
Detectives continue to investigate following a collision in Lewisham which left a number of pedestrians requiring hospital treatment.

A 31-year-old man remains in hospital in a critical condition, his next of kin have been informed.

Four men and a woman were treated at the scene before being taken to south and east London hospitals.

Two of the pedestrians - a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man - are now in what is described as a serious but stable condition while two men sustained minor injuries which are not described as life-threatening.

The 23-year-old driver of the car was detained at the scene by an off-duty police officer before being arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also arrested on suspicion of drink drive before being taken to a south London hospital with a head injury.

The man was subsequently taken into custody at a south London police station for questioning. He has since been bailed to return, pending further enquiries, on a date in early May.

Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating.

Shocking footage emerged moments after the Mercedes had ploughed into five people, believed to be Romanian car wash workers, in a south London street.

Shocking footage has emerged of the moments after pedestrians were knocked over by a car

The car left the road near Catford Bus Garage in Bellingham at 8:20am in the morning yesterday and crashed into a group of people at a car wash.

Witnesses said the driver's actions appeared to be deliberate.

Onlookers said a blood-covered man chased the driver down the street shouting 'f*** you' and 'why have you done this?' before police arrived.

One of the victims, a 25-year-old man, remains in a critical condition while two others, a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man, are described as 'serious but stable'.

A video of the aftermath of the incident shows members of the public rushing to help those mown down by the car.

The car was left in a hedge after it mounted the pavement and hit people at the car wash

This was the scene this morning after the Mercedes left the road and crashed into a group of people believed to be Romanian car wash workers

The driver was detained by an off-duty police officer and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving.

Two other men who were hit, aged 36 and 46, received injuries described as 'not life-threatening' and are in a stable condition.

The driver was himself taken to a south London hospital with a head injury.

Eyewitness Colin Liddell, 29, said: 'I saw the car turn around at the junction and then he put his accelerator to the floor and hit the bollard and five people before he hit the wall.

'He intended to hit them, he was giving it large after he got out the car. He was bleeding on his head and had run away, he ran round the corner before the police arrested him.'

The car's bonnet and boot were popped open by the impact, its airbags all deployed, while debris was strewn across the pavement.

Minasu Towolawi, 26, added: 'My brother and I were coming out of the house going to church and we heard screams.

'I went to look and I saw them there, there were two men on the floor not moving at all and others were around the woman.

'There was one guy with blood on his head and he was chasing a well dressed black guy in his 30s down the road with another guy.

'The guy was dressed in a leather jacket, all in black. The one with blood on his face was shouting 'f*** you'.

Police cordoned off the car wash as the investigation into the incident continued today

The cleaning equipment used by the those who was hit was left standing at the site today

Police scoured the area for evidence as the investigate the incident which left five injured

The wrecked car remains at the scene and the road is closed while detectives investigate

The car was removed by investigators this morning after the victims were taken to hospital

Ms Towolawi added: 'The guy, I think he may have been the driver, kept coming back and then the police chased him, he looked drunk.

'They were crying and wailing and trying to get their friends to wake up, they seemed really anguished.

'They were bleeding on their heads, the lady had blood all over her and the others were bleeding too.

'They had sat the last up and they were shaking her and saying her name over and over again.

'We think they are Romanians, they live in the car wash, you see them all the time going into the Costcutter in their night gowns.'

She added: 'I think the driver hit them on purpose, the Romanians are always around there, the car wash was running when it happened.'

A kebab shop worker who asked not to be named saw two car wash workers chasing a suspect down the street after the crash.

He said: 'I don't them that well, from what I've heard it was a customer who had a disagreement with the car wash guys.'

Another witness, who gave his name only as Dave, said: 'I heard it was over an argument, he went back for revenge.'

The Met Police have said there is no suggestion the incident is linked to terrorism.

The driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving

Police closed off the road as the injured were rushed to hospital by ambulance

A local council worker cleans up the scene this afternoon after police had left

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 8.18am today to reports of a road traffic collision on Bromley Road, Catford.

'We sent four ambulance crews, an air ambulance crew, a fast responder in a car, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer to the scene, with the first of our medics arriving in under seven minutes.

'We treated five patients for a range of head, chest and leg injuries at the scene and took all five to hospital as a priority.'

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Police were called at approximately 08:20hrs on Sunday, 26 February to reports of a Mercedes in collision with a wall and pedestrians on Bromley Road in Bellingham.

'Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended.

'Five people - four men and a woman, believed to be aged between 25 and 46 years - were treated at the scene before being taken to south and east London hospitals.'

Paramedics and an air ambulance were called and five injured were taken to nearby hospitals

Witnesses said one of those hit is thought to have become trapped beneath the car

The spokesman added: 'One of the victims, a 25-year-old man remains in a critical condition.

'Two of the pedestrians - a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man are now in what is described as a serious but stable condition.

'Two men, aged 36 and 46sustained minor injuries which are not described as life-threatening.

'The driver of the car was detained at the scene by an off-duty police officer before being arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

'He was also arrested on suspicion of drink drive before being taken to a south London hospital with a head injury.'

'Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating. Road closures remain in place.'

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit's witness appeal line on 020 8285 1574 or via 101.
A Colorado teenager accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend to death in a jealous rage has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping.

Tanner Flores, 19, entered his plea Thursday, and his attorney filed a successful motion for an evaluation of his client's mental health before the case proceeds.

Flores was arrested on June 10 on his late grandfather's property in Collbran, where he drove five hours after allegedly shooting 18-year-old Ashley Doolittle multiple times in the head while she was riding in his pickup truck.

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Not guilty: Tanner Flores, 19 (left), has pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, aspiring rodeo queen Ashley Doolittle, 18 (right)

Happier times: During an interview with police, Flores alleged said he murdered Doolittle (pictured together) because he was angry that she had dumped him

On Thursday, many of the victim's friends and family were present in the courtroom of Eighth Judicial District Judge Gregory Lammons to hear Flores' plea, according to Loveland Reporter-Herald.

According to his arrest affidavit, Flores was found with Doolittle's blanket-wrapped body in the cab of his pickup at the Collbran property.

She had been reported missing by her family the previous day after her car was found abandoned near Lon Hagler Reservoir in Larimer County - five hours away.

Flores allegedly told police he'd murdered his ex-girlfriend because he'd been 'angry' that she'd ended their year-long relationship.

The teen shot her twice in the head and then drove her body five hours away to his grandfather's house in Collbran where he cleaned up the corpse and hid it in the back of his truck, according to the affidavit.

'Tanner was 'upset' over the breakup with Ashley,' one friend told officers, the document stated.

'Another friend stated that Tanner was "really down" over the breakup and did not know why they were no longer together.'

'Tanner apparently sent a Snapchat message to several friends on (June 8) in the late evening that had a message that was suicidal in nature,' the affidavit said.

Flores' 1999 Dodge 2500 pickup truck was found near Doolittle's body in June 2016

Flores' father also told deputies that his .22 caliber revolver was missing from a locked gun cabinet, the affidavit states.

Officials discovered Flores had been missing since 3.30pm on June 7 and issued an alert for him and his 1999 Dodge 2500 pickup truck.

Searchers began looking for Doolittle and Flores 'at first light' that Friday morning in the area near where her vehicle was found the previous day.

A neighbor of the 18-year-old's grandfather later contacted the local police department after she saw Flores carrying what appeared to be a bundle of blankets out of the back seat of a truck.

She said that she had then noticed what she thought was a human arm.

Until their recent breakup, the couple had posted several pictures together on social media.

A picture posted to Doolittle's Facebook page in May shows the couple posing together in festive outfits.

Family members told officials Doolittle (left) had recently ended a one-year-relationship with Flores. He will undergo a mental health evaluation before the case against him can proceed

'Gorgeous babe, I love you,' Flores commented on another picture of Doolittle posted on May 18.

According to the Denver Post, Doolittle was enrolled as an agricultural business major at Colorado State University. She won a $1,000 to attend the university, and was also interested in horses and the rodeo, the Post reported.

A picture posted to the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Royalty page showed Doolittle in a sash that says 'Lady-in-waiting', meaning she was poised to become the next queen of the rodeo.

In a Facebook post published two days before Doolittle disappeared, the current rodeo queen wrote: 'Ashley and I had a great weekend kicking off our summer rodeos and events with the Berthoud Day parade and the Elizabeth Stampede! Its already looking to be an amazing and busy summer and we hope to see you during it!'

Peageant queen: Doolittle, the lady-in-waiting of Boulder County Fair and Rodeo, is pictured right, sitting next to the queen of the rodeo

It is unclear how long the mental health hospital in Pueblo will take to complete its court-ordered evaluation of Tanner Flores.
Bird-watching can be frustrating  especially if youre a cat.

An internet video showing a feline apparently mumbling to itself while looking for birds through a window has gone viral on Monday.

As of Monday afternoon, it had generated over 1.4 million views on YouTube.

One can only wonder what the cat is saying.

An internet video showing a feline apparently mumbling to itself while looking for birds through a window has gone viral on Monday

Whatever it is, the cat looks to be quite animated as it peers out the window.

While cats aren't considered to be communicative animals, that doesn't mean they don't communicate, according to an expert.

Sharon Crowell-Davis, a professor of veterinary behavior at the University of Georgia, told New York Magazine that cats are just as expressive as dogs.

It's just that it is much more difficult to decipher their cues and it is up to us humans to look for them.

As of Monday afternoon, it had generated over 1.4 million views on YouTube

While cats aren't considered to be communicative animals, that doesn't mean they don't communicate, according to an expert

Although cats give off the impression of being aloof, they are actually capable of making facial expressions, Crowell-Davis said.

'Youll see when theyre stressed or when theyre pained the facial muscles are tensed, and when theyre happy or relaxed, their facial muscles are relaxed,' she said.
Cory Bernardi has invited Tony Abbott to defect to his newly formed party of one after the former Prime Minister was pilloried by the Liberal party.

Senator Bernardi has offered up 'the warm welcoming embrace of Australian Conservatives' to Mr Abbott, who called for an immigration crackdown and a slashing of electricity bills during a speech last Thursday.

Mr Abbott identified a change of course on those issues as essential to preventing a 'drift to defeat', prompting a swift rebuke from Malcolm Turnbull and other cabinet ministers who dubbed the intervention 'sad'.

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Cory Bernardi has invited Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to defect to his newly formed party of one

'What Tony Abbott said the other day was the truth, we need to cut power bills for people, we need to cut government spending, we need to trim our immigration all of the things he spoke about,' Mr Bernardi told Sky News.

Mr Turnbull on Monday blamed Mr Abbott's calculated critique on the government for the coalition's worst Newspoll result in two years, before he was slammed by several other ministers.

Labor has opened a 10-point lead over the coalition as voters desert the government for Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

Senator Bernardi said the poll result reinforced the view that policy changes were desperately needed, and said Mr Abbott's ideas should not be disregarded.

'People are increasingly disillusioned with mainstream parties and are seeking alternatives,' Senator Bernardi told Sky News.

He slammed ministers' 'hysterical overreaction' to Mr Abbott's policy initiatives, saying it showed the government was 'struggling to win the narrative'.

Mr Abbott last week called for an immigration crackdown and a slashing of electricity bills during a speech

Mr Turnbull on Monday blamed Mr Abbott's calculated critique on the government for the coalition's worst Newspoll result in two years

The former prime minister's chief of staff Peta Credlin said it was a bad look for Mr Turnbull to be discussing opinion polls and should stay above the fray.

'The government needs to stop talking about the things insiders in this place, Canberra, are talking about and needs to focus on what ordinary people are worried about - cost of living, the penalty rates issue, renewable energy and electricity prices,' she told Sky News.

Instead, they were obsessing about things to 'keep their bums on ministerial leather' and that's the problem because Senator Hanson was filling a void on issues people care about.

Ms Credlin pointed out a graph of polling shows the coalition's decline started not long after the July federal election when Mr Turnbull led the party to a narrow victory with a loss of 14 seats.

'Tony Abbott spoke out on Thursday because the polls are plummeting. Him speaking out on Thursday is not the reason the polls plummeted,' she said.

Ms Credlin claimed some coalition MPs she's spoken to are assuming they've already lost the next election.

Mr Abbott advised Mr Bernardi not to leave the Liberal party in December, but is believed to have since grown disillusioned with the leadership of his own party.
Delia Mary Flores, 53, shot her boyfriend in the genitals on Saturday because she suspected he was having an affair

A Scottsdale woman who shot her boyfriend in the genitals told police she suspected he was having an affair.

Delia Mary Flores, 53, shot him seven times with a .32-caliber revolver, firing one shot into his penis and twice into his scrotum, according to court documents.

The man, whose name hasn't been released, survived his injuries, the Arizona Republic reports.

He told police that he was sleeping upright in a chair around 8.30pm on Saturday when he woke up to what he thought were fireworks, until he felt an 'excruciating pain in his lower extremities'.

Flores called 911 and told Scottsdale police that she didn't know how her boyfriend had been shot, only that he had asked her to get help.

Flores met officers outside the home she shares with her boyfriend in the 7400 block of East Parkview Lane in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Without prompting, Flores admitted to police that she had shot her boyfriend because she suspected he was having an affair.

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Flores shot her boyfriend while he was sleeping in their Scottsdale, Arizona, home (above)

She had moved in with her boyfriend in 2016 after they had been dating for two years.

Her boyfriend told police that he wasn't having an affair and didn't know why she shot him.

He didn't even think Flores knew how to use a gun, police said.

When police searched the couple's home they found a revolver beneath the chair the man had been sleeping in when he was shot.

Flores called 911 and told police that she didn't know how her boyfriend had been shot

Flores's boyfriend, whose name hasn't been released, was taken to HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center (above). He survived his injuries

Flores is being held at Maricopa County jail (above) on a $750,000 bond. She faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon

Among Flores's clothing was .32-caliber handgun box in a Victoria's Secret bag, along with a receipt that showed the gun had been purchased 10 days before the shooting.

'The fact that there were gunshots directed at the victim's neck near his head, and that the victim was sleeping at the time of the shooting and no argument was taking place, it is believed that the defendant intentionally planned to shoot the victim with premeditation', police concluded in court documents.

Flores is being held at Maricopa County jail on a $750,000 bond. She faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The California Highway Patrol says a crash between a tour bus and two cars has killed one person and injured 21 others in the Southern California high desert.

CHP Officer Brian Benson says it's unclear what caused the Monday crash near the unincorporated community of Kramer, and didn't have any further details about the bus or the victims.

Benson says six of the 21 people hurt have major injuries and that four medical helicopters are on their way to the scene.

The California Highway Patrol says a crash between a tour bus and two cars killed one person and injured 21 others in the Southern California high desert. It happened on route 58, pictured

A firefighter walks by wreckage after a deadly crash involving a tour bus on State Route 58 near Kramer, California

However, weather conditions have been making copter flights to the scene problematic.

The crash happened when two vehicles collided on State Route 58 in the Mojave Desert, about two miles east of Highway 395.

Benson says the bus seats about 30 passengers and declined to immediately release the name of the company that owns it.

According to the Los Angeles Times, as first responders waited for helicopters to transport patients, units from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow as well as the Kern and San Bernardino county fire departments were treating patients at the scene.

The crash occurred in the Mojave desert near the remote community of Kramer close to State Route 58
Driver Gustavo Zamora was arrested after cops found 55 lbs of cocaine, worth $750,000, in his truck in Nebraska

Nebraska's Lancaster County Sheriff's Office turned a routine traffic stop into a big-time drug bust on Sunday evening when deputies discovered 55 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a truck after pulling over a man for multiple traffic violations.

Police say the estimated street value of the cocaine is $750,000.

Sheriff's deputies stopped the eastbound red 2006 Volvo semi-trailer truck while it was on Interstate 80, near Mile Marker 396, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, after witnessing multiple traffic violations.

When the deputies' drug-sniffing canine approached the truck, it signaled to its handler that there was the scent of narcotics emanating from the trunk.

'Deputies searched the truck and discovered approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine which would convert to about 55 pounds,' Lancaster County Chief Deputy Sheriff Todd Duncan told reporters during a media briefing, according to Nebraska Radio Network.

The deputies then arrested the truck's driver, 56-year-old Gustavo Zamora, of San Gabriel, California, placing him in jail for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver.

The police believe that Zamora was heading East from California, but could not say what his destination was, reports 1011 News.

25 kilos of cocaine (about 55 pounds) seized by cops during a traffic stop in Nebraska

Chief Deputy Sheriff Duncan was particularly proud of the canine handler in this drug bust.

'We're pretty excited about this, this is a really nice job by our canine handler deputy and we feel that taking this large amount of cocaine off the streets and out of our community is a really great public safety accomplishment,' Duncan said, according to the Nebraska Radio Network.

'There is a definite nexus between illegal drugs in our community and violent crime, and especially when we're talking about cocaine in this quantity...So, great job by this deputy and we're very excited about this arrest'
A Florida ATM's deposit slot was found jammed with a baggie of cocaine after a customer inserted the drugs with their cash deposit.

Police are searching for a bank customer who possibly shoved a small packet of cocaine into an ATM while making a deposit at a bank in Brandenton, Florida, sometime in February.

Officials were notified when a technician was sent to the Suncoast Credit Union branch after reports were made that the machine's deposit mechanism was jammed, the police report said.

Police are searching for a bank customer who jammed an ATM with a baggie of cocaine at a Suncoast Credit Union branch in Brandenton, Florida, in February (stock photos)

When the technician inspected the machine on February 17, he found a 'a small clear baggie containing a white powdery substance' that later tested positive for cocaine, reported The Smoking Gun.

Although the building has an ATM on the outside of the building, it was not clear where the cocaine was found at the location.

The technician told the Manatee County officer that he believed the drug was inserted into the machine 'possibly with the cash of the last person who made the deposit causing the malfunction'.

A technician who was sent to fix the machine at the Florida bank (pictured) told police that the cocaine could have been inserted when the bank customer made a cash deposit

Police then collected the information of the last person who made a deposit before the ATM was jammed.

The report continued: 'At this time it is unknown if the substance came from the last cash deposit or prior deposits.'

As of late February, there were no further updates on the case.
The United States is continuing to provide food assistance to its partner Malawi. U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer recently announced a new U.S. donation of $4.6 million [Malawian Kwacha 3.3 billion] to assist Malawian people in need of humanitarian food assistance.

This additional donation is in response to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committees report that 6.7 million Malawians need imminent food assistance to alleviate suffering. Funds will be channeled through the UN World Food Program.

Ambassador Palmer said she appreciated President [Peter] Mutharikas leadership in dealing with the worst food crisis of the Southern Africa drought. She also praised Vice President Saulos Chilimas months-long work to bring all stakeholders to the table to address Malawis food crisis.

Of the $4.6 million, $2.5 million will be used to transport and distribute 10,800 metric tons of maize from the Malawian Governments Strategic Grain Reserve, and $2.1 million is education funding repurposed to fill a critical gap in Malawis school feeding program.

This additional assistance brings the United States Governments total contribution to the 2016-2017 Food Insecurity Response Plan to $126 million, equivalent to about one third of the Plans $395 million estimated cost.

Ambassador Palmer pledged that the United States will continue to work with the Government of Malawi to break the cycle of food insecurity. Key to this is Malawis fulfilling its New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition commitments.

These include a review of the Control of Goods Act, which has inhibited investment in food production, and passage of a Seed Bill consistent with Malawis commitment to SADC seed harmonization so Malawis farmers can access and sell quality seeds across the region. Reforms are urgently required to help avoid future food shortages caused not only by climate change but by the unpredictability of Malawis maize markets.

The United States Government continues to stand by Malawians in their time of need, said Ambassador Palmer. But, together we recognize that policy and market predictability are critical if Malawis farmers are to become entrepreneurs, if agribusinesses are to invest, and if Malawi is to transform its agriculture sector from a source of vulnerability into an engine for growth.
Swedish police have sealed off a block of flats in Malmo following an explosion.

Local media said a suspected hand grenade was detonated.

One man has received shrapnel injuries to the legs.

Swedish police have launched an investigation following a suspected grenade attack

The incident happened in the Lindangen area of the city.

Police said an adult male has been taken to hospital. It is not known whether he was the intended target of the attack.

Police have secured the entire area until the arrival of the bomb squad who will thoroughly search the scene.
The group are thought to be chanting about beleaguered headteacher Michelle Brindle

The headteacher, whose battle with her own staff forced a school to close this week, left her previous job after she was accused of bullying'.

Michelle Brindle has been at the centre of a storm at Bollin Primary School in Bowdon, Cheshire, resulting in 16 grievances filed against her, teachers going on strike and parents launching petitions and protests against her leadership.

Trafford Council intervened and closed the school yesterday morning until further notice.

The local authority, who insist Mrs Brindle has not been sacked or suspended, refused to say whether she was at the school today.

But parents claim their children were told, at an assembly yesterday morning, that deputy head Hayley Marshall was to take over the reins.

And a video emerged which appeared to show staff and parents toasting each other at an out-of-hours party where they chanted 'getting sacked in the morning'.

Before arriving at the Cheshire school, Mrs Brindle was headteacher at Wigan's Golborne St Thomas' Christian school, where she was accused of bullying.

Businessman Howard Morris spoke to the Mail after hearing about problems at Bollin.

He claimed his wife, Caroline, was driven out of her job as deputy head of Mrs Brindle's previous school, by her 'bullying' style.

He compared Mrs Brindle to Roald Dahl's Miss Trunchbull, who terrorises the school in Matilda. 'She is threatening and a bully  she's almost like Miss Trunchbull,' he said.

Today, the school remained closed for pupils as teachers and staff were locked in an emergency meeting with Trafford Council. Pictured is a member of staff leaving the school

It's understood that parents have not been able to get any information from the school or council about the situation and have been relying on news reports to keep up to date

Relationships between staff, parents and governors are also said to have become 'toxic' since the 40-year-old took over Bollin Primary School, with one parent likening her 'dictatorship' style to North Korea.

Problems are said to have begun when Mrs Brindle paid for a mock Ofsted inspection. It led to new rules being brought in which teachers say greatly increased their workload.

Children reported seeing teachers crying in corridors, and a long-serving member of staff was allegedly suspended.

Fourteen teachers and two assistants lodged grievances with the governing body, which are so far unresolved. Eight governors also resigned.

Worried parents then set up a WhatsApp online messaging group to discuss what was going on at the school, which was rated 'outstanding' in 2007.

But when Mrs Brindle, 40, heard they were talking over the internet, she sent letters to the parents of all 450 pupils, warning she would sue if her reputation was harmed.

She wrote: 'A number of social media posts have been made which are damaging to the reputation of the head and the school. Some are potentially libellous and leave individuals vulnerable to legal action.'

A mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'She's come here and ruined our school. We're an outstanding school. I just feel like she's tried to sabotage the school.

'At the end of the day Trafford have said she has still got her position, she is still in the school but I swear we will not put our kids in that school with that headteacher.

'We've fought too hard, things have gone too far. She's like a dragon.'

Earlier this month, 17 of Bollin's 21 teachers walked out in protest. More than 900 people signed a 'no confidence' petition and Trafford Council last week issued a warning about the way the school is run.

Peter Middleman, from the National Union of Teachers, said members had met with the head, but reached no compromise.

The incidents appear to have come to a head after Trafford Council intervened and closed the school yesterday morning.

Today, the school remained closed for pupils as teachers and staff were locked in an emergency meeting with Trafford Council.

One man who came out of the building said: 'We've been told not to speak, I'm afraid I can't say what was going on. I can't comment sorry.'

Some teachers could be seen removing boxes and musical instruments from the main reception and putting them into the boot of their cars.

It's understood that parents have not been able to get any information from the school or council about the situation and have been relying on news reports to keep up to date.

People were seen entering and leaving Bollin Primary School today, as it remained closed

Only a few people were seen on the premises as the school remained closed for pupils while teachers and staff were locked in an emergency meeting with Trafford Council

Some staff made their way along to the school as meetings continued in the absence of pupils

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told MailOnline: 'I respect that Trafford Council will have their processes, but all the children were told that Mrs Marshall was taking the role at an assembly yesterday.

'The council have not given us any answers - they are just saying she has not been suspended or sacked. We don't know when the children will be back at school.

'The kids are all very upset by it all and we just hope it gets resolved soon.

'But I'm willing to take a little bit of pain to say bye to her. It got the point where parents and teachers felt they weren't able to do or say anything - this is not North Korea, this is Bowdon in Cheshire.

'What you saw in the video was the relief of the teachers. They were obviously letting off a bit of steam and somehow the video has gone out.

'But the party wasn't anything nasty. It was a spontaneous get together, because in the last few months they have been crying and been off sick at times due to everything going on.'

Some teachers could be seen removing boxes and musical instruments from the main reception and putting them into the boot of their cars today

Around 70 parents also protested outside the school.

Parents were contacted to collect their children and say they haven't been told when the school will open again.

Teachers captured in the video are understood to have been celebrating an apparent victory in their battle against the leadership at Bollin.

And it appears that those at the party believed Mrs Brindle was being ousted.

An investigation into the video and the circumstances surrounding the footage has been launched by the council, a spokesman said.

Other parents have been divided by the contents of the video.

One described it as 'an orderly celebration following a difficult few months' at the school.

Another, who asked not to be identified, said she was 'disgusted' by the video and its contents.

The parent said: 'I am absolutely disgusted and ashamed by it, and now we are having to suffer for the consequences.'

Problems are said to have begun when Mrs Brindle paid for a mock Ofsted inspection. It led to new rules being brought in which teachers say greatly increased their workload.

Children reported seeing teachers crying in corridors, and a long-serving member of staff was allegedly suspended.

Fourteen teachers and two assistants lodged grievances with the governing body, which are so far unresolved. Eight governors also resigned.

Worried parents then set up a WhatsApp online messaging group to discuss what was going on at the school, which was rated 'outstanding' in 2007.

But when Mrs Brindle, 40, heard they were talking over the internet, she sent letters to the parents of all 450 pupils, warning she would sue if her reputation was harmed.

She wrote: 'A number of social media posts have been made which are damaging to the reputation of the head and the school. Some are potentially libellous and leave individuals vulnerable to legal action.'

Staff have filed sixteen grievances since September and the row reached a head this week when teachers staged a strike. Around 70 parents also protested outside the school

A spokeswoman from Trafford Council said: 'Trafford Council and the Governors of The Bollin Primary School have agreed to close the school with immediate effect.

'This decision has not been taken lightly but is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the school in the light of concerns about the reduced capacity of the senior leadership at the school. The school will be closed until further notice, although the council reinforced its priority is to put measures in place so the school can reopen as soon as possible.

'The council is also aware of a film that is circulating in relation to the school and is investigating this further.

'Whilst we appreciate this matter will be a disruption to the pupils and family life, it is of the utmost importance to safeguard and protect pupils at the school.'
Japan's Takata Corp pleaded guilty to a felony charge as part of an expected $1 billion deal with the U.S. Justice Department that includes compensation funds for automakers and victims of its faulty airbag inflators.

After Takata's guilty plea on Monday, a federal judge in Detroit heard objections on Monday to the settlement raised by lawyers for some victims of Takata inflator ruptures.

Those attorneys argued that the settlement will be used by automakers to avoid liability, a court clerk said.

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Japan's Takata Corp (file above) pleaded guilty to a felony charge as part of an expected $1 billion deal with the U.S. Justice Department that includes compensation funds for automakers and victims of its faulty airbag inflators

At least 16 deaths have been linked to exploding Takata airbag (file above) inflators, as 11 occurred in the U.S. In addition, more than 100 people also suffered injuries related to the defect

DANGEROUS AIR BAGS WHICH CAN SPEW SHRAPNEL Takata air bags can inflate with too much force, which causes a metal canister to rupture and spew shrapnel into the vehicle. Tokyo-based Takata, unlike other manufacturers, uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to prolonged high heat and humidity and can burn faster than designed. That can blow apart a metal canister designed to contain the explosion. The problem touched off what is now the largest auto recall in US history. More than 69million inflators have been recalled in the US and more than 100million worldwide. Advertisement

Takata hopes to wins court approval of the settlement, which is a key hurdle to securing the backing of an investor or acquirer that can fund a turnaround effort and help it grapple with billions of dollars in costs related to the auto industry's biggest-ever recall.

Lawyers for U.S. vehicle owners have sued Honda Motor Co, Nissan Motor Co, BMW AG, Ford Motor Co, Mazda Motor Corp, and other automakers, alleging they knew about the defective Takata air bags for years but kept using them.

At least 16 deaths, 11 which occurred in the U.S., have been linked to exploding Takata airbag inflatorsm. In addition, more than 100 people suffered injuries related to the the defect.

The defects have led 10 automakers to recall more than 31 million cars worldwide since 2008 - the largest safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued in U.S. history.

All but one of the deaths have occurred in Honda vehicles.

Kevin Dean, a South Carolina lawyer for some Takata victims suing automakers, said in a court filing on Monday that the plea agreement is 'wrought with inaccurate, incomplete and misleading assertions of fact' that could help automakers avoid liability.

Takata last month had agreed to plead guilty to a single count of wire fraud.

That charge was related to receiving payment for the faulty deflators across state lines as part of a settlement with federal prosecutors.

The defects have led 10 automakers to recall more than 31 million cars worldwide since 2008. File above of a recalled Takata airbag inflator

U.S. prosecutors have charged three former senior Takata executives in Japan with falsifying test results to conceal the defect linked to the recall of about 100 million air bag inflators worldwide.

All three executives who were charged were suspended by Takata last year.

In January, Takata agreed to establish two independently administered restitution funds: one for $850 million to compensate automakers for recalls, and a second $125 million fund for individuals physically injured by Takata's airbags who have not already reached a settlement with the company.

Both funds are expected to be administered by compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg, who managed a similar fund for General Motors Co.

As of 2015, Takata was the second-largest supplier of air bags in the world, accounting for 20 percent of the air bags sold.

Automakers in the United States are set to continue recalling defective inflators through 2020.

U.S. safety regulators have said automakers are responsible for replacing defective airbags no matter what happens to Takata.
Swimmers and dog owners have been warned off entering the water near Kurnell Peninsular, south of Sydney, after a dog was eaten by a shark.

The dog was swimming in shallow waters off shore when a shark attacked the dog at Bonna Point, near the headland of Botany Bay on Sunday.

The shark - believed to be a bull shark - has sparked authorities into action with lifeguards warning people to avoid the water.

A dog was taken by a bull shark off the coast of Kurnell (pictured) on Sunday

A dog was taken in shallow waters by a shark off the coast of Kurnell (Stock Image)

The Sutherland Shire Council released a statement telling beachgoers to stay away from the water when it is dark or during twilight.

'Council lifeguards are at the Kurnell beaches advising swimmers and pet owners to keep out of the water and they have installed signs to alert the public to the shark sighting,' the statement read.

'NSW Department of Primary Industries advises people to avoid swimming or surfing when it is dark or during twilight hours and encourages the use of the SharkSmart app which has safety tips for swimmers, surfers, divers, snorkelers and spearfishers.'

The attack comes only a few weeks after a two metre bull shark was caught on camera only metres off shore at La Perouse in Sydney's south.

Only days before spearfisherman spotted another shark at Port Botany.
Chief Special Warfare Officer William 'Ryan' Owens, a 36-year-old from Illinois, was the first known combat casualty under Trump's presidency

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on behalf of President Trump that fallen SEAL Ryan Owens is a 'hero,' a day after Owens' father revealed he declined to meet with Trump during the transfer ceremony for his son's remains.

But Spicer rejected Bill Owens' call for a new investigation into the raid that led to his son's death, pointing to three Pentagon inquiries.

'I can't possibly imagine what he's going through in terms of the loss of a son,' Spicer told reporters Monday, when asked about Bill Owens' call for an inquiry and criticism of the mission.

'I can tell him that on behalf of the president, his son died a hero. And the information that he was able to help obtain through that raid, as I've said before, was going to save American lives. it's going to protect our country more,' Spicer said.

Owns also called the Yemen raid, which led to the first casualty of the Trump administration, a 'stupid mission.'

Although Spicer didn't bring up Owens' decision not to meet with Trump during the dignified transfer ceremony when the president went to Dover Air Force Base, he mentioned the fallen SEAL's widow.

'I can tell him that on behalf of the president, his son died a hero,' White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in response to calls by Bill Owens for an investigation into the Yemen raid that resulted in the death of his son

'I know that his wife, when she spoke to the president, knows that he did this because he loved it. He cared about our nation,' said Spicer, himself a Navy vet.

Spicer again referenced the 'success' of the operation, which led to civilian casualties as well as the destruction of a V-22 Osprey as well as the death of the eight-year-old daughter of slain terror leader Anwar al-Awlawki.

'The mission was successful in helping prevent a future attack or attacks on this nation. It obtained a lot of information that will help us keep safe,' Spicer said.

'With respect to his request, it is standard operating procedure for the Department of Defense to undergo what they call a 15-6 review. That review in this case is three-pronged,' he continued.

'Because there was a fatality and a loss of life, there's that. Because there were civilians involved, that's another. And then third is because there is hardware, a helicopter, that was damaged ... So, in fact, there will be three reviews [being] done by the Department of Defense because of the nature of this,' he said.

'But again, I can't stress enough that on behalf of the president, on behalf of this nation, we express our condolences, extend our prayers to him during this time,' Spicer said.

'When you look at what the stated goal of that mission was  it was an information and intelligence gathering mission  and it achieved its objectives,' he said.



Bill Owens is demanding an investigation into the planning of the Yemen raid, as he revealed he refused to attend the dignified transfer ceremony for his son.

Bill Owens told The Miami Herald that he refused to meet with the president and his daughter Ivanka when they both came to Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son, Chief Special Warfare Officer William 'Ryan' Owens.

The younger Owens, a married father of three, was the lone U.S. fatality in the January 27 raid on a suspected al-Qaida compound.

Bill Owens said that his family requested that no media or any bystanders be allowed to the ceremony, as they requested a private ceremony.

He explained that he learned shortly before the ceremony that the president was on his way from the White House to attend alongside his daughter.

'I'm sorry, I don't want to see him,' Owens recalled telling the chaplain of Trump. 'I told them I don't want to meet the President.'

He was sickened by the thought of shaking the hand of the man who approved his son's last mission.

Bill Owens holds a photo of his youngest son Navy SEAL William "Ryan" Owens in Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla

Bill Owens said he refused to meet with the president and Ivanka (together above to depart for the dignified transfer ceremony) on February 1 when they both came to Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son, William 'Ryan' Owens

'I told them I didn't want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn't let me talk to him,' the father said.

The upset father, who is also a military veteran, shared that he was also troubled by the attack Trump leveled at Khizr and Ghazala Kahn, an American Muslim family whose Army officer son died in Iraq in 2004.

The couple had criticized him at the Democratic National Convention last summer.

Now a Gold Star parent himself, Bill Owens is questioning why the president approved the raid a week after taking office.

'I want an investigation...The government owes my son an investigation,' the grieving father said.

'Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why?

This was the president's first clandestine strike. It involved 'boots on the ground' at an al Qaeda Camp near al Bayda in south central Yemen (pictured)

'For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life.

'Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?'

Not long after the raid, officials with the Trump administration called the mission a success and said important intelligence information was gathered.

Republican Senator John McCain called the operation a failure, but the White House hailed it as a success and said its detractors dishonored Owens' memory.

The fallen soldier's father also strongly disagrees with the administration's claims.

'Don't hide behind my son's death to prevent an investigation,' he stated.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told ABC's 'This Week' on Sunday she believes the president would support an investigation of the raid.

Launched January 29, six days into Trump's presidency, the raid quickly ran into trouble.

The Navy SEALs received fire from all sides as they attacked the objective, an Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula camp.

Air cover was called in and a V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft crash-landed during the fight and had to be destroyed on the ground.

By the time it was over, the 36-year-old Owens was dead along with as many as 16 civilians -- eight women and eight children, a Yemeni provincial official said.

Three other SEALs were wounded and three more US troops were injured in the V-22 crash.
Vulnerable families risk being picked on by TV licence inspectors, the head of the BBC warned last night.

Tony Hall is demanding 'urgent reassurance' after the ruthless tactics of the officials were exposed by the Daily Mail. He said Capita  the outsourcing firm paid 59million a year to collect licence fees  had 'fallen short of the standards the BBC has a right to expect on behalf of the British public'.

The director-general made his remarks in a stinging letter to Capita's 2.7million-a-year boss Andy Parker. Our undercover investigation revealed yesterday that the firm's agents are each told to catch at least 28 evaders a week  with the lure of 15,000 a year in bonuses.

BBC Director General Tony Hall, pictured, said he needs 'urgent reassurance' over the methods employed by outsourcing firm Capita to encourage their inspectors to find licence fee evaders

Lord Hall has written to Capita's 2.7million-a-year boss Andy Parker, pictured

Staff are told to gather evidence of evasion to drum up court cases.

Vulnerable people targeted in the past week include a war veteran with dementia. An undercover reporter who was interviewed for a job collecting licence fees was told: 'We will drive you as hard as we can to get as much as we can out of you because we're greedy.'

The BBC has ordered an urgent investigation into the findings and in further developments yesterday:

Yesterday's Daily Mail exposed the scandal

Dozens of victims contacted the Mail to tell of their ordeals at the hands of licence fee agents;

They included a student nurse, a parish councillor and a pensioner living in sheltered accommodation;

Theresa May told ministers to quiz the BBC about the Mail's probe;

MPs and campaigners accused TV Licensing of being 'out of control' and behaving like a 'doorstep loan shark'.

In his letter to Mr Parker, Lord Hall asked for urgent confirmation from Capita that 'vulnerable people are not targeted by Enquiry Officers'.

The Mail Investigations Unit yesterday revealed that Capita is overseeing an aggressive incentive scheme for licence fee agents.

An undercover reporter was told by TV Licensing boss Ian Doyle that officers must hit a target called the 'magic 28'  referring to the number of evaders they must snare every week. The officials can then claim another 20-25 for each person they catch over 28. The reporter was encouraged to spy on homes to work out when people come back from work, before trying to take money on the doorstep.

Mr Doyle said: 'Cash, debit, credit card, we'll take anything. I tell people I'll take shirt buttons.'

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley, pictured, has scheduled an urgent meeting with the BBC

Lord Hall wrote a stinging letter to Capita seeking answers following the Mail's investigation

While all households must have a licence if residents watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or BBC iPlayer, the Mail found vulnerable people have been taken to court unfairly. These included a woman at a refuge fleeing domestic abuse.

Following the Mail's investigation, Culture Secretary Karen Bradley arranged an urgent meeting with Lord Hall. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'The licence fee needs to be collected in a fair and reasonable manner. The BBC has quite rightly ordered an urgent investigation into these concerning reports, and ministers will be raising this with the BBC directly.'

Charles Walker, Conservative MP for Broxbourne, told the Mail some of his vulnerable constituents had been targeted and left feeling 'rattled, upset and bullied'.

He added: 'If you give Capita any room at all they will get most things wrong. The time has come for the secretary of state to intervene and put an end to these bully boy tactics.'

Andrew Bridgen, Tory MP for North West Leicestershire, said he was contacted by a constituent who was wrongly prosecuted by TV Licensing while he was chronically ill.

He added: 'The BBC employs complete double standards by producing programmes like Watchdog and then enforcing their licence fee collection with methods more suited to a doorstep loan shark.'

Capita says that it does not target vulnerable people. It says its incentive scheme applies only to sales of licence fees  not the number of people officers interview so they can be taken to court.

A spokesman added: 'The comments of the individuals in this interview do not reflect the standards we expect and paint a wholly misleading picture of the culture, skills and attitude of TV Licensing's operation.

'We are investigating what took place in the interview and have taken appropriate action.'

A BBC spokesman said last night: 'It's our policy to only prosecute evaders as a last resort.'

Duped on their doorsteps: How Capita inspectors exploit vulnerable people to earn their 15,000-a-year bonuses

By SARA SMYTH, GLEN KEOGH AND LUCY OSBORNE FOR THE DAILY MAIL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT

Furious homeowners contacted the Mail yesterday to tell of their ordeals at the hands of licence fee bullies.

They told of being duped at their front doors by agents talking to them informally  before they were hauled to court.

NURSE DUPED BY 'FRIENDLY' CHAT Martha Cottrell, pictured, was duped into signing a 'confession' on the first day she moved into student accommodation Martha Cottrell, 20, barely had time to unpack her bags at her new student house when a TV Licensing officer duped her into confessing to watching TV there. The nursing student explained that it was the first day of her tenancy when the officer knocked on her door. She thought they were having a friendly and casual chat. When he asked when she had last watched BBC TV, she said yesterday. Miss Cottrell was referring to watching at her family home in Cheshire with her parents, Eddy, 48, a chartered surveyor, and Helen, 48, a university lecturer. But the officer noted on an official statement that she had confessed to watching TV in the student house in Liverpool. Thinking she was taking a survey, Miss Cottrell then gave her signature, not realising that she had given a confession to illegally watching TV. Yesterday, she told the Mail: I was just being polite and telling the truth. He made me feel like I was doing the right thing by answering his questions. I had no idea that anything I said could result in a fine or a criminal record. I now feel he was really sneaky being so friendly but giving me no information. Three months after the visit, Miss Cottrell was sent a court summons. I was petrified at the thought of going to court. I broke down in tears, she said. To fight the case, Miss Cottrell would have had to take a day off her training programme on a hospital ward and bring her parents as witnesses to court. Hoping that her circumstances would be taken into account, Miss Cottrell instead pleaded guilty with mitigating factors and paid the 120 fine. Her father believed it would be wrong for her to go to court and be taken away from her work. Miss Cottrell has only ever watched recorded TV at her student home on a battery-powered iPad. Students who use devices not plugged into the mains while away at university, are covered by their parents TV licences. A TV Licensing spokesman said: We are investigating. Advertisement

PARISH COUNCILLOR HARASSED ON HER OWN DOORSTEP A parish councillor was subjected to a humiliating interrogation on her doorstep by a Capita agent despite having paid her TV licence for 40 years. Andrea Allgood, 68, was questioned for 15 minutes by a prying enforcement officer, who demanded she disclose personal details including her national insurance number. But when she tried to show her valid paper TV licence he refused to look at it. The retired pharmaceutical manager said: I did feel embarrassed. He just wanted to stand on my doorstep and wouldnt budge. I try as best I can to be a pillar of the local community so it was galling to have an interrogation done by my front door. Andrea Allgood, 68, right, pictured with her husband Fred, said she was humiliated by the inspector despite having paid for her TV licence for the past 40 years Were from a close-knit, small community and it would be easy for others to misconstrue what was going on. I didnt particularly want him in my house but it was an embarrassing experience for all to see. And most frustratingly, he wouldnt look at the TV licence I had in the house. Mrs Allgood was visited at home by the officer after she received a Capita letter threatening a 1,000 fine and criminal conviction for living in an unlicensed property. When she phoned up TV Licensing, she was told they could not discuss her case because her TV licence number had been allocated to another address. She and her husband Fred, 70, spent hours on the phone in an attempt to pass a basic security check and prove that their TV licence was paid in full. I knew everything would work out in the end because I was in the right, Mrs Allgood said. But the thought of having to go to court was really upsetting. After the pair complained to TV Licensing, officials admitted they had made an administrative error. Mr and Mrs Allgood were sent 30 compensation, which they donated to charity. A TV Licensing spokesman said: We are very sorry the Allgoods received a visit from an enquiry officer when they were licensed. We apologised to the Allgoods last November and offered a goodwill gesture. Advertisement

PENSIONER SCARED INTO PAYING June Appleby, 77, was frightened into paying for a TV licence when she did not require one. The retired Peugeot worker lives with her husband Barrie in sheltered accommodation, which is covered by a communal TV licence. But four years into their stay, the couple received a worrying letter through the post which said they must pay for a personal licence or face possible prosecution and a fine of up to 1,000. Mrs Appleby, then 74, paid for the eight months prior to her 75th birthday, after which she was entitled to free licence. However, a warden later spoke to residents and told them to ignore the letters. Residents were covered by the licence of the centre in Poole, Dorset. TV Licensing had made a mistake, she said. Mrs Appleby said: When you are 74 and you receive a threatening letter saying you havent got a TV licence and need to buy one immediately it makes you distressed. I told my husband I would rather pay the 145 than be fined 1,000. The letter frightened us to death. Mrs Appleby and her husband, a retired postman, took six months ringing TV Licensing  accruing a phenomenal phone bill  to retrieve the money. A spokesman for TV Licensing said: Were glad the issue has been resolved and are sorry if Mrs Appleby suffered any distress. Were looking into what happened. Advertisement

EX-PAT PROSECUTED DESPITE LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA A care worker was convicted of not paying a TV licence at a property he did not own and while he was living in South Africa. John Wheater, 44, has accused TV Licensing of rushing to prosecutions without making proper checks after his name and date of birth were fraudulently given to a Capita inspector. Mr Wheater, who has Aspergers, lived and worked in South Africa between March 2009 and 2013. But he was convicted in his absence by magistrates of not paying for a TV licence in 2010 for a period that came five months after he had left the UK. The stamps in his passport proved he was abroad. Mr Wheater, now of Portslade, East Sussex, found out about the court hearing only when he received a letter that threatened a prison term if a 200 fine was not paid immediately. He was stunned to discover he had a criminal record. John Wheater, pictured, was convicted of not having a television licence despite the fact he was living in South Africa between 2009 and 2013 Mr Wheater and his partner Mary Lockyer have since been locked in a cycle of correspondence with Capita prosecutors and magistrates courts in attempts to have the conviction quashed. Despite making a declaration that he was abroad, Mr Wheater is yet to have the conviction and fine set aside. He said: I cant believe how I am being treated. I want my name cleared and I want to be compensated for all the stress this has given me. Mortgage adviser Miss Lockyer added: Capita and the BBC seem to think they can operate outside the law. Not verifying any identification and going on to prosecute beggars belief. A TV Licensing spokesman said: We have apologised to Mr Wheater for the issues he faced. We act in good faith on the information provided to us. Advertisement

MOTHER CONVICTED OF EVASION AFTER SHE HAD PASSED AWAY The grieving family of Yvonne Daly discovered she had been prosecuted for not paying her TV licence three months after she died. The mother of five collapsed in the street and suffered a heart attack in April last year, aged just 43. Her family were shocked to open a local newspaper and see Miss Dalys name alongside the days court outcomes. In July last year, she had been convicted in her absence of using a TV without a licence and fined 220 with 120 costs. Miss Dalys mother Eileen Cash, from Accrington, Lancashire, said she was disgusted with TV Licensing. Mrs Cash, 63, added: She hadnt long been buried before we found out she had been convicted. It was awful to find out about it in the newspaper. It was completely disrespectful. We had to ring the newspaper and the court, saying that she hadnt paid or attended court because she had passed away. Yvonne Daly, pictured with her son Bailey was convicted of evasion after her death The family sent Miss Dalys death certificate to Blackburn Magistrates Court to ensure the conviction was quashed. She had been struggling with ill health and had told no one of her money problems. A spokesman for Blackburn Magistrates Court said: As soon as the circumstances were brought to the attention of the court, the conviction was set aside and the fine was withdrawn. A spokesman for TV Licensing said: When prosecution was initiated prior to Miss Dalys unforeseen and tragic death, the matter passed into the hands of the court. We requested for the case and fine to be withdrawn. Advertisement
A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to four years in prison for incest after having a child with his estranged biological daughter.

Gympie District Court heard the pair reconnected almost two years before they struck up a sexual relationship from 2008, The Gympie Times reported.

The father, from Gympie in regional Queensland, reached out to his adult daughter because he wanted to be a part of her life again after he abandoned her at the age of two.

A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to four years in prison for incest after having a child with his estranged biological daughter (stock image)

The pair eventually conceived a baby girl together after the then 20-year-old woman fell pregnant during their consensual relationship.

The couple's daughter, who is now five years old, has genetic problems, including intellectual difficulties and is incapable of verbal communication.

The labourer worker was found to have a mental ability of a nine-year-old after he was ordered to undergo a medical examination.

Gympie District Court (pictured) heard the pair reconnected almost two years before they struck up a sexual relationship from 2008

However, a judge said the man's intellectual disability did not excuse his actions.

The man, who pleaded guilty to five counts of incest, was given a suspended jail sentence after he serves nine months.

Meanwhile, his daughter, who was charged with five counts of incest, has her case adjourned as she undergoes ongoing psychiatric evaluation.
Advertisement

The bigger the better, as far as one city in China is concerned.

Suzhou, located west of Shanghai, boasts a version of London's Tower Bridge, which is double the size with four turrets instead of two.

Admirers of the structure claim it is 'more magnificent' than the original design and it has been a hit location for wedding photography.

Twin towers: Suzhou, located west of Shanghai, boasts a version of London's Tower Bridge, which is double the size with four turrets instead of two

Looking down: Admirers of the structure claim it is 'more magnificent' than the original design and it has been a hit location for wedding photography

The replica landmark, built in 2010 along the river Yuanhetang, has four turrets, each standing 40 metres (131 feet) tall.

The towers are connected by two suspended walkways, which are open to the public.

A newspaper column, published today, claimed that 'the bridge is very similar to the Tower Bridge in appearance, however it is more magnificent'.

It went on: 'Designers meticulously changed the original structure and turned the two turrets into four.'

The article appeared on Huanqiu.com, an affiliation to People's Daily. It was originally written by an author named Xiao Lu on Fast Techology.

Unlike the real Tower Bridge, which was opened in 1894, Suzhou's model is not cantilevered and cannot open to let tall boats pass.

According to Now.com, the duplicate bridge cost 80 million yuan (9.4 million) to build. It is thought to be a part of a grand plan by the Suzhou government to build a bridge museum over the city's numerous waterways.

While many local residents have applauded the overpass, some are said to be 'ashamed' of the knock-off.

London is not the only city to have inspired builders in Suzhou, though.

Coming through: The replica landmark, built in 2014 along the river Yuanhetang, has four turrets, each standing 40 metres tall

Spot the difference: Unlike the real Tower Bridge, which was opened in 1894, Suzhou's model is not cantilevered and cannot open to let tall boats pass

Cityscape: According to the South China Morning Post , the duplicate bridge cost 'hundreds of millions of yuan' although no exact figure was given

Mixed feelings: While many local residents have applauded the overpass, some are said to be 'ashamed' of the knock-off

Sitting about 200 miles north-west of Shanghai, the area has become well known for cloning other world-famous landmarks.

In 2008, the Suzhou authority announced they would build the copies of 56 landmark bridges from around the world on its rivers.

As a result, the city also has its own Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as a copy-cat Alexandre III Bridge straight out of the French capital, Paris.

On top of that, the area boasts a Dutch town complete with windmill and Dutch-style housing.

Suzhou, a city with 6.6 million residents, is often dubbed the 'Venice of the East' and has been an important hub of China's silk industry for around a thousand years.

Fitting in: The Victorian Gothic style of the bridge contrasts greatly with the modern structures surrounding it

Keeping it local: The bridge in China was built by the Suzhou Municipal Engineering Design Institute

User-friendly: The bridge has vertical floating walkways so pedestrians can admire the view and there are two coffee shops
Social media is fast becoming many peoples first source of news, which means the news we read largely depends on how viral an article or video becomes.

If you have shared, commented or liked a video or story lately, you have contributed to spreading that content around  but have you ever wondered what qualities a video or article must have before you share it?

Psychologists have now examined what happens in our brains before we decide to contribute to making something go viral.

Scroll down for video

Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania examined people's brains as they read headlines and abstracts of 80 New York Times health articles (stock image)

WHAT DID THEY DO? Volunteers read headlines and abstracts of 80 New York Times health articles. They rated how likely they were to read and share the articles. Researchers examined the parts of the brain associated with self-related thinking. Regardless of whether the participants decided to read the article or share it for others, they thought about both themselves and others, the study found. Advertisement

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania looked into brain activity that leads people to read or share an article.

Focusing on health articles, the team found specific regions of the brain determine how valuable something would be to share information.

After identifying a specific pattern of brain activity, the researchers were able to identify which articles were going to go viral.

People are interested in reading or sharing content that connects to their own experiences, or to their sense of who they are or who they want to be, says Dr Emily Falk, lead author of the paper.

They share things that might improve their relationships, make them look smart or empathetic or cast them in a positive light.

By using fMRI, the researchers measured people's brain activity while they read headlines and abstracts of 80 New York Times health articles.

Participants also rated how likely they were to read and share the articles, which had been chosen for their similarity of subject matter - covering nutrition, fitness, healthy living - and length.

The researchers examined the parts of the brain associated with self-related thinking, regions associated with imagining what others might think, and with overall value.

Regardless of whether the participants decided to read the article or share it for others, they thought about both themselves and others, the study found.

Focusing on health articles, the team found specific regions of the brain determine how valuable something would be to share information (stock image)

When you're thinking about what to read yourself and about what to share, both are inherently social, and when you're thinking socially, you're often thinking about yourself and your relationships to others, said Elisa Baek, researcher on the papers.

Your self-concept and understanding of the social world are intertwined.

A second study, to be published next week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), showed how these brain signals can be used to predict how viral the same news articles would become around the world.

The articles that were widely-shared among New York Times readers were the same ones that became popular in the general population.

If we can use a small number of brains to predict what large numbers of people who read the New York Times are doing, it means that similar things are happening across people, co-author Christin Scholz said.

The fact that the articles strike the same chord in different brains suggests that similar motivations and similar norms may be driving these behaviours.

Similar things have value in our broader society.




The creation pushes the boundaries of 'metamaterials', a class of finely-engineered surfaces that perform nature-defying tasks

These fields could be used to create 'audio hotspots' and even target tumours

The material forms bricks which can be stuck together to create 'sound fields'

A new super-material focuses and bends sound waves that pass through it

Researchers have come up with a simple and cheap way of shaping sound waves using a new types of 'super-material'.

The material can be 3D-printed into fingernail-sized bricks which can be combined into a sheet to control sound.

This sheet can then be stuck onto the front of loudspeakers to accurately direct the outgoing sound waves and create audio 'hotspots' that only the user can hear.

Scroll down for video

These metamaterial bricks together create a new super-material that manipulates sound. Each of the bricks coil up space and act to slow down sound, meaning that incoming sound waves can be accurately directed to specific audio 'hot spots'

WHAT IS A METAMATERIAL? Metamaterials are a new class of finely-engineered surfaces that perform nature-defying tasks. They make it possible to create various mechanisms from a single piece of plastic. Most are designed on computers and 3D-printed as plastic blocks or slabs. Some metamaterials can bend infrared radiation such as visible light, meaning they could be used to create invisibility cloaks in the future. Others can bend sound waves to focus them for medical or audial functions. Advertisement

The bricks were created using metamaterials - a new class of finely-engineered surfaces that perform nature-defying tasks.

Metamaterials are already being used to develop a real-life version of Harry Potters invisibility cloak.

The metamaterials in this study were used to bend, shape and focus sound waves.

The innovation could not only be used to create audio hotspots, but also to destroy tumours inside the body.

Researchers from the Universities of Sussex and Bristol assembled a metamaterial layer out of lots of small bricks that each coil up.

The bricks act to slow down sound, meaning that incoming sound waves can be transformed into any required 'sound field'.

'Each brick has a labyrinth structure which is carefully designed to delay the time it takes for sound to go through the structure,' Professor Sriram Subramanian, head of the Interact Lab at the University of Sussex, told MailOnline.

'When sound enters the brick on one-side, it has to go through this maze of obstacles created by the labyrinth structure, and comes out on the other side.

'The labyrinth is designed carefully to create a set of bricks that all introduce different delays.

'Then by assembling this mosaic of bricks we can shape the sound field as desired.'

Professor Subramanian told the MailOnline that the bricks can be made of any rigid material.

'In our case it was a polymer that is used in our 3D printer,' he said.

'But the key is the shape of the piece.'

Large versions of the new metamaterial layers could be used to direct or focus sound to a particular location and form an audio hotspot, according to the experts.

Much smaller versions could be used to focus high intensity ultrasound to destroy tumours deep within the body.

If this is realised, a metamaterial layer could be tailor-made to fit the body of a patient and tuned to focus the ultrasound waves where they are needed most.

In both cases the layer could be fitted to existing loudspeaker technology and be made rapidly and cheaply.

Currently, finely shaped sound fields are used in medical imaging and therapy as well as in a wide range of consumer products such as audio spotlights and ultrasonic haptics.

This graphic shows how slightly different metamaterial bricks can be combined (coloured dots) to create a board that can produce any desired acoustic field. Layers of bricks can be added onto the front of loudspeakers to direct its outgoing sound waves like a funnel

Dr Gianluca Memoli, from the Interact Lab at the University of Sussex led the study published in the journal Nature Communications.

Our metamaterial bricks can be 3D printed and then assembled together to form any sound field you can imagine, he said.

We also showed how this can be achieved with only a small number of different bricks.

'You can think of a box of our metamaterial bricks as a do-it-yourself acoustics kit.

Professor Subramanian added: We want to create acoustic devices that manipulate sound with the same ease and flexibility with which LCDs and projectors do to light.

Metamaterials are a new class of finely-engineered surfaces that perform nature-defying tasks.

COULD ELASTIC TUBES IN WALLS TURN SOUND ON AND OFF? Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge last year created a new material that can block out noise at the touch of a button. It could provide a new type of smart sound insulation to help avoid interruptions in the middle of the night. The material used spring-like structures that can be stretched or squashed to interfere with sound waves, effectively turning the noise that can pass through it on or off. It could provide a new way of creating rooms that can have their sound proofing turned on and off, which could find uses in buildings or transportation. The material, for example, could be used to insulate homes allowing sounds of the world outside to come inside during the day before being blocked out at night. Advertisement

They make it possible to create various mechanisms from a single piece of plastic.

Most are designed on computers and 3D-printed as plastic blocks or slabs.

Some metamaterials can bend infrared radiation such as visible light, meaning they could be used to create invisibility cloaks in the future.

Others can bend sound waves to focus them for medical or audial functions.

Last year, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge created a new material that can block out noise at the touch of a button.

It could provide a new type of smart sound insulation to help avoid interruptions in the middle of the night.

The material used spring-like structures that can be stretched or squashed to interfere with sound waves, effectively turning the noise that can pass through it on or off.

It could provide a new way of creating rooms that can have their sound proofing turned on and off, which could find uses in buildings or transportation.

The material, for example, could be used to insulate homes allowing sounds of the world outside to come inside during the day before being blocked out at night.
Secretary of State Rex Tillersons first overseas trip as the United States top diplomat was to the G-20 foreign ministers meeting in Bonn. The summit meetings with officials from the worlds largest economies focused on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development maintaining peace in a complex world, the future of a rules-based international order, and cooperation with Africa.

Secretary Tillerson also participated in discussions on Yemen and Syria, as well as several bilateral meetings with allies, partners, and others.

After a trilateral meeting with the Foreign Ministers of South Korea and Japan, Secretary Tillerson joined his counterparts in issuing a statement condemning in the strongest terms North Koreas February 12, 2017 ballistic missile test, noting North Koreas flagrant disregard for multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions that expressly prohibit its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

Secretary Tillerson reiterated the United States strong commitment to the defense of its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defense capabilities.

Secretary Tillerson said his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was productive.

He reiterated that the United States will consider working with Russia where we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people. Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interest and values of America and her allies. Mr. Tillerson added, As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine.

At the conclusion of the G-20 meeting, Mr. Tillerson told reporters he had met a lot of people, made a lot of new friends, and that he planned to brief President Trump on the discussions he had in Bonn. The meetings in which the Secretary of State participated will help lay the groundwork for the G-20 Leaders Summit in July.
Chinese smartphone firm Huawei has unveiled its latest device it believes can compete with the iPhone.

Called the P10, the smartphone comes with a 5.1-inch full HD screen and a dual-rear camera manufactured alongside camera firm Leica.

The German camera-maker has also created the front-facing camera for Huawei for the first time and enhanced the phone's selfie-taking ability.

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Chinese manufacturer Huawei has unveiled the P10 at the Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona. The phone comes with a 5.1-inch full HD screen and a dual-rear camera manufactured alongside camera firm Leica

The phone features a camera on its front that can detect how many people are in picture.

If here is more than one person being photographed in a 'selfie', it automatically moves from standard to wide-angle mode.

Meanwhile 3D depth-sensing technology is also used to help enhance portraits.

Huawei has gained significant ground in the smartphone market in recent years with a string of new premium phones designed to challenge the dominance of the likes of Samsung and Apple in China as well as globally.

The firm revealed details of ahead of the opening of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) being held in Barcelona from today.

It also releasing a Plus version of the P10, complete with a 5.5-inch quad HD screen.

HOW DO HUAWEI'S LATEST PHONES COMPARE TO THE IPHONE 7? Specifications Huawei P10 Huawei P10 Plus Apple iPhone 7 Display size, resolution 5.1-inch; 1,920x1,080 pixels 5.5-inch; 2,560x1,440 pixels 4.7-inch; 1334x750 pixels Pixel density 431ppi 534ppi 326 ppi Dimensions (Inches) 5.72x2.7x0.27-inches 6.04x2.92x0.27-inches 5.44x2.64x0.28-inches Dimensions (Millimeters) 145.3x69.3x6.98mm 153.5x74.2x6.98mm 138.3x67.1x7.1 mm Weight (Ounces, Grams) TBA TBA 4.87 oz; 138 g Mobile software Android 7.0 Nougat Android 7.0 Nougat Apple iOS 10 Camera 20-megapixel monochrome + 12-megepixel RGB 20-megapixel monochrome + 12-megepixel RGB 12-megapixel (wide) Front-facing camera 8-megapixel 8-megapixel 7-megapixel Video capture 4K 4k 4K Processor 2.5 GHz + 1.8 GHz octa-core Huawei Kirin 960y 2.5 GHz + 1.8 GHz octa-core Huawei Kirin 960y Apple A10 chip (64-bit) Storage 64GB 64GB 32GB, 128GB, 256GB RAM 4GB 4GB N/A Expandable storage TBA TBA None Battery 3,200mAh 3,750mAh 14 hour talk time on 3G, 10 days standby, 12 hours internet use on LTE Fingerprint sensor Home button Home button Home button Connector USB-C USB-C Lightning Special features Dual-cameras, multiple color options and finishes, Gorilla Glass 5 Dual-cameras, multiple color options and finishes, Gorilla Glass 5 Water and dust-resistant, Taptic Home button Price off-contract (USD) TBA TBA $649 (32GB); $749 (128GB); $849 (256GB) Price (GBP) TBA TBA 599 (32GB); 699 (128GB); 799 (256GB) Price (AUD) TBA TBA AU$1,079 (32GB), AU$1,229 (128GB), AU$1,379 (256GB)

The P10 will be available in a wide variety of colours and finishes. Huawei has gained significant ground in the smartphone market in recent years with a string of new premium phones designed to challenge the dominance of the likes of Samsung and Apple

The two models are expected to be available in the UK and across Europe from March at a cost of between 550 (649) for the lowest tier model and 680 (799) for the highest.

Huawei also announced it will also be releasing the handset in other parts of the world, including Australia, most of Asia and parts of the middle east.

It is not yet clear why a time-frame for the US was omitted from the latest news release.

The firm's chief executive Richard Yu said of the announcement: 'With Huawei P10 and P10 Plus, we have created a smartphone that revolutionises and redefines portrait photography.'

Richard Yu, chief executive of Huawei's consumer business, holds up new P10 devices during the presentation ceremony at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain

The P10's new Leica Dual-Camera 2.0 features a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor, a 12-megapixel RGB sensor and 8-megapixel Leica front camera.

The P10 will have full HD resolution 5.1-inch screen, with full HD resolution.

The P10 Plus has a 2K display for more details. The P Series' signature camera window is flush with the back of the device.

Both its 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch models feature the latest Corning Gorilla 5 Glass protection and narrow bezel edges.

The handset's fingerprint sensor is now on the front of the phone and lies under one continuous pane of glass and will replace the navigation bar found on previous models, making the screen view bigger.

Both handsets will be available in a wide variety of colours and finishes.

The P10 and P10 Plus (pictured) are expected to be available in the UK and across Europe from March at a cost of between 550 (649) for the lowest tier model and 680 (799) for the highest

As well as the two phones, Huawei also announced a second-generation of their wearable Huawei Watch 2, which is expected to cost around 280 (329).

The new smartwatch comes with built-in GPS and 4G connectivity as well as 2GB of internal storage so can be used to track exercise and store music independent of a user's smartphone.

Apps built into the Watch 2 will also enable users to select from a preloaded list of exercises as well as create their own training plans.

The announcements followed those of BlackBerry and LG, who have already revealed new smartphones ahead of the opening of MWC.
It seems straight women are missing out when it comes to climaxing.

In what could be proof that men are useless in bed, a new study has found they are much less likely to orgasm during sex than lesbians.

While 95 per cent of straight men always orgasm during sex, less than two thirds (65 per cent) of women do, according to a study of more than 50,000 people.

But the 'orgasm gap' is smaller between homosexual people, with 89 per cent of gay men and 86 per cent of lesbians saying that they orgasm during every sexual encounter.

Scientists from California have revealed that lesbians and straight men are much more likely to climax during sex than straight women

THE 'GOLDEN TRIO' Researchers said the secret to the female orgasm, which they call the 'golden trio', involves a combination of genital stimulation, deep kissing and oral sex. They found that 80 per cent of straight women and 91 per cent of lesbians reported that they always or usually orgasm from this combination. Advertisement

Scientists from Chapman University in the California asked 52,000 people aged between 18 and 65 to take part in an online survey.

All participants were US-based and part of a monogamous relationship.

They asked people of different sexual orientations whether they 'always' or 'usually' have an orgasm during sex.

'We had the rare opportunity to look at responses from over 50,000 people, including over 2,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women,' Dr David Frederick, lead author of the research from Chapman University, told the Guardian.

The study also found that two thirds (66 per cent) of bisexual women frequently orgasm, while 88 per cent of bisexual men do.

'The orgasm gaps between men and heterosexual women were well known prior to this study,' said Dr Frederick.

While 95 per cent of straight men always orgasm during sex, less than two thirds (65 per cent) of women do, according to the study of more than 50,000 people

PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WHO USUALLY ORGASM DURING SEX 65% of heterosexual women 66% of bisexual women 86% of lesbian women 88% of bisexual men 89% of gay men 95% of heterosexual men Advertisement

'The gaps between lesbian women and heterosexual women, however, were more speculative or based on small samples of lesbian women.

'This study highlights much more precisely that there are multiple orgasm gaps.'

The researchers said that homosexual women may orgasm more often than heterosexual women because lesbians have a better 'understanding' of what makes a woman aroused.

Men are more likely to hold the misguided belief that vaginal sex is key to the female orgasm, according to the researchers.

'About 30 per cent of men actually think that intercourse is the best way for women to have orgasm, and that is sort of a tragic figure because it couldn't be more incorrect,' said co-author of the research Elisabeth Lloyd, a professor of biology at Indiana University and author of The Case of the Female Orgasm.

'To say that there needs to be some education I think is an understatement.'

According to the study, close to half (44 per cent) of straight women said they are unable to climax from vaginal sex alone.

Researchers said the key to reaching orgasm, which they call the 'golden trio', involves a combination of genital stimulation, deep kissing and oral sex.

They found that 80 per cent of straight women and 91 per cent of lesbians always or usually orgasm from this combination.

The study also found that while 41 per cent of straight men believe their partner always reaches orgasm, only one third (33 per cent) of women actually do.

Dr Lloyd said: 'Part of this difference in perception could be due to women faking orgasms, which research has suggested women will do for a variety of reasons, including out of love for their partner, to protect their partner's self-esteem, intoxication, or to bring the sexual encounter to an end.'

The study was published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour.
Masayoshi Son, CEO of mobile company Softbank, has predicted that there will be more smart robots helping humans than there will be people on Earth by 2040.

The Japanese businessman also claimed that 1 trillion microchips designed for the so-called internet of things (IoT) will be delivered around the world over the next 20 years.

Mr Son, also CEO of IoT software company ARM, made the comments at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona today.

He went on to say that the number of microchip 'brain cells' will overtake the number of human neurons in 2018.

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CEO and chairman of mobile company Softbank and its IoT subsidiary ARM Masayoshi Son (pictured here with Softbank robot 'Pepper' in 2014) announced at the World Mobile Congress that ARM will deliver a trillion microchips designed for the internet of things by 2040

DEFINING THE INTERNET OF THINGS Although the term Internet of Things (IoT) first appeared in 2005, there is still no widely accepted definition. The phrase 'IoT' often refers to devices or sensors - other than computers, smartphones, or tablets - that connect, communicate or transmit information over the web. IoT includes gadgets bought by consumers, as well as products and services designed for businesses to help machines communicate with each other. For example, the term IoT can include the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags businesses place on products in stores to track their inventory, or sensors that monitor electricity use in hotels. Advertisement

The Japanese businessman predicted that an army of 10 billion smart robots designed to help humans will grow over the next 25 years.

But Mr Son cautioned that these advances won't come without risks, and addressing cybersecurity issues will have to be part of the equation.

He said: 'There are about 500 ARM chips in a car today and none of them are secure.'

The business giant predicted that 64 per cent of cyber attacks will be through hacking IoT connected objects in the future.

Concerns have been raised that hackers could use IoT devices to attack or spy on users from within their homes.

Last year, for example, hackers attacked websites such as Twitter, Paypal and Spotify by targeting hundreds of thousands of internet-connected devices from millions of internet addresses in one the largest attacks ever seen.

Now, it appears that a trillion new 'smart' devices are on their way, such as door locks controlled from a smartphone or smart lights that flash when they sense an intruder.

The internet of things (IoT) refers to a smart, connected network of devices that can all 'speak' to one another through the internet.

The phrase 'IoT' often refers to devices or sensors - other than computers, smartphones, or tablets - that connect, communicate or transmit information over the web.

These devices all need microchips to function, and Softbank's semiconductor and software subsidiary ARM plans to deliver 1trillion over the next 20 years, the chairman and CEO of the Japanese company announced on Monday.

The Japanese businessman also claimed that 1 trillion microchips designed for the so-called internet of things (IoT) will be delivered around the world over the next 20 years. Illustrated in this graphic are some of the Internet of Things gadgets that are already in production

Mr Son said the growing number of microchip 'brain cells' opens up a huge opportunity for smart and connected objects.

'This is why I spent $32 billion (26 billion) to acquire ARM,' Mr Son said, explaining his 30-year-vision of a world where the artificial computer brain will have 10,000 intelligence quotient (IQ) capabilities compared with 100 for the average human.

Jennifer Belissent, an analyst at Forrester Research who attended Son's keynote speech, said the numbers he mentioned were very dramatic.

'The greater connectivity and new artificial IQ capabilities offer so much potential. It sets the scene for a Marvel movie,' she said.

'Now, the key question is how to make that new technology available to everyone.

'It's not the number of new devices that is relevant but what you make out of it in terms of analytical capabilities.'

Faced with a secular decline in average revenue per user (ARPU) and a smartphone market only expected to grow by 5 per cent in the coming years, Mr Son stressed the need for mobile operators to invest in new technology.

Son and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund have created a technology investment fund that could grow as large as $100billion (80billion) and become a kingpin in the high-tech industry.
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The world of car racing is set to get a futuristic update with the unveiling of the world's first driverless electric race car.

Roborace revealed the stunning vehicle, dubbed 'Robocar' today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Two of the Robocars will go head to head in a race later this year, setting up the potential for a race series dedicated to driverless cars.

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Roborace revealed the stunning vehicle, dubbed 'Robocar' today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

KEY SPECIFICATIONS The Robocar weighs 975 kilograms, and measures 4.8 metres long and two metres wide. Four motors, each with 300kW and a 540kW battery allow the car to reach dizzy speeds of over 320kph (200mph). A number of technologies allow the car to 'drive' without a driver, including five lidars, two radars, 18 ultrasonic sensors, two optical speed sensors and six AI cameras. It is powered by Nvidia's Drive PX2 brain, which is capable of up to 24 trillion AI operations each second. Advertisement

Denis Sverdlov, Roborace CEO alongside Daniel Simon, Roborace Chief Design Officer, unveiled the futuristic car on stage during a keynote address on the evolution of autonomous vehicles.

Mr Sverdlov said: 'This is a huge moment for Roborace as we share the Robocar with the world and take another big step in advancing driverless electric technology.

'I am so proud of the entire team and our partners and particularly the work Daniel has done creating this beautiful machine.

'It was very important for us that we created an emotional connection to driverless cars and bring humans and robots closer together to define our future.'

The car is the brainchild of Mr Simon, an automotive futurist who creates vehicles for Hollywood sci-fi blockbusters, including Tron Legacy and Oblivian.

The Robocar weighs 975 kilograms, and measures 4.8 metres long and two metres wide.

Four motors, each with 300kW and a 540kW battery allow the car to reach dizzy speeds of over 200 mph (320km/h).

A number of technologies allow the car to 'drive' without a driver, including five lidars, two radars, 18 ultrasonic sensors, two optical speed sensors and six AI cameras.

Four motors, each with 300kW and a 540kW battery allow the car to reach dizzy speeds of over 320kph (200mph)

It is powered by Nvidia's Drive PX2 brain, which is capable of up to 24 trillion AI operations each second

It is powered by Nvidia's Drive PX2 brain, which is capable of up to 24 trillion AI operations each second.

Mr Simon said: 'Roborace opens a new dimension where motorsport as we know it meets the unstoppable rise of artificial intelligence.

'Whilst pushing the boundaries of engineering, we styled every single part of the Robocar.

'We take special pride in revealing a functional machine that stays true to the initial concept shared, a rarity in automotive design and a testament of our determination. It's a great feeling to set this free.'

Roborace provides an open AI platform for companies to develop their own driverless software and push the limits in a safe environment

The series is designed to be a test of intelligence, so all teams will use the same 'Robocar' programmed with their own software

Roborace provides an open AI platform for companies to develop their own driverless software and push the limits in a safe environment.

The series is designed to be a test of intelligence, so all teams will use the same 'Robocar' programmed with their own software.

The 'brain' of the Robocar is the Nvidia Drive PX2, which uses AI to tackle the complexities of autonomous driving.

It uses deep learning for 360-degree situational awareness around the car, to determine precisely where the car is, and to compute a safe and efficient trajectory.

Denis Sverdlov, CEO of Roborace (pictured left), and Daniel Simon, the designed of the car (pictured right) unveiled the car

Roborace will continue to use DevBots for demonstrations and testing, introducing the Robocar into public displays during the remainder of 2017, with two Robocars taking to the track together later this year

Rob Csongor, Vice-President of automotive for Nvidia said: 'Roborace and NVIDIA today push the boundary to accelerate the development of deep learning systems for safer passenger and commercial vehicles.'

To date, Roborace has been performing demonstrations with its development cars, known as 'Devbots.'

In their last outing, the cars were put on display on a custom-built city street track at Formula E's ePrix in Buenos Aires.

Roborace will continue to use DevBots for demonstrations and testing, introducing the Robocar into public displays during the remainder of 2017, with two Robocars taking to the track together later this year.

The firm has not said how much the car cost to make, and did not specify when it would be hitting the track.

The car is the brainchild of Mr Simon, an automotive futurist who creates vehicles for Hollywood sci-fi blockbusters, including Tron Legacy and Oblivian

The firm has not said how much the car cost to make, and did not specify when it would be hitting the track
Nasa is sending a robot to the sun to help understand dangerous solar activity which could threaten humanity's existence.

The spacecraft will swoop to within 4 million miles of the sun's surface next year- facing extremes in heat and radiation.

The mission, known as the Solar Probe Plus (SPP), will go seven times closer to the sun's surface than any spacecraft before it.

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Nasa is launching the Solar Probe Plus (SPP) which scientists hope will unlock secrets of the sun's corona - the hole at the heart of the star

WHY THIS MISSION? The coroner is the sun's outer atmosphere. It is unstable and produces solar wind and flares. Millions of tons of highly magnetized material can erupt from the sun at speeds of several million miles an hour. We need to get closer to it in order to understand how it works. Click here for more information. Advertisement

Scientists have long wanted to send a probe through the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, to better understand the solar wind and the material it carries into our solar system.

'This is going to be our first mission to fly to the sun,' said Eric Christian, a Nasa research scientist at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

'We can't get to the very surface of the sun,' but the mission will get close enough to answer three important questions, he said.

To survive its mission, the spacecraft will need to withstand temperatures outside the spacecraft of 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,377 degrees Celsius).

It will be made of a 4.5 inch-thick (11.43 cm) carbon-composite shield.

Until scientists can explain what is going on up close to the sun, they will not be able to accurately predict space weather effects that cause havoc at Earth.

The latest mission could help predict a 'huge solar event', Nasa claims.

The SSP will need to withstand temperatures outside the spacecraft of 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,377 degrees Celsius)

Until scientists can explain what is going on up close to the sun they will not be able to accurately predict space weather effects that can cause havoc at Earth

The sun is the source of the solar wind; a flow of gases from the sun that streams past Earth at speeds of more than a million miles per hour.

Disturbances in the solar wind shake Earth's magnetic field and pump energy into the radiation belts.

One recent study by the National Academy of Sciences estimated that without advance warning a huge solar event could cause two trillion dollars in damage in the US alone.

It could leave the eastern seaboard of the US could be without power for a year.

The SPP will be protected by the sun's heat by a 4.5 inch-thick (11.43 cm) carbon-composite shield

Millions of tons of highly magnetized material can erupt from the sun at speeds of several million miles an hour.

'This mission will provide insight on a critical link in the Sun-Earth connection. Data will be key to understanding and, perhaps, forecasting space weather', said Nasa.

'Until we can explain what is going on up close to the sun, we will not be able to accurately predict space weather effects that can cause havoc at Earth.'

At its closest point, the SPP will be travelling at 450,000 miles per hour.
Samsung may have delayed the reveal of its upcoming flagship handset until next month, but a new leak gives the first look at a working Galaxy S8.

A video claiming to show a gold Galaxy S8 has surfaced and it reveals the keyboard setup and Contacts application.

The clip also suggests the handset will have a dual-edge curved display with minimal bezels and no physical home button  rumors that have been floating around the web for months.

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Samsung may have delayed the reveal of its upcoming flagship handset until next month, but a new leak gives the first look at a working Galaxy S8. A video claiming to show a gold Galaxy S8 has surfaced and it reveals the keyboard setup and Contacts application

SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 A video obtained MobileFun shares the first look of what could be the Samsung Galaxy S8. The clip reveals the keyboard setup and how the Contacts application will work. The clip also suggests the handset will have a dual-edge curved display with minimal bezels and no physical home button. The handset in the short video boasts a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge screen and because the display takes up a majority of the phone's face, it appears Samsung was not able to include there logo on the front. Advertisement

The video was obtained by MobileFun, a British online retailer, which is known for detailed leaks.

'We were sent this from our china sourcing team for the Olixar brand who received the phone ahead of launch to test the following screen protectors which I'll attach in this email,' Mike Hart, who creates and runs the content on the MobileFun YouTube channel, told DailyMail.com in an email.

'We're 100% sure this is the S8 due to the teaser released by Samsung yesterday in which they reveal the new button-less front panel, allowing for a larger screen to body ratio, previously unseen in smartphones of this nature.'

The handset in the short video boasts a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge screen and because the display takes up a majority of the phone's face, it appears Samsung was not able to include their logo on the front.

MobileFun's leak also confirms that the smartphone will have tiny top and bottom bezels and will run on a new version of Samsung's TouchWiz UI.

'We can confirm that the S8 will come in two models, the S8 and the S8 Plus. Both featuring no home buttons in favor of digital buttons,' explained Hart.

'We also noticed that the on screen buttons will be switchable to allow for more customization.'

The handset in the short video boasts a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge screen and because the display takes up a majority of the phone's face, it appears Samsung was not able to include their logo on the front

The smartphone shown in the video does look very similar to other images that have surfaced in the past. But this is the first leak that gives users a look at how the keyboard could look and at the Contacts application

The smartphone shown in the video does look very similar to other images that have surfaced in the past.

For many Samsung customers, the Galaxy S8 is not just the firm's next phone, but a chance for the smartphone maker to redeem itself for the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco in which 2.5 million devices were recalled after reports that some were exploding.

MOBILEFUN LEAKS CASES A video from MobileFun gives users a glimpse at what could be the cases for the Samsung S8 and the S8 Plus. The leaks suggest that both smartphones will be similar in height to the Galaxy S7 family, but the S8 Plus could be the widest handset the firm has yet to make. There are three cutouts on the bottom that Hart believes is a speaker, a jack for the headphones and the stylus. The cases shows what could be dual speakers. It appears that both the S8 and the S8 Plus will be designed with wireless charging, as the charging port cutouts are missing, and will be come with the S Pen. The power button has been relocated to the same side as the volume buttons, leaving one side empty for a cleaner look. Advertisement

However, Android users will have to wait a little longer to for the Galaxy S8  the firm revealed at the Mobile World Congress that it is waiting to unveil the handset at an event on March 29 in New York.

Samsung shared a teaser at the end of the press conference on Sunday, inviting customers to 'unbox their phones,' an apparent reference to handset's super-slim bezels.

Samsung revealed at the Mobile World Congress that it is waiting to unveil the handset at an event on March 29 in New York. They firm shared a teaser at the end of the press conference on Sunday, inviting customers to 'unbox their phones'

The South Korean firm was forced to push back to launch of the handset, as they are still dealing with the Galaxy Note 7 recall.

The delay also gives Samsung more time to make sure it has done everything right, given that any minor bug will surely draw outsized attention.
AT&T and General Electric have teamed up to up to help accelerate the digital era of urban development.

The firms have unveiled plans to add cameras, microphones and sensors to more than 3,000 street lights in San Diego, making the first large-scale use of 'Smart City' tools.

The system will allow street lights to monitor traffic, crowd sizes, weather and even notify authorities of gunshots in the area.

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AT&T and General Electric have unveiled plans to add cameras, microphones and sensors to more than 3,000 street lights in San Diego, making the first large-scale use of 'Smart City' tools

SMART STREETLAMPS AT&T revealed the Smart Cities framework in January 2016, which uses the Internet of Things to create solutions for cities and helps form alliances with technology leaders and industry organizations. For the latest Smart Cities project, AT&T is teaming up with GE to upgraded street lights in San Diego. The firms have unveiled plans to add cameras, microphones and sensors to more than 3,000 street lights. Sensing nodes will be added to the top of the light poles to create the futuristic system, which will be programmed to locate gunshots, estimate crowd sizes, check vehicle speeds and more. The system is included in a $30 million GE LED lighting upgrade to 14,000 of San Diego's street lights. Advertisement

'We are thrilled to expand Current's relationship with AT&T to help cities redefine the civic engagement modelour digital network is based on an open platform, which allows entrepreneurs, incubators and students to get involved in the future development smart city applications,' said John Gordon, Chief Digital Officer of Current, powered by General Electric (GE).

'AT&T has a long history of working commercially with municipalities, and our technology will be a perfect fit toward helping more cities unleash the limitless potential of the Industrial Internet.'

AT&T revealed the Smart Cities framework in January 2016, which uses the Internet of Things to create solutions for cities and helps form alliances with technology leaders and industry organizations.

The communications company has already committed to testing framework in numerous spotlight cities and universities, which includes Atlanta, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chicago, Dallas, Georgia Institute of Technology, Miami-Dade County and Montgomery County, Maryland.

Smart cities are urban areas built on 'Smart' and 'Intelligent' solutions and technology that will lead to the adoption of at least 5 of the 8 following smart parameterssmart energy, smart building, smart mobility, smart healthcare, smart infrastructure, smart technology, smart governance and smart education, smart citizen.

'More than half of the world's population lives in an urban area,' said Mike Zeto, general manager and executive director, AT&T Smart Cities.

'As an Internet of Things and smart cities leader, we see the impact technology has on helping cities address the issues facing their communitiesand their citizens.'

'Collaborating with the cities and our strategic alliances puts us closer to making smart cities a reality.'

The firms plan to add sensing nodes on top of the light poles to create the futuristic system, which will be programmed to locate gunshots, estimate crowd sizes, check vehicle speeds and more.

Sensing nodes will be added to the tops of light poles, which will be programmed to locate gunshots, estimate crowd sizes, check vehicle speeds and more. And the data will be provided to entrepreneurs and students to develop even more useful applications

And the data will be provided to entrepreneurs and students to develop even more useful applications.

However, GE has explained that the data is anonymous and does not contain any personal identifiers.

GE will also include a $30 million LED lighting upgrade to 14,000 of San Diego's street lights, which is expected to save the city $2.4 million a year.

'This is a brand new market,' Maryrose Sylvester, chief executive officer of GE Current, said in an interview.

HUMAN POWERED STREET LIGHTS A New York-based startup called EngoPlanet has built the lights, which are fueled by kinetic energy that has been absorbed by special tiles on the sidewalk made by London company Pavegen. The tiles created by the London technology company which has developed paving slabs to convert energy from people's footsteps into electrical power. The tiles will convert energy from people's footsteps on the city's Boulder Plaza into electrical power, which will be stored until nightfall when the street lamps switch on automatically. EngoPlanet's innovative street lamps, designed in conjunction with Pavegen, also feature solar panels that absorb the sun's power and contribute to the system. The lamps - which produce energy that is entirely free - also boast Wi-Fi hotspots and charging stations for passers-by to use at their leisure. According to the company, there are more than 300 million street lights around the world which cost more than 40 billion dollars to run. These lights release more than 100 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. EngoPlanet's CEO Petar Mirovic states: 'If you look at traditional street light poles, you will see that they are useless. They simply hold the lighting.' He added: 'With our solution, we've changed that by incorporating useful features into the pole and transforming it into a free service spot where people can rest, charge their portable devices, or connect to Wi-Fi.' Advertisement

A 2014 estimate by Frost & Sullivan predicted the market for cities could be valued at $1.5 trillion by 2020, she said.

'San Diego is a very early adopter. While it's a smallish deal in dollars it's the biggest deal of this kind yet.'

AT&T will act as the data carrier and provide highly secure connectivity for the San Diego deployment, which is expected to save the city approximately $2.4 million in annual energy costs.

'Innovation is at the core of who we areand what we do,' said Mike Zeto, general manager, AT&T Smart Cities.

'AT&T and GE are the companies that modernized the telephone and light bulb.'

'Together, we will usher in a new digital frontier, giving cities and citizens alike the benefits of a connected city.'
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been hailed as the 'most expensive weapon in history', costing $400bn.

However, according to Aviation Week, the plane's laser targeting system has one slight flaw - it can only target stationary or slow moving objects.

'Despite being among the most technologically advanced low-observable warplanes on the planet, the Lockheed Martin F-35 has one significant shortcoming,' it wrote.

'The Joint Strike Fighter cannot strike moving ground targets using the targeting system and weapons loadout delivered in its final combat Lightning II configuration, Block 3F.'

The jet has gone through dozens of updates to its software, with the Block 3F being the most recent.

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The controversial Joint Strike Fighter cannot strike moving ground targets using the targeting system of its latest update, it has been revealed. The issue means the aircraft is limited to striking fixed or slow-moving objects such as surface-to-air missiles

THE MAIN ISSUES Laser targeting system cannot deal with fast moving targets Fixing the 25mm cannon which vibrates excessively Way it is targeted by the aircraft's 'virtual reality' helmet needs work Overheating, premature wear of components in the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire also an issue Aircraft's 'objectionable or unacceptable flying qualities' while crossing the sound barrier - for which there are currently no plans for a fix Advertisement

The issue means the aircraft is limited to striking fixed or slow-moving objects such as surface-to-air missiles.

Project officials are reportedly looking to speed up integration of a laser-guided bomb that has its own, built-in navigation software as a stopgap solution.

The Air Force last year declared the F-35 'ready for war', but the plane will not be able to use a full host of weapons and advanced sensors until it gets an upgraded software package, which could be several years away.

Project officials are reportedly looking to speed up integration of a laser-guided bomb that has its own, built-in navigation software as a gapfiller.

The first contract is expected to be awarded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, with deliveries of the initial order to begin no later than six months after the contract date.

'In response to an Air Combat Command (ACC) Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) requirement, the USAF is seeking a time sensitive, interim solution to add a 500 lb-class Precision Guided Munition (PGM) with moving and manoeuvring target capability that is mechanically, electrically, and logically compatible with F-35 Block 3F aircraft Operational Flight Program (OFP),' the request says.

'This munition must consistently impact moving targets traveling along a constant heading with a uniform velocity up to 70 mph and manoeuvring targets performing 0.2 g manoeuvres with velocities up to 40 mph.'

It comes as The U.S. Air Force is planning to send the F-35 to the Middle East to join the bombing campaign against Islamic State militants in 'a few years,' according to a top general.

Service officials plan to deploy the stealthy jet first to Europe and the Pacific region, Gen. Herbert 'Hawk' Carlisle, the head of Air Combat Command, told the Defense Writers Group at a breakfast in Washington, according to Defence One.

'Clearly, it would be very valuable in the fight against ISIS,' Carlisle said.

'I think it [the F-35] would aid significantly in knowing where everything is and what's going on in the battlespace,' Carlisle said.

Last year a Pentagon report warned the jet still has hundreds of faults - and won't be ready to even begin full combat testing until 2019.

The crucial 'Initial Operational Test and Evaluation' tests were scheduled for August.

The deadline represents the latest in a series of pushed-back delivery milestones.

'The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program Office (JPO) acknowledged in 2016 that schedule pressure exists for completing System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and starting Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) by August 2017, the planned date in JPO's Integrated Master Schedule,' the report says.

'In an effort to stay on schedule, JPO plans to reduce or truncate planned developmental testing (DT) in an effort to minimize delays and close out SDD as soon as possible.

'However, even with this risky, schedule-driven approach, multiple problems and delays make it clear that the program will not be able to start IOT&E with full combat capability until late CY18 or early CY19, at the soonest.'

The Pentagon's Office of Operational Testing and Evaluation says only half of its long list of concerns will be addressed before the major performance milestone.

'The Services have designated 276 deficiencies in combat performance as 'critical to correct' in Block 3F, but less than half of the critical deficiencies were addressed with attempted corrections in 3FR6'

But addressing even that reduced list is appearing rushed, it says.

There are 'significant, well-documented deficiencies resulting in overall ineffective operational performance ... 'hundreds of which will not be adequately addressed with fixes and corrections verified with flight testing.'

Key among them are fixing the 25mm cannon which vibrates excessively and the way it is targeted by the aircraft's 'virtual reality' helmet.

THE PRESIDENT'S F-35 PRICE CUT President Donald Trump claims his administration had been able to cut some $600 million from the latest U.S. deal to buy about 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, the Lockheed Martin aircraft the president has criticized for cost overruns. Trump said Lockheed Martin had been responsive to his concerns about the high cost of the stealthy, high-tech warplane. 'We cut approximately $600 million off the F-35 fighter, and that only amounts to 90 planes out of close to 3,000 planes,' Trump said, attributing that figure to Lockheed chief executive Marillyn Hewson. Negotiations for the 10th batch of F-35 aircraft - about 90 planes - have been under way, with a deal expected by the end of the month. The contract was expected to be around $9 billion, with the price per plane falling below $100 million. Trump said he became involved in the discussions over the cost of the aircraft about a month ago when he was still president-elect because the negotiations were not progressing. 'They were having a lot of difficulty. There was no movement. And I was able to get $600 million approximately off those planes. Deal: Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson said after meeting with Trump: 'I certainly share his views that we need to get the best capability to our men and women in uniform.' 'So I think that was a great achievement,' Trump said, suggesting the savings would be even larger as more planes are bought and as the administration looks at other contracts. 'We will be savings billions and billions and billions of dollars on contracts,' Trump said. The United States is expected to spend some $391 billion over 15 years to buy about 2,443 F-35 aircraft, which are being built in different versions for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. Trump has threatened and rebuked some of America's largest companies, creating a new business risk for those who have been or fear being targeted. Advertisement

Improvements in the internal diagnostics software  the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) have also been slow to emerge.

They lead a list including overheating, premature wear of componentsin the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire.

The aircraft's 'objectionable or unacceptable flying qualities' while crossing the sound barrier as yet has no plans for a fix.

'The current schedule-driven program plans to close out testing in 2017 do not include enough time to fix these key deficiencies, nor time to verify corrections in flight test,' it adds.

'The program currently has 17 known and acknowledged failures to meet the contract specification requirements, all of which the program is reportedly planning to get relief from the SDD contract due to lack of time and funding.'

Despite it's incomplete state, a partially operational squadron of the Marine Corps' F-35B was deployed to Japan last week.

The report did note some progress, such as the completion of important ship-integration tests and steps toward fixing a dangerous ejection seat.

However, most of chief tester Michael Gilmore's report focuses on what still needs to be done.

Workers can be seen on the moving line and forward fuselage assembly areas for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Lockheed Martin Corp's factory located in Fort Worth, Texas

In a previous memo obtained by the Project On Government Oversight, Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, warns that the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is simply cut short the plane's development phase in order to pretend that schedule and cost goals are being met.

'The purpose of this memorandum is to document my continuing concerns regarding progress in the -35 JSF program as you prepare to conduct the upcoming Defense Acquisition Board review,' the note says, according to War is boring.

It calls for the entire programme to be restructured so enough testing can be completed.

'The primary concerns were that the program appeared to be prematurely ending System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and was not taking the necessary steps to be ready for which will be conducted using realistic combat missions fully consistent with our war plans and threat assessments.'

The Marines be the first force to deploy the Lockheed Martin jet aboard the USS Wasp (pictured) next year, and will deploy a second contingent soon after, aboard the USS Essex.

Taking incompletely developed F-35s into combat will, Gilmore says, place pilots at 'significant risk.'

'If the program continues with plans to close out SDD prematurely, it will carry the high risk of failing and having to repeat the approximately $300-million operational test, and failing for many years to provide the full combat capability Block 3F has long been meant and claimed to provide.

'Finally, the combination of unfnished SDD work and the likely follow-on Operational test would significantly delay, and increase the cost of, achieving the important capabilities which are urgently needed to counter current and emerging threats.

'I therefore recommend very strongly that the program be restructured now and provided the additional resources it clearly requires to deliver its long-planned and sorely needed full Block 3F combat capability.'

The Marines began moving 16 F-35Bs to Iwakuni Air Station in Japan earlier this month, it has been revealed.

The Marines will be the first force to deploy the Lockheed Martin jet aboard the USS Wasp next year, and will deploy a second contingent soon after, aboard the USS Essex.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE WITH ITS 1970S PREDECESSOR, THE F-16 JET? F-35 Role: Stealth multirole fighter First flight: December 15, 2006 Unit cost (not including engine): F-35A - $98million F-35B - $104million F-35C - $116million Number built: 115 (as of November 2014) Length: 15.67m Wingspan: 10.7m Height: 4.33m Max speed (F-35A): 1,930kph Armament: One of the most highly-anticipated features of the F-35 armament is the Small Diameter Bomb II (SBD II).The bomb is able to guide towards its target using laser, imaging infrared or radar homing. It can hit moving or stationary targets in any weather, or at night, with unprecedented reliability and accuracy. The 'super weapon' is predicted to be the most versatile air-to-ground munition in the Pentagon's air combat inventory. The cost per SDB II is said to be around $250,000 and the US military plans on buying as many as 17,000 of them. F-16 Role: Multirole fighter First flight: January 20, 1974 Unit cost: F-16A/B - $14.6million F-16C/D - $18.8million Number built: 4,540+ Length: 15.06m Wingspan: 9.96m Height: 4.88m Max speed (F-16C): 2,120kph Combat history: The F-16 has served in the Air Forces of 26 nations, including the U.S., Israel, Egypt, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. During Operation Desert Storm, the 1991 assault on Iraq, F-16s flew over 13,000 operations, more than any other Coalition aircraft. The U.S. has employed the F-16 in operations over the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya. At its production peak in 1987, the F-16 team in Fort Worth was also making history, by producing 30 F-16s in just 30 days. Thanks to frequent upgrades improving and incorporating new technologies into the cockpit, avionics, sensors and weapons, the aircraft has become more reliable over its 40 years. The F-16 has served in the Air Forces of 26 nations, including the U.S., Israel, Egypt, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Advertisement

'We will learn from that, and see what capabilities we need to further develop,' said Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, the commanding general of the Marines' Combat Development Command, according toDefense One.

'A lot of it's going to be the school of hard knocks.'

The jets will deploy as part of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 in early 2017, a Marine spokeswoman said.

At year's end, six of that squadron's planes will attach to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Last year researchers revealed the hugely delayed and over budget project has finally fired its first shots in the air. The F-35A Lightning II completed the first three airborne gunfire bursts from its internal Gun Airborne Unit (GAU)-22/A 25mm Gatling gun system during a California test flight on October 30th

Industry and U.S. defense officials say they are working hard to continue driving down the cost of the new warplanes to $85 million per plane by 2019, as well as the cost of operating them.

Senator John McCain, the Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he welcomed the announcement but made clear he intended to keep a close eye on the hugely expensive program.

With a price tag of $400 billion for 2,457 planes, the fifth-generation fighter could finally be battle ready later this year, a new report claims.

'The Senate Armed Services Committee will continue to exercise rigorous oversight of the Joint Strike Fighter program's long-delayed System Development and Demonstration phase as well as the start of the operational test and evaluation phase,' McCain said in a statement.

To become battle ready, at least a dozen individual F-35 must demonstrate their ability to drop bombs and shoot down other planes.

Each jet must be upgraded to a specific software package, and plugged into the complex logistics cloud that manages maintenance.

The F-35 project office had previously set an Aug. 1 target date.

The project has been plagued with delays.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's record on cost, schedule and performance has been a scandal and a tragedy, Senator John McCain told senior Pentagon officials earlier this year.

McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the aircraft's development schedule has stretched to 15 years, deliveries of the F-35 have been delayed, and costs have skyrocketed.

'It's been a scandal and the cost overruns have been disgraceful,' McCain said.

THE EJECTOR SEAT THAT COULD KILL Pilots under 136 pounds aren't allowed to fly any F-35 variant. Pilots under 165 pounds have a 1-in-4 chance of death and 100 percent chance of serious neck injury upon ejecting, according to the testing office. 'The testing showed that the ejection seat rotates backwards after ejection. This results in the pilot's neck becoming extended, as the head moves behind the shoulders in a 'chin up' position. When the parachute inflates and begins to extract the pilot from the seat (with great force), a 'whiplash' action occurs. The rotation of the seat and resulting extension of the neck are greater for lighter weight pilots,' the report states. Sophisticated: Footage from ground testing of the F-35A stealth jet at Edwards Air Force Base in California, shows the awesome firepower of the four-barrel Gatling gun embedded in the left wing Advertisement

It is designed to support operations, mission planning and to spot any maintenance issues with the vehicle.

'Program officials said that if ALIS is not fully functional, the F-35 could not be operated as frequently as intended,' the report said.

'But a DoD commissioned plan found that schedule slippage and functionality problems with ALIS could lead to $20-100 billion in additional costs.'

So far, the software has been so flawed that maintenance crews have had to resort labour-intensive alternatives.

According to National Interest, in one instance maintainers had to manually burn data onto CDs and to send the massive files across a civilian WiFi network.

One major problem, the report said, is that the F-35 data produced goes through a single main operating unit which has no back up.

'The F-35 is still in development, and this is the time when technical challenges are expected,' Lt. Genernal Chris Bogdon told CNN.

'However, we believe the combined government and industry team will resolve current issues and future discoveries,' he said.

Lead defense contractor for the plane, Lockheed Martin, insists development of the logistics software is on schedule.

'As ALIS development continues, our focus is on the warfighter and delivering the most effective, efficient fleet management system to sustain the F-35 over the next five decades of operations,' said Sharon Parsley, a spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin.
Elon Musk's SpaceX will launch a crewed mission beyond the moon for two private paying customers in 2018, it has been revealed.

It will be the first time in 45 years humans have been in deep space, said the company, promising its mission will go 'faster and further' than any humans before them.

The week-long mission will take place some time in late 2018 and will 'skim the surface of the moon' then venture into deep space before returning to Earth, Musk revealed.

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Elon Musk's SpaceX will launch a crewed mission beyond the moon for two private customers in 2018, it has been revealed. 'We have been approached by private individuals,' said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, on a call with reporters on Monday.

HOW THE MISSION WILL WORK SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the moon and return to Earth. Lift-off will be from Kennedy Space Center's historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral  the same launch pad used by the Apollo program for its lunar missions. The mission will use one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules, which will be modified to allow communications in deep space. The Dragon will be capable of operating autonomously throughout the whole flight, but the passengers will be trained in emergency procedures. The mission would 'do a long loop around the moon' and would take about a week. Musk says it will 'skim the surface of the moon, go quite a bit further out into deep space' and then return to Earth. The total flight would go about 300,000 to 400,000 miles into space. Advertisement

The identity of the customers and how much they paid has been kept secret.

SpaceX expects the mission to take place some time in late 2018, after it sends a crewed NASA Dragon craft to the International Space Station.

'We have been approached by private individuals,' said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, after announcing the mission by tweeting 'fly me to the moon... ok'.

'This is a private mission with paying customers, who have placed significant deposits,' Musk said, but added that they have so far not authorized the company to reveal their names.

Musk said the individuals know each other and are 'very serious' about the flight

'This is a really exciting thing that's happened,' Musk told reporters.

The mission will use one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules, which will be modified to allow communications in deep space.

Musk said it would be roughly the cost of a crewed mission to the International Space Station, and that other flight crews have already expressed interest in later flights.

'This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them,' SpaceX said.

The mission would 'do a long loop around the moon' and would take about a week.

'It would skim the surface of the moon, go quite a bit further out into deep space' and then return to Earth, Musk said.

'There is some risk here,' he said, adding the hopeful passengers are not 'naive' about the dangers.

Fly me to the moon ... Okhttps://t.co/6QT8m5SHwn  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 27, 2017

SpaceX will begin holding health and fitness tests later this year, it said.

'Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration,' SpaceX said.

The mission will use one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules, which will be modified to allow communications in deep space. It will be capable of operating autonomously throughout the whole flight, but the passengers will be trained in emergency procedures.

'Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results.'

To complete the mission, the company will have to invest in deep space communication technology, which will also be important for the company's planned trips to Mars.

The Dragon will be capable of operating autonomously throughout the whole flight, but the passengers will be trained in emergency procedures.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which provided most of the funding for Dragon 2 development, is a key enabler for this mission, SpaceX said.

The customers will blast off on the Falcon Heavy rocket, which was developed with internal SpaceX funding. Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket. At 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust, Falcon Heavy is two-thirds the thrust of Saturn V and more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying.

It will use the firm's Falcon Heavy rocket, which was developed with internal SpaceX funding.

Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket.

At 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust, Falcon Heavy is two-thirds the thrust of Saturn V and more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying.

NASA backed the plan, saying it 'commends its industry partners for reaching higher.

'We will work closely with SpaceX to ensure it safely meets the contractual obligations to return the launch of astronauts to U.S. soil and continue to successfully deliver supplies to the International Space Station,' the space agency said in a statement.

Earlier this year, SpaceX chief, Elon Musk, announced that he was 'planning to send Dragon to Mars as soon as 2018.'

Now, the firm has admitted it won't make that date - but is aiming for 2020.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell revealed the new timeline at a press briegfing for the company's recent launch from NASA's historic launch pad 39A.

Inside a Dragon: The cabin of the Dragon V2 spacecraft is pictured after it was unveiled in 2014 - the new mission will have just two seats for paying customers, it is believed

A SOFT LANDING The Dragon 2 capsule is designed to land on any surface in the solar system, SpaceX says. It uses jets to land itself, the same system SpaceX is developing for its booster rockets. Once the rockets bring the craft close to Earth, four extendable legs allow it to land. Advertisement

'We were focused on 2018, but we felt like we needed to put more resources and focus more heavily on our crew program and our Falcon Heavy program,' she said.

'So we're looking more in the 2020 timeframe for that.'

Red Dragon is a precursor for SpaceX's ambitious Mars plans, which company founder Elon Musk unveiled at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico in September.

Those involve the development of giant reusable launch vehicles and spacecraft to carry up to 100 people at a time from Earth to Mars.

Shotwell said work on those concepts has been a lower priority as it works on near-term programs such as its commercial lunches, and plans to launch manned versions of the Dragon, also from Pad 39A, carrying astronauts to the ISS.

'We need to finish the work that we're doing right now,' she said, referring to development of commercial crew and Falcon Heavy.

'Then you'll start to see a shift in development teams at SpaceX.'

'A year or so is when we'll start to shift focus, that's my guess,' she said.

Musk says the unmanned spaceship to the red planet could become a regular cargo route running every 26 months.

It will be followed by his 'interplanetary transport system' to take man to Mars in 80 days and build a sustainable human colony of a million people there.

Elon Musk's SpaceX will launch a crewed mission beyond the moon for two private customers in 2018, it has been revealed. 'We have been approached by private individuals,' said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, on a call with reporters on Monday.

The Dragon will be an updated version of the capsule currently used to ferry cargo to the ISS, pictured here. It will be capable of operating autonomously throughout the whole flight, but the passengers will be trained in emergency procedures.

'What I want to achieve is make Mars seem possible, to show that we can do it in our lifetimes, and you could go,' he said at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico.

However, he warned the trip was likely to be dangerous - and said candidates for the first missions 'must be prepared to die'.

The Interplanetary Transport System will use a giant rocket booster with a 12m diameter and 49 engines, and a special shuttle with a 17m diameter, making the entire rocket stack 122 m high.

They will launch with empty fuel tanks and refuel in orbit.

Once on Mars, they would make more methane fuel for the return journey.

The adapted Red Dragon would include a robotic arm, extra fuel tanks and a central tube that houses a rocket-powered Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) and an Earth Return Vehicle (ERV).

Speaking to The Washington Post, Mr Musk, who is the chief executive of SpaceX, drew parallels between people crossing the oceans in centuries past to unknown worlds.

He said that the journey to Mars was going to be 'hard, risky, dangerous and difficult', however he was confident people would still sign up to go because 'just as with the establishment of the English colonies, there are people who love that. They want to be the pioneers.'

However, before SpaceX can begin to send people to the red planet, unmanned travel and a supply chain must be developed successfully.

Mr Musk said: 'Essentially what we're saying is we're establishing a cargo route to Mars.

Touchdown!The Dragon capsule the customers will use is also designed to land on the surface of any planet using retractable legs - but Musk says it will 'skim the surface' of the moon on this trip

In a series of posts Musk showed the mission - here, the craft can be seen approaching the surface

'It's a regular cargo route. You can count on it. It's going to happen every 26 months. Like a train leaving the station.

'And if scientists around the world know that they can count on that, and it's going to be inexpensive, relatively speaking compared to anything in the past, then they will plan accordingly and come up with a lot of great experiments.'

The mission is private and will not be funded by the US government or Nasa.

However, Nasa has previously said it would provide 'technical support' for the 2018 mission.

Separately, Nasa is also studying the effects of long-term space flight on the human body, and has announced plans to send people to Mars by the 2030s.

Elon Musk appeared to be referring to an upgraded version of the California-based company's Dragon cargo capsule, which is currently used as an unmanned spacecraft to shuttle food and supplies to and from the International Space Station

SpaceX plans to make that launch in 2018, although the Falcon Heavy rocket that will carry the company's Dragon capsule to will not have its first test flight until later in 2016. Nasa, which is aiming for a human mission to Mars in the 2030s, said it will provide technical support for SpaceX's first foray, known as Red Dragon

It is currently unclear how people would survive the long journey of a year or more in space, needing adequate food and water and protection from space radiation during the trip.

Mr Musk has previously spoken of his vision of creating a colony of a million earthlings on Mars, in order to make humanity 'multi-planetary' and avoid the risk of extinction on Earth.

ELON MUSK'S 'INTERPLANETARY TRANSPORT SYSTEM' Last month, Elon Musk unveiled his most ambitious project yet - an 'Interplanetary Transport System' to take mankind to Mars in 80 days and build a sustainable human colony of a million people there. 'What I want to achieve is make Mars seem possible, to show that we can do it in our lifetimes, and you could go,' he said at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico. Elon Musk said the Interplanetary Transport System (ITS) would be powerful enough to fly between Mars and Earth outside of its orbital period of 26 months if there was an emergency (artist's impression) However, he warned the trip was likely to be dangerous - and said candidates for the first missions 'must be prepared to die'. The Interplanetary Transport System will use a giant rocket booster with a 39 foot (12m) diameter and 49 engines, and a special shuttle with a 56 foot (17m) diameter, making the entire rocket stack 400 feet (122m) high. They will launch with empty fuel tanks and refuel in orbit. Once on Mars, they would make more methane fuel for the return journey. Advertisement

His most recent feats include managing to return the first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets to an upright landing on water and on solid ground, as part of his effort to make rockets that are as reusable as airplanes.

Speaking about his plans, he said: 'This is going to be mind blowing. I'm so tempted to talk more about the details of it. But I have to restrain myself.'

'It's dangerous and probably people will dieand they'll know that,' he continued.

'And then they'll pave the way, and ultimately it will be very safe to go to Mars, and it will very comfortable. But that will be many years in the future.'

THE RACE TO BUILD REUSABLE ROCKETS Reusable rockets would cut costs and waste in the space industry, which currently loses millions of dollars in jettisoned machinery after each launch. Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency are also developing similar technology and are in testing stages. A Dragon on Mars: The mission would grab samples collected by Nasa's 2020 rover and return them to Earth. Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com and owner of The Washington Post newspaper, said last month that Blue Origin expects to begin crewed test flights of the New Shepard, the company's flagship rocket, next year and begin flying paying passengers as early as 2018. SpaceX has managed to land four rockets from space back on Earth, three on sea and one on land, while Blue Origin's New Shepard successfully completed a third launch and vertical landing in April this year. The Indian space agency also hopes to develop its own frugal shuttle, as it seeks to cash in on a huge and lucrative demand from other countries to send up their satellites, after a successful test launch last month. Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com and owner of The Washington Post newspaper, said last month that Blue Origin expects to begin crewed test flights of the New Shepard, the company's flagship rocket (pictured) next year and begin flying paying passengers as early as 2018 Advertisement




A Pakistani airline is currently investigating accusations that it booked seven extra passengers onto a flight last month.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier, has however denied reports that the passengers were forced to stand in the aisles for the three-hour journey from Pakistan's Karachi to Medina, Saudi Arabia.

A PIA spokesman confirmed to MailOnline on Monday that 'disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the concerned officials' - a pilot and two crew members, for their actions.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is currently investigating accusations that it booked seven extra people onto a flight last month but denied the passengers were forced to stand

The probe was ordered after a report in the English-language daily Dawn.

The paper said the 20 January flight to Medina carried 416 passengers, seven more than its capacity of 409 including jump seats, in a serious breach of air safety regulations.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying that in case of an emergency, passengers without seats would not have access to oxygen masks and could block any emergency evacuation.

PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani said media reports that some passengers travelled standing 'are exaggerated and baseless', adding: 'It is not possible for anyone to travel like that in an aircraft, regardless of the duration of the flight.'

A PIA spokesman confirmed that 'disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the concerned officials' regarding the three-hour flight from Karachi, pictured, to Saudi Arabia (file image)

But he said: 'The matter pertaining to the travel of more passengers than the booked load [...] is under investigation.

'PIA is committed to ensuring the safety of the passengers and cannot allow any incident to happen which compromises safety.'

PIA has been battling concerns about flight safety since a domestic flight crashed in the mountainous Chitral region in December, killing all 47 people on board.

Additionally in 2013, one of its pilots was jailed for nine months in Britain for being drunk before he was due to fly from Leeds to Islamabad with 156 people on board.
The United States "strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in its commitment to the trans-Atlantic alliance," said Vice President Mike Pence in a speech at the Munich Security Conference.

"But Europe's defense," he said, "requires your commitment as much as ours. Our trans-Atlantic alliance has at its core two principles that are central to this mission."

In Article Five, alliance members pledge to come to each other's aid in the event of an attack. In Article Three, members vow to contribute, maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist attack. "The promise to share the burden of our defense has gone unfulfilled for too many, for too long," said Vice President Pence. "And it erodes the very foundation of our alliance."

In 2014, each member state committed to work towards spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense within a decade. But only the United States and four other members are meeting the standard, Mr. Pence said.

"Let me be clear on this point: the president of the United States expects our allies to keep their word to fulfil this commitment, and, for most, that means the time has come to do more," said Mr. Pence.

The rise of adversaries new and old demands a strong response from NATO, said the Vice President. In the east, NATO has embarked on improvement in its deterrent posture by stationing four combat-ready multinational battalions in Poland and the Baltic states. The United States will continue its leadership role in this enhanced forward presence initiative and other critical joint actions.

With regard to Ukraine, said Vice President Pence, "our alliance will continue to hold Russia accountable and demand that they honor the Minsk Agreements, beginning with de-escalating violence in eastern Ukraine."

At the same time, Vice President Pence urged NATO to adapt to new challenges. In particular, he noted the need for the alliance "to intensify efforts to cut off terrorist funding and increase cyber capabilities."

A stronger NATO means a safer world, and the United States of America looks forward to continuing to work with its partners in NATO to achieve just that.
Those who enjoy a tipple at 35,000ft can finally rejoice - a beer specially brewed to be drunk at altitude has been announced.

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has launched Betsy Beer, which they claim is the world's first hand-crafted bottled beer uniquely designed to be consumed mid-flight.

The new beer will initially be served to first and business class passengers onboard flights between Hong Kong and Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester from 1 March until 30 April 2017.

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has launched Betsy Beer, reportedly the world's first hand-crafted bottled beer uniquely designed to be consumed mid-flight

Taking into account that fliers' taste buds are dulled by cabin pressure, Betsy Beer has been produced in collaboration with brewery, Hong Kong Beer Co by combining science and traditional brewing methods

The beer is named 'Betsy' after Cathay Pacific's first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3 which flew passengers in the 1940s and 1950s.

Taking into account that fliers' taste buds are dulled by cabin pressure, Betsy Beer has been produced in collaboration with brewery, Hong Kong Beer Co by combining science and traditional brewing methods.

It comprises both Hong Kong and UK-sourced ingredients and creates an aroma and necessary carbonation to be consumed both in the air and on the ground.

The beer is flavoured with longan berries and honey is added in the brewing process. Fuggle, a hop and a mainstay of traditional British craft ales, also features.

Cathay Pacific's general manager of marketing Julian Lyden said: 'We know that when you fly, your sense of taste changes. Airlines address this for food in certain ways.

'But nobody has ever tried to improve the taste of beer at altitude. That seemed like a great opportunity for us to help our beer-loving passengers travel well.

The beer is flavoured with longan berries and honey is added in the brewing process. Fuggle, a hop and a mainstay of traditional British craft ales, also features

The alcohol will be served to first and business class passengers onboard flights between Hong Kong and Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester in the UK from 1 March until 30 April 2017

In addition to Cathay Pacific flights operating on routes to the UK, Betsy Beer will be available at ground level at the airline's lounges in Hong Kong and Heathrow as well as a select number of Swire-owned restaurants in Hong Kong

'We are constantly looking for innovative and meaningful ways to enhance the travel experience for our customers.

'Betsy Beer is a great example of this. A beautifully crafted product designed purely with the traveller, and beer lover, in mind.'

In addition to Cathay Pacific flights operating on routes to the UK, Betsy Beer will be available at ground level at the airline's lounges in Hong Kong and Heathrow as well as a select number of Swire-owned restaurants in Hong Kong.

It will also be available for online purchase within Hong Kong through Deli Delight, during March and April.
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The accountancy firm in charge of the Oscars results has apologized after Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were handed the wrong results card when announcing the Best Picture award and incorrectly announced La La Land as the winner rather than Moonlight.

The apology came in statement released by accounting firm PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, hours after the Academy Awards ended on Sunday night.

The statement said: 'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture.

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

'We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.'

In a heart-stopping moment, the stars and producers of La La Land were stopped midway through their acceptance speeches and forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight after their film was announced as Best Picture in one of the biggest blunders in Oscar history.

Warren Beatty was forced to explain the mishap as the cast of La La Land handed over their Oscars to the producers of Moonlight on stage

The horror, the horror: The stunned crowd looks on as it was revealed the wrong name had been read. Matt Damon's (left of center row) jaw literally dropped when he heard the news, while Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (right) looked almost angry at what was happening. Ben Affleck (front right) had his head turned towards where the Moonlight team was sitting, while legendary actor Meryl Streep (bottom right) was leaning forward in her chair with a stupefied look on her face

The terrible end to an otherwise triumphant show left the audience gasping in horror as Beatty revealed he had incorrectly read La La Land as the winner.

Accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers's Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz were in charge of this year's top-secret Academy Awards results. They're posed together above with the two sets of envelopes, which are carried in briefcases

As the La La Land cast were walking on stage to accept the accolade, a stagehand standing in the wings could be heard saying 'Oh ... Oh my god, he got the wrong envelope' and walking back and forth, according to the LA Times.

While still on stage, Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from 'La La Land' when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

An investigation is continuing into how La La Land was wrongly named Best Picture rather than the triumphant Moonlight.

Only two people know the Oscars winners list and supervise the counting procedures - PwC tax adviser Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan an accountant who is the chairman of PwC's US board.

Just days before the showcase event, they told the Huffington Post that they were unsure of the exact procedure in the event that the wrong actor or film was named as a winner in any given category since such a mistake had never been made in the awards' 88-year history.

Cullinan and Ruiz each carry a suitcase containing a copy of the winning envelope for all the categories - meaning there are two envelopes for each award.

There are duplicate envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Best Actress duplicate envelope for best actress- with the category ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE clearly printed on the outside

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz held up the correct envelope with Moonlight written on it as Warren Beatty stood behind him, before he graciously passed his statue to the Moonlight producers

The pair stand on opposite sides backstage and memorize the winners to avoid having to write them down and have revealed in the past how they carry out rigorous checks to ensure they have stuffed the envelopes correctly.

It is believed Ruiz and Cullinan are ordered to destroy the duplicate cards as the presentation goes on, so by the time Best Picture is awarded, the only envelopes left are the two for Best Picture, according to Free Press.

When Beatty and Dunaway took the stage to announce the Best Picture award, Cullinan and Ruiz realized that they still had two best picture envelopes, meaning that the envelope taken on stage was a duplicate for an award that had already been announced.

It is unknown why there was still a Best Actress duplicate available when Beatty walked on stage.

Executives from PwC immediately realized there was a problem, but they were too late to rectify the mistake as Dunaway read out the name La La Land from a card that was meant to be for the Best Actress award, which Emma Stone won for her role in the film earlier in the night.

After the officials realized what had happened, they tried to get on stage immediately. But the news was broken to the La La Land cast and crew after they had started their acceptance speeches.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone after being told about the mix up and said 'Moonlight won Best Picture' and insisting that 'this is not a joke'.

Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty walk on stage to present the award for Best Picture. The pair's appearance at the show is meant to be a triumphant reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of 1967's Bonnie And Clyde

Beatty opens the envelope, sees the words 'Emma Stone from La La Land' and confusion spreads across his face. He looks to Dunaway, who reads out 'La La Land' as the Best Picture winner

La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger (left) arrive on stage to accept the award from Dunaway and Beatty as the cast and crew follow suit

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz accepts the award and and thanks his cast and crew after being announced Best Picture

Suddenly, a backstage official with a headset rushes on to the stage to correct the mishap. He arrives with a new envelope, with the correct details inside. He came on stage after executives from PwC, who tally the Oscar results, realized there was a problem when Dunaway read out the name La La Land

A shocked Horowitz and Jimmy Kimmel react as Beatty reveals the correct winner to him midway through his acceptance speech. It has since emerged that there are duplicate envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Best Actress duplicate envelope by mistake

Horowitz presents the envelope reading 'Moonlight' as the winner as he calls up the producers of the film to graciously pass over his statue

La La Land's Horowitz invites the Moonlight cast and crew on stage as Beatty explains that he had received the wrong results envelope from officials

Beatty tells the crowd that the card he received had Emma Stone's name in it, because it was a card for Best Actress instead of Best Picture

Beatty explains how he read the incorrect card to the crowd as shocked cast and crew from La La Land and Moonlight stand behind him

Horowitz embraces Jenkins on stage and hands over his Oscar after the revelation that it belonged to the Moonlight director

Writer and director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, holds his Oscar and speaks to the crowd after being awarded the Best Picture Academy Award

Beatty and Dunaway arrive at an Academy Awards after party following the chaotic ceremony. Beatty brought the Best Actress card to the party with him following the mishap

When Jenkins finally receives his Oscar, the director has the trophy engraved backstage, a tradition that follows each presentation

Just seconds before, confusion was etched across Beatty's face after he opened the envelope. He took a second glance inside the winner's envelope before showing it to Dunaway who mistakenly thought he was asking her to read out La La Land.

'It's one of the strangest things that's ever happened to me,' Beatty said backstage. 'Thank God there were two of us up there,' Dunaway responded.

The actress then asked Beatty, 'Who else should I tell?'

'Everybody,' he said.

At that point, a security guard tried to take the real envelope and Beatty said, 'Security is not getting this. I'm giving it to (Moonlight director) Barry Jenkins at a later time.' Beatty also refused to show it to anyone else.

ABC News, tweeting about the ceremony broadcast on its network, said the envelope held by Beatty read, 'Actress in a leading role.' A close-up photo of Beatty onstage verified that.

PwC has counted votes and provides winner envelopes for the Oscars and has done so for more than 80 years.

Emma Stone posed backstage with Leonardo DiCaprio after accepted her Oscar. She can be seen holding her envelope underneath her arm

The 79-year-old made a surprise appearance at the after party still clutching the wrong envelope in his hand

INTERNET MOCKS WARREN BEATTY AND FAYE DUNAWAY WITH BARRAGE OF MEMES AFTER THE BLUNDER In a heart-stopping moment during Sunday's Oscars, the stars and producers of La La Land rushed to the stage to give enthusiastic thank you speeches, before being forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight. Social media users immediately took to Twitter to criticize the 89th Academy Awards and announcers with hilarious memes of Steve Harvey, and some even called for Beatty to announce the 'real' 2016 election results. Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from La La Land when he opened his envelope. 'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder. And Twitter ruthlessly criticized the awards show with hilarious memes of Steve Harvey, and some even called for Beatty to announce the 'real' 2016 election results It has since emerged that there are back up envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Emma Stone back up envelope by mistake. Executives from Price Waterhouse who tally the Oscar results immediately realized there was a problem when Dunaway read out the name La La Land. An official tried to get on stage to immediately rectify the mistake. Just seconds before, confusion was etched across Beatty's face after he opened the envelope. He took a second glance inside the winner's envelope before handing it over to Dunaway who read out La La Land. Host Jimmy Kimmel came forward to inform the cast that Moonlight had indeed won, showing the inside of the envelope as proof. La La Land producer Jordan Horwitz immediately called up the producers of Moonlight and graciously passed his statue over. 'I knew I would screw this up,' Kimmel, a first-time host, joked. 'I promise to never come back.' Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins said: 'Very clearly even in my dreams this cant be true. But to hell with it because this is true. It's true, it's not fake.' The fiasco triggered the remembrance of a similar incident that took place in 2015 when comedian and host Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner of Miss Universe. Harvey announced that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, was the winner of the pageant over actual victor Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach. Advertisement

This is the first time in Oscar history that the wrong envelope had been opened while an award was being announced.

Host Jimmy Kimmel came forward to inform the cast that Moonlight had indeed won, showing the inside of the envelope as proof.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz immediately called up the producers of Moonlight and graciously passed his statue over.

'I knew I would screw this up,' Kimmel, a first-time host, joked. 'I promise to never come back.'

Beatty's son, Stephen Ira, was quick to defend his father by tweeting: 'Proud of my dad for his grace! It's live, stuff happens. Showbiz!'

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said Academy officials met with PriceWaterhouseCooper to figure out exactly what had happened when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given a duplicate envelope containing Emma Stone's best actress win.

Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins told the crowd: 'Very clearly even in my dreams this can't be true. But to hell with it because this is true. It's true, it's not fake.'

Even though it wasn't strictly speaking Beatty's fault, he exited the Dolby Theatre through a back exit to avoid press.

He later told the Daily Mail the reason he paused for so long was because he knew there was a problem.

Beatty's son, Stephen Ira, was quick to defend his father by tweeting: 'Proud of my dad for his grace! It's live, stuff happens. Showbiz!'

Golden girl: Emma Stone was also a first time winner as she was crowned Best Actress for her work in La La Land

Excited: The 41-year-old actor was obviously overcome with emotion

Respect: His big brother Ben congratulated Casey with hugs and kisses

'People thought I was being dramatic but I wasn't . There was something wrong . I showed it to Faye and she said La La Land,' Beatty said.

The Moonlight director Jenkins said backstage: 'I noticed the commotion that was happening and I thought that something strange had occurred.

'The last 20 minutes of my life have been insane.'

He added: 'It made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.'

A crazy, stupid moment: Ryan Gosling guffawed on stage after learning La La Land was not really the best picture winner at the Academy Awards on Sunday

He told reporters he had not been given a formal explanation but he understood that mistakes happen.

'I will say, I saw two cards, and so things just happen,' Jenkins said. 'I wanted to see the card... and Warren refused to show the card to anybody before he showed it to me. And so he did. He came upstairs and he walked over to me, and he showed the card.

'Everyone was asking, 'Can I see the card?' And he was like, 'No, Barry Jenkins has to see the card, I need him to know'. And I felt better about what had happened.'

He said that cast and crew of La La Land were 'so gracious' during the mayhem.

'I can't imagine being in their position and having to do that,' he said.

Meanwhile, Emma Stone, with her Best Actress Oscar in hand, told reporters she was 'distraught ' over the best picture screw up.

'Wow - Its horrible,' she said of the monumental flap over the wrong film being announced as best picture.

'I f***ing love Moonlight. God, I love Moonlight so much, I'm so excited for Moonlight, and umm, of course it was an amazing thing to hear La La Land.

'I think we all wouldve loved to win Best Picture. But we are so excited for Moonlight, I think its one of the best films of all time.

'So I was pretty beside myself. I also was holding my Best Actress in a Leading Role card that entire time.

'So whatever story, I dont mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was, I had my card.'

The star of La La Land also said she wasn't aware until later that there were duplicate envelopes for every Oscar category.

'I didn't know until now that they have two of everything,' she said.

Moonlight star Mahershala Ali also spoke about the mix-up, saying he was concerned about what was happening with staffers began rushing the stage during La La Land's short-lived acceptance speeches.

'When I did see security come out on stage and their moment was being disrupted in some way I got really worried,' he told USA Today.

'It's hard to feel joy in a moment like that, in front of them.But I feel fortunate for us to have walked away with the best picture award.'

After the ceremony mix up, Beatty and Dunaway made a surprise appearance at the Governors Ball - the official after party.

The 79-year-old entered the party still clutching the wrong envelope in his hand.

The ceremony's chaotic scene immediately raced to the top of all-time Oscar moments, far more stunning than the nude man who raced across the stage in 1974 as part of the 'streaking' fad.

City Of Stars: La La Land swept the original music categories as Justin Hurwitz, Justin Paul, and Benj Pasek - pictured from left to right - accepted gongs

Crowning achievement: Viola Davis won her first Oscar ever in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category for Fences

Aww: Viola was congratulated by co-star Denzel Washington

And it immediately evoked Steve Harvey's recent gaffe of naming the wrong Miss Universe winner.

The Miss Universe Twitter account quickly let the Oscars know they felt their pain.

'Have your people call our people, we know what to do,' the tweet read.

That was the beginning of a Tweet pile-on that may be the biggest of all time, with many declaring that 'La La Land' won the popular vote while 'Moonlight' won the electoral college.

But this stage, and this audience, were far, far bigger and are likely to last far, far longer in collective memory.

The unbelievable mishap came at the end of an otherwise flawless evening, which saw Casey Affleck and Emma Stone take home their first Oscar.

Affleck won Best Actor for Manchester By The Sea, while Stone was crowned Best Actress for her work in La La Land.

Just before that, Damien Chazelle won Best Director for La La Land. The musical had already won four other gongs at the event held at the Dolby Theater.

It is already tied for most-nominations of all time and swept the original music categories as well as Best Production Design and Cinematography.

Before Chazelle's win, Viola Davis took home her first-ever Oscar when she was crowned Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences.

The 51-year-old star gave an impassioned speech about being an actress at the event held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on Sunday night.

Big win: Mahershala Ali won the first gong of the night in the Best Supporting Actor role for Moonlight

Showing respect: At the very beginning of his acceptance he said his grandmother would tell him to button up his tuxedo jacket so he did so

Viola had tears in her eyes as she said: 'I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.'

It was also a crowning achievement as she became the first black actor to ever receive an Oscar, Emmy, and a Tony.

Earlier in the night, Mahershala Ali took home the gong for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight .

The 43-year-old Oakland, California, native made sure to button up his tuxedo as he said his grandmother would tell him to do so.

Ali had a very poignant moment during his speech as he talked about being an actor by explaining: 'It's not about you, it's about these characters, you are a servant.'

The directors of Zootopia proudly accepted the Best Animated Feature Film gong.

One even got political during the acceptance speech as they talked about the theme of the movie as they said: 'Zootopia is a story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other.'

The ceremony was kicked off by an entertaining performance by Justin Timberlake as sang his Trolls hit Can't Stop The Feeling.

Then came out host Jimmy Kimmel, who immediately started joking about the state of the United States before poking fun at Mel Gibson and saying he's going to bury the hatchet with Matt Damon.

Sending a message: Ezra Edelman dedicated the win to victims Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman when accepting the Best Documentary Feature gong for OJ: Made In America

Stunners: Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, and Octavia Spencer - pictured from left to right - presented Best Documentary Feature

'Zootopia is a story of tolerance': Zootopia took home the best Best Animated Feature Film as the directors sent a bit of a political message

The women of Hidden Figures - Taraji P Henson, Janelle Monae, and Octavia Spencer - presented Best Documentary Feature to director Ezra Edelman, who dedicated his win for OJ: Made in America to Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.

Best Foreign Language Film was won by The Salesman, but director Asghar Farhadi chose not to come due to the 'travel ban'. He had a statement delivered on his behalf.

Suicide Squad was a winner in the Best Make-Up And Hairstyling as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them won Costume Design.

Sci-fi thriller Arrival was given Best Sound Editing and Hacksaw Ridge was awarded in the Sound Mixing category.

The annual awards ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes excellence in cinematic achievements in the film industry as assessed by the Academy's voting membership.

Romantic showbiz musical La La Land topped the Oscars nominations list with a whopping 14 nods.

The number ties the record set by Titanic and All About Eve and has a chance to beat the record 11 Oscars that have been won by Ben-Hur, Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Its ten other nominations came in nine categories.

Oscars host Kimmel took aim at President Donald Trump, trashing him throughout the night and even provoking him from the stage with two tweets.

Just dance: It was kicked off by an entertaining performance by Justin Timberlake as he did his Trolls hit Can't Stop The Feeling

Sweet smooch: Right after the performance, Timberlake kissed wife Jessica Biel

Old friends: Justin was later seen shaking hands with former Mickey Mouse Club castmate Ryan Gosling

Rising star: Auli'i Cravalho performed a song from Moana alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda

HOLLYWOOD STARS LINE UP TO SLAM TRUMP IN OSCARS SPEECHES: Political speeches dominated the Oscars on Sunday night with winners lining up to outdo each other as they spoke out against President Donald Trump's immigration ban. Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel kicked things off when he fired several shots at Trump during his opening monologue. But as the night progressed, actors, directors and designers quickly started dedicating their Academy Awards to 'the immigrants', spoke out against the Mexican wall and went as far as calling Trump's immigration policy 'inhumane'. While Alessandro Bertolazzi is not a well known name outside the film industry, the makeup artist was the first Oscar winner to mention politics in his acceptance speech. The Italian dedicated his win in the makeup and hair-styling category to 'all the immigrants'. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, stars of 1967's classic Bonnie and Clyde, presented the Oscar for best picture. 'Our goal in politics is the same in our goal in art, and that's to get to the truth,' Beatty said on stage. Iranian director Asghar Farhadi took home the Academy Award for best foreign film for his drama The Salesman. The director had previously said he was not attending the Oscars in revolt against Trump's immigration ban and it was accepted on his behalf by Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari. Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal also weighed in as he presented an award saying he did not support the wall Trump was proposing. Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said in accepting the Oscar for adapted screenplay that people who don't feel like they have support can look to the American Civil Liberties Union and artists over the next four years. Advertisement

The late-night host first poked fun at Trump during his opening monologue saying the Academy Awards were being watching across the globe 'in more than 225 countries that now hate us'.

'I want to say thank you to President Trump... remember last year when it seemed the Oscars were racist?' Kimmel told the star-studded audience. 'That's gone, thanks to him.'

He then took to the president's favorite medium - Twitter - to write: 'Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?' and '@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi.'

After the comments about racism in his monologue, Kimmel was serious for a moment when he addressed how divided the country was. He said everyone could make America great again if people reached out to someone they disagreed with to have a positive conversation.

But that moment quickly passed as he began roasting Trump again.

He later called on the crowd to give a 'highly overrated' Meryl Streep a standing ovation for her 20 Oscar nominations throughout her career.

'One actress has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances,' Kimmel said. 'This is Meryl's 20th Oscar nomination... she wasn't even in a movie this year, we just wrote her name in out of habit.'

He riffed off the president's post-Globes tweet calling Streep 'overrated' after her anti-Trump speech at the Golden Globes overshadowed that show's awards last month.

'Nice dress by the way... Is that an Ivanka?' Kimmel asked Streep.

Kimmel joked that Trump would tweet about all of the Oscar winner's acceptance speeches 'in all caps during his 5am bowel movement tomorrow'.

Host with the most: Then came out host Jimmy Kimmel and starts immediately joking about the state of the US

Rival: He even talked about burying the hatchet with Matt Damon

Braveheart: The 49-year-old host poked fun at Mel Gibson

Air mail: One of the funniest moments came when Kimmel had bags of candy parachuting from the roof of the building

Yum: Casey Affleck was one of the celebs who were excited to receive a sweet treat

Hilarious: At one point Jimmy brought in an entire tour bus of tourists into the auditorium for a surprise

Living it up: One of the special guests gave Nicole Kidman a kiss on the hand

Trolling: At one point in the night Jimmy decided to tweet at President Donald Trump directly

'You look familiar': Fifty Shades stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson presented together

Dynamic duo: Michael J. Fox and Seth Rogen presented the Best Visual Effects Award

Great Scott! The two arrived in a DeLorean as Seth wore a pair of very sought-after Nike Air Mag sneakers

Va va voom: Salma Hayek and David Oyelowo presented together

Stunning: Riz Ahmed and Felicity Jones brought their best looks to the event

Hilarious: John Cho and Leslie Mann presented the Sci-Tech visual package as they had hosted the ceremony
She is often spotted on the FROW at fashion weeks around the world and has become a style icon in her own right.

And Olivia Palermo brought her sartorial A-game as she attended the Salvatore Ferragamo AW17 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Sunday.

The socialite, 30, stunned in a multicoloured ensemble starring a statement deep red fur coat, worn draped over her shoulders.

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Statement coat: Socialite Olivia Palermo brought her sartorial A-game as she attended the Salvatore Ferragamo AW17 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Sunday

The former The City star looked incredible in the well-composed look.

Olivia managed to look relaxed while also emanating stylishness in a gorgeous A-line buttoned leather skirt and tan knitwear top.

She teamed the simple outfit with killer accessories including an animal print snakeskin bag and patent biker-style boots.

Adding an on-trend thin scarf tied at her neck added an extra element to the ensemble helped absorb the impact of the deep burgundy coat.

Composed: Olivia managed to look relaxed while also emanating stylishness in a gorgeous A-line buttoned leather skirt and tan knitwear top

Amazing accessories: The 30-year-old teamed the simple outfit with killer accessories including an animal print snakeskin bag and patent biker-style boots

Mummy's girl: Olivia constantly takes pride in her appearance and told The Daily Telegraph: 'My mother taught me at a very young age to look your best at all times.'

Olivia constantly takes pride in her appearance and she isn't ashamed to admit it.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph newspaper, she said: 'My mother taught me at a very young age to look your best at all times.'

Olivia has been married for nearly three years to German male model Johannes Huebl.

The fashionista met Johannes, 39, through mutual friends nine years ago, before tying the knot in June 2014 in a low-key ceremony in Bedford, upstate New York.

Stylish: Adding an on-trend thin scarf tied at her neck added an extra element to the ensemble helped absorb the impact of the deep burgundy coat

Colourful: Olivia watched models showcase designer Salvatore Ferragamo's new collection on the runway at Milan Fashion Week

Dampened tones: The collection featured both dampened tones and bright colours - and many brilliant coats

Discussing the secret to the couple's happy marriage, Olivia told Harper's Bazaar Australia: 'We try not to ever be separated more than seven days. Its just something we have always done.'

Perhaps Johannes is with Olivia as she jets around Europe for fashion shows.

She was spotted at London Fashion Week attending the ERDEM show at the Old Selfridge's Hotel alongside fashionistas the likes of Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, Hikari Yokoyama and Veronika Heilbrunner last Tuesday.

Midi is in: Mid length dresses with slits, paired with long outerwear, were everywhere at MFW

Booted up: Many of the models sported heeled lace up, above ankle boots, suggesting they will be fashionable this season
She's slowly returning to the spotlight after her split from husband Brad Pitt late last year.

Brushing off her personal woes, Angelina Jolie has reminded her loyal fans of her breath taking beauty in her latest campaign with iconic Parisian brand Guerlain for their new perfume, Mon Guerlain.

For the shoot, the 41-year-old has been immortalised in 3D for the exciting new collaboration by acclaimed photographer Will Camden and Rob Munday, which will be showcased in Selfridges, London from the beginning of March.

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Classic beauty: Angelina Jolie has now reminded her loyal fans of her breath taking beauty in her latest campaign with iconic Parisian brand Guerlain for their new perfume Mon Guerlain

In the classic black and white picture and graphic, the mother-of-six displays her delicate features as her glossy brunette locks cascade down her back, teasing at her intricate inkings and slender shoulder.

Staring straight down the lens of the camera, Angelina captures admirers attention with her eyeliner accentuated peepers, supple skin and full pout.

The Oscar winning actress - who is the face and muse of the luxury brand's fragrance - first started working on the beauty project in December 2015.

Following the release of the perfume, it was announced that Angelina will donate her entire earnings from the campaign to charity.

Speaking of working with the acclaimed Hollywood star, Camden said: 'Angelinas scent for Guerlain encapsulates the spirit of strong beautiful women, inspiring and drawing admiration, it was an honour to work with her'.

Beauty: In the classic black and white picture and graphic, the mother-of-six displays her delicate features as her glossy brunette locks cascade down her back, teasing at her intricate inkings and slender shoulder

Angelina seemed to be enjoying her time with her children, but took some time to reflect on her tough year and the 'difficult' breakup of her marriage to Brad Pitt as well as the effect it has had on their six children.

'I dont want to say very much about that, except to say it was a very difficult time and we are a family, and we will always be a family,' she said, visibly emotional.

'It was very difficult,' the actress, 41, added. 'Many people find themselves in this situation. My whole family have all been through a difficult time.'

A bitter custody battle initially played out in the media after Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt last September and sought full custody of their children following an alleged incident on board a private jet as the family returned to Los Angeles from France.

Emotional interview: Angelina spoke publicly for the first time about her split from Brad Pitt telling the BBC: 'It was a very difficult time.... and we will always be a family'

But the celebrity couple eventually reached an agreement in early January to seal the custody documents as they endeavor to resolve their issues and reach a divorce settlement.

'My focus is my children, our children,' she explained to the BBC.

'We are and forever will be a family and so that is how I am coping. I am coping with finding a way through to make sure that this somehow makes us stronger and closer,' she said.

On Saturday, Jolie made her first official appearance in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for the premiere of First They Killed My Father, about life in Cambodia under Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge as seen through the eyes of a child.

'Many people find themselves in this situation. My whole family have all been through a difficult time,' the actress, 41, said about the weeks since she filed for divorce in September

She was joined by her children Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 10 and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Maddox was adopted in 2002 from an orphanage in Cambodia, where Jolie filmed the Tomb Raider movie.

She acknowledged that in a way she has come full circle since first traveling to Cambodia 17 years ago for Tomb Raider and where she first became a mother with the adoption of her oldest son.

She went on to adopt Zahara from Ethiopia and Pax from Vietnam, before giving birth to three biological children with Pitt - Shiloh, who was born in Namibia, and Vivienne and Knox who were born in France.
She is someone who is known for their incredible style.

And the Oscars was a chance for Olivia Culpo to really shine.

The fashionista, 24, rocked the red carpet in a custom made Marchesa gown with plenty of fringe and a plunging neckline at the 89th Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday.

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Fringe benefits! Olivia Culpo rocked the red carpet in a custom made Marchesa gown with plenty of fringe and a plunging neckline at the 89th Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday

It's clear every inch of the gorgeous dress was given tons of attention.

Clinging to Olivia's fabulous physique, the backless dress cinched into her waist with a delicate black little belt.

The gown's multi-tier skirt heavily featured ample amounts of fringe that made certain Olivia would really stand out that night.

She gave herself some height in a pair of silver heels and carried a black clutch.

Shake it! The starlet had something of an impromptu dance break on the red carpet

Attention to detail! The gown's multi-tier skirt featured ample amounts of fringe that made certain Olivia would really stand out that night

Continuing in her chic theme, Olivia's raven black hair was scraped back into a sleek low ponytail with her bangs swept dramatically across her forehead.

Olivia's complexion was given the professional touch as well.

She injected a pop of color with a coat of striking violet eye shadow, and enhanced her striking and defined cheekbones with bronzer and a shade of nude lipstick to top off the look.

Glitz and glam! The former pageant queen stole the show

Ooh la la! Clinging to Olivia's fabulous physique, the dress cinched into her waist with a delicate black little belt

Personal touch: The fashionista actually assisted in the creation of her custom made dress with Marchesa

The star shared a rather close-up shot of her beautifully done makeup, which she captioned, '#Oscars hair and makeup today! Thank you @sirjohnofficial and @justinemarjan for making this come together. You guys are the BEST! (Don't mind me multi-tasking, per usual #smh..).'

Olivia actually assisted in the creation of her custom made dress with Marchesa, and explained to E! there was more than meets the eye in the gown.

'It's in partnership with Stella Artois and Water.org,' she told Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet. 'Stella Artois created chalices and for one chalice sold, five years of clean drinking water is provided for someone in the developing world.

Hello gorgeous! The backless gown showed off Culpo's sublime physique to full effect

Ready for her close-up! The 24-year-old couldn't have looked any more glam with her striking violet eye shadow and chic hairdo

'So this dress is actually made out of the chalice pieces, and it's encouraging people to get involved in the water crisis and buy the chalice.'

Olivia said they even took inspiration from the element of water when designing the dress.

'We wanted the dress to represent water itself, so it's sort of cascading,' she told the website.

All hands on deck! Culpo shared a snap of herself getting all dolled up for the big show
He was charged with assault after allegedly punching a bouncer outside Adelaide strip club Crazy Horse last month.

And Shannon Noll has denied claims made by a witness, who told Nine News that he demanded to be let back into the club on the basis of his celebrity status, prior to the altercation.

Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O show on Monday, the 41-year-old emphatically denied having said: 'I'm Shannon Noll, let me back into the Crazy Horse'.

'I was leaving, going home': Shannon Noll has emphatically denied having said: 'I'm Shannon Noll, let me back into the Crazy Horse'

'I was leaving, going home,' he explained.

Shannon also refuted the witness' claims that Shannon had 'punched a security guard and four policemen', telling Kyle And Jackie O: 'There were two policemen, not four.'

Last Friday, reporters waited outside Adelaide Magistrates Court for Shannon to appear in relation to the incident, but he did not show.

'There were two policemen, not four': Shannon also refuted the witness' claims that Shannon had 'punched a security guard and four policemen'

'Mr Noll is not present,' defence lawyer Andrew Ey told the court.

'Obviously he resides and works interstate. I ask your honour to excuse his non-attendance today.'

Magistrate Rodney Oates was obliging but said Noll must appear in person on the next occasion, a pre-trail conference in April.

No-show: Last Friday, reporters waited outside Adelaide Magistrates Court for Shannon to appear in relation to the incident, but he did not show

'I will excuse his non-attendance today but he needs to be here next time,' Mr Oates said.

On Saturday, Shannon was light-heartedly dragged off stage by police during a live performance.

He was finishing up his set at Sandstone Point on Saturday with a performance of his famous cover What About Me.

As the hit song drew to a close, two uniformed officers escorted Noll off stage and led him away from thousands of adoring fans.
Teresa Palmer attended her very first Academy Awards on Sunday.

And the Australian star certainly made an entrance at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, stunning on the red carpet in a slinky metallic gown.

The 31-year-old, who gave birth to her second son Forest Sage just two months ago, went for old Hollywood glamour when it came to her ensemble.

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Silver screen siren: Teresa Palmer showed off her stunning post-baby body in a slinky metallic gown at the Oscars on Sunday night, after giving birth to son Forest TWO MONTHS ago

Her thin-strapped silver embellished dress had a distinct vintage feel, and featured an empire-cut on the bodice and a dove-grey skirt with more metallic embroidery.

The blonde beauty's slender waist was accentuated by an art-deco style belt and she accessorised with a silver clutch bag and extravagant jewels, including diamond leaf drop earring and diamond rings on her fingers.

Wearing her golden locks in a half-up half-down style, the Hacksaw Ridge star opted for a traditional smokey eye and nude lip combination for her makeup.

Gorgeous: The blonde beauty's slender waist was accentuated with an art-deco style belt and she accessorised with a silver clutch bag and extravagant jewels, including diamond leaf drop earring and a couple of diamond rings

Princess-style: The actress's gown featured criss-cross straps at the back

Picture perfect: Wearing her golden locks in a half-up half down style, the Hacksaw Ridge star opted for a traditional smokey eye and nude lip for her makeup

Teresa admitted that she was a 'ball of nerves' ahead of attending her very first Oscars.

The Australian actress is celebrating her movie Hackshaw Ridge, which is nominated for six awards, including Best Director (for Mel Gibson), Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing.

Earlier in the day, Teresa posted a snap of herself getting ready at a private residence while her baby boy Forest bounced on her lap.

She doesn't look it! Teresa admitted that she was a 'ball of nerves' ahead of attending her very first Oscars

Bling: Teresa accessorised with extravagant jewels, including diamond leaf drop earring

She wrote in a caption alongside it: 'I'm not sure if I could think of a better way to spend my birthday than with my boys whilst getting ready for my very first Oscars!!!! #pinchmeimdreaming,' she wrote alongside the snap.'

Last week Teresa took to her Your Zen Mama blog to encourage other women to embrace their bodies after giving birth.

The mother of two says women should celebrate their, 'sagging breasts, mum bums, cellulite, muffin tops, wobbly arms, thick thighs' not 'punish themselves' for them.

'Isn't it funny how easily we can forget to take a moment to celebrate our bodies!?' the Aussie actress began.

A night to remember: All eyes were on Teresa as she walked down the red carpet at her very first Oscars

'We spend far too much time punishing ourselves over what we see as our sagging breasts, mum bums, cellulite, muffin tops, wobbly arms, thick thighs,' she added.

'In fact, take a moment right now to give your body thanks for creating life and nurturing that life,' the blonde encouraged.

Teresa also described recently getting back into her work out routine after the birth of her ten week old son.

Documenting: Teresa documented her exciting night on Instagram

Multitasking mama: Teresa doted over baby Forest while she got ready for her 'very first Oscars'

Sweet tribute: Teresa's husband Mark Webber posted this tribute his wife, who also celebrated her birthday on Sunday, on Instagram

'Next week after the Oscars weekend I'm going to go to the gym! I just joined a new gym which has a child care,' the Lights Out star told her readers.

'Forest is now old enough to go for an hour at a time so my plan is to do a class there about 3 times a week,' she wrote.

Teresa also detailed 'moving her body' five times a week which also includes a yoga class and a hike.

Say cheese: The blonde beauty posed up for photos with Mario Lopez on the red carpet

Aussies reunited: She also shared a cuddle with Today show host Richard Wilkins

Self love: Last week Teresa took to her Your Zen Mama blog to encourage other women to embrace their bodies after giving birth

She told Kyle and Jackie O last year that she 'really packed it on' during her second pregnancy but wasn't worried as she planned to have six kids.

'Six is my number!' she said enthusiastically. 'It truly is. My husband is down (with it). He's like, 'Why not?''

Teresa's Hacksaw Ridge costar Luke Bracey looked dapper in a classic tuxedo.

Suave: Teresa's Hacksaw Ridge costar Luke Bracey looked dapper in a classic tuxedo

Sharp: The 27-year-old actor, who plays Smitty in Mel Gibson's film, paired the look with formal black shoes as he posed for snaps on the red carpet

The 27-year-old actor, who plays Smitty in Mel Gibson's film, paired the look with formal black shoes as he posed for snaps on the red carpet.

Teresa is married to Mark Webber and they have a two sons, three-year-old son Bodhi Rain and newborn son Forest Sage.

She writes: 'We spend far too much time punishing ourselves over what we see as our sagging breasts, mum bums, cellulite, muffin tops, wobbly arms, thick thighs'

Family time: Teresa is married to Mark Webber and they have a two sons, three-year-old son Bodhi Rain and newborn son Forest Sage
She's well-known for her high-profile engagement to billionaire James Packer.

But Tziporah Malkah who was booted from I'm A Celebrity on Sunday night was once close friends with radio star Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald.

The former model was interviewed by Fitzy and his co-star Wippa on their Nova breakfast show on Monday morning, where they discussed their 'relationship'.

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Tell-all: Tziporah Malkah- formerly Kate Fischer- was close friends with radio star Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald over a decade ago, and appeared on his NOVA breakfast show Monday to discuss their 'relationship'

Flustered Fitzy! The radio star was keen to move on to another subject when co-star Wippa asked Tziporah if the former AFL player was a good kisser

'Was he a good kisser?' Wippa cheekily asked, to which quick-witted Tziporah replied, 'I dont think we did much foreplay, I think we were just P***ed when we did it!'

It's believed outspoken Tziporah was only having a joke.

After Wippa laughed and said, 'So you don't remember what his moves were like?' the former Kate Fisher replied 'I dont know darling. I know Fitzy has a Mrs now, and I want to respect to his Mrs.'

'I don't!' Wippa replied, wanting more details, 'I don't for one second!

Before TV and radio: Fitzy (pictured in 2000) was an AFL player when he met Tziporah who convinced him to move into TV

An clearly flustered Fitzy was keen to change the subject, quickly moving on from the personal situation.

He was previously asked about the 'relationship' on an episode of The Project, before ending the awkward exchange.

In Monday's interview on Nova, Tziporah explained how the pair came to be friends, before Fitzy shot to fame on the 2004 series of Big Brother.

He took her advice! Fitzy went on to appear in Big Brother in 2004 and is now a high-earning radio star

At the time, in the early 2000s, Tziporah, who was a top model, reached out to Fitzy, who was playing AFL for the Sydney Swans.

'Apparently you got a bit excited and got a bit dressed up for the date. You thought it was a date,' Tziporah said.

'I said actually, 'No Ryan, I would like to talk about your television career'. I tried to talk you into going into TV.'

Brunette beauty: Tziporah is pictured in 2006

Initially, Fitzy was reluctant, although the pair ended up becoming friends.

'We used to go to the Clovelly Hotel [in Sydney]. We used to have a schnitzel and a couple of beers and wines.

'You used to tell me about getting into the TV career and I didnt believe you. I didnt think I was good enough,' Fitzy explained.

Tziporah even went to visit Fitzy's parents in South Australia, which she says she 'loved'.

Shutting it down: Fitzy previously shut down questions about the 'relationship' when he appeared on The Project

The two have had very different paths since those days over a decade ago, with Tziporah relocating to Los Angeles only to return to Australia after a partner took off with her money.

The brunette beauty spent time living in a women's shelter in Melbourne, before she was thrust back into the spotlight late last year.

'Im the one thats had to eat s**t in the jungle for the last four weeks and youre the one making what, close to one million dollars a year interviewing me,' Tziporah noted, saying her career advice was a success. 'So there you go Fitzy'.
Charlotte Crosby's relationship status has been on a spin cycle in the rumour mill for the past two weeks, following the confusion over her dalliance with fellow reality star Stephen Bear.

And now, to add a further twists to the situation, fans of the former Geordie Shore personality have begun speculating that she is pregnant with his child.

Taking to Twitter and Instagram on Sunday, Charlotte posted an innocent video of her in a dress from her InTheStyle collection, in front of a mirror, fluffing up her hair do.

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'Is that a baby bump I see?' Charlotte Crosby's fans speculate she is PREGNANT after she posts misleading video online... but her fashion label hits back to vehemently deny claims

Shot from an aerial angle, the pale green coloured wool dress, nipped in at the waist with a chunky black belt, appears to fall over the 26-year-old's stomach at an angle that suggests she could have a hint of a bump.

This has led to a slew of comments on the video, desperately speculating that the former Celebrity Big Brother winner is with child - Bear's child, to be precise.

'Is that a baby bump I see?' one follower asked.

Another convinced Instagram user wrote: 'Girl you pregnant; we see you!'

Someone else typed: 'She's 100% pregnant!'

Someone else took the bull by the horns and tagged Charlotte in the comment so as to try and get her full attention: '@charlottegshore are you pregs?'

Smoke and mirrors? Shot from an aerial angle, the pale green coloured wool dress, nipped in at the waist with a chunky black belt, appears to fall over the 26-year-old's stomach at an angle that suggests she could have a hint of a bump

Someone else began to ramble about the likelihood of a Charlotte/Bear baby: 'Bearz always saying he wants a baby bear wen he meets a women so is she ???'

Another referred to Charlotte's dress at last week's BRIT awards, which had also received pregnancy comments: 'She looks pregnant. In her Brit pic she was holding her stomach!'

However, InTheStyle took to the same Instagram thread to shut down the rumours, posting: 'GIRLS!! We can confirm Charlotte is not pregnant - are you joking, look at her amazing figure!!! The ring light in the room causes a slight shadow on her stomach that is all!!'

The impassioned comment will no doubt reflect the brand's zealous attempts to defend their brand, aimed at young, svelte women who look up to reality stars.

Speculation: Another comment referred to Charlotte's dress at last week's BRIT awards, which had also received pregnancy comments - 'She looks pregnant. In her Brit pic she was holding her stomach'

Charlotte is a face of the brand, alongside Made In Chelsea's Binky Felstead and The Only Way Is Essex's Billie Faiers - both of whom are currently expecting babies.

MailOnline have contacted Charlotte's representation for further comment.

Despite the denial form InTheStyle, a baby with Bear would certainly clear up the confusion over the pair's are they/aren't they situation.

They were caught out the other day when they were spotted together yet again - Charlotte was seen on Saturday leaving Bear's house in London.

Expecting something? Someone else began to ramble about the likelihood of a Charlotte/Bear baby on Twitter, posting - 'Bearz always saying he wants a baby bear wen he meets a women so is she ???'

Despite working together, then being seen publicly flirting and kissing, followed by Instagram posts and even a holiday with one another, the pair have been adamant that they aren't a couple.

But things looked very domestic on Saturday as the pair left the house together, with Bear, 27, taking his dog for a walk in one direction and Charlotte going for a jog in the other.

She then met him back at his house where they jumped into a car together and drove off.

This comes one day after Charlotte tweeted that she would marry him one day.

Flat as a pancake: Charlotte was certainly not looking bloated on the pair's recent holiday together

According to The Mirror, the attractive blonde took to her social media page to admit that she 'loves' the reality star - who is appearing on the current season of Celebs Go Dating - and would 'be his wife'.

But this was swiftly deleted from her Twitter account.

The paper reports that Charlotte had written to followers on Friday night: 'I LOVE @stephen_bear YEH I DO YEH YEH UEH HEH FOREVER AND EVER AND I WILL BE HIS WIFE FOR (sic).'

Charlotte and Bear first sparked speculation of a romance when they stepped out for a romantic dog walk in matching jumpers.

Over? It was reported last week that their rocky six-week fling had come to an end, after Stephen reportedly kissed a girl and propositioned another on Celebs Go Dating

However it was reported last week that their rocky six-week fling had come to an end, after Stephen reportedly kissed a girl and propositioned another on Celebs Go Dating.

Charlotte was said to be 'furious' after watching the notorious womaniser's antics on the reality show - in which he asks one girl if she 'fancies a sh*g'.

However the pair were then pictured on a hotel balcony together in Barcelona completely nude, suggesting they had reconciled.

During their whirlwind break, Charlotte excitedly revealed the launch date of their new show Just Tattoo Of Us - where they reportedly met.
They are known for packing on the PDA on the red carpet.

And Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were at it again at the Oscars in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The country music crooner could not keep his hands off his stunning wife, patting her bottom as they sauntered down the ruby rug.

The loved-up couple also shared a very passionate kiss in front of the cameras, locking lips like no one was watching.

Get a room! Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman shared a VERY passionate kiss on the red carpet at the Oscars in Los Angeles on Sunday

PDA alert! The country crooner also patted his wife's bottom as they sauntered down the ruby rug

Speaking to Mail Online's red carpet correspondent Baz Bamigboye, Nicole referred to herself as a gentle 'kitten' as opposed to her movie's namesake Lion.

'Lioness? No. I'm a kitten,' the actress laughed.

Keith quipped: 'Kitten? I don't know about that.'

Look into my eyes: Nicole literally looked like she had cast a spell over her husband

True love: The couple couldn't keep their hands off each other

It wasn't hard to see why Keith was so enamoured with his wife on the night.

The strawberry blonde beauty looked incredible in a nude-hued gown by Armani Prive and Harry Winston jewelry at the star studded event.

At one stage, Keith looked in complete awe of his stunning spouse as she posed and preened for the cameras solo

Just the two of us: It was like the couple were the only ones in the room

In total awe: Keith couldn't stop staring at his beautiful wife as she posed on the red carpet

Speaking to Australian Entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins on the red carpet, the Aussie beauty revealed she suffered a wardrobe malfunction when the strap of her gown broke on the way to the show.

But Nicole had quickly recovered, and was back to her best as she headed into the esteemed awards.

For her makeup, Nicole wore a bright shade of red lipstick while keeping her porcelain complexion looking flawless with foundation and a hint of pink blush.

Lashings of mascara completed the stunner's look for the star-studded event.

Dapper: Keith looked extremely dapper in a black tuxedo as he posed with the Hollywood star

Nicole missed out on the Best Supporting Actress gong, with the statuette going to Viola Davis for Fences.

Meanwhile, according to this week's New Idea magazine, Nicole and Keith, both 49, are 'actively looking' for a surrogate to carry their next child.

'They've decided to go down the surrogacy route and are actively looking for the right woman to carry their third baby,' the publication's source claimed.

The insider went on to claim that the Hollywood couple have been in contact with the same agent they used to conceive their youngest daughter Faith and 'are hoping to have contracts sorted in six to eight weeks'.

Absolutely stunning: Nicole simply stunned in a nude-hued gown by Armani Prive and Harry Winston jewelry at the star studded event

Nicole's representative, Wendy Day, declined to comment on New Idea's reports.

Earlier this year, the actress opened up about her hopes to have another baby with her husband.

'I still have the faintest hope that something may happen to me this year,' she told The Mail on Sunday's Event magazine.

She added: 'Keith and I would love to have more babies. My grandmother gave birth to my mother at 49. I would be beyond happy and just welcome it with open arms.'

The Nashville-based star fell pregnant with her first biological child, Sunday Rose, when she was 41 years old.

The couple then went through a surrogate to conceive their second daughter Faith Margaret, with Nicole recalling they 'wanted another child so much that it hurt'.

Nicole is also mother to Isabella, 24, and Connor, 22, whom she adopted during her marriage to Tom Cruise.
Her younger brother Robert appeared on Jimmy Fallon last week, showing off his skills handling a range of wild animals.

But according to New Idea, it's Bindi Irwin's boyfriend, Chandler Powell, who is set to become 'the face of Australia Zoo'.

The magazine has reportedly interviewed zoo employees, who have spoken under the condition of anonymity.

'So much like Steve': New Idea reportedly spoke with Australia Zoo employees, who say Bindi Irwin's boyfriend Chandler Powell is set to become the face of the wildlife park

They claim that US-born Chandler 'is being trained to take over the conservation side of the park'.

Bindi and mum Terri believe that the 20-year-old is ''so much like Steve' and 'think it's a miracle they've found each other''.

Chandler, who has been dating Bindi for two years, is 'enthusiastic and not afraid to get his hands dirty, just like Steve was' according to one employee.

'He's breathed new life into Australia Zoo. He loves the marsupials, but can't wait until he's experienced enough to handle the snakes and crocs by himself,' the source added.

Khaki couple: Chandler proudly wears his Australia Zoo uniform, and he and Bindi live on-site in a 'love nest'

Chandler's Instagram account is full of photos showing the budding star in close contact with a range of animals.

In pictures from last year, Chandler is even seen jumping on a crocodile and handling a large python.

And clearly proud of his affiliation with the wildlife park, Chandler frequently wears his Australia Zoo cap and khaki uniform.

Loved-up: Chandler has been dating Bindi for two years

The magazine also reports that he has moved into Bindi's luxury compound, located on the park's premises.

Another source told the publication the premises are 'their own private love nest' and 'Bindi loves taking him [Chandler] out to the croc ponds to teach him what her dad taught her'.

Gushing posts: The couple aren't shy in sharing couple snaps to their social media accounts

Indeed, it seems their romance is going from strength to strength, with Chandler posting a snap to Instagram on Sunday that shows him holding hands with his lady love.

Chandler sweetly captioned the snap, 'Sometimes even the smallest of moments turn out to be the most meaningful. Thank you for making every moment so special.'

Daily Mail Australia have reached out to Australia Zoo for comment on New Idea's claims.
He walked the red carpet alone.

But Ryan Gosling's sister Mandi, 40, filled in for his girlfriend Eva Mendes at the Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday.

Social media platform Twitter went wild over the identity of the 36-year-old's date as the ceremony aired on Sunday night.

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Meet Ryan Gosling's sister: Ryan Gosling was joined at the Oscars not by his girlfriend Eva Mendes, but by his sister Mandi

Starting a buzz: Social media platform Twitter went wild over identity of the 36-year-old's date as the ceremony aired on Sunday night

Taking the plunge! Mandi certainly was dressed to steal the show

It's not the first time Gosling has been joined by his glamorous older sister, an LA producer who helped produce Pharrell Williams' Grammy award-winning song Happy.

Mandi, who Gosling once credited with helping him think like a girl, has appeared as her brother's date at numerous events over the past decade.

Mandi, who appears to be single and has also worked as an associate producer on Dateline, has also accompanied Ryan to countless movie premieres and other celeb-packed events over the years.

She was even at her brother's side for his first Oscar nomination ten years ago.

The event, clearly a proud moment for the star, who turned the event into a family affair, also bringing his mother Donna for his best actor nomination for as a drug-addicted teacher in Half Nelson in 2007.

Although he didn't win, that did not stop him inviting his sister along when he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Lars and the Real Girl the following year.

The brother and sister sat together snacking on the free sweets that fell from the ceiling during the ceremony.

But never has she caught the limelight as much as she did at this year's Oscars in her low cut gold ensemble.

Her social media pages reveal it's not the first outing for that knockout dress. She also wore the golden stunner at her 40th birthday celebrations last month.

Her social media pages reveal it's not the first outing for that knockout dress. She also wore the golden stunner at her 40th birthday celebrations last month

At his side for a decade: Mandi Gosling was there for her brother's first ever Oscar nomination for Best Actor in Half Nelson in 2007 (pictured with Ryan, center and their mom Donna, right)

A stunning family: Later that same year, Ryan took his older sister as his date to the film premieres of Fracture (left) and Lars And The Real Girl (right)

Fresh faced: The pair attended the premiere of Ryan's movie Half Nelson that went onto to see him nominated for an Oscar

Brotherly love: In 2008, Mandi - in another metallic dress - accompanied Ryan to the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2008, in LA

Comments online primarily centered in on Mandi's cleavage.

User MaryWallYall said: 'Just found out the boobs by Gosling is his sister and now I feel a little awkward.'

Another from user Ginny asked: 'Who belongs to the boobs next to Ryan Gosling?' 'Who is boobs mcgee that's with ryan gosling?', added Babe Ruthless.

Some Twitter users even correctly theorized the woman beside Ryan was his sister.

Twitter user Vito Selvaggi hilariously tweeted, 'Someone introduce me to Ryan Gosling's sister.'

'Have we figured out who @RyanGosling's date is? His sister?? She's gorgeous,' wrote Melissa Kenney.

Twitter went wild: Users went wild once they found out it was Ryan's sister with him

'Has to be his sister': Several Twitter users correctly speculated it was Ryan's sister

'Her boobs are outta control': Twitter user Madi Rose did not hold back in her observations

Ryan, meanwhile, was initially spotted walking the red carpet solo in a fetching tuxedo in Hollywood on Sunday.

The dashing La La Land star looked every inch the A-lister as he hogged the limelight alone after opting against bringing his long-term lover Eva Mendes as his date. The couple are famously private so it was not a huge surprise Mendes didn't accompany Ryan on Sunday.

The Canadian beefcake was in fine form as he opted for a classic look of black tuxedo, frilly shirt, bow tie and shiny leather shoes.

Happy to be there: The siblings happily applauded as the show rolled

Having a chat: Timberlake mingled with the Gosling siblings

Family affair: The Notebook actor was no doubt thrilled to have his older sister join him

Dropping jaws: The star's sister no doubt turned heads

Star studded! Gosling likely felt a little star struck as Timberlake danced right in front of her

Pleased to meet you! Mandi beamed as she met with several attendees

It's a party! Ryan gazed up towards the ceiling

Save the day: Couch Potato asked someone to 'save Ryan Gosling from those boobs'

Wondering: Babe Ruthless referred to Mandi as 'boobs mcgee'

Mingling: Mandi stood close by as her brother chatted with Justin Timberlake

Round of applause! Mandi smiled as she and her brother clapped

Going solo: The Best actor nominee walked the Oscars red carpet alone in Hollywood Sunday

Ryan, who has already won a Golden Globe for his turn as jazz pianist Sebastian in La La Land, certainly had a confident air as he lapped up the attention from the gathered gaggle of photographers.

He hailed his connection with leading lady Emma Stone as he chatted on the red carpet.

Ryan said; 'Its so much fun working with her. Weve been really lucky that we were asked to improvise on our first film together, and thats where we created a connection.

Confident: Ryan wore a smug grin as he graced the pre-event red carpet

Daddy cool: The father-of-two was looking smart in his classic tuxedo

Hogging the limelight: He attended the event without his long-term lover Eva Mendes

'Weve been really lucky to work that way.'

The former Mickey Mouse Club mouseketeer has been in a relationship with actress Eva since 2011, and the couple have two daughters together, born in September 2014 and April 2016.

Romantic showbiz musical La La Land topped the Oscars nominations list with an amazing 14 nods.

Loving it: Ryan was lapping up the attention as he was mobbed bu excited fans

Canadian hams: He was given a good luck handshake by countryman Michael J Fox

What's in his Notebook? Perhaps he had brought a prepared speech to the thrilling event

The number ties the record set by Titanic and All About Eve and has a chance to beat the record 11 Oscars that have been won by Ben-Hur, Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Its 10 other nominations came in nine categories.

Given how La La Land is not on the same level of brilliance as the other films, it seems rather unlikely to transpire however.

After last year's #OscarsSoWhite controversy, seven of the 20 actors nominated for awards are non-white.

Winning formula: He has already scooped a prestigious Golden Globe for his turn opposite Emma Stone

Going down like the Titanic? La La Land tied the James Cameron film's record for Oscars nominations list with an amazing 14 nods
Kyle Sandilands has revealed he is suffering from a triple hernia.

The 45-year-old shock jock made the confession this Monday live on air during his KIIS FM radio show during a segment which saw him attempt to lift a ute with his bare hands.

Speaking to his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, Kyle confessed lifting the vehicle would go against doctors orders, saying: 'It doesn't sound great, a triple hernia. The doctor's like, 'You've got a bloody triple hernia. What are you doing?''

'It doesn't sound great': Kyle Sandilands has revealed he is suffering from a triple hernia

'Anyway I'm going to lift it, against doctor's orders,' he went on, prompting Jackie to warn him that his physician 'won't be happy'.

Having recently admitting to tipping the scales at 138kgs, Kyle has made no secret of his health and weight-related struggles.

In 2011, he was rushed to hospital following a high blood pressure reading during filming of Australia's Got Talent.

Against doctor's orders: The 45-year-old shock jock made the confession this Monday live on air during his KIIS FM radio show during a segment which saw him attempt to lift a ute with his bare hands

Are you sure you want to do that? 'Anyway I'm going to lift it, against doctor's orders,' he went on, prompting Jackie to warn him that his physician 'won't be happy'

Then, in 2014, Kyle announced live on air that his lifestyle had caused weakness in his abdominal walls, giving him a hernia.

Approaching the situation with humour, he joked at the time: 'Who would have thought this beautiful stomach would not be able to hold all my stuff inside?'

Kyle had vomited mid-way through an interview days before being diagnosed with the hernia.

Health woes: Having recently admitting to tipping the scales at 138kgs, Kyle has made no secret of his health and weight-related struggles

In 2015, Kyle stripped off his shirt during an appearance on The Morning Show in an attempt to poke fun at his bulging belly.

'I am a mess and would like to live a bit longer,' he told host Larry Emdur, before stating he will be having 'an operation in December'.

In November 2016, Kyle confessed that his weight was hindering his ability to do everyday activities, telling Jackie: 'I used to be able to squeeze past an air hostess on a plane, but now... I've gotten so big I can't.'

Discussing health with British pop star Robbie Williams, the radio presenter confessed to drinking Coca Cola before 9am and vowed that he would 'never' give up smoking cigarettes despite his health woes.

'I am a mess and would like to live a bit longer': In 2015, Kyle stripped off his shirt during an appearance on The Morning Show in an attempt to poke fun at his bulging belly
He's one of the top producers in Hollywood and she's his muse.

And on Sunday, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann radiated classic Hollywood glamour as they hit the red carpet of the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre.

The comedic couple, who've been married nearly two decades, were both dressed to the nines at Sunday's event, with Apatow clad in a traditional tuxedo and bow tie, while Mann was decked out in a resplendent bumblebee yellow gown, reminiscent of Belle's in Beauty and the Beast.

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Hollywood's finest: Judd Apatow, 49, and Leslie Mann, 44, radiated glamour as they hit the red carpet of the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre. The pair are celebrating their upcoming 20th wedding anniversary in June

Stunner: Mann looked nothing short of amazing in a yellow gown reminiscent of Belle's in Beauty and the Beast

The vivid garment had layers of draped bows as the How to Be Single beauty sashayed in front of photographers in the brilliant ensemble.

The 49-year-old Apatow was present Saturday at Oscar rehearsals, where he kept an eye on Mann as she practiced a speech she was slated to deliver during Sunday's show.

Apatow, who's currently producing the HBO comedy shows Girls and Crashing, spoke with E!'s Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet about how he and Mann, 44, are gearing up for their milestone 20th anniversary this summer.

Regal: The prosperous producer gazed in awe watching his sexy spouse show off her gown

All angles: Mann navigated the red carpet with grace and beauty, giving the bank of photographers plenty of angles of her gorgeous gown

Elegant: The graceful California native waved at photographers as Judd and Michael Strahan (left) looked on

'In June, it goes down,' said the New York native, who's featured his stunning spouse in films he's directed such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and This Is 40.

Seacrest told the show biz ace how his parents Gary and Constance recently celebrated their 47th anniversary, to which Apatow and Mann - who tied the knot June 9, 1997 - had a comedic reaction.

Apatow asked Mann, 'Honey, could you imagine 27 more years?' to which she responded, 'No, no way ... yes!'

Emerald excellence: Judd and Leslie are only a few months removed from celebrating their 20th anniversary on June 9. The duo have two daughters, Maude, 19, and Iris, 14

How to be stunning: Leslie's billowing bumblebee yellow gown was one of the more memorable get-ups on the evening

The tandem initially came together in 1995 making Jim Carrey's The Cable Guy, a film which Apatow produced and Mann acted in.

Even in the embryonic days in their relationship, seeing Mann smooch on camera with actors made her then-spouse-to-be a bit uncomfortable.

Speaking with Alec Baldwin on his Here's the Thing podcast in 2013, Apatow admitted he's 'always disgusted when she fools around with anyone,' noting Leslie's lip-locks with the one-time Ferris Bueller on the set of the 1996 film.

'I remember when we shot The Cable Guy she kissed Matthew Broderick and then when they parted I saw in the dailies there was like a spit string that connected them for like a foot.'

Practice makes perfect: Apatow was considerably more casual as he watched Mann recite her speech at Oscar rehearsals on Saturday

Star-maker: (Left to right) Jennifer Konner, Apatow and Lena Dunham were snapped earlier this months at the Girls premiere in NYC
He may have been nominated for an Oscar for the first time in 20 years, but Mel Gibson, 61, focused much of his attention on his two-week-old son Lars when TV presenter Richard Wilkins caught up with him on the red carpet on Monday.

Brandishing his phone from his pocket, alongside his 26-year-old girlfriend Rosalind Ross, Mel showed the Today show entertainment reporter a picture of his newborn wearing a suit, proudly declaring: 'He's got a tux on!'

An impressed Richard quickly replied, 'Can you believe it. Lars is wearing a tux!'

Proud papa! Mel Gibson, 61, focused much of his attention on his two-week-old son Lars when Channel nine presenter Richard Wilkins caught up with him on the red carpet on Monday

Mini Mel: Brandishing his phone from his pocket, Mel showed Richard a picture of his newborn wearing a suit, proudly declaring, 'He's got a tux on!'

Obviously a proud dad, the Braveheart star recently sat down with Extra Host Mario Lopez to talk about his new film Hacksaw Ridge, and couldn't help gushing over his new baby boy.

When Mario asked about the latest addition to his family - his ninth child - the director gushed: 'He great, he's growing, he's eating like a little pig and is doing just great.'

He continued: 'He even smiles. Two weeks old, he has a grin going, so something's funny  I don't know what.'

Nominated! Mel has been nominated an Oscar for the first time in 20 years

Excited dad! Mel focused much of his attention on his two-week-old son Lars in a recent interview with Extra's Mario Lopez at the Oscar nominees luncheon in Beverly Hills

He also touched on his nomination for directing the film Hacksaw Ridge and what it's like to be back on the awards circuit.

'Twenty years ago is the last time I did one of the lunches,' he recalled.

Mel won an Oscar for directing Braveheart in 1996 and he says he's happy to attend the luncheon 20 years later and see old friends.

Gushing! When Mario asked about the latest addition to his family - his NINTH child - the actor was excited to talk about his growing son

Back to work! He also touched on his nomination for directing the film Hacksaw Ridge and what it's like to be back in the awards circuit after 20 years

'I bumped into Denzel [Washington],' he shared. 'He was brutally honest and told me I need to go to the gym.'

Mel told Mario the mother of his ninth child will be joining him at the Oscars, saying she's excited to be there and already 'looks like a million bucks,' just two weeks after giving birth.

The actor and former equestrian vaulter are going strong despite much criticism about their age gap.

Bundle of joy! The actor and the former equestrian vaulter, Rosalind Ross, welcomed a child together in January

The Lethal Weapon star told The Mirror back in November: 'Regarding age and relationships, it's just a number. We dig each other.'

Speaking about Rosalind, who he has been dating for two years, he added: 'She is an adult and we dig each other.

'It might cause a problem and one has a trepidation about these things, but it's working out great. She is a really special person.'

The former vaulting champ was first spotted with Gibson, in July and has since become a regular fixture at his side.

Hacksaw Ridge has placed the actor and director back in Tinseltown's good books after he was the focus of multiple high profile scandals.

In 2006, the Oscar winner was arrested on a DUI charge on a Californian highway and his hate-filled rant at his arresting officer caused public shock and outrage.

'The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,' he was recorded saying.

Oscar luncheon: The famed director posed for the annual 'class picture' at the luncheon on Monday

But the American born, Aussie-raised star has been redeemed with Hacksaw Ridge, starring Andrew Garfield.

The war drama has been nominated for a slew of awards, including multiple Golden Globes, BAFTAs and a whopping six Oscars.

The most satisfying of which for Mel must be his Best Achievement in Directing nomination, as well as the film's nod as Best Motion Picture of the Year.
He quit the petrol head series amid reports of him being a bully on set in July.

And now, Matt LeBlanc claimed he hasn't heard from his former co-host Chris Evans since his departure from BBC's Top Gear last summer.

The 49-year-old former Friends actor has revealed the Radio 2 DJ has yet to reach out to him, after he found out about his departure in the Press.

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Radio silence: Matt LeBlanc has admitted he hasn't heard from his former co-host Chris Evans since his departure from BBC's Top Gear last summer

Honest: Speaking to The Sun , the 49-year-old has revealed the Radio 2 DJ has yet to reach out him, after he found out about his departure in the press

Speaking to The Sun, he said: 'I haven't heard from him since  which is his choice.'

The comment adds fuel to the fire that the pair kept their relationship simply professional on and off the set.

However, LeBlanc refuted the claims and insisted the flame-haired presenter's busy schedule was to blame.

He added: 'I saw the stories that we weren't getting along and there was a row between us, but we were fine. I liked Chris Evans.

LeBlanc has also spoken for the first time about the infamous Cenotaph stunt, which saw him do 'donut' wheel spins with driver Ken Block near the war memorial.

He told The Sun that the route had been planned and approved by the relevant authorities, but they would not have done it in hindsight.

Skid marks on Whitehall by the Cenotaph war memorial after a Top Gear shoot last March

In the Cenotaph incident, Evans apologised after his co-presenter LeBlanc was snapped in a souped-up car doing spins near the war memorial on Whitehall

Like everyone else: The actor spoke exclusively to to Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine and admitted that he found out about Evans's resignation like everyone else

LeBlanc added: 'I certainly didnt mean to disrespect anything like that  a war memorial - and people did seem really upset by it and I apologise for that.'

The actor spoke exclusively to Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine last week and admitted that he found out about Evans's resignation like everyone else.

I certainly didnt mean to disrespect anything like that - a war memorial - and people did seem really upset by it and I apologise for that Matt LeBlanc, on the infamous 'donut' Cenotaph stunt on Top Gear

He said: 'I didn't even know he was quitting!' said LeBlanc as he prepared to launch the first Top Gear of the post-Evans era, with himself in the driving seat.

As for the stormy waters that seem to surround the Top Gear production, LeBlanc said it can be overwhelming.

'I don't know why there's such huge controversy about it, but boy, being on this show is like being in a fish bowl. Everybody's after you, waiting for you to put a foot wrong, and that can be tough.

'But I like cars, I know a little bit about cars, I can say some funny things about cars and hopefully people want to watch me. Hopefully.'

As the March 5 debut for the upcoming season of Top Gear rapidly draws close, bosses of the BBC Two show have unveiled the first new promo shot.

Overwhelming: As for the stormy waters that seem to surround the Top Gear production, LeBlanc says it can be overwhelming

In the driver's seat: LeBlanc poses with his co-hosts (l-r) Chris Harris and Rory Reid, as well as The Stig (background, left), in the first promo shot for the new season of Top Gear

The main image shows returning star LeBlanc beaming as he's flanked by co-hosts Chris Harris and Rory Reid while standing among a collection of luxury cars.

With a space shuttle taking off in the background and a helicopter hovering overhead in the cloudy skies, the dramatic shot notably excludes Evans, who quit the show after just one season following an unprecedented dip in ratings.

Evans and LeBlanc took over when the series was rebooted following the departure of hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

But radio personality Evans quit the show after one series following plummeting ratings and poor reviews, saying he gave it his best shot but it was 'not enough'.

Following his resignation, Evans said LeBlanc was the 'captain' that the programme needed going forward and should remain on the show, dismissing reports that the pair's relationship had broken down amid flagging audience figures.

In the Cenotaph incident, Evans apologised after his co-presenter LeBlanc was snapped in a souped-up car doing spins near the war memorial on Whitehall.

It left scorch marks behind the Cabinet Office, and sparked a furious row over Top Gear's 'gravely disrespectful' behaviour.

New trio: The beaming new line-up of co-hosts also pose together in a less dramatic shot

As politicians and former Army chief Colonel Richard Kemp condemned the BBC for the 'distasteful' sequence, Evans used his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show to say sorry - vowing the Cenotaph footage would not be broadcast.

The BBC had faced a battle to relaunch the series since Clarkson was ousted after being involved in an infamous fracas with a producer at a hotel.

Executive producer Lisa Clark quit halfway through filming, shortly followed by script editor Tom Ford  and viewing figures slumped to record lows.

Evans was named as the new host after the departure of controversial frontman Clarkson after the confrontation with producer Oisin Tymon.

It was revealed that the row, which happened in a North Yorkshire hotel, took place because no hot food was provided following a day's filming.

His dismissal prompted a mass walkout as Richard Hammond, James May and Andy Wilman, the executive producer and old school friend of Clarkson, all resigned.

After the incident, Clarkson, May and Hammond went on to sign a deal for a new Amazon Prime motor show called The Grand Tour with a reported budget of 160million.
She has revealed that she's planning to dance until the early hours regardless of the outcome in her Best Supporting Actress category.

And Naomie Harris' partner on the dance floor will be her plus one to the ceremony - her hardcore mum Carmen.

The 40-year-old opted for a more modern and trendy white sequinned number - featuring a quirky cropped hem and saucy cut-out at her bust.

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Gorgeous: The British stars of the acting world certainly did not disappoint in the style stakes on Sunday night as they arrived at the prestigious 89th Academy Awards, with Naomie Harris leading the way in white and yellow

The Moonlight star truly dazzled in the glittering gown very typical of its designer Calvin Klein by Appointment, which cut into a sweetheart strapless bra top to leave plenty of her gorgeous, glowing skin on show.

Upping the sex appeal on her big night, the frock then split at the front into a separate crop top and skirt, which gave a subtle but sexy flash of her enviably toned abs and enhanced her famously statuesque figure for all to see.

Shaking up convention further, the figure-hugging gown then daringly cut off at knee length to reveal her legs beneath - instead extending into a bold long square skirt and train at the back only.

Proving her effortless and natural beauty, Harris swept her perfectly straightened hair back behind her shoulders to display her stunning features to all - which she accentuated with contrasting pink eye shadow and a glamorous slick of eyeliner.

Dazzling: The Moonlight star truly dazzled in the glittering gown very typical of its designer Calvin Klein, which cut into a sweetheart strapless bra top to leave plenty of her gorgeous, glowing skin on show

Flawless: Proving her effortless and natural beauty, Harris swept her perfectly straightened hair back behind her shoulders to display her stunning features to all - which she accentuated with contrasting pink eye shadow and a glamorous slick of eyeliner

Adding vibrant yellow heels encrusted with gems in a colourful finishing touch, the Skyfall star oozed glamour as she worked her best angles and flashed her winning smile at the cameras.

The dress is designed by Calvin Klein by Appointmen and Harrois said she was sent a sketch for the gown 'ages ago.'

She added that she had a fitting on Friday and had a few adjustments made.

'I'm so happy with it,' said the Oscar nominated star said.

Sleek: Upping the sex appeal on her big night, the frock then split at the front into a separate crop top and skirt, which gave a subtle but sexy flash of her enviably toned abs and enhanced her famously statuesque figure for all to see

Recognised for her stunning performance as a drug-addict single mother in Moonlight, Harris said she and her mother planned to visit as many post-Academy Awards parties as possible and dance through until dawn.

Well, there are lots of parties and we tend to go to them all, said the teetotaller, who was awarded an OBE for services to drama by the Queen just last week.

Im going to have a great Oscar night especially because my mum is like a hardcore partier.

The idea is to be out till around five oclock in the morning.

White dream: Supporting Actress nominee Naomie Harris, 40, opted for a more modern and trendy white sequinned number - featuring a quirky cropped hem and saucy cut-out at her bust

Party in the back! Shaking up convention further, the figure-hugging gown then daringly cut off at knee length to reveal her legs beneath - instead extending into a bold long square skirt and train at the back only

The actress, who plays Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond 007 films, said she would be in bed by 10pm on Saturday to save her energy for the big night.

The idea is to be rested for the Oscar ceremony and all that follows, she said.

She explained that her mother likes to stay out later than me.

Ill be helping her go hardcore, said Harris.

Brit brigade: Harris, Dev Patel and Andrew Garfield lead the British nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, for their roles in Moonlight, Lion and Hacksaw Ridge

Sweeping: The actress, who plays Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond 007 films, said she would be in bed by 10pm on Saturday to save her energy for the big night

She doesnt go wild or anything like that. Its more that she doesnt stop.

She wont give in until weve exhausted all the parties on our list.

Harris was raised in a two-bedroom council flat in north London by Carmen, who worked in the Post Office to support them.

Her mum, now 58, later studied for a sociology degree and became a successful screenwriter.

To the top: Harris was raised in a two-bedroom council flat in north London by Carmen, who worked in the Post Office to support them

Stunning: Recognised for her performance as a drug-addict single mother in Moonlight, Harris said she and her mother planned to visit as many post-Academy Awards parties as possible and dance through until dawn

Moonlight has become one of the surprise hits of the awards season.

On Saturday the film won five trophies, including best picture, at the Film Independent Spirit Awards which took place in a mammoth marquee on the beach at Santa Monica.

The mother and daughters post-Oscar ceremony party circuit was due to include the official Governors Ball, which most guests attend - often to graze on the food and exotic beverages laid out after the three-hour ceremony.

The Harrises also planned a trip to the Vanity Fair after-party, and then the ultra-exclusive bash hosted by Madonnas manager Guy Oseary.

Nominee: Well, there are lots of parties and we tend to go to them all, said the teetotaller, who was awarded an OBE for services to drama by the Queen just last week

Proud: Mahershala Ali was congratulated by his co-star Naomie for his win in the Supporting Actor category

Even Academy Award winners have been known to be turned away from Osearys party because their names werent on the list.

Im told its tough to get in but were invited, Harris said.

She said her male co-stars had been boasting about their dancing skills, including Trevante Rhodes, the 27-year-old Louisiana-born actor who claims he is a wizard on the dance floor.

Ill be changing out of my red carpet shoes and Ill be putting on my flats and Ill be putting Trevante to the test.

My mum will, too, the north-London based actress said.

Getaway: After all the Oscar festivities are over, Harris and her mum will fly to north Mexico for a well-earned holiday

After all the Oscar festivities are over, Harris and her mum will fly to north Mexico for a well-earned holiday.

Harris, Dev Patel and Andrew Garfield lead the British nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, for their roles in Moonlight, Lion and Hacksaw Ridge.

ABC is broadcasting the prestigious awards show live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Nighttime talk show funnyman Jimmy Kimmel hosts Hollywood's glitziest ceremony this year with entertainers Justin Timberlake, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Legend and Sting performing during the night.
Night out: Miss Harris and screenwriter Carmen

British star Naomie Harris was planning to dance until the early hours regardless of the outcome in her best supporting actress category - with her hardcore mum Carmen by her side.

Harris, 40, was yet another nominee to take a parent as their plus one to the glittering ceremony.

Recognised for her stunning performance as a drug-addict single mother in Moonlight, Harris said they planned to visit as many post-Academy Awards parties as possible and dance through until dawn.

Well, there are lots of parties and we tend to go to them all, said teetotaller Harris, who was awarded an OBE for services to drama by the Queen just last week.

Im going to have a great Oscar night especially because my mum is like a hardcore partier.

The idea is to be out till around five oclock in the morning.

The actress, who plays Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond 007 films, said she would be in bed by 10pm on Saturday to save her energy for the big night.

The idea is to be rested for the Oscar ceremony and all that follows, she said.

She explained that her mother likes to stay out later than me.

Ill be helping her go hardcore, said Harris.

Harris, 40, was yet another nominee to take a parent as their plus one to the glittering ceremony

She doesnt go wild or anything like that. Its more that she doesnt stop.

She wont give in until weve exhausted all the parties on our list.

Harris was raised in a two-bedroom council flat in north London by Carmen, who worked in the Post Office to support them.

Her mum, now 58, later studied for a sociology degree and became a successful screenwriter.

Moonlight has become one of the surprise hits of the awards season.

On Saturday the film won five trophies, including best picture, at the Film Independent Spirit Awards which took place in a mammoth marquee on the beach at Santa Monica.

Harris was raised in a two-bedroom council flat in north London by Carmen, who worked in the Post Office to support them.

The mother and daughters post-Oscar ceremony party circuit was due to include the official Governors Ball, which most guests attend - often to graze on the food and exotic beverages laid out after the three-hour ceremony.

The Harrises also planned a trip to the Vanity Fair after-party, and then the ultra-exclusive bash hosted by Madonnas manager Guy Oseary.

Even Academy Award winners have been known to be turned away from Osearys party because their names werent on the list.

Im told its tough to get in but were invited, Harris said.

She said her male co-stars had been boasting about their dancing skills, including Trevante Rhodes, the 27-year-old Louisiana-born actor who claims he is a wizard on the dance floor.

Ill be changing out of my red carpet shoes and Ill be putting on my flats and Ill be putting Trevante to the test.

My mum will, too, the north-London based actress said.

After all the Oscar festivities are over, Naomie and her mum will fly to north Mexico for a well-earned holiday.
Things became heated between the stars of The Real Housewives Of Sydney on Sunday night's premiere.

And it appears the lack of food and overflowing drinks may have intensified the cast's emotions, as the reality show kicked off with plenty of drama.

'There was a lot of alcohol involved,' 52-year-old Victoria Rees told NW magazine.

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'There was a lot of alcohol involved': The cast of The Real Housewives Of Sydney have revealed the overflowing drinks and lack of food on-set may have intensified the drama between stars

'So after a couple of drinks you really say what you think... more so,' the cosmetics mogul added.

The mother-of-one was seen getting into an altercation with her co-star AthenaX Levendi during Sunday's episode.

The two came to blows when Victoria confronted AthenaX about gossiping about her 'fat little girl' past.

Emotions run high: Victoria Rees told NW magazine that the women didn't hold back their opinions 'after a couple of drinks'

'What are you offended about? That you were a fat little girl when you were little? Isnt that the reality?' AthenaX asked her co-star.

Victoria then asked to try on AthenaX's netted cape under the pretense that they were making up.

But instead of making amends, Victoria threw her co-star's garment into Sydney Harbour, where they'd gathered for a party.

Truth elixir? One of the housewives revealed there was 'a lot of alcohol involved' in the filming of the show's premiere episode

'You can go and get your f**king cape Athena, and I'll see you later,' Victoria yelled.

Meanwhile, AthenaX, 40, also told NW she was agitated due to the lack of access to during filming.

'Sometimes it took forever before we ate something,' the jewellery store owner told the publication.

Drama! Victoria and her co-star AthenaX Levendi came to blows during the first episode, with the 52-year-old throwing her castmate's cape into the harbour

Gossip: Earlier in the night, Victoria confronted AthenaX about gossiping about her with the other women, telling them she was once 'fat' as a child

'So then my blood sugar had dropped right down and if someone said boo to me, I'd go nuts.'

The tough filming conditions also appeared to get to housewives Krissy Marsh and Lisa Oldfield, who clashed at one point.

Lisa, 41, told Krissy, 45, to 'shut up' while calling her 'Chewbacca' during the party, which was in honour of housewife Nicole O'Neil.

Blasted: Meanwhile, Lisa Oldfield (right) told her co-star Krissy Marsh (left) to 'shut up' in one scene, as well as calling her 'Chewbacca'

Lisa was about to deliver a toast to Nicole when Krissy interrupted, causing the brunette to fire up.

'Can you just shut up? Look Chewbacca, back off,' Lisa blasted.

The Real Housewives Of Sydney is on Foxtel's Arena on Sundays, 8:30pm.
She's just given birth to her first son, Lars Gerard Gibson, just five weeks ago.

And Rosalind Ross has shown off her slender post baby body walking alongside her partner Mel Gibson on the Oscars red carpet.

The 26-year-old screenwriter showed off her trim figure in a floor length sheer baby blue gown.

Elegant: Screenwriter Rosalind Ross showed off her post baby body alongside husband Mel Gibson

The strapless gown sat elegantly on her body as she posed for photographers arm-in-arm with her filmmaker husband, whose film Hacksaw Ridge was nominated for an accolade.

Her dress featured a corset bust and jacquard floral detailing on her waist.

Rosalind's Oscars look was paired with a matching blue envelope clutch.

Proud parents: The 26-year-old graced the red carpet in a strapless gown and posed for photographers arm-in-arm with her filmmaker husband

Glamour: Rosalind's dress featured a corset bust and jacquard floral detailing on her waist. She also showcased dazzling blue bejeweled pendant, earrings and ring

Her dress was showcased dazzling blue bejeweled pendant, earrings and ring.

The screenwriter's hair was styled in a braided up do, while her dramatic eye makeup contrasted her soft pink lipstick and flawless porcelain skin.

On the red carpet, the couple met with Channel Nine presenter Richard Wilkins, briefly chatted to him about their newborn.

Mel was also quick to share the first cute snap of Lars in his crib and donning a tuxedo to the red carpet correspondent

Simply stunning: The screenwriter's hair was styled in a braided up do, while her dramatic eye makeup contrasted her soft pink lipstick and porcelain skin glow.

In a recent interview with Extra host Mario Lopez he gushed about his newborn.

'He even smiles. He has a grin going, so something's funny  I don't know what.'

The last time Mel won an Oscar award was was for directing was for his 1995 film Braveheart.
She's known for flaunting every inch of her eye-popping figure.

And Sunday was no different for Sofia Vergara as she and husband Joe Manganiello attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

The 44-year-old Colombian beauty slipped into a see-through silver gown which exposed her bra and panties beneath.

Power couple! Sofia Vergara attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills with husband Joe Manganiello

The Modern Family star - who plays Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the ABC comedy series - showcased her phenomenal physique in the skintight number.

She wore her silky honey tresses stick straight and parted down the center for a dramatic look.

Sofia opted for a dramatic smokey eye with thin black liner, rosy blush and deep burgundy lip.

Eye-popping! The 44-year-old Colombian beauty slipped into a see-through silver gown which exposed her bra and panties beneath

Showstopper! The Modern Family star - who plays Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the ABC comedy series - flaunted every inch of her figure in the skintight number

Hunky husband! The Magic Mike star, 40, looked dashing as always in a black tuxedo with polished dress shoes, adding a bow tie to the classic ensemble

The Magic Mike star, 40, looked dashing as always in a black tuxedo with polished dress shoes, adding a bow tie to the classic ensemble.

Katy Perry also made sure to turn heads in a vintage-inspired beaded number.

The 32-year-old songstress oozed old Hollywood glamour in a chic couture gown with drop waistline and flapper-style skirt.

Bronze beauty! Katy Perry made sure to turn heads in a vintage-inspired beaded number

Vintage vibes! The 32-year-old songstress oozed old Hollywood glamour in a chic couture gown with drop waistline and flapper-style skirt

Leggy blonde! The Roar hit-maker showcased her lithe legs in the plunging feminine frock which included two thigh high slits

Luscious locks: The California-born beauty styled her platinum blonde tresses in a shoulder-length bob and wore neutral metallic hues of make-up to match the tone of her attire

Look of love: Katy hung with her boyfriend Orlando Bloom, 40, who smoldered in a fitted black tuxedo

Hot mama! Pregnant Ciara, 31, showed off her burgeoning belly in a plunging satin gown as she attended the bash with husband Russell Wilson, 28

FOMO: Party-hopping Ciara attended Elton John's AIDS foundation benefit beforehand and then changed her dress and went to the Vanity Fair event

She showcased her lithe legs in the plunging feminine frock which included two thigh high slits.

The Roar hit-maker styled her platinum blonde locks in a shoulder-length bob and wore neutral metallic hues of make-up to match the tone of her attire.

James Corden, 38, retired his hosting duties from the 59th Grammy Awards earlier this month and instead arrived at the Vanity Fair Oscar party with wife Julia Carey.

Sunday funday! Heidi Klum, 43, also made time for Elton John's AIDS foundation benefit before she slipped into a black feathered frock and made an appearance at the Vanity Fair event

Modern: Sarah Paulson, 42, donned a couture mustard yellow and black gown which striped down one side

Radiant! Kerry Washington, 40, flashed her cleavage in a plunging gold sequinned gown

Layers of lavender: Demi Lovato, 24, went with an over-the-top gown with layers of poofy tulle

Lovely in lace! Kate Hudson, 37, donned a nude-colored frilly frock with deep plunging neckline

In full bloom! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 29, showed off her baby bump in a chic silver gown while attending the event with fiance Jason Statham, 49

Heavenly! The Victoria's Secret Angel looked stunning as always in the long flowing gown with thigh high slit

Roll out the red carpet! Olivia Munn stood out from the crowd in a bold crimson gown

Slender starlet: The 36-year-old beauty showcased her svelte figure in the feminine frock

Perfect pair! James Corden, 38, retired his hosting duties from the 59th Grammy Awards earlier this month and instead arrived at the Vanity Fair Oscar party with wife Julia Carey

Dream in tangerine: Looking sensational, the blonde beauty showcased her enviable curves in her warm orange fishtail gown

Coordinating couple! Complementing the leading lady in his life, James sported a black tuxedo with a matching orange lapel and lining

Ample assets: Emily Ratajkowski, 25, put on her usual eye-popping display in a low-cut see-through sequinned gown

Pretty in pink: Dakota Johnson, 27, stepped out in a simple black dress but added a pop of color with satin ribbon cinched around her waist

Looking sensational, the blonde beauty showcased her enviable curves in her warm orange fishtail gown.

Teasing at her cleavage, Julia's figure-flaunting look hugged her pert posterior as she stopped for photos with her late night talk show host love.

Complementing the leading lady in his life, James sported a black tuxedo with a matching orange lapel and lining.

Brilliant in blue! Freida Pinto, 32, sparkled in a one-shoulder sequinned teal garb

Hot Hollywood couple: Miles Teller and his model girlfriend Keleigh Sperry, 24, were ever the gorgeous couple at the exclusive event

Blonde beauty! Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend, Nina Agdal, 24, showcased her ample assets in a sheer blue frock

Polished to perfection: A-listers (L-R) Liev Schreiber, 49, Michael Keaton, 65, and Jon Hamm, 45, looked handsome as ever in fitted tuxedos

In full 'blum'! Jeff Goldblum, 64, attended the star-studded affair with wife Emilie Livingston, 34, who is pregnant with their second child

Sealed with a kiss! The Jurassic Park star and his professional contortionist wife shared a sweet smooch as she looked lovely in a stunning lace gown by Olvi's

Chic: Shonda Rhimes, 47, looked lovely in a red flowing gown with black sequinned designs throughout

Sheer beauty! Elizabeth Banks, 43, gave a glimpse of her svelte figure in a sheer plunging gown with colorful embellishments along the flowing skirt

The CBS talk show host - who received rave reviews for his turn as Grammys presenter earlier this month - was all smiles as he held on tight to his glowing wife.

But it wasn't only the women who stood out from the crowd as Liev Schreiber, 49, Michael Keaton, 65, and Jon Hamm, 45, looked handsome as ever in fitted tuxedos.

Jeff Goldblum, 64, attended the star-studded affair with wife Emilie Livingston, 34, who is pregnant with their second child.

Ray of sunshine! Isla Fisher, 41, was shining bright in yellow as she attended the Vanity Fair bash with husband Sacha Baron Cohen, 45

Goood company! J.J. Abrams with wife Katie McGrath (L), and Ron Howard with wife Cheryl Howard posed for a snapshot at the A-list affair

Friendly former flames: Mindy Kaling with her ex and good pal, B.J. Novak, both 37, attended the A-list affair together

Revealing! Gabrielle Union, 44, flaunted every inch of her figure in a black and blue gown which tied up on one side

Ageless beauty! Mary J. Blige, 46, showed off her flawless figure in a see-through mesh dress

Ravishing in ruffles! Minnie Driver, 47, looked stunning in a one-shoulder lavender number

Great genes! Three of Mick Jagger's children, (L-R) Georgia May, 25, James, 31, and Elizabeth, 32, showed off their family's fantastic looks

Exposed: Model Poppy Delevingne, who is the older sister of actress Cara Delevingne, wore a sheer nude-colored number which revealed her lace panties

Tied up: Kelsey Grammer, 62, was joined by wife Kayte Walsh, 36, who went boho chic in a long flowing dress with braided hair

Stunning in silver! Thandie Newton, 44, and Amanda Peet, 45, shimmered in metallic frocks

The Jurassic Park star shared a sweet smooch with his professional contortionist wife who showcased her baby bump in a stunning lace floral gown by Olvi's.

Isla Fisher, 41, was a ray of sunshine in a strapless yellow satin gown as she attended the Vanity Fair bash with husband Sacha Baron Cohen, 45.

The 89th Annual Academy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and airs on ABC.

Stylish: Former Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly, 46, wore a black and white gown with keyhole cutout

Beauty in black! Girls actress, Allison Williams, 28, donned a shimmering halter-style gown

Fancy footwear! Monica Lewinsky, 43, donned a black sequinned gown with netted neckline and bright red stilettos

Fierce fashionista! Liberty Ross, 38, sported a lustrous silver jacket, adorned with intricate floral detailing, with velvet black lapels and cuffs
For most most people in the room, those little golden statuettes are all anybody wants to get their hands on.

Except Taraji P Henson, who just wants some Red Vines.

The Empire star looked like she had just won Best Actress when a packet of candy parachuted right into her lap on Sunday night.

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Who needs an Oscar? Taraji P Henson looked ecstatic as candy rained down from the roof at the Academy Awards

Score! The Empire star looked like she had just won Best Actress when a packet of candy parachuted right into her lap on Sunday night

Following Ellen DeGeneres popular pizza ordering stunt in 2014, host Jimmy Kimmel surprised everybody in the Dolby Theatre with a sweet treat.

'You can't really have movies without candy,' he told the crowd. 'It's un-American.

'Yeah, popcorn is, too, but we don't have that,' he added after a prompt from the crowd.

After telling everyone to close their eyes and wish for some, suddenly the auditorium was filled with tiny white parachutes carrying bags of Junior Mints and Red Vines.

Snacks: Following Ellen DeGeneres popular pizza ordering stunt in 2014, host Jimmy Kimmel surprised everybody in the Dolby Theatre with a sweet treat

Grab it: Michelle Williams looked a little apprehensive

No gummer bears? Meryl Streep was spotted sharing hers with husband Don Gummer

And nobody was more excited than Taraji, who was caught on camera squealing with joy at her bounty.

'It's time to find out how well those Spanx really work,' Jimmy joked.

Meryl Streep was spotted sharing hers with husband Don Gummer, while Andrew Garfield was seen graciously handing over his two his Best Actor rival Casey Affleck.

Happy: Pharrell Williams looked delighted with the haul

Sharing is caring: Andrew Garfield was seen graciously handing over his two his Best Actor rival Casey Affleck

Health kick: 'You know, for an extra $2 you can add avocado added to any of those candies,' he added, poking fun at the health conscious Californians in the room

'You know, for an extra $2 you can add avocado added to any of those candies,' he added, poking fun at the health conscious Californians in the room.

Lucky audience members then got a second candy drop, before a third of donuts and cookies.

Jimmy then made the crowd flinch when he announced coffee would be next.

Earlier, Taraji took to the stage with her Hidden Figures co-stars Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae to present the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, which was won by OJ: Made In America.

Center stage: Earlier, Taraji took to the stage with her Hidden Figures co-stars Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae to present the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, which was won by OJ: Made In America
Scarlett Johansson wasn't interested in a vapid red carpet interview Sunday.

The 32-year-old beauty, going through the glitzy rigmarole at the 89th annual Academy Awards, laughed off a seemingly-innocuous question from Ryan Seacrest about her choice of footwear during rehearsals over Oscars weekend.

The A-list actress was slated to take the stage in a presenting capacity on Sunday.

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Side-eye city: Scarlett Johansson, on the red carpet of the Oscars in Los Angeles Sunday, told Ryan Seacrest that he asked her 'a ridiculous question' in inquiring if she wore her heels during rehearsals for the show

Body language: A slightly-defensive Seacrest kept his composure, but informed the actress that a report indicated Halle Berry had worn heels during her practice session

Not for me: Scarlett chuckled as she told the media veteran that she couldn't imagine wearing the heels for two straight days

A-list acrimony? The exchange wasn't the usual brand of lighthearted banter on red carpets

Seacrest, 42, asked her if she wore her high heels as she practiced the drill for her appearance on the biggest stage in show business.

'Do you actually wear the shoes you're wearing tonight for the rehearsal?' Seacrest asked the Ghost in the Shell star.

'What a ridiculous question!' Johansson shot back, to which Seacrest noted that one of Johansson's fellow actresses, Halle Berry, went full bore with heels during her practice drill, citing a report from the Los Angeles Times.

Expressive: Johansson was a vision of glamour and beauty during the ceremony on Sunday

'This morning, I read it,' Seacrest said with a pointed finger to the Hail, Caesar! starlet, who chuckled in response.

The Avengers beauty told the radio host, 'Well, I did not ... I couldnt imagine having to put these on two days in a row - not that they're not gorgeous.'

Johansson noted that one 'can never have enough rehearsal' when it comes to hitting the Oscars stage.

He makes some points: The successful broadcaster worked as a correspondent for E! Sunday

Adoring public: The gorgeous performer waved to her fans as she entered the Dolby Theatre

The New York City native was accompanied to the proceedings by agent Joe Machota, who snickered as the star disregarded the American Idol host's bizarre query. Last month, the actress and her husband of two years, Romain Dauriac, separated, and she wasn't wearing a wedding ring Sunday.

What she was wearing was a sight to behold, as she donned a pink-and-purple Alaia gown with a skirt overlay and a silver belt. The Lucy beauty rounded things out with Fred Leighton jewelry.
There can be little doubt he was feeling the love tonight.

For Sunny Panwar was given rapturous applause when he recreated the Lion King's famous birth scene with host Jimmy Kimmel at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

The adorable moment came as the late night host mingled with the A-list audience inside Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.

Can you feel the love tonight: Lion star Sunny Panwar recreated the Lion King birth scene with Jimmy Kimmel at the Academy Awards on Sunday

The crowd cackled with glee when the bearded comedian hoisted the pint-sized Lion star into the air as The Circle of Life boomed in the background, with candy then raining from the sky.

The youngster looked cute as a button in his miniature tuxedo, which he wore with green and black shoes.

And he certainly won a host of new fans as he gamely partook in the comical moment with Jimmy, who initially suggested the youngster lift him off the ground before wisely opting to switch the roles.

It was a knowing nod to the moment when baby Simba is held aloft in front of assembled animals by Rafiki as his father King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi look on in the 1994 Disney classic.

Bend those knees: The ageing comedian had to be careful as he lifted the young cub

A sweet moment: Candy rained from the ceiling during their hilarious moment

Simba-ly adorable: The moment was a nod to the classic scene in 1994's The Lion King

Sunny has certainly lived up to his billing as 2017's answer to adorable Jacob Tremblay, the Canadian youngster who won a legion of fans due to his attention stealing turns on the awards circuit last year.

It was not the first time the youngster had been held aloft at an awards show this year, for his co-star Dev Patel hoisted him up to introduce their film at the Golden Globes.

The crowd cheered as he walked onstage, and he received rapturous applause after being lifted up to the microphone to say, 'This is our movie, Lion.'

He'll do anything for candy: It did not take long for Sunny to agree to Jimmy's scheme

The new Jacob Tremblay: Sunny is 2017's answer to last year's red carpet child star

Career highlight: Nicole Kidman got to act with the rising young star in Lion
They have been dating for more than a year and Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom looked as loved-up as ever as they cosied up at the Vanity Fair party on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old international pop star rocked a blunt bleach-blonde bob that contrasted strikingly with the bronze colour of the Jean Paul Gaultier dress.

And this may have been her best look of the 2017 award season - minus a possible wardrobe malfunction.

There he is! Orlando Bloom joined blonde girlfriend Katy Perry later on in the night, looking happy and relaxed as he posed with his lady at the Vanity Fair party on Sunday

Behind the scenes: Katy and talk show host James Corden lean towards a big-screen TV to watch the 89th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Vanity Fair party

The textured number comes from the haute couture house's Fall/Winter 2016 collection and along with featuring thigh high slits, features a strategically-placed mesh insert between the top half and the skirt of the dress.

When Katy posed from the front, the insert was unnoticeable - however, when she leaned over, it appeared as if the Chained to the Rhythm hit maker suffered a ripped dress wardrobe malfunction.

Twitter users were quick to point out a photo of Katy and talk show host James Corden leaning towards a big-screen TV to watch the 89th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Vanity Fair party.

Bombshell: Katy Perry, 32, dropped jaws in a gown with sky-high slits that showed off her lengthy pins at Sunday's Vanity Fair Oscar party

Having a drink: The pop star rocked a blunt bleach-blonde bob that contrasted strikingly with the bronze colour of the Jean Paul Gaultier dress

Front view: The textured number features a strategically-placed mesh insert between the top half and the skirt of the dress

Just friends: The crooner was accompanied by her friend, fashion writer Derek Blasberg

The 'malfunction' only actually shows a strip of the California cutie's skin, but that did not stop social media from going wild.

Katy's stylist Jamie Mizrahi - who made headlines when she dressed Syrian refugee Hala for the Oscars red carpet - paired the hot dress with simple, black Jimmy Choo barely-there heels.

Perry accessorized with rings by Lorraine Schwartz and earrings by Ofira Jewelz.

Details: Perry accessorized with rings by Lorraine Schwartz and earrings by Ofira Jewelz

A post shared by Derek Blasberg (@derekblasberg) on Feb 26, 2017 at 4:52pm PST

Flawless: Her makeup complemented the star's porcelain skin and featured a bronze-gold smokey eye, rosy cheeks and a peachy-nude glossy lipstick

Her makeup complemented the star's porcelain skin and icy blue eyes, featuring a bronze-gold smokey eyeshadow, rosy cheeks and a peachy-nude glossy lipstick.

The Dark Horse crooner's beau actor Orlando Bloom was missing in action at the beginning of the evening, but she was accompanied by her friend, fashion writer Derek Blasberg.

The duo have been seen stepping on the red carpet together before, according to Just Jared.

Friend zone: The duo is not romantically linked and has been seen stepping on the red carpet together before

Ready to party: Orlando was missing in action in the beginning of the evening, but made up for it by showing up dressed smartly and returning to his lady's side

Me and my pals: Katy caught up with stunning Girls star Allison Williams at the Vanity Fair bash

Chilling out: The pair lounged on the sofa with Katy's dress falling sideways to reveal a great deal of thigh

Bloom joined his blonde beauty later on in the night, looking happy and relaxed as he posed with his lady.

The Vanity Fair Oscar party hosts the biggest names of Hollywood after the awards ceremony.

It was held at the Wallis Annenberg Center and Beverly Hills Hall and hosted by Graydon Carter.

Friends in high places: Designer and director Tom Ford joined in the fun

Double split: Katy showed off her slim pins in the revealing gown

New hair don't care: The star usually wears her hair in a dark brown tousled style

This year's Oscars saw La La Land nominated for 14 Oscars but only scoop six gongs with it disastrously being erroneously named as Best Picture winner when presenter Warren Beatty was handed the wrong envelope.

The honour instead went to Moonlight, a low budget coming-of-age film about a gay African-American man growing up in Miami.

The film's star Mahershala Ali won the Best Supporting Actor gong for his role in the Barry Jenkins-directed movie becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.

Time to go: Katy consulted her phone while waiting for her car

Coffee time! Both Katy and Orlando sipped hot beverages

Chewing the fat: The weary stars were surrounded by partygoers as they waited to return home to put their feet up

Handsome pair: Katie and Orlando have been dating for around a year

Emma Stone beat out favourite Isabelle Huppert for a Best Actress win for La La Land while Casey Affleck saw off stiff competition to win Best Actor for his brooding performance in drama Manchester By The Sea.

And Viola Davis rounded off the big winners with her Best Supporting Actress gong for Fences, wowing the Dolby Theatre crowd with her acceptance speech.

'I became an artist and thank God I did,,' she told the star-studded crowd. 'Because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.'

Friends who party: Derek Blasberg posed with Katy inside the bash
They were touted as My Kitchen Rules' first Lebanese team meant to bring authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to the competition.

But fiery Adelaide cousins Lama and Sarah crashed and burned at their first instant restaurant with a Lebanese meal they themselves admitted was an 'epic fail'.

'I apologise to all Lebanese out there women who take pride in their cooking...The pressure and our chemistry has failed us,' an emotional Lama said after the judging.

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Downcast: Fiery Adelaide cousins Lama and Sarah crashed and burned at their first instant restaurant with a Lebanese meal they themselves admitted was an 'epic fail'

'I apologise to you all,' she repeated to the camera, after being given a devastating low of score of 18 out of 50 from the other cooks and 39 from the chefs.

Their effort was hampered by bickering in the kitchen that saw the pair give each other the silent treatment and all three of their dishes going wrong.

The group noticed that the stressed girls are not themselves, and in the kitchen the pair clashed again over Sarah's hummus, which Lama said needed more chickpeas.

As they made their entree, Sarah became angry with Lama when she added 'messy' molasses to the plates last minute.

An emotional Lama said after the judging: 'I apologise to all Lebanese out there women who take pride in their cooking...The pressure and our chemistry has failed us'

Not impressed: Their menu garnered low scores from the judges and the contestants

It was move which the judges criticized, saying it looked like the panicked after thought that it was.

Things only got worse after that, as Sarah and Lama became so cranky that they were giving each other the silent treatment as they cooked their main.

Chef Colin Fassnidge was forced to go into the kitchen and ask the girls to give each other a hug to ease the tension.

However Sarah and Lama's main didn't go down well either, and both Colin and judge Darren Robertson didn't enjoy it.

Everything went wrong! Things only got worse after that, as Sarah and Lama became so cranky that they were giving each other the silent treatment as they cooked their main

Colin said it was too stewed and tasted like meatloaf while Darren said said it tasted like stewed lamb.

Cyn slammed the food as a 'Lebanese baked dinner' and Marie compared it to a 2am kebab which is exactly what the girls didn't want.

'The first two dishes have been fails!' Lama complained but hoped that their dessert would save them.

Fiery! The Adelaide cousins admit that they bicker all the time but forgive each other fast

But further disaster loomed as the girls had another drama in the kitchen when their pan came apart, forcing them to start their custard over.

It took two and a half hours to finish the dessert but despite their effort to start over, the second custard didn't set, ruining the dish.

Lama said she was 'gutted' and an emotional Sarah called the whole meal an 'epic fail'.
She skipped the Oscars red carpet to head straight for the after party.

And Isla Fisher was shining bright in yellow as she attended the Vanity Fair bash in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

The 41-year-old showed off ample cleavage in the strapless Beauty And The Beast-inspired gown as she stepped out for the star-studded affair.

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Bold move! Isla Fisher stepped out sporting a bright yellow gown as she attended Vanity Fair's afterparty

The dazzling designer frock featured a tight bodice with a geometric-shaped sheer panel at the front.

The mother-of-three added glamour to the ensemble with a sparkly silver clutch and a matching cuff.

Taking to Instagram to share a moving image of her outfit, the redhead joked that she was 'auditioning for Beauty And The Beast'.

Happy couple: Isla's husband Sacha Baron Cohen also joined her at the exclusive party, both looking glamorous as they posed for photos

Belle of the ball: The 41-year-old took to social media to share a glimpse of her party outfit, which featured a cleavage-baring bodice and a sheer panel at the front

Her fiery locks were styled in flawless waves with a middle part, while a dark smokey eye brought intensity to the entire look.

The Nocturnal Animals star's makeup artist completed the look with a soft shade of pink on her lips and peachy blush on her cheeks.

Sharing a snap of her glam squad from from behind-the-scenes, the actress quipped: 'Polishing the turd ... thanks @sabrinabmakeup @cwoodhair [sic]'

Glamour: The mother-of-three's fiery locks were styled in glamorous waves for the star-studded gala

She's a fan! Isla was seen chatting to Reese Witherspoon

Big hug! The actresses shared a tender moment

Say cheese! Actress Diane Kruger was also in attendance

The candid snap shows the Australian-raised star being pampered by her hair stylist while wearing a white sheet wrapped around her figure.

Isla's husband Sacha Baron Cohen also joined her at the exclusive party, both looking glamorous as they posed for photos.

The pint-sized beauty recently revealed she was encouraged to audition for comedic roles by her husband of seven years.

Isla told The Herald Sun that she never imagined she'd be funny enough to work as a comedy actress as she didn't write her own jokes.

'I never realised you could improvise your own silly jokes and people would tap into your inner idiot and (you could) make a living,' Isla said.

'It was my husband who kept saying it so then finally I had the courage to say to my agent, "Do you think I could do a funny role?"'

The actress has gone on to star in romantic comedies including Wedding Crashers, Definitely, Maybe and Confessions Of A Shopaholic.
Vanessa Hudgens was a vision in white at Elton John's 25th annual Oscar viewing party this Sunday.

At the party benefiting Elton's AIDS Foundation, the 28-year-old talent sported a sexy corset-style dress by designer Kristian Aadnevik.

The former Disney talent bared her body in the gown which came complete with two dramatic slits that revealed both of Vanessa's shapely legs.

Cool as ice: Vanessa Hudgens turned heads in a revealing all white gown worn to Elton John's annual Oscar viewing party in West Hollywood

Dressed to impress: The former Disney star's daring dress was by designer Kristian Aadnevik

The provocative piece also revealed the High School Musical alum's shapely bust in a see-through corset style bodice which left little to the imagination.

The leg baring gown was teamed with a pair of nude heels that made the Powerless star's thin stems look nearly endless.

She topped off her ethereal gown with a dramatic cat eye, slicked back hair, and glossy nude lip.

Sealed with a kiss! The Spring Breakers star bared her thigh while blowing a kiss to the photogs

Leggy lady: The 28-year-old talent showed off her thin stems in a floor-sweeping white gown with double slits

Polished: The Powerless star rocked a dramatic cat eye and severely slicked back hair with her look

Before her night out, the California native made time for a pre-party snack, courtesy of Oreos.

The star looked white hot as she held onto an Oreo Chocolate candy bar which was ready to go in her clutch.

She captioned the shot with a quick promo saying, 'Essentials for tonight: dress, hair + one of the new @OREO Chocolate Candy Bars (delicious!)'

Her secret snack! Before heading to the Oscar viewing party, Vanessa snacked on an Oreo candy bar on Instagram

White hot! The California native felt flirty in her daring white dress as she blew a kiss at the camera while revealing both of her long legs

The daring fashionista is currently busy with several projects. Right now, you can see Vanessa swap out her glamorous gowns for office attire in the new NBC show Powerless.

In the DC comics inspired series, Vanessa plays insurance adjuster Emily Locke who leads a group of inventors who create products to protect everyday people from the aftermath of superhero events.

Powerless airs 8:30pm EST Thursdays on NBC.
Halle Berry shared a sexy skinny-dipping video shortly after Sunday night's Academy Awards ceremony.

The 50-year-old Oscar winner - who boasts 1.7M followers - captioned her Instagram: 'After a long award show a girl can't wait to take it off!'

In it, the barefoot biracial beauty made a bee-line for her swimming pool while stripping off her pink ombre Atelier Versace SS/17 couture gown.

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Wet and wild! Halle Berry shared a sexy skinny-dipping video shortly after Sunday night's Academy Awards ceremony

Fittingly, Halle - born Maria - selected Bruno Mars' R&B slow jam Versace on the Floor to accompany the slow-motion clip.

However, due to the obvious sunlight, it's more likely that Berry filmed her striptease on an earlier occasion.

The thrice-divorced mother-of-two is rumoured to be romancing photographer Cliff Watts (her daughter Nahla's godfather), so perhaps he was the lucky cameraman.

The former Bond girl's longtime stylist Lindsay Flores selected the single-sleeved dress, which she paired with 'the most comfortable Vince Camuto heels in the world.'

The 50-year-old Oscar winner - who boasts 1.7M followers - captioned her Instagram: 'After a long award show a girl can't wait to take it off!'

Cheeky: In it, the barefoot biracial beauty made a bee-line for her swimming pool while stripping off her pink ombre Atelier Versace SS/17 couture gown

Nude dive: Fittingly, Halle - born Maria - selected Bruno Mars' R&B slow jam Versace on the Floor to accompany the slow-motion clip

Amassed 60K views: However, due to the obvious sunlight, it's more likely that Berry filmed her striptease on an earlier occasion

Silver siren: The actress later attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

It's party time! Halle slipped into a dazzling silver and black minidress as she worked her magic on the red carpet

Work it: The star looked incredible as she mingled with the great and good of Hollywood

Hairstylist Castillo Bataille chopped five inches off Halle's hair to better shape her natural ringlet afro.

'With this look, I celebrate my natural hair by allowing it to be natural and free,' the Kevin Hart: What Now? star told E! News' Ryan Seacrest.

During the ABC telecast, Berry presented the trophy for best director to La La Land's Damien Chazelle.

The Scandale Paris lingerie designer next plays a mother searching for her abducted child in the long-delayed thriller Kidnap, which hits US theaters on March 10.

'Celebrating my natural hair!' During the ABC telecast, the former Bond girl presented the trophy for best director to La La Land's Damien Chazelle
They announced their joyous baby news earlier this month.

And Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looks as though she is truly taking to life as an expectant mother as she dazzled the red carpet alongside her fiance Jason Statham at the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscar Bash on Sunday night.

The 29-year-old British beauty showed off her bump in all its glory as she swept into the bash in a chic silver gown with a floor-sweeping hem and plunging neck while her beau, 49, looked dashing in a suit.

Oh mumma! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looks as though she is truly taking to life as an expectant mother as she dazzled the red carpet alongside her fiance Jason Statham at the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscar Bash on Sunday night

Rosie was boasting the fabled expectant mother glow as she wowed the bash in her gown, which nailed both sexy and stunning in one fell swoop.

Ensuring she matched up to her Oscar-winning cohorts, the model and actress slipped into the silver gown, which featured a dazzling silver bustier detail.

The empireline gown then fell into a clinging length of shimmering material, which sat perfectly around her burgeoning bump.

Adding a sexy touch to the ensemble, the gown featured a slashed hemline to best flaunt her endless model legs.

Dazzling: The 29-year-old British beauty showed off her bump in all its glory as she swept into the bash in a chic silver gown with a floor-sweeping hem and plunging neck while her beau, 49, looked dashing in a suit

Oh my! Ensuring she matched up to her Oscar-winning cohorts, the model and actress slipped into the silver gown, which featured a dazzling silver bustier detail

Elegance personified: Rosie was boasting the fabled expectant mother glow as she wowed the bash in her gown, which nailed both sexy and stunning in one fell swoop

Out and a pout: The Transformers beauty glowed as she posed this way and that to best show off her elegant gown from every angle

Ensuring her silver look was perfectly tied together, the stunning star then added chic accessories including glimmering heels which boosted her statuesque height and saw her stagger over her action man beau.

Giving the getup a further Hollywood touch was her dripping diamond earrings designed by Nirav Modi which perfectly coordinated with her eye-popping engagement ring from Jason.

Her beauty regimen was kept simple to make the most of the dazzling gown as she wore flawless dewy make-up complete with fluttering lashes.

She then scraped her blonde tresses into an elegant chignon piled above the nape of her neck with a slight beehive boosted on the crown of her head.

Hollywood hotties: Jason meanwhile looked typically dashing in his tuxedo as he gave his trademark brooding gaze to the vying photographers from around the globe

Wow! The couple have been dating since 2010 and Jason popped the question with a dazzling 243,000 engagement ring

Excited! Fellow model Alessandra Ambrosio beamed as she checked out Rosie's baby bump

Congratulations! Brazilian bombshell Alessandra squealed with delight as she greeted Rosie

Model behaviour: The two beauties stunned in their silky decadent gowns

Jason meanwhile looked typically dashing in his tuxedo as he gave his trademark brooding gaze to the vying photographers from around the globe.

The couple have been dating since 2010 and Jason popped the question with a dazzling 243,000 engagement ring.

Joining the handsome pair at the Vanity Fair bash were some of the hottest names in Hollywood including fellow mummy to be Ciara, who wowed in velvet.

The songstress slipped into an elegant floor-sweeeping gown as she joined her husband Russell Wilson on the red carpet as he held on to her bump.

Hot stuff: Joining the handsome pair at the Vanity Fair bash were some of the hottest names in Hollywood including fellow mummy to be Ciara, who wowed in velvet
She's been showing off her fashion credentials at London and New York Fashion Week.

And Kate Bosworth continued to dazzle as she attended Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday night.

The American actress, 34, stunned in a fairytale dress, showcasing her fabulous figure.

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Driving them green with envy! Kate Bosworth continued to dazzle as she attended Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday night

The beautiful floor-length piece featured an array of creased chiffon layers, and was cinched in at the waist by a brown velvet belt.

Featuring a low-cut neckline it showcased a glimpse of her curves and toned arms.

Accessorising with a few choice jewellery pieces, Kate wore a dazzling diamond necklace, drop earrings and a stunning bracelet.

Spinning around: The American actress, 34, stunned in a fairytale dress, showcasing her fabulous figure

With her golden hair in delicate side waves and gathered into a low bun, the Blue Crush star oozed understated elegance.

And making the most of her stunning features, she rocked a vampy bold red lip and accentuated her famous two tone eyes with lashings of mascara.

Twirling her gorgeous gown for the cameras, her look was complete.

And she cosied up to equally stunning Rosie Huntington Whiteley, who is expecting her first child with fellow Brit Jason Statham.

Cradling her bump, the blonde duo put on a glamorous display.

Standing out: With her golden hair in delicate side waves and gathered into a low bun, the Blue Crush star oozed understated elegance

Sizzling: The beautiful floor-length piece featured an array of creased chiffon layers, and was cinched in at the waist by a brown velvet belt

Show-stopping: Accessorising with a few choice jewellery pieces, Kate wore a dazzling diamond necklace, drop earrings and a stunning bracelet

Joining Rosie in her silver dress code was Diane Kruger, who posed alongside Kate in a thigh-skimming asymmetric dress.

Kate posed without husband of of three years Michael Polish, but recently opened up about about their love.

After meeting on the set of Big Sur in 2012, she told Marie Claire: 'There are so many people that hook up on movies, and you wonder if that's real, so we didn't go there.

'I think we were both experienced to know that if this was the real deal, we could wait to see what would happen.'

The blonde beauty is now step-mother to Jasper, his 16-year-old daughter from his first marriage to makeup artist Jo Strettell.

Making the most of her stunning features, she rocked a vampy bold red lip and accentuated her famous two tone eyes with lashings of mascara

Blondes unite! Kate cosied up to equally stunning Rosie Huntington Whiteley, who is expecting her first child with fellow Brit Jason Statham

Girls night! (L-R) Recording artists Danielle Haim, Alana Haim, and Este Haim of Haim with actor Kate Bosworth

The actress previously dated actors Alexander Skarsgard and Orlando Bloom.

Meanwhile there was huge embarrassment at the Oscars on Sunday night when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway wrongly announced La La Land as the winner of Best Picture, rather than hit flick Moonlight.

The stars and producers of La La Land were stopped midway through their acceptance speeches on stage, and forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight.

The audience were left gasping in horror as presenter Warren Beatty admitted he had wrongly announced 'La La Land' as the winner.

Solo appearance: Kate posed without husband of of three years Michael Polish, but recently opened up about about their love

'There are so many people that hook up on movies, and you wonder if that's real, so we didn't go there', 12, she told Marie Claire after meeting on the set of Big Sur in 20

In demand: The actress previously dated actors Alexander Skarsgard and Orlando Bloom

Having been given the wrong envelope, Beatty revealed he had seen the name Emma Stone from 'La La Land' when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

Following an official apology statement from the Oscars spokesperson, it has since emerged that there are back up envelopes for every category and Beatty was given the Emma Stone back up envelope by mistake.

Brown and blue eyed beauty: Making the most of her stunning features, she rocked a vampy bold red lip and accentuated her famous two tone eyes with lashings of mascara
She always looked preened to perfection at red carpet events.

But Mariah Carey suffered a slight wardrobe malfunction on Sunday, as she attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills.

The superstar diva, 46, accidentally flashed a bit too much of her cleavage while posing in a seriously plunging emerald animal-print Philipp Plein gown.

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Avert your eyes! Mariah Carey suffered a nip slip as she attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday night

The blonde beauty certainly stood out in the perilously plunging garment, which also featured a racy thigh-split.

Adding height to her glamorous ensemble, Mariah rocked a pair of black cross-strap platform peep-toe heels.

Styling her golden tresses in tousled waves, the superstar framed her eyes with plenty of mascara and bronze iridescent shimmer.

Working her angles, Mariah effortlessly showed off her svelte physique as she posed at the event, hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Stunning: Mariah Carey, 46, seemed pleased to be back on home turf after a holiday in Dubai

Oops: Mariah showed off too much of her cleavage in the plunging number

Chic: The superstar diva looked incredible as she flashed more than a peek of her cleavage in a plunging emerald animal-print gown

Meanwhile, Mariah jetted to the Middle East with her new boyfriend Bryan Tanaka, 33, and her twins twins Moroccan and Monroe Cannon, five, last weekend for the Dubai Jazz Festival.

And on Saturday, Mariah Carey returned to LAX with her travelling companions in tow.

Upon their return Mariah and Bryan looked loved-up as they attended boxer Floyd Mayweather's 40th birthday in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night.

She also got in a selfie with the smiling birthday boy and her beau as well, captioning the image, 'Happy birthday #Champ @floydmayweather. Would only fly 18 hours for your #Birthday'.

Cheeky: The blonde beauty certainly stood out in the perilously plunging garment, which also featured a racy thigh-split

Killer footwear: Adding height to her glamorous ensemble, Mariah rocked a pair of black cross-strap platform peep-toe heel

Glowing: Styling her golden tresses in tousled waves, the superstar framed her eyes with plenty of mascara and bronze iridescent shimmer

Around Thanksgiving of last year, Mariah and Bryan were spotted kissing in Hawaii, after speculation arose that the two were dating following a broken engagement.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, the We Belong Together songstress discussed, only slightly, her relationship with her much-younger beau.

'I don't think we're being public in a way that my relationships have been public before,' she began.

''I really don't. To me, the best thing of this is to keep it a little more private. But I'm not going to not go places with him and enjoy our lives because everybody thinks, 'Oh, it's too soon!' kind of thing. We all saw the freakin' show. This is not a surprise.'

Working her angles: Mariah effortlessly showed off her svelte physique as she posed at the event, hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Looking good: The mum-of-two certainly stole the show in her colourful gown
The series has been criticised for having poor sound quality.

But SS-GB kept the viewers attention on Sunday evening as Kate Bosworth, 34, stripped off for a raunchy sex scene with co-star Sam Riley, 27.

Not daring to bare all, the MTV Movie nominee could be seen protecting her modesty with her hands as she lay on top of her handsome on-screen beau.

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Steamy: SS-GB kept the viewers attention on Sunday evening as Kate Bosworth, 34, stripped off for a raunchy sex scene with co-star Sam Riley, 27

Putting on a very sultry display, the pair cosied up to one another as they shared a steamy smooch.

Not afraid to show off her incredible figure, Kate - who is married to director Michael Polish - also reclined on a green sofa before using one of the cushions to protect her modesty.

The BBC mini-series deals with an alternative reality in which the Nazis won World War II based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Len Deighton.

Chest a glimpse! Daring to bare all, the MTV Movie nominee could be seen protecting her modesty with her hands as she lay on her front on a sofa

Two's company! Kate looked comfortable as she rested on her handsome co-star

Pucker up: Putting on a very sultry display, the pair cosied up to one another as they shared a steamy smooch for the cameras

Set in Nazi-occupied London, the drama is based on the premise that the Germans won the Battle of Britain.

British actor Sam plays lead, British Detective Douglas Archer, who finds himself working under the brutal SS in occupied London and investigates what appears to be a simple black market murder.

Starring alongside him, Kate plays American journalist Barbara Barga, who becomes inextricably linked with the murder case that Archer is investigating.

On display: Not afraid to show off her incredible figure, Kate also reclined on a green sofa before using one of the cushions to protect her modesty

Cheeky! Kate's peachy posterior was on full display during the raunchy scenes

Under wraps: The pair kept their modesty with careful positioning of their arms and body

Cosy: The duo looked comfortable and content as they worked on the sizzling scenes

Taking it easy: Kate rested her head on her co-stars chest during the raunchy scenes

Sam said of his character: 'Archer is a compelling and complex character. He is a good guy struggling to reconcile his job as a policeman within the repressive Nazi machine.

'Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have written a gripping screenplay that pays homage to Len Deightons novel. I am very much looking forward to working with this talented team.'

Kate added: 'I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of this incredible team, bringing an iconic novel to the screen.'

SS-GB is available to watch on iPlayer and continues on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.
On a night dedicated to the very best of film it was fashion that inevitably dominated the red carpet at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Sunday evening.

And never one to shy away from the spotlight, Alessandra Ambrosio ensured she claimed her fair share of attention courtesy of two radically different but no less striking ensembles.

The sultry Brazilian model, 35, was on hand to celebrate as an ultimately chaotic end to the prestigious awards ceremony dissolved into an array of star-studded parties.

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Hard to miss: Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Alessandra Ambrosio ensured she claimed her fair share of attention courtesy of two radically different but no less striking ensembles on Sunday evening

On a busy night in Hollywood the form traded a peach design for a rather more vivid red gown ahead of the annual Vanity Fair Oscars party.

Making a bold entrance at the Wallis Annenberg Centre for Performing Arts, Alessandra once again claimed the limelight thanks to its striking, off-the-shoulder detail.

Revealing a hint of cleavage, the satin gown shimmered as she made her way inside ahead of the post-ceremony celebration.

A vision: On a busy night in Hollywood the model later traded her peach design for a rather more vivid red gown ahead of the annual Vanity Fair Oscars party

Hard to miss: Making a bold entrance at the Wallis Annenberg Centre for Performing Arts, Alessandra once again claimed the limelight thanks to its striking, off-the-shoulder detail

Model of perfection: Revealing a hint of cleavage, the satin gown shimmered as she made her way inside ahead of the post-ceremony celebration

In high spirits, Alessandra - a mother of two with partner Jamie - cast an appraising eye over pregnant Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's growing baby bump.

Earlier that night she made her presence felt at Elton Johns 25th Annual AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, Alessandra caught the eye in a peach satin gown complete with daring thigh-high slash.

With a delicately cinched waist, the backless dress accentuated the Victorias Secret Angels slender physique as she posed for photos shortly after arriving at The City of West Hollywood Park event.

Incoming: The Brazilian model joined a host of stars at the Beverly Hills party on Sunday evening

Banter: She was seen sharing a joke with pregnant model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Coming soon: Alessandra cast an appraising eye over the British star's growing baby bump

A sweeping train gave the look an elegant flourish, while glittering embellished heels rounded off an already striking ensemble.

In keeping with her soft colour scheme the model opted for deft, subtly applied touches of make-up that highlighted her well-proportioned features.

Also present was Alessandra's partner Jamie Mazur who joined the stunner for her special night out.

Side by side: The genetically blessed pair posed for a photo as the party kicked off on Sunday evening

My man: Alessandra's partner Jamie Mazur joined the stunner for her special night out

Here she comes: Making her presence felt at Elton Johns 25th Annual AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, Alessandra caught the eye in a peach satin gown complete with daring thigh-high slash

Party time: The sultry Brazilian model was joined by Petra Nemcova as an ultimately chaotic end to the prestigious awards ceremony dissolved into an array of star-studded parties

He was slightly more casually dressed wearing a polka dot shirt under a black suit and polished shoes.

The couple have two children together but had a night off from parenting duties for the memorable evening out.

Alessandra had equally good company in the form of fellow model Petra Nemcova, who stunned in a feathered gown with bold embellishments across either shoulder.

Say cheese: Alessandra and Petra were joined by popular American actor Jeffrey Tambor

It's behind you: Alessandra displayed her exposed back as she paraded in front of photographers

Bold statement: A sweeping train gave the look an elegant flourish, while glittering embellished heels rounded off an already striking ensemble

Here come the girls: (L-R) Models Josephine Skriver, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima and actor Jasmine Sanders

Strike a pose: She later posed for a fun selfie with models Adriana Lima, and Josephine Skriver




She's rather vocal about her love of health and fitness - so that's perhaps partly why Lorraine Kelly felt brave enough to strip off down to her bikini on live TV on Monday.

The 57-year-old presenter bravely waded into -29C icy Antarctic waters while Christine Bleakley looked on in horror from the studio in the UK where she is filling in.

Lorraine's latest trip is part of her 25th wedding anniversary celebrations with husband Steve Smith.

Brave: Lorraine Kelly, 57, stripped down to her bikini to wade into -29C icy Antarctic waters live on television as she celebrates her 25th wedding anniversary with husband Steve Smith

What a love: Talking to camera, while wearing a furry hat and very warm looking coat, Lorraine said: 'This is a first for me, this is Antarctica... and I'm going in'

Talking to camera, while wearing a furry hat and very warm looking coat, Lorraine said: 'This is a first for me, this is Antarctica... and I'm going in.'

Suddenly removing her red jacket, she faced her back to the camera as she ran into the freezing waters, while wearing a colourful printed bikini.

While her husband was no doubt behind the camera, Lorraine proved she had no fear as she went straight in while giggling.

What a woman! Suddenly removing her red jacket, she faced her back to the camera as she ran into the freezing waters, while wearing a colourful printed bikini

Having a blast: While her husband was no doubt behind the camera, Lorraine proved she had no fear as she went straight in while giggling

Understandably keeping her hat and gloves on, the early morning presenter seemed fearless during her 8:55am video link.

'Cheeky Lorraine, well done!' Christine said in shock as the camera panned back to her.

According to the Sunday Post, Lorraine's pilgrimage to Antarctica is to follow in the footsteps of her hero, explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

You've gotta do what you've gotta do: Understandably keeping her hat and gloves on, the early morning presenter seemed fearless during her 8:55am video link

She said: 'Ive always been fascinated by explorers and in Shackletons day Antarctica was like going to the moon.

'He was a remarkable man and Ive been an admirer since childhood. Im heading to Antarctica, Elephant Island and South Georgia, following the route of Shackletons Endurance Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

'Steve will be filming for my show and Ill be writing about the journey. I will, of course, be visiting his grave, raising a glass and toasting "the boss".'
She bagged a host of television award nominations this season thanks to her role as Maeve Millay in the hugely-popular HBO science fiction-Western series Westworld.

And Thandie Newton joined the great and good of Hollywood on the biggest night in film of the year at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Centre for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday night.

The actress, 44, looked incredible as she went braless in a plunging silver sequin gown, while cosying up to her husband, British writer and director Ol Parker, 48, on the red carpet at the star-studded bash.

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Silver siren: Thandie Newton and husband Ol Parker attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Centre for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday night

Thandie's exquisite gown was covered in sequins with intriguing fuchsia, black and gold beaded capped sleeves to add to the dramatic effect.

The Westworld star's stunning look featured a sheer waterfall-style skirt which, with its tiers of lacy material, nodded to the fashion of the 1920s.

Thandie accessorised her glittery ensemble with a statement silver geometric choker, a large pearl cocktail ring and a silver box clutch bag.

The Cambridge-educated star added height to her frame with a pair of towering strappy black sandals as she worked her magic in front of the camera.

Taking the plunge: The actress, 44, looked incredible as she went braless in a plunging silver sequin gown on the red carpet at the star-studded bash.

A fashion winner: Thandie's exquisite gown was covered in sequins with intriguing fuchsia, black and gold beaded capped sleeves to add to the dramatic effect

Thandie was preened and polished to perfection, wearing her long raven locks poker straight with a side parting.

The mother-of-three added drama to the look with aquamarine eye shadow, while she kept her lips natural and showed off her blemish-free complexion.

The Crash actress was joined at the glitzy event by her husband of 18 years, Ol Parker, who looked dapper in a tuxedo.

The couple - who raise three children together; daughters Ripley, 16, and Nico, 12, and son Booker, two - happily posed for pictures, before heading inside the party to boogie the night away.

Sheer daring: The Westworld star's stunning look featured a sheer waterfall-style skirt which, with its tiers of lacy material, nodded to the fashion of the 1920s

Thandie later shared a post-party selfie on Instagram, describing the evening as a 'night to remember'.

The star managed to look gorgeous in the intimate snap, despite having partied the night away with Hollywood's most famous faces.

Thandie gave a special mention to the film Moonlight in her caption after it won the Best Picture Award despite an almighty blunder which saw Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announce La La Land as the winner before realising the mistake.

The Pursuit of Happyness star captioned the image: 'Back from the #VanityFair Oscar party.

Flawless after a night of partying: Thandie somehow managed to look picture perfect in an intimate selfie she took after her night mingling with Hollywood's A list

'A night to remember - #Moonlight, #ViolaDavis, #OJSimpsondoc and many more garnering well deserved awards. Here's hoping Hollywood will continue telling stories about real peoples' struggles. Night x Thandie' (sic)

Thandie also shared her beauty preparations before the big night with her fans, posting a picture of herself in a bizarre plastic-looking face mask ahead of the award ceremony.

The star donned a Gucci hat in the snap, which she said was a gift from husband Ol, and called the face mask 'perfection'.

She wrote on the picture-sharing site: 'Shower cap? @gucci hat, bien sur. Gift from my hubster. Face Mask perfection @repiderme from best facialist in LA #Lulurdayspa xxxx Thandie' (sic)

Prep: The mother-of-three showed fans that flawless Hollywood looks take work as she shared a picture of herself prepping for the big night wearing a bizarre plastic-looking face mask

This year's Oscars was one of the most eventful in its 89-year history.

The big story was the almighty blunder that saw Warren Beatty name La La Land the Best Picture winner before, half way through the producers' acceptance speech, it was announced that the award was actually for film Moonlight.

In a heart-stopping moment, the stars and producers of La La Land were stopped midway through their acceptance speeches and forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight.

Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from 'La La Land' when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you.

'I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

Emma Stone was named Best Actress for her role in feel-good musical La La Land and Casey Affleck won Best Actor for the harrowing Manchester By The Sea.

Working it: Thandie accessorised her glittery ensemble with a statement silver geometric choker, a large pearl cocktail ring and a silver box clutch bag
She became a household name after starring in Fifty Shades Of Grey - but Dakota Johnson opted for just three shades when it came to her wardrobe on Sunday night.

The 27-year-old arrived at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, California, paying tribute to the Oscars gong.

Decked from head to toe in a high-necked golden satin gown by Gucci, she was a dead ringer for the iconic award as she posed for snaps.

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Three shades of satin: Dakota Johnson paid tribute to the actual Oscars gong in golden gown... before changing into black and pink ribbon gown for Vanity Fair after party

Group shot: Actor Dakota Johnson, production designer David Wasco and art director Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, winners of Best Production Design for La La Land and Jamie Dornan

She wore a series of cocktail rings as she posed with one hand placed on her hip.

The number had a vintage yet conservative twist, with an oversized ribbon placed around the waist.

Wearing her hair half-up and half-down, she completed her look with an oversized diamond necklace which added to the 80s feel of her look.

Golden girl: Decked from head to toe in a high-necked golden satin gown by Gucci, she was a dead ringer for the iconic award as she posed for snaps

All that glitters... Wearing her hair half-up and half-down, she completed her look with an oversized diamond necklace which added to the 80s feel of her look

Heading to the Vanity Fair post-Oscars party later on, she took the opportunity to change into another satin gown, this time slightly more revealing.

She wore a black slinky number which had spaghetti straps and a low-cut neckline.

It had an oversized and contrasting pink ribbon which cinched her in at the waist.

While Dakota wasn't up for an award herself, no doubt she was thrilled to be supporting her fellow peers.

Awkward: Dakota's Fifty Shades co-star Jamie Dornan actor joked to Ryan Seacrest that he hoped Dakota does not wear 'really tall heels' while the two presented an award onstage

He'll be happy: Luckily they appeared around the same height so his fears were unfounded

She's a real girl: Dakota tucked into some sweets as he walked around in her Gucci number

She shines: The actress looked lovely from every angle on the red carpet

Her co-star Jamie Dornan actor joked to E! News host Ryan Seacrest that he hoped Dakota does not wear 'really tall heels' while the two present an award onstage.

'I can't handle that,' he said, despite being three inches taller than the brunette beauty.

The twosome presented an award for Best Production Design, which went to La La Land.

Mixing it up: Heading to the Vanity Fair post-Oscars party later on, she took the opportunity to change into another satin gown, this time slightly more revealing

Stylish: It had an oversized and contrasting pink ribbon which cinched her in at the waist
As the daughter of Rocky star Sylvester and former model Jennifer Flavin, there's no doubt she is already Hollywood royalty.

And Sistine Stallone cemented her supermodel status as she mingled with the movie elite at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Centre for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday night.

The emerging catwalk queen, 18, dazzled in a glamorous black gown, featuring a daring thigh-high split and bralet-style detail with a mesh panel.

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Hollywood royalty: Sistine Stallone mingled with the movie elite at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars Party at Wallis Annenberg Centre for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday night

The teen star made the most of her long legs by slipping on a pair of black strappy platform heels to accentuate her frame.

Sistine let her sexy dress do the talking by keeping the rest of her glossy look simple and restrained.

Her honey-coloured tresses were teased into a casual high ponytail, which tumbled down her back.

The only jewellery the model wore was a pair of gold dangling earrings which perfectly complemented her tan.

Model behaviour: The emerging catwalk queen, 18, dazzled in a glamorous black gown, featuring a daring thigh-high split and bralet-style detail with a mesh panel

Elegant: The teen star made the most of her long legs by slipping on a pair of black strappy platform heels to accentuate her frame

Sistine carried a quilted patent leather clutch and kept her makeup simple with just a touch of black eye-liner and a slick of peachy lipstick.

The beauty is fast-becoming a star in her own right as she pursues a successful career in modelling.

Sistine was last seen strutting the Topshop Unique catwalk at London Fashion Week earlier this month in a pink backless floral dress.

Earlier this year, the genetically-blessed brunette starred in a short film by Love Magazine, revealing her incredible body in black lacy Marc Jacobs underwear.

Sistine recently said she believes being 'nice' will help her get ahead in the fashion world.

Catwalk star: Sistine rocked the Topshop Unique catwalk at London Fashion Week earlier this month, wearing a pink backless summery frock with white strappy heels

'I've been thrown into this adult world, and it's taught me to work hard and respect people's time,' the model told Town And Country Magazine.

She also said she hoped to study in New York at the same time as modelling. although her movie star father and former model mother are dismayed at the idea.

Sistine added: 'My parents would love to keep me near. They're protective, and they want their little girl home, but I feel that a smart move would be for me to go to college in New York and continue modeling there.

'But it kind of all depends on if I'm working, and what my parents think.'

This year's Oscars was one of the most eventful in the award ceremony's 89-year history.

Famous father: Sistine posed with her movie star father Sylvester at the 2017 HBO Golden Globes after party last month

The big story was the almighty blunder that saw Warren Beatty name La La Land the Best Picture winner before, half way through the producers' acceptance speech, it was announced that the award was actually for film Moonlight.

In a heart-stopping moment, the stars and producers of La La Land were stopped midway through their acceptance speeches and forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight.

Beatty blamed the epic mishap on being given the wrong envelope, saying he had seen the name Emma Stone from 'La La Land' when he opened his envelope.

'I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you.

'I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture,' Beatty told the shocked crowd as he explained the blunder.

Emma Stone was named Best Actress for her role in feel-good musical La La Land and Casey Affleck won Best Actor for the harrowing Manchester By The Sea.

Dare to bare: Earlier this year, the genetically-blessed brunette starred in a short film by Love Magazine , revealing her incredible body in black lacy Marc Jacobs underwear
She lost out in the Best Supporting Actress category for her portrayal of a drug-addicted single mother in Moonlight.

But Naomi Harris still had reason to celebrate on Sunday night, as the groundbreaking low-budget film scooped three gongs at the 89th Academy Awards.

The stunning actress, 40, commemorated the triumph as she changed into an exquisite Grecian one-shoulder gown to attend the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills.

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Chic: Naomi Harris, 40, changed into an exquisite Grecian one-shoulder gown to attend the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills

The brunette beauty stunned in the floor-sweeping number, which featured a romantic pleated skirt and cinched in her tiny waist thanks to clever tailoring.

Letting the statement gown do all the talking, the former Bond girl accessorised with an opulent gold clutch.

Wearing her long dark hair swept back from her shoulders, she added a pair of dazzling drop earrings as she posed at the event, which was hosted by Graydon Carter, at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Naomie was no doubt pleased with the success of Barry Jenkinss breakout film Moonlight on the night.

The film, which she shot in only three days, won Best Writing Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor in a Supporting Role - scooped by her co-star Mahershala Ali - and Best Picture.

Stunning: The brunette beauty stunned in the floor-sweeping number, which featured a romantic pleated skirt and cinched in her tiny waist thanks to clever tailoring

Gorgeous: The British stars of the acting world certainly did not disappoint in the style stakes on Sunday night as they arrived at the prestigious 89th Academy Awards, with Naomie Harris leading the way in white and yellow

Chic: Letting the statement gown do all the talking, the former Bond girl accessorised with an opulent gold clutch

Ready for her close-up: Wearing her long dark hair swept back from her shoulders, she added a pair of dazzling drop earrings

Meanwhile, Naomi was ever the sartorial maven opted for a more modern and trendy white sequinned number - featuring a quirky cropped hem and saucy cut-out at her bust at the awards themselves.

And she revealed that she's planning to dance until the early hours regardless of the outcome in her Best Supporting Actress category.

Naomie' partner on the dance floor was her plus one to the ceremony - her hardcore mum Carmen.

Flawless: Proving her effortless and natural beauty, Harris swept her perfectly straightened hair back behind her shoulders to display her stunning features to all - which she accentuated with contrasting pink eye shadow and a glamorous slick of eyeliner

The Moonlight star truly dazzled in the glittering gown very typical of its Calvin Klein by Appointment, which cut into a sweetheart strapless bra top to leave plenty of her gorgeous, glowing skin on show.

Upping the sex appeal on her big night, the frock then split at the front into a separate crop top and skirt, which gave a subtle but sexy flash of her enviably toned abs and enhanced her famously statuesque figure for all to see.

Shaking up convention further, the figure-hugging gown then daringly cut off at knee length to reveal her legs beneath - instead extending into a bold long square skirt and train at the back only.

Proving her effortless and natural beauty, Harris swept her perfectly straightened hair back behind her shoulders to display her stunning features to all - which she accentuated with contrasting pink eye shadow and a glamorous slick of eyeliner.

Sleek: Upping the sex appeal on her big night, the frock then split at the front into a separate crop top and skirt, which gave a subtle but sexy flash of her enviably toned abs and enhanced her famously statuesque figure for all to see

The whole gang: She showcased the antics backstage as she got ready before the awards

A-list treatment: She tucked into a light meal as the hairdressers got to work

Adding vibrant yellow heels encrusted with gems in a colourful finishing touch, the Skyfall star oozed glamour as she worked her best angles and flashed her winning smile at the cameras.

The dress is designed by Calvin Klein by Appointmen and Harrois said she was sent a sketch for the gown 'ages ago.'

She added that she had a fitting on Friday and had a few adjustments made.

'I'm so happy with it,' said the Oscar nominated star said.

Recognised for her stunning performance as a drug-addict single mother in Moonlight, Harris said she and her mother planned to visit as many post-Academy Awards parties as possible and dance through until dawn.

White dream: Supporting Actress nominee Naomie Harris, 40, opted for a more modern and trendy white sequinned number - featuring a quirky cropped hem and saucy cut-out at her bust

Party in the back! Shaking up convention further, the figure-hugging gown then daringly cut off at knee length to reveal her legs beneath - instead extending into a bold long square skirt and train at the back only

Well, there are lots of parties and we tend to go to them all, said the teetotaller, who was awarded an OBE for services to drama by the Queen just last week.

Im going to have a great Oscar night especially because my mum is like a hardcore partier. The idea is to be out till around five oclock in the morning.

The actress, who plays Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond 007 films, said she would be in bed by 10pm on Saturday to save her energy for the big night.

The idea is to be rested for the Oscar ceremony and all that follows, she said.

She explained that her mother likes to stay out later than me.

Ill be helping her go hardcore, said Harris.

Brit brigade: Harris, Dev Patel and Andrew Garfield lead the British nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, for their roles in Moonlight, Lion and Hacksaw Ridge

Sweeping: The actress, who plays Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond 007 films, said she would be in bed by 10pm on Saturday to save her energy for the big night

She doesnt go wild or anything like that. Its more that she doesnt stop.

She wont give in until weve exhausted all the parties on our list.

Harris was raised in a two-bedroom council flat in north London by Carmen, who worked in the Post Office to support them.

Her mum, now 58, later studied for a sociology degree and became a successful screenwriter.

To the top: Harris was raised in a two-bedroom council flat in north London by Carmen, who worked in the Post Office to support them

Stunning: Recognised for her performance as a drug-addict single mother in Moonlight, Harris said she and her mother planned to visit as many post-Academy Awards parties as possible and dance through until dawn

Moonlight has become one of the surprise hits of the awards season.

On Saturday the film won five trophies, including best picture, at the Film Independent Spirit Awards which took place in a mammoth marquee on the beach at Santa Monica.

The mother and daughters post-Oscar ceremony party circuit was due to include the official Governors Ball, which most guests attend - often to graze on the food and exotic beverages laid out after the three-hour ceremony.

The Harrises also planned a trip to the Vanity Fair after-party, and then the ultra-exclusive bash hosted by Madonnas manager Guy Oseary.

Nominee: Well, there are lots of parties and we tend to go to them all, said the teetotaller, who was awarded an OBE for services to drama by the Queen just last week

Proud: Mahershala Ali was congratulated by his co-star Naomie for his win in the Supporting Actor category

Even Academy Award winners have been known to be turned away from Osearys party because their names werent on the list.

Im told its tough to get in but were invited, Harris said.

She said her male co-stars had been boasting about their dancing skills, including Trevante Rhodes, the 27-year-old Louisiana-born actor who claims he is a wizard on the dance floor.

Ill be changing out of my red carpet shoes and Ill be putting on my flats and Ill be putting Trevante to the test.

My mum will, too, the north-London based actress said.

Getaway: After all the Oscar festivities are over, Harris and her mum will fly to north Mexico for a well-earned holiday

After all the Oscar festivities are over, Harris and her mum will fly to north Mexico for a well-earned holiday.

Harris, Dev Patel and Andrew Garfield lead the British nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, for their roles in Moonlight, Lion and Hacksaw Ridge.

ABC is broadcasting the prestigious awards show live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Nighttime talk show funnyman Jimmy Kimmel hosts Hollywood's glitziest ceremony this year with entertainers Justin Timberlake, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Legend and Sting performing during the night.
In recent months, she has been making endless professions of love.

And Vicky Pattison's enamoured status was plain to see with the beaming grin spread across her face as she headed to an Oscars celebration party in London with her boyfriend John Noble on Sunday night.

The 29-year-old former Geordie Shore star looked stunning in a skimpy black bandeau bralet paired with high-waisted black trousers while she upped the glam of the look with a huge fur coat over the top.

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I love him! Vicky Pattison's enamoured status was plain to see with the beaming grin spread across her face as she headed to an Oscars celebration party in London with her boyfriend John Noble on Sunday

Vicky looked stunning for her night on the town as she celebrated the most glamorous event in Hollywood's calendar at a bash hosted by E! News.

Having chronicled her weight loss journey in recent months, she was flaunting the results of her hard work - particularly her taut abs and flat stomach.

Giving a hint of her surgically-enhanced assets, the result of a boob job in 2014, the bandeau struggled to contain her cleavage.

Her high-waisted trousers and thick choker coordinated perfectly with the look in what appeared to be a three-piece set.

Busty babe! The 29-year-old former Geordie Shore star looked stunning in a skimpy black bandeau bralet paired with high-waisted black trousers while she upped the gam of the look with a huge fur coat over the top

Walking the aisle: The date night comes shortly after she revealed she is determined to tie the knot with her beloved boyfriend John

Ensuring she upped the glam factor to full, Vicky pulled a huge black coat over the top with the length skimming her calves and the top boasting a collarless detail.

Boosting her height and bringing her closer to John's statuesque stature was her sky-high pointed black heels which matched her Yves Saint Laurent handbag.

Vicky wore her lengthy tresses falling from a centre parting which fell in long lengths down her back and pulled back over her shoulder.

She added to the smouldering nature of the ensemble with a smudged eyeshadow pallet with lashings of eyeliner sitting alongside a taupe lip.

He's the one! After many failed attempts at love, the raven-haired beauty is adamant that the businessman is 'The One' - as she determinedly revealed she will marry him

John meanwhile was equally dressed-to-impress as he sported a black cardigan layered over a mint green shirt, untucked from his tight black jeans.

The date night comes shortly after she revealed she is determined to tie the knot with her beloved boyfriend John.

The reality star discussed her aspirations to wed her beau, yet admitted she has no plans to have children as she lewdly stated kids would 'ruin my body, steal my career and destroy my vagina'.

Happier than ever: She told Daily Star: 'Johns the one. I have no doubt in my mind. Hes the one I will settle down with and marry. Kids arent on the horizon but a big wedding and a lovely future is

Vicky soared to fame in Geordie Shore's 2011 inauguration, yet left the show in 2014's series eight after many dramas played out before she was hurtled into yet more reality stardom including a victorious stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

After many failed attempts at love, the raven-haired beauty is adamant that the businessman is 'The One' - as she determinedly revealed she will marry him.

She told the Daily Star: 'Johns the one. I have no doubt in my mind. Hes the one I will settle down with and marry. Kids arent on the horizon but a big wedding and a lovely future is.

I love him so! She told the Daily Star : 'Johns the one. I have no doubt in my mind. Hes the one I will settle down with and marry. Kids arent on the horizon but a big wedding and a lovely future is'

'I couldnt be happier and nothing Ive ever experienced before comes close to this feeling. (Kids) get on my tits.

'I love him and his company but Im not prepared to carry something for nine months which would then ruin my body, steal my career and destroy my vagina.

'After all that what if it turns out to be a prick and I dont even like it. Everyone says you will fall in love with your baby, but why? Just because theyve had the privilege of popping out of me fanny doesnt mean Im going to love them for it. Ill probably be too angry about everything else.'
This star was not about to let some chilly weather stop her from wearing some tiny weeny shorts.

Ariel Winter got a little cheeky as she headed out to lunch while the rest of Hollywood prepared for the Oscars.

The 19-year-old made Sunday a little more booty-ful as she stopped for a bite in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday.

Leggy display: Ariel Winter got a little cheeky as she headed out to lunch in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday

The star stepped out with a friend in a layered look that was not about to win her any style or practicality awards.

For her lunch, the Modern Family star wore a pair of tiny black silk shorts which flew up to reveal her bottom with every move.

As Los Angeles is actually having a winter this year and the micro shorts left her legs bare, Ariel tried to stay warm by adding a padded black Columbia jacket and a turtleneck top.

Drawing more attention to her exposed gams, the teen wore a pair of knee-high Stuart Weitzman boots.

Not her best: The star stepped out with a friend in a layered look that was not about to win her any style or practicality awards

So cheeky! For her lunch, the Modern Family star wore a pair of tiny black silk shorts which flew up to reveal her bottom with every move

Baby it's cold outside: As Los Angeles is actually having a winter this year and the micro shorts left her legs bare, Ariel tried to stay warm by adding a padded black Columbia jacket

Ariel completed the rather unusual ensemble with a pair of black frame glasses and a cross-body leather and chain handbag.

Daring to bare is nothing new for the teen star, just this week she posed up in some sheer lingerie while on a magazine shoot.

The star also shared a snap of herself sitting in just a robe with her legs pulled up to her chest.
Jared Leto has a habit of photobombing stars as they're on the red carpet.

The Dallas Buyers Club star has done it to Anne Hathaway and Diane Kruger in the past.

And on Sunday night Kelly Ripa, 46, was his new victim. The Suicide Squad actor jumped behind the Live host when she went to the Vanity Fair Oscar bash.

Crazy move: Jared Leto photobombed Kelly Ripa at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday

Nice Miley Cyrus impersonation: The blonde stuck her tongue out at the actor

Kelly, dressed in a black pantsuit, seemed fine with the stunt as she stuck her tongue out.

She was also seen with her husband Mark Consuelos who looked dapper in a white jacket and black tie.

Earlier the TV star looked stunning as she walked the carpet at the Academy Awards. Kelly wore a strapless blue gown.

On the bust and waistline she had butterflies pasted in black and white.

The love of her life: She was also seen with her husband Mark Consuelos who looked dapper in a white jacket and black tie

Knockout: Earlier the TV star looked stunning as she walked the carpet at the Academy Awards. Kelly wore a strapless blue gown

On Sunday morning the beauty dressed up like Audrey Hepburn's iconic Breakfast At Tiffany's character for a little pre-Oscar spirit.

In the Instagram picture, the starlet donned character Holly Golightly's signature sunglasses and a tiara while captioning the shot, 'Good Morning! Having "breakfast" before our long day at the #Oscars!'

Copy cat: Ripa channeled Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast At Tiffany's on Instagram on Sunday. The TV host is getting into the Oscar spirit

Her inspiration: Here you can see the opening scene from the 1961 Oscar contender, which was the inspiration for the AM host's Instagram pic

A cheery Kelly looks like the spitting image of Audrey in the 1961 Oscar winning film, complete with an elaborate up-do and pearls.

While channeling the Hollywood classic, the Live! With Kelly host clutched to a bagel and coffee with silk gloved hands while wearing a lovely replica of the Givenchy dress from the film's open.

Kelly continued her award day caption by promoting the special post-Oscars episode of her morning show airing tomorrow.

'WATCH our #AfterOscar Show tomorrow LIVE from the same stage as the #Oscars with #RyanSeacrest, and #DjKhaled!,' posted the former daytime star.

It takes a village! On Instagram, the ABC hostess thanked her team of beauty experts

Kelly shared more behind the scenes moments from her before-awards routine via Instagram Stories.

In the story, the New Jersey native can be seen sitting for hair and makeup while donning a red silk robe.

She later gave an Instagram shout-out to her makeup artist Kristopher Buckle and hairstylist Ryan Trygstad in a pic captioned 'The village is back!'

Always thank the artist! The 46-year-old hostess also gave followers a glimpse of her beauty routine on Instagram stories

Hosts with the most! Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic posed for a pic on Instagram stories before getting down to business with their red carpet coverage

While Kelly was still getting ready, her after show co-host Ryan Seacrest was already set up on the red carpet outside of the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians producer looked sharp in his white tuxedo as he posed with the lovely Giuliana Rancic before getting down to business and starting interviews with the arriving celebs.

The 89th Academy Awards begin at 5:30pm PT on ABC.
They scooped the Best Actress and Best Actor gongs for their turns in La La Land and Manchester By The Sea respectively.

And Emma Stone and Casey Affleck looked every inch the acting superstars as they posed for official winners' pictures at the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday.

The 28-year-old red-headed beauty exuded Old Hollywood glamour as she reclined in a red chaise-longue with her trophy, whilst Casey, 41, flashed a cheeky wink while posing with his gong.

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Star quality: Emma Stone, 28, exuded Old Hollywood glamour as she reclined in a red chaise-longue with her Best Actress trophy in official Oscars pictures

Emma certainly harked back to the decadent 1940s with her beaded gown and polished Veronica Lake waves.

Aiming a seductive gaze at the lens, she posed triumphantly with the famous gold statue award positioned on one knee.

In stark contrast to Emma's photo, Casey opted for a humour-filled snap in which he brandished the trophy jokily at the camera while laughing.

Big winners: Mahershala Ali, Casey Affleck, Emma Stone and Viola Davis held their Oscars aloft

Cheeky guy: Casey, 41, flashed a playful wink while posing with his Best Actor gong for his turn in emotionally harrowing drama Manchester By The Sea

Lady of the moment: Viola Davis, who scooped the Best Supporting Actress gong for her turn in Fences, looked resplendent in a red draped halterneck gown as she looked into the distance for the snap

Clad in a sharp tuxedo suit, the younger Affleck brother's smart attire was at odds with his long tousled locks and rugged facial hair.

Also captured in the official pictures was Viola Davis, who scooped the Best Supporting Actress gong for her turn in Fences.

Viola, who beat out fellow nominees Naomie Harris, Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer and Michelle Williams, looked resplendent in a red draped halterneck gown as she looked into the distance for the snap.

Movie stars! Moonlight Adele Romanski and Jeremy Kleiner posed with presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty after the presentation mix up

Big win: Michael J Fox and Seth Rogen joined winner William Goldberg who scored an Oscar for Film Editing for The Imitation Game

Big win: Justin Hurwitz poses backstage with the Oscar for Achievement in music written for motion pictures

Looking good: La La Land director Damien Chazelle was also on hand to show off his prize, posing on a stool in his blue dinner suit

Queen of the threads: Colleen Atwood posed backstage with the Osca for Achievement in costume design, for work on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

And representing the Best Foreign Film award for The Salesman was Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari and former NASA scientist Firouz Naderi.

The pair, who attended the awards on behalf of the director Asghar Farhadi who boycotted the awards, posed contemplatively with the gong held between them.

La La Land director Damien Chazelle was also on hand to show off his prize, posing on a stool in his blue dinner suit.

Scribe success: Kenneth Lonergan won the Original screenplay award for work on Manchester by the Sea

Dapper duo: Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney won the gong for Adapted screenplay, Moonlight

Cartoon heroes: Rich Moore, Byron Howard and Clark Spencer accept the Osca for Best animated feature film of the year for Zootopia

Screen wizard: Linus Sandgren won for Achievement in cinematography, for work on La La Land

Artistic: Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelsoni accepted the gong for Achievement in makeup, for work on Suicide Squad

Critically acclaimed musical La La Land ended up taking home six Oscars, after being nominated for fourteen.

Emma, won best actress for her performance in the musical movie, and tearfully accepted the award after beating out fellow nominees Meryl Streep, Ruth Negga, Natalie Portman, and Isabelle Huppert.

The actress began her acceptance speech by praising her fellow nominees and thanking her family.

Triumphant: Representing the Best Foreign Film award for The Salesman was Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari and former NASA scientist Firouz Naderi

She went on: 'I realize a moment like this is a huge confluence of luck and opportunity and so I want to thank Damien Chazelle for the opportunity to be part of a project that was so special and once in a lifetime.'

'I'm so grateful to have been involved in this film and thank you for your faith and your patience and such a wonderful experience, and Ryan Gosling, thank you for making me laugh and for always raising the bar and for being the greatest partner on this crazy adventure. '

Emma concluded: 'I still have a lot of growing and learning and work to do and this guy is a really beautiful symbol to continue on that journey. And I'm so grateful for that.'

It's an honor: Emma Stone tearfully accepted the Academy Award for Best Actress on Sunday in Hollywood

Emotional: 'I realize a moment like this is a huge confluence of luck and opportunity,' Emma said in her acceptance speech

Career achievement: She was presented with her Oscar by last year's best actor winner, Leonardo DiCaprio

Party time: Emma later celebrated at the Oscars Governors Ball with her brother Spencer who was her date for the big night

La La Land also won the awards for cinematography, directing, original score, original song, and production design.

Damien Chazelle won the Oscar for directing, while the film's song City Of Stars was the winner of Original Song.

Ryan Gosling had been nominated for best actor but lost out to Casey Affleck who won for Manchester By The Sea.

Over the moon: Backstage in the press room, Casey was all smiles as he posed for photos with his Oscar

Casey appeared genuinely surprised and somewhat overcome by his win.

After taking the stage to receive his Oscar from Brie Larsen, he paused with his hand over his mouth.

'This means so much to me. Dammit,' he began.

He then praised fellow nominee Denzel.

'One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington and I just met him tonight,' he said. 'Thank you.'

Brotherly love: Ben Affleck jumped out of his seat to congratulate younger brother Casey after he was named best actor winner at Sunday's Oscars

Lost for words: Casey appeared overcome with emotion as he took to the stage clutching his gold statuette

Casey continued: 'Man, I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say, but I'm just glad to be a part of this community. I'm dumbfounded to be included.'

After thanking his co-stars and director Kenneth Lonergan, he gave a shout out to Matt Damon who was one of the producers of Manchester By The Sea and who had handed Casey the lead role after having to drop out due to a scheduling conflict.

He then finished with a message to his brother: 'Ben, I love you. You ain't heavy.'

Top notch: Damien Chazelle won the Oscar for directing La La Land

Third time lucky: Viola Davis won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for Fences and was overwhelmed with emotion as she accepted the stuatuette

Viola Davis won her first Academy Award for Fences.

The three-time nominee picked up best supporting actress and delivered a long and rambling speech.

Viola, 51, broke down in tears as she opened her speech and went on to say: 'We are the only profession to celebrate what it means to live a life.'

She also thanked her co-star and director: 'And captain, my captain Denzel Washington. Thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat: August and God. and they served you well.'

Well done: The actress, 51, received a congratulatory hug from Denzel Washington who co-starred in and directed the drama

By the time she got backstage, Viola was all smiles again as she posed with her new man

Her proud husband Julius Tennon couldn't stop beaming with joy either

Mahershala Ali won the first award of the night - best supporting actor for Moonlight, that went on to win Best Picture.

The 43-year-old had gained critical acclaim for his role as a drug dealer named Juan, in the drama and he beat out nominees Jeff Bridges, Lucas Hedges, Dev Patel, and Michael Shannon.

It capped a great week for the actor who welcomed his first child, a daughter, with his wife Amatus Sami-Karim four days ago.

In an emotional acceptance speech, he thanked his 'wonderful teachers and professors' as well as his director Barry Jenkins.

'It's not about you, it's about these characters. You are a servant. You're in service to these stories,' he said.

Mahershala Ali won the first award of the night - best supporting actor for Moonlight, that went on to win Best Picture

The actor had been the frontrunner throughout awards season with his critically-acclaimed performance

La La Land lost out on eight other nominations - Best Actor for Ryan Gosling, costume design, film editing, original song (it was nominated twice in this category), sound editing, sound mixing, original screenplay, and Best Picture.

Though the film was mistakenly announced as the winner of Best Picture by presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, when in fact Moonlight had won the coveted honor.

In a heart-stopping moment the stars and producers of La La Land rushed to the stage to give enthusiastic thank you speeches, before the mistake was revealed and they were forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight

Music makers: Justin Hurwitz, Justin Paul, Benj Pasek received the Oscar for Best Original Song for City Of Stars from La La Land

Grateful: La La Land cinematographer Linus Sandgren accepted his Oscar from Meryl Streep and Javier Bardem

Their moment to shine: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco and David Wasco were the recipients of the Oscar for Best Production Design

Jaw dropping moment: In a heart-stopping moment the stars and producers of La La Land rushed to the stage to give enthusiastic thank you speeches, before the mistake was revealed and they were forced to hand their trophies to the stars of Moonlight

It's a winner: La La Land took home six Oscars, after being nominated for a historic fourteen nominations

Makes her heart skip a beat: Set in Los Angeles, La La Land is a story of a romance between a struggling actress and musician

The terrible end to an otherwise triumphant show left the audience gasping in horror, stunned by the mishap - which appeared to have been caused by Beatty opening the wrong envelope.

In an attempt to explain what happened Beatty returned to the stage - describing how he opened the Best picture envelope to see Emma Stone's name and the words La La Land.

The musical scooped up 14 Academy Award nominations, tying with the record set by Titanic and All About Eve, when the Oscar nominations were announced in January.

Set in Los Angeles, La La Land is a story of a romance between a struggling actress and musician.

They're all winners! Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali, Stone, Best Supporting Actress winner Viola Davis, and Best Actor winner Casey Affleck proudly showed off their new trophies

Milestone moment: The actors were no doubt in top spirits as they reveled in their wins

Critically acclaimed! Ali won the award for his work in Moonlight, Stone for La La Land, Viola for Fence, and Affleck for Manchester By The Sea

Cream of the crop! Stone grinned beside DiCaprio after her big win

What a night: The super stars posed backstage

Co-stars! Gosling was also up for Best Actor, but lost to Casey Affleck
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Victoria Beckham joined a host of stars from the fashion world as they paid their respects to the late Vogue editor-in-chief chief Franca Sozzani in Milan on Monday.

42-year-old Victoria wore a conservative navy deconstructed dress and leather boots as she headed to the religious ceremony to commemorate her friend's sad passing.

She appeared forlorn as she walked solo while hiding her eyes behind dark sunglasses and carried a matching leather bag in her hand.

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Firm friend: Victoria Beckham wore a conservative navy dress to attend a star-studded religious ceremony in honour of the late Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani in Milan on Monday who passed away in December aged 66

Pensive: She looked incredible sad as she arrived at the ceremony alone

Sad loss: Following Franca's death on December 22, aged 66, after a long illness, Victoria took to Instagram to share a photo of the two of them - they had worked together many times over the years

Paying her respects: Victoria listened to the eulogy, clearly deeply saddened by the premature loss of her friend and colleague

Following Franca's death on December 22, aged 66, after a long illness, Victoria took to Instagram to share a photo of the two of them - they had worked together many times over the years.

She wrote: 'I had the privilege of spending time with Franca over the years. Not enough time as it now so sadly transpires,

'Whenever I was with her I was mesmerised by her strength of character, her charitable work, her creative vision. She encouraged me and inspired me whenever we spoke. What a legacy she leaves behind. RIP.'

To the wake: The former Spice Girl marched with the rest of the guests to attend the post-funeral gathering

Gothic: Victoria left the Duomo gothic cathedral after attending the memorial mass for her colleague and friend Franca

Blue: The star was clearly pensive as she walked along the streets of Milan to the venue, steely faced and emotional

She was joined by supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell who dressed in black for the occasion.

Kate appeared incredibly upset wearing a veiled hat as she was comforted by a friend, while making her way inside, while Naomi respectfully bowed her head while hiding her eyes behind dark sunglasses.

Close: Kate Moss appeared incredibly upset wearing a veiled hat and an all black ensemble for the service

Devastated: She was comforted by a friend, while making her way inside as she tried her best to compose herself

Putting a brave face on: Kate managed a smile as she walked along with her friends close by and lending their support

She's in fashion: Kate carried an oversized fur over her arm as she walked along the cobbles in platform heels

Hug please: Kate gave her pal a cuddle as Stella struggled to manage all of her possessions

Emotions running high: Kate giggled nervously as she clutched some papers in her hand following the service

Ready for her close-up: Kate wore a trilby and covered her face with a black netted veil

Naomi arrived on the arm of Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace, with the two ladies managing a smile.

Sozzani championed Italian fashion in the magazine she ran for 28 years.

Pal: Naomi Campbell respectfully bowed her head while hiding her eyes behind dark sunglasses

Two's company: Naomi also walked through Milan with her arms linked in with fashion designer Edward Enninful

Caring: Naomi also arrived on the arm of Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace

There for her: The two ladies managed to a smile as they got each other through the difficult day

There for one another: Donatella held tightly to Naomi's hand as she battled to get through the tough day

Style sensations: Donatella looked incredible (left) as she was later joined by fellow designer Giorgio Armani (right)

Joining forces: Naomi walked alongisde Carla Bruni as she headed into the memorial mass

Emotional time: She planted a peck on Carla's cheek as the pair embraced

Conde Nast International chairman Jonathan Newhouse said she died after a yearlong illness with her son Francesco by her side. The online version of Vogue Italia remembered Sozzani with a simple red heart next to her name.

'Franca was one of the greatest editors who ever made a magazine,' Newhouse said in a note to the Conde Nast team.

'She made Italian Vogue a powerful and influential voice in the worlds of fashion and photography by publishing groundbreaking photography and journalism.'

Working the trend: Singer Rita Ora made a style statement in tribute to the much-loved editor

Best foot forward: Rita slipped on a pair of pointed embellished heels as she made her way to the funeral

Vintage: The hitmaker-turned-presenter worked a forties inspired look for the sad occasion

Chic: She put on a pair of sheer black gloves as she carried her box clutch into the memorial

Things to think about: Rita looked pensive as she also prepared to pay her respects with a close companion

After turns at Vogue Bambini, the Italian version of Glamour and a corresponding men's magazine, Sozzani became editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia in 1988.

She also was active in humanitarian causes, and in recent years served as the ambassador to fashion for the United Nations.

She travelled to support people working in the fashion world in Africa and Asia while helping to raise money and awareness to fight hunger.

An icon of the fashion world: Franca, pictured looking beautiful in October, was always easy to spot in the fashion crowd with her wavy blonde locks and bright smile

Solemn: Iconic Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani appeared to be in understandably subdued spirits

Intense chat: Valentino and Naomi Campbell looked engrossed in a serious conversation

Commemoration: Emanuele Filiberto (left) of Savoy, Prince of Venice, and Santo Versace were in attendance

Back home in Milan, she was easy to spot in the fashion crowd with her wavy blonde locks and bright smile.

She also had a big social media presence, running a blog on Vogue Italy's website as well as an active Twitter feed that went silent in June.

Once asked to define style, she replied, 'Today there is not just one. I think people should buy more mirrors than clothes, to see themselves before going out ... but I think that clothes need to correspond to one's own personality. That is style.'

Stylish: Carla Bruni also made an appearance wore statement patterned tights and a modest coat

Close ties: The day was particularly sad for US Vogue's Editor-In-Chief who wore an embellished coat and boots

Hard times: Anna sat with Carla Sozzani and Francesco Carrozzini, Franca Sozzani's son, as they attended a mass in commemoration Franca

Stunning: Supermodel Eva Herzigova towered over her companion as she followed suit

Twinning: Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared fame also arrived to pay their respects

Fashion designer: Valentino also joined the service with a female companion in tow

Sad day: Giorgio Armani left the Duomo gothic cathedral after attending a memorial mass

A sad day: As night fell, Victoria was snapped heading away from the wake

Impeccable: It was back to business as Victoria arrived at the airport to fly from Milan to her next destination

Fond memories: Victoria was able to muster a light smile as the day drew to a close, clearly remembering the good times she had with her late friend




Paris Hilton has that look of love.

On Sunday evening the DJ looked thrilled as she snuggled up to new beau Chris Zylka, 31, at the Circus Magazine Oscar party in LA.

The blonde beauty also pulled an Angelina Jolie by sticking her leg out of her black dress that had a high slit.

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Amor: Paris Hilton has that look of love. On Sunday evening the DJ looked thrilled as she snuggled up to new beau Chris Zylka at the Circus Magazine Oscar party in LA

This pose is familiar: The perfume mogul stuck a gam out

Deja vu all over again: Angelina Jolie pushed her leg out of her black dress that had a high slit at the Oscars in 2012

In 2012 Jolie dramatically stuck out her right leg through the slit in her black gown.

Several memes followed, joking that her leg looked like a prop.

Paris' move was not as silly, but it did bring back memories of a rare Angelia misstep.

Va-voom: The heiress wore a stunning black gown that showed off her toned figure. It was plunging in the front and had a high slit. The shoulders had metallic fringe that added extra pizzazz

Arm candy: Chris, who has appeared in Spider-Man and The Leftovers, looked dapper in a suit

The heiress wore a stunning black gown that showed off her toned figure.

It was plunging in the front and had a high slit. The shoulders had metallic fringe that added extra pizzazz.

She also had on a large statement necklace and six inch black pointy pumps.

Cheers: Also at the bash was Chanel West Coast who clinked glasses with Paris

Up for some fun: Chanel WC looked vibrant in her black dress

Chris, who has appeared in Spider-Man and The Leftovers, looked dapper in a suit.

The event was hosted by Steve Shaw and Jonas Tahlin, CEO Absolut Elyx. The sponsors were Volvo and Vaseline.

Also at the bash was Chanel West Coast who clinked glasses with Paris.

The fab life: She also had on a large statement necklace and six inch black pointy pumps
She has a penchant for flaunting her lithe body on social media and Lottie Moss decided to treat her Snapchat followers to a new bikini selfie.

The budding model posed for the saucy snap on Sunday wearing just a coral crochet bikini, pushing down her floral shirt so it only covered her arms.

Lottie, 19, showed off her tattoo in the picture, a row of three sparrows fluttering across her torso, similar to her supermodel sister Kate's tattoo of two sparrows at the base of her spine.

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Saucy selfie: Lottie Moss, 19, flaunted her trim figure in a pink crochet bikini in the sexy image which she shared with her Snapchat followers on Sunday

Lottie's coral bikini, from swimwear designers Bamba, featured a tiny white daisy sewn onto the bottoms and was secured around the model's slender hips with ties.

She wore her blonde locks loose in a tousled bed-head style in the scintillating snap.

The Topshop model has had a busy few weeks, appearing in London, New York and Milan Fashion Weeks and attending their glitziest parties.

And on Saturday the jet-setter was in Hollywood at the Bvlgari pre-Oscar Celebration at the iconic Chateau Marmont Hotel.

She turned heads in a ruched dove grey shirt dress as she arrived at the star-studded dinner.

Jet-setter: After New York, London and Milan Fashion Weeks Lottie attended the Bvlgari pre-Oscar Celebration at the Chateau Marmont Hotel on Saturday

Showing no sign of jet lag, the British model showcased her flawless glowing complexion under minimal make-up, accentuating her eyes with lashings of mascara.

The thigh-skimming ensemble showed off her long lithe legs.

Featuring button detail cap sleeves, she accessorised with a delicate necklace and a chain strap clutch.

Legs-eleven: The model sister of Kate Moss, 19, flaunted her legs in a ruched dove grey shirt dress at the glitzy event

Lottie, who is dating Made In Chelsea's Alex Mytton, posted plenty of snaps from Milan Fashion Week, including a picture with Bella Hadid, Winnie Harlow and Jasmine Sanders at the Bvlgari Dinner Party, calling the models 'my @bulgariofficial girls'.

The saucy bikini selfie is not the first time Lottie has shared a picture of herself in a skimpy outfit on social media.

The beauty thrilled her followers when she posted a picture of herself kneeling on a bed sporting a black lacy bra, matching knickers and suspenders.

Lottie threw a lilac silk cover-up over her shoulders and played with her tousled blonde locks in the image, which she captioned: 'Mondays are for being lazy'.

Suspenders: Lottie thrilled fans when she posted a picture of herself kneeling on a bed, sporting black lacy underwear and suspenders

On holiday in Barbados, the social media savvy star went one step further, posting a stream of pictures of herself in a very skimpy bikini.

In one snap, she glanced over her shoulder while flaunting her toned bottom in a thong.

The cheeky model captioned the image: 'Let me know when u have seen enough pics of my bum' (sic)

Cheeky: Lottie flaunted her bottom in a snap from her holiday in Barbados. She captioned the saucy image: 'Let me know when u have seen enough pics of my bum' (sic)
Viewers were not impressed after Married At First Sight star Cheryl Maitland's dad unleashed an expletive laden tirade on her husband Anthony on Monday's episode.

Many took to social media, including Gogglebox stars Angie and Yvie, to express their disgust with Scotsman Hamish, calling him a 'bully' and 'tool'.

One user suggested that perhaps Hamish would prefer that Cheryl married Travers 'The Candyman' Beynon, with whom she once partied.

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Not nice? Viewers were not impressed after Married At First Sight star Cheryl's dad unleashed and expletive laden tirade at her husband Anthony on Monday's episode

Twitter user @TrevorWollard Tweeted, 'Maybe Cheryl's dad would prefer a different husband, with much better dress sense!' alongside an image of Travers 'The Candyman' Beynon with Cheryl at his mansion.

Cheryl's party girl past was revealed earlier this month when images of 25-year-old partying at Travers Beynon's 'The Candyman' mansion in December 2015 emerged.

There was much more anger directed at Hamish with Gogglebox stars Angie and Yvie Tweeting, 'Cheryl's dad is the worst excuse for a human being. He's a bully & he's doing it in front of his children'.

'My dad's protective, but he's not a total d********d and he respects my choices. This guy is a total n*b jockey and not funny at all,' wrote @killamanilla87.

'With a Dad like hers, no wonder Cheryl had to go on a game show to get married,' Tweeted @Stasmeister.

Better choice? One user suggested that perhaps Hamish would prefer that Cheryl married Travers 'The Candyman' Beynon, with whom she once partied

Savaged! Twitter users gave Hanish a tongue lashing after his rant at Anthony

Viewers were responding to the moment on Monday's episode that 25-year-old Cheryl's father rejected her new beau, launching into an expletive-laden tirade when meeting the 38-year-old for the first time.

Father Hamish, who is Scottish, was outspoken when the pair arrived at his Sunshine Coast home.

'He's so small, and look at his tattoos,' Hamish said to Cheryl in front of Andrew, before turning to her new partner and demanding to see the size of his hands.

He then proceeded to talk about how nice he thought Cheryl's first husband Jonathan was, before warning Andrew he was 'protective' of his youngest daughter.

Ouch! 'He's so small, and look at his tattoos,' Hamish said to Cheryl in front of Andrew

Criticized ! He then proceeded to talk about how nice he thought Cheryl's first husband Jonathan was, before warning Andrew he was 'protective' of his youngest daughter

Hey dad! He went on to make it clear to the firefighter that he wasn't happy with how he was dressed and made him leave

He went on to make it clear to the firefighter that he wasn't happy with how he was dressed and made him leave.

'Get the f*** out of the house and get ready. I'm serious,' the protective dad ordered Andrew.

A defeated Andrew left the house, got changed into jeans and a collared shirt, and returned, but Hamish still wasn't impressed.

'He's not suitable for my daughter. It's not going to happen, it's not meant to be,' Hamish said. 'If I can come between these guys, I'm going to break them up for sure.'

Out he gets: A defeated Andrew left the house, got changed into jeans and a collared shirt, and returned, but Hamish still wasn't impressed
Emma Stone yesterday told of the devastation she felt when her chance of further Oscar glory was snatched by the biggest fiasco in the ceremonys 88-year history.

Miss Stone, 28, was celebrating being named Best Actress for her lead role in La La Land when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced that the musical had won Best Picture.

The audience at the Hollywood theatre erupted and Miss Stone joined the films producers and co-star Ryan Gosling on stage to receive the statuette.

Emma Stone yesterday told of the devastation she felt when her chance of further Oscar glory was snatched by the biggest fiasco in the ceremonys 88-year history

Acceptance speeches began  but within seconds panicked backstage officials from accountancy giant Price Waterhouse Cooper cottoned on to the error and told Beatty and the La La Land team that Moonlight was the real winner.

Last night, as recriminations flew over whether it was Beattys fault or Miss Dunaways, Miss Stone told the Daily Mail the bungle was: One of the most horrible moments of my life. Wow! It was just so horrible.

Price Waterhouse Cooper cottoned on to the error and told Beatty and the La La Land team that Moonlight was the real winner

Miss Stone told the Daily Mail the bungle was: One of the most horrible moments of my life. Wow! It was just so horrible.

Fiasco: Warren Beatty speaks as Jordan Horowitz hugs Moonlight director Barry Jenkins when the mistake is realised

We can also reveal that:

Beatty, 76, said he had been confused when handed a card that read Emma Stone, La La Land  and held on to it for some time afterwards so no-one could accuse him of the mistake;

His wife Annette Bening phoned him, urging him to come home and not become embroiled any further in the shambles;

Miss Dunaway, 79, shrugged off the furore, insisting: It wasnt my fault;

PwC, which helps to run the Oscars, issued a humiliating apology;

The two stars bungled their entrance because Miss Dunaway was unable to walk up a specially created staircase.

The stunned audience after Best Picture La La Land was discovered to be read out by mistake

La La Land ended up winning six Oscars in the early hours of yesterday.

Acting legends Beatty and Miss Dunaway had been asked to present the Best Picture award while honouring the 50th anniversary of the release of gangster movie Bonnie and Clyde.

Before their entrance, an elaborate staircase was hastily erected on the stage of the Dolby Theatre, with the idea the two stars would descend from it.

Acting legends Beatty and Miss Dunaway had been asked to present the Best Picture award

But it was swiftly evident that Miss Dunaway was having problems walking up it. One theory is that she did not fancy climbing the steps in her high heels.

Instead, stage managers left the pair at the foot of the stairs and they walked to the front of the stage normally.

Beatty had a red envelope in one hand and together they introduced the nine contenders for motion picture of the year.

As the actor seemed to be taking his time to read out the winner, Miss Dunaway could be heard saying: Youre impossible. Come on! Beatty showed her the envelope.

La La Land ended up winning six Oscars in the early hours of yesterday

TV viewers could later see that it read Actress In A Leading Role  but neither star appeared to have spotted this.

Indeed, Miss Dunaway mistakenly thought he was being gracious in allowing her to make the announcement.

She read the words La La Land and the producers and cast of the musical trooped on to the stage, clearly deliriously happy.

Two of the producers, Marc Platt and Jordan Horowitz, made passionate speeches. But by the time a third, Fred Berger, took the microphone there were rumblings and mumbling in the wings.

Mr Berger then abruptly told the audience: We lost, by the way . Behind him, Miss Stone gasped and said: Oh, my God.

There was pandemonium on stage, and in the auditorium.

As the real winners made their way to the stage, Mr Horowitz held the award up and declared: Im going to be really proud to hand this to my friends from Moonlight.

For the first time in the 88-year history of the Oscars the wrong picture was announced as the winner of the Best Picture Award

As Miss Dunaway was reading La La Land, Miss Ruiz realised an unprecedented error had occurred and the envelope containing the Moonlight win was found

A Daily Mail reporter was sitting in front of some young cast members from Moonlight who screamed in shock, saying: What! What just happened. Is this fake? Is this true? What?

As the real winners made their way to the stage, Mr Horowitz held the award up and declared: Im going to be really proud to hand this to my friends from Moonlight.

PwC has overseen ballots for 83 Oscar ceremonies. The two key executives in charge of the Academy account, Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan, hold briefcases containing names of the winners in the 24 categories. They also carry duplicates  supposedly to avoid confusion should any issue arise.

Actors Trevante Rhodes and Mahershala Ali, producer Adele Romanski, writer/director Barry Jenkins, producer Jeremy Kleiner, actress Naomie Harris, writer Tarell Alvin McCraney look on from the audience as 'Moonlight' is announced as the Best Picture winner

It turned out that Beatty, before walking on stage, had been given the duplicate envelope for the Best Actress award.

As Miss Dunaway was reading La La Land, Miss Ruiz realised an unprecedented error had occurred and the envelope containing the Moonlight win was found.

Officials tried to get Beatty to give up the envelope but he refused. He told the audience what had happened and showed the envelope as proof but some did not believe him, thinking that the two stars, both in their 70s, had mucked up.

Beatty told the Daily Mail: I have the card. I have the envelope with La La Land and Emma Stones name and Im keeping hold of it awhile.

Emma Stone gives her speech for winning Best Actress for her performance in La La Land

'I bet you all thought I was doing some schtick to prolong the moment but I wasnt. I was confused because the card read Emma Stone, La La Land.

Later, at the Governors Ball, Beatty took a call from his wife who told him to go home but he was adamant he would not hide. I did nothing wrong. This was not my fault, he said pointedly when approached for comment.

When Miss Dunaway saw him at the ball and asked, Are we in the sink over this?, he responded with a defiant No.

But the call from his wife had unnerved him and he began to clam up. Earlier, Beatty was heard muttering: I hope this wont be remembered like the streaker moment  referring to the 1974 Oscars, hosted by David Niven, when a streaker ran on to the stage.

Best Supporting Actor Mahershala Ali, for Moonlight, Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land, Best Supporting Actress Viola Davis, for Fences and Best Actor Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea

Miss Stone, 28, celebrated being named Best Actress for her lead role in La La Land

Yesterday Dawn Hudson, Academy managing director, was furious and insisted it would not be taking the blame.

It was left to PwC to fall on its sword. A spokesman said: We sincerely apologise to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error  The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong envelope and when discovered [it] was immediately corrected.

'We are investigating how this could have happened  We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC and [host] Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.

However, the damage had been done. The La La Land producers had their win ripped away from them, while the folk behind Moonlight were not able to be properly lauded.

But Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said: No one will ever forget this  This is part of Oscar history.

'No one will forget that Moonlight, ultimately, won the Best Picture Oscar.

The films producer Jeremy Kleiner added that he was heartened by the award. British-raised Andrew Garfield, nominated for Hacksaw Ridge, said: You actually couldnt make this up  it was heartbreaking. But there was something beautifully symbolic seeing the two ensembles of both films mingling on stage.

The star had missed out on Best Actor, on a disappointing night for British hopefuls, including Naomie Harris and Dev Patel.

Meanwhile, as Beatty slipped away in silence, Miss Dunaway was spotted at the Vanity Fair party sipping a cocktail, and quite enjoying her part in the fiasco. It wasnt my fault, she told anyone who would listen. Things like this happen  It was a very odd thing. It wasnt Warrens fault.
She's the model who always looks polished and glamorous on the red carpet.

And Nicole Trunfio remained alluring while chowing down on a burger at Vanity Fair's annual Oscars Bash on Sunday.

The 30-year-old stunner dazzled in an Escada gown while happily enjoying a paper-wrapped In-N-Out takeaway order.

Feeling peckish? Nicole Trunfio munches on In-N-Out burger in glamorous Escada gown with husband Gary Clark Jr at Sunday's Vanity Fair Oscar Bash

She appeared content while eating her burger while surrounded by other A-list after party guests.

Standing alongside her husband Gary Clark Jr., the blues performer was also indulging on a half-eaten takeaway meal from the fast food vendor.

Nicole was pictured taking big bites from the tasty bun as she used her perfectly manicured hands to cover her mouth as she ate.

Hungry? Nicole was pictured taking big bites from the tasty bun as she used her perfectly manicured hands to cover her mouth as she ate, with husband Gary also tucking in to a fast food meal

Late-night snack: The statuesque beauty flaunted her slender frame in a black and metallic figure-hugging dress at the exclusive after party, as her hair and makeup appeared flawless despite the evening's adventures

At the party, the statuesque beauty flaunted her slender frame in a black and metallic figure-hugging dress.

As she ate her late-night snack, the mother-of-one's simple hair and makeup appeared to have remained in good condition, with her brunette locks in a bun and a heavy application of blush applied.

Her husband Gary looked dapper in a sharp blue suit atop a black and white-print shirt, in which he partnered with a fashionable brown hat and black combat boots.

The couple, who share a two-year-old son Zion, looked smitten as they posed for snaps on the red carpet before their feast.

Comfortable: She appeared content in treating herself with the burger, while surrounded by other A-list after party guests

Cute couple! The pair, who share two-year-old son Zion, looked smitten as they posed for snaps on the red carpet before enjoying their feast

Nicole also bumped into Australian media personality and American Extra host Renee Bargh at the after party.

Renee, 30, took to Instagram to post a selfie with the fellow Australian celebrity, writing: 'Look who I ran into. My girl @nictrunfio.'

The TV host also appeared to share Nicole's quest to end her hunger pains with a burger, as she later took selfies with her own In-N-Out burger at the event.

Renee wore a plunging neckline gown that showcased her ample assets and slim physique.

Australian beauties! Nicole also bumped into Australian media personality and American Extra host Renee Bargh at the after party

Model appetite: The TV host also appeared to share Nicole's quest to end her hunger-pains with a greasy burger, as she later took selfies with her own In-N-Out burger at the event




Wearing double denim can be tricky, wearing triple denim can be very sexy.

Kylie Jenner made a simple shopping trip into a something a little wilder last week.

The 19-year-old dressed to impress as she headed out in some statement making footwear in Beverly Hills, California.

Meow: Kylie Jenner made a simple shopping trip into a something a little wilder in Beverly Hills, California, last week

Treating herself to some retail therapy, Kylie strutted out in the exclusive area wearing her new favorite Dolce & Gabbana boots.

The denim with leopard print thigh high stiletto boots actually belong to big sister Khloe Kardashian but the teen has made the hand-me-downs a crucial part of her wardrobe.

But Kylie being Kylie was not done with just a pair of statement boots.

The makeup mogul made sure that her unbelievable proportions also got their chance to shine in a pair of high waisted denim cut-offs.

Wild walk: Treating herself to some retail therapy, Kylie strutted out in the exclusive area wearing her new favorite Dolce & Gabbana boots

Hot pants: The makeup mogul made sure that her unbelievable proportions also got their chance to shine in a pair of high waisted denim cut-offs

Dare to bare: Really turning up the heat on a grey old day, Kylie wore the shorts with a white cropped top

The shirts simultaneously allowed her to show off her thighs and highlight her curvaceous behind and tiny waist.

Really turning up the heat on a grey old day, Kylie wore the shorts with a white cropped top.

Its short length coupled with its high neckline, meant even without showing her cleavage, the reality star's chest grabbed attention.

Knows her angles: The shirts simultaneously allowed her to show off her thighs and highlight her curvaceous behind and tiny waist

Baby it's cold outside: But no matter how hot her look may have been, even the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star was no match for LA's unusually cold weather

That's better: So mid-way through her retail session, Kylie headed back to Range Rover to grab a jean jacket - her third piece of denim clothing

But no matter how hot her look may have been, even the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star was no match for LA's unusually cold weather.

So mid-way through her retail session, Kylie headed back to Range Rover to grab a jean jacket - her third piece of denim clothing.

While such a combination is usually frowned upon, Kylie was really feeling the look, especially her boots.

Kylie shared a snap of her boots on Instagram last week, tagging in Khloe: 'To have older sisters who love to share is a blessing.'
She's no stranger to flexing her fashion muscle on any given day.

And now, supermodel Bella Hadid continued to impress the style brigade as she slipped into a thigh-grazing red wool coat for her second outfit change of the day in Paris on Monday.

The Californian beauty, 20, accentuated her enviable pins in her oversized piece that teased at her pristine decolletage with it's V-shaped neckline when she left the George V Hotel.

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Wrapped up! Supermodel Bella Hadid continues to impress the style brigade as she slipped into a thigh-grazing red wool coat for her second outfit change of the day in Paris on Monday

Her vibrant winter garment featured a kitsch heart shaped button, which kept her warming piece closed as she headed out for the evening.

Oozing sixties mod vibes, she highlighted her elongated her legs with her sizzling leather over-the-knee black boots.

The raven-haired beauty accessorised her chic ensemble with a patent leather mini tote in her manicured hand, while displayed her 'D' shaped earring.

Adding to her beauty look, she worked a shimmering shadow across her lids while keeping her glossy mane in a straight style, covered by her fashionable beret.

High spirits: Bella appeared in high spirits as she smiled leaving her hotel

Step to it! Bella worked a long gold chain around her neck

Beaming: The American stunner showcased a number of delicate rings across her dainty hand

Lady in red: The Californian beauty, 20, accentuated her enviable pins in her oversized piece that teased at her pristine decolletage with it's V-shaped neckline

Jovial mood: Bella looked chic as she entered her car back

Earlier in the day, Bella proved she could translate her sartorial displays from the catwalk to the street as stepped out in style leaving her lodgings to visit Lanvin's office ahead of Paris fashion week.

The fashion star showcased her understated Parisian style, showcasing her toned pins in a pair of skintight red leather jeans.

Her ankle-grazing trousers skimmed her slender legs as sashayed from the luxury fashion headquarters to her next engagement of the day in her pointed black heeled boots.

The statuesque beauty teamed her eye-catching pants with a chic black tee, while wrapping up for her outing in a wool knee-length coat.

Playful: The fashion darling playfully waved to photographers as she went out for the evening

These boots were made for walking: Oozing sixties mod vibes, she highlighted her elongated her legs with her sizzling leather over-the-knee black boots

Flaunt it: Her vibrant winter garment featured a kitsch heart shaped button, which kept her warming piece closed as she headed out for the evening

Glossy: Adding to her beauty look, she worked a shimmering shadow across her lids while keeping her glossy mane in a straight style, covered by her fashionable beret

Beret nice to see you! Bella stepped out in style leaving the George V Hotel to Lanvin office ahead of Paris fashion week in France

Beret nice to see you! Bringing a distinctive French edge to her look, she worked a cashmere beret over her raven-coloured locks and draped her mini quilted bag across her body

Bringing a distinctive French edge to her look, she worked a cashmere beret over her raven-coloured locks and draped her mini quilted bag across her body.

While leaving her glossy chin-length locks loose, the sister of Gigi accentuated her flawless complexion with a pair of on-trend clear lens glasses to amplify her model features.

Having already walked in New York, London and Milan, Bella's smart casual ensemble was departure from her trademark tummy teasing looks, bringing her ever evolving style to the spotlight as she ran errands.

The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid has been documenting her busy month of Fashion Week shoots.

Pin-credible: The fashion showcased her understated Parisian influenced style, showcasing her toned pins in a pair of skintight red leather jeans

Bag it up! Her quilted cross body bag was sure to command attention

Style star: Bella's figure-flaunting pants featured pocket detail on her thighs for utility vibe

Despite her enviable figure, she has been sure to document her fast food breaks, treating herself to McDonald's and British favourite, Nando's.

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.

Red hot! Bella's smart casual ensemble was departure from her trademark tummy teasing looks, bringing her ever evolving style to the spotlight as she ran errands

'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.
They married back in May 2012, following a three-year engagement and long-term relationship.

But Gemma Merna has now reportedly split from her husband Ian Minton, after five years as a wedded couple.

According to The Sun, the actress, 33, and her man had been 'living separate lives' and split mid-way through 2016 - with Gemma adding fuel to the rumours by posing without her wedding ring on Instagram last week.

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Over? Gemma Merna has reportedly split from her husband Ian Minton, after five years as a married couple

Sharing a snap of herself in a faux fur coat, the fitness guru posed with her hands cradling the fluffy lining - showcasing a ring-free fourth finger for all to see.

Her seemingly empty hand last week comes after a source told The Sun that the couple's relationship had broken down, over the prospect of children.

According to the publication, Gemma had wanted to develop her career as a yoga instructor, while Ian had wanted to start a family - causing the pair to drift apart.

Missing: Gemma then posed without her wedding ring on Instagram last week (above)

The insider added that the duo, who married almost five years ago, proceeded to put their house on the market and moved into separate rental properties.

The source revealed: 'Gemma and Ian were living separate lives for most of 2016, after splitting mid-way through the year.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Gemma for comment.

Property developer Ian had got down on one knee during a holiday in the Maldives in 2009, before they eventually married in Merseyside three years later.

Breakdown: Sources claim that the pair had been 'living different lives' - with Gemma wanting to develop her career as a yoga instructor, while Ian had wanted to start a family

However they have not been seen out together in many months - and Gemma has not posted about him on social media in almost a year.

Following the star-studded ceremony in 2012, the actress, who rose to fame as Carmel Valentine nee McQueen on Hollyoaks, had spoken to Now! magazine about how emotional her special day been.

She gushed that year: 'When I walked in and saw Ian standing there, I was just overcome.'

Having been with Ian for many years, the model had also admitted that she was glad they had taken their time to walk down the aisle.

Happier times: Property developer Ian had got down on one knee during a holiday in the Maldives, before they eventually married three years later in Merseyside in 2012

'I think we put ourselves to the test by waiting four years to get married,' she added. 'When something is right, you just know.'

Since the wedding, Gemma has mostly given up acting and instead turned her attention to the world of fitness.

After launching her first yoga app last summer, she told FEMAIL that she was happier than ever since quitting the teen soap, as her busy schedule had taken its toll.

'Life was very, very hectic for me,' she said of her time on Hollyoaks. 'When I left, I was like, 'What do I do now?' I was so used to people telling me what to do every day - when I could go into makeup, go to the loo, eat my lunch.

'I used to go to the gym at 6am, have a shower, go into makeup, shovel down breakfast, then work a ten-hour day. My life was 120mph, I was completely burned out. All I did was go to the gym and work.'
Jagan Mohan Reddy holds a smartphone with an image of his son Alok Madasani at his residence in Hyderabad on February 24, 2017, after Alok was injured in the shooting of two Indian men in the US state of Kansas

Hundreds of people marched and prayed in the Midwestern US city where an Indian expatriate was killed and another wounded in a suspected hate crime that has prompted calls for action.

Indians at home and in the United States have expressed shock at Wednesday's shooting in the Kansas community of Olathe that saw a drunk white man scream racial slurs and allegedly open fire on two young Indian engineers, killing one.

Alok Madasani, the 32-year-old Indian engineer who survived, told a prayer vigil Sunday that he was suffering profound loss after the death of his dear friend of nine years.

"It's hard to believe he is not with me, not with us anymore," Madasani said.

"What happened that night is something we all wish didn't happen, but it happened."

Throngs of concerned citizens and mourners marched through the Kansas City suburb in memory of the slain man, 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and in celebration of Madasani's survival.

The event also honored Ian Grillot, a white bar patron being hailed a hero for trying to help. He is being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds in the chest and hand.

Bundled in winter coats, marchers stretched for blocks down a sidewalk near the city's Ball Conference Center, holding posters with messages about peace and unity, and chanting slogans such as "Together we stand, divided we fall!" and "Unity is part of community!"

During the rally, the city of Olathe tweeted: "We stand together in our grief; in our support of the victims, their family & friends. And always, we stand together. #OneOlathe."

Madasani, who had been taken to the hospital after the shooting, was greeted with applause when he hobbled into the room on crutches, and later told the audience about how his friend, whom he would meet at the bar almost weekly, was "always making sure the people around him were happy."

The ceremony, which opened with Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh prayers, was held at the packed community center, with a large overflow crowd forced to stand outside. It ended with the audience lighting candles and singing John Lennon's "Imagine."

- 'Shameful' incidents -

During the attack, the alleged suspect, Adam Purinton, 51, reportedly screamed racial slurs and told the two Indian men, who had been living in the United States for several years and working as aviation systems engineers for GPS manufacturer Garmin, to "Get out of my country."

He was arrested after police got a tip from a bartender in a nearby town that the suspect boasted of having killed two Middle Eastern men, The Kansas City Star reported.

Purinton has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder and is being held on a $2 million bond.

The FBI is trying to determine if the shooting was a hate crime.

India's Information and Broadcasting minister reacted harshly to the attack, stating that the United States must "unequivocally respond and condemn such incidents."

"USA should respond to this incident. American President and people of America, they should come out openly to condemn such actions... and then take strongest action," M Venkaiah Naidu was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser page was quickly set up after the shooting, and as of Sunday had collected more than $630,000, much of it in small contributions of $5 and $10.

The money is to help with the funeral expenses "and other ongoing grief / recovery support costs" for Kuchibhotla's widow Sunayana Dumala.

Meanwhile, Madasani's father Jagan Mohan Reddy, a chief engineer with the Telangana state government, told AFP he and his wife would spend at least a week in the US before "taking stock of what to do (next)."

"They lost a dear friend (Kuchibhotla) in the attack but somehow, by God's grace, my son survived," Reddy said.
Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi (R) will be the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Donald Trump took office

China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, as the two sides work to arrange a meeting between their presidents after a rocky start to the relationship under the administration of Donald Trump.

State Councillor Yang Jiechi will meet senior American officials on Monday and Tuesday to discuss "bilateral ties and issues of common concern", the foreign ministry announced late Sunday.

Relations have been strained by Trump's criticism of China's handling of North Korea and its trade policies as well as his questioning of Washington's longstanding "One China" policy.

Yang, who outranks the foreign minister, will be the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Trump took office.

One of his key duties will be making arrangements for a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wu Xinbo, director of Fudan University's Centre of American Studies, told AFP.

Yang will also seek to connect with Trump's diplomatic team and meet key figures such as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, he added.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the two sides have been in "close contact and communication" about a possible meeting between the heads of state, but declined to give details of Yang's schedule or the message he was carrying to Washington.

"He will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest with senior officials from the US," Geng said.

- Rocky start -

Before Xi and Trump can meet, the two countries must address some of the contentious issues thrust into the spotlight since Trump's election, said Tao Wenzhao, an expert on Sino-US relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

They "will carry out a wide-ranging discussion on various global problems and form a consensus", he told AFP. "On that basis, the two countries' leaders can meet."

But the gap on many issues remains large, from China's massive trade surplus with the US to friction over its building of military facilities on artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

The relationship got off to a rocky start after Trump accepted a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, angering China by breaking decades of diplomatic precedent.

He upped the ante by suggesting he might recognise Taiwan's sovereignty unless China was willing to negotiate more favourable trade terms with the US -- a non-starter for Beijing, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification.

Seeking to minimise the fallout, Tillerson met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier this month at a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Germany. The Secretary of State urged Beijing to help rein in North Korea after its series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Tensions between the two countries have eased somewhat since Trump reaffirmed Washington's "One China" policy in a conciliatory phone call with Xi earlier this month.

Since then, Beijing has stepped up its pressure on Pyongyang by announcing a ban on imports of coal from North Korea -- previously an economic lifeline for the isolated country.

On the presidential campaign trail last year, Trump regularly accused China of stealing American jobs and running a massive and unfairly won trade surplus with the US, vowing to reverse it by whatever means necessary.

CASS's Tao said he was "optimistic" the relationship would soon be back on track.

"Trump is a very smart person," he said. "He knows that the Sino-US relationship is in America's national interest."
Baltimore Ravens' Matt Elam has been charged with reckless driving and possession of drugs, in Miami

Baltimore Ravens player Matt Elam was stopped by Miami police on Saturday and charged with reckless driving and possession of drugs.

Miami Beach police said they arrested the 25-year-old American after he was pulled over for driving erratically. Police searched his vehicle and discovered a Gucci bag on the floor of the driver's side that included 126 grams of marijuana, six oxycodone pills, a luxury Rolex watch and other jewellery.

He was booked into jail and charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell or deliver, possession of a controlled substance and reckless driving, according to jail records.

Police said one of the passengers was also carrying a semi-automatic handgun.

Elam, the Ravens' first-round pick in 2013 out of the University of Florida, will become an unrestricted free agent next month after the Ravens declined to pick up the option on his contract.

"We are aware of the arrest of Matt Elam. Matt is not in our plans for the 2017 Ravens," the Ravens said in a statement.
Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, was arrested earlier this month on bribery and other charges

Special prosecutors investigating South Korea's swirling corruption scandal said they would decide Tuesday whether to indict the heir to the Samsung empire, after losing a bid to extend their inquiry.

The team was appointed by parliament in December to look into the scandal that has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached and embroiled a host of major companies.

The prosecutors have been probing a wide range of allegations, including claims that Samsung bribed Park's confidante Choi Soon-Sil to win state approval for a controversial merger of two of its units.

The special prosecutors had sought to extend their term. But Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn, who is standing in for Park while the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove her from the Blue House, rejected the request.

"After thinking long and hard, the acting president judged it was best to allow (state) prosecutors to take over to ensure stability," Hong Kwon-Heui, a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office, told reporters.

The decision means they have until Tuesday -- after which the inquiry will go back to ordinary prosecutors --- to decide whether to indict Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong, who was arrested earlier this month on bribery and other charges, and multiple other suspects including former senior officials.

"We plan to review whether to indict the suspects who have been charged or arrested so far, and process them in a batch tomorrow," said Lee Kyu-Chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutors.

Laying formal charges is necessary before a trial and would mean that the suspects were almost certain to go to court.

In the case of Lee -- whose father was himself convicted of tax evasion and embezzlement in 2008 -- that would mean continued embarrassment for the world's biggest smartphone maker and months of distraction for some of its top management.

The special prosecutor's team said Hwang's decision was "regrettable" but vowed to "thoroughly wrap up the case" and cooperate with the state prosecutors who will retake control over the investigation.

The state prosecutors have previously been more sympathetic towards Lee and other businessmen involved in the scandal, describing them as victims.

The main opposition Democratic party called Hwang's decision "a historic atrocity that dumped cold water on people's expectations".

The scandal centres on Park's close friend Choi, who is accused of using her ties with the president to meddle in state affairs and to force millions of dollars from local firms.
Malik Bashir Awan plans to build a religious school on the site of a shrine to his son Mumtaz Qadri

Pakistan has renewed its vow to root out extremism after a fresh wave of attacks, but a rose-covered shrine in Islamabad built by radicals to glorify an Islamist murderer sends a different message.

Followers of Mumtaz Qadri feted him as a hero at his tomb Monday, the start of a three-day festival marking the anniversary of his hanging on February 29, 2016.

Qadri assassinated liberal Punjab governor Salman Taseer in 2011, angered by the politician's reformist stance on Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws. The state's decision to execute him provoked uproar among Islamists.

"There could be 400,000 people," Qadri's father Malik Bashir Awan told AFP this month as he supervised preparations for the commemoration from his plastic chair at the shrine.

Up to 200 followers were praying and enjoying free food at the shrine Monday, many coming and going through police-manned entry points, with more expected ahead of a conference Wednesday where clerics will make speeches about Qadri's "sacrifice".

Pakistan will also host a regional economic summit in Islamabad Wednesday that will be attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with high security expected.

The anniversay of the hanging of Islamist murderer Mumtaz Qadri could attract 400,000 people to his shrine, says his father

Yet authorities appear unwilling to oppose the Qadri commemorations.

And while the government showed unexpected determination by executing Qadri, his family say it did not prevent them from sanctifying him with the white marble tomb, adorned with four tapered minarets and a tiled green dome.

Each day dozens visit the shrine, built on a family plot bordering Islamabad but within the capital's territory, to seek divine intervention and leave flowers.

The gestures glorifying the fundamentalist are a perverse echo of popular South Asian traditions venerating mystical, tolerant Sufi saints, many of whom helped spread Islam through the subcontinent.

Qadri's family do not intend to stop there. His father hopes to build a madrassa (religious school) on the site and donations are already pouring in.

- 'First step in radicalisation' -

The shrine is a glaring demonstration of how, despite military success in fighting insurgents, Pakistan has made little progress in tackling the underlying causes of extremism.

Mufti Hanif Qureshi says hanged Islamist murderer Mumtaz Qadri is venerated by Pakistanis

A military-led crackdown supported by the government's vaunted National Action Plan led to a dramatic improvement in security since 2014.

But critics have long argued the initiatives do not go far enough.

Then, a wave of apparently coordinated attacks over the last fortnight killed 130 people and shredded optimism. Analysts say there are "visible signs" militants are regrouping.

"It's turmoil again," Asha'ar Rehman, the Lahore editor of leading daily Dawn, told AFP.

For Arif Jamal, an expert on radical Islamism, the presence of the shrine bolsters beliefs that contribute to extremism.

"Even for a peaceful Pakistani, the mere existence of such a shrine convinces people that the killing of Salmaan Taseer was actually good," he told AFP.

"It is a first step in radicalisation."

But cleric Hanif Qureshi, whose fiery speeches helped inspire Qadri's actions, was dismissive.

"One year has passed, nobody has killed anyone," he told AFP.

- Cause and effect -

Observers are divided over the government's inaction.

Saif-ul-Mulook, one of the prosecutors at Qadri's trials, says the government's will is "weak".

"Knowingly paying homage to... (a murderer who) has been judged a terrorist by the highest court in the Constitution of Pakistan -- what poorer moral standard can a society show?"

However, the cost of taking action could outweigh the dangers of allowing the memorial to flourish, said Zeeshan Salahuddin of the Center for Research and Security Studies.

"If the government takes a step, goes after this shrine, there's a very, very good chance there's going to be anarchy in the streets," he said.

The sanctuary's existence also encourages supporters of the blasphemy laws, a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, where even unproven allegations can result in lynchings.

Critics -- including the assassinated Taseer -- have said the laws, which can carry the death penalty, are routinely abused to carry out personal vendettas.

Cleric Qureshi said Qadri is venerated for his defence of the Prophet.

"There is no debate, only very few people are against Qadri," he insisted. "All Pakistanis love him."

There are concerns that if Qadri's family build their madrassa, they could train a new generation of religious fanatics, like at the influential and radical Red Mosque which has long operated in the heart of Islamabad.

Muhammad Noman, a 26-year-old visiting the tomb from Karachi, told AFP he was inspired by Qadri.

"He sacrificed his life for our faith. May God give us opportunities like him to give our lives," he said calmly.
Syrian civil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, carry a comrade who was injured in an air strike in the rebel-held town of Binnish, on the outskirts of Idlib, on February 25, 2017

A film about Syria's White Helmets -- rescuers who risk their lives to help save civilians caught in the country's devastating war -- took home the Oscar for best documentary short on Sunday.

The Netflix-produced film, called simply "The White Helmets," was directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, and bested another short about the Syrian conflict, "Watani: My Homeland."

But members of the group including the cinematographer who shot much of the footage, Khaled Khatib, were not allowed to enter the United States for the Oscars.

Group members said on Twitter that they had waited for three days at the airport but were not permitted to board a flight.

The US Customs and Border Protection service said only that they did not have valid documents.

The ordeal comes as US President Donald Trump sharply curtails visas for Syrians as well as citizens of a number of other Muslim-majority countries.

Raed Saleh, leader of the rescue group, also was not able to attend but said in a statement that the White Helmets had saved the lives of more than 82,000 civilians.

"I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life, to stop the bloodshed in Syria and around the world," he said in a statement read by the director.

"It's very easy for these guys to feel forgotten. This war has been going on for six years. If everyone could just stand up and remind them that we all care, (then) this war ends as quickly as possible."

Khatib tweeted: "While we follow the Oscars, the Syrian regime has launched chlorine gas attacks in Harasta, injuring civilians."

The White Helmets emerged in 2013, working to rescue civilians in rebel-held areas during the nearly six-year war.

Before fighting broke out, the volunteers had everyday jobs -- bakers, painters and even students. Since 2013, the group says it has attracted more than 3,000 volunteers.

It is named for the distinctive white hard hats worn by its volunteers and has gained international renown for its daring rescues, often filmed and circulated on social media.

- International support -

The group's motto, "To save one life is to save all of humanity," is drawn from a verse of the Koran, although the rescuers insist they treat all victims, regardless of religion.

Orlando von Einsiedel (R) and Joanna Natasegara address the audience at the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California

The White Helmets were nominated for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize and garnered international support for their candidacy, though they ultimately lost out.

Their detractors, mostly supporters of President Bashar al-Assad's government, accuse them of being tools of their international donors.

But others have hailed the group's volunteers as "real life heroes."

Syria's conflict started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests and has since spiralled into a complex war, killing more than 310,000 people and displacing over half the country's population.

The group is funded by several countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan and The Netherlands. It also receives individual donations used to buy equipment, like their white hard hats, which cost about $145 each.

"The documentary took a lot of effort to make and we've been working on it for a long time," Saleh told AFP ahead of the Oscars.

"People who are featured in the film have since died. There's equipment that you see that has been destroyed."
The safety of Indian expatriates is reportedly on the agenda when Indian Foreign Secretary, S. Jaishankar travels to Washington

New Delhi's top diplomat will travel to Washington this week for talks with US officials as anger grows over the death of an Indian expatriate in a suspected hate crime.

Thousands of Indians visit the United States every year for work or study, and the killing of 32-year-old engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in a Kansas bar last week has caused shockwaves around the country.

A second Indian engineer, Alok Madasani, was injured in the shooting by a white man whom witnesses said screamed racial slurs.

A ministry official said Foreign Secretary S.Jaishankar would travel to Washington on Tuesday for a "wide-ranging bilateral discussion", without giving further details.

Jagan Mohan Reddy holds a smartphone with an image of his son Alok Madasani at his residence in Hyderabad on February 24, 2017, after Alok was injured in the shooting of two Indian men in the US state of Kansas

Reports said Jaishankar, the most senior Indian official to visit since President Donald Trump took office, would discuss proposed restrictions to so-called H-1B visas as well as seeking reassurances on the safety of Indian expatriates.

India's IT sector uses H-1B visas to send thousands of highly-skilled workers to America every year.

News of the visit came after an Indian minister described hate crimes as "shameful", adding to a growing chorus of demands for Washington to act.

In an editorial on Monday The Times of India said the shooting had shocked the Indian community in the US and urged Trump to "make it clear that such hate is not acceptable in his America".

US authorities have charged Adam Purinton, 51, with premeditated first-degree murder over the shooting, and are looking into whether it was a hate crime.
A fire in a hotel in Nanchang kills three guests and seven construction workers

Authorities have formally arrested seven people after a hotel fire sparked by unsafe welding and cutting work killed 10 people in central China, state media said Monday.

Construction workers and contractors were among those arrested on suspicion of negligence that caused the blaze, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The fire broke out Saturday morning at the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in the Jiangxi provincial capital of Nanchang and killed three guests and seven construction workers, it earlier cited the city government as saying.

Three of nine injured people being treated in hospital were in critical condition after the blaze broke out during work in a karaoke parlour.

Fire safety is routinely ignored in China, with exit doors often locked and escape passages blocked.

Earlier this month, 18 people were killed when a foot massage parlour caught fire in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

Seven died in a fire in an elderly care facility last month.
German nationals Jurgen Kantner and his wife Sabine Merz pictured in Berbera, Somalia on May 5, 2009

Islamic militants in the Philippines have beheaded a 70-year-old German hostage they were holding for ransom, Manila officials said Monday, as Berlin condemned the murder as "unscrupulous and inhumane".

The Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history, had demanded a ransom of 30 million pesos ($600,000) be paid by Sunday to spare Jurgen Kantner.

After the expiration of the deadline the jihadists, which were monitored by intelligence group SITE, posted a gruesome video showing Kantner being killed by a knife-wielding man.

Shortly after the clip appeared Philippines government envoy Jesus Dureza confirmed the death of Kantner, who was abducted from his yacht off the southern Philippines last year.

"We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Dureza said in a statement.

"Up to the last moment, many sectors including the Armed Forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life. We all tried our best. But to no avail," said Dureza.

Military officials in the south said they had not yet found the German's body.

His vessel, the Rockall, was found drifting on November 7 with the body of Kantner's female companion Sabine Merz with a gunshot wound.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert later condemned "the abhorrent act".

"After weeks of worry, we have today the sad certainty that a German hostage has been barbarically murdered by terrorist kidnappers in the Philippines," he said, adding that "in our deepest grief, our thoughts are with the relatives and friends of our countryman".

"(The killing) once again shows, how unscrupulous and inhumane the actions of these terrorists are. We must stand together and fight against them."

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel earlier said if the video was confirmed as genuine it would be "one of the most horrible things imaginable".

- Perilous waters -

The couple had been kidnapped and held for 52 days in Somalia in 2008 before they were freed, reportedly after a huge ransom was paid, press reports said.

Despite his ordeal in Somalia, Kantner told AFP in 2009 that he still intended to keep sailing into perilous waters.

"I know it's dangerous sailing off into Somali waters and I have no private security guarding me, but I pray to God that pirates won't get me again. It's a little bit like suicide," he said after being freed.

The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, have been kidnapping foreigners and Christians for decades and holding them for ransom in the jungles of the strife-torn southern Philippines.

They have frequently killed hostages if their demands are not met, and last year murdered two Canadians.

Apart from Kantner they are now holding at least 19 foreigners and seven Filipino hostages, military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said.

The group, formed from seed money provided by a relative of Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, also carried out the bombing of a ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that claimed 116 lives in the country's deadliest terror attack.

The military had been pressing an assault against the Abu Sayyaf, attacking their camps and bombing their hideouts just before Kantner was killed.
Saudi Arabia's Aramco will invest $7 bn in a Malaysia oil refinery project

Saudi Arabia's Aramco will invest $7 billion in a giant Malaysian oil refinery project, Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday, as he declared ties with the kingdom were "at an all-time high".

The deal between Aramco and Malaysian state energy firm Petronas for the $27 billion project will be signed on Tuesday, the prime minister said.

"This is a huge investment and is very significant," said Najib.

The vast scheme under construction in the southern state of Johor near the Singapore border is known as the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development Project.

It is being led by Petronas, which said last month development was more than 50 per cent complete, with the project set to come online in 2019.

Victor Shum, vice president for energy at global consultancy IHS Markit, said the deal was a "win-win situation".

"Having Saudi Aramco as a partner with Petronas is a boost for the project and for Malaysia," he said.

"For Aramco it's more than just an outlet for its crude supplies. They are now part owner of the plant."

He added: "It's really going to make this region -- Singapore and South Johor -- a major refining and petrochemical hub in Southeast Asia."

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs in Malaysia, according to Craig Erlam, a senior market analyst at Oanda, adding it would provide stiff competition to Singapore, a major refinery hub.

Najib made the refinery announcement on the second day of a four-day state visit to Malaysia by Saudi Arabia's King Salman.

He told reporters: "The visit will cement and put our relationship on a strong trajectory," adding the Saudi head of state was "satisfied and happy" the agreement would be signed.

Malaysia is keen to attract foreign investment as the energy-exporting, trade-dependent economy has seen growth steadily slow in recent years, denting revenues and putting severe pressure on the ringgit.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia came under the spotlight after it was revealed that $681 million in transfers were made to Najib's personal bank accounts in 2013.

The prime minister said the "personal donations" from the Saudi royal family have been mostly returned and denies any wrongdoing.

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Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers stand to attention during a ceremony at the military base in Herat on July 3, 2016

An air strike has killed an Afghan Taliban commander who twice oversaw the capture of a strategic northern city, officials said Monday, in a major blow to the insurgent group.

Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund, the Taliban shadow governor in Kunduz province, was killed on Sunday when he was holding a meeting in the volatile Dasht-e-Archi district.

"He was killed with five others in the house," said provincial governor Asadullah Amarkhil.

The Taliban acknowledged the death of "the conquerer of Kunduz", saying he was killed in a "cowardly attack by US invaders".

The US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Akhund had led the insurgents to mount several attacks in Kunduz since 2011.

The Taliban seized the provincial capital Kunduz city for about two weeks in September 2015, in their biggest victory since they were toppled from national power by a US-led invasion in 2001.

The militants briefly overran the city again in October last year before they were beaten back by NATO-backed Afghan forces.
Migrants and refugees on a rubber boat wait off the coast of Libya to be evacuated during a rescue operation

The head of EU border agency Frontex on Monday criticised charities that rescue migrants off Libya, arguing that they encourage the traffickers who profit from the dangerous Mediterranean crossings.

Such rescue operations "should be reevaluated", Fabrice Leggeri told Germany's Die Welt daily, also accusing the groups of not effectively cooperating with security agencies against human traffickers.

Leggeri said 40 percent of recent rescue operations at sea off the North African country "were carried out by non-government organisations".

He said that under maritime law everyone at sea has a duty to rescue vessels and people in distress.

"But we must avoid supporting the business of criminal networks and traffickers in Libya through European vessels picking up migrants ever closer to the Libyan coast," said the director of Warsaw-based Frontex.

"This leads traffickers to force even more migrants onto unseaworthy boats with insufficient water and fuel than in previous years."

Frontex operates on the EU's external borders, off Italy and the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, but not off the coast of Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi.

The Frontex boss also charged that some NGOs cooperate poorly with EU security agencies, which "makes it more difficult ... to gain information on trafficking networks through interviews with migrants and to open police investigations".

Frontex had criticised NGOs in a report in December, charging they were picking up migrants at sea "like taxis".

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) at the time labelled the charges "extremely serious and damaging" and said its humanitarian action was not "the cause but a response" to the crisis.

Frontex said in January that migrant arrivals by sea last year had plunged by almost two-thirds to 364,000 compared with 2015, mainly due to an EU border deal with Turkey that sharply reduced landings in Greece.

But the agency said Italy was the exception with a record 181,000 arrivals, mostly from Africa via the Mediterranean, a 20 percent rise from 2015.

Leggeri predicted in the interview that, because of the Libya-Italy route, "one should expect that more will come in 2017 than in 2016".
A Palestinian militant of the National Resistance brigades gets out of a tunnel in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip

Israeli politicians and ex-generals are scambling for cover ahead of the publication on Tuesday of a report expected to slam their conduct of the costly 2014 Gaza war.

The findings of a two-year inquiry, due to be released at 1400 GMT, are widely expected to inflict collateral damage on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-defence minister Moshe Yaalon and former army chief of staff Benny Gantz for failing to prepare for the threat posed by Hamas tunnels from Gaza, despite intelligence warnings.

Players past and present have been frantically "briefing reporters, providing leaks, and besmirching their opponents, some directly and some obliquely", as Maariv daily put it on Monday.

"Those who played politics in the security cabinet in an unprecedented way during the war will continue to do so this week," Yaalon wrote in Hebrew on his Facebook page.

The report -- 200 pages including annexes -- was compiled by state comptroller Yossef Shapira, who is in charge of assessing governance and use of public funds.

He launched his probe in September 2014, immediately after the July-August conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group which controls the Gaza Strip.

Rubble in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike the day before

Fallout from the report is likely to pit Netanyahu against his coalition partner and political rival Naftali Bennett, head of the nationalist Jewish Home party.

Bennett has said he and fellow members of the security cabinet were not properly briefed by Netanyahu on the extent of the tunnel threat and he therefore used his own personal military contacts to get information.

- Cabinet contention -

He later boasted that he had been the first political leader to grasp the extent of the threat.

Also weighing in is Yair Lapid, a centrist fired as finance minister in Netanyahu's previous government who sat in the 2014 security cabinet but is now a bitter foe of both Bennett and the premier.

"Even if it was not put to the security cabinet, the prime minister should have told the military to prepare a plan of action, that's his job," he said in a weekend interview with Israeli Channel Two TV.

"There was no methodology on how to deal with the tunnels."

A Palestinian worker breaks stones at a factory where the rubble from houses destroyed during warfare are recycled to be reused at construction sites, in Gaza City on November 6, 2016

Hamas and its allies used the tunnels into southern Israel for cross-border attacks.

The report examines "the way in which decisions were made within the security cabinet before and at the start of Operation Protective Edge", Shapira's spokesman said on Friday using Israel's codename for the assault.

A draft, released to ministers and military officials in November and leaked to media soon after, reportedly says Netanyahu and Yaalon only partially informed their inner cabinet of the threat posed by the tunnels.

Netanyahu struck out against those claims on Monday, telling members of his Likud faction: "No cabinet in the country's history was updated more" than his wartime cabinet.

He accused his political opponents of bringing "petty politics and personal interests" into the security discourse.

The premier also said Israel had dealt Hamas "the most powerful blow in its history" during the 2014 conflict, with forces killing "a thousand Hamas terrorists" and "its most senior commanders".

Opposition head Isaac Herzog of Labour charged the report proved yet again that "Bibi is a failure in peace as well as in security", using Netanyahu's nickname.

Destroying the tunnels and stopping Gaza-based Palestinian militants launching rockets into Israel were the key declared goals of Israel's third offensive in the coastal territory in six years.

The tunnels were among the Palestinians' most effective weapons during the 50-day conflict.

Israel's military found 32 tunnels, including 14 from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to a UN inquiry on the conflict. Hamas says it has continued to dig new ones.

Sporadic cross-border attacks have continued. On Monday, Israeli aircraft hit targets in Gaza, hours after a rocket fired from the territory slammed into southern Israel.

The 2014 war killed 2,251 Palestinians and left 100,000 homeless, according to the UN. On the Israeli side, 74 people were killed, all but six of them soldiers.
Syrian civil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, look for survivors amidst the debris following reported government airstrike on the Syrian town of Ariha, in the northwestern province of Idlib, on February 27, 2017

Syrian government forces seized territory from the Islamic State group on several fronts in the country's north on Monday, a monitor and military source told AFP.

Fighting rocked the strategic province of Aleppo, which borders Turkey and has seen some of the worst violence of Syria's nearly six-year conflict.

On Monday, troops "seized 18 towns and villages, including the town of Taduf and a number of strategic hilltops in eastern Aleppo province, totalling about 600 square kilometres (230 square miles)," a Syrian military source said.

Taduf had been held by IS jihadists and lies near Al-Bab, a key town where rebels backed by Turkish soldiers, artillery and air power defeated IS last week.

Regime forces on Monday also moved into nearly two dozen villages abandoned by IS near the town of Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Manbij is held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

IS withdrew from the area earlier Monday in what Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman called a sign of "swift collapse" of jihadist ranks.

"Regime forces moved into those 23 villages, linking up with SDF forces in the area," he said.

SDF spokesman Talal Sello told AFP on Monday that his forces would not clash with the regime there.

Syrian civil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, carry a body retrieved from the rubble following reported government air strike on the Syrian town of Ariha, in the northwestern province of Idlib, on February 27, 2017

"We are adjacent to regime forces in several places (across northern Syria), and there's been a kind of truce between us. So there will not be clashes between us" at Manbij, Sello said.

The Observatory says the government advance in the area is part of a bid to block Turkish-backed forces from expanding their zones of control in Aleppo province.

But regime troops are also trying to advance east to reach IS-held Khafsah, the main station pumping water into Aleppo city, Abdel Rahman said.

- Regime raids kill 13 -

Residents of the northern city have been had no water for 42 days, after IS jihadists cut the supply at Khafsah around 90 kilometres (55 miles) away.

And further south, government troops fought to within four kilometres of the ancient desert city of Palmyra, which IS recaptured in December.

"Regime forces speedily advanced around Palmyra, specifically from the northwest and southwest, capturing a string of hilltops that allow them to fire on the oil and gas fields in the area," Abdel Rahman said.

Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule but has since spiralled into a multi-front war pitting government forces, rebels, jihadists and Kurds against each other.

Government air raids on the northwest province of Idlib killed at least 13 civilians overnight, the Observatory said.

It had originally given a preliminary toll of 11 dead in the bombardment of Ariha.

Leith Fares, a rescue worker in Ariha, told AFP his team had pulled at least 20 wounded people from the rubble.

"We've been working since 3:00 am (0100 GMT) to rescue victims still under the rubble of two four-storey buildings that totally collapsed on the residents inside," he said.

"We're still looking for two families, estimated at eight to 10 members each, that are still trapped," Fares said.

The deaths come two days after 10 civilians were killed in government air strikes on Ariha, held since spring 2015 by an anti-regime coalition dominated by jihadists.

Idlib province has been battered by heavy air strikes in recent weeks, with intensifying raids by regime warplanes in particular, according to the Observatory.

It has also been rocked by infighting between rebel and jihadist factions, including Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, Fateh al-Sham Front.
Gulf countries must tighten coordination to fight an increasing number of cyber attacks, experts said

Gulf countries must tighten coordination to fight an increasing number of cyber attacks, experts said on Monday, as one official blamed hackers in Iran.

The comments came at an international conference in the Saudi Arabian capital after the Shamoon 2 virus in January reportedly disrupted labour ministry computers.

All Gulf Cooperation Council countries are at risk, Saleh Almotairi, director general of the Saudi National Cyber Security Centre, told the conference.

"There is an increase in targeting GCC countries," he said, noting that both financial and government bodies have been targeted.

"If we cooperate we will be able to protect all sectors," he added, reporting that his centre responded to 124 "breaches" last year.

GCC members Bahrain and Kuwait were also the targets of increasing attacks over the past year, according to cyber security experts.

Hackers tried to penetrate the computer systems at Bahrain's interior ministry, said Lieutenant Colonel Bassam Al Maraj, a ministry director.

Maraj said the attempted breach originated in Iran, and singled out "Bahraini people living in Iran."

Bahrain is a Shiite-majority but Sunni-ruled state which, like Saudi Arabia, sees Iran as linked to unrest throughout the Middle East.

Quasai Alshatti, director general of Kuwait's Central Agency for Information Technology, said financial institutions in his country have also been targeted.

The Shamoon virus was first deployed against the Saudi energy sector in 2012.

"There is no way you can prevent the attack," Almotairi said of the virus.

After the 2012 Shamoon hacking, US intelligence officials said they suspected a link to Saudi Arabia's rival Iran.

The oil and gas-rich region's organisational infrastructure against hacking is still new, as experts become increasingly focused on combating rising attacks.

Saudi Arabia's National Cyber Security Centre has been set up over the past two years but was only formally opened this month.

Qatar began its cyber security strategy in 2014, Khalid Al-Hashmi, the emirate's Undersecretary of Cyber Security, told the conference, which continues on Tuesday.

"We need more attention to cyber security and we need to add more professionals to the field of cyber security," said Saudi Prince Bandar Al Mishari, assistant interior minister for Technology Affairs.
Pro-democracy protesters (R) shout slogans against former Hong Kong chief secretary and leadership hopeful Carrie Lam (not seen) before the start of a press conference by Lam in Hong Kong on February 27, 2017

Pro-democracy protesters Monday gatecrashed a press conference by Hong Kong leadership hopeful Carrie Lam, displaying banners criticising a "rigged election" as the woman seen as China's favourite unveiled her policy.

Around a dozen activists including Joshua Wong, the face of 2014's mass pro-democracy protests, entered the venue minutes before the start and demanded to be allowed to communicate their messages to Lam.

Protesters chanted slogans and unfurled banners demanding the public get the right to vote for the city's top post.

They were allowed to stay after campaign manager Bernard Chan said he welcomed them to sit in.

The chief executive of the semi-autonomous Chinese city will be chosen on March 26 by a 1,200-strong committee, most of whose members are broadly pro-Beijing.

Lam, a former deputy leader of the Hong Kong government, was in charge of promoting a Beijing-backed political reform package rejected as a sham by the pro-democracy camp in 2014.

Former Hong Kong chief secretary and eleadership hopeful Carrie Lam (centre, R) is escorted by party team members and security after meeting a group of pro-democracy protesters following a press conference in Hong Kong on February 27, 2017

The proposal would for the first time have allowed all Hong Kong voters to elect their leader, but would tightly control those eligible to stand.

Lam said Monday that divisions in society had made it difficult to restart discussions about political reform.

Her platform instead focused on livelihood issues, the city's housing crisis, the economy and youth development.

After the event Lam approached the protesters and presented her campaign pamphlet. Some demonstrators tore it up and threw pages at her.

Lam and her colleagues eventually left hurriedly while the media and protesters surrounded them.

Lam's campaign said she had garnered more than 400 nominations from members of the election committee -- a minimum of 150 are needed -- and would formally submit her candidacy Tuesday.

Former financial secretary John Tsang, who has won support from some members of the pro-democracy camp, and ex-judge Woo Kwok-hing have secured 160 and 180 nominations respectively, local media reported.
Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on February 27, 2017

Israeli aircraft hit targets in the Gaza Strip on Monday, hours after a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory slammed into southern Israel.

"Three bombs were dropped by the air force on a Hamas military base east of Nusseirat refugee camp," south of Gaza city, a Palestinian security source said.

The planes also made two raids against Hamas lookout posts along the border with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, and on a base of Islamic Jihad's military wing in the north of the strip, the source said.

Israeli tanks along the border fired at several targets.

The Gaza health ministry said four people were wounded, none of them seriously.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman confirmed the strikes, blaming Hamas.

"We have no intention to initiate a military action in Gaza but we have no intention to accept sporadic fire," Lieberman said at a meeting of his political party.

Hamas said Israel carried "full responsibility" for what it called a "dangerous escalation."

Before dawn the Israeli military said "a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area...in southern Israel". There were no casualties.

Early in February, Israel hit Gaza with tank fire and air strikes that wounded three Palestinians in response to a projectile fired from the Palestinian territory which did not inflict casualties.
Morocco's foreign ministry has said it will proceed "with a unilateral withdrawal from the (Guerguerat) zone," in what it said was a decision taken by King Mohamed VI (pictured) at the request of UN chief Antonio Guterres

Polisario separatists have dismissed as "window dressing" Morocco's announcement of a pullback from a zone of the contested Western Sahara that has raised tensions with their Algiers-backed movement.

The foreign ministry in Rabat said Sunday that Morocco will "proceed from today with a unilateral withdrawal from the (Guerguerat) zone," in what it said was a decision taken by King Mohamed VI at the request of UN chief Antonio Guterres.

It gave no details on the pullback.

"The Moroccan decision to withdraw its troops near Guerguerat by a few hundred metres is window dressing," the Polisario Front said in a statement later Sunday.

"It barely disguises Rabat's disdain for international legitimacy, its obstinacy and refusal for almost three decades to allow for the implementation" of UN resolutions on the Western Sahara, it said.

The Polisario said it supported the UN secretary general's call "to respect the spirit and the letter of the ceasefire in force since 1991", reiterating its demands for a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people.

Map locating the Western Sahara in north-west Africa

It accused Morocco of "blocking a settlement, rejecting negotiations" and UN mediation efforts.

Tensions flared in 2016 after the Polisario set up a new military post in Guerguerat near the Mauritanian border, a stone's throw from Moroccan soldiers.

The move came after Morocco last August started building a tarmac road in the area south of the buffer zone separating the two sides.

Morocco and the Polisario fought for control of the Western Sahara from 1974 to 1991, with Rabat taking over the desert territory before a UN-brokered ceasefire in the former Spanish colony.

Rabat considers the Western Sahara an integral part of Morocco and proposes autonomy for the resource-rich territory under its sovereignty.

Spain and France, who shared colonial power in pre-independence Morocco, and the United States have welcomed Rabat's announcement of a Guerguerat pullback. Madrid and Paris called on the Polisario to follow suit.

Morocco said it started building the tarmacked road, located inside a buffer zone under the 1991 ceasefire, to combat smuggling, and the Polisario has responded by sending in patrols and building a new base.

Bechir Mohamed, the chief of security in the Al-Mahbes area in the Western Sahara, poses for a photo inside his hut on February 3, 2017

Polisario, in its statement, made no mention of a reciprocal pullback, while pro-Sahrawi websites have posted videos of gunmen in Polisario 4x4 vehicles cruising on the road.

Newspapers in Rabat say only a four-kilometre (2.5-mile) stretch of the road has been asphalted because Polisario incursions since December have interrupted work.

For the separatists, the work aims to alter the status quo, while Rabat insists on the flow of road traffic for trade between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa.

Several lorries have been intercepted and truck drivers subjected to insults and stone-throwing in past months, according to Moroccan newspapers.
George W. Bush, disagreeing with Donald Trump, says the media are indispensable

Former Republican president George W. Bush offered a tacit criticism of his successor Donald Trump Monday, in rare public comments regarding politics and the media.

The 43rd president -- who had his own battles with the press while in office -- rejected Trump's assertion that the media are the "enemy of the American people."

"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. That we need the media to hold people like me to account," Bush told NBC's "Today" program.

Trump's inflammatory remarks have been criticized as authoritarian, but the media remains a popular whipping boy for his supporters.

Amid wave after wave of leaks from his White House and probing reports on his campaign's links with Russia, Trump has repeatedly decried the media as "fake news."

Influential Trump aide Steve Bannon is fond of referring to the media as the "opposition party."

Bush responded to that sentiment by saying "power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power."

Bush also described Trump's comments as undercutting America's efforts to promote democracy and the free press abroad.
The Pentagon presented the White House with possible new battle plans Monday to defeat the Islamic State group, after President Donald Trump demanded top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists.

A pillar of Trump's campaign was to quicken the fight against IS, which despite losing thousands of fighters still controls parts of northern Syria and Iraq, and he berated Barack Obama's administration for taking too long to do so.

Trump had claimed to have a secret plan to defeat the brutal extremists, but never disclosed what this might be.

In the crosshairs: The Islamic State - ISIS - is the subject of the Pentagon's briefing to the president's top aides after he ordered that it be obliterated

ISIS being defeated: Iraqi security forces near Mosul have made significant gains in ISIS-held territory, with U.S. forces involved in the air and on the ground in advisory roles. Special forces have also been deployed by the Pentagon to help the effort against the fanatics

He repeatedly pledged to 'bomb the hell' out of them and even threatened to kill family members of suspected IS fighters.

Shortly after taking office, the new president gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress to date and develop a comprehensive plan to 'totally obliterate' IS.

A US-led coalition has been bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria since late summer 2014, while also deploying Western commandos to train and advise local forces.

The initial draft of the review is now complete, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented the findings to Trump's top national security advisors.

The options outlined in the classified document are preliminary and need to be further refined, said Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis.

'It is about the rapid defeat of ISIS,' Davis said.

'We're going to continue to have a dialogue with our chain of command going forward and developing this plan.'

The proposals will likely outline the possibility of sending more US troops to the Middle East and could see the Pentagon taking a more aggressive stance in other key areas.

'This is not about Syria and Iraq, it's about a trans-regional threat,' General Joe Dunford, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Washington audience last week.

'In this particular case, we're talking about ISIS, but it's also Al-Qaeda and other groups that present a trans-regional threat.'

Dunford stressed the importance of renewed military action coming alongside diplomatic and political efforts.

'All of us who have participated in these conflicts over the last 15 years realize that anything we do on the ground has to be in the context of political objectives or it's not going to be successful,' Dunford said.

The review includes input from across the government, including its spy agencies, State Department and Department of Homeland Security.

Mission: Defense secretary Jim 'Mad Dog' Mattis, a retired Marine general, is now in charge of realizing the vision from the president of ISIS being obliterated within a year

Since the coalition effort to defeat IS began, the jihadists have lost much of the ground they once held, and tens of thousands have been killed in air strikes and ground combat.

In Iraq, they are clinging to the last parts of their former bastion Mosul as Iraqi security forces backed by Western air power push them from the city.

The fight is more complex in civil war-torn Syria, where Russia is conducting its own air campaign to prop up President Bashar al-Assad.

A key question is whether America will arm Syrian Kurdish forces to lead the fight to retake Raqa -- a move sure to infuriate ally Turkey, which considers the Kurdish fighters terrorists -- or whether the United States should send in more combat troops.

Currently, only about 500 US troops are in Syria, mostly special operations forces working behind the frontlines to train local Kurdish and Syrian Arab fighters.

Because Obama was elected in 2008 on the promise of ending US conflicts in the Middle East, he was loath to put US forces in combat.

The anti-IS review is also a significant first test for the relationship between Trump and Mattis.

Trump has so far given the Pentagon chief broad leeway on shaping US military policy, even though the retired Marine Corps general has pushed back against much of Trump's more blustery rhetoric, including his professed support of torture and claim that America should seize Iraq's oil.
Smoke billows following reported government airstrike on the rebel-held Syrian town of Douma, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus, on February 26, 2017

Syria's opposition on Monday urged Russia, a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad, to put pressure on Damascus to help kickstart sputtering peace talks in Geneva.

The High Negotiations Committee (HNC), the main opposition group at the UN-sponsored talks, said it expects to meet a Russian delegation Tuesday in the Swiss city.

"We sincerely hope to persuade Russia to stand by the Syrian people," said HNC delegation chief Nasr al-Hariri after his latest talks with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura.

"We hope that Russia will bet on the Syrian people and will not bet on one person who has decided to destroy the whole of Syria so as to remain in power," he added, referring to Assad.

Russia is a key ally of the Assad regime along with Iran, while the opposition, which is divided, has backing notably from Turkey.

The Geneva talks, the fourth under UN auspices and the first since last April, are struggling to get off the ground, and were not helped by suicide attacks in Syria's third city Homs which killed dozens at the weekend.

De Mistura managed to persuade regime and opposition negotiators to sit in the same room for a symbolic opening ceremony last week, but since then he has held separate talks with the different delegations, as during previous rounds.

Moscow and Ankara are co-sponsors of a fragile ceasefire, brokered at the end of December.

In Moscow, a foreign ministry source confirmed that deputy Russian foreign minister Gennady Gatilov would meet opposition negotiators along with all sides in Geneva.

Gatilov and Sergei Vershinin, head of the ministry's Middle East section, are both in Geneva for the 34th session of the Human Rights Council, currently under way.

"In the framework of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva we have meetings with all parties, including the opposition which is represented by more than one group," said a ministry source.

"There is only one objective: to make progress towards a political resolution in the spirit of (UN Security Council) Resolution 2254 .. and to gain as much as possible from the ceasefire," the source told AFP.

In Geneva, al-Hariri sounded more upbeat after his latest meeting with the UN envoy.

"This meeting was more positive than the one before," he told reporters.

He added that he believed Moscow was showing signs of openness.

"It has tried to be neutral ... we see an openness in their position, especially vis-a-vis the revolutionary moderate factions," he said, referring to moderate rebels.

"The fact that it has recognised these factions as a negotiating party is an indication of Russia's openness and we are hopeful that tomorrow's meeting is also a positive indication."

He added: "We hope that these theories will be put in practice and we will see support for the peace process which would ultimately lead to peace by putting pressure on the (Damascus) regime."
French conductor Louis Langree, pictured in May 2012, has led the Cincinnati orchestra for four seasons with his innovative free outdoor concerts known as Luminocity, where the music is paired with a light show

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on Monday extended its contract with French conductor Louis Langree, who has championed new music and pulled in crowds with an innovative light show.

Langree, who took up the baton in the Midwestern city in September 2013, will remain at the orchestra through the 2021-22 season.

The conductor in a statement said it was "a privilege to be able to carry out the projects that reinforce the central values of this institution, including being a place of experimentation."

Langree has led the orchestra for four seasons of free outdoor concerts known as Luminocity, with the music paired with a light show created through projection mapping.

He has also led world premieres of works by prominent young composers including Iceland's Daniel Bjarnason and New York-based Nico Muhly.

Langree has run the MusicNow Festival of new works alongside Bryce Dessner, the Cincinnati native best known as guitarist of dark indie rockers The National.

In a sign of the orchestra's rising fortunes, Langree will inaugurate the renovated Cincinnati Music Hall in October following a $135 million makeover.

Langree will also take the orchestra on its first international trip since 2009 in March with concerts in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, followed by a tour of Europe in August.

A former music director of the Opera National de Lyon, Langree has a background in the classic repertoire and separately leads the Mostly Mozart festival at New York's Lincoln Center.
Donald Trump's actions against clandestine immigrants worry American farmers who use a large majority of foreign workers who accept low wages

President Donald Trump's tough new immigration measures are sending shudders through the US farming industry, which largely employs a low-wage foreign workforce.

Since taking office on a "America first" agenda, Trump has made immigration a policy cornerstone. Among other measures, he has broadened authorities' powers to detain and deport unauthorized immigrants.

In a tight labor market, this could leave farms with few options when looking for workers to pick the vegetables and tend to the animals that feed the country.

Eric Ooms, who runs a 450-head dairy operation in Valatie, a village about two hours north of New York City, told AFP that many people were unwilling to do the messy work of milking cows.

And in a region where unemployment hovers under five percent, the $10.50 he pays for an hour's work attracts few US citizens.

"We just cannot find local people who want to get dirty and milk cows," Ooms said. "I have been doing it all the time so I am used to it. It does not mean I like it but it is how it is."

As a result, in addition to five members of his own family, Ooms employs a Mexican immigrant hired by word of mouth to get his milk past the farm gate and out to market.

- 'Vital' to food supply -

The US agricultural sector relies on cheap immigrant labor to keep costs down. In all, about 70 percent of farmhands were born outside the United States, the majority of them in Mexico.

The industry acknowledges that most of these workers are not legal residents in the United States, so Trump's aggressive stance on immigration could threaten American farms.

Industry representatives nevertheless choose their words carefully.

"Increased rhetoric about enforcement is challenging," said Kristi Boswell, a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau, a group representing the industry.

"But it is our role to educate the country about why these workers are still vital and critical to our operations to have access to our food supply and food security."

The organization points to the difficulties that simply expelling unauthorized migrants could create.

According to a farm bureau study, if the industry were to lose access to all undocumented workers, net farm income could be slashed by between 15 percent and 29 percent, fruit production could tumble by as much as 60 percent and consumer prices could rise about five percent.

The consequences would be particularly stark for vegetable and fruit growers, where foreign labor exceeds 40 percent, with California's producers first in line to feel the effects.

The National Milk Producers Federation in 2015 predicted a doubling of consumer milk prices in the absence of immigrant labor, which accounts for 80 percent of American milk.

There are visa programs for farm workers, but with hundreds of thousands of people work US farms without proper immigration status, legal immigrant labor is a drop in the bucket.

The H-2A agricultural guest worker visa program, intended to meet the industry's need for workers to bring in the harvest, is largely insufficient: in 2013, only 71,000 visas were granted, according to a congressional report.

The visa program makes employers responsible for workers' housing and transport and has been criticized for lacking flexibility, creating delays when harvesting cannot wait.

Industry representatives say they hope to use the debate spurred by Trump's immigration policies to gain a greater audience for their calls for reforms that could lead to a legalized work force.

In the meantime, Eric Ooms has invested in equipment to automate the milking of his cows -- a purchase of more than $1 million that could protect his farm from a potential labor shortage.
Israel's justice ministry launches a full investigation into a deal to buy Dolphin submarines from Germany's ThyssenKrupp

Israel's justice ministry said Monday it had launched an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding a submarine deal which reportedly involves people close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The ministry stressed however that Netanyahu himself was not a suspect in the case.

Law enforcement agencies have been looking in recent months into the deal to buy Dolphin submarines from Germany's ThyssenKrupp.

In November the attorney general ordered police to look into allegations of improper conduct related to the deal.

The justice ministry said in a statement that in light of evidence collected by police, the attorney general decided to launch a full-fledged investigation.

Some of the police evidence raise suspicions that some of the people involved have committed "crimes pertaining to public corruption," it said.

The statement did not mention names.

Media reports have alleged a conflict of interest over the role played by David Shimron, a relative of the prime minister and the Netanyahu family lawer who also represents ThyssenKrupp in Israel.

Netanyahu himself is being investigated over corruption suspicions, reportedly involving receiving gifts from Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

The Israeli premier is also being probed over the suspicion he sought a a secret deal with Amnon Moses, publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

The discussed deal, which is not believed to have been finalised, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for helping curb Yedioth's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu rejected any charges of misconduct, and said he was the target of a campaign by political opponents.
A baby gets a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) test for malnutrition in Thonyor, Leer County of South Sudan

After enduring years of fighting and food shortages, it was the deaths from hunger of many old women and children that finally made Rebecca James decide to flee South Sudan.

Tired and hungry, James is among hundreds of South Sudanese refugees -- mostly women and children -- gathered at a "Refugee Waiting Centre" in Al-Eligat area along the border in Sudan's White Nile state.

The centre hosts refugees fleeing famine and fighting in South Sudan and later transports them to permanent camps in several areas of Sudan.

"For two days I didn't stop running until I reached the border," said James, who comes from South Sudan's Unity State where officials last week declared a state of famine.

The 35-year-old crossed into Sudan with her children two days ago, she told AFP on Monday at the centre some nine kilometres (six miles) from the Sudan-South Sudan border.

"On my way I saw many old women starving to death and young men shot dead in fighting," said James, wearing traditional South Sudanese dress.

Several of her relatives had also died "because of hunger or in fighting," she said.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation formed after splitting from the north in 2011, has declared famine in parts of Unity State, saying 100,000 people face starvation and another million are on the brink of famine.

- 'Man-made' famine -

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said tens of thousands of South Sudanese are expected to pour into Sudan in the coming months.

Displaced woman Mary Nyankuma and her child, who spent 6 months on a small island in the swamps near Adok in Unity State of South Sudan where she was hiding from attacks and surviving on water lillies and river reed roots

Sudan is already hosting nearly 330,000 South Sudanese arrivals since civil war erupted in their country in December 2013.

The conflict broke out after President Salva Kiir accused his rival and former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Fierce fighting between Kiir supporters from the Dinka tribe and Machar supporters from the Neur tribe have left tens of thousands of people dead. More than three million have been displaced.

Aid groups have slammed the "man-made" famine caused by the conflict which has forced people to flee, disrupted agriculture, sent prices soaring and cut off aid agencies from some of the worst-hit areas.

About 32,000 South Sudanese have already crossed into Sudan since January this year, the UNHCR said.

It said it was initially expecting up to 60,000 South Sudanese to arrive in Sudan in throughout 2017, but "the level of new arrivals has thus far surpassed initial expectations".

Peter Kwang, a local leader from the Neur tribe, was despondent on Monday as he collected food parcels at Al-Eligat.

"Our people are starving, they have no food. Many have fled into the forests where there's nothing to eat, and no medicine or shelter," he said.

- Hiding in forests -

"Many villages have been burnt down completely by government forces."

Await Kong, 75, told AFP her story as she sat on a sack of sorghum, a staple food in Sudan.

A helicopter arrives with supplies of nutrition items and vegetable oil to be distributed to people in need of assistance. South Sudan

"I arrived here three days ago after walking for 10 days, often hiding in forests to escape the fighting," she said.

"I came with my daughter, but we have no information about other relatives who live in Upper Nile" state in South Sudan.

The Al-Eligat centre is a transit camp run by Sudanese authorities and the Sudanese Red Crescent.

However, aid officials said it was equipped only to receive fleeing refugees and offer relief such as basic foodstuffs provided by the UNHCR and its partner agencies.

Set up on farmland along a highway that connects the border with Kosti, the provincial capital of White Nile state, the centre has only makeshift toilets and washing facilities.

Foreign aid workers were seen handing out relief supplies to refugees at the centre on Monday.

After being given aid and being processed, the refugees are then taken to permanent camps in other states in Sudan, including White Nile.

Many stay at the Al-Eligat centre for a few days until they can be housed elsewhere.

"After my father was killed in fighting, my mother and I fled and came here," said 13-year-old Stephen, dressed in a T-shirt and trousers.

"We walked for nearly 65 kilometres (40 miles) before reaching the border, and all we had to eat was leaves from the trees."
Shadows of members of Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee are casted on a backdrop during a press conference on Syria peace talks on February 27, 2017, in Geneva

Russia and the United States were headed for a clash at the UN Security Council on Monday as Moscow prepared to veto a draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Syria.

The council will vote Tuesday on the text drafted by the United States, Britain and France that would punish 11 Syrians and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015.

Russia has vowed to use its veto to block the measure, which would be the seventh time that Moscow has resorted to its veto power to shield its Damascus ally.

The vote scheduled for 11:30 am (1630 GMT) would mark the first major council action by the new US administration of President Donald Trump, who is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley was in Washington on Monday to join Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for a White House lunch, with foreign policy expected to be a focus of discussion.

"How much longer is Russia going to continue to babysit and make excuses for the Syrian regime?" she said on Friday following a closed-door council meeting to discuss chemical weapons use in Syria.

"People have died by being suffocated to death. That's barbaric."

The vote would see the Trump administration joining old allies France and Britain to confront Russia over its support for Syria.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said Friday that Moscow would veto the measure because it was "one-sided" and based on "insufficient proof."

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011.

Fears among European allies of a radical US shift on Russia subsided earlier this month when Haley leveled strong criticism at Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.

- Punishing those behind chlorine attacks -

The vote at the council comes as UN-brokered talks in Geneva to end the war in Syria were struggling to get off the ground while government air strikes continued, despite a ceasefire.

A young man, pictured in March 2015, breathes with an oxygen mask at a clinic in a Syrian village following reports of suffocation cases related to an alleged regime gas attack in the area

The draft resolution follows a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists had used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

Under the measure, 11 Syrians, mostly military officials, and 10 entities linked to chemical weapons development would be placed on a UN sanctions blacklist, hit by a global travel ban and assets freeze.

The draft resolution would also ban the sale, supply or transfer of helicopters and related materiel, including spare parts, to the Syrian armed forces or the government.

Chlorine use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 under pressure from Russia.

The UN-OPCW panel had identified the Syrian air force units who dropped chlorine barrel-bombs on the villages of Qmenas, Talmenes and Sarmin in 2014 and 2015.

The head of Syrian air force intelligence, Major General Jamil Hassan, and Major General Saji Jamil Darwish, the commander of Syrian air force operations during the attacks on the villages, were on the proposed blacklist.

The United States last month imposed sanctions on 18 senior Syrian military officers and officials over the use of chemical weapons.

Research by Human Rights Watch showed that Syrian government forces carried out at least eight chemical attacks during the final weeks of the battle for Aleppo, killing nine people and injuring hundreds more.
Pro-Palestinian activists accuse Facebook of censorship and bias

Facebook has shut down the page of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's party Fatah, apparently over a picture of late leader Yasser Arafat with a weapon, the movement said on Monday.

"We received a message that our page violated Facebook's regulations," Munir al-Jaghub, a media officer with Fatah and one of the page's administrators, told AFP.

The accounts of the 12 administrators of the page, which according to Jaghub had 70,000 followers, were also suspended for 30 days.

A photo of Arafat holding a rifle that belonged to an Israeli soldier abducted in the 1980s by Palestinians in Beirut that had featured on the page was attached to the message from Facebook.

Standing next to Arafat is Mahmud al-Alul, recently elected Fatah deputy chairman.

Israel regularly accuses Palestinians, including the Fatah-led Palestinian leadership, of inciting violence on social networks.

Israeli ministers have met with Facebook officials to stop what it calls online incitement, and have advanced a bill that would allow a court to order companies such as Facebook to remove material considered "incitement".

Pro-Palestinian activists accuse the internet giant of censorship and bias. In September, Facebook apologised after temporarily disabling accounts linked to two Palestinian news sites critical of Israel.
Kim Jong-Nam (L), the murdered half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un

Britain on Monday urged Malaysia to share evidence from the lethal VX nerve gas attack on Kim Jong-Un's half-brother with the United Nations, which could take action against North Korea.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said information on the February 13 attack at Kuala Lumpur airport that killed Kim Jong-Nam should be sent to the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

"If they have got evidence, they should send it to the OPCW and to the Security Council," Rycroft told journalists.

"Once they have done that, then we can take it forward."

Rycroft said he hoped that any country "in this case Malaysia, with potential evidence of something as serious as this, makes it available as soon as possible."

Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho said it was up to Malaysia to decide whether it wanted to pass on the information.

"We are basically waiting for Malaysia to come up with a clear-cut decision," he added.

Malaysia is a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which seeks to eliminate the use of the toxic agents.

On Friday, the OPCW said in a statement that "the Malaysian authorities seem to have determined that the nerve agent VX was used in a killing at the airport on 13 February."

"V" for venom

"Any use of chemical weapons is deeply disturbing", it said, adding that the OPCW was ready to offer expertise and technical assistance to Malaysia.

The Malaysian mission to the United Nations did not immediately return enquiries about its plans.

Malaysia's health minister said Sunday that Kim Jong-Nam suffered a "very painful death", with the nerve agent severely affecting his heart and lungs.

"From the time of the onset (of the attack) he died within 15 to 20 minutes," Health Minister S. Subramaniam told reporters.

South Korea slammed the use of the toxin as a "blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international norms".

North Korea, which has not signed the CWC, has already been hit with six sets of UN sanctions for carrying out nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.
US State Department's Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun (L) talks with South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Hong-kyun in 2016

Senior US, South Korean and Japanese officials met on Monday to discuss how better to enforce international sanctions against North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs.

The Washington talks came shortly after United Nations experts warned that Pyongyang has been flouting existing sanctions, and just as China's top diplomat held talks at the White House.

US special representative for North Korea policy Joseph Yun met senior Japanese diplomat Kenji Kanasugi and South Korea's special representative Kim Hong-kyun at the State Department.

In a statement, they condemned the North's "flagrant disregard for multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting its ballistic missile and nuclear programs."

This, they argued, "requires strong international pressure on the regime" and they called on other countries to "fully and effectively implement their obligations" under UN resolutions.

This was a tacit appeal to China, overwhelmingly North Korea's main trading partner, after a UN experts report last week warned that Pyongyang was getting better at sanctions busting.

Even as the allies met, China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi was across town at the White House, meeting President Donald Trump's senior foreign policy advisers.

After the talks, the councilor -- who outranks China's foreign minister -- briefly met Trump himself, the most senior Chinese official to greet the new US leader since his inauguration.

Yang is due to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department on Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday, the European Union further restricted its own trade in coal, iron and iron ore and banned imports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc from North Korea.

In their statement, the United States, Japan and South Korea said they too would seek to cut "the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programs, particularly illicit activities."

China shares US concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons, but prefers negotiations to tougher new sanctions, which it fears could destabilize North Korea and trigger a flood of refugees.

Beijing's decision earlier this month to halt North Korean coal imports has been seen as an attempt to defuse criticism and nudge North Korea and the US toward negotiations.

But China has pushed back against Trump's criticism that it has not done enough to bring its smaller neighbor to heel, insisting the conflict is at core one between Pyongyang and Washington.

The UN Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions since Pyongyang first tested an atomic device in 2006.

But Kim Jong-Un's isolated regime has continued to thumb its nose at the world with a series of missile launches over the years and two nuclear tests in 2016 alone.

And on February 13, Kim's estranged half-brother was murdered with the banned VX nerve agent in an attack in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur airport that has been blamed on the regime.
The UN Security Council agreed on "the importance of full compliance" with sanctions resolutions directed at North Korea

Backed by China, the UN Security Council on Monday unanimously condemned North Korea for its "irresponsible and provocative" attempts to evade sanctions.

The council agreed during a closed-door meeting on "the importance of full compliance" with sanctions resolutions, said Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, the council president.

The remarks endorsed by China, Pyongyang's sole ally, followed a report by the UN panel of experts that showed North Korea was flouting sanctions by resorting to middlemen and front companies abroad.

The report, obtained by AFP on Friday, concluded that North Korea was using "increasingly sophisticated" ways to circumvent trade bans and banking restrictions imposed in UN sanctions resolutions.

It cited the case of a Malaysia-based front company that sold North Korean-made military communications equipment to Eritrea, with suppliers in China and an office in Singapore.

The company, known as Glocom, is operated by Pyongyang's intelligence agency, according to the report.

North Korean companies and banks blacklisted by the United Nations are continuing to operate "by using agents who are highly experienced and well-trained in moving money, people and goods, including arms and materiel, across borders," the report said.

The Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions on North Korea -- two of which were adopted last year to significantly ramp up measures and deny Kim Jong-Un's regime hard currency revenue.

China, Pyongyang's main trading partner, has suspended all imports of coal from North Korea for the remainder of the year to shore up its compliance with the sanctions resolution.

The report however said that implementation of the sanctions by UN member-states "remains insufficient and highly inconsistent."

The European Union on Monday moved to tighten sanctions, imposing fresh restrictions on trade in coal, iron and iron ore, and banning imports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc from North Korea.
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) - California water authorities will stop the outflow from the Oroville Dam's crippled spillway to allow workers to remove debris blocking a hydroelectric plant from working, officials said Sunday.

The Department of Water Resources said it will start gradually reducing outflows from the Northern California dam beginning Monday morning and completely halt them by the afternoon.

The outflow from behind the 770-foot-tall dam will be stopped for several days to allow workers to clear concrete, silt and other debris from a pool at the bottom of the spillway. Removing the debris will protect a shuttered underground hydroelectric plant and allow it to eventually resume operations, the agency said.

FILE - This Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, file aerial photo released by the California Department of Water Resources shows the damaged spillway with eroded hillside in Oroville, Calif. California water authorities will cut the outflow from the dam to allow workers to remove debris piled at the base of its main spillway. The Department of Water Resources said Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 it will start gradually reducing outflows from the Oroville Dam in Northern California starting Monday morning and completely stop them by the afternoon. (William Croyle/California Department of Water Resources via AP, File)

"Once operational, the Hyatt Power Plant can discharge roughly 14,000 cubic feet per second, which will allow DWR to better manage reservoir levels through the remaining spring runoff season," it said.

The reservoir's water level has been reduced nearly 60 feet since it reached capacity at 901 feet earlier this month, the department said.

The department said it will continue releasing 50,000 cubic feet of water per second the rest of Sunday and overnight. With inflows of water at only 25,000 cubic feet of water per second, more space will be made at the reservoir before the outflows are cut on Monday.

On Feb. 11, water managers used the emergency spillway for the first time in the dam's 48-year-history after a chunk of concrete tore out the main spillway, creating a 200-foot-long, 30-foot-deep crater. But the flow of water ripped through a road below and carved out deep chasms in the ground, leading authorities to order a two-day evacuation of 188,000 people for fear the emergency spillway could fail.

Since then, crews have been working to fortify the badly eroded emergency spillway.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest news on President Donald Trump (all times local):

11 p.m.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign a new refugee and immigration executive order on Wednesday, one day after addressing lawmakers at a joint session of Congress.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with National Governors Association Chair Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, during a dinner reception for the annual National Governors Association winter meeting Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the State Dining Room of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

That's according to a senior administration official.

Trump initially planned to sign the new order last week, but spokesman Sean Spicer said the president was holding off "to make sure that when we execute this, it's done in a manner that's flawless."

The president's initial order temporarily halting all entries into the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries was blocked by a federal judge. Trump has vigorously criticized the decision.

The administration official was not authorized to discuss the rollout of the new order publicly and insisted on anonymity.

__By Julie Pace

___

10:50 p.m.

The White House is preparing to propose boosting defense spending and slashing funding for longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency.

Those changes are part of a set of marching orders to agencies as the White House prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

President Donald Trump's proposal for the 2018 budget year will be sent to agencies Monday. An administration official says it won't make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare. The official, as well as Capitol Hill aides, are confirming details of the upcoming blueprint on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information and a sensitive process.

Trump's first major fiscal marker will land in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint session of Congress.

-By Julie Pace

___

9:15 p.m.

The White House is moving to propose slashing cuts to longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency in a set of marching orders to agencies as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Capitol Hill aides say the White House budget office on Monday will send agencies proposed levels for the 2018 budget year. The aides are speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information and a sensitive process.

The Pentagon is due for a huge boost, but many nondefense agencies and foreign aid programs are facing cuts. The specific numbers aren't final and agencies will have a chance to argue against the cuts.

Trump's budget is expected in mid-March. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox News on Sunday that the first Trump budget won't cut popular benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

-By Andrew Taylor

___

8 p.m.

President Donald Trump is toasting the nation's governors at the White House, joking with them "it's such an easy job."

Trump is welcoming 46 governors and their spouses for the annual black-tie ball at the White House. It's the first major social event under the Trump administration.

The president will be meeting with the governors on Monday at the White House. He says "perhaps health care will come up," a nod to the effort in Congress to repeal and replace the sweeping health care law approved under former President Barack Obama.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat and the chairman of the National Governors Association, led the governors in a toast of Trump.

___

7 p.m.

President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Navy, businessman Philip Bilden, says he is withdrawing from consideration for the post, citing concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Bilden's withdrawal raises similar issues to that of Vincent Viola, Trump's nominee for Army secretary who stepped aside earlier this month.

Bilden was an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve from 1986-1996. He relocated to Hong Kong to set up an Asian presence for HarbourVest Partners LLC, a global private equity management firm. Bilden recently retired from HarbourVest Partners after 25 years.

In a statement released by the Pentagon, Bilden says he determined that he will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without what he calls "undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family's private financial interests."

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says in a statement that he will make a recommendation to Trump for a nominee in the coming days.

___

12:30 p.m.

The White House is dodging questions about whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions should consider withdrawing from the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

A prominent Republican, California Rep. Darrell Issa, has called for a special prosecutor and said it would be improper for Sessions to lead the investigation as the nation's chief law enforcement official. Sessions was an early supporter of President Donald Trump's candidacy.

Deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is steering clear of directly answering whether the former Alabama senator should step aside from overseeing the bureau's investigation.

She tells ABC's "This Week" that congressional committees need to complete their own investigations, and then it would be appropriate to discuss Sessions' role.

But those are separate reviews, independent of the FBI's work.

___

12:15 p.m.

The White House says that when President Donald Trump skips the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, expect him to spend that Saturday night in April "focused on what he can to do to help better America."

The dinner attracts politicians, journalists and celebrities and is typically attended by the president, who's often roasted.

Trump isn't saying why he won't be there. He has railed against "the fake news media," saying it is "the enemy of the American people."

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says it's "kind of naive of us to think that we can all walk into a room for a couple of hours and pretend that some of that tension isn't there."

She tells ABC's "This Week" that Trump wasn't elected "to spend his time with reporters and celebrities."
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mahershala Ali is celebrating two little new ones.

Ali won the best supporting actor Oscar for "Moonlight" at Sunday's ceremony. In his acceptance speech, the actor gave thanks to his wife, artist Amatus Sami-Karim, who he said gave birth to their daughter four days ago.

"I want to thank her for being such a soldier during" the awards season, Ali said of his wife.

Mahershala Ali accepts the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

He was showered with nominations and trophies for his portrayal of a drug dealer who mentors a troubled youngster in "Moonlight," which also was in the running for best picture.

Ali thanked his "many wonderful teachers" for a valuable lesson. "It's not about you," he recalled being told, but about serving the stories and the characters he's playing.

The 43-year-old is an overnight sensation nearly two decades of work in the making. Besides being part of another best-picture nominee, "Hidden Figures," he's been in TV series including "Luke Cage" and "House of Cards."

His victory is the first Oscar for an African-American actor since Forest Whitaker won top acting honors for 2006's "The Last King of Scotland."

Ali's Oscar nomination was one of several for actors and actresses of color this year, a reversal from last year's all-white slate of nominees that provoked a backlash, #OscarsSoWhite.
BEIJING (AP) - China is sending its first senior official to visit the United States since President Donald Trump took office, amid uncertainties over trade relations and new security tensions in east Asia.

The Foreign Ministry said State Councilor Yang Jiechi is scheduled to "exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern" in meetings with high-ranking U.S. officials during his visit on Monday and Tuesday.

Yang is Chinese President Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser and a familiar face in Washington. He has served as foreign minister and ambassador to the U.S., presenting a degree of continuity in a relationship now seen as somewhat in flux.

FILE - In this June 27, 2016, file photo, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi speaks during a cooperation conference with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. Yang will meet with U.S. high-ranking officials becoming the first senior Chinese official to visit the United States on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 since President Donald Trump took office. (AP Photo/Tran Van Minh, File)

His visit comes as the future direction of relations between the world's two largest economies has grown more uncertain following Trump's accusation that China was cheating at trade and threats to raise import tariffs.

Trump has also criticized China's activities in the South China Sea, where it has built man-made islands with military features. He has suggested he might use Beijing's rival Taiwan as leverage in negotiations and accused China of exerting too little pressure on communist neighbor North Korea to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

China has responded in relatively mild terms and last week Premier Li Keqiang expressed hope that disputes with Trump's government could be settled amicably, saying that a trade war would "benefit nobody."

Trump has also appeared to moderate his approach, saying in a call with Xi earlier this month that his administration affirms Washington's long-standing policy of not maintaining official ties with Taiwan and acknowledging China's stance that the self-governing island is part of Chinese territory.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A special investigation team is wrapping up its probe into a huge scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye after the country's acting leader refused to extend its investigation past a Tuesday deadline.

Faced with massive street protests, Park was forced to approve the launch of the investigation team led by independent counsel Park Young-soo before she was impeached by parliament in December over allegations she colluded with her longtime confidante to extort money from companies.

The team has since arrested a slew of high-profile figures, including former Park administration officials and Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong, in connection with the scandal. Park, who denies the allegations, has avoided a direct investigation because of a law that gives a sitting leader immunity from prosecution.

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2017, file photo, South Korean acting leader and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during a press conference at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea. Hwang rejected on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, a request to extend an investigation into the country's biggest scandal in decades that led to President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon. Pool, File)

The Park Young-soo team, whose investigation is to end Tuesday, had asked acting leader and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn to allow 30 more days of investigations. Under the law they can seek such an extension.

But Hwang's office said Monday it had rejected the request because the investigation team has already indicted key figures implicated in the scandal and that state prosecutors can look into any possible remaining areas of the scandal.

Hong Kwon Heui, a spokesman for Hwang, told a televised news conference that a longer investigation could sway a possible presidential election that would happen if the Constitutional Court approves President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. The court is expected to rule in March on whether to formally end Park's rule or restore her presidential powers.

Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the investigation team, described Hwang's decision as "very regrettable."

Hwang, who was Park's justice minister before becoming her prime minister, is considered as potential conservative contender for president. In a presidential opinion poll released Monday, Hwang placed third place behind two liberal opposition politicians.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Viola Davis needs to make room in her trophy case.

She won the Oscar as best supporting actress for "Fences," a role she originated on Broadway seven years ago for which she won a Tony Award.

Davis played long-suffering Rose Maxson opposite Denzel Washington as her husband Troy, a couple living in 1950s Pittsburgh whose marriage eventually falls apart. The role earned her trophies at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.

Mark Rylance, right, presents Viola Davis with the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Davis also owns an Emmy award for her work on the ABC hit "How to Get Away With Murder." Two years ago, she became the first black woman to win for lead actress in a drama series, and she's the first black woman to win an Oscar, Emmy and Tony..

Winning an Oscar for the first time in three nominations, an emotional Davis clutched her statue and saluted late playwright August Wilson, saying the "Fences" author "exhumed and exalted the ordinary people."

She singled out her director Washington, glancing down at him sitting in the front row at the Dolby Theatre.

"Thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat: August and god," Davis said. "They served you well."

The Juilliard-trained actress also thanked her parents, Dan and Mary Alice Davis, who raised her in the impoverished town of Central Falls, Rhode Island.

"I'm so thankful that god chose you to bring me into this world," she said.

Viola Davis accepts the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Denzel Washington, right, congratulates Viola Davis, winner of the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Viola Davis, winner of the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences," right, and Julius Tennon kiss at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
A sound engineer who worked on Hacksaw Ridge finally won an Oscar - after previously being nominated and losing 20 times.

Kevin O'Connell, from Long Island, New York, ended his run of bad luck at the 21st time of asking at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Sunday night.

The 59-year-old, previously nominated for such high-profile movies as Top Gun and A Few Good Men finally won for sound mixing on Second World War drama Hacksaw Ridge.

Kevin O'Connell, from Long Island, New York, ended his run of bad luck at the 21st time of asking at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Sunday night

He had previously owned the unwanted record for most nominations without a win.

After waiting so long, a giddy O'Connell had the presence of mind to acknowledge his wife and two sons in the audience. He also thanked director Mel Gibson.

O'Connell mentioned his late mother, Skippy O'Connell, who gave him his first job in sound 39 years ago.

He asked her how he could thank her. She told him to work hard, someday win an Oscar and thank her from the stage in front of the world.

He did just that.

Kevin O'Connell (left) and Andy Wright accept the award for best sound mixing for 'Hacksaw Ridge' at the Oscars

'Mom, I know you're looking down on me tonight,' O'Connell said. 'So thank you.'

He was previously nominated for such high-profile movies as Twister, Spider-Man and Transformers.

O'Connell earned his first Oscar nod in 1983 for Terms of Endearment. Until Sunday, the sound engineer had not been in contention since 2007.

'I can't even tell you the experience that it was for me,' O'Connell said backstage.

'As much as I thought I knew what it was going to feel like, I didn't. It's the greatest feeling I've had in my entire life.'
Big surge for military in Trump budget, big cuts elsewhere

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is proposing a huge $54 billion surge in U.S. military spending for new aircraft, ships and fighters in his first federal budget while slashing big chunks from domestic programs and foreign aid to make the government "do more with less."

The Trump blueprint, due in more detail next month, would fulfill the Republican president's campaign pledge to boost Pentagon spending while targeting the budgets of other federal agencies. The "topline" figures emerged Monday, one day before Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress, an opportunity to re-emphasize the economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

Domestic programs and foreign aid would as a whole absorb a 10 percent, $54 billion cut from currently projected levels - cuts that would match the military increase. The cuts would be felt far more deeply by programs and agencies targeted by Trump and his fellow Republicans, like the Environmental Protection Agency as well as foreign aid. Veterans' programs would be exempted, as would border security, additional law enforcement functions and some other areas.

"We're going to start spending on infrastructure big. It's not like we have a choice - our highways, our bridges are unsafe, our tunnels," the president told a group of governors at the White House on Monday. He added, "We're going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people."

However, Trump's final version of the budget is sure to leave large deficits intact - or even add to them if he follows through on his campaign promise for a huge tax cut.

___

Trump looks to refocus his presidency in address to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's first address to Congress gives him a welcome opportunity to refocus his young administration on the core economic issues that helped him get elected - and, his allies hope, to move beyond the distractions and self-inflicted wounds that have roiled his White House.

Trump's advisers say he will use his prime-time speech Tuesday to declare early progress on his campaign promises, including withdrawing the U.S. from a sweeping Pacific Rim trade pact, and to map a path ahead on thorny legislative priorities, including health care and infrastructure spending.

"We spend billions in the Middle East, but we have potholes all over the country," Trump said Monday as he previewed the address during a meeting with the nation's governors. "We're going to start spending on infrastructure big."

The White House said Trump has been gathering ideas for the address from the series of listening sessions he's been holding with law enforcement officials, union representatives, coal miners and others. Aides said he was still tinkering with the speech Monday night.

Republicans, impatient to begin making headway on an ambitious legislative agenda, hope Trump arrives on Capitol Hill armed with specifics on replacing the "Obamacare" health law and overhauling the nation's tax system, two issues he's so far talked about in mostly general terms. More broadly, some Republicans are anxious for the president to set aside his feuds with the media, the intelligence community and the courts, which have overshadowed the party's policy priorities.

___

10 Things to Know for Tuesday

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday.

1. TRUMP GETS CHANCE TO REFOCUS GOALS IN SPEECH TO CONGRESS

Trump's advisers say he will use his prime-time speech Tuesday to declare progress on his campaign promises, including plans for a Mexico border wall and repealing Obamacare.

2. HOW MUCH MORE TRUMP WANTS TO SPEND ON DEFENSE

The president will propose a $54 billion increase in military spending - a 10-percent spike - while cutting domestic programs and foreign aid.

___

House probe into Russia ties to Trump off to rocky start

WASHINGTON (AP) - A simmering dispute between leaders of the House intelligence committee spilled into the public Monday over an investigation into whether President Donald Trump has ties to Russia, even as they pledged to conduct a bipartisan probe.

The Republican committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said he has heard no evidence so far that anyone in Trump's orbit was in contact with Russians during the presidential campaign. The top Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, also of California, said the committee's investigation was hardly off the ground and it was premature to make any conclusions.

The nature of ties between Trump's associates and Russia has dogged him throughout his nascent presidency, and Monday brought renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the unusual situation. Federal investigators have been looking into contacts between Trump advisers and Russia for months, along with Russia's role in political hacking during the campaign aimed at Democrats. Trump, on Monday, said he hasn't called Russia in 10 years.

The House and Senate intelligence committees are conducting separate investigations. But revelations last week that the White House enlisted the Republican chairmen of those committees to push back against news reports have intensified concerns over whether the congressional investigations will be tainted by political influence.

Nunes has said the White House asked him to talk with one reporter, but didn't give him any guidance on what to say. He said he told that reporter the same thing he's said to many other reporters in the course of discussions.

___

Jewish centers cope with bomb threats; graves vandalized

Jewish centers and schools across the nation coped with another wave of bomb threats Monday as officials in Philadelphia made plans to repair and restore hundreds of vandalized headstones at a Jewish cemetery.

Jewish Community Centers and day schools in at least a dozen states received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No bombs were found. All 21 buildings - 13 community centers and eight schools - were cleared by Monday afternoon and had resumed normal operations, the association said.

It was the fifth round of bomb threats against Jewish institutions since January, prompting outrage and exasperation among Jewish leaders as well as calls for an aggressive federal response to put a stop to it.

"The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out - and speak out forcefully - against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country," said David Posner, an official with JCC Association of North America. "Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities."

The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are probing the threats.

___

Advocacy groups: Forget Oscars snafu, focus on 'Moonlight'

Yes, the Great Mistake of Oscars 2017 made history in all the wrong kinds of ways. But a day later, advocacy groups and others overjoyed by the Cinderella win of "Moonlight" were saying, let's forget the snafu and move on - because "Moonlight" made history in all the right kinds of ways.

The coming-of-age story of a gay black youth in a poor Miami neighborhood was made on the tiniest of budgets - $1.5 million, said director Barry Jenkins backstage. It had a mostly black cast, and was seen as the first LGBT-themed movie to win best picture in the 89-year history of the awards show.

And so, there's no point in wondering whether the spectacular mess-up that led to "La La Land" first being announced best picture winner - incorrectly - would overshadow the "Moonlight" win, said Sarah Kate Ellis, president & CEO of GLAAD, the LGBT advocacy group. "I don't think you CAN overshadow the 'Moonlight' win," she said in an interview, while acknowledging it was "a bit upsetting that it went down that way."

What won out, she said, was not only a strong message of diversity and inclusivity, but "hopefully the bigger dream - that Hollywood recognizes this and continues to produce films like this, so that they are not the exception but the rule."

"So often we've heard from Hollywood that writers aren't writing about these things," Ellis said. "So having a success at this level takes that narrative out." The reason for the film's success, she said, was simple: "It reflects the world we live in today. Countless people can relate to it."

___

Sequestered jury from outside area to decide Bill Cosby case

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A sequestered jury from an outside county will decide the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby, a suburban Philadelphia judge ruled Monday, rejecting a defense request to move the trial because of worldwide media reports that the actor's lawyers say brand him a "serial rapist."

Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill will oversee a June 5 trial over charges Cosby drugged and molested a former Temple University employee in 2004.

The judge's ruling came after lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star argued his trial should be moved to Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh area. The larger, more diverse population would make it easier to find unbiased jurors, lawyer Brian McMonagle argued, but even then, he said, there was no guarantee Cosby could get a fair hearing.

"Unless you've been living under a rock, the message that has been promoted, in insidious fashion, is that Bill Cosby is guilty and that Bill Cosby is a serial rapist," McMonagle said. "I do not believe that there's a place anywhere in this country now where he can receive a fair trial. Not here, not anywhere. I hope I'm wrong."

Prosecutors accused the defense of trying to shop for a jury.

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Oscar gaffe makes for a whodunit: is tweet the smoking gun?

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Moments before he handed out the wrong envelope in one of the worst gaffes in Academy Award history, PwC accountant Brian Cullinan tweeted a behind-the-scenes photo of winner Emma Stone holding her statuette. "Best Actress Emma Stone backstage!" the tweet read.

It's one potential clue in the whodunit that Sunday's ceremony became after presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty mistakenly proclaimed "La La Land" as the best-picture winner instead of "Moonlight."

Cullinan was one of two accountants for PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, tasked with doling out the envelopes containing winners' names to the presenters. But the envelope that Cullinan gave to Dunaway and Beatty was a duplicate of the previously announced win for Stone, not for best picture.

The photo tweeted by Cullinan, which was first reported Monday by The Wall Street Journal, would have been taken in the minutes leading up to the top picture award - raising the question of whether the accountant was distracted from the task at hand. Although the tweet had been deleted from the social media site, a copy of it was kept by Google and available through a cache page.

A PwC representative declined comment Monday on whether Cullinan's social-media use might have contributed to the fiasco that launched countless punchlines, memes and a probe of what went wrong.

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Oscar envelopes explained: How presenters get winning names

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A look at how the Academy Awards' winners envelopes are handled before being opened live onstage:

- The consulting firm PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, tabulates the winners based on ballots cast by the academy's 6,687 voting members. Unlike the nominations, which rely on a branch-specific, preferential-voting system, winners are chosen by popular vote - except for best picture, which uses the preferential method, wherein voters rank their favorite films in order and accountants determine the highest-ranked choice that appears on the most ballots.

- Two accountants are tasked with bringing the final results, inside sealed envelopes, to the Oscars ceremony. They are the people carrying briefcases on the red carpet, flanked by police protection. Each briefcase contains an identical set of envelopes for the show's 24 categories. The accountants also memorize the winners.

- The two accountants are ostensibly the only people who know the winners before they are announced live on TV.

- During the telecast, the two briefcase-toting accountants are stationed in the Dolby Theatre wings, one stage left and one stage right.

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911 call: Bar shooting suspect said he'd killed 'Iranians'

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from Henry County, Missouri, 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out" and "something bad's going to happen."

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, made his first appearance in court Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.
The investigation into the killing of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 attack of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's airport. Last week'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.

In other images from the Asia-Pacific region last week, former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang was sentenced to 20 months in prison for misconduct after failing to disclose plans to rent a luxury apartment for his retirement from a businessman applying for a broadcasting license. He becomes the highest-ranking current or former official sent to prison for wrongdoing in the Asian financial hub, which prides itself on a reputation for clean governance.

Police in Thailand who spent three days in an orderly but unsuccessful search of a vast Buddhist temple for a prominent monk accused of financial wrongdoing kept up the pressure, sending fresh forces to confront devotees and monks at the compound's gates.

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 photo, North Korea's Ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol, right, speaks to the media outside the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Security camera footage obtained by Japanese television appears to show a careful and deliberate attack last week on the exiled half brother of North Korea's ruler, while Malaysia said Monday it had recalled its ambassador to North Korea amid rising tensions between the nations. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)

Japan played host to the Asian Winter Games, which are seen as a tune-up for athletes ahead of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, next February.

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This gallery was curated by Associated Press photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 photo, Donald Tsang, center, former leader of Hong Kong, is escorted in a prison bus leaving the high court after sentencing and mitigation after his conviction last week for misconduct in public office, in Hong Kong. Tsang was found guilty by a jury of one count of misconduct in public office over a luxury apartment in mainland China, making him the highest ranking current or former official to be convicted for corruption in the Asian financial hub. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 photo, Buddhist monks of the Dhammakaya sect temple push Thai policemen outside the temple in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok, Thailand. Police in Thailand who spent three days in an orderly but unsuccessful search of the vast Buddhist temple for a prominent monk accused of financial wrongdoing kept up the pressure Sunday, sending fresh forces to confront devotees and monks at the compound's gates. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 photo, Malaysian Ambassador to North Korea Mohamad Nizan Mohamad speaks to journalists as he arrives at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, from Pyongyang after being recalled by Malaysian government. Mohamad says at the airport while in transit to Malaysia the investigation into the death of the exiled half-brother of North Korea's ruler at Kuala Lumpur's international airport in Malaysia is being conducted in an impartial manner. Kim appeared to have been poisoned at Kuala Lumpur's airport last week. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

In this Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017 photo, a girl reacts to a 3D drawing of animals on the safety wall at a construction site of the archery venue for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)

In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 photo, Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar speaks during a press conference at the Bukit Aman national police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia's police chief says a North Korean Embassy official is among eight North Korean suspects in last week's fatal poisoning of the half brother of Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong Un in Kuala Lumpur's airport. (AP Photo/Alexandra Radu, File)

In this Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 photo, rural Hindu women with their faces covered stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station on the outskirts of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh state, India. Uttar Pradesh and four other Indian states are having state legislature elections in February-March, a key mid-term test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government which has been ruling India since 2014. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 photo, a Hindu holy man combs his beard in the courtyard of Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Hindu holy men from Nepal and India have started arriving at the temple ahead of the Shivratri festival, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva which falls on Feb. 23. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha, File)
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying "I wish it was a dream."

The Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/2mkJVIS) Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that "what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend."

Madasani's friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in Wednesday night's shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, also was wounded in the shooting.

Alok Madasani, left, and his wife Reepthi Gangula hold candles during a vigil Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kan., held in response to the deadly shooting Wednesday. Adam Purinton was arrested hours after the attack and accused of shooting two Indian immigrants and a third man at a bar, in what some believe was a hate crime. Alok Madasani was injured during the attack. (Allison Long/The Kansas City Star via AP)

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani said. "He would have been here for me."

Madasani and Kuchibhotla both worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was - is," Madasani said.

Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at the two Indian men before he opened fire.

Madasani called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States." That drew applause from the audience at the vigil.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, state Sen. Rob Olson, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

"When you grieve, we all grieve," Copeland said. "We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us."

Hundreds of people attend a vigil Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kan., held in response to the deadly shooting Wednesday. Adam Purinton was arrested hours after the attack and accused of shooting two Indian immigrants and a third man at a bar, in what some believe was a hate crime. (Allison Long/The Kansas City Star via AP)
The Senate on Monday confirmed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary, installing a key leader for President Donald Trump's administration to overhaul trade deals.

By a vote of 72-27, the Senate confirmed Ross, who has already been working with the Trump administration on economic policy and how to rewrite the tax code.

Ross - nicknamed the 'king of bankruptcy' because he turns around failing firms then sells them at a vast profit - will be sworn in on Tuesday at the White House.

The Commerce Department is among those tasked with carrying out the Trump administration's stated goal of protecting US workers and challenging decades of globalization that largely benefited multinational corporations.

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The Senate voted 72-27 to confirm billionaire Wilbur Ross (center) as commerce secretary on Monday. Here he arrives for a meeting with President Donald Trump on February 23

Ross has a Florida home near Trump's Mar-a-lago retreat and once bailed out a Trump casino

President Trump has designated Ross (center) to lead a renegotiation of the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Here he attends a meeting with legislators on February 2

With a Florida home down the road from Trump's Mar-a-Lago retreat, the 79-year-old once bailed out a Trump casino and played a role in crafting and selling the president-elect's tax-cut and infrastructure plans.

Ross was ranked number 232 on the Forbes 400 of richest people in the world with a net worth of $2.9billion.

He has suggested that much of America is disgruntled because the economy has left middle-class workers behind and said Trump represents a shift to a 'less politically correct direction'.

'Part of the reason why I'm supporting Trump is that I think we need a more radical, new approach to government - at least in the US - from what we've had before,' Ross told CNBC in June, referring to Trump's blunt tone and sweeping promises to reinvigorate economic growth.

Ross (second to left) has been highly critical of Chinas trade practices and has had a strong influence on Trumps opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Ross has said that over 55 years, he has participated as an owner, lead director, or chairman of over 100 businesses, providing him with a 'deep understanding of what makes a successful, job creating enterprise.'

He said he had negotiated the purchase of troubled businesses from Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece and Cyprus.

Now that he is confirmed, Ross will play a leading role in implementing Trump's trade agenda.

Breaking with Republican orthodoxy, Ross said the Trump administration will work quickly to re-do the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.

That's the massive trade pact with Canada and Mexico that has boosted trade but still stings laid-off workers across the Midwest.

During Ross's confirmation hearing in January, he warned that 'all aspects' of Nafta are on the table.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts criticized Ross's business ties to Russia and the way he ran a mortgage lender during the housing crisis

Senators from both political parties were deferential to Ross at his nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, which was much more subdued than the confirmation hearings of other Trump nominees.

Former commerce secretaries have praised him, including one who served under former President Barack Obama.

'Mr Ross will bring decades of business, entrepreneurial and civic experience to this important position', said Senator John Thune, chairman of the Commerce Committee.

'I believe his extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip him well for the job of leading the Department of Commerce.'

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts criticized Ross's business ties to Russia and the way he ran a mortgage lender during the housing crisis.

'Mr Ross has extensive ties to Russia. He plans to keep making money from his major oil shipping companies while working as commerce secretary. He's made billions off the backs of struggling home owners,' Warren said Monday.

'He is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat,' she added.

Here Ross testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on January 18 at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee

As part of his ethics agreement, Ross, 79, is giving up his position at Diamond S Shipping, but he will retain a stake in the company.

The company ships petroleum and other products.

As part of the agreement, Ross has promised not to take any action as commerce secretary that would benefit any company in which he has a financial interest.

At his confirmation hearing, Ross was not asked about business ties to Russia or his work as a mortgage lender, and he did not address the issues.

But the confirmation vote wasn't without controversy.

Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat and the minority leader accused Ross of having questionable business ties to Russia.

'This is just another example of this administration abandoning transparency and trying to jam nominees through,' said Schumer. 'This is another black mark on this nations administration.

Ross, pictured after his meeting with Trump, says all free trade agreements should be systematically re-opened every few years to make sure they are working in the best interests of the country

Senators did note that Ross is divesting from much of his business empire.

Worth an estimated $2.9billion, Ross has extensive business ties around the globe.

In 2000, he founded WL Ross & Co, a private equity firm.

As part of his ethics agreement, Ross will divest from the firm.

During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized US trade deals, including Nafta.

Trump's stance on trade is at odds with many Republicans in Congress, but it endeared him to some voters in the Midwest who believe trade deals cost American jobs.

Nafta was negotiated and signed by President Bill Clinton, with broad support among Republicans in Congress.

Ross said all free trade agreements should be systematically re-opened every few years to make sure they are working in the best interests of the country.

Ross said he is pro-free trade but noted his close relationship with the United Steelworkers union as proof that he will fight to protect American jobs.

The union has endorsed him.

'I am pro-trade, but I am pro-sensible trade,' Ross declared at his confirmation hearing.

The commerce secretary has several roles in promoting American business interests in the US and abroad.

The department handles trade issues, working to attract foreign investment to the US.

The department also oversees agencies that manage fisheries, weather forecasting and the Census Bureau, which will conduct a count in 2020.

Ross said he has experience at that agency; he was a census-taker while he attended business school.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A senior Taliban commander was killed Sunday in Afghanistan's Kunduz province, according to the Afghan president and the militant group.

During a ceremony Monday honoring the country's security and defense forces, President Ashraf Ghani said that Mullah Abdul Salam, the Taliban's shadow governor for Kunduz province, had been killed.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed Salam's death, saying it was from an American airstrike in the Dashti Archi district of Kunduz province.

Ghani, in his comments, did not elaborate on how Salam died. Speaking to thousands of security forces members in a ceremony at the Kabul military airport, Ghani said that Salam and his fighters "were eliminated in Kunduz, because of you."

At the ceremony Ghani emphasized Afghanistan independence and said that the Taliban and other militant groups are no match for the Afghan security forces.
MOSCOW (AP) - Moscow municipal workers have demolished the impromptu memorial to Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov on the day he was killed two years ago.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was shot dead late on Feb. 27, 2015, just outside the Kremlin wall in an apparent contract killing.

Thousands of mourners marched across Moscow on Sunday and brought flowers and lit candles to the bridge where he was killed.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Tefft speaks to journalists at the place where Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned down two years ago, next to the Kremlin Wall, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Moscow municipal workers have demolished the impromptu memorial to Nemtsov on the day he was killed two years ago. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Activists who tend to the makeshift memorial o said on Monday that municipal workers took away all the flowers and pictures in the early hours. Municipal workers have torn down the memorial in the past, calling it a safety hazard.

By late Monday morning, Nemtsov supporters flocked to the bridge to bring more flowers.

Flowers and a portrait of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov are placed at the place where he was gunned down two years ago, next to the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Moscow municipal workers have demolished the impromptu memorial to Nemtsov on the day he was killed two years ago. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - Nigerian police say it is not clear if a ransom was paid for the release of two German archaeologists freed by their kidnappers over the weekend.

Professor Peter Breunig and Johannes Behringer of Frankfurt's Goethe University were seized at gunpoint Wednesday from Jenjela village in Kaduna state, less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Abuja, Nigeria's capital. Two villagers who tried to help them were killed by the kidnappers.

The kidnappers released the Germans unharmed on Saturday night, said a police statement.

Security officers stand guard at the scene where a German archaeologists and his associate were kidnapped in Janjala Village, Nigeria. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 60 million naira (about Dlrs 200,000 US) for the two captives abducted this week from Janjala village in northern Nigeria, the excavation site where the German archaeologists was working. Two villagers were shot and killed in the kidnapping, police confirmed Friday.(AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi )

The two freed academics were at the German Embassy in Abuja on Monday and are expected to return home, said Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer.

"It was good that such a positive solution came about so quickly," he told the AP.

Germany's government does not comment on hostage negotiations or ransom payments.

The kidnappers made direct contact with the German Embassy, a senior police officer involved in the search told The Associated Press on Monday. A worker at Jenjela said the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 60 million naira ($200,000). Both men spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to reporters.

It was unclear if the kidnappers were paid or if they were frightened off by a massive hunt launched by police Special Forces, an elite anti-kidnapping unit and security agents aided by a low-flying helicopter.

The officer said security operatives had created a cordon to block off a thick forest where kidnappers often take hostages. He said the search for the kidnappers continued on Tuesday.

On Monday, Kaduna state Gov. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai had "commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the Germans." But he gave no details.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria, with ordinary residents and even schoolchildren targeted as well as foreigners. Victims usually are freed unharmed after a ransom is paid, though security forces have rescued a few high-profile abductees.

Sierra Leone's deputy high commissioner was kidnapped at gunpoint on the highway from Abuja to Kaduna in June and held for five days before he was released. Sierra Leone denied any ransom was paid.

Breunig, 65 and Behringer, in his 20s, are part of a four-man team from Goethe University investigating the culture of the Nok people in collaboration with Nigeria's National Commission for Museum and Monuments. Breunig has been working for a decade on sites of the early Iron Age people, considered the earliest ancient civilization of West Africa, and their terracotta figurines viewed as the beginnings of African sculpture.

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Associated Press writers David Rising in Berlin and Michelle Faul in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

Security officers patrol the area near to the site where gunmen abducted German archaeologists professor Peter Breunig and his associate Johannes Behringer in Janjala Village, Nigeria. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 60 million naira (about Dlrs 200,000 US) for the two captives abducted this week from Janjala village in northern Nigeria, the excavation site where the German archaeologists was working. Two villagers were shot and killed in the kidnapping, police confirmed Friday. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi )

Security officers stand guard at the residence of abducted German archaeologists professor Peter Breunig and his associate Johannes Behringer in Janjala Village, Nigeria. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 60 million naira (about Dlrs 200,000 US) for the two captives abducted this week from Janjala village in northern Nigeria, the excavation site where the German archaeologists was working. Two villagers were shot and killed in the kidnapping, police confirmed Friday. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi )
BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union has extended its arms embargo and some targeted sanctions against Belarus for another year after it saw insufficient progress to end them.

Beyond the arms embargo, the EU nations also kept an asset freeze and travel ban in place against four people who have been linked to the disappearance of two Belarus opposition leaders, a businessman and a journalist.

The EU has eased many sanctions against the regime of Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko last year. But the bloc has since complained about the continued application of the death sentence in Belarus and other political developments in the eastern European nation bordering three EU member countries.
BEIRUT (AP) - Airstrikes on Syria's rebel-held Idlib province killed at least 11 people on Monday, opposition activists said, in the latest spasm of violence to mar U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva between the government and the opposition.

Separately, there were unconfirmed reports that a top al-Qaeda official was killed in an airstrike, also in Idlib.

Also on Monday, pro-government forces drove Islamic State militants out of a line of villages in the congested Turkish frontier region, blocking the path of rival Turkish-backed opposition forces from reaching the de facto IS capital, Raqqa, opposition activists said.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, left, arrives for a meeting during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Fabrice Coffrini/Pool Photo via AP)

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, said Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, the deputy to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, may have been killed in a U.S. airstrike on an unmarked sedan on Sunday evening. It cited reports circulating on jihadi social media accounts.

The northwestern province falls largely under the control of an al-Qaida-linked rebel coalition. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by fighting are living as refugees there.

Images of the vehicle purported to have been carrying Abdulrahman, known more widely by his nom de guerre Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, showed damage to the passenger compartment of the beige Kia sedan but no damage to the engine block. The roof was blown open on the right side of the vehicle.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a top al-Qaida official was killed in a drone strike, but could not confirm it was al-Masri.

Al-Masri was a close associate of Osama Bin Laden and was once the chairman of al-Qaida's management council, according to a Washington Post report citing leaked US intelligence documents dating back to 2008.

Iranian authorities are believed to have jailed him following the 9/11 attacks before releasing him in a prisoner exchange with al-Qaida in Yemen in 2015.

A senior official in a rival jihadi faction in northern Syria urged caution over the reports, saying other top al-Qaida officials in Syria had staged their own deaths only to defect from the group. The official asked not to be identified because of rivalries between the various factions.

There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon.

Government forces and allied Hezbollah fighters meanwhile cut an arc through Islamic State-held territory to reach independent, Kurdish-led forces near the Euphrates River, effectively preventing Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces from heading south toward Raqqa.

The opposition forces, which seized al-Bab from the Islamic State group last week, will now have to confront government forces or the rival Kurdish forces if they desire to reach Raqqa, which is further southwest along the Euphrates River.

Those forces are accompanied by a deployment of Turkish troops, tanks and artillery inside Syrian territory. Turkey says the nearby Kurdish-led forces are terrorists.

The opposition accused the government of setting up a buffer zone between opposition fighters and IS.

"The Syrian regime claims it is fighting terrorism but it is not. It cut the path for the Free Syrian Army factions to reach Raqqa," said Col. Abu Firas, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army, a loose alliance of mainstream rebels.

The government "claims it wants to fight terrorism but in reality it wants terrorism to stay put, because an end to terrorism would mean the end of regime," he told The Associated Press.

He spoke after an opposition delegation met Monday with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura to continue talks aimed at resolving Syria's six-year-old war. The talks, which began last week, have so far been stuck on the agenda.

The government insists the talks should start with an agreement on the need to fight terrorism, while the opposition wants to discuss a political transition.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of the al-Qaida-affiliated Fatah al-Sham Front, criticized the Syrian politicians and rebels taking part in the talks, saying they "were handing victory" to Assad. His group is a coalition of ultra-conservative insurgent factions.

Back in Idlib, the activist-run Baladi News network published footage of rescuers searching for victims in the rubble of a block destroyed in presumed government or Russian airstrikes on Monday, in the town of Areeha.

The Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group said it had counted 15 fatalities.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least seven civilians and four other unidentified victims had been killed. It blamed the attack on government warplanes.

___

Associated Press writer Dominique Soguel in Geneva contributed to this report.

Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee, HNC, leader Nasr al-Hariri, center, arrives for a round of negotiation between the HNC and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

General view at the start of a meeting between UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, third left, and Syria's main opposition delegation during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Fabrice Coffrini/Pool Photo via AP)

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, right, prepares to shake hands with Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee, HNC, leader Nasr al-Hariri upon his arrival for a meeting during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday,Feb. 27, 2017. (Fabrice Coffrini/Pool Photo via AP)

Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee, HNC, leader Nasr al-Hariri speaks during a press conference, after a round of negotiation between the HNC and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on militant sites across the Gaza Strip on Monday, wounding at least four people, officials said, following a rocket attack on southern Israel that caused no casualties.

Explosions could be heard and smoke rose into the air in the southern town of Rafah, on the Gaza-Egypt border.

"The Israeli entity bears full responsibility for the continuation of this dangerous escalation against Gaza. Continuing the targeting of the resistance sites and other properties and structures to deliberately blow up the situation is unacceptable," said Fawzi Barhoum, spokesman for the ruling Hamas militant group.

The Israeli military said it had targeted five Hamas positions throughout Gaza in response to the earlier rocket strike.

The Israeli military "holds Hamas accountable for any attacks from the Gaza Strip that jeopardize the safety of Israelis and breach Israel's sovereignty," said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a military spokesman.

Hamas security forces blocked journalists from approaching one of the targets in Rafah, suggesting a sensitive installation had been hit. The local Health Ministry said four people were slightly or moderately wounded.

Local media said training bases used by the ruling Hamas militant group, as well as the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group, were also struck in central and northern Gaza.

Earlier Monday, a rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel, landing in an empty field. There were no reports of injuries.

Since a 50-day war between Israel and Gaza militants in the summer of 2014, a cease-fire has largely held. But militants in Gaza occasionally fire rockets at Israel's south.

Israel typically responds to any rocket fire from Gaza. Although most rocket fire since the war has come from smaller rivals of Hamas, Israel holds the Islamic militant group, which has controlled Gaza for a decade, responsible for all attacks emanating from the territory.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility in Gaza for the rocket. A Jihadist group that supports the Islamic State group has taken responsibility for similar attacks in the past.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - A prosecutor in Istanbul launched an investigation Monday into the possible existence of a clique within the Turkish military capable of "obstructing" the government, the state-run news agency reported.

The prosecutor started the probe after the Hurriyet newspaper reported that the army headquarters was "disturbed" by a series of criticisms leveled at the military, including over a recent decision to allow female officers to wear Islamic-style headscarves while on duty, the Anadolu Agency said.

The newspaper reported over the weekend that the criticism was "wearing the military down" at a critical time when it is fighting Kurdish rebels and Islamic State militants.

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, right, shakes hands with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Barzani, on a working visit to Turkey and according to the government, Turkey's relations with Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdish regional government, the fight against terrorism and regional developments will be addressed. (Prime Minister's Press Service, Pool Photo via AP)

Some interpreted the Hurriyet report to suggest that a clique within the military was unhappy with the way the military was being led.

Anadolu said the probe was launched after a university lecturer filed a complaint claiming the paper's story demonstrated the continued presence of an "influential and active junta" inside the military.

The journalist who wrote the report was expected to be questioned by the prosecutor, Cumhuriyet newspaper reported.

Turkey's military staged three coups between 1960 and 1980, and forced an Islamic-led government to resign in 1997.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has gradually curbed the military's influence since his party came to power in 2002.

However, another military coup was attempted in July. The Turkish government survived the failed coup by a faction within the military which the government said was loyal to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

The cleric has denied he orchestrated the uprising. Turkey is seeking his extradition.
BEIRUT (AP) - The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East has met with top officials in Lebanon to discuss American military aid and other efforts to contain the fallout from the civil war in neighboring Syria.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of U.S. Central Command, met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf upon his arrival in Beirut on Monday.

Votel did not make any public comments in the Lebanese capital. The U.S. has been speeding up delivery of ammunition to help Lebanon's military combat jihadi groups near the border with Syria.

In this photo released by the Lebanese Government, Lebanese President Michel Aoun, right, meets with U.S. Central Command Chief Gen. Joseph Votel, center, and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard, left, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. (Dalati Nohra/Lebanese Government via AP)

Washington has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance to Lebanon since 2006.
St. Patrick's Day, aka the Feast of St. Patrick, is devoted not only to "the wearing o' the green," but the eating of the green. Both customs nod to the color of the shamrock, one of the great totems of Ireland, of which Patrick is the patron saint.

Like the shamrock, mint is green, which helps to explain why recipes for lamb with a sweet-and-sour mint sauce abound in Ireland (and throughout the British Isles). My version of the sauce isn't sweet - I'm no fan of sweet in my savory - but it is bright green, deeply flavorful and refreshing, a tangy complement to some thin and crispy lamb chops.

The lamb chops available in our supermarkets usually come from America or New Zealand. American chops tend to be larger and milder in flavor, but either kind would be delicious here. I call for these rib chops to be pounded, which creates more surface area, which means a more delicious crust on the chops once they've been seared in the skillet. The easiest way to pound them (or any thin piece of meat) is to sprinkle the chops liberally with water on both sides, put them into a ziplock bag or between two pieces of plastic wrap, and then pound them with a meat pounder or rolling pin until they're uniformly 1/4-inch thick. (The water keeps them from sticking to the plastic and shredding.)

This Feb. 8, 2017 photo shows seared lamb chops with mint herb sauce in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Sara Moulton. (Sara Moulton via AP)

If you don't want to spring for rib chops - they can be a tad pricey - use shoulder chops instead. Shoulder chops are tasty, but the bone in the center of the chop will prevent you from pounding them. Because they're thicker than the pounded rib chops, they require a little more cooking time.

What to serve with these chops? Irish tradition calls for potatoes. Just slice some Yukon Golds about 1/4-inch thick, toss them with oil, salt and pepper, and roast them in a 400 F oven until golden.

Seared Lamb Chops with Mint Herb Sauce

Start to finish: 40 minutes.

Servings: 4

For the sauce:

1/2 cup finely chopped mint

1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons minced shallot

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

Eight trimmed, Frenched rib chops (about 2 ounces each)

Black pepper

In a small bowl combine the mint, parsley, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, shallot, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and salt; set aside.

Working with one chop at a time, sprinkle it generously on both sides with water. Place the chop in a large re-sealable bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound the chop using either a meat pounder or a rolling pin until it is 1/4-inch thick. Repeat the procedure with the remaining chops. Pat them all dry.

In a large skillet heat half the remaining oil over high heat. Season half the chops with salt and pepper on both sides and add them to the pan. Saute until nicely browned, about 1 minute a side. Transfer to a platter and keep covered loosely with foil. Pour off the fat, add 1/4 cup water and simmer to clean the pan. Dump off the water and wipe out the skillet. Repeat the procedure with the remaining chops and the remaining oil. Transfer the chops to the platter and let them rest for 3 minutes before serving. Add any juices from the platter to the herb mixture.

To serve, transfer two chops to each of four plates and top each portion with a heaping spoonful of the mint herb sauce.

___

Nutrition information per serving: 515 calories; 424 calories from fat; 47 g fat (13 g saturated; 1 g transfats); 71 mg cholesterol; 380 mg sodium; 3 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 20 g protein.

______________

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sara Moulton is host of public television's "Sara's Weeknight Meals." She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows, including "Cooking Live." Her latest cookbook is "Home Cooking 101."
MOSCOW (AP) - Two years after he was killed near the Kremlin, Boris Nemtsov can still attract crowds of supporters. But his death left in tatters Russia's opposition movement, which is struggling with infighting and seems unable to rally behind one unifying figure.

In the largest Russian opposition protest in months, thousands marched Sunday across Moscow to commemorate Nemtsov's life, demand a thorough investigation of his death and to denounce President Vladimir Putin. The procession went to the bridge where Nemtsov was gunned down on Feb. 27, 2015. People also took to the streets in other cities, including St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, his hometown.

Once a deputy prime minister tipped to be a possible successor to former President Boris Yeltsin, Nemtsov carved a unique role for himself as an opposition leader who still maintained contacts inside the Kremlin and could open doors abroad, from Brussels to Washington.

FILE In this Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 file photo, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia, second right, take part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall on Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, file)

A look at the Russian opposition:

ALEXEI NAVALNY

The main force behind large protests against Putin in 2011-12, Alexei Navalny finished second with about a third of the vote in Moscow's 2013 mayoral election, even though he had just been convicted of fraud charges that were widely seen as politically motivated.

Sentenced to five years in prison, he was freed and allowed to run pending an appeal that eventually led to a suspended sentence. His guilty verdict later was overturned by the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled his right to a fair trial had been violated. A retrial ended Feb. 8 with another guilty verdict and a suspended sentence.

That ruling bars the charismatic anti-corruption activist from running for president in 2018, when presumably Putin would seek re-election to another six-year term. Navalny and his associates are preparing his candidacy anyway.

The 40-year-old lawyer has endured so many court cases targeting him and his family that he had to deliver seven closing arguments in separate cases in the past four years.

"I spent one out of the past four years under house arrest, I have had several similar court cases during this time, my brother was sent to prison, and I spent most of this time barred from leaving town," Navalny said this month. "But we still continue to publish numerous investigations, we have been doing our best unmasking those thieves and this gang that usurped power in Russia."

Even though his prospects for running in 2018 are dim, he is raising funds for the campaign and traveling across Russia to meet with volunteers. The opening of his campaign headquarters in St. Petersburg drew several hundred people who lined up for blocks.

___

MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY

An oil tycoon who was once Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 in a tax evasion and money-laundering case that was seen as revenge for his challenging of Putin's power. After serving 10 years in prison, he was pardoned right before the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Since his release, Khodorkovsky used some of his remaining wealth that was not seized by the government to help fund an independent news website, back national and local Russian legislative candidates, and give legal support to political prisoners. But he has not been to Russia since his release, and his emigre status makes it almost impossible for him to enjoy wide popularity inside Russia.

Legal troubles continue for the 54-year-old former oligarch. Investigators searched the homes of several employees of his charity and last year declared Khodorkovsky arrested in absentia in connection with the 1998 killing of a Siberian mayor - charges he dismisses as a political vendetta.

___

VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA JR.

The coordinator at Khodorkovsky's Open Russia foundation and a close associate of Nemtsov, Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. is largely unknown to most Russians. Yet the 35-year-old's wide contacts in the West arguably make him a thorn in the Kremlin's side.

Kara-Murza suffered two almost identical illnesses in 2015 and again this month that his doctors have called poisonings. Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in 2015, although doctors have not identified the poison. Both times, he spent several days in a medically induced coma. After the most recent incident, his family sent his blood samples to a private lab in Israel to determine the toxin. He was flown out of Russia for treatment.

Russian state media targeted Kara-Murza alongside Nemtsov for his lobbying in the West, openly calling him a traitor.

Kara-Murza has traveled to the U.S., Canada and eastern Europe, pushing a law that targets Russian officials involved in rights abuses. In 2012, the U.S. Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, named for the late Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky. It was a precursor for the worsening of U.S.-Russia relations, which hit a post-Cold War low in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula.

___

DMITRY GUDKOV

Elected to the State Duma in 2011, Dmitry Gudkov is one of the few lawmakers who have voted against Kremlin-backed legislation, from the U.S. adoption ban to the annexation of Crimea.

Gudkov used his lawmaker's privileges to press officials about massive spending on the 2014 Olympics and about Nemtsov's killing. City officials have rejected petitions to rename the bridge after the slain politician or put up a commemorative plaque, and utility workers have repeatedly removed flowers, photos and candles left by mourners for Nemtsov - as they did again early Monday.

Gudkov, who lost a re-election bid for the Duma last year, has said he will run for mayor of Moscow in 2018.

In a country where the dominant state-owned media refuses to give air time to the opposition, candidates like Gudkov have a long-term strategy of just getting a foot in the door, rather than trying to convince voters they can beat a Kremlin candidate.

"We need to be prepared: Not just from campaign to campaign, but permanently, build a strong team," Gudkov told Ekho Moskvy radio this month. "There will be changes in public consciousness, and we should be ready for that."

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, and his wife Yulia, left, take part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Thousands of Russians take to the streets of downtown Moscow to mark two years since Nemtsov was gunned down outside the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2014, file photo, Mikhail Khodorkovsky smiles in Brussels, Belgium. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 file photo, Dmitry Gudkov poses in the State Duma, Russian parliament lower chamber, in Moscow, Russia. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall on Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)

In this photo taken on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, Vladimir Kara-Murza, 35, Russian opposition activist poses for a photo in Moscow, Russia. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall on Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitri Beliakov)

FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 file photo, Russian police officers stand next to the scene where Boris Nemtsov, a former Russian deputy prime minister and opposition leader, was killed at Red Square with the Kremlin Wall in the background in Moscow, Russia. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, file)

FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 file photo, Russian police investigate the lifeless body of Boris Nemtsov, a former Russian deputy prime minister and opposition leader, just off Red Square, with St. Basil Cathidral in the background, in Moscow, Russia. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, file)

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2011 file photo, Boris Nemtsov, an opposition leader, speaks to The Associated Press Television News in Moscow, Russia. Nemtsov, a top opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead late at night on Feb. 27, 2015, as he was walking just outside the Kremlin. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 file photo, People gather in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, portrait in center, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Russia's opposition movement struggles to rally around one unifying figure two years after Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was gunned down just outside the Kremlin wall. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, file)
Good morning! Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up today. Some plans are subject to change; see the 2 p.m. News Digest for updates. You can find our contact info at the bottom of this advisory. All times EST.

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HIGHLIGHTING:

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Among today's coverage highlights as we see them at 10:15 a.m. EST:

-- OSCARS (sent; developing)

-- OSCARS-PWC REPUTATION (upcoming)

-- TRUMP-SPEECH (upcoming)

-- TRUMP (sent; developing)

-- UNITED STATES-ISLAMIC STATE (sent; developing)

-- AP POLL-TEENS-POLITICS (sent)

-- SENATE-TRUMP CABINET (sent; developing)

-- VETERANS AFFAIRS-MISSING DRUGS (sent; developing)

-- BROKEN FAITH (sent; developing)

-- TAKATA-CRIMINAL CHARGE (sent; developing.

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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT:

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-- BUSH-TRUMP (sent)

-- BILL COSBY (sent; developing)

-- POLICE SHOOTING-MINNESOTA (sent; developing)

-- WILDFIRES-PEOPLE (upcoming)

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Here are details of those stories, plus others we have in the works for today (all times EST):

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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OSCARS - Developments on many fronts after Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, holding an incorrect envelope, wrongly presented the top Oscar to "La La Land," instead of "Moonlight." SENT: 1,000 words, photos, video. UPCOMING: Developing through the day.

OSCARS-PWC REPUTATION - For 82 years, accounting and consulting firm PwC has enjoyed a reputational boon from handling the balloting process at the Academy Awards. Now its hard-won image as a dependable partner is under threat. UPCOMING.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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TRUMP-SPEECH - Trump's first address to Congress comes as the White House struggles to get beyond a steady stream of self-inflicted wounds and Trump's obsession with the media. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photos.

TRUMP - Trump meets with nation's governors ahead of discussions about his plans to repeal and replace the so-called Obamacare law. SENT: 449 words. UPCOMING: Updates from meetings throughout the day, 500 words by 4 p.m., photos.

UNITED STATES-ISLAMIC STATE - A new strategy designed to meet Trump's demand for a more aggressive campaign against the Islamic State group is likely to deepen U.S. military involvement in Syria, possibly with more ground troops. SENT: 1000 words. UPCOMING: Possible updates, 800 words by 5 p.m., photos

HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL - Republican leaders under pressure to repeal Obama's health care law face a growing number of obstacles, from GOP governors nervous about cuts in Medicaid money to Americans fearful of losing their insurance. UPCOMING: 800 words by 5 p.m., photos.

AP POLL-TEENS-POLITICS - A new survey of children ages 13 to 17 conducted finds that America's teens are almost as politically disillusioned and pessimistic about the nation's divisions as their parents, according to The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. SENT: 980 words, photo.

SENATE-TRUMP CABINET - Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross is headed toward confirmation as Commerce secretary in Trump's administration. SENT: 380 words. UPCOMING: Developing from 7 p.m. vote, 500 words by 8 p.m., photos.

VETERANS AFFAIRS-MISSING DRUGS - Doctors, nurses or pharmacy staff at the VA's hospitals were fired or reprimanded in a small fraction of thousands of reported cases of opioid theft and missing prescriptions since 2010, according to government data provided to The Associated Press. SENT: 800 words. UPCOMING: Developing from 3:30 p.m. hearing, 750 words by 5 p.m., photos.

BUSH-TRUMP - Former President George W. Bush says "we all need answers" on the extent of contact between President Donald Trump's team and the Russian government, and he defended the media's role in keeping world leaders in check. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 300 words by 10 a.m., photo.

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WORLD

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PHILIPPINES-GERMAN HOSTAGE - Abu Sayyaf extremists in the Philippines release a video showing the beheading of a German hostage. SENT: 240 words, photo.

GERMANY-MIGRANTS-HATE CRIMES - Germany's Interior Ministry says a new report showing more than 3,500 attacks in 2016 on migrants and their homes is "alarmingly high and cause for concern" but says authorities are prosecuting the crimes aggressively and the numbers are now falling. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: Developing.

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US

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BROKEN FAITH - SPINDALE, NC - From all over the world, they flocked to this tiny town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lured by promises of inner peace and eternal life. What many found instead: years of terror - waged in the name of the Lord. By Mitch Weiss. SENT: 4,200 words, video, photos. A 1,100-word abridged version also moved. VIDEO HIGHLIGHT: US NC Broken Faith. With BROKEN FAITH LOWER BUILDING - Former disciples describe storage annex for "worst sinners"; BROKEN FAITH-SEX AND MARRIAGE - NC church has unconventional rules for sex and marriage; BROKEN FAITH-RULES (all sent).

BILL COSBY - Actor Bill Cosby is set to return to a Pennsylvania courtroom to ask a judge to bring in outside jurors in his criminal sex assault case. SENT: 130 words, photo. UPCOMING: Developing from hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

POLICE SHOOTING-MINNESOTA - A Minnesota police officer is expected to plead not guilty to manslaughter and other charges in the July shooting death of a black man. SENT: 130 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from 9 a.m. hearing.

CINCINNATI POLICE SHOOTING-RETRIAL - The judge who will preside over the murder retrial of a white former University of Cincinnati police officer who fatally shot a black motorist during a traffic stop plans to get an update from attorneys on pretrial progress in the case. SENT: 120 words. UPCOMING: Developing from 9:30 a.m. hearing.

HASIDIC VILLAGE -A quickly crowding Hasidic Jewish village in upstate New York that is working to expand its boundaries faces opposition from neighbors who fear more urban-style development by the insular community could overrun their slice of suburbia. UPCOMING: 710 words by noon, photos.

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HEALTH/SCIENCE

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WILDFIRES-PEOPLE (HOLD FOR RELEASE, 3 p.m.) - People have caused the vast majority of the wildfires in the U.S. over the last two decades, tripling the length of the wildfire season and making it start earlier in the East and last longer in the West, a new study finds. UPCOMING: HOLD FOR RELEASE, 3 p.m., 450 words, photos, graphic.

PEDIATRICIANS-POT WARNING - A pediatricians group is beefing up warnings about marijuana's potential harms for teens amid increasingly lax laws and attitudes on pot use. SENT: 550 words, photo.

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BUSINESS /ECONOMY

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TAKATA-CRIMINAL CHARGE - Japanese auto parts maker Takata Corp. is expected to plead guilty to a criminal charge and agree to a $1 billion penalty for concealing a deadly air bag inflator problem. SENT: 120 words. UPCOMING: Developing from court hearing at 1:30 p.m.

ITALY-STARBUCKS CEO-INTERVIEW - Interview with longtime CEO Howard Schultz as the company tackles one of its most daunting markets: Italy. As Schultz prepares to step down in April, one of his last moves is to open a coffee shop in Milan, the city that first inspired the chain. . UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

NERDWALLET-LIZ WESTON-THE EMERGENCY FUND YOU CAN EAT - Even two weeks of meals in the pantry are a hedge against financial or natural disaster. The key: Store what you eat, and eat what you store. Dusty cans of soup you hate are not a good backup plan. By Liz Weston of NerdWallet. UPCOMING: 800 words, photo by 11 a.m.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Alexandra Olson and Richard Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, 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.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says President Donald Trump's upcoming budget will propose a whopping $54 billion increase in defense spending and impose corresponding cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid. The result is that Trump's initial budget wouldn't dent budget deficits projected to run about $500 billion.

White House budget officials outlined the information during a telephone call with reporters given on condition of anonymity. The budget officials on the call ignored requests to put the briefing on the record, even though Trump on Friday decried the use of anonymous sources by the media.

Trump's defense budget and spending levels for domestic agency operating budgets will be revealed in a partial submission to Congress next month, with proposals on taxes and other programs coming later.

President Donald Trump speaks to a meeting of the National Governors Association,Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The big, approximately 10 percent increase for the Pentagon would fulfill a Trump campaign promise to build up the military. The senior budget office official said there will be a large reduction in foreign aid and that most domestic agencies will have to absorb cuts. He did not offer details, but the administration is likely to go after longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tentative proposals for the 2018 budget year that begins Oct. 1 are being sent to agencies, which will have a chance to propose changes to the cuts as part of a longstanding tradition at the budget office.

Trump's budget, once finalized and sent to Congress in mid-March, is sure to set off a huge Washington battle. Democrats and some Republicans are certain to resist the cuts to domestic agencies, and any legislation to implement them would have to overcome a filibuster threat by Senate Democrats. A government shutdown is a real possibility.

Trump's budget also won't make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare, according to an administration official.

Capitol Hill aides confirmed details of the upcoming blueprint on the condition of anonymity to discuss information that's not yet been made public.

Trump's first major fiscal marker will land in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint session of Congress. For Trump, the primetime speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

The upcoming submission covers the budget year starting on Oct. 1. But first there's an April 28 deadline to finish up the unfinished spending bills for the ongoing 2017 budget year, which is almost half over, and any stumble or protracted battle could risk a government shutdown then as well.

The March release is also expected to include an immediate infusion of 2017 cash for the Pentagon that's expected to register about $20 billion or so and contain the first wave of funding for Trump's promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.

The president previewed a boost in military spending during a speech Friday to conservative activists, pledging "one of the greatest build-ups in American history."
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on the damaged Oroville Dam in Northern California (all times local):

11:20 a.m.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea says removing debris from the damaged spillway at the Oroville Dam will bring officials one step closer to restarting a power plant at the site.

FILE - This Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, file aerial photo released by the California Department of Water Resources shows the damaged spillway with eroded hillside in Oroville, Calif. California water authorities will cut the outflow from the dam to allow workers to remove debris piled at the base of its main spillway. The Department of Water Resources said Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 it will start gradually reducing outflows from the Oroville Dam in Northern California starting Monday morning and completely stop them by the afternoon. (William Croyle/California Department of Water Resources via AP, File)

That in turn will help remove water in advance of the spring runoff.

California water officials were slowing the release of water from the Oroville Dam Monday to allow the power plant to start up again after it was shut down amid high water levels. A potential failure of an emergency spillway at the dam prompted authorities earlier this month to evacuate nearly 200,000 people.

Honea says the emergency isn't over yet, and he's asking the public to be patient.

___

7:30 a.m.

California water authorities have started slowing the release of water from the Oroville Dam's crippled spillway.

Department of Water Resources spokeswoman Lauren Bisnett said Monday that the slowdown started at 6:45 a.m. and will continue throughout the day.

She says the amount of water released will go from 50,000 cubic feet per second to zero.

The outflow from behind the 770-foot-tall dam will be stopped for several days to give workers time to clear debris from a pool at the bottom of the spillway.

The debris needs to be removed in order to restart the underground Hyatt Power Plant. The plant helps manage reservoir levels.

Potential failure of the dam's emergency spillway earlier this month prompted authorities to evacuate nearly 200,000 people Feb. 12. They lifted the evacuation order Feb. 14.

___

2 a.m.

California water authorities will stop the outflow from the Oroville Dam's crippled spillway on Monday to allow workers to remove debris that's blocking a hydroelectric plant from working, officials said Sunday.

The outflow from behind the 770-foot-tall dam will be stopped for several days to allow workers to clear concrete and other debris from a pool at the bottom of the spillway.

Removing the debris will protect a shuttered underground plant, allowing it to resume operations, the Department of Water Resources said.

On Feb. 11, water managers used the emergency spillway for the first time in the dam's history after a chunk of concrete tore out the main spillway.

But the water ripped through a road below, leading authorities to order a two-day evacuation of 188,000 people for fear the emergency spillway could fail.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Four men have now been arrested in the robbery and fatal beating of a Somali immigrant cab driver.

Christen Glenn, 18, of Greensburg, and Daniel Russell, 19, of Youngstown, Ohio, were arrested Sunday in Youngstown, Pittsburgh police said.

They remained jailed in Ohio on Monday awaiting extradition on robbery, conspiracy and attempted homicide charges. Police have said they may upgrade the charges as they continue to investigate the beating of 31-year-old Ramadhan Mohamed, who died Friday evening in a Pittsburgh hospital.

This undated photo provided by the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety shows Hosea Moore. Moore and King Edwards are in custody in Pittsburgh on robbery, conspiracy and attempted homicide charges in the Feb.21 beating of 31-year-old Somali taxi driver Ramadhan Mohamed. Mohamed died Feb. 24 in a Pittsburgh hospital. Two other suspects, Daniel Russell and Christen Glenn were also arrested for the Pittsburgh assault Sunday in Youngstown, Ohio. (Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety via AP)

Mohamed was found beaten and robbed about 5 a.m. Tuesday after the suspects and two other men already in custody allegedly called for the cab simply intending to rob the driver, police said.

The other suspects, King Edwards and Hosea Moore, both 20 and from Pittsburgh, were arrested over the weekend and also remained in the Allegheny County jail in Pittsburgh on the same charges.

Mohamed's killing prompted the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh and others to investigate his beating as a hate crime, because he was a well-respected member of the Somali Bantu community known for wearing his religious garb.

But police have said there's no evidence the suspects were motivated by the driver's nationality, race or religion, although the investigation was continuing. Mike Manko, spokesman for the Allegheny County district attorney's office, said his office agreed that there was no evidence of ethnic intimidation in the attack.

Jamie Campolongo, president of Pittsburgh Transportation Group, said the company is shocked by the crime in what he called a "generally safe, tolerant and friendly city." Beltzhoover, the neighborhood where the Mohamed was robbed, is one of the more violent in the city, however.

"We have a diverse list of approved drivers that is representative of many nationalities, races and religious beliefs," he said. "Our concerns are for the safety of both the passengers who use our service and the lease drivers who operate in the Greater Pittsburgh area."

Mohamed was married with a 2-year-old son, and his wife was pregnant.

This undated photo provided by the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety shows Daniel Russell. Russell and Christen Glenn were arrested Sunday, Feb. 26, in Youngstown, Ohio on robbery, conspiracy and attempted homicide charges in the Feb.21 beating in Pittsburgh of 31-year-old Somali taxi driver Ramadhan Mohamed. Mohamed died Feb. 24, 2017, in a Pittsburgh hospital. Two other suspects, King Edwards and Hosea Moore are in custody in Pittsburgh. (Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety via AP)

This undated photo provided by the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety shows King Edwards. Edwards and Hosea Moore are in custody in Pittsburgh on robbery, conspiracy and attempted homicide charges in the Feb.21 beating of 31-year-old Somali taxi driver Ramadhan Mohamed. Mohamed died Feb. 24 in a Pittsburgh hospital. Two other suspects, Daniel Russell and Christen Glenn were also arrested for the Pittsburgh assault Sunday in Youngstown, Ohio. (Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety via AP)
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) - A court in Kyrgyzstan has ordered a prominent opposition leader to be kept in custody on fraud and corruption charges that his supporters see as politically driven.

The State Committee for National Security, or GKNB, said in a statement that the court ruled Monday Omurbek Tekebayev should stay in jail for two months pending an official probe.

About 200 of Tekebayev's supporters rallied outside the court building to demand his release.

Tekebayev, the leader of the Ata-Meken party, was arrested early Sunday after returning from Vienna. The GKNB said the charges are related to a $1 million bribe he allegedly received from a Russian businessman while serving as deputy prime minister.

Critics of the government see Tekebayev's arrest as part of efforts to muzzle dissent ahead of November's presidential elections.
Money & Markets modules for Tuesday, Feb. 28

TODAY

The Conference Board releases its monthly gauge of consumer confidence, and Standard & Poor's reports the CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index for December. The Commerce Department issues its latest estimate of U.S. fourth-quarter economic growth.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Home builders get a boost

Home builders climb as experts see signs demand will rise.

CENTERPIECE

Good signs for GM, Toyota

If you're investing in the auto industry based on sales forecasts, consider GM and Toyota, companies that are strong in China but not overly dependent on selling diesel vehicles.

STORY STOCKS

Sotheby's (BID)

AES (AES)

Kroger (KR)

Tegna (TGNA)

Verizon Communications (VZ)

National Oilwell Varco (NOV)

Shutterstock (SSTK)

American Woodmark (AMWD)

FUND FOCUS

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt (VWSTX)

Morningstar describes this Silver-rated fund as "just a hair riskier" than a money market fund, and expects that it would have "middling to lagging" results in most years but also lose less in down years.

For questions about Money & Markets modules, please contact Greg Keller (212-621-7958). For technical support: contact Todd Balog (816-654-1096). After 6 p.m., contact the AP Business News desk (800-845-8450, ext. 1680) for content questions; 1-800-3AP-STOX for technical support and 212-621-1905 for graphics help. The Money & Markets digest can also be found at www.markets.ap.org.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court seems sympathetic to a Mexican immigrant facing deportation after he was convicted of having consensual sex with an underage girl.

The case before the justices on Monday involved Juan Esquivel-Quintana, a lawful permanent resident who had sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend when he was 20 and 21 years old.

That was a violation of California law, which criminalizes having sex with anyone under 18 if the age difference is more than three years. Federal officials later moved to deport him, but Esquivel-Quintana says his conduct would have been legal under federal law and the laws of 43 other states that are less strict.

The case comes at a time when the Trump administration has pledged to step up enforcement of the nation's immigration laws.
LONDON (AP) - Former Prime Minister John Major lambasted Britain's preparations for leaving the European Union on Monday, saying the government must offer more charm and less "cheap rhetoric" if it wants to get a good deal.

Major, who led the U.K.'s Conservative government between 1990 and 1997, accused pro-Brexit politicians of giving Britons unrealistic expectations of life outside the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May - like Major, a Conservative - plans to invoke Article 50 of the EU's key treaty, triggering two years of exit talks, by the end of March.

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014 file photo, Britain's former Prime Minister Sir John Major speaks during a Europe Forum of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Berlin, Germany. Major lambasted Britain's preparations for leaving the European Union on Monday, February 27, 2017 saying the government must offer more charm and less "cheap rhetoric" if it wants to get a good deal. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

Major said the government's goal of settling divorce terms and forging a new relationship with the bloc within two years is "very, very optimistic."

In a speech at the Chatham House think tank that he billed as a "reality check," Major said voters must be given a better idea of "the timescale and complexity of the huge undertaking that lies ahead."

He said there is a "real risk" that the U.K. will not get the close free-trade deal with the EU that the government is seeking.

"Behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour," Major said. "A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the U.K.'s interests."

Major, who backed the losing "remain" side in last year's EU membership referendum, said victorious "leave" campaigners should stop telling their opponents to quietly accept the result.

He said the 48 percent who voted to stay in the EU "care no less for our country than the 52 percent who voted to leave."

"It is not 'arrogant' or 'brazen' or 'elitist' or remotely 'delusional' to express concern about our future after Brexit," Major said. "Nor, by doing so, is this group undermining the will of the people: they are the people."

He also cautioned that leaving the 28-nation bloc would weaken Britain's voice in the world and make the U.K. more reliant on the United States and new President Donald Trump - "a president less predictable, less reliable and less attuned to our free market and socially liberal instincts than any of his predecessors."

In response, May's office said the government "a clear plan to get the best deal for the United Kingdom and are going to get on with the job of delivering it."
NEW YORK (AP) - A 19-year-old man who scaled Trump Tower in New York City in August has pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

A judge told Stephen Rogata, of Great Falls, Virginia, on Monday that he's prohibited from any contact with President Donald Trump. The Daily News says that includes mail, Facebook and Twitter.

Rogata used suction cups, a harness and ropes to climb from the fifth floor to the 21st floor when Trump was the Republican presidential nominee. Trump lived in Trump Tower but wasn't there at the time.

As part of his plea agreement, Rogata must continue mental health treatment and go to school or work.

If he stays out of trouble for a year, he'll be permitted to withdraw his plea to the reckless endangerment charge.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Latest on Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson setting execution dates for eight inmates on death row (all times local):

4:25 p.m.

Attorneys for eight inmates scheduled to be executed over a 10-day period in April argue that a stay on their executions hasn't been lifted.

The attorneys made the argument in a letter sent to Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday. They noted that an amended lawsuit challenging the state's execution protocol was filed Friday and is pending before a state court.

The governor scheduled the executions later Monday, even though the state is lacking one of the drugs needed to put them to death. Double-executions are scheduled on April 17, April 20, April 24 and April 27.

In the letter, the attorneys argue that the state's current execution protocol is almost certain to cause the prisoners "excruciating suffering." They said the letter served as their comment on the execution dates.

___

2:20 p.m.

Arkansas' governor has scheduled eight executions over a 10-day period in April.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed proclamations on Monday to schedule four double-executions for eight death row inmates starting on April 17. Two convicted murderers are scheduled for lethal injection that day: Bruce Earl Ward and Don William Davis.

The other scheduled executions are on April 20 for Ledelle Lee and Stacey Eugene Johnson, April 24 for Marcel W. Williams and Jack Harold Jones, and April 27 for Kenneth D. Williams and Jason F. McGehee.

Hutchinson set the dates just days after the state's attorney general told him the inmates had exhausted their appeals.

The state lacks one of the three drugs needed to put the men to death, but Hutchinson's office said it's confident the state will find a new supply.

Arkansas hasn't executed a death row inmate since 2005.

___

1:45 p.m.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has set execution dates for eight death row inmates, even though the state lacks one of three drugs needed to put the men to death.

The Republican released a statement Monday saying he signed a proclamation scheduling executions for the eight inmates, though no dates were released.

The move comes days after the state's attorney general told the governor the men had exhausted their appeals and there were no more legal obstacles to their executions.

The U.S. Supreme Court last week rejected inmates' request to review a state court ruling upholding Arkansas' lethal injection law.

Prison officials say they haven't replaced a lethal injection drug that expired in January.

Arkansas hasn't executed a death row inmate since 2005.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - A Turkish court ordered a journalist for Germany's Die Welt newspaper jailed on Monday pending a trial on charges of terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred, media reports said. The action came amid a continuing crackdown on journalists and press freedom in Turkey.

Deniz Yucel, who has both Turkish and German citizenship, was detained on Feb. 14 following his reports about a hacker attack on the email account of Turkey's energy minister, the newspaper said.

Yucel was questioned by a prosecutor in Istanbul for some 3  hours before a judge ordered him formally arrested pending the preparation of an indictment and a trial. Die Welt confirmed that he was ordered into custody.

Yucel, 43, joins scores of journalists who have been jailed in Turkey following a July 15 coup attempt that prompted a government crackdown on alleged anti-government activists. The crackdown has included the closure of at least 100 news outlets in Turkey.

The private Dogan news agency said Yucel was questioned about an interview he conducted with Cemil Bayik, a commander of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, as well as about articles he had written on Turkey's policies toward Kurds.

The Die Welt journalist also was asked whether he had any links to the hacker collective RedHack, which obtained the energy minister's emails that were made available on WikiLeaks, Dogan reported. The energy minister, Berat Albayrak, is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's son-in-law.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said news that Yucel was being held in investigative custody was "bitter and disappointing."

"This measure is disproportionately harsh, especially given that Deniz Yucel presented himself to the Turkish justice system voluntarily and for the purpose of the investigation," Merkel said. She said the German government "will continue to work strenuously so that Deniz Yucel is treated fairly and according to the rule of law."

"The German government expects that the Turkish justice system keeps in mind the great importance that press freedom has in any democratic society in its treatment of the Yucel case," Merkel said.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the case had highlighted what he called "dramatic times for Turkey and also difficult times for German-Turkish relations."

"The case of Deniz Yucel casts a harsh light on the different way in which our two countries appear to apply the principles of rule of law and the way we assess press freedom and freedom of speech," he said.
PHOENIX (AP) - A former campaign worker for Britain's right-wing U.K. Independence Party will be sentenced in U.S. federal court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a scheme to steal money by posing as a money launderer.

U.S. prosecutors are recommending an eight-month prison sentence for George Cotrel.

He has been in custody since his July 22 arrest in Chicago and pleaded guilty to wire fraud Dec. 19 in federal court in Arizona.

Authorities say Cotrel offered money laundering services online to federal agents posing as drug dealers.

UKIP said Saturday that Cotrel was an unpaid party worker who helped with logistics and media in its campaign for Britain to exit the European Union.

Authorities initially said his last name was Cottrell but he said in court it is Cotrel.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASA's Apollo heyday close to half a century ago.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk - the company's founder and chief executive officer - announced the surprising news barely a week after launching his first rocket from NASA's legendary moon pad.

Two people who know one another approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon, according to Musk. He won't identify the pair or the price tag. They've already paid a "significant" deposit and are "very serious" about it, he noted.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 file photo made available by SpaceX, their Dragon capsule sits aboard a ship in the Pacific Ocean west of Mexico's Baja Peninsula after returning from the International Space Station, carrying about 3,700 lbs of cargo for NASA. SpaceX announced Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 that it would send two paying customers to the moon next year on a private flight aboard its Dragon capsule. The company said the unnamed customers have paid "a significant deposit" for the moon trip.(AP Photo/SpaceX, File)

"Fly me to the moon ... Ok," Musk said in a light-hearted tweet following the news conference.

Musk said SpaceX is on track to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA in mid-2018. This moon mission would follow about six months later, by the end of the year under the current schedule, using a Dragon crew capsule and a Falcon heavy rocket launched from NASA's former moon pad in Florida.

If all goes as planned, it could happen close to the 50th anniversary of NASA's first manned flight to the moon, on Apollo 8.

The SpaceX moonshot is designed to be autonomous - unless something goes wrong, Musk said.

"I think they are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here," Musk told reporters in the telephone conference, a day after teasing via Twitter that an announcement of some sort was forthcoming.

"They're certainly not naive, and we'll do everything we can to minimize that risk, but it's not zero. But they're coming into this with their eyes open," said Musk, adding that the pair will receive "extensive" training before the flight.

Musk said he does not have permission to release the passengers' names, and he was hesitant to even say if they were men, women or even pilots. He would only admit, "It's nobody from Hollywood."

The paying passengers would make a long loop around the moon, skimming the lunar surface and then going well beyond, perhaps 300,000 or 400,000 miles distance altogether. It's about 240,000 miles to the moon alone, one way.

The mission would not involve a lunar landing.

"This should be a really exciting mission that hopefully gets the world really excited about sending people into deep space again," Musk said.

NASA will have first dibs on a similar mission if it so chooses, he said. The space agency learned of his plan at the same time as reporters.

In a statement, NASA commended SpaceX "for reaching higher." In all, 24 astronauts flew to the moon and 12 walked its surface from 1969 to 1972.

The California-based SpaceX already has a long list of firsts, with its sights ultimately set on Mars. It became the first private company to launch a spacecraft into orbit and safely return it to Earth in 2010, and the first commercial enterprise to fly to the space station in 2012 on a supply mission.

Just a week ago, SpaceX made its latest delivery from Kennedy Space Center's legendary Launch Complex 39A, where the Apollo astronauts flew to the moon and shuttle crews rocketed into orbit. That will be where the private moon mission will originate as well.

The crew Dragon capsule - an upgraded version of the cargo Dragon - has yet to fly in space. Neither has a Falcon Heavy rocket, which is essentially a Falcon 9 rocket with two strap-on boosters, according to Musk. A Falcon Heavy test flight is planned this summer, while an empty crew capsule is set to launch to the space station late this year. He said there will be ample time to test both the spacecraft and the rocket, before the moon mission.

NASA last week announced it was studying the possibility of adding crew to the test flight of its megarocket, at the request of the Trump administration. Such a flight to the lunar neighborhood wouldn't happen before 2019 at best - if, indeed, that option is even implemented.

Musk said anything that advances the space exploration cause is good, no matter who goes first.

Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who will celebrate his homecoming this week from a one-year space mission, was quick to tweet: "It's been almost a year. Send me!"

Musk said he expects to have more moon-mission customers as time goes by.

At the same time, SpaceX is also working on a so-called Red Dragon, meant to fly to Mars around 2020 with experiments, but no people - and actually land. His ultimate goal is to establish a human settlement on Mars.

___

Online:

SpaceX: http://www.spacex.com/
PHOENIX (AP) - A lawyer for a military veteran opened a medical-negligence trial Monday by saying his client's now-terminal prostate cancer would have been curable had the Veterans Administration hospital in Phoenix diagnosed it sooner.

Attorneys defending the Veterans Administration countered that a nurse practitioner involved in the case of Steven Harold Cooper complied with the applicable standard of care and the then-40-year-old Cooper was not considered to be at risk from prostate cancer at the time of his first appointment.

"There was no reason to send him to a urologist," said attorney Elizabeth Sichi, noting that Cooper didn't have risk factors such as a family history of the disease.

The lawsuit is being heard on the heels of a scandal at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix in which whistleblowers revealed that veterans on secret waiting lists faced scheduling delays of up to a year.

However, no direct references to wait-times were made during opening statements at Cooper's trial.

Gregory Patton, one of Cooper's attorneys, said the nurse practitioner found abnormalities in Cooper's prostate during a December 2011 examination but failed to order more testing and refer him to a urologist.

Instead, Cooper learned 11 months later from a VA doctor that he had stage-IV prostate cancer. Life expectancy for Cooper, now 46, is believed to be five years, his lawyer said.

Patton made one passing reference to a weeks-long wait that his client was told he would face for an appointment after he was given his cancer diagnosis. Cooper instead went to a private doctor the next day for treatment.

Cooper, who served nearly 18 years in the Army before his honorable discharge in 2007, is seeking unspecified damages.

Patton told the magistrate judge who's deciding the case that the nearly one-year delay in diagnosis allowed the cancer to spread and that his client didn't get the best care available.

"He received the very worst, and it will cost him his life," Patton said.

Lawyers defending the VA say the nurse practitioner didn't turn up any indications of cancer during the initial examination and noted that Cooper didn't complain of urinary symptoms during the appointment.

The attorneys for the government also say it's impossible to say whether Cooper's cancer would have been confined to his prostate around the time of his initial appointment in 2011.

The separate investigation of the hospital by the VA's office of inspector general found that as many as 40 veterans died while awaiting care.

The scandal led to the ouster of former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and a new law overhauling the agency and granting veterans easier access to treatment outside the VA.

___

Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/jacques%20billeaud.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A flight attendant accused of making bogus bomb threats on two Skywest flights in 2015 has signed a plea deal to avoid trial, but he could still end up spending decades in prison.

Justin Cox-Sever, 23, of Tempe, Arizona, is accused of making threats on a July 2015 flight from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Chicago, and on a September 2015 flight from Minneapolis to Dickinson, North Dakota. In the first incident, the plane had to turn around mid-flight. The second incident resulted in the temporary shutdown of the Dickinson airport.

Under the plea agreement filed Saturday, Cox-Sever will plead guilty to four of five charges accusing him of interfering with an aircraft. Prosecutors will drop a fifth count, reducing the potential maximum sentence from 70 to 50 years in prison. A judge must still approve the deal and an appropriate sentence. Cox-Sever also could face up to $1 million in fines and restitution, according to court documents.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department in Bismarck, N.D., shows Justin Cox-Sever, of Tempe, Ariz. Cox-Sever, a flight attendant accused of fabricating bomb threats on two U.S. flights in 2015, signed a plea deal Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, with prosecutors to avoid trial but still could spend decades in prison. It still needs approval of a federal judge. (Burleigh County Sheriff's Department via AP, File)

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme, who is prosecuting the case, declined comment on the plea deal since the case is ongoing, though he did say "people have a right to change their plea, with or without an agreement."

Defense attorney Michelle Monteiro didn't immediately return an email message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

FBI Special Agent Daniel Genck wrote in an affidavit filed last year that Cox-Sever admitted planting a bag with towels on the North Dakota flight and reporting it as a suspicious package making beeping noises. Genck said Cox-Sever also admitted writing a threat on a wall of the plane's bathroom in the Virginia case. Attorneys haven't publicly discussed a motive.

Emergencies were declared on both flights. No injuries were reported.

Cox-Sever was charged in U.S. District Courts in North Dakota and Virginia, complicating the matter and resulting in his trial being delayed eight times. The cases were consolidated in federal court in North Dakota earlier this month.

Cox-Sever is no longer employed by SkyWest. The airline won't say whether he quit or was fired.

___

Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake
Today is a bad day: the wind is blowing in from the south, says Pedro Jose Maria de Pablo, the mayor of Campisabalos, standing next to an air quality monitoring station. In this small village in Spains Guadalajara province, the wind generally blows from the northwest without crossing any major industrial zones.

Campisabalos, in Guadalajara. JAIME CASAL

This fact, coupled with a reduced population of just 68 souls  20 in winter  and its location 1,300 meters above sea level, makes Campisabalos the municipality with the most pristine air in all of Spain, and the worlds third cleanest, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The village is located in the northwestern portion of the province. Getting there requires driving down several secondary roads. The mayor explains how the peoples character has been shaped by geography.

My grandmother died at the age of 94; my aunt at 96, and my mother at 94

Carmen Garcia, born in Campisabalos

The weather plays a big role, the cold makes us hard workers, he notes. Many of us moved to Madrid, where nearly all of us have been successful.

In a nearby field, cows graze with the same sort of calm that emanates from the landscape, where the only thing that breaks the skyline is a group of 50 or so wind turbines.

Wind turbines near Campisabalos. JAIME CASAL

The few people who still live here work mainly as farmers and livestock breeders. There are hardly any cars, and the only vehicle in sight is a tractor passing by the front of the church. The noise of the engine blends in with the drip of the public fountain and the sound of the church bells that ring out at 6pm.

Pedro Jose Maria de Pablo is a retired physicist who used to work as a public employee at the Environment Ministry, then ran for mayor with the conservative Popular Party (PP). He has been at the helm of the local council for three terms.

Air pollution occurs when there is a concentration of particulate matter, much of it created by humans. The WHO recommends that particles of the type PM2,5 (fine particulate matter) should not be in excess of 10 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) as an annual average, and those of the type PM10 (larger matter) should not exceed 20 g/m3.

In the entire world, only Muonio in Finland and Norman Wells in Canada enjoy cleaner air than Campsabalos

The Campisabalos monitoring station, located on a hilltop 800 meters from the village, shows measurements of 5 and 6 g/m3, respectively.

Its not just that theres no particulate matter in Campisabalos. Theres nothing, period. The only presence on the streets, which are lined with stone houses, is the wind and the odd dog. No businesses, no stores  just a local nature center that doubles as a bar.

In the entire world, only Muonio in Finland and Norman Wells in Canada enjoy even cleaner air than this hamlet located 160km from Madrid. At the other end of the spectrum, the city of Onitsha, in southeast Nigeria, has pollution that is 30 times the recommended WHO levels.

In November of last year, the European Environment Agency noted that pollution causes around 30,000 premature deaths in Spain and 520,000 across the EU. And Brussels has just issued an ultimatum to several member states, including Spain, telling them to improve their air quality.

Macaria Sevilla, 77, standing outside her house in Campisabalos. J. CASAL

Some people who were born in Campisabalos note that their relatives typically lived to ripe old ages. My grandmother died at the age of 94; my aunt at 96, and my mother at 94. And the mayors mother is over 100 years old, says Carmen Garcia, a Madrid resident who was born in the village.

Her husband, David Alvarez, was born in Ponferrada (Leon), but he often goes to Campisabalos with his wife.

I have a bronchial disease, and when Im in Madrid I need to take medication, he explains. But I dont need it here, I feel really good.

English version by Susana Urra.
BEIRUT (AP) - The latest on developments in Syria and at the Geneva talks (all times local):

12:10 a.m.

The leader of an al-Qaida Syrian affiliate is deriding exiled Syrian politicians and rebels for taking part in talks mediated by the United Nations in Geneva with the aim of ending the Syrian conflict.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, right, prepares to shake hands with Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee, HNC, leader Nasr al-Hariri upon his arrival for a meeting during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday,Feb. 27, 2017. (Fabrice Coffrini/Pool Photo via AP)

Abu Mohammed al-Golani says in a video message posted Monday that Syrian opposition delegates in Switzerland "were handing victory" to a regime that is not victorious, referring to the government of President Bashar Assad.

Golani is head of the Fatah al-Sham Front, a coalition of ultra-conservative insurgent factions that is widely considered the latest incarnation of Al-Qaida in Syria.

The group claimed Saturday's suicide attacks against military installations in the government-held western city of Homs that killed 32 people, including a military intelligence chief.

___

7:15 p.m.

A Syrian opposition official says his delegation will meet with Russian representatives on the sidelines of the Geneva talks to settle the conflict in Syria.

Nasr al-Hariri says the meeting will "most likely" take place on Tuesday. He tells reporters: "We hope that Russia will adopt a positive attitude."

Al-Hariri appeared optimistic despite the strong military backing and diplomatic protection Moscow has afforded Damascus over the six-year conflict.

He said that Russia, which along with Turkey helped broker a ceasefire in December, appears to be softening its stance toward the armed opposition.

Adds al-Hariri: "The fact that it has recognized these factions as a negotiating party is an indication to Russia's openness."

He spoke after what he described as a constructive meeting with United Nations envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura.

___

1:50 p.m.

Syrian activists say airstrikes in the country's rebel-held Idlib province have killed at least 11 people.

The activist-run Baladi News network published footage of rescuers searching for victims in the rubble of a block destroyed in presumed government or Russian airstrikes on Monday, in the town of Areeha in northwest Syria.

The Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group said it had counted 15 fatalities.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least seven civilians and four other unidentified victims had been killed. It blamed the attack on government warplanes.

The strikes come as an opposition delegation gears up to meet Monday with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura in Geneva to continue talks aimed at resolving Syria's six-year-old war.

Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee, HNC, leader Nasr al-Hariri speaks during a press conference, after a round of negotiation between the HNC and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee, HNC, leader Nasr al-Hariri speaks during a press conference, after a round of negotiation between the HNC and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
KRAMER, Calif. (AP) - A tour bus crossed into oncoming traffic and hit two cars head-on, killing one woman and injuring 26 others in the Southern California high desert, according to the California Highway Patrol.

It's unclear why the tour bus crossed into the westbound lanes of State Route 58 near Kramer, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, CHP Officer Brian Benson said. There was no remarkable weather in the area at the time of the collision, he said.

The woman killed was 55 years old and was in one of the two cars the bus hit, Benson said.

Nine people suffered life-threatening injuries in Monday afternoon's crash, and 17 others were taken to hospitals with injuries that weren't considered to be life-threatening, said Eric Sherwin, a San Bernardino County Fire spokesman.

Benson said the bus, owned by Arcadia, California-based A&F Tours Inc., seats about 30 passengers. The company didn't respond to a message seeking comment.

The company's vehicles have been inspected 22 times in the last two years, and a vehicle was taken out of service during one of the inspections, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records. The company did not report any crashes in the last two years, the records showed.

Duane DeBruyne, a spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said the agency would assist in a post-crash assessment, including an examination of both the vehicle and the bus company's safety record.

Video footage at the scene posted online shows debris strewn all over the side of the highway as firefighters worked to remove the victims from the cars. The footage also shows firefighters placing a woman in a neck brace and carrying another on a stretcher, a woman comforting a puppy, and a man holding a child. The front end of the bus was badly damaged.

The highway was closed in both directions.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic women in the House are planning to wear white in honor of women's suffrage when they attend President Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress.

The heads of the Democratic Women's Working Group wrote a letter to their colleagues Monday reminding them to wear white to honor the suffrage movement and also to "stand in solidarity with the women of our nation."

The color white was associated with the women's suffrage movement and Democrat Hillary Clinton wore all-white pantsuits during big moments in her presidential campaign, including her speech at the Democratic National Convention. There was also an Election Day hashtag #wearwhitetovote.

The letter was sent by Florida Rep. Lois Frankel, chairwoman of the group, and other female House members. There are 66 Democratic women in the House, including delegates.
Stars are arriving on the red carpet at the Oscars where musical La La Land could make history after earning a record-equalling 14 nominations.

Best actress nominee Ruth Negga was among the first celebrities to arrive at the ceremony in Hollywood, which is expected to be dominated by political speeches.

The Irish-Ethiopian star, wearing a red Valentino dress, was sporting an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ribbon as she posed for photographs outside the Dolby Theatre.

Ruth Negga (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Negga, who is nominated for her role in drama Loving, described the film as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

She told E!: Films youve either watched or been in, they stay with you and leave residue with you.

This is one of those films, I dont think itll ever leave me.
The only British winners at the Academy Awards have described their win as bitter-sweet after they scooped an Oscar for their documentary about the Syrian war.

The White Helmets, about a group of volunteer rescue workers who risk their lives to pull out others from bomb wreckage, landed the trophy for best documentary short.

And the Oscar goes to pic.twitter.com/fPFCtTFYgl  The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 27, 2017

British director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara made the film.

Holding up their Oscar statuettes on their way to the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, they told the BBC that they were thrilled for The White Helmets, the heroes at the heart of our film.

Joanna Natasegara, left, and Orlando von Einsiedel

We feel like this honour has come from the Academy to them to honour their work. We really feel this award is recognising their work, Natasegara said.

The whole situation is bitter-sweet. We wish wed never had to make this film. We wish we didnt have to be here tonight with this award. But we do and so we are pleased that at least they get the recognition that they deserve.

While we follow the Oscars, the Syrian regime has launched chlorine gas attacks in Harasta, injuring civilians. #Oscar pic.twitter.com/ahNQFnbmzf  Khaled Khatib (@995Khaled) February 26, 2017

Von Einsiedel told BBC Breakfast: It feels humbling if Im honest. When we started this project the entire thing was to try and spread the word and magnify the voices of the White Helmets, the heroes at the heart of our film, and I feel that weve had the best platform to do that that we could have even imagined.

When "The White Helmets" was announced a winner of the academy award, our team in Ariha, Idleb was rescuing a child. And that's the real win https://t.co/BapxDiFuMS  The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) February 27, 2017

The win comes after a cinematographer on the Netflix documentary was barred from entering the US.

Syrian Khaled Khateeb, 21, was blocked from travelling to Los Angeles for the ceremony after US officials reported finding derogatory information against him, the Associated Press reported.

Congregation guys the OSCAR, I'm proud 2 be part of this team who make amazing film 2 tell story of our WH Hero's @fadikhateib @7assonRevo pic.twitter.com/99yHlSj5ht  Khaled Khatib (@995Khaled) February 27, 2017

On stage, director Von Einsiedel read a statement from The White Helmets founder Raed Saleh calling for an end to the bloodshed in Syria.

The statement said: Were so grateful that this film has highlighted our work to the world. Our organisation is guided by a verse from the Koran: To save one life is to save all of humanity.

We have saved more than 82,000 civilian lives. I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life, to stop the bloodshed in Syria and around the world.

SYRIA CIVIL DEFENCE STATEMENT ON THE WHITE HELMETS FILM WINNING THE OSCAR FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT https://t.co/HnyX4msUA0 pic.twitter.com/getz34im1k  The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) February 27, 2017

Its very easy for these guys to feel theyre forgotten. This wars been going on for six years. If everyone could just stand up and remind them that we all care, that this war ends as quickly as possible.

Their win came during a disappointing night for British talent, with Naomie Harris, Andrew Garfield and Dev Patel going home empty-handed. The Academy Awards were the worst results for Britain in at least 10 years.
Fiji centre Gaby Lovobalavu will join Wasps from Bayonne next season.

Former Toulon midfielder Lovobalavus arrival at the Ricoh Arena this summer will offset Alapati Leiuas move to Bristol and Scotland centre Nick De Lucas end-of-season retirement.

Were very pleased to have signed another player of Gabys quality, said Wasps rugby director Dai Young. Gabys comfortable playing 12 or 13, which will give us more options, particularly during the international period.

A general view of the Ricoh Arena

Delighted to announce today that @fijirugby centre @2vodo20 will join the club ahead of the 2017/18 campaign! https://t.co/O8KCAEfn9S pic.twitter.com/GaXAG8vz4x  Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) February 27, 2017

Hes got really explosive power onto the ball, as well as good pace and the agility and footwork to beat defenders. He carries really well and has huge physicality and dynamism in defence. We expect his physicality to really complement the pace we already have in our backline.

Wasps latest signing boasts 22 Fiji caps at the age of 31 and will add yet more pace and power to the Aviva Premiership leaders already talent-laden backline.

Lovobalavu admitted Wasps all-court attacking game proved central to his decision to make the switch from France.

I have really enjoyed my time with Bayonne and I am excited about the new challenge in England next season, said Lovobalavu. Wasps are a very ambitious club and I was attracted by the attacking rugby they play, which is a pleasure to watch.

I am excited by the chance to train in a world-class environment, with world-class players and Im looking forward to really challenging myself every day, taking myself out of my comfort zone.
A pensioner critically injured by a falling tree during Storm Doris has died in hospital.

The man, in his 80s, died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on Sunday, three days after the car he was travelling in was hit by a tree near Church Stretton in Shropshire.

The victim, who has not yet been named by police, was a front seat passenger in a Ford Focus car being driven by a 75-year-old man.

A car damaged by a tree during Storm Doris

Officers from West Mercia Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw the incident, which happened at about 9.30am on Thursday on the A49. At the time of the incident, West Midlands Ambulance Service said a large tree came to rest on the bonnet of the car.

An ambulance service spokesman said the wife of the man who has since died was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle and had not been injured.

The driver of the car suffered neck and chest pain and was assessed at the scene before being taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Brexit should be delayed if a trade deal cannot be struck by the end of the two-year negotiation process, business chiefs have said.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) also called for firms to be allowed freedom to continue recruiting skilled and low-skilled workers from the European Union after the UK has broken away from Brussels.

Today at #bccconf we publish our Business Brexit Priorities - outlining Chamber members priorities for negotiations https://t.co/wXy1pZbXup pic.twitter.com/BgLDJDMUWs  BCC (@britishchambers) February 28, 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to trigger Article 50 by the end of March and hopes to complete a trade deal alongside the agreement on the divorce from the EU.

Theresa May

The BCC said concluding both parts of the deal within the two years allowed by Article 50 would be the ideal outcome, but should this prove impossible, we should seek an extension to the negotiating period to enable completion of both agreements concurrently.

It comes after Sir John Major said the chance of no agreement being reached within the time limit is very high.

The former prime minister attacked Mrs May for leading the public to expect a future outside the European Union that is unreal and over-optimistic.

Meanwhile, the Government shot down the first challenge in the House of Lords against its plan to formally trigger the negotiations. Peers voted by 299 to 136 against an amendment to the Brexit Bill demanding the UK retains membership of the European single market.

The negotiations to come are so crucial to our nation's future: but parliament must be free to debate and comment and advise. - John Major  Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) February 27, 2017

Once we are out of the EU, our relationship with the US will change. - John Major #CHevents  Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) February 27, 2017

Until now, the world has seen the UK as a leader in Europe. Once we leave, that will no longer be so. - John Major #CHevents  Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) February 27, 2017

The bitter irony is, this 'divorce settlement' - the cost of leaving Europe - may involve paying out larger sums of money. - John Major  Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) February 27, 2017

A transitional deal, which has been spoken about as a possibility by politicians on both sides of the English Channel, is only desirable if completing both strands of the negotiations simultaneously proves impossible, the BCC said.

The chamber also called for an immigration system with minimal bureaucracy, costs or barriers after Brexit, with EU workers exempted from the Tier 2 visa system for skilled workers.

In a report published to coincide with the groups annual conference, which will be addressed by senior politicians including Business Secretary Greg Clark and shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the BCC warned that the Tier 2 system would be incapable of handling the volume of applications if EU workers were included in it after Brexit.

Greg Clark

Amid speculation about the regime ministers will impose to reduce net migration, the BCC said if workers from the EU were covered by restrictions, they should be simple and light-touch and allow businesses to hire staff at any skill level.

The report noted concerns in sectors such as agriculture and hospitality, which have relied on low-skilled workers from EU countries to fill vacancies.

The BCCs director general Adam Marshall said: Business communities across the UK want practical considerations, not ideology or politics, at the heart of the Governments approach to Brexit negotiations.

Whats debated in Westminster often isnt what matters for most businesses. Most firms care little about the exact process for triggering Article 50, but they care a lot about an unexpected VAT hit to their cash flow, sudden changes to regulation, the inability to recruit the right people for the job, or if their products are stopped by customs authorities at the border.

More sound words from John Major: Our Parliament is not a rubber stamp - and should not be treated as it if were.  Anna Soubry (@Anna_Soubry) February 27, 2017

Former business minister Anna Soubry, a leading supporter of the Open Britain campaign, said: If it proves impossible to agree a good free trade deal with Europe at the end of the Article 50 process, it is essential that we arrange a transitional deal that will maintain our current terms of trade and prevent the economy from going over a cliff edge.
By Catherine Ngai

NEW YORK, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Passive investment funds are poised to shift an estimated $2 billion from far-term to near-term crude futures over the next week, anticipating an energy market rally as a historic OPEC output cut slashes supply.

The switch may foreshadow the end of a global oil glut that built up during a two-year price war.

On Friday - for the first time in six years - a rule in one of the most popular commodity market indices was triggered, requiring funds tracking the index to sell Brent crude futures contracts for December and to buy contracts for June .

The S&P GSCI Enhanced Commodity Index rule aims to ensure that investors are positioned to cash in when oil market fundamentals change - in this case, when supply becomes so tight that the current price of oil becomes higher than the price of oil for delivery many months or years into the future. That structure is called backwardation.

When markets are oversupplied, the opposite is true: It is cheaper to buy crude now than to buy it for delivery later. That structure is called contango.

An S&P bulletin late Friday confirmed the rule had been triggered for Brent contracts. It stipulates that the funds must bring their money forward if the second and third month contract settles at a difference of less than 0.5 percent on the third to the last day of any given trading month.

On Friday, the Brent May contract price settled at $56.31 a barrel, while the June price settled at $56.55 a barrel. That would make the difference about 0.4 percent.

The threshold was not breached for West Texas Intermediate crude.

Investors will need to start the shift on March 1 and complete it over the next five business days, moving 20 percent of their money each day. Two traders with knowledge of the indices told Reuters that they estimated that rule impacts between 35,000 and 45,000 Brent contracts.

Each contract represents 1,000 barrels. So if those predictions prove true, about 40 million barrels - worth about $2 billion - will change hands.

"This is just another reason to be very bullish" about oil prices, said one trader involved with the deals, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

OPEC IMPACT

When the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC producers agreed in November to cut output, they wanted to stem a flood of supply that had left the contango so deep that traders found it profitable to buy crude and store it for sale later.

That dynamic pushed worldwide inventories to record levels and helped drive oil prices to multi-year lows.

OPEC's output cut, however, has tightened supply and narrowed contango, prompting traders from the United States to Asia to start selling oil from more expensive storage facilities because the contango is no longer enough for them to make a profit by holding oil.

If contango narrows further, tens of millions more barrels could flood out of storage.

That could put downward pressure on prices in the short term, but the move to unleash stored oil is viewed by analysts as a first step toward rebalancing global markets after a period of oversupply.

The fast flow of capital into front-month contracts will make it uneconomical for traders to store physical barrels, said Michael Tran, director of energy strategy at RBC Capital Markets.

"The unintended consequence" of the trading shift, he added, "is helping OPEC in its objective to draw barrels from storage."

It's not clear exactly how much money is managed by firms that benchmark off the indices, but exchange-traded funds linked to them, such as the iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust , have more than $1.1 billion in assets, according to ETF Securities LLC.

STORAGE PLAY THREATENED

Since the OPEC output cut, the spread between the front month and second month Brent contracts <LCOc1-LCOc2> has tightened to as little as 5 cents from 79 cents. June and December contracts <LCOM7-Z7> traded near parity on Friday.

To make money by holding crude, the spread between oil prices for future months needs to be wide enough to cover the cost of leasing tank space and borrowing the money to buy the fuel to fill it.

For the last two years, U.S. traders have rushed to that opportunity as those price spreads widened. Now, they may be forced to rush out of it.

"When there's a shortage, there's no value to storage. So, there's a premium put on having the oil right now," said Jodie Gunzberg, global head of commodities and real assets at S&P Dow Jones Indices. "That's where you want to be sitting up front in the near contract." (Reporting by Catherine Ngai, additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Simon Webb and Brian Thevenot)
By Fergus Jensen

Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc warned this week it could take the Indonesian government to arbitration and seek damages over a contractual dispute that has halted operations at the world's second-biggest copper mine.

Freeport's Grasberg mine holds more gold and copper reserves than any other in the world, but has frequently been a source of controversy over the revenue share Indonesia and Papua get from the mine and the impact of its tailings on local water systems.

Here are some facts on the Grasberg mine in Papua: GRASBERG MINE

Freeport-McMoRan began mining in Papua in 1967, the first company to sign for mineral resource rights under a foreign investment law put in place by former President Suharto. Open-pit copper and gold mining at Grasberg began in 1990.

Mining at the open pit, which is visible from space, is due to cease in late 2018, when underground mining will become the main source of copper ore.

An estimated 94 percent of the mine's remaining reserves are recoverable only underground. As of December 2015, Grasberg accounted for 28 percent of Freeport's total recoverable proven and probable copper reserves of 99.5 billion pounds.

In 2017, the mine is expected to account for 1.3 billion pounds of Freeport's global copper sales of 4.1 billion pounds. LABOUR AND SAFETY

Freeport employs more than 32,000 in Indonesia, including 12,000 employees and 20,000 contractors. Around 97 percent of its workers are Indonesian nationals, many of them Papuan.

The mine area suffers regular earthquakes, and torrential rainfall can trigger landslides. Its position on top of a mountain also means workers can suffer altitude sickness, and visibility is often poor due to thick mists.

At least partly because of these factors, safety at the mine has been a longstanding source of friction with unions. A tunnel collapse that killed 28 workers in 2013 raised worries about Freeport's plans to ramp up its underground mining operation.

Workers also staged a strike for three months in 2011, seeking a bigger slice of the revenue from record copper prices. SECURITY AND TAXES

Security at Grasberg has been volatile with pro-independence rebels in Papua waging a low-level conflict for decades. Analyst have also linked violence at or near the mine to conflicts between the police and military over security arrangements and related business ventures.

Between 2009 and 2015, shootings within the mine project area killed 20 and wounded 59. To protect workers and infrastructure, Freeport contributed $21 million toward government-provided security in 2015.

Freeport Indonesia is one of the largest taxpayers in Indonesia, with more than $16 billion paid to the government in royalties, taxes and dividends between 1992 and 2015.

The Freeport unit is currently in a dispute over $469 million in water taxes and penalties claimed by Papua province that date back to 2011.

The mine was at the centre of a scandal in 2015 after Indonesia's parliament speaker was accused of attempting to extort shares worth $1.8 billion from Freeport.

Setya Novanto denied the allegations but resigned amid the scandal in December 2015. He was reinstated in November last year after an investigation was dropped. ECONOMIC IMPACT

Freeport-McMoRan and Rio Tinto - which is entitled to a share of Grasberg output via a joint venture signed in 1995 - have been targeted by campaign groups over alleged human rights and environmental issues at Grasberg.

Rio Tinto has said it is considering exiting its interest in the mine, which has yielded no benefit for it since 2014, when exports were suspended for six months while Freeport negotiated mining and tax rules with Indonesia.

On Sept. 9, 2008 one of Rio Tinto's major shareholders, Norway's sovereign wealth fund, sold its entire $850 million stake in the company citing environmental damage at Grasberg.

Freeport was excluded by the Norwegian fund in June 2006 for the same reason. Sources: Reuters, FCX.com

(Reporting by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Tom Hogue)
On Monday, February 6, Moroccos agriculture minister, Aziz Akhannouch, released a statement warning that any obstacles to his countrys agriculture and fishing exports to Europe could renew the migration flows that Rabat has managed and maintained with sustained effort.

Africans outside the Ceuta migrant center on February 17th. Reduan (EFE)

A few hours later, he told Spains EFE news agency: How do you [Europe] expect us to do the work of blocking African and even Moroccan emigration if Europe doesnt want to work with us? Why should we continue acting as police and giving them [Africans in Morocco] work? He added: The immigration problem is very expensive for Morocco, and Europe should appreciate its true worth.

On the same day, at 7.40am, 18 African migrants made it over the fence from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Melilla. On Friday, February 17, 497 immigrants without papers managed to make their way around the border fence into Spains other Moroccan exclave, Ceuta. Three days after that, another group of 356 people got over the fence using cutters and other tools. In barely 72 hours, 853 people made it into Spanish territory, almost half the 1,771 that made it into Ceuta in 2016.

This is the result of complicity Europe has allowed Morocco to behave as it likes Mohamed Salem Salek, Foreign Minister of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

Spain says that Morocco is cooperating in maintaining the border: Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said in a radio interview on February 23 that Rabat was cooperating impeccably, adding he did not believe the authorities in Morocco were deliberately allowing the mass breakthroughs at the border.

Nicolas Fernandez, the Spanish governments delegate in Ceuta, told EL PAIS there is no evidence that there has been any change in collaboration, noting: On February 21, another 300 immigrants tried to enter and it was Moroccan forces that prevented it. Nevertheless, Aziz Akhannouchs threat was heard in Europe.

Spanish security forces have also corroborated the governments line to EL PAIS: It is impossible sometimes to prevent incursions. Sadly, they will continue to happen. But for the moment, Moroccos actions have been beyond reproach.

But Rafael Morante, of the Civil Guard unit that was on duty on the Spanish side of the border on the night of February 17, says he saw a group of immigrants running along the fence in the Sidi Ibrahim area. They passed by two Moroccan military camps and the gendarmes didnt come out. In less than two minutes, the group had cut through the fence. The eight soldiers responsible for the eight kilometers of fence that night could do nothing. Morocco has slowed down a lot, it is falling behind in terms of cooperation, adds Omar Mohamed, who is with the AUGC Civil Guard labor union.

Reduan Mohamed, migration spokesperson for the anti-austerity party Podemos in Ceuta, points to a number of factors to explain the spike in fence crossings, among them reduced visibility on the coast, and the fact that migrants are better organized and equipped to cut through the fence.

Maite Perez, who is with an NGO that works with migrants who have made it into Spanish territory, says that Morocco has relaxed, it is less aggressive. Her view is shared by Helena Maleno, a researcher specializing in migration who says migrants she has spoken to that made it over the wire on February 17, and in the following days, said they had encountered fewer obstacles on the Moroccan side than they expected.

Legal battle

The backdrop to the recent spikes in mass breakthroughs at the border are legal challenges to Rabats trade deals with the EU. A case is currently being heard at the Court of Justice of the European Union brought by the Polisario Front, which has been fighting Moroccos annexation of Western Sahara for almost four decades. Polisario challenges Moroccos right to exploit the natural resources of the area, which are part of a 2012 agreement between Brussels and Rabat.

The Polisario Front has also appealed against the EUs 2013 fisheries deal with Morocco, which runs until 2018.

Morocco understands the importance to Brussels of its cooperation not just in the area of immigration, but in the fight against Jihadist terrorism. Spain has repeatedly highlighted Rabats key role in this regard.

Morocco has slowed down a lot, it is falling behind in terms of cooperation Omar Mohamed, AIGC Civil Guard labor union

But Mohamed Salem Salek, the foreign minister of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the partially recognized state that controls a thin strip in Western Sahara and claims sovereignty over the entire territory, says that Rabat is blackmailing the EU.

It is absolutely impossible for a large group of people to gather near the bay in Ceuta or Melilla without the [Moroccan] gendarmes giving them the green light, he says by phone.

I understand that the Europeans are in a difficult situation. But this is the result of the policy of complicity Europe has allowed Morocco to behave as it likes. Europe wants stability in Morocco. And so do we. But Brussels has to know that it is us, along with Algeria and Mauritania, who are defending Europe against terrorism and illegal migration. Morocco is just the final stage.

English version by Nick Lyne.
By Alex Dobuzinskis

LOS ANGELES, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Iran's "The Salesman," a drama about honor and revenge in a modern marriage, won the Oscar on Sunday for best foreign language film.

The movie, directed by Tehran-based Asghar Farhadi, marked Iran's second Oscar victory, coming five years after Farhadi's drama "A Separation" won the nation's first Academy Award.

"The Salesman" was seen as one of the favorites in the foreign language category after winning prizes at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and its win follows the fallout over U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on foreign travelers.

Farhadi, and the film's lead actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, both said last month they would boycott the Oscars to protest Trump's ban on travel to the United States from seven majority Muslim nations, including Iran.

The ban was later overturned by U.S. courts but the administration is working on a new executive travel order.

Farhadi chose two Iranian-Americans -- a female engineer and a former NASA scientist -- to represent him at the Oscars ceremony.

Anousheh Ansari, an engineer who was the first female space tourist, read a statement on behalf of Farhadi.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.," Ansari said, in reading from Farhadi's statement.

"Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war."

"The Salesman" tells the story of a quiet married couple whose relationship is pushed to the brink after the wife is attacked while alone in their Tehran apartment, and the husband goes to extreme lengths to seek revenge.

At the same time, the couple is appearing in a local production of Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman," and elements of the work mirror their fraught lives. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Jill Serjeant and Sandra Maler)
BRATISLAVA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Slovak Republic: GMT + 1 hour) =========================ECONOMIC DATA======================== Real-time economic data releases.................. Summary of economic data and forecasts......... Recently released economic data................ Previous stories on Slovak data.......... **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: http://emea1.apps.cp.thomsonreuters.com/Apps/CountryWeb/#/1C/events-overview ===========================NEWS================================= CONSTRUCTION: Strabag has won a construction contract for 96 million euros ($101.51 million) with a state-owned company MH Invest to build an industrial park in Nitra, western Slovakia, the future site of Jaguar Land Rover plant. Story: Related stories: For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX Main currency report TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets News editor of the day: Jan Lopatka on +420 224 190 474 E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
By Marton Dunai

BUDAPEST, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Hungary has begun building a second line of fence along its southern border with Serbia, a government spokesman said on Monday, a move likely to exacerbate criticism from some of the country's European Union partners.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing government considers migration to be one of the largest threats to the status quo in the EU. But officials in Brussels and some other EU centres are distressed by some of his go-it-alone policies.

A European Parliament committee, for example, was due on Monday to discuss the state of fundamental rights in Hungary. Orban was also a rare EU leader to endorse U.S. President Donald Trump, who is seeking to built a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

A barbed-wire fence is already in place, erected in 2015, when Hungary was part of the main overland route for hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees, many fleeing the war in Syria.

It effectively blocked that route to Germany, where many were heading, but Hungary has said a second fence would make the barrier more effective and hold back migrants while processing their asylum requests.

Although the pressure on the border is far from the peak of the 2015 crisis, border patrols still prevent hundreds of illegal border crossings per day and escort back dozens of migrants who manage to break through, the government says.

Poles for the second fence are already standing near the border station Kelebia, and construction materials have also been shipped to the border elsewhere.

Orban's chief of staff, Janos Lazar, last week said the government had earmarked 38 billion forints ($130 million) for the fence and containment camps to hold migrants.

He said the second border fence, which will extend only to the Hungary-Serbia border for now, would be built as soon as the weather permitted and would be standing by the end of spring.

Rights groups Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch on Friday sent a complaint to EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos about current practices and proposed legal changes.

"The European Commission should not stand by while Hungary makes a mockery of the right to seek asylum," Human Rights Watch deputy director Benjamin Ward said.

"Using transit zones as detention centres and forcing asylum seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian side of the razor-wire fence is abusive, pointless, and cruel."

The Hungarian government's practice of allowing only 10 people in per day also creates a dangerous bottleneck along the Hungary-Serbia border in sometimes inhumane conditions, the rights groups added.

The government rejected that in an emailed reply to Reuters.

"Human Rights Watch... again tries to denigrate those serving at the border," it said. "Hungary was among the first to honour the EU's rules, protects the Schengen borders, stops, registers and separates refugees from economic migrants." ($1 = 291.4700 forints) (Reporting by Marton Dunai)
By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - South Korea called on Monday for major powers to criminally pursue North Korea's leadership before its "ever-worsening" human rights record including mass executions and forced labour threatened world peace.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, in a speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council, condemned the "assassination" of Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of North Korean's leader, two weeks ago in Malaysia by agents using VX nerve agent.

Malaysian authorities have identified eight North Korean nationals, including one diplomat, as suspects or as wanted for questioning, he said.

North Korea has not acknowledged the victim was Kim Jong Nam, but last week blamed Malaysia for the death of one of its citizens there, accusing it of an "unfriendly attitude" in a scenario drawn up by South Korea.

Yun told the 47-member forum in Geneva that several hundred high-level officials had been "openly or extrajudicially executed in North Korea not to mention the countless ordinary people."

It was no wonder increasing numbers of North Koreans had defected. "We all know who is ultimately responsible for the abuses and crimes," he added without elaborating.

Quoting U.N. reports, Yun said that up to 120,000 people were imprisoned in North Korean prison camps. "Indeed, the whole country has turned into a massive gulag with unrelenting surveillance," he said.

An aggravation of the human rights situation would threaten the peace and security of the international community. "We should act individually and collectively before the violation of human rights leads to a much bigger calamity," Yun said.

"... It is high time to end impunity for human rights violators including (North Korea's) ...leadership" and hold them accountable at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

There was no immediate reaction to Yun's comments from the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) or its main ally China. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by John Stonestreet)
By Mathieu Rosemain

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 27 (Reuters) - French telecoms network operator Orange will continue to see slow growth in revenues in the Middle East and Africa this year, its regional business chief said.

The company sees the region as key to its future, especially since it sold its mobile operations in Britain and Switzerland, but is struggling to turn it into a strong growth driver as talks with a potential partner in Iran drag on and economic conditions in some African markets remain challenging.

Orange's revenue growth in the region halved to 2.6 percent last year, a performance that was deemed disappointing by several industry analysts after the operator published its full-year earnings last week.

Bruno Mettling, Orange's deputy CEO and head of operations for the region, indicated growth this year in the Middle East and Africa, where the company is present in 21 national markets, is unlikely to be much higher.

"In 2017, we think that we'll have a growth that is at least identical, or even higher," he said in an interview at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday.

The former French monopoly should also add to its 120 million customers in the region, he said.

Orange's revenue and profitability in the region suffered last year from the devaluation of the pound in Egypt, where it has more clients than in France.

They were also hit by the Democratic Republic of Congo's decision to ask for identification of the country's mobile customers, which led to a decrease in the number of SIM cards.

Talks with Iran's largest mobile operator, Mobile Telecommunication Company of Iran (MCI), meanwhile are "very far" from reaching a final agreement, Mettling said.

The discussions, which were revealed last year, first aim at a commercial agreement.

"It's very long, it's very slow, it's very complicated," Mettling said.

Orange plans to consolidate its Tunisian operations for the first time in its accounts this year, after taking a controlling stake of Orange Tunisia, in which it currently holds a 49 percent stake, Mettling said.

It also aims to partner with Vivendi's pay-TV unit Canal Plus to develop digital terrestrial television in several sub-Saharan countries, after the two groups were pre-selected in a tender in Ivory Coast. ($1 = 0.9432 euros) (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Georgina Prodhan and Susan Fenton)
There's no denying that driverless cars are going to be a thing of the future. But in London, they've already arrived.

That's because Nissan began testing autonomous driving technology for the first time in Europe on Monday, using routes in East London to trial the performance of a Leaf electric car kitted out with cameras and radars deigned to help it negotiate traffic and roundabouts.

The Japanese carmaker confirmed it had liaised with Transport for London and the police ahead of the trials, supplying details of its route and the rules it would follow, and was advised to keep a full log that it would share in the event of an incident.

Driverless development around Docklands: Nissan confirmed it has began testing a driverless Nissan Leaf for the first time in Europe in East London on Monday

Testing is being conducted near the ExCel exhibition centre and London City Airport around the Docklands area, images revealed.

Nissan confirmed it would be using London's taxing local streets to test driverless systems, with pictures showing that the route consisted of sections of the A1020 dual carriageway.

It is understood that the Japanese brand is using the road to experiment with single-lane autonomous tech designed for motorway use.

The Leaf is restricted to travelling at speeds of 50mph and is switched from conventional to self-driving mode at the touch of the button by one of Nissan's test drivers.

The system uses nearly two dozen cameras, radars and lasers - all of which are fitted on the top and around the side of vehicle to guide its path, making it an easy vehicle to spot if you're out and about in the area.

It also recently announced changes to allow for a single insurance policy to cover motorists driving conventionally and in autonomous mode, as it tries to get regulations in place to encourage the uptake of driverless cars from 2020.

The electric car is equipped with two dozen cameras, radars and lasers to help it negotiate London traffic

Official images released by Nissan revealed that the test route includes the A1020 dual carriageway

The car is being used on multi-lane roads to develop a single-lane autonomous feature for use on motorways

Britain has been wooing developers of autonomous vehicles, hoping to grab a slice of an industry it estimates could be worth 900 billion ($1.1 trillion) worldwide by 2025.

The UK's flexible approach to testing autonomous vehicles helped Nissan pick London for its first European tests, Maarten Sierhuis, the director of its research centre in Silicon Valley, told Reuters in an interview.

'It's not everywhere in Europe that we can go and drive on the road,' Sierhuis said.

'You don't want to go to the most difficult parts of London when you start. The system has to be tested.'

The car is capable of travelling at a maximum speed of 50mph in autonomous mode and can be switched back to conventional driving at the push of a button

Drivers in East London should easily be able to spot the left-hand drive Leaf

Both TfL and the police had to sign off the designated route used by the Nissan test car

Nissan's trial means the UK is already becoming a major test bed for a self-driving future.

A driverless car took to Britain's streets for the first time in the southern English town of Milton Keynes in October last year but travelled at much slower speeds.

Global automakers are racing to catch up with the likes of Google and Tesla which have carried out several autopilot and self-driving tests in recent months in the United States and elsewhere.

Nissan's selection of pictures showed that the car is being trialed on London routes with up to three lanes

The East London route drives near to the ExCel exhibition centre and London City Airport

Britain's flexible approach to autonomous cars was one of the main reasons Nissan selected London as a European test bed

Jaguar Land Rover is planning to test around 100 autonomous and internet-connected cars in Britain by 2020, while Volvo is also planning a test soon in London.

Nissan, which has already tested the self-driving Leaf in Tokyo and Silicon Valley, hopes to carry out similar trials in other European cities soon after this week's London trials.

'We're thinking of testing in the Netherlands and Paris. It's not easy to go and test everywhere because we need to create maps, we need to get approval from the regulators and then it is expensive to set up a test,' Sierhuis added.

Volvo's City Safety system now has an automatic steering update that turns the car away from an imminent impact if calculates it won't be able to stop in time to avoid a collision

Volvo to launch self steering safety system

Nissan plans to have semi-autonomous features available on the forthcoming Qashqai SUV that will go on sale later this year, but Volvo intends to have driverless tech on the road before then.

The Swedish carmaker said the new XC60 SUV - which will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next week - will have three new driver-assistance features including an automatic steering system developed to avoid collisions.

It's a new addition to Volvo's existing City Safety system, which only engages if an impact in imminent and the automatic braking system can't do enough to avoid the smash.

'We have been working with collision-avoidance systems for many years and we can see how effective they are,' Malin Ekholm, senior director at Volvo Cars Safety Centre said.

'With the XC60 we are determined to take the next step in reducing avoidable collisions, with the addition of steering support and assistance systems.'

The new addition will allow the car to provide steering assistance to avoid collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and large animals when travelling at speeds of between 31 and 62mph.
By Alissa de Carbonnel

BRUSSELS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Plans to ease Ireland's near total dependence on energy imports via Britain have shot to the top of the agenda, the nation's energy minister said on Monday, as it grapples with the risk of how Brexit could alter ties with its key partner.

Two projects long in the planning - a power cable to France, built by French grid operator RTE and Ireland's EirGrid, and a liquefied natural gas terminal - are newly being prioritised, minister Denis Naughten told Reuters.

"It has become a bigger priority for everyone on foot of Brexit ... because we are so dependent on imports of energy, we need to have options available to us," Naughten said following a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels.

Although Naughten said neither project was short of financing, he acknowledged they had been slowed by a lack of clarity and disputes over costing for connecting to the distribution network - issues he said were now being tackled.

"We are in a very different era now post Brexit and because of that the issues that hadn't been looked at in the past are being revisited," Naughten told Reuters.

With an economy highly dependent on trade with Britain, and the only land border with the UK, Ireland is widely considered the country with the most to lose when its bigger neighbour quits the European Union.

All the energy links supplying 88 percent of Ireland's energy needs feed from Britain.

One of the biggest fears is that Brexit could split Ireland's single electricity market.

While Naughten dismissed concerns over the single electricity market, he said the importance of deft management of the impact of Brexit on Ireland's energy security should not be taken lightly.

"I don't see an impact of Brexit on the single electricity market," he said, adding the British, Irish and Northern Irish governments had all committed to maintaining it.

"It is important for people to remember: The Berlin wall is gone; we still have walls," he added. "And the only way that we can provide long-term peace in northern Ireland is to have economic stability, and energy is a key part of that." (Reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel, editing by David Evans)
By Nashat Hamdy and Mahmoud Mourad

CAIRO, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Egypt's parliament on Monday kicked out a prominent legislator with a reputation for being critical of the government because he allegedly "belittled" the assembly in correspondence with foreign organisations.

Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, the nephew of late President Anwar al-Sadat, was also accused of forging lawmaker' signatures on a draft bill. He denies the accusation.

Speaker Ali Abdelaal said 468 members out of the chamber's 596 members voted to unseat Sadat and that there would be a by-election for his seat in the Nile Delta province of Monofiya. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's supporters dominate the legislature.

Sadat had chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights until he resigned in August citing parliament's failing to address citizens' complaints of abuse.

In a statement on Monday he said the allegations against him were false.

"I answered the accusations with documents and demanded they be investigated by the judiciary," he said in a statement.

Sadat was an outspoken critic of Egypt's human rights record and called for the release of hundreds of activists during anti-government protests.

A report by the House Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Affairs had found Sadat sent several statements in English to foreign entities including the Inter-Parliamentary Union that discussed the Egyptian parliament's inner workings which could "belittle the stature of the House and its image".

The committee recommended his removal from office.

Sadat said his messages were press statements that he sent to journalists and others.

"These are my public political opinions so if you put me on trial for them then I welcome your verdict," he said.

Last month, Sadat criticised parliament's leaders, alleging that the speaker and his two deputies had received three armoured cars worth 18 million Egyptian pounds (over $1 million) at a time of economic hardship for millions of Egyptians.

This is not the first time Sadat has lost his parliamentary seat. His peers also expelled him in 2007 after he declared bankruptcy. At the time he opposed President Hosni Mubarak, his uncle's successor and one-time vice president. Mubarak was ousted in a 2011 mass uprising.

"It's not the end of the world," Sadat told journalists as he left parliament on Monday. (Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; editing by Richard Lough)
By Pap Saine

BANJUL, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Gambian President Adama Barrow has replaced the head of the military, a pillar of his predecessor Yahya Jammeh's repressive government, and dismissed a number of senior military officers, officials said on Monday.

The director of the prisons system was also arrested, as were nine men suspected of being members of Jammeh's alleged death squads, known as the Jungulars.

The moves were the latest in a series of arrests and personnel changes under Barrow, who is seeking to assert control following the end of Jammeh's 22-year rule. The former president fled into exile last month after refusing to accept his election defeat.

Jammeh was himself an army officer, seizing power in a coup in 1994, and he leaned heavily on the military to bolster his grip on the country, a popular destination with European tourists.

General Ousman Badjie, the defence chief of staff, was removed along with 10 other senior officers, including the directors of operations and intelligence, army spokesman Lieutenant Kemo Kanuteh said.

Badjie's loyalty appeared to vacillate between Jammeh and Barrow in the wake of the Dec. 1 election.

He finally publicly recognised Barrow as commander-in-chief last month as a regional intervention force closed in on the capital Banjul to remove Jammeh, stating he would welcome the force "with flowers and make them a cup of tea".

Badjie will be replaced by Barrow's military advisor Massaneh Kinteh, who was also a defence chief of staff under Jammeh.

About 20 army officers, including those suspected of involvement in a failed 2014 coup against Jammeh, were reinstated, Kanuteh said.

Since assuming office with the support of regional neighbours, Barrow has been quick to follow through on promises to end years of stifling limits on individual freedoms and rights.

While some have pointed to the potential risks of attacking entrenched figures in the intelligence and security apparatus, the president has in recent days moved to satisfy popular calls for justice.

David Colley, the director of the prison system, who was sacked over the weekend, was arrested late on Monday, police public relations officer Foday Conta said.

Gambia's prisons and jails, including the notorious Mile 2 Central Prison in Banjul, were where human rights groups say Jammeh's perceived opponents were tortured and in some cases died. Another former prisons director was arrested last month.

Conta said four suspected Jungulars, who Jammeh's opponents accuse of murder and forced disappearances of opposition figures, were being held by the police. Another five had been arrested by the military police, he said.

Jammeh's head of the National Intelligence Agency and several others were charged with the murder of an opposition youth leader last week. (Additional reporting by Lamin Jahateh; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Angus MacSwan and James Dalgleish)
Sri Lanka Global Forum, an umbrella organization of Sri Lankans domiciled abroad, says it will work hard for the preservation of the unitary status of the country. In an interview with Daily Mirror , its Sri Lanka coordinator Nuwan Ballanthudawa said his organizations would send a delegation to Geneva to lobby against any plan to victimize the security forces that ended the war on terror. Excerpts:

What made you to form Sri Lanka Global Forum?

Sri Lanka Global Forum is an umbrella organization of the patriotic organizations operating all different countries. We have member organizations in Australia, New Zeeland, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Switzerland. Recently, Japan and South Korea also joined us. Those associations remained in these countries for a long time. They were working and campaigning for Sri Lanka. That is to protect the unitary status. They also had a huge struggle against the LTTE propaganda against Sri Lanka from early 1980s. After the election of the new government in 2015, we knew it was installed with the support of pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora, the US and India. So, we decided to come together rather than working individually. Sri Lanka Global Forum is a new organization, but the members have been working for the same objective for a long time.

The main objective is to protect the unitary status and to defend the security forces which fought for this country.



As Sri Lankans domiciled abroad, how did you feel such a threat after the election?

We realized that this government was supported by the Tamil Diaspora, the US and other countries. Once, MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne told at a Tamil Diaspora meeting in London that a new Constitution would be unrealistic as long as Mahinda Rajapaksa remained in presidency. The whole objective of regime change is to introduce a new constitution. Going by the actions taken by the government right now, specially according to the committee reports published by the Constitutional Assembly it is not committed to protect the unitary status or to defend the security forces. In fact the reports expressly propose to do away with the unitary system which they consider as an impediment to the provincial councils. During the last couple of years, they have not taken any action to uphold the unitary status or to defend the military.



In your view, what is the responsibility of expatriate Sri Lankan community at this hour?

You know the government secured power with the promise to introduce democratic norms and good governance. It is not the right thing that they are doing at the moment. You have to educate the international leaders about it. Democracy is not implemented despite their pious pronouncements. I met a couple of representatives of the executive committee of the UK Parliament. I told them that the local authorities election has not been conducted for two years now. They were surprised. They said almost all their parliamentarians started their political career at local authorities level. They were here for a training programme. They asked how can you run a country without the local authorities functioning. That is the building block of democracy. Not only that, the Joint Opposition has been denied the role of the main opposition in Parliament despite it having 51 members. We wrote to the Ministers and the local authorities in other countries during the last two months about the deterioration of democracy under the current government. We are now informing the international community about it. Current government is in an unprecedented political conflict of interest. President Sirisena is commanding the party that rejected him with 5.8 million votes. If it is the democracy, he should either bow to the mandate of those 5.8 million or must remain with the UNP coalition.



Some say the concepts of good governance or democratic norms work marvelously in the western countries. As a person living in such a country, how do you see the applicability of such concepts here?

If you look at the international media, you find them as good marketable concepts. Here, for them, these have become marketable slogans.

These rulers used such concepts for politically marketable purposes during the election time. They are not genuinely interested in implementing such concepts in the real context.

Even the ministerial posts were given to those having their names tainted over corruption allegations. We tell the people that these politicians are not really for good governance. They use this as a marketing slogan. If the government is committed to good governance, why didnt Arjuna Mahendran appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID)? The PM is the head of the Cabinet Steering Committee that has the power to refer the matters to FCID.

GTF is a political front advocating separatism

Good governance is only a marketing slogan for Govt.

It is not committed to real democratic values

13th Amendment is also too much

Will lead a delegation to Geneva to campaign for Sri Lanka



How organized is the Sri Lankan community living outside the country?

Actually, we were organized. We have come together. We even organized a demonstration in Perth during PM Ranil Wickremesinghes visit. The GSLF is a legally registered entity in Italy under EU law. We have established a strong branch network in above countries.



Now, your forum is seen as an outfit formed by the Sinhalese only. How do you accommodate others?

We have a great support from Tamils living in Europe. We are communicating with them. For the next session of the UNHRC, we are going to Geneva with a team of experts. We will have some Tamils. We have a strong Tamil voice against the LTTE in Europe. I had a discussion with them. I asked them whether they felt any discrimination in Sri Lanka. They do not demand for a separate State. They want a Sri Lankan government protecting the Tamils minorities and its rights. Nothing other than that.



Is yours an organization to counter the Global Tamil Forum?

It is just a front organization of the separatist movement. Apart from this, they have Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, Canadian Tamil Forum etc. These are front organizations of the LTTE. The LTTE only operated on the ground with a military wing. All the others are political wings espousing the same ideology.



However, the government views the Global Tamil Forum as a moderate outfit. How do you respond?

How can one say it is moderate as long as they do not accept reality which is a historical truth about this country? All what they do is using different methods to achieve the same final objective.

What they want is a separate state at the end. Up to the period of Appapillai Amirthalingam, they tried to get it through political means. Then, they understood it is impossible. Then, they allowed the LTTE to take up arms and go on a killing spree. They know they cannot achieve the goals by violent means. GTF is a political movement advocating separatism. Only the approach is different.



The government talks about multiculturalism and reconciliation. They cite examples from the west to promote these ideas. How do you see it?

I have been in Australia for ten years. The multiculturalism they have is integration. In that country, others are allowed to exercise their identity to a certain extent. You can go to a Buddhist temple, Hindu Kovil or whatever. One cannot ask for a separate state. Here, we have everything. So far, in the Australian Parliament, they have only one member representing the

Aboriginal community.

That community is the original owner of the Australian land. Only in 1969, Australia recognized Aboriginals as citizens. What happened in Sri Lanka? We have a different situation? Our Chief Justice is a Tamil. We have no any bar. In Wellawatta, you find so many Hindu temples. We do not have any discrimination.



Are you trying to say that the Sri Lankan system is unique?

Yes. What we say is that we are not asking any minority to leave the country. We do not deny their right to live here. What we are saying is Sri Lanka is a predominantly a Sinhala-Buddhist country. In history, when the country was threatened, it was the Sinhalese who defended it. Others may have contributed to it. Only the Sinhala Buddhists took the leadership to it. They introduced an amazing irrigation system. A land becomes a country with the irrigation culture. We are the people who created this civilization.



How do you look at the current Constitution making process?

Actually, I had some close involvement with the process. I attended the deliberations of one of these committees. What is happening is not what President Maithripala Sirisena had promised. He said he would go for reforms in consistent with the current Constitution only. It means he did not want to go for reforms warranting a referendum. That is mentioned in his election manifesto. Later, resolution was brought to Parliament to establish the Constitutional Assembly. In that, the PM, who moved it, said the new Constitution would be approved by people at a referendum. It is contradictory to the election pledge. The President got a bulk of his votes from the north and the east. Even those people have given a mandate to the manifesto. He clearly said he would not go for a referendum in the manifesto. The Presidential Election is not the right platform to seek such a mandate. It is meant to elect a person to exercise executive powers. He himself cannot abolish the system. He should refer it to Parliament for abolition. At the 2015 parliamentary election, none of the parties got a mandate to form even a simple majority. To amend the constitution, you need two-thirds. It means it needs wider agreement among the public. The public agreement has to be reflected at the general election. But, not even half of Parliament was elected to go for referendum. Though the government is democratic, it clearly violates the democratic principles. They assume a mandate not given to them. If the President wants a unitary State, in fact, he should go even lower than powers devolved under the 13th Amendment. Even the 13th Amendment is too much.



Do you believe in the decentralization of administrative powers?

When it comes to decentralization, this is the delegation of administrative power. When it comes to a Federal state, it involves the devolution of executive, legislative and judicial power. In decentralization, you do not vest these powers with another entity.



There is a lot of talk about the move to set up a judicial mechanism to hear war crime charges. How strong are you to lobby against the Tamil Diaspora pressing for such charges?

That is what we are going to do in Geneva. There is the UNHRC and other bodies formed under the UN charter. The UN should exist. The states are the members of it. The article II of the UN charter says all the countries have their rights to defend their territorial integrity. The UN Security Council should not intervene in the internal or domestic affairs of a country. The LTTE fought for a separate state. We have every right to counter it. It is the Sri Lanka Army that saved the lives of Tamil people held hostage by the LTTE. It is the Sri Lankan government that even fed the LTTE cadres. We have acted according to the norms in fighting the war.



However, the LTTE was able to establish misconceptions in the western world through their propaganda activities. Why did you fail?

We failed for two reasons. One is on the part of the government concerned. If they had told the world properly that there is no discrimination, the LTTE would not have been able to plant these misconceptions. By remaining in silence, we gave them space. In that context, our association is very important. In Australia, we fought it bravely. In the UK, they did it. Our diaspora is different from the LTTE diaspora. They are involved in peoples smuggling, drugs smuggling etc. Our members earn only through legal means.



How involved are you with the activities of the Joint Opposition?

We are in contact with them. When it comes to a common objective, we are together. In the Constitution making process, we believe that it is illegal. It is against the mandate. We want the JO to come out of the process.

It is insisting that it has to be in the process to know what is transpiring. Not only JO, we can cooperate with any other organization that stands by the unitary State.

The GSLF, as a part of a national movement, endures to work for the countrys unity and peace and vow to continue towards that endless struggle.
The Spanish Justice Ministry has waived the Spanish language and culture examination requirement for Sephardic Jews over 70 years of age who are applying for citizenship. The decision builds on a law that went into effect in October 2015 offering nationality to people who can prove their ancient Spanish origins.

Sephardic Jew Marco Macias at a Spanish citizenship ceremony. A. S.

The initiative seeks to offer historical redress to the descendants of the Jewish community that was expelled from Spain in 1492.

Since the law went into effect, 4,919 Sephardic Jews have obtained Spanish nationality, although only 387 have done so on the basis of this law. The government granted nationality on a discretionary basis to the rest, because they had already sent in their applications prior to this date.

Applicants countries of origin paint a clear picture of the Sephardic diaspora

Karen Gerson Sharon, who coordinates the Sephardic Center of Istanbul, in Turkey, says she is very happy that the examination requirement has been waived for older applicants. But she wishes the age limit had been set at 65 years of age instead.

We are not a very young community, she notes, adding that older members have eyesight and hearing problems that make it difficult for them to pass tests.

There are around 15,000 Sephardic Jews in Turkey, of whom 3,000 have already secured a Spanish identity card through different citizenship application procedures from those set out in the special law of 2015.

The requirements of the 2015 law include a Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge about Spain examination, known as CCSE. This, along with the Spanish language test, constitutes the biggest hurdle for Sephardic Jews wishing to apply for citizenship through this channel.

Beatriz Chevalier, head of the Center for Sephardic Memory in Granada. M. Zarza

Besides having to study in their spare time, this community finds that the 15th-century version of Spanish that they still preserve, known as Ladino or Haketia, has little to do with the grammar and spelling of modern Spanish.

Karen Gerson Sharon explains that the children of a friend of hers have applied for Portuguese nationality, because no exams are required there. And the father of another friend will never fulfill his dream of obtaining Spanish nationality because he is 84 and not in good enough health to travel to Spain and do the paperwork at a notary public.

The Justice Ministry says that there will soon be a rise in citizenship awarded through the law because 1,897 people have recently taken the DELE Spanish language examination (which is not a requirement for applicants from Spanish-speaking countries) and 6,127 have sat the CCSE test. Both are administered at the network of Cervantes Institutes that Spain maintains across the world.

Applicants countries of origin paint a clear picture of the Sephardic diaspora: there are applications from over 100 countries, but those which are most represented include 12 Ibero-American nations, Morocco, Israel, Turkey, the United States and Pakistan.

English version by Susana Urra.
With the commencement of the UNHRC session featuring Sri Lankas case among others, Suren Sirendiran, the spokesperson for Global Tamil Forum, a leading Tamil Diaspora Organisation, articulates the implementation of its resolution, action regarding alleged war crimes and the way forward. The interview conducted by email:

Ahead of the UNHRC session, how do you analyze the progress made by the government in addressing your aspirations?

Progress is dead slow and minimal.

It is now obvious that Sri Lanka wouldnt have made any significant progress by March 2017 in implementing the UNHRC resolution that it co-sponsored. Therefore, it is inevitable that Sri Lanka will request an extension to the timeline. It will only be conceivable that the member states will agree to extend, through a new rollover resolution.

Status of implementation of the Resolution A/HRC/30/L.29 by the Government of Sri Lanka will still be work in progress. Therefore, until full implementation of the resolution, somehow Sri Lanka must remain in focus for the Human Rights Council. If that formal focus and monitoring can only be delivered via another resolution, then that is what should happen.

As the co-sponsor of the resolution and the responsible government to implement the resolution on behalf of its people, one would hope that Government of Sri Lanka would bring a resolution to extend the timeline without renegotiating the content of the resolution. I am sure that will be supported by majority of the member states.

It is pertinent to be reminded of the Foreign Ministers speech in September 2015 at the UNHRC, where he said and I quote Dont judge us by the broken promises, experiences and U-turns of the past. My plea to you Ladies and Gentlemen, is trust us and join us to work together and create the momentum required to move forward and take progressive, meaningful and transformative steps to create a new Sri Lanka.

One of the reasons Government of Sri Lanka may suggest for the lack of progress is the political reality in the country. Blaming and making the Rajapaksa Demon as one of the reasons for the lack of progress is by and large a false pretence. The so called joint opposition has just over 50 in a 225 Members Parliament. In reality, the joint opposition hasnt demonstrated in any significant manner as a threat in any form to the current regime, so far.

We were encouraged when Government of Sri Lanka co-sponsored the UNHRC resolution in Oct 2015, which recognised terrible crimes committed by both parties during the armed conflict  was a turning point for human rights in Sri Lanka. We welcomed the less triumphalist approach adopted during the end of war anniversary on May 18th. We also welcomed the much improved cooperation with UN agencies on human rights mechanisms, and the initiatives taken towards setting up the Office of the Missing Persons  though legislation was passed in the parliament in August 2016, only a few weeks ago it was finally gazetted, nearly five months after. The action of gazetting allows implementation.



Global Tamil Forum (GTF) also formally welcomed the recommendations of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) released on January 3, 2017.

However, there has been very little visible progress being made on the accountability mechanism. GTF is also disappointed at the governments insufficient efforts in embracing the critically important transitional justice mechanisms, which in our view, should be embedded in the constitutional reform process to permanently end the culture of impunity and to promote genuine reconciliation. A wide range of institutional reforms including the much needed security sector reform, strengthening of the witness protection legislation which at present falls far short of what is required, and genuine consultations with victims and their families in every step of the process to get to truth and justice are vitally important measures ought to be undertaken by the government without further delay. Several of the crimes alleged to have been committed by both sides amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. These are not recognised as crimes in the current judicial system. Legislations have to be passed by the Parliament to recognise these as crimes. These havent even begun.

Very little or no discourse has begun on reparation.



How hopeful are you that the constitution making process would be a success?

The success of implementing a new constitution is the only hope for a successful and peaceful Sri Lanka for our next generations. The current political environment with a unity government with leaders of moderate views in power and a very reasonable Tamil opposition in parliament with people overwhelmingly rejecting extremism from both communities in the last two major elections is probably the best time in the history of Sri Lanka to achieve success in implementing a new constitution. Therefore, we are very hopeful.



There is a lot of objection here to the proposed judicial mechanism with the participation of foreign judges to hear accountability issues? What is your stand?

President Maithripala Sirisena publicly states that there wont be any international judges in the judicial mechanism to address accountability for the alleged crimes. Recently in a speech in Maharagama, the President said that in his speech at the UN General Assembly he has stated this very clearly and the international community has now accepted that there wont be any international Judges.

Even the Prime Minister said in an interview to an Indian media outlet that there wont be any international Judges. We have serious concerns over this. The lack of political will and courage demonstrated by the Sinhala leaders including the President and the PM to engage in discourse among the Sinhala people for the need to establish the truth of what happened and the importance of accountability for the wrongs that were done against another community of their own citizens, is a serious impediment we believe, to deliver justice to the victims.

The mixed messages relayed to key stakeholders including the victims, military, other citizens of Sri Lanka and international community by senior state officials including the President, PM and Foreign Minister reflect that there is no cohesive and coordinated government policy as yet on this important international commitment.

UNHRC resolution should not be altered

GTF helped in regime change of Sri Lanka

International pressure is a sin-quo-non to get justice for victims

Concerned over rejection of foreign judges by President, PM

GTF disappointed the way MS Govt. handled N/E issues



Until there are concerted efforts taken to make understand and accept by Sinhala civil society, Sinhala media and Buddhist clergy that there were gross violations of local and international human rights and humanitarian laws by the military but not by the entire military, during and after the end of war, there can only be marginal perceived successes, in the government implementation of the transitional justice program.

As I said above, by co-sponsoring the resolution the President and his government have committed to all its conditions as stipulated.

Just to remind once again, the resolution 30/1 states and I quote again affirms that a credible justice process should include independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions led by individuals known for their integrity and impartiality; and also affirms in this regard the importance of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, including the special counsels office, of Commonwealth and other foreign Judges, defence lawyers and authorized prosecutors and investigators

A credible and impartial judicial process is so fundamental to come to terms with our violent past that is littered with not only the crimes committed against the members of each community, but also on their behalf.

Recommendations of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) released on January 3, 2017 also very clearly states that foreign participation is required as those who suffered during the conflict had no faith in local judiciary which lacked expertise to undertake such task very much resonates with the victims of the Tamil community.

This is a long-standing view that is further reinforced with the recent verdict on the murder case of former Tamil Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj.

GTF shared its deep dismay by the statements of two responsible ministers in the unity government denouncing the recommendations of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) calling for foreign participation in the judicial mechanisms.



There are talks about the resurgence of LTTE terrorism. One TNA MP has also received death threats. How is it possible for the LTTE to raise its head again?

When asking this question one must remember the history of what really happened to the Tamil people of Sri Lanka since independence and how and why an armed struggle began!



Listed below are a recapture of a few of the circumstances that prevailed prior to an armed struggle that was initiated by the Tamil youth:

Almost a million Tamils of Indian origin were disenfranchised within an year of independence

Sinhala only as the official language was introduced

Several (e.g. 1956, 58, 77, 83 to list a few) State-sponsored pogroms which killed thousands of Tamils and burnt down their assets

State-sponsored colonisation of Tamil land with Sinhala people with an intention to force change the demography of land which historically is the habitat of Tamils

Several of the protections of minority communities rights that were enshrined in the Soulbury Constitution were abrogated

The oldest public library in Asia was burnt down by the army with government sponsorship

Several legislations were passed in the parliament discriminating minorities, particularly targeting Tamils who were performing better than the majority community in education, civil service, industry etc.

Many of the attempted protests and objections through democratic means since independence until an armed struggle began were summarily suppressed by violent force by successive governments

Several of the peace pacts that were reached between leaders of communities to resolve these political grievances of Tamil people were unilaterally abrogated by successive Sinhala leaders, parties and governments



To add to some of these same grievances, at present:

There still remains a constitution that safeguards a majoritarian rule with an executive presidency with most political and legislative powers being centralised and which elevates one religion over the rest

An overwhelming presence of military in the majority Tamil areas

Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) still in force

No judicial mechanism or most demands to serve justice through the UNHRC resolution 30/1 still unaccomplished

Confiscated private and government land still being occupied by military and people being displaced from their own places of habitat

Some of the political prisoners who were arrested under the PTA still remain in custody without being charged or due process followed

Torture and sexual violence, particularly against women still practiced with impunity

State-sponsored colonisation still being implemented in the north and east of Sri Lanka

A politicised judiciary that has lost all confidence of victims (e.g. case of former parliamentarian Raviraj, release of suspects in the case of disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda and several others) With points above, I will let the readers decide the answer to your question.



The new US administration has a different world view. In that context, how can Tamil Diaspora count more on that country in pursuing action through the UNHRC?

Sri Lanka has time and time again shown it is both unwilling and unable to investigate allegations of war crimes against its own forces or hold perpetrators of grave abuses to account. It appears the government is now trying to back away from this commitment. Given the history of failures of Government Commissions and judicial processes, international participation as specified in the resolution is a must to guarantee the credibility and effectiveness of any Special Court.

At such a critical time when the Sri Lankan governments political will and its ability to fully implement the key recommendations of the UNHRC resolution are being questioned, the International Community needs to be resolutely engaged, so that Sri Lanka stays on course towards genuine reform, and implements the resolution it co-sponsored without any exceptions.

In my mind, if there is no international pressure, there wont be any justice served in Sri Lanka for the victims. I think, that is very well understood by most of the member states including the US, UK of the UNHRC, too.



Tamils voted overwhelmingly for President Maithripala Sirisena at the election. How do you see his performance?

If I have to describe it in a word, unfortunately I will have to say, disappointing. Most Sri Lankans feel generally let down by this government as several of their manifesto commitments havent been implemented.

This government came to power claiming to clean up corruption and mismanagement that prevailed during the previous regime and bring to justice those who abused their authority in various ways. Unfortunately, neither have they been able to prosecute anyone successfully nor have they been able to run a government without various major corruption charges being levelled against them.

Tamils of North and East voted overwhelmingly for the President and made the biggest difference in bringing him to power hoping that the new government will implement Constitutional reforms to resolve the decades old national question, will deliver justice to people for the wrongs that were done to them in breach of international laws, will publicly pronounce of zero tolerance of sexual violence and torture, particularly by the police and military and proactively investigate and prosecute any such allegations without denying, which had been the Rajapaksa attitude. Tamils believed that most of the occupied lands will be released to lawful owners within months, resettlement of internally displaced people would be prioritised, military presence in the North and East will be reduced to the same levels as the rest of the country, political prisoners will be released or will be charged in a court of law forthwith, the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed, government will give the war affected provinces a special priority status and create and facilitate investment opportunities to regenerate the areas to be economically at least at par with the rest of Sri Lanka.

The record over the past several months is reflected in the disappointment and despair that these communities feel at present.

However, the overall trajectory remains in the right direction but, just! This government has created democratic space for freedom of expression without fear of reprisals, reversing the 18th Amendment to the Constitution which by and large politicised all independent democratic institutions, initiating a process to introduce a new constitution for the country, agreeing to co-sponsor a resolution at the UNHRC and proactively engaging with the UN and other international institutions, releasing some of the land that were illegally occupied by the military and other state institutions, releasing some of the political prisoners, introducing civilian governors to the Northern and Eastern Provinces.



We hear different voices among the Tamil diaspora groups. How do you respond to it?

Let me speak on behalf of GTF; at GTF, we like to think that we also helped in a small way to bring this change of regime in Sri Lanka. GTF believes that through proactive and constructive engagement further changes can be influenced. We have met the Foreign Minister and other state officials several times and met with the President, twice. GTF will encourage the government when progressive steps are being taken but will not shy away to publicly critique the government when repressive or regressive steps are taken or even suggested.

Among all Diaspora organisations GTF has gained recognition within Sri Lanka and internationally in a relatively short time since the end of war. It didnt come easily. Sheer hard and committed work by many brought it to this status. As an organisation we also followed certain basic code of conduct to discipline ourselves. For example we committed ourselves not to comment or contradict in public of statements, actions or activities of another fellow Tamil organisation be it from Sri Lanka or in the Diaspora. As an organisation from our formal inauguration at the UK Parliament in February 2010 we also committed that we will not issue statements for the sake of it or to play it to the gallery. As a responsible organisation largely working in international diplomacy and lobbying, we pride ourselves for maintaining discretion which is fundamental. Some of these behaviours and actions earned respect amongst various media and rights organisations as well as within governments of adopted countries. GTF has always acted honourably and reasonably when articulating grievances of our people in Sri Lanka at international forums. This earned respect from organisations and like-minded people of all ethnicities and religions of Sri Lanka. We have a clear and transparent strategy in how we want to deal with issues and grievances of our people in the island, which we generally refer to as the Four Pillar Programme. They are:



1. Agreeing between Tamil representatives based in Sri Lanka and in the Diaspora a Common Framework Agreement (CFA).



2. Engaging the civil society, political and non-political representatives of the South without discriminating on language, religion, social status or party affiliation to communicate and engage to explain our grievances and understand from them their own grievances and why resolving the political issues including the Tamil National Question is seen or felt as a threat to them. Explain the possible mutual benefits that will be gained by all communities as peace dividends if a durable political solution could be negotiated to the Tamil National Question.

These types of cross community engagements at different levels of the society can also be a way to bridge the trust deficiency that exists between communities in Sri Lanka.



3. Actively lobby and create awareness within the international community, international institutions and governments regarding the injustices and alleged breaches of international laws, including international human rights and humanitarian laws that amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Lobby for international independent investigation of both sides to establish the truth and obtain justice to enable the people who lost their loved ones to be able to move on, which may allow sustainable reconciliation between communities in the future.



4. To work to resolve the socio economic needs of the people of Sri Lanka, particularly in the war affected areas with international help.



We intend to do all of the above with the help of the people in Sri Lanka, in the diaspora and the international community including India.

Obviously everyone can see that none of these are against the State of Sri Lanka or its sovereignty or any group or particular community of Sri Lanka or promotes violence or terrorism. This enabled GTF to work with like-minded people of all communities, groups, organisations, media and political and non-political parties within Sri Lanka. GTF prides itself as one of the most effective and efficient groups which partners with the elected representatives of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
Detain Indian vessels until Tamil Nadu trawler issue is sorted out, Northern fisherman request Minister

The Tamil Nadu (TN) trawlers illegally fishing in Sri Lankan maritime waters have become a life threatening issue to Northern fishing communities.

Tamil Nadu fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters have been a decades-long conflict between two fishing communities. SL Navy has been arresting Tamil Nadu fishermen and vessels, while India has been arresting Sri Lankan fishermen. Yet, neither of the Governments is interested in finding a successful solution to this issue, as it seems.

The bilateral talks held in December 30 and 31st of 2016 in Delhi India and January 2017 in Colombo - Sri Lanka, between Indian Agriculture Minister - Union Governments and Sri Lankan Fisheries minister the trawling issue has not been addressed successfully.

In both meetings Sri Lankan fishermans position was not compromised by Sri Lankan delegation fishing community leaders said.

After the first round of talks the trawling issue was reduced a bit and after the second round, illegal trawling had increased again as if they have taken it for granted. Despite the talks, TN fish workers as they called themselves, were coming. Since the last negotiation Sri Lankan Navy had caught 61 TN fish workers, some of them had been released while some have been retained. The illegal vessels are increasing in numbers as they were found to be 125 recently. TN fishing trawlers would destroy Sri Lankas marine resources off the coast of Talaimannar, Delft, Nainathivu, Alanaithivu, Eluvathivu and Mullaithivu.



And Sri Lankan governments about northern fishing communitys livelihood and the Sri Lankan sovereignty in Palk Strait, the Tamil Nadu trawler owners are still sending their vessels in to the area by crossing International Maritime Border line (IMBL). They are coming on specific three - day a week, on which northern fishing community step aside because poachers damage fishermans fishing gear and sometimes take them away.

Northern fishing communities warn that this would complicate the issue further.

Tamil Nadu trawler owners do not accept they are sending their vessels illegally and we have caught them in action and provided the evidence, one fisherman said.

The Sri Lankan fishing community did not go fishing in this northern area because in the past years, as there was a war going on in the region and they did not have enough boats and fishing gear.

Fishing in these areas had been banned for Sri Lankans by Sri Lankan authorities. As the situation remained so the TN fishermen came and got the harvest belonging to Sri Lankan fishermen.

The President had informed the Navy to catch illegal trawlers in northern seas, we are grateful of that; yet the Navy doesnt have facilities to arrest those huge trawlers. Even though the Navy is given power, they can only do minor arrests.

The Mullathivu fishing community leader Mariyarasa said that the great prawn season has started in Mullathivu yet Tamil Nadu trawlers stride and steal the harvest.

Sri Lanka is considered a best quality prawn found area in the world. Why cannot we harvest the prawn that lies in our fishing waters? he questions.

our problems are not addressed because we are a minor community in the North. If it was a issue in South, the responsible people would have taken quick action to solve these issues. And if the south needs our help, we are always ready to support, they said.

Request from northern fishing community to Fisheries Minister

1. Arrest, charge, prosecute  and if guilty - fine or imprison Tamil Nadu boat owners or their agents under the Regulation (Foreign Fishing Vessel Act) 1979

2. Immediately release and repatriate Tamil Nadu fishworkers on board the vessels and any detained previously under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act of 1941

3. Refuse to release any Tamil Nadu trawler arrested and detained by the Sri Lankan authorities until Tamil Nadu trawler owners stop sending their vessels to fish illegally in the fishing grounds of northern Sri Lankan fishermen

District heads of Fishermens Co-operative Society Unions federation of Jaffna, Mullathivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar had signed this petition they had sent to the fisheries minister on behalf of the northern fishing community. They request a solution from both parties.



What is bottom trawling?

Bottom trawling is done with a huge net and a scraper attached to it that is designed to scrape everything, and scraping every single species, corals and entire sea bed. More than 100 species are thrown back to the sea after bottom trawling. Scientists consider this as the most destructive fishing gear in history.

According to the European Commission - Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) depletes fish stocks, destroys marine habitats, distorts competition, puts honest fishers at an unfair disadvantage, and weakens coastal communities, particularly in developing countries.(www.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/illegal_fishing_en)

Fishing Act 59 of 1979

According to the fishing act, Part II includes - CONTROL OVER FISHING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES BY FOREIGN FISHING BOATS IN SRI LANKA WATERS



4. Prohibition of fishing and related activities by Foreign Fishing Boats.

Subject to the provisions of section 12, no Foreign Fishing Boat shall be used for fishing or related activities in Sri Lanka waters except under the authority of a permit issued under section 6.

5. Foreign Fishing Boats entering Sri Lanka waters without a permit to stow gear.

Where any Foreign Fishing Boat enters Sri Lanka waters otherwise than under the authority of a permit issued under section 6, the fishing gear of such boat shall, at all times while it is in such waters, be kept stowed in the prescribed manner.

6. Foreign Fishing Boat permit.

(1) The Secretary or any person specially authorised by him may, with the approval of the Minister, on application made therefore and payment of the prescribed fee issue a permit in respect of any Foreign Fishing Boat, authorising that boat to be used for such fishing and related activities, in such area or areas of Sri Lanka waters, and during such periods, as may be specified in the permit. Every such permit shall be in the prescribed form.

(2) Every application for a permit shall be made to the Secretary in the prescribed form and shall contain the prescribed particulars.

It was peaceful before Indian trawling

Dr H.S.S.K Haputhantri - Head of Marine Biological Resources Division - NARA

We have a plan to carry out a survey to identify the type of impact on sea bottom and habitats done by Indian fishing trawlers. But as their catch is not landed in our area, it is difficult to have measurements. he said.

He also noted that not only Tamil Nadu fishing community were engaged in trawling in our northern sea, but also Sri Lankan fishermen; but the destruction is not massive compared to Indian bottom trawlers.

Opining on the environmental impact of trawling in sea, he said; All the habitats and the diversity is destroyed. Especially, coral reefs that provide home to many species and sea grass will be eradicated by trawling and the sea grass is crucial to the endemic species like Dugong. Environment destruction also affects Whales, Turtles and Dolphins (in Mannar). Long term effects are much more common in this kind of situations.

He noted that collected data on bottom trawling in 2016, is being analysed now, and from several months, the data will be out and he emphasised that still they could have only the Sri Lankan side, not Indian side.

We are planning to carry out an underwater survey on sea bottom to see the scale of destruction has happened. he exclaimed.

It is said that Indian and Sri Lankan fishing communities fished peacefully in north sea until the TN fisherman began using the harmful trawling to catch fish after finding prawns and shrimp are highly marketable. Sri Lankan fisherman still use their traditional fishing gear and they are unable to have profits, not even catch a proper harvest because of profit loving and highly unsustainable minded TN counterparts. With the damage done to the marine environment by bottom trawling, they fear the existence of next generation of marine life and their own occupied in fishing.
Diversified manufacturing and trading company and Lankem Ceylon PLC subsidiary, C. W. Mackie (CWM), last week entered into a Rs.1.1 billion joint venture (JV) with Denmark-based soft drink giant, Co-Ro A/S, to produce its popular Sunquick brand in Sri Lanka.

Two limited liability companies, named Sunquick Lanka (Private) Limited, in which Co-Ro will own 51 percent, and Sunquick Lanka Properties (Private) Limited, in which CWM will own 51 percent, will be established under the joint venture.

The purpose of the joint venture is to manufacture, process and market Sunquick concentrated fruit squash as well as ready-to-drink products.

According to CWM directors, the joint venture with Co-Ro has potential to be financially beneficial to CWM in the medium to long term.

Sunquick, which is CWMs leading product range in its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) portfolio, has around 70 percent of the market share in the fruit squash drinks category in Sri Lanka, with CWM bottling and distributing Sunquick in the country for the past 40 years as a franchise holder. For the 2016 financial year, the Sunquick brand grew by 29 percent year-on-year (YoY) in Sri Lanka.

The FMCG segment of CWM, which includes Sunquick, Scan Jumbo Peanuts, Scan Bottled Water, Kotagala Tea and KVC products as its main portfolio, posted a segmental profit of Rs.592.07 million for the nine months in the 2017 financial year, up from Rs.554 million YoY.

The segmental revenue increased to Rs.3.93 billion from Rs.3.37 billion YoY.

Co-Ro, which was founded in 1942, sells its popular Sunquick, Sun Lolly and Suntop fruit-based brands in over 70 countries. In 2015, it posted revenue of DKK 1.95 billion and a pre-tax profit of DKK 326 million. (DKK 1 = US $ 0.14)
The passing out ceremony of the first ever Navy Marine Battalion was held at the Mannar, Mulliyawalai Joint Naval Exercises camp this morning. The ceremony was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Pix by Presidents Media
Appointments made to 25 Government institutions as Chairmen had not yet been cleared by the High Post Committee of Parliament, officials said yesterday.

The UPFA Executive Committee discussed the matter at its meeting last Friday.

Former MP Somaweera Chandrasiri, who attended the meeting representing Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) took it up with the President.

President Maitripala Sirisena instructed Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to look into the complaint and report to him.

Mr. Chandrasiri said most Chairmen and Director Boards of State bodies were acting regardless of instructions by the Auditor General in his reports.

He said it had become a reason for the accumulation of losses.

I, on behalf of the MEP, urged the President to look into it. Most appointments have not been cleared by the High Post Committee of Parliament. The Government, in its 100-Day Programme, promised to evaluate such appointments under a special committee, Mr. Chandrasiri told the Daily Mirror.

He said the President instructed Mr. Amaraweera as the UPFA Secretary to look into it.

He also said he voiced against the proposed privatisation of State institutions. (Kelum Bandara)
The surroundings of the Vihare.

Viscount Torrington ordered the shooting of a Buddhist Priest in the same saffron robes he had worn the previous day for a dumb military trial. The Thera was to be shot by a firing squad of three but only one shot the Buddhist Priest on August 24, 1848 on the Sacred grounds of Maha Maluwa. The soldiers did not act as their colleagues did with freedom fighter Scotsman Walsh, whose flesh was cut off and thrown all over the streets of Edinburgh.

The Temple where Kadhapola lived

The only time the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought out of the Sri Dalada Maligawa was in 1828, to the Maha Maluwa at the insistence of the Governor Sir Edward Barnes, which resulted in the famous Dalada Vatura.

The Thera also suffered at the hands of the two Maha Vihares, when they denied he belonged to their temples. He lived at Kahalle Temple. Members of the Military forces even shot into the Viharege to bring out the Thera.

President Maithripala Sirisena is to De-gazette formally on the first of March by signing a document in Kandy to wipe out the stigma of being a traitor of Maha Adikaram Monarawila Keppetipola and those who have been gazetted by the British administration at that time.

Maha Adikaram Keppetipola was a traitor to the British but not to the Sinhala Nation, although he was in the pay of the British before he went to Uva to suppress the uprising after the shooting of Government Agent Wilson.



It is an accepted fact that Maha Adikaram Keppetipola and those on the list of the British were only a fragment of those who were in the uprising against the British. What about the thousands who were in the uprising in Sabaragamuwa and Uva? What about those who forsook their homeland of Sabaragamuwa and Uva and fled to other areas within the Kandyan Kingdom fearing death at foreign hands? They are part and parcel of history and are equal to the Maha Adikaram and others.

The greatest sacrifice made during the British regime was by a Buddhist monk. The British shot Venerable Kadhapola Thera at Maha Maluwa- the sacred piece of land opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa. When the British questioned the Chapter to whom he belonged, everyone denied that he was a monk. They did not want to displease the British administration. But even among the British at that time there were persons like the then Queens Advocate H.C. Selby, who is reported to have pleaded with Viscount Torrington that the life of the monk should be spared. His blunt answer was Even if all the lawyers in this place plead, yet he shall die in the morning. Even an appeal was denied to the monk. He was shot in cold blood in the early hours of the morning the day after the trial in August 1848. The shooting was on the Maha Maluwa with his blood oozing out on to the grounds.

The door



These uprisings against the British really commenced in 1843 with the conviction at Kurunegala of Venerable Chandraguptha, over the knowledge of a Pretender. The Thera was executed and hung on a tree for four days. The simmering currents against the British continued both at Kandy and Kurunegala until Government Agent Buller nailed it with the tax collection.

What was his charge against Venerable Kadhapola Thera? The monk had refused to give evidence against the rioters and name them. In other words, for not spying on his fellow men. The next charge was that he knew where the Pretender could be found - that was the only other charge and the monk was shot.

That was the only shooting of a Buddhist monk at Maha Maluwa in the history of the country by the British. Of course Viscount Torrington paid for this act with his  Honorable  recall and a Committee of Inquiry by the British Parliament.

The British Press also critisised the shooting of the monk which created the background for a Committee of inquiry by Parliament.

Who was this monk? He was the first person who threw the ball which began the famous Matale riots against the British. Kadhapola Thera, a member of the Malwatta Maha Vihare, was born at Kahalle in Katugastota. The Thera was young and a firebrand even within the Chapter and was looking out for someone to lead an uprising against the British. He left the Chapter and went to the wilds of Dambulla where it is alleged that he crowned a Pretender, who wanted to oust the British from Kandyan Territory.

"Who was this monk? He was the first person who threw the ball which began the famous Matale riots against the British. Kadhapola Thera, a member of the Malwatta Maha Vihare, was born at Kahalle in Katugastota"



Monks have been freedom fighters to free the land from foreign domination and also from forces within the country. Even administrators have sometimes forgotten that the clergy in the country have been true freedom fighters from within their own temples. The have always lived with people around them, irrespective of their religion or community.

Two classic examples are the land given to build the present Meera Macan Mosque in Kandy, which is Asgiri Maha Vihare property. Then the Church in the centre of the city - St Pauls Church stands on Sri Dalada Maligawa Land. These two buildings remind us and those who visit Sri Lanka that Buddhists and other religions live side by side in the country.

The rebellion was initiated by the people of Uva on the death of Government Agent Sylvestor. The Maha Adikaram was ordered by the British to quell the riots of the people. It is here that the people surrounded him and questioned whether he was with them. It was then that the Maha Adikaram sent back the arsenal to Kandy and joined the people. Therefore the people in these areas should also be regarded as freedom fighters and not only those who had been gazetted for death or banishment.

The President on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice has taken a correct decision which was brewing over for years. The first ball rolled in recent times was made by then Miniser of Heritage Affairs Vijitha Herath under the Chandrika Kumaanatunge government. He was at the Keppetipola Commemoration day during that year, when he made the remark that a traitor stigma of the Maha Adikaram should be removed. It did not reach the light of day, as a number of questions were brought before the government of the day as to how it could be done.



Thus, it was left to President Maithripala Sirisena to step into this void and make it a reality. It is a fitting tribute to sign this de-gazette or whatever you may call it, the document under the seal of State at the Audience Hall or Magul Maduwa. The President has taken a bold step, making way for the peoples of Uva and Sabaragamuwa to call themselves Freedom fighters of the Nation.

Asgiri Maha Vihare has always fought for the rights of the people. This Maha Vihare did not take any active role in the so called  Treaty  , but kept away from it . They were not a party.

In passing, it is important to remember that when Late Madam Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was deprived of her civic rights during the reign of the government of J.R. Jayawardene, the person who came forward to protect her rights was Enabler Palipanne Chandananda Thera.

He was a stalwart of the ideology of the United National Party but that did not deter him from spearheading to safeguard the rights of a woman whose stature is even now spoken above all others.

What did President J.R. Jayawardene do? He directed the Government Agent A.B. Damunupola to take over the land which once housed the Carpentry complex of the Department of Labour, if I am correct, which had been vested with Asgiriya Maha Vihare. It is on this land which now sits the Pallipanne International Centre.

The land was gazetted and taken over by the government, which was once donated to the Mahanayake of Asgiriya.

The hole from which a British soldier shot into the Vihare

To make a long story short, the period came when the then Crown Prince and Princess of Japan was to visit the country and it was the same President who was to escort the Royal couple. They were to attend an exposition of the Sacred Relic as well. Then Late President J.R. Jayawardene realised the gravity of the situation. Should the Mahanayke refuse to attend the exposition, the Royal couple would be deprived of the most looked-forward-to event - the exposition of the Sacred Relic. Had the Mahanayake, Venerable Palipanne Chandananda refused to attend the exposition, they would have been deprived to view the Sacred Tooth Relic because the key to this inner casket was with the Maha Vihare of Asgiri. So he was in constant contact with the Government Agent of Kandy A.B. Dammunupola, whose breed is yet to be seen in contemporary administrators. A man who could speak face-to-face with politicians because he had no gain. So a jittery President continually used to ask the Government Agent whether the Asgiri Mahanayake would open the doors for the Exposition.

The government Agent assured the President. It became a headache to the Government Agent as he was continually seeking confirmation.

"To make a long story short, the period came when the then Crown Prince and Princess of Japan was to visit the country and it was the same President who was to escort the Royal couple"



At this point it should be brought to the notice of the reader that the inner shrine room of the Sri Dalada Maligawa is the right of the two Chapters of Asgiri and Malwatta, where the Diyawadana Nilame plays only second fiddle.

So on the day of the exposition to the Royal couple, the Mahanayake of Asgiriya came to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, as the custodian of the sixth key to bring out the Sacred Tooth Relic. The exposition was over. On the way out of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, President J.R. Jayawardene before entering into the vehicle, told GA Damunupola to give that land back to the Mahanayake  This was only to portray that the clergy

was not petty. They always stand for the rights of the people, though most do not. So Venerable Kadhapola Thera, though being convicted wrongly as a traitor, should be published as a hero of the nation for shedding blood to free the country of foreign yoke.
Allows to compare financial product information and empowers to make smarter financial decisions

Colombo, Sri LanPersonal Finance Assistant start-up Moneta seeks to help Sri Lankan Customers make smarter financial decisions to maximize their money by comparing and aggregating financial products information on a single digital platform.

Financial Products information such as Savings Accounts, Fixed Accounts, Credit Cards, Loans, Insurance and Lease information are scattered in multiple channels. Customers does not have a proper mechanism to compare the products to make a smart decision. Moneta.lk providing a streamlined mechanism to Sri Lankans by aggregating and consolidating financial product information. The platform aims to provide the right tools for people to find what products suit their needs the best. Importantly, Moneta.lk eliminating the difficulties in understanding the confusing financial jargons by providing an easy to understand comparison tool to everyone for FREE.

Founded in January 2017, Moneta.lk currently provides users with a platform where they can access simplified financial advices, as well as compare benefits and features of credit cards and personal loans.

Commenting on the launch of Moneta.lk, Shayanth co-founder said We're not a Financial Institute, we are an independent entity to make the Sri Lankans life easy by proving easy-to-use financial comparison tools for free and we try to include the most comprehensive online database of financial products for free. Further We started financial related content based Learning Center in online because we wanted to help our customers to make smarter financial decision to maximize their money emphasised by Irfan, co-founder of Moneta.lk.

In addition to its comparison tools, Moneta.lk runs a popular content-based Learning Center that features posts such as "5 Tips to Plan a Budget Weekend Trip in Sri Lanka", "How Commercial Bank Calculates Finance Charges for Credit Cards" or even "Follow This Steps When You Cant Pay Off Your Monthly Minimum Balance."

Within a month, the platform draws some 10,000 page views with nearly 4,000 unique visitors, shows the strong demand for a comprehensive platform where people can look for and compare financial products that meet their individual needs.

Moneta.lk also seeks to include Housing Loan, Insurances and Lease comparison tools in coming months.
Following is the synopsis of the 27th J.E. Jayasuriya Memorial Lecture delivered by Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Executive Director Dr. Saman Kelegama.

1. Capacity constraints of the state higher education system  Need for a parallel system with private sector involvement

Today, Sri Lanka faces a great challenge with limited higher educated human capital unable to meet the demands of the market. According to the population census 2012, only 4 percent of the age 25 years and above population have degree-level qualifications. This is mainly due to the higher education system catering only to a very small proportion of the population of

the country.



University intake has become progressively more competitive throughout the years due to the limited number of placements available. Of the 149,489 students who were eligible for university entrance from the A-level 2014/2015, only 17 percent were admitted to state universities due to limited placements in the state-funded universities. Consequently, each year, about 120,000 students who qualify for university admission have to abandon their ambitions to enter a university. Moreover, many students who pass out from international schools with Edexel or International Baccalaureate or any other equivalent qualification are not able to find a place in

local universities.



Annually, around 12,000 Sri Lankan students are estimated to go overseas for higher education opportunities. The drain on foreign exchange is estimated at US $ 50 million per annum. Those who cannot afford overseas education have been increasingly looking at the domestic market for alternative options.



To fill this gap, many non-state actors have come into the field of higher education. Various private sector degree-awarding institutions have sprung up across the country to cater to the rising demand for higher education. The expansion of higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka via non-state actors have enabled many students, some of whom would otherwise have studied abroad, to graduate locally at a considerably lower cost and saving foreign exchange.



2. Emergence of non-state actors in higher education in Sri Lanka

As currently practised in Sri Lanka, private higher education institutes (HEIs) fall into two categories: (i) institutes registered under the Higher Education Ministry as degree-awarding institutes and (ii) Unregistered HEIs that operate outside the purview of the Higher Education Ministry.

Registered private HEIs as degree-awarding institutes

Section 25A of the Act empowers the minister, by way of a Degree-Awarding Institute Order, to recognize any institution subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions, as a degree-awarding institute.



As of 2015, there were 16 such non-state institutes offering 64 recognized degree programmes in the field of information technology, engineering, psychology, management and medicine. These include NIBM (National Institute of Business Management), CINEC (Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College), Horizon Campus, SANSA Campus, SAITM (South Asia Institute of Technology and Medicine) and ICASL (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka). Many of these institutes are private organisations established under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 (or BOI Act No. 16

of 1992).



The institutes offering professional diploma and certificate courses in the field of accounting, marketing and information technology also operate with recognition from the Higher Education Ministry. At the end of 2014, 8,892 total enrolments were recorded in these degree-awarding institutions for local degree-awarding programmes. A further 60,000 plus students were enrolled in diploma and affiliated degree programmes in these institutes.



Unregistered private HEIs

Many institutions of the private sector have not applied for registration/certification. They have avoided the process of paying fees and going through the process of getting approval as they make use of an affiliation to a foreign university to assert their presence in the market. A foreign university-affiliated institution does not face legal barriers in offering degrees under the current regulatory environment.



The University Grants Commission (UGC) in terms of the provisions of the Public Administration Circular No. 16/92 dated March 13, 1992 recognizes universities listed in the International Handbook of Universities and Commonwealth Universities Yearbook but not the degree programmes offered by recognized other foreign universities. Courses offered at these institutes are predominantly in commerce and management fields. These non-registered higher education institutes had around 4,518 students enrolled in their degree programmes in 2015.



With the growing number of affiliated institutes, the lack of policy on quality and a governing authority are issues that have been raised by many stakeholders in society. There is no legal entity or regulatory body to monitor the functions of these institutes. The proposals presented in the National Policy Framework on Higher Education and Technical and Vocational Education of 2009 recommends these institutions to register under the foreign university and provide training to students for degree programmes which are to be offered and conducted by the parent university. Furthermore, the National Policy Framework suggested that the establishment of these institutes needs to be regulated by ensuring that the parent institutions and courses are recognized in the country of origin as well as in Sri Lanka.



3. Emerging regulatory issues

Even for those non-state higher education institutions with the degree-awarding status granted by the Higher Education Ministry, there are issues in regard to the recognition of the degrees. This is when the regulatory body relevant to the subject/discipline does not see the approval of degree awarding in the same manner as the Higher Education Ministry. Case in point is the Medical degree offered by SAITM, which has been questioned by the regulatory body for the discipline of Medicine, viz., the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).



SAITM was established in 2009 and was granted the degree-awarding status for the subject of Medicine (MBBS) by Gazette No. 1721/19 of 2011 subject to fulfilment of several conditions stipulated in the gazette, including the establishment of its own teaching hospital. After the establishment of the teaching hospital in 2013, the MBBS degree offered by SAITM was fully recognized by the Higher Education Ministry by Gazette No. 1829/36 of 2013.



The SLMC however refused to recognize the degree of SAITM stating that the courses offered do not meet the required standards. In short, it is argued that the clinical training in the SAITM-affiliated hospital is inadequate due to the limitation of patients and thus the two courses, viz., Forensic Medicine and Community Medicine do not get adequately covered in the degree.

Normally such courses can be covered in clinical training associated with government hospitals. To fulfil these gaps, SAITM requested two government hospitals (Avissawella and Kaduwela) for training on a fee-paying basis but the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) objected to granting such facility to SAITM students.



Can a regulatory body like the SLMC overrule a decision made by the Higher Education Ministry on recognition of a degree by following the set process and rules? This fact among others was the issues that the judgment on January 31, 2017 by the Appeal Court had to address. The court observed that the SLMC had no powers to decide whether or not to grant registrations or decide on the suitability of a university, which was the power vested with the Higher Education Minister. The verdict was that the SLMC should provisionally recognize SAITM-qualified students for registration and SAITM is empowered to grant the MBBS degree. The SLMC and GMOA and some political parties have still not come into terms with this judgment.



There are a number of issues here which have made the matter complicated. First is an issue of double standards by the SLMC and GMOA as it is not logically clear to the outsider on what basis the Kotalawela Defence Academy, which did not even possess its own teaching hospital at that time, was granted the MBBS degree-awarding status by the SLMC. Second, when it comes to standards of Medical degrees, should the state university medical faculties be treated differently from the non-state HEIs? Questions have been raised about the standard of teaching and training facilities in the Medical Faculties of Rajarata and Batticaloa, where neither the SLMC nor GMOA have made any comments. Third, it is an agreed fact that peoples livelihoods are important and in that context, medical doctors should be of very high standards when it comes to dealing with patients. However, this argument is equally valid for some other professions. Thus, the so-called super standards cannot be confined only to one profession and the corresponding regulatory body acquiring the role of the sole custodian of standards has been questioned. Fourth, politics have made in-roads to the issue and thereby blurring the technical issues and bringing social class issues to the forefront of the debate.



This all points to one issue: the need for an overall independent accreditation board for monitoring standards of non-state universities. This becomes all the more important because the key stakeholders in a particular discipline can always work together to stymie outside competition and make life difficult for new entrants. If the government intends to open more private medical colleges in the future, such a body should be in place to ensure both quality and fair play.



Need for an accreditation institution

When the non-state institutions in higher education was growing in the economy, the last government recognized the need for an independent accreditation system to be in place instead of the existing approval system in the Higher Education Ministry in order to recognize or reject the degrees offered by such non-state institutions. It was noted that the prevailing quality assurance mechanisms and regulatory systems have a very narrow coverage, excluding the vast non-state HEIs functioning independently.



In 2011, the government attempted to introduce new legislation under the Bill on Quality Assurance, Equalization, Qualification and Framework with the aim of uplifting the quality of the diplomas and degrees which were being offered by private sector degree-awarding institutions. Under the proposed framework, degrees and diplomas awarded by the non-state sector were to be regulated to ensure quality. However, the government had to withdraw the proposed Bill owing to the escalating protests from student groups and academics opposed to private HEIs.



Student groups alleged that the Bill would curtail the free education currently enjoyed by the state-owned university students. Besides, the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) also opposed the Bill, on the grounds of transparency, in particular, the manner in which it was processed, arguing that the Bill should be discussed with all stakeholders including students, before being presented to parliament. Although the draft Bill had been approved by the Cabinet in 2011, its provisions were never made fully public.



In these circumstances, with the aim of bringing private universities into operation while avoiding the escalating conflicts, the then government took measures to attract foreign universities to set up campuses and research centres in free investment zones as BOI-approved projects. Under this scheme, foreign investors were to be offered land and tax concessions. The aim was to create a higher education hub in Sri Lanka, which was cost effective for foreign students. Also, the establishment of branches of foreign universities like in Malaysia was expected to encourage local students to study at international universities at home and lessen the drain of foreign exchange from Sri Lanka.



In September 2013, a Gazette Extraordinary was tabled in parliament to grant a 15-year tax holiday to a British university (University of Central Lancashire) that was planning to establish a branch campus in Sri Lanka. The then British Foreign Secretary William Haig laid the foundation to the campus when he visited Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Summit in 2013. Plans to allow 10 private universities to operate locally by 2020 in six such education zones were announced in 2014. However, there was no positive outcome from any of these initiatives because the foreign investors saw the student protest against such higher education institutions and the governments ambivalent role in moving forward with the Quality Assurance, Equalization, Qualification and Framework for higher education. So they decided to take a wait and see approach before committing their funds.



4. Technical education and vocational training (TEVT)

In this field also the role of non-state actors is gradually increasing. As of 2015, there were 718 registered non-state actors compared to 635 state actors in TEVT.

But there are unresolved issues. Only 39 percent of non-state TEVT institutes are registered with the Technical Education and Vocational Commission as they cannot meet the required standards and infrastructure facilities. Only 26 percent of the non-state TEVT institutions offer National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and all others offer non-NVQ. There is a need for more private-public sector partnerships and coordination to uplift the standards of some non-state actors. Clearly accreditation is an issue for the non-state sector TEVT sector just as it is for the degree-awarding universities and institutions from the non-state sector.



5. Way forward

For those who oppose the increasing role of non-state actors in the higher education in Sri Lanka, the simplest thing to say is that we must curtail the growth of non-state actors in higher education and increase the capacity of student in-take of the established state universities. It is true that the allocation of expenditure for education in Sri Lanka is only 1.2 percent of GDP compared to 6.3 percent in Malaysia, 3.4 percent in both Indonesia and Philippines, 3 percent in Singapore, 4.1 percent in Nepal and 3.8 percent in India. The option for increasing this expenditure in Sri Lanka is limited given the current fiscal constraints. An entire overhaul of the budget is required if Sri Lanka is to increase education expenditure significantly, which is not possible in the

short run.



Various options to increase the student intake under the state university framework have been discussed, such as night shifts, distant learning, etc. without any practical outcome. In this context, what the country needs is some form of a private-public partnership for the higher education sector upliftment, in particular, to address the crucial areas like limited student intake to universities.

Considering the current status of state universities is also vital. There is an urgent need to grant them more autonomy to raise their own funds. A case in point is the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The PIM has been self-financed since 2002 and does not depend on the government for any funds. Consequently, it has managed to acquire more autonomy and go into more ambitious expansion plans compared to other state universities.



This autonomy is also required to become competitive and improve the quality and standards of state universities. The overall quality of a number of state universities has declined over the years. As the World Bank Country Assessment Strategy report (2008) highlighted, none of the Sri Lankan universities are among the first 500 in the world. Almost 10 years later, all state universities are ranked below 2000  Colombo University is ranked at 2171 (best) and the KDA is ranked at 9,938. This is compared to some Asian universities like National University of Singapore ranked at 24, Peaking University at 29 and Tokyo University at 39.



Recently, Prof. Sunethra Weerakoon, a retiring Professor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, highlighted the following facts in regard to the quality of state universities: (a) incompetence and collusion among management personnel and academic staff; (b) lethargy of university administration and lapses in strategic management oversight; (c) poor motivation in regard to academic curiosity or scholarly achievements; (d) politicization and so on, and strongly recommended an independent body for monitoring state universities.



This shows that Sri Lanka needs an apex independent accreditation body that covers not only non-state sector institutions in higher education but also state sector institutions in higher education.

Clearly, setting a national standard in the country for all tertiary providers will help reduce doubt and controversy surrounding private providers. What we need today is an overall autonomous body to accredit both state and non-state actors in higher education in this country.



Furthermore, we also need to change the mind-set of the people of this country. For long years, Sri Lanka nurtured a welfare state that was inherited from the British rule. This welfare state led many stakeholders to consider free education as an entitlement for everyone. But as the state failed to provide free education to all those who qualified for higher education, the debate shifted from free education to freedom of education. Freedom of education is a constitutional and a fundamental right of every citizen of the country. In that context, every citizen had a right to education. However, many stakeholders in this country have failed to come to terms with the concept of freedom of education and right to education.



The perception on private HEIs is very much influenced by social class and past politics of the country too. It ranges from the perceptions of rich having free access to education, exacerbating the income disparity leading to inequitable access to higher education, turning education into a commodity and so on. Fuel to these perceptions is added by opportunistic politicians and student groups affiliated to various political parties. Thus, together with establishing an accreditation authority, a public sensitization programme highlighting the importance of non-state actors in higher education should be initiated by the government.



The rapid development of technology has spread mobile learning courses all over the world. Libraries are getting less relevant as bulk of the required references can be obtained online for studying. Thus, there is a need to recognize that the states controlling power to prevent the penetration of non-state actors to higher education-related services is gradually weakening. And there is a need to accommodate them with the necessary checks and balances.



Sri Lanka needs to see the active participation of non-state actors in higher education positively. The concerns that the stakeholders have in regard to quality of education services is the key challenge that needs to be addressed. It is not an insurmountable challenge. With the necessary dialogue and political will, the challenge could be met easily like most other developing countries have done. With meeting this challenge, Sri Lanka could move to greater heights in higher education and accomplish many other economic goals in its progress towards a middle income country.
A prominent politician from the upcountry has become very unpopular among his constituents because of tolerating the antics of his amorous personal secretary, they say.



This personal secretary well known for his weakness for the fair sex had on a number of occasions sought sexual favours from young attractive women who had visited his office. He is said to be corrupt too. It has come to light that he had misappropriated part of a stock of cement bags made available to the politician concerned for distribution among the poor in the area.



People in the area say that the politician has turned a deaf ear to the complaints that they have made against his personal secretary. And they vow to teach the politician a lesson come the next general polls.
At least seven persons including a prominent underworld figure Aruna Udayashantha alias Samayan and two prison officers were killed when a prison bus was shot at in Kalutara today morning.



Police said that an unidentified group of gunmen had opened fire at the bus while it was carrying Prisoners from Kalutara Prison to Kaduwela Magistrate courts.

The incident had happened at Ethanamadala, Jawatte road in Kalutara.

One prison officer had died on admission to the Kaluthara Base Hospital and another died on admission to the National Hospital Colombo. (Thilanka Kanakarathna and S. Thantriarachchi)
Bolivia has just passed a controversial law nearly doubling the amount of land allocated to producing coca, authorizing production of some 22,000 hectares between two powerful rival farmers groups, one of them led by President Evo Morales .

A grower in Bolivia's Chapare region. David Mercado (REUTERS)

More information Bolivia aumenta la extension legal de cultivos de coca

As things stand, some 25,000 hectares of land are already being used to grow coca. The 22,000 hectares where coca production will now be authorized is significantly larger than that established by an international study for the legal consumption of the plant. The significance of the new limit is that it will provide a guideline for state efforts to eradicate so-called surplus capacity coca.

Coca leaves are chewed in Bolivia and other South American countries as a mild stimulant, with similar effects to caffeine. The practice is protected by the state, but establishing the amount of land to be used for growing has been disputed for decades.

There has been anger that the move will encourage drug trafficking

The neo-liberal governments of the 1990s set about destroying coca cultivation in Bolivias central Chapare region, which met with fierce resistance from local farmers, who earned more from it than other crops. Morales came to prominence during the at-times violent coca defense, and retains his status as a historic leader of the coca growers of Chapare. The opposition accuses him of protecting vested interests and not acting in the interests of the country.

In 2004, Morales predecessor, Carlos Mesa, ended the zero-tolerance policies of the 1990s toward coca production, and approved legislation authorizing families in Chapare to grow coca in limited amounts. This added some 3,000 hectares to the 12,000 already authorized in Yungas de La Paz, the countrys traditional coca-growing area. In reality, he had authorized a further 10,000 hectares.

Morales, who took office in 2006, prepared a bill to give Chapare its own quota of authorized coca production. This angered coca growers in Yungas, who until then enjoyed a monopoly on legal coca production. These growers were not led by Morales.

Coca production is protected by the Bolivian state

After a week of violent clashes with police in La Paz, the Yungas growers and Morales reached agreement. The former would accept the new law, receiving in return more hectares where it was authorized to grow coca. The agreement required Morales to improve his offer to the Chapare growers, who are locked in a bitter rivalry with their northern competitors. To square the circle, the government has had to increase the total amount of land where coca growing is authorized from the 20,000 initially proposed to 22,000, with 14,300 for the Yungas and 7,700 for Chapare.

There has been widespread anger at the law in the Bolivian press and on the social networks based on fears that it will only encourage drug trafficking. The government argues in turn that the new law simply regularizes an already-existing reality.

English version by Nick Lyne.
There was a possibility of preventing the shooting at Kalutara if the police were able to provide sufficient security to the Black Maria, Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan said today.

In a media release, he said the usual practice adopted when transporting leading underworld criminalswas underspecial police protection.

When asked to do so, the Police has informed that they were unable to provide securitybecause of the lack of sufficient police personnel to do so, the minister said.

However, it was reported that the prison guards had transported the prisoners in twoBlack Maria.

Meanwhile, the minister said a separate investigation would be carried out by a three-member committee consisting of former Magistrate Rumi Mansoor, Former Additional Secretary to the Defence Minister, S. Medawewa and former DIG GaminiNavaratne.

He said the Ministry Secretary was instructed to pay compensation to the families of the prison guards killed in the incident. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended firmer yesterday aided by late exporter dollar sales, but concerns over possible further depreciation in the absence of Central Bank guidance weighed on the sentiment, dealers said.

Rupee forwards were active with two-week forwards ending at 152.00/30 per dollar, compared with Thursdays close of 152.50/70. They hit a low of 153.05 early in the trade yesterday.

The markets were closed on Friday for a religious holiday. There was some selling from a state bank in the latter part of the day. Later, some other banks too sold, said a currency dealer asking not to be named. The currency is under pressure due to dollar demand from importers ahead of the traditional Sinhala-Tamil New Year in mid-April while foreign investors continue to sell government securities, dealers said.

Foreign investors sold a net Rs.15.37 billion in the week ended February 22, extending the outflow from government securities to Rs.64.5 billion in the eight weeks. Sri Lanka could face balance-of-payments pressure due to foreign outflows from government securities, a government document showed last week, even as the island nation is in the process of raising up to US $ 2.5 billion from foreign borrowing.

The rupee has weakened 1.44 percent so far this year. It fell 3.9 percent last year, following a 10 percent drop in 2015.
The newly formed Scan Technologies Global (Pvt) Ltd. secured the installation, testing & commissioning of GREE VRF Air-Conditioning systems of Astoria project under construction in the heart of Colombo city.

A ten-year maintenance contract of the equipment was also signed.

According to Pavithra Ishan Abeynayake, Managing Director of Scan Technologies Global (Pvt) Ltd., the new company was incorporated to meet many challenges faced by the construction industry

in Sri Lanka.

He further explained that his companys intention is to provide a quality installation and after sales service with the help of their factory trained young engineering team and skilled technicians and to meet the construction target dates of projects scheduled to come-up in Sri Lanka.

The ASTORIA in Colombo  3 is a project developed by AVIC International, which is an extensionof

the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a reputed Global 500 Company. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is the main contractor of Astoria comprising 4 towers of 42 floors in each tower. Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai, China is the manufacturer and supplier of 1,000 GREE VRF Air-Conditioning systems with over 4,000 Indoor Units for Astoria project. GREE manufactures 60,000,000 sets of room Air-conditioners and 5,500,000 sets of commercial air-conditioners annually with over US$16 billion sales revenue in 2015.

The installation of GREE VRF air-conditioners are progressing well at Astoria according to Abeynayake. Engineer Raguparan Kobiraj is in charge of the air-conditioner installation team of Scan Technologies

Global (Pvt) Ltd.
The Sri Lankan-born doctor, who killed her abusive husband in Western Australia's Mid-West, had been granted parole and would be released this week from prison, the ABC News reported today.

Doctor Chamari Liyanage has been serving a four-year prison term after she was convicted of the manslaughter of her husband and fellow doctor Dinendra Athukorala.

Liyanage bludgeoned Dr. Athukorala with a mallet while he slept at their Geraldton home in June 2014.

During Liyanage's trial, the court heard the couple's five-year marriage was defined by the "worst kind" of escalating sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

The court heard Athukorala kept 13 terabytes of encrypted child exploitation and bestiality images.

Liyanage was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder.

Her legal counsel, George Giudice, confirmed her application for parole was approved by the Prisoners' Review Board.

"My client Dr. Liyanage tells me her parole was approved today so she's eligible for release into the community," he said.

"She'll be able to be released in the next couple of days in Geraldton. She's relieved and very happy.Of course, she was eligible for release back in July but she decided not to take that up, because there was a threat that she'd be sent to a detention centre, he said.

"But that problem's now overcome, she's permitted to stay in Australia pursuant to the visa and she's very happy about that, she's elated actually."

Liyanage had been eligible to apply for parole since June, but there were fears that if it was granted, she could face deportation as her visa was cancelled while behind bars.

Last month however, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection revoked the cancellation of her visa after considering her case.

Liyanage has also appealed against her conviction and sentence, which the Supreme Court is still deliberating.

"It doesn't mean anything at the moment, but if she's successful in her appeal, her parole order will automatically just terminate," Mr. Giudice said.

Liyanage has been in custody since June 2014, and her sentence is due to be completed in June of next year.
President Donald Trump ratcheted up an increasingly hostile feud with the media Saturday, announcing he will skip a century-old annual correspondents dinner a day after an fierce row erupted over press access to the White House.



The Trump White House triggered widespread outrage on Friday by denying access to an off-camera briefing to several major US media, including CNN, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and Politico.



Smaller outlets that have provided favorable coverage of the Trump administration, such as Breitbart and the One America News Network, received a green light to attend the briefing by the presidents spokesman Sean Spicer.



The move came just hours after Trump renewed his assault on the mainstream US media by calling it the enemy of the people, in an ongoing battle in which he has labeled the fourth estate fake news and the opposition party. The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) said it was protesting strongly against the decision to selectively deny media access, and would bring it up with the Republican administration.



The New York Times described the White House decision as an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals, while CNN called it an unacceptable development and the Los Angeles Times warned the incident had ratcheted up the White Houses war on the free press to a new level.

WASHINGTON

AFP Feb26, 2017
President Maithripala Sirisena says a decision on the private medical school, the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe will be made after consulting all parties to the dispute. Perhaps the right thing to do is to implement the Court ruling which has already been issued on the matter -- unless the Supreme Court rules otherwise. Changing and withholding the laws to appease an articulate minority of detractors has been an age-old practice in this country and have contributed to the overall breakdown of the rule of law.

It would have been easier if the problem connected to SAITM is about the fate of a few dozen would-be medical graduates. If that were the case, viewed in an utilitarian perspective (i.e. the greatest good for the greatest number of people even at the expense of the minority) perhaps all this inconvenience such student protest marches, striking doctors -- would not be worth it. It would have been better to give into the protesters demands to avoid this daily public nuisance  though appeasement of that kind as we have seen in the past would only fuel further demands.



However, the SAITM problem is not just about SAITM, it is about the future of private higher education, which we badly need in this country. And by extension, it is also about the future of publicly-funded higher education, which has crumbed over the years because of the absence of competition. Sri Lankan State universities have proved to be incapable of socializing in an increasingly competitive global industry of higher education and emulate best practices of successful players because they operate within an archaic and insular institutional makeup that was put in place over half a century ago and has not changed since then. It is natural resistance to change to emanate from within and from an assortment of individuals and institutions that benefit from this de facto monopoly. Sri Lankan higher education sector is a miniature Licence Raj, that vast stifling structure which was put in place by the first prime minister of India, Nehru to keep the private sector out of economy, which for the next four decades made India the byword for under-performance and poverty. Some people tend to pontificate those systems for moral and otherworldly reasons, but they have rarely produced practical benefits for the large swathes of people who in fact became hostages of the dogmas of a bygone era.



If the Sri Lankan education system is so good as it is claimed, we would not be exporting housemaids and unskilled workers, we would have rather sent professionals. If our graduates are so good, those high-flying Indian IT companies -- TATA, Wipro, Infosys -- should be queuing up to open offices here. This we are better than them mantra is bunkum and is itself a hallucination in our insular minds.

In 1989, the then President Ranasinghe Premadasa back-pedaled on the Ragama Medical School issue which was later taken over by the government and turned into the medical faculty of Kelaniya University. He thought by giving into the demands of the JVP-affiliated student activists, and also by cancelling plans for a coal power plant in Trincomalee he could stave off a leftist insurgency in the South. He was proved wrong and finally his defence minister Ranjan Wijeratne had to fight with both hands to save the State. Mr. Premadasas decision nonetheless deprived this country the potential early bird advantage. Since then, countries such as Malaysia that embarked on private higher education, have become key global destinations for international students. For instance, Malaysia in 2014 had 135,000 foreign students and the numbers are expected to reach 200,000 in 2020. Since independence, we have lost so much and until 1977 due to economic dogmatism and since then due to political indecision. If we continue on the same path, there will be very little prospects for future generations.

"The Govt. is unable to provide quality higher education for students who wish to continue after their A/levels. But, it can create a conducive environment so that other players could play a role in education"



Very few, if any now argue that the government should have a monopoly in higher education. A governments monopoly in anything, (or perhaps except the monopoly of the legitimate use of violence as Max Weber put it) leads to social overreach. That creates overall dysfunction. There may be countries awash with petro dollars, tax money, a greater state power and fewer people to cater to that do better than us. But we can not do everything that the Scandinavian countries which are at a different social economic level do. The Sri Lankan government is unable to provide quality higher education for all students who wish to pursue an education after their A/levels. But, it can create a conducive environment so that other players could play a role in education. The government can provide students with tuition fee loans and scholarships and regulate quality and continuous improvement in those private institutions. At the same time, the government can provide, as it does now, an education to a chosen few, and make sure that they get an education on par with the international standard. The whole affair of the government opening up new universities through every other budget while even the countrys leading universities are performing abysmally internationally is simply absurd and smacks of publicity gimmicks. Rather than squandering its energy and money by further expanding an already overblown public university sector, the government for the time being should invest on the existing universities and bring them on par with international standards.

Universities like Colombo, Peradeniya and Moratuwa have potential for that provided that there is a concerted national level plan. Perhaps the government that is getting advice from Singapore on how to build the Colombo Metropolis can also ask how Singapore converted their universities into world-class excellence. Those feats have been achieved by the government proactively engaging in planning, setting targets, hiring internationally and not being a passive observer.

If the rot in the public universities could be cleared, the opposition to private education would dissipate. The main problem in local universities is that they have failed to provide that enlightened conditioning effect that most good schools in Colombo, Kandy or even my alma mater in Galle have been giving their students in the course of more than a century. Of course, there are other socio-economic factors at play. However, universities with a vast pool of resources at their disposal can definitely do better. If that happens, our graduates will have lesser reasons to be afraid of competition from their peers educated at private universities.

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Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

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PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

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
Ayodhya has woken up to the chanting of "Sitaram Jai Sitaram" blaring out from the loudspeakers atop Hanumangarhi, the small fortress-temple of Hanuman that dominates the skyline of this religious town.

Ayodhya is one of the 51 seats for which voting has begun today (February 27) in the penultimate fifth phase of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Sitting MLA Tejnarain Pandey, who is also known as Pawan Pandey, is from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and is considered close to CM Akhilesh Yadav, is likely to lose to either Ved Prakash Gupta of BJP or Bazmi Siddiqui of BSP.

This is conceded by even loyal supporters of SP who are in large numbers in this Assembly seat which covers a large area of Faizabad district. The total number of registered voters is around 3,48,000.

The caste composition is roughly as follows: Yadavs number around 70,000, SCs around 75,000, Muslims around 40,000 and other Hindu castes, including Brahmin, Thakur and Baniya, around 1,00,000. The rural and urban vote is divided almost equally.

A total of 14 candidates are in the fray and besides the SP-Congress, BJP and BSP, the only other somewhat serious contenders are from the Bahujan Mukti Morcha (Banshilal Yadav) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (Dharmendra Upadhyay). Both are likely to act as spoilers and will garner at least a few thousand votes in this tightly fought contest.

In the last Assembly election in 2012, BJPs Lallu Singh (who is now the MP from here) had lost to Pawan Pandey by only a couple of thousand votes. Till 2012, the BJP had held the seat for 15 years but failing to improve the state of affairs; the people of Ayodhya had sought to teach them a lesson by voting in a younger Brahmin candidate.

However, this time around, the BJP has by and large succeeded in sending a message of "Hinduism in danger and "vote for countrys good.

The arguments for the BJP winning mainly peg on the appeal of PM Narendra Modi and the perceived wave in its favour after the first three phases of election. The wave seems real if one were to believe the mainly upper-caste chattering classes who were up till late last night canvassing support on WhatsApp and informal interactions.

Like the 2014 election, the BJP strategy to carpet bomb both conventional and social media such as Facebook and WhatsApp with polarising messages seems to be working. Ayodhya is crucial to the BJPs electoral success owing to the Ram-Janambhoomi movement which propelled it to 89 Lok Sabha seats from a measly two in the 1990 parliamentary elections.

The total number of registered voters in Ayodhya is around 3,48,000. Photo: India Today

However, the supporters of SP, mainly the Yadavs and Muslims, were seen citing the massive development work done by the Akhilesh government in the last five years. But local anti-incumbency against Pawan Pandey, who was also a minister, is working against him and, therefore, experts say it is going to be a fight between BSPs Bazmi Siddiqui and BJPs Ved Prakash Gupta who was earlier in the BSP and also the SP.

But this fact coupled with demonetisation is not endearing him to sections of the BJPs core support base of traders, some of whom are rooting for the BSP. A person like me who had saved some money after years of toil is not going to forgive the BJP so easily, I dont care who wins Ayodhya but I pray that BSP forms the next government in the state, says Mr Shashi Kumar who runs a eatery in Faizabad.

What is often concealed from visiting journalists is this silent support for the BSP in this seat which has never had a Muslim candidate from a major party.

In the past, only Hindu candidates have won from the Ayodhya seat, which symbolically speaking is the launching pad of BJPs national rise.

And this fact is not forgotten by supporter-turned-critics of the BJP who believe the party has done nothing for the temple town or the region which is today plagued by unemployment and lack of development.
When did we last see success in municipal elections being celebrated with great pomp and show at the national level before an impressive tally was put up by the BJP on February 25?

Raucous rallies  part of Vijay Diwas  were taken out by BJP leaders at all the district headquarters in the country to celebrate the party's performance in the Maharashtra and Odisha municipal elections. Of course, that included the remaining poll-bound areas of Uttar Pradesh.

Questions are being raised at the timing of BJPs celebratory stunt. At a time when UP was still waiting for the remaining three phases of the seven-phase Assembly elections, wouldnt the celebrations have the potential to influence the electorate? Wouldn't voters in UP see the jubilations as sign of a BJP wave in both the eastern and western parts of the country, ripples of which are hard to miss their state?

That brings the role of the Election Commission (EC) of India into spotlight. How could the EC be oblivious to the fact that these celebrations could in fact impact the electorate in not one but two election-bound states?

The EC has put on hold counting of votes for Goa, Punjab and Uttarakhand elections for over a month, only to ensure that their results don't have an impact on the remaining elections to UP and Manipur Assemblies. In the same vein, just as the EC could put on hold three state election results, couldnt it also postpone the Maharashtra municipal election results?

ECs argument is simple: Municipal elections dont fall under ECs purview, and therefore, it has no control over the timing of either conducting those polls, or declaring their results.

Administration in election-bound states is controlled by the EC and anything which can influence free and fair elections is regulated by it. Previously, the Commission stopped the Centre from releasing the Bundelkhand package worth Rs 80 crores, which was sanctioned by Niti Ayog in 2016-17. Similarly, EC also restrained the Goa government from releasing the first installment of grants under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

In fact, EC has been adopting increasingly strident positions ever since TN Seshan started the trend in the early 1990s. During the current Assembly elections in UP, EC decided to shift an inspector general of police (IGP) and an excise commissioner only because their reports on liquor seized during polls were at variance.

Photo: Reuters

It is therefore surprising to see the EC turning its eyes away from repeated attempts to influence the elections  be it BJPs Vijay Diwas, or exit poll results run by a news website into the first phase of UP elections. The polls showed BJP emerging heads and shoulders above its rivals and used the trend to project that the ruling party in the Centre was going to form the government in Uttar Pradesh.

The issue here was blatant contravention of Supreme Court verdict banning such polls till the last phase of polling was over. The EC promptly lodged an FIR with UP police and the editor of the website was arrested. The matter ended there. But did it?

The owner of the website claimed that the polls had been commissioned by the advertisement department of the paper. That means that his paper had received some money to publish this advertisement. This qualifies the exit poll news as paid news, which is again banned by the EC. The Commission, however, kept mum on further probe or action.

The cherry on the cake was the denial by RDI  the company that is supposed to have conducted the exit poll  over having undertaken the task in the first place. While the media group claimed it received the exit poll from a firm called Research and Development International of India (RDI), the latters managing director Rajiv Gupta denied it saying his company was into human resource development and not election-related research. Then there is another RDI  Research and Development Initiative, headed by a psephologist, Devendra Kumar.

But, he too denied of having done this exit poll.

This is something like the 2005 Delhi blast case, in which all accused have been acquitted by the court. Who then engineered those explosions that claimed scores of life? Similarly, nobody knows who conducted the exit poll published by the news portal.

EC officials say their responsibility was to report the violation to the police and further investigations have to be carried out by the police. But, what if police sleeps over the case?

EC's inaction in these cases, once again, portrays it as the toothless tiger it used to be in pre-TN Seshan era. Former secretary general of Lok Sabha, PDT Achary differs. Article 324 of the Constitution and subsequent SC verdicts have bestowed on the EC immense power to ensure smooth, free and fair elections.

Supreme Court, in its judgment in Mohinder Singh Gill and Anor versus Chief Election Commissioner and Others, has described Article 324 as the reservoir of powers. That means it can draw powers of the state whenever and wherever needed to conduct smooth execution of polls  referring to superintendence, direction and control of elections.

In the MS Gill case, the Election Commission had in 1977 declared the election for Firozepur parliamentary constituency cancelled, due to complaints of malpractices at certain places. Gill contended that the EC was not empowered to cancel polls in entire constituency but could only direct re-poll at the polling stations where malpractices had been reported.

The Supreme Court rejected the petitioners arguments. A constitution bench of the Supreme Court held that Article 324 is a plenary provision vesting the whole responsibility for national and state elections in the EC.

The SC defined Article 324 as superintendence, direction and control of the conduct of elections. It said these might cover powers, duties and functions of many sorts, administrative or other depending upon the circumstances. Article 324 vests vast powers on the Election Commission, essentially administrative, and marginally, even judicative and legislative.

The Supreme Court also observed in that case that Articles 327 and 328, which empower Parliament to make laws with regard to electoral matters, are subject to the provisions of the Constitution, which include Article 324.

The SC observed: The framers of the Constitution took care to leaving scope for exercise of residuary power by the Election Commission in its own right, in the infinite variety of situations that may emerge from time to time in such a large democracy. Every contingency could not be foreseen or anticipated with precision. That is why there is no hedging in Article 324.

The Commission may be required to cope with some situation which may not be provided for in the enacted laws and the rules. That means Parliament or state legislatures could enact law related to elections under Article 327 and 328 but they should not impede ECs powers Article 324.

To tackle situations where the existing laws are absent, the EC must lawfully exercise his power independently and see that the election process is completed properly in a free and fair manner.

Does the ECs responsibility end with just lodging an FIR?

No.

In fact, as Article 324 suggests, it has unbridled administrative powers and can ask the police to expeditiously investigate the case and bring those to the book who tried to influence smooth conduct of elections in Uttar Pradesh?
Narendra Modi, the prime minister, has damaged the foreign policy fabric and hurt India's diplomatic interests and objectives vis-a-vis Pakistan during his ongoing election campaign in Uttar Pradesh as Narendra Modi the politician. How? Read on.

Forget the polemics about India-Pakistan relations and what trajectory they are going to take in the coming months.

Forget the theorisations about the much-awaited and perhaps long overdue India-Pakistan bonhomie.

Forget the age-old cyclical pattern of India-Pakistan bilateral relations which invariably witness a cardinal law of physics: whatever goes up, comes down, thereby implying that the current trend of frosty ties with Pakistan is going to be reversed, no matter howsoever temporarily or fleetingly.

Modi the prime minister is working at cross purposes with Modi the politician. This rings out to be the alarming picture when Modi is adjudged in the context of foreign policy - and even more so in India's Pakistan policy.

The problem with Modi is that he has always been in campaign mode during his prime ministerial tenure of 33 months - a personality trait exhibited by none other than US president Donald Trump. Even into the second month of his office, Trump continues to be on campaign mode, demonstrated by the tone and tenor of his public speeches.

Modi can derive huge quantum of solace from the fact that the most powerful leader of the world has been aping his tactics even after he won the presidential election, by copying Modi's ways to the hilt as presidential candidate.

The only current parallel of the Modi brand of politics in vogue internationally is Trump's America and Modi can pat himself on the back that he has been driving Trump's politics, consciously or unconsciously.

Modi's flawed approach came to the fore a couple of days ago when he terribly mixed up foreign policy with domestic politics. He said at an election rally in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, that the recent Kanpur railway accident was a terror attack choreographed from across the border - an obvious reference to Pakistan.

Well, there is nothing wrong in stating facts and if the available evidence points the needle of suspicion towards Pakistan, so be it. It doesn't behove a PM to blame a neighbouring country for a terror attack at an election rally and when the Indian government is yet to share evidence of such a thing before courts and the relevant court is yet to take a call on the matter.

Not only PM Modi can be seen here as influencing the judiciary by his remark at an election rally, he can also be held guilty for jumping the gun and making snide remarks about a neighbouring country that could have been best avoided. Photo: India Today

Not only PM Modi can be seen here as influencing the judiciary by his remark at an election rally, he can also be held guilty for jumping the gun and making snide remarks about a neighbouring country that could have been best avoided.

In one stroke, PM Modi has pronounced his own verdict which poses a huge problem before the appropriate court. It puts the relevant court in a quandary and seeks to influence the mind of the judge.

In case the relevant court dismisses the foreign conspiracy angle and the alleged involvement of Pakistan in the Kanpur rail accident - the second biggest terror attack in India in recent times since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in terms of lives lost, considering that 150 people perished in the Kanpur accident - the Modi government will turn itself into a laughing stock.

Most importantly, Modi's comments on the Kanpur accident at the Gonda rally came close on the heels of a carefully-crafted positive statement from Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, wherein he extolled the virtues of the India-Pakistan peace process and stressed the need for eschewing conspiracy theories that derail this process.

PM Modi should have been more responsible and temperate in his remarks and ought to have known that his government would inevitably be under pressure from the International community to have at least a semblance of resumption of talks with Pakistan, once the Assembly election process is done and dusted with on March 11.

Modi is likely to meet Trump in May in Germany on the sidelines of an international event. After having taken a maximalist position vis-a-vis Pakistan at an election rally, he has done more harm than good to his government's foreign policy, particularly India's Pakistan policy.

It doesn't happen quite often in India that Pakistan is dragged into domestic politics. Even more importantly, it doesn't happen very often in India when the prime minister plays the Pakistan card during Assembly elections.

Quite understandably, PM Modi made his Pakistan-specific remarks at the Gonda rally with the immediate political objective of polarising voters.

But by making such intemperate and avoidable remarks, PM Modi has erroneously made Pakistan an election issue in India, not very different from how the Trump administration has dragged many foreign countries in domestic politics.

While foreign policy can never be divorced from domestic politics anywhere in the world, PM Modi needs to be more temperate and diplomatically correct in bringing foreign countries into his electoral gambit.
"Why do you visit dargahs yaar? It is shirk (idolatry)," is how most Pakistanis confront me when I tell them about my reverence for the Sufi saints of the subcontinent.

They then proceed to rebuke me by reminding me that the traditions followed at these shrines have their origins in Hinduism; tabaruk (sweet offering) they tell me is similar to prasad, grave worship is akin to idolism and so on.

What they fail to understand is that Sufism is an act of emptying oneself of all labels, noises, and emulsifying into nothingness.

After last weeks deadly attack at Sindh's Sehwan Shareef, which killed more than 80 worshippers, the Pakistani youth  after initially mourning their loss  debated and even justified the killings as an afterthought.

A sufi dances at Punjabi poet Bulleh Shah's urs, at Kasur, Pakistan. Photo: Independent blog

They argued that Dhamaal, a celebratory dance at the dargah, is an un-islamic, disgraceful practice, and therefore the devotees of such a place ended up facing the wrath of Allah.

Previously known as the land that produced the best Qawals and poets, Pakistan now enjoys a uncomfortable relationship with its Sufi heritage.

Taking the two-nation theory to heart, some citizens have been trying to erase all that was once beautiful and syncretic about their shared past with India.

Sufism is a hot seller as a marketing brand, but in its raw, spiritual form, it is diminishing quickly.

At the heart of Pakistan is a battle between the old and the new, between Sufism and Salafism, between inclusivity and exclusiveness, and, unfortunately, the tolerant ones seem to be losing this war.

A few days after the Sehwan attack, I took off alone to Kasur, Punjab, the final resting place of 18th century rebel poet and spiritual scholar Bulleh Shah.

More than it being an act of defiance, I just wanted to run away from so much religious insecurity buzzing around; the muezzins seemed to be fighting each other even during azaan, with calls for prayer overlapping each other over loud speakers.

The suicide bomber at Sehwan Sharif may have come from outside, but in our homes we have been breeding intolerance for eons, dissecting each sect, subsect and discarding all that doesnt agree with us ever so casually.

My association with Sufism started after 9/11 and before Islamophobia became the accepted form of transaction between people.

As a teen, I had questions about myself, life and even our faith, which was the target of ridicule and confusion.

Initially, it was the greed of having mannats (wish fulfilment) that propelled me towards dargahs, so I would tie endless threads through marbled lattices.

At times, I would run out of wishes and make useless ones like "please let me marry Salman Khan, the actor" to test a particular saints power.

As I gained maturity, I started seeking the company of these dead men more for peace, for finding my core.

Sufism allows one to have their own unique spiritual experience, in its true essence it never judges; Ive experienced chants by Hindus at Ajmer Sharif who cried "Garib Nawaz ki jai ho" in ecstasy and it was as powerful as any other statement of allegiance.

As I made my way into the dargah of Baba Bulleh Shah, who is now also a cool figure for Hindi film lyricists, who use his name to give their songs a sufiana edge, I could sense that fear was in the air and security had been heightened at the shrine.

I happened to be the only female present at that time  with a few male caretakers around.

Honestly speaking, my eyes kept looking out anyone overdressed for the pleasant weather with a heavy-looking vest or a "bomber" jacket  and I was going to run for cover should they approach me.

Bulleh Shah often ran into trouble with the orthodox mullahs of his time as well, he advocated namaz-e-ishq in his poems as the highest form of prayer, which obviously didnt settle well with other scholars leading lives tied to blind rituals.

At one point, Bulleh Shah is said to have learnt the art of dancing from a local prostitute to appease his spiritual master; he would later write "jaddon yaar raazi hoya raazi rabb ho gaya", reflecting on his dance performance; peace between two souls mattered most to his teachings, so did spiritual liberation.

When he died, the mullahs refused to bury him for three days, to them Bulleh was a kafir, an non-believer, so his remains had to finally be taken outside city limits for burial.

Today, Kasur has rebuilt itself around Bulleh Shahs dargah, its focal attraction, and the graves of those who opposed him are nowhere to be found.
Peace and stability in Pakistan is not possible if there is no peace and stability in Afghanistan. Recent revelations and comments by the Pakistani elite establishment have highlighted the validity of rumours that Pakistan was actively engaged in undermining the early Hamid Karzai government in Afghanistan and providing sanctuary to the Taliban.

Former army general and president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, and Pakistans new ambassador to the US, Aizaz Chaudhry, have highlighted the validity of these rumours. Musharraf stated in an interview that:

In President Karzais times, yes, indeed, he was damaging Pakistan and therefore we were working against his interest. Obviously we had to protect our own interest.

He went on to explain his rationale by arguing that the support given to the Taliban was to counter the supposed influence that India possessed in Afghanistan and with Karzai. Musharraf specifically stated that:

The RAW of India, the ISI of Pakistan have always been fighting against each other since our independence. That is how it continued, it continues now also... It must stop, but it can only stop when leaderships on both sides show the will to resolve disputes and stop confrontation in favour of compromise and accommodation.

Musharrafs comments were echoed by Aizaz Chaudhry, who also stated that the Taliban had been allowed to enter into Pakistan as migrants seeking refuge on the condition that they steer clear of militant activities if they wanted to stay in the country.

The policy decisions by the Pakistani government and military establishment have been misguided as the intensity of terrorist attacks in Pakistan has increased dramatically. The attacks have exacerbated the fall in health of the Pakistani economy as markets and malls have gone empty and the Karachi Stock Exchange has experienced a flat lining as investors decided to book profits following uncertainty over a host of factors.

Afghanistan is Pakistans neighbour and in some sense a brother to the nation. Pakistan has always prided itself on being part of the larger brotherhood of Islamic nations and so it is striking and disheartening to see actions that go against the spirit of this brotherhood.

Past policies and inactions of the Pakistan establishment and military have come to haunt the country and its innocent people. Pakistans stance towards Afghanistan has further eroded the trust between Kabul and Islamabad, pushing Kabul towards Delhi.

Pakistan faces hostility from India on its eastern border and is now allocating resources to an increasingly hostile western border with Afghanistan. Military actions and strikes have been taken across the western border to counter terrorists based on Afghan soil that Pakistan blames for the recent set of attacks through out the country.

Additionally, Pakistan is actively engaged in artillery shelling against targets in Afghanistan. The Afghan defense ministry has described the shelling as an act of aggression.

Regardless of the validity of Pakistani claims that Afghanistan is harbouring militants, the Pakistani stance, can easily be countered by pointing out the hypocrisy of the claim.

Afghanistans president, Ashraf Ghani, responded to Pakistans demand that 76 terrorists be handed over to Pakistani authorities with a list of 85 terrorists wanted by the Afghan government residing in Pakistan. Kabul feels a justified sense of betrayal against Pakistan.

Pakistans previous stances and efforts can be sympathised with, as it had no intention on joining the US-led War on Terror. Photo: Reuters

Kabuls sense of betrayal with Islamabad and Rawalpindi is justified as Ghani agreed to put his government at stake by reposing full trust in Pakistan to not only deliver the Taliban to the negotiating table, but also to force them to stop insurgent attacks.

Pakistan was unable to deliver as the talks broke down with the revelation of Mullah Omars death. Furthermore, there had been reports of the now deceased Mullah Mansour actively engaging the support of militant groups in Balochistans capital, Quetta, furthering the sense of betrayal held by Kabul.

Pakistans policy of gaining trust and controlling the Taliban, by allowing them to reside in border areas on the condition that they would refrain from further violence, has come to viciously haunt the country. These groups have now become entrenched in Pakistan and further metastasised throughout the nation.

Pakistani officials held a sense of recognition for the Taliban and believed they could persuade the organisation to come to some form of agreement. This has not been the case and this misguided policy has spurned further acts of terror and violence throughout Pakistani cities.

In response to the terrorist attacks carried out in Pakistan over the past few days, Islamabad has chosen to respond by authorising the military to undertake counterterrorism actions across the border in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the Sharif administration has also intensified efforts to revive military courts that would swiftly deal with terrorists and result in their execution.

Yet, this policy is unnecessary, as the government has already decided to act as judge, jury, and executioner. In response to the blast at the La Shahbaz Qalandar shrine, ISPR (Inter-Service Public Relations) stated that, over 100 terrorists have been killed and sizeable apprehensions have been made.

In response to these actions, Pakistani Senator and former ambassador Sherry Rehman questioned the military and police response on Twitter stating:

Who were the 100 terrorists killed? Under what law? And why were they targeted only after four days of terrorist attacks? Why not before?

Her questions echo the questions posed by families of the victims and the greater public who perceive the government as inept and reactionary rather preventative.

Pakistan must now realise that any form of cooperation with the Taliban is no longer feasible. Pakistans previous stances and efforts can be sympathised with, as Pakistan had no intention of joining the US-led War on Terror. Under pressure from the former Bush administration, Musharraf was given a choice to either side with American interests or the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Pakistan reluctantly chose the American side and was forced into the heart of the conflict. Furthermore, Pakistani support for the War on Terror has slowly eroded as Pakistan has been subject to American drone strikes and operations that the Pakistani public views as an infringement on their sovereignty and finds humiliating.

Furthermore, Pakistan sees the US's increased cooperation and amicability towards India as a betrayal for the price that Pakistan has paid in the war that they joined reluctantly.

Pakistan has been residing in between a rock and a hard place, attempting to balance historic interests and aims against India and the predicament that they found themselves in with Afghanistan. Pakistans approach to the Taliban can either be viewed maliciously or as a result of trying to balance difficult circumstances.

Washington and Kabul perceive Pakistans actions as malicious and this stance can be justified. The same can be said for Pakistan finding a middle ground between dealing with a Taliban that they supported during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the might of the American military and their interests after the terrible events of 9/11.

Pakistans reluctance in dealing with the Taliban stems from the fear that targeting all militant and terrorist groups will amount to declaring war on the Taliban and risking the conflict spilling into Pakistan. However, this fear is no longer reasonable as the conflict has spread into virtually all of Pakistans provinces.
Has PM Narendra Modi issued a strong condemnation of the murder of the 32-year-old Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibholta, in Kansas by a white-skinned US navy veteran?

No.

PM Modi, who was quick to issue a tweet in the wake of the Orlando gun massacre last year, has remained eerily silent over an issue that directly relates to the well being of Indians residing in Donald Trumps America. The unbelievably xenophobic and openly racist 45th President of the United States has created a climate of such bigotry in his country that immigrants  brown, black and yellow  are afraid to even speak in their own language in public places.

Trump, when not blaming and shaming the US media, or banishing prestigious media houses and newspapers from White House press briefings, is usually tweeting, or talking things that are so utterly shameful that they defy logic and his constitutional seat of the highest elected office in the US. Trump and his circles of enabling, such as the alt-fact cheerleaders Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway, have a direct bearing on a rapid escalation in hate crimes reported in the US since November 8 last.

The fatal shooting of Srinivas Kuchibholta, a promising Indian techie and an immigrant to the US, in Kansas on February 23 is therefore part of a larger malignant picture, which is the consequence of an administration and its political machinery gone rogue. Along with Kuchibholta, who died on the spot, his friend and fellow engineer Alok Madasani, was also shot at by Adam W Purinton, the US navy veteran who thought he was serving his country by killing two Middle Easterners.

The fatal shooting of Srinivas Kuchibholta in Kansas on February 23 is the consequence of an administration and its political machinery gone rogue. [Photo: CNN]

It is exactly this climate of hostility that has created ripples of disturbance across the world. Kuchibholtas murder was patently not by just a lone wolf white nationalist, but someone who suddenly found a purpose in life and a narrative to strengthen when he saw the US government echoing ideas that better fit the likes of Klux Klux Klan, or the Nazi party in 1930s Germany.

Trumps obnoxious and downright undemocratic statements, such as building a wall along US-Mexico border, deporting all illegal immigrants on a war-footing, imposing a travel ban on seven Muslim countries, repealing Obamacare, as well as knowing no difference between facts and fiction and betraying it in innumerable occasions, have, in fact, mirror images in whats happening in India.

Just like Trump humiliated a late Iraq war veterans parents because they happened to be Muslim, in India today a 20-year-old daughter of a Kargil war martyr is trolled on social media and is threatened with rape because she dares to speak the harsh truth. Gurmehar Kaurs brilliant and bold stance has obliterated the very binary of the patriot soldier versus the left-liberal anti-nationals, which the RSS/ABVP/BJP milks at every opportunity, because she has known sacrifice like no other.

We can expect little else from the student body affiliated with the RSS when the BJP national president Amit Shah equates his political opponents with Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist caught alive after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. This, after the expose of BJP IT cell in Bhopal harbouring ISI spies, is not just delusional, but intentionally communal and aimed to vitiate an already toxic electoral climate in the country.

It is extremely sad that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who extols the virtues of his NRI supporters all across the world, hasnt felt the need to issue a strong and scathing condemnation of the blatant hate crime that killed Srinivas Kuchibholta in Kansas. Does the PM think that doing so would call attention to the strategies his own party and its leaders have been deploying in order to win elections and supplant the liberal universities all across the country?

Does the PM feel hesitant over calling out xenophobia at the topmost government level and its bloody, violent consequences in the United States because it would draw immediate and strong parallels to whats happening in India? Is he waiting for his circles of enablers to interpret this as Hinduphobia? Does he not see this as a fundamental breach of the human rights of Indians abroad, particularly in the US?

PM Modis failure to condemn Kuchibholtas murder is actually an indirect confession of his own complicity in violence and riots that have happened because bigotry got the better of majority Indians. Violence such as lynching to death of Mohammad Akhlaq in September 2015 over beef rumours. Violence such as the Muzaffarnagar riots, the open lumpenism of ABVP hurting and punching students and teachers, obstructing seminars and poisoning the university as a haven of independent intellectual debate.

PM Modis failure to stand up for an Indian killed abroad, however, is also the strongest evidence of his own anti-nationalism. After all, only an anti-national sees his/her countrymen dying, felled by foreigners, and admits to weakness - moral and physical  by refusing to condemn the death.

Just like Modi sarkar has made a mockery of democracy in India, the Trump administration is violating the constitution at every step. The direct result of this is a rise in incidences of white nationalist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, racist hate crimes in America, and a corresponding increase in anti-Muslim, anti-liberal, anti-secular rhetoric, violence and threats in India. Incidentally, both have been done in the name of nationalism, patriotism and making the respective countries great again.
Armenian Americans Protest in New York and Washington DC against Azerbaijani Aggression

NEW YORK NY / WASHINGTON DC  Armenian Americans protested escalating Azerbaijani aggression against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia in New York City and Washington, DC in recent days, in the wake of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs largest attacks since his April, 2016, 4-day offensive that claimed several hundred lives, reported the Armenian National Committee of America  Eastern Region (ANCA-ER). President Aliyevs latest attacks this weekend represent a continuation of the pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku from 1988-1990 and 25 years of escalating ceasefire violations that culminated in the April 2016 atrocities  the worst violence seen in decades, said ANCA-ER Board Member Audrey Mardoian. We continue to witness the cost - in innocent lives - of the refusal by the U.S. and the international community to clearly and unequivocally condemn President Aliyevs aggression and put in place clear measures to stop his violence. The demonstrations, organized by the ANC of New York and ANC of Greater Washington, in cooperation with the local Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) chapters, were held on February 24th and 26th, respectively, and coincided with the 29th anniversary of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait. Those massacres set the stage for similar attacks in Baku in 1990 and a cycle of violence that continues to this day. In Washington, DC, Vice-President Mike Pences motorcade passed within feet of protesters. At the end of demonstration, Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, led DC-area protesters in a prayer in memory of those who have perished as a result of Azerbaijani aggression. Also on Sunday, February 26th, the ANC of NY organized a special commemoration of the Sumgait-Baku massacres, hosted by the St. Gregory Mission Parish of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church  Eastern U.S. and held at the Brooklyn Armenian School, with remarks provided by the ANCA Eastern Regions Artur Martirosyan. A small group of Azerbaijani counter-protesters converged in both cities, many brandishing the sign of the Grey Wolves, a Turkish terrorist organization. According to reports by the Republic of Artsakh Defense Army, on February 25th, Azerbaijani forces carried out two attacks at the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact in the direction of Martakert and Akna. Artsakh forces successfully repelled the strike, with no casualties reported. Azerbaijani authorities have confirmed several deaths as a result of their military action. Just a day earlier, on February 24th, Azerbaijani forces shelled the Artsakh village of Talish, which had been a primary target during the April 2-6, 2016 Azerbaijani incursion, the worst violence since the 1994 ceasefire. Over the past two years, U.S. Congressional leaders, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), Senior Member Brad Sherman and over 90 colleagues have called for the implementation of the Royce-Engel proposals  a concrete plan to reduce aggression in the region, calling for the 1) removal of snipers 2) increase of Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitors at the line of contact and 3) the deployment of a gunfire locator system to clearly identify aggressors. Armenia and Artsakh have approved the plan. Azerbaijan, to date, continues to obstruct their implementation. The latest violence raises additional concerns about reports of Azerbaijans impending purchase of the Israeli made Iron Dome missile system, which includes sensitive U.S. technology. The ANCA has called on the US State Department to exercise its right to oppose the sale, noting that it will only further embolden President Aliyev to increase his aggression. We are here to protest Azerbaijan's most recent attacks and its pattern of violence going back more than a quarter century, said AYF Central Hai Tahd Council Chair Lara Ozdemirci. As Americans, we can and must contribute to peace by challenging Azerbaijan's aggression, cutting off military aid and arms sales to Baku, deploying gunfire locators along the line of contact, and imposing sanctions on Aliyev and his inner circle. From 1988 to 1990, the Armenian population in Soviet Azerbaijan was the target of racially motivated pogroms against Armenians in the cities of Sumgait (February 27-29, 1988), Kirovabad (November 21-27, 1988) and Baku (January 13-19, 1990). At the time, Members of Congress condemned these premeditated and officially-sponsored attacks against Armenian civilians and passed amendments and resolutions demanding respect for the democratic aspirations of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. These pogroms set the stage for two decades of aggression by Azerbaijan, during which it launched and lost a war against Nagorno Karabakh, and later used its oil wealth to buy a massive military arsenal that its leaders, to this day, vow to use to renew their attempts to conquer a Christian people that has lived on these lands for thousands of years and, after great challenges, has flourished in freedom from Soviet oppression for 25 years.
Kiraki: Child from orphanage doesnt want temporary solution (video)

6 state and 4 private orphanages operate in Armenia. The state wants to get rid of these institutions; reforms are needed. As of January 1, 2016, 660 children live in 6 state orphanages of the republic. Most of them were brought to orphanages by their parents because of social problems. 95 percent of these children have at least one parent. The state aims at reorganizing both the boarding schools and the orphanages into day care centers and develop the institution of foster families. It became possible when in 2005 the UN Childrens Fund provided aid to review the Family Code. The calculations show that the sums allocated annually to the orphanages will be enough for covering the expenses of 4-member 826 families. Or for 1222 foster families for taking children from orphanages and taking care of them. Human Rights Watch international human rights organization isnt pleased how the Government of Armenia carries out the process. What are the obstacles in this issue? What awaits the pupils and graduates of the orphanages? Kiraki (Sunday) program hosted Karine Khachatryan, a chief specialist of Family, Women and Children Affairs Department of the Staff of Armenias Labour and Social Affairs and Srbuhi Aghababyan, student at American University of Armenia, former social employee of an orphanage, former pupil of orphanage. Our colleagues from Qyavar and Kamut TV companies prepared materials for the program.
Asparez: Limitation of rights and discrimination against media outlets

STATEMENT on rights limitations of two mass media of Journalists Club Asparez and unjustified discrimination applied by the law In particular:

In article 31 part 8 it is specified that only Mass Media having been disseminating information for at least one year before the elections can have representatives at polling stations; and the founder, despite the number of media created by him/her, can accredit no more than 50 representatives to cover the election processes. Besides, these restrictions do not relate to media carrying out terrestrial on-air broadcasting. Article 65 part 7 of the Electoral Code defines that the electoral commission has the right to limit the total number of observers and mass media representatives having the right to be in the voting room at the same time, upon a decision adopted by 2/3 of the votes of all members. The number of observers and mass media representatives may not be more than 15. This limitation does not relate to representatives of television and radio companies carrying out terrestrial on-air broadcasting.

Urgently review the above mentioned provisions of the RA Electoral Code, remove the limitations of accredited media representatives and the possibility to limit the general number of observers and media representatives. Urgently review the above mentioned provisions of the RA Electoral Code, remove the discrimination of media by their type.

Along with these limitations there is an unjustified discrimination upon the types of mass media. In particular, each media carrying out terrestrial on-air broadcasting can have limitless number of accredited representatives, whereas printed and online media cannot have more than 50. Besides, in one polling station all broadcasting mass media (there are 50 of them in Armenia) can have one working group each (journalist and cameraman/photographer), 125 people overall, but printed and online media can have a maximum of 15 people in case there is no observer at the polling station and even less in case there is an observer. This means that according to the legislators, 100-125 representatives of broadcasting media can no way hinder the smooth voting process, whereas 16 journalists from a printed media or 16 observers and paper/website journalist can do. In addition to this, media operating for less than one year have been deprived of the right to cover the election process. While developing and adopting these restrictions, the RA authorities didnt have any practical example of a situation when the overall number of media representatives and observers was ever a hindrance to the smooth voting process. While developing and adopting these restrictions many representatives of the civil society of Armenia have pointed out how unjustified and unreasonable are they and called to the RA authorities to quit these intentions. No result. During 2001-2016 Journalists Club Asparez with its mass media (Asparez monthly newspaper, Asparez daily paper, www.publicdata.am website) have had more than 700 representatives to the all RA national and legal elections without any quantitative restriction and they have send urgent information about voting and calculation processes. But now, because of the above mentioned restrictions, JCA media will not be able to carry out the necessary control with their representatives. The function of a medium to gather and report information having only 50 representatives in Armenia where there are 2000 polling stations, was put to become artificial. Taking into account all of the above, Journalists Club Asparez calls to RA National Assembly and all the members of deputies:
PNM Resources, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The segment generates electricity using coal, natural gas and oil, nuclear fuel, solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had owned or leased facilities with a total net generation capacity of 2,168 megawatts; and owned 3,426 miles of electric transmission lines, 5,751 miles of distribution overhead lines, 5,765 miles of underground distribution lines, and 250 substations. The segment also owns and leases communication, office and other equipment, office space, vehicles, and real estate. The TNMP segment provides regulated transmission and distribution services. As of December 31, 2021, the segment owned 983 miles of overhead electric transmission lines, 7,297 miles of overhead distribution lines, 1,408 miles of underground distribution lines, and 113 substations. The segment also owns and leases vehicles, service facilities, and office locations throughout its service territory. The company serves approximately 806,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers and end-users of electricity in New Mexico and Texas. PNM Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1882 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

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
Sajjad Karim The issuing of an international arrest order is unwelcome

Statement by Mr Sajjad Karim Co-Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Armenia and EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Association Committees London and Brussels, 25 February 2017 Azerbaijani Prosecutor General has issued three international arrest warrants, this week, against MEPs Eleni Theocharous, Frank Engel and Jaromir Stetina for having visited Nagorno-Karabach and having, through their behavior, supported the self-proclaimed local statehood. On 20 February, the MEPs named above carried out "observations" of a process organised locally in Nagorno- Karabach. No official European Parliament observation mission has been organized in Nagorno-Karabach. Any impression given contrary to this is therefore without merit and completely unfounded. Whilst MEPs are free to visit areas of their choosing and promote their individual beliefs, MEPs should responsibly pay attention to the obvious fragility of the cease-fire and the need to support the political mediation processes in Nagorno-Karabach and be clear of their unofficial individual status for all such visits. The issuing of an international arrest order is unwelcome, unhelpful and undesirable it also exaggerates the importance to be attached to this individual MEPs visit. What is needed is the re-invigoration of the Minsk Group process and a political mediation to take the peoples living in the area, and the states concerned, from the current, too long, protracted conflict to stable peace, economic revitalisation and decent living conditions. This should be the drive of our political activity, when we conduct it openly and transparently via the official bodies of the EP. We look forward to all three named MEPs declaring the basis of this visit as per declaration requirements for all MEPs.
Responding to a call for two shooting victims in the 1700 block of Monticello Road on Sunday night, Charlottesville police found the victims deceased.

Police received the call just after 7 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the two deceased victims in a home with gunshot wounds.

Police on the scene said they do not believe the incident poses a threat to community. An investigations team arrived on the scene shortly after.

No other details were being released at this time.
LYNCHBURG  Central Virginia is favorable to many residents for its four seasons. And February boasts the highest-average snowfall.

Not this year.

Temperatures this month  which have reached past 70 degrees numerous days  by and large have had people tugging off their sweaters and pulling on their shorts.

Really our whole area has been seeing this warm weather, said Patrick Wilson, with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg.This is the warmest February on record if things continue this way until the end of the month.

That might be good news for residents who love warm weather, but it has some area orchardists on edge.

Its affecting us, and it will continue to, said Danny Johnson, owner of Johnsons Orchard and Peaks of Otter Winery in Bedford.

The orchard already is seeing plums and peaches blooming, fruits that arent supposed to bloom until mid-March. Emerging fruit buds are susceptible to damage from frost, which is a concern in Central Virginia through April.

Apples bloom somewhere between the last of March until April, so I dont know what will happen, Johnson said.

Many of the farmers in Central Virginia agree on one thing: Theyll just have to wait and see.

I believe it is too early to tell if there will be an effect of this warm weather on our [agriculture] sector, Bedford County Extension Agent Scott Baker said. The concern for local ag at this point would be primarily in tree fruits and small fruits, like grapes. The concern would be if this warm weather persists, fruit-bearing plants may break out of winter dormancy early.

And then, if freezing occurs, that could translate into less fruit production this season, he said.

Last year, Johnson said he lost all of his peaches, nectarines, cherries and apricots due to a freeze in April. About 40 percent of his apples also were lost.

Im not looking forward to another cold, he said.

He said growers are not out of what he calls the danger zone until May 10 as far as frost goes.

Ive never seen weather like this this early and not for this long, he said. Ive heard that unless youre over 80 years old, youve never seen weather this warm [this time of year]. Im 78 years old, and Ive never seen one like this.

To mitigate concerns, there are several tricks growers can do, according to Johnson.

One is irrigating the trees from the top so the water freezes on the top of the trees.

According to Johnson, temperatures dont usually get below 32 degrees on the blooms so it keeps them from freezing, but this is a task growers must continuously keep up with.

Some growers have large fans they blow, which is all fine and good if youre dealing with a frost, he said. You can lose your fruit in low-lying areas, and hopefully the higher fruit will survive.

After a frost, the best thing to do is create wind, he said.

We would take brush piles and put them in different locations where its safe to burn and start heavy fires. You create wind, but we used up all our hay and everything else trying to save the fruit.

The last time the orchard had a complete freeze was in the 1950s, Johnson said.

Legislation passed this month by the General Assembly would allow orchards and vineyards an exemption during the annual winter burn ban to help them defend against late freezes that industry representatives say hurt the industry. Farmers have had to adhere to the annual state burn ban between Feb. 15 and April 30.

Its gonna be a long season, and [the warm weather] would mean we could have to start using chemicals earlier, and more than likely, the fruit will mature earlier and no one will know, he said.

Johnson said consumers buy fruit according to the weather. So even if there is a perfect crop of apples in August, they wont want to pick them until autumn.

I dont know whats going to happen. We havent had enough cold weather to really get rid of insects and diseases, he said. Im just waiting.

He said he has seen more people coming to the winery, however. The business is open Friday through Sunday this time of year, but on Feb. 19, Johnson added a staff member in the tasting room because there was such high traffic.

A little farther north, George Hodson, general manager at Veritas Vineyards and Winery in Afton, acknowledged the benefit and potential costs of the unseasonable warm weather.

Last Saturday was 70 degrees and sunny, and everyone was outside enjoying it, he said last week. Its great for business since we are typically dead this time of year.

At the same time, there is the potential for bud break  when buds start emerging ahead of schedule.

Luckily, Veritas hasnt experienced that yet, but Hodson said they are seeing more activity in the vineyard sooner than is typical.

For all intents and purposes, you can have frost damage that will let you get one-tenth of what you normally get, he said. It only matters if you get a frost. If we have early bud break, and the weather stays warm, we will have a longer growing season. The duration of this warm spell is concerning because we dont want to have bud break too early.

Hodson, like fellow growers, said there is nothing he can do about it.

Its the nature of agriculture. You have no control; you just have to hope for the best, he said.

The weather is always an issue for farmers, said Kaye Moomaw, owner of Irvington Spring Farms in Lynchburg.

Very rarely is it perfect, she said. You cant have thin skin and like this work because something is always going to happen. Some years are for sure better than others in terms of productivity and bounty though.

If she sees the same pattern again, she wont have her early spring field flowers such as peonies, astilbe and sweet William.

Not a thing I can do to stop it, though, she said.
The Trump administration claims its policies will usher in economic growth of 3 percent per annumand even possibly twice that, Trump boasted at one point during the campaign.

Thats quite a stretch. The average growth during the past decade is 2 percent, and the Federal Reserve predicts 1.8 percent going forward. But higher growth is possible, and very much desired; its the least painful way to straighten out the nations messy long-term fiscal picture. (The other options: brutal spending cuts or brutal tax hikes.)

Unfortunately, the president faces some big obstacles on the path to 3 percent. One of them is demographics: 10,000 baby boomers are retiring from the workforce every day. In economic terms, thats like taking a couple of engines off an airplane and storing them in the cargo hold.

But the biggest problem could be the president himself.

The administration has proposed some steps that would help reduce economic drag. It wants to cut taxes and roll back regulationsperhaps by as much as 75 percent in the latter case. That will happen when pigs fly, but any reduction would increase efficiency, and any cut in taxes would help capital flow to its highest and best use.

Yet the Trump administration seems intent on overwhelming any potential benefits from such moves by imposing other policies that would be immensely harmful.

One of them involves restraints on tradeincluding high tariffs and the renegotiation or abandonment of trade agreements. (Trump already bailed out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.) Even without the almost certain retaliation from foreign trading partners, such measures would kick the economy in the solar plexus, because economic growth consists mostly of an increase in the volume of trade, both domestic and foreign. A country without trade is a country without an economy, and less trading means economic contraction.

Cutting imports sounds nice in the abstract, but it ignores this key fact: Half of all imports consist of raw materials, capital goods or intermediate manufacturing componentsi.e., things U.S. factories need to keep running. Cutting off the flow of imports is a recipe for layoffs.

The other big threat to economic growth comes from Trumps immigration policies. As The Wall Street Journals Greg Ip points out in a recent column, a nations economic output depends on the number of people it employs and how productively they work. Whats more, falling fertility rates in the U.S. have reduced population growth to the lowest point in the countrys history. If that trend continues, before long immigration will account for all the growth in the labor force.

Immigrants tend to be over-represented in the working-age cohort (ages 25 to 64). Almost two-thirds of immigrants fall into that age bracket, compared with only slightly more than half of native-born Americans. Take away just 1 million immigrants, and the working-age population in the U.S. will actually shrink.

While any reduction in immigration would hurt, some sectors of the economy would suffer disproportionatelyeven if the administration trains its focus on undocumented workers and leaves legal immigrants alone. About three out of every four farm workers is foreign-born, and roughly half of them are undocumented. More than one in 10 construction workers is undocumented, along with slightly less than one in 10 restaurant and hotel workers.

Immigration hawks say the answer is obvious: Raise wages, and idle Americans will rush to fill the jobs left open by deported illegal aliens. That might work if the U.S.-born workforce were growing fast enough, but it isnt. And even if it were, many Americans simply wont do some kinds of work. Just ask John Harold, a Colorado farmer who made a point a few years ago to hire Americans to work his onion fields. Many of them quit within six hours. The result of an immigration crackdown will be labor shortages, higher prices, and lost economic output.

For a fellow who likes to boast about his business acumen, Trump doesnt seem to have a clue about how the economy actually works.
New Delhi: The response given by the Finance Ministry on an RBI report about the introduction of Sharia banking in India cannot be disclosed, the central bank has said.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was asked to give the copy of the letter sent to it by the ministry on the recommendation of its Inter Departmental Group (IDG) regarding Islamic banking.

The central bank had sought response from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the finance minister whether their letter can be disclosed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

"In this regard we have been advised by the DFS, Government of India that the letter is exempt under Section 8 (1) (c)," the RBI said in response to an RTI application filed by PTI.

The Section bars disclosure of information "which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the state legislature". Islamic or Sharia banking is a finance system based on the principles of not charging interest, which is prohibited under Islam.

The RBI had earlier proposed opening of "Islamic window" in conventional banks for gradual introduction of Sharia- compliant or interest-free banking in the country. "In our considered opinion, given the complexities of Islamic finance and various regulatory and supervisory challenges involved in the matter and also due to the fact that Indian banks have no experience in this field, Islamic banking may be introduced in India in a gradual manner.

"Initially, a few simple products which are similar to conventional banking products may be considered for introduction through Islamic window of the conventional banks after necessary notification by the government," the RBI had told the Finance Ministry in a letter, copy of which was received in response to the RTI query.

The central bank's proposal is based on examination of legal, technical and regulatory issues regarding feasibility of introducing Islamic banking in India on the basis of recommendation of the IDG.

The RBI had in February last year sent a copy of the IDG to the Finance Ministry. In late 2008, a committee on Financial Sector Reforms, headed by former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, had opined the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country.

"Certain faiths prohibit the use of financial instruments that pay interest. The non-availability of interest-free banking products results in some Indians, including those in the economically disadvantaged strata of society, not being able to access banking products and services due to reasons of faith," the committee had said.

"This non-availability also denies the country access to substantial sources of savings from other countries in the region," it added.
The incident came close of the heels of SBI ATMs pushing out similar notes in Delhi.

New Delhi: Ruling out possibility of its ATM machines dispensing fake notes, ICICI Bank today ordered a probe into an incident where a customer in Rohtak in Haryana reportedly got Rs 2,000 notes bearing 'Children Bank of India'.

Apart from this, some notes were printed with 'Ek Kadam Swachhta ki Aur' and 'Bharatiya Manoranjan Bank'. ICICI Bank spokesperson said it has installed state-of-the-art note sorting machines that check the quality of millions of notes every day.

"If a note, while being checked by any of these machines, fails to conform to RBI security measures, the same note is again checked manually by highly experienced bank officials.

Any forged note found is separated and reported to the local police. Hence, it is not possible for a fake note to be dispensed from the bank's ATM network," it said. "We are investigating the matter," the spokesperson added.

The incident came close of the heels of SBI ATMs pushing out similar notes in Delhi.

On February 25, another SBI ATM, this time in Shahjahanpur in UP, purportedly dispensed a scanned copy of a Rs 2,000 note.

On November 8, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 old notes, he had said the move was to suck out counterfeit currency making its way into the country from across the border, which was largely responsible for funding terror.

On February 24, a 27-year-old man working with an ATM cash loading company was arrested on charges of exchanging five original Rs 2,000 bills with the 'Children's Bank of India' notes that were dispensed from the SBI ATM in Delhi.
Jaipur: India and the South East Asian nations, including Myanmar and Cambodia, are enhancing land and sea connectivity to boost trade and are working on various projects such as Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.

She said huge potential exists in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) nations for Indian manufacturers. The Commerce and Industry Minister said India and CLMV countries are working on accelerating projects to improve port, road and air connectivity.

India and Myanmar are cooperating to connect the Bay of Bengal ports (Visakhapatnam-Krishnapatnam) and the Sittwe port (in Myanmar), Sitharaman told reporters here. She was speaking here for the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave, organised by industry body CII.

"Sittwe is a major port in Myamnmar. If Sittwe is connected with our Bay of Bengal ports, Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam and also south Chennai or even further up to

Haldia, Paradaip or Dhamra, a lot of trade which goes from India to these SEA countries can go and land in Sittwe and from there go to Myanmar or CLMV countries," she said.

As regards the land connectivity, she informed that the work is being expedited for the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project (KMTTP).

It aims to improve connectivity between Indian ports on the eastern seaboard and Sittwe port in Myanmar. The Myanmar government has stated that it will expedite the work from its side, she said, adding that the Indian side of the work is progressing.

This project, she said, would technically connect Kolkata through the north eastern states of India to the entire South East Asian nations. On improving the air connectivity, she said that a lot is happening between SEA and India in this area and from Gaya airport, there is a need to give more connections.

"We want more aircraft to go from there. Also, from Assam and Guwahati airports as from other parts of India. We want to connect with the south east Asian countries...lot of discussions are going on.

These are international negotiations, so they do take time," Sitharaman added. On a project in Bangladesh, she said that through Petrapole, the under sea linkage for Internet facility "is something on which India and Bangladesh are working". It will improve the Internet connectivity of the north east states states.

In a bid to explore investment opportunities in the CLMV region, the Union Cabinet last year had cleared a proposal to create a Rs 500 crore project development fund to increase

economic presence in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, which can act as gateways for market access to China and the European Union.

"Cabinet approval took a bit of a time and it is now being (done)," Sitharaman said.

She said that the SPV (special purpose vehicle) will be created in these four countries for Indian companies, who want to set up manufacturing units there.

The companies do not have to run from pillar to post for approvals or clearances "but be able to get it on a platter", she added. The government, she said, will set up the SPV and make sure that it will provide the facility to initially start a unit in these countries.

Despite plenty of opportunities in the CLMV region, Indian businesses in these countries so far have been constricted due to limited information, infrastructure and other contingent risks.

The Rs 500 crore fund would benefit Indias industrial community for business expansion and maintaining cost competitive supply chains, besides integrating with global production networks.

When asked about the reasons for delay in setting up of the SPV, Sitharaman said: "I do not know...I can t see any particular reasons." She added that the CLMV region enjoys duty benefits under the GSP scheme of the US and Europe and this is one of the big attractions for Indian firms to access those markets.

Replying to a question on reducing import duty on gold, she said the Commerce Ministry always suggests its Finance counterpart for cut in the duty as it is an important raw material for the gems and jewelry sector.

On different occasions, the commerce ministry has asked for this but the Finance Ministry has to take into account the current account deficit (CAD). "We are waiting for the GST. We will have to see how it will taken in the GST," she added.
New Delhi: World Bank's Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva will inspect the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban rail system in Mumbai during her India visit, starting today.

During her first official visit to the country, Georgieva will meet with senior leaders at a time when India's economic growth is "one of the bright spots" in the global economy, the World Bank said in a statement.

"India is our biggest middle income client. Its economic growth influences global growth. Its achievements in health and education contribute to the world achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

"I am keen to learn more as India is a laboratory for the world to learn about what works in development and to find new ways to collaborate," Georgieva said. She will reach Mumbai tonight.

As per the statement, she will hold discussions with the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and other key policy-makers. She will also meet with Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis and RBI Governor Urjit Patel.

"While in Mumbai, she will have the opportunity to see how the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban rail system which carries about eight million commuters each day is serving a fast growing and urbanising India," the World Bank's release said.

She will also visit a school serving low-income households, and children with special needs (part of Centre's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme, supported by the Bank) to see how Mumbai's administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents of the city, one-third of whom live in slums.
Talking to this newspaper on the sidelines of Nasscom Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2017, Ms Gupta said that skilled labour mobility should not be confused with immigration.

Bengaluru: A delegation of Indian IT industry body Nasscom has been trying to persuade the Donald Trump administration to position the whole India-US ICT (Information and Communications Technology) partnership in a broader context than just visas.

The main objective of Nasscoms meeting with the Trump administration is to highlight the contributions made by the Indian companies in the US, said Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice-president, Nasscom.

Talking to this newspaper on the sidelines of Nasscom Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2017, Ms Gupta said that skilled labour mobility should not be confused with immigration. The IT industry body has advocated skilled labour mobility, where workers visit the US for a temporary period of time and it should not be misunderstood as immigration, she said.

A legislation, calling for increasing the minimum salaries of H1-B visa holders to $130,000, was introduced in the US House of Representatives, which, if passed, will adversely affect the Indian IT sector.

To negotiate on the same, Nasscom recently announced that the delegation would head to Washington DC and stay there from February 23 to March 2. The bill proposed by the US government has many discriminatory clauses. And hence, Nasscom has been fighting for a level playing field, said Ms Gupta. She further said that if the US wants to increase the salaries of H1-B visa workers, it should be applicable to everyone.
Mumbai: She took everyone by storm as the power packed policewoman in Mardaani, and then took time off for motherhood. Now, Rani Mukerji will return to do what she loves doing the most. She will star in Yash Raj Films Hichki, to be directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma.

With Hichki, she will be seen in a positive and inspiring story about a woman who turns her biggest weakness into her biggest strength.

Rani elaborates, I was looking for a script that would challenge and excite me, and Hichki came my way. Each of us has a weakness that pulls us back. It could be a disability or any condition but if we just look at it as simply a hiccup, we can emerge as a winner. It wont come in the way of achieving our dreams. Hichki is built on this positive premise and I decided to take it up.

Hichki will be Maneesh Sharmas third film as a producer with Yash Raj Films after Dum Laga Ke Haisha and the forthcoming Meri Pyaari Bindu. Siddharth P Malhotra, who has directed We Are Family will be making his first film with Yash Raj Films.
Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut is inarguably the most outspoken actress in the industry, widely acknowledged and appreciated for her candour.

Even when she was right in the middle of the ugly and very public spat with Hrithik Roshan over a rumoured relationship gone sour, she didn't shy away from bluntly expressing herself. The meta-reference, a straight jibe at the head honcho of the famed 'launchpad' for industry kids, was quite blatantly hilarious, much to the shock of Saif and Karan.

This has precisely been the reason why a generic consensus had been attained on the need to get her on Karan Johar's Koffee with Karan- a show that thrives on its candid rendezvous.

And finally, the coup was achieved, when KJo managed to get her alongside her 'Rangoon' co-star Saif Ali Khan on the couch.

And, believe it or not, the hist himself had to bear the brunt of her gleefully blunt demeanour. During a particular segment, which got revealed in the episodes promo, the actress said that if a biopic on her were to ever be made, Karan Johar would be cast as a snooty insider who's intolerant towards outsiders and is a flag-bearer of nepotism in the industry.

While on the show, Karan laughed it off, he finally expressed his views when a user during a live chat session on Twitter asked, "Was Kangana correct about nepotism?"

Karan replied back by saying, "Not entirely! She made an impact with her sweeping statements! That was fun... for her! And the show."

When asked if he is indeed obsessed with star kids, Karan said: "Ask Kangana."
Mumbai: Casey Affleck had a career defining moment when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in Manchester by the Sea but the actor says he regrets not thanking his children in the acceptance speech.

The 41-year-old actor and ex Summer Phoenix are parents to sons Indiana, 12, and Atticus, 9, reported E! online.

It is the first Academy award win for Affleck, who is better known as the younger brother of Oscar winner Ben Affleck. He was earlier nominated for his supporting work in 2007 film The Assassination of Jesse James.

An emotional Affleck acknowledged fellow nominee Denzel Washington and thanked his parents as well as brother Ben during his speech, but forgot to mention his kids.

"I didnt thank my children, which is something that Ill probably never ever live down. About three seconds after I made it backstage, my phone rang and my son said, You didnt even mention us. And my heart just sank."

"So, you know, that probably would have been the most meaningful thing I could have said and I failed." he said.

In his speech he also thanked co-producer Matt Damon, screenwriter and director Kenneth Lonergan and friends.
United States: Heavily-backed favorite Mahershala Ali won the best supporting actor Oscar on Sunday for his portrayal of a drug dealer in coming-of-age drama 'Moonlight' -- becoming the first Muslim film star to pick up a golden statuette.

A first-time nominee, the 43-year-old actor saw off competition from Britain's Dev Patel, veteran US actors Jeff Bridges and Michael Shannon and newcomer Lucas Hedges.

"I want to thank my teachers, my professors," Ali said. "One thing that they consistently told me... 'It's not about you. It's about these characters. You are a servant. You're in service to these stories and these characters'."

He thanked his fellow cast members -- and his wife, who gave birth to their first child, a baby girl, just days earlier.

Barry Jenkins's 'Moonlight' tells the life story of a young African-American struggling to find his place as he grows up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

In a brief but acclaimed performance, Ali's drug dealer Juan imparts life lessons to the protagonist Chiron that help him survive in prison and in the outside world.

The role won Oakland-born Ali best supporting actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, although he lost out to Aaron Taylor-Johnson ('Nocturnal Animals') at the Golden Globes.

Ali, a Muslim convert since 1999 with a Christian minister for a mother, joined the minority Ahmadiyya Community, a movement seen as heretical by other Islamic sects, in 2001.

Muslims have won Oscars in various categories over the years -- including Pakistani documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and feature director Asghar Farhadi -- but none has taken a statuette for acting.

Ellen Burstyn, who won a best actress Oscar in 1975, has practiced a blend of Sufism and other religions since her late 30s but has said she considers herself a "spirit open to the truth" rather than a Muslim.

Ali recently told Britain's Radio Times magazine that he discovered he was on an FBI watchlist after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"If you convert to Islam after a couple of decades of being a black man in the US, the discrimination you receive as a Muslim doesn't feel like a shock," he said.

"I've been pulled over, asked where my gun is, asked if I'm a pimp, had my car pulled apart. Muslims will feel like there's this new discrimination that they hadn't received before -- but it's not new for us."

From 'House of Cards' to 'Luke Cage'

Ali's previous notable roles have come in Derek Cianfrance's 'The Place Beyond the Pines', Gary Ross's civil war era drama 'Free State of Jones', the final two 'The Hunger Games' films and, on television, Netflix's 'Marvel's Luke Cage'.

He is best known however for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of White House lobbyist turned chief of staff Remy Danton in Netflix political drama 'House of Cards'.

Born Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore -- he was named after a child of the biblical prophet Isiah -- and raised near San Francisco, Ali studied mass communications at St. Mary's College of California.

He made his professional debut performing with the California Shakespeare Festival and, soon after, earned a master's degree in acting from New York University.

His first major movie role was in David Fincher's 2008 fantasy drama 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', opposite Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

Ali and his wife Amatus Sami-Karim have a cat called Nas, named after the US rapper.
The actors dazzled in their respective red carpet moments. (Photo: AFP)

Mumbai: The 89th Academy Awards have finally kickstarted, with the biggest names in cinema walking the red carpet.

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, who rose to global fame with her turn as Alex Parrish in the hit television show, 'Quantico,' will be seen making her Hollywood feature film debut this year, in 'Baywatch'.

The actress made her presence felt at the awards, again in a sizzling silver apparel.

The actress, incidentally, had presented an award at last year's ceremony.

Indian-origin British actor Dev Patel, who became a household name post the immense success of 'Slumdog Millionaire,' bagged his maiden nomination in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category, for his phenomenal turn in 'Lion'.

The actor walked the red carpet alongside his mother Anita Patel, who looked gorgeous in a red saree.

The award ceremony has Damien Chazelle's 'La La Land' leading with a record-equaling 14 nominations.
Vijay Devarakonda, who became an overnight star with Pelli Choopulu, is now busy with half a dozen films and his next film, Dwaraka is hitting the screens this Friday. Pelli Choopulu created a huge impact and naturally, expectations are high from the actor. So, does he feel under pressure now? I signed Dwaraka before Pelli Choopulu released as I really liked the story. I dont know about market decisions and collections and didnt choose this script based on expectations. I am doing it because I wanted to, says Vijay.

Describing Dwaraka, Vijay says that it is the story of a thief, Erra Seenu. He hides in an apartment to escape from the people and eventually turns into a Baba. The story is about the repercussions of the incident, says the actor, adding, The character is inspired by Lord Krishna.

So, does the film target fake babas? The name of the apartment is Dwaraka and thus the title. It does not target any babas as it is the story of a thief and how he adapts to the situation.

Talking about the audiences expectations from him, he says, Expectations are there. But I chose acting because I like storytelling and narration. If I was not an actor, I might have been a story writer or director. I never do films because of high expectations as I am not in that race. I cant put pressure on myself and get confused. I enjoy what I am doing and pick good scripts. The results come on Friday and whatever the consequences, we have to go on.

Several filmmakers have approached him with typical commercial scripts too. There are people who told me that it (a film) will take me to the next level. I told them not to make movies for me, reveals the actor. The actor admits to having no knowledge about the business of films. However, after interacting with people, I have gained some knowledge about the market.

He adds further, If a director comes to me with a script and I like it, then I can take it to a producer, who will immediately agree. Thats the big change that I found.

The actor recently visited Visakhapatnam, where hundreds of students thronged to see him. I still dont know why people want to see the actors face as we are just a human being like them, he says.

Vijay is also getting offers from the Tamil and Malayalam film industries. But I dont know the language, and will definitely do them when I learn. I want to do a bilingual once I learn Tamil, he says.

The actors immediate plan is to shift to a new house. My present house is too congested as people come to see me every day. Even though my parents tell them I am not there, some very cleverly say that they saw my car! So my priority is to shift to a secluded place.

The actor gets a huge support from his family. My mother always tells me to eat on time and my father encourages me to do better cinema.

When asked how he suddenly picked so many good films, he says, I heard nearly 60 to 70 scripts before selecting seven films.
Creative people have significantly more connections between the right and left hemispheres as they use both sides of their brain for different acitvities. (Photo: Pixabay)

Washington: Highly creative people have significantly more white matter connections between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, according to a new study. The study analysed the network of white matter connections among 68 separate brain regions in healthy college-age volunteers.

The brain's white matter lies underneath the outer grey matter. It is composed of bundles of wires, or axons, which connect billions of neurons and carry electrical signals between them.The team led by neuroscientist Rex Jung of the University of New Mexico in the US collected the data using an MRI technique called diffusion tensor imaging, which allows researchers to peer through the skull of a living person and trace the paths of all the axons by following the movement of water along them.

Computers then comb through each of the one-gigabyte scans and convert them to three-dimensional maps - wiring diagrams of the brain. Jung's team used a combination of tests to assess creativity.They asked people to draw as many geometric designs as they could in five minutes. They also asked people to list as many new uses as they could for everyday objects, such as a brick or a paper clip.

The participants also filled out a questionnaire about their achievements in ten areas, including the visual arts, music, creative writing, dance, cooking and science.The responses were used to calculate a composite creativity score for each person. David Dunson from Duke University in the US and Daniele Durante of University of Padova in Italy trained computers to sift through the data and identify differences in brain structure.

They found no statistical differences in connectivity within hemispheres, or between men and women. However, when they compared people who scored in the top 15 per cent on the creativity tests with those in the bottom 15 per cent, high-scoring people had significantly more connections between the right and left hemispheres. The differences were mainly in the brain's frontal lobe.

Dunson said their approach could also be used to predict the probability that a person will be highly creative simply based on their brain network structure. "Maybe by scanning a person's brain we could tell what they're likely to be good at," Dunson said.The study is part of a decade-old field, connectomics, which uses network science to understand the brain. Instead of focusing on specific brain regions in isolation, connectomics researchers use advanced brain imaging techniques to identify and map the rich, dense web of links between them.

Dunson and colleagues are now developing statistical methods to find out whether brain connectivity varies with IQ, whose relationship to creativity is a subject of ongoing debate.
The resident of Khedla village in Sohna, Gurgaon, registered a complaint with the police on Saturday alleging that his wife slashed his throat with a sharp object after tying him to a chair. (Photo: Representational Image)

Gurgaon (Haryana): A man from Gurgaon was in for a terrible shock after his wife tied him to a chair for a sexual act, danced before him and then proceeded to cut his throat.

The resident of Khedla village in Sohna, Gurgaon, registered a complaint with the police on Saturday alleging that his wife slashed his throat with a sharp object after tying him to a chair.

According to the Hindustan Times, the man in his complaint to the police mentioned that his mother had gone to Delhi that morning. Around 12:30 pm, his wife took him to the bedroom, blindfolded him, tied him to the chair and started playing music, and dancing to it.

Then, all of a sudden, she allegedly slashed his throat and threatened him, right before leaving the house.

While he was deserted, bleeding heavily, one of his friends came and rescued him, hearing him scream in agony.

The victim was initially taken to Sohna hospital, where from he was taken to Gurgaon civil hospital. Later, he was shifted to Safdarjung in New Delhi in a serious condition.

The victim, employed in a private company, and his brother, are married to two sisters of the same family from Palwal.

The victim was seriously injured but neither he nor his family could tell us how he managed to untie himself. The whereabouts of the woman are not known yet. There is something more than what meets the eye but we will investigate and unravel the mystery, said assistant sub-inspector Surjeet Kumar.

An FIR was registered at Sohna police station under section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.
The Kerala actress was molested by a gang of men on February 17.

Kochi: A court in Aluva on Monday granted police the custody of four accused allegedly involved in the abduction and assault of a noted Malayalam actress here.

The First class Judicial Magistrate's court sent Manikandan, Martin, Salim and Pradeep to police custody till March 3.

They were arrested from various locations soon after the February 17 incident.

An identification parade of the four was held at the Aluva sub-jail on Saturday.

Seeking the custody of the accused, the police said they wanted to cross-examine all the six suspects involved in the crime.

The Court had earlier granted police the custody of thetwo key accused--'Pulsar' Suni and V P Vigeesh-- after their arrest on February 23. They will be in police custody till March 5.

The actress, who has also starred in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car for two hours by the accused.

The accused had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17 and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi.
The officer said that a case has been registered against Singh under IPC section 376 (rape) and also under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. (Representational Image)

Bhopal: Director of a private nursery school in Kolar area in Bhopal has been booked for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl, police said today.

"Police have booked nursery school director Anoop Pratap Singh (27) for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl studying in his school," Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rajesh Chandel told PTI.

The officer said that a case has been registered against Singh under IPC section 376 (rape) and also under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

ASP said the family members of the girl had lodged a complaint two days back that the girl was assaulted sexually by the school director.

In the complaint, they stated that they found their daughter in a bad condition when they reached the school to bring her home last week, Chandel said.

The family members took the girl to the hospital believing that she was ill, but during her medical examination, the doctor found that she had been sexually assaulted, the complaint stated.

On being asked, the girl informed that Singh had assaulted her.

"Police have registered a case against the accused last night. However, he is yet to be arrested," Chandel said.

Further investigation into the case is on.
On hearing their cry for help, the local fishermen plunged into the sea to rescue the passengers.

Tiruchendur: In a major coastal tragedy, at least nine persons including a minor boy met with a watery grave as a boat capsized in mid-sea off Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district on Sunday.

As many as 30 men, women and children from Alagammanpuram and Padugapaththu villages near Tiruchendur went on a picnic to a coastal area, Manapad, on Sunday evening. They hired a fibre boat for a fun sea ride, but the overloaded boat, hit by high tide, capsized with all 30 passengers on board.

On hearing their cry for help, the local fishermen plunged into the sea to rescue the passengers. On information, fire and rescue services teams along with coastal security group police and a rescue boat from Thoothukudi coast guard station also rushed to the spot.

Till 8.30 pm on Sunday, nine bodies have been fished out, while 19 others were rescued with injuries. All the injured persons were rushed to Tiruchendur government hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Rescue operations to find the remaining passengers are continuing. The death toll, however, could go up, said a rescue team official.
Bengaluru: A 47-year-old man infected with HIV died when his wife kicked him in the private part after he allegedly forced her to have sex with him. The incident was reported in Kavika Layout in Byatarayanapura police station limits early Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as Uday, a car driver with a private company. The police have arrested his wife, Nirmala, 35, on murder charges.

Police said the couple, who hailed from Madikeri, were married for 17 years and has a 14-year-old daughter. Uday reportedly came home drunk on Sunday night and allegedly forced his wife to have sex with him. As he was infected with HIV, his wife resisted. He reportedly picked up a fight with her and it went on till 3 am.

As he again forced her to have sex and accused her of having an extra marital affair, she allegedly kicked him in his private parts and he collapsed. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital by his wife with the help of neighbours, he was declared brought dead.

In her statement, Nirmala said that as Uday pestered her to have sex with him. She asked him to wear condom but he refused. She claimed that as he allegedly forced himself upon her, she kicked him and she did not intend to kill him. We are investigating further into the case, an official said.

Meanwhile, Udays elder sister Parimala, in her complaint to the police, has alleged that Nirmala had extra marital affair with one, Chandu, and suspected that the duo might have murdered Uday. Based on her complaint, the police have also picked up Chandu for questioning.
Thiruvananthapuram: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan on Monday said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark the word 'Hindustan' was communal amounted to insulting hundreds of freedom fighters of the country who participated in independence struggle.

Rajasekharan said in a Face book post that Vijayan had made the remark during his recent public rally held at Mangaluru.

"Statement of Vijayan that it was communal to address Bharat as Hindustan was without understanding the history", Rajasekharan said.

Chief Minister should tender apology for insulting the freedom fighters of the country who had uphold the slogan 'Jai Hind' during independence struggle, Rajasekharan said.

Taking a dig at Vijayan, Rajasekharan said Chief Minister who consider the word Hindustan as communal should change his name Vijayan, which evokes the memory of Lord Krishna.
Some institutions have even provided bogus addresses and others do not even have a building, said the CBI's FIR. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed criminal cases against 21 educational institutions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and many officials from the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), which is an autonomous body under the Union HRD Ministry.

According to a report in DNA, the agency, after checking records of 600 institutions recognised to run teacher training programmes, found major discrepancies in their documents.

NCTE is responsible for according recognition to these institutions, after its officials inspect the infrastructure and academic facilities there.

According to the NCTE mandate, for admitting 50 students, a college should have a minimum built-up area of 15,000 sq m and land area of 2,500 sq metres, including parking space. However, the 21 institutions against which cases have been filed, do not have these mandatory facilities, said the report.

Some institutions have even provided bogus addresses and others do not even have a building, said the report.

These institutions are in Bengaluru, Bijapur, Hubli and Chitradurga in Karnataka and Madnapalle, Guthkal, Tadipatri, Kurnool, Nandiyala, Nandikotkur, Dharmavaram, Chittoor, Karveti Nagaram and Kadappa in Andhra Pradesh.

Some of the institutes are Kalidas Training Teacher Education in Karnataka, IBMR College of Education in Hubli, Aditya College of Education in Bengaluru, SAS college of Education in Nandikotkur in Andhra, said the report.

"In spite of several irregularities, they were granted recognition by the NCTE for the academic year 2016-17," the FIR says.

Officials of the NCTE have thus been booked for for criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and criminal misconduct.
New Delhi: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday wrote to the Delhi Police seeking swift action against the miscreants who harassed Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) student organisation ABVP went viral.

Addressing the media here, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal informed that she has written a letter to the Delhi Police seeking an FIR against those people, who threatened her with death and rape online.

"She (Kaur) has sent us screenshots of how some boys are continuously threatening her with rape online. The DCW has taken cognisance of the situation and we have written a letter to the Delhi Police, seeking an immediate FIR against these miscreants, so that they are put behind bars," Maliwal said.

Calling on the Delhi Police to take responsibility for the safety and security of Kaur and her family, the DCW chief said that at present there is a despicable trend of people going online to attack women with taunts and threats, adding that an example needs to be set by teaching these men a lesson.

"We need to find who these people are who are targeting her. She (Kaur) has called for action against some ABVP members. If these boys are let go, then it will send a message that you can get away with targeting women. All she wants is peace in our Universities and she is just putting her point across, which we need to respect," Maliwal said.

Further asserting that the DCW does not support any 'anti-national' elements whatsoever, she defended Kaur from charges of hurting national sentiments, adding that all she wanted was peace in the Delhi Universities.

Earlier, Gurmehar asserted that her campaign is aimed at raising voice against organisations, which challenge the law of the land and try to curb the fundamental right of 'freedom of speech'.

"I will not be scared or be cowed down, my father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to take bullet for the country, I also have the courage to take a bullet for the nation. I want all students to raise their voices against the violence and say that they will not tolerate this," she said.

After the North Campus clash, Kaur had 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."

Gurmehar had earlier said that she received rape threats on social media after the campaign. Kaur has faced verbal backlash on Facebook, with many saying her father would be extremely unhappy with her for supporting 'anti-nationals'.

Delhi University's Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and 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.

Meanwhile, a political slugfest is underway over Kargil braveheart's martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur against the ABVP.

Hours after BJP MP Pratap Simha compared Kaur with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted to suggest that Kaur was being influenced by someone or a group.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said.

"At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand," Simha, who represents Mysore in the Lok Sabha, said.
Mysuru: In a controversial tweet, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Mysuru's Kodagu constituency, Pratap Simha has compared Kargil martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur to 1993 Mumbai blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim.

Simha posted an image of Kargil martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur holding a placard that read 'Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him', along with a photo of Dawood holding a placard that read 'I did not kill people in 1993, bombs killed them.'

Simha said that even Dawood Ibrahim did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand.

MoS Home Kiren Rijiju also took aim at Kaur through a tweet on Monday, stating, Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.

Responding to threats of violence and rape on social media, Delhi University (DU) student daughter Gurmehar Kaur on Monday said that she was ready to take a bullet for the country just as her father had done 17 years ago.

She also filed a complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) alleging harassment on social media.

Kaur had on Sunday faced backlash on social media for changing 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".

Speaking to ANI on the recent violence at Ramjas College of Delhi Universitys North Campus, Kaur said, I will not be scared or be cowed down (by the threats). My father took a bullet for the country, and I am also ready to take a bullet.

Attacking ABVP for taking law and order into their own hands, Kaur asserted her patriotism. I love my country. I also love my fellow students, and I support their right to freedom of speech, she said.

But I will not get scared because I know that I am standing for the right. And it does not matter to me that you are an organisation which is in power, no one can tell me that I should be scared," she added.

Gurmehar also justified the reasons for initiating her campaign.

"It was a simple day that, when I got to know that my female colleagues have been physically assaulted in the protest which took place in the Ramjas College. I also got to know that women were given rape threats. According to me, it was high time to take action against these ABVP people, or for that matter any student organisations which try to challenge the law and order or attempts to misbehave," said Gurmehar.

"And that is why we started this campaign so that we can send across a message that we will not bear any nonsense or violence," she added.

Gurmehar further said, "I have been termed anti-national. However, I don't feel the need to prove my nationalism. The fact is that are they nationalists? No when you threaten your fellow citizens, you don't remain a nationalist."
Indore: A special court on Monday awarded life imprisonment to SIMI chief Safdar Hussain Nagori and 10 other activists of the banned group after convicting them in a 2008 case of sedition.

On a plea of 10 of the accused lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Jail, they were informed about the court's judgement through video-conferencing.

Special Additional Sessions Judge B K Paloda pronounced all the 11 activists of Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) guilty under IPC sections 124(A) (sedition) and 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), and also under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Besides 45-year-old Nagori (45), the others convicted are Hafiz Hussain (35), Aamil Parvaz (40), Shivli (38), Qamruddin (42), Shahduli (32), Qamran (40), Ansar (35), Ahmed Baig (32), Yasin (35) and Munroz (40).

Nagori, Parvaz, Qamruddin, Qamran, Shivli and Ahmed Baig and Hussain were also convicted under IPC section 122 (collecting arms, etc, with intention of waging war against the government of India).

Government advocate Vimal Mishra told reporters that apart from Munroz, the other 10 accused are lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati jail.

During last hearing in the case, they had appealed to the court that they should not be brought to Indore during the pronouncement of the judgement and that they should be informed about the order through video-conferencing facility.

Their plea was accepted by the court.

Mishra said Munroz was on bail since a long time. He appeared in the court during the pronouncement of the judgement today. After being pronounced guilty, he was taken to the Indore Centre Jail from the court.

The 11 SIMI activists were arrested from Indore on the intervening night of May 26-27, 2008, and pistols, cartridges, veils and inflammatory literature were seized from them.

On their information, a large cache of explosive material was also recovered.
New Delhi: Kargil martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur has moved the DCW, claiming that she has received "rape threats" allegedly from ABVP members after she initiated a social media campaign against the RSS student wing.

24-year-old Kaur, a Delhi University student, had started the campaign "I am not afraid of ABVP", following the violence at Ramjas college, which went viral and received massive support from students across various universities.

The womens body has received a complaint from Kaur, said Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal, adding that the matter is being looked into.

In her complaint to the DCW, the student has said she has received "rape" threats on social media allegedly from members of ABVP after she condemned "violence in name of nationalism" in the backdrop of Ramjas incident.

Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, had last week 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 had said in a Facebook status.

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.

Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the 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.
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Monday alleged that police did not grant permission to his supporters to celebrate the 69th birth anniversary of his predecessor late J Jayalalithaa on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Monday alleged that police did not grant permission to his supporters to celebrate the 69th birth anniversary of his predecessor late J Jayalalithaa on Friday.

"When permission was sought for holding programmes such as rallies, hoisting of party flags and distribution of welfare schemes, police refused it," he alleged.

Panneerselvam said there was "proof" for this accusation that police refused to permit events planned to mark the late chief minister's birth anniversary on February 24 by his supporters.

He asked who had directed police to deny permission and pointed out that Jayalalithaa had gone on a whirlwind tour of the state last year during the Assembly polls and "canvassed votes for us".

Without naming but in an obvious reference to Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who holds the Home portfolio, Panneerselvam said, "You have forgotten that we are in such elevated position because of Amma as people voted for her."

"By trying to prevent celebrations of Amma's birthday, which will only enhance her fame, by anybody, the government led by Palaniswami doesn't seem to have the true loyalty and respect towards Amma," he charged.

He said that people will show the door from politics to those who tried to "destroy" Jayalalithaa's fame.
Mau (Uttar Pradesh): Calling the Samajwadi Party and Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh a sinking ship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dared the two parties to do whatever possible to stop BJP from coming to power in the state.

However, he warned them against ruining the future of UP.

At an election rally in Mau, the Prime Minister called on the voters of UP to punish SP, Congress and Mayawatis BSP for neglecting the state for years.

Jawaharlal Nehru had set up a committee for eastern UP's development. But see the criminal mindset. The report was kept lying for 50 years. We (Central government) have started work on it, Modi claimed.

When Nehru ji was the PM, an MP from Ghazipur expressed concern over poverty in the state. A report was presented, but no action was taken, the PM asserted.

Modi said he was confident that BJP would win a majority on its own in the state, but said smaller allies of the saffron party would get representation in the Cabinet.

The Prime Minister was also confident that the first 4 phases of the UP polls had revealed a positive trend towards BJPs return to power.

India is scaling new heights of development, due to the efforts of 125 crore Indians. Today India is being hailed in the US, in England, all across the world. UP will also develop. It just needs a stable BJP Government, Modi asserted.

Taking a jibe at Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Modi said, "Akhilesh says he made the donkey remark out of fun... is it also fun that police stations are in bad shape, and law and order in a shambles?" the PM asked.

He also wondered why the SP government 'doesn't care' about farmers in the state. "Why are they not helping farmers in distress? They must answer," he stated.

"Central Govt allotted funds for 24x7 power supply in UP. But what stops the SP government from utilising those funds? The state government refused to purchase power from the Centre even at cheaper rates," Modi claimed.

The fifth phase of the 7-phase UP election is underway today, with polling for 51 constituencies underway.
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday came down heavily on the Congress for accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA of suppressing the right to dissent in the nation in regard to the recent violent clashes in Ramjas College. The Centre asserted that the very party which had imposed Emergency in the nation once, was giving sermons on freedom of expression.

Addressing the media here, Union Information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu asserted that there can be no bigger example of freedom in the country than calling your own Prime Minister a 'donkey'.

"You live in a country where you compare your Prime Minister to a donkey. How is there no freedom of expression? Freedom of expression means you also respect others opinions. Congress which has no respect for fundamental rights is now trying to poison minds of people. They are in alliance with extremist forces and leftists and are inciting violence," Naidu said.

Accusing the Congress of giving a political tinge to a situation which was strictly about the internal matters of students, the Union Minister added that members of the grand old party have a history of visiting campuses and inciting violence.

"I'm surprised about the efforts made by Cong and Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in few universities saying this is assault on freedom of expression. Certain misguided sections are trying to mislead the young population n create social tensions n hurt sentiments of people of India," he said.

Asserting that there was no question of denying freedom of expression as it's guaranteed by the Constitution, Naidu, however, noted that there are certain restrictions which prevent one from hurting religious sentiment, questioning national integrity and against advocating separatism.

"Dissent and difference of opinion is agreeable but not disintegration. Congress is facing rejection from nation because of its separatist policies and their approach of supporting such forces. There is a systematic effort in place to malign the country because our opponents are unable to digest their defeat in the nation and the surging popularity of our Prime Minister," he said.

Talking about the protest by certain section of students demanding Kashmir's 'azadi' and raising pro-Afzal Guru slogans, the Union Minister asserted that Kashmir was an integral part of India and calling for its 'freedom' simply echoed pro-Pakistan sentiments.

"What is the meaning of azadi of Kashmir? Thousands have laid down their lives for the unity of the nation. Kashmir is an integral part of India, how can someone advocate azadi for Kashmir? How can one demand an anniversary for Afzal Guru who was responsible for attacking the parliament which is the temple of democracy? You cannot advocate separatism," Naidu said.

Emphasising that dissent is agreeable but not disintegration, he stated that the clashes in the universities were an integral matter of the students and not an issue which needed political intervention.

Meanwhile, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has expressed his complete support towards Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, who has allegedly received rape threats over her social media campaign in support of students of the Delhi University following unrest in Ramjas College.

"Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a Gurmehar Kaur," tweeted Gandhi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Simha had earlier compared Kaur with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted to suggest that Kaur was being influenced by someone or a group.

A clash had broken out between the All India Students Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on February 21 after the members of the latter staged a protest outside Ramjas College against an event that had Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid as a speaker.
New Delhi: Responding to threats of violence and rape on social media, Delhi University (DU) student and Kargil martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur on Monday said that she was ready to take a bullet for the country just as her father had done 17 years ago.

Kaur had on Sunday faced backlash on social media for changing 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".

Speaking to ANI on the recent violence at Ramjas College of Delhi Universitys North Campus, Kaur said, I will not be scared or be cowed down (by the threats). My father took a bullet for the country, and I am also ready to take a bullet.

Attacking ABVP for taking law and order into their own hands, Kaur asserted her patriotism. I love my country. I also love my fellow students, and I support their right to freedom of speech, she said.

But I will not get scared because I know that I am standing for the right. And it does not matter to me that you are an organisation which is in power, no one can tell me that I should be scared," she added.

Gurmehar also justified the reasons for initiating her campaign.

"It was a simple day that, when I got to know that my female colleagues have been physically assaulted in the protest which took place in the Ramjas College. I also got to know that women were given rape threats. According to me, it was high time to take action against these ABVP people, or for that matter any student organisations which try to challenge the law and order or attempts to misbehave," said Gurmehar.

"And that is why we started this campaign so that we can send across a message that we will not bear any nonsense or violence," she added.

Gurmehar further said, "I have been termed anti-national. However, I don't feel the need to prove my nationalism. The fact is that are they nationalists? No when you threaten your fellow citizens, you don't remain a nationalist."

Asked about ABVP students protesting against Umar Khalids speech, Gurmehar Kaur said, The stones were not pelted at Umar Khalid. He was not even present (at Ramjas College). Stones were pelted on students present there.

However, MoS Home Kiren Rijiju took aim at Kaur through a tweet on Monday, stating, Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.
Hyderabad: India lost a man of rare intellectual, political and legal luminance with the passing away of former Union minister P. Shiv Shanker here on Monday, aged 87.

Shiv Shanker rose from humble beginnings to achieving success in every profession he practiced with his hard work and commitment.

Born in a backward caste family in 1927, the second of 11 siblings, Shiv Shanker worked as a salesman in a cloth showroom along with his elder brother to support his family.

He however ran away from home with his elder brother, the duo landing in Amritsar as ticketless travellers.

The brothers joined the Hindu College in Amritsar where Shiv Shanker pursued his B.A. LLB (Hons) while selling and polishing shoes at the local railway station in the evenings.

During this time, his elder brother died of starvation in Amritsar. Shiv Shanker had no money to perform the cremation, let alone send the body home. The body was taken away by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation. After completing Law, he returned to Hyderabad and started practice.

In 1972, he was appointed judge of AP High Court, one of the youngest Judges in the country. However, he resigned from the post within a year, becoming the first judge in the country to do so. He later used to tell his friends that even if he had gone on to become the Chief Justice of the High Court, it would have been only for a brief period.

He started practicing as an advocate, mostly in the Supreme Court and partly in the AP High Court.

It was during this period that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was facing several cases and commissions of Enquiries for her role during the Emergency, first came to know about Shiv Shanker and entrusted him the responsibility of defending her.

After the death of his second son P. Sudheer Kumar in 2002, Shiv Shankar distanced himself from active politics, but continued to play an advisory role in the Praja Rajyam party launched by actor-politician K. Chiranjeevi.

Shiv Shanker was accused of communalising politics for his support to Kapu movement, especially his encouragement to slain Kapu leader from Vijayawada, Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao.

There were allegations by TD leaders that Vangaveeti Ranga took shelter in the official residence of Shiv Shanker in Delhi after the murder of Devineni Murali.

According to his elder son, P. Vinay Kumar, cremation will take place on Tuesday in the Old City on a plot of land owned by the family. Shiv Shanker is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and sought Rs 39,565 crore funds for drought and clearance to the bill passed by the Assembly exempting the state from Neet.

Besides, he insisted that ONGC should not proceed with any mining activity in Neduvasal in Pudukottai district without clearance from the state government.

Palanisami requested for early release of funds since the state had already incurred Rs 2,944 crore out of its own funds, including the state disaster response fund of Rs 713 crore. He wanted the release of at least Rs 2,500 crore as an immediate on account release from the national disaster response fund. He also pointed out that Tamil Nadu had sought Rs 22,573 crore for relief and restoration measures after the devastating cyclone Vardah and the Centre is yet to provide any assistance.

He also appealed to the Prime Minister to direct the insurance companies to ensure that the insurance claims on crop losses are paid out within three weeks of submitting the yield estimates, based on crop cutting experiments. He also requested for a substantial step-up in the allocation of funds under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and for speedy release of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Emphasising on fair and transparent admission policy for medical colleges, the Chief Minister, in his memorandum, demanded such an admission policy for medical colleges. He said Neet would cause grave injustice to students from rural areas and hence approval for Tamil Nadus bills seeking exemption from Neet could be accorded so that the Presidential assent could be obtained at the earliest.

He also opposed the proposed national level tests for admission to veterinary colleges and demanded speedy establishment of an AIIMS in Thanjavur.

Palanisami brought the issue of exploration of hydrocarbons in Neduvasal village of Pudukkottai district to the notice of the Prime Minister. He requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to take any further action in this regard only after adequate consultation with stakeholders and ensuring that the interests of the farmers are fully safeguarded. It will not be advisable for ONGC to proceed with any mining activity in Neduvasal Village of Pudukkottai district without clearance from the state government.
VIJAYAWADA: A 4-year-old girl, P Sravana Sandhya from Eluru, who was suffering from lung cancer received help for her treatment from an unexpected source.

Responding to a request on Twitter, the Telangana state minister K.T. Rama Rao assured the girls parents of all help for the treatment of their daughter Sandhya. The campaign to save Sandhya was started by students of Ramachandra College, CR Reddy College and Asramam Medical College.

Sandhya was taken to the Asramam Medical College Hospital with respiratory problems. The doctors after conducting various tests identified a cyst in her right lung. They advised her parents Swapna and Murali, to go to Hyderabad or Chennai for specialised treatment.

Unable to go either city, Mr Murali, an insurance agent, and Swapna, a homemaker, approached the Guntur Government General Hospital, where doctors told them that there were no facilities.

They finally got Sandhya admitted at the Rainbow Hospital here. The doctors performed a complicated surgery on February 15 and removed the cyst. A clinical examination of the cyst revealed that it was a round cell tumour.

The reports said that it was either a primitive neuroectodermal tumour (a rare tumour that develops in children) or Ewings sarcoma, a rare malignant tumour.

The doctors advised them to go to Hyderabad as chemotherapy and radiology treatments were not available at Vijayawada.

The students of Asramam Medical College, who came to know of the girls condition, along with their friends at Ramachandra College and CR Reddy College started a campaign to raise funds and collected nearly Rs 2 lakh. They tagged political leaders, including Mr K.T. Rama Rao, requesting them for help.

Responding to the tweet, Mr Rama Raos office contacted Sandhyas parents. Upon learning of her condition, Mr Rama Raos office extended support and assured them of all help for the treatment at Hyderabad. The family will leave for Hyderabad on Monday evening for treatment.
Hyderabad: The Telangana American Telugu Association (TATA) has advised its members not to speak in their mother tongue in public places in America, in the wake of the tragic shooting of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas last week. Kuchibhotla is believed to have been the victim of a racist attack.

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, TATA general secretary Vikram Jangam said in a statement uploaded on the social media page of the association.

Even as it condemned the attack, the association gave some practical tips to its members, such as not getting into an argument in public places, avoiding going out on ones own or living on ones own in isolated places as these can often make one a target, calling the emergency number 911 in case of an emergency, etc.

Bharat Reddy, a US returned entrepreneur, said that the advice not to speak in ones local language is not new, but it has acquired a new urgency in view of the current developments. During my Masters study I was advised not to speak in my mother tongue or in Hindi with my fellow Indians in public places. There is a chance of white people mistaking that we are talking about them or cracking jokes about them, he said.
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said that there is no proposal before the party to completely overhaul the cabinet ahead of the Assembly polls in the state.

Just before the party coordination committee meeting here, Mr Siddaramaiah said, It is all media speculation that the party wants to drop ministers who have completed four years. We have not thought of it even vaguely. But we are thinking of inducting two ministers soon after by-elections to two constituencies are over.

He was confident that the Congress will win the by-polls as well as the 2018 Assembly elections. The BJP leaders are daydreaming. They have started behaving as if they have already won the Assembly polls. It is not going to be easy for them, he said.

He said that the government will not drop the Mekedatu reservoir project at any cost. Tamil Nadu is trying to play political games over this project, but we will not allow them to succeed in their machinations, he said.

Congress meet in N-K

Setting an eye on voters from North Karnataka, AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh on Sunday said that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee will hold a two-day executive committee meeting in one of the prominent districts of the region.

After the party coordination committee meeting here, he said that the KPCC is yet to finalise the venue for the meeting. It could be either Belagavi or Hubballi-Dharwad districts that will witness partys poll bugle being sounded. The meeting will be held soon after the state budget session.

Earlier, he highlighted how the state has been affected by drought and listed the programmes taken up by the state government to help farmers. Karnataka has been facing drought for the last six years, which makes it difficult for the ruling party to win over peoples support. Despite such duress, the state government has made all efforts to help the farmers in distress, he said.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders, Mr Singh said that the BJP is good at dividing the society on communal lines and has conveniently forgotten development issues.

Look at Mr Modi. He should have made speeches to unite society at large, instead he only knows how to spew venom against a particular community. His recent remarks on Khabristan-Shamshan are a case in point, he said.
Thoubal (Manipur): With Manipur going to the poll later this week, all eyes are on Thoubal Assembly constituency where activist-turned-politician Irom Sharmila is contesting against three-time Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh.

Election will be held in the constituency on March 8 in the second of the two-phase poll. Thoubal, one of the 10 constituencies in Thoubal district, having an electorate of 27,728, has been a Congress bastion and is the backyard of Ibobi Singh, a two-time MLA from the seat since 2007.

In Thoubal, the fight is not about whether Ibobi Singh wins or loses, the fight is to increase the 2012 margin, a district Congress leader asserted.

Apart from the candidates of Trinamul, BJP and an independent, the constituency will also witness Irom Sharmila debuting in electoral politics as a candidate of her newly formed party Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA).

Irom Sharmila is facing a severe cash crunch, so much so she has to do her campaigning on a cycle.

Infographic

I campaign on my cycle. I don't believe in publishing posters and hand bills. Your work, your movement for the people will speak for you. I think less than Rs 1,00,000 is enough for a candidate to fight elections, given they follow my style of campaign, she said.

The irony is that neither the Congress nor the BJP is taking Irom and her party seriously in the polls.

Irom rejects security cover offer

Irom Sharmila Chanu on Monday refused to accept the security escort provided to her by the state authorities under the direction of the Election Commission of India.

Sharmila said that she has no enmity with anyone and has nothing to fear about. The former iconic human rights figure said she does not approve of the VIP culture of being surrounded by armed forces and wants to be with the people
Taking the opposite viewpoint, Hindutva hawk Vinay Katiyar justified the partys move to not give tickets to Muslims, saying: When Muslims dont vote for us, why should we give tickets to them? (Representational image)

New Delhi/Lucknow: With the BJP not giving a ticket to any Muslim candidate in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Union minister of state for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi felt it might have been better if the lotus brigade had taken the minorities along. When reminded that top ministers Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti had raised the issue of the BJP not giving tickets to Muslims, Mr Naqvi toed their line and said the BJP should also have given tickets to Muslims. It would have been a good signal.

Taking the opposite viewpoint, Hindutva hawk Vinay Katiyar justified the partys move to not give tickets to Muslims, saying: When Muslims dont vote for us, why should we give tickets to them?

Mr Naqvi, however, was quick to add that the concerns of Muslims will be addressed when the BJP comes to power in UP.

Uma to raise tickets for Muslims issue

Earlier, Ms Uma Bharti, who was in favour of giving tickets to Muslims, had said she would raise the issue with BJP president Amit Shah.

Union home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh had told a TV channel on Thursday that the BJP should have given tickets to Muslims in UP.

Talking about sabka saath, sabka vikas, Mr Naqvi said the BJP believed in taking all sections of society along with it. Sources said the BJP had consciously decided not to field any Muslim candidates as the party was not expecting any votes from this community, a senior party leader said.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has reportedly directed the BC Commission to tour more districts and collect representations from the people before submitting its report on the 12 per cent Muslim reservations.

This is being seen as an attempt to buy time before bringing in Legislation. It also means a temporary halt to the governments efforts to introduce the Muslim Reservation Bill in the forthcoming Budget session.

The CM, while replying to a debate on the Muslim quota Bill the Winter session, had announced that the Bill would be tabled in the Budget session.

However, sources said that Mr Rao has asked the BC Commission, the statutory body for recommending increase or decrease of reservations to particular sections, to conduct public hearings in all districts of the state to get more representations on the issue.

The state government had even prepared a draft bill, much before the BC Commission was to submit its report, and planned to introduce it in the Winter session.

The BC Commission had only conducted five hearings in the capital and collected almost 50,000 representations in favour of providing 12 per cent reservations.

Earlier, the government-appointed G. Sudhir Committee had prepared a voluminous report on the issue with its recommendations.

The BC Commission members are of the opinion that the Sudhir Committee report can be included in their report.

However, Mr Rao has now came to the conclusion that whatever legislation the government intends to bring should be fool proof and should withstand legal scrutiny, the sources said.

The sources added that this was why Mr Rao had directed BC Commission to conduct hearings in all districts if necessary to study the issue before coming out with an official report.

The sources said BC Commission members wanted a meeting with the CM to finalise the modalities and their visits as per his wish, but this has not happened till now.

We are not in hurry now as the government has indicated to us to take up more hearings on the issue. We will plan our visits to the various districts once we meet the CM, one of the BC Commission members told DC.
What will Subrahmanyam Jaishankar say to Tom Shannon, the United States undersecretary of state for political affairs (who had briefly served as acting secretary till Rex W. Tillerson was sworn in as the 69th secretary of state on February 1), the foreign secretarys opposite number in Washington, when the two meet later this week? While there are a whole range of issues in which the two large democracies are actively engaged in, let us focus on what many regard as the most poignant issue in current Indo-American relations. At another time and with another partner, India might have remembered that Britain sent the Royal Navy to Greece in 1850 when a Greek mob damaged the property  only the property, mind you, not the life  of the Portuguese consul, a Jew who was technically a British subject, having been born in Gibraltar. India might appear to ride high and strong to Indians at home, but anything like the Don Pacifico incident is way beyond the feeble competence of a nation that goes cap in hand for jobs to the United States because it cannot provide for its own.

Of course, Mr Jaishankar can tell Mr Shannon that 65,000 H1-B visas are issued annually only because the Americans need Indian skills. It would be true too. But the Indians who flock to the US, and for whom the Green Card is the brightest dowry and greatest asset, do not go there to help out the US in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the so-called STEM disciplines. They go purely and simply because employment prospects are so bleak at home. Indian doctors similarly migrated to Britain in the 1960s, and it was said afterwards that they had saved the National Health Service. In the 1950s, Jamaican bus drivers and conductors also kept the wheels of Britains nationalised state transport moving. Both groups were fulfilling the primary obligation to self and family. That also applies to Indian labourers in Singapore. Will our high commissioner there boast that Changi airports latest extension would not have been built without unskilled Indian workers? The Chinese dont rely on H1-B visas to the same extent. Chinas economic growth may not be as spectacular as it claims but they obviously the Chinese dont face the dilemma of training skilled personnel at great cost to the exchequer, and then not knowing what to do with them because industrial growth hasnt kept pace with the phenomenal expanse of higher education.

The roots of the problem go back to the setting up of the Indian Institutes of Technology under Jawaharlal Nehru and his vaunted five-year plans not creating the expected high-tech jobs. Nalini Ranjan Sarkar, the pioneering Bengali businessman, industrialist and entrepreneur, was a member of the Viceroys Executive Council before Independence when he was appointed chairman of a 22-member committee that recommended in 1946 the establishment of higher technical institutions in the eastern, western, northern and southern regions of the country along the model of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Humayun Kabir and Dr B.C. Roy, then chief minister of West Bengal, persuaded Nehru to push through a special law to establish the Kharagpur IIT in 1951. The first five IITs thus owed their origin to the enterprise of a man who made a fortune for himself and wanted to do the same for his country. Sarkar was not an ideologue. He expected IIT graduates to give the impetus to Indias economic regeneration, not to go to the rescue of Americas information technology or fill the shortfall of 2.4 million STEM jobs in the US that a Brookings Institution report predicts. Sarkar would have been pained to read these graduates described as indentured servants.

As Norman Matloff, professor of computer science at a California university, wrote in the Washington Post of IT giants: These firms of the new economy seem to be awfully fond of the old economy of 200 years ago  when indentured servitude was in vogue. But to put it bluntly, beggars cant be choosers. Even substandard US wages seem extraordinarily high in rupees, specially to Indians who cant get any job at home. Other aspects of the situation merit notice. The rise in anti-black and anti-Jewish crimes even during the election campaign suggests a connection with Donald Trumps America for Americans rhetoric, no matter what his press secretary might plead now. The growing mistrust of Muslims is a global phenomenon. While it is generous of the US charge daffairs in New Delhi, MaryKay L. Carlson, to call her country a nation of immigrants, it is open to question whether all Americans welcome people from across the world to visit, study and live. Statistics show that old immigrants are often the most dogged in rejecting the new ones. Singapores Chinese bear this out. Finally, who exactly is the tragically dead Srinivas Kuchibhotlas widow, Sunayana Dumala, addressing when she asks so poignantly, Do we belong? Despite Ms Carlsons claims, she cannot really expect an affirmative answer from the US government. Trump or no Trump, Washington has no specific obligation to protect Indian immigrants. That brings me to Ms Dumalas reported decision to return to the United States. However it may be worded, its impossible not to see the decision in terms of all the factors that induce aspiring Indians to take enormous risks to migrate to far more prosperous countries in the first place. So, is Mr Jaishankar going to say to Mr Shannon: Its business as usual because we Indians place material self-interest above self-respect? Its about all that he can say. There wouldnt have been an Indian diaspora otherwise. From plantation workers in Mauritius to engineers in California, the driver is the profit motive.
Indias decision to enter into joint development with Israel  cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last week  for medium range surface-to-air missiles (MR-SAM) for the Indian Army is a further sign of improving qualitative ties between the two nations since diplomatic relations were normalised in 1992. The deal is expected to be pegged at around Rs 17,000 crores for five regiments of the missile consisting of 200 pieces having a range of 50-70 km. It seeks joint development between Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The system will be manufactured in India and is likely to have 80 per cent indigenous content. Deliveries are set to begin by 2023. This system for the Armys use will be based on the older production of Israeli Barack-8 missile system and for the Navys use collaboratively between DRDO and IAI.

To that extent, there is no novelty in the decision over medium-range missiles for the Army. Indeed, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does visit Israel in the coming months, as appears likely, it is not unthinkable that a more ambitious India-Israel relationship may be posited. This will be on the lines of the elevating of India-UAE ties after the PMs trip to Abu Dhabi last year. Given that India is already Israels largest arms buyer, and Israel is among the top three arms sellers to India  along with the US and Russia  New Delhis relations with the Jewish state have already attained something of a strategic dimension. Intelligence-sharing is also done due to common concerns relating to terrorism, even if on key international issues, specially those relating to West Asia, a gap still remains between Indias perceptions and Israels, although this gap is narrowing somewhat under Mr Modi, with India abstaining on UN resolutions which criticise Israel. This is the difference with the past.

Two leading considerations have guided Indias ties with Israel. One, Indias relations with Arabs remains sound, except that New Delhi doesnt allow one to have a veto over the other. Such a dynamic, guided by practical considerations, has not so far affected either this countrys political stance on the Palestinian question or its deepening all-round ties with Israel. Two, it is also felt in New Delhi that positive and expanding ties with Israel will help New Delhi develop a special constituency in the United States, with which successive Indian governments have sought to build close strategic ties, sometimes to criticism within the country. All in all, positive bilateral relations with Israel are useful to both sides. Specifically on defence acquisitions, the net should be expanded to take in the key European powers as well.
Donald Trump was clearly the elephant at Los Angeles Dolby Theatre; while the major snafu on the best picture Oscar was a kind of testament to change, it struck a blow for diversity by picking Moonlight, a story of a gay African-American boy growing up in poverty in the US, at the cost of the technically-perfect musical La La Land. Moonlight also gave us the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar in Mahershela Ali, further enhanced by Viola Davis winning best supporting actress for Fences; the first time winners in both genders in this category were black. There was also a tale behind the best actor winner: Casey Afleck, a star whose possible dark past in molesting and harassing women, surfaced again before the Oscars, setting off a debate on his art being greater than the flawed artist.

Host Jimmy Kimmel set the ball rolling with I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean, remember this time last year when it seemed the Oscars were racist? said Kimmel, referring to the #OscarsSoWhite row. Trump-bashers like Meryl Streep came in for special praise, as filmmakers denounced hate, racism and the Mexican Wall. Those conspicuous by their absence made powerful points too, like Iranian director Asgar Farhadi and Syrian Khaled Khateeb. It rained social messages of a deeper truth as candy, cookies and donuts floated down from the ceiling to amuse the Hollywood glitterati.
Apart from you my Krishna

Whom should I adore?

O storm-tossed heart I beg her

Bring me safely to the shore!

From A Bend in the

Liver by Bachchoo

Yes, all the worlds a stage  at times a circus stage onto which they bring in the clowns. Marine Le Pen is now the favourite to win the first round at least of the coming French presidential elections. Geert Wilder is poised to make a severe dent in the politics of the Netherlands. Beppe Grillo, a professional clown, runs the party that may rule Italy come the next election; while here in Britain, the minister for international trade, Dr Liam Fox, circulates a list of countries which are potential trading partners, the second of which is er... Africa. Of course the US of A already trumps the clowning list. There is no hiatus in the entertaining programme of events overtaking our mournful and happy world, but one needs must, once again, bring in the clowns: On February 18, President Donald Trump, having occupied the White House for a month, after the shambles of several embarrassments, resignations and defeats in the courts for his Muslim bans, decided or was advised to go back on the stump. He held a rally of supporters in Florida, presumably to demonstrate through the media that he could still pull loyal crowds, but even more likely to hear himself sound off for hours. He is his own Masters Voice, though his orations are far from masterful.

Look at whats happening last night in Sweden, he told his assembled followers, some of whom were placed where the TV cameras would focus bearing placards saying Blacks for Trump prompting one to shout Hes already the President, for goodness sake! Maybe the placards were leftovers from the campaign and what the blacks holding them wanted to convey was that they support his every official gesture. The pronouncement about Sweden posed a puzzle to the worlds media. They scrambled to find out what they had missed. Slaughter? Plane crash? Mass cannibalism? The rebirth in Stockholm of Elvis Presley? What were the Swedish TV and newspapers hiding? Was there indeed a regrouping and revival of ABBA? Had IKEA invented a robot that could assemble any article of IKEA furniture from the flat pack? Had here been a Swedish law passed allowing pet dogs to have civil partnerships?

Maybe all of the latter, but why would any of it appall the Trumpeteers? Were ABBA thinking of converting to Islam and emigrating? Were IKEA robots poised to take over American jobs? Would the civil partnership of domestic pets be taken up as a cause by the liberal elites of Washington? No! Mr Trumps pronouncements, taken in the context in which they were delivered, suggested that he was talking about a major Swedish disaster, a terrorist attack perpetrated by Muslim refugees who had been admitted to the country through the folly of the Swedish liberal temperament and government. The problem was that no such incident had occurred in Sweden. There were no deaths through violence of any sort in Sweden on February 17, 2017. The Swedish Prime Minister retaliated by telling a rally in Stockholm that in the US, on the same February 17, there were 32 fatal shootings and 128 reported violent incidents involving guns.

Oh all right, I made up the bit about the Swedish Prime Minister retaliating, but I didnt make up the bit about the 128 shooting incidents and 32 deaths which ensued on that particular day in the US of A. What the worlds media had reported on February 17 was the massacre that took place in Pakistan at the shrine of Shahbaz Qalandar. Anyone familiar with the several renditions of the qawwali tribute to this Sufi, not the least of them those of Abida Parveen and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, will have heard the lines:

Sindhrii da

Sehwan da

Shahbaz Qalandar

 from Sind, from Sehwan!

And there you have it. Donald Trump, President of the United States, misread or misheard the word Sehwan and mistook it for Sweden. I have no evidence, and can find none on the Internet, of the state of Mr Trumps hearing but have come across the report that he has a reading difficulty. Jehovah, Allah, Bhagwan and Ahura Mazda come to our aid as this is the man with his finger on the button, which sets off the worlds most formidable nuclear arsenal. Will he mistake Kerala for Korea? Is he able in his cavalier way to distinguish between Canada and Kannada  even though the latter is a language and not a country? I am sure he knows and will be mindful of the distinction between India and Indiana. Please God, dont let the clowns have the last laugh!
Washington: NASA plans to send its first robotic spacecraft to the Sun next year that is slated to get within six million kilometres of the blazing star to probe its atmosphere.Humans have sent spacecraft to the Moon, Mars and even distant interstellar space. Now, NASA plans to launch the Solar Probe Plus mission to the Sun which is about 149 million kilometres from the Earth.This is going to be our first mission to fly to the Sun, said Eric Christian, a NASA research scientist at Goddard Space Flight Centre.We cant get to the very surface of the Sun, but the mission will get close enough to answer three important questions, Christian said.

First, the mission will hopefully unveil why the surface of the Sun, called the photosphere, is not as hot as its atmosphere, called the corona.According to NASA, the surface temperature of the Sun is only about 5,500 degrees Celsius. However, the atmosphere above it is a sizzling two million degrees Celsius.You would think the farther away you get from a heat source, you would get colder. Why the atmosphere is hotter than the surface is a big puzzle, Christian said.

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Qualcomm Ventures, the venture investment arm of US-based chip maker Qualcomm Inc which has a USD 150 million India-focused fund, expects 2017 to be a better year for the startup ecosystem, especially early stage companies. "2016 was the hardest year, and that is behind us. 2017 will be a better year. There was a crunch in investment dollars, especially Series C and Series D investments," Varsha Tagare, senior director, Qualcomm Ventures India told PTI.

"Funding in early stage is not gone down, but there is more selective funding. What is needed is more well-defined companies after the early stage," she said. The USD 150 million fund will be our only funding vehicle for the venture firm, she said. She pointed out that the ecosystem in India is quite mature, as there are several early stage accelerators and incubators, attached to established educational institutes like IITs and IIMs as well as several corporations, including Microsoft, that have set up venture arms.

Qualcomm has been investing in Indian startups since 2007 and more than 20 Indian companies, including Portea, MapMyIndia, Reverie Language Technologies, and Capillary Technologies, are part of its portfolio. "We at Qualcomm primarily invest in technology companies, within which verticals like consumer, enterprise and healthcare technology look promising," Tagare said. Qualcomm also runs a global seed investment competition Qprize as part of engagement with early stage entrepreneurs. Globally, Qualcomm Ventures has over USD 500 million in assets under management.

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Karaikudi: Young scientists of Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR- CECRI), Karaikudi have made a landmark achievement in the history of electrochemical research by developing the first indigenous lithium ion battery in the country.

This invention would make India self reliant in lithium ion battery manufacturing shortly and thereby stop dependence on East Asian countries.

Nearly 8-10 million lithium ion batteries are imported from Japan, China and South Korea every month which costs nearly Rs 200 per cell, scientist Kuldeep Singh Kakran told Deccan Chronicle.

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Nokia sees demand for higher speed 4G network equipment starting to recover this year, led by Japan, the company's chief executive Rajeev Suri said on Sunday as he announced a series of contracts with telecom operators.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Suri also predicted a new wave of industry consolidation among telecom operators in the US and Indian markets in the course of 2017.

"Noise about carrier M&A will heat up dramatically in United States and India. The pent-up demand for action is there," Suri said.

Nokia and its rivals, Sweden's Ericsson and China's Huawei, have struggled lately as telecom operators' demand for faster 4G mobile broadband equipment has peaked, and upgrades to next-generation 5G equipment are still years away.

Nokia repeated that while it expected the global networks market to fall around 2 percent in 2017, it spotted growth opportunities in markets such as North America, India and Japan.

"We believe that the (overall) primary market in which we compete will be down again... but to be considerably better than last year," Suri said, anticipating a slower rate of decline.

"Investments in 4G, particularly in advanced 4G technology, will pick back up in some key markets, such as Japan."

Earlier this month, Nokia reported its profits for the final quarter of last year fell less than expected, helped by cost cuts and the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent.

The Finnish company has reached a "landmark", 3-year deal with Telefonica to build networks in London, Suri said on Sunday, adding that the contract propels Nokia to overcome Ericsson as the leading network supplier in Britain.

Nokia also announced that it was working with US telecoms carrier Verizon and semiconductor giant Intel to supply equipment for pre-commmercial 5G services in US markets, including Dallas.

Suntrust analyst Georgios Kyriakopoulos cautioned that global weakness in operator spending will likely remain for a long time and that projected consolidation will likely serve as a further drag on results for equipment vendors such as Nokia.

"The fact Suri predicted more M&A in that space means Nokia's core business faces some challenges, he said.

AT&T is seeking regulatory approval for its $85.4 billion acquisition of media giant Time Warner.

Meanwhile, Japan's SoftBank Group Corp is prepared to cede control of Sprint Corp to Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile US Inc to clinch a merger of the two US mobile carriers, sources told Reuters earlier this month.

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Henry Rousso, a historian who specialises on the Holocaust and the Nazi occupation of France. (Photo: Twitter)

Washington: An Egyptian-born French Jewish scholar was held for hours and nearly deported from the United States after he landed in Houston to attend a conference at a Texas university.

"I have been detained 10 hours at Houston International Airport about to be deported. The officer who arrested me was 'inexperienced'," Henry Rousso, a historian who specialises on the Holocaust and the Nazi occupation of France, wrote on Twitter, on Sunday.

Rousso confirmed an earlier announcement by officials at Texas A&M University that he had been detained upon arrival last Wednesday. He was admitted into the United States early Thursday.

Rousso, 62, is a senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, or CNRS.

He has spoken over the years at several prominent US universities as well as the Holocaust Memorial Museum in the US capital, and was a visiting professor at Texas A&M in 2007, according to his online profile.

In an article published on the Huffington Post website today, Rousso said that a young police officer asked him to undergo a "random check" with informal questions.

When the officer was unsatisfied with his replies, the invitation from the university and his visa, the interview became a formal questioning, which required Rousso to take an oath and submit to fingerprints as well as a standard body search to which he objected.

There were "questions about my father, my mother, my family situation, with the same questions asked dozens of times: who employs me, where I live et cetera," Rousso was quoted as saying in the Huffington Post article.

Rousso was told he would be put on the first plane back to Paris.

But in the early hours of the morning he was admitted into the US after the president of Texas A&M, an immigration law professor "and several lawyers" intervened.

Police told him that the official who had questioned him was "inexperienced" and was unaware that activities connected to teaching and research could be carried out with an ordinary tourist visa, Rousso wrote. No apology was forthcoming.

"On the other side of the Atlantic, one now has to face complete arbitrariness and incompetence," Rousso said, concluding regretfully, "the United States aren't quite the United States anymore".

He thanked supporters on Twitter, and added: "My situation was nothing compared to some of the people I saw who couldn't be defended as I was."

In late January President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing a 90-day entry ban for citizens of seven Muslim majority countries, though not including Egypt. The travel ban has since been halted by a US federal court.
Washington D.C: The family of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed by a gunman in an alleged racist attack, had warned him about the consequences of staying in the United States and had asked him to return to India.

"I told him many times we should think about going back to India," The Washington Post quoted Sunayana Dumala, wife of Kuchibhotla as saying at a press conference.

She said her husband had refused to abandon the country he loved as he was not fearful.

Dumala said Kuchibhotla had given her assurance that good things would happen to good people.

She remarked that aviation was Kuchibhotla's passion and he wanted to succeed in this industry, adding that he wanted to do much for this country.

"He did not deserve a death like this," she said.

Dumala stated that she used to question whether they were doing the right thing staying in the United States of America after reading many times about shooting happening in the country.

She asked whether the colour of a person could tell that he's a Muslim, a Hindu or Christian.

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.

"We're saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last night's 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.

Purtinton was reportedly taken into custody by the police at Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, about 82 miles southeast of Olathe.

He 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".

The Olathe Police said the FBI will investigate if it's proven that the shooting was a result of a hate crime.
Olathe: One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying "I wish it was a dream."

The Kansas City Star reported Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that "what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend."

Madasani's friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in Wednesday night's shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, also was wounded in the shooting.

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani said. "He would have been here for me."

Madasani and Kuchibhotla both worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was - is," Madasani said.

Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at the two Indian men before he opened fire.

Madasani called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States." That drew applause from the audience at the vigil.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, state Sen. Rob Olson, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

"When you grieve, we all grieve," Copeland said. "We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us."
Bundled in winter coats, marchers stretched for blocks down a sidewalk near the city's Ball Conference Center, holding posters with messages about peace and unity, and chanting slogans such as "Together we stand, divided we fall!" and "Unity is part of community!" (Photo: AP)

Washington: Hundreds of people marched and prayed Sunday in the Midwestern US city where an Indian expatriate was killed and another wounded in a suspected hate crime that has prompted calls for action.

Indians at home and in the United States have expressed shock at Wednesday's shooting in the Kansas community of Olathe that saw a drunk white man scream racial slurs and allegedly open fire on two young Indian engineers, killing one.

Alok Madasani, the 32-year-old Indian engineer who survived, told a prayer vigil Sunday that he was suffering profound loss after the death of his dear friend of nine years.

"It's hard to believe he is not with me, not with us anymore," Madasani said.

"What happened that night is something we all wish didn't happen, but it happened."

Throngs of concerned citizens and mourners marched through the Kansas City suburb in memory of the slain man, 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and in celebration of Madasani's survival.

The event also honored Ian Grillot, a white bar patron being hailed a hero for trying to help. He is being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds in the chest and hand.

Bundled in winter coats, marchers stretched for blocks down a sidewalk near the city's Ball Conference Center, holding posters with messages about peace and unity, and chanting slogans such as "Together we stand, divided we fall!" and "Unity is part of community!"

Read: He didn't deserve death like this: Kin warned AP techie about stay in US

During the rally, the city of Olathe tweeted: "We stand together in our grief; in our support of the victims, their family & friends. And always, we stand together. #OneOlathe."

Madasani, who had been taken to the hospital after the shooting, was greeted with applause when he hobbled into the room on crutches, and later told the audience about how his friend, whom he would meet at the bar almost weekly, was "always making sure the people around him were happy."

The ceremony, which opened with Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh prayers, was held at the packed community center, with a large overflow crowd forced to stand outside. It ended with the audience lighting candles and singing John Lennon's "Imagine."

'Shameful' incidents

During the attack, the alleged suspect, Adam Purinton, 51, reportedly screamed racial slurs and told the two Indian men, who had been living in the United States for several years and working as aviation systems engineers for GPS manufacturer Garmin, to "Get out of my country."

He was arrested after police got a tip from a bartender in a nearby town that the suspect boasted of having killed two Middle Eastern men, The Kansas City Star reported.

Purinton has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder and is being held on a $2 million bond.

The FBI is trying to determine if the shooting was a hate crime.

India's Information and Broadcasting minister reacted harshly to the attack, stating that the United States must "unequivocally respond and condemn such incidents."

"USA should respond to this incident. American President and people of America, they should come out openly to condemn such actions... and then take strongest action," M Venkaiah Naidu was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser page was quickly set up after the shooting, and as of Sunday had collected more than $630,000, much of it in small contributions of $5 and $10.

The money is to help with the funeral expenses "and other ongoing grief / recovery support costs" for Kuchibhotla's widow Sunayana Dumala.

Meanwhile, Madasani's father Jagan Mohan Reddy, a chief engineer with the Telangana state government, told AFP he and his wife would spend at least a week in the US before "taking stock of what to do (next)."

"They lost a dear friend (Kuchibhotla) in the attack but somehow, by God's grace, my son survived," Reddy said.
Washington: The White House will propose boosting defence spending and slashing funding for longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency in a set of marching orders to agencies as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

President Donald Trump's proposal for the 2018 budget year, which will be sent to agencies Monday, won't make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare, according to an administration official.

The official, as well as Capitol Hill aides, confirmed details of the upcoming blueprint on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information and a sensitive process.

Trump's first major fiscal marker will land in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint session of Congress. For Trump, the primetime speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

The Pentagon is due for a huge boost, as Trump promised during the campaign. But many nondefense agencies and foreign aid programs are facing cuts, including at the State Department. The specific numbers aren't final and agencies will have a chance to argue against the cuts as part of a longstanding tradition at the budget office.

Trump is expected to release his final budget proposal in mid-March.

The president previewed a boost in military spending during a speech Friday to conservative activists, pledging "one of the greatest build-ups in American history."

"We will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything, bigger and better and stronger than ever before," he said.

In an interview with Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said cuts to Social Security and Medicare would not be part of the administration's first budget. Trump's priority is passing legislation to reduce middle-class and corporate taxes, he said.

As a candidate, Trump promised to leave major entitlements untouched, breaking with some Republican leaders who believe the costly programs need to be reformed.

The White House budget office issued a statement confirming that an interim budget submission will be released in mid-March but declining to comment on an "internal discussion."

"The president and his Cabinet are working collaboratively to create a budget that keeps the president's promises to secure the country and restore fiscal sanity to how we spend American taxpayers' money," said Office of Management and Budget spokesman John Czwartacki.

Czwartacki said that the March submission would only address agency operating budgets funded by Congress and that proposals on tax reform and so-called mandatory programs - they include food stamps, student loans, health programs and farm subsidies - will be released later.

The March release is also expected to include an immediate infusion of cash for the Pentagon that's expected to register about $20 billion or so and contain the first wave of funding for Trump's promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.

By increasing defense and leaving Medicare and Social Security untouched, the Trump final budget plan is sure to project sizable deficits. In the campaign Trump promised huge tax cuts but top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin don't want this year's tax reform drive to add to the budget deficit.
Mount Airy: The WWII Navy officer who guided his warship into Japanese territory to rescue future President John F. Kennedy and his crew has died at age 97, his daughter said Sunday.

William "Bud" Liebenow died Friday from pneumonia complications, said Susan T. Liebenow of Arlington, Virginia.

Liebenow was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was a new college graduate when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. He joined the Navy and volunteered for service on the fast, small and heavily armed attack vessels called PT boats.

Liebenow and Kennedy were each captains of PT boats in the South Pacific in 1943 when Kennedy's boat was destroyed by a Japanese destroyer. Kennedy and 10 other surviving crew members swam to a small island. Kennedy scratched a note into a coconut that two Solomon Islands natives carried to an American base.

Liebenow guided his boat behind enemy lines to track down the survivors of PT-109 on the island where they were hiding.

"Pulled right up to the beach," Liebenow told WRAL-TV in 2015. "Just a part of the job really."

Kennedy invited Liebenow and his family to the president's inauguration ceremony 18 years later, Susan Liebenow said.

But Liebenow's naval career didn't end with that rescue.

The following year, Liebenow commanded a PT boat that was part of the D-Day invasion of northern France. His PT-199 was tasked with zooming around the waters off Normandy and rescuing men whose boats had been blown up by Nazi defenders. Liebenow's boat helped rescue about 60 crew members from the destroyer USS Corry, which was sunk during the invasion struggle.

"We went in to pick up survivors and do what we could," Liebenow told the Mount Airy News in 2014. "We spent most of that day picking up guys out of the water."

After the war, Liebenow worked as a chemist for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and retired after 30 years, his family said. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Lucy, and a son.
Kim Jong Nam died Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur's airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by a Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian woman who separately wiped a liquid onto Kim's face. (Photo: AP)

Seoul, South Korea: South Korea's intelligence service told lawmakers Monday that four North Korean government spies were involved in the killing of the estranged half brother of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un.

Lawmakers cited the National Intelligence Service as telling them in a private briefing that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects by Malaysian police investigating the Feb. 13 death of Kim Jong Nam are from the Ministry of State Security, the North's spy organ.

The NIS was quoted as saying that two other suspects are affiliated with Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry, according to Lee Cheol Woo, one of the lawmakers who attended the briefing. Another lawmaker Kim Byeong-ki cited the NIS as saying Kim Jong Un directed a "state-organized terror" to kill his brother.

Lawmakers didn't say how the NIS got the information and if it elaborated on what specific roles these North Korean suspects performed.

The NIS has a mixed record on developments in the secretive North. The agency said it cannot confirm its reported assessment on Kim Jong Nam's death.

Malaysia hasn't directly accused North Korea of having masterminded the Kim Jong Nam killing but is pursuing several North Korean suspects, including a diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Kim Jong Nam died Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur's airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by a Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian woman who separately wiped a liquid onto Kim's face. Police last week identified as the substance as the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent, and Malaysia's health minister said Sunday the dose was so high it caused "very serious paralysis" and killed him within 20 minutes.

Malaysian officials have said four North Korean men provided the two women with the VX agent, then fled Malaysia the same day.

It was unclear if those four were the four North Korean spies cited by South Korea's intelligence agency.

North Korea has repeatedly criticized Malaysia's investigation and has not acknowledged the victim's identity.
Gunmen sprayed bullets at the bus as it drove through a wooded area, police said, adding that four guards escaped with gunshot injuries. (Photo: Video grab)

Colombo: Attackers opened fire on a prison bus outside Colombo on Monday, killing five prisoners and two armed guards in the worst gang-related violence to hit Sri Lanka in decades.

Gunmen sprayed bullets at the bus as it drove through a wooded area, police said, adding that four guards escaped with gunshot injuries.

The prisoners were being driven to court for a hearing when the audacious daytime attack took place, police said.

"It is believed that the shooting was a result of enmity between two underworld gangs," police said in a statement. "Investigations are under way."

Security for underworld suspects had been tightened following a similar shooting on a prison bus that seriously wounded another suspected gang leader in the capital in March last year.

Six people were killed in two separate incidents on that day, but police said Monday's bus ambush was the deadliest gang-related attack in Sri Lanka in living memory.

Automatic weapons are easily available eight years after the end of the country's 37-year ethnic war.

Attempts to crack down on possession of illegal firearms have been largely ineffective.
In December, member states decided to allow visa requirements to be reintroduced at short notice if there was an upsurge in arrivals. (Representational image)

Brussels: European Union member states on Monday approved visa-free travel for Georgia, after agreeing safeguards to prevent any upsurge in arrivals from the former Soviet satellite.

Georgia, along with much larger Ukraine, has been urging the EU to grant visa-free travel so as to show its citizens that close ties with Europe can deliver concrete benefits.

EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said the decision marked "a historic day for Georgia and its citizens."

"Today's adoption recognises the tremendous efforts undertaken by the Georgian authorities and the Georgian people to carry out far-reaching and difficult reforms," Avramopoulos said, according to a statement of his remarks in Tblisi, the Georgian capital.

"These reforms also bring Georgia closer to EU standards, facilitating cooperation with the European Union and bringing the country a step forward on its European path," he added.

Under the accord, which now requires formal signature by the 28 member states and the European Parliament, Georgian citizens will be able to travel visa-free for 90 days in the EU during any 180-day period.

The accord does not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.

The original plan caused some concern that Georgians might abuse the system to come and stay illegally in a European Union still grappling with the aftermath of the 2015 migrant crisis.

In December, member states decided to allow visa requirements to be reintroduced at short notice if there was an upsurge in arrivals.
Stockholm: Sweden has arrested a man suspected of spying on Tibetan refugees, for an unnamed foreign power, the Swedish intelligence service SAPO said on Monday.

"The arrested man is suspected of having, at the request of another country, illegally gathered information about people in the Tibetan community in Sweden," SAPO said in a statement.

"The information has been passed on to intelligence officers working for a foreign power," it added. The man was arrested on Sunday.

SAPO would not disclose his name or nationality, nor which country he was working for or where in Sweden he was spying. SAPO refused to say whether the foreign power involved was China.

Spokesman Simon Bynert told AFP the "preliminary investigation was classified" and "in the early stages."

Beijing says it "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951 and considers it an inseparable part of China. According to Swedish news agency TT, the suspect has lived in Sweden for several years.

The head of the organisation Tibetan Community in Sweden, Nyima Sherlhokangsar, says some 130 Tibetans live in the Scandinavian country.

"We are shocked over this news... we have not suspected anything," she said. Refugee espionage is usually aimed at preventing people from expressing criticism against the regime in their home countries.

Regimes also spy on refugees to find out who has fled the country, why, and where they are now -- or to put pressure on family members who have stayed behind.
Violence since October has killed 252 Palestinians, 41 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Qalandiya: A Palestinian woman suspected of intending to attack Israeli guards at a West Bank checkpoint into Jerusalem was shot and injured by security forces on Monday, police said.

The 30-year-old woman walked towards the guards at the Qalandiya checkpoint using the vehicle-only lane "all the time clutching her handbag in a way that made them suspicious", police spokeswoman Luba Samri wrote in a statement.

She had ignored repeated orders to halt and they opened fire. The Palestinian woman was lightly injured and taken by Israeli ambulance for medical treatment, Samri added, without specifying if any suspect items were found in her handbag.

Since a wave of violence broke out in October 2015, 252 Palestinians, 41 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out attacks with knives and guns or car ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities, with others were killed during protests, in clashes or Israeli air raids on Gaza. The rate of attacks has declined sharply in recent months.
The strikes come as an opposition delegation gears up to meet on Monday with UN mediator Staffan de Mistura in Geneva to continue talks aimed at resolving Syria's six-year-old war. (Photo: AP)

Beirut: Syrian activists say airstrikes in the country's rebel-held Idlib province have killed at least 11 people.

The activist-run Baladi News network published footage of rescuers searching for victims in the rubble of a block destroyed in presumed government or Russian airstrikes on Monday, in the town of Areeha in northwest Syria.

The Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group said it had counted 15 fatalities.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least seven civilians and four other unidentified victims had been killed. It blamed the attack on government warplanes.

The strikes come as an opposition delegation gears up to meet on Monday with UN mediator Staffan de Mistura in Geneva to continue talks aimed at resolving Syria's six-year-old war.
The ISIS' brutal rule in parts of Iraq and Syria and its presence in Europe have attracted world attention but its push eastward. (Photo: AP/Representational)

Karachi: Sectarian hatred and presence of extremist outfits may provide a fertile ground to the ISIS to spread its tentacles to Pakistan, which it considers as part of its 'Khurasan Waliyat', according to a new study.

The ISIS' brutal rule in parts of Iraq and Syria and its presence in Europe have attracted world attention but its push eastward, particularly to Pakistan, has largely gone unnoticed, Dawn reported, citing the study carried out by Sindh police's Counter-Terrorism Department.

"Sectarian hatred and existence of extremist outfits may provide fertile ground to the militant Islamic State group to spread its tentacles to Pakistan by recruiting sectarian militants, particularly in Punjab," the study says.

"Given the presence of numerous violent extremist groups in different parts of the country, ISIS may discover more opportunities to expand in Pakistan," fears the study.

The deadly suicide attack on the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan this month was the first bomb attack in the interior of Sindh which was claimed by ISIS, officials said.

"The modus operandi of the attack resembled the bombing of shrines in Syria and Iraq by ISIS," Dawn quoted Raja Umer Khattab, an officer of the CTD, as saying.

He said suspected bomber had links with Afghanistan-based ISIS and Jundullah Fida, and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi in Sindh. Ever since ISIS proclaimed a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq, it has been trying to attract Pakistani Jihadis.

One group that analysts anxiously watch is the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), which was not a centralised group but comprised a network of more than 42 smaller groups.

"TTP's brand name started suffering during 2014 when the group began to splinter after the death of its head Hakeemullah Mehsud in a US drone strike," the study says.

Consequently, militants started leaving the TTP and formed splinter groups. Some TTP leaders defected and pledged unconditional allegiance to ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

"ISIS now considers Pakistan as part of what it calls the Khurasan Waliyat, a broad region that includes Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia," the paper says.

The first group to pledge allegiance to ISIS was Tehreek-i-Khilafat Pakistan, which had once been part of the TTP. The study says that the group had a small network in Karachi where it had perpetrated one terror act. Another sectarian group, Jundullah also pledged allegiance to ISIS. "IS appears to be recruiting militants in certain areas of Punjab province and Sindhs Karachi where it operates through internet," the study says.

The study fears that since sectarian hatreds in Iraq and Syria have provided fertile ground for ISIS' resurgence, the leading Sunni extremist outfits in Pakistan may also create a fertile ground for ISIS' expansion.

"Sectarianism in Pakistan may provide a conducive environment to ISIS to spread its tentacles, the study says.

It says lack of leadership appears to be a major obstacle for ISIS as it has not been able to find 'charismatic leadership' to lure fresh recruits. The US has killed several

Pakistani leaders of ISIS (Khurasan) in drone strikes such as Hafiz Saeed Khan, the emir of Khurasan Waliyat.
The tweet was later taken down (Photo: Screen grab)

New Delhi: As Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win Oscar for his role in Hollywood flick ' Moonlight', Pakistan's Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi tweeted in support of his achievement.

However, Lodhi's tweet came under fire for promoting Ahmadiyyas considered to be "non-Muslims" in Pakistan.

Lodhi removed the tweet soon after the post.

Ali, a Muslim convert since 1999, joined the minority Ahmadiyya Community, a move seen as heretical by other Islamic sects in 2001.

The Ahmadiyya population in Pakistan has often come under persecution and discrimination by the Sunni majority.

Currently, Ahmadi Muslims across the world are facing persecution because of their religious beliefs. Particularly in Pakistan, Ahmadi Muslims are severely persecuted and lack basic civil rights such as freedom of speech, religion and the right to vote.
Amid tight security, polling began this morning in 51 Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh spread across 11 districts that figure in the fifth phase, with all eyes on the Nehru-Gandhi pocket borough Amethi.





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 spouse, making the contest a "rani versus rani" affair.



The districts going to polls in this phase are Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Basti, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur.



Due to death of Samajwadi Party candidate Chandrashekhar Kanaujia in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar), the EC has announced fresh date of voting in this constituency on March 9.



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 and Peace Party two.



In all, 607 candidates are in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats in Siddharth Nagar district.



Over 1.81 crore voters, including over about 84 lakh women, will decide the fate of 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, among others, in this phase.



Maximum number of 4,38,106 voters are in Mehdawal (Sant Kabir Nagar), while minimum 3,04934 voters are in Tanta (Ambedkarnagar).



There are 12,555 polling centres and 18,822 polling booths in this phase. The turnout in these constituencies in 2012 was 57.09 per cent.



For free and fair polls, 1,442 sector magistrates, 180 zonal magistrates and 170 static magistrates have been deployed besides police and general observers.



Gonda is close to Nepal and so are Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur and Sidhharth Nagar districts, adjacent to the Terai region in the foothills of the Himalayas.



Central forces are on high alert in these areas to ensure that no mischief monger sneaks into the Indian territory or escapes after committing any crime.



In his speech in Gonda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to the Kanpur train tragedy in which 150 people were killed and said the accident was due to a "conspiracy" and the perpetrators carried it out "sitting across the border".


Hundreds of people in Kansas City joined a peace march and prayer vigil, celebrating the life of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla cut short in a senseless triple shooting incident at a pub in an apparent hate crime.





Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted, "We want peace"; "We love peace"; "Let us not leave our children"; "Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall".



Many of them carried candles and signs reading, "We don't support politics of hate."

The march for peace and the prayer meeting was attended by friends of Srinivas. Alok Madasani, another Indian who was wounded in the shooting on Wednesday, was on his crutches.



The sisters of the third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, injured that night when he intervened during the argument with the shooter US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, Lt Governor Jeff Colyer, US Congressman Kevin Yoder, Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke, and other state officials also joined the march and the prayer meeting.



The prayer was conducted by priests from various religions at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, Kansas City.



Addressing the gathering, Alok remembered his nine years of friendship with Srinivas. "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 would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care."

Other friends who spoke there had similar words for Srinivas. They described him as a positive, warm, kind, caring, brilliant, well-mannered and an absolutely outstanding human being.



Srinivas, 32, was killed and Alok, of the same age, was injured at a city bar by the navy veteran screaming racial slurs and telling them to "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before he opened fire on them. He reportedly mistook them for immigrants from the Middle East.



The incident has led to fear among the minority Indian- American community, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's controversial plan to ban travellers from certain countries to realise his campaign pledge of putting "America first."



At a news conference two days ago, Srinivas's wife Sunayana Dumala asked the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against minorities. She said reports of bias against minorities make them afraid and wonder whether "do we belong here".



Although Sunayana did not mention Trump by name, she did say, "Not everyone will be harmful to this country."



At the vigil yesterday, Mayor Copeland encouraged people to come together, saying, "One evil act does not divide a united community."



"We felt the fear, shared tears, felt pain, healing and outpouring of love and care at this moment from this community - we stand together with the Indian-American community today and everyday, we will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us."



Police chief Menke assured everyone, saying "we are one and we stand as one. we are here to deplore. we assure everyone that we will do everything to bring justice to the victim and victims family in this case."



"I am here for many reason to share the sadness, to support the community and search for answers. Evil will never overwhelm goodness, love will conquer all, and power of goodness will always prevail."



Lieutenant Governor Colyer said, "We'll continue praying for the loved ones of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot, and especially for the friends and family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla. We will overcome evil and move from darkness to light."



Reciting a prayer in Sanskrit that he learned recently, Colyer said "may we move from darkness to light, from death to eternal light. Evil does exist, we have seen it, but so does goodness and evil will be driven away."



Assuring the Indian-Americans at the gathering, he said, "We will overcome this stray incident and live as one big strong community and we will change the world."

There has been an outpouring of support and fundraisers have been held for the victims. Volunteers handed out candles as visitors stoically made their way into the temple.



Less than a week after the tragedy, thousands of strangers from around the world have opened up their wallets to comfort the victims' families. Three separate GoFundMe accounts have between them raised more than USD 1 million in donations, which they pledge to help with the families' medical expenses.



Srinivas worked at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe. Srinivas and his colleague Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively.



The 51-year-old navy veteran was charged Thursday with first-degree murder. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Alok and Ian.


Fortyseven persons, including 23 bull tamers, were injured during the jallikattu conducted at Thirukanurpatti near here, police said today.





District Collector A.Annadurai had flagged-off the jallikattu yesterday.



While 18 injured were admitted to Thanjavur medical college hospital, the rest were discharged after first-aid.



A total of 276 bulls were used at the event.
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One BJP MP, Pratap Simha of Karnataka, compared Gurmehar Kaur to wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim, while Union minister Kiren Rijiju suggested her mind was "polluted". One person, on Facebook, threatened to rape her.





"You may not like what the person thinks but...mindless threats, trolling emanating from people whom the Prime Minister of India follows (sic). This is the worst form of state intimidation and this is not how democracies and democratic countries function," said Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari.





The 20-year-old Kaur's social media campaign, promoting free speech and condemning violence in the name of nationalism, has also won her massive support and caught the imagination of many young people.





In her campaign, she has blasted the ABVP, the RSS-aligned students wing, for instigating violence at New Delhi's Ramjas College last week.





"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 Indian's heart.





"It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation," Kaur said in a Facebook status. Taking on the Delhi University student, Simha tweeted, "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand."





To mock her, Simha also posted a photograph showing Dawood with the message, "I didn't kill people in 1993. Bombs killed them." Rijiju also took to Twitter to take a dig at her.





"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the minister of state for Home Affairs said.





Talking to reporters, he later said, "One should not say things which could demoralise the countrymen and the forces. Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country."

Opposition parties rushed to the defence of a Kargil martyr's daughter after she came under harsh criticism today from BJP members for her campaign against violence in the name of nationalism.
The 'donkey' jibe issue refuses to die down as Prime Minister Narendra Modi again targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav over it today and was joined by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.





Modi and Akhilesh also slugged it out over the issue of electricity supply, against the backdrop of the Prime Minister's allegation of discriminatory distribution by the Samajwadi Party government on the basis of religion.



Addressing an election rally in Mau in Uttar Pradesh, Modi recalled the 'donkey' remark by the Chief Minister and said, "Akhilesh says he has talked about donkeys in fun...I want ask whether the bad state of police stations, people being stabbed and land being grabbed are also a part of fun."



Akhilesh, while addressing a rally last week, had taken an apparent dig at Modi by saying that he would appeal to megastar Amitabh Bachchan not to promote donkeys of Gujarat through a tourism advertisement of the state.



Modi had responded to this jibe by saying that Akhilesh should not be afraid of donkeys of Gujarat which are far away. At the same time, Modi had said that donkeys are loyal and hard working animals.



Joining Modi in targeting Akhilesh, Rajnath Singh told a press conference in Varanasi that the Chief Minister should not have used such a language against the Prime Minister.



"It has pained me that the dignity of the post (of the Prime Minister) was sought to be lowered... It is really unfortunate that such objectionable words were used against the PM, who is not just an individual but an institution in itself, whose dignity we all must maintain," Singh said.



Modi, in his rally today, also raked up the issue of mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari who has been fielded by BSP from Mau Sadar seat in a veiled manner.



"When any muscleman is sent to jail here, he goes in smiling as they get perfect arrangements for their stay and security in jails," the Prime Minister said.



"Give my message to all those who have evaded jails till now and to those who are taking food for the inmates that times have changed and after the results are announced on March 11, jails will be made jails in the true sense and it will be seen how they have fun," Modi asserted.
Titan Company has set out on a six-yard-journey into the world of fashion with Taneira, which marks the resurgence of the pride resting in the tradional attire of Indian women  the saree.





The company has launched it flagship store in Bengaluru, and plans to set up few more outlets across India this year. Titan Company Senior Vice President (Strategy and Business Incubation) Ajoy Chawla said, Taneira is still in the pilot phase. Right now, we are enjoying the privilege of being able to explore the market opportunity. As we learn our value proposition and validate the business model, we will scale up.



While the company is evaluating venues to host the brand across India, plans to set up the next store in Bengaluru and Delhi are already underway.



Speaking about the value proposition of the brand, Taneira Business Head Shyamala Ramanan said, The brand bridges the market gap in terms of authenticity. We want every saree to get its own recognition and identity. As of now, we have explored 20

of the 400 known saree clusters in India, including the most popular Banaras, Chanderi, Paithan, Pochampalli and Kanchipuram, among others.



The company has tied up with 200 artists across India, and intends to bring back some of the lost glory in Indian saree design, while offering a contemporary take.



The company is looking at completing its pilot phase by the end of the year, after which it will seek borad approval to further expand its market presence.
At this small factory south of Seattle, employees make one of the most specialised products in the aerospace industry: the rubber mats that Boeing workers stand on while assembling jets.





As long as there are jets and Boeing, business would seem to be steady. But even here workers are bracing for bumps and economic uncertainty over the gritty details of where aviation parts get made and who makes them.



President Donald Trump has talked about border tariffs and new trade deals that many people in aerospace fear could raise the cost of US airplanes bought by foreign airlines or governments. And if Boeings sales or profits suffer, its nerve-system supply chain  more than 13,000 companies across the United States, and more than 1.5 million jobs  would most likely feel the pain, too.



At SmartCells, 50 full-time employees and a few dozen temporary workers stamp out cushion pads on heavy machines. Executives work in a red building everyone calls the barn, and first names are the rule. Washington feels far away, but it is on just about everybodys radar.



Lets hit it with a two-by-four and see how it reacts, then get a plan, said Bob Bishop, the chief operations officer at SmartCells, describing Trumps hard-charging style. That doesnt always work. The anxiety, said Bishop, 46, a former deputy county sheriff who voted for Trump, centres not so much on politics as on economics, specifically the intense competition with the French airplane maker Airbus, which competes with Boeing for jet orders in countries around the world in a delicate game of narrow cost differences and giant contracts.



Trump has said he would seek a 45% tariff on imports from China, for example, to protect US jobs, and a 20% tariff on goods from Mexico. If business costs for Boeing go up as a result, the company  the nations single largest exporter by dollar volume  probably would not be able to raise prices on its airplanes to make up the difference, because then it would lose customers to Airbus. For workers and suppliers, the fallout could be brutal.



So what does it mean? It means they may cut jobs, said Kevin Michaels, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, a specialised market analysis company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its a very complex field.



And one that is already changing. Boeings commercial airplane division last year cut 8% of its US workforce, or more than 6,000 jobs. Some companies in the supply chain, partly because of cost-cutting pressure by Boeing, have shrunk or merged. Since his election, Trump has tried to pit US aviation companies against one another over the costs of new fighter jets and has harshly criticised Boeings high price tag for a new Air Force One presidential plane. Boeing, founded in Seattle in 1916, employs about 1,40,000 people in the United States, about half of them in Washington state.



Weve got such a huge network here  anything that curtails exports hurts the entire supply chain, said John Thornquist, director of the aerospace office at the Washington State Department of Commerce. Were very vulnerable.



Companies that sell to Boeing, or sell to other companies that build Boeing components, said that even predicting a trade war was risky, with so many variables  politics, economics, multiple countries  all in play. A modern commercial jetliner can have up to 6 million components that must be engineered and tested to safety standards, even before assembly starts.



Were trying to do our best due diligence to put together an assessment, but at this time, the best we can do is just monitor day by day, said Maurizio Miozza, vice president for development and strategic planning at Umbra Cuscinetti, an Italian company that makes precision parts for Boeing and that has about 100 employees north of Seattle. But, he added, the picture is not rosy. You prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best, he said.



Other aerospace companies were hesitant to discuss their worries because it might draw unwanted attention  from competitors, the White House or foreign governments. It is not a good time, several said, to take chances. Boeing declined an interview request for this article but said in an email statement that talks with the Trump administration were continuing.



The administration has made it clear that they are pro-economic growth, including in exports and manufacturing jobs, the company said. We are engaged with the administration in direct and productive discussion.



In any small business, optimism and practicality are lifeblood forces, and SmartCells president, Bryce Betteridge, a chemical engineer, says he believes the companys future is bright. A trade-secret mix of polymers and wafflelike moulds creates the upward bounce of a SmartCells mat, which reduces fatigue for a standing person and can also prevent injuries in falls, he said.



New markets



The company has already diversified. Amazon warehouse workers and Costco checkout clerks  both employed by companies that started out in the Seattle area  stand on SmartCells mats. And Betteridge mentioned other new markets and ideas with enthusiasm: rifle stocks, nursing home floors, playgrounds. No idea for a better cushion seems beyond reach.



But he said the companys strategy for the future was shifting on the assumption that international trade under Trump would become more difficult. For one thing, he said, he has now discarded any thought of expanding the company into China, Mexico or anywhere else where SmartCells products could be made and brought into the United States for sale. That benefit is going to go away, I anticipate, Betteridge said.



And it is simply too expensive to export heavy, relatively low-cost products like cushion mats to other countries from Washington, he said. That means the companys growth in foreign markets, when or if it happens, will probably come through licensing the technology to manufacturers abroad, which will then hire local workers. Sales and marketing positions might be added here in Chehalis, Betteridge said, but no added manufacturing jobs would be needed.



But a pressure to buy American coming from the White House could also be a powerful force, he and other industry leaders said, if companies like Boeing ultimately shift a greater proportion of their airplane component purchases to U.S. suppliers.



Currently, Boeing spends about 80% of its $40 billion annual supply-chain budget in the US and exports about 75% of its products. Some of the suppliers in Puget Sound might actually be rooting for this, because in the long run it could benefit them, said Michaels, the industry analyst.



Kurt Mullins, 56, a former lumber mill worker who has been at SmartCells for about a year and a half, often installs floor cushioning systems at Boeing, where he hears the worries of workers there, too. I think its going to get worse before it gets better, Mullins said.




The fast-depleting water level in Hemavathi dam in the taluk, much before the onset of summer, has created anxiety among the people on how the authorities would address the drinking water needs of the city, this year.





Hemavathi dam has a storage capacity of 37.103 tmcft. But only 4.08 tmcft of water available for usage. About 500 cusecs of water is being released from the dam to meet the drinking water demands of the people of the Cauvery basin, triggering resentment among the people of Hassan district.



In an effort to address the issue, the district administration has decided to pump water from the dead storage (not recommended for drinking) and supply it to the city, after purification. An action plan, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.68 crore, has been prepared and the water would be lifted in a week.



20 MLD needed



Hassan city, with a population of 1.5 lakh people, requires 20 million litres per day (MLD) of water. But only 12 MLD is available. The City Municipal Council has been supplying water through tankers.



Following the agitation by JD(S) and various other organisations, District in-charge Minister A Manju got into an action mode. He assured of holding discussions with the chief minister over the release of water from Yagachi reservoir to Hassan city.



Minister Manju explained that water would be lifted from the dead storage level of the Hemavathi dam through pumpsets. The water problem of the city would be addressed within a couple of days, he assured.



Hemavathi River irrigates about 6.55 lakh acres of lands in Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru districts. It may be mentioned that the dam had not reached its maximum level in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2012. The maximum level of the dam is 2,922 ft. There are 4,822 lakes in the district and 80% of them have gone dry. The water table has reached alarming level and most of the borewells have gone defunct.



According to sources, Over 130 villages in the district are dependent on tanker water. Similarly, water is being supplied to more than 15 wards in the city through tankers. The situation will improve a bit only if the watershed areas in Sakleshpur in Hassan district and Mudigere in Chikkamagaluru district by March-end.



Meanwhile, the water release from Hemavathi dam into the river continued on Sunday too. The outflow, which was 5,000 cusecs on Saturday, was reduced to 4,025 cusecs by Sunday. The water release will be stopped only after 1 tmcft of water flows into the river through the crest gates, said an official on condition of anonymity.



It is said, there was no water supply to most of the wards in the city on February 27 as it was released into the river and the water was below the jackwell. Sources said, the water was pumped to jackwell by laying pipes.
Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) H M Maheshwaraiah, also former director of Centre for Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK), Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru on Monday, urged the Union and state governments to focus on the development and smooth functioning of Classical Kannada centre.





Maheshwaraiah was addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony of a two-day Visioning Workshop and Project Preparation, organised by CESCK at CIIL, here.



Since 2009, when Kannada was accorded the classical language status, funds sanctioned for the Classical Kannada centre could not be utilised owing to certain reasons. Lack of autonomous status and the delay in submitting action plan are the major reasons behind the non-utilisation of the funds. The state government should pressure the Union government to provide autonomous status for CESCK, The Centre should provide necessary facilities to the CESCK, he said.



Though the CESCK has 37 sanctioned posts of non-teaching staff, only a few have been filled. All the 10 doctoral fellow positions are lying vacant, besides out of three senior fellow and six associate fellow positions, only two and four have been filled respectively. Due to staff crunch, preparation of action plans of various programmes, documentation, digitalisation, research and publication of Kannada classical texts and research works in media, has been delayed. Though crores of rupees was sanctioned earlier, the funds were not spent, he said.



However, the VC said, compared to Telugu and Malayalam language centres, CESCK is doing better. But, Tamil language centre is performing extremely well, he said.



Awards pending



The CESCK has instituted several awards for scholars and the conferring of awards to the deserving is pending since 2011. Though the list of scholars to be honoured has been sent to the Union government, it has been kept pending. One lifetime achievement award for an Indian scholar, two international awards for lifetime achievement (one each for persons of Indian and non-Indian origin), with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each and five youth scholar awards with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each have been instituted.



CIIL Director D G Rao said, that Centre is taking steps to grant autonomous status to CESCK and the works are under process. But, it is necessary to work together for results. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has to decide on the location of Telugu Centre  whether in Andra Pradesh or Telangana. However, Kerala government has not approached the CIIL about establishment of the Malayalam centre, he said.



CESCK to remain in Mysuru



Rao confirmed that the Performance Management Division (PMD) has decided not to shift CESCK from Mysuru. It may be mentioned that the Kannada and Culture department had shown interest in shifting the CESCK to Bengaluru.



The director said, a group of intellectuals have been demanding that the CESCK be shifted to Bengaluru, while another group is opposed to it. Finally, the PMD has resolved the issue. Initially, the CESCK will be housed at a building at the University of Mysore, he added. Kannada Development Authority Chairman S G Siddaramaiah and Project Director of CESCK P K Khandoba were present.
Two collection agents of a telecom service provider were waylaid, attacked and robbed of Rs 16 lakh by two unidentified men on the doorstep of a private bank in Indiranagar, east Bengaluru, on Monday afternoon.





Sufiyan (30) and Abrar (23) reached the premises of Lakshmi Vilas Bank, Indiranagar, around 3.45 pm, parked their motorcycle and were about to enter the bank when two unidentified men waylaid them. Even before Sufiyan and Abrar could comprehend the situation, they were attacked. While Sufiyan was stabbed, Abrar was beaten up.



The attackers then snatched the cash bag containing Rs 16 lakh and sped off. Onlookers called the police and took Sufiyan and Abrar to a private hospital. Surprisingly, neither robber wore any mask or helmet, police quoted eyewitnesses as saying.



Sufiyan and Abrar work for Magic Distributors, a small-time company which collects payments from recharge outlets in Bengaluru on behalf of Airtel. They had collected the payments over the past four days and had reached Indiranagar from Horamavu to deposit the money in the bank on the instruction of their boss, Venkatesh Murthy.



A senior police officer said it was too early to say anything about the robbers. We will check the call detail records of Sufiyan, Abrar and some other people to track down the culprits, he added. A case of robbery has been registered at the Indiranagar police station.
Photo: VGP

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the scheduled Vietnam visit by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, the press secretary highlighted the long-standing relations between Vietnam and Japan, which dated back to the 16th century with the presence of the first Japanese street in Vietnam.

The bilateral rapport is now at its best after undergoing historical ups and downs, he said, adding that the exchange of visits between the two countries leaders is important to reinforce their mutual trust and friendship.

Takashima noted that Vietnam and Japan are carrying out a number of activities to tighten their amity.

He stressed that as the biggest aid provider for Vietnam, Japan has been cooperating with the Southeast Asian country to support its development, citing as examples the donation of maritime patrol vessels for Vietnam, the construction of the Vietnam  Japan University, and the active operation of Japanese businesses in Vietnam.

The effective bilateral cooperation in economics, human resources training and infrastructure improvement have contributed to the good relationship between the two countries, according to Takashima.

He said the Japanese Emperor and Empress were touched by the warm invitations from Vietnamese leaders, adding that the visit is one of the most-awaited for visits for both people and political circles in both countries./.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Monday moved the Election Commission, seeking registration of an FIR against the prime minister for addressing an election rally in Haridwar without requisite permissions from the state.





A delegation of Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary Ambika Soni and Uttarakhand party chief Kishor Upadhyaya, also urged the poll authority to make an assessment of the election expenses incurred by the BJP, alleging gross misuse of the state machinery to ferry cash and campaign material in the hill state.



Speaking to reporters, Rawat said the February 15 elections to the Uttarakhand Assembly were not free and fair as there were different yardsticks for the Congress and BJP leaders.



We would like to bring to your notice that the helicopters and cars of the chief minister were searched multiple times, whereas the helicopters and cars used by various central ministers were allowed to go unchecked, the chief minister said.



Upadhyaya said the poll commission had ordered filing of an FIR against Rawat and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for delaying the conclusion of the road show on February 12, but ignored complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders.



The Congress also wanted the Election Commission to enforce a rule to ensure that postal votes cast after the designated time of polling were counted. As per the current rules, postal ballots received up to 8 am on the date of counting are considered valid.
BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday sought to woo the electorate in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where polling would be held in the last two phases next week, by promising to work for the establishment for a separate state of Poorvanchal.





Mayawati, addressing election rallies at Deoria and Kushinagar, also accused the BJP of turning a blind eye to the attacks on the people from this region in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra by the Shiv Sena, which was an alliance partner of the BJP.



The Shiv Sena is an alliance partner of the BJP... BJP remains silent on the attacks, she said. This region (Poorvanchal) is very backward... we will work for dividing UP into four parts, including a separate state of Poorvanchal, she said.



Mayawati had raked up the issue of the division of UP when she was in power in 2007, and had also got the state Assembly to pass a resolution carving the states of Harit Pradesh, Poorvanchal, Avadh (central UP) and Bundelkhand. While BJP and RLD supported the division, SP had expressed opposition to the idea.


Supreme Court lawyer Vikas Bonsade has been appointed legal advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.





He will enjoy the perks provided to a minister of state rank, according to an official notification. The post was vacant following the resignation of incumbent Brijesh Kalappa.



Previously, Bonsade had served as legal advisor to the then Governor H R Bhardwaj. He has worked as advisor to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board among others. He was also shortlisted to be appointed legal advisor to the Lokayuktas Special Investigation Team which is probing illegal mining in the state.



Bonsade was in the news a couple of years ago, when Z+ security was provided to him following reported threat from the mining mafia. It was later scaled down to X category.




The cargo section of Rajiv Gandhi Airport in Shamshabad was heavy with grief as the Air India flight AI619 touched down from Mumbai with the body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla.





Srinivas was killed by an American army veteran at a Kansas bar in an apparent act of racism. His body was flown from Newark to Mumbai before being brought to Hyderabad by a domestic flight.



After completing document works at the Indian Consulate by 11.15 am on February 26, the Air India flight AI144 brought his body to Mumbai at 3 pm on Monday.



The body was accompanied by his widow Sunayana Dumala, younger brother Saikishore, his wife and a close friend.



Sunayana has been working in the US on an H4 (dependent) visa and has returned with the knowledge that she will not be able to enter America. As Srinivas green card application was still under process, her lawyers are examining ways of letting her return to her home in Kansas.



The body was taken from the airport to the residence of Srinivas parents in Praneeth Bounty near Bachupally on the city outskirts. We have been eagerly awaiting his return for the past one year, Srinivas older brother K Parusuram, who lives here, said. Last year, he came home for a function. Now, he has come back in a coffin, Parusuram said.



On seeing the body, the parents of the slain techie, K Madhusudhana Rao and K Vardhini, broke down. A large number of close relatives and friends were present when the coffin was unloaded from the ambulance. Family sources said Srinivas would be cremated at Mahaprasthanam crematorium in Jubilee Hills at 11.30 pm on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tasked Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to highlight contributions of Indian companies and professionals to the economy of America during his engagements in Washington this week.





Jaishankar, who will reach Washington DC on Tuesday, will meet key officials of President Donald Trumps administration and seek to dismiss the perception that Indian professionals in America are among the immigrants who are taking away jobs from US citizens. He will underline that Indian technology companies had directly or indirectly supported over 4,00,000 jobs in America between 2011 and 2015.



He will convey New Delhis concerns over recent moves in the US to restrict use of H1B visas. He will also drive home the point that Indian information technology professionals had contributed to the competitiveness of the US industry.



He is likely to meet acting Deputy Secretary of State, Tom Shannon, and other officials to set the course for New Delhis engagement with the new administration in Washington.



Jaishankar is visiting the US at a time when speculation is rife that Trumps America First policy on protecting jobs and his moves to curb immigration of skilled professionals from other countries might hit Indias $150 billion information technology services industry hard.



What has scared many Indian in America is the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who hailed from Hyderabad and was shot dead in a suspected hate crime at Kansas in the US last week.



Sources on Monday told DH that New Delhi would underline facts and figures during its upcoming engagement with Washington and would highlight the contributions by the Indian companies and professionals to the economy of America.



Over 4,00,000 jobs have been directly and indirectly supported by Indian technology companies from 2011 to 2015, recording a 10% annual growth.



The foreign secretary is likely to cite during his engagement with senior US officials that Indian technology companies paid over $20 billion as taxes, $7.0 billion towards social security contributions and impacted over 1,20,000 American lives through corporate social responsibility contributions .



Srinivas and his friend Alok Madasani worked for multinational company Garmin Limited at Olathe in Kansas. They were shot at by a local resident Adam Purinton, who, according to some reports in the US media, hurled racial slur at his victimsSrinivas was killed and Madasani was injured. Ian Grillot, a US citizen, was also hurt when he tried to save Srinivas and Madasani.



With the foreign secretary visiting Washington DC just days after Srinivas killing, he will convey to the US officials New Delhis concerns over the security of Indian professionals in America.



New Delhi is worried over not only the executive orders issued by the Trump Administration to restrict entry of immigrants into the US, but also the legislative moves in American Congress to bring in protectionist measures.



A bill sponsored by California Republican Representative Darrell Issa is now under review of American House of Representatives. The bill, known as Protect and Grow American Jobs Act will require US companies to pay high-skilled foreign workers hired under the exempt category of the H1B visa programme at least $100,000 a year, 40% more than the current minimum of $60,000. This will make it difficult for Indian IT companies to send professionals to US on H1B visas.


Karnataka had almost become synonymous with illegal mining a few years ago. The multi-crore mining scam shook the then BJP government with many politicians ending up behind bars.





The state is again in the news for a wrong reason: Diaries reportedly maintained by state units of the Congress and the BJP on donations made to their respective high

command, have created political tremors at the national level.



The dairies, it is said, belong to Congress MLC K Govindaraj, who is also Parliamentary Secretary to the chief minister and second-time BJP MLC Lahar Singh.



Now the big question is: whether entries of the payments reportedly mentioned in the diaries stand legal scrutiny? Legal experts are divided in their opinion in this regard.



While some believe that the diary entries do not carry any weight legally, others believe that the entries in the diary is proof enough to start a criminal investigation.



According to senior advocate C V Nagesh, the diary entries are nothing more than self-serving details and the law does not recognise them as evidence of any payment made.



Some entries made in some unknown diaries cannot be taken as evidence. Unless such entries are made in proper account books, court will not accept them as evidence. Moreover, both of them (Govindaraj and Singh) have disowned the diaries, he added.



But another senior advocate K V Dhananjay had a different view. Diary entries are enough to start a criminal investigation. Only investigation will reveal whether payment is really made or not. It can be proved by finding corroborative evidence like money trail and bank balance of persons who have made the payment and those who have received money. So the diary entries are an extremely serious issue, he added.



He also said the persons involved, Govindaraj and Lahar Singh, should have filed an affidavit in court by now, declaring that the diary does not belong to them. They can also urge the court of law to stop those who are making those accusations and take action against them.



Former Karnataka Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde said a thorough investigation has to be done to ascertain the fact. Normally I-T department takes signature of the accused while confiscating anything at the time of raid. The diary issue has exposed political parties. It is high time reforms are brought in in political funding, he added.



What former law ministers say...



The diary entries of Govindaraj have put a question mark on political funding. The entries clearly indicate money has changed hands. The election commission has raised a debate on political funding. One thing is very clear  whoever wants to retain their chair (ministership), they come under the payment quota to survive. Indias oldest political party, the Congress, has many things to answer now. The BJP had been doubting the Congress governments intention to push hard for the Hebbal steel flyover. From the diary it is clear that Rs 65 crore is the kickback involved.

S Suresh Kumar





A piece of paper and jottings on it cant serve as evidence to prove money transactions. The Supreme Court in the hawala case and Sahara case have clearly said that the entries in a diary cant serve as evidence. The I-T department or the CBI can investigate provided there are people to admit that they gave money or recieved money. The Karnataka diary cases too cant go to a logical end.

M C Nanaiah




About 300 artists who had worked with Walt Disney studios on The Jungle Book (2016) sat nervously in front of three large screens here on Monday morning.



They erupted in joy when the Oscar for best visual effects was announced: their film had won. Some broke down and cried . Two years of hard work had brought them international acclaim.



We spent six months travelling across the forests of India to get the rich landscape you see in the film, said artist Amit Sharma, who headed the compositing team at Moving Pictures Company (MPC), a visual effects company with its headquarters in London. Compositing refers to the combining of visual elements from separate sources into single images.



Badami provided us with rich material for the caves you see in the movie. The scene with elephant herds came from the Periyar National Park in Kerala. The waterfalls are from the forests of Chhattisgarh. We wanted to keep it Indian, Sharma told DH.



Biren Ghose, executive director of MPCs India branch based in Bengaluru, said the movie stands apart because it takes the best of 2D and 3D to create something new.



The craft in 2D and the digital finesse of 3D come together in the effects we created. Twelve teams worked on different aspects with the goal of making a movie that not only gives you a real-time experience, but also leaves a visual imprint of the rich jungles of India, he said.

Sharma and Ghose said films like The Jungle Book gave them the opportunity to explore wonders beyond the urban landscape.



Skyscrapers and the urban topography are nothing when compared to our forests. We wanted to make people love our jungles, which offer real excitement, Ghose said.



Asked whether the team used the first Jungle Book movie or Rudyard Kiplings book for reference, he said the new film carried the spirit of the two, but did not limit itself to either in its essence.



Director Jon Favreau was very particular about creating something new. He also wanted it to be realistic. So, we did not want to stylise. We wanted to make the animals real. Except the scenes of Mowgli, pretty much everything else is the creation of artists, he said.



Did the team believe it would romp home with an Oscar? Ghose said the objective was to tell the story with the best visuals and not to win awards.



It was a 175-million dollar project. Though we were competing with the Star Wars movie and Dr Strange, we knew we had created something exceptional, he said. The same team had worked on Life of Pi, which won the 2013 Oscar for visual effects.
A social media campaign launched by a Kargil martyrs daughter against the ABVP took a political turn when a BJP Lok Sabha member sought to compare her with fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. This prompted the Opposition to attack the Narendra Modi government.





Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, claimed she was threatened with rape and moved the Delhi Commission for Women (DWC) on Monday. The commission recommended that the Delhi Police should lodge an FIR against the accused and provide security to the girl. Commission chief Swati Maliwal said DWC home guards had been deployed to protect her.



Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju's commented, asking who is polluting the young girl's mind. This drew angry reactions on social media with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury backing the student and decrying attempts to dominate universities.



BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simhas comparison of Gurmehar with Dawood Ibrahim came under heavy criticism from political rivals with the Congress saying he did not deserve to be in Parliament.



Opposition leaders hit out at the BJP and the RSS for their fascist mindset and arrogance of power for intimidating 20-year-old Gurmehar, whose unique form of protest went viral on social media.



Addressing a press conference in Varanasi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he has asked Delhi Police to exercise caution while dealing with college students and sought a report on the incidents at Delhi Universitys Ramjas College.



Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activist Saket Bahuguna said his organisation condemned trolling on social media and wanted action to be taken against those targeting Gurmehar.He also claimed that ABVP activists had come under attack from rival student groups last week at Ramjas College.



After the violent clashes between members of BJP-affiliated ABVP and left-leaning All India Students Association (AISA) on Delhi University campus last week, Gurmehar changed her Facebook profile picture with one showing her with a placard that 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.



I think it is very scary when people threaten you with violence or with rape. I will not be scared or be cowed down, she told news channels.
The European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager has rejected calls by MEPs to launch an investigation into the sale of Formula One to Liberty Media Group.

Earlier this month the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted by 467 votes to 156 look into alleged "anti-competitive practices" in Formula One.

UK MEP Anneliese Dodds had led the push for a full enquiry into the way that Liberty acquired the sport. Among the issues raised by Dodds was the $80 million that the FIA received as a result of the sale which was suggested could have been a conflict of interest for the sport's government body.

"My concerns in relation to Formula Ones regulator, the FIA, are purely focused on the conflicts of interest that can arise when the regulator of a particular industry also has a financial stake in that same industry," Dobbs had explained.

The allegation was vehemently denied by the FIA who called such suggestions "inaccurately informed or malicious."

According to CityAM on Monday, Dodds has now been notified that the European Commissioner has decided against launching a formal probe into the sport.

Vestager is reported to have concluded that the transaction "did not satisfy the turnover thresholds that must be met to fall within the Commission's jurisdiction".

However, the matter might not be entirely over as Vestager has indicated that it's a matter for individual nation states rather that something to be looked into an European Union level.

"The transaction was notified instead to National Competition Authorities in several Member States, namely Austria, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, all which approved it last year," Vestager explained.

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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The Kammanahalli police are trying their best to get the molestation victim to identify the suspects at identification parade in the presence of an inquest official.





The police tried to organise the identification parade on more than four occasions, but the victim refrained from attending them, citing various excuses. The victim is yet to identify the suspects Aiyappa, Lenin, Sudesh and Somashekar, James and George alias Paapi, all residents of Kammanahalli.



The city police had arranged for one more identification parade on Tuesday, which would be the last one. But the victim is again unavailable and not reachable. The police, who also went to the address that she had provided during filing of complaint, learned that she did not live there in Mizoram. According to senior police officers, if the victim does not turn up for identification parade, the suspects may obtain bail without much difficulty.
Key Members

What They Mean To Us

Legacy

In desperate times, change is needed. When oppression becomes far too overwhelming, change is needed. Evolution. Growth. A plan to fight back and battle against the system that attempted to hold us down. The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966, at a time when the Civil Rights Era was in full swing. Malcolm X was murdered, many leaders were targeted, and the non violent, march and protest peacefully method was the normal way of handling things. For the Panthers, standing up to the systematic oppression and attempts to keep black people down was necessary. The origin of the Panthers started in Oakland, with the founders being Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton, two men tired of watching the system and the devils in society keep their foot on our necks. Alongside Elbert Howard (known also as "Big Man"), Sherwin Forte, Reggie Forte, and Bobby Hutton, the Panther six was born. Their purpose was different from the Civil Rights Movement and resembled the plans of the destroyed Black Wall Street movement, which was intended to give blacks their own economy. The Panthers wanted political, economic and social power, and they set out to obtain it. They would start with work in the communities to help build up our foundation, launching community survival programs that provided free breakfast to kids, among other vital resources. The work the Panthers did over the years stands as the groundwork for everything that today's organizations want to accomplish, but the Panthers were militant and disciplined. They were concise. They were wise. The Black Panther Party is just as important to the black struggle and plight, as the fights of Martin, Malcolm, if not more.Today, we wanted to take a brief look at the Black Panther Party and what it brought to our people, our culture and how powerful they were. You'll see us talk about the key members, our memories of the Panthers and what they truly mean to each of us. Let's get into it.The members of the Panthers that had a significant impact stand as the most vital pieces of the movement. From strong willed women to true fighting and honorable men, these key members of the Panthers stood for something and were vital in the legacy of the party growing. Missing from this list are key names like Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis and H. Rap Brown, who weren't actually members of the Panthers, but more so honorary ministers during the short lived SNCC alliance with the Party. Angela was a very close associate of the Party and many consider her to be a Panther, but in reality, she wasnt a founder or vital piece in the organization. She was however instrumental in pushing for education to be a focal point and a huge proponent of the wider Black Power movement, which also included the Panthers (SNCC, Communist Party USA, and others were also a part of this movement). Their contributions are still vital to black history however and made an impact on the Panthers, which is why you'll see their photos in this article but not a mention as a key member. However, let's take a look at the key members.-The founder of the Southern California chapter of the Party, Bunchy would lead his chapter of the Party to make waves and be very successful in bringing programs and education to the people. He was murdered in 1969, but his role in the Panthers was essential to their growth. A key player.-If his name sounds familiar, it's probably because of the date he was murdered. He was murdered along with Fred Hampton at the young age of 22, but he was a vital member in Chicago for the Panthers. He was working his way up in the ranks at the time of his murder and was on security duty when the Chicago Police came in and did the heinous act. His death serves a reminder of how the police were towards the Panthers and their path of liberation.-Responsible for one of my favorite books, Soul On Ice, Eldridge was the Minister of information for the Panthers at one point. He wrote Soul On Ice in prison, helped to push the Party ahead through the late 60s and early 70s, but would be removed from the Panthers after an issue with Huey. Regardless, he was still a vital contributor to the movement and one of the most popular members.-The wife of Eldridge and a vital woman in the Party, Kathleen was essential to furthering some of the programs in the Party and stood by her husband's side. Some say she's responsible for the riff between Huey and Eldridge, but that is merely speculation. Kathleen is a prime example of just how important women were to such a revolutionary movement.-My personal favorite Black Panther, Fred was a true revolutionary. The Chicago native was the Chairman of the Chicago Chapter of the Panthers and he delivered his speeches, his messages, and his words with a flare that was unlike any other Panther. He was a strong willed leader, a threat to the establishment, and one of my inspirations growing up. He was killed unfortunately, in a controversial raid by police that also took Mark Clark and wounded others, but no matter what, Fred lives on as one of the most vital members of the Panthers, and as I said before, my favorite.-The co-founder of the Party, Bobby was gifted with a vision. He would go on to create literary works, run for local office, and help set the path for what the Panthers would become known for. In addition to being a visionary, Bobby was also a true revolutionary that wanted our people to finally fight back against oppression and buck the system.-Another co-founder of the Party, Huey is another one of my favorite members. He is revered for his no-nonsense way of handling things, and for being willing to stand up and die for what he believed in. Of all the Panthers, he is the most popular and most loved it seems. He was a fighter, a revolutionary, and a visionary as well.-One of the most important women in the movement, Elaine joined the Party in 1968, and would be a rank and file member. Her work with the Party would include cleaning the ammunition, passing out newspapers, and the simple tasks initially, but she worked her way up the ranks and became a very vital part of the growth of the movement. She would help set up the first Free Breakfast program for Children and eventually take the position of Minister of Information within the party. She helped do work in the community to get local black officials elected and even after leaving the Black Panther Party, she continued her activism, eventually working with the Green political party in order to run for President in 2008. Of course, that bid was unsuccessful, and many have leveled the accusation that she could have been a government agent, but the truth is, her work with the Party really led them to better heights.-Another infamous Panther, who is known for many things, but his name is controversial for how he would end up serving 27 years in prison. A vital member early on, Pratt would experience some trials and tribulations, when his wife was killed when she was 8 months pregnant. Regardless, Pratt was strong willed and willing to stand up for the cause. Something that was essential for progression of the movement.-I'm sure you all know her name well. The mother of one of the greatest rappers ever (2Pac) was a true Black Panther and revolutionary at heart. She was a section leader of the Panther Party Harlem chapter and was a part of the infamous Panther 21, who were reportedly planning bombings in New York.-The young man known as "Lil Bobby", was the youngest recruit and the actual first recruit to join the Party. He was the first treasurer of the Party and one of the more revered members as well. He was killed at the young age of 17 in a strange turn of events that have many different accounts. Some say he was murdered after officially surrendering to police and showing he was unarmed, some say he was running and the police shot him (12 times.... doesn't make sense), and he even had Marlon Brando speak at his funeral, which really raises eyebrows. His death served as the reminder of what the reality was for us with police brutality and their willingness to murder us. He was the true first martyr of the Party, for better or worse.-Her name might not be as familiar to many of you, but she is a vital woman in the Panther history. She would be the director of the Black Panther Party's Oakland Community School, and would be a leader for the Los Angeles Chapter of the party. She was also a part of the New Haven Black Panther Trials, something that is still a controversial topic.-One of the strongest women we've spoke of in American history, Assata is one hell of a revolutionary. She was vital to the movement, but also was seen as someone too strong willed to be effective within the Party, as she left the Party shortly after joining and leading the Harlem branch. She would not like the behavior of the men and that caused her to drift away, and she even spoke out about the lack of black American History knowledge from the Panther Party. She would eventually join the Black Liberation Army, a group very similar to the Panthers in ideology, but different in execution (somewhat). We all know the story of Assata, but to know her history with the Panthers, before everything else went and all the allegations and fleeing is vital. She is also 2Pac's godmother.-I gathered the team to discuss what they love about the Panthers and what they remembered best. Some of their thoughts range from a general view of the party, while some referenced specific members they appreciate as well. Regardless, this is what the team has to say about the Panthers and their love/appreciation for the groundbreaking Party.- Without the Panthers, it's easy to argue that a lot of the movements that're going on now, politically and otherwise, wouldn't be in existence. The Black Panthers' reach extends far beyond images of Huey Newton with black fists raised. See, it became a way of life. Yes, there was pro-Blackness before the Panthers--and after. But, with the movement, we got an influx of beautifully Black music, beautifully Black movies (even if some went straight into borderline parodic blaxiploitation territory), and just an influx of people who were beautiful, Black, and embracing everything that made them such. Overall, I'm down for anything that's pro-Black and promotes unity within our culture.- The Black Panthers movement was something that's very significant to African American lives and it continues to have a lasting effect to this day. With the mistreatment of blacks by the government, people within our race decided to take a stand and fight for the future of African Americans.Being from California where the Black Panther Party started, it also means something to me because they stood up and monitored the police brutality issue, which was huge in the state of California. They represented the voice that many African Americans didn't have around that time and at times they had to get physical with doing that. I believe the Black Panther Party helped African Americans voice themselves more without the fear about the repercussions for helping better the race in this country.- The Black Panther Party influenced my mindset towards fighting discrimination more than anything else. The old phrase theres more than one way to skin a cat comes to mind almost instantly. That is to say the methods used by blacks in different parts of the country all helped, but they could not be employed unilaterally. The Black Panther Party, in all likelihood, could not have been conceived and implemented in the Deep South. They would have had to deal with the police and racist neighbors, who probably wouldnt have hesitated to launch an unprovoked violent assault on a group of black people.What I appreciate most about the Black Panther Party is that it reminds me that we as black people, when we want to (picture not wanting to), can harness our own collective powers together to create positive change. I also appreciate the fact that they were fearless. They knew the opposition they faced and were ready to accept whatever consequences came with their actions. However, in a fight against a crooked system, they really had no choice.- If we revisit history, there has always been some catastrophe or time period where the world has been in utter turmoil and clearly, nothing has changed. If it isnt a war, a famine or a natural disaster hitting on a global scale, you can be sure that there is crime, violence discrimination, protests or some other form of concern that hits our neighborhoods, cities, states, and countries. While these incidents are disastrous and mostly divisive, they do spark a strain of positivity. They cause awareness, knowledge and often action. Its that action that becomes important. In current day, we see it mostly in the form of protests, rallies and movements, so its only fitting to take it back to 1966 and revisit one of the most prevalent and revolutionary movements in history spearheaded by none other than the Black Panther Party (For Self-Defense). An African American run party for the advancement and wellbeing of all African American people across the United states that started in Oakland, CA.Although it would take hundreds of pages to scratch the surface of the Black Panther Partys contributions to society, the short version is that they banded together and empowered others to join the movement to stop police brutality and racism in local communities and while doing that, they also did a ton of charitable and notable work in the way of medical clinics and providing free food to thousands of kids. It wouldnt take long before they would gain a positive following amongst civilians and be hated by the governments. The Black Panthers were far from a peaceful group, but they were a positive one.The group consisted of the original six members at the start, but grew drastically over the years reaching over 45 members and hundreds (and even thousands) of affiliates. While I love the BPP as a movement and appreciate a lot of their ideologies and activities, its the members that deserve recognition and acknowledgement. Here are the two members who have always stuck out for me personally.Bobby Seale, who was the chairman and co-founder of the Party. He (along with one other member) were so inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X that they decided to create the group. He was against the system and oppression and spent the first 3 formative years of the BPP to write books and doctrines outlining the BPPs philosophies, principals, guidelines, and evolution. Those works include What We Want Now! and Seize The Time: The Story Of The Black Panther and Huey Newton. It didnt take long before Seale would be on the FBIs radar and he would be under surveillance for some time. In 1969, Seale would be pinned for conspiracy, inciting a riot and several counts of contempt. In prison, he was quoted in saying . This would allude to the series of trials he would undergo in the following months of his release. Seale was a vital component of The Black Panthers and his popularity and attentiveness would gain him the second highest amount of popular votes in the mayoral elections in Oakland in 1973, but Seale would lose to John Reading. In a span of seven years, Seale made an imprint in history and inspired and empowered so many others to towards a vision of advancement and equality that was so desperately needed at the time. Which leads me to the second member that was important to me.Leroy Eldridge Cleaver. Cleaver was best known for 2 things. The first, of course, his early involvement and membership as a Black Panther and second as a writer. He is to thank for the book Soul On Ice (which is the inspiration behind Ras Kass debut album of the same name) and in the book he said . We would learn that he lived by those words. Cleaver didnt have a spotless record, and while serving as the Minister of Information and the head of the international section of the Panthers, he was involved in several situations that would result in some trials, convictions and ultimately his exile that landed him in Cuba, Algeria and France (he led the Chicago ambush in 1968 that led to Seales imprisonment). During the time of his involvement with the Panthers, Cleaver did his most notable work and much like the other members, he too left a profound imprint in history and became an example for future likeminded people. He had a falling out with Huey Newton, who was a founder of the Panthers Party and that weakened the group. Some years later (1980) Cleaver would find his way as a born again Christian and later a Mormon. His time as a Panther was up but his legacy would remain.As I said the Black Panther Party saw a growth in membership and affiliates. These would be people who saw the need to stand against the governments and authorities in a movement towards equality, empowerment and "freedom" of the African American population which had seen (and continues to see) a tremendous amount of injustice. Although we see attempts at forming similar groups in present day, none will be quite like the Panthers who were a vital part of US history.- Founded in 1966 by Dr Huey P Newton & Bobby Seale, the Black Panther Party For Self Defense was a group that were seen as the opposition to Dr. Martin Luther King's beliefs of non-violence. The Panthers believed violence was necessary, but mostly in protecting African Americans from police brutality. Being that it was a time where whites would just attack blacks at any given moment, MLK's approach wasn't strong or efficient enough. There were a set of Panthers who followed and policed the police's actions in black communities and another set that did community services like medical clinics, free breakfast programs and after school programs. They had demands for urban communities, which were better housing, jobs. land, food, education, justice and peace.Just within a few years, the Panthers would be present in major cities across the country. But as always, whenever blacks make progress as a whole, that's seen as a threat to white supremacy, so FBI director J. Edgar Hoover put in place COINTELPRO to dismantle and neutralize the Panthers along with any other black nationalist group. They used divisive tactics to take the organization down like false propaganda, false imprisonment, wire tapping, informants, bribes and harassment, which eventually worked. The party eventually came to an end in 1982.My personal thoughts on the group? I could just imagine the lies that were told and tactics the FBI used to corrupt and dwindle the Panthers. White supremacy was being threatened so I can imagine the panic in white america. We see it now with Black Lives Matter, who aren't a threat at all and doesn't have even a fraction of the influence or racial aspirations as the Panthers did, yet the police and news outlets look at BLM as a terrorist organization, and it's comical. I aligned more with the Panthers ways. Learning about them at a young age helped me realize that it's important to read, know the law and your rights. It is also important not to take shit from racists and sometimes force is necessary. I wish we could have another well planned thought out movement with blacks educated in the law and who can pass that knowledge down to the people to all come together collectively to put forth and implement our own programs to better us as a people. Many Panthers said that at that time they felt free being around all that blackness and empowerment. Imagine if our people today could feel that.What always stuck out to me was the cowardice displayed by J. Edgar Hoover in regards to the Panthers. The Panthers were violent in a way, in terms of defending themselves and fighting back against the system, but when J. Edgar referred to the Panthers as the "biggest threat to our internal security", what was the purpose? What did that mean? Is the internal security of America only necessary to be assured for white supremacy and American dominance? Is it a bad thing for a strong group of black people to unite in their own communities, work together and protect each other? Was it known that the bigger the party gets, the tougher it will be to systematically control and oppose the people as a whole? One has to wonder what the meaning behind that statement really entails, though many could clearly speculate.I think one big proponent of the Party that many forget is that these were youthful beings who educated themselves and were organized beyond belief. Their youth might have led to internal conflicts as well, but make no mistake about it, these were college graduates and students who were sick of the oppression and circumstances and stood up to fight against it. Knowledgeable, smart, militant, and wise beyond their years, the members of the Panther Party were 100% aware of what they needed to do to reach the masses and to obtain success. Though some women who left the Party would criticize them for their lack of appreciation for women, I think much is to be said about the women of the Party and their contribution. Black men and women worked together to really provide support for each other and to protect each other in all facets.On the surface, there wasn't a large presence of divisiveness between our men and women, a far cry from where we are now. Imagine that: black men and women working together to better each other and standing side by side. Sure, we see that very often in separate situations and through social media activism, but we see more tearing down of each other and finger pointing than anything. If there was one thing to take away from the Black Panther Party, it is that with unity, we as a people can accomplish a lot together. We can make enough waves together to shake the system. We can do more than peacefully protest. We can do more than march from time to time. We can fight. We can triumph. We can be victorious. All it takes is a unified front, discipline, and a plan. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get one final sentence out: Fuck J. Edgar Hoover, fuck the FBI, fuck COINTELPRO, and fuck the systematic oppression we face still. Long live the Panthers, by any means necessary.-DAR
By Hannah Hickey

15 February 2017 (University of Washington)  An unusually warm patch of seawater off the West Coast in late 2014 and 2015, nicknamed the blob, was part of an offshore pattern that had cascading effects up and down the coast. Its sphere of influence was centered on the marine environment but extended to weather on land. A University of Washington Bothell study now shows that this strong offshore pattern also influenced air quality. The climate pattern increased ozone levels above Washington, Oregon, western Utah and northern California, according to a study published Feb. 15 in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union. Washington and Oregon was really the bullseye for the whole thing, because of the location of the winds, said lead author Dan Jaffe, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington Bothell. Salt Lake City and Sacramento were on the edge of this event, but because their ozone is typically higher, those cities felt some of the more acute effects. The other author is Lei Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at UW Bothell. The study finds that terrestrial effects of the high-pressure system that produced the blob  warm temperatures, low cloud cover and calmer air  were the perfect ingredients to produce ozone. Ozone levels in June 2015 were between 3 and 13 parts per billion higher than average over the northwestern United States. The pattern pushed ozone concentrations in Salt Lake City and Sacramento above federally allowed limits. Ozone is an invisible component of smog that is a secondary pollutant formed by a chain reaction. Cars, factories and other sources emit pollution into the atmosphere. Solar rays then provide the spark for chemical reactions that produce the three linked oxygen atoms of ozone. This molecule is hazardous to human health and is subject to federal regulations. Jaffes research group has been measuring ozone since 2004 atop Mount Bachelor in central Oregon to tease apart the sources of ozone and other pollutants, such as forest fires, transport of pollution from overseas and domestic pollution from the United States. In June 2015, members noticed a spike in ozone above any previous measurements. At first we were like Whoa, maybe we made a mistake. We looked at our sensors to see if we made an error in the calibration. But we couldnt find any mistakes, Jaffe said. Then I looked at other ozone data from around the Pacific Northwest, and everybody was high that year. Jaffes measurements are from the University of Washingtons Mount Bachelor Observatory in central Oregon. Members of his group use the ski hills lifts for transportation and electrical power to support year-round measurements at the 9,000-foot peak. Air is pulled with vacuum pumps into a room to be sampled by a variety of instruments in the summits lift house. The June 2015 ozone levels at the observatory were 12 parts per billion higher than the average of previous observations for that time. Jaffe learned that air quality managers in Sacramento and Salt Lake City had several times recorded eight-hour averages above the 70 parts per billion limit set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. This was a very widespread phenomenon going all the way to California, Jaffe said. Managers saw that air quality was violating the air quality standards on many days, and they didnt know why. The new study analyzes larger-scale climate data to show that the areas that recorded higher-than-normal ozone were the same regions that had high temperatures, weak winds and low cloud cover. Ultimately, it all links back to the blob, which was the most unusual meteorological event weve had in decades, Jaffe said. Temperatures were high, and it was much less cloudy than normal, both of which trigger ozone production. And because of that high-pressure system off the coast, the winds were much lower than normal. Winds blow pollution away, but when they dont blow, you get stagnation and the pollution is higher. The paper also finds an effect from higher biogenic emissions, the scented emissions from trees and plants that contain natural ozone-producing particles. The study focuses on June 2015 because the wildfire season began in July and dominated conditions in the later summer. Jaffes group is exploring that effect in a separate project. While it is generally understood that warmer temperatures will favor ozone production, Jaffe said, this study suggests that broader-scale climate patterns also play a role in air quality and human health. Our environmental laws need to be written with an understanding that theres a lot of variability from one year to the next, and with an understanding of the long-term path of where were heading under climate change, Jaffe said. This work helps us understand the link between climate variability and air quality, and it can give us an idea of what to expect as our planet continues to warm. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Contact

For more information, contact Jaffe at 425-352-5357 (office) or djaffe@uw.edu. NSF: AGS 1447832, NOAA: RA-133R-16-SE-0758
By Brady Dennis and Steven Mufson

22 February 2017 (The Washington Post)  In his previous role as Oklahomas attorney general, the Environmental Protection Agencys new administrator regularly huddled with fossil fuel firms and electric utilities about how to combat federal environmental regulations and spoke to conservative political groups about what they called government overreach, according to thousands of pages of emails made public Wednesday. The newly released emails reveal a close and friendly relationship between Scott Pruitts office and the fossil fuel industry, with frequent meetings, calls, dinners and other events, said Nick Surgey, research director for the Center for Media and Democracy, which has sued to compel the release of the emails. The emails highlight an often-chummy relationship between Pruitts office and Devon Energy, a major oil and gas exploration and production company based in Oklahoma City. The correspondence makes clear that top officials at the company met often with Pruitt or people who worked for him. Devon representatives also helped draft  and redraft  letters for Pruitt to sign and send to federal officials in an effort to stave off new regulations. Any suggestions? a deputy solicitor general in Pruitts office wrote to a Devon executive in early May 2013, including a draft of a letter the office was planning to send to the EPA regarding proposed regulations of methane emissions. Here you go, the executive, Bill Whitsitt replied. Please note that you could use just the red changes, or both red and blue (the latter being some further improvements from one of our experts) or none. I sent the letter today, the deputy solicitor general wrote the following day. Thanks for all your help on this.
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Devon had never seen so many suspicious deaths until The Coroner began filming in the fictitious village of Lighthaven. But despite all the murders and intrigue, the series is set against some of the best scenery in the country and the slogan is 'summer holidays all day long every day'.

It stars Claire Goose as single mum Jane Kennedy, who returns to her hometown to investigate murders alongside childhood sweetheart Detective Sergeant Davey Higgins. But the real star of the show is Devon, Devon, Devon, right from the fabulous aerial opening scenes swooping the whole way along the South Devon coast.

Where is The Coroner filmed? Find all the locations in the BBC1 crime drama

The Coroner is filmed on location around South Devon using many towns as a backdrop, including locations such as Totnes, Dartmouth, Hope Cove and Brixham. But because South Devon is such a tourist honeypot in the summer some scenes are filmed just over the border in Cornwall.

Dartmouth  the Coroner's office

Producer Sandra McIver said: "We wanted to feature Dartmouth as a major location as it's so beautiful and the view across to Kingswear is breathtaking. The way the light twinkles across the River Dart always makes it feel like summertime, even in February."

The Coroner's office is set on the cobbled quayside of Bayard's Cove, and was originally the Old Customs House. The scene will be recognised by older television viewers as the setting of The Onedin Line in the 1970s which was a shipping drama set in Liverpool.

Today Dartmouth is a prosperous riverside town, popular with yachtsmen and women the world over. It is also famous for Britannia Royal Naval College, which has trained our young naval officers, including royalty, for generations.

"Dartmouth provided us with a town feel to our fictional Lighthaven," said producer Sandra. "We're made very welcome by the locals. They help us out a lot and we in turn we try and keep ourselves discreet and not get in the way of the busy town."

Nearby Salcombe

During development of The Coroner, the team considered using Salcombe to depict Lighthaven, but the narrow, busy streets made it too challenging for the film crew to get around. But the yacht club features in season one (The Salcombe Skerrie). The town is beloved by celebrities, including Rod Stewart who was recently photographed relaxing on a private balcony at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa.

After a concert at Plymouth, his wife Penny Lancaster posted this picture of the superstar relaxing on the hotel terrace in a dressing gown, tagging it 'one of the most beautiful spots in the world'.

The Black Dog Inn is at Cargreen, near Saltash

The pubs and Inns around Dartmouth town centre were far far too busy to film Jane Kennedy's local pub, the Black Dog Inn. Instead the production team resorted to hiring a derelict pub, the Crooked Spaniards Inn in Cargreen, over the border near Saltash in Cornwall.

Castle Cove Beach, Dartmouth

Viewers might also recognise scenes filmed at the nearby Castle Cove beach, which is also in Dartmouth. Locations locally were easy to find because out of the 60-odd film crew, about 20 live locally and another 20 come from around the South West.

Murder with a harpoon gun on beautiful Blackpool Sands

In season two of the Coroner there is a murder at Blackpool Sands, one of Devon's finest beaches, and a firm favourite among The Coroner cast and crew. As you drive down to the softly sloping shingle beach, it looks breathtaking from the sheep-filled hills above.

Blackpool Sands is a great destination all year round, partly because it is so well-served by the famous Venus Cafe. It serves good food with a fabulous view all year round, or you can just sit on a wall and eat an ice-cream.

If you are prepared to spend five minutes hiking along the beach there are some of the best little hidey-holes in Britain to spend a quiet day chilling out.

The Beast of Dartmoor

Bellever Forest, Bonehill Rocks and Hound Tor make cameo appearances in two episodes  'Life' and 'The Beast of Lighthaven'.

"We were eager to reflect the moors as their contrasting landscape is so spectacular," says Sandra MacIver.

Totnes - the Coroners Court

The Mansion, at 36 Fore Street halfway up the hill in Totnes town centre was used as the Coroners Court. A brass plate was attached to the brickwork outside The Mansion which is now used as a community centre.

Olway Mansion, Paignton

Scenes inside and outside Lighthaven's town hall are actually filmed at Olway Manion in Paignton.

Hope Cove is where Jane Kennedy lives

All of the scenes when Jane Kennedy is back at her family home are actually filmed in Hope Cove, with its beautiful beach, bright sunny outlook and stunning scenery.

Bantham beach

Over both seasons there were many shoots in and around the Bantham estate, including some morning surfing.
With pre-Mobile World Congress day coming to an end, we have seen a host of new phones being launched. Among these, two phones that seem highly identical to each other are the Moto G5 and the Nokia 5. Unveiled today, and to be introduced in India soon, the two smartphones offer acceptable specifications for the price at which they are unveiled globally. Here's looking at what these two smartphones have on offer.

The mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 will power both the devices, while both include 2GB of RAM. The Moto G5 houses 32GB native storage against Nokia 5's 16GB, although both support microSD cards of up to 128GB. In terms of battery support, while the Moto G5 has a removable 2800mAh battery, the Nokia 5 has a non-removable 3000mAh battery. The Nokia 5 has a slightly bigger, 5.2-inch display, although the Moto G5 has the higher screen resolution. The Moto G5 has a 5-inch, Full HD display, with the Nokia 5 housing a 5.2-inch HD display. The one element that works in favour of the Nokia 5 is the inclusion of Google Assistant.

Both the smartphones house premium builds, with both companies using full metal bodies on the phones, along with integrated fingerprint sensors. In terms of pricing, the Moto G5 costs EUR 199 (Rs. 14,000), while the Nokia 5 cost EUR 189 (Rs. 13,300).

Seeing how closely knit they are, it will be interesting to see how well they perform in India. Nokia has the edge in terms of its emotional connect with users, but even Moto holds its own when it comes to brand presence. Expect both the smartphones to be made available in India, soon.

See Also: All the buzz from the Mobile World Congress 2017
Moto G5 Plus features 5.2-inch display and a metal design similar to that of Moto Z lineup. The smartphone also offers improvement in the imaging department with new 12MP sensor with dual-pixel autofocus

Moto G5 Plus, the latest smartphone from Lenovo Moto will launch in India on March 15. Motorola India has tweeted about the upcoming launch which suggests the company is only bringing the G5 Plus and not the lower-end G5 variant.

Lenovo announced Moto G5 and G5 Plus at company's Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona. With G5 and G5 Plus, Motorola is replacing outdated plastic design with new metal unibody casing. The smartphones now combine the design of Moto M and Moto Z series while retaining the same budget price tag. For Lenovo Moto group, Moto G series has been the best-selling smartphone in the budget category. Earlier rumours hinted at the company bringing the devices soon after its launch and this new teaser just confirms that Moto is serious about Indian market.

The Moto G5 features a 5-inch LCD display while G5 Plus gets a 5.2-inch display. Both the panels offer full HD resolution but are far more compact than its predecessors. Moto G5 and G5 Plus differ in terms of internals with G5 Plus getting better overall specifications.

You either get a flaunt-worthy phone or a fast processor. #WhyCompromise when you can get both? Wait for the #MotoG5Plus.

Arriving on 15/03. pic.twitter.com/qVVQ0EREI7  Moto India (@Moto_IND) February 27, 2017

Moto G5 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chipset while G5 Plus get power-efficient Snapdragon 625. The G5 features a 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture and phase detection autofocus. The G5 Plus, however, takes the camera game to a whole new level with its 12MP f/1.7 Sony sensor and support for dual-pixel autofocus. Moto G5 Plus can also record videos in 4K while G5 only supports 1080p videos. Both the handsets come with 5MP front camera for selfies.

Moto G5 and G5 Plus comes with option for 2 or 4GB RAM but G5 Plus gets 32 or 64GB storage while G5 only offers 16 or 32GB storage. Moto G5 and G5 Plus run Android 7.0 Nougat with support for Google Assistant. Motorola has also added few useful software elements like alway-on display and gesture support. The smartphone also feature a front-mounted fingerprint sensor embedded into the home button.

Moto G5 and G5 Plus will be available in gold and gray colour options. Moto G5 is priced at 199 (approximately Rs 14,000) while G5 Plus will start at $229 (approximately Rs 15,500). It is clear that Moto G5 Plus is a far better smartphone of the two and company might only launch the G5 Plus at a competitive pricing.
You can never blame Sony for not trying out something new with each of its launches. For instance, the 2015 flagship Xperia Z5 Premium was the first to flaunt a 4K resolution display on a smartphone. The company followed it with the Xperia X and X Performance with Predictive Hybrid Autofocus in cameras, and then a mid-cycle upgrade with triple sensor imaging on the Xperia XZ. Its 2017 now, and here we have a smartphone that has seen relatively fewer leaks - the Xperia XZ Premium.

While some of Sonys innovations have admittedly been half-hearted attempts, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium seems to be a very different story. It is not a measly upgrade burdened with heavy jargon - instead, it actually is quite interesting. It is a story of many first-evers for smartphones, and given that it performs as well as it sounds on paper, has every potential to set new standards for mobile display and imaging.

True slow motion videos for the first time in phones

Up until Sony first announced the new mobile imaging sensor earlier this month, the best slow motion videos on phone were 120fps HD files shot on the likes of the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, or 240fps on the Google Pixel XL. With the new Motion Eye technology, Sony has taken slow motion movie recording up to 960fps, improving slow mo frame rates by four times of existing standards.

In its present form, you can use the new feature to record 0.18 seconds of video that translate to six seconds of recorded slow mo time. You can use the ultra slow mo switch in between recording a certain video to take a sort-of dip into high fidelity haltered motion, which would make recording fast moving objects a real joy. Until now, the feature was present on Sonys top-of-the-line RX100 V, and this even means that the Xperia XZ Premium can be used in sections of indie movie filming as well.

Continuous shooting also takes a four-time jump up to 120fps on theory, although we havent yet heard confirmation of that being included on the Xperia XZ Premium. It does, however, have the capability to practically take a photograph sooner than you can blink, thanks to the added 1GB of DRAM between the stacked CMOS layers. It also carries over the triple sensor imaging system from the Xperia XZ - including laser-assisted AF, an RGBC infrared metering sensor and a new Exmor RS mould that offers larger pixels for (presumably) superior imaging. The Predictive Hybrid AF technology has been sort-of debranded, morphed and packed into the sensors phase detection pixels and an upgraded BIONZ image processor.

To sum up, Sony has literally thrown in everything at this camera module - the typically Sony reproduction of sharp edges and vibrant colours, actually fast focusing this time round, true slow motion in videos, and a lot more. Much, however, remains to be tested.

The first true 4K display panel

Does 4K really matter on a smartphone? We kept arguing about this when the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium was introduced back in 2015, but it turned out to essentially be a Full HD LCD panel that upscaled content to deliver UHD output.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium, however, actually uses a 4K LCD panel (2160 x 3840 pixels) with High Dynamic Range playback. While this is the latest norm in upmarket televisions, we remain doubtful of exactly how big a difference it would make on a rather tiny 5.5-inch screen size. Nevertheless, it is indeed the first time that anyone has put such a high resolution display on a smartphone.

Initial inspections worldwide claim that it indeed looks incrementally better when placed against existing display panels, and it may actually turn out to be a worthy overshoot, seeing that we are on the verge of viewing 4K content more widely, and you would rather have a bit of technology that you can still see the effect of, rather than something like 8GB of RAM on a mobile device. Alongside, this can significantly improve the VR headset viewing experience, too.

Will this spur other OEMs to adopt 4K as the display resolution of the future? Were not entirely convinced, not just yet.

The first smartphone with Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 inside

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 has been much discussed, and Sonys Xperia XZ Premium is the first smartphone that has officially been unveiled with this flagship SoC inside. It is expected to bring noted performance upgrades, alongside being ready to meet VR standards. The Xperia XZ Premium, in short, may just be the best-performing smartphone on the planet right now.

Unfortunately, the phone will not be available before Spring 2017, so technically, we would probably have a number of other flagships running on the Snapdragon 835 in the market by then.

4K HDR videos on phones for the first time

Introducing a partnership with Amazon Prime Video, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is also touting the capability to stream 4K HDR content on your phone for the very first time. To be fair, very few may really have the necessary bandwidth needed to seamlessly stream 4K HDR videos, but I know of many who are real sticklers of ultra high resolution content, and for them, this can be a real boon.

Changing tides

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is one stellar smartphone that possibly takes away the specifications crown at MWC 2017. However, with falling smartphone sales for Sony, you would begin to wonder how integral are smartphone plans to Sony.

But heres the deal - the company sells a vast proportion of imaging sensors currently in use across the world, is highly regarded for its display quality, and even considerably appreciated for its phone designs. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is the companys nod towards appreciating its mobile business beyond smartphones, and works as a showcase for the technology that Sony is capable of producing.

Sony, for the first time in a while now, seems to be taking a definite step, the direction of which wed only get to know in the coming months. It will either go aggressively behind the flagship smartphones that have gathered market share, or will switch its mobile hardware division into a premium branch of gadgets that show off the latest in smartphone technology that the company can achieve.

The Sony keynote at MWC 2017 was all about many first-evers for smartphones, setting off a pretty interesting year ahead for flagship smartphones by the big players.
Britain's decision to leave the European Union is a factor in BMW 's doubts over whether to make electrically-powered Minis in its Oxford factory.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the German car-maker is weighing up its options as to where the new vehicles will be built, ahead of their release in 2019.

BMW's plant in Oxford had long been considered as the front-runner for the construction of the new Mini, but concern about possible rising costs of exporting from the UK has led to other options being analysed.

"We have not decided where we are going to build the electric Mini, and discussions about it are ongoing with a decision in due course and expected by the end of the year," a spokesperson for BMW said.

Brexit negotiations between Britain and the EU are expected to drag out as long as two years.

Many multinational firms have commented on their reservations about doing business in the UK post-Brexit, although several others have also reiterated their desire to maintain and grow operations in Britain.

HSBC and UBS are two of the financial institutions which have signalled their intent to move operations from London to the continent, while tech giant Apple reaffirmed its trust in UK operations with a mammoth investment to construct its new headquarters at Battersea Power Station.

German media reported on Monday that discussions between BMW and the British government will take place over the next week.
US President Donald Trump plans to push ahead with a budget that includes a 54bn, or 9%, rise in spending on armed forces, with an equivalent cut for spending on domestic agencies.

Trump's 2018 budget blueprint was sent to agencies on Monday, with the Environmental Protection Agency facing ravaging cuts to its budget, as Trump plans to do away with environmental regulations in order to boost business.

Foreign assistance is another area to face major trimming, but welfare programmes such as social security and Medicare remain surprisingly untouched ahead of a final budget proposal for 2018 due in mid-March.

The President will deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday as he faces increasing pressure from a variety of sources following a tumultuous opening month in the Oval Office.

Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer said on Monday that the administration recognised the need to "tighten it's belt" related to debt.

"Speaking to governors @WhiteHouse @POTUS says his budget will be a public safety & national security budget: will include military increase," Spicer tweeted. "On budget @potus says we are going to do more with less, with $20 trillion debt country needs to tighten it's belt."

The House of Representatives and the Senate ultimately have final say on the destination of public funds, but Trump's move will aim to begin the difficult negotiation process ahead with Republicans and Democrats.

Trump had previously criticised overspending from Barack Obama's administration, reserving particular scorn for the F35 fighter jet programme, a contract awarded to defence firm Lockheed Martin.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump tweeted in December. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

Lockheed is expected to reduce the cost of its fighter jets to below $100m per plane, freeing up defence funds for other purposes.

As the news filtered out on Monday, shares in London-listed defence providers such as BAE Systems, Cobham, Meggitt, Rolls-Royce, Qinetiq and Ultra Electronics saw their shares spike late in the session.
European stocks were higher on Monday, with Italian stocks leading the way, as investors reacted to promises of greater defence and infrastructure spending from the US president and apparently shrugged off news that the ruling party in Rome had split.

By the closing bell, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index was down 0.13% to 369.52, Germanys DAX rose 0.16% to 11,822.67 and Frances CAC 40 was flat at 4,845.18.

In a meeting with state governors at the White House, Trump promised a "historic" increase in US defence spending and said he would talk to Congress about his plans for infrastructure spending.

"We're going to start spending on infrastructure big," he said.

The FTSE Mibtel was the unexpected star of Monday's session even after Italy's rulling PD or Democratic Party split over the weekend.

Milan's benchmark gauge finished 1.71% higher at 18,914.30.

On Saturday, left-wing rebels within the PD's ranks quit and founded - together with members of the Italian Left party - the Progressive and Democratic Movement (DP).

That, economists at Barclays said, meant an increased possibility of higher Italian political risk over the medium-term.

"If the newly created junior left-leaning DP party that emerged after the party split is able to drain popularity from the PD, and the voting system is not reformed so as to push parties to form pre-electoral coalitions (not our baseline), we do not rule out that anti-establishment/euro parties may be able to form a government after elections," Fabio Fois at Barclays said in a research report sent to clients.

Macron continues to make headway against Le Pen

In Paris, the latest Opinionway poll had Le Pen with 26%, centrist independent Emmanuel Macron at 24% (+1) and centre-right Francois Fillon at 21% in the first round of France's presidential election.

In the second round, Macron against Le Pen were at 62% and 38% (previously 61% and 39%) and Fillon against Le Pen were at 58% and 42%.

On the data front, the European Central Banks M3 money supply data, which measures growth in the amount of money circulating in the Eurozone, fell to an annualised pace of 4.9% in January from 5% a month earlier (consensus: 4.8%).

The annual growth in household loans grew to 2.2% in January up from 2.0% in December. Loans to non-financial businesses were unchanged at 2.3% in January, a seven-year high.

Meanwhile, the European Commission's economic sentiment index for the Eurozone rose to 108 in February from 107.9 last month, well above the long-term average of 100.

There was a rise in the service industry gauge to 13.8 from 12.8 (consensus: 13.5), although the widely-tracked consumer confidence gauge contained in the same report fell from -4.3 to -5.2.

A separate business climate indicator published by the EC increased to 0.82 in February from 0.76 in January, the highest level since June 2011 and above expectations for a reading of 0.79.

Meanwhile, Brent crude was edging higher by 0.27% to $56.14 per barrel, while the euro was on the frontfoot against the US dollar, rising 0.63% to 1.0628.

Intesa SanPaolo, Unicredit gain

In corporate news, Intesa SanPaolo was bid higher following news on 24 February it would not pursue a tie-up with Generali.

Unicredit chief Gianni Papa told Il Sole 24 Ore there were no plans to exist more countries after the lender sold assets in Poland and the Ukraine, sending its shares higher by 2.47%.

Shares in the London Stock Exchange Group dropped 1.12% as it said on Sunday that it did not think its proposed merger with Deutsche Borse, which fell 2.44%, will be approved by the European Commission, after competition regulators came up with "unexpected" demands last week.

Distribution and outsourcing company Bunzl gained 3.41% as it reported a 12% jump in full-year pre-tax profit to 362.9m, boosted by the post-Brexit vote slump in the pound.
Kubiv to meet with EU Commissioner, EU Commission Vice President in Brussels on March 1-2

First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv will visit Brussels (Belgium) on March 1-2.

Kubiv will meet with EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, the official website of the European Commission said on Monday.

On March 2 the first deputy prime minister is scheduled to meet with Vice President of the European Commission for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis.
Housebuilder Persimmon further increased its capital return plan as annual revenue and pre-tax profit rose strongly and it remained on track with its growth strategy.

On top of the 110p per share special payment announced for 3 July as a second interim dividend, the FTSE 100 company announced an additional payment of 25p to be paid on 31 March.

Revenue for 2016 grew 8% to 3.14bn compared to the previous year, which resulted in 23% growth in underlying pre-tax profit to 782.8m and a 19% increase in underlying basic earnings per share to 205.6p.

The operating margin increased to 25.7% and the return on average capital employed grew to 39.4% from 32.1%.

During 2016, the company gained 18,709 plots of land, with 11,268 plots successfully converted from its strategic land portfolio, while forward sales increased 9% to 1.89bn.

At the end of the year Persimmon had net cash of 913m, up from 570.4m the previous year.

Chairman Nicholas Wrigley said: "The group has now completed the first five years of its long term strategy which remains focused on growing Persimmon into a stronger, larger business while maintaining capital discipline and robust free cash generation.

"Customer activity in the early weeks of the 2017 spring season has been encouraging. The further increase in the capital return plan demonstrates the board's confidence in the group's prospects."

In the first eight weeks of the 2017 spring season, visitors to its 390 active sites have been 7% ahead year on year and current total forward sales, including legal completions taken so far in 2017, have reached 1.89bn, 9% ahead of the previous year.

Overall private reservation volumes in the forward order book were 6% ahead of last year allowing for the first eight weeks private sales rate per site being 4% lower at this point, with a "modest" selling price improvement.

He said that the company was encouraged by the government's action to seek improvements in the planning system with the consultation measures included in the recent housing white paper.

By opening new sales outlets in increasing numbers, together with investing in training skilled trades people, the industry will be able to expand output and fulfil the housing needs of local communities across the UK.

Land from its strategic portfolio is "expected to provide an increasing proportion of building plots with detailed consent" and management intends to retain sufficient cash resources to take advantage of these market opportunities as they arise.

Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that the Brexit-shaped dent in Persimmons share price has almost entirely been repaired by brisk trading and a resilient performance from the economy.

Business so far this year also appears to have continued in a manner which will confound sceptics, and in a show of strength Persimmon is extending its already prodigious capital return plan, which will mean more cash paid back to shareholders. The UKs housebuilders have had the wind at their back for some time now, with the government's Help to Buy scheme boosting transaction numbers, while a chronic housing shortage has pushed prices up too.

Looking forward, the UK housing market shows little sign of pausing for breath in its steady upward climb, and low interest rates are likely to remain supportive for the foreseeable future. This should enable the housebuilding sector to continue to make profitable progress, unless a sharp economic downturn materialises.

Shares in Persimmon were up 1.04% to 2,046 at 0850 GMT.
Trinity Mirror , the UK's largest local newspaper group, reported a jump in full-year profit and revenue, thanks in part to its acquisition of Local World.

For the 53 weeks to 1 January 2017, adjusted pre-tax profit rose to 133.2m from 107.5m the year before, on revenue of 713m, up from 592.7m.

The company attributed the increase in revenue to the benefit of the acquisition of Local World back in November 2015 and an additional week of trading in 2016, which was partly offset by the cessation of the Independent print and distribution contract in April 2016 and the sale of Rippleffect in August 2016.

The Local World acquisition also helped to offset losses at the New Day, which was killed off less than three months after launch.

Print advertising revenue declined 17.9% on a like-for-like basis.

Sales of the Daily Mirror fell by 10.8% compared to a 5.1% drop for the UK national daily tabloid market. The Sunday Mirror and Sunday People volumes declined by 14.7% and 14.1%, respectively, in a UK national Sunday tabloid market that fell by 6.6%.

Meanwhile, the Daily Record was down 11.5% against an overall Scottish daily tabloid market decline of 7.9% and the Sunday Mail was down 13.9% against an overall Scottish Sunday tabloid market decline of 10.0%.

Chief executive Simon Fox said: "We have delivered a strong financial performance in the year despite the challenging environment we face. I am particularly pleased with the progress we have made in growing our digital audience and revenue, and with the work we have done this year to develop and refine our strategic priorities for the year ahead."

At 1056 GMT, the shares were down 5.2% to 113.05p.
Molecular diagnostics group Premaitha Health has gained regulatory clearance for the acquisition of Taiwan-based Yourgene Bioscience, a non-invasive prenatal testing bioinformatics specialist.

AIM-listed Premaitha believes that the acquisition will increase its access to Asia for non-invasive prenatal testing, as well as provide cross-selling opportunities.

Stratex International

Shares in Stratex International are down more than 20% on stating it has has yet to receive its net cash distribution from Turkish partner Bahar Madencilik in relation to the Altintepe Gold Mine.

"Stratex believes this is contrary to Bahar's contractual obligations under their agreement," the gold and metals exploration and development company said in a statement.

RTC Group

Engineering and technical recruitment company RTC Group announced its audited results for the year to 31 December on Monday, with group revenue rising to 67.9m from 64.9m year-on-year.

The AIM-traded form posted gross profit down slightly to 12.1m from 12.7m, with profit before tax at 1.1m, falling from 1.3m.

Stellar Diamonds

West Africa-focused diamond development company Stellar Diamonds' shares are down nearly a quarter after its shares were restored to AIM trading following a placing of 5.9m shares at 5.5p each to raise 324,500.

It also gave further details of the open offer to raise up to an additional 250,000 via the issue of up to 4.5m shares, and a director subscription to raise 20,000 through the issue of 363,636 new shares. Both were at 5.5p a share.

RPC Group

RPC Group has completed its one-for-four rights issue after subscribers for the outstanding 3.5m shares were procured by investment banks.

Earlier on Monday, RPC said it had received valid acceptances for 79.5m shares, or about 96% of the 82.95m shares offered.

Roxi Petroleum

Oil and gas explorer Roxi Petroleum will take greater control of its Kazakhstan project after striking a deal with Swiss miner Braverstock to merge their assets in Eragon Petroleum for about 67.88m, subject to shareholder approval.

The companies have already gained regulatory consent to merge Roxi and Baverstock's interests in Eragon, which holds a 99% stake in the company's principal asset, BNG, a subsoil contract in Kazakhstan.

Infrastrata

Infrastrata's shares are down almost 20% on news it intends to raise up to 750,000 at 0.5p a share to repay the Baron Oil loan and begin the first phase of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for its Islandmagee gas storage project.

The proposed placing would be conducted via an accelerated book build.

WH Ireland

Financial services group focussed on private wealth management and corporate broking services, WH Ireland, announced its final results for its financial year ended 30 November 2016 on Monday, with group turnover falling to 25.4m from 30.9m.

The AIM-traded firm posted an operating loss of 1.3m before exceptional items, swinging from a profit of 1.1m, with exceptional items rising to 1.8m from 1.2m.

Quartix

Vehicle tracking systems and services specialist Quartix says it has made a good start to full-year 2017 after improving its pre-tax profit for 2016.

"The past year has shown continued growth in demand for the group's vehicle tracking systems, software and services in both the fleet and insurance sectors," the company said.

Starcom

Shares in Starcom dived a third after it warned of a pre-tax loss for full-year 2016, with revenue for the 12-month period coming in broadly flat thanks to Watchlock Pro order delays.

The specialist in developing wireless solutions said pre-tax loss would be about $1.5m, from a loss of $1.76m, after inventory write-downs of $450,000, but before provisions.

Union Jack Oil

Union Jack Oil has raised around 1.4m through a placing of new ordinary shares at 0.135p each, which it plans to use to increase its interests in existing licences within the portfolio.

The company is currently fully funded for its existing commitments, which include the drilling of the Biscathorpe-2 and Holmwood-1 conventional exploration wells.

Botswana Diamonds

AIM-listed miner Botswana Diamonds has raised 525,000 in order to fund drilling and exploration work at its South Africa and Botswana sites.

The proceeds will be used to fund ongoing kimberlite drilling at the Frischgewaagt site in South Africa, drilling in Botswana, exploration work in South Africa and the first stage of the exploration programme in the Orapa and Gope areas of Botswana with Alrosa, a Russian diamond miner.

LGO Energy

Oil and gas firm LGO Energy confirmed that it will start drilling at its Groudon onshore field in Trinidad after the mobilisation of a rig.

The AIM-listed company said that rig 18 was successfully mobilised to the Goudron field where it will drill at least two infill wells to the Mayaro sandstone reservoir.
HSBC sets aside $773 mn against global tax fraud probes

Global Banking major HSBC has set aside $773 million (Rs5,200 crore) on account of investigations being conducted by regulatory and law enforcement authorities across various jurisdictions including US, France and India on HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) and other HSBC firms in connection with allegations of tax evasion or tax fraud, money laundering and unlawful cross-border banking solicitation.

In its recently released annual report for the year 2016, the bank also admitted that in February 2015, the Indian tax authority issued summons and requested for information from a HSBC company in India (See: HSBC under probe in India over tax evasion, money laundering).

It further said that in August 2015 and November 2015, HSBC companies received notices issued by two offices of the Indian tax authority (HSBC transactions under probe in India), alleging that the authority had sufficient evidence to initiate prosecution against HSBC Swiss Private Bank and an HSBC company in Dubai for allegedly abetting tax evasion of four different Indian individuals and/or families.

The authorities have asked the HSBC companies to ''show why such prosecution should not be initiated''.

The bank clarified that both HSBC Swiss Private Bank and the HSBC company in Dubai have responded to the show cause notices.

The investigation in India is not a case in isolation as several jurisdictions are investigating the banks role in various cases. ''Various tax administration, regulatory and law enforcement authorities around the world, including in the US, France, Belgium, Argentina and India, are conducting investigations and reviews of HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA ('HSBC Swiss Private Bank') and other HSBC companies in connection with allegations of tax evasion .,'' the bank said.

These probes surrounding allegations of impropriety across various jurisdictions are likely to have a significant impact on the bank's balance sheet.

''HSBC is cooperating with the relevant authorities. As on December 31, 2016, HSBC has recognised a provision for these various matters in the amount of $773m,'' said the bank in its annual report.

The bank further disclosed that it has received requests for information concerning entities believed to be linked to Mossack Fonseca & Co, a Panama-based law firm. The issue had created a storm last year amid reports that hundreds of Indians had indulged in alleged tax violations via offshore tax havens with the help of Mossack Fonseca.

Meanwhile, the bank said that it is also cooperating in ''ongoing investigations by the DoJ and the US Internal Revenue Service regarding whether certain HSBC companies and employees, including those associated with HSBC Swiss Private Bank and an HSBC company in India, acted appropriately in relation to certain customers who had US tax reporting obligations''.
Sligo University Hospital has been praised for good practice in relation to medication safety by Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

The first inspection reports by HIQA on medication safety in public acute hospitals found that where effective medication safety governance arrangements were in place, patients were better protected from potential harm related to medication use.

The seven inspections were carried out between November and December 2016 in Bantry General Hospital, Connolly Hospital, Naas General Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital and University Hospital Waterford.

HIQA said it found a wide variation in the medication safety arrangements in place across the seven hospitals.

The inspection at Sligo found that medication safety was effectively supported by senior management in the hospital, a formal and structured medication safety programme was established, an open incident and near-miss reporting culture was promoted and a process was in a place for learning from medication-related incidents.

The inspection also found medication safety audits were carried out and learning was shared with all staff, up-to-date medication policies were in place, and good leadership was shown from key clinical staff to support medication safety.

Sean Egan, HIQAs Acting Head of Healthcare Regulation, said:

However, these inspections also found that learning from hospitals that have more advanced medication safety programmes in place should be shared nationally, as more needed to be done in other hospitals to better promote safer use of medicines.
The Houston County Commission unanimously passed a resolution Monday authorizing the Sheriffs Office to purchase two vehicles to replace the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoes totaled in a Friday morning incident involving a semi truck.

The resolution authorizes an expense of about $89,000, $62,000 for the replacement of the two Tahoes and $27,000 for the full police package.

The Sheriffs vehicles were struck by a semi truck while blocking traffic early Friday morning to allow a cable company to lay wire across Highway 431 near Headland. Two deputies were injured. One deputy was inside one of the vehicles and another was outside. The injuries do not appear serious.

Sheriffs personnel said the protection offered by an SUV such as a Tahoe compared to a normal car may have saved a life.

You cant imagine getting a call at 1:43 in the morning, saying two deputies had been struck by a semi, and all that had been said was its not good, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza.

Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver said an earlier decision to spend extra money on Chevrolet Tahoes proved to be correct.

I recall back when we put those items on the agenda (to purchase the Tahoes), had a brief discussion about whether we need to buy Tahoes as opposed to cars. I may have even been one to raise the question. I can tell you if we had gone the route of the car, we would be minus one deputy, Culver said.

The county is expected to recoup some or all of the cost of the lost vehicles through insurance, although that hasnt been determined yet. The Sheriffs Office sought a quick approval from the commission Monday because several older Sheriffs vehicles are in and out of service due to wear and tear.

Also Monday, County Engineer Barkley Kirkland announced the Road and Bridge crews would soon begin replacing 10 cross drains on Eddins Road between State Highway 53 and Hodgesville Road. Kirkland said crews will also begin clearing foliage on Lee Boy Road in advance of the City of Dothan extending water lines along the road.

The Commission also took the following action Monday:

 Approved a request to amend the county purchasing policy, which would set a $5,000 threshold for a county-owned item to be considered a capital asset. The change aligns the county with the State of Alabama standard.

 Approved a request to set levies for county alcohol licenses. The levies remain the same as those imposed the previous year.

 Approved a request from the Sheriffs Office to purchase 20 rifles for the Sheriffs Special Response Team at a cost of $16,780. The expense has been budgeted by the Sheriffs Office.

 Approved a request award the Prisoner Transport Services Contract to Security Transport Services. Two businesses submitted bids. PTS of America provided a bid of $1.10 per mile while Security Transport Services big $1.16 per mile. However, PTS set a minimum charge of $400 per trip and Security Transport Services set a $325 per trip minimum. The Sheriffs Office determined Security Transport Services would be the less costly of the two in the long run.
Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker said a man charged with murder in the death of a two-month-old did not appear to plan to harm the infant and showed remorse during a 911 call, but said a murder charge appeared appropriate after a preliminary investigation.

Walker provided some information Monday in relation to the death of a two-month old infant Saturday in Ozark, but declined to reveal many details.

According to Walker, 19-year-old Jaylin Jamal Toles, 19, has been arrested, and faces capital murder charges. In Alabama, if a victim is under the age of 14, capital murder charges can apply to a defendant.

We received a 911 call around 1:40 Saturday morning regarding an infant being unresponsive on the 100 block of Claybank Avenue, Walker said. The child was transported to Dale Medical Center for future resuscitation efforts, however, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

We have been told by the infants mother, Toles is the father of the infant, Walker said. However, there have been other statements given, stating that information is not correct. At this time we believe the infant is Toles only child. The mother was not at home when the child was injured," Walker said. She did arrive at the hospital and was informed of the infants death and told Toles had been arrested.

During the investigation, authorities discovered suspicious circumstances and physical evidence that led to the arrest of Toles.

I will say, Toles did place the 911 call, Walker said. He also tried to resuscitate the victim. I believe that premeditation did not play any role in this situation. During our interview with Toles he showed great remorse the entire time. But, we still have job to do. This is a very bad situation. There are a lot of people suffering at this time.

Walker also stated this case has not only affected the family involved, but the police department as well.

No one wants to see a child get hurt at any time, Walker said. This little child is deceased and that affected everyone involved. It just tugs on your heart.

According to Walker, Toles did not live at the residence, but was a frequent visitor.

We have looked in our system and Toles does not have a previous record in Ozark, Walker said. However, the investigation is ongoing and a national check into Toles' background will take place.

At this time the infant's body has been transported to Montgomery for an autopsy, and additional information regarding the infants death will be provided after the department receives the preliminary results from the autopsy.
KINSEY  Residents of Kinsey are getting used to a new face in town. Kinsey Police Chief David Mock took on the role of police chief on Jan. 5.

I have been in law enforcement since 1996, Mock said. A few years ago, while I was with the Abbeville Police Department, I was approached by the former police chief and former mayor regarding coming to work for the Kinsey Police Department. However, the position was part-time and, at that time, going from full-time to part-time employment was not something that interested me. Now, a couple of years later, here I am Kinseys full-time police chief.

Although Mock has only been in his position for six weeks, he has wasted no time in meeting and greeting the residents of Kinsey.

The main thing I want everyone in Kinsey to know is, I am here to grow with the community, Mock said. I can honestly say the mayor and council members have been so supportive of me. We are all working together on issues to better serve the community. We are currently working on updating equipment needed for the department. It has been some time since the department received new equipment, and the council and I are working hard to get all this up and going. I am also looking into the possibility of grants that are available to assist us with additional items.

From day one, Mock was determined to get his face out and about the residential and business areas of Kinsey.

I want the community to understand my goal is to serve and protect each and every resident, Mock said. I am working on getting to know the teenagers throughout the area. I want them to know I am here for them as well. It is my job to reach out to the community and encourage the children to succeed and stay on the right path. That is what I am doing. In todays time you have to be a positive role model for children and I strive to be that for our youth. I encourage any of the youth in Kinsey, if you have a problem or believe you are on the wrong path, stop by and well talk. Let me see if I can help you get where you need to be.

Mock is also making his rounds to the local senior center.

I stop by to visit with our senior citizens at the senior center as much as possible, Mock said. I am working on different topics of discussions that I believe would be beneficial to our seniors. I am hoping to meet with them on several issues such as identity theft and exploitation of the elderly. The numbers of reported cases of exploitation of the elderly are increasing and I want our senior citizens to be up-to-date on the latest information available.

The Kinsey Police Department is asking the community to help the department grow and become a deeper part of the community.

I probably havent met all of our residents yet, but, I am making my rounds, Mock said. If anyone or any organization would like to speak with me, remember my door is open. If there is something I can do for anyone, give me a call. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this community for many years to come.
Alfa Romeo is confident the new Giulia will change the way people think about its cars.

The Italian brand has earned an unenviable reputation for rust and unreliability in the past. But in launching the new Giulia range the company is confident that it can change that view.

Alfa Romeo Australia CEO Steve Zanlunghi has ruled out a longer warranty for the new model, instead it is confident that it will win over critics with the quality of the Giulia.

"You've got to start with the product and the product has got to stand on its own," Zanlunghi said.

"I think when people - and this is our job to get the product in front of people - when they sit in it, drive it, feel the quality the vehicle is made of and step on the gas, that's what is going to do it."

As part of this latest relaunch, Alfa Romeo Australia has scaled back to 13 dealers around the country in order to improve the image and customer service for the brand.

Zanlunghi said that is a key part of the strategy to rebuild the brand in order to take on the established German players Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

"Can Alfa Romeo be premium? In order to be premium you need a couple of things," he explained. "Number one, you need the product. The product has got to be right, [and] it's got to be a premium experience which is why we prepared our network to where it is."

While Zanlunghi concedes the Italian brand won't be a threat to its German rivals on the sales charts any time soon, he does want to be competitive and start luring buyers away and into the Giulia.

"The aspirations for the car are to compete in the luxury mid-size segment," he said. "We're not looking to take over the world, we have modest sales goals. We've had some pretty good demand to start with and we're looking forward to a successful launch."

He added: "This was not a brand that was born on an assembly line with badge engineering. This is a brand where we knew the heritage, we knew the DNA, we knew what went into it and that's why we took all the engineers and product managers and pulled them off-site and gave them a blank piece of paper and said 'let's build the best product that we can'. And that's what we've got with the Giulia."

Beyond Giulia, Alfa Romeo has plans to launch seven all-new models by 2020 as it rebuilds itself after scaling down to just offering the Giulietta hatch in the last 12 months.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV.

The Stelvio mid-size SUV will be the next new model to arrive and will be followed by two more SUVs (a smaller BMW X1 rival and a larger BMW X5 competitor), a large sedan (to compete against the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class), a hatchback (tipped to be a rear-wheel drive replacement for the Giulietta) and a pair "specialty" models (most likely a sporty coupe and convertible).

While Zanlunghi wants to grow the brand, he said Alfa Romeo Australia hasn't yet locked in plans for all the new machines.

"We haven't made a decision yet because we haven't done the business case on all eight models yet," he said.
Ukraine gas stocks down 43.1% in heating season so far

Gas stocks in Ukraine's underground storage facilities declined by 43.1% to 8.386 billion cubic meters (bcm) since October 13, 2016, when the current heating season began, through February 25, 2017.

Ukraine withdrew 23.49 million cubic meters (mcm) from underground storage on February 25 and a total of 1.475 bcm on February 1 through February 25 (59 mcm/day on average), Ukrtransgaz, which operates the country's pipelines and storage facilities, said in a statement.

Thus, Ukraine will start March with gas stocks of around 8.3 bcm.

Last year, Ukraine withdrew 33.26 mcm of gas from underground storage on February 25, when stocks amounted to 10.152 bcm. It withdrew 4.37 mcm on February 25, 2015, when stocks totaled 8.132 bcm.

As of February 25, 2017, daily imports of gas were 50.251 mcm, of which 42.845 mcm from Slovakia, 3.42 mcm from Hungary and 3.986 mcm from Poland. Ukraine has not imported gas from Russia since November 26, 2015. It imported a total of 1.216 bcm on February 1 through February 25.

Gas production in Ukraine on February 25 was 57.404 mcm, of which Ukrgazvydobuvannia produced 41.219 mcm, Ukrnafta - 3.315 mcm and other companies - 12.87 mcm. Overall production on February 1 through February 25was 1.425 bcm.

Transit via Ukraine's gas transport system was 6.948 bcm in the period February 1-25, corresponding to a monthly rate of about 7.6 bcm.

Naftogaz Ukrainy officials said the gas stocks are sufficient to make it through the heating season and, if the winter is more severe than expected, Ukraine has the capacity to increase imports. Naftogaz calculates that stocks will end the heating season in the range 7-8 bcm, compared with the minimum allowable level of 5 bcm.

Withdrawals in 2016 exceeded injections by 2 bcm: 8.391 bcm was withdrawn and 6.389 bcm was injected.

Ukrtransgaz, a wholly owned subsidiary of Naftogaz Ukrainy, operates the country's gas pipelines and 12 underground gas storage facilities with a total capacity of 31 bcm.
AMD recently unveiled its Ryzen line of powerful processors, which are meant to beat Intel's chipsets. Now, Intel responded by reportedly slashing the prices on its Core i7 and i5 processors to prepare for the Ryzen's launch in March 2017. A number of sellers have begun featuring Intel processors at lower price tags recently.

Based on a report by HotHardware, Micro Center is offering the 3.60GHzsix-core Intel Core i7-6850K at $550 from its usual rate of $700. The 3.40GHz i7 6800K is available at $360 from $500. Users are still waiting for price drops on Amazon. The 4.0GHz i7-6700K dropped to $260 from $400, while the 3.50GHz quad-core i7-6600K moved down from $270 to $180. The i7-7700K was lowered from $380 to $299. It is currently available on NewEgg and Amazon at $349. Apparently, Intel is showing concern about the upcoming AMD Ryzen products and plans to stay competitive in terms of pricing.

According to WCCFTech, Intel is allegedly "playing dirty" by intentionally trying to cut the AMD Ryzen out of business. There are reports that Intel personnel are approaching potential customers and offering incentive rebates and other special promos to convince them to use Intel processors exclusively. Intel is allegedly compelling users to stick with its products before they can review the upcoming AMD Ryzen. Intel PR reportedly sent a "call us before you write" email to some of the press who will review the new Ryzen CPUs.

A few editors-in-chief confirmed that Intel approached them about future AMD Ryzen reviews. It is not the first time that Intel has resorted to such tactics in an attempt to undercut its competitors. Previously, the California-based company was fined $1.4 billion for anti-competitive practices. The court decision stated that Intel attempted to conceal the anti-competitive nature of its business practices and used a long term comprehensive strategy to foreclose AMD from the strategically most important sales channels.

AMD has been cautious with Intel in preparing for the launch of Ryzen. The new chipsets are bound to perform similarly or even better than Intel's processors at significantly lower prices. The Ryzen 7 1800X will cost $499, despite outperforming the Intel i7 6900K, which costs $1050. The Ryzen 7 1700X will cost $399, while the Ryzen 7 1700 will be priced at $329. The first three AMD Ryzen processors are set to launch on Mar. 2, 2017. More updates and details are expected soon.
While China is Australias biggest export destination, its a notoriously tricky market to enter  even for multinationals. So, how do export-driven Australian SMEs form lasting connections with Chinese customers? Dynamic Business spoke to Joe McGuire, Global Head of Sales & Partnerships with Airwallex, a Melbourne fintech start-up specialising in cross-border payments.

Dynamic Business: What is the appeal of China for SMEs?

McGuire: China is Australias strongest export market, accounting for almost 80% of all Australian export growth in 2013-14. As a country, we have an established business relationship with China which is helpful for SMEs that are looking beyond the local market. Additionally, the purchase power of the Chinese population is increasing  in fact, its predicted to double between 2010 from $4,000 to $8,000 in 2020, meaning more disposable income to be spent on goods and services.

Funnily enough, foreign goods are often preferred over local brands by Chinese customers, spurred by numerous incidents that have diminished trust in local goods. These past scandals have encouraged most Chinese consumers to equate foreign products with superior quality and safety, so theres already a solid and established reputation for any foreign business setting up shop in China.

Dynamic Business: What local industries are at an advantage?

McGuire: Australias reputation in China harks back to the tourism advertisements that made Lara Bingle famous, highlighting Aussies as natural, healthy and authentic. Australian industries that produce products that carry or promote this sense of wellbeing are highly regarded in China  think dairy, honey, natural foods, skincare, cosmetics, supplements, cosmetics, maternity and baby products. China is Australias second largest market for pharmaceuticals such as vitamins and health care products, so theres a great market opportunity there for businesses looking beyond Australian borders.

Dynamic Business: Why is China a difficult market to enter?

McGuire: The Chinese market truly dances to the beat of its own drum. Even for big multinational companies like Google and Uber, entering the market there has been haphazard and trying. There are a few reasons for this, one of them being that doing business in China is very relationship-driven.

Businesses need to build strong, direct relationships with local partners as well as customers, specific to each region in which they choose to conduct business. Its an intense and rather unique process that can be tough for foreigners to understand. For example, gift giving plays a powerful role.

Additionally, foreign businesses often underestimate the importance of growing a strong relationship with the government. The government can play a make-or-break role in businesses expanding into China, particularly with the recent tightening of import regulations in a bid to strengthen the power of local brands and minimise weakness in the local currency. Having an established relationship with the government can give you leverage when it comes to competing with other local and international brands.

Dynamic Business: Which state is leading the way as an exporter?

McGuire: South Australia. Last year, over one million Chinese tourists visited Australia, but with a country as vast and plentiful as ours, experiencing as much as possible in one go can be a real challenge. This is where South Australia found its niche, offering tourists 2,000 cellar doors, world class beaches, fresh seafood and desert nights all in the one place. Additionally, direct flights are now coming in daily to Adelaide from Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

The next step to truly leverage this tourist experience, however, is to be able to connect the tourists once back home with the goods they fall in love with in Australia. This is where Chinese payment methods like Union Pay and WeChat Pay come into play, allowing foreigners to continue purchasing South Australian goods from vendors who are signed up with the finance tools they are accustomed to using.

Dynamic Business: How can fintechs help SMEs export to China?

McGuire: Fintechs are essential in helping connect China with Australia. With the increase in cross-border financial flows, its important to have multiple connection points along the way for every transaction. We benefit from a CNY license inbound and outbound, and have expertise in both the Chinese and Australian market. As a start-up we are more nimble than larger, more established organisations and as a natively Chinese-Australian business were much less likely to face the pitfalls Chinese businesses face when expanding into Australia, and vice versa. Furthermore, we dont just provide payments  we also provide information and education to help Australian and Chinese businesses work better together.
Ukraine sees production of oil fall by 4.4%, gas condensate rise by 7.6% in Jan 2017

Oil production in Ukraine decreased by 4.4% in January 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, to 129,400 tonnes.

The Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry told Interfax-Ukraine gas condensate production for the period increased by 7.6%, to 58,100 tonnes.

Naftogaz Ukrainy enterprises in January 2016 cut oil production by 4.6%, to 127,000 tonnes, gas condensate output by 3.5%, to 38,800 tonnes.

PJSC Ukrnafta reduced production of oil by 3.8%, to 118,900 tonnes, gas condensate by 4.7%, to 6,100 tonnes, PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia reduced oil production by 14.7%, to 8,100 tonnes, that of gas condensate by 3%, to 32,800 tonnes.

Other oil and gas companies working in the country in January 2017 increased oil production by 4.3%, to 2,400 tonnes, gas condensate output by 39.9%, to 19,300 tonnes.
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA, Kyiv) intends roughly from April 14 to launch daily flights on the Kyiv-Kherson route, according to the company's sales system.

The press service of the airline told Interfax-Ukraine flights are to be performed on a daily basis.

Travel time is one hour and 15 minutes. Departure from Kyiv is at 19:55 and arrival in Kherson at 21:10, the return flight departure is at 06:30, arrival in Kyiv at 07:45.

The cost of the flight at the lowest tariff starts from UAH 2,300 in both directions.

UIA is the largest Ukrainian airline. The base airport is Boryspil. The company's fleet consists of 40 aircraft, of which four are long-haul.

One of the ultimate beneficiaries of the company is the former co-owner of PrivatBank, businessman Ihor Kolomoisky.
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Ukraine in January 2017 increased electricity exports by 61.9% (by 213.8 million kWh) compared to the same period in 2016, to 559.4 million kWh, a source in the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry has told Interfax-Ukraine.

Electricity supplies from the Burshtyn TPP energy island in the direction of Hungary, Slovakia and Romania increased by 60.6% (by 161.6 million kWh), to 428.3 million kWh.

Electricity supplies to Poland rose by 68.9% (by 53.5 million kWh), to 131.2 million kWh.

Last month Ukrainian electricity was not exported to Moldova, Belarus and Russia, whereas exports to these countries in January 2016 amounted to 1.2 million kWh.

In addition, Ukraine in January 2017 imported 4.7 million kWh of electricity (from Russia 4.6 million kWh, Belarus 100,000 kWh) compared to 6 million kWh in January 2016.

As reported, Ukraine in January 2017 exported electricity worth $21.577 million, which is 53.5% more than in January 2016 ($14.056 million).
South African rhino poaching numbers for the last year show a decline for the second consecutive year due to concerted conservation efforts. However, there is still a long road ahead as Africa continues to lose an average of three rhinos a day to the ongoing poaching crisis.

In 2016 alone, 1,054 rhinos were reported killed in South Africa. This is a slight decline from 1,175 in 2015 and 1,215 in 2014. The 2016 figures represent a loss in rhinos of approximately 6 percent in South Africa, which is close to the birth rate, meaning the population remains perilously close to the tipping point.

Rhino poaching figures over time graphSouth Africa. World Wildlife Fund / South Africa

The continued assault on Africas rhinos year after year shows the need to redouble efforts across the rhino horn trade chain, Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at World Wildlife Fund, said. Two straight years of modest improvement in South Africa indicate that enhanced anti-poaching efforts are having some positive impact. However only when all involved countries take serious action will the rampant killing of rhinos end.

Criminals kill rhinos for their horns, which are mistakenly believed to cure a variety of ailments from fevers to blood disorders to hangovers.

Other major rhino range states in Africa have reported declines, with 61 rhinos reported killed in Namibia, down from 91 in 2015. South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe are home to nearly 95 percent of all remaining African rhinos.

South Africas Kruger National Park, home to the worlds largest white rhino population, successfully achieved a decline in the number of poached rhinos last year, despite an increase in the number of reported illegal entries into the 4.8 million acre park.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/832017921929015296 expand=1]

These latest figures highlight the impacts of poaching sweeping across South Africa as criminal syndicates shift their focus in response to law enforcement actions. Key populations in the South African province KwaZulu-Natal bore the brunt of the poaching, with 161 rhinos killed in 2016an increase of 38 percent from the previous year.

Governments and law enforcement officials must do more to reverse the low-risk, high-reward nature of rhino horn trade and other wildlife crime, Hemley continued. Stronger enforcement and tougher penalties for offenders at every level, including poachers, buyers and transnational trafficking syndicates, is required to disrupt this devastating black market trade.

Vietnam in particular must step up and do its part to stem the unchecked flow of rhino horn into its markets. If it fails to do so, the international community must follow through on its commitment to hold the country accountable through wildlife trade sanctions.

We Need to Act Now

Wildlife crime is the most immediate threat to wild rhinos, elephants and tigers. Demand for rhino hornsalong with elephant ivory and tiger productsruns rampant in parts of the world, particularly in Asia.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/826889872736661504

The World Wildlife Fund works to stop rhino poaching and emphasizes the need for not just law enforcement response, but also involvement of local communities around protected areas.

Together, we need to commit to long-term demand reduction efforts to protect rhinos.

Take action to stop wildlife crime.

[facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1453085071371092/
(Photo: Marianne Ejdersten / WCC)World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit discusses peace with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Geneva on Feb. 26. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC

GENEVA - The president of Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas has urged the world's nations to defend the two-State solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by recognizing Palestine.

He was addressing the first 2017 session of the United Nation Human Rights Council in Geneva on Feb. 27.

"We call on countries that have recognized Israel and believe in the two-State solution to defend and support this solution by recognizing the State of Palestine," said Abass.

That call seemed aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump who said in a Feb. 15 meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "Looking at two-State or one-State, I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one."

In his speech, Abbas condemned an Israeli law passed earlier in February that legalized dozens of Jewish-only settlements built on private Palestinian land.

He also cautioned nations against moving their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem, in what could have been as response to pledges made by Trump his election campaign to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

Abass said, "Palestine will remain the litmus test for this council ... and whether it succeeds or not, will be crucial for the credibility of the human rights system throughout the world."

After his speech, Aviva Raz Shechter, Israel's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva tweeted, "We are ready to sit together to discuss directly all issues in order to reach a solution, as it was also repeatedly offered by PM Netanyahu."

The day before addressing the Human Rights Council Abbas held discussions with the general secretary of the World Council of Churches Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit at the hotel he was staying at in Geneva.

There they discussed a "just peace in Palestine and Israel" said the WCC in a statement.

The Palestinian president expressed to the WCC general secretary the importance of the activities of the council in the Holy Land in accompanying Christians and local churches.

Abbas said he calls upon local and foreign churches to pay attention to the message of Palestinian Christians and to encourage all non-violent acts to bring peace and justice to Palestine, said the WCC statement.

TWO STATE RECOGNITION

Tveit said at the meeting "Israel since 1948 has been recognized by the U.N. as a State, and the WCC has since then done the same, continuing to uphold the decision to recognize two States."

"Our role is to give Christian witness to the world and work for justice and peace," said Tveit as he described the WCC's peace and reconciliation initiatives in the Middle East and beyond.

Tveit noted: "We believe peace can be achieved only together with the other. We are called as a fellowship of churches to support the process of just peace."

He added "We believe and see that the local churches can and do play a role in promoting peace and justice on both sides of the conflict. It is important to strengthen the church and the Christian presence in the area, so that it can be a strong witness of peace."

"No people should be denied their rights and, certainly, no people should be denied their rights for generations.

"The unresolved conflict in Israel and Palestine is primarily about justice, and until the requirement of justice is met, peace cannot be established," he added "as Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza nears the 50-year mark, generations have been suffering under this reality."
Zerkal to head Ukrainian delegation to go to Hague on March 6-9 to hearings in Russia's terrorism financing combat convention violation case

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed an order about the creation of a Ukrainian delegation to participate in public hearings of the International Court of Justice (the Hague) in the case of violation of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by Russia.

According to the order, Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal heads the delegation.

The members of the delegation are Director of the EU department of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Vsevolod Chentsov, Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin, Head of the main foreign policy and European integration department of Presidential Administration of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva, Head of the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Bohdan Kryklyvenko and Head of the office of SBU Head Oleksandr Tkachuk.

"The public hearings will be held from March 6 through March 9 in the Hague," the press service of the president said.
As the Trump administration aggressively ramps up deportations of undocumented immigrants, some K-12 leaders have pledged to protect the rights and privacy of students who dont have legal immigration status. Some vow schools are sanctuaries where educators wont cooperate with authorities to identify or take action against undocumented students and families. But the fast-moving, politically charged situation has also created confusion for educators about what they can and cant do.

What are sanctuary schools?

The phrase is a bit of a misnomer. Resolutions passed by school boards in three so-called sanctuary districtsClark County, Nev., Los Angeles Unified, and Pittsburghdont even include the word. The resolutions refer to school grounds as safe places, spaces, or zones for students, staff, and parents regardless of immigration status. The policies in most districts affirm that schools will do everything within their legal power to protect student privacy, including barring the release of information about immigration status unless there is parental consent, or if federal agents produce a warrant, subpoena, or similar court order.

See Also Undocumented Teachers Shielded by DACA in Legal and Emotional Limbo

What else can schools do to protect the rights of undocumented students?

Schools must balance two sometimes dueling obligations: ensuring student safety and privacy and cooperation with federal officials as required by law. Lawyers say schools can accomplish those goals by limiting immigration authorities access to campuses and providing information to families on their rights under district and federal policies.

Lawyers for both immigrant advocacy groups and school systems acknowledge that families may view the word sanctuary literally and overestimate the legal protections afforded to them in schools. When agents want access to a campus or information on students, for example, the resolutions in Clark County, L.A. Unified, and Pittsburgh require the requests to go through a superintendents office or a districts legal department. But the resolutions also make clear that campus police will assist federal agents as required by law if called upon to do so.

ICE is a federal immigration agency and they do have legal authority to enforce immigration law and there could be scenarios where ICE could access campus, said Jessica Hanson, a lawyer with the National Immigration Law Center.

When are federal immigration agents allowed to approach or question students, staff, or parents on school campuses?

Not often, but its permitted when circumstances call for such action. A 2012 Immigration and Customs Enforcement memorandumknown as the sensitive locations memoprohibits agents from conducting enforcement activities on school campuses unless high-ranking federal authorities give prior approval. The memo also allows for agents to make a case that they need urgent access to a school, but oftentimes school officials have standing to push back, said Alyson Sincavage, a lawyer with the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

So, are the sanctuary or safe school declarations merely symbolic measures?

No, lawyers say, because districts that havent passed resolutions may not be aware of the legal protections available to students. Districts that willingly collaborate with immigration officials without court orders, in violation of federal law, leave themselves open to legal challenges.

A case study in what schools should not do took place more than a decade ago in the Albuquerque, N.M., district. In 2004, city police assigned to work in schools called Border Patrol agents, who questioned three students and found out they were undocumented. The Mexican American Legal Defense Fund sued, reaching settlements with the district and city police department on behalf of the students. Albuquerque developed a policy that remains a model and the citys police department barred its officers from stopping, questioning, detaining, investigating, or arresting students younger than 18 on any immigration matter while on or in the vicinity of public school grounds.

Are ICE agents currently arresting students or parents on or near campuses?

Federal officials say no. But undocumented immigrants and advocates are still worried.

Two immigrants were arrested after leaving a church-run shelter in Virginia last month, raising concerns because churches, like schools, funerals, protests, and weddings, are among the sensitive locations where agents are supposed to be barred from searching, interviewing or arresting potentially undocumented immigrants.

Amid student and family fears after immigration raids took place last month in neighborhoods near schools, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district in North Carolina issued a statement that schools and bus stops are at this point considered to be safe from enforcement activities involving students based on the districts discussions with federal authorities. However, that same letter reminded families that the district has no power to control or direct the work of any law enforcement agency.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said Ukraine needs more defensive and high-tech weapons and efficient cooperation with the U.S. and NATO.

"We definitely need it. Anyway, I always say that I do not like this division into lethal and non-lethal weapons. There is a clear concept of defensive weapons. We need it," Klimkin said in an interview with the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly, ZN.UA) answering a question on whether Ukraine needs defensive lethal weapons.

He stressed that they specially need more high-tech weapons.

"We definitely need more high-tech weapons, we need efficient cooperation with the United States and NATO," the minister said.

When asked if one can expect the new U.S. administration to provide lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine, Klimkin said: "I have an impression that these people have clear convictions and willingness to defend them... Military and technical cooperation will definitely continue, and most importantly develop."
Beaver County preparing for robust Election Day turnout

As the Nov. 8 midterm election approaches, nearly 114,000 people are registered to vote in Beaver County.
Ukraine's SBU Security Service together with Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office and police in Sumy region have liquidated a channel of international telecommunications controlled from Russia.

According to the SBU's press service, four Sumy region residents via Internet using IP-telephone technology received Russian traffic obviating international communications centers.

"The traffic was processed using special software programs by the telecommunications complex and under the guise of local telephone conversations sent to networks of Ukrainian mobile operators. Telephone communications were thus established, including with users located in temporarily occupied areas of eastern Ukraine," the press release says.

Means for renting the office, as well as payments for this illegal activity, were received by the perpetrators by wire transfer from a Russian firm, the press release says.

During a search of offices and residences of the suspects law-enforcement officers seized computer equipment, "a bank of SIM cards," wifi modems and 150 cards of Ukrainian mobile telephone communications.

The total value of seized equipment comprised more than UAH 500,000.

A criminal case has been opened pursuant to Part 2 of Article 361 (unsanctioned intereference in electronic communications) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Investigative work continues to establish all individuals involved in the illegal activity, as well as to learn whether the activities were connected with Russian special services.
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DPR, LPR heads demand Kyiv lift Donbas blockade, otherwise threaten to take over enterprises under Ukrainian jurisdiction

Donetsk and Luhansk have demanded that Kyiv lift the transport blockade of Donbas before spring.

"By using radicals, Kyiv has organized and is maintaining the railroad blockade and is threatening to block motorways connecting the Donbas republics to Ukraine," Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky, heads of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, said in a joint statement posted on the Luhansk information center's website.

"We have to declare that, unless the blockade is lifted by 00:00 a.m. on Wednesday (March 1, 2017), we will appoint external management at every enterprise under Ukrainian jurisdiction operating in the DPR and the LPR," the statement said.

The DPR and LPR would also stop coal supply to Kyiv, the statement says.

"We will stop coal supply to Ukraine. There is neither the possibility nor a payment plan for coal supplies," it said.

Zakharchenko and Plotnitsky also believe the transport blockade of Donbas is at variance with the Minsk Agreements.

"It goes directly against both the spirit and the letter of the Minsk Agreements and generally characterizes this Ukrainian leadership as one unable to take care of its citizens. Many enterprises have been forced to cease operation as a result of the Kyiv authorities' criminal actions," the statement says.
Police issue reminder as end of weapons amnesty nears



Some of the weapons handed in at Peel Police Station.

The police are urging anyone with an unwanted or unregistered weapon to hand it in within the next day.

The Constabulary has been holding a weapons amnesty throughout February, accepting blades, firearms and other weapons no questions asked throughout this month.

Knives, swords and other blades can be dropped off in specially-designated bins, while guns can be handed in at police counters.

Weapons can be disposed of at Peel, Castletown and Ramsey police stations, as well as Police Headquarters.
Angelina Jolie has been slammed for diva demands while she was in Cambodia promoting her film, "First They Killed My Father." It has been reported that her trip to the said country had sky-high cost that may have soured most of her partners in Netflix.

It has been claimed by one report for having been slammed or her diva meltdown was that her film premiere might be the last one funded by Netflix because of a large amount of money they just spent on it. One publication even commented that Angelina Jolie's trip was a logistical nightmare while another one considered it "her Tropic Thunder moment."

According to OK! Magazine, the company spent almost 1 million for her travel, her family and her entourage, accommodation, her other requirements, and private jet adding to Jolie's diva meltdown attitude. The report also added that Netflix was very interested in pacifying its star that even Angelina Jolie's son, Maddox was also given an executive producer credit on the movie.

Reports were swirling that the plan or Angelina Jolie's Cambodian trip was hatched by two of her confidantes, Chloe Dalton and Lady Arminka Helic. It can be recalled that these were the same women who reportedly came between her marriage with Brad Pitt in its last days.

After Angelina Jolie filed for divorce last September, Brad Pitt faced child abuse claims which the FBI further investigated and but was later dismissed. With that, some of Pitt's fans claimed that it was just a vicious move of the actress even calling it as a smear campaign against the actor.

Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie realized how the divorce affected her public image so reports were telling that she was looking for a powerful PR expert. Some said that she needs to do a lot of rebuilding her reputation after a nasty divorce battle as per Page Six.

When she opened up about the divorce, Angelina Jolie shared that her main focus now is her children and she hoped that this challenge will make them a stronger family. Besides, the actress seemed alright the past days even without Brad Pitt.
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 offers something serious for its viewers so fans should not miss this military crime drama offering from CBS network. The series features an elite team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation whose primary job is to analyze the most twisted and perverted criminal minds in the country in order to stop them. During episode 13, Spencer Reid played by Matthew Gray Gubler, was indicted for murder.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 promises to be more exciting for fans especially with another 22 episodes for the twelfth season. Last February 22 episode 14 on Collision Course saw the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) investigating the increasing deadly car crash incidents involving people in Bradenton, Florida. Fans could not, however, take their minds off Spencer Reid.

More bad news for Spencer Reid in "Criminal Minds" season 12 last episode as it looked like he will be spending more time in jail, according to The USA Times. The legal bureau failed to provide legal services to Spencer Reid so Emily Prentiss, former BAU Supervisory Special Agent, offered to help by looking for someone to take his case.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 Defense lawyer Jeananne Goossen, however, brought more bad news when she said Spencer Reid's case looked bad as his files do not show his innocence at all. After all, his fingerprints were found on the blade used to kill the victim.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 episode 15 on Alpha Male will be shown next, but still with no hope for Spencer Reid, as per iTech Post. He has to get used to an American prison where he will be transferred. He also has to contend with the antagonistic inmates waiting for him.

Those who have to be somewhere else during "Criminal Minds" season 12 next episode should try their best to stay at home if they don't want to miss Spencer Reid's struggle against his lawyers' advice to plead guilty. His lawyer said Reid would only serve up to five years in jail if he pleaded guilty. Reid wanted to prove his innocence, but the judge denied his request for bail.
An unscheduled video conference of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) with the participation of representatives of the OSCE SMM, Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) and ORDLO (separate regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions) representatives has taken place, Darka Olifer, press secretary for Leonid Kuchma who represents Ukraine in the Group, said.

"Donetsk filter station is damaged. Thousands of people were left without water. These are the consequences of violating the ceasefire. TCG urged ORDLO to ensure cease fire to conduct repair works," Olifer wrote on her Facebook page.

According to the report, the TCG also urged militants to investigate a number of incidents: the shelling of unarmed patrol and capture of the OSCE SMM's drone.

"The TCG reaffirmed the commitments undertaken during the meeting of February 15, 2017 in Minsk," Olifer said.
The battle between the good and the bad continues in the return of "Once Upon a Time" Season 6 in March on ABC. Aside from Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and Regina (Lana Parilla), fans should see the characters of Pinocchio (Eion Bailey) and Henry (Jared S. Gilmore) as they are set to play important roles.

The character of Henry in the continuation of "Once Upon a Time" Season 6 will be given emphasize, according to Korea Portal. Jared S. Gilmore will play a very important role in the next episodes of the fairy tale television series.

Although Henry might be an ordinary person in "Once Upon a Time" Season 6, his being a writer will be a big help for everyone. It has been said that his character will feature his special abilities to change someone else's tale.

Some people in the Storybrooke are beginning to fret with Henry's talent in "Once Upon a Time" Season 6. This will lead to questioning his power and role as a writer as he can change their story in the mystical book when he write or revisit their tale.

However, it is not yet revealed if Henry will alter the fate of Emma and Regina in the next episodes of "Once Upon a Time" Season 6. But according to reports, there is a big chance he will use the help of his magic pen to help his loved ones.

Meanwhile, it looks like Emma will get the help of Pinocchio in the return of "Once Upon a Time" Season 6, TV Guide reported. To recall, the role of Eion Bailey returned to help the character played by Jennifer Morrison and Regina to return to Storybrooke.

Pinocchio and Emma have a special relationship since the two met in the first season of the television series way back in 2011. Now that they meet again, the continuation of "Once Upon a Time" Season 6 will start to rebuild the two's long lost bond.


Although Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt officially announced their divorce in 2016, there are a lot of rumors still surrounding the couple's split. In fact, there are surfacing news the former husband of Jennifer Aniston feels upset with "Maleficent" star's interviews, portraying she's the victim.

In a recent interview with BBC, Angelina Jolie said her divorce from Brad Pitt is really difficult for her and their entire family. "I don't want to say very much about that, except to say it was a very difficult time," the 41-year-old actress disclosed.

However, in spite of her over publicized divorce from Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie insisted they will always stay as a family. The "Salt" star is also confident that they will all get through this phase of their life and will become stronger.

On the contrary, according to MStarsNews, Bradd Pitt feels like Angelina Jolie is just playing a victim on her interview. The 53-year-old actor doesn't like the way the "Changeling" star presents herself to the public after their high-profile divorce.

Bradd Pitt only wants to do now is finalize his divorce from Angelina Jolie and have the privilege to see their kids. Moreover, the insiders told The Sun the "Allied" actor remains to be loved by Hollywood. In fact, the sources revealed the mother-of-six is now hated in LA.

Brad Pitt is said to be an "accomplished Hollywood networker" and manages to have a lot of connections and friends in the industry. Angelina Jolie, on the other hand, has to "turn to China" to fund her big budget movie.

"Nobody will want to look like they're disloyal to him by under- writing a movie she directs," an insider revealed. Meanwhile, the author the 2010 unauthorized biography of Angelina Jolie Andrew Morton described the actress as a "very polarizing figure." Hence, he is not surprised Hollywood opted to support Brad Pitt more than her.


"Tokyo Ghoul" season 3's release is having problems since a lot of time has passed without clear information about its air date. Now, reports of its cancellation are coming in. Reports suggest that the third season might be replaced by a "Tokyo Ghoul" movie.

This news brings crushing disappointment to many fans across the globe, who were waiting eagerly since "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3 was announced. According to Yibada, the "Tokyo Ghoul" internet community on Reddit has been quite pessimistic about the actual release of the anime's third season.

Reddit users are tuning in to express their disappointment with the supposed cancellation of "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3, and one such user has taken to the portal to express her qualms regarding the release, stating that if it is going to be released, then an announcement would be following shortly.

The user has also stated that along with ongoing problems with the studio, "Tokyo Ghoul" anime was deviating from the story line set by "Tokyo Ghoul" manga writer Sui Ishida.Quite true to the Reddit users, Studio Pierrot has been quiet about the supposed "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3, and this is creating rumors of its cancellation.

As the news of "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3 cancellation is circulating, some of the fans have taken to believe that the third season is being replaced by a "Tokyo Ghoul" movie. If this is true, then a movie would be welcomed by fans, if the third season is indeed canceled.

There are also rumors suggesting that "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3 is indeed happening, as the internet community thinks that Studio Pierrot will not back out on their word. Moreover, it is believed that the third season would cast some light on Kaneki and his relationships, one such being with Touka Kirishima, who is an ex-waitress at Anteiku coffee shop.

Since there have been no official statements so far, fans can only hope that the movie is happening if the third season is not. Stay tuned for more updates on "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3.
Trump and the Deep State By Dr. Robert Owens

Words have meaning. A word is a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Rush Limbaugh is a master of the English language in my opinion on a par with Winston Churchill and is the undisputed American master of quips, labeling, and metaphors. As if to prove the point, Rush has once again coined a phrase that sums up a cultural phenomenon. He has dubbed those Progressives embedded within the federal bureaucracy the Deep State. This label perfectly describes those protected by the civil service acts as well as those political appointees who might be termed BHO holdovers. The commentary flowing from the Attila the Hun Chair through the golden microphone recently shines a spotlight on the fact that the Praetorian Guard of the establishment are working overtime to overthrow the results of the recent election. There is something reminiscent of Yogi Berras famous Deja vu all over again in all of this. It reminds me of the last president who was vocal about trying to drain the swamp. Richard Nixon set out to reform the alphabet soup of agencies that supposedly provide the government with intelligence. It turned into a game of who gets who first. The entire Watergate debacle was populated by ex-CIA and ex-FBI agents. The CIA reports were withheld from everyone until the deed had been done, a president overthrown, and everyone involved safely out with the usual federal golden parachute of a plumb pension with a Cadillac package. To catch lightening in a jar and see how this was all engineered and orchestrated see the seminal book The Silent Coup by Len Colodny and Robert Gettlin. This is the only book that tells the other side of the Watergate myth. If you consume the bilge being belched out by the ABCCBSNBCCNNMSNBC Cartel you would think that our president was attempting to establish a rule by decree imperial presidency. That is what we have had for the last eight years. That is what he was elected to replace with a government that governs as opposed to rule. And that is what the Deep State is trying their best to avoid. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people is as about as far from what we have had as you can get. That is what we voted for. That is what our President is trying to deliver and that is what the preprogrammed, prepaid protestors with their fill-in-the-blank signs are trying to prevent. However you call it; the Country Party versus the Government Party, the Perpetually Re-elected Versus the Flyover Country, or Them versus Us it all adds up to one thing a nation divided. Leave it to Rush to coin a name for that twin headed bird of prey, the government party of power, the Fusion Party. These are two gangs of political hacks plundering the producers of this country bound together by their contempt for us and their greed. They are bound and determined that they will not allow any motley collection of voters get between them and their swag. Dr. Robert Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com  2017 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens Home
The Gulag Archipelago, part two: A pillar of the state By Charlotte Cerminaro

There is a common misconception now that if we knew what the future held, including the consequences of our current actions, we would do whatever was necessary to protect that future. We would modify our behavior to avert disaster, enact laws to ensure security and take great care to prevent dangerous ideologies from gaining a foothold in our governing bodies and educational system.



But this is just theoretical. Despite common phrases like, Hindsight is always 20/20, we clearly do not learn from our mistakes. And we most certainly do not heed the warning signs of a clear and present danger, even when these signs are confirmed by people with first-hand experience in such things. Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, in a 1978 commencement address he gave at Harvard University, stated that America was in a vulnerable position, at a dangerous crossroads where it could easily find itself in the grip of a totalitarian government in the near future, if its current path remained unchanged. He further explained to these Ivy League graduates that a considerable number of Americans were morally weak, culturally confused, completely ignorant on recent history, and skeptical of everything except what came through their televisions and newspapers. In this condition, people are much more susceptible to the ubiquitous rhetoric used for brainwashing the masses, and ripe for a smooth, easy transfer of power from a peoples republic to a dictators socially engineered union. In Solzhenitsyns 1970 nobel prize winning epic,The Gulag Archipelago, we have a first-hand, intimately detailed account of how Soviet leaders used pervasive propaganda to keep their iron grip on millions of people. Russian emigres as distant as Shanghai, free from the clutches of Stalin, were persuaded by such compelling lies that they actually returned. Told that they would get a full pardon, could settle where they wished and work in any trade they wanted, were encouraged to return home. They were told they could bring along their possessions, whatever they wanted and as much as they wanted, from automobiles to pianos. Those who survived the steamship from China had a fate that was not unexpected. Upon landing in Russia they were immediately deported to labor camps; all of their possessions were confiscated by the state.



The narrative continues as we discover all the ways in which Soviet citizens were manipulated and controlled by lies. In the middle of WWII the ministry of propaganda didnt have to work very hard to convince the unhappy, fearful people that they should keep quiet and stay put. It was easy to make them believe that just over the Soviet border lay a fascist wasteland, a place where SS soldiers (goose-stepping to the music of Wagner) would arrest them, kill them or force them to become Nazis. They had no way of knowing that there was a flourishing Russian culture outside the USSR. That Russian emigres were writing books, reading the latest music and art critics, producing plays for theater and, most importantly, free to fight fascism (or communism). At a time when Dostoevskys books were anathema in Russia, universities all over the world were holding lectures on philosophical and thematic complexities in his writings.



Fast-forward about seventy-five years, to another country on a different continent. This country has just elected a new president. According to every media source across the nation, this man was not going to be elected. His opponent was going to win in a landslide so great that he (and his voters) were encouraged to resign. It was egregious enough that in the wake of the surprising election results several news agencies were forced to admit theyd engaged in deliberate and repeated yellow journalism. Throughout much of the campaign it was clear that one candidate was getting a free pass.Her negligence, resulting in many deaths and carelessly putting others in danger, was glossed over, as were her criminal acts to cover it up by destroying evidence. And while the future president was under the most intense scrutiny, undergoing the personal and financial equivalent of a full colonoscopy, his opponent and her media followers continued to lie with impunity. At any other time, in any other place and with almost any other person, this evidence of criminal behavior would be cause for imprisonment.



Realistically, though, this vast problem with media lies and political misconduct cant be blamed on poor Hillary. Although these issues preceded the presidential elections eight years ago, many would agree they took a startling turn then. In an age where ones personal information is nearly impossible to keep private, especially when professional investigators are involved, a man whose background was a complete mystery, was put in the highest office in the land. This man told tales every time he opened his mouth, broke almost every constitutional law and didnt keep even one promise he made while in office. He was, and still is, a media darling. But again, there is no reasonable explanation for this unless we view the media as an extension of the government rather than as free agents. More specifically, they are an extension of the extreme left-wing, socialist/globalist part of government. Now we finally get to the real reason our current president has kept them at a distance. When attempting to solve a problem, it is not enough to simply identify the problem. And while its not always easy to know where to start, it usually becomes apparent where we should or shouldnt be standing. An interviewer for The Guardian once asked Alexandr Solzenitsyn how it happened, how so many people had been ruined during the Soviet era. He immediately responded, In our country, the lie is not just a moral category; it is a pillar of the state! Charlotte B. Cerminaro is a Juilliard-trained classical musician who, in addition to being a studio and orchestral musician, enjoys writing.  2017 Home
GIGO-based energy and climate policies By Paul Driessen

Things are never quiet on the climate front. After calling dangerous manmade climate change a hoax and vowing to withdraw the USA from the Paris agreement, President Trump has apparently removed language criticizing the Paris deal from a pending executive order initiating a rollback of anti-fossil-fuel regulations, to help jumpstart job creation. Meanwhile, EPA Administration Scott Pruitt says he expects quick action to rescind the Clean Power Plan, a central component of the Obama Eras war on coal and hydrocarbons. The US House Committee on Science, Space and Technology is reopening its investigation into NOAAs mishandling or tampering with global temperature data, for a report designed to promote action in Paris in 2015. Hundreds of scientists signed a letter urging President Trump to withdraw from the UN climate agency. They warn that efforts to curtail carbon dioxide emissions are not scientifically justified and will kill jobs and exacerbate US and international poverty without improving the environment or stabilizing climate. Hundreds of other scientists told Mr. Trump he must not waver on climate stabilization efforts or make any moves to defund government or university climate research. Hundreds of businessmen and investors told the President failure to build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk. Over in Britain, Members of Parliament say efforts to build a low-carbon economy have led to a 58% rise in electricity prices since 2006, sending manufacturing and jobs overseas, to countries that are under no obligation to reduce fossil fuel use or CO2 emissions. MPs are also angry that carefully hidden green subsidies will account for nearly one-fourth of sky-high residential electricity bills by 2020. All of this is a valuable reminder that the Climate Crisis & Renewable Energy Industry is now a $1.5-trillion-a-year business! And thats just for its private sector components, the corporate rent-seekers. This monstrous price tag does not include the Big Green environmentalism industry, the salaries and pensions of armies of federal, state, local, foreign country and UN bureaucrats who create and coordinate climate and renewable energy programs, or the far higher electricity and motor fuel costs that businesses and families must pay, to cover the costs of saving people and planet from climate ravages. Earths climate is likely changing somewhere, as it has throughout planetary and human history. Our fuel use and countless other human activities may play a role, at least locally  but their role is dwarfed to near irrelevance by powerful solar, oceanic, cosmic ray and other natural forces. Moreover, real-world ice, sea level, temperature, hurricane, drought and other observations show nothing outside historic fluctuations. Unprecedented disasters exist only in the realm of hypotheses, press releases and computer models. So there is no reason to cede control over our livelihoods and living standards to politicians, activists and bureaucrats; replace reliable, affordable fossil fuel energy with expensive, unreliable renewables; destroy millions of jobs in the process; and tell billions of impoverished people they must be content with solar ovens, solar panels, wind turbines, and health, nutrition and living standards little better than todays. There is no reason to honor the document that President Obama unilaterally signed in Paris. As Dr. Steve Allen observed in a masterful analysis: The decisive action promised in the treaty that is not a treaty consists of governments, most of them run by dictators and thieves, promising, on an honor system, to take steps of their own choosing, to change future weather patterns, and then coming up with ways by which they can measure their own progress and hold themselves accountable by their own standards for the promises they have made, on penalty of no punishment if they break their word. Mainly, Allen continues, the Paris con is about taking money from taxpayers and consumers and businesspeople and electricity ratepayers, and giving it to crony capitalists; and taking money from people in relatively successful countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries, to benefit governing elites. India alone wants hundreds of billions of dollars in climate adaptation and reparation money from industrialized nations that are supposed to slash their fossil fuel use, CO2 emissions and economic growth, while pouring trillions into the Green Climate Fund. Meanwhile, India, China and other rapidly developing nations are firing up hundreds of coal-fueled power plants, burning more oil and gas, and emitting more CO2, to industrialize their countries and lift their people out of abject poverty  as well they should. So just follow the money  and power-grabbing. That is the real source of the religious fervor, the Catechism of Climate Cataclysm, behind the vehement denunciations of President Trump for having the gall to threaten the global high priests who drive and profit from climate change fear mongering. Those forces are desperate and determined to keep their power and money train on track. Theyre ramping up indignation and cranking out research to justify their demands. For example: Expert Market (whose core expertise is helping companies compare prices for postage meters, coffee machines and other B2B products) has just released a study purporting to show which US states will suffer most from Trumps climate change denial and Americas climate change inaction. The total cost will be $506 billion by 2050, just for hurricane and other real estate damages, extra energy costs, and more frequent and severe droughts. Vermont emerged as the state worst equipped to handle the cost, the study contends, while Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas are also severely at risk. California and New York are among those best able to endure the imminent chaos. It sounds horrific  and its intended to be, the better to pressure the White House and Congress to codify and enforce the nonbinding provisions of the Paris non-treaty, and retain Obama-era anti-hydrocarbon energy policies. But the entire exercise is a classic example of Garbage In/Garbage Out (GIGO) black box computer modeling, carefully crafted to ensure the justifications required for a predetermined political outcome, especially the monumental nationwide green initiatives that Expert Market supports. Thus, carbon dioxide will drive rapidly rising global temperatures that will warm the planet enough to increase sea surface temperatures dramatically  spawning more frequent, more damaging hurricanes, and melting polar ice caps enough to raise sea levels 23 inches by 2050, the Expert Market experts assert. Global warming measured in hundredths of a degree over the past 19 years will suddenly be replaced by runaway heat waves. Seas now rising at 7 inches per century will suddenly climb at ten times that rate over the next three decades, sending storm surges far inland. Major US land-falling hurricanes that have been absent now for eleven years will suddenly proliferate to unprecedented levels. How Vermont and the other top-five worst equipped states  all of them inland  will be affected by any of this is anyones guess. But the model says theyre at risk, so we must take drastic action now. Soaring temperatures will increase demand for air conditioning, and thus raise household energy costs, says Expert Market. CA, NY and other green state electricity costs are already twice as high as those in coal and gas-reliant states. Imposing wind and solar initiatives on fossil fuel states would likely double their family and business energy costs, but that factor is not included in its calculations. Droughts will become more frequent and severe in states already afflicted by arid conditions  assuming all the dire CO2 depredations, and ignoring both those states long experience with drought cycles and how Californias years-long drought has once again given way to abundant rainfall. The Expert Market study is symptomatic of the politicized assumptions and data manipulation that have driven climate models and disaster scenarios since the IPCC began studying manmade climate chaos. Indeed, the entire climate chaos exercise is akin to basing public safety policies on computer models that assume dinosaur DNA extracted from fossilized amber will soon result in hordes of T rexes running rampant across our land. We deserve a more honest, rational basis for policies that govern our lives. Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org) and author of Eco-Imperialism: Green power - Black death. Home
New bottle, same old partisanship By Daniel M. Ryan

As many expected, this last week of the Trump Presidency was another instalment of the President Trump Reality Show. As fewer expected, President Trump has not been the buffoon. No, that role is willingly filled by the goofier sort of prog  and the liberal media. Case in point: last Friday at whenever, witches around the world were to gather forth and cast a binding spell on Donald Trump. Despite being pushed by the likes of Lana del Ray, the New York Covenella in front of Trump Tower was a bust. The witches have learned that social-media hashtag magic doesnt have much of an effect on dowdy ol meatspace. Sorry, Elle; witchcraft aint the new Thing after all. The more serious ructions of last week, plus the tragic downfall of Milo, have show in real time that American politics is thoroughly partisanized. Anyone here remember the old days when the theories about the liberal academy, liberal media, liberal Hollywood, etc., were smugly dismissed out of hand as conspiracy theories? How times have changed! All of these sectors are not only obviously liberal, but are also mobilizing against Donald Trump - openly. An old cops saw says that the best confession comes when the perp brags about his crime. The open partisanship were seeing is about as close as one can get. Any muffin who claims today that talk about the liberal media, etc. is a conspiracy theory? is going to invite the response, What universe are you living in?? To top it off, the Establishment candidate for the DNC chair won last Saturday: 235-220. To his credit, Tom Perez nominated the Sanders-backed runner-up Keith Ellison to the vice-chairship. Interestingly, the Dems might as well have borrowed this technique from the much more partisanized parties in Parliamentary democracies. Its an old custom for the runner-up in a party leadership race to be given a senior slot in the Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet. In Canada its such an ingrained tradition, knowing political commentators often observe that a long-shot for the win is really running for a Cabinet slot. Another ingrained tradition, just so yall know, is voting the party line unless the party leader specifically gives permission not to. If you remember the Obamacare vote, not to mention at least one Trump confirmation, the Dems are imbibing this Parliamentary tradition too. Underneath the reality show, President Trump is still seeing to the nations business. Last week, DHS solicited preliminary tenders for The Wall. Deportation of illegal immigrants who have committed other crimes are continuing apace, and sanctuary cities are eye-openingly unpopular. One of the more heart-warming changes is a crackdown on sex trafficking. Liz Crokin, who called attention to this salutary change, also complained that the MSM has largely ignored it. Not to detract from her writing, but the MSM ignoring it has a definite upside. It reminds us that we have to look elsewhere for news of this sort: that we have to change the channel? from time to time to get the truth. We are living in the age of alternative facts, something that Thomas-Sowell Conservatives have become quite used to. Women as a whole differing in their career priorities: thats been an alternative fact weve known for a long time. Yet another alternative fact, which the Trump Administration is doing something about, is the burden of regulatory compliance and the consequent draining of jobs. At CPAC, Steve Bannon laid out the three foundations of the Trump Administration in his CPAC speech: homeland security, economic nationalism and Deconstruction of the Administrative State..? Liberal comedian Bill Maher had some fun with the last one: The scariest thing at CPAC was President Steve Bannon saying... Trumps cabinet was selected for a reason, and that is the 'deconstruction of the administrative state.' Wow. Im not sure the word for that is 'conservative.' I think its 'terrorist.'  You cant impeach a guy for, my plan is to wreck everything. What if you tried this at Quiznos? I intend to spit in this sandwich, steal all the money from the register, and burn the place down. What do you think?" These wiseacre remarks did cause controversy, which is exactly what Maher was looking for. Its useful to remember that what he said was mere words. One of the noteworthy aspects of Milos tragic downfall was that it was caused by mere words he said, words that can be forgiven when we remember that he himself was sexually abused. Tragic Downfall, Encouraging Support We now have a real litmus test to see who belongs to the so-called Alt-Lite: if you forgave Milo or stuck up for him, youre in. His New-Right compadres, like Mike Cernovich, have stuck up for him. To be clear, CPAC disinviting Milo was the right decision. That organization caters to all conservatives, not just to the edgy New Right. Any organization named the Conservative Political Action Conference has to take social-conservative views into consideration. Having a keynote speaker who ostensibly had good things to say about pederasty is not the way to do it. That noted, the pile-on on Milo as if he were a stereotypical morals-crusader caught in a honeypot is not appropriate. Milo never made any secret about his homosexuality: he flaunted it. During the time when he was riding high, the times when he said those things on the Joe Rogan and Drunken Peasants podcasts, he was very explicitly referring to not only his homosexuality but also his predilection for black partners. Openly broadcasting his preferences  which have not included any hint of pederasty - were very much part of his shtick. He was very far from a morals crusader, and its baffling as to why hes being treated like one. Who in his right mind saw Milo as a paladin? His supporters looked up to him because hes been a top-gun rogue. Moreover, his remarks are easy to categorize as the blowharding of an abused boy who couldnt face the fact that he was sexually abused. The bravado in his remarks are consistent with a wounded boy trying to make the best of his trauma. A similar bravado by a normal person about, say, losing his legs is easily pegged as gallows humour. Imagine a double amputee making jokes about losing his legs: Well if I hadnt, I wouldnt have built up my pile-drive pecs!? Now imagine that a group of people are raising up a howl about that double amputee saying that boys should have their legs amputated! Hes a Wounded Warrior, so hell convince a bunch of boys that they should have their legs sawed off!!? Wouldnt you feel that you had been teleported to the Nutso Zone? There have been warnings after warnings after warnings about predators, and Milos remarks are very easy to peg as a thinly-disguised cry of pain  the pain of a now-grown boy who was wounded by two of those predators. His words are easy to peg as symptomatic. How on Earth could he be held up as a leader for pederasts? As noted above, Milos dis-invitation was appropriate for the CPAC venue. Theres a case to be made that he shouldnt have been invited in the first place. But given his service, albeit as a champeen rogue, wouldnt it be better to let the poor fellow lick his wounds and be a bit thankful for his bravery? At the very least, theres a pragmatic case to be made for not burying him and pretending he was never an ally. He was never anything like Jimmy Bakker. Of course, the fecal cake would not be complete without double standards at Milos expense. One of them, a grating one, pertains to his words about Hollywood parties that he attended in which drug-fueled pederasty was a part. He said he witnessed them several years ago, when he was an unknown in a town thats not kind to nobodies. His tone when disclosing this dark secret very clearly indicated that he was warning people about the dark side of Hollywood. He did not name any names. Im old enough to remember Corey Feldman doing essentially the same thing: saying that there were dark pedophile rings in Hollywood, and not naming any names. He too was warning people about that abuse. Mr. Feldman was lionized for his bravery. But Milo? No: he was lambasted as a coward for refraining from what Mr. Feldman refrained from. Milo, a man who was sexually abused as a boy and who carries the resultant wounds, was condemned for not naming names. Mr. Feldman, who himself said he was abused, was praised and admired even though he named no names.. If youre someone who believes that Mr. Feldman did us a huge service by speaking out, this double standard is particularly molar-grinding. The other double standard is of course political. Allow your humble scribe to name the name George Takei. Double-Standard Weakness To move away from the tragedy of Milo, President Trumps bashing away at the liberal media is continuing. He caught a lot of howls for not allowing CNN, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC and the Guardian into an off-camera White House briefing held in Sean Spicer's office. Reporters from the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, USA Today and Time did not attend in sympathy, which did not deter President Trump a whit. Last Saturday, he tweeted that he will not be attending the White House Correspondents Association dinner. The Trump Trains still a rollin. Have you ever wondered why the liberal media makes such a serviceable LOLcow? Its because their partisanship, now blatant, has gotten to the point where the MSM worthies have become weakened by it. How? The answers in the favouritism accorded to the Obama Administration. The leak-loving liberal media showed no such liking when Obama was President. Allow your scrivener to names names, courtesy of Glenn Greenwald: James Rosen, Jim Risen, Mr. Greenwald himself. And of course, we cant forget Sharyl Atkisson. From one angle, this double standard is the usual: another day at the fertilizer office. But from another angle, it says that the MSM liberals place ideological conformity above group loyalty. In other words: theyre like a herd of caribou that dont mind one of their own being snatched by the wolves, provided that the wolves have the right ideological coat. Regardless of what you think of wolves, those caribou make for a weak herd. Yep: placing ideology about group loyalty is precisely the weakness that makes the media easy for Trump to turn into LOLcows. It leaves something to think about for the Progressive professor who feels no qualm about shafting an ideologically impure colleague, or a Progressive mogul who isnt bothered by making sure a righty A-list actor never works in Hollywood again. Daniel M. Ryan, as Nxtblg, is shepherding the independently-run Open Audi Initiative Prediction Market Shadowing Project. He has stubbornly assumed all the responsibility and blame for the workings and outcome of the project. Home
On the record? Not liberal professors! By Dennis Prager

After the election of Donald Trump as president, a professor at Orange Coast College in California, Olga Perez Stable Cox, went into an extended hate rant against the president-elect. Among other things, she described Trump's election as an "act of terrorism," labeled him a white supremacist and called Vice President-elect Mike Pence "one of the most anti-gay humans in this country." And this wasn't even a political science class in which one might expect political talk, no matter how irresponsible. Cox is a professor of human sexuality. When a student who recorded the diatribe posted the recording on social media, the professor's union, the Coast Federation of Educators, AFT local chapter 1911, said on Facebook: "This is an illegal recording without the permission of the instructor. The student will be identified and may be facing legal action." According to the union, the recording "violated the professor's course syllabus, the Coast Community College District Code of Student Conduct, and the California Educational Code (sic), section 78907, which (exists) to provide a robust, learning environment for all students irrespective of their opinions." The aforementioned California Education Code section states, "The use by any person, including a student, of any electronic listening or recording device in any classroom without the prior consent of the instructor is prohibited." The American Association of University Professors has long opposed unauthorized recording and public posting of what professors say in classrooms. As it happens, I taught for two years at Brooklyn College. I recall students asking me whether they could record my lectures. And I remember thinking, "Why on Earth would I say no?" I wanted whatever I said in a classroom to be heard by more than 50 people. "Who wouldn't?" I wondered. Here, then, is my theory as to why most professors who object to their class lectures being recorded do so: They fear having what they say exposed to the general public. Our colleges and universities (and an increasing number of high schools and elementary schools) have been transformed from educational institutions into indoctrination institutions. With the left-wing takeover of universities, their primary aim has become graduating as many leftists as possible. The vast majority of our colleges have become left-wing seminaries. Just as Christian seminaries exist to produce committed Christians, Western universities exist to produce committed leftists. Aside from the Christian-leftism difference, universities differ in only one respect from Christian seminaries: Christian seminaries admit their goal, whereas the universities deceive the public about theirs. Thus, in the "social sciences"  disciplines outside the natural sciences and math  a large number of college teachers inject their politics into their classrooms. And if they are recorded, the general public will become aware of just how politicized their classroom lectures are. But there is another reason. Most professors objecting to being recorded know on some level that they are persuasive only when their audience is composed largely of very young people just out of high school. They know that if their ideas are exposed to adults, they may be revealed as intellectual lightweights. Students therefore need to understand that when professors object to being recorded, it is a statement of contempt for them. The professors are, in effect, saying to their students: "Listen. I can get away with this intellectually shallow, emotion-based propaganda when you are the only people who actually hear it. You aren't wise enough to perceive it as such. But if people over 21 years of age hear it, I'm toast." All rules governing the recording of conversations without permission should apply to a professor meeting privately with a student. But when professors stand in front of a class, they are in the public domain. Moreover, the public pays at least part of these professors' salary at virtually every university. We therefore have a right, and even a duty, to know what professors say publicly in classrooms. In fact, I would encourage every student who cares about truth and intellectual honesty to record what their professors say in class. I would also encourage every parent to find out for what they are paying. And I would encourage professors to record themselves in order to protect themselves against doctored material. Any professor who is not ashamed of what he or she is saying in class should welcome being recorded. And any student taking a class with a professor who objects to being recorded should know that this objection is almost always equivalent to the professor saying: "I want you to hear what I say in class because I'm quite confident that you can't differentiate between instruction and indoctrination. But if what I say goes public, people who do know the difference will expose me as a propagandist." Dennis Mark Prager is an American conservative and nationally syndicated radio talk show host, columnist, author, and public speaker. Home
Trumps wall can be a memorial, too By Michael R. Shannon

Theres been a great deal of controversy regarding who is going to pay for Trumps border wall. The option thats most popular is sending Mexico a bill. This would require the man Mark Steyn calls President Pinata to bring a big check to the groundbreaking ceremony or possibly pay on the installment plan  like renttoown furniture in an illegals crash pad. Should the Mexican check not materialize or if it bounces like a jumping bean there are alternatives. Oklahoma has a remittance tax that puts a one percent fee on all wire transfers sent outofstate. According to the Center for Immigration Studies a similar US tax would mainly fall on illegals and could bring in between one a two billion dollars a year. More than enough to pay for the wall with some left over for environmental stalling studies. Or theres always the even more controversial tariff on imported Mexican goods. Frankly, I dont care who pays as long as the wall is built, but my wife did have an innovative idea to provide seed funding while details on the larger payments are worked out. It has the dual advantage of not requiring tax dollars and proving to the opposition media there is broadbased support for Trumps wall. She wants Trump to sell individual bricks or cinder blocks to Americans who want a part of the wall for themselves. The American public made it possible to tear down the Berlin Wall that kept Germans in; why not let them make it possible to build the border wall to keep illegals out? This is an ideal solution for a capitalist entrepreneur like the president. Each commemorative block could contain a message from the donor. It could be something as simple as Thank you President Trump or pointed as Why Isnt Ted Kennedy Buried Under this Wall? Her original idea was more specific regarding sales. She thought victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens would be happy to buy a brick. I like this, too, although I would have a sliding price scale for each brick depending upon the crime involved. I think the two bricks I buy for friends killed by drunken illegals should get a discount, while the man who wants to immortalize I was frightened by illegals in the 7/11 parking lot should pay full freight. The brick commemorating my daughters car that was totaled by an illegal would fit somewhere between the two extremes. Trump could save on construction expenses by requiring all illegals in federal detention be put to work building the wall inspired by their law breaking. The symmetry certainly has its appeal. Currently there is no real penalty to being repeatedly caught violating our border, other than processing delays before Obama holdovers send you north. A few months operating a shovel for free might serve as a real deterrent. If the brick idea doesnt appeal to the White House, how about taking the money Trump doesnt send to Sanctuary Cities and spend that on the wall? The solution is a twofer: Financing and poetic justice. Until recently Ive been stumped trying to understand the motivation behind declaring ones city a safe haven for lawbreakers. Why should the Mexican who steals privileges that dont belong to him get a free pass and the citizen who steals a cellphone be arrested? What possible benefit is it to lawabiding residents for elected officials to encourage the inmigration of a criminal underclass? Unless the underclass is all in the backyard, celebrating Cinco de Mayo with the rest of the family. California State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon introduced a bill to make the entire state of California a Sanctuary, because half of my family would be eligible for deportation under [Trumps] executive order. De Leon is more than willing to risk forfeiting millions of dollars in federal money if it means he wont have to travel to Matamoros to enjoy grandmas tamales. Its also De Leons belief that if Americans can donate half their insurance premiums to pay for Obamacare coverage for someone else, they should have no problem splitting their identity with a hard working illegal. After all De Leon contends identity theft is what you need to survive, to work in this country. Personally I wouldnt want to dine in a restaurant that wouldnt let you send back a bad entre and I wouldnt want to live in a state that wont send back a bad hombre. De Leon and the rest of the illegal enablers participating in a conspiracy to obstruct federal law are not only importing members of their tribe at the expense of citizens, they also appear to be importing the corrupt Mexican politics the refugees are supposedly fleeing. Michael R. Shannon is a public relations and advertising consultant with corporate, government and political experience around the globe. He is a dynamic and entertaining keynote speaker. He can be reached at mandate.mmpr (at) gmail.com. He is also the author of Conservative Christian's Guidebook for Living in Secular Times (Now with added humor!). Home
The Great Calcutta Killings of August 1946 is an odd sort of historical event. It is the single most impactfuland ghastlyincident in the history of 20th century colonial Bengal. The fury of this massacre changed the course of subcontinental history and made the partition of Bengal inevitable. While accounts of that day linger on in private memories in Kolkata, yet, for an event so seminal, there is paradoxically little public recall.

From 2014, however, a far right group, the Hindu Samhati, has celebrated a goonda, Gopal Pantha Mukherjee, a key driver of the violence, and known to be close to Congressman Bidhan Chandra Roy, who would go on to become the chief minister of West Bengal. The fact that the only public recall of 1946 is from a fringe ultra-nationalist group is, maybe, a pointer to how the killings are embalmed. Historian Claude Markovits (2007) writes:
It is wrong to ignore unified state policy  Chubarov on Savchenko's visit to Donbas

Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputy (Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction) Refat Chubarov has criticized the recent trip of parliament deputy Nadezhda Savchenko to occupied Donetsk, saying he is against attempts to fracture unified state policy into pieces.

"It is wrong to break up the unified state policy into pieces, and this goes for parliament deputies, as well. I regard these kinds of initiatives very negatively," Chubarov told journalists before the opening of the international conference, titled "Crimea under occupation: repercussions for Ukraine and the world," which began in Kyiv on Saturday.

The Mejlis chairman said there were precedents in history when lawmakers during war were forbidden to enter into negotiations with representatives of the enemy without first coordinating their activities with state policy, even to solve humanitarian issues.

As earlier reported, on February 24, a representative of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said Savchenko had visited Donetsk in order to meet with captured Ukrainian soldiers.

Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction deputy Tetiana Rychkova said Savchenko met with Ukrainian soldiers to urge them to revolt against Ukraine's current authorities and called on Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office and Ukraine's SBU Security Service to investigate.
The Madras High Courts Madurai bench order on 20 November 2016, restraining the taking of water for multinational companies (MNCs) from the Tamirabarani river, the only perennial river in backward south Tamil Nadu, is a victory for those who fought for protecting common property resources (CPRs). Liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation policies enable MNCs to exploit natural resources away from the fast growing consumer-base economies like India. While a drought-like situation is prevailing in large parts of Tamil Nadu, the recent court order is a blessing in disguise to the local population.

Owing to a deficient south-west monsoon and the near failure of the north-east monsoon, Tamil Nadu is heading towards a drinking water crisis and its agrarian economy is depressed. The Tamirabarani river normally benefits from both the south-west and north-east monsoon seasons. The failure of the monsoon this year has had a severe impact, with the evaporation of water, particularly from the Papanasam dam and Manimuthar dam.

These precious natural CPRs, like water, are being sold at abysmally low rates to MNCs, who in turn sell them in the form of aerated drinks and packaged drinking mineral water at high prices. Ever since the Indian government signed the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) in 1996, many beverage MNCs have entered the Indian market to capitalise on the potential (Joseph 2016). The result is that CPRs like water are exploited by corporate, while the local population is left to fend for themselves and the whole process becomes a tragedy of commons (Narayanamoorthy and Venkatachalam 2011).

Industrial Relations and Water

The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) leased out 36 acres of land[1], in Gangaikondan village situated 15 kilometres (km) from Tirunelveli, to Prathishta Business Solutions for a period of 99 years at the rate of `15 lakh per acre. An agreement was also reached with the South Indian Bottling Company (SIBC) for a little lesser area of 31.54 acres. Both companies are co-packers for the giant MNCs of PepsiCo and Coca Cola, respectively. SIPCOT also consented to sell a whopping 15 lakh litres of water each day at the meagre rate of `37.50 for every 1,000 litres of water. It is ironic that while local people have to get drinking water intermittently and the agriculture sector is in distress, the state in order to facilitate water uptake for the MNCs has constructed a check dam across the Tamirabarani rivernear Seevalaperi village.

It is well known that though water is supplied to the MNCs at a low rate, aerated beverages and packaged drinking water are sold at exorbitant rates; even milk is cheaper than bottled so-called mineral water (Narayanamoorthy and Alli 2014). Realising the growing demand for packaged drinking water, the Tamil Nadu government started selling water[2] at bus stands and other vantage points through the road transport authoritiesthe Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and the State Transport Authorityat the rate of `10 per litre.

Despite strong protests from local communities, farmers, political parties and civil society organisations such as the Save Tamirabarani Movement, Tamil Nadu Science Forum, Peoples Welfare Front and the Consumer Protection Association (CPA), permission was granted to these companies; obviously due to a lack of vision alongside political pressure. Aggrieved communities started to seek wider support from social media and garnered overwhelming support. Nearly one lakh supporters came together to file a public interest litigation (PIL) in the high courts Madurai bench in December 2015 under the aegis of the secretary of the CPA. The high court has restrained SIPCOT from supplying water from the Tamirabarani rivera lifeline for four districtsto the MNCs.

A number of beverage units have been eyeing the Tamirabarani basin as the water quality is excellent. Factors like the pH level, electro conductivity, chloride and hardness are well within the acceptable limits and therefore, the bottling and purification costs are likely to be low. In 2005 a subsidiary of Coca Cola was permitted to set up a bottling plant in Gangaikondan. Even as protests against Coca Cola continued, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board permitted the company to expand its unit, doubling the plants intake to 18 lakh litres a day. However, sensing the seriousness of the publics outcry, SIPCOT withdrew the permission.

In the face of stiff opposition from the local communities, the companies promised that more than 5,000 people would be employed in their units. However, barely 500 have been given jobs. The people came out onto the streets and intensified their protests in which civil society organisations and all major political parties actively participated. The relentless protests did not yield any tangible result for long. The recent court order, albeit interim, has given some hope to the local populace.

Withering agriculture

The Tamirabarani river originates from the southern tip of the Pothigai hill range on the Western Ghats and the Papanasam and Manimuthar dams feed the river. It has eight tributaries which confluence at Punnaikayal in Thoothukudi district, near the Gulf of Mannarlocated between the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Water from the river is used for irrigation purposes and covers 120 km2 in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, while drinking water is supplied to Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts. The Tamirabarani basin has rich soil, a regular supply of water and any damage to it will affect the local economy in general and the agrarian economy in particular. Opposition to this project has therefore been intense across the region.

Paddy is the single largest crop, as 60.7% of the total five lakh acres of cropped area is used to grow it and around 64% of the crop is irrigated under the Tamirabarani ayacut (the area served by an irrigation project such as a canal, dam or a tank). Superior quality, fine variety paddy is grown here. Tamil Nadu Agriculture Universitys Rice Research Station, located on the banks of the river in Ambasamuthiram, developed many varities of rice which are not only suitable to the local agroclimatic conditions but are also resistant to pests and diseases. However, due to the drought-like conditions and low storage in the dams,[3] farmers are restrained from growing for two seasons, even in the upstream areas. Sadly crops grown in the khar season (kharif) (June to September) in many parts are withering for want of water and paddy nurseries are wilting during the pisanam season (rabi) (October to March) due to the paucity of water.

The industrial sector is also served by Tamirabarani water and the withdrawal of water solely by the MNCs, will seriously affect other industries. A large quantity of water is used by major industries like Sankar Cements, Sun Paper Mills, Madura Textiles, Southern Petrochemicals Industries, Tuticorin Thermal Power Station, Dharngadhara Chemical Works, Sterlite Industries, besides many small-scale industrial clusters. Industrial units in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi are entirely dependent on the river for supplying five crore litres of water every day and their demand is growing annually. On their part, the controversial Koodangulam Nuclear Power Plant and the high-tech park at Nanguneri taluk are planning to draw water from the river. Around 20 integrated drinking water projects supply water to four southern districts, including the water perched and semi-arid Ramanathapuram district.

Biodiversity in terms of wild animals and rare species, residing in the Western Ghats, also live on the banks of the river and any damage to the rivers natural flow will disturb the ecosystem and their very survival. In fact, a national spotted deer sanctuary in the reserve forest area between Gangaikondan and Thaazhaiyoothu, encompassing 441.16 hectare, is the southern-most natural habitat for spotted deer in the country. This sanctuary was notified by the Tamil Nadu department of Environment and Forests in its letter GO (MS) No 150 dated 1 October 2013 and is located just 4 km away from the industrial complex in Gangaikondan. The lack of water forces many deers to be hit by speeding vehicles on the adjacent Tirunelveli-Madurai four lane national highway as they move out of their habitat in search of food and water (Sudhakar 2012).

Flouting Rules and Exploitation of Resources

It is understood that the state water resource management agency, under the Public Works Department, did not approve of the drawing of river water by the beverage companies. Also, the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (TANSIDCO) fixed certain eligibility criteria that had to be met, in order to approve of water-based industrial units (SIPCOT) inside the estate. Contrary to this criterion, permission was accorded to the water sucking beverage units.

The Water Policy and Action Plan for India 2020, emphasises that while allocating water priorities should be accorded for drinking and domestic use, sustaining livelihoods and maintaining river systems, among other objectives. More importantly water allocation should be decided by local communities at the watershed level. However, in Gangaikondan 27 industries are being supplied with 18,40,871 litres of water everday, while 73 industries in Thoothukudi are being provided with 15, 89,769 litres per day. It is noted that beverage companies alone are provided with 10% of the total water drawn from the river for their industrial purposes, even though they only occupy 67.54 acres out of the total 2,030 acres of industrial estate.

Exploiting natural resources in the name of development is the order of the day and it is increasing at an alarming rate across the country. The non-judicial use of such resources also results in depleting the resource base in a biodiversity rich, Indian subcontinent. Nevertheless, local communities started opposing such MNC-centric projects. A similar case was witnessed in neighbouring Kerala where, after tirelessly fighting along with the local panchayat, PepsiCo had to withdraw its project from Moolathara village of Attoor taluk in Palakkad district (Bijoy 2006). Here the over-exploitation of groundwater resulted in the drying up of local wells and the exacerbation of a drinking water crisis.

Sucking huge amounts of water by sinking tube wells close to the river and using monstrous pumpsets will reduce the availability of water for local use thereby causing innumerable miseries and a lot of inconvenience, as the water tables in neighbourhood wells will also be affected. Only a few resource-endowed farmers have the capacity to dig bore wells for irrigation to tide over the water crisis. The present high court order has come at a crucial time and the protesters are now demanding that the water supply be permanently stopped. Concomitantly, sand mining and the over-exploitation of riverbed sands are already causing huge damage to farming as groundwater is depleting fast.

Southern Tamil Nadu, though economically backward, is rich in natural resources like minerals on the seashore. In connivance with the officials, local barons manipulated the rules and exploited resources causing a huge loss to the state exchequer (Rajendran 2013). Also, such activities have completely damaged the local environmental balance and natural calamities like floods and/or tsunamis have created havoc to fishing, agriculture and other means of livelihood. It is feared that the presence of beverage units along the Tamirabarani river will bring about a disaster to the agrarian economy and its allied activities in the district(s).

Struggled Victorie

Given the threat, multinational beverage companies pose for waterbodies, civil-society organisations and the local environment, peoples resistance is growing across the country and in many cases, community-led struggles lead the process. Such struggles have resulted in the closure of PepsiCos Palakkad unit in Kerala and the closure of a Coca Cola unit in water-stressed Kala Dera near Jaipur, Rajasthan. In 2014 a researcher from the University of Michigans Stephen M Ross School of Business reported that extraction of groundwater by Coca-Cola in the water perched Kaladera region led to a tragedy of commons. In April 2014, Coca-Colas plan to set up a bottling plant at Chharba village in Uttarakhand was rejected by the state, owing to local resistance. Similarly, in August 2014 Coca-Cola abandoned a fully built $25 million bottling plant in Mehdiganj near Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh. Unable to bear the pressure from farmers and villagers the state government rejected companys application, albeit belatedly.

PepsiCo has been facing the wrath of locals at its Suriyur plant, located next-door to Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu. Activists under the banner of Thanneer Iyakkam took up this issue in 2011. It was reported that the unit was operating without the requisite licenses (India Resource Centre 2015).

Multinational beverage giants are facing a number of legal battles in India for their unsustainable and anti-environment actions. Delhis Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal on 11 December 2015 ordered an investigation into the discharge of untreated effluent water by the Coca-Cola plant. The Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) made shocking revelations as to the presence of pesticide residues in 12 major brands of soft drinks produced by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in India in 2003 (Yadav 2004). Subsequently, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (GOI 2004) also endorsed the CSEs report, but no concrete action has followed.

In fact, after stiff resistance from the local communities under the banner of Perundurai environment protection rust on 20 April last year, SIPCOT cancelled the allotment of land to the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited at Perundurais SIPCOT industrial cluster in Erode district.[4] The company planned to set up a bottling facility with an investment of `500 crore. There were allegations that local politicians favoured the company, unmindful of the adverse implications. Despite this, peoples power yielded positive results and the company was forced to withdraw from the project. Activists question why the Tamil Nadu Government is keen on supplying large quantities of water to beverage companies, particularly when the state is water-starved and is dependent on Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for water supply.

Conclusions

The authorities while granting permission to effectively manage and use natural resources, including water, should not only consider the economic issues but also should bear in mind the externalities by looking at the long-term implications of a decision at the grass-roots level. Local panchayats and stakeholders need to be consulted through extensive and intensive public hearings before permitting projects that directly impinge on the needs of the community. People first should be the mantra for any developmental agenda. In and around Gangaikondan people prefer labour intensive industrial units to water guzzling factories. There are proposals to set up rubber and textile units which are welcomed by locals.

The court order is a temporary relief. Meanwhile, another PIL petition [(WP9MD) No 22425/2015] filed in 2015, against the supply of water to private companies is pending before the Madurai High Court bench and the people are determined to fight for the cause.

Notes [1] SIPCOTs Industrial Growth Centre is situated here. [2] This is sold under the brand name Amma Water. [3] Poor storage in Papanasam and Manimuthar dams forced the authorities to stop releasing water. [4] Perundurai has been declared as groundwater overexploited area and it was planned to draw water from Bhvani river tributary of Cauvery, a contentious issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

References

Bijoy C R (2006): Keralas Plachimada Struggle, 14 October, Economic and Political Weekly, http://www.epw.in/journal/2006/41/insight/keralas-plachimada-struggle.html.

GOI (2004): Joint Committee Report on Pesticide Residues in and Safety Standards for Soft Drinks, Fruit Juice and other Beverages, 4 February, Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.

India Resource Center (2015): PRESS: Pepsi Plant Receives Police Protection to Bring in Water, 13 May, India Resource Center, http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2015/1018.html.

Joseph, Paul P J (2016): Politicos, Activists Hail Court Order, 22 November, The Hindu, http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Politicos-activists-hail-court-order/article16673652.ece1.

Narayanamoorthy, A and Venkatachalam, L (2011): Farmers Right to Water, 7 September, The Hindu Business Line, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/farmers-right-to-water/article2430020.ece.

Narayanamoorthy, A and Alli, P (2014): Why This Fuss Over the Price of Milk?, 17 November, The Hindu Business Line, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/why-this-fuss-over-the-price-of-milk/article6605312.ece.

Rajendran S (2013): Illegal Mining, Impatient Maa and Ill-treated Administrators, 7 December, Economic and Political Weekly, http://www.epw.in/journal/2013/49/commentary/illegal-mining-impatient-mafi-and-ill-treated-administrators.html.

Sudhakar P (2012): Gangaikondan May Soon Get a Full-fledged Spotted Deer Park, 3 August, The Hindu, http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/gangaikondan-may-soon-get-a-fullfledged-spotted-deer-park/article3720553.ece.

Yadav, Kushal Pal S (2004): Soft Drinks Do Contain Pesticides, 29 February, Down To Earth, http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/soft-drinks-do-contain-pesticides-10898.
Morocco said yesterday (26 February) that it would withdraw its forces from a United Nations-controlled buffer zones in the disputed Western Sahara territory. The buffer zone has been for months in a standoff with troops from the Polisario independence movement. The move will reduce tensions in Guerguerat, a remote area in Western Sahara near the borders with Mauritania, and it came following a phone call between Moroccos King Mohammed VI and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The UN Secretary General released a statement on Saturday (25 September), urging all parties to unconditionally withdraw all armed elements from the buffer strip as soon as possible and the next day the Moroccan Foreign Ministry confirmed that King Mohammed had ordered a unilateral withdrawal from the zone as per the UN Secretary Generals recommendations. Morocco now hopes the secretary generals intervention will allow a return to the previous situation in the zone concerned, keep its status intact, allow the flow of normal road traffic and thus safeguard the cease-fire, the Moroccan statement said.

Last year, the region witnessed one of the most tense military actions in recent years between both sides of the dispute  Morocco and Polisario, which declared an independent state in the disputed territory in the 1970s and has fought a guerilla war with Morocco ever since. The standoff began last year after the United Nations troops stepped in after Moroccan forces had entered Moroccan-controlled areas. Morocco said that it was a road clearing operation, though Polisario claimed they had to mobilize because Rabat had allegedly broken the terms of the ceasefire by trying to build a road in the buffer zone.
Written by ACM







*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Controversial current London Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected a Tragic Plea from the Family of a notoriously Unjustly Killed Innocent Victim, Brutaly Shot 7 times at the Head by State Agents during the former "Labour" (Socialist) Government of unpopular Tony Blair back on 2005, Not to Impose at Metropolitan Police's Top any Candidate involved in that Deadly Abuse, which Scandalously remains still Totaly UnPunished : Indeed, 12 Years Later, Nobody has yet been found Responsible and Condemned for such an unquestionably Gross Blunder, as Euro-Judges also found at the European Court of Human Rights on 2016 in Strasbourg, where the Victim's Parents had spoken to "Eurofora" already after the Public Hearing of the case, as early as back on 2015 ; (See relevant original Photos, and at : ...., as well as Infra).

--------------------------------------------------------------

Letter of Victim's Mother (to Sadiq Khan) :

---------------------------------------------------------------

- Very Outspoken, the renowned British Review "Spectator", traditionaly close to the Governing "Conservative" Party, published Today a very Critical Article, sharply Titled : - "Dicks anti-terror cock-up should have Disqualified her from the Mets top job".

- Because "it would seem, then, that no mistake can be too grave  not to say fatal, no error of judgment too egregious, no apparent loss of control in a crisis too serious, to disqualify someone from taking control of Londons police force", "Spectator" criticized, as far as Mayor Sadiq Khan's and JHA's choice for Dick is concerned, finding that, at least Because of Meneze's scandalous Killing of an "Innocent", "she shouldnt have been appointed" in that top job.



- On the Contrary, "anyone with a fully developed sense of personal Responsibility  that is, for being in charge of this Disastrous operation  would have Resigned after the death of Jean Charles. Instead Cressida went for one police Promotion after another, and got them. Which goes to show that ....there (was) "no impediment to (her) rise in British public life. Not Even the Death of an Innocent man".



- The Mother of the Victim, Patricia Armani Da Silva/Menezes, had Reminded, in a recent Letter to Mayor Sadiq Khan, (revealed Today by "The Spectator"), that "Cressida Dick" was "at the Helm of the Police on that Fateful Day, when the Life of Jean (her Son) was Taken", while "the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission] Investigation made strong Criticisms of the Command structure and the Decision-making that took place that day". Therefore, "as ... Family" of the Victim, "we Felt that Those at the Highest level, the Commissioner and those in Operational command, Should be Held Responsible for the Mistakes and for the MisInformation and Lies that were told" then around that Scandal.

- "We canNot ...Accept that the most Senior police Officer in the Country, a Post that is Expected to uphold the Highest Standards of Professionalism, to command Public Confidence, and ultimately be Responsible for Ensuring that No police officer acts with Impunity, be filled by Someone that is clearly Tainted by her Failure to live up to any of those Requirements".

(Dick in Photo Published by Critical British "Conservative" Review "The Spectator")

-------------



Young Electrician Jean Charles da Silva/Menezes, a White Christian of Portuguese/Brazilian origin, was calmly responding to a demand to repair a machine at South London, when, suddenly, without any Warning, nor the slightest pretext, he was Attacked and Brutaly Restrained, while several Armed Officers shot him 7 times at the Head, killing him instantly, inside the Subway, on his way to work.



Afterwards, it was claimed that some Agents had Confused him, by Error, with an absolutely Differend Man, a Radicalized Muslim Arab suspected for Complicity with the Suicide Bombers who had just Attacked twice London's Public Transports earlier that Month of July 2005, and had been Ordered to apply a controversial Procedure of immediate and unwarned killing supposed to prevent a suspected new bombing, earlier adopted by their Superiors then. But they Admitted that the Victim was absolutely Innocent, and asked to be "Excused"...



That Unprecedented Brutal Deadly Affair had Shaken the British, European and World Public Opinion, provoked Various Protests and Campaigns, inspired even Strongly Critical Artworks etc., for Human Rights and against Total Impunity in so Serious cases, risking to provoke a Dangerous Precedent also for Orther People in the Future, and is still Remembered Nowadays, as Press Reports and Many Citizens' reactions and Criticism at the Web and/or elsewhere, clearly attest, (See f.ex. Facts cited Infra).



Even if it's True that the Islamist Terrorist London Attacks, which had Earlier Killed several Innocent Civilians, naturaly Upseted a lot of People then, (as "Eurofora"s co-Founder had Personaly Witnessed on the spot, and Published f.ex. at "TCWeekly" etc., while we Paid Hommage to the Victims at King's Cross Station, Together with a Minister, and later Visited Wounded People at a London Hospital, etc), nevertheless, it's also true that at least Some Agents had apparently Lost their Temper and/or Executed Controversial Orders, resulting into various Exceptional Abuses, (Comp., f.ex., also the Unacceptable Incidents revealed, on the occasion of a more Recent Tragic Event which occured Later in Turkey to the detriment of another Journalist, at : .....).



The First, 7 July Attacks, had killed or Wounded Many People, but all their Perpetrators were reported Dead. On the Contrary, the subsequent, July 21 attempted "Attacks" Failed, followed by the Arrest of all Suspects.



But Tony Blair's "Labour" (Socialist) Government attempted to Exploit Both, particularly in order to Push, at EU Parliament and EU Council (that the UK was Chairing then), a Controversial Bill on Mass Spying of Emails and SmartPhones, Internet Surfing and Websites, etc., (Profiting also from the Presence of former EUParliament's JHA Committee President, f. French MEP Cavada, then in London, as he had told us later-on), which was Afterwards declared Excessive, DisProportionate and Illegal, by EU's Court of Justice at nearby Luxembourg, which practicaly Cancelled them.



Moreover, Everybody acknowledged the Fact that there was, at least, an "Institutional Responsibility" of that London Police, then, for the Uwarranted, Brutal Killing of Jean-Charles Menezes, on July 22, a fully Innocent Person, (Comp. Supra).



However, Nobody has been yet declared Responsible for that Gross, Deadly Blunder, and, therefore, Nobody has been Punished, until now, (12 Years Later), resulting in a Scandalous and Dangerous, Total Impunity even for a so Brutal Killing of an Innocent, which was, raportedly, obtained, mainly after a Pressing Push by the Assistant Commissioner of that Time : Mrs Cressida Dick, which was in charge of such kind of Operations, and Strongly Insisted, during the subsequent Investigations, Claiming that Noone in particular beared any Criminal Responsibility for such a Violent, Unwarned and unwarranted Murder.



But it's precisely Mrs Dick that, Today, Sadiq Khan wants to Impose at the Head of London's Metropolitan Police, as its New Chief, without objection by the current JHA Minister, Despite a Desperate Plea by the Family of the UnJustly Killed Young Electrician, who Vainly Urged him to "Veto" her Bid for that Top Job, at least as long as Nobody has been Punished for such a Brutal Murder of an Innocent Victim of an obviously Scandalous Deadly Blunder committed by State Agents. On the Contrary, the current Mayor obviously Rejected the Innocent Victim's Family Plea, and "Warmly Welcomed" the Choice of the former Assistant Commissioner, in charge on 2005 for the Operations which resulted in Jean-Charles de Menezes' Violent and UnJust Killing, for the delicate Job of New London Police Chief, provoking a lot of Incomprehension and Criticism by many People (See Facts cited Infra).

According to the "Associated Press", the Victim's Family, which had called for Dick not to be given that Top Job in Scotland Yard, expressed "Serious Concerns" : - "The message of Today's Appointment is that Police Officers can act with Impunity", reportedly denounced cousin Patricia Armani Da Silva on behalf of Menezes' Family.

( Sir Bernard Hogan-Howes, Mrs Thornston + Mrs Dick )





+ Moreover, Sadiq Khan has reportedly Preferred Dick, as allegedly the "Best" for him, by Choosing her instead of several Other Candidates, (also Female Police Officers), who had already the Experience of some very Important, Top Responsibility Jobs inside the British Police : F.ex. the Director General of the National Crime Agency, Lynne Owens, and the President of the National Police Chief's Council, Sara Thornton, (etc).



++ In Addition, Khan has even, reportedly, Pushed, previously, towards the Resignation of the current Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who had been Chosen by the Conservative Government since 2011, in replacement of his Predecessor, Sir Ian Blair, (in charge during the Former "Labour" (Socialist) Government in the Past), and had, Meanwhile, become Famous not only for succeeding to ensure the Security of the International Olympic Games on 2012, but also to Dare pursue various "Hot" Investigations for Crimes even against alleged Suspects with Strong positions in the Society and/or the State, and Top Political Backing, (See Infra, particularly about various 2014-launched Inquiries, f.ex. on suspicions of serious Abuses of Children, etc).

(Sir Ian Blair)



As Sir Ian Blair, (Controversial former Chief of London Police on 7.2005 Da Silva/Menezes Killing, linked to Labour Party during UnPopular f. PM Tony Blair, with whom he studied in Oxford, before being Dismissed after the Election of Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson, currently UK Foreign Minister), also Dick has a large "Political" dimension, (particularly on Foreign Policy) after serving for years (2014-2017) as Director General of UK's Foreign Office.

( R. Dick )



She had been Promoted as "Assistant Commissioner" on 2009, i.e. during a Former "Labour" ((Socialist) Government of the Past, but had Resigned from the Police on 2014, during the current Conservative Government, when she had been reMoved from her previous Counter-Terrorism role and put in charge of Crime and Sexual Offences, (including Child Abuse : See Infra). It's then that she preferred to take the unusual decision to join the more Political area of the Foreign Office, until now.

Cressida was reportedly a "Protegee of Sir Ian Blair", the notorious "Politicaly" oriented pro-Labour (Socialist) former Chief of Metropolitan Police, later pushed out by Johnson, (comp. Supra).



Both Sir Ian and Dick had a Chance to be Educated at "Oxford", (the 1st also at Los Angeles, California, US, while the 2nd took a paid Leave from her Job to add a "Master"), as Tony Blair, while the young Menezes worked as simple Electrician who struggled to earn a few Money to send to his Poor Family in Brazil.



She served also as former Head of the "Diverse" Unity, where she got a Reputation of a "Reformer", in a period during which a Report had just accused the British Police to be "Institutionaly Racist", on the occasion of an Old affair of the Past, concerning a violent Death which had occured back on April 1993, in a quarell between Individuals : the "Laurence" case, resulting in the Condamnation of 2 suspects for Murder, more than 17 Years Later, after 3 Trials and Investigations at the Cost of 16 Millions , with the Support of many Government Top Politicians then, as f.ex. former Foreign Minister Straw, etc. (Something that Da Silva/Menezes never had, since, on the Contrary, all those involved in his Killing by State Agents still remain totaly Unpunished).



Still on 2012, an Article she published herself in Newspaper "Guardian", claimed that "Nothing in Met's History had Greater Impact" than "Laurence" case, and praised Labour (Socialist) former Foreign Minister "Straw" for claiming that it "opened all our eyes to what it is to be Black or Asian in Britain Today", (without even mentioning at all Other Migrants, f.ex. Latin Americans, as the brutaly murdered on 2005 Jean Charles de Menezes).



But, even after that, Dick claimed that, despite some Changes, the Police would always Remain "institutionally Racist", and was unlikely to be ever free of Racism.



This was clearly stressed in her Press Statements, (See, f.ex., "Independent" 's Heading : "We are Still Racists, Police Chief admits", BBC's : "Met Police still Racist", etc), where Cressida Dick also Criticized those who make any "links" between "Muslims, Terrorism and Asylum Seekers".

Sadiq Khan, Cressida Dick, Amber Rudd (JHA)





All that, taken together, Obviously might explain why Dick was now prefered to Other Candidates by Mayor Sadiq Khan, of Pakistani origin, who had notoriously emerged from a Muslim Lobby in the UK, before being adopted by a wing of the Labour Party, facing even Strong Criticism for Direct Contacts with various Extremist Islamists, including some suspected for Islamic Terrorist links, even by former Prime Minister David Cameron, etc. Something that Sadiq Khan largely Admitted, mainly Claiming that it would not be so serious, and/or that he wasn't always aware then, or that it concerned mostly his Past, and not his present career.

London's 1st "Muslim Fashion" show (2017)



However, at least judging by some Recent Facts, (f.ex. an Unprecedented Muslim "Fashion" Show, and/or Photos published even by himself at his own Twitter account, etc), the spreading of Muslim Culture looks quite advanced in London, after his Election, (that the Famous "Drudge Report" in the USA had saluted under the Shocking Heading : "Londonistan", as UK Press observed).

Sadiq Khan and his Pals, (in his own Twitter account, 2.2017)





While other, British Media, expressed Fears even for an eventual aggravation of Islamic Terrorist Attacks in the Future : Already, recent 2016 Facts might go in this direction, particularly after the Deadly Knife Attacks Killing an American Woman, (Wife of a University Professor at Florida, US), and Wounding 6 more People, near the British Museum at downtown London, committed by an African Immigrant from Somalia (one of the Countries currently Suspended for 3 Months from Immigrating into the USA by New POTUS Don Trump), who seems to have had various Personal and Family links to Islam (See, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/lnopolicemanatlondonknifemassterrorattack.html), and even visited London Mosques just before that Deadly Terrorist Aggression, according to the latest news.





+ But there might even be much More than that, as several Converging Facts suggest :

(From BBC: "Rotherham child abuse scandal: 1,400 children exploited, report finds")





Inter alia, an Official Enquiry, headed by Professor Alexis Jay, found that "at least 1.400 Children were subjected to appalling Sexual Exploitation ..between 1997 and 2013", at a Labour (Socialist) stronghold in England, (around Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Electoral base of former MP and Minister for EU Affairs on 2002-2005, McShane, who resigned), "predominantly by Gangs of British - Pakistani men", where "Abuses described included Abduction, Rape, Torture and sex Trafficking of Children", as "Wikipedia" reminds. The Inquiry team found, f.ex., "children who had been doused in Petrol and Threatened with being set alight, threatened with Guns, made to witness brutally Violent Rapes and threatened they would be next if they told anyone", as "BBC" noted. A main Problem for the astonishing Indifference and/or "Contempt" shown by several Policemen and/or Social Workers, Politicians, etc, vis a vis the Victims for Years, was, as that Report Denounced, "Nervousness about Identifying the Ethnic Origins of Perpetrators, for Fear of being thought as Racist", while even some Staff "remembered clear Direction from their Managers Not to do so". In consequence, former JHA Minister, nowadays Prime Minister, Theresa May, Blamed the Failure of the Authorities on "Institutionalised Political Correctness".

(6 Members of the Pakistani Muslim Gang of Child Rapists condemned on 2017)





Part of that Muslim Rape Gang 90% from Pakistan, (related to 300 Suspects, among whom 18 were Judged and Condemned between 2015-2017), reportedly shouted - "Allahu Akbar !" in Court on January 2017, as it confirmed their Jailing for Raping, Drugging and Abusing Children aged 11 - 13 y.o., Convicting for 21 Historic Sex Offences, and given Sentences of between 10 and 20 Years each, for such Crimes committed between 1999 - 2001, 6 culprits : (Matloob Hussain, brothers Basharat, Nasser, Tayab Dad, and Mohammed Sadiq).

(4 Members of the Pakistani Muslim Gang of Child Rapists whose UK Citizenship is reportedly Revoked)





Recently, on February 2017, the British Courts endorsed the Revocation of UK Citizenship from the first 4 Condemned Members of that Gang of Children Abusers, who Now Risk to be Expulsed Back to Pakistan, as PM Theresa May had notoriously wished, already in the Past, for particularly Apalling Crimes, (i.e. Abdul Rauf, Shabir Ahmed, Abdul Aziz, and Adil Khan).



It's on mid-2014 that Professor Alexis Jay's Report was Published on that Children Abuse Scandal, (for which several Policeme and Politicians expressed Remords and Excused themselves vis a vis the Victims and their Families), and, by a Coincidence, it's also that Same Year that Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick left the Police, (at the End of 2014), when New Investigations on another, Differend the "Midland" affair and other various cases of alleged Child Sex Abuses, allegedly involving Other various Top Politicians (even a former Defense Minister, Prime Minister, MPs, etc), had just Started.



However, Later-on, in 2016, in the Midland affair, Police concluded that, even if the Disappearance of a Child remained still not elucidated, nevertheless, it had failed to find sufficient proof for 2 other alleged killings of abused children, particularly after the credibility of a key witness raised Doubts, and, therefore, that particular Inquiry was abandoned.



Naturaly, some UK Medias reported, and the British Police partly Confirmed, that, in fact, there are still Various Other On-Going or even New Investigations about alleged Child Sex Abuse, eventualy involving suspicions of some High Rise Political and/or other Public Figures nowadays, but that Fauilure of the Costly Midland Operation had several repercussions.

(Sir Hogan-Howe)



In the Aftermath of that, Dick's predecessor, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who had become Metropolitan Police Chief since 2011, i.e. shortly after (and reportedly with the Support of) former London's Mayor Boris Johnson (currently UK Foreign Minister), and the Conservative UK Government took office, and who has Served During Both those 2 Child Abuse Investigations, (i.e. the "Rotherham" and the "Midland" affairs, with Contrasted Results, Comp. Supra), suddenly, even if initialy due to stay for 4 more years, and aged only 58 y.o., was reportedly pushed to Resign, particularly by the current London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

(Zac Goldsmith)



Sadiq Khan had earlier got his new job, after evicting 3 Other "Labour" Competitors, and following a controversial Electoral Campaign against Conservative Candidate Zac Goldsmith, who was notoriously active on Natural Environment issues as well as against Child Abuse, and had Strongly Pushed for Official Investigations to Start, already since 2014 (Comp. Supra), but also supported their Extension to Further Child Sexual Abuses allegations, during the 2015-2016 London Mayoral Campaign, even if they might eventualy involve some alleged suspects from his own, Conservative Party's history, while, at the same time, clearly Criticizing Khan's reported contacts with various Islamic Radicals in the Past, (Comp. Supra).



All these Facts, added to Met. Police's Out-going Chief, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's Past Service (2011-2017) during that Pakistani Gang of Child Abusers and Other, Differend Cases of alleged Child Sex Abuse suspicions, even if related to various Politicians, (Comp. Supra), as well as to the Fact that he had notoriously succeeded to his predecessor, Sir Ian Blair, responsible for Met. Police during the 2005 Jean-Charles de Menezes Brutal Killing, which, on the Contrary, remained Totaly UnPunished (Comp. Supra), as well as his alleged "Protegee", the Incoming 2017 Met Police Chief, reportedly chosen by Mayor Sadiq Khan, obviously raise inevitable Critical Question Marks, and, possible Citizens' Concerns about eventual Risks to push London Police towards a culture of similar Impunity in the foreseable Future.



And this Impunity Risks, as usual, go Both for the Citizens, and Police Officers (as well as any Other State Officials) themselves, taken Together.



-----------------------

"Cesar's Wife" ?

------------------------------



Naturaly, according also to several Members of a UK Jury in the Menezes' Killing affair, Mrs Dick wasn't held personaly responsible by them at all for what had happened on July 2005, under Sir Ian Blair's term as former London Police Chief.



And an ECHR's controversial Ruling, (After a 2015 Hearing initialy chaired by experienced former ECHR President Spielman, from Luxembourg), issued on March 2016, under its New, then, President Raimonti, from Italy, unexpectedly White-washed, by a Majority, Tony Blair's former "Labour" (Socialist) UK Government about the Brutal Killing of Jean-Charles da Silva/Menezes, claiming that there would be Nothing illegal in the way that it had Investigated that Cold-Blood Murder of an Innocent Person, even if it had Failed to find anyone Responsible for that.



Obviously Risking to become one among the Most Controversial Rulings in ECHR's History, and having already provoked the Dismay of various notable People, including of the Victim's Family and Friends, (several among the International Human Rights' Community, etc), that UnPrecedented Text was Published, by a Striking Coincidence, at an Exceptional Moment, when "Eurofora"s co-Founder (who had Personaly Witnessed both the July 2005 London Tragic Events but also Abuses on the spot, and Met with Members of that Victim's Family and its Lawyers at ECHR's 2015 Hearing in Strasbourg : Comp. Supra),

was suddenly Hindered to be Informed and Work, after a Non-Elucidated Intoxication which had Seriously Threatened our Health and even Life at that Precise Period of Time, Obliging into an Unprecedented, Urgent Hospitalisation, (while someone had even Blocked our CoE's Press emails' account informing about ECHR's activities at that Same Time !).

Moreover, at least 4 important EuroJudges, from Big CoE Member States, such as Russia, Poland, Turkey and Spain, etc., Strongly and Openly Criticized that Controversial Ruling, by Publishing their "Dissenting Opinions", which Noted Many concrete Discrepancies in those Inquiries of the Past, (Many having already been Noted even by the British Jury which had initialy checked that affair in the UK), and Clearly Denounced the Main Stumbling Block : i.e. that, 12 Years Later, Nobody had been yet found Responsible nor Punished for such a Scandalous Brutal Killing of an undeniably Innocent Victim by State Agents, something clearly "Unacceptable", according to ECHR's traditional Human Rights' Principles.



Last, but not least, Published shortly Before a Crucial popular Referendum on "BREXIT", that Exceptionaly Controversial ECHR's Ruling might, probably, had been, at least Partly, motivated also by a Discrete but Real Concern to Avoid, at that Unique Moment, Anything which might, eventualy, Upset a British Establishment which had already expressed earlier some notorious Criticism vis a vis ECHR itself, added to Threats to withdraw from that CoE's body of Historic Importance for all Europe...



But, at any case, it's also a Fact that, on 2017, Dick may have Easily found any Other Top Job, which could both be Interesting for her Personal Career, and Avoid any People's Concerns about eventual Risks for similar Impunity of serious Police Abuses in the foreseable Future.



Otherwise, as a matter of General Principle, obviously, if even when an undeniably Innocent Person can be so Brutally Killed by State Agents, in an Admitted Gross Blunder, withOut anyone being held Responsible, Nor Punished, then, People's Fears for Risks of Similar Total Impunity also for comparatively lesser eventual Abuses, can appear quite Legitimate.



>>> Did anyone Forget that World Famous, Historic saying, about "Cesar's Wife" ? Concerning particularly important Public Officials of any State, it's Important, Not Only to Be Honest, but also for that to be Crystal-Clear and Unquestionable for the People....



Significantly, Mr. Sadiq Khan's "Twitter" account was Submerged by very Numerous and Strongly Critical Remarks by a lot of People who, precisely, Denounced his Rejection of the Plea made by the Family of the Brutaly Killed, innocent Young Jean Charles da Menezes, after an unquestionably Gross Blunder by London Police back on 2005, which, scandalously still remains Totaly UnPunished, as also several EuroJudges denounced on 2016 in Strasbourg (Comp. Supra).



Here are the Copies of some among those Numerous Examples of Open Citizens' criticism already Published at Sadiq Khan's own website (as "Comments"), on a core Human Rights issue, ("edited" only there where a few Harsh Words had, naturaly, to be erased) :





<< ...

Robert Edwards@R_M_Edwards Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @HackneyAbbott @metpoliceuk Shameful after de Menezes



5 retweets 22 likes

.....

Jimmy Jones@brynjones20_ Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @HackneyAbbott @metpoliceuk ordering the killing of an innocent man will forever taint her career. Bad choice.



4 retweets 16 likes

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Mike Spudgun@spudgun01 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Apart from anyone related to, or friends of, Jean Charles de Menezes, of course.



4 retweets 7 likes

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James@JA_Salisbury Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Just don't let her catch you running for the tube Sadiq



6 retweets 9 likes

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kp_hedges@kp_hedges Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Let's hope that as a woman she might take sex attacks in minicabs more seriously than you do.



3 replies . 2 retweets 3 likes

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Cabbie Adam@AdamHar30455563 Feb 22

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@kp_hedges @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Now we got two dicks

1 retweet 4 likes



......

Eoin Shardlut@EoinShardlut Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk so it's safe to assume none of your children travel by tube? #deMenezes



5 retweets 5 likes

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Gibson Square@GibsonSquare28 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Wonder if she thinks uber rapists are ok like you do

2 replies . 0 retweets 6 likes

......

oisin corr@oisinm349 Feb 22

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@GibsonSquare28 @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk the women who actually led officers to kill Jean Charles de Menezes = this is great news = NOT



1 retweet 5 likes

......

Ian Curr@ChanceTheDug Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk the biggest gang in the UK Now lead by a killer. She was involved in the murder of an innocent man that's the facts



0 replies . 2 retweets 7 likes

....

Noel Douglas@signsofrevolt Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan you don't speak for all Londoners and we remember Jean Charles De Menezes not surprised you don't care @metpoliceuk



2 retweets 3 likes

......

LewishamPW@asbLBL Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan You are the London PCC, how can you have endorsed this person given JC Menezes, it is ignorant & deeply insulting, shame on you



2 retweets 6 likes

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Jonathan Lane@jlaorganbuilder Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk This move really puts the MPS at the bottom of the pile. No trust when you appoint someone with such poor judgement.



3 retweets 3 likes

.....

Like 3

The Decider@TheDecider25 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @theresa_may What?! The person who's vague/inconsistent approach/orders that resulted in the death of Jean Charles De Menezes?!



2 retweets 5 likes

......

Like 5

Dany Cotton@LFBCommissioner Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Excellent news.

......

Ben Clavey@BenClavey Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk please don't welcome her on my behalf...



1 reply . 4 retweets 10 likes

.......

TREVOR ALLMAN@TrevorWAllman Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Remember Jean Charles De Menezes face whilst you congratulate the person who organised his killing.



2 retweets 2 likes

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Stanley Shaw@IrishguardShaw Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @wesstreeting @metpoliceuk Does that include Brazilians resident in London especially those with Oyster cards?



1 retweet 3 likes

....

Gary A Ashley@garyashley5 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @NewEuropeans @metpoliceuk if your late for work don't run



1 retweet 4 likes

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FalconDHQ@FalconDHQ Feb 22

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Great news for #London! @metpoliceuk appoint 1st #female chief Cressida Dick RT:@SadiqKhan - more on @BBCNews

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Owen Postal@owenpostal Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk We need Cressida Dick like we need several holes in the head



1 retweet 2 likes

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Carrie@Rheged85 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Not after Jean Charles death you think people have forgot? The Met led by her tried to cover his death up. No never.



1 retweet 1 like

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Martin Confusion@martinconfusion Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan so shocked and disappointed



2 likes

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sue@speakagainst Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Isnt she responsible for the death of an innocent man? The Met has lost its way. This is cynical tokenism



3 likes

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Michael Marshall@michael53021960 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan You are not entitled to speak on behalf of all Londoners.



3 likes

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AltDon@AltDonMc Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Does that include the family of #jeancharlesdemenezes.



1 retweet 2 likes

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Alan Andrews@AlanAndrews49 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk hope she doesn't run into any Brazilians on their way to work, could be dangerous for them



2 likes

.....

Like 2

Kristian Curcic@CurcicK Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Of all the people. Really.



2 likes

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Paul Kyprianou@p_kyprianou Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk blood on hers hands



2 likes

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Alou Oraelosi@AlouOraelosi Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk "an historic day" NOT "a historic day".



1 reply . 2 likes

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tweedy151@tweedy151 Feb 22

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@AlouOraelosi @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk if you are a Scot (and pronounce H solid) it is A historic day. A hotel. A helicopter.



1 reply .

......

Alou Oraelosi@AlouOraelosi Feb 22

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@tweedy151 @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk That's nonstandard English I'm afraid, and should be proscribed.



1 reply .

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tweedy151@tweedy151 Feb 23

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@AlouOraelosi @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk come up here and tell people that.

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andrew bond@cuntrymaiden Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk what the hell were the other candidates like ?



1 reply . 2 likes

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Stanley Shaw@IrishguardShaw Feb 22

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@cuntrymaiden @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Gun shy?

......

Dillyding Dillydong@Charlie98271678 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk I love it when progressives put murderers in charge for the sake of diversity



1 reply . 2 Likes

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William1354@William135411 Feb 22

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@Charlie98271678 @SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk and Remain mayors become Tory poodles and help deliver Brexit exporting London's prosperity

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Stefan Sayer@StefSayer Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk She is a cold hearted murderer of an innocent man



1 Retweet

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D W@deffo55 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Not exactly without an unblemished record



1 Like

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jacsod@supersod2362 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @HackneyAbbott @metpoliceuk Watch your backs....especially on the tube



1 Like

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Sam Ochola@samsonochola Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Dancing on the grave of Jean Charles de Menezes. Shame on you!



1 Retweet 1 Like

.......

Bill Boyd@billmtephraim Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk She gave the order to shoot dead Jean Charles de Menezes.



1 Retweet 1 Like

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Drone Sherpao Basti@BhuttosBigBhund Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk 4 shooting dead that #poorBrazilian? u couldnt find another #racist #whitetrash[...] in a #policeforce full of them?



1 Like

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MC Brother Culture@brotherculture Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Sadiq you should resign , your a sell out



1 Like

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jenny murphy@rainbowcolors77 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk two dicks working together



1 Retweet

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Mark Nixon@fatbadger442 22h

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Londoners are less safe with a murderer at the helm of the police.

.....

John Traynor@Mr_JDTraynor Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan She created the illegal police tactic that killed Menezes and then she tried a cover-up

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Asad Khan@AsadRKhan Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk People don't forget the times post 9-11 when bigotry got a hold of too many minds. Now we want peaceful coexistence.

.....

Paul Edwards-Shea@pedwardsshea 18h

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@SadiqKhan This is outrageous, with shadow of killing of Jean Charles de Menezes you shouldn't make such statements on behalf of Londoners

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martin@martin558 20h

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk crooked supporting crooked.... do you think we can't see for remember ... you WILL be looking for votes from people

......

PrincessMe73@RyanJackMum Feb 23

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk 'all Londoners' - bloody cheek

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s u@njamescouk Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk appalling decision.

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D W@deffo55 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk Well there is another "Dick at the yard" now

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David Boycott@david_boycott Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk What about Londoners with a Brazilian heritage - don't they count?!

.....

tweedy151@tweedy151 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk she only got it cos she's a piece of eye candy. Total sexism. And a disgrace.

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Gerry Webb@GerryEllenWebb Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk awful choice

......

Wilber Colmerauer@Hedge_Funding Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan if the job isn't difficult enough you probably just made it impossible because of the inexplicable death of Jean Charles

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sue@speakagainst Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk not on behalf of this Londoner! You do not speak for me.

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Iqbal Wickbal@IqbalWickbal Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk

Bet you change your tune when she drops a bollock, what time the photo op, you can't resist a good photo op.

.....

Kim Bateman@KimkwhiteKim Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk don't speak k my behalf prick

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Mark@corker1970 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @HackneyAbbott @metpoliceuk hopefully she will investigate your tolerance of terror attacks.

......

Windy@windywinstan Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk It was not on behalf of me! She should be behind bars let's not forget Stockwell 11 years on! #NotMyMayor

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Windy@windywinstan Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk I would hate to be a Brazilian with a back pack when they bump onto her on the underground! Rip Stockwell

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Isaac Modzaka@isaac_modzaka Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk great will make a great team for safer London.

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Emma Ballinger@ballingerbo1 Feb 22

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@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk if you read her credentials, aside from the mistake making the news, she is well placed

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BLOCKME@BLOCKME77 Feb 22

more

@SadiqKhan @metpoliceuk It's all a ploy by fake khan we all know how Muslims empower their women she will be a puppy

....

Ahmed Goldstein@goldstein_ahmed Feb 22

More

@SadiqKhan this lady is in nobody's pocket!.

The real deal may out you!.



.../.. >>



This Email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it


Illustration: Pete Ellis

There are few topics Abdul Hafiz Mansour will not address, but ask him if his line of work regularly makes him the target of threats and he will likely fall silent.

That should come as no surprise. As the head of Lebanons Special Investigation Commission (SIC), the countrys anti-money laundering unit, Mansour is seen as an enemy by those who have sought to use Lebanons financial institutions to hide illicit funds. Just last year, the SIC froze more than 60 bank accounts and investigated hundreds of suspicious transactions.

Asked again if he faces pressures because of his work, Mansour replies, evasively: Sometimes the nature of the business puts you through situations.

A stocky, austere man, Mansour meets Euromoney in early February, at a conference in Dubai dedicated to the fight against financial crime in the Middle East and north Africa.

As the head of the Middle Easts first anti-money laundering unit, he is well-known to the conference delegates: regulators, lawyers and bank compliance officers from across the region. The unit he leads is said to be the most powerful in the region.


Illustration: Kevin February

Boris Collardi, chief executive of Julius Baer, is against stop-and-go strategies. You need momentum at all times  whether youre at 80% expansion or just 20% expansion, you have to always be in investment mode somewhere.

If not, inertia sets in, and it is far harder to kick start a business once that happens, he adds.

One cannot help wondering if he is talking about himself. Collardi has not stopped since taking on the role at just 35 years of age in 2009 in the middle of the global financial crisis. From 2012, Collardi changed up a gear by boldly buying Merrill Lynchs international wealth management business for a song.

That deal set a trajectory that would turn, in his words, a medium Swiss bank into a fully fledged international private bank  and an aggressive one at that. European expansion followed with the acquisition of Bank Leumis Swiss and Luxembourg businesses in 2014, and then last year Julius Baer added Commerzbanks Luxembourg business and a majority stake in Italian asset manager Kairos.

At the end of 2009, when Collardi became CEO, the bank had SFr150 billion ($150 billion) in private banking assets, of which 80% were booked in Switzerland. He has since more than doubled those assets under management to SFr336 billion, making it the third-largest Swiss private bank. It is expected that within five years, Switzerland may represent just 40% of all Baers assets, with Europe and Asia representing another 40%.

Collardi  perhaps thanks to his youth  is not known for following his peers. When other banks are in a wait-and-see mode, he sees it as a time to buy. And it is not just banks that Collardi has been buying. Julius Baer is known to be one of the most aggressive hirers in the industry; Collardi has developed a reputation lately of impromptu senior hires, poaching wherever possible in order to bump up AuM. Last year, while other private banks were trimming headcount, Julius Baer increased its own by 166 bankers.

Competitors were struggling and we wanted to seize the opportunity, says Collardi. Most of those hires were in Asia. Before 2012, 75% of employees were based in Switzerland, now it is 54%. Asia accounts for 22%. The firm has 6,000 employees worldwide, of which around 1,400 are relationship managers.

Regional lines

It is a growth strategy that many of Julius Baers peers have been unable to keep up with. Global private banks have instead been cutting geographies deemed unprofitable, while simultaneously grappling with increased costs and lower margins that make their bankers and assets easy prey.

Julius Baer, on the other hand, has the advantage of having had Collardi at the helm for eight years. The firms business lines used to include mature and growth clients, but in order to increase efficiency that was tweaked into five new regional lines: Switzerland and Europe have been the traditional core; Asia and Latin America are considered two distinct high growth markets; which leaves a looser collection of geographies covering India, the Middle East and Africa, plus Eastern Europe, where coverage focuses on entrepreneurs and first- and second-generation wealth.

To some extent Julius Baer is regrouping, particularly in Europe. The region had been split into north and south and was something of a mash-up of country businesses inherited from acquisitions. Now the region is united and will have Luxembourg as its hub. The Commerzbank Luxembourg acquisition came with the IT platform that the whole bank is moving to, supporting that transition. Yves Robert-Charrue is the new regional head.

With RoEs coming down, you need to have at least $35 billion in Asia to break even, and there arent many of us. But those of us there are, differ dramatically - Jimmy Lee, Julius Baer

When the subject turns to Asia, Collardis eyes really light up. Of course, he is far from alone in this among his wealth management peers, but some of them have had to turn tail after investing heavily in Asia, only to struggle to make the business pay.

Collardi insists Julius Baer will not make the same mistakes. Collardi says his strategy is simple. We look at three things: costs, investments and three-year revenue growth. At the beginning of each year, we are prudent and adjust short-term expenses and decrease headcount where needed. Then we look at the investment programmes we have in place with regards to infrastructure growth over the short to long term.

For example, Collardi says the firm is making a several hundred million Swiss franc investment in overhauling the banks technology globally. By 2020, all booking centres will be operating on the same platform and the bank will be completely digital, says Collardi.

No one should be touching paper by the end of the decade, he says. Asia and Europe go live this year; Switzerland will be the last.

As for the creation of revenues over the next three years: Thats the role of senior management. We have to clear up past liabilities. We have to understand what is working and what isnt, or whether we might consider acquisitions, for example.

Collardis watch has not been without distractions. Julius Baer got tied up in the Fifa scandal and reached settlements over US client tax evasion. But, compared with many other long-established private banks in Switzerland, the charge sheet has been relatively small. That said, without the settlement with the US Department of Justice, Julius Baer would have increased profits last year by 174%, with a gross margin of 91 basis points.



Boris Collardi, chief executive of Julius Baer



Colleagues say Collardi is one of the more energetic private bank leaders; he has put much of that energy into constant travel, meeting with clients and employees and promoting the business.

The key for us is to keep costs, investments and revenue creation balanced at all times, Collardi says. A look at Julius Baers earnings demonstrates his point. Personnel expenses, for example, went up 9% last year with the increased headcount from acquisitions and new hires, while general expenses were cut by 43%, despite the technology investment. Assets under management rose 12% and operating income rose 5.9%.

Collardi says he has witnessed his peers get killed adopting a strategy of investing without considering costs, only to then cut costs and ignore investments. The outcome is always the same for any firm that plays that game, he says.

What has helped Julius Baer stay on a growth trajectory, Collardi says, has been the stability of the senior team. Indeed, last year was the first time since becoming CEO that Collardi began to make changes.

The hire and fire that we see in senior level positions at banks does not work, he says. We try to keep people in their functions for many years  that way were not constantly having to re-explain the strategy. There becomes a unity of purpose. When people know they will be working together for a while, they develop a relationship of trust and openness. Similarly, clients will develop trust in us.

After years of mild pessimism, it looks like clients believe, at least, that we are entering a new phase - Boris Collardi, Julius Baer

Among the changes was Thomas Meier, who grew the Asia business from 25 employees to over 1,000 in his 10-year tenure as head of the region, but returned to Switzerland to run corporate social responsibility  one area where Julius Baer is playing catch-up against most other big international banks.

He was replaced in Asia by Jimmy Lee, who had led Credit Suisses business in Hong Kong. Collardi hopes that Lees drive and the fact that he is local will help to meet the aggressive goals of expanding the Asian business.

As a new starter, Lee is in a good position to compare Julius Baer with its main competitors. Straight off the bat, he describes Julius Baer as being entrepreneurial. He points to the bank having a can-do attitude and benefitting from being a pure-play private bank.

Asia overhaul

It is a lofty goal to put Asia at the top of the revenue stream, second only to Switzerland  particularly when Asia is seen as the region of growth for all of the largest global banks  yet Lee seems unfazed. He says the landscape is competitive, but also fragmented.

With RoEs coming down, you need to have at least $35 billion in Asia to break even, and there arent many of us, says Lee. But those of us there are, differ dramatically. The investment banks cannot be challenged on what they offer in terms of depth of equities and fixed income businesses. Then you have the universal banks that have private banks as a sideline, which arent really in the game. The regional players are strong in loans and tend to serve those lower down the wealth spectrum, say $5 million. And then there is the bucket that we compete in: wealth planning for those with $20 million and above. Its all we do, and we do it well.

When Lee joined, he brought with him nine other bankers from Credit Suisse and a further 90 relationship managers from across nearly every large global and regional private bank, refreshing an employee base still largely based around Merrill Lynch alumni.

Known to be somewhat ruthless in his hiring, Lee took only relationship managers who were likely to transfer the majority of their clients over with them. Typically, a relationship manager will bring just 30% of their book with them. Hong Kong clients tend to prefer to spread their assets across many banks. We wanted people with high client engagement, says Lee diplomatically.

In just a short time, Lee has also implemented an overhaul of the Asia business. Four important markets were highlighted for Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia (where it provides offshore wealth management services). We think we can see multiples of growth in China, says Lee.

He also reconsidered the service offering, honing in on wealth planning to serve the more than one-third of Asias wealthy that are transferring wealth to the next generation. Pictets Bhaskar Laxminarayan was hired to be the Asia CIO  a new role at Julius Baer.

Finally we looked at how clients are engaging with us, how much of their business are they doing with us, says Lee. We set up a leadership structure that enables the relationship manager to better deliver the entire firm to the client.

Now the plan is to move into more fee-based and managed solutions, says Lee. With [Markets in Financial Instruments Directive] rules and retrocessions disappearing, we need to improve the quality of earnings to be more stable.

Advisory model

Those efforts are already under way in Switzerland. Last year, Julius Baer rolled out its new advisory model  similar to UBSs move three years ago. At Julius Baer, Swiss clients are questioned about their investment needs and risk appetite before either receiving advice on how best to invest if self-directed, or being put into discretionary funds managed according to that advice.

Collardi says that has several benefits beyond creating smoother revenue streams: We can reduce the dispersion of quality of advice we are giving, making sure that every client is getting the same high quality. It also gives our clients an institutional level of advice. Every day we can assess a clients portfolio and tell them whether they are outside of the allocation they desire. And it should mean better performance for all client assets.

The model is rolling out in Europe, and Asia will soon follow. Already 45% of Julius Baers assets under management are now mandated  that is up from 30% in 2015  with the goal of hitting 100%.

After eight years in the chair, Collardi remains a man on a mission. If there are roadblocks, he quickly removes them. Barend Fruithof is a case in point. Fruithof was brought in around the same time as Lee from Credit Suisse, tasked with refreshing the Swiss business. Fruithofs determined style seemed to match Collardis, but a clash of opinion over restructuring meant the two parted ways within a year.

One fear among the Julius Baer hierarchy is that Collardi could be tempted to switch to a new challenge himself. He is often touted as a potential leader for Credit Suisse if the current CEO, Tidjane Thiam, fails to pull off his restructuring plan.

Collardis main concerns are over events beyond his control.

In the end what drives the agenda of any wealth manager is ultimately the economic outlook, he says. It drives activity, assets, clients resilience, patience and expectation, and revenues.

His ambitious plans for Julius Baer require markets to be supportive. He is optimistic on that front. After years of mild pessimism, it looks like clients believe, at least, that we are entering a new phase, he says. We have high volatility and a positive market outlook together  thats a new thing  so advice and making sure clients are invested are going to be imperative.

Already Julius Baers clients have reduced their cash holdings slightly to 23%; Collardi expects that level to fall to 20% over the next two years if investment appetite increases. For the near future at least, it looks like Collardi will be keeping his foot on the accelerator.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said speculation over leasing Crimea to the Russian Federation is a deliberate surrender of the annexed peninsula to [Russian] occupiers.

"Speculation that Crimea will 'go the way of Alaska' is a deliberate attempt to surrender Crimea. No one in the U.S. seriously discusses these kinds of plans. If 'payments' are made, then it means some one has already divvied them up with someone else. We should not be silent about this," Klimkin said in an interview appearing in the Kyiv-based weekly Zerkalo Nedeli newspaper on February 25.

Klimkin said in Ukraine, unlike many other countries, politicians use foreign policy of other governments to achieve domestic aims.

"In many countries, despite internal squabbles, as a rule, everyone speaks the same language, as a minimum, to give the same messages to the outside world. But our politicians use the policies of foreign governments to achieve leverage in domestic politics  This is very sad. This practice puts Ukrainian politicians in a bad light and is the source of derision of our international partners," he said.

Klimkin also said he does not rule out the necessity for Ukraine to adopt a law akin to the Logan Act in the U.S., which foresees punishment for those who, without the requisite authority, enter into contact with a foreign government in order to mitigate one or some international issues.

The head of Ukraine's foreign ministry said he will visit France in the near future for a meeting with that country's leading presidential candidates, including Marine Le Pen from the ultra-nationalist National Front Party. Klimkin said he is even ready to talk with those politicians who do not accept Ukraine's stance on Donbas and Crimea. He added that Kyiv must adopt a coherent strategy to combat Russian propaganda directed at leftist and conservative political parties in European countries.
Despite soft UK data, the Australian Dollar was hovering around opening levels against the pound sterling, quoted at 1.6197 at the time of writing.

Investors of the risky Australian Dollar were awaiting Tuesdays speech from US President Donald Trump throughout the day. If Trump impresses investors with economic plans, the Australian Dollar is likely to drop and allow GBP/AUD to recover.

Australia recorded the lowest current account deficit - at -AU$3.9 billion in 2016 Q4 - since 2001 Q1, which has boosted speculation that the current quarter could see a surplus for the first time since 1975.

The British Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate was down over -0.3% on Monday's session as investors continued to grow concerned about the possibility of a second Scottish independence referendum.

GBP/AUD remained above its new weekly low of 1.6125 however, as anticipation for US President Trumps Presidential address on Tuesday limited the gains of risk-correlated currencies.

Fears of another Scottish independence referendum had pushed the Pound Sterling to Australian Dollar exchange rate down to 1.6178 at the time of writing.

Traders were also concerned by a rumoured plan from Theresa May to announce that EU nationals moving to the UK from the middle of March onwards would not be eligible for residency; the UK is meant to be a full member of the EU until the exit talks are finalised, so this move could see the country contravening EU treaties.

Having closed trading last week at a rate of around 1.62, the GBP AUD exchange rate has since shed its advances and dropped to 1.61.

These losses come in the wake of House of Commons developments on the Article 50 bill, which have ultimately had a negative impact on demand for the Pound.

The first was broadly positive; Conservative veteran and peer Lord Heseltine vowed to rebel against the Brexit bill and support an amendment to ensure that MPs have a final vote on whether the UK accepts or rejects its final deal with the EU.

On the more negative side, a Labour peer has estimated that there is around a 50% chance that peers will vote in favour of an amendment to ensure the rights of EU citizens after Brexit.

While this can be considered a glass half-full attitude, it nonetheless highlights how tightly contested the vote for the amendment could be.

Going directly contrary to the bills purpose has been a Daily Telegraph report that Theresa May could be planning to introduce a cut-off point for EU citizens moving to the UK, after which they would not be entitled to permanent residency.

The first major UK data out this week will be Tuesdays early GfK consumer confidence score, which is set to worsen from -5 points to -6 in February.

The rest of the weeks major UK news will cover Purchasing Managers Indexes (PMIs). Starting on Wednesday morning, the manufacturing PMI is expected to drop from 55.9 points to 55.5.

Other PMI reports later in the week will include Thursdays construction variant, forecast to rise slightly, as well as Fridays services PMI which also has a decline on the cards.

The Australian Dollar has appreciated by 0.7% against the Pound today in the wake of major Chinese news about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal.

The deal, which includes Australia, is thought to rival the previously high-profile Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and could bring a boom in trade income for all nations involved.

With talks taking place in Japan, hopes are that RCEP will have more success than TPP, with Economic Research Institute official Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria stating that;

There has to be political will. I think from a political will perspective, I think there is that will.

Australian Dollar Forecast to Rise on GDP Data

The Australian Dollars current advantageous position against the Pound could be improved upon later in the week, especially when Wednesdays early GDP growth rate stats come in.

Covering the quarter and the year in Q4, the figures are expected to rise in both cases, which could provide a midweek boost for the AUD GBP exchange rate.

The last big Australian data of the week will be Thursdays trade balance result for January, which is set to show a surplus expansion from 3.51bn to 3.8bn.

GBP AUD Data Releases

28/02/2017

00:05 GBP GfK Consumer Confidence FEB

01/03/2017

00:30 AUD GDP Growth Rate Q4

09:30 GBP Markit/CIPS Manufacturing PMI FEB
Former United States Poet Laureate to return to Cornish roots on visit to Falmouth

The 19th Poet Laureate of the United States will return to her Cornish roots as she visits the Duchy to perform and discuss her work.

Pulitzer Prize winning Natasha Trethewey, whose father Eric was a Canadian of Cornish descent, will perform a public lecture at the University of Exeters Penryn Campus. She will also give a reading of her work at Falmouth Art Gallery.

Professor Trethewey currently directs the Creative Writing Program at Emory University, USA. Her poetry portrays the lives of working-class people, particularly black men and women in the South. Her father was also a poet and a professor of English at Hollins University, Virginia.

When she began her role as Poet Laureate in 2012 Cornwall Council officer Bert Biscoe personally delivered an inscribed copy of the Collected Poems of Charles Causley, the famous Cornish poet. The University of Exeter holds the Causley archives and is currently working with the Charles Causley Trust to explore ways of ensuring this collection is fully accessible in Cornwall.

Dr Natalie Pollard, Lecturer in Modernist and Contemporary Literature, who is organising the visit, said: The themes in Natasha Tretheweys poetry are at the heart of global politics today, and this is a wonderful chance to hear this work read by the poet herself.

I am personally inspired by Natashas work. She has a really unique voice in contemporary literature. Her writing speaks to some of the most pressing social realities both in America and globally. It's poetry that addresses difficult personal and public issues, such as individual and shared identity, collective memory and the struggle for equality and justice.

Her poetry produces a strong sense of the importance of putting literature back into everyday life, to help us live better, together and individually. We're thrilled that she is coming to read and lecture at The University of Exeter, Penryn.

Natasha will be delivering a poetry reading, followed by a Q&A session and wine reception at Falmouth Art Gallery on Wednesday 8 March from 6pm  7.30 pm and a public lecture, on Thursday 9 March from 5:30  7:30 pm at the University of Exeters, Penryn Campus. Both events are free, but places are limited so book to avoid disappointment.
What does the application guidance say about this? The application guidance should have a list of examples of what they require.



Also, have you checked to see what the Government of Canada website say about this? If the application guidance doesn't have what you're looking for, consulting the GoC website would be your best source of information as they are the ones who set the rules and requirements and they alone will be processing your application.
If your application for sponsorship is accepted, the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga will inform the Canadian visa office that has jurisdiction over the childs home country and send you an application for permanent residence.

(in your case, the visa office is located in Vienna, Austria)



You can either fill out this application form on the childs behalf or send it to the childs guardian to do so. The completed application form must be sent back to that Canadian visa office.



Use the application guide when filling out the application to ensure that you give all the information that the visa office needs.



When your childs application is sent to the visa office, it will be reviewed to verify that the child meets the immigration requirements. If the adopted child is not an infant, the visa officer may have to interview the child to make a decision.



You must ensure that the visa officer has all the information needed to make a decision. Your quick response to requests for more information will help avoid unnecessary delays.
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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree on the introduction of the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) "On Information Security Doctrine of Ukraine" and adopted it.

The document comes into force on the day of its publication, the press service of the Ukrainian president said on Saturday.

"The need for information security doctrine of Ukraine is tied to the uprise of actual threats to national security in the information sphere, as well as the need to identify innovative approaches to the development and protection of information space in the context of globalization and the free circulation of information," the report says.

The purpose of the doctrine is to specify the principles of formation and implementation of the state information policy, especially to counter Russia's information devastating effects in the conditions of the hybrid war unleashed by Russia.

The document defines Ukraine's national interests in the information sphere, the threat of their implementation, directions and priorities of the state policy in information sphere. Its legal basis is the Constitution of Ukraine and laws of Ukraine, Ukraine's national security strategy approved by presidential decree No. 287 dated May 26, 2015, as well as international treaties accepted as binding by the Verkhovna Rada.

To implement the Doctrine the National Security Council will coordinate the activities of executive bodies to ensure national security in the information sphere, taking into account the specific conditions and conduct of aggressive information war against Ukraine not only on its territory, but also in the world.

In this regard, the Security Council will also identify key measures in accordance with the provisions of the Doctrine.

The Cabinet of Ministers shall ensure the implementation of the information policy of the state, funding programs related to information security, guide and coordinate the work of ministries and other executive bodies in this field.

The Ministry of Information Policy is entrusted to organize and provide media monitoring of public resources of national segment of the Internet for the purpose of identifying information, the dissemination of which is prohibited in Ukraine. The Information Ministry is also required to monitor threats to national interests and national security in the information sphere.

In addition, the ministry should form the current priorities of the state information policy and monitor their implementation, coordinate the activities of central and local executive authorities in the field of information sovereignty of Ukraine, government communications, crisis communications, particularly during the antiterrorist operation in the special period.

The Information Policy is also tasked with developing and implementing the strategy of information provision of the process of release and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories.

The ministry should contribute to the Foreign Ministry in a report and presentation of the official position of Ukraine in the foreign media.

The doctrine also assigns a number of tasks on the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Security Service, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, intelligence agencies and the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

Participation in the protection of Ukrainian information space by raising audiovisual and printed materials of the aggressor; elaboration of priorities and incentives for the development of Ukrainian cinema, television content, printing, in particular on the coverage of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the Russian aggression will be carried out by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, Ukrainian State Film Agency, the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting, State Committee of TV and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine in accordance with their competence.
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San Antonio-based CPS Energy is working on a project that, if successful, will help solve one of its trickiest problems in solar and wind energy production.

The public utility won a $3 million grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to develop a commercial battery to store large amounts of solar and wind power during peak production, which generally isnt when people need it the most.

Renewable energy production can be fickle and unpredictable since it relies on the weather. Peak usage in Texas, on the other hand, is almost always in the evenings when people get home and turn on the air conditioning. The trouble with using wind and solar energy is shifting the power produced during the day and at night to peak usage times.

A 1-megawatt storage battery that came online in August regulates the systems frequency, or the amount of energy flowing through CPS grid. Regulating the frequency at 60 hertz helps keep equipment from getting damaged and prevents blackouts, aiding in stabilizing the grid as required by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT.

The battery sits on the South Side of San Antonio at the 40-megawatt Alamo 1 solar farm owned by OCI Solar Power, sitting quietly next to a transformer station, making noise only when its heating and cooling units turn on.

This will run 20 to 30 times a day in the summer, but in December we see up to 100 times of deployment of either regulation up or down a day, Byungwook Lee, OCIs energy storage systems manager, said during a site tour of the Alamo 1 facility.

The 1-megawatt battery, half the size of a tractor-trailer, is just a preview of CPS plans to build a separate 10-megawatt, $10 million lithium-ion battery bank for use during peak power surges. OCI owns the 1-megawatt battery, but CPS will own the 10-megawatt battery bank.

The battery bank will be installed at a 5-megawatt solar farm at a yet-to-be-determined site, said David Jungman, senior director of business and economic development for CPS. The batteries will be able to store and provide up to 10 megawatts of power for one hour, or 5 megawatts for two hours. One megawatt of energy can power between 400 and 900 homes for a year.

The solar peak is not when the CPS peak is, Jungman said in an interview. The solar peak is probably more like when the sun is high noon or 1 oclock, but what if we could shift that solar power from the solar peak to the CPS peak, from 5 to 7 p.m. when everybodys going home and turning up their air conditioners?

Utility-scale battery systems feature stacks of lithium-ion batteries placed within containers that can be as large as a tractor-trailer. Each unit offers a megawatt of power storage. Jungman said the 10 batteries combined will take up about an acre of space, a small amount compared to the 50-acre, 5-megawatt solar farm that will supply the battery system with power. CPS would then use a battery management system, or BMS, to control when the batteries would be used to supply the grid with electricity.

For CPS, the 10 megawatts of battery storage would allow the utility to cut back on using natural gas fired peaking units. Also known as peakers, theyre activated during times of high electricity demand, usually during the hottest summer days and cold snaps in the winter.

While effective, natural-gas peakers are an imperfect solution to meeting high demand loads on the electrical grid because they can take 30 minutes to two hours to start producing electricity, said Sam Jaffe, founder and managing director of Boulder, Colorado-based Cairn Energy Research Advisors, a research and consulting firm specializing in energy storage.

Even though people complain all the time about you cant use solar and wind on the grid because you cant control it, Jaffe said, with natural gas, you have this lag time between when you need the power and when you can produce it.

During periods of peak energy consumption, Jaffe said, natural-gas peaking units have to burn fuel continuously to keep the turbines steam warm so they can provide nearly instantaneous power when demand outstrips capacity. This is one of the reasons that electricity prices rise as high as $9,000 a megawatt hour when the demand for electricity peaks.

Batteries can respond within nanoseconds, not within hours or even minutes or even seconds but in nanoseconds, and supply the required amount of electricity, Jaffe said.

CPS currently operates eight natural-gas-fired peaking units that can produce 46 to 48 megawatts of electricity each. By using power stored in the batteries, CPS can burn less fuel during peak power usage.

Texas ranks first in the country for wind power, generating more than 20,000 megawatts of power from wind farms, while solar projects produce more than 580 megawatts, most of which is supplied to CPS. Despite the rise in renewable energy use in Texas, battery costs have remained prohibitive for large-scale projects.

Thats where the $3 million grant comes in.

The grant that CPS received is part of the states New Technology Implementation Grant program, which had $3.5 million available in 2016 under the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan. The emissions reduction plan is a program by TCEQ that provides financial incentives to eligible individuals, businesses, or local governments to reduce emissions from polluting vehicles and equipment, according to TERPs website.

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Jungman said that without the grant funds, CPS would not pursue the battery storage project.

Economically, right now, I dont think its quite there yet, Jungman said.

But the technology is taking hold elsewhere. Companies are building battery factories in the U.S., such as electric car maker Tesla Motorsgigafactory under construction east of Reno, Nevada. The Palo Alto, California-based company hopes the facility will be fully operational by 2018, producing 50 gigawatt-hours a year of battery storage, enough to supply Teslas planned production of 500,000 vehicles a year.

Tesla hopes that by producing battery power at that scale, it will realize a 30 percent decrease in battery costs, reducing the costs for their vehicles and expanding the battery market further.

Jungman said CPS hopes to take advantage of falling battery prices to store more of its renewable power supply.

If this (the 10-megawatt battery project) proves out and it makes economic sense and all of a sudden the batteries become even cheaper, then we could utilize it further in our operations, he said. Batteries are going to be used more and more in our operations moving forward  you could have customers wanting backup, sort of like what Teslas doing with its Powerwall.

Jaffe said that investing in battery storage would be wise while natural-gas prices remain low. He said the utility industry is haunted by past boom-bust cycles of natural gas when some bet on cheap natural gas being the new normal before prices rose again, losing investors billions of dollars.

The issue with natural gas or any fossil fuel is not what pricing will be today, because you will be buying that fuel for the next 20 years; its what pricing will be, Jaffe said. Theres zero uncertainty of what the cost of sunlight will be 15 years from now  it will cost the exact same as it does right now, which is zero.

rdruzin@express-news.net

@druz_journo
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MIDLAND  At the dawn of 2015, as the shale boom started to turn sour, a 25-year-old engineer at Occidental Petroleum named Jenny James was backpacking in Chile, with her mind back in Texas.

Layoffs were spreading through the oil industry, claiming friends back home. With less than two years at Occidental, she worried her career would be over almost as soon as it began.

I just kept checking my phone for oil prices, she recalled.

But the layoffs never came. Occidental, as part of strategy to hold onto talent, instead put her and other young engineers to work supervising drilling rigs, replacing outside contractors.

Now, Occidental has the staff in place to ramp up quickly and make the most of rising oil prices even as competitors that slashed head counts scramble to convince people to come back.

Occidentals experience backs up the counterintuitive theory that companies resort to layoffs too quickly in times of crisis, focusing on the short term when a longer view  however difficult to take  would serve them better. With oil prices back over $50 a barrel and expected to continue their slow march upward, analysts say the deep job cuts made by energy companies will slow the industrys recovery as many companies deal with labor shortages.

Oil, gas and services companies slashed 100,000 jobs in Texas alone during the two-year oil bust, with many workers moving on to other sectors as the downturn dragged on. And for an industry like energy, which demands specialized skills, recruiting and training new workers is neither easy nor cheap.

Occidental  Oxy for short  avoided this problem by committing to keep employees employed. It put newer hires to work on projects that would expand their knowledge and skills and veteran employees on ways to help the company operate more efficiently. It wasnt easy to come up with the money as revenue plunged with oil prices. The company, which employs 11,000, cut capital spending, capped bonuses and sold land holdings in North Dakota, Colorado and the Middle East

Oxy stands alone in a very small group of companies who made a commitment to their employee base and were actually able to deliver on it, said Chad Hesters of Korn Ferry, a global recruiting consultant.

It also wasnt easy for James, who relocated from Houston to a man camp in Pecos for 16 months, where she worked on rigs in intense heat and cold, sometimes late into the night. But she thinks she benefited from the experience and might remember her employers commitment if another company comes calling  giving Oxy another advantage in the battle for talent.

Id been working for an oil and gas company for two years at that point, worried about skills being nontransferable to other industries, James said. I feel like I have a lot of loyalty to Oxy for sending me out to the field.

Oil is a cyclical industry, subject to waves of layoffs when markets go south, and Occidental Petroleum didnt always eschew pink slips. The company ousted 2,000 workers in 1986, for example, and another 1,000 in 1998 during periods of sustained low oil prices.

That volatility has long created a workforce development challenge for oil companies, which have to recruit like crazy when times are good, and convince people they wont be left high and dry when prices inevitably recede  even though they often are.

Eric van Oort, a professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, said thats discouraged young people from going into the field.

I am very concerned and disappointed with what I have seen in the industry, this knee-jerking,  van Oort said. It doesnt show a good commitment to their workforce.

During 2013 and 2014, as the energy boom peaked, many companies struggled to attract enough qualified workers, and Oxy decided it would have to create them. To do so, it put $7 million into a new training center in Midland, offering classes in all aspects of rig operations for roustabouts and production engineers.

It broke ground in late 2014, just as oil prices fell off a cliff.

Oxy, which lost $7.8 billion in 2015 and $574 million last year, could have let people go and mothballed the training center to cut down on overhead. Instead, it kept running employees through courses, operating the center for 340 days in its first year. Preparing for the inevitable rebound was part of the calculus behind Oxys decision to break with its past of handing out pink slips during downturns.

Its hard on the organization, obviously theres very individual impact for folks, said Jody Elliott, president of Oxys North American operations. When the cycle returns, the implications of rebuilding the organization, growing talent, is difficult.

Oxy decided to keep people around, but that requires giving them something to do. The company put experienced engineers to work on projects meant to boost efficiency  tweaking oil field processes to shorten the time from discovery to production and to squeeze the most out of each well. Those efforts, Elliott said, accounted for 70 to 80 percent of the companys progress in cutting the cost of production from about $60 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 in 2016.

In Oxys first-quarter earnings call last year, CEO Vicki Hollub boasted that efficiency gains offset the costs of keeping people on the payroll.

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We not only have a commitment from our management to keep our staff, she said, our staff has more than paid for that decision by their delivery and their performance.

Sending early career engineers out to manage drilling operations yielded more subtle dividends. Cody Carpenter, another young recruit who rotated to the Permian Basin, said the assignment helped advance his knowledge, build his confidence and increase his contributions by allowing him to get to know people face-to-face and handle everything from balancing budgets to ordering parts.

Before I went to the field, when somebody called to ask a question, Id say What do you think? Youve been doing this for 20 years, I dont know, said Carpenter, who is scheduled to come back to Houston this spring. Now Im able to have more intelligent conversations with them, and suggest things on my own.

The philosophy of keeping workers on to avoid the high costs of turnover, recruitment and training isnt new. Germany has long had policies supporting work sharing, or reducing hours during tough times to keep everyone employed. Some states, such as California and Massachusetts, have created programs that allow for partial unemployment insurance benefits if employers cut hours rather than lay people off.

The approach pays dividends to both business and society, helping people maintain skills that will keep them employed over the long term and helping companies ramp back up quickly when conditions improve.

Donald Wood, vice president for institutional effectiveness at Odessa College in Midlands neighbor, Odessa, said that message has finally started to sink in: The companies that keep some money in reserve for the down times are the ones that survive

The mind-set of getting rich quick, a lot of those companies are disappearing, for good reasons, Wood said. They have to understand the cost of hiring and training is huge.

For Oxy, there may not be as many efficiencies to gain during the next downturn, or assets to sell off in order to make payroll. Given that, Elliott cant promise that the era of layoffs is over. But he thinks the experiment paid off.

It takes awhile for a new individual to be productive, he said. As we pull people back from these projects, they can hit the ground running.

lydia.depillis@chron.com

twitter.com/lydiadepillis
San Antonio-based Biglari Holdings Inc. reported its first-ever decline in annual revenue last year on slightly weaker performance at its Steak n Shake restaurant chain and a disastrous top line at Maxim mens magazine.

Biglari Holdings posted revenue of $850.1 million last year, down 1.3 percent from $861.5 million in 2015.

The company earned $99.5 million, or $81.28 a share, last year, compared with a loss of $15.8 million, or $10.18 a share, in 2015. Its investment partnerships largely were responsible, contributing $91.5 million to the companys bottom line last year after racking up $18.2 million in investment losses in 2015. The company doesnt regard the gains and losses in investments as meaningful.

Nor does Chairman and CEO Sardar Biglari put much stock in profit.

Our view on earnings is that they are not real until they end up as cash, Biglari wrote in his annual missive to shareholders, released Saturday. One cannot spend net income. Besides, companies do not go broke because they run out of earnings but because they run out of cash.

A call to Biglari on Monday was not returned, but he generally limits his comments to the annual letter and the companys annual meeting  typically a five-hour Q&A session held each April in New York.

Maxim was mostly to blame for the slide in revenue. Its revenue plunged nearly 63 percent last year to $9.2 million from $24.5 million in 2015. Biglari Holdings has been struggling to reverse the publications sagging fortunes.

The magazine managed to achieve its goal of becoming profitable, albeit at the end of the year, Biglari wrote. It slashed annual expenses by nearly $20 million to $15.8 million. That helped shrink losses, which were $6.4 million last year versus $11.5 million in 2015.

We are now working to achieve a level of profit that in relation to our total investment of $43.9 million  will generate a satisfactory return, Biglari wrote. But do not expect smooth results.

The companys restaurant operations, which include Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin, generated $817.9 million in revenue last year, off from $819.7 million in 2015. That also was the first drop in revenue since Biglari took command of Steak n Shake in 2008.

Profit also fell in the restaurant operations, earning $24.8 million last year compared with $27 million in 2015. Biglari said he had projected the business would increase revenue and profits last year.

Steak n Shake experienced a 1.7 decline in customer traffic, while same-store sales decreased 0.4 percent.

Our performance was not the result of poor economic or weather conditions  two industry favorites and frequently cited alibis  but the result of our own lack of execution, Biglari said in his letter. To improve our operating performance henceforth we must outthink, outwork, and outexecute the competition.

Biglari Holdings is pushing ahead with a franchised-based model at Steak n Shake. The chain added 29 franchise locations last year and had 173 at year-end. The franchises generated $16.1 million in revenue last year, compared with $13.8 million in 2015. Biglari previously has said he wants to add 1,000 franchisees, though he didnt offer a timeline. Having added about 100 franchisees since 2010, expansion has been slow.

First Guard Insurance Co., which provides insurance to commercial truck drivers, continues to perform well for Biglari Holdings. Premiums written rose by 34 percent to $22.4 million last year, while earnings increased 43 percent to $3.3 million.

Biglari Holdings investment in the Lion Fund partnerships ended the year at $972.7 million, up from $734.7 million at the end of 2015.

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Our approach  contrary to that of typical professional investors  is to make relatively few investments and concentrate holdings for the very long-term, Biglari said of the Lion Fund partnerships.

Biglari boasted about its nearly 20 percent stake in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc., which he has waged proxy fights with the past. The partnership acquired Cracker Barrel shares for $241 million in 2011 and 2012. At the end of last year, those shares were worth $791 million. Along the way the partnership has collected $106 million in dividends, or 44 percent of its cost, Biglari noted. Cracker Barrel is the Lion Funds largest holding.

Biglari acknowledged his company has an unorthodox approach. Though Biglari Holdings has about 22,000 employees, only five reside at its headquarters in San Antonio. The decisions Biglari alone makes shape the company.

Our style of operating is idiosyncratic, he said. As the architect of the corporate structure, my aim has been to build the enterprise in accordance with my own abilities as an entrepreneur and investor. Our model is not suitable for everyone.

Biglari holds 51.3 percent of Biglari Holdings outstanding shares which has its benefits.

Because I am the controlling shareholder, I am under no pressure to conform to prevailing conventions, he said.

The companys shares rose $4.65 to close at $440 Monday.

pdanner@express-news.net

Twitter: @AlamoPD

CORRECTION: This article was updated to correct the percentage decline in customer traffic.
Corporate culture has long been the sort of squishy management consultant term thats hard to define, even harder to change and the recipient of lots of lip service yet little action by chief executives.

But however amorphous the phrase may be, its importance was stamped into stark relief last week after a former female Uber engineer made allegations about the San Francisco companys sexist, chaotic and aggressive culture  a game-of-thrones political war, she called it  in a deeply unsettling blog post about her experience there.

The viral essay spawned devastating follow-up stories by journalists about the companys Hobbesian environment and its human resources mess. It revived a #DeleteUber social media boycott of the ride-sharing app that cropped up after President Donald Trumps travel ban. On CNBC, one venture capitalist called the allegations a huge deal as the company moves toward an expected IPO. Early Uber investors Mitch Kapor and Fraeda Kapor Klein, who also works on diversity issues in Silicon Valley, penned an open letter Thursday saying they are disappointed and frustrated and concerned that the company will try to manage its way past this crisis and then go back to business as usual.

More and more, stories depicting aggressive corporate cultures are both the source of fascination in a social-media-driven world and a potential reputation risk that goes well beyond what a companys current employees and future recruits think of it.

Uber is the latest example. The fake-accounts scandal at Wells Fargo laid bare a toxic sales environment fueled by high-pressure sales goals. A widely read story about Amazons hard-charging corporate culture in the New York Times in 2015 prompted pushback from the company months later. (Amazons CEO, Jeff Bezos, owns the Washington Post.)

A companys culture has long been an underlying actor in any story about its successes, its struggles or its failures. (Enron, anyone?) But human resources and corporate reputation experts say shifting expectations of consumers and employees, the role of social media and increasing interest from investors in corporate culture have driven the topic to the forefront, making exposure of a companys how we do things around here approach more salient and precarious than ever.

People and analysts, in particular, are starting to say how a company treats its employees needs to be factored into valuations of the company, said Brian Kropp, the human resources practice leader of the consultancy CEB. A lot of them are starting to look at this issue and say thats going to have material impact on the company.

Social media is a big driver. A blog is what allowed Susan Fowler, the engineer who described the strange, fascinating and slightly horrifying experience of her year working at Uber, to share her story, while social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and other viral platforms amplify it. (Fowler alleges that she was propositioned by a manager soon after starting and that the human resources department repeatedly protected high performers when she and others complained.) Meanwhile, growth of sites such as Glassdoor give anyone with an internet connection the chance to offer unvarnished reviews of what its like to work for a company as easily as theyd review a movie.

That makes it harder for companies to stay ahead of any negative impressions online. Youve got to respond quicker, says Bob Sutton, a professor at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business. Its higher-risk and harder to control than it used to be.

Expectations by employees and consumers, meanwhile, have also shifted. About a decade ago, companies began cultivating what they called their employment brand  the image in the minds of potential recruits of what its like to work at that company. But since then, the employment brand and the product brand have become really enmeshed, and theyve all become part of one bigger story, Kropp said. What you see is a lot of companies starting to use their HR policies to influence what their corporate brand looks like.

In other words, they dont just care about what employees and recruits think about what theyre like to work with. What consumers  who increasingly want to do business with companies that share their values  think about their culture matters a lot, too.

Research has shown that consumers dont need to experience bad treatment themselves to think twice about buying from a company. Christine Porath, a professor at Georgetown Universitys McDonough School of Business, found in lab experiments that when customers witness uncivil behavior between two employees, not only do they think badly of those employees, but they generalize really dramatically to the organization and the brand. Just 20 percent of participants in her study said they would do business with the company again, she found. Theyre very unforgiving with respect to this.

Investors are also more focused on culture. Kropp recently released a report showing a surge in discussion by CEOs and analysts in earnings calls about a companys talent, with organizational culture being first on the list of topics. Between 2010 and 2016, the rate of companies making references to organizational culture in earnings calls went from 19 percent in 2010 to 29 percent in 2016, his research found.

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.

Analysts Kropp interviewed told him companies that had a better grasp of how their employees were doing were more successful navigating the financial crisis, which spurred their interest in tracking the issue more closely.

He says that could be a factor for Uber, which is reported to have a nearly $70 billion valuation and is expected to go public in 2018. My guess is investors are taking a step back and saying those are real risks, he said.

In an emailed statement, Uber chief human resources officer Liane Hornsey, who started at the company recently, said, We are totally committed to healing wounds of the past and building a better workplace culture for everyone.

The companys CEO, Travis Kalanick, known for a pugnacious reputation, tweeted after Fowler published her post that whats described here is abhorrent & against everything we believe in, and he apologized to employees in an emotional all-hands meeting last week.

The company has brought in former Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct an internal investigation, and board member Arianna Huffington said she would hold the leadership teams feet to the fire.

Its unclear how much of a reputation hit that Fowlers post  and the attention its brought to Ubers culture  will ultimately have. However unnerving it may have been for some consumers to read the New York Times account of Amazons culture, the company was recently rated the most reputable company in the U.S. among visible companies by the Harris Poll.
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Actor and Fort Worth native Bill Paxton was known for too many roles to count -- in "Aliens," "Twister," TV's "Big Love" -- but in San Antonio, he's also remembered for his love of the Alamo.

He even walked the red carpet at the Shrine of Texas Liberty not too long ago for a screening of an epic television series about Texas to help launch a fundraising campaign to restore and protect the Alamo.

Paxton died unexpectedly Saturday. He was 61.

His family said his death resulted from complications from surgery.

The news stunned me since Paxton was animated, fit and healthy, a man who looked much younger than his age, at a press session just last month for "Training Day," which airs at 9 p.m. Thursdays on CBS.

The interview was especially memorable for me because, once again, the actor related his appreciation for the brave men of the Alamo.

It was in response to a question about an episode in which his L.A. cop character, Frank Rourke, channels the Alamo.

Though "they knew it meant their death," Rourke says of the Texas heroes, "not a single one fled. That's honor."

At the session, Paxton explained the reference. "My character is a gunfighter," he said. "He has a code of honor.

"The Alamo is a reference to not only a great American event in our history, but also a place where men died with a code of honor."

One of Paxton's first -- and favorite -- family trips as a kid, in fact, was visiting San Antonio's historic landmark.

He was 10. "My father took me and my older brother down to the Alamo. ... We stayed at the Menger Hotel," he recalled in early 2015 at the press session for "Texas Rising," History channel's miniseries about the Texas Revolution.

In "Rising," Paxton portrayed Sam Houston, a role that was even more meaningful to him because of his family ties to the Texas hero. "His mother's name was Elizabeth Paxton," the actor said. "She was my great-great-great-aunt. So he was my second cousin three times removed."

Paxton returned to San Antonio and the Alamo with his "Rising" co-stars for the aforementioned screening and benefit. On the red carpet, he mentioned how moved he felt to be back on those "sacred grounds."

"I wish I could put it in words," he said. "It's indescribable to me."

jjakle@express-news.net
European Union Council adopted a resolution at the meeting on Monday providing for the suspension of the visa-free regime for third countries.

"Visa liberalisation brings great advantages to the EU and third countries. At the same time, the EU must be able to respond effectively in cases where the rules are not being respected. The revision of the suspension mechanism adopted today makes it easier to tackle abuse of the system," the press service quoted Carmelo Abela, Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, as saying on Monday.

The Council and the European Parliament now need to sign the adopted regulation. The signed text will be published in the EU Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days later.

As reported, on February 15, the European Parliament finally approved a bill providing for the suspension of visa-free travel to third countries.

The possible grounds for suspension have been extended, and include a decrease in cooperation on readmission, a substantial increase in the refusal rate of readmission applications, including for third-country nationals in transit, and a substantial increase in the risk to public policy or the internal security of the member states.

The suspension can be triggered by a notification of a member state or by the Commission. If a simple majority of member states notify, the Commission will have to adopt an implementing decision temporarily suspending the exemption from the visa requirement for certain categories of nationals of the third country concerned for a period of 9 months. During this period, the Commission shall establish an enhanced dialogue with the third country concerned to remedy the circumstances in question. If the circumstances persist, the Commission shall adopt (at the latest two months prior to the expiry of the nine months) a delegated act temporarily suspending the visa waiver for a further period of 18 months, for all the nationals of the third country concerned.
If you're in Texas, you have got to drive 120 miles to get an ID.

 Thomas Perez on Feb. 22 in

a CNN-sponsored debate

During a CNN debate among candidates to chair the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez  who won the position Saturday  emphasized the importance of protecting voting rights.

Perez cited efforts, typically led by Republicans, to require voters to show state-issued ID cards at the polls. Democrats say such policies suppress the vote. Republicans say they cut down on voter fraud.

Ive spent a substantial portion of my life doing these cases at (the) Department of Justice, Perez, the former secretary of labor and assistant attorney general for civil rights under President Barack Obama, said at the debate. Let me give you some facts and figures. We sued Texas, and we won. And we won because over a 10-year period, 46 million votes were cast  zero, count them, zero reported incidents of illegal noncitizen voting, two incidents of in-person voter fraud, (out of) 46 million votes cast. If we werent on television, I would call this a word that begins with a B. I will anyway. Its bunk. And you know what, its bunk in every other case. And if youre in Texas, you have got to drive 120 miles to get an ID. If youre poor, that is a poll tax.

This includes a lot of different claims, but we will look at one aspect. Is it true that you have to drive 120 miles to get an acceptable ID in Texas?

The short answer: The vast majority of Texans dont. Residents of its big metropolitan areas like Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin will certainly have a drivers license office much closer than that.

However, for a small percentage of the population, the trip could be that far, or even farther.

The source of the talking point

The statistic comes from testimony against Texas voter ID law, which required voters to show certain forms of a government-issued ID.

The law, signed in 2011 by then-Gov. Rick Perry, required voters to show a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a Texas drivers license, Department of Public Safety identification card, state concealed handgun license, U.S. military ID or U.S. passport.

When the law was under attack, Texas state Sen. Carlos Uresti, a Democrat from San Antonio, testified that some of his constituents would have to drive up to 120 miles to secure a drivers license, the Houston Chronicle reported .

This bit of testimony appears to have been picked up by federal appellate judges in Washington, who ultimately issued a unanimous ruling striking down the law.

During oral arguments, U.S. Appeals Court Judge Robert L. Wilkins asked the attorney defending the law for the state whether the law would be a burden on people having to travel more than 100 miles for a drivers license. How does that impact your argument? Wilkins asked. Isnt that unduly burdensome?

John Hughes, the attorney for Texas, said rural Texans are used to driving long distances, according to the Washington Post. People who want to vote already have an ID or can easily get it, he told the judges.

But another judge on the panel, David S. Tatel, said, The record tells us there is a subset of registered voters who lack ID. We have to think about the economic burden and the fact that minorities are disproportionately poor. He, too, cited the 120-mile drive statistic, the Post reported.

And the talking point made it into the ruling in which the appeals court struck down the law.

That said, the claim deserves some context.

Where would someone have to drive that far?

Uresti had testified that the drive could be up to 120 miles for some Texans who live between San Antonio and El Paso  basically, the lightly populated western portion of the state. So thats where we focused our attention.

We found one newspaper reader who contributed some thoughts on the law to the Dallas Morning News . Kirby Warnock, of the Dallas suburb of Oak Cliff, told the paper that he has family in the Big Bend region, a rural area of West Texas along the Rio Grande.

If a person lives in tiny Imperial, or Terlingua, they have to get a friend or family member to drive them 60 miles and 120 miles respectively, round-trip, just to be able to vote, Warnock said.

So we looked at the situation in Terlingua. According to the Texas drivers license handbook , the closest drivers license office to Terlingua is in Alpine. According to Google Maps, that is 83.4 miles one way, or about 167 miles round trip. Thats an even longer distance than Perez had said.

So this shows that theres at least one place in Texas that would require more than a 120-mile journey. (Imperial, for the record, is only 30 miles from Fort Stockton, or a 60-mile round trip, as Warnock indicated.) Its also worth noting that the 9,145 people who live in Brewster County  where Terlingua is located  are 43 percent Hispanic, which is a bit higher than the state average.

Considering that there are no drivers license offices in 81 of the states 254 counties, its not hard to imagine that there are other locales beyond Terlingua for which a 120-mile one-way trip (or a 120-mile round trip) would be necessary to secure a drivers license.

How common would such a long trip be?

But just because a 120-mile drive is possible in Texas doesnt mean its common. Most of its 27.5 million people live in metropolitan areas.

To get a handle on how many people might be impacted by long trips for a drivers license, we looked at the 81 smallest-population counties in the state. As it turns out, the population of Texass 81 least-populated counties is 343,823, or 1.3 percent of the overall state population. And its likely that many of them already have a drivers license.

So the 120-mile threshold is a pretty extreme scenario that affects a tiny slice of Texas population. That said, its still possible that the law would be a burden for thousands of rural residents living far from a DMV office.

Our ruling

Perez said, If youre in Texas, you have got to drive 120 miles to get an ID.

He has some basis for this statement: The 120-mile figure did crop up in the court case against the law, and we found at least one example of a West Texas town for which the distance was actually even longer.

However, Perez not only failed to communicate just how rare this scenario is, but he didnt even use a basic qualifier like some people in Texas. Taken literally, he said everyone in Texas has to drive 120 miles to get a license.

The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details, so we rate it Half True.
HOUSTON  A prominent Holocaust historian who was detained at George Bush Intercontinental Airport en route to speak at a Texas A&M University symposium last week said Sunday that he might think twice before returning to the U.S., given the new climate surrounding immigration.

No question, Ill be a little reluctant to come back, even if I love this country, Henry Rousso wrote in an email as he prepared to board a flight back to Paris. The problem is that this incident can happen anytime to anybody.

Rousso was denied entry into the U.S. and whisked into a room where roughly 30 people waited Wednesday afternoon. One officer said he would soon be deported, according to an account he published Sunday on the Huffington Post.

His detention, officers later said, was because an inexperienced immigration official did not realize that a tourists visa would suffice to allow Rousso into the U.S. for research and educational purposes, according to Roussos essay and a Texas A&M professor.

Texas A&M secured his release after 10 hours, Rousso said. Representatives for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Customs and Border Patrol did not return requests for comment.

Roussos account comes as federal officials have put almost every undocumented immigrant here on notice for deportation and just weeks after a national travel ban from seven majority-Muslim countries caused widespread confusion at airports across the country.

Academics have been vocal in their protest of Trumps immigration policies. More than 6,500 professors worldwide said in a petition that they would no longer attend U.S. conferences because of Trumps executive action on immigration. University presidents in Texas urged international students, especially those from the seven countries, to avoid leaving the U.S., fearing that they would not be able to return.

Rousso, who spoke at A&M about Writing in Dark Times on Friday, described in his written account a half-dozen people he waited with in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Rousso wrote that he was grilled with questions about his mother, his father, where he lives, where he works. Perhaps at issue, he guessed, was that he had a recently expired visa from an employment stint at Columbia University.

He said his birthplace  Egypt  also could have played a role. An officer told him it was a random check.
From the World Heritage San Antonio Missions to the Texas Hill Country and the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio Express-News photographers offer the best visual journalism of the region.
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
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A former food packaging plant near Mission San Jose would become loft apartments under a plan by James Lifshutz, one of the builders leading a recent development boom along the southern stretch of the San Antonio River.

Lifshutz said he plans to renovate the 59,000-square-foot facility, at the crossing of Riverside Drive and Roosevelt Avenue, into about 55 market-rate loft apartments. Most of the apartments will likely have rents below $1,000 a month, he said. The city Historic and Design Review Commission will vote on his proposal Wednesday.

Like with Blue Star, Im attracted to hulking, industrial space that is suitable for adaptive reuse, said Lifshutz, who owns the Blue Star Arts Complex in the King William area. He bought the 5.4-acre industrial facility on Roosevelt in January.

The facility was built around 1955 and has been vacant for more than a decade, Lifshutz said. Its about a mile north of Mission San Jose and a few hundred feet from the Mission Reach section of the River Walk, which has sparked a surge in growth since it was completed a few years ago. The designation of San Antonios missions as World Heritage sites in 2015 also has attracted more developer attention to the area.

About a mile and a half north of Lifshutzs property, two development firms are embarking on a $300 million rehabilitation of the Lone Star brewery into a mixed-use development along the lines of the Pearl. Local firm 210 Development Group is building an apartment complex next to Mission Concepcion. Lifshutz recently worked with NRP Group to build the Flats at Big Tex apartment complex in Southtown, and he wants to build single-family homes around the ruins of the Hot Wells resort.

In some cases, developers plans on the South Side have run into opposition from the areas neighborhood associations, which are worried that the growth will detract from the missions and have a negative effect on traffic and property values. Efforts by 210 Development to build apartments near Mission San Jose faltered after pushback from nearby residents.

Lifshutzs proposed apartment complex isnt within any neighborhood association. Theresa Ybanez, president of the nearby Mission San Jose Neighborhood Association, said she isnt opposed to putting apartments on the site.

Its not right next door to Mission San Jose. Its not anywhere near the viewshed, she said, referring to areas that can be seen from the missions.

Lifshutz said he plans to apply for incentives under the citys Inner City Reinvestment and Infill policy, a program that provides fee waivers and tax abatements for projects in certain parts of the city. Hes considering adding commercial space to the project in a second phase.

As the South Side grows, Lifshutz hopes to see Roosevelt Avenue undergo what he called a gentlefication, to become a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly corridor. Thats also a goal of the Mission San Jose Neighborhood Association, Ybanez said.

With the river improvements, with the World Heritage designation in place, I think Roosevelt Avenue can and should change character over the coming years from what it is today, Lifshutz said.

rwebner@express-news.net

@rwebner
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin will attend the 34th session of the UN Council on Human Rights on February 27-28.

According to the information published on the Foreign Ministry's website on Monday, Klimkin's public speaking in the framework of the high-level segment is planned for the second half of the day on February 28.

In addition, upon an initiative of Ukraine, the event titled "The situation of human rights in Crimea" in the framework of a segment's work will take place, co-organizers of which are also Lithuania and Latvia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that the event is intended to draw attention to the problem of the occupation of Crimea and the need for decisive actions of the international community on the issue of forcing Russia to fulfill UN General Assembly resolution 71/205 titled "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)."

The Foreign Ministry also said that Klimkin is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers and senior officials from the UN system.
Editor:

I found myself involved in informal hearings on the reassessment of five separate tax parcels in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Two of these parcels included Clean & Green, which is a program that most farmers in Washington County have their acreage assessed under. Those two Clean & Green parcels could not be discussed at the informal hearings, because Tyler Associates legally could not reassess Clean & Green acres in Washington County, nor any county in Pennsylvania.

All counties in Pennsylvania have the same rates for Clean & Green acreage handed down to them from our Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture under our uniform state law.

Every county across the state of Pennsylvania must use these rates that apply to Clean & Green. All county commissioners across the state of Pennsylvania can at anytime vote to lower the rates handed to them from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on the assessed values of Clean & Green, but they legally can never raise the rates.

Others can read the Pennsylvania law on Clean & Green here: www.pacode.com/secure/data/007/chapter137b/chap137btoc.html

It is my understanding that the Washington County Commissioners through our Washington County Assessors office is allowing usage of the highest rate allowed by Pennsylvania law when billing for taxes on Washington County Pennsylvania Clean & Green parcels.

My question to our county commissioners, who claim to have voted against signing onto this reassessment in spite of court documents that prove different, why wont you vote to lower the rates on taxing the Clean & Green properties in Washington County for our farmers and others who own Clean & Green parcels?

Rebecca L. Simpson

Washington, Pennsylvania
Montana farmer Denise Conover knows her wheat. She watches the markets, takes care of her land and stays up-to-date on current research to select the HRW varieties that will perform best on her farm. Once her wheat leaves the farm, she understands the valuable role everyone in the grain chain plays from the country elevator to the traders. But like many U.S. wheat farmers, once Conovers wheat is ...

Montana farmer Denise Conover knows her wheat. She watches the markets, takes care of her land and stays up-to-date on current research to select the HRW varieties that will perform best on her farm. Once her wheat leaves the farm, she understands the valuable role everyone in the grain chain plays from the country elevator to the traders. But like many U.S. wheat farmers, once Conovers wheat is loaded on a vessel and leaves the port, she knows much less about what happens to it next.



Every year, USW invites farmers (selected by state wheat commissions) to participate in teams that travel overseas to follow their wheat and offer the opportunity to learn from customers about the wheat quality characteristics needed in those markets. Earlier this month, Conover, a director on the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee from Broadview, MT, traveled to Thailand and the Philippines on the 2017 South Asia Board Team with Clint Vanneman, a wheat farmer from Ideal, SD, and a current USW director representing the South Dakota Wheat Commission, and Dustin Johnsrud, a wheat farmer from Epping, ND, serving his first four-year term on the North Dakota Wheat Commission. USW Communications Specialist Amanda Spoo led the team.



Going on this trip was an opportunity for me to gain a better understanding of what our customers expect us to produce for them, said Vanneman. Exports are such an important part of the demand for U.S. wheat so it is important that we understand where we need to take our product and the value that USW has in marketing our grain.



Conover added, Now I see that so much of what we learned from overseas customers reflects back on the farm. It is amazing that the decisions we make on the farm carry forward to the end-users in other countries.



The team visited customers and end users in Thailand and the Philippines, allowing them to observe the differences in wheat food production facilities and milling between the two countries, while also discussing U.S. wheat use in everyday products.



One of the highlights in Thailand was visiting the baking school run by United Flour Mill (UFM) Co., Ltd. USW has developed a very collaborative and productive relationship with the school since 1982, specifically to host preeminent bakery training courses led by USW Baking Consultant Roy Chung. The team also visited the UFM flour mill to see how integrated education has enhanced the return from its milling business.



This is a resource for a huge area and multiple markets. The school brings in industry allies, bakers and millers to learn how to better utilize wheat. The fact that they are learning those skills using U.S. wheat makes this an essential part of our role in the market, said Vanneman.



Another stop at a cookie and cracker company showed the team how generational changes and eating habits are shifting market preference and increasing the development of new wheat products in Thailand  and how USW activities help customers navigate new challenges and opportunities.



Back in the United States we hear about the relationships USW has in overseas markets, but here we saw it on every level here. As farmers we can see the respect customers have for the trade service and technical support USW offers with USDA program funding, said Conover. We can go back and tell other U.S. wheat producers what we saw and heard, and that is going to carry more value.



In the Republic of the Philippines, the team members were guests of honor at the 9th International Exhibition on Bakery, Confectionary and Foodservice Equipment and Supplies, known as Bakery Fair 2017, hosted by the Filipino-Chinese Bakery Association Inc. Vanneman was asked to give remarks on behalf of the team and all U.S. wheat farmers at a luncheon during the event.



It was one of many opportunities for the team to talk about the HRW, hard red spring (HRS) and durum they grow and answer questions about their farms from customers. When Johnsrud spoke about the size and diversity of the farm he owns and manages with his dad and just one hired hand, many of the customers were shocked. All three farmers shared how weather, disease, transportation and other challenges can affect their farm from year to year and in turn affect the crops available for export  but they also highlighted how their commissions are working together to direct and fund public wheat breeding and research aimed at solving those challenges and improving both wheat quality and yield.



We want them to know that we are listening. If we take anything home with us, I think it needs to be that we have to strive to show our breeders and other farmers that we need to keep our quality up as best we can, said Conover. If there is a variety out there that is not working, we need to get it out of the system.

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The police in Vienna on February 23 on the request of Spain for extradition detained 53-year-old Ukrainian of Syrian origin Hares Youssef, previously engaged in gas trade and trade in non-ferrous metals, the ex-adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko, according to Austrian edition Kurier, with reference to the Vienna prosecutor's office.

The information that the detainee is ex-adviser to Yuschenko Hares Youssef was also spread by Deutsche Welle (DW). According to its data, he is involved in the same case, which was opened in relation to founder and chairman of Group DF Dmytro Firtash on suspicion of money laundering.

"Youssef, as earlier reported by Spanish media with reference to the investigation, allegedly disposed the flows of money he received from Firtash," DW says.

At the same time, Kurier said Firtash's environment did not confirm that Hares Youssef was a longtime business partner of the founder and head of Group DF. The newspaper also added Youssef reportedly denied all the accusations against him.
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.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is questioning the leader of the prisoner-release center the Officers' Corps, Volodymyr Ruban, and will soon question Rada deputy Nadia Savchenko as well.

"We are now questioning [Ruban] over the instance of his violation of the established rules for crossing the dividing line in the ATO [anti-terrorist operation] zone," SBU spokeswoman Olena Hitlianska told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

The questioning is taking place in Donetsk region. Ruban is not under arrest, she said.

The contact line crossing procedure is set out in Article 415 of the Anti-Terrorist Center provisions and is freely available, Hitlianska said.

"Furthermore, we are considering canceling permission for Volodymyr Ruban to cross the contact line," the SBU spokeswoman said.

Asked whether the SBU is going to question Savchenko, as was reported earlier, Hitlianska said: "Savchenko too will be invited for questioning, including on this matter [over violation of the rules for crossing the contact line]."

On February 24 Savchenko and Ruban arrived in Donetsk and later visited a jail in Makiyivka where Ukrainians are held prisoner.

Meanwhile, the SBU announced its intention to speak to Savchenko on the subject of her visit to Ukrainian prisoners-of-war in Donetsk and check Rada lawmaker Tetiana Rychkova's allegations that Savchenko "incited active Ukrainian military servicemen to topple the government."
Citigroup Inc. said Friday it is being investigated for hiring practices that might violate the FCPA.

The bank said the SEC and other agencies are conducting investigations or making inquiries concerning compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws.

The probe is aimed at the hiring of candidates referred by or related to foreign government officials.

Citigroup said it is cooperating with the investigation. It didnt disclose other details or say what countries might be involved.

In November 2016, JPMorgan Chase and a Hong Kong subsidiary paid $264.4 million to the DOJ, SEC, and Federal Reserve to resolve FCPA offenses for awarding jobs to relatives and friends of Chinese government officials to win banking deals.

Hiring a family member or friend of a government official isnt always a violation of the FCPA. But a hiring decision intended to reward or induce an official to award work can be an offense.

In August 2015, BNY Mellon paid $14.8 million to settle SEC charges that it violated the FCPA by giving student internships to family members of officials affiliated with a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund.

In March 2016, Qualcomm paid the SEC $7.5 million to settle FCPA offenses for hiring relatives of Chinese government officials to win sales.

* * *

Heres the full FCPA disclosure from page 291 of Citigroup Inc.s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2017:

Government and regulatory agencies in the U.S., including the SEC, are conducting investigations or making inquiries concerning compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws with respect to the hiring of candidates referred by or related to foreign government officials. Citigroup is cooperating with the investigations and inquiries.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
The agreement to start the Foundation emerged in 2007 after more than two years of discussion between the Governments of the United States, Switzerland and Kazakhstan (known as the Parties) about the disposition of $84 million, plus interest, that had been frozen in a Swiss account since 1999.

That account was controlled by the Government of Kazakhstan.

The funds in it were suspected by the U.S. authorities to be laundered bribes facilitated by James Giffen, an American who was arrested in 2003 for contravening the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act.

Giffen was the main intermediary between several U.S. oil companies and the then, and current, president of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev and his top aides.

While it was never proven in court, a federal indictment alleged that payouts of millions of dollars were made through Giffen to Kazakhstans political elite. From 1996 to 1998, four U.S. companies working with Giffens Mercator Corporation landed oil exploration deals  Mobil, Amoco, Texaco and Phillips Petroleum.

The 2007 agreement to start BOTA was brokered by the World Bank, and among its conditions were that an international non-governmental organization be selected via a competitive tender to start and operate the foundation. This tender was won in 2008 by a U.S. non-profit, IREX, in association with Save the Children, and BOTA Foundation opened its doors in February 2009, operated for five and a half years, and closed at the end of 2014.

BOTAs mission was to improve the welfare of impoverished children, youth and their mothers in Kazakhstan through three core programs: Conditional Cash Transfer, Social Service (grants to local non-profits to provide an array of services to vulnerable children, youth and mothers) and a scholarship program called the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). While the original goal for BOTA was to assist around 75,000 beneficiaries, in the end, the number helped was more than doubled.

The BOTA Foundation honestly and accountably returned approximately $80 million of the $115 million it had available to spend directly to poor Kazakhstani children, youth and mothers during the five and a half years it was operational. The foundations three programs benefited more than 200,000 people, in every part of Kazakhstan, the worlds ninth largest country geographically. Every penny was tracked. Annual audits by an international standard accounting firm never found any irregularities. The World Bank, which monitored the Foundations financial and programmatic performance, noted in its final report on the Foundation:

Looking back over six years of BOTAs operation, its achievements have been significant. The Parties (the Governments of the U.S., Switzerland and Kazakhstan) came together to address a very specific restitution case and succeeded in creating a mechanism that channeled $115 million to poor children and youth in Kazakhstan in six years. This is a remarkable achievement and one that has few parallels (emphasis added). There were certainly implementation obstacles along the way but that should not detract from the fact that the goal was achieved, in a timely fashion, with a strong development outcome.

In my next post I will start to examine why the Foundation was so successful and what its lessons are. For those who cannot stand the suspense and wish to download my recently published case study on BOTA, The BOTA Foundation: A Model for the Safe Return of Stolen Assets? please click here.

____

Aaron Bornstein was the Executive Director of BOTA Foundation, employed by a Washington, D.C. based NGO called IREX, from 2011 until its close in 2014. He has worked in eight different countries on a variety of anti-corruption, institution building, poverty alleviation, and other projects. Currently available for new consulting assignments or speaking engagements on stolen asset return, Aaron can be contacted here.
When Melissa Hie moved to Singapore all by herself, little did she know that shell fall so madly in love with travelling. Six years and 365k followers later, she runs the @girleatworld Instagram account which combines two of her (and our) favourite things in the world, food and travel.

Clearly, the best way to enjoy the scenic view of Ayers Rock is through a glass of white wine.

Enjoying some bread on a lazy afternoon in Jordan sounds so good right now!

Cute packaging and delish cold noodles? Sign us up!

Were falling in love with food and travel all over again.

Ice cream on clouds is what dreams are made of! Excuse us, were off to book our tickets and stuff our faces.
Brands and buyers should come forward to help factory owners in Bangladesh to overhaul their units, said Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. The government will also offer its support in this regard. She also said that apparel manufacturers should diversify their products to remain competitive in the global market and explore new markets.

Short-, medium- and long-term plans should be adopted for bolstering demands for apparel and garments made in Bangladesh, said the Prime Minister at the inauguration ceremony of the Dhaka Apparel Summit held on February 25.

She said that the country needs to add value to its products as its export list is heavily dependent up on RMG. The country's exports are also limited to a few countries in West Europe and North America. Hasina said that such a situation in exports is not healthy.

Brands and buyers should come forward to help factory owners in Bangladesh to overhaul their units, said Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. The government will also offer its support in this regard. She also said that apparel manufacturers should diversify their products to remain competitive in the global market and explore new markets.#

The government will also extend its support to increase export earnings, she added. The RMG sector can help turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country.

Bangladesh products are exported duty free to the European markets, but the country pays about $850 million in taxes when exporting products worth $3 billion to the US. She said that as a least developed country, Bangladesh can get duty free benefits from the US.

Hasina also spoke about the safe working environment of the factories in Bangladesh and said that only 39 out of 3,869 units were closed due to poor conditions after inspections were conducted in each of them.

The Prime Minister said the government will provide all the cooperation to reach the target of earning $50 billion in export by 2021.

The second Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017 was held with much enthusiasm and spontaneous participation of speakers and audience from home and abroad. International experts and local speakers took part in three sessions on separate topics. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The textiles ministry is positively working on the proposals for a centre of excellence and a mega textile park at Surat, a hub for the man-made fabric industry in Gujarat. The proposal was sent by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) to the ministry for establishing a centre to conduct research and development of MMF fabrics.

The ministry of textiles is seriously considering providing a centre of excellence to Surat and establishing a textile park at Pinjrat, Ajay Tamta, minister of state for textiles told a leading daily during the ongoing Surat International Textile Expo (SITEX) 2017.

The SGCCI has submitted a proposal for allocation of 80 lakh square meters of land for the mega textile park for establishing textile processing plants. As for the centre of excellence, it will help the MMF sector develop and manufacture different varieties of fabrics that have potential in the domestic as well as the international markets.

The textiles ministry is positively working on the proposals for a centre of excellence and a mega textile park at Surat, a hub for the man-made fabric industry in Gujarat. The proposal was sent by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) to the ministry for establishing a centre to conduct research and development of MMF fabrics.#

Tamta also said that the ministry is considering a project to produce raw linen on agricultural land in India with the assistance of textile and agricultural experts and scientists. India currently imports raw linen from Belgium. By reaping the crops in the country, Indian can produce raw material on its own to produce linen cloths. This can be implemented in Surat, according to Tamta.

Regional office of the textile commissioner, Ahmedabad and SGCCI have jointly organised SITEX 2017, which is currently underway in Surat. It aims to encourage the trade and industry of the South Gujarat region and promote the brand 'Surat' by highlighting the strength of the city's textile Sector. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

The minister was addressing the launch of Ivili Loboya Textile in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Ivili Loboya, which is Africas first cashmere fabric manufacturer, was first established in 2015 as a wool processing hub in Ibika village in Butterworth, Eastern Cape.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

Radebe said the establishment of Ivili Textile is a very important milestone in efforts to transform the economic landscape of South Africa.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

It is the culmination of many years of hard work towards the establishment of this ground breaking initiative in the textile industry These are quality niche wools sourced from different South African sheep breeds with local cotton and wild silk from the North West province.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

It is inspiring to note that the launch of this initiative will also mark the signing of an agency agreement with an Italian retailer, an initiative that will expand your markets to Europe.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

I believe that a project of this nature has great potential to contribute significantly both to the development of an inclusive economy as well as in employment creation, the South African government news agency quoted the minister as saying.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

You do not need to win a tender in order to be successful in this industry. The growth of your business is dependent on your productivity. These are the kinds of initiatives that add meaningful value in changing the current socio-economic conditions of the people of South Africa, added Radebe.

The textile industry is one of the most strategic platforms through which South Africa can bolster trade of its local products, Jeff Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation, has said. The textile manufacturing industry is an ideal model for sustainable entrepreneurship as it encourages productivity, hard work and self-reliance.#

Initiatives like Ivili Loboya Textile are a very important intervention in bolstering rural economies and addressing some of the countrys national imperatives. The minister commended Ivili Textiles for its strategic focus of promoting women participation, improving productivity through agronomic and development skills, as well as promoting entrepreneurship, thus contributing directly to the objectives of the National Development Plan. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said he categorically rejects the idea of renunciation of Donbas, noting that the Ukrainians will themselves decide how to ensure reintegration of the region.

"Both I as president and most Ukrainian people want one thing - peace, no war, the Russian aggressor out of our occupied lands, to remove its troops and weapons, and we the Ukrainians ourselves will sort out how to ensure reintegration of Donbas into civilian life in Ukraine," the president said during a working trip to the city of Dnipro.

He criticized once again politicians who are using various political rallies to promote the idea of giving up Donbas.

"I ask them: was it you who put these territories together to scatter them around in this way? Do you realize that we have Ukrainians living there?" Poroshenko said.
Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone recreated her own look from 2012 Vogue's Beauty Awards and we aren't complaining as she looked every bit gorgeous! However, we would have loved her even more if the actress had experimented with her look, as it was a big event!

Priyanka

On the other side, Priyanka kept it simple but looked simply flawless! From her make-up to outfit, everything is on point and boy, she is slaying!

Deepika & Priyanka Under One Roof

We're super excited that the leading divas of B-town have made it to the Oscar's after party and it is a big deal! Are you also expecting a selfie or picture of these two divas posing together? So do we!

Deepika On Priyanka

Recently, while talking to HT, when Deepika was asked to comment on her alleged rivalry between her and her 'friend' Priyanka, she told, "I like the fact that you use the word friend', because that's what she is to me. So, every time I read anything that doesn't say that [we are friends], it really surprises me."

We Aren't Even Professional Rivals

"I have always said that she is someone I've known for many years. I feel extremely awkward and weird when such comparisons are made, because I don't even believe that we are professional rivals," told Deepika.

We Loved The Attitude Of Deepika

She further added, "We never were. So, why should we be now? She is doing amazing work in her own space. And what her work will require from her in terms of time and other commitments are different from what I am working towards or what I am doing."

Time To Choose One

We know that it's indeed difficult to pick one between two! But if you've already chosen one, do let us know, whose look for the Oscar party made you say 'whoa'.
The Oscars 2017 was watched worldwide and people applauded the winners who bagged the prestigious award from La La Land to Moonlight and Lion. The event came to an end and Indians were quite visible at the Red Carpet and also made a statement at the awards show. Stars like Priyanka Chopra, Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar made heads turn.

While the Oscars Pay Homage To Om Puri, Bollywood Completely Ignores Him! Shame!

Riteish Deshmukh took to Twitter and highlighted how awesome Indians were looking at the Oscars Red Carpet and said, "India is rocking it at Oscars Red Carpet . @priyankachopra looking absolutely stunning. Dev Patel with her Mum & Sunny Pawar stealing hearts."



Richa Chadha was also touched when The Academy paid homage to the Indian actor Om Puri. She took to Twitter by saying, "So thankful and touched at the memoriam for #OmPuri Saab at #Oscars2017," and also replied to a tweet that questioned why Indians are so impressed by American stamp of authority by saying, "Because he was a part of several acclaimed and entertaining Hollywood projects and the fraternity honoured him for that."

Check out the tweets below!

India is rocking it at Oscars Red Carpet . @priyankachopra looking absolutely stunning. Dev Patel with her Mum & Sunny Pawar stealing s  Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) February 27, 2017

So thankful and touched at the memoriam for #OmPuri Saab at #Oscars2017  TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha_) February 27, 2017
Renowned Hollywood celebrities like Barry Jenkins and Ruth Negga marked their protest against the US President's recent travel ban issue at the 89th Annual Oscar Awards Ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, by sporting a blue ribbon.

The Blue Ribbon actually signifies the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). And it has been the organisation that has been fighting against the recent travel ban issue initiated by Donald Trump.

Many of the Hollywood celebrities have shown their frustration over the travel ban issue by Donald Trump and thus they found the Oscars stage apt to show their resentment towards the US President.

Irish-Ethiopian Hollywood star actress Ruth Negga, who will be looking forward to grab the Best Actress Award for her role in Loving, has been the first to appear at the Red Carpet wearing the blue ribbon on her dazzling red Valentino dress.

Negga then soon followed by another celebrity Lin-Manuel Miranda along with his mother, both of them spotted with the political accessory. Miranda has been nominated Best Music and Lyrics for the "How far I'll go" song from the animated film Moana.

Later on, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins was seen wearing a blue ribbon pinned to his suit. Other major celebrities to wear the blue ribbon this award night were Casey Affleck, Karlie Kloss and Benj Pasek.
Celebrated British actor of Indian-origin loses the Oscar battle for the Best Supporting Actor to the talented American actor Mahershala Ali for his film Moonlight.

Dev was in the hunt for the Best Supporting Actor with other contenders like Jeff Bridges from Hell or High Water, Michael Shannon from Nocturnal Animals, Lucas Hedges from Manchester by the Sea, and Mahershala Ali from Moonlight.

Dev, who lost the award to Ali, was seen cheering for the actor. Dev came all the way to Oscars with his mother to experience this greatest award extravaganza.

The award for the Best Supporting Actor has been presented to the Moonlight actor by another talented actor Alicia Vikander at the 89th Annual Oscars held at the Dolby Theater, Los Angeles.

With this Oscar win, Mahershala Ali becomes the first Muslim actor to have won an Oscar ever. He became bit little emotional after having his hand at the golden statue.

"I want to thank my teachers ... I have so many wonderful teachers," said Mahershala Ali.

"My teachers told me that 'it wasn't about you but these characters'. It is service to these stories and characters. I would also thank the cast and crew for the wonderful experience," Ali added.

"I would thank my wife who was in her third trimester. We just had a daughter three days ago. Thank you for being a soldier through this process," Ali stated further.
Yogaraj Bhat and Golden Star Ganesh's film Mugulu Nage, had completed a couple of schedules of shoot where they filmed in various locations of Bangalore, Mysore and Pondicherry. The team will resume shooting for the next schedule in a week.

The latest news is that Navarasa Nayaka Jaggesh, who just had his film Melkote Manja released, will be playing a role in this much awaited film. This role will be more like an extended cameo; he will be part of a song and a couple of scenes.

Jaggesh was part of Bhat's Vaasthu Prakara which did average business at box-office. Recently, they got the opportunity to work together in 'Comedy Kiladigalu' where they were seen as the judges.

Yogaraj Bhat got the idea of this special song during the shoot of this reality show and he expressed it to Jaggesh. The actor after hearing the lyrics and the back-story, readily agreed to be part of this project without remuneration.

The next schedule of the shoot will start with a special song featuring Jaggesh. The song will be shot from February 27 to March 1, in a set erected for the song specially. Amulya will join the schedule after the shoot for her talkie portions.

As per the team, Jaggesh plays the rich man who enters a restaurant singing a song which talks about the youth. The team feels Jaggesh is the right person to deliver the message through the song.

Team intends to complete the shoot in a month and then move to the post-production phase. Producer Syed Salaam intends to release the film for summer. Mysore Talkies has bagged the distribution rights of the film.
The upcoming Mammootty starrer, which is scripted by Udayakrishna and directed by Ajai Vasudev, is one of the most anticipated Mollywood projects of 2017. Recently, the team members revealed some interesting details about Mammootty's role in the movie.

As per the reports, the megastar is playing a very strict, rough college professor in the movie, which is said to be a campus murder mystery. He is an unfriendly professor to his students and refuses to compromise with them.

According to the sources, Mukesh and Salim Kumar will essay the roles of Mammootty's colleagues in the movie. Young actor Unni Mukundan, who has earlier teamed up with the megastar for three films, is also playing a key role.

Unni's role in the rumoured to be a college student, but the reports are yet to be confirmed. The team is yet to finalise the female lead of the movie, Kalabhavan Shahjohn, Maqbool Salmaan, Kailash, John, Arjun Nandakumar etc., appear in the supporting roles.

The untitled movie will mark second collaboration of writer Udayakrishna with the Pulimurugan producer Tomichan Mulakupadam. Shaji is the DOP. Deepak Dev composes the music. John Kutty and Girish Menon handle the editing and art direction respectively.
The biggest reality show Bigg Boss 10 is over, but looks like the contestants are still not done with it. Earlier, Rohan Mehra had shared a shocking video, and now Lopa has said something that really made us recall the 'Bigg Boss 10' days!

Lopa was recently seen at a press conference, where she said that she faced discrimination because she was a small-town! Read on to know more....

Lopa At Press Conference At a press conference (in Nagpur), Lopa was quoted as saying, "When I was in the Bigg Boss' house, I didn't miss my cell phone or internet access..." Lopa Says... "...what I missed the most was kadhi-chawal cooked by my mom and the comfort of my home. More so, I missed the love and warmth of Nagpur." Lopamudra At Press Conference In Nagpur When asked about her lowest point in the Bigg Boss house, she said, "A lot of people tried to put me down in the house, but I fought back with conviction." Lopa Was Underestimated In The House? "Some contestants underestimated me because they couldn't believe that a small-town girl can reach heights." Well, if we remember, it was Lopa who got into unnecessary fights and Rohan had to stop her! Lopa Faced Discrimination In The BB House? "I faced discrimination in the house because I am from Nagpur and they tried to gang up against me. But the love and support of Salman Khan was very encouraging. And I will cherish it forever." But, we never saw such discrimination in the house on television! Lopa, A Celebrity Contestant In BB House Well, Lopa seems to have forgottenthat she was a celebrity contestant' (not a commoner) in the house. Also, she had also represented India at Miss United Continents 2016' pageant and was crowned second runner-up, which made her a known face among the viewers! We don't understand how anyone treated her as a small-town girl', when she already had a name (fame)?

#lopamudraraut #nagpur #press #media A post shared by Lopamudra Raut (@lopamudraraut) on Feb 26, 2017 at 1:37am PST

Like other contestants, Lopa too, had a bumpy journey in the Bigg Boss 10 house. Her best buddy inside the house was Rohan Mehra.

Rohan and Lopa's friendship was under the scanner. It was said that Kanchi got insecure about Rohan and Lopa's closeness. But, Rohan always clarified on the show that he has a girlfriend (Kanchi Singh) outside the Bigg Boss house. He made it clear to the viewers and his housemates that there was nothing but only friendship between him and Lopa.

It has to be recalled that Lopa often got into fight with Bani. Even though Bani tried to be friends with Lopa, she repeatedly took a dig at Bani. Rohan tried to make peace between the two, but in vain.

After coming out of the house, Rohan, Lopa and Kanchi were seen together along with other Bigg Boss 10 contestants in the 'Bigg Boss after party'. Lopa and Kanchi even took to social media (by sharing pictures) to clear that she and Kanchi got along well!

After Bigg Boss, Lopa is seen busy giving interviews.
Recently, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actress Anita Hassanandani launched her line of designer bags in collaboration with husband Rohit Reddy-Bag Talk. The actress had arranged for a party at plush Mumbai hotel and popular television actors turned up to the event. Well, Anita's co-actress Divyanka Tripathi stole everybody's attention with her never seen before look!

Divyanka had shed her Indian avatar and was seen in a modern dress. She was seen in a sheer dress with butterfly print on it. While a few of them loved, many of them criticised her new look! Check out pictures from the launch party....

Divyanka & Anita Sharing this picture, Divyanka wished her co-actress Anita for the new start. She wrote, "Best wishes to Mr and Mrs Reddy for #TheBagTalk. #LaunchParty." Divyanka with Adi Sharing a picture snapped with her on-screen son Adi aka Abhishek Verma from the Bag Talk launch party, Divyanka wrote, "#FromTonight." Divyanka With Sweety Walia and Vahbiz Dorabjee Divyanka shared the picture snapped with Vahbiz and Sweety, and wrote, "It ain't a party if I don't bump into these two lovely girls!" Divyanka With Her Friends Divyanka also shared a pictures snapped with her old friends. Well, we wonder why the actress' husband Vivek Dahiya was missing from the party! Divyanka, Adaa & Srishty Adaa Khan also shared a picture snapped with Divyanka and Srishty Rode and wrote, "My girls #thebagtalk #launch" Anita & Ekta Anita shared a picture snapped with Ekta and wrote, "Only #Love Actually the pic says it all!"

Divyanka has taken to fitness in a big way recently. She was seen in a gym along with her hubby Vivek Dahiya! Looks like Vivek has inspired Divyanka a lot in the fitness front!

Television czarina Ekta Kapoor, Ruhanika Dhawan, Karan Tacker, Krystle Dsouza, Rashmi Desai, Kishwer Merchant, Suyyash Rai, Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary, Vahbiz Dorabjee and many others attended the event. All of them made a style statement during the launch.

Recently, popular television actors took to social media to promote Anita's Bag Talk.

It has to be recalled that Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actress Anita Hassanandani's Bag Talk, was a pre-birthday gift from her husband. Apparently, Rohit had picked up a large stake in an upcoming online start-up called TheBagTalk.com. Apparently, through this portal, Anita will be designing and launching her own line of signature bags for women.

So what do you have to say about Divyanka's new look - Yay or Nah? Hit the comment box to share your views....
Norwegian start-up Polewall last week successfully completed testing of their new optical wireless 200 Gbps 5G transport solution, together with Tier 1 suppliers.

"The combination of low production costs and the ability for very high speed makes this a revolutionary product" says CEO Jan Eide.

Hosted by RISE Acreo, the leading Swedish research institution for fiber optical communication systems and previous collaborator with Polewall on a EU project, tests were performed throughout the week under the watchful eyes of various Tier 1 suppliers and operators.

Polewall founder and CEO Mr. Jan Eide continues "We ran 100 Gbps at 1310 nm and 100 Gbps at 1550 nm combined over the same link at the same time. We measured the results with two 100 Gbps test sets and are very pleased with the results, which were error free."

Targeting small cells and 5G, Polewall has developed a new compact, low cost, optical wireless transport platform capable of transmitting both front- and backhaul traffic across distances up to 250 meters at fiber-like speed.

"The 1 Gbps version is ready for commercialization, and we are ready to commercialize 100 Gbps and higher speeds on market demand", Mr. Eide adds.

Optical wireless transport, also called Free Space Optics (FSO) has been around since the 1970s, but has historically not had much commercial success. Driven by consumers' unstoppable demand for mobile bandwidth, operators are now looking for rapid and low cost means of connecting densely deployed capacity-related 4G and 5G access points to their networks. It is becoming increasingly clear to all industry players that in order to meet the roll-out targets going forward, operators have to use all available tools in the transport toolkit", Dr. Evgeny Vanin of RISE Acreo said in a comment, adding that Optical wireless is license free world wide. The technology utilizes infrared light and is therefore also interference free."

About Polewall

Polewall is a technology company based out of Kristiansand, Norway focused on providing high bandwidth fronthaul and backhaul solutions for small cells, FTTx, LAN Bridging and vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity. Using an optical wireless platform, Polewall's StreetHopper is able to deliver fiber-like speeds and latencies in an easy-to-deploy package.

www.polewall.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170403005863/en/

Contacts:

Polewall AS

Michael Gallagher, COO

+47 454 40 022

michael.gallagher@polewall.com
IRW-PRESS: Sibanye Gold Limited: Sibanye Gold Limited - Anderung des Dividendenquellensteuersatzes

ANDERUNG DES DIVIDENDENQUELLENSTEUERSATZES

Sibanye Gold Ltd. - 24. Februar 2017: Den Aktionaren wird mitgeteilt, dass im Anschluss an die Bekanntgabe durch den sudafrikanischen Finanzminister am 22. Februar 2017 der Dividendenquellensteuersatz mit Wirkung zum 22. Februar 2017 von 15,0% auf 20,0% angehoben wurde.

Mit Bezug auf die Veroffentlichung der Betriebs- und Finanzergebnisse fur die sechs Monate und das Geschaftsjahr mit Ende 31. Dezember 2016 durch den Borsennachrichtendienst der JSE Limited werden die Aktionare gebeten, sich auf die unten aufgefuhrte Dividendenerklarung zu beziehen:

DIVIDENDENERKLARUNG

Der Board hat hinsichtlich des Jahres mit Ende 31. Dezember 2016 die letzte Dividende Nr. 8 in Hohe von 60 Cent pro Stammaktie (brutto) genehmigt und festgesetzt.

- Die lokale Dividendensteuer betragt 20%; - Die lokale Bruttodividendensumme betragt 60 Cent pro Stammaktie fur von der Dividendensteuer befreite Aktionare; - Die lokale Nettodividendensumme betragt 48 Cent pro Stammaktie fur steuerpflichtige Aktionare;

Die wichtigsten Termine und Zeiten sowie andere Informationen, die hinsichtlich der am 23. Februar 2017 bekannt gegebenen Dividendenerklarung zur Verfugung gestellt wurden, bleiben unverandert.

Westonaria 24. Februar 2017

Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Kontakt James Wellsted SVP Investor Relations Sibanye Gold Limited Tel.: +27 83 453 4014 james.wellsted@sibanyegold.co.za In Europa: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch

Die Ausgangssprache (in der Regel Englisch), in der der Originaltext veroffentlicht wird, ist die offizielle, autorisierte und rechtsgultige Version. Diese Ubersetzung wird zur besseren Verstandigung mitgeliefert. Die deutschsprachige Fassung kann gekurzt oder zusammengefasst sein. Es wird keine Verantwortung oder Haftung: fur den Inhalt, fur die Richtigkeit, der Angemessenheit oder der Genauigkeit dieser Ubersetzung ubernommen. Aus Sicht des Ubersetzers stellt die Meldung keine Kauf- oder Verkaufsempfehlung dar! Bitte beachten Sie die englische Originalmeldung auf www.sedar.com, www.sec.gov, www.asx.com.au/ oder auf der Firmenwebsite!

Fur eine Ubersetzung der fur Investoren im deutschsprachigen Raum relevanten Disclaimer siehe Pressemitteilung der Sibanye Gold Limited vom 22. Februar 2017 (Trading Statement und Ankundigung der Veroffentlichung der Betriebs- und Finanzergebnisse fur das Jahr mit Ende 31. Dezember 2016).

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to any securities of Sibanye. This press release should not be sent, distributed, transmitted or otherwise made available in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction where it would be impermissible to do so. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States except pursuant to registration under, or an exemption from the registration requirements of, the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

The securities have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities commission in the United States or any other US regulatory authority. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This announcement does not constitute the solicitation of any vote, proxy or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, Sibanye intends to post to its shareholders a JSE Limited (JSE) Category 1 circular subject to the approval of the circular by the JSE and Stillwater intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) relevant materials, including a proxy statement. The JSE Category 1 circular and other relevant documents will be sent or otherwise disseminated to Sibanyes shareholders and will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. SHAREHOLDERS OF SIBANYE ARE ADVISED TO READ THE JSE CATEGORY 1 CIRCULAR AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. The proxy statement and other relevant documents will be sent or otherwise disseminated to Stillwaters shareholders and will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. SHAREHOLDERS OF STILLWATER ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. When available, Sibanye shareholders may obtain free copies of the JSE Category 1 circular by going to Sibanyes website at www.sibanye.co.za. The proxy statement and other relevant documents may also be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov), when available. Stillwater shareholders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement once it is available from Stillwater by going to Stillwaters website at www.Stillwater.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

Sibanye, Stillwater and their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Sibanyes and Stillwaters respective shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Sibanyes shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of Sibanye in Sibanyes Annual Report on Form 20-F, for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2015, which was filed with the SEC on 21 March 2016. Stillwaters shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of Stillwater in Stillwaters Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2015, which was filed with the SEC on 22 February 2016. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement that Stillwater intends to file with the SEC.

No Offer or Solicitation

This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of offers to purchase or subscribe for, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities referred to herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered, exercised or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as target, will, forecast, expect, potential, intend, estimate, anticipate, can and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. In this announcement, for example, statements related to expected timings of the transactions (including completion), potential transaction benefits (including statements regarding growth, cost savings, benefits from and access to international financing and financial re-ratings), PGM pricing expectations, levels of output, supply and demand, information related to the Blitz Project, and estimations or expectations of enterprise value, EBTIDA and net asset values, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set out in this announcement involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sibanye and Stillwater, that could cause Sibanyes or Stillwaters actual results and outcomes to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: Sibanyes or Stillwaters ability to complete the proposed transaction; the inability to complete the proposed transaction due to failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of Sibanye or Stillwater or other conditions in the Merger Agreement; Sibanyes ability to successfully integrate the acquired assets with its existing operations; Sibanyes ability to achieve anticipated efficiencies and other cost savings in connection with the transaction; Sibanyes ability to implement its strategy and any changes thereto; Sibanyes future financial position, plans, strategies, objectives, capital expenditures, projected costs and anticipated cost savings and financing plans; changes in the market price of gold, platinum group metals (PGM) and/or uranium. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement.

Neither Sibanye nor Stillwater undertakes any obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Ends.

Sibanye Gold Limited Reg. 2002/031431/06 Business Address: Libanon Business Park 1 Hospital Street (Off Cedar Ave) Libanon, Westonaria, 1780 Postal Address: Private Bag X5 Westonaria, 1780 Tel +27 11 278 9600 Fax +27 11 278 9863

Die englische Originalmeldung finden Sie unter folgendem Link: http://www.irw-press.at/press_html.aspx?messageID=39034 Die ubersetzte Meldung finden Sie unter folgendem Link: http://www.irw-press.at/press_html.aspx?messageID=39034&tr=1

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ISIN ZAE000173951

AXC0027 2017-02-27/08:14
The President of ICEG Alexander Nepomnyashiy and the President of UEAtc Benny De Blaere signed a Memorandum of UnderstandingThe discussion was held with the participation of Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Building and Housing Lev Partskhaladze, the President of the EU for technical approval in the construction (UEAtc) Benny De Bleare, SE NIISK Director Dr. Gennadiy Farenyuk, the President of the Interstate Consultants Engineers Guild Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy, experts and representatives of the construction community. It is worth mentioning that the expert community, scientists and members of the construction market all together say that the issue of implementation of the EU-oriented system of technical regulations in the construction became topical long ago. "Asking why it is important for the domestic construction industry - same question, as to ask, for example, why good specialist should have good level of English. It's a competitive advantage, isn't it? Same thing with the technical regulations in the construction: if we will adopt European-oriented system in Ukraine, firstly, our participants of the construction market will speak, so to say, the same language with European, secondly - it will help to attract foreign investment in the industry sector and to local builders to compete on the European market."- commented Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy. President of the Ukrainian public organization "Association of experts of the construction industry" Dmitry Barzilovich focused on the fact that in 2011 the European Union adopted Regulation 305 on the establishment of harmonized conditions for the spread on the market of the construction products. He emphasized that the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU provides adaptation of our country legal system to Regulation 305 and the execution of the implementation measures. "Ministry of Regional Development has developed a draft law on the basis of the Regulation 305. It is intended to regulate the mechanism for determining the essential characteristics of the technical performance of building products on the main requirements for building constructions. The relevant provisions of the regulation have been harmonized with the main provisions of the basic requirements for building constructions, procedures of the insurance for the technical approval in the construction. We also wrote out in this law draft clear obligations for the entities that placing the construction products on the market. We will consider this project today at the meeting of the Government Committee, where I hope it will find support," - said the Deputy Minister. He also noted that the implementation of the mentioned law will require preparation and adoption of about two dozen regulations. Therefore, it is important for Ukraine in cooperation with the UEAtc to apply the existing experience in implementing of the Regulation 305. "The cooperation with the UEAtc is particularly important for our country. Based on the experience of European countries- members of UEAtc, we'll get the opportunity to participate in the procedures of the EU regarding to the provision of the European technical assessments of the new products. This will help to eliminate technical barriers in marketing and to activate the European integration process ", - said Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy. The President of UEAtc Benny De Bleare expressed his words of support for the local builders towards gradual integration of the Ukrainian construction industry to European. He said that UEAtc will support this process, methodologically also and gave sight for the round table of the European system of technical regulation, the main achievements and tendency of its development. During the meeting there was sighed the Memorandum of Understanding between the UEAtc and the Interstate Consultants Engineers Guild. The parties - signatories of the Memorandum will contribute to the promotion and development of mutual contacts by applying a wide range of initiatives that includes distribution of the information, measures to create a network of business contacts and informal relationships with the purpose to achieve mutual understanding and strengthening of the partnership. UEAtc was founded in 1960 and brings together voluntary national research institutes, centers or organizations from 17 countries of Western Europe and the only country of the eastern-Ukraine. The members of UEAtc are the members of EOTA (European Organization for Technical Approvals in the construction), which is the structure of the EU Commission. Working together in UEAtc and EOTA, they largely determine policy in the construction of the EU. EOTA deals with the issues of European Technical Approvals (ETAs) for the construction products, which have the same meaning as the standards, but for innovative products .Namely EOTA promotes the spread of new technologies that have not yet regulated by the standards. Ukraine in UEAtc is represented by the State Enterprise "State Research Institute of Building Structures" ("DP NIISK") since 2007. In cooperation with the UEAtc SE NIISK prepares Technical certificates on the order of the European Union, which allows to attract foreign investment to Ukraine, taking into account, that main building products are produced on the territory of our country. Press releases published on a commercial basis, in accordance with the wording, which is presented by the client. The Interfax-Ukraine News Agency is not responsible for the content of such materials
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- FISSION URANIUM CORP. (TSX: FCU)(OTCQX: FCUUF)(FRANKFURT: 2FU) ("Fission" or "the Company") is pleased to announce results from ten holes at its' PLS property, host to the Triple R deposit, in Canada's Athabasca Basin region: five holes drilled on the R1620E zone, three drilled on the R840W zone and two regional holes drilled 660m west of the R840W zone, towards the high-grade boulder field.

Drilling Highlights Include:

-- Potential new area discovered: Regional drilling (hole PLS17-514, line 1665W) has hit mineralization on a 660m step out from R840W zone, with 1.0m anomalous interval (117.5m - 118.5m) with a peak of 3200cps over 0.5m. -- Expansion of R840W land-based, shallow and high-grade zone: Three holes on R840W have returned strong results and high-grade intervals. -- Expansion of R1620E shallow and high-grade zone: five holes on R1620E have returned wide mineralization. -- All nine holes were mineralized, with four returning high-grade intervals. These include: -- Hole PLS17-517 (line 765W) -- 52.5m mineralization (between 104.0m - 156.5m), including -- 6.82m of total composite greater than 10,000 cps -- Hole PLS17-521 (line 795W) -- 36.0m mineralization in a 49.5m section (between 128.0m - 177.5m), including -- 4.03m of total composite greater than 10,000 cps -- Hole PLS17-515 (line 765W) -- 41.0m mineralization in a 49.5m section (between 141.5m - 191.0m), including -- 3.86m of total composite greater than 10,000 cps

Drilling on the R840W and R1620E zones seeks to grow these newly discovered shallow, high-grade mineralized areas at the west and east end respectively of the 2.63km mineralized trend, for possible inclusion in a future resource estimate update.

Ross McElroy, President, COO, and Chief Geologist for Fission, commented,

"This is a strong start to our 63 hole winter program. We've expanded the near-surface, high-grade zones at each end of our 2.63km mineralized trend, which is of key importance as we seek to include these in a future resource estimate, planned for later this year. We've also had an exciting hit with our regional drilling, hitting mineralization on a 660m step out from the R840W zone. We consider this to be new area of mineralization and we will be targeting it for aggressive follow-up drilling."

Table 1: R840W Zone

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Hand-held Scintillometer Results On Mineralized Hole ID Zone Collar Drillcore (greater than 300 cps / greater than 0.5M minimum) ------------------------------------------------------ Grid From To Line Az Dip (m) (m) Width (m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-515 R840W 765W 342 -80.5 141.5 153.0 11.5 161.5 191.0 29.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-517 R840W 765W 346 -79.8 104.0 156.5 52.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-521 R840W 795W 335 -79.7 128.0 130.0 2.0 135.0 145.5 10.5 149.0 172.0 23.0 177.0 177.5 0.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Hand-held Scintillometer Results On Mineralized Lake Sandstone Basement Total Hole ID Drillcore Depth From - To Unconformity Drillhole (greater than (m) (m) Depth Depth 300 cps / (m) (m) greater than 0.5M minimum) ---------------- CPS Peak Range ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- less than 300 - PLS17-515 930 NA 97.8 - 103.0 103.0 314.0 less than 300 - 33200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- less than 300 - PLS17-517 39100 NA 101.0 - 104.5 104.5 311.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-521 390 - 1000 NA 98.0 - 103.4 103.4 298.3 less than 300 - 2000 less than 300 - 39100 670 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 2: R1620E Zone

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Hand-held Scintillometer Results On Mineralized Hole ID Zone Collar Drillcore (greater than 300 cps / greater than 0.5M minimum) ------------------------------------------------------ Grid From To Line Az Dip (m) (m) Width (m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-513 R1620E 1470E 335 -68.9 70.0 73.0 3.0 80.5 83.5 3.0 91.0 91.5 0.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-516 R1620E 1455E 321 -70.4 106.5 113.0 6.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-518 R1620E 1485E 336 -74.2 62.0 68.5 6.5 71.0 92.0 21.0 96.5 98.0 1.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-520 R1620E 1515E 336 -73.5 84.5 87.5 3.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-522 R1620E 1470E 331 -68.4 81.5 82.0 0.5 105.0 116.5 11.5 119.5 121.5 2.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Hand-held Scintillometer Results On Mineralized Lake Sandstone Basement Total Hole ID Drillcore Depth From - To Unconformity Drillhole (greater than (m) (m) Depth Depth 300 cps / (m) (m) greater than 0.5M minimum) ---------------- CPS Peak Range ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-513 300 - 740 7.3 NA 63.8 218.3 less than 300 - 1300 730 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- less than 300 - PLS17-516 4300 7.4 NA 67.8 266.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- less than 300 - PLS17-518 2400 less than 300 - 25300 7.3 NA 62.0 227.0 less than 300 - 370 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-520 320 - 830 7.2 NA 62.1 236.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-522 350 5.7 NA 60.2 230.0 less than 300 - 5900 320 - 500 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 3: Exploration Targets

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Hand-held Scintillometer Results On Mineralized Hole ID Conductor Grid Collar Drillcore (greater than 300 Line cps / greater than 0.5M minimum) ---------------------------------------------- Az Dip From (m) To (m) Width (m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-514 PLB-3B 1665W 315 -80.4 117.5 118.5 1.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-519 PLB-3B 1665W 156 -84.4 156.5 157.0 0.5 161.5 162.0 0.5 164.5 165.0 0.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Hand-held Scintillometer Results On Mineralized Lake Sandstone Basement Total Hole ID Drillcore Depth From - To Unconformity Drillhole (greater than (m) (m) Depth Depth 300 cps / (m) (m) greater than 0.5M minimum) ---------------- CPS Peak Range ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-514 360 - 3200 NA NA 110.0 382.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLS17-519 325 NA NA 110.7 481.0 515 315 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exploration Targets

Area of Interest 660m West of R840W zone

Hole PLS16-490 (line 1665W) drilled during the summer 2016 program intersected anomalous uranium (up to 115 ppm) and boron (up to 775 ppm) approximately 660m west on strike from the R840W zone - important pathfinder elements for high-grade uranium. Hole PLS17-514 was the first follow-up and hole PLS17-519 was a scissor hole aimed south to test this area. New mineralization makes this an important and high-priority area to follow up.

Natural gamma radiation in drill core that is reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a hand held RS-121 Scintillometer manufactured by Radiation Solutions, which is capable of discriminating readings to 65,535 cps. Natural gamma radiation in the drill hole survey that is reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a Mount Sopris 2GHF-1000 Triple Gamma probe, which allows for more accurate measurements in high grade mineralized zones. The Triple Gamma probe is preferred in zones of high grade mineralization. The reader is cautioned that scintillometer readings are not directly or uniformly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured, and should be used only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive materials. The degree of radioactivity within the mineralized intervals is highly variable and associated with visible pitchblende mineralization. All intersections are down-hole. All depths reported of core interval measurements including radioactivity and mineralization intervals widths are not always representative of true thickness and true thicknesses are yet to be determined in zones outside of the Triple R deposit. Within the Triple R deposit, individual zone wireframe models constructed from assay data and used in the resource estimate indicate that both the R780E and R00E zones have a complex geometry controlled by and parallel to steeply south-dipping lithological boundaries as well as a preferential sub-horizontal orientation.

PLS Mineralized Trend & Triple R Deposit Summary

Uranium mineralization at PLS occurs within the Patterson Lake Conductive Corridor and has been traced by core drilling approximately 2.63km of east-west strike length in four separated mineralized "zones". From west to east, these zones are: R840W, R00E, R780E and R1620E. Thus far only the R00E and R780E have been included in the Triple R deposit resource estimate, where-as the R840W and R1620E zones fall outside of the current resource estimate window.

The discovery hole of what is now referred to as the Triple R uranium deposit was announced on November 05, 2012 with drill hole PLS12-022, from what is considered part of the R00E zone. Through successful exploration programs completed to date, it has evolved into a large, near surface, basement hosted, structurally controlled high-grade uranium deposit.

The Triple R deposit consists of the R00E zone on the western side and the much larger R780E zone further on strike to the east. Within the deposit, the R00E and R780E zones have an overall combined strike length validated by a resource estimate of approximately 1.05km with the R00E measuring approximately 105m in strike length and the R780E zones measuring approximately 945m in strike length. A 225m gap separates the R00E zone to the west and the R780E zones to the east, though sporadic narrow, weakly mineralized intervals from drill holes within this gap suggest the potential for further significant mineralization in this area. The R780E zone is located beneath Patterson Lake which is approximately six metres deep in the area of the deposit. The entire Triple R deposit is covered by approximately 50m to 60m of overburden.

Mineralization remains open along strike in both the western and eastern directions. Basement rocks within the mineralized trend are identified primarily as mafic volcanic rocks with varying degrees of alteration. Mineralization is both located within and associated with mafic volcanic intrusives with varying degrees of silicification, metasomatic mineral assemblages and hydrothermal graphite. The graphitic sequences are, associated with the PL-3B basement Electro-Magnetic (EM) Conductor. Recent very positive drill results returning wide and strongly mineralized intersections from the R840W zone, has allowed interpretation to merge the previously described R600W zone into the R840W zone. The R840W zone, located 495m west along strike of the Triple R deposit, now has a defined strike length of 465m and is still open. Drill results within the R840W zone have significantly upgraded the prospectivity of these areas for further growth of the PLS resource on land to the west of the Triple R deposit. The recently discovered high-grade mineralization in the R1620E zone, located 270m to the east along strike has significantly upgraded the prospectivity for further growth of the PLS resource to the east of the Triple R deposit.

Updated maps and files can be found on the Company's website at http://fissionuranium.com/project/pls/.

Patterson Lake South Property

The 31,039 hectare PLS project is 100% owned and operated by Fission Uranium Corp. PLS is accessible by road with primary access from all-weather Highway 955, which runs north to the former Cluff Lake mine and passes through the nearby UEX-Areva Shea Creek discoveries located 50km to the north, currently under active exploration and development.

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geol., President and COO for Fission Uranium Corp., a qualified person.

About Fission Uranium Corp.

Fission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - host to the class-leading Triple R uranium deposit - and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Ross McElroy, President and COO

Cautionary Statement:

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Fission and Fission Uranium which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company and Fission Uranium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

Contacts:

Fission Uranium Corp.

Investor Relations

Rich Matthews

TF: 877-868-8140

rich@fissionuranium.com

www.fissionuranium.com




Regulatory News:

Total (Paris:FP) (LSE:TTA) (NYSE:TOT) has signed an agreement for the sale of stakes and the transfer of operatorship in various mature assets in Gabon to Perenco. The transaction is subject to approval by the authorities.

This agreement includes the sale of the Group's 100%-owned affiliate Total Participations Petrolieres Gabon, which holds interests in 10 fields. In addition, Total Gabon (Total 58%) has announced the sale of its interests in five fields and the Rabi-Coucal-Cap Lopez pipeline network. The total value of the transactions is around $350 million before adjustments and the production divested by Total represents around 13,000 SEC barrels per day (b/d).

"In a context of volatile Brent prices where reducing the breakeven of our operations is a top priority, this agreement demonstrates our ability to capture value through the disposal of mature assets while benefiting from the synergies generated by the transfer of operatorship," said Arnaud Breuillac, President of Total Exploration & Production. "Total remains committed to Gabon and will focus on maximizing value from its principle strategic operated assets."

Following completion of the transaction, the Group's remaining upstream assets in Gabon will be held entirely through Total Gabon.

Summary of the transactions

Areas Fields TPPG

interest

sold TG interest

pre-sale TG interest

post-sale Offshore Grondin Grondin 34.7% 65.3% op 65.3% non op Gonelle 34.7% 65.3% op 65.3% non op Barbier 34.7% 65.3% op 65.3% non op Mandaros 34.7% 65.3% op 65.3% non op Offshore Torpille Girelle 34.7% 65.3% op 65.3% non op Pageau 34.7% 65.3% op 65.3% non op Hylia 19.3% 55.7% op 37.5% non op Onshore operated Coucal 13.8% 43.7% op 0% Avocette 13.9% 43.6% op 0% Atora 40% op 0% Onshore non-operated Rabi 14.6% 32.9% 32.9% non op Igongo 18% 0% 18" Coucal-Cap Lopez pipeline 100% op 0%

Interests not included in the transactions

Areas Fields TG interest Anguille Offshore Anguille 100% op OnshoreIle Mandji 100% op Offshore Torpille Torpille 100% op Torpille Nord Est 100% op Baudroie-Merou 50% op Deep Offshore Diaba block 42.5% op Cap Lopez oil terminal 100% op

TPPG: Total Participations Petrolieres Gabon (Total 100%)

TG: Total Gabon (Total 58%)

About Total in Gabon

Present in Gabon for over 85 years, Total is a leading oil gas major in the country in both the upstream and downstream segments. The Group's equity production in 2016 was 58,100 b/d.

About Total

Total is a global integrated energy producer and provider, a leading international oil and gas company, and the world's second-ranked solar energy operator with SunPower. Our 96,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible. As a responsible corporate citizen, we focus on ensuring that our operations in more than 130 countries worldwide consistently deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. total.com

Cautionary note

This press release, from which no legal consequences may be drawn, is for information purposes only. The entities in which TOTAL S.A. directly or indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. TOTAL S.A. has no liability for their acts or omissions. In this document, the terms "Total" and "Total Group" are sometimes used for convenience where general references are made to TOTAL S.A. and/or its subsidiaries. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them.

This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TOTAL S.A. nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005492/en/

Contacts:

Total

Mike SANGSTER

Nicolas FUMEX

Kim HOUSEGO

Romain RICHEMONT

Tel.: 44 (0)207 719 7962

Fax: 44 (0)207 719 7959

or

Robert HAMMOND (U.S.)

Tel.: +1 713-483-5070

Fax : +1 713-483-5629
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
AUSTIN, TX and BERLIN, GERMANY -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- Younicos has signed an agreement with Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) in Alaska to design, install and commission an upgraded 3 MW battery-based energy storage system on Kodiak Island that will replace a system that was installed by the company in 2012. The project is expected to be complete by mid-August 2017, in time to support increased seasonal levels of wind power on the island.

The agreement calls for Younicos to replace earlier-generation lead-acid batteries and battery racks with advanced lithium-ion batteries. The implementation of li-on batteries will increase the operational lifetime of the storage resource.

Darron Scott, President/CEO of Kodiak Electric Association (KEA), commented, "Our main goal has always been to bring more renewables to the island and greatly reduce the cost and environmental impacts of using diesel fuel. We realized early on that battery storage is the best solution to help us achieve these goals, and that Younicos is a company with the right technology and expertise -- as well as a passion for clean and affordable energy."

"We're grateful to be chosen once more by KEA to upgrade their battery storage facility," said Jayesh Goyal, Chief Commercial Officer of Younicos. "Their decision to collaborate again on this project demonstrates a high level of trust in both our company and our storage control technology."

In 2007, KEA set a goal to produce 95 percent of Kodiak's energy from renewable sources by the year 2020, to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and lower the cost of generation to customers. Today the island has achieved that goal through a combination of hydroelectric and wind energy. The use of greater amounts of wind energy to reach the renewables goal has been made possible by the intelligently controlled battery system engineered, commissioned, and soon to be upgraded, by Younicos.

About Younicos

Younicos is a global leader for intelligent energy storage and grid solutions. Clients benefit from technical expertise, commercial know-how and in-depth experience built on 150 megawatts installed in 37 energy storage projects worldwide. The company was founded in 2005 in Berlin, Germany, and currently employs more than 130 storage experts there and in Austin, Texas (USA). For more information please visit www.younicos.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3113180



Spokesperson Americas

Gene Hunt

+1 978-750-0333

Email Contact



Spokesperson EMEA & Asia

Philip Hiersemenzel

+49 174 9088188

Email Contact




SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- Domino Data Lab today announced that its Data Science Platform has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the Visionaries quadrant of Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Data Science Platforms.

"We believe Domino's placement as a Visionary validates the work we've been doing since our inception," said Nick Elprin, CEO and co-founder of Domino Data Lab. "We set out to build a platform that empowers sophisticated data scientists in the enterprise. For companies doing the most advanced research, we are thrilled to help them develop and deploy models faster, increase innovation through collaboration, and mitigate risk through reproducibility of their work."

Since starting the company in 2013, founders Nick Elprin, Chris Yang, and Matthew Granade have propelled the San Francisco data science startup to success. Domino Data Lab has achieved 200 percent customer growth and signed over 20 Fortune 500 and global corporations to its client roster in 2016. Notable customers include Clorox, Monsanto, DBRS, Lumosity, Mashable, Instacart, and Exosome Diagnostics, plus more.

Domino's Data Science Platform helps teams accelerate research, deploy models faster, and adopt best practices like collaboration and reproducibility -- leading to more impact from data science with reduced business risk. By designing an open, language-agnostic platform, Domino allows companies to take advantage of the latest advances in open source data science tools in a unified, enterprise-grade platform. "Teams can now develop more effective medicine, increase crop yields, price insurance policies more accurately, or make better investment decisions," Elprin said. Domino Data Lab provides a world-class platform through its combination of open-source support, industry-leading service, and visionary functionality.

The full Magic Quadrant for Data Science Platforms report can be found here.

Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose

About Domino Data Lab

Domino Data Lab makes the leading Data Science Platform for the enterprise, helping organizations accelerate research, increase collaboration, and deploy predictive models faster. Founded in 2013 by three finance industry veterans, it is located in the heart of San Francisco and serves companies ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 companies. To learn more about Domino Data Lab, visit: https://www.dominodatalab.com/
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - February 27, 2017) - Uranium has risen 30% from the very low prices of late last year and a trio of analysts agrees that Energy Fuels is in position to take advantage of a rising price environment.

Included in this article is: Energy Fuels Inc. (TSX: EFR) (NYSE MKT: UUUU)

Uranium's 30% rise from the low of $17.75/lb on Nov. 30, 2016, is fueled by a number of supply and demand factors that has industry watchers optimistic that the tide has turned. On the supply side, Kazakhstan's state-owned Kazatomprom announced in January that it would cut production by 10%; the company supplies 40% of the world's uranium. The company also announced the opening of a trading office in Switzerland. That could help placing the material in the market on a more orderly basis. Justin Chan, an analyst with Numis Securities, told Proactive Investors that "Kazatomprom's establishment of Swiss marketing arm suggests that inventory management may become a policy tool. An inventory policy rather than direct supply would see it act as more of a swing producer or swing seller, using inventory and production levels to influence the uranium price."

Industry watchers also found hope in Rick Perry's Senate confirmation hearings as U.S. Secretary of Energy in January when he said that he would take a hard look at the Department of Energy's practice of bartering uranium. This bartering is believed to place between 5 and 8 million pounds of uranium into the market annually.

On the demand side, there are currently 60 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide and another 160 planned, according to the World Nuclear Association, and existing reactors are having their lives extended. In the U.S., "over 75 reactors have been granted license renewals which extend their operating lives from the original 40 out to 60 years, and operators of most others are expected to apply for similar extensions," reports the Association. In December, the state of Illinois passed a bill providing subsidies for the operation of three reactors run by Excelon; the reactors had been expected to shutter in 2017 and 2018.

Macquarie Bank analysts wrote in a Jan. 20 report, "With the closure of a large number of nuclear power plants announced earlier in 2016 on economic grounds, legislative actions in New York and Illinois keeping some of these open will provide both more optimism and spot market demand into 2017."

Additionally, it is believed that the Trump administration's pledge to make the U.S. energy independent will encourage the development of more nuclear power reactors.

Energy Fuels Inc. is positioned to take advantage of the rising tide for uranium by continuing to explore and develop its properties. On Feb. 17, it reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an aquifer exemption for the Jane Dough wellfield at the Nichols Ranch project in Wyoming; this allows for future in situ recovery. The wellfield, according to the company, is important in sustaining "long-term uranium production at Nichols Ranch. . .once all thirteen header-houses in the Nichols Ranch wellfield have been constructed, the Company expects to advance production into the Jane Dough wellfield, which will be connected to the Nichols Ranch Plant."

Continue reading this article: Energy Fuels Provides 'Strong Leverage to Potentially Increasing Uranium Prices'

About Streetwise Reports - The Energy Report

The Energy Report shares investment ideas for the oil & gas, renewable and alternative energy industries. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

DISCLOSURE:

Energy Fuels Inc. is a billboard sponsor of Streetwise Reports. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

The full disclosure is provided at the end of the published article: Energy Fuels Provides 'Strong Leverage to Potentially Increasing Uranium Prices'

For more information, contact

Carrie Beal Amaro

Associate Publisher

Email contact


PALO ALTO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- Simility, a cloud-based fraud prevention software solution, announced today it has achieved PCI DSS Service Provider Level 1 Compliance. The company's versatile platform encompassing human analytics and machine learning helps companies fight abuse and fraud, while fostering trust and safety.

Simility's platform protects clients across various verticals and industries from the most sophisticated types of fraud. Simility's leading adaptive fraud prevention solution for the new digital economy combines the power of machine learning and human analysis. It empowers fraud analysts to quickly adapt to fraudsters' evolving tactics -- all without having to write code.

Simility's PCI DSS compliance includes:

Comprehensive end-to-end monitoring and protection of the entire fraud detection pipeline from the point of data capture, to servers that store, transmit or process cardholder data.

Detailed inventories of hardware and software, including version numbers, patch status and identification of non-PCI compliant configuration settings.

Dynamic, real-time change intelligence that prioritizes changes and events that contribute to PCI compliance "drift" and quickly identifies suspicious activity, including unauthorized system access.

The PCI Data Security Standard was created by the five major credit card networks and helps minimize the risk of credit card fraud, hacking and other security exposures. Companies that store, process or transmit cardholder data are required to validate their compliance with the requirements of PCI DSS. Obtaining a PCI DSS Report on Compliance (ROC) and Attestation of Compliance (AOC) demonstrates Simility's commitment to payment card data security.

Businesses who use Simility's PCI DSS Compliant solution to store, process or transmit cardholder data can rely on its technology infrastructure as they manage their own PCI DSS compliance certification.

"Securing the data of our customers and their users is of utmost importance to us," said Simility CEO Rahul Pangam. "Only 11% of organizations meet all 12 PCI requirements, according to a Verizon compliance report. Attaining PCI DSS compliance in a cloud environment is an extremely complex and difficult, if not impossible, task. We are proud of our team for achieving this milestone. At Simility, we continue to underscore our commitment to security as well as the protection and integrity of customer data."

For more information about Simility's adaptive fraud prevention solution please click here.

About Simility

Simility is a leading adaptive fraud prevention solution for the new digital economy that leverages advanced artificial intelligence. Simility's platform protects clients, across various verticals and industries, from the most sophisticated types of fraud. It empowers fraud analysts to quickly adapt to fraudsters' evolving tactics -- all without having to write code. Built "by fraud fighters for fraud fighters," the founding team's combined 27 years of fighting fraud at Google puts them in a uniquely qualified class of fraud detection and prevention experts. For more information, visit www.simility.com.

Media contact:

Michelle Faulkner

Big Swing Communications

+1 617-510-6998

Email Contact




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- Library and Archives Canada

Note to editors: Two images are included with this press release on Marketwired's website.

To mark the 15th anniversary of Project Naming, Library and Archives Canada (LAC), in collaboration with Carleton University, will host a gathering of community members, Aboriginal leaders and scholars for this remarkable initiative.

This free public event will be the first major community and scholarly gathering to discuss the contribution of Project Naming to Canada's Aboriginal history. The majority of individuals from the North depicted in LAC's photographic collections are nameless. Over the last 15 years, LAC has worked with Aboriginal communities to identify names and places in these images to rightfully preserve their history for present and future generations.

This gathering will also provide an opportunity for Inuit elders and youth from across Nunavut and elsewhere to celebrate the project's achievements and to look to the future. Another component of this event will be the recording of stories and recollections from Inuit contributors to be included in a book about the history of the project being edited by Professor Carol Payne of Carleton University for McGill-Queen's University Press.

Dates: March 1 to 3, 2017-Library and Archives Canada, Pellan Room, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa March 2, 2017-afternoon session at Carleton University Art Gallery Time: 9 am - 4 pm Event details and agenda: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/events/Pages/2017/15-year-anniversary- project-naming.aspx Agenda (PDF 258 KB)

Stay connected:

Follow us on Twitter (@LibraryArchives), Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

About Project Naming

Before Project Naming began in 2002, the Aboriginal peoples depicted in the majority of federal archival photographs were nameless. Project Naming provides a virtual space enabling First Nations, Metis Nation and Inuit communities to access Canada's historic photo collections and engage in the identification of people and locations, thereby reconnecting with their history to share memories and stories rekindled by the photographs.

The project also aims to inspire and empower Aboriginal youth with a renewed understanding and access to their past.

Since Project Naming began, many individuals have reunited with their families and loved ones, and have sometimes found themselves in the photographs.

In December 2015, Johnny Kasudluak and his mother, Martha Kasudluak, discovered several photographs of Martha and other family members from Inukjuak, Quebec. They sent this photo of Martha with three photographs of her as a young woman.

A photo of Johnny Kasudluak is available at the following address:http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1087066_Johnny_Kasudluak.jpg

In September 2014, Ashevak Geetah (left) and her daughter, Eva Geetah (right) reconnected with their father and grandfather, Eetooloopak, after seeing his photo, which was taken in Iqaluit, Nunavut in March 1956.

A photo of Ashevak Geetah (left) and her daughter, Eva Geetah (right) is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1087066_Gar_Lunney.jpg

Contacts:

Media Relations

Library and Archives Canada

819-994-4589 (office)

613.894.7509 (mobile)

BAC.Media.LAC@canada.ca




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump's first budget proposal will include a substantial increase in defense spending, the White House revealed on Monday. White House budget officials told reporters Trump's budget would include a $54 billion increase in defense spending and a matching reduction in spending on domestic programs and foreign aid. Trump said at a meeting with the nation's governors that the 'historic' increase in defense spending is needed to rebuild the depleted military. The proposed increase in defense spending 'will be offset and paid for by finding greater savings and efficiencies across the federal government,' Trump said. A budget official said most federal agencies would face substantial budget reductions but did not provide specifics. Foreign aid would also be cut under the proposal, the official said, although foreign aid represents less than 1 percent of federal spending. An administration official told reporters Trump's budget will not make significant changes to entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, which are the main drivers of government spending. Trump is expected to submit his final budget proposal to Congress in mid-March, likely setting up a prolonged fight over government spending. The president indicated he would provide additional details about his budget in a speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. However, the proposal has already received considerable criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who claimed Trump wants to cut spending for key agencies in order to provide a tax break for the rich. 'It is clear from this budget blueprint that President Trump fully intends to break his promises to working families by taking a meat ax to programs that benefit the middle-class,' Schumer said. He added, 'This budget proposal is a reflection of exactly who this President is and what today's Republican Party believes in: helping the wealthy and special interests while putting further burdens on the middle class and those struggling to get there.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- SPOT COFFEE (CANADA) LTD. (TSX VENTURE: SPP) ("SPoT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Parisco Cafes LLC ("PCL") whereby PCL will pay to the company, as outlined in its recently delivered Letter of Intent, the one-time franchise fees of USD 150,000 (USD 30,000 per cafe) and a monthly royalty fee of 5%, as well as an advertising fee of 1.5% of gross revenue generated by the 5 franchise cafes. All advertising fees collected from PCL and other franchisees will be spent on local and regional marketing campaigns.

Under the terms of the franchise agreement, PCL has agreed to cover the full development costs including all the equipment associated with the complete development and build-out of the 5 SPoT franchise cafes. SPoT Coffee will approve and lease all the SPoT franchise cafe locations and will subsequently enter into, at cost, a sub-lease agreement for these locations with PCL.

The Company anticipates receipt of combined annual revenue from franchise royalty and advertising fees of USD 240,000 in the first year of operation of the 5 SPoT franchise cafes. Based on its experience, the Company believes that this annual revenue will grow within the first 3 years of operation to an optimal annual amount of USD 325,000.

Together with the existing and operating two SPoT corporate cafes in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, New York, the 5 PCL franchise SPoT cafes along the Saratoga Springs, New York, and West Hartford, Connecticut corridor will start the build-up of the critical mass of SPoT cafes needed to strengthen the SPoT Coffee brand and expand its footprint in the State of New York and beyond.

About SPoT Coffee

SPoT Coffee trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SPP. SPoT designs, builds, operates and franchises community oriented cafes and express cafes in New York State. SPoT's community cafes provide its customers with the highest quality service, signature made-to-order meals and award-winning micro-roasted coffee. Each SPoT cafe is distinctively designed to suit its local neighbourhood, creating a warm and friendly gathering place for the community. SPoT's commercial business focuses on the sale of roasted coffee beans to food service and grocery chains, business offices and third party resellers such as universities and hospitals.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, the potential use of proceeds of the financing that is the subject of this release. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release.

Contacts:

Anton Ayoub

CEO & President

(416) 368-2220 Ext 228

aayoub@spotcoffee.com




BEDMINSTER, New Jersey, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:GCAP) ("GAIN" or "the Company"), a global provider of online trading services, announced that it has successfully migrated the former customers of FXCM's U.S. business to GAIN'S retail brand FOREX.com (www.forex.com). Over the weekend, GAIN transferred over 47,000 accounts with total assets of approximately $142 million.

To ensure that the migration was successful and that the transferred customers were fully supported, GAIN took several key steps, including creating a microsite dedicated to former FXCM customers with information regarding the transfer process and training on FOREX.com's products and services, increasing customer service staffing levels and extending weekend support hours.

In advance of the transfer, GAIN also made several significant enhancements to its products and services, including integrating TradingView charts on FOREX.com's desktop platform, extending FOREX.com's Active Trader program to MetaTrader4 (MT4) customers and providing access to an increased range of third party trading platforms used by migrating customers, such as NinjaTrader.

"We are very pleased with this weekend's successful account migration," said Glenn Stevens, CEO of GAIN Capital. "In a short period of time, and with the help of the National Futures Association (NFA) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), we successfully transferred over 47,000 accounts to FOREX.com. Our focus during this process was to make the experience as seamless as possible and ensure incoming customers receive the support they need."

Following GAIN's acquisition of FXCM's U.S. customer base, FOREX.com is now the largest provider of retail FX in the United States, with over 70,000 customer accounts.

GAIN is one of the largest providers of retail FX & CFD trading services globally. The Company is currently regulated in eight jurisdictions, with approximately 140,000 customers and over $1.5 billion in assets. In addition to its U.S. regulated retail forex business, GAIN operates regulated retail trading operations in the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Grand Cayman and Canada, conducting its retail trading business globally under its FOREX.com and City Index brands. GAIN operates a broadly diversified business, which, in addition to its retail FX business, includes a U.S.-based retail futures business and an international institutional trading business, GTX.

AboutGAIN Capital

GAIN Capital(NYSE: GCAP) provides market access and trade execution services to a diverse client base of retail and institutional investors across a range of exchange-traded and OTC markets. Founded in 1999, the company today supports customers in over 180 countries via several globally recognized brands, including FOREX.com, City Index and GTX.GAIN Capitalis headquartered inBedminster,New Jersey, with a global presence acrossNorth America, Europeand theAsia Pacificregions. For further company information, visitwww.gaincapital.com.
MONTREAL, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

ALGOLD RESOURCES LTD. (TSXV: ALG - the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that the Mauritanian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has provided a conclusive acceptance and opinion regarding the Environmental Feasibility of the Tijirit Gold Mine Project, a key step in Algold's strategy for 2017.

The acceptance and opinion, represents a significant first step towards the application of a mining lease for Algold's Tijirit Gold Project. Algold CEO Francois Auclair commented, "We thank the Government of Mauritania for helping us quickly advance this project, and look forward to additional collaboration in 2017."

This press release has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance under National Instrument 43-101 by Andre Ciesielski, DSc., PGeo., Algold Resources Ltd. Lead Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Andre Ciesielski has further approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release.

ABOUT ALGOLD

Algold Resources Ltd. is focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in West Africa. The board of directors and management team are seasoned resource industry professionals with extensive experience in the exploration and development of world-class gold projects in Africa.

CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains and refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations. All other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward looking statements (or forward-looking information). The Corporation's plans involve various estimates and assumptions and its business is subject to various risks and uncertainties. For more details on these estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, see the Corporation's most recent Annual Information Form and most recent Management Discussion and Analysis on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements that are included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Francois Auclair M.Sc., PGeo, President & CEO, f.auclair@algold.com, +1-(514)-889-5089; Alex Ball, MBA, Executive VP Finance & Corporate Development, a.ball@algold.com , +1-(416)-919-2227
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- Pala Investments Limited ("Pala") is pleased to announce that on February 24, 2017, it reached an agreement with Nevada Copper Corp. ("NCU") regarding the amendment of its existing convertible loan facility to NCU (the "Convertible Loan Facility") and the advance of a further US$5,000,000 (less an arrangement fee and expenses) (the "Advance") under the Convertible Loan Facility. The amendments extended the maturity of the Convertible Loan Facility from January 10, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

The Advance, and all interest accrued thereon, is convertible at a conversion price of the lower of C$0.90 and 115% of the lowest subscription price of Common Shares issued by the Borrower in connection with any equity financing completed within six months of February 24, 2017. The existing loans under the Convertible Loan Facility, and all interest accrued thereon, remain convertible at a price of C$0.69. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advance and the interest accrued thereon, as well as interest accrued on the existing loans after December 31, 2017 will not be convertible until the receipt of shareholder approval of such conversion by NCU.

Upon the closing of the funding of the Advance, Pala will also be issued warrants exercisable for 2,500,000 NCU Shares (the "New Warrants") pursuant to a warrant agreement with a 3-year term, exercisable to acquire NCU Shares at an exercise price of C$0.97 per share.

Funding of the Advance is subject to customary conditions precedent including receipt of approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

After funding of the Advance and assuming an exchange rate of C$1.3104 for each US$1.00 (the noon rate as of February 24, 2017, as published by the Bank of Canada), the Advance would be convertible into a total of 7,280,000 NCU Shares (upon obtaining shareholder approval) and the New Warrants will be exercisable for an additional 2,500,000 NCU Shares, together representing an increase of approximately 2.04% in Pala's securityholding percentage in respect of the NCU Shares (based on 88,168,125 NCU Shares currently outstanding).

Pala currently holds 40,289,141 NCU Shares, $29,549,377.38 of existing loans under the Convertible Loan Facility and warrants to purchase an additional 2,500,000 NCU Shares (the "Existing Warrants"). Subject to the assumptions set forth above, following the conversion of all amounts under the Convertible Loan Facility and the exercise in full of the Existing Warrants, Pala would hold a total of 98,907,262 NCU Shares, representing approximately 67.38% of the then issued and outstanding NCU Shares (based on 88,168,125 NCU Shares currently outstanding).

After funding of the Advance and subject to the assumptions set forth above, following the conversion of all amounts outstanding under the Convertible Loan Facility and the exercise in full of the Existing Warrants and the New Warrants, Pala would hold a total of 108,687,262 NCU Shares, representing approximately 69.42% of the then issued and outstanding NCU Shares (based on 88,168,125 NCU Shares currently outstanding).

Pala has acquired these securities for investment purposes and may increase or decrease the investment in the securities of NCU depending on its evaluation of the business, prospects and financial condition of NCU, the market for NCU's securities, general economic and tax conditions and other factors.

Pala has the right to nominate up to three members of the Board of Directors of NCU, subject to Pala maintaining certain share ownership thresholds, and three nominees of Pala currently serve on NCU's Board of Directors. Pala may, subject to the terms and conditions of its nomination rights, replace its nominee directors from time to time depending on its evaluation of considerations relating to the composition of NCU's Board of Directors, the willingness of its nominees to serve as directors of NCU and other factors.

Pala's address is 12 Castle Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT. For further information, please refer to the Early Warning Report posted on SEDAR or contact John Nagulendran at +41 41 560 9070.

About Pala

Pala is an investment company focused exclusively on the mining sector with a strong track record of successful investments and value creation. Pala's team has extensive experience within the sector and seeks to assist companies in which it has long-term shareholdings by providing strategic advice and innovative solutions in development, production, turnaround and advanced exploration situations. Pala invests across all geographies and in all mining commodities as well as mining services and consumables. For more information, visit www.pala.com.

Certain statements in the press release are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature, including statements with respect to Pala's future intentions regarding the securities of AMR that it owns. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in light of such factors, and Pala is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Contacts:

John Nagulendran

+41 41 560 9070




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PGE)(FRANKFURT: 5D32) (the "Company" or "Group Ten") announces that it has closed 100% of its two previously announced non-brokered private placements resulting in total gross proceeds to the Company of $1.96 million through the issuance of 31 million units, of which management and insiders account for over 13%.

Group Ten received a very positive response from investors to the financings, announced February 8, 2017 and updated February 15. The Company will issue 26 million non-flow-through units at a price of $0.06 per unit for total gross proceeds of $1.56 million. Each non-flow-through unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.12 per warrant share for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the private placement.

Group Ten will also issue 5 million flow-through units at a price of $0.08 per unit for gross total proceeds of $400,000. Each flow-through unit will consist of one flow-through common share of the Company and one-half share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common (non-flow-through) share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.16 per warrant share for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the private placement.

President and CEO Michael Rowley stated, "We are very pleased with the strong interest we received with respect to the financing and the number of quality investors demonstrating their belief in the Company and our high-quality Canadian assets. We anticipate consistent news flow over the coming weeks and months as Group Ten advances a number of corporate and project initiatives currently underway."

In the event that the Company's common shares trade at a 20-day volume weighted average trading price of $0.18 (for warrants in non-flow-through units), or $0.24 (for warrants in flow-through units), or greater at any time after four months and one day after the closing date, the Company may elect to accelerate the expiry date of the warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof and in such case the warrants would expire 30 days after the notice is given by the issuer.

The proceeds of the financing will be used on the Company's Yukon and Ontario projects and for general working capital purposes. All securities issued pursuant to the placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing. The financing is subject to regulatory approval.

The Company paid finder's fee totaling 432,780 non-flow-through units to three arm's length parties with respect to certain orders provided in connection with the financings.

About Group Ten Metals Inc.

Group Ten Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration for deposits of platinum group metals (PGM), gold, nickel and copper. The Company controls a large land position in the Kluane Ultramafic Belt in the southwest Yukon Territory, the Black Lake / Drayton gold project in the Rainy River district in northwest Ontario, and the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGM project in Alaska.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

GROUP TEN METALS INC.

Michael Rowley

President, CEO & Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Group Ten Metals Inc.

Michael Rowley

President, CEO & Director

info@grouptenmetals.com




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2017) - Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. (TSXV: DHR) ("DHR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Genesis Gold Corporation ("GGC") to extend the term of the Exploration License and Option To Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement or Option") to acquire a 100% interest in two gold projects in the State of Nevada, USA (the "Projects / Project or Properties / Property").

As was set forth in the original Agreement, DHR was allowed ninety days from November 18, 2016, during which it was to raise capital for exploration of the Caldera and Jersey Valley gold projects. The ninety day anniversary of the signing (February 18, 2017) also required the Company to pay the second Advance Royalty payment of US$15,000.00. On February 17, 2017, the Company entered a three month extension Agreement with GGC for the purpose of funding these projects and to extend the date of the second royalty payment to May 18, 2017. The remaining terms of the original Exploration License and Option To Purchase Agreement, announced in a press release dated November 23, 2016 and may be viewed on SEDAR at: http://www.sedar.com/, remain unchanged.

DHR continues to search for available funding sources and the scope of DHR's 2017 exploration program are subject to the Company's ability to raise additional capital.

Michael J. Senn, a licensed professional geologist, is the Qualified Person for DHR as described in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DISCOVERY HARBOUR RESOURCES CORP.

F. D. Hegner

President

Contact:

Michael J. Senn

Director

Email: mike@discoveryharbour.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" occur. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding expectations of management regarding the grant and exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in the property, the timing and payment of the option payments, the Company's plans and timing for exploration of the property and testing of samples collected during the proposed exploration program on the property, the approval of the option by the TSX Venture Exchange, and other activities the Company may see appropriate to advance the exploration on its projects. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including, without limitation, the risks that the TSX Venture Exchange may not approve the grant and/or exercise of the option, the Company may not have the funds necessary to make its option payments pursuant to the Agreement, the proposed exploration program on the property may not be completed as and when expected or at all, such other risks as are customarily associated with mineral exploration activities, and such other factors beyond the control of the Company. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR OVER THE UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES
WESTON (dpa-AFX) - Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) announced a definitive agreement to divest its rights to the royalty stream from the global net sales of the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab) to RPI Finance Trust, an affiliate of Royalty Pharma. The transaction is valued at a total consideration of up to $2.85 billion, composed of $2.2 billion in cash at closing and up to $650 million in potential milestone payments based upon future global net sales of Tysabri in 2018 and 2020. Tysabri is an FDA approved treatment for multiple sclerosis. Perrigo acquired the rights to the Tysabri royalty stream through the company's 2013 acquisition of Elan Corporation plc. Royalty Pharma will acquire all of Perrigo's rights to receive Tysabri royalty payments from and after January 1, 2017, which Perrigo has under an agreement with Biogen, Inc. Perrigo's CEO John Hendrickson stated, 'Today's announcement is the result of Perrigo's review of strategic alternatives for the Tysabri royalty stream announced in November 2016. While dilutive to adjusted EPS, the significant upfront cash component will allow us to de-lever our balance sheet, which supports our investment grade financial policy, and better positions Perrigo to pursue our strategic plan.' Perrigo also announced that Ron Winowiecki, Senior Vice President, Business Finance, has been appointed acting Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, following the resignation of Judy Brown, Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer. The company said it is conducting a thorough search process to identify a permanent Chief Financial Officer, which includes Winowiecki as a key candidate. Perrigo announced that Svend Andersen has been appointed Executive Vice President and President, Consumer Healthcare International. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - February 27, 2017) - (TSX: ECA) (NYSE: ECA)

Encana Corporation announced today that it filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which includes its audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Encana has also filed its Form 51-101F1 for the year ended December 31, 2016, which includes the disclosure and reports relating to reserves data and other oil and gas information required pursuant to National Instrument 51-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Copies of these documents may be obtained via www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov (only Annual Report on Form 10-K), the company's website at www.encana.com, or by emailing investor.relations@encana.com. Printed copies of Encana's audited consolidated financial statements are available upon request free of charge by emailing investor.relations@encana.com or by mail from Encana's Corporate Secretary, 4400, 500 Centre Street S.E., P.O. Box 2850, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2S5.

Encana Corporation

Encana is a leading North American energy producer that is focused on developing its strong portfolio of resource plays, held directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries, producing natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs). By partnering with employees, community organizations and other businesses, Encana contributes to the strength and sustainability of the communities where it operates. Encana common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ECA.

SOURCE: Encana Corporation

Further information on Encana Corporation is available on the company's website, www.encana.com, or by contacting:



Investor contact:

Brendan McCracken

Vice-President, Investor Relations

(403) 645-2978

Brendan.McCracken@encana.com



Patti Posadowski

Sr. Investor Relations Advisor

(403) 645-2252

Patti.Posadowski@encana.com



Media contact:

Simon Scott

Vice-President, Communications

(403) 645-2526

Simon.scott@encana.com



Jay Averill

Director, Media Relations

(403) 645-4747

Jay.Averill@encana.com
Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 of HS Orka hf. (the "Company") were approved at a Board of Directors meeting on 27 February 2017. The financial statements of HS Orka hf. are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and are stated in Icelandic kronur (ISK). The financial statements can be found on the Company's website: http://www.hsorka.is



Net profit for the year was ISK 3,104 million, up from a net loss of ISK 247 million in 2015, with the movement predominantly due to non-cash gains in the year further discussed below.



Operating revenue was ISK 7,099 million against 7,343 million in 2015, with the decrease primarily due to a reduction in aluminum based sales (as a result of a decline in aluminum prices in 2016) plus a decrease in the sale of geothermal water due to unusually warm weather in 2016. This is somewhat offset by a continuing growth in sale of electricity to the retail market.



Production cost increased by 13% to ISK 3,671 million in 2016 mostly because of an increase in power purchases and a rise in depreciation derived from the revaluation of the Svartsengi Power Plant at year-end 2015.



Research and development costs were higher in 2016 due to the deep drilling program at Reykjanes. Drilling was completed at a depth of 4,650 meters. Initial well readings (427C temperature, 340 bars pressure) indicate supercritical conditions at the base of the well, comprising significantly higher energy content versus conventional high-temperature geothermal steam.



Legal fees were higher in 2016 due to arbitration proceedings regarding the power purchase agreement with Norural Helguvik ehf ("Norural"). HS Orka hf. received positive results in November 2016, indicating that the power purchase agreement had lapsed due to certain circumstances, and therefore was at an end. The panel further determined that the ending of the contract was not due to any fault on the part of the Company. All counterclaims advanced by Norural Helguvik ehf. in the arbitration were denied.



Finance-related income increased to a gain of ISK 2,364 million (2015: ISK 3,141 million loss). This was driven primarily by an increase in future aluminum prices during the year, resulting in an increase in the fair value of embedded derivatives in power purchase agreements of ISK 1,467 million (2015: ISK 3,248 million loss). Currency gains were ISK 970 million compared to a gain of ISK 197 million in 2015.



A total comprehensive profit of ISK 2,757 million was recorded against ISK 2,633 million profit in 2015. The Company's equity ratio is 66.7% compared to 58.6% at year-end 2015.



Further information can be provided by Asgeir Margeirsson, Managing Director of HS Orka hf., tel. 520 9300 / 855 9301.



Attachment:

https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=617432

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
autobiz, a Suresnes, France-based provider of solutions for online automotive and trade-in pricing, received a minority investment from The PSA Group.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Led by Christophe Louvard, CEO, autobiz provides users people with used-car pricing solutions and quick car purchase proposals ith the promise to sell a vehicle in one hour. Its solutions are now available in nearly 30 countries. The company  which now has close to fifty employees distributed throughout France, Germany, Spain and Italy  is currently developing a consulting business for industry professionals and offers its technology to all its customers throughout Europe.

The investment aims to reinforce the links between the two companies as evidenced by the Reprise Cash By Peugeot and Reprise Citroen websites developed by autobiz in several European countries. According to a written note, the agreement will make it possible to conduct joint business activities abroad, in Asia and South America in particular.

FinSMEs

27/02/2017
DMD Therapeutics, a Seattle, WA-based biotech startup, received $400k in funding.

Backers included foundations Ryans Quest, Michaels Cause, and Pietros Figh.

The company intends to use the funds to move DMD-813 into drug development for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Co-founded in 2016 by Ron Berenson, MD, and Carlo Rago, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, DMD Therapeutics is developing proprietary therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)*.

* DMD is an X-linked genetic disorder, which occurs in approximately 1 in 3,800 male births with an incidence rate that does not significantly vary around the world. In rare cases, females are affected. There are approximately 15,000 and 32,000 individuals living with this disease in the US and Europe, respectively. It is a severe disorder characterized by progressive deterioration of muscle function, which becomes evident in children at approximately 3-5 years old. Patients become wheelchair bound in the early second decade of life. In their late teens and early twenties, most patients develop cardiac and pulmonary failure leading to death in their late twenties to early thirties.

FinSMEs

26/02/2017
(Xinhua) 11:05, February 27, 2017

SHANGHAI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will push international cooperation in the cartoon and game industry in countries along the Belt and Road, said authorities on Sunday.

A cooperation and exchange program in the sector was launched on Sunday, said organizers of the China International Cartoon and Game Expo scheduled for July in Shanghai.

The event will have a special Belt and Road hall to exhibit cartoon works from participating countries and boost commercial cooperation.

China's Ministry of Culture has made it a key task this year to strengthen cooperation in the cartoon and game sector along the Belt and Road.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

The expo, which has been held annually in Shanghai since 2005, is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Shanghai municipal government.
India's largest software services exporter TCS says it is confident of maintaining leadership position in the domestic market that is witnessing strong technology adoption in private as well as public sectors.

The company is quite "enthused" by the commentary and discussions on expanding digital infrastructure in the country, Tata Consultancy Services CEO Rajesh Gopinathan said in an interview with PTI.

"We have always been the leaders in India and have been very proud of the fact that practically every single large national level IT transformation project has been executed by TCS," he said.

TCS is well-positioned in the Indian market, Gopinathan said, adding that it has "the largest share of revenues coming out of India among any of the industry participants".

"We expect to continue that as the offtake of technology across both private and public sectors in India continues," he said.

The Mumbai-headquartered company gets about 6 percent of its global revenues from India, while for Infosys, the number stands at 3.4 percent. Wipro gets about 10 per cent of its revenues from India and the Middle-East.

For Indian IT companies, America accounts for the lion's share of revenues at about 60 per cent, while Europe and the UK contribute about 20 per cent.

Asked about his vision of TCS five years from now, Gopinathan said: "TCS will emerge even stronger than what it is, with a much more diversified and holistic business model as technology itself evolves in business."

He added that the US $16.5-billion firm is well-structured and will go through constant evolutionary change.

"We are at that kind of a point now where we have experimented with things over the last few years, we know the direction where we are going, all stakeholders believe in it.

So, the two key words now are scale and speed. Whatever we are doing, we will do it at scale and faster," he said.

Digital is one area where the company is placing big bets. "We have a revenue run rate of US $3 billion in digital ... We have been growing fairly rapidly. Five years from now, we will pretty much be majority digital. So, it's 16 (percent being digital)-84 today, we are looking at inverting that ratio by the end of the next five years or so," he said.

Gopinathan said the transformation setting in technology is becoming an enabler instead of just being a cost factor.

"Technology is moving away from being a cost centre to a profit centre in many companies... the winners and losers are determined by how they leverage technology... So, it's a huge opportunity with their own challenges," he said.
By Maya Palit

What was really going on when, this Valentines Day, Kangana Ranaut distributed whips to women? The papers say it was a celebration of her role in Rangoon as Miss Julia, a Bollywood stunt-queen apparently based on the 1940s stunt actor Fearless Nadia, Indias first action heroine.

One report says it was about empowering women, but doesnt really elaborate how this would happen. The actress wants girls to recognise the[ir] superiority in a sexual relationship, take charge over the act, and their boyfriends, wrote a DNA article, and its bizarrely muddled conflation of her role and real personality carried on, with a line about how Ranaut was clearly channeling her daredevil persona both onscreen and offscreen.

By now Ranaut has a reputation for being bold and brave. If youve seen her interviews over the last few years, youd know that she seems to have an incredible no-bullshit approach to everything. There was the time she voiced her opinion on Rakesh Roshan, going on the offensive about her row with Hrithik Roshan.

Why do daddies with big names have to run to the rescue of their reasonably old sons when they are stuck in controversies, she asked, with a well-rehearsed eye-roll. And theres her more recent and explosive cutting down to size of Karan Johar on his own show, where she accused him of nepotism and said he was a big snob.

Ranauts straight talk and frank take on the murkiness of Bollywood, and its suspicion of new actors from other backgrounds, makes for a great breath of fresh air.

But it's been a long journey, from the frankness of Ranaut  who in May 2016 said in an interview that a sexually active woman is labelled a whore or a psychopath by the public  to the frankness of the Karan Johar conversation in 2017. And somewhere along the way, Bollywood has found a revenue model in the breath of fresh air.

Publicists promoting her most recent film Rangoon, and the media too, has been latching on to the sliver of real-life personality to do a lot of irritating cult-building. So much so that a Cinestaan article attempting to suss out why Ranaut was chosen for the role in Rangoon settles on three conclusions. That Ranaut, like Nadia, is an outsider to the film industry, that she has become a feminist ideal in Bollywood, and that she is renowned for her fearless statements, and brutal honesty.

Does this hyped-up personality cult end up being particularly harsh on the women actors in question? Because, after all the marketing gimmicks (the whip-distributing) and the press building up of Ranauts persona prior to the film, it nose-dived because of her madly boring role in Rangoon. Forget headstrong or fiercely independent. This was a film that began with Ranaut as the doe-eyed and half-witted mistress of a melodramatic writer and British chamcha named Rusi (played by Saif) who calls her Kiddo.

Rusi has a Pygmalion-type relationship with her, because he discovered her off the streets, so naturally can baby talk and manipulate her into hare-brained schemes, like going to Burma to boost soldiers morale. Then comes along a macho soldier (played by Shahid Kapoor)  an INA spy and bastion of patriotism. They fall in love and roll around in mud (while a Japanese soldier theyve captured and tied up plays the harmonica) and then she parrots his one-liners about why God made beautiful women foolish.

He explains that she must be dead inside to not recognise the tyranny of the British, and in the blink of an eye, shes all converted, does some more parroting, and is ready to sacrifice her life to get the British out. Or she would be, if she wasnt stuck in a tug of war between the two men. She does a terrific job with the stunt scenes (especially the sword-fighting), but otherwise, her character is just pallid and painfully predictable  a pretty far cry from the strong woman that Ranaut said would make the film a perfect watch for Womens Day.

The persona of Ranauts character in Queen lived up to all the Bold Badass Babes spiel in articles about her, because her role as a shy, un-glam woman travelling on her own to escape her moronic husband-to-be was fun, broke out of the conventions you tend to see in Bollywood films, and gave her enough to do. But since then it feels like Bollywood has used the publics love for Ranaut against them.

The Koffee with Karan episode being peddled as Kangana telling the truth and nothing but in blazing capital letters, and channeling her fearless character in the film while bringing down Bollywood, got tiring really quickly. As did the instruction to echo Kangana by having an I Mean Business attitude and not developing personal equations in the workplace.

It all reeks of a madly myopic view of what strong woman and persona have to look like.

And then, after all the relentless publicity and media jumping down peoples throats about how Ranaut, on-screen and off, is a model for fearlessness, Rangoon just doesnt deliver by making her role so forgettable.

As a friend said when I was discussing it with her afterwards: You know, its not that we dont want female heroes. Its just that we want Bollywood to write them a half-way decent script or two.

The Ladies Finger (TLF) is a leading online womens magazine
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And she's here! Priyanka Chopra  also on-trend in a structured white gown and slicked back hair  has walked the red carpet.

The controversy reared its head again, when Casey walked the red carpet. Read an analysis of it here on Firstpost.

A fascinating statement has been issued by the five filmmakers nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category. They've strongly condemned the culture of 'fanaticism and nationalism we see in the US'.

If you were wondering which category would be announced when  here's a complete schedule:

These Oscars were going to eb a political event  seeing the trend over the award season this year  and sure enough, there were several celebrities who sported blue ribbons on the red carpet in support of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union).

"One actress has stood the test of time with her many 'average' performances [sarcasm]  this is Meryl's 20th Oscar nomination!" he said, to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Kimmel also said that Matt Damon has been very selfless, as the producer of Manchester By the Sea, he could have cast himself in the lead. But chose not to.

Kimmel started off his monologue with talking about the current political situation in the USA. He said, "I know you guys want me to say something, but I can do nothing to unite us." "There is only one person in the room that can unite us, and that braveheart is going not going to help us," he said pointing to Mel Gibson, and added, "Scientology is looking good on you."

...And the winner is: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Oscar for Best Costume Design goes to Colleen Atwood for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to Viola Davis for Fences

The Oscar for the Best Original Screenplay goes to Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea

And the Oscar for Best Actor in a Lead Role goes to Casey Affleck for Manchester By The Sea

The big award for the night was marked by a major goof-up as La La Land was first announced Best Picture winner. However, even as the team came on stage to take their award, presenter Warren Beatty realised that he had been handed the wrong envelope (he had Emma Stone's Best Actress note) and corrected himself. Moonlight was then announced as the winner for Best Picture.

Here's the complete list of winners at the 89th Academy Awards. La La Land is  despite the Best Picture gaffe  taking home no fewer than five golden statuettes from the Oscars 2017.

Final word: Oscars 2017 was a great show. Jimmy Kimmel was funny, the Kimmel-Damon rivalry was the highlight, La La Land probably didn't deserve some of the awards it got, and Warren Beatty needs new glasses.

This was a ceremony were the Oscars ALMOST redeemed themselves. I now look forward to Trump tweeting about how the goof up was FAKE NEWS and BAD. Cheers!

WATCH: Moment where crew/cast of 'La La Land' realizes a mistake had been made and 'Moonlight' actually won Best Picture. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/WCCopwsJ66

. @BandryBarry on Best Picture for "Moonlight": "Even in my dreams this could not be true. But to hell with dreams." https://t.co/bkJCcIs2Vw pic.twitter.com/olyJ2OD5FV

In the pantheon of award shows that honour cinema the world over, there are few that match up to the Oscars in terms of glamour, hype or scale.

And as the 89th Academy Awards  or the Oscars 2017  kick off at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Sunday night, 26 February, in the US and Monday morning, 27 February for us folks in India), there's plenty of excitement over how the ceremony will play out.

Will La La Land pull off a landslide sweep across all the major categories it's been nominated in? Will Emma Stone lift the coveted golden statuette as Best Actress? Will it come down to a Denzel Washington vs Casey Affleck fight for the Best Actor in a Leading Role prize? Will Dennis Villeneuve or Damien Chazelle earn the Best Director honour?

We've got some desi interest in the proceedings as well. Priyanka Chopra will be walking the red carpet; she announced her presence with an Instagram photo along with Sir Mick Jagger, which really had us wondering if they have some sort of joint performance/presentation at the Oscars 2017 ceremony. Then there's Dev Patel, who has a Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lion.

If Patel has many expectations riding on his lean shoulders, so too does first-time host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel follows a tough act in the form of last year's host Chris Rock, who roasted the Academy over the #OscarsSoWhite controversy to great effect. Then there's former host Ellen DeGeneres, who has set the bar pretty high with her pizza-sharing, selfie-snapping ways. Kimmel had a goodish bit of experience with hosting the Emmys this year, which should stand him in good stead on the Oscars stage.

That stage could well be the spot where some pretty blistering anti-Donald Trump speeches are made. Meryl Streep set the tone with her Golden Globes acceptance speech, and Stranger Things star David Harbour and a host of other actors followed it up at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. Who will get the loudest applause?

And of course, when talking of applause and approval, we can't leave out the slightly less serious (but no less important) red carpet fashion. There will be some beautiful gowns, natty tuxedos and several bizarre sartorial statements made  there's no doubt.

And we'll be keeping you posted on every little detail, minute-by-minute.

Stay tuned. We're live blogging the 89th Academy Awards, aka the Oscars 2017, right here.
Welcome to the circus.

The 2017 Oscars ceremony was glamorous, political, and a bit boring at times. But no one will regret watching the show. There were so many fun surprises that happened in between the more snooze-worthy parts of the show. (And some not-so-fun surprises, like La La Land being accidentally named Best Picture.)

Here are the most memorable moments:

Jackie Chans two dates

Chan arrived at the red carpet with two stuffed animal pandas, complete with glittery Ugg-esque boots and UNICEF pins. He said he did it as a gesture of support for the animals.

Need more Jackie Chan talking about panda bears in my life. Thanks, Seacrest pic.twitter.com/hmMafb1jQR  KFC Radio (@KFCradio) February 26, 2017

"I'm the ambassador of [the] panda,"Chan told Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet. "After earthquake, they get hurt and I raise them. I have two pandas in China, my own. They go wherever I go."

Meryl Streep's designer of choice

It didn't take long for the conversation to turn political at the 89th annual Academy Awards Sunday. During his opening bit, host Jimmy Kimmel turned the spotlight on Meryl Streep, giving a nod to her lifetime of achievements on the screen. As Streep stood to take a bow, Kimmel said, "Nice dress... is that an Ivanka?" She was wearing a custom blue Elie Saab. Streep has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, who's clothing label has been expelled by big-name retailers recently.

"Nice dress, is that an Ivanka?"  their faces lmao pic.twitter.com/WiD4Ajhuxe  Brenda (@bbrendaaa_) February 27, 2017

Candy!

Midway through the show, Kimmel came out to present another A-lister but stopped to give the remark, "You can't really have movies without candy."

"It's un-American," he continued. "Yeah, popcorn is, too, but we don't have that."

And just then, little bags of Red Vines rained down on the adoring crowd, like a gift from the heavens. "It's time to find out how well those Spanx really work," joked Kimmel.

Towards the end of the ceremony, he surprised the crowd with donuts and cookies, about which Taraji Henson was the most excited:

The award for the best political statement goes to Iranian director

Asghar Farhadi has won the best foreign language Oscar in Los Angeles, for a second time, for domestic drama The Salesman.

Farhadi, 44, did not attend the ceremony because he said that the conditions that would be attached to a potential entry visa were unacceptable. The director had originally planned to travel to Hollywood for the prize-giving to highlight 'the unjust circumstances that have arisen for the immigrants and travelers of several countries to the United States'.

The White Helmets could not attend the Oscars because Syria cancelled the passport:

Statement read on behalf of Raed Al Saleh, head of the White Helmets: "Work on the side of life...stop the bloodshed in Syria." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/KlaAN5zR6v  ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

The tale of Gary from Chicago and Denzel Washington : Jimmy Kimmel invited a supposedly random group of tourists off a Los Angeles star-tour bus to into the show in the middle of the live telecast. The bit went on for a while  a gift for anyone who likes their humor drawn-out and awkward, and a disaster for everyone else  but was rescued by one unlikely hero: Gary from Chicago. Gary, cell phone in hand, stumbled into the Dolby Theatre a virtual unknown and walked out the Ken Bone of the Oscars. At least as far as Twitter is concerned.

Watch Denzel Washington marry two of Jimmy Kimmel's surprise guests at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/OWBrQd2sDV  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017

Jimmy Kimmel tweets to Trump

The Oscars telecast was two hours in and President Trump hadn't tweeted anything about the show? Jimmy Kimmel was surprised.In under five minutes, the first tweet had more than 100,000 retweets. A few minutes later, it became Kimmel's most-retweeted tweet.

Michael J Fox and Seth Rogen

When Seth Rogen and Michael J Fox took to the stage, Michael J. Fox appeared at the 89th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday night to present the award for Best Editing alongside fellow actor Seth Rogen. The star looked happy and healthy amid his continuing battle with Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with back in 1991. After the star-studded crowd gave Fox a standing ovation, Rogen hilariously joked, "I'm going to pretend that applause was for me, even though it was not." "Some of it was for you," Fox responded knowingly. "What do you think, 30 percent of it was for me?" After pausing for a moment, Fox responded again, "Some of it was for you!"

Sunny Pawar is the lion king

Academy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel took a moment on Sunday to visit with Lion's Sunny Pawar to the delight of the audience, re-creating his favorite moment from the animated pic The Lion King. After dropping candy from the ceiling for the crowd, Kimmel asked if the young star of Lion, Sunny Pawar, if he had enjoyed any of it, to which Pawar answered in a resounding affirmative, earning him 'awws' and laughs. Kimmel asked if he enjoyed Lion King, and Pawar agreed to re-create the big moment from the film. After joking that Pawar would have to hold Kimmel up as Rafiki holds up Simba in the film, he agreed that it may be best if they went the other way around. Kimmel held Pawar up high as 'The Circle of Life' played in the Dolby Theatre, with the crowd laughing and Pawar announcing that Mike and Ikes were about to fall from the ceiling for the crowd's enjoyment.

The most memorable award show

Warren Beatty got confused and mixed up La La Land and Moonlight.
There's really no debate about this. The reigning moment of the Oscars 2017 was when the wrong name was announced by Warren Beatty for Best Picture. At first, La La Land was announced best picture, and the cast and crew of the film also arrived on stage to receive the award.

It was then producer of the film Jordan Horowitz, who announced that there was a mistake, and that the real winner was Moonlight.

This was followed by a barrage of funny tweets on the mishap.

The real winner of the night

The @MissUniverse twitter tweets "Have your people call our people - we know what to do." at the #Oscars following mishap. pic.twitter.com/KMCaAJA9bL  Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Credit lene aa jate hai sab ke sab

I wrote the ending of the academy awards 2017. @jimmykimmel we really got them!  M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) February 27, 2017

La La Land and Moonlight got Steve Harvey'd! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/xRODoPjtyN  Legends (@LegendsofCH) February 27, 2017

#Oscars envelope handler will lead off next year's "In Memoriam" reel  Mike Scully (@scullymike) February 27, 2017

By the way, I'm never getting over this. I'll be 100 years old and telling my grandkids, "Let me tell you children about the 89th #Oscars.."  Denizcan James (@MrFilmkritik) February 27, 2017

Wait! There was a mistake, Rogue One starring Darth Vader actually won Best Picture #Oscars  Darth Vader (@DepressedDarth) February 27, 2017

Poor envelop boy

Somewhere an envelope boy is being flogged in a basement somewhere #Oscars  Emile Hirsch (@EmileHirsch) February 27, 2017

Bring on the Steve Harvey jokes

Steve Harvey just sent Warren Beatty a very nice fruit basket. #Oscars  Michael Blackman (@ParaComedian09) February 27, 2017

Can it be? Is #Moonlight really the FIRST winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture with a leading gay character?  #Oscars  Paul Wontorek (@PaulWontorek) February 27, 2017

Anyone in Hollywood blamed Vladimir Putin yet? #oscars  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 27, 2017

The Academy award for weirdest moment of the century goes to this years awards... #Oscars #BestPicture pic.twitter.com/w1oGmMnSUg  Buster Scher (@BusterScher) February 27, 2017

*Applause*

Wishful thinking?

Hey guys! @realdonaldtrump didn't really win on 11/8, there was an EC statistical error & @HillaryClinton is the REAL WINNER #Oscars   (((DuneMyThang))) (@Kris_Sacrebleu) February 27, 2017

And you thought Stranger Things had a twist ending. #oscars  Netflix Canada (@Netflix_CA) February 27, 2017

And the Oscar goes to La La Moonlight. #Oscars  Barbara Miandro (@BarbaraMiandro) February 27, 2017

Trust Spongebob memes to always do the trick

FINALLY SOME BOLLYWOOD RECOGNITION

Wow. #Moonlight so deserving. My #1 film, but #LaLaLand bein hung out like that? Heartbreaking. Props to them for being so gracious! #Oscars  Scott Porter (@ScottPorter) February 27, 2017

-City of stars, are you shining just for me? -Oooh, awkward. Not stars. Moonlight. #oscars  Betty F*ckin' White (@BettyFckinWhite) February 27, 2017
Los Angeles: Actor Casey Affleck won an Oscar in the Best Actor category for his role as a grieving brother in Manchester by the Sea at the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

He was announced as the winner of the golden statuette at the ceremony  being held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on Sunday night.

Casey appeared to be surprised when his name was announced and as his brother and actor Ben Affleck excitedly lunged towards him to kiss him.

Other nominees were: Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge), Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) and Denzel Washington (Fences).

The first word as Casey walked upto the stage to accept the award was "Dammit".

"It means so much to me. Thank you everyone", he said.

He also thanked Washington and said: "One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington, and I just met him tonight."

Oscars 2017: Casey Affleck's Best Actor win for Manchester By The Sea rekindles art vs society debate

It is his first Oscar, and Casey was was nominated once before, in 2008 Best Supporting Actor for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

In Manchester by the Sea, Casey's character is seen as guardian of his teenage nephew, Patrick after his brother's sudden death. The story depicts how he comes out his self-imposed sentence of solitary confinement and also throws light on his struggles to stick around in a world without his brother and this new responsibility.

Casey said he is "really proud to be a part of this community".

"I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included", he added.

Concluding his acceptance speech, Casey said: "I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say." He thanked his family for their constant support.

He was presented the award by last year's best actress winner Brie Larson.
Los Angeles: The third time was certainly the charm for actress Viola Davis, who won her first Oscar after being nominated twice earlier.

Davis won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role Academy Award for portraying Rose Maxson, a devoted wife and mother who tries to champion her son's ambitions against her husband's sometimes savage derision in the film Fences, directed by Denzel Washington.

Clutching the golden trophy to her chest, she got all teary eyed as she thanked the film's team and her family for the honour that was given to her on Sunday here at a glittering event, attended by the Who's Who of Hollywood.

While accepting the award, she said: "Thank you to the Academy. You know, there's one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered. One place and that's the graveyard."

"People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola? And I say, exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories. The stories of the people who dreamt big and never saw those dreams to fruition."

"People who fell in love and lost. I became an artiste, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life," she said.

After her speech, the ceremony's host, writer-comedian-voice actor Jimmy Kimmel joked that she got nominated for an Emmy for that speech that made people cry.
(Xinhua) 11:08, February 27, 2017

MOSUL, Iraq, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi forces on Sunday liberated al-Mamoun neighborhood in western side of Mosul, the first neighborhood completely freed from the extremist militants of Islamic State (IS) group, the official television reported.

"The Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces completely liberated al-Mamoun neighborhood and raised the Iraqi flag over some of its buildings," the state-run Iraqiya channel quoted Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, from the Joint Operations Command (JOC), as saying.

The CTS forces entered the neighborhood on Friday and seized 50 percent of the area, and continued the fighting until they liberated the whole neighborhood earlier on Sunday.

The CTS special forces entered in the adjacent neighborhood of Wadi Hajar and are fighting fierce clashes with the IS militants inside the neighborhood, the JOC said earlier in a statement.

Meanwhile, the federal police and elite interior ministry units, known as Rapid Response, are still fighting street-to-street battles to liberate southern neighborhood of Jawsaq and Tayaran from the extremist militants, the JOC said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive 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 IS militants.

However, the western side of Mosul, with its narrow street and a population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under the IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
By Francesco Guarascio

| BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS The European Union will not pick an immediate fight with the City of London over its right to clear euro-denominated securities, EU officials said on Monday, as Britain prepares to trigger the process of quitting the bloc.On a day when the EU executive made public tough language on Brussels' policing of financial services providers from non-EU states - Britain's likely status in 2019 - the officials said new EU rules on derivatives trading would not reopen an old battle over clearing between Britain and the euro zone."Territorial restrictions are definitely not going to be part of the next review," one EU official told Reuters, referring to revisions to be proposed by the European Commission in the coming weeks to the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), the main EU legislation on derivatives trade.A second official confirmed that was the case.Britain won an EU court case two years ago to defeat a bid by the European Central Bank to deprive London of its leading role in clearing euro-denominated securities. The ECB wants such trades to be cleared in one of the 19 euro zone countries.

With Britain losing the protections of membership of the EU single market on Brexit, many experts assume euro authorities will make a new attempt to pull back clearing from London. But with concern growing that ill temper may sour next month's expected start of the two-year Brexit negotiating process, the Commission appears set to step back from immediate confrontation over this issue with Prime Minister Theresa May.Instead, the review will focus on cutting costs for small firms in the financial sector and extending beyond 2018 an exemption for pension funds from EMIR requirements.

A Commission spokeswoman said the proposal would include simplifications to some "targeted rules". Previous expectations were for more comprehensive reform of EMIR, including rules governing the location of clearing.The executive has not shied away, however, from warning that London's position as Europe's dominant financial market may face problems on Brexit. In a somewhat unusual step, the Commission published an internal document that sets out the complexities of authorizing firms from outside the EU accessing its market.And, the paper said, such decisions, by which the EU accepts that a foreign jurisdiction has "equivalent" prudential and other rules to those in the Union, can also be revoked.

"An equivalence decision may be changed or even withdrawn ...at any moment," the paper said. The spokeswoman said the publication of a document that had been commissioned before the Brexit vote was not intended as a warning to Britain, or to the Trump administration in the United States. EU ministers are concerned both countries may be tempted to pare back financial regulation to attract global business.Equivalence may let British financial firms access EU markets but EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned last month that Brussels will apply "special vigilance" over such approvals. (Editing by Alastair Macdonald and John Stonestreet)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By James Pearson and Rozanna Latiff

It is in Kuala Lumpur's "Little India" neighborhood, behind an unmarked door on the second floor of a rundown building, where a military equipment company called Glocom says it has its office.Glocom is a front company run by North Korean intelligence agents that sells battlefield radio equipment in violation of United Nations sanctions, according to a United Nations report submitted to the Security Council seen by Reuters.Reuters found that Glocom advertises over 30 radio systems for "military and paramilitary" organizations on its Malaysian website, glocom.com.my. Glocom's Malaysian website, which was taken down late last year, listed the Little India address in its contacts section. No one answers the door there and the mailbox outside is stuffed with unopened letters. In fact, no company by that name exists in Malaysia. But two Malaysian companies controlled by North Korean shareholders and directors registered Glocom's website in 2009, according to website and company registration documents.And it does have a business, the unreleased U.N. report says. Last July, an air shipment of North Korean military communications equipment, sent from China and bound for Eritrea, was intercepted in an unnamed country. The seized equipment included 45 boxes of battlefield radios and accessories labeled "Glocom", short for Global Communications Co. Glocom is controlled by the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the North Korean intelligence agency tasked with overseas operations and weapons procurement, the report says, citing undisclosed information it obtained.A spokesman for North Korea's mission at the U.N. told Reuters he had no information about Glocom.U.N. resolution 1874, adopted in 2009, expanded the arms embargo against North Korea to include military equipment and all "related materiel".But implementation of the sanctions "remains insufficient and highly inconsistent" among member countries, the U.N. report says, and North Korea is using "evasion techniques that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication.Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world which had strong ties with North Korea. Their citizens can travel to each others countries without visas. But those ties have begun to sour after North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns estranged half-brother was murdered at Kuala Lumpurs international airport on Feb 13.

PAN SYSTEMS

According to the "WHOIS" database, which discloses website ownership, Glocom.com.my was registered in 2009 by an entity called International Global System using the "Little India" address. A similarly named company, International Golden Services is listed as the contact point on Glocom's website.Glocom registered a new website, glocom-corp.com, in mid-December, this one showing no Malaysian contacts. Its most recent post is dated January, 2017 and advertises new products, including a remote control system for a precision-guided missile. Glocom is operated by the Pyongyang branch of a Singapore-based company called Pan Systems, the U.N. report says, citing an invoice and other information it obtained.Louis Low, managing director of Pan Systems in Singapore said his company used to have an office in Pyongyang from 1996 but officially ended relations with North Korea in 2010 and was no longer in control of any business there.

"They use (the) Pan Systems (name) and say it's a foreign company, but they operate everything by themselves," Low told Reuters referring to the North Koreans at the Pyongyang office.Pan Systems Pyongyang utilized bank accounts, front companies and agents mostly based in China and Malaysia to buy components and sell completed radio systems, the U.N. report says. Pan Systems Pyongyang could not be reached for comment.One of the directors of Pan Systems Pyongyang is Ryang Su Nyo. According to a source with direct knowledge of her background, Ryang reports to "Liaison Office 519, a department in the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Ryang is also listed as a shareholder of International Global System, the company that registered Glocom's website.Reuters has not been able to contact Ryang.

SMUGGLING CASH

Ryang frequently traveled to Singapore and Malaysia to meet with Pan Systems representatives, the U.N. report says.On one such trip in February 2014, she and two other North Koreans were detained in Malaysia for attempting to smuggle $450,000 through customs at Kuala Lumpur's budget airport terminal, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters. The North Korean trio told Malaysian authorities they all worked for Pan Systems and the cash belonged to the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, according to the two sources.

The Malaysian Attorney General decided not to press charges because of insufficient evidence. A week later, the trio was allowed to travel, and the North Korean embassy claimed the cash, the sources said. All three had passports assigned to government officials, the sources said.Malaysia's Customs Department and the Attorney General's office did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend.The Pan Systems representative in Kuala Lumpur is a North Korean by the name of Kim Chang Hyok, the U.N. report says.Kim, who also goes by James Kim, was a founding director of International Golden Services, the company listed in the contacts section of the Glocom website. Kim is director and shareholder of four other companies in Malaysia operating in the fields of IT and trade, according to the Malaysian company registry.He did not respond to requests for comment by mail or email.The United Nations panel, which prepared the draft report, asked the Malaysian government if it would expel Kim and freeze the assets of International Golden Services and International Global System to comply with U.N. sanctions. The U.N. did not say when it made the request."The panel has yet to receive an answer," the report said. Reuters has not received a response from the Malaysian government to repeated requests for comment about Glocom.

POLITICAL CONNECTION

One of Glocom's early partners in Malaysia was Mustapha Ya'akub, a prominent member of Malaysia's ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Since 2014, he has been listed as a director of International Golden ServicesAs secretary of the UMNO youth wing's international affairs bureau, Mustapha fostered political connections in the 1990s with countries, such as Iran, Libya and North Korea. Glocom's Little India address once housed a company owned by UMNO Youth.Mustapha, 67, said he had been a Glocom business partner "many years back" and said it has been continuously controlled by several North Koreans, including Kim Chang Hyok, whom he said he knew. He did not divulge his role in the company, and denied any knowledge of Glocoms current business."We thought at the time it might be a good idea to go into business together," Mustapha told Reuters about his first meeting with his North Korean business contacts. He did not say who those contacts were or what they discussed. He denied any knowledge of Glocom's current business. Glocom advertises and exhibits its wares without disclosing its North Korean connections."Anywhere, Anytime in Battlefield," reads the slogan on one of several 2017 Glocom catalogs obtained by Reuters. An advertisement in the September 2012 edition of the Asian Military Review said Glocom develops radios and equipment for "military and paramilitary organizations". A spokesman for the magazine confirmed the ad had been bought by Glocom, but said the magazine was unaware of its alleged links to North Korea. Glocom has exhibited at least three times since 2006 at Malaysia's biennial arms show, Defence Services Asia (DSA), according to Glocom's website.At DSA 2016, Glocom paid 2,000 ringgit ($450) to share a table in the booth of Malaysia's Integrated Securities Corporation, its director Hassan Masri told Reuters by email.Hassan said he had nothing to do with Glocom's equipment and was unaware of its alleged links to North Korea.Aside from the North Koreans behind Glocom, clues on its website also point to its North Korean origins.For instance, one undated photo shows a factory worker testing a Glocom radio system. A plaque nearby shows the machine he is using has won a uniquely North Korean award: The Model Machine No. 26 Prize," named in honor of late leader Kim Jong Il, who is said to have efficiently operated "Lathe No. 26" at the Pyongyang Textile Factory when he was a student.

(Reporting by James Pearson and Rozanna Latiff. Additional reporting by Nicole Nee in SINGAPORE, Michelle Price in HONG KONG and Ned Parker in New York.; Editing by Bill Tarrant.)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The IAS Officers Association of Bihar has practically expressed no-confidence in the Constitutionally elected Nitish Kumar government of the state. Association members met governor Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday, and brazenly defended their fellow officer Sudhir Kumar who headed the Bihar staff selection commission and was arrested on charges of corruption.

Perhaps for the first time in the history of independent India, an association of the country's most coveted civil services seems to defend the indefensible. They have demanded a CBI probe, saying Kumar was framed by the Bihar police. On the face of it, it appears the civil administration and the state police are on a warpath.

Now look at the case in which Kumar is arrested. He, along a score of other officials of the staff selection commission, was accused of leaking question papers for an examination to be conducted for recruitment of clerks in the state government. And prima facie there is evidence that points to brazen collusion in the crime.

Even those having an elementary understanding of governance would testify that it's beyond the capacity of a senior superintendent of police in Patna to arrest a senior IAS officer like Sudhir Kumar without a watertight case. And there is hardly any history of Sudhir Kumar having a run-in with the Nitish Kumar government in the past.

In this setting what the IAS officers' association has been doing in Bihar is nothing but an outright defiance of an elected government. If one looks even cursorily at the growth trajectory of the state, it can be easily surmised that nobody had done so much disservice to Bihar as top-ranking civil servants, like IAS and IPS officers. During an internal assessment meeting once, Nitish talked about corruption in governance and lamented, "Tell me one scheme where you don't indulge in corruption."

His lamentation was not without reason. In the post-independence years, Bihar was among the best administered states of India. Its model of administration was adopted by rest of the country. For instance, the administrative model of divisional commissioner, deputy commissioner, district collector and hierarchy in police administration was borrowed from Bihar. But that history of administrative excellence has relevance to the successive crisis of governance.

IAS officers became a willing tool in perpetuating monumental corruption during the reign of Jagannath Mishra. Similarly, Lalu Prasad Yadav's fodder scam would not have come into being had it not been for effective collusion of the top bureaucracy. In reality, there are umpteen cases of IAS officers encouraging their political masters to come up with new methods of corruption to insulate the political class from scrutiny.

As a result, Bihar continued to lack even basic facilities, while neighbouring Uttar Pradesh showed a distinct improvement in every respect. Till the time Nitish Kumar assumed power in 2005, roads, hospitals and schools in Bihar were the most neglected articles of governance. On the other hand, criminalisation of governance gained currency during the Laloo-Rabri regime.

Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi once pointed out that top hierarchy of the Bihar administration was not trained to make a detailed project report (DPR) in 2005. Similarly, Nitish Kumar encountered a situation where officials were indifferent to the use of computers in governance. "There were typewriters in 2005 to do official noting and filing," said a close confidant.

Of course, a criminalised political dispensation under Laloo and Rabri Yadav was responsible for perpetuating this culture. But top civil servants were no less culpable. In fact, the civil administration had developed a tendency of sloth-like work and indulging in unbridled corruption.

Meanwhile, the civil servant association that is ready to rush to Raj Bhavan when one of them is in trouble, has never bothered taking out a representation to the governor to draw attention to the plight of the marginalised: The tens of thousands of undertrials languishing in jails, drought-struck farmers or villagers after floods.

The arrest of Sudhir Kumar and subsequently a brazen defence of corruption by Bihar IAS officers' association are symptoms of a malaise that requires radical surgery. Perhaps the time has come to disband the civil services in its present form and let a new system of governance evolve to respond to the changing times. Restructuring the civil services may be the precursor to that change at the national level.
A CBI Court in Indore on Monday sentenced Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) leader Safdar Nagori and 11 others to life imprisonment for possessing explosives and ammunition and plotting terror activities.

#FLASH SIMI mastermind Safdar Nagori & 11 accused, awarded lifetime imprisonment by Indore District Court pic.twitter.com/8kZqmwt5WP  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

Nagori, who was the leader of the militant wing of the banned Islamic outfit, had been arrested in 2008 in connection to the case.

Here is an all you need to know about Nagori:

Early life

According to a report on NDTV, Nagori's family is in the transport business. Nagori's father Gahiruddhin Nagori had retired as an assistant sub-inspector in the Ujjain Police, a report in DNA said. The report also added that Nagori was not a radical during his student days and had in fact been a merit-holder, completing his masters in journalism from Vikram University.

However, the report said that the demolition of Babri Masjid and the consequent rioting across the country radicalised Nagori.

Chose the path of militancy



Nagori, who had been a member of Simi since 1993, chose to continue the path of violent jihad, at the time when many other member chose to renounce violence and focus on religious and academic activities.

Remained underground after 2001

After falling out with other members of the banned Islamic outfit in 2001, Nagori went underground. NDTV reported that he had been in Mumbai and Delhi before settling in West Bengal's Murshidabad for five years where he is alleged to have developed a strong terror network.

Arrested in 2008

Nagori, along with his brother Kamruddin and several other key operatives of Simi  prominent among them the mastermind of the 2006 Mumbai train serial blasts Shibly Peedicaal Abdul  were arrested by the Special Task Force of the Madhya Pradesh Police in March 2008. The police later exposed a training camp in Madhya Pradesh's Choral, where it found 122 super-explosive gelatine sticks, 100 detonators and switchboards buried underground, The Times of India reported.

Nagori spills the beans



After his arrest, Nagori in his confession statement gave vivid details of Simi's rise as a militant outfit. He had said that the outfit had about 400 active members and 20000 ordinary supporters. Claiming that his fighters received training in Jammu and Kashmir alongside the Hizbul Mujaheedin, Nagori added they were trained in conducting different kinds of terror operations across the country. Nagori had also pressed for inclusion of more women into the ranks of the outfit.

Sabaramati jailbreak attempt



On 11 February 2013, the Sabarmati Jail authorities unearthed a 213-feet long tunnel to smuggle the 24 under trails of the Ahmedabad blast case, including Nagori. In May that year, he was also chargesheeted in the case. It is to be noted that Nagori has been lodged in this jail ever since his name cropped up during the investigation into the 2008 serial blasts.

Accused in many terror cases

Nagori was later tried in Karnataka for his association with Simi. However, he was acquitted by a Hubli court in January 2015. Nevertheless, he was not set free as he was also an accused in the 2007 Wagamon terror camp case, The Indian Express said. Additionally, Nagori is also key accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad blasts case.

(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: The number of security personnel and civilians killed in Naxal-violence hit areas has increased in 2016 and the number of Maoist surrendering had doubled during this period as compared to the previous year. According to an official data, last year, a total of 1,048 incidents of violence were reported from Left-wing Extremism (LWE)-hit areas which was slightly low as compared to 1,089 in 2015.

Also, 2016 saw the number of security forces or police personnel killed in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks or landmine blast shooting up to 40 as compared to 34 in 2015.

On a day outgoing CRPF Director General K Durga Prasad said Naxal violence incidents during last year were at their "lowest levels", an official data said a total of 278 security forces personnel and civilians were killed last year as compared to 230 in 2015.

The last year also saw a record number of 1,442 Maoists surrendering, across the LWE-hit states, as compared to 570 in 2015. The number of Naxals arrested by various forces went up to 1,840 last year from 1,668 in 2015. The Central Reserve Police Force, with over 90 battalions (90,000 personnel) in the LWE theatre, is the lead anti-Maoist operations force of the country.
Mumbai-based novelist Jerry Pinto was one of the 24 recipients of the 2016 Sahitya Akademi Award on 22 February. Pinto received the award for his English language novel Em and the Big Hoom, a telling narrative about a dysfunctional family which was published in 2012. The book had been awarded the Windham-Campbell Prize in 2016.

However, the author was not present when he was conferred with one of India's most prestigious literary award on Wednesday. His acceptance speech which had to be read out in absentia touches upon the role of writers in the society and how they have been bestowed the responsibility of handling the "torch of truth".

Seeking to know whether authors are supposed to hold a mirror to the society or whether their political beliefs comes in the way of doing so, Pinto recalled Marathi author Daya Pawar's novel Baluta in his speech. The author said that the books that Pawar read did not reflect his life at all, and that might have been the reason why he enjoyed them.

However, Pinto said that if an author only writes about himself he runs the twin risks of solipsism and narcissism.

Pinto claims that each time he opens a file or picks up a pen, he has an implicit risk of offending someone. Is "this risk implicit in reflection or is the problem refraction? Is it because I cut too close to the bone or is it because I allow my imagination to run wild?", he asked.

Talking about the role of the state in his life, Pinto also said that while as a citizen of India, he enjoys a certain degree of freedom of speech, it is limited by laws. Pinto urged authors to break out of the laws made by "reasonable man" and take inspiration from the "unreasonable man of letters" such as Jesus, Rabindranath Tagore and acclaimed Urudu novelist Ismat Chughtai towards. The author called them his gurus for breaking the pattern of conventional thinking.

While Jesus urged his followers to denounce the idea of "an eye for an eye", Tagore interrogated the idea of nationalism when the country was in the midst of a nationalist movement. On the other hand, Chughtai shattered the literary world by bringing up the issue of feudalism and child abuse.

"They teach me reason and they urge me to the unreasonable space of creation; they teach me to dream but they remind me that the dream is paid for in work; they teach me to think but they ask of me that I leaven reason with intuition; they demand that I write from a place deep within, a place where I make no calculations about what is acceptable and what is offensive," he said.

To conclude his speech, the author said that the responsibility of protecting truth now rests on them (authors) and that he would try upholding it just like his gurus.
The portents for this year are getting worse in Kashmir. Among the highlights of the past week, a cordon and search operation had to be called off owing to fierce stone-pelting, and a jeep-full of army men were mowed down by militants in the middle of the night.

Both events took place in south Kashmir, where the uprising that followed the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani last July was most intense. The uprising, led mainly by teenagers, lasted four months. It kept south Kashmir, and also some other parts of the Valley, shut down. The attempted cordon-and-search operation was near the highway that runs south from Nowgam (at the edge of Srinagar) to Pulwama. Instead of cooperating with the search operation, boys from the locality beat the soldiers with stones.

Significantly, this happened near the home of a teenager who was shot during last year's uprising. The soldiers, who shot him, were in a convoy which was stopped by heavy stone-pelting on the morning after the uprising erupted in the second week of last July. Residents of the area have been deeply upset since, for they insist the boy was on his way home with a bag of bread for breakfast, and was not part of the stone-pelting mob.

This is not the first time stones have been lobbed at soldiers trying to cordon an area. As is already well known, stones have been thrown even during gunfights between soldiers and militants. Those who have tried to lay such cordons have done well to back off in the face of stones. Firing would have sparked angry protests across other parts of the Valley, paving the way for another potential mass uprising.

Deadly ambush

The other event  which has already been reported  occurred in the Shopian district. A large number of soldiers had gone to try and capture a militant at night. They evidently went on the basis of false information, meant to trap them. They were ambushed on their way back from what had been a wild-goose chase.

The attackers evidently had meticulous intelligence even in the dead of night  2 am. As if it were a minutely choreographed move, they let some army vehicles pass before they emerged from a village bylane just as the only open jeep in the convoy was coming up.

First they shot the driver. When the jeep came to a halt after rolling to the edge of the road, the attackers directed automatic fire at all eight soldiers, including two officers. Then they fled as the headlights of the next vehicle came round a corner. Eight soldiers were wounded. Three died. Another two were in critical condition.

Emergent trends

These events confirm three things that have been emerging clearly over the past four years during which the new militancy became obvious. One, the new militants are extremely well trained. Two, they have superb intelligence. And three, they have the fearless backing of young (and other) people who are not themselves armed.

It is tragic that various sorts of 'security experts dismissed these trends as inconsequential when they first emerged.

The village where the ambush took place is home to Yousuf Falahi, district president of the Geelani faction of the Hurriyat (freedom) movement. Falahi addressed hundreds of public meetings in the area during last years uprising, but was rescued by the fierce reactions of local residents on several occasions when the police tried to detain him. He was finally arrested from Srinagar on 13 December.

Local residents say that nine boys from the area have taken up arms  many of them after Burhan was killed. A very senior army officer confirmed that it was the work of local boys.

It is shameful that the army, intelligence agencies, 'security experts' and their political bosses have been taken by surprise. For the trend has emerged over four years.

One soldier was killed when a similar ambush was carried out at Voterpora, down the same road, in the summer of 2015. Then too, the soldiers had been returning from a cordon and search operation. That attack took place during the day, rather than in the dead of night, like this one. Either way, it apparently did not concern the powers that be very much.

The country will pay a terrible price for that complacence.
Death of one of the 21 youths, who had left Kerala to join the Islamic State in June last year, has neither shocked the family of the deceased nor the family of those who went missing. According to reports, Hafeezuddin T K, the youth from Padanna village in Kasargod district, was killed in a drone attack at an Islamic State-stronghold in Afghanistan on Saturday. The message about the death was received by Khadeeja, mother of the 24-year-old youth, on Sunday.

BCA Rehman, a close relative of the youth, said that the message was sent by Ashfaq Majeed, who is among the 21 missing youths, from Nangarhar, which is part of Khorosan, a province established by the Islamic State in Afghanistan. "We got the message at 7 am saying that Hafeez was killed in a drone attack and his mortal remains were buried later in the day. When asked about others, Ashfaq said they were all waiting for their turn to become martyrs," Rehman said.

"Allah had purchased the lives and properties of the believers by giving them paradise in return, the message said adding that they were fighting in Allahs cause and, hence, they will kill others and get killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him I th Turrat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Quran. And who is truer to his convenient than alla (Allah) rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success. Tauba 11," the message read.

The state police have not received any official confirmation regarding the death. A senior intelligence official told Firstpost that they had sought help of the foreign ministry to confirm the news. "It is not easy to gather any information from Nangarhar as it is out of bound for even the Afghan agencies. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is trying to collect the details with the help of Interpol," he said.

The family members of the missing youths are not eager to get the confirmation. T K Abdul Salam, maternal uncle of Hafeezuddin, said they had no hope of the youths returning home. They left home saying they were going to heaven. "He had sent his mother a message on 1 July 2016 saying that from hell he had reached heaven. There has been no communication from him since then. His father, Abdul Hakeem, who works in Abu Dhabi, did not even want to see his dead body," Salam told Firstpost.

Hafeezuddin, who was working in Saudi Arabia, had shown an inclination towards Islamic way of life even while studying. He dropped out of his BCom course and left home for religious education. He wanted his father to sell the house and lead the Islamic way of life. He had left his home saying that he was going to Kozhikode to join a Quran study circle. Instead he caught a flight to Dubai and disappeared into Afghanistan.

Hafizuddin was among 17 youths from Kasargod, who left the state to join the terrorist organisation. Four, out of the 21, 21 hailed from Palakkad region in Kerala. All of them were highly qualified individuals. A couple of them were doctors and a few engineers and nurses. The group included six women and two children. The NIA, which took over the case in August 2016, believes that all of them are currently in Nangarhar. The agencys investigation revealed that they had reached Afghanistan via Dubai and Abu Dhai and received terror training at an Islamic State camp at Nangrahar.

Intelligence sources said that the youths from the state were living in a conflict-free zone and providing support services to the Islamic State. While one person with MBBS degree has started a clinic another is running a shop in the area. However, the family members of the youths have lost hope following reports about intense fighting between Afghan forces and the Islamic State in various districts of Nangarhar province. There were reports that about 50 terrorists were killed and 25 wounded in operations in the last few weeks. The dead included six Islamic State leaders.

The family members of Merrin Jacob, who along with her husband Yahya is among the youths who made it to Nangarhar, is distressed by the reports. The family, which expected Merrin to return home one day, has lost hope in the wake of the death of Hafeezuddin. "We do not want to hear anything about the missing youths. You dont know our pain. Dont aggravate it by raking up the matter. Please leave us alone," said Merrins father Jacob, who lives in Ernakulam, when Firstpost sought his reaction.

Bindhu, mother of Nimisha who married Yahyas elder brother and who converted from Hinduism to Islam before crossing the border, has left the matter in the hands of the almighty. Bindhu, who was the first to lodge a police complaint against the disappearance of her daughter, is hopeful that her daughter will reunite with her. "I am a strong believer. I have sponsored a days pooja during the annual festival last year in the name of my daughter. I will do it this year also. I am sure God will bring back my daughter," says Bindu.

Most of the members of two groups were reportedly 'radicalised' by Abul Rasheed Abdulla, who was working with Peace International School in Kozhikode as well as members of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) led by controversial preacher Zakir Naik. The NIA has booked Abdul Rasheed and his first wife Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid and Arshi Qureshi, an employee of the IRF, and his accomplice Rizwan Khan under sections 120-B and 125 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 38, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

While Yasmeen was arrested while trying to board a flight from New Delhi airport to Afghanistan along with her minor child on 30 July 2016, Abdul Rasheed is believed to be in Nangarhar with his second wife Sonia Sebastian, a Christian who converted to Islam. Both Qureshi and Rizwan are in prison now.

According to the NIA chargesheet, Abdul Rashid is the main conspirator in the case. He motivated the youth to join the terrorist outfit by conducting classes at Kasargod and other places in Kerala. He channelised funds collected from various sources through his wife for supporting extremist outfits. As far as Qureshi is concerned, the NIA found that he used his job at IRF to persuade people from other religions to embrace Islam. The chargesheet said: He used to tell them (the youths who went missing) that Hijrat is duty of every Muslim. The teaching influenced the youngsters to leave their homes and join ISIS."

The disappearance of the youths had sent shockwaves across Kerala, which many believed will not be swayed by radical teachings because of its strong secular tradition.

The security agencies realised the threat after four youths were killed in two encounters with Indian Army at Kupwara in Kashmir in October 2008. Subsequent investigation by security agencies revealed that Kerala was a major hub for training and recruiting youths for terror activities. Several youths trained in two camps in Kerala were found involved in blasts in various parts of the country. An Islamic State module, which was active in the state, was busted by the NIA in October last year.

The module, named Ansarul Khalifa, had planned to carry out a series of attacks in south India. Six members of the module were arrested while carrying out a covert meeting at Kanakamla in Kannur.
Students across the country have been showing their support for Delhi University (DU) student Gurmehar Kaur by posting pictures with a placard using the hashtag #StudentsAgainstABVP. The online campaign started when Kaur, a 20-year-old student of DU, posted a picture on Facebook with the message: I am a student from Delhi University, I am not afraid of ABVP, I am not alone, every student in India is with me" in reaction to the Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers' clash with students of Ramjas College.

According to Voice of Ram, for which Gurmehar was a volunteer, more girls have shared such images in support of Kaur and the DU students. Many students have spoken out against the "goondaism" of ABVP. Students from Patna, Mumbai, Punjab and Delhi universities have supported the campaign. Over time, Gurmehar has made the importance of the freedom of speech clear through this campaign.

Nation is built by building universities where students learn to think&speak.And not by calling fr their ShutDown or silencing #FightBackDU  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 24, 2017

Rape threats and stone pelting? That's is not my nationalism. #studentsagainstabvp #fightbackdu  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017

An article by The Indian Express says, two online petitions  one addressed to the President, demanding freedom of expression in academic institutions and the other addressed to the Delhi University proctor demanding action against ABVP and Delhi University Students Union (DUSU)  have been gaining momentum. A student union leader Kanwalpreet Kaur said that she sees this photo-change campaign as a tool to end political hooliganism, by all parties, in colleges across India.

However, ABVP workers from different universities have also uploaded photos supporting the "protest against anti-nationals" and the online campaign in a similar tune.

I see NSUI, AISA etc have started Students Against ABVP campaign on social media.

Let's start our own campaign of #StudentsWithABVP. pic.twitter.com/IwZ0ebg3tV  Varada S Marathe (@Varada_M) February 24, 2017

While the battle goes on, Twitterattis are finding their own campaigns for support.
Those who prefer violence over open discussion can learn a lot from 20-year-old Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur. In her very first video, in May 2016, Kaur conveyed her message about how war and not Pakistan killed her father without speaking a single word. Instead, she used placards.

Though the same feisty student of Lady Sriram College has become more vocal through her tweets in the last week, she has managed to maintain a clear and composed stand even though she has been subjected to rape threats and cries of 'anti-nationalist'.

Less than a week after she posted a video where she took on the ABVP members who threatened the college students, Kaur refuses to be defined by the death of her father, Kargil war hero Captain Mandeep Singh, in the 1999 Kargil war.

Don't call me a Martyrs daughter if that bothers you. I never claimed anything otherwise. You can call me Gurmehar.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 26, 2017

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off https://t.co/guA8J3TpIT  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 26, 2017

Kaur, while offending those who would judge a young woman for speaking her mind, is also deft enough to add a mocking touch, bolstering her argument through a Taylor Swift song.

The Delhi University student is clear about her support for students and the freedom of speech. In a Facebook post, she 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."

"This is not about politics, this is not about political parties. This is about students, our campuses being safe from violent threats," she said.

Despite being trolled by celebrities such as Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda, Kaur has given it back to her critics. But as the voices against her reached a cacophony, she went on TV and spoke about the threats she'd received, clearly disturbed about being subjected to threats of violence.

While Twitter critics and commentators battled it out over Kaur's guts to 'speak her mind as an adult' and not as political pawn, Kaur voiced her hope for more constructive criticism.

Politicians have added to the row with Union minister Kiren Rijiju saying that someone's polluting her mind to a Karnataka MP Pratap Simha going as far as comparing her to gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

All those memes really offended me... I hoped to have more creative haters.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 26, 2017

When people were questioning her sense of patriotism by evoking the memory of her father who laid down his life for the country, Kaur hit back with elan and without losing her cool. Not only did the DU student take the haters in her stride but she made it a point to reply to each and every 'nationalist' message and clarify her stand on patriotic issues.

You can question my love for this country but you cannot define it for me. I serve this country and ITS YOUNG STUDENTS  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017

My father would've been more than proud of me. Just btw. 20 year old speaking up for the rights of her fellow students? VERY PROUD  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017

Do I support people shouting anti- national slogans? No. Do I support pelting stones at innocent students because of that? NO  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017

Kaur told ANI "I will not be scared or be cowed down, my father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to take bullet for the country, I also have the courage to take a bullet for the nation. I want all students to raise their voices against the violence and say that they will not tolerate this."

According to The Times Of India, Kaur has filed a complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) for the rape threats that she received and she has mustered all her courage to write to the police commisssioner. Amidst all the ruckus, the girl's grit remains unshaken and undeterred.

Maybe, for once, the critics should take a leaf out of her book and hum a Taylor Swift tune like her.

Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

I shake it off, I shake it off

(with inputs from the Agencies)
(Xinhua) 11:14, February 27, 2017

NANCHANG, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Jinggangshan, the heartland of the early revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in east China's Jiangxi Province, announced Sunday that it has been officially taken off the list of impoverished areas.

Jinggangshan was home to the CPC's first rural revolutionary base established in 1927. Today, people who live under the poverty line account for 1.6 percent of the total population, lower than the national standard of 2 percent, according to the city government.

The local government attributed the success to the precision poverty relief campaign in full swing across the country. Precision means that money should be spent exactly where it is needed, and no more than is needed.

Jinggangshan's poor population stood at 16,934 in 2014. That figure has fallen to 1,417 today. The average net income of poor families has grown from 2,600 yuan (378 U.S. dollars) to over 4,500 yuan.

Jinggangshan helped people to start their own businesses or find jobs, while providing a safety net for those who were unable. In addition, it helped poor people move into quality homes and improved rural infrastructure in rural areas.

The government has encouraged the poor people to be part of the city's most successful industries, such as tea, bamboo and fruit plantations and processing, as well as aquaculture.

Zhong Wanyin has stopped worrying about money since he started work in his village fish farm and earns more than 20,000 yuan a year. He is also a shareholder in the farm with an investment of 5,000 yuan funded by the government, which has brings him a 20 percent annual dividend.

E-commerce has helped produce from Jinggangshan's 18 townships reach buyers beyond the mountains, benefiting more than 2,400 people.

"Over 17,000 parcels, worth some 1.6 million yuan, have been sent since this e-commerce service center opened over a year ago," said Huang Xiaohua, head of the e-commerce service station center in Huang'ao Township.

Jinggangshan has also capitalized on its fame as the revolutionary heartland. For example, Bashang Village offers a one-day training program to experience the life of the Red Army and attracted more than 40,000 participants in 2016.

"My family hosted 850 people attending the program last year, and earned more than 10,000 yuan by providing room and board," said villager Xiao Fumin.

The Chinese government has decided to eradicate poverty by 2020, the target year for China to become a "moderately prosperous" society.

According to official figures, China still had 55.75 million people living under the poverty line at the end of 2015. The government said 10 million people were lifted out of poverty in 2016 and another 10 million will be this year.
It is indeed tiring and bothersome to repeatedly call out the hypocrisy of India's intellectual elite. But this onerous and unpleasant task must be undertaken, if we want India to be a truly liberal society.

The context of this argument is of course centred around the recent violence that erupted in Delhi University's Ramjas College between members of the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Leftist All India Students' Association (AISA) over inviting Umar Khalid, a Jawaharlal Nehru University student accused last year of sedition over anti-India sloganeering, for a lecture.

At the very outset, let us be clear. Violence has no space in political discourse. Ideas cannot be defeated by physical assault. Nothing can justify the use of force to establish thought-control.

ABVP workers would do well to introspect on and understand that violence affects both the perpetrator and the victim. No one emerges unscathed. If Leftist student unions indulge in habitual strong-arm tactics to maintain their writ over India's colleges and universities, actions of the right-wing student's union prove that it is trying to emulate the Left model of intolerance, and not replacing it with a model of tolerance. This is a slippery slope.

Umar Khalid is right. His 'venom-spewing' against the Indian state would have been limited to just a handful of listeners if the 'Culture of Protest' seminar held in Ramjas had he been allowed to proceed. But by responding to provocation and seeking to cancel it, the ABVP has managed to hand the ultra-Left radical a far bigger platform. It is the perfect example of how an idea can only be combated with a better idea and any attempt at use of force only increases its potency.

Khalid, who belongs to Democratic Students Union (DSU)  one of the front organisations for banned Maoist groups active in Delhi  has accused ABVP of enjoying government patronage.

"ABVP is only working to disrupt discussions in universities. The body enjoys government and institutional patronage. But we refuse to be bullied into silence by ABVP," Khalid was quoted as saying in a video.

The political narrative that has emerged from the Ramjas fiasco has dovetailed nicely with the return of the phoney intolerance debate. The Left-liberal brigade has been quick to point a finger at the government for promoting "violence in campuses" and the media and the academia, strongholds of the ideological and political Left, have laid all onus solely at ABVP's door, accusing it of trying to stifle freedom of speech through action.

Enough material exists in mainstream and social media to prove that the violent ABVP-AISA clash was an equal opportunity conflict but the truth, as always, has been lost in propaganda.

An elaborate charge has been levelled that the ABVP, emboldened by the political wind in its favour, is trying to break open universities, the last bastions of 'liberalism', through force and that this violence is a ruse to gain political foothold and banish all intellectuality. An argument in favour of this charge was also previously argued by Firstpost.

One marvels at the way the Leftist ideology has become synonymous with "liberalism". This remains 20th century's most stunning sleight of hand. Not just in India, the global intellectual establishment has been aligned to one ideology and there has been an attempt to root out non-Left thinkers and dissenting voices deliberately and systematically.

This has resulted in a strange phenomenon. Students who emerge from these centres of learning  members of the global elite  are indoctrinated with the left-wing ideology. This skewed and blinkered 'education' essentially queers the space for debate because pluralism is looked down upon and contrarians are neatly labelled as alien outliers, who are to be resisted at all costs.

There is an automatic and vociferous pushback against independent thinking at all levels  be it students or professors, media, lawyers, authors, artistes. In short, every member of the civil society who has had access to this mode of 'education' is intrinsically intolerant of dissent.

Strength in numbers enable these indoctrinated intellectuals to claim and subsume the 'liberal' legacy and from thereon, every debate becomes 'liberalism vs conservative', or 'liberalism vs nationalists,' 'liberalism vs right-wing hatred', as the case may be. Every independent thinker is outlawed or ostracised and this patently 'illiberal' act is done in the name of liberalism.

Writing for British magazine The Spectator, author James Bartholomew posits: "The academic world is overwhelmingly left-wing and the textbooks spin to the left. They distort the facts or omit them There is no analysis of counter-arguments. In fact, no data is offered on which a counter-argument could be based. This is not education. It is not teaching children to challenge ideas and think for themselves. This is anti-education: Teaching them what they must think. It is as prescriptive as education in the Soviet Union."

We find Chris Patten, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and a former EU commissioner, expressing similar worry of claustrophobia invading British and American campuses. In his piece for Project Syndicate, he writes: "In the US and the UK, some students and teachers now seek to constrain argument and debate. They contend that people should not be exposed to ideas with which they strongly disagree There are calls for safe spaces where students can be protected from anything that assaults their sense of what is moral and appropriate. This reflects and inevitably nurtures a harmful politics of victimisation  defining ones own identity (and thus ones interests) in opposition to others."

The situation is similar, if not more stark in India, mainly due to the weakness of our institutions.

The relentless attempt since Independence to cleanse the academia, policy-making bodies and educational institutions of non-Left thinkers has resulted in a stifling uniformity of thought.

Rajeev Mantri, co-founder of the India Enterprise Council, writes in Livemint: "Not only does the Indian Left enjoy state patronage and a pervasive grip on academia, it has a long history of being viciously intolerant towards contrary viewpoints. Economist and member of Niti Aayog Bibek Debroy had recounted recently how renowned Columbia University trade economist Jagdish Bhagwati was forced out of Delhi School of Economics in the 1950s."

Author and economist Sanjeev Sanyal, principal economic adviser in the ministry of finance, presents the clearest timeline of how the Left has wielded the power in its command to root out intellectual challenges.

In his column for The Week, he writes: "The Left dominance over the intellectual establishment has its roots in the systematic ethnic cleansing of all non-Left thinkers since the 1950s The result of the systematic cleansing was that there were no non-Left academics remaining in the social sciences field in India by the early 1990s Thus, economics students are mostly taught material written by Amartya Sen and his stable of academics but exposed only in passing to the thoughts of Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman or Jagdish Bhagwati, Sens intellectual rival. Even when non-Left thinkers are included, their ideas are lumped together as exotic curiosities to be critiqued, rather than imbibed."

It is in this context that we must put Khalid's claim that "ABVP enjoys government patronage" and marvel at the post-truth world of Leftist hegemony. The irony is stark! Facing a political challenge for the first time in its hegemonic control over academia, the Left accuses the Right of stealing its proprietary right over violence.

If the Right resorts to brutality, we must condemn it with all our might. But we should be equally sincere and stringent in criticising the Left for playing the victim card after long subjecting its ideological rivals to mindless violence  a phenomenon that this writer is all too familiar with while growing up as a student in the Left Front-ruled West Bengal.

During his talk at the London School of Economics, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "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."

This is the crux of the argument. A global wind of change is blowing across continents. If the Left cannot accommodate the Right and engage in a battle of ideas, these violent fits will sadly continue. None will emerge the better for it.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit the US from Tuesday during which key bilateral issues including India's concerns over a possible clampdown on H-1B visas and safety of Indians are expected to be discussed.

According to officials, Jaishankar will also be holding talks on regional and international issues of mutual interest with senior members of the Donald Trump administration during his four-day visit.

Zee News reported that on his US visit Jaishankar will meet Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. During his Washington DC visit, the foreign secretary will also be meeting with chairpersons of key Congressional Committees.

Maintaining that the government was engaged with the Trump administration as well as members of the US Congress on concerns regarding the H-1B visa issue, officials said India's view that Indian IT companies were contributing to the American economy by increasing the competitiveness of their firms will be conveyed by the foreign secretary during his meetings.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year.

Amid the Trump administration's move to curb H-1B visas that will impact India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 February pressed the US to have a 'balanced and farsighted perspective' on the movement of skilled professionals.

He made the comment while receiving a 26-member bipartisan US Congressional delegation in New Delhi.

A statement released by the PMO said, "The prime minister referred to the role of skilled Indian talent in enriching the American economy and society, and urged developing a reflective, balanced and farsighted perspective on movement of skilled professionals."

Modi's comments reflected concern that India's $150 billion IT services industry would suffer if the United States curbs the visas, known as H-1B, it relies on to send its software experts to the United States on project work.

This will be foreign secretary's first US visit since Donald Trumps inauguration on 20 January and third since the presidential elections in November last year.

Jaishankar's visit comes close after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a phone conversation with US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, early this month.

Also, Modi and Trump spoke to each other last month, within days of the US presidents inauguration, and they invited each other for visits. Modi was the fifth world leader that Trump contacted since taking office, a clear indication that the new president realises the importance of India.

During the visit, which will be taking place barely days after killing of an Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent hate crime incident, the issue of safety of Indian nationals is also expected to figure during the discussions between the two sides.

The Indian engineer was killed and two others injured when an American man opened fire on them after allegedly yelling "get out of my country", with the local police calling it as a "possible hate crime". The alleged hate crime has sent shocked waves among Indian-American and the Indian community across the United States.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday decided to hear a fresh plea next day of a woman seeking to abort her 23-week old foetus on the ground that it suffered from 'Down Syndrome' and her life was in danger. A bench of Justices S A Bobde and L Nageswara Rao, which had on 23 February constituted a medical board to examine the 37-year-old woman, listed the matter for Tuesday as the first item.

Down syndrome is a congenital disorder which causes intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities. "As jointly prayed for, list the matter on 28 February, as first item at the top of the Board," the bench said. The court had earlier asked the medical board comprising doctors of Mumbai-based KEM Hospital to file a report before it about her condition and advisability of permitting a medical termination of pregnancy, forthwith.

The woman, a resident of Maharashtra, has approached the apex court seeking nod to terminate her pregnancy saying that apart from serious mental and physical health problems for the child on birth, even her life was in danger.

The law prohibits termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks even if there is a fatal risk to the mother and the foetus. The woman has said in her plea that this disorder could cause physical and mental retardation and a child would not be able to lead a normal and healthy life.

In a separate case, the apex court had on 7 February allowed a 22-year-old woman to terminate her 24-week pregnancy on the ground that it would endanger her life. In another case, the apex court in January had allowed a Mumbai-based woman, who was in her 24th week of pregnancy, to terminate her pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act while taking into consideration the report of a hospital which had suggested that the foetus would not be able to survive without the skull.
Elections to appoint the new mayor of Mumbai will be held on 9 March, and Shiv Sena has taken the opportunity to remind the Congress party of the favour it did by supporting Congress' Presidential candidates Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee in 2007 and 2012 respectively. Furthermore, it's also drawing Congress' attention to the vehement opposition it put up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive.

From these overtures, it's clear that the Sena is trying to build bridges with Congress, seeing the latter as a safer bet than BJP.

The BMC has 227 seats, and the magic figure to achieve a simple majority is 114. Since none of the parties managed to achieve this figure, they are all dependent on allies. The Sena emerged the single largest party with 84 corporators and five independent legislators supporting them. Sena's tally of 89 is more than BJP's tally of 83 (82 corporators plus one independent supporter). This standoff has meant the corporators from Congress, NCP, MNS, SP and MIM are being wooed by both sets.

Sources from Shiv Sena have confirmed that party executive president Uddhav Thackeray personally contacted Congress leaders, and reminded them of the support given to Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee. It also reminded the party of the 1980 mayoral race, when Congress candidate Murli Deora ascended to the top post with Shiv Sena's help.

In fact, Congress doesn't even need to openly back the Sena in the run up to the mayoral election. Even if they boycott election day on 9 March, they would have done enough to help Sena win. The Sena's primary aim at this point, said a senior party leader, is to keep the BJP out, and they can do so if Congress decides to stay out.

This last part may ultimately prove critical, since senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat and party's Mumbai president Sanjay Nirupam aren't willing to be seen openly supporting Shiv Sena. Especially considering elections are ongoing in Uttar Pradesh, joining hands with Sena might send out the wrong signals to voters.

Nirupam, while admitting that Sena had approached them, said the party will work out a secular front ahead of the mayoral election. Congress, NCP, SP and MIM will come together and file a mayor candidate, Nirupam said.

Another senior party leader pointed out that the last phase of polling for Uttar Pradesh Assembly election will be on 8 March, one day before Mumbai's mayor gets chosen. This gives the party the option of not declaring its intent till the last possible moment. Also, by filing its own candidate for mayor, the party may let the Sena claim victory indirectly. This could let both parties save face, while also let Sena install its candidate as mayor, therefore resulting in best case scenario for everybody.

"Congress has 31 legislators, while we also have the support of 17 others from NCP, SP and MIM. Together we have 48 corporators who will not vote for BJP," he said, explaining the mathematics behind the parties' confidence.

This leaves only Raj Thackeray's seven corporators. The MNS is said to be neutral thus far. This results in Sena clinching the mayor's race.

Election to appoint Mumbai's mayor is done through a secret ballot. It will therefore be interesting to see how the different parties vote. If Congress puts up its own candidate, or boycotts the election altogether, they will end up helping Shiv Sena's cause. The only way Sena can now lose is if Congress supports the candidate BJP puts up.

An editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana also hinted towards a Sena-Congress tie-up, whether overt or undercover. The editorial highlighted BJP's alliance with the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. If that could have worked out for the saffron party, then even a Sena-Congress tie-up is not unthinkable, the editorial said, indicating that the "secular" Congress may just end up joining hands with the Hindutva-promoting Shiv Sena.
It's been four days since the results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election were announced, but the political impasse has continued, with neither Shiv Sena nor BJP taking any steps to cobble up a majority.

All the major parties are refusing to stitch together an alliance with each other. There was speculation that Sena may seek Congress' support but the latter said there was no question of supporting the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also ruled out the BJP seeking Congress' help in BMC.

However, RSS ideologue MG Vaidya suggested that BJP and Shiv Sena, who are still allies in the ruling state government, should share the Mayor's post for two-and-a-half years each. Sena, being the single largest party in the BMC, should get the post first, Vaidya said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, meanwhile, said his party will join hands with Congress in all municipal corporations and Zilla Parishads where elections were held. "NCP will form an alliance across all the 10 municipal corporations and 25 Zilla Parishads in the state. Party chief Sunil Tatkare and MPCC chief Ashok Chavan have already held talks regarding the matter," Pawar told

reporters in Nanded.

"If both parties form an alliance, they can come to power in some 17-18 Zilla Parishads of the total 25 that went to polls. A meeting is scheduled in Mumbai in the coming days, where it (the alliance) will be finalised," Pawar said.

Congress sources had said there was strong thinking in the party's state unit that it should consider the helping Shiv Sena out, as a tactical move to widen the rift between the Sena and the BJP. However, senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam ruled out such a move, though Nirupam did claim that Sena leaders had been "in touch with" Congress. He also said the party was planning to hold discussions with other like-minded parties to field a common candidate in the mayor's election, he said.

Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said only the party high command could take a call on that. "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," Chavan said.

Sources had said that the Congress was unlikely to rush to a decision, preferring to wait till the ongoing state elections where the party was campaigning on a strong secular pitch, gets over. "Party workers feel Sena is a lesser evil than the BJP," said a state Congress leader on the condition of anonymity.

Sena won 84 seats in the February-21 election to the 227-member BMC, the country's richest civic body. BJP was close behind, winning 82 seats, while Congress was a distant third with 31 seats. Since 114 seats are required for reaching a simple majority mark, all eyes were on Congress. However, the party sources said it was wary of siding with "communal" forces, especially when it had made secularism its main plank in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Sena had claimed on Sunday that some Independent corporators were with it and have helped take its tally to 89. It also said the party enjoyed enough confidence to install its candidate as mayor of Mumbai.

"I can say that we have the maximum number of corporators and the mayor will be from Shiv Sena. The reports that we sought support from Congress are not true," Raut said. 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 9 March, (the day of mayoral election), when we will tell you."

Given the acrimonious nature of campaigning for the BMC polls between Sena and BJP, there is even a chance that the former might pull out of the state government, thereby necessitating mid-term polls. However, Pawar has said even the threat of fresh polling wouldn't make him side with either of the two saffron parties. "Going by the behaviour of Uddhav, I don't think he will opt out of the state government. But if he does so, we are ready for the elections," Pawar said.

With inputs from agencies
Imphal: In a series of pre-poll violent incidents in Manipur, a bomb exploded in Imphal, while separately police personnel were attacked by villagers and two jeeps vandalised, police said on Monday.

The incidents occurred on Sunday night in the Khundrakpam constituency.

"An intelligence input was received saying Khogen, a police sub-Inspector, has live bullets in his house. During the inquiry, an unruly mob attacked the police party," an official said.

"Police had to resort to tear gas and firing of rubber bullets to disperse the mob," the police official added.

Some persons, including a seven-month old baby, were injured in the police action.

The Congress committee of the Khundrakpam constituency in a statement said the party had no hand in the incident.

Villagers said there was a political motive behind the attempt to arrest Khogen, adding that nothing incriminating was found. Besides, the police commandos, who failed to produce warrant of arrest, also allegedly refused to issue an arrest memo, the villagers said.

Meanwhile, some youths, who identified themselves as members of an insurgents outfit, had left a bullet with John Maibam, a worker of the North East India Development Party in the Wangkhem constituency.

The youths also reportedly told him that if he ignored the warning to not work for the party, he will face dire consequences. There were increasing reports of pre-poll clashes from other constituencies as well.

On the other hand, some candidates from remote hill areas cannot go to their respective constituencies and were carrying on the election campaign through some hardcore supporters. Most of them have escaped assassination attempts in the past.
As Delhi University re-opens on Monday, protests over the Ramjas College incident that shook Delhi University last week on 22 February, refused to die down.

Calling it a march for the country, the Delhi University Students Union will hold a Tiranga March early on Monday, Hindustan Times reported. JNU students union (JNUSU) have called for a public meeting at the Administrative Block at 4 pm. On Tuesday, students and teachers from Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have planned a march from Khalsa College to Arts Faculty.

Delhi University's Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) outside Ramjas College.

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. Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

Fearing DU like violence on its campus, Ambedkar University in the national capital postponed an event marking the 26th anniversary of the alleged Kunan Poshpora mass rape in Kashmir.

According to Hindustan Times, DUSUs Tiranga March led by ABVP will start at 12:30 pm from Ramjas College parking lot to the Faculty of Arts. In the evening, Nandini Sundar, a teacher at DUs sociology department, Rajeev Kanwar of Dyal Singh College and some DU students will address a public meeting at JNU against the violence at Ramjas College. This is our call to re-assert right to freedom of speech and expression and raising voice against violence and our solidarity with DU students, said Mohit K Pandey, JNUSU president.

Tuesday will see another protest by groups of Left-wing students and teachers, who will march from Khalsa College to Arts Faculty against the stalling of the street play competition at SGTB Khlasa College. According to Hindustan Times, the competition was put on hold allegedly after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) objected to the content of some plays. Calling it a #FightbackDUmarch and #DUagainstGoondagardi, groups such as Pinjra Tod who have been fighting against discriminatory hostel rules, will also be a part of the march. The group has created a Facebook event for this march and invited students to join in large numbers. JNU students and teachers will also be a part of the march on Tuesday.

According to The Hindu, Kawalpreet Kaur of the All India Students' Union said: Will the ABVP, the BJP and the RSS set the limits to free speech or decide what should be said and what not? Even when the organisers canceled the invitation to Umar Khalid hours before the event, why did the ABVP vandalize it? It clearly shows that the ABVP just has to create an atmosphere and crush the voices of common students which raise the issues of tribals and people of India.

Rajnath Singh's comments

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said he was in touch with Delhi Police over the situation arising out of the Ramjas College clash. The minister told journalists that he had asked Delhi Police to act with caution.

"I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner," he said.

The Delhi Police was widely blamed for not restraining the ABVP activists and also for assaulting students and journalists. Three policemen were suspended last week on charges of assault.

Kiren Rijiju's comments on Delhi University student's campaign

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Monday wondered who was "polluting" the mind of a Delhi University student campaigning on social media against the ABVP.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an army Captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

Kaur posted a picture on Facebook saying: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me." She then received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

In response to Kaur's campaign, the minister said: "Who's polluting this young girl's mind?"

Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Reaction of AAP leadership to rape threat issue to Delhi University student

Meanwhile, the AAP on Monday slammed the BJP for not condemning those issuing "rape threats" on social media to a Delhi University student who took a stand against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). "A girl is being threatened by rape on social media. Not a single BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) or RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) leader called it wrong or condemned it. Why?" Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh tweeted.

                /                ?  ?  ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) February 27, 2017

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP on Sunday over the issue and said it had now become a party of "hooligans" and "criminals".

Sharing a video of Kaur speaking about the "graphically detailed" rape threat she received, Kejriwal tweeted:

Just listen to this. THIS is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism https://t.co/MoFm8wSMqD

 Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2017

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he added.

Delhi University teacher beaten-up during the clashes

Delhi University teacher Prasanta Chakravarty, who was roughed up during the recent North Campus clashes, has been hospitalised due to severe abdominal pain as a result of internal injuries.

"Passed out with shooting abdominal pain, at Fortis Noida emergency," he posted on Facebook.

He said he has been diagnosed with deep bruises and "concealed spasms" on the right kidney and his spine muscles have also suffered serious injuries. Chakravarty, an associate professor with DU, said people who assaulted him during the clashes appeared to be "some kind of mercenaries" and not students. He had alleged the involvement of outsiders in the violence between student groups ABVP and AISA.

Ramjas College ordered an enquiry to look students' involvement in clashes

Ramjas College on Saturday ordered an enquiry to look into its students' involvement in clashes over a seminar even as it resolved to stand by its teachers and students who organised the event.

The decision was taken at a staff council meeting on Saturday three days after the college became a battleground for the members of RSS-backed ABVP and Left-affiliated AISA.

"An enquiry committee has been constituted to probe the involvement of Ramjas' students in provoking or initiating the violence. Principal Rajendar Prasad will address the students and teachers on Monday morning urging them to maintain peace and not be scared of anything," a senior college official said.

"The staff council resolved to stand by the teachers and students who were organisers of the seminar," he added. Classes in the college were suspended on Thursday even as the administration had maintained that it was due to "administrative reasons" and not due to the violent situation on campus.

"We have also sought police presence for at least four more days to ensure security measures are in place until peace and normalcy are restored on campus," the official said.

"While the seminar will continue we decided to cancel the participation of these two students. It is not that we do not advocate freedom of speech but it had to be done keeping peace and harmony of campus in mind," the principal had said. While Delhi University authorities maintained that the varsity proctor's office was looking into the issue, the human resource development ministry had on Friday sought a report from the university over the issue.

Enquiry ordered by Delhi Commission for Women into alleged attacks on women by policemen

Delhi Commission for Women on Saturday had ordered an enquiry into the alleged attacks on women by policemen during violence at Ramjas college and had issued a notice to Delhi Police.

"We are of the view that these attacks on women protesters by policemen may also amount to molestation and need to be severely punished. The images of Delhi Police officers beating and misbehaving with women protesters are resonating across Delhi and India and have severely damaged the reputation of Delhi Police. It is a classic case of protectors turning abusers," said the notice issued to Joint CP, central Range.

"Further, the Commission is aghast to read newspaper reports alleging that Delhi Police claims it does not know who ordered the lathi charge on the protesters. Such statements raise suspicions about the politicisation of police and the matter needs to be investigated urgently," it added.

DCW Chief Swati Maliwal has pointed out in the notice that a similar "manhandling" of female students by policemen had happened last year when they were protesting in connection with the case of missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed.

The commission has asked the police to respond within a week with information on "number of police officers (male and female separately) deployed in and around Ramjas College for the said protest, names and designations of the police cops clearly identifiable in the videos and photographs  who were seen punching and manhandling women protesters".

The Delhi Police had admitted "unprofessional" conduct on the part of some of its personnel during the clashes and suspended three policemen.

With inputs from agencies
The recent clash between the Left and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) should not be seen as simply a clash of ideologies. Rather its a war of tactics.

A question must be raised regarding the level of planning that the Left has already in place before finding an opportunity to execute it. No sooner than the scuffle at Delhi University occurred, did the news spread all over that the ABVP was full of "hooligans" and "thugs". Were they just waiting for an opportunity to malign the image of ABVP? The ABVP is an organisation with over four million activists and 5,000 units. Is it just hooliganism that has attracted such wide mass appeal for the ABVP? Not at all even.

Those who constantly pray and work for the disintegration and destruction of India are bound to enter into conflict with an organisation that has toiled hard to build and maintain the great nation called India. Some of the tactics employed by these allegedly anti-India groups have now been repeated and rendered obsolete; still a lot of people get entangled in their bizarre logic. False reports and propaganda on social media with fake pictures showing children of army martyrs standing against the ABVP reminds one of the kinds of propaganda to which the SDS took recourse in the 1960s. There were movies such as Operation Abolition made in order to show how strong the students movement in favour of the New Left was.

It's worth reflecting on the 9 February incident and the events that followed. It was followed by something of a similar nature in Jadavpur University and then at a programme organised by Amnesty International in Bengaluru. One thing that was common to these gatherings was the sloganeering in favour of Kashmirs secession. Interestingly, on none of these occasions did the mainstream Left openly come out in support of the separatists. But it has not opposed it either. Thus, inaction seems to be their mode of action in this case. We again find similarities between leftist American leaders of the 1960s such as Archie Brown and some of the top leftist leaders in India. They play a tried-and-tested game of hiding behind the scenes. Why have they never been accountable to the violence perpetrated by their student cadres in places such as Kerala and West Bengal?

Its part of a bigger conspiracy all of which is hard to fathom, although its clear to me that the Left in India has nothing to do with India. It's now unambiguously established that these students and their mentors have actually nothing to debate upon. They have already spread much venom with their cadres occupying key positions in all sectors, most notably in the media, bureaucracy and judiciary. That, in my view, is a threat to anyone who still believes that there is a democratically-elected government at the Centre with a nationalist agenda on board.

The Left has evolved a set of terminologies such as "human rights", "liberalism", "witch hunts", "free speech" etc. All these terms seemingly point towards higher human ideals and progressive thought.

But in actuality, these are nothing but tools to destabilise an elected government in India. Again, its a tactic that was borrowed from American soil. They never talk about human rights in places such as West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. Its only in places where there are nationalist forces in large numbers that they take up the question of human rights and free speech.

All said and done, the very idea of freedom is seldom absolute. Free will itself is not free according to Immanuel Kant (see: A Critique of Practical Reason, 1787). Hence, any immunity accorded to those who raised slogans in JNU on 9 February is based on a partial understanding of what Freedom of Speech and Expression actually means. The very fact that these people could raise those slogans with complete impunity in the heart of India, in the capital itself is enough proof of India guaranteeing Freedom of Speech and Expression to all its citizens. Given that background, its a dangerous sign that in the name of a university, some of them in the form of students have begun to raise voices against the sovereign right here in the capital. They have brought the war home (quite similar to the manner in which Vietnam War acted as an alibi for the American Communists to rebel against the government of the US in the late 1960s).

Are we really witnessing an era of Red Scare in India? Even if the media has not covered stories on these lines, we may soon be witnessing such a scenario. However, the only difference is the presence of the ABVP. While the American SDS had no opposition from any nationalist organisation, there is the ABVP in India that stands in the way of the conspiracy of a leftist sabotage.

The author is central working committee member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and former joint secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU)
By observing Vijay Utsav on 25 February to celebrate its big victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls and phenomenal success in the panchayat elections in Odisha, the Bharatiya Janata Party has given a final big push to its campaigning strategy ahead of the last three phases of polling in Uttar Pradesh  the first of which is on Monday. The decision to observe Vijay Utsav across district headquarters in the country was not just to celebrate the partys two consecutive successes in local polls, but also to send out a strong message ahead of the last three phases of polling in Uttar Pradesh that demonetisation or the noteban move mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no adverse impact on the people at grassroots-level. And, perhaps, help fence-sitters in deciding to vote for the BJP.

"Both the BMC and Odisha panchayat poll results have proved that the common man had nothing against the noteban. It was a misconception that was spread through rumours by the Opposition parties against our prime minister and the BJP. In a democracy, whatever political parties may say, its the public that takes the final call. The recent election results at the BMC and Odisha panchayat are a fitting reply by the public to those who had projected the noteban as an evil," a senior member in the Uttar Pradesh BJP in Lucknow told Firstpost.

Even Firstpost had reported from Ground Zero on 25 February how the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party had failed to capitalise on the issue of demonetisation and failed to terrorise voters in UP with the 'ghost of demonetisation'.

The BJP also held a meeting during the celebrations to chalk out its campaign strategy for the concluding phases of the Uttar Pradesh elections, to strengthen its existing base, and convert the undecided among the electorate. "Besides bursting crackers and distributing sweets, a meeting was conducted here in Lucknow on how to go ahead in the remaining phases of polling and energise our party workers across the party line," a BJP source said.

BJP workers in Uttar Pradesh are seeing these dual overwhelming success as a big morale booster, especially when there is no apparent Modi wave or BJP wave visible in the state, unlike in 2014. According to many, although BJPs performance in BMC polls was a bigger one and hogged the media limelight, the partys stupendous success in Odisha was equally big. The state BJP in Odisha too celebrated Vijay Utsav with much gala and funfair. And, they had every right to do so given their performance as the party witnessed an exponential growth in its tally  almost nine times  from 36 during the last panchayat polls in 2012 to 306 this time.

"BJP has performed superbly in Odisha although it has failed to get noticed in the manner the party got in Maharashtra. Given the fact that Odisha is not a BJP-ruled state, the BJPs tally grew nearly nine times from 36 in the last Zilla Parishad elections to 306 at present. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik had predicted that it would get more than 650 seats out of total 853. But against its previous tally of 651, this time it has come down to 460," former president, JNU Students Union and political observer Sandeep Mahapatra told Firstpost.

Mahapatra was the only leader from right-wing students body  Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)  who had to date succeeded in breaking into the Left stronghold that is Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as its president in 2000-01.

"Whats more noticeable is that the BJP has succeeded in bringing down Congress tally to 66 from 126 seats in 2012. The drubbing faced by Congress turns BJP as the primary Opposition in rural Odisha. Both the results also speak about the endorsement of the Modi governments policies and public support for the demonetisation move," added Mahapatra.

The BJP witnessed many victories in 2017, including in the Chandigarh civic polls, but Maharashtra and Odisha are special for the saffron party. Especially, Odisha, as the party is a distant third force in the state. It remains to be seen whether the party succeeds in capitalising on these victories, in Uttar Pradesh, which will go for the fifth phase of voting on Monday.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside the trial court order granting custody parole to MLA Mukhtar Ansari for canvassing in the UP Assembly polls.

Justice Mukta Gupta allowed the Election Commission's plea seeking cancellation of Ansari's parole.

"The petition (poll panel plea) is allowed," the court said.

Ansari, an MLA who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest from Mau Assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh, was given custody parole till 4 March, enabling him to campaign in the election.

The high court, however, on 17 February had stayed its operation after the poll panel moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole on the ground that he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, in which he is facing trial.

Later the State of Uttar Pradesh, the prosecuting agency and the complainant in the BJP MLA's case also moved the high court opposing Ansari's release from jail in Lucknow.

However, their contention was opposed by Ansari's counsel, who had said that Election Commission of India's claims are baseless and it is not the ground to restrict his movement in his constituency from where he is contesting, as none of the witnesses are from there.

Senior advocates Salman Khurshid and Sudhir Nandrajog, appearing for the leader had said that only in an extraordinary situation, the EC can come to court.

"Participation of candidates in free and fair election is also a basic structure of the Constitution," the counsel had submitted.

They had contended that Ansari has been elected from Mau constituency for a record four times and he is willing to give an undertaking to the court that he will not violate its order.

This was strongly opposed by the poll panel, which was represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, who had said that the release of the accused would have a direct impact on conduct of free and fair election in Mau constituency.

The EC had further submitted that the judgement of this court is going to have far reaching consequences on the poll panel's power.

"We have material to oppose the parole," Krishnan had argued.

The trial court had on February 16 granted him custody parole. The accused, while seeking the relief, had told the trial court that he has been in judicial custody since December 2005 and was granted parole to contest polls earlier too.

Ansari has over 40 criminal cases against him, including that of murder and kidnapping.
[File photo]

A private zoo in Chongqing was ordered to suspend operations after media outlets revealed details of animals poor living conditions at the institution.

The zoo, which housed over 20 animals including a lion, black bear and several monkeys, has attracted vitriol online after photos of malnourished animals cowering in small cages were posted online.

In response to public concern over the treatment of the animals, local authorities in the Fuling district of the southwestern city published a notification on Sina Weibo on Feb. 24, stating that the zoo had been shut down.

According to Beijing Youth Daily, the zoo was originally established in the 1970s as a privately owned enterprise. Due to mismanagement and competition from other zoos in the region, the institution has recently faced a shortage of funds, which led to the malnutrition and other issues.

The monthly income of the zoo is around 8,000 RMB on average. The expense on animals food is about 4,000 RMB per month, which is only enough to keep them alive, said Tan Decai, the owner of the zoo. According to Tan, food for the bear and the monkeys is a thin mixture of corn and rice, while the birds are given rotten vegetables collected from the local market.

Denouncing the public criticism, Tan said the animals were lucky as they only eat and sleep.

Local authorities said an investigation into the zoo's operation had been conducted but revealed no other details.

Private zoos have been castigated by the Chinese public in recent years, as incidents of animal abuse and death emerge from such institutions in a seemingly endless stream. In response to the issue, China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued documentation in 2010 banning animal performances as well as the renting of zoos. However, the effect of the mandate has been quite limited.

Currently, local governments are in charge of approving zoos in China. There is no law regulating the operating entities, so even private owners can establish zoos as long as they meet the minimum requirements, an anonymous expert told Beijing Youth Daily.
Editor's Note: One of the most fascinating segments of voters who will be going to the polls over the seven phases of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is the millenial voter. Parth MN, who is travelling through Uttar Pradesh, will file a series of ground reports on millennial voters in the state, with a special focus on the concerns of young voters. This, the fifth part of the series, will focus on young voters from Faizabad.

There are theories. And then there are theories. During the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, even the most astute political pundits have at best offered theories. In Faizabad's most intensely fought seat of Ayodhya, there are theories suggesting Ram Mandir is an issue, and there are theories suggesting it is not.

As far as the youth is concerned  which this series aims to catch the pulse of  they remain ambivalent about it. The slogan-chanting millennial voters riding their bikes through the narrow bustling streets of Ayodhya with a saffron bandana wrapped around their heads and tikas on foreheads crave for the Mandir, and there are no prizes for guessing that. At the same time, a noticeable chunk feels what 22-year-old Gaurav Sonkar thinks. "Mandir will not ensure a job for hundreds of youngsters like me," said the MSW student at Ram Manohar Lohia University in Faizabad. "What good will it ever achieve?"

Thinking of the majority of youngsters, however, lies somewhere in between Gaurav's and the mob chanting "Jai Shree Ram". Mandir does not get a mention in the top three election issues with millennial voters. Those spots are reserved for employment, women security and better standard of living. But when asked if it needs to be built, most, especially the upper caste Hindus, answer in the affirmative.

Rashmi Sharma, 20, a microbiology student in Faizabad, said she would be happy if it is built. "It is a holy place for Hindus," said the daughter of an army man. "Hindus across the country come to Ayodhya. It is our identity. It would only be just if the Mandir is built."

When Ayodhya goes to polls on 27 February, close to 40,000 Brahmins would be voting, and the BJP is eyeing to get a lion's share of it. In 2012 assembly elections, Tej Narain Pandey of the Samajwadi Party won the Ayodhya seat, which hurt the ego of BJP. In a bid to displace "the party of the Muslims" from "Ram Ki Nagari", the BJP has thrown all its weight behind its candidate Ved Prakash Gupta, who used to be with BJP until 2007, then defected to SP and Bahujan Samaj Party before coming back to BJP again. Even though it is said the workers do not like him for his attitude, they have put it aside to focus on the larger picture.

The RSS and BJP combined, are campaigning vigorously in Ayodhya. A senior journalist said that if the Brahmins vote against Pandey, who is a Brahmin and a sitting MLA, in favour of Gupta, a baniya, it is clear the vote is for Hindutva and Ram Mandir. "Pandey has been one of the better candidates of SP," he said. "But I am sensing the public wants to reverse the 2012 verdict."

Suresh Sharma, 21, MSc first year student in Faizabad, said the Mandir should be built soon. It is part of the Hindu culture and it would be nice if it is preserved, he said.

However, as one moves away from Ayodhya, the issue of Ram Mandir fades in the other four constituencies of Faizabad. The district has a large Dalit population, which makes Mayawati a serious contender. Kori, Dhobi and others could come back to BSP after voting for BJP in 2014, although BJP would retain a segment of the share. The second largest community among Dalits, Pasis, are split between SP, BSP and BJP. But Chamars, who are the largest among Dalits and form 12 percent of Uttar Pradesh's population, have always been with BSP and would not desert behenji.

Sunil Kumar, 23, an MSW student in Faizabad, said he has always backed Mayawati because "SP indulges in its own form of communalism to counter BJP's poison". "We need a leader who will ensure law and order and who thinks of the poor," he said. "Akhilesh promises smartphones and gives away laptops. Instead, why not empower the electorate with jobs so they can buy their own laptops."

In Gosainganj constituency, the BSP is giving BJP a run in its bid to displace the sitting SP MLA Abhay Singh, against whom there is a fair amount of anti-incumbency. BSP's Nishad Dharmaraj, who is contesting from here, has been a minister before, could end up upsetting BJP.

While Mayawati's base vote is significant, experts doubt if she would be able to get the add on vote, in order to overwhelm the other two heavyweights she is fighting against. Especially among the non-Dalit youth, her popularity wanes, where Akhilesh and Modi split the honors.

In Rudauli, for example, there are around 70,000 Muslim votes, which had split between the three parties in 2012 and BJP candidate ended up winning. Reports suggest the Muslim vote this time around is consolidating behind SP, which has the edge in Milkipur and Bikapur as well.

But the politics over caste and religion disgusts Gaurav. He believes the educated, at least, should move beyond it. "If caste or religion influenced my behavior, majority of my friends would not be Muslims or Dalits," said the son of a fruit seller, who has four more siblings. He added he would have to migrate out of UP if he has to make a mark in life. "It is a task to find a 10,000 rupee job in UP and our PM and his party focus on polarisation. Our burning subject is Mandir. It is sad that quite a few in my university also feel it is an issue," he said.

The BJP knows that. There are scores of people queuing up for hours to get inside the disputed territory and seek blessings of the idol kept in a tent where Babri Masjid once stood.

BJP leaders may not have hammered the point in massive rallies, but ground cadres say Mandir is what they speak about during door-to-door campaigns and mohalla sabhas. Also, the communal speeches by BJP leaders and Modi's Shamshan-Kabristan remark does cater to the audience desperate for the Mandir.

Before arriving here, one came across articles suggesting the youth could not care less for the Mandir. But the undercurrent on the ground is a bit different. So here goes another theory. Millennial voters in the upper caste families may not feel as strongly about Ram Mandir as their parents do, and are not wasting their time agitating for it. But they would not have a problem with the ones doing so with communal overtones.

Also read the other reports in this series:

I. How Lucknow's first-time voters are gearing up for the polls

II. In Sonia Gandhi's adopted Udwa village, millennials are impressed with Modi's 'audaciousness'

III. In VIP constituency of Raebareli, millennial voters vexed with Congress, inclined to vote for Akhilesh

IV. In Amethi, millennial voters are looking beyond Rahul Gandhi
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In fact, BR Ambedkar was the first one to realise the significance of this township where Dalit assertion manifested for the first time after Maharashtra before India's Independence. Since then Agra was symbolised with Dalit assertion. Ambedkar's influence on Agra's social and political life remains enduring till date.

The roadshow will then proceed towards Bhagwan Talkies , Deewani chauraha, Sur Sadan and then Wazirpur the only area dominated by Muslims the major factor responsible for a turnaround in UP poll results. From there it moves forward to Hari parvat , Chipitola and finally ending at Bijligarh Chauraha situated in the south of the city.

Dayalbagh also inhabits a large population of Satsanghis, who are followers of the RadhaSwami sect. The followers in general are taken to be mute supporter of the right wing party.

For example the Dayalbagh institute is an educational institution area located at Dayalbagh in the heart of the city. The institute has been given deemed university status by UGC and is one of the most sought out campus among students.

The road map which has been signalled by the district administration for this road show has an interesting mix of both communities, young and old voters and women in general.

With the choice of their city and preference of safer and urban road map for this show, it seems as if both the leaders are keen to send a strong political message to the people of the state in minimal time. And make out for the losses incurred to their party because of the delay in forming this unprecedented and fresh alliance.

According to Firstpost reporters on the field, Akhilesh and Rahul have taken lessons from their earlier road show in Lucknow where they had a tough time facing the low hanging electric wires. Thus, confining the road show to areas which is comparatively more equipped in terms of basic infrastructure.

He talked of how despite facing difficulties people have supported demonetisation in national interest. The BJP leader targeted the Akhilesh Yadav Government over alleged corruption and mining mafia. He also said it was his party's strategy not to declare its chief ministerial face. "In the UPA government, it was said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is honest but the government is corrupt. Now Akhilesh Yadavji is also saying 'I am honest and removed one minister over allegations of corruption' but he reinstated him again after 15 days," Balyan said.

However, for the upcoming elections, the party seems to have adopted the much-publicised narrative of development. Western UP, where tension had prevailed during the 2014 Lok Sabha election too in the wake of riots, is calm and elections would be held peacefully with development being the major issue, Balyan told PTI.

The BJP had deployed local MP and minister of state for agriculture in Modi government, Sanjeev Balyan, MP Hukum Singh and MLA Suresh Rana for campaigning in February-2016 bypoll, the first after the communal riots. They were all named as accused in cases related to the 2013 riots which left at least 60 dead and thousands displaced.

In 2016, nearly two and a half years after the Muzaffarnagar riots, when bypoll was held in this constituency following the death of the then sitting SP MLA Chitranjan Swaroop, the BJP won the seat battling a sympathy wave in favour of the leader's son. Many analysts had then said the saffron party was able to exploit the communal faultlines through its campaign which was led by riot-accused BJP leaders.

"The alliance between Congress and SP is opportunist and immoral. Akhilesh Yadav has made an alliance but did not give space to his father (Mulayam Singh Yadav) even on the carrier of the 'bicycle' (SP symbol) and gave its handle to Congress.

During his roadshow in Meerut few hours earlier he had reeled out statistics on crime to point out that the law and order situation has gone from bad to worse under Akhilesh?

Kaam bolta hai  goes the campaign catch line for Akhilesh's Samajwadi Party. The SP chief would like to believe his government has done enough to receive a repeat mandate, but BJP president Amit Shah surely is not buying that.

Dil mile ya na mile, party toh mil gayi hai, is the current emotion running high in the ruling party of Uttar Pradesh. The mega road show in Agra is a clear message to parties that SP and Congress have decided to bulldoze into minority bastion and claim the Muslim votes.

An hour late from the scheduled time, UP ke ladke have started their road show in Agra. As TV footage showed, the two leaders stood atop the vehicle, instead of being holed up inside their bullet-proof vehicles, and waved to their supporters, giving the feel that everything is well in the recently-formed alliance.

With Netaji in kabhi haan kabhi naa mode and uncle Shivpal Yadav planning his own party after elections Akhilesh has reason to be worried. Father Mulayam is taking too many quick turns for his comfort. But atop the vehicle in a road show he is a picture of confidence and self-assuredness.

"This government has kept you (farmers) in darkness. The government has bought only 3 percent of its crops in the state," he said.

"I want to ask Akhilesh ji's government: What is your connection with those from the sugar mills? Why doesn't the government provide money to the sugarcane farmers?" Modi said.

The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance has got the buzz right and it's drowning out the BJP and the BSP. Speak to the young men at the venue and they quickly chant Akhilesh Bhai ko jitana hai (We have to ensure Akhilesh's victory). What's the big deal, you might ask. It's after all a Samajwadi Party rally. Step beyond the rather cramped space, the buzz refuses to disappear. Akhilesh has struck a chord, it might carry him all the way.

The reference, of course, is to Akhilesh and Rahul. Other placards say, "humko ye saath pasand hai," in a small variation of the alliance slogan "UP ko ye saath pasand hai". Ask the guy carrying the placard what he meant by the filmy comparison  Karan, Arjun are lead characters of a movie played by Shah Rukh Khan and Salman long ago  and he turns away. He is too busy for silly questions.

Of course, some went beyond this and said a victory for Akhilesh-Rahul would be the beginning of the end of Narendra Modi.

Bhaichaara was the word spoken often by the speakers on the dais. "UP had had enough of communal tension. It has suffered a lot. Now it's the time to put a stop to it. 2014 was a mistake. You put power in wrong hands. Let's not repeat it." This was the essence of their speeches.

Perhaps one of the negative consequences of the personality cult. There's none in the BJP to attack or discuss in Uttar Pradesh. A loss here, if it happens, would be a loss for Modi, none else.

"You fell for white lies in 2014. Where is the recovered black money in your bank accounts? Where are the jobs? What happened to all those tall promises you made? Liar, liar." The barbs were, of course, directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The election in Uttar Pradesh is a curious one. T he prime minister is in the direct line of attack in a state election.

"These elections are not about choosing the next government, it is not about which political party will win or not. These elections are about whether development, which has been sent to an exile for the past 14 years, will it come back?" Modi says in Ghaziabad.

The prime minister also lambasted Akhilesh for not generating employment as promised. "Standing today in Ghaziabad, I promise that youths won't have to run around for jobs anymore. And these are not election promises. This is my resolve."

Taking on the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Akhilesh and said that when he was elected as the chief minister everyone had great hopes from a young, educated leader. "Bachiyan school jaane se darrti hai. Aapki party (SP) ne gundon ko pal rakha hai or UP ka ye haal kar rakha hai (Girls are afraid to go to school because of the goons owned by you)."

I thought maybe, a young man (Akhilesh Yadav) will be ready in politics in five years. On another side, there was a politician in Congress, whose childish acts (you should see and find out the jokes on him) and manner of talking had kept Congress politicians away. The politician whose even the Congress leaders were running away from, Akhilesh Yadav has joined hands. That's when I began to doubt Akhilesh Yadav's intellegence.

When it comes to the security of women in Uttar Pradesh, they blame the media. Isn't the crime records in Uttar Pradesh a proof of the poor women security situation in Uttar Pradesh?

It's Akhilesh Yadav's government to give the money to sugar cane farmers. I had said, as soon as I come to power, we paid the money to 32 lakh farmers directly in their accounts. We will destroy the five-six mills hoarding your money.

'We started Fasal Bima Yojana for farmers. This scheme insures you even if you couldn't sow seeds till August. If your crop is destroyed by natural disaster, your loss be covered. But against the wishes of the sugarcane farmers, they put it under the insurance. A party which talks of making potatoes in factory, what would they know of farming. But at least Akhilesh Yadav should have known. His family's background is farming. Sugarcane is least affected by natural disasters. Even the richest farmer wouldn't insure sugar cane. But this anti-sugar cane farmers government in Uttar Pradesh.'

'Rahul Gandhi has been asking the BJP government of what we did. The first thing we did is gave a PM who can talk. The Manmohan government of corruption, we have given a government which even the opposition can't make a case of corruption. In your government, they used to behead soldiers. In our government, after they burn our soldiers, within ten days, we beat them in their home.'

"In my tenure as chief minister, when a rape like this had happened, I got this done. Police officials told me that doing this was a violation of human rights. I replied that these 'danavs' (demons) do not have human rights. I also told the woman to watch the rapist being tortured through a lock-up window so that she could get some peace after listening to his screams and cries for help," the BJP leader said.

Addressing an election rally here yesterday, she claimed that during her tenure as chief minister when a rape incident happened, "I also told the woman to watch the rapist being tortured".

Rapists should be tortured "till their skin comes off", Union minister Uma Bharti has said and accused the Samajwadi Party government of failing to provide justice to the victims of the Bulandshahr gangrape case.

The BJP's stakes are high in the crucial state as they are being viewed as a mini-referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modis major decisions like demonetisation and the surgical strikes across the border in Pakistan. After a bitter family feud, incumbent Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's future is at stake as he eyes re-election.

The principal protagonists  Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)  are hoping for a strong performance in the communally-charged western UP region, infamous for the murderous riots in 2013, so as to gather enough impetus for the later phases.

After months of campaigning, issues like communal polarisation to development and BJP government's decision to demonetise will be put to test as 73 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh go to the polls today in the first of seven-phase elections. Polling has already begun and is expected to go on till about 5 pm on Saturday.

Amroha has a special significance for Muslims, for the simple reason that around 65 percent of the electorate in this Assembly constituency are Muslims. There couldnt be a better place for leaders and students of politics to understand the communitys political preference. Owaisi was making his political debut in Uttar Pradesh, and Amroha was the most important stopover for him.

Their body language clearly suggested that the sher they were referring to was their hero, both as a leader and as a rock star performer. The announcement that he had finally arrived resulted in a commotion, with everyone pushing, pulling, vying to catch a glimpse of the one man they were waiting for  Assaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP and chief of AIMIM.

Hours after the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmad Bukhari, blasted the Samajawadi Party-Congress coalition in Uttar Pradesh, and urged Muslims to vote for Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party instead, a mildly aggressive gathering of hundreds of young men from the community thundered, "Dekho dekho kaun aya, sher aaya, sher aaya (Oh, look who's here, the lion is here)."

Take for example, the current arrangement in both the Houses. The Modi government, enjoying a brute majority in Lok Sabha, has presented a curious and unprecedented tug-of-war between the ruling party and the Opposition. While the BJP-led NDA government can pass any law as it pleases in the Lower House, key legislation often get stuck in the Upper House  where the Congress enjoys a majority  due to Parliament logjams and political bickering. While for the BJP, UP polls will be one chance to wrest free the Rajya Sabha from the controls of the Opposition, ensuring that BJP's strength is limited in Rajya Sabha is the only respite Congress can hope for until the next Lok Sabha Elections.

Uttar Pradesh is called the king-maker state and it's not for nothing. The northern Indian state, with over 14,12,53,172 voters, sends the largest number of Members of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha, where both the ruling party and the Opposition vie to stake control.

Thus, it is only natural that all eyes remain on the intense political drama unfolding in the state in these high-stake elections. So Firstpost sifted through the political pandemonium playing out in Uttar Pradesh, and brought together all that you need to know to track the humongous polling exercise.

The state elections also arguably set the precursor to the the 2019 Lok Sabha election as Uttar Pradesh was crucial in BJP's cleansweep in 2014 Lok Sabha elections  the saffron party's one-third parliamentarians come from the state that sends 80 MPs to the Lower House. Besides this, with the 2017 Presidential Election is in the offing, UP's strength will also play up in selecting the Constitutional head of the state.

Ignoring the chill in the air, with the morning temperature being 11 degrees, the residents of Noida Sector 15 and 16, especially the senior citizens are heading towards polling booths. Many are taking a detour from their morning walk to cast their votes. But right now voters are very few in numbers, which is expected to pick up by 9 am.

The only bright point is that it has Hema Malini as MP. As voters start trickling in at booths the question is will BJP will do better this time?

The BJP's record in Mathura, the land of temples and mythology, is rather poor. In the birthplace of Krishna the party has not had its own lawmaker in the assembly for sometime now.

Mathura was in the spotlight last year over the incident at Jawahar Chowk that claimed 24 lives. Two policemen were also killed in attack by encroachers on government land. The BJP raked this issue up during its campaign, citing this as an example of failing law and order under Akhilesh's rule. Will the voters buy it this?

The Bahujan Samaj Party, meanwhile, has been working silently on the ground to regain control on the state by engineering a politically potent but unpredictable amalgamation of two communities, Dalits and Muslims. However, each party has its own Achilles heel to deal with; the nail biting competition can swing any way.

But in Lok Sabha elections 2014, the people of the state voted overwhelmingly in support of the BJP. The saffron party would like to repeat the winning streak for obvious reasons, as it will pave a smooth path for the party in Delhi. However, the current ruling party in state, SP, has barely emerged from a succession war and it is Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's only opportunity to prove his mettle as a leader, after he overthrew his father from the party's helm.

The political scene in the state has been dominated by regional players (SP, BSP, RLD etc) since the 1990's and the so called national parties (BJP and Congress) have been pushed to the sidelines. If at all BJP and Congress managed to stake claim at the throne of Uttar Pradesh it was by cobbling up an alliance with the regional parties.

The electoral battle in the state has grabbed all eyeballs, be it the electoral merger between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party or the infighting within the first family of this politically crucial state.

This gives the present BJP candidate Pankaj Singh, who is the son of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh an edge over others. But it's also challenging for him as he is a first timer. He has been given ticket by replacing Vimla Batham Sharma. Initially this led to some confusion and dissent among local party workers. But BJP leadership has ensured that the contesting candidate gets full support. It needs to be seen whether debutant Pankaj Singh is able retain the tradition of BJP of winning Noida seat this time.

Noida, the assembly constituency was always a bjp stronghold. Mahesh Sharma of BJP held this seat, till the time he became an MP in 2014. In the by-election that followed, the bjp retained the seat.

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Assembly closes its term by May 2017. Elections to the Assembly are scheduled for February and counting will take place in April 2017. As candidates get ready to file their nominations with the Election Commission, we present our analysis of the current composition of the Assembly (2012-2017) and the participation of the members (MLAs).

As Aligarh goes to elections, appeals for vote consolidation intensify. Messages and appeals being circulated on social media and through word of mouth. To avoid any sort of chaotic situation and to provide more convenience to voters, this time Aligarh has increased the number of booths. To increase voter accessibility the numbers are limited to 1000 votes per booth.

While announcing the common minimum programme, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav says that many do not walk the talk, clearly taking a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Akhilesh says he is confident that the first vote cast in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh election was cast in the name of Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance.

The first phase of polling will decide the electoral fortunes of Pankaj Singh (Noida seat), son of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Mathur (Mathura) against whom BJP spokesman Srikant Sharma is in fray, Mriganka Singh (Kairana), daughter of BJP MP Hukum Singh and controversial BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana -Sardhana and Thanabhawan respectively.

Amid tight security, polling began for the first of the seven phases of the high-stake Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with voters queueing up to cast their ballots in 73 constituencies spread over 15 districts of western Uttar Pradesgh.

When asked about Shahi Imam Bukhari supported Mayawati and dissed SP-Congress alliance, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Shahi Imam Bukhari saab is a very good and learned man and if you ask him in person he will always give us the blessing and support us."

The positive body language of Akhilesh Yadav during the presentation of SP-Congress vision document on Saturday gives an indication of his confidence in outcome. While tackling provocative questions from media, Akhilesh chose to play down the barbs, trying to drive a distinction between SP's development-oriented campaign and BJP's angry rhetoric. Akhilesh advised BJP to be less angry, his easy confidence rubbing on to even Rahul Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strategy is distraction. When he can't answer questions, then he starts distracting. Truth is that in two-and-a-half years, he has failed. He peeps into bathrooms and does nothing else. His threats are empty as well." When asked about seat-sharing issues between Samajwadi Party and Congress, Rahul said, "There are issues on six-seven seats, but these issues are insignificant, things will be worked out soon."

"Modi loves to Google, peep into bathrooms, but he should be more concerned about development. Some clerics are resentful. But we believe they will finally support us. Modi is unable to answer on security, jobs, unemployment and that why he is distracting people," Rahul Gandhi.

"Modi loves to Google, peep into bathrooms, but he should be more concerned about development. Some clerics are resentful. But we believe they will finally support us. Modi is unable to answer on security, jobs, unemployment and that why he is distracting people," Rahul Gandhi.

The sprawling industrial hub of Noida, which was the brainchild of one-time Congress stalwart and veteran leader ND Tiwari, seems to have nothing to do with the Congress anymore. Tiwari, as old-timers would remember, was the Chief Minister of undivided Uttar Pradesh thrice, and of Uttaranchal once that was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, is credited with substantial work for the development of the big and politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Tiwari held important portfolios as a minister at the Centre and also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.

The excise department has set up checkposts at inter-state borders as well as along the border with Nepal to check distribution of liquor to voters during elections.

Around 6,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed in all polling centres in Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring Shamli to instill a sense of security among voters, especially with focus on areas which had witnessed communal riots in 2013.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in all districts for the polls which are being seen as a litmus test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nearly three-year rule. Out of 887 polling centres in riot-scarred Muzaffarnagar, around 600 are sensitive where video cameras have been installed to maintain strict vigil.

80 percent voters of 76 vidhan sabha seats in shehar Aligarh belong to the Ansari community, mostly engaged in small scale lock industries. Rest of the 20 percent constitute of Qureshi community, darzi, dhobhi, naai, sabzi farosh, pheri wale etc. All are vouching for SP candidate Zafar Alam.

There are 26,822 polling centres for over two crore voters in the first phase of polling for 73 seats across 15 districts. Fate of 839 candidates will be sealed on Saturday. Prominent faces who cast their votes earlier included Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh who cast his vote in Sahibabad, Shrikant Sharma of BJP and Congress's Pradip Mathur in Mathura, Sangeet Som in Sardhana and Suresh Rana in Shamli.

An EC official informed IANS that these problems were being attended to on a priority basis and EVMs at some places were replaced. Long queues were seen in places like Mathura, Agra, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut (City), Sardhana, Shamli and Noida. The largest constituency in this phase, as per population, is Sahibabad in Ghaziabad and the smallest is Jalesar in Etah.

Voting picked up in the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections within hours of its start at 7 am, poll officials said on Saturday. Kasganj witnessed 13 percent polling in the first two hours, Muzaffarnagar 15, Meerut 10, Mathura 11, Noida seven and Greater Noida nine percent. Technical snags in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were reported in the first hour in polling booths across Noida, Baghpat, Hathras and Mathura.

Aligarh is actually divided into two parts - old city Aligarh and new civil lines Aligarh. Old city side people feel that civil lines side voters are not fragmented and detached. They feel that civil lines area people might goof up the elections as they won't go for consolidated voting since they are divided among four major candidates - Vivek Bansal(congress), Ajju Ishaq (SP), Haji Aamirullah Khan(independent, previously SP candidate), Ram Kumar Sharma (BSP), Parvez Khan (AIMIM). These candidates are from Kol vidhan sabha (civil lines, Aligarh). BJP candidate from Kol is Anil Parashar.

"Exodus was never a communal matter, it was a law and order problem," Hukum Singh said. He however refused to say that the exodus was a non issue, while adding that it was coincidental that the goons behind rangdaari (extortion) and petty crimes belonged to a specific community.

BJP's MP from Kairana, Hukum Singh, on election did a U-turn on the exodus issue, first raked up by him last year. While Hukum Singh had always maintained that the Hindu community in Kairana district was being singled out and targetted, he told CNN-News18 on Friday that it was never a communal issue.

There are 26,822 polling centres for over two crore voters in the first phase of polling for 73 seats across 15 districts. Fate of 839 candidates will be sealed on Saturday. Prominent faces who cast their votes earlier included Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh who cast his vote in Sahibabad, Shrikant Sharma of BJP and Congress's Pradip Mathur in Mathura, Sangeet Som in Sardhana and Suresh Rana in Shamli.

Long queues were seen in places like Mathura, Agra, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut (City), Sardhana, Shamli and Noida. The largest constituency in this phase, as per population, is Sahibabad in Ghaziabad and the smallest is Jalesar in Etah.

Though the Jat-dominated constituencies are witnessing a heavy turnout, their political conduct remains a mystery. Jats may not have numerical strength on many seats but their influence over political economy of the region can hardly be undermined. That is the reason why the BJP seems a little worried in the first phase.

In west UP, there is an impression that the government turned anti-jat after its victory in 2014. As a result MPs like Satypal Singh, former Mumbai police commissioner, who defeated Chaudhary Ajit Singh has also lost relevance in the constituency. Hence this move was planned to rope in Jats who are fence-sitters.

Just as Jat-dominated western UP was going to polls today, BJP president Amit Shah had a group of prominent jat leaders hosted by Union Minister Rao Virendra Singh, a jat leader from Haryana. The obvious reason was to neutralise the anger that Jats felt after their agitation in Haryana.

Most of Aligarh university votes are going to the Congress but a few votes of non-teaching staff are for Samajawadi Party as well. Samajwadi Party has strong appeal among the economically lower sections of the population.

"Badaun is one of those villages in India which are the most backward in India. Samajwadi and BSP have promised so much, delivered nothing."

There is hardly any wave in support of any party. Even at the time of polling, there is hardly signs of any wave.

Ajit Singh, his son Jayant Singh and his wife Charu Singh also attracted huge turnouts. How could one explain this? Asked leaders. Of course, given large population of the state, the turn outs are poor indicators to read political mood of the state. Yet there is no denying the fact that this election is the most deceptive electoral battle Uttar Pradesh had ever seen.

Apparently not only Prime Minister Narendra Modi attracted a good crowd in this region but there was a huge turnout also for Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and even outsiders like Nitin Gadkari. Similarly Akhilesh, Rahul Gandhi and BSP chief Mayawati also drew good crowds.

As the first round of the polls is underway, there is one confusion that prevails among senior leaders of all parties. This confusion is about how to explain the large turn out at meetings of these leaders.

But earnings from the auto were irregular, from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month. So, Hussain is about to begin a job designing and fixing uppers (the upper part of a shoe that contains the tongue) at a shoe factory in NOIDA, located in UP but an extension of the metropolitan region of Delhi, Indias richest province, by per capita income.

In the 1990s, Kanpurs leather industry employed a million workers (there are no official data), according to IndiaSpends inquiries with the government and leather-industry representatives. With 176 of 400 leather tanning units shutting over 10 years, according to a joint secretarywho requested anonymity since he is not authorised to talk to the mediain UPs industries department, that number has halved.

An impression has gained ground here that most of these belong to a particular community. This assessment may not be correct. But the perception is stronger than reality. And the BJP's move has found resonance among voters who are divided on communal lines.

The BJP's promise of launching anti-Romeo squads to check eve-teasing in Western UP is calculated to strike resonance with Hindu constituency. Of late there have been reports of eve-teasing assuming a sociological menace in the entire region. Criminals ruling the roost in west UP in the past five year was nothing new. But criminalisation of governance is given a communal touch by a deft political move by the BJP.

Inputs from the field across western Uttar Pradesh from correspondents of ETV show polarisation trends, to the extent that channels showing Muslims in large numbers in front of polling booths since early morning also played on the minds of the voters. Observers believe that others are turning up now due to that influence. Voting percentage is likely to be very high and reports said that this polarisation helps BJP.

Yet the BJP's move to placate Jats runs the risk of triggering a counter-polarization of non-hat castes. This is a tricky political situation for not only the BJP but also for SP-Congress and the BSP.

"We are not short of fertilizer now as we get it aplenty" said one. They were least affected by demonetisation. What had hit them most is the brazen Yadavaisation of governance by Akhilesh Yadav and increasing criminalization. "We were the worst sufferer of this" said villagers who huddled in a corner to mourn the death of young boy in a road accident. Apparently the village distinctly displays a pro-BJP turn.

In Tappal area adjacent to Aligarh exists a village where non-jat castes live in large number. In a Baghel-caste dominated village not far from the Yamuna expressway, villagers have decided to vote for the BJP. The reason is obvious.

Multi-phase polling gives politicians this opportunity  to move to areas which would come in later phases of polling and go out either to make high pitch campaigning or hold press conferences to make a last-ditch attempt to shape minds of voters in areas where voting was on. In this age of 24x7 news channels, social and digital media ensures that the message is communicated live.

It was a strategic decision Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi to hold a joint press conference and slam Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his remarks on their alliance in UP on Saturday morning when first phase of polling in the state was underway.

Voting slow in several booths in Mathura. Polling officials say footfall may increase later in the day. If it doesn't then the guessing game over results begins all over again. For parties the task right now would be to get their core voters to booths.

There was a feeling that momentum has been generated, from the point of view of crowd turn out in Lucknow, Agra and Kanpur for Congress-SP dynasts, needed to be maintained. Can that press conference influence voter mind who are going out to vote today?

There were also reports that on ground level the SP and Congress workers had their own issues and reservation against each other to join hands and fight for common cause. The seat sharing in some constituencies, even as Congress had been allotted 105 seats were there and people, even the party supporters were taking an adverse view. Rahul acknowledged that there were problems in 6-7 seats but underplayed it.

The decision to make Rahul and Akhilesh appear together, days after their joint presence in Kanpur, was guided by emerging circumstances because there was a feeling among sections of Samajwadi-Congress party leaders and supporters that Mayawati had lately become aggressive particularly pitching some influential Muslim religious leaders and groups urging minority community voters to trust and vote for BSP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high decibel attack against Congress and Samajwadi Party.

First, the present election has become mechanical and appears more a contest between highly professional poll managers hired by all the political parties than the parties themselves. Second, the well-defined notion of vote-bank politics is in terminal decline. The social bases of all the political parties have been seriously challenged. Read the full article here

Interestingly, the pragmatism of electoral compulsions is seen in full swing when we find that all the parties moderated their competitive needs and entered into the political alignment beyond ideological lines and conventional hostilities. The saddest part is that the dramatic defragmentation of political parties has succeeded in misplacing the priorities of Uttar Pradeshs electorates.

The first phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in the western region of the state, for 73 seats, is finally underway. The early trend of voting pattern shows that this election is shaping up to be one of the most unique, hyper-competitive, and potentially divisive elections in generations.

The SP-Congress combine is heavily banking in Muslim voters in the region seeing their combination as sole protector of their interests. This was the region which was affected in 2013 riots.

It is clear that a majority of Jats have shifted their preference from BJP to their very own Ajit Singh's RLD but then many of them are with the BJP. Ajit Singh's RLD is no winner (it can win few seats) but can play spoiler to the BJP's prospects. It thus becomes important for the BJP what percentage of Jats vote for RLD and what percentage of Jats vote for BJP. BSP and SP-Congress combine is talked here in context of a triangular or a quadrangular fight.

Common wisdom would suggest that people or a group or a community would vote to see what suits their interest, who protects their interest and who has the potential to deliver goods for the state and work for popular welfare. Jats are a hugely emotional community and more often than not emotions take priority over prudence. Fellow Jats from adjacent Haryana have been camping in this region to ensure that their brethrens in Western UP got disconnected from the BJP.

The 73 constituencies spread across 15 districts going to the polls in first phase, has an interesting mix of rural areas in western UP. While areas going to the polls includes, two most important cities Noida and Agra, but the centre of attention in this phase is how Jat heartland Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Hapur and Bulandshahar would vote.

From Kol tehsil (civil lines side of Aligarh) Haji Zamirullah, the independent candidate who was previously in Samajwadi Party and belonged to the Shivpal camp was seen as a strong contender till morning but now voting has shifted to the Congress and the SP among Muslims. From Kol seat, both the Congress and SP candidates are getting votes. Zamirullah is also a favourite among Muslims as they are of the view that when an independent Muslim candidate is available then why should Muslim votes go to political parties who only use their votes for vested interests.

As first phase of polling in western UP is underway, the stress in the media and at other chatter points have been on Jat factor, Jats slipping away from BJP and Muslims looking at Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi combination with hope. The impression that Mayawati has capitulated is misleading. Her party candidates are strong on the ground and their campaign has been visible but while talking about BSP, we tend to talk only about Dalits and Muslim.

BJP seems to have faltered on their strength. Instead of presenting the electorate with a simple yet convincing narrative, they are desperately searching for a better story to trump the one told by Akhilesh. They have been reduced to making the same mistake which Modi's rivals did in 2014  run an anti-campaign."

"In 2014 Modi had a better narrative than his opponents. To the electorate, pushed against the wall by a non-performing government at the Centre, Modi's promise of 'better days' made more sense than apocalyptic fear of riots.

In twilight zone of their life them coming out to vote means that the hope that India would change is undying. Hope new rulers of Uttar Pradesh would consider their hopes and aspirations.

It was heartening to see so many senior citizens in their 70s and 80s, even 90s coming out, holding hands of younger members of their family members, some with walking sticks.

Standing in queue to honour my right to vote at a polling station in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, I realised that polling day is perhaps one day which senior citizens relish the most. They don't complain of queue and hassled walk to polling booth but they like the way its an occasion when the world treats them with respect and dignity they deserve. Its also a day when their preference matters.

The Election Commission has been coming out with unique ideas to encourage women to come out and vote. Earlier in Goa, that went to poll on 4 February, the poll panel gifted soft toys to first-time women voters. Now in Uttar Pradesh, the poll panel is gifting all women voters a red rose, according to The Financial Times

Incidentally, in Mathura the BJP has been battling a poll jinx for over fifteen years as it had failed to bag a significant win in this city of temples. Malini remains its only bright spot in this holy town of Western UP.

The actor turned politician had said, "Vrindavan widows have a bank balance, good income, nice beds, but they beg out of habit... There are 40,000 widows in Vrindavan. I think there is no more place in the city. A large population is coming from Bengal... that's not right. Why don't they stay in Bengal?," NDTV reported

According to Telegraph report, some 40,000 widows  about 25,000 from Bengal  are estimated to live in Vrindavan, Mathura region. They primarily live in various government-run homes and private quarters supported by Sulabh International.

Whether the high voter turnout in key districts could swing the beeps on EVMs in favour of the BJP particularly in small non-Jat pockets would be known on 11 March. These isolated pockets have traditionally been against the Jat dominance and could appear as a saviour for the BJP.

Besides, the Jats could be the most politically dominating community in the region but their numbers aren't incredible enough to singlehandedly influence the voting pattern in an election.

The Jat leaders have advised the community to collectively defeat BJP, however, the appeal is unlikely to maneouvre a 100% swing against the BJP in a community that overwhelmingly voted for the BJP just two years ago. The undecided voter could still go with the saffron party.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is walking on a tightrope in the Jat majority areas, as the community has openly pledged to vote for a candidate most suited to defeat the saffron party.

Soon, all hell broke loose and the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader was gheraoed by an angry mob of BSP supporters after which police had to resort to cane charge to disperse the unruly crowd.

The incident happened at the Islamia Madarsa poling booth. When he was talking to the voters, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters outside took umbrage to his spending a long time inside.

The 61-year-old politician, who is the incumbent legislator from Kithaur constituency, was greeted with slogans and some people also pelted stones at him, after which he beat a hasty retreat, officials said.

Addressing a gathering in Budayun, a Yadav stronghold, the Prime Minister said time has come to reverse the caste and community-based policy making in the state and instead embrace the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas' policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed his attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday and charged him with presiding over chaos and lawlessness in the state in the past five years.

Firstpost spoke to voters coming out after voting in Aligarh to sense the mood on the ground. Our inputs suggest that Khatig (SC) caste from the region has primarily voted for the BJP while Koli, Kumhar castes are going to SP. Among Muslims Abassi community has favoured the BSP as the local candidate fielded by it belongs to the Abassi community. However, the BSP has managed to retain the Jatav votes.

As Firstpost spoke to the voters coming out of the booth, the mood remained inclined towards BJP, except for the Jatav votes which remained hitched to the BSP. However, other SC community voters have chosen to vote for BJP in Modi's name and not in the candidate's name. This area has negligible Muslim population.

At the Nahar Singh Inter College, quarsi polling booth around 60% polling was recoded till 4 pm. The officials their suggested that the peak time at this booth was between 11am to 2pm.

"Give BJP a chance. Within six months, I promise the law-and-order situation here will improve. The knife-wielding gangs will all be sent to jails within six months," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur district.

"Women in Uttar Pradesh can't even wear chains in public, because they are afraid it'll be snatched away. The largest state in India is in the hands of criminals," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Lakhimpur.

"In her tenure, Mayawati gave electricity to 23 villages. In his tenure, Akhilesh gave electricity to just three more villages. But in just the last two years since I became Prime Minister, I have given electricity to 1,364 villages," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur district.

"The corrupt who I targeted with my demonetisation decision are still unable to sleep well. They stole money from the poor, but I am fighting them. And I will not rest. They are all joining hands against me, because they are afraid their ill-gotten wealth will go away from them," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Second phase of Uttar Pradesh began at 7 am. Join us for LIVE updates on everything that is happening on the ground in the 67 constituencies of India's most populous state.

While Bangli Hindus gradually found the area inhospitable and spread out to other parts while Sikh farmers developed large farmhouses across the area. At the height of Punjab terrorism, a large group of khalistani terrorists found this area as safe haven. But the lush green belt of the region and highly cultivable land is known as paradise for farmers and rice bowl of India.

Sikhs comprise a major population in Terai (Himalayan foothills) that border Nepal. Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bijnor are the core and buffer forest zones of Dudhwa and Jim Corbett forest ranges. After 1947, Sikhs farmers from Punjab and Bangladeshi hindus were settled in this barren land and given cultivable land.

Few know that the area going to polls in the second phase is known as mini Punjab in Uttar Pradesh.

The Ruhailkhand area which comprises Himalayan foothills and forest is socially a diverse land. But it is known for housing a liberal Islamic seminary- called Barelvi school of Islamic though. Adjacent to Deobandi school of Islamic thought that propagates fundamentalist variant of the religion, the Barelvi school is known for promoting a liberal value system among faithfuls. This seminary is quite influential among Muslims of the region. Though they avoid directly to be indulging in politics, their tacit support is critical for parties which vie for Muslim support. This time Ulemmas of the seminary are divided and let the voters take their choice.

In fact, Mulayam's fortune revived from Terai region where Sikhs came out in support of him. This is the precise reason that Samajwadi Party still enjoys considerable clout among sikhs of the area.

He had his legs fractured too. But Mulayam found his spirit soaring following using reception he got in wake of killings of 13 Sikhs in fake encounters by the police in Pilibhit.

Pakaria Gurudwara of Lakhimpur Kheri was the first place where Mulayam Singh Yadav visited after his electoral drubbing in 1991. When the BJP won the election, Mulayam was completely crushed in the election.

Considering Azams controversial, mostly acidic, statements that generate a lot of political heat frequently, one needs no proof. The senior Samajwadi Party leader is contesting from Rampur. Its not about Hindu or Muslim, anyone can be victim of his tongue, says Debendra.

"This man is incorrigible," says driver Debendra Singh, a resident of Etawah and a supporter of the Samajwadi Party, about Azam Khan. "He will do some good work but in the end say something so nasty that it will nullify all the goodwill he might have generated for himself. If only he knew how to control his tongue," he adds.

The BJP has none. While the first two are hoping to benefit from the support of minorities, the BJP is banking on reverse polarisation.

With their eyes on the demographic balance, every party has stepped into the fray with a different strategy. The BSP and SP alliance have 26 and 25 Muslim candidates.

The 67 seats that go to polls in Uttar Pradesh second phase are considered the pocket burrough of the Samajwadi Party. In most of the seats, Muslims are a third of the electorate and thus the decisive factor.

"It was a situation that was allowed to escalate and the party in power in the state needs some explaining to do. Making Azam a scapegoat wont work."

Not many in Muzaffarnagar believe Samajwadi Party's Azam Khan was behind the riots of 2013. "No, the perpetrators were other people. But the reputation of this man is such that people would buy anything said about him," says a Jat leader who plays an important role for farmers of the region and who saw the riots from close quarters.

The police administration of the district was under pressure to trace the animals. It made national news too. The buffaloes were traced to Moradabad. We dont know what the thief went through after being caught, but the message conveyed was clear: nobody messes with Azam, or his buffaloes, in Rampur.

That Azam is a powerful man in the Samajwadi Party needs no overstating. So when cattle thieves stole seven of his buffaloes from his farm house two years ago, it was an act of great courage. Call it immense stupidity if you please. You cannot run away with Azam Khans buffaloes just like that.

This is one of the few constituencies where the election is principally between SP and BSP. But then candidature and claim of BJP's Lakshmi Saini can't be completely ruled out. In 2014 parliamentary poll pattern gives hope to BJP's supporters - Muslim votes got divided between Azam's candidate from SP Naseer Ahmad Khan and Nawab Kazim Ali Khan to pave victory way BJP's Nepal Singh.

What makes this Khan versus Khan battle even more interesting is the fact that this constituency has 60 percent Muslim population and the way members of the community vote here today could send signals elsewhere. Nawab Khan's family and SP's Azam Khan (who practically lords over this region) political rivalry dates is four decade old. But in this assembly election it has become sharper than ever.

A well educated and well groomed Nawab Kazim Ali Khan is four time MLA from this constituency. A traditional Congressman Nawab (belonging to a family which had been with Congress since Independence until about a year ago) is now BSP candidate. He now hopes that dailts and other sections on margins of social structure would add on to his personal social clout of a royalty. Pitted against him is a young Samajwadi candidate Abdullah Azam Khan. Though the young Khan is a political green horn but has support and legacy of his mighty father.

The BJP has picked up the topic of Triple Talaq ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections and asked its rivals SP and Congress to clarify their stand on gender justice. The women voters also feel that safety and security of women are of prime concern and they will vote for the party that can ensure it.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Muslim women of Rampur, one of the constituencies that will cast its ballot in the second phase, say Triple Talaq isn't an issue that political parties should discuss and is best left for the community to tackle.

Owasi's rally here drew enthusiastic crowd of under-30 youngsters. Can his AIMIM be a winner or spoiler for SP and BSP candidates? A triangular split in Muslim vote, if it happens, would generate hope for BJP candidate.

This constituency has over 65 percent Muslim electorate. So it's not surprising to find that 10 out of a total of 13 candidates in contention are from Muslim community - SP's candidate Mehboob Ali is a minister in Akhilesh Yadav government. He is facing a stiff challenge from BSP's Naushad Ali. The two were pitted against each other in 2012 also. Then there is AIMIM's Shamim Ahmed, RLD's Salim Khan, and Peace Party's Mohammad Rizwan and the list would go on. BJP's Kunwar Singh Saini is one of only three Hindu candidates from Amroha.

Amroha could be taken as a test case to understand Muslim voters polling preference  whether the Muslims were en-bloc with SP-Congress combine or Mayawati's BSP has own claims in the community and how far Assaduddin's Owaisi AIMIM has made inroads in the community.

In a crowded main bazaar of Amroha, one sees a hoarding "Tandoori Roti Rs 35 per kilo". Tandoori Roti or bread is cheaper than the price of raw atta that sells in any bigger cities. But when it comes to voting and understanding voting pattern, things are far more complicated.

It is precisely for this reason that BJP president Amit Shah said in a media conference that Mayawati's outfit is BJP's main rival in this phase. Shah hopes that BSP, which has given tickets to 99 Muslim candidates this time, would spoil SP's plan and help BJP.

Spread across 11 districts, the 67 constituencies that go to polls today in the second phase of Uttar Pradesh elections are dominated by the Muslim factor. While Muslims are known to vote tactically to keep the BJP away, the SP-Congress alliance would be hoping that the minority votes are not splintered between it and the BSP.

Both quotes are attributed to Azam. Abdullah is the Samajwadi Party candidate from Suar. As part of the Rampur Lok Sabha constituency, it comes in the extended political catchment of his father. The latters prestige would as much at stake here as his.

Abdullah Azam, son of Azam Khan, is believed to be a suave man and a temperate speaker unlike his father. He won't certainly be caught saying something like, "RSS volunteers are homosexuals, thats why they never get married"; or "Mobile phones are responsible for the rape of minors."

The only exception was for the seats reserved for scheduled caste (SC) candidates. The proportion of women winning SC seats was more than double that of those winning general seats. All this happened over a period when women in Indias most populous state became healthier and better educated, reinforcing the point that there is no correlation between these indicators and better political representation of women.

Poor, populous Uttar Pradesh was the first Indian state to have a female chief minister  Sucheta Kriplani from 1963 to 1967but this pioneering effort has not improved prospects for women in elections. As voter turnout has risen, more competitors have stood against women candidates, fewer women have won and a growing number have lost their deposits, according to an IndiaSpend and Swaniti Initiative analysis of electoral data of the last three state elections in UP since 2002.

Some voters though are worried about the succession battle that affected the ruling party in this SP stronghold. One of them tells CNN-News 18 that Mulayam should have understood that he has reached retirement age and should have made it easier for son Akhilesh to succeed him, not tougher.

In the end, the outcome may not be decided by issues that have been talked about during the campaign  development, demonetisation, dynasty and corruption. It may well boil down to whether a voter thinks of himself as a Muslim or a Hindu before pressing the button or looks dispassionately at the parties in the fray.

A lot had changed between 2012 and 2014. But a lot has changed from 2014 to 2017. So, neither of the two scenarios is an apt pointer to the trend. The outcome would ultimately depend on how the BJP manages to benefit from a possible split in Muslim votes (nearly 33 percent) and capitalises on counter-consolidation of Hindu votes.

There are two ways to look at polling in 67 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. The first is to see it as a contest that could be shaped by the 2014 General Elections when the BJP polled nearly 42 percent votes and led in 49 seats in the region. The other is to go back to 2012 when the BJP polled just around 17 percent, winning 10 seats.

A confident Azam Khan, the SP minister, tells Aaj Tak in an interview that Muslims will be firmly behind his party. This phase is crucial for Samajwadi Party which won 34 of 67 seats in 2012 and is under pressure to do an encore. The BJP had got 10 seats during last assembly elections and BSP, 11. Till 9 am, 10.69 percent ballots have been cast in Uttar Pradesh.

Five, the BJP's performance this time wouldn't be as good as 2014. Well, these could be true of the whole of UP as well. In any case, these don't give you an idea on which the way voters are going to swing this time.

In Bijnor, you dont catch the election mood by speaking to a few people. Most are evasive when they sense a politically-inclined question. The ones who open up are most likely to be sympathisers of one party or the other. However, talking to a cross-section of people here you get to understand a few things:

"My battle is with Azam Khan and not his son. In terms of funding, the chief minister has sent crores worth of funds to the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, which Azam Khan is the chancellor of. The money hasnt been used for the upliftment of the people of Rampur."

His success, whatever it be, votes or seats, means loss to SP. So far Muslim politics and Muslim voting preference in the state has so far been split between SP and BSP. The BSP has fielded 100 Muslim candidates with SP closely following that number but the fact remains that no party with Muslim leadership at the top, formed with purpose to cater Muslim interests has so far electorally succeeded. Can Owaisi make that exception? His speeches have been fiery, making the crowd lustily cheer for him but can he turn that personal appeal in votes?

For the first time Owasi is trying his luck here and has fielded 40 candidates from AIMIM symbol. Owaisi and erstwhile Congress ally in Andhra Pradesh and also at the centre during UPA regime had surprised all by opening account in Maharastra assembly election and making substantive gains in civic bodies polls. He, however, had failed in Bihar assembly elections because his party was seen as a vote spoiler. Uttar Pradesh is a big test for him. In his public rallies in Uttar Pradesh, he has pulled fierce punches on Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati. BJP is his favourite punching bag.

This round of election spread across electorally Muslim-dominated areas of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Sambhal, Rampur, Amroha where community presence vary between 30 percent to 65 percent will decide whether Hyderabad based Assaduddin Owasi's AIMIM can spread its political influence outside of Telangana and make a mark in Hindi heartland.

Is caste the standalone factor that swings the electoral outcome in Uttar Pradesh or the recent tune of development sung by SP-Congress combine and the BJP resonating with the voters.

With a Muslim electorate of over 65 percent all mainstream parties have chosen to field leader from the same community. SP's Iqbal Mehmood is sitting MLA and is considered a very strong candidate. He has for long been a challenger to Barq's dominance in the region. Presence of Mayawati's BSP candidate Rafatulla has further spiced up polls.

He has roped in a hugely influential a four-time MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq to his party. Barq is now 86 and has chosen his young grandson Ziaur Rahman Barq to be AIMIM candidate. If AIMIM has a chance to open an account in UP then Sambhal needs to be watched. It's a tough electoral battle.

But that is not the case. The electoral chemistry of the national election is vastly different from the state assembly polls. In 2014 elections, Narendra Modi rode on a wave of high expectation and an outright rejection of a government perceived to be led by a weakest-ever prime minister. The groundswell of support transcended the caste-barriers in a decisive manner for Modi. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Not let us examine the reasons why this election is one of the rarest political event in the life of the country's most populous state. Conventional wisdom has it that the party which gets overwhelming mandate only two-and-a-half years back in 2014 Lok Sabha election should have edge over others. By this logic, the BJP should have been choice for the electorate in the state assembly election.

Conventional wisdom often guides elections. But rarely does an election turn conventional wisdom on its head. A cursory glance at the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election 2017 would leave no one in doubt that this election would fall into the category of 'rarest of rare' elections.

In 2002, women won 11 of 314 seats (3.5 percent) for general-category candidates, and 15 of 89 seats (16.9 percent) reserved for SCs. By 2012, women won 22 of 318 general seats (6.9 percent) and 13 of 85 reserved seats (15.3 percent). So, women contesting from scheduled-caste seats had a more than double chance of winning.

The BSP chief's move was to tell voters that such a thing will never be repeated in past. She has gone out of her way to attack BJP, calling the debate around triple talaq part of nefarious RSS agenda.

To counter her tactic of fielding an unprecedented 99 Muslim candidates, Akhilesh Yadav therefore has been going around telling voters that Mayawati can't be trusted since her party has allied with "communal" BJP three times in past.

In Kanpur on Tuesday BSP chief Mayawati was at pains to distance herself from BJP, insisting that she will never join hands with the "Dalit basher" party. Mayawati's predicament is understandable. To return to power she must ensure Dalit votes are consolidated and a sizeable portion of Muslim votes are weaned away from the Samajwadi Party.

Speaking to the media after casting his vote Duniyapur says the foundation of the Ram Rajya in Uttar Pradesh will be laid in Rampur. He adds that all parties in Uttar Pradesh are against the BJP. He is confident that the BJP will come to power in full majority in the state and that people will vote against poor governance and corruption.

Though Lucknow had familiarised itself with Iranian cultural traditions due to Shia's influence, Rampur borrowed its cultural traits from Mughals of Delhi. As this constituency goes for polls, the electorate gets divided on intense communal lines. However in reality Rampur has a rich cultural heritage which has much more to celebrate about than acrimony.

Similarly, voters registered a significant turnout in Saharanpur and Pilibhit. This round of polls seem to be going in favor of the SP because of demographic profile of the region that comprises Muslim-Yadav as significant social chunk. In certain pockets where scheduled caste voters are higher in number, Muslims are looking for BSP as an option. But that is very rare as the SP-Congress enjoys a solid support base.

Initial turnout in Budaun, Saharanpur, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur do indicate that Muslim voters have come out in large numbers in the morning. For instance in Budaun there are reports of 25 percent polls that suggest large turnout of Mulim-Yadav voters in support of the Samajwadi Party.

As Uttar Pradesh votes to choose its Legislative Assembly, BJP hopes to repeat its 2014 sweep victory riding on a Modi wave once again. The Akhilesh camp on the other hand managed to bag the majority in the 2012 Assembly polls. If a party's past performance tells us anythig, it's that in state elections swing votes ensure that its a close call between the key parties. Here is a look back at the previous performances of all the parties in UP.

If the votes are divided then its advantage BJP, says Satish Prakash, Dalit activist. With as many as 34 of the 67 seats under its belt last time, the SP would expect a better show. It has the Congress votes with it now. The BSP, on the other hand, has announced its candidates much earlier and cultivated the constituencies well. The BJP would be happy if the alliance and the BSP shared the Muslim votes equally.

Which way will the Muslim votes swing? On this question rests the fate of parties in Uttar Pradesh. As voters in the Muslim heavy constituencies queue up at the booths today the suspense would be around whether they have voted for the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance or the BSP.

Official sources said polling was dull initially but picked up as the day wore on. They said till midday there was no report of any untoward incident and polling was going on smoothly.

Over 25 percent of the electorate cast their votes till noon in the second phase polling in Uttar Pradesh. In the second of seven-phase election, 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women, are eligible to cast their ballots in 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations.

It reminds the imams that it is their "special responsibility" to use mosques and make the millat (the global Muslim nation) aware of the current conditions and ensure that Muslims know that voting is a democratic right as well as a shar'i fareeza (Islamic religious duty). While the appeal does not say which party to vote against, it urges the imams and others to go to areas where Muslim candidates are in the fray against other Muslim candidates, and explain the situation to the voters to exercise their vote unitedly, presumably against the BJP.

On the second-phase polling in Uttar Pradesh, the Urdu-language daily Roznama Inquilab carries a frontpage appeal by some Muslims titled: "Respectful appeal to the imams of mosque." The two-column appeal reads: "The country's fascist forces, under their eternal projects, are conspiring to make Muslims second- and third-grade citizens, and are engaged in targeting the dear country's biggest minority by adopting new, new tactics. And surely, you are no less concerned about these situations."

One argument I have not understood but most experts say is that Indian Muslims are voting the BJP, which is correct to some extent within Gujarat but it's not proven elsewhere. Khalid feels that Muslims indeed are voting the BJP but he says that they do not proclaim it publicly. "Within the community, such BJP voters are shamed by clerics and elders and therefore they do not reveal. So, one cannot detect such votes publicly," he explains. Perhaps in times to come, Muslims will vote for the BJP, but the party has not given tickets to any Muslim candidate in UP elections.

A day before the first phase of UP polls on 11 February, Roznama Inquilab had carried a frontpage headline: "UP  First phase polling, Musalmanon ka Imtehan (Test for Muslims)." A few days ago in Aligarh, I asked Urdu journalist Hasan Khalid how will Muslims perceive if Hindi newspapers gave such a headline saying elections are a "test for Hindus." Khalid criticises such headlines in the Urdu media and argues that if one has to be so, it must only be: "voters ka Imtehan."

It also carries some reports expressing concern that the division of Muslim votes, notably in Pratapgarh region, could hurt secular forces. Roznama Sahafat, another Urdu daily, carries a whole front-page report in favour of Azam Khan, and it's not presented as kind of advert. Statements of Muslim elders such as Chaudhary Munawwar Saleem are given on the entire page to ensure Azam Khan's victory, but there have been occasions where his political rallies faced disruptions in Rampur.

To assure Muslims that the BSP will not support the BJP in UP after the elections, Mayawati's statement "Willing to sit in opposition but no alliance with BJP (after the elections)" is a front-page headline in Urdu daily Roznama Akhbar-e-Mashriq on 15 February, as the UP goes to second-phase polling.

Such pure rumours worked against the BJP in Bihar elections. Uttar Pradesh elections have seen mobilisation of Muslim voters against the BJP and in support of the SP-Congress alliance and to some extent for BSP.

During Bihar Assembly elections, I heard actual reports that even rumours played a consequential role in defeating the BJP. In rural areas, poor Muslim women were convinced by Islamic clerics and local opinion makers to offer prayers for the victory of Nitish Kumar. They were told that "Modi will demolish mosques."

Narendra Modi began his rally in Kannauj by congratulating Isro scientists for launching 104 satellites in one go earlier in the day. Constantly invoking their success during his speech, the Prime Minister asked the sizeable crowd to raise their voice to laud the scientists' effort in which 101 were foreign satellites were launched and only 3 were Indian.

The sugar mills feel their business is unsustainable in view of falling sugar prices. Some have threatened to die but they cannot do so under the law. Akhilesh has just made things more difficult for them by increasing the State Advisory Price for sugarcane to Rs 305. The BJP promises a loan waiver and payment to farmers within 14 days of delivery. But on the ground, its not a big talking point. Interesting.

In the sugarcane zone of Uttar Pradesh theres not much talk on plight of cane farmers. Not all is hunky-dory with the sugarcane industry here. Farmers have been complaining about rising arrears in payment from the sugar mills.

Was it really a paradigm shift in voter behaviour? Was 2014 the year of enlightenment for Indian voters who suddenly realised that they had been taken for a merry ride by politicians in the name of caste and community equations? Were they eschewing identity politics and its trappings?

Writing for EPW, A K Verma analysed BJP's victory as "it is significant that the party made electoral gains across all castes and communities and across all regions in the state. This victory signalled a paradigm shift in voter behaviour, with a preference for good governance and development pushing out the identity politics of caste and community."

The result was stunning. In Uttar Pradesh alone, BJP won 71 out of 80 seats. Dalits abandoned Mayawati and voted in droves for BJP's PM candidate. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal ran a campaign of anger. Modi defeated him in Varanasi by a huge margin.

It was a remarkable spectacle in 2014. While BJP's rivals, especially in the Hindi heartland, were busy slicing and dicing data on caste equations, PM-aspirant Narendra Modi was telling rally after rally of packed audiences how he will bring achhe din. The more his rivals asked the electorate not to trust him, the more Modi talked about development. The opposition called him a 'polarising figure who will usher in riots', Modi said he will usher in vikaas.

The underlying purpose behind the alliance between Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party and Sonia-Rahul Gandhi led Congress party was consolidation of Muslim votes for the combine. Akhilesh Yadav on several occasion has said there was a confusion among some people about Samajwadi's prospects to return to power but after a tie-up with Congress that confusion is gone. If SP-Congress has to come to power, it needs to sweep this phase. In 2012 elections SP had won 35 of 67 seats, Congress 3, BSP 18 and BJP had won 10, one seat had gone to Independent. The BJP is banking on some split in Muslim votes between SP-BSP and AIMIM. The BJP is also looking for a situation where aggressive polling by Muslim community members could consolidate Hindutava votes in its favor. Latent Hindutava sentiment is there in sections of Hindu voters but the key question is how much of that is translating into votes. The BSP has fielded some strong candidates on the ground. The party has also got a number of influential Muslim clerics and community groups to issue appeal in its favor. Despite Supreme Court order, Mayawati has been openly talking of importance of Muslim votes. Will that yield dividend to her. As it is she has solid backing of Dalits, particularly Jatavas. Polling by noon has shown that polling percentage could go up in this phase, at least as compared to phase one. There lies the catch for all three mainstream contenders SP-Congress, BJP and BSP.

Picking up BJP's clean sweep in Uttar Pradesh where the party won all three seats of graduate MLC seats in Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Bareilly this month, Narendra Modi during his election rally in Kannauj on Wednesday taunted the SP-Congress alliance by asking, "UP ko yeh saath pasand kyon nahin aya"? (Why did the UP voters show thumbs down to SP-Congress alliance). The taunt was a spin on the alliance partners' campaign slogan. The PM also mentioned BJP's good result in Odisha panchayat polls and interpreted it as the poor endorsing demonetisation despite Opposition slander.

The Excise Department, the cash cow, has also taken a beating in revenue collection. An official said that as against a target of Rs 1,443 crore in December, the collection was down at Rs 1,345 crore.

While it earned Rs 4,494 crore in tax in November, the collection slipped in December and is set to go down further in January and February due to engagement of employees and officials in election duty.

The once powerful Shivpal Yadav is a pale shadow of himself after the knock-out blow from nephew Akhilesh. Patriarch Mulayam Singh is a much subdued man these days, preferring to be away from the limelight. Some other members of the family are still in the process of adjusting to the generational shift in the party. The Yadav community has stood by Mulayam for over two decades but this time its a bit confused after the coup by Akhilesh which many perceive as an insult to Mulayam.

In Uttar Pradeshs heartland, where the election enters phase three, the debate is not whether the Yadav dominance in their stronghold would continue, its how the bitter power struggle in the Yadav first family would impact the prospect of individual members in the fray.

Akhilesh Yadav. ReutersAkhilesh Yadav. Reuters In the 2012 Assembly polls, SP had won 55 of these 69 seats, while BSP, BJP and Congress secured just 6, 5 and 2 respectively. One seat went to an Independent.

Curtains will come down on Friday on the hectic campaign in 69 Assembly seats spread over 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh that will go to polls in the third phase on 19 February. The districts are Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Kannauj, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki and Sitapur.

"Akhilesh says that their party has changed over the years but the goons are still there within the party. Three people have been engaged in spreading corruption in the country and now these people have tied up in an alliance to loot Uttar Pradesh."

"What has this family given you? There are problems for farmers while law and order machinery in the state has collapsed. There is acute shortage of water and medicines. What has this state government done for you?" he asked.

Two families have entered into an unholy alliance. Initially, people were affected by one shahzada (prince), now it is two. One shahzada is giving pain to his mother, the other to his father," he said, attacking Rahul and Akhilesh, who had a bitter feud with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav over the control over SP.

The killing spree started with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by RSS. We are Gandhians from the core of our heart and firm believer of non-violence," AICC General Secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told a news conference here.

Congress on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the party had made a bid on Mulayam Singh Yadav's life, saying the word 'murder' was synonymous with Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. "The word 'murder' is synonymous with Modi and (Amit) Shah.

After Smriti Irani took on Priyanka Gandhi for not addressing a single rally in Amethi, Priyanka has finally entered the poll limelight as she appeared at a Congress rally in Raebareli, flanked by her brother Rahul Gandhi.

The Supreme Court ordered the registration of an FIR against UP minister Gayatri Prajapati in a gang rape and sexual harassment case against him. The bench hearing the case observed that the state machinery could not go slow on a accused just because he was an influential leader in the state.

Poll panel officials said they hope that more and more people will come out to vote this time and that the previous turnout of 59.96 per cent in this region in 2012 will be bettered by the end of the day.

Voting for 69 seats in the third phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections began on Sunday amid tight security. Heavy security deployment has been made across the 12 districts where polling began. Sensitive polling stations marked by the Election Commission (EC) are being monitored online, an official said.

In this round, all eyes are on people from the Yadav clan, like Shivpal Singh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav's cousin Anurag Yadav. The fate of BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi will also be decided in this round.

The SP candidates include Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav and three ministers, one of whom was recently sacked. BJP has preferred to field turncoats on two seats  Lucknow Central and Lucknow Cantt. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who had won on Congress ticket last time, has been fielded by BJP from Cantt seat against Aparna.

Ruling Samajwadi Party is facing a tough battle as it tries to retain the seven Assembly seats it had won last time out of nine in Lucknow, while BJP and BSP queer the pitch. The two other seats were shared by BJP and Congress.

Lucknow Central is also witnessing a keen contest, where sitting SP MLA and cabinet minister Ravidas Mehrotra is facing an uphill task with Congress candidate Maroof Khan refusing to withdraw from the field despite a tie-up between the two parties. BJP has given ticket to former MP Brijesh Pathak, a fromer Lucknow University student union president, who switched from BSP.

Who would like to be seen in the vicinity of the clinic and be branded a naamard? Its a society where everyone knows everyone. And word spreads fast. Salacious words move faster. I doubt whether even other patients go to the clinic that day.

One wise doctor has fixed a weekday for each category of patients for consultation. Naamards on Mangalbar (impotents on Tuesday), reads the information on one wall. Somewhere else Thursday is the day for those with the problem of early ejaculation. Something strikes you as odd.

On the road through the Yadav zone in Uttar Pradesh which goes to polls today, theres no escaping gupt rog. On the ubiquitous long brick walls amid green fields on both sides you find the mention of gupt rog and the doctor in loud white. In fact, this crude advertisement easily outnumbers those of the candidates in the elections.

Most voters are unable to say with confidence which party might form the next government in Lucknow. Will this election result in a hung assembly? This too cannot be said with certainty, as a shift of just about three percent votes could result in a clear majority for a single party.

Except for the Jat voters, the BJP voters have largely stayed with the party. BJP might be enjoying some silent polarisation in its favour. However, talking to people in western UP, it didn't appear that there was any wave in favour of any party. This may change in eastern UP.

During the first two phases of polling which covered western Uttar Pradesh, some division was seen in the Muslim votes. While most Muslim votes went for the Samajwadi Party, the BSP too seems to have received a fair share of Muslim votes. There is effectively a three-cornered contest across Uttar Pradesh.

The Urdu daily Roznama Inquilab on 17 February also carried a five-column report from Barabanki quoting several Islamic clerics and local elders saying that appeals made by Muslim leaders to vote for a certain party has confused Muslim voters. Muhammad Yunus Khan, who works for educational uplift of Muslims, is quoted in the report as saying that there is awareness among Muslims as to which party to vote for.

Haseeb Ahmad Nizami of the Lucknow-based social organisation Bharatiya Aqaliyat Mahasabha who criticised such appeals for Muslim votes says that Muslims are aware of which party to vote for or not to vote, according to a report in the Urdu daily Akhbar-e-Mashriq on 16 February.

Some resentment is being seen in the Muslim community against appeals made by various leaders for Muslim minority votes. This may not be consequential but there is a realisation that political leaders use Muslims at the time of elections and forget the community after the vote.

"I urge everyone to cast their important vote in the third phase of Uttar Pradesh voting. After the first two phases, I can confidently say that even in third phase BSP will lead all the parties as far as votes are concerned. In fact, in all the remaining phases as well BSP will come out as a winner. And I can positively say that BSP will form a government on its own, without anyone's assistance or any uncomfortable alliance. Uttar Pradesh needs change, it is looking for development. BJP has been tested and the same goes for Samajwadi Party  the voters have decided."

Perhaps its a case of overdoing things. The owner of the shop wanted extra emphasis on the chill factor and came up with this adjective. Well, cannot say it does not attract attention. If it didnt, why would one be discussing it in the first place?

We know chilled beer. We can forgive the lapse on the sign board writers part when he mentions it as child beer. After all, beer is what matters in the end. But what, pray, is bhayankar thandi beer? On the road from Meerut to Kanpur one comes across this on a sign board and pauses for a few minutes to grasp the meaning of the words in combination. Thandi is for cold alright and beer needs no explaining. What is bhayankar doing here?

The polling percentage so far, with exception of Noida, has been very good. That is a clear indicator that voters in large numbers from all communities are coming out to vote. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

An excessive reliance of the SP-Congress coalition to woo Muslims has given rise to latent Hindutva sentiments across the state. The strategists perhaps erred in calculating the Muslims vote but they are not the only ones who vote. Mayawati too has erred on the same count. Scratch a bit and Hindutva sentiments of non-Yadav and non-Jatav community would come out to the fore. The situation may not be that of 2014 but this factor is certainly there on the ground and that could significantly tilt the balance for BJP.

Its true that there are no obvious signs of anti-incumbency against Akhilesh Yadav but the endorsement sentiments to bring the incumbent back to power is clearly missing.

Winds of change could be blowing in Uttar Pradesh. Ahead of the third phase of polling in this most populous and politically crucial Hindi heartland state, there are signs on the ground that Samajwadi Party-Congress coalition, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadavs pre-poll catchphrase UP ko ye saath pasand hai is not striking the desired cord among the numbers of voters required to catapult them to power.

Long queues have been seen in Lucknow, Kanpur and Etawah where people went early morning to cast their votes. Lucknow, which is generally less excited about exercising franchise, has also witnessed long queues outside polling stations.

The Modi-versus-Akhilesh debate has dominated the election scenario in Awadh, which could turn out to be a make-or-break region for both parties. Modi, who is the BJPs strongest vote-puller in a battle without a chief ministerial face, underlined the fact that he was an MP from the state and described himself as UPs adopted son.

Brisk voting has been reported from most of the 69 assembly seats which are going to polls on Sunday in the third phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Large crowds swarmed polling stations in Indiranagar, Gomtinagar, Aliganj Chowk in the old city and Aashiana. Many voters were out early morning so that they do not have to wait in long queues later in the day.

In this region, the competition is between the father and the son. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that Akhilesh Yadav is being seen as tanashah (dictator), as one person told me. However, it seems to be more of a social case. In Indian society, people generally favour the father in any clash with his son.

The third-phase polling today covers Etawah and nearby constituencies which are considered a stronghold of Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the recent clash between Mulayam Singh and his son Akhilesh Yadav has caused resentment among the voters in this region.

The black patches could well be heartbreaks, externalised and painted in colour for public viewing. These frustrated aspiring candidates could damage the prospect of running candidates in the Samajwadi Party dominated region through silent sabotage acts.

Some of them had started campaigning already anticipating party tickets. The names had to be removed from the walls to avoid confusion among voters about the candidates.

The huge, ugly black patches on many walls in the fields on both sides of the road (from Meerut to Kanpur) tell you that someone has done a shoddy job. Look carefully, and try to find what the dark patches are trying to cover. You get the Congress' campaign theme before it entered into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party: '27 saal UP behaal' and you get names of Congress and Samajwadi Party aspirants who didn't finally get the ticket or lost out due to the alliance.

The Bhojpuri actor, who formally was a Congress candidate and contested election in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur in 2014, is all set to join the BJP. The announcement was done by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.

If rumours are anything to go by he would damage the prospect of the Samajwadi Party in some seats in the Yadav belt. He would ensure that the strike rate of the party goes down by several points. It was 80 percent  and 55 seats  last time. He would not mind playing the BJP's game. Mulayam Singh is still with him but his relationship with Akhilesh remains frosty. Wait for a new episode in the family drama after the results are out.

Never underestimate the man outdone in a power game. He could have been pushed to the fringes of the Samajwadi Party by Akhilesh and ploughing a lonely furrow in his Jaswant Nagar assembly constituency at the moment, but Shivpal Yadav remains a dangerous man for Akhilesh.

Akhilesh's alliance partner Rahul Gandhi's Congress has had no presence in the region. The only seat that Congress had won in 2012 was of Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lucknow Cantt. But Joshi is now part of the BJP. Heavy voter turnout since morning in this phase could cut both ways, depending on voters mood  pro-incumbency, favouring incumbent or anti-incumbency favouring challenger.

The fact that in last five days Akhilesh Yadav had extensively campaigned in areas which are considered to be family stronghold is indicative of the fact that he can't be complacent about the outcome. His wife Dimple Yadav, after appearing to be a tentative campaigner and reluctant public speaker too is campaigning for the party.

But each election has its own different dynamics. In 2012, Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav were one force, in 2017 not so much. The schism within Yadav clan has resulted in emergence of multiple forces. Also, in 2012 Samajwadi Party was a challenger and in 2017 Samajwadi Party is ruling party.

Ideally, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should have been sitting comfortably ahead of phase three polling which is currently underway in 69 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. In 2012, Samajwadi Party had swept the polls, winning 54 seats in 12 districts spread over in Yadav bastion of Etawah, Mainpuri, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Auraiah and so on.

A crucial constituency where BJP and SP both see the potential to gain from here. Atal Bihari Vajpayee has won the parliamentary constituency five times. In 2014 too, BJP won it overwhelmingly.

Parth MN will file a series of ground reports on millennial voters in Uttar Pradesh, starting Monday. The author is specifically going to look at the commentary on the concerns of young voters.

Political appeals made to Muslims to vote for a certain party harm the interests of Muslims, he says and adds that if a clear written agenda existed, political parties could be held accountable regarding their promises to Muslims.

"However, my view is that there is a need for a political platform of Muslims which can address Muslim issues," Mumshad Qasmi said, adding that such a political platform must offer a strong leadership and united voice. However, he cautions that it cannot be like any other political party and must have an agenda which should be written and clear so that everyone, both Muslims and Hindus, can see what the agenda is.

Some Islamic clerics think that establishment of Muslim parties in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere can harm the interests of Indian Muslims. Maulana Mumshad Ali Qasmi, a leading Islamic cleric who has founded Falah-i-Darain Islamia Inter-College at Bilaspur on the outskirts of Muzaffarnagar, told me that Muslims cannot benefit by forming Muslim parties.

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'adoption' comment, Mulayam said that Modi has no idea of what he is saying because Uttar Pradesh has "adopted Samajwadi Party."

Addressing the media after casting his vote in Saifai, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav said that Akhilesh Yadav will be the next chief minister. "Developmental work has been done in UP and Akhilesh once again will be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. There is no parivarwad in Samajwadi Party," Mulayam said.

She urged voters to cast their ballots in large numbers. She also ruled out any rift in the party and said that its time for us to look forward for the betterment of people in Uttar Pradesh.

Metro, Agra-Lucknow Express Highway are cited by youth when asked about Akhileshs developmental work. The Highway is top class, they say, and it was constructed in mere 22 months. A few months back, work for the Lucknow-Baliya highway has begun, which will make eastern UP more accessible.

Even the BJP leaning youngsters are not critical of him. The ones tilting towards the BJP prefer Modi than Akhilesh. Irrespective of the criticism or perceived failure of demonetisation, Modi remains a tall leader here.

Popularity of the chief minister among the youth of the state is undisputed. They identify with Akhilesh Yadav and believe he deserves another chance. The youth perceive Akhilesh as one of them.

Kanpur MP and BJP's margdarshak mandal member, Joshi still thinks that he continues to be a strong and has potential to do things, than just being a mute margdharshak. He was seen on the dais with PM Narendra Modi in an election rally in Kanpur. Though nobody in BJP has bothered to link Kanpur outcome with Joshi's influence but then in politics hope and aspiration never dies.

Rajnath Singh has his own standing  as an MP from Lucknow where polling is underway, as Union Home Minister and as a former UP chief minister. It is thus important for him that BJP makes an impressive performance in his parliamentary constituency and outside where he has been campaigning extensively.

"In the first five hours of polling, the turnout was over 28 percent," a spokesman of UP Chief Electoral Officer said. Polling was going on peacefully in these areas, he said. Besides BSP surpemo Mayawati, Home Minister Rajnath Singh with his family cast their votes in Lucknow while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav voted in Saifai (Etawah).

Lucknow's Nazia Khan (see the image), 24, is currently looking for a job but in 2014 when her conservative family did not want to spend money on her education, the scheme ensured she did her BA.

The teachers at Lucknow University also say the scheme has aided the education of girls from poor families. The scheme was first launched in 2004 under Mulayam, but its implementation was not immediate. Mayawati shelved the scheme, and Akhilesh revived it in 2012.

Young girls in Lucknow speak of Kanya Vidya Dhan to endorse their claim that Akhilesh has been good for Uttar Pradesh. It is a scholarship scheme for girls from economically downtrodden families, which they can avail after 12th standard.

Unemployment is going to be a major point on which the young would be voting. Eastern UP has not many industries and Lucknow youngsters are not confident of making a living here. Many said they'd migrate for better jobs. But the drawbacks of the state are blamed on the old guard. Akhilesh has successfully managed to turn the anti-incumbency away from him on to his father and uncle.

However, one of the factors that is not working for Akhilesh is security of women. The 1090 helpline number has been introduced but girls say it works inconsistently. They admit the law and order situation had been better under Mayawati whereas gunda raj has been on the rise under SP rule.

Rahul Gandhi is hardly a factor. And the alliance is not hurting SP. Those supporting congress even now are never likely to desert them. And Akhileshs young supporters may not be excited about the alliance but are not angry enough to vote against him. The transfer of votes should not be a problem.

Parth MN will file a series of ground reports on millennial voters in Uttar Pradesh, starting Monday. The author is specifically going to look at the commentary on the concerns of young voters.

Also, Lucknow has a sizable Shia population, out of which a good chunk has traditionally voted for the BJP. Vajapayee enjoyed great popularity among the Shias. But the anti-Muslim narrative by some of the BJP elements has ensured the Shias have drifted away. The Shia Ulema has declared support to Mayawati. The elder Shia generation wont vote for SP because of Azam Khan, but the youngsters seem to be willing to ignore him for Akhilesh. Ashutosh Tondon, son of Lalji Tondon, a BJP leader of yore, and who enjoyed respect among Shias, is contesting from Lucknow east, a seat which they are hoping to retain. BJP has thrown its might behind him.

In the urban constituencies, the caste and religious identities, while undoubtedly exist even among youth, are being blurred and Akhilesh will gain from it. It means the upper caste youngsters could vote SP. But at the same time, Muslims wont desert them. But with roughly 30% upper caste vote in Lucknow, BJP always remains in the race. With generations voting for a party, most youngsters could follow their parents.

Though Mulayam's words exuded confidence, his body language suggested that he lacked the vitality, vigour, enthusiasm and force that is usually associated with him during election time in Uttar Pradesh.

Mulayam, prompted by Sadhna, showed a mark of indelible ink on his finger and proclaimed that the SP was returning to power with a majority on its own.

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhna Gupta rarely, if ever, make a public appearance together; let alone make a political statement. The Yadav family homeland of Saifai witnessed a fresh chapter in the first family's history on Sunday when the two landed there together, within hours of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav casting his vote.

Lucknow Cantt has about 25% of the total registered voters are Brahmins, around 12.5% thakurs, 10% Muslims and rest includes Vaishyas, OBC and Dalits. This time the Samajwadi Party is unlikely to keep Kurmis and Mauryas under its fold. Of late they have been losing the support of non-Yadav obc voters, especially Mauryas and Kurmis of the region to BJP.

Conversely, another point of view was that because of social media, the electorate is getting increasingly cagey about expressing their views. A senior professor, speaking about the youth, said they are aware how a single tweet about them can expose their inclinations. They are intimidated considering the vitriol on social media. People haven't been this reluctant to express their inclinations since emergency, he says. Also a reason why opinion polls getting it wrong.

The impact of social media in urban Lucknow is noticeable. The BJP tilting youngsters often cite WhatsApp forwards when asked about demonetization. The SP has also upped its game on social media with a full-fledged team operating from the Vikramaditya Marg. The lack of effective use of social media is another reason why Mayawati is struggling in urban areas and among urban youth.

When it comes to the Muslim votes, she has gone out of the way to seek support of Maulavis who, she thinks, have the ability to influence the Muslim voteshare. But the youngsters do not take Maulavis seriously. Also, voting Mayawati in urban areas is perceived as helping BJP.

Moreover, the urban Dalit youth is not homogenous. In rural Lucknow, Dalit youngsters firmly stand by Mayawati. It makes BSP a player in the two reserved seats. The chamars wont desert Mayawati but Dhobis, Pasis etc keep drifting. The extreme backward castes are inclined towards BJP.

Mayawati is a clear third in Lucknow in spite of a 20% Dalit vote share. The base vote is substantial but there is no add on vote and she too seems to be aware of it.

Shah made these comments while seeking to draw a parallel between the rival parties and the Mumbai attack perpetrator Ajmal Kasab. "Until and unless Kasab is laid to rest, development and prosperity will continue to elude the poll-bound state. In other words, it means that the state may have to languish further, if there is no respite from these political parties," he said.

Elaborating on the acronym at an election meeting, he said, "Ye Uttar Pradesh ki janata is baar ke chunav mein is Kasab se mukti paa le. Main phir se bolta hu Uttar Pradesh ki janata is baar ke chunav mein is Kasab se mukti paa le. Kasab se mera matlab kuch aur mat nikaliyega. Kasab se mera matlab hai- KA se Congress, SA se Samajwadi Party aur B se BSP. (In this election, people of UP should get rid of Kasab. I say it again, people of UP should get rid of Kasab. Do not take any other meaning when I say Kasab. What I mean by KASAB is -- KA for Congress, SA for Samajwadi Party and B for BSP.)"

BJP chief Amit Shah kicked up a storm on Wednesday when he dubbed SP, BSP and Congress as 'KASAB' , adding yet another acronym in the Uttar Pradesh poll campaign, and said development will elude the state till "Kasab is laid to rest".

Dialling up their offensive against the Samajwadi Party and Congress alliance, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called the tie-up a "thug bandhan" (coalition of cheats). Addressing an election meeting in Dhanghta, he attacked SP and BSP, alleging that "many corrupt leaders" are present in both the parties. SP and Congress formed the alliance about a month back, just ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. "There is a wave in favour of the BJP and it will make its government after elections," he said.

When asked whether Ram Temple is one of the poll issues, Keshav said, "Ram temple is a matter of faith for us. We have mentioned it in our manifesto as well. As far as Uttar Pradesh ke Ladke are concerned, the youth of UP will give them a reply."

Speaking to CNN-News18 , BJP state president Keshav Maurya said, "Even SP and BSP are accepting that they are fighting against BJP. BJP is here to form the government." When asked about the graveyard comment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , Keshav said, "There is nothing wrong in whatever the prime minister has said. He just showed us the reality that light comes during Ramzan and Eid and not during Diwali."

While local Congress leaders claim that Priyanka was occupied with some family matters but thats no explanation for ordinary locals. In the last Assembly election, she had held about three dozen rallies in six assembly segments Raebareli and slightly less number in four assembly segments of Amethi parliamentary constituency, held by her brother Rahul. In the parliamentary election, she was managing Raebareli and Amethi.

But people here were in for a surprise of a different kind. They are in fact a bit intrigued by her absence. Last time they had enough of Priyanka Gandhi in 2012 assembly elections, who was here for about a fortnight, had gone to almost every big nukkad in six assembly segments of her mothers parliamentary constituency, spoke there, waved hands, spent moments with womenfolk, party workers and other sundry voters in all strata of society.

It is highly mystifying to people in Raebareli. They had seen it in TV news, read it in newspapers that Priyanka Gandhi was the one who finally saw to it that Congress alliance deal with Samajwadi Party was sealed. They had also come to know through media reports and from whatever political gossip they had heard that she was now poised to take a bigger role, campaign all over Uttar Pradesh than just nurturing twin family constituencies, Raebareli and Amethi.

The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in Raebareli is struggling because they've not managed to crack a deal. It's a pocket borough of Gandhis but they were routed in 2012 assembly elections and SP had done well here. With both parties claiming the high ground, the end result is Congress and SP both fielding candidates at two of the five seats, defying the alliance.

The crack in the alliance has handed out advantage to BJP and BSP on a platter. The BJP is likely to gain the most, with Modi being the X-factor. He remains popular among the youth, especially in rural Raebareli, because he "took on black money and corruption through demonetisation".

Here, one is a reserved seat, and out of the remaining four, 2 tickets have gone to OBCs. In its attempt to coax the OBCs, BJP seems to be neglecting its traditional votebank of Brahmins and Baniyas, perhaps indicative of the fact that they now take them for granted.

With three crucial phases gone and four more to go, it's all about numbers in Uttar Pradesh. Raebareli has a sizeable OBC population and the BJP is increasingly playing its politics around them. The state president is Keshav Prasad Maurya and Raebareli district president is Dilip Yadav.

"The districts which are in fray in the fourth phase is the land of hermits and bandits. People have Ramayan in their blood, so whether people will appreciate this sort of political discourse (Amit Shah's Kasba comment) is a matter of concern."

Though crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) were the highest in UP at 8
Mau (UP): Sensing defeat, the SP and the BSP have launched a new game plan for a fractured mandate in Uttar Pradesh so that they can have bargaining power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

"The SP and the BSP, after the third phase of polling, have realised that they have no chance of winning and so they have launched a new game, a new technique...even if we are defeated or our seats decrease, no one should get majority," he said at an election rally in this eastern Uttar Pradesh town.

"I want to tell the leaders of the SP and the BSP to try whatever means they can to defeat the BJP, there is no problem with it...but do not play with the future of Uttar Pradesh. It has suffered a lot in the past," Modi said in his over hour-long speech.

"You (SP, BSP) might be thinking that in case of a hung House, you will get a chance to bargain but the people of Uttar Pradesh have shown you in the Lok Sabha polls, by ensuring a full majority to BJP, and in these elections, they will ensure that BJP wins with a huge margin," Modi said.

The prime minister said it is the right of the SP, the Congress and the BSP in democracy to try to win elections by doing whatever they want against the BJP.

"When the polls were announced and the SP got afraid that they will not win, in a hurry they went and sat in the lap of the Congress...boarded a sinking ship. They got encouraged by media coverage and got intoxicated and thought they will befool the people," Modi said.

However, public knows how to differentiate milk from water, he said.

On the hype on the SP-Congress alliance, Modi said soon after entering into an understanding they were claiming they will get a two-thirds majority and there were also reports that "certain people" will come out for campaigning.

"But soon after the first two phases, those very people decided to stay away from campaigning and those who were claiming a two-thirds majority came with folded hands asking for another chance to correct their mistakes," Modi said.

Pointing out that his party believes in taking its allies along even if it got full majority on its own, the prime minister said all its alliance partners will be made part of BJP government in UP if it comes to power, even though on its own.

"The ship of the Samajwadis has sunk...BSP is not able to do anything...Bhatija (Akhilesh) is thinking as to how to save himself, while Bua (Mayawati) is worried thinking what the bhatija has done...," he said.

Noting that the country was being hailed all over the world today because it got a full majority government at the Centre after 30 years, Modi said when he, as the prime minister, shakes hand with world leaders they see "125 crore Hindustanis" in him.

He called for a full majority to his party in the polls so that UP is also hailed across the country.

Speaking about the "backwardness" of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Modi said that with fertile land, enough water, labourious people and dreams of youths, it can be made the 'aan, baan and shaan' (pride of place) of the country.

"It is not as if leaders sitting in Delhi are not aware of the situation here but they don't have any concern...there cannot be a bigger crime...the Congress has committed a big crime as also the SP and the BSP and they all needed to be punished," Modi said.

"During Pandit Nehru's time, when local MP from Ghazipur Vishvanathji spoke about the plight of the region...about poverty and starvation, the entire parliament was teary-eyed ...what he said no one will believe...there are people living in dismal state and poor families washed cowdung to retrieve foodgrains for filling their stomach," Modi said.

Pandit Nehru had set up the Patel committee for developing eastern Uttar Pradesh and a report was given during his (Nehru's) time itself. "50 years have passed, see the criminal mindset, it has been lying in a box," he said, adding the report has now been taken out and work has started on its recommendation.

"After result on 11 March, we will celebrate Holi of victory," Modi said.

Unleashing fresh attack on Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on the Fasal Bima Yojna, Modi said those who talk about 'kaam bolta hai' managed "only 14 percent success" in implementing the scheme and asked if it was not a crime against the farmers and should the state government not be punished for it?

"What is the crime of farmers, why are you so angry and harming them by not buying foodgrains at the support price?... who is against the farmers and is only serving their interest by spewing venom of casteism...they will not be pardoned by the youths of Uttar Pradesh," Modi said.

Alleging discrimination in power supply, he said, "Your chief minister is brazenly claiming that you are getting it...you are fortunate that polling will take place here at a later date

and so you are getting power...where it is over, the power supply has been cut...here the same thing will be done after 4 March...is this not betrayal and a lie?"

"He has so much ego that he is out to befool people by spreading lies," he said, adding if the chief minister had development in his mind he would have also known about 2,700-km long Kandala-Gorakhpur gas pipeline worth Rs 5,000 crore which will also bring industry and development in this region.

He claimed that Centre was ready to give power at a low rate "but the state did not take it...only half of the funds for the purpose has been spent...such a government does not have the right to be in power for even a day".

Recalling the donkey remark, Modi said, "Akhilesh says he has talked about donkeys in fun...when Sheila Dikshit talked about her leader, I also thought it was out of fun...I want to ask whether the bad state of police thanas, people being stabbed and land being grabbed are also part of fun."

Referring to BSP fielding gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari from the Mau Sadar seat, Modi said when any muscle man is sent to jail here he "goes in smiling as they get perfect arrangements for their stay and security in jails".

"Give my message to all those who have evaded jails till now and those who are taking food for those inside that times have changed and after the results are announced on March 11, jails will be made jails in true sense and it will be seen how they have fun," Modi asserted.

Targeting BSP supremo Mayawati, he asked whether making tall claims on law and order and then giving tickets to musclemen is not making a mockery of democracy.

Citing 'Bahubali' film, Modi referred to a character in it 'Katappa' and hinted at a man standing with a stick on the dais calling it the stick of law and and promised guarantee of security under a BJP government in the state.
The issue of division of Uttar Pradesh has once again taken centre stage with BSP supremo Mayawati raking up the issue that had been lying dormant until now.

In Mayawati's opinion, low literacy rates, near absent modern healthcare facilities and shoddy public infrastructure in underdeveloped pockets of interior Uttar Pradesh can only be fixed by dividing the state into four smaller parts.

Speaking at an election rally in Gorakhpur, Mayawati reiterated her plans to divide the state into four smaller states, stating that it was the only way to develop these pockets, according to Hindustan Times.

She said that the people must punish the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party for opposing the creation of a separate Purvanchal state.

This was not the first time that Mayawati had talked of dividing the state into four parts.

According to India Today, in 2011, towards the end of her term as chief minister, Mayawati's BSP had tabled a resolution for a four-way-split in the most populous Indian state.

In what was one of the shortest Winter Sessions in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly that lasted merely 10 minutes, the BSP supremo stumped the Opposition by tabling the motion, which was not on the official business list of the House . The resolution was passed within minutes with a voice vote amid unprecedented pandemonium in the House and the Assembly was adjourned sine die after it.

This was, at the time, considered as a deft political move to corner the Congress government at Centre to take a stand on the issue and also whip up regional sentiments that could ward-off anti-incumbency against the BSP.

However, the last minute decision, as we know today, did little to benefit the BSP chief and Samajwadi Party registered a sweeping victory, caving through the support base of both BSP and the BJP.

Earlier in 2009, amid the quandary over dividing Andhra Pradesh, Mayawati too shot off a letter to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raising the demand of a divided Uttar Pradesh.

The issue of division of Uttar Pradesh had been lying dormant till now with major political parties including the BSP preferring silence. Though there had been demands from different quarters, it was the BSP which had taken a concrete step in this direction by passing a resolution for the division of Uttar Pradesh.

The move, which is written off as an election gimmick by her opponents, may give Mayawati some leverage this time. The law and order situation is a key electoral agenda picked up by Samajwadi Party's opponents. Mayawati could use it to corner the Samajwadi Party on development and law and order issues, maintaining that smaller states could be governed better. Plus unequal development between urban and rural pockets has been another issue, and the humongous size of the state is considered one of the reasons why governance has failed to penetrate such issues.

Therefore, if Mayawati successfully sells the idea to the electorate, it may sway voters dealing with an abysmal law and order situation,

Secondly, as is pointed out in this Firstpost article, the division of the state was one of Ambedkar's initial ideas, as he has mentioned in his book Bhashayi Rajya. By taking his ideas forward, Mayawati can stake claim at Ambedkar's legacy, once again, and try to woo her core electoral base, Dalits.

The new states

The proposed division includes carving out four states: Purvanchal Pradesh (Easter UP), Awadh Pradesh (Central UP, including the Lucknow belt), Bundelkhand (the Jhansi-Mahoba belt), and Pashchim Pradesh (Western UP), according to The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has been staunchly opposing the division of the state. "Small, unviable states will lead to Naxal activity and expose the nation's sensitive borders," Mulayam Singh Yadav had said clarifying his stand at the time, as reported by NDTV. The Congress, has remained non-committal since then, dodging the debate and laying out a clear stand.

However, it has ignored the issue in its campaign fearing that such a development might harm its electoral prospects while giving an edge to Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) headed by Ajit Singh, BJP and Congress.

The BJP, however, has been a long-time supporter of smaller states, thus it will find it difficult to completely deny Mayawati's demands. It is instructive to note here that Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh were carved out with a BJP government at the helm in the Centre.

The saffron party has, however, preferre to skirt the issue in this election although it recently used to emphasise on recognising regional aspirations.

In 2011, however, the party had maintained that it was not averse to the idea of smaller units, which makes governance simpler. However, it added that the BJP does not support the way Mayawati wants to divide the state.

"The party (BJP) is in favour of small states but against how Mayawati plans to divide the state. A state reorganization committee should be formed and hold discussions on economic and developmental issues. If needed, then we can go through with it," The Hindu quoted a BJP spokesperson as saying.

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh, who wields influence in the western belt of Uttar Pradesh, had also come out in support of the idea of smaller states. "Western UP contributes 72 percent of the State's total income. In turn, just 18 percent of the budget is spent on its development. This makes the people of the area dissatisfied," as quoted in The Hindu.

Besides RLD, Raja Bundela's Bundelkhand Congress, Kalyan Singh's erstwhile Jan Kranti Party, Amar Singh's now defunct Rashtriya Lok Manch and Ayub Khan's Peace Party  all pitched for division of the state  but most of them drew a blank in the Assembly elections in 2012.

While Mayawati's strength dropped to 80 seats from 206, RLD got nine  one less than the previous tally, and Peace Party could get only four. On the other hand, Samajwadi Party, the only party to oppose the demand, stormed to power with a landslide victory, bagging 224 of the 403 Assembly seats.

Analysts said one reason could be the fact that people took pride in being residents of one of the country's largest state and did not wish to give up that identity.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: Trashing opposition charge of lack of freedom of speech under the Modi government, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said there was so much liberty in the country that even the Prime Minister could be compared to a donkey.

"You have such freedom of expression in the country that you can call the Prime Minister by name, you write articles - if the Prime Minister dies tomorrow, X will be the Prime Minister. You compare him with a donkey.... and now you say there is no freedom of expression," Naidu told a press conference.

Naidu, however, insisted the government did not favour the idea of freedom of expression to mean liberty to advocate disintegration of the country. He also accused Congress and the Left of trying to give a "different colour" to happenings on some campuses.

"I am surprised about the efforts made by the Congress and the Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in a few universities saying it is an assault on freedom of expression," Naidu told reporters. He claimed certain "misguided" sections were trying to mislead the young population and create social tensions, and hurt the sentiments of the people of India.

"Where is the question of not having the freedom of expression? It is guaranteed under the Constitution," Naidu said. He said there were also certain "reasonable restrictions" on freedom of expression in place.

"You cannot hurt others' religious feeling, you cannot question the nation's unity and integrity. You cannot advocate separatism. Dissent, having a different opinion apart from the majority opinion is agreeable but not disintegration. Nobody can advocate disintegration. What is azaadi? What is azaadi of Kashmir?" Naidu said.

His comments came in the backdrop of a political slugfest following last week's clashes between activists of RSS-affiliated ABVP and Left-backed AISA over a seminar invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, an accused in a sedition case.

The ABVP, Naidu said, was a "nationalistic organisation", adding those who have different views can also express their them but asked "why should outsiders go and disturb the peace of campuses."

"How can anybody advocate azaadi for Jammu and Kashmir?" the senior minister asked noting the Parliament had passed a resolution that the whole of J&K, including PoK, was part of India.

"You want to make universities laboratories for separatist experiments? There is a systematic effort going on - you want to have anniversary for Afzal Guru, who was responsible (for) and spearheaded the attack on Parliament, the temple of democracy. And then you appeal to others that freedom of expression is affected," he said.

Attacking the Congress, Naidu said the people who had imposed Emergency, put restrictions on fundamental rights, people who put entire opposition behind bars and imposed censorship on the media are now giving sermons on freedom of expression.

"The Congress imposed Emergency while the Left supported the black deeds of Emergency," he said.
The political turmoil in Tamil Nadu seems to have finally subsided, albeit temporarily. For now, Chief Minister E Palanisamy, of the AIADMK, seems to be in charge of affairs. Though it could well be a lull before another storm.

After Palanisamy won the trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the opposition DMK petitioned the Madras High Court to cancel the vote. The high court adjourned the hearing of the petition till the week starting 27 February. In case the trust vote is cancelled, the focus will again shift to the behaviour of the governor of Tamil Nadu vis-a-vis asking for a new trust vote and government continuation or formation.

So lets take advantage of this relatively placid, if albeit transient, scenario and look back at what happened around the issue of chief ministership of Tamil Nadu and the role played by the Governor C Vidyasagar Rao in the turmoil.

With a guilty verdict against VK Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case, the governor's stand in not inviting Sasikala to form the government or prove her majority has been hailed in certain quarters as evidence of his farsightedness. The governor might have been farsighted because he set his sight on things that are far from his brief. And that is a huge problem in a federal democracy like the Indian Union.

After O Panneerselvam resigned from the general secretary position of the AIADMK, Sasikala took over. Panneerselvam thereafter tendered his resignation from the chief minister's post, according to the unanimous (which now appears to be not unanimous, but a huge majority) wishes of the legislature party of the AIADMK in the Assembly.

The governor accepted his resignation and Panneerselvam was asked to continue as the care-taker chief minister of Tamil Nadu till a successor was appointed. The AIADMK wanted Sasikala to be the new chief minister and a stupendous majority of MLAs of the AIADMK elected her as the leader of the legislature party. None of this was illegal.

At this point, Panneerselvam rebelled against the AIADMK party leadership and claimed that actually most AIADMK MLAs were secretly supportive of him. He also claimed that Sasikala and her associates were holding AIADMK MLAs in certain locations against their wishes.

This was a charge of kidnapping. If it was true, then Panneerselvam was fully within his right to send in police to these locations and rescue the so-called 'kidnapped' MLAs. He did no such thing, but continued to parrot the kidnapping theory.

His bluff was called when even after Sasikala's arrest, the AIADMK legislature party, ostensibly freed from the clutches of Sasikala, did not chose Panneerselvam but rallied behind Palanisamy, the successor chosen by Sasikala. In the trust vote, 122 MLAs voted for the AIADMK government led by Palanisamy. The Panneerselvam camp could garner only 11 votes.

Palanisamy showed he commanded absolute majority in the Assembly and a stupendous majority among AIADMK MLAs. Through all of these events, what has been most troubling is the undemocratic behaviour of the governor of the state.

It appears that Rao essentially chose to suspend democracy in Tamil Nadu for quite a few days and continued with an unrepresentative and hence undemocratic regime instead. After Panneerselvam's resignation, Rao was handed the signed list of MLAs supporting Sasikala as Chief Minister. This list constituted a majority of MLAs in the Assembly.

Sasikala, at that point, was not barred from holding office. Under which law or article of the Constitution did Rao not invite the person who had the support of the majority in the Assembly to form the government? A majority of MLAs of Tamil Nadu represents the majority viewpoint of the people of the state in a representative democracy.

From where did Rao get the power to deny the people a government? A state without a representative government is essentially an autocracy. Why did the governor continue in this situation? He chose to stay away from Tamil Nadu for days altogether when there was essentially a dangerous power and governance vacuum in Tamil Nadu. Essentially, a governor chose to deny people their chosen government. Who does he think he is?

The governor is not elected by the people of Tamil Nadu. He doesn't represent their political choice. The MLAs of Tamil Nadu are elected by the people. They represent their political choice. Thus, when a governor denies the chance to form the government to the person elected by a majority of MLAs of Tamil Nadu as their leader, an unelected person denies the people their right to exercise their political choice through their elected representatives.

Whether Sasikala was guilty or not, that was for the courts to decide. The governor is not the court. It is not his job to decide or predict whether in 10 days or 10 weeks or 10 months, someone might get convicted. There is no article in the Constitution that says that a government or a chief minister has to have some minimum tenure or that if someone has a possibility of conviction in a future date, then that person cannot be appointed as the chief minister.

Then, on what ground did Rao deny a representative government to the people of Tamil Nadu at that point? His job was to ascertain who commanded a majority in the Assembly. He was presented with a list of MLAs representing the majority of the Assembly. Did he suspect that the list was false? In that case, he could have asked for a parade of MLAs. Sasikala had offered to do that, given Rao's intransigence.

In any case, Palanisamy's trust vote shows that Sasikala's list was not fraudulent. The governor simply overruled the majority opinion of the people of Tamil Nadu. Because he could. It is immaterial whether he was right or wrong. The relevant legal and constitutional question is, is that his job?

Does the governor of a state, not under President's Rule, have any right to deny the person chosen by a majority of MLAs to form the government, when no article of the Constitution disqualifies that person? That is the real question that Rao needs to answer.

Who does the governor represent? Time and again, it is seen that the governor represents the Union government. Thus, we see the governors selectively toppling only those state governments that are ruled by parties not in power at the Centre.

The most recent instance of this shameless act happened recently in Arunachal Pradesh. Even more recently, the governor of Tripura refused to read passages critical of the Union government  a House speech that is prepared by Tripura's Council of Ministers and thus represents the majority viewpoint of the people of Tripura.

Who is the governor to ignore the majority viewpoint in a representative government? The governor is not sovereign. Not even the President of the Indian Union is sovereign. Only the people are. That's what makes the Indian Union a republic and not a monarchy.

There is reason to believe that the charges of partisanship against the governor of Tamil Nadu are not without substance. Rao, a veteran of BJP-Jansangh for more the 40 years, gave ample opportunity to anti-AIADMK forces in Tamil Nadu to try to break the party. The party, which has fished the most in these troubled waters, is the BJP, whose support for the Panneerselvam group was quite open.

That is not surprising. Panneerselvam, in his brief regime, bartered away Tamil Nadu's state rights when it agreed to the UDAY scheme, something that J Jayalalithaa had opposed on grounds of encroachment on federal structure. Thus, the Centre had found a pliant partner in Panneerselvam. Their horse did not win the race, even though the Centre tried its best through its man in Chennai.

It's amazing that there exists no method available beforehand to a state government and hence to the people of the state to stop a Centre-deputed governor from doing what he did in Tamil Nadu. This is a disease common to all over-centralised multi-ethnic rashtras. These entities show who is sovereign by choosing any of their own made-up rules, which they can then violate.

Who is the governor of a state? This character is New Delhi's agent in a state/province. This character even has discretionary powers  which do not flow from the wishes of the state's people but typically from the wishes of the Centre.

What is the origin of this position? When British acquired one sovereign area of the subcontinent after another, after having amassed some serious amount of territory (which would go on to become the Indian Union and Pakistan in 1947), they appointed some loyal and trusted dalal of centralised imperial rule, to keep the acquired areas and provinces 'in check'.

These positions had various names in various British acquired and controlled territories in the subcontinent. The 1935 Government of India Act had provincial governors with huge discretionary powers  natural for a colonial Centre when dealing with limited but representative native provincial government.

The post-partition position of the governor is, in a long range sense, the continuation of that office. What change did governorship undergo from transition from the Union Jack to Tricolour? How similar are the pre-Partition dalals of British imperialism and the post-Partition agents of New Delhi?

Firstly, post-Partition, they were non-white. Also, they answered to New Delhi and not to London. But, as before, they were almost never from the area which they were appointed to 'govern'. They also have often done what their pre-Partition counterparts did  carry out the rule as per the wishes of the Centre, typically when democratically elected governments of states does things that New Delhi's sarkar bahadur do not like.

The office of the governor is an example of an anti-people undemocratic relic from the British rule. Must we remind ourselves that what happened on 15 August, 1947 was a transfer of power, its repackaging as 'independence' notwithstanding?

People of a state, Tamil Nadu included, are neither stupid nor apprentice-citizens. They are adults with inalienable rights of democratic representation. Swaraj is a process, not an event. Abolishing the post of the governor will be a step in that direction. It is not so much a 'bad apple' problem but a poison tree issue. Why should unelected governors exist at all?
Beijing: China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, as the two sides work to arrange a meeting between their presidents after a rocky start to the relationship under the administration of Donald Trump.

State Councillor Yang Jiechi will meet senior American officials on Monday and Tuesday to discuss "bilateral ties and issues of common concern", the foreign ministry announced late Sunday.

Relations have been strained by Trump's criticism of China's handling of North Korea and its trade policies as well as his questioning of Washington's longstanding "One China" policy.

Yang, who outranks the foreign minister, will be the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Trump took office.

One of his key duties will be making arrangements for a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wu Xinbo, director of Fudan University's Centre of American Studies, told AFP.

Yang will also seek to connect with Trump's diplomatic team and meet key figures such as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, he added.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the two sides have been in "close contact and communication" about a possible meeting between the heads of state, but declined to give details of Yang's schedule or the message he was carrying to Washington.

"He will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest with senior officials from the US," Geng said.

Rocky start

Before Xi and Trump can meet, the two countries must address some of the contentious issues thrust into the spotlight since Trump's election, said Tao Wenzhao, an expert on Sino-US relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

They "will carry out a wide-ranging discussion on various global problems and form a consensus", he told AFP. "On that basis, the two countries' leaders can meet."

But the gap on many issues remains large, from China's massive trade surplus with the US to friction over its building of military facilities on artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

The relationship got off to a rocky start after Trump accepted a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, angering China by breaking decades of diplomatic precedent.

He upped the ante by suggesting he might recognise Taiwan's sovereignty unless China was willing to negotiate more favourable trade terms with the US -- a non-starter for Beijing, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification.

Seeking to minimise the fallout, Tillerson met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier this month at a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Germany. The Secretary of State urged Beijing to help rein in North Korea after its series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Tensions between the two countries have eased somewhat since Trump reaffirmed Washington's "One China" policy in a conciliatory phone call with Xi earlier this month.

Since then, Beijing has stepped up its pressure on Pyongyang by announcing a ban on imports of coal from North Korea  previously an economic lifeline for the isolated country.

On the presidential campaign trail last year, Trump regularly accused China of stealing American jobs and running a massive and unfairly won trade surplus with the US, vowing to reverse it by whatever means necessary.

CASS's Tao said he was "optimistic" the relationship would soon be back on track.

"Trump is a very smart person," he said. "He knows that the Sino-US relationship is in America's national interest."
Every election, irrespective of who wins or loses, has its ramifications. While US citizens are battling what's now come to be defined as Donald Trump-effect post the Republican candidate's win over Hillary Clinton in November last year, the Democratic Party is looking to regain lost ground and reconnect with grassroots workers and shake the image of a party of Washington insiders, party elites and donors.

The fight between Keith Ellison and Tom Perez for the new Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair, thus, was a crucial one. It is set to bring the biggest shake-up within the party, as the results decided who will control the party  the ground workers (represented by Ellison and supported by Bernie Sanders) or the mainstream party and thus the elite of New York (represented by Perez, a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama favourite).

Ellison lost to Perez in a two-round balloting, where Perez received 235 of the total 435 votes on Sunday, NYTimes.com said.

The results have left many democrats divided, with some claiming that the party has once again missed the chance to bring a change to end its losing streak, and represent the people in a "meaningful way". However, Perez supporters (including some progressives) feel that the former labour secretary is the right person to bring the change.

Who is Tom Perez?

Perez was born in Buffalo, New York to immigrants from the Dominican Republic. A graduate from Brown University, Harvard Law School and John F Kennedy School of Government, Perez started his career as a lawyer and went on to work in the Justice Department between 1989 to 1995. He worked with the then-senator Ted Kennedy till 1998 and then went on to serve in Department of Health and Human Services under the the Bill Clinton administration.

Perez also taught at University of Maryland School of Law and worked in Maryland politics before former President Barack Obama named him his assistant attorney general for civil rights in 2009. He also served as secretary of labour in Obamas second term.

Is Perez suitable for the job?

Perez's experience in politics is thin, writes Vox.com. "He served on the Montgomery county council, and tried running for attorney general of Maryland but had his candidacy blocked due to residency issues. Still, he developed a reputation as a party rising star, with his work in the executive branch being widely praised by progressive activist groups."

And this is what makes Perez an interesting choice over Ellison. Even though the former secretary of labour held progressive views, he maintained close ties to the party mainstream. In fact, Perez supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 primaries which saw Sanders lose to Clinton, Vox.com said.

So, will Perez emerge as a people's representative as the Democratic Party decides its moves against the Trump Administration and prepares for the next election, or will he be another elite manning the Democratic party?

The answer to the question remains unclear, but Ellison, who lost the race to the DNC chair has requested his followers and the progressive wing of the party, to support Perez.

If they trust me, they need to come on and trust Tom Perez as well, he said, adding: The very fate of our nation, I believe, is in the balance, the Guardian reported.

'Rigged', says Trump on Perez's election

But then again, there are not only democrats who seem doubtful of Perez's election as the new chariman of the Democratic Party. US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to congratulate Perez for his win in the cynicism that has come to define the US president's personality. He said:

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

Trump then went on to claim that the election for the DNC chairman was rigged, just like he claimed that the election in several of the US states was rigged:
Washington: US President Donald Trump will instruct federal agencies on Monday to assemble a budget for the coming fiscal year that includes sharp increases in Defence Department spending and drastic cuts to domestic agencies, according to administration officials.

A day before delivering a high-stakes address on Tuesday to a joint session of Congress, Trump will demand a budget with billions of dollars in reductions to the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department, according to the officials with direct knowledge of the plan.

Social safety net programmes, aside from the big entitlement programs for retirees, would also be hit hard, the New York Times reported.

The budget plan, a numerical sketch that will probably be substantially altered by House and Senate Republicans - and opposed by congressional Democrats - will be Trump's first big step into a legislative fray he has largely avoided during the first 40 days of his administration, according to the daily.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said that Trump's first budget would not touch Social Security or Medicare.

Trump's policy on entitlement reform is unclear, and his administration has not proposed a way to salvage Social Security and Medicare, the most expensive piece of the federal budget, or refuel trust funds expected to run dry in less than 20 years, The Hill magazine reported.

Instead, Trump's plan to pay down the nearly $20 trillion national debt rests on bolstering economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation.

Trump's team is also considering tax cuts without equivalent spending cuts, but insist lower corporate taxes will fuel domestic manufacturing and investment

The budget will predict 2.4 percent growth in 2017, according to the New York Times. That is more than the 1.6 percent former President Barack Obama's administration average but below the 4 per cent to 6 per cent growth Trump promised on the campaign trail.

Mnuchin said the administration would like to complete comprehensive tax reform by August, an ambitious goal given the jam-packed legislative calendar.

The White House and Congress will have to raise the debt ceiling around 16 March and fund the government by the end 28 April.
"...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." With due respect to William Shakespeare, this phrase, as of this moment, is perhaps best suited to describing the presidency of Donald J Trump.

While White House aide Stephen Miller has claimed, "We have a president who has done more in three weeks than most presidents have done in an entire administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Trump, for all of his bluster, has accomplished little more than frightening transgender teens by taking away protections that the Obama administration put into place for them and confirming patently unqualified individuals (Scott Pruitt for the Environmental Protection Agency, Rick Perry for the Department of Energy, Betsy Devos for the Department of Education and Ben Carson for Department of Housing and Urban Development immediately come to mind) to his Cabinet. Let's examine his three major policies:

Fail 1: The travel ban

Trump's most notable and highly-publicised executive action: the travel ban. It has been delayed  indefinitely  after a three-judge panel said the ban did not advance national security and the administration had provided no proof that any of the individuals from the seven countries banned had committed any acts of terror in the United States.

Perhaps the judges were also ticked off at the president referring to one of their colleagues as a so-called judge. Here's a tip  don't p*ss off the jurists  they're the ones who decide what the law says and means.

After which Trump, in his usually braggadocious manner tweeted:

SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017

(Side note: They're judges. Of course you'll see them in court. Where else would you see them? Also, easy on the caps lock).

Meanwhile, the administration quietly dropped any plans to appeal and decided to come up with a revised order. Which looks a lot like the previous order. The one CNN's Fareed Zakaria described as "so poorly conceived and phrased that it got stuck in the court system and will have to be redone or abandoned."

Hopefully this time, it will be written by actual lawyers and not merely scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin during closing time at a bar (one assumes). Strangely, the new order hasn't materialised and so far, shows no sign of doing so. It's almost like the White House has no idea what it's doing.

Fail 2: Repealing Obamacare  and replacing it with "something terrific"

During the campaign, Trump called Obamacare a disaster and promised to replace it with "something terrific". So naturally, he signed an executive order directing federal agencies to ease the regulatory burdens of Obamacare. Which amounts to less than a hill of beans unless Congress repeals Obamacare and passes a replacement.

According to former Republican House Speaker John Boehner, that is not going to happen. "I started laughing," said Boehner , discounting the possibility of a fast replacement. "Republicans never ever agree on health care."

In the meantime, Republican members of Congress have been facing angry constituents at town halls across the country. As it turns out, people are terrified about their healthcare being taken away from them without a clear replacement, no matter how "something terrific" it might be. Who knew? And Obamacare, without Obama around to defend it, has only become more popular with voters. Thanks, Obama Trump!

Fail 3: Building the Great Wall of Trump  and making Mexico pay for it

Trump signed an executive order authorising the building of a wall between Mexico and the United States. Just one tiny problem  the money to pay for the wall is controlled by Congress, who haven't lifted a finger  and have shown no inclination to do so.

And a reading of the executive order shows it mandates nothing beyond what was already accomplished in a 2006 Secure Fence Act, which authorises construction of fencing and fortifications across the border. So, it accomplished precisely nothing.

But let's say Congress does agree to pay the $21 billion it would take to build the wall. That still doesn't fulfill his campaign promise that Mexico would pay for it. How do the citizens of Mexico feel about that? Well, it can be best summed up by former Mexican president Vincente Fox on Twitter:

Sean Spicer, I've said this to @realDonaldTrump and now I'll tell you: Mexico is not going to pay for that fucking wall. #FuckingWall  Vicente Fox Quesada (@VicenteFoxQue) January 25, 2017

As for the rest of the executive orders, Zakaria referred to them as "mostly hot air, lofty proclamations that direct some agency to 'review' a law, 'report' back to him, 'consider' some action or reaffirm some long-standing practice."

All of which compares rather unfavourably with his predecessor, Barack Obama, who after a month of his inauguration, had managed to pass an 800 million dollar stimulus package through Congress.

A White House mired in scandal and infighting

Reinforcing the theme of a White House in turmoil: The resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn just 24 days into the new administration. The average tenure in the job is around 2.6 years.

Fynn was potentially maintaining illegal contact with the Russian ambassador to the United States during the transition period. By all accounts, Flynn misled (read lied) to senior Trump administration officials, including vice-president Mike Pence about it.

Trump was warned about Flynn by former attorney-general Sally Yates. In a spectacular, if somewhat baffling display of outside the box thinking, Trump eventually chose to fire Yates for refusing to enforce his illegal travel ban. Flynn was shown the door only after the vice-president became aware that he was misled after reading about it in the media. You know, the ones with all the "fake news".

Trump at war with the media: His approval rating is tanking

Some would say Trump's war with the media is a carefully-crafted strategy to discredit an adversarial press. They may be correcthis base is certainly fired up and continue to back Trumpfor now. However, for many, even the ever friendly folks at Fox News, Trump crossed a line when he declared the media "the enemy of the people."

His 77-minute press conference decrying the media was so unhinged and divorced from reality, that Robert Harward, a high-ranking vice admiral and former Navy SEAL who was picked to replace Flynn as NSA reportedly turned down the job after he saw Trump's performance, describing the situation as "s**t sandwhich".

And there's evidence that the constant reportage about the White House turmoil and his unstatesmanlike behaviour isn't going down well with the rest of the country: his approval rating is "sinking like a rock". According to CNBC, a little more than a month in, Trump has the lowest approval ratings of any new chief executive in modern American history.

The leaders in the Republican party are watching carefully. Remember, these are the same people who ditched George W Bush once his approval rating hit a record low over his dealing with Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq war. They have their owns seats to save and constituents to answer to. And a president without Congress to back him isn't a president  he's a lame duck.

Trump at war with his own intelligence agencies: Death by a thousand leaks

Trump has been apoplectic about the leaks coming from within the government. And, in his wrath, Trump has made a grievous error: declaring war on his own intelligence agencies.

Make no mistake about it  this is is a war he cannot hope to win  as made evident by the dismissal of Michael Flynn after sources purportedly within the FBI and NSA leaked audio of his talks with the Russian ambassador. Fox News reported that the top spies are allegedly keeping information from Trump because they don't trust him.

The White House also asked the FBI to inoculate the President against the stories tying him to Russia emanating from the pages of The New York Times and The Washington Post. The FBI refused to do so. According to Vox, as many as six intelligence agencies are conducting investigations into the President's alleged ties with Russia.

In the end, you have Trump fighting multiple battles on all fronts: with a re-energised and reinvigorated Democratic voter base, a media that is determined to hold him accountable for his "alternate facts" and intelligence agents who harbour a deep suspicion of his apparently warm, fuzzy feelings for the Kremlin.

Trump may thrive in chaotic situations, but voters don't care about anything except results. And so far, he hasn't delivered.
Pest control workers operate an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over a wheat field in Weinan, Shaanxi province on Feb. 26, 2017.

Carrying about 7 kilograms of pesticide, a single UAV can finish pest control work across 50 mu (1 mu is equal to 667 square meters) of land in just one hour.

Farmers can summon UAVs to their fields with the push of a button on Alipay, a popular online payment service, using their smartphones. As an example of Internet Plus, the service helps to promote agricultural modernization.
Brussels: The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed new sanctions on North Korea in line with the UN Security Council's resolution adopted after a ballistic missile launch.

According to the European Council (EC), the new sanctions include further restrictions on material transactions, new export and import bans and restrictions on North Korean diplomats' real estate and bank accounts in the EU, Efe news reported.

"Like existing sanctions, these restrictive measures are designed in such a way as to avoid adverse humanitarian consequences for the country's civilian population," said an EC statement.

It added that the sanctions "include exemptions for livelihood and humanitarian purposes, where appropriate".

Scientific and technological cooperation with teams that include North Koreans or are officially backed by the state are also to be suspended, except in medical exchanges.

The new measures will also give EU member states legal permission to prevent North Korean citizens from accessing training or education that could contribute to the country's nuclear and ballistic missiles programme.

"The existing measures implement all Security Council resolutions adopted in response to North Korea's nuclear tests and launches using ballistic missile technology and include additional EU autonomous measures," the EC said.

The Security Council's resolution was adopted on 30 November, 2016, after a successful nuclear test was announced by Pyongyang on 9 September.

On 12 February, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, violating that resolution and several others.
On Friday, the White House excluded several major US news organisations, including some it has criticised, from an off-camera briefing held by the press secretary. Reporters for CNN, The New York Times, Politico, The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post 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 reported.

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) said it was "protesting strongly" against the decision to selectively deny media access. The New York Times said the decision was "an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals," CNN called it "an unacceptable development," and The Los Angeles Times warned the incident had "ratcheted up the White House's war on the free press" to a new level.

It is not uncommon for Republican and Democratic administrations to brief a limited number of reporters on specific themes. However, the Friday event was billed as a regular briefing open to credentialed media before it became a closed event in Spicer's office for a chosen group.

Several outlets that regularly cover the White House, including newswires Reuters and Bloomberg, attended. They are part of the "pool," a small group of reporters who have access to certain events and share the contents with other media.

'Action harkens back to the darkest chapters of US history'

The National Press Club has strongly condemned the exclusion, calling it "deeply disturbing". The move by President Donald Trump's administration was criticised for one, because the move was an unprecedented one, and as the "White House is actively running a campaign against a constitutionally enshrined free and independent press," National Press Club President Jeffrey Ballou said in the official statement. The statement further said:

"That the White House would block journalists from covering the daily off-camera briefing of reporters by the White House press secretary is wrong and we protest it in the strongest possible terms. 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. Like all presidents, President Donald Trump has a standing invitation to speak at the National Press Club and answer questions from our members. We can think of no better place to continue the debate about the role of the press and the First Amendment than the place where newsmakers and news reporters have met for more than 100 years."

President of National Press Club Journalism Institute (NPCJI) Barbara Cochran said, "...Trump said today that he is not against the press, just against the fake news media. But the Constitution protects all news organisations, not just those liked by this or any other president." She further added by saying that the President and his staff should stop interfering with "the ability of all news organisations to do their job of covering the White House."

The NPCJI's Press Freedom Fellow, Kathy Kiely said that the action would do more damage and harm to the White House than the banned news organisation. "Sadly, reporters are all too accustomed to working around officials who deny them access to information the public should have. The only thing new here is that the censors are not foreign despots but public servants paid by the US taxpayers. To coin a phrase: Sad!"

Trump has regularly attacked the media and at a gathering of conservative activists on Friday he criticised news organisations 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 had 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 supporting media organisations

On Sunday, about 250 people demonstrated in support of the news media, amid stepped up attacks on the press by Trump and his administration. Although New York, a Democratic bastion, has been the scene of numerous demonstrations since Trump's election, this was the first protest organised expressly to show support for the media.

Paradoxically, Trump's attacks on the media during the presidential campaign and after his defeat of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton have boosted a resurgence in public interest incisive news reporting. The New York Times, for instance, has gained hundreds of thousands of subscribers even as the media's battle with Trump has intensified, AFP reported.

Despite cold weather, protesters gathered outside the entrance to the headquarters of The New York Times in midtown Manhattan, some with bandages across their mouths and carrying placards citing the US Constitution guarantee of a free press. The demonstration later shifted from The New York Times to the nearby offices of Fox News, then to those of NBC News.

"Anytime an authoritarian person or dictators take charge they always stifle the press. It's always the first thing they do. We are in the first steps of fascism," said Donna Marie Smith, a retired school teacher and longtime Times subscriber. "We have to continue marching and the press has to keep covering it," she said, adding, "I do think we will overcome even though I don't know how long it will take."

Trump skips annual White House correspondents' dinner - First time in 36 years

Trump further ratcheted up his feud with the US media by announcing he will skip the annual White House correspondents' dinner, the first US president to do so in 36 years. By boycotting the event Trump breaks a tradition that began in 1921 in which journalists invite the US president for a light-hearted roast.

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 last time a president missed the event was in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was recovering after being shot in an assassination attempt. Reagan however phoned in with friendly remarks. Richard Nixon, who despised the media, skipped the event in 1972. Trump frequently blasted the mainstream US press during the election campaign, and as president has intensified his media-bashing. He ripped The New York Times on Sunday for a television ad that the newspaper will air during the Oscars ceremony stating "The truth is more important now than ever." Trump tweeted:

For first time the failing @nytimes will take an ad (a bad one) to help save its failing reputation. Try reporting accurately & fairly!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2017

With inputs from agencies
Seoul: South Korea's spy agency said on Monday that the North Korean government was behind the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, adding that those involved worked for the country's foreign ministry and spy body.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said four of the eight suspects behind the murder worked for Pyongyang's Ministry of State Security, with two others being from the foreign ministry, Yonhap reported.

The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was killed earlier this month after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from the Kuala Lumpur Airport. Malaysia said an autopsy showed he was poisoned with VX nerve agent and died within 20 minutes.

However, North Korea has not acknowledged the death yet.

The South Korean spy agency also provided lawmakers with various updates on developments taking place in Pyongyang.

The NIS said North Korea is prepared to conduct nuclear tests anytime. It said the No.2 tunnel at the North's nuclear test site in Punggye-ri was maintained throughout the winter, and that the No.3 tunnel can be used to conduct a nuke test if the country's leadership gives the order.

North Korea is also presumed to have produced 10 kg of plutonium at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, and its reprocessing is expected to improve by the end of this year, it added.
Geneva: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday urged the international community to protect the two-state solution, in a message aimed at Israel and the new US administration of President Donald Trump.

At a White House meeting earlier this month, both Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared to back away from the internationally supported idea of the establishment of an independent Palestine alongside Israel.

In an address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Abbas called on states that believe in two states "to come to the defence of that solution" and recognize the state of Palestine.

"This solution must be protected from any attempt to withdraw from it or simply disregard it," he said.

The international community, including the US, has long supported the idea of a two-state solution as the best way to create peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In January, dozens of countries reiterated their support for this goal at an international conference in France, days before Trump took office.

But at a joint press conference with Trump on 15 February, Netanyahu made no mention of the two-state solution.

Instead, he talked of searching for "new ways" forward, including a regional approach involving other Arab countries. Trump, meanwhile, said he could favor any agreement between the parties, including a single Israeli-Palestinian state, a solution that neither side favors. He also referred to a "much bigger deal" involving "many countries."

Abbas said he is ready to work in a "positive spirit" with Trump, but rejected the idea of an interim agreement or single state.

"We should no longer be speaking of integrating Palestine within a larger regional framework and that is precisely what the government of Israel is attempting to do by withdrawing from progress previously achieved," he said.

He also denounced Israel's settlement activity on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and Israel's passage this month of a law meant to retroactively legalize thousands of West Bank settlement homes built unlawfully on private Palestinian land.

He said the law "legitimises the theft of occupied Palestinian lands."

Abbas also cautioned against the transfer of any embassy to Jerusalem, a scenario raised by Trump.
By Yeganeh Torbati

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON More than 120 retired U.S. generals and admirals urged Congress on Monday to fully fund U.S. diplomacy and foreign aid, the same government functions expected to be targeted for cuts in President Donald Trump's first budget proposal.A White House budget official said on Monday that Trump would seek to boost military spending by $54 billion and cut the same amount from non-defense spending, including a large reduction in foreign aid.In a letter addressed to Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the retired officers wrote that "elevating and strengthening diplomacy and development alongside defense are critical to keeping America safe."

(Click here for a copy of the letter: bit.ly/2mwif0G)"We know from our service in uniform that many of the crises our nation faces do not have military solutions alone," they wrote. "The State Department, USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps and other development agencies are critical to preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way."

The letter was signed by some of the most prominent U.S. military officers to serve in recent decades, including retired General George Casey, former chief of staff of the U.S. Army; retired General David Petraeus, the former CIA director and commander of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; retired Marine General Anthony Zinni, the former commander of U.S. Central Command; retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis, the former supreme allied commander of NATO; and retired General Keith Alexander, the former director of the National Security Agency.The letter was organized by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, which advocates for robust U.S. spending in diplomacy and foreign aid and which published the letter online on Monday.

U.S. military spending stands at roughly $600 billion annually. By contrast, the United States spends about $54 billion per year on its "International Affairs" budget, which includes the State Department and foreign assistance programs. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Ju-min Park

| SEOUL

SEOUL South Korean intelligence believes suspects wanted for the murder of the half-brother of North Korea's leader included several officials who worked for the reclusive state's foreign and security ministries, according to lawmakers in Seoul.Kim Jong Nam was killed earlier this month at a Malaysian airport by assassins using VX nerve agent, a chemical capable of killing in minutes and listed by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.South Korea is acutely sensitive to developments in its unpredictable nuclear-armed neighbor, and intelligence agency officials have briefed lawmakers on the sensational killing of the estranged half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea has not acknowledged the victim is Kim Jong Nam. But South Korean and U.S. officials believe Kim, who had criticized his family's control of the isolated state, was assassinated by agents of the North."Among eight suspects in this case four are from the ministry of state security and two who actually took action are from the foreign ministry," Lee Cheol-woo, one of the lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters."That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organized by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry," Lee added. Malaysian police have identified a total of eight North Koreans as suspects or as wanted for questioning. These include a North Korean embassy official believed to still be in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia's health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Sunday that Kim Jong Nam died within 15-20 minutes of being assaulted by two women who are believed to have smeared VX on his face.He had been at Kuala Lumpur International airport to catch a flight to Macau, the Chinese territory where he had been living under Beijing's protection.The women, Indonesian and Vietnamese citizens, are in police custody and have told officials from their respective embassies that they believed they were taking part in a TV prank.

THREE TEAMS

Another South Korean lawmaker briefed by the intelligence agency, Kim Byung-kee, said the North Koreans had operated in three teams. Two teams, each including officials from both North Korea's state security and foreign ministries, were responsible for hiring women in Indonesia and Vietnam and bringing them to Malaysia to carry out the attack. The third team provided "support".

He said South Korean intelligence said the North's embassy official in Kuala Lumpur, Hyon Kwang Song, was linked to the state security ministry and part of the support team. Malaysian police have said they may issue an arrest warrant for the diplomat if he does not cooperate, but it is unclear if they can do so given he has diplomatic immunity. The one North Korean in police custody, Ri Jong Chol, was also believed to have been part of the support team, said Kim Byung-kee. Malaysian authorities have not commented on the roles that any of the North Koreans played in the killing. The investigation into the killing, and Malaysia's refusal to hand over the body to North Korea before it is officially identified by the victim's next of kin, has caused a diplomatic rift between two hitherto friendly governments. (Additional reporting by Jack Kim; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Yara Abi Nader and John Irish

| GENEVA

GENEVA The main opposition group at Syrian peace talks in Geneva wants to meet Russian envoys to discuss what it says are Moscow's broken ceasefire promises, a move diplomats say aims to put pressure on the Russian-backed Syrian government delegation.Russia has sought to revive diplomacy since its air force helped the Syrian army and allied militias defeat rebels in Aleppo in December, President Bashar al-Assad's biggest victory in six years of war. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, a weekend of bombings and air strikes in Syria has rattled the talks that began in Geneva last week."The Russians did not fulfil a ceasefire agreement despite the promises from the highest levels of the Russian delegation," Mohammed Alloush, a negotiator and member of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group, told Reuters.After a two-hour meeting with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura, the head of the opposition delegation Nasr al-Hariri said he had submitted two documents protesting against the grim humanitarian situation and violations of the ceasefire.Hariri said he believed Moscow was shifting its stance but that he wanted to see constructive support on Tuesday.He pressed for "practical support that manifests itself in backing for the political process and the demands of the Syrian people by putting pressure on the (Syrian) regime to engage seriously in this process."

Two diplomats said an eventual meeting was likely to include Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and Middle East director Sergei Vershinin.KEEPING THE TALKS ALIVE

Russia, Turkey and Iran have sponsored parallel talks, in the Kazakh capital Astana, where they reinforced the ceasefire. It paved the way for a resumption of U.N.-led mediations after a 10-month hiatus.Ahead of Thursday's opening ceremony, Moscow had called for the government to "silence the skies", but violence has continued and the warring sides have traded blame while appearing no closer to actual negotiations.De Mistura said a militant attack in Homs on Saturday was a deliberate attempt to wreck the talks."The opposition wants to see the Russians to tell them to put pressure on the government or else this process will lead nowhere," said a Western diplomat.

He said the Syrian government chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari's refusal to discuss anything beyond countering terrorism at a weekend meeting with de Mistura was a clear indication that Damascus was not committed.De Mistura, who is treading carefully to keep the talks alive, has so far talked to the two sides separately as he tries to forge an understanding of how to proceed in future rounds.He wants to get the two sides to accept an agenda that would be based on Security Council resolution 2254, focusing initially on a new constitution, U.N.-supervised elections and accountable governance.Russia and the United States were the prime movers behind the last peace talks, which halted as the war heated up. The United States is now taking a diplomatic back seat, leaving Moscow as the main power broker. (Additional reporting Issam Abdallah, Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles; Editing by Dominic Evans and Richard Lough)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Tom Perry and Suleiman Al-Khalidi

| BEIRUT

BEIRUT A Syrian army advance against Islamic State in northern Syria has opened a new link between government-held areas of western Syria and the Kurdish-dominated northeast, redrawing the map of the conflict near the Turkish border.The advance, if sustained, could open a trade lifeline between the northeast, which is home to 70 percent of Syria's oil and to rich farmland, and the west, where Syria's manufacturing base is located.Northern Syria is one of the most complicated battlefields in the multi-sided Syrian war that erupted in 2011.The army advance has taken place to the south of an area where Turkey and its rebel allies are waging their own, rival campaign, carving out a buffer zone to keep Islamic State and Kurdish groups away from the Turkish border.Syrian government forces have now come to the edge of a swathe of territory dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, which has mostly avoided conflict with Damascus but is seen by Turkey as an extension of the PKK militant group that has waged a three-decade insurgency on Turkish territory. The YPG's critics have accused it of cooperating with Damascus in the Syrian war. The spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a militia alliance dominated by the YPG, hailed the Syrian army's advance and ruled out any risk of a clash with them."On the trade front and on the civilian front it is seen as an excellent thing, because now there is ... a link between the entire northern rural area," spokesman Talal Silo told Reuters.

Now, he said, there was a direct route from the SDF-controlled town of Manbij to the city of Aleppo "via areas controlled by the SDF and areas controlled by the regime forces".There was no immediate comment from the Syrian military on its latest advances.

"INTERESTS OF CITIZEN"

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the army had captured some two dozen villages from Islamic State, bringing it to the edge of SDF-held areas south of Manbij.The SDF captured Manbij from Islamic State last year with backing from the U.S.-led alliance against the jihadist group.Silo said residents of the northeast who had previously depended on medical care in Aleppo and Damascus would be able to do so again. "All these matters are in the interests of the citizen," he said.

The Syrian government still has footholds in YPG-dominated northeastern Syria in the cities of Qamishli and Hasaka. The YPG also controls part of the city of Aleppo, where government forces and their allies defeated rebels in December.The YPG forms the military backbone of three autonomous areas set up in predominantly Kurdish regions of northern Syria since the onset of the conflict in 2011.Turkey's intervention has disrupted the YPG's plans to link up the two autonomous areas of northeastern Syria with the third one, which is located in northwestern Syria.The main Syrian Kurdish groups and their allies want to preserve their autonomy in a new federal system of government for Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad opposes the idea. (Reporting by Tom Perry and Suleiman al-Khalidi; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Gareth Jones)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The Taliban in Afghanistan used a rare public statement in the name of its leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, to call on Afghans to plant more trees for worldly and other-worldly good.

Official Taliban outlets released the "special message" on Sunday under Akhundzada's name, an uncommon move for the group that has recently published unsigned statements on a range of issues such as civilian casualties, upcoming military operations, and the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops in the 1980s.

Akhundzada is believed to have been in hiding since becoming Taliban leader in May 2016 following the death of his predecessor in a US drone strike in Pakistan.

In the statement, he urged Afghan civilians and Taliban fighters to "plant one or several fruit or non-fruit trees for the beautification of Earth and the benefit of almighty Allah's creations".

The Taliban has been waging an insurgency against the government in Kabul and its Nato coalition backers since being ousted from power in a US-led military intervention in 2001.

Since the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops in 2014, Taliban has made slow but steady gains, now controlling or contesting more than 40 percent of Afghanistan.

While it's mostly known for its insurgent attacks, it also has political aspirations and has often worked to provide basic services and assert connections in communities in areas it controls.

Akhundzada, who was reported to have spent 15 years teaching at a mosque in Pakistan, interpreted verses of the Koran in his call for more trees in the arid country.

"Planting trees and agriculture are considered actions which hold both worldly good and benefit as well as immense rewards in the hereafter," he said in the statement.
By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump, who has attacked China on issues from trade to the South China Sea, held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership on Monday, and the White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping.State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, met Trump briefly after talks with the new U.S. National Security adviser, H.R. McMaster; Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner; and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.A senior U.S. administration official said discussions included bilateral cooperation and the possibility of arranging a meeting between Trump and Xi, but no date was set.The official said the meeting with Trump lasted five to seven minutes. White House spokesman Sean Spicer called it "an opportunity to say 'hi' to the president" before Yang left."This was an opportunity to begin that conversation and talk to them on shared interests of national security, he added at a regular news briefing.

Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, is the first top Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan. 20.His visit followed a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship.It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's election victory.Trump has been a strong critic of Beijing, accusing China of unfair trade policies, criticizing its island building in the strategic South China Sea, and accusing it of not doing enough to constrain its neighbour, North Korea.

Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan.China's state news agency Xinhua quoted a researcher at a government-backed think tank as saying a discussion of when and where Trump and Xi would meet first would be on the top of the agenda during Yang's visit.

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump pressed China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, saying Beijing could resolve the issue "very easily if it wanted to." [nL1N1G828I}China on Friday dismissed Trump's remarks, saying the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang. China has repeatedly called for a return to negotiations between Pyongyang and world powers.Plans for renewed contacts with North Korea in the United States were cancelled last week after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. (Reporting by Steve Holland, David Brunnstrom, Matt Spetalnick and Washington Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Hay and Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A project aiming to facilitate cooperation on comics and games between countries along the Belt and Road route has officially kicked off, Xinhua News Agency reported on Feb. 26. The 13th China International Comics and Game Expo, or CCG Expo, will launch its public exhibition from July 6 to 10, according to the expo's organizing committee.

The expo was put together by the Ministry of Culture and Shanghai municipal government. So far, among other achievements, a meeting has been held between Chinese and Thai enterprises participating in the expo.

The Ministry of Culture has put a great deal of focus on promoting international cooperation in the comics and game industries. Some specific measures have already been taken to create opportunities for exhibitors.
By David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump held his first face-to-face meeting with a member of China's leadership on Monday at a time of tensions between Washington and Beijing, and the White House said the Chinese visit was a chance to discuss shared security interests.State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, was taken to see Trump briefly after talks with new U.S. National Security advisor, H.R. McMaster, and Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said."After the meeting ended, I believe the state councillor was taken (and) had an opportunity to say 'hi' to the president before he left," Spicer told a regular briefing. "This was an opportunity to begin that conversation and talk to them on shared interests of national security, he said of the meetings with Yang.Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, is the first top Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan. 20.His visit to Washington followed a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship.

It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's election victory.Trump has been a strong critic of Beijing, accusing China of unfair trade policies, criticizing its island building in the strategic South China Sea, and accusing it of not doing enough to constrain its neighbour North Korea.Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.

Trump later agreed in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping to honour the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan.China's state news agency Xinhua quoted a researcher at a government-backed Chinese think tank as saying a discussion of when and where Trump and Xi would meet first would be on the top of the agenda during Yang's visit.In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump pressed China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, saying Beijing could resolve the issue "very easily if it wanted to." [nL1N1G828I}

China dismissed Trump's remarks on Friday saying the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang. China has repeatedly called for a return to negotiations between Pyongyang and world powers.Plans for renewed contacts with North Korea in the United States were cancelled last week after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. (Reporting by Steve Holland, David Brunnstrom, Matt Spetalnick and Washington Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Hay)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Michelle Nichols

| UNITED NATIONS

UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on Tuesday on a bid by Western powers to ban the supply of helicopters to the Syrian government and to blacklist Syrian military commanders over accusations of toxic gas attacks, despite a pledge by Russia to veto the move.The Security Council showdown - pitting Syrian ally Russia against the United States, France, Britain and others - comes amid U.N.-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week. [nL5N1GC2F4] A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted.Russia has vetoed six Security Council resolutions on Syria since the conflict started in 2011. China joined Moscow in vetoing five resolutions. It was unclear how Beijing planned to vote on Tuesday.Britain and France first circulated the draft resolution to the 15-member council in late December in response to the results of an investigation by the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). [nL1N1EG1CK]

The international inquiry found Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas. [nL1N1CR23W]British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said on Monday that the Security Council needed to send a "strong, clear message that the international community means business on preventing the use of these abhorrent weapons."

Chlorine's use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid in the lungs and can kill by burning lungs and drowning victims in body fluids.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has denied its forces have used chemical weapons. Russia has questioned the results of the U.N./OPCW inquiry and long said there was not enough proof for the Security Council to take any action.Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador, Vladimir Safronkov, told reporters on Friday that Moscow would veto the draft resolution. [nL1N1G9177]

The draft text seeks to ban the sale or supply of helicopters to the Syrian government because the U.N./OPCW inquiry found Syrian government forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs containing chlorine gas.The draft resolution also proposes targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - on 11 Syrian military commanders and officials, as well as on 10 government and related entities accused of developing and producing chemical weapons and the missiles to deliver them. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols, Editing by W Simon)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Jonathan Allen

| NEW YORK

NEW YORK Jewish community centres and schools in at least 11 U.S. states reported getting bomb threats on Monday, the JCC Association of North America said, the fifth wave of such threats this year that have stoked fears of a resurgence of anti-Semitism.The threats, all of which appeared to be hoaxes, were received in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. For some centres, it was the second or third time this year that they had been forced to put their threat evacuation drill into practice."Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instil anxiety and fear in our communities," David Posner, a director at the JCC Association, said in a statement.Jewish groups, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have all condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries. Police said on Sunday that about 100 headstones had been toppled at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, about a week after a similar act of vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.

Federal and local law enforcement were investigating the threats, but little information has been made public so far about any perpetrators.Children were also evacuated on Monday from the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia, after receiving telephoned bomb threats, according to a statement by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

The full tally of centres receiving threats on Monday remained unclear, the JCC Association said. NBC News reported at least 16 centres and schools had received threats.Some Jewish groups see the vandalism and threats as a sign that anti-Semitic groups have been emboldened by Trump's election. His campaign last year drew the support of white supremacists and other right-wing groups, despite his disavowals of them.

Trump has said he is the "least anti-Semitic person" in the world, and noted that one of his daughters, his son-in-law and some of his grandchildren are Jewish. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; editing by David Gregorio and Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New York: A US-India bipartisan body on Monday strongly condemned the "heinous" and "barbaric" killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas and sought prompt investigation into the incident and other similar hate crimes across the country.

The US-India Political Action Committee said the "apparent hate crime" is "heinous" and "barbaric" and USINPAC stands together with the victims' families at their time of distress.

32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin Ltd, died after he was shot by navy veteran Adam Purinton who, according to witnesses, yelled "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar last Wednesday night before opening fire.

Kuchibhotla's colleague Alok Madasani, also an engineer from Hyderabad, was critically injured in the attack. "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.

Calling this a senseless act of violence, Congressman Ro Khanna said, "Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated." He expressed hope that local and federal law enforcement will justly investigate the shooting as a hate crime.

Expressing shock over the killing, USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri said the organisation strongly condemns the killing of Kuchibhotla.

"We have reached out the Department of Justice and asked for quick action on these and other such hate crimes around the country. This incident needs to be treated as a hate crime. We continue to monitor this situation along with other racially motivated incidents around the country," Puri said.

The USINPAC focuses on the over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian-American community.
The United States is one of the worlds leading destinations for globally harvested seafood. Estimates indicate that more than 80 percent of the seafood consumed annually in the United States is imported.

We work with various international organizations to protect and conserve global marine resources. This means that in addition to national laws, we enforce international laws, treaties, and agreements that the United States signs as they relate to areas under our jurisdiction.

NOAAs Office of Law Enforcement prioritizes efforts with foreign countries, federal partners, and non-governmental organizations to detect and prevent IUU fish and fish products from entering U.S. markets. We bring to justice those who seek to profit from this activity. In support of this priority, our International Operations Division leads a multi-faceted approach that includes:

Monitoring imports into the United States, as well as seafood products in global trade

Partnering with other federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud throughout the United States

Engaging in multilateral and bilateral discussions with international partners to create enforceable provisions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and develop cooperation and collaboration in detecting, deterring, and interdicting IUU fishing activity and trade

Supporting broad and effective global implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement

Providing technical assistance to global partners, with emphasis on major exporters of seafood to the United States, to assist in developing the fisheries enforcement capacity to detect and interdict IUU fish and fish products before they enter the global market

Educating the public, consumers, and international audiences about the impacts of IUU fishing and fishing-related activities

Learn more about Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

Working Internationally with Law Enforcement Partners

NOAAs Office of Law Enforcement relies on cooperation and partnerships at home and abroad in the protection and conservation of global marine resources. At home, OLE has forged critical partnerships to coordinate counter-IUU fishing assistance in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Along with other NOAA offices, we partner with:

State and territorial law enforcement partners

U.S. Coast Guard

Department of State and its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement division

U.S. Agency for International Development

Department of Defense

Beyond our borders, international partnershipsboth formal and informalplay a critical role in our efforts to combat IUU fishing.

Information Sharing and Cooperation

NOAAs Office of Law Enforcement continually works to increase our collaboration with international partners. These activities include information sharing, joint law enforcement operations, technical assistance to increase fisheries enforcement capacity, and participation in meetings between two or more countries.

Examples of international cooperation and information sharing:

Participating in International Regional Fisheries Management Organizations

NOAAs Office of Law Enforcement represents the United States on numerous regional fisheries management organizations. We serve on U.S. delegations to annual and intersessional meetings to provide enforcement expertise on compliance issues and the development of new conservation and management measures. Some larger commissions we participate in include:

Implementing the Port State Measures Agreement

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing seeks to prevent IUU fishing through the adoption and implementation of effective port state measures. These measures are a means of ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine life. NOAAs Office of Law Enforcement is the primary agency responsible for implementing the Agreement, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Learn more about the PSMA and OLEs work to implement it

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

The international community consistently seeks NOAAs Office of Law Enforcements expertise in environmental crime, criminal investigations, the fishing industry, vessel monitoring systems, and case management. Much of our international work focuses on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through capacity building and technical assistance to international partners and agencies through government to government interactions.

Learn more about our efforts to combat IUU fishing
On the morning of Feb. 21, the first car of a train that is part of the Cac Linh-Ha Dong urban light rail project was hoisted onto a bridge in Hanoi, Vietnam, prompting enthusiastic applause from a group of onlookers. Three additional cars were subsequently lifted onto the bridge the following day.

"This is the first time I have ever seen a car lifted into the air by a crane. The workers from both countries did an amazing job!" a senior high school student surnamed Nguyen told the People's Daily.

"As the first light rail project in Vietnam, it has attracted a great deal of attention from the local people. The light rail will significantly ease congestion in the city of Hanoi, and will become a symbol of China-Vietnam friendship," said Tang Hong, an executive of the sixth bureau under China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), the company responsible for constructing the rail.

With a total investment of $553 million, offered as a loan from the Chinese government, the Cac Linh-Ha Dong urban light rail project utilizes Chinese technologies and equipment. It is designed to cover a total length of 13.04 kilometers, stopping at 12 stations. Locals are looking forward to the line's operation. One resident remarked, "I want to be the first to take the light rail train after it opens!"

The invitation for supporting system bids for the light rail has already been released. Tests of the trains are expected to start in the latter half of this year.

According to plan, eight light rails will be built in Hanoi in the future. The Cac Linh-Ha Dong urban light rail project will provide a useful reference for the construction and operation of these future lines.

In the new year, Chinese workers will dedicate themselves to the ongoing project so that local people will be able to experience Chinese trains and technologies as soon as possible, Tang said.
Continuing with my Icelandic blog posts cataloging our food and travel adventures, today I'm focusing on Breakfast and Brunch. Everything in Iceland is expensive and food is no exception. As such we quickly learned to eat as much as we could at breakfast which was included within the price of both hotels that we stayed in during our 5 day trip. I'm always very excited to see the breakfast offerings when on holiday as I think they tell a lot about the culture. Breakfast is of course as we all know, the most important meal of the day. Breaking our fast kick starts and fuels us for the day but breakfast foods vary wildly from place to place. I wasn't quite sure what to expect in Iceland but the breakfast buffet didn't dissapoint. Waffles, Smoked Fish, Pickled Fish, Salads, Open Sandwiches, Rye Bread, Mini Hot Dogs, Juice Shots, Sliced Cold Meats & Cheeses, Skyr and Feta plus the usual cereals, toast, jam yoghurt, bacon and eggs. I was particularly taken by what at first looked like a Pizza but turned out to be a Breakfast Quesadilla. I dissected it's contents before greedily consuming them and my attempt to recreate it is at the end of this post. An equally amazing Blueberry & Skyr smoothie recreation will follow at a later date #watchthisspace

Before we headed to Iceland I'd eagerly watched the Rejkayvik edition of Rick Stein's Long Weekends. One of the things he did that I was determined to also do was hard boil an egg in a geothermal spring. As it turned out our accommodation at Hotel Grimsborgir was pretty close to Hveragardurinn Geothermal Park where we could do just that. It was pouring rain on the morning that we visited but that didn't dampen our spirits. Perhaps the best bargain of our holiday we paid 200k each to enter and a further 100k to boil an egg (just over 2). Because of the rain the stream wasn't quite hot enough so instead we lowered our egg nets into a geothermal steam vent and left them for the required 13 minutes. A very surreal experience which resulted in undoubtedly the best hard boiled eggs ever.

Prior to Iceland my most memorable recent breakfast and brunches were in Orlando and Singapore respectively. Savoury seemed to be the order of the day for Singaporean breakfasts with Pork Ribs, Congee, Nasi Lemak, Light & Dark Carrot Cake, Fish Balls and Dumplings all being perfectly acceptable breakfast food. Kaya Toast was a particular favourite of mine. Toast spread with coconut jam dipped in runny eggs mixed with soy sauce.

They sure know how to breakfast in the States with bottomless cups of coffee and eggs every which way. I absolutely loved their Oatmeal, Biscuits and Gravy, Pancakes and Hash Browns but still really don't get Grits?! We only managed three big breakfasts at IHOP, Hard Rock Hotel and Cracker Barrel. Orlando is booked again for 2018 so we'll score some more off the list.









As always I have further foodie adventures planned for the months ahead, first is a family trip to the Shetland Islands at Easter, summer brings a fortnight by Lake Garda, Italy and in between I'm taking the sleeper train to London for a mini break. I love traveling by sleeper and just before arrival in Euston a breakfast tray is brought to your cabin. As welcome as it is, it's still rather early so provides the perfect excuse to indulge in brunch later in the morning. For my upcoming trip I've been checking out this roundup of the best brunches in London from th e Avis Inspires travel and lifestyle blog. Duck & Waffle has long been on my hit list as has the ubiquitous Ottolenghi. Do let me know if there's anywhere else that should be on my radar. A Bloody Mary on the menu would be a bonus! For any vegans making a trip to London be sure to check out Kate at Veggie Desserts Vegan Brunch London Guide for all the best spots.









Breakfast Quesadilla





2 x Mediterranean Herb Tortilla Wraps

Spray Oil

200g Grated Mozzarella Cheese

125g Thick Cut Ham, cubed
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

Trend:

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no military solution, it can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, RIA Novosti quoted President of the European Council Donald Tusk as saying.

Tusk also noted that the European Union fully supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement.

Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said earlier. 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 had casualties as a result of the battles.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
The Oscar for Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards ceremony may go down as one of the biggest blunders in live television history or maybe one of the best shock-awe marketing stunts ever.

As Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway delivered the Oscar for Best Picture, they were given the wrong envelope, announcing La La Land instead of Moonlight. As chaos ensued on stage between the two casts and on social media, brand experts saw something different.

Call me Warren Beatty. I can help you get through this! #Oscars  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

Have your people call our people - we know what to do. #Oscars #MissUniverse  Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) February 27, 2017

This was clearly a planned event, not an accident. If you look at the big picture, this bears all the tell-tale markings of planted publicity taken out of the pages of election year media tactics, designed to boost the Oscar ratings, nothing more, Rob Frankel, branding strategist at Frankel & Anderson, tells FOX Business.

Despite Frankels allegations, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm that has overseen the counting of Oscar ballots for 83 years, openly took the blame, telling FOX Business in a statement; We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred. Even so, any outcome wont erase the moment.

34.43 million viewers witnessed the gaffe on Disneys ABC Network (NYSE:DIS), according to early numbers from Nielsen, and that number could rise in additional video hits as a media frenzy continues to dissect what really happened. The ABC Network declined to comment.

You'll see lots of memes now, along with late night comedy monologues, and everyone will get his 15 minutes of media hype. Next year, expect Oscar ratings, which have been tanking of late, to rise, because people love a train wreck and hope to see another, adds Frankel.

Oscar ratings have been on the decline according to Nielsen. Last year 34.3 million viewers tuned in, down from 37.3 in 2015 and 43.7 million in 2014.

However, live TV shock and awe moments doesnt always guarantee future ratings. Just ask comedian Steve Harvey.

He made headlines in December of 2015 during the Miss Universe pageant when he inadvertently crowned Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez-Arevalo, as the winner instead of Miss Phillippines, Pia Alonzo Wurztbach.

Although Harvey and the Miss Universe Organization offered to help Beatty and Oscar organizers via tweets recover from the blunder, they didnt see a bump from their own.

Miss Universe Organization invited Harvey to host again the following year, however pageant didnt see an uptick in ratings they hoped for. Harvey says while the incident was tough to get through, especially because he received several death threats from Columbia, he hopes to eventually do business there.

Im a comedian, I have to laugh about it now and keep moving. Colombia is not laughing so hard, thats why I would love to do coffee from Colombia. You know, open up a farm down there or something, Harvey told FOX Business during an interview in March of 2016 about his business empire.

Turkel Brands CEO, Bruce Turkel, says the Oscar incident is just a great example of poor attention to detail rather than a planned stunt and will not likely affect anyones brand longer term.

From a customer service perspective, you might question PWCs attention to detail in other areas of their work. Now, I dont think anyone will make that leap but its a glaring error that should never have happened  and probably hasnt in the history of the show. So, from that perspective, its low percentage error. But glaring nonetheless, Turkel told FOX Business.
The Oscars was full of surprises this year, as Red Vines and Junior Mints said on Monday that Jimmy Kimmels candy stunt fell out of nowhere.

Boxes of the movie candies literally fell from the ceiling about an hour into the show, drawing ecstatic reactions from the celebrity audience. However, neither Red Vines nor Junior Mints were in on the gag.

Kristi Shafer, director of marketing for the American Licorice Company, which manufactures Red Vines, said the brand had nothing to do with the candy parachutes.

The only credit we can take is having a great West Coast brand that is revered as the perfect movie companion. Red Vines is manufactured in Union City, California, Shafer told FOX Business. Although we are not responsible for the partnership, we greatly appreciate all the Red Vines love from Jimmy Kimmel and the Oscars.

A representative for Tootsie Roll Industries, which manufactures Junior Mints, also confirmed that the company wasnt directly involved.

There was not a partnership or donation of product, the representative told FOX Business.

The Oscars candy drop was a hit on social media and became one of the nights top viral moments, earning more than 240,000 views on YouTube, as of noon ET on Monday. The stunt generated $2.4 million in equivalent advertising value for Junior Mint and $1.9 million in value for Red Vines, according to calculations by Apex Marketing Group.

The Oscars communications staff did not immediately respond to FOX Business request for comment.

The Oscars are about the movies and you cant have movies without movie candy, its un-American, Kimmel, host of the 89th annual Academy Awards broadcast, said as the candy boxes dropped down to the audience via parachutes.

Kimmel isnt the first Oscars host to hand out snacks to celebrities as they wait for their awards. Comedian Chris Rock, who hosted last years show, handed out boxes of Girl Scout cookies, while 2014 emcee Ellen DeGeneres ordered boxes of pizza.
China's blue chips posted their biggest single-day loss in two months on Monday after the securities regulator vowed to step up its campaign against speculation and hinted about loosening its grip on new share offerings.

The blue-chip CSI300 index fell 0.8 percent to 3,446.22 points, its sharpest drop since Dec. 23, while the Shanghai Composite Index also weakened 0.8 percent to 3,228.66 points.

Liu Shiyu, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), told a news conference on Sunday that the country will focus on stable development of its capital markets this year.

But limiting or halting initial share sales in order to stabilize the secondary market doesn't "solve the problems of long-term healthy development of capital markets," Liu added, stirring worries of increasing equity supply this year.

The remarks followed a regulator's move over the weekend to punish the insurance unit of financial conglomerate Baoneng Group for speculative trading, and a 3.48 billion yuan ($506.96) penalty on investor Xian Yan for market misbehavior.

"This shows that regulators are taking a tough stance against speculative trading," wrote Li Lifeng, analyst at Sinolink Securities.

"This will purify China's share market, but will have a negative impact on those stocks with excessive valuations."

Baoneng Group's listed units, including Nanning Department Store, CSG Holding and Jonjee Hi-tech Industrial and Commercial Holding tanked in response to the regulator's moves.

Main sectors fell across the board, led by transport shares .

Baowu Iron & Steel, previously known as Baoshan Iron & Steel, shot up 7.4 percent following a one-month trading halt after its acquisition of smaller debt-laden rival Wuhan Iron and Steel.

(Reporting by Luoyan Liu and John Ruwitch; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors and University of Chicago Booth School of Business Austan Goolsbee discussed the potential U.S. market and economic outlook under President Trump.

Goolsbee first responded to whether the markets rally since the presidential election in November is due to Trump.

I think it definitely has some to do with Donald Trump, Goolsbee told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney.

Goolsbee then pointed to a correlation between Trumps comments and the rising value of financials.

I would point out only that if you look at the rise in the Dow for example, some 20% or so is just from the rise of Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) value and that if you look at financials broadly they account for something like a third of that increase. So I dont think its a surprise that when Donald Trump gets up and says, Im going to give you free benefits and Im going to get rid of the rules, that Im going to unshackle banks so that they can make more money again that theyre value would go up.

Varney questioned whether the key elements of Trumps economic agenda such as the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, individual and corporate tax cuts, infrastructure spending will lead to the economic growth the administration is predicting.?

I dont think that if we do those things well be on the path to growth, Goolsbee responded.

According to Goolsbee, a potential border adjustment tax could negate the economic benefits of a corporate tax cut.

If you look at the tax cut, as you know, were now in this situation with the border adjustment that theyre gonna pay for a large corporate tax cut with a large increase in taxes on consumers. If you combine a tax cut with a tax increase I dont think that theres nearly as big of an impact on growth as you might hope for.

Goolsbee was hopeful that Trump will continue the strong path of post-recession job creation that began under the Obama administration.

I think that the employment record of the last seven years post-recession has been actually fairly strong, more than two million a year. Were going to see whether the Trump administration can create jobs at that kind of speed. I hope they can, I hope they succeed, Stuart, in extending the lead that Barack Obama created.

On the other hand, Goolsbee raised concerns that disagreements within the Republican Party could get in the way of Trumps economic plan.

I think that to your earlier statement, Stuart, that the Republicans have got to find some unity and pass these things, I think youre right. There is a big risk, the first six months is when presidents do things and if the Republicans just kind of fiddle around and say, no, no, but I dont like that one, theyre going to blow the window and then I think Trump is not going to be able to pass his agenda.
On Monday President Trump hosted a meeting at the White House with executives from the nations largest insurance companies, aimed at identifying and solving the biggest problems plaguing the healthcare sector as Republicans work on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. Earlier Monday morning, Trump said that healthcare is an unbelievably complex subject, nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated, during an event for governors.

Republican Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, who was in attendance for a weekend meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, believes Obamacare does not work and says even Democrats are acknowledging that the Affordable Act is no longer affordable.

We need to fix it for the American people, regardless of whether it would be better politically for us to show how wrong it is. We need to fix it and that is what governors are doing, working with this president, working with this vice president, working with their administration. Were going to get it fixed and youll get a first preview on Tuesday, Walker told the FOX Business Networks Neil Cavuto.

On Tuesday President Trump will address a joint session of Congress to discuss the future of healthcare and the budget, among other topics.

Walker believes Obamacare leaves too many Americans behind, and thats one of the problems Republicans are seeking to address.

We need to make it work, for every American. For all the hype and hysteria on the left, Obamacare doesnt work. [If] you get your health insurance from your employer you will not be affected. If you get the health insurance under Medicare, youre not going to be affected, he said.

The Wisconsin governor also said there is a plan in the works that will help the Trump administration and Congress move forward with the replacement.

The repeal has got to happen, not just politically because people made the promise, but more importantly because it is falling apart. If you left it the way it is right now, you would see thousands upon thousands of people losing coverage, he said.
If youre hoping to get your paws on American Pickers unique Coyote Killer Volkswagen bus, itll take a Wolfe pact.

Mike Wolfe, co-star of the History Channel series about a pair of antique treasure hunters from Iowa, purchased the unusual 1966 VW bus while shooting an episode of the show in Texas last year. Customized to hunt for coyotes preying on livestock, the Coyote Killer was discovered in rough shape. Among its many needs: an engine rebuild, electrical work, glass replacement and new tires. Wolfe and the seller agreed on $2,700.

MORE CLASSIC CAR STORIES FROM HAGERTY

Months later, the VW is repaired and ready for cruising  or chasing coyotes, if youre into that sort of thing. Wolfe attempted to sell it twice on eBay in January, but the bidding fell short of the reserve both times, first at $9,400 and then $9,301. The bus is now listed on The Samba for $24,000, offering a pretty good idea of just how much it cost to bring it back to life.

The Coyote Killer has a new 1,776-cc engine, built by Californias Brothers VW Machine Shop, which features dual Weber 40 IDFs, remote oil filter and thermostatically controlled electric oil cooler. It also has a new Rancho-built Pro Street transmission, and all the following parts are new, too: fuel tank and sending unit, tires, brake system, front door panels, front seats and pads, starter, and drag link and pivot pin. Were also happy to report that, although the show made a big deal of the VWs unpleasant smell when it was discovered, the bus is now minty fresh.

Rich Ewald, selling the Killer on Wolfes behalf, writes: If Coyote Killer isnt your thing, its an easy fix to put back to stock (The) hard parts already done... Just need fender wells from Gerson and donor skin to fix roof.

Were wondering who would go to all that trouble? Isnt the Killers provenance its most important asset? If you had the money to buy it, would you return it to stock or leave it as is?
Motorcycles are art forms for many people, riders or otherwise. Owners and designers either start from stock models or build from scratch to create the look, feel, and impact they desire. Typical custom bike budgets can begin at $25,000 and will climb quickly. When star designers build one-offs for special exhibits or events, the investments can easily hit six figures. Custom Harley-Davidsons are the most common two-wheeled canvas in the U.S.

Bandit9 Motorcycle Design, a small shop in Vietnam takes a different approach. Bandit9 creates strictly limited editions of nine bikes with distinctive looks and most price tags under $12,000, including shipping worldwide.

Bandit9 currently has three available models powered by brand-new Honda Supersport 125cc engines: Eve Liquid Black, Eden, and Eve Alchemist. The exception to the engine and price range is Dark Side, built on a Harley-Davison Street HD V-Twin 750cc motor. Dark Side is also limited to nine units.

More: Keanu Reeves' Arch motorcycles: Suitable for galleries, better on the road

Eve Liquid Black

There are two Eve models in Bandit9's currently available bikes: Eve Liquid Black and Eve Alchemist. Liquid black has a handcrafted steel unibody with a black beacon cowl and reflective black chrome. Other structural and mechanical components include a sand cast swingarm, dual shock rear suspension, inverted front shocks, and a handcrafted low exhaust. Last bits include a black denim seat, custom brake light, and a speedometer and you're ready to roll, though it might be more comfortable just looking at it. This Eve model goes for $10,350.

Eden

Like the other Bandit9 bikes, Eden's production is limited to just nine units. Because the company doesn't build bikes until they receive orders, you can choose between gold or chrome finishes (chrome is $1,550 less than gold). Eden looks more like a conventional dual-purpose or dual-sport bike than the bullet-shaped Eve, so adding street legal parts would be less likely to spoil the look.

Eden has a handcrafted steel unibody champagne gold plating. The bike has a titan headlight with golden trim, sculptured high exhaust, an arc swingarm, and dual shock rear suspension. The finishing touches include custom bar end signals, a cognac brown leather seat, and a black marble gas cap. Prices include $11,900 for the bike with a gold finish, and $10,350 for chrome.

More: Ryan Reynolds uses his custom Triumph bike to 'escape' the crush of fame

Eve Alchemist

Its champagne gold-plated, handcrafted steel unibody with plated bullet shell cowl set Eve Alchemist off as art more than the other current Bandit9 models. The bullet-shaped bike has inverted front shocks, a dual rear shock suspension, a sand cast swingarm, and a handcrafted low stubby exhaust.

Eve Alchemist makes a bid for street acceptability with a custom brake light, bar end signals, and speedometer. Even with the distressed tan leather seat, however, it's hard to imagine anyone riding Eve Alchemist very far. For motorcycle and art collectors, however, it's easy to see this model as a focal display element. The Eve Alchemist model goes for $11,900.

Dark Side

Bandit9 Dark Side

Lord Vader, your bike is here. A giant step up from the Eden and Eve models, Bandit9's Dark Side is a force to be noticed and ridden with its 750cc V-Twin. Because of its greater bulk, it appears Dark Side might be easier to make street legal for use on U.S. roads than the smaller models.

There are two sets of foot pegs. The second set will likely be used for an alternate riding position because the thin short seat doesn't seem possible to seat two, at least not while the bike is in motion.

Starting with a handcrafted steel unibody with small bits of reflective chrome, Bandit9 adds a black bullet cowl, inverted front shocks, stainless steel fenders, a custom two-into-one exhaust and 16-inch front and rear tires. The finishing touches include a calf leather seat and a black marble gas cap. At $26,000, Dark Side is the flagship model from the Vietnamese manufacturer.

Are you wondering about U.S. street legal niceties such as turn signal indicators, mirrors, and license plate holders? In the Bandit9 FAQ the company answers the question: "Every city, province, state and country has their own set of road regulations. Therefore, it is impossible for us to guarantee that they will be road legal wherever you are. It would be best for you to check the road rules in your country. We will do our best to accommodate your needs."
The 89th Academy Awards will likely be remembered not for the night's big winners, but for a massive mistake, after presenter Faye Dunaway awarded "La La Land" the best picture Oscar that should have gone to "Moonlight" instead.

But it wasn't her fault.

The official accountant of the Oscars, Price Waterhouse Coopers, gave her the wrong envelope.

We sincerely apologize to 'Moonlight,' 'La La Land,' Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture, the firm said in a statement. The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

Here's how it went down.

RED CARPET LOOKS: SO HOT, OR SO NOT?

After some odd hemming and hawing, Beatty and Dunaway said "La La Land" had won best picture. The "La La Land" cast rushed the stage and started their acceptance speeches. But a couple of minutes into the happy scene, while they were all still onstage hugging one another and thanking family and friends, producer Jordan Horowitz stopped short and announced suddenly that "Moonlight" had in fact won.

He then held up the card that proved "Moonlight" was the winner in the best picture category. As the "Moonlight" cast and crew then confusedly took the stage, chaos ensued.

Beatty, who had presented the award with Dunaway, took responsibility for the gaffe, explaining that he and Dunaway had been given a card with the winner for best actress -- Emma Stone for "La La Land" -- and that Dunaway had then mistakenly read that as the winning film.

"I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, 'La La Land.' That's why I took such a long look at Faye, and at you," Beatty told the crowd amid the confusion on stage. "I wasn't trying to be funny."

Host Jimmy Kimmel took the microphone and tried to lighten the mood.

"I knew I would screw this up," he joked.

Later backstage, Stone said she still had the card from which her best actress win had been read, so it couldn't have been the one that they read from onstage.

I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card [from the envelope] that entire time,she said.

"I guess we made history tonight," she added after saying "Moonlight" deserved the win. "I dont even know what to say. I was still on such a buzzy train backstage that I was on another planet already. This felt like another planet. I think its an incredible outcome but a very strange happening for Oscar history.

The scene was reminiscent of Steve Harvey's mistake at the 2016 Miss Universe pageant when he read the name of the runner up as the winner.

JEN ANISTON TEARS UP AT OSCARS OVER BILL PAXTON'S DEATH

The telecast's bizarre ending overshadowed big wins by Casey Affleck and Emma Stone for best actor and best actress, respectively, as well as Damien Chazelle for best director for "La La Land.'

It also came after a night filled with jokes about President Donald Trump.

The broadcast is being watched in more than 225 countries that now hate us, Kimmel quipped.

The late night host said many people had asked him to speak up to say something to unite the country, and adopting a slightly serious note, Kimmel seemed to actually try to do just that.

Im not the man to unite this country, but if every person watching this show took a minute to reach out to someone you disagree with and have a positive conversation, not as liberals or conservatives, but as Americans we could really make America great again, he said.

FOX NEWS FULL OSCAR COVERAGE

But after poking fun at longtime rival Matt Damon, Kimmel started taking some serious jabs at Trump.

Its so easy to reach out and heal. I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? Thats gone thanks to him.

Kimmel later took things one step further. He asked the crowd to stand for Meryl Streep, who memorably slammed Trump at the Golden Globes.

He then told the crowd, "Some of you get to come on this stage and make a speech that the President of the United States will tweet about in all caps during his 5 a.m. bowel movement."

After Kimmel's opening, Mahershala Ali took home the first award of the night for best supporting actor and thanked his teachers and professors as he teared up during his speech.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS

The Trump jokes from Kimmel continued throughout the show as he took the mic in between award announcements.

Now its time for something that is very rare today, a president that believes in both arts and sciences, Kimmel said before introducing Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

He also tweeted at the president at one point, writing #MerylSaysHi.

Meanwhile, Viola Davis won the award for best supporting actress, and, later, "The Salesman" won best foreign language film and a statement was read from director Asghar Farhadi, who did not attend the Oscars and stated he did so due to the "inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S."

"La La Land," which had tied for a record with 14 nominations, didn't go home empty handed. In addition to Stone and Chazelle's trophies, it won the awards for best production design, best original score, best original song and best cinematography.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

Trend:

Member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Kamran Nabizade responded to the Armenian MP who at the assemblys winter session said that blogger Alexander Lapshins extradition to Azerbaijan is illegal.

In his response, Nabizade said every country in the world imposes criminal liability for violation of its borders and illegal entry.

Nabizade told OSCE PA members that any foreign citizen can visit the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan only with Bakus permission.

Alexander Lapshin is a citizen of several countries and has had a criminal conspiracy with Armenians living in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. He also illegally visited these territories.

Lapshin is accused of violating Azerbaijani laws on state border in April 2011 and October 2012.

On Jan. 17, Alexei Stuk, deputy prosecutor general of Belarus, issued a ruling on Lapshins extradition to Azerbaijan. Lapshin was brought to Azerbaijan on Feb. 7.

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.
A sequestered jury from an outside county will decide the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby, a suburban Philadelphia judge ruled Monday, rejecting a defense request to move the trial itself because of worldwide media reports that the actor's lawyers say brand him a "serial rapist."

Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill will oversee a June 5 trial over charges that Cosby drugged and molested a former Temple University employee in 2004.

O'Neill's ruling came after lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star argued that his trial should be moved to Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh area. The larger, more diverse population would make it easier to find unbiased jurors, lawyer Brian McMonagle argued, but even then, he said, there was no guarantee that Cosby could get a fair hearing.

"Unless you've been living under a rock, the message that has been promoted, in insidious fashion, is that Bill Cosby is guilty, and that Bill Cosby is a serial rapist," McMonagle said. "I do not believe that there's a place anywhere in this country now where he can receive a fair trial. Not here, not anywhere. I hope I'm wrong."

Prosecutors accused the defense of trying to shop for a jury.

In a court filing, District Attorney Kevin Steele called the pretrial publicity argument "a red herring." He said Cosby couldn't expect to find a jury anywhere that is "oblivious" to the dozens of sex assault accusations lodged against him by Andrea Constand and other accusers.

"He's not entitled to a jury that is ignorant of the facts surrounding his case," Steele wrote. "The publicity that necessarily follows the rich and famous cannot insulate them from prosecution."

Prosecutors did not object to bringing an outside jury to the courthouse in Norristown, but fought the bid to move the trial.

They told O'Neill they could surely find a dozen unbiased jurors in counties with fewer than 1 million people, the size sought by the defense.

"It's not just short on the law, but short on logic," Assistant District Attorney M. Stewart Ryan argued Monday.

Cosby has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home. The Associated Press doesn't typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they have come forward publicly, as Constand has done.

With O'Neill's decision to import an out-of-county jury, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must now decide where in Pennsylvania the jurors will be selected.

Monday's hearing came after the judge dealt a blow to the prosecution by limiting the number of accusers who can testify at the trial. Prosecutors wanted to put 13 more women on the stand to bolster charges that Cosby had drugged and molested women before the 2004 encounter with Constand.

O'Neill ruled Friday that only one of those accusers may testify. She worked for Cosby's agent at the William Morris agency and said Cosby drugged and molested her during a lunch meeting in Los Angeles in 1996.

In a setback for the defense, O'Neill has previously ruled that Cosby's damaging deposition from Constand's 2005 lawsuit can be aired in court. Cosby, over four days, described a string of extramarital affairs and liaisons with young women, often after he gave them drugs or alcohol. He called them consensual.

Cosby, once known as "America's Dad" for his top-rated family sitcom, "The Cosby Show," which ran from 1984 to 1992, appeared relaxed in his latest court appearance Monday, laughing with aides during breaks.

He has been married to his wife, Camille, for more than 50 years, and has four surviving children. Their only son, Ennis, was killed in an attempted robbery in 1997.


Bob Harper, fitness pro and host of The Biggest Loser, told TMZ he had a heart attack two weeks ago that left him unconscious for two days.

Harper, 51, said he collapsed while working out in New York City and a doctor nearby administered CPR.

The Los Angeles-based TV star told TMZ he was hospitalized for eight days following the heart attack.

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He added that he has not been cleared by his doctors to travel so he has been stuck in New York.

Harper told the gossip site heart issues run in his family and his mother died of a heart attack.

The Biggest Loser is currently airing its 17th season, and Harper is listed on the shows website as the current host. NBC and Harpers reps did not immediately return FOX411s request for comment.
A city council in the German town of Kassel is demanding that their popular regional sausages be included at an upcoming vegetarian food festival.

Environmental group UmweltHaus, the organizers of event, are reportedly being pressured to serve a locally-made pork sausage called ahle wurst at the fest, which is being held on April 23-- Earth Day in Germany, reports BBC.

The councillors in Kassel, which is located in the central Hesse state, are arguing that the sausages are a source of regional pride-- and not including them would be "an affront to the city's identity"-- rather than a rejection of the environmentally-conscious festival theme.

However, Kassel is in the middle of a mayoral election campaign, according to the BBC, so politics may be playing a role.

DON'T BAN THE BRATWURST, GERMAN NUTRITIONISTS DECLARE VEGANISM UNHEALTHY

"This is an issue that is close to people's hearts, and for that reason it is of course something we can't ignore in local politics," said Dominique Kalb, mayoral candidate for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. He added that ahle wurst is "simply an essential part" of local street festivals.

The local Green Party candidate, Eva Koch, withheld her vote on the meat-motion and suggested that the meat-free event would be a real kick in the guts for some.

But UmweltHaus isn't giving up without a fight. The says there are no open food stalls available at the festival, and added that meat, the production of which has been adversely linked to climate change and unnecessary waste, is not in alignment with the Earth Day theme.

GERMAN PUB OWNER FACING PRISON TIME FOR DISPLAYING HITLER WINE

In response, Kassel's Senior Citizens Advisory Council announced they will be boycotting the meat-free event.

Cured ahle wurst, German for old sausage, is made with nutmeg, cloves, pepper, sugar, garlic, cumin and rum or brandy, and is standard festival fare throughout the Hesse region of Germany.
The manager of a pizza restaurant in Austin, Texas, says he fired an employee after a police officer who came in to order food was given a receipt that included a profane insult.

Officer Nito Delgado-Eberhardt visited Southside Flying Pizza on East Cesar Chavez Saturday night.

He later posted about the incident on Facebook, according to Blue Lives Matter, writing, Was hoping to get a quick slice for the road. Instead, got a bad vibe from the cashier. What sealed the deal for me was seeing her taking a picture of the patrol car while flipping it off. Good times. The receipt is proof after the fact that it was money well spent to learn about this place. We did NOT eat the food.

An Austin Police Officer says he got this receipt with the words, "pig" and 2 curse words after getting a slice of pizza at @atxflyingpizza. pic.twitter.com/xzQYwjKbNl  Jenni Lee (@JenniL_KVUE) February 26, 2017

DID CUSTOMERS AT TEXAS RESTAURANT SAY THEY WON'T RETURN BECAUSE OWNER IS MEXICAN?

The employee allegedly wrote pig a motherf----- at the bottom of the receipt.

Southside Flying Pizza manager David Hatley says that he was "appalled" by the actions of the employee.

That's where we hang our hat is customer service and quality of food, but even more so with the police officers that work in our community, Hatley told Fox 7.

After hearing about the incident, the restaurant manager said he took swift action to correct the problem.

Obviously we're deeply appalled by the incident and that employee has been let go. We've also already donated a combined $1,000 to a police memorial fund, Hatley said.

President of the Austin Police Association Ken Casaday says local law enforcement officials are appreciative of the actions taken by Hatley and his team.

This is one bad incident that I think they definitely deserve to be forgiven for. Of all people that should know this is police officers, said Casaday.

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He added that while anti-police rhetoric has become more common in recent years, they are also seeing a lot of positivity from people in the communities in which they serve.

We see more people that act like that toward us, but we're also seeing, on the other side, it's very unlikely for me to walk into a restaurant in Austin and not have someone pay for my food.

Despite Southside managements swift action to mend relations with the police officer, Hatley says his shop has received several death threats via email and over the phone since the receipt was posted online. Austin police say they plan to visit Southside Flying Pizza Monday to demonstrate their continued support for the business.

More from Fox 7.
It's not unusual for a surgeon to save another doctor's life.

But Dr. Colleen Coleman did so by going under the knife to help an ailing colleague who desperately needed a kidney.

Coleman donated to Dr. Brian Dunn, an anesthesiologist she works with at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach whose kidneys failed from chemotherapy he received as a teenager to treat a stomach tumor.

Coleman came through after one donor withdrew her offer and Dunn's doctor advised him against accepting a kidney from a patient with Lou Gehrig's disease.

"I thought, it's not going to happen," Dunn told The Orange County Register.

He had received a kidney from his mother when he was 25, but donated kidneys don't last forever. In late 2015, his health was failing and he could hardly keep pace with his young daughter.

"I started dragging," he said. "Holy crap, I felt bad."

He started dialysis in April and needed to go through the process four times a day to purify his blood. He referred to the time-consuming and tiring process as his prison.

Coleman's intervention also almost didn't happen after an initial screening erroneously said she wasn't a match. Only after the testing company called back in June to say it made a mistake did Coleman learn she was a match.

Her initial eagerness to help out, though, was tempered with second thoughts and fears until she considered Dunn's 6-year-old daughter.

Coleman's grandmother had died of kidney failure when her mother was a 6-year-old girl. "I didn't want his daughter to grow up without a dad," Coleman said.

The surgery last month was a success. Coleman went to see Dunn afterward.

"I wanted to make sure my kidney could pee," she said.

Dunn, 45, said he felt vibrant and grateful three weeks later.

In a note sent to Coleman thanking her for her sacrifice, Dunn credited her with persevering to help him.

"Monday, January 30th is a day I'll remember forever," he wrote. "It's 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."

Coleman, 51, who returned to work to find flowers, a cake and people hailing her as a hero, said she was moved by the note from Dunn.

"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."

In addition to the scars they both bear in their midsections from the surgeries, they also share other reminders of their bond.

Dunn gave Coleman a set of kidney-shaped Tiffany earrings to thank her. She gave him a Tiffany money clip in the shape of a kidney.
A Sydney couple is looking for answers after a major hospital accidentally sent their stillborn daughter to be cremated.

Padstow couple Anthony Meyers and Stella Pirko were traumatised after their daughter was wrongly sent to the funeral home for cremation before an autopsy had been done.

Ms Pirko had to be induced at 28 weeks after scans showed her daughter had an enlarged bladder.

The couple were hoping an autopsy and genetic testing would provide answers about why their daughter Krystal Rose had the condition.

But they were devastated to find out Liverpool Hospital, in Sydneys south-west, left their stillborn daughter in the morgue for nine days before wrongly sending her to a funeral home for cremation.

I came home, I was suffering ... I was a mother without a baby and it was so hard, Ms Pirko told Nine News.

It has impacted our lives, in a dramatic and horrific way, Ms Pirko said.

The couples paperwork went missing and a lack of funding meant there was no full-time technician responsible for the hospital mortuary.

We trusted them to do their jobs  to find out what happened to our baby. We cannot fathom how this happened, she said.

She also questioned how their doctor, who also handled the couples request for follow-up testing, authorised the cremation when he knew the post-mortem hadnt been done.

The cremation also robbed them of answers about why their baby developed an enlarged bladder and whether they could have more problems in the future.

The hospital has said it was an isolated case and it has since improved its processes. It is also looking to hire a full-time mortuary technician.

Click for more from News.com.au
Even the most well-informed and highly skeptical skin-care users (i.e., dermatologists) are buying into these buzzy treatments. Here, we've rounded up the best dermatologist-approved anti-aging tips and tricks to try for your best-looking skin yet.

Theyre not immune to the hype

Sometimes buzz, hype, and a Instagram blitz happen for a reasonbecause a treatment is effective and safe. These are three the pros stand by.

Double-cleansing

Washing your face twicewith an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based oneis a trend. But for Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist in New York City, its just part of her anti-aging regimen. Double-cleansing can preserve collagen, she says. Sure, that sounds like a tall order, but Bowe uses a DIY oil cleanser to dissolve makeup easily without the rubbing that can age your skin. She even takes off her mascara with the oil so she doesnt have to tug on her lashestheyve gotten thinner with age, so they fall out more easily. Her recipe: two tablespoons of olive oil stirred into eight ounces of aloe vera water. She follows that with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser to finish the job.

Vampire facials

OK, doctors actually call them platelet-rich plasma injections, but youre probably more familiar with the Kardashian-popularized term. (In case you missed that episode: The treatment involves injecting extracts from a patients own blood back into her skin using tiny needles.) It seems bonkers/creepy, but injecting plasma-rich platelets, which are full of stem cells, could help build new collagen, says Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in San Francisco. And replacing collagen in your skin as you age is a continuous battle. She does the treatments on herself twice a year; Bowe does the same.

CoolSculpting

This device destroys fat cells with extreme coldin about an hour. The technique is called cryolipolysis, and it works best on small areas of fat, says Karyn Grossman, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. I was happy with my overall weight, but fat had accumulated around my upper back and one hip. Two cycles of CoolSculpting completely changed the way my dress fit for my sons bar mitzvah, she says.

Theyre Serious About Sun Protection

If you remember only one thing from this story, remember this: Sunscreen is nonnegotiable. It helps prevent skin cancer, and people who wear it have 24 percent fewer signs of aging than those who dont, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Dermatologists apply it every day, more than once, rain or shine. And they have a few things to say on the matter.

For sheer coverage

Too many sunscreens look obvious on skin of color. They dont blend in, or they make my skin look gray or purple, says Jeanine Downie, a dermatologistand an African-American womanin Montclair, New Jersey. Her solution: SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34 Sunscreen. I wear it on my face, my neck, my ears, and the back of my hands every day, she says. Its very sheer, and I reapply it. For medium skin tones, Mona Gohara, a dermatologist in Danbury, Connecticut, who is Egyptian, says La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 30 soaks in very quickly and doesnt leave a chalky cast.

For sensitive skin

I have rosacea and sensitive skin, so I use mineral sunscreens, which are gentler than chemical ones, says Elizabeth Tanzi, a dermatologist in Chevy Chase, Maryland, who likes SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50.

For lasting protection

Bowe and Gohara carry around the Colorescience Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 20 Powder Brush for touch-ups over makeup. It contains iron oxides, and a recent study showed that sunscreens with iron oxides prevent melasma better than formulas without them, says Gohara. Its really (really) important to know, however, that powders are supplements to, not replacements for, traditional sunscreen lotions and creams. Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist in New York City and a premelanoma survivor, applies a tinted formula with SPF, like Chanel Vitalumiere Moisture-Rich Radiance Sunscreen Fluid Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15, each morningand then reapplies it over her makeup before going outside throughout the day. I do a lot of skin-cancer surgeries on the tops of the eyebrows, between the eyes, and around the nostrils, so Im careful to cover those spots, she says.

For the whole package: Every single dermatologist we talked to layers sunscreen over an antioxidant serum or cream. Thats key for neutralizing the free radicals from sunlight, pollution, and even heat that can slip through sunscreen, damage collagen, and set off pigment production in skin, says Bowe, who likes Olay Total Effects 7 in One Anti-Aging Moisturizer with vitamin E and green tea extract for her sensitive skin. I wear it at night, tooif you sleep in moisturizer, you wake up with more hydrated and plump skin. And that means fine lines are less noticeable the next day.

Theyre Full of Surprises

Snoop around a docs bathroom (nosy) and youll find three unlikely standbys.

Toner

While those harsh, stripping ones from the 90s still get a bad rap, I really love my Epionce Purifying Toner with willow-bark extract, says Jhin. Its gentle on the skin because it has ingredients [like glycerin] that add hydration. She uses it as a daily skin detoxit gets rid of dirt and makeup residue and preps the skin for other products with anti-aging ingredients, like peptides or retinol. (Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, and Eau Thermale Avene Retrinal 0.1 are dermatologist favorites.)

Hydroquinone

This skin lightener is banned in Europe, and studies have shown it is carcinogenic in rats when ingested. But most American dermatologists are confident about its safety when its used topicallyso confident that they rely on it to fade their own dark spots. It can brighten even the most intractable pigmentation and works faster than anything else (in as little as two months). Jhin applies a prescription Obagi Nu-Derm product twice a day; Alicia Barba, a dermatologist in Miami, uses Melamix Skin Lightener & Blending Creme Hydroquinone USP 4% at night for two to four weeks three times a year to treat her melasma.

Compression socks

Theyre not exactly sexy, but Gohara gets four or five pairs at the drugstore at the beginning of pants season and wears them daily to prevent the varicose veins caused by standing all day.

They Do Damage Control

Even dermatologists skin acts upthe difference is they know how to get it back in shape, pronto. For mild eczema flare-ups, Jessica Wu, a dermatologist in Los Angeles, heads to the health aisle for an Australian bee-pollen extract called propolis. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and has been shown to help skin heal itself, she says. If thats not enough, then Ill use prescription cortisone.

They Get Creative

Then there are the smart choices dermatologists make that have nothing to do with creams or lotions or unattractive hosiery.

They don't rub their eyes

The skin there will darken if youre a chronic rubber, says Nada Elbuluk, a dermatologist in New York City, who recommends putting a cool compress on the eyes whenever you feel the urge to rub. Grossman goes as far as sleeping in bendy glasses, called Swissflex glasses. Uncomfortable? Maybe. But they keep her sleeping on her back.

They go to bed

Ive become neurotic about prioritizing sleep over an extra hour of iPad, says Gohara. When you dont sleep, your cortisol levels shoot up, which causes inflammation in the body. That can make skin conditions like acne and rosacea worse and, over time, lead to wrinkles.

They get physical

What I do with my body affects my skin almost as much as what I put on it, says Gohara. To that end, she does 20 to 30 minutes of high-intensity interval training every morning to enhance her circulation, reduce stress, and decrease the inflammation that causes aging.
Men with a history of heavy drinking are more likely to have stiff walls in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, an important measure of heart risk, according to a recent study.

While lighter drinking may be linked to better heart health, heavy drinking is linked to worse heart health in both the short and long term, the researchers write in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"Arterial stiffness is an important indicator of cardiovascular aging and is known to be strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and related mortality," said lead author Darragh O'Neill of University College London in England.

Stiff-walled arteries are strongly related to high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, among other diseases, O'Neill told Reuters Health by email.

To examine the link between long-term drinking and arterial stiffness, the study team used data on nearly 4,000 British government employees originally recruited between 1985 and 1988. Nearly three-quarters were male and most were white.

Every four to five years, participants reported on their drinking habits. And starting between 2007 and 2009, researchers measured their arterial stiffness every few years with a technique known as pulse wave velocity (PVW) estimation.

Compared to females, males had much higher rates of heavy drinking (defined as more than seven beers or glasses of wine per week or more than 14 shots of liquor) and stiffer arteries, both at the first measurement and at later assessments.

Men who were consistently heavy drinkers had higher initial measures of arterial stiffness than men who tended to drink moderately.

At the follow-up, men who had once been heavy drinkers showed greater increases in artery stiffness compared with consistently moderate drinkers.

In fact, while all groups saw an increase in artery stiffness over time, heavy drinking men were the only group to experience a significantly accelerated change.

"The risks (or any potential benefits of lighter alcohol consumption) of alcohol consumption need to be considered in a broader context than cardiovascular disease," said Lawrie Beilin, an emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Western Australia who was not involved in the study.

Beilin said people often underestimate their own drinking and stressed that the stakes are high. In addition to heart problems, Beilin noted, drinking can increase the risk of common cancers like breast, colon, pancreatic, and throat cancer, even for more moderate drinkers.

"This is aside from aspects of heavier or intermittent alcohol effects on social behavior, road and other accidents and suicide," Beilin said by email.

"The most important implication," O'Neill said, "is that long-term consistently-heavy drinking can lead to increased risk of stiffened arteries, particularly amongst males, but also that male former drinkers are at risk of accelerated rates of arterial stiffness compared to moderate drinkers in early old age."
Irelands only breast milk bank is pleading for donations after warning its stock has only two weeks worth of milk left. The facility, which is run by the Western Health and Social Care Trust, serves every neonatal unit in the country, BBC News reported.

For these tiny, tiny little ones  breast milk is liquid gold, its liquid medicine, Ann McCrea, the banks manager, told BBC News. Its human milk that gets their gut primed, its human milk that fights any infections that they can get. It constantly changes to fight all the new infections that theyre liable to have.

The facility reportedly provided breast milk to more than 900 babies in 2016, with the majority of cases involving increasingly premature newborns. McCrea told the news outlet that there has been an uptick in the amount of 24- and 25-week-old babies benefitting from the donor program.

The other thing is that theres been a huge increase in the number of twins, triplets and quads that weve helped in the last year, and they take quite a lot of milk, obviously, because moms find it harder to produce enough milk for their babies, she told BBC News.

McCrea said she hopes the shortage is temporary, and that all potential donors go through a screening process to ensure milk safety.

We have to make sure that our milk is well screened, so the best quality, the safety milk, goes to our smallest, tiniest babies, she told BBC News.
I was in Washington, D.C. this weekend attending a meeting of the National Governors Association. On February 28, a day after our meetings conclude, President Trump will address a joint session of Congress.

Despite an unprecedented level of criticism from the largely liberal media, much of it unwarranted and unfair, the president will have many impressive accomplishments to talk about during his speech. Many of these will have direct, positive impacts in my home state of Kentucky and throughout the United States.

For example, President Trump signed a bill that will roll back the Obama administrations last minute stream protection rule. Though the rule was given a name that sounds beneficial, it would have escalated the war on coal resulting in the elimination of tens of thousands of coal mining jobs. Many of the so-called protections in the rule were already addressed by sections of the Clean Water Act.

Whats more, the Obama Department of the Interior failed to adequately consult with states while drafting the rule. Instead, they implemented a one size fits all solution while trampling all over states' Tenth Amendment rights in the process.

Perhaps as noteworthy as the roll back of the rule itself, is the method of review that was employed. Congress used its powers under the Congressional Review Act. This allowed them to weigh the benefits versus the repercussions of this expansive regulation. That opportunity should have been afforded Congress before implementation of a rule that would adversely affect so many Americans.

Unfortunately, under the Obama administration, many of our federal regulatory agencies made it a practice to pass complex rules and regulations that had massive detrimental effects on jobs and the economy while providing very little benefit.

It is for that reason, that I applaud President Trumps appointment of Scott Pruitt to direct the EPA. As Oklahoma Attorney General, Mr. Pruitt filed several lawsuits against the EPA. It is important to note, however, none of those suits were intended to remove any environmental protections of significance. Instead, they were brought to force the EPA to remain within their statutory authority and to obey the rule of law.

Attorney General Pruitt was defending the rights and sovereignty of his state and others. Director Pruitt will be a tremendous asset to the nation and the agency that he is leading. He understands and appreciates both the EPAs core mission, to protect the environment, while simultaneously understanding that our system of government does not allow regulators to make law.

In addition to the restoration of regulatory sanity, President Trump has repeatedly expressed his commitment to our military veterans. The president is determined to reform what can only be characterized as a broken Veterans Administration health care system.

The presidents transition team met with 31 veterans groups and listened to their concerns. More recently, the president named Dr. David Shulkin as his nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a move applauded by a wide range of veterans groups as well as the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Phil Roe. Dr. Shulkin has demonstrated a willingness to model best practices of the medical private sector to reduce wait times and to improve care.

On a larger scale, President Trump shares the desire of most Americans to see the failed ObamaCare law repealed and replaced.

Voters took note that ObamaCare was a massive and highly complex law with many layers of bureaucracy. It should be no surprise that replacing it will result in some vigorous debate and, at times, disagreement.

The president made a brilliant choice when appointing Tom Price as Health and Human Services Secretary. As a former physician and congressman, Secretary Price brings much experience and knowledge to the health care issue. Now that he has been confirmed, we can begin to build consensus on how best to accomplish replacement of this disastrous law.

Finally, President Trump can elaborate on his economic agenda and the positive response by investors to his pro-business vision.

In Kentucky, we are meeting regularly with business leaders who are encouraged about our states recent passage of pro-business legislation and who are now considering our state as a possible location for expansion. Likewise, President Trumps commitments to tax reform and deregulation have encouraged investors to propel the stock market to new heights.

The presidents address to Congress can provide investors with more specifics of his economic agenda and, in so doing, confirm the optimism investors have expressed.

The Trump administration can be proud of these accomplishments and the impressive array of additional cabinet appointments, including Kentuckian Elaine Chao as Secretary of Transportation.

The American people are not fooled by the media's non-stop negative narrative which is intended to overshadow the president's positive vision and his remarkable pace of significant achievements.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to avoid escalation.

It is important to avoid escalation, because there is no military solution to this conflict and its persistence is holding back the region, he said after a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in NATO Headquarters on Monday.

Jens Stoltenberg also noted that the NATO fully supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement.

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.
Nancy Pelosi is nothing, if not inane.

She is, of course, the former Speaker of the House who infamously said of ObamaCare, We have to pass the bill so that you can find out whats in it.

And who can forget the time she claimed that 500 million people will lose their jobs each month until we have an economic package" ? Which is a pretty neat trick since there are roughly 300 million people living in the U.S.

So, it is understandable that Pelosis latest statement was met with the usual eye-rolling. She all but accused the Trump White House of obstructing justice when she described Chief of Staff Reince Priebuss conversation with a senior FBI official as a grave abuse of powerwhich may also be illegal.

Some background is helpful. Priebus says he was approached by FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who described as inaccurate a New York Times article about repeated contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign. Priebus allegedly asked the FBI to correct the record by disabusing the story with the truth. Since Justice Department guidelines prohibit the FBI from speaking about an ongoing investigation, the agency declined to comment.

(Of course, FBI Director James Comey, seemed to ignore those same guidelines when he chose to disclose details of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, but there is no shortage of hypocrisy in Washington.)

Pelosi, who is prone to batty remarks, promptly denounced Priebus and convicted the president for his explosive ties to Russian intelligence agents. She demanded a full-blown investigation by the Department of Justices Inspector General into felonious conduct which she did not bother to identify.

The Democratic leader might consider popping a valium before she hyperventilates.

It is not a crime to solicit the truth. Honesty is not a felony. Obstruction of justice is clearly defined by 18 USC 1503:

Whoever corruptly or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, influences, obstructs, or impedesthe due administration of justice, shall be punished as provided in subsection (b).

A companion section, 18 USC 1505, applies the same terminology to the proper administration of law before any department or agency of the U.S., which would include the FBI.

No language in either statute even remotely approaches what Priebus asked McCabe to do. What corrupt act did the chief of staff commit? Maybe eliciting the truth is corrupt only in Pelosis world where facts seem immaterial.

Obstruction is typically an effort to alter, destroy or conceal the truth and/or physical evidence. There is no suggestion that Priebus ever attempted to do so. To the contrary, reports indicate his sole desire was to refute a false story. How is that a crime under the law? Decidedly, it is not.

Perhaps Pelosi was inspired by the inflammatory, albeit fallacious, tweets of liberal law professor Laurence Tribe who called for the indictment of Priebus for obstructing justice. The Harvard Law prof compared it to Richard Nixon and his staffs efforts to deflect the FBI investigation of the Watergate break-in.

Seriously? Thats laughable, professor. Soliciting the truth was anathema to Nixon and his dirty tricksters. Their sole objective was to hide the truth and demonize anyone who sought to reveal it. It became the legal standard for corrupt political acts.

Reince Priebus may have been naive to think that the FBI would get involved in rebutting a false narrative. But Nancy Pelosi is the one who is guilty of making a false accusation.

And peddling the kind of canard for which she is well known.
No single foreign policy challenge is more contentious, or crucial, than getting Russia right. Under President Donald Trump, Republicans and Democrats have embraced diametrically opposing views on how to handle President Vladimir Putin.

Both have it wrong.

Throughout the campaign and the initial days of his presidency, Mr. Trump has continued to express admiration for President Putin and his desire for warmer relations with Moscow.

Though he seemed to backtrack at a press conference in Washington and a weekend rally in Florida, and though Vice President Mike Pence offered boilerplate reassurances at a conference in Munich that Washington intends to hold Russia accountable for provocations aimed at undermining NATO and the European Union, Mr. Trump himself has clung to his view that closer cooperation with Russia is needed to defeat ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism. If we have a good relationship with Russia, believe me, he said, thats a good thing, not a bad thing.

Resisting Russian intimidation should be more than a campaign slogan. While almost no one wants a return to the Cold War, a world in which Russian hegemony is unrestrained increases the chance of global conflict.

Few Republicans have publicly objected to Mr. Trumps junking of traditional Republican orthodoxy  countering Russian aggression, supporting NATO, and backing democratic institutions abroad. Among Republicans, Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham have been lonely voices in warning that ignoring Russias provocations risks betraying longstanding allies, encouraging even more audacious Russian aggression, and endangering U.S. security.

Given Mr. Trumps odd bromance with Russians autocratic ruler, many analysts in Washington and Moscow expect him to try to repeal or reduce the sanctions imposed after Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 -- a prerequisite, the Kremlin has made clear, for warmer ties.

Diplomatic alarm about Mr. Trumps intentions was recently stoked by news that Michael Cohen, Mr. Trumps personal lawyer and long-time problem fixer, presented a secret back-channel proposal to lift sanctions on Russia to Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn a week before Mr. Trump fired him as his national security adviser.

After Flynns dismissal, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called for the creation of a bipartisan, independent commission to expose the full extent of Russias influence on the election and this administration. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned Trump officials not to try to cover up improper contacts with Russian intelligence. Flanked by fellow Democratic senators Dianne Feinsteinand Mark Warner, Sen. Schumer insisted that records of contacts between Mr. Trumps campaign, transition, and administration officials be kept. Ive been in Congress for a long time, Ive never seen anything like this, Sen. Schumer fumed with outrage.

But Democrats have attacked Mr. Trumps Russia policy mainly as a partisan weapon. Their criticism is aimed not at reversing his dangerous approach towards Russia, but undermining his political clout and legitimacy. Seeing Russia policy primarily through the lens of domestic politics, in turn, serves to trivialize it and weakens calls for what should be a serious debate about what kind of Russia policy best serves American interests.

For his part, Mr. Putin has has lost little time capitalizing on Americas partisan divide. Sensing Trumps reluctance to criticize, much less counter his meddling in Europes elections and other provocations in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Middle East and Asia,and the Democrats use of that reluctance for partisan gain, Mr. Putin has grown ever bolder.

Mr. Trump has done nothing about the presence of a Russian spy ship loitering off the East Coast, Russian fighter jets buzzing a U.S. destroyer in the Black Sea, or a ballistic-missile test that many military experts have interpreted as a violation of arms accords.

He has been silent on Russian hacking and other attempts to elect pro-Russian candidates in elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany who, like Mr. Trump, question the value of NATO and continued membership in the European Unionpillars and symbols of Americas leadership of the west.

Though Russia has denied such intervention, its cyberhacking, financing of pro-Russian candidates, and spread of disinformation appear to be focused most heavily for now on defeating German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Europes most influential champion of European unity and maintaining sanctions on Russia over Mr. Putins annexation of Crimea.

While there is little evidence that Russian meddling tipped Americas 2016 presidential election, Mr. Trumps silence and the Democrats political use of Russias provocations serve Moscows interest. Containing Russia requires American strategic consensus. Absent that, Mr. Putin will continue playing what is objectively a weak economic and military hand to maximum effect.

A truly bipartisan policy would enable Congress, among other things, to end sequestration so that the U.S. military can have sufficient resources to contain Russia. Resisting Russian intimidation should be more than a campaign slogan. While almost no one wants a return to the Cold War, a world in which Russian hegemony is unrestrained increases the chance of global conflict.

Partisanship in America may be growing. But unless Republicans and Democrats, liberals, moderates and conservatives unite to support the nations core interests and values, Putin will continue to benefit.
A group of enraged protesters exploded in anger after a chaplain prayed in the name of Jesus at a town hall meeting in Louisiana hosted by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.

The verbally-abusive crowd also heckled a Vietnam War veteran who attempted to lead the group in the pledge of allegiance.

It was one of the most heinous acts of un-American, anti-Christian behavior Ive ever seen, folks.



Louisiana State chaplain Michael Sprague and the unidentified Vietnam War veteran should be commended for maintaining their composure in the face of such verbal barbarism.

Click here to learn how to stand up to the liberals! Get Todds latest book, The Deplorables Guide to Making America Great Again

The Feb. 22 town hall meeting in Metairie, was quickly overrun by the angry mob  much like other town hall meetings hosted by Republican lawmakers across the country.

The mainstream media would have us believe the unruly demonstrations are part of an organic, grassroots effort.

But I sincerely doubt many in the mob were actually residents of Louisiana  because I know the good people of Louisiana and nobody behaves like that in the Bayou State.

Folks are raised right in Cajun Country. Theres no way anybody would embarrass their mommas by acting the fool in public.

Id be willing to bet a cup of Community Coffee that the Jesus-hating rabble-rousers were shipped in from some God-forsaken place like Berkeley or Brooklyn.

Chaplain Sprague had barely invoked the name of the Almighty when the heckling began.

Pray on your own time. This is our time, someone shouted. Amen. Lets get on with it.

Others chanted, Separation of church and state and so on and so forth. Someone filmed the prayer and words do not do justice to the amount of hate directed at the chaplain.

Ive never been shouted down throughout a time of prayer like that, Chaplain Sprague told me. Ive never been in a situation like that. Its sad there wasnt honor and respect for God.

But they became absolutely unhinged when he concluded his prayer in the name of Jesus.

Wow, they booed the name of Jesus, Cassidy said in remarks reported by the Times-Picayune.

I thought several of the agitators were going to spontaneously combust.

The chaplain said the overwhelming majority of people in the room were causing a disruption  but he harbors no ill will toward the mob.

Im not mad at people. My heart is bigger than that, he said. My hearts prayer is that everybody be treated with dignity and respect.

The chaplain was especially disappointed by how the mob insulted the Vietnam War veteran.

There was a lot of shouting. Some turned their backs. Many didnt stand or put their hand on their heart, he said.

Infuriating, but not surprising

As I wrote in The Deplorables Guide to Making America Great Again liberals have a strong aversion to President Trump, Jesus and Old Glory.

But I still have hope in America.

Is it possible that liberals will one day pledge allegiance to the flag instead of burn the flag? Is it possible that liberals will one day revere the name of Jesus? Is it possible that liberals will one day respect President Trump?

I am hopeful, but to be honest  it would take a miracle of biblical proportions.

Click here for a free subscription to Todds newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives!
In the tiny Arizona city of Douglas, a Border Patrol surveillance camera is trained on a 10-foot-high fence with Mexico. After a few seconds, footage shows a figure appearing out of nowhere and the fence suddenly opens to allow a pickup truck through. A car follows, and they speed off into adjoining neighborhoods while the makeshift gate slams shut.

The Wild West still has a foothold here, more than 100 years after gunslingers Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday called Douglas home. Only the outlaws are cartels and traffickers.

And while President Trump is vowing to step up enforcement and seal off the southern border, agents in Border Patrol say they are still grappling with fallout from the Obama years  which they contend allowed security problems like this to fester.

We werent allowed to do our job, Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, the border agents union, told Fox News.

Judd said the agency is now seeking a restart after years of neglect.

In his last term, President Obamas so-called catch and release policies often allowed illegal immigrants to go free awaiting court dates, while most asylum seekers were accepted. The border itself continued to suffer as it has for years from gaps exploited by drug and human traffickers  like the breach seen in the exclusive November 2016 footage from Douglas, Ariz. That gate was created by perpetrators on the Mexican side using a blowtorch to cut a metal panel and then affixing hinges and latches. Putty and paint are used to touch up the American side, making the gate almost indiscernible.

WATCH EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE OF THE BORDER BREACH BELOW

Further, agents have grappled with a shift of resources from the field to the office. According to Judd, only 20 percent of the workforce was actually patrolling the border toward the end of the last administration due to extensive paperwork required to process asylum seekers and high attrition tied to low morale.

We just cannot continue with the same management that weve had, which created our problems, Judd said. We expect the president to drain the swamp  ours should be the first one drained. We have to hit the restart button.

Since taking office, Trump has ordered an end to catch and release, and the promise of reinforcements generally has boosted spirits inside the agency.

But even as the new president moves to empower agents, it takes a year to hire and fully train personnel -- so a ramped-up border force is still in the distant future, Judd said.

The Border Patrol currently has 19,700 agents, far below the allotted number of 21,370. Trump wants to hire another 5,000, which is what Judd said is needed.

We were definitely lacking resources [under Obama], said a second agent who has worked the Arizona border for more than a decade and did not want to be identified. Anything that could be done to tie our hands behind our backs was done, no doubt about that.

The Obama Years

While the video showing unfettered access across the Mexican border was shot during the Obama years, agents still encounter this dangerous scenario today: Ingenious border crossers using blowtorches to create gates big enough to allow trucks to pass through.

In areas where the fence is composed of steel mesh, border crossers have cut smaller holes so people can crawl across. Even areas with heavy metal bars (called bollard fencing) prove no match for a torch. Scoping out fence holes and repairing them is a full-time job for agents and welders.

This scenario is the main reason why many border agents support building a wall, not a fence.

People were cutting through there on a daily basis and it was getting to the point where they were even doing it during the day, the second agent said.

If not carving through the fence, others would climb over with the help of ladders or grappling hooks  or in some cases, drive over using a ramp.

Illegal immigrants caught by Border Patrol also would create a mountain of paperwork, taking agents off the streets for processing. Those seeking asylum each required three hours of paperwork, Judd said, as agents also made a host of notifications to consulates, the Department of Health and Human Services and legal representation. Whether seeking asylum or not, those in custody were then given court dates and a bus ticket to wherever they wanted.

No one was held in custody unless a warrant showed up on the Department of Justice database. It didnt take long for smugglers to realize that sending across mules to invoke asylum would create a vacuum of agents at the border so drugs could flow freely  whether carried over, thrown over or flown over, Judd said.

Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said immigrants generally need permission to cross from the cartels, which have divvied up the sections.

Ive been there when they were detained and asked how much it cost and they paid anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000, he said. Those who didnt have all the money worked it off. Women in sex trafficking and kids and men as drug traffickers.

Gohmert said Obama-era policies effectively allowed taxpayer dollars to fund their transportation to the doorsteps of kingpins.

Border Patrols processing centers also played a role in gang recruitment, Judd said, as members would try to enlist teenagers in the facilities and line up gang housing post-release. When agents witnessing recruitment informed superiors to request suspected members be held for deportation proceedings, Judd said, the chain of command typically denied the request.

We now have thousands of new gang members thanks to catch and release, he said.

Gohmert said demoralized agents felt like they were spinning their wheels these last few years: They could stay up all night and not stop the people from entering the U.S. The agents knew if they had a big group of people come across, the drugs were going to follow. But they couldnt watch for the drugs because they had to process all those people  sometimes groups big enough to fill a Greyhound bus.

Obama staunchly defended his immigration policies during his two terms, including his push to shield from deportation roughly 4 million illegal immigrants living in the United States including parents of legal residents.

When the Supreme Court deadlocked last year, leaving a ruling against the policy in place, Obama called the decision heartbreaking for millions of immigrants who made their lives here who raised families here and want to work and pay taxes. He called on Congress to act  but for now, Trump is doing what Obama did, and handling the issue through the Executive Branch.
President Trump has now made clear that trying to neutralize the media is not a side issue but a central mission of his White House.

His attacks on fake news have escalated, seemingly week after week, but he took things to a whole new level with his CPAC speech. While saying some journalists are honest, he accused major news organizations of publishing fiction.

Because they have no sources, they just make 'em up when there are none, Trump said. I saw one story recently where they said, Nine people have confirmed.' There're no nine people. I don't believe there was one or two people.

"They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name.

The president, of course, doesnt get to decide that. But before I argue that unnamed sources are sometimes crucial to journalism, I want to concede a key point.

Unnamed sources are way overused, especially by major news outlets. People are allowed to take cheap shots without their names attached. They are empowered to engage in political sniping from behind a curtain of anonymity. And top news executives know this. Thats why New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet ordered his staff in a memo last year to reduce the use of such sources, saying they can skew stories and are sometimes wrong.

But I spent years as an investigative reporter, and in that realm they are critical. When doing stories on government dysfunction and corruption, the information often depends on people who would lose their jobs if required to go on the record. This was true in Watergate, Iran-contra, the Clinton impeachment and many other scandals.

Trump chose a weak example, because the nine people were cited anonymously in a Washington Post story about Mike Flynn. That story said Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions with the Russian ambassador before the inauguration and had given a false account to Mike Pence. As Post Executive Editor Marty Baron pointed out, the administration later confirmed that story and it led to the president firing his national security adviser.

Whats more, the presidents top people regularly talk to reporters on background and off the record, as has been true in every administration and every campaign.

Hours before Trumps CPAC speech, a senior administration official briefed reporters on the matter of Reince Priebuss contacts with the FBI over its Russia investigation. Under the no sources rule, that would not have been possible.

But make no mistake, this is a two-sided battle, and the president is right that much of the coverage of his fledgling administration has been consistently negative.

Now for the media uproar over Sean Spicer excluding CNN, Politico, the New York Times and other news outlets from an off-camera briefing on Friday, which CNN anchor Jake Tapper called un-American. My initial reaction was also that this went too far.

Based on my reporting at the White House, I now believe this was poorly handled but that it is not the outrage it appeared to be.

The optics are bad, as even the White House recognizes, because the gaggle controversy came hours after Trumps speech excoriating the media. So it looked like a case of retaliation.

Spicer was holding a pool event, instead of a televised briefing, so that meant everyone in the media who couldnt fit into his office would receive the information. It didnt help the appearances that such right-leaning outfits as the Washington Times, One America News and Breitbart were added to the meeting. But Spicer also added CBS and NBC.

By this accounting, the failure to admit the likes of CNN and the Times was essentially a coincidence because the space limitation had been reached. Spicer is said to have been surprised at the fierce reaction because he wasnt trying to send a message.

If thats true, we wont see a repeat performance. And its worth noting that Spicer regularly takes questions at the daily briefing from CNN, the New York Times and others that are not administration favorites. Trump also took questions from CNNs Jim Acosta at his news conference.

Spicer, meanwhile, has been expanding access in other ways. Before Trump gives his speech to Congress on Tuesday, its customary for the president to have an off-the-record briefing with the big-shot network anchors. I'm told that Spicer is adding EWTN, Christian Broadcasting, Univision, Telemundo and TV One rather than limiting it to an exclusive club.

Theres an important principle of equal access in briefings, and CNN and the Times are among those that came to Foxs defense when the Obama administration tried to exclude the network from rounds of interviews with top officials. But if there wasnt a deliberate attempt to punish certain outlets, then the incident will quickly fade and we can go back to debating why Trump is blowing off the White House Correspondents Dinner.
The father of a U.S. Navy SEAL killed during an anti-terrorism raid in Yemen demanded an investigation into its planning and slammed President Trump for the timing of the operation.

Bill Owens said in an interview with the Miami Herald on Sunday that he refused to meet with Trump when he visited the Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son, Chief Special Warfare Officer William Ryan Owens.

The government owes my son an investigation, Owens, a retired Fort Lauderdale police detective and veteran, told the Herald.

The younger Owens, a 36-year-old married father of three, was the only U.S. victim in the Jan. 27 raid on a suspected Al Qaeda compound. At least 16 civilians and 14 militants were killed in the operation, which the Pentagon said was aimed at capturing information on potential Al Qaeda attacks against the U.S. and its allies.

YEMEN SEEKS REASSESSMENT OF DEADILY US RAID

The elder Owens told the newspaper he refused to meet with the president because the family had requested a private ceremony.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to see him," Owens recalled telling the chaplain who informed him that Trump was on his way from Washington. "I told them I don't want to meet the president."

He said he was also troubled by the attack Trump leveled at Khizr and Ghazala Kahn, an American Muslim family whose Army officer son died in Iraq in 2004. The couple had criticized him at the Democratic National Convention last summer. He also questioned why the president approved the raid a week after taking office.

"I told them I didn't want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn't let me talk to him," Owens told the Herald. "Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?"

TRUMP HITS MCCAIN FOR CRITICISM OF YEMEN RAID

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told ABCs The Week on Sunday that she believes the president would support an investigation, but defended the raid.

I can't imagine what this father is going through," she said. "His son is a true American hero, and we should forever be in his son's debt."

The White House says the raid was planned during the Obama administration, but the former president's aides have said he hadn't given the go-ahead because it would have been an escalation of U.S. involvement in the war-torn and destitute Arab country.

"The mission has a lot of different critics, but it did yield a substantial amount of very important intel and resources that helped save American lives and other lives," Sanders said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on Monday downplayed the need for a special prosecutor to probe contacts between the Russian government and members of Donald Trumps presidential campaign, after a fellow Republican called for an independent investigation.

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., told reporters in Washington that there was no evidence of serious crimes with regard to contact between Trump associates and Russian intelligence. He suggested it would be a witch hunt to go after officials just because of news reports, keeping focus instead on rooting out leakers.

The comments follow California Rep. Darrell Issa telling HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should appoint a special prosecutor. He said neither Sessions nor a deputy, who would both be Trump appointees, should handle such a probe.

Openness and transparency are the best way, Issa said.

Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told Fox News Sunday that he has confidence in Sessions, a Trump campaign supporter and former Alabama senator, and his judgment.

If he wants to investigate this under the Department of Justice, thats his prerogative, Lewandowski said. I have the utmost confidence in Attorney General Sessions. If he believes there is something there, he will investigate that. I think he is completely capable and competent to do so.  and I would leave it in his hands.

The U.S. intelligence community has concluded Russia meddled in the 2016 White House race.

Trump has denied a connection to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And Lewandowski on Sunday denied ever" having had contact with Russian officials or having knowledge of anybody on the campaign doing so.

Former Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn acknowledged talking to a Russian diplomat before becoming Trumps national security adviser. He recently was forced to resign for not telling Vice President Pence about the call.
Some Republican lawmakers and mining executives are hoping that the appointment of Scott Pruitt as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency will reverse the agency's veto of a controversial mine in Alaskas Bristol Bay, despite widespread local opposition to the project and a dearth of investors.

Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House Science Committee, penned a letter last week to Pruitt that urged the new EPA administrator to rescind the 2014 veto of the Pebble Mine project amid claims that the agency overstepped its statutory authority under President Barack Obama.

The committee has determined that the preemptive action taken for the Pebble Mine Project was unprecedented under the Clean Water Act and was justified by a questionable scientific assessment that relied on predetermined conclusions developed by EPA officials, Smith wrote.

Smith added that rescinding the 2014 veto will allow a return to the long-established Clean Water Act permitting process and stop attempts by the EPA to improperly expand its authority.

At the heart of Smiths argument is a little-known part of the Clean Water Act called Section 404(c), which allows the EPA to restrict, prohibit, deny or withdraw the use of an area as a disposal site for dredged or fill material if the discharge will have unacceptable adverse effects on municipal water supplies, shellfish beds and fishery areas, wildlife or recreational areas.

The Texas lawmaker called the use of Section 404(c) unprecedented and argued that the EPA veto set up a dangerous precedent for federal agencies to sideline mining and other environmentally sensitive projects.

The issue were concerned about is that there is a process that the EPA should follow in granting permits, a House Science Committee aide who asked to remain anonymous told Fox News. The chairman is looking to Scott Pruitt to bring back some semblance of regular order to the EPA.

Northern Dynasty Minerals, the Canadian mining company spearheading the Pebble Mine Project, praised Smiths letter in a press release and said the company only hoped for a fair assessment from the EPA.

"All we have ever asked is for the opportunity to propose a comprehensive development plan for the Pebble Project, and to have it fairly and objectively reviewed against the extremely rigorous environmental standards and permitting requirements enforced in Alaska and the United States, Northern Dynasty President and CEO Ron Thiessen said in the press release. Today, we are one step closer to earning that opportunity.

According to environmental lawyers, however, Northern Dynasty has always been allowed to apply for a permit despite the veto from the EPA.

Nothing in the Section 404(c) prevents the company from applying for a dredging permit, Joel Reynolds, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told Fox News. There have been claims that the EPA has prevented the company from applying because of 404(c), but there is no rule that prevents them from applying. The owners of Pebble Mine have chosen not to apply.

While Smiths letter to Pruitt has once again brought Pebble Mine back into the spotlight, the chances of the mine actually becoming a reality appear far from certain.

The project may have the backing of pro-mining lawmakers in Washington who want to see the Obama-era environmental regulations rolled back, but the mine does not enjoy the same among environmentalists, Alaskas indigenous communities and the states large-scale salmon fishing industry.

Pebble Mine is believed to contain some of the worlds largest deposits of copper, gold and molybdenum, but the project has been hampered for decades over concerns that toxic residue from the mine could harm the worlds largest population of sockeye salmon and endanger the 14,000 jobs and $252 million-a-year generated by the local fishing industry.

My family has been here for generations and we rely on the salmon to feed our families and to have a livelihood, Kimberly Williams, the executive director of the Bristol Bay nonprofit Nunamta Aulukestai, told Fox News. Salmon fishing is not just part of my culture and history, but it provides jobs for everyone in the community and helps send people to college. The mine puts all that at risk.

Adding to the ubiquitous local opposition in Bristol Bay toward the mine are the financial problems that consistently have plagued the project.

Earlier in February, New York-based investment firm Kerrisdale Capital released a damning report on the state of Northern Dynasty  the Pebble deposits current owners.

The firm noted that the election of Donald Trump has fueled hopes that a more mining-friendly EPA will allow the project to move forward and that since Election Day, Northern Dynastys stock price has increased 326 percent. Nevertheless, it warned that the excitement over Pebble Mine was misguided.

We believe Northern Dynasty is worthless, the investment firm stated in its report, citing the departure from the project of many of the mining industrys major players. Though the legal and regulatory problems that will continue to plague the Pebble project even under a Trump presidency are enormous, the projects Achilles heel is more fundamental: economics.

A number of the worlds largest mining corporations have pulled out of the project, including Mitsubishi, Rio Tinto and Anglo American  the last of which had about $500 million in the project.

The Kerrisdale Capital report added: With no economic value and huge political risks, Northern Dynasty is a zero.

Opponents of the project claim that the economic uncertainty behind the project -- not the EPA veto or the local opposition -- is the main reason why Northern Dynasty has not applied for a permit to begin mining the deposit.

The NRDCs Reynolds said that while the company has remained quiet on why they have chosen not to apply for a permit  besides citing the Clean Water Acts Section 404(c)  he believes that it is because Northern Dynasty is too small to develop the mine on its own.

Maybe they dont enough money or maybe they dont have sufficient partners to go forward, Reynolds said. The only company left is this small Canadian company that is running out of money every quarter.

The Trump administration has not weighed in publicly on the issue, but his appointment of Pruitt to the EPA  along with his stance on creating jobs through industries like coal mining and oil production  suggests he might favor the project.

One the other hand, some environmental lawyers assert, the president may see very little value in aiding a Canadian company in a project that is expected to bring few jobs to the American people and is opposed by 65 percent of the people in Alaska.

Why would Trump or his people waste their time on a small Canadian company that doesnt advance the interest of the U.S. people, Reynolds said. This is not even a popular project in Alaska.
The United Nations' high commissioner for human rights lashed out with an apparently veiled swipe at President Trump on Monday, warning about the danger of political profiteers amid reports the administration is looking at pulling out of the Human Rights Council over the group's anti-Israel bias.

In a speech to the opening of the latest council session in Geneva, High Commissioner Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein criticized political leaders who today wage campaigns against universal human rights, or threaten withdrawal from international or regional treaties and the institutions which uphold them.

After praising the anti-Trump marches that took place the day after Trumps inauguration, and adding that he was proud members of my staff took part, the career Jordanian diplomat warned about political actors who would withdraw from parts of the mulitilateral system.

To those political actors who, as in the days of the League [of Nations], threaten the multilateral system or intend to withdraw from parts of it, the sirens of historical experience ought to ring clear. We will not sit idly by, Zeid said. For we have much to lose, so much to protect. And our rights, the rights of others, the very future of our planet cannot, must not be thrown aside by these reckless political profiteers.

Zeid did not mention Trump by name, but his speech comes after Politico reported Saturday that the Trump administration is looking at pulling out of the body, amid long-standing concerns that the body exhibits an anti-Israel bias and is largely useless.

The council was set up in 2006 as a successor to the Human Rights Commission -- which was also criticized for its anti-Israel stance. The Bush administration refused to join the new body, but the Obama administration applied for membership, arguing it could better influence the council from the inside.

One of the main criticisms concerns the makeup of the 47-member council  which includes countries with extremely poor human rights records, such as China, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Zeids remarks arent the first time he has taken a shot at Trump and the populist movement sweeping the West. In September, he took aim at the populists, demagogues and political fantasists and called out Trump by name among other conservative candidates.

The proposition of recovering a supposedly perfect past is fiction; its merchants are cheats. Clever cheats, he said, before saying the tactics that populists use are similar to those of ISIS.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke after Zeid in Geneva on Monday, and also criticized what he described as a "perverse phenomenon of populism and extremism feeding off each other in a frenzy of growing racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley's office did not immediately return a request for comment from Fox News. Mark Toner, acting State Department spokesman, did not mention the reports of withdrawal from the council, but said: "Our delegation will be fully involved in the work of the HRC session which starts Monday."

Trump has been outspoken in his dislike of the United Nations, and has sought to form a closer relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, another U.N. critic.

Former Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Oren welcomed the reports that the U.S. is considering withdrawing, saying it would send a moral message to the world.

In her confirmation hearing in January, Haley pointed specifically to the U.N.s perceived anti-Israel bias as something the Trump administration would focus on.

"Nowhere has the U.N.s failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel," Haley told senators.

I will not go to New York and abstain when the U.N. seeks to create an international environment that encourages boycotts of Israel, she said, referring to the Obama administrations controversial decision in December to abstain on a Security Council vote condemning Israeli settlements.
President Trump plans to seek what hes calling a historic $54 billion increase in defense spending, while pursuing cuts elsewhere in the federal government, as part of his upcoming budget plan.

White House budget officials announced the proposed military spending boost Monday morning, saying the president will seek a commensurate reduction in spending across other federal agencies. Minutes later, Trump previewed the move while addressing the nations governors at the White House.

This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, Trump said. He said the plan would include a historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military.

The president reiterated that he wants to better prepare the military to not only deter war but win wars when called to fight.

Weve got to win or dont fight it at all, Trump said.

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney later confirmed, during the daily press briefing, that theyre seeking a defense budget of $603 billion, one of the largest increases in history.

He said other non-defense spending would be cut by an equal $54 billion, the largest proposed reduction since the early years of the Reagan administration.

Without going into great detail, Mulvaney said, It reduces money that we give to other nations. It reduces duplicative programs. And it eliminates programs that simply don't work.

Trump's proposal for the 2018 budget year is set to be sent to agencies Monday, one day before his first address to a Joint Session of Congress. For Trump, the primetime speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

According to an administration official, the budget plan won't make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare  after Trump promised during the campaign to leave major entitlements untouched.

The Pentagon is due for a huge boost, as Trump promised during the campaign. But many nondefense agencies and foreign aid programs are facing cuts, including at the State Department. The specific numbers aren't final and agencies will have a chance to argue against the cuts as part of a longstanding tradition at the budget office.

Left unclear is how such a military increase would square with the requirements of sequestration, the mandatory across-the-board spending caps agreed to by Congress and the Obama administration. At the same time, defense hawks on Capitol Hill questioned whether Trumps proposed boost  which would seek a fiscal 2018 defense budget of $603 billion  would be enough.

$603 billion cant rebuild the Navy, said one Hill source who is concerned the defense increase is not large enough.

Trump is expected to release his final budget proposal in mid-March.

The president previewed a boost in military spending during a speech Friday to conservative activists, pledging "one of the greatest build-ups in American history."

"We will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything, bigger and better and stronger than ever before," he said.

The White House budget office issued a statement confirming that an interim budget submission will be released in mid-March but declining to comment on an "internal discussion."

"The president and his Cabinet are working collaboratively to create a budget that keeps the president's promises to secure the country and restore fiscal sanity to how we spend American taxpayers' money," said Office of Management and Budget spokesman John Czwartacki.

Czwartacki said that the March submission would only address agency operating budgets funded by Congress and that proposals on tax reform and so-called mandatory programs  they include food stamps, student loans, health programs and farm subsidies  will be released later.

The March release is also expected to include an immediate infusion of cash for the Pentagon that's expected to register about $20 billion or so and contain the first wave of funding for Trump's promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.

By increasing defense and leaving Medicare and Social Security untouched, the Trump final budget plan is sure to project sizable deficits. In the campaign Trump promised huge tax cuts but top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin don't want this year's tax reform drive to add to the budget deficit.

Fox News John Roberts, Jennifer Griffin and Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Recent provocations by Armenians on the contact line are directly related to the events taking place in Armenia, Siyavush Novruzov, deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party and member of the Azerbaijani parliament, told Trend Feb. 27.

Novruzov said the situation is tense in Armenia.

Armenias leadership is trying to divert the public attention from economic recession and other existing problems, he noted. Armenias leadership, as before, wants to redirect the tension to the line of contact, for which it resorts to provocations by trying to justify the situation and linking it to Azerbaijan.

Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said earlier. 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 had casualties as a result of the battles.

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.
Almost exactly 580 years ago, King James I of Scotland was murdered by a group of conspirators in a sewer tunnel beneath a monastery as he attempted to escape, recounts the BBC.

Stabbed dozens of times, he is said to have died in a pool of his own blood. His tomb, however, has been lost to history, and now researchers and archaeologists are coming together to try to find it underneath the Scottish city of Perth and to recreate the site as a virtual museum.

"It's like Game of Thrones and Outlander all rolled into oneexcept this story is real," says a project leader from the Glasgow School of Art, per the AFP.

He adds that the kingknown also as a poet, musician, and athletehad been working to make Perth the capital of Scotland, so the day he died "changed Scotland forever." The king was buried in an elaborate tomb in the city's Charterhouse monastery, which he himself had built modeled on the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps.

But the entire monastery was plundered and destroyed during the Reformation, reports the Courier. Researchers hope to locate the Charterhouse buildings during a two-year dig, then use the information to virtually reconstruct the complex, says a researcher from the University of Stirling, per the University of the Highlands and Islands.

"Locating the royal tombs within the church would be the icing on the cake," he adds. (Was King Arthur actually a Scot?)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Archaeologists Trying to Find Legendary King's Body
A red phone described as the one Adolf Hitler used in his bunker was recently sold for $243,000 by a Maryland auction house. But was it actually the Fuhrers phone?

The item comes with an incredible story: Made by Siemens, the phone constructed of bakelite and painted red came into the possession of a British officer named Brigadier Sir Ralph Rayner from the Soviets in early May, 1945, according to Alexander Historical Auctions. Sporting a swastika and Hitlers name, the phone has been called arguably the most destructive weapon of all time.

But while Bill Panagopulos, owner of Alexander Historical Auctions, vigorously defends the phone's provenance, some are now questioning the phones legitimacy, claiming that the phone could be fake or at least not Hitlers actual phone.

One of them is Frank Gnegel, of the Frankfurt Museum for Communication. "This is clearly a fake," he said, according to the German news site DW.com, which reported the experts comments to the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Gnegel cast doubt on a few aspects of the phone, like its handset (which wasnt made in Germany) and the fact it was painted red.

HISTORY SHOWS GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO KILL

"Siemens would have built a proper example from dyed plastic, instead of unprofessionally painting over a black telephone," he said.

Another is Arwin Schaddelee, a Dutch telephone collector and blogger who has written about the phone in detail. Hes also noticed aspects about the item that he thinks are suspect, like its handset, the dial, and the cord. He pointed out that it is a W38 phone, which he said means that the phone was made for supply to the German post office at the time.

Schaddelee said that ultimately he does think the phone is German, but doubts it belonged to Hitler.

This telephone never belonged to Hitler, but the engraving with the name and swastika on the back may very well be original, he wrote in an email to Fox News. He added: "Somebody found a damaged W38 with that engraving which made it interesting enough to repair it and tell an exciting war story about it.

But Panagopulos told Fox News that they absolutely stand by the phones authenticity.

We were utterly, and remain utterly convinced, that its 100 percent, he said.

BRONZE SWORD, GOLD-DECORATED SPEARHEAD UNEARTHED AT SCOTTISH CONSTRUCTION SITE

He defended the phones details, as well as Rayner, the British signals officer credited with originally retrieving the phone, saying the man was respectable and had no need for money and thus no incentive to peddle a fake.

But could it have been just a random Nazi phone, used in the bunker during that time period?

Then there would have had to be an intent to deceive by Brigadier Rayner, a Member of Parliament, knighted by the Queen, [and] the highest British signals officer, Panagopulos said.

Panagopulos remains aggravated by the doubt cast on the phone, calling it preposterous.

A lot of these guys are commenting on aspects of the phone that they know nothing about, he added.

Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger
A judge in Rome, Italy has ruled that a father of two will remain in custody due to suspect behavior after he returned from a Mediterranean cruise on the MSC Magnifica without his wife.

Daniel Belling, a 45-year-old German man who resides in Dublin, Ireland, was arrested shortly after disembarking an 11-day cruise in Civitavecchia, Italy, with just his two children, aged six and four, and not his Chinese-born wife, Li Yinglei.

Belling was apprehended at Romes Ciampino Airport while waiting for a flight home to Dublin with his two boys, reports The Telegraph.

The ships crew claims that Belling never reported Yinglei as missing during the cruise, which departed on Feb. 9 from Civitavecchia and stopped in other Italian ports of call, as well as Malta, Greece and Cyprus before returning on Feb. 20.

THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD'S LARGEST 'SUPERYACHT' LOOKS LIKE

During a hearing on Friday, Belling and his defense lawyer Luigi Conti offered an explanation for his behavior, The Irish Times reports.

According to Belling, Yinglei was not enjoying the family vacation, so sometime between stops in Malta and Greece, she informed him that she wanted off the ship. Once in Greece, Belling says Yinglei opted to stay on the ship while he and their children went sightseeing in Katakolon-- but when they returned, she was nowhere to be found.

Yingleis belongings were gone too, said Belling.

At the hearing, the father-of-two claimed that he didnt report his wife missing because she has a history of doing this kind of thing  she left a previous vacation early, he says  and assumed she was already on her way home to Dublin.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Conti also argued that Belling wasnt trying to hide his wifes absence at all, saying that Belling even informed a chambermaid of his wifes early departure, and told her to make only three beds instead of four.

His behavior after disembarking was not that of a person who was trying to flee, Conti added in a statement to The Telegraph. He simply headed to Ciampino airport with his children to catch the flight that he had booked when he first organized the cruise.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Yinglei was last seen with her family on Feb. 10 in Genoa, Italy, by the owner of a souvenir shop, who spoke with a local newspaper.

[Belling] was agitated, he pulled out of a rucksack a pair of gym shoes and yelled at the woman, recalled the shop owner. He said Put these on instead of your sandals and shut up.'

Until the public prosecutors office files charges, Preliminary Investigative Judge Maria Paola Tomaselli has ordered Belling to remain in the Regina Coeli prison in Rome due to both his suspect behavior and concerns that he poses a flight risk. His children have been placed in a state-run home until they can be reunited with family in Ireland.

Bellings lawyer added that Belling is very concerned about his wife, his kids, and himself in that order.
Nearly one million visitors are expected to descend on New Orleans for Mardi Gras, which ends on Fat Tuesday.

With hotels booked at 99 percent capacity, police and local authorities tell Fox News they are working round the clock to keep party and parade goers safe. Kristian Sonnier, vice president of communications and public relations for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau says Mardi Gras is the king of events, for New Orleans and is actually quite family friendly, despite some parties' reputations.

I think it gets misunderstood a lot of times but the Mardi Gras that I participate in is full of kids, Sonnier told Fox News.

"So bring the whole family, come on down to Mardi Gras, no one does it like we do.

BEST MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS OUTSIDE NEW ORLEANS

This year, LED illuminated floats with TV screens and a special celebrity king were all featured as part of the parades leading up to Fat Tuesday, says Barry Landry, director of communications for the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Landry says all parts of the state celebrate the biggest free party on Earth, but New Orleans is the epicenter.

According to Landry, the citys largest parades are put on by two krewes, Endymion and Bacchus.

To kick off the parade, they [Endymion] had a spotlight that shined their logo into the clouds and in the air, Landry said. Kind of like a bat signal which was pretty interesting for the crowds this year.

Endymion has 37 floats with nearly 3,100 riders, according to the krewes website. This year, floats in the Endymion parade featured high tech LED lights and live crowd shots played on large TV screens. The Bacchus parade was hosted by celebrity king, actor Jim Caviezel. Previous celebrity kings have included actors Anthony Mackie, John C. Reilly and Hugh Laurie.

And of course, Mardi Gras means lots of goodies for all guests.

More than one billion pairs of beads and over 500,000 king cakes are sold in New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, according to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Landry says the event is a huge economic driver for city- and region-- which expects to rake in from $850 million to nearly $1 billion.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

With thousands flooding the city streets, New Orleans' security is also a major focus during Mardi Gras. Aaron Miller, director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the city, says his department works with local, state and federal authorities year round. He adds that law enforcement is working to keep parade watchers safe after a suspected drunk driver plowed through a crowd of people during a parade on Saturday night.

We always take a look at the lessons learned from any special event, Miller said. One of the decisions from Saturday night was that we needed to be able to keep traffic flowing and open to allow emergency vehicles [into] the area.

A large-scale cleanup will be underway shortly after midnight on Tuesday evening. Nearly 650 workers will clean the streets and return them to normal within a few hours after Fat Tuesday" ends-- and the much more somber Lent season begins.
A Pakistani airliner is investigating how and why at least seven more passengers than the maximum allowed were able to board a plane in Pakistan and then forced to stand in the aisle for more than three hours from takeoff to landing.

Pakistan International Airlines admitted over the weekend that 416 people were on board Flight PK-743 from Karachi to Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 20. The passenger jet was a Boeing 777, which can seat only 409.

The incident was first reported by the Pakistani news outlet Dawn

Carrying excess passengers is a serious breach of airline safety regulations. The passengers who were standing in the aisle would not have had oxygen masks, if they had been needed, and they could have caused congestion in an emergency evacuation.

THESE ARE THE BEST AND WORST AIRLINES IN THE US, ACCORDING TO THE POINTS GUY

PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani said an internal investigation had begun into the matter pertaining to the travel of more passengers than the booked load, adding that strict action would be taken against anyone found at fault, The Guardian reported.

But Gilani added that the reports were exaggerated and baseless. It is not possible for anyone to travel like that in an aircraft, regardless of the duration of the flight, he said.

He told the BBC that it was not possible to put a time frame on the length of the investigation.

Sources told The Guardian that the seven extra passengers were carrying handwritten boarding passes and were not included in the computer-generated list the ground traffic staff gave the aircraft crew.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Regulations call for the plane to turn around and return to the terminal in a case like this. But the pilot, Capt. Anwer Adil, said the plane was in the air when the senior flight attendant told him there were too many people on board.

At that point, Adil said, immediate landing back at Karachi was not possible as it required lot of fuel dumping, which was not in the interest of the airline.

But flight attendant Hina Turab said the plane was still on the ground when she informed Adil that it was carrying too many passengers, and that Adil told her to adjust them because the aircraft was preparing to taxi.

According to Reuters pilot and two other crew members have since been disciplined but the investigation is ongoing.
The sun had just risen along Puerto Rico's northwest coast when Paul Schmidt hopped off his surfboard and emerged from the water at Wilderness Beach, ending another session at a remote area that draws surfers from around the world looking for the next big wave.

That day, he and only about 20 fellow surfers shared waves reaching more than 10 feet high. But Schmidt and others worry that the days are numbered for this slice of rocky beach ringed by mangrove forest and palm trees, with not a store or house in sight.

Developers and local officials eager to improve the economy want to transform the area into a more traditional tourism destination, bringing a hotel and villas to a place largely untouched since Christopher Columbus landed nearby on his second voyage to the Western Hemisphere.

ISLAND NATION OF PALAU ONLY WANTS RICH TOURISTS TO VISIT

"It's an untouched gem that hasn't been built up, which is just remarkable to begin with," said Schmidt, a 31-year-old from Rockaway, New York, making his annual extended surfing trip to Puerto Rico.

"So many places like this have been ruined by big resorts and people trying to make money off of something so beautiful and so pure."

Battles between development and preservation have long played out worldwide. But the stakes are especially high here because Puerto Rico has already lost so much of its once lush coast in the boom-and-bust economic cycles that have defined its modern history. Wilderness Beach and its surroundings, which provide habitat for endangered coral and sea turtles, is a place where many on the island, not just surfers, want to make a stand.

"Everyone assumes we're here defending the beach, but it's not just the beach. It's the biological diversity that exists in this valley," said Edgardo Gonzalez, among more than a dozen protesters arrested in recent weeks for trying to block bulldozers that have begun clearing land near the town of Aguadilla.

More than 22,000 people have signed an online petition demanding that the $200 million project dubbed the Christopher Columbus Landing hotel be halted until new environmental impact studies are done and more public hearings are held for a development originally approved in the mid-1990s.

The director of the Puerto Rico agency that awarded those permits did not return calls for comment.

Environmentalists sued this month to halt the project. They argue it will affect a turtle nesting area, threaten public access to the beach known locally as "Wildo" and generate runoff that could kill at least three species of coral on the endangered species list. They also question the validity of the permits issued and note that several hotels in the area have closed or remain empty, including one recently built by the municipality itself. A judge who reviewed the petition initially ruled they were not specific enough about potential threats, but scheduled another hearing for next week.

CHINA IS BUILDING A VERTICAL FOREST TO FIGHT POLLUTION

"Why can't they just make this a state park?" asked 53-year-old Doug Lake, a surfer who moved from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico nearly 30 years ago. "Utilize what's naturally available. They're walking past the obvious."

The protests and ongoing legal fight frustrates Aguadilla Mayor Carlos Mendez, who said the project will create up to 700 jobs and boost tourism, which has become a critical source of income and employment with Puerto Rico's economy mired in a deep recession for about a decade.

"Right now it's so hard to get to that beach," he said, noting the developer plans two access roads to replace the single dirt road that leads to it. "We're going to open it up so everyone can enjoy it."

It's a vision that appeals to Jose Mendez, a 53-year-old Aguadilla native who lives near the development. He said he's hoping for a boost in real estate prices for his blue-collar neighborhood and seeing street lights installed through the project, among other things.

"This will bring progress and work," he said as he worked on a dilapidated car and gestured toward his teenage son, whom he hopes will find a job at the hotel. "None of the protesters live here. They don't know about our daily struggle."

Puerto Rico developer Reinaldo Vincenty said he plans a 300-room hotel and nearly 100 villas in the project's first phase. He will develop 50 acres (20 hectares) of the 126 acres (51 hectares) he owns and build an ecotourism park on another 96 acres (39 hectares) featuring a zip line and food kiosks.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Vincenty said he will wait on original plans to build a shopping center, casino and condo-hotel given the economic crisis.

He said he originally expected to open the villas in August, but ongoing protests have delayed construction by at least four months. He also stressed he does not plan to close access to any beaches or surfing spots.

"I'm building this hotel so thousands of people can visit," he said. "I want the entire world to get to know Aguadilla."
An Air Force noncommissioned officer was sentenced to three months confinement and one month of hard labor Saturday night, in what one retired colonel believes was a light sentence for his conviction of misconduct with eight women.

NAVY VETERAN SAYS HE'S FORCED TO LIVE IN A STORAGE UNIT

During the trial at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Technical Sergeant Anthony Lizana was reduced in rank to Airman First Class and dishonorably discharged.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the jury could have sentenced Lizana to nearly 38 years in prison for his conviction on four charges with specifications including dereliction, adultery, assault consummated by battery and sexual assault. The jury was made up of two officers and five senior noncommissioned officers.

REMAINS OF MARINE SHOT DOWN DURING VIETNAM WAR HEADING HOME AFTER 48 YEARS

The San Antonio Express-News also reported that Lizana asked for leniency and told jurors, The person I was 16 months ago is not the person who stands before you today.

Retired Colonel Don Christensen, president of the not-for-profit organization Protect our Defenders, believes the sentence is very light, especially the confinement.

He was convicted of sexually assaulting a subordinate. And considering how much of an issue sexual assault is in the military, to have a superior sexually assault a subordinate and only get three months confinement I think is exceptionally light, said Christensen.

This is the type of sentence we would typically see for an 18-to-20-year-old airman who abused cough medicine, Christensen added.

Christensen estimates that Lizana will serve only about 2 months for good behavior. In addition, the dishonorable discharge will have to go through a lengthy appeals process that could take anywhere from one to three years.

Christensen, who served as the chief prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force from 2010 to 2014, also explained the hard labor process. He said Lizana will likely perform his normal duties under his commander. When hes done performing his normal duties for the day, hell do an additional four hours of work. Lizana will also likely have to come in on Saturdays for eight hours and Sundays for four hours. The extra tasks could include painting or pulling weeds.

In a word, its a joke, Christensen said of the hard labor punishment.

So why was the punishment so light? According to Christensen, the sentencing in the military is totally messed up. Christensen said theres very little guidance to jurors on how to sentence, which he believes is one of the reasons theres so much disparity in sentencing.

Christensen also said it can be difficult for jurors to give a harsh punishment to someone who's just asked for mercy. He said this is one of the reasons judges should sentence the convicted.

Not everyone agrees with Christensen, the Express-News reports. Tom Fleener, Lizanas civilian attorney, said a dishonorable discharge has a lasting effect forever and was punishment enough for his client.

Lackland Air Force Base was the center of a sexual assault scandal in 2012 when at least 31 female trainees were identified as victims of 12 instructors. Those 12 instructors were investigated for misconduct; six of them faced charges from rape to adultery.

Five former commanders were disciplined for not reporting the problems quickly enough, and a group commander and squadron commander in charge of many of the accused were removed.

New airmen report for eight weeks of basic training at Lackland. The base has five training groups for basic training, technical training and international training. The base expects to graduate 39,000 airmen from basic training and 45,000 from technical training this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The body of a 14-year-old boy who vanished in Southern California during a powerful storm earlier this month was found Saturday on an island in the Los Angeles River, police said.

Los Angeles police said the body of Elias Rodriguez was recovered at around 1:15 p.m. along a stretch of the river in Los Feliz. An unidentified person reported finding the body to police.

Victoria White, a police spokeswoman, said the Sylmar teen, may have been swept away by the Pacoima Wash during the storm. The wash flows into the Los Angeles River.

"There is nothing more painful than the loss of a child, and the thoughts and prayers of all Angelenos are with the loved ones of Elias Rodriguez," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. "Words cannot capture the agony that Elias' grieving family has felt since his disappearance."

Elias was reported missing on Feb. 17 after he did not return home after school.

Police said at a news conference that the river was flowing at around 70 mph at the time of the storm and that the teens body appeared to be badly battered. Police indicated that it could take a while before the coroner could officially identify the body.

Authorities said Elias was returning home from school at around 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 and called his mother to tell her that he was on his way home.

Surveillance footage showed the teen walking along a road during the storm that brought dangerous wind and rain to the area.

The Los Angeles City Council offered a $50,000 reward for information about the teens disappearance.

Click for more from the Los Angeles Times.
Florida sheriff's deputies fatally shot a man during a domestic violence call on Sunday evening.

Charlotte County Sheriff's officials said in a news release that deputies responded to a home in Englewood just after 8 p.m. and an armed man who confronted the deputies was fatally shot.

The news release said Sheriff Bill Brummell planned to release a statement with additional details on Monday morning.

No further details were immediately available.
Houston police are investigating a shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl moments after a car crash Saturday.

FBI SEARCHES HOME LINKED TO MURDER OF INDIANA TEENS, BUT NOTHING FOUND

Latoyia Jarmon, the mother of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins, tells FOX 26 News that she was driving home with her daughter after getting her hair braided when it happened. First her car was hit then her daughter was shot by a woman.

"She didn't deserve this, she was just a baby," says Jarmon.

MAN WOUNDED IN KANSAS BAR SHOOTING SPEAKS AT VIGIL: 'I WISH IT WAS A DREAM'

Sitting at her kitchen table, Jarmon cries because her 8-year-old daughter's life was taken a matter of hours before.

Jarmon and her daughter were five minutes from home when their vehicle was hit.

A white car that police say may have been racing another vehicle ran a red light, crashing into them.

"They T-boned, at some point somebody from the other two cars that were traveling at a high rate of speed got out and fired at the other vehicle striking a young 8-year-old female," says Houston Police Dept. homicide unit Detective David Stark.

Jarmon describes a woman firing five to seven rounds at her vehicle.

"There was a second vehicle that pulled up, let their window down and started firing shots at my car and the shots that they fired at my car hit my baby and they killed her," says Jarmon. She went with her daughter in the ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital, but De'Maree Adkins died at the hospital.

Surrounded by family and friends, Jarmon pleads, begging the suspects to turn themselves in.

"I just want the person that did this to know they took away my baby...they took away half of my heart," says Jarmon.

Click for more from Fox 26.
Details added (first version posted on 14:10)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

Trend:

An official welcome ceremony has been held for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is in Qatar for an official visit.

A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President at the square, which was decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani greeted President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

National anthems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Qatar were played.

The chairman of the guard of honor reported to the President of Azerbaijan.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani reviewed the guard of honor.

State and government officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan were introduced to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and members of the Qatari delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.
Indiana State Police say the reward to find the suspect who killed two Delphi teens has increased to $96,000  thats an increase of nearly $40,000 since Friday. Police also say theyve received close to 10,000 tips.

.@IndStatePolice stopping drivers in #Delphi handing out fliers with pics and info on tip line. pic.twitter.com/dxl3OyjW0N  Shannon Houser (@Shannon_Houser) February 27, 2017

Over the weekend, several initiatives were made to draw in more tips for the case. Authorities recorded a radio ad that is being broadcast in all of Indiana, and Indiana State Police stopped drivers in the Delphi area to hand out fliers with pictures and the tip line information.

EX-BOYFRIEND PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER AFTER SEARCHING '16 STEPS TO KILL'

The Indiana State Police Alliance established an account where people can donate to the reward fund. If you would like to donate, checks should be made payable to the Indiana State Police Alliance Foundation. Put Delphi Reward on the memo line and mail your donation to:

Indiana State Police Alliance

1415 Shelby Street

Indianapolis, IN, 46203

Anyone with information in the case should call the Delphi Murder Tip Line at 1-844-459-5786. Tips can also be reported by emailing abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. Police said information can be reported anonymously.

CLICK TO READ MORE FROM FOX 59 INDIANAPOLIS.
The man who killed 14-month-old Shaylyn Ammerman was sentenced to 60 years in prison with no term suspended on Monday.

The sentencing was the result of a plea agreement from Kyle Parker, who pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping in the 14-month-old girls death. In exchange for the guilty plea, child molestation and several other charges were dropped.

FBI SEARCHES HOME LINKED TO MURDER OF INDIANA TEENS, BUT NOTHING FOUND

During the sentencing hearing, Shaylyns father Justin Ammerman said that even though he wanted Parker to be convicted on all charges and serve more time, he accepted the plea agreement and sentence.

After testimony and closing arguments, Judge Lori Thatcher Quillen told Parker that his actions were pure evil and gut wrenching.

You, Mr. Parker, have no moral compass, said Thatcher Quillen, who lamented that convictions on all charges, the death penalty, and life without parole were off the table.

After Quillen read him the 60-year sentence she said, Sheriff, you can now get him out of my courtroom.

Read more at FOX59.com.
Jewish centers and schools across the nation coped with another wave of bomb threats Monday as officials in Philadelphia began raising money to repair and restore hundreds of vandalized headstones at a Jewish cemetery.



Jewish Community Centers and day schools in at least a dozen states received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No bombs were found. All 20 buildings -- 13 community centers and seven schools -- were cleared by Monday afternoon and had resumed normal operations, the association said.



It was the fifth round of bomb threats against Jewish institutions since January, prompting outrage and exasperation among Jewish leaders as well as calls for an aggressive federal response to put a stop to it.



"The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out -- and speak out forcefully -- against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country," said David Posner, an official with JCC Association of North America.

"Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities."



The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are probing the threats.



In Philadelphia, police investigated what they called an "abominable crime" after several hundred headstones were toppled during the weekend at Mount Carmel Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery dating to the late 1800s.



Police said the vandalism appeared to be targeted at the Jewish community, though they cautioned they had not confirmed the motive. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said authorities were doing everything possible to find those "who desecrated this final resting place."



The damage comes less than a week after a Jewish cemetery in suburban St. Louis reported more than 150 headstones vandalized, many of them tipped over.



"I'm hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids," said Aaron Mallin, who discovered the damage at the Philadelphia cemetery during a visit to his father's grave. "But the fact that there's so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted," he told WPVI-TV.



Well-intentioned volunteers rushed to the cemetery after the damage was discovered Sunday to begin putting the headstones back up, complicating efforts to tally the damage and perhaps investigate the crime, said Steven Rosenberg, chief marketing officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.



A day later, Jewish Community Centers in nearby Cherry Hill, N.J., and Wilmington, Del., and a day school in the Philadelphia suburbs were among those getting bomb threats that Rosenberg called a "complete nuisance."



"There's plenty of people who are scared," said Rosenberg, who denounced the hoaxsters as "an embarrassment to civilized society."



Some 200 people were evacuated from a Jewish Community Center in York, Pa., after a caller told the front desk there was a bomb in the building, said Melissa Plotkin, the York JCC's director of community engagement and diversity. Police entered the building and cleared it, she said.



Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, who has long ties to the York center, having served on its board, called the bomb threats and cemetery vandalism reprehensible.



"These acts are cowardly and disturbing," Wolf told reporters in a conference call Monday. "We must find those responsible and hold them accountable for these hate crimes."



Jewish centers and schools in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia also were threatened, according to the JCC Association of North America.



Since January, the group has tracked a total of 89 incidents in 30 states and Canada.



Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit founded by several national Jewish groups to bolster security in the Jewish community, said Jewish Community Centers and other Jewish institutions have extensive security protocols in place.



After dealing with Monday's threats, he said, the "Jewish community is back in business."
A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from Henry County, Mo., 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out" and "something bad's going to happen."

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kan., made his first appearance in court Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Mo., where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he'd done something "really bad" and was on the run from the police.

"He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me," the bartender said. "Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe...."

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they were investigating it as a hate crime. But the incident has raised concern 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."

During Monday's hearing, Johnson County District Judge Charles Droege appointed public defender Michael McCulloch to represent Purinton. McCulloch declined to comment on the case.

Purinton is jailed on $2 million bond and his next court appearance is set for March. 9.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purinton's for the past 15 years, told The Associated Press that Purinton had been in rapid decline since the death of his father about 18 months ago. The two had exceptionally close, Berthelsen said.

Always a drinker, Purinton became "a drunken mess" after his father's death and bounced from one menial job to the next. Berthelsen said he's never heard him make a racist remark or talk politics. He said he doesn't believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.

"This is someone who's gone downhill very quickly," Berthelsen said.

The University of Kansas Health System released a video Sunday of an interview with Grillot, of Grandview, Mo., who is recovering after a bullet went through his right hand and into his chest.

Grillot said he had to do something because there were families and children in the bar when the gunfire erupted. Grillot, said he is grateful that the attack is bringing the community together and that it is "awesome honestly to be able to give people a hope that not everybody hates everybody."

Madasani addressed a crowd of hundreds during a vigil Sunday night at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas.

He described the killing of Kuchibhotla, his friend and co-worker, as "a senseless crime," the Kansas City Star reported.

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani said. "He would have been here for me."

"I wish it was a dream," Madasani said.

Still walking on crutches, Madasani drew applause when he called the shooting "an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States."

At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work for six months.

"He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was  is," Madasani said.
A nationwide manhunt was under way Monday for a man linked to two killings and an additional shooting in Mississippi, amid reports he's since crossed state lines.

MAN WOUNDED IN KANSAS BAR SHOOTING SPEAKS AT VIGIL: 'I WISH IT WAS A DREAM'

Alex Deaton, 28, was suspected of murdering his girlfriend and shooting a jogger in Rankin County, just east of Jackson, Fox 13 reported. He's also a person of interest in the shooting death of a woman at a church about an hour's drive away, according to law enforcement.

Deaton was wanted for aggravated assault and murder and was believed to be armed and dangerous, The Clarion-Ledger reported.

FBI SEARCHES HOME LINKED TO MURDER OF INDIANA TEENS, BUT NOTHING FOUND

He may have escaped to Oklahoma. Highway Patrol officers said he was spotted in Oklahoma City and his phone may have pinged in the Tulsa area, KWTV reported.

The body of his girlfriend, 30-year-old Heather Robinson, turned up in her home at the Vineyards Apartments on Friday, according to Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain. He added that a jogger in the area said a white man with facial hair shot her in the leg from the driver's side window of a small, white SUV that morning.

Robinson's SUV -- a white 2012 GMC Acadia -- was missing, Strain said. Robinson reportedly was strangled.

"Something inside him appears to have snapped," Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey told reporters. He did not say why Deaton may have done this.

In the meantime, investigators were looking into Deaton's possible role in the shooting death of 69-year-old Brenda Pinter, whose body was found Thursday night inside the office of Dixon Baptist Church in Neshoba County. Deaton had previously lived in that county, Sheriff Tommy Waddell told KNOE.

A white SUV had entered the parking lot and remained there for several minutes soon after Pinter had arrived at the church, Waddell said. He said no other vehicles drove up before Pinter's husband discovered her body.

Pinter had gone to the church to do some cleaning, the sheriff added.

Investigators did not reveal any specific links between Deaton and Pinter, or between Deaton and that church. They said nothing was stolen there, and the woman's purse was still on her car's front seat.

The jogger's condition was unclear. Officials did not name her.

Anyone with information on Deaton's whereabouts should contact CrimeStoppers, which is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to his arrest, investigators added. They said the missing white SUV had a Mississippi Nurses Foundation license plate with the number F396 NF.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was assisting with the search, Fox 13 added.

Click for more from Fox 13.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The driver accused of plowing into a crowd enjoying a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit, police said.

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement identifying the man as 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto. He's being held at the city's jail on charges of first-degree negligent vehicular injuring, hit-and-run driving causing serious injury and reckless operation of a vehicle.

The accident happened Saturday during one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras when thousands of people throng the streets of Mid-City to watch the elaborate floats and clamor to catch beads and trinkets tossed from riders.

Police said Sunday that 28 people were hurt in the accident that sent 21 people to the hospital; an additional seven people at the scene declined medical help. At least three victims remained hospitalized overnight with moderate to serious injuries, police said Sunday. There were no fatalities.

Ages of the victims ranged from 1 year old to patients in their 50s, police said.

Police say a breath alcohol test determined Rizzuto's alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

"We suspect that that subject was highly intoxicated," Police Chief Michael Harrison had said on Saturday evening.

Harrison was asked by the media if terrorism was suspected. While he didn't say "No," he did say it looks like a case of DWI.

Rizzuto is being held on $125,000 bond in a New Orleans jail, The Advocate reported. Commissioner Robert Blackburn said if Rizzuto makes bond he would be placed under house arrest, forced to wear an ankle monitor and would be prohibited from driving.

The commissioner told Rizzuto, who was handcuffed and wearing an orange jumper, that he was setting the bail for an amount he "envisioned" for about 21 counts  referring to the number of people who went to the hospital.

Rizzuto's father told WWL-TV that he was still trying to understand what happened and that his son is a "good kid." John Rizzuto told the station he spoke with his son multiple times Sunday morning and that his son said "a stranger gave him a drink off the street and that's the last thing he remembered."

Among the injured was one New Orleans police officer. Harrison said Saturday night the officer, who was on duty, was undergoing tests to determine the extent of her injuries. She was in "good spirits," he said.

Saturday night's parade was put on by the Krewe of Endymion, which is known for its long, elaborate floats and the big party it hosts at the Superdome after the parade.
St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez pleaded not guilty Monday morning to manslaughter in the July shooting death of Philando Castile. The trial date is set for May 30.

Ramsey County District Court Judge William Leary III recently denied a defense request to dismiss the case.

Yanez shot Castile, 32, at a traffic stop on July 6 in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. During the stop, Castile told the officer he was armed. The aftermath of the fatal shooting was broadcast on Facebook Live by his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, who was a passenger in Castiles vehicle. In the video stream, Reynolds says they were pulled over for a broken tail light.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi reviewed the case and concluded the use of deadly force during the July traffic stop was not justified.

According to the criminal complaint: Yanez communicated his intent to pull over Castiles vehicle by radio to St. Anthony Police Officer Joseph Kauser who was on patrol nearby. Yanez told Kauser that he had reason to pull the vehicle over and that the occupants just look like the people that were involved in a robbery. Yanez further stated that the driver looks more like one of our suspects just because of the wide set nose. Yanez noted that he also had reason to stop the vehicle because it had a non-working brake light. Yanez followed Castiles vehicle, waiting until Kauser arrived as backup.

The attorneys representing Yanez argue that the officer feared for his life and had no choice but to shoot Castile. They also say Castile disobeyed orders and was "stoned."

Read more at FOX9.com.
Navy officials in Virginia are identifying a sailor fatally shot by a Naval Air Station Oceana security officer.

News outlets report that the U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Command said Sunday that Seaman Robert Wright, who's from Colorado, crashed through a station gate Friday night and went to his squadron's hangar, where he was shot. A Navy biography says Wright, who enlisted in 2016, worked as an information systems technician for Strike Fighter Squadron 81.

The Navy says a petty officer on watch at the hanger called security to report someone "yelling and causing damage in squadron hallways." The Navy says Wright refused to show his hands and moved aggressively toward master at arms officials and one fired, striking him. Wright was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Navy investigations are underway.
A public school in one of Chicagos wealthiest suburbs stepped into unforeseen controversy last week after deciding that its annual seminar would focus on race and civil rights.

Dozens of workshops planned for Tuesday at New Trier High School, located in Winnetka, Ill., will cover such topics as voter suppression, affordable housing and police brutality. Colson Whitehead, whose historical fiction "The Underground Railroad" has won literary accolades, will speak.

NEARLY HALF OF COLLEGE STUDENTS REPORTEDLY THINK FEDS WILL FORGIVE THEIR LOANS

Administrators and many parents have said the seminar is particularly important because of the schools population. About 85 percent of the schools 4,000 students are white with similar demographics among the teachers. In Winnetka, home to the main campus, the median household income is more than $200,000 and stately brick mansions are common.

The school board said last week the civil rights seminar was already set, but some parents called the seminar too political and they urged the school to have more diverse speakers, Fox 32 Chicago reported.

CHRISTIAN PREP SCHOOL COACH REPORTEDLY FIRED OVER 3-YEAR-OLD PICTURE WITH ALCOHOL BOTTLE

The Parents of New Trier group said there is not enough diversity and the seminar day is too politically progressive and left-wing. The group, made up of several hundred parents, called for more conservative viewpoints.

Some parents and conservative groups have deemed the event during Black History Month "radical" and "divisive." Dueling petitions circulated, heated emails were exchanged and hundreds of people packed a school board meeting beyond capacity.

"The school went about this in a way that ensures it will be narrow and divisive," said Betsy Hart, who has two children enrolled. Hart, a senior writer at the conservative Heritage Foundation who says her school activism is separate from her day job, expects the parent group to continue pushing for more conservative voices at New Trier High.

Among some of the requests, the group wants to add research supporting voter identification laws to a session on voter suppression and ensure a panel on affirmative action includes contrasting views such as the suggestion that it's detrimental for minorities.

The group presented the district with a binder full of research and an annotated schedule for the day: yellow highlights for language the parents find objectionable and green for suggested alternatives.

Still, most students and their parents have expressed support for the day. About 450 people signed a petition seeking different speakers versus roughly 5,000 signatures for keeping the lineup as is.

School administrators said parents had opportunities to air concerns, and adding last-minute speakers doesn't boost the seminar's quality.

"Critical thinking is about more than having two opposing views," said Tim Hayes, an assistant superintendent.

"It's a matter of the day being balanced. I see it as being too progressive and liberal," she said. "You shouldn't feel guilty for attending such a great school and having a great education. You should feel blessed."

Other students argue that's the point. Some have prepared for Seminar Day by watching Spike Lee's 1989 film, "Do The Right Thing," which tells the story of simmering racial tension in a New York neighborhood that erupts in violence.

"When the thing that your community is most worried about is that your education is too liberal, I feel like that's a motivating factor to get out more," said 17-year-old Celia Buckman, a senior at New Trier.

"It really makes you think about the kind of privilege that your community really has."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from Fox 32 Chicago.
Details added (first version posted on 14:36)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani have held an expanded meeting.

They noted that the Azerbaijan-Qatar cooperation has been rapidly developing in recent years.

Recalling his visit to Azerbaijan, the Qatari emir said he witnessed rapid development, stability and security in the country.

This creates opportunities for developing both economic and tourism areas, he said.

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani said reciprocal visits will contribute to the development of cooperation between the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev recalled his previous visit to Qatar, saying the country has experienced great development ever since.

The head of state highlighted the reforms to diversify Azerbaijans economy. The president spoke of the development of the non-oil sector, saying the main goal is to export non-oil products to foreign markets.

They emphasized the importance of expanding the Azerbaijan-Qatar relations in various areas, including, agriculture, tourism, culture and infrastructure, and also discussed opportunities for joint investment in projects in other countries and for cooperation in oil and gas sectors.
A man who climbed Trump Tower last summer in an apparent bid to meet then-Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump pleaded guilty Monday  but will avoid jail time.

Stephen Rogata, with the help of suction cups, made it up to the 21st floor of the New York City skyscraper before he was pulled in through a window by police.

PROSECUTORS: TRUMP TOWER CLIMBER HAD PRACTICED IT

At the time, the Virginia native said he climbed the building on Aug. 10 in an attempt to get a meeting with Trump, ABC 7 reported. He pleaded guilty Monday of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

As part of a plea deal, Rogata must undergo mental health treatment for a year and stay away from Trump Tower and the president, among other conditions. Failure could result in jail time for up for one year.

VIDEO: OFFICER DESCRIBES GRABBING TRUMP TOWER CLIMBER

"This was a well-thought-out, planned stunt," Pierre Griffith, an assistant district attorney, had said during court proceedings in August, noting that Rogata waited until his parents went on vacation before driving from Great Falls, Virginia, to New York ahead of the climb.

Rogata's hourslong climb of Trump Tower was streamed live by various news organizations and bystanders who watched gleefully as he slowly ascended floor after floor using a harness and climbing ropes.

After he was arrested, Griffith said, Rogata told a police officer that he had practiced using the suction cups on a three-story building in Virginia, scoped out Trump Tower ahead of his climb and intended to get to the roof.

"I want to get a message to Donald Trump," he told a Secret Service agent at the hospital, according to Griffith. The content of the message was unclear.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The uncle of a 9-year-old boy who was fatally beaten over a missing piece of birthday cake has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for handcuffing him to a chair and watching the mother's boyfriend pummel the boy senseless.

Twenty-five-year-old Jacob Barajas apologized at the hearing Monday in Hagerstown. He says he lived in fear of the boyfriend, Robert Wilson, who's serving 30 years for second-degree murder in the July 2015 death of Jack Garcia.

Barajas eventually called paramedics to the apartment where they all lived, but the mother, Oriana Garcia, sent the ambulance away. She'll be sentenced March 31 for first-degree child abuse resulting in death.

Barajas pleaded guilty in September to first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury.

The judge suspended another 10 years of prison time.
Walmart Stores Inc. on Monday won the dismissal of a U.S. lawsuit accusing the world's largest retailer of defrauding shareholders in its Walmart de Mexico unit by concealing its suspected bribery of public officials in Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla in Manhattan said holders of Wal-Mex's American depository shares (ADRs) cannot pursue claims that Wal-Mex's former Chairman Ernesto Vega and Chief Executive Scot Rank knew or were reckless in not knowing about the bribery allegations.

WALMART CASHIER'S ACT OF KINDNESS GOES VIRAL

She also rejected shareholder claims that Wal-Mex and Walmart were liable for Vega's and Rank's activity, and that Wal-Mex misled shareholders by saying it operated legally and ethically during the alleged bribery scheme.

Lawyers for lead plaintiff Michael Fogel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit is one of several targeting Walmart after The New York Times in April 2012 reported that the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer bribed Mexican officials for years to speed up store openings.

Walmart's market value fell about $17 billion over three days after that report was issued. The Times' reporter later won a Pulitzer Prize for the report.

WALMART'S QUARTERLY COMPARABLE SALES BEAT ESTIMATES

Last September, a federal judge in Fayetteville, Arkansas said holders of Walmart's U.S.-listed shares, represented by a different law firm, may pursue their claims in a class action, potentially boosting their recovery.

A federal appeals court later rejected Walmart's immediate appeal of that decision, without ruling on the merits.

In the ADR case, Failla rejected as speculative a claim that Vega, who also chaired the Wal-Mex board's audit committee, and Rank were put on notice of the alleged bribery because a senior Wal-Mex audit executive "reported" to them.

Failla said it was at least equally likely that Vega in particular might not have known because his relationship with the audit executive "was attenuated, or because an employee is likely to hide his wrongdoing from his supervisor."

WALMART TO ADD ABOUT 10,000 RETAIL JOBS IN THE US

In her 45-page decision, Failla also said statements by Wal-Mex in several annual reports that it complied with Mexican law and tried to follow "corporate best practices" amounted to "inactionable, immaterial puffery."

Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove in an email said "we appreciate the court's careful consideration of the issues and dismissing these claims," and that it "wouldn't be appropriate" to discuss how it might affect other lawsuits.

The case is Fogel v Walmart de Mexico SAB de CV et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 13-02282.
On a January afternoon in 1975, a boy sleigh riding in a Milwaukee suburb spotted what he thought was a doll lying face up in a storm drain along a sidewalk where children rode their bikes and waited for the school bus.

The discovery led police to the body of a newborn girl -- her umbilical cord still attached and her identity unknown.

FBI SEARCHES HOME LINKED TO MURDER OF INDIANA TEENS, BUT NOTHING FOUND

Now, 42 years later, police have exhumed the remains of the child -- named "Baby Sarah" -- to create a DNA profile that might solve a mystery haunting the town of Waukesha for decades: Who are Sarah's parents, and what led to her death inside a sewer hours after her birth?

"Were working diligently to give Sarah a voice and were asking the public to share this story," Detective Tim Probst of the Waukesha Police Department said Monday.

"This child deserves justice," Probst told Fox News.

MAN WOUNDED IN KANSAS BAR SHOOTING SPEAKS AT VIGIL: 'I WISH IT WAS A DREAM'

Sarah, a 9-pound, full-term girl was born alive and breathing, according to the medical examiner, who said her death was caused by a lack of postnatal care and exposure to the elements. The baby had been dead anywhere from a week to a month when she was discovered.

Retired Waukesha police officer John Bacskai, who was first on the scene, described how his 9-year-old son, Jeff, came running home to report what he had seen in the sewer.

Bacskai, now 73, lived yards away from the storm drain at the corner of Birch and Irving Streets and was off duty on the day the girl was found.

"My son said, 'Dad, I think theres a baby in that storm sewer,'" Bacskai recalled. "I couldnt believe it at the time. Then I looked into the drain and I knew it wasn't a doll."

"I can still see that childs eyes -- glazed over -- when they took her from the storm sewer," Bacskai said. "I can't believe how someone could be that cruel to a baby."

Investigators believe the child was born in a home not far from where she was found. At the time, detectives canvassed the neighborhood, interviewing anyone who might know the identity of the girl, known first as Waukesha County Coroner's case No. 7090. Their pursuit led nowhere.

The community raised money to give the girl a proper burial and three Waukesha clergyman named the girl "Sarah," a Hebrew word meaning "princess" that was the name of the wife of the biblical patriarch Abraham.

"The saddest thing in life is an unwanted child, and the most beautiful is a loved child," the Rev. Howard Kusler of the E & R United Church of Christ told mourners at the girl's funeral.

Probst said authorities have considered several theories over the years that might explain the child's death.

"Did the girl's parents panic and place her in the storm drain after she stopped breathing?" Probst said. "Or were the circumstances more sinister, like the cover-up of an extramarital or incestuous affair?"

He said he believes the child's parents lived in the area.

In August, police obtained court documents allowing them to exhume the girl's remains and create a DNA profile. A forensics team at the University of North Texas is working on the profile, which Probst said should be completed by April.

The renewed investigation has led police to northern Wisconsin and Ohio to interview individuals with possible knowledge of the girl's identity, including a man who once lived in the neighborhood and who was later convicted of sexually assaulting a minor.

Probst said the department has questioned about 50 people over the last several months and continues to receive leads. One such tip came from a man who claims he saw a girl kick what he thought was a doll into the sewer in the fall of 1974.

Probst said a DNA profile -- a tool not available in 1975 -- could be key in solving the case.

"This was a very traumatic event back then and we want to see it solved," Probst told Fox News.

"Someone, somewhere is living a 42-year-old lie," he said.

Anyone with information on the identity of Baby Sarah is urged to call the Waukesha Police Department at 262-524-3814.
Why is it that as adolescents we often rail against our moms -- and then, as adult women, we become her? There are so many stories of the many quirky and sometimes poignant ways we channel our mothers as we make our way through life.

TROUBLE WITH YOUR MARRIAGE? IT MAY BE TIME TO MAKE A 'MAP'

Danny Brassell of Redondo Beach, California, has a mom who is a persistent talker. "She never received a piece of mail that she did not feel compelled to read aloud to anyone in the room," Brassell told me for my book "At My Pace: Lessons from Our Mothers." This man's mom would pose a question to the entire family -- and then answer it herself. She was married to a soft-spoken librarian -- so the match worked well.

The funny part? Danny Brassell, who as a boy had no choice but to hear incessant and sometimes irritating chatter from his mom, grew up to become a motivational speaker. As Brassell said, "As often as I can, I call her up to hear her talk."

OPINION: SOCIETY IS CREATING A NEW CROP OF ALPHA WOMEN WHO ARE UNABLE TO LOVE

Tamar Fox of Philadelphia is a young mother in her 30s. Her parents, when they were very young, were rescued by the Kindertransport when England opened its doors to the Jewish children who were fleeing Nazi Germany. As adults, Tamar Fox's parents opened their doors to many people in need as well -- immigrants, itinerants, lost souls.

She told me about growing up in a constant state of chaos and mess; she never knew who might be at their dinner table each night. Her parents have since passed on, but Fox took their "open door" lesson to heart, as she and her husband are now foster parents. She mused, "My mother never mentioned how difficult it can be, and I wonder often if it just came naturally to her, or if she also sometimes felt overwhelmed and not good enough." No matter: Tamar Fox stands strong in her convictions and her way of life.

Marsha Katz Slotnick of Newton, Massachusetts, "became" her mother in what seems the silliest of ways. She is a dedicated wearer of lipstick. Slotnick, always elegantly dressed and well-coiffed, told this story: Anne Katz was widowed in her mid 40s with four children to raise. The family was poor and Anne Katz suffered bouts of anxiety. Even still, this mother always took exceptional pride in her appearance, never forgetting to put on her lipstick -- and she counseled her daughters to do the same.

Why the lipstick? Even on the last evening of her life, as Anne Katz was being ushered from a Passover seder at her daughter's home to return to her nursing facility, she had to stop in the bathroom to check her lipstick. Marsha Slotnick noted that her mother's lifelong focus on a perfect appearance was not about finding a spouse or a job, but about "projecting the image of order and being on top of things." It helped her feel good about herself. One look at Marsha Slotnick -- and it is apparent the lesson was successfully passed along.

And here is another story shared with me by a woman named Laurel Lloyd of Fremon, New Hampshire, about how she "became" her mother in the most unexpected of ways:

"About two decades into what seemed to be a mostly idyllic life, my family experienced what my mom would later call a 'rough patch.' But it was more than that. At the end of it, my parents would divorce after 23 years of marriage. My father had fallen in love with another woman -- someone who, ironically, had been part of the company of actors that very first summer my parents had met. There was an awkward phase of my mother being called by my stepmother's name and of my mother bumping into her replacement at the post office. She felt rejected and alone. But, at age 50, she picked herself up and moved forward."

She continued: "Two decades into my own marriage, I experienced a 'rough patch' of different circumstances that culminated in a divorce. Like my own mom's, the separation occurred after 23 years of marriage, and, like her, I was starting over at age 50. It seemed to be more than a coincidence that my divorce went through on the day of her wedding anniversary. My daughter was seven at the time. Living in a small town in New Hampshire all of my married life, I experienced the same awkwardness as my mother after her breakup."

And she added: "My friends have told me how, when seeing my ex, his wife, and me interact at social gatherings involving our daughter, they feel we've set an example for others with our amicable relationship. One even friend stifled a gasp when I told her I'd be having Thanksgiving dinner with my ex and his wife. But isn't that how it should be -- letting go of the adversity in our lives, appreciating the good in what was, and moving on? In the end, it's the children who win. That's the lesson my mother taught me with the grace and kindness she showered on those in her life -- a gift that I'll be sure to pass onto my own daughter."

My book, "At My Pace: Lessons from Our Mothers," was borne out of love for my mother. When my mom, Rosyne, a Denver, Colorado, resident, was in her 91st year of "living," her mind was sharp but her body was failing, along with her mood. I wanted to engage her, so I wrote what was essentially a love letter about one lesson that she gave to me -- then I proceeded to build a book from there.

Her lesson to me was about the importance of lifelong learning. My mom was widowed at 57, and besides being a mom, she mostly knew two things: how to run a kosher grocery store, and how to play piano. Her protective children wouldn't let her remain a store owner, so she went on to attend vocational school and became an office manager.

Decades later, at the ripe age of 80, she enrolled in a Jewish studies program all while still doing her day job. Her much younger classmates must have appreciated her as we did -- one day they presented her with a rolling backpack to lug her heavy books.

The rolling backpack is my lesson. My mom seized every opportunity to learn at every stage of life. Sometimes it was comical: "I need an iPad so I can finally understand why the Shah of Iran fell," she told us once.

While we had explained that moment of history and how to use an iPad many times, it appeared she wanted more. Her curiosity was immense and explains the "Curious George" in me -- her daughter. How appropriate that in my mom's last year of life, we could explore the mother-daughter relationship (just as she and my brother explored their mother-son relationship) as we digested each completed piece.

Working on my book reminded me of something I think I always knew: the importance of gratitude. For better or worse, most of us become our mom. It can be funny or irritating, but mostly it is real, and maybe even endearing. Thank you, Mom!

Jill Ebstein is the editor of "At My Pace: Lessons from Our Mothers" (November 2016) and "At My Pace: Ordinary Women Tell Extraordinary Stories" (2015). She lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with her family.
Egyptian Christians are fleeing the restive Sinai Peninsula, some with just the clothes on their backs, amid a series of killings and an explicit call by Islamic State for its followers to target the minority group.

VIDEO SHOWS BEHEADING OF SAILOR BY ISIS-LINKED TERRORISTS

The internal displacement has reached a scale rarely seen in Egypt outside natural disasters. Some 118 Coptic Christian families have fled the northern town of Al Arisha hotbed of Islamic State activity in Egyptsince Thursday after a Coptic man was shot and killed in front of his family, state media and Christian activists said.

No one claimed responsibility but residents fear the attack was carried out by the terror group. Seven Copts have been killed in north Sinai in the past month, all of the attacks unclaimed, according to state media.

ISIS MILITANTS KILL 11 IN MOSQUE AMBUSH, AFGHAN OFFICIAL SAYS

The exodus comes in the wake of an Islamic State video, released last week, instructing followers to target Coptic Christians. It featured a tribute to the militant they claim carried out a December suicide bombing at Cairos main Coptic cathedral that killed more than 25 worshipers, one of the biggest attacks ever on Egypts Christians.

The terror groups Egyptian affiliate, Sinai Province, has sporadically targeted Christians while more frequently attacking police and military personnel in the north Sinai.

President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, who came to power in a 2013 military coup promising to restore stability following years of upheaval, has struggled to stop the militants.

Christians, who make up about 10% of the countrys population, initially supported him over the ousted Muslim Brotherhood official Mohammed Morsi, whose group is seen by many Copts as hostile to their church.

On Sunday, the presidents office said Mr. Sisi had instructed the government to take all the necessary measures to provide accommodation for the citizens who had fled their homes.

Most had gone to churches but were being provided government housing, mostly in Ismailia province, Egypts state newspaper, Al Ahram, quoted the parliamentary affairs minister as saying.

Each family will be provided with roughly $60 in emergency aid, in addition to access to education and health care services, the newspaper said.

Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.
With the specter of populism looming over a critical election year in Europe, the European Parliament has taken an unusual step to crack down on racism and hate speech in its own house.

MCCAIN MAKES SECRET TRIP TO SYRIA AMID DEBATE OVER NEW PLANS TO FIGHT ISIS

In an unprecedented move, lawmakers have granted special powers to the president to pull the plug on live broadcasts of parliamentary debate in cases of racist speech or acts and the ability to purge any offending video or audio material from the system.

Trouble is, the rules on what is considered offensive are none too clear. Some are concerned about manipulation. Others are crying censorship.

RUSSIAN AIRLINE ACCUSED OF HIRING ONLY 'YOUNG AND THIN' FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

"This undermines the reliability of the Parliament's archives at a moment where the suspicion of 'fake news' and manipulation threatens the credibility of the media and the politicians," said Tom Weingaertner, president of the Brussels-based International Press Association.

After Britain's decision to leave the European Union, the rising popularity of anti-immigrant candidates like Geert Wilders in the Netherlands or far-right Marine Le Pen in France is worrying Europe's political mainstream. Le Pen, who is running for the French presidency this spring, has promised to follow Britain's lead.

At the European Parliament, where elections are due in 2019, many say the need for action against hate speech, and strong sanctions for offenders, is long overdue.

The assembly-- with its two seats; one in the Belgian capital of Brussels, and the other in Strasbourg in northeast France -- is often the stage for political and sometimes nationalist theater. Beyond routine shouting matches, members occasionally wear T-shirts splashed with slogans or unfurl banners. Flags adorn some lawmakers' desks.

Yet more and more in recent years, lawmakers have gone too far.

"There have been a growing number of cases of politicians saying things that are beyond the pale of normal parliamentary discussion and debate," said British EU parliamentarian Richard Corbett, who chaperoned the new rule through the assembly.

"What if this became not isolated incidents, but specific, where people could say: 'Hey, this is a fantastic platform. It's broad, it's live-streamed. It can be recorded and repeated. Let's use it for something more vociferous, more spectacular,'" he told The Associated Press.

In a nutshell, rule 165 of the parliament's rules of procedure allows the chair of debates to halt the live broadcast "in the case of defamatory, racist or xenophobic language or behavior by a member." The maximum fine for offenders would be around $9,500.

Under the rule, not made public by the assembly but first reported by Spain's La Vanguardia newspaper, offending material could be "deleted from the audiovisual record of proceedings," meaning citizens would never know it happened unless reporters were in the room. Weingaertner said the IPA was never consulted on that.

A technical note seen by the AP outlines a procedure for manually cutting off the video feed, stopping transmission on in-house TV monitors and breaking the satellite link to halt broadcast to the outside world. A videotape in four languages would be kept running to serve as a legal record during the blackout. A more effective and permanent system was being sought.

It is also technically possible to introduce a safe-guard time delay so broadcasts appear a few seconds later. This means they could be interrupted before offending material is aired.

But the system is unwieldy. Lawmakers have the right to speak in any of the European Union's 24 official languages. An offending act could well be over before the assembly's President Antonio Tajani even has a chance to hit the kill switch. Misunderstandings and even abuses could crop up.

During a debate in December, Gerolf Annemans, from Belgium's Flemish independence party Vlaams Belang, expressed concern that the rule "can be abused by those who have hysterical reactions to things that they qualify as racist, xenophobic, when people are just expressing politically incorrect views."

Even those involved in the move acknowledge that it's a sensitive issue.

Helmut Scholz, from Germany's left-wing Die Linke party, said EU lawmakers are elected -- indeed the EU parliament is the bloc's only popularly elected institution -- and must be able to express their views about how Europe should work.

"You can't limit or deny this right," he said.

He worries about fake news too, but of the kind made from selective extracts of debates.

"If you are following the whole debate that is one thing, but if you have certain media who are taking out individual sentences you could falsify the whole issue," he said.

Still, Nazi rallying cries and racist obscenities are relatively rare but not unheard of.

"We need an instrument against that, to take it out of the record, to stop distribution of such slogans, such ideas," Scholz said.
An ex-boyfriend pleaded guilty to murdering a department store worker and her colleague lover in a jealous rage after searching 16 steps to kill someone online.

FBI SEARCHES HOME LINKED TO MURDER OF INDIANA TEENS, BUT NOTHING FOUND

After ambushing his two victims outside their workplace in Wales and stabbing them to death, Andrew Saunders, 21, sent his dad a message saying: Thanks for being a pathetic, useless father. Just killed two people. Cheers.

Saunders, who was 20 at the time of the crime, pleaded guilty to killing Lee Simmons, 34, and 21-year-old fashion graduate Zoe Morgan.

He lay in wait for the couple before setting upon Lee first, as Zoe desperately tried to stop the attack.

MAN WOUNDED IN KANSAS BAR SHOOTING SPEAKS AT VIGIL: 'I WISH IT WAS A DREAM'

As she tried to flee, Saunders shouted: Im coming to you next bitch, before chasing after her and stabbing her eight times.

Zoe and Lee, who worked together at the Matalan store in Cardiff City Centre, were found dead on September 28 at about 5:50 a.m.

Lee, from Grangetown, was a sales assistant at the store and Zoe, from Llandaff North, was a visual merchandiser.

Saunders was arrested at his familys $1.2 million home outside the city within an hour and charged with the double murder after detectives found a blood-covered knife on the kitchen table.

Prosecuter Philip Bennett told Cardiff Crown Court that Zoe and Saunders had been in a relationship from June 2014 until July 2016, when she split up with him.

He added: Mark Morgan, her father, stated it was obvious from very early on in the relationship that Andy was very controlling to Zoe.

On one occasion, Zoe told her father that Saunders had grabbed her around the throat during an argument, the prosecutor added.

She later met warehouse worker Lee after working shifts together at Matalan and he lovingly dubbed her my Tinkerbell.

When Zoe told Saunders their relationship was over, he accused her of cheating on him, adding: You are definitely chatting to someone else. I will kill whoever it is.

He bombarded Zoe with messages threatening to kill Lee  but also saying: I love you.

The court heard that Saunders plotted the killing. He watched a video called 10 people who got revenge on cheaters and purchased two knives and latex gloves.

He went on to search online for 16 steps to kill someone and not get caught, how long do murderers get in prison? how to get a gun illegally UK and three easy ways to make a bottle bomb (with pictures).

The court heard he also searched how to knife someones neck and how to slit someones neck.

Before he set off to commit the murders Saunders left letters saying: I think ISIS are the good guys most of the time and thats pretty messed up. No one will forget me.

Bennett said Saunders first confronted Lee just before 6am on the Cardiff street as he walked Zoe to the store.

He added: He stabbed him in the chest with the knife. Mr. Simmons was saying Stop, stop, stop.

Zoe Morgan tried to pull the defendant off Mr. Simmons.

But he turned to her to say,Get the f--- off me you f---ing c---. Im coming to you next bitch.

CCTV footage showed how Zoe desperately tried to escape after she battled to pull Saunders off Lee.

She can be seen running to a store where Saunders caught up with her and punched her full force before stabbing her.

Both Zoe and Lee were stabbed eight times.

Zoe lived with her heartbroken parents Mark, 49, and Julie, 48, and brother Nathan, 23, in Llandaff North, Cardiff.

Zoes mother Julie Morgan, told the court: Since losing Zoe our world has been turned upside down. I think about her constantly and how she must have suffered.

She was a beautiful, bright and hardworking girl. She was a real home bird.

We now struggle to stay in our own home as everything reminds us of her. Her father Mark struggles to hide his upset.

All our dreams and plans are ruined. He has not only taken Zoe from us but destroyed our lives.

Since Zoes death, nothing seems to look the same. I feel sick at the thought of what happened there.

She may not be here with us but she will always stay with us through life.

Lee and Zoes romance blossomed at the store in Cardiffs busy Queen Street shopping centre and they were described as being in the first flush of romance.

Lee had worked at the store since it opened in October 2014.

A statement from his dad, Alfred, read to the court said: My family and I will forever grieve this awful loss.

Lee found love in Zoe and Im so happy for that.

Lee was only 33 years old and I should have gone before him. I cant look at the photographs I have of Lee as a child, it hurts too much.

I loved him so much. I only ever had one child and I cannot bring back what has gone.

Saunders was described as a gentle giant by shocked former schoolmates after his arrest over the double murder.

Defense attorney Winston Roddick said: He is genuinely remorseful for what he has done and more than once said he wishes to turn the clock back.

The sentencing will resume on Tuesday.

This story first appeared in The Sun.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un executed at least five senior officials in the country's Ministry of State Security using antiaircraft guns, the head of South Korea's intelligence services told lawmakers on Monday.



SEOUL PINS ASSASSINATION OF KIM JONG UN'S HALF-BROTHER ON NORTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT

The execution, which was punishment for unspecified "false reports" that were made to Mr. Kim, according to the intelligence report, came amid fresh allegations from Seoul that the Pyongyang government had ordered and coordinated the killing of Mr. Kim's half brother in Malaysia.

In a closed-door briefing before lawmakers on Monday in Seoul, Lee Byung-ho, the director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, said that the daylight slaying of Kim Jong Nam with a deadly nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13 was "a state terrorist act, systematically organized by Kim Jong Un," according to lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who attended the hearing.

Mr. Lee didn't say how the intelligence service got its information. South Korea's spy agency sometimes errs in its assessments of developments inside North Korea, one of the world's most closed societies. But often it is proven correct.

Mr. Lee said that all eight North Koreans involved in the killing of Mr. Kim were working for Pyongyang's Ministry of State Security, foreign ministry or for state-affiliated companies, recruiting the two women who carried out the killing. One of the eight, Ri Jong Chol, is in the custody of Malaysian authorities, while the others are still at large.

Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Ilhama Isabalayeva  Trend:

Recent events on the frontline have not affected the positive mood of the population of the frontline zone, Bahar Muradova, vice-speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament, told Trend Feb. 27.

Noting her todays visit to the Jojug Marjanli village of the Jabrayil District and the Gazakhlar village of the Fuzuli District, and her meetings with public there, Muradova said the latest developments have not caused any panic or anxiety among the people living in those areas.

The events that happened in recent days on the frontline are perceived by the Azerbaijani population living in the frontline zone as another provocation of Armenias occupation troops. Our population continues to live a usual everyday life, she said, adding that the people are in a positive mood and they are not anxious.

People live in these areas, relying on the might of the Azerbaijani army, trust the supreme commander and believe that under his leadership, the army will ensure security of Azerbaijani citizens.

People in the areas adjacent to the contact line have for many years lived under tense conditions, so such provocations cannot cause any anxiety among them, according to Muradova.

Our army prevents any military pressure and inflicts serious retaliatory strikes on the enemy. And, people believe the army of Azerbaijan is capable of preventing any provocation, she said.

Azerbaijans Defense Ministry has earlier said the Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from Feb. 24 to 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.

Azerbaijani military units courageously prevented the attacks and the Armenian side was forced to retreat, according to the Defense Ministry.

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.
A sinkhole - once a local curiosity in Iraq - has reportedly been turned into a mass grave for up to 4,000 victims of Islamic State killers.

MORE THAN 100 CHRISTIAN FAMILIES ESCAPE SINAI AFTER CHILLING ISIS THREAT

Local residents living near the Khasfah - the Arabic word for a sinkhole - have described how ISIS transformed the area into a "place of death" after capturing it in 2014.

Villagers say the sinkhole, outside Mosul, was used as an execution site and a mass grave where bodies were dumped.

VIDEO SHOWS BEHEADING OF SAILOR BY ISIS-LINKED TERRORISTS

Mohamed Yassin, 56, who lives in nearby Hammam al Alil, said: "They would bring them blindfolded, their hands tied behind their backs.

"The Khasfah would be in front of them, they would make them kneel down, shoot them in the head and push them in.

"People became afraid of the place, it became a place of death, a place where you'd be executed."

Yassin said he saw executions take place there on at least six occasions, and most of those killed were police officers, soldiers or government workers.

Hussein Khalaf Hilal, 73, said he was taken to the site by ISIS fighters who accused him of breaking their religious rules.

"They came to the house, they blindfolded me, tied my hands behind my back and took me away in a car with blacked out windows," he said.

"They took me there because they wanted me to pledge allegiance, to frighten me."

He said ISIS fighters marched people into the pit after forcing them to take pills.

"They would line them up, 10 by 10, 15 by 15," he said.

He was eventually spared and taken to prison instead.

Click for more from Sky News.
The foul-mouthed Philippines president whos bragged about throwing criminals out of helicopters and gunning down drug offenders in the streets has a new target: children as young as 9, including his own son.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has said he will kill all the countrys criminals, is among the backers of a bill that would lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9, The Washington Post reported on Sunday evening.

VIDEO SHOWS BEHEADING OF SAILOR BY ISIS-LINKED TERRORISTS

Duterte reportedly said last April he would murder his own son if the boy ever used drugs.

In my country, there is no law that says I cannot threaten criminals, Duterte said in October. I do not care what the human rights guys say. I have a duty to preserve the generation. If it involves human rights, I dont give a s---. I have to strike fear.

Other children were in the crosshairs.

Last year, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl were killed in separate operations seeking relatives with links to drugs. Duterte has called those deaths collateral damage.

A draft version of the bill that would lower the criminal age to 9 states: Most children above this age, especially in these times when all forms and manner of knowledge are available through the Internet and digital media, are already informed and should be taught that they are responsible for what they say and do.

Click for more from The Washington Post.
The assassination of the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was directed by North Koreas ministry of state security and foreign ministry, South Korean lawmakers briefed by the countrys intelligence agency said Monday.

Four officials of the state security ministry and two officials of the foreign ministry are among the eight suspects in the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the lawmakers quoted the intelligence agency as saying.

Kim died Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by two women who wiped a liquid on Kims face. Police revealed Friday that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used in the murder, raising the stakes in the case.

Malaysias health minister said Sunday that the dose of the nerve agent was so high that it killed him within 20 minutes and caused very serious paralysis.

Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said the dose of VX given to Kim was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes. Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in the ambulance while en route to a hospital, he said.

"VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that," he said at a news conference. "The doses were so high and it did it so fast and all over the body, so it would have affected his heart, it would have affected his lungs, it would have affected everything."

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 on the same day as the killing, while the women  one from Indonesia and the other Vietnamese  were arrested.

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 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.

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.

Early Sunday, more than a dozen officers in protective gear swept the budget terminal where Kim was attacked and said they found no traces of VX.

Abdul Samah Mat, the police official leading the investigation, said the terminal was "free from any form of contamination of hazardous material" and declared it a "safe zone" after a two-hour sweep.

He also said a condominium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that was raided by police last week had been rented by the four North Korean suspects who left the country. He said police were still testing a seized substance for traces of any chemicals.

Abdul Samah said the Indonesian woman who was arrested, Siti Aisyah, vomited in a taxi on the way from the airport after the attack but is fine now. He said that more tests were needed to determine if the two arrested suspects were given antidotes 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.

On Saturday, representatives from the Indonesian and Vietnamese embassies met with the two arrested women, who both said they thought they were part of a prank show. Aisyah said she was paid the equivalent of $90, according to Andriano Erwin, Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from Reuters.
God's love may be free, but the Vatican says it has a copyright on the pope.

Unnerved by the proliferation of papal-themed T-shirts, snow globes and tea towels around the world, the Vatican has warned it intends to "protect" the image of Pope Francis and "stop situations of illegality that may be discovered." It also wants to protect the crossed keys emblem of the Holy See.

"The secretary of state will undertake systematic surveillance aimed at monitoring the way in which the image of the Holy Father and the emblems of the Holy See are used, intervening with opportune measures when necessary," the Vatican said in a statement.

To back up this declaration, the Vatican has hired the global law firm Baker McKenzie to protect its intellectual property rights, the Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported. without citing the source of the information. Baker McKenzie declined to comment.

The threat of enforcement marks a sea change for a church that for some 2,000 years has seen popes venerated on all manner of flags, banners and medals. But the popularity of Francis and the ease with which his image can be copied in the internet age has spawned a flood of papal trinkets, causing the Holy See to worry that they are losing control of his image.

"The pope's image rights are no different from those of any other famous celebrity and so it's not surprising that the Vatican is giving notice that it will protect its (intellectual property) rights as necessary," said Nick Kounoupias, the founder of an intellectual property consultancy in London. "What will be interesting to see, however, is how vigorously these rights are pursued, given who the IP owner is."

Francis' many travels have taken him to countries like the Philippines and Sri Lanka, where factories can quickly churn out pope hats, T-shirts and towels. Vatican officials have grown fearful the faithful will think that the church is making money off the merchandise, experts say. Worse still, they see the conditions in which some of the items are made and worry about being associated with labor abuses.

The decision reflects an evolution in the last decade as the Vatican adapted to modern markets. While in the past the Holy See might get word of improper use of the pope's image through local church organizations around the globe, the approach was random.

"It's not new that people were selling T-shirts of the pope, but (previously) those were probably little local vendors," said Mark McKenna, an intellectual property expert at the Notre Dame Law School in Indiana.

What's changed is the magnitude of what can be produced and how quickly it can be distributed through online platforms.

"In a world of Etsy, you are able to do it on a bigger scale," he said.

Although the Vatican did not elaborate on how it would crack down, the warning seemed a pre-emptive move to explain why the Vatican is going after the unauthorized commercial uses of the pope's image. There was no immediate indication that souvenir buyers would risk fines or legal action.

It's not as if the church refrains from selling its own pope-themed material.

On the Vatican website, one can buy Francis medals, icons and rosary boxes. The Vatican museum boutiques offer silk ties and scarves and watches showing scenes from Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. And that may be part of the Vatican's motivation in safeguarding Francis' face  and warning that they will challenge the copycats.

"It's probably also the case that there is some genuine commercial motivation," McKenna said. "They want to be sure they're the only ones selling this stuff."
The die seems cast for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as it becomes increasingly likely that the next Ecuadorean president will be Guillermo Lasso, a conservative former banker now holding the lead for the April 2 runoff election.

Lasso has vowed repeatedly that as president he would evict the alleged whistle-blower from their embassy in London, where Assange has lived for the last four and a half years.

The Ecuadorean people have been paying a cost that we should not have to bear, Lasso told The Guardian a few weeks ago. We will cordially ask Mr. Assange to leave within 30 days of assuming a mandate.

'RESTORE MY LIBERTY': ASSANGE PLEADS FOR FREEDOM WHILE HOLED UP IN EMBASSY

Assange, who is Australian, is wanted by U.S. authorities for publishing scores of classified documents back in 2010.

Our staff have been through a lot. There is a human cost, said Ecuadors foreign minister, Guillaume Long. This is probably the most watched embassy on the planet.

After two days of suspense, Ecuador's Electoral Council said a runoff was inevitable because President Rafael Correas handpicked successor failed to get the 40 percent needed to clench a first-round victory win  Ecuador's fragmented opposition is now closing ranks around Lasso.

The new president will be installed May 24.

ASSANGE BLASTS 'EMBARRASSING' US INTEL REPORT, INSISTS

RUSSIA NOT HIS SOURCE

Over the weekend, a lawyer for Assange admitted there is "great concern" that Lasso could force him out of the embassy.

"We are preparing potential legal remedies should the opposition come to power in Ecuador," said Jennifer Robinson to MSNBC Saturday.

"You don't change asylum protections just because a change of government," she added.

Assange fled to the Ecuadorean Embassy on June 19, 2012, after an unsuccessful legal battle to send him to Sweden, where he remains wanted over an allegation of rape.

The South American country granted him asylum, but British authorities have made clear they would arrest him if he tried to leave.

ASSANGE: DEMOCRATS LOST BECAUSE 'THEY DIDN'T PICK THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE'

After a decade of governance by President Correa, a socialist, many in the country of 16 million say they are tired of his confrontational style and alliances with Cuba and Venezuela.

Should Ecuador move to the right with a second-round victory for Lasso, it would follow on the heels of Argentina, Brazil and Peru which have all swerved away from the left.

Lasso has campaigned on a platform to revive the economy, which is dependent on exports of oil, flowers and shrimp, by slashing taxes, fostering foreign investment and creating a million jobs in four years.

The AP and Reuters contributed to this report.
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.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

In 2016, employment agencies provided 56,631 people with work in Azerbaijan, which is more than a twofold increase compared to 2015, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Salim Muslumov told reporters in Baku.

Azerbaijan was able to keep unemployment rate at 5 percent last year, which is much lower than in a number of developed countries. For example, the figure is 19.6 percent in Spain, 9.9 percent in France, 6.9 percent in Sweden, he said.

The policy aimed at providing the population with jobs continues in 2017 as well, according to the minister.

Jobs are mainly being created as part of the social responsibility policies of state companies and agencies, Muslumov said, adding that in the first two months of 2017, the number of employed people was about 40,000.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.27

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The Southern Gas Corridor project plays a key role in promoting the implementation of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) project, Teodora Georgieva, executive officer at ICGB AD joint venture company, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

She pointed out that these two projects are interrelated, adding that IGB is a key project for diversification of sources and routes for Bulgaria.

We are very much relying on our partnership between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan. The backbone of this partnership is the contract signed between Bulgarias Bulgargaz and Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR for supply of 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from Shah Deniz 2, added Georgieva.

Talking about IGB, she said that it is a very mature, trans-boundary project: 31 kilometers of this pipeline will run through Greece and 151 kilometers will pass through Bulgarias territory. This project has two shareholders: Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD (50 percent) and IGI Poseidon S.A. (50 percent), she added.

Georgieva pointed out that the advantage of this project is that it is supported by both Bulgarian and Greek governments, which is not always a usual case for interconnectors.

We already have the Environmental Impact Assessment for the two parts of the project and the technical design already approved in Bulgaria, she said. Currently, the aim is to have a construction permit for which we should finalize all the procedures for the acquisition of property rights. That is what we did last year. So we are very close to getting the construction permit which is expected by middle of this year.

Currently, Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) package is under development as part of the implementation of the IGB project, she said, adding that it is also planned to start the procedures for EPC this year.

In order to fit to what Azerbaijan promised to start the delivery of gas in 2020, we should definitely start the construction in 2018 so as to be ready, said the executive officer.

The main difference of the IGB project is that its commercial viability is also required to be verified, according to Georgieva.

The executive director noted that the results of the market test, which was finalized in November 2016 for allocation of IGB capacity, were quite satisfying.

Regarding SOCARs participation in the market test, Georgieva pointed out that this shows its interest in this project.

SOCAR also booked capacity in IGB, which shows its trust in the project and proves that IGB is recognized as a project playing a key role for the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project, she added.

We already have 1.570 billion cubic meters of the IGB capacity booked for the long term, which is very satisfactory, she added.

The IGB project already has external shippers different from the shareholders and this really shows that there is interest in the project and in the Southern Gas Corridor in general, said Georgieva.

It shows that IGB is not only a project connecting two countries, but rather a project which will have a regional impact, according to the executive officer.

IGB has the privilege to be on the top of PCI projects (Projects of Common Interest) for the European Union. It is the first project put out of seven in the Central and South-Eastern European Gas Connectivity Group (CESEC), she said. It shows that we have been appreciated by the EU as well.

The pipelines capacity can be increased to 5 billion cubic meters per year with the construction of additional compressor stations. If the interest is more, we are ready to reconsider the capacity, said Georgieva.

She pointed out that IGB can help to deliver gas to the countries which could suffer from gas shortage in the future and from this point of view, it has a substantial role.

IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to the Trans Adriatic pipeline via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
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 2-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 Department, writing, 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, Northup said he was unable to find a reason for the existing name, but said he did hear anecdotal evidence that AfricanAmerican 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 AfricanAmerican 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.

Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Jennifer Flynn said park officials, representatives of the local historical society and members of the AfricanAmerican community met to evaluate the name change.

Tims River was the oldest name of the water feature that we could find a historical record of, Flynn said. We all agreed that returning to the historic name was most appropriate.

Madison County Historical Society President Max Lacy said the society was happy the Board of Geographic Names agreed with the proposed name.

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 Rappahannock River. The others are in Orange and Fauquier counties, according to the information system.
President Donald Trump will visit Newport News Shipbuilding on Thursday to deliver a speech aboard the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, according to the shipyard's communications staff.

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, builds nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The shipyard is a major industrial employer in Virginia and would benefit from the president's upcoming budget proposal, which, according to the White House, calls for a $54 billion increase in defense spending as well as corresponding cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid. The roughly 10 percent increase fulfills one of Trump's campaign promises to build up the military.

The White House will release more information about Trump's visit later in the week, Beci Brenton, Huntington Ingalls Industries corporate director of public affairs, said in an email.

Trump is scheduled to address both houses of Congress on Tuesday.

Newport News Shipbuilding announced last week plans to hire 3,000 workers in Virginia this year.

The state is heavily reliant on the military to drive its economy. And while state government leaders have tried to diversity Virginia's economy, Trump's surprise election in November means the state's flow of federal military spending could increase.

The National Conference of State Legislatures noted this month that Department of Defense spending on payroll and contracts in fiscal 2015 was higher in Virginia than any other state. And at 11.8 percent, Virginia has the highest defense spending as a percentage of state GDP.
Chris Douglass, 58, of Spotsylvania County, died unexpectedly at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center on Friday, February 24, 2017.

Chris was born June 9, 1958 in Leominster, Massachusetts, where his adventure as a military dependent began, living in various states and countries including Germany and Japan. These life experiences enhanced who he became as an adult. Chris graduated from Gar-Field HS in 1976. He worked in many vocations starting with fencing and tunnel work/mining blasting. Chris was employed by Northern Virginia Drilling at the time of his death.

Over the years Chris had many interests that occupied much of his time. This would include taxidermy. He was owner of Out Back Taxidermy, and he built many relationships through this endeavor. Chris enjoyed fishing and believed that rainy days were meant for fishing. He raised many birds, along with bees.

Chris was a kind hearted person and always helped people in any way he could. He had a very large heart for his family and friends. Chris was also the funniest person in our family. He made us laugh on all occasions, and he could find something silly in every situation.

Chris is survived by Renia, his bride of 26 years; his sons, Joseph Reynolds, of Dumfries, Adam Reynolds and wife Ainslee of Fredericksburg; and his daughters, Karyn Douglass and Lindsey Douglass, of the home. Chris also leaves behind his beloved mother, Medrith Douglass, of Dale City; his sister, Kitty Weatherly; and his nieces, Mollie Weatherly and Emily Weatherly, all of Waynesboro. He was preceded in death by his father, Alton L. Douglass.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 28 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association, 9702 Gayton Rd, Ste. 110, Richmond, VA 23238 or online at lung.org.

Online guestbook at covenantfuneralservice.com.
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 Granadatwo institutions that will not play each other in the opening round of the upcoming NCAA tournamentstudied 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 of 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.

Were surrounded by conversations, news and social media that constantly remind us of the issues that are stressing us the most, said Katherine C. Nordal, APAs 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.
THERES so much news coming out of Washington these days that it would be easy to overlook one recent event that didnt get much attention. It concerns the legal challenges to Trumps initial travel ban.

The first court to block it was out West, arising out of a lawsuit in Washington state. There was a second court, though, that also blocked the travel banand that one may turn out to be the more serious problem for the Trump administration.

The suit was filed by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, which offers us a local angle on a global issue. What you think of Herrings case depends on how you feel about immigration and national securityalthough presumably even Trump supporters would like any executive orders to be constitutional, right?

In ruling that Trumps initial ban is probably unconstitutional, a federal judge in Virginia had very different reasons from those cited by the West Coast judges. Thats why The Wall Street Journal says the Virginia ruling potentially presents a thornier problem as further legal challenges unfold.

On the weekend after Trumps ban took effect in January, Herring filed a formal inquiry with the Department of Homeland Security. Among his questions: How many Virginia residentspeople who might be citizens of those seven countries named in Trumps order but who had a lawful permanent residence in Virginiahad authorities detained? How many Virginia residents had authorities deported?

You may notice that this is a curious instance of a Democrat invoking what amounts to a states rights argumentwith Herring arguing that an overreaching federal government was hurting his states residents.

Herring also joined as a plaintiff to the West Coast lawsuit that had been filed on behalf of two brothers from Yemen, who showed up at Dulles International Airport with their green cards but were deported.

Once the West Coast courts blocked the travel ban, the Aziz brothers were able to fly back to the United States and rejoin their father, a naturalized American citizen living in Flint, Mich. Legally speaking, they no longer have standing in court, because their situation has been resolved. Virginia, though, remains a party to the caseand, if it goes forward, may be the only plaintiff left.

Herrings request for a preliminary injunction went before U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, a Bill Clinton appointee who presided over the trial of Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui.

Among other things, Herring argued that the travel ban imposed irreparable harm on Virginias colleges. He filed a declaration stating that foreign students were starting to withdraw from Virginia schools, and that state colleges could lose up to $20.8 million in lost tuition and fees.

But the significant thing about Brinkemas ruling is the legal rationale she used to grant a preliminary injunction. She zeroed in on the content of Trumps travel ban, ruling that it specifically aimed at Muslims, and was therefore unconstitutional because the First Amendments establishment clause does not allow the government to favoror disfavorone religion over another. Trump, of course, contends his ban was not a Muslim banthat it targeted only seven countries that have been identified with terrorism. Brinkema, in her 22-page ruling, dismissed that argument. Repeatedly.

First, she cited Trumps own words during the campaign in which he called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United Statesa statement that was still on his website the day he issued his executive order.

The judge ruled that Trumps loose talk during the campaign revealed his trueand unconstitutionalintentions.

What about the argument that Trumps initial travel ban couldnt be considered a Muslim ban because it didnt cover most of the Islamic world? The major premise of that argumentthat one can only demonstrate animus toward a group of people by targeting all of them at onceis flawed, Brinkema ruled. The Supreme Court has never reduced its Establishment Clause jurisprudence to a mathematical exercise. It is a discriminatory purpose that matters, no matter how inefficient the execution.

Brinkemas ruling on First Amendment grounds makes it more legally significant than the West Coast court case.

The Trump administration is still seeking a constitutional way to pursue his aims. Whatever he does, though, a case that Virginias attorney general has filed underscores some key boundaries, ones that another Virginian named James Madison helped write more than two centuries ago.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.27

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:



In addition to rising LNG (liquefied natural gas) imports for covering Europes growing gas import demand, the Southern Gas Corridor is the most important gas import diversification project for the EU, Frank Umbach, Research Director at the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King's College in London, told Trend.



He pointed out that this project is of particular importance for Southeastern Europe. Bulgaria, which had no gas interconnectors in the past, will now get access to Greece (Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria) and around 1 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas piped through the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP and TAP, added Umbach.



But most of the 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas to be supplied to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor (around 8 billion cubic meters) will be shipped further to Italy. For the other Southeast European countries, therefore, it is of utmost important to build the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), said the expert.



He noted that Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro have just expressed their interest to connect to the IAP and the Southern Gas Corridor to enhance energy supply security, diversification of imports and, therewith, national and regional gas competition  a pre-condition for modest gas prices and economic competitiveness as well as development.



Further, Umbach said that together with Turkey, Azerbaijan has played the key role in promoting TANAP.



The project has been unique in many ways as it has also opened markets, increased transparency and increased interregional gas competition, he said. The cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and the EU, as well its member states in Southeastern Europe has not only boosted their gas exports and imports, and, therewith, their economic and social development, but as well as those of Georgia, Turkey and the EU countries.



If gas supplies from Turkmenistan would become available by building the Trans-Caspian pipeline, the regional energy cooperation could also been widened with Turkmenistan and, theoretically, also Kazakhstan, according to Umbach.



Azerbaijan would also benefit by getting transit fees for Turkmen gas supplies to Europe, he added.



Frank Umbach, who is also a consultant of NATO on energy security and has participated repeatedly at Azerbaijan-NATO experts workshops/conferences, noted that the Southern Gas Corridor project and the future Azerbaijani gas supplies have also increased the foreign and security policy ties between Azerbaijan and the EU, as well as NATO.



On Feb. 23, Baku hosted the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Third Ministerial Meeting.



The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.



At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.



As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Russia is a threat to national security

Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, I still remember the duck and cover drills in the event Russia launched against us. Today, Russia is no less a foe of the United States, yet you would not know it listening to our congressmen.

Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, stated the real crime regarding ousted National Security Adviser Mike Flynn was an American citizen who had his phone call recorded and then leaked to the media.

Wrong. The real crime is you had an American citizen with access to classified information giving it to our adversary. When I was growing up, this was wrong no matter which side of the aisle you sat on.

Equally disturbing is various House leaders such as Paul Ryan saying basically lets move on to more important things. What is more important than the security of our nation?

Regardless of political affiliation, all Americans need to be outraged at the apparent collusion, tacit or otherwise, between my Republican Party and Russia.

Garry Archer Locust Grove
OSCARS

Which film will take home the top statuette? To find out, tune into the 89th annual Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, Sunday starting at 7 p.m.

Kitchen Table Stories: Graveyards, Genealogies and the Next Generation

On Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, two historians and storytellers will kick off the first of many sessions designed to help people turn kitchen table stories from the AfricanAmerican community into real pieces of history.

The session at Stratford Halls duPont Library is described as the first of a yearly offering of oral histories gathered from the AfricanAmerican communities of the Northern Neck.

The event will feature Marian Ashton, director of the A.T. Johnson Museum in Montross, and Lauranett Lee, the former curator of AfricanAmerican History at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, as presenters.

The program at Stratford Hall (483 Great House Road, Stratford) is open to the public and free, though donations will be accepted.

For more information, visit stratfordhall.org.

LOCAL LAUGHS

Need to chuckle a bit? Two well-known stand-up comics are performing here this weekend. Adam Mamawala will perform tonight at Cool Cow Comedy, Courtyard Marriott, 620 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, at 7 and 9 p.m. The show is for those 18 and older, and costs $15. For more information, visit coolcowcomedy.com. Liz Russo, as well as fellow comic Rob Ward, will hit the stage at Liberty Laughs, 5801 Southpoint Centre Blvd., Fredericksburg. Doors open 7:15 p.m., show starts 8 p.m. This one is also 18 and up. Tickets are $13. For more information, visit libertycenterva.com.

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS IN DOWNTOWN CULPEPER

Join the excitement of Mardi Gras in Downtown Culpeper today starting at noon. The event will feature live music, performing artists, wagon rides, New Orleans inspired food, crafts for children, Mardi Gras photo booth, costumed living historians, and balloon-magic. Enjoy the traditions of Mardi Gras with beads and masks for all.

Enjoy all day in-store specials with several specialty shops opening at 10 a.m. Restaurants will serve up Mardi Gras themed specials, such as sweet French Quarter beignets, King Cake, gumbo and po boys.

The Burgandine House (807 South Main St.) will celebrate both Carnival and George Washingtons birthday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. featuring history, period costumes, food tastings. The Museum of Culpeper History (113 South Commerce St.) in the Depot will be open from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Visit the museum for new exhibits, crafts for kids, selfie photo booth, and balloon animals from 12 p.m.

To find out more, visit facebook.com/culpepercarnival.

A CLASSIC WHODUNIT

Clue: The Musical will be presented at James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave., Fredericksbrug tonight at 7. General admission is $10 ($15 for students.)
First-term Irmo Mayor Barry Walker announced Sept. 26 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The mayors wife, Susan, also got COVD-19, Walker said on social media. As you know Im a kidney patient and require weekly dialysis, Walker wrote. This virus compromises my immune syste Read moreWhat You Missed: Irmo Mayor Barry Walker gets COVID-19
By Stef Gijssels We love solo bass albums, and it seems that they keep coming in great numbers. The overview below is indeed nothing more t...
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.27

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

World oil prices are rising on Feb.27 amid the optimism of investors on the implementation of the Vienna oil output deal by the producers.

The price of April futures for Brent crude oil has increased by 1.18 percent to $56.65 per barrel as of 04:53 EST. The price of April futures for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil has grown by 0.85 percent to $54.45 per barrel.

Earlier, the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) said in its January report that OPEC and non-OPEC producers have achieved a conformity level of 86 percent.

The Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee reported that OPEC and non-OPEC countries are on the right track towards full conformity with their adjustments in production.

The JMMC noted that there is still room for improvement to reach 100 percent conformity, and, in this regard, urged all parties to press on towards full and timely conformity.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Turkey imported 24.54 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia in 2016 as compared to 26.78 billion cubic meters in 2015, according to a report of Turkeys Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK).

Russia delivered 26.78 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey in 2015 as compared to almost 27 billion cubic meters in 2014.

The report says that in 2016, Turkey imported 46.35 billion cubic meters of gas, 38.72 billion cubic meters of which were imported via pipelines, and 7.63 billion cubic meters accounted for import of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Russian share in Turkeys total import of gas was 52.94 percent.

Russia supplies gas to Turkey via the Blue Stream and the Trans-Balkan pipelines. Blue Stream is a major trans-Black Sea gas pipeline with the capacity of 16 billion cubic meters per year that carries natural gas from Russia into Turkey.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
HTC Vive Free Trial Runs For A Month, Price Unrevealed; Playstation VR Nears 1 Million Units Sold Goal

HTC announced during CES 2017 that a subscription service will be implemented for Viveport. The online marketplace aims to provide an easier way for its consumers to experience new contents with a bigger news that it now offers free trial for a month.

Rikard Steiber, Viveport President, confirmed through Variety that the service will be launching soon and added that since the reveal of the service, there are already 14, 000 sign-ups. However, the information on how much the service would cost was not specified although he hinted that it will most likely carry a price similar to Spotify and Netflix.

HTC Vive's subscription service is available not only for consumers, but also for developers if they wish to. The studio has previously explained that they will split the revenue to 60/40, the larger part going straight to the developers and the other portion to the service.

Included in the confirmed titles so far are "Lumen," "Remembering Pearl Harbor," "Arcade Artist," and "Mars Odyssey". More updates about the Viveport subscription service are expected as Game Developers Conference 2017 is happening next week.

The Playstation VR, on the other hand, is reportedly the weakest amongst the major upcoming headsets in the market. However, experts say that it is the most famous by far. Global CEO and President Andrew House shared with New York Times the official sales figures for the device.

Playstation VR already sold 915, 000 units as of Feb. 19, four months after its release. The data from SuperData Research, meanwhile, revealed that HTC Vive and Oculus Rift were able to dispose 42, 000 and 234, 000 units respectively before 2016 ended. Both of these headsets were released seven months prior to Playstation VR availability.

Sony previously revealed that the aim was to sell one million units before April this year, and basing the projection on the statistics, it is not impossible to them to achieve the goal. They are also replenishing stocks in major retail outlets as fast as possible. Watch Virtual Reality - SteamVR featuring the HTC Vive here:
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:

Azerbaijan exported 6.48 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey in 2016 as compared to 6.17 billion cubic meters exported in 2015, the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority said in a report posted on its website.

Azerbaijan supplied 6.17 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey in 2015 versus 6.07 billion cubic meters in 2014.

According to the report, Turkey imported 46.35 billion cubic meters of gas in 2016, out of which 38.72 billion cubic meters were imported via pipelines and 7.63 billion cubic meters accounted for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.

Azerbaijan's share in Turkey's total gas imports was 13.98 percent in 2016.

Turkey imports gas from Azerbaijan via the South Caucasus Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum).

Turkey has a contract for the annual purchase of 6.6 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan's offshore Shah Deniz gas and condensate field.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
Tuesday is Rare Disease Day, and Oregon State Universitys Disability and Social Interaction Lab will host a full slate of activities on campus to call attention to the estimated one in 10 Americans who are afflicted with one of 7,000 unusual disorders.

Students in assistant professor Kathleen Bogarts lab will be on the quad from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, encouraging people to take part in games and other activities aimed at raising awareness of rare diseases.

For more information, visit the labs website at http://bit.ly/2kVGicd.
They didnt look like heroes.

But the so-called valve turners  five climate activists who got themselves arrested on Oct. 11 when they broke into oil company control stations in four states and simultaneously shut off pipelines carrying Canadian crude into the United States  got a heroes welcome from a Corvallis audience Saturday night.

More than 150 people filled the sanctuary at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to hear a presentation from the five activists, who looked more like unassuming middle-aged professionals than dangerous eco-guerrillas, and a sixth person who was arrested for assisting them.

The crowd stood and applauded when the six took the podium, cheered loudly at several points during the presentation and gave the speakers a standing ovation at the end of the two-hour event.

Moderated by Oregon State University professor and environmental writer Kathleen Dean Moore, the event was sponsored by 350Corvallis.org and the churchs Climate Justice Committee as a benefit for the activists, part of a speaking tour designed to help cover their legal fees.

Annette Klapstein, Emily Johnston, Leonard Higgins, Michael Foster and Ken Ward face felony charges ranging from trespassing to sabotage for briefly halting the flow of tar sands oil to show support for the Standing Rock Sioux tribes efforts to block the Dakota Access Pipeline and to call attention to the growing threat of global warming.

The maximum penalties for the crimes with which they were charged range from 10 years to 51 years in prison.

Ben Joldersma, who acted solely in a support role, could get up to five years behind bars for aiding and abetting the others.

In response to questions from Moore and the audience, most of the activists admitted being scared as they prepared to carry out their symbolic act of defiance. But they all said they saw their actions as a necessary escalation of the battle to halt  or at least slow  the dangerous heating of the earths atmosphere caused by burning fossil fuels.

Its not that were not afraid of what we did and the consequences (of that), Johnston said. Its that were vastly more afraid of climate change.

Far more than fear, Klapstein said, she felt a responsibility to do something to protect the future of her children and all the worlds children.

If youre an older white person, this is your job, she said. Its up to us to take these risks.

Asked how it felt to actually turn the shutoff valves, Leonard Higgins, a former Corvallis resident who now lives in Eugene, spoke about that helpless feeling he experienced as a parent when he worried about not being able to protect his kids from danger.

Being able to do something that has a chance to make a difference and maybe bring things around (on climate change), that was just such a wonderful relief, he said.

Foster talked about being in the right place at the right moment in history to take action against global warming. And he drew some of the loudest applause of the evening when he said, I still cant believe it. I look at these hands  this shut off the Keystone oil pipeline!

Asked if all Americans should feel a sense of complicity in the accelerating pace of global warming, Johnston noted that there are 2.5 million miles of oil and gas pipelines in this country and pointed out that her groups actions demonstrate that they can be shut off.

If we allow business as usual to continue, we know where this ends, right?  We have no choice but to stop it, she said.

Ward, who spent many years working in mainstream environmental organizations, said those groups bear a large share of the blame for the climate crisis because theyve shied away from directly confronting fossil fuel companies over global warming.

We did not go out and try to fight them, Ward said. If we had started a fight 20 years ago, we would not be in the situation we are now.

The activists are hoping to use their trials to make the point that global warming poses an imminent threat to the survival of humanity. To that end, each of them is attempting to use a legal argument known as a necessity defense, which Foster said was like someone claiming they were justified in breaking into a burning house in order to save the lives of the people inside.

The necessity defense is something weve been trying to introduce into these cases for climate because there are billions of lives in there, and its up to people like us to get them out, Foster said.

Higgins underscored the urgency of efforts to combat climate change. While dangerous levels of warming are already inevitable, he said, the world can still take steps to cushion the blow.

We cant duck the deaths that are already happening and the more to come, but we can at least limit the impacts, Higgins said.

The presentation ended with an emotional call to action.

I think now is the time when direct action and civil disobedience is particularly needed, Higgins said. We do need to change the concept of whats politically possible.

Klapstein stated the case bluntly.

The oil companies, the fossil fuel companies, are committing crimes against humanity, and I think we have to stop them, she said.

Klapstein invited the audience to join the fight in whatever capacity they felt comfortable with, whether that meant risking a prison sentence by shutting off a pipeline or simply providing support for those on the front lines.

There is a role for everybody in this kind of direct, dramatic action, Klapstein said. Everybody can play a part.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

Trend:

Azercell Telecom LLC, the leading mobile operator of Azerbaijan and Kaspersky Lab, international IT security company, calls for public attention regarding the recent crucial issue on How to protect children from the dangers of social network! According to Kaspersky Security Networks Big Data, 75 percent of internet activity of children in Azerbaijan is related to communication which is primarily done on social networks. Given the average worldwide rate of 63 percent, it may be concluded that young people of Azerbaijan are quite active users of social networks.

The experts point out several major dangers with social media. For instance, children may accidentally or deliberately enter web pages for adults. They include not only erotics or pornography, but also any kind of information on drugs, suicide, rape or weapon. The other danger might occur as a result of chatting with unknown people. The study shows that on average 14-16 year olds personnaly know 25 friends out of 47 in social networks. In such cases, it is impossible to know whether your chat peer at the other end is a child or a criminal.

Another factor increasing the danger is that teenagers show their home address, school name and locations on social networks  55 percent of respondents admitted doing it. Such information allows criminals to locate and identify them in reality very easily. In addition, children have recently experienced cyberbullying on social networks.

How to know if something is wrong with your child on social networks?

Sudden adverse change of mood without any reason;

Changing the style of usage of digital tools and social networks (child wakes up at night to access internet);

Sharp increase/decrease of number of friends on social networks;

Sudden friends with significant age gap;

Abusive pictures and messages on personal page;

Deleting social network account.



This list is not exclusive, but if you observe any of these factors in your children, you should immediately act on it.

Specifically to protect children online Azercell subscribers can exclusively use the Kaspersky Lab product Kaspersky Safe Kids. This program helps parents to control the usage time of the device to adjust the schedule of access to the Internet and receive reports about the time that the child spends on his gadget. In addition, it protects the child from viewing adult content, informs parents about the signs of cyberbullying, provides statistics of calls and SMS and much more.

To learn more about the threats to children online, as well as about the ways of protection of young users please visit the sites https://kids.kaspersky.ru/ and

https://www.azercell.com/safety/safekids .

The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country.

Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G  LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012.

According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan.
United Nations : The bridge builder

Bonn Patrick van Weerelt talks to GAs Jasmin Fischer about his first year as Head of Office at the UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development.

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The Rhine is outside the window and there is an English park at the front door, all in the middle of Bonn. Patrick van Weerelt, who has headed the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development in Haus Carstanjen for the past year, knows only too well that some would be glad to swap workplaces with him.

To him, the impressive surroundings are more than just optics: Haus Carstanjen lends some weight to our new initiative. It is the only castle in the entire UN operation. The setting gives UN employees from Togo, Thailand, Vietnam and 115 other countries perhaps the final push to make the journey to the Rhine for their continued education.

Van Weerelt, who is from the Netherlands, has welcomed 900 participants since the UNSSC opened a year ago in Bonn. The centre not only deepens UN employees knowledge of sustainable development but also designs tailor-made courses for companies with sustainability goals, such as UPS or Toyota, for government agencies or philanthropic institutions.

Everyone needs to learn how to achieve goals as partners and how to avoid pitfalls, explains van Weerelt. It is not about how to attract a lot of money from the business sector, but how to achieve a common goal. Examples of sustainable solutions that help everyone are tents for migrants, such as those now being produced by the furniture giant Ikea, or the automation processes being developed by the software specialist SAP for health projects.

The private sector understands the urgency of the climate change

Without private sector initiatives, we would never be able to achieve our goals for sustainable development, acknowledges the UN representative. Van Weerelt has to finance a substantial part of the UN knowledge centre through course fees. For us, quickly adapting to requirements is a question of survival, says the Head of Centre. He is lucky that the private sector has better understood the urgency of the climate change problem than many state institutions. The UNSSC therefore has lots of bookings and the man from Rotterdam wants to almost double his team of eight employees to fifteen by June.

Patrick van Weerelt came to Bonn with his family in October 2015 after positions in UN duty stations in Italy, Senegal, New York, Geneva and South Africa. Im really happy, he says. Ministries are open-minded to our requests and my son can go to Bonn International School by bike. We are planning to stay here for a long time. The city is also intellectually stimulating. Nearly every day we find at one of the many local internationally active organisations a new genius, who helps us with further education, says the Netherlander. The restructuring of the Ruhr area provides a living study on the doorstep for guests from all over the world.

"Building Bridges" as a work motto

The 47-year-old also applies the work motto Building Bridges to himself. In 2016 he immediately supported the founding of an international Carnival association. The UN-Funken, of which he is president, will have a float for the first time in this seasons Rose Monday parade.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

Trend:

Azercell Telecom LLC continues to support students under the programme of SABAH Career Academy. This time, company experts provided training courses for students under SABAH Career Winter School project in Guba.

The trainings conducted by Aytan Farzaliyeva, head of Business Partnership unit at HR Department and recruitment specialists Sevinj Teymurova, Vahida Orujova, Aysel Eynullayeva were welcomed with great enthusiasm by the audience of about 100 students.

The topics such as career planning, drafting CV and resume, preparing for interviews, presentation skills were covered at the training course along with extensive discussions with the students.

Later, the participants evaluated the training courses provided by Azercell team and discussed their benefits. I understood to what extent my CV was drafted in a wrong way. In fact, I gained a chance to draft my CV again. We were taught in detail about how to succeed in interviews. Now I am completely ready to attack the vacancies, Shahin Khalilov from Technical University said.

Weve learned how to draft a proper CV. Now it is clear for us why we might not get invitation for interview or fail the interview. During the training we also got familiarized with types of interviews and interview steps in practice. I think we can enter the labor market with greater confidence now, Afsana Farzaliyeva from State University of Economics noted.

At the end of the two-day training course, the participants were awarded the certificates and trainers received a letter of acknowledgement.

Azercell has a history of cooperation with SABAH groups. Last year a half of places in Baku was allocated for SABAH groups under Student Bursary Program. One of the 5 teams qualified for 6-months-long incubation program in Barama Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center consisted of SABAH students. Introductory visit to Azercell Plaza was organized for the student of SABAH groups at the end of 2016. They attended winter sessions about Introduction to GSM technologies, Product Management and Develop your own brand.

SABAH groups is one of the most leading projects established in academic year 2014/2015 in 7 universities with the initiative of the Ministry of Education. Currently, SABAH groups operates in 11 universities with 45 fields of specialization and over 2300 students. Over 740 SABAH students will graduate from 7 universities in 45 fields of specialization in academic year 2016/2017.

For more information, please contact [email protected]



The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country.

Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G  LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012.

According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan.
Article

Protecting the worlds oceans  an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy

The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral cooperation and key issues of the international agenda within the meeting in Astana on Feb. 27, the presidential press-service reported.



Kazakh president noted that the two countries have relations of high trust and understanding and that the Eurasian economic union which joins Russia and Kazakhstan together is a promising organization for all of its participants.

Nazarbayev also stressed that Kazakhstan and Russia have the same position on the international agenda and will make every effort to reach common goals in the framework of the UN Security Council.

Putin, in turn, thanked his Kazakh counterpart for the organization of the Astana talks to resolve the Syrian conflict, and noted that Kazakhstan played a positive role in this process.

"A mechanism for monitoring the Syrian ceasefire has been established. It is the most important thing. It created a basis to resume the Geneva talks," Putin said.

Putin also noted that Kazakhstan is one of the key economic partners of Russia and urged to increase economic cooperation within integration processes. The president of Russia expressed hope for support of Kazakhstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in dealing with global issues.

The presidents also discussed further aspects of Eurasian integration and the prospects for cooperation in the economic sphere.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
clarajancita at 27-02-2017 10:47 AM (5 years ago) (f)

Press freedom in the Whitehouse is currently being limited as media giant, Cable News Network and other perceived enemies of te U.S president, Donald Trump have been restricted from a presidential media activity.



CNN and other news outlets were blocked 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.

Press freedom in the Whitehouse is currently being limited as media giant, Cable News Network and other perceived enemies of te U.S president, Donald Trump have been restricted from a presidential media activity.CNN and other news outlets were blocked 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. 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.



When reporters from these news organizations tried to enter Spicer's office for the gaggle, they were told they could not attend because they were not on the list of attendees.

In a brief statement defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House 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.When reporters from these news organizations tried to enter Spicer's office for the gaggle, they were told they could not attend because they were not on the list of attendees.In a brief statement defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House Quote "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today."



The White House press pool usually includes representatives from one television outlet, one radio outlet and one print outlet, as well as reporters from a few wire services. 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.

And while The New York Times was kept out, conservative media organizations Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were also allowed in.

The White House press pool usually includes representatives from one television outlet, one radio outlet and one print outlet, as well as reporters from a few wire services. 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.And while The New York Times was kept out, conservative media organizations Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were also allowed in. Quote "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 don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless."



New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet wrote, New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet wrote, Quote "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."

The White House press office had informed reporters earlier that the traditional, on-camera press briefing would be replaced by a gaggle in Spicer's office, reporters in attendance said. Asked about the move by the White House Correspondents Association, the White House said it would take the press pool and invite others as well.



The WHCA protested that decision on the grounds that it would unfairly exclude certain news organizations, the reporters said. The White House did not budge, and when reporters arrived at Spicer's office, White House communications officials only allowed in reporters from specific media outlets. Naijapals reporters attempted to access the gaggle when it began at about 1:45 p.m. ET. As they walked with a large group of fellow journalists from the White House briefing room toward Spicer's office, an administration official turned them around, informing them CNN wasn't on the list of attendees.



Reporters from The Associated Press, Time magazine and USA Today decided in the moment to boycott the briefing because of how it was handled.

Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: The White House press office had informed reporters earlier that the traditional, on-camera press briefing would be replaced by a gaggle in Spicer's office, reporters in attendance said. Asked about the move by the White House Correspondents Association, the White House said it would take the press pool and invite others as well.The WHCA protested that decision on the grounds that it would unfairly exclude certain news organizations, the reporters said. The White House did not budge, and when reporters arrived at Spicer's office, White House communications officials only allowed in reporters from specific media outlets. Naijapals reporters attempted to access the gaggle when it began at about 1:45 p.m. ET. As they walked with a large group of fellow journalists from the White House briefing room toward Spicer's office, an administration official turned them around, informing them CNN wasn't on the list of attendees.Reporters from The Associated Press, Time magazine and USA Today decided in the moment to boycott the briefing because of how it was handled.Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: Quote "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.

Several news outlets spoke out against the White House's decision.

Several news outlets spoke out against the White House's decision. Quote "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. "Had we known at the time, we would not have participated and we will not participate in such closed briefings in the future."

The White House move was called "appalling" by Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who said the Trump administration Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who said the Trump administration is on "an undemocratic path."



Politico editor-in-chief John Harris said that The White House move was calledby Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who said the Trump administration Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who said the Trump administration is onPolitico editor-in-chief John Harris said that Quote "selectively excluding news organizations from White House briefings is misguided." Said BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith: Said BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith: Quote "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."The Associated Press said it "believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible." The White House Correspondents Association also protested the move.

The White House Correspondents Association also protested the move. Quote "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," it 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."



Hours earlier, at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, President Trump mocked and disparaged the news media. He said that much of the press represents "the enemy of the people."

Hours earlier, at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, President Trump mocked and disparaged the news media. He said that much of the press represents Quote "They are the enemy of the people because they have no sources," Trump said. "They just make them up when there are none."

He also said reporters "shouldn't be allowed" to use unnamed sources. He also said reportersto use unnamed sources.

Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 27-02-2017 10:47 AM (5 years ago) | Hero
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Top 20 Smartphones announced at MWC 2017: Nokia 6, LG G6, Nokia 3310, Moto G5 Plus and More Features oi -Harish Kumar Heres a list of all the smartphones that ware announced during the Mobile World Congress, 2017.

The latest edition of Mobile World Congress has been concluded in Spain, Barcelona and gave us a glimpse of what the biggest mobile makers has to offer to smartphone enthusiasts.

The show was stocked full of high-end smartphones from the house of Samsung, LG, Motorola, Huawei, etc. and even introduced the most anticipated Nokia smartphones to the world.

Fret not if you missed something because we have created an entire list of the smartphones introduced during this year's Mobile World Congress (2017). This is your one-stop place to discover everything that unfolded at the biggest mobile show of the year. Here you go.

General Mobile GM 6 Key Specs of General Mobile GM 6 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) OnCell IPS 2.5D curved glass display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection

1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737T processor with with Mali-T720 GPU

3GB RAM

32GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Single / Dual SIM

13MP rear camera with dual LED Flash, 1080p video recording

8MP front-facing camera with LED flash

4G LTE

3000mAh battery Lenovo Tab 4 8 Complete Specs of Lenovo Tab 4 8

Key Specs

8-inch (1280 x 800 pixels) HD IPS display, 10-point multi-touch

1.4GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 425 processor with Adreno 308 GPU

2GB RAM

16GB internal storage

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

5MP auto focus rear camera

2MP front-facing camera

4G LTE (with voice calling)

4850mAh battery Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus Complete Specs of Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus

Key Specs

8-inch (1920 x 1200 pixels) full HD IPS display, 10-point multi-touch

2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 14nm processor with Adreno 506 GPU

3GB / 4GB RAM

16GB / 64GB internal storage

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

8MP auto focus rear camera

5MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE

4850mAh battery with fast charging Lenovo Tab 4 10 Complete Specs of Lenovo Tab 4 10

Key Specs

10.1-inch (1280 x 800 pixels) HD IPS display, 10-point multi-touch

1.4GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 425 processor with Adreno 308 GPU

2GB RAM

16GB internal storage

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

5MP auto focus rear camera

2MP front-facing camera

4G LTE (with voice calling)

7000mAh battery Gionee A1 Complete Specs of Gionee A1

Key Specs

5.5-inch (1920 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS 2.5D curved glass display

1.8 GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor with Mali T860 GPU

4GB RAM

64GB Internal memory

expandable memory up to 128GB with micro SD

Android 7.0 (Nougat) with Amigo OS

Dual SIM

13MP rear camera with LED flash

16MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE

4010mAh battery with fast charging Gionee A1 Plus Complete Specs of Gionee A1 Plus

Key Specs

6-inch (1920 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS 2.5D curved glass display

2.5GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio P25 processor with Mali-T880 GPU

4GB RAM

64GB Internal memory

expandable memory up to 256GB with micro SD

Android 7.0 (Nougat) with Amigo OS

Dual SIM

13MP rear camera, sencondary 5MP camera

20MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE

4550mAh battery with fast charging ZTE Blade V8 Mini Complete Specs of ZTE Blade V8 Mini

Key Specs

5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD display

1.4GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 435 processor with Adreno 505 GPU

2GB RAM

16GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano/microSD)

13MP rear camera with LED Flash, secondary 2MP camera

5MP front-facing camera

4G LTE

2800mAh built-in battery ZTE Blade V8 Lite Complete Specs of ZTE Blade V8 Lite

Key Specs

5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD display

Octa-Core MediaTek MT6750 (4 x 1.5GHz A53 + 4 x 1.0GHz A53) processor with Mali T860 GPU

2GB RAM

16GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano/microSD)

8MP rear camera with LED Flash

5MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE

2500mAh built-in battery Alcatel A5 LED Complete Specs of Alcatel A5 LED

Key Specs

5.2 inch IPS HD (1280720) diplay

1.5GHz Octa-Core Mediatek MT6753 processor

2GB RAM

16GB internal storage

expandable via micro SD card

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Dual SIM

8MP AF, aperture f/2.0, dual tone flash

5MP front camera

4G LTE Cat

2800mAh battery Alcatel A3 Complete Specs of Alcatel A3

Key Specs

5 inch IPS HD (1280X720) display

1.25GHz Octa-Core processor

1.5GB RAM

16GB internal storage

expandable upto 32GB via micrSD card

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Dual SIM

13 mega-pixel rear camera

5 mega-pixel front camera

4G LTE Cat 4

2460mAh battery Alcatel U5 Complete Specs of Alcatel U5

Key Specs

5-inch FWVGA (854480) display

1.1 GHz processor Quad core processor

1GB RAM

8GB internal storage

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Front-facing speakers and fingerprint senso

5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash

2-megapixel front camera

4G LTE Cat

2050mAh battery Nubia N1 lite Complete Specs of Nubia N1 lite

Key Specs

5.5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display

Quad-core MediaTek 64-bit processor

2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory with microSD

Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)

Dual SIM

8MP rear camera with dual LED Flash, f/2.0 aperture

5MP front-facing camera with LED flash

3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio

4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS

3000mAh battery SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSDXC UHS-I card Key specs

Read Speed up to 100 MB/s (256GB), up to 90MB/s (128GB, 64GB and 32GB)

Write Speed up to 90MB/s (256GB), up to 60MB/s (128GB), up to 40MB/s (64GB and 32GB)

A1 spec allows the new card to manage random read input-output access per second (IOPS) of 1,500 and write IOPS of 500

256GB microSDXC card lets you store up to 24 hours of Full HD video

SanDisk Memory Zone app lets you view, access, and back up your phone's files in one location.

It can also automatically move files from your device to your memory card to free up space.

Waterproof, temperature-proof, shockproof, and X-ray proof Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 Key Specs of Toughbook CF-33

12.0-inch QHD (2160 1440) anti-reflective high brightness outdoor display

Intel Core i5-7300U vPro processor

8GB RAM

256GB SSD storage

Windows 10 Pro

8MP rear camera

2MP webcam

Stereo microphones

Digitiser pen embedded in the tablet part

Water and dust resistant (IP65)

4G LTE, USB 3.0, HDMI, LAN, micro SD-XC and headset ports

Alcatel PLUS 12 2-in-1

Complete Specs of Alcatel PLUS 12 2-in-1

Key Specs

11.6-inch full HD (19801020) display

Intel Celeron N3350 processor

4GB RAM

32GB eMMC SSD and 32GB microSD card

expandable up to 128GB via microSD card

Windows 10

5 mega-pixel rear camera

4G

26.8WHr battery

Nokia 3310

Complete Specs of Nokia 3310

Key Specs

2.4 Inch QVGA Display

MicroSD Upto 32GB

Dual Normal SIM

2MP Camera With LED Flash

FM Radio

MP3 Player

Bluetooth 3.0 With SLAM

Nokia Series 30+ OS

1200 MAh Battery

Nokia 3

Complete Specs of Nokia 3

Key Specs

5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD 2.5D sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass display, 450 nits brightness

1.3GHz Quad-core MediaTek MT6737 64-bit Processor with Mali T720 MP1 GPU

2GBGB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat) OS

Dual SIM / Single SIM

8MP autofocus rear camera with LED Flash, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um pixel size

8MP autofocus front-facing camera, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um pixel size

4G LTE

2650mAh battery

Nokia 6

Complete Specs of Nokia 6Key Specs

5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) 2.5D curved glass display with 450 nits brightness

Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430, 64-bit processor with Adreno 505 GPU

3GB / 4GB LPDDR3 RAM

32GB / 64GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.1.1 (Nougat)

Dual SIM

16MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash

8MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE

3000mAh built-in battery

Nokia 5

Complete Specs of Nokia 5Key Specs

5.2 Inch HD IPS Display

Android Nougat

1.2 GHz Snapdragon 430 Octa-Core Processor

2GB RAM With 16GB ROM

Single Speaker

Dual SIM

13MP Rear Camera With Dual Tone LED Flash

8MP Front Camera

4G VoLTE/WiFi

Dolby Digital

3000mAh Battery



LG G6

Complete Specs of LG G6Key Specs

5.7-inch (1440  2880 pixels) QHD+ LCD display

Quad-core Snapdragon 821 processor with Adreno 530 GPU

4GB LPDDR4 RAM

32GB / 64GB (UFS 2.0) internal memory

expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

13MP dual rear cameras with dual-tone LED Flash, OIS 2.0

5MP front camera with 100-degree wide-angle lens

Fingerprint sensor

Water, dust resistant (IP68)

32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, Dolby Vision

4G LTE

3300mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0



Huawei P10

Complete Specs of Huawei P10Key Specs

5.1-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD LCD 2.5d curved Gorilla Glass 5 display

Octa-Core Huawei Kirin 960 processor with Mali G71 Octa-core GPU

4GB RAM

64GB storage

expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat) with Emotion UI 5.1

Hybird Dual SIM (nano SIM + nano SIM / microSD)

20MP (Monochrome) + 12MP (RGB) Dual rear cameras

8MP front-facing camera, Leica lens

Fingerprint sensor

4G VoLTE

3,200 mAh battery with fast charging

Huawei P10 Plus



Complete Specs of Huawei P10 PlusKey Specs

5.5-inch (2560 x 1440 pixels) Quad HD LCD 2.5d curved Gorilla Glass 5 display

Octa-Core Huawei Kirin 960 processor with Mali G71 Octa-core GPU

4GB RAM with 64GB storage

6GB RAM with 128GB storage

expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat) with Emotion UI 5.0

20MP (Monochrome) + 12MP (RGB) Dual rear cameras

8MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G VoLTE

3,750mAh battery with fast charging

Motorola Moto G5 Plus

Complete Specs of Moto G5 PlusKey Specs

5.2 Inch FHD Display With Gorilla Glass 3

2.0GHz Snapdragon 625 Octa-Core Processor

2/3/4GB RAM With 64GB ROM

12 MP Rear Camera With LED Flash

5 MP Front Camera

VoLTE/WiFi

Fingerprint Sensor

Bluetooth 4.2

Water Repellent Coating

Turbo Charging

3000 MAh Battery

BlackBerry KEYone



Complete Specs of BlackBerry KEYoneKey Specs

4.5-inch (1620 x 1080 pixels) display with 433 PPI

2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 14nm processor with 650MHz Adreno 506 GPU

3GB of RAM

32GB of internal storage

expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD

4-row Physical QWERTY backlit keyboard with capacitive touch

Android 7.1 (Nougat)

12MP of rear camera with dual-tone LED Flash

8MP of front-facing camera

4G LTE

3505mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0

Motorola Moto G5

Complete Specs of Moto G5Key Specs

5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD display with Corning Gorilla glass 3 protection

1.4GHz Octa-Core 64-bit Snapdragon 430 (MSM8937) processor with Adreno 505 GPU

2GB /3GB RAM

16GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 128 GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Dual SIM

13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash

5MP front-facing camera with OmniVision OV5693 sensor

Water repellent nano-coating

Front-ported loudspeaker

4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS

2800mAh battery with 10W rapid charging



Samsung Galaxy Book Windows 10 2-in-1 with S Pen

Complete Specs of Samsung Galaxy BookKey Specs

10.6-inch (19201280) FHD TFT display

2.6GHz Dual Core 7th Gen Intel Core m3 processor

4GBRAM, 64GB /128GB eMMC, microSD up to 256GB

Windows 10

5MP front camera

4G LTE Cat.6 (Optional)

30.4W battery with up to 10 hours of battery life, Fast Charging

Samsung Galaxy Book 12 inch

Complete Specs of Samsung Galaxy Book 12 inchKey Specs

10.6-inch (19201280) FHD TFT display

3.1GHz Dual Core 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor,

4GB RAM with 128GB SSD

8GB RAM with 256GB SSD

microSD up to 256GB

Windows 10

13MP auto focus rear camera

5MP front camera

4G LTE Cat.6 (Optional)

39.04W battery with up to 10.5 hours of battery life, Fast Charging





Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (2017)

Complete Specs of Samsung Galaxy Tab S3Key Specs

9.7-inch (20481536 pixel) QXGA Super AMOLED display

2.15GHz quad-core Snapdragon 820 64-bit Quad-Core processor with Adreno 530 GPU

4GB RAM

32GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

13MP rear camera

5MP front-facing camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE (optional)

6000mAh battery with Fast Charging

Samsung Gear VR

Complete Specs of Samsung Gear VR

Samsung Gear VR with controller offers 42mm lenses with 101-degree field of view and comes with advanced distortion correction technology to minimize motion sickness. Samsung's latest VR offering supports both micro USB and USB Type-C port with a converter bundled in the package. The new Gear VR with controller measures 207.8 x 122.5 x 98.6mm and weighs 345 grams. The product is compatible with Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note 5, S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge.

HP Pro X2 612 G2

Complete Specs of HP Pro X2 612 G2Key Specs

12-inch (1920 x 1280) Full HD display with Gorilla Glass

Intel's Pentium, Core M3, i5, and i7 with integrated Intel HD Graphics 615

8GB RAM

Up to a 512GB (removable) SSD

Windows 10

USB Type-C port

USB 3.0 port

SIM card slot

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra

Complete Specs of Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra

Key Specs

6-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) display with Image Enhance Technology

2.3GHz GHz MediaTek Helio P20 Octa-Core 64-bit 16nm processor with ARM Mali T880 GPU

4GB RAM

32GB /64GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 200GB via microSD card

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Dual SIM (Optional)

23MP rear camera

16MP front-facing

4G LTE

2700mAh battery with fast charging

Lenovo Miix 320



Complete Specs of Lenovo Miix 320

Key Specs

10.1-inch Full HD (19201200) display

powered by an Intel AtomX5 processor

Intel HD graphics

comes with up to 4GB memory

up to 128GB eMMC

a 2-megapixel front-facing

5-megapixel rear-facing cameras

it runs Windows 10

USB ports on the keyboard dock

802.11ac Wi-Fi with optional LTE

up to 10 hours of battery life

Sony Xperia XZ Premium



Complete Specs of Sony Xperia XZ Premium

Key Specs

5.5 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen

Android OS, v7.1 (Nougat)

Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835

Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)

4 GB RAM

64 GB of Internal Memory

19 MP Rear Camera

13 MP Front Camera

Non-removable Li-Ion 3230 mAh battery

Sony XA1

Complete Specs of Sony XA1

Key Specs

5.0 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen

Android OS, v7.0 (Nougat)

Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20

Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)

32 GB of Internal Memory

3 GB RAM

23MP Rear Camera

8MP Front Camera

Non-removable Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery

Sony Xperia XZs



Complete Specs of Sony Xperia XZs

Key Specs

5.2 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen

Android OS, v7.0 (Nougat)

Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820

Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)

19 MP of Rear Camera

13 MP of Front Camera

32 GB Internal Memory

4 GB RAM

Non-removable Li-Ion 2900 mAh battery

Best Mobiles in India
Manufacturing iPhone SE in India is just step-1 for Apple: Bigger plans in the pipeline News oi -Priyanka The company is planning to make most of its products in India and will establish an ecosystem with patners.

The Cupertino-based tech giant, Apple has informed the government that the company is planning to make most of its products in India and will establish an ecosystem with patners.

IT secretary Aruna Sundararajan reportedly said that Apple plans to move up the value chain in their next phase, in terms of producing the entire suite of products, definitely all iPhone models for which their entire ecosystem of partners needs to move in.

"They (Apple) have two primary asks - one that they should be able to import the components that they need, and second that it should be cheaper for them to manufacture here than to import," she said.

Paytm crosses 200 million wallet users

Apple's contract manufacturer Wistron Corp is likely to start assembling the iPhone SE at a plant in Bengaluru and there were news that Foxconn is also in talks with the Maharashtra government.

An Apple spokesperson said, "We've been working hard to develop our operations in India and are proud to deliver the best products and services in the world to our customers here. We appreciate the constructive and open dialogue we've had with government about further expanding our local operations."

The company had told the government that it is ready with a blueprint to begin manufacturing iPhones in India but wants fiscal concessions, including customs duty waiver on import of components.

The company is also looking for relaxation in the 30 percent local sourcing of components.

Best Mobiles in India

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Blade V8 Mini

The key highlight of this smartphone is the dual camera setup at the back of the smartphone. As such, the setup consists of a 13 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP secondary sensor for depth sensing.

Users will be able to make use of the bokeh effect with simulated apertures in the f/1.0-f/8.0 range and there is a feature for post-capture refocusing also. The selfie camera is 5MP fixed-focus one.

The phone comes with a 5-inch 720p display and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chip featuring 28nm, 8x1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, Adreno 505GPU. The smartphone has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage, which is expandable via microSD.

SEE ALSO: Gionee A1 and A1 Plus launched: Specifications, availability and more

The smartphone will feature a 2800mAh battery and it's fitted inside a body that measures 143.5x70x8.9mm. There is fingerprint sensor on the back and the phone will run on Android Nougat with a ZTE custom skin on top.

As for the availability and price, the Blade V8 Mini will be available in various markets across Asia Pacific and Europe, though ZTE has not revealed the price.

Blade V8 Lite

Another mid-range smartphone from ZTE, but this looks to be a lesser compared to the V8 Mini. As such the smartphone will not feature a dual camera setup but instead pack an 8MP camera st the back with Auto Focus. The selfie camera will come with a 5MP sensor.

The smartphone will come with a 5-inch FHD display and it measures 5.65x2.79x0.31 inches (143.5x71x8mm) in diameter. Under the hood, the device will be powered by an MT6750 eight-core chip (basically non-Helio MediaTeks), and it will be coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The phone does come with an additional microSD slot. The smartphone will derive its power from a 2500mAh battery and will run on Android 7.0 OS.

SEE ALSO: Sony Xperia XZ Premium with Snapdragon 835 SoC launched at MWC 2017

The Blade V8 Lite will be available in Italy, Germany, and Spain, and again the price is yet to be revealed.

ZTE Gigabit Phone

Interestingly, ZTE has announced what might be the world's first 5G smartphone. As per the company, the device will be compatible with ultra-fast 5G mobile internet service that will be coming in the near future. Samsung also announced and unveiled 5G network products at the event.

While we don't have details on the device, the company has said the Gigabit Phone is the first smartphone capable of download speeds reaching up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). It is equivalent to speeds 10 times faster than the first generation of 4G services used today. Additionally, the company says the new smartphone will allow for 360-degree panoramic Virtual Reality video and fast downloads of ultra Hi-Fi music and videos.

SEE ALSO: Alcatel A5 LED, A3, U3, and PLUS 12 unveiled at MWC 2017

Commentating on the launch, a ZTE spokesperson said, "We are thrilled to introduce the world's first smartphone with download speeds up to 1Gbps. With the new device, the way people stay connected will be changed forever." "Focusing on 5G technologies will be one of the key priorities of ZTE's global development. ZTE will be very glad to leverage its technology strength and experience in 5G to cooperate with government and business partners to discuss and facilitate the upcoming 5G era."

However, as the company has said that the 5G phone is a "forward-looking" smartphone, it could basically mean that it will be concept phone and the Gigabit Phone will never be sold as such. IT could be used to showcase 5G and the possibilities that come with it.
Samsung Galaxy S8 launch date announced at MWC 2017 News oi -Samden Sherpa Samsung has announced the official Galaxy S8 launch date.

While Samsung may have filled the spot at MWC 2017 by announcing the two new tablets, the Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy Book, the company did release a small 30-second teaser video as promised for the upcoming Galaxy S8 flagship smartphone.

The video is quite interesting but it doesn't reveal anything about the much-anticipated device. While we don't get to see the device in its true form and Samsung might just be keeping it a little secret, but more significantly we do get the official launch dates from the video. You can watch the video at the bottom.

MWC 2017; Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Tablet, Galaxy Book 2-in-1 Hybrid launched

However, according to the details revealed in the video, Samsung has informed the press that theSamsung Galaxy S8 will be made official or launched on 29 March 2017 at an event called Samsung Unpacked. The South Korean giant further has confirmed that the March 29 event will take place in New York, and will kick off at 11 am EDT (9:30 pm IST).

Besides, the launch of this smartphone will be an important task for the company as it has promised to bring a great smartphone that will be unique and better as compared to other smartphones in the market.

Samsung fans don't forget to mark your calendars!

Best Mobiles in India

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Sony Xperia XZ Premium image leaked ahead of launch: Watch Sony MWC 2017 event live here News oi -Sneha Sony Xperia XZ Premium launching today at MWC 2017: Watch the launch event live here with us.

Sony is going to hold its Mobile World Congress press conference today at Barcelona. The smartphone vendor is going to announce a wide range of devices, out of which, one will be the flagship product - Sony Xperia XZ Premium.

Ahead of the launch today, a report from XperiaBlog reveals that Sony's flagship device - Xperia XZ Premium is expected to come with a 4K display. The post leaks several news specs about the device alongside showcasing the first-ever looks of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium.

The render suggests that the upcoming Xperia XZ Premium will sport pretty much similar design to that of the Xperia XZ announced in October 2016. Apart from the design, Sony Xperia XZ Premium is expected to come packed with reflective chrome design, large top and bottom bezels and stereo front facing speakers yet again.

SEE ALSO: Sony Xperia X2 press render leaks ahead of MWC 2017 launch

On the camera front, the flagship product may feature a 20MP rear camera set up which is expected to work pretty well under the low light situation. Not only that, the device will also be able to record slow-mo videos at 960fps and will also come equipped with Motion Eye (predictive capture) and an anti-distortion feature.

Apart from just the design and camera, the Sony flagship, on the other hand, is expected to come packed with 4K HDR display and Snapdragon 835 processor. Furthermore, Sony Xperia XZ Premium will apparently continue to sport the side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a bottom USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack at the top similar to that of the previously announced Sony Xperia XZ.

The smartphone vendor is going to live stream the Sony MWC 2017 today, watch it live at the official website here.

Best Mobiles in India
Consolidation in telecom industry may yield 5 players, says JS Deepak News oi -Priyanka Deepak is attending the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and he is expected to meet senior officials of leading global telecom and tech companies like Vodafone, Huawei, AT&T, Nokia, Ericsson, Intel, and FB

With recent developement taking place in the Indian telecom sector, Telecom Secretary JS Deepak said that the ongoing consolidation of the telecom industry is likely to yield five players.

His comments come soon after a couple of major telecom player announcing or seeking for a possible merger and acquisition to take on Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio.

"Dropping revenue is a concern which we are also addressing...Era of free service and falling revenue will change...In this backdrop, the investments in India are not only welcome but are also likely to be productive," Deepak told to an news agency.

SEE ALSO: Apple will have 78% market share in AI based hearables in 2017: Counterpoint

On consolidation playing out in the telecom market, he said, "The way things are...this consolidation is going to be very good for India as we are likely to get four private and one government player...BSNL-MTNL...which is ideal."

Asked if the spate of buyouts would leave enough room for competition in the Indian market, Deepak said, "Ideal is five players for India, which is what is likely to happen".

Stating that the consolidation is potentially resulting in five big players would ensure "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum", he said, it will be "optimum for the Indian market".

Deepak is attending the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and he is expected to meet senior officials of leading global telecom and tech companies like Vodafone, Huawei, AT&T, Nokia, Ericsson, Intel, and Facebook over the next three days.

The Department of Telecom is also planning to showcase the major initiatives taken by the Indian mobile market

Best Mobiles in India
Nokia and Xiaomi sign a deal at MWC 2017 News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Nokia and Xiaomi enter a contract.

Nokia made a slew of announcements at the MWC 2017 including 5G FIRST, Nokia 3310 (2017), and Android smartphones. Apart from these, the company announced its deal with Xiaomi to branch out to other segments beyond its core customer base.

Going by the same, Nokia will offer Xiaomi with technology that will help the latter overcome its rapidly growing traffic demands. The seven data centers of Xiaomi in and around Beijing that use fiber networks to private cloud serv ices will be linked with Nokia's data interconnect solutions.

Nokia won this contract and announced the same at the pre-MWC event. But, the financial details of the Nokia Xiaomi deal remain undisclosed. Besides this, Nokia also won a deal to offer a communications network that will power the national railways infrastructure operator of Portugal.

Watch Sony, Alcatel, Oppo and Gionee MWC 2017 event live here

At the announcement, Rajeev Suri, the CEO of Nokia stated that the non-telcos would need more than twice the capacity as compared to the core base that includes telecom customers. Nokia will focus on the top 4000 enterprises in the world. Nokia has also secured a three-year deal with Telefonica in order to build networks in London. This way, Nokia will become the leading network supplier over there surpassing Ericsson.

Source

Best Mobiles in India

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German BND spied on major media for almost two decades: German weekly

Iran Press TV

Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:54AM

Germany's foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has reportedly been spying on global media's journalists for nearly two decades, a leading German weekly magazine reveals.

On Friday, Der Spiegel released an excerpt from a report due for publication on Saturday, revealing that the BND had been spying on the BBC, Reuters and The New York Times, among others, since 1999.

According to the report, the intelligence agency has allegedly monitored at least 50 telephone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses of journalists, newsrooms and editorial offices across the globe. It, however, added that it was not clear whether the surveillance was still ongoing, nor was it known who exactly the intelligence agency spied on.

The report also quoted media rights group Reporters Without Borders in Germany (ROG) as saying that the alleged surveillance was "a monstrous attack on press freedom," expressing fears that the practice was still underway. The report added that the rights group was planning legal action against the BND.

"For a long time, we feared that the BND monitored journalists as part of its mass filtering of communication data," added ROG Director Christian Mihr.

In late June last year, the German cabinet approved new measures to tighten controls over the surveillance activities of the BND, including new measures to prevent the intelligence agency from conducting espionage on countries in the European Union except in certain cases, like suspicion of a terrorist activity aimed at Germany's security.

The measured were approved a year after the spy agency came under fire for its cooperation with the US National Security Agency (NSA) to carry out espionage on high-ranking French officials and the European Commission.

The revelations sparked a heated debate in Germany about the role of the intelligence agency and the damage that the scandal can inflict on the country's relations with other European nations.



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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Tajik and Russian presidents, Emomali Rahmon and Vladimir Putin discussed cooperation in military and other spheres in a meeting on Feb. 27 in Dushanbe, Tajik presidential press service reported.

Putin is on an official visit to Tajikistan.

Discussing the issues related to security in the region, the two presidents noted the importance of coordination of joint activities of law enforcement and security agencies, as well as cooperation in military and military-technical spheres.

The parties expressed hope for further coordinated action in line with the agreement between the two countries on the status and terms of stay of the Russian military base in Tajikistan.

It was agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, arms trafficking and other challenges and threats to the national security and regional stability.

The parties noted that the relations between the two countries are based on respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, openness, trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Rahmon and Putin confirmed their commitment to strengthening the political dialogue and inter-parliamentary ties in particular.

Trade and economic cooperation were also discussed in the meeting and the presidents noted a mutual interest in increasing the volume of bilateral trade, development of long-term economic cooperation and deepening investment cooperation.

Putin and Rahmon also discussed cooperation in transportation and communications, including air, rail and road transportation.

The sides also stressed the importance of intensification of integration processes.

It was noted that the Tajik-Russian cooperation in the renewable energy, including hydropower, is one of the important areas of partnership between the two countries. The Russian side expressed interest in further cooperation with Tajikistan in the development of its hydropower capacity, taking into account the region's increasing demand for electricity.

The parties agreed to fully promote investment activities to establish effective joint ventures.

The two presidents also expressed mutual readiness to further cooperate in the emergency situations, including those related to natural and technogenic disasters.

It was noted that some measures will be taken to improve the legal mechanisms of labor migration regulation, including the establishment of appropriate social conditions for migrant workers.

Putin and Rahmon also exchanged views on topical international issues and stressed a mutual desire to promote peace, security and stability in the region and the world.

In the meeting, President Vladimir Putin invited his Tajik counterpart to visit Russia at any convenient time. The invitation was accepted.
Intelligence source talks about 3 major security cases

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 26, IRNA -- An informed intelligence official on Sunday shed light on a number of certain security cases such as the arrest of several terrorist groups on Revolution Day, Iran-US prisoner swap in 2016 and hunting the terrorist ring leader Abdolmalik Rigi in 2010.

The unnamed source made the announcement while reacting to comments attributed to Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) for Cultural and Social Affairs Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Nejat about three (security) cases.

'With due respect' to the IRGC commander, the source said, it seems necessary to enlighten public opinion about Nejat's comments.

A terrorist group was to conduct anti-security operations on the Revolution Day (10 February, 2017) when Iranians celebrated the victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. According to the source, the arrested terrorists were identified and captured "during an operation which was carried out from A to Z by the Intelligence Ministry" forces.

A second case was the arrest of terrorist ring leader Abdolmalik Rigi in 2010.

"Rigi's plane was identified and traced by the Intelligence Ministry forces and through close cooperation with the Iranian Air Force. The plane was forced to land in Bandar Abbas where the terrorist was arrested," the source added .

As for the third case, he referred to the taking back, from the US, of a sum of money which belonged to Iran.

'Some $1,710bn was restored to Iran from the US during the prisoners swap talks. Upon an order by the Supreme National Security Council, a representative from the Intelligence Ministry has attended every stage of the talks in cooperation with officials from the Central Bank of Iran and the Legal Bureau of the Presidential Office.

'The talks ended in the release of the money, freedom of a number of prisoners and lifting of sanctions against a number of the Iranian banks as well as legal and real personalities,' the source added.

He stressed that no institutes or organizations but the Intelligence Ministry was involved in the three operations.

1430**1394**2050

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Top US general secretly visits Syria amid push to dispatch more troops

Iran Press TV

Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:43AM

US General Joseph Votel, the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), has secretly headed to Northern Syria to meet US-backed militant groups, two days after announcing that Washington was mulling more US boots on the ground in the Arab country.

Votel, who oversees the US-led military operations against alleged Daesh (ISIL) targets in Iraq and Syria, visited the frontline cities of Kobani and Raqqah on Friday and met with commanders of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militants.

According to Talal Sello, a spokesman for the SDF, Votel discussed the militant group's Raqqah offensive and the possible ways to expand coordination and support during the hours-long meeting.

The SDF launched its campaign to capture Raqqah in November 2016 and took control of some areas up the Euphrates Valley. The group enjoys air support from the US-led coalition, which has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since 2014.

Votel has also discussed the situation in Raqqah with Turkish officials, who are unhappy with Washington's ties with the SDF and have reportedly offered alternative plans to capture the militant-riddled city without the group's involvement.

Nearly two-thirds of the 30,000 SDF militants belong to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a "terrorist" group.

Turkey has been leading a major military intervention in Syria since August 2016, in an alleged bid to push back Kurdish opposition groups and Daesh from its border with Syria.

The timing of Votel's trip is significant as Votel said Wednesday that more American troops might be needed in Syria to boost the US-backed militants' "mobility" and "firepower." In addition, a February 27 deadline is looming for US officials to provide President Donald Trump with a comprehensive plan for Washington's involvement in Syria.

Votel's trip comes days after a similar visit to Syria by Republican Senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"Senator McCain traveled to northern Syria last week to visit US forces deployed there and to discuss the counter-ISIL campaign and ongoing operations to retake Raqqah," the Arizona senator's spokeswoman said Wednesday.

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Yemeni army unveils new indigenous combat, reconnaissance drones

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:33PM

Yemeni army forces have unveiled four domestically designed and manufactured drones to collect information on the positions and movements of militiamen loyal to resigned president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, as well as Saudi troops, and carry out aerial attacks against them.

The sole unveiled combat aircraft, code-named Qasef-1 (Striker-1), has a wingspan of three meters and a hull length of 2.5 meters.

The drone has a flight endurance of 120 minutes, and is capable of carrying a payload of 30 kilograms.

Another remote-controlled aircraft, dubbed Hudhud-1 (Hoopoe-1), has a flight endurance of 90 minutes, and an operational radius of up to 30 kilometers. It has a wingspan of 1.9 meters and a hull length of 1.5 meters.

The Raqib (Rival) drone can fly as far as 15 kilometers for 90 minutes. It is used in reconnaissance missions and is capable of either storing information or transferring data via online connections.

The Rased (Surveyor) unmanned aerial vehicle, which can perform a variety of functions, including aerial monitoring and observation of the battlefield besides geophysical surveying, has a wingspan of 2.2 meters and a hull length of one meter.

The drone has a flight endurance of 120 minutes plus an operational radius of up to 35 kilometers.

Earlier this month, Yemeni army forces launched a locally designed and manufactured ballistic missile towards an area deep inside Saudi Arabia in response to Riyadh's atrocious aerial bombardments against the crisis-stricken Arab country.

The media bureau of the operations command in Yemen published a series of photos of the Borkan-2 (Volcano-2) ballistic missile it used to hit a military base on the outskirts of Saudi capital city of Riyadh.

On September 2, 2016, Yemeni forces fired an indigenous Borkan-1 (Volcano-1) missile against a stationary target in the Saudi city of Ta'if, located more than 700 kilometers southeast of Riyadh.

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.

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.

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Kyrgyzstan arrests opposition leader

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:22AM

Kyrgyzstan has arrested a veteran opposition leader on corruption charges as political tensions mount in the Central Asian country ahead of a November presidential poll.

Omurbek Tekebayev, 58, who leads the nominally socialist Ata-Meken party, was detained on Sunday in connection with an investigation into corruption at a key telecommunications company, the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) said in a statement.

The statement added that Tekebayev will be in detention for at least 48 hours.

Tekebayev is a bitter adversary of incumbent President Almazbek Atambayev. His arrest came after two other members of his party were questioned for four and nearly nine hours, respectively, in unrelated corruption cases earlier this month.

In December last year, the Ata-Meken party showed strong opposition to a referendum on constitutional changes that was driven by President Atambayev's office.

Tekebayev recently called for President Atambayev's impeachment and urged authorities to probe the president and his family members for evidence of corruption.

President Atambayev is constitutionally restricted to a single six-year term and says he has no intention of easing into the office of prime minister, a position whose powers were boosted by the recent constitutional changes.

Tekebayev has so far not declared his intention to run in the presidential vote set for November 19.

An ex-Soviet republic, Kyrgyzstan has been politically volatile in recent times. The country experienced two revolutions that unseated presidents in 2005 and 2010 followed by ethnic violence that left over 400 dead.

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Report: Japan Ready To Offer Russia Economic Plan For Disputed Island Chain

RFE/RL February 26, 2017

Japan is ready to propose a specific plan to Russia for the joint economic development of an island chain that both countries claim, The Nikkei Asia Review reports.

According to the report published February 25, the Japanese government will propose that it promote the small, windswept islands northeast of Hokkaido as a tourist destination, with a view to attracting Japanese visitors.

Private Japanese and Russian companies would jointly offer tourist cruises under Japan's plan for the islands, which Moscow currently administers and calls the Southern Kuriles, but Tokyo claims and calls its Northern Territories.

Medical institutions and universities in Hokkaido would remotely provide medical services to the islands, perhaps through internet-based links.

Japan will also propose joint operation of processing facilities for salmon, abalone, and other fish catches, the report said.

Although Russia administers the islands, which have a population of about 20,000, their sovereignty remains a matter of dispute.

However, that issue will be put aside for the time being while economic issues are decided, the Nikkei report said.

The dispute over the four-island chain goes back decades.

They were seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War II, hobbling relations ever since and preventing the two countries from signing a peace treaty to formally end the war.

In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed possible joint-economic projects on the island chain, but no breakthrough was reported.

Negotiators for the two sides plan to meet again on March 18 in Tokyo to discuss proposals, Nikkei said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and Japanese counterpart Takeo Akiba are expected to lead the talks.

They are hoping to reach agreement on details before Abe and Putin meet later in the year, Nikkei said.

With reporting by Nikkei and TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/japan-russia-kurile-islands -disupte-economic-cooperation/28332716.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.

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Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Tekebaev Detained Ahead Of Election

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service February 26, 2017

About 500 political opposition supporters in Kyrgyzstan have protested in front of the State Committee for National Security headquarters (GKNB) in Bishkek, where opposition leader Omurbek Tekebaev was being held as part of what authorities describe as a criminal corruption investigation.

The demonstrators  including former President Roza Otunbaeva and several opposition lawmakers -- demanded Tekebaev's immediate release from custody.

They say authorities are "politically persecuting" opposition figures from Tekebaev's opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party and other members of Kyrgyzstan's 2010 interim government, which was briefly in power after the Kyrgyz Revolution of April 2010.

The demonstrators dispersed late on February 26 after a vigil that went into the night, vowing they would return on February 27 to continue their protest.

Tekebaev, a parliamentary deputy who leads the Ata-Meken party and its parliamentary faction, was detained by plainclothes police at about 3 a.m. local time on February 26 when he arrived at Bishkek International Airport.

He had been traveling abroad to attend the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Vienna.

The prosecutor's office in Bishkek said Tekebaev would be held for up to 48 hours for questioning as part of a criminal investigation launched against the Ata-Meken party.

Tekebaev is the third member of Ata-Meken to be detained by authorities for questioning in recent weeks as part of the alleged corruption probe.

Parliamentary Immunity

Earlier in February, authorities also detained parliamentary deputies Almabet Shykmamatov and Aida Salyanova for questioning.

The detentions come despite the fact that Tekebaev, Shykmamatov, and Salyanova all have parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

So far, no formal charges have been filed against them.

The 58-year-old Tekebaev was once an ally of President Almazbek Atambaev.

But Tekebaev became a leading political opponent of Atambaev during the summer of 2016 after Kyrgyzstan's president proposed a series of constitutional amendments that could cement a long-term hold on power for Atambaev and his allies in the Central Asian state.

Since then, the amendments have been pushed through parliament and adopted by Atambaev's political allies.

Although Atambaev's presidential term ends in 2017 and he cannot run for reelection, critics say the recent constitutional amendments would allow the president's allies to maintain power after his term ends.

The amendments significantly boosted the powers of the prime minister, prompting speculation that Atambaev could either position himself to become the next prime minister or install a loyal political ally in the role.

Tekebaev and his party had strongly opposed the constitutional amendments.

Tekebaev also has called for Atambaev to be impeached and has demanded that authorities investigate the president and his family members for evidence of corruption.

Kyrgyzstan's next presidential election is scheduled for November 19.

If Tekebaev is stripped of his parliamentary immunity by parliament and criminal charges are filed against him, it could prevent him from running as a presidential candidate.

'Retribution' For Revelations

Former Kyrgyz lawmaker Asiya Sasykbaeva, a member of the Ata-Meken party, said during the February 26 protest rally at the GKNB headquarters in Bishkek that she believes authorities are trying to prevent Tekebaev from running for the presidency.

"It is fully possible that they will now fabricate some criminal case, because I have just been told that he had been detained under Article 303" of Kyrgyzstan's Criminal Code, Sasykbaeva said. The article in question deals with the crime of corruption.

"We think that the far-reaching plans of the current authorities are most likely related to the upcoming presidential election," Sasykbaeva said.

She also alleged that Tekebaev was facing retribution from authorities in Bishkek "for disclosing major fraud schemes, including ones involving President Atambaev's inner circle."

Prosecutors on February 26 said the allegations against Tekebaev stem from the time he was deputy prime minister in the interim government that followed the Kyrgyz Revolution of 2010.

They allege, among other things, that Tekebaev demanded $1 million from Russian businessman Leonid Mayevsky in exchange for allowing him to serve on the board of Alfa Telecom  a telecom firm that had been partially nationalized by the new government.

Tekebaev has denied the allegations.

In a February 26 statement, the prosecutors alleged that Tekebaev "did not carry out his obligations and refused to return the money."

They said he "instead threatened physical harm in the event of any further demands or information being released to the public about the situation."

Upon news of Tekebaev's detention in Bishkek, about 50 people gathered in the southern city of Osh on February 26 to protest.

His supporters also gathered early on February 26 for a protest near Bishkek's airport, where several people were detained and released the same day.

Those detained included Ata-Meken lawmaker Kanybek Imanaliev and RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service correspondent Ulan Egizbaev.

With reporting by RFE/RL Krygyz Service correspondent Ulan Egizbaev in Bishkek and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-opposition- atameken-tekebaev-arrested/28332647.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.

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Beijing Makes Clear That Interests in S China Sea are 'Not a Bargaining Chip'

Sputnik News

16:47 26.02.2017(updated 20:54 26.02.2017)

Beijing has indicated that it is not ready to change its stance on the South China Sea as a prerequisite to improve its relations with the Philippines and increase its influence in Southeast Asia, political analyst Elena Fomicheva told Sputnik China, commenting on Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng cancelling his visit to Manila.

"China has obviously made it clear that although it is a positive thing that the Philippines wants to develop bilateral relations and trade, Beijing will not consider its interests in the South China Sea to be a bargaining chip," Fomicheva, an expert at the Institute for Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said.

Earlier this week, China abruptly postponed a visit of its Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng to the Philippines. The official was supposed to sign approximately 40 bilateral deals worth billions of dollars as relations between two former rivals have become increasingly warm.

This move came after Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Perfecto Yasay said that members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations were concerned with Beijing's activities in the South China Sea, a sensitive issue for China.

Nevertheless, "China is interested in enhancing its influence in ASEAN. Beijing has already managed to do this with Laos and Cambodia. It has been more challenging in Thailand's case due to Bangkok's years-long ties to the United States," she said.

The Philippines is also a difficult case for China since the country did not have a working relationship with Manila.

"However, China is interested in winning the Philippines over," the expert noted.

Shen Shishun, a senior researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, reaffirmed that the Philippines is not inclined to confront Beijing on the South China Sea.

"If the Philippines has indeed altered its stance on the South China Sea and the Philippine foreign minister made it clear in his remarks, then this could have had an impact on the visit. However, China cannot change plans which had already been approved because of an isolated remark. I cannot claim that there is a direct link between the commerce minister postponing his visit and comments made by the Philippine foreign minister. We should wait for the Beijing's official stance on the issue."

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said that the visit was postponed "due to scheduling reasons," adding that Beijing and Manila were "actively carrying out relevant preparation work" for the trip which is expected to take place in early March.

Geng Shuang also described Yasay's remarks as "baffling and regrettable," expressing hope that the Philippine foreign minister would "speak and act cautiously".

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Chinese government announced that Zhong Shan was appointed the new commerce minister, replacing Gao Hucheng. The move is part of a reshuffle which has taken place ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, a major event held twice a decade.

 Sputnik

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Greek Defense Minister Warns Against Turkish 'Foot' on Disputed Islands

Sputnik News

16:40 26.02.2017(updated 20:51 26.02.2017)

Greece will do everything to prevent Turkey from getting to its territory, Greek Minister of National Defense Panos Kammenos said Sunday, adding that Greece is ready to rebuff Ankara in case of any provocation.

ATHENS (Sputnik)  Earlier this week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that if the Turks wanted to get to the disputed Imia islets, known as Kardak in Turkey and located in the Aegean Sea between the Greek island chain of the Dodecanese and the southwestern mainland coast of Turkey, they would have done this.

"It will never happen that they [the Turks] set foot on the Greek islands. We will prevent it from happening. If they do it, let's see how they will escape Any provocation will face counteraction," Kammenos said in an interview with the Skai TV channel.

According to Kammenos, the Greek government does not respond to any verbal challenges, posed by Ankara, but it cannot keep silence when it comes to the national sovereignty. He added that such claims were oriented on Turkey's citizens, seeking to unite Turkish nationalists ahead of referendum on constitutional changes set for April.

Imia is a pair of two uninhabited islets. In 1996, a standoff during a Turkish-Greek cargo ship salvaging operation in the area nearly brought Athens and Ankara on the verge of an armed conflict. The European Union backed the Greek side on the Imia dispute and urged Turkey to refrain from any provocations.

The tensions around the islands renewed in January, following Greek refusal to extradite to Turkey eight servicemen, accused of involvement in the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, over concerns that they would not face a fair trial at home.

On Thursday, two more Turkish military personnel linked to the coup attempt fled to Greece.

The July 2016 Turkish military coup attempt has been blamed by Ankara on exiled Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been living in the United States since 1999, and his followers. Since July 2016, Turkey has arrested hundreds of military personnel, activists and journalists on suspicion of links with Gulen.

 Sputnik

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White House Tries to Fend Off New Calls for Russia Probe

By Michael Bowman February 26, 2017

As President Donald Trump prepared for his first address to the U.S. Congress, the White House on Sunday sought to fend off the latest calls for an independent probe of Russian efforts to impact last year's U.S. election and any ties between Moscow and the president's inner circle.

"We are extremely confident that, whatever review, they are all going to come to the same conclusion: that we had no involvement in this [Russian electoral meddling]," said White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders on ABC's This Week program.

Earlier, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa of California joined Democrats in calling for a special prosecutor insulated from Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close Trump confidant.

"Sessions  was on the campaign and was an appointee," Issa said on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. "You're going to have to use the special prosecutor's statue and office to not just recuse [Sessions], you can't give it to your deputy [either].

"We need to investigate their [Russian] activities and we need to do it because they are bad people," the lawmaker added.

The White House said Americans have more pressing concerns.

"At some point we get to a place where we've got to move on and start focusing on the things that the American people care about," Sanders said. "And I don't think this is it. We've talked about it time and time and time again. Asked and answered."

Democrats aren't letting go.

"The attorney general must recuse himself," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, on This Week. "Let's have the investigation and find out the truth."

Several Republican-led congressional committees are already probing Russian activities, along with the Department of Justice.

However investigations unfold, Trump has not hid his anger about a controversy that refuses to die or the news media's coverage of it.

"Russia talk is 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!" the president wrote Sunday on Twitter.

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.

Earlier this month, National Security Advisor 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.

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Pentagon Spokesman Discusses ISIS Preliminary Plan, Budget Amendment

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017  Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will present a preliminary version of the Pentagon's new plan to rapidly defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria during a meeting of the White House Principals Committee today, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said here this morning.

The Cabinet-level senior interagency forum, which usually does not include the president, already has received copies of the classified report, which Davis described as a framework for a broader global plan. President Donald J. Trump requested the plan in a Jan. 28 presidential memorandum.

"This is not just a military plan," he told reporters during a briefing. "It draws upon all elements of national power -- diplomatic, financial, cyber, intelligence [and] public diplomacy, and it's been drafted in close coordination with our interagency partners."

Davis added, "This plan is truly transregional. This is not just about Iraq and Syria, it is about defeating ISIS around the globe," and other transregional violent extremist organizations, such as al-Qaida.

"From the secretary's standpoint," Davis said, "he is very committed to rebuilding readiness and is looking for us to find ways to do that quickly and in ways that reflect our being good stewards of taxpayer dollars."

2017 Budget Amendment

Davis also said the Pentagon is working with the Office of Management and Budget to finalize Defense Department budget amendment numbers.

"We are not able at this point to confirm specific numbers, the captain said, "but stay tuned to what OMB has to say. Once we've settled on the numbers we are postured to provide OMB with our budget amendment material as soon as possible in order to meet their goal of March 1."

As Mattis has emphasized, he added, the budget amendment will focus on meeting warfighter needs and addressing critical readiness shortfalls.

"The highest priority for the fiscal year 2017 budget amendment is on programs and efforts that can be executed in the remainder of [fiscal year 2017] ending on Sept. 30," Davis said. "Items that cannot be reasonably expected to be executed in this fiscal year will be recommended to be deferred [for placement] in the FY 2018 base budget."

Exercise Flintlock 2017

Also during the briefing, Davis said that beginning today about 2,000 service members from 24 African, European and North American partner nations will participate in Flintlock 2017 -- U.S. Africa Command's premier special operations forces exercise. It takes place in seven nations throughout North and West Africa.

"This year," Davis said, "Flintlock is being hosted by Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia."

The exercise bolsters partnerships among African, European and North American special operations forces, increasing their ability to work together in times of crises, Davis added.

According to Africom, participating nations include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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State-owned energy company Pertamina will submit proposals to the Iranian government for the exploration of two oil fields in the country, The Jakarta Post reported.

The statement, issued by the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister, says the proposals will be submitted during a visit of Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution to the country from Feb. 26 to 27.

The oil fields are located in Ab Teymour and Mansouri, Bangestan province, the eastern part of Iran, said a press statement on Monday.

Based on a study conducted by Pertamina, the oil reserves in the two fields amount to 1.5 billion barrels. The production potential reaches 200,000 barrel per day in each field, the statement says.

Previously, Energy and Mining Resources Deputy Minister Archandra Tahar previously expressed the governments wish to do business in Iran.

Meanwhile, Pertaminas upstream director, Syamsu Alam, said the company had discussed the matter with an Iranian oil company, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), on Feb. 11, kompas.com reported.

Indonesia also plans to buy natural gas at competitive prices from Iran to meet domestic energy needs, particularly for power plants to supply electricity to the petrochemical and fertilizer industry, as well as for special economic zones.
10th CAB Black Hawks touch down in Greece

By Spc. Kelsey Little, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs February 27, 2017

THESSALONIKI, Greece -- Eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and more than 70 other pieces of equipment arrived at the Port of Thessaloniki as part of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade nine month rotational deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve Feb. 25.

The arrival of 10th CAB adds to the aviation capabilities to train with our allies and partners as well as responding to crises should it be required. This is the first full aviation regionally allocated force to support OAR and U.S. Army Europe.

"This is a great opportunity for interactions between Greek and American Soldiers in order to develop capacity, share lessons, and hone expertise," said U.S. Ambassador to Greece, the Honorable Geoffrey Pyatt who visited the port to observe and talk with U.S. Army and Greek military leaders and the Soldiers of the 10th CAB.

U.S. military units are working with NATO allies and partners in Poland, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania and Germany for rotational deployments focusing on training, exercises and maintenance purposes.

"This is the most successful alliance in the history of the world," said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, U.S. Army Europe commanding general. "The port of Thessaloniki is a gateway into Europe and Atlantic armies could not prosper without our allies."

U.S. Army Europe's preparation for an increased presence across the European theater contributes to and strengthens the alliance's deterrence and defense. The forward presence of U.S. troops is essential to assure allies, deter adversaries and be postured to act in a timely manner if deterrence fails.

"Deterrence is about the agility of the United States Army. These helicopters came from Fort Drum, New York and just hours after the aircraft are coming off of the ship they are going to fly away from here and in about three days they are going to conduct an air assault operation in Romania," Hodges said. "In such a short amount of time, that kind of agility is central to what we do."

The 10th CAB is arriving at three seaports and three airports throughout February and early March. This facilitation of movement has been assisted by multiple agencies ranging from military logistics units to civilian counterparts and in this instance, Greek Allies.

"This operation is the first time in recent years that the U.S. Army has used the port of Thessaloniki," Lt. Col. Jason Alvis, 839th Transportation Battalion commander said.

The port was a primary Kosovo Force (KFOR) cargo entry point between 1998 and the early 2000's. During that time, NATO Allies processed over 557 ships between 1999-2001.

Greek military aviators and key leaders welcomed their military Allies and expressed aspiration in looking forward to working together more often. During the assembly of helicopters, U.S. crew chiefs and pilots invited their Greek counterparts to engage in the action and medics from both countries exchanged knowledge of tactics, techniques and procedures.

"This is great opportunity to enhance our cooperation," Lt. Gen. Alkiviadis Stefanis, Greek Army chief of staff said. "The Greek position offers stability, and we also offer the Alliance and the professionalism of our Soldiers. We are very proud to have you here and we are looking forward to enhancing our cooperation."

-----

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.

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Americans, Ghanaian medical professionals host MEDRETE closing ceremony

By Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti February 27, 2017

ACCRA, Ghana -- Ghanaian and American military medical professionals hosted a closing ceremony on the last day of Medical Readiness Training Exercise 17-2 at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Feb. 24, to highlight the strengthened partnerships and lessons learned.

During the ceremony, leadership of the Hospital and the U.S. Army provided remarks followed by a gift exchange.

The 21-day collaborative learning experience was a mutually beneficial exercise that brought together Ghanaian and U.S. military organizations to foster cooperation while conducting medical tasks.

"This has been a tremendous opportunity for our Soldiers, both active duty and National Guard, to increase their skills while in a different clinical environment working side-by-side with you in the operating rooms, emergency rooms and dental clinics," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, commanding general for Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, in his speech at the event.

MEDRETE 17-2 was a combined effort between the Ghanaian government, U.S. Army Africa, the North Dakota National Guard, and Brooke Army Medical Center. Through the course of the MEDRETE, the combined team spent more than 72 hours conducting 86 surgeries, seeing 337 emergency and clinical patients, while sharing lessons learned.

"Working together, we have strengthened our partnership and shared best practices for assessments and treatments while providing valuable medical services to the local public." Johnson said. "We learned a great deal along the way from you and for this we are grateful."

This is the second in a series of medical readiness training exercises that U.S. Army Africa is expected to facilitate within a variety of countries on the African continent, providing an opportunity for the partnered militaries to train shoulder to shoulder in an alternatively resourced environment.

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U.S. Army Africa completes first 2017 MEDRETE

By Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti February 27, 2017

VICENZA, Italy -- Senegalese and American military medical professionals hosted a closing ceremony on the last day of Medical Readiness Training Exercise 17-1 at the Hospital Militaire De Ouakam in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 25, to highlight the strengthened partnerships.

The 21-day collaborative learning experience was a mutually beneficial exercise that brought together African and U.S. military organizations to foster cooperation while conducting medical tasks and providing health care to the local population.

"It does not matter where you are from, it does not matter your language or background, basic health care is fundamental for a decent life," said U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Kenneth H. Moore, a deputy commanding general for U.S. Army Africa and the commander of its Army Reserve Engagement Cell, in his speech at the event.

MEDRETE 17-1 was a combined effort between the Senegalese government, U.S. Army Africa, the U.S. Army Reserve 332nd Medical Brigade in Nashville, Tenn., and the Vermont Air National Guard. Through the course of the MEDRETE, the combined team spent more than 64 hours conducting surgeries, medical equipment maintenance, and emergency and dental care, while improving processes and sharing lessons learned.

"I am confident that the exchange of ideas and expertise will help your doctors and nurses with the medical challenges they face on a daily basis, just as much as the exchange helps our care providers where they work," Moore said.

This is the first in a series of medical readiness training exercises this year that U.S. Army Africa is expected to facilitate within a variety of countries in Africa, providing an opportunity for the partnered militaries to train shoulder to shoulder in an alternatively resourced environment.

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Tens of thousands flood into Sudan from famine-hit South Sudan, says UN

Iran Press TV

Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:8PM

The United Nations refugee agency says over 31,000 South Sudanese, fleeing famine and conflict, have crossed the border into Sudan so far this year.

A statement from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Khartoum said on Monday that more than 80 percent of the latest arrivals were women and children.

"Initial expectations were that 60,000 refugees may arrive through 2017, but in the first two months alone, over 31,000 refugees arrived," the statement read.

Sources say many of the refugees are exhausted, malnourished and ill after having walked for days.

Sudan is hosting about 328,339 refugees, who fled civil war in South Sudan that erupted in late 2013.

Fighting between government forces of President Salva Kiir and rebels led by the former vice president, Riek Machar, has caused a mass exodus in the troubled region. The fighting has uprooted more than three million people over the past years.

The Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda are also hosting thousands of refugees from South Sudan.

The UN says the continuing migration presented "heightened risks of prolonged (food) underproduction into 2018" across South Sudan.

The UN declared famine last week in parts of South Sudan's Unity State. The international body says about 5.5 million people are expected to have no reliable source of food by July.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also recently warned that at least 270,000 children in South Sudan are suffering from malnutrition.

The country gained independence in July 2011, but descended into war in December 2013, after President Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup to usurp power.

Numerous international attempts to reach a truce between the warring sides have failed.

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Bahraini court postpones trial of top Shia cleric until March 14

Iran Press TV

Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:52PM

A court in Bahrain has postponed until later this year the trial of distinguished Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, whom the ruling Al Khalifah regime has stripped of citizenship.

On Monday, the High Criminal Court adjourned the trial of the 77-year-old clergyman, who is the spiritual leader of the country's dissolved opposition bloc, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, until March 14 and rejected calls for his acquittal.

The Public Prosecutor demanded capital punishment for Sheikh Qassim, his office staffer Mirza al-Dirazi and al-Wefaq's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Hussein al-Daihi.

However, the cleric's defense lawyer, appointed by Bahrain's Ministry of Justice, asked for the halt of the court procedure and the referral of the case to the Constitutional Court, Arabic-language Bahrain Mirror news website reported.

Throughout his trials, Sheikh Qassim has neither attended court hearings nor delegated a lawyer to defend him.

Bahraini authorities stripped the cleric of his citizenship on June 20, 2016. They later dissolved the Islamic Enlightenment Institution, founded by him, in addition to the opposition al-Risala Islamic Association.

The Manama regime has pressed charges of "illegal fund collections, money laundering and helping terrorism" against Sheikh Qassim, who has strongly denied them.

Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the kingdom in mid-February 2011.

They are demanding that the Al Khalifah dynasty relinquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.

Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.

Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the Al Khalifah regime's crackdown.



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Hungary starts construction of second fence along Serbia border

Iran Press TV

Mon Feb 27, 2017 2:9PM

Hungary has begun construction work on a second fence along its border with Serbia in an alleged bid to make the processing of refugees more effective.

The construction operation began on Monday, a government spokesman said, adding that it would be the second line of fence along the country's southern border.

Construction material had already been shipped to various areas along the border while poles for the fence were already standing near the border station Kelebia.

Some USD 130 million has been earmarked by the government for the fence and camps to hold refugees.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Janos Lazar, said earlier that Hungary would begin the construction as soon as the weather permitted and the project would finish by the end of spring.

The fence would for now extend only to the border with Serbia, a key point of entry for many refugees planning to travel to Western Europe.

Hungary has faced increasing criticism from rights groups over its treatment of refugees. Budapest erected a barbed-wire fence in 2015 at the height of Europe's refugee crisis, which saw more than a million cross into the continent. The second fence, which the government says is necessary to better process refugees, has already sparked fresh outrage.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday urged the European Union, to which Hungary is a member state, to intervene and stop Budapest's "inhumane" treatment of refugees.

"The European Commission should not stand by while Hungary makes a mockery of the right to seek asylum," the HRW deputy director Benjamin Ward said.

"Using transit zones as detention centers and forcing asylum seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian side of the razor-wire fence is abusive, pointless, and cruel," he added.

The government in Budapest dismissed the remarks, saying the HRW and other rights groups should see the fact that Hungary is doing its best to honor the EU rules by protecting the body's Schengen borders and separating refugees from "economic migrants."

Hungary is currently ruled by a right-wing government, which insists that refugees pose a major security threat both to the country and to the entire EU.

Prime Minister Orban has been one of few European leaders to endorse plans by US President Donald Trump to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

The EU has also been wary of Orban's policies, which many say have, in some cases, fallen short of respecting the EU standards.

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Hundreds Protest Opposition Party Leader's Detention In Kyrgyzstan

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service February 27, 2017

BISHKEK -- Hundreds of people have protested in Kyrgyzstan's capital for a second day, demanding the release of opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party leader Omurbek Tekebaev.

The demonstrators gathered on Ala-Too Square in Bishkek on February 27, holding placards calling Tekebaev's detainment a "provocation."

They chanted "Freedom for Tekebaev!" and urged President Almazbek Atambaev to come out and explain the situation.

Tekebaev, a former ally who is now a vocal critic of Atambaev, was detained at Bishkek's airport early on February 26 upon arrival from Turkey.

A court in Kyrgyzstan later on February 27 ordered him to be kept in custody for two months while a fraud and corruption investigation continues against him.

His detention months before a November presidential election raised the prospect of fresh political turmoil in the Central Asian nation, where protesters drove presidents from power in 2005 and 2010.

More than 1,000 supporters protested outside the headquarters of the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) on February 26, demanding Tekebaev's release.

Former deputy parliament speaker Asia Sasykbaeva told journalists that the protests will continue until Tekebaev's release.

Former President Roza Otunbaeva, who was among the protesters on February 27, said that Tekebaev's detainment was politically motivated.

"We have seen all this before," said Otunbaeva, who was swept to power in the protests that toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiev in 2010 and served as president from April 2010 until December 2011.

"I was confident that current authorities will not repeat the mistakes of the previous authorities," she said. "Now, a political standoff is under way. Tekebaev's detainment is unjust and unacceptable in the independent Kyrgyzstan."

Many protesters said that Atambaev and members of the government and parliament "have quickly forgotten" that they came to power thanks to dozens of people killed in a crackdown on the protests against Bakiev in 2010.

Tekebaev's wife, Aigul Tekebaeva, told RFE/RL on Ala-Too Square that the UKMK would be responsible if something happened to her husband while in custody.

Once an ally of Atambaev, Tekebaev became a leading critic last summer after the president proposed constitutional amendments -- approved in a December referendum -- that opponents fear are designed to keep him and his allies in power indefinitely.

The amendments boosted the powers of the prime minister, prompting speculation that Atambaev -- who is barred from seeking a second term in the November 19 election -- could position himself to become the next prime minister or install an ally in the role.

Tekebaev, 58, is the third member of Ata-Meken to be detained by the authorities for questioning in recent weeks as part of the alleged corruption probe.

Earlier in February, authorities also detained parliamentary deputies Almabet Shykmamatov and Aida Salyanova for questioning.

The detentions come despite the fact that Tekebaev, Shykmamatov, and Salyanova all have parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

So far, no formal charges have been filed against them.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-protests- tekebaev-detention/28334593.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.

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Putin And Rahmon Agree To Bolster Tajik-Afghan Border Security

RFE/RL February 27, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said in the midst of a three-nation tour of Central Asia that he has agreed with Tajikistan's president to jointly bolster security along the Tajik-Afghan border.

Putin told reporters in Dushanbe on February 27 after his talks with President Emomali Rahmon that "Tajikistan is a key country" for regional security in Central Asia.

Putin said he and Rahmon agreed to "step up joint efforts to defend the Tajik-Afghan border, using capacities of the Russian military base located in Tajikistan."

He also said Russian forces are based in Tajikistan "to provide security for both Tajikistan and the southern frontiers of the Russian Federation."

About 7,000 troops from Russia's 201st Motor Rifle Division are stationed at three facilities in Tajikistan that are considered part of a single Russian base.

One facility is near Dushanbe and the other facilities are in the southern cities of Kulob and Qurghon-Teppa.

Earlier on February 27, Putin met in Almaty with Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbaev where he praised Kazakhstan's role at recent talks in Astana aimed at finding a resolution of Syria's six-year war.

'Exemplary Ties'

Putin said Kazakhstan "has played a positive role, not only as a host and organizer of the event, but had, in fact, influenced the positive results of the Astana gathering."

Nazarbaev said that a quarter-century after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is now Kazakhstan's "number one economic and political partner."

Nazarbaev said Moscow and Astana have "established exemplary ties that should be between friendly neighboring countries."

The 76-year-old Nazarbaev has been in power since before the Soviet collapse in 1991.

In late January, Nazarbaev said he would delegate some of his sweeping powers to parliament and the cabinet.

Those moves have raised questions about an eventual transition of power in the oil-rich, tightly controlled country.

Russia is vying for influence in Central Asia with China, which also borders Kazakhstan and has been increasing its regional influence in recent years.

Putin is scheduled to complete his two-day visit to Central Asia with a visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on February 28.

With reporting by TASS, Interfax and RIA

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/putin-rahmon-tajik- afghan-border-security/28336433.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.

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CIA Chief Contacted Reporters to Refute Claims of Trump's Ties With Russia

Sputnik News

18:36 27.02.2017(updated 19:39 27.02.2017)

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Mike Pompeo had contacts with reporters from influential news outlets in order to confute the media reports about alleged contacts between Russia and campaign staff of US President Donald Trump.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On February 15, The New York Times reported, citing phone records and intercepted calls, members of Trump's presidential campaign team and several associates allegedly contacted Russian intelligence and government officials prior to the 2016 US elections. Both Washington and Moscow have repeatedly refuted the allegations.

Following the publication of the news outlet, several members of the Democratic Party, called for an investigation of the reported contacts.

US presidential press secretary Sean Spicer has connected Pompeo with reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to convince them that the story of The New York Times was not true, the Axios news website reported citing an official in the presidential administration.

The media outlet added that Pompeo was not the only official, who had contacted with the reporters as Senate Select Intelligence Committee Chair Richard Burr and House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes had also been involved in the talks.

According to the website, Pompeo and Burr told reporters that the story of the NYT was not true, however they had not provided the journalists with specific details in support of their statements.

The tensions between Trump and a number of US news outlets has intensified since the inauguration of the politician in January. Earlier in the month, the president slammed "fake news" reports that kept citing anonymous White House sources alleging chaos in his administration as well as contacts with Russian intelligence services.

 Sputnik

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Russia to Help Boost Tajik-Afghan Border Protection Using Russian Base - Putin

Sputnik News

17:25 27.02.2017(updated 17:31 27.02.2017)

Moscow and Dushanbe have agreed to intensify efforts to protect the Tajik-Afghan border, using a Russian military base, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday after talks with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon.

DUSHANBE (Sputnik)  Russian officials have repeatedly voiced concern over the security situation near Tajik and Turkmen borders.

Afghanistan had been facing instability for many years with the government troops fighting against the Islamist terror organization Taliban seeking to establish a strict Sharia law in the country. The turmoil results in the rise of other terrorist groups such as Daesh, outlawed in Russia.

"We are concerned over a rapid growth of drug trafficking, transnational crime and in this regard we agreed to intensify joint actions to protect the Tajik-Afghan border, including using the capabilities of the Russian military base in Tajikistan," Putin said.

"The sides will continue coordination of efforts aimed at neutralizing security threats coming from the southern direction against the Commonwealth of Independent States," the statement after Putin-Rahmon talks said.

According to the document, Putin and Rahmon agreed that the presence of Russia's 201 military base in Tajikistan remains an important factor in ensuring regional security.

The two presidents also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the necessity to continue cooperation in the military and technical sphere in order to cope with challenges and threats posed to regional security.

The Russian military base in Tajikistan houses the largest ground force of the Russian Armed Forces outside the country. The agreement on establishment of the base, created by reorganizing the 201st division, expires in 2042.

In 2016, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said it was necessary to bolster security on their countries' shared border.

 Sputnik

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Tehran, Iran, February 26

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Rolls-Royce does not have an agreement to provide Iran with one hundred airplane engines, Oliver Walker-Jones, head of Communications at Rolls-Royce has said.

Walker-Jones said Rolls-Royce has an agreement to sell three Tay engines to Irans Aseman Airlines, which, plus one sold previously, will make four, Mehr reported February 26.

Irans Ministry of Transport recently announced Aseman Airlines had reached an agreement with Rolls-Royce over the purchase of 100 Tay-650 engines.

Irans aviation industry has been under sanctions for decades and now the industry in Iran is in severe need for renovation. Iran managed to put an end to part of the sanctions in 2016 following its famous nuclear deal with world powers. However, a set of primary US sanctions remain in place, which forbid the sale of any products to Iran with a minimum 10 percent of their parts produced in the US.

"Rolls-Royce does not need an OFAC license to sell a complete Tay engine to Iran as the US content is less than 10%," added Walker-Jones highlighting "we have applied for an OFAC license to be able to sell individual parts for engines which have more than 10% US content."

The Iranian airline and the British aero engine manufacturer have made a deal over purchasing fanjet engines as well as facilitating supply of spare parts for repairing engines in Iran. Meanwhile, full implementation of the agreement is subject to resolving financial transfer issues.
Russia, Tajikistan to Continue Efforts to Ensure Stability in Central Asia

Sputnik News

16:47 27.02.2017(updated 17:33 27.02.2017)

Russia and Tajikistan will continue coordination of efforts aimed at ensuring stability and security in Central Asia, according to a joint statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

DUSHANBE (Sputnik)  Putin and Rahmon held talks Monday during the Russian leader's visit to Tajikistan.

"The sides will continue coordination of efforts aimed at neutralizing security threats coming from the southern direction against the Commonwealth of Independent States," the statement says.

According to the document, Putin and Rahmon agreed that the presence of Russia's 201 military base in Tajikistan remains an important factor in ensuring regional security.

The two presidents also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the necessity to continue cooperation in the military and technical sphere in order to cope with challenges and threats posed to regional security.

The Russian military base in Tajikistan houses the largest ground force of the Russian Armed Forces outside the country. The agreement on establishment of the base, created by reorganizing the 201st division, expires in 2042.

 Sputnik

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Taliban Confirms Death of Group's Senior Leader in Northern Afghanistan

Sputnik News

13:55 27.02.2017

The Taliban terror group, outlawed in Russia, has confirmed the death of its senior leader Mullah Abdul Salam in the northern Afghanistan's province of Kunduz, local media reported on Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The group said that Salam had been killed and vowed to resume its activities in the region, the Khaama Press news agency reported.

According to the Afghanistan's National Police, along with Salam another senior Taliban leader Qari Amin, who was the group's district chief, was also killed in Kunduz.

Afghanistan had been facing instability for many years with the government troops fighting against the Islamist terror organization Taliban seeking to establish a strict Sharia law in the country. The turmoil results in the rise of other terrorist groups such as Daesh, outlawed in Russia.

 Sputnik

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Zimbabwe's First Lady Positions Herself for Presidency

By Blessing Zulu February 27, 2017

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe marked his 93rd birthday last week by squashing any thought he plans to resign or not seek re-election.

"If I feel that I can't do it anymore, I'll say so to my party so that they relieve me," he told state broadcaster ZBC-TV. "But for now I think, I can't say so. The majority of the people feel that there is no replacement, actually. No successor who to them is acceptable, as acceptable as I am."

That last statement might be true, given the lack of a strong opposition figure in Zimbabwe. However, the president's age means that sooner rather than later, Zimbabweans will have to choose another leader, and the succession battle in the ruling ZANU-PF party has heated up.

There are two camps that are openly vying for the presidency: Generation 40, or G40, and Team Lacoste. Generation 40  which refers to the party's young members  is allied to the president's wife, Grace Mugabe, while Team Lacoste backs Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Lacoste is a reference to the clothing company that uses a crocodile as its logo. Mnangagwa was nicknamed "the crocodile" for his alleged role in planning the Gukurahundi massacres of the early 1980s, in which 20,000 opposition supporters were killed.

President Mugabe has acknowledged the existence of the two rival camps and their feuding, and has ordered them to "stop it." But in his 93rd birthday interview, the Zimbabwean leader spoke glowingly of his wife, describing her as "well-seasoned," of "very strong character," and "very much accepted by the people."

That Grace Mugabe has the president's favor is also evidenced by the fate of anyone she identifies as a threat to the president. Joice Mujuru was deposed as vice president in 2014 after the first lady accused her of wanting to overthrow Mugabe.

More recently, Mnangagwa and his supporters have been a target of the first lady's wrath.

"We have seen people wearing T-shirts with Zimbabwean flags labeled Lacoste, and when we asked them, they said Lacoste is a perfume. We are not fools. Do not take us for fools," she said. "They will not take over from Mugabe. I will rather put him in a wheelbarrow to work because we have realized that those we thought were being groomed as leaders are sell-outs."

Who is Grace Mugabe?

Grace Mugabe, whose maiden name is Marufu, was born on July 23, 1965, in Benoni, South Africa. Previously married to Stanley Gorezeza, a defense attache in Beijing, Grace started an affair with President Mugabe, who is 40 years her senior, while working as his secretary. The president was married to then-first lady Sally Mugabe, a Ghanaian, who died in 1992 from kidney failure.

Grace Mugabe has one child from her first marriage, and three children with President Mugabe. The Mugabes recently became grandparents, to a child born of their daughter, Bona.

Grace Mugabe is both loved and loathed by Zimbabweans. Some supporters call her Amai, literally meaning "Mother of the Nation" in the local Shona language. Others have nicknamed her "Gucci Grace" or "First Shopper," a reference to her alleged love of shopping.

Recently, reports that she had purchased a diamond ring worth $1.3 million sparked an uproar in Zimbabwe. The United Nations says nearly two-thirds of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line, and four million need food aid due to a moribund economy and long drought.

But, many describe the first lady as an astute and influential business woman, who is behind the success of the family's Alpha Omega Dairy farm.

She is also described as a philanthropist, because of the orphanage she started and a large school complex built with the help of the Chinese government.

The succession debacle

Grace Mugabe's political rise has been a source of consternation for opposition figures, as well as some ZANU-PF officials, who call her a lightning rod.

But party Youth League Secretary Kudzai Chipanga told a Harare newspaper, "We cannot imagine a situation where we do not have our president. But should we be forced into that situation, we would second someone with the name Mugabe because that name is sellable. Our people have gotten addicted to that name and they will easily vote for such a name as long as it has been forwarded by ZANU-PF."

The first lady seems to agree, telling a rally last week, "Even if God decides to take away Mugabe, we will have his name on the ballot and millions of people will vote for his corpse."

Grace Mugabe still faces opposition from veterans of the country's 1970s liberation war. In 2014, the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Jabulani Sibanda, was expelled from the ruling party after he accused President Mugabe of plotting a "bedroom coup" by seeking to elevate his wife to the presidency.

The director of the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute, Pedzisayi Ryhanya, says President Mugabe still calls the shots and the first lady must not be discounted.

"It may be undesirable to them [the war veterans], it may be undesirable to a lot of people, but the fact of the matter is that the president holds a lot of power and influence," he told VOA. "And it appears from what is happening, his will may actually see the light of day."

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US May Designate N Korea as Terrorism Sponsor State Amid Kim Jong Nam's Murder

Sputnik News

16:31 25.02.2017

The United States is considering the possibility of putting North Korea back on Washington's list of states-sponsors of terrorism after a highly toxic liquid was confirmed to have killed the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, media reported Saturday citing US government sources.

TOKYO (Sputnik)  According to the Kyodo news agency, the administration of President Donald Trump is currently analyzing the information about the February 13 suspected murder of Kim Jong Nam, known to disapprove Kim Jong Un's policies, in which a nerve agent called VX had been used.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry voiced its dismay on Friday over the use of what it described as a UN-banned chemical weapon in the assassination that took place at a Kuala Lumpur airport. Seoul said this was a blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, no evidence has been revealed that would prove Pyongyang's role in Kim Jong Nam's death.

North Korea was put on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1987, after a blast on board a South Korean aircraft that resulted in the killing of 115 people and is believed to be organized by North Korean special services. In 2008, Pyongyang was removed from the list to facilitate progress in denuclearization talks.

 Sputnik

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Indonesian suspect says knowing no plan about DPRK man killing in Kuala Lumpurt airport

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:18, February 26, 2017

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.

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US cancels back-channel talks with North Korea: Sources

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:52AM

The United States has decided not to issue visas for a North Korean delegation that had been due to take part in planned "back-channel" talks with former US officials in New York.

The talks had been scheduled to take place between the North Korean delegation and the former US officials in New York in early March, according to the people on the participants' list, who spoke on condition of anonymity, The New York Times reported Saturday.

On Friday morning, the US State Department told Donald S. Zagoria, from the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, who coordinated the talks, that the visas for the North Korean delegates would be granted. Hours later, however, the decision was reversed.

"A senior official in the State Department, the White House or elsewhere in the government had second thoughts about issuing visas to representatives of North Korea," The Times wrote, citing a person familiar with the issue.

The six-member delegation from North Korea was to be led by Choe Son-hui, who runs the American affairs bureau of the North's Foreign Ministry. Choe had planned to participate in the New York talks in her "nongovernmental" role as president of North Korea's Institute for American Studies.

The participants for the US side included Winston Lord, a former ambassador to China, Robert L. Gallucci, a negotiator on North Korea during the Bill Clinton presidency, Victor Cha, a senior adviser on North Korea to former president George W. Bush; and Evans J. R. Revere, a former principal deputy assistant secretary of state specializing in North Korean affairs.

All these former officials had dealt with matters concerning North Korea over many years. Some of them had participated in previous talks with North Koreans, held in a third country.

But more weight was given to the upcoming talks because they were taking place at the start of the new administration of President Donald Trump.

During his election campaign, Trump had said he was open to political talks with North Korea, adding he would like to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over a hamburger.

The US delegation would have discussed the North's rapidly expanding missile and nuclear programs as well as the fate of two Americans detained in North Korea, among other issues.

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N. Korean Leader's Estranged Half-Brother Died Within 20 Minutes of Attack

By VOA News February 26, 2017

Malaysian health authorities say Kim Jong Nam suffered a "very painful death" and was dead within 20 minutes of being attacked at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was killed February 13 at the Kuala Lumpur airport by VX nerve agent, police said.

"He died in the ambulance. He fainted in the clinic," Health Minister S. Subramanian told reporters. "From the time of the onset [of the attack] he died within 15 to 20 minutes.

Police said he "felt like someone grabbed or held his face from behind."

A CCTV footage shows two women shoving something into Kim's face.

Police have both females in custody as well as a North Korean man suspect of being behind the attack.

Seven other North Koreans have also being identified as suspects and are wanted for questioning.

Experts say VX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons created by man, and that just 10 milligrams of the nerve agent or a single drop is enough to kill in minutes.

"The absorption level was so rapid that within a few minutes the guy has symptoms," Subramanian said.

According to the official, the nerve agent stops proper operation of an enzyme that works as the body's "off switch" for muscles and glands.

If the switch does not work, then muscles and glands and regularly being stimulated, which can lead to inability to sustain breathing.

"The muscle goes into a state of permanent contraction," Subramanian said.

In Kim Jong Nam' case, the dose was so high that the heart and lungs would have been promptly affected.

On Sunday, officials said the Kuala Lumpur International Airport was free of toxic substances, following a terminal-wide sweep for toxic chemicals.

One of the women arrested, an Indonesian national, said she thought she was taking part in a television prank show.

The other woman allegedly told a senior diplomat that she was paid about $90 to kill the exiled North Korean man, adding that she thought she was carrying baby oil.

Both insisted they were tricked, but authorities believe they knew what they were doing.

Kim Jong Nam was the older estranged brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.Kim Jong Nam was once considered the heir apparent to lead North Korea, but he fell out of favor with their father, the late dictator Kim Jong Il, after a failed 2001 attempt to enter Japan on a forged passport to visit Disneyland.

Since then, Kim Jong Nam had lived in virtual exile, primarily in the Chinese territory of Macau.

New book controversy

A new book by a Japanese journalist with the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper paints a grim picture of North Korea's future.

The book quotes Kim Jong Nam saying the North Korean regime is in danger of collapsing and that Kim Jong Un is nothing more than a figurehead.

Author Yoji Gomi said some of Kim Jong Nam's statements may reflect some jealousy, but that he believed they are also insightful.

Gomi said he met the elder son by chance at the airport in Beijing and has remained in contact with him. He said the book is based on several interviews in person and about 150 pieces of email.

The Associated Press quotes analysts as saying that Kim Jong Nam spent so much time outside his native land that his opinion carries little weight.

After the death of Kim Jong Il in December, North Korea's powerful military and its political leaders hastened to proclaim Kim Jong Un, the youngest of three sons, as his successor in 2011.

Since taking power, Kim Jong Un has executed or expelled numerous high-level government officials.They included his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, executed by an anti-aircraft gun.Jang Song Thaek was once considered the second most powerful man in North Korea.

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EU slaps additional sanctions on North Korea over nuclear, missile tests

Iran Press TV

Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:14PM

The European Union (EU) has imposed additional sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

The decision was made on Monday in line with a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution in November last year, which limits trade with North Korea and bans imports of several metals from the country.

The EU member states said in a statement that the new measures included restrictions on trade in coal, iron and iron ore, plus a ban on imports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc from North Korea.

The 28-member bloc also imposed a ban on the sale of new helicopters and vessels to Pyongyang and introduced tighter controls on the transport, finance and property sectors.

Member states will also curb any teaching, training or scientific links that might benefit North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to the statement.

The EU first imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in late 2006 over its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea has also been under several rounds of UNSC resolutions over its nuclear and missile tests.

The November sanctions by the UNSC against North Korea were in response to Pyongyang's fifth and biggest nuclear test two months earlier.

In its first missile test of 2017, North Korea said on February 13 that it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile the previous day. The missile reportedly flew about 500 kilometers towards Japan, landing off the east coast of the Korean peninsula.

Despite the sanctions and other forms of international pressure, Pyongyang has pledged to strengthen its military capability to protect itself from the threat posed by the presence of the US forces in the region.

Pyongyang says it will not abandon its nuclear military program unless Washington ends its "hostile" policy toward North Korea and dissolves the US-led command in South Korea. Thousands of US troopers are stationed in South Korea and Japan.

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North Korean Government Reported to Be Behind Kim Jong Nam's Murder

Sputnik News

20:15 27.02.2017(updated 20:16 27.02.2017)

The North Korean authorities could stand behind the murder of Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of the country's leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean media reported, citing an intelligence agency.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed that four of the eight suspects involved into the murder worked for North Korea's Ministry of State Security and Foreign Ministry, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The intelligence agency added that, although Pyongyang remains silent over the death, more and more high-ranking and foreign officials were becoming aware of the news.

Kim Jong Nam was killed on February 13 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport while waiting for his flight. The highly toxic gas was sprayed in his face as he was about to board a flight to Macau.

 Sputnik

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N Korean Ex-Minister Allegedly Detained After Dismissal Over Abuse of Power

Sputnik News

14:38 27.02.2017(updated 14:39 27.02.2017)

North Korea's former Minister of State Security Kim Won Hong has been arrested, following his dismissal in late January over the abuse of power, South Korean media reported Monday.

TOKYO (Sputnik)  Five other senior officials may have been executed recently, Yonhap news agency claimed, citing South Korea's spy agency.

According to the outlet, the representative of the South Korean intelligence agency also alleged that Pyongyang was responsible for the death of Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother. Kim was known to disapprove of North Korea's supreme leader's policies.

Kim Jong Nam was killed on February 13 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport while waiting for his flight.

A highly toxic gas was sprayed in his face as he was about to board a flight to Macau.

 Sputnik

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27

By Dalga Khatinoglu  Trend:

Indonesian State-owned Energy Company Pertamina and Russian Lukoil are negotiating with Iran to develop the same oil projects.

The Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister of Indonesia issued a statement Feb.27, saying that Pertamina will submit proposals to the Iranian government for the exploration of Ab Teymour and Mansouri oil fields.

Based on a study conducted by Pertamina, the oil reserves in the two fields amount to 1.5 billion barrels (recoverable oil).

The production potential reaches 200,000 barrel per day at each field, the statement said, the Jakarta Post reported.

On the other hand, the Middle East head of Lukoil Gati Al-Jebouri told Bloomberg Feb.27 that the company is in talks with National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) about the Ab Teymour and Mansouri oil fields in western Iran.

Both Pertamina and Lukoil are among 29 foreign companies that have been qualified by NIOC to take part in Irans upstream oil and gas projects.

Despite Pertaminas study, NIOCs own estimation indicates that the fields contain above 30 billion barrels of in-situ oil, but no information has been published about the recovery rate or recoverable reserves of fields.

Oil fields Oil in-situ (billion barrels) Current production (Thousand b/d) Cumulative production (million barrels) API Mansouri 15.142 60 347 20-25 Ab Teymour 15.258 60 315 22-22.5

It is possible both Lukoil and Pertamina could get involves in these projects, but they should choose an Iranian partner, based on newly designed contract model, called Iran Petroleum Contracts or IPC.

Iran introduced 49 oil and gas fields, including the mentioned two fields, for development to foreign companies in November 2015 and the tenders on development of projects would be issued in 2017 gradually.

Iran eyes $100 billion investment in upstream sector, of which 80 percent is foreign funds, by 2021 to develop these fields.

Dalga Khatinoglu is the head of Trend Agencys Iran news service, follow him on Twitter: @dalgakhatinoglu
India Announces Development of Long-Range Airborne Warning Control System

Sputnik News

12:32 27.02.2017(updated 12:35 27.02.2017)

India is planning to develop its own long-range airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) in six years in order to fill the gaps in its aerial surveillance not covered by the recently developed Indian Netra system, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The long-range AEW&C with a 360-degree coverage, similar to Israeli Phalcon system, will be developed by 2023 in order for the system to be "totally functional," Parrikar told the Hindu newspaper.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a military research and development agency of India, is currently implementing several programs aimed at initial development of two airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), and then that of another four, the minister added.

"As the AWACS is much heavier, it needs a bigger aircraft. They would be based on an Airbus A-330. It has already been short-listed through a global process," Parrikar said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has 14 Russian Il-76 transport planes, with three Israeli Phalcon AEW&C mounted on them.

India is currently in negotiation process with Israel to obtain two more Phalcon systems for the Il-76s, according to the newspaper.

 Sputnik

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Rouhani says JCPOA a great job

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 25, IRNA -- President Hassan Rouhani praised the achievements gained by the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing the agreement was a great job.

Through the JCPOA, Iran could globally trade nuclear technology, Rouhani said at a local gathering on Saturday with participation of officials in charge of holding the May presidential election.

"Today, they buy enriched materials from us and give us the yellow cake. In the first phase, we sold heavy water first to the US, and then to Russia," President Rouhani stressed.

He said,' We forced those countries which issued resolutions against us to annul them.'

Turning to the issue of elections, the president described it as the biggest point of strength against the enemy and also as an event that will stabilize the political establishment.

Rouhani further stressed the importance of ensuring security in the society, adding that Iran enjoys good level of security.

1483**1771

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Zarif expresses dismay at Turkish belligerence

Iran Press TV

Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:34AM

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed dismay at the recent "improper" remarks by Turkish officials against the Islamic Republic.

In a speech at the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 19, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized what he called an Iranian "sectarian policy" in the region. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had accused Iran of promoting "Persian nationalism."

Reacting on Friday, Foreign Minister Zarif of Iran told Fars news agency that Turkish officials had been entangled in the consequences of their "past mistakes" and were now attempting to play a blame game by making accusations against Iran.

"Unfortunately, the wrong policies of the Turkish government in the past have created a situation that they (Turkish officials) have to project the blame; it is a regret that they do so," Zarif said.

Turkey has been involved in unauthorized military operations in Syria and is accused of having supported militants fighting the elected Syrian government.

"We hope that regional countries would fully comprehend the need for cooperation... and that such cooperation would turn into the topic of the day instead of such improper remarks," the Iranian foreign minister said dismissively, referring to the anti-Iran comments by the Turkish officials.

Iran had earlier summoned the Turkish ambassador to Tehran for a diplomatic rebuke over the remarks by Cavusoglu and Erdogan. The Iranian Foreign Ministry had also warned that there was a certain ceiling to Tehran's patience with the Turkish government.

'Ungrateful, and with a weak memory'

On Thursday, in an interview with the daily Iran, Foreign Minister Zarif had recalled Iran's supportive stance vis-a-vis the Turkish government following a failed coup attempt that sought to topple officials in Ankara in July last year and said the Islamic Republic did not expect the behavior that the Turks later displayed.

Following the coup, Iran voiced full support for the Ankara government, and Zarif soon traveled to Ankara to carry a message of support for the legitimate Turkish government. He even visited the damaged parliament building in the Turkish capital, shelled by rogue soldiers.

"[Our] friends [in Turkey] apparently have a weak memory...," he said in the Thursday interview. "They both have a poor memory and are ungrateful toward those who have been kind to them and supportive of them."

Also speaking at the Munich conference, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Israel seemed to echo one another  and Cavusoglu  by making anti-Iran remarks of their own.

'The coalition of the defeated'

In his Thursday interview, Zarif called Saudi Arabia and the other regimes working in tandem against Iran "the coalition of the defeated."

"Once... I said that the international anti-Daesh coalition is 'the coalition of the repentant;' now I say it is 'the coalition of the defeated.' All the parties that have failed in our region have formed a coalition and are saying things. I think one shouldn't take them very seriously," Zarif said in that interview.

'The powerful side doesn't taunt'

The Iranian foreign minister also said that while Iran has been speaking  including in the Munich Security Conference where Zarif himself represented Iran  of cooperation and dialog, the anti-Iran regimes have been "throwing wrenches in the works, which is often not what the powerful side does."

"The powerful side should lay out its plans and speak of what the future should look like, not call others names," Zarif said.

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IRGC Ground Forces launch drone organization

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:39PM

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Forces have established an organization specializing in using drones in military operations.

"We have set up a drone center and organization, which has bases in operational areas, and is currently active," Commander of IRGC Ground Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour told Tasnim news agency on Sunday.

The IRGC Ground Forces possesses and has used various state-of-the-art military equipment, including combat drones, in different maneuvers showcasing the country's defense prowess.

The IRGC Ground Forces started three-day massive military drills, codenamed Payambar-e-A'azam 11 (Great Prophet 11), on February 20 in northeastern Iran with its motto being "demonstration of power and enduring stability."

The maneuvers featured the IRGC's drone, artillery, air defense, and infantry units.

IRGC Ground Forces also practiced reconnaissance missions using the Corps' drones.

In October 2016, the IRGC unveiled a combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), called Saeqeh (Thunderbolt). Saeqeh is a long-range drone capable of carrying four smart and precision-guided bombs and can strike targets with high precision.

It is one of the Simorgh-class drones, which is the Iranian version of the US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft.

In December 2012, the IRGC captured a US ScanEagle drone over the Persian Gulf waters upon its intrusion into the Iranian airspace.

In the same month the previous year, Iran downed a US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft with minimal damage. The drone was flying over the Iranian city of Kashmar, near the Afghan border, when it was brought down.

Almost three years later, the Islamic Republic produced its own version of the RQ-170 drone.

Iran is now in possession of a broad range of UAVs, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

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Iran launches major naval exercise in northern Indian Ocean

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:59AM

Iranian naval forces have launched the final stage of a large-scale drill north of the Indian Ocean to enhance their defense capabilities.

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced the beginning of the maneuver, code-named Velayat 95, on Sunday.

"The aim of the Velayat 95 drill is to upgrade the country's defensive capabilities and send Iran's message of peace and friendship to the regional countries," the Navy chief said aboard the Sahand warship.

The exercises are being held in an area of 2 million square kilometers, spanning the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Surface and subsea vessels and naval helicopters have been deployed in operational formations to carry out missions across the waters.

The drill also involves special forces stationed across the Makran coastal strip on the Sea of Oman to rehearse defending Iranian waters.

Additionally, reconnaissance patrol aircraft, hovercraft and drones are on the look-out, monitoring the movements of foreign troops.

Advanced radars, sonar systems and domestically-manufactured chaff dispensing systems used to distract radar-guided missiles are also being tested in the drill.

On Saturday, Sayyari told a live TV program that Iran's most advanced destroyer Sahand will soon join the country's naval fleet. The all-weather vessel is provisioned with the capability to carry out both defensive and offensive tasks against surface, subsea and aerial targets, he said.

"Sahand is currently our most advanced destroyer given the systems which are mounted on its deck and has a better capability than the Jamaran destroyer for carrying helicopters," he said.

The commander stressed that Iran's military might is defensive in nature despite the "Iranophobia" campaign which is being waged by the enemies to portray the country as aggressive.

Iran has recently made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and hardware.

The Islamic Republic maintains that its military power poses no threat to other countries and is merely attentive to its military doctrine of deterrence.

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Largest mass grave with bodies of 4,000 people found in Iraq

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:56PM

A mass grave believed to contain the bodies of thousands of Iraqi security personnel killed at the hands of the Daesh Takfiri militants has been discovered not far from the strategic northern city of Mosul, where government forces and their allies are engaged in the last phase of an operation to drive the extremists out of their last major stronghold in the country.

The Khasfa sinkhole lies eight kilometers outside Mosul, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad, and is considered to be the biggest mass grave in conflict-ridden Iraq as it is the resting place of an estimated 4,000 victims, the British daily newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday.

The report, citing witnesses, wrote that most of the ill-fated Iraqi policemen were shot and dumped into the natural depression just off the Baghdad-Mosul highway, while others lost their lives in vehicles driven over the edge of the pit.

"Daesh would drive the victims to Khasfa in convoys of minibuses, trucks and pickups. The men had their hands bound and their eyes blindfolded," said Mahmoud, a 40-year-old resident of the nearby Sananik village, who added, "They were taken to the sinkhole and shot in the back of the head."

The dead either tumbled into the hole after being shot or were tossed into it by their masked killers, Mahmoud pointed out.

The body count at Khasfa mass grave outnumbers any other known sites in Iraq, especially the murder of about 1,700 Iraqi Air Force cadets in a June 2014 attack on Camp Speicher military base near the northern city of Tikrit.

"Khasfa is definitely one of the biggest, if not the biggest, mass grave by Daesh in Iraq. And from what we have heard it is not just a grave but also an execution site," Belkis Wille, a senior Iraq researcher for Human Rights Watch, said.

The sinkhole is said to be roughly 400 meters deep but contained so many bodies they began to be visible from its periphery.

"In the beginning, you couldn't see the corpses at the bottom of the hole. Only later, when it began to fill up, you could see the bodies," Mahmoud said.

Some 2,000 policemen and soldiers were murdered by Daesh in one day alone, he claimed, adding that the victims of one of the executions he was forced to watch included his cousin, who worked as a police officer.

Daesh militants overran Mosul in June 2014. Iraqi government forces, backed by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units  better known by the Arabic word Hasd al-Sha'abi, managed to liberate the eastern quarter of Mosul from the clutches of Daesh terrorists in January, three months after launching the operation to regain control of the country's second-largest city.

On February 19, Iraqi soldiers and Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters mounted a new offensive to liberate western Mosul.

International aid organizations have warned against the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of civilians from western Mosul.

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.

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Iraqi forces gain control of two more neighborhoods in western Mosul

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:4PM

Iraqi government forces have regained control of two neighborhoods in the western part of Mosul in a new phase of joint operations with allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units to push Daesh Takfiri terrorists out of their last urban stronghold in the country.

Major General Haider al-Maturi of the Federal Police Commandos Division told The Associated Press that his troops marched into the Tayaran neighborhood of Mosul, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad, on Sunday morning.

Maturi added that the neighborhood "is now under their full control," noting that Daesh militants made use of at least 10 car bombs to stop Iraqi forces making quick advances on multiple fronts.

Nine of the explosive-laden cars were blown up before reaching their targets, while the last one left two police officers dead and five others wounded, the Iraqi commander said, adding that his forces had captured two militants - an Iraqi national and a foreigner speaking Russian.

The development came shortly after the commander of Nineveh Liberation Operation, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, announced that members of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) had liberated Ma'moun neighborhood in western Mosul.

Yarallah said government forces raised the Iraqi flag over several buildings in the area.

Meanwhile, Iraqi government forces continue to punch through the defenses of Daesh extremists stationed in western Mosul, trying to build a floating bridge across the Tigris River to establish an important supply route into the eastern part of Mosul.

"We had an important operation this morning to move towards the bridge," Colonel Falah al-Wabdan of the rapid response forces told AFP in the Hawi al-Jawsaq area on the western outskirts of Mosul.

"We have moved past a large berm constructed by Daesh with tunnels underneath," he said, adding that there are mines strewn around the area and members of the rapid response forces had killed 44 Takfiris on Sunday alone.

Wabdan further noted that securing the area near the fourth bridge on the Tigris River would allow engineering units to extend a ribbon bridge to the other quarter of Mosul, and heap further pressure on Daesh militants.

"It is very important because if we take it, engineering units... will be able to throw a bridge across from the left bank so we can move supplies and ammunition from the battle field," he said.

Thousands of civilians flee west Mosul battles

Furthermore, thousands of civilians are fleeing from western Mosul as government troops make advances in the second phase of the battle to retake the strategic city from Daesh.

"Engineering units of the Counter-Terrorism Service have opened safe passages for fleeing civilians and the military troops; and we were able to absorb massive population displacements. We received yesterday around 1,150 displaced persons, while a day earlier the number of displaced people was 2,500. Today, we expect the number to reach up 3,000 displaced persons, and the number is on the rise as Iraqi forces push deeper into Ma'moun and other districts," Brigadier General Salman Hashim Hussein of the Counter-Terrorism Service said.

He added, "Most of the fleeing civilians who arrived at the makeshift place report intense battles with Daesh terrorists; and their sufferings to escape to save own lives. We received civilians, who suffered various wounds and bruises and we gave them first aid and then sent them to clinic for further treatment."

International aid organizations have warned against the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of civilians from western Mosul.

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.

"The greatest concern is the fact that we might have a massive surge of civilians being displaced," Hala Jaber, a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said lately.

The IOM press officer added, "We are preparing to expand the camps and build up emergency sites to be able to take the numbers."

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Iraqi Forces Face Stiff Resistance as Mosul Push Continues

By VOA News February 26, 2017

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. Iraq's 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.

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 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," he noted.

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.

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.

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Iraqi Forces Capture Key Bridge, Neighborhood In Western Mosul

RFE/RL February 27, 2017

U.S.-backed Iraqi forces battling to retake western Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants have captured a neighborhood and a key bridge on the Tigris River, a move that could allow the opening of supply lines with the government-controlled east bank.

Military officials say it is crucial to establish a link between the east and west banks of the Tigris to support the battle to defeat IS in western Mosul, a drive launched on February 19.

The Iraqi military said in a statement on February 27 that government forces captured Mosul's southernmost bridge, one of five damaged and unusable bridges spanning the Tigris.

Iraqi military officials said they are trying to construct a floating bridge across the river.

"We had an important operation this morning to move towards the bridge," Colonel Falah al-Wabdan of the Iraqi Rapid Response forces told AFP.

He added the area was heavily mined and that his forces had killed 44 militants on February 26 alone.

Earlier on February 27, government forces captured the Tayyaran neighborhood, located close to the bridge.

Backed by U.S. air strikes, and bolstered by Shi'ite militias and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Iraqi forces launched their initial assault to force IS out of their stronghold city in October.

After a bloodier-than-expected battle, Iraqi troops retook eastern Mosul in January.

But experts say western Mosul, with its narrow streets and some 750,000 civilian residents, would be much tougher to capture against an estimated 2,000 IS fighters.

Iraqi military officials report steady gains so far, but they have come in the face of rising casualties.

The Associated Press on February 26 cited medical officials at front-line clinics as saying at least 30 security forces and more than 200 civilians have been killed or wounded in the past three days.

Residents report bodies strewn on the streets in some neighborhoods.

The Iraqi military has not released casualty figures from the assault.

Even as troops battle to liberate western Mosul, Iraqi officials and world historians have been meeting in Paris to coordinate plans to restore the city's cultural treasures, many of which have been bulldozed or bombed by IS militants.

Historians are anxiously awaiting the fate of Mosul's main museum, the second-largest in Iraq in an area that has been inhabited for an estimated 4,400 years.

The museum was looted during the 2003 Iraq war but was on the verge of reopening in 2014 when IS took over, AFP reports.

IS militants seized large portions of northern Iraq and Syria in an offensive in 2014.

The group has been accused of numerous atrocities and has claimed responsibility for major terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere.

Islamic State declared Mosul to be the capital of their so-called caliphate after capturing the city in 2014.

With reporting by AP, AFP and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/iraq-mosul-islamic-state -tigris-river-battle/28334108.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.

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Myanmar's Suu Kyi says killing of top Muslim lawyer 'great loss'

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:8PM

Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has described the daylight assassination of her adviser U Ko Ni, a prominent Muslim lawyer and critic of Myanmar's powerful military, a "great loss" for the country's struggle for democracy.

Suu Kyi was speaking at a memorial service organized by her ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party in Yangon on Sunday.

Ko Ni, a prominent critic of the military's continued political influence, was shot dead on January 29 outside Yangon. A taxi driver was also killed attempting to stop the gunman.

Authorities say the gunman was hired by a former military officer who is now on the run.

Myanmar's de facto leader also described both Ko Ni and the taxi driver as "martyrs."

"Losing U Ko Ni is a great loss for our NLD. He worked together with us for many years through his beliefs," Suu Kyi said.

Ko Ni was opposed to the military's control of key security ministries and guaranteed seats in parliament. He had also denounced the increasing Islamophobia that has swept through the country in recent years.

Suu Kyi's NLD has already branded the killing a political assassination and "terrorist act."

At the Sunday memorial, Suu Kyi did appeal for patience, arguing that her government had only been in power for 10 months after decades of junta rule.

"Our citizens who have been struggling hard for many decades may think it's a very long time. But for the history of a country, for the history of a government, 10 months or one year is not much. This is just a short period," she said.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace prize laureate who has been lionized in Western media as Myanmar's "democracy icon," has defended the military's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, much to the dismay of the international community.

Rakhine has been under a military siege since October 2016 over a raid on a police post that was blamed on the Rohingya. There have been reports of rape, murder, and arson against the Muslim population in the state.

Suu Kyi, however, has described the crisis in Rakhine as "under control" and demanded that the international community stop stoking the "fires of resentment."

The bloody crackdown on the Muslims by the military has posed the biggest challenge to Suu Kyi since her NLD party won Myanmar's first democratic elections in a generation in late 2015.

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Thousands protested in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Sunday against the Social Democrat government that tried to weaken a crackdown on corruption earlier this month, Reuters reported.

In early February, the cabinet of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu approved an emergency decree that would have decriminalized several graft offences.

The move drew criticism from Western allies and triggering nationwide protests that at their height drew at least half a million people onto the streets.

The ruling coalition rescinded the decree, which would have shielded dozens of public officials from prosecution, and on Wednesday it reshuffled the cabinet, hoping to draw a line under the matter.

While the numbers of protesters has fallen sharply since early February, an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people gathered outside government headquarters on Sunday demanding the resignation of a government they say they cannot trust. Many were carrying pins that read "Resist".

At 1900 GMT they raised pieces of blue and yellow paper above their heads and lit them with mobile phones to form a giant European Union flag.

At previous protests this month, they also formed the Romanian flag. Thousands more protested in other cities across Romania.

In a country report released last week, the European Commission said the government's rescinded decree would have reversed efforts to curb graft which Romania has made in the decade since it joined the EU.

Transparency International ranks Romania among the EUs most corrupt states and Brussels keeps its justice system under special monitoring.

The EU has praised prosecutors and magistrates for their efforts to stamp out corruption, but has noted a trend in parliament to weaken anti-graft legislation.

"Resist" suits me," Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu was quoted telling a local television station. "I am trying to calm things down. I want to enforce the governing program."

The Social Democrats and their junior coalition partner ALDE won a large majority in a December parliamentary election on a promise to raise pensions and wages and boost infrastructure in one of the EU's poorest states. They still enjoy wide support.

On Saturday, around 8,000 people are estimated to have attended a pro-government rally organized by the Social Democrats in the central Romanian town of Targoviste.
S Korean Foreign Minister to Raise Issue of N Korea's Chemical Weapons - Reports

Sputnik News

16:39 26.02.2017(updated 16:40 26.02.2017)

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will raise the issues of North Korea's chemical weapons and human rights abuses during the UN Human Rights Council's session and the Disarmament Conference in Geneva, media reported Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the Yonhap news agency, Yun is going to visit Geneva on Monday and Tuesday to raise the issue of Pyongyang's chemical weapons stockpiles.

In line with South Korean military estimates, provided by Yonhap, North Korea's stockpile of chemical weapons had reached up to 5,000 tonnes, making it the third largest after the United States and Russia.

The news agency added that the South Korean foreign minister would also express Seoul's concern about the situation with human rights in North Korea, which had been repeatedly accused by various human rights organizations of forced labor, children labor, enslavement, rape, forced abortions, starvation rations and extermination.

The decision to present a speech at the conferences comes in the light of the recent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother Kim Jong Nam. He was killed on February 13 in Malaysia by a VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, sprayed in his face as he was about to board a flight to Macau. The Malaysian police suspect North Korean intelligence to be behind the assassination.

The Conference on disarmament is an event held annually, which dates back to 1979 and provides platform for negotiations concerning chemical and biological weapons control. The conference comprises 65 countries across the world. This year, the first round of the conference started on January 23 and is due to last until March 31. The UN Human Rights Council's session will take place from February 27 to March 24.

 Sputnik

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Thousands March In Moscow To Commemorate Slain Kremlin Critic Nemtsov

Tom Balmforth February 26, 2017

MOSCOW -- Thousands have marched in Moscow to commemorate slain Kremlin critic and former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov who was killed two years ago.

Nemtsov, who had been a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead on a bridge overlooking the Kremlin on February 27, 2015.

Five men from Russian's volatile North Caucasus region of Chechnya went on trial for the killing in October. They have denied the charges. Nemtsov's supporters fear that whoever ordered his murder will never be brought to justice.

Thousands of people gathered at Pushkin Square in central Moscow on February 26 before marching to Prospekt Sakharov. The march, authorized by municipal authorities, ended at around 4 p.m. local time without any major incidents. Two previous marches to honor Nemtsov were also held without any incidents.

Similar marches to commemorate Nemtsov were organized in cities across Russia, including in St. Petersburg and Nemtsov's hometown of Nizhny Novgorod.

Protesters in Moscow filed through metal detectors manned by dozens of police, who were stationed along the march route.

Demonstrators held the Russian national flag and other flags bearing the logo of opposition party PARNAS and the Solidarity movement.

Scores of demonstrators held portraits of Nemtsov bearing slogans like "The war with Ukraine is Putin's crime" and "Strength lies in truth and the truth is with us" and "Our advantage over the authorities is our honesty."

"The situation in Russia has got to a point where we have to change something, including changing the authorities," said Yuri Kalina, a teacher who attended the march. "One person has ruled for the last 15 years. This is not normal and it is not democratic."

"Everything starts [on] the street," added the 25-year-old. "When we don't have the opportunity to speak on television and when there is no one with alternative views on radio, we have to start [on] the street."

Yuri Konstantinov, 63, a pensioner from Moscow, said he attended the march out of a sense of civic duty, but was skeptical about whether it would have a positive impact for the opposition.

"I don't see any particular reason for hope," he said. "But a person has a duty to stand up for his beliefs. I believe a person has a duty. I don't know what will come of it though. The whole world seems to be going in the wrong direction."

Ibragim Osmanov, 59, said he traveled to Moscow from Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula to attend the march.

He stood in a small group of 10 holding Crimean Tatar flags. The group held a meters-long banner reading: "Stop the repressions in Crimea. Freedom to Ukrainian political prisoners."

"He [Nemtsov] always supported the Crimean Tatar people," said Osmanov. "We've come here to pay our tribute to his memory."

Demonstrators chanted "freedom to political prisoners!" "Russia without Putin" and "Putin is war!"

Activists at the rally collected signatures to petition Moscow city hall to establish a memorial plaque in tribute to Nemtsov.

Supporters also hope to petition city authorities to launch a probe into what they cast as the "illegal" clearing away of the makeshift unofficial memorial at the site of Nemtsov's murder.

"This is a serious date. The date of a murder," said Galina, a 66-year old pensioner from Moscow who declined to give her surname. "This was the political murder of a leader. We all remember. It is a pity there are few people like him."

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-nemtsov-march- moscow-puskinskaya-2017/28332891.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.

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Russian N Fleet to Participate in Russian-Norwegian Barents Drills in September

Sputnik News

10:50 26.02.2017

Russian Northern Fleet will participate in the annual Russian-Norwegian exercise in September, the fleet's press service said on Sunday in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Rescue ships and aircraft of the Russian Northern Fleet will take part in the annual Russian-Norwegian exercise, codenamed Barents-2017, set for September, the fleet's press service said on Sunday in a statement.

"The N. Chiker rescue tug and the new Spasatel Kononenko multifunctional modular boat, as well as search and rescue aircraft of the Northern Fleet will take part in the annual Russian-Norwegian Barents exercise. This year it will take place in the Russian area of responsibility," the statement read.

According to the navy sailors, the drills are aimed at developing skills in the search and rescue operations, oil spill response and at preventing oil pollution of marine waters amid intensive industrial development of the Arctic region.

The Russian side will also be represented by forces of the Murmansk maritime rescue coordination center, Marine Rescue Service of Rosmorrechflot, Rosmorport, Northern Expeditionary Detachment of Rescue Operations, as well as the State Air Traffic Management Corporation.

According to the statement, Norway will be represented by the vessels, planes of the coastal administration, the Coast Guard of the Naval Forces and the Air Force patrol aviation, with the participation of aviation control centers of the northern coastal cities.

The Barents drills are held in the Arctic annually in accordance with the Russian-Norwegian 1995 intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in search and rescue of people suffering distress in the Barents Sea and the 1994 Agreement on Oil Spill Response in the Barents Sea. The Northern Fleet is a permanent participant of the drills.

 Sputnik

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On Alert: Crimea to Get BUK Missile Systems

Sputnik News

16:08 27.02.2017(updated 16:11 27.02.2017)

The Russian Navy will deploy batteries of BUK missiles in Crimea to protect its surface ships and submarines against drones and cruise missiles to beef up anti-access/area-denial capabilities around the Black Sea peninsula, the newspaper Izvestia wrote.

Military experts believe that the BUKs, along with the S-300 and S-400 missile systems already stationed in Crimea will effectively secure the airspace over the peninsula and the Black Sea.

The 1096th air defense regiment, based in Sevastopol, will receive an initial batch of BUK-M2 missiles with more advanced BUK-3Ms to arrive at a later date, officials at the Black Sea Fleet headquarters told the newspaper without elaborating.

The 1096th regiment is currently armed with Osa short-range surface-to-air missile systems.

The Buk-M2 features a new missile and new third generation phased array fire control radar. It can track 24 targets and engage four targets simultaneously.

The BUK-M2 is capable of shooting down planes and UAVs 3 to 45 kilometers away, cruise and ballistic missiles up to 20 kilometers away and even high-altitude strategic spy planes flying at an altitude of up to 25 kilometers.

The Osa missile system has a maximum horizontal range of 10 kilometers and a vertical rage of just over 5 kilometers.

The 51st division of the Russian Airspace Forces also deployed in Crimea, is armed with S-300 and S-400 missiles and Pantsir combined short to medium range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon systems.

"The air defense regiments of the 51st division secure the strategic infrastructure in Crimea," independent military expert Anto Lavrov told Izvestia.

"The 1096th regiment will protect the Black Sea Fleet's ground facilities and ships. Together, these units can provide multilayered defense of both Crimea and the entire Black Sea against high-tech enemy attacks," he added.

Batteries of BUK missiles guarded the airspace over Sochi and surrounding areas during the 2014 Winter Olympics.

In January Ukrainian air defense forces conducted tactical missile drills in Kherson Region, bordering Crimea.

In early December, the Ukrainian military held missile-firing exercises near Crimea, in violation of several international agreements.

Russian concerns stemmed from the fact that Ukraine's military has already had the unfortunate experience in of accidentally shooting down civilian airliners.

In 2001, a Ukrainian air defense S-200 missile battery shot down a Russian Tu-154 which was on route to Siberia from Israel over the Black Sea during a training exercise, killing all 78 passengers and crew onboard.

During December's drills, Moscow repeatedly called Kiev's missile launches in the Black Sea a "provocation,", and a threat to the safety of Russian civilian flights to Crimea.

On March 18, Russia will be celebrating the third anniversary of Crimea's reunification with the country.

On March 16, 2014, 96 percent of Crimean residents voted in a referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

 Sputnik

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Homs terror attacks aim to disrupt Syria peace talks: Iran

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:34PM

Iran has censured the recent terrorist attacks in the western Syrian city of Homs, saying such blasts were aimed at derailing the ongoing intra-Syrian peace talks in the Swiss city of Geneva.

"Undoubtedly, the blasts were carried out with the purpose of causing disruption in the process of the peace talks and [preventing achievement of] any possible agreement," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Sunday.

He urged all Syrian sides to remain vigilant in dealing with such incidents at the current sensitive juncture.

Qassemi emphasized that in countering such "terrorist crimes," the world has no option but to engage in a comprehensive and all-out campaign at political and cultural levels besides carrying out military measures.

The Iranian spokesperson also called for an international determination and consensus to root out terrorism and extremism in the region and across the world.

Qassemi also expressed sympathy with the Syrian government, nation and the bereaved families of the victims of the heinous terrorist crime in Homs.

At least 42 people lost their lives in simultaneous terrorist attacks on two security service bases in Syria's third largest city of Homs on Saturday. Homs is largely under government control.

The Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The new round of the UN-brokered intra-Syrian talks currently underway in the Swiss city of Geneva come shortly after the conclusion of the second round of the Syria peace negotiations mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, in the Kazakh capital city of Astana on February 15 and 16. Astana talks, which were held in a closed-door setting, sought to pave the way for the negotiations in Geneva.

Since 2011, Syria has been fighting foreign-sponsored militancy. The UN special envoy to the Arab country estimated in August last year that more than 400,000 people had been killed in the crisis until then. The world body stopped its official casualty count in the war-torn country, citing its inability to verify the figures it received from various sources.

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Syrian Opposition Hands de Mistura Proposals to Relieve Humanitarian Situation

Sputnik News

21:16 26.02.2017(updated 21:30 26.02.2017)

The Moscow platform of Syrian opposition, which participates in the Geneva intra-Syrian reconciliation talks, has submitted to UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura a paper with proposals on how to relieve the humanitarian situation in Syria, platform's head Hamza Munther said Sunday.

GENEVA (Sputnik)  According to Munther, sponsorship of terrorism should also be ended.

"We also submitted to special envoy our vision on how to put an end to humanitarian disaster, with special mechanisms The first mechanism would be to combat terrorism," Munther told reporters.

"The second track [after addressing terrorism issues] would be political process and direct talks between opposition and government, and opposition would be composed of various delegations and will include everyone," the delegate added.

The Moscow platform is not against the participation of other opposition groups in a single opposition delegation at the intra-Syrian reconciliation talks in Geneva, Hamza Munther said.

"We are not excluding any opposition groups. Everybody is welcome to join one delegation [of opposition, which is still to be formed]. There are also Kurds If there are any other groups who want to put together a platform," Munther said, asked about his attitude to the absence of the Hmeymim group in Geneva.

The unification of the opposition is one of the key issues at the ongoing negotiations in Geneva

 Sputnik

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Only New Syrian Gov't Eligible to Decide on Constitution  Opposition Group

Sputnik News

19:23 26.02.2017(updated 21:51 26.02.2017)

Only a new government in Syria will be eligible to decide on the new constitution of the country, leader of the Cairo opposition platform Jihad Makdissi said on Sunday.

GENEVA (Sputnik)  The negotiators in Geneva do not have the right to impose their vision on constitution, he noted.

"The only party to decide on constitution is the new political system in our country that will emerge," Makdissi said during a press briefing after his meeting with UN Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura.

He said that the opposition platform at intra-Syrian talks in Geneva regards the transition of power based on a joint position of the government and opposition's delegations as a priority.

"Our priority is transition on common ground between the government and the opposition."

The Syrian Cairo opposition platform received procedural paper on negotiations format from UN Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura, he said.

"It was a procedural meeting, we were given papers that deal on how to facilitate talks with various opposition platforms and the government. We will study these papers and provide our answer on them," Makdissi said.

He added that the platform did not address the issue of terrorism, as they only discussed governance, constitution of Syria and elections.

"For Mr. de Mistura, there are no other issues to be discussed."

The Moscow opposition platform will meet with the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) to discuss coordination between the opposition groups, leader of the Cairo platform Jihad Makdissi said on Sunday.

"Even Moscow group will meet with HNC on coordination issues," Makdissi told reporters during a press briefing after his meeting with UN Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura.

 Sputnik

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Kurds at Geneva Talks to Insist on Participation in Drafting Syrian Constitution

Sputnik News

18:41 26.02.2017(updated 19:14 26.02.2017)

The Kurdish representatives at the ongoing intra-Syrian talks will insist on the Kurdish participation in drafting a constitution for Syria if a special working group is created, a Kurdish source told Sputnik.

GENEVA (Sputnik)  The idea of creating working groups for the three baskets of issues at the intra-Syrian talks  constitution, elections, governance  was laid down by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in a procedural paper that he gave to the Syrian sides, according to Sputnik's source.

"There must be a Kurdish participation in writing the constitution, and if there is no Kurdish participation [in working groups], the constitution will not be valid, Kurds will not agree on it," the source said, asked whether the Kurds at the talks are going to participate in a working group on constitutional change if such a group is set up.

The Kurds do not have a special draft by now, but believe Syria should become a federation with an autonomous region for the Kurdish population, the Kurdish source added.

Earlier, a draft Syrian constitution, prepared by Russian experts, was presented to the Syrian opposition during the settlement talks in the capital of Kazakhstan. Head of the Russian delegation Alexander Lavrentyev underlined that Russia is not interfering in the consideration of the constitution but is presenting the draft to the opposition simply in order to accelerate the process.

Later, Sputnik obtained the full text of the Syrian constitution drafted by Russia.

The draft constitution removes the word "Arab" from the official name of the country, while "Government agencies and organizations of the Kurdish cultural autonomy shall use Arabic and Kurdish equally."

The Syrian Kurds say they are a part of Syrian population and do not strive for independence, yet have previously called for more autonomy.

The Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) delegation at the current round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva includes one Kurdish representative.

 Sputnik

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Member of HNC Negotiating Team Hopes Russia to Fulfill Promises Given in Astana

Sputnik News

17:11 26.02.2017(updated 17:19 26.02.2017)

Leader of the Jaysh al-Islam militant group Mohammed Alloush hopes Russia would fulfill the promises it gave in Astana as ceasefire guarantor, he told Sputnik.

GENEVA (Sputnik)  The first round of Astana talks on Syrian crisis settlement brought together the representatives of the Syrian government and the armed opposition groups for the first time in the six years of the Syrian war. As a result of the talks, Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed to establish a trilateral mechanism to monitor the ceasefire that came into effect on December 30, 2016.

"The ceasefire did not happen. We were promised the paper of mechanisms of ceasefire will be discussed in Ankara. But this also did not happen. We also received promises to release women detainees. This also did not happen," Alloush, who is also part of the High Negotiations Committee negotiating team in Geneva and who was a leader of military opposition delegation in Astana, said.

"We also wanted a mechanism in place to have prisoners released. And this also never happened. So promises are never fulfilled, and this affects to credibility to Russians," he added.

"I hope they [Russians] could do something about their promises and to really seek to find a political solution and to put away Iran and put limit to its role," Alloush said.

He added that Iran's participation in the settlement process negatively affected it.

"Unless Russians fulfill their promises, there is no need in receiving new promises," Alloush said, asked whether he would come to a new round of Astana talks.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Arab Coalition Makes Major Gains Toward Raqqa, Pentagon Says

Sputnik News

22:50 27.02.2017

The Syrian Arab Coalition has made significant gains in operation to retake Raqqa while meeting minimal resistance from Daesh (the terror group outlawed in Russia), US Department of Defense spokesperson Capt. Jeff Davis said in a briefing on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The spokesperson noted that the US partner in Syria is facing "minimal ISIS [Daesh] resistance."

"Over the past few days, Syrian Arab Coalition forces have made significant territorial gains, seizing main supply routes. They have now cut off the route that leads from Raqqa to Hasakah, Shaddadi and Deir ez-Zor," Davis told reporters.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the Syrian Arab Coalition, launched the Wrath of Euphrates operation to retake Raqqa in November.

Turkey began the Operation Euphrates Shield on August 24, 2016. Together with the Syrian opposition Turkey took over the cities of Jarabulus and al-Bab in northern Syria.

On Friday, the Free Syrian Army (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. 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.

After the victory in al-Bab, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that that Ankara intends to continue its advance into Syria to drive Islamists out of their Raqqa stronghold after securing a strategic town in Syria's north.

 Sputnik

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Donald Trump's pick for navy secretary, Philip Bilden, has withdrawn himself from consideration, Sputnik reported.

US President Donald Trump's pick for navy secretary, Philip Bilden, has withdrawn himself from consideration.

"I fully support the Presidents agenda and the leadership to modernize and rebuild our Navy and Marine Corps, and I will continue to support their efforts outside of the Department of the Navy

However, 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 on Sunday, as quoted by the United States Naval Institute (USNI) News website.

Defense Secretary James Mattis expressed disappointment and stated that he would recommend another nominee to Trump in the coming days.

The withdrawal is the second business-related one to take place under Trump. Businessman Vincent Viola turned down his army secretary nomination earlier this month, also stating difficulties over disengaging from his business as the reason.

Bilden, a former military intelligence officer and a businessman, was nominated by Trump in late January. The White House stated Bilden had built long-standing and trusted relationships with the US Navy and Marine Corps through years of national
Syrian Opposition Group Says Rapproachment With Damascus 'Should Be Written'

Sputnik News

20:40 27.02.2017(updated 20:47 27.02.2017)

The Cairo platform of Syrian opposition has suggested to UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and to Russian diplomats exchange of texts with commonalities on key issues between the sides as a format for the intra-Syrian talks, the group's leader, Jihad Makdissi, told Sputnik Monday.

GENEVA (Sputnik)  Earlier the day, Makdissi met with the diplomats from Russia's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

"We talked about the mechanism of how to push forward the Geneva process and maintain the political momentum. On Wednesday, I will have the meeting with [Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady] Gatilov. We will suggest him our perspective on how to move this process forward," Makdissi said.

He noted that the Cairo platform has many ideas how to push the process.

"The rapprochement between the opposition and the government should be through written texts, not wishes. We are asking de Mistura to present a text that has commonalities of positions and to build on it," Makdissi said.

The Cairo group leader added that "the three baskets that de Mistura is suggesting should be discussed in a written form, through texts. Like the way they do it in the Security Council."

 Sputnik

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Turkey Sends Troops, Armored Personnel Carriers to Syrian Border  Reports

Sputnik News

18:45 27.02.2017(updated 18:49 27.02.2017)

A train carrying military vehicles of the Turkish Armed Forces on Monday arrived to the southeastern Turkish province of Gaziantep near the border with Syria, Anadolu news agency reported citing an anonymous military source.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  Military personnel and 22 armored personnel carriers were transported by train to be used in the Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria.

Turkey began the Operation Euphrates Shield on August 24, 2016. Together with the Syrian opposition Turkey took over the cities of Jarabulus and al-Bab in northern Syria.

On Friday, the Free Syrian Army (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. 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.

After the victory in al-Bab, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that that Ankara intends to continue its advance into Syria to drive Islamists out of their Raqqa stronghold after securing a strategic town in Syria's north.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the aim of the operation was to clear the territory of 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles) of Daesh terrorists and create a safe zone for refugees there.

 Sputnik

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US blames Ukraine mission attack on Russia

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:21PM

The United States government has condemned an attack on special monitoring missions in eastern Ukraine, calling on Russia to "immediately" observe ceasefire in the restive region.

"We condemn Friday's targeting of OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) special monitoring mission (SMM) monitors and the seizure of a SMM unmanned aerial vehicle by combined-Russian separatist forces," the US State Department said in a statement on Sunday.

"It is imperative that these forces halt their attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the Donetsk water filtration station. We call on Russia and the separatist forces it backs to immediately observe the cease-fire, withdraw all heavy weapons, and allow full and unfettered access to the OSCE monitors," the statement added.

According to a statement by OSCE, the SMM monitors were about to launch a UAV on Friday when a group of Russian-speaking men approached them and seized their drone.

The men first fired "a burst of small-arms fire" and proceeded to take the drone without paying attention to the SMM members, who identified themselves "as OSCE in Russian and English."

The monitors were "attempting to launch the UAV to monitor the reported shelling of the Donetsk water filtration station," when the encounter took place.

In a separate incident, two armed men engaged in a conversation with an SMM member before one of them pointed his AK-47 rifle into the air and "fired a round." The monitoring group left the area after the incident.

"No SMM members were hurt or vehicles damaged. The SMM informed the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination about both incidents and asked it to assist in recovery of the UAV," the statement concluded.

On February 20, a ceasefire came into force for eastern Ukraine after it was brokered in Munich. The deal also cites the withdrawal of heavy arms from the front line.

However, the OSCE head warned earlier this week that the situation remained "confused" and warned that a new wave of fighting may erupt.

The US and its allies had levied broad economic sanctions against Russia over its alleged support for pro-Russia separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.

Ties between Moscow and the West further deteriorated in 2014, after the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea rejoined Russia in a referendum.

US President Donald Trump said earlier this month that Russia should "return" Crimea to Ukraine.

In response, the Kremlin called Crimea part of Russia's territory and said its return was not negotiable.

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Edge data centres will account for most of the telecom server market growth and is projected to reach US$14 billion by 2026 according to a new report from DellOro Group.
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The car was called the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and fully deserves its status as a true icon  an off-usurped title. If you were lucky enough to visit the SIHH last January, you doubtless enjoyed a chance to admire this legendary blue and white racing car on the Baume & Mercier booth. Designed by Peter Brock as a coupe interpretation of the Cobra chassis created by Carroll Shelby with the aim of beating the Ferraris, six of these Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe cars were built in Shelbys California workshops. They reigned supreme over the GT class between 1964 and 1965, smashing several speed records in the process.









Doubtless the most famous of the six models, the CSX2299 won four FIA races, and the American drivers Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant at its wheel achieved a double feat: making it the first American car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans; and setting a new speed record of 196 mph (315 km/h) on the Hunaudieres straight. With its V8 engine, its coupe-style tail, its curvaceous design and its flat roof, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was clearly built for performance.









A partner of Carroll Shelby Inc. since 2015, Baume & Mercier could not fail to pay tribute to the most legendary of American speed machines. Having previously used Capeland models, this is the first time that its Shelby Cobra collection welcomes a Clifton model: the Clifton Club Shelby Cobra CSX2299 Limited Edition, to which Peter Brock himself has lent his own graphic touch, 50 years after designing the car (read the interview).







A half-blue, half-white dial, a tachymetric scale with 196mph appearing on the riveted flange, pedal-shaped chronograph pushers, the Cobra logo on the red chronograph seconds hand, case-back apertures revealing the openworked oscillating weight replicating the signature wheel design. The CSX2299 that won the 1964 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has clearly placed its racing-car aesthetic imprint on this flyback chronograph, while Baume & Merciers watchmaking expertise endows it with impressive mechanical performance and precision.

At the heart of its 44mm beadblasted titanium and polished stainless steel case, the self-winding La Joux-Perret Caliber 8147-2 beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 vph), and enjoys a 42-hour power reserve. The flyback function enables a smooth and fast transition from one timing operation in just one press on the chronograph pusher, compared with the three presses generally required. Symbolically issued in a 196-piece edition, with the individual number engraved on the screwed-in sapphire caseback, the Clifton Club Shelby Cobra CSX2299 watch is fitted with a blue All Road calfskin strap embossed with a carbon-like pattern, featuring a black rubberized lining and fastened by a triple folding buckle. Purchasers of this collectors watch will be gifted an exclusive 1:43 scale model of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, along with a brochure telling the story of the legendary car.






Watches are not rocket science. Or are they? Watches are not rocket...

Perhaps you dont have a PhD. Well, thats a shame, because with some watches, youll need one to understand how to tell the time. Perhaps you dont have a PhD. Well,...
To the editor:

In response to the Feb. 19 letter to the editor, Trumps Florida weekends, the writer states that it must be nice to be able to take three trips to Florida on Air Force One, and stating that it cost many, many dollars to operate that plane. I will add that when Air Force One flies, so do several planes carrying support equipment and needed personnel.

My question is this. In the first 30 days of President Obamas first term in 2009, the president took seven trips inside the U.S. and one to Canada. I cant seem to recall any outrage over these trips, even from Republicans or conservatives. I also remember that first lady Michelle Obama had a staff that was paid $1.4 million per year (2013 figures), and President Obama hired a total of 31 czars. These were not approved by Congress and the salaries paid to seven of those czars totaled $1,059,100 per year. Nor have I heard any outrage from Republicans about these figures and monies spent.

President Trump has been in office just over one month and has accomplished a great deal in the first month. Now I know that you libs will dispute that statement, but he has gotten us out of the Trans-Pacific Partnerships discussions, has removed parts of Obamacare, approved two oil pipelines that had been held up for about three years and required the use of American steel for pipes that are being laid and has reduced some of the many restrictions put in place by President Obama, which will improve the business climate. Yet, he does not have all of his cabinet confirmed by the Senate, because the Democratic leadership wants to act like 3-year-olds.

Another disadvantage Trump faces is the fact that the Democrats, mainstream media and the establishment Republicans are working against him. He only has the people who voted for him as supporters.

I will take the opportunity to say congratulations to the mainstream media and Obamas State Department for getting forcing Gen. Mike Flynn to resign as national security adviser, even though they had to break some laws and partially release some classified information to accomplish this. But hey, why let laws get in the way of getting rid of a Republican?

Faults can be found in both Republican and Democrat administrations. Liberals stated that we Republicans and conservatives should get over it, that the Democrats won in 2008 and for us to give the new president a chance. Well, the shoe is on the other foot now, and we ask the same of you libs and Democrats. I support him 100 percent and I will pray for him and his administration daily.

WILLIAM F. HENDERSON

Danville
The second annual Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) Young Professionals and Future Leaders event, hosted at the Goldman Sachs London offices on February 23, explored the economic and social impact of the Millennial generation, which includes people born between 1980 and 2000.

More than 100 clients attended the event, which was organized by analysts in GSAM and targeted junior employees from clients in the United Kingdom.

This event is meant to help our junior people connect with their peers at our key clients with the expectation that these relationships will last throughout their careers, thereby keeping clients connected to the firm longer, said Kathleen Hughes, global head of Liquidity Solutions Sales and European head of Institutional Sales.

As a portfolio manager in GSAMs Fundamental Equity team, Simon Barnard highlighted the growth that has taken place across sectors such as technology, media and consumer discretionary.

Millennials are quickly becoming the most influential global consumer, Simon said. As their earning power rapidly accelerates, they are driving a series of trends which continue to reshape the investment landscape.

Drawing on her personal experience of growing up in China as one of 400 million Chinese millennials, Lin Yue, an executive director in GSAMs UK and Irish institutional business noted, This generation has a significantly different outlook compared to the rest of China. She discussed the impact of being raised in one-child households during an era of unprecedented economic growth, with the added empowerment of technology.

During a discussion with Philip Green, CFO of Deliveroo - a British online food ordering start-up  he noted that the emergence of start-up businesses is having a transformative effect on corporate culture across the spectrum of small to large businesses. As a result, employees are now increasingly focused on work-life balance, continuous feedback and delivering innovative solutions to complex issues.

Participants also had the opportunity to hear from senior GSAM leaders on how to build a successful long-term career.

Building a successful long-term career requires a number of attributes, advised Andrew Wilson, CEO of GSAM International for EMEA and co-head of Global Fixed Income and Liquidity Solutions. At GSAM, we value people with passion, integrity and a strong team ethic. Young professionals that have these qualities and carry out their responsibilities with enthusiasm and good judgment are most likely to develop into the business leaders of tomorrow.





Related Link:

View the firms infographic on Millennials.


TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - February 27, 2017) - NewCastle Gold Ltd. (TSX: NCA) (NewCastle Gold or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacques McMullen, P. Eng., to the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. McMullen succeeds James (Jim) Gowans, who is stepping down as a director of NewCastle Gold to focus on his role of President and CEO of Arizona Mining Inc.

Richard Warke, Executive Chairman of NewCastle Gold, stated, "We would like to thank Jim for his time and contribution to the Board over the past year. He has been a valued member of our team and we wish him all of the best with his current venture. We are excited to welcome Jacques McMullen to the Board and our team. His many years of senior experience in the mining industry will be invaluable to the success of the Castle Mountain project and the Company."

With over 35 years of senior management experience in the mining industry, Mr. McMullen has been directly involved with major capital projects including roles in operations, evaluations, and corporate development for several mining companies.

He spent the majority of his career working with Barrick Gold Corp. in various senior roles from 1994 to 2012, as well as serving as Director of Highland Gold Mining Ltd., IGE Resources AB, Fire River Gold Corp. and Minera S.A. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. McMullen was Director and Chairman of Orvana Minerals. From 2012 to 2016, he was also Principal and Partner, Mines and Metals with BBA, a private engineering firm, and was a non-executive Director on the Board of Directors.

He holds a B.Sc. in Applied Sciences (Metallurgy), is a Professional Engineer, and completed a Master's Degree of Applied Sciences in Mineral Processing at Laval University. Mr. McMullen currently serves as an advisor to management at Detour Gold, and is the Principal of J. McMullen & Associates, a privately held consulting company.

About NewCastle

NewCastle (an augustagroup company) has a 100% interest in the Castle Mountain property in San Bernardino County, California. The Castle Mountain heap leach gold mine produced over one million ounces of gold from 1992 to 2004. The Mine and Reclamation Plan, under which the mine operated, was authorized by the County of San Bernardino as the Lead Agency and remains in effect. Water for the drill programs was accessed from existing patented wells on the Project.

An updated NI 43-101 resource for the project was announced December 2, 2015 which includes Measured Mineral Resources of 17.4 million tonnes grading 0.86 g/t gold containing 0.48 million gold ounces, Indicated Mineral Resources of 202.5 million tonnes grading 0.57 g/t gold containing 3.71 million gold ounces along with Inferred Mineral Resources of 40.8 million tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold and containing 0.76 million gold ounces. The Project hosts a disseminated low sulphidation epithermal system. Gold is primarily hosted by late-stage rhyolite volcanic units within zones of silicification and brecciation associated with northeast-southwest trending/southeast dipping fault structures which are interpreted to have developed within a collapsed caldera environment. Eleven gold domains are represented by both steep and shallow-dipping orientations.

Ian R. Cunningham-Dunlop, P. Eng., the Company's Senior Vice President Technical Services, is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of NI 43-101. He has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained in this release is accurate and has approved of the written disclosure of the same.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes information that relates to, among other things, statements with respect to the completion of the proposed drill program at Castle Mountain, the mineral resource expansion at Castle Mountain and the identification of future expansion targets at Castle Mountain. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events.

Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by us at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The material factors or assumptions that we identified and were applied by us in drawing conclusions or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward looking information include, but are not limited to that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration and development activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results will be consistent with management's expectations.

The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed under the heading "Risks" in general to the business of NewCastle in documents filed (or to be filed) with Canadian regulatory authorities. Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. NewCastle does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 27, 2017) - Harte Gold Corp. ("Harte Gold") (TSX:HRT)(OTC:HRTFF)(FRANKFURT:H4O) Harte Gold is pleased to announce key additions to its management team as it moves forward with various initiatives in support of production and expanded exploration programs at the Sugar Zone Property located in White River Ontario.

Stephen D. Ball P.Eng., General Manager, Sugar Zone Mine

Stephen is a geological engineer with over 30 years in the mining industry with technical, operations, human resources, corporate affairs and project management experience including safety and production optimization programs at Vale's narrow vein Coleman Mine, Sudbury and the underground expansion of Vale's Voisey's Bay operation in Labrador. Formerly co-chair of the Mining Tripartite Committee in Ontario, Stephen continues to act as steering committee Chair for the Canadian Miner Certification Program through the Mining Industry Human Resource Council (MIHR).

John H Kita, P.Eng., Chief Mine Geologist

John is a geological engineer with over 30 years in the mining industry with mineral production and advanced exploration experience and over a period of 15 years developed a specialization in narrow vein mining while serving as Chief Geologist at several narrow vein gold mines located in Ontario, Armenia, Tanzania and Venezuela. John has also authored several NI 43-101 resource reports and provided property evaluations.

Allan Armitage Ph.D. Geology, Chief Exploration Geologist

Allan is a professional geologist with over 25 years in the mining industry with a focus on exploration, resource estimation and assessment of a wide variety of commodities, with a particular emphasis on gold, base metals and uranium. John has managed several exploration projects throughout the Americas ranging from grass roots and advanced exploration to resource definition. Alan has authored several NI 43-101 resource and academic reports.

Stephen G. Roman, Chairman, President and CEO said, "We are pleased to announce the addition of these very capable mining industry professionals to the Harte Gold team. Harte Gold is well positioned for successful acceleration of its Sugar Zone project development and exploration programs for 2017."

Stock options

Harte Gold also announced it has granted 1,600,000 stock options to acquire common shares of Harte Gold to a Director, employees and consultants. The stock options are exercisable at $0.42 for a period of five years from issuance.

About Harte Gold Corp.

Harte Gold Corp. is focused on the exploration and development of its 100% owned Sugar Zone property where it has permitted a 70,000 tonne Advanced Exploration Bulk Sample for the Sugar Zone Deposit. The Sugar Zone property is located 80 kilometers east of the Hemlo Gold Camp. The Preliminary Economic Assessment dated July 12, 2012, contains an Indicated Resource of 980,900 tonnes, grading 10.13 g/t for 319,280 ounces of contained gold (uncapped) and an Inferred Resource of 580,500 tonnes, grading 8.36 g/t Au for 155,960 ounces of contained gold (uncapped). The mineral resource was prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 guidelines. George A. Flach P. Geo, Vice President Exploration, is the Qualified Person for Harte Gold and has prepared, supervised the preparation, or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. Harte Gold also holds the Stoughton-Abitibi property located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone adjacent and on strike of the Holloway Gold Mine.

QA/QC Statement

The company has implemented a quality assurance and control ("QA/QC") program to ensure sampling and analysis of mine and exploration work is conducted in accordance with industry standards. Drill core is sawn in half with one half of the core shipped to Actlabs Laboratories located in Thunder Bay, ON, while the other half is retained at the company's core facilities in White River for future verification. Certified reference standards and blanks are inserted into the sample stream on a regular interval basis and monitored as part of the QA/QC program. Gold analysis is performed by fire assay using atomic absorption, gravimetric or pulp metallic finish.

Common Shares Outstanding: 437,737,982

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - ("Lithium X", or the "Company")(TSX-V: LIX)(OTCQX: LIXXF) is pleased to announce it has been recognized in the 2017 TSX Venture 50 as the mining sector's top performing company. The Company ranked number one in the sector.

About TSX Venture 50

Each year, TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) provides a ranking of our listed companies that have shown notable results in key measures of market performance.

The 2017 TSX Venture 50 ranking of top performing companies highlights five industry sectors: Clean Technology and Life Sciences, Diversified Industries, Mining, Oil & Gas, and Technology. We select 10 companies from each sector based on three equally weighted criteria: market capitalization growth, share price appreciation and trading volume.

TSX Venture Exchange is Canada's leading capital formation platform for growth stage companies and an important part of Canada's vibrant and unique capital markets continuum.

Lithium X is featured in a TSX Venture 50 video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5N2C-PvVyw

Update on Arizaro Project

Further to the Company's news release of January 30th, 2017, the Company has completed the payment and thus secured the acquisition of the Arizaro lithium brine project (the "Project") in Argentina's Salta Province. The Project consists of 33,846 hectares in 11 mining claims covering parts of the western and eastern portions of the Salar de Arizaro, one of the district's largest known salt lakes.



In consideration for the Project, Lithium X has paid USD $250,000 and issued 3,500,000 common shares to the Vendor for a 100% interest in the Project. Payment of the consideration secured for Lithium X, the acquisition of the Project and right to execute public deed and registration of the assignment of the Project. In connection with the acquisition, a finder's fee of 5% of the total acquisition price (USD $12,500 and 175,000 common shares) was also paid. All common shares issued pursuant to the acquisition and the finder's fee are subject to a four month hold period expiring June 3, 2017.

About Lithium X Energy Corp

Lithium X Energy Corp. is a lithium exploration and development company with a goal of becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. The Company holds properties in Salta, Argentina and Nevada, USA. The Company's flagship project Sal de los Angeles lithium brine project as well as the newly acquired Arizaro Lithium Brine Project are located in the prolific "Lithium Triangle" in mining friendly Salta province, Argentina. Lithium X owns 50%, and has the option to acquire up to 80%, of the Sal de los Angeles lithium brine project. Lithium X's Arizaro project consists of 33,846 hectares located in one of the world's largest salars thought to contain elevated lithium brine values. Lithium X is also exploring a large land package in Nevada's Clayton Valley, contiguous to the only producing lithium operation in North America  Silver Peak, owned and operated by Albemarle, the world's largest lithium producer. Lithium X is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol LIX.

For additional information about Lithium X Energy Corp., please visit the Company's website at www.lithium-x.com or review the Company's documents filed on www.sedar.com. Join the Company's email list at http://lithium-x.com/subscribe.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Paul Matysek"

Paul Matysek

Executive Chairman

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

References to "production" or "pilot production" herein should not be construed to imply that the Company's Sal de Los Angeles Project is in commercial production or that it contains mineral reserves. Further technical studies will be required to assess the project's viability. There is no certainty that a potential mine will be realized or that a production decision will be made.

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the business of the Company and the commencement of trading in the Company's shares. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Lithium X Energy Corp.
VANCOUVER, February 27, 2017 - Nevada Clean Magnesium Inc. . (TSXV:NVM; Frankfurt-M1V; OTC Pink Sheets: MLYFF) (the "Company" or "NCM") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Aaron Palumbo, Scott Rowe, and Boris Chubukov of Big Blue Technologies LLC, to its board of directors.

Aaron Palumbo, Ph.D. is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President of NCM and holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering. He is the current President and CEO of Big Blue Technologies LLC, a company formed to develop and commercialize a continuous process method for primary production of magnesium metal via carbothermal reduction. Dr. Palumbo is an author and contributor of many peer-reviewed mansuscripts, conference proceedings, and patent applications. He formerly managed a three-year, $4 Million research project as a Research Associate at the University of Colorado at Boulder. During this time, he refined his business acumen, technical skill-set, and grant-writing ability as a precursor to forming Big Blue Technologies LLC.

Scott Rowe

Mr. Rowe is appointed as Director of Reseach and Development for the Company and holds Masters degrees in both Chemical Engineering and Plant & Microbial Biology. Accredited with several publications and experience in multiple disciplines such as process design, feedback and model predictive control, distillation intensification, and measurement and instrumentation are assets toward business endeavours. His experience includes the commissioning of a new $1 Million renewable energy test bed at the University of Colorado Boulder, factory acceptance of a $400,000 "solar simulator" for testing renewable industrial concepts, and the management of multiple personnel. His background in control and analysis of complex biological and industrial systems provides him with perspective and understanding of the interactions and emergent properties that pose engineering challenges. Mr. Rowe has built the mathematical analogs needed to understand, program, and control these systems, relevant skills in the ideation and implementation of pilot facilities for magnesium production.

Boris Chubukov

Mr. Chubukov is appointed as Director of Reseach and Development for the Company and holds a Masters in Chemical Engineering and B.S. degrees in both Chemical and Biological Engineering and Molecular Biology Engineering. His work is focused on chemical reaction engineering, modeling chemical reactions, and high temperature reactor design. Mr. Chubukov has recently focused on the carbothermal reduction of magnesium oxide leading to a first-author peer-reviewed manuscript and several conference proceedings at the annual conferences of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE), The Minerals Metals & Materials Society (TMS), and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME).

James Sever, the Company's COO states, "My respect and admiration for the skills and capabilities of these young men has increased over the time I have known them. Their presence increases the depth of both the managerial and technical skills available to Nevada Clean Magnesium. In addition, the carbothermic reduction technology they are developing is the most promising approach being persued to develop high volume low cost magnesium production."

Aaron Palumbo, President and CEO of BBT says, "We are honoured to become a part of the board at Nevada Clean Magnesium. This represents a major consolidation of expertise in magnesium production, and particularly thermal-based methods. We are aligning our interests to showcase an exceptional team who, together, has the dexterity, competence, and passion required to execute on a project of this magnitude. "

About Big Blue Technologies LLC

BBT is a closely-held limited liability company formed under the laws of Colorado, U.S.A. It is engaged in developing high temperature chemical processing solutions to aid in the manufacture of magnesium and other light-weight high performance materials. Together with the University of Colorado, BBT has developed, and the University of Colorado has applied for two patents related to the production of magnesium, primarily using the chemistry known as carbothermic reduction. BBT has the right to receive a license to use of these patents, and derivative patents, on an exclusive basis as it continues to develop this technology.

For more information, please visit www.bigbluetec.com

About Nevada Clean Magnesium, Inc.

Nevada Clean Magnesium is focused on becoming a major U.S. producer and distributor of primary, high grade, low cost magnesium metal extracted from its 100% owned Tami-Mosi property located in North Central Nevada. Based on the Company's NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Report published in September 2011 and amended in July 2014, the Tami-Mosi Project has an inferred resource of 412 million tonnes with an average grade of 12.3% Mg for a contained metal content of 111 billion pounds of magnesium using a 12% cut-off grade contained within a high purity dolomite block.

For more information, please visit www.nevadacmi.com.

This press release was prepared under the supervision and review of James Sever, P. Eng., president and COO for Nevada Clean Magnesium. Mr. Sever is a non-independent qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 standards.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "try" "would" "could" "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect projected results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company.

To Reach Nevada Clean Magnesium

Please Contact: Edward Lee, at 604-210-9862

For additional information please visit our website at http://www.nevadacmi.com or view our profile at http://www.sedar.com.

You may also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.


Toronto, February 27, 2017 - Chilean Metals Inc. . ("Chilean Metals," "CMX" or the "Company")(TSX.V:CMX, OTCQB: CMETF, SSE:CMX, MILA:CMX, FRA: IVV1, BER : IVV1) is pleased to provide an update on the drill program currently underway on the Zulema project located near Copiapo, Chile and 30 Km's from Lundin Mining's Candelaria mine. With Candelaria as a model, the exploratory drill program is testing two geologically distinct targets: a 1+ square km. area of intense garnet scapolite skarn breccia (Skarn Target) and a large Induced Polarization chargeability anomaly on its eastern flank. (IP Target)

Initial drill results support that host rocks, alteration and mineralization all fit the Candelaria model. The presence of copper-bearing magnetite skarn, interbedded magnetite chalcopyrite bands, biotite magnetite alteration, magnetite and hematite veining and local mineralized breccias suggests proximity to a main mineralized target.

To date, approximately 1200 meters have been drilled in 5 holes with assays received on the first three holes. Drill holes 1, 2 and 3 targeted the skarn breccia projected to overlay copper mineralization at depth. Drill Hole #1 intersected sporadic copper while Drill Hole #2, collared approximately 1 kilometer to the west, encountered numerous 10 - 20 meter sections with visible chalcopyrite however results were sub-economic. Drill Hole #3 intersected two IOCG (Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold) lenses of modest width comprising magnetite and garnet accompanied by chalcopyrite and pyrite as disseminations, stringers and veinlets. Assay results have confirmed the additional presence of gold (Table 1). These three drill holes are now interpreted as peripheral to the main target on this extensive surface alteration zone. Drilling is ongoing and expected to continue through March.

"Our Geologists & Geoscientists are very encouraged with our results to date. While highlighted results are across narrow widths, they prove that high grade IOCG mineralization is present in this system. While Hole #2 was sub economic, the numerous sections and widths shows we are in a copper bearing system. With the assistance of Minotaur Exploration (Australia), the data will undergo further review by our Technical Team, enabling them to refocus their understanding so future drilling can help us achieve our ultimate objective of a commercial discovery.", commented Patrick J Cruickshank, President & CEO.

Please visit the Chilean Metals Inc. Booth #2143 @ PDAC in Toronto March 5-8th, 2017 and view drill core firsthand and meet the Chilean Metals Team.

Table 1 Assay Results Highlights

Drill Hole From (m.) To (m.) True Width (m.) Cu (%) Au (g/t) #3 285.32 287.32 2 1.189 0.99 287.32 289.32 2 0.503 0.28 289.32 291.32 2 0.283 0.29 325.20 327.20 2 0.678 0.28 327.20 329.20 2 0.577 0.21

The samples were cut with a saw in the field and delivered to the ActLabs preparation facility in Copiapo Chile were they were crushed, dried, pulverized and screened. The resulting pulps were shipped to the ActLabs Laboratory in Coquimbo Chile where they were analyzed by AAS following aqua regia digestion. Gold analysis was by industry standard fire assay with an AA finish Standards provided by Canadian Resource Laboratories Ltd. were inserted into the sample stream to ensure quality control.



Click Image To View Full Size

Garnet Skarn, Magnetite veinlets, Quartz Vein with chalcopyrite, Drill Hole #3



Click Image To View Full Size

Chalcopyrite, Magnetite Drill Hole #3

About Chilean Metals

www.chileanmetals.com/



Chilean Metals Inc. is a Canadian Junior Exploration Company focusing on high potential Copper Gold prospects in Chile & Canada.

Chilean Metals Inc. is 100% owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific IOCG ("Iron oxide-copper-gold") belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3% NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire Cu-Mo deposit, recently sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. ("Teck"). Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one third of the 3% NSR for $3 million dollars at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's First Region.

Chilean Metals Inc. is the 100% owner of four Copper Gold exploration properties in Nova Scotia on the western flank of the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault Zone (CCFZ); Fox River, Parrsboro, Lynn and Bass River respectively. Initial targeting and geophysics has been conducted on all properties, At Bass River North, airborne geophysics identified a major VTEM cluster on trend with the Pb/Zn/Ag mineralization exposed at surface and in drill holes to the southwest. Modeling of the airborne data by Minotaur Exploration (Australia) identified 3 priority targets recommended for ground based geophysics prior to drilling.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

Chilean Metals Inc.

"Terry Lynch" "Patrick J Cruickshank"

Terry Lynch, Chairman Patrick J Cruickshank, President & CEO

Contact: terry@chileanmetals.com patrick@chileanmetals.com

The Qualified Person for Chilean Metals Inc., as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is Gary Lohman, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration.

Forward-looking Statements: This news release may contain certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that CMX expects to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding current and future exploration programs, activities and results. Although CMX believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration success, continued availability of capital and financing, inability to obtain required regulatory or governmental approvals and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements.



Click Image To View Full Size



Click Image To View Full Size

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.


VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - February 27, 2017) - Genesis Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GIS) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Aric Lemieux, MSc, PGeo. as a strategic advisor to the company.

Aric Lemieux is a professional geologist and mining analyst based in QuAbec, Canada. Most recently, Aric was a consulting technical advisor with PearTree Securities Inc. of Toronto, a leading provider of flow-through share donation financing services in Canada.

Previously he was with Laurentian Bank Securities in Montreal, as a sell-side mining analyst. His coverage included gold, base-metal, diamond and uranium exploration and development issuers as well as unconventional shale oil and gas plays in the Province of QuAbec.

He also acted as an independent consultant to the QuAbec and New Brunswick Securities Commissions where he was responsible for NI 43-101 compliance. In the 1990's, Aric was a geologist-analyst with the Montreal Exchange and managed previously exploration projects for Cambior, Noranda and SOQUEM.

Aric holds two Master's degrees, one in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines and in another in Metamorphic-Structural Geology from Laval University in Quebec City.

The Company has also engaged O&M Partners LLC to assist in non-deal institutional marketing. The New York firm maintains strong relationships with accredited investors and money managers across 22 cities in the United States.

Marketing will include group town hall conference calls and follow-up road shows. The Company will pay a total of $18,000 (U.S.) to O&M over a six-month term. 100,000 stock options have been granted to O&M subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Genesis also announces that the Company has granted an aggregate of 375,000 stock options to employees and consultants of the Company including O&M Partners. Each stock option entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of CAD $0.20 cents per common share for a period of five years from the grant date.

Genesis has completed the acquisition of the Hygrade property from Les Ressources Tectonic Inc and has received acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange. The property is located within the boundaries of the company's Chevrier project near Chibougamau, Que.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Jeff Sundar"

Jeff Sundar

Executive Vice President and Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain disclosure in this release, including statements regarding the intended use of proceeds from the private placement, constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") for the purpose of applicable securities laws. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company, including that the Company is able to obtain any government or other regulatory approvals required to complete the Company's planned exploration and development activities, that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration and development activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results of exploration activities are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, that the Company will be unable to obtain required regulatory approvals on a timely basis or at all, that actual results of the Company's exploration activities will be different than those expected by management and that the Company will be unable to obtain or will experience delays in obtaining any required government approvals or be unable to procure required equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
ADS ADS

Vacheron Constantin has been producing chiming watches since 1827, but the 260 year-old company only presented its first grande sonnerie wristwatch at the SIHH 2017. Although the project was a joint development with another brand and took a total of 10 years, the two resulting watches are totally different. As Christian Selmoni, Artistic Director at Vacheron Constantin, explains, We wanted a very traditional grande sonnerie watch, so we dont have a self-winding chiming barrel, for example. The main difference between the Symphonia and other grande sonnerie watches is that we have the striking work, the hammers and gongs, underneath the case back rather than underneath the dial.

We also wanted a very classical architecture, he continues, and you can see a clear resemblance to Vacheron Constantin watches of the 1940s on the dial side, with a two-tone dial and great legibility and sobriety. We wanted a very simple design and if you study the design of the case you can tell that it has been designed to show off the highly complicated movement to the very best. The classicism also extends to the actual sound of the chimes, which Vacheron Constantin wanted to be similar to its minute repeaters. As a result, classic monobloc gongs, rather than cathedral gongs, are used.

The watchs operation, however, is anything but traditional. Vacheron Constantin has gone to great lengths to ensure an optimum user interface for the piece, as well as eradicating the niggle of the so-called phantom quarters, when there is a slight gap between the chiming of the hours and the minutes between 00 and 15 minutes past the hour, in the absence of a quarter chime.

Because of their complexity, older minute repeater and grande sonnerie watches could quite easily be broken if manipulated incorrectly. And if the watch was already chiming, you could still trigger another chime by pressing the slider a second time. The watch would simply stop chiming and start again. If you try this with the Vacheron Constantin Symphonia, nothing happens.

The same barrel is used to power both the automatic chimes of the grande sonnerie and the on-demand minute repeater functions, meaning that the latter can be activated simply by pressing a button in the crown. The power reserve allows for 20 hours worth of automatic chiming in grande sonnerie mode if the minute repeater function is not used. Once this power reserve is depleted, the striking work will simply not chime until the spring is rewound.

If the watch is striking automatically, you cannot trigger the on-demand minute repeater function at the same time. On the other hand, if you trigger an on-demand chime that risks overlapping with the [[automatic]] chime of the grande sonnerie, the latter will be deferred until the next quarter-hour. Furthermore, you can even pull the crown out while the watch is chiming and nothing untoward will happen. The chime selector is adjusted by turning the bezel, with three options available: PS (petite sonnerie  chiming the hours on the hour), GS (grande sonnerie  chiming the hours and quarters at each quarter) or SIL for silence. You can even change the mode while the watch is chiming.

All these functions are powered by the manually-wound Calibre 1860, which packs 727 components into a diameter of just 37mm and a height of 9.1mm and took 500 hours for one highly experienced watchmaker to assemble. Vacheron Constantin has created a supremely elegant dial with all the necessary indications clearly visible without overburdening the look of the 45mm watch in 18-carat white gold: small seconds at 7 oclock, power reserve indicator at 5 oclock, strike-work power reserve at 2 oclock with serpentine hand. Even though this watch is already unique, the case and dial can nevertheless be personalised by Vacheron Constantins Les Cabinotiers department.
Website www.fixecooro.com launched to provide shareholders with additional information

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Courtenay Wolfe wishes to thank shareholders of Eco Oro Minerals Corp. (TSX: EOM) ("Eco Oro" or the "Company") for the overwhelming support received to date for the reconstitution of the board of directors of the Company.

"Since the announcement of our requisition, we've been contacted and approached by numerous investors of Eco Oro who have expressed similar concerns about the current board's lack of responsiveness and decisions that are not aligned with shareholder interests. The current leadership is squandering Eco Oro's potential by agreeing to give up 78% of the Company for minimal consideration. The anger and frustration of shareholders is much greater than we imagined. ?We encourage all shareholders to let your voices be heard and to join us to bring about needed change," Ms. Wolfe said. "It is clear that change is needed at Eco Oro and we look forward to achieving this alongside all shareholders."

For further background on the reasons for the requisition and information regarding the need to fix the Company, we would ask that you visit our website:

www.fixecooro.com

We will continue to update the website as our requisition proceeds and encourage shareholders to check frequently for new uncovered information. All relevant information from our website will also be posted on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. A copy of this press release can also be obtained at www.sedar.com. We would also invite you to review our press release of February 10, 2017, which is incorporated by reference and a copy of which can also be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "potential", "will", "seek", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the intentions and success of Courtenay Wolfe and Harrington Global Opportunities Fund Ltd. (the "Requisitioning Shareholders") to reconstitute the board of directors of Eco Oro are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Requisitioning Shareholders' current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Requisitioning Shareholders, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in providing forward-looking information, include, but are not limited to, the support expressed by shareholders to the Requisitioning Shareholders, the outcome of the arbitration filed against the Government of Colombia and the current general regulatory environment and economic conditions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Requisitioning Shareholders do not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Requisitioning Shareholders undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Concerned Shareholders of Eco Oro Minerals Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2017 / Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. (TSX-V: DHR) ("DHR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Genesis Gold Corporation ("GGC") to extend the term of the Exploration License and Option To Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement or Option") to acquire a 100% interest in two gold projects in the State of Nevada, USA (the "Projects / Project or Properties / Property").

As was set forth in the original Agreement, DHR was allowed ninety days from November 18, 2016, during which it was to raise capital for exploration of the Caldera and Jersey Valley gold projects. The ninety day anniversary of the signing (February 18, 2017) also required the Company to pay the second Advance Royalty payment of US$15,000.00. On February 17, 2017, the Company entered a three month extension Agreement with GGC for the purpose of funding these projects and to extend the date of the second royalty payment to May 18, 2017. The remaining terms of the original Exploration License and Option To Purchase Agreement, announced in a press release dated November 23, 2016 and may be viewed on SEDAR at: http://www.sedar.com/, remain unchanged.

DHR continues to search for available funding sources and the scope of DHR's 2017 exploration program are subject to the Company's ability to raise additional capital.

Michael J. Senn, a licensed professional geologist, is the Qualified Person for DHR as described in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DISCOVERY HARBOUR RESOURCES CORP.

F. D. Hegner

President

Contact:

Michael J. Senn

Director

Email: mike@discoveryharbour.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" occur. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding expectations of management regarding the grant and exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in the property, the timing and payment of the option payments, the Company's plans and timing for exploration of the property and testing of samples collected during the proposed exploration program on the property, the approval of the option by the TSX Venture Exchange, and other activities the Company may see appropriate to advance the exploration on its projects. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including, without limitation, the risks that the TSX Venture Exchange may not approve the grant and/or exercise of the option, the Company may not have the funds necessary to make its option payments pursuant to the Agreement, the proposed exploration program on the property may not be completed as and when expected or at all, such other risks as are customarily associated with mineral exploration activities, and such other factors beyond the control of the Company. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR OVER THE UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES

SOURCE: Discovery Harbour Resources Corp.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 27, 2017) - KWG Resources Inc. (CSE:KWG) (FRANKFURT: KW6) ("KWG" or the "Company") announces that its upcoming special meeting of shareholders, originally scheduled to be held on Friday, March 28, 2017 (the "Meeting"), has been postponed and re-scheduled for April 21, 2017. The record date for shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting will remain February 21, 2017.

About KWG:

KWG is the Operator of the Black Horse Joint Venture after acquiring a vested 50% interest through Bold Ventures Inc. which is carried for 10% (20% of KWG's equity in the JV) by KWG funding all exploration expenditures. KWG also owns 100% of CCC which has staked claims and conducted a surveying and soil testing program, originally for the engineering and construction of a railroad to the Ring of Fire from Aroland, Ontario. KWG subsequently acquired intellectual property interests, including a method for the direct reduction of chromite to metalized iron and chrome using natural gas. KWG subsidiary Muketi Metallurgical LP is prosecuting two chromite-refining patent applications in Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and USA. The filings have been receipted in each of those jurisdictions.

Forward-Looking Statements: Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such.

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release

Shares issued and outstanding: 966,320,281
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In 1947, determined to prove his theory that people from South America could have settled in the Polynesian islands, Thor Heyerdahl set out in a original balsa wood raft named Kon-Tiki in salute to the Inca sun-god. After setting out from Callao on April 28, 1947, Heyerdahl and his team of five companions successfully voyaged across 6,000 kilometers of open ocean over 101 days. Strapped to his wrist, each Kon-Tiki crew member carried an Eterna timepiece.



The new Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture limited to just 300 pieces continues the story of the KonTiki adventure with a bold and highly recognizable design.



Triangular luminescent hour markers are contrasted against a jet-black, granite-patterned dial that provides excellent legibility, while a unidirectional rotating bezel frames the dial with a decompression gauge. This decompresion function provides divers with a useful backup to their diving computers as it indicates how long they can stay under water without needing to decompress.



With a water-resistance of 200 metres, the Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture is ready for adventures both on the surface of the water and at the depths of the ocean. The diving style has not been neglected either, as the timepiece is fitted with a water-resistant leather strap that is durable and comfortable and whose dark brown colour brings out the warmth of the bronze case.



The use of bronze has a long and renowned nautical history. For centuries, ships have relied on this metal alloy for its exceptional strength and resistance to rust and erosion. Even when it is in constant contact with salt water, bronze shows hardly any signs of corrosion, making it an excellent choice for the case of the new adventurous Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture Limited Edition.





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In the summer of 2015, Oregon and other Western states suffered from brutal wildfires that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to contain and destroyed thousands of homes. At the worst moments of the crisis, the director of forestry was determined to send warnings out to citizens. The solution? He reached out to the director of transportation, and immediately Oregons electronic highway message boards were delivering warnings about wildfire dangers.This kind of interagency cooperation would have been difficult to pull off in the past. But Oregon benefited from the creation of a relatively new position in that state: chief operating officer (COO). It was created by former Gov. John Kitzhaber five years ago and has continued under current Gov. Kate Brown.The COO takes on the tasks that governors simply dont have the time to do, such as improving coordination between agencies. Most of the state agency directors serve at the pleasure of the governor, but the governor doesnt have the capacity to manage the work of agencies on a day-to-day basis, says Matthew Shelby, communication strategist at the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. In effect, the COO serves as a convener-in-chief who can bring agency heads around a table and facilitate conversations about operating as a single entity. Theres a growing expectation, Shelby adds, that were working together.The federal government uses chief operating officers, which came into fashion as part of the effort to reinvent government in the 1990s. And COOs are quite common at the city level, where there tends to be a greater emphasis on service provision. But they are less visible in governors offices. A survey commissioned by the National Governors Association in 2015 found the position in a handful of states, including Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee and Vermont. While the New York and Vermont positions have been around for some time, in Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska and Tennessee, the position is relatively new. But it seems to be spreading: In January, incoming Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens tapped Drew Erdmann, a partner at McKinsey, as that states first-ever COO.In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam in 2013 appointed longtime IBM executive Greg Adams to be the states first COO. The position stemmed from a need that Haslam and his staff perceived in his first two years in office. There were no advisers whose role naturally put them in a position to own cross-department operational efficiencies, such as multiple call centers, eligibility systems or IT functions that could potentially be shared. It wasnt a natural fit for anyone, says Adams. Lately Adams has been getting a flow of requests from other states that are eager to hear how the position works. Its kind of buzzing, he says.When National Governors Association researchers examined four of the states with positive COO track records, they found a handful of factors that COOs thought were important to their success. These included the governors commitment to operations, defined roles and responsibilities, an emphasis on performance management, and an enterprise-wide perspective.Whats the difference between COOs and the more common position of chief administrative officer? Of course, roles and responsibilities always vary, depending on the state, the governors leadership style and the way different management roles have evolved over time. But generally, COOs are likely to be less involved than chief administrative officers in back-office operations and are more directly involved with the governor, the governors staff and enterprise-wide issues.In Oregon, for example, agency directors may have individual conversations with the governor and her top policy officials, fundamentally focusing on the issues that impact their own agencies. But then every two weeks, directors from the states largest agencies come and sit around a table with COO Katy Coba to discuss the various operational issues that affect most or all of them.In Tennessee, the COO position provides a focus on the consistency of state practices across 23 separate departments, including the way the state engages in planning, goal setting and paying for performance. Every month, in addition to the governors monthly cabinet meeting, Adams also meets with the states 23 commissioners to talk about operational issues and with the three commissioners who deal with internal services -- human resources, finance, and administration and general services.One of the biggest pluses of having a chief operating officer is that it means the governor has someone with him in the middle of gnarly operational issues, helping to free him up to drive dramatic policy issues, Adams says.Its exactly those gnarly operational issues that can easily destroy a governors legacy. While governors are judged initially on their policy priorities, their final legacy stems from their success in implementing their priorities and in dealing with the many operational challenges that begin to surface as soon as they take office.As I look back on several hundred governors, says Barry Van Lare, who has held multiple high-level positions in both the state and federal governments, including a number with the National Governors Association, their legacy depends not so much on their policy objectives as on whether something went wrong from an administrative point of view during their administration and whether they were able to handle it.Says Oregons Coba, You can have the best policy in the world, but if you cant implement that, youve failed.
Democrat Stephanie Hansen won the special election for the 10th District Senate seat Saturday, capturing 58 percent of the votes cast and preserving her party's control of the Legislature.The race drew national attention and donations from across the country. Former Vice President Joe Biden and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley both campaigned on Hansen's behalf in the weeks leading up to the election."This was the first swing election in the country since the inauguration. It was the first chance for voters to rise up with one voice to say were bigger than the bullies," Hansen said during her victory speech at the Odessa Fire Company. "It was the first chance for voters to declare with one loud voice that were better than the politics of fear and division. What we accomplished together will have implications for our entire state and country, and I think tonight theyre hearing us loud and clear in all corners of this country  and certainly in D.C. and in Dover."The picture perfect weather and heavy spending in the race between Hansen, Republican John Marino and Libertarian Joseph D. Lansendorfer helped draw a higher than typical special election crowd. Temperatures reached into the mid- to upper 70s in most of the state, until about 4:30 p.m. when a thunderstorm swept through the region.As of 5 p.m., 11,203 votes were cast  31.37 percent of registered voters, said Anthony J. Albence, director of the New Castle County Department of Elections. There are 35,673 registered voters in the district."That's a pretty good turnout," he said.
The cash pool? What's that?

Why does the balance matter?

How did this happen?

Credit where credit is due

An improving economy and rigid fiscal discipline under Republican Gov. Paul LePage have contributed to an all-time record for Maine state government: more than $1 billion in its cash pool.The amount of money in the cash pool varies from day to day as revenues come in and expenditures go out, but State Treasurer Terry Hayes, an independent, said the average monthly balance has surpassed the $1 billion mark in all of the past seven months except August 2016. Hayes, a former Democrat who was elected in December to a second two-year term as treasurer, said that in addition to a slowly improving economy, the lofty balance is because of work by the Republican-controlled executive branch under LePage."There is a pattern that I can see that I believe is indicative of the fiscal benefits of policies that have been put in place under the LePage administration and the people who work for the governor," Hayes said. "There are multiple factors that contribute to this. The improvement in the economy is a big factor, but fiscal management has made a significant difference in what these numbers look like."The treasurer's cash pool is made up of all the revenues that the state receives. The bulk of those revenues flow into the General Fund, which supports most of state government. It includes money for entities ranging from the Maine State Housing Authority to the University of Maine System. Keeping all that money in one pool allows the state to maximize the interest it earns on investments and provides a financial backstop. If expenditures from the General Fund run short, it's Hayes' job to transfer from other areas of state government to keep Maine's finances solvent.The average monthly balance of the General Fund portion of the cash pool was in the red -- meaning state treasurers had to "borrow" money from other areas of state government -- from the onset of the financial recession of 2008 through June 2015. Since then, it's been in the black every month except March 2016, because -- as is the case every March -- the state paid tax returns before taxpayers who owe money made payments in April or later.Keeping the fund flush saves the state in interest payments. When the General Fund needs to borrow money, either internally or with a bank tax anticipation note, it costs the state interest.It guards against downturns in the economy. The budget stabilization fund -- also known as the rainy day fund -- is the first place the treasurer turns to when the General Fund balance goes below zero. It is designed to avoid drastic cuts in services or tax increases to balance the budget when the economy goes slack. During the 2008 recession, the rainy day fund was depleted to less than $200,000 but since then has been built back up to a current balance of about $122 million. A supplemental budget bill approved Friday by the Legislature's budget committee will increase that balance to $157 million if it's approved by the Legislature, but that's still not nearly enough, according to Douglas Cotnoir, the state's financial controller. Cotnoir said the rainy day fund amounts to around 4.5 percent of the annual state budget when fiscal prudence says it should be in the neighborhood of 12 percent to 15 percent, or possibly more."It's about how many days of operations could this sustain," Cotnoir said. "The intent of that account is to help weather the storm when there is an economic downturn. It's to provide the state the opportunity to make the strategic policy changes that are necessary to match our appropriations with the anticipated revenue. We're starting to get there, but $157 million doesn't carry us very far in terms of even a mild recession."It results from initiatives that cut spending now and into the future -- including some very controversial ones. When the state budgeting process starts every two years, finance officials grapple with a concept called the "structural gap." This is the chasm between the cost of maintaining current services and expenses and the amount of revenue that is anticipated. During the era of Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, and when LePage took office in 2011, the structural gap was above $1 billion. LePage has led efforts -- and the Legislature has gone along, despite all the budget fights in Augusta over the past six years -- to trim the structural gap to $165 million this year."Some will say that's just because of a recovering economy and you've had improved revenues. That just loses the reality of the situation," Richard Rosen, LePage's finance chief, said. "If all it took was a recovering economy, then the question is, 'Why are 30 other states right now in the same recovering economy facing major budget problems?' The answer in many cases is because they've failed to confront proposals that would address some of the imbalances on the expenditure side."There were a lot of difficult and controversial decisions. In 2011, LePage and the Legislature enacted a bill that addressed the unfunded liability in the state's pension system, which was on track to be $4.4 billion in the red by 2028. The deal eliminated cost-of-living increases for retirees for three years and capped them in perpetuity.In 2013, after a protracted political fight, LePage and the Legislature agreed to a plan to pay Maine's hospitals nearly $500 million in accrued Medicaid debt, but it required a renegotiation of the state's liquor contract and dedicating that revenue to payments on a revenue bond.Since LePage has been in office, Maine -- with Republican legislative support -- has enacted a number of welfare reforms that reduced access to food stamps, cash benefits for needy families and taxpayer-funded health care. As a result of some of those changes, Maine has reduced its use of federal funding, at one point letting $110 million allocated for the state in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families money build up unused. That money is drawn down from the federal government as needed so it does not sit in the state's cash pool. To some, it's an example budgetary austerity causing unnecessary harmful consequences."All of these cuts are unnecessary from the perspective of needing to balance the budget," said former Democratic Rep. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston, a budget committee veteran who was term-limited out of office last year. "It's important to be fiscally responsible, but look at the how the number of hungry people in this state has gone up since this governor took office. The number of people in poverty has risen. I would argue that there is a way to be fiscally responsible and balance your budget without doing it on the backs of vulnerable people."There is no question LePage was the catalyst for many of those changes, but he didn't do it alone. His biennial budget proposals have been deeply altered by the Legislature, causing him to veto those compromises in 2013 and 2015. He has said recently he expects the same fate for his current budget proposal, which includes more social service reductions as well as deep income tax cuts. Democratic Rep. John Martin, the senior member of the Legislature and stalwart on the budget committee, said there is enough credit to go around."He can't do it without the Legislature," Martin said. "When he proposes and we agree, then we are jointly doing it. Still, I would agree that his pushing the Legislature has been helpful in moving the state in this direction."Cotnoir said firming up the state's financial position is good for the state's credit rating, which saves the state significantly on borrowing when it improves, but also changes the dynamic when it comes to governing."Maine has recognized its economic reality and has built its revenue forecasts and its budget in relation to that economic reality," he said. "By doing that, it allows the state -- both the executive and legislative branch -- to step away from trying to fill budget holes as a priority and focus the attention on the strategic initiatives that will address the economic reality."None of this is likely to quell political battles this year, as LePage calls for more cuts to balance his proposed tax cuts -- even in a fiscal year that is expected to end with a multimillion-dollar revenue surplus. While LePage and Republicans argue that cutting spending and taxes is good for Maine's long-term economic viability, Democrats and advocates for low-income Mainers will stand firm in their conviction that investing in programs that pull people out of poverty and support other social services is the best way to spend precious taxpayer money.
with its small communities nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, is well known as one of the poorest pockets of the country. Whats sometimes forgotten, though, is how the regions economic decline has gone hand-in-hand with a long history of poor health.In the early 1990s, state policymakers began to grapple with what to do about the regions high rates of cancer, diabetes and heart disease, as well as the apparent lack of such basic good health practices as preventive screenings. In many ways, the people in the region seemed to be living outside the health-care system. Thats why, in 1994, lawmakers and health officials raised a simple question: How do we get people into the system in the first place?We knew we needed to create a position that would work as a patient advocate, says Fran Feltner, director of the Center of Excellence in Rural Health at the University of Kentucky. At the time, lawmakers sort of joked that if there was money left after the legislative session, they would create a program that would include an advocacy position, she says. Surprisingly, there was money left, so the Kentucky Homeplace was born.Kentucky may have backed into the program, but Homeplace has become an innovative model for serving people in poor, rural areas. At its heart is the advocacy position. Those who enroll in the program are matched with a community health worker -- usually someone born and raised in the community. The health worker can assist with any number of things that might affect a persons well-being, from getting them eyeglasses to helping them with food assistance to making sure they make medical appointments. Those may seem like small problems for many people, says Deana George, a community health worker with Kentucky Homeplace, but I know Ive made the process that much easier for our clients.After just a year with the program, George has several positive stories to share. She notes one proud moment of getting free cancer medication for a client -- a medication that can run up to $10,000 a month. When I bump into [clients] at the grocery store and they introduce me to their family, I know Ive made a difference, she says.Not only has the program helped get people into care, it has also seen improvements in diabetes outcomes and in cancer screening rates. Nearly 80 percent of participants receive colon cancer screenings, well above the 40 percent national average. The program, which now serves 36 counties in Kentuckys Appalachia region, has also introduced a new low-dose screening for lung cancer.Health policymakers outside Kentucky have taken note. Homeplace, which is run through the Center of Excellence in Rural Health, was recognized as an outstanding rural health program by the National Rural Health Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services applauded its work in colon cancer screening rates. Feltner, who oversees the program, has won numerous health awards throughout the state and region. As she sees it, the community health worker is the key to the programs success. Weve discovered the missing link, and thats a person on a health-care team that makes sure a client has what they need outside of the clinic, she says. If a mom doesnt have shoes for her kids, shes likely not getting a regular Pap smear.Kentuckys community health worker concept is spreading to other states and regions where, under a variety of names and titles, it has been making a difference in the health -- and possibly the health costs -- of poor, underserved communities. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the idea of community health workers who can advise and assist patients about health-related services has been given new life as well.of a community health worker program goes back to at least the 1800s in Russia, according to a study in. In the 20th century, such programs began surfacing in a number of countries. By 1975, the World Health Organization described community health workers as a key to health cares success.Community health worker has come to be an umbrella term that encompasses many different job titles, such as patient navigator, peer health educator and patient advocate. Whatever the title, the goal is simple: to help patients find and use resources to make health care and other supportive systems work to their advantage. It can be very challenging figuring out our health-care system, especially if youre new to this country, says Megha Shah, a practicing physician at Emory University who has extensively studied community health workers. During the residency phase ofShahs training as a physician, she worked on a community engagement project and was struck by the efficacy of the idea. It hit me that maybe, as a physician, Im not the best person to provide [my patients] with [the nonmedical] information they need, she says. There could be other people who share a language and a culture who can better communicate with a patient.Usually employed either by a health clinic or community-based organization, community health workers help patients with barriers that keep them from living a healthy life -- the problems that a doctor cant do much about once a patient leaves their office. A clinician will never understand why someones nutrition is so bad until they go to their home and see for themselves, Feltner says. Thats what a community health worker can do.The concept plays into one of the overarching goals of the ACA: to find new ways to address peoples health-care needs. Since its passage in 2010, several states have undertaken transformation plans for their health systems -- and community health workers are often a part of that model. This is especially the case in states looking to make investments that focus on the social factors that impact health. More and more are starting to take a look at the role of community health workers, says Amy Clary, a policy associate with the National Academy for State Health Policy. Its one tool in the toolbox that connects folks to the health-care system.A 2014 study from the American Medical Association found that a community health worker improved the likelihood that patients would obtain proper outpatient care and that they would not have to be readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of discharge. The study also found that patients were more likely to report whether they experienced improvements in their mental health. Some of those gains have been seen in Minnesota, which revamped its health-care system in 2010. The state decided to pursue a health-care home model. Health-care homes are coordinated care clinics with providers of all types under one roof -- meaning a person can get all of their health needs met in one visit. Providers are often paid a fixed monthly fee, with bonuses for meeting health goals.When the state first adopted the health-care home model, it only had resources for four community health workers. That number has since ballooned to more than 30 as the state continues to see positive outcomes from their work, according to Kristen Godfrey-Walters, community care coordination manager at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. For example, a 2015 analysis of patients enrolled in a health-care home and working with a community health worker found there was a 29 percent reduction of patients being admitted to hospitals and a 21 percent reduction in emergency room visits. I really see community health workers becoming a traditional role on a health team, right along with the provider, Godfrey-Walters says. She adds that the medical center doesnt have the ratio of community health workers to providers that it would like and, as she puts it, the role right now isnt seen as a regular member of every health-care team. [But the system] is starting to move in that direction.Massachusetts is currently revamping its Medicaid program from fee-for-service to bundled payments. As that process has begun, its been increasingly common to see community health workers as part of the health-care system. Lisette Blondet, director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Health Workers, reports that there are now 3,000 community health workers throughout the state. Blondet helped found the Community Health Education Center, which trains community health workers in the Boston area. She has seen a change in attitudes toward community health workers over time. In 1993, the Centers for Disease Control wasnt doing anything in the way of promoting community health workers, she says, but theres been a huge change of interest thanks to the ACA. Massachusetts, which is undergoing a major revamp of its Medicaid program, can really use them to address issues and reach people where doctors cannot.Massachusetts is one of 15 states and the District of Columbia that have a state-level training process or provision to promote community health workers. That number is likely to rise as more states invest in programs that focus on the social determinants of health. However, one states approach to developing and utilizing community health workers is not necessarily a model for another. There needs to be flexibility when it comes to training and certifying people, since different states will focus on different communities, says Clary of the National Academy for State Health Policy. She adds that state officials should also be thinking about how to make it easier for people to become community health workers.community health workers help people navigate the health-care system and manage their health, no one knows whether they are cost-effective. We continue to pitch community health workers as this tool thatll make health-care cost go down, Emorys Shah says. But we just dont have the data to back that up.Getting that data could take a while: Population health outcomes move slowly. The return on investment just takes longer than concrete clinical interventions, Clary says. The evidence for the business case is there, but the investment can take a long time to bear fruit. Inevitably, she adds, sustaining the concept financially depends on executive leadership and buy-in within each state.Until hard data is available, the push for community health workers will likely continue to be an uphill battle. For one thing, the lack of data impacts the salaries for community health workers. Their median salary is currently just under $35,000, well below a typical salary for someone in the health sciences field. If we cannot give them better salaries, were doomed, Massachusetts Blondet says.There is also the question of who will pay those salaries. Even in Minnesota, with its pioneering health-care home model, its been tough to make payment work. Right now, community health workers are supported through a combination of grants, operational dollars and reimbursement. Newer roles in health care are seen as needing to support themselves, says Godfrey-Walters. So we continually have that struggle to pull those pieces together.Lack of data and funding arent the only obstacles. Finding the right people for the job -- someone whos already a member of the community being served, as well as a natural-born helper -- can be difficult. Instead of being personality-based, many programs just rely on training, says Shreya Kangovi, executive director of the Penn Center for Community Health Workers. But you cant train empathy and listening skills, so theres often very high turnover.Kangovi should know. She led a 2015 study whose results appeared in. The study found that a rash of programs in the 1980s were terminated because they failed to meet expectations. Her team researched what makes a good community health program and what doesnt. One problem she identified: Programs that target a single disease are not a good use of funds or resources. Who do you know with just one disease? Kangovi says. Clinicians are better trained to deal with health conditions. Community health workers are best when theyre structured around social supports. But programs fail when they arent tapped into the medical system at all.Theres a solution to this issue, says Kangovi. She points to community health workers at the University of Pennsylvania who come to the medical clinic once or twice a week to talk with walk-in patients, check up on their regular clients and help the clinical staff with miscellaneous tasks. That one day a week in a clinical setting makes a big difference in their experience and knowledge, she says.Overall, the concept must strike a delicate balance of being medical without becoming overmedicalized; of being supported by the state but given flexibility with programming; of working outside the medical system but still being reimbursable by it. All of those tensions make it hard to get the community health worker model right. And of course the looming unknowns about how President Trump and congressional Republicans will dismantle the ACA adds uncertainty to the future of many of these efforts.When fully actualized, however, community health workers can make other parts of the health-care system move more efficiently. They can help work in clinics as well as in community settings, and they have the potential to free up other members of a care team, taking on tasks that often slow down a nurse or a physician assistant. To be sure, community health workers arent the silver bullet to bring health-care costs down or eliminate health disparities. Even Homeplace has not overcome some of those challenges. In areport in 2014, Clay County, one of the Eastern Kentucky counties Homeplace serves, was found to have a life expectancy for its residents that was six years shorter than the national average; nearly half the population was obese.Despite the daunting and complex health conditions, advocates say community health workers bring a long-missing piece to health care: someone whos just there to help. These workers may not be able to address entrenched problems within the health-care system. But what the community health worker can do -- and has done in Eastern Kentucky -- is help patients find transportation to doctors appointments, connect them with child care services, make sure their family has food, and a host of other hard-to-navigate tasks. In 20 years, weve perfected our own system, Feltner says. Now its picking up steam everywhere.
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.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.
State Unemployment Rates

During their State of the State addresses earlier this year, many governors took the opportunity to remind the public of just how far their economies have come since the recession. New Yorks Andrew Cuomo mentioned his states declining unemployment rate and record number of private-sector jobs. New Jerseys Chris Christie cited the creation of 278,000 jobs since he took office in 2010. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said an uptick in manufacturing and tech jobs was a direct result of recent business-stimulating reforms.Governors claim credit for positive jobs reports and get blamed when the numbers arent so good. But in reality, myriad factors affecting job growth are beyond their control. National and global economic shifts greatly influence job gains and losses, along with the performance of a states industries.Published research doesnt offer any consensus on the degree to which governors generate growth across a states economy, but its certainly less than they give themselves credit for, at least in the short term. A cross-section of economists interviewed speculated that governors are generally responsible for just 5 to 10 percent of changes in total employment over a four-year term. In the short run, their effect is quite limited, says Edward Glaeser, a Harvard University economist. Most of the things that affect a states economy are way beyond a governors control. Examples might include housing booms, aging populations and large fluctuations in commodity prices.The performance of a states major industries plays an even greater role in driving job totals up or down. This was particularly evident in the oil and gas boom that provided a boost for several governors economic claims during the past few years. Over the first four years of former North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymples administration, from 2010 to 2014, employment jumped a staggering 22 percent. But then oil prices dropped, and over the last two years of his term that ended in December, total employment declined more than 5 percent. Relative to the business cycle, says David Neumark, an economist at the University of California, Irvine, governors policies are trivial.No one disputes that the national economy affects state job growth, but the extent of the linkage varies. Illinois, for example, maintains a fairly diverse labor market, so its economic measures have closely tracked national rates for decades. By comparison, states more reliant on one or two sectors, such as energy or agriculture, dont mirror the country as much. Farm states weathered the recession much better than others. And states that lean on manufacturing jobs are typically more prone to job losses resulting from matters overseas. After all, governors clearly cant dictate global economic policy.At times, governors may resolve -- or even create -- a crisis. During recessions, Neumark suspects their influence is greater, depending on the policies they pursue and how quickly they react. But even during downturns, states count largely on what happens in Washington. The federal government can inject significant investment into a states economy, as was the case with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009. For their part, states dont have the same ability to borrow huge sums of money, and their rainy day fund balances are insufficient to raise spending by very much. States that balance budgets by cutting spending suffer more immediate negative consequences than those raising taxes, says Timothy Bartik of the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.But in many cases, cities are the economic engines that drive states fortunes. And local leaders, Glaeser says, actually have more influence than governors do. They can, for instance, adopt land use regulations or other rules that encourage or inhibit growth. Mayors are hands-on leaders, Glaeser says. They really can shape the local environment. And some mayors preside over their cities far longer than the four or eight years most governors are afforded, allowing them to leave more of a lasting imprint.Governors may have influence on their states economies, but they may not still be in office to see it. Over 15 years, Bartik estimates that a governors efforts could potentially be responsible for 25 to 30 percent of changes in a states employment. He cites education initiatives ranging from early childhood schooling to community college training programs. Business incubators or research grants may help over the long haul as well, even though they may not yield many jobs right away. Its not something where youre going to be able to snap a finger and affect things in a couple years, Bartik says.Consider North Carolinas famed Research Triangle Park, a science and technology center promoted by a succession of governors that welcomed its first companies in 1959. Growth was slow at first -- it took approximately 20 years for the park to employ 10,000 workers. Today, its home to more than 50,000 employees.The public, though, desires more immediate results, often without consideration of other factors influencing a states economy. Research by economist Justin Wolfers suggests that while voters judge their states performance relative to the national economy, their assessments arent much more sophisticated than that. Voters in states with business cycles keyed to national conditions are prone to re-elect governors when the countrys economy is booming, then punish them during national recessions. Voters in heavy oil-producing states were similarly found to reward governors when oil prices climb, then vote them out of office when prices fall.So perhaps its natural that while their policies affect states mostly over the long term, governors typically tout the short-term gains that voters want to hear about. Politicians tend to be short-term-oriented, Bartik says, because the voters are short-term-oriented.
Google is offering up to 1TB of free Google Drive storage space for Local Guides contributors. (Photo : REUTERS)

A new development from Google now allows Android users to use the Google search app to look for their Google Drive files. With this Search update, Android users can find all the files saved in their Google Drive straight from the app.



Google confirmed that the next release of the Google Search app for Android will index all Drive files and folders through the Firebase App Indexing. This will allow the Google Search app to display Google Drive files and folders in the search results when Android user keys in the file name in the search app.



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As reported by Gizbot, the update will include the "IN APPS" tab, where a search for files or folders stored in the Google Drive can be made. This development is especially useful for Android users who store most of their files and folders in Google Drive.



To take full advantage of this new update, Android users must use the Google Play Store to update their Google Drive app to its latest version. Since Google Drive is not counted among the best cloud productivity tools available in the market today, the new update makes it one of the most promising cloud services around the world, especially since it makes the Search app automatically integrated into Google accounts.



The update offers a whole slew of features that make it convenient for Android users to use. Aside from it comes with a clear UI, it also allows users to manage all their files on the cloud. It has the ability to manage almost all sorts of files, including spreadsheets, slides and other shareable documents.



As noted by Tech Portal, not everyone is aware of this update and its promising features. This development helps boost productivity when it comes to storing and sharing as it lets one find his documents directly from within the app.



According to Google, the new Google Search update could take a few more days to be rolled out to all Google Drive and Android users. Learn more about Google Drive for mobile here:






We are living at a moment of widespread cynicism about politicians, a time when ordinary voters suspect that the people they elect are rewarding friends and lining their own pockets. Thats bad enough. Whats worse is when the public comes to tolerate such behavior as part of the status quo. This appears to have happened in South Carolina.In 2014, Bobby Harrell, who had been the state House speaker, pleaded guilty to six charges of using campaign funds for personal benefit. The following year, former state Sen. Robert Ford pleaded guilty to ethics violations based on misusing campaign funds. Such practices were widespread. In 2015, an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity and the Charlestonfound that dozens of lawmakers had used more than $100 million in campaign funds for questionable purposes over a period of several years.Now state Rep. Jim Merrill faces 30 counts of soliciting or receiving money from groups with an interest in pending legislation. He has denied the charges. His lawyers, who include a legislator from the other party, called the indictment flawed and insisted the private-sector work he was paid for was completely legal and legitimate.But for political observers in the state, it was hard to avoid seeing his case against the backdrop of recent convictions. Its widely expected that Merrills indictment wont be the last. There probably is going to be at least one more indictment, but there may be more than that, says John Crangle, the head of Common Cause in South Carolina.Last year, the legislature passed a bill to address problems with reporting private sources of income, but watchdog groups said it contained too many loopholes to have much effect. They are not the kinds of changes that would make South Carolina lawmakers more accountable to the public, complained the South Carolina Policy Council, a think tank in Columbia that focuses on limited government.South Carolina isnt the only state to suffer a cluster of corruption cases. New York hasnt completed a session without a legislator being indicted or resigning in disgrace since back in 2002. Still, the unpleasant truth is that despite a history of legislative and executive corruption in South Carolina stretching back many years, the public there has been willing to tolerate and even reward politicians who are operating under legal clouds. Ethics never seem to rise high enough on the publics radar to be a pressing issue in the way that roads and schools always are. The public doesnt seem very much concerned about it, Crangle concedes. Ive lived here since 1963, and one of the things Ive noticed in the general population is a tolerance for abuse of office by people in local and state government.South Carolina legislators seldom if ever get calls from constituents complaining about the latest ethics scandal, so perhaps its understandable if they conclude that they can get away with a lot of shady stuff. Practically anything, perhaps -- as long as they dont attract the attention of prosecutors.
The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump will support Texas officials' claim that the state's voter identification law did not specifically target minority voters, retreating from the federal government's previous stance that state lawmakers intentionally discriminated when crafting the law.The law's opponents were notified of the switch one day before the question of discriminatory intent is set to be argued in federal court, according to officials at the Campaign Legal Center."The change in the administration is the only explanation for this change [in position], and it's outrageous," said Danielle Lang, deputy director of voting rights at the Campaign Legal Center, which is one of the organizations challenging the voter ID law in court. "For the department of justice to change its position after six years, when none of the facts have changed, is appalling."The 2011 law required that voters present one of seven forms of government identification in order to cast a ballot. Acceptable IDs included driver's' licenses, handgun licenses issued by the state's Department of Public Safety, election ID certificates or personal ID cards issued by DPS, military IDs, citizenship certificates, or passports.The law's most fervent supporters, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, have long argued that those voter ID requirements were necessary for preventing voter fraud. But the law's opponents point to studies that show Hispanic and black voters are disproportionately less likely to have one of the seven forms of ID that the law was written to accept.Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, called the law "the clearest manifestation of modern-day voter suppression tactics," and challenged the law in court, along with several other voting rights organizations. The Obama administration also opposed the law.Last summer, judges on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the law was discriminatory but said they could not come to a conclusion on whether the Legislature had intentionally discriminated when writing the law. They sent the question of discriminatory intent back to U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi.Ramos is set to hear arguments on the question of discriminatory intent tomorrow morning.Although the Department of Justice, now led by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has yet to issue a formal court filing about its change in position, this is not the only change the adminstration has made on the voter ID argument.Last year, Texas officials asked the court to delay hearings on how the voter ID law could be fixed, arguing that the issue might be addressed during Texas' current legislative session. The Obama administration opposed the delay, arguing that there was no firm guarantee a legislative fix was forthcoming.Earlier this month, when Texas officials asked again whether the court would postpone its efforts to address the aspects of the voter ID law that had been deemed unconstitutional, the Trump administration agreed that the case should be postponed."Legislatures should have the first chance to address issues under the Voting Rights Act whenever possible," officials wrote in a brief filed on behalf of Texas officials and the U.S. government. "It is thus appropriate for this Court to [postpone] the hearing until the Texas legislature has had an opportunity to act."Ramos denied the request to delay proceedings.On Monday, Lang said the plaintiffs in the case will continue to fight, even though they've lost the support of the federal government."Private plaintiffs will continue to pursue justice in this matter," she said.
In Oakland, Calif., police will soon answer to civilians newly entrusted with the power to discipline officers and fire the chief. Last November, the city's residents voted to create a civilian-run commission with a level of authority over law enforcement that is rare in this country.This was a no-brainer given Oaklands history, says Rashidah Grinage, coordinator of the Coalition for Police Accountability, a group that helped write the ballot measure, which faced no formal opposition and passed with 83 percent of the vote. Most people realized that it would be futile to try to argue against instituting a police commission of this nature.The Oakland Police Department has been under federal oversight since it settled a lawsuit in 2003 for $10.5 million. More than 115 plaintiffs alleged in the suit that four rogue officers had beat and planted evidence on them.The reforms in Oakland parallel similar changes in large cities around the country. In the last election alone, voters strengthened civilian oversight of police in Denver, Honolulu , Miami, New Orleans and San Francisco.Were in the middle of a national police crisis, and thats created a lot of public support for a stronger form of citizen oversight, says Samuel Walker, author of the bookIn the 1980s, when Walker began studying the issue, he found only 13 civilian oversight agencies in America. Today, there are more than 200.The notion that a civilian-led organization should police the police has received a spike in attention since the fatal 2014 shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, in Ferguson, Mo. In the wake of Brown's shooting, former President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing recommended that localities adopt some form of civilian oversight to strengthen trust with the community. Similarly, the Ferguson Commission -- an independent study group appointed by the Missouri governor -- and Campaign Zero, a national group associated with Black Lives Matter, have also called for more civilian oversight.Historically, police unions have opposed greater oversight by civilians, says Walker. In some places, that was still true in the last election. The Oakland Police Officers Association, for example, spent money on negative campaign mail in an effort to unseat two city councilmen who cosponsored the oversight ballot measure. (Both won re-election.)In its present form, civilian oversight usually doesn't guarantee a meaningful check on police. Some places only have a passive agency that receives and reviews citizen complaints but has little independence or authority over the police department. Others have an auditor that can proactively investigate and make public recommendations about systemic issues. But regardless of their structure, most commissions can't force the department to adopt their advice.The coming changes in Honolulu and Oakland, however, represent a new wave of civilian oversight. Both civilian commissions will be able to fire the police chief, and in Oakland's case, also to discipline officers."The [new] commission will not recommend. It will impose," says Grinage, in reference to Oakland.Not all proponents of strong civilian oversight, however, think civilians should have the right to discipline law enforcement. Walker, the author, says it could backfire."We want to heighten the accountability of the chief. We want to turn the spotlight on the chief and say, 'You are the head of this agency and its your responsibility to fix these problems. The last thing we want to do," he says, "is create a situation where the chief can say, 'Hey, its not my problem. You took that power away from me.'"Walker argues that civilian oversight can have a greater impact if it focuses less on punishing individual officers and more on fixing systemic problems.To really improve policing, it requires organizational reform, as opposed to investigating individual citizen complaints, he says. Lets assume the agency succeeds in disciplining an officer. That doesnt change the organization. Even if it results in the officer being fired or quitting, that officer will be replaced by another officer subject to the same culture, the same inadequate policies, inadequate training [and] poor supervision that the previous officer was.Despite the fact that civilian oversight has existed in some form since the early 20th century, it's still not clear that it's effective. Academics have not yet studied the impacts of different civilian oversight models.But clarity may be on its way.In the past two years, the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement published reports that shed light on the relative strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to civilian oversight. For example, complaint-and-review-based models tend to be less expensive because they rely on citizen volunteers, but they also may lack resources, expertise and independence. Agencies that conduct audits, however, can affect long-term, systemic change, but they may not address specific, high-profile incidents of concern to local civil rights activists. To expand upon those recent reports, the Obama administration in its last year awardedthe group with a grant to study nine oversight agencies and develop best practices.Even places known nationally for forward-thinking approaches to civilian oversight have some of the same problems plaguing police departments around the country.Take Seattle: In the 1990s, it was one of the first places to have a civilian-led unit focused on investigating complaints and making recommendations. Decades later, it ended up under federal oversight after the U.S. Department of Justice found "a pattern or practice of excessive force that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law."The city has since identified issues with its civilian oversight and is working to improve them. One such problem is that the office lacked credibility both inside and outside the police department."In some parts of the community, the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) was viewed with hostility and seen as nothing more than a rubber stamp used by the police to justify misconduct under the guise of independent investigations," OPA Director Pierce Murphy wrote in a retrospective report last year.The problems with OPA are illustrative of how the operational details of citizen oversight matter. In many ways, the office appeared to be part of the police department, not an autonomous unit. The director's office was located inside the Seattle Police Department headquarters. Its media relations, community outreach and public website were coordinated by the police department's public affairs office. Letters from the office were printed on police department letterhead.OPA also used to share its recommendations with the police department before publishing a public report. If the police chief chose not to adopt some of them, he or she didn't have to explain why.Under Murphy, OPA has moved into its own office building and gotten its own website. His team now publishes investigative findings without waiting for a response from the police chief, and the chief has to respond in writing when she disagrees with a recommendation. In a move that would satisfy Walker, the group also now issues "management action recommendations" that try to examine and improve systemic issues.Even with all the recent tweaks under Murphy, civilian oversight in Seattle is likely about to undergo further change. After months of negotiation with a federal monitor, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray sent legislation to the city council in early February that would create an independent civilian inspector general.
On Friday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC assumed duty as Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Honourable Chief Justice Catherine Holmes assumed duty as Acting Governor of Queensland.

In the afternoon, the Governor ceased duty as Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia and resumed duty of Governor of Queensland, and the Honourable Chief Justice Catherine Holmes ceased duty as Acting Governor.

In the evening, at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane, the Governor and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the opening night performance of the Australia Ballets The Sleeping Beauty followed by a post-performance reception.
On Sunday, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the morning service of Eucharist at St Thomas Anglican Church, Toowong.
Description

GIS - 27 February, 2017: The Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, will leave the country this evening at the head of an official delegation to Rodrigues from 27 February to 1 March 2017 in the context of the pre-budget consultations exercise for the forthcoming budget 2017/2018.

The delegation will comprise the Financial Secretary, Mr Dev Manraj and other high officials from the Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

The calendar of activities will consist of a meeting between the Prime Minister and the newly elected Chief Commissioner, Mr L.Serge Clair, on 28 February in the presence of the Island Chief Executive and Deputy Permanent Secretary. This will be followed by budget discussions/consultations with the Executive Council.

A meeting with the Force Vives namely the Business community; Ngos; civil society; and farming community, among others is on the agenda. The delegation will also make a site visit on the proposed SME Park at Baie aux Huitres.

On March 1st Prime Minister Jugnauth will proceed with the opening of the net fishing season at Cotton Bay after which he will perform the inauguration of a Community school at Anse Quitor. He will also launch an ICT/BPO Centre at Port Mathurin.

The visit will culminate in a press conference by the Prime Minister at La Residence in Port Mathurin. The delegation is expected back to Mauritius on 1st March 2017.
(TNS)  Data breaches frequently make front-page news  highlighting the growing demand for expertise in cybersecurity and the shortage of skilled professionals in the field.At Waipahu High School some teens are getting a head start on the job market by taking coding classes for credit, including a pioneering course on cybersecurity that starts this fall. Already, four of them are on track to work part time at the National Security Agencys Hawaii office while they are seniors.We want to give kids tools to survive and not get washed away by this technology wave, said Ken Hiraki, president of the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, which chose cybersecurity as a priority career path last year and is funding the courses at Waipahu as a pilot project.Instructors from DevLeague, a company that teaches computer programming, teamed up with Cindy Takara, who directs the schools Information Technology Academy, to teach the first coding course at Waipahu. It turned out to be a hit, and courses in advanced coding and cybersecurity will be offered next year.The instructors and the content were interesting and very fun, said Zak Sakata, a 16-year-old junior. Its like learning a new language. Its going to be hard in the beginning. Once you have a foundation set, its pretty smooth sailing from there on.The upcoming cybersecurity course appears to be the first at a local high school. Like other schools, Waipahu has long offered Cisco Networking courses as well as A+ Certification, which focuses on computer building and repair. This years coding class covered HTML, CSS and JavaScript, languages used by web developers, and the students learned to build web applications.When people hear the term programming or coding, they automatically think, Thats not for me, you have to be smart, Takara said. Thats not true. You just have to be dedicated. You just have to have that desire, that willingness to learn.The Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation invested $11,200 to fund one DevLeague instructor this year at Waipahu and will pay for next years courses as well, according to Hiraki. DevLeague provided two teachers for this years coding class to make sure it went well and is developing next years cybersecurity course.This is just the start of our forays into the public schools, DevLeague co-founder Russel Cheng said. Our mission is to teach this to as many people as we can. The cybersecurity class in the fall session is very new, even for us.CyberSeek, which tracks the job market, found 128,000 openings for information security analysts posted in the past year, with 88,000 workers employed in those jobs. The median pay for that position is more than $90,000 per year, and the field is growing much faster than most jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Cybersecurity is definitely an up-and-coming job in high demand, Sakata said. With all this new technology coming out, we need people to be able to secure the network and all these devices.Private firms and government agencies alike are seeking cybersecurity expertise. Four Waipahu juniors have passed the academic and interview portions of the selection process for the work-study program at the NSA facility in Wahiawa and are going through security clearance. If approved, they will work as computer aides for at least 20 hours a week as seniors while attending school.The National Security Agency monitors global intelligence and communications and tries to prevent adversaries from gaining access to U.S. information systems. NSA Hawaii keeps a low profile but hit the news in 2013 when a contractor, Edward Snowden, removed classified files and gave them to journalists, revealing mass surveillance programs that he thought violated privacy rights.Three students at Leilehua High School are also in the pipeline for work-study positions at NSA this fall, and a senior is already on the job there, according to Carla Lum, Leilehuas career counselor.Shes really enjoying herself, putting in at least 20 hours a week and getting paid very well, Lum said.Administrators at Waipahu hope to give younger students in its feeder schools a taste of coding as well, Vice Principal Elizabeth Higashi said. They are working with DevLeague on a teacher training effort this summer.We are trying to integrate it with our curriculum so our students have that experience and skill, Higashi said. We are looking to start at sixth grade.
(TNS)  In a few years, if you enter all available facts into a super computer and ask it how to make the internet secure, information security expert Adi Shamir predicts this is how the computer will respond:Kill the internet. Start over again.The internet, as we know it, is beyond salvaging, says Shamir, an Israeli who won the prestigious Japan Prize this month, worth about $442,000. The prize, established by the Japanese government, honors advances in life sciences, electronics and communications.Alarms over the state of the internet appear with greater frequency as malicious code runs rampant, criminal hackers sweep up passwords of hundreds of millions of users, and nations skirmish with digital weapons. Once a platform for enlightenment, the internet flirts with a dark age, industry leaders warn, and global action must be taken.Chief among them is Microsofts president, Brad Smith, who called Feb. 14 for a Digital Geneva Convention, an international agreement to protect civilians from the destructive uses by states of the digital sphere.The time has arrived to call on the worlds governments to implement international rules to protect the civilian use of the internet, Smith said in a keynote address last week to a gathering of cybersecurity professionals at the RSA Conference, a five-day annual meeting.He drew a comparison to how war-weary nations in 1949 came together to draw up the Geneva Conventions, which now bind 196 nations and commit them to offer humanitarian treatment to civilians in times of war.Smith said cybercrime is taking an increasing global toll, and that 74 percent of the worlds businesses expect to be attacked each year. Economic losses due to cybercrime may hit $3 trillion by 2020, he added.But more alarming, he added, is that nations have unleashed their cyber arsenals.We suddenly find ourselves living in a world where nothing seems off-limits to nation-state attacks, Smith said. Cyberspace has become a potential new and global battleground.Smith referred to the 2014 North Korea hack of Sony Pictures, and said it culminated last year in hacking incidents connected to the democratic process itself, a reference to U.S. assertions that Russian state hackers influenced the U.S. election in Donald Trumps favor.Civilian users around the world pay a price as the battleground intensifies, experts said.The online environment is increasingly noxious. Every year, the level of risk, crime and threat goes up, said Philip Reitinger, a lawyer who is president of the Global Cyber Alliance, a nonprofit group seeking to end systemic threats on the internet.The situation is going to continue to get worse for the next 10 years, added Reitinger, who formerly fought cybercrime from senior posts in the departments of Homeland Security and Justice.That assessment was echoed by Mike Rogers, a Republican and former Michigan congressman who once chaired the House intelligence committee.The United States is in a cyberwar, and most Americans dont know it, Rogers said.But whether an international treaty or convention could slow the destructive currents that make the internet increasingly hazardous is subject of intense debate.Smith called for a global pact that would commit governments to avoiding cyberattacks that target the private sector or critical infrastructure or the use of hacking to steal intellectual property. He said it could build on existing regional agreements, such as one signed in Europe and known as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.In effect, he called for a global cyber sheriff, ensuring that nations live up to agreed-upon rules but also codifying that their territory not be used by others for digital mayhem.J. Michael Daniel, who spent more than four years as cybersecurity czar in the Obama administration, said he worries that some authoritarian nations would distort such an accord.They dont even use the term cybersecurity. They use the term information security. What they really mean is content control. Their goal in such a treaty would be trying to say that they could say what goes on the internet, Daniel said after a forum at the conference.A better first step, Daniel suggested, would be further agreements of the sort that former President Barack Obama reached with Chinas President Xi Jinping in September 2015, which barred purely commercial hacking between the two nations, but not digital espionage.It was a very critical step forward in achieving modification in Chinese behavior. It helped change their decision calculus on what they were doing, Daniel said.For the engineers and information security specialists, such lofty talk was of less interest than the nitty-gritty discussions of how to break things using the internet, and how to avoid a longer-term train wreck from hacking and cyberattacks.It was the findings of Shamir, the cryptographer, and an international team from Israel and Canada, that created a significant buzz. He told of how the network of connected appliances and devices  the vaunted internet of things  could fall victim on a massive scale to malicious activity using ad hoc networking capabilities.Shamir, a professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, described how the team installed a transmitter in a car and drove by buildings installed with smart Phillips light bulbs, taking control of the bulbs and forcing them to blink SOS in Morse code. In further testing, they put the transmitter on a drone and injected a worm from the air into a single such bulb, sparking an infection that passed like a nuclear chain reaction, causing lights to blink in an expanding circle.The team captured video of the action of the lights from a camera on the drone.You can actually see the lights flicker on and off in the building, said Sean McBride, lead analyst for critical infrastructure at iSight, which offers cyber threat intelligence and is a subsidiary of FireEye, a Milpitas, Calif., cybersecurity company.A scientific paper from Shamirs team describes how the worm could be used for anything from triggering epileptic seizures in humans to knocking out the lights in a city the size of Paris or harnessing the networking power of the bulbs for an attack on a third party.Within minutes, you can infect the whole city and make all kinds of bad things (happen), Shamir said at a forum.Little can be done to halt such methods from falling into the wrong hands, McBride said.If you write the paper, then someone else can take that and do what they want with your discovery, McBride said.
(TNS)  Viewed from afar these days, it might be easy to conclude that life in Washington, D.C., has become a reality show gone awry.Cabinet-level nominees stepping down amid claims of wrongdoing; a president seemingly at war with the press and members of his own team; an intelligence community at odds with the source of its authority; and a bureaucratic swamp that refuses to be drained.Not to be overlooked, however, are the real issues facing Congress, the White House and the nation as the hard work of governing marches on.Thats why representatives of 30 state-based technology groups  including the Wisconsin Technology Council  joined with industry leaders in Washington this month to trade ideas and to talk tech with members of the Senate and House of Representatives.The agenda included advancing technologies and policies to better secure the internet from cyberattacks; advancing tax and regulatory changes to spur the growth of Americas $1 trillion tech industry; building tech platforms to support adoption of the Internet of things; releasing unlicensed wireless spectrum for rural broadband and Wi-Fi; ensuring that free trade remains a priority; keeping highly skilled immigrants in the United States; and building a skilled tech-based workforce from the nations grade schools on up.Bipartisanship is needed to get that work done.A leading proposal making the rounds on Capitol Hill is the CHANCE in TECH Act, a plan to address workforce issues found in Wisconsin and almost every other state. CHANCE in TECH is an acronym for Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology.The proposal calls for a long-term adjustment in how students are trained for science, technology, engineering and math jobs  the so-called STEM professions  in an age when those skills are required for a growing number of careers.It envisions a combination of apprenticeships, internships and work-based learning accelerators that would put more students on the track of learning skills and earning certificates valued by industry. It urges industry itself to step up with the necessary help, and calls for a combination of public and private funding to support the system.These skills arent necessarily acquired through a traditional four-year college track, but rather can start in K-12 education, continue into higher education and include industry-recognized certifications, read a bill summary from CompTIA, the nations leading tech association.Experts who addressed the tech leaders during the Washington fly-in agreed the need for workforce training is most evident in cybersecurity, which one speaker described as the new space race.At a Tech Council Innovation Network meeting Feb. 21 in Madison, Special Agent Byron Franz of the FBI underscored the urgency when he told about 100 listeners: There are cyber missiles landing in Wisconsin every single day as hackers try to steal trade secrets from companies.Cyberattacks are rampant in industry as well as within government institutions, as Franz and others explained, yet there are relatively few people trained for cybersecurity careers. Many of those jobs dont require a four-year degree and years of experience, but certificates and hands-on training that can allow young people to get a foot in the door.Because theres a shortage of teachers at all levels, industry partnerships are needed to expose students to careers. Also needed is leadership from state governments to help fund such programs. Federal speakers in Washington also urged schools and universities to take part in federal training programs such as the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Training.Uncertainty in Washington doesnt mean emerging national problems such as workforce training and cybersecurity go away. It does reinforce the need, however, for cooperation across political, business and educational lines.
Pedestrians walk past a Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. branch, a unit of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (MUFG). (Photo : Getty Images)

Chinese and Japanese companies are looking at investing and partnering with Philippine firms. This is amid the bright prospects brought about by the sustained economic growth of the country.



Alfonso Salcedo Jr., the president of Security Bank Corp., said during a Business Matching fair that it has partnered with Japans Mitsubishi UFJ Finance Group Inc. (MUFG) to arrange close to 200 meetings between the banks Japanese, Philippine and Southeast Asian corporate clients.



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Our partnership with MUFG helps facilitate cooperation and provides access to the global marketplace for our clients; our combined strengths now serve as an avenue for Japanese and Filipino businesses to meet and discuss how to further develop opportunities will help our economies, Salcedo said.



The Business Matching Fair is one of the major events that MUFG and Security Bank have embarked on this year.



"The one-day fair saw clients from various sectors including FMCG products (distribution and manufacturing), healthcare and medical equipment, real estate development, agriculture and seafood products, among other," said Eduardo Olbes, executive vice president and head of the wholesale banking segment of Security Bank.



He added: The aim is to match make Japanese corporates to companies in the Philippines to foster cross-border business collaboration.



Tadahiro Miyamoto, the general manager of MUFG's Manila Branch, said: "The Philippine market is very important to the group and its strategic alliance with Security Bank helps MUFG to better reach out to local corporates and support Japanese investment within the Philippines."



The business matching sessions ended with a cocktail reception. Attendees include Makoto Iyori, the Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan, Charito Plaza, the director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Ramon Lopez, the Trade Secretary of the Philippines.



Bank of China Ltd., is hosting a series of Global Cross-Border Trade and Investment conferences for small and medium-sized enterprises starting next month. This is so that it can help these enterprises to tap into international business opportunities.



Bank of China envisions a world that builds mutually beneficial relationships that meet the interest of all. Stronger trade and investment will instill vigor and vitality across the Belt and Road, bringing cooperation among Asian, European, and African countries to new heights and new forms, said Bank of China Manila Branch country manager Deng Jun.


(TNS)  Amid a tense public debate over how quickly to equip Portland, Maine, police with body cameras, the city has denied a public records request for dashboard camera video from last Saturdays police shooting of a 22-year-old man.With $400,000 earmarked to outfit the police department with body cameras in fiscal year 2019 and a preliminary plan to pilot the technology before then, city officials seem to agree that the devices would be a boon for community-police relations and transparency. But the refusal to release video from Saturdays shooting highlights the way in which Maines exemption-riddled public records law might limit the technologys usefulness when serious questions are raised about a police officers behavior.Whats happened over time with the public record law in Maine is its turned into Swiss cheese, said Sigmund Schutz, a First Amendment lawyer and partner with Preti Flaherty in Portland. There are just so many exemptions to it, and some of them are ambiguous and open to broad interpretation.The Maine attorney generals office is investigating Sgt. Nicholas Goodmans shooting of Chance David Baker in Union Station Plaza last Saturday, and Portland police also will conduct a review of the incident. Police said that Baker was brandishing a rifle-style pellet gun when Goodman shot him from about 100 feet away.The open investigations into the killing  which are standard protocol when police use deadly force  were cited in the public records request denial, which said releasing the video might interfere with the investigation, lead to the intimidation of witnesses, or lead them to misperceive events.But a letter from police lawyer BethAnne Poliquin also cited two of the other myriad exceptions to Maines public records law as reasons to deny the request. Interpreted broadly, these exemptions would seem to cover nearly any video captured by a police body camera and make it unlikely that many such videos would be seen by the general public.Under Maine law, personnel records are exempt from freedom of access requests. Poliquin interpreted this to include dashboard camera video from Saturdays shooting because the police departments review of the event will cover whether an officer violated police department policy and whether the officer should be subject to discipline.The video is a confidential personnel record and the department cannot release it, Poliquin wrote. Written decisions to discipline officers can become public, she added.The lawyer also denied the request based on a legal exemption for intelligence and investigative information. Maine law defines that broadly, as:[i]nformation collected by criminal justice agencies or at the direction of criminal justice agencies in an effort to anticipate, prevent or monitor possible criminal activity, including operation plans of the collecting agency or another agency, or information compiled in the course of investigation of known or suspected crimes, civil violations and prospective and pending civil actions.Contrary to the presumption of public disclosure, law enforcement often interprets Maine law to give them broad discretion over when and whether they release information, said Schutz, whos been a lawyer in Maine for about 20 years.If were not going to show the video to anyone, that kind of undermines the point, he said.On Wednesday, six Portland city councilors declined to comment on whether Maines public record exemptions lessen the value of body cameras. Councilor Spencer Thibodeau said that the videos status as public records will be one of the things the council will consider in making policy.A city spokeswoman said it was premature to comment on the issue.Mayor Ethan Strimling said Thursday that the wording of the public records law undercuts the transparency value of the cameras and that he generally favors broad disclosure.Weve seen in other communities where getting these videos out improves community trust and where not getting them out breeds mistrust, Strimling said.But the mayor said that the cameras also have value as a record for law enforcement and the legal system.Kelly McDonald, the lawyer who heads the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee, said that body camera videos could be another source of information for his group, which reviews Portland police internal affairs investigations. As part of its reviews, the civilian watchdog goes through confidential personal records, including dashboard camera video, McDonald said.Police body cameras are driving new conversations about transparency and privacy across the state and country, but worries about government opacity is nothing new here. Maine received a failing grade in eight of 13 categories, including public access to information, in a 2015 ranking by The Center for Public Integrity. The state was ranked among the worst in the nation for transparency, and it was the only New England state to receive an overall failing grade.On Tuesday, Portland police Chief Michael Sauschuck said that he supports body cameras, but warned that they are not a cure-all.I think theres a lot of value to body cameras, Sauschuck said. I also think theyre not the panacea that the general public would think that they are  that they will give you every answer to every question [in] every situation.
Cybersecurity Act

Cybercrime Act

Ransomware

(TNS)  Texas is at risk more now than ever from cyberattacks.Thats why  as criminals keep aggressively targeting online information ranging from credit card numbers to election data  at least one lawmaker says Texas needs to beef up its digital defense.The state, of course, has countless cybersecurity systems and firewalls in place to protect against the estimated five billion attacks that occur each month on government computers and systems.But thats not enough, said state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake.There are all these cybercriminals and terrorist organizations trying to find weaknesses in the states computer systems in order to steal information, he said. We want to protect the databases.We have 254 counties ... and with cybersecurity, the weakest point is the part we are most worried about. A lot of times, criminals use the weakest point to get into the whole system.Capriglione has filed two bills to try to protect the state. One focuses on cybercriminals and the other calls for studies, reviews and ways to boost cybersecurity in Texas.These bills follow reports of cyberattacks being waged against people, businesses and governmental agencies across the state.In one Tarrant County case, a government employee last year began having problems on a computer, which led to a malicious software program penetrating an extensive security system that included at least two next-generation enterprise firewalls.The employees files were locked by the attacker and a ransom was demanded before the worker could again access that data.But the ransom wasnt paid. Instead, an emergency computer incident response crew swept in, isolated that persons data from the rest of the system and restored files to where they were an hour before the software attack occurred, with no information lost or stolen.Cybersecurity is one of those issues that isnt on the publics mind until something major and unexpected happens to expose the states vulnerability or the publics private information, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. As new technology is used almost exclusively to connect citizens to government through state agencies, measures need to be taken to safeguard Texans privacy.Capriglione said he hopes the bills he has filed  The Texas Cybersecurity Act and The Texas Cybercrime Act  will prevent people from messing with Texas.This is a long war that we will be waging. State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-SouthlakeIf the measures become law, Capriglione said he believes they will move Texas a big step forward in staying safe.This is a long war that we will be waging, he said. We just want to do it in a smart way, starting right now.In the wake of an increasing number of cyberattacks from criminals and foreign governments  even questions about Russias influence on the election due to cyber activity  cybersecurity has become a national priority.Cyberspace and its underlying infrastructure are vulnerable to a wide range of risk stemming from both physical and cyber threats and hazards, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Sophisticated cyber actors and nation-states exploit vulnerabilities to steal information and money and are developing capabilities to disrupt, destroy, or threaten the delivery of essential services.In Texas, Capriglione and other lawmakers have been studying the issue, talking with government officials and security experts and advisers, trying to determine the best legislative options to address the problem.Hes heard about the cyberattacks that have hit cities, counties, the state, businesses and Texans, as cybercriminals work to gain government employee credentials, travel itineraries, credit card information, social security numbers and more.They want information they can sell, use to find more information or help them create custom attacks.A wide range of attacks are coming from all over the world, Capriglione said, citing problems such as phishing, when attackers send emails hoping to gain personal information such as credit card numbers and passwords from victims, to ransomware, a malicious system that blocks people out of their own system until they pay a ransom.So Capriglione filed House Bill 8, the Texas Cybersecurity Act.The measure calls for an audit of Texas systems, training on how to respond to risks and attacks, a review of state digital data storage and a state response plan that can be used in the event of a cyberattack to be created no later than Sept. 1, 2018.Part of the bill asks the Texas Rangers to study cyberattacks on election infrastructure, including looking at vulnerabilities and risks regarding county voting machines and the lists of registered voters. It also seeks information on any attempted cyberattack against county voting systems and any recommendations to protect election machines and lists of registered voters.Concerns about election tampering spiked during and after the presidential election, pulling the issue from relative obscurity directly to the attention of lawmakers. Brandon Rottinghaus, political science professor at University of HoustonConcerns about election tampering spiked during and after the presidential election, pulling the issue from relative obscurity directly to the attention of lawmakers, Rottinghaus said. This kind of emergency helps to get attention to otherwise obscure legislation and get it passed.The measure also would create a cybersecurity task force to coordinate cybersecurity resources and develop guidelines  and a cyber sharing task force to determine best practices of cybersecurity for the state. It also requires state agencies to contract with independent third parties to audit security risks, destroy personally identifiable information and establish mandatory guidelines for cybersecurity certification.Capriglione did say this bill could cost the state around $20 million, which he realizes is a lot of money, particularly in an already-tight budget year.I think its going to be difficult getting money for anything this session, he said. But when we talk about the security and safety of our citizens, it is a priority.The Texas Business Leadership Council  one of many groups working with legislators about cyber security preparedness  has come out in support of HB 8.Strengthening our cyber infrastructure has been long overdue, said Justin Yancy, president of the group.HB 9, the Texas Cybercrime Act, makes it a third degree felony if someone intentionally interrupts or suspends access to a computer system or network, unless the person is working on behalf of law enforcement.It also makes it a Class A misdemeanor for someone to alter data transmitting between two computers in a network or system or introduce malware or ransomware  software that gives people access to a computer system and data without permission or requires users to pay to regain access to their data or information  on a computer, network or system.The more costly the offense, though, the more severe the charge. If an offense involves more than $300,000, that bumps the charge up to a first-degree felony.We need to create new laws for some of the newer attacks, to counter what people are doing. I want to make sure that private information stays private. State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-SouthlakeWe need to create new laws for some of the newer attacks, to counter what people are doing, Capriglione said. I want to make sure that private information stays private.Caprigliones bills join other cyber bills proposed in the Texas Legislature, including HB 1452, which calls for a study about cyber attacks on election infrastructure, and Senate Bill 83, regarding protecting energy critical infrastructure from electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist and cyber-attack threats.Rep. Capriglione has spent months looking at how to better protect citizens private data, according to a statement from House Speaker Joe Straus. Thanks to the good work of Rep. Capriglione and several House committees, we have an opportunity to pass needed, significant cyberseucrity legislation this year.The issue of cybersecurity came up locally last year during a Texas House County Affairs Committee meeting in Fort Worth.At the time, local officials said they hoped state lawmakers would consider passing a measure to make sure cyber offenders would receive tough sentences.Officials last year declined to detail the ransomware that penetrated local systems, but they said it was the first time in at least two years that anything like it had made it through firewalls.Ransomware is a computer malware that installs on a persons computer  or even on a tablet or smartphone  that starts to encrypt files, which prevents them from being opened by their rightful user. It could come through an email that contained a link the user may have opened.On a computer, the software can run quietly in the background unnoticed until perhaps the wallpaper changes and a message pops up demanding a ransom and telling the user how to pay to be able to access files, photos and data again. Officials have long stressed that anyone who receives those messages should not pay.Cybersecurity measures make for smart conservative politics by protecting businesses who do contract with the state and safeguarding individual privacy, Rottinghaus said.Across the world, estimates suggest there are at least 4,000 ransomware attacks unleashed every hour.As the use of technology increases in our daily lives, it is more important than ever that private citizen data is protected, Capriglione said. We need the necessary tools to educate and protect ourselves from the rapidly evolving world of sophisticated cyberattacks.
Stoffel Vandoorne agrees he is under less pressure than Fernando Alonso to reach his career ambitions in the next years with McLaren.

Although already 24, the Belgian is a highly rated rookie in 2017 and he said he is patient to build up towards winning races and the title with the famous British team.

During an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws newspaper, Vandoorne admitted that he is under less time pressure than the 35-year-old Alonso to win a title.

"You are right that I still have time so I can afford to build up for the future, and that is what I want to do with this team," he said.

"But that does not change that the sooner I can win, the better," Vandoorne added.

He also denied that the meteoric impact made recently by teenager Max Verstappen puts more pressure on him to similarly impress.

"Well, that's the least of my worries," said Vandoorne. "Building up with this team for the future is more important than comparing with other drivers."

Finally, Vandoorne said he is happy with the new orange and black McLaren, after two less than successful years for the Honda-powered team.

"With the numbers in the simulator and on the engine bench, and when I see some other cars, I have the impression that ours is maybe more advanced, more developed.

"With the change of regulations, we have in any case a great opportunity to close the gap of the last two years," he added.

(GMM)
Dr Helmut Marko has played down reports Renault's 2017 engine came out of the blocks with an apparent technical failure.

It emerged last week that, with the French marque taking a bold step over the winter to catch up with Mercedes, the 2017 engine broke down as Toro Rosso did its track roll-out in Italy.

But Red Bull Racing's Marko told Auto Bild: "We believe in Renault, and at the moment there are no problems with the engine."

However, the entire pitlane is nervous about rumours that the already-dominant Mercedes has possibly made an equally big engine step for 2017.

"What scares me the most is not the Mercedes team," said Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz, "because it is not on our radar.

"What scares me more is that Force India and Williams could have even more power. I am convinced that in previous years we could have beaten them with the same engine, so hopefully this year we will have an engine that will allow us to fight," he told the Spanish press in Barcelona.

(GMM)
Yuan's Value (Photo : Getty Images)

In the last 10 years, China lost a total of $3.8 trillion to capital flight and to curb the outflows, a complex system of capital controls was developed by Chinese authorities.



But these efforts have failed to address the problem because of misconceptions that could have led to a better understanding of the causes of capital flight and the possible solutions to it, according to Frank Gunter, a professor of economics at Lehigh University and a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, in his article in Forbes.



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Three myths



- Depreciation of the yuan - Some people believed that capital flight was driven by the expectation of the yuan depreciation and these individuals think they can profit by taking their yuan out of the country to be converted into dollars and other currencies.



Gunter said that this could not be a reason as the yuan had depreciated by about 25 percent to 6.14 yuan per dollar between 2005 and 2014 yet China capital flight increased from $125 billion in 2005 to $484 billion in 2014.



- Economic and political turmoil - The other reason for the capital flight are economic and political concerns. The slowdown of Chinese economy and the government's anti-corruption efforts are reasons that may have driven capital flight.



Gunter, however, said that China's economy actually grew tremendously from 2004-2010 and the political situation is stable but the capital flight still doubled every year.



- Capital controls are the solution - Some people also believed that if the amount of money taken out of the country becomes too large, the government can reduce it by imposing further restrictions.



But, according to Gunter, stricter capital controls in 1998 did not affect the volume of capital flight, only the methods used by people. Five years after 1998, capital flight using financial transactions dropped to $105 billion while those who use mis-invoicing have increased by $95 billion in the same period.



Possible reasons for acceleration of capital flight



Gunter presented some of the possible reasons why capital flight occurred. First, he said that China has transformed from an egalitarian state to an unfair state. China is next to the U.S. with 400 billionaires. These few individuals, who are less than 0.5 percent of the population, control about 25 percent to 33 percent of the country's GDP.



With the government crackdown on corruption, some of the wealthy Chinese prefer to move their families and money out of the country.



Another possible reason is migration, Gunter said. China's Central Bank said that in 2011, about 18,000 government officials left China, taking with them about $7 million each. Data also showed that about 60 percent of rich Chinese wanted to migrate.



Chinese students in the U.S. have increased about 500 percent to 304,000 in 2015, the U.S. State Department said. Many of these students wanted to stay in the U.S. after graduation.



Gunter said that the lack of well-paid jobs in China, as well as health concerns due to air pollution, drove some of the Chinese students to stay in the U.S. or other countries.



Gunter added that China may reduce capital flight if it would strengthen the rule of law to combat corruption, improve the quality of life of people and ensure employment opportunities for the educated Chinese.


Vitaly Churkin had been Russia's permanent ambassador to the United States since 2006. (Photo : Getty Images)

During a United Nations Security Council meeting held on Tuesday in New York, Chinese U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi expressed sympathy on China's behalf after news broke in that his Russian counterpart has passed away.



According to a report by China Daily-USA, Liu lauded Churkin, describing him as a veteran diplomat that has significantly contributed to the organization.



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"We feel shocked and saddened over Ambassador Churkin's sudden death and express our deep condolences," he said, commenting that he has "worked until the end of his life, showing exactly what dedication and professionalism mean."



"He is an outstanding example of a diplomat," the Chinese envoy further said.



Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council honored the senior diplomat before the said meeting. The ambassador of the council's 15 members delivered speeches and expressed their sympathies and condolences.



It was in 2006 when Churkin was appointed as the Russian government's permanent envoy to the United Nations. He passed away in New York on Monday, a day short of his 65th birthday.



Reports have surfaced that he died from a heart attack though the Russian Foreign Ministry only clarified that he died after being taken ill from work -- no further circumstances were disclosed.



The same day, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared that he "learned with shock and sadness" about his fellow diplomat's sudden death.



"Ambassador Churkin was a uniquely skilled diplomat, a powerful orator with great wit, and a man of many talents and interests," Guterres further remarked in a statement.



Prior his last post, Churkin was an ambassador-at-large at his country's Foreign Ministry from 2003 until 2006. He also served as Russia's envoy to Belgium (1994 to 1998) and Canada (1998-2003).



According to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, he was an "outstanding diplomat of modern times."



Churkin, who was born on Feb. 21, 1952, was also a former child actor.



News reports have also stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin was upset over Churkin's death. Local news agencies cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that "the head of state highly valued Churkin's professionalism and diplomatic talent."


Participants discuss at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2016 (Photo : Getty images/ VCG / Contributor)

Mobile World Congress (MWC) has sparked some memories from Samsung Galaxy S phone.Last year, it was the Galaxy S7 and the year before, it was the Galaxy S6.



Additionally, Galaxy S5 rumors were flying three years ago. The Galaxy S4 did not come to the MWC and instead, it was unveiled in New York, four years ago. This year it may also be the same as Samsung brings miscellaneous devices to the MWC and leave the Galaxy S8 for a reveal in March.



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Recollecting the past, four years ago, when the original Sony Xperia Z was unveiled, audience already knew how this story ends - eventually, the Z-series was cancelled, replaced by the X-series and"Replaced" is a big word for the original X group. However, Sony brought Xperia XZ later that became a proper flagship.



February has witnessed greater rise and fall. It was six years ago when Windows Phone 7 was getting basic features like copy and paste. GSM Arena reported. Nokia had a slow start, still gradually, joined the Windows bandwagon. Fortune wasn't kind on the Lumias as price started dropping until Lumia phones were sold for pennies. True that Nokia had a backup - the Android-running Nokia X. That passed away on the vine quickly, yet now the Nokia brand is all in on Android.



The biggest mobile industry trade show of the year, MWC runs from Feb. 27 to Mar. 2 this year. PC Mag reported. It'll be full of new phones as ever, still that's only the beginning: tablets and networks have played major roles in previous years and a lot of AR, VR has expected apart from voice interfaces in 2017.



MWC is a type of show where many things get locked in about two weeks before the event. Motorola won't be single with modular phones in 2017, if the recent rumor about Alcatel is to be trusted. According to Slashgear, Alcatel will have up to five new midrange phones at MWC this year with at least one of them arranged with a removable back system like the Moto Z.






The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced that a group of 74 project teams has attracted more than $1.8 billion in private sector follow-on funding since the agencys founding in 2009. The announcement was made at the eighth annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

In addition, ARPA-E, tasked with supporting transformative innovation in the energy sector, announced that 56 projects have formed new companies, 68 projects have partnered with other government agencies for further development, and an ever-increasing number of technologies have been incorporated into products sold on the market today.

To date, ARPA-E has provided approximately $1.5 billion in R&D funding across more than 580 projects through 36 focused programs and three open funding solicitations. The agency is charged by Congress to maintain US competitiveness in the energy space, which it achieves through targeted support of projects that, if successful, could transform how Americans generate, store and use energy.

The eighth annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit brings together 2,000 attendees from academia, business and government. Featured keynote speakers include Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good, MIT President L. Rafael Reif, and Mithril Capital Management founder and Managing General Partner Ajay Royan. The Technology Showcase will provide a first-hand look at the latest energy innovations including displays from more than 275 ARPA-E technologiesmany making their first public appearance.
Nissan sho wed to the media its real-world testing of next generation autonomous drive prototype vehicles taking place in the east of London.

This is the first time that Nissan has demonstrated its latest autonomous drive technology on public roads in Europe. Nissan has already conducted public-road testing in Japan and the United States to pursue easy-to-use autonomous drive technology in real life situations.

Participants in the passenger and rear seats were given the opportunity to experience the technology, which comprises millimeter wave radar, laser scanners, cameras, high-speed computer chips, and a specialized HMI (Human Machine Interface), among others. All of this helps allow the vehicle to operate in an autonomous manner on both highway and city/urban roads including runabouts once the destination points are entered into the navigation system.

The London test follows recent announcements that both the updated Qashqai and the new Nissan LEAF, both coming in the near future, will be equipped with ProPILOT autonomous drive technology to enable single lane autonomous driving on highways. (Earlier post.) Meanwhile, last year in Japan, Nissan launched the Serena, its first model to be fitted with ProPILOT. In December ProPILOT autonomous drive in the new Nissan Serena won 2016-2017 Japan Car of the Year Innovation Award.
As discussion continues about the future of solid waste service in Green River, Mayor Pete Rust said a decision wont likely come until the spring.

Rust said solid waste is the most talked about topic in regards to the proposed fee increases the city may implement. Solid waste specifically is projected to increase by about $10, the most of any other fee increase, and will experience the greatest change to the service.

The citys landfill will close, requiring the construction of a solid waste transfer station. The closure comes as the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality shifts t...
Political games and a large percentage of new legislators in the Wyoming House of Representatives have made for a trying session for two local legislators.

John Freeman, D-Green River, said a number of representatives have had to learn what they can and cant do in the Wyoming House, learning theyre part of a system some campaigned against. Overall, Freeman said the session has been trying for him. Rep. Stan Blake, D-Green River, agrees with Freemans assessment of the new legislators.

They came in to change everything and theyre realizing theyre a part of the system, not a...
Tronox announced its intent to sell its Green River Alkali business in order to purchase another business.

According to a press release dated Feb. 21, 2017, which was on the companys website www.tronox.com, Tronox Limited (NYSE:TROX) announced a definitive agreement to acquire the TiO2 business of Cristal, a privately held global chemical and mining company, for $1.673 billion cash and Class A ordinary shares representing 24 percent ownership in pro forma Tronox. Concurrently with this announcement, the company announced its intent to begin the process to sell its Alkali business....
When we send this newspaper off to the printers, the Wyoming Legislature will have seven days left to debate and resolve the states biggest issues.

We find that unacceptable.

According to local representatives Stan Blake and John Freeman, the leadership within the house and senate are engaged in political gamesmanship over the outcome of these important issues. This gamesmanship includes the times representatives and senators meet to discuss. Today, the house convened to discuss potential cuts in the states budget at 1:30 p.m., while the senate opted to start its budget discussion at...
Pakitan PM Nawaz Sharif delivering a speech during the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Ceremony on Nov. 13, 2016. (Photo : Getty Images)

China's defense ministry on Thursday rebuffed reports that Chinese troops were conducting patrols in Afghanistan, saying the two countries were only carrying out counter-terrorism operations along their common border.



The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, a think-tank focusing on the Central Asian region, said in a a report on its website earlier this month that Chinese military vehicles were found inside Afghanistan conducting joint patrols alongside their Afghan counterparts.



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That followed similar reports of China's military patrols inside Afghanistan by Indian media outlets in November.



Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said Chinese public security agencies had conducted joint counter-terrorism operations along the China-Afghanistan border.



"This is law enforcement bodies from China and Afghanistan, in accordance with a bilateral agreement on strengthening border law enforcement, conducting cooperation along the border so as to jointly carry out counter-terrorism and to fight against cross-border crime," Ren said in a monthly news briefing.



"Reports in foreign media of Chinese military vehicles patrolling inside Afghanistan do not accord with the facts," he added, largely repeating a similar statement the ministry made in November last year.



China and Afghanistan share a border stretching approximately 76 km (50 mi) across the rugged, mountainous regions of central Asia.



Beijing has long expressed concern over instability in Afghanistan and its potential to spill over the violence-prone Xinjiang region in China's far west.



Home to the Muslim Uighur minority, Xinjiang has experienced a series of terrorist attacks in recent years that the Chinese government has blamed on Islamist militants.



In response, Chinese law enforcement authorities have imposed increasingly stringent security measures including requiring Xinjiang residents to submit DNA samples in order to acquire travel documents and install satellite tracking devices on their vehicles.



China has also partnered with Pakistan and the United States to broker peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, whose insurgency has raged on for 15 years.


A conflict of interest as defined by the Merriam-Websters online dictionary is a conflict between the private interests and the official or professional responsibilities of a person in a position of trust.

A response to the Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miners questions regarding an article we published focused on the ethics of Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater Countys public relations and marketing director having ownership in an online media company perfectly illustrates both the definition of the term conflict of interest and why the relationship is so problematic for MHSC...
GRHS student council sponsor Amanda Santhuff, right, student Elizabeth Wilson, left, and her mom, Sarah McGarvey, wait for the Make-A-Wish results.

More than $60,000 was raised in Sweetwater County for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

During the past two weeks, both the Green River and Rock Springs communities were busy raising as much money as it could for the cause.

Amanda Santhuff, Green River High School Student Council sponsor and language arts teacher, said the totals announced Thursday night were off slightly. The actual totals are $31,314 for Green River and $29,229.51 for Rock Springs, for a grand total of $63,256.11.

Santhuff said it's hard to compare yearly totals because the economy of the communities fluctuates so much from yea...
Two years after states around the country passed an unprecedented number of police reforms after the killing of George Floyd, some are struggling to make the new policies stick. The momentum for change has slowed from its earlier frenetic pace. Some of the reforms have been rolled back or at least tweaked after police complained that the new policies were hindering their ability to catch criminals. Legal experts say police killings of Black people over the last decade  epitomized by Floyds killing  have altered the trajectory of policing. But change has come about unevenly in thousands of police departments across the U.S.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images)

Li Keqiang, China's Premier, said that China is willing to synergize development strategies with Italy to promote a balanced growth of trade and investment. His remarks came after meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.



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Li called on both countries to synergize mid and long-term development plans. Besides this, he also encouraged and enhanced exchanges of innovation policies as well as the cooperation on research and development.



He also suggested that both Italy and China should expand the number of overseas students and interns, exploring cooperation in third markets.



"China is hoping that Italy plays an active role in ensuring that the EU fulfills its obligations under the Protocol on China's Accession to the World Trade Organization," Li stated.



Sergio Mattarella is on a state visit to China last week. He shared that Italy and China share a broad consensus, and enjoy a great potential for cooperation.



Italy is ready to work with China for enhancing high-level exchanges, making new economic cooperation action plan, and exploring cooperation in different areas such as science and technology, innovation, infrastructure construction and environmental protection.



Mattarella said: "I hope the bilateral ties can reach a new level around 2020 when Italy and China will celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Italy is willing to play an active role in EU-China relations."



Mattarella and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to develop China-Italy ties from a long-term strategic perspective, advancing its relationship to a higher level.



The two also signed cooperation documents in innovation, trade, culture, health, science and education.



Zhang Dejiang, top Chinese legislator and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's congress, also met with Mattarrela. He said that the top priority for both countries' legislative bodies is the implementation of the consensus reached by the two presidents.



"Italy supports cooperation between the two legislative bodies and would like to actively participate in the Belt and Road development," Mattarella added.


Before the most epic mix-up in Oscars history occurred in the closing moments of the 89th Academy Awards ... some other things happened, too! Here are the highlights of everything you need to know:

1) Faye Dunaway announced the wrong winner for best picture.

OK, you probably know that, right? The cast of "La La Land" got on stage. Then they were informed "Moonlight" really won. It was mortifying and riveting and totally confusing.

2) Viola Davis's speech.

Davis is famous for amazing speeches, and the Oscars was no exception. Davis, who won best supporting actress for "Fences," earned plenty of cheers from the audience. "People ask me all the time - what kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola? And I say exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories - the stories of the people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams to fruition, people who fell in love and lost," she said, adding, "I became an artist and thank God I did . . . because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life." (Afterward, Kimmel informed the crowd she "won an Emmy" for the speech.)

3) Jimmy Kimmel's monologue.

Kimmel jumped into the political commentary: "I don't have to tell anybody the country is divided right now. I've been getting a lot of advice of people telling me, 'You need to say something to unite us.' Let's just get something straight off the top - I can't do that," he said. "There's only one 'Braveheart' in the room, and he's not going to unite us either, OK?" The camera, of course, cut to Mel Gibson.

4) "The Salesman" director didn't attend - but wrote a scathing statement.

Iran's "The Salesman" won for best foreign language film, though director Asghar Farhadi wasn't there: He said he would not attend the ceremony after President Trump's executive order that blocked people from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, from entering the United States. Instead, Anousheh Ansari (an Iranian-American and the first female private space traveler) delivered a speech on his behalf:

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.," the statement read in part. "Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression."

5) Kimmel's many (many) digs at President Donald Trump.

Though Kimmel took multiple shots during his monologue ("Some of you will get to come up here on this stage tonight and give a speech that the president of the United States will tweet about in all caps during his 5 a.m. bowel movement tomorrow") as well as throughout the show. Kimmel ordered that CNN, the New York Times and Los Angeles Times all be removed from the ceremony and tried to goad Trump by tweeting directly at him on stage.

6) Mahershala Ali's win for best supporting actor.

Ali was a lock to win for best supporting actor for his role in "Moonlight," as a drug dealer who mentors a young boy who is bullied for his sexuality. So while no one was necessarily surprised when his name was called, Ali's sweet speech charmed everyone; he started by joking that his grandmother would want him to button up his jacket, which had come undone. He thanked his teachers as well as his wife, who just gave birth to their daughter four days ago. "I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process ... and really carrying me through it all," he said.

7) Kimmel and Matt Damon continued their feud.

Viewers not in on the years-long "feud" between Kimmel and Damon were probably very confused - but the host antagonized the actor through the show. When Damon presented an award with Ben Affleck, the announcer declared them "Ben Affleck and guest," and played Damon off with music even while he was just presenting.

8) Gary from Chicago.

In another Kimmel bit, he paraded "regular" people into the Dolby Theatre to gawk at the celebrities in the front row. One guy was Gary from Chicago, and he immediately became a meme.

9) Sound mixer Kevin O'Connell won his first Oscar after 21 nominations.

The longest losing streak in Oscar history? It was broken as he finally scored a trophy after 33 years of being nominated: O'Connell won for his work on "Hacksaw Ridge," and dedicated the award to his mother.

10) Celebrity dance moves.

Justin Timberlake opened the show with a performance of "Can't Stop the Feeling!," his high-energy tune from "Trolls" that was nominated for best original song. From Nicole Kidman to Octavia Spencer, stars in the audience couldn't help but dance along - Taraji P. Henson was especially feeling in the music.
GREENSBORO  Burlington detectives hope to be able to investigate homicides more thoroughly after getting a few tips from a neighboring department.

Burlington has had about five homicides the last two years. By contrast, Greensboro police have conducted many more homicide investigtions, and the larger department also has more human and technological resources to devote to its investigations. Its a difference the respective police chiefs, who are friends, have been discussing for a while, and the two have come up with a way to level the investigative playing field. A coming partnership will allow Burlington to shadow Greensboro homicide detectives.

Seeing other ways of doing things is always a good thing, said Chris Verdeck, Burlington assistant chief of police. They probably do things a little differently than we do. One way is not right or wrong.

The Burlington department does not have a dedicated homicide unit. It has four officers and one supervisor in its gang/violent crime unit and six officers in its property crimes unit. Greensboro has about 100 detectives; eight and a supervisor are dedicated strictly to homicides.

A formal agreement between the agencies for the partnership is still being ironed out among the city attorneys. Burlington is hopeful it will be in place within the next few weeks.

We have a few more resources here, our officers have had a few more opportunities to take part in advanced training on a federal level, said Capt. Nathaniel Davis, commander of the Criminal Investigations Division with Greensboro police.

Davis envisions Burlington detectives partnering with Greensboro detectives, going to active crime scenes, working to gather evidence, interviewing people and drafting reports, and helping to get cases ready for possible trial.

He said working with Burlington is important.

To help Burlington gain that knowledge to go after criminals is key, Davis said. Theres value in our cities being so close. We dont want to just shift problems to another city.

Burlington is hopeful its detectives can build skills that often only come with experience.

Interrogation is a skill to master, Verdeck said. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

He also hopes Burlington detectives will learn techniques to deal with victims families, suspects and the community.

Theyre all important roles in an investigation, Verdeck said. If there are new ways to bring information into the department to help, we want to learn them. If we get into a bubble and think we know everything, we can get into trouble.

Verdeck said detectives will participate based on availability and work on a case as long as they had time to do so. He said the detectives would work their regularly scheduled days. Overtime would be paid out of the departments regular budget.

Discussions about the partnership between the two agencies began when Greensboro Chief Wayne Scott and Burlington Chief Jeffrey Smythe began talking over the summer and fall. There are existing mutual aid agreements between the agencies for other things, such as K-9 units and bomb squads, if necessary.

Verdeck said the agreement takes mutual aid step further.

Smythe also wants the detectives to see what Greensboro is doing for evidence handling and data collection.

They may have a different emphasis on techniques, he said. We dont know what we dont know.

Smythe said Burlington has a higher homicide clearance rate than Greensboro, but admits the agency doesnt have nearly the amount of slayings.

This is not the first time Greensboro has assisted Burlington. During the summer, Capt. John Franks with Greensboro police led a team from the agency to train the department on implicit bias techniques, Smythe said. Instructors conducted training for more than a week for Burlington officers and other agencies in the area.

The term refers to attitudes and stereotypes that unconsciously affect our understanding, actions and decisions. The training helped officers understand the impact of power and privilege of bias, Verdeck said. Once officers understand it, they can work through it. He said it also plays into de-escalating potential situations.

That was the spark, Smythe said. Theyve been a good neighbor and share training with us.
GREENSBORO  Management at Four Seasons Town Centre spent last week reviewing security procedures with tenants following the fatal shooting of a man, but dont anticipate the incident will have any long-term effects on the mall.

Greensboro police said Westley Tyler Tugman, 33, of Lenoir, was leaving a store after shopping with his 13-year-old niece about 1:25 p.m. Feb. 18 when someone tried to rob him.

Tugman and his niece had left the mall through JCPenney and were heading toward their car in the parking lot near Vanstory Street, according to police.

They made it to their car, where a man with a gun tried to rob Tugman, police said. The assailant shot Tugman once in the torso. His niece was not hurt.

Robia Gross, Four Seasons general manager, said in an email that the mall did not close while the shooting was being investigated because the incident didnt jeopardize the safety of shoppers.

Gross added that the mall has implemented new security measures, but declined to disclose them because she said that could compromise safety efforts.

It is very disheartening when an incident happens that jeopardizes the peaceful environment we strive to create for our community, Gross said in the email. In addition, Ive been spending a lot of time this week visiting with tenants in their stores to revisit security procedures and keep the means of communication open.

Capt. Nathaniel Davis of the Greensboro Police Department said last week that there had been no other homicides at the mall in the past five years. But in that same time period, there have been three aggravated assaults. Those assaults did not involve firearms, Davis said. He also said there were two calls at the mall for shots fired in the last five years, one in 2014 and one in 2015.

The shooting comes as Four Seasons, the citys only indoor mall, is transforming. Indoor malls have lost popularity to so-called lifestyle centers such as Friendly Center  viewed by some shoppers as more efficient and convenient  and Four Seasons has struggled in recent years with store closings as well as the reputation of being a mall more for teenagers and young adults.

Last year, Dillards renovated and moved into the space that Belk previously occupied, and the mall is working to fill the old Dillards space.

Gross said she does not think the shooting will have an impact on Four Seasons ability to recruit new tenants, adding that the mall is working with its owner  Chicago-based General Growth Properties  to evolve and meet shoppers needs.

Our real estate is in a great location surrounded by prominent destinations in the city and we absolutely enjoy being a focal part of the community, she said.
GREENSBORO  Pam Osborne was doing yard work Sunday when she saw something glittering in the leaves.

It turned out to be the cell phone case that belonged to Diana Sanchez Varela, 15, the Southern Guilford High student who was killed in a car wreck Friday afternoon. Osborne, 60, found the white cell phone a few feet away. She said it was about 200 yards from where the crash happened, near her front yard at 3353 Wall Road.

The case got my attention because it was sparkling, Osborne said. It had glitter stars floating in it that caught in the sun.

Funeral services for Varela will be held in Greensboro on Tuesday. She was riding in a car driven by another 15-year-old that overturned in a single-vehicle wreck.

Osborne said she knew it was Varelas phone because officials were near the area Friday afternoon, asking if anyone had seen a white cell phone, she said.

Varela, a resident of Greensboro, was killed when the Chrysler 300M sedan in which she was riding went off Wall Road near Osborne Road and hit a ditch, overturning, the N.C. Highway Patrol said.

She was one of five Southern Guilford High students in the car when it crashed about 12:15 p.m. near the school, which is at 5700 Drake Road.

Preliminary reports are that Varela, who was riding in the backseat, wasnt wearing a seat belt and was ejected partially through the sunroof of the car. She died at the scene.

Other passengers fled, authorities said, and the driver, whose name hasnt been released, was taken to Moses Cone Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Osborne saw the aftermath of the wreck. She called it one of the worst things shes ever seen.

When I close my eyes, I can see (Varela), she said. The girl who was driving was hysterical. I tried to hug her. It was a terrible, terrible thing. My heart just hurts.

Osborne gave the phone to one of Varelas cousins, who came to the scene of the wreck Sundayafternoon, she said. The cousin told her the family is a mess.

Im praying for that whole family, Osborne said.

She said she urges people to slow down and wear seat belts.

A service for Varela will be at 11 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church at 812 Duke St. in Greensboro, the church has confirmed. The service will be conducted in Spanish.

The name of the driver hasnt been released. The case has been referred to juvenile court, the Highway Patrol said.

Additional details about the driver remain unavailable. N.C. driving laws stipulate that 15-year-olds who have a graduated license are not permitted by law to drive with anyone other than a supervising driver.

Additionally, no one but the driver and a supervising driver are permitted to ride in the front seats. State law defines the supervisor as a parent or legal guardian, a grandparent or an adult approved by a parent or legal guardian.

Its unclear if this driver had a provisional license. A phone call to the Highway Patrol was not returned immediately.

Counselors have been available at the school for the girls classmates since Friday and will be on campus as long as needed, a school spokeswoman said.
GREENSBORO  Multiple lanes of Interstate 85 Bypass eastbound near the Elm-Eugene Street exit are closed as officials tend to a person found injured in the roadway.

Earlier, a police news release erroneously stated that it was a section of Interstate 40 eastbound near the Elm-Eugene Street exit.

According to a police news release, the far-left road lane is open, however, police are urging motorists to avoid the area.

GREENSBORO  Multiple lanes of Interstate 40 eastbound near the Elm-Eugene Street exit are closed as officials tend to a person found injured in the roadway.

According to a police news release, the far-left road lane is open, however, traffic is moving slowing and backing up quickly.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area by using alternate travel routes.

Police are investigating the incident.

Officials cannot estimate when all lanes will be re-opened.
If you live in North Carolina and are applying to college, you now have to prove that youre a state resident only once.

Prospective college students can now visit a website  ncresidency.org  to confirm that they live in North Carolina.

North Carolinas public universities and community colleges use residency to determine how much tuition to charge students. (Out-of-state students pay a lot more.) Some students at private colleges can qualify for scholarships if they live in North Carolina.

The new tool is administered by the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, the state agency that administers North Carolinas college financial aid and savings programs.

Traditionally, students have had to prove their North Carolina residency on each college application  a cumbersome process that wasnt always applied consistently.

Many of the loudest complaints came from veterans who owned or rented homes in North Carolina but were turned down for in-state tuition because they had been stationed out of state. In 2012, an Iraq War veteran who moved back to North Carolina to attend graduate school sued the UNC system after one university said she was an in-state resident and another school said she wasnt.

In 2013, the General Assembly ordered the states public and private colleges to centralize the process. That led to the creation of the N.C. Residency Determination Service.

Prospective college students now fill out one online survey to determine their residency. All North Carolina colleges and universities use the same results and no longer have to figure out on their own where students live.

A handful of private colleges began using the new system in December. Most of the UNC schools, including N.C. A&T and UNC-Greensboro, started steering applicants to the website last week. It wont be available to community college students until later this year.

To be certified as an in-state student for tuition and scholarship purposes, college students must have lived in North Carolina for at least a year without interruption before claiming residency.

Students can show proof of residency through multiple means, such as with a drivers license, voter registration, property ownership or whether they live with their parents in North Carolina.

The states education assistance authority says the new system will be more efficient, accurate and consistent than the previous approach.

(It) alleviates the need for students to answer questions on multiple institutional applications and ensures consistency for tuition purposes and financial aid consideration, Elizabeth McDuffie, the education agencys executive director, said in a statement.
MWC 2017 Brings Back Nokia 3310 Packed with Long Battery Life, Color Display and Snake at $52 (Photo : Image Credit: Nokia)

The rumors proved correct - the Nokia 3310 is back with touches of 2017 phone standards. The device introduced by HMD Global via the MWC 2017 in Barcelona, Spain boasts of a 2.4-inch color display, a slimmer build compared to the 2000 version and a battery that could last for a month.



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HMD said that the 2017 Nokia 3310 will sell for 49 or roughly $52 and there will be four color options to choose from - red, blue, yellow and grey. From the monochrome display of the original version, the sequel is now with a QVGA resolution that obviously will not elicit jaw-dropping reactions. But to be sure, the toned-down display specifications serve the solid assurance that the 3310 will operate longer than the Apple iPhone or any other Android flagships.



Reuters reported that talk-time on the resurrected 3310 will last up to 22 hours on a single charge and on stand-by, for at least a month. Such feature is likely to make the device downright attractive in key emerging markets where flagship devices are mostly regarded as luxury.



Reintroducing the Nokia 3310 is obviously a play to the brand's once dominant status that HMD Global hopefully want to gain traction with. As one analyst told Reuters: "Relying on the success of the 3310 helps it grab the attention of many people who are familiar with Nokia but think it is dead."



And getting out a device package that is easy on the pocket seems to right thing to do for HMD with the company making sure that buying the Nokia 3310 will be an easy decision to make. Why not as the phone is brimming with the handset functionalities that really matter to users - it can call, text and even shoot some pics thanks to a 2-megapixel main camera.



The design even is an eye-candy with a curved display and keypad layout that seem to accentuate the lively color options mentioned above. Also, HMD engineers included a microSD slot that allows additional 32GB of extra memory to the on-board 16MB, WCCFTech reported.



To complete the nostalgia treat, the return of the Nokia 3310 also marked the re-entry of the classic Snake game that HMD also tweaked to give it a current feel.



Now the big question is: Will the new Nokia 3310 beat the original? It will be a tall order, according to Reuters, noting that the 2000 version is acknowledged as the 12th bestselling phone of all time with 126 million units cleared.



The Nokia 3310 release date is set between March and April 2017 with select European countries as initial destinations.






REIDSVILLE  For Feb. 6 to 12, Andrea Stellini of the Italian private school Collegio Rotondi got a taste of Rockingham County while staying in the Reidsville home of local Carlisle School student Samantha Rourk.

Stellini, along with 12 other Collegio Rotondi students, came to visit in the United States and live with Americans as part of their schools annual exchange program. At the end of March, the roles will flip as seven Carlisle students, including Rourk, and a college counselor fly over to Italy for 10 days to visit Milan, Verona, Venice, Rome and possibly Switzerland.

Its been amazing, Rourk said. And, for them to come over here, I feel like (Ive made) lifelong friendships, you know? I will always have connections to Italy now.

The Italian guests arrived in the area on Feb. 6 and made the most of their time up until they left for the next leg of their American adventure on Feb. 12.

With activities ranging from checking out museums in Martinsville to bowling in Danville to game nights in, the American hosts gave the visitors a wide glance at life in the United States.

Rourk even had the opportunity to introduce them to an American tradition that they had never experience.

They hadnt done a bonfire and marshmallows, she said.  Tuesday night, after we got back, because Tuesday was kind of an early day, we went to our friends house in Bassett, Virginia, and we had a big bonfire and we roasted marshmallows and had barbecue. They have barbecue over there, but its different.

One hurdle the students faced was communication.

Theres definitely been a language barrier, so weve had to work around that, Rourk said. You have to talk really slow, and sometimes you have to say stuff in Spanish so you mix three languages. Its been wild.

Nevertheless, the Italians were able to speak enough English to hold conversations with their American hosts.

According to Stellini and his classmates Silvia Cortinouis and Andrea Macchi, the trip was a learning experience.

We learned the culture of another country, like American is different to Italian tradition, said Macchi, the only one of the three who had never visited the United States.

He added that even the time spent in school is scheduled differently.

We study seven hours a day and we dont have a break, Macchi said. We have only a break of ten minutes and one of fifty minutes to lunch. In our school, we have a lesson in the afternoon, two hours, two days of the week on Tuesday and Thursday.

At Carlisle, students have an hour for lunch, but many also have an hour long study hall in which they can work or, if theyre finished, talk among friends.

For Cortinouis, the trip was daunting.

Ten days in America, not Europe, different things, different culture, she said. I have to stay in the house of people I dont know.

Nevertheless, they still enjoyed their time in North Carolina and Virginia.

I enjoy very much the States, Stellini said. I have been there another three or maybe four times. Its always a nice thing to share what you do with another people, with another culture and traditions. Its all very different.

With the hosting period over, the seven Carlisle students are now preparing for their trip abroad where Rourk will stay with Stellini in his home.

Im kind of nervous becauseI dont know, Rourk said. I love travelling but its going to be a lot different over there. Im excited though.
Advocates, investors and entrepreneurs believe that the profile of marijuana users will change now that cannabis is legal. They all have one thing in common -- wanting to make money from the new cannabis consumer.

Many of the cannapreneurs Ive spoken with are hopeful that new business data will enable the industry to monitor the change in the color, age and socio-economic background of cannabis users. Thats not necessarily the case.

Beyond all the speculation, there are also some undeniable realities that have to be factored in.

Facts are facts

Cannabis has been legalized for adult use in four more states, but the overall sample size is still small. That alone makes most generalizations about the market sketchy at best.

Trying to nail down real numbers on an illegal market is tough. Nevertheless, limited research suggests that marijuana consumers fall into the following groups:

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, most measures of marijuana use by 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders have held steady in the past few years following several years of increase in the previous decade.

German Lopez, writing for Vox, says, contrary to some stereotypes, college graduates account for around 17 percent of marijuana use, although they make up about 29 percent of the adult population.

Lopez continues to quote Stanfords Keith Humphreys who says, marijuana use very much mirrors tobacco use: it's clustered among lower social classes.

That leaves 47 percent of the market dominated by adults without college educations.

Among the problems is that the numbers depend on self-disclosure. As a result, it's very possible there will be some users denying it, and others exaggerating or minimizing their use.

Related: Congressional Cannabis Caucus Unites to Protect Marijuana Industry

The Colorado model

Colorados sales taxes for 2015 represent a picture of the future that looks as follows:

73.7 percent increase of Total Marijuana Tax Transfers and Distributions including a 76.3 percent increase on Retail Marijuana sales.

4.2 percent increase in License and Application Fees

Mike Elliott, the executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group, takes the position that, Coloradans are proving they prefer to buy cannabis from the regulated, legal industry rather than the black market. And, these numbers would make that case.

Related: San Diego Company Bids to Become First Marijuana Business on NYSE

On the other hand, the legal market will stratify customers. For example, supply and demand will set prices in time, but the tax structure adds local sales tax, special sales tax and excise taxes. In a Denver Post article it was stated that, All together, thats nearly 29 percent.

NPR observes, With recreational marijuana use now legal in Colorado, marijuana businesses are finding themselves competing for customers in tight marketplaces. They have recognized the potential among the middle-class and upper-middle class where it might be possible to make marijuana as fashionable as wine tasting. That market segment would be consistent with the pricing, and it would compete with the stoner image long associated with consumption.

Broadly mainstreaming and destigmatizing the use of cannabis really begins with evolving behavior and priorities on the supply, more than the demand, side of the market. "Until cannabis-based enterprises commit to professionalizing their operations -- the most existentially crucial imperative of which is maintaining regulatory compliance -- it will be more difficult to establish the levels of consumer trust and confidence characteristic of more mature and conventional industries," assesses Sturges Karban, CEO and board member of MJIC, a cannabis business strategy and investment firm. "This, in turn, can only encumber the explosive growth we've experienced recently, rendering the market more a "marketplace" than a fully-formed industry."

Related: Senators Push Treasury Department to Loosen Marijuana Banking Restrictions

Cannabis quality as part of product marketing

There is some hope that the marketing style will attract those who have been indecisive. If it promises a quality product and supervised seed-to-sales purity, it could lose the taint of the street dealer.

I think this only happens when we begin as an industry collectively agree upon a consistent branding and awareness approach and until we discontinue calling cannabis anything else. Calling it marijuana not only devalues the impact cannabis has in branding, but also for creating new profit centers in business, state and local governments.

"The greatest opportunity for normalization of cannabis consumption is to raise the standard of branding, marketing, and communications in the cannabis industry," remarks Krista Whitley, CEO of Social Media Unicorn. "I have great hope that as the industry grows established and new brands will raise the bar for all aspects, so premium cannabis brands begin to reflect the polish of premium brands other industries are known for."

The real task will be to get the buy in. But I believe in this market if we all desire to see sustainability then we will agree this is strategic part of the awareness in the community is crucial to any forecasting of longevity as traction is gained in this space.

In addition, we need to be more precise about cannabis, following the Colorado model across each state. To the point where we are able to determine origins and destinations, and verification of patient identification for patient health and safety by delivering the prescribed medication without misidentification, or human error, we stamp every part of the process.

Every day in California, cannabis makes it's way to the shelves of our dispensaries without the consumer truly knowing where it came from, how it was grown or what contaminants it may contain. Some dispensaries require pesticide and microbial testing, but this is due to their own good business practices rather than state requirement. Historically, all lab testing has been done for potency and used primarily for marketing purposes, instead of health and safety.

Now, all of this will change with the passing of the Medical Marijuana and Safety Act (MMRSA) and the Adult Use Marijuana Act (AUMA). Written into both of these laws are "track and trace" programs that require all businesses to use a unique identifier, such as a batch and lot number or bar code, to identify and track medical cannabis and its products.

Many industries use this model to create efficiency in regulatory compliance, tax accounting, and overall costs of sales, distribution, and accounting. Will those same efficiency be applicable to the cannabis industry as a whole, or will this regulated supply chain increase costs? "While all of these new procedures will incur costs, the continued drop in the wholesale price of cannabis will offset most of these costs and they will not be passed on or felt by the end consumer," predicts Matt Lee, co-founder of Jetty Extracts.

Much greater complexity and consequence are rapidly coming to define the California's regulatory framework. Failing to plan for that now will only make doing so difficult in the future. A group of industry experts and audience of eager learners are gathering in San Diego, March 5 - 8th, to discuss this very thing at the 3rd annual California Cannabis Business Expo produced by MJIC.

We are doing big things out here, join us at the #CalCanBizExpo and see what its all about https://t.co/vEBBsygBOq pic.twitter.com/x8UUUwcquj  MJIC (@MJICInc) February 17, 2017

Related: Cannabis Stock Index Grew 236% In 2016

"All industry stakeholders need to be informed; we are only ten months from a seismic shift in the ways this industry has been governed, licensed, audited, taxed, and regulated," Karban continues. "It is in the best interest of every industry stakeholder to ensure they are fully educated and prepared for the forthcoming changes in Californias regulatory regime."

This adds increased safety and peace of mind to the old mindset. This is the only way we will see true sustainability is to have this regulated, it generates a larger target audience, and certainly establishes credibility as more are participating in cannabis use for medical reasons.

In addition, for the first time, states are capturing data, from seed to patient, this marks the beginning of true valuations, and forecasts not only for revenue, but also broken down into strain identifications, what destinations receive the greatest amount of product, So much data is coming in, this is how we can anticipate market fluctuation.

But this data is not yet entirely refined. A few more issues that complicate profiling the consumer in a state like Colorado include:

Tourists are responsible for large percentage increases in the ski resort cities where, you might infer, the income is upscale.

Colorado cities may ban sales, so statistics are not strictly local or qualitative.

Sales of medical marijuana have seen increased trending generally parallel to the increases in recreational use.

What are the many faces of legal cannabis?

The numbers simply arent there to narrowly profile users. Despite significant increases in sales, as demonstrated in Colorado, there is not enough evidence to identify users by gender, ethnicity or social class.

While national studies have examined use and frequency, those numbers have only produced broad characteristics. And, given the numbers now available, there is no evidence of a great shift from those profiles.

If you factor in the reality that wide retail sales remain limited and controlled, there is no free market. And, if you accept how recent the legalized industry came to be, it becomes very easy to understand how difficult it is to identify anything statistically significant.

At this point, it remains to be seen what focused and well-funded marketing will do to change the faces of cannabis users.

Related:

How Do We Measure the Statistical Significance of Legal Cannabis?

Here's Where Colorado Spends Its Skyrocketing Pot Tax Revenue

Congressional Cannabis Caucus Unites to Protect Marijuana Industry



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Chinese HQ-9 SAM battery. (Photo : PLA)

China is escalating its preparations for war and is close to completing the construction of some two dozen covered emplacements protecting its surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries on its seven man-made and militarized islands in the South China Sea.



American media reports U.S. government officials as saying the new emplacements have retractable roofs that open to allow truck mounted SAMs such as the HQ-9 to fire. HQ-9 batteries are known to have been emplaced on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracel Islands (also claimed by Vietnam) in the South China Sea.



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A typical HQ-9 battery consists of one Type 305B search radar; one tracking radar; one 200 kW Diesel generator truck and eight Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs), each with 4 missiles for a total of 32 missiles ready to fire. This hardware is usually mounted on Taian TA580/TAS5380 trucks.



The HQ-9 missile has a slant range of 200 km and carries a 180 kg warhead.



Military analysts said the new protected emplacements can be considered a military escalation by China. This escalation effectively challenges the anti-China Donald Trump to respond.



"This is part of their effort to eventually control that First Island Chain in the South China Sea and assert their claim, even though they have been completely repudiated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on the Law of the Sea Treaty, of which they are a member," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.



Other analysts say this new development is another step in China's recent attempts to further militarize the islands by building facilities for storing weapons and military equipment.



In December 2016, China admitted to deploying short-range air defense weapons, including anti-aircraft artillery, to the disputed Spratly Islands.



The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington in December released images of the new fortifications through its Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI). The images showed "large antiaircraft guns and probable close-in weapons systems," meant to engage cruise missile.



AMTI said the reinforcement shows that Beijing "is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea.


Photo: Brent Hofacker/Getty Images

New Yorks doughnut scene is clearly thriving, and its not without quality spots to satisfy a pierogi fix. But while the citys food culture owes a major debt to Polands Jewish cuisine, paczki  fat doughnuts typically served this time of year  have never found the following here that they do in cities like Detroit. This is a shame; they are excellent. The orb-shaped pastries are made with a rich dough enriched by egg and lard; theyre like the jelly doughnuts you know and love, but extra. Luckily, theyre still being offered at some spots as specials for Fat Tuesday (a.k.a. Mardi Gras, a.k.a. tomorrow). If youve never had them, or youve never really found them in NYC, heres where to go.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine

The food truck takes its sugar-dusted doughnuts to Midtown West for Fat Thursday, and will be selling them again on Fat Tuesday. Theyre very much in demand, though, so to guarantee you get yours, preorder them by calling 347-469-8867 or emailing oldtraditionalpolishcuisine@yahoo.com.

Northside Bakery

At its locations in Williamsburg and Glendale, the pastry shop offers its paczki with jelly, coconut, and powdered-sugar, and also glazed or chocolate-covered.

Polish G.I. Delicatessen

Among the holdovers of the old Ukrainian Village, this small deli deep-fries its doughnuts and stuffs them with jellies like raspberry and strawberry, or prune and raspberry.

Rzeszowska Bakery

The Greenpoint spot might be known for its babka, but it makes a popular paczki with the traditional rose jam and  Americanizing it  Boston cream.

Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop

Brooklyns favorite doughnut shop might not be Polish-owned, but it joins in the fun with its historically Polish community over in Greenpoint. It offers the treat with these fillings: raspberry jam, rose jam, custard, and prune, as well as glazed or rolled in sugar.
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Meet the future of Sony flagships - well, what will be future. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium and its 5.5 4K are scheduled to land in late Spring while the smaller 5.2 Sony Xperia XZs will arrive earlier (in April) to dazzle us with its cool new camera, which Sony will be marketing as Motion Eye.

Thats what Sony calls the camera used on both the XZ Premium and XZs. Its crowning achievement is 960fps slow motion video - that allows to slow down time 4x slower than current cameraphones. It also features an anti-distortion shutter which minimizes rolling shutter. Both features are enabled by Sonys unique memory-stacked sensor. The slow-mo video is captured at 720p, though, not 1080p.



Sony Xperia XZ Premium

But hold on, we almost buried the lede - the Xperia XZ Premium will be powered by a Snapdragon 835 chipset (we guess thats the reason behind the delayed launch). The chipset is hooked up to 4GB of RAM and will run Android 7.0, natch.

4K screens are back, this time around with a much-improved 5.5 panel that supports HDR imagery. Thats a world first in a smartphone (but Amazon already has plenty of content you can enjoy). Besides the wider dynamic range, the new Triluminos display is 40% brightness than the Xperia Z5 Premium panel.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium a Glass Loop Surface (Gorilla Glass 5, specifically) that wraps around the whole phone. The phone is waterproof (IP68) but prone to sinking - at 195g, its quite hefty for a 5.5 phone.

Anyway, inside the body is a 3,230mAh battery with QuickCharge 3.0 to fill it up and Qnovo tech to prolong its life. Charging happens over a USB-C port, by the way. The Power button will double as a fingerprint reader though it will be disabled in some regions.

When asked about price, Sony offered only the evasive answer Dependant on region and operators. The color options are creatively named Luminous Chrome and Deepsea Black.

Well keep the intro for this one short because we have so much more to say about Sonys new camera. Basically, the Xperia XZs is an XZ with Motion Eye camera, which means a 5.2 1080p screen and Snapdragon 820 chipset (but RAM was bumped up to 4GB). There.

The camera whose name references the webcams of Vaio laptops is built around a 19MP sensor (1/2.3) sitting behind a 25mm (equiv.) f/2.0 lens. Its backed by Predictive and Laser autofocus, plus an RGBC-IR sensor for natural color rendering.

It can record 4K video, of course, and features SteadyShot 5-axis digital stabilization. Also, we heare that Sony has improved the Panorama mode, increasing the resolution and improving the UI. Theres more, but well leave it for the hands-on - the Motion Eye camera deserves more attention!

Were not done talking about cameras, its just that were moving to the front. The selfie cam on both the Xperia XZs and the XZ Ultra is borrowed from the XZ - thats the fairly impressive 13MP (1/3.06) sensor with a 22mm wide-angle lens.

Now were done. Since it doesnt have to wait for the S835 to become available, the Sony Xperia XZs will launch earlier - in April. Colors are Warm Silver, Ice Blue and... Black.

Oof, it was a struggle to keep this article at a decent length - those eager to learn more can jump over to the hands-on post. Would you believe we're still not done talking about the camera?
Chinese College Girls Targeted by Loan Sharks Demanding Nude Pics, Sex Tapes for Borrowed Money (Photo : Getty Images)

China could soon crackdown on college campus loan operators that reportedly focus on college girls. In exchange for borrowed money, the victims were required to submit nude pictures and sex videos depicting them in lewd situations, a new report said.



The extorted private photos and clips were used by loan sharks, or lenders that charge excessive interest fees, as pawned items to ensure repayment, Nikkei Asia Review reported. In many cases, the loans went unpaid and the explicit items ended up being leaked on the internet.



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There were instances too that students were given extensions or provided additional loans but these came with a heavy price. "Lenders even demanded videos of students masturbating in exchange for extending a deadline or for more loans to repay the original debt," the Nikkei report said.



One case cited was that of college student named Wang Xiaoshu. Harassed by loan sharks for debts that ran for thousands of dollars, Ms. Wang attempted suicide but fortunately survived. "I don't want to live anymore," the report quoted the victim as saying.



Nikkei said campus loan services or xiaoyuandai have been targeting college girls believed to be financially vulnerable and seek them out on social media platforms. In addition to the demanded nude pictures and clips, the victims were also made to surrender to their personal and contact details.



It is assumed that the latter information will be used when collecting debt payment.



The report indicated too that many may have been victimized by the loan sharks, going by the cited research data that said three out of four college students in China were struggling financially. And nearly 40 percent of the young students were deemed to have resorted to borrowing money from the so-called xiaoyuandai despite the risks.



Nikkei said that with no access to traditional and safe lending platforms, many students have been constrained to borrow money from underground providers. Around 50 percent have reported turning to online money lending services in order to finance their daily needs while studying, the report said.



And it appears that Chinese authorities have acknowledged of vulnerable college girls falling prey to loan sharks as a "growing problem." The issue "is expected to be tabled at the National People's Congress due to kick off in March," Nikkei said on its report.






Haiti - Culture : The presidential couple officially opens the 2017 National Carnival





Sunday at the Hotel La Cayenne in Les Cayes, President Jovenel Moise, accompanied by his wife Martine, the Mayor of the City of Les Cayes, Gabriel Fortune and the President of the Organizing Committee of the Carnival, Claudel Dumas, has officially opened the 2017 National Carnival (26, 27 and 28 February), which takes place this year around the theme "Tet kole pou gran Sid leve kanpe".



In the presence of members of the Municipal Council, Deputy of Cayes, Clauvy Robas, members of the Committee, the team of designers involved in costume making and other members of the community, the Head of State declared Carnival is a way for me to witness to the people of the South the solidarity and their courage after the passage of Hurricane Matthew [...] The Haitian carnival is an exceptional moment when all the sons of Haiti, all the social strata combined, as well as the foreign tourists, mix. This is the time to show the world what we have best at home," inviting the Haitians to unite their strength, to work in love, mutual respect, with honor and sincerity, to build a stronger country before adding "One of our greatest pride is our culture. We must protect it. Carnival presents an important part of our culture. Ayibobo for artists, for our culture. Ayibobo for Haiti."



President Moise then greeted Queen Clermina Platel and King Wildy Charles of the National Carnival, as well as all the young people chosen by the Carnival Committee, convinced that they have become ambassadors of the Cayenne youth and that they must remain for it of models.



In his speech, Deputy Clauvy Robas congratulated the Head of State who, through this carnival, wanted to show his solidarity with the people of the South "We dance, we solidarize, and also realize a little bit of money." For his part, Mayor Fortune thanked the President of the Republic for choosing his commune to organize the national carnival festivities and the First Lady for her entire contribution to the success of the carnival of children this year. He also congratulated all those who helped make the event possible, including the citizens of the city, the private sector, State partner institutions, the hotel sector of the South and the artistic and cultural sector.



On this first fat day, 23 queens and 18 kings paraded on allegorical floats, several dozen disguised groups and walking bands and twenty musical floats animated the first fat day in Les Cayes for the pleasure of several dozen thousands of carnavaliers...



Follow like every year the Carnival on HaitiLibre.com during the three fat days.



To learn more about Sacurity at Carnival :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20193-haiti-carnivals-half-of-the-country-s-police-force-mobilized.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Culture : The RAM Group will not participate in the Port-au-Prince Carnival





Sunday, the Mayor of Port-au-Prince and the Organizing Committee of the Carnival announced that the Musical Group RAM, previously retained to participate in the Carnival [and announced in the Sunday publicity] will not be part of the party for reasons beyond their control.



The Mayor and the Committee wish to emphasize that their numerous efforts in conjunction with the RAM Group to have a company capable of ensuring the sound of the group on time have proved unsuccessful, in addition the Committee recalls that the budgetary constraints [reduction of the budget from 200 million to 80 million Gourdes https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20194-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html ] to which it is faced led it to make difficult and courageous choices.



"The Mayor and the Organizing Committee apologize to the RAM Group, the Carnavaliers of the disappointment that could result from the absence of the group on the course of the carnival parade in Port-au-Prince and wishes everyone a happy Carnival 2017."



Meringue 2017 Carnival : Savalouwe of RAM Group







However, beyond these "official explanations", Richard Auguste Morse the leading figure of the RAM Group has a position divergent. Indeed, Saturday, on the Twitter account of RAM, managed largely by Richard Morse, he suggested that relations with the Organizing Committee was rather bad, he accused the mayor of Port-au-Prince of using the name of RAM to promote its carnival in advertising on the festivities claiming on Twitter "RAM pa gen char. RAM pat janm gen char. Tout se manti."



HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





RTNH functional again in Les Cayes

Sunday, National Television Radio of Haiti (RTNH) announced to the public of Les Cayes that it resumes broadcasting throughout the city and its surroundings, following the suspension of its activities following the damage caused by hurricane Matthew in the great South of the country last October.



Starting on Sunday, February 26, all citizens of Les Cayes can again receive the signals of the RTNH without difficulty. The RTNH thanks the Cayenne people for their patience.



No Oscar for "I Am Not Your Negro"

"I Am Not Your Negro" documentary by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck nominated for the Oscars https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19899-icihaiti-cinema-raoul-peck-nominated-for-an-oscars.html , as not a winner at the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday. The Oscar for best documentary film was awarded to "O.J .: Made in America" by Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19899-icihaiti-cinema-raoul-peck-nominated-for-an-oscars.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-18827-icihaiti-movies-raoul-peck-was-acclaimed-at-the-toronto-film-festival.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19471-haiti-cinema-i-am-not-your-negro-by-raoul-peck-best-documentary-of-the-year.html



Meeting Mexico / PNH

A fruitful working session was held between Michel-Ange Gedeon, the Director General and Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Mexican Ambassador to Haiti Jose Luis Alvarado. Strong of the work carried out by the PNH in the recent elections, Mexico, through its Ambassador offered its cooperation to the police institution. Ambassador Alvarado expressed his impatience to bring the contribute of his countryto the development of the PNH.



Carnival : Cautionary advice from Senator Etienne

"Good Carnival to all people who celebrate. Think that if you drive not to drink. If you have drunk do not drive !" Dieudonne Luma Etienne, Senator (North).



"Happy Carnival to all Haitians"

On Sunday, President of the Republic Jovenel Moise and First Lady Martine Moise, officially launched the national carnival 2017 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20212-haiti-culture-the-presidential-couple-officially-opens-the-2017-national-carnival.html "Happy carnival to all Haitians, especially to the cayenne population. Mutual respect and solidarity during the three days," Jovenel Moise.



Follow like every year the Carnival on HaitiLibre.com during the three fat days.



Haiti jury member of the carnival of Guadeloupe

For the first time, Haiti is a member of the jury of the carnival of Guadeloupe and is represented by Ken Duval, the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries. While the national carnival is in full swing at Les Cayes, the Haitian delegation has just finished its first course at the carnival parade of Guadeloupe https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20196-icihaiti-culture-haiti-in-the-parade-of-the-carnival-of-guadeloupe.html . Note that the costumes are signed by the Haitian stylist Jenny Casimir and were sponsored by the Haitian Ministry of Tourism.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/02/26

Find out where to go all around Korea to learn the language, Lee Min-ho honoured for helping to boost Korea's image, a new report puts South Korea at the top globally in terms of life expectancy, and 10 Magazine has some great suggestions about where to learn Taekwondo in Seoul.

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"WHERE TO FIND KOREAN LEARNING CLASSES AROUND KOREA"

Although it's by no means essential when visiting Korea, many people speak English and are used to dealing with visitors, learning the language is a wonderful way to really get to know the people and their culture. As David Carruth notes in his introduce, "Most expats in Korea have had the grand idea of learning the local language when they arrive, or at least picking up enough phrases to get by", but many get derailed somewhere alone the way. In this post on 10 Magazine, you'll hear more about this phenomenon, as well as learn about the various Korean classes you can commit to around the country to avoid failure.

...READ ON 10 MAGAZINE

"Lee Min-ho wins top award for boosting Korea's brand"

Lee Min-ho ("Bounty Hunters", "The Legend of the Blue Sea", "Gangnam Blues") was recently awarded the grand prize at the 2017 National Brand Awards. The organisation aims to "recognize individuals and corporations for their contributions to enhancing the country's image". Last year the award wen to figure skater Kim Yuna and actress Kim Soo-hyun. Congratulations, Min-ho!

...READ ON KOREA HERALD

"South Korea will take lead in life expectancy by 2030, study predicts"

Maybe its the kimchi, but a recent suggests that in 2020 South Koreans will have the longest life expectancy in the world. South Korea women are expected to live to the ripe old age of 90, while their male counterparts can aim for 84 revolutions around the sun-"But the study authors believe this gap between the sexes is now shrinking as lifestyles become more similar".

...READ ON CNN

"ENGLISH-SPEAKING TAEKWONDO CLASSES IN SEOUL"

Signing up for Taekwondo lessons is a great way to experience an action-packed side of South Korean culture. If you are concerned about the language barrier, you need not be, because there are plenty of English-speaking classes you can take part in. Taekwondo is national sport that really tests your body, but, as writer Jennifer Euesden notes, it is also "unique because it develops a state of mind which is controlled, humble and kind".

...READ ON 10 MAGAZINE
Looks like "Legend of the Blue Sea" actor Lee Min Ho and "Dream High" actress Suzy Bae might be tying the knot sooner than expected. Rumors suggest the famous celebrity couple will be Mr. and Mrs. within the next few weeks.



Rumors about the couple's marriage have been doing the rounds ever since both their agencies confirmed in a statement obtained by All Kpop that they were in a relationship. There is also a lot of conjecture among fans that the famous celebrity couple is ready to settle down.



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As a matter of fact, there were reports claiming that Lee and the Miss A member had already tied the knot in a secret wedding. It was also reported that the pair was spotted wearing rings on their wedding finger. However, those reports were neither confirmed nor denied.



The wedding rumors picked up the pace after a Facebook page titled "Random Photos" started sharing pictures of Suzy on Feb. 25, Saturday, with the caption, "Fiancee of Lee Min Ho." The post amassed thousands of likes and shared within a matter of hours, leading many to believe that Lee and Suzy's marriage was imminent.



The news of the couple's soon approaching wedding led to reports that Lee and Suzy will be getting hitched before the actor's military enlistment. Last month, Lee's agency confirmed to AsiaOne that the actor was going to start his mandatory military service this year and could enlist as early as March or April.



Therefore, if the gossipmongers are anything to go by, Lee and Suzy will be husband and wife within a matter of days. Lee has been keeping himself busy by working on new music in the weeks leading up to his enlistment. The actor is set to release an international album next month as a token of gratitude to his fans for the love and support they have shown over his decade-long career.



For additional details about his upcoming album, watch the video below:






Published on 2017/02/26

Glamour UK reveals their love for Korean nail art, The Korea Times looks at the 'meaningless' works of Lee Wan, Luxuo explores Seoul's art scene, and the Russian news agency Sputnik reports on life in North Korea.

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"The Korean nail art looks we've totally fallen for"

Rebecca Fearn shares Glamour UK's love for Korea's incredible nail art by showcasing some South Korean nail artist Jun Kyung Park's work. Park is the owner of Unistella Salon, and in keeping with the current minimalist zeitgeist in contemporary Korean art, she believes a big trend in 2017 is "minimalism and neon"-negative space nails and glass nails, for example. Just go see for yourself...

...READ ON GLAMOUR

"Artist finds meaning in meaningless"

While contemporary Korean art is on the rise, it's the country's contemporary minimalism that is at the vanguard to this surge in popularity and global interest. This year's 2017 Venice Biennale, for example, will feature Lee Wan who "meaningless works" created in the spirit of Korea's "Dansaekhwa" movement (monochrome paintings); "This is just the trace of the exchange of labor and money", says the artist.

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"Art in Seoul, Korea: Guide to exhibitions and culture in 72 hours"

Here's great guide to some of Seoul's hottest waypoints if you're looking to navigate Seoul's "vibrant contemporary art scene". In this post on Luxuo, Christina Arum Sok writes about Art Republik's weekend-long journey around Korea's capital city in search of perhaps the most exciting news aspect of the Korean wave. "Rich in culture and heritage with 5,000 years of history to boast, Seoul has so much to offer the arts lover".

...READ ON LUXUO

"In for a Surprise: Tourists Can't Believe Life in North Korea (PHOTOS)"

Sputnik News-the Russian government-controlled news agency-speaks with a delegate of the North Korean government, Alejandro Cao de Benos from the Committee for Cultural Relations, about visiting North Korea and explores why many travellers "consider it one of the most interesting places in the world".

...READ ON SPUTNIK NEWS
Published on 2017/02/26

10 Magazine reveals five beautiful places in Seoul to go for some peace and quiet, Rebecca Ilham visits the location from of one her favourite dramas ("Moonlight Drawn by Clouds"), get a crash course on Seoul before heading over, and enjoy Eric Ian Chan's travel blog about some of the lesser-visited spots to enjoy during Korea's winter months.

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"Seoul Survivor"

Are you considering coming to Korea to work or advance your career? Many are, and South Korea's capital city, Seoul, is, of course, one of the most popular destinations. In this post, Jamie Durrani gives you some basic background information on Seoul so you know what to expect when travelling to one of Asia's best.

...READ ON CHEMISTRY WORLD

"See a different South Korea in winter"

Eric Ian Chan shares his experiences travelling during South Korea's winter months in this great piece on Star 2. He explores a royal temple, a country village, and also looks ahead to next year's Winter Games in PyeongChang. "Behind the glamour of their pop culture", writes Eric, "Koreans are a hardy people. In the past, the people have faced wars, endured economic downturns and survived very harsh winters".

...READ ON STAR 2

"5 SCENIC SPOTS TO VISIT IN SEOUL WHEN YOU NEED SOME PEACE AND QUIET"

Love it: 10 Magazine's Ginyn Noble takes us on a tour of some of Seoul's best places to escape to for some beautiful tranquillity; "Of course, the famed love affair of the city with noise, despite being totally amusing, can sure be frustrating or exhausting at some point. However, one doesn't need to go far for some true peace and quiet".

...READ ON 10 MAGAZINE

"A visit to the enchanting backdrops of Korean dramas"

In recent years, the locations of many of South Korea's popular TV dramas have become popular among tourists and locals alike. In this post on New Strait Times, Rebecca Ilham recounts her travels to Jeonju Hanok Village where one of her recent favourites, "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" (starring Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung), was shot. "...I have come to live them out in real life but their places in history and their significance to Seoul's modern landscape give the places depth, making them more than just settings of beautiful cinematography. Obviously, they perfectly capture and convey the intensity of emotions among the characters who were there before me".

...READ ON NEW STRAITS TIMES
Published on 2017/02/26 | Source

Actor Lee Jong-suk successfully managed to hold fan meetings in 7 cities and 5 countries and Thailand was the final stop.

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He met 3,000 fans in Thailand on the 25th of February.

He wore a pink shirt and jeans and as much as it was the last fan meeting of his entire tour, he put it all out. He invited fans on stage and remade scenes from the drama "W". He hugged them and held their hands. He also gifted them with perfumes and candy.

In the second part of the fan meeting, he changed into an over-fit black and white outfit. His fans required him to dance to Wonder Girls' "Tell Me" and he did.

Fans surprised him with a video that sequenced all of Lee Jong-suk's progress until today and they held up cards that read, "We all love you forever".

Lee Jong-suk became teary and said, "Thank you for loving a foreign actor like me. This is really touching".

Fans came to the show with T-shirts that read, "Lee Jong-suk" and some were even in Hanboks. There were a good number of male fans too.

Lee Jong-suk stayed behind to take pictures with 20 fans at a time, trying to repay them back for the love he has received.

Lee Jong-suk also wore a black ribbon to mourn the loss of the Thai king. The 80 or so Thai media that were at the press conference were sure to notice this.

Lee Jong-suk's fan meeting last year in September sold out in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand.
Published on 2017/02/26 | Source

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Min Hyo-joo (Goo Jae-yee) decided to go to Belgium to study with the invitation she received. Before that, she visited Ko Eun-sook (Park Joon-geum) and told her she could stay at her house while she was gone. Ko Eun-sook teared up as she said, "You can come back whenever you feel it's too tough".

Kang Tae-yang (Hyun Woo) and Min Hyo-won (Lee Se-young) were enjoying their newly married life. They didn't spend a moment apart and they spent their time drawing pictures on the roof and kissing each other goodbye to work.

Kang Tae-yang met Lee Man-sool (Shin Goo) in Kangreung. He found out Lee Man-sool was blind. He told the Wolgyesoo family this news and they all went down to Kangreung.

Everyone gathered around Lee Man-sool and he said, "Be strong about it. A gentleman isn't someone who wears nice clothes but someone who lives as nicely as he dresses".

It is the end of "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop". Everyone had a happy ending.

Bok Seon-nyeo and Na Yeon-sil (Jo Yoon-hee) carried on with their pregnant lives. Bok Seon-nyeo entered for the market chairwoman campaign and Na Yeon-sil got ready for exams when they started having stomach pains and got to the hospital on time to give birth.
China's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, is being constructed and is expected to be operational by next year. (Photo : YouTube/ NewsBeat Social )

New funding is expected to be given to the People's Liberation Army Navy. The Chinese government is cognizant about the boost they need to increase their naval power amidst the of United States dominance in the high seas.



With the maritime disputes that the People Republic of China has been associated with, the necessity to project their naval power is essential to attest their dominance. However, apart from such necessity, the threat presented by the U.S. has also been highly attributed to China's desire to increase its naval capacity.



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Although China enjoys a good relationship with the current administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the PRC is still watchful on the unpredictable leadership of the U.S. president. The additional naval funding expresses Beijing's preparation of what may come as noted by an anonymous Beijing-based Asian diplomat.



However, although the funding for PLA's advancement has almost been secured, the projection of becoming a naval superpower is far from being fully realized as of today's standard. As of the current standing, China's PLA Navy significantly lags behind the United States.



"We've known this is a 15-20 year project and every year they get closer to being a blue-water navy with global aspirations. News Week quoted Xu Guangyu, a retired People's Liberation Army major general, as saying. "What you have seen this last year and what I think you will see with the new budget is that they are moving ahead with the short-term goal of being the premier naval force in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, with the mid-term goal, of extending all the way to the Indian Ocean."



China projects its might with the current steady progress of its first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier. The upcoming carrier of China will be named the "Shandong," according to Asahi. Overall, this carrier would be second to the "Liaoning," which is a remodeled Soviet carrier that went into service in 2012.



Watch here below the development on China's second aircraft carrier:






Study: Wind Turbines Could Make This Endangered Bat Go Extinct

by Andrew Follett, Daily Caller, February 26, 2017

Wind turbines are killing endangered bats much faster than anybody thought, according to a new University of California study that warns hoary bats could go extinct if nothing is done.

The new study found the endangered hoary bat populations could decline by 90 percent in the next 50 years as more wind turbines are built. The studys results suggest building wind turbines poses a substantial threat to migratory bats in North America.

Hoary bats were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1970, and are Hawaiis only native land mammal. Population estimates of the bats for all islands range from a few hundred to a few thousand, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The research was supported by FWS and the U.S. Forest Service.

This new study is a clear warning signal that action is needed before the hoary bat population plummets and needs heroic measures to prevent its extinction, Jamie Rappaport Clark, president of the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife which was not involved in the study, said in a statement. Defenders of Wildlife will work with the wind energy industry and other conservation partners over the next year to tackle this issue, so that these dire predictions never become reality.

Hawaiis five major wind turbine farms are killing endangered bats about three times faster than anyone predicted.

Wind farms killed more bats in the last 6.4 years than experts expected the turbines to kill over two decades. The wind farms have killed 146 endangered Hawaiian hoary bats out of the 187 they are permitted to kill by 2030. The same turbines have also killed roughly 50 nene, an endangered goose and Hawaiis state bird.

Wind farms kill an estimated 573,000 birds each year, as well as 888,000 bats, according to a 2013 peer-reviewed study published in Wildlife Society Bulletin. Wind farms are projected to kill 1.4 million birds annually by 2030. A single solar power plant in California killed an estimated 3,500 birds in just the plants first year of operation.

Wind farms in North Carolina were forced to pay a $1 million fine for killing 14 eagles and 149 other birds in 2013. An Oregon-based wind power company was fined $2.5 million for killing 38 eagles in 2015. Modern wind turbines create a powerful vortex that literally sucks eagles and other birds into them.

To put those numbers in perspective, the 2010 British Petroleum Gulf of Mexico oil spill only killed an estimated 800,000 birds, for which the company was fined $100 million. In the last five years, Americas wind turbines killed more than three times as many birds as the BP oil spill did.
How Bad Policy Harms Coinbase Customers in Hawaii

From The Coinbase Blog, February 27, 2017

Throughout our five years of successful operations and tremendous growth, Coinbase has strived to become the most trusted digital currency business in the world. A core component of our success is our commitment to providing continuous, secure service in as many places as we can operate safely and lawfully. Unfortunately, Hawaii will no longer be included among the locations we support and our Hawaii customers deserve to know why.

The Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) has stated that digital currency businesses operating in Hawaii are required to be licensed under the states Money Transmission Act. Coinbase has no objection to this policy. In fact, Coinbase is currently licensed to engage in money transmission in thirty-eight U.S. jurisdictions and we submitted a comprehensive application for licensure in Hawaii way back in 2014.

In September of last year the DFI informed Coinbase that it imposed a policy which would set Hawaii apart from nearly every other state in America and which will make it impossible for Coinbase to operate there: Coinbase and other digital currency businesses will be required to maintain cash reserves (or similar, liquid assets referred to as permissible investments) in an amount equal to the aggregate face value of digital currency funds held on behalf of customers. In other words, if Coinbase holds one bitcoin for a Hawaii customer, the practical outcome of this policy will require Coinbase to also hold the equivalent cash value of that bitcoin, currently well over $1,000, as redundant collateral.

This policy is obviously untenable. No digital currency business  and frankly, no commercially viable business anywhere  has the capital to supplement every customer bitcoin with redundant dollar collateral. Even if Coinbase could manage the extraordinary capital strain and massive exchange rate exposure inherent to this policy, it would do nothing to further our customers paramount interest: that Coinbase absolutely secures digital currency held on their behalf and makes their funds available, in full, anytime they wish to spend or liquidate. To repeat: DFIs dollar-collateral policy does nothing to protect customer funds. To the contrary, compliance with this policy would siphon millions of dollars away from critical operations, recruitment and retention of expert staff, and constant reinvestment in the business necessary to guarantee the security of customer digital currency. We cannot accept this tradeoff.

Where does this leave Coinbases Hawaii customers? Unfortunately, with no good options. We will require all Hawaii-resident customers to close their accounts within the next thirty days and we will implement controls to prevent Hawaii residents from establishing Coinbase accounts for the indefinite future. Worse, Hawaii customers wishing to hold onto their digital currency will need to send their funds to another wallet service and we cannot recommend any service which meets Coinbases security standards and which is licensed to operate in Hawaii.

Although it comes as little consolation to Hawaii customers, Coinbase hopes to work with policymakers to either change the law or to encourage the DFI commissioner to revisit her existing policy discretion under Hawaii law. We are heartened that members of the Hawaii State House of Representatives have recently introduced a bill that would create a digital currency and blockchain working group. We look forward to working with them, the DFI, and others to help Hawaii join nearly every other State in the Union by adopting policies that will make it practicable to operate a successful digital currency businesses in Hawaii and we hope to be back in Hawaii sometime soon.

---30---

Bitcoin Shutdown related to Hawaii Marijuana Dispensaries Tax Evasion System?

PBN: Brian Goldstein said he was shocked to receive an email on Tuesday from Coinbase informing him he needed to close his account, after the digital currency exchange company announced it was pulling out of Hawaii.

The timing was bad for so many reasons, said Goldstein, who is the CEO of Honolulu-based Manoa Botanicals, one of the eight state-certified medical marijuana dispensaries.

At Manoa, we were just starting to look at what payment methods we can accept besides cash, he told Pacific Business News. We were just about to embark on a search to open a bitcoin merchant account. It was upsetting.

Being an all cash business creates risks, he said. We are actively looking at our options to mitigate and manage these risks through an alternate method of payment. .

Goldstein said he will continue searching for alternative methods of payment for his dispensary, adding he is considering the closed-loop payment system such as prepaid cards.

read  Manoa Botanicals CEO Brian Goldstein shocked by Coinbase's Hawaii exit

Google: 'Bitcoin tax evasion'

HB1481: Text, Status Blockchain Technology and Digital Currency Working Group

CD: Coinbase Just Stopped Serving Bitcoin Customers in Hawaii
We talk to Paul Findlay, managing director of PD Training, about how HR can help employees experiencing change fatigue and stress.



What problems are workers facing that resilience can help with?



Workers across all industries face common challenges that impact their personal wellbeing and the health of their organisations. They include pessimism, low resilience, poor attitude leading to infectious negativity, and feeling unrecognised which feeds into lower commitment and engagement. Problem-solving for people with a pessimistic mindset becomes a maze of issues and barriers instead of confronting obstacles as something that can be overcome. Resilience is the capacity to withstand and adapt to the challenges that life throws at us. When its low, workers struggle to bounce back and thrive. Without the right attitude, workers are not always looking for an opportunity, solution or possibility.



What industries are experiencing the most problems which require resilience training?



Organisations undergoing restructuring and industries where customer-facing activity is normally stressful can benefit from training to boost resilience. Change fatigue severely tests the resilience of government and non-government workers alike. People get worn down by relentless change and they commonly end up becoming short-fused, negative and mildly depressed. They take stress leave days, call in sick or become cynical and counter-productive in the face of organisational redesign. Resilience is tested in client-facing roles where people get a lot of negativity - the constant knocks from dissatisfied customers and demanding clients. Emergency and other healthcare workers regularly confronted by distressing or unpleasant situations are among those whose resilience is tested every day.



Could L&D help HR professionals help people to cope with stress?



L&D programs using positive psychology can assist HR professionals to help improve the lives of their people and improve the performance of organisations. When people are happy, positive and resilient, organisations are healthy, stable and profitable. Organisations constantly ask their people to do more with less. They also need to support their people with tools and skills to do so. If workers are more resilient, its easier to be at work and to feel stable in times of stress. Resilience flows into optimism, positive attitude and maintaining energy throughout the day. A positive state of mind is linked to stronger goal setting, innovation, concentration, creativity and mental capacity to make quicker decisions.



Is corporate resilience training a new thing?



Using positive psychology in L&D is not new. What is new is a scientifically-sound and measurable program that were delivering called ORANGES, which gives workers more than 40 tools to change the way they approach their work and lives. Developed by childrens charity Camp Quality from research by world-leading universities, it provides training in Optimism, Resilience, Attitude, Now (mindfulness), Gratitude, Energy and Strengths. Based on emotional intelligence and neuroscience research, the resilience training shows how the brain, body and emotions are linked and helps workers to withstand lifes challenges by activities that boost positive mood, manage negative emotions and increase the duration and intensity of their peaks.
The House vote comes after reports found Sadat guilty of leaking 'secret information to international institutions,' and forging signatures of 16 colleagues; Sadat has denied all accusations; the opposition 25-30 boycotts session

Egypt's parliament stripped on Monday high-profile MP Anwar El-Sadat of membership after 486 MPs - more than the two-thirds of 596 deputies required in expulsion proposals  voted for the motion in a roll call.

According to Ahram Arabic news website, 468 MPs voted to strip Sadat of his parliamentary membership, eight voted against, and four abstained. Members of the 25-30 opposition bloc boycotted the session in solidarity with Sadat. One MP was expelled from the session for opposing the roll call.

The anti-Sadat motion came after an 11-page report, prepared by parliament's Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee, found Sadat guilty of leaking information related to internal conditions in Egypt to international institutions and aiming to tarnish the image of parliament.

The report said Sadat was also found guilty of forging the signatures of 16 of MP colleagues on two draft laws he had prepared on criminal procedures and NGOs.

Another report by the parliament's ethics committee accused Sadat of leaking a controversial draft NGO law to foreign ambassadors in Egypt in a bid to mobilise them against the law.

In accordance with Article 110 of the constitution, no less than two-thirds of MPs 398 MPs out of 596  must vote in a roll call in favour of the motion against Sadat for it to be valid.

Sadat was asked to leave the chamber before the vote commenced.

Members of the leftist 25-30 bloc, who walked out of the session before the roll call in protest, said that the report indicting Sadat was rammed through parliament without allowing enough time for discussion by MPs.

The report that recommended that Sadat be stripped of membership was politicised and issued in a hasty way, said bloc member MP Samir Ghattas.

Sadat and a majority of MPs have been at loggerheads for months over his criticism of the NGO draft law and his questioning of parliament practices in disposal of internal budget as the country faces an economic crunch.

Shortly after the vote results were announced, Sadat told Ahram that the motion and the vote come as part of an "organised campaign against him."

"What happened is based upon false accusation and media campaign that continued for weeks to defame my image despite my defence using documents and my request to stand in front of Egyptian judiciary to answer those claims," Sadat said.

Mohamed El-Sewedi, head of parliaments majority bloc Support Egypt (315 MPs), had said his bloc respects the reports made by the ethics committee and the legislative and constitutional affairs committee on Sadat, as a result we will vote in favour of stripping Sadat of membership.

Alaa Abed, an MP who replaced Sadat as head of parliament's human rights committee, said his Free Egyptians Party (65 MPs) will also vote in favour of expelling Sadat.

Sadat, the nephew of late president Anwar El-Sadat and head of the liberal Reform and Development Party, is the second MP whose membership has been revoked by Egypts new parliament.

The first was Tawfik Okasha, a high-profile TV anchor who was found guilty of having contacts with Israel's ambassador in Egypt without getting parliament's prior approval.

The head of the Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee Bahaaeddin Abu Shoqa said that Sadat was allowed to defend himself.

He was summoned to the committee to answer questions, not to mention that he was also allowed to present members of the committee copies of a detailed statement which he issued to respond to accusations, said Abu Shoqa.

"In spite of Sadat's defence, the majority of the committee's members  40 out of a total 49  have found Sadat guilty and voted in favour of stripping him of parliamentary membership, Abu Shoqa added.

He added that in accordance with article 110 of the constitution, Sadat has lost parliament's trust and confidence and as a result MPs have agreed that he must be stripped of membership.

Abu Shoqa said that Sadat used his own email and another private email to send information to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The majority of members agreed that Sadat's email messages [to the IPU] aimed at tarnishing the image of Egypt's parliament and that Sadat even incited the IPU to take action against our parliament, said Abu Shoqa.

Abu Shoqa said Sadat told the IPU that security apparatuses took control of Egypt's parliament and that they intervened to help a former police officer become the head of parliament's human rights committee in place of him.

Sadat has denied that he had forwarded any classified information to any foreign institutions.

A draft of the government NGO law is available on the internet and anyone can take a copy of it, why would I give it to a foreign embassy? Sadat said.

Sadat also insisted that what was sent to the IPU was just a complaint and by no means classified information.

Sadat also denied that he had forged the signatures of 16 of his colleagues on laws he drafted on criminal procedures and NGOs.

Most of these colleagues gave their signatures but they decided later to withdraw these signatures, Sadat said.

Before the vote, Sadat was allowed by Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal to defend himself.

Sadat told MPs that when he sent messages to the IPU, he was exercising freedom of speech.

I was exercising a kind of self-criticism and my aim was to reform Egypt's legislative authority, said Sadat.

Abdel-Aal responded to Sadat, but what you sent the IPU was not just criticism, as you also incited the IPU to take action against Egypt's parliament.

In your message to the IPU, you said our parliament has become an ineffective and powerless institution that has violated the constitution, and as a result asked the IPU to intervene, charged Abdel-Aal.

Sadat responded by asking the speaker what would be your reaction if I told the IPU that everything in our parliament is okay and that we are implementing the constitution in an excellent way?, to which the speaker told Sadat you know that MPs are banned from sending negative or positive messages to foreign institutions.

Sources said the two reports prepared by the ethics committee and the legislative and constitutional affairs committee would be referred to prosecution authorities to investigate Sadat.

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For the third year in a row, Google has been voted the most desirable employer in GradAustralias survey of 14,000 students across 38 universities.



The top 10 also included fellow tech giants Apple and Microsoft; consulting companies PwC Australia, EY, KPMG; and the Commonwealth Bank, Deloitte, BHP Billiton and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.



The results also found that most millennials expect to make up to 20 applications before landing a job and that 70% of millennials prefer a fulfilling job rather more than a good salary.



Moreover, the following organisations were each voted the most sought-after for their respective industries:



Accounting and advisory  Deloitte

Banking and financial services  Commonwealth Bank

Construction and property services  Arup

Consulting  The Boston Consulting Group

Engineering, R&D and manufacturing  CSIRO

IT and communications  Google

Law  Herbert Smith Freehills

Mining, energy, oil and gas  BHP Billiton

Public service and utilities  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Retail, sales and consumer goods  Unilever

Transport and logistics  Qantas Airways



This is the third year in a row Herbert Smith Freehills has been voted the number one legal sector graduate recruiter.



Sue Gilchrist, regional managing partner, Asia & Australia said HSF know the future leaders of their firm are among these people.



Our job is to ensure they feel welcome to the HSF team, have the best possible experience in our leading graduate programme, learn and grow as much as they can and feel they are contributing to the firm from day one, she said.



The opportunities we provide to work on some of the most complex and challenging matters and transactions in the market for the best clients ensures our graduates learn, grow and excel while developing rich and lasting relationships with colleagues.



Graduates are also attracted to our global reach and the chance to gain invaluable experience through our global secondments program.



Being a lawyer is of course about more than just exceptional technical skill. We recruit graduates from a diverse range of backgrounds with fresh perspectives, intellectual curiosity and rigour and the ability to develop exceptional working relationships.



The survey also found some interesting insights in terms of what millennials look for in an employer:



Millennials want to be part of a diverse workplace



74% of students say diversity is important to them when choosing an employer.



Millennials want to work for companies that do good



55% of students say they wouldnt work for an employer with a bad image, even if the salary was high.



Millennials care more about being fulfilled than earning a lot



70% agreed with the statement its more important for me to feel fulfilled at work than to earn a lot of money.



Millennials are prepared to work hard



On average, the students surveyed were willing to work 47 hours per week in their first job after graduating, 9 hours more than the standard work week.



And, theyll put their personal lives on hold in the meantime



64% of students said theyd be willing to make sacrifices in their personal lives for their career.



Two thirds expect to be still searching for a job three months after graduating



22% expect to be searching for up to a year.



On average, students expect to make 17 applications before landing a graduate job



One third of students expect to make anywhere between 20 and 40+.



Over 70% expect to spend less than five years with their first employer



Law, teaching, health and engineering were the areas with the highest number of students who would stay beyond five years.



Male students expect to land a job faster, be paid more, graduate with higher marks and work longer hours



Male students say theyre prepared to work 50 hours per week while female students say 45. Male students expect to be paid $68,000 per year in their first job after graduating while women expect they will be paid $60,000.




Research and Development professionals were the least bored compared to the rest, as the professions inquisitive nature helps employees remain alert and motivated, the Emolument said. Those working in education and executive management were also found to be more upbeat.

Bored professionals outnumbered those who were not bored in 11 of the 14 jobs surveyed.



Job Bored Workers Legal Jobs 81% Project Management 78% Support Functions 71% Finance Control 68% Consulting & Accounting 67% Financial Services & Banking 67% Engineering 64% Sales 61% Marketing & Communications 60% IT 56% Human Resources 54% Education 50% Executive Management 49% Research & Development 45%

When grouped according to rank, there was little difference in boredom levels between the most entry level employees (66%) and CEOs, CTOs, and CFOs (65%).

Singapore ranked among the top four most boring countries to work in, as 70% of professionals said they were bored with their work. This follows the UAE (83%), Italy (83%), and the US (74%).
(FINalternatives) A New York state judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing the Sequoia Fund, known for its ties to Warren Buffett, of recklessly making a disastrous investment in Valeant Pharmaceuticals that resulted in billions of dollars of losses.

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Well-known liberal MP Anwar El-Sadat has denied accusations from other parliametnarians that he was involved in collecting and forwarding classified information to foreign institutions.

In a 140-page statement issued on Tuesday, El-Sadat said that he had not leaked a draft NGO law to foreign embassies nor forged the signatures of 16 MPs on two laws he drafted on criminal procedures and NGOs.

El-Sadat was questioned by both parliament's ethics committee and the legislative and constitutional affairs committee. The ethics committee found him guilty and recommended on 12 February that he be stripped of his parliamentary membership.

The legislative and constitutional affairs committee, headed by MP and lawyer Baha El-Din Abu Shoqa, also questioned El-Sadat on Sunday.

Abu Shoqa said after El-Sadat was given one hour and half to defend himself, it was decided that he would be questioned again next Sunday.

Regarding the first accusation, El- Sadat said he had not leaked a copy of the government-drafted NGO law to the Dutch ambassador in Cairo.

"The draft of this law was made public several months ago, not to mention that the social solidarity ministry made it available on the internet so that civil society organisations could discuss it in a national dialogue," said El-Sadat in his statement.

El-Sadat said that the Dutch ambassador himself had announced in a public statement that he had never met the MP in person.

"In addition, Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali announced that the government had never sent a draft NGO law to parliament and what was finally approved by parliament was a NGO law which was drafted by MPs," he wrote.

In response to the second accusation, El-Sadat said the constitution and parliament's internal bylaws do not oblige MPs to collect signatures in support of laws they draft.

"Any MP can propose and submit a law without the stipulation that he must get signatures in support of this law from his colleagues," wrote El-Sadat.

El-Sadat's statement said "some MPs gave their signatures, but they decided later to withdraw their signatures." It added that "another group of MPs gave signatures on behalf of other MPs because this is a normal procedure in parliament."

"The problem is that the ethics committee took this as a case of forgery, but I insist that it is just a procedural matter that needs more investigation," wrote the MP.

On the third accusation, El-Sadat's statement denied that he had sent classified information to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

"It was just a press statement and message to parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal and the IPU in both Arabic and English, urging him to do his best improving the performance of Egypt's parliament," said El-Sadat, arguing that "the constitution gives MPs the right to comment on the internal performance of parliament and propose recommendations aimed at improving this performance."

"While I was exercising my right, the message I sent to speaker Abdel-Aal and the IPU was published by many Arabic and English websites," said El-Sadat.

El-Sadat's 140-page statement concluded by urging members of the legislative and constitutional affairs committee not to take a "politicised stance" against him.

"You should be wise, listening to the voice of reason only, taking your time and doing your best verifying information and accusations against me," said El-Sadat.

The MP said he would submit his 140-page statement, with attachments, to the committee at its meeting next Sunday. "I hope they will read this statement carefully before they issue any judgment or recommendation," he wrote.

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THE police office in Sonning Common is to close at the end of next month to save money.

Thames Valley Police plans to sell the building and land in Lea Road for about 85,000.

It is estimated that the force will save about 9,000 a year as a result of the closure.

From April 1, the nearest duty police officers will be based at the police station in Greys Road, Henley.

Inspector Mark Harling, head of the Henley police area, said he wanted to continue to have a good relationship with Sonning Common and the parish council.

In a letter to parish council chairman Douglas Kedge, he said: The Sonning Common police office has been in place for a significant amount of time and we have been grateful to the local community for working with us for all these years.

We do want to ensure that more time is spent by officers in the community and not in police buildings.

With that in mind, all our teams have been issued with smartphones and this will assist them in dealing with the part of their work which may have once necessitated the team returning to police stations to complete administrative tasks.

Insp Harling said the police would be restructured in terms of neighbourhood, investigations and responses to the public in order to provide a better service.

He wrote: The structure is designed so that neighbourhood officers spend more time on their areas and that time is of a better quality. The hope is that you will get more rather than less out of the neighbourhood teams.

The officers will continue to be supported by PCSOs who are the visible face of the service.

The neighbourhood team will be much better equipped and resourced to tackle the longer term issues that impact on communities and will be able to work more effectively with all partners and the communities themselves to tackle issues.

We are currently undergoing training in connection with detailed problem-solving and crime reduction techniques.

Neighbourhoods will continue to focus on the four main aspects of neighbourhood policing, which are visibility, engagement, building community resilience and problem-solving.

A team will be stationed at Henley, which is only five miles away, and they will retain their police vehicles.

It will be the case that staff will be taken to Sonning Common in order that they can continue with their patrols in the way they do now. Speaking at a council meeting on Monday, Councillor Kedge said the police could not afford to keep the station going.

He said: Insp Harling and his new sergeant Tim Pavey came to see me and told me the office would close at the end of March. It will be sold as development land.

They take the view that the closure will be of great benefit to all. Insp Harling said it was a choice between closing the station or losing personnel.

The parish council has agreed to provide storage space at the village hall for two bikes for use by officers patrolling the village.

Cllr Kedge said: Insp Harling is concerned about antisocial behaviour in the village and there being no police presence.

He has suggested the two bikes be stored and used to patrol the village. Officers will come in their car and then cycle around the area. My view is this is better then no presence at all.

Police have been trying to tackle a problem with noise and speeding cars late at night in Wood Lane and Woodlands Road since the start of last year.

Pc Sue Bradshaw identified seven youths who were warned they could be fined or jailed for antisocial behaviour.

To help tackle the problem, the parish council installed extra CCTV cameras on the village hall in Wood Lane. Councillor Leigh Rawlins said he was concerned about loss of the police office and potential loss of PCSOs as up to six in South Oxfordshire could be axed after the district council, which part-funds the roles, agreed to cut 100,000 from its contribution, saying Thames Valley Police should meet the full cost.

I cant help but see this alongside the announcement from the district council, said Cllr Rawlins.

One can only imagine whether that budget will be picked up by Thames Valley Police and whether we are on the cusp of losing our cover and what that implies.

Meanwhile, the parish council is to look into installing a waste bin in Reades Lane to help control rubbish said to be being dropped by pupils at Chiltern Edge School.

Gillian Manning, who lives in the street, said there used to be a bin near the junction with Ashford Avenue but it was removed two years ago.

She said: We are getting an increasing amount of litter from children coming out of school. We are not the only ones suffering from this so please reinstall that litter bin.

Deputy parish clerk Ros Varnes said the bin was removed by South Oxfordshire District Council.

She said: I am not sure they will reinstate it but the parish council could buy another one and put it there with the permission of the district council.

Cllr Kedge said the council would consider buying a new bin.
FORMER Sonning Common schoolgirl Sally Dexter has made her mother proud after landing a role in Emmerdale.

The 56-year-old actress, who attended the village primary and Chiltern Edge School, has joined the cast of the long-running ITV soap as the chaotic and wayward Faith Dingle.

She takes over from Gillian Jephcott, who appeared between 2000 and 2004. Her character left the village but was reintroduced this month as a mystery woman sleeping rough in a barn at her brother-in-laws house.

In a new storyline this week Faith, the former wife of Shadrach Dingle and mother of his children, Cain and Chastity, was accused of murder while attending the wedding of stalwart villager Robert Sugden and his partner Aaron Livesy.

Ms Dexter, who grew up in Bramley Crescent, Sonning Common, has previously appeared in Poldark, A Touch Of Frost, Holby City and Dalziel and Pascoe and she won an Olivier Award for her stage work in the Eighties.

She played Nancy in the 1994 West End revival of Oliver!, for which she received an Olivier nomination, and has had a number of roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Her mother Joan Dexter, who still lives in Sonning Common, is happiest with her latest achievement as she is a big fan of the programme.

Ms Dexters agent offered her the part in November and filming started a few weeks later.

She said: It was perfect timing because Mum had recently told my sister, what she really wants is a part on Emmerdale. I then got the offer and Mum was delighted that her wisdom had finally shone through!

It was a pretty quick turnaround because episodes are only shot about three months before theyre broadcast.

I was quite busy at the time and it looked like there was going to be a clash with some stage work.

In the end I was able to do both but Id always have chosen Emmerdale anyway because Mum loves it so much. For now Im trying to raise my profile through television work but ultimately Im hoping to do more work with smaller theatre companies.

I was very familiar with the programme for obvious reasons and Ive always felt something of a connection with it. Ive also got a real affinity for country life, even if my character is far from a natural country woman!

Shes a very outrageous person and different from other parts Ive played. I absolutely adore Faith, though  theres something of a wannabe Zsa Zsa Gabor about her.

She has a fabulous dress sense, which I wish I had, and she really knows how to pack a suitcase. The amount of clothes she brings with her to the village is just incredible.

Faith also reminds me of Blanche from A Streetcar Named Desire. She definitely depends on the kindness of strangers and her naive optimism really shines through. Her hearts in the right place even if she doesnt always do or say the right thing.

Mum has, of course, seen my performances and she loves the clothes, though shes told me off a few times for Faith being horrible! Shell ask me, what did you do that for?

Thats the joy of soaps, though. You can talk about them with tongue in cheek but theyre written with real heart and cover all kinds of issues that affect people in their everyday lives.

They bring people together and get them talking and Im proud to be a part of that.

I dont know how long Ill be involved or what Ill do next but thats the thing about both soaps and real life  you never know whats around the corner.

Ms Dexter, who now lives in London with her long-term partner, was born in Yorkshire but moved to Sonning Common at age seven and grew up there with her mother, father Ted, who died in 1998, sister Christine and brother John.

She has fond memories of her school days as well as the old King Jamess College in Henley and says her teachers played a part in her career choice.

She said: I remember the primary school headmaster Mr Johnson and Mr Pitson as well as Jane Arch, whose son David is now musical director of Strictly Come Dancing.

She was very supportive, as was Jane Day, who encouraged my love of singing and performing. I played recorder and guitar as a child and thats how I discovered a passion for music.

I dont actually know when or how I got the idea to become an actress. I think I just liked the sound of it so Id tell everyone that was what I planned to do and it became self-fulfilling.

Peter Allen, who taught English at King Jamess, was really lovely and inspiring. They all were, to be fair  they put up with me being wayward and frankly a bit rubbish. I was terrible at doing my work back then.

Mr Allen, who became assistant principal when the college was rebranded as The Henley College, encouraged Ms Dexter to apply to the National Youth Theatre. She said: I applied because I didnt have any better ideas about getting into the profession. I was successful and Im pleased to say it was a fabulous experience.

Theres nothing like being young and living in Camden with a group of like-minded people, all wearing leg-warmers and pretending we were in the cast of Fame!

Ms Dexter still returns to South Oxfordshire regularly and enjoys walking through the countryside, especially around Greys Court and along the Thames Path through Henley.

She said: I came back for a family birthday only last week  we were all crammed into the Pack Saddle at Mapledurham. Its such a lovely part of the world and Im very lucky to have grown up there.
THE Henley Choral Society has lined-up leading sopranos and a renowned orchestra for its spring concert in Henley.

This will be Peter Aspreys first major concert with the choir since he started as director of music in September.

Taking place on Saturday, March 25 at 7.30pm in St Marys Church in Hart Street, the choir will perform the dramatic mid-Baroque classics, Purcells Dido and Aeneas and Vivaldis Dixit Dominus, alongside leading sopranos Samantha Crawford, who will perform the role of Dido, Queen of Carthage with Lauren Zolezzi singing the part of Belinda, Didos sister.

The role of Aeneas will be sung by international award-winning baritone Matthew Durkan. Acclaimed mezzo soprano, Mae Heydorn, will take the part of the Sorceress.

Sealing the exceptional high standard of performers for this concert is the Brandenburg Sinfonia, one of the most versatile musical organisations in the country, which will accompany the choir and the soloists.

The chamber orchestra performs regularly in major venues across the country and in London at the Barbican Halls, Royal Albert Hall, and Queen Elizabeth Hall, including the Autumn series of Brandenburg Choral Concerts in St Martin-in-the-Fields.

They have have worked with an impressive number of artists of international standing, including Sir James Galway, Lesley Garrett, Emma Kirkby, Yvonne Kenny and John Wallace.

Mr Asprey said: I am so excited by this project because of the dramatic potential in both of these works. We have a wonderful line-up of soloists who will be able to communicate this to the full.

Samantha Crawford, recent winner of the prestigious Wagner Singing Competition, brings so much depth and power to the role and I look forward to hearing how she contrasts with Lauren Zolezzi with all her flair and vocal agility. This makes Lauren the ideal person to sing Vivaldis challenging but beautiful Nulla in Mundo.

Matthew Durkan will be taking time out from the English National Opera to be with us and will be a commanding Aeneas. This promises to be a most engaging evening.

Susan Edwards, who chairs the choral society, said: The evening will be one of exceptionally beautiful music from Purcells Dido and Aeneas, that includes cackling witches, drunken sailors as well as the heart wrenching emotional dying lament of Dido, to Vivaldi's sacred music.

Ticket prices are 18 for adults and 8 for children under 16. To book, call (01491) 572795, visit Gorvett and Stone in Duke Street or visit www.henleychoralsociety

.org.uk
Egypt MPs said the death penalty cannot be abolished because doing so would contradict Islamic Sharia

Related Egypt court issues final death sentence for 10 in 2012 Port Said Stadium massacre

The human rights committee of Egypt's parliament said it will never recommend that the death penalty be abolished, responding to repeated calls from foreign rights groups to end capital punishment.



"Western human rights organisations that lobby for the abolition of the death penalty should know that this goes against both Islamic Sharia and the country's constitution," read a statement by the human rights committee on Sunday.

Alaa Abed, head of the committee, told reporters that the abolition of the death penalty would violate Islamic Sharia, which is based on the "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" doctrine.

"As long as Egypt's constitution states that Islamic Sharia represents the main source of legislation in Egypt, parliament can never accept that the death penalty be abolished," he said.

"The imposition of the death penalty in Egypt takes place only after all legal measures are pursued and after the mufti of Egypt gives final approval.

"Not to mention that the death penalty primarily targets murderers who shed the blood of citizens on purpose, and as a result should be sentenced to death in accordance with Islamic Sharia."

Abed indicated that "parliament also stands against Western organisations which demand that homosexuals and gay marriage be allowed in Egypt."

"Again, I state that this neither goes in line with Islamic Sharia nor with the deep-rooted religious traditions of the Egyptian people," he added.

Abed said the Human Rights Council affiliated with the United Nations has recently lobbied Egypt to abolish the death penalty.

"But we said in our response that this penalty can't be abolished because this violates Islamic Sharia, which represents the backbone of legislation in Egypt," said Abed.

MP Khaled Hammad, a member of the human rights committee, said: "The death penalty is a necessity in a country that is facing a ferocious war against terrorists and criminals."

"It is incomprehensible that terrorists who kill innocent citizens and who bomb buildings do not face the death penalty. Egypt's parliament does not support the radical liberal agendas of Western human rights organisations, which show less interest in national security and religious values," he added.

Atef Makhaleef, deputy head of the human rights committee, said: "Courts in Egypt have always been keen that the death penalty be imposed on a very limited scale."

"Many death penalty verdicts had been issued since 2011, but none of them was imposed because they were revoked by supreme courts," said Makhaleef, adding that "It is better that the death penalty be implemented on a very limited scale rather than abolished altogether."

Makhaleef also said the number of executions implemented in Egypt decreased largely in recent years.



"I think that those who were executed were just two or three criminals who were found guilty of drug trafficking and espionage," said Makhaleef.

Nabil Bolous, a Coptic MP, said: "The death penalty has become important in recent years because it proved to be a highly effective tool in stemming the tide of terrorist crimes."

Bolous said although some Western countries have abolished the death penalty, they still implement other fatal penalties such as gassing murderers or injecting them with poison.

"It is a death penalty but in a different form," said Bolous.

Demands for abolishing the death penalty in Egypt have gained momentum in recent days after the Cassation Court upheld on 20 February death sentences that had previously been handed to 11 defendants in the Port Said stadium massacre case of February 2012.

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It is often the scene of heated debates over the pressing political issues of the day.

However, Dublin City Council's chamber will soon host a different sound - the pitter patter of tiny feet.

Babies will be accompanying their politician parents to meetings of the council under proposals that are likely to get the go-ahead this week.

Feeding

The protocol committee of the council has been considering the provision of facilities for both younger and older children, to help out councillors juggling parenting and politics .

Transforming a small men's toilet into a breastfeeding and baby changing area, and allowing parents to have their babies sit with them during meetings, are among the proposals.

Older children will sit in the public gallery.

However, councillors will be expected to take their babies out of the chamber if they get upset or are causing disruption during council meetings.

The genesis of the proposals was an incident in which Green Party councillor Claire Byrne was told she could not bring her three-month-old son to a meeting. She welcomed the new proposals.

"I think it's great; it's a really progressive step," she told the Herald. "For me, I was breastfeeding when we were going through the city development plan. It was 10-hour days, which is difficult when you are feeding."

"It's not about using the council chamber as a childcare facility, but helps if you're really, really stuck.

"Addressing the issue of possible disruptions to council meetings, she said parents would leave if there was a problem.

Minder

"Obviously, if a child is screaming its head off, you're not going to stay in the chamber," she said.

Chairman of the protocol committee, Dermot Lacey, pointed out that many councillors were now working as full-time representatives.

"If you were to pay a child minder, you won't see much out of your 16,000 a year," he said.

"This is an issue that's been bubbling under the surface for a couple of months."
A leading Stardust campaigner has welcomed the appointment of a retired judge to look into new evidence on the tragedy - but does not believe anything will come of it.

Antoinette Keegan (54) - a Stardust survivor who lost sisters Mary (19) and Martina (16) in the fire - said she welcomed the decision to appoint retired Judge Pat McCartan to probe new evidence, but added: "I don't think anything is going to happen."

Forty-eight young people lost their lives following the fire in the Stardust Valentine's night disco in Artane, North Dublin, in 1981. In recent weeks, relatives were informed that Judge McCartan is to be appointed to examine any and all new information regarding the disaster.

Solicitor

Mr McCartan is a former criminal defence solicitor who was a TD for the Workers Party and Democratic Left between 1987 and 1992.

He retired from the Circuit Court last year after 19 years on the bench, during which he presided over a number of high-profile cases, including the trial of former solicitor Thomas Byrne in 2013. Ms Keegan said "there is very strong new evidence" that could shed new light on what caused the fire 36 years ago.

"We have talked to experts who have offered their services for free as they believe the case is so strong," she said.

Families of the victims believe the evidence will be enough for Mr Justice McCartan to call for a commission of investigation into the fire, but are still sceptical over what will happen in the aftermath.

"It feels like we have been proving our point all the time, day in, day out fighting for the right to life that was taken from those who died that night," Ms Keegan said.

"Every time we think we are moving somewhere something comes up and stops us.

"The Government is playing games again and it's been 15 to 20 years of mind games with the families of those affected.

"This all could have been avoided if Judge Keane had looked at the case properly in the first place."

Ms Keegan said the families have been "feeling anxious" while their trust in politicians has diminished. She said the families have "consistently felt abused" by governments in their search for the truth.

Independent

Mr McCartan was appointed following consultations with family members. His appointment is set to be approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday week after an agreement between junior minister Finian McGrath and Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald.

Tommy Broughan TD had previously called for a commission of investigation.

However, Ms Keegan said she would not have been confident that it would have been passed in the Dail as she believed Fianna Fail would not have supported calls for the probe.

Finian McGrath TD had threatened to support Mr Broughan which led to the agreement between Ms Fitzgerald and the junior minister.
Brazilian-born Ms Mazza, who lives in North Circular Road, is charged with possession of both drugs with intent to sell or supply on Harcourt Street (stock photo)

A female rickshaw driver has been charged with selling drugs while she was working on the streets of Dublin.

Gisele Mazza (35) is alleged to have had cannabis and ecstasy for sale or supply.

Brazilian-born Ms Mazza, who lives in North Circular Road, is charged with possession of both drugs with intent to sell or supply on Harcourt Street.

She is also charged with two related counts of simple possession of the drugs.

The offences, under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, are all alleged to have happened on January 15.

Gda Joe Lowney told Dublin District Court that the defendant made no reply to the charges when they were put to her at Pearse Street Station.

Defence solicitor Brian Doherty made an application for bail on her behalf.

Passport

Gda Lowney did not object to bail being granted subject to conditions.

Judge Michael Walsh granted bail on condition that the defendant resides at her North Circular Road address, surrenders her passport and does not apply for a duplicate.

The judge granted free legal aid after Mr Doherty applied and said the accused had been working as a rickshaw driver.

"Who owns all these rickshaws?" asked Judge Walsh.

Gda Lowney said that three people owned them and hired them out at 50 a night to foreign nationals.

After bail was set, the judge said he would have to remand the defendant in custody until she can take up bail.

He adjourned the case to a date in early March. The proceedings were translated to the accused by an interpreter.

The defendant did not address the court during the hearing and has not yet indicated how she intends to plead to the charges.
A rickshaw driver sentenced to 13 years in jail for violently raping a woman in a laneway close to a city nightclub has appealed his sentence.

Brazilian Rafael Tiso (31), with a previous address in Offaly Road, Cabra, has instructed his legal team to appeal the severity of his prison term.

Notice of his appeal comes as the victim of the attack continues to recover from her ordeal.

It is understood she is due to undergo more surgery on the injuries she sustained during the attack.

Tiso's appeal will come before the Court of Appeal next year. Last November, the Central Criminal Court heard how the 24-year-old victim was left with horrific injuries following the attack.

If she decides to have children in the future, she will not be able to give birth naturally, the court heard.

Captured

Tiso, who was working as a rickshaw driver in the Harcourt Street area, was captured on CCTV leaving a nightclub with the intoxicated victim and walking with her down a side street before going into a lane with her. He left the lane 40 minutes later and returned to drink in the same bar.

A passer-by heard a moaning noise and discovered the woman lying on the ground between a truck and a car.

Gardai were alerted and the woman was taken to hospital.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said the injuries caused to the victim were appalling.

She has been advised that she should not give birth naturally in the future and she may also suffer complications at menopause.

In her victim impact statement the woman described it as like being in "an episode of a horror series".

She said she sometimes felt as if she was in a nightmare and tried not to think about what happened.

Fight

She said she would like to "delete that day" and described "a daily fight between going forward or making a martyr of myself".

Tiso, who was living in rented accommodation at Offaly Road, Cabra, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault and assault causing harm to the woman at Montague Lane, Dublin, on January 18.

He had no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest.

The judge said it was a violent and callous crime perpetrated on a vulnerable young woman. She said the victim's impact report showed how the attack would affect her for the rest of her life.

She suspended the final year of a 14-year sentence on condition that Tiso leave the country on his release for a period of 10 years.
Gardai are investigating if the death of a 90-year-old man in his remote rural home in Co Waterford over the weekend could be suspicious.

Detectives in Dungarvan are probing all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the elderly man's body at his house in Ballysaggart, Lismore, in the south of the county close to the border with Cork.

He was named locally last night as Paddy Lyons.

Slumped

Gardai were called to the scene shortly after 5pm on Saturday evening.

Mr Lyons was found slumped in a chair in the house, but had a number of marks on his head.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body remained there yesterday pending the arrival of a pathologist to carry out a preliminary examination.

His body was then removed for a post-mortem examination, the outcome of which would determine the course of the investigation.

"It may be that the man had some sort of an accident, or it could be something sinister, but gardai will be keeping an open mind until more information is known," said a garda spokesman.

Local sources said the scene cordoned off by gardai is very remote.

"The house is about a quarter of a mile up a track. You can't even see it from the road," said one man.

"I heard Mr Lyons had been targeted in a burglary in the past, but nobody really knows the circumstances around what happened to him over the weekend. It's very sad," he added.

Local Fine Gael councillor Declan Doocey described Mr Lyons as an active man despite his age.

"He would visit the town a few times a week, getting lifts with neighbours and people who used to look in on him," he said.

Loved

"He was a small farmer in his day and a very interesting man.

"He had a love of sport and you'd often see him chatting to neighbours in the town and keeping in touch with what was going on," Cllr Doocey said.

"We're all saddened by his death and anxious to hear what the gardai come up with.

"Paddy was well known and well loved in the town of Lismore."
A schoolgirl with scoliosis is pleading with Health Minister Simon Harris to let her "have my operation".

Sarah-Ann Clyne-Mitchell (12), from Ballybrack, sent an email to Mr Harris saying she can no longer bear the pain that she was suffering.

She was angry that the Minister had not contacted her mother some two weeks after promising he would.

Her mother Karen (40) said she did not realise Sarah-Ann had sent the email until hours after the event.

When Ms Clyne-Mitchell realised how angry her daughter was that the Minister had "ignored" them, she took action herself in the hope the Minister would listen.

"Sarah-Ann knew that Mr Harris had said two weeks ago in the Dail that he would meet me.

Promise

"My TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, openly asked him to, and he said he would, and that promise was televised.

"I haven't heard a word from Mr Harris about any meeting and Sarah-Ann knew that.

"I came home and she told me she'd emailed him. She asked why he hadn't been in touch to meet me.

"She also asked, 'Can I have my operation, please?'"

Ms Clyne-Mitchell broke down in tears as she described the desperation of her young daughter, and described the HSE as a "poisoned chalice".

"It is ignoring mothers and children like Sarah-Ann, who are living in pain every day of their lives.

"Simon Harris knows he is dealing with a poisoned chalice in the HSE and if only he would be the first minister to admit it, that the system is broken.

"Instead, he stated that the waiting list would be fixed, when he hasn't pledged any more staff to help fix it.

"He knows it isn't going to happen and that this is an empty promise. If this man becomes Taoiseach, he is leaving the problem for someone else to fix and they won't do it either. It goes on and on.

"I wouldn't leave a dog to suffer the way children with scoliosis suffer in this country. Yet this Government, the HSE, think it's acceptable."

Sarah-Ann was diagnosed last July with a curvature of the spine, and Ms Clyne-Mitchell was told her talented Irish dancer daughter had a curvature at 50 degrees at that point.

By December, she paid for a private X-ray because she had become frustrated by waiting for an appointment on the public system.

Ms Clyne-Mitchell was horrified to find out the curvature had worsened and was then at 60 degrees.

Worse

"It had got so much worse and still we aren't on the waiting list. We only got a call the other day saying Sarah-Ann's file would be transferred to the Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital," she said.

"But we don't know when Sarah-Ann will have an operation, no-one in the HSE tells us a thing."

A spokesperson for the minister said he is planning to get in touch with Sarah and Karen soon.

"He is very concerned about patients waiting in pain, and has placed a special focus on addressing the waiting times for patients with scoliosis that so drastically affect children like Sarah-Ann.

"His Department is working with the HSE on a specific Scoliosis Action Plan which will be completed shortly."
Egypt's parliament will vote Monday whether to strip high-profile MP Anwar El-Sadat of his membership.

The vote would come after the legislative and constitutional affairs committee approved on Sunday a proposal to remove El-Sadat from parliament.

According to the constitution, two thirds of MPs must approve the motion against Sadat in order for it to be valid. The vote must be conducted through a roll call.

Sources told Ahram Online that if finally stripped of membership, El-Sadat might be referred to prosecution for investigation.

The motion against Sadat came after members of the ethics committee and the legislative and constitutional affairs committee found him guilty of three accusations: leaking a draft NGOs law to EU ambassadors in Egypt, leaking national security information to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and faking the signatures of 16 colleague MPs on two laws he had drafted on criminal procedures and NGOS.

El-Sadat, nephew of late president Anwar El-Sadat and head of the liberal Reform and Development Party, has vehemently denied the accusations.

Bahaaeddin Abu Shoqa, head of the parliament's legislative committee, said El-Sadat was allowed adequate time to defend himself before the committee.

"He refused to come on Sunday and sent his MP colleague and lawyer Ahmed El-Bardisi to defend him," he said.



Abu Shoqa said the majority of the committee's 49 members have found El-Sadat guilty of the three charges, and that while most MPs agreed that El-Sadat must be punished, they differed on what penalties should be imposed on him.

"But at the end most members said the harshest penalty should be imposed on El-Sadat because what he has done has sent a very negative message about the parliament of Egypt," said Abu Shoqa.

El-Sadats defence

El-Sadat has repeatedly denied accusations that he was involved in collecting and forwarding classified information to foreign institutions.

In a 140-page statement issued on 21 February, El-Sadat said that he had not leaked a copy of the government-drafted NGO law to the Dutch ambassador in Cairo.

"The draft of this law was made public several months ago, not to mention that the social solidarity ministry made it available on the internet so that civil society organisations could discuss it in a national dialogue," said El-Sadat in his statement.

The Dutch ambassador himself had announced in a public statement that he had never met the MP in person, El-Sadat said.

"In addition, Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali announced that the government had never sent a draft NGO law to parliament and what was finally approved by parliament was a NGO law which was drafted by MPs," he wrote.

In response to the second accusation, El-Sadat said the constitution and parliament's internal bylaws do not oblige MPs to collect signatures in support of laws they draft.

Some MPs gave their signatures, but they decided later to withdraw them" he said. Another group of MPs gave signatures on behalf of other MPs because this is a normal procedure in parliament."

Regarding the third accusation, El-Sadat denied that he had sent classified information to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

"It was just a press statement and message to parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal and the IPU in both Arabic and English, urging him to do his best improving the performance of Egypt's parliament," he said, arguing that "the constitution gives MPs the right to comment on the internal performance of parliament and propose recommendations aimed at improving this performance."

El-Sadat's 140-page statement concluded by urging members of the legislative and constitutional affairs committee not to take a "politicised stance" against him.

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The ministry called on envoys to continue charging $25 per tourist visa until July

Egypts foreign ministry has informed its envoys abroad of a cabinet order to postpone the introduction of a new hike in tourist visas until July.

In an official statement on Sunday, ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said the foreign ministry received orders from Prime Minister Sherif Ismail to delay raising the rate -- from $25 to $60 -- until the summer.

The order was originally set to be implemented 1 March, but the tourism ministry announced on Saturday that the raise had been rescheduled.

Officials have not announced a reason for the delay, however sources in the tourism sector told Al-Ahram Arabic news website that the decision to postpone came after the foreign ministry stepped in to deal with complaints from the tourism sector to the cabinet saying the fee hike was too abrupt.

Egypt last increased its visa fee in April 2014, from $15 to $25.

Egypt has struggled to attract tourists scared off by the political turmoil that followed the 2011 uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

The countrys tourism revenues dropped to $3.4 billion in 2016 -- a 44.3 percent decline 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.



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Egyptian officials said Sunday they were inching closer to meeting all demands set by Russia on airport security to resume flights to Egypt, suspended after the deadly crash of a Russian airliner 15 months ago over the Sinai Peninsula.

Since the crash, Egypt has spent millions of dollars to upgrade security at its airports, particularly in Cairo and several destinations popular with foreign tourists, like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada on the Red Sea.

The officials said work has begun to install 16 finger-print security gates for employees at two of Cairo airport's main terminals and to raise an existing but potentially vulnerable, 1-kilometer (0.65-mile) stretch of fence separating the east Cairo facility from a residential suburb.

The officials said 12 finger-print gates have already been installed at terminal 2, the airport's newest terminal from which Russian national carrier Aeroflot was expected to operate when flights resume. The decision to install similar gates at terminals 1 and 3 was recommended by the Russians.

The finger-print scans were purchased in place of retinal scans that airport officials had said in October they would tender for the employees' gates but which proved to be too expensive and more difficult to operate.

Russian airport security experts have visited Egypt on at least six occasions since the October 2015 crash to assess the effectiveness of new security measures put in place by the Egyptians to persuade Moscow to resume flights.

The latest Russian inspection took place earlier this year and the Egyptian officials said Sunday they would invite them back in about two weeks to inspect the facility one last time before they give the airport their nod of approval.

Russian officials have similarly said that they were close to resuming flights to Egypt, but they have not set a specific date.

Moscow suspended air links to Egypt after the deadly crash over Sinai killed d 224 people on board and decimating the country's vital tourism industry.

The aircraft had taken off from Sharm el-Sheikh, in southern Sinai, before it crashed.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibilty for the downing of the plane.However, Egypt has not yet concluded its investigation into the causes of the crash

Britain followed Russia's example and suspended all flights to Sharm el-Sheikh after the crash, dealing an equally serious blow to Egypt's tourism industry since Britons and Russians accounted for more than half of foreign visitors to Egypt on the eve of the crash.

The slump in tourism has significantly contributed to Egypt's economic woes, primarily creating an acute foreign currency shortage that pushed the local currency's value down in the free market.

Among the measures taken to meet Russian security demands was the installment of 18 security cameras on the Cairo airport's perimeter fence with a clear vision range of two kilometers (1.25 miles) along with equipment that allows the storage of 30 days of footage at any given time. The previous ones stored up to two days of footage.

Other new security measures in place included sealing off luggage after it is cleared by X-ray checks, a process that also applies to on-flight food and beverages. Passengers must also remove their shoes and belts for scanning at the final security check before boarding. Kiosk-shaped machines designed to detect traces of explosives have been installed at arrival halls.

Several gates that open to the airport's grounds and used by employees, like engineering and ground services' personnel, have been sealed shut. Those that remain open were being upgraded with X-ray machines, finger-print gates and police dogs, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Security related problems at Cairo airport, however, persist.

Airport security officials said a random check on Sunday targeting personnel working on the facility's grounds nabbed 23 employees with expired access permits, driving without a license or exceeding the speed limit.

* This report was edited by Ahram Online

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Egypt's army said in a statement on Monday it has killed six militants during the most recent several raids against terrorists' hideouts in North Sinai.

The army's announcement comes a few days after a number of Coptic families fled the governorate following a spate of killings of Christians by Islamist militants.

Army spokesman Tamer El-Refai said security forces in North Sinai also arrested 18militant suspects during the raids.

Two storehouses used to hide explosives were discovered, and eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were deactivated by the forces.

"Law enforcement forces will continue carrying out their mission with determination to uproot terrorism and eliminate terrorist elements," the statement read.

Egypts army and police forces have been waging a war over the past several years against an Islamist militant insurgency in North Sinai.

Hundreds of security personnel have been killed in terror attacks by militants. The army also killed hundreds of militants.

In the past month, militants have targeted Christian residents, killing seven Christians in North sinai.

Last week, the Islamic State militant group called on supporters in a video, in which it claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a church in Cairo in December, to attack Christians across the country.

Several days after the video was released, three Christians were murdered in El-Arish.

118 displaced Coptic families have been temporarily housed by the government in four governorates, according to a report released by the Cabinet on Sunday.

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An Egyptian court has set 8 March to hear an appeal by Islamic researcher Mohamed Abdallah Nasr, also known as Sheikh Mizo, who was sentenced on Sunday to five years in prison on charges of contempt of religion.

A lawsuit was filed against the researcher after he made a post on his Facebook account claiming to be the Mahdi, a prophesied redeemer who, according to some Islamic interpretations, will rule the world and rid it of evil before the Day of Judgement.

Sheikh Mizo was also accused of questioning the Hadith  the Prophet Muhammads sayings.

Mizo has said that he merely claimed to be the Mahdi to show that Islamic scholars cannot prove otherwise through scientific methods.

Contempt of religion is punishable by prison according to Egyptian law.

The 1982 law stipulates a prison sentence of six months to five years for anyone who promotes through speech, writing, or any other medium ideas aimed at spreading discord or harming national unity through denigrating one of the Abrahamic religions or their various sects.

In November 2016, Islamic researcher Islam El-Beheiry was released from prison by a presidential pardon after serving one year for contempt of religion.

El-Beheiry stirred controversy after he questioned the credibility of some the sources of the Prophet Muhammad's sayings.

He repeatedly argued that he only aims to contribute to the renewal of religious discourse in order to protect the soul of Islamic theology from dangers presented by ultra-conservative jihadist interpretations.

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The two officials stressed during their meeting the special and strategic ties that have binded the two countries for decades, vowing more cooperation on all levels.

Shoukry arrived in Washington on Sunday for talks with US officials, which will include meetings with National Security Adviser Raymond McMaster as well as some leading representatives from Congress.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that Shoukry updated his US counterpart on the latest economic and security developments in Egypt, as well as the country's counter-terrorism efforts.

The two ministers also discussed a range of regional issues, including the Syrian crisis, where Shoukry stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the conflict in a way that preserves the country's territorial integrity and national institutions and achieves the hopes of the Syrian people.

Shoukry also spoke with Tillerson about Egypt's political efforts to end the crisis in Libya in accordance with the UN-brokered Skhirat agreement of 2015.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Egyptian FM stressed the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state, pointing to Cairo's efforts to return both sides to the negotiating table.

Shoukry will also discuss with US officials preparations for Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's upcoming visit to the US to meet with President Donald Trump, which will be the first meeting between an Egyptian and US president in years.

The last official meeting in Washington of the countries' two leaders was between former presidents Hosni Mubarak and George W. Bush in 2004.

Rhetoric from both sides since Trump's election late last year has been warm, in contrast with relations under the administration of Barack Obama, which grew strained after the ouster of Egypt's Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Shortly after the ouster of Morsi, which the Obama administration described as a "military coup," Washington temporarily suspended the $1.3 billion in annual US military aid to Egypt.

However, the military aid to Cairo was resumed in 2015.

Egypt has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai.

Militants have killed hundreds of security personnel. The army also killed hundreds of insurgents.

El-Sisi was the first world leader to congratulate Trump on his election as president in November 2016.

The Egyptian president met with then-presidential candidate Trump in September last year on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York.

Trump described his meeting with El-Sisi as "productive and great."

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HICKORY  Catawba County Partnership for Children hosted the inaugural Parent Support Council meeting last week, where 15 people attended to discuss Triple P.

Triple P is a program that has been developed in Australia for the past 30 years, Libby Throckmorton, the program manager for the Partnership for Children, said. They have years worth of data compiled to show the difference that the program has had for different families.

Now found in 25 countries and translated into 19 different languages, Triple P serves as a parenting and family support system designed to prevent and treat behavioral and emotional problems in children and teenagers.

Triple P is all about helping parents understand why their children are misbehaving and helping them understand that if they are contributing to behavior issues and what to do about it, Throckmorton said.

The meeting was intended to get the attention of other community services in the county to get on-board with Triple P and help spread the program further.

The programs that we offer are free to Catawba County residents, but we do need more people trained in Triple P, Throckmorton said. The few people we have now cannot do it all.

Triple P is funded by a few different organizations, including Smart Start, Sisters of Mercy and The Church of Ascension.

All of the money is tagged to use for other purposes, but we have been able to combine things and fill in all of the gaps that weve needed so far, Throckmorton said. We are a year and half into this, but then when we look at the numbers and we have really exploded.

Throckmorton explained that getting a program like Triple P off the ground usually takes a while, but not in this case.

One-hundred and sixty-three children have been impacted by the services we have provided, Jane Abernathy, a clinical specialist with the Early Childhood Support Team.

Abernathy also is a Triple P coordinator that has kept record of how many programs have been held in the county since July 2016.

We have held seven Selected Seminar Series and one Selected Seminar, where we served 127 parents, Abernathy said.

There are a few options parents can choose from, depending on the situation, which include Group Triple P, Primary Care Triple P, Stepping Stones Triple P, Triple P Seminar Series and Family Transitions.

Parents can join any of these groups and then figure out which option is best for their situation, like getting a referral, Throckmorton said.

Once a parent has a referral, a professional will evaluate the situation and help the parent(s) decide which option is best.

We have had a lot of referrals come out of the seminars that we have done, Abernathy said.

There is a group of parents that attended a seminar series at St. Lukes and decided that they need more.

Those parents came together and are in a group class now, Abernathy said.

During the meeting, Abernathy and Throckmorton explained exactly what Triple P provides to the community and called for other community services to come together to help spread the program throughout the county.

We want to hear from the others in our community that also help with parents and children, Throckmorton said.

Attendees tossed around ideas for fundraisers and ways to reach other demographics in the county, like teen parents and Spanish-speaking families.

We now have one practitioner who can present seminars and lead groups in Spanish, which will reach even farther in the community, Throckmorton said.

The group plans to meet quarterly to discuss opportunities to share Triple P with as many parents as possible, fundraising and any other new ideas that includes Triple P.

We have accomplished enough on our own, but now we need the help of others in our community, Throckmorton said.

To learn more about Triple P and the Partnership for Children, visit www.catawbakids.com/ or call 828-695-6505.
On Wednesday, March 22 from 7:30 a.m. to noon, the business community will convene at 74 South at the Moretz Mill to hear more about several of the Chambers priorities for 2017.

The Future of Catawba County Summit, presented by PNC Bank, is a platform dedicated to focusing on solutions that address the critical issues that our community is facing.

Im pleased to have many of our collaborative partners from government, education and business to make up this dynamic speaker line-up in order to address the following:

 Gus Faucher, Senior Vice President and Chief Deputy Economist with PNC Bank  Gus Faucher will kick off the morning with a 2017 Economic Outlook. Faucher is frequently cited in international, national, and regional media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, CNBC, CNN, Fox Business, and NPR, amongst other outlets.

 Taylor Dellinger, Data Analyst, Western Piedmont Council of Governments: Dellinger will level set the conversation by presenting a 2017 Regional Profile, which will include the facts and figures concerning employment, population, and more.

 Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of Catawba Valley Community College: The K-64 Learning Initiative is a long-term partnership between Catawba County, our three school systems, Catawba Valley Community College, the Catawba EDC and the Catawba County Chamber. This transformational plan contains a holistic approach to developing talent from kindergarten to retirement. Attendees will learn more about the six key priorities and the plan for implementation.

 Mick Berry, Catawba County Manager: The Catawba County Board of Commissioners is leading a countywide strategic planning process, which began in September 2016, to drive economic growth and enhance quality of life in Catawba County. Berry will present on the progress concerning the following key growth sectors: economic development, education, infrastructure, technology, recreation, health and safety, community branding, and arts and culture.

 Jacky Eubanks, Catawba County Planning Director and Donna Adams, Owner of ACRES Commercial Real Estate Services - Adams and Eubanks will deliver facts regarding the current stock of housing in the county; the results of the Downtown Living Survey conducted by the Chamber in November 2016 which address the appeal to millennials and the working age population, and looking to the future to address growth opportunities.

 Kimberly Williams, Executive Director of North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME): With over 25,000 service members transitioning into civilian workforce each year from a base within North Carolina, Williams will share how employers can access this highly qualified talent pool.

 Scott Millar, President of the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation- In addition to delivering a local economic development update, Millar will discuss other key priorities such as product development.

For more information about the Future of Catawba County Summit or to reserve your seat, visit the Chambers website at www.catawbachamber.org or call at 828-328-6111. 

Lindsay Keisler is president and CEO of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce.
The Rotary Foundation, started with an initial contribution of $26.50, has grown to more than $4 billion, which is used to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards, and build goodwill and peace at home and around the world. Founded to do good in the world, The Rotary Foundation has focused its efforts on sustainable programs in six areas: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water; providing improved health care for mothers and children; supporting education; and growing local economies. The foundation has partnered with the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and governments around the world in an extended effort to eradicate polio in the world through immunization, achieving a success rate of 99 percent.
The sinkhole that could be the largest mass grave in Iraq's latest conflict is barely visible from the road, nothing more than a small depression behind a desert ridge near Mosul.

The place known as the Khasfah (an Arabic word for a crack or a hole that opens up in the ground) was once a local curiosity, a natural formation that many locals believe was caused by a meteorite.

But the Islamic State group transformed it into a "place of death" after capturing the area in June 2014, using it as an execution site and a mass grave where they disposed of victims, according to local residents.

"They would bring them blindfolded, their hands tied behind their backs. The Khasfah would be in front of them, they would make them kneel down, shoot them in the head and push them in," said Mohamed Yassin, 56, a resident of the nearby town of Hammam al-Alil.

A retired soldier, he said he saw people being executed at the site on several occasions after IS captured the area in June 2014.

He was in the area regularly, transporting oil from a site just metres away, and said he saw executions there at least six times.

Most of those killed, he said, were policeman, soldiers or government employees, judged guilty for their association with the Iraqi state.

"People became afraid of the place, it became a place of death, a place where you'd be executed."

Hussein Khalaf Hilal, 73, was taken to the Khasfah by IS fighters who accused him of violating their rules by treating people with religious folk medicine.

"They came to the house, they blindfolded me, tied my hands behind my back and took me away in a car with blacked out windows," he told AFP.

"They took me there because they wanted me to pledge allegiance, to frighten me."

He said IS fighters marched people into the pit after forcing them to take pills.

"They would line them up, ten by ten, 15 by 15," he said.

He declined to pledge allegiance, but asked for a chance to consider the matter, and was taken to prison instead.

The stories of mass executions match what Belkis Wille, senior Iraq researcher for Human Rights Watch, has heard for months.

"I started hearing about this location about a year ago, in interviews I was doing with people who had fled IS control," she said.

They told her about people who had been executed at the sinkhole, and prisoners whose IS guards told them they were taking detainees to the Khasfah to be killed.

HRW examined satellite imagery that suggested the sinkhole was filling up, and local residents told AFP that IS had piled rusted car parts and shipping containers into it, before bulldozing earth on top.

A month after the area was taken from IS, the once-cavernous hole now extends just a few metres down for most of its surface.

In the centre, there is a smaller, deeper hole, with the carcass of a vehicle lying on top.

The area is strewn with IEDs, both inside and around its perimeter, and is in territory patrolled by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitaries.

"This is a place where you feel sadness," said Hashed fighter Abu Ahmed Hassani.

"You think about all the Iraqis who have been executed, from all the sects," he said.

"They killed children, they killed old people, women, men."

And the Khasfah is still claiming lives.

On Saturday, a reporter from Kurdish channel Rudaw and three Hashed members were killed at the mouth of its central hole, when an IED detonated.

No exact figures yet exist for the number of bodies that could be buried in the sinkhole.

"The figure that we hear over and over again in interviews is 4,000," said Wille, stressing the information was as yet impossible to verify.

HRW wants to see Iraq's government, which has an inter-ministerial team dedicated to dealing with mass graves, carry out an extensive operation to protect and excavate the site.

"We'd want to see that team going up as quickly as possible, marking off the site both to protect it and also to stop people going to a site that's contaminated," said Wille.

"After that comes the harder job, which is first collecting the surface remains... for use by forensic experts to start identification, and after that the much harder work of excavating the remains that are below."

But Hassani said he thought it would be impossible to excavate the many layers of the sinkhole.

"What should happen is that it should be covered over, and become a cemetery for Iraqi martyrs," he said.

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Garrett Hinshaw, president of Catawba Valley Community College, agreed to let faculty, staff and students duct tape him to a pole in the CVCC Student Center to raise funds for cancer research.

CVCC is part of the American Cancer Societys Relay For Life, which will take place on June 2 at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. The school will also host a mini relay on April 5 as part of its Spring Fling.

Hinshaw raised more than $1,000 to donate to Relay For Life. During the hour and a half fundraiser, he issued a challenge to all college and university presidents to follow his lead in an effort to end cancer.

Relay For Life is a yearly celebration of life that raises money and public awareness in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit organization raising funds for all types of cancer research while offering several programs free of charge to families in the community battling cancer. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/catawbanc.
Editors Note: This listing is not a comprehensive list of every vote taken in each chamber. While expansive, only legislation of potential impact or importance to Catawba residents is considered. If you believe there is a particular bill or proposal the Hickory Daily Record should follow or track, email news@hickoryrecord.com.

Catawba County Policy Watch is the Hickory Daily Records weekly series on what your Catawba County legislators are voting on in Raleigh. This feature will contain an accounting of the weeks legislative votes from State House Districts 89 and 96 and State Senate District 42. The current legislators for those districts are State Rep. Jay Adams, State Rep. Mitchell Setzer and State Sen. Andy Wells.

HICKORY  Rep. Jay Adams was the sponsor of two bills in the N.C. House of Representatives last week:

 A bill calling for a referendum to remove language from the North Carolina Constitution that allows the state to regulate concealed carry, specifically the ability of the state to prohibit concealed carry. If passed, the proposition would be put to North Carolina voters in the 2018 elections.

 A bill that would change the property tax exclusions for solar energy systems by reducing the exclusion for solar energy systems from 80 percent to 60 percent of the system's appraised value.

Sen. Andy Wells introduced a bill that deals with regulations in a variety of areas:

 The bill would amend state laws in areas such as public records requirements, the construction of private wells for drinking water and agency reporting requirements, among other things.

It would allow agencies to meet public records requirements by providing downloadable access to the documents online.

The bill would amend the building code by lifting the needs for permitting of construction and maintenance activities related to private drinking wells, provided they meet certain requirements and are done by a certified contractor.

The Environmental Management Commission would be required to submit reports to the Environmental Review Commission by Jan. 1 each year rather than quarterly.
NEWTON  Judge Nathaniel J. Poovey sentenced a man to 50 to 70 years in prison, after a jury found the man guilty of sexual offenses with a child, during Catawba County Superior Court on Friday, according to a press release from the District Attorneys Office.

The jury found Zachary Allen Blankenship, 32, of Sherrills Ford, guilty of one felony count of rape of a child by an adult offender, three felony counts of sexual offense with a child by an adult offender and four felony counts of indecent liberties with a child. Attorney Scott Matthews represented Blankenship.

In addition to prison time, Blankenship will be put on the sex offender registry and be under satellite surveillance for the rest of his life.

According to the release, the child was a 2-year-old girl. The rapes and other offenses occurred in November 2013.

Michael Van Buren prosecuted the case.
HICKORY  The Elektra Winds quartet filled Grace Chapel at Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) with an eclectic arrangement of woodwind music Sunday in another edition of the regular Concert Series at the university.

This is really fun for us. Its glorious acoustics in the chapel and a beautiful space, so its a delight for us to play here, Amber Ferenz Spuller, the bassoonist with the group, said.

The quartet performed works from Wolfang Amadeus Mozart, Eugene Bozza, Sergei Prokofiev, Jacques Ibert, Charles Fernandez and Isaac Albeniz.

Established in 2015, Elektra Winds is the Piedmont Triad's newest chamber ensemble, according to a Lenoir-Rhyne press release. The woodwind quartet features four distinguished young professional musicians from Forsyth and Guilford Counties including Anna Lampidis on oboe, Eileen Young on clarinet, Spuller on bassoon and Lissie Shanahan on flute, who has been an adjunct professor at LRU for six years.

All the Elektra Winds members teach at several universities in the area and all are members of at least six regional orchestras, including the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Asheville symphonies.

It is really nice to play for my students so that I can demonstrate all the things we work so hard on in their lessons, Shanahan said. Im really proud of this program weve put together. I really like our music, so its fun and exciting to share music that means so much to me.

Their passion for music in general showed through the variety of pieces in the concert the group performed at Grace Chapel.

We like to push the limits of the listeners ear just a little bit but then also like to throw in some really memorable melodies they may recognize, so they may walk away humming a tune, Shanahan said. Its kind of a unique setting to hear the four orchestral wind instruments together as a group rather than as just a part of the orchestra.

I think we have a lot to say on our instruments, so its nice to really show that and hopefully (the audience) will walk away with music in their heart.

Opening the door to new music for members of the audience is certainly a key focus of LRUs Concert Series.

We like to alternate between giving local groups or state-wide groups a chance to perform and also giving people with national and international reputations a chance for our audiences, LRU Professor of Music, John Cheek said.

He also likes the connection to the classroom the series makes at the school.

Whatever groups come here they interact with our students, thats usually in a class situation, Cheek said.

Established in the fall of 2000, the Concert Series brings musical artists to the University to present concerts and recitals, work with students in the master class setting, lecture to music classes and provide examples of professional artistry in music, according to the release.

The concerts are all free to the public.

The next performance in the series will be by The United States Army Field Band on March 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium at LRU.

A Cappella Choir Homecoming Concert will perform March 25 at Grace Chapel.

For more information on other LRU events, visit lr.edu.
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Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading hatred to gain mileage in the UP assembly elections.

Addressing a joint rally with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav at Champa Devi Park in Gorakhpur, Gandhi said: Modi ji, when you saw the UP election slipping out of your grasp, you started venting your anger in order to spread hatred by talking about kabristan (graveyard) and shamshan (cremation ground).

But this is UP, a state known for harmony. Here, such tactics will not work. Hindu banega na Musalman banega insaan ki aulad hai insan banega, he said in an apparent reference to the PMs allegation about the state government discriminating in power supply during Hindu and Muslim festivals.

He asserted that the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance will form the government in UP.

Rahul accused the PM of letting liquor baron Vijay Mallya take Rs 1,200 crore to London and waive huge loans of 50 top corporates .

Attacking PM for his promise to waive farmers loan, Rahul said Modi need not win the UP election for that as he was country s Prime Minister who could waive loans by calling a cabinet meeting and signing the required papers in just two minutes.

Was Manmohan Singh the UP CM when he waived farmers loans worth Rs 70,000 crore during the UPA government? Rahul Gandhi asked the crowd.

He also criticised the PM over failure to clean the Ganga, a promise Modi had made during 2014 Lok Sabha election.

Modi said Maa Ganga called him. He became PM with the blessings of Ganga but didnt do any work for it. Did he clean up the Ganga or its ghats?Rahul Gandhi asked as the crowd replied no.

Talking about the chief minister, Gandhi said: Akhilesh does not make promises but works .He did a lot of work in UP.

Like his previous rallies, this time too Rahul tried to woo the youths by claiming he wanted to see growth in industries in UP which can provide more jobs to the unemployed.

Modi didnt fulfil his promise to provide jobs to two crore people. He talks about Make in India but everywhere we see Made in China, he said.

I want a situation in which Modi visits the USA and on spotting a carpet there, he is told that it is made in UPs Ghazipur, Rahul Gandhi said.

Similarly, when Akhilesh goes abroad, he will see products carrying tags like Made in Noida, Made in Amethi and Made in Gorakhpur, Gandhi said.
New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Monday refused parole to gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari to campaign in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh election.

Justice Mukta Gupta accepted the Election Commissions plea to cancel parole granted to Ansari who is the Bahujan Samaj Party candidate from the Mau Sadar constituency.

The Uttar Pradesh government, too, had opposed the relief granted to the MLA by a trial court.

Mau Sadar goes to the polls on March 4, the sixth and second-last phase of voting in Uttar Pradesh.

When a person in custody fills up a nomination for candidature, he does not get a vested right to be released for canvassing, the judge said, adding Ansaris release till March 4, from 7am to 8pm, was akin to a temporary bail.

The impugned order is thus ex-facie illegal and is set aside on this count itself, she said.

Ansaris release would come in the way of free and fair election, the Election Commission told the court following which it stayed the trial court order on February 17.

The UP government and the complainant in the murder case also moved the high court, opposing Ansaris release from a Lucknow jail, saying he might influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai in which he is facing trial.

A four-time legislator from Mau Sadar, Ansari is in jail since 2005. He has more than 40 criminal cases, including those of murder and kidnapping, against him.

His counsel told the high court that the representation of the people act gave Ansari the right to contest election as well as campaign.

The poll panel said there was a huge deployment of police across the state for the assembly election and it couldnt spare personnel to guard Ansari during campaigning.

The Uttar Pradesh government, too, expressed its inability to provide police cover, saying if something happens (after Ansaris release) state will not be blamed.

Rai and his six supporters were shot dead in Bhanwarkol area of Ghazipur district on November 29, 2005. The case was transferred from Ghazipur to Delhi by the Supreme Court in 2013 on the plea of Rais wife Alka.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the BJP would win in Uttar Pradesh with a huge majority as definite defeat was staring at the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Seeing their definite defeat after third phase of polls, SP and BSP evolved a new idea that even if they lose the elections, no one should get majority in Uttar Pradesh so that they could have an opportunity of horse trading, Modi said while addressing an election rally in Mau.

The Prime Minister said the wish of SP and BSP will not be fulfilled.

Do whatever you want to but dont play with the future of Uttar Pradesh to defeat BJP. It has already suffered a lot. It is not going to be a hung assembly. We are going to win this election with huge majority, Modi said.

Modi said after the poll results on March 11 BJP would celebrate Vijayi Holi and then after forming the government in the first cabinet meet it would waive off the loans of the farmers.
Related Palestinian shot dead in Jerusalem

A Palestinian woman suspected of intending to attack Israeli guards at a West Bank checkpoint into Jerusalem was shot and injured by security forces on Monday, police claimed.

The 30-year-old woman walked towards the guards at the Qalandia checkpoint using the vehicle-only lane "all the time clutching her handbag in a way that made them suspicious", police spokeswoman Luba Samri wrote in a statement.

She had ignored repeated orders to halt and they opened fire.

The Palestinian woman was slightly injured and taken by Israeli ambulance for medical treatment, Samri added, without specifying if any suspect items were found in her handbag.

Since October 2015, Israeli occupation forces have killed at least 252 Palestinians. Meanwhile, attacks by frustrated and unarmed Palestinians have killed 41 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese.

The rate of attacks has declined sharply in recent months.

*The story edited by Ahram Online.

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It would have been better if the BJP gave tickets to Muslims for the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Monday.

He added that the BJP believes in taking along all the sections of the society and the community will be adequately compensated after the party forms government in the state.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti had reportedly made similar comments earlier.

As far as tickets are concerned, it would have been better (if tickets were given to Muslims).

We will address their concern by compensating them when we form government in the state, Naqvi said, without elaborating in what ways the party will deal with the issue.

The minister said the NDA governments performance should not be assessed in the light of the BJP not offering tickets to Muslims.

The BJP believes in taking along all the sections of the society. We formed government at the Centre with cooperation of all. Similarly, we will form government in the state..., he said.

Home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh had reportedly said on Thursday that Muslims should have been given tickets. Water resources minister Bharti echoed similar views on Sunday.

The BJP has not fielded even a single Muslim candidate in the state, which has sizeable Muslim population and is considered crucial in the countrys electoral politics.

The fifth round of polling is underway for 51 assembly constituencies spread across 11 districts of the state.
A road accident snuffed out a life, and many dreams. It might cost a politician an election, too.

A lorry laden with hay overturned on one of the countless potholes dotting the main thoroughfare of an eastern Uttar Pradesh village, crushing to death a Dalit boy.

The accident on February 18 threatens to tip over a politicians fortunes this poll season.

Gahmar, the countrys biggest village with about 4,400 families in Ghazipur district, erupted after the incident that left two people injured as well.

Driven by anger over their pockmarked and trench-like lifeline  the Tarighat-Bara highway  many villagers launched a violent protest. They torched and vandalised private and public property, including a police jeep, attracting an iron-fisted crackdown by the authorities.

The potholes, police action and public anger threaten to spoil the re-election bid of the Samajwadi Partys Om Prakash Singh, a former tourism minister in chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs council, at Zamania constituency in Ghazipur district.

The accident has galvanised against Singh the very people who had voted for him in 2012.

Also, it exposed faultlines in chief minister Yadavs social engineering formula and holes in his kaam bolta hai, or work speaks for itself, narrative.

Anger and frustration over poor infrastructure were simmering at Gahmar, long before the truck keeled over. The accident lit the matchlock.

The 35km stretch from the Ghazipur district headquarters to Gahmar takes about two-and-a-half hours of bone-rattling travel on an apology of a road in a former tourism ministers constituency.

Senior district administration officials reached the village several long hours after the incident. What came next was a midnight swoop on suspects in the village.

Police arrested BJP candidate Sunita Singhs brother-in-law Raghuvir Singh and 14 more people associated with the party for the arson and vandalism, said Ajay Singh Gahmar, an elderly villager.

This was done to create terror. About 2,000 youngsters fled the village for fear of police brutality, he said.

Politics has taken over since. Villagers alleged the police highhandedness to senior officers belonging to the Yadav community. They also suspect poll candidate Singhs hand.

The former minister couldnt be contacted for his response, while officers at Gahmar police station dismissed the villagers charges.

The BJP was quick to seize the opportunity to rally people around Gahmars foremost grudge  poor infrastructure. An allegation that the Yadav government was favouring a particular caste became an add-on to escalate the tempo against the ruling SP.

The last time the BJP won Zamania constituency was in 1991. The seat has been an SP-BSP match for two-and-a-half decades. The BJP hopes to make it a triangular contest this time.

Of about 400,000 voters in Zamania, a third comprises Muslims and Dalits. There are an estimated 50,000 Yadavs. That makes Muslim votes crucial to both the SP and BSP.

The recent outrage has made the minority community rethink its options.

Om Prakash had a good chance but people are turning against him. (BSP candidate) Atul Rai is also a strong contender. We havent decided anything yet, a Muslim villager from Bara said.

The SP candidate could also face erosion in his partys support base among the Yadavs.

What has he done? You have seen the roads. You tell us, said Lalji Yadav of Bhoksi village. Daddan Pahalwan (a Bihar muscleman who has fielded his son as an independent candidate) will teach Om Prakash a lesson.

The BJP is banking on the support of non-Yadav other backward classes (OBCs) and upper castes.

Farmer Rambachan Rajbhar has no love lost for any party, but has faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are thinking of giving him a chance, he said.

Similar narratives abound in eastern UP. Like the Tarighat-Bara highway, the road to Lucknow looks bumpy for politicians.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday vowed to end the karobaar of bahubalis in Uttar Pradesh when the BJP came to power. He said jails in the state would become jails in the true sense.

At a rally in Mau, the prime minister appeared to take a swipe at BSPs local candidate Mukhtar Ansari, a don-turned-politician, when he said bahubalis (musclemen) in UP go to jail smiling because they get protection, security and run their syndicate from inside.

Giving tickets to such gangsters, is it not a mockery of democracy, asked Modi. Give my message to all those who have evaded jails till nowthat times have changed, and after the results are announced on March 11, jails will be made jails in the true sense.

Ansari, a four-time MLA from Mau, was with the BSP till he was expelled in 2010 for criminal activities. Last month, he merged his Quami Ekta Dal, founded with his brothers, with Mayawatis party. Ansari has over 40 criminal cases against him, including murder and kidnapping. He is a prime accused in the 2005 murder of BJP legislator Krishnanand Rai, for which he is currently lodged in Agra jail.

Expressing confidence that the BJP will get a majority in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said the unholy nexus of the Congress-Samajwadi Party (SP) has already been rejected by the people. An inefficient SP government, he said, had joined hands with a sinking ship called Congress and now both were set to drown.

The Congress is a sinking ship. They campaigned together at some locations and stopped holding joint road shows after realizing that the BJP is going to win the polls, the prime minister said.

Making a case for the BJP, Modi said India was being hailed across the world because of the stable government at the Centre. India is discussed in the US. Hailed in Japan, England and various other countries across the world because of you who voted for the BJP, not because of Modi, he said. If you want UP to be hailed equally support BJP in forming the government in UP.

Picking on chief minister Akhilesh Yadav again, Modi said the SP leader recently said his donkey remark was actually a joke. I want to ask this government if state of police stations is also a joke; if poor law and order is a joke. If making fun of Modi ensures you sound sleep, do it. But please dont make UP a joke. During last five years of your rule, you have made UP a joke.

Last week, during campaigning for the fourth phase of elections, a war of words had broken out between Akhilesh and Modi after the UP chief minister advised actor Amitabh Bachchan not to advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat.

He 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.
At tier two, Brahmins are at the forefront of the hugely OBC-ised Bharatiya Janata Partys campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Theyre without a leader or a party they can truly call their own. What keeps them going is their resolve, their fears and the flair for social stewardship.

I spent considerable time decoding the trend during my 10-day tour of the state. The answers that seem valid arent based on empirical data. Theyre a distillation of stray and considered comments on the ground.

The most telling insight was of Gulab Pandey, who once distributed the HT groups Hindustan newspaper in Varanasi.

The Brahmins voted for the SP in 2012 but were given a short shrift. The partys treatment of the community was no better than the BSPs that got a majority of its own in the 2007 polls. Pichli baar Mayawati to patkhani di thei, iss baar Akhilesh ko dengey, declared Pandey.

That leaves the Brahmins with just the BJPs Hindutva with a pro-Backward tilt. Its leaders, especially Narendra Modi, invoke socialist icon Ram Manohar Lohia, a Bania who first tried organising the middle classes to beat the Nehruvian Congresss since decimated Dalit-Brahmin-Muslim compact.

Modis BJP has been downplaying its Brahminical past to woo backward communities; terming the SPs alliance with the Congress an ideological betrayal. In Allahabad, the road-show led by Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi made the counterpoint. Their supporters and party cadres passed by Anand Bhawan and Swaraj Bhawan to show the alliance as recognition rather than demonisation of the Congresss historicity.

Its hard to tell whether the spectacle brought alive to the Brahmins their primacy in the Congress of yore. The point wasnt entirely lost on the Allahabad electorate.

Why does the BJPs attempted personality transplant not upset the Brahmins? They want the SP punished and are unsure of the Congress as a socio-political sinecure. To them, Muslim consolidation was the sole motivation for the Rahul-Akhilesh entente.

Sample this: In the Rajput-Brahmin dominated Pratapgarh district, I ran into Hanuman Prasad Ojha. He gave the alliance a clear edge but said as a Brahmin he wont be on the same side as Muslims.

For such category of voter across castes, the BJP becomes attractive for not putting up any Muslim candidate. The new acronyms, binaries and analogies the party has injected in the poll discourse are meant to bring out the latent religious divide.

On display has been a smart circumvention of the Supreme Court order that barred use of religion in politics. The BJP leaders talked about cremation grounds and burial spaces instead of temples and mosques. Imageries changed, not the divisive agenda. The message was out by the time the EC woke up to it.

However, there are exceptions to the faintly felt majoritarian sentiment at places the alliance or the BSP have candidatures suited to proximate demography. Example: Varanasi South where the Congresss Rajesh Mishra, a former MP, is in a good fight with the BJP.

That brings one to a concomitant imponderable: competing social groups urge for local empowerment and historical settling of scores. The second phenomenon is explained by Kurmis using the BJP in their tussle for political space with Yadavs; the first by party candidates from same caste slugging it out on micro issues.

Such intricacies give UPs poll terrain the look a mosaic: a study of voluble supports and eloquent silences; of helpful tail-winds, not forceful waves.

Vinod Sharma is the political editor of Hindustan Times
The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliances apparent arithmetical advantage is giving jitters to the BJP in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency that has virtually turned into the countrys second capital for Union ministers.

Go to any nukkad sabha, or street-corner meeting, in this ancient temple town by the Ganga, you are very likely to spot a Union minister exhorting people to vote for Modi on March 8 when Varanasi goes to the polls in the final round of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Modijis prestige is at stake. The BJP might get a majority in the entire state but if it doesnt win in his constituency, it will be treated as Modis loss because UP is voting for Modi, not for the BJP, said Dr Kaushal Kishore Mishra, the head of political science at Banaras Hindu University.

BJP chief Amit Shah camped at Amethi House to draw the war strategy, while Union ministers were sweating it out in and around the city last week  JP Nadda, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Manoj Sinha, Smriti Irani, Narendra Singh Tomar, Kalraj Mishra, Ananth Kumar and Mahendra Nath Pandey.

Power minister Piyush Goyal flew from New Delhi to Mumbai early in the morning last Tuesday to cast his vote in the civic polls there and took a detour to Varanasi for a late-night meeting with Shah, before returning to the Capital for a cabinet meeting the next day.

The throng of ministers underscores the BJPs desperation to do well and prove a point in the five assembly segments, and three more in Varanasi district, within Modis Lok Sabha constituency.

The opposition is formidable and combined with a nonchalant party cadre and loyal voters upset with the leaderships choice of candidates, the BJP has almost hit the panic button.

Of the five constituencies in Varanasi, the Samajwadi Party (SP) won two  Sevapuri and Rohaniya  in the previous polls. The states ruling party took Rohaniya in the 2014 bypolls, held after the resignation of Anupriya Patel who was elected to the Lok Sabha.

The BJP holds the other three assembly segments  Varanasi North, South and Cantonment.

But the combined vote-share of the Congress and SP in each of these constituencies in the 2012 elections was more than the BJPs.

In 2012, the SP and Congress candidates together secured over 58,000 votes in Varanasi South, about a thousand more that what seven-term BJP legislator Shyamdev Roy Chaudhury, the winner.

Chaudhury, a popular MLA known to ride a scooter in a vest when his help is sought in an emergency, was denied a poll ticket this time. He has been persuaded to campaign for the official party candidate, but the message is not lost to anyone in the constituency.

Read more: In final lap of UP polls, BJP surges ahead; SP-Congress alliance fights back

In Varanasi Cant, the SP and Congress candidates together got 25,000 more votes than the BJP candidate in 2012. BJPs Jyotsana Srivastava secured about 58,000 votes to become the MLA.

The BJP nominated her son for the 2017 elections, triggering a howl of protest from party leaders waiting their turn.

Mishra, the political science teacher actively associated with the party, explained the palpable panic in the BJP camp: Ground-level workers are still not getting out and people are also silent.

But he was confident that Modis rally and road show on March 3 will change the political scenario.

The BJP was planning the road show from Lanka to Town Hall  a 7km stretch  but it has changed the route now.

Read more: Donkey, Kasab, kabootar jibes mark the end of Phase 5 campaigning

Subject to clearance by the Special Protection Group (SPG) that protects the Prime Minister, the rescheduled show will be from Madan Mohan Malviyas statue outside the BHU campus and end at Kashi Vishwanath temple a couple of km away.

Think of the loud message this short distance from Malviyas statue to the temple will send. If Rahul (Gandhi) and Akhilesh (Yadav) do a road show, its for elections. When Modiji does it, its a visit to the temple, a senior BJP functionary said.

Malviya, a member of the Hindu Mahasabha, one of the founts of the BJP, left the Congress in 1934 in protest against a provision for separate electorates for the minorities. He was a former president of the Congress.

The symbolism in the road show is designed to appeal to Hindu sentiments, which is expected to dissolve whatever grouse people might have against the BJP in this seat of spirituality.

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BJP president Amit Shah on Monday hit out at BSP chief Mayawati on her promise to end goonda raj in Uttar Pradesh by pointing out at her partys posters with photos of Mukhtar Ansari and his brother Afzal.

His remarks came hours after the Delhi high court rejected custody parole to Mukhtar, the sitting MLA from Mau, to canvass for himself in the ongoing assembly polls.

Mayawati says she will end goonda raj. But BSP candidates posters prominently bear the photographs of Mukhtar Ansari and Afzal Ansari, Shah said here.

Ansari, who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest from Mau assembly seat, was given custody parole by a trial court on February 16 till March 4, enabling him to campaign in the election.

The order was stayed the next day by the High Court after the Election Commission moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole on the ground that he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai in which he is facing trial in a Delhi court.

Read more: Family fights lone battle against gangster Mukhtar Ansari

Addressing an election meeting here, Shah claimed, BJP tsunami will knock off its political opponents and time has come when Poorvanchal (eastern UP) is on the threshold of good days.

Keep your future in mind and vote for the BJP, he appealed to the electorates.

Seeking a performance report from the Congress for 60 years of its rule in the country, Shah claimed once the BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh, development would reach every nook and corner and it would become the number one state in the country.
She was mocked for her accent and dress sense when she joined Bollywood and has often found herself in troubled waters for her outspoken nature. Actress Kangana Ranaut says she welcomes constructive criticism with open arms, but bullying is something she cannot tolerate.

Kangana Ranaut during a programme in Mumbai. (IANS)

Asked if negative remarks or criticism affect her, Kangana tsaid, If its constructive, it will definitely be something that will add to me and my growth, but if its just some sort of mocking or bullying, thats not criticism... Thats just bullying. I will definitely not tolerate that.

Kangana has always had strong views and opinions. Doesnt she fear being see in a negative light? First of all, when we put an issue forward or a matter that needs discussion and consideration, the main agenda is to put light on that and not us... So, we really dont care about positive or negative light. Unfortunately, sometimes that spotlight falls on us rather than on the matter, she said, referring to how when celebrities speak up on issues, they end up courting controversies.

Kangana Ranaut during an event in Mumbai . (IANS)

Kangana ventured into Bollywood in 2006 with the thriller Gangster and, since then, she has tasted success with films like Tanu Weds Manu, Krrish 3 and Queen. She has also faced failures with movies like Tezz, Game and Shakalaka Boom Boom.

She credits her success and failures to her growth in Bollywood. Every single day has added to my growth. Every single success and failure has been a part of this huge journey. Today I feel very strong, competent and independent as an individual, added the National Award winner.

Her latest release Rangoon is a two-hero film co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor, but Kangana has stood out with her role, according to a majority of critics.

She found it to be an incredible experience.

Apart from being big stars, they are very good actors as well. For a film like Rangoon, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, I think it is very important that every part was activated through good performances, she said.

Commenting on whether the film industry is still male-dominated, the 29-year-old actress said: I just feel that we all have collectively worked towards it. For years now, we have talked about women empowerment and this issue. The purpose of art is that it really brings important issues to the front and those issues are not just part of conversations and thought exchange and to discuss over summits, but actually to make a difference in the society.

Kangana feels that cinema too is to some extent responsible for the wave of feminism. I think films to an extent are responsible for starting this wave of feminism and woman empowerment. By the grace of God, I have been quite a significant part of that wave as well, and apart from me, even men are participating in films like Pink, she said.

The actress stressed that there are many issues related to women empowerment and more films should be made around them.

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Bollywood actor Rahul Khanna would have never thought his heartbreak would become an overnight sizzling topic for Twitter discussion. When Rahul Khanna tweeted about his breakup, his fans were all over social media, offering the best remedies to deal with it. But theres a twist in the talethe 44-year-old actor was only talking about an airlines.

Rahul took to Twitter on Saturday evening to express his grief over the break up. Breaking up sucks. Especially when youve been together for over two decades, he wrote.

Breaking up sucks. Especially when you've been together for over two decades.   Rahul Khanna (@R_Khanna) February 25, 2017

I gave you my heart but you let me down, then lied & cheated. And thats why were breaking up, he added.

I gave you my heart but you let me down, then lied & cheated. And that's why we're breaking up. https://t.co/TgyY73EFTm  Rahul Khanna (@R_Khanna) February 25, 2017

Fans were quick to offer help. Sample some of these:

@R_Khanna bro old monk is a good healer in my view!!!!  Chirag Bhatia (@ChiragBhatia15) February 25, 2017

@R_Khanna Oh! I can be the shoulder   Riya (@gulabiglares) February 25, 2017

.@R_Khanna Sir breaking up after 2 decades? That is like skipping a YouTube ad after having watched it almost till the end.   Neeche Se Topper (@NeecheSeTopper) February 25, 2017

Interestingly, the second tweet was alongwith a link to his blog where he explained in detail that he was talking about a break up with British Airways after he lost his luggage in transit on board.

Remember taking me home to the premiere of my first film? Remember how we entrusted you to take my 80-year-old grandmother on her first ever trip to London? Remember how often I fought to be with you, even when I was offered younger, more glamorous options? Ive lost track of how many glasses of champagne we shared before you tucked me into bed on our overnighters. Ive kept every card youve ever given me. I even linked my finances with you and have a credit card that bears both our names, he wrote in an innovative blog about his relationship with the airways company.

But, it appears I was more into you than you were into me. I gave you my heart and, in return, you lost my luggage, he continued.

You once charmed me with your #VisitMum and #FuelledByLove campaigns and yet, thanks to you, my mum didnt get her last birthday present because you claim you misplaced the suitcase that was carrying it home to her. Anyone else would have instantly dumped you but I trusted in you and stood by you. And, as you know, weve taken no less than four trips together, since then. We all carry baggage and perhaps you thought I needed to be relieved of some of mine. Youd lost my bags many times before but somehow you always ended up scrambling around, mumbling a few excuses and eventually returning them to me (although, often, distinctly worse for wear).

Rahul also offered a parting gift for British Airways. You claim your motto is: To Fly. To Serve. Id like to recommend a more accurate slogan: To Fail. To Spurn. Consider it my parting gift to you, he signed off.

Rahul Khanna, who has worked in several international projects including Earth (1999), Dil Kabbadi (2008) and Wake Up Sid (2009), was last seen in Fireflies (2013).

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The Swiss central bank sought on Monday to allay fears among citizens that bank notes could eventually be phased out as a result of global money-laundering rules or the rise of alternative payment systems.

Cash will remain a crucial part of the financial system despite these concerns, Fritz Zurbruegg, deputy head of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), said.

As the supplier of Swiss franc banknotes, the SNB... takes Swiss central the view that the reports about the death of cash are not just exaggerated  they are unfounded. The SNB has no plans whatsoever to do away with cash, he said in remarks prepared for the World Banknote Summit in Basel.

The European Central Bank last year caused a stir in some countries, notably Germany, when it said it would stop issuing 500 euro ($529.05) notes as part of a push against their use by criminals.

There was concern in Switzerland that the SNB might follow suit. Many Swiss prefer to use cash, buying cars with large notes, for example.

Demand for cash remains robust and has actually risen in many countries of late as a result of the global financial crisis that shook confidence in banks stability, Zurbruegg said.

With cash deposits yielding almost no interest now, the opportunity cost of holding cash is also low, he added.

In Switzerland, the situation was heightened by the introduction of negative interest in January 2015, which triggered a temporary hike in demand for cash. However, we did not see cash hoarding on any major scale, Zurbruegg said.

While retaining its traditional role as a store of value, cash is also still widely used for payments, he said, recalling his surprise at the difficulty of paying for items with a $100 bill during his years living and working in the United States.

Holding cash avoids data security issues that electronic payments and accounts can pose, he said, while noting criticism that the privacy cash affords can be exploited by criminals.

But not to an extent that concerns the SNB.

In Switzerland, we have no indication that large denominations -- in our case, the 1,000-franc ($993.05) note -- present a specific risk in this regard. Our legislation, especially the law and the associated ordinance on money laundering, help prevent cash being used for criminal purposes, Zurbruegg said.

The SNB, which is in the midst of issuing a news series of high-tech banknotes, will ensure that demand for cash is satisfied and that cashless payments also function smoothly, he said.

We are mandated by law to perform both tasks, and they have equal status.
Indias state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) will take control of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) as part of the governments plan to create an integrated public sector oil entity, a newspaper reported on Monday citing top government officials.

India plans to create a giant oil company by combining state-owned firms, finance minister Arun Jaitley said in the budget speech on February 1, as the worlds third largest oil consumer looks to better compete with global majors in acquiring foreign assets.

A cabinet note will soon be moved. The government will transfer its 51.11% shareholding in HPCL to ONGC the paper wrote citing one of the officials.

With this merger ONGCs exploration business will be integrated with HPCLs refining and retailing capacities.

While ONGC is Indias largest oil and gas exploration company, HPCL owns two refineries and has the largest lubricants unit and second largest pipeline network of 3,015 km.

The government has been discussing the proposal to create an energy giant that will reduce the hydrocarbon-related risks in its operations. It will be more poised to buy overseas assets at a time when crude prices are sluggish, the government has said time and again.
Indonesian police shot dead an attacker during a firefight at a government office Monday after a small bomb was set off in a public park.

No one apart from the attacker was hurt in the incident in the major city of Bandung on Java island, which police said was linked to a "terrorist network".

It was the latest assault in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, where there has been a surge in attacks and plots linked to the Islamic State (IS) group.

After the blast at about 8:30 am (0130 GMT), which witnesses said came from a bomb made from a pressure cooker, the attacker fled into a building belonging to local authorities.

Police exchanged fire with the man inside and part of the building was set ablaze during the hour-long standoff.

The attacker, whom authorities did not identify, was shot during the firefight and died later in hospital.

Local police chief Anton Charliyan said nobody else had been hurt and everyone had been evacuated from the building.

"We tried to negotiate but instead the perpetrator tried to burn (the place)," he told local TV station MetroTV.

"He's from a terrorist network," he added, without elaborating.

Charliyan said police seized guns and two backpacks carried by the attacker, without saying what they contained.

West Java police spokesman Yusri Yunus said the man in his 30s or 40s was shot in the stomach and later died.

It was not immediately clear if more than one attacker was involved.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, has long struggled with Islamic militancy. It has suffered a series of attacks in the past 15 years, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

A sustained crackdown weakened the most dangerous networks but the emergence of IS has proved a potent new rallying cry for the country's radicals and hundreds flocked to the Middle East to fight alongside the jihadists.

A number of attacks and failed plots have been linked to IS supporters in Indonesia in recent years.

Several plots have been either botched or foiled, including a plan to fire a rocket at Singapore from an Indonesian island. Analysts say many Indonesian militants lack the capacity to launch a serious attack.

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Operations at public sector banks may be hit on Tuesday as most unions under the aegis of UFBU have threatened to go on strike to press for various demands, including accountability of top executives in view of mounting bad loans in the banking sector.

Most of the banks, including SBI, PNB and BoB, have already informed their customers that functioning of branches and offices will be impacted if the strike takes off.

The functioning of private lenders like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank is expected to be normal except delay in cheque clearances.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is an umbrella body of 9 unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the stir.

The conciliation meeting before the chief labour commissioner on February 21 failed to break the logjam as the bank management represented by the Indian Banks Association did not agree to demands and put conditions, All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) general secretary CH Venkatachalam told PTI.

All attempts to find solutions to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results and hence, UFBU decided to proceed with the proposed strike on February 28, he said.

Unions are also opposed to the proposed labour reforms of the government and outsourcing of permanent jobs in the banking sector.

Some of the demands include compensation of employees and officers for extra hours of work put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of process of next wage revision of bank employees.

They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched for criminal action against wilful defaulters.

UFBU, who claims membership of nearly 10 lakh across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement of demonetisation to banks.

As many as 27 public sector banks control 75% of the total business.
With India remaining in the limelight over its reform push and rapid economic growth, World Banks Chief Executive Officer, Kristalina Georgieva is scheduled to visit India to take stock of the bank-funded projects and meet policymakers including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel.

Georgieva visit comes at a time when the countrys economic growth is one of the bright spots in the global economy.

India is our biggest middle income client. Georgieva said in a statement ahead of her visit.

Its economic growth influences global growth. Its achievements in health and education contribute to the world achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am keen to learn more as India is a laboratory for the world to learn about what works in development and to find new ways to collaborate.

Georgieva will hold discussions with Jaitley and other key policymakers. She will also meet with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, and RBI Governor, a World Bank press statement said.

Georgieva will be accompanied by Annette Dixon, World Bank Vice President for South Asia.

In Mumbai, the World Bank CEO will take stock of the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban rail system, which transports about 8 million commuters every day.

She will also visit a school serving low-income households, and children with special needs as part of the Government of Indias Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan program, which is also supported by the World Bank.

World Bank has so far lent $27 billion for 95 projects.
On February 28, 15 years would have passed since a gale of violence engulfed 20 out of the 25 districts of Gujarat. This persisted for several weeks, and in some places for months, as state authorities did little to control it.

More than 1,000 people, the large majority of who were from the minority Muslim community, were killed. Tens of thousands of homes and small business establishments  petty shops, wooden carts, autorickshaws, taxi jeeps, eateries and garages  were set aflame, and cattle and lifetime savings looted. This resulted in the long displacement and enduring pauperisation of more than 200,000 people. More than half of these were actively prevented  by fear, intimidation and social and economic boycott  from ever returning to their homes, resulting in their permanent expulsion from the villages and colonies of their birth.

Less noted, less dramatic, but even more terrifying is what happened in the dozen years and more that followed.

There is the new normalcy of Gujarat, in which Muslims have learnt to live separately, much like Dalits have been forced to exist for centuries. Much was touted, and celebrated, about the Gujarat model and the elections that followed were seen as a mandate to nationalise this in all of India. One part of this Gujarat model is no doubt connected with privileging a business-friendly administration over investment in the social sectors.

An Indian Muslim prepares a meal at a refugee camp in Sabarkantha district, 150 kms south of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, February 27, 2003. (REUTERS)

But what is less recognised is that part of the model is the systematic reduction of the countrys religious minorities to second-class citizenship. This is not different from what was accomplished so effectively  and with such little resistance or even notice and commentary from the countrys liberal public opinion  in the aftermath of the riots. This second-class citizenship of Muslims extends also to Christians, Dalits and tribal people in Gujarat as well.

Campaigns for ghar wapsi or (home-coming) of Christian and Muslim converts to Hinduism, suggesting that only the Hindu faith is home and persons converted to other faiths need to be brought back; or against beef-eating and love jihad; and abusive hate-speeches against Muslims; have generated fear and dread among Indias religious minorities. Especially during various state elections, anti-minority hatred is stoked cynically  examples are the comments on the pink revolution and the killing of rhinos to accommodate Bangladeshi Muslims in Assam in 2014, and the charge of discrimination after death to Hindus in the ongoing UP elections.

To suggest that all this targeting of minorities continues unchecked contrary to the governments wishes is utterly disingenuous. If his Cabinet and party colleagues were actually falling out of line, one public rebuke from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and  in the unlikely event of their persisting with hate rhetoric  dismissal from senior office, could easily put an end to all hate utterances and campaigns. The charging of Left-leaning university students with sedition further refurbishes the BJPs ideological world-view in which all Left and liberal dissent against the economic and social policies of the government are unpatriotic, because the ruling party, the government, its leader and the nation all converge into one seamless whole.

When an idealistic young doctoral student  who described himself as a Marxist Ambedkarite  Rohith Vemula in the central university in Hyderabad tried to organise film-screening protesting communal violence, and debate the justice of the death penalty to Yakub Memon convicted for the 1993 Bombay blasts, he was called an anti-national by two ministers of the government. This led to his suspension from the university and ultimately his suicide. When Leftist students in JNU organised a meeting to interrogate the justice of the death penalty to Afzal Guru, hanged for complicity in the attack on Parliament, they were charged with sedition, for which they could be jailed for life. Elected BJP leaders dubbed all those who protested this action, including senior leaders of the Left and Congress, as anti-national. Idealistic activists fighting human rights abuses in Chhattisgarh were hounded as Maoists.

Through all the nation-wide debates, when voices were raised against police action targeting dissenting university students, the government maintained its trademark selective silence. In public addresses, however, BJP leaders regularly decried the political opposition, anti-national students, and also NGOs supported by foreign funds. Once again opposition to Modis leadership and the ideology of his government was conflated with petty elitism on the one hand, and betrayal of the nation on the other.

Unlike many commentators, I cannot find hope in the straws in the wind of occasional progressive utterances by the government. The enormous chasm between these stray statements and the actual practice of the government and party is not mere inconsistency, but dangerous and cynical double-speak that is characteristic of the RSS ever since its founding nearly a century ago. I worry deeply about the prime ministers deafening silences, as well as the governments demonising of every kind of opposition to its policies.

I feel an intense unrest and foreboding thinking about how fundamentally the idea of India and its practice is changing so rapidly today and how the politics of hate has so profoundly polarised and divided us.

Harsh Mander is author, Looking Away: Inequality, Prejudice and Indifference in New India

The views expressed are personal

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The Congress took exception to the BJPs stand that the Election Commission of Indias fresh direction on poll code restrains the chief minister from taking decisions.

The ECI order clearly means that the chief minister cannot exercise his powers till the poll code is effective in the state, BJP state president Ajay Bhatt said. He was reacting to the ECIs direction on Monday stating that the poll code, imposed on January 4, would remain effective till assembly election results would be out on March 11.

The Congress dubbed the BJPs interpretation of the ECIs direction as motivated and biased.

The top poll panel issued the direction after chief electoral officer (CEO) Radha Raturi urged it to clarify the areas in which CM Harish Rawat is permitted to take decisions.

Raturi sought the ECIs direction after the BJP objected to the CMs important decisions when the poll code was effective. Bhatt accused Rawat of taking decisions days after the state went to polls on February 15 in violation of the poll code.

He alleged that the CM cleared files, including the one relating to bottling plants, under pressure from the liquor mafia. Bhatt also accused him of clearing pattas (lease deeds) for mining besides bar licences, prompting the CEO to write to the ECI. The poll panel, in its order, indicated that the status quo would prevail on the poll code.

We had written to the ECI urging the latter to issue directions on the aspects where he (CM) can exercise powers and we have got some reply which will soon be circulated among media persons, CEO Rauri told HT, hours before the ECI order was officially released.

Reacting to the ECI order, the Congress said the chief minister was discharging his constitutional duties and had not violated the poll code. That party (BJP) is making false allegations against the chief minister that he is violating the poll code, Surendra Kumar, media advisor to the CM, said, adivising the BJP state chief to study the constitution and the Supreme Court orders.

The apex court orders clearly state that the government will function even when the poll code is effective, Kumar claimed, adding the chief minister cant go home and rest because the poll code was effective. He (CM) will have to discharge his constitutional duties, Kumar said.

He accused some officials of the state election commission of playing at the hands of the BJP-led Centre. Or else, the choppers flying the chief minister during his election campaign would not have been frisked by the election commission officials, Kumar alleged. He claimed that the officials refrained from frisking the choppers and vehicles used in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shahs election campaign in Uttarakhand.

All the choppers and vehicles used during our central leaders campaign in the state were frisked by the officials of the election commission, Bhatt told HT.

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Cracking down on an organised gang of mobile thieves operating in the city, police arrested eight men and recovered 735 stolen mobile phones worth Rs 1.3 crore from them.

The gang sought the help of an engineer in Delhis Gaffar Market for changing the IMEI number of the stolen phones before selling them at low prices.

The arrested men include thieves, mobile phone shop owners, who would buy from the thieves and the engineer.

Police said the gang particularly targeted high-end mobile phones as they brought greater profit with little investment on giving them a new and undetectable look.

Read: Mobile identity theft: Why Delhi Police cant find your stolen phone

Initial arrests in the case were made on February 21 when the South-East Delhi district police were tipped off about three men arriving in Delhi to receive stolen phones, said Romil Baaniya, DCP (South-East).

The trio was arrested and a search of their car led to the recovery of 18 phones. They allegedly revealed the identity of the people from whom they bought the phones.

Investigation yielded 717 mobile phones and resulted in the arrest of another five members of the racket. Police pegged the actual cost of the phones at around Rs 1.3 crore.

The Gaffar Market engineer who used to allegedly change the IMEI number of the phones has been identified as Gaurav Kumar. He would charge Rs 200-300 for IMEI change of each phone. For unlocking these phones, he would charge an additional Rs 50.

A search of his shop in Gaffar Market led police to the software and accessories he used to make the change and give the phones a new look. The items have been seized.
The AAP government will recruit volunteers from the community to monitor the workings of the mohalla clinics in their neighbourhood. The government plans to have 5 to 10 volunteer for every clinic.

The requirement for applying to be a volunteer is passion for serving the society without remuneration, the government pamphlet says.

Delhi Govt. invites general public to become volunteers of Mohalla Clinics and promote healthcare for all. #DelGovFlash pic.twitter.com/UxGwJNwii7  DelGovNewsFlash (@DGNewsFlash) 25 February 2017

The volunteers will be a part of the management committee of the mohalla clinic in the neighbourhood and will be responsible for keeping a check on whether the doctors come on time, whether the consultation is proper or whether there are deficiencies or repairs needed in the infrastructure, said a Delhi government official.

The volunteers have to be physically present in the clinic for 4 hours or more every week and document the progress and problems in the clinic they are responsible for.

Apart from monitoring, they will also be able to help awareness workshops organised by the government on first aid and emergency care, mother and child care, dengue, chikungunya and flu, respiratory diseased etc.

This move comes after the vigilance department of Delhi government initiated an inquiry into operational issues related to mohalla clinics.

According to sources, the department had received several complaints and the probe will primarily look into the total money being paid to consultant doctors and rent amount for a few mohalla clinics functioning at hired properties.

As per the arrangement, consultants (doctors), who have been hired to provide service at the mohalla clinics are paid 30 for every patient they attend to.

Sources said the department has received complaints of doctors fudging the number of patients they see every day, besides unnecessarily calling the patients repeatedly to inflate the numbers.

The project has received global recognition with leaders such as former UN general secretary Kofi Annan and former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland lauding the initiative. UKs The Lancet - one of the oldest medical journals in the world - also praised the concept last December.

The monitoring process was a part of the design for the mohalla clinic project. The community has to be responsible for maintaining the quality at its clinics. However, we were unsure initially unsure whether this would work. We have so many big hospitals, but there is no community monitoring, said the official.

The government decided to go forward with the volunteer monitoring after receiving complaints about doctors inflating numbers. We came to know that some doctors were inflating the numbers and we removed them, the official said.

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Protests over the Ramjas College incident that shook Delhi University last week, refuse to die down.

Calling it a march for the country, the Delhi University Students Union will hold a Tiranga March early on Monday. Later in the day at 4pm, JNU students union (JNUSU) has called for a public meeting at the Administrative Block. Following this, on Tuesday, students and teachers from Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have planned a march from Khalsa College to Arts Faculty.

DUSUs Tiranga March led by ABVP will start at 12.30pm from Ramjas College parking to the Faculty of Arts. With hashtags #March4nation, #IstandwithRamjas and #Istandwithnationalism, the ABVP says they will be protesting against Left leaning student groups for allegedly supporting those involved in anti-national activities.

In the evening, Nandini Sundar, teacher at DUs sociology department, Rajeev Kanwar of Dyal Singh College and some DU students will address a public meeting at JNU against the violence at Ramjas College. This is our call to re-assert right to freedom of speech and expression and raising voice against violence and our solidarity with DU students, said Mohit K Pandey, JNUSU president.

Tuesday will see another protest by groups of Left Wing students and teachers, who will march from Khalsa College to Arts Faculty against the stalling of the street play competition at SGTB Khlasa College. The competition was put on hold allegedly after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) objected to the content of some plays. Calling it a #FightbackDUmarch and #DUagainstGoondagardi, groups such as Pinjra Tod who have been fighting against discriminatory hostel rules, will also be a part of the march. The group has created a Facebook event for this march and invited students to join in large numbers. JNU students and teachers will also be a part of the march on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ambedkar University, Delhi Faculty Association, has also sent its solidarity message to students and teachers of DU and condemned the violence. Listening to differing perspectives, debating over complex politico-cultural narratives, and reclaiming faith in dialogue underlies the spirit of education in a democracy... University campuses are meant to represent and nurture clashes in ideas, but when they are changed into a zone for intolerance and violence to thwart multiplicity in conversations, then they are under siege, said a statement from the association. They have also raised concern over the attack on autonomy and resolved to keep the spirit of dialogue and dissent strong within AUD.

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The Congress denounced Union minister Kiren Rijiju and a BJP MP on Monday for making controversial remarks about a slain soldiers daughter, who started a social media campaign against the ABVP. The Congress said the remarks were a perfect example of the BJPs fascist mindset.

BJP parliamentarian Pratap Simha and junior home minister Rijiju reacted on Monday to the online campaign by Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for violence at the universitys Ramjas College.

After Kaurs photograph with a message saying Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him went viral, Simha posted an image showing underworld don Dawood Ibrahim with the message, I didnt kill people in 1993. Bombs killed them.

Rijiju too tweeted about Gurmehar, whose father died in combat in militancy-hit Kashmir, and questioned: Whos polluting this young girls mind? A strong armed force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.

For his part, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters: It is extremely unfortunate and highly reprehensible. Needs to be condemned in the strongest terms that an alternative point of view, if not liked or accepted, will be met by state intimidation and state-sponsored violence whether it is in the real or virtual world.

Tewari was responding to a query about Gurmehar allegedly receiving rape and death threats after she condemned the ABVP for violence at Ramjas College.

Reacting to Simhas remarks, Tewari said, Such a gentleman certainly does not deserve to be in Parliament.

Someone who has no respect for the families of martyrs... for the pain of a young lady who grew up without a father because her father laid down his life to protect the unity and integrity of the country... Such a gentleman definitely has no right to sit in the highest seat of Indian democracy.

Tewari said this was an unfortunate ethos that had become intrinsic to the BJP because it flows from the top.

When you have the Prime Minister of India referring to the media as bazaaru, ministers referring journalists as presstitutes, front organisations of the RSS and BJP perpetrating violence then obviously their MPs also feel that possibly by insulting the family members of Kargil martyrs, they may also find a place in Modis cabinet, he said.

On Rijijus remarks, Tewari said, This is an example of fascist culture. She is just not anybody....Her family understands the meaning of sacrifice. If she condemns violence and you treat her like that... it is a perfect example of fascist mindset.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also took to Twitter and said, Speaking the truth is now pollution. New normal by Modijis ministers. No wonder the ABVP now stands for Aao Bhaiya Vidyarthee Peetein.

Rape threat to a 20-year old student and Kargil martyrs daughter is BJP-ABVP brand of nationalism. Ghastly and horrific (sic), he tweeted.

Trouble erupted last Tuesday when DUs Ramjas College invited Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid for a seminar. Khalid allegedly shouted anti-India slogans supporting the secession of militancy-hit Kashmir last February at an event on JNU campus, and was arrested on sedition charges.

The incident triggered a nationwide debate on free speech that was reignited after the ABVPs protest against the Ramjas College event.

(With PTI inputs)
A day ahead his retirement, the longest serving principal of Ramjas College, Rajendra Prasad made an emotional appeal to students, to act responsibly through constructive engagement and resist from any form of disruptive action. He asked the students to stay calm and return to study and work towards making college peaceful.

My heart bleeds when Ramjas bleeds, because I have put in thirty two years of blood, sweat and tears to bring Ramjas to its present stature, the principal wrote in a letter put up on the college website on Monday morning.

Terming the incidents of the past week very unfortunate, he urged students not to get involved in any activity which spoils the name and dignity of Ramjas. He also asked students to stay calm and let no one take away your right to study.

The appeal from the principal comes after February 22 violence on campus in which students led by ABVP and Left had clashed over the cancellation of a literary event in Ramjas where Umar Khalid had been invited to speak.

In his note on Monday, Prasad asked the students to resolve their problems in a respectful, peaceful and constructive manner. Making an emotional appeal he said, Tomorrow I retire, I wish for nothing in return except that Ramjas remains peaceful, and committed to the glorious future it is destined to set for itself.

He also asked students to not get involved in any activity which spoils the name and dignity of Ramjas which is celebrating its centennial this year. He also sympathised with the students and said that they were the most affected due to the events which unfolded in the college.

You are the most affected due to any disturbance and should have the biggest stake in peace, because it has direct bearing on your future. Your exams are going to start in the very near future. So please focus on your studies, he said. He also asked teachers and everyone associated with Ramjas to ensure that teaching and learning remains uninterrupted.

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Vital clues provided by children, all in the age group of six to seven years, helped police rescue a seven-year-old boy who was kidnapped from outside his Delhi home by three youths on Saturday evening.

The children, who were playing with the victim at the time of his abduction, remembered exactly what the suspects told him while luring him away. That gave a direction to polices investigation that also helped nab the three suspects including one juvenile.

Police alleged the crime was masterminded by Mohammad Kapil, a 20-year-old youth who was allegedly forced to severe his relationship with the boys aunt a few months ago.

Read: Delhi: 4-year-old girl raped, killed by juvenile in toilet at construction site

Kapils motive for committing the crime was not money. He wanted revenge against the boys family for forcing the woman to cut off all relations with him, said Vijayanta Arya, additional DCP (North-West).

But Kapil lured his two friends, including a minor boy, by tempting them with a ransom of Rs 5 lakh if the kidnapping was pulled off successfully.

The boy lived with his mother, aunt and other family members in Subhash Place area. He was playing outside his home with his friends around 7 pm on Saturday when two youths arrived on a white scooter and took the boy away with them without any resistance.

When the boy did not return home, the family approached the police. A ransom call the next morning confirmed fears that it was a case of kidnapping.

Initially clueless, the police approached the boys friends with whom he was playing. The children said they remembered the two kidnappers telling the boy that they were taking him to his maternal uncle who was attending a party. We then focused our attention on suspects who could be known to the victims maternal uncle and in the same age group, said an investigator.

Read: Delhi: Kidnappers kill 7-year-old boy after abducting him for ransom, held

The children also provided the basic description of the scooter which helped the police identify the registration number of the two-wheeler. Police questioned several suspects before zeroing down on the suspects.

The accused were nabbed by Sunday evening. Their interrogation led the police to the boy who was lodged in a rented accommodation. He had not been physically harmed by the kidnappers, said police.

Police said the three youths executed the crime after planning for almost two months.

Around a month ago, they even rented a flat in North Delhis Trinagar for keeping the boy during his time in captivity.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson finalised a joint declaration agreement on a $150 million loan guarantee to Egypt as part of three new UK support packages to the country, the British embassy in Cairo has said.

In a press release on Sunday, the embassy said that Johnson announced three new support packages focused on the economy, education, and entrepreneurship.

The $150 million loan will be delivered through UKs Department for International Development in partnership with Egypts Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation to help Egypt complete its programme of economic reforms, the statement said.



"This forms part of a wider package that also includes $18 million to fund technical expertise to the government of Egypt, to ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected.



The UK also announced GBP 1.1 million funding for three years to support new and existing social start-ups in Egypt.

On education, Johnson said through the British Council that UK pledges to sign 70 new UK-Egypt university partnerships, to add to the 30 signed in 2016, bringing the total to 100.



It will also increase to GBP 50 million the joint UK-Egypt Newton-Mosharafa Fund that promotes the economic development and social welfare of Egypt through supporting scientific research and innovation.

On his first official visit to Egypt since assuming office in July 2016, the foreign secretary, who arrived on Saturday, met with El-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

The UK is a longstanding friend of Egypt. The UK and Egypt have many shared interests, we are Egypts top economic partner and strong allies against terrorism and extremist ideas. I look forward to continuing to strengthen the close relationship between our two countries, Johnson was quoted as saying.

According to the embassys statement, El-Sisi and Johnson discussed British support for Egypts economy including joint work on aviation security and the global campaign against terrorism; while the British minister set out his vision of human rights and a free society as the basis for stability and economic growth.

Shoukry, per a foreign ministry statement, raised the issue of the UKs suspension of flights to the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh following the deadly crash of a Russian plane in October 2015, which killed 224 on board.

A number of countries suspended flights in the wake of the flight, which crashed after take-off from Sharm El-Sheikh, in an act claimed by Islamic State-affiliated militants.

Germany and Poland have since lifted their flight bans, while Russia and the UK have not.

Egypt and Britain are natural economic partners with $2 billion of trade each year and $30.5 billion of investment powering the Egyptian economy since 2011, the British ambassador said in a statement in mid-February.

The foreign secretarys visit follows a series of visits by senior British officials to Egypt, including the defence secretary, the minister for security, and the UK trade envoy.

Since January, three British business delegations have arrived in Egypt.



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Senior Delhi Police officers on Monday said Gurmehar Kaur, the Delhi University student who alleged to have received rape threats on Twitter, has not approached the police so far, but assured action if she decided to take the legal route.

A professional procedure will be followed by the police if the woman decides to lodge a formal complaint, said Dependra Pathak, Special CP and Delhi Police spokesperson.

Kaur started a social media campaign against the ABVP, a RSS-linked students body, after last weeks violence at Delhis Ramjas College. Her Facebook post -- showing her 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 -- went viral.

The daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, Kaur said she had attracted a barrage of hate messages over her stand on the issue.

I have been getting a lot of threats on social media. I think it is very scary when people threaten you with violence or with rape, Kaur told NDTV on Sunday.

Giving rape threats in the name of nationalism is not right, added the student of Lady Shri Ram Ram College.

Last week, Ramjas College witnessed large-scale violence between members of AISA and 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 received severe criticism as it was alleged that they stood and watched as clashes marred a peaceful protest because of which teachers, students and journalists were wounded.
A Delhi University student and martyrs daughter, Gurmehar Kaur has approached city womens panel with complaint of receiving rape threats after she launched a campaign against RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Kaur had launched a campaign I am not afraid of ABVP following reports of violence at Ramjas college during a protest.

DCW has written to Delhi Police recommending police security for the student and her family. The commission has also provided two home-guards for her security.

Read: I got rape threats for opposing ABVP, says Kargil martyrs daughter

She is getting rape threats. She has shared screen shots in which some boys are giving her rape threats. This is shameful. FIR should be lodged against these boys and they should be arrested immediately, DCW Swati Maliwal said.

Maliwal said that Kaur, who has initiated a social media campaign advocating peace in universities, is being subjected to extreme abuse and rape threats online. The complaint is self explanatory and contains relevant screen shots of rape threats and abuse as evidence, which is attached herewith for your perusal, she said in the letter.

Maliwal said it was highly unfortunate that a strong and independent young girl is being threatened and abused for taking a stand against hooligans. Immediate registration of FIR under relevant sections of IPC, IT Act and other laws against the persons who have abused and threatened Ms. Gurmehar Kaur online, she said.

The letter was also sent to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhis Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Read: Sehwag, Randeep Hoodas response to DU students stance triggers Twitter war

Kaur had last week 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.

This is not about politics and political parties. It is about students on campuses being safe from violent threat. It doesnt matter what organization it comes from. No matter who you are, and for which organization you belong to cannot threaten women with rape, she said.
The fire at The Times of India building at central Delhis Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, which started on Sunday afternoon, has continued to rage even after over 20 hours. Fresh smoke was seen billowing out of the building on Monday.

The fire control room said that around 30 fire tenders along with hydraulic ladders and gas cutters have been stationed at the spot.

The building is dark, filled with smoke and fire is breaking out from different cabins inside. If we douse fire on one side, it breaks out in another corner, said Atul Garg, chief fire officer.

The fire started on Sunday around 4:45 pm in the server room on the first floor following which the building was evacuated.

In May last year, a fire had broken out in the fourth floor of the building.
A 45-year-old homeless man, sleeping on a pavement, was crushed to death and another man injured after a car ran over them in south Delhis Chhatarpur late on Monday night.

Police said the car driver, 27-year-old Pankaj, was drunk and has been arrested.

Eyewitnesses said that victim, Kanhaiya, died on the spot. He was sleeping on a pavement near Sai Temple on main Chhatarpur road when the accident took place around 11.10pm. A Swift car going towards Chhatarpur Metro station jumped the pavement and ran him over.

Om Prakash, 40, who was sleeping next to Kanhaiya, was injured in the accident and has been admitted at Safdarjung Hospital.

Read: BMW accident: Five other infamous luxury car mishaps on Delhi roads

Jagannath, 40, who runs a tea stall on the same pavement, said the car was speeding and hit one of the corners of a bus stand near the pavement. Later it ran over the victims, hit a boundary wall and stopped.

Pankaj got out of the vehicle and started running. But locals caught him.

Police said Kanhaiya was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared brought dead. A case under relevant sections was registered at Mehrauli police station.

The accused driver, Pankaj, was arrested. He is a resident of Ghitorni and works as an accountant in a steel shop in Chhatarpur, said additional deputy commissioner of police (south) Chinmoy Biswal.

Victim had sought shelter

Kanhaiya had been trying to seek refuge in a homeless shelter for a long time. But every time he approached a shelter nearby, he was turned away because he had no identity proof.

So the pavement between Shiv temple and Chhatarpur temple became Kanhaiyas home. He was a scrap dealer and sometimes worked also as a domestic help in the neighbourhood. He used to keep his behind a bus stand adjacent to the pavement. For breakfast and lunch, he was dependent on the free food distributed at the temples. At night, he used to sleep in a corner on the pavement behind the bus stand.

Read: Delhi to get four multi-storey shelters for homeless

There is a shelter for homeless people which is one km away from the pavement. Kanhaiya had gone there few weeks ago. But he came back disappointed. He told us that he could not get accommodation in the shelter since he had no identity proof, said Rudra Prakash (24), a shopkeeper working on the pavement.

Locals said that Kanhaiya was popular among his friends.

Kanhaiya was one of the few persons who could read and write English to some extent, his friends said. He was born in a poor family in Bihar, had studied till Class 10 and later came to Delhi to earn a livelihood. He had been living on the pavement in Chhatarpur for the past five years.

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Protest and counter-protests continues to rock Delhi University over last weeks violence at Ramjas College.

The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), led by the ABVP, held a Tiranga March on Monday, calling the demonstration with a giant national flag a course to instill nationalism in people, especially students.

They walked from Ramjas College to the Arts Faculty building.

Students and teachers from DU and JNU, Left and AAP-affiliated student groups will take to the streets on Tuesday.

Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College, who started a campaign against the ABVP, will be participating in Tuesdays protest. The 20-year-old daughter of an army martyr has been allegedly threatened with rape for her stand against the ABVP.

The BJP teaches ABVP to use rape as an acceptable response to women fighting for free speech. The ABVP threatens women who speak their mind with rape threats, Kaur said.

Every political party needs to understand that students dont want threats of violent and hate in educational institutions. On Tuesday, we will sound the death knell to hate politics in educational institutions

Some are calling the proposed march a protest against the rape threat; others have named it Fight Back, DU.

We are putting up a united front against the ABVP, said Kawalpreet Kaur, a leader of the Left-leaning AISA which was involved in last Wednesdays clashes with right-wing students over a force-cancelled seminar at Ramjas College.

The protests began after a literary event at Ramjas College was called off as the ABVP objected to an invite to controversial JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to speak at the seminar. Khalid was accused of organizing an event at JNU last year in which anti-India slogans were heard.

Unhappy with the ABVPs protest, students and teachers called a counter-demonstration last Wednesday and that turned into a street punch-up.

The Ramjas unrest had its effect on a proposed street play competition at Khalsa College, which had to be postponed.

Tuesdays march will begin from Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur (SGTB) Khalsa College and end at the arts faculty building of DU.

With #FightbackDU and #DUagainstGoondagardi as slogans and hashtags, the protest is against the stalling of the street play competition at the college on February 23. The competition was put on hold allegedly after the ABVP objected to the content of some plays.

The National Students Union of India, the student wing of the Congress, has called a separate Mashaal rally. They will also hold a daylong hunger strike.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has retweeted Kaurs post, asking students to join the march.

The student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Chatra Yuva Sangarsh Samiti (CYSS), will participate in the demonstration.

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The Ghaziabad police arrested the second of the five accused named in the FIR lodged against officials of smartphone company Ringing Bells, on Monday night.

The accused has been identified as Sumit Kumar, who is said to be the general manager of Ringing Bells.

Police have already arrested former MD Mohit Goel, while a court sent him to 14 days of judicial custody to Dasna jail. He is lodged in barrack number 7 along with nearly 100 other inmates. The company had shot to limelight after it announced Freedom 251, touted as the worlds cheapest smartphone, at an unbelievable price of Rs 251 apiece.

Continuing investigations with the FIR lodged for cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, the accused Sumit Kumar was arrested along with nearly Rs 14.9 lakh cash and some documents. He will be produced before the court on Tuesday. So far, we have arrested two persons in connection with the FIR while a vigorous search is on for the other accused persons, said Manish Mishra, circle officer (city), who is leading case investigation.

Police said that the accused was arrested along with an alleged forged approval letter, dated November 22, 2014, of the Cellular Operators Association of India and a cheque book of the company. Sumit hails from Muzaffarpur in Bihar and presently staying at Mandawali in Delhi.

The FIR at Sihani Gate was lodged by Akshay Malhotra, one of the companys distributors based in Ghaziabad, who alleged that the company officials failed to pay back his balance amount of Rs 16 lakh. Malhotra lodged an FIR at the Sihani Gate police station on February 22.

Apart from Goel, the FIR names the present managing director and Mohits brother, Anmol Goel, Mohits wife Dharna Garg who resigned eight months back as CEO of Ringing Bells, company general manager Sumit Kumar, and Mohits partner Ashok Chaddha. The latter and Goel are now officials of a new firm.

After his arrest, Mohit was produced before a Ghaziabad court but the court slammed cops for not having evidence for sections of forgery and criminal conspiracy added to the FIR.

Later, during the second hearing, the court sent Mohit to 14 days of judicial custody only under sections of criminal breach of trust and cheating. The court, so far, has negated sections of forgery against Mohit as police could not provide enough evidence.

Mohits lawyers will be moving his bail application before a Ghaziabad court on Tuesday.

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She has become the face of opposition to the depredations unleashed by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on the premises of Ramjas College. Owing to her vow not to cowed down by the ABVP, Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh who was killed in 1999 in the Kargil war has become the target of the pseudo-nationalists who have taken it upon themselves to judge peoples patriotism and nationalism. She has reportedly been getting threats on social media calling her an anti-national and more worryingly of rape. Unfazed by this, the ABVP spokesperson has said that it would protest if it saw any threat from anyone to the integrity of the nation. A student protest seems hardly likely to threaten the fabric of the nation, but such is the intolerance displayed by the self-styled custodians of nationalism that the ABVPs statement comes as no surprise. It is one thing to oppose someone on ideological grounds, it is quite another to threaten them with violence as seems to be happening to Gurmehar Kaur. The police stood by while ABVP goons wreaked havoc on the campus of Ramjas College, this is now common practice in the face of hyper-patriots going on the rampage in various parts of the country. But a threat of rape cannot be taken lightly.

Since the police seem quite adept at identifying those who post messages which are purportedly anti-national, they should not have too much difficulty finding those who are issuing threats to the student. These ugly remarks and threats move the whole thing outside the theatre of student politics into the realm of criminality. The student must be given protection. Given her background, she by no means fits the ABVPs definition of anti-national or unpatriotic. It would seem that anyone who has a dissenting opinion from that of the so-called nationalist forces will not be tolerated, indeed they are in danger of facing violence. The ruling party and other political forces must speak up on this. A sharp rebuke from the government will stop forces like the ABVP in its tracks. This threat goes beyond being only a womens issue, it is an attack on the fundamental right to express an opinion which the likes of the ABVP and its backers do not find comfortable. It is only when action is taken against those who seem emboldened to make criminal threats that this will stop.

It has become the norm to intimidate students, writers, professors, filmmakers and journalists to name a few when they express an independent opinion in any medium. Indias social fabric is not so fragile that it needs protection from these anti-social elements. Prompt action against those threatening the student would send the right message at a time when tempers are running high on all sides.
The BJP should be well satisfied with the results of the civic elections in Mumbai and nine other cities and 25 district councils in Maharashtra. They are a clear indication that its carefully calibrated and diligently implemented efforts to spread its footprint across the country are working. In Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis can take credit for building on the mandate the BJP got riding on the Modi wave of 2014. But credit is also due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for giving him a free hand once they decided he would be the CM and to the BJP cadre for falling in line.

Read | BMC polls: Congress divided over supporting Shiv Sena for Mumbai mayor

Mr Fadnavis went to the people with the promise of good governance and transparency, and banking on his track record as CM over the last couple of years. He took on the Shiv Sena in Mumbai and the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party in the districts. As significant as its success in Mumbai is the BJPs rout of the NCP in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Demonetisation and farmers distress were expected to cost the BJP in the rural areas. Instead, it has won control of 12 of the 25 district councils that went to the polls  a massive improvement on its 2012 tally of one. The Shiv Sena may have held on to its core Marathi voter base in Mumbai and Thane, but everywhere else there has been no such polarisation. Neither has the BJP suffered significantly from the attempts to stir up the dominant Maratha community against it.

The BJP in power, at the Centre and in the states, has continued to show the same intensity and attention to detail in communicating with the people that it did during the 2014 campaign and this is what separates it from the other parties and also leaves them worried. Already there is talk of the Shiv Sena, the Congress and the NCP tying up to keep the BJP out in Maharashtra. Even if nothing comes of these efforts, they reflect a growing recognition that the BJP has usurped the Congress position as the natural party of governance in India. Witness what happened in Bihar and is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh  a ganging up against the BJP.

Read | 129 women corporators in BMC as fifteen win from unreserved seats

With the results of the civic elections in Maharashtra and Odisha, the trend of other parties ganging up against the BJP will only strengthen. For the BJP, however, this could prove more a cause for celebration than worry. For, it is an admission by its rivals that the BJP occupies pole position in India political landscape and this can only help the party in its bid to capture power in more states in other parts of the country.
A 17-year -old girl, who was allegedly trafficked, raped and tortured, was rescued after she complained about her ordeal to a businessman in whose house she was sent as a domestic help in DLF Phase 3.

The matter came to light on February 18 when the girl reached the DLF Phase 3 house. When her employer asked her for an ID, she broke down and narrated her ordeal to him. The employer took her to DLF Phase 3 police post from where they were referred her to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The CWC recorded her statement and referred the matter to the women police station for filing of a case.

A case was filed at the women police station, Sector 51, on February 23 against a couple Abu Hasan Sufian and Saima Bibi  under sections 370 (trafficking), 506 (threatening for life) of the IPC and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

Sub-inspector Raj Bala, investigation officer, said, We have registered the case against the couple... The victims statement was recorded in front of a duty magistrate but the victim keeps changing her statements. A medical examination has confirmed rape. Her father was informed and he reached on February 23. We are investigating the case.

As per the girls statement to the police, the couple, who lived near her house in West Bengal, brought her to Nathupur in Gurgaon in the first week of February after promising her a good life. Abu allegedly raped her repeatedly over a span of 15 days in a rented house in Gurgaon. The couple repeatedly assaulted her when she tried to raise the alarm.

CWC, Gurgaon, claimed that Abu is a trafficker active on the Indo-Bangladesh border. Several cases have allegedly been registered against him in West Bengal.

We were informed by the CWC, Murshidabad, about Abu and the Child Line has collected information on his involvement in many cases in West Bengal, Shakuntala Dhull, chairperson CWC, Gurgaon, said.

In her statement to the CWC, the girl said the couple told her that they have spent 5,000 on her and she needed to pay it back. The girl tried calling her father but there was no response after which the accused allegedly sent her to work as cook at a businessmans house in DLF Phase 3, Dhull said.

The girl said her father was asking her to keep quiet, threatening her with dire consequences if she revealed anything to the police and the CWC, Dhull said.

The CWC said the girl claimed that the police at DLF Phase 3 police post allegedly forced her to settle the matter on February 20 for 1,500 and asked her to leave the city.

The employer took her to DLF City Phase 3 police post on February 20 and as there was no woman police personnel, she was referred to the women police station and later taken to the CWC. The allegation that police tried to settle the matter between the victim and the accused is baseless, inspector Sudeep Kumar, SHO, DLF Phase 2 police station, said. The DLF Phase 3 police post comes under DLF Phase 2 police station.

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Following requests from property owners, the Haryana government on Monday extended the last date for paying property tax with a rebate of 25% to March-end.

Also, an additional 1% rebate will be offered to those paying taxes through digital modes, officials said.

Kavita Jain, minister, Urban Local Bodies, Haryana government, said that those paying tax in March can also avail the rebate. Earlier, following the directions of the Haryana government, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) had offered a 25% rebate on payment of pending property tax till February 28, in an effort to meet the target of Rs200 crore.

We have received a good response from residents. The response for institutional, industrial and commercial properties has been equally good and we hope we to achieve our target by March-end, V Umashankar, MCG commissioner, said.

He said that officials will work on Sundays and government holidays as well to assist owners with their tax assessment.

The MCGs property tax target for 2016-17 is 200 crore but the MCG has collected only 150 crore so far.

However, the corporation has issued a notice to property owners to clear their tax dues or forgo their properties. We have attached several properties in past three weeks, a senior official in taxation department said.

The MCG, under section 130 Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, is empowered seal and attach properties of defaulters and initiate strict action for non-compliance of the notice.

The Haryana government had launched the rebate scheme for all property owners and offered a one-time waiver of interest on their tax dues till 2016-17.

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Egypt sold five-year and 10-year treasury bonds at higher yields on Monday than at the previous sale, data from the central bank showed.

The average yield on the five-year bond rose to 16.807 percent from 16.676 percent at the previous auction.

The average yield on the 10-year bond increased to 16.889 percent from 16.784 percent when it was last sold.

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Gurgaon police has arrested a man on charges of duping a Chennai resident of Rs 22 lakh by offering him a job in one of the top auto companies in the city.

Raj Kumar Sahu was arrested on Monday from MG road Metro station by cyber sleuths who tracked him through sustained technical surveillance.

Police said Sahu, a resident of Patna, had obtained the details of the victim, S Phugajayanti, from a job portal on which he had updated his profile. The accused used to call him posing as one Arjun Dikshit and promised him a job as general manager in one of the companies such as Maruti, Honda or Hero Motors.

Sahu demanded a substantial fee as commission. After regularly calling the victim for two weeks, Sahu managed to win his confidence and was able to get Rs 6 lakh each in two transactions from Phugajayanti. This money was transferred to the account of Sahus fiancee, who is likely to be questioned in connection with the fraud.

When no job was forthcoming, Phuggajayanti started pressing Sahu to return the money. The accused managed to assure him that he was working on getting him a job, said inspector Anand Kumar, in charge of cyber cell, Gurgaon.

Sahu also managed to get Rs 10 lakh more from Phugajayanti.

After failing to get his money back, Phugajayanti complained to the cyber cell on February 17, after which the cell started an investigation and managed to catch the accused.

In another for the cyber cell, the police arrested another accused in a fake call centre case, in which the accused had duped several people. Ravi Kumar, a resident of Delhi, was arrested on Monday after his role was revealed by another accused Amit Kumar, who is already in police custody.

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More than 150 children of various schools, residents of Wazirabad village and volunteers of a social service organisation cleaned a dirty 10-foot deep pond in Sector 53, in which water was stagnating. The pond was also emanating a foul smell.

The activity was undertaken as part of Swachh Bharat mission. Volunteers also included non-resident Indians and few foreign research students. Dressed in white T-shirts and a cap, students and volunteers entered the pond and removed dirt that had settled below the water level. With the help of a net and handheld filter tools, the volunteers cleaned the pond in two hours.

For now, our workers will clean the water using chemicals. Later, they will pump out water and refill the pond with fresh water. They will also ensure proper water flow. For fresh water supply, they will work in coordination with the local administration, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, the brand ambassador of Indian Railway Swacch Mission and founder of Sulabh International, said.

In Gurgaon district, there are more than 200 ponds, a majority of which have almost dried up and several encroached upon. We have dedicated volunteers who research such things. My good friend and social worker Pam Kwatra told me about this pond and I immediately allowed her to launch a cleaning drive, which is our mission. We are doing such works in Kurukshetra, Varanasi and other locations, Pathak said. He said that Sulabh is looking for an opportunity to clean all ponds in the city.

Kwatra, a non-resident Indian (NRI), who owns an apartment in DLF Phase IV where she stays during her visits, said that she used to frequently visit the pond.

I have seen people throwing puja residue into the pond, which gives out a rotting smell. Puja sthal (religious site) and pond, both are equally important, but we have to keep both totally clean, Kwatra said.

Maria Fernandez, a volunteer, said, I was delighted with the enthusiasm of children in sweeping the premises, collecting waste and cleaning the water. This is a message that we wish to relay across the city. Residents must adopt self-cleaning as a blessing, which was also the message of MK Gandhi.

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A political context larger than that of films themselves swept Irans The Salesman into the limelight and effectively solidified its win in the best foreign language category at the Oscars on Sunday. Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari accepted the award on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi, who was absent from the ceremony in protest of Donald Trumps travel ban. Check out our live blog on the ceremony here.

Im sorry Im not with you tonight, Ansari read in a statement. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US.

Firouz Naderi, a former NASA director, and an Iranian, stood beside Ansari as she read Farhadis words.

Anousheh Ansari and Firouz Naderi, a former NASA director, pose with the Oscar they accepted on behalf of Asghar Farhadi, who won the Best Foreign Language Film for The Salesman. (Reuters)

Its the second Oscar for director Farhadi, and Iran, who previously won in the same category for A Separation in 2012, but the context surrounding this win is stunningly different.

Farhadis film, about a couple performing Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman, was barely even in the conversation a few months ago, overshadowed by Maren Ades popular German comedy Toni Erdmann, but became a rallying cry for immigrant rights after President Donald Trumps seven country travel ban.

The ban not only led to Farhadi announcing that he would not attend the awards in protest of the ban, targeted toward predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, but also to an unprecedented show of solidary between the six nominated directors in the foreign language category. Two days before the Oscars, the six directors issued a joint statement decrying the climate of fanaticism in the United States. They said that no matter who won, the award would be dedicated to people working to foster unity and understanding.

Director Asghar Farhadi speaks via a video link at the screening of the film The Salesman in Trafalgar Square in London on February 26, 2017. (Reuters)

Dividing the world into us and enemies categories creates fear, Ansari continued in Farhadis statement, which concluded with a passionate defense of the power of film to create empathy between us and others, an empathy that we need today.

The Salesman won over the early favourite, Toni Erdmann, which in already in the early stages of development for an English language remake starring Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wii, Swedens A Man Called Ove, Denmarks Land of Mine, and Australias Tanna.
Indian-origin actor Dev Patel, who was nominated in the best supporting actor category at the 89th Academy Awards for Lion, made the Oscar ceremony a family affair as he arrived here with mother Anita Patel. Check out our live blog on the ceremony here.

Cladded in a white Tuxedo, the 26-year-old star was looking every bit a charming gentleman. Patels mother complimented him well in a black sari with minimal make-up.

While Patel wore a white tuxedo, his mother Anita complimented him well with a black sari with minimal make-up. (REUTERS)

Directed by Garth Davis, the true-life inspired movie is based on Saroo Brierley, an Australian-Indian, who tries to find his lost family in India through the help of Google map. Its mind-blowing. Its amazing Im with my mother and this is very very beautiful and special moment. Im still trying to absorb it, Patel said on red carpet.

The actor even thanked child star Sunny Pawar, who played young Saroo in the movie, saying Hes a really beautiful little soul and Im grateful to him.

Actor Sunny Pawar of Lion wore a black tuxedo and completed his look with a green and yellow sneakers. (REUTERS)

Sunny attended the Hollywoods biggest gala night in a black tuxedo and completed his look with green and yellow sneakers. The eight-year-old kid was accompanied by his father and was seen mingling around with a lot of A-list celebrities and even clicked pictures with best actor nominee Andrew Garfield.

Priyanka Bose, who essayed the role of Saroos mother, also stunned in an embellished, multi-colour Vivienne Westwood gown.
Host Jimmy Kimmel mocked President Donald Trumps overrated remark against Meryl Streep by making everyone stand up and give the veteran actress an undeserving round of applause at the 89th Academy Awards. Check out our live blog on the ceremony here.

Trump had famously called Streep, nominated for her 20th Oscar this year for Florence Foster Jenkins, uninspiring and overrated after she had criticised him at the Golden Globes.

Kimmel, without ever naming Trump, said, One actress has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances. (Shes) phoned it in for more than 50 films. This is Meryls 20th Oscar nomination ... she wasnt even in a movie this year, we just wrote her name in out of habit.

Actress Meryl Streep greets the guests at the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles Dolby Theatre on Monday. (REUTERS)

Some of you will (win tonight) and give a speech that the president of the United States will tweet about in all caps, he added.

In the beginning, however, Kimmel seemed reluctant to address the elephant in the room, saying he was told to do so by many but felt he cant do it. Theres only one Braveheart in the room. And hes not going to unite us either, he said of Oscar-winner Mel Gibson, who is nominated for best director again this year for his new film Hacksaw Ridge.

Kimmel said if everyone watching right now took a moment to reach out to one person you disagree with and have a positive, considerate conversation ... we could really make America great again.

He then went after Matt Damon, his mock-feud partner. Kimmel said Damon made a sacrifice by passing on the role to Manchester by the Sea to star in a Chinese ponytail movie instead and that movie went on to lose USD 80 million. Smooth move dumba---.

Kimmels first crack on Trump was thanking him because, remember when last year the Oscars were considered racist? After picking on Oscar nominee Denzel Washington for directing himself in the film Fences, he teased French actress and nominee Isabelle Huppert.

We didnt see Elle, but we absolutely loved it. Im glad Homeland Security let you in tonight, he said, taking an obvious swipe at Trumps order banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Moonlight, director Barry Jenkins enigmatic coming of age tale won Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards after a great misunderstanding initially revealed La La Land to be the winner. La La Land producers realised the mistake as they were giving their acceptance speech.

From the crowd, a great cheer rose as everyone realised what had happened. The cast and crew of Moonlight jumped up and embraced each other, as a very uncomfortable situation unfolded on stage. Host Jimmy Kimmel tried to make sense of what had happened, for a moment, even chastising presenter Warren Beatty.

Here are the nominees in all the major categories

Catch all the live updates of the 89th Academy Awards here:

10:34 am IST: Ladies, gentlemen, children of all ages... The Academy Award for Best Picture of 2016 goes to...

Moonlight.

The exact moment Emma Stone realised what had happened.

Watch the video here

La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (all of whom are nominated) received the most nominations with a record-tying fourteen (1950s All About Eve and 1997s Titanic also achieved this distinction); Denis Villeneuves science-fiction film Arrival, starring Amy Adams, and Moonlight, Barry Jenkins coming of age tale came in second with eight apiece.

Lion, the incredible true life story of an Indian child who traces his roots years after being separated from his birth family is of special interest in India. Star Dev Patel, who attended the ceremony with his mum, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and the film is up for Best Picture.

10:30 am IST: Its the final commercial break of the show. Are you ready for Best Picture? Will it be La La Land or Moonlight, or will a dark horse win the race? Stay tuned to our Oscars 2017 Live updates, right here!

10:24 am IST: Ladies and gentlemen, Leonardo DiCaprio has arrived to present the Oscar for Best Actress. And the winner is... Emma Stone for La La Land!

10:18 am IST: Last years Best Actress winner Brie Larson returns to the stage. In her hand, is the envelope which carries the name for the Best Actor winner.

And the Oscar goes to... Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea!

10:11 am IST: Its time for the big four! Halle Berry arrives to announce the Oscar for Best Director.

And the Academy Award goes to... Damien Chazelle for La La Land! He becomes the youngest director to win the coveted award. Will the momentum carry the film towards a Best Picture win?

10:05 am IST: Amy Adams announces Moonlight as the Best Adapted Screenplay winner, which beat out her own movie Arrival.

10:00 am IST: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck return to the Oscars stage together (they won this very award for Good Will Hunting back in 1998) to announce winners for Best Original Screenplay.

And the Oscar goes to Kenneth Lonergan for terribly sombre Manchester by the Sea.

9:55 am IST: We lost several legends in 2016. The In Memoriam segment pays respects, one last time. Stay tuned for our live updates from Oscars 2017.

9:47 am IST: La La Land pulls a double victory for Best Original Score and Best Original Song - City of Stars. We seem to be back on track finally.

9:34 am IST: Stars of La La Land, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling introduce John Legend, who performs a soulful medley of songs from the film.

9:27 am IST: No one needs an excuse to celebrate Meryl Streep, and neither did Javier Bardem when he accompanied her to announce the winner for Best Cinematography.

Linus Sandgren helps La La Land bag its second Oscar of the night for his glorious, sun-soaked visuals.

9:21 am IST: Jimmy Kimmel took the opportunity to shoot a couple of tweets at Donald Trump, whos definitely not watching, especially with the overrated Meryl Streep in the audience.

9:14 am IST: David Oyelowo (who was criminally snubbed in 2015 for Selma), and Salma Hayek announce the winner Best Documentary Short (The White Helmets). The Syrian cinematographer for the film was denied entry into America because of Trumps immigration ban.

And the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short goes to Sing.

9:10 am IST: Jimmy Kimmel does whats been on everyones mind for months. Witness Sunny Pawar, The Lion King.

9:04 am IST: An overjoyed Seth Rogen cant contain his excitement as he presents the Oscar for Best Film Editing with Back to the Future star Michael J Fox.

And the Academy Award goes to... Hacksaw Ridge. For those keeping score at home, Mel Gibsons war movie has more Oscars than La La Land right now.

Stay tuned for more live updates.

8:59 am IST: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story stars Felicity Jones and Riz Ahmed take the stage to announce winners for Best Visual Effects.

The visually breathtaking The Jungle Book wins!

8:43 am IST: Fifty Shades of Grey stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are here to announce the winner for Best Production Design. And the Oscar goes to La La Land! Surprisingly, its La La Lands first win of the night.

8:42 am IST: Disneys Zootopia, which has become more relevant than ever, with its message of inclusivity, wins the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, beating out fellow Disney film Moana, Kubo and the Two Strings, My Life as a Zucchini and The Red Turtle.

8:40 am IST: Pixar wins an Oscar after all. The Academy Award for Best Animated Short goes to Piper.

8:27 am IST: Oscar winners Charlize Theron and Shirley McLane announce The Salesman as the Best Foreign Language Film winner. Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, in protest against Donald Trumps immigration ban, refused to attend the ceremony. He previously won for A Separation in 2012. A rebel screening of the film was organised by the city of London on Saturday in solidarity with Farhadi.

8:10 am IST: Oscar winner Mark Rylance (he was fantastic in Bridge of Spies) takes the stage to announce the winner for Best Supporting Actress.

And the winner is... Viola Davis for her powerful performance in Fences. Its her first Oscar win after three nominations. She becomes the first black actor to win an Emmy, a Tony and an Oscar for actor.

I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life, she said in her teary acceptance speech.

7:56 am: Sofie Vergara and Captain America himself, Chris Evans are here to present the Oscar for Best Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. Stay tuned for all the live updates!

The Academy Award for Best Sound Editing goes to Arrival.

And the winner for Best Sound Mixing is Mel Gibsons Hacksaw Ridge.

7:45 am IST: Maui, The Rock, Dwayne Johnson takes the stage to say... Youre welcome. He introduces Oscar nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda and Aulii Cravalhos live performance of How Far I Go from Moana.

7:40 am IST: Taraji P Henson, Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer, stars of Hidden Figures announce OJ: Made in America as the winner for the Academy Award for Best Documentary feature.

7:28 am IST: Kate McKinnon and Jason Bateman announce the winners for the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Costume Design. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them becomes the first Harry Potter movie to win an Oscar. For real!

7:20 am IST: Its time for the first award of the show. The Oscar for Best Supporting Actor goes to... Mahershala Ali for Moonlight. Its not about you, its about the characters, he said in his speech. He becomes the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.





7:13 am IST: We are very welcoming here in Hollywood. We dont discriminate based on where youre from, we discriminate based on age and weight, Kimmel continues killing it with his opening monologue.

7:06 am IST: Host Jimmy Kimmel gets things on the way with a zinger, Oh, I got a sitting ovation! But immediately, he makes reference to how the country, and the world, is divided - and how he isnt the one whos going to unite them.

What a year for movies it has been, says Kimmel. Black people saved NASA and white people saved Jazz.

7:04 am IST: Justin Timberlake opens the ceremony with a live rendition of his Oscar nominated film from Trolls, Cant Stop the Feeling

6:21 am IST: Priyanka Chopra, the star of the upcoming summer action comedy Baywatch arrives at the red carpet.

Priyanka Chopra arrives at the Oscars on Sunday. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

5:13 am IST: The red carpet event kicks off, with stars like Ruth Negga, Jackie Chan, Isabelle Huppert, Gael Garcia Bernal, Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar kicking things off. You can watch the red carpet event here:

Follow @htshowbiz for more
For Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, who is seen reprising his role as The Wolverine for one final time in the forthcoming superhero film Logan, working on the franchise has been a gratifying, relieving and satisfying experience. He says his journey with the films cast wont get over with the film as they will still sit together, have dinner.

I didnt know how I would feel about it until I saw the film. I was sitting next to Patrick (Stewart) and James (Mangold) and the audience were clearly very caught up in it and that was satisfying, Jackman said in Taipei, Taiwan, during the films press briefing for select media on Monday.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman poses during a media event promoting his American superhero film Logan in Taipei. (AP)

It felt very gratifying, relieving and satisfying alternatively. It feels right and it was a really good feeling. I remember someone telling me that, You are leaving now, you are not going to be a part of it and I said, Oh na, we will still be sitting together having dinner, its just that we wont be cooking anymore, added the actor, who was dressed in a black bomber jacket, T-shirt and black casual trousers.

He was also sporting a flesh-coloured dressing on his nose after having a sixth basal cell carcinoma cut.

The Wolverine film saga started 17 years ago. Jackman has appeared as Wolverine in nine of the X-Men sagas.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman cheers with fans during a media event promoting his American superhero film Logan in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP)

Writer-director James Mangold took the charge of bringing the character and his journey to a conclusion with Logan. He previously worked with Jackman on The Wolverine in the year 2013.

Logan stars Jackman in the title role alongside Stewart, Stephan Merchant, Richard E. Grant and 11-year-old Dafne Keen, who plays the role of Jackmans daughter and young mutant X 23.

Even Stewart, who has had a long association with the film franchise, will no longer continue being a part of it after Logan.

Actor Hugh Jackman attends the Asian premiere of the film Logan. (REUTERS)

I had no reason to think that this is the end of the relationship with X-Men franchise at all. It was a week ago in Berlin when I realized that I dont think in terms of Wolverine and Charles Xavier... We can really do better than this. This is perfect conclusion.

Everything is in place that ought to be in place, so may be I am done too, said Stewart at the conference here.

Stewart jokingly told Jackman that with his exit, he felt that he has kind of stolen your (Jackmans) thunder.



You know it was a spontaneous feeling that I had while I watched the credit roles in the end of the movie before we went up to be introduced to the audience. I am very content with that, he said.

Logan, that opens in theatres worldwide, including in India on March 3, has been distributed by 20th century Fox.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Hollywood legend Warren Beatty had been out of the limelight for a number of years, and this was hardly the manner in which he would have liked to have made his comeback. At the 89th Academy Awards, Beatty, along with his co-presenter Faye Dunawaye (who played the iconic outlaw duo Bonnie & Clyde in the 1967 film), were involved in a massive gaffe when they mistakenly announced La La Land as the Best Picture winner instead of Moonlight.

Faye Dunaway, left, and Warren Beatty present the award for best picture at the Oscars. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Beatty attempted to clear the confusion by saying that the winners envelope that he was given read Emma Stone - La La Land instead of Moonlight.

The matter was cleared when Jordan Horowitz held up the actual winners name, while host Jimmy Kimmel chastised Beatty for goofing up.

Watch the entire exchange here

For those of your who are lost, heres a primer on Warren Beatty:

Beatty was born on 30 March 1937 in Richmond, Virginia. He and his wife, Annette Bening, live in Los Angeles and have four children.

Since starring in his first film, Splendour in the Grass (1961), Warren Beatty has been said to have demonstrated a greater longevity in movies than any actor of his generation.

Warren Beatty, moments after he had been made aware of the gaffe. (REUTERS)

He was awarded Best Director from the Directors Guild of America and Best Writer three times from the Writers Guild of America. He has received the Milestone Award from the Producers Guild, the Board of Governors Award from the American Society of Cinematographers, the Directors Award from the Costume Designers Guild, the Life Achievement Award from the Publicists Guild, and the Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award from the Art Directors Guild. The National Association of Theater Owners has honored him as Director of the Year, as Producer of the Year and as Actor of the Year.

He has won 16 awards from the New York and Los Angeles Film Critics, the National Board of Review, and the Golden Globes. In 1992, he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France; in Italy he received the David di Donatello award in 1968 and again in 1981 and its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998; in 2001, he received the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Sebastian International Film Festival; in 2002, he received the British Academy Fellowship from BAFTA; and in 2011, he was awarded the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film.

Beatty was the first choice to play Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972), but he turned it down.

Jimmy Kimmel and Warren Beatty laugh after correcting the Best Picture Oscar from La La Land to Moonlight. (REUTERS)

He has a photographic memory for phone numbers. He can dial a touch tone phone using the same hand technique as telephone operators.

In the films he produces, he usually plays characters who lose something important by the end of the film.

Watch: The great goof-up

Along with Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Richard Attenborough and Kevin Costner, he is one of six people to win and Academy Award for Best Director, though they are mainly known as actors.

His most recent film was Rules Dont Apply, released in 2016, in which he plays Howard Hughes.

With inputs from IMDb

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There are several Muslim-majority countries where Mahershala Alis Oscar win for his role in Moonlight wont be celebrated. Thats because he belongs to the minority Ahmadi sect.

In countries such as Malaysia and Pakistan, Ahmadis are reviled by hardline Sunni Muslim groups as heretics, apostates and even infidels.

So much so that Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistans envoy to the United Nations, deleted a tweet on Monday that noted Ali was the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. The tweet, however, was spotted by eagle eyed Twitter users who saved screen grabs.

Screen grab of the tweet on Mahershala Ali that was deleted by Maleeha Lodi, Pakistans envoy to the UN. (Twitter)

Ali, who was born a Christian, converted to Islam in his final year at graduate school after the woman who would become his wife, Amatus Karim, invited him to an Ahmadi mosque.

In Pakistan, the government of then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was pressured by religious hardliners to amend the Constitution in 1974 to declare members of the Ahmadiyya sect non-Muslims.

Another constitutional amendment by military ruler Zia-ul-Haq in 1984 further restricted religious freedoms of Ahmadis, who were barred from referring to themselves as Muslims and from calling their places of worship mosques. Anyone doing so could be sent to prison for three years.

Even now, every Pakistani applying for a passport has to sign a declaration that states Prophet Mohammed was the final prophet and that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya sect, an imposter nabi (false prophet) and his followers non-Muslims.

Who are the Ahmadis?

The Ahmadi or Ahmadiyya sect takes its name from Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who was born on February 13, 1835 in the town of Qadian in Gurdaspur district, currently in Indian Punjab. In Pakistan, the derogatory terms Qadiani and Mirzai are often used to refer to Ahmadis.

Ghulam Ahmad angered other Muslims when he claimed he had been chosen by Allah as the Mahdi or messiah in the late 1880s. His followers too regarded him as a prophet, further angering Sunnis who considered this heretical as they believed Prophet Mohammed was the final prophet.

He died in Lahore in May 1908 and was buried in Qadian. During Partition in 1947, Ghulam Ahmads followers shifted the movements religious headquarters from Qadian to Rabwah in Pakistani Punjab, which they projected as their promised land.

But less than a decade later, Ahmadis were targeted in violent riots in Lahore in 1953 that followed protests spearheaded by groups such as the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Following years of persecution, the Ahmadis moved their central headquarters to London. The sect now has adherents in Britain, the US and African and European countries though there are no reliable numbers for the followers.

In Pakistan, Ahmadis continue to be targeted by religious hardliners and terror groups. In May 2010, nearly 100 Ahmadis were killed in near simultaneous terror attacks on two mosques of the sect in Lahore.

The countrys only Nobel laureate, Abdus Salam, who played a key role in the nuclear programme and whose work led to the discovery of the so-called God Particle, has been shunned in Pakistan because he was an Ahmadi. More recently, army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa was the target of a vicious whisper campaign that claimed he was an Ahmadi because his wife reportedly has some Ahmadi relatives.

Besides Pakistan, members of the sect have also faced persecution in Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the countrys top Islamic body declared Ahmadis as deviants in 2008.

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Social media trolls are always on the lookout for an opportunity to mock something. Their latest victim? Actor Priyanka Chopra for the geometric Ralph & Russo gown she wore for the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, US. While some fashion critics applauded PeeCees fashion choice, Twitterati took to relentlessly mocking her ensemble, comparing it to the Indian sweet, Kaju Katli, Italian tiles, cigarette wraps, solar panels and what not

For those interested in the outfit, the actor opted for a pearl white number that featured a structured corset, with hand-appliqued metallic plastic crystals. For those only interested in the mockery, heres what some social media users came up with:

I know going green is in vogue, but DARN... wearing the whole solar panel on self was pushing it too far! #oscars 2017 #PriyankaChopra pic.twitter.com/L9ql3twviJ  AJ (@OriginallyAJ) February 27, 2017

Why does it remind me of bathroom tiles at my home in Delhi? #PriyankaChopra #Oscar2017 pic.twitter.com/3yz5pqov3Q  Gaurav (@gc2wit) February 27, 2017
Iraq is expected to deliver in March the first oil shipment to Egypt as part of a one-year agreement reached by the two countries in late 2016, Iraqi Ambassador to Cairo Habib Al-Sadr said on Monday.

In an interview with Al-Ahram daily newspaper, Al-Sadr said the first batch, set at one million barrels per month, would be delivered at the end of March 2017, adding that the deal should bridge the gap between oil production and consumption in Egypt.

The ambassador, who took office two months ago, said he had been working "behind closed doors" to speed up the shipment's delivery, given its importance for both countries.

Al-Sadr said Iraq's Oil Marketing Company SOMO had inked the supply contract, and that Iraqi and Egyptian officials finalised the technical aspects of the contract after receiving the green light from their respective political leadership.

He added that there is a plan for a strategic project between Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq to extend oil and gas pipelines from Iraq's Al-Basra Oil Terminal to Jordan, through the Port of Aqaba port and on to Egypt.

The project would require constructing storage tanks to store Iraqi petroleum, Al-Sadr said, adding that the project aims to fulfil Egypt's and Jordan's needs for petroleum products. Any residual in excess of the two country's needs would then be exported to international markets.

Al-Sadr said it could take two to three years to get the project up and running.

"Iraq hopes Egypt will become a new and one of the most prominent targets to export Iraqi petroleum in the medium term. We are also interested in diversifying outlets for oil exports," Al-Sadr added, saying the pipeline would provide an new route to ship petroleum to European and international markets.

The envoy said a third project is in the works where Iraq would supply Cairo with crude oil for refinement before it is delivered back to Iraq as oil products.

According to the ambassador, a memorandum of understanding has been signed over the deal.

Tarek El-Hadidi, the head of Egypt's state oil company EGPC, had recently confirmed that a deal was signed with the Iraqi government to import Iraqi oil under a one-year agreement, which could be renewed.

Egypt has been aiming to procure oil for its domestic market needs from several sources since November 2016, when the Saudi national oil company Aramco halted shipments of oil products to Cairo that were part of a multi-billion dollar aid deal.

In November, Kuwait approved an extension of its oil exports to Egypt starting January 2017, with a grace period of nine months.

According to Kuwaiti newspaper Alrai, Kuwait would supply Egypt with two million barrels of crude oil a month at the global price.

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Gulgul. Thats what late Capt Mandeep Singh called his elder daughter Gurmehar. He wrote the name on a pile of snow in Kashmirs Kupwara and took a picture for his two-year-old daughter.

It is a picture that Gurmehar Kaur, now 20, carries with her, 18 years after her father died fighting militants in the Valley.

The first year student of Delhis Lady Shri Ram College, Gurmehar finds herself in the middle of an ugly debate over free speech and patriotism for taking on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Gurmehar, a student of English literature, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP, upset over the violence in Delhis Ramjas College.

I am student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP..., she said, standing up to the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological parent of the ABVP.

The message, posted on Twitter and Facebook, unleashed a social media firestorm. She was trolled for being anti-national and even threatened with rape.

On Tuesday morning, Gurmehar said she had shown enough courage and wanted to be left alone.

Her father would have stood like a rock behind her, Capt Mandeeps brother Davinderdeep Singh told HT.

He would have supported her tooth and nail. She is entitled to her opinion, she did not say anything anti-national, Davinderdeep, who teaches English at DAV College in Punjabs Nakodar, said.

THE FATHER

Capt Mandeep was with 4 Rashtriya Rifles when militants stormed his camp in Kupwara in August 1999. He was killed in the gun battle that followed. He was 30.

A few months earlier, he had shot dead three militants in a 30-hour gun fight, Davinderdeep said.

He was much dreaded by militants active in the area. They had kept a reward on him. Even when they stormed the camp, they shouted out his name, he said.

Commissioned in the air defence wing of the Indian Army, Capt Mandeep was an avid bodybuilder in college and even participated in Mr Jalandhar contest.

Jalandhar was his home town and his parents still live there.

VOICE OF RAM

Gurmehar has spent almost all her years missing her father. She was two and her sister, Bani, was five months old when their father was killed.

Gurmehar shot into limelight in May 2016, when she was the subject of a silent video by Ram Subramaniam, an ad filmmaker whose Facebook page -- Voice of Ram -- aims to create a positive change.

She told her story through placards, which she seems partial to -- her ABVP campaign, too, started with a placard.

In the video, Gurmehar recounted how as a six-year-old she tried to stab a burqa-clad woman because she believed Muslims killed her father.

Her mother, Rajvinder Kaur, a Punjab Civil Services officer, sat her down and explained it was war that killed her father, not people.

Today, I am also a soldier just like my dad. I fight for peace between India and Pakistan, she told HT.

A PEACENIK

My life has been very difficult. But my mother taught me that hate doesnt get you anywhere. Try and affect people in a positive way, thats the only way to bring about a change, she said in a Facebook chat on January 30.

She praised her college, saying it encouraged free thought and open conversation.

Peace between India and Pakistan is important to her.

Gurmehar has written a book on life in the forces and peace between the two neighbours. We can have a cordial relationship, we dont need to hate each other, she said during the chat, as she took questions from people.

Her peace push has not gone unnoticed. She has quite a following in Pakistan and she hopes to visit the neighbouring country this year.

She has withstood the abuse that has come her way in the last few days. But, the family has been traumatised, Davinderdeep said. We havent said a word about this to my father who is very ill, he said.

TOO MUCH HATE

She never thought her Facebook post would go viral, Gurmehar told HT over phone on Monday.

Gurmehar said she was not at the spot but some of her friends were injured when students clashed in Ramjas College.

... I got so upset... and took to social media to show my protest, she said. The students who were attacked by the ABVP were Indians and they call it nationalism. What kind of nationalism is this?

The support she has got took her by surprise. I had never imagined that I would get such support from everyone but there is a lot of hatred, too, and that is personal, which is not acceptable.
The army and navy are unhappy with the budget allocated for buying new weapons and systems and have flagged their concerns before the parliamentary standing committee on defence.

The two services have told the panel that their capital expenditure for 2017-18 is less than last years budget estimates and fell far short of their expectations and requirements.

HT has learnt that army and navy representatives attended a meeting of the parliamentary panel last week, where they presented figures to buttress their point, highlighting how the capital outlay was inadequate to power modernisation plans.

On February 1, India announced a defence budget of Rs 2.74 lakh crore, a marginal increase over last years budget of Rs 2.58 lakh crore. The spending includes a capital expenditure of Rs 86,488 crore for the militarys modernisation.

Sources said the army and navy officials categorically told the panel that the capital expenditure - less than last years - was barely enough to support some of the ongoing proposals to scale up the militarys capabilities.

At 1.62%, Indias defence spending is poor measured against the countrys gross domestic product. The budget for 2016-17, excluding pensions, accounted for 1.72% of the GDP, though experts argue it should be around 3% to counter Chinas growing military might.
Beginning March, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal will visit Gujarat once every month to drum up support for the party in the run-up to the state polls due year-end.

The AAP brass, which held a series of meetings from February 23 and February 25, has decided to focus on the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the party fancies its chances.

Senior party leaders have been assigned the task of building the organisation in Gujarat to present AAP as an alternative to the BJP and the Congress.

A good performance in Gujarat would help the party establish its national credentials ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections that Kejriwal is eyeing.

The partys highest decision-making body, the political affairs committee (PAC), will hold a show of strength in the state capital Gandhinagar on March 26.

There will be a massive rally which Arvind Kejriwal will address, a party leader said.

The party had earlier planned a gherao of Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani for the alleged failure of the BJP government to deliver on its promises but decided to turn the event into a Kejriwal show.

Apart from state in-charge Gopal Rai, several PAC members will be responsible for building a strong state unit.

Senior leaders Sanjay Singh, Durgesh Pathak, Ashutosh and Ashish Khetan will be camping in the western state. Immediately after the Punjab results, Singh and Pathak will move to Gujarat and work on a party-building exercise similar to Punjab, a leader said.

Results for Punjab and four other state elections will be announced on March 11.

AAP leaders would tour Gujarat on March 5 and meet volunteers to explain to them the importance of Gujarat in AAPs scheme of things, sources said.

The last election in Gujarat, held in December 2012, returned Narendra Modi as the chief minister and was instrumental in the BJP picking him as the prime ministerial candidate.

The BJP, which has been in power in Gujarat for 19 years, has seen two CMs after Modi took over as the Prime Minister in May 2014.

The state was in 2015 rocked by protests by the powerful Patidar community, seeking reservation in government jobs and education. The community is vital to BJPs poll success.

The AAP has been supporting and wooing Hardik Patel, who is spearheading the quota stir.

The AAP planned to contest the Himachal Pradesh election due around the same time as Gujarat but has decided against diverting sources to the hill state. A final decision on Himachal would be taken next month, sources said.

Party strategists believe Gujarat will be a high-stake election for the BJP and Modi on one hand and the Congress on the other that which has suffered a string of defeats in state polls since 2013.

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Bureaucracy in Bihar is restive and uncomfortable with recent arrests of members and punishment to others. On Monday, even as the IAS association members wore black bands to work , the Bihar Administrative Service Association (BASA) leaders sought time from chief minister to air their grievances.

Also, during the day, the Bihar Police Service Association (BPSA), the body representing the Bihar police service officers, held an emergency meeting to chalk out its strategy in the wake of action against two of its members.

The turn of events, which began with the arrest of senior IAS officer Sudhir Kumar, in connection with the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) question leak case, came soon after action taken against BASA and BPSA officials for alleged dereliction of duty , which led to a boat tragedy in the Ganga, which claimed 24 lives, on January 14.

Amidst all this, Kumar, chairman of BSSC, faces suspension as per the administrative rules for having spent 48 hours behind bars since his arrest early Friday.

With the states budget session on, the Bihar government is facing the worst kind of opposition from premier service associations, namely, the IAS, IPS, BASA and BPSA, in the first such scenario in the state.

We worked on Monday wearing black bands in protest against the arrest of Sudhir Kumar, said Vivek Singh, secretary of the IAS officers association. Later, in the evening, association members met speaker of Bihar legislative assembly Vijay Kumar Chowdhary and apprised him of their concern over unwarranted arrest of their colleague.

We want to apprise all about the wrong done to Kumar, said an association member.

The association has been opposing the police action of arresting the BSSC chairman even before the conclusion of the inquiry into the question leak case. Its members had submitted a memorandum to the governor on Sunday, demanding adequate safeguards for officials to work in fairness, as the officers no more feel secure in performance of their official duties.

Their demands included that whenever an officer of SDM or above rank was under scanner, the inquiry/investigation team should be headed by a civil officer in the rank of super time and above only. No haranguing should be permitted in the name of special investigation/ regular investigation,the memorandum added.

The association made it clear that as the President was the appointing authority for the personnel of the All India services (IAS, IPS etc), only he was competent to remove or dismiss them from service, as per article 311(1) of the Constitution of India. The government can at best suspend or transfer them.

The Bihar police service association, which met on Monday, also decided to give a representation to the government opposing the alleged practice of adopting different yardsticks for different officers for the same administrative lapse.

The officers felt that suspension of our colleague (Sonepur SDPO) following the inquiry into the boat tragedy was wrong and against the principles of natural justice, as he was not even issued a show-cause. It was a case of administrative lapse, but while others were transferred, the SDPO was suspended. It would have been better to let the department take action in this regard, if the same was required, said Rakesh Dubey, president of BPSA.

The BASA, which represents the state administrative service officers, on Monday sought an appointment with chief minister Nitish Kumar after state government took action against three of its officials, Rajesh Choudhary, ADM law and order (Patna), Manzoor Alam, control room in-charge (Patna) and Madan Kumar,SDO, Sonepur, for their alleged laxity leading to the boat tragedy.

While Choudhary and Alam have been transferred, SDO, Sonepur has been suspended.

We are awaiting the chief ministers response. Only then will we decide our future course of action, said BASA general secretary Sushil Kumar.

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The administrative machinery in Bihar is in turmoil, as the top civil echelon on Sunday decided not to accept any verbal instructions, even from the chief minister. The middle rung of civil and police administration is cut up for different reasons.

While the IAS officers are on warpath, seeking immediate release of Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) chairman Sudhir Kumar, the Bihar Administrative Service Association (BASA), is peeved after the government transferred of its two officers and suspended one for the January 14 boat tragedy, which led to the death of 24 persons.

The Bihar Police Service Association (BPSA), on the other hand, has also taken up cudgels for Sonepur sub-divisional police officer Mohammad Ali Ansari, who has been suspended over the boat tragedy.

In its memorandum to the governor, the association demanded adequate safeguard for officers to work fairly and fearlessly. The association also demanded that a civil officer, not below one who had attained supertime scale, head any probe involving an officer in the rank of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) or above.

The IAS officers had on Sunday marched up to Raj Bhawan, seeking the governors intervention for Kumars release. He was arrested last Friday in the BSSC question paper leak case.

The meeting with governor Ram Nath Kovind lasted nearly 20 minutes, ending a nearly six-hour long deliberation of 125-odd IAS officers earlier in the day. The IAS officers delegation comprised Dipak Kumar Singh, Vivek Singh, Rahul Singh, Divesh Shehra, Sudhir Kumar Rakesh and Shishir Sinha.

The association had earlier resolved not to accept any verbal instruction even from the chief minister. It also announced that no IAS officer would accept the posts of chairman and controller of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) or the technical services recruitment board till Kumar got justice.

The association also reiterated its demand for an impartial CBI probe into the BSSC question leak case.

Meanwhile, the BASA also held an emergency meeting to oppose the action taken against three officials. Those in the dock are Patna additional district magistrate (law & order) Rajesh Choudhary, control room in-charge Manzoor Alam and sub-divisional officer, Sonepur, Madan Kumar.

While Choudhary and Alam have been transferred, Kumar has been suspended.

The association has decided to meet chief minister Nitish Kumar for revocation of the suspension and transfer orders.

BASA general secretary Sushil Kumar Singh said the association had also expressed its anguish over the arrest of BSSC secretary Parmeshwar Ram in the paper leak case.

The BPSA was also angry over the suspension of Sonepur sub-divisional police officer in connection with the boat tragedy. It would meet on Monday to chart its next course of action.
Three years after the organisers of Miss World beauty pageant did away with the bikini or swimsuit round, it has returned to raise the hackles of the apex womens organisation in Christian-majority Mizoram.

The bikini round of Miss Mizoram 2017 beauty contest, whose grand finale is scheduled on March 10, was held on February 18. The televised show helped the organisers  Zonet Cable TV  improve viewership, but the womens body named Mizoram Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) said it was against the tenets of Christianity.

In a statement last week, MHIP said that exposure of womens group in the bikini round of the beauty contest was demeaning to the entire womenfolk, un-Christian and against our culture.

Insisting they were not against the beauty pageant, MHIPs general secretary Saipuii said: Can a beauty pageant not be organised with modest dresses?

Te-a Boitlung, one of the organisers, said the contestants and a large section of viewers had no issues with the bikini round. People have the right to express their opinions and have thus taken to social media, he said.

The Mizoram Journalists Association (MJA) has the rights of Miss Mizoram contest that was first held in 1983. The pageant has been irregular, and the last one was held in 2014 after a gap of nine years.

The bikini round had been the most popular segment of the pageant, but the publicity this time has been the widest because of a cable TV entity hosting the show.

We have organised successful shows such as Mizo Idol. We feel there is a big scope in beauty pageants, and since no party was willing to take the initiative. We decided to go ahead this time after getting permission from MJA to organise the show, Zonets general manager LV Lalthantluanga told HT from state capital Aizawl.

Lots of people have appreciated the bikini round but as expected there were critics too. MHIP said it was vulgar and against the social and Christian ethics of Mizoram, but we feel the show must go on, he said.

The audition for Miss Mizoram 2017 started on January 24. Of several contestants from across the state, 16 were shortlisted for a two-week grooming followed by the photo shoot round and the bikini round.

The fitness and charity rounds and a charity dinner remain before the grand finale on March 10 where the guest of honour will be Priyadarshini Chatterjee, the Miss India World. The show will be televised in 15 episodes before the grand finale.

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In a goodwill gesture, a 50-year-old Pakistani national was sent back to his home country on Monday, a day after he inadvertantly crossed over to the Indian territory in Punjab.

On Februray 26, BSF troops of Border Out Post Kassowal, Gurdaspur Sector apprehended one Pak National namely Sabir Hussain, son of Fazal Hussain, resident of Narowal (Pakistan) while he inadvertently crossed International Boundary and entered inside the Indian territory and reached near Border Security Fence, a BSF official said here.

He said the Pakistan Rangers were contacted on Monday and Sabir was handed over to them on humanitarian grounds.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is planning to induct a robotic device that would assist the force to detect and defuse improvised explosive devices (IED) in Maoist-affected areas. The robot is being tested and it will go for field trials soon.

The CRPF director-general K Durga Prasad, who is retiring on Tuesday, said the force is consulting IIT-Mumbai to ascertain the capabilities of the device.

A senior CRPF official said the robot under test is a four-wheeled machine that can be remotely operated by patrol teams to detect and safely defuse the bomb in a secure environment.

IEDs and hidden landmines are the weapons of choice of Maoists to inflict maximum damage on security forces.

The force is also trying to get some special boots that could save troops from getting hit by IEDs hidden beneath the ground . They are being tested at a Hyderabad-based institute at the moment.

There are 90,000 CRPF personnel deployed in Maoist-affected areas and the outgoing chief said a large number of rebel cadre were surrendering.

There is no red corridor as it was propagated earlier....the Naxals are now contained to pockets only. We have been able to penetrate their hideouts and fortress. Our teams have inflicted heavy losses on the Naxals," said Prasad.
The Madras high court on Monday issued notices to Tamil Nadu chief minister EK Palanisamy and the Speaker of the assembly to file counter affidavits by March 10 on the opposition party DMKs plea challenging the CMs trust vote.

The court also issued notices to the assembly speaker and the home secretary over the DMKs petition challenging Palaniswamis ascension to the chief ministerial post.

Palanisamy had won the trust vote 122-11 in the 234-member assembly, aided by the eviction of DMK leaders and a walkout by its allies, including the Congress party last Saturday.

The notices were issued by a bench consisting of acting chief Justice Huluvadi Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan.

The DMK has 89 MLAs in the assembly. The division vote was taken up after two adjournments following chaos and uproar in the assembly as opposition MLAs insisted on a secret vote, which was rejected by Speaker P Dhanapal.

Earlier, the DMK moved a no-confidence motion against the assembly Speaker as the partys working president MK Stalin accused the Speaker of harping on his community to malign the party.
A box containing Rs 24.68 lakh cash found outside an ATM of a leading public sector bank in Vadodara sent the local police into a tizzy.

Later, it was found that an employee of the agency that replenishes cash in the ATMs had forgotten it there.

The box, having bundles of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes, was spotted by a college student near a branch of the bank close to Zaver Nagar on Waghodia road in Vadodara on Saturday when he went there to withdraw some cash from the ATM, assistant police commissioner YR Gamit told PTI on Monday.

The box had apparently been lying since February 23 after the employee of the agency responsible for loading and filling cash forgot it outside the ATM, he said.

The student opened the box and, to his surprise, found bundles of currency notes inside it. Assuming it to be a case of loot, he called up the police in the wee hours on Sunday.

Gamit and police inspector JV Amin, who was on night patrolling duty in the area, rushed to the spot.

The police then called up the branch manager and an official of the agency to the site.

After ascertaining that the cash bundles were intact, they were handed it over to the branch manager.

We will also watch the CCTV footage. It is surprising that nobody noticed the box lying near the ATM for three-four days, Gamit said.
Amid allegations of saffronisation of education, the Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan has started free distribution of bicycles  painted in orange colour  among school girls. A group of class 9 girls at a government school in Kota have now been gifted the new bicycles under a state government initiative to check the drop out rate.

Sources in the state education department informed that 6,283 bicycles would be distributed to as many beneficiaries at 297 government secondary schools in Kota alone.

The previous Congress government in state had in 2012-13 proposed to distribute bicycles among girl students, but had not specified any colour. The bicycles distributed till last year were black in colour. The BJP government, last year, decided to change the colour of the bicycles to orange and floated tenders. It had planned to distribute the bicycles on August 15. However, it had to defer the plan after the officials found that most of the parts, including the frame, mud guard and fork, were not in the specified colour. Later a fresh tender was issued.

Education department sources informed that a supply order for bicycles was issued on January 3, under which the firm had to supply 2,95,671 cycles in 120 days. The firm till date has supplied 50,000 cycles, of which half have been distributed in around 16 districts.

Additional district education officer, Secondary education, Kota, Narendra Gehlot, said the bicycles were being distributed among such girl students who live within the 5-km radius of the school. The girls, who live beyond 5-km radius are entitled to transport voucher of Rs 20 per day. Gehlot informed that the distribution started a couple of days ago and will be completed by the end of this week.

Gehlot said that the decision to change the colour of the bicycles was taken by state government and only higher ups can inform why it was done, but added the new colour has made the bicycles look more attractive and distinguishable.

Earlier this month, state education minister Vasudev Devnani too had hinted that the colour change was being carried out to give the bicycles a more cheerful look.

One of the beneficiaries, 15-year-old Priyanka Meena of Government Senior Secondary School at Delunda, said, The new colour is a welcome change. The bicycle looks attractive.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has termed the move to change the colour of bicycles as another attempt at saffronisation of education in the State. State Congress general secretary Pankaj Mehta said, First, the Rajasthan government changed the school curriculum and imposed the saffron ideology in it and now it has changed the colour of the bicycles meant for school girls to saffron, which is just an extension of its ideology.

Sources disclosed that a total of 2.95 lakh bicycles would be distributed among the girl students. The total cost has been pegged at 86.84 lakh with the cost of one bicycle coming at Rs 2,937.
The body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was shot dead in a Kansas City bar in a suspected hate crime, arrived in Hyderabad on Monday night.

His wife, Sunayana, and a couple of his friends from the US brought the body in a special flight of Air India that landed in the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the outskirts of the city around 9.40pm. The flight was an hour late.

State transport minister K Mahender Reddy was present from the Telangana government when the body was handed over to Kuchibhotlas elder brother, KK Sastry, and a few relatives. Kuchibhotlas father K Madhusudhana Chary was also present. The minister placed a wreath on the body and paid his respects.

The state government helped in transporting the body from the airport to Kuchibhotlas residence at Bachupalli. The airport police made elaborate arrangements to prevent crowds. Entry to the area was restricted, even for the media, till the convoy with the body left the airport.

According to sources close to his family, the cremation of Kuchibhotlas mortal remains will take place at Mahaprasthanam modern cremation ground at Jubilee Hills around 11.30am on Tuesday.

Kuchibhotla was shot dead by a white man at a suburban bar, an attack that appears to be racially motivated.

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The INLD will gherao Parliament and hold a demonstration for the construction of the SYL Canal at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on March 15, party leader Abhay Chautala said in Chandigarh on Monday.

Briefing newspersons after reaching here from the Patiala jail, Abhay said that INLD would take the SYL Canal fight to the logical end.

Stating that the INLD will also announce its future course of action on the issue on March 15, he said the BJP and Congress had only been doing politics on the canal, indulging in double speak and had done nothing. Such is the indifference of the ruling BJP government in Haryana that chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had failed to even take out time to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the , he said.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Monday rejected criticism from Congress leader P Chidambaram on his alliance of subversion remark about the turmoil in Ramjas College and said the latter had his history and facts wrong.

On Chidambaram reminding Jaitley of his own role as a student leader in DU in the mid 1970s, the latter told HT: He belongs to a political party which subverted democracy in 1975.

I went to prison for 19 months opposing the Congress autocracy. If fighting for democracy is Chidambarams definition of subversion, he really has to redefine his grammar of politics, Jaitley added.

He criticised Congress leaders supporting these elements.

I expect political parties to oppose this idea of subversion. Some have jumped to support them without application of mind or thinking of consequences, he said.

Read more: Buckigham Palace guards band plays Jai Ho as India, UK launch Year of Culture

In an event in London on Saturday, Jaitley commented on the recent turmoil in Ramjas College, Delhi, saying there was no space for violence, but there needed to be a debate whether assaulting the countrys sovereignty should be permitted under the idea of free speech.

Read more: Venkaiah Naidu slams Chidambaram for India nearly lost Kashmir remark

According to him, there is an alliance of subversion between separatists and ultra left-wing elements on university campuses.

If somebody speaks about breaking India into pieces and thinks that is part of free speech  dont forget under Article 19 (2) sovereignty is an exception to free speech  but assuming you wanted that right, be liberal enough to believe that within the democratic framework a large majority will stand up to you ....

Then dont say that my free speech is being hindered. I find it strange that an argument is being raised that I have free speech to advocate that India should be broken into pieces but those who oppose me are hindering my free speech. They also have a right of free speech..., Jaitley said

In the same event at London , Jaitley said without naming businessman Vijay Mallya that he uses meetings with British counterparts to raise the issue of individuals wanted in India for economic and other offences who are taking refuge in Britain.

Jaitley is due to meet chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond on Tuesday, among meetings with other business leaders.

He is on a four day visit to London mainly to represent India at Queen Elizabeths reception in Buckingham palace on Monday evening to launch the UK-India Year of Culture.

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Keeping up with their plan to hold a big protest in Delhi on March 2 followed by gherao of the Parliament, Jats here at Jassia have started registrations for tractor-trolleys that will be used to march towards the national capital.

Jat leader Yashpal Malik had earlier said they will use only tractors or bullock carts to seal Delhi and make history to pressurise Centre for their demands.

The protesting committee said over 1,000 tractors have registered till now from across Haryana and will ferry the protesters to Delhi. Only a handful people from Haryana will go to Delhi on March 2, when we will announce date for Parliament gherao in the capital. We are yet to decide the final date, but it will be two-three days after Holi, Malik said.

All highways will be ours. GT Road, NH-10 will be taken care of by Haryana, while all other sides will be taken care of by protesters from UP and Rajasthan. Only our tractors will be visible on national highways of Delhi on that day. We will seal Delhi, AIJASS general secretary Ashok Balhara said.

Malik, taking the announcements further, said, Wherever the government tries to stop us, we will claim the road there and then.

Earlier on Sunday, all speakers coming on stage to address the large gathering came out in support of Sombir, who was slapped with a sedition case over his beheading remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The organisers also announced from the stage that they have received a collective donation of 10,000 from Jat soldiers in the Indian Army.
The Madras high court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to spell out its stand on PILs seeking removal of portraits of late chief minister Jayalalithaa from government offices and schemes on the ground she had been convicted in a disproportionate wealth case.

The first bench comprising acting chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan asked the government to respond by March 20 and posted the matter to that day.

The court gave the direction on petitions by senior DMK functionary J Anbalagan, MLA, and Advocates Forum for Social Justice with similar pleas.

The bench orally observed that display of portraits in private offices or offices of political parties could not be gone into, but said the government should respond to all queries raised by the petitioners related to display of portraits in government offices and schemes.

Senior counsel P Wilson appearing for Anbalagan, contended that only because of her demise the charges against Jayalalithaa were abated and was not sentenced to jail but she was convicted by the Supreme Court. She was constitutionally debarred from occupying any public office, he submitted.

The portraits of a convicted person cannot be displayed in the government offices or in the schemes implemented by the government, he argued.

He further submitted that a representation was already made to the government in this regard on February 25.

To this, the bench observed, Give them breathing time. Let them take a decision on displaying the portraits in public offices post-conviction. Let them answer all queries raised by you.

President of Advocates Forum for Social Justice K Balu, submitted that the Supreme Court had not given a clean chit to Jayalalithaa and instead found her guilty of offences such as conspiracy and corruption.

Noting that her photographs were affixed on doles such as free table fan, mixie and grinder, besides school bag, geometry box, etc, Balu said, Even in a dictator-ruled nation this would not happen.

To this, the bench remarked, This is the style of administration that exists here for several decades.

The petitioner had sought removal of Jayalalithaas photograph and the name Amma, as the late leader was affectionately called, from all government schemes.

On February 14, the Supreme Court had restored in to the judgement and findings of the trial court in Bengaluru which held all the accused, including Jayalalithaa, guilty in the corruption case.

However, the apex court abated the proceedings against Jayalalithaa in view of her death on December 5 last.

Jayalalithaa, her close aide and current AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala and two others were accused of amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during her first term as the chief minister from 1991 to 1996.
IAS officer Sudhir Kumar, arrested on Friday in connection with the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) question paper leak scandal, spent sleepless nights on Friday and Saturday at Phulwarisharif jail in south-western fringes of the state capital.

Sources said Kumar, a 1987 batch IAS officer and was serving as BSSC chairman when the leak took place, spent the first night in Amad ward of Phulwarisharif jail, availing only minimal basic facilities. The next day, he was shifted to the general ward of the jail.

He has been given a bedsheet for lying on the floor for sleeping while one blanket has also provided to him to use in the night. He has not been even given facilities like newspaper, TV and internet facilities. He has to wait for his turn to read the newspaper that comes for the ward as a whole, jail sources told HT.

He has to get up at 5 am like other prisoners and submit to counting, as per the jail manual. Kumar, like BSSC former secretary Parmeshwar Ram, lodged in Beur jail, also in outskirts of Patna, are fully devoid of luxuries they may be used to, said a source.

He said Kumar, like Ram, had been subject to all the rules to which any ordinary prisoner had to submit. They even have to wait for their turn to take bath.

Other sources said that Kumar ate rice, daal and mixed vegetables on Friday noon. He spent his whole day on his bed. In the evening, he took a cup of tea. At night, jail official sent him for dinner bread, daal and eggs. But he ate bread, daal and vegetables, the source added.

A police special investigation team (SIT) had arrested Kumar and his three relatives after picking them up from Hazaribagh on February 24, in connection with the leaking of question papers of BSSC intermediate level examination, 2017. The BSSC secretary was earlier arrested in the same case on February 8.
The movement for reservation will continue and the Patidar community needs to put up a united fight for it, quota agitation leader Hardik Patel said, as he held his first rally in Ahmedabad in one-and-a-half years.

There are divisions within our community, we need to unite to make our movement strong, said Hardik, who shot to fame after galvanizing Patidar masses in a movement to demand reservations under the OBC quota in 2015.

We should not forget the violence inflicted upon our people after the GMDC rally. The deaths of our youths were due to atrocities inflicted on them by the administration, the 23-year-old leader said.

This was Hardiks first public meet in the city after the mega rally on August 25, 2015. After Hardik was detained from the GMDC ground in Ahmedabad, violence had broken out in different parts of Gujrata and around 10 supporters had died in clashes with the police.

The Patidar agitation leader was arrested on sedition charges and jailed before being released on bail by the Gujarat high court on July 15 last year on the condition that he will stay outside the state for six months, starting July 17.

Hardik stayed at Udaipur in Rajasthan and returned to Gujarat on January 17.

In the last 18 months, the ruling party tried to break our agitation time and again. Sedition cases were filed against us. But we are not going to break, the reservation stir will go on and nobody can stop it, he said.

Hardik said the agitation is for the future generations of Patels, as they will benefit from reservation.

The meeting, held in Nikol area of the city, was organised to felicitate the families of army soldiers -- Lance Naik Gopal Sinh Bhadoriya and Major Rushikesh Ramani -- who lost their lives while fighting against insurgents and Patidar youths who died during the quota stir.

Hardik also reminded his community members that the community has not given proper respect to former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel, who is from their community.

During Keshubhais time, Gujarats debt was Rs 36,000 crore but now it is more than Rs 3 lakh crore, what sort of development is this?, he claimed, adding, Keshubhai started schemes that were responsible for development of the state. But our community has not given due respect to him.
Citing legal provisions that bars a convict from exercising the right to vote, former AIADMK member of Parliament KC Palaniswamy on Monday urged the Election Commission to disqualify VK Sasikala as the partys general secretary.

Former chief election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy told IANS that law has to prevent convicts from holding party posts to ensure probity in public life.

Section 62(5) of The Representation of People Act, 1951 clearly bars a convict from voting in any election in India. The right to vote is the basic democratic right in India, Palaniswamy, former MP and AIADMK member, told IANS here on Monday.

Section 62(5) of the Representation of People Act reads as follows: No person shall vote at any election if he is confined in a prison, whether under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custody of the police: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to a person subjected to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force.

Palaniswamy said the law is clear that a convict does not have a voting right.

As a logical corollary, a person whose basic democratic right is cancelled should not be allowed to participate in the democratic process as a leader of a political party, Palaniswamy argued.

He said AIADMKs interim general secretary Sasikala was convicted for four years in a corruption case.

In AIAMDK it is the general secretary who authorises party candidates and allots the party symbol to them to fight elections. Further it is the general secretary who issues the directions to the party Whip as to how the party legislators have to vote in the assembly or in the Parliament, Palaniswamy said.

How can a person who is legally barred from participating in the basic democratic process - voting in an election - indirectly take charge of a political party, Palaniswamy argued.

Asked for his comments, former chief election commissioner Krishnamurthy told IANS: Section 11A and Section 65 of the Representation of People Act prevent a convicted person in respect of certain offences from voting in election to Parliament/State Assembly but such persons are not disqualified from holding positions in a political party.

Time has indeed come for law to prevent such people holding party posts to ensure probity in public life, Krishnamurthy added.

Hence keeping the Representative of Peoples Act in mind the Election Commission should act swiftly to declare that such convicts and disqualified persons cannot hold any post in the political parties that may include the primary membership. This will set a precedence in the electoral reforms to a greater extent, Palaniswamy said.

Palaniswamy said he has sent an additional representation to the Election Commission.

This follows his petition sent in January 2017 in which he had urged the poll panel to appoint an independent and fearless officer to conduct the election for the post of general secretary of AIADMK, restrain the present office bearers from being removed or replaced, so as to ensure a level playing field, till the holding of elections. The petition also sought that direction be given to the present office bearers to not alienate or fritter away the assets of the party other than those necessary for regular expenses and not to decide on any policy decisions till the elections are over, including expulsion of any member of the party.

He also sought that the appointment of Sasikala as interim general secretary, on December 29 last year, not be recognised.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Santosh Yadav, a Bastar journalist who was arrested by police for alleged Maoist links in 2015.

Yadav was booked on charges of rioting, criminal conspiracy and associating with a terrorist organisation.

Yadav was granted bail by a division bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice AK Sikri. Yadav has to visit Darbha police station (Jagdalpur) to mark his daily attendance, said advocate Kishor Narayan who appeared with senior counsel Colin Gonsalves for Yadav in the SC.

Nayaran further said the court has also said Yadav will not leave Chhattisgarh without authoritys permission. The written order is yet to come, he added.

Yadav was lodged in Jagdalpur jail, but was later shifted to Kanker jail after he had reportedly protested against the substandard food given to the inmates by the jail authorities.

Yadav was arrested by police in October 2015 on the suspicion of links with Maoist leader Shankar in Darbha area of Bastar. His arrest led to a protest by journalists who organised a protest march to CM house in Raipur.

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The Supreme Court came to the relief of an acid attack victim from Telangana as it ordered Rs 3.5 lakh compensation for her and one-year jail term for the accused, whose punishment the high court had reduced to 30 days  time already spent behind bars  despite holding him guilty.

Shocked at the HCs lenient approach towards the accused, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Bhanumathi restored the rigorous one year imprisonment the accused was handed out by the trial court. State government was directed to pay Rs 3 lakh of the compensation amount and the court asked the accused to give the balance.

the approach of the HC shocks us and we have no hesitation in saying so. When there is medical evidence that there was an acid attack on the young girl and the circumstances having brought home by cogent evidence and the conviction is given the stamp of approval, there was no justification in reducing the sentence to already undergone, the SC said.

The judges said it was impossible to understand the logic that guided the HC to show an unknown notion of mercy to the accused in a case where society at large eagerly waits for justice to be done in accordance with law.

The SC verdict came on the victims petition challenging the HC order in a 13-year-old case. The woman was attacked in 2003 because her family had turned down the accuseds proposal to marry her. The trial court held the man guilty, imposed a one year punishment and was directed to pay a fine of Rs 5,000. On a challenge, the HC upheld the conviction, but reduced the jail term to the period already undergone.

Since the state did not appeal against the HC verdict, the victim approached the top court. Her counsel Aparna Bhat contended punishment of 30 days in jail cannot be appropriate for the offence committed .

The counsel for the accused argued the occurrence took place long back and with time, both were leading separate married lives. He asked the court not to interfere with the verdict.

But, the SC relied on the verdict in the Laxmi case and modified both the sentence and fine.

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Senior IAS officer Parameswaran Iyer knows how to lead from the front.

When the secretary to the Union ministry of drinking water and sanitation got inside a twin toilet pit in a Telangana village and removed faecal matter with his hands, the 40-odd bureaucrats accompanying him as well as the villagers watched him in awe.

The action of Iyer, who heads the Swachh Bharat Mission, also caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi lauded him while addressing the nation during his Mann ki Baat radio programme on Sunday. He explained in detail how such efforts would create a revolution in the society.

This toilet pit emptying exercise undertaken by the Drinking Water & Sanitation Ministry is remarkable! Modi tweeted as well.

Iyer was on a visit to Gangadevipalli in Warangal district on February 18 along with a delegation of 40 bureaucrats, including 23 principal secretaries associated with the rural development departments in various states, besides representatives of the UNICEF.

The team was there to study the concept of twin-pit toilet technology that converts human excreta into manure within a short period of time and also helps in eliminating the practice of open defecation.

The officers, on a training programme at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) in Hyderabad, saw the toilets in 7 houses and interacted with the residents to understand how the technology works.

Its perfectly safe and clean to empty a twin pit toilet. The @swachhbharat team joins Gangadevipally village today, Iyer tweeted after visiting the village.

Each toilet consists of two holes that are dug up and cemented and as one gradually fills up with faecal matter, the villagers start using the second pit. The first pit is closed and the faecal matter in it gets decomposed, dries up and turns into manure. After six months, the first pit is emptied and can be used again by the time the second pit is full.

While explaining this technology, Iyer suddenly wanted to know how the first pit is emptied. He removed the lid of the pit, got into it and started lifting the dried up faecal matter, which had turned into a manure, using a shovel, Warangal (rural) joint collector Prashant Jeevan Patil told Hindustan Times.

Patil said Iyer did not even wear gloves on his hands.

It was a surprise to everybody and after some time, all of us started participating in the cleaning up of the toilet. He led all of us by example in showing that scavenging is not a menial job. And I, too, held the dried up faecal matter, which had turned into manure, with my hands and I was not ashamed of it, Patil said.

The joint collector said villagers of Gangadevipalli have been using this twin-pit technology for the last 16 years.

They do the manual cleaning of pits but watching an IAS officer doing it was something unusual for them. They all appreciated it, he said.

According to the Census 2011, there are more than 2.6 million dry latrines in the country. There are 13,14,652 toilets where human excreta is flushed in open drains, 7,94,390 dry latrines where the human excreta is cleaned manually. Seventy-three percent of these are in rural areas and 27% are in urban areas.

The Prime Minister launched the Swachh Bharat Mission by sweeping the streets of Valmiki Colony in New Delhi on October 2, 2014, to modernise sanitation by 2019, in time for the 150th anniversary of Gandhis birth.

His aim was to change attitudes as he took the broom to sweep up rubbish in the Delhi neighbourhood occupied by members of the Valmiki caste, whose traditionally are forced into manual scavenging, a euphemism for clearing other peoples faeces.

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A policeman was injured when youths attacked a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ministers convoy in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday.

According to police, angry youths pelted stones at the convoy of Zahoor Ahmad Mir, junior minister for forests and environment in Ratnipora village.

Mirs security guards fired in the air and tear smoke shells were used by security personnel to control the mob.

A local policeman has been injured in the incident. The minister escaped unhurt, a police official said.
Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will on Monday meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister arrived in Delhi on Sunday night.

During his meeting with Modi, Palaniswami is likely to take up various issues, including exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and seeking funds to address damage caused by cyclone Vardah, among others.

Palaniswami had a brief interaction with Prime Minister Modi at Coimbatore earlier on February 24 when he had arrived in the city to inaugurate the bust of Adiyogi.
Rescued from Delhi last year after being sold into marriage and caged in a room for six months, Roopa Dhara* (15), along with other girls like her, prowls around her village in West Bengals South 24 Parganas district -- for child traffickers.

After keeping a watch on a group of people frequenting a friends place, they confront the parents who admit that the men had come with a marriage proposal for the girl. Roopa and her friends intimidate the girls below-poverty-line family that they would lose their NREGS job card, ration cards and may also be arrested. The parents yield and the marriage is called off.

How girls are usually trafficked Agents of traffickers bring prospective grooms or visit vulnerable households as placement agents. They promise to pay for the marriage and even pay some cash to the parents of the underage girl. In case of domestic worker, they pay handsome salary in advance. The girl is taken away and she cant be traced. The agent disappears and parents seldom lodge a complaint with police fearing harassment. The girls are eventually either sold in sex trade, or employed as domestic help in other states.

In Mouli village, 17-year-old Tanuja Khatun, a student of a higher secondary school, leads a group of 14 children in confronting a man who has been trying to lure a girl for a job in Delhi. They threaten to beat him up and hand him over to police, after which he is never seen again.

On National Girl Childs Day, Tanuja and her friends were awarded by the state government.

We are not scared of anyone, says Tanuja, the youngest of six daughters of a daily wage labourer.

After gathering information, when we confirmed that there was a possible attempt of trafficking, we confronted the trafficker. When he failed to answer my queries, I told him I will break his leg, tie him up with a thorn bush and throw red ants on him. He just ran away and was never seen in the village, she says, proudly flaunting her trophy. She says they have successfully dealt with around 30 such cases in the village.

Assam and West Bengal are infamous for the high trafficking cases of both adults and children. According to 2015 NCRB data, of the 1,255 trafficking cases in West Bengal, 1,119 (89%) involved children. The state is also a source, transit and destination.

Members of the childrens team against trafficking speak to villagers in Sandeshkhali in South 24 Parganas in Kolkata. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Traffickers or their agents usually visit a poor family in a village, show them pictures of children working and promise them hefty monthly earnings (Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000). They would pay a months salary in advance and traffic the girl to different parts of the country, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and even Jammu and Kashmir.

In the case of marriage, the agent brings prospective grooms who pay for the marriage ceremony and some extra cash to the parents of the underage girl. The girl is taken away and in most cases, grooms produce fake voter ID cards and wrong addresses.

Tanuja Khatun (in white), a 17-year-old who was felicitated by the Bengal government and who is a member of the childrens team against trafficking, shows her trophy to other members. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

After a couple of months, the payment stops, the agent disappears and the girl goes missing.

Though girls are the main target, trafficked for sex work or as domestic helps, boys land up in sweet shops and brick kilns.

Children have been victims. They have seen their friends trafficked. Therefore, they have been the most successful in combating the menace, says Chittapriyo Sadhu, general manager, state programme, West Bengal and Assam of NGO Save the Children.

It is one of the NGOs working closely with the West Bengal government and others in preventing trafficking in parts of Bengal.

The childrens team against traffickers visit a house in Sandeshkhali village in South 24 Parganas. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Trained by NGOs with government support, the childrens groups, having around 15 members in each, aged between 14 and 18 years, keep vigil in the villages, spot and challenge traffickers, stop child marriages and help in rescue.

They have also built up their own network of sources in the villages and not only coordinate with local panchayat members, but some of them are representatives of child protection committees, 160 of which are integrated to them.

The groups are also linked with Integrated Child Protection Scheme being implemented by the West Bengal government at the grass roots level. Thirty-five villages in the area have been declared free of child domestic worker (engaged through trafficking).

Started in 2004 in Sandeshkhali-Canning area, such childrens groups are being replicated throughout the state especially in South 24 Parganas, Malda, Alipurduar and Kolkata districts.

Mostly, rescued children and school dropouts are brought to special centres and given training before integrating them with schools and taking them in the childrens groups.

We are choosing some of them as child champions and sending them to other affected villages to spread the model, says Sadhu.

A team of children against trafficking during a meeting in Sandeshkhali village in South 24 Parganas. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Before the childrens groups were formed in these areas, most were trafficked to different parts of the country. Many children went missing. But now the situation has changed. Now, traffickers have shifted base, as have a large number of placement agencies, says Hriday Ghosh, head of Dhagogia Social Welfare Society, partner NGO of Save The Children in Sandeshkhali.

But in villages where there are no such groups the situation is pathetic, he says.

Apart from making rounds of the villages, visiting homes for awareness, we hold regular meetings, says Jasmina Khatun, (15), a student of Sarberia high school and member of the children group in Choto Ajgara village.

A member of the childrens team in Sandeshkhali village in South 24 Parganas in Kolkata. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Village elders, parents, panchayat members and even police listen to us and more importantly act, she says, recalling that they were initially reluctant to listen to them. If our efforts fail, we call the child helpline, child welfare committee members and police.

Camelia Khatun (15), student of Agarhati Gourhari Vidyalaya and one of the most vociferous members of childrens group in Tagramari village, says they also help police and NGOs by providing leads, phone numbers and location of children already trafficked from the villages. We also help rescue children from brick kilns locally.

The children have also written poems and songs against trafficking. The groups also create awareness on polio vaccination, literacy and other social causes in their respective villages.

So far we have been able to help rescue 37 children from brick kilns in the last few years. As a member of the village child protection committee, where other members are elders, I still prove my point and get the work done, says Subrata Naskar (17), member of the children group at Taltolla-Jhaipara village.

(* Name changed to protect privacy)

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Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Monday waded into yet another controversy when he suggested that a Kargil martyrs daughter, who has taken on the ABVP on Twitter, was being influenced by vested interests.

Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

The ministers comment comes at a time when a war is raging in the social media over Gurmehar Kaurs Twitter campaign against the student wing of the Rashtirya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological parent of the BJP.

This is not the first time that the 45-year-old BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh has talked his way into a controversy. Threatening to beat up opponents with shoes to raking up the issue of conversions, the member of Parliament from Arunachal West has had a lot to say. A few samples:

February 13: Hindu population is reducing in India because Hindus never convert people. Minorities in India are flourishing unlike some countries around, Rijiju tweeted, triggering a political firestorm.

His comments were seen as a reflection of RSSs view about the growing influence of Christian missionaries in the Northeast. The RSS accuses them of converting the tribal population to Christianity.

November 2016: First of all we should stop this habit of raising doubt, questioning the authorities and the police. This is not a good culture. But what we have been observing in India that the people have developed this habit of raising unnecessary doubts and questions, Rijiju said after eight alleged Simi operatives were gunned down in Madhya Pradesh.

The minister later clarified that in a democracy the government could be questioned but it was not good to question security forces based on a few video clips.

A judicial probe is on the encounter.

November 2015: Rijiju said the countrys first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru let the people of Northeast down during the 1962 India-China war, drawing sharp protests from the Congress.

October 2015: I was witness to a statement made by one of the lieutenant governors of Delhi some years ago. He had stated that people of north India enjoy breaking rules and by evening he was forced to apologise. But I believe what he said was right, Rijiju said at a function in Delhi.

May 2015: I eat beef. Im from Arunachal Pradesh. Can somebody stop me? So let us not be touchy about somebodys practices, Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, said in Mizoram. His comments came after party colleague and minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said those who want to eat beef should go to Pakistan. Rijiju later said he was misquoted.

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An estimated 38% voters exercised their franchise till midday on Monday in the fifth phase of polling for 52 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh with the focus particularly on Amethi and Faizabad.

The polling 12 districts started on a slow note in the morning but gradually picked up as the day passed. By 9am, 10.15% votes were polled. The figure surged to 38.12% at 1pm.

A large number of voters were seen in queue at polling booths in rural areas of Sultanpur, Faizabad, Bahraich and Basti districts. In urban areas, polling was brisk.

The festive mood was quite apparent in Ayodhya where a large number of sadhus and mahants (priests) cast their votes.

Such was the zeal that though septuagenarian Ram Prakash, resident of Jarwal Road in Gonda district, died on Sunday night, his wife Shanti, sons Kishore, Buddha Ram and daughters-in-law Savita and Anita visited polling booths early in the morning to cast their vote before taking the body for cremation.

This phase is crucial for the Samajwadi Party that is striving had to retain power.

In the 2012 assembly election, the SP won 37 of the 52 seats, the BJP bagged five seats, the Congress five, the BSP three and the Peace Party two assembly seats. The BSP and the BJP are trying to regain their support and are giving the ruling SP a tough fight.

Additional chief electoral officer (ACEO) PK Pandey said there was no report of any untoward incident during polling.

There were reports of a clash between SP and BJP supporters in Milkipur assembly segment in Faizabad district. Security personnel rushed to the spot and dispersed the mob.

Voters boycotted polling on development issues at Hadpur Janakpur village in Balrampur district.

Electronic voting machines (EVM) developed snags at a few polling booths in Gonda, Bahraich, Siddharth Nagar and the voters had to wait till they were repaired by polling personnel.

Polling was halted for a while after an allegedly drunk voter smashed an EVM in Abhaipur polling station in Colonelganj assembly constituency in Gonda district. Voting resumed 30 minutes after the incident as polling officials replaced the machine.

The movement of people and vehicular traffic on the India-Nepal border in Bahraich, Siddharth Nagar, Shravasti and Balrampur districts was blocked during polling. Central paramilitary forces (CPMF) were deployed on the border to maintain vigil on activities of anti-social elements.

A majority of the candidates visited polling booths early in the morning to cast their vote.

Congress candidate Ameeta Sinh visited a polling booth with her husband Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Sinh to cast her vote in Amethi. Garima Singh, first wife of Sinh, too visited the polling booth with supporters to vote. Garima is also contesting the Amethi seat.

A controversy erupted after BJP and BSP leaders said UP minister Gayatri Prajapati, another candidate for the Amethi seat, forced his entry into the booth. The district returning officer said an inquiry has been ordered.

The fate of 607 candidates  567 men and 40 women  will be decided in Mondays polling.

State assembly speaker Mata Prasad Pandey is contesting on the SP ticket from Itwa seat in Siddharth Nagar district. The ministers who are in the fray include Vinod Kumar Singh alias Pandit Singh, Gayatri Prajapati, Pawan Pandey, Shiv Pratap Yadav, Yasar Shah, Bansi Dhar Baudh, Shankhlal Manjhi, Awadesh Prasad and Ramkaran Arya.

Prominent leaders of other parties in the fray include Ameeta Sinh (Congress), BSP state president Ramachal Rajbhar, former ministers Lalji Verma and Ram Prasad Chaudhary (BSP), former BJP state unit president Ramapati Shastri, Peace Party chief Mohammad Ayub, former minister Rajkishore Singh (SP) and Prateek Bhusan Singh, son of BJP MP from Kaiserganj Brijbhusan Sharan Singh.

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Veteran Congress leader, former Union minister and ex-governor of Sikkim and Kerala, Punjala Shiv Shankar passed away at his residence in Jubilee Hills here on Monday after a brief illness.

He was 87 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Born on August 10, 1929, at Mamidipalli in Ranga Reddy district, Shiv Shankar did his Bachelors in Law from Osmania University and practised as an advocate for a long time before being elevated as Andhra Pradesh high court judge in 1974.

Later, he entered politics through Congress and got elected to Lok Sabha from Secunderabad in 1978. He got re-elected to Lok Sabha again in 1980 and became a Union minister in the Indira Gandhi cabinet, taking care of the Law and Justice portfolio.

In 1985, Shiv Shankar got elected to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat and completed two terms till 1993. He was inducted into the Rajiv Gandhi cabinet first as minister of state for external affairs and then as minister of state for human resources development.

He was also the deputy chairman of Planning Commission between 1987 and 1988. During his tenure, he was first leader of the house in Rajya Sabha till 1989 and after Rajiv Gandhi lost power, he was the leader of the opposition in the upper house till 1991.

On September 21, 1994, Shiv Shankar was made the Governor of Sikkim, a post which he had held till November 11, 1995. Later, he was shifted to Kerala, where he was Governor till 1996.

In 1998, Shiv Shankar was back into active politics, contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Tenali in Guntur district and winning the seat. In 2004 elections, he was not given the ticket by the Congress high command and in protest, he quit the party. In 2008, he joined Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) floated by Telugu film hero Chiranjeevi, but remained inactive.

PRP was subsequently merged with the Congress in August 2011. Since then, Shiv Shankar has been keeping away from politics.

His son P Sudhir Kumar was a Congress MLA, who shot into news when Naxalites kidnapped him from his Himayatnagar residence in the heart of Hyderabad in 1991, demanding the release of their senior comrades. Sudhir was later released, but he died of serious illness in 2002.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed his shock over Shiv Shankars death and expressed sympathies to the bereaved family.

Recalling his services as a BC leader, Union minister, judge and governor, KCR instructed the officials to make arrangements for the official funeral of the departed leader.

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Anti-corruption crusader Vijay Singhs protest has earned him a place in record books but has done little to bring him the result he desired. On February 26, his protest entered its 22nd year and yet Singh is nowhere near achieving his target of freeing about 4,000 bighas of public land in his village that has been in the possession of illegal grabbers since 1996.

In his quest for justice, Master Vijay Singh, then a school teacher, started a dharna at the Muzaffarnagar collectorate compound to release the gram sabha land from the grabbers. The land in question is located at village Chausana, now in district Shamli.

Speaking about administrative and government apathy, Singh said, In 1996, the then commissioner of Meerut zone, HL Virdi, found all my allegations to be true but no proper action was initiated in the matter. Then, in 2002, the then ADM, CP Singh, initiated a probe, and in 2007, ADM Ajay Deep Singh also found my claims to be correct. Despite all that and the many assurances I got at the district administration level, no action was ever taken.

In 2012, Singh also went to meet the newly elected chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav. For this, he undertook a 610km march from Muzaffarnagar to Lucknow. He said the CM assured him that a high level committee would be formed to probe the matter. But nothing happened even after the CMs promise, he said.

In the meantime, Vijay Singhs long protest got him a place in different record books - Limca book of records, India book of records, Asia Book of records, Unique world records and more. Even after that, nothing happened in this case, he said.

So, for how long will he continue with his protest? To this question, the former school teacher has no answer.

The irony is that in the current scenario (of UP assembly elections), all prominent political parties have talked about a corruption-free society and good governance in their manifestos. However, after my experience, I find it difficult to believe in any of these promises, said Singh.
Last year, Gheesa, the protagonist of Munshi Premchands short story Kafan (Shroud), had helped highlight mass copying in UP.

That was because several postgraduate Hindi students of Agra University were found to have written identical answers while describing Gheesas character.

Mass copying, especially in UP Board examinations for class 10 and 12 in several UP districts, has been the states worst kept secret.

Barring the states then education minister and present union home minister Rajnath Singh, who had introduced an anti-copying ordinance in 1991-92, politicians have largely preferred to ignore the menace possibly, because the anti-copying act was cited among the reasons for BJPs loss in the 1993 UP polls.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to forcefully raise the issue of declining academic standards in UP from his rally in Gonda where Modi said contracts for mass copying are taken. Modis nearly 10 minute focus on mass copying in UP impressed the academic fraternity.

I would say that UPs decline has largely been due to falling academic standards and the increasing influence of the copying mafia. The irony is that several top politicians from UP from Mulayam Singh Yadav to Mayawati had previously been teachers. So Modis focus is timely and it will have our complete support, said professor Manoj Dixit of the political science department at Lucknow University.

After being repealed in 1994, the anti-copying act that earlier even provided for jail to students caught copying, was later reintroduced in a milder form but didnt have much of an impact.

In 2014, as principal secretary (secondary education) Surya Pratap Singh, who has now retired, tried to free the UP Board examinations from the influence of copying mafia. He had launched a nakal roko abhiyan (stop mass copying initiative) under which he put several exam centres on the black list. Singh was transferred within a month-anda-half of taking over.

He had by then scrapped several exam centres, put many of them on the black list and cancelled registration of several students.

Several east UP districts from Ballia to Ghazipur and Gonda and Hardoi are notorious for this. The PMs focus on the issue is music to our ears, said Professor Anil Kumar Singh from Banaras Hindu University.

Interestingly, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who owns several colleges in Gonda and adjacent districts, shared the stage with Modi in Gonda.

Like the BJP MP, several politicians own colleges in UP.

In a way, the PM also sounded a warning to all such politicians who turn a blind eye to the menace. Not since Rajnath Singh has any politician mustered courage to take up this issue, said Athar Siddiqui from the Centre of Objective Research and Development. Political analysts feel that Modis talk against mass copying also made for good politics.

Mulayam Singh Yadav was against putting pressure on the students. He was quick to repeal the anti-copying act that the then BJP government had introduced. But Mulayams son Akhilesh had tried to showcase his thrust on merit by announcing laptops for meritorious students. Modi, who mentioned Akhilesh from the rally stage, has tried to suggest that despite change of power, policies havent really changed in the party, said SK Dwivedi, a political expert.

Read more: Akhilesh, Mayawati hit out at Modi over copying, dreaming of harming UP

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The Thane crime branch, which arrested 18 people for leaking the Army Recruitment Board exam paper, is investigating the money trail and is looking into the bank accounts of the accused to check for recent transactions. The accused were allegedly paid Rs4 lakh to Rs5 lakh for each paper leaked.

The 18 accused, who were arrested from Nagpur, Pune and Goa, will be brought to a Thane court on Monday afternoon.

We have alerted the cyber cell about the accused. Cyber cell officials will help us trace the money trail. We are in the process of tracing the whereabouts of the accused and are checking if there are more people involved in the leak. We suspect that this is an inside job, said a police inspector from the Thane crime branch.

The social networking accounts of the accused are also being looked into.

The 350 people who were detained are still being questioned.

On Sunday morning, the Thane crime branch arrested 18 people and detained 350 students from Pune, Goa and Nagpur for leaking the Army Recruitment Board exam. Acting on a tip-off, the police raided all three places simultaneously. The exam was to be held at on Sunday at 9am, but has been postponed to next month.

The police have informed Army headquarters. It was found that students who were given the questions and answers, were also made to practice writing them at venues in Pune, Goa and Nagpur.

Read

Army Recruitment Board exam paper leaks; 18 arrested, 350 detained

Army recruitment paper leaked, exam cancelled in six centres; 18 arrested

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The crime branch arrested 18 people and detained 350 students from, Pune, Goa and Nagpur for leaking the questions for the Army Recruitment Board exam scheduled for Sunday. The Thane crime branch took action based on a tip-off by a local man, who runs tutorial classes.

The exam was to be held at 9am on Sunday, but has been postponed to next month, sources said. A police inspector from Thane crime branch said, We have informed the Army headquarters and an investigation is under way. Students were given the questions and were made to practice writing answers at various venues in Pune, Goa and Nagpur.

The police said the students were caught in simultaneous raids while in the middle of practice in halls in Pune, Nagpur and the terrace of a bar near Vagator beach at Goa. The police said the 18 people arrested, who are the main accused, were paid Rs4-5 lakh for each leaked paper.

Deputy commissioner of police - Thane, Parag Manere said,We conducted raids in Thane, Pune, Nagpur and Goa late on Saturday night. We found several students writing answers to the leaked exam paper. Sources in the Goa police said they were not informed about the search operations, but senior policemen were told after the raid was conducted. We were not part of the operation, as the action was taken by the Thane crime branch only. But senior officers in Goa was told about the raid the operation, said a senior police officer.

Joint commissioner of police from Thane, Ashitosh Dumbare said, One of the accused among the 18 is a suspected to be a history sheeter.

Read

Army recruitment paper leaked, exam cancelled in six centres; 18 arrested

Army Recruitment Board exam paper leak: Cops checking bank accounts of 18 accused

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) showed a significant presence in the municipal corporation and district council elections held last week. The BJP polled the highest votes at 35.36%, up from 13.29 % in 2012 in nine corporations and 24.91% against 11.77% in 2012 in 25 district councils.

The vote share of the party in the corporation elections and councils increased by more than double, a distinction no other body has achieved in the recent past.

The party swept eight of the 10 corporations that went to poll last week. Barring Mumbai and Thane, all other municipal corporations, including Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Ulhasnagar and Nashik will have BJP mayors leading them. Similarly, in 10 district councils, the party has emerged as the single largest party, while in four it could come to power without the help of any other party. In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena has two seats more (total 84) and will need help from other parties to form local government, while in Thane, with 67 corporators in the 131-seat body, the Shiv Sena will form the body on its own.

In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena has polled 28.83% votes, followed by 27.92% votes polled by the BJP.

Sena has emerged as the second largest party in terms of vote share at 18.13% in nine municipal corporations, up from 12.96% in the 2012 elections. Similarly, the partys vote share in the council elections has improved to 18.52% from 13.76%.

The Congress, which was founded in Mumbai, has gone down as the biggest loser in terms of the votes. Its share has dropped almost by 6.56% to 13.14% this time. The reduction in the vote share in the district councils, where the party assumably has a stronghold, is by 7.41% as its percentage dropped to 19.43.

NCP too has suffered a drastic setback in municipal corporations and district councils, though it managed to keep itself in the second position in district councils and third in corporations. The NCP has polled 14.88% votes against 18.30 % in 2012 in nine corporations, while its vote share in the district councils has dropped to 22.25 this time from 28.83, five years ago.

In Mumbai, Congress polled 16.54% votes, while NCP was thrown to sixth position (with 4.96%) followed by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (7.88%) and Independents (5.56%).

Significantly, since all four major parties were fighting independently, the vote share of the Independents have reduced drastically. In 10 municipal corporations, the independents polled merely 5.47% votes. The number was more than 13.56% in 2012. Similarly it has dropped to 5.32% in 2017 from 7.27 in 2012 in 25 district council elections.

Maharashtra has 27 municipal corporations and 33 district councils.

READ MORE

BMC polls: Western suburbs gave BJP its edge over Shiv Sena

BMC polls: No question of supporting BJP in Mumbai, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar

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With the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joining the Congress in supporting the Shiv Senas bid to position a mayor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the partys chances have become brighter.

On Sunday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said his party may opt for the Sena over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to ensure the smooth functioning of the civic body.

Only two seats separate the BJP from the Shiv Sena. However, the Shiv Sena has managed to increase its tally by garnering the support of independent corporators. The NCP is in favour of the civic body functioning smoothly. The partys local leaders will take a call on the issue if the Shiv Sena asks for our support, Pawar said in Nanded.

There is no question of supporting the BJP in Mumbai, he added.

Pawars statement in favour of the Shiv Sena assumes significance as it may take the latter closer to the majority mark. After expressing its wish to extend support to the Shiv Sena, the Congress has not been able decide on whether it will abstain from voting in the mayoral election or if it will field its own candidate.

The NCP has the option of either voting or abstaining. The Shiv Sena stands to benefit in either situation, as the number of corporators needed to reach the majority mark will drop to 94 members.

Though Pawar said a final call will be taken by the Mumbai unit of the NCP, his statement comes as clear indication of what the partys stand is.

NCP city unit chief Sachin Ahir said he spoke to Pawar two days ago. It will be unfair to say anything about us supporting the Shiv Sena when there has been no such formal communication from them. Let them approach us, after which a decision will be taken in accordance with directives from party leadership, Ahir told HT.

Sena won 84 seats and has garnered the support of three independent corporators and from Geeta Gawli of the Akhil Bhartiya Sena (ABS), taking its tally to 88. If the Shiv Sena manages to get nine NCP corporators, it may help the party get closer to the majority mark.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam said the party will not support Shiv Sena, as it does not like the Senas brand of caste and religion-based politics.

However, he added that the party was considering fielding its own candidate for the post of mayor. The party may also abstain from the election to keep the BJP at bay.

The number of corporators participating in the vote will drop to 187 if the Congress and NCP both abstain from voting.

If the Congress decides to pit its candidate for the mayors post, this situation will also favour the Shiv Sena, as the rest of the parties such as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Samajwadi Party and All India Majlis-e-Ittehaul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will not support the BJP owing to ideological differences.

During the election campaign, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had even alleged that the BJP was conspiring to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.

Read

BMC polls: Congress divided over supporting Shiv Sena for Mumbai mayor

Sanjay Raut says Shiv Sena will bag BMC mayor post, denies approaching Congress

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Though the Shiv Sena dominated its former ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by winning more seats in the island city and in the eastern suburbs, the latter had an edge in the western suburbs, securing 1.2 lakh more votes. About 55.95% of the BJPs total votes came from the western suburbs, in which Marathi, Gujarati and north Indian voters are dominant.

The Shiv Sena managed to earn 28.78% of 22.90 lakh votes polled in western suburbs, whereas 33.29% of the total votes were scored by BJP. While the 5.64% of voters in the western suburbs voted for the Maharastra Navnirman Sena (MNS), it failed to win a single seat there.

The BJP came out strong in this area, as it heavily dented Marathi votes. The Shiv Sena suffered a setback owing to a loss of seats in its strongholds such as Goregaon, Jogeshwari and Andheri. The BJP dominated the votes, winning with a margin of more than 1,000 votes in a majority of Shiv Sena strongholds.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won two seats but got only 2.68% of the total votes polled in the western suburbs.

We won more seats in the western suburbs as we have more MLAs there, said a BJP officer from the western suburbs.

About 45.66% of our total votes came from the western suburbs. It is not that we have fared badly there, but we must work on regaining our stronghold, said a Shiv Sena leader, who did not wish to be identified.

The Shiv Sena has an upper hand over the BJP by thin margin of two seats and 51293 votes, despite having contested on 32 seats more. The Shiv Sena contested 227 seats and won 84, whereas the BJP contested from 195 seats and won 82.

The Shiv Sena was dominant in the island city  that comprises Marathi heartland areas such as Dadar, Mahim and Worli  with 30.45% of 12,75,741 votes polled here. The BJP came second with 23.08% of the votes.

While the Shiv Sena came out on top in the eastern suburbs, garnering 25.75% of the 15,37,309 votes polled here, which could have helped their number of seats go up to 84, the MNS played spoilsport by gaining 9.90% of the total votes polled here.

As much as 38.56% of the MNSs votes came from the eastern suburbs, upsetting the Shiv Sena and the BJPs plans.

Read

BMC election results: With huge gains in Mumbai, BJP proves it is here to stay

BMC polls: Muslims side with Shiv Sena, ignore BJP

BMC polls: No question of supporting BJP in Mumbai, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar

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htmetro@hindustantimes.com

A compromise between the saffron allies for control over the BMC on Monday seemed elusive with an aggressive Shiv Sena taunting its ally by sayinh in todays situation it would be better to side with the Congress than the BJP in its current avatar.

Sources in both the parties told HT that the power tussle between the allies will continue with the Sena hoping to stack up more numbers in the 227-member house to drive a hard bargain with the BJP.

The Senas overall position in the mayoral contest also got a push with the MNS not taking the expected anti-Sena stance and instead saying its decision will be in favour of the `Marathi manoos.

In the poll battle between the BJP and the Sena, non-Marathi speaking voters largely backed the BJP, while a majority of the Marathi vote bank went to the Sena.

The MNS stance comes after the NCP indicated support to the Sena over the BJP in the mayoral election.

The Sena mouthpiece Saamna slammed the BJP over its alliance with Mehbooba Mufti in J&K state, pointing out that Mufti openly supported Afzal Guru, a convict in the Parliament attack case. It published an editorial in response to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis0 statement on Saturday that the BJP would never join hands with the Congress for power.

In the editorial in Saamna, the Shiv Sena said, We welcome what the chief minister said, but we wish to make one small change and suggest what he should have ideally said. He should have said the BJP will not go with the Congress, but it will go with Pakistan-supporter Mehbooba Mufti.

The editorial also said the BJP is now a shade worse by having imported discarded leaders from the Congress and the NCP.

:What about the fact that his [Fadnavis] own party has become a Congress by inducting cast-offs of the Congress and the NCP? So the Congress is more preferable than the BJP. It is a question of what direction the current Congress version of the BJP may take the state and the country in.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis in his address to newly elected party corporators at the partys office in Dadar, also on Monday evening, said the BJPs mandate was not to join in the ruling system, but to create transparent governance and to that end BJP councillors should not worry about getting posts.

We have reached from 31 seats to 82 seats. If one looks at our graph, it is clear that peoples mandate is for us. We have won a vote share of 28.5%. After contesting 195 seats, we won 82 seats, while Sena contested 227 seats, said the chief minister in his address to newly elected BJP councillors on the occasion of Marathi language day.

He said it was clear from the past two to three years of the BJP government at the Centre that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did what he said. The BJPs insistence is on transparency in every thing.. as such we cannot be a part of this existing system, we have to work towards creating a new transparent system. Dont worry about what will happen next, whether you will get any posts..Its more important whether we can prove ourselves to be worthy of peoples trust, Fadnavis added.

Sources in the BJP, however, admitted the Sena had stolen a march over them in the current situation and their role would get clear in the first week of March. The mayoral election are slated on March 9 and by March 6 political parties keen on putting up their candidate for the same will have to fill in nominations.

The split mandate in Mumbai with Sena having won 84 seats and BJP 82 seats has led to a another bout of tug of war between the allies turned rivals. The Sena post election results, quickly gathered support of 4 independents , taking its official strength to 88. It has also initiated talks with Congress to actively or indirectly support Senas bid for mayor. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has also indicated that if at all a situation arose, it would support Senas bid over the BJP. With NCPs support of 9 corporators, the Sena can swing the mayoral election in its favour if as expected Congress and other parties like Samajwadi Party either abstain from voting or together put up a third mayoral candidate.

If MNS adds its support of 7 corporators, the BJP stands little chance unless it starts poaching on elected councillors of other parties.

But it is also likely that the stacking of the numbers by the Sena is a bid to drive a hard bargain with the BJP in the BMC.

Sources said that while sharing power with the BJP in the state, the Sena may not want to ditch the former ally in BMC as long as it got an upper hand in the civic body.

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Chaos and confusion prevailed at the Maharashtra state boards divisional office on Monday, as the officials grappled with last-minute requests for writers, extra time and other concessions offered by the board.

More than 15 lakh students from across Maharashtra, including 3.39 lakh from Mumbai division, will appear for the class 12, Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams commencing on Tuesday, with English (01) as the first paper.

This year, there is a 20% increase in the number of special students  learning disabled and spastic  as the number has climbed to 1,088 from 902 last year. This is coupled with 6% jump in the candidates from Mumbai division, which includes Thane, Palghar and Raigad, this year. Around 1.83 lakh students will appear from the commerce stream, compared to 1.76 lakh last year, while those from science increased to 96,658 from 86,627, and arts will witness 54,364 candidates, nearly the same as last year.

Requests for adult writers  a facility started by the board from last year  flooded the office on the eve of the exams on Monday, as students complained that they are unable to find writers younger to them. During SSC exams, schools had arranged for younger writers, but this year class 11 students in the college are busy with their own exams, said Lakshada, sister of a learning disabled student from Khalsa College, Matunga. This is our fourth visit to the board as they have been asking for more and more papers.

To make matters worse, the board was short-staffed, with some of the officials deputed to other duties. Only one official was present to attend to the student requests. The official who was in charge of the work was sent for some other work, explained the official, who was busy signing the requests that flooded the divisional board office at Vashi.

Students kin, college clerks waited from morning to late evening to get permissions from the board. The officer who handled our case didnt come to work today. So I had to submit documents all over again, said a clerk from Nirmala College, Kandivli, who needed to get concessions for two students  one handicapped and another cancer survivor.

In some cases, permissions were pending even for students who had applied for concessions several days ago. I had applied for extra-time for my daughter last month. This is the fourth time I was called and the permissions are not in place, even on the eve of the exams, said another parent.

However, board officials blamed the students for their tardiness. It has become a habit of the students in Mumbai division to wait till the last minute before applying for writers or any other facility, said Dattatray Jagtap, chairperson of the board.

The exam will be conducted across 500 centres. Flying squads have been appointed to keep malpractices such as cheating and copying in check.

CASE STUDIES

Four cancer survivors will test their mettle

After successfully fighting cancer at a young age, four brave hearts from Mumbai will appear for the HSC exam on Tuesday and will not use writers.

Shweta Dhobiyal, 17, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2010, cant move her right hand or write for a long time, but she insists on writing her paper. It hurts when I write, but I dont want someone else to write for me, said Shweta from Nirmala College, Kandivli. The board will give her 20 more minutes to finish her exam.

Similarly, Sneha Ari, who battled blood cancer, refused to get a writer. My shoulders and legs hurt when I sit and write, but I cant trust a writer with my paper, said Ari, studying in Bhavans College. Another student from Sathaye College, Vile Parle, too, lived through blood cancer and will take the exam today. Its commendable that these students have overcome so many odds, and have the drive to study, said Siddheshwar Chandekar, secretary of divisional board.

Autistic student will write exam on computer

A 17-year-old autistic student from Father Agnel Multipurpose School, Vashi, will write HSC exams on a computer. The boy cannot write using a pen and paper. To prevent malpractices, the board has inspected the computer before the exams.

Officials said the student will be given a printed question paper to read and answer the questions on the computer. We give special permissions to autistic students and we have done so in the past too, said the board official. The student cannot write but has learnt using the computer for his years at the school.

The board ensures that the computer is free from all programmes except MS Word which the student will use to answer the papers.

READ MORE

Mumbai schools worried about seating record number of HSC students

Teachers threaten to boycott HSC exams for 6th year in a row

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The Bombay high court on Monday said the BMC must give residents of the city a guarantee that the roads repair work that it carries out before of this years monsoon season will last for, or not wear off for, at least the next five years.

The court has also called for a joint meeting of the BMC, PWD, MSRTC, the Bombay Port Trust, the joint commissioner traffic, a senior officer from the city police, and all other stakeholders.

The meeting will be held on March 10 at the high court conference room and a bench of justice VM Kanade and justice PR Bora asked all participants to come prepared with a plan to rid all arterial roads in Mumbai of potholes.

The bench said the only two ways to make more lasting repairs and to rein in the perpetual problem of potholes on the citys roads each year was to rope in honest and hardworking contractors, and use quality repair material.

Whether you concretise roads or employ another repair method, ensure that the quality is such that you can guarantee that it will last for the next five to six years, the bench said. Why is it that only Mumbai faces this problem of potholes every monsoon? Look at some other states in our country, all roads in Karnataka are very good. In Mumbai, even the Marine Drive stretch is bumpy, the bench said.

The bench was hearing a suo moto PIL on the poor condition of roads in Mumbai and the BMCs failure to prevent and repair potholes every monsoon.

Earlier during the days hearing, BMC counsel advocate Anil Sakhre had told the court that the corporation had already begun the road repair work, but it was facing some problems coordinating with the traffic and the city police departments.

Sakhre said as per the first phase of the BMCs plan, work on 94 critical roads and traffic junctions had begun. He said the corporation had identified 938 stretches that required repairs and the tender for such work would be issued next month. Sakhre said in the meanwhile, the court must direct the police to allow the BMC to cordon off such roads for repair work.

We have just about four months to carry out such work and we cant lose time in fighting with the police. They prevent us from working at night citing noise pollution norms. While during the day, they neither allow our utility vehicles within city limits, nor do they allow us to restrict traffic.

Concretisation needs about six weeks to dry up and settle. Say we finish repairing a stretch by 3.30pm, 4 pm, the police allows heavy traffic on that stretch by 8pm of the same evening, Sakhre said.

The BMC has claimed it will complete all repair work by May 2017.

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A board of inquiry constituted to investigate how the INS Betwa had toppled on the docks has found that human error had led to the accident. The report was submitted by Rear Admiral Deepak Bali, flag-officer offshore Defence Advisory Group, who headed the inquiry.

Sources in the Navy said that quite a few people had been indicted in the report, and could face the music. Flag officer and commanding-in-chief of the western naval command, vice-admiral Girish Luthra, on Monday, confirmed that the report had been submitted and the accident had happened because of human error.

The western naval command chief also confirmed that the INS Betwa will be made operational by April 2018, after it was done with the refit cycle . The frontline Brahmaputra-class frigate of the Indian Navy, which was being refitted at the naval dockyard in Mumbai, had toppled on the dock blocks while the vessel was being undocked on December 5, 2016.

The vessel has been lifted from its position. The ship was undergoing a refit cycle that started in April 2016 in naval dockyard, Mumbai. On Monday, INS Betwa was shifted to a different block where all necessary refits and repairs are to be carried out.

The vessel has suffered less damage internally, primarily because it was being refitted and all major components had been removed. The Navy has decided to make the ship battle ready within its ongoing refit cycle and it will be made operational within two years, April 2018  the same deadline, said Luthra

A contract was signed with a foreign firm in India, in the second week of January, to salvage the ship. The cost to put the ship right was negotiated at Rs 20 crore, said sources.

Phase 1 of the process was to salvage and get the ship back in operation. This was completed on January 11. Work for phase 2 was immediately started and water was removed from the dock by January 20.

Luthra has been monitoring each stage of work.

READ MORE

INS Betwa to be operational by April 2018

Minor fire aboard navy warship docked in Mumbai
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the recently renovated 180-year-old town hall at Asiatic Society Library on Sunday.

We must preserve &conserve all such glories of historic importance.I appeal everyone to visit the library with such rare,historic collection pic.twitter.com/h91T1vnsWn  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 26, 2017

The state governments public works department (PWD) renovated the hall within six months. The refurbishment of its grand iconic steps is expected to be completed over six weeks.

The revamped interiors of the Asiatic Librarys town hall. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT )

The government identified heritage sites in the city that needed to be restored, and for which dedicated funds needed to be allocated in 2009. A committee headed by the city collector put the restoration of the Darbar and Town Hall and steps of the Asiatic Society on its priority list. The state government released a dedicated budget of Rs8.5 crore in two phases.

Visitors flock to the Asiatic Society on Sunday, hoping to catch a glimpse of its refurbished interiors. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT )

After the inauguration, Fadnavis said the renovated hall may leased out to filmmakers who wish to shoot there. The renovated hall is another addition to this beautiful structure. The building attracts tourists, as well as members of the film industry. The building has featured in several international films. We can now think about permitting filmmakers to shoot inside the renovated hall on holidays, Fadnavis said.

Mumbai gets back its Town Hall retaining old grandeur.Honoured &proud to dedicate most prestigious heritage structure of city to Mumbaikars! pic.twitter.com/byWRzCK6MU  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 26, 2017

The PWD renovated the hall under the guidance of conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah.

The structure was in need of immediate repairs. We replaced the Burma teakwood imported from Myanmar, to keep the original structure intact. The restoration of the steps is underway and will be completed in about six weeks, said CP Joshi, PWD secretary.

Read

You can soon visit all-new central hall of Mumbais Asiatic Society Library. Heres a glimpse

History is remade again at Asiatic library
The Bombay high court will decide on March 29 whether it would transfer to the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes the additional data supporting the claim that Maratha community is socially and educationally backward.

The court is hearing a bunch of public interest litigations, challenging the state governments decision of June 25, 2014, to grant reservation in public employment and education to Marathas (16 per cent) and Muslims (5 per cent).

The government has filed an additional affidavit placing on record huge additional data in support of its claim that Maratha community is socially and educationally backward and so deserves reservation in public employment and education.

Counsel for one of the petitioners, advocate VM Thorat, suggested that the data be referred to the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes saying it would not be feasible for the high court to analyse the entire data.

Senior advocate Mihir Desai, who appeared for another petitioner, submitted that the data was not available to Rane Committee, on whose recommendations the decision was taken. He said the court can benefit from the conclusions drawn by the Commission, headed by Justice (retired) SB Mhase, to decide the challenge to the governments decision.

Special counsel for the government, senior advocate VA Thorat, responded to the suggestion saying the government has no objection to referring the data to the Commission.

But, senior advocate Pradip Sancheti, who represented another petitioner, raised objections to the suggestion saying the Commission should not examine validity of the state governments plea to carve out exception for Maratha reservation as a special case and allow the government to cross the limit of 50% for reservation in public employment and education.

The division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Girish Kulkarni will hear the petitions on March 29, especially for considering whether to refer the data to the Commission as suggested by some of the petitioners.

Acting on petitions, the court on November 14, 2014, stayed the state governments decision to give 16 per cent reservation for Marathas. It also stayed the decision of giving 5 per cent reservation to specified 50 Muslim communities for public employment, but allowed them to take benefit of 5% reservation in government-run and aided educational institutes.

READ MORE

Organisers postpone March 6 Maratha silent rally in Mumbai

Maratha protesters block several roads in Maharashtra ahead of silent rally in Mumbai
The result of the elections to 10 civic bodies and 25 district councils has given a rude shock to the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The BJP has surprised the opposition parties by winning eight civic bodies including that of Pune on its own or emerged as largest party to be in a position to win power there. In Mumbai it is just two short of the largest party Shiv Senas tally and in Thane, too, it is second largest party after the Shiv Sena. In rural areas, it did well in at least 10 district councils of zilla parishads (ZP). This is remarkable performance. The general opinion in states political circles was that the BJP would do well in cities and win a few ZPs but the result turned out to be unexpected for the most.

In fact, most of the frontline leaders in the opposition camp were under the impression that the people were fed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre and in the state especially after the demonetisation and hence would vote against them. The lethargy or unwillingness (due to certain reasons such as cash crunch) was such that even when the BJP was seen going all out to win the elections, the Congress-NCP were taking it easy. While the BJP launched its campaign blitzkrieg, there was lack of effective communication with the people by the opposition parties. But that is not the only reason why the results were unexpected for the Opposition.

Poll management, the BJP way

The opposition parties are yet to realise the seriousness with which the BJP fights every election now. This is a different BJP under PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Each election is treated as an opportunity to increase the partys footprint and a chance to further occupy political space. Following BJPs victory, several opposition leaders have alleged that the party spent lot of money to win elections. This may or may not be true. But then, it is not the first party that has resources at its disposal to use in elections. Todays opposition parties were accused of doing the same when they were ruling the state. The difference here is that the BJPs election managers leave nothing to chance. Right from deputing the footsoldiers to using the social media, to conducting multiple surveys to find out favourable constituencies and issues that would click with the voters to reaching the targeted voter through the mass media and advertising, nothing is left uncovered. Unlike other parties, it does not leave out the constituencies that it cant win. It either brings the incumbent elected representative to its fold or wins over the next best person from the dominant party there to make him or her the candidate. Communities, castes, past history of the constituency are minutely studied. The most important aspect is that everybody in the party follows the command of the persons appointed to handle the elections unlike Congress where people like Gurudas Kamat and Narayan Rane started making their differences public even before the campaign began. The difference in the attitude of the BJP and other parties towards the election was clearly visible. The only exception was the Shiv Sena in Mumbai and Thane. As such, it reflected in the outcome of the polls.

What next?

With the results of the mini-assembly on his side, Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is firmly in the saddle. Since Sharad Pawar of 1990s, no chief minister of Maharashtra has been so powerful and in control of the political situation. He is in complete control of the government and has become politically successful by showing that he can win elections. He now poses a serious danger to the Opposition. Unless some major controversy happens, he will continue in his position and lead the party in next assembly elections in Maharashtra. The BJPs victory in the February 21 elections has given it confidence for next two and a half years leading to the assembly elections.

Little wonder the opposition parties are now regrouping and wondering how to counter the BJP and Fadnavis. This is sharp contrast to 2014 when Fadnavis was appointed. Then several leaders in the Opposition thought he would be a drawing room politician with little knowledge of election management. Fadnavis has proved them wrong. The mini-assembly election has now set the tone for the major battle of 2019.

READ MORE

What 2017 means for parties in Maharashtra

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The NM Joshi Marg police, along with officials from the cyber cell, are investigating a case in which a cybercriminal hacked into the official bank account of a private company and diverted Rs25 lakh to eight bank accounts in different states across India.

According to the first information report (FIR) registered by the police on February 15, the firm  which deals in spare parts of machines used in the pharmaceutical industry  has an account in an India-based public sector bank established in Lahore in 1943.

The company used this account for all its transactions. The senior account manager in charge of the account would get text messages from the bank immediately after a transaction took place. He received eight messages informing him that Rs25 lakh had been transferred out of the account on February 9 around 11 am.

The cybercriminal transferred the money to accounts of different banks in Punjab, Kolkata, Delhi, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, said officials.

The company immediately contacted the Mumbai police, who helped them freeze the accounts into which the money had been deposited.

However, a police official said the bank was yet to inform them whether money has been withdrawn.

The police registered a case against the unidentified accused under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act. They have not been able to ascertain how cybercriminal managed to hack into the companys account. The firm has not provided them with a list of suspects.

The police are considering two possibilities. They suspect that one of the companys employees or former employees may have leaked information used to hack into the bank account. They are also looking into whether the suspect used forged documents to pose as the account holder and carry out the transactions.

The Mumbai cyber police recently cracked a case at Bandra-Kurla Complex, in which a cybercriminal forged a mans Aadhaar card and used it to transfer the victims bank account from its Mumbai branch to Delhi. The accused changed the victims mobile number so he would not receive messages from the bank alerting him about the transactions. The fraud came to light only after the victim checked his bank statement.

Read

Cyber crime branch arrests Delhi man for duping event manager of 2.49 lakh

Soon all crimes will be cyber crimes

Awareness is best defence against cyber crime: Cops
Daulatram Jogawat, a Neemuch-based inspector underwent a series of tests at Saifee Hospital on Monday to diagnose his obesity.

Jogawat, 58, who works with the Madhya Pradesh police and weighs 180kg, was mocked by socialite and author Shobhaa De. She had on February 21 tweeted his picture with the tagline, heavy police bandobast in Mumbai today. In response, the inspector said that his weight gain resulted from medical complications, and not overeating.

Heavy police bandobast in Mumbai today! pic.twitter.com/sY0H3xzXl3  Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) February 21, 2017

After Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, chairman of Institute of Minimal Access Surgical Sciences & Research Centre at the hospital and his team at Center for Obesity and Digestive Surgery, approached him for treatment, Jogawat and his son came to Mumbai. The policeman was flooded with invitations from hospitals across the country for treatment after Des tweet went viral and he chose to come to Mumbai.

He is undergoing a series of tests at Saifee Hospital which will help us diagnose the diseases he suffers from and decide if bariatric surgery can help him. We will be soon reviewing his reports and after that we will be able to decide on a course of action, said Dr Lakdawala.

While to HT, Jogawat said that he started gaining weight after a gall bladder surgery in 1993. I developed an insulin imbalance after the surgery and began to gain weight. Its not because I overeat, he said.

His seniors in MP said that despite his weight issues, Jogawat has always been a competent officer and has won many accolades after his recruitment in the year 1979. Jogawat has been praised for his investigations into anti-narcotics operations and preventing crimes against women as he is also a part of Shiv Ratri duty at the Neemuch control room.

He is a hardworking inspector who dedicatedly works 12 hours a day even though he has medical complications. We are in touch with the doctors and hospital administration for his treatment and MP police will help Jogawat fund his treatment, said his superior and assistant superintendent of police, MP, Rakesh Sagar.

Mumbai/Maharashtra Police, pranaam. No offence intended. M.P. police, consult a dietician,if it's an asli ,undoctored image doing the rounds  Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) February 22, 2017

Read

Mumbai doctors visit heavy bandobast inspector in Madhya Pradesh

If madam wants, she can pay for my treatment, says cop mocked by Shobhaa De
Organisers of the Maratha march have postponed their proposed final silent rally in Mumbai, earlier slated to be held on March 6. This is the second time that the community has postponed a rally in the city, citing differences over organising it.

Organisers said the march was put on hold as it would have clashed with the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations. The decision to postpone the rally was taken at a meeting held in Aurangabad on Sunday. The organisers said the march may be pushed to April, but the exact date will be finalised at a meeting to be held in Mumbai in the next few days. Sources said the organisers were worried about that the march would be met with a poor response, owing to the success of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently held civic polls.

In the meeting, attended by a few hundred community leaders from various districts, differences of opinion emerged over the Mumbai protest once more. The organisers were worried about how residents would react to a march expected to disturb the citys lifeline.

Organisers also expressed concerns over whether students would be inconvenienced if the march progressed as scheduled.

It is true that differences of opinion emerged, but the decision to put the protest on the hold was taken unanimously, said legislator Narendra Patil, one of the organisers. Besides the exams, polls will be held to elect the chairmen of bodies in the district councils and mayors in municipal corporations. These elections are expected to take place in the first week of March. Our leaders will be busy during these elections. The response to the march was never an issue for us, but we were worried about disturbing the daily lives of residents. It could bring us ill-repute and would go against the character of the Maratha marches, which have been conducted peacefully until now.

Sudhir Sawant, an organiser, said the decision was taken after all the facts were considered and the authorities requested them to change the date of the march.

The community has held more than 25 massive rallies since August last year, in which lakhs of people belonging to various districts have participated.

The Maratha community has demanded reservation in education and government jobs,as well as a review of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, stringent punishment for the Kopardi rape accused, construction of the Shivaji statue in Arabian sea and the implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission regarding the agrarian crisis.

Read

In Mumbai: Jan 31 Maratha rally postponed to March 6

In Mumbai: HSC exams clash with Maratha morcha, students worried

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A student organisation has demanded more examination centres for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in the state.

In a letter to state medical education minister Girish Mahajan, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has asked for examination centres in each district of Maharashtra, to make it more convenient for students from small towns and villages to take the test.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which conducts the entrance test across the country, has announced that all the examination centres in the state will be located in six major cities, namely Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune and Thane. The number of students who will be taking the test has not been released so far.

"The students will have to bear economic and mental pain to appear for NEET. They will also lose more time. This will be detrimental to their progress," read the ABVP letter.

The demand assumes significance as the number of students taking NEET is expected to rise manifold this year, after the state government's decision to conduct admissions to all the health science courses through the national-level test. Last year, the criterion for admission to these courses, with an exception of MBBS and BDS in private colleges, was the state-conducted common entrance test (CET), which was held in all the districts of the state.

Around 97,000 aspirants had taken the CET for health science courses last year, with some students appearing exclusively for NEET. The state's directorate of medical education and research (DMER) estimates around 1.5 lakh students to take NEET this year.

Pravin Shingare, director, DMER, said the concentration of the examination centres in select cities makes it easier to monitor the test. "NEET is a national-level test and there's a risk of paper leak and other malpractices if it's held at multiple places," he said.

Shingare pointed out that the number of examination centres for the national-level test has in fact increased over the years. In 2015, The state had only two cities as the examination centres for All India Pre-Medical Test, which preceded NEET. Last year, the CBSE had allotted four examination centres to Maharashtra. The number was increased to six after the state government intervened.

READ MORE

Young have more grasping ability: MCI to SC on age limit for NEET candidates

Medical entrance: NEET 2017 to be counted as first attempt, clarifies CBSE

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In a bid to garner support for its candidate for the post of mayor, the Shiv Sena taunted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that in todays world, it was better to side with the Congress, rather than the BJPs choice of allies.

The Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Saamana, slammed the BJP over its alliance with Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out that Mufti openly supported Afzal Guru  a convict in a Parliament attack case. It published an editorial in response to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis statement on Saturday, which said the BJP would never tie up with the Congress for power.

We welcome what the chief minister said, but we wish to make one small change and suggest what he should have ideally said. He should have said the BJP will not go with the Congress, but it will go with Pakistan-supporter Mehbooba Mufti, reads the editorial.

The Congress is surely questionable, but establishing a government in an alliance with Afzal Guru-supporter Mehbooba Mufti is even more dangerous, said the Shiv Sena, referring to the BJPs alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir.

The editorial said the BJP was worse-off after having inducted leaders from the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) into its ranks.

What about the fact that Fadnavis own party has become a Congress, by [way of ]inducted castoffs of the Congress and NCP? The Congress is preferable to the BJP. What direction will the current Congress version of the BJP take the state and the country in? reads the editorial.

In the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the Shiv Sena won 84 seats in the 227-member civic body, as against the BJPs 82. The Shiv Sena quickly garnered the support of four more independents, taking its strength to 88. The Congress has won 31 seats. If it chooses to help the Shiv Sena, its support will be key in helping the Uddhav Thackeray-led party reach the majority mark and get its mayoral candidate elected. The party has been in backchannel talks with the Congress, which is divided over the issue.

The editorial added that as the BJP has already learnt and incorporated the Congress ideology, any question of an alliance between the two parties does not arise.

Read

BMC polls: Congress divided over supporting Shiv Sena for Mumbai mayor

BMC polls: No question of supporting BJP in Mumbai, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar

BJP-Shiv Sena tussle in Mumbai civic polls puts Fadnavis govts future at stake

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The Disaster Management Cell (DMC) of Noida conducted an evacuation drill at Panchsheel Balak Inter College in Sector 91 on Monday.

Officials said the move was to create awareness among students about natural calamities and prepare them to deal with emergencies. This was the 10th such drill held across the city.

The evacuation drill was held in collaboration with disaster management experts and Shuttl. Officials said they conducted a mock multi-disaster drill, which is to be conducted in the fourth week of April in 101 schools of Gautam Budh Nagar.

Around 400 students and 25 faculty members participated in the evacuation drill. The event was presided over by NP Singh, the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, besides senior functionaries of the district. Dr Kumar Raka, the planning specialist of the Disaster Management Cell, was also present and briefed the students.

He said that a school is a place where children of all age groups visit on a daily basis. During their stay, the safety and security of these children are among the first and foremost responsibilities of the respective heads of schools and the staff, he said.

Every school must have a sound emergency response mechanism in place to effectively deal with the natural and human-induced disasters such as earthquakes, fires, stampedes or terror attacks, he said.

Raka also added that in the recent past, schools in India have been affected by disasters. In 2001, 31 teachers died and 95 were injured, while 971 students died and 1,051 were injured in the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat.

He said that the mega drill, to be organised in 101 schools, is in view of such situations. A mock drill, simulating an earthquake of 6.5 or above on the Richter scale, will be conducted simultaneously in all schools. Students will be told how to safely evacuate the classrooms, he said.

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A 15-year-old class 10 student of a Ghaziabad school has lodged a police complaint against her classmate and his friend accusing them of molesting and threatening her and said they forced her to miss two papers in the pre-board examination.

The police have lodged an FIR against the two boys at the Sahibabad police station.

The girl, who hails from a locality under Sahibabad police station, also alleged that the boys were threatening her to change her religion. The two boys belong to a different community and have been booked under IPC sections for outraging modesty of women, sexual harassment, assault or use of criminal force on woman with intent to disrobe, criminal intimidation and also under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

They used to come on a motorbike and touch me while I was on my way to school and tuition classes. They threatened me and said I have to convert to their religion and stay with them. Initially, I did not tell my parents but when I told my friend, she told me to disclose the matter to my parents, the girl said.

This has been going on for the past one month and they also threatened to kill my parents if I disclosed anything to them. Out of fear, I decided not to move out and missed two pre-board exam papers  social studies and arts. After I told my parents, we went to the police and lodged an FIR, she said.

The girl also approached the school authorities and complained against the one of the boys who is her classmate. The principal said they will take steps for her safety and security on the school premises.

She should not fear and we will take up her complaint. There is no issue about her taking the exams. She did not give any such complaint to us before. We have noted the name and address of the student and we will take up the matter with his parents, said Kuber Dutt Kaushik, principal of the school in Ghaziabad.

The police said they have started an investigation into the matter.

There has been no arrest in the case so far. The matter is being investigated. The girl will be produced before a magistrate for her statements and further investigation will follow, said Salmantaj Patil, superintendent of police (city).

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Syed Imtiyaz Qadri, the man who allegedly impersonated Ishaq Ahmad, a truck driver from Bareilly, and claimed to be driving the Audi which killed four people on January 27, was in Bareilly on the day of the accident, police investigations show.

HT has learnt from investigators, who reportedly scanned Qadris call records data and phone location that he was in Bareilly till around 9pm on January 27. The speeding Audi crashed into an auto-rickshaw around 12.15am killing four people on the Hindon canal road near Delhi-UP border on the same night in Ghaziabad, nearly 240 km from Bareilly.

Read: Ghaziabad Audi driver was promised Rs 8,000 for surrender, says Ishaq Ahmed

The car owner, Dr Manish Rawat, who later claimed he was in the car but wasnt driving it, fled the spot. Dr Rawat is a neurosurgeon at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.

On January 30, a man from Bareilly approached a Ghaziabad court with his surrender application claiming to be the Audi car driver on the night of the accident. He identified himself as Ishaq Ahmad. On January 31, the man surrendered before the Ghaziabad court and got bail.

An HT team that visited Bareilly found Ishaq Ahmad was a truck driver who never drove an Audi or SUVs. On being shown photos of the person who surrendered, Ahmad identified him as his former co-tenant Syed Imtiyaz Qadri. Ahmad said Qadri had borrowed the photocopy of his driving licence and submitted it in the court to establish his identity as Ahmad.

When I asked Qadri why he used the photocopy of my driving licence and my name, he said he needed money and was paid Rs 8,000 for the job, Ishaq said.

Read: Audi crash: Impostors aide feigns ignorance over his identity, death of four

Police officers privy to the probe said that Qadri was in Ghaziabad for the first time on January 30 and January 31  when he surrendered in court  and reached Bareilly on the night of the January 31.

Our investigations are proceeding on similar lines. Every person involved in the accident and even the later episode of surrender is a suspect. We have told our officials to investigate and proceed towards filing a chargesheet for concealing evidence. No one is given any clean chit in the entire case so far. Electronic evidence is being investigated further, said Deepak Kumar, senior superintendent of police, Ghaziabad.

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The Ghaziabad police on Sunday recovered the body of a 12-year-old boy who was allegedly abducted by his neighbour from outside his house in DLF Ankur Vihar in Loni on the evening of February 21 and killed in the night.

The accused said that he was offered money by the boys father for the kidnapping, who wanted to get money from the boys grandfather.

The victim, Pratham, and his eight-year-old sister were sent out by their father, Sanjay Patel, to fetch golgappas from the local market on the evening of February 21. On returning, the girl went inside the house while Pratham was lured by their neighbour Bablu Tripathi.

The body of 12-year-old Pratham was recovered from a pit in Soniya Vihar, near the Delhi-Ghaziabad border.

The victims grandfather, Devidas Patel, retired as a loco driver from railways on January 31 and received nearly Rs10-12 lakh in retirement benefits. He was to receive more money under the retirement plan. After Pratham went missing, the grandfather lodged a complaint and police teams went out on search, Srikant Prajapati, circle officer (CO - Loni), said.

Bablu Tripathi, who runs a local business of data cards and mobile, took the child to nearby Soniya Vihar near the Delhi-Ghaziabad border on the same night and allegedly murdered him before dumping his body in a pit. The boy studied in class 6 in a Loni school. His body was recovered on Tripathis instance on Sunday morning.

The police said that the child was strangled, his throat slashed with a glass object and his head battered with a heavy piece of stone.

Our teams traced their neighbour Bablu through electronic surveillance and he turned out to be the man behind the kidnapping. He has been arrested. He claims that the childs father Sanjay had offered him the job of kidnapping the child in order to obtain his own fathers (childs grandfather) benefits. His claims are yet to be corroborated but we have called the childs father for detailed questioning. The father will not be arrested till we find evidence against him, the CO said.

However, the childs grandfather denied allegations of perpetration of kidnapping levied on his son, Sanjay. He said that he received repeated calls from the kidnapper, who never turned up.

During initial calls, he made me speak once to my grandson who told me to save him. The kidnapper asked for Rs10 lakh. I told him that I was on a train from Varanasi to Kanpur, from where I had to come to Aligrah and it would take a to arrange money. Then he told me to arrange Rs5 lakh, Devidas, Prathams grandfather, said.

In another call, he told me to reach Khajuri but then abandoned the plan and told me to come to Bhajanpura instead. When I went there on foot, he called me to a sweet shop and then to a park 100 metres away. From there, he told to come near a milk booth but he still did not reveal himself. On February 24, he called me again and asked to arrange money, failing which he threatened to send the boys body in a bag. I arranged money from some of my relatives but he never called again. Then I got a call from the police, he said.

Sources said that Sanjay is an alcoholic and was deserted by his wife three years ago due to his alcohol addiction. She also left Pratham and their daughter behind and presently stays at Dwarka in Delhi. Sanjay is also the only son of Devidas Patel.

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The Ghaziabad police have lodged an FIR under sections of cheating and extortion against three doctors of Yashoda Hospital in Kaushambi. The action comes nearly nine months after an ex-serviceman was admitted to the branch of Yashoda Hospital, where the patients relatives were allegedly asked to buy medical items from its pharmacy, claiming that these were not covered under the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

The patient, Yeshvir Singh Tyagi, who retired from the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a sergeant in 1985, succumbed to his ailments on February 8. However, his son, Amit Tyagi, continued his fight against the hospital authorities for allegedly denying cashless treatment in May 2016.

An FIR is lodged against three doctors for cheating and extortion. No arrests have been made so far. Our investigation is continuing, Salmantaj Patil, superintendent of police (city), said.

The FIR was filed at Indirapuram the police station. It mentions Dr AP Singh, Dr Vikram Grover and Dr Sudhir Tyagi as the accused.

The ex-serviceman was admitted to the hospital on May 16, 2016, with complaints of acute kidney failure.

His treatment had to be cashless under ECHS but we were asked to buy items for treatment. I bought items worth over Rs12,000. When I confronted the hospital authorities about this, they told me to buy injections as well, on the basis that it was also not covered under the scheme, Amit Tyagi, son of Yeshvir, of Sector 6 in Vaishali said.

Ultimately, I complained to the managing director, ECHS and my fathers dialysis was done cashless that night. Otherwise, they were insisting that I buy items worth Rs16,000. Next morning, they told me that my father was having multiple organ failures and I should take him to a hospital with better facilities. They virtually expelled my father as I had complained about them. They refused me an ambulance as well and asked me to hire a private one, Amit said.

He said that the hospital authorities cheated them by charging them for items they were not supposed to.

When I shifted to the other hospital, it was found that my father did not have multiple organ failure. After my father was shifted from the ICU to a ward, I complained to the Prime Ministers Office, UP chief minister, the health minister, ECHS and also posted about this on Facebook, which went viral with more than 15,000 shares, Amit said.

Upon lodging a complaint, the police from Kaushambi police post had closed the case terming it baseless. Amit said that when he complained to the chief minister and senior police officials, another officer at the Kaushambi police post told him that he had ego issues.

The chief medical officer (CMO) also conducted an inquiry over alleged negligence and the circle officer conducted an inquiry, reports of which were sent to SSP, Ghaziabad.

Initially, CMO returned the complaint saying it is a matter of ECHS, which falls under the purview of the Central government. However, following an appeal to the UP CM, the CMO conducted an inquiry. In all, I approached authorities nearly 17 times demanding justice. My father has left this world and is relieved of his pain. It is now my duty to fight so that no other ex-serviceman faces this kind of problems, Amit said.

Dr PN Arora, the managing director of Yashoda Hospital, said, The three (accused) are doctors with our hospital. The patient was given cashless treatment but there were certain minor non-admissible expenditures which the patients family was told to take care of. His father was admitted to the ICU and treated.

I came to know that the patient had a severe infection that affected other body parts. Getting the patient referred to another hospital is the right of his family. There has been an issue over nothing. However, since an FIR is lodged, we will abide the legal course of action, he said.

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Forty-two. Thats the number of times President Donald Trump has posted from his two Twitter accounts since Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot and killed in an apparent hate crime in Kansas.

In those tweets, Trump has tackled a range of issues, from his usual fulminations against fake news from The New York Times to ending job-killing regulations to seven people killed in gun violence in Chicagos deadliest day of the year so far.

But there wasnt a single word on Kuchibhotla, 32, attacked by a man who reportedly yelled get out of my country before he began firing.

Nor should we expect anything from Trump, what with White House spokesman Sean Spicer saying it would be absurd to link the engineers death to the presidents anti-immigrant rhetoric.

In an era of America first, this is the new normal. A president obsessed with how the US media depicts him, even on comedy shows such as Saturday Night Live, had little to worry about as the shooting didnt get wall-to-wall coverage in America.

And its rather obvious from media reports that Trump really doesnt read much, leave alone the possibility of him reading the Indian medias coverage of the shock and outrage at the death of Kuchibhotla.

At a time when Trump is talking about bringing jobs offshored by American firms back home and reviewing visa programmes such as the H-1B, under which Kuchibhotla and his colleague Alok Madasani were in the US, its hardly likely that he would be talking about the rights of foreign workers.

And despite Trumps talk of we love India, lets not forget he hasnt even spoken on the anti-semitism that is sweeping the US.

The only silver lining here is that despite Trumps divisive rhetoric both during and after his explosive campaign, there are still ordinary folks in the US such as Ian Grillot, who are willing to do the right thing.

(The views expressed by the writer are personal. He tweets as @rezhasan.)

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There was a ripple of excitement in Qadian  a quiet border town of Punjab and the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya community  as news about an Ahmadi actor being awarded an Oscar came streaming through. Mahershala Ali, who won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of a drug dealer in Moonlight, is the first Muslim film star to pick up a golden statuette.

A Muslim convert since 1999 with a Christian minister for a mother, Ali joined the minority Ahmadiyya community, a sect seen as heretical by other Muslims, in 2001.

Qadian is an important destination for the community as every year in December, Ahmadis from 35 countries congregate here for a three-day annual convention.

Maqbool Ahmad, a journalist in Qadian and his wife Tahira, who is from Pakistan, are thrilled with Alis Oscar feat. Its a big achievement for a Muslim, that too in the US where the current administration does not look upon them favourably. Mahershala Ali has given a boost to the image of Muslims worldwide with his talent.

Tariq Ahmad, the official spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya community, welcomed the Oscar, saying it was praiseworthy. We appreciate the Oscar but we dont think it will have any impact, positive or negative, on the community.

Ahmeds cautious response may have something to do with the widespread persecution faced by the community. It was only in the 2011 census that Ahmadiyyas were included as a sect of Islam in India. This followed several high court rulings upholding them as Muslims. In earlier census reports, only Sunnis, Shias, Bohras and Agakhanis were identified as sects of Islam. Islamic seminaries in India, like the Darul Uloom Deoband, also dont recognise the community as Muslim. Prime Minister Narender Modi has, however, gone on record to praise the community for its religious tolerance and universal brotherhood.

Pakistans Constitution does not recognise Ahmadis as Muslims, and they are heavily persecuted. Violence against the Ahmadis in Pakistan is commonplace and many take refuge in India.

Even on Monday, Pakistans Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi was forced to delete a congratulatory tweet when people on Twitter began pointing out that Mahershala Ali was an Ahmadi.

Speaking to reporters backstage, Ali said, Regardless of ones theology or how you see life or relate to worshipping God, as an artist your job is the same... to try and tell the truth. He added that he didnt feel an actors religion was relevant to his work unless it gives you more empathy to the people you have to advocate for.

Ali recently told Britains Radio Times magazine that he discovered he was on an FBI watchlist after the 9/11 attacks. If you convert to Islam after a couple of decades of being a black man in the US, the discrimination you receive as a Muslim doesnt feel like a shock, he said.

There are around 1 lakh Ahmadis in India. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad founded the movement in 1889. Rejecting orthodox Muslim beliefs, he preached that he was the promised messiah with the divinely inspired task of bringing Gods teaching into harmony with the present-day world.

Many Muslims, including Pakistani documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and feature director Asghar Farhadi, have won Oscars in various categories over the years but none has been awarded a statuette for acting.

Moonlight pips La La, gets best picture Oscar

Los Angeles Moonlight won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday, beating favourite La La Land for the movie industrys most prestigious award. But in a highly unusual mishap, presenter Warren Beatty mistakenly initially announced that musical La La Land had won, causing confusion and uproar on Hollywoods biggest night. Beatty said he had been given the wrong envelope to open. Emma Stone won best actress for the musical, and Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck was named best actor on a night where US President Donald Trump was the butt of numerous jokes, capping a Hollywood awards season marked by fiery protests at his policies. La La Land director Damien Chazelle, 32, became the youngest person to ever win a best director Oscar.
Food for thought

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal came up with an interesting solution to help potato growers in the state. As potato farmers are staring at heavy losses due to drop in demand and prices, the state government held a high-powered meeting to help them deal with the slump.

The CM, who chaired the meeting, suggested that inmates in all the state jails should be fed potatoes. Another idea was to serve potatoes to schoolchildren, under the government-run midday meal programme, to add to their calorie intake. The state authorities discussed the issue after leaders of farmers unions had sought their help.

Low-key affair

After the state assembly polls, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife, Union food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, made their first visit to Amritsar on Saturday and attended the monthly bhog ceremony of akhand path at the Golden Temple.

Unlike their previous trips, their outing remained low profile this time. Whenever the deputy CM was in the holy city earlier, the administrative top brass of the district used to be in attendance besides the entire local Akali leadership. However, neither any senior official nor any prominent local leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal accompanied the couple this time. The duo also showed less interest in talking to reporters.

Beyond promises

In the high-stakes poll battle for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), in its manifesto released last week, went overboard in making promises. The promises ranged from more schools and dispensaries to free education to more Sikh children.

The party also listed promises it made and fulfilled. But one section titled Jo nahee kaha si, oho vee kita (What was not promised, but still accomplished) caught everyones attention. It included rescue operations carried out after Nepal earthquake and floods in Kashmir, and help given to farmers of Pehowa in Haryana to get their lands back from the state government.

Foolproof formula

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattars supporters in his assembly constituency of Karnal were upset over the indifference of district authorities to their genuine demands. But they have now found a way to get themselves heard.

The formula, according to a local leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is to invite the CM to their residence. Once officials of the district administration find out about the CMs visit, they take their demands seriously and take no time in completing all pending works, he said. The roads get repaired and painted, potholes are filled up and other issues taken care of.

Chinks in Chautala clan?

The much-hyped Jal Yudh (war for water) of the opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana, which ended with the arrest of its leaders, including Abhay Chautala, on Thursday was seen as the launching pad of Abhays son Arjun Chautala into politics.

It was the first state-level programme in which Arjun had actively participated and went to jail along with other senior leaders of the party. However, the absence of family members of Abhays elder brother Ajay Chautala, who is in jail in teachers recruitment case, was the talking point throughout the day-long protest.

Neither Ajays MLA wife Naina Chautala, nor their two sons, Hisar MP Dushyant and Digvijay, were seen at the rally. Dushyant told reporters on Sunday that he and his brother were abroad as per a pre-decided programme.

Preparing for poetic politics

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh will present the general budget for financial year 2017-18 on March 10. The CM holds the finance portfolio and his budget speech lasted two hours last year. But it may be even longer this time.

Officers of the finance department are making extra efforts to create a record of sorts in the state assembly, trying to incorporate just about everything.

A special officer has been deputed to incorporate couplets and quotations. The officer has sent a message on WhatsApp to his friends, asking them to send best of Urdu couplets that can be used to hit out at the opposition.

AAPs hilly dreams

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lacks an organisational setup in Himachal Pradesh, but its supporters showed a lot of enthusiasm during the assembly elections in neighbouring Punjab.

A number of its supporters had travelled to Punjab and spent there a month, canvassing for the party candidates. On their return, they are not only eagerly awaiting the poll results, but also visiting different villages and looking for prospective candidates, hoping that the party may enter the fray in the hill state, where the elections are due later this year.

(Contributed by Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Surjit Singh, Rajesh Moudgil, Neeraj Mohan and Gaurav Bisht)
Amid security concern following back-to-back blasts in its Punjab province, the Pakistan government on Sunday sent back a Hindu contingent that was on pilgrimage to the neighbouring nation.

Around 237 pilgrims had gone to Pakistan on February 22 to visit various Hindu shrines, including the historical Katasraj temple in Chakwal district, and were scheduled to return on February 28.

The jatha, which reached the International Border at Attari by road around 3pm, were all praises for the hospitality and security provided by the Pakistani authorities. They, however, expressed disappointment over not being able to visit more temples and go around shopping at Lahore.

Ishwar Singh, one of the pilgrims, said: We paid obeisance at the Katasraj temple and celebrated Shivratri there. But immediately after the celebrations on Friday night, we were asked to move to Lahore. We spent Saturday moving around the city amid tight security and spent the last night of our pilgrimage at a gurdwara there. We were asked to leave for India on Sunday morning, which they said was for our well-being and safety.

The sudden change in programme led to cancellation of a high-profile dinner the Pakistan government officials had planned for the pilgrims on Monday, said Ashok Arora from Yamunanagar in Haryana. We were brought to the Attari border through a different route for our safety, he said.

Ramesh Sharma, president of the Durgiana temple management committee, said all 50 local devotees who were part of the jatha had returned safely.

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After external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj sought a report from the Indian high commission in Islamabad on Nanak Singh, who reportedly strayed into the neighbouring country in 1984 when he was 7, an Amritsar-based student federation has come out in support of the family.

As per information, Nanak is now close to 40, and is lodged in Lahores Kot Lakhpat Jail, where he is known as Kakar Singh.

The student activists said if there was no response from the high commission, they, along with Nanaks family members, will go to meet the minister and also to Pakistan, if permitted.

The students slammed the state government for not supporting the family. The government should have taken up the issue with the Centre to get Nanak released, said Keshav Kohli, president of the federation.

He said they will support the family as Nanaks parents were illiterate and unaware of legal matters, policies and procedures. We have been standing by the family since 2015 and had met Sushma Swaraj in this regard. We have been raising the issue on social media and trying to contact Pakistan-based NGO Tehreek-e-Insaf partys activist Rai Azizullah for help, said district president Aditya Sharma.

Nanaks father Rattan Singh said at that time, the border had only barbed fence and incidents of straying were common. I have never seen my eldest brother (Nanak Singh) but have heard my parents talking about him, said Jagtar Singh, 17, Nanaks brother.

In 2002, a ray of hope came for the family when cops from the Ramdas police station told Rattan Singh that his son was in a Pakistan jail and known as Kakar Singh. But since then we are just waiting, Rattan said.

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Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala, along with 72 party activists, who were arrested on February 23 for violating prohibitory orders by forcibly entering the Punjab territory for digging the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, were released from the Patiala Central Jail on Monday.

Rajpura sub-divisional magistrate had sent the INLD activists, including two party MPs, 18 sitting MLAs, to judicial custody till February 27 after they were arrested near the Shambhu barrier on the Haryana-Punjab border on Thursday.

After their release, the INLD leaders headed for the Haryana assembly to attend opening day of the budget session.

On Sunday evening, station house officer of the Shambhu police station Gurcharan Singh submitted an application at the residence of Rajpura SDM seeking withdrawal of case under Sections 107 (abetment of a thing; instigating any person to do that thing) and 152 (assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for the release of INLD activists.

The police move came after the INLD leaders had announced not to seek bail and stay in the jail in an apparent bid to pressurise Punjab for the construction of the SYL Canal.

While media was camping in Rajpura SDMs court, the police took INLD leaders, who raised slogans to construct the SYL Canal, from jail in two buses amid high to security to Mohali, from where they took their private vehicles to reach Chandigarh to attend the Haryana assemblys budget session, which commenced on Monday.

Police on Sunday evening filed an application at my camp office that they want to withdraw charges against the INLD leaders. Police said there was no threat of breach of peace from the INLD leaders, thus I agreed to their plea and ordered their release on Sunday evening, said Rajpura SDM Harpreet Sudan.

Deputy inspector general Ashish Chaudhry said there was no threat of from the INLD leaders now, so police decided to move an application for their release.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) flayed the police and government for INLD leaders release.

Withdrawal of charges against INLD leaders has again proved that chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has opted for his friendship with the Chautalas instead of watching Punjab interests. Its Badal who at behest of Devi Lal had acquired the land for the SYL Canal land and now again has ordered withdrawn charges against the INLD leaders. It was all drama to give mileage to the INLD, said Punjab Congress vice-president Brahm Mohindra.

AAP leader Balbir Singh said: The INLD leaders arrest was stage-managed to create trouble for the next government in Punjab.
The teasers of two upcoming Telugu films, Allu Arjuns Duvvada Jagannadham and Pawan Kalyans Katamarayudu, have been in news for totally unexpected reasons: For the number of dislikes they have garnered.

As of Monday afternoon, Duvvada Jagannadham had been disliked 92,607 times while the figure for the Pawan Kalyans film stood at 23,182.

Interestingly, fans of the two stars have always been at loggerheads with each other, particularly after Arjun reportedly refused a request by Pawans fans at an event last year. Arjun has been the target of attacks by the fans of his uncle for really no fault of his.

At an awards function in 2016, fans of the actor-politician had requested Arjun to chant Power Star (sobriquet his fans use for Pawan) which Arjun refused saying Cheppanu brother (I wont say it), reports Times of India.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Google, in a challenge to Amazons Alexa and Windows Cortana, is now putting the Assistant on as many destinations as possible to win the Digital Assistant war.

Ever wondered why Google was so generous in giving unlimited photos and video storage space with the Google Pixel? Wonder why is it now doing the same with the latest of LG, Motorola and Huawei flagships?

Because Google wants to read into as much of your data as possible as it is harnessing its Assistant with the power to read images. So the more the data fed to the Google Assistant, the smarter it becomes. Soon, Google Assistant will be able to do much more than just work with the Google Search Engine or translate stuff for you.

According to Ian Fogg, head of mobile analysis at IHS, "Google's effort is a natural step for Google to offer Google Assistant to as many smartphones as possible because the more people that use Assistant, the smarter it will become. Machine learning-based AI benefits from enormous amounts of data for training."

"Artificial intelligence or AI is at the heart of Google's strategy. Google is shifting quickly to an 'AI First' strategy across all of its products. The smartphone is the ideal training device for AI because it is highly personal and has a rich range of sensors. This launch will not only make Google smartphones smarter, it will make all of Google's services smarter. This is a strategic move for Google."

Amazon is also training Alexa as it tries to put its Assistant in more households. Amazon claims that it wants Alexa to learn more about consumer behaviour to make more accurate suggestions when asked.

However, Fogg feels that the AI experience on smartphones need to improve. "Smartphone makers need to include higher quality, and likely additional, microphones to maximize the performance of voice recognition with AI agents, like Google Assistant."

"Soon there will be tens of millions more users of Google Assistant because of the enormous numbers of smartphones in use. The just announced LG G6 smartphone has Google Assistant AI built in and LG had hoped it would be a differentiator which would help LG to counter Samsung and Apple," Fogg added.
Hungary has begun building a second fence on its border with Serbia to stop migrants from freely entering the country.

The government spokesmans office confirmed a report published Monday in pro-government newspaper Magyar Idok.

Hungary built a barrier along the length of its borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015. The government says the second fence is needed because it expects a surge of migrants to reach its borders this year.

Human rights advocates have been strongly critical of Hungarys migration policies, including measures that would lock asylum-seekers in border camps made of shipping containers while their cases are decided.

In a letter to the European Commission, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch said the planned legal changes in Hungary would go against EU rules by, for example, severely limiting refugees access to asylum.
The Indian engineer injured in a hate crime shooting at a Kansas bar last week spoke at a weekend vigil, saying I wish it was a dream.

Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that what happened that night was a senseless crime that took away my best friend, reported The Kansas City Star, a local daily.

Madasanis friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, died when a US navy veteran, Adam Purinton, opened fire on them after yelling racial abuses and telling them to get out of my country. The incident took place on Wednesday night at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, who jumped in to save the two Indians, was also wounded.

Laura Grillot (right) and her sister Maggie talk about their brother Ian, who was injured while trying to stop a gunman who killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla at a local bar, during a vigil in Olathe, Kansason Sunday. (Reuters)

The main reason why I am here is thats what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done, Madasani said. He would have been here for me.

Madasani and Kuchibhotla worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work for six months.

He waited till I bought a car. Thats the kind of guy he was - is, Madasani said.

Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled terrorist at the two men before firing.

Madasani called the shooting an isolated incident that doesnt reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States, drawing applause from the audience at the vigil.

Olathe mayor Mike Copeland, state senator Rob Olson, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

When you grieve, we all grieve, Copeland said. We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us.
A small bomb exploded in a park in the Indonesian city of Bandung on Monday, with the attacker fleeing into government offices and engaging in a shootout with police.

No one was reported wounded in the assault in the major city on Java island which police said was linked to a terrorist network. The attacker was captured after a standoff lasting about an hour.

After the blast, which reports said came from a bomb constructed out of a pressure cooker, the attacker fled into a building belonging to local authorities.

Television footage showed armed police exchanging fire with the man inside, and part of the building was set on fire.

Local police chief Anton Charliyan said no one had been hurt and everyone had been evacuated from the building.

We tried to negotiate but instead the perpetrator tried to burn (the place), he told local TV station MetroTV.

Hes from a terrorist network, he added, without elaborating.

Charliyan said the attacker, whom he did not identify, was injured during the standoff.

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, has long struggled with Islamic militancy and was hit by series of attacks in the past 15 years, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

A sustained crackdown weakened the most dangerous networks but the emergence of the Islamic State (IS) group has proved a potent new rallying cry for the countrys radicals and hundreds flocked to the Middle East to fight with the jihadists.

A series of attacks and failed plots have been linked to IS supporters in Indonesia in recent years.
More than 800 people have been arrested in a crackdown on unlicensed banking operations as Beijing tries to stem outflows of money from the country, the police ministry says.

More than 380 underground banks that handled transactions totaling more than 900 billion yuan ($130 billion) were broken up in the crackdown launched last year, according to the ministry.

Communist leaders allow unlicensed financing activity to support entrepreneurs but try to stop activity they say threatens the state-run banking system, supports crime or helps people violate foreign exchange controls or other regulations.

Companies and small investors began shifting billions of dollars a month out of China in late 2015, prompted by expectations the currency would decline in value. Beijing responded by stepping up scrutiny of outbound investment and banning some activities by individual investors.

The police ministry statement Sunday gave no details of what those arrested were accused of doing but complained unauthorized money transfers paid for gambling, drug trafficking and smuggling.

Chinas foreign exchange reserves have declined steadily over the past six months as the central bank spent an estimated $40-$60 billion a month to shore up the currencys exchange rate.

The reserves fell to a six-year low in January of $2.99 trillion, though they still are the worlds biggest. That was down $992 billion from a peak of $3.99 trillion in June 2014.
Chinas top diplomat has begun a two-day visit to the US amid rising tensions between the two countries under the new presidency of Donald Trump over the one-China policy, the South China Sea situation and the increasing unease in the Korean Peninsula.

State councillor Yang Jiechi will be the first Chinese official to visit US and hold talks with the new administration after Trump assumed presidency in January.

Yang could well become Chinas point man in dealings with the US because of his rich experience; he was Chinas former envoy to the US and had extensively dealt with US diplomats during his time as the foreign minister.

Yangs visit to Washington will coincide with the 45th anniversary of US President Richard Nixons 1972 visit to China, considered as the ice-breaking trip in the complex bilateral relations between the two largest economies in the world. Seven years after that visit, Beijing and Washington officially established diplomatic ties.

Yangs visit will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979, official news agency Xinhua said in a report announcing the visit.

Yang will have an extensive range of topics to discuss with the U.S. officials but the foremost would be to reaffirm the tone of bilateral relations set by the two heads of state in their phone conversation, Jia Xiudong from the China Institute of International Studies told Xinhua.

Despite twists and turns over the past four decades, China-US relations have progressed ahead as both the Republican and Democratic parties understand the importance of the relationship, Jia said.

During Yang's tour, China and US will have exchanges on trade, security and international issues, on which Trump may take policies different from the Obama administration, according to Jia.

Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping and Trump spoke over phone, which was followed up with a meeting between foreign minister Wang Yi and US secretary of state Rex Tillerson at the G20 foreign ministers meeting.

According to Xinhua, Trump had aggravated China by taking a call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a breakaway region, and saying that the One-China policy was open for negotiation.

Following the conversation with Trump over phone, Xi had said he appreciated Trump for stressing that the US government adheres to the One-China policy.

China will work with the United States to enhance communication and cooperation so that bilateral ties can advance in a sound and stable manner and yield more fruits to benefit the two peoples and people of all countries in the world, Xi said.
US President Donald Trump will instruct federal agencies on Monday to assemble a budget for the coming fiscal year that includes sharp increases in Defence Department spending and drastic cuts to domestic agencies, according to administration officials.

A day before delivering a high-stakes address on Tuesday to a joint session of Congress, Trump will demand a budget with billions of dollars in reductions to the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department, according to the officials with direct knowledge of the plan.

Social safety net programmes, aside from the big entitlement programs for retirees, would also be hit hard, the New York Times reported.

The budget plan, a numerical sketch that will probably be substantially altered by House and Senate Republicans - and opposed by congressional Democrats - will be Trumps first big step into a legislative fray he has largely avoided during the first 40 days of his administration, according to the daily.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said that Trumps first budget would not touch Social Security or Medicare.

Trumps policy on entitlement reform is unclear, and his administration has not proposed a way to salvage Social Security and Medicare, the most expensive piece of the federal budget, or refuel trust funds expected to run dry in less than 20 years, The Hill magazine reported.

Instead, Trumps plan to pay down the nearly $20 trillion national debt rests on bolstering economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation.

Trumps team is also considering tax cuts without equivalent spending cuts, but insist lower corporate taxes will fuel domestic manufacturing and investment

The budget will predict 2.4 per cent growth in 2017, according to the New York Times. That is more than the 1.6 per cent former President Barack Obamas administration average but below the 4 per cent to 6 per cent growth Trump promised on the campaign trail.

Mnuchin said the administration would like to complete comprehensive tax reform by August, an ambitious goal given the jam-packed legislative calendar.

The White House and Congress will have to raise the debt ceiling around March 16 and fund the government by the end April 28.
Police in New York City are looking for the owner of a drone that crashed through a window on a high-rise apartment building, home to a 66-year-old woman.

NYPD officials say the drone crash occurred around 3:15 pm on Saturday into a 27th-floor apartment in the Waterside Plaza tower overlooking the East River in Manhattans Kips Bay section.

Police say the woman living in the apartment was at her computer when the drone crashed through the window and landed just a few feet away from her. She wasnt injured.

Police have recovered the drone, but so far dont know who owns it. Their investigation is continuing.
Pakistans ailing national carrier, PIA has issued show-cause notices to a pilot and two others officials for allowing seven extra passengers on a flight to Saudi Arabia last month in a serious violation of air safety regulations, according to a media report on Monday.

Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson Danyal Gilani did not comment on the development, but said: Disciplinary action has been taken against all concerned officials.

Capt Anwer Adil, senior purser (air hostess) Hina Turab, and terminal manager Akbar Ali Shah were issued notices for allegedly letting extra passengers travel on jump seats and the cockpit on PIA flight PK-743, Dawn newspaper reported.

The development came after an inquiry committee set up by the airline found the allegations to be true, it said.

The Boeing 777 aircraft has a seating capacity of 409, including jump seats, while flight PK-743 carried 416 passengers from Karachi to Madina on January 20.

After in-depth investigation... it has been confirmed that passenger[s] travelled on [the] flight are over and above of the aircraft configuration (including jump seats), which is a clear violation of SOP [standard operating procedures] and violation of passenger safety, says a report signed by manager operations Sohail Jaffar Ali.

Read | Probe, denial, blame game ensue over standing passengers in Pakistan flight

As per SOPs in cases like these, the report said, the aircraft should be parked again to offload extra passengers which was not done in this case, the paper quoted the report as saying.

Such type of violation/irregularity cannot be ignored in which safety of the passenger[s] is on [sic] stake, it said.

Quoting sources, the paper said Capt Adil will not be able to operate flights after being issued the notice. The civil aviation authority is also investigating allegations of safety violation against the captain.

As many as seven passengers aboard the PIA flight were forced to stand throughout the over three-hour flight after the airline boarded excess passengers, the Dawn had reported last week.

PIA said on Sunday it would investigate the allegations, but denied the extra passengers stood in the aisles for the three-hour journey.

The airlines spokesperson said media reports that some passengers travelled standing were exaggerated and baseless. It is not possible for anyone to travel like that in an aircraft, regardless of the duration of the flight, he had said.

PIA, was once a symbol of Pakistans engineering and aviation prowess but now suffers from huge debts, an aging fleet and a string of corruption scandals.

The airline has accumulated liabilities of over Rs 300 billion and an additional loss of over Rs 5.6 billion is being added to this amount every month, the PIA management told a Senate committee at a briefing last month. The panel was also informed that the airline earned around Rs 7.5 billion a month while its expenses were over Rs 13.14 billion.
Authorities in Bahrain say five police officers have been wounded in a bomb attack that targeted a bus in the island nation.

An interior ministry statement says two of those wounded have since been discharged from the hospital while the three others are in stable condition.

The attack on Sunday came ahead of a court hearing Monday for prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim. He lost his citizenship in June and could be deported. Qassims next hearing is March 14.

Bahrain is in the midst a crackdown on dissent at a level unseen since its 2011 Arab Spring protests, when the countrys predominantly Shia population and others demanded more political freedom from the islands Sunni rulers.

The kingdom is home to the US Navys 5th Fleet and an under-construction British base.
Former US President George W Bush on Monday said we all need answers on the extent of contact between Donald Trumps team and the Russian government, and didnt rule out the idea that a special prosecutor could be necessary to lead an investigation.

The Republican also defended the medias role in keeping world leaders in check, noting that power can be addictive, and warned against immigration policies that could alienate Muslims.

I am for an immigration policy thats welcoming and upholds the law, Bush told NBCs Today show.

Bushs comments came after a prominent Republican congressman Darrell Issa of California called for a special prosecutor to investigate whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and was in touch with Trumps top advisers during the campaign.

Bush said he would trust Senate Intelligence panel chairman Richard Burr to decide if a special prosecutor is necessary. But, Bush added, I think we all need answers ... Im not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered.

The former president, who is promoting a book of his paintings of wounded veterans, also took issue with Trumps characterisation of the media as an enemy of the people. Bush said the United States wont be able to convince authoritarian governments, including Russia, to open up to media scrutiny if US leaders try to discredit their own press.

We need an independent media to hold people like me to account, Bush said. Power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive. And its important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere.

On the issue of immigration and Trumps recent attempt to ban travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations, Bush warned that if the US freezes out other countries and turns inward, that would only make it more difficult to fight the Islamic State group and other foreign extremists.

I think its very hard to fight the war on terrorism if were in retreat, he said.
Islamic militants in the Philippines have beheaded the German hostage they were holding for ransom, the SITE Intelligence group said Monday.

A video posted by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, which was monitored by SITE, showed German hostage Jurgen Kantner being killed by a knife-wielding man.

The video appeared to confirm preliminary reports received by Philippine government officials that the mercenary group had slain Kantner.

The Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history, had previously demanded a ransom of 30 million pesos ($600,000) by Sunday to spare the 70-year-old.

Government envoy Jesus Dureza, who was negotiating for Kantners life, told AFP he had heard of the video, adding that it confirmed earlier reports that Kantner had been killed.

However he and military officials said Kantners body had not yet been sighted.

Kanter was abducted from his yacht, the Rockall, in waters off the southern Philippines last year.

The vessel was found drifting on November 7, with the body of Kantners female companion, Sabine Merz bearing a gunshot wound inside.

The couple had previously been kidnapped and held for 52 days in Somalia in 2008 before they were freed, reportedly after a huge ransom was paid, press reports said.

The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State movement in the Middle East, have been kidnapping foreigners and Christians for decades, holding them for ransom in the jungles of the strife-torn southern Philippines.

Aside from Kanter, they are now holding at least 19 foreigners and seven Filipinos hostages, military spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said.

The group, formed from seed money provided by a relative of al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden, also carried out the bombing of a ferry in Manila Bay in 2014 that claimed 116 lives in the countrys deadliest terror attack.
Hundreds of people in Kansas City joined a peace march and prayer vigil, celebrating the life of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla cut short in a senseless triple shooting incident at a pub in an apparent hate crime.

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted, We want peace; We love peace; Let us not leave our children; Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall.

Many of them carried candles and signs reading, We dont support politics of hate.

The march for peace and the prayer meeting was attended by friends of Srinivas. Alok Madasani, another Indian who was wounded in the shooting on Wednesday, was on his crutches.

The sisters of the third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, injured that night when he intervened during the argument with the shooter US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, Lt Governor Jeff Colyer, US Congressman Kevin Yoder, Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke, and other state officials also joined the march and the prayer meeting.

The prayer was conducted by priests from various religions at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, Kansas City.

Addressing the gathering, Alok remembered his nine years of friendship with Srinivas. 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 would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care.

Other friends who spoke there had similar words for Srinivas. They described him as a positive, warm, kind, caring, brilliant, well-mannered and an absolutely outstanding human being.

Srinivas, 32, was killed and Alok, of the same age, was injured at a city bar by the navy veteran screaming racial slurs and telling them to get out of my country and terrorist before he opened fire on them. He reportedly mistook them for immigrants from the Middle East.

The incident has led to fear among the minority Indian- American community, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trumps controversial plan to ban travellers from certain countries to realise his campaign pledge of putting America first.

At a news conference two days ago, Srinivass wife Sunayana Dumala asked the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against minorities. She said reports of bias against minorities make them afraid and wonder whether do we belong here.

Although Sunayana did not mention Trump by name, she did say, Not everyone will be harmful to this country.
The Indo-Pak dispute was a stumbling block in regional cooperation with SAARC proving to be ineffective due to its politicisation, former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) happens to be the regional instrument for cooperative socio-economic development but it is proving to be quite ineffective, Musharraf said while addressing South Asia Rising conference hosted by Eisenhower Fellows from South Asia.

Individual countries are performing on their own but when we talk of collective performance of South Asia, there is no collective goodwill or collective cooperation and unfortunately the Indo-Pak dispute happens to be the stumbling block, the former Pakistani president said.

There is no doubt in my mind that opportunities for collaborative cooperation within South Asia abound. Collectively we have a large quantity of water available for livestock, for human consumption, for agriculture and also for the cheapest form of power generation, he said.

Musharraf said that the region also has abundant fertile land and natural resources.

We also have a very strong and very large human resource potential, which also happens to be very intelligent. However, we do require better literacy and skill development, he said.

The conference is the third of its kind, with the first two conferences held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2006 and 2012.

The former Pakistani president said South Asia needs to look at itself with introspection and clarity.

The challenges within and between states have had the better of all the abundant opportunities that exist in South Asia, he said at the conference whose focus was on regional connectivity and citizen empowerment.

We see poor leadership leading with poor governance exacerbated by corruption and nepotism. Then we see political turmoil within and between states as a result of which we are collectively failing to optimise the potential that we have in South Asia for growth, Musharraf said.

He said that the politicisation of the SAARC platform is another issue.

We saw politicisation this year when SAARC was supposed to be held in Pakistan but it was scuttled, he said.

Musharraf said that Kashmir happens to be the main dispute between India and Pakistan, which needs to be resolved.

He also said that Afghanistan has emerged as another challenge obstructing regional cooperation.

Unfortunately, Afghanistan also blames Pakistan for introducing religious militancy in the region. But nothing is farther from the truth, he said, adding that it all started with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan back in 1979.

Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai in March last year, after his name was removed from the Exit Control List.

Raman Madhok, Managing Director & Head -- CMI Group, from India -- and Shahid Mahmud, Chairman and CEO -- Interactive Group, were the co-chairs of the two-day conference that will end tomorrow.
South Korean intelligence believes suspects wanted for the murder of the half-brother of North Koreas leader included several officials who worked for the reclusive states foreign and security ministries, according to lawmakers in Seoul.

Kim Jong Nam was killed earlier this month at a Malaysian airport by assassins using VX nerve agent, a chemical capable of killing in minutes and listed by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

South Korea is acutely sensitive to developments in its unpredictable nuclear-armed neighbour, and intelligence agency officials have briefed lawmakers on the sensational killing of the estranged half-brother of the Norths leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea has not acknowledged his death. But South Korean and US officials believe Kim Jong Nam, who had criticised his familys control of the isolated state, was assassinated by agents of the North.

Among eight suspects in this case, four are from the ministry of state security and two who actually took action are from the foreign ministry, Lee Cheol-woo, one of the lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters.

That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organised by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry, Lee added.

Malaysian police have identified a total of eight North Koreans as suspects or as wanted for questioning, including a North Korean embassy official believed to still be in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysias health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Sunday that Kim Jong Nam died within 15-20 minutes of being assaulted by two women who are believed to have smeared VX on his face.

The women, Indonesian and Vietnamese citizens, are in police custody and have told officials from their respective embassies that they believed they were taking part in a TV prank.

Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong is one of the women arrested in connection with the murder of Kim Jong Nam in Kuala Lumpur. (Royal Malaysia Police/Handout via Reuters file )

Another South Korean lawmaker briefed by the intelligence agency, Kim Byung-kee, said the North Koreans had operated in three teams. Two teams were responsible for hiring women in Indonesia and Vietnam and bringing them to Malaysia to carry out the attack and another was a back-up team.

The killing has sparked a diplomatic standoff between the two usually friendly countries, with Malaysia refusing to hand over the body to North Korea before it is officially identified by the victims next of kin.
Over 350 suspects, including Afghan and Uzbek nationals, have been arrested, and arms and drugs recovered from them during a series of countrywide search operations against terrorists, the army said.

Law enforcement agencies claimed to have recovered arms from the restive North Waziristan and foiled a terror bid in Quetta, the provincial capital of troubled Balochistan.

The agencies arrested over 350 suspects, including Afghan and Uzbek nationals during the countrywide search operations on Saturday night and Sunday, The News International said.

They have also recovered arms and drugs from their possession.

Army said a huge cache of arms was recovered from Shirani village of Dattakhel, North Waziristan.

The law enforcers arrested more than 30 suspects and seized arms and drugs during a raid in Gulberg and other areas of Peshawar, while 75 people were detained in Bannu.

About a dozen Afghan nationals were among 20 people arrested in Karmpur and Jamal Ghouspur areas of Kashmore in Sindh province. Rangers and other law enforcers arrested over 160 people, including Afghan nationals, from different parts of Karachi.

In Bahawalpur, 22 suspects were arrested that also included Uzbeks and Afghans.

The police in Quetta claimed to have foiled a major terror bid by recovering a bomb planted on Arbab Karam Khan Road, which was defused by the bomb disposal squad.
A Polish official says the son of a Nazi official has returned three artworks that his family had looted from Krakow during World War II.

Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the provincial governors office in Krakow, said Monday that the gesture inspired hope that other Nazi descendants will follow suit.

In the ceremony on Sunday in Krakow, Horst von Waechter of Austria returned an 18th-century map of Poland and two historic drawings that his mother had appropriated there in late 1939, shortly after her husband, Otto Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war.

The handover was the result of efforts by Polish historian Magdalena Ogorek. Poland is searching worldwide for artworks the Nazis looted from 1939-45, sometimes even finding them at auctions.
The mayor of Paris on Monday slammed disparaging comments by Donald Trump about the French capital and immigration policies in Europe, suggesting the US president should focus on issues closer to home.

Trump gave a bombastic address to a conservative rally outside Washington on Friday in which he defended his crackdown on immigrants and criticised long-time allies France, Sweden and Germany.

Singling out the French capital, which has suffered terror attacks by Islamist militants in recent years, he quoted a friend Jim who refuses to visit the European city, saying Paris is no longer Paris.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo responded the same day by tweeting a photo of Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Eiffel Tower, following up with the hashtag #Donald&Jim in subsequent tweets pointing to a spike in American tourist figures this year.

To @realDonaldTrump and his friend Jim, in @LaTourEiffel we celebrate the dynamism and the spirit of openness of #Paris with Mickey & Minnie pic.twitter.com/VdIq3uWkO3  Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) February 24, 2017

They are unfriendly comments, Hidalgo said Monday during a visit to Tokyo, adding: As the president of France said, this is not something big countries say to each other.

No one points out that a lot of crime in big US cities linked to the open sale of guns is a plague that takes many lives, she said.

French President Francois Hollande also mocked Trump by inviting him to Disneyland Paris.

Fears linked to terror attacks in France have scared off visitors in the past two years.

In November 2015, 130 people were killed in Paris when gunmen and suicide bombers from the Islamic State jihadist group attacked bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade de France national stadium.

That attack came 10 months after two jihadist gunmen shot dead cartoonists and journalists at the Paris offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

Hidalgo on Monday again paid tribute to the strength of the French capital in standing up to terrorism.

There is a risk of terrorism in all major cities, said Hidaldo, whose city is bidding to host the 2024 Olympics. But Paris is doing well, Paris is a resilient city.

Hidalgo was in Japan to drum up tourism and inspect Tokyo 2020 Olympic sites.

Japanese tourists are coming back again. There has been a very substantial increase in booking numbers -- up 80 percent in the first two months of this year compared to last year. That is very good news.

After meeting Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike, Hidalgo underlined her pledge to keep costs under control if Paris beats Los Angeles in the race to host the 2024 Olympics.

We plan to be extremely cautious, she said. We no longer live in a time when public finances can pay for venues that serve no (future) purpose.

The 2024 hosts will be decided by an International Olympic Committee vote this September in Lima.
Pervez Musharraf has gone from being president to television show host, drawing uncharitable comparisons to Donald Trump who went from hosting a reality show to occupying the position of the most powerful man in the world.

The 73-year-old former military ruler, who has lived in Dubai since he was allowed by a court to leave Pakistan in March last year, has his own television programme, Sab Se Pehlay Pakistan, the first episode of which aired on the controversial channel BOL TV on Sunday.

The show follows the format of a question-and-answer session, with the interviewer sitting in Karachi and Musharraf answering from Dubai. Musharraf is known to speak his mind and we expect startling disclosures in the coming days, said BOL TV executive Amir Zia.

The first episode created a buzz in Pakistani media circles, but many people who saw it complained about the format and the choice of questions put to Musharraf. The name of a show is derived from Musharrafs slogan Pakistan first.

Media analysts said they expect the show to pick up in the coming weeks.

Read| Video of Musharraf dancing becomes butt of jokes in Pakistan

Musharraf became the fourth public figure to have a programme on BOL TV. He joins Tahir-ul-Qadri, the controversial Canada-based cleric who heads the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, the party that spearheaded dharnas against the Nawaz Sharif government on multiple occasions, Senator Shafqat Mehmood, who heads the information wing of Imran Khans Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party, and Qamar Zaman Kaira, the former information minister in the Pakistan Peoples Party government.

BOL TVs programming has centred its attacks on Sharifs government and on media houses considered close to the ruling PML-N party, primarily Geo News, which is the countrys most popular news channel.

BOL TV has had some of its programmes taken off air after their hosts incited violence and indulged in hate speech. There is also widespread speculation that BOL TV is funded by the Pakistan Army, but it has thus far been unable to match the ratings of its competitors.

However, programmes like the one hosted of Musharraf could soon change that.

Musharrafs entry suggests that the armys public relations wing is doing its best to improve TV ratings for BOL so that it can be taken more seriously, said journalist Abid Husayn.

But the army has rejected suggestions that it is promoting BOL TV in any way.

Musharraf, who is facing a raft of cases in Pakistani courts related to the killing of former premier Benazir Bhutto and Baloch leader Akbar Bugti and the imposition of emergency rule in 2007, left Pakistan for Dubai last year to seek medical treatment after a court lifted a foreign travel ban on him. At the time, it was widely speculated that the army had brokered a deal to allow him to leave Pakistan.
North Korea executed five senior security officials with anti-aircraft guns because they made false reports that enraged leader Kim Jong Un, South Koreas spy agency said Monday.

The comments by the National Intelligence Service in a private briefing to lawmakers come as Malaysia investigates the poisoning death of Kims estranged elder half brother, Kim Jong Nam. That investigation is still going on, but South Korea says it believes Kim Jong Un ordered the assassination, which took place February 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport.

The spy agency told lawmakers that five North Korean officials in the department of recently purged state security chief Kim Won Hong were executed by anti-aircraft guns because of the false reports to Kim, South Korean lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo said. Its not clear what false reports they allegedly made, and the NIS didnt say how it got its information.

South Korean spies have a spotty record when reporting about high-level events in authoritarian, cloistered North Korea.

North Korea fired Kim Won Hong in January, presumably over corruption, abuse of power and torture committed by his agency, Seoul said earlier this month. The fallen minister had been seen as close to Kim Jong Un. North Korea has not publicly said anything about Kim Won Hong or about the alleged executions in his department.

Lee also cited the NIS as saying that Kim Won Hongs dismissal was linked to those false reports, which enraged Kim Jong Un when they were discovered.

Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has reportedly executed or purged a large number of high-level government officials in what rival Seoul has called a reign of terror.
Seven people were killed on Monday when gunmen shot at a bus transporting prisoners to a court in southwest Sri Lanka, news reports said.

Five inmates, including a suspected gang leader, and two prison guards were killed in the attack near the town of Kalutara, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the capital, Colombo, privately owned Maharaja TV reported. Two other inmates were injured and hospitalised.

The gunmen escaped after the shooting.

The motive for the attack was not immediately known. Police and prison officials were unavailable for comment.

A police officer inspects the prison bus after gunmen opened fire in Colombo. (Reuters Photo)

There have been several incidents in the past in Sri Lanka in which rival criminal gangs have targeted each other on court premises or inside prison vehicles.
One of al-Qaidas most senior leaders has been killed by a US drone strike in north-west Syria, a US-based terrorism-tracking website said on Monday.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, said Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, the deputy to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, may have been killed in a US airstrike on an unmarked sedan on Sunday evening. It cited reports circulating on Jihadist social media accounts.

The northwestern province falls largely under the control of an al-Qaida-linked rebel coalition. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by fighting are living as refugees there.

Images of the vehicle purported to have been carrying Abdulrahman, known more widely by his nom de guerre Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, showed damage to the passenger compartment of the beige Kia sedan but no damage to the engine block. The roof was blown open on the right side of the vehicle.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a top al-Qaida official was killed in a drone strike, but could not confirm it was al-Masri.

Al-Masri was a close affiliate to late al-Qaida founder Osama Bin Laden and was once the chairman of the organizations management council, according to a Washington Post report citing leaked US intelligence documents dating back to 2008.

Iranian authorities are believed to have jailed him following the 9/11 attacks before releasing him in a prison exchange with al-Qaida in Yemen in 2015.

A senior official at a rival jihadist faction in northern Syria urged caution over the reports, saying other top al-Qaida officials in Syria had staged their own deaths only to defect from the organization. The official asked not to be identified because of rivalries between the various factions.

There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon.
The White House on Monday will send federal departments a budget proposal containing the defense spending increase President Donald Trump promised, financed partly by cuts to the US State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other non-defense programs, two officials familiar with the proposal said.

One of the officials said Trumps request for the Pentagon included more money for shipbuilding, military aircraft and establishing a more robust presence in key international waterways and chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and South China Sea.

A second official said the State Departments budget could be cut by as much as 30 percent, which would force a major restructuring of the department and elimination of programs.

The officials requested anonymity because the draft budget had not been made public yet. The White House had no immediate comment.

Trump, in a speech to conservative activists on Friday, promised one of the greatest military buildups in American history.

Some defense experts have questioned the need for a large increase in US military spending, which already stands at roughly $600 billion annually. By contrast, the United States spends about $50 billion annually on the State Department and foreign assistance.

The amounts that Trump is proposing to add to the Pentagon budget and trim elsewhere are not yet publicly known.

The budget plans that the White House is expected to send to departments and agencies on Monday are just one stage in a lengthy process.

The agencies can argue for more funding, and final spending plans must be approved by the U.S. Congress.

Trumps budget assumes annual economic growth of 2.4 percent, the second official said. While campaigning for the presidency last year, Trump called for a national goal of 4 percent economic growth.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking on Fox News earlier on Sunday, said Trumps budget would not seek cuts in federal social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
The White House says President Donald Trumps upcoming budget will propose a whopping $54 billion increase in defence spending and impose corresponding cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid. The result is that Trumps initial budget wouldnt dent budget deficits projected to run about $500 billion.

White House budget officials outlined the information during a telephone call with reporters Monday given on condition of anonymity. The budget officials on the call ignored requests to put the briefing on the record, though Trump on Friday decried the use of anonymous sources by the media.

Trumps defence budget and spending levels for domestic agency operating budgets will be revealed in a partial submission to Congress next month, with proposals on taxes and other programs coming later.

The increase of about 10% for the Pentagon would fulfil a Trump campaign promise to build up the military. The senior budget official said there will be a large reduction in foreign aid and that most domestic agencies will have to absorb cuts. He did not offer details, but the administration is likely to go after long-time Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency.

The tentative proposals for the 2018 budget year that begins October 1 are being sent to agencies, which will have a chance to propose changes.

In Congress, Democrats and some Republicans are certain to resist the cuts to domestic agencies, and any legislation to implement them would have to overcome a filibuster threat by Senate Democrats. A government shutdown is a real possibility.

It is clear from this budget blueprint that President Trump fully intends to break his promises to working families by taking a meat ax to programs that benefit the middle class, said Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer of New York. A cut this steep almost certainly means cuts to agencies that protect consumers from Wall Street excess and protect clean air and water.

The White House says Trumps budget also wont make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare.

The president told American governors at the White House on Monday that were going to make it easier for states to invest in infrastructure and that, overall, were going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people.

Trumps first major fiscal marker is landing in the agencies one day before his first address to a joint meeting of Congress. For Trump, the prime-time speech is an opportunity to refocus his young presidency on the core economic issues that were a centrepiece of his White House run.

The upcoming submission covers the budget year starting on October 1. But first theres an April 28 deadline to finish up spending bills for the ongoing 2017 budget year, which is almost half over. Any stumble or protracted battle there could risk a government shutdown as well.

The March budget plan is also expected to include an immediate infusion of 2017 cash for the Pentagon thats expected to register about $20 billion or so, and to contain the first wave of funding for Trumps promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.

The President previewed the boost in military spending during a speech Friday to conservative activists, pledging one of the greatest buildups in American history.

We will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything, bigger and better and stronger than ever before, he said.

In an interview with Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said cuts to social security and medicare would not be part of the administrations first budget. Trumps priority is passing legislation to reduce middle-class and corporate taxes, he said.

As a candidate, Trump promised to leave major entitlements untouched, breaking with some Republican leaders who believe the costly programs need to be reformed.

By increasing defence and leaving medicare and social security untouched, the Trump budget plan is sure to project sizable deficits. In the campaign Trump promised huge tax cuts, but top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin dont want this years tax reform drive to add to the budget deficit.
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen people think of the Japanese military in World War II, they often picture fearsome Zero fighters or soldiers battling to the deathnot tanks and armored cars wreaking havoc on unsuspecting enemies. That impression tends to be reserved for the Germans. Japans World War II armored force was never an important component of the Imperial war machine and its performance throughout the war was mediocre at best.

But why? Japan was among the first world powers to experiment with armored vehicles. It even put into practice combined-arms warfare years before the Germans did. Then, through a mix of officer corps infighting, strong personalities, and shifting battlefield priorities, Japan squandered all that accomplishment.

When Heinz GuderianGermanys legendary Blitzkrieg architect and author of the pioneering 1937 armored warfare book Achtung-Panzer! searched the world for examples of tank development after World War I, he neglected to look eastward at Japan, one of the interwar periods leading nations in armored warfare.

Although not a direct participant in the World War I meat grinder, Japan, like many other nations at the time, had dispatched military observers to the Western Front. When the British Mk I, the worlds first tank to serve in battle, cumbersomely rolled across no-mans land at the Somme, observers telegraphed news of the contraption back to Tokyo.

The Imperial Japanese Army quickly recognized the tanks revolutionary potential and, as early as 1917, began discussions about purchasing foreign reference models. On October 24, 1918, less than a month before fighting ended with the Armistice, a British Mk IV female tank (a variant armed with five machine guns but no cannon) arrived at the Japanese port of Yokohama, destined for the infantry school in Chiba Prefecture. Serious study of the tank began late the next year, when the school received its second shipment: six British Mk A Whippets and 13 French Renault FT-17s.

Aside from the new weapons technical aspects, the Japanese took note of the potential significance of the new doctrine it represented: armored warfare. The Army Technical Headquarters, created as a part of a 1919 reform to oversee weapons research and development, stressed the importance of employing mechanical power in addition to existing human and animal powers for the operation and transportation of weapons. This idea generated serious interest among more open-minded infantry officers. By 1921, Japans Army War College in Tokyo began hosting extracurricular lectures on armored warfare during the Great War, and the Japanese word for tanksensha, literally battle carwas coined.

The tank was not the only new weapon generating interest. While the Great War was a tragic tribulation for Europe, for Japan it was an infinite treasure chest of technologies, doctrines, and lessons. Dozens of investigation committees and technology boards emerged to research submachine guns, radio communications, air power, national mobilizationanything to benefit Japans military ambitions. But compared to other topics, tank development did not receive the highest priority.

In 1925 that changed. Minister of War Kazushige Ugaki implemented a major disarmament program for the army aimed at reduction and modernization, or quality over quantity. The army disbanded four infantry divisions and several army schools and hospitals, reallocating the freed resources to expand the armys air corps and anti-aircraft corps and establish a professional tank corps.

On May 1, 1925, the Japanese armored force came into being with the formation of the 1st Tank Battalion in Kurume and the Infantry School Tank Battalion in Chiba. But the two battalionseach consisting of five now-outdated Mk A Whippets and Renault FT-17swere experimental units not capable of actual combat. In addition, the fledgling tank corps faced heavy skepticism from army traditionalists, who questioned the potential of this preposterous invention.

Still, Japans first group of tank commanders and engineers remained undaunted, and its young officers were determined to build a modern armored forcefrom scratch if necessary. Knowing war with China, and possibly the Soviet Union, was only a matter of time, they were dismayed at Japans dependency on foreign imports, mostly from France. Calls for domestically produced tanks gained support from the head of the Army Technical Headquarters, who assigned Japans domestic tank project to 30-year-old artillery engineer Captain Tomio Hara from the Technical Headquarters Motor Vehicle Department; by June 1925, a design was in the works.

There was doubt in Captain Hara and his teams chances for success; Japans previous experience producing military motor vehicles was limited to a four-ton truck and a three-ton tractor. Twenty months later, however, Hara proved skeptics wrong.

Experimental Tank No. 1 (designated the Type 87 Chi-I medium tank) had its flawsat 20 tons, it was heavy and greatly underpoweredbut since it passed field trials, the army gave its domestic tank program the go-ahead. Hara and his team immediately began to improve the design for mass production and, in 1929, completed the prototype for the Type 89 I-Go medium tankthe worlds first mass-produced diesel-powered tank and an army armored workhorse until 1942. In 1929, Japan also ordered its last batch of foreign-made tanks: 10 Renault NC-27s. From then on, everything would be Japanese-made.

Although Japan started out with less experience in armored warfare than its Western counterparts, that changed during its invasion of China. On December 17, 1931, the Japanese formed the 1st Tank Companya temporary unit comprised of Renault FT-17s and NC-27s from the two existing tank battalionsand sent it to the battlefields of Manchuria. Their baptism by fire turned out to be anticlimactic. Led by one of Japans most promising tank commanders, 34-year-old Captain Shunkichi Hyakutake, the tanks encountered almost no resistance as they slowly rumbled behind the infantrymen. The companys biggest action in the campaign, the Battle of Harbin, lasted only 17 hours before the ill-trained and unmotivated Chinese warlord troops abandoned the city.

Less than a month later, when anti-Japanese riots escalated into full-scale military confrontation in Shanghai, the Japanese army dispatched a second tank companythis time with five of the domestically produced Type 89 I-Gos alongside old Renaultsto reinforce the Imperial Japanese Navys besieged landing forces there. The 2nd Tank Company, commanded by Hyakutakes colleague, Captain Isao Shigemi, 37, fared poorly in the dense city of Shanghai, where the Chinese infantry could easily check the tanks on the citys narrow streets.

These unsatisfactory performances stemmed not from technical ineptitude but theoretical flaws. The interwar period had seen myriad hypotheses on how the tank should be used on the modern battlefieldbut provided few opportunities to test them. Military theorists proposed drastically different doctrines and by the early 1930s, the philosophy of armored warfare largely fell into two schools of thoughtBritish and French.

Many British military theorists, including Major General J. F. C. Fuller and Captain B. H. Liddell Hart, advocated for armored forces as an independent arm, with a mechanized combined-arms force as the backbone of a small, mobile army centered around the tank.

On the opposite extreme, most French generals (future general Charles de Gaulle excepted) insisted on keeping the World War I-style infantry-based army, using the tank primarily as a subordinate support arm. Instead of being concentrated, armored vehicles would be dispersed among frontline infantry formations. With Japan a major importer of French tanks, it was only natural for the Japanese to adopt the French infantry-support doctrine.

During the interwar years European powers could not determine which theory was correct, but when Heinz Guderians British-modeled, combined-arms Panzerwaffe finally clashed with the French army in 1940, the answer became clear.

Had Europeans looked eastward to Japan, they could have gotten their answer sooner. On February 21, 1933as Japan secured its gains in Manchuria and continued slowly encroaching into China properit unleashed a major offensive, the Battle of Rehe, aimed at capturing the Inner Mongolian province just north of Beijing. Japan had the unprepared Chinese warlord army on the run, but Lieutenant General Yoshikazu Nishi, commander of the armys 8th Division, realized his traditional infantry would not be able to chase down and rout the Chinese before they established a new line of defense. At his disposal, however, was the now-experienced 1st Tank Company, consisting of 11 Type 89 tanks and two Type 92 heavy armored cars, along with 100 or so trucks and armored cars from the Kwantung Army Automobile Group.

Nishi knew how to improvise. On March 1, he ordered Major General Tadashi Kawahara and his Battle Group Kawaharaan ad-hoc formation consisting of the 1st Tank Company, a mountain artillery company, an engineer company, a radio communications squad, and two infantry battalionsto exploit the initial breakthrough and advance ahead of the main Japanese force toward Chengde, the provincial capital, to disrupt Chinese defenses.

Battle Group Kawaharas tanks and trucks pushed ahead on the Jinzhou-Chaoyang highway. The Chinese forces, still slowly retreating to the second defensive line, were caught completely off-guard. Their defenses collapsed, and the 1st Tank Company rode into an abandoned Chengde on March 4, covering a stunning 200 milesroughly the distance from the Belgian border to Pariswithin four days.

Whether General Nishi had read Liddell Harts combined-arms theory beforehand will probably never be known, but what he did impromptu on the bumpy roads of northern China put into action British military theorists dreams of tank-centered, combined-arms warfare doctrine. The result was a brilliant mechanized victory against traditional infantry and, significantly, one employed well before the Germans did.

The victory in Rehe finally gave pro-tank officers the leverage to push for concentrated armored formations and combined-arms mechanization. In March 1934, their calls were finally answered with the formation of the armys 1st Independent Mixed Brigade. Consisting of two tank battalions, an infantry regiment, an artillery battalion, and an engineer company, the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade was Japans first operational combined-arms formationand, for that matter, an early operational example of what Western powers had been testing mostly in peacetime war games. When the Second Sino-Japanese War erupted in 1937, Japan immediately dispatched the brigade to Chahar Province in northern China as part of Lieutenant General Hideki Tojos Expeditionary Force.

The subsequent operation, however, was a disaster. Unlike Yoshikazu Nishi, Tojowho would go on to serve as Japanese Prime Minister during most of World War IIwas a staunch infantry traditionalist, with no intention of experimenting with tank-centered doctrines. Ignoring repeated protests from 1st Independent Mixed Brigade commander Major General Koji Sakai, Tojo broke up the brigades tank and infantry battalions to reinforce other infantry unitsnullifying the very purpose of a concentrated armored formation. Sakai repeatedly found his brigade stripped bare, with just a single engineer company at his command. That Sakai dared to curse his Imperial Japanese Army Academy senpai as a stupid moronan astonishing act given Japans strict culture of politeness and respectwas understandable.

Exacerbating the situation, most infantry commanders of armored units did not know how to effectively employ their vehicles. Even in an infantry-support role, the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade performed poorly. A post-battle analysis by the Chiba Army Tank School pointed out that during Operation Chahar and the subsequent westward offensive further inland into Shanxi Province, armored units were often committed with insufficient preparation, in wet and muddy conditions, without artillery support or coordination.

Chinese opposition forces, including those from the elite Central Army, possessed much better anti-tank capabilities than the local warlord armies the Japanese army had previously faced. During the Battle of Xinkou in October 1937, the 5th Division commander ordered his 4th Tank Battalion to frontally assault entrenched Chinese anti-tank positions at Yuanping. In that fateful charge, Chinese troops firing German-made 37mm Pak 35/36 anti-tank guns massacred the battalions thinly armored light tanks, killing three of the five company commandersamong them, rising star Shunkichi Hyakutake. (His colleague Isao Shigemi fared slightly better, living through the war and rising to the rank of major general, until he drove his tank on a suicide charge against the Americans during the Battle of Luzon in 1945.)

Although Tojo and his fellow infantry officers were mainly to blame for the brigades awful performance in northern China, the army considered its combined-arms warfare experiment a failure. In August 1938, the army withdrew most of the 1st Independent Mixed Brigades tanks, effectively disbanding the unit.

Still, Japans armored force continued to expand, with Tomio Hara and his team designing newer and heavier tanks. But there was no more serious talk of concentrated tank formations; the fate of the armored force as a dispersed and subordinate support arm was sealeda result many infantry generals welcomed.

As with most Western nations, Japans greatest obstacle to raising an armored force was not a lack of resources or foreign sanctions, but skepticism and opposition from traditionalists within its own army who neither understood innovation nor wanted to see a new branch of arms competing against their own. In the West, however, armored forces eventually managed to redeem themselves as the major component of modern tank-infantry-artillery combined arms. In Japan, that redemption occurred much too late.

From 1938-1942, most Japanese tank units operated under the command of traditional infantry divisions. Occasionally the army loosely organized multiple tank regiments and a limited number of infantry and artillery units into sensha dan, or tank groups, but they were neither permanent nor independent. Instead they functioned more like operational reserve pools, with units dispatched to the front whenever the infantry required a large mobile force.

Only after suffering a humiliating May-September 1939 defeat by General Georgy Zhukovs Red Army at Nomonhanknown to the Soviets as the Battle of Khalkhin Goland then witnessing the destructive power of the German Blitzkrieg in Western Europe in May-June 1940 did the Japanese again contemplate combined-arms mechanization. In April 1941, the army set up its Mechanization Headquarters, dedicated to the study and implementation of such warfare. On June 24, 1942, it formed three tank divisions in northern China. On July 4, the 1st and 2nd Tank divisions combined with the elite Demonstration Tank Brigade to form the Mechanized Army in Manchuria. It seemed Japan was finally ready for armored warfare.

Reality, however, did not bear that out. Each tank division was to have four tank regiments, one infantry regiment, and one artillery regiment, with various specialized units (all mechanized) added on. But the divisions never received enough armored carriers or trucks; some regiments were forced to rely on horses for transport. At best, they could be considered only semi-motorized. With the signing of the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact on April 13, 1941, and the attack on Pearl Harbor just under eight months after that, the Japanese army had lost production priorities to its archrival, the Japanese navy.

Nor could Japanese tanks hold their own against their Allied counterparts. The Type 97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha, the heaviest tank available for the divisions, weighed 15.8 tons, had a high-velocity 47mm gun, and only about an inch of armor at its thickest. By comparison, an American M4A3 Sherman medium tank weighed 33 tons, had a 75mm main gun, and at least 2.5 inches of frontal armor (see below Were the Japanese Terrible Tank Builders?).

With a land war against the Soviet Union temporarily out of the question and the Sino-Japanese conflict bogging down into a stalemate, there was no longer the demand for large armored formations in mainland Asia that there had been in the 1930s. Before long, the army pulled regiment after regiment from the tank divisions to reinforce the southern theaters, eventually disbanding the Mechanized Army altogether on October 30, 1943. Furthermore, Indochinese jungles and Pacific islands were naturally unsuitable for large-scale armored operations, and the relative small number of tanks made Japans armored force once again an infantry support arm.

The Japanese did have two operationally successful uses of concentrated armored vehicles during the war: in the December 1941-January 1942 Malayan Campaign and April-December 1944s Operation Ichi-Go in eastern and southern China. Although the army also deployed tanks in the Philippines, their performance there was far from successful. As Japans military situation deteriorated and fuel supply dwindled, many infantry commanders eventually resorted to using tanks as static artillery pieces and pillboxes.

Japanese tanks in Manchuria fared no better. When three Red Army fronts spearheaded by T-34/85 tanks and Ilyushin Il-10 Sturmovik attack planes crossed the Mongolian-USSR-Manchukuo border on August 9, 1945, the hollowed-out Japanese tank divisions essentially evaporated in the face of the Red Armys massive armored pincer maneuvers.

On the foggy morning of August 18, three days after Japans surrender announcement, Colonel Sueo Ikeda led his 11th Tank Regiments 40 or so Type 97 and Type 95 tanks on a mad countercharge against the Soviet occupation forces landing on the Japanese island of Shumshu, in the Kuril Islands chain. Little official records are available and it is unclear if Soviet aggression, Japanese desperation, or simply a mutual misunderstanding triggered the battle. The outcome, however, is unambiguous: While the Japanese killed or wounded more than 1,500 Soviet troops, Soviet anti-tank weapons demolished half of the Japanese regiments tanks, massacring Ikeda and his menand the story of Imperial Japans armored force came to an unceremonious end.

Were the Japanese Terrible Tank Builders? While small, lightly armored, and undergunned Japanese tanks fared poorly against leading Allied tanks, this disparity did not reflect a lack of Japanese know-how. Most tanks Japan produced during the prewar 1930s were on par in quality with contemporary Western designs. The majority of Japanese tanks were lightly armored because throughout the first half of World War II, Japans primary enemy was poorly equipped Chinawhere the anti-tank capabilities of its infantry troops often amounted to suicide attacks with bundled stick grenades. Aside from a few rare cases, tank-versus-tank combat was also nonexistent, so Japan had no need for thick armor and big guns. Indeed, tanks needed to be light to traverse the mountainous terrain and limited infrastructure of southern China. The Japanese did produce limited numbers of heavier tanks designed to counter the new Allied threatsfor example, the Type 3 Chi-Nu, with a 75mm gun. But the army held back that

precious equipment in mainland Japan, along with the elite 4th Tank Division raised in 1944, for Hondo-Kessenthe final battle for the home islands that never came. Jiaxin Jesse Du

This story was originally published in the March/April 2017 issue of World War II magazine. Subscribe here.
S herlock Holmes, paying a visit to the home of Rebecca and Richard Elliot, would instantly deduce that all is not what it seems. For a start there is the cornicing above the front door of the well-tended Victorian semi. The other houses on the street have a floral motif; the Elliots have a design featuring a white horse and a fern.

Then there is the stained glass in the door, depicting a surprisingly modern scene of the neighbourhood, Brockley, in south-east London, with the skyline of the City in the background.

Most telling of all is the year brick embedded into the front wall. While the rest of the street dates from about 1880, the date inscribed on the front of this couples home reads 2015.

This period-looking house is in fact a new build, and its traditional-with-a-twist facade conceals an entirely modern interior created by a pair of accidental self-builders, who decided to create their own home after failing to find a house they liked enough and could afford.

Generous living room: big modern pendant chandeliers and a suspended bookcase work to divide the space and keep things cosy, not cavernous ( Simon Kennedy) / Simon Kennedy

Richard found the site in 2013, when he and Rebecca, now both 36, had been dating only a few months. She was renting a flat in Earlsfield while he lived in Brockley, in his two-bedroom flat.

I had been feeling that it was time to move on, and I started looking around for a house, says Richard. But I didnt see anything very nice, and everything was overpriced, so I started to look at sites instead. The small plot of land he eventually settled on was a bomb site  quite literally.

The first steps

It once held one half of a pair of Victorian semi-detached houses but was badly damaged during the Blitz. In the Fifties a small and rather ugly house had been built to replace it, and in 2008 a property developer drew up plans for something bigger. The developer went as far as getting planning permission and demolishing the Fifties house, but never got as far as rebuilding.

Which meant that by the time Richard paid 350,000 including stamp duty for the site in July 2013, it contained nothing more than 91 tyres, a broken television, and an awful lot of buddleia. To fund the build, Richard, who works for a City bank, sold his flat in 2014. He and Rebecca moved into a rented flat next door to the site so they could be on hand during construction.

The couple hired a local architectural practice, Gruff Ltd, to draw up their plans, with a brief that was less about how they wanted their house to look  more about how they wanted to live.

They told us the design was their job, says Rebecca. What they wanted from us was to know how we lived. For example, the morning light wakes Richard so we wanted a west-facing bedroom, and we prefer showers to baths. And we enjoy cooking.

Blending in: a period-style facade fits well with the houses Victorian neighbours ( Simon Kennedy) / Simon Kennedy

The couple didnt even specify how many bedrooms they wanted, although with just over 2,500sq ft to play with they ended up with five. At the point when they were discussing their design they were still just dating and the fact that the house could end up as their family home was the elephant in the room.

The decision to recreate a period facade came about partly because they felt a more modern edifice would look peculiar attached to its Victorian neighbour, and partly through expediency. We didnt want to have a massive battle with the planners, says Rebecca, a Local Government Association policy expert.

Getting planning permission

To try to ensure a smooth run for their planning application, they discussed their ideas with the local council before submitting it. They also invited representatives of the Brockley Society, along with the author of local blog BrockleyCentral and their neighbours, to Gruffs offices to run through the plans.

These efforts worked. Planning permission was granted in March 2014. Richard and Rebecca got engaged that summer, and work on clearing the site began in the October. The couple hoped the build would take a year, but it quickly became clear they were being overly optimistic. The house ended up taking almost twice that, and the delays began right at the start of the project with the groundworks.

Their builders, Silverpoint Design & Construction had to dig down more than 8ft to find firm footings for the concrete foundations, and the house didnt start coming out of the ground until March 2015. Richard and Rebecca married two months later.

The surprise out back: the rear of the property has a wonderfully modern twist ( Simon Kennedy) / Simon Kennedy

They finally moved into their house last summer, and work continued around them until September. When we first moved in we just had an outside tap and one working toilet, says Richard.

Given the scale of the house it is not particularly surprising that the budget was a hefty 800,000. Add to that the price of the site and the property cost the couple 1.15 million. But self-building does tend to create some uplift  the house is now valued at 1.7 million.

For the Elliots, the most fun part of their project was designing the personal flourishes alongside interior designer Laura Stephens. The cornicing over their door represents White Horse Hill in Oxfordshire, close to where Richard was brought up, and the fern is a symbol of New Zealand, in honour of Rebeccas birthplace. The stained-glass scene of Brockley in the front door, which they commissioned from a local artist, features the church where they married.

Creating a statement staircase

The interior of the house is designed around the central oak staircase, which twists upward in an echoing triple-height void space. From the ground-floor entrance hall it is possible to look up right to the skylight in the roof.

Main feature: from the ground floor you can see up three floors to the roof skylight (Simon Kennedy)

The palette is absolutely simple, with white walls and plenty of dark grey, from the internal doors to the poured resin kitchen floor. The staircase is very much the big design statement of the house. On one half landing there is a neat study area, a window seat occupies another, while the flight from ground to first floor is double width and conceals storage draws built into the treads.

The kitchen is by Scandinavian firm Svane, a high street name in Denmark and known for its excellent quality and value. The fact that it arrived with assembly instructions in Danish was a minor hitch, and the couple are delighted with the simple white gloss units and section of solid ash drawers.

To make the living room feel cosy rather than cavernous, the Elliots installed two huge and rather fabulous pendant lights, and Gruff designed a suspended bookcase which reaches from the ceiling to shoulder height and helps divide the room into two sections.

Most Londoners complain about a lack of space but when it came to decorating this house, Rebecca found that the biggest challenge was filling large rooms. I had only ever lived in flats and I had lots of stuff but none of it was on the right scale, she says.
As more and more Chinese tourists go abroad on holiday, China's budget hotel chains are expanding overseas to serve the country's growing numbers of international travelers.

According to a recent article in the Financial Times, low-cost hotels such as 7Days Inn and GreenTree Inn have already opened hotels in Austria, the U.S., Thailand and Vietnam, and are looking to expand further in Germany and Italy, following Anbang's purchase of the high-end Waldorf Astoria in New York for nearly $2 billion in 2014.

The Huazhu Group has formed an alliance with French hotel chain Accor aimed at international expansion and the Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Group became the fifth-largest hotel chain in the world last year after it purchased a majority stake in Plateno, which owns 7Days, and acquired the French chain Louvre Hotels.

We asked two EHL professors why Chinese hotel brands would be interested in expanding overseas right now. Yong Chen, an assistant professor at EHL, says the development is not surprising given that the industry is growing due to increased demand. Another assistant professor, Maggie Chen, adds that, given the growing demand from Chinese tourists overseas, it makes sense for Chinese hotel brands to expand to popular destinations such as Thailand.

In the 1980s, Yong Chen says, China's hotel industry was mainly driven by inbound foreign tourists, who had far higher incomes than the Chinese. That led to a surge in luxury hotels and international chains entering the country whose economy was just starting to open up thanks to the policies of Deng Xiao Ping.

Then, over the past two decades or so, China witnessed the exponential growth of budget hotels across the country due to strong demand from domestic tourists who were either part of the new, emerging middle class or even relatively low-income consumers.

At the same time, as wealthy Chinese started to travel abroad, the supply of luxury hotels increasingly shifted to well-known overseas destinations, such as Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America to meet growing demand. Yong Chen cites the example of the Shangri-La, a leading luxury hotel group in Asia with a major presence in greater China, which has expanded to Australia, Europe, and North America in recent years.

He says that as the social demographics of outbound Chinese tourists change, characterized by those who can afford to travel overseas but may not necessarily be able to afford luxury or international hotel services, it is inevitable that Chinese budget hotels will expand overseas to meet the growing demand of these Chinese travelers.

While in terms of supply there may be plenty of hotels at overseas destinations, including options provided by Airbnb and others, staying in a familiar, branded hotel could reduce the level of uncertainty involved in being suddenly exposed to a foreign environment or culture. This is especially true for independent travellers, Yong Chen says.

For Maggie Chen, there are two main reasons why Chinese brands may have a competitive advantage over their non-Chinese rivals.

First, Chinese hotel brands can leverage customer intelligence in terms of past purchase history and preferences to provide more relevant services to individuals and group travelers. For example, the FT quotes Plateno Europe's vice president as saying that a lot of Chinese travelers want a hearty breakfast these days, not just congee. Another preference for Chinese tourists, says Maggie Chen, is a firm mattress.

By taking into account such preferences, hotel brands may become known as being more Chinese-friendly. Over time, Chinese travelers would choose to stay only with Chinese brands  either internationally or domestically  which are perceived to understand their needs better.

Second, the Chinese hotel brands are already well established within China itself, with robust distribution, promotion and payment systems. She points out that it is difficult for foreigners to get to grips with the dominance of WeChat and AliPay in Chinese daily life. In the travel industry, GuNar, CTrip, AliTrip and TravelSky are the major players. Plus  and this may be a major factor in the equation  many Chinese travelers prefer to join tour groups.

Although global airlines and hotel chains have the resources to advertise their services to Chinese tourists, individual hotels would not be able to. Hence, by entering the fragmented budget hotel segment, Chinese hotel brands provide travelers with more choices, while allowing hotel owners greater market access.

In the main, the challenges facing Chinese brands are similar to those experienced by international brands, Maggie Chen says. The question is though: can the Chinese hotel brands leverage their competitive advantages to deliver better revPar, revenue per available room. If they can score quick wins, she says, that would convince more Chinese hotel groups to jump on the bandwagon and eye expansion overseas.

For Yong Chen, however, Chinese budget hotels face more challenges than luxury hotel brands when going global, irrespective of whether they choose to invest in new hotels overseas or acquire local hotels. The challenges include how to better manage human resources and keep costs down.

In terms of HR, budget hotels may not have issues in hiring staff within China, but recruiting local employees overseas would not be so straightforward, nor setting up a professional management team that would be aligned with the corporate culture established in a Chinese context. By contrast, luxury hotels hire recruits who are more international in their outlook.

A further challenge for budget hotels, Yong Chen says, would be maintaining a low-cost structure, especially in Europe where costs would be substantially higher than those in China. While Chinese travelers would be more willing to pay to be pampered at a luxury hotel, they would be unwilling to do so at a budget hotel which would be struggling to meet escalating operating costs.

Chinese budget hotel brands which can successfully tackle these challenges will, he says, see their global strategies pay off.

Dr Yong Chen is an assistant professor of tourism economics and marketing at Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL) and a fellow of the Lausanne Hospitality Research Center (LHRC).

Dr Meng-Mei Maggie Chen is an assistant professor of marketing at EHL.

Stuart Pallister is the editor-in-chief of EHL Hospitality Insights.
Attend a hotel conference these days and the issue of the sharing economy is likely to raise its head, in particular competition from short-term rental services via the internet.

Airbnb is a classic example of the sharing economy, as the online business brings together homeowners and renters. It's clear the sharing economy is not going to disappear, so hoteliers should be looking to see how they can join in. The question is: how?

Let's look at some of the opportunities out there. According to PwC research, revenue from peer-to-peer accommodation services is forecast to post compound annual growth of 31 per cent between 2013 and 2025 so the potential growth is attractive.

Paris is one of the leading cities for tech firms looking to match up the owners of private apartments and rooms with tourists or business travelers. In November, there were 55,723 listings on Airbnb, 85.7 per cent of which were entire houses or apartments. According to insideairbnb.com, a site which tracks Airbnb data, the number of listings is 25.56 per cent higher than last February, when there were 41,476 listings. Based on 616,403 guest reviews, the portal states that an occupancy of 92 nights per year per apartment translates into a 25.2 per cent occupancy rate with an average price per night of 102 euros.

As for hotel rooms, Paris is estimated to have some 78,605, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee). In 2015, the hotel occupancy rate in Paris was running at 79.4 per cent (Paris intra muros, www.mkg-hospitality.com). This means that, running at this level of occupancy, hoteliers experienced full occupancy for at least 100 days during the year. Even in a difficult year like 2016, the hotel occupancy rate in Paris ranged from 62.9 to 77 per cent, depending on the hotel category, (Inextenso).

The opportunities for hoteliers to expand in Paris though are limited due to the high cost of real estate in the city. Based on the above data, however, there are clearly opportunities for hoteliers looking to tap the potential of the sharing economy. So here are some areas where, in my opinion, hoteliers could see value.

Opportunity #1: Expand your hotel room stock at marginal cost.

Hoteliers could offer home owners variable or fixed-term leases for renting out their apartments on the short-term rental market or take a commission each time they introduce guests to home owners looking to rent out their apartments.

Opportunity #2: Manage short-term rentals for local home owners.

Until now, individuals trying to make money from renting out their apartments or rooms have not been able to do so in a professional manner. That's because they often only advertise their properties on one or two websites. Most short-term rental sites do not offer home owners either revenue management technology, which would adjust prices according to market demand, nor sales staff who would market their apartments to local businesses. On the other hand, hoteliers do have this local knowledge, as well as the computer and staffing capacity needed for revenue and sales management in order to offer such services.

Opportunity #3: Offer home owners professional services.

Short-term rental guests need services. At the very minimum, they require check-in and check-out services, and expect the rented property to be clean on their arrival.

Hoteliers run room cleaning services every day, as well as check-in and check-out services. So why not offer these services to short-term renters? By way of comparison, a third-party contractor would charge home owners between 80 and 180 euros per check in for this service.

In addition, there's the issue of maintenance. If repairs are required, guests expect to have the problem solved quickly and efficiently. Just as many home owners will want to avoid the hassle of checking guests in and out, very few of them are qualified technicians capable of fixing leaks or electrical problems. As a Parisian myself, I personally know how expensive and time-consuming it can be to call out a qualified plumber or electrician.

Hoteliers deal with such problems daily. Some hotels have in-house technicians; others are at least able to call out external contractors at short notice.

Opportunity #4: Enlarge your customer base.

The cost of acquiring new customers is high. For hoteliers, there's an opportunity to attract new customers at no extra cost. For example, you could offer breakfast, spa and concierge services, in addition to hotel rooms for the next stay  whether it be a family enjoying a vacation or one of the parents returning to the city on business.

Opportunity #5: Bring services to your local community.

I've mentioned potential opportunities for hoteliers to provide services for home owners renting out their properties, but there's also an opportunity for hoteliers to provide concierge services to the local community. Demand is already growing for such services, with concierge shops now emerging in Paris' arrondissements or districts. For example, concierge shops have sprung up in Le Marais, providing a range of services to local residents, as well as to those looking to rent out their apartments. I have met some of them myself: one was an electrician's that has expanded its business to include check-in and cleaning services. Another company, Lulu Dans Ma Rue, managed to convince city officials to allow them to set up a kiosk in front of the Metro so it could promote its 'new concierge service for everyone'.

Hotels offer all these services and more, but by and large local residents are not aware of them. Perhaps the time is right for hoteliers to grab some of these opportunities.

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Wanda Hotels & Resorts has become the first Chinese hotel management company to export its luxury hotel brands overseas, following an agreement signed today in Shanghai with Mar Yapi to build Wanda Vista Istanbul. As the first brand marketed overseas by the Chinese hotel management group, Wanda Vista Istanbul is expected to open by the end of 2018.

The project is funded by Mar Yapi, designed by the prestigious designer Philippe Starck. Located in a bustling business district featuring many office buildings, apartments and shopping malls, the new hotel is just a short stroll from the biggest shopping district in Istanbul, five-minute drive from Ataturk International Airport and 25 minutes away from the city center. Its 150 luxury guest rooms and suites will feature modern and local elements, complemented by Wanda's high-quality services, to offer unique experiences to local and international travelers.

"Wanda Vista Istanbul is more than just the first Wanda hotel to be opened overseas; it is also the first brand we have marketed overseas. It marks another significant step toward our goal of becoming a respected international luxury hotel company from China," said Qian Jin, president of Wanda Hotels & Resorts.

Munir Ozkok, chairman of the Turkish company, Mar Yapi, said: "We are delighted to be working together with Wanda Hotels & Resorts, who has a clear competitive edge among hotel brands. Among 50 major cities in China where Wanda hotels operate, more than 50% of them have achieved outstanding performance, being the lead in the market. As China and Turkey move toward closer economic cooperation, I am confident Wanda Vista Istanbul will successfully offer oriental services that delight guests not only from China but from many other countries globally."

By the end of 2016, the number of luxury hotels owned and operated by Wanda Hotels & Resorts had reached 104 in China. Also, the company has re-launched its own brands, including the ultra-luxury brand Wanda Reign, luxury brand Wanda Vista, deluxe brand Wanda Realm, and lifestyle hotel brand Wanda Jin. As China's largest luxury hotel company, Wanda Hotels & Resorts believes that a greater goodness in life is achieved by treating each other with great respect and sincerity. An established industrial leader in China, Wanda Hotels & Resorts works to spread a hospitality approach that is embedded in Chinese culture. Today, Wanda Hotels & Resorts has six international projects, including those in the Gold Coast, Sydney, Chicago, Los Angeles and London. These international hotels are under the same brand, Wanda Vista, positioned as a luxury hotel brand for distinguished guests who relish extraordinary services in oriental elegance that seamlessly blends with local culture. Wanda Hotels & Resorts believes that hotel brands deeply rooted in China's cultural legacy will achieve wide recognition among international markets and global travelers.

About Wanda Hotels & Resorts

Founded in 2012, Wanda Hotels & Resorts endeavors to become a respected international luxury hotel company from China. This vision has been achieved through three business models of hotel owner, owner and operator, and management contracts based on its core values of "People, our business. We hold the highest conduct. We seek mutual growth and success." and corporate belief of "A greater goodness in life is achieved by treating each other with great respect and sincerity." as its. Wanda Hotels & Resorts manages four brands under its portfolio: the ultra-luxury brand Wanda Reign, luxury brand Wanda Vista, deluxe brand Wanda Realm, and lifestyle hotel brand Wanda Jin, all of which are dedicated to providing profound Chinese embedded service experiences and attentive guest services to travelers worldwide. By the end of 2016, Wanda Hotels & Resorts had over 100 high-end hotels in China, including business hotels and resorts under the management of over a dozen international hotel brands, and self-owned and managed hotels. By the end of 2020, Wanda Hotels & Resorts will own and manage over 160 hotels around the world, including Wanda Vista Hotels in Istanbul, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Sydney and the Gold Coast.
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Ryan Adams covered The Boss' 'Streets Of Philadelphia' for Radio 6 Music.

Having just released his 80s-influenced, Springsteen-sounding LP The Prisoner earlier this month, it seems only fitting that Ryan Adams should do a cover of 'Streets of Philadelphia' in tribute to The Boss.

Ryan Adams is set to play 4 dates in Ireland this September, touring Galway, Cork, Dublin and Belfast. See full dates of the tour below.

Ryan Adams Irish tour:

September 8 - Ulster Hall: Tickets from 35 incl. Booking fee.

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September 9 - Cork Opera House: Tickets from 44.05 incl. Booking fee.

September 11 - Olympia: Tickets from 40.05 incl. Booking fee and restoration levy.

September 12 - Olympia: Tickets from 40.05 incl. Booking fee and restoration levy.

Tickets for all of Ryan Adams Irish tour dates are on sale today, February 24, from Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.ie
She sadly lost out on the Best Actress gong to Emma Stone, but Irish thespian Ruth Negga stood out on the red carpet last night by making a subtle political statement with an American Civil Liberties Union ribbon proudly displayed on her elegant Valentino gown.

Speaking on the red carpet about the blue ACLU ribbon, Ruth told the world's press: "They're a very important organisation; they were part of our film. They helped Mildred Loving and Richard Loving change the Constitution of the United States for the better.

"They invalidated these ridiculous miscegenation laws and so I champion that. And I champion people fighting for justice and equal rights and I think they do that in the most amazing way for everybody."



The Limerick actress, who admitted that she had "thousands" of "butterflies" at the event, also spoke passionately about the Oscar-nominated movie 'Loving' that has propelled her into the Hollywood limelight. "I knew we were making something very moving because, you know, I'd studied this couple," said Ruth who was nominated for the Best Actress gong for her brilliant performance in 'Loving'.

"They were such a beautiful couple; you can't help but be captivated by them. They radiated beauty and goodness and I knew we were making something special.

"There was this energy on the set of goodness. I knew that it would move people, and that was the most important thing for us."


The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not as legal advice. Readers with legal problems, including those whose questions are addressed here, should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances.

Q: I am trustee of a trust my mother set up. A bank will become trustee when I die. I have the right to remove a bank trustee and replace it with another. What do I need to sign to remove the named bank with another? Do I need an attorney?

A: Typically, what you want to do would be accomplished by signing a written document in the presence of a notary.

But without seeing the instrument which created the trust, it is not possible to say for sure that you have the right to do what you want to do. You say you have the right to remove a bank that is serving as trustee and replace that bank with another bank. That is not the same as the right to designate a different trustee to succeed you because you do not want the one that is named to continue to serve.

An estate planning attorney would be able to determine whether you already have the ability to name a different bank to serve as trustee and, if so, to assist with preparation of the paperwork. Yes, it would be a good idea for you to hire an attorney to assist with this project.

If you are able to do what you want, contact the new bank that you wish to name to be sure they would be willing to serve and to alert them to the existence of the trust.

Q: Is it best for a married couple to have their home and automobiles in both of their names? If the husband has the home in his name alone, how will his death impact the wife, and what steps would she need to take to have those assets placed in her name?

A: There is no simple answer to either of your questions.

The answer to your first question depends on many factors. For instance, is this the couple's first marriage? Do they have a prenuptial agreement? Do they have children? Are there any creditor issues? Do they live in Texas? Do they trust each other? Was the home purchased during the marriage?

Much of the time, a married couple titles their home and automobiles in both their names.

As to your second question, vehicles are typically fairly easy to transfer after one spouse dies, as there is an affidavit that can be completed by the surviving spouse.

However, the home is another matter. What the wife in your example would need to do again depends on the answers to a number of questions. Did the husband have a will? Did the husband sign a transfer on death deed? What other properties did the husband own?

You should consider meeting with an attorney to discuss your particular circumstances.
Smoke a joint as an adult at home in Los Angeles, and it's perfectly legal. Carry pot in Fayetteville, Ark., and you might get a warning from police. Caught with marijuana in Philly? Pay a civil fine.

Pack a bowl in Houston starting Wednesday, and you could end up in drug education class for four hours.

A new policy set to roll out this week puts Harris County at the forefront of national efforts to keep small-time pot smokers out of jail, joining a growing move to relax or eliminate criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Anyone found with less than 4 ounces  a misdemeanor under Texas law  now will have the option to avoid criminal charges altogether.

It's one of the "more extensive pretrial marijuana diversion programs in the nation," said Miriam Krinsky, a board member of Harvard Law School's Fair Punishment Project. "This is the first of many steps by prosecutors ... to advance thoughtful, smart and fair approaches to criminal justice practices."

Rules vary from city to city and state to state. Eight states and the District of Columbia have made even recreational use of marijuana legal, and 20 other states have approved medical marijuana. In states where pot is not legal, some cities and counties have instead replaced jail time with fines or community service or made possession a civil, rather than criminal, violation.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg's new policy to allow a drug-education class without a citation or arrest seems to be unique, however, by keeping offenders out of court even for larger amounts of marijuana than most cities allow.

"I would venture to say that the plan for Harris County, as Ogg has presented it, edges toward the more progressive end," said Katharine Neill, the Glassell Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice's Baker Institute.

The issue remains a political push and pull. Law enforcement officers across Texas are sharply divided. A bill to decriminalize possession has been proposed in the state Legislature but is unlikely to pass. The Trump administration announced last week plans for renewed enforcement against recreational marijuana use, particularly in states where it is legal.

And Texas cities such as El Paso, Fort Worth and Sugar Land continue to arrest offenders and put them in jail, if only for a few hours.

What results is a patchwork of approaches and an ongoing debate. Did Harris County take it too far? Or not far enough?

The spectrum of options is vast. Jurisdictions can simply issue directives to police. They can alter the punishment. Or they can adjust the very nature of how the crime is  or is not  charged.

But the reasoning is remarkably consistent: Save police time. Better use taxpayer dollars. Keep non-violent offenders out of jail.

Following the leaders

In Harris County, law enforcement officers who find probable cause to arrest someone with fewer than four ounces of marijuana will do two things: confiscate the drugs and have the person sign a contract promising to take the drug education class. The pot and paperwork will be dropped off at the station at the end of the shift.

If the offenders complete the class, the drugs are destroyed, the contract is filed away and there remains neither an arrest nor court record. If they don't, an arrest warrant will be issued and a regular criminal case filed.

The program leaves no paper trail for offenders and encompasses up to 4 ounces, which would fill about two sandwich bags with the leafy green plant. It's not an amount that would protect drug dealers, but it safeguards personal uses, said Dr. William Kelly, the director of the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Criminology and Criminal Justice.

"Our problem in this country is not recreational drug use, it's substance-use problems, people who get addicted or dependent or are abusing drugs," he said. "We have criminalized substance-use disorders for decades when the reality is that it is really a public health problem."

By comparison, New York and Chicago have already taken steps to decriminalize marijuana.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton in late 2014 announced a policy to allow police to issue a summons instead of arresting someone with a small amount of marijuana, and no criminal record follows. In Chicago, possession of any substance containing cannabis brings a citation and possible fine.

California voters several months ago passed a proposition to make possession by adults legal for recreational use. But it took two years of work in Illinois to pass a state policy similar to the citation program approved in Chicago, state Sen. Heather Steans said.

"To date, knock on wood, it seems to be going well," Steans said.

The new rules for Harris County emerged like an island in a state that, on the whole, treats marijuana possession harshly.

It replicates a similar pattern in Florida, where Miami-Dade County has given police the option of issuing civil citations but the city of Miami has not.

Mixed reactions

Movement on the issue has occurred in Texas since at least 2007, when the Legislature passed a bill that allowed local jurisdictions to use cite-and-release programs to issue tickets instead of hauling people to jail.

The city of Austin took up the offer. In 2009  under the helm of Art Acevedo, who now leads the Houston Police Department  police there began using the new policy.

The process holds people accountable and leaves them with a criminal record but saves officers time, Assistant Chief Troy Gay said.

"You're always looking for ways to be more efficient and effective with the resources that you have," he said.

Acevedo joined Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in backing Ogg's new policy. But not everyone has been receptive.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said Ogg would turn Houston into a sanctuary city for low-level drug crimes. Sheriffs in surrounding counties have said they do not agree with the plan.

Officials in Fort Worth held firm on arrests for marijuana possession, and in El Paso, possession of even one joint will lead to arrest and jail. San Antonio officers, however, stress they can use their discretion in deciding when to make an arrest.

Closer to home, Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey said he doesn't condemn the actions in Harris County, but he doesn't plan to replicate them.

"It is the law," Healey said. "It should be enforced, and I believe it benefits the populace to do so."

Dallas City Councilman Philip Kingston, however, said he plans next month to renew efforts for a cite-and-release program for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Efforts last year failed, but this time he expects it will easily pass because officials realize it affects minorities in far greater numbers than whites.

"This is one of the most glaringly racially imbalanced laws that I've ever seen," he said.

Other U.S. cities have started with small changes. In Fayetteville, voters passed a measure in 2008 that declared misdemeanor marijuana arrests a low priority for police.

The move reinforced the unofficial policy in a city that is home to the University of Arkansas, where residents push to "Keep Fayetteville Funky."

As Sgt. Craig Stout put it, there are "bigger fish to fry."

In New Orleans  where people drink yard-long margaritas openly in the street  the City Council in 2010 unanimously adopted a far more lenient policy. There, possession of up to 2.5 pounds is treated as a criminal municipal offense but doesn't result in jail time. Instead, offenders pay a fine or complete community service.

"We can't decriminalize it," said Council Member Susan Guidry, who pushed through the ordinance. "Only the state can do that. So we did what we could do to make it so that people are not going to jail for marijuana possession."

The Philadelphia City Council pushed the boundary still further in 2014 by making possession of small amounts a civil violation, punishable by a fine. In Tennessee, Nashville and Memphis did the same.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said he was sold on the idea as a councilman after learning of the adverse effects marijuana arrests can have. People lost jobs, couldn't pay rent and became more likely to commit other crime, he and other advocates said.

Work in progress

The Harris County policy will remain a work in progress, even as officers begin diverting pot users out of the criminal justice system.

Local law enforcement agencies have been briefed, and the new offender agreement forms have been drafted. Street-level officers should be ready when the new policy kicks in at midnight Tuesday.

Possession in drug-free zones around schools will remain a crime, and users caught in those areas will not be eligible for the program.

"There has been buy-in across the board," First Assistant District Attorney Tom Berg said. "The vast majority of comments are positive and that's across the political spectrum."

The administration will continue to evaluate the program to make sure it is working as planned, including the estimated $26 million annually in savings for the jail, prosecutors, courts, defense attorneys, crime labs and officers' time.

"We will monitor it," Berg said. "If it doesn't appear to be what we intended to do, we will tweak it and re-evaluate periodically."
It was hard not to notice the extra security at the 7th annual Houston Kosher Chili Cook-off on Sunday outside the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center in southwest Houston.

An armed officer was posted at a nearby synagogue to guard the shuttle service, another armed officer greeted festival goers as they got off the shuttle, and a third was positioned near the front entrance.

The organizers of the festival, which is sponsored by a nonprofit in Houston, didn't want to take any chances after the community center received a bomb threat less than a week earlier.

More than 3,000 members of the Houston-area Jewish community turned out for the friendly cooking competition that helps raise money for seven area Jewish schools. Thirty-four synagogues, camps and other Jewish groups set up booths and passed out chili samples in an event expected to raise more than $25,000.

Security precautions have become second nature for many of those in attendance. They're used to armed guards at their synagogues during services and celebrations, such as bar and bat mitzvahs. The latest rash of bomb threats against dozens of Jewish community centers, vandalism in Jewish cemeteries and other acts of hate didn't seem to discourage folks from coming out in Houston.

"I thought about it for just one second," said Sara Ellen Kaiser, 55, who works in member services for a local synagogue. She considered that the large group could be a potential target but then went on with her life.

Festival goers talked more about their concerns of attending recent Super Bowl events. Some said they don't like to go to shopping malls or movie theaters anymore.

Craig Schweitzer, 52, said he tries to live his life without worrying or being paranoid. Sure, he and others should be vigilant, said Schweitzer, who lives in Clear Lake. But not so he gives up his freedom.

"Our rabbi says, 'Live out loud,' " he said. And on Sunday, that was serving "Eternal Flaming Chili" for Congregation Shaar Hashalom. Last year, the chili had way too much cayenne pepper. This year, he said, the cooks backed way off. "You will have to associate the eternal flame with God, not with spice," he said.

Steven Weiss, chairman of the Greater Houston Kosher Chili Cook-Off, said he takes out liability insurance each year to cover slip and fall accidents, chili-related mishaps and other calamities. This year, in light of the recent bomb threats, the nonprofit added terrorism coverage.

The extra coverage for the event ended up costing only $8, said Weiss, who expected to pay much more. The general liability policy cost $375.

He also doubled law enforcement protection. In the past, the festival hired two constables; this year, two police officers were added.

"Sure there is deep-down concern here," said Weiss, a retired chiropractor. "But for 3,500 years, Jewish people have endured obstacles. We've always come out stronger. I think this is no different."

Other festival goers said they've become focused on planning for the worst.

Emily Blechman, 58, who works for a nonprofit that raises money for Israeli universities, said she's thinking of getting passports for her family.

"That's very World War II" in terms of thinking, she said. And at an earlier time, she would have thought it sort of crazy. But not now.

There isn't one event Blechman can point to that has her unsettled. It's a sense that anyone who is different  whether Jewish, Muslim or a Catholic in a Lutheran-dominated community  is somehow singled out, said Blechman, who was part of the Congregation Beth Yeshurun "Holypenos" chili cook-off team.

"Our current political climate doesn't encourage it but it doesn't discourage it either. Churches don't typically have police officers on duty during church services," said Blechman. "Our kids don't know you can go pray without security."
Editor's note: Look for a sermon or lesson from Houston's diverse faiths every week in Belief.

Jesus made a habit of asking too much of us. He never shied away from setting the bar high.

When the Lord went to the trouble of living among us, he was fond of hard sayings. I even have a book called "The Hard Sayings of Jesus." Not the least of these hard sayings was, "Do not worry."

As if "Love God, love your neighbor" was not enough to keep us busy for an entire lifetime, Jesus added to the mix a teaching in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount that invites us to step into a life of brave faith. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus said in more than one way, "Do not worry."

My wife, Jennifer, a licensed professional counselor, will be the first to tell you that when you tell people not to worry, their immediate inclination will be to worry. Moreover, how can we survey such a volatile world and say, "Do not worry," with a straight face?

We are in a time of great uncertainty. The only comfort in saying such a thing is that if you study history, it's always been this way. The past is filled with stories of doubt about what will happen next.

The exception to observing that "it's always been this way" is that it has never been specifically today before today. Every time we hear Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6, it gains a new hearing, because there has never been a today quite like the one today.

Do not worry? That is easy to say when yesterday is gone. But for today? Well, let's be realistic. Today is another thing altogether.

In the middle of his teaching about worry, Jesus challenges us to live lives of faith. What if we took seriously the commitment to trust God over embracing the worry that all-too-easily becomes the lowest common denominator of our impulses?

What if we devoted our lives to the gifts of God? What if we devoted our hours to cultivating God's love best displayed in actions of patience and kindness? Few would argue that our day-to-day existence could use a little more patience and kindness.

I read a Chinese proverb recently that has been haunting me: "If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."

I wonder if the same could be said of worry?

Is it realistic to commit to choose patience and kindness in moments of worry? Such teachings of Jesus, while hard, are nonetheless worthwhile.
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The corner of La Branch and McKinney might be the least appealing part of Discovery Green, downtown Houston's signature park. Entering the park at that corner, visitors are welcomed by a trash can and a sign instructing you to keep out of the patchy landscaping of a shadowy, untraversible hill.

Why would the park present such an unwelcoming face to a large number of its visitors? It was designed that way, explains Mary Margaret Jones, lead designer and senior principal at landscape architecture and planning firm Hargreaves Associates.

When Discovery Green opened in 2008, on the former site of two surface parking lots, it was still surrounded by high-speed streets. That corner needed a "buffer," Jones says, something "defensive" that would protect the playground in case of a car crash.

Conditions are different now, she says. New development  residential and commercial highrises  has provided much of that defense. "That space doesn't need to be contained anymore," she says. So she is revisiting it, thinking about ways to open up the park and make it more inviting, more welcoming, to what's around it.

Diane Cowen: Hello, Houston: The convention center opens up

Jones is also looking at what she calls "tentacles," ways to extend the park past its edges. Crawford Street, for example, which aligns with the main promenade inside Discovery Green, could become a "green corridor," helping to manage stormwater as well as connecting pedestrians safely north to Minute Maid Park and the eventual eastward development of amenities along Buffalo Bayou.

A similar "tentacle" to BBVA Compass Stadium and into EaDo is being explored. Ultimately, Jones says, "you want streets that make cars feel like the visitors."

These changes are much needed, says Ernesto Alfaro, an architect and lecturer at the Rice School of Architecture, who remembers the park's struggle to accommodate even the increased activity of Pokemon Go players in 2015. "It's a victim of its own success," he says. "The playground is notoriously swamped on the weekends. The turf in the flex-use areas is constantly being trampled and repaired, and crowd sizes are an issue."

And as downtown becomes more dense, with a residential population expected to double to more than 10,000 residents, according to the Downtown Management District, the pressure on Discovery Green will only increase. Jones knows the park must remain a "green oasis," serving these residents, workers, convention attendees, visitors and tourists  and those Houstonians who drive into the city especially for it.

Plan Downtown

In this sense, then, Discovery Green, like downtown on the whole, isn't finished. And it's with this perspective that the Downtown Management District is undertaking Plan Downtown, a process of gathering community input, facilitating growth and initiating improvements for the next 20 years.

If you expect the unveiling of ambitious urban projects  say, an elevated solar-powered bicycle track or a dozen new mixed-use, transit-oriented highrises  you might be disappointed. For Lonnie Hoogeboom, director of planning, design and development, and Bob Eury, executive director, Plan Downtown is about questions.

This summer, a 17-member advisory committee comprising members from Central Houston, the Downtown Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ #3, Houston First Corporation, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and neighboring management districts reviewed responses to a call for proposals from 16 Houston firms.

The call asked teams to consider 15 questions: What are the issues downtown and surrounding neighborhoods are facing? What is the one asset downtown has that could be enhanced? How might autonomous cars change the city? What can Houston learn from other cities? What could be done, right away, with $1 million?

But there are larger questions, too: How can neighborhoods, long divided by infrastructure, be reconnected?

"We're asking these questions," Eury says, "and we need help thinking through them."

This fall, Asakura Robinson, with Sasaki, HR&A Advisors and Traffic Engineers, Inc., was awarded the gig, and the team will be managing the process. For Asakura Robinson principal and director of planning Zakcq Lockrem, Plan Downtown wants to look both from "30,000 feet" and down at "street level."

It's been 12 years since downtown last undertook such a process. A 2004 framework yielded guidelines that helped get downtown to where it is today. Light rail was expanded. Main Street came alive with new bars and restaurants. Market Square Park and Discovery Green were developed. The Downtown Living Initiative was launched, the Convention District expanded. "The city is in a different place," Eury says.

"There's been a massive investment. A lot of infrastructure is taken care of. The bones are in place. But what's the life?"

Hoogeboom pointed to a map of downtown overlaid with a circle that represents a two-mile radius. You can see how close downtown is, if not yet connected, to Near Northside, the Washington Corridor, EaDo and Midtown. As TxDOT initiates a plan to reroute I-45 around the north end of downtown, even more possibilities open up.

Dug Begley: State accelerates start time for major I-45 improvement project



Plan Downtown, which Hoogeboom considers a pilot program for other neighborhoods throughout Houston, will begin in earnest this spring.

First, an app-based survey will go live in March. It will yield what Lockrem calls "sentimental data" about how people feel about living, working and commuting in and out of downtown. "It will walk you through a day in the life," he says. "What's your entry point? Where do you park? How do you walk? Where do you stop for coffee?"

Armed with information about the ways people experience downtown, he and his team will try to identify possible improvements.

That tool will be paired with public workshops as well as topical focus groups. The public workshops are scheduled for Wed., Apr. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom at The Rice at 909 Texas. You can learn more at the project website.

Bookmark Gray Matters. The bones are in place.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump is expected to provide historically black colleges and universities a long-awaited boost as he looks to outdo his predecessors  including the nation's only African-American president  on a surprising issue.

Trump will sign an executive order as soon as Monday, when presidents of the schools, including Houston's Texas Southern University, arrive in Washington for a visit. It's expected to significantly strengthen the office that pushes the federal government to do business with the colleges by moving it to the White House and providing it specific goals, according to those who are helping write the order.

The potential is huge considering that the federal agencies have thousands of contracts with colleges, universities and think tanks worth billions of dollars, primarily for research.

"It would be truly, truly historic," said Leonard Haynes, a longtime educator who ran the office and is helping write the executive order. "It's part of a longtime dream. None of (the other presidents) had the courage to do it."

TSU President Austin Lane plans to fly to D.C. early Monday for meetings with alumni, lawmakers and members of Trump's administration.

Additional federal research money would be "huge," Lane said, adding that TSU is well positioned to drive research forward in criminal justice and education. He said he hoped to better understand the Trump administration's priorities and pitch policy ideas that would benefit TSU, like extending Pell Grants for low-income students into the summer.

"I'm anxious to hear now, for the first time, how they are going to move the needle ... for higher ed and for HBCUs," Lane said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

Though African-Americans overwhelmingly support Democrats in elections, many education experts credit Republican leaders for helping to improve HBCUs, the common abbreviation for historically black schools.

Seen as 'easy win'

Some black college administrators say they were disappointed in President Barack Obama for not making the schools a priority and, in some cases, hurting their financial health and contributing to declining enrollment with changes he made to loan programs.

Some campuses are struggling with budget cuts, low endowments, aging facilities and fiscal mismanagement.

The schools receive money from the federal government through grants, contracts, appropriations and student aid. They received $4.7 billion in federal financial assistance in 2013, according to the latest annual report available. The money accounted for 2.8 percent of federal funds awarded to all institutions of higher education.

Trump's opponent in last year's presidential election, Hillary Clinton, had proposed $25 billion to help support low- and middle-income students at private HBCU campuses. Trump's plans were unknown.

Trump's interest this early in his presidency is surprising. The Republican won only 8 percent of the African-American vote after upsetting many by suggesting they live largely in crime-infested cities. He tried to attract black support with this line: "What the hell do you have to lose?"

Helping black colleges is "an easy win for President Trump," said Julianne Malveaux, former president of Bennett College, a historically black liberal arts college for women in Greensboro, N.C. "It's an easy way to say to black people 'I'm not ignoring you.' "

No track record

It also is politically shrewd. Predominantly black colleges tend to be clustered in Republican-dominated states, including South Carolina, Georgia and Texas. North Carolina tops the list, with five public and five private four-year institutions.

But, Malveaux and others say, Trump's support on this issue will not erase other concerns about his personnel choices and his policies involving discrimination and voting rights.

"The president's history in this matter of public policy leads one to be suspect of his motives because he doesn't have a track record," said Alvin Schexnider, a former chancellor of Winston-Salem State University and author of "Saving Black Colleges: Leading Change in a Complex Organization."

The White House declined to comment on the executive order except to say Trump is committed to announcing an HBCU plan before the end of February, which is Black History Month.

"The president has a strong commitment to them and understands over the last eight years they've been woefully neglected," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said. "And I think he wants to really show a commitment. ... And so you'll see, I think, not just a push this month, but in his budget and going forward."

The nation has more than 100 HBCUs, colleges or universities established before 1964 with the principal mission of educating African-Americans, who were barred from attending majority-white schools in the pre-civil-rights era. They have about 300,000 students.

Black colleges represent 3 percent of the country's two-year and four-year institutions but account for about 20 percent of degrees awarded to African-Americans and 25 percent of bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields earned by African-Americans annually, according to U.S. Department of Education and Thurgood Marshall College Fund statistics.

During the transition and into the start of his presidency, Trump's advisers met with HBCU officials as they considered how to make good on Trump's "New Deal For Black America," which he announced in a speech in Charlotte, N.C., that alluded to black colleges.

Those meetings included Omarosa Manigault, a graduate of Central State University in Ohio and Washington's Howard University, both HBCUs. She gained fame in the first season of "The Apprentice" and now is communications director for the Office of Public Liaison in the White House.

Created by Reagan

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan created the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 1989, George H. W. Bush established an advisory board to advise the president and the secretary of education on HBCUs.

The White House initiative urges 32 federal agencies, including the Defense Department, Department of Agriculture and NASA, to contract with black colleges. It was initially housed at the White House but, despite its name, it is now located at the Education Department. Many experts have been advocating for it to be moved back for years. During Obama's presidency, the initiative had a staff of six.

Lindsay Ellis contributed to this report.
EL PASO - 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 Gonzalez's abuser tipped off authorities about her court hearing, resulting in her Feb. 9 arrest by authorities 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 hasn't 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 U.S.

"She's very emotionally fragile right now," Untereker said. "She's afraid of her abuser, and she's afraid of what's going to happen to her going forward."

Gonzalez has been deported six times since 2010 and has a recent conviction of possession of stolen mail, ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said.

"Gonzalez also has a lengthy criminal history with at least eight convictions on charges including false imprisonment, assault, larceny, domestic violence and illegal re-entry," Zamarripa said. Gonzalez was most recently deported to Mexico on Jan. 23, but she returned. She then sought a protective order against a boyfriend she accused of severe physical abuse and death threats on three occasions during their nine-month relationship.

An El Paso judge granted the order on Feb. 9, and she was arrested after her hearing.

Advocates say her case is a classic example of the vulnerability faced by immigrants who lack legal status because their abusers often threaten to turn them in to immigration authorities if they report the abuse.

Untereker said she believes Gonzalez's boyfriend was the one who tipped off ICE because nobody else knew about the court date. ICE says it was notified by a law enforcement agency but provided no specifics.

The arrest sparked outrage among local officials and domestic abuse victim advocates who said a courtroom that issues protective orders is no place to arrest someone.

Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a Democrat from El Paso, requested a meeting with local ICE officials last week and said he was told the arrest inside the courthouse was an anomaly and being handled internally. O'Rourke was told by an agent that "there are lessons to be learned" and that the agency will use this example in future trainings. The agency said it doesn't publicly comment on internal matters.
The constant wrangling over Montgomery County's underground water supplies soon could move from the courthouse to the ballot box.

With a legal challenge to the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District's pumpage restrictions pending, there's a new legislative push to alter the makeup of its governing board from nine appointed members to five elected ones.

The reasoning: The board's critics might be able to get the changes they want by appealing to voters instead of judges.

The legislation, House Bill 1982, is authored by state Rep. Will Metcalf, a Conroe Republican. Metcalf said he has heard from many people upset with the district's new limits on pumping from the Gulf Coast Aquifer, once the county's go-to source for water.

The current "structure does not allow the citizens of Montgomery County to have a voice; therefore, the board members are not held accountable to the citizens of Montgomery County," Metcalf said.

"Instead they are responsive only to the different special interest groups that are fortunate enough to have a seat at the table."

The bill comes as Texas' nearly 100 groundwater conservation districts are under increasing scrutiny. That's because of a basic conundrum with the state's rules when it comes to drilling for water: landowners own the reserves beneath their property, but agencies like Lone Star can regulate it.

That underlying conflict has led to upheaval in other parts of state. Voters, for example, replaced four of five members on the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District's board with more conservative property rights advocates after the board tried limit the amount of water pumped from individual wells in 2011.

"People like the idea of groundwater conservation districts until they have to start restricting use," said Ronald Kaiser, professor of water law and policy at Texas A&M University.

With an elected board for Lone Star, "the rules will change," Kaiser said. "But it could be penny-wise and pound-foolish."

State lawmakers created Lone Star in 2001 to replenish and manage underground water supplies for the long haul. Voters later approved the district by a 3-to-1 margin.

Cap creates conflict

Tensions began to rise three years ago when the district proposed to limit the amount of water that rapidly growing Montgomery County could pump from underground to avoid depleting the aquifer and causing land to sink. The cap, which is now in effect, represents a 30 percent reduction in groundwater use.

To bridge the gap and help satisfy new demands, the San Jacinto River Authority, which manages Lake Conroe, began supplying water from the man-made reservoir to 151 cities and utility districts. The transition increased the monthly bill for a household using 10,000 gallons by $26.

The city of Conroe and several utility providers sued Lone Star over the rules in 2015, arguing that the district overreached by regulating the pumping of groundwater in ways the Legislature never authorized. A trial date hasn't been set.

Some local leaders and residents also have questioned the science behind the decision to limit the use of groundwater, saying the aquifer isn't in danger of depletion. At the same time, they have accused Lone Star of scheming with the San Jacinto River Authority on the push to use more expensive surface water.

The river authority, which manages the lake, has a seat on Lone Star's board. Montgomery County, Conroe and The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency are among the other entities making appointments to the nine-member body.

Leadership shake-up

The appointees typically are engineers, bureaucrats, lawyers and others with backgrounds in water. Last week, however, Montgomery County's commissioners decided to replace longtime board member Richard Tramm with former Conroe Mayor Webb Melder in an unusually public hearing.

"The biggest mistake I made as mayor of Conroe was that I trusted two state agencies," Melder told the commissioners, referring to Lone Star and the river authority. "I see a strong need to return the board back to the citizens of Montgomery County and not special interests."

The bill, if adopted, would reduce the board to five members  elected from each of Montgomery County's four precincts, plus one at large. The first election would be in November 2018. The following elections would be staggered so that no more than three seats come before voters at one time.

State Reps. Cecil Bell Jr. of Magnolia and Mark Keough of The Woodlands have signed onto the bill. Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Conroe Republican who previously served on the Lone Star board, said he would propose similar legislation shortly.

"I believe we are all in agreement that the citizens of Montgomery County prefer an elected form of governance rather than appointed," Creighton said of the county's legislative delegation.

Lone Star won't oppose the bills because it's the Legislature's job to decide how the board is structured, said Paul Nelson, the district's assistant general manager.

But Jace Houston, the San Jacinto River Authority's general manager, has taken exception to any suggestion that his appointment to Lone Star's board created a conflict of interest.

"No single board member controls the district," Houston wrote in a recent op-ed, adding that every director, including Conroe's appointee, voted to approve the restrictions.

Still, Michael Massey, who owns a house along Lake Conroe, said the change is necessary.

"The prospect of anyone speaking on behalf of the river authority is nil," he said. "We're in for a completely new order."
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A prominent Holocaust historian who was detained at George Bush Intercontinental Airport en route to speak at a Texas A&M University symposium last week said Sunday that he might think twice before returning to the United States given the new climate surrounding immigration.

"No question, I'll be a little reluctant to come back, even if I love this country," Henry Rousso wrote in an email to the Chronicle as he prepared to board a flight back to Paris. "The problem is that this incident can happen any time to anybody."

Rousso was denied entry into the U.S. and whisked into a room where roughly 30 people waited Wednesday afternoon. One officer said he would soon be deported, according to an account he published Sunday on the Huffington Post.

His detention, officers later said, was because an "inexperienced" immigration official did not realize that a tourist's visa would suffice to allow Rousso into the U.S. for research and educational purposes, according to Rousso's essay and a Texas A&M professor. Texas A&M secured his release after 10 hours, Rousso said, and representatives for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol did not return requests for comment.

His account comes as federal officials have put almost every immigrant here illegally on notice for deportation and just weeks after a national travel ban from seven majority-Muslim countries caused widespread confusion at airports across the country, including IAH.

Grilled with questions

Academics have been vocal in their protest of Trump's immigration policies. More than 6,500 professors worldwide said in a petition they would no longer attend U.S. conferences because of Trump's executive action on immigration. University presidents in Texas urged international students, especially from Trump's seven banned countries, to avoid leaving the U.S., fearing that they would not be able to reenter the country.

Rousso, who spoke at A&M about "Writing in Dark Times" on Friday, described in his written account a half-dozen people he waited with in the early hours of Thursday morning. Two officers showed one man a plane ticket, told him to stand up and put him in handcuffs.

"I could not believe my eyes," Rousso wrote in French on the Huffington Post. "I wondered if this was the same fate that awaited us."

Rousso wrote he was grilled with questions about his mother, his father, where he lives, where he works. Perhaps at issue, he guessed, was that he had a recently expired visa from an employment stint at Columbia University. He said his birthplace - Egypt - also could have played a role in his treatment. An officer told him it was a random check.

Related: French historian detained, nearly deported from Houston airport

Rousso said he sat in the waiting room for nearly half a day without a phone. He said he was regularly offered food and water, and then signed a log to indicate if he accepted.

Meanwhile in College Station, Richard Golsan, director of the Melbern Glasscock Center for Humanities Research at Texas A&M, received a call from an immigration official.

"'We have a man here who claims to know you,'" the man said, according to Golsan. He answered several questions about the purpose of Rousso's travel, Golsan said, and he thought the matter was solved.

No comparison 'so far'

Hours later, Golsan heard Rousso would be on the next plane back to Paris. The A&M scholar called the director of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, which hosted the symposium, who then mobilized Texas A&M President Michael Young. A legal team secured his release. Golsan said Rousso was escorted out of the airport early Thursday morning, when he flagged a taxi and stayed at a local hotel.

"This is not the way we want to bring visiting dignitaries to the U.S., or to Texas A&M," Golsan said Sunday afternoon, calling Young's foresight in preemptively organizing legal assistance "incredible."

"My situation was nothing compared to some of the people I saw who couldn't be defended as I was," Rousso wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

Rousso's scholarship considers the southern French Vichy government that operated during World War II, and he has spoken at Texas A&M several times.

At last week's symposium, he addressed how historians should write about recent issues "in an era where opinions, 'post-truth' and so called democratization of knowledge are predominant."

As he waited at the Houston airport on Wednesday, he told the Chronicle, he weighed connections between the topics he studies and current U.S. policy.

"The arbitrary power of an administration is the same whatever is the epoch," he said. "And obviously, there is a context of a growing xenophobia. But I won't compare the context of the Nazi occupation of France with the situation today in the U.S. So far."
GALVESTON - One more step has been taken to establish the long-envisioned Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area along the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Jefferson County recently asked to be included in the proposed recreation area, expanding the number of coastal counties visualized by proponents to five.

The addition of Jefferson County to Galveston, Matagorda, Chambers and Brazoria counties will require a change in the language of a bill that proponents of the recreation area hope will be introduced in Congress by the end of summer, said John Nau, the Houston businessman who chairs a committee formed in 2012 to champion the recreation area.

Backers of the proposal, which include former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, believe it will boost the coastal economy by making the upper Texas Coast more attractive to tourists. A 2012 study found that it would attract 500,000 visitors the first year, create 1,200 jobs and bring $46 million in local sales. Those figures could quadruple within a decade after the creation of the recreation area, the report said.

Besides Jefferson, Matagorda and Brazoria counties have passed resolutions in support of creating the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area, and Nau believes Galveston County will do so in the coming months. He is negotiating with a fifth county that he declined to name. Nau did not say that Chambers County has passed a resolution in support, but the county's economic director said in 2012 that the county supported the plan.

After Nau secures support from Galveston and the unnamed county, the way will be prepared for the introduction and passage of a bill in Congress to create the recreation area.

Nau has had to overcome resistance from officials and members of the public who mistakenly believe that creation of the recreation area would entail federal takeover of private land. Although Congress would designate the national recreation area, participation by private and public landowners is voluntary.

"The fear of a federal land grab is huge," Nau said. "The biggest clarification I've had to do is make people understand this is not a national park type park." The only federal land acquisition would possibly be for building a business center to administer the recreation area, Nau said.

Nau said he also has found it difficult to persuade officials that the creation of a national recreation area would have a "branding" effect that would make it easier to market the upper Gulf Coast as a recreation area. Putting the administration of the area under the National Parks Service "is the seal that provides a good feeling to the traveling public," Nau said.
Whose rep?

Regarding "Town hall angst spreads across Texas" (Page A1, Thursday), I have a simple question: Is John Culberson the worst current member of the U.S. House of Representatives? I don't know, but he is certainly a contender.

Culberson took office when I was six years old. He has been my congressman for nearly my entire life, and I have nothing to show for it.

The only thing Culberson has done is lead a mean-spirited campaign against Metro's prospective light rail expansion on Richmond Avenue. (The impacted area is not even in his district anymore, yet Culberson keeps on grandstanding.) Most recently, Culberson- an ostensible opponent of so-called "Big Government" - put a rider in a federal transportation funding bill that specifically proscribed federal funds for a light rail line on Richmond Avenue. The petulant behavior even prompted criticism from the actual representative for the area, U.S. Rep. Ted Poe.

I am very happy to see so many of Culberson's constituents awake to realize that he is interested only in self-preservation and self-aggrandizement, and nothing more.

The 7th Congressional District has made the mistake of electing Culberson now nine times. Hopefully that will be all.

Noah Horwitz, Houston

State needs

Regarding "Protecting health" (Page A16, Friday) and "State's cyber safety net must be strengthened" (Page A17, Friday), if only Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's hypervigilance on bathroom activity could be directed instead toward issues like cyber security and disease outbreak-prevention, Texas might actually generate enough in hacking-breach and health-care cost savings to properly fund public education!

Elaine Mut, Houston

Gender rules

Regarding "Trump rolls back transgender protections," (Page A1, Thursday), if you ask me, this whole problem arose from one missing word in the proposed rules. That word is "established." People should be able to use the restroom corresponding to their established gender identity.

What that means is: You shouldn't be able to just show up one day, dressed as a woman, and expect to walk into the ladies' restroom. It has to be who you are, and not just a stunt.

Alas, the issue is so emotionally fraught on both sides that I don't think anyone is willing to hear simple, common-sense fixes like this.

Z.A. Weiss, via HoustonChronicle.com

Don't do Dome

Regarding "Dome bill" (Page A13, Tuesday), voters rightly rejected a hastily concocted plan to spend over $200 million on the Astrodome for no discernible public purpose, so Harris County Judge Emmett decided not to take a chance on letting the voters decide on his next offering. It is clear that his $105 million "plan" is the camel's nose under the tent for a full-fledged "repurposing" of the Astrodome - all without a public vote, and in the face of a resounding "No" vote the last time. No one honestly believes $105 million is a fair estimate even of Stage 1, and even if it were, who thinks we need 1,400 more parking spaces by NRG Stadium at $75,000 a pop? As for Emmett's Folly, the ultimate cost will probably be at least $400 million, and for what? Better to heed the voters, take the Dome down and pay for the asbestos abatement, and plant a ring of oak trees as the first step in creating a great, accessible park.

Lee Kaplan, Houston
Nick de la Torre/Staff

We can all agree that the time has come for real reform to Houston's public retirement systems. Mayor Sylvester Turner should be commended for his hard work and for bringing everyone to the bargaining table. However, I respectfully disagree with his assertion that giving voters the decision to issue pension obligation bonds (POBs) is a "poison pill" for reform. As to the Chronicle's accusation ("Pension teamwork" Page A31, Feb. 19) that I am trying to "weigh in from the sidelines" to make some deals of my own: As author of the bill that would allow the city of Houston to reform its public retirement systems, as Chair of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over pensions, and as one of 31 senators who will cast a vote, it is my duty to weigh in on the issue. I disagree with the Chronicle's implication that the $1 billion bond obligation is too important to be entrusted to the voters.

We know that the bonds are not absolutely necessary to make the economics of the city's reform plan work. In fact, the mayor has already recognized the possibility that the city would not be able to issue the full promised POB amount: The city's draft bill language submitted to me already includes a provision that adjusts the "corridor" based on the timing and amount of POBs. (The "corridor" places a cap on future city contributions and requires additional benefit reductions if costs rise above that cap.) Although the POBs proposed do not create new debt, it is important that voters have input, as issuing bonds creates some budget risk for any government entity, and bonds could possibly be ripe for abuse by their issuing authority.
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.

Jason Smith represents Missouris 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Contact him at 573-335-0101 or visit https://jasonsmith.house.gov
Melvin Walker, 94, was born March 4, 1922, to Jesse and Lillie Walker. He grew up in the White Rock community with his parents and two brothers, Bill and Francis.

As a youth he was baptized in the Little Piney River. He graduated from Houston High School in May 1942. That same year in December, he left for three months training before boarding a ship for Africa where he encountered his first experiences in World War II. He went on from there to Sicily, then England, the beach at Normandy and then on to Germany. It was there he was wounded in the leg by fire from a German plane. After staying in several hospitals he went home to Houston, with five bronze stars, five campaign ribbons, a good conduct ribbon, a victory ribbon and a purple heart.

On April 13, 1946, he married Ida Robertson and lived in the Houston community, raising four children and loving and caring for many grandchildren. He attended First Christian Church in Houston for many years. He worked mostly in factories at International Shoe Company and Brown Shoe Company. He retired in 1984.

He loved to fish, hunt, camp, play cards, and play bingo. Now he is fishing with Jesus. He died Feb. 26, 2017, at his home in Houston, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one stillborn son, Michael; one infant sister, Virginia; and one brother, Francis.

He is survived by his wife, Ida; brother, Bill Walker of Licking Mo.; four children, Danny Walker of Houston, Debbie Harrison and her husband, Harold, of Houston, Dana Freeman and her husband, Jon, of Marionville and Darin Walker and his wife, Angie, of Houston; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He will be missed by us all.

Services were 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Evans Funeral Home with Pastor Russ Stigall officiating. Burial in Emery Cemetery. Pallbearers were Darin Walker, Danny Walker, Harold Harrison, Jon Freeman, Terry Chapman and Doug Walker.

Memorials may be made to the Emery Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.
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ut 96% of employers in Singapore are still struggling to find the skilled individuals they need, a survey by recruitment consultancy firm Hays said.The firms 2017 Asia Salary Guide also found that 71% of workers in Singapore plan to switch jobs this year for improved salary or benefit packages.The ability to attract and retain the best talent always provides a company with a competitive advantage, but in 2017 with skill shortages persisting and significant changes and challenges on the horizon, it is more important than ever, said Christine Wright , managing director of Hays in Asia.Results showed disconnect between employers and workers on salary expectation. Some 11% of employers will award more than 6% increases, whereas 34% of candidates surveyed in Singapore are expecting more than 6%.On average, most employers in Singapore plan to award salary increases from between 3% to 6%. While employees salary expectations are fairly modest in Singapore, tensions could arise if salaries for new hires move up too fast, said Wright.Singapores workforce was found to be the most culturally diverse, with foreign employees comprising 21% of the workforce. However, this represented a 7% drop from the previous year.Over the last year, 36% of employers in Singapore increased permanent staffing levels, nearly a quarter (23%) decreased permanent headcount, and 41% kept permanent staffing levels unchanged. Just over half of Singaporean employers (51 %) used temporary staffing.This year, 32% of employers expect to increase permanent headcount, 15% plan to decrease permanent staff levels, and a little over half (53%) expect levels to remain unchanged.Results for the Asia salary guide were drawn from over 3,000 employers across the region, representing some 6 million employees. We expect 2017 to be a time of challenge for many employers as they navigate changing economic conditions linked to evolving trade partnerships regionally and globally.
Its a very common discussion, he said. Its not an exception at all these days, for that discussion to be had.

When asked what the government planned to do to alleviate the situation, English couldnt offer employers much comfort.

Theres not a lot you can do directly about that, it is quite a challenge when it comes to employment more so than it used to be because it used to be quite acceptable to employ someone who was a regular drug user but now, under workplace safety, you just cant do it.

English also said the talent shortage wasnt necessarily a bad thing for New Zealand as it should be driving employers to improve their pay and conditions.

Youre seeing that happen in the construction industry particularly in Auckland, pay rates going up, he said. If you want to get the labour and you cant get it then putting your wages up is one way to fix that problem.
Fifteen years after her historic Best Actress win for "Monster's Ball," Halle Berry wowed at the Oscars once again.

This time, the 50-year-old actress is on-hand at the 89th annual Academy Awards for official presenting duties, and once again, her fashion made a splash.

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Berry donned a custom Atelier Versace one-shoulder gown, with champagne and black sequin and fringe details for the ceremony. Prior to the telecast, Berry told Vogue the custom look held special significance to her.

I have always marched to the beat to my own drum, and I think this red-carpet look encapsulates that, said Berry, in an interview with the magazine. The dress is glamorous with a sense of romance that made me feel feminine and fresh. With this look, I celebrate my natural hair by allowing it to be wild and free.

The Academy Award-winner also spoke to this year's recognition of diversity, as seven of the 20 acting nominees are people of colour. This achievement happens to follow two back-to-back years of the #OscarsSoWhite nomination controversy, where there were no ethnically diverse acting performances recognized by the Academy.

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Halle Berry at the 89th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

"I'd like to believe that all those moments when one of us goes that it matters," said Berry, to ABC's Michael Strahan in a red carpet interview.

"Ruth Negga is also nominated this year in that category this year and I'm hoping there's another woman of colour that stands beside me. So, I do think things are changing, yeah, maybe not as fast as we would like them to, and some years we're not represented like we would like to be, but i think if we look at it as a whole, things have progressed and are changing."

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Berry became the first black actress to win the Best Actress Oscar in 2002, and most recently wrapped production on the sequel to "The Kingsman," dubbed "Kingsman: The Golden Circle." The "Cloud Atlas" star will also appear opposite Daniel Craig in "Kings," a film which chronicles the impact of the 1992 L.A. riots.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
The 89th Academy Awards were off to a great start on Sunday night when Mahershala Ali nabbed the first Oscar of the night for Best Supporting Actor in Moonlight.

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Mahershala Ali thanks his wife: "She was in her third trimester during awards season. We just had our daughter 4 days ago." #Oscarspic.twitter.com/WpRi6RYlGr  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017

Lastly, I just want to thank my wife, who was in her third trimester during award season, he said. We just had our daughter four days ago So I just want to thank [my wife] for just being such a soldier through this process and for carrying me through it all.

Unfortunately, in response, host Jimmy Kimmel took the following moment to make a tasteless joke about Alis name, noting that it must have been difficult to choose a moniker for his daughter since his name is Mahershala.

You cant name her Amy, Kimmel joked.

On Twitter, viewers were not having it and quickly called out the Oscars host for his poor joke.

You receive the greatest honor of your career and immediately after a white man reminds you that you are different. What fuckery.  roxane gay (@rgay) February 27, 2017

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Can Jimmy Kimmel *not* make jokes about Mahershala's name? Jesus Christ. Come on. It's 2017. #Oscars  PAPER Magazine (@papermagazine) February 27, 2017

oh that is a cool racist joke about Mahershala Ali's name. Fun fun way to shit on one of the best moments of his life. #Oscars  Angie Manfredi (@misskubelik) February 27, 2017

@jimmykimmel can't let Mahershala Ali win without making fun of his name. Jimmy, your name ain't so common in 3/4 of the world #Oscars  Samuel Black (@potter_black) February 27, 2017

Tell me why Jimmy Kimmel questioned the naming of Mahershala Ali's new baby. Seriously?! #Oscarpic.twitter.com/hq1pcEMiFl  Pepper Potts (@blackJaneAusten) February 27, 2017

For the record, Ali and his wife named their daughter Bari Najma Ali, and just last month the actor appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live where the host, again, made the same joke.

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You cant name your kid Doug, Kimmel said.

In response, Ali sidestepped the remark by explaining that he and his wife were going to keep [the name] unique, but do something a little more simpler.

Similarly, at the awards show, Ali brushed off the joke with a smirk.

so happy for @moonlightmov Mahershala Ali - both for the Oscar and for his reaction to @jimmykimmel terrible jokes pic.twitter.com/UWAbzTLHTk  Rachel (@soozeecute) February 27, 2017

At one point during the show, Kimmel inexplicably asked the audience to say Mahershala's name in unison.

This isnt the first time an actors name has been made fun of at an awards show. At the 2015 Emmys, presenter Jamie Lee Curtis joked about not being able to pronounce Orange is the New Black star Uzo Adubas name. Luckily, Aduba also paid no mind to it. After all, she was too busy winning an award.

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Also on HuffPost
Justin Timberlake got the entire Oscar audience on their feet to open up the show on Sunday night, and yes, that included his "The Mickey Mouse Club" co-star and one-time roommate, Ryan Gosling.

Timberlake and Gosling are both nominated in the Best Original Song and Best Actor categories, respectively. But with Timberlake performing his Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated hit "Can't Stop the Feeling," he could not help but say hello to his longtime friend mid-song.

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when Justin Timberlake grabs Ryan Gosling's shoulder and you remember they've been friends since they were like 12!  #Oscarspic.twitter.com/9ifmNVsYZY  Luke Alexander (@lukejalexander) February 27, 2017

Ryan Gosling knows when  and when not to establish eye contact  pic.twitter.com/h6EkwS2kaO  Leigh Paatsch (@leighpaatsch) February 27, 2017

Gosling's stoic reaction to Timberlake's surprise tap made waves online, as he appeared to be caught in the moment, or perhaps the magic of his old friend's performance.

Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake having a mini-Mickey Mouse club reunion made this opening worth it #etalk#Oscars  etalk (@etalkCTV) February 27, 2017

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If Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling don't perform at least one duet tonight, then what's the point even? #Oscars#MMCpic.twitter.com/vFOs1EqJZ4  Theodora (@TheodoraG13) February 27, 2017

I could have sworn I saw Gosling give Timberlake a look like "don't you dance over here..."  Eli Glasner (@glasneronfilm) February 27, 2017

Ryan Gosling, John Cho and Michael Shannon can't fight that unimpressed feeling watching Justin Timberlake #Oscarspic.twitter.com/l3NmhDu8JU  Hanna Flint (@HannaFlint) February 27, 2017

Back in 2011, Timberlake spoke of their decades-long bond on "The Ellen Degeneres Show."

Hes always been that charismatic and that talented," said Timberlake. "We actually, funny enough, his mother had to keep her job in Canada the second year that we were on the television show and my mom was his guardian for like six months. So we actually lived together when we were that age [about 10, 11 years old]. So we were probably a little closer that the rest of the kids that were on the show just because we had to share a bathroom.

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But, earlier this year, Timberlake was quick to set the record straight about the strength of their preteen friendship, and told The Hollywood Reporter, "We aren't the closest of friends, for whatever reason."

Gosling, who hails from Cornwall, Ont., has since gone on to earn two Oscar nominations; one for "Half Nelson" in 2007, and this year, for his work in "La La Land." He attended the telecast with his older sister, Mandi Gosling.

Also on HuffPost
In the ramp up to the 2017 Academy Awards, many Ryan Gosling fans had hoped and wondered if he would bring his lady, Eva Mendes.

I wonder if Ryan Gosling is going to bring Eva Mendes and walk the carpet with her or will she "stay home with this kids" again? #Oscars  Jaclyn Nicole (@JaclynPsyD) February 27, 2017

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I hope #RyanGosling doesn't let me down tonight. Eva must be with him, otherwise he will lose points with me.  Lovely (@KiwiSweetPie) February 27, 2017

All I want is to see Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes walk the red carpet together tonight. #Oscars  Marin Lindsay (@from_marin) February 26, 2017

But on Sunday night, the Canadian star left many disappointed, as he arrived sans Mendes on the red carpet.

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On Twitter, fans were quick to share their disappointment.

#ERedCarpet Ryan Gosling WITHOUT Eva? AGAIN????  Becky Ladensack (@BeckyLadensack) February 27, 2017

when will ryan gosling and eva mendes step out of their house together  charming taint man (@evanracheI) February 27, 2017

Every time I see Ryan Gosling, all I can think about is "What the hell happed to Eva Mendes?" #bgnoscarwatchparty  Derek Halliday (@DTHalliday) February 27, 2017

Gosling and Mendes havent made a planned public appearance together in the past five years. The last time the two were spotted at a public event together was at the premiere of their film The Place Beyond The Pines at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.

The couple originally met on the set of the film and have been dating ever since. They now have two children together: two-year-old Esmeralda Amada and nine-month-old Amada Lee.

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The couple is notoriously private, so Gosling's solo appearance at the Oscars shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. In fact, the couple rarely ever speaks about their relationship. However, at the Golden Globes last month, Gosling made a touching tribute to his longtime partner while accepting the award for Best Actor for the musical La La Land.

While I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences Ive ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second, and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer, the 36-year-old said.

If she hadn't have taken all that on so I could have this experience, there would surely be somebody up here other than me.

But although Mendes didn't accompany the La La Land star, Gosling still made the Oscars a family affair. As his date, the 36-year-old brought his sister, Mandi, who is pictured in the gold dress.

Right before Ryan stopped and kissed me on the cheek NOT KIDDING GUYS ALSO I DON'T SEE EVA #Oscarspic.twitter.com/grCfIkECx2  Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) February 27, 2017

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Just when you thought the "Moonlight" cast couldn't glo' up anymore than they already have this awards season, Calvin Klein comes along and casts Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, Alex Hibbert and Ashton Sanders for its new spring 2017 mens underwear campaign.

And the timing is perfect.

After already being the talk of the town this awards season, "Moonlight" won Best Picture at Sunday night's Oscars after a huge mixup on stage. Nonetheless, it was an award well deserved.

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In true CK form, the photos for the new campaign are of a minimalist aesthetic, and are shot in black and white.

But Calvin Klein  the brand  is no stranger to dressing the cast.

According to New York Times fashion director Vanessa Friedman, the label dressed Hibbert, Rhodes, and Sanders for Hollywood's biggest night, and many of the actors from the film also attended Calvin Klein's New York Fashion Week show.

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.@CalvinKlein appears to have outfitted a large chunk of the Moonlight cast (most of the were just at the #NYFW show) #Oscars  Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) February 26, 2017

Take a look at more of the gorgeous shots below.

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Despite the controversy surrounding his Academy Award nomination, Casey Affleck, who faced two lawsuits over accusations of alleged sexual harassment, still won the Oscar for Best Actor on Sunday.

And the Twitterverse wasn't too happy.

Actress Constance Wu was one of the few celebrities to share their outrage over Affleck's nomination back in January, positing that rewarding a man for his alleged lewd misconduct perpetuated sexism in Hollywood and violence against women.

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Casey Affleck poses in the press room at the 89th annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

just a reminder Casey Affleck has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women  Danielle Levy (@roserogue_) February 27, 2017

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Casey Affleck is avoiding eye contact with every woman in the room. #Oscars  ClickHole (@ClickHole) February 27, 2017

viola davis has murdered casey affleck in her head in 15 different ways already pic.twitter.com/CvvnD0LKE2  *** (@kenobarnes) February 27, 2017

Casey Affleck won Best Actor. Donald Trump is president. Tell me again how sexual assault charges can "ruin" a man's career.   Allie Beauregard (@AllieBeauregard) February 27, 2017

Casey Affleck should not have won. People who commit sexual harassment should lose their jobs, not be celebrated with honor and prestige.  Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) February 27, 2017

Women get fired for reporting sexual harassment and men win awards for committing it #oscars#CaseyAffleck  Preston Bradsher (@prestonleighb) February 27, 2017

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To survivors of assault after Casey Affleck's #Oscars win & praise of Mel Gibson: We stand with you. You are not alone.  NARAL (@NARAL) February 27, 2017

Fingers crossed the next plot twist that when we come back from commercial break Casey Affleck is being arrested.  Rob Michael (@robmichaelhugel) February 27, 2017

me: "congratulations to all the winners yall deserve it so much" casey affleck:"thank y-" me: pic.twitter.com/tx4MktK0iX  rawa (@stonesswift) February 27, 2017

One astute Twitter user pointed out the hypocrisy that Amber Heard, who accused ex-husband Johnny Depp of domestic violence, received hate for speaking out, while Affleck and Depp were rewarded and praised.

amber heard still receives so much hate but yet casey affleck and johnny depp are praised???   mads (@allisonstydias) February 27, 2017

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While others were quick to laud Oscar winner Brie Larson's reaction to having to hand out the award to Affleck.

I feel you @brielarson for not celebrating Casey Affleck, a sexual abuser & harasser. #Oscarspic.twitter.com/3x2AUTU3ih  Gilluis Perez (@Gilluis_Perez) February 27, 2017

brie larson everytime she sees casey affleck pic.twitter.com/nkQCta9JxZ  chiara (@chapmns) February 27, 2017

I really want Brie Larson to write about having to give Casey Affleck all the awards after winning for her portrayal of a rape survivor  Erika W. Smith (@erikawynn) February 27, 2017

Larson refused to applaud Affleck as he accepted his Oscar.

My aesthetic: Brie Larson not clapping for literal trash hole casey affleck pic.twitter.com/Ci5LWXLkCr  Tyler Struble (@tyler_struble) February 27, 2017

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She was also not impressed when she had to hand him a Golden Globe in January.

Back in 2010, a producer and a cinematographer accused Affleck of lewd behaviour and of making unwelcome sexual advances while shooting the movie "I'm Still Here," which Affleck directed.

The Daily Beast reports producer Amanda White alleged in her complaint that she was repeatedly harassed during the shoot.

"On one occasion, [White] claimed that Affleck ordered a crew member to take off his pants and show White his penis  even after she vehemently objected. She claimed that Affleck repeatedly referred to women as 'cows,' and recounted his sexual exploits with reckless abandon. In her complaint, White recalled Affleck asking her 'Isnt it about time you get pregnant?' once he learned her age, and suggesting that she and a male crew member reproduce," reports the Daily Beast.

Casey Affleck accepts the Best Actor award for "Manchester by the Sea" from presenter Brie Larson onstage onstagee during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Magdalena Gorka, a cinematographer on the film, alleged in court documents that "the lewd comments began almost immediately and continued daily, including sexual advances and suggestions that she sleep with her camera assistant, Antony Langdon  one of Afflecks good buddies and the guitarist for the British/American rock band Spacehog  who was hired as part of the crew," reports Mashable.

The complaint read, in part:

"Affleck had his arm around her and was caressing her back and his face was right next to hers. ... Plaintiff was shocked and repulsed because she did not know where he had touched her while she was sleeping. ... [Gorka] immediately jumped up and told Affleck to get out of her bed. Affleck responded by asking 'Why?' Plaintiff said 'Because you are married and because you are my boss.' Affleck, undeterred, asked if Plaintiff 'was sure.' Plaintiff said she was sure and insisted that he leave the room. Affleck left and slammed the door in anger."

The suits were settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Affleck has denied the allegations.

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My date for the Oscars!! Omg I could not be more proud!!! #oscars #academyawards #redcarpet #daddydaughter #victorywithmyNUMBERONE

A post shared by Jeremy Renner (@renner4real) on Feb 26, 2017 at 10:42pm PST
Conservative leadership hopeful Kevin OLeary has abruptly announced he is pulling out of a bilingual debate set for Tuesday in Edmonton.

OLearys 11th-hour exit will likely net his campaign a $10,000 fine from the party, and already has rival Lisa Raitt blasting him as a chicken.

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The businessman said in a statement on Monday that having 14 people on stage in Edmonton, answering the same questions, would leave no room for back and forth.

OLeary said in the release that his campaign team tried to change the format of the Edmonton debate to mirror the one held Friday at the Manning Centre Conference, where contenders broke off into smaller groups to discuss specific policy.

"Unfortunately, Party organizers have informed my team that despite all but one campaign agreeing to the change, they would be continuing with the terrible previous format, he said. "I am obviously disappointed.

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OLeary said he will still be in Edmonton Tuesday to speak with party members at an intimate fireside discussion, and will hold a media availability.

I hope the Party recognizes the mistake they have made in this decision and encourage them to reconsider this going forward, OLeary said.

I look forward to speaking directly with Albertans and I am confident that they will agree with my vision for the future of our Party and Canada as a whole.

Conservative spokesperson Cory Hann confirmed in an email to HuffPost that OLearys team approached the party about changing the format of the Edmonton event shortly after the Manning debate. The party said a change, just a few days out, would require unanimous consent from all campaigns.

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Our understanding is they were several short of obtaining a yes to the proposed change from the remaining 13 campaigns, so the format will remain as planned, Hann said.

OLeary is not bilingual but spoke about a minute of French  reading from prepared remarks  at an unofficial debate in a Montreal suburb earlier this month.

Other Tory contenders have said OLearys inability to speak the language fluently is disqualifying.

Raitt  whose campaign is targeting OLeary with an attack website  did not pull any punches after the news broke.

Each Tory leadership hopeful was asked to put up $50,000 as a refundable compliance fee. From that amount, the party will claw back any penalties from candidates who don't abide by party rules.

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With files from Althia Raj

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Kim Jong-nam was killed by a huge dose of the banned VX nerve agent and died a painful death within 15 to 20 minutes, AP reported Sunday quoting Malaysian authorities.

Malaysian Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam told reporters that the autopsy showed the dose of VX given to Kim was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes.

Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in the ambulance on the way to hospital. "VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that," he said.
We couldn't have predicted a bigger twist than the one that happened at this year's Oscars.

At the end of the night, when the award for Best Picture was announced, many thought "La La Land" would take it home. And presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty did announce that the musical film had won the night's biggest award.

But then things took quite the turn.

"There's a mistake," "La La Land" producer Jordan Horowitz said after the team had given their acceptance speeches. "Moonlight  you guys won best picture. This is not a joke. This is not a joke  Moonlight has won Best Picture."

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The cast and crew from "Moonlight," stunned, then took to the stage to accept their award.

"Very clearly, even in my dreams this could not be true," director Barry Jenkins declared. "But to hell with dreams, Im done with it, because this is true. Oh my goodness."

And of course, the internet went nuts.

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Live look at what happened at the #Oscars tonight... pic.twitter.com/34LJ8paU1d  Andrea Reyes (@AndreaLissette) February 27, 2017

But what the heck happened on stage?

Presenter Warren Beatty says he paused so long before the name was read because the envelope read Emma Stone, "La La Land.'' Actress Faye Dunaway read the name "La La Land'' after chiding Beatty for taking so long to read the winner.

So here's what happened: they gave Warren Beatty the Best Actress envelope (how?), he got confused, let Faye Dunaway take the fall. I think? pic.twitter.com/y54s51gs9y  Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 27, 2017

Watch moment Warren Beatty appears to take a second look inside envelope for Best Picture. #Oscarshttps://t.co/okqF3W9eBXpic.twitter.com/WtTf20ot4V  ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

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Beatty returned to the mic and amid silence, explained that he had opened the envelope and he was confused when it read "Emma Stone, La La Land." He had shown it to co-presenter Faye Dunaway briefly, as though he wanted her to read it, which she did, apparently assuming the Emma Stone part was off but the "La La" part correct.

"It's one of the strangest things that's ever happened to me," Beatty said backstage. "Thank God there were two of us up there," Dunaway responded.

The actress then asked Beatty, "Who else should I tell?"

"Everybody," he said.

At that point, a security guard tried to take the real envelope and Beatty said, "Security is not getting this. I'm giving it to (Moonlight director) Barry Jenkins at a later time." Beatty also refused to show it to anyone else.

And ABC News reported that the envelope in the legendary actors hands read "ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE" as he announced the nominees for Best Picture.

Some rumours began to circulate around the end of the night that Leonardo DiCaprio may have accidentally handed Beatty the wrong card. However Stone says that wasn't the case.

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"I fucking love Moonlight," the actress exclaimed. "Im so excited for Moonlight. It was an amazing thing to hear La La Land. We all would have loved to won Best Picture."

"I also was holding my Best Actress in a Leading Role card the whole time. Im not sure what happened, but I really wanted to talk to you guys first," the 28-year-old added, "I think everyones in a state of confusion still. Excitement but confusion. I think everyone is just so excited for Moonlight. Its such an incredible film."

No mistake of announcing the wrong winner has happened in Oscars' history, although there have been rumours in the past.

"It made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected," a bemused Jenkins, co-writer and director of "Moonlight," said backstage.

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"The folks at 'La La Land' were so gracious," he added. "I can't imagine being in their position and having to do that."

Jeez, Louise.

Watch the full fiasco below.

Watching the #Oscars producers slowly tell the #LaLaLand team they didn't win Best Picture is WILD. Keep your eyes on the background pic.twitter.com/3TRUWZAMjH  Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 27, 2017

Find out who else won big at the 2017 Oscars here.

With files from AP.

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toos via Getty Images Flags of British Columbia and Canada

By Michael Simpson

Few would argue that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent an aspirational agenda for our species in the coming 14 years. The 17 goals range in ambition from a world free of poverty to a survivable climate for life on land and underwater. Never before have the world's leaders agreed on such a lofty plan. But who will carry it out and what do Canadians, mired in a world of contracting political space, think of the global agenda? If you were a mayor in a small town in British Columbia or a town planner or if you were busy trying to run a food bank or a women's shelter how would these global dreams resonate?

Here in British Columbia we set out to answer this very question. After touring our province and holding 52 roundtable discussions with over 700 leaders and decision makers in over 30 communities we revealed an invisible mosaic of over 2200 organizations that are already working on the goals. Far from an agenda that is new, each and every one of these groups has been working on projects to solve our global predicament and they appear to be unstoppable.

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Realizing the enormity of this social movement, we began to map who these groups were and what they do. Today we have a digital, geospatial on-line map of British Columbia that anyone can filter to view who is working on any number of the SDGs from gender equality to climate change to eradicating hunger and poverty both domestically and internationally.

Different from the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs are universal, meaning every nation must tackle the challenges we face globally, both at home and abroad. Any person running a food bank in a small town or striving for gender equality in rural B.C. is very much a part of this global agenda. Clearly, it is the only way forward as we live with threats that cannot be solved at only an international, national, provincial or municipal scale. It means that far from being a federal or international responsibility, each province, municipality and First Nations governance structure must consider the goals. Quality education for example, or forestry and the health of terrestrial ecosystems are entirely provincial in nature. Sustainable communities and determining what that means is up to municipalities and local communities.

The good news is that many of them are doing exactly that. From Official Community Plans to local sustainability plans or provincial planning initiatives, many communities and regions have existing mechanisms in place that harmonize with the global goals. Almost everyone agrees, from every political stripe, that the key to success will be political leadership at these various scales to increase our efforts.

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In B.C., we have an election coming up in May 2017 followed by municipal elections next year and a federal one in 2019. One of the key recommendations from the roundtables was to make sure the SDGs were on every candidate's mind. To that effect, six communities in B.C. have stepped up to organize all candidates meetings that will focus on the goals in March and April. We have also queried each of the party leaders on the SDGs and have a candidate's questionnaire on how our aspiring politicians propose to tackle them. Each riding has been mapped and we are comparing existing planning tools to the 17 goals and 169 sub-targets that the UN is calling for. We will be offering "scorecards" so each candidate will understand their communities' progress on the goals.

The SDGs are a clear path toward global cooperation in a world of increasing transnational challenges. Recently, our global discourse appears to have taken a turn toward national contraction. With Brexit and the rise of populist, inward-looking politicians we appear to be moving away from a common future and the dream of "leaving no one behind" to a "me-first" ethos. No one can deny the impact this kind of thinking will have on our ability to tackle climate change or find solutions to our problems given that time is of the essence.

However, this is a cynical view based on reading the never-ending news about Trump. It is not based on engaging with people who are changing the world, on the ground, every day in our communities. This invisible mosaic of thousands of inspiring change makers clearly shows that our global trend toward national contraction is an evolutionary adjustment. The path forward is clear, compelling, and will overwhelm these recent setbacks in the long run. It is a question of how quickly we can get back on track. The evidence in British Columbia is that our collective desire for a better world for everyone, painstakingly achieved at every scale from the local to the global, is inevitable. The proof is on the ground. Evolution has a way of winning, particularly when it comes to ideas, ethos and compassion. The invisible mosaic, with less noise and fanfare, is proof of this endurance.

Michael Simpson is the Executive Director of the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation and a board member of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation. Through BCCIC he hosts the Inter-Council Network of Provincial and Regional Councils in Canada.

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The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CCIC or its members.
Residents of Gardi Sugdub are the first to be moved by the government to the Panama mainland as the sea rises, but several other communities will soon be impacted.
In one of the worst terrorist attacks in Canadian history, six men -- fathers -- were gunned down as they prayed at a Quebec mosque, leaving 17 children from our community fatherless.

The attack, for the most part, was not labelled "terrorism" by the media who instead focused on the requirements of naming it a "terrorist" attack.

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In comparison, attacks in which "Muslims" are identified, this scrutiny doesn't seem to be in place. This has unearthed the trauma that Muslim Canadians experience as they increasingly face two Canadas.

Which of these radicals will be the next Alexander Bisonnette? Which of our brothers, sisters or their children might die next?

In one Canada, barely two weeks since the terror attack, as the community was just processing its grief, a group of just over a dozen people showed up to "celebrate Islamophobia" outside of a Toronto mosque when Friday prayer was taking place. The group moved from one Muslim space to another with signs and chants that Muslims don't belong here.

As a community leader and principal, I listened once again to the fears and anguish of community members, women wondering if they should "wear hijab," fears about "taking children to prayer spaces" while hearing others ask which of these radicals will be the next Alexander Bisonnette? Which of our brothers, sisters or their children might die next?

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A Montreal mosque was vandalized in the wake of the Quebec City massacre (Photo: Jeewan Chanicka)

Muslims continue to be traumatized and fearful for their safety. They are grieving and in pain. We have been questioned about our identities and ability to "truly be" Canadian, our commitment to our home, our values, our patriotism.

We continue to be scapegoated and not well-represented in media coverage. As a history teacher, I have flashbacks to Hitler's rise and his demonization of Jews.

This is happening at the backdrop of Motion 103 brought to Parliament by MP Iqra Khalid designed to focus on Systemic Racism and Islamophobia. The Conservative party dedicated one of their few opposition days to debating the motion insisting the word Islamophobia be removed.

As a history teacher, I have flashbacks to Hitler's rise and his demonization of Jews.

Although a motion is symbolic with no legislative effect, and Khalid read horrific hate mail that she and her staff received, the opposition MPs argued that this will affect free speech and that taking Islamophobia out would make it more "inclusive."

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Conservative party leadership candidates are fanning the flames of fear, hatred and anti-Muslim sentiment by claiming that Muslims are coming to take away "Canada's values."

Hate crimes against Canadian Muslims have doubled over three years. In this Canada, we can't say a word that defines the hate we face and is being used to silence and rob us of our lives and presence within the national fabric.

If we can't even say what harms us, as Canada has done for other communities in the past, then it means Canadian Muslim lives have no value. When our children have to cross lines of hate in order to pray, where do they belong?

Painfully, "inclusivity" is being hijacked to erase not only the hate we face as a community but also our presence.

Painfully, "inclusivity" is being hijacked to erase not only the hate we face as a community but also our presence. And while we may look to the south, the current tactics being used by the Conservatives is enabling is the rise of white supremacy in Canada. They are going against Canadian values, stopping freedom of speech and, in fact, creating conditions where hatred can grow.

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In the "other" Canada, the last Conservative government ran on an Islamophobic campaign and lost because of an increased voter turnout. It is here that we are hopeful.

I continue to believe that fellow Canadians will not be silent, but instead stand up and speak out. In Ontario, my hope is that the Anti-Racism Directorate not only acknowledge that the highest rising type of hate crimes are those against Muslims but also articulate an explicit strategy to address it.

In this Canada, after the terrorist attack in Quebec, Canadians by the tens of thousands came out to show love and solidarity. Fourteen thousand Canadians showed up on the streets of Toronto to say this is not the Canada they want. They poured out at vigils, in the cold to console us, grieve with us and stand with us through our tears.

They left messages of hope and symbolically wrapped mosques in their embrace despite freezing temperatures, so we could pray in peace. Their message was clear, Islamophobia has no place in Canada.

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Counter-protesters come to help protect the Masjid Toronto mosque (Photo: Jeewan Chanicka)

Approximately 12 hateful people showed up outside the mosque to intimidate and scare people, the response on that day was over 1200 people joined a Facebook group Coalition Against White Supremacy and Islamophobia.

In this Canada, the solidarity shown by all leaders in Ontario's legislature voting unanimously to support a motion against Islamophobia is possible. It is the same one where allies showed up immediately to stand in solidarity at the Toronto mosque.

In fact, these allies have now formed a "rapid response" team to be able to show up and support if hate-mongers show up again. The following week, the mosque, in time for Friday prayer, was wrapped in a display of love. What was even more moving were the conversations, gratitude and displays of love and respect. It recognizes that racism and hatred will affect all communities and we must work together for the Canada we want, one in which diversity that includes but not limited to race, class, sexual orientation, immigration status, creed, gender and in solidarity with indigenous peoples, is a strength.

This young man brought flowers for allies protecting Masjid mosque (Photo: Jeewan Chanicka)

When they show hate, we will continue to show love. We cannot allow the Conservative party and its hate-inspired identity politics to destroy a vision we continue to build. The people united, will never be defeated.

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This is the Canada that I will do everything I can to support. I invite you to do the same.

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As a scientist in training, I appreciate nothing more than an opportunity to share my research with the world. After countless hours in the lab, I was ecstatic to present my work at two conferences and a seminar. I was about to pack my bags when I heard that the new president of the United States had signed an executive order banning individuals from seven majority-Muslim countries. As an Iranian-born Canadian citizen, I was included in the first iteration of that ban. I was disappointed.

Soon after I turned on the news, I came across images of helpless Syrian children and desperate women living in unimaginably horrific circumstances. I could almost hear their sobs from their still images. I felt their pain as if it was my own. They were heartbroken; they were just told that the land of opportunity had turned its back on them. But they were innocent, their only crime was the bloodshed they were escaping from.

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I did not know what it means to live in war, but I knew someone who did. My great grandmother from my mother's side was a Jewish Russian teenager when her parents were killed during the Second World War. She had sought refuge in the northern parts of Iran. Her wish was granted; however, she was forced to convert to Islam.

Like most refugees, she became a contributor to her community. As a child, I remember she always had difficulties conforming to the Islamic norms that existed in Iran. For instance, on many occasions she would walk outside her house with little to no hijab. Of course, I did not know about her past at the time. It was years later when my family told me about what she had gone through. In a way, perhaps the main reason we moved to Canada was to be able to live in a world synonymous with freedom. I was appalled to witness innocent people sharing the same fate as my great grandmother decades ago. I wondered, have we learned nothing?

The Canadian spirit demands acceptance, and we will be stronger because of it.

A couple of days after the ban was announced, it was reported that Canadian citizens would be exempted from the executive order. While I was relieved to not go through the hassles of canceling flights and hotels, I was far from content. How could I be happy about presenting at a conference when an Iranian infant in need of life-saving surgery was banned? How could I be selfish enough to ignore the countless people being denied the same opportunities that I was given?

For the first time in my life, I began to understand the meaning of depression. But that depression was soon replaced with hope. Maybe it was because I saw people around the world peacefully protesting injustice. Maybe it was because I had received invaluable support from many when I too was banned. Or maybe it was because I am just an optimistic person. However, it is hard to not be inspired when the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that "to those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength."

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To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017

Strength in diversity is indeed displayed in the current Canadian cabinet. In Canada, you are judged based only on your contributions and qualifications. That is how Harjit Sajjan, a Sikh-Canadian born in India, can become the minster of national defence; or Maryam Monsef, an Iranian-born Afghan, Canadian can become the minister of status of women. Sajjan, Monsef and many others are here because once upon a time Canada welcomed them.

There are many parts of the Middle East that are drowning in war and conflict while many western leaders seem to be in utter negligence. It is time for Canada to lead by example yet again. The Canadian spirit demands acceptance, and we will be stronger because of it.

Iran will always have a special place in my heart, for it is my birth place. But Canada has raised me to be the man I am today. Canada has taught me that respect is discrimination's kryptonite, and that all people believe in the same fundamental values. We all want to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of the god we may choose to worship. After all, we are all human, first and foremost, and Canada recognizes that principle better than any other nation on earth.

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Indeed, I am proud to call myself a Canadian.

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There was at least one matter of vital global interests that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed on when they met recently in Washington, D.C. -- that the opioid crisis sweeping North America was unprecedented, that opioid deaths had shot up in both countries and that opioid trafficking knows no borders. International collaboration is essential.

According to an April 2016 Kaiser Family Foundation survey, fully one-third of Americans who are given prescription opioids become addicted within two months. Roughly 11 per cent of 48,000 random Internet users across 60 countries surveyed by our data firm in November said they knew a friend (even if a distant friend) or family member who had died of an opioid overdose in the past year. In Canada, the figure is 15 per cent. In the United States, where more than 55,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2015 (a higher tally than gun homicides), it is 19 per cent.

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The main culprit for the spike in the death rate is no longer heroin but fentanyl, a synthetic drug up to 50 times as strong as heroin. Fentanyl's spread has brought the world face to face with what has turned into a pandemic.

Amidst hundreds of opioid class action lawsuits in the United States and Canada filed on behalf of users of a wide number of prescription pain pills, there is an inescapable public health fact that eludes the well-intentioned rhetoric of law enforcement and policy makers. It is this: the challenge is more complex than fentanyl or any one opioid. The pandemic adapts to selective pressures; ever-new combinations of drugs are forever in kitchen production. Many effects of drugs are synergistic: benzodiazepines and opioids can be fatal when combined.

Opioid abuse accounts for a climbing suicide rate and widespread economic malaise.

Even drugs used to treat opioid addiction are being abused and combined with traditional opiates, leading to deadly consequences. Examples are methadone, a long-acting opiate, and suboxone, a partial agonist of opiate receptors.

Few scientific labs have the wherewithal to detect minute (but lethal) traces of fentanyl in street pills. And a sinister analog, carfentanil, is increasingly seeping onto the streets affecting young and old. The elderly, unexpectedly, are among the fastest growing segment of drug abusers, but no one is immune. Across suburban America, opioid abuse accounts for a climbing suicide rate and widespread economic malaise.

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Doctors have been admonished for prescribing too many opioids, but should reining in doctors be the paramount policy solution? What about patients in pain? According to a recent report in the Washington Post, pharmaceutical companies in Brazil and China are bucking the trend by running training seminars urging doctors to prescribe more painkillers rather than less.

The public is left frustrated and confused. Meanwhile, many physicians are addicts themselves. Today, approximately 10 to 14 per cent of all U.S. doctors will become substance-dependent over their lifetime. Physician recovery programs are instructive since their success rate is close to 90 per cent, the highest of any recovery programs. The physician needs to sign a five-year agreement that entails regular recovery meeting attendance, individual and group therapy and random drug testing. The goal is to provide a supportive framework long on accountability but short on stigma.

We should reject a political and legal climate that makes physicians stop prescribing opiates to people in pain. A "just-say-no-to-prescribing-opiates" policy pushes patients onto the street where each buy is a game of Russian roulette; the ingredients of street drugs are essentially unknown.

We need Trump's touted deal-making skills and Trudeau's compassionate stance toward drug users to promote a global solution.

The introduction of fatal synthetic fentanyl doses into street pills marks new terrain in the illicit drug trade around the world. The war on opioids now requires the coordinated expertise of cyber engineers, law enforcement agents, economists, clinicians, patient groups and public health officials. Vague policy recommendations (shame and scare tactics) that may or may not have worked in other contexts are risible in this pandemic.

President Trump plans to tackle America's addiction epidemic by increasing drug treatment access and controlling illegal immigration. He wants to close shipping loopholes that allow China to ferry fentanyl into the United States. But the amount of fentanyl (think of half-finger-sized vials) needed to infect synthetic legal pills and thereby addict a whole neighbourhood in a mega-city is so tiny and so undetectable that even very strong borders are not sufficiently protective.

We need Trump's touted deal-making skills and Trudeau's compassionate stance toward drug users to promote a global solution that confronts the opioid pandemic as if it were the plague. We conduct research. We gather epidemiological data. We block the spread. We educate the public. We get rid of the conduits. We care for the sick.

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When something goes wrong it can be handled with grace, style, and class; or it can be handled with blame, finger pointing, and a definite lack of class.

Late Sunday night at the 2017 Academy Awards show we saw a little of both as the Best Picture award was given to the wrong film.

Indeed this moment will go down in history. I'm hoping this history remembers the grace, style, and class of the moment by La La Land Producer Jordan Horowitz, and even Warren Beatty.

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Producer Jordan Horowitz was well into his acceptance speech before the mistake was realized, and without skipping a beat, he stepped up the plate and gave away the best award of his life.

You're right if you said it wasn't his award to begin with, but at that moment, it certainly felt like it I'm sure.

Instead of letting someone else make the announcement, instead of waiting to see if perhaps the Academy was going to fix this mistake after the fact, or even "share" the award with the movie Moonlight, he announced that his movie was not the Best Picture, and the award belonged to the team for Moonlight.

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Imagine yourself in the same situation. A very public situation, where you have been given the greatest honour of your career. Things are in disarray, confusion is everywhere, and somewhere the light has gone off in your head, and you realize that something perhaps went wrong and there perhaps was a mistake made.

Most people would continue on the path that was started; in this case the acceptance speech. Most people would wait for someone else to make the decision on how this very awkward situation was to be handled. Most people would not do what Jordan Horowitz did, and not only did he handle a situation he had no part in creating; he handled it with grace, style, and class.

I was impressed and amazed at his actions in what had to be a very confusing moment in time.

Warren Beatty then took the award for grace, style, and class when he clearly explained what happened, all without every blaming Faye Dunaway.

Faye Dunaway was the one who read the name of the wrong film, and at no point did he throw her under the bus. He could have easily said, "Faye read the wrong film name." He could have easily claimed that he had done nothing wrong and that it wasn't "his fault." Instead, he calmly explained the situation, all without blame, and handled it beautifully.

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I was in awe of how well it was handled until Jimmy Kimmel decided to take over. "Warren, what have you done?" was 100% the wrong thing to say.

I appreciate that Kimmel was trying to lighten the moment with what he does best; humour. Instead of being funny, it was uncomfortable, and it reeked of blame.

It was a completely unnecessary comment and took away some of my appreciation for the awards show.

To be fair, it was a very confusing moment. I'm not sure how I would have handled the situation. Can you imagine having to fix a very public mistake in front of all your peers and millions of viewers? You would naturally assume that your credibility was on the line and you needed the world to know it wasn't your fault.

It was human error that caused the mistake, but in the end, does it matter who made that mistake?

For whatever reason, it is human nature to want to blame someone. It must be someone else's responsibility, and while that will potentially become important, at that moment in time, it certainly might not be.

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I hope that the next time something goes wrong, or not according to plan, that instead of worrying about who caused the mistake we worry more about getting the mistake corrected instead of worrying about who caused it.

The award for grace, style and class goes to Producer Jordan Horowitz.

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The five things you need to know on Monday, February 27

1) WINNING HERE?

Just imagine if the returning officer in the Copeland by-election had announced, the winner of the by-election isLabours Gillian Troughton! Jeremy Corbyn and his allies wouldnt have faced a weekend of ridicule and Labour MPs wouldnt be fearing for their seats once more. But Tory candidate Trudy Harrison was the real winner, of course, and we should see her arrive to huge cheers of colleagues today at the Commons. Maybe the PM will personally welcome her to the steps of St Stephens?

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Shami Chakrabarti was on the Andrew Marr show yesterday to blame the historic Copeland result on everything but Corbyn (at one point saying Labour voters dont have cars and dont cope with bad weather). Which was odd, as JC himself had written in the Sunday Mirror that of course I take my share of responsibility. In a speech in Scotland he added Copeland showed "the scale of how hard our task is to persuade people of our message.

Meanwhile, Clive Lewis gave our Owen Bennett a rather strange response to news that a cliveforleader website was created two days after he joined the Shadow Cabinet last year. As if to prove that too-clever-by-half quotes dont work on simple questions, his office later insisted it was categorically untrue hed had anything to do with the website.

Amid all the constant comparisons between Corbyn and Michael Foot, theres the sad news that Sir Gerald Kaufman has died, aged 86. It was Kaufman who famously described Foots 1983 manifesto as the longest suicide note in history, and his passing will trigger yet another by-election in a Labour seat (though with an enormous majority). Kaufman and Corbyn had little to unite them, but I suspect the Labour leader will never forget the Manchester Gorton MPs frequent and scathing Commons criticism of Israels treatment of the Palestinians.

On this day, 117 years ago, the Labour party was effectively founded after a meeting in Farringdon to create a Labour Representation Committee. All these years on, just how far from power is the party today? Im told some PLP officers have told Corbyn they want him to turn up to the weekly PLP meeting tonight to explain Copeland. Lets see if hes got something else in his diary.

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2) START OF THE PEER SHOW

The EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill has its Committee Stage this week and we could see our first actual votes on amendments. If ministers fail to come up with concessions, theres a 50-50 chance that on Wednesday peers will vote on EU citizens rights. In an interview with HuffPost, Labours leader in the Lords Baroness Smith made clear she was confident she had the numbers to defeat the Government. Former civil service chief Lord Kerslake told Westminster Hour the Governments stance on the issue was inhumane and self-defeating.

The other big issue is of course the amendment to give Parliament a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal. Ministers and No.10 have sounded bullish on not writing any new pledges into the face of the bill. Michael Heseltine told the Mail on Sunday he would vote with other Tory rebels, so a second defeat looms on that too early next month at Report Stage. (At least one peer wont be voting with the Government either at Committee or Report stage: Baroness Vere has tweeted shes on honeymoon and wont be back until March 9). John Major is only a knight, not a peer, but the Sun says he has a speech today warning of the downsides of Brexit. Expect Tory MPs to line up to attack both Hezza and Major as relics of a bygone age.

But Downing Street is already looking beyond the passage of the Brexit bill to the day of triggering Article 50. On Peston, Amber Rudd all but confirmed the Sunday Times story that curbs to freedom of movement would start on day one of the negotiations. The Times today reports that on day one, No10 is expecting another challenge to present itself: Nicola Sturgeon demanding a second referendum on Scottish indpendence.

3) FREEMANS CATALOGUE

Tory MP George Freeman has the honour of being the chair of the PMs Policy Board. And its because of that title that he probably felt duty bound to be ultra-loyal on behalf of the Government in defending its plans to restrict disability benefits. But that title is also why hes getting a real kicking for suggesting that people with anxiety and other mental health conditions are not really disabled. Hes not just any ordinary backbencher.

Freeman uttered the fateful words on John Pienaars BBC 5Live show yesterday as he attacked bizarre decisions by tribunals that recommended widening eligibility for Personal Independent Payment (PIP). As I said on Friday, the DWP plan to defy the tribunals was slipped out on by-election day. Freeman has hit back at Labour, pointing out he himself had suffered from anxiety, but the damage has been done. I would be amazed if we didnt see either an Urgent Question granted or an Oral Statement made by the DWP.

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The row risks undermining Theresa Mays own speeches on mental health, as well as claims that the Government wants to give parity of esteem to mental and physical conditions. The DWP plans to change the law without consulting the governments own statutory Social Security Advisory Committee. Tory MP Heidi Allen pointed out on the Today prog that she was unhappy with the fast-tracked legislation and the way ministers had handled the whole affair.

BECAUSE YOUVE READ THIS FAR

Watch Jeremy Corbyn do a Kevin Keegan on Sky News

4) SCHOOL DAZE

As Ive been saying in recent WaughZones, slowly, surely, the problems with schools funding are rising up the political agenda. Today, the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Governors Association - neither hotbeds of revolution - have written to the Chancellor to use his Budget to deliver the investment that schools so desperately need.

They highlight seven key areas of concern: overall funding, the impact of the apprenticeship levy, the cut to the education services grant, shortfalls in high needs funding, sufficient funding for sixth forms, funding for early years including protecting nursery schools, and automatic registration for pupil premium pupils.

Meanwhile the IFS has a damning report on the real cinderella of the education world: sixth forms and further education colleges. Older teenagers have been the biggest losers as funding was "continually squeezed" for 25 years, the think tanks says.

5) TRUSS ME, IM A LORD CHANCELLOR

Liz Truss holds the historic post of Lord Chancellor, despite (like predecessors Chris Grayling and Michael Gove) not ever having been a lawyer. But civil servants are citing the Justice Secretarys quasi-judicial duties in the job as a reason for the lack of Parliamentary scrutiny over a huge decision shes just made today.

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I posted a story last night that Trusss plans to change the discount rate for personal injury compensation would have profound implications, with forecasts that the NHS could end up with a 1bn-a-year bill in higher medical negligence payouts. This morning, that figure looks pretty close after the MoJ told the Stock Market she was slashing the rate to -0.75%. Insurers warn that motorists car insurance bills will now go up too. After already being hammered with insurance premium tax, expect the insurance industry millions will pay for Trusss announcement.

Critics say Truss has caved to civil servants and to judicial review threats from the personal injury lawyers. Yet the strangest thing is that the quasi-judicial defence means until today there has been no written ministerial statement or even proper replies to MPs Parliamentary questions on such a big change.

SUNDAY SHOWS ROUND-UP

Had a lie-in? Got a life? Catch up on the best bits (and video clips) of the Sunday morning political shows with our superb round-up HERE.

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Kimberley Howe's blistering thriller, The Freedom Broker, has already racked up a number of notable fans, including thriller legends James Patterson and Lee Child, and it's easy to see why. Kimberley has thoroughly researched the world of kidnap and ransom and brought it to life through her compelling protagonist, Thea Paris. I was fortunate to meet Kimberley at the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and was struck by the depth of her research. Kidnapping is a fascinating, brutish crime, and in certain parts of the world it's increasingly being used as an economic weapon. I caught up with Kimberley earlier this month to talk to her about The Freedom Broker and get her views on this unsettling trend.

Author Kimberley Howe

Photo: KJ Howe

Kimberley spent much of her childhood overseas, living in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Kimberley says: "I developed a situational awareness--or a greater vigilance about my surroundings--than if I had lived in Canada all my life. Kidnapping was a crime that stood out to me as particularly troubling. It's a purgatory of sorts, the rest of the world going on with their normal lives while yours is frozen in time, every decision of every day governed by your abductors. Kidnapping goes against the natural grain--our instinctive reaction to threats is to fight or flee. Both of these responses can result in serious consequences for hostages."

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Kimberley immersed herself in the world of kidnap and ransom.

"When I decided to write about kidnapping, I attended a conference and started building relationships with the generous and heroic people who work in this industry. They were kind enough to introduce me to other individuals with a background in different aspects of kidnapping. I spent time interviewing response consultants--the industry term for kidnap negotiators--as well as former hostages, reintegration specialists, kidnap & ransom insurance experts, and Special Forces soldiers who deliver ransoms and execute rescues."

The Freedom Broker

Photo: Headline Publishing Group

Kimberley's research points to a worrying global trend. She notes: "There are over 40,000 reported kidnappings a year, and that number is on the rise. This issue has become an international crisis. In many third world countries, displaced police and military are turning to kidnapping as a way of putting food on the table. They have the required security skills to manage the abduction and captivity of hostages, and kidnapping can be quite lucrative. Since 2009, terrorists have raised over $125 million via kidnapping. It is one of the key ways they are filling their coffers. In certain countries, prosecution of kidnappers is quite rare, so it's becoming a profitable business model for these groups."

The issue has become so serious that the US government has established a specialist agency. Kimberley says: "Former President Obama created a new agency called the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, the HRFC, which is a multi-agency group spearheaded by the FBI. The HRFC focuses on Americans kidnapped abroad and having an agency focused on this issue creates a united approach. Response consultants work closely with law enforcement, but they also have the freedom to do things that are considered outside the box. That's why I chose to make my character Thea Paris a private security specialist, as it gave me more flexibility for her to use unique approaches to bring hostages back home. Just how closely a response consultant will work with local law enforcement is determined by how much the consultant believes they can trust the local authorities, which varies greatly depending on locale."

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Kimberley has some valuable advice for anyone venturing to a kidnapping hotspot:

Practice the buddy system at all times. Statistically, individuals are the easiest targets for kidnappers.

Inform trusted associates or family members of your comings and goings, and check in regularly.

Maintain a low profile. Dress modestly, don't wear expensive jewelry, and don't openly carry valuable cameras or electronics.

Control your alcohol intake. Alcohol makes you less alert to your surroundings, and being inebriated can make you a soft target.

Carry a mobile phone, but don't use it while out in public. Instead, be alert and aware, watching for anything that feels wrong.

Avoid public transit. This is especially true for women traveling alone. Instead, hire a driver recommended by your hotel. It may cost a little more, but safety has no price.

Vary your patterns. Kidnappers often stalk their victims to know the target's schedules and favourite haunts. Be unpredictable, change your routine.

Anyone headed to regions where kidnapping is prevalent should consider securing kidnap and ransom insurance.

Kimberley is tackling another difficult theme in Skyjack, the second book in The Freedom Broker series, which will be published next year. This time, Thea Paris is shepherding two former child soldiers from Africa to London to introduce them to their newly adoptive family when their plane is hijacked.

"The plight of child soldiers in Africa has always deeply affected me. I lived in Kenya for three years when I was a kid, and I wanted to write about this important issue. There is a non-profit group called AMREF that tries to help these youngsters, and I hope The Freedom Broker and Skyjack will raise awareness and encourage more people to become involved in rescuing these children who are forced to become soldiers in wars they don't understand. It's a heartbreaking situation."

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The Freedom Broker is available now. You can follow Kimberley on Twitter @KJHoweAuthor.
That means the court is all set to reach a ruling before acting chief justice Lee Jung-mi retires on March 13.

President Park Geun-hye will not be testifying in the final hearing of her impeachment trial on Monday, a possibility the defense had dangled before the Constitutional Court in an apparent bid to drag out proceedings.

Meanwhile acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn, a Park loyalist, has decided not to extend the mandate of the independent counsel investigating the massive corruption scandal that has brought the president down.

In a press conference on Monday, a spokesman from Hwang's office said the acting president had been "agonizing over the extension for weeks" but decided not to extend the mandate as the investigation is almost done and the rest can be finalized by the prosecutors. That means the probe by the independent counsel wraps up on Tuesday.

Emotions are running high among protesters as the Constitutional Court's ruling approaches. Huge crowds of opponents and die-hard supporters of Park rallied in downtown Seoul on Saturday, and the protests are expected to continue over the next two weeks.

Supporters plan a massive rally on March 1 Independence Movement Day, with the implausible aim of gathering 5 million of Park's mostly elderly fans for a march on Cheong Wa Dae. Opponents will also hold major demonstrations across the nation with more than 2 million expected to participate.
'What's good for the planet is good for the economy', rang the message at SWITCH! Vivienne Westwood's Climate Revolution event on Monday evening at Fabric in London.

Rocking a DIY crown made from rubbish and plastic waste, and emblazoned with the name of green energy supplier Ecotricity, Westwood urged the 900 strong audience - including Pamela Anderson and Gwendoline Christie - to take back control from 'the rotten banking system', and build a 'world for the future'. 'There is one truly political act you can make as an individual or a group, switch to green energy. Stop the demand for burning fossil fuels and further fracking, and make choices that stop climate change.'

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Pamela Anderson

Photo by Jeremy Rice Photography

Charli XCX and Ellie Goulding

Photo by Jeremy Rice Photography

Artwork by Climate Revolution

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Gwendoline Christie

Photo by Jeremy Rice Photography

Naming her Autumn Winter 2016/17 collection after Ecotricity, Westwood has been championing the green energy provider since meeting their founder Dale Vince. Inspired by his ethos, Dame Vivienne has transitioned the energy supply for the majority of her business premises to their green energy and green gas, and is aiming to be entirely supplied by Ecotricity by 2017.

Westwood tells the crowd her colourful crown is a democratic one. Symbolising the power of the people, something that is at heart of Climate Revolution's SWITCH! campaign. A continuation of the activist's ongoing movement of opposition to the current political and economic system. Climate Revolution are aiming to get half of the UK to make the SWITCH! to green energy in the next 5 years.

Dame Vivienne Westwood

Photo by Jeremy Rice Photography

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince says, 'It's great to see Vivienne taking this step and setting out a target to have half of Britain powered by green energy... It's not as madly ambitious as it sounds, because last year 25% of our electricity came from green energy, so it can be done and we are right behind this goal.'

Announcing that she is 'starting with the fashion industry', Vivienne said she would love to see 'Harrods lit up' with green energy! As fabulous and fun as that sounds, her message on climate change is very clear. The power is in our hands. Act now or face future ruin.

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If we were in any doubt about how serious a predicament we are in, projected behind Westwood is a giant map. Which shows NASA's prediction of how uninhabitable most of the planet will be by the end of the century, if climate change goes unchecked.

Artwork by Climate Revolution

Westwood challenges us all to be intellectuals, activists and commit the ultimate political act... to SWITCH! and go green.

To find out more about switching to green energy, visit Ecotricity. To join the Climate Revolution, visit their site, here, where you can also find out how to make your own crown!

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Limited Edition Vivienne Westwood Tote Bag 20 from the London Fashion Week Festival

Image by London Fashion Week Festival

And if you're keen to support and spread the message further, Westwood has designed a limited edition tote bag for this year's London Fashion Week Festival. Featuring the above map and available to buy at LFWF for 20 each, 50% of profits will be donated to Dame Vivienne's charity of choice, Fuel Poverty Action, which works with pensioners groups, tenants associations and others who provide practical aid in the form of blankets, draft-proofing, as well as helping people to get their debts written off.
As a family unit we don't really 'do' bars and pubs much. My younger, but legally old enough to drink, brother is the fiercest opponent to drinking with family. Still of the age where drinking alcohol is with the sole purpose of getting bladdered, he sees no point in going for a drink in a bar with the 'rents. I'm slightly older and consider myself in that one regard, slightly kinder. When my parents were on a day trip from Portsmouth to London I defied my sibling's wishes to leave my parents in the dark about London's nightlife and dragged them, unawares to Ice Bar London.

I kept it a secret until we arrived at the destination, so they were surprised when we were greeted at the entrance with thermal fur-lined coats and gloves. At first my mum was horrified that she wasn't dressed appropriately. The lady attending the door and greeting customers assured her that her boots were fine and that the coats would keep her cosy. Once that hurdle was over with the excitement kicked in.

They were in a bar, a London bar, and not just any bar, a bar whose interior is made entirely of ice. Pardon the pun, but this was 'cool', by anyone's standards, and as my sixty-something parents slunk smugly through the entrance and headed to the bar, their faces said it all. They were very impressed indeed. No sooner had we been given our drinks, my father had spotted the small area of seating in the corner of the room, beelined for it, and popped himself down. Insisting it was more fun to 'watch' when seated, and terrified of another group of visitors who were clearly eyeballing the seats, he remained glued to the chair for the entire 45 minute session. The sensation of being in what is essentially an ice chamber is certainly unusual and my dad seemed to think of it like an attraction in which, much to my amusement, he took on the role of both commentator and spectator. Myself and my mother mingled in a duo around the room looking at the quirky ice sculptures, a mixture of animal theme and London landmarks. The theme at the moment is 'wild in the city'. A giant gorilla head was the most popular of the sculptures, and the two of us eventually fought our way through the buzzing crowd and earned ourselves a snap alongside it. I adjusted my fur hood, feeling sure that this photo would rear its face at the next family get-together.

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The three of us were impressed with the drinks menu which had plenty of variety in terms of both spirits and flavours. You get good value for your money, as they certainly pack a punch...even despite the ice cold temperatures, two cocktails in and we were feeling merry. Served in ice glasses that slowly mould to your lips as you sip, it's pretty special. You can swap for a new glass if you want. I'm pretty hot on minimising the damage that I do the environment, so was really pleased to have my conscience regarding the water wastage in this instance eased. It takes 40 tonnes of ice to build the ice bar and all the other icy components, and every drop of that water is from an environmentally friendly source. Its cut out of, and shipped over from the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Northern Sweden. Ice Bar London work hard to ensure the sustainability of their concept, and strongly believe in the importance of protecting the environment. In this respect I think that Ice Bar has a better offering to other UK based venues which feature ice sculptures (I heard there were a heap at Winter Wonderland, but to my knowledge none of the water/ice is ecologically sourced). In addition, although the theme of the bar changes frequently enough, the brains behind Ice Bar are respectful of the hard work and creativity that goes into the designs, and the theme changes every few months.

Before we left the ice bar my dad, who is Iranian, said that he would like to go from there to a bar where it was hot and sandy, and you could sit on Persian carpets drinking cold drinks and smoking hookahs (shishas). The coats and gloves are incredibly effective at staving off the cold, but after half an hour or so of sipping from an ice-cup, the lip chill does start to seep in a tad. But that is all part and parcel of the fun, and novelty of the experience.

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It may not have been the Sahara dessert but we warmed up in the next best thing, the cosy, not-icy, bar. Friends of mine have said good things about the cocktail menu, and happily, I was not disappointed. I can say with confidence that the cocktail which I had was hands down the best sweet cocktail i've had yet. It was a sweet one, a beveragey-spin on a crumble desert, even topped with crumble topping. I had asked the waiter his favourite and he had highly recommended it to me... and it was a fantastic choice. My dad opted for his favourite- a whisky, and my mum chose a chic cosmopolitan (not one she'd seen on the menu but one which the barman was more than happy to make). The waiters and barman in the warm bar matched the high standards of those in the ice bar, combining knowledge and attentiveness with a friendly demeanour. The bar was chilled and snug, and the three of us whiled the best part of an hour away effortlessly, before drifting off home ward bound, tummies nicely rounded by tasty drinks.

Our favourite things about the ice bar (in dad, mum, myself order respectively).

The ingenuity.

The atmosphere.

That crumble cocktail...
As I write this, I am in Jos, in the Plateau State in Northern Nigeria, some four and a half hours car drive from Abuja. Women for Women International has been operating in Jos and the Plateau State since 2003 when violence escalated between Muslim and Christian communities. It has been our mission here to foster development and peace through our training programme. From the beginning, it was important to us to bring Muslim and Christian women together in our training to encourage communication and peaceful co-existence.

Nigeria is also a country where women face many levels of discrimination and are mainly excluded from decision-making - out of 109 members of the Senate, only five are women and out of the 305 members of the House of Representatives less than 20 are women. Domestic violence is common and harmful traditional practices and sexual violence rarely prosecuted.

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Having the opportunity to spend time in the classroom enabled me to experience how we teach women the different modules of our Life-Skills Training. The manuals we use are entirely picture based, very accessible and clear. I attended a sexual and reproductive health class where the group was learning about reproductive anatomy - with many giggles of course, but I was certain that none of the women had ever seen a picture of the female or male genital tract and that the knowledge they were gaining was going to be incredibly important to their lives and well-being. Seeing with my own eyes the transformation that occurs across the board is inspiring and testimony to the fact that the Women for Women International's approach of providing a holistic programme is having a significant impact. The level of confidence is visible.

We also got the opportunity to attend a VSLA - Village Savings and Loan Association - meeting and witness how they are effective tools for savings and loans led by the women themselves. In addition to the VSLAs which are optional for women, we help all women to open savings accounts and their stipend gets paid straight into their accounts.

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It was inspiring to hear from the women about the aspects of our programme that they value - it spanned across all the different areas of our programme and by no means did it just focus on the fact that they are now able to save money, get a job, earn and sustain an income. The skills that we offer to the women in Nigeria, are animal husbandry (piggery, goat rearing), poultry, crop farming, small business training and knitting. Many spoke about the fact they now have a goat, or they showed us the beautiful knit wear they were now making after having been trained in machine knitting.

Many also spoke about what it means to them to know about their rights, to know that they have the right to inherit their husband's property upon his death and that they do not belong to the husband's family. They spoke about how they now know that their rights cannot be taken away from them, they spoke about the power of coming together in networks and having support and friendship from other women. They told me that they were now demanding changes in their community and how they have passed what they have learned on to their children.

I was moved to tears when one woman stood up and simply said: 'Thank you Women for Women International for having brought light to our community.'

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One community we visited has no sanitation whatsoever, not even latrines. This is quite a large community and it is causing serious problems for everyone, but is particularly challenging for women and has serious health implications. The Women for Women International team have now decided that they will work with the women in the community to put pressure on the district to address this issue. I know that when I come back next time, there will be latrines in place.
Anup Shah via Getty Images

Early this year, I had a meeting to attend after work. I had never been there before, so with my phone broken, I had planned ahead and printed the directions off before I left. I set off on a leisurely stroll from the Houses of Parliament to the British Museum, where my meeting was. However, when I arrived, I realised that I had forgotten to write down the house number of where I was attending my meeting. Panicking slightly about the time, I wandered around trying to find someone to be able to help me out; all I needed to do was to check my emails to find out the house number that I was looking for. Before long, three girls walked around the corner, heading towards my direction, and I breathed a sigh of relief. As they walked towards me, I politely explained to them that I had broken my phone, and was attending a meeting that I'd never been to before along this road. I had printed directions but had forgotten to write the house number down. I explained that I was now running late and asked nicely if I could use one of their phones to check my emails. I would be two minutes and then I'd be out of their way.

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To my absolute dismay, they flat out refused to help me. They could have done, I'm sure. I didn't look particularly dangerous or threatening. They clearly all had 3G phones on them, and I was clearly a little bit helpless. Instead, they all looked at each other awkwardly; unsure as to how they were going to tell me no in so many words. They continued to ask me to repeat myself as to why I needed their help, as if they didn't believe what I was saying. They looked at each other back and forth, hesitating a little, before simply walking away with a false "sorry" on their departure. It might sound a bit dramatic, but I was so taken aback by the fact that these girls didn't give me a hand. Collectively, they had instead made me feel like a bit of an idiot, and acted like there was something wrong with me. They had really embarrassed me to be honest, and I was so thrown that they didn't help me out. It stayed with me all night, and on my way home, I couldn't stop wondering why it really has become the norm to not help people out anymore.

That same week, I was fortunate enough to meet John Bird, the founder and owner of The Big Issue. As I walked him around the Houses of Parliament, desperate to impress him, I went on to profusely tell him how I buy and read The Big Issue every week without fail. I even had to drop in the fact that I had been recently encouraging my family and friends to buy it. But to be honest, that really shouldn't be an achievement. Sparing 2.50 a week in order to help somebody work their way out of poverty, quite frankly, shouldn't be anything special; but I am one of the few people that I know that does it. When I stop on a Monday morning to get mine from a guy outside Waterloo station, I am usually the only person in all of the crowds of people doing so. Why don't the others? Are they really too busy, too skint? Does it really never come across people's minds that it would be a good idea to help him out? Or do they honestly believe that his situation is his responsibility alone, and nobody else's to worry about?

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It's like tax avoidance; probably the political issue that gets under my skin more than any other. Anyone who knows me knows that when it comes to politics, I am incredibly pragmatic, and will strive see both sides of the argument and find answers that can benefit as many people across the spectrum as possible. A typical centre-left fence-sitter, who thinks that our democracy has much more to offer than party-political tribalism, but that suits me just fine. However, no matter what colours you decide to pin yourself to, the attitude that seems to be shared by so many, that it is perfectly acceptable to dodge your tax, is beyond me. I have this debate with people on a regular basis, and the answer of those that excuse tax avoidance, is always "everyone does it - we would all do it if we could."

Oh well that makes it perfectly acceptable then! If everyone does it, why bother at all? When the use of food-banks in the UK is at a record high, funding for schools is being cut, and we have an NHS that is practically on its knees; when you have reached a point in your life where you are lucky enough to be earning a decent amount of money, why should you pay back into the system in order to benefit those less fortunate than yourself? Why should you part with your hard-earned cash in order to pay for others to go to school, or to get good quality health care? Why bother helping those that were less fortunate, had less supportive families and fewer opportunities to grasp than you did? It seems that even when you have enough money to go around, you should be taking care of yourself and nobody else. If other people weren't as lucky as you, then so be it.

Where on earth did this attitude come from? When did it become the norm to refuse someone assistance when they are in need, to believe that you are too busy to take thirty seconds and the price of a coffee to help someone work their way out of poverty, or that you are somehow above paying your fair share in order to help those around you receive a decent standard of living? When did we all become so selfish, and why?

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As someone who is a biology graduate, who developed a fascination with anthropology by the time I had finished my degree, I always try and look at things through that lens; attempting to understand human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. Why do we act the way that we do, and how did it help us survive up until now? But the thing that puzzles me about our current way of doing things is that it goes completely against our biology. We are social animals, who evolved in groups. Even in our most primitive days, there is evidence to suggest that we have always looked after our old and our weak. It is the reason why volunteering gives us a rush of endorphins and makes us feel good. It is the reason that we have the ability to be empathetic and understanding of others' emotions. It is the reason that we know what right and wrong is instinctively, without the need to be told by one holy book or the other. We are as successful as we are, the most dominant species on the planet, because we learned to work together and look after one another. It is altruism that is in our nature, not individualism.

Maybe it started with Thatcher, Reagan and the rise of neoliberalism. Perhaps it is the dog-eat-dog mentality that has become the norm in so many industries - from the finance sector right through to the arts. Or it could be our addiction to social media, and the narcissism that has arisen from constantly striving for more likes on Facebook, more followers on Twitter, more matches on Tinder.

Maybe this could just be a natural progression of how our society has moved, with more people getting educated and more women choosing careers over motherhood, our family units are not what they were. And our deserting of religion and decreasing status as a 'Christian country' has also taken with it the communities that developed out of belonging to a church. Or perhaps I am wrong, and Homo sapiens have just reached the next stage in their evolutionary cycle. This was part of Mother Nature's grand plan all along; it is just something that we've never experienced before.

Almost all of the problems that we face as a society are solvable. We have enough resources on this planet to go around, and technology is moving at such a pace that solutions to the majority of our challenges will be solvable in the very near future, if they aren't already. The majority of the population live in communities with people around us, to take care of us and to give us the regular interaction that we need. But we have allowed our own self-indulgence to get in the way. We have been sucked into a mentality that tells us that we don't need to look out for anybody else. We have convinced ourselves that we don't have time, don't have money, and don't have any responsibility to. And we are blissfully unaware of the impact that it is having on us; whether it is social isolation or a sharp increase in mental health issues.

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If you've ever commuted from London at peak time, you'll be all too familiar with the dazed meandering as you leap, twirl, and shimmy through the crowds, with the sight of home comforts extending their arm towards you in the form of an overcrowded train.

But imagine you've just lost your job. It's the last commute you'll be doing for, well, you don't know how long. And it feels more bitter than sweet. That train from London back to Essex might say it's 35 minutes on a good day, but right now it feels like an eternity.

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Nearly two years ago, my work pals and I lost our jobs. We were sucked in by the fluid and free nature of the startup, where the lack of bureaucracy was a selling point, only to be brought back down to earth when the reality of a company needing cash to survive far outweighed the commitment, hard work, and genuine enthusiasm which was amassed over the course of employment. It broke me.

I wholeheartedly support and champion the importance of mental health. Which is why I am writing this right now, because when I lost my job I didn't just lose my career. I lost my purpose, my drive, my enthusiasm, and most of all, I lost my confidence. All I could feel was loss. The loss of a chance I'd waited so long for, and the loss of a self of identity which working at a company I cared for provided me. The days rolled by and I was losing more and more of my soul. It completely threw me, and myyyyy god if you thought the salt mines in Krakow were salty, then you hadn't seen my puddle of tears.

But then it hit me. This was the best time to do what I loved the most...travel. So, I flew to Majorca with one of my close work pals (who was in the same boat as I was) for a 5 day break to try and pull myself back together, or at least bathe in the sea until I became the mermaid I always dreamed of and swum off into the sunset forever.

When you're feeling as low as you possibly can, it can seem like the worst idea to leave the comfort of home. But being abroad forces you to be brave and independent. It can be tough and uncomfortable at times, but so can watching The X Factor and I know which I'd rather choose.

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Being away from home and all the negativity which it embodied at the time was the best thing I could have ever done. And I don't think it needed to be in another country either, though admittedly the book-reading time and vitamin D did help. When you're experiencing soul loss or no longer know what it is you want to do anymore, having space and time to breathe and think is the greatest cure. Travelling saved my sanity. 5 days of sun, sea, and yes...a few sangrias with my friend helped me replenish and rejuvenate. Because it was a chance to escape and create a new (albeit temporary) routine which involved reading, writing, walking, processing, and swimming instead of tubing, lunch-desking, and commuting. So much so I thought about the future more than the past. And that's something I wouldn't have done had I stayed hidden away in my room beating myself up emotionally and beginning to form a pattern of unhealthy solitude.

Travel saved my sanity because my sanity longs to travel. The lack of routine became liberating, not a source of despair. I wrote poetry for the first time in ages and listened to as much music as I could. I read plays and novels and Victorian poetry (because some things never change) and wrote down a list of what it was I wanted to do with my life. Being able to forge a plan when you're sitting on an empty beach surrounded by strangers and possibility helps clear your mind far more effectively than sat at home with the cat traipsing all over your keyboard.

And that's sometimes what you need when you've lost your way...an opening of new ways and the space to take a step back and see that while what has happened to you isn't what you'd choose, the next step you take could be.
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I'm a fan of the three rules of mountaineering: it's always farther than it looks, it's always taller than it looks, and it's always harder than it looks. They apply to any risky venture from marriage to mortgages, and they certainly apply to Brexit. Hands up. I voted to stay, and would do so again tomorrow, but you can't stop this glacier, so the best thing to do is climb it. And to climb it you need to do the maths.

Ed Hillary, he of Everest fame, said that nobody climbs mountains for scientific reasons. You claim the science to raise the money, but you swing through, say, the Lhotse wall 'for the hell of it.' Some Brexiteers seem to be of the Hillary variety, and approach the impending divorce with our mainland neighbours with a whoop, a holler and a cheery wave. But the rest of us want and need the scientific benefits to be real. The EU has been a really powerful promoter of big science initiatives, and, as importantly, of knowledge clusters, and both of these will be vital to a prosperous UK. That's why we must loudly applaud the UK government when it invests heavily in complex blue sky research, such as the recent announcement of 229 million going into Manchester's Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, and Harwell's Rosalind Franklin Institute. And its why business must loudly bellow for more and increased funding.

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The UK is one of the most open research environments in the world, and attracts funding in from firms across the globe. But as the National Centre for University and Business Growing Value projects demonstrate time and again, this funding only flows because of the excellence of UK universities. The money is globally mobile, and will go where the best is to be found.

Climbing Brexit mountain needs the right gear, knowledge, advice and inspiration to go with courage and chutzpah. And, of course, it needs the right team. One of best mountaineering axioms is: success is not measured by how high you climb, but by the number of people you brought with you. Without people, science is just numbers and shiny machines. And if the UK is to be a roaring success, it must attract global scientific talent to teach and research in our universities, and to study here.

Clearly, no negotiator really wants to show their hand. It would be like playing poker with a mirror beneath a glass table. However, the government can send signals that we will be as open to brilliant European academics and talented students in the future as we are today. Universities UK calls for simpler visa regimes for international staff and students to operate alongside strong collaborative research programmes and a re-supply of any funding shortfall in research between what we spend (E5.5m) and what we pull in because of our talented research base (E8.8m). The government is sending all the right signals of intent about ensuring that Brexit will not undermine the research base, but businesses and universities must continue to send the strongest of signals to government about the consequences of any drop in funding.

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Jim Whittaker was the first American to top Everest, but he's clear about who got him there: '(It) was a team thing. I was lucky enough to do the "slam dunk," but there were 19 Americans, plus all the Sherpas, who busted their butts to get somebody to Earth's highest point. If you're going to have a successful expedition, the team has to get at least one person up there.'
Typically, pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds have English as a second language and those who receive free school meals are disadvantaged economically and do less well academically.

Schools across the UK want to help increase learning engagement within the classroom. Whilst most of their pupils on the whole are doing well academically, schools have recognised that:

- Some pupils are not stretched. They are learning but their attitude is passive. Schools want them to take responsibility for being the best they can be.

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- Many pupils join the school at unusual times in the year and struggle to get 'up to speed' in the classroom and fail to reach their full potential.

- Pupils can have low expectations of their abilities. This holds them back from trying at times.

However, the question the schools keep asking themselves is "how do we create a hunger and curiosity to make the most of their brilliant minds?"

Schools have worked very hard over the last few years to improve the quality of their teaching to give pupils access to the best possible learning chances in spite of their backgrounds or circumstances at home. However, they are missing a piece of the puzzle in getting the pupils wanting to maximise their own chances - not just whilst they are in the school but for years to come in all of the education opportunities they may access in the future.

I believe that if we can present children with a new attitude towards learning, we can cultivate a whole new culture towards life long learning in these children. As a result of better engagement with learning, children will not just increase their academic performance, they will set better examples to their siblings and others in the school.

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The main aim is not promote to children that learning is all about memorising information. In fact, it's about being able to focus/concentrate your mind whilst being taught. Essentially, we need to make learning easier for children and even magical and fun at times!

There is a wide range of NLP activities and NLP techniques that can be used through one-to-one sessions with pupils or small group workshops which will ultimately enhance a young person's confidence, self-esteem, motivation to do better and achieve better mental health. In addition, children will become better communicators which will have a positive effect on their relationship with others.
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The on-going toxic vendetta between President Trump and the American media establishment (including the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and NBC) regarding fake news, alternative facts, lies and hypocrisy has to do with one thing and one thing only: political survival.

For better or worse, the election of Trump as President provoked a violent shift in the US media landscape, dealing in the process a heavy blow to the confidence, prestige and gravitas of the American media establishment. A media establishment which, it has to be said, went to great lengths during the election campaign to belittle, ridicule and stigmatise Trump's political image.

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There were times during the campaign, particularly after each television debate, when the spectacle of Trump's total and destructive humiliation by the mainstream media outlets resembled clips from the recent BBC Planet Earth documentary: leopards hunting in the city and stalking through the undergrowth to grab piglets in the dead of night.

It was somewhat inevitable that such an over-the-top demonisation, even by American presidential election standards, would backfire, as demonstrated by the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump on 8 November 2016. If the ordinary American voters, those who live in the Midwest or Oklahoma, were sceptical before the election campaign of what they regarded as a distant, snobbish, Washington and New York political and media elite, they became contemptuous after the vicious treatment Trump received from the media outlets after each televised debate with Hilary Clinton.

There are serious doubts whether Trump would be in the White House right now if the US media establishment had not been so grossly overzealous in their attempts to demonise him and subsequently victimise him. And it seems that the same doubts existed among both the Publisher and Executive Editor of the New York Times, who soon after the election penned - to their credit - an open letter to their readers, essentially a self-critical reflection on the paper's coverage and reporting which promised "to rededicate ourselves to the fundamental mission of Times journalism".

Sadly, I feel that it is rather late for journalistic rededications with the White House being occupied by a belligerent, despotic and vindictive President, who in the age ofsocial media, feels no need to make peace with the media establishment as he does not depend on them in order to reach his audience. He can do that easily enough through his Twitter feed, framing his own messages on his own terms, as he did recently when he tweeted from Florida to his 25 million followers calling the US news media "the enemy of the American People."

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Donald Trump is for the American intelligentsia what Brexit is for the UK's intelligentsia: the worst thing that could have happened to the country. But, his presidency is a fact of life, whether one likes it or not. At least, the Americans have the option to remove Trump from the White House, should they decide that he is not suitable. This is not an option available to the UK once it leaves the European Union.
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In certain social circles praising sex-workers has become fashionable. How has prostitution - an out-dated, slavery-like industry - been made to look so modern?

In a YouTube video doing the rounds of social media at the moment a number of self-identified sex-workers who either work independently, or who profit from employing others, tell us prostitution is a job like any other. Prostitution is not about the violation of women's rights it is a woman's right. It is not socially harmful since it is merely a transaction between two consenting adults. If prostitution was decriminalised, negative features associated with it would soon disappear. Prostitutes enjoy sex with johns, so hey, what's not to like about being paid for pleasure? We can even think of prostitutes as akin to social workers. The punters are harmless guys who merely seek a service. Indeed, more sexual servicing of men could contribute to "world peace"!

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Prostitution, the video seeks to reassure, has nothing to do with gender politics, exploitation, trafficking or pimping. It is simply a personal business deal made by sassy women (and some men) who are brave enough not to give a shit about out-dated morality. Prostitutes are strong and independent entrepreneurs who quite frankly choose not to work at the local superstore for a fraction of the wage.

This narrative tells us the prostitution trade enhances the feminist cause. It goes hand in hand with the idea that pornography is sexually liberating. It was first conceived in the late 1960s by aspiring sex-industry moguls. These men cleverly stole the revolutionary idea of the women's liberation movement that women, not men, should control women's bodies. From that time to the present, the narrative of women's liberation has been evoked by the sex-industry to advance its own interests, by men who defend buying sex, and by lobbyists invested in legalising the trade in women.

Critics of this narrative point out it renders many issues invisible: the capitalist industries that drive prostitution; the johns who lobby for the 'right' to pay for sexual consent; the prostitutes who are physically revolted and hurt by the sex; the abuse and violence of the johns (often enacting pornography scenarios); the voices of exited prostitutes raised in opposition; and the inextricable relationship between prostitution and trafficking.

Some tolerant, sophisticated and urbane folk, even those who bang the drum of human rights, can get angry if faced with empirical evidence that demonstrates prostitution is not harmless. Defenders of prostitution often attack ad hominem. On social media critics are variously described as 'hairy legged-lesbians' (apparently lesbians are only cool when pro sex-work), 'whore-phobic', 'sex-negative', 'man-hating', 'fundamentalist feminists'.

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Academia does not necessarily protect from vitriol. I attended a conference in 2014 at Middlesex University entitled Feminist Whores? Exploring Feminist Debates Around Violence, Sex Work and Pornography. The conference aim was "to present alternative ways of looking at women's involvement in, and engagement with, both sex work and pornography, especially within the context of contemporary feminism". However, I discovered to my cost, only certain feminist voices were acceptable.

Above the conference stage an iconic image from a pornography magazine of the 1970s loomed large. The 1970s was the hay day of the feminist fight back against the expanding sex industry and this image was analysed as misogynistic. In contrast, 40 years later, we were invited to see this pornographic representation of a woman's body as harmless, even ironic. It is the earlier type of feminism, not pornography itself, which the conference organisers claimed is the real impediment to women's sex equality. The new feminism allows us to get down and dirty with the lads; we too are permitted sexual arousal at watching 'whores' and we can playfully claim the term for ourselves.

But 'whore' isn't a term like 'gay' which homosexual men have given themselves in order to define their own identity. 'Whore' is term given by men to women, and it is part of the old patriarchal morality. The idea that 'whores' actually exist functions to divide women into two groups - those who men can 'legitimately' sexually use without troubling their conscience, and those they can't. However, there is no such thing as a 'whore'. It is a male desire transformed into a female characteristic. What divides women is economics and social and personal circumstance. It is the lack of cultural recognition of the political conditions of prostitution which fosters the stigmatization and objectification of women.

The entire sex trade rests on this fantasy, that women can be 'whores'. The contemporary 'cult of the whore', has done little to free women and girls. The internet buzzes with shaming girls and women for crossing the boundaries they've been incited to transgress. Despite the fact it is the man who drives the demand for prostitution and pornography, no such derogatory label adheres to him.

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The cultural equivalent of 'the cult of the whore' is 'sex-workers' rights'. Prostitution is fetishised as transgressive. But it is the converse - prostitution endlessly erects the very patriarchal divisions between women that it allegedly destroys. It is the dissolution of boundaries which has real revolutionary potential.
A draconian visa system is having a disproportionate impact on middle and lower ranked universities. The 2015/16 Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) figures revealed that the overall number of non-EU students has fallen for the first time, by 0.5%. This is despite global demand for international education growing by 6% a year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and our competitor countries such as Canada, Australia and US mostly growing at double digit rates.

However, falling international student numbers in the UK have not been evenly distributed. HESA data reveals significant declines in non-EU student numbers at lower ranked universities since 2010, including a 65 percent drop at the University of Teesside, 52 percent at the University of Staffordshire, and 40 percent at the University of Hull. Meanwhile, Oxford University and University College London have enjoyed increases of 20 percent and 73 percent respectively.

A growing disparity

This is detrimental - international students bring numerous economic benefits not only to the institutions they choose to study at, the domestic students that they study with, but also their local communities. Government figures from 2013 show that the average value of one international student in higher education, factoring in tuition fees and living expenses, is 21,000. Parthenon EY estimates that every 1,000 students create 600 jobs, 50 percent of which are in the local economy. The value of international students to the UK is incontrovertible.

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The benefits of international students are therefore being concentrated in places like London, and elite university towns such as Oxford and Cambridge. A recent study from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) highlights this inequality even further. Oxford and Cambridge are estimated to make an additional 10m per year in fees post-Brexit, whilst universities from the Russell Group will receive an additional 3.3m a year on average. Lower ranked universities on the other hand could register an annual average loss of 100,000.

This disparity is the result of a Home Office that wants to "support our best universities...to attract the best talent ... while looking at tougher rules for students on lower quality courses". This kind of thinking is misguided, dangerous and damaging. Far from encouraging the UK to be an outward-facing, export-led economy, the government is doing real damage to local economies across the country by constraining our universities' ability to export.

Ideology vs. education

The government is actively resisting an amendment to the Higher Education and Research Bill that would require institutions to publish visa refusal rates. Such a requirement would demonstrate that the vast majority of institutions stay well within the rules, despite reports from Vice Chancellors of spurious reasons for visa rejections - including because one international student didn't know the library's opening hours. As Graham Galbraith, the Vice Chancellor for the University of Portsmouth, put it: "The Home Office does not want its policies to be troubled by knotty little things like evidence and data."

It is tough to disagree with his conclusion. Where international students are concerned, the government's ideological concerns trump educational, financial, and economic considerations. International students have always been important to the UK's economy and its soft power, with recent research showing 55 heads of state educated in the UK, and post-Brexit they will be more crucial than ever.

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Around half of UK universities have lost international student numbers since 2010/11, totalling around 43,800 lost students and 70 affected institutions. If the government worked with the sector to recoup these numbers, based on Parthenon EY analysis and the government's own figures, it could potentially bring 24,000 jobs and 920 million of economic value to areas of the country that sorely need it.
Major chain E-Mart on Sunday said imported beer accounted for 51.7 percent of its beer sales from Feb. 1 to 23, up 39 percent from the same period of last year.

At Lotte Mart the proportion was slightly less than half at a still impressive 47.4 percent. A Lotte Mart staffer said, "Imported beer sales are rising continuously and are expected to surpass 50 percent within a month or two."

E-Mart said the share of imported beer has doubled in the past five years, so it had to take some shelf space away from whiskey, whose sales are declining, to make room for foreign beers.

"Preferences for imported beer have grown among consumers in their 20s and 30s, who are attracted by the wider choice of tastes and brands," an industry insider said. "It also seems that people are buying more beer because of new curbs on corruption since last year, instead of going to posh bars to drink expensive liquor with clients."
Tarell McCraney, the writer of the play which is the basis of the film Moonlight which was last night's Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay amongst other awards, was in the year above me at Yale, where we were both studying for an MFA in Playwriting at Yale School of Drama.

What Tarell's success means for me is the importance of what creative writing training can do - I remember watching Tarell's second year play directed by my friend Tea Alagic (a Yale School of Drama MFA student director at the time) come to life via that collaboration and then the success of it transferring with its student cast and director to the Public Theater and the development of Tarell's The Brother/Sister play trilogy which he wrote at Yale.

Eight years since graduating from Yale School of Drama, both Tarell and I are now heads of dramatic writing departments - Tarell is the new Chair of Playwriting at Yale School of Drama, where we both studied, and I am the Course Leader for the new MA Dramatic Writing at Drama Centre London at Central Saint Martins - Drama Centre London at Central Saint Martins was highlighted last year and this year as one of the places Oscar winners are most likely to have trained in the UK.

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I'm inspired by this as I hope it is testament to the importance of creative writing training - upon his appointment, Tarell said: "New plays sit at the heart of training in the Yale School of Drama community. The vision, scope, and execution of the play spawn countless collaborations and inquiries into the personal imagination of the artists who make up the community, while also addressing complicated questions we face in the world today. This return to Yale marks a need in myself to advocate for these collaborators and their voices, but also to wrestle alongside them with the perplexing and powerful quandaries of the day."

Yale School of Drama also was the home of much of August Wilson's 10 play cycle, one of the most significant works of the contemporary American theatre.

For me, Yale gave me, coming from a single parent home which wasn't connected to the arts, the chance to consider that I could be a writer.

Since graduating, I've spent the last 8 years working on bringing and developing my beginnings of thinking about training at Yale to the UK.

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In particular, at Central Saint Martins on the new MA Dramatic Writing which is the college's first ever creative writing degree and which I am the first course leader of, we have just published our first book "Dramatic Writing Masterclasses: Key Advice from the Industry Masters".

This book provides access for the first time to the leading dramatic writing training coming out of the UK industry, most of which has never been published before. Contributors include Ola Animashawun, who founded the Royal Court Theatre's world famous young writers programme, Philip Shelley, instigator of the Channel 4 screenwriting course, Kate Rowland, founder of BBC Writersroom, the BBC's new writing department, John Yorke, founder of the BBC Writers Academy, which trained a generation of screenwriters and was one of television's most influential training programmes for writers, and others.

The book is part of a new partnership with Oberon Books, one of the UK's leading performing arts publishers, to provide access to the training being used on top industry writing training programmes, and will be followed up by in depth guides written by the industry on each form of dramatic writing with lesson plans for use by teachers, students and emerging writers.

Why do this? Well, after Yale, I joined a university as a lecturer which recruited students from the most deprived 1% of the UK. Zero students were studying playwriting when I arrived. The students told me that the arts were a place they couldn't be a part of (one student described it as "it seemed like people who worked in the arts were aliens from another planet").

In the first year of playwriting module I set up, 8 students registered, two of which got placements at a leading theatre. In the second year, 40 students signed up then 80 in year three then we established the UK's first formally industry partnered MA in playwriting with 50% of the course taught by three of the region's leading theatres.

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The students told me the change was about them understanding the industry and feeling the industry was now accessible via the industry teaching and partnerships on the course.

Similarly, at Central Saint Martins, we have seen student numbers rise from 7 to 22 to 35 to 40 students over the four years of the course, with many students going on to secure immediate work and success as writers following the course.

Our book, and my thinking, was inspired by this trajectory.

Also it was also inspired by my belief that, if we can make our training stronger and more accessible, we can help anyone feel that they can become a writer - and if writing is about reflecting on who we were, who we are, and who we can be, it seems to me that it is important anyone feels they can contribute to this career path and the voices who are heard via this career.

Thinking about Moonlight last night, it seems to me that Tarell is testament to what we can learn from the US and the importance of and power of creative writing training and what it can do and what it can become.

With the cancellation of the A level in creative writing in the UK and EBACC not containing creative subjects, now more than ever it seems important to encourage this development of our writing training, if the voices who are heard via our writing are going to reflect the diversity of the voices in the world.

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For more information on "Dramatic Writing Masterclasses: Key Advice from the Industry Masters", please go to: https://oberonbooks.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/the-masters-at-work/

For more information on BACC for the Future, the campaign against EBACC not containing creative subjects and the potential harm this will do to subjects like writer training in the UK, please go to: http://www.baccforthefuture.com/
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Another year, another round of fraught negotiations between international leaders about Greece, as Chancellor Angela Merkel and International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde met up last week to discuss the terms of the latest 86bn emergency loan package for the country. While the outcome of the talks was positive, with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras claiming that the era of austerity is over, disagreements within the Troika could still push Greece over the edge.

The IMF is arguing that sinking more funds into the Greek economy amounts to little more than throwing money down the drain. According to the Fund, the only way forward would be debt relief and deep reforms in order to fix the structural problems that have created and exacerbated Greece's debt crisis. European creditors, however, are sticking to their guns and are demanding that the money owed will be paid back to them.

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That the issue of Greek debt is still on the agenda after seven years, three bailouts and roughly 250bn later was never part of the plan. In 2010, the country received 110bn in aid from the EU and IMF - at that time the largest financial rescue programme in history. And while the other countries that turned to international creditors to prop up their failing economies (namely, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Latvia and Cyprus) are all tentatively back in the black, the Greek problem has not only proven to be staunchly persistent, but has actually getting worse. Ashoka Moody of Princeton University summarized the status quo best, when he said that "The combination of catastrophically bad policy imposed on Greece and the country's unwillingness to change its ways - the ones that got it into trouble - have led to a economic and social collapse of historical dimensions."

Ducking the taxman

Indeed, some of the blame can be placed on the creditors and their insistence on imposing strict and crippling austerity measures with scant regard for the range of unintended consequences that it might cause. Austerity measures failed to attack the root causes of Greece's floundering economy, such as its lack of competitiveness and its fragile banking system. Indeed, Jeffrey Sachs, the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Solutions Network, has described the Germany-led policy response as "unwise and highly unprofessional", with a misplaced focus on lending Greece more money so existing debts can be serviced, rather than helping foster conditions that will halt debt spiral. As a result, Greece has plunged deeper into poverty, with 22.2% of the population classified as "severely materially deprived" in 2015.

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But German intransigence and IMF orthodoxy do not mean that Greece played no role in its economic downfall. Albeit belatedly, the latest bail-out package is now focusing on structural reforms, forcing Greece to clean up its act in earnest. Paying taxes would be a start. It is estimated that the country loses around 30 billion each year in unpaid taxes, and that half of all Greeks owe 86 billion in back taxe - the same amount as the last bailout package. Athens' tax problem is exacerbated by a flawed tax system that is exceedingly complex, incentivises non-declaration and is hampered by ineffective collection mechanisms. Despite plummeting approval ratings and international pressures, the current Syriza government has so far been unwilling to shore up its tax policies. As a number of heavyweight economists writing to Greek newspaper Ekathimerini observed, "bad governance is a huge disincentive in attracting investments, without which economic recovery is not possible".

Reform then, is key. And without evidence that Greece is capable of changing, Germany will insist on austerity, trapping Athens in a vicious circle. Austerity is now driving even formerly law-abiding people into the shadow economy, thus contributing to further dwindling tax receipts. Greece's black market is now estimated at 20-25% of the GDP as even more people run away from the taxman. Living in an "every man for himself" economic climate honouring ones' taxes becomes much less of a priority as, say, surviving.
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The loss of the Copeland by-election by Labour, a seat the party had held since 1935, would have come as no surprise to anyone paying attention to the party's vertiginous political collapse in the context of Brexit.

Jeremy Corbyn's bullish response to the Copeland by-election result aside, his leadership of the Labour Party is effectively over. In fact it was over the moment capitulated to Brexit, succumbing to the wave of right wing populism that has swept the land. The result is that currently the UK finds itself in the position of having no official opposition to a government that is intent on pushing the country off the edge of a political, economic, and social cliff in obeisance that a referendum result fuelled by a brand of toxic xenophobia, nativism, and the 'othering' of migrants and foreigners we haven't seen since the 1930s.

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The argument put forth by Corbyn and his team that we must respect the result of the referendum because benighted working class communities in Britain's post-industrial North, Midlands, and South Wales voted for it, this is an argument rooted in sociology not socialism. The grievous consequences of confusing both cannot be overstated. Brexit was and is the UK manifestation of the resurgence of a rejuventated right and far right across Europe, wherein millions of working people have been persuaded that the global recession which began in 2008 was the not result of an economic system predicated on unfettered and unregulated greed within the private sector, but instead was the product of unsustainable public spending. In Britain the savage austerity policies implemented in response to this global recession by the Tories, the worst since the 1930s, has proved manna from heaven for Ukip and its reactionary worldview, sowing the kind of hardship and despair that is fertile ground for the scapegoating and 'othering' of migrants and minorities.

The main drivers behind Brexit are not democracy and sovereignty but xenophobia and bigotry. As such, no self-respecting Labour leader should be doing anything other than resisting it with all his muscle and mind. How dare Jeremy Corbyn proclaim that we should respect this tawdry and squalid referendum result. Ten people do not proceed to walk off the edge of a cliff just because a majority in the group decided at the outset that this was the best way home. When they come to the edge of the cliff they stop and turn back in order to avert disaster. Yet here we have the leader of the Labour Party urging his supporters to continue on off the edge of this Brexit cliff in a grotesque paean to right wing populism.

You don't have to be a full blooded supporter of the EU to understand the necessity of opposing Brexit. Indeed the very working class communities that are supporting Britain's exit from the EU are guaranteed to be its biggest victims, entrenching as it will the hegemony of Tory ideas for many years to come -- chief among them the idea that there is no such thing as society or community or the common good.

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Corbyn's decision to impose a three line whip on Labour MPs, requiring them to vote in favour of Theresa May's upcoming bill to trigger Article 50, confirmed that under his leadership Labour is currently embarked on a strategy of fighting Ukip by becoming Ukip-lite. The ramifications of such a strategy when it comes to regaining the acres of lost ground in Scotland are guaranteed to be deep and serious in the making, regardless of his stentorian words to the contrary at the Scottish Labour Party conference. His analysis and understanding of Brexit, the reactionary impulses and politics driving it, is so woeful he has become the political equivalent of Marshal Grouchy, the commander of Napoleon's right wing whose late arrival with his army at Waterloo ensured the Corsican general's defeat in a battle that changed the course of history.

Famously, when Grouchy was urged by one of his subordinates to "march to the sound of the guns," he replied that it was his duty is to obey the Emperor's orders, using those orders as justification for inaction.
The prison sentence handed down this week to an Israeli soldier, Elor Azaria, has divided Israeli opinion but offers a way forward for the British authorities in a similar case.

Azaria was on duty in the West Bank city of Hebron when two Palestinians stabbed an Israel soldier. One of the attackers was shot dead, the other was wounded. Azaria arrived six minutes after the attack. The wounded Palestinian, Abdul Fatah al-Sharif was lying on the ground in a pool of blood and unable to move. After briefly talking with fellow solders, Azaria shot al-Sharif in the head, killing him.

The army arrested Azaria on the grounds of murder and violating the rules of engagement. Al-Sharif was immobile, no threat and should have been taken away for treatment, detention and trial.

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There was an outcry among some Israelis, who lambasted the army for demonising one of its soldiers, while others felt he should be punished both for breaking military ethics and for the death itself.

Azaria's defence was that he thought al-Sharif might have a bomb on him and detonated it - although this was rubbished by the prosecution who pointed out that he had no evidence for this and certainly had not shouted out any warning to his fellow soldiers.

But there are plenty of situations where it is hard to make a judgement. Troops of all armies have to decide instantly about someone approaching them: what is in their pockets? a mobile phone, a knife, a gun, a detonator? Is a speeding car about to brake or plough into a crowd of people?

Do the soldiers shoot, with the result that an innocent person may lose their life? Or not shoot and innocent civilians may die? Split second decisions need to be made that then have massive consequences.

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A similar case concerns the Royal Marine, Alexander Blackman, who is currently appealing against his lengthy prison sentence for killing a wounded Taliban fighter in Afghanistan.

In Israel, the military tribunal decided that Azaria had acted maliciously rather than defensively, shooting al-Sharif because he felt terrorists should die, rather than because he thought he was a threat.

The military did recognise the highly charged complexity of the situation, reduced the charge from murder to manslaughter, and sentenced him to 18 months in prison. His supporters are now suggesting that Azaria recieve an official pardon, but that would make a mockery of the strict legal process that took place and which considered the case in minute detail.

A pardon would also undermine the moral underpinning of the Israeli army, which tries to act as decently as one can in conflict situations, protect civilians and abide by the rule of law. It may not always succeed, but it is important to maintain the ideal and the punishment of those that deviate from it deliberately.

Given that the current prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is being investigated for possible bribery charges, and that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was indited for financial misdeeds and a previous President, Moshe Katsav, was imprisoned for sexual offences, it means that Israel may have villains, but it also abides by the rule of the law and even those in power are forced by the judicial system to obey it. Not all countries can make the same claim.

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In recent years corporates have become increasingly under pressure to take a stand on issues that are important to their customers and employees.

No longer can companies hide behind an anonymous brand image, exempt from standing up for the little guy; we want the companies we buy from, or work for, to share our values.

Brand values and workplace culture are the two indicators of whether our personal values are aligned with those of a corporate entity. Of late, these values are being seriously tested. Companies that have made a commitment to diversity and inclusion are being asked to take a stand on significant events like the Brexit result, Trump's presidency and the rise of right-wing politics in Europe.

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Diversity issues have come to afore on both sides of the Atlantic. The politics of division, playing on fears, mistrust, racism, homophobia and misogyny, are forcing corporates to also take a side. Many employees are worried about the implications of Brexit and the new incumbent at the White House, not just on migrant workers, but also on the LGBT+ community, women and minorities.

Some companies are speaking out in support of their workers. For example, global corporates such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Goldman Sachs have all made it clear that their corporate values are not aligned with President Trump's executive order on inbound migration.

Recent events may also act as a catalyst for corporates to talk more openly about diversity and inclusion; certainly employees and consumers in marginalised groups want this. When a company proactively promotes D&I, it engenders loyalty from both employees and customers.

Rise In Support For Pride

The past few years has also seen a rise in the number of corporates supporting events such as Pride in London. Sponsorship income for both London and New York Pride has substantially grown - in London by 250% since 2013 - and more and more corporates are taking part in the Parade year on year.

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I'm delighted that this year PwC have become new major sponsors of Pride in London; I know that our people take great pride and encouragement in such public demonstrations of the firm's commitment to LGBT+ inclusion.

PwC have marched in the Parade for five years and during that time is has been noticeable how many more corporates are taking part. Increased support for Pride in London has reflected cultural changes and a greater acceptance of the LGBT+ community; certainty in diverse cities like London and New York. However, I think that 2017 will see even greater participation, not least because of a desire to stand up to the politics of division, and publically support LGBT+ employees and the wider community.

2016 and 2017 has seen many people taking to the streets in the US and Europe to get their voices heard, some commentators are even heralding this as the start of a 'new protest movement'. Part of this increase in public protest appears to me to be driven by a desire to support those that are feeling marginalised - to stand side by side - as much as it is about putting pressure on elected officials to take action.

Of course, the Pride movement has its origins in protest, although in recent years it has become more of a celebration. However if those gains we have made are under threat, as the shift towards more right wing politics suggests, Pride in London and other events could become even more important to individuals and corporates that want to stand up for diversity. As such, this year's Pride in London in July could see even greater numbers of participants and visitors to the Parade, as well as more vocal support from corporates.
As Iraqi forces take parts of Mosul from the brutal regime of Daesh. We are seeing the clean-up operation is being started by volunteers of different faiths who are coming together to rebuild their community.

A focus of the work is the Chaldean church, located in Mosul's Drakziliya neighbourhood, on the left bank of the Tigris River. The area is now under the control of the Iraqi army.

Around 30 young civilian volunteers are organising a clean-up effort - most of whom are Muslim. Keen to clear the debris of two years of Daesh rule, both literally and psychologically, they are an interfaith force for good, helping to unite a community torn apart by the terrorist group.

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When Daesh millitants stormed Mosul in 2014, it took control of the church, choosing to use it as a logistics base. Reports now suggest that the church only suffered minor damage during the occupation, contrary to the false information given in recent years, which spoke of the total destruction of the Christian place of worship by means of explosives.

However, Daesh plastered the church with writings, banners and murals promoting its twisted ideology. There is debris and damage caused by shelling and explosions nearby. Photos and videos published of the clean-up operation show a floor littered with plaster and dirt and a ceiling caving in.

The mainly Muslim volunteers are shown sweeping debris into wheelbarrows, restoring the church to as near its former glory as possible.

It is an inspiring example of communities coming together, regardless of faith or religion, for a common good, are signs of hope for brighter future, with peaceful religious co-existence in a city that has been ravaged by Daesh's twisted ideology for so long. And the fact that young people of different faiths are uniting to clean up their neighbourhood is a striking sign of hope in a place where darkness reigned for the last two years.

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Monday night saw the explosive season finale for ITV's latest period drama, The Halcyon.

In one of the many subplots in the drama, Austrian Jewish chef, Max Klein, struggles against prejudice and xenophobia to both hold onto a job and get his family out of France. In their flight from Nazi Germany, Klein became separated from his wife and six-year-old daughter, who remained stranded in France. Obviously The Halcyon is a drama and not a documentary, but how accurate is their portrayal of what the Max Kleins of this world would have experienced?

The storyline of a refugee fleeing persecution and attempting to find safety and security in a foreign land is certainly a very timely one - it is impossible to ignore Donald Trump's executive order on immigration and refugees, or Theresa May's decision to end the Dubs amendment, which was designed to allow vulnerable children refuge in Britain.

For the thousands of Max Kleins who were able to reach Great Britain before World War II, the future remained uncertain. At the outbreak of war, many people understood that a lot of the Germans and Austrians living in Britain were refugees. Tribunals were set up to examine every German and Austrian national in the country, and 'enemy aliens' were given a classification - 'A' for aliens considered a threat to Britain, which led to immediate arrest; 'B' if the magistrates were not sure which decision to make, which included a ban on owning bicycles, cameras, radios, and travel restrictions; and 'C' if aliens were considered 'genuine refugees'. These tribunals varied considerably depending on the judge and what they thought of foreigners, but at least for the first few months of the war many German and Austrian refugees were left at liberty. These individuals would have been able to get jobs in places where employers were sympathetic to refugees, like Max Klein at The Halcyon.

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However, at the time The Halcyon is set in 1940, seemingly during the Blitz, the situation for Max Klein would have changed dramatically. After the fall of France, Belgium, and Holland in May 1940, there was a huge amount of fear that the same thing could happen in Britain, and that perhaps many of the Germans and Austrians living in Britain were actually spies or saboteurs. As a result of these fears, Winston Churchill gave orders for all male enemy aliens, regardless of classification, to be interned. Women who had been classified as 'B' were also interned along with their children. A variety of holding camps such as racetracks, unfinished housing estates, abandoned mills, and even Holloway Prison, were used until the internees could be transported to camps on the Isle of Man.

Almost as soon as the Germans and Austrians had been locked up (soon joined by Italians after Italy's declaration of war in June 1940), public feeling changed and there were calls for the internees to be released. The British government published a series of White Papers during the second half of 1940 that outlined categories for release. Priority was given to engineers, farmers, doctors - anyone who could be useful to the British war effort. Internees were also able to obtain release if they signed up for the Pioneer Corps, which was an unarmed, mainly logistical unit that provided essential support to the British army. Max Klein, as a chef, would not have qualified immediately for release, and therefore, is most likely to have still been in an internment camp at the time The Halcyon was set. It is possible that he would not even have been on the Isle of Man at this point, as several thousand internees were sent abroad in July 1940 to either Canada or Australia. Of the 5 ships that set sail with a mixture of POWs and internees, one never made it to its destination. The Arandora Star was torpedoed and sunk July 2, 1940, with the loss of several hundred lives, the majority of them Italian internees, in the greatest tragedy of British internment.

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So, at the time of the Blitz, Max Klein may not have been subject to the constant threat of bombs in London, but he would have had his own problems to face. In a heart-warming twist in the last episode of The Halcyon, Klein is reunited with his wife and daughter, who were said to be found in an internment camp outside of Liverpool. The internment camp outside of Liverpool was called Huyton, and was male only. Had his wife and daughter been interned, they would have been on the Isle of Man by this point in the female camps on the south of the island, and it would have taken a while for them to secure their release. However, the tragic reality is that had they been trapped in France when Germany invaded, it would have been almost impossible for them to have later escaped to Britain, robbing Klein of his happy ending.
Britain has for centuries been a world centre for innovation. This has helped support our economy. Brexit provides us with a clear opportunity to ensure this continues. Post-Brexit, we can introduce differentiated business legislation that will support investments and innovations to help the country thrive.

Historically, English property law has been the cornerstone of this, of which patent law is a key part. For example, the patent system may have accelerated the Industrial Revolution. By allowing people to own and sell their inventions, it provided a financial incentive for innovation, making it attractive to people other than just the manufacturers (who wanted to save on labour cost).

In the modern world, policymakers can still hinder or facilitate economic growth through targeted legislation. A great illustration of this can be seen in the US state of Michigan. Recognising the investment that technology and automobile companies could bring, the state recently passed some of the most forward-looking bills for self-driving cars. There, cars can now be tested on public roads with no driver. In addition, they have gone a step further than states like Florida by legalizing ride-sharing in self-driving cars - surely an overt 'come hither' look at Uber and the investment dollars it could bring if it ran its innovation programme locally.

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Once the UK has left the EU, there will considerably greater scope to set industrial policy in line with our own interests. In particular, the UK will not be subject to EU state aid rules, giving the UK government greater latitude in how it directs it resources. For example, it will be able to determine how to best incentivize car manufacturers to build and keep their plants here. Directed industrial policies could also help reduce the North-South divide should the government want to do more to encourage businesses to locate themselves further north, and bring with them jobs and wealth creation.

In the financial services industry, where I've worked for the past 22 years, the UK has always been a key player in innovation. Today, FinTechs have thrived in London's Silicon Roundabout with access to a large investor base, a strong pool of skilled talent, and the ability easily to tap into demand. The government has further supported the development of FinTech in the UK through the FCA's Project Innovate - making it easier for firms to test innovative products - and the Bank of England's FinTech Accelerator, which supports FinTechs developing innovations for central banking.

Similarly, in healthcare there is opportunity to accelerate technology innovation in the UK. On the surface, the socialised healthcare system makes the UK less attractive than somewhere like the US. But our need for efficient healthcare delivery is exactly why the government should help create accelerators, draft rules to encourage hubbing and make it easy for innovations to be developed and tested in the UK.

For example, if hospitals are the most expensive places to provide healthcare, and millions of people presenting at their A&E department could be treated elsewhere, then attracting more telemedicine innovators to the country would be a win-win-win for the UK economy, health system, and the companies themselves.

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In retail, aviation, pharmaceuticals, energy, and other key industries, the UK can step up efforts to attract businesses looking to become digital and technology innovators. Currently, the government is helping through bodies like Innovate UK, which invests public money and that of its business partners in driving science and technology innovations. The country needs to continue in this vein but also increase its appetite for risk - such as through outright investment and tax and rate breaks - and put in place incentives to foster innovation hubs in line with innovation hubs like Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv, for example by introducing rules encouraging risk taking and not over-penalizing failures. Consideration should also be given to reviewing rules regarding ownership of patents and intellectual capital created by government and university-funded research.

There is also scope for the government to encourage the build and maintenance of the physical infrastructure which supports innovation. This could include the introduction of favourable rates in designated areas for start-ups or indeed for buildings which incubate start-ups. It could also include support to turn some of our disused industrial infrastructure like tunnels and mines into server farms - instead of mushroom (or cannabis) farms.

The diverse talent pool needed to create the innovations that drive will drive the UK economy in the future also needs to be nurtured. Currently, the country's world-class universities and research centres attract and generate high-quality talent, but restrictions on free movement following Brexit could temper this asset. Treading carefully and recognizing economic benefits from some types of immigration is vital.
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Helen Wildbore, Senior Human Rights Officer at the British Institute of Human Rights, celebrates National Mental Capacity Action Day.

Today (27 February) is Mental Capacity Action Day. This is the second annual day of action being marked by the National Mental Capacity Forum.

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The theme of this year's action day is 'supporting decision making'. At the British Institute of Human Rights, we work with organisations across the sectors who support people with mental capacity issues. We see every day how vital human rights are for people with mental capacity issues to ensure their autonomy is respected and they are supported to make their own decisions as far as possible. Only recently we heard the sad story of the learning disabled parents in Kirklees who had their new-born child removed and were not involved in the custody hearing, breaching their human rights.

Such stories are a stark reminder of how devastating it can be to have decisions made 'without' you. Unfortunately we have many more examples, but our work focuses on how practitioners and advocacy/support workers can use the powerful language of human rights to get issues resolved in out-of-court settings.

One of the advocates we work with was supporting Lynne (not her real name), a woman with a learning disability who was living in hospital. Lynne needed to use incontinence pads overnight, but the hospital decided to stop providing them. For Lynne this meant she was often left in soiled sheets until morning. Lynne's advocate had been trained by BIHR and recognised that this could infringe Lynne's right to be free from degrading treatment (protected by Article three in the Human Rights Act). The advocate also saw that Lynne needed support to understand what was happening, in order to protect her autonomy (covered by Article eight in the Human Rights Act). The advocate created a short storyboard to talk through the issue with Lynne and explain about her rights. Lynne was pleased someone had understood how she felt and agreed that the advocate could discuss her rights with the hospital. As a result, the hospital re-instated the pads so that Lynne would not face hours of discomfort and embarrassment each night.

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One of the more challenging issues for public services is respecting the rights of people to make decisions which others might think 'unwise'. Our right to make our own decisions and choices (protected by Article eight in the Human Rights Act) includes 'unwise' decisions. That could include who we have relationships with, whether we drink alcohol, or even how we spend our money. This is where the Human Rights Act is so important for people using services, as it can help ensure that our decision-making is respected, unless there is a genuine concern about our capacity to make a particular decision. The Mental Capacity Act sets out a process to ensure any interference with our autonomy should still respect people's rights to be involved in decisions as much as possible.

When Daisy (not her real name) was living in a rehabilitation unit and she was refusing to shower, staff at the unit used the framework of the Human Rights Act to help them decide how to approach this. Although they might have thought the decision 'unwise' and they were concerned about the rights of other residents, they recognised that they couldn't force Daisy to bathe. Instead they thought about Daisy's rights and reflected that she may be responding to years of living in care. They supported her to take back more control over her life and regain her independence. Eventually Daisy began showering regularly.

Supporting people to make their own choices and participate in decision-making can be empowering for staff running services too:

"Using a human rights approach has helped us, in difficult times, to give us back our social work values in a meaningful way." Social worker on BIHR's project"
Over the last few years Lloyd Platt & Co have seen an ever-increasing number of grandparents finding themselves for a variety of reasons being prevented from having any form of contact to their grandchildren. In most of these cases they had enjoyed a very close and loving relationship with their grandchildren, looking after them quite often, seeing them for family occasions, and in many cases making large financial contribution. The numbers of these cases have caused us great concern. As a consequence, we, together with various grandparent groups and Dame Esther Rantzen are campaigning for a change and shift in the law relating to grandparents' relationships with their grandchildren.

At present grandparents are not in the same position as parents, who automatically have parental responsibility ie the automatic right to apply to the Court for any issues relating to the children (provided they are named on the birth certificate). As a grandparent, they have no automatic rights whatsoever.

Whilst the law seems to believe that grandparents will simply resolve issues such as these which have arisen out of a family dispute, divorce or separation or the unilateral decision by one party to stop them seeing the grandchildren, this view is clearly naive as currently over one million grandparents are not permitted to see their grandchildren.

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When this matter was looked at in 2011 by the Family Justice Review, they did not see a need for leave to be removed since they felt that it filtered out unmeritorious cases. The reality is that it has impacted on grandparents countrywide and must be immediately changed.

When grandparents apply for leave the test is, their connection with the child, the risk that there might be as to a disruption of the child's life to the extent that they might be harmed by it. If leave is given, the welfare of the child is then considered to be paramount. The reality is because of the delays caused by grandparents having to apply first for leave and then if lucky enough to have been granted leave for what is known as a "child arrangement order" the court can refuse the application. The reason behind this is because in the eyes of the court it has been such a long period of time since the grandparents have last seen their grandchildren.

At a recent Lobby Day in Parliament, it was clear from the many grandparents that attended that grandchildren are missing out on the vital role that can be played by grandparents in their grandchildren's lives. Not only in many cases have they provided emotional support that might otherwise be omitted or missing altogether perhaps at a time of divorce dispute between the parents, or after a death of a parent but a sense of security. Grandparents need their grandchildren but more importantly grandchildren need their grandparents who can provide a richness of the history of the family that might otherwise be lost forever providing clarity of the grandchildren's background and stories that should be heard. Many grandparents provide financial support, in many of the cases, allowing for their children to get onto the property ladder, contributing towards the grandchildren's school fees or generally helping out where it is required.

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Grandparents are ever more finding themselves pulled into divorce and matrimonial disputes having perhaps providing monies to their children for the purchase of a house which if not made clear from the outset can embroil them as being a party to the proceedings. In these many growing cases, where one or other of the parties suggesting that it is a gift and the other maintains that it is a loan, the only way to resolve it as far as the court is concerned, is to join in the grandparents. Similarly, where grandparents out of the goodness of their hearts have paid for their grandchildren's school fees, or provided ongoing monies, grandparents can be pulled in as a resource. From a legal perspective, how can it be that from a financial perspective grandparents can be brought in, yet when it comes to rights to apply for contact to the grandchildren (a child arrangement order) grandparents' rights are so very limited.

Accordingly, after much discussion and research, it is believed that the right of a grandchild to see their grandparents should be enshrined in law as it is with their parents. There is no suggestion that grandparents would want to take away the rights of the parents, merely that the grandchildren should not be deprived of the right to enjoy a relationship with their grandparents.

We hope that debate will be engendered over this issue and that we will succeed in shifting the unhelpful state of the law.

Upon research and particularly arising out of case studies, it is clear that mediation is failing the parties on a universal basis. The system appears to be too structured and does not help in an intractable situation. It is for this reason that Lloyd Platt & Co have now created a new form of dispute resolution, which is proving successful in bringing together grandparents and their children to resolve their difficulties. The parties sign up that they will respect each other, listen to each other's views and try to work towards what is known as a "successful outcome agreement". Many grandparents expressed the view that it seems a more helpful structure than mediation. It is therefore hoped that our procedure will eventually be rolled out across the country.

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This firm has conducted research around the world, in various jurisdictions. We have discovered that Britain appears to be virtually one of the few countries that do not give automatic rights to grandparents to apply to the Court. Upon further investigation judges in other jurisdictions appear not to require leave for the grandparents' applications because they are well able to filter out any limited unmeritorious cases during the course of the proceedings themselves.

Across most other countries, grandparents are respected and included. It is now high time that we in Great Britain take the same view and have a more inclusive attitude towards grandparents so that the law can be changed to help the million grandparents who are currently deprived of any opportunity to build a relationship with their grandchildren and the distress that it causes to all.

Vanessa Lloyd Platt
China, France sign deals on nuclear energy, science

From:Xinhua | 2017-02-22 15:09

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds a welcome ceremony for French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- China and France on Tuesday signed agreements on nuclear energy and science during French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve's Beijing visit.

During talks with Cazeneuve, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China is willing to work with France to deepen cooperation in the whole industrial chain of nuclear energy.

He hoped that the two sides would ensure a smooth implementation of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant program and discuss joint development of the third-party nuclear power market.

Li suggested the two sides explore cooperation in civil aviation and space industries, deepen cooperation in coping with climate change, and speed up the eco-city project in Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province.

He also hoped the two countries to explore cooperation in whole industrial chain of agriculture, medicine and health, as well as coping with an aging society.

Li urged the two sides to facilitate bilateral people-to-people exchanges, effectively implement the Sino-French "1000 Interns" program and the mutual recognition agreement of driving license just signed between the two sides.

He called on the two nations to push the social security agreement signed last October into effect as soon as possible, which exempts company employees assigned to work in each other's countries from the mandatory social security contributions.

The premier hoped that the French side would provide Chinese tourists with better services.

On bilateral relations, Li said China and France both serve as the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the Sino-French ties have been at the forefront of China's links with western countries.

He said the two countries should always uphold the principle of mutual respect, equality, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win and strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs.

He called on the two sides, against the backdrop of the complicated and volatile international situation, jointly send out strong signals of safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting development, so as to respond to uncertainty with stability.

China firmly supports European integration, and hopes to see a united, prosperous and stable European Union(EU), which is not only conducive to China-France and China-Europe relations, but also in the interests of multilateralism and the development of globalization, said Li.

Li urged the EU to comprehensively and thoroughly fulfill its obligations under the Protocol on China's Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), so as to create conditions for sound and healthy development of China-Europe pragmatic cooperation.

Under Article 15 of the Protocol on China's Accession to the WTO, the EU should have ended its "surrogate country system" by Dec. 11, 2016.

For his part, Cazeneuve praised the fruitful cooperation with China in civilian nuclear energy sector, adding bilateral cooperation in agriculture and environmental protection is exemplary.

France is ready to work with China to enhance cooperation in such areas of politics, economic and trade, investment, science, agriculture, nuclear energy, environmental protection and education, he said.

France is willing to make efforts with China to maintain trade liberalization and defuse protectionism, he added.

Noting Europe and China share broad common interests, Cazeneuve said the two sides will find proper solution to the implementation of the Article 15 of the Protocol on China's Accession to the WTO and France is willing to make efforts in this regard.

When jointly meeting the press with Cazeneuve, Li reaffirmed that China upholds to the principle of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, opposes to all kinds of protectionism, and safeguards an open international trade system as well as the multilateral framework.

Cazeneuve said France is ready to work with China to oppose trade protectionism and promote the development and prosperity of the two countries.

Cazeneuve is paying an official visit to China on Feb. 21-23. Besides Beijing, Cazeneuve will also visit Wuhan.
Devin Neal is at the center of Kansas footballs renaissance
Williamstown Police Chief Kyle Johnson and Town Manager Jason Hoch discuss the police budget in front of the Finance Committee on Wednesday evening.

Williamstown Fin Comm Combs Through FY18 Spending Plan

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Finance Committee last week dug into the details of the town's proposed fiscal 2018 operations budget, which calls for an aggregate 1.98 percent increase in costs across all non-school departments.

The Police Department, Milne Public Library, Council on Aging, Community Development Office, and Assessor and Finance departments were among those who presented their spending plans to the Fin Comm.

Town Manager Jason Hoch told the committee the town is projecting a 3 percent wage adjustment for its non-union employees in FY18. And the budget's bottom line benefits from a change in the Berkshire Health Group plan that shifts costs away from municipalities and onto public employees through deductibles.

"We did get, one could argue from a budgeting point of view, lucky when we were forced into a health-care change by Berkshire Health," Hoch told the Board of Selectmen last Wednesday. "The bad news is the coverage will make almost every one of our employees worse off. I'm disappointed in that, but this is beyond our control. We voted against this.

"From a budget point of view, it's great, but from a taking care of your people point of view, it's not ideal."

The bottom lines of most of the departments the Fin Comm looked at Wednesday night were relatively in line with the 2 percent hike throughout Town Hall, but there were a few changes within the departments the generated questions and discussions from the committee during the speedy 90-minute meeting.

An example is the Building Assessor's budget, which is up by nearly 14 percent from FY17 because of a software change necessitated by a change in Boston, Principal Assessor Bill Barkin told the Fin Comm.

"The Department of Revenue is abandoning the software we've been on for seven or eight years," Bill Barkin said. "That's left the towns high and dry, and we're scrambling to convert."

The software in question maintains all the pertinent data on every property in town, he said. Currently, Williamstown uses a program developed and owned by the commonwealth, but that system no longer will be an option.

"It has to do with the state's cutback," Barkin said. "They're cutting back in their IT, and they don't want to support it anymore."

The town instead is looking at software from one of the leading private firms in the industry that already has a strong foothold in New England, he said. The initial acquisition cost is being spread over a couple of years with $12,250 budgeted in FY18. Going forward, the licensing fee on the new software will be about 50 percent more than what the town currently pays the state for using similar technology, Barkin and Hoch told the committee.

The $12,250 hit on the FY18 budget in Barkin's department accounts for most of a $7,106 $17,106 total increase from FY17, raising the department's budget to $141,316, from $124,210 in the current fiscal year.

Technology is costing the town a little more in another area of the budget as well.

Town Hall's IT budget is up by a little more than 5 percent in FY18 as the town moves more of its operations onto the cloud. The move allows for smoother operations in the short term and cost savings in the long run, Finance Director Janet Sadler said.

"We continue to make strides forward in trying to go to the cloud, to become more efficient, to move ourselves further away from having to replace servers constantly," she said. "We are making a transition to Google Docs, Google email. It's more efficient in being able to access documents, share things with our coworkers, spam filtering.

"When Bill Barkin goes to his new program, that can go on the server because we now have room because our documents and emails have gone to the cloud. There's a big one-time expense for it, but we feel it's the right way to go."

The data processing line in the IT budget is up by 54 percent (from about $33,000 to about $52,500), and the budget features a new line item, $1,800, to pay for Google licensing fees.

That fee allows the town to use a more secure version of Google's email and document products than is available to consumers, Hoch told the Fin Comm.

In addition to some of the cost increases sprinkled throughout the budgets presented Wednesday, there also were minor cost savings here and there.

For example, both the public library and Harper Center are budgeting lower costs for utilities in 2018 because of efficiencies realized by physical upgrades. The Milne Library's recently replaced furnace means it needs to budget 1 percent less for natural gas in FY18, a savings of $1,462. The Council on Aging's Harper Center is budgeting 29 percent less for electricity and 14 percent less for natural gas (combined savings of $1,500) because of renovations made to the building in recent years, Council on Aging Director Brian O'Grady told the committee.

The Fin Comm was generally pleased with all of the presentations from staff that it heard on Wednesday night.

Committee members asked Hoch followup questions based on an appeal it heard last month from Village Ambulance Service. He told them there is no money currently in the town budget to support the service, and any expenditure that could potentially show up would be in the form of a separate warrant article for May's annual town meeting.

"There is no money proposal at this point," Hoch said. "A group of us representing the town, Village Ambulance, the Fire Department and [Williams College] are having a conversation. If it it gets to the point where there's money, if we reached something before town meeting that required money, it would most likely be a warrant article."

In other business Wednesday, the Fin Comm authorized Chairman Michael Sussman to approach the chairs of the Williamstown Elementary and Mount Greylock School committees about having an April meeting to discuss long-term budgeting issues.

"I'm talking about how over the next three to five years do the schools bring their budgets in line with what the town can support," Sussman said.

The Tri-District central office, which administers both WES and Mount Greylock (and Lanesborough Elementary School) currently is led by an interim superintendent and is in the process of hiring a new business manager.




iciHaiti - Health : Cuban Medical Brigade in Panyol





On Saturday, the population of the village of Panyol (Kenscoff) hosted the Cuban Medical Brigade, which held a mobile clinic in primary health care, a historic first for the community. The Brigade, composed of 8 Cuban specialists in ophthalmology, physiotherapy, pediatrics and general medicine, has consulted about 200 patients throughout the day to the great satisfaction of the community of Panyol.



Note that the Dr. Louis G. Lamothe Foundation has established a solidarity agreement with the Cuban Medical Brigade for the organization of a monthly mobile clinic in the community of Panyol pending the construction of a primary health care post.



IH/ iciHaiti


















China, Italy pledge stronger ties

From:Xinhua | 2017-02-24 10:33

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds a welcome ceremony for his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2017.(Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella held talks Wednesday, pledging to enhance bilateral ties.

The two heads of state agreed to develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and advance the relationship to a higher level.

Xi called on the two countries to maintain high-level exchanges and close cooperation between their governments, legislative institutions and political parties.

China and Italy should synergize their development strategies and innovate cooperation patterns, Xi told Mattarella, who is on a state visit to China from Feb. 21 to 26.

"China welcomes Italy to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative," Xi said.

Xi called for more cooperation in technological and industrial innovation and in the field of cultural heritage, promoting the building of culture centers and language teaching in respective country.

The president also stressed that China was willing to work with Italy to maintain world peace, development and stability through close communication on global economic governance, multilateralism and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the UN and G20.

"China supports European integration and hopes both sides foster China-Europe partnerships that feature peace, growth, reform and civilization, and build a peaceful, open, inclusive and prosperous world," Xi said.

Mattarella said he came to China to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and that Italy hopes for closer high-level exchanges and cooperation in trade and culture.

Italy supports an open multilateral trading system and will enhance coordination with China in international and regional affairs, Mattarella said, adding that Italy backs the development of Europe-China relations.

After their talks, Xi and Mattarella witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in culture, science, education, health, trade and innovation. Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Mattarella at the Great Hall of the People.




This Isnt Our Last Love Letter



Dear Don Don,

Way back in 92



I walked into the room and knew



Never felt this way before



I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes



And the feeling grew



As I took a seat I knew



A love that would have my heart



Forever



I knew



Way back in 92





They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true



We were the exception to that rule



Our love had no where to hide



A spark set fire



As if this is how the universe started





I never doubted our love or what we could do



Together we grew



Forming a bond everlasting



That became our glue



My euphoria was YOU



Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared



For how fortunate we were :



to have and to hold

through sickness and in health

Til death do us part



Until we are together again



This isnt our last love letter



I love you with all my heart and soul



Yours forever,



Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow)





Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus.









A True American Hero

I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus.



I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years.



I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years.

But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us.

In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about.



Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle.

I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life.

I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life.

No one will ever do what he did.

I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO





David Jurist

IMUS IN THE MORNING

FIRST DAY BACK!
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There is nothing Hollywood likes more than a breakthrough underdog and that is why the academy was all too keen to bestow Casey Affleck with the Oscar for Best Actor for his widely lauded role in Manchester By The Sea. Affleck lives up to all the usual runner-up tropes: not only has he been overshadowed by his megastar big brother Ben, he also has something of the tortured misunderstood artist about him.

But not everyone is best pleased about Afflecks Academy Award win. This is because the 41-year-old actor, who was widely tipped to take home the award, faced two sexual harassment allegations in 2010.

Affleck has faced fresh scrutiny over the historical sexual harassment allegations since he has moved ever further into the limelight for his portrayal of a grief-stricken divorcee father.

Producer Amanda White and cinematographer Magdalena Gorka sued for $2m and $2.25m respectively over alleged offences during the filming of the mockumentary I'm Still Here which stars Joaquin Phoenix.

In the original allegations, Ms White alleged that Affleck referred to women as "cows", groped her when she rejected his sexual advances and instructed a camera operator to flash his genitals at her on several occasions. Ms Gorka claimed she was confronted with a "near daily barrage of sexual comments, innuendo and unwelcome advances" from fellow crew members who were encouraged by Affleck.

Affleck has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations and settled both claims out of court in 2010. While actual details of the deal remain secret, Ms Gorka and Ms Whites complaints continue to be online on the public record.

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The above allegations explain why people are incensed about Afflecks Oscar award.

Last year Brie Larson stood and hugged every sexual assault survivor who was on stage with Gaga and now she has to hug Casey Affleck, said one person on Twitter, referencing the fact that Larson presented Affleck with his award.

Casey Affleck is avoiding eye contact with every woman in the room. #Oscars, said Clickhole, a viral news website.

Other viewers claimed Larson looked visibly unimpressed after bestowing Affleck with the award, noticing that she failed to clap immediately after announcing the award.

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Media commentators have argued Affleck has not been sufficiently scrutinised for the allegations due to his big Hollywood family name and his privilege as a wealthy white man.

The Oscar is by no means Afflecks first gong of award season. He also took home the BAFTA, Golden Globe, Gotham, Critics Choice, and National Board of Review awards for his performance in Kenneth Longeran's drama Manchester by the Sea.

The actor fought off competition from Denzel Washington (Fences), Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge), Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) and Ryan Gosling (La La Land) to win the Oscar.

A representative for Affleck did not immediately respond to a request.
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While the majority of the 89th Academy Awards took place without a hitch, the final announcement of the evening - the coveted Best Picture award - was an unprecedented disaster.

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced La La Land as the overall winner, when - in reality - Moonlight had taken the top prize.

"I opened the envelope and it said: Emma Stone, La La Land, Beatty explained. That's why I took such a long pause and looked at Faye, and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny."

Conversely, Emma Stone has claimed she was holding her Best Actress announcement card, telling press backstage: I was also holding my Best Actress in a leading role card that entire time.

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So whatever story - I dont mean to start stuff - but whatever story that was, I had the card. So, Im not sure what happened. And I really wanted to talk to you guys first.

While exactly what happened remains a mystery - and Faye has declined to comment on the situation to reporters, a past interview with the two Oscars balloting co-leaders - the only two people who know the final Oscars results - is very revealing.

The producers decide what the order of the awards will be, Brian Cullinan told Medium. We each have a full set. I have all 24 envelopes in my briefcase; Martha [Ruiz] has all 24 in hers.

We stand on opposite sides of the stage, right off-screen, for the entire evening, and we each hand the respective envelope to the presenter. It doesnt sound very complicated, but you have to make sure youre giving the presenter the right envelope.

Just three days ago, Cullinan also gave an interview with the Huffington Post in which he revealed what would happen "if" a mix-up happened on the night.

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We would make sure that the correct person was known very quickly," he told the publication. "Whether that entails stopping the show, us walking onstage, us signaling to the stage manager  thats really a game-time decision, if something like that were to happen. Again, its so unlikely."

So unlikely, yet it did happen. Los Angeles Times writer Jeffrey Fleishman reportedly claimed that, mid-way through La La Land's acceptance speech, someone shouted from the stage side " "Oh, f-ck. Oh my God. He got the wrong envelope."

The consensus is therefore that the wrong envelope was opened by Beatty while Stone held the other, therefore meaning both their stories check out.

An official statement has since been delivered, clarifying that the company entrusted to manage the winning envelopes was at fault.

The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected," PricewaterhouseCoopers said. "We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred. We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation."

Meanwhile, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins and Best Supporting actor Mahershala Alit have both commented on the event. Read the full list of winners here.
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Though this year's Academy Awards may have been largely - and predictably - political in flavour, Donald Trump's name and direct policies haven't been name-checked as much as might be expected.

However, when it was Gael Garcia Bernal's turn to take the stage, presenting the award for Best Animated Feature Film alongside Hailee Steinfeld, the Mexican actor and renowned political activist utilised his opportunity to speak out.

"As a Mexican, as a Latin-American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I'm against any form of wall that separates us," he stated.

Bernal has repeatedly spoken out against Trump's plan for a border wall between the US and Mexico in the past, having starred in the 2015 film Desierto, playing a Mexican immigrant worker attempting to cross the borderline while hunted down by a merciless vigilante (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

The evening also saw a touching political statement from Best Foreign Language Film winner Asghar Farhadi, who decided not to attend the Academy Awards in protest of Donald Trump's 'Muslim' ban.

To catch up on all the happenings at this years Oscars ceremony, including that already infamous La La Land/Moonlight Best Picture mix-up (spoiler: Moonlight were the actual winners) check out our live blog and full list of winners.
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Jimmy Kimmel, the host of Oscars 2017, brought a group of unsuspecting Hollywood tourists who seemingly had no idea they were entering a room filled with Hollywood A-list talent into the ceremony.

Kimmel introduced members of the general public to actors including Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and Denzel Washington.

The moment saw a viral star born in Gary from Chicago, a man who continually held up his iPhone to record the moment without seeming to be shocked to have just walked into the middle of the film industry's most prestigious ceremony; he even made Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali take a selfie of him holding his Oscar.

Viewers' response to the moment, however, was mixed with some praising Kimmel's skit while others believed the moment to be too close to the bone with the host seeming to mock the tourists. He even seemed to mock the name of one of the tourists.

Everybody was decided on one fact: Gary stole the show.

Kimmel took aim at Trump in a politically charged opening monologue which, among other things, saw him directly brand the President a 'racist.'

To follow all the happenings at this year's Oscars ceremony, check out our live blog here. You can find a list of all the winners here.
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The White Helmets may have won Best Documentary Short at the 2017 Academy Awards, but its cinematographer has been barred from entering the US to attend the ceremony, according to the Associated Press.

AP reports that the Department of Homeland Security blocked Khaled Khatib after discovering "derogatory information" about him, with Khatib having made plans to fly from Istanbul to Los Angeles the day before the ceremony.

Khatib was reportedly detained by Turkish officials earlier in the week for undisclosed reasons, needing a passport waiver which was denied; he had planned to attend the ceremony after the travel ban was lifted.

Trump had ordered a four-month ban on all refugees from entering the country as well as enacting an indefinite ban on all those who hail from Syria. For 90 days, visas were not to be issued to nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The Department of Homeland Security has since suspended all enforcement of Trump's immigration ban following a nationwide locking of the executive order from federal judge James Robart in Washington.

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Khatib was a member of the White Helmets, an organisation which searches for survivors in the rubble of bombed buildings, but served as cinematographer for the Netflix documentary.

To follow all the happenings at this years Oscars ceremony, check out our live blog here. You can find a list of all the winners here.
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The Salesman has won Best Foreign Language film at this year's Oscars, winning a second award for Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi who was affected by Donald Trump's Muslim ban.

The film has been in the headlines recently following the news that President Trump's ruling would keep the director Farhadi out of the US. Following its block by US courts, Farhadi decided to boycott the ceremony altogether.

Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari accepted the award on behalf of Farhadi, reading out a statement written by the director.

It read: "I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those from other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US. Dividing the world into the US and our enemies categories creates fear - a deceitful justification for aggression and war."

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Farhadi's film The Salesman was nominated in the Foreign Language category alongside Land of Mine (Denmark), Toni Erdmann (Germany), A Man Called Ove (Sweden) and Tanna (Australia). The film follows a high school teacher (Shahab Hosseini) who seeks revenge against the perpetrator who attacked his wife (Taraneh Alidoosti) in their apartment.

The director made awards history in 2012 when his film A Separation became the first Iranian film to win an Oscar.

To follow all the happenings at this year's Oscars ceremony, check out our live blog here. You can find a list of all the winners here.
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Piers Morgan might have routinely slammed Hollywood award shows as indulgent, self-congratulatory Trump hate-ins but he still makes sure he live-tweets the Oscars.

In true Morgan fashion, the editor-at-large of the US MailOnline, who regularly refers to President Donald Trump as a friend, has somehow found a way to compare Hollywoods biggest blunder in decades to the defeat of Hillary Clinton.

In case you missed it, the Oscar for Best Picture was mistakenly handed to La La Land after the award presenters read out the wrong winner. In reality, Barry Jenkins Moonlight, the underdog which was snubbed at the BAFTAs, was bestowed with the accolade.

The Good Morning Britain presenter quipped that like Mr Trumps Democat rival, La La Land had won the popular vote.

Mr Trump gained nearly three million fewer votes than Ms Clinton. Moreover, the margin of 2.86 million ballots was the biggest popular vote disparity in US history for a candidate who has gone on to become President, a good deal greater than the 544,000-vote gap between George W Bush and Al Gore in 2000.

Morgan dubbed the announcement fake news and relished in sharing a CNN tweet saying La La Land had won.

How on earth can you have the wrong card for Best Picture? What a pathetic, toe-curling farce. #oscars the controversial columnist bitterly asked.

Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Show all 25 1 /25 Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Hailee Steinfeld Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Taraji P. Henson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chrissy Teigen Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ruth Negga Reuters Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dev Patel PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Karlie Kloss Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Emma Roberts Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Riz Ahmed Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Felicity Jones AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Isabelle Huppert AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Mahershala Ali Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Michelle Williams Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Naomie Harris AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Scarlett Johansson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ryan Gosling Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Viola Davis Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Charlize Theron Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dakota Johnson REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chris Evans Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Brie Larson Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Sofia Boutella PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Pharrell Williams Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Kirsten Dunst Getty Images

Morgan, who first met Mr Trump on the first series of his Celebrity Apprentice, has delighted in standing up for President Trump in the face of criticism. Just recently, Australian comedian Jim Jefferies told Morgan to f*ck off on primetime TV for outrightly refusing to call President Trump's hard-line immigration ban a "Muslim ban".

Others on Twitter drew attention to the parallels between La La Land's loss and that of Ms Clinton, with one saying it is a "really, really bad time for the 'Establishment frontrunner'".

While the Oscars cock-up was initially thought to be the fault of presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, it appears the responsibility lies with a crew member to ensure the correct envelopes make it onto the stage.

In the end, La La Land wound up having a slightly disappointing night, ceasing to pick up many of the technical awards it was expected to, however, the film did pick up Best Director, Best Actress and Cinematography. On the other hand, Moonlight not only got the night's biggest award but also nabbed Best Supporting actor for Mahershala Ali and the Original Screenplay prize.
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Jenn Grant has released a new a gorgeous new session video of a track off her upcoming album Paradise, which you can listen to first via The Independent.

The Canadian artist has previously been nominated for two Juno awards, and arrives in the UK for some live shows in May.

Check out 'Lion With Me' below:

Q&A with Jenn Grant

Tell us a bit about 'Lion With Me'

I wrote this song for my husband. It reminds me of where we live in Nova Scotia, Canada and how lucky I feel that I get to take him with me on tour.

What are your plans for 2017?

Im very excited about releasing my new album Paradise and playing all these shows. I really think these will be the best shows of my career, because I love the new songs so much.

Are you excited about your European tour?

I love playing in Europe! Out last tour over there was special, and it will be great to build on that experience, and bring something new to all our beautiful European fans

What was the first gig you ever played and what's been the best so far?

The first gig I ever played was to roughly seven people in a little place called 'Salvation' in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I was too scared to invite anyone! I think of those seven people they were there just working or something.

If Im honest, I don't feel like there's been a best gig. Every show is special and unique in some way. Some are more magical than others though for sure. They all mean something to me in their own way.

What are you listening to at the moment? Can you recommend anything new from Canada?

A lot of The National and Sharon Van Etten

My friend Rose Cousins has just released her new album, 'Natural Conclusion'. She has an incredible voice. Go check it out!

Paradise by Jenn Grant is out on 3 March
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Its the annual be-all and end-all of glamorous Hollywood events and, as usual, were engrossed by what the stars are wearing the moment they hit the red carpet.

But for 2017, things are taking a slightly more political turn.

Forget statement shoes, crystal-drop earrings and bags. Tonight, the must-have red-carpet accessory is a blue ribbon.

Dressed to protest, it seems as though the ceremonys biggest political statements are coming from the catwalk outside with stars signifying their support for the American Civil Liberties Union.

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

In aid of the new Stand with ACLU initiative launched last week, Hollywood icons are being encourages to wear the ribbon as an act of solidarity with the organisation which has campaigned for nearly 100 years to defend and protect the individual rights of citizens.

Early to the red carpet, Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga pinned one to the bodice of her bright red Valentino gown. Fitting, seeing as the non-profit organisation supplied the legal resources for the couple featured in the film shes nominated for, Loving.

(Getty Images)

Actor Lin Manuel-Miranda and his mother, known as staunch defenders of human rights, also sported ribbons onto their red-carpet finery as did supermodel Karlie Kloss, who showed her support wearing one low on the hip of her all-white Stella McCartney gown.
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Nokia has re-launched the 3310, perhaps the most-loved phone in history. But it's not actually going to work in much of the world.

The phone was met with delight  including by The Independent's reviewer  when it was revealed Mobile World Congress, with Nokia showing off a phone that even improved the battery life on the old mobile. HMD Global, which now owns the Nokia brand, will sell it for just 40 and when it launches this summer.

While many parts of the phone have been updated, the new version of the handset still communicates with networks using the same old frequencies: 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, used for the kind of 2G communications that sent calls and texts before mobile internet caught on. But those frequencies have already been turned off in much of the world  including in the US and Canada  and they are gradually being switched off in many of the countries that still use them, too.

Nokia 3310 Show all 13 1 /13 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Originally revealed 17 years ago, Nokia has resurrected the classic mobile phone Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310 Nokia 3310

That means that it won't be possible for the phone to do anything when it is taken to those countries, since it won't be able to connect to the network. Nokia hasn't said that it will sell the phone in America  but it is positioning it as the perfect phone for travel, since it is hardy and has a huge battery life.

It could also mean that the phone will eventually become defunct even in the markets that Nokia is targeting. Regulators are constantly looking to shut down unused frequencies so that they can be used for other purposes, and those that power 2G networks are likely to fall under that

Technically, the issue is that the phone only supports GSM 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, which are the primary bands used in most parts of the world like Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. But networks in North, Central and South America primarily use 850 MHz and 1900 MHz  frequencies that the 3310 won't be able to connect to, and so won't be able to receive any information from.

 The new Nokia 3310: Everything you need to know

Most modern phones get around those problems by including support for a range of different bands. Almost all of the phones sold today include support for at least three  the two of their home market and one of the other, so that the phone can still run  but others include many more, so that they can be sold around the world.
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British customers stand to lose up to 1.1bn worth of loose change hoarded in piggybanks, jars and drawers when the current 1 coin goes out of circulation later this year, Mastercard has warned.

The new-look 12-sided 1 will come into circulation across the UK on Tuesday and shops have been told to stop accepting the traditional round coins on 15 October.

However, almost nine in 10  or 87 per cent  of British customers are unaware of the October deadline to spend their old 1 coins, according to a Mastercards survey of 2,000 people.

Just 17 per cent of respondents said that they knew the new coin was entering circulation in March, Mastercard said.

On average, people have 15 in 1 coins sitting around at home, with young adults aged 18 to 24 hoarding the most.

The current 1 coin is being replaced for the first time in over 30 years amid fears it has become too vulnerable to counterfeiters. Approximately one in 30 1 coins in circulation are fake.

We were shocked to discover just how few people are aware of when the current 1 coin goes out of circulation. Although the new 1 coin is a crucial step towards fighting fraud, cash never offers the same level of protection as using cards or other digital payment offerings, said Mark Barnett, president of Mastercard UK and Ireland.

Ministers in February reminded the public of the importance of all old coins being returned before the date when they lose their legal tender status.

Our message is clear: if you have a round one pound coin sitting at home or in your wallet, you need to spend it or return it to your bank before 15 October, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, commercial secretary to the Treasury, said.

The 2016 banknote beauty pageant Show all 6 1 /6 The 2016 banknote beauty pageant The 2016 banknote beauty pageant currency of Scotland The 2016 banknote beauty pageant currency of Australia The 2016 banknote beauty pageant currency of New Zealand The 2016 banknote beauty pageant currency of Georgia The 2016 banknote beauty pageant currency of Belarus The 2016 banknote beauty pageant currency of Maldives

Experts issued similar warnings.

Hannah Maundrell, editor in chief at Money.co.uk, previously told The Independent: Its craziness that 1 coins as we know them will soon become worthless. The chaos its going to cause for businesses is just part of the problem; it sends a bad message about saving to the many children that will be left disappointed when they find the 1 coins theyve squirrelled away in their piggy bank are worthless.
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The woman who will soon become the first female boss of a listed UK-based oil firm, said women are partly to blame for the lack of females on company boards.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Sara Edmonson, who will return as chief executive of oil firm Saffron Energy after her maternity leave in June, said women are penalising themselves by not applying for higher roles over concerns they will have difficulties balancing between their work and personal life.

Saffron Energy went public on the London stock exchange last week.

One of the reasons women arent really moving up, especially in board positions, is that theyre the ones pulling themselves out because of maternity leave or concerns about how theyll manage their life when they return to work, Ms Edmonson told the Standard. I think a lot of women are penalising themselves, she added.

In separate comments to the Independent she said that having a baby doesn't need to change your life completely or your ambitious as an individual.

It is all about the ability to knowing what you want in life and plan things, she added.

Earlier this month, research by headhunter Egon Zehnder revealed that the rate at which women are being promoted to the boards of the UKs largest companies has slowed for the first time.

Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Show all 20 1 /20 Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Angela Merkel German Chancellor AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Hillary Clinton U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Reuters Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Janet Yellen Federal Reserve Chair Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Melinda Gates Co-founder of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Mary Barra General Motors Co. Chairman and CEO Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Christine Lagarde Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Sheryl Sandbert COO of Facebook Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Susan Wojcicki CEO of YouTube Getty Images for GLAAD Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Meg Whitman Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Ana Patricia Botin Santander Bank's president AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Ginni Rometty IBM Chairman, President and CEO Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Park Geun-Hye President of South Korea Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Michelle Obama U.S. first lady Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Indra Nooyi Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Angela Ahrendts Apple senior vice president Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Abigail Johnson President and CEO of Fidelity Investments and chairman of Fidelity International Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Tsai Ing-wen Taiwan President AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Michelle Bachelet Chile President AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Federica Mogherini High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Safra Catz Oracle president Getty Images

Women made up 29 per cent of hires to UK boards last year, down from 32.1 per cent in 2014 and 31.6 per cent in 2012, according to the research.

A separate report published by the Women and Equalities Committee argued last week that the Government will fail to achieve its goal of eliminating the gender pay gap within a generation if it continues to ignore evidence presented to it, and overlooks the deeply entrenched structural causes of inequality.
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Billionaire investor Warren Buffett always draws a big audience with his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders but this years edition doesnt break much new ground.

The letter released describes the performance of the more than 90 companies that Berkshire owns. Aside from that, Buffett largely used the rest of the letter to reiterate points he has made before about the economy and investment fees.

The outspoken 86-year-old has been known for his fierce criticism of Donald Trump but left politics out of his annual letter despite the Republican taking the White House.

During a speech supporting Hillary Clinton on the campaign trial in August he called for Trump to release his tax returns  and did so himself several months later. He said: Youre only afraid if youve got something to be afraid about.

Hes not afraid because of the IRS. Hes afraid because of [the voters], he added.

Here are some highlights of what Berkshire's 86-year-old chairman and CEO did say and some of the top things investors wish he had addressed:

Rosy outlook

Buffett reiterated his long-term outlook for a prosperous America but he mostly steered clear of politics this year.

Ill repeat what I've both said in the past and expect to say in future years: Babies born in America today are the luckiest crop in history, wrote Buffett, who has said he thinks the economy will be OK under President Donald Trump. Buffett is a longtime Democrat.

Without mentioning Trumps immigration policies, Buffett did note that a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants played a significant role in the countrys prosperity.

Fee fortunes

Buffett used the letter to again explain the advantages of low-cost index funds. He said he estimates that wealthy investors who use high-priced advisers have wasted more than $100bn over the past decade.

The bottom line: 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 wrote. Both large and small investors should stick with low-cost index funds.

Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty

And it can be extremely difficult for investors to determine whether a money manager has the rare ability to outperform the stock market. So Buffett said most investors are better off not trying.

The problem simply is that the great majority of managers who attempt to over-perform will fail. The probability is also very high that the person soliciting your funds will not be the exception who does well, Buffett said.

Investing insight

Investment manager Cole Smead said he felt that Buffett spent too much of the letter extolling Berkshires virtues instead of talking about how hed approach investing the companys $86bn cash or what went wrong with the failed $143bn bid for Unilever that Berkshire took part in with 3G Capital.

Smead said Buffett and his investing partner, 93-year-old Charlie Munger, seem concerned about their legacies and how Berkshire is perceived.

This letter was more about Warren and Charlies epitaph even more so than prior letters, said Smead, who is with Seattle-based Smead Capital Management.

Smead said he wished Buffett had devoted more of the letter to discussing the current investment environment. Even though Buffett wont discuss what he might buy, Smead said he could have talked more about what he doesnt like in the market today.

Avoiding airlines

Buffett raised eyebrows last fall when he invested more than $9bn in airline stocks after years of urging investors to stay away from the airline sector.

Berkshire is now one of the biggest shareholders in American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Continental and Southwest, but he has offered little explanation for his change of heart other than to say airlines are better businesses after all the consolidation in the industry.

Warren Buffett raised eyebrows last year when he became a major shareholder in several airlines despite having talked the sector down (Getty)

But back in 2008, Buffett used his letter to label airlines as the worst kind of business because they grow rapidly and require significant investments to grow but earn little.

Think airlines. Here a durable competitive advantage has proven elusive ever since the days of the Wright Brothers, Buffett wrote. Indeed, if a farsighted capitalist had been present at Kitty Hawk, he would have done his successors a huge favour by shooting Orville down.

AP
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A large majority of Britons think children should be taught about pornography and sexting in schools, according to a new survey.

The findings will fuel demands for sex and relationship education to be made compulsory in all schools in the UK.

The poll of 2,000 adults found 75 per cent of Britons want children to be taught about the impact of pornography, while just 7 per cent were opposed to the move.

The survey, commissioned by the charity Plan International UK and carried out by Opinium, also found 71 per cent want lessons on sexting.

And 86 per cent of those surveyed think sexual consent should be taught while 82 per cent want lessons to cover violence and abuse in relationships.

Plan International UKs chief executive, Tanya Barron, said: Its clear that the UK public  including parents, feel that educating our children about issues such as sexual consent, different sexual orientations and the impact of pornography is important.

Parents are simply demanding that their childrens education reflects the 21st century reality of their lives.

Children today can be exposed to all sorts of sexual imagery on a daily basis which we know to be causing harm.

Children themselves, girls in particular, are telling us that they feel they need improved, age-appropriate mandatory sex and relationships education to help them navigate these difficult issues.

Under current rules state secondary schools under local authority control in England have to teach compulsory sex education, leaving open a loophole which means academies and free schools do not have to.

Parents can opt to take their children out of these classes.

A large majority of Britons think children should be taught about pornography and sexting in schools, according to a new survey (PA)

Conservative MP Maria Miller heads the Women and Equalities Committee and was one of five select committee chairs who last year wrote to Education Secretary Justine Greening to demand a change in policy.

She said: Digital mobile phones and 24-hour-a-day access to the online world are an everyday part of British childhood.

As a result most children will have seen online pornography before they leave primary school and will have been asked for a sexual digital image of themselves by a friend before they leave secondary school.

Parents and children know they need help and that is why I want compulsory lessons at school to help children better understand the signs of an abusive relationship, issues such as consent and the harm that is done by sexting and underage viewing of pornography.

Evidence given to the Women and Equalities Select Committee on sexual harassment in schools clearly indicates abusive relationships are spilling over from the offline world into everyday school life.

Better relationship education can help children handle these pressures better.

The Government has faced mounting pressure to improve the quality of the lesson and make them compulsory after several reports found that young people routinely face sexual harassment and bullying.

Attempts to change the law through private members bills in the Commons have so far been frustrated, but ministers are being lobbied to amend upcoming legislation.

Ms Greening has said she is looking at the issue, but no legislative change has yet been proposed.

PA
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Sir Gerald Kaufman, who has died aged 86, was a highly complex character. As journalist, backstage adviser, MP, minister just outside the cabinet, leading frontbench figure in the Labour Opposition of the Eighties and follower of the arts, he had every merit of intelligence, application and easy, literate fluency in argument. But he could be counter-productively abrasive, took and gave rather too much offence and was perhaps a little short of self-doubt.

His clear and lucid mind inclined him to a laying down of the law in a masterful fashion not everywhere appreciated. Genuinely gifted, he was his own worst enemy, but not without competitors.

Gerald Bernard Kaufman was born in 1930 in Leeds, one of the many children of Louis Kaufman, a Montague Burtons tailor, and his wife Jane. He progressed to Leeds Grammar School for which he felt no affection, having encountered anti-Semitism there, and to the Queens College, Oxford where in 1952, he became chairman of the Labour Club. A Daily Mirror journalist by trade, he fought two Tory seats in 1955 and 1959 before entering politics obliquely as an adviser to Harold Wilson, to whom he showed sustained personal loyalty.

Kaufman entered Parliament in 1970 for Manchester Ardwick and since 1983 served Manchester Gorton. His ministerial career began at the earliest opportunity, when Labour came to power in 1974, as junior to Anthony Crosland at the Environment, shepherding exceptionally protracted legislation, the Rent Act (near his heart as it gave tenants security of tenure), through a tight, difficult committee.

Sir Gerald Kaufman a visit to Israel in 2010 (Hazam Bader/AFP/Getty) (HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images)

He was then given responsibility with Eric Varley at Industry (post-Tony Benn), for the Industry Act. Moving up to Minister of State at the end of 1975, he stayed there until 1979, taking care of aircraft and shipbuilding bills, arguing against the nonsense of the Chrysler deal, but defending, at least in public, the hardly less nonsensical Polish shipping agreement, both subsidies of uneconomic activities. He was never less than a painstaking, dedicated and capable minister, and it was his wretched misfortune to have qualified for cabinet office when in 1979 all prospects would be whisked away for the next 18 years.

Recommended Labour MP Gerald Kaufman dies at 86

In opposition he grasped Labours predicament exactly, backing Denis Healey for the key deputy leadership contest and standing up to the far left. But though he rose to leading portfolios, shadowing Environment from 1980, the Home Office 1983-87 and the Foreign Office 1987-91, he would not be wholly happy. His gifts were for minute grasp, not persuasion in debate. Always combative, Kaufman was not subtle in public argument. Just hint a fault and hesitate dislike was a hypocrisy (or finesse) quite beyond him. He attacked enemies  and, in an oddly Thatcherian way, they were more often enemies than mere opponents  with words too rich for the palette.

Infamous was a recurring adjective. An Independent journalist would sigh that there was scarcely any topic he touched that was not scandalous, any ministerial statement that was not outrageous. He once turned on Leon Brittan, of Latvian Jewish extraction, engaged in 1984 upon immigration rules cosy by the standards of later Home Secretary David Blunkett, charging that had they applied when his own parents arrived from Poland, they would have been sent back to the gas chambers. The grasp, always good, could be vitiated by the animus.

Opposition can be done deftly with information or by full-frontal assault. Kaufman, so good at the first, was attracted to the second, riskier option. John Smith would triumph in indictment speeches, Robin Cook would do very well. The test of this style of opposition is the response of the government. The Tories disliked Robin Cook, but had a healthy respect for his closely argued case and savage irony. They were genuinely scared of Smith who, over Westland, sliced them fine. Gerald Kaufman they never quite took seriously. He could be witty, but was more often sarcastic, spent too long in top gear and, in his furious but ornate way, became predictable.

Kaufman addressing the House (PA)

He would demonstrate greater strength on standing committees when an eye for detail could embarrass a minister, and he flourished in his final parliamentary job as chair, from 1992 onwards, of the National Heritage Select Committee, later the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The arts had always been a concern, and he was a regular at arts festivals. He also wrote a little. His best book, How to be a Minister, has a light, sardonic touch and approaches minor classic status.

Wwhat was incontestable about Kaufman was the courage in any cause he cared for. He was the one member of the shadow Cabinet with the nerve to tell Michael Foot that he should give up a leadership far beyond his abilities. And throughout the period of frightened silence when entryism and deselection were cats that had got the tongue of most Labour politicians, Kaufman spoke up quite fearlessly again and again.

He is credited with calling the calamitous Labour manifesto of 1983 the longest suicide note in history. Significantly, he would be rewarded with a sustained series of very high votes in the annual ballots for the shadow Cabinet, when Labour did that sort of vulgar thing.

The courage also showed more than once on the Israel issue. Kaufman protested at the entry to Britain in 1972 of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, co-plotter with Yitzhak Shamir in 1948 in the killing of 91 Arabs, Jews and British in the King David Hotel bombing. And in April 2002 he attacked Ariel Sharon in the Commons for his readiness resort to violence, racial prejudice against Palestinian Arabs and general unfitness for high office. As brave as true, it was a splendid defiance of the standard smear from virulent Zionists that that Jews criticising Israel are self-hating. Kaufman was Jewish, Leeds Jewish, Polish immigrant Jewish, even a Zionist, of a civilised and deeply troubled sort. He spoke as a proud Jew, but not proud of Israel under Sharon.

As a parliamentarian, Kaufman represented with real passion ill-served and unprivileged people and newer racial minorities in a hard part of a hard city; genuinely devoted, yet leaving no small point unscored, Gerald Kaufman was always a class act, if, on occasion, something of a strain.

Sir Gerald Bernard Kaufman, born 21 June 1930, died 26 February 2017
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Judges have become so concerned about their personal safety that thousands of pounds of taxpayers money is being spent to install security at their homes.

According to Ministry of Justice figures, released under Freedom of Information requests, nearly 25,000 was spent upgrading security at the homes of four judges between 2014 and 2016.

In the financial year 2014/15, some 20,918 was spent on safety improvements at one judges home.

The following year, 3,939 was spent installing security at the homes of three judges.

Earlier this month, the Judicial Attitude Survey, which is released every two years, found 48 per cent of female judges and 36 per cent of male judges feared for their safety out of court  while 51 per cent of judges fear for their personal safety while in court.

One judge, who worked in Britains family and civil courts, said threats such as hostage-taking, physical assaults and even death have become common.

She recounted how one man who had his children taken away had threatened to kill her and had tried to bring a knife to court.

The threats were so severe the police visited her home to ensure she had a safety plan.

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She said government cuts had left court security so weak that judges are routinely left in small rooms with the warring parties with no guards or court clerks to protect them.

She said: The level of threats is getting worse. Incidents are common and the authorities are not even recording them.

Professor Cheryl Thomas, co-director of the UCL Judicial Institute who coordinated the Judicial Attitude Survey, said: That reflects the nature of the case before those judges, often very emotionally charged, difficult family cases perhaps involving the removal of a child from the family home.

Also related to this is the increase in litigants in person, as a result of the government cuts in legal aid.

 Supreme Court president warns judges vetted by MPs would be picked for political reasons

So as we have more and more people who need to go to court to resolve difficult, stressful, emotional family breakdown issues, who may not have access to lawyers to represent them, you have warring parties fighting it out in court.

And that places much greater security concerns on judges in court.

It comes as it was revealed judges are being given advice on how to protect themselves against online abuse in response to another result of the Judicial Attitudes Survey which found judges also feared for their safety online.

Many judges are used to being verbally berated in the courtroom but now they are reporting harassment on Facebook and Twitter.

The survey found that 22 per cent of circuit judges  who try some of the most serious criminal cases in England and Wales  fear for their personal safety online.

Some 21 per cent of Court of Appeal judges and 19 per cent of High Court judges felt the same.

The findings come after the furore following a Daily Mail headline branding Court of Appeal judges Enemies of the People for telling the Government they must get parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50.

Justice Secretary Liz Truss was condemned for not stepping in to defend the judges as she took 48 hours to release a lukewarm statement about the independence of judiciary.

PA
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Vulnerable British children shipped overseas in a controversial migration programme were victims of "unacceptable depravity", including torture, sexual abuse and slavery, an inquiry has heard.

Thousands of children were relocated to distant corners of the British empire, often against their will, over hundreds of years, it was claimed.

The long-awaited Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse heard on its first public session of evidence that many of the institutions which housed them were plagued by "widespread and systematic sexual abuse".

One former child migrant broke down as he recalled the "endemic" problem of sexual abuse at Fairbridge Farm School in Molong, Australia.

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

David Hill, his voice often breaking, said: "Many never recover and are permanently afflicted with guilt, shame, diminished self-confidence, low self-esteem and trauma.

"We will never be able to undo the great wrong done to these children but what is important to survivors of sexual abuse is, where this inquiry is satisfied with the evidence, to name the villains.

"Many of them are beyond the grave and are therefore beyond the law but it would bring a great deal of comfort to the people who as children were victims of these people if they were named and shamed."

A case study of the "shameful history"  focusing on the post-war period until the scheme's end in the 1970s  is being examined as part of the inquiry's protection of children outside the United Kingdom investigation.

The far-reaching probe, which has been beset by criticism and delays, is to scrutinise 13 institutions, ranging from local authorities to the army, for child protection failings.

It was claimed the UK government was complicit in the "systematic and institutional problem" of abuse spawned by the migration scheme.

Many of those taken abroad were in care or from deprived backgrounds.

The government accepted the resettlement "should not have been sanctioned or facilitated", the inquiry heard.

At the start of the hearing, counsel to the inquiry Henrietta Hill QC said: "In those institutions or schools, child migrants have given evidence they were subject to extremely harsh conditions, hard labour and physical abuse by those responsible for their welfare.

"In addition, there are allegations of widespread and systematic sexual abuse taking place in those institutions, or some of them.

"You are likely to hear very emotional accounts from former child migrants of the decades of pain they have caused."

Many were not told where they were going and "wrongly told they were orphans" or were taken overseas "without the consent of their parents", Ms Hill said.

The taxpayer-subsidised scheme oversaw more than 100,000 British youngsters, some as young as two, settled in countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

Australia was the destination for the majority of the children after the Second World War, where more than 3,100 were sent between 1947 and 1965.

It was justified as a means of slashing the costs of caring for lone children, meeting labour shortages in the colonies, while populating them with white settlers and providing disadvantaged young people with a fresh start, the hearing was told.

Aswini Weereratne, of the Child Migrants Trust said: "It is impossible to resist the conclusion that some of what was done there was of quite unacceptable depravity. Terms like sexual abuse are too weak to convey it.

"This was not about truly voluntary migration, but forced or coerced deportation."

The abuse that some of the children sent abroad were said to have suffered included "torture, rape and slavery", Ms Weereratne said.

Children sent abroad were largely in the care of local authorities, voluntary societies such as Barnardo's or entrusted to these organisations by parents who felt it would be "advantageous", the hearing heard.

Speaking on behalf of former child migrant Oliver Cosgrove, who was sent to Australia in 1941, his lawyer Imran Khan said: "Those who were abused tried in vain to tell others, who they hoped and believed might assist them. But they didn't.

"The fact that they knew and the fact that they didn't do anything and the fact that the witness statements are so similar in the accounts they give of abuse can mean only one thing: this was a systematic and institutional problem."

The inquiry is the first major domestic investigation into the abuse claims, following an apology to child migrants from Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2010.

Samantha Leek QC, appearing on behalf of the Government, said: "Child migration is wrong. It should not have been sanctioned or facilitated by the Government."

The case study is expected to continue over the course of the next fortnight.

Press Association
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In addition to the physical and emotional turmoil experienced by cancer patients, tens of thousands are also suffering financially, according to a new report.

More than 30,000 middle-aged people with cancer have had to borrow money from their elderly parents, research by Macmillan Cancer Support found.

An estimated 2,000 people have been forced to sell their homes and move in with their parents because of the costs associated with the illness.

Financial difficulties add a further layer of indignity to suffering cancer, can rob people of their independence and leave them feeling ashamed and distressed, Macmillan said in the new report, No Small Change.

 Cancer Research's new ad is a live colonoscopy

For 83 per cent of cancer patients, lost income and increased expenditure  like travelling to hospital  brought about by the disease costs them an average of 570 a month, according to the research.

It is heart-breaking that people in their 40s and 50s with cancer might have to go cap in hand to their elderly parents to ask for money simply to keep a roof over their head or put food on the table, said Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan.

The cost of cancer is robbing people of their independence and leaving them embarrassed, ashamed and dependent.

Terry White was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma aged 56, and said it was deeply embarrassing having to ask his parents for help with finances during his treatment.

Life before cancer had been comfortable, he said. Id worked hard and saved hard but six months into an eight-month chemo regime our savings had dwindled to nothing and our finances had spiralled out of control.

Mr White, from Nottinghamshire, had to claim benefits for the first time in his life and lived in constant fear of his home being repossessed.

It got so bad that I had to borrow 2,000 from my 78-year-old parents, he said.

It was deeply embarrassing that at this time in my life I was going cap in hand to ask for their support.

Macmillan expressed concern for the future, highlighting the growing numbers of British families in debt and the rising numbers of cancer diagnoses. Nearly half the population is predicted to get cancer at some point in their lives by 2020.

13 ways to help prevent cancer Show all 13 1 /13 13 ways to help prevent cancer 13 ways to help prevent cancer Stopping smoking. This notoriously difficult habit to break sees tar build-up in the lungs and DNA alteration and causes 15,558 cancer deaths a year 13 ways to help prevent cancer Avoiding the sun, and the melanoma that comes with overexposure to harmful UV rays, could help conscientious shade-lovers dodge being one of the 7,220 people who die from it 13 ways to help prevent cancer A diet that is low in red meat can help to prevent bowel cancer, according to the research - with 30 grams a day recommended for men, and 25 a day recommended for women 13 ways to help prevent cancer Foods high in fibre, meanwhile, can further make for healthier bowels. Processed foods in developed countries appear to be causing higher rates of colon cancer than diets in continents such as Africa, which have high bean and pulse intakes 13 ways to help prevent cancer Two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables a day were given as the magic number for good diet in the research. Overall, diet causes only slightly fewer cancer deaths than sun exposure in Australia, at 7,000 a year 13 ways to help prevent cancer Obesity and being overweight, linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, causes 3,917 deaths by cancer a year on its own Getty 13 ways to help prevent cancer Dying of a cancer caused by infection also comes in highly, linked to 3,421 cancer deaths a year. Infections such as human papilloma virus - which can cause cervical cancer in women - and hepatitis - can be prevented by vaccinations and having regular check-ups 13 ways to help prevent cancer Cutting back on drinks could reduce the risk of cancers caused by alcohol - such as liver cancer, bowel cancer, breast cancer and mouth cancer - that are leading to 3,208 deaths a year 2014 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Sitting around and not getting the heart pumping - less than one hour's exercise a day - is directly leading to about 1,800 people having lower immune functions and higher hormone levels, among other factors, that cause cancers 2011 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Hormone replacement therapy, which is used to relieve symptoms of the menopause in women, caused 539 deaths from (mainly breast) cancer in Australia last year. It did, however, prevent 52 cases of colorectal cancers 2003 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Insufficient breastfeeding, bizarrely, makes the top 10. Breastfeeding for 12 months could prevent 235 cancer cases a year, said the research AFP/Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Oral contraceptives, like the Pill, caused about 105 breast cancers and 52 cervical cancers - but it also prevented about 1,440 ovarian and uterine (womb) cases of cancer last year 2006 Getty Images 13 ways to help prevent cancer Taking aspirin also prevented 232 cases in the Queensland research of colorectal and oesophagal cancers - but as it can also cause strokes, is not yet recommended as a formal treatment against the risk of cancer

The charity called for urgent action, particularly from the state and financial services.

Borrowing money could cause tension amongst families at a time when people need support more than ever, said Ms Thomas.

While Macmillan is here for anyone facing money worries, we also need the Government, healthcare professionals and the banking and insurance sector to play their part to ease this burden.

People worried about the financial impact of cancer can visit the Macmillan website
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A woman suffering from Crohns disease is set to pay 10,000 to a Swiss euthanasia clinic to end her life after Government cuts caused her to lose vital care.

Marie Lopez, who has suffered from the debilitating digestive disorder for more than 30 years, has chosen to travel to the Lifecircle clinic in Basel in about three months' time.

Nearly 10 years ago, social services cuts meant the amount of help she received in her home was reduced from 38 hours a week to seven, forcing her to pay someone to come instead.

However the 54-year-olds condition has since worsened and she is now seeking to put an end to my misery".

Independent living in Britain is one of the biggest cons going. I paid 40 per cent tax in the UK for more than 20 years, but when I fell ill there was no real help, the former city analyst told the Sunday Mirror.

The cuts are killing people and I do not want anyone else to suffer the way I have. This is not something I am doing on a whim or as a protest. Social services are not responsible for my illness or my full decision to die, but their actions, policies and the stress caused encouraged me to do it early.

Doctors at the Swiss clinic only agreed to register her after she made a desperate plea to escape her incurable and progressive disease. The clinic says it accepts only the most serious cases.

A Buckinghamshire County Council spokesman said: "The council always works to assess and respond to individual needs in accordance with statutory frameworks. We do not comment on individual cases for legal reasons."

It came as a senior advisor to Theresa May said disability benefits should only go to really disabled people.

George Freeman, a Conservative MP and head of the Number 10 Downing Street policy unit, was defending plans to cut 3.7bn from personal independence payments (PIP).

Disability charity Scope criticised Mr Freeman's comments and said it was concerned about the Government's "worrying" changes to PIP.
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The United States could become the next associate member of the Commonwealth.

Proposals from the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), which have apparently been backed by Queen Elizabeth II, are an attempt to build a stronger relationship with the US following Britains exit from the European Union.

Donald Trump has previously expressed fondness for the Royal Family and the UK in general and his election as President is an "opportunity" for closer ties between the two nations, the RCS believes.

If the US agrees, the society could open a branch in the country.

"The UK rather left this treasure in the attic, and forgot about it because people were so glued to Brussels," Michael Lake, the director of the RCS, told The Daily Telegraph.

He said there was an opportunity of a new President" and "the slightly dangerous but great fun opportunity that the 'Bad Boys of Brexit' offered".

Mr Lake wrote to the President in December and had his letter delivered by Nigel Farage, who was the first UK politician to meet Mr Trump after his election victory.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. 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. 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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 the note, he reportedly said opening a Commonwealth branch in the US would help the two nations find imaginative ways to work together.

The modern Commonwealth is made up of 53 countries, 16 of which have Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
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A woman who has lived in the UK for nearly 30 years with her British husband has been deported to Singapore.

Irene Clennell, 53, says she was forced to board a plane without warning on Sunday, after being held for nearly a month in an immigration detention centre in Scotland.

She had been living near Durham with her husband. She has two British sons, as well as a granddaughter, in the UK.

For a year before she was detained, Ms Clennell was the sole carer for her husband John, a former gas engineer, after he had an arterial bypass and suffered complications from a hernia.

My husband is so stressed. Hes not well enough to travel, Ms Clennell told BuzzFeed News earlier this month. Hes in constant pain and theres no one to look after him properly.

She added: I just want to be with my family. I dont have anything in Singapore. I dont have a house to go to, I dont have a job. I feel closer to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law here than my family in Singapore. My parents are both dead and I only have one sister there and were not that close.

Ms Clennell first came to the UK as a tourist in 1988 and liked it so much she stayed to work in a hotel. She was given indefinite leave to remain in the country after marrying Mr Clennell in 1990, but lost this when she returned to Singapore to care for her parents when they were dying.

She has now become a victim of the spousal visa minimum income requirement, which was recently challenged in the Supreme Court but upheld. The Court ruled last week that Theresa Mays policy of not allowing anyone who earns less than 18,600 to bring their husband or wife to the UK is lawful, but acknowledged it causes significant hardship.

Critics have described the policy as "tearing families apart" and say it only gives rich people the right to a family life in Britain.

Having exhausted all other options, Ms Clennell relied on visitor visas for several months before she was detained, while she tried to find an alternative.

She was eventually told that she was over-staying and to make preparations to leave the country. When she did not do so she was taken to Dungavel Detention Centre in South Lanarkshire at the start of February.

Mrs Clennell told the BBC she was put in a van and taken to the airport from Dungavel on Sunday. She told the broadcaster she was unable to contact her lawyer and did not have the chance to get any clothes from her home.

Her sister in law, Angela told the Guardian she made numerous phone calls to immigration solicitors, but all their offices were closed for the weekend.

She said her sister-in-law only had 12 in her pocket when she was removed from the country.

Earlier this month, Ms Clennell told Buzzfeed she was afraid of returning to Singapore. I feel British. When Im here I feel at home," she said. "If I go to Singapore nobody will accept me there because they see me as a British woman. I wear Western clothes and my whole culture is here.

John Clennell said he was struggling without his wife. He worked full-time until he got ill in 2015, but he now survives on sickness benefits and needs help with everyday tasks.

He told Buzzfeed News: I just cant believe this is happening. Its a disgrace. She hasnt claimed any benefits here and Ive worked nearly all my life, so I cant see what the problem is. She doesnt cost the state anything.

I miss her. Shes been looking after me and its so hard without her. She helps me get out of the bath and my toilet needs and she cooks my meals. My mum is having to help now. Shes getting on a bit. What else can we do?

The Home Office said if she went to Singapore we can communicate using modern technology. When Irene told them she looks after me, they said why dont I go over to Singapore then. But why should I? Im British.

10 things immigration has done for Britain Show all 10 1 /10 10 things immigration has done for Britain 10 things immigration has done for Britain The Mini The 1959 classic, that is, perhaps our greatest piece of industrial design, a miracle of packaging and revolution in motoring. Its genius designer was Sir Alec Issigonis, who was an asylum seeker. His family, Greek, fled Smyrna when Turks invaded this borderland in around 1920, and he wound up studying engineering at Battersea Polytechnic. He went on to create that most English of motor cars, the Morris Minor, as well as the Austin-Morris 1100, all much loved products of his fertile imagination. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain Marks and Spencer Once upon a time there was no M&S in Britain, difficult as that may be to believe. We have one Michael Marks to thank for our most famous retailer, and he was a refugee from Belarus, arriving in England in about 1882, and soon after set off to flog stuff around Yorkshire. He eventually teamed with Thomas Spencer to create the vast business we know today. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain Thunderbirds And many other TV shows created, funded and otherwise produced by that largest of larger-than-life characters, Lew Grade (also a world class tap dancer). The man who dominated commercial television gave us memorable entertainment such as The Prisoner, the Saint and brought the Muppets to Britain (a sort of fuzzy felt wave of immigration), as well as puppet shows where you could see the strings. All this from a penniless Jew from Ukraine, born Lev Winogradsky, who escaped the pogroms in Ukraine with his family in the 1890s. His nephew Michael Grade has also done his bit for British television. Rex Features 10 things immigration has done for Britain The House of Windsor Or the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha until George V prudently rebranded the family during the First World War. Well, our royals are a pretty German bunch, as well as having various types of French and other alien blue blood coursing around their veins. Twas ever thus. There was William the Conqueror, Norman French, who certainly broke the immigration rules; William of Orange, a direct import from Holland; the Hanoverian King Georges, the first barely able to speak English; Queen Victoria, who married a German, Edward VII, who couldnt stay faithful to his wife, a Danish princess; George V wed another German princess; Edward VIII married an American (though she hardly visited England and prompted his emigration and exile); and the Queen is married to man born in Corfu. The embodiment of the British nation, to many, but one thinks of them as quite multicultural really. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain I Vow To Thee My Country Our most patriotic hymn was the product of a man named Gustav Holst (pictured), born in Cheltenham, but of varied Swedish, Latvian and German ancestry, who adapted part of his suite The Planets to put a particularly stirring and beautiful poem to music, just after the Great War. As the second verse has it, there's another country/I've heard of long ago/Most dear to them that love her/most great to them that know. Imagine if the Holst family had been kept out because the quota on musical European types had been reached. Creative Commons 10 things immigration has done for Britain Curry and Cobra Chicken Tikka Masala is, so they say, a dish which not only the most popular in Britain but specifically designed to cater for European tastes. For that we probably have to thank an Indian migrant, Sake Dean Mahomed, who came from Bengal to open the first recognisable Indian restaurant, the magnificently named Hindoostanee Coffee House. History does not record if a plate of poppadoms and accompanying selection of pickles and yoghurts were routinely placed on the table for new diners, but we do know that we had to wait until 1989 to taste the ideal lager for a curry - Cobra. That brew was brought to us by Karan (now Lord) Bilimoria, a Cambridge law graduate who hailed from Hyderabad. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain That big red swirly sculpture at the Olympic Park Or Orbit, to give it its proper name, the work of Anish Kapoor, who arrived in 1973 from India and had the artistic imagination to fill a power station. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain The Sun Love it or hate it, and many do both, this has been a symbol of much that is successful and a lot that is awful in British journalism since its inception in 1969. In its turn it spawned the Page 3 Girl and some nastily xenophobic headlines. All the stranger when you consider its creator was, of course, Rupert Murdoch, born 11 March 1931 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain Marxism OK, Karl Marxs philosophy was not much of a gift to the world, but for a while it seemed like a good idea. Though we might not dare admit it, Marxism still has a few insights to offer to anyone wanting to understand the workings of capitalism, though too few to excuse everything that was done in its name. Born in Germany spent much time in the British museum and the British pub, buried Highgate Cemetery. Oddly, his ideas never really caught on in his adopted homeland. Getty Images 10 things immigration has done for Britain The NHS They came from many, many backgrounds, including Ireland, the Philippines, east Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and Africa, as they still do, but the contribution of the black nurses who came to the UK from the Caribbean to heal and care for is a debt of honour that must be recognised. It so sometimes forgotten that it was Enoch Powell, then Minister of Health (1960-62), who campaigned to recruit their skilled nurses to come and work over here. One abiding legacy we can thank Enoch for. Getty Images

The Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases.

The charity Migrant Voice says a campaign is starting to bring Ms Clennell back to Britain.

Director Nazek Ramadan told Buzzfeed her case was "yet another example of how arbitrary policies tear apart families and ruin lives".

Ms Clennell's sister-in-law Angela has set up a crowdfunding page to cover Ms Clennell's legal costs which has exceeded 20,000 in donations since she was deported.
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Former Tory prime minister Sir John Major has accused Theresa Mays Government of misleading the British people over Brexit with rosy confidence about sky high hopes that may never be realised.

In an extraordinary intervention, Sir John cast doubt on the enticing promises being offered to voters and attacked Ms May and her ministers for saying nothing about massive Brexit costs  including a potential 60bn divorce bill  and major potential damage to the NHS and welfare.

As Lords debated the Bill that will allow Ms May to trigger Brexit nearby, Sir John reproached the Prime Minister for trying to use Parliament as a rubber stamp for her plans.

Echoing a recent speech by Tony Blair, he demanded those concerned about Brexit be allowed to speak up, denying they are opposing the will of the people, and instead stating they are the people.

The comprehensive take-down of the Governments approach to leaving the EU also saw Sir John warn Ms May of building close ties with Donald Trump and of already souring the atmosphere on the continent with cheap rhetoric.

Sir Johns intervention is likely to anger Brexiteer Tories already aggravated by Michael Heseltines pledge to defy Ms May over her drive to quit the EU.

Targeting the false optimism of ministers, the ex-PM said: The hopes of those who favoured leaving the European Union are sky-high. We are told that countries are queuing up to do trade deals with us. That our best days lie ahead.

It all sounds very enticing. And, for the sake of our country, I hope the optimists are proved right. But Im not sure they will be. My own experience of international negotiations, and the national self-interest that accompanies them, makes me doubt the rosy confidence being offered to the British people.

 Theresa May calls Brexit a 'great moment of national change'

He pointed out that speeches coming from Brexiteer ministers talk about what the UK will take out of an EU deal, before adding: We hear nothing about what our country may have to give in return.

If anyone genuinely believes that Europe will concede all we wish for and exact no price for doing so, then they are extraordinarily naive.

Sir John then turned his guns directly at Ms Mays Brexit White Paper for making no mention of the divorce bill for Britain  potentially up to 60bn which EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is pursuing.

While Sir John said he finds the figure contentious, he went on: The bill will be substantial. Billions, not millions, and very unpalatable. It will come as a nasty shock to voters who were not forewarned of this  even in the recent White Paper.

How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Show all 8 1 /8 How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Weetabix Chief executive of Weetabix Giles Turrell has warned that the price of one of the nations favourite breakfast are likely to go up this year by low-single digits in percentage terms. Reuters How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Nescafe The cost of a 100g jar of Nescafe Original at Sainsburys has gone up 40p from 2.75 to 3.15  a 14 per cent risesince the Brexit vote. PA How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Freddo When contacted by The Independent this month, a Mondelez spokesperson declined to discuss specific brands but confirmed that there would be "selective" price increases across its range despite the American multi-national confectionery giant reporting profits of $548m (450m) in its last three-month financial period. Mondelez, which bought Cadbury in 2010, said rising commodity costs combined with the slump in the value of the pound had made its products more expensive to make. Cadbury How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Mr Kipling cakes Premier Foods, the maker of Mr Kipling and Bisto gravy, said that it was considering price rises on a case-by-case basis Reuters How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Walkers Crisps Walkers, owned by US giant PepsiCo, said "the weakened value of the pound" is affecting the import cost of some of its materials. A Walkers spokesman told the Press Association that a 32g standard bag was set to increase from 50p to 55p, and the larger grab bag from 75p to 80p. Getty How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Marmite Tesco removed Marmite and other Unilever household brand from its website last October, after the manufacturer tried to raise its prices by about 10 per cent owing to sterlings slump. Tesco and Unilever resolved their argument, but the price of Marmite has increased in UK supermarkets with the grocer reporting a 250g jar of Marmite will now cost Morrisons customers 2.64 - an increase of 12.5 per cent. Rex How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Toblerone Toblerone came under fire in November after it increased the space between the distinctive triangles of its bars. Mondelez International, the company which makes the product, said the change was made due to price rises in recent months. Pixabay How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Maltesers Maltesers, billed as the lighter way to enjoy chocolate, have also shrunk in size. Mars, which owns the brand, has reduced its pouch weight by 15 per cent. Mars said rising costs mean it had to make the unenviable decision between increasing its prices or reducing the weight of its Malteser packs. iStockphoto

He added: When you leave any club, you are obliged to settle your debts, and that is what the European Union is going to expect the UK to do.

Sir John then raised questions over the Prime Ministers stated goal of signing both a divorce agreement and a new free trade deal by spring 2019  something also doubted by some Tory MPs and European politicians  due to the complex nature of what must be agreed.

Ms May has said if she does not get the deal she wants, she will be prepared to quit the EU with no deal, revert to trading with the bloc on WTO rules, and transform the UK in to an enterprise economy.

But Sir John said she and her ministers have failed to explain what this would mean, branding it the worst possible outcome with worrying implications for public services such as the NHS.

 Peter Mandelson: Peers should not 'throw in the towel over Brexit

He said: We cannot move to a radical enterprise economy without moving away from a welfare state.

Such a direction of policy, once understood by the public, would never command support. It would make all previous rows over social policy seem a minor distraction.

He later said he did not think there was a deliberate intention to mislead the public from the Government, and even praised Brexit Secretary David Davis for admitting immigration would not go down after the UK leaves the bloc. But he said the true realities of what will happen after Brexit are only just starting to emerge.

Sir John also dealt with Ms Mays approach to the Trump administration, reminding the Prime Minister that the UK is the junior partner in the Special Relationship.

He said: If we disagree with American policy, we may weaken our ties. But if we support it slavishly, we become seen as an American echo, an invidious role for a nation that has broken free from Europe to become more independent.

And inevitably there will be disagreements, the US wish to contain China and engage Russia, we wish to contain Russia and engage China.

We seem likely to disagree also on refugees, free trade, the legality of Jewish settlements, and climate change. How many disagreements can there be before even the closest of ties begin to fray?

The former prime minister said UK negotiators will need to show the highest statesmanship to secure any sort of deal but instead lamented that, behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour.

 Tony Blair: Brexit is not inevitable

He went on: A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UKs interests.

Tory Brexiteer MPs called for Lord Heseltine to be sacked from his post advising government after he said he would vote to amend Ms Mays Article 50 Bill on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair gave a speech in London recently calling for people to rise up against Brexit, while Lord Mandelson wrote in The Independent demanding the British people have the final say on Ms Mays deal, possibly in a second referendum.

In response to Sir John's speech, a No 10 source said: The Government is determined to make a success of our departure from the European Union and to move beyond the language of leave and remain to unite our country.

The Prime Minister set out her twelve negotiating objectives for Brexit in January. We have a clear plan to get the best deal for the United Kingdom and are going to get on with the job of delivering it.

 What does Brexit mean for Travel?

Labour's Chuka Umunna, a supporter of Open Britain, the campaign group calling for close links to be retained with Brussels, said: "It is absolutely right to warn that if the Government continues on its current course, we will end up with the kind of hard, destructive Brexit that costs jobs and damages our economy.

"The Government have promised to get a deal that delivers the 'exact same benefits' as we have today. Sir John is right to question how likely that is, but there is no chance at all of it being delivered if our European partners across the negotiating table continue to be demonised.

Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said: The Conservatives should listen to the likes of John Major and Heseltine instead of sneering at them. These are people with huge experience of negotiating with Europe, while the Brexiteers have no clear strategy.

There is nothing patriotic about shutting down debate on the risks of a hard Brexit for our country's prosperity and security.
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Theresa May reportedly plans to end rights given to EU nationals under freedom of movement rules when she triggers Article 50 next month, with a Government source claiming that half of Romania and Bulgaria might otherwise come to the UK before Brexit.

The Daily Telegraph reported the Prime Minister was expected to announce that EU citizens arriving after a cut-off date of around 15 March would not be entitled to live in the UK permanently.

However, under the plan, the 3.6m EU citizens who are already in Britain and others who come before that date would have their rights protected  providing the same was true for UK citizens living in the EU.

 Amber Rudd: Freedom of movement as we know it will end

Iain Duncan Smith, a Eurosceptic Conservative MP, said: Theresa understands that if you want to take control you have to command the high ground.

She will be giving clarity by setting a clear deadline while the European Union looks increasingly muddled and mean-spirited.

The European Union has apparently argued that the cut-off date should be the same date as the day the UK actually leaves the EU.

It is unclear if the Governments plan would be a breach of the EU treaties that guarantee freedom of movement.

Recommended UK businesses already facing recruitment crisis as Poles head home

A Government source told the Telegraph: We have had some suggestion that the European Commission might attempt to force us to protect everyone who arrives up to the moment of departure.

We could end up with half of Romania and Bulgaria coming here if we wait that long.

There are about 1.2 million British citizens living in other EU countries. It has been suggested that they could be offered EU citizenship individually.

How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Show all 8 1 /8 How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Weetabix Chief executive of Weetabix Giles Turrell has warned that the price of one of the nations favourite breakfast are likely to go up this year by low-single digits in percentage terms. Reuters How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Nescafe The cost of a 100g jar of Nescafe Original at Sainsburys has gone up 40p from 2.75 to 3.15  a 14 per cent risesince the Brexit vote. PA How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Freddo When contacted by The Independent this month, a Mondelez spokesperson declined to discuss specific brands but confirmed that there would be "selective" price increases across its range despite the American multi-national confectionery giant reporting profits of $548m (450m) in its last three-month financial period. Mondelez, which bought Cadbury in 2010, said rising commodity costs combined with the slump in the value of the pound had made its products more expensive to make. Cadbury How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Mr Kipling cakes Premier Foods, the maker of Mr Kipling and Bisto gravy, said that it was considering price rises on a case-by-case basis Reuters How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Walkers Crisps Walkers, owned by US giant PepsiCo, said "the weakened value of the pound" is affecting the import cost of some of its materials. A Walkers spokesman told the Press Association that a 32g standard bag was set to increase from 50p to 55p, and the larger grab bag from 75p to 80p. Getty How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Marmite Tesco removed Marmite and other Unilever household brand from its website last October, after the manufacturer tried to raise its prices by about 10 per cent owing to sterlings slump. Tesco and Unilever resolved their argument, but the price of Marmite has increased in UK supermarkets with the grocer reporting a 250g jar of Marmite will now cost Morrisons customers 2.64 - an increase of 12.5 per cent. Rex How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Toblerone Toblerone came under fire in November after it increased the space between the distinctive triangles of its bars. Mondelez International, the company which makes the product, said the change was made due to price rises in recent months. Pixabay How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Maltesers Maltesers, billed as the lighter way to enjoy chocolate, have also shrunk in size. Mars, which owns the brand, has reduced its pouch weight by 15 per cent. Mars said rising costs mean it had to make the unenviable decision between increasing its prices or reducing the weight of its Malteser packs. iStockphoto

British employers have expressed concerns about the prospect of finding enough staff in the event of a hard Brexit, particularly if EU citizens were required to leave.

The European Parliament has announced it is investigating the UKs treatment of EU nationals living here amid reports that some have been met by a bureaucratic wall when they have tried to secure a legal right to remain in Britain.
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The US border control and immigration system was thrown into confusion by Donald Trumps Muslim ban executive order, the British government has said.

Baroness Anelay, a Foreign Office minister, blamed US border authorities implementation of the Presidents policy for reports of British dual nationals being turned away at airports.

The minister explained to the House of Lords on Monday that conflicting advice to travellers was because different US authorities had interpreted the travel ban differently.

The difficulty was that there was some confusion in the United States systems. This was evidence from the changing nature of their travel advice online, the Conservative peer said.

It was the urgent engagement by this country, by the FCO, and by the Prime Minister which meant that we were able to get the earliest advice to British passport holders that they would not be adversely affected.

British dual nationals with passports from blacklisted Muslim-majority countries were told by the US embassy in London not to apply for visas following the implementation of the ban.

This apparently conflicted statements by the Foreign Office, which claimed it had been assured by the White House that British nationals would not be affected.

FCO minister Baroness Anelay in the House of Lords (House of Lords)

However despite the assurances, British Muslims have continued to be detained in some circumstances upon entering the US.

The minister also confirmed that a Welsh Muslim teacher who was reportedly banned from the US whilst on a school trip had not been given a reason for his refusal.

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

With regard to the particular case of Mr Miah ... who was removed from a flight between New York and Reykjavik, my Lords, it is the case that he has not been given a reason for the entry refusal by the US authorities, she said.

Donald Trumps first executive order was declared illegal by American courts. The President says he will issue another order in the coming weeks with different rules to achieve his aim.
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Sir Gerald Kaufman, the father of the House of Commons as the longest-serving backbench MP, has died at the age of 86.

Jeremy Corbyn described the veteran Labour politician as an "iconic and irascible" figure who "loved life and politics".

Mr Kaufman, who represented Manchester Gorton, served as Shadow Environment, Home and Foreign Secretaries and famously described Labour's left-wing 1983 manifesto as "the longest suicide note in history".

 Labour's Shami Chakrabarti blames range of factors- except the party's leader- for Copeland loss

Sir Gerald's family announced his death "with great sadness".

"Sir Gerald had been suffering from a long-term illness for several months, but, in that time, remained firmly committed to, and focused on, the activities and wellbeing of his beloved constituency, which he had served since first elected in 1970," they said.

"Sir Gerald dedicated his life to serving those who he believed would benefit most from a Labour government and Labour values in action.

"He believed that policy and principle without power were simply not enough to deliver the better life that he fought for on behalf of his constituents for almost 50 years.

"Though Sir Gerald had many friends and supporters in Manchester and across the world from his work on many campaigns and causes, he was in essence a private man.

"There will be a further opportunity for those who wish to pay tribute to the contribution of this great socialist and parliamentarian in due course.

"For now, his family request that his dignity and integrity be honoured through respectful reflection."

Mr Corbyn paid tribute to his "constant" friend, saying: "I'm very sad at the passing of Sir Gerald Kaufman MP.

"An iconic and irascible figure in the Labour Party, Gerald worked with Harold Wilson when he was Prime Minister in the 1960s and became a Labour MP in 1970.

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 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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 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"Gerald was always a prominent figure in the party and in Parliament, with his dandy clothes and wonderful demeanour in speaking.

"Gerald came from a proud Jewish background. He always wanted to bring peace to the Middle East and it was my pleasure to travel with him to many countries.

"I last saw him in his lovely flat in St John's Wood in London, surrounded by film posters and a library of the film world.

"He loved life and politics. I will deeply miss him, both for his political commitment and constant friendship."

Commons Speaker John Bercow said: "Gerald was a passionate campaigner for social justice, here in Britain and around the world.

"His passing will be mourned by his relatives, friends, constituents and colleagues."

Sir Gerald won in Manchester Gorton in 2015 with a majority of 24,079, beating the Green Party into second place.

The constituency is seen as one of Labour's safest seats and so the by-election resulting from his death is unlikely to cause any headaches for Mr Corbyn, despite the party losing Copeland to the Tories last week.

Conservative grandee and former chancellor Ken Clarke, 76, is now the new Father of the House, the title given to the MP with the longest continuous service who is not a minister.

Mr Clarke was also elected in June 1970 but Sir Gerald held the title as he was sworn in first.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Labour MPs have expressed anger after Jeremy Corbyn decided not to attend a weekly meeting used to dissect the partys historic loss in Copeland last week, with one accusing the party leader of a total dereliction of duty.

Frustration was also vented by one MP at the meeting after an image emerged, reportedly showing two of Mr Corbyns allies  Diane Abbott and Shami Chakrabarti  enjoying a beverage in Westminster while the meeting was underway.

Andrew Gwynne, who led the partys campaign in Copeland, and Ian Lavery, a shadow Cabinet minister, led the postmortem discussions on the Copeland by-election while Jack Dromey, a Labour MP who helped run the successful defence of the partys Stoke-on-Trent Central seat, appeared alongside.

Mr Corbyn did attend last weeks session, telling his parliamentary colleagues that the by-election in Copeland was on a knife edge. But on Thursday the party suffered a historic loss in the Cumbrian seat  the first time a governing party has won a seat off an opposition since the early 1980s.

One MP, who was present at the meeting, told The Independent that Mr Corbyns absence was a total dereliction of duty. They added: Poor old Andrew Gwynne cant account for everything that was raised on his own.

Another added that they couldnt understand why the leader didnt attend.

A Labour source, however, told journalists outside the PLP that Mr Corbyn offered his apologies for being unable to attend the session and pointed out that he doesnt attend every week.

 Labour's Shami Chakrabarti blames range of factors- except the party's leader- for Copeland loss

On the image of Ms Abbott and Baroness Chakrabarti, Graham Jones, the MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, said: "It's disappointing that it appears Shami and Diane are in the Pugin Room. Shami had a lot to say at the weekend, it's a shame she didn't have a lot to say in the meeting.

"Perhaps if she had turned up she could have explained her comments. When it was revealed where she was, people felt it wasn't in order.

"There's a degree of frustration because she's not elected and she speaks like someone who is elected. She has no authority from any electorate and people feel there's a disconnect and those of us who have the views of voters to take on board and consider."

Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Show all 12 1 /12 Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn's reshuffle Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn and the Syria bombing vote Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn asks questions from the public at PMQs, meanwhile backbenchers plot to oust him Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn is unavailable to attend the Privy Council Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Conference rejects Corbyns call to debate Trident Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn At Labour conference Corbyn and McDonnell press for a Robin Hood tax Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyns hopes for a new politics look optimistic in the face of a media barrage Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn enters Labour leadership race

Speaking at the Scottish Labour Party conference in Perth at the weekend, Mr Corbyn said he took his share of the responsibility for the defeat and conceded that the party had not yet done enough to rebuild trust with disillusioned voters.

But with his critics demanding a change, either in leadership or strategy, anger spilled over when Baroness Chakrabarti gave an interview suggesting Copeland could in-part be explained by other factors including bad weather, Labour voters being less likely to have a car, low turnout, Brexit divisions, false claims about Mr Corbyns views on nuclear power, and ill-treatment in the media.

According to some of those present at the meeting, Labour MP Lilian Greenwood read out a long list of reasons provided for the partys loss in Copeland, before asking: Is there anything missing from the list?

It was probably one of the best questions that anyone has asked at the PLP, added one MP.
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The NHS will need a 1bn bailout to meet the bills of looming higher personal injury compensation payments, Number 10 has admitted.

Changes to medical negligence rules will force the Treasury to hand over the extra cash  at a time when the health service is already crying out for extra funding.

The shake-up will also push up motor insurance premiums  possibly by hundreds of pounds according to the industry  and land the Ministry of Defence with higher payouts.

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, will meet insurance companies today to discuss the fall-out, as a major political row blew up.

It has been sparked by a little-noticed decision to dramatically change the discount rate for compensation awards to reflect lower yields from investment bonds.

The rate adjusts compensation payouts to take into account how much an individual can expect if they invest a lump sum over their lifetime.

Cutting the rate  from 2.5 per cent to minus 0.75 per cent  will benefit the thousands of people who suffer from medical negligence, car accidents and other personal injury incidents.

However, insurance firms are expected to pass on the cost in the form of higher car insurance  particularly for the youngest and oldest motorists, who are most likely to be involved in a road accident.

And, Downing Street acknowledged today, the Department of Health (DH) is braced for higher compensation bills  describing the 1bn figure as broadly in the right ballpark.

Theresa Mays official spokesman said: The Government will make sure that the NHS has the appropriate funding to cover any changes to hospital costs, clinical negligence costs.

He added: The Government will make that extra funding available.

However, the 1bn bailout could not come at a worse time, amid growing pressure on the Government to inject more funding to head off the current crisis.

Patients are waiting longer in overcrowded A&E departments, more operations are being delayed or cancelled and local health chiefs have been ordered to find 20bn of efficiency savings.

NHS spending will fall on a per-person basis next year, threatening the health service with its toughest year yet, Simon Stephens, the NHS chief executive, has warned.

Meanwhile, the spokesman would not say whether any assessment had been carried out on the impact of the move on motor insurance premiums.

He said: In terms of premiums, ultimately that is a commercial decision for insurers.

The Government was aware that there will be an impact on the insurance industry, which was why the Chancellor would be meeting representatives to discuss it.

The spokesman said Ms Truss, as Lord Chancellor, had been required to carry out the review, before deciding on the new discount rate.

This is a legal act that the Lord Chancellor was required to carry out, he added.

The discount rate had to be reviewed, quite simply because it was out of line with the current yields.

Ms Truss had said in December that she would announce her review conclusions on 31 January, but then delayed the decision.
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Just one in four members of the British public trust the Government to honestly present official statistics, a study has found.

British Social Attitudes survey, conducted by the National Centre for Social research, found that large majorities of people questioned the presentation of figures ranging from unemployment rates to crime levels.

90 per cent of people trusted the Office for National Statistics to produce accurate statistics, but just 26 per cent said the Government would present these accurately.

Recommended Iain Duncan Smith to be reported to statistics watchdog

In addition just 18 per cent believed the statistics would not be further distorted by newspapers.

The findings come days after the UK Statistics Authority told a government department to stop using potentially misleading figures to downplay the level of homelessness in the UK.

The watchdog said claims by the Department for Communities and Local Government that homelessness was going down were disappointing and did not provide a comprehensive picture because they only focused on a narrow definition.

During the EU referendum the Statistics Authority branded Vote Leaves false claim that the UK paid the EU 350 million misleading. Many Conservative luminaries of Vote Leave are now Government ministers, including Boris Johnson the Foreign Secretary.

At the Conservative party conference last year Brexit Secretary David Davis said such issues were not important.

What is important is not what is said. Its whether its challenged, in the first instance, and then the British public can make a judgment, he said of misleading claims made during the referendum.

Last year the UK Statistics Authority wrote to the Office for National Statistics expressing a concern that differences in UK migration data could be undermining public confidence in such government figures.

The Department for Work and Pensions has also been subject to complaints about its statistics, with DWP ministers receiving more letters from the UK Statistics Watchdog than any other department, according to coverage from 2014.

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

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also been rebuked by the watchdog for falsely claiming that he had not cut the NHS..

Ian Simpson, Senior Researcher at NatCen Social Research, said Our findings show high levels of public trust in the important data collected by the ONS on British society and the economy.

The public clearly thinks, however, that issues arise when Government and newspapers get involved  especially where the results might be politically sensitive such as on employment or crime levels.
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The Government is to cut school funding per pupil for the first time since the mid 1990s, a new analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has determined.

The respected think-tank calculated that real-terms terms spending on school pupils would drop by 6.5 per cent over the course of this parliament, with further education funding also set for significant decreases.

The IFS said schools funding had been well protected for the last two decades but that further education has already been squeezed.

Over the next few years, both further education and schools are due to experience cuts. For schools, this comes on the back of very significant increases over the last few decades, one of the reports authors, IFS associate director Luke Sibieta said.

For FE, this comes on the back of tight funding settlements for decades that will leave spending per student the same in 2020 as it was in 1990. The lack of priority given to FE by successive governments in spending settlements does not seem sustainable."

The report adds: This will be the first time schools have seen real-terms cuts in spending per pupil since the mid 1990s.

On Monday morning the National Governors Association said the amount of money being provided by the Government was simply not enough to educate Britains children.

The Department for Education unfortunately doesnt know how much it costs to educate a pupil whether it be a primary or secondary pupil, Emma Knights, the associations chief executive, old BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

They dont know how much it should cost if youre an efficient school providing a good education for each pupil.

What [the IFS analysis is] really showing us is the cake simply isnt big enough to educate all the pupils that we have across the country.

The funding shortfall is driving some senior teachers to leave the profession because they say they simply cannot do their jobs properly

Headteacher Mary Sandell of Forest School in Winnersh, Berkshire, said she was one of those quitting for this reason.

Speaking on the same programme she said: I'm leaving something I love because quite simply there is not enough money to do the job properly.

She said that under current funding levels her school cannot replace equipment, we cannot improve the buildings, we can't even afford textbooks for new specifications.

I've been in education since 1980 and it's the worst it's ever been from my perspective, she added.

Last week the National Audit Office said that the Government was spending billions on its pet 'free schools' project while existing schools crumbled.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA

A Department for Education spokesperson denied there was any funding problem.

School funding is now at its highest level on record at more than 40bn in 2016-17 and the IFS has shown that by 2020 per pupil spending in schools is set to be at least 70 per cent higher in real terms than it was in 1990, the spokesperson said.

We are transforming post-16 education and investing 7bn to ensure there is a place in education or training for every 16 to 19-year-old who wants one.
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Theresa May has been warned she faces likely defeat at the hands of Tory rebels over plans to deny disability benefits to 160,000 vulnerable people.

Backbencher Heidi Allen urged ministers to think again over the controversial changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) - insisting other colleagues shared her determination to oppose them.

The Government plans emergency legislation to tighten the criteria for PIPs, after a tribunal ruled they should also cover conditions including epilepsy, diabetes and dementia.

The ruling would cost at least 3.7bn over the next five years, money which should go to really disabled people who need it, one minister said.

But Ms Allen told BBC Radio Fours Today programme: In my view, the courts are there for a reason.

If they have come up with this ruling, which says that the criteria should be expanded, then I believe we have a duty to honour that. That is their role.

Asked for her message to disabilities minister Penny Mordaunt, Ms Allen added: Don't do it. If I was in her shoes, I would take the financial hit and say we need to accept this.

Now let's really look at this PIP policy, which is something that needs to happen anyway, and review the whole thing from top to bottom.

There has been growing anger since the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) slipped out the plan to overturn the tribunals decision, on the day of last weeks by-elections.

The head of the Downing Street policy unit said it was bizarre to give the same benefits to people with psychological problems - who could travel without help  as to people who are blind.

These tweaks are actually about rolling back some bizarre decisions by tribunals that now mean benefits are being given to people who are taking pills at home, who suffer from anxiety, George Freeman said.

We want to make sure we get the money to the really disabled people who need it.

The comments drew strong criticism from Scope, the disability charity, which said Mr Freeman's crude distinction between physical and mental health was wrong.

The tribunal also said that claimants who needed support to take medication should be assessed in the same way as those managing therapies such as dialysis at home.

Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion in the House of Lords, where the Conservatives lack a majority, which would undo the measure to severely restrict the benefit.

Because the legislation will take the form of a statutory instrument (SI), it is vulnerable to defeat in the Lords  as happened with cuts to tax credits, back in the autumn of 2015.

On that occasion, Ms Allen was seen as spearheading the Conservative revolt in the Commons, forcing then-Chancellor George Osborne to concede defeat.

Six months later, the Government was also forced to scrap earlier cuts to PIPs, which targeted people who need aids to help them dress and use the toilet, in order to save 1.3bn.

However, David Burrowes, another Conservative MP who rebelled last years PIP cuts, indicated that he would support the latest changes.
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A man has died in hospital after the car he was travelling in was hit by a tree during Storm Doris.

West Mercia Police confirmed the victim, who was aged in his 80s, died on Sunday after the incident in Shropshire last week.

The pensioner died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, three days after he was critically injured when a tree struck his vehicle on the A49 near Church Stretton in Shropshire shortly before 9.30am.

Recommended Woman killed by flying debris in Storm Doris named

The victim, who has not yet been named by police, was sitting in the front passenger seat of a Ford Focus driven by a 75-year-old man.

Pictures released by West Midlands Ambulance Service showed the red car crushed under a tree.

Officers at West Mercia Police said in a statement they were appealing for witnesses who saw the incident or who can help with the investigation.

The first confirmed victim of Storm Doris was 29-year-old Tahnie Martin, who worked at the University of Wolverhampton.

Tahnie Martin, who was killed by flying debris in Wolverhampton during Storm Doris (Facebook)

She was killed in Wolverhampton city centre after being struck by flying debris.

A man was left in a "serious condition" in a central London hospital, following reports of "debris falling from the roof of a building" by Victoria Station.

In Stoke-on-Trent a woman in her 60s was taken to hospital for a "serious head injury" after being hit by a carport roof.

 Storm Doris sweeps across UK

Storm Doris battered the UK last week, causing travel disruption and significant damage to buildings.

Storms with the potential to cause a substantial impact are named by the Met Office and Met Eireann  the Irish equivalent.

The first was named Abigail in November 2015, and forecasters are now in their second run through the alphabet.

After Ewan, which hit at the weekend, Britons can expect to hear of Fleur and Gabriel.
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The Iranian director of an Oscar-winning film, who refused to attend the awards ceremony, has condemned Donald Trump's "inhumane" travel ban in a powerful acceptance speech.

In the speech, read on his behalf at the awards in Los Angeles last night, filmmaker Asghar Farhadi said his absence was out of respect" for people from Iran and the six other Muslim-majority countries affected by the president's ban, which even bars refugees from entering America.

Mr Farhadi, whose film The Salesman won the best foreign language Oscar, accused the US president of dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories.

His speech was read by Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari, who became the first Iranian in space in 2006 when she paid to fly to the International Space Station.

Firouz Naderi, a former Nasa director and fellow Iranian, stood beside her in solidarity as she collected the award.

Mr Trumps executive order on immigration, which he signed last month, barred immigrants and refugees from Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the United States. The directive was halted earlier this month after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order.

The Salesman, which premiered at Cannes last May, follows a couple in Tehran involved in an amateur dramatic production of Arthur Millers play of the same name, who are forced to move apartments following an earthquake.

The award last night was Mr Farhadi's second best foreign language Oscar, he also won with his film A Separation in 2012.

Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Show all 25 1 /25 Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Hailee Steinfeld Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Taraji P. Henson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chrissy Teigen Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ruth Negga Reuters Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dev Patel PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Karlie Kloss Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Emma Roberts Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Riz Ahmed Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Felicity Jones AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Isabelle Huppert AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Mahershala Ali Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Michelle Williams Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Naomie Harris AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Scarlett Johansson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ryan Gosling Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Viola Davis Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Charlize Theron Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dakota Johnson REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chris Evans Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Brie Larson Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Sofia Boutella PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Pharrell Williams Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Kirsten Dunst Getty Images

Heres Mr Farhadi's speech in full: Its a great honour to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I would like to thank the members of the Academy, my crew in Iran, my producer Alexandre Mallet-Guy, Cohen media, Amazon, and my fellow nominees in the foreign film category. Im sorry Im not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people in my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US.

"Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression. Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others, an empathy which we need today more than ever. Thank you on behalf of Mr Farhadi."
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Several of the Bahamas famous swimming pigs have died after tourists reportedly fed them beer and rum.

Seven of the animals were found dead in seas off the countrys Exuma Cays, leading the government to ban visitors from feeding the porcine creatures.

One of the pigs owners, Wayde Nixon, told The Nassau Guardian: The pigs were given the wrong food.

We had the government vet in there [who] examined them all thoroughly. He gave them shots, he gave them medicine, and I was there and I worked with them for three days straight.

We had them pigs there almost 30 years, and never has this happened before, but now we are going to have to regulate it.

Right now its blowing out of proportion with people, anybody, bringing food there, anybody doing what they [want to] do. We have people coming there giving the pigs beer, rum, riding on top of them, all kinds of stuff.

The majority of the pigs  believed to be around 15  are still alive, although some reports said the figure was just seven or eight. The famous creatures swim in the sea off the Exuma Cays and are a popular attraction for tourists, who travel to the island to swim with the pigs.

However, other officials said the cause of the pigs death was currently unclear.

Bahamas: Postcards from the western Atlantic Show all 4 1 /4 Bahamas: Postcards from the western Atlantic Bahamas: Postcards from the western Atlantic bahamas.jpg Mark Stratton Bahamas: Postcards from the western Atlantic bahamasmap.jpg Bahamas: Postcards from the western Atlantic bahamas3.jpg Bahamas: Postcards from the western Atlantic bahamas1.jpg

It could just be a horrible accident where they ate something poisonous, said Kim Aranha, president of the Bahamas human Society animal group.

It could be malicious but I dont really see why someone would go out of their way to hurt those lovely animals.

I know there are a lot of silly sailors that go and feed them alcohol to try and get them drunk but thats not to mistake them with the tour operators based out of Nassau who have treated them with excellent care.

V Alfred Gray, the countrys Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said from now on people will be able to take photographs and see the pigs swim but they will not be able to feed them things.

 Hurricane Matthew sweeps through Bahamas

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism website suggests that, until now, tourists were free to feed the pigs without restriction.

Visitors to the islands are happily embracing the unique and special experience of swimming with the pigs on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, it says.

The family of pigs, dubbed adorable by tourists, locals and media alike, have become incredibly popular. They live freely on the sandy beaches, and after basking in the sun for hours, they swim in the surf.

The pigs, though feral, are exceptionally friendly, it continues, running from under the shade of the almond trees to greet visitors that bring them treats. They are also fed by the crews of passing yachts and vessels.

Bahamas officials were quoted as saying that, while the deaths would be bad for tourism and the local economy, people are still expected to visit the area to see the pigs.
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Donald Trump will ask for sharp increases in budget for the military and drastic cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency, according to senior White House sources.

The US president will instruct federal agencies to put together spending for the year ahead  with Mr Trump set to address Congress on Tuesday.

The New York Times claims four senior administration officials say Mr Trump will demand tens of billions in reductions to the EPA and State Department.

The cuts, which will also hit social safety net programmes, will reportedly mean he can keep his promise to leave Social Security and Medicare alone.

The budget is reportedly the work of Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney, National Economic Council director Gary Cohn and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

It has already been reported how Mr Trumps team forced the EPA to delete all its web pages on climate change and gagged staff from three agencies including the EPA.

Myron Ebell, who led Mr Trumps transition team for the EPA, last month said he expected sackings and cuts.

Recommended Scott Pruitt does not mention climate change in first EPA speech

Officials also told news agency Reuters how Mr Trump has requested more money from the Pentagon for shipbuilding and military aircraft to establish a more robust presence in key international waterways and chokepoints.

A second official said the budget of the State Department, which is responsible for international affairs, could be cut by as much as 30 per cent.

Defence experts have questioned the increase in US military spending, which already stands at roughly $600bn annually, when the spend on the State Department and foreign assistance stands at $50 billion per year.

 Donald Trump says that 'environmentalism is out of control'

Mr Trump said at the American Conservative Unions annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland on Friday: Nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody. It will be one of the greatest military build-ups in American history

John Czwartacki, a spokesman for the White House's Office of Management and Budget, said the budget blueprint would be released in mid-March.

It would be premature for us to comment  or anyone to report  on the specifics of this internal discussion before its publication, he said in a statement.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
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A leading French historian was detained for 10 hours by US immigration officials and threatened with deportation after he arrived in Texas for a conference, it has been claimed.

Henry Rousso, a pre-eminent scholar on the Holocaust, said he was held by border agents in Houston after authorities began to question his visa.

The 62-year-old, who has taught at the prestigious Sorbonne in Paris and Columbia University in New York, said officials told him he had been selected for a random check, which the Egyptian-born academic claims was not some "mere coincidence".

When the immigration officer discovered he would be receiving a fee for his keynote address at Texas A&M University, he ordered him to be deported, claiming he should have a working visa rather than a tourist visa.

I told him I dont need one, that the university took care of the formalities, as always, and especially, that I have been doing this for more than 30 years without any problem, Mr Rousso explained in an article for the Huffington Post.

The officers attitude then became even more suspicious, according to Mr Rousso, after it was discovered he recently held a J1 visa while acting as visiting professor at Columbia University between September 2016 and January 2017.

The academic claimed he was then subjected to extensive questioning, fingerprinting and a body search, before being told he would be deported on the next plane to Paris.

Texas A&M Professor Richard Golsan told The Eagle: When he called me with this news, he was waiting for customs officials to send him back to Paris as an illegal alien on the first flight out."

 May refuses to condemn Muslim ban

Mr Golsan immediately contacted university officials to enlist the help of law professor and director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic, Fatma Marouf, who led the team that succeeded in securing Mr Rousso's eventual release.

"In the past, I had not seen anything like that happening," Ms Marouf said.

"It seems like there's much more rigidity and rigour in enforcing these immigration requirements and the technicalities of every visa."

Immigration lawyer Jason Mills called Mr Rousso's detention alarming.

Recommended The deportation of Irene Clennell shows how callous this Government is

It would be in no means difficult to look up who he is. His reasons for being here were nothing but beneficial to the United States. He is a man of experience and age, Mr Mills told the New York Times.

There is plenty of history there on him. I dont understand why he would have been in for the several hours that he was. It is a little alarming.

In France, his treatment was met with anger. Presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron condemned his detention, saying there was "no excuse" for the actions of the immigration officials.

Mr Rousso credited a team of lawyers, university officials and immigration experts with securing his release, saying: Without them, I would have been led handcuffed, chained, and shackled to board for Paris.

He said he was unsure of the reasons behind his detention or the zeal of the officer who arrested him.

However he said his situation was nothing compared to some of the people I saw who couldnt be defended as I was".

That is the situation today. It is now necessary to deal with the utmost arbitrariness and incompetence on the other side of the Atlantic. I do not know what is the worst," he said. "What I know, having loved this country forever, is that the United States is no longer quite the United States."
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One of three men shot at a bar in suburban Kansas City spoke at a weekend vigil, saying I wish it was a dream.

The Kansas City Star reported Alok Madasani, 32, told a crowd of hundreds at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday that what happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend.

Madasani's friend and co-worker, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in Wednesday night's shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, also was wounded in the shooting.

The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done, Madasani said. He would have been here for me.

Madasani and Kuchibhotla both worked for GPS device-maker Garmin. At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work over a six-month period.

He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was - is, Madasani said.

Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He faces first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. According to witnesses to the attack, Purinton yelled get out of my country at the two Indian men before he opened fire.

Madasani called the shooting an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States. That drew applause from the audience at the vigil.

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

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, state Senator Rob Olson, Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer and other elected officials also spoke at the event.

When you grieve, we all grieve, Copeland said. We will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us.

AP
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Left-wing filmmaker Michael Moore has shared a 10-point plan to oust Donald Trump from the White House.

The longtime critic of the Republican leader published the easy-to-follow guide in a bid to make Trump toast again.

Moore argued that Mr Trump was in deep, deep trouble, citing controversy over his administrations ties to Russia and the unpopularity of his travel ban, and urged supporters to capitalise on these controversies.

He suggested contacting Congress, participating in marches and even running for office, telling supporters: We can stop him. We can nonviolently block and obstruct halt the damage hes doing. But its going to need  and take  ALL HANDS ON DECK!

Moore encouraged supporters to make their voices heard in Congress, reminding Americans that local representatives work for us.

1. THE DAILY CALL: You must call Congress every day. Yes  YOU! 202-225-3121. It will take just TWO MINUTES! Make it part of your daily routine, one of those five things you do every morning without even thinking about it, he wrote.

These politicians freak out if they get just 10 calls on an issue. Imagine them getting 10,000! Holy c***  the dome will pop off that building!

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

He urged supporters to go even further by showing up to local Congress offices once a month to put further pressure on representatives.

Moore also urged readers to support national groups such as Planned Parenthood and ACLU resisting the Trump administration, and to keep up momentum behind popular protests such as the womens march.

Its critical that large numbers of us continue to march, protest, sit-in, and be very visible  to Trump, so he knows we are the majority; to put the Dems on notice that we expect them to grow a spine; to our fellow Americans who live in Boise or Tulsa or Grand Rapids and have been feeling alone and afraid since the election, he wrote.

Our mass presence reminds them the people didnt elect Trump. And it is good for each of us to operate in concert with each other, to feel the solidarity and the hope.

Moore highlighted the importance of reforming the Democratic party saying: PLEASE, the old leadership has to go. He also encouraged Americans to run for office to create real change in the political system.

If we dont enact a radical overhaul right now, we are doomed as far as having a true opposition party during the Trump era. And that, more than anything, will help to usher in the vice-grip of a totalitarian culture, he wrote.

8. YOU MUST RUN FOR OFFICE: I know, thats the LAST thing you want to do. But if we keep leaving the job up to the dismal, lame, pathetic political hacks who have sold us all down the river, then what right do we have to complain?

Moore also urged followers to stop complaining about the media and instead become the media.

Find the ones who are doing a good job and then start your own media empire by sharing their work and your work on the internet, he wrote.

Yes, Im talking to you, Baby Boomers. Get over it, put down your postage stamps and your TV clicker and find a six-year old to show you how to start tweeting.
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The New York Times screened its first television advert in eight years during the Oscars - hitting back at Donald Trump over fake news.

The newspaper aired a 30-second clip, entirely in black and white, in one of the commercial breaks during the 89th Academy Awards last night.

The advert flashes a series of conflicting statements, and voices taken from news broadcasts, which all start with the three words: The truth is.

Recommended How the biggest mess up in Oscars history happened

The truth is the media is dishonest," reads one statement, in a clear reference to Donald Trump.

It finishes with the statements: The truth is hard to find, the truth is hard to know, the truth is more important now than ever.

The Oscars attracts a TV audience numbering tens of millions, with 34 million people tuning in to watch last year.

The slot would have cost between $2.15 million and $2.5 million, according to data from Advertising Age quoted by Associated Press.

Branding executive David Rubin told CNN: The idea is to be a part of that discussion about what does it mean to find the truth.

What does that mean in a world of fake news? And what is the role of journalism and journalists in that process, and what is the role of the reader in supporting that journalism?

We think it's a great metaphor for how hard it is on a regular basis to understand the truth.

That leads into the role that we think journalism can play in helping you cut through that clutter and make your own sense of what's going on in the world.

The TV campaign will also appear in print form and run on billboards in New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC and San Francisco.

It was the first TV advert since The Weekender commercials of 2009.

Mr Trump tweeted yesterday: "For first time the failing @nytimes will take an ad (a bad one) to help save its failing reputation. Try reporting accurately & fairly!

The previous day he wrote: 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!

Online audio book service Audible also ran a politically-charged advert.

Actor Zachary Quinto read a passage from the novel 1984, which some also interpreted as a criticism of the US president.

He reads how "most of what" protagonist Winston Smith had been told about foreigners were lies.
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Richard Nixons former attorney has said he sees echoes of Watergate in the conduct of the Trump administration.

John Dean, who gave evidence against President Nixon before the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973 after he was fired by the administration, described Donald Trump as more Nixonian than Nixon in his hatred towards the media.

In an interview with Democracy Now, Mr Dean also compared the Trump administrations efforts to use intelligence agencies for political purposes with Mr Nixons attempts to use the CIA to push the FBI away from investigating the Watergate burglary.

Mr Dean said: What I see and hear  are echoes of Watergate. We dont have Watergate 2.0 yet, but what we have is something that is beginning to look like it could go there."

Drawing parallels between attacks on the media made by Mr Nixon behind closed doors and Mr Trumps more public approach to slamming news organisations, he continued: I find it very startling and very troubling. It is more Nixonian than Nixon.

And I say that for this reason. Nixon made those kind of comments, that we only know about because he had his secret taping system running and seemed to forget it was on just constantly when he was in the office. It would automatically go on [] He did these things behind closed doors.

The big difference is, Trump is doing this right out and challenging the First Amendment, that is one of our most important because it involves freedom of the press and freedom of speech. And hes taking that on head on [] Its just ludicrous.

The former attorney, who has been a longtime critic of Mr Trump, proceeded to say he did not believe Mr Trump would succeed in intimidating the press, saying: Its troublesome that he would try to sway the press by using the bully pulpit of his office to intimidate them.

My hope is he does not. And I really dont think, knowing the journalists I know, that he will. 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.

But when asked whether Mr Trump could be impeached over his conduct, Mr Dean said that with a majority of Republicans in the House and Senate, this was an unlikely outcome.

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

It takes really a national change of attitude about this president before were going to have an impeachment," he added.

Right today, given the fact that the House and Senate are controlled by the Republicans, theyre not going to impeach their president.

"As long as he gives them what they want and signs into legislation or signs into law a lot of the things that theyve had in their dreams for many years, theyre not going to give him any problem.
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Freshly elected Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has demanded an independent investigation into contact between Donald Trump's associates and Russia.

He joined a growing number of Democrats  and a Republican Congressman  in calling for the probe.

What we need to be looking at is whether this election was rigged by Donald Trump and his buddy Vladimir Putin, Mr Perez told CNN.

Mr Perez also said Attorney General Jeff Sessions could not preside over any independent inquiry because of his close ties to the President.

It's really unfair to any foxes around the country to say that would be the fox guarding the hen house, he told the broadcaster.

The Russian contact scandal has shown little sign of waning since the CIA, FBI and the director of national intelligence James Clapper Jr, concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 in part with the aim of getting Mr Trump into the White House.

The scandal re-erupted with the forced resignation of national security adviser Lt Gen Michael Flynn, after it emerged he allegedly discussed lifting sanctions on Russia before he entered office.

Pressure on the White House has grown with multiple congressional committees launching their own inquiries into Trump-Russia contact and a Republican congressman  California's Darrell Issa  calling for an official independent probe.

Mr Trump has denied having links to Russia and labelled reports of them fake news.

White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders attempted to take control of the issue on Sunday by alleging the FBI had dismissed reports of such links.

The FBI has already said this story is BS [bulls***] , she told ABC.

Those were their words, so I apologise to my mum.

But literally those are the words of the FBI, that the story is BS.

The FBI has not made any public comment on its investigation into alleged contact between the Trump team and Russian officials.

It has emerged that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked the senior FBI agents to quash allegations of the allegations of Russian contact, but they refused.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported the Trump administration enlisted senior intelligence officials and members of Congress to push back against allegations of its contact with Russia.

Under White House instructions, they called news organisations to challenge the Russia allegations.

Mr Perez reiterated existing complaints that Attorney General Jeff Sessions could not preside over any independent inquiry because of his close ties to the President (Reuters)

On the issue of Mr Trump's Attorney General's involvement in any potential inquiry, Ms Sanders said it was too early to call on him to stand down.

I wasn't saying that he shouldn't recuse himself or that he should, she told ABC.

My point is, I don't think we're there yet. Let's work through this process.

You guys want to jump to the very end of the line. That's not how this works."

Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio expressed a similar sentiment: "Let's let the process work [...] Let the intel committees work, " he told the broadcaster.

"If there's more investigation that's needed, I'm on the oversight committee, we've never been shy about digging into issues and we'll do that.

"No one's ever accused me of going easy on my own party. So we'll do 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

According to a recent poll by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal, the majority of Americans support a Congress investigation into the claims.

Mr Perez, the first Latino leader of the Democratic Party, has immediately forged a rivalry with the President.

After Mr Trump congratulated him on his election win by saying it was a boon for the Republican party, Mr Perez quipped in a tweet: "Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. @keithellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare."
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White House press secretary Sean Spicer reportedly enlisted the CIA director and a Republican senator to dismiss a story about Trump campaign aides' links with Russia.

Mr Spicer connected journalists from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal with CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Senate Select Intelligence Committee Chair Richard Burr, Axios reported.

The attempted dismissal came in response to a front-page New York Times report earlier this month on Mr Trump's campaign aides having "repeated contact" with senior Russian intelligence officials a year before the election.

Mr Spicer allegedly called reporters to connect them with Mr Pompeo and Mr Burr and then remained on the line.

They told reporters the New York Times report was not accurate, but declined to offer specifics.

 Trump claims he saved a billion dollars on Air Force One, to the military's surprise

Intelligence officials from the Obama administration told Axios it is rare for the CIA director to talk directly with individual journalists.

It comes as the chair of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee dismissed calls for an investigation into Mr Trumps alleged links with Russian security services, claiming there is nothing there.

Devin Nunes, a Republican congressmen from California, said such an inquiry would be a witch hunt against innocent Americans.

A number of congressional committees, including the Senates Intelligence Committee and Judiciary Committee, along with the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, are already conducting inquiries into the allegations.

Mr Nunes vowed his committee would not be following suit.

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 Trump has repeatedly denied his team had contact with Russia.

"I have nothing to do with Russia, Mr Trump told a White House press conference earlier this month. To the best of my knowledge, no person that I deal with does.

How many times do I have to answer this question? Russia is a ruse. I have nothing to do with Russia.
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Nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall along the US border with Mexico  and even more are convinced he will fail to keep his promise to make Mexico pay for it,

Mr Trump's insistence that the US' southern neighbour will foot the bill for the scheme led to a very public falling out with Mexico's president, Enrique Pena Nieto, who had vowed not to cough up. Following a series of tweets by Mr Trump about the "badly needed wall", Mr Pena Nieto cancelled a planned visit to Washington.

The graphic below, created for The Independent by statistics agency Statista, indicates 70 per cent of Americans believe they will eventually be on the hook for the wall, to the tune of at least $120 per household.

Based on a survey carried out by Pew Research Centre, it also suggests just 16 per cent believe Mr Trump's assurances that Mexico will pay.

Chart produced by Statista for The Independent (Statista/Independent/Pew Research Centre)

Mr Trump has said the price would drop "way down" once he became involved in the planning process. According to a leaked Department of Homeland Security report, the barrier could cost as much as $21bn (17bn) and take more than three years to construct.

Some 650 miles of fencing already in place has come at a cost of $7bn ($5.6bn) and Mr Trump's plans require extending the barrier into increasingly remote and mountainous regions, which raises the building costs significantly.

The proportion of Americans who oppose the wall has increased since election day, from 54 per cent to 62 per cent.

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 Trump is to re-introduce another flagship anti-immigration policy this week with an updated travel ban. The President has chosen not to fight a court ruling that struck down the original ban on travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries, and will instead introduce a new version featuring "minor technical differences".

The first ban, signed on 27 January, temporarily restricted entry to the US for citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Libya  and indefinitely to Syrian refugees.

It caused widespread confusion at airports in the US and elsewhere, but was blocked after three federal judges ruled it was not legitimate.

There has been a backlash to Mr Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants already inside the US, with Washington state governor Jay Inslee banning his staff from cooperating with enforcement agents unless the law requires it.

State agencies are also ordered not to collect any more information on people than strictly necessary, and not to deny anyone services based on their citizenship.

John Kelly, the homeland security secretary, said during a visit to Mexico that there would be "no mass deportations" as Mr Trump's promise to "immediately" remove large numbers of undocumented migrants is implemented.

Thousands of new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are to be hired.

Mr Trump told business executives at a recent meeting that his administration was "getting drug lords out".

"We're getting really bad dudes out of this country, at a rate that nobody's ever seen before," he added.
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The US Supreme Court is considering a law banning convicted sex offenders from social media sites such as Facebook.

The lawsuit was sparked by a North Carolina sex offender who posted on Facebook after his traffic ticket was dismissed.

"No fine. No Court costs. No nothing. Praise be to god. Wow. Thanks, Jesus," Lester Packingham Jr wrote.

Mr Packingham was forbidden by a 2008 North Carolina law from using social networking sites that children could join, because he is a registered sex offender.

 All the personal information you give away each time you 'like' a Facebook page

He was convicted of indecent liberties with a minor when he was 21 and served 10 months in prison.

A Durham police officer investigated the post and determined Mr Packingham used an alias rather than his real name.

He was prosecuted, convicted of a felony and received a suspended prison sentence.

However, his lawyers say no evidence pointed to him using Facebook or his computer to communicate with minors, or that he posted anything inappropriate or obscene.

The Supreme Court will now decide whether the law, meant to prevent communications between sex offenders and minors, is so broad it violates the Constitution's free speech protections.

The case goes to the Supreme Court after it was upheld by North Carolina's highest court in a divided ruling.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. 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The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

The law addressed websites which 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.

"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 Mr 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, Mr 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," Mr 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."

"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."

Additional reporting by Associated Press
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A wave of puzzlement is rippling across Sweden for the second time in a week, after a prominent Fox News programme featured a Swedish defence and national security advisor who's unknown to the country's military and foreign-affairs officials.

Swedes, and some Americans, have been wondering about representations of the Nordic nation in the US since President Donald Trump invoked what's happening last night in Sweden while alluding to past terror attacks in Europe during a rally on 18 February. There had not been any major incident in Sweden the previous night.

Then, Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly convened an on-air faceoff Thursday over Swedish immigration and crime between a Swedish newspaper reporter and a man identified on screen and verbally as a Swedish defence and national security advisor, Nils Bildt.

Mr Bildt linked immigration to social problems in Sweden, lamented what he described as Swedish liberal close-mindedness about the downsides of welcoming newcomers and said: We are unable in Sweden to socially integrate these people, arguing that politicians lacked a systematic plan to do so.

But if viewers might have taken the advisor for a government insider, the Swedish Defense Ministry and Foreign Office told the newspaper Dagens Nyheter they knew nothing of him. Calls to Swedish officials Saturday were not immediately returned.

Mr Bildt is a founding member of a corporate geopolitical strategy and security consulting business with offices in Washington, Brussels and Tokyo, according its website.

His biography speaks to expertise on defence and national security issues, saying his experience includes serving as a naval officer, working for a Japanese official and writing books on issues ranging from investment and political climates to security issues in working in hostile environments.

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

But security experts in Sweden said he was not a familiar figure in their ranks in that country.

He is in not in any way a known quantity in Sweden and has never been part of the Swedish debate, Swedish Defence University leadership professor Robert Egnell said by email to The Associated Press on Saturday. He and Mr Bildt  also known then as Nils Tolling  were in a master's degree program in war studies together at King's College London in 2002-03, and Mr Bildt moved to Japan soon after, he said.

The executive producer of The O'Reilly Factor said Mr Bildt was recommended by people the show's booker consulted while making numerous inquiries about potential guests.

After pre-interviewing him and reviewing his bio, we agreed that he would make a good guest for the topic that evening, executive producer David Tabacoff said in a statement.

The network said Mr O'Reilly was expected to address the subject further on Monday's show.

Mr Bildt didn't respond Saturday to email inquiries; a person who answered the phone at his company agreed to relay one. He told Dagens Nyheter on Friday that he was a US-based independent analyst, and Fox News had chosen its description of him.

Sorry for any confusion caused, but needless to say I think that is not really the issue. The issue is Swedish refusal to discuss their social problems and issues, he added in a statement to the news website Mediaite, explaining his profession as being an independent political adviser.

Mr Trump's initial remark about last night in Sweden stirred a burst of social media mockery, while he explained on Twitter that he was referring to a Fox News piece on immigration and Sweden that he had seen the night before.

Mr Trump and his supporters, though, saw vindication when a riot broke out Monday after police arrested a drug suspect in a predominantly immigrant suburb of Stockholm. Cars were set on fire and shops looted, and one policeman was slightly injured.

Mr Trump took to Twitter again Monday to declare that large-scale immigration in Sweden was NOT! working out well, upsetting many Swedes.

AP
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Celebrations marking Kuwait's national day have been held at Washington DC's Four Seasons hotel for years, but in 2017 the gala event was moved to the capital's new Trump International Hotel.

Ambassador Salem al-Sabah said his guests wanted a change after more than 10 years of visiting the Four Seasons, and last year he held the gala at the Newseum, a media museum that promotes free expression.

Mr Sabah has reportedly faced claims the event was moved to the Trump International for political reasons, which he called "honestly absurd". He told NPR: "If people think that for us to rent a ballroom for two hours in a hotel is going to swing open the doors to the White House for us, it's an absurd line of thinking."

The 2017 celebration was held on 22 February.

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 hotel has been a focal point for Democratic politicians looking to pin claims of conflicts of interest on President Donald Trump.

The hotel is leased in a government-owned site, the Old Post Office, in Pennsylvania Avenue. The General Services Administration (GSA), which leased the building to Mr Trumps company, said the contract contains a provision that prohibits any elected official from holding the lease.

Norm Eisen, a former Obama administration ethics official, told NPR Mr Trump was in violation of the emoluments clause of the US constitution, which says a president cannot accept benefits from a foreign country.

The president's legal team said in January that Mr Trump would "voluntarily donate all profits from foreign government payments made to his hotels to the United States treasury".

"I think it's a simple matter of amending the lease," said Patrick Keogh, a real estate investor in Austin, Texas, who has developed projects for the GSA and other federal agencies. He said Ivanka Trump, the President's daughter and chief negotiator on the hotel, should ask the GSA to exempt her father from that provision of the contract. The GSA should make the process public and transparent, Keogh said.

Others say Trump must relinquish ownership of the hotel. More broadly, they argue, Trump should sell off his company and put the cash into a blind trust as previous presidents have done. He is not legally required to do so, but it has become common for presidents to separate themselves from their personal finances to avoid any possible conflicts with national policy.
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A proposed law that would make it illegal for husbands to drug and rape their wives has found no backers among Republicans in Ohio.

The bill is the second introduced by Democrat state representative Greta Johnson to address the unacceptable loophole in Ohio law that means prosecutors must prove there was force or the threat of force for a sexual attack by a husband or wife to be considered rape.

Cases in which the spouse is drugged do not qualify for prosecution, Ms Johnson said.

Her first effort, in 2015, failed at the committee stage in the Republican-controlled house of representatives.

That year, Ohio was one of 13 states whose legal system still treated rape within marriage differently.

Ms Johnson, a former prosecutor herself, said: I am appalled that there is not a larger discussion in our state about this issue. I am deeply disappointed that none of my Republican colleagues signed on as co-sponsors to this bill.

"Protecting victims of sexual assault and rape should have nothing to do with partisan affiliation.

We must modernise Ohios laws and eradicate unacceptable policy that allows someone to commit violence against their spouse.

Women and men experiencing sexual violence at the hands of their spouses should not be denied the right to seek justice just because they happen to be married to the offender.

A spokesman for the Ohio house speaker, Cliff Rosenberger, told the the Beacon Journal: I know the speaker hasnt had a chance to review anything with this bill or the caucus. Most of this is really early in the process in terms of what might happen next.

But it was correct that Republicans often co-sponsor other bills before they are introduced, the spokesman added.
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Mr Spicer told a group of communications aides that he was unhappy that information from his past meetings with them was being reported in the media, according to Politico.

He expressed his frustration over the number of private conversations and meetings that were showing up in unflattering news stories, sources in the room at the time reportedly said.

On entering Mr Spicers office for what has been described as an emergency meeting, staffers were told to dump their phones on a table for a phone check to prove they had nothing to hide, reported Politico.

The checks were said to have included all electronic devices members of staff were carrying when they were summoned to the impromptu meeting after information discussed at a previous planning meeting was leaked.

The staff were reportedly told not to reveal anything about the attempted crackdown.

It comes a week Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on the media, strongly criticising news outlets for using unnamed sources in stories and branding them a great danger to the country.

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

In his first address as President to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Mr Trump claimed the media invents stories about him and his government.

Several days later, 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, Mr Trump said fake news media knowingly doesnt tell the truth.
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America is considering leaving the United Nations Human Rights Council, it has been reported.

A former State Department official who claims to have been briefed on the discussions told Politico there have been questions from the Secretary of State about the effectiveness of the Human Rights Council and said the targeting of Israel by the body was likely to be part of the debate.

The former official told the publication: Theres been a series of requests coming from the secretary of states office that suggests that he is questioning the value of the US belonging to the Human Rights Council.

Recommended Russia voted off UN Human Rights Council

The final decision on whether the US would withdraw from the council or not would likely be made by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, as well as the President.

The councils next session takes place today. State Department spokesman Mark Toner has not commented on the reports but told The Independent in a statement: Our delegation will be fully involved in the work of the HRC session which starts Monday.

The UN Human Rights Council was formed in 2006 to replace the Human Rights Commission, but President George Bush did not join it in protest of the influence of repressive states. President Barack Obama overturned that decision in 2009.

Website Human Rights Watch said a withdrawal by the US from the Human Rights Council would be misguided and short-sighted.

 Saudi Arabia 'should be suspended from the human rights council'

Louis Charbonneau, UN Director at the website, wrote: A decision to withdraw would be a misguided and short-sighted step that could significantly set back UN efforts to protect human rights around the world.

He added that the US has played a crucial role in pushing the council to establish commissions of inquiry that uncovered grave crimes in North Korea and Syria. He said withdrawing from the council would dampen the USs influence in the international arena.
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The killing of Kim Jong-nam was organised by North Korean state ministries reporting to his half-brother Kim Jong-un, South Korean officials have said.

South Korean politicians, briefed by the countrys security services, said eight North Korean suspects in the killing had been identified, including four officials of the state security ministry and two officials of the foreign ministry.

Officials said Kim Jong-nam was killed by North Korean agents in an airport in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia said an autopsy showed he was poisoned with VX nerve agent and died within 20 minutes. North Korea has not acknowledged the death.

Among eight suspects in this case four are from the ministry of state security and two who actually took action are from the foreign ministry, Lee Cheol-woo, one of the National Assembly members briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters.

That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organised by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry, Lee added.

Also on Monday, South Korean politicians said North Korea had executed five senior security officials for making false reports to leader Kim Jong-un, again citing National Intelligence Service (NIS) reports.

Mr Lee said the intelligence agency told politicians that five North Korean officials in the department of recently purged state security chief Kim Won-hong were executed by anti-aircraft guns. Its not clear what false reports they were accused of making.

The NIS has a mixed record when reporting North Korea intelligence, according to the Associated Press.

Malaysian health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Sunday that the dose of VX given to Mr Kim was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes. Mr Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in the ambulance while en route to a hospital, he said.

 CCTV shows woman arrested in connection with Kim Jong-nam murder wearing LOL t-shirt

VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that, he said. The doses were so high and it did it so fast and all over the body, so it would have affected his heart, it would have affected his lungs, it would have affected everything.

Asked how long it took for Mr Kim to die after he was attacked, Mr Subramaniam said: I would think it was about, from the time of onset, from the time of application, 15 to 20 minutes.

Another South Korean lawmaker briefed by the intelligence agency, Kim Byung-kee, said the North Koreans had operated in three teams. Two teams were responsible for hiring women in Indonesia and Vietnam and bringing them to Malaysia to carry out the attack and another was a back-up team.

Malaysian police have identified a total of eight North Koreans as suspects or as wanted for questioning, including a North Korean embassy official believed to still be in Kuala Lumpur.

The killing has sparked a diplomatic standoff between the two usually friendly countries, with Malaysia refusing to hand over the body to North Korea before it is officially identified by the victim's next of kin.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A familys three-year-old twins have died in India after drowning in a washing machine when their mother left the house for a matter of minutes.

The twin boys, named locally as Nishant and Nakshya, were found by their father in the familys washing machine after he and his wife had spent over half an hour looking for them at their home in Rohini, Delhi, on Saturday.

The boys mother, named by local media as Rakhi, had filled the washing machine with 12-15 litres of water earlier in the day and had left the twins playing together in the house at around 12:30pm.

Recommended Two children die in India after throats slit by kite strings

She had stepped out momentarily to buy washing detergent, the Hindustan Times reported. When she returned around six minutes later she could not find the children and a neighbour called the police.

The childrens father, named only as Ravinder, immediately returned home to help with the search and found the children in the washing machine.

Mr Ravinder immediately took the children to a nearby family hospital where doctors declared them dead, a senior police official told IANS news agency. Shocked father could not believe and took [the children] to Jaipur Golden Hospital where doctors declared them dead, he added.

The mother told police she had left piles of clothes next to the washing machine. Police said the children may have climbed onto the clothes to look inside the top-loading machine and accidentally fallen in.

It appears that one of the kids first climbed the heap [of clothes] to see what was inside the machine and fell inside head on, MN Tiwari, the deputy commissioner of police in Rohini, said. The second child must have followed his brother. Since both of them fell head on, they were choked. There was no way they could have come out, he said.

The couples third child, a 10-year-old, was reportedly at school at the time of the incident.

The family is inconsolable, a senior police officer told NDTV.

The childrens bodies have been sent for an autopsy and deputy commissioner Tiwari said his officers found no evidence of foul play, though an inquiry is likely to be conducted into the childrens deaths, The Indian Express reported.
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Several people have been injured in a suspected arson attack on Swedens largest refugee centre.

One man was seriously injured after jumping from a third floor window trying to escape the fire.

Around a dozen were treated with oxygen after inhaling smoke, while three people were taken to Norra Alvsborg Hospital in Trolhatten.

Recommended Nearly 10 attacks on refugees a day in Germany in 2016

Emergency services were called to a fire in the common room of Resta Gard refugee centre, shortly after 4am on Sunday.

When they arrived, smoke was already billowing from the building.

We received three persons from that fire, two suffered from smoke-related injuries, communications director of Norra Alvsborg Hospital Niklas Claesson told The Independent, adding that they had been discharged from the hospital.

A third man  who suffered serious injuries when he jumped from the third floor  remained in the hospitals care, although his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, Mr Claesson said.

James Abedrabbo, who lives on the third floor of the centre, said he was woken by a fire alarm.

It was strange and scary. When I opened the door to my room I saw a lot of smoke and we were immediately evacuated, Mr Abedrabbo told Swedish news site P4 Vast.

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

With 158 residents, Resta Gard is thought to be the largest accommodation facility for people seeking asylum in the UK.

The fire is being treated as a suspected arson. Police who examined the scene on Monday said they had not yet discovered anything that would indicate the fire had started by accident.

Experts are testing the scene for accelerants.

Around 50 people who live on the third floor have been told they will be transferred to alternative accommodation.
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Parts of eastern Ukraine occupied by Kremlin-backed separatists will start to use the Russian rouble, in a move that will plunge the region's already struggling peace process into further turmoil.

The Council of Ministers in the self-proclaimed Luhansk Peoples Republic (LPR) voted to adopt a decree that establishes the rouble as its official currency.

LPR is a break-away region in the south of the state of Luhansk, claimed by rebel groups allied to Moscow in May 2015.

Switching away from Ukraines hryvnia will have both financial and political implications.

The decision, which comes into force on 1 March, was taken " to stabilise the financial and monetary system, LPRs governing body said.

It establishes that the basic unit of currency in the territory of the Luhansk People's Republic of the Russian rouble.

Rebels made similar moves to establish the rouble as LPRs official currency two years ago.

At the time, Vladimir Putins spokesman welcomed the move, saying it showed the rouble was a reliable and international currency.

The action adds more weight to concerns that a peace deal between Ukraine and rebels fighting in the east of the country remains unlikely in the short- to medium-term.

 Oliver Stone: Reports Russia to blame for Ukraine violence are fake news

Earlier this month, Russia angered the Ukrainian government after it began recognising passports issued by separatist groups in LPR and neighbouring Donetsk, which has its own so-called peoples republic.

It also gave birth, marriage and death certificates, identification, qualification and vehicle registration certificates issued by pro-Russian rebel authorities official recognition in Russia.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision was made on humanitarian grounds to aid residents caught up in the conflict and who were living in rebel-held regions.

Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Show all 12 1 /12 Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman stands near the grave of her brother, a "liquidator" or an emergency worker who fought the blaze at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, during a commemoration ceremony on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster at the Mitino cemetery in Moscow Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Belarussian soldiers of an honor guard carry wreaths during a memorial service for the victims of the Chernobyl disaster in Minsk EPA Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman holds a portrait of her relative, a victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, as she visits the memorial during a commemoration ceremony in Kiev Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko lays flowers during a commemoration ceremony at a monument to "liquidators", emergency workers who fought the blaze at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman puts flowers to a monument to Chernobyl liquidators at Mitino Cemetery in Moscow AP Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Nataliya Khodemchyuk, 64, from Ukraine, a widow of Chernobyl liquidator Valery Khodemchyuk, sits at his grave at the Mitino Cemetery in Moscow AP Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman holds portrait of her relative, a victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, as she visits the memorial during a commemoration ceremony in Kiev Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Ukrainians light candles and lay flowers at the memorial for 'liquidators' who died during cleaning up works after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, during a ceremony in Slavutich city EPA Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A rescue worker which served during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster visits a memorial during a commemoration ceremony in Kiev Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Women hold portraits of their lost husbands near a monument honoring people who were killed during cleanup efforts after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, during a memorial ceremony in Kiev EPA Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman lays flowers at the Chernobyl victims' memorial in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev Getty Images Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman holds a photograph of her husband who died following the clean-up operations for the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear explosion, at the Chernobyl's victim monument in Ukraine's capital Kiev AP

But Kiev said it considered the move as a sign that Moscow was withdrawing from the Minsk agreement - the plan to bring peace to Ukraine.

Russia has denied allegations by the West that is is arming rebels and sending troops across the border.

But it has also made no secret of its political backing for the rebel republics, which were created after referendums held in May 2014 that claimed to show strong support for independence in Donetsk and Luhansk.
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Swedish security services have arrested a man on suspicion of spying on Tibetan refugees in the country.

Police believe the man illegally obtained intelligence relating to Tibet on behalf of an unnamed foreign power while in Sweden.

"The security police have been able to see over time how the man acted in and collected information about the Tibetan group in Sweden," the country's security police, Sakerhetspolisen, said in a statement.

"This information is suspected to have then been passed on to intelligence operatives working for a foreign power."

The security agency said the man had been detained and a decision on whether he will remain in custody would be made in the following days.

The force would not disclose the nationality of the man and would not confirm whether China was the country allegedly involved.

Beijing claimed Tibet as part of its sovereign territory in 1951 and political tensions in the region continue to run high.

"The man has lived in Sweden for several years, and had a mission, as we see it, from a foreign power," Nina Odermalm Schei, head of the national security agency, told news agency TT.

"In general you can say that the countries which carry out refugee espionage in Sweden are states which do not like both human rights and freedom of speech," she added.

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. 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Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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 agency said: "Refugee espionage is a method to try to prevent refugees from expressing criticism of the regime in the country they have fled.

"It is also a way for the regime to try to get control over who has fled from home, why they did it and where they now are."

Update. An earlier version of this article included an image which showed a Tibetan man arriving at a function in Lalitpur to celebrate the Tibetan New Year. We are glad to clarify that the image, and the man depicted therein, had no connection to the incident reported by the article. 28/2/17
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A University of Cambridge college is to review its dinner menu after being accused of serving cultural misrepresentations of exotic meals wrongly attributed to different countries and regions.

Students at Pembroke College lodged complaints about dishes including Jamaican stew, Chinese chicken, oriental beef stew, Indian fish pie and African stew with sweet potato, claiming the combinations did not exist in their native countries.

Commenting on social media, one student posted: Dear Pembroke catering staff, stop mixing mango and beef and calling it Jamaican stew, its rude.

Recommended Cambridge students warned not to wear gowns for fear of attack

The student continued: I'm used to as a minority student being constantly invalidated when flagging up specific issues but if people feel their cultures are misrepresented they have they right to address this.

Microaggressions are a reality of everyday existence for many people of colour.

Another student took issue with cauliflower, date and tofu tagine with Tunisian rice and coriander yoghurt.

Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education Show all 10 1 /10 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 1. University of Oxford Rank 2016-17 Getty Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 2. University of Cambridge Rank 2016-17 AFP/Getty Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 3. Imperial College London Rank 2016-17 Getty Images Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 4. University College London Rank 2016-17 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 5. London School of Economics Rank 2016-17 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 6. University of Edinburgh Rank 2016-17 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 7. Kings College London Rank 2016-17 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 8. University of Manchester Rank 2016-17 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 9. University of Bristol Rank 2016-17 Top 10 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Education 10. 10. University of Warwick Rank 2016-17 University of Warwick via Facebook

Sorry but what is this we don't eat these things in Tunisia, they said.

The criticisms sparked debate on the student Facebook page Grudgebridge, where another student noted: You've got to be pretty privileged to have the time to sit and moan about the naming of the food you eat at one of the best universities in the world.

Another said: While the Indian food in trough isn't straight from my Dadiki's karahi in a Mumbai highrise, I'm thankful to the Pembroke staff for at least trying.

I urge people to look around and realise there's a lot more to life than complaining about fruity chicken. Grow up.

College bursar Andrew Cates said Pembroke had received no formal complaint from students and the comments made on the student web page contained a certain style and humour.

As a college which prides itself on the high standards of our cuisine and wants all our students of diverse backgrounds to feel a valued part of our community, we encourage our catering staff to take the views of any of our students seriously.

The college would examine if any dishes were not named appropriately, he added.


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Every year, people arrive at Panama City, Florida, by mistake  having erroneously booked to the small, friendly airport rather than its Central American cousin. The sensible ones make the most of the situation  enjoying Panama City Beach and the string of smaller resorts that decorate the Gulf of Mexico coastline in South Walton.

All you can eat

Eating out is a joy. Mikes Diner was established in 1986, which was rather later than some of the customers and staff. A few years ago it went upmarket to become Mikes Oyster Bar, but the breakfasts are still excellent: try the Beach Hash, while some French toast saw me through to elevenses. For lunch, Schooners calls itself the last local beach club and serves up superb seafood.

Nature takes over

Just east of here, the beachside buildings end abruptly at St Andrew State Park  until 1951, off limits to the public because it was part of a military base. Now nature has begun to reclaim the wilderness. Its a similar story on Shell Island  home to one of the worlds highest concentrations of bottle-nosed dolphins. There used to be a casino and a zoo on the isle, but now just two family houses remain; once theyve gone, theyve gone  no more can be built.

Shell Island, Panama City Beach

Back on the main strip theres no end of places to stay  such as The Driftwood Lodge, a family-run beachside property that celebrates its 60th anniversary this year at 15811 Front Beach Road; despite the magnitude of the number in the address, its close to Pier Park  the heart of town.

Pier Park, Panama City Beach

Going west from Panama City Beach takes you along whats officially known as Scenic Highway 30A through a string of communities of South Walton  selected by Lonely Planet for its top 10 Best of the US for 2017. See it yourself by hiring a compact car for seven days from Jacksonville International Airport from 187. Book with Hertz.co.uk

Picture Perfect

Seaside, Panama City Beach

The treasure is Seaside - the name of the town, though you may know it by a slightly different title. The 1998 film The Truman Show starred Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, the unknowing star of a reality TV series. He lived in a town called Seahaven, which was really Seaside  a comforting throwback to simpler times. Seaside was an idealistic experiment in new urbanism by the property developer Robert Davis. Its designed so that no home is more than a five-minute walk from the centre, designated by the post office. And the beach is only a minute further. Since the filming, Seaside has blossomed with plenty of places to eat and drink. You can visit Trumans actual house at 31 Natchez Street, though it was re-numbered 36 at the request of the director.

What I love about this curve of coastline is that it embraces so much: the frivolity of the great American beach vacation, the impeccable good looks of a film set, and the perfection of raw nature.

Discover more at Visit Florida
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An inquest into the deaths of 30 Britons at a seaside resort in Sousse, Tunisia, is expected to return its conclusions on Tuesday. Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith may make recommendations that could have a far-reaching impact on holidaymakers rights and the responsibilities of the travel industry.

How did we get here? Here is a timeline of the events leading up to this week.

On 11 April 2002, a truck bomb exploded close to a synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia, killing 21 people  mainly German tourists. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility.

Recommended No easing on Tunisia travel advice a year after Sousse beach attack

For the remainder of the decade, while terrorist attacks aimed at tourists took place in Egypt, Kenya and elsewhere, Tunisia remained relatively calm.

On 17 December 2010, a 26-year-old fruit seller named Mohamed Bouazizi was publicly humiliated in a small town in Tunisia. He set fire to himself in front of a government office. This event triggered an uprising that was fuelled by social media. A month later, President Ben Ali fled the country, and the Arab Spring took hold across North Africa and the Middle East.

In the midsts of the uprising, in which no tourists were harmed, the Foreign Office changed its advice to urge against all but essential travel. An airlift, primarily organised by the leading tour operators, Thomas Cook and Thomson, brought British holidaymakers home.

The advice was soon changed and holidays to Tunisia resumed.

On 18 March 2015, an attack aimed at a group of cruise passengers at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis killed 22 people, including 20 foreign tourists. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

In the wake of the attack, the Foreign Office advice was unchanged. The UKs biggest holiday company, Thomson, together with its all-inclusive brand, First Choice, prepared a statement saying Tunisia remains a popular destination for us and customers are enjoying their holidays as usual. The company specified that normal booking conditions apply to anyone wanting to amend or cancel their holiday. The firm cancelled the excursion programme as a precaution.

The two attacks in 2015 have led the Foreign Office to advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia (Getty)

On 26 June 2015, 38 people, including 30 British holidaymakers who were travelling with Thomson/First Choice, were killed by an Islamist gunman named Seifeddine Rezgui at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel at the resort of Sousse. He gunned down people sunbathing on the beach and continued the attack inside the hotel until he was eventually cornered and killed by police.

Initially, the Foreign Office did not advise against travel to Tunisia. But after several days it changed the official advice to urge against all-but-essential travel. That was the trigger for an airlift to begin. All British package holidaymakers were flown home.

On 7 March 2016, an attack by terrorists affiliated to Isis killed 12 Tunisian security officials and civilians in the southeastern border town of Ben Guerdan.

Today, the Foreign Office travel advice for Tunisia says: Further attacks remain highly likely, including against foreigners. It has rejected repeated pleas from the Tunisian authorities to ease its advice against travel, saying: Although we have had good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting in place additional security measures, the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, reinforcing our view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely.

On balance, we do not believe the mitigation measures in place provide adequate protection for British tourists in Tunisia at the present time.

All mainstream holiday companies are governed by Foreign Office advice, and anyone travelling to an area on the no-go list will find their travel insurance invalidated.

On the first anniversary of the Sousse attack, Tarek Aouadi, UK director of the Tunisian National Tourist Office, said: The FCO knows what it is doing. Human lives have been lost and security must come first. But we didnt expect it to be this long. Banning a destination gives a sign to the terrorists they are winning.

The national airline, Tunisair, has continued to fly from Heathrow and Gatwick to Tunis.
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There was a time  before Brexit and Trump came to dominate, well, everything  when Greece was rarely out of the headlines. Back when the Tory-Lib Dem coalition was imposing its own version of austerity on the British people, Greek national finances were in turmoil. The country was only saved from bankruptcy by vast bailouts from the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

The price was significant structural reforms of the Greek economy and devastating financial consequences for many individuals. Unemployment spiralled to 25 per cent. Pensioners have seen their income fall by half. Many workers expect to be paid late, if at all. And young people frequently see their future beyond Greeces border.

With negotiations under way for the next tranche of likely loans, the country is back in the news. A protest movement which seeks to disrupt court proceedings in home repossession cases has added some colour to recent reports.

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

Yet it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Greeces travails are rather less engrossing to many than they once seemed. Sure enough, the prospect of the country falling into political anarchy appears to have become much more distant. Moreover, by some estimates the worst of the economic fallout from the debt-crisis which emerged in 2009 has passed  unemployment has fallen to a mere 23 per cent and GDP in 2016 actually rose, albeit by only 0.3 per cent.

Likewise, concern about the possibility of economic contagion appears to have diminished. In the early years of the decade anxiety was rife that, if Greece was allowed to go bust, others would follow in short order. Spain, Portugal and Italy all seemed at risk; debt-laden and structurally inefficient. Indeed, Portugal and Spain both required bailouts, as did Ireland, which had suffered a particularly severe economic contraction after the global crash in 2008. For the most part though, those countries have overhauled their economies to the point where confidence among institutional investors and key international agencies is no longer on a knife-edge.

Recommended We should be worried that Republicans are making it illegal to protest

But in Britain at least, the narrative in respect of the Greek crisis appears to have been affected too by last years EU referendum and the political machinations since then. Debates may continue to rage about whether the UK will be better off outside the EU, but the context of those debates places Britain as the driver of its own destiny, rather than as some sort of unwitting cog subsumed by the machinery of the European Union. Unease at the potential impact here of an economic disaster on the other side of the continent has dissipated, as the government and sections of the right-wing media convince us that we can be masters of a rosy future.

At the very least this is illogical. The UK, sitting on the eurozones side lines since the currency union was formed, is no more or less immune to reverberations caused by difficulties within the zone now that it was five years ago. The idea that our withdrawal from the EU makes even a jot of difference is delusional. We didnt pay any share of the EUs loans to Greece and it had been agreed that the UK wouldnt be on the hook for any future eurozone bailouts by Europes big club. By contrast, as major contributors to the International Monetary Fund, Britain is a creditor of Greece by another mechanism. That wont change either.

If Brexit was about taking back control in a fairly broad sense, then Donald Trumps victory in the US election sought to rescue protectionism from the dictionary of failed economic policies. Both events are now placed at the heart of a broader push back against globalisation. Popular nationalist movements in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are all aiming to capitalise. Scepticism towards the eurozone, especially in Italy and France, is acute.

The motors of this antipathy are hard to ignore: rising inequality and falling living standards are not good adverts for the global capitalist order. But the idea that a retreat to a protectionist approach towards national economics will somehow return individual states to prosperity  or will make countries resistant to financial shocks elsewhere in the world is barmy. The only way for one nation to be invulnerable to economic downturns in others is for it to cut off all trading links to the rest of the planet and become a successful autarky. A few have tried; all have failed.
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The decision of Sean Spicer, the White House spokesman, to exclude selected media organisations from his briefing on Friday is another sinister misstep by the Trump administration.

Donald Trumps paranoid war against the media, parts of which he has called the enemies of the people  a description he repeated on Thursday  is an alarming aspect of the US Presidents tendency to authoritarianism. The idea of a closed cabal of approved outlets being given privileged access to government is not necessarily a harbinger of totalitarianism, although it has those overtones, but it should be resisted in any case because it is bad for the health of democracy.

The Independent in its early years fought a campaign against the secrecy and exclusivity of the British lobby system. Our journalists boycotted lobby briefings, by which the Prime Ministers spokesman spoke to parliamentary reporters on unattributable and deniable terms. Since then, the briefings have been put on the record and the number of journalists entitled to attend  and indeed to have access to the Members Lobby of the House of Commons  has been expanded.

For British journalists, the openness and disorder of White House press briefings, which are not only on the record but televised, have always been something of a model to which to aspire. It is a backwards step, therefore, for Mr Spicer to hold a briefing off camera and with representatives of only selected media organisations.

Invited to his West Wing office were Breitbart News (founded by Steve Bannon, President Trumps chief strategist), One America News Network, The Washington Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Reuters, Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal. Out on the naughty step were CNN, BBC, The New York Times, LA Times, New York Daily News, BuzzFeed, The Hill, and the Daily Mail  the first three of which have been named disapprovingly by the President. They were joined by Associated Press and Time magazine, who refused to attend a selective briefing, and would have been joined by The Wall Street Journal if its reporter had known about the exclusions.

We praise the Associated Press, Time and The Wall Street Journal for protesting instantly against it, but expect that their boycott will be the start of a wider revolt. Mr Spicers attempt to divide and rule will only backfire against President Trump. It is almost calculated to unite most journalists, editors and proprietors against him.

Supporters of the President are entitled to point out that Barack Obamas administration tried to exclude Fox News, the conservative broadcaster owned by Rupert Murdoch, from its briefings  and that Fox News did not enjoy much solidarity from other news organisations in its fight for access. But by dividing the media into two such large blocs, Mr Spicer is asking for trouble.

President Trump has not suffered by picking fights with powerful media organisations so far. And it will be no surprise if the Hollywood branch of the media industry maintains the assault on him in the Oscar acceptance speeches tomorrow night.

But Mr Spicers attempt to give selected organisations privileged access to the Trump administration is simultaneously menacing, faintly ridiculous and almost certainly counter-productive. Journalists for American and global news organisations must not accept it. They must not be intimidated by it; they must make fun of it; and they must unite against it. Even President Trump must recognise that such a battle is not in his interest.
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As a member of the Quapaw tribe of Oklahoma, I like so many other Natives from various indigenous tribes joined the Oceti Sakowin camp at Standing Rock. The movement against the Dakota Pipeline was always peaceful, yet this non-violent, Native-led resistance was met by devastating aggression by the police.

It was a shock to see the extreme retaliation against water protectors, many of whom were elders, women and children. The militarized landscape was difficult to fathom: surveillance was constant and obvious. SUVs and armoured vehicles were parked over hilltops within our line of sight. Unmarked aircraft flew overhead 24/7. At night, floodlights threw blinding white light over the gently sloping hills. At more than one action, I witnessed the police over their megaphone threaten individuals by name whom they had been able to photograph and identify at a distance. How have we reached this point?

 Standing Rock protests continue: 'Water is life'

This seems to just be the beginning of the crackdown on dissent coming from both the White House and emboldened Republican states.

Donald Trump has been arguing that anyone who protests against him is only doing it for the money. He tweeted that the thousands who took to the streets to oppose his inauguration were professional anarchists and paid protestors. On Fox & Friends, Sean Spicer, White House press secretary, said that the demonstrations were not these organic uprisings that weve seen through the last several decades. You know, the Tea Party was a very organic movement. This has become a very paid, Astroturf-type movement.

At the state level in North Dakota, a Republican bill, specifically aimed at us Standing Rock protesters, was suggested to exempt drivers who unintentionally hit or kill pedestrians who are obstructing traffic on public roads. The bill did not go through, but it sets a dangerous precedent.

In Minnesota, the GOP introduced a bill to make protesting on freeways a gross misdemeanour with fines of up to $3,000 and one year jail time. In a separate bill put forward, the nonviolent obstruction of authorities would incur at least a year jail time and fines of up to $10,000. In Iowa, a similar bill to attach criminal penalties to protesters blocking roads is being planned by Republican lawmaker Bobby Kaufmann.

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

Republicans in Washington are pushing for legislative change that would create the new crime of economic terrorism for protests which harm a persons ability to make a living.

Following the Trump administrations comments that people are being paid to protest, Republican state senators in Arizona have voted to give police powers to arrest anyone involved in a peaceful demonstration. The most worrying part however, is the fact that the legislation gives the government the right to prosecute and seize the assets of anyone planning or attending a protest.

In this environment of conspiracy, distrust and paranoia propagated by our government, it is not out of the question that the style of policing we witnessed at Standing Rock  the use of overwhelming physical and psychological force to silence dissenting voices  will become much more commonplace as these proposed policies are put into action, especially as progressive social movements continue to grow against the President.
Gardai upgraded the probe over the death of retired farmer Paddy Lyons to a full-scale murder inquiry

A man has been arrested over the murder of a popular 90-year-old retired farmer found dead in his home over the weekend.

The body of Paddy Lyons was discovered in his rural cottage outside Ballysaggart village, near Lismore in Co Waterford, on Saturday afternoon.

An investigation was launched and a post-mortem examination was carried out on his remains at Waterford University Hospital.

Gardai upgraded their probe to a full-scale murder inquiry after receiving the results.

The elderly bachelor is reported to have suffered head injuries.

On Monday afternoon, investigating gardai said they had arrested a man aged in his 20s in connection with the murder.

The suspect was detained in Waterford and taken to Waterford Garda station where he is being questioned under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.

Speaking at the crime scene, Superintendent Michael Leacy had earlier appealed for a pair who raised the alarm by calling at a neighbour's home on Saturday afternoon to get in contact.

The man and woman, who were driving a van at the time, have since identified themselves and come forward.

Supt Leacy said Mr Lyons was well-known and well-liked in the community.

"Paddy was well-known in the local community and he had regular visitors to his house," he said.

"We would ask anyone who called to his house on a regular basis to contact us at the incident room at Dungarvan Garda station.

"Paddy was well-liked and well-respected in the community and I would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward."

Supt Lacey said he was seeking public assistance locally and in the wider community.

The scene, down a lane off the main Ballysaggart and Araglin road, remains sealed off as forensic tests are carried out by Garda technical experts.
ONLY 13pc of Irish people believe the Irish economy will "worsen" despite the impending exit of Britain from the European Union.

The Irish are "bucking the trend" once again in Europe in terms of having more optimistic attitudes for the economy and being far more positive about immigration and freedom of movement.

A major Eurobarometer survey carried out in all EU states in November showed the Irish to be remarkably supportive of EU membership despite the Brexit vote, controversies about immigrants and refugees in the EU, and the rise of populist anti-status quo movements in Europe.

In spite of the Brexit vote, three times more Irish people believe the economy will get better compared to the numbers who believe it will worsen.

The figures showed 38pc think the Irish economy will improve contrasting with just 13pc who believe it will disimprove. And 45pc think it will "stay the same."

Overall, 64pc of Irish people classify the Irish economy as "good" which is significantly higher that the EU average assessment that shows only 41pc of Europeans believe their own economy is "good."

Freedom of movement of people between countries has very high support across Europe. Some 90pc of Irish people are in favour of freedom of movement which is above the EU average of 81pc.

Eighty-one percent of Irish people have a positive view of immigration from within the EU, 20 points above the EU average.

Meanwhile, 57pc of Irish people have a positive view of immigration from outside the EU, also 20 points above the EU average.

Some 77pc of Irish people agree with the proposition that immigrants contribute a lot to Ireland, substantially above the EU average of 44pc.

Dr Stephen Quinlan, author of the report on the Irish results in the EU survey, said "we're bucking the trend" by showing high positive showings for the EU generally, even though enthusiasm for the EU has not returned to the even higher levels that existed before the global economic crisis.

Irish attitudes have become more and more positive as the economy improves, he said today.

Some 55pc of Irish people have a positive attitude of the EU, which is more than 20 points higher than the EU average.

The more education people have, the more positive they are about the EU, he said.

In terms of trust, more Irish people trust the EU (49pc) than distrust it (42pc), reversing the trend that developed during the financial crisis.

There is little sign of the Euroscepticism that was mushrooming across the EU as 67pc of Irish people disagree with the idea that Ireland could best face the future outside the EU.
The UK accounted for 40pc of Irelands 8.8 million overseas visitors last year. Stock photo: Getty

Rural tourism will be hardest hit this year by a fall in the value of sterling, the chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, Tim Fenn, has warned.

The decline in the value of sterling versus the euro since last June's Brexit vote made it more expensive for UK visitors to holiday in Ireland and was a "significant concern" for Ireland's hoteliers, Mr Fenn said.

He pointed out that the UK accounted for 40pc of Ireland's 8.8 million overseas visitors last year.

"Deterioration in our GB visitors will hit our rural tourism hardest as this is the one market that does travel outside our city and tourist hotspots," according to Mr Fenn.

"We must continue to make significant strides in developing our tourism product and stay focused on providing great value whilst giving holidaymakers new and compelling reasons to come here."

He said that in 2016, bookings made by British visitors before the Brexit vote helped to shore up the numbers coming from the UK to Ireland.

But the impact of that June vote is likely to be more pronounced this year.

Mr Fenn was speaking as the Irish Hotels Federation holds its annual conference in Kilkenny today and tomorrow.

He added that despite the Brexit vote last year, 13,000 jobs were created in Ireland's tourism and hospitality sector in 2016.

He said that brought the total created since 2011 to 50,000.

The tourism industry here now supports about 220,000 jobs - equivalent to 11pc of the total employment in Ireland.
A month-long intensive farm inspection campaign is being undertaken by the Health and Safety Authority.

The inspections are aimed at reducing the number of accidents resulting in injury and death on farms.

Inspectors from the Authority will visit almost 500 farms over the next few weeks and there will be a particular focus on the safe handling of livestock.

The Health and Safety Authority will begin on Wednesday March 1.

The month of March is a particularly busy period for calving and the risk of serious injury can be very high, so inspectors will be focusing on the common risks encountered and livestock safety in general.

Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, said that although the calving period is a particularly risky time of the year, dangerous situations can be minimised.

I would encourage Farmers to take time to understand the basics of animal behaviour and be alert for signs of aggression. In particular, care is needed around cows with a new born calf when they can be unpredictable and much more likely to attack.

Never turn your back on a cow with a new born, have a planned escape route and keep children and inexperienced handlers well away.

The calving area should provide adequate space, be tidy, well-bedded with clean straw and be clearly lit and free of obstructions.

Also, well designed calving pens and gates are important and help minimise the direct physical contact between the cow, or heifer, and farmer.

Griffin added, We are currently in a busy period for calving and the risk of injury is very high. Farmers are working long hours, often with broken sleep, so fatigue and general tiredness can also be a factor. Our message is simple, stay alert, dont take risks and get help when its needed.

The types of injuries that can be sustained with livestock attacks are very serious and can be life-threatening.

Penalties

The clampdown comes following recent comments by Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan who said Irish farmers who break farm safety rules could risk losing their EU grants.

Mr Hogan said he was reluctantly coming to this conclusion in the light of the large toll of deaths from farm accidents in 2016. He said the rate of serious workplace accidents was reducing in Ireland and across the EU  but no such progress was happening in farming where 21 Irish people were killed in 2016.

The Commissioner said progress was being made and two EU-backed schemes were, TAMS 2 and the Green Cert, were laying great emphasis on farm safety, especially for young farmers.

But we have to do more in the light of the recent accidents and heart-breaking tragedies which have hit so many farm families in 2016, Mr Hogan told the Irish Independent.

The EU Commissioner said farmers can already lose grant money if they breach pollution control rules or other issues like animal welfare.

He said it is time to consider including farm safety in the so-called cross compliance regime to help preserve human life.
Initial demand from Turkish cattle buyers is expected to focus on continental heifers weighing up to 400kg, according to Joe Burke of Bord Bia.

He says over recent weeks, Bord Bia has undertaken several marketing activities for Irish live cattle.

A substantial Turkish meat and livestock business, with capacity for 40,000 feeding cattle, travelled to Ireland on a Bord Bia-led itinerary: visiting exporters and farms.

It is anticipated that Turkish companies will soon be permitted to import animals themselves, outside of the government-owned Meat and Milk Board, ESK, he said.

Meanwhile, Burke also said that Bord Bia recently met with one of the largest cattle buyers in Algeria, and visited the port of Sete in France, where they were assembling two boatloads of French cattle.

The Algerian market reopened for Irish livestock in late 2016, following a trade mission to the North African region.

Burke says annual imports average approximately 60,000 head, and potential customers have expressed a strong appetite for Irish animals: both young bulls for finishing and dairy breeding stock.

Calf exports

Calf exports are now gaining momentum, following a slightly later start to the calving season, Burke said.

Up to mid-February, some 1,400 animals had been exported to Spain and just 330 to the Netherlands: Irelands principal calf markets, he says.

In 2016, these two countries accounted for 44,000 head and 27,000 head, respectively, of Irish exports.

Discussions with trade buyers suggest that demand and prices are slightly ahead of last years levels.

Bord Bia advertisements in a popular Dutch publication: De Kalverhouder are currently highlighting the health and quality attributes of Irish calves to veal producers, he said.
A new report has highlighted the severe impact Brexit could have on the Irish dairy industry.

Eucolait, an organisation representing the dairy trade believes that the UK leaving the EU will cause great damage, economic and otherwise, to both the Union and the United Kingdom.

It highlights that the impacts of Brexit will not be felt to the same degree across Europe, with Ireland being the Member State most affected.

Looking at dairy trade, it says Ireland is both the main supplier and customer of the UK.

Also the Eucolait report notes that politically the divorce will be very complex not least due to the Good Friday agreement and the specific nature of the bo rder separating Northern Ireland from the Republic (future EU external border vs common travel area) .

"In this context, we would like to highlight the huge volumes of raw milk crossing the border from the UK to Ireland every day to be processed there: a bout 800 million litres in 2016 , corresponding to some 12 % of Irelands milk production pool.

"Moreover, 75 % of the processing facilities in Northern Ireland are fully or jointly owned by Irish cooperatives .

"A reestablishment of a border, let alone duties, would be extremely harmful to both producers in Northern Ireland and dairies in the Republic of Ireland," it said.

Eucolait says in order to avoid any disruption of trade, the negotiations on the future trade arrangement should be an integral part of the article 50 process, rather than only being initiated once the exit has taken place.

"Today, EU MFN duties on the main dairy products are in the region of 100 - 200 /100kg (approximately 40% to 80 % depending on product and prices ). If the UK continues to use the EU tariff classification and duty rates (at least in the first stage after Brexit), the same tariffs would apply to EU exports to the UK.

"It goes without saying that, given the size of the trade flows in both directions, the impact of such a scenario would be catastrophic," it says.

The second best option, according to the report would be an interim agreement maintaining the status quo until the talks on the future trade agreement are finalised and the new trading arrangements are implemented.

The establishment of such an interim regime should be decided as early as possible so as to limit the uncertainty faced by companies operating in both markets and to avoid any unnecessary disturbance of normal business activity, it says.
The IFA has said that the areas currently designated as Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) must be fully protected in the forthcoming review of areas, and payments must be increased in this vital support scheme for low-income farmers on marginal land.

At the meeting, attended by MEPs and TDs from the Munster region, President Joe Healy said ANC payments represent a significant support for up to 95,000 farmers who farm in some of the most difficult conditions.

This must be recognised by European and national politicians.

Every effort must be made to protect the areas already designated and to restore overall funding to its pre-2009 level, when Budget cutbacks were made.

There is already a Programme for Government commitment to increase the ANC allocation by 25m in 2018 and this must be improved upon to coincide with the review, he said.

The IFA President said that the Government, in the negotiations with the EU Commission on the review, must put forward strong arguments which support this vital scheme and must use all political capital to ensure that all farmers continue to benefit.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady said that there are sufficient flexibilities in place in the Guidelines to Designate ANC Areas to protect areas already classified in the upcoming review.

At a recent meeting in Brussels, the EU Commission made clear that member states can make a case based on local conditions to ensure that areas retain their status and continue to qualify for payments.

In addition, Ireland can make a case for areas that have difficulty in qualifying under the new criteria by classifying them based on agricultural output, stocking rate, permanent grassland, and farming systems, as well as areas with specific constraints.

Speaking on behalf of hill farmers, IFA Hill Committee Chairman Pat Dunne said that ANC payments are a vital support along with other direct payments for sustaining hill farming. The ANC support should be pitched at a level which reflects the conditions which farming is carried out in the most marginal and hilly areas. The addition of funding that must be provided by the Government can be a major help in this regard for the 30,000 farmers who have hill land.
People paying motor tax online have been warned to be on their guard for fraudsters trying to get their banking details.

People who renew their motor tax are getting emails immediately afterwards claiming there was a problem.

In the email, which looks authentic, they are then asked to confirm the details about their car and provide their billing details.

One person targeted explained to Independent.ie: It looks like the Motor Tax office got hacked. I renewed my motor insurance this morning and got a request for my billing details and car owner information. It is a pretty good scam.

The email claims the payment for motor tax did not go through. The recipient is asked to confirm the vehicle registration number and owner information.

There is a link to a website provided which, at first glance, looks like the motortax.ie site.

The opening page of the motortax.ie website has a warning about an email scam.

It states: This Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have become aware of fraudulent emails purporting to come from the department seeking vehicle details and billing information from vehicle owners in connection with their last motor tax transaction.

The message goes on to state that the department never send emails requiring customers to send personal information via email or pop-up windows.

Drivers who receive an email purporting to be from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and suspect it to be fraudulent or a scam, are advised to delete it.

Anyone who provided personal information in response to these fraudulent emails should contact their bank or credit card company immediately, the transport department added.

The Motor Tax Online website claims to be a secure service provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Irelands local authorities.

A spokesman for the Department denied the site had been hacked, suggesting the scammers were sending random emails.

The spokesman added: If an email does get someone due or just paid, its getting lucky. It is not directed/targeted at people who are paying motor tax. We havent been hacked.
The Babcock organisation that was evolving behind my back is now an engineering support services giant that manages naval bases, is involved in military logistics, nuclear decommissioning and even maintains the current fleet of Trident equipped submarines.

It's a mistake to take your eye off big manufacturing corporations these days, because as sure as eggs are eggs, the next time you look at one, it will have morphed into something completely different. I always liked and admired the major British engineering company Babcock and Wilcox, which made boilers and big pieces of engineering kit. But the boilers are gone and Babcock (currently Babcock International) is an essential part of the UK defence establishment and can talk of managing 'mission-critical environments'.

The Babcock organisation that was evolving behind my back is now an engineering support services giant that manages naval bases, is involved in military logistics, nuclear decommissioning and even maintains the current fleet of Trident equipped submarines. It also has a third of its business outside the UK and overall employs 35,000 worldwide and has a market value of 4.5bn (5.3bn).

The sale of its famous boiler business dates back to the late 1980s but the real re-shaping of the business started with a purpose in 2010 when it merged with the VT group and created the defence and services giant to add to the helicopter service business, nuclear submarines facility and the UK Atomic Energy Authority's commercial arm which it picked up in earlier years.

The company has four main divisions. Its largest unit is the marine business with 35pc of group revenues and 40pc of operating profit. Its defence and security business contributes 17pc of sales and a similar amount of operating profits. Its support services division is the second largest with 30pc of group revenues but operating profit margins less than half of the marine division. The international division is a mixed bag but accounts for 18pc of group revenues.

Babcock's marine service division is the leading support company to the UK's navy fleet of warships and nuclear submarines and is involved in the design of the next generation of nuclear armed submarines. It's 11,000 employees refit, repair and overhaul, and it manages the naval fleet and naval bases in the UK and New Zealand.

The defence and security division employs 6,000, providing major support to the UK's armed forces on land, sea and air.

The company maintains and repairs more than 35,000 military vehicles including tanks.

The group is involved in airbase support and air-to-air refuelling for the RAF. The company's support services are heavily involved in providing services to the nuclear industry. It both decommissions nuclear plants and builds them. Currently Babcock is decommissioning Sellafield and other nuclear sites in the UK and in Japan. Another source of revenue is the renewal and upgrading of overhead power lines for the UK's rail system.

Babcock's international division is a number of unrelated businesses, with helicopter and fixed-wing emergency services including air ambulance, search and rescue and firefighting. Its business in Africa is distributing Volvo and DAF equipment. Its South African business is targeted at engineering support for the mining and energy industry.

The group has been growing revenues and profits. Total revenue last year grew 6pc to 4.8bn, and pre-tax profits jumped 10pc to 460m. The Babcock shares trade at 8.77, up 13pc on the year but off the yearly high of 11. An attraction is its low P/E multiple (12) and a satisfactory dividend yield of 3pc with a market value of 4.5bn. A negative for investors is its debt levels (decreasing) and its pension deficit, but it has the benefit of long-term contracts and substantial barriers to entry. The firm could benefit from increased Nato spending, as its members are under pressure from the US to boost defence spending. While Babcock is very dependent on the UK military sector and may not please the so-called 'ethical' investor, it is a quality share.

Nothing in this section should be taken as a recommendation, either explicit or implicit, to buy any of the shares mentioned
Viola Davis accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Fences." REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Viola Davis accepts the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences" at the Oscars. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Actress Emma Stone accepts Best Actress for 'La La Land' onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Hailee Steinfeld, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal present the award for best animated short film at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

A man kisses the hand of actor Nicole Kidman during a skit. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Viola Davis with the award for Best Supporting Actress for Fences in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

Actress Viola Davis poses with her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film Fences". REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Mahershala Ali poses for a selfie with a man during a skit at the Oscars. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Mahershala Ali, right, takes a selfie with a tourist named Gary while holding his award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Viola Davis accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Fences." REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Producer Jordon Horowitz holds up the card for the Best Picture winner Moonlight. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

89th Academy Awards - Oscars Awards Show - Hollywood, California, U.S. - 26/02/17 - Director Barry Jenkins holds the Oscar as Moonlight wins Best Picture. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

It was a night of surprises.

1. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the wrong winner for Best Picture

Expand Close Jimmy Kimmel and Warren Beatty laugh after correcting the Best Picture Oscar from La La Land to Moonlight. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jimmy Kimmel and Warren Beatty laugh after correcting the Best Picture Oscar from La La Land to Moonlight. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway accidentally read La La Land as the Best Picture winner instead of Moonlight. Host Jimmy Kimmel joked that he blamed Steve Harvey for the gaffe and the team received a standing ovation.

2. Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue

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The late night host made a splash at his first Oscars with a few digs at US President Donald Trump and his old mock rival Matt Damon.

"The country is divided right now, I've been been getting advice that I need to say something to unite us. Let me say something. I can't do that. There is only one Braveheart in this room and he's not going to do that either.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? It's gone!

"It's been an incredible year for movies: black people saved NASA and white people saved jazz. That's what you call progress."

As for Damon, he mocked his controversial role in The Great Wall with one simple line, "Smooth move dumbass."

I want to say thank you to President Trump - remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?

3. Mahershala Ali's emotional Best Supporting Actor acceptance speech

Expand Close 89th Academy Awards - Oscars Awards Show - Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson / Facebook

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Whatsapp 89th Academy Awards - Oscars Awards Show - Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

The 43-year-old actor scooped the gong for his role in Moonlight and announced his wife Amatus Sami-Karim gave birth to their first child Bari Najma just days earlier.

"Wow, I want to thank my teacher and my professors, they told me is that it's not about you, it's about the characters, you are in service to your character and your stories, I'm so blessed to have had this opportunity.

"My wife was in her third trimester doing awards seasons, we just had a daughter four days ago. I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process."

Video of the Day

4. Sweets rained down from the ceiling

After Ellen DeGeneres' mid-ceremony pizza delivery, there's a certain expectation for convenience food at the Oscars these days.

"You can't really have movies without candy," Kimmel said. "It's un-American. Yeah, popcorn is, too, but we don't have that."

Later, they followed up with cookies and donuts "literally falling from the sky".

5. Politically charged speeches

Expand Close Hailee Steinfeld, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal present the award for best animated short film at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hailee Steinfeld, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal present the award for best animated short film at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

It was always going to be a vocal night.

Actor Gael Garcia Bernal, from Mexico, spoke before presenting the award for Best Animated Short Film, saying: "As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I am against any form of wall that wants to separate us."

Meanwhile, winning director of the Best Foreign Language Film Asghar Farhadi, from Iran, skipped the ceremony in protest of President Trump's travel ban.

"Im sorry Im not with you. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S."

6. Viola Davis made history

Expand Close Viola Davis accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Fences." REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson / Facebook

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Whatsapp Viola Davis accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Fences." REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Viola was the favourite to win the Best Supporting Actress statue for her compelling performance in Fences, but there wasn't a dry eye in the house after her emotional speech.

"I became an artist and thank God I did. Because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life," she began.

"And to Dan and Mae Alice Davis, who were and are the center of my universe, the people who taught me good or bad, how to fail, how to love, how to hold, how to lose. My parents, I'm so thankful that God chose you to bring me into this world."

She became the first black actress to win an Emmy, Tony and Academy Award for acting.

7. They surprised tourists with a trip to the Oscars

Expand Close A man kisses the hand of actor Nicole Kidman during a skit. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / Facebook

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Whatsapp A man kisses the hand of actor Nicole Kidman during a skit. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A group of tourists on a Hollywood celebrity tour bus were told they would be seeing a celebrity dress collection but were actually surprised with a walk-through at the Oscars.

Jennifer Aniston gave a pair of sunglasses and Denzel Washington played 'best man' for an engaged couple.

8. There was a special Oscars edition of Mean Tweets

Although the tweets were admittedly a little more tame than usual, it was an unexpected move to see nominees reading insults aloud, including, "Oh look at me, I'm Ryan Gosling, I have perfect bone structure and kind eyes. Go f*** yourself Ryan Gosling."

Not to mention Kimmel tweeting Trump with the hashtag #Merylsayshi.

9. The New York Times took aim at Trump with their new ad

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The New York Times launched its new The Truth is Hard ad during the Oscars, with statements like: "The truth is our nation is more divided than ever. The truth is alternative facts are lies. The truth is a woman should dress like a woman."

It's their first tv ad in seven years.

10. Ruth Negga lost Best Actress

Expand Close Actor Ruth Negga attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Actor Ruth Negga attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

It was definitely one of our biggest moments of the night - Irish actress Ruth Negga lost out to favourite Emma Stone, but it's likely the first of many nominations.
Actor Emma Stone, winner of the award for Actress in a Leading Role for 'La La Land'

Emma Stone has said Warren Beatty's mistake at last night's Academy Awards was a "very strange happening for Oscars history".

The actress was reacting to the bizarre set of events, which saw the American actor announce that La La Land had won the Academy Award for best picture, when in fact, Moonlight had won the gong.

As Jordan Horowitz was halfway through his acceptance speech for La La Land, the director was interrupted to be told that Moonlight was indeed the winning picture and Beatty had been given the wrong envelope in error.

The Moonlight cast and production team then made their way to the stage to accept their Academy Award.

Expand Close 'La La Land' producer Marc Platt speaks with producers Jordan Horowitz (L) and Fred Berger (R) as production staff consult behind them regarding a presentation error of the Best Picture award (later awarded to 'Moonlight'), / Facebook

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Whatsapp 'La La Land' producer Marc Platt speaks with producers Jordan Horowitz (L) and Fred Berger (R) as production staff consult behind them regarding a presentation error of the Best Picture award (later awarded to 'Moonlight'),

Speaking after the ceremony, Emma Stone described massive mishap "strange".

"I f*****g love Moonlight. I think it's one of the best movies of all time. When it happened I was just on such a buzzy stage, I was already on another planet. I think it's a good outcome but a very strange happening for Oscar history."

The actress said she had kept the envelope announcing her as the winner after accepting her Oscar, and so could not understand how a duplicate envelope had ended up in the hands of Beatty.

"I was holding my best actress in a leading role card the entire time. I don't mean to start stuff but whatever story that was - I have that card," she said.

Expand Close Jordan Horowitz, producer of "La La Land," shows the envelope revealing "Moonlight" as the true winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Presenter Warren Beatty and host Jimmy Kimmel look on from right. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jordan Horowitz, producer of "La La Land," shows the envelope revealing "Moonlight" as the true winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Presenter Warren Beatty and host Jimmy Kimmel look on from right. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"So I'm not sure what happened and I really wanted to talk to you guys first."

Meanwhile, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins has also reacted to the bizarre mistake and said his colleagues at La La Land were "very gracious" after discovering they had not been awarded the Oscar for their film.

Expand Close Warren Beatty holds the card for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to "Moonlight," after announcing by mistake that "La La Land" was winner. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / Facebook

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Whatsapp Warren Beatty holds the card for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to "Moonlight," after announcing by mistake that "La La Land" was winner. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

"The La La Land folks were so gracious, I can't even imagine being in their position and having to do that."

"The last 20 minutes of my life have been insane. I don't think my life could be changed in any more dramatic way.

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Whatsapp Jimmy Kimmel and Warren Beatty laugh after correcting the Best Picture Oscar from La La Land to Moonlight. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

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"Hot damn, we won best picture."

The producers of the musical were already concluding their speeches when it was revealed there had been a mix-up and Moonlight had in fact scored the top prize of the night.

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Whatsapp Emma Stone accepts her award for La La Land. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Bonnie and Clyde stars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had announced La La Land had taken the best picture prize and the cast and crew had flooded the stage before producer Jordan Horowitz said: "There's a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won best picture.

"This is no joke. I'm afraid they read the wrong thing. This is not a joke, Moonlight, you won best picture."

Beatty returned to the microphone to say: "I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you.

"I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture."
Cllr Claire Byrne had been told she could not take her three-month-old son to a meeting. Photo: Caroline Quinn

Babies will be accompanying their politician parents to meetings of Dublin City Council, under new proposals which are likely to pass this week.

The protocol committee of the council has been considering the provision of facilities for both younger and older children, to help out councillors juggling parenting and politics.

Transforming a men's toilet into a breastfeeding and baby-changing area, and allowing parents have their babies sit with them during meetings, are among the proposals. Older children will sit in the public gallery.

However, councillors will be expected to take their babies out of the chamber if they get upset or are causing disruption during council meetings.

The genesis of the proposals was an incident in which Green Party councillor Claire Byrne was told she could not bring her three-month-old son to a meeting. She welcomed the new proposals, which are expected to be enacted.

"I think it's great, I think it's a really progressive step," she told the Irish Independent.

"For me, I was breastfeeding when we were going through the city development plan.

"It was 10-hour days, which is difficult when you're feeding."

"It's not about using the council chamber as a childcare facility, but it will help if you're really, really stuck."

Addressing the issue of possible disruptions to council meetings, she said parents would leave if there was a problem.

"Obviously if a child is screaming its head off, you're not going to stay in the chamber," she said.

Chairman of the protocol committee Dermot Lacey pointed out that many councillors were now working as full-time representatives.

"If you were to pay a child minder, you won't see much out of your 16,000-a-year," he said.
A doctor found guilty of professional misconduct in relation to his employment in two different hospitals has been struck off the medical register by the High Court.

Dr Mohamed Elhassan, who is from Sudan, was found guilty of three counts of poor professional performance and four of professional misconduct following a Medical Council fitness to practice inquiry into his employment with the Cavan/Monaghan mental health service between January and June 2013.

Among the findings against him were that he prescribed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and sleeping tablets to people who were not his patients or patients or the service.

Dr Elhassan, who told his supervisors he suffered from social anxiety and used benzodiazepines himself, admitted in correspondence with the Medical Council that prescribing the medications was a mistake, but that he had done so out of compassion for the people involved.

Immediately after leaving Cavan/Monaghan, when his contract was not renewed, he was employed in St Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, Dublin, as a senior house officer, a second fitness to practice inquiry heard.

That second inquiry found him guilty of professional misconduct by failing to state on his CV to the agency which employed him or to Loughlinstown hospital that he had worked in Cavan/Monaghan.

It also found him guilty of poor professional performance in relation to a number of matters, including prescribing of dosages of medicines and keeping accurate records.

JP McDowell, solicitor for the Medical Council, said following the first inquiry, it was recommended Dr Elhassan should be suspended for two years with 14 conditions attached to his registration when he returns.

However, Mr McDowell said, when the findings of the second inquiry came before the council, which was aware of the findings of the first inquiry, it decided it should recommend to the court that he be struck from the register.

President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, was satisfied the council made the correct decision and ordered that he be struck off.
A man who was sexually abused by his uncle as a teenager has described how his abuser took advantage of his elevated family status to silence and belittle him during a traumatic trial.

The 71-year-old Dublin man, who can't be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to six counts of indecent assault and one count of sexually assaulting his nephew between 1989 and 1991, when the boy was aged between 15 and 17-years-old. The charges were brought against him on a sample basis, the court heard.

He was found guilty by a jury of five counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault.

The man is currently serving a 10-year sentence for similar offences. He has 42 previous convictions, including for sexual assault, rape and indecent assault.

The Central Criminal Court heard on Monday that the man was highly educated and was looked up to by his extended family members as a result.

He lived with his elderly mother in Dublin and his nephew was regularly sent over to the house to help out and do odd jobs. The teenager shared a bedroom with his uncle on these visits.

Detective Sergeant Brian Grealy told prosecution barrister, Garnet Orange SC, that on the first occasion the boy stayed over in the house, his uncle showed him pornography.

On subsequent visits, his uncle regularly engaged in sexual misconduct with the boy.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy will sentence the man on March 6.

The victim, now a 42-year-old father-of-two, said the man used his education and expertise to silence and belittle him during the trial, which he said was a traumatic experience.

During the trial, the man took the stand and told the jury his nephew had fabricated the allegations.

The victim said he felt powerless when his uncle took the stand and said he was lying.

I was furious that he suggested that what I was saying was a lie and that the abuse was a figment of my imagination, he said. I feel my character was called into question.

He said the jury's verdict provided some relief. But I still have to live with what he did to me, he said. ...He took years of my life away, years I will never get back.

The victim said his abuser was well-respected in the family, which prevented him from coming forward about the abuse for years.

My mother and father looked up to him. He knew I was a quiet and shy boy and he took advantage of me.

He said his abuser told him that the abuse was normal and not wrong.

For this reason I never told anyone. He was held in such high esteem that I thought no-one would believe me.

The man said his mother still feels guilty for sending him over to his uncle's house and that he did not have a close relationship with her as a result of the abuse. He said his relationship with his wife and children also suffered and that he was extremely over-protective of his kids.

Defence barrister, Blaise O'Carroll SC, urged the judge to consider the man's age, the antiquity of the offences and the delay in bringing charges against the man.
A former Parcelforce driver has expressed enormous shame and regret after performing sex acts in the letterbox of a house in Northern Ireland over a six-month period.

David Camblin (52), of The Mount, Tandragee, County Armagh, pleaded guilty at Fermanagh Magistrates Court last week to three counts of damaging a door and floor on dates between February 1 and August 12, 2016.

Last August a man who was having work done on his late mothers house at Dairies Road in Monea became suspicious after observing a puddle on the floor just inside the front door of the house, the court heard.

He installed a CCTV camera to identify the culprit and footage showed a Parcelforce van pulling up outside the house one lunchtime. The man walked to the door and placed his private parts in the letterbox on the front door. On the recording he then appeared to masturbate through the letterbox.

The incident lasted a few minutes, before the man got back into the van and drove off.

On a second occasion a few days later the man noticed the camera as he was carrying out the sex act.

After police examined the footage Camblin was interviewed and denied urinating, but admitted masturbating.

Describing the act as spontaneous, he could offer no other explanation.

A prosecutor told the court that the injured party estimated the cost of this incident to be 5,406, but deputy district judge Philip Mateer questioned this amount. The property owner had not provided the court with any invoices.

He claimed that he had paid over 1,000 to replace the door, had employed the services of a cleaning doctor and that the CCTV had cost over 500 to install.

The owner further claimed that he had been unable to rent the property from February to October last year as a result of this problem, losing out on rent of 450 a month.

Defending solicitor, Rory Gillen, told the court that his client had worked for Parcelforce for 21 years and had never had any issues with the police before this incident.

Admitting that it was a bizarre case that fell outside sentencing guidelines, the solicitor said that Camblin had been married for 17 years.

Mr Gillen confirmed that the defendant had initially been suspended from work and later resigned. He is currently being supported financially by his wife.

The solicitor said that Camblin couldnt really explain what had happened, but suggested that work-related stress may have been a contributing factor.

Deputy district judge, Philip Mateer, observed that the defendant was entitled to credit for entering guilty pleas, but told the court that the chances of him contesting the charges had been remote, given the CCTV evidence.

The judge said that, in the pre-sentence report, it was quite clear that Camblin had expressed enormous shame and regret for his behaviour, before adding that the probation service had tried to find out why he would act in such a bizarre and distasteful fashion.

Describing the set of circumstances as simply inexplicable, Mr Mateer noted that it was not a one-off, rather a repeat gratification.

The judge said that he did believe the defendant should pay compensation, but ruled that 500 was an appropriate figure.

Mr Matter said that, given the unusual circumstances of the criminal damage, it was important to place Camblin under the supervision of the Probation Service to make sure nothing has been missed.

The judge then imposed a Combination Order, consisting of 12 months on probation and 100 hours of community service.
A civil action arising out of an incident in which a mother and her son say they were assaulted by gardai in their home can go ahead, the Court of Appeal ruled.

Fidelma and Owen Gaffney sued the gardai and the State over the February 2008 incident when they say a number of gardai forcibly entered their flat in Basin Street, Dublin, and assaulted them both.

Four gardai later went on trial, arising out of a Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission investigation, in relation to the incident.

The first trial of the gardai collapsed but in a second trial, which lasted 25 days, they were acquitted by a jury of charges of trespass and assaulting the son. Three were also acquitted of false imprisonment of the mother.

It had been alleged Mr Gaffney, who was 18 at the time, was struck several times with batons and his mother was restrained and locked in a bathroom while this was happening. The gardai denied the charges.

The Gaffneys sued in the High Court alleging, among other things, assault, trespass and breach of various constitutional rights.

In April last year, the High Court struck out their actions after the State applied for the order due to the delay by the Gaffneys in pursuing their case.

They appealed and Mr Justice Gerard Hogan ruled, on behalf of a three-judge appeal court, overturned that decision.

He said the balance of justice favoured permitting the action to proceed.

There was no doubt, he said, a delay of some three years and five months on the part of the Gaffneys in pursuing their case was inordinate and inexcusable.

He had come to the view that the test for dismissing due delay had not been satisfied because of the absence of any specific prejudice to the State defendants. There was also the fact there had been two criminal trials arising from the incident and the fact that the overall delay had not been as long as in other cases, he said.

However, he said, there could be "absolutely no room at all for any further delay".

He ordered the Gaffneys to serve notice of their intention to proceed with their case within two weeks and that within two further months seek directions for an early trial and case management of the proceedings.

If they fail to do so and the State makes a second application to dismiss their case for want of prosecution "it is hard to see they (Gaffneys) would have any effective response", he said.
Daniel Belling and his wife, Xing Lei Li, right, were on the cruise ship in the Mediterranean with their two sons when Ms Xing went missing. Mr Belling claims she is in Dublin or China. Photo: Kyran O'Brien

A Dublin-based IT consultant arrested on suspicion of killing his wife is still locked up in an Italian prison while authorities examine CCTV footage.

Daniel Belling (45) was arrested last week as he tried to board a plane from Rome to Dublin with his two children, following a Mediterranean cruise where his wife, Xing Lei Li, went missing.

German native Mr Belling - a Dublin resident for a number of years along with the rest of his family - is being held by Italian authorities at Rome's Regina Coeli prison, while his two sons are kept in protective custody. It is understood that efforts are being made to repatriate the boys to a family member, which could happen as early as today.

Italian police are currently going through CCTV footage from the cruise ship. However, it is understood that Mr Belling wants the case to be dealt with as a missing person situation, rather than a murder.

He has told judges in Italy he believes his Chinese wife is alive and that she left the cruise they were on following an argument - and that he believes she is in either Dublin or China.

Read more: 'My wife is still alive' claims cruise ship murder suspect

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Mr Belling said he last saw his wife when their ship docked on the Greek island of Katakolon. He has claimed that following an outing with his children, he returned to the ship only for his wife to have left with all of her belongings.

Mr Belling's lawyer, Luigi Conti, said that he had informed cleaning staff on the ship that there would be three staying in their room as opposed to four after Ms Xing went missing. His lawyer told the Irish Independent yesterday that he was doing "OK" in prison, but he did not want to comment further until today.

The family, who live in Clare Hall, Dublin, set off on an 11-day cruise on the MSC Magnifica on February 9 from the Italian port Civitavecchia, just outside Rome.

However, authorities were alerted in Rome when a head-count conducted by crew members aboard the ship at the end of the cruise found that Ms Xing was missing.

Italian police intercepted Mr Belling before he could board his flight back to Dublin on Thursday.

Business

The couple began a 'Cinderella Wedding' business in Dublin in 2015 and offer wedding dress rentals and photo album designs in their packages.

The business is believed to be aimed at the Chinese community in Dublin.

Ms Xing 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.

They had just got married at the time.

The incident happened on August 22, 2010. The court heard that Ms Xing and Mr Belling had had several eviction notices served on them over rent arrears, the keeping of cats, and sub-letting a room.

Ms Xing was prosecuted on a charge of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage. But Judge Catherine Murphy dismissed the charge.

Ms Xing, with an address at Clare Village, Coolock, denied burglary at the apartment at Hunter's Hall, Hunterswood, Ballycullen.
Justice Peter Charleton, Presiding over the Disclosure Tribunal at its opening at Dublin Castle. Photo Colin O'Riordan

SUPREME Court judge Peter Charleton has asked anyone with information relevant to the alleged smear campaign against garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe to provide written statements in the next fortnight.

Opening the tribunal at Dublin Castle today, Mr Justice Charleton said the basic touchstone of the tribunal would be fairness.

There are no preconceived notions in this tribunal as to who is a villain and who is a victim, if there are such, he said.

The tribunal has been set up to examine allegations of an alleged smear campaign against Sgt McCabe. It will also examine disclosures made by Superintendent David Taylor and another whistleblower, Garda Keith Harrison.

However, Mr Justice Charleton announced that one of its terms of reference, the consideration of other protected disclosures made prior to February 16 this year would be parked for now.

The Supreme Court judge also indicated he may have to make rulings regarding journalistic and legal privilege in the course of the tribunal.

Mr Justice Charleton said he would not tolerate participants who lie or obfuscate and that the tribunal had been entrusted with doing its business in a speedy manner.

The tribunal is here to establish the truth, he said.

The tribunal is a drain on the resources of the Irish people, and it is paid for by their submission to the democratic structures of which taxation has been a central part in our tradition.

Every lie before the tribunal will be a waste of what ordinary men and women have paid for through their unremitting efforts.

Every action of obfuscation, of diversion of focus, and of non-cooperation is unwelcome for that reason.

We are expected to get on with our work with dispatch and to reach conclusions rapidly.

Mr Justice Charleton said the tribunals ultimate findings may not be to everyones taste. However, he added that while truth can be bitter, it is not shameful.

He said the legal mind was conditioned to look for evidence, to seek supporting evidence and to uncover patterns indicative of truth.

It was not conditioned to leap to conclusions or declare someone had done something discreditable without sufficient proof.

Mr Justice Charleton said the tribunal was a final step following a number of internal garda investigations and a scoping inquiry by Mr Justice Kevin OHiggins.

He set out a number of issues the tribunal will likely have to decide upon when seeking evidence, including whether privilege attaches to information provided by sources to journalists and instructions given by a client to their lawyers.

The tribunal, he said, had been tasked to examine relationships between gardai and media and whether these contacts were used to brief negatively that Stg McCabe was motivated by malice and revenge.

Does journalistic privilege attach to communications to a journalist where that communication by the source may not be in the public interest but, instead, where the source is perhaps solely motivated by detraction or calumny? he asked.

The judge asked if it was possible such privilege does not apply to using the media as an instrument of naked deceit.

He said existing law suggested that the privilege is that of the confidential informant and not the journalist.

But he said the tribunal had no settled view on the matter and would have to carefully consider it.

The judge said he was also tasked to examine whether false allegations of sexual abuse were relied upon by Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan to discredit Sgt McCabe at the OHiggins Commission.

He said the tribunal would have to consider whether there was privilege against disclosing instructions given by a client to their lawyer as to what was to be pursued in cross examination.

Mr Justice Charleton said anyone with knowledge of the issues being investigated by the tribunal should forward written submissions to its solicitor Elizabeth Mullen by March 13.

Anyone wishing to assert legal professional privilege or journalistic privilege should do so by then also.

He said that if anyone had telephone, computer or other electronic records relevant to the terms of reference, these should be brought to the tribunal in the same time frame.

Are you a witness to this matter? Then, the tribunal needs your help and needs it urgently, he said.

Many have already indicated publicly and in various circumstances that they have some knowledge. Now the opportunity has arrived to cooperate with the inquiry.

The tribunal wants to know the detail of that; who did what, who said what, when, in what terms, who communicated with whom, by whatever means, and in what terms.

Mr Justice Charleton said anyone whose reputation was likely to be impacted upon would be entitled to legal representation, but not every witness would be entitled to representation.

Most of the examination being done is likely to be by counsel for the tribunal, he said.

He also said each party would be entitled to make an oral or written submission at the end of the tribunal, but a draft report would not be circulated in advance of findings being published.

Some evidence at the tribunal may also have to be heard in restricted circumstances. He said he would hear submissions on this.

Among issues which may be heard in a restricted manner are matters in relation to the creation and distribution of a Tusla file containing false allegations of sexual abuse by Sgt McCabe, contacts between gardai and Tusla in relation to a Garda Keith Harrison, and whether or not there was any pattern of senior garda using such files to discredit members of the force.
A man who has received six jail sentences for rape and sexual assault over the last 25 years has again been released on bail pending sentence for sexually assaulting a woman on the DART.

Paul Moore (51) was due for sentence last week but the case was adjourned to Monday to allow Moore's case manager to give evidence on how he can safety live in the community.

On Monday Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the case manager was out of the jurisdiction. Judge Melanie Greally again remanded Moore on continuing bail until March 16, 2017. She said the court should be alerted in the meantime if there were any matters of concern.

Moore assaulted the victim, an au pair, in 2014 as she was travelling home from college. Gardai examined CCTV footage of the incident but Moore was not recognised on the video until two years later.

In the meantime, he sexually assaulted two women in separate incidents in the city centre after stopping them in the street and asking them for a cigarette. In 2015, he was jailed for 15 months for these attacks.

In that case, Judge Martin Nolan noted Moore has a predisposition to violence towards women which manifests as rape and sexual assault.

His other offences include raping a musician in 2001, for which he received ten years and raping another woman in 1995, for which he received seven years.

Moore of Mountjoy Square, Dublin , pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting the woman on the southside DART on August 28, 2014.

Moore's defence counsel, Breffni Gordon BL, said he had spent a significant portion of his life in prison.

Counsel said there were conflicting opinions on what caused Moore to commit these crimes. One psychiatric report blamed a head injury he received in 1982 while another blamed an organic personality disorder.

Mr Gordon asked the court to hear from Moore's case officer in the Probation Service to see if Moore could deal with his problems without going to prison.

Judge Greally said Moore's inability to desist from offending, no matter what punishment was imposed, was a matter of real concern to the court.

The judge said any sentence would have to maximise the ability of the services to supervise Moore.

Garda Peter Brown told James Dwyer BL, prosecuting, that Moore sat near the young woman on the DART and started making small talk. He then moved to the seat beside her and began commenting on her clothes.

Moore had a toy turtle in his hand which he said he found on the ground. He said he was looking for a child to give it to.

He told her, you probably think I'm crazy and asked why she was laughing even though she wasn't. The woman tried to ignore the man but he kept talking to her.

He began to touch her breasts and then pulled at her trousers. He stopped when another passenger sat near them.

The woman got off the DART before her stop because she didn't want Moore to know where she lived.

Garda Brown circulated CCTV of the incident but no one recognised Moore. However, when he did so again in 2016, Moore was recognised and arrested. He accepted it was him on the CCTV but said he could not remember the incident.

Moore's defence counsel said he lived a very isolated life and had been disowned by his family. He works one day a week in a charity shop.
Bus Eireann passengers will face an all-out strike from next Monday after Bus Eireann announced it will impose pay cuts.

In a statement this afternoon, Bus Eireann said its board had considered the "perilous state" of its finances and failure to reach agreement with unions at talks last week.

As a result, it said it had approved proposals for immediate cost savings to be implemented from March 6.

"These measures are vital to ensure that the company remains solvent, and can continue to trade as a going concern," it said.

"The company must deal with its challenges directly, and the board have a duty to ensure Bus Eireann is financially sustainable and therefore must take the necessary steps to secure this."

However, it said further dialogue aimed at urgently resolving these challenges would be welcome.

In response, the National Bus and Rail Union said they have "no option" but to strike.

General Secretary Dermot OLeary said:

"Bus Eireann Management are determined to steer a course towards conflict by issuing ultimatums to staff, before they have had the opportunity to digest, never mind analyse the detail contained in this latest missive.

"Placing an emphasis on, as it were, parking the race to the bottom agenda for now, and replacing it with broad sweeping generalisations under insider specific language, is obviously designed to create an impression that there has been a major shift in policy, away from raiding workers pay packets to plug the policy induced financial gap at Expressway."

Mr OLeary went on to say that the union has been left with "no option" but to strike.

"The fact is that by informing staff that they are going to introduce far reaching and financially impactful measures from next Monday, without agreement, Bus Eireann has left us with no option but to inform the Company that we will reactivate our previously notified strike action to coincide with the implementation of these measures."

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said: Our members are amazed at the attitude displayed by this letter which completely discounts the views of the majority of elected representatives, the public and its workforce. The letter to staff outlines an intention to proceed with a series of cuts at the company on Monday next which will automatically result in strike action by workers.

The letter includes a threat to cut the three services connecting Dublin to Clonmel, Athlone and Westport. It also states that the services between Dublin and Limerick and Dublin and Galway will be greatly reduced.

The measures concerning changes to the conditions of employment of workers are notable in that they target driver grades, in particular. In contrast, it would seem that the company does not see any role to be played by managerial grades in this cost cutting exercise. Issues such as the sub-contracting of services and the redeployment of staff, which are stated without any detail on how they will be implemented, will not be accepted.

The board meeting was held following the collapse of talks with unions last week to end a dispute over the company's plan to achieve the savings.

It had originally planned to roll out cuts that included the axing of shift payments and a 10pc cut in allowances on Monday last week but deferred this to enter negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission.

Acting Bus Eireann Chief Executive Ray Hernan has warned the company could be insolvent sometime in May if the payroll savings were not implemented as part of a 30m survival plan he wants to present to the board next month.

In a recent document, the company explained that it needs 30m cuts to compensate for losses within its Expressway service and to generate a profit to re-invest in approximately 10 new vehicles a year.

"The achievement of a solvency level of saving is a very short-term solution and if the issue of competitiveness is not addressed then we will be back again within the year with another financial crisis to deal with," it said.

Bus Eireann lost 9.4m last year and losses for last month are already over 1.5m.

The document sent to staff recently said the uncertainty about further services was already resulting in customers making alternative arrangements.

"If we exit the market, even for a short period, competitors will take advantage and Bus Eireann will suffer more which will invariably result in further loss of business," it said.

The company has also confirmed the dates for the closure of three routes and revealed other services will be cut next month.

X7 Dublin - Clonmel will close on March 12

21 Athlone - Westport will be axed on April 16 and the 33 Dublin - Derry will shut down on May 28.

Bus Eireann also said the number of daily services on Dublin- Limerick(X12), and Dublin  Galway(20/X20) will be reduced from March 12.

Staff affected by these closures will be redeployed.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross released a statement urging the employer and employees "to engage urgently in a constructive manner".

"This is necessary to resolve this difficult industrial relations situation, which threatens to greatly inconvenience the travelling public, especially those in rural Ireland."

Meanwhile Irish Rural Link 9IRL), the national network representing the interest of rural communities, have raised concerns over the announcement.

They said thousands of people living in rural areas, which IRL represent, will be adversely affected by these strikes. The statement said people rely on these services for employment; attend hospital appointments and other appointments and for leisure.
Tina Cahill and David Walsh celebrating their engagement in Australia in a social media picture at the New Year

Funeral details have been released for David 'Motcha' Walsh - an Irishman stabbed to death in Australia earlier this month.

Mr Walsh (29), from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was discovered with a fatal knife injury outside a home he shared in Sydney, Australia on Friday, February 17.

His fiancee, Cathrina 'Tina' Cahill, from Pondsfield, New Ross, was arrested at the scene and charged with his murder.

His remains have now been returned to his family and a funeral notice, placed online, has confirmed that he will be buried after funeral mass this Wednesday.

According to the notice Mr Walsh will be removed from his home in Moran Park, Enniscorthy on the morning and taken to St Aidan's Cathedral for funeral mass at 10am. He will be buried afterwards in Enniscorthy cemetery.

The notice said he will be sadly missed by his parents John and Ann, his three daughters and six siblings.

A gofundme page was created by friend Joe Doran to help Mr Walsh's family repatriate his remains.

So far AUS$16,550 of AUS$50,000 (11,991 of 36,227) has been raised.

Ms Cahill remains in custody in Australia.
Threats were issued by the dissident republican group, known as ONH, to the child and her two brothers last week (Stock photo)

A frightened 14-year-old Northern Ireland girl has been kicked out of her home and ordered out of the country by terror gang Oglaigh na hEireann.

Threats were issued by the dissident republican group, known as ONH, to the child and her two brothers last week.

Speaking to Sunday Life from their home in the Springfield Road area of west Belfast, the young girls grandparents opened up about the heartache the threats have caused the family.

They have also asked drug-dealing gangsters ONH to tell them what the young girl did to deserve to be put out of her home in Turf Lodge.

Youre only a baby at 14, no matter what youve done, the childs grandfather, Brian ORiordan, told Sunday Life.

If you threaten a 14-year-old girl, they cant go to school because of the threat on them. How are they supposed to get an education and get jobs if they cant go to school?

Where do you go to? Who do you turn to? The kids cant be in certain places because theres a threat so where are they supposed to go? Its sickening.

The family left Belfast hours after threats were delivered by ONH on February 7.

The PSNI later delivered a letter confirming this, telling the family that they may wish to review your personal security.

Brian said: ONH put the threat out. They told them (his granddaughters family) to get out. They were told they had to be out by eight oclock that night. Theres three threats on the three kids and we want them to come and tell us why.

Putting a threat on a 14-year-old girl is shameful. She still comes to the house and sits down with me like a big baby. A wee fella that age is still a baby, let alone a girl.

Grandmother Mairead added: Shes a livewire, she always has been, but she doesnt deserve to be put out.

The exiled childs older brother was shot in both legs in a paramilitary-style attack in the Aitnamona Crescent area of Turf Lodge days before Christmas.

The 16-year-old boy  whose family openly admit has been involved in anti-social behaviour  was found by a pensioner who heard him moaning in pain. He and his 18-year-old brother, like their younger 14-year-old sister, are also under threat from ONH.

You cant put teenagers out of their homes and put them in an isolated place, with none of their friends, and expect them to be okay about it, said gran Mairead.

Its not just us  this happens all the time. Every time a family moves they have to change schools and try to build their life again with this threat hanging over them.

Its heartbreaking what that does to a family. They have those kids terrorised and we want to know why.

The distraught grandparents say that since the threats were officially issued, the ORiordans have asked other family members to stay away from their house.

Our wee grandkids havent done anything wrong, but theyre being punished because the threat is on the house and we want to protect them, said Brian.

ONH is smaller than its rival, the New IRA, with its powerbase in west and north Belfast, Derry and south Armagh. Although responsible for a number of high profile attacks on the security services, including the maiming of policeman Peadar Heffron, it has lost considerable ground to the New IRA, which has poached some of its most experienced members.

They walk around like they own the place but theyre putting people out of their homes when theyre the ones with tags on and their own children have robbed wee grannies, said Mairead.

ONH, the New IRA, whatever they want to call themselves, the groups are all the same.

Theyre all one group who spend their time terrorising their communities and then change their name every time something happens.

The kneecapping of the ORiordans 16-year-old grandson in Turf Lodge last December was described by cops as child abuse. His family say dissident republicans have threatened him since he was aged 14.

Brian said: The day they were due to shoot my grandson, I was supposed to meet them at 1 oclock. I got a phone call at 12.30pm saying not to bother because they were going to shoot him anyway. The child gave himself up to them that night to be shot.

Mairead added: Everything that happens in Turf Lodge, they get the blame for. They were blamed for robbing something last week and then came back two days later and said, Oh sorry, it wasnt him.

By that stage, the damage had been done because it had been spread around Turf Lodge and people had seen him being accused at the door.

My grandson is no angel but hes had his punishment with jail and by them in the past but they wont give him a chance.

A threat was sent to the house once for him when he was in jail. How could he have done anything if he was in jail? His name was still circulating around Turf Lodge and that was enough for them to come to the door.

The couple have also slammed dissident groups for putting children in the area under curfew, with one family member allegedly being shot for complaining about his 8pm lockdown on Facebook and calling the terror gang clampits.

Last month, PSNI Chief Inspector Norman Haslett warned there was only one policing service in west Belfast following a series of punishment attacks by ONH in the area and a mob attack that forced a family to flee their home in Poleglass.

Brian said: ONH are drug-dealing gangsters  theyre not fighting anyone. Theyre just making a war against their own people. They have children tortured in Turf Lodge.

Brian and Mairead hope that by speaking out they can help those who live in fear of paramilitaries, like ONH.

We want help in this community before people become victims, said Mairead.

It seems you have to be a victim to get any sort of help at all, but by then its often too late. There are so many families out there like us, who feel as though they have nowhere else to turn. It all boils down to fear.

Desperate for help, the ORiordans approached justice campaigner Raymond McCord who visited the west Belfast offices of Conflict Resolution Services (Ireland), which mediates in ONH disputes, to have the threats against their grandkids lifted.

He said: I spoke to one individual in west Belfast, but have yet to hear back from him. This isnt good enough, its bad enough that adults are threatened by paramilitaries, now they are targeting 14-year-old schoolgirls.

Raymond also criticised the government for failing to provide services to meet with paramilitaries to demand terror threats against families are lifted.

He added: I raised this case with the VSS (Victims and Survivors Service) and was told by them to contact the PSNI because it is a policing matter and isnt within its remit.

In my view this shows the chronic lack of understanding there is about real victims issues. If anyone has been threatened by paramilitaries, and needs help, they should contact me.
Hero of Mollywood's first musical hit 'Thiramala' shares his Hollywood stint, directing Prem Nazir and more
Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD speaking to media during the launch of the Abhaile Information Campaign at the Citizens Information Board Headquarters on Townsend Street, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

(L to R) Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD & Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar TD during the launch of the Abhaile Information Campaign at the Citizens Information Board Headquarters on Townsend Street, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

THOUSANDS of householders in mortgage arrears have been urged to avail of free financial and legal advice.

Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar today launched an awareness campaign for Abhaile, the free mortgage arrears support service.

It came as a survey found that a third of those in arrears are too embarrassed to tell family and friends about their debt.

Ms Fitzgerald said that while the number of people struggling with mortgage repayments is falling, there are around 34,500 people in long-term arrears.

"Thats the significant group that were trying to reach," she said.

Mr Varadkar said a survey prepared ahead of the launch found that two- thirds of people were not aware that there are free advisory services available to them.

Expand Close Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD speaking to media during the launch of the Abhaile Information Campaign at the Citizens Information Board Headquarters on Townsend Street, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook

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Whatsapp Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD speaking to media during the launch of the Abhaile Information Campaign at the Citizens Information Board Headquarters on Townsend Street, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

The Abhaile service has assisted 4,500 people since it became fully operational last October.

"Its our firm hope well bring forward thousands more people who are now in need of similar help," Mr Varadkar said.

"The key message is to come forward and seek the help that you need. Dont be afraid, help is available at no cost and were on your side," he added.

Ms Fitzgerald said that the number of repossession cases taken in the circuit court has halved from 600 in 2013 to 300 last year but said: "Theres still a lot of work to be done."

The chief executive of the Citizens Information Board (CIB), Angela Black said the awareness campaign will be targeted at counties "where mortgage arrears are at their highest and where people are in most trouble".

While Dublin has the highest number of mortgage arrears cases, Ms Black said some Western countries have a "disproportionate number of cases".

She said that people in long term mortgage arrears are "likely to be the people who are most afraid to look for help.

"They might have letters from the bank piling up at home and it represents a huge weight on their shoulders.

"What were doing today is were asking members of the public to go out there and take a look around at their family and friends and people who might look ok on the surface but who are struggling behind closed doors with mortgage arrears.

"They might not realise they have access to this free expert financial and legal advice. Family and friends can play a vital role in encouraging people to look for help," Ms Black said.

The Abhaile scheme is administered by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

Its helpline, which is open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm is 0761072000.
Noirin OSullivan has come under mounting pressure to step aside whilst Mr Justice Peter Charleton conducts his tribunal. Photo: Mark Condren

Senior ministers last night backed Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan's decision not to stand aside during the duration of the Charleton tribunal into alleged mistreatment of Garda whistleblowers.

The two main contenders to replace Taoiseach Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader - Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar - both said Ms O'Sullivan shouldn't step aside, as did minister Richard Bruton.

It comes amid growing pressure on Ms O'Sullivan to temporarily vacate the role without prejudice while Mr Justice Peter Charleton conducts his inquiry, which he is opening today.

Meanwhile, it has emerged the former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan confirmed to the previous O'Neill Inquiry that he had met TD John McGuinness in the days before whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe appeared at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

However, he has rejected accounts of the meeting contained in protected discloures.

The Charleton Tribunal will probe whether a smear campaign was orchestrated by senior gardai against Mr McCabe.

It has been claimed Ms O'Sullivan was aware of the alleged campaign.

She has strongly denied this and rejected suggestions she should step aside either permanently or temporarily.

A spokeswoman for Mr Coveney said that he doesn't think she should step aside.

She said his view is that "the inquiry should get on with its work" and that "people are entitled to their good name unless facts prove otherwise".

Earlier, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said he agrees with Ms O'Sullivan's position.

"She is innocent until proven guilty," he said, adding that he dislikes "the idea because you're under suspicion or investigation you must therefore step aside."

But he added: "The only difficulty that she has to consider is will she be able to give her full attention to the job of commissioner while also having to deal with the Tribunal and attend it".

"Provided she is confident that she can give full attention to her job then she should stay in it," Mr Varadkar told RTE Radio.

Policing Authority chairperson Josephine Feehily last week raised concerns about the commissioner's ability to fulfil her role while the inquiry is under way. Several opposition TDs have called for Ms O'Sullivan to step aside temporarily.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett suggested there was precedent for such a move even within agencies controlled by the Department of Justice. The department confirmed to him that there are 26 staff suspended from duty with full pay and Mr Boyd Barrett claimed it was a "very big contradiction" that Ms O'Sullivan would stay in place.

Minister Richard Bruton responded, saying "the argument is one of effectiveness" and that as of now, while monitoring the situation, the Policing Authority is satisfied with Ms O'Sullivan remaining in place.

He told 'The Week in Politics' it would be "unfair" that she would have to step aside while the work of the Tribunal is ongoing.

A Garda spokesman declined to comment on calls for Ms O'Sullivan to step aside. He referred to previous statements on the matter. Earlier this month Ms O'Sullivan said she won't be stepping aside "because I am innocent".

RTE last night reported that her predecessor Mr Callinan confirmed he met Fianna Fail TD Mr McGuinness in a hotel car park ahead of a PAC meeting in 2014. Mr McGuinness first revealed the meeting in the Dail alleging that Mr Callinan had told him that Sgt McCabe was not to be trusted.
The cartoon Una-Minh Caomhanach posted on social media to highlight examples of racial abuse she says she has experienced.

A blogger from Kerry has created a cartoon image to reflect the abuse and racism that she experiences on a daily basis.

Una-Minh Caomhanach was born in Vietnam and was adopted by a woman in Kerry.

She speaks fluent Irish, as she was taught Gaelic from the age of three by her adoptive grandfather.

Ms Caomhanach (25) has previously said that she is "more Irish than I will ever be Vietnamese". But she said she is insulted with a range of racial slurs regularly.

Over the weekend, the freelance writer posted an image online of a sample of the kind of horrific insults that are hurled at her. The disgusting remarks included "Asian slut", "slit eye weirdo" and "send this chow mein back to China".

She said: "I drew this because it has happened to me again and again. These are real comments and racial slurs from very real people."

Expand Close Una-Minh Caomhanach / Facebook

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The social media post garnered support from followers who commended her bravery. Father Ted writer Graham Linehan shared his thoughts on the post and said it reminded him of an incident that inspired him to write the episode 'Are You Right There Father?' The episode sees Fr Ted offending the Chinese population of the fictional Craggy Island with his 'Chinaman' impression and he is branded a racist.

But Ms Caomhanach's post also provoked further racist insults. She responded to the trolls by publicly retweeting their comments and responding to them.

Attack

"Incidentally, the racial attack directed at me at the very top of that drawing? This is the full version sent to me by PM," she wrote on Twitter. "Also just want to stress again I'm totally grand. This stuff just NEEDS to be highlighted not pushed under the rug.

"Just do me a favour, please don't tell me to just ignore them because that's easy to say when it's not happening to you online and offline."

Ms Caomhanach previously wrote about a sickening assault on Parnell Street when a young boy grabbed her face and spat at her. The group of boys also shouted at her that she was "a f**king chink".

Ms Caomhanach, a mental health ambassador for See Change Ireland, said she has become desensitised to all the racial comments thrown at her, but it was the first time she was physically assaulted because of her race, saying the incident, in June 2013, "shook me to the core".

"What these teenage boys did was unacceptable, disgusting and foolish," she said. "I shouldn't need to hide or feel scared in my own country. I've the right to be able to call myself Irish; sure, if anyone talked to me they'd hear a strong Kerry accent. I am an Irish citizen, and nothing will change that."

She said it wasn't the first time she has been racially abused. "I couldn't even count how many times 'ching chong' or 'slanty eyes' insults have been thrown my way," she said.
It is estimated up to 200,000 people in Ireland may be affected by eating disorders. Photo: PA

Eating disorders "are not unique to females", with the number of men seeking help increasing, a national support group has said.

Bodywhys Ireland said that 10pc of all meetings in support groups were attended by men, while there has been a 57pc increase in requests for support.

It is estimated up to 200,000 people in Ireland may be affected by eating disorders, while an estimated 400 new cases emerge each year, representing 80 deaths annually according to figures released by the Department of Health.

Attendance

"Looking at male attendance at support groups, it's clear that eating disorders are not unique to females," Harriet Parsons, training and development manager with Bodywhys Ireland, said.

"There are many people who have been living with an eating disorder for a long time, but recovery is possible.

"We want to reach people, to ensure that they hear this message," Ms Parsons said.

Contact

She said that a total of 34pc of people who contacted the group have experienced an eating disorder for more than 10 years.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week runs from today until Sunday, March 5.
John Bruton, in his article on Brexit (Irish Independent, February 22), states that British Prime Minister Theresa May's terms for Brexit will do incalculable damage to our island - politically, emotionally and economically.

Mr Bruton is thus at one with the former British PM Tony Blair in urging the British electorate to change its mind.

Alas for them both, Mr Blair and Mr Bruton have now got their answer in the rural Cumbrian seat of Copeland, where for the first time since 1982 a governing party has taken a seat from the opposition, thus endorsing Mrs May's leadership and her enthusiasm for Brexit.

From this island's perspective, Mr Bruton and Mr Blair have a further undermining of their view. This is the policy of the DUP, whose leader Arlene Foster has praised Mrs May's "characteristically practical and responsible manner" and proclaimed that she, Mrs Foster, looked forward "to a fruitful relationship between their two parties".

True to Mrs Foster's promises, the DUP's eight Westminster MPs voted with Mrs May at the recent debate on Article 50.

For Mrs May, with only a majority of 16 in the House of Commons, the unwavering support of the DUP is crucial.

Mr Bruton, who advocated a reappraisal of the failed Home Rule initiative of more than a century ago, has once more got it wrong. He is mistaken about Home Rule because he has ignored the consistent expressions of antipathy by UK politicians towards this island from 1800 to 1921.

Nothing has changed.

The pleading of Irish politicians for a "soft Border" will fall on deaf ears unless there is something in it for the UK and it costs the British no money.

Hugh Duffy

Cleggan, Co Galway

Dictatorship of the majority?

Is the opposite of consensus politics dictatorship?

John Downing, in his article (Irish Independent, February 25), muses over whether the "old politics" of a stable coalition is better than the current pseudo Coalition of Fine Gael and Independents trying to govern the country, with the tacit, albeit not unequivocal, approval of Fianna Fail.

Putting aside our own situation, this question is well put.

Strong government, usually the case in first-past-the-post systems, allows a government to put into effect policies to which it ascribes without considering the views of any elected representative or another party, or, indeed, the views of any part of the electorate that has not voted for it.

Once elected, even by the smallest margin, and knowing that it can in one way or another control its TDs or MPs, that government has the ability to pass whatever legislation it wants, irrespective of the views of a major, albeit not a majority, of the electorate.

Could this not be called the dictatorship of the majority?

In the UK, one need only reflect on former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's steamrollering ideology that changed a caring society into something that was selfish and uncaring and pushed back civilisation to an era when there was no social conscience.

One need not mention British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit policy, ignoring 49pc of the electorate in favour of those with a 2pc margin of victory.

However, one must acknowledge that a coalition can only survive by the members of that coalition putting aside their electoral promises and, in effect, betraying those who voted for them.

This is not a conundrum, it is a feature of a society controlled by a select, privileged element interested only in itself, its kudos and what it can exploit from its position of influence.

Not all representatives are guilty of this, but those that are not can usually be counted on the fingers of one hand.

We, as ordinary people who might or might not cast our vote, have a responsibility to "the unborn generations" to take a stand and insist that the country is governed for our benefit and not for theirs.

Liam Harrington

Castletownbere, Co Cork

Powerful only winners in society

Donald Trump started out as a ludicrously unlikely candidate for the US presidency but offered millions the hope of a better tomorrow. He defied a host of punters and pollsters by emerging as a new 'messiah' in American politics.

Contemporary liberal democracies, like ours, are having difficulty in accommodating a growing discontent with the way government operates.

We persist in waving the liberty banner, with a very raw sense of what we want to achieve. Mr Trump has no such doubts or inhibitions in his determination to dismantle the political status quo.

Those with power are the winners in our society.

The powerless are those entrapped in worlds where their capabilities are killed by the tyranny of private, unaccountable concentrations of wealth.

The great scramble of a free market economy militates against a serious concern for human happiness.

To renew our public life requires the exercise of the traditional virtues of self-giving and self-denial fired by the restlessness of reason.

Sadly, our churches seem determined to dig their own grave through giving up the attempt to realign their concerns with the growing sense of hopelessness that informs so many lives.

Philip O'Neill

Oxford, UK

Trump eroding press freedom

US President Donald Trump is eroding democracy, freedom of the press and the rule of law by excluding specific media outlets from attending press briefings.

The mass media has a solemn duty to report on social developments, constitutional laws, rules and regulations, political standpoints, health issues, modern epidemics, etc from various world-view angles to help readers reach a more enlightened, balanced and less one-sided mindset.

The exponential growth of social media maximises its potential to reach wide audiences and positively or negatively alter the way they think and view others.

Therefore, the media - more than ever - is obliged to stand united against totalitarianism and Mr Trump's egregious misstep that undermines the fundamental parameters of democracy, freedom and liberty upon which Western societies were built.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London, UK

From affluent to effluent

In the halcyon days of the Celtic Tiger, we had the dubious reputation of being an affluent society.

Now, with tons of our waste contaminating our rivers and lakes, raw sewage being dumped in our seas and the countryside destroyed by illegal dumping, is it more appropriate for us to be called an effluent society?

Mike Mahon

Templeogue, Dublin 6
Get your career on track here.

If you have recently found yourself needing a new challenge, or unemployed, getting a new job can be hard work.

Employers are sent hundreds of applications for even the most junior position and it can be tricky trying to make yourself stand out from the crowd. After rejected applications and interview knock-backs, you can start to feel frustrated and worry that youll never get that dream job.

Not know where to start? Follow our guide on how to make employers take notice:

CV overhaul

The first step when starting your job hunt should be revamping your CV. Dont send out the same stale CV with your Junior Cert results printed on the first page: note down the points highlighted in each job description and tailor your CV to match.

Cut out any boring fillers like your interest in reading, your bronze Gaisce award and your summer working in the local deli. Only include information that is relevant and keep it as short as possible.

Make sure to ask a friend to proofread your CV for grammar and spelling mistakes  just one typo and all your hard work ends up in the bin.

Upskill

While you are looking for your next job, you should spend the time trying to upskill rather than slouching around the house watching Netflix. The best way to give yourself the edge on other candidates is to learn a new skill.

DBS offers free full-time and part-time courses for people looking to upskill and cross-skill. The Springboard courses have been selected to provide training in specific skill areas that would be most attractive to prospective employers.

The courses range from everything from Certificates in Digital Marketing and Business Skills to Postgraduate ICT conversion courses, such as the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing, and the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics.

On the lookout

Rather than spending your days trawling through recruitment sites, take a job hunt shortcut. Look on Facebook for job groups in Ireland specific to your field: members post any relevant jobs they have spotted online and prospective employers often advertise upcoming vacancies in these groups.

Follow any companies you would like to work for on Twitter as they usually advertise any positions on their own social media channels first. You should also keep an eye on the Irish Job Fairy Twitter feed which is constantly updated with the latest jobs from all around the country.

Looking for a job outside of the big cities? The local newspaper is still the best place to look for vacancies.

Be proactive

Dont wait around for your dream job to be advertised. If you have a particular role in mind but the company isnt advertising any vacancies, why not contact the employer directly and ask to meet with them?

At the meeting, you will have a chance to meet your potential employer in person and make a strong impression. They might not currently have any vacancies but make sure to end the meeting by asking them to keep you in mind for any opportunities.

By being proactive and showing initiative, you should be top of their list when a vacancy comes up.

Feedback

You are bound to suffer some setbacks along the way with unresponsive employers, unsuccessful applications and challenging interviews. When you get knocked back after an interview or failed application, most of us want to move on and forget it ever happened.

It is important to ask for feedback on why you didnt get the job. Send a quick email thanking the employer for considering your application and ask for feedback on how you can improve.

This can help you to understand what went wrong and how you can improve for your next application.

There is limited availability of Springboard places at DBS, and demand is high, so people who are interested in applying are advised to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

To find out more about the range of courses, click here.

Sponsored by:
Mahershala Ali won the best supporting actor gong for his role in the film. (AP)

The accounting firm responsible for the counting and collation of votes for the Oscars has apologised for its part in the blunder that saw La La Land announced as the winner of best picture instead of Moonlight.

The mix-up saw the musical announced as the victor due to duplicate sets of cards, held by the only two people who knew the results, being mistakenly handed out to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

A statement from accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) said: " We sincerely apologise to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for best picture.

"The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected.

"We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

"We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation."

Beatty and Dunaway had been given a card that revealed that La La Land's Emma Stone was the leading actress winner, prompting them to incorrectly announce the musical as the winner.

Backstage, a confused Stone later said that she was still holding her winner's card in her hand when best picture was announced, but there are in fact two identical sets of cards.

Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz from PWC, the tax partner to the awards ceremony, were forced to intervene on stage amidst the confusion and chaos.

The major blunder came at the very end of the Oscars' ceremony, which was the worst for British talent in a decade.

Video of the Day

The producers of La La Land were coming to the end of their acceptance speeches before it was revealed there had been a mix-up and that Moonlight was the victor of the coveted accolade.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz announced the error to the audience, holding up the correct card with the best picture winner, as he said: "There's a mistake. Moonlight you guys won best picture.

"This is no joke. I'm afraid they read the wrong thing. This is not a joke, Moonlight, you won best picture."

Beatty returned to the microphone to say: "I want to tell you what happened, I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land, and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you.

"I wasn't trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture."

Cullinan and Ruiz are responsible for manually counting the 7,000 votes made by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and are the only two people to know the full list of winners before the ceremony.

They were earlier seen arriving on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, showcasing their matching briefcases filled with the 24 winners cards, which they each give out at either side of the stage to the presenters of the awards.

Moonlight's director Barry Jenkins said, after the film was correctly revealed as the winner: "Very clearly even in my dreams this can't be true. But to hell with dreams because this is true. It's true, it's not fake."

Meanwhile, while in recent years the Oscars has seen a spate of British actors winning the top awards, Sunday's ceremony was the worst for Britain's stars in 10 years.

White Helmets, a 40-minute Netflix film about a volunteer rescue group operating in war-torn Syria, saw its British director Orlando von Einsiedel and British producer Joanna Natasegara take the best documentary short award.

They were the only British winners at the prize-giving ceremony, as acting nominees including Dev Patel and Naomie Harris missed out.

La La Land, which had scored a record-tying 14 nominations, ended up with just six wins, including best actress for Emma Stone and best director for Damien Chazelle, who is the youngest winner of the prize at 32.

Moonlight, which follows the life of a young black boy dealing with his sexuality, scooped three prizes in total, landing best picture, best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.

The film's producer Dede Gardner said: "I'm still not sure this is real. It's very humbling to be up here and I hope it's inspiring to little black boys and brown girls who feel marginalised. I hope they take some inspiration from seeing this beautiful group of artists."

Host Jimmy Kimmel joked that he knew he would mess up compering the ceremony.

He added: "Personally I blame Steve Harvey for this," referring to Harvey's mistake in announcing the Miss Universe winner in 2015.

Stone, 28, who has already received a Golden Globe and Bafta for her role in the hit musical, thanked Chazelle and Ryan Gosling, saying of her co-star: "Thank you for making me laugh and for always raising the bar and for being the best partner in this crazy adventure."

Ali won the first Oscar of the 89th Academy Awards when he scooped the best supporting actor prize.

He welcomed his first child, Bari Najma, on February 22 and thanked his wife Amatus Sami-Karim saying: "My wife was in her third trimester doing awards seasons, we just had a daughter four days ago. I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process."

Viola Davis received a standing ovation and cheers as she won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in Fences.

Davis, who has been nominated twice before, for Doubt and The Help, had been the frontrunner for the prize all through awards season.

She paid tribute to her co-star and director Denzel Washington, saying: "Oh captain, my captain, Denzel Washington, thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat, August Wilson and God and they served me well."

Casey Affleck won the best actor in a leading role Oscar for his role in Manchester By The Sea, beating fellow actors Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington, Andrew Garfield and Viggo Mortensen.

Affleck, 41, was hugged and kissed by his brother, Batman star Ben Affleck, as his name was called and received a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage.

The actor was tearful as he made his acceptance speech, saying: "This means so much to me, thank you. One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington and I just met him tonight for the first time."

Affleck ended his speech by thanking his parents for "mostly believing in me" and added: "Ben, I love you, you ain't heavy."

Many had expected the ceremony to be dominated by political speeches but references to President Donald Trump were mainly limited to jibes from Kimmel, who kicked off the ceremony by thanking the president for making the Oscars appear less racist.

He added: "I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? It's gone!"

The Salesman, directed by Iranian film-maker Asghar Farhadi, who is boycotting the ceremony because of Donald Trump's travel ban, has won the foreign language film Oscar.

In a statement read on his behalf, Farhadi, whose film A Separation won the same prize in 2012, said it was a "great honour" to receive the prize for a second time.

He added: "I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US.

"Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression."

During a break in awards, Kimmel said he was worried about President Trump because he had not yet tweeted anything about the ceremony.

He wrote on his Twitter account: "Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?" and followed it up with "@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi".

The president has not yet commented on the ceremony.

Tarell Alvin McCraney, who won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for Moonlight, told Radio 4 Today: "One of the things that helped was the cast and crew of La La Land being so gracious and so powerfully intimate and loving.

"They looked to us and said to us 'This is your award, you won this award'.

"There was nothing more amicable that I can imagine from them. They were in an awkward position and for them to be so gracious was staggeringly beautiful."

Despite the huge error, there was another moment at the ceremony also capturing viewers' attention, Nicole Kidman's clapping.

The way in which the Lion star applauded when an award was introduced on stage prompted much comment on Twitter.

Baratunde wrote: " Anyone see Nicole Kidman clapping? She claps like a seal. Awesome."

@steveleng wrote: " Little known fact about Nicole Kidman - she is in fact half sea lion."
This year, Roisin Gartland celebrates 30 years in business. For the designer and artist, it has been a career of two halves. For the first 17 years, Roisin ran a commercial business, supplying various retailers with her beautiful leather pieces, and employing a large staff.

But the business was consuming her, and her creativity was suffocated. Several days into a trip to Anam Cara, the writers and artists' retreat on the Beara Peninsula, she had a revelation. "I went to try to find a space for my artwork. I thought I'd lost my creativity. In the middle of the week, it started to come back. The relief was just incredible," she recalls.

Two days after returning to work, she felt the creative flow leaving her again, as the pressures of the business left room for little else. "I knew if I didn't change things then that I wouldn't have anybody to blame but myself," she reflects. "So I made a decision to close down the commercial business, and get back to the essence of my creativity."

Roisin had been studying fine art on a part-time basis for years. After closing the commercial studio, she did a master's in sculpture in NCAD, in an effort, she says, to "fuse all the different elements of my practice together. Because the materials that I work with are all very sculptural anyway."

Her master's became a way of integrating the practical and creative. "I've married my pattern-making skills, my ability to form a fabric to the body in a very highly skilled, technical manner, to working with a very natural, organic edge," she explains.

The combination of these skills has led to Roisin's most creative, powerful work yet."Every piece has its own energy," she says. "I could have something hanging around for a long time, and just love it, but not really know what to do with it, and then, in a matter of days, something might stir and then they [the pieces] form. It depends on my mood, how inspired I might feel on a given day, or how free I might feel. It's all very fluid. I don't work nine to five. These days, I tend to go with my instinct an awful lot.

"I'm not dancing to anybody else's tune," Roisin reflects. "I did it for a long time; laid the ground work for everything that I do now. I know how to operate a business, how to run a production unit - now, the work just needs to have the freedom to be what it wants to be without any other dictates. It's important for my creativity that it is not determined by other forces."

Shortly after embarking on her new direction, Roisin met the man who is now her husband.

"My life just opened up," she explains. "I didn't realise how trapped I had become by the business. Everything has changed for the good. I feel I have a pretty balanced life." Now, if she stays late in her studio, it is because love for what she does has led her to become immersed in her work. "I'll get a phone call, saying, 'Did you forget what time it is?'" she says with a smile.

Photography by Peter Evers

Video of the Day

Fashion Edited by Constance Harris

Words by Liadan Hynes
I have been a housekeeping assistant in a nursing home for the past two years, but in the last year I've just lost interest. I don't want to get out of bed to go into work.

I've had a couple of bad incidents - bullying from a staff member and a manager. Now the staff member doesn't bother me anymore but the tone and approach of my boss is bad.

I get it that you can be strict as a boss but you should be fair as well. I have often come home in tears. She isn't nice to everybody which I consider is not professional.

Now this job isn't a life-long ambition but the way things have gone for me it's hard to get something new. I would like to move on and go back to college. I am only in my early 20s. I would be grateful for an outside opinion on this.

Mary replies: We all spend so much time at work - approximately one-third of the day - that it is essential for our well-being that we are at least fairly happy while there. You sound anything but happy, and are starting to be depressed because of it.

I realise that it is difficult to get a new job, so you should formulate some sort of plan. It is great that you have ambitions to go back to college, so why not make that your goal?

If you feel that you are working towards that goal, and the housekeeping assistant post is not for ever, you will immediately begin to feel better.

I don't know what type of college you have in mind but you should research what would be required in terms of fees - referred to as Student Contributions - and what the criteria would be for entry.

Then calculate how long it will take to get the funds together and there should be some light at the end of the tunnel.

One wonders how somebody in a managerial post can feel they are doing a good job when they are not observing the basic requirement of being respectful to people.

Video of the Day

You can contact Mary OConor anonymously by visiting www.dearmary.ie or email her at dearmary@independent.ie or write c/o 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1. All correspondence will be treated in confidence. Mary OConor regrets that she is unable to answer any questions privately.
The killing of the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was organized by the reclusive state's ministry of state security and foreign ministry, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the country's intelligence agency.

The eight North Korean suspects include four officials of the state security ministry and two officials of the foreign ministry, the lawmakers quoted the intelligence agency as saying.

South Korean and U.S. officials said Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean leader's estranged half-brother, was killed by North Korean agents in an airport in the Malaysian capital on Feb. 13. North Korea has not acknowledged his death.

Kim Jong-nam died on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur's airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by two women who wiped a liquid on his face.

Police revealed on Friday that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Mr Kim, raising the stakes in the case.

Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said the dose was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes.

Mr Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in an ambulance en route to hospital, he said.

"VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that," he said.

"The doses were so high and it did it so fast and all over the body, so it would have affected his heart, it would have affected his lungs, it would have affected everything."

Asked how long it took Mr Kim to die after he was attacked, Mr Subramaniam said: "I would think it was about, from the time of onset, from the time of application, 15 to 20 minutes."

Malaysia has not 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.

Experts say the nerve agent used to kill Mr Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory and is banned under an international treaty.

But North Korea has never signed the treaty and spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons programme.
The dose of nerve agent given to North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un's half-brother was so high that it killed him within 20 minutes and caused "very serious paralysis", Malaysia's health minister has said.

Kim Jong-nam died on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur's airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by two women who wiped a liquid on his face.

Police revealed on Friday that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Mr Kim, raising the stakes in the case.

Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said the dose was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes.

Mr Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in an ambulance en route to hospital, he said.

"VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that," he said.

"The doses were so high and it did it so fast and all over the body, so it would have affected his heart, it would have affected his lungs, it would have affected everything."

Asked how long it took Mr Kim to die after he was attacked, Mr Subramaniam said: "I would think it was about, from the time of onset, from the time of application, 15 to 20 minutes."

Malaysia has not 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.

Experts say the nerve agent used to kill Mr Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory and is banned under an international treaty.

But North Korea has never signed the treaty and spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons programme.
Theresa May is next month poised to announce the end of free movement for new EU migrants on the same day that she formally triggers Brexit negotiations.

The Prime Minister is expected to say that EU citizens who travel to Britain after she triggers Article 50 will no longer have the automatic right to stay in the UK permanently.

They will instead be subject to migration curbs after Britain leaves the European Union, which could include a new visa regime and restricted access to benefits.

Mrs May is expected to say that EU migrants who arrived in the UK before the "cut-off date" will have their rights protected as long British citizens living elsewhere in Europe are granted the same assurance.

Iain Duncan Smith, a leading Eurosceptic conservative MP, said that that announcement will show that Mrs May is taking control of Britain's borders while giving clarity to the 3.6million EU migrants already living in the UK.

He said: "Theresa understands that if you want to take control you have to command the high ground. She will be giving clarity by setting a clear deadline while the European Union looks increasingly muddled and mean-spirited".

The announcement means that the "cut-off date" for EU migrants is likely to be around March 15, once the Government's Article 50 bill has gone through Parliament.

The Prime Minister is expected to appeal to other European Union nations to reach a quick deal on the issue so it can be removed from Brexit negotiations as soon as possible.

It is likely to put her in conflict with the European Union, which has been pushing for Mrs May to delay the cut-off date until 2019. However ministers have raised concerns that waiting until the end of negotiations will lead to a huge surge in the number of EU migrants coming to the UK before Brexit.

"We have had some suggestion that that the European Commission might attempt to force us to protect everyone who arrives up to the moment of departure," a Government source said. "We could end up with half of Romania and Bulgaria coming here if we wait that long."

The Government has also considered suggestions that the cut-off date should be set for the referendum date in June last year. However Government lawyers have advised that such an approach would be illegal.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, said that after Britain leaves the European Union "we will be ending free movement as we know it".

She is examining plans to give new arrivals who get jobs in key sectors of the economy multi-year visas while limiting access to benefits.

Under one plan being considered migrants would be given five-year working visas but barred from claiming in-work benefits while they are in Britain.

She confirmed that the Home Office is "working on a range of options" but suggested that the final system will only be decided after "two years of negotiations and preparation".

David Davis, the Secretary of State for Leaving the European Union, has previously suggested that Britain will not suddenly shut the door on workers coming from the EU.

He suggested that it will take "years and years" for Britain to fill all the jobs that would otherwise have been done by EU migrants.

Asked about his comments Mrs Rudd said that the Government does not want a "cliff-edge", suggesting that migration controls could be limited initially after Brexit.

She said: "I think what he [David Davis] is highlighting is the fact that as a government were going to work with businesses, with employers to make sure that the immigration system we put in place does enable them to continue to thrive and continue to grow. What shape that will be we cant say yet.

"We are against cliff edges. So as part of the consultation that we will be bringing out in the summer we will be asking them the best way to deliver that."

While the UK has reached agreements in principle with most members of the European Union already there are still several nations, including Germany, who have refused to discuss the issue until after Brexit is triggered.

Mrs May is also facing a rebellion in the House of Lords over the issue where Tory peers are prepared to back a campaign by Labour and the Liberal Democrats to guarantee the rights of EU nationals.

It came after reports that ministers are also discussing plans to give the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) an advisory role on how many visas should be issued to take the political sting out of the issue.

The committee would decide how many visas need to be issued for workers in key industries such as software engineering, health and social care, farming and hospitality, which are heavily reliant on immigrants.

The cut-off date for the 1.2million British nationals living in other EU countries will ultimately be decided by Brussels. The European Parliament's chief negotiator has suggested that the EU will offer British people to individually opt-in and remain European citizens.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
An average of nearly 10 attacks a day were carried out on refugees in Germany last year, according to the country's interior ministry.

Attacks injured 560 people, including 43 children, and prompted accusations that the country's hardened stance on the refugee issue was encouraging hate crimes.

According to the ministry, there were more than 3,500 attacks on refugees and asylum hostels.

Three quarters of attacks were against individuals outside buildings housing refugees, with 1,000 attacks on the buildings themselves.

A further 217 refugee organisations and volunteers were targeted, according to the preliminary figures released by the ministry.

Germany has been struggling with a backlog of asylum applications although the number of refugees arriving in the country fell to around 280,000 last year, down around 600,000 on the year before, following the closure of the Balkan migration route.

The authorities have recently toughened refugee procedures, bringing in strict benefits rules, speeding up the removal of failed asylum seekers and paying refugees to return voluntarily to their own countries.

The government, which released the figures in response to a parliamentary question, said in a statement it "strongly condemns" the violence, adding: "People who have fled their home country and seek protection in Germany have the right to expect safe shelter."

Chancellor Angela Merkel has faced a backlash for her decision to open the country to people fleeing conflict and persecution, and the issue is expected to be central to the federal elections in September.

Opinion in Germany is polarised, with the government under fire for not taking action against a reported rise in hate crime.

A politician for Germany's left-wing Die Linke party, Ulla Jelpke, blamed the violence on far-right extremists and called for the government to take stronger action.

"Do people have to die before the right-wing violence is considered a central domestic security problem and makes it to the top of the national policy agenda?" she told regional news agency Funke Media Group.

She called for the government to "stop giving the impression through new tougher asylum laws that refugees are a threat".

Ms Jelpke continued: "Nazis are threatening refugees and therefore our democracy."

A spokesperson for Amnesty International said: "There are structural problems in Germany with how it prevents and deals with hate crimes.

"We need to see better risk assessments, more protection at certain locations and prosecutions of these appalling racist crimes." The total number of attacks could not be compared to previous years, since 2016 was the first year the numbers were collected in this way. ( London Independent)
Iraqi forces advance during fighting against Islamic State militants on the western side of Mosul. (AP/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi military units have pushed deeper into western Mosul, gaining control of a neighbourhood along the Tigris River and the foot of one of the city's five bridges amid intense clashes with Islamic State militants.

Senior Iraqi police commander Maj GenThamir al-Hussaini, who commands the federal rapid response force, said the troops pushed deeper into the western Gawsaq neighbourhood earlier in the day and reached the bridge known locally as the 4th Bridge.

All of Mosul's bridges spanning the Tigris River and connecting the western part of the city, still held by the Islamic State group, with its eastern sector, were disabled by airstrikes last year.

Maj Gen Al-Hussaini said that IS militants were fighting back with snipers, anti-tank missiles and suicide car bombs, describing the clashes as "fierce".

He added that Iraqi troops suffered casualties, but did not give a specific number.

Later on Monday from Gawsaq, Iraqi counter-terrorism forces moved into the nearby Wadi Hajar neighbourhood, he said.

Private broadcaster Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen aired live footage from Gawsaq, showing Iraqi troops in armoured vehicles and Humvees pushing through dusty streets as gunfire rattled.

Thick black smoke was seen billowing from different areas following airstrikes.

The advances come after Iraqi forces last week took Mosul's international airport and a sprawling military base next to it before pushing into Mamun, the first neighbourhood in the western half of the city after the airport.

Though incremental and only the beginning of what is expected to be a long and protracted battle for the rest of Mosul, the latest developments reflect the Iraqi military's determination to liberate the city, Iraq's second largest.

Western Mosul is the last significant urban area IS holds in Iraq.

Iraqi authorities declared the city's eastern half "fully liberated" from the Sunni militant group in January, three months after launching the operation to take back Mosul.

The city fell to IS in the summer of 2014, along with large swaths of northern and western Iraq.

AP
A tribute to dead journalist Shifa Gardi in the offices of Kurdish network Rudaw Photo: SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images

Iraqi militarised police have captured an area on the western side of Mosul amid fierce clashes with Isil militants, as thousands of people continued to flee government-controlled areas, security officials said.

Iraqi forces, backed by aerial support by the US-led international coalition, launched a new push last week to drive Isil from Mosul's west.

They have captured so far the city's international airport and an adjacent military base.

Iraqi authorities declared Mosul's eastern half "fully liberated" from the Sunni militants in January, three months after launching the operation to take back Iraq's second-largest city.

At dawn yesterday, the Federal Police Commandos Division moved into the Tayaran area amid fierce clashes, Major General Haider al-Maturi said.

He said the neighbourhood "is now under their full control".

Maj Gen Al-Maturi said Isil militants deployed at least 10 suicide car bombs, but nine of them were blown up before reaching their targets.

The tenth killed two policemen and wounded five. Maj Gen Al-Maturi said his forces arrested two militants - an Iraqi and a foreigner who speaks Russian.

Elsewhere, up to 3,000 people fled from the Mamun area yesterday morning, according to Iraqi special forces Brigadier General Salam Hashed, who oversees a screening centre south of Mosul. He said just over 2,500 people fled the previous day.

According to UN figures, about 750,000 civilians are believed to be trapped in their houses in western Mosul, one of several challenges expected to slow the advance of the Iraqi troops. Another complication is western Mosul's old and narrow streets, which will force Iraqi soldiers to leave the relative safety of their armoured vehicles.

Meanwhile, colleagues have paid tribute to a Kurdish journalist who was killed by a road side bomb while she was reporting on the battle to recapture Mosul.

Shifa Gardi, a presenter and head of output for Rudar, an Iraqi Kurdish television station, was killed on Saturday while investigating mass graves which had been left behind by Isil in the Mosul area.

Ms Gardi (30) was interviewing the commander of a Shiite militia unit near a large hole believed to have been used as a mass grave when the commander inadvertently stepped on a trip wire which set off the bomb on Saturday afternoon.

The blast killed Ms Gardi, the commander, and four other fighters, Rudaw said in a statement yesterday.

Younis Mustafa , her cameraman, and seven other fighters were injured.

Ms Gardi and Mustafa had been making a report about the so called "valley of death", an area 20km south of Mosul and 5km from the main Baghdad-Mosul road that is believed to have been used by Isil for mass executions.

Ms Gardi was the presenter of 'Focus Mosul', a special daily news programme focusing on the battle. She had recently started broadcasting from within the city itself.
MIDLAND  When Midland Town Council recently met for its annual retreat, members had a lot of successes to discuss.

Throughout last year and the beginning of 2017, Town Manager Doug Paris said Midland has been put on the map.

We had a lot to talk about, Paris said. In the past year we were not only put on the map in Cabarrus County, but now we are on the world map.

The meeting was held on Saturday, Feb. 18 and council gathered to discuss how the town has met its goals that were set during last years retreat. Those goals were to continue to recruit new industries, increase services for citizens and increase social media presence.

In the new industries and growth department, Paris said council had a lot to talk about. In just the past few months the town became home to Rob Wallace Park, the largest Cabarrus County-owned park, and Corning announced it plans to add 200 new jobs.

Corning Optical Communications is a worldwide provider of fiber optic communication solutions for voice, data and video networks. The company announced it will spend $109 million to expand its existing optical fiber manufacturing facility in Midland.

Now with this expansion, we are home to the biggest fiber optic manufacturing facility in the world, Paris said. The community is super excited about that.

Paris also added that Intertape Polymer Corporation, which invested $40 million on a site near U.S. 601 and Wallace Road in Midland, plans to bring about 50 jobs to the town. Paris said the company is almost done with construction on the facility.

Between Corning and Interstate Polymer Group, you are looking at 250 new jobs, Paris said. We are really pleased. These successes are related to the town goal to continue to recruit new industrial and commercial development to Midland so we can have local jobs.

Midland also made great strides to provide citizens with services by creating a partnership with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to hold classes at Town Hall and adding a mobile library.

Although the library is only open every other Monday right now, Paris said he has been pleased with the amount of traffic so far.

Its been very busy. Weve been very pleased, Paris said. We are providing services for citizens. And the park is also a service. It has been packed. Everyone loves to take their dogs and go through the trails.

The other goal that council discussed during the meeting was increasing communication strategies by creating a new brand for the town and increasing activity on social media sites.

Paris said the town has made sure that it is more active on Facebook and Twitter and uses those mediums to get information out to citizens.

Part of the goal was to improve our social media presence in order to get information out. All of our citizens, like everyone else, are on their phones all of the time checking social media, Paris said. We are getting out information about the services we offer, new jobs coming and job fairs that citizens can attend. We have found social media to be very effective.

Another part of the meeting was discussing goals for 2017. Paris said the council largely wanted to keep the same goals the town already has, since they have been so successful.

These goals will be officially approved during an upcoming town council meeting.
Government launches app for taxpayers as GST becomes effective July 1

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) launched a new app last week to facilitate the transition of taxpayers onto the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The government will roll out the GST from July 1.

CBEC GST  the new Android mobile application platform  will contain all the requisite information related to migration to the GST regime, toll free numbers for queries, as well as material explaining the draft GST laws and rules.

RELATED: Tax Compliance Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

Once implemented, the GST will be a revolutionary tax reform uniting Indias fragmented markets into a single common mass market, and will simplify the existing convoluted indirect tax regime. Through the app, the government aims to provide maximum awareness to ensure the GST transition is smooth, effective, and immediate.

Expanded health insurance coverage for retired industrial workers under ESI scheme

In what could be a breakthrough move, the central government has proposed a US$22,484 (Rs 1.5 million) super specialty health insurance package to all retired industrial workers subscribed to the Employee State Insurance (ESI) scheme, effective April 1. According to the ESIC, the health insurance benefit will cover a maximum of US$14,990 (Rs 1 million) in a financial year for treatment and US$22,484 (Rs 1.5 million) as a lifetime benefit for retired industrial workers and their spouses.

The new plan has the approval of the Employee State Insurance Corporation that oversees the implementation of the ESI. This will significantly enhance the healthcare facilities provided to insured industrial workers, and diversify the limited health insurance options available to Indias senior citizens.

RELATED: International Tax Planning Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

Clarification on the POEM tax rule to favor SMEs

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has clarified that Place of Effective Management (POEM) norms will not apply to firms with a turn over or gross receipts of less than US$7,494,570 (Rs 500 million) in a financial year.

This will come as a huge source of relief to small and medium enterprises worried over potentially expanded tax liabilities. The government announced the clarification as the latest POEM circular did not include the leeway present in the original notification.

RELATED: Payroll & Human Resource Administration Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

India and Germany ratify Social Security Agreement

India and Germany finally ratified their Social Security Agreement (SSA), which will come into effect on May 1. The SSA will promote greater bilateral investment and replaces the 2008 social insurance pact that exempts detached workers of the two countries from making social security contributions in either countries so long as they were making such contributions in their respective countries.

With the latest ratification, India has Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 18 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Korea.

About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email india@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight.

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in India. As such, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Indian market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to stay up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.
Actor Ranveer Singh, who is currently in Switzerland as its ambassador from India, has been working round the clock to meet deadlines for his assignments.

Ranveer shot for a brand endorsement before leaving for Switzerland, and he is also expected to begin work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati".

"As the financial year comes to a close, most brands want to wrap up their campaigns and commercials. Ranveer is working every day and at odd hours if needed, to complete all his shoots and commitments," said a source close to the actor, adding that the vivacious star is dedicated to giving every project his 100 per cent.

"Despite being stretched with so many shoots and roles to handle, he is doing it with complete focus," the source added.

The 31-year-old has also been roped in for Zoya Akhtar's next titled "Gully Boy", which will also feature Alia Bhatt.




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
Kabul, Feb 27 (IBNS): At least 12 Taliban militants, including a key leader, were killed in an airstrike conducted in Afghanistan's Kunduz province by foreign forces, local Khaama Press said.

The slain leader has been identified as Mullah Abdul Salam.

Meanwhile, Taliban too has confirmed the news, though they said that it'll not create any problem for the group in the near future.
Counting of votes in seven assembly seats across six states underway, BJP leads in four | Twitter founder Jack Dorsey apologises to employees after mass lay off | Eknath Shinde visits Sharad Pawar in hospital | 'Had clear-cut objective to harm Hindus': Court on ex-AAP councillor's role in 2020 Delhi riots | Doctor booked for rash driving in Cyrus Mistry car accident case
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'.
The staggering first look of Vivegam` that had Thala flaunting six packs has become a major rage amongst his fans and the movie going public. The film has been extensively shot by Siruthai Siva in Chennai, Hyderabad and Bulgaria.

Now the final schedule of Vivegam` begins in Bulgaria from the 2nd of March and it is being said that the climax sequence will be shot this time around with Thala Ajith and Vivekh Oberoi going all guns blazing against each other. Kajal Agarwal and Akshara Haasan are also expected to join. However reliable sources claim that the release date planned for Ramzan has now been changed to most probably the second week of August.
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
Chandigarh, a weekend destination for many including Delhites and one of the most happening towns in north India, could face complete liquor ban owing to Supreme Courts December 2016 judgement.

In December, the SC had ordered the closure of all liquor vends operational on national and state highways from April 1st, 2017. And all major roads in Chandigarh fall in category of either state or national highways.

AP

According to a Hindustan Times report, home secretary Anurag Aggarwal said, In Chandigarh, Sectors are 1.2 km long and 0.8 km wide. With all vertical roads being state highways, 500 metres on either side of the road covers the whole of the city. Thus, all sectors come within 500 metres of state highways.

Two decades back when the city municipal corporation had the financial crisis, the categorization was done in such way that the maintenance of the most of the roads falls in the hands of the engineering department and not the cash stripped Municipal Corporation.

AFP

This old trick played by the MC now is likely to haunt to booze lovers of the city. However, to resolve the impending crisis which might make Chandigarh a dry city, the UT administration has set up a four-member committee comprising UT chief engineer, MC chief engineer, chief architect and additional excise and taxation commissioner. The committee will have to submit its report within a week.
There is no way that the world will let go of the beloved, former US President, Barack Obama.

npr

Back on Jan. 20, when Barack Obamas second term as the 44th president of the United States came to an end and he passed the torch to Donald Trump, suddenly the world became extremely gloomy.

(Also read: Obama's Farewell Video Is Finally Here & It Has Everyone Talking About Their Favourite President)

A Citizens' Petition Calls For A New French President: Barack Obama https://t.co/kwI5080EVW  NPR (@NPR) February 23, 2017

But hey, that doesn't stop us from yearning for more.

Can we have Obama as french president ?  Virginie (@Virgiinie_) February 26, 2017

A new campaign has been launched, calling Obama to run for the French elections in May this year.

dr.dk

'The Obama 17 Campaign' is betting for 1 million signatures by March 15 in order to persuade our favourite ex-president.

"Barack Obama has the best resume in the world for the job," the site reads.

Following this, posters calling for Obama to run for the elections have veiled the streets across Paris.

Obama 2017: Petition Calls for Barack Obama to Run as French President https://t.co/WoAdqhAzg4 pic.twitter.com/sCKTBQXZ8U  McSpocky  (@mcspocky) February 24, 2017

The petition has received 27,000 signatures so far and is grabbing attention like fire in the wind.

Obama has also ranked 12th on the best US President list, according to a C-SPAN survey of 91 presidential historians. This news is a testament to the fact that Obama, undeniably, is extremely loved and admired.

(Also read: Barack Obama Is Back From Vacation, The Entire Manhattan Cant Stop Welcoming Him)

Reuters

Historians gave him marks for pursuing equality, managing the economy, public persuasion and moral authority.

This is not the first time that the French people have expressed their love and longing for the former US President. At least two such petitions were started last year, but this one is by far the most successful one.

(Also read: Just 15 Photographs Of Barack And Michelle Obama Giving The World Relationship Goals)
Don't know about you, but this Trump sandwich sounds like a complete winner.

reuters

People hate the American President Donald Trump but they may just agree with this sandwich named after him, for it brings ingredients that compare to the man perfectly.

This sign was found by a Twitterer, Dr. Debbie Almontaser, outside a New York City bodega which read:

"Trump Sandwich. White bread. Full of baloney. With Russian dressing. And a small pickle."

@DebbiAlmontaser/Twitter

The bodegas, or grocery stores, in New York are generally owned by immigrants that are open round the clock selling groceries and food items such as bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches.

Full points to you if you can read between the lines and sense the tasteful use of metaphors in this one. *chuckles*
A family making a return from church service at night has narrowly escaped tragic death during a clash with military truck.

A family of seven returning from church escaped death after a Nigerian Army truck rammed into their car on Saturday night in Calabar, Cross River State.

According to one of the survivors, they were returning from a church service at Word Alive Church located at Anating by Atu street when their vehicle, a white coloured 2008 model Lexux RX33O SUV was hit by the green Toyota Hilux truck with license registration ARMY 933 and somersaulted.

There were 5 adults and two children in the vehicle at the time of the accident with all escaping unhurt or with minor injuries.

Eyewitnesses say the passengers were removed from th vehicle by sympathizers with a few who sustained minor injuries taken to an undisclosed clinic for treatment.

It is unclear if the soldier was hurt, as eyewitness say he fled the scene immediately with allegations he was on high speed at the point of collusion.
TROOPS of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested three foreign Boko Haram terrorists.

The foreign terrorists were arrested on Sunday afternoon in Gombe, Gombe State.

They have been identified as Chadians.

According to available information, the terrorists belong to the Abu Musab al-Barnawi faction of Boko Haram.

Their names were given as Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar.

They were arrested at Arawa and Mallam Inna areas of Gombe metropolis.

They were reported to be members of the al-Barnawi faction of Boko Haram that operates in Chad and mostly northern part of Borno State, but came to Gombe State for another heinous assignment.

During the operation, one of them, Bilal Muhammed Umar, attempted to escape and was shot on the leg.

He was however apprehended and is receiving medical treatment.

The terrorists were also arrested with Improvised Explosive Devices, materials that they could have coupled to attack parts of the State.

The suspects are in custody undergoing preliminary investigation.

Source: Social times
According to Emmanuel from Liberia who shared the news,the dead man pictured below was killed around 12am today by a teacher named Prince Wolubah.

According to him,the deceased girlfriend is a student in 7th grade class in KONIA Garbo school where the teacher teaches.The deceased was the bread winner of his family.However,he did not why he killed him.

See graphic image here

Source: Trezzyhelm
The troops of the Nigerian Army on Monday shot dead a Boko Haram male suicide bomber who disguised as a girl in order to cause atrocity in Borno State.

According to Muazu Alhaji Misiya, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the state who confirmed the development, said the terrorist was intercepted by security operatives and in a desperate attempt to detonate his vestwas shot dead by the troops.
Would Boeing continue to soar or crash? Trade Precise - Sun Nov 6, 10:02AM CST Boeing (BA) price could attempt another rally to reach $160 in the near short term. However, the reaction at $160 is crucial. It may form a Wyckoff back up (BU) before charging ahead, or retrace back into... BA : 160.01 (+2.08%)

U.S. ECONOMY IS IN TROUBLE Alpine Trading - Sat Nov 5, 4:35PM CDT Never Mind the nonsense, here is the RISK-OFF trade of the YEAR!

Power blackouts hit Ukraine amid heavy Russian shelling AP - Sat Nov 5, 3:57PM CDT Ukraines state electricity operator has announced regular scheduled blackouts in Kyiv and seven other regions of the country in the aftermath of Russias devastating strikes on energy infrastructure... $SPX : 3,770.55 (+1.36%) $DOWI : 32,403.22 (+1.26%) $IUXX : 10,857.03 (+1.56%)

November Rain Sidwell Strategies - Sat Nov 5, 2:31PM CDT US elections Tuesday; USDA reports Wednesday

Climate activists block private jets at Amsterdam airport AP - Sat Nov 5, 7:48AM CDT Hundreds of climate protesters have blocked private jets from leaving Amsterdams Schiphol Airport in a demonstration on the eve of the COP27 United Nations climate meeting in Egypt $SPX : 3,770.55 (+1.36%) $DOWI : 32,403.22 (+1.26%) $IUXX : 10,857.03 (+1.56%)
With all eyes on Russia, one fact has gone overlooked: the country's economy has been steadily improving, and some hedge funds are benefiting.

High on the list of factors likely to impede economic growth are sanctions (which is, of course, the point of sanctions) and, for commodity-rich countries, low oil prices. Throw in a high-profile global dispute over allegations of interference in foreign elections and internal fights over civil liberties, and it should be safe to assume that a country facing so many headwinds would be suffering from a poor economic outlook. Not so for Russia right now.

After cratering post-2008, the Russian economy has been on a slow climb back. The past two years have showed gradual improvement, including a strong finish to 2016. Among the beneficiaries of this trend are hedge funds who specialize in the country.

The U.S. dollar-denominated Russian stock index ended 2016 up 40 percent, trouncing its international peers, while the ruble-denominated MICEX hit an all-time high of 2285.43 in January. Two Russia-focused hedge fund firms, Firebird Management and Prosperity Capital Management, both have funds that are among the top hedge fund performers in a weekly hedge fund performance report published by HSBCs Alternative Investment Group.

New York-based Firebird specializes in publicly traded equities of companies operating in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries (it also has funds that invest in Mongolian securities and two private equity funds focused on the Baltic States.) As of mid-February, Firebirds New Russia fund was the second-best-performing fund tracked by HSBC, with a gain of 8.43 percent. That same fund was the sixth-best-performing fund in the HSBC report for 2016, with returns of 42.27 percent for the year.

Founded in 1996, London-based Prosperity is one of the largest, and oldest, Russia-focused investment firms, with $3.6 billion in assets under management. It focuses on companies in Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia and believes in taking an active ownership position. Its flagship Russian Prosperity Fund has an annualized return of 16.5 percent through January 31st of this year. It was the third-best fund in the HSBC ranking for 2016, returning 58.66 percent, in a year where the average hedge fund gained 5.45 percent, according to the HFRI Fund Weighted Composite Index, and the Standard & Poors 500 stock index returned 11.93 percent.

It has not all been good times for Russia-focused hedge fund firms. In 2015 Firebirds New Russia fund lost 11.33 percent, and in 2014 it was one of HSBCs worst-performing hedge funds, with losses of 34.59 percent. The Russian Prosperity fund fell 3.1 percent in 2015 and had losses of 43.99 percent.

Investing in Russia can also be extremely dangerous. Former hedge fund manager Bill Browder had made a career out of activist investing in Russian companies until, in 2006, he was blacklisted from the country and denied reentry. Subsequent employees of Browders firm, Hermitage Capital, were harassed and subject to intimidation. Then in 2008 a lawyer working for Hermitage, Sergei Magnitsky, was arrested and subsequently died in custody. Since then Browder has been dedicated to fighting for justice for Magnitsky. In 2015 Browder published a book, Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Mans Fight for Justice, outlining his ordeal.
This content is from: Video

Inflation remains the primary concern for the worlds central banks, which have engaged in the broadest and fastest tightening regime in history, according to Alejandra Grindal, chief economist at Ned Davis Research.
The Insurance Council of Australia has denied the alleged price gouging of home insurance premiums in the Far North, citing the risk of cyclones as the cause of high premiums.



The industry body said the allegations were repeatedly disproved by three independent reports, which investigated the premiums and concluded that insurers were pricing fairly, The Cairns Post reported.



Despite this, the market remains highly competitive on price and on policy features, said Campbell Fuller, ICAs GM for communications and media.



Not everyone agrees, however.



Barron River MP Craig Crawford, who was mailed a $3,500 quote, said premiums were absolutely highway robbery, the report said.



Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now.



The reality is we are paying ridiculous amounts for insurance, he said. They have got us stuck in a hard place.



Crawford said he would discuss with the departmental staff the feasibility of resurrecting a state government insurance organisation, which was sold off in 1996.



ICA said North Queensland residents are six times more likely to lodge a claim than anywhere else in the country, while insurers pocket $1 for every $1.40 in claims, the report said.



A 2016 report cited mitigating premiums, such as cyclone-proofing households, as the key recommendation to lower consumer costs.



ICA will visit the Far North in the coming weeks to conduct forums on cyclone mitigation.



Fuller said mitigation would safeguard communities and properties for generations.



The cost of mitigation is repaid tenfold or more over the life of the infrastructure, he remarked.





Related stories:

http://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/breaking-news-industry-body-warns-of-potentially-severe-disaster-season-58196.aspx

http://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/bom-extreme-weather-events-mar-2016-58439.aspx
"I was a bit surprised by that," says expert
Swiss Re group chief underwriting officer Matthias Weber will step down from his role after serving the company for 25 years, the reinsurance giant has announced.Weber will leave the post on June 30 to begin a new chapter in his life, Swiss Re said. He will be replaced by Edouard Schmid, currently head of property and specialty reinsurance.We very much regret Matthias Webers decision but we respect his desire to focus on his family after such a successful career, said Swiss Re chairman Walter Kielholz.Kielholz called Weber a champion of Swiss Re strengths with his disciplined underwriting and a focus on the long term.We will miss his experience and guidance as a member of the group executive committee, but look forward to continuing our relationship in whatever form suits him, Kielholz said.Weber has been with Swiss Re since 1992, working across a diverse number of roles and markets. He accepted his current role in April 2012.His successor, Schmid, has been with Swiss Re since 1991. The incoming chief underwriting officer has shown equal skill and dedication to the company, according to Kielholz.He has broad underwriting experience across various lines of business, in varied markets and in both reinsurance and corporate solutions, the Swiss Re chairman said, This exceptional track record makes him the ideal candidate to step into Matthias Webers shoes.
A South African-owned general insurance company will be welcoming a new chief executive by mid-2017.Youis deputy CEO Frank Costigan will take on the role as the companys chief executive responsible for its operations in New Zealand and Australia, as Danie Matthee steps down from the position on July 01, interest.co.nz reported.Mathee leaves Youi to become the CEO of OUTsurance, an insurance company under the same parent company as Youi, OUTsurance Group. The group owns 93% of Youi.Trevor Devitt, Youis head of service quality, said the appointments have been part of a comprehensive handover process, which was put into gear when OUTsurances former CEO, Ernst Gouws, who stepped down from the role last year, indicated some years ago that he would want to step into a different role during 2016.As part of proper succession planning, Frank Costigan was appointed as deputy CEO at Youi with Danie Matthee being earmarked to assume the CEO role at OUTsurance, he said.Costigan serves as CFO & COO, Australia and New Zealand at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; and was CFO direct insurance at IAG , CFO and head of business development & strategy for IAG Asia, and executive director, equities research at UBS Investment Bank.
After posting lower financial results for 2016, reinsurance firm Swiss Re announced that it is undertaking reforms in its research activities with the help of pharmaceutical company Novartis.According to its latest financials, Swiss Res net income dropped 20% to $3.6 billion last year.The Financial Times reports that chief executive Christian Mumenthaler is trying to reinvent the company into a risk knowledge firm to leverage in-house expertise from modelling natural catastrophes and other hazards in recent years.The reinsurers CEO also said that a new Swiss Re Institute will initiate research in behavioural economics and the digitalization of insurance.
A doctor has admitted his role in peddling prescriptions from a now-defunct clinic in Philadelphia, Penn., that specialized in helping drug addicts.

Seventy-eighty-year-old Dr. Alan Summers pleaded guilty in federal court to charges including conspiracy, drug distribution, money laundering and health care fraud.

Prosecutors say Summers and two other doctors sold $5 million worth of controlled substance prescriptions to drug dealers and addicts for cash while performing little or no treatment as required by law.

Prosecutors claimed nearly 1,000 patients visited the National Association for Substance Abuse-Prevention Treatment clinic each month.

Dr. Keyhosrow Parsia pleaded guilty last month and a third awaits trial.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Pennsylvania Drugs
Police say a man working on a house under construction in Duxbury, Mass., has died in a fall from the roof.

The Patriot Ledger reports that police and firefighters were called to the construction site at around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday following reports of the fall.

Fire Chief Kevin Nord says the victim, estimated to be in his 50s, was unconscious but breathing when first responders arrived. He was taken to South Shore Hospital, where he later was pronounced dead. His name was not made public.

Police Lt. Lewis Chubb declined to release any additional information about the fall.

The death remains under investigation by local and state police as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators.

Information from: The (Quincy, Mass.) Patriot Ledger

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Law Enforcement Massachusetts
Italys biggest retail bank Intesa Sanpaolo abandoned plans to join forces with the countrys largest insurer Assicurazioni Generali on Friday, saying a tie-up would not create value for its shareholders.

A merger of the two would have created an Italian financial giant with a market capitalization of around 60 billion euros ($63.4 billion), but Intesas decision to walk away leaves Generali vulnerable to a possible foreign takeover.

Management changes at Generali and political weakness in Rome helped fuel bid talk in recent months, with media reports suggesting Axa, Germanys Allianz and Switzerlands Zurich Insurance Group might be interested in the Italian insurer.

However, French insurer AXA said last week that it was not pursuing major deals, including Generali.

Generali, whose biggest investor is influential investment bank Mediobanca, is seen by Rome as a strategic asset because of its large holdings of Italian government bonds.

Intesa, which pledged to continue to grow organically in line with its 2014-2017 business plan, could also come under pressure for leaving investors guessing on its strategy for weeks and finally backtracking from its plan.

The bank said last month it was examining a possible industrial combination with Generali after media reports pushed it to reveal its intentions.

In an attempt to dampen market speculation, Intesas chief executive Carlo Messina said at the beginning of February the bank would not sacrifice its strong capital base nor a generous dividend payout for the sake of a deal.

The management has completed the assessment  and sees no opportunities fulfilling the criteria set for the groups growth options, Intesa said on Friday.

Intesa cited value creation for its shareholders and the intention to maintain one of the strongest capital bases among Italian lenders as its criteria for possible M&A options.

The bank said it would continue to expand its wealth management business and develop non-life insurance to the same level of its life business.

Intesas shareholders had responded coolly to the idea of a merger, with its shares dropping 16 percent since its interest in Generali was revealed. The insurers stock rose 3 percent over the same period.

($1 = 0.9471 euros) (Editing by Alexander Smith)

Related:

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Generali Life Assurance (Thailand) Plc.
British and Canadian regulators have signed an agreement to make it easier for financial technology companies to expand in each others markets, they said on Wednesday.

The agreement between the UKs Financial Conduct Authority and the Ontario Securities Commission is meant to help fintech startups navigate regulations. The OSC, Canadas largest and most influential securities regulator, and FCA will also share information on trends and regulatory issues involving financial services innovations.

Both regulators already have their own fintech initiatives in place to help startups meet compliance requirements and test products under their supervision.

Fintechs typically use technology to provide cheaper, more accessible and more efficient financial services such as payments, money transfers or trading. The global fintech sector has boomed in recent years, with startups securing billions of dollars in financing annually.

Complicated regulations can prove challenging for companies looking to innovate and grow quickly.

Canada, particular, has a fragmented regulatory environment. For example, fintechs may need separate approvals from each province to operate.

Central banks have also expressed concern that fintechs could threaten financial stability and raise security issues such as money laundering, terrorism financing and data protection, and therefore require greater oversight.

(Reporting by Solarina Ho; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

Related:

Topics Legislation InsurTech Canada
Singapore, a keen early adopter of the sharing economy, has fired a warning shot across the bow of Airbnb and Uber with tighter rules that could shake up their business models and growth ambitions in Asia.

The rules, some say, are a sign that even governments sympathetic to companies that allow citizens to rent out their expertise or property have a hard time striking the right balance between encouraging disruptive technologies and keeping them in line.

I know a lot of people will give back their keys, thats for sure, said Lionel Ong, 33, an Uber driver, who wants to look for a less demanding part-time job.

As its traditional manufacturing industry has hollowed out in the past decade or so, the affluent city-state has been quick to embrace opportunities in the digital economy, hosting the Asian headquarters of Airbnb and Uber, inviting its executives to conferences and investing in Ubers regional rival Grab through a unit of its investment arm for Temasek.

Its too early to say what impact the new rules would have on Uber and Airbnb, but they highlight increasing scrutiny by regulators globally and growth challenges facing these new economy businesses.

April Rinne, an expert on the sharing economy who has advised companies and governments, including Singapore, says the city states case mirrors other early adopter countries like Denmark, where legislators are mulling laws which would require taxis to have seat sensors, video surveillance and taxi meters.

Its a watershed that should also sound warning bells, Rinne said.

Singapores new rules, passed this month, will be implemented in stages from the second half of this year. They allow officials to suspend a ride-sharing company for up to a month after three or more instances of their drivers getting caught without a proper license or insurance. The drivers themselves face fines and jail.

In the case of Airbnb, officials will have the right to force their way into homes to check whether residents were renting them out illegally, adding teeth to a rarely enforced law which bans the renting out of private property for less than six months.

High Growth Market, Hurdles

The sharing economy business is billed for explosive growth, estimated by PricewaterhouseCoopers to reach $335 billion by 2025, from around $15 billion in 2016.

So theres a lot at stake for companies. And the worry, says Adrian Lee, who runs a car-sharing service called Tribecar in Singapore, is that other markets might ape the city states stance.

Im afraid other legislators may take a leaf from our play book without allowing these services to get to critical mass.

Singapore had been one of the few bright spots in Asia for Uber, which has been facing legal scrutiny in many markets across the region. Uber has suspended its service in Taiwan and has withdrawn from China after selling its business there. And in South Korea and Japan, authorities have limited its operations.

Jean Chia, a Singapore-based academic who studies the sharing economy, says since short-term renters were previously operating in a grey area, the tighter regulations raise some immediate questions around the business model of Airbnb.

Airbnbs director of public policy in Asia Pacific, Mike Orgill, echoed those concerns, saying there are thousands of people earning supplemental income  so the lack of clarity is of concern for hosts.

Drivers of Uber and Grab said a requirement for all drivers to obtain a vocational license would force out a lot of part-time drivers, while the threat of fines and even jail would deter others.

There is no comparable measure in the more than 450 cities we operate in, Ubers Singapore general manager Warren Tseng said of the rule change, warning it would affect tens of thousands of drivers and hundreds of thousands of commuters.

Ubers strong regional rival Grab, which is planning to invest $700 million in Indonesia, one of Asias biggest markets, is more sanguine about the new laws.

Grabs country head Kell Jay Lim said though the company expects some drop-off after the regulations kick in, the rules showed that Singapore was now absorbing the sharing economy into the mainstream.

Its a stamp of approval of what were trying to do.

(Reporting By Jeremy Wagstaff; editing by Shri Navaratnam)

Related:

Brazil Uber Drivers Are Employees & Entitled to Benefits, Rules Judge

Uber & Ola Drivers Strike Paralyzes Ride Hailing Services in Indias Capital

Uber Offers Guaranteed Revenue for French Drivers, Avoiding Wage Law

Uber Suspends Service in Taiwan After Authorities Raise Fines

Topics Legislation Tech
Chubb has announced two senior management appointments to its Global Accounts division, serving large and complex clients in Europe and around the world.

Suresh Krishnan, currently executive vice president, Global Accounts, Overseas General Insurance, has been appointed to the newly created role of head of Global Accounts Division, Europe. Krishnan will set and implement business strategy for the segment, assuring that clients and brokers benefit fully from Chubbs risk and underwriting as well as its multinational network and services, the company indicated.

Krishnan will be based in London, reporting to Jeff Moghrabi, division president for Chubb in Continental Europe, and David Robinson, division president for Chubb in the UK and Ireland.

Krishnan has 25 years of insurance industry experience. He joined Chubb in 1999 and has served in several senior legal roles. Prior to his current role, he served from 2010 to 2013 as general counsel, Multinational Client Group, with global legal oversight for matters connected with the companys multinational products and services. Previously, he was general counsel for ACE USA, where he had management responsibilities for all legal matters connected with ACEs US commercial retail insurance business.

Tina Lakickas, currently senior vice president and global client executive, will succeed Krishnan as executive vice president, Global Accounts, Overseas General Insurance. Lakickas will lead the international Global Client Executive team that serves Chubbs Global Accounts segment. She will oversee the delivery of high quality service across all aspects of the value chain and ensure that Chubbs Global Accounts strategy and activity are aligned to client and broker needs, the company said.

Lakickas will be based in Paris, reporting to Joseph Clabby, president, Global Accounts, and David Furby, division president, Commercial Property and Casualty, Overseas General Insurance.

Lakickas has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience. Prior to joining the company in 2010, she was vice president and regional manager of Global Marine & Energy for AIG. She previously served in underwriting roles at AIG, Arthur J. Gallagher and St. Paul.

Both Krishnan and Lakickas will take up their new roles in March 2017.

Source: Chubb

Topics Europe Chubb
Asta, the London-based Lloyds third party managing agent and specialist MGA investor, announced it has agreed to invest in the development of Arma Underwriting Ltd. Asta will take a minority equity stake in Arma and will also support the companys infrastructure including finance and IT.

Arma received in principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority on Feb. 19, and remains subject to approval by Lloyds and the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Backed by Lloyds capacity, Arma intends to underwrite a broad spectrum of reinsurance capacity, designed to support local insurance companies in the Middle East, Asta said.

The MGA will be under the leadership of Michael Rafter as chief executive officer and will have an office in the Dubai International Finance Centre led by Hajar Fadel as senior executive officer. (See below for their biographies.)

They will be joined on the board by former AIG president and former CEO of Oman Insurance Co., Patrick Choffel, with Astas CEO Julian Tighe and director of underwriting Simon Norton on the board to represent Astas investment interests in the business.

Arma will actively contribute to the continued development of reinsurance capability in the Middle East, said Tighe. Asta is committed to supporting innovative MGAs like Arma as they develop new lines of business not currently seen by the market.

Tighe explained that Asta provides business and regulatory support, combined with investment, for start-up MGAs. The success of our efforts so far is driving a very healthy pipeline of interest from successful underwriting teams, keen to set up their own insurance enterprise.

We are committed to the development of the reinsurance market in the region, and we will quickly be adding real value to our brokers and insurer clients, said Armas CEO Rafter. Astas investment in us and the high-quality infrastructure they have put around our business, is allowing us to focus our energies on the development of our underwriting operations and the needs of our clients.

Biographies

Michael Rafter, chief executive officer, Arma, has more than 26 years of experience covering various senior roles across the globe, with the past 11 years based in the UAE. He formerly was head of general insurance at Oman Insurance Co. He spent much of his career underwriting in the Middle East and other emerging markets, having previously held senior roles at AIG. His career has spanned all aspects of commercial and consumer lines through general management, underwriting, brokerage and reinsurance.

Hajar Fadel, senior executive officer, Arma, was previously a senior executive vice president at Oman Insurance Co., with a proven track record of managing partnerships with multinational insurers across lines of business, said Asta. Prior to that, Fadel was an affiliate with McKinsey & Co.s insurance practice across Europe and the Middle East.

Source: Asta

Topics Underwriting Reinsurance Insurance Wholesale London
A jury has awarded $5 million to a man who was injured during a food truck explosion at a northern Michigan festival.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports Gary Leonard was burned on nearly half his body following the June 8, 2013 explosion, which happened after he struck a lighter inside the truck at the Leelanau Peninsula Wine, Food & Music Festival.

Leelanau County jurors last week ruled in his favor. His attorney Paul Janes said the trial focused on mechanical faults in the food truck, which was owned by Leonards sister. The lawsuit said propane cylinders installed in 2008 werent properly maintained.

An insurance company had disputed a claim for medical costs. Scott Fanzini, who represented the defendants, says the award was a disappointment and theyre exploring all options.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Michigan
Republican lawmakers expect that their Obamacare replacement will result in fewer Americans covered by health insurance, a fact thats likely to increase blowback amid growing support for the program.

New details of the plan are beginning to emerge, described by lawmakers and their aides. While still being worked out, it would do away with the Affordable Care Acts requirement that all Americans have health coverage or pay a fine, and replace it with rules that let people choose not to buy insurance, instead paying higher premiums or penalties if they need it later. The result would be fewer people covered, said Republican lawmakers.

Not everybody is going to have health care  some people just dont care enough about their own care, Representative Dennis Ross of Florida, a senior member of House Republicans vote-counting team, said in an interview Wednesday. He said Republicans can provide people access to affordable insurance plans, but whether they take it or not is like trying to legislate responsibility.

The plan was described by Republicans in interviews and by aides to lawmakers who spoke of condition of anonymity because its not yet public. Parts of it are also contained in an outline distributed last week, some based on House Speaker Paul Ryans Better Way program.

Republican Details

While the Republican plan would provide tax credits to help people buy insurance, similar to Obamacare, those subsidies would be based on age rather than income. That means poorer people wouldnt get additional money to help them afford insurance, potentially putting coverage out of financial reach. Republicans have also threatened to roll back an expansion of Medicaid. About 10 million people are covered in Obamacares individual insurance markets, and about 12 million have coverage through the Medicaid expansion.

Fewer people covered under a GOP plan also contradicts what President Donald Trump has promised.

Were going to have insurance for everybody, Trump said in a Jan. 14 interview with the Washington Post. There was a philosophy in some circles that if you cant pay for it, you dont get it, Trump told the newspaper. Thats not going to happen with us.

Rising Support for Law

The GOP repeal plans have galvanized supporters of the law. At town halls held this week around the country by Republican lawmakers, theyve been questioned and heckled by citizens demanding they back down from their repeal plans. Two new polls also show support of the law growing: a Pew Research Center survey conducted from Feb. 7-12 found that 54 percent of Americans surveyed approve of the law, the highest mark recorded by the survey. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Friday found that 48 percent of people support the ACA, and 43 percent disapprove  the widest margin of support since 2010.

On Friday, Trump called Obamacare a failed health-care law that threatens our medical system. An absolute and utter catastrophe. He was speaking at CPAC, a conservative political gathering in Washington, where he again promised to repeal and replace the law.

Executives from U.S. health insurers will meet on Monday with Trump at the White House to discuss changes to the law, a person familiar with the matter said Friday.

Less Insurance, More Liberty

One Republican painted a drop in insurance coverage as a positive, if it was the result of ending Obamacare policies such as the insurance requirement that conservatives oppose.

Were not going to send an IRS agent out to chase you down and make you buy health insurance, said Representative Michael Burgess, a Texas Republican whos a medical doctor and head of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health. If the numbers drop, I would say thats a good thing, because weve restored personal liberty in this country.

Under Obamacare, insurers cant charge people who are sick higher premiums, or deny them coverage. Under the GOP replacement plan, insurers would be allowed to charge more to anyone  whether healthy, or with a pre-existing medical conditions  who had a gap in their health insurance coverage. Thats designed to create a strong financial incentive for people to buy and keep health insurance, without formally requiring them to do so.

Access Versus Coverage

At the core of the Republican argument in favor of their plan is that it will expand access to insurance for those who want it, rather than expanding total coverage by forcing people to. The requirements for repealing the ACA mean its not possible to keep the same number of people covered, said Representative Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican.

You cant do that, Franks said in an interview.

For the Republican plan to work, it needs to make sure tax subsidies get people to buy insurance who wouldnt otherwise, said Rebecca Owen, a health research actuary with the Society of Actuaries.

A perfect system encourages everyone to buy an insurance package, said Owen. It would not be a good thing to go back to the days of a large proportion of our population not having insurance.

Doubts All Around

And there are doubts among Republicans about the plan, and whether it can gain enough support in their own party. Its a far cry from a conservative plan, Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said on Wednesday. He said there remains no consensus among Republicans that this is the way forward, and few details such as what the law will cost.

When Democrats passed Obamacare in 2010, the coverage requirement was meant to force younger, healthier people into the system to subsidize the older and sicker. Penalties for not having coverage were light, however. A family that went without coverage in 2015 would have paid a fine of $975  more for wealthier families. Insurers have said they need a policy that achieves a similar effect as a mandate.

Republicans have yet to introduce a formal bill in the House or Senate, and the timeline to act has been pushed back repeatedly from promises made during the 2016 elections that a repeal and replace package would be ready during the first days of the new administration. Trump said Wednesday that there would be a White House health plan by early- or mid-March.

Congressional Plans

Were working hard on legislation to deliver relief from Obamacares skyrocketing costs and dwindling choices; restore state control; strengthen Americans access to care; and reinvigorate the free market in health care, said Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Brady said the House will move forward with legislation in March.

There are doubters that Republicans will succeed with repeal, or if they do, that it will significantly change the existing law. Former Speaker of the House John Boehner, who led the fight against Obamacare until stepping down in 2015, predicted at a health industry gathering in Florida Thursday that changes would be modest.

Theyll fix the flaws and put a more conservative box around it, Boehner said. The framework is going to stay there.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Legislation Politics
An oil industry services company will pay $9.5 million in penalties for Gulf of Mexico safety violations and for pollution from a 2012 offshore platform fire that killed three workers.

The penalties against Houston-based Wood Group PSN were announced on Feb. 23 by the U.S. Justice Department in Washington and U.S. attorneys in New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana, where civil and criminal cases have been playing out. The penalties followed plea agreements.

Wood Group will pay $7 million for falsely reporting that safety inspections were performed on Gulf of Mexico facilities over several years. Another $1.8 million in penalties are for discharging oil into the gulf in the November 2012 explosion that killed three workers on a platform owned by Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations LLC.

Wood Group also will pay $700,000 for community service projects.

We deeply regret these incidents occurred and we cooperated fully with the government and relevant regulatory bodies throughout both investigations, Wood Group said in an emailed statement.

A 2013 report by federal regulators identified a string of safety lapses that led to the blast, which killed Ellroy Corporal, Jerome Malagapo and Avelino Tajonera.

Black Elk Energys platform was about 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Grand Isle, Louisiana, in about 52 feet (15 meters) of water. It had been shut in and wasnt producing oil at the time of the explosion. Workers were on the platform preparing to resume production. On the morning of Nov. 16, 2012, a worker ignited oil vapors while welding pipe, triggering a chain reaction that caused oil tanks to explode.

In 2015, a grand jury indicted Black Elk, Wood Group, Grand Isle Shipyards and some of the people who worked on the platform on a variety of charges. A judge threw out some of the most serious charges last April but prosecutors appeals of that decision are pending.

Black Elk and Grand Isle Shipyards remain charged with manslaughter. Black Elk also faces charges involving regulatory violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Energy Oil Gas
State fire officials say a drone being operated near a wildfire southwest of Fort Worth hampered firefighting efforts by forcing aircraft carrying retardant to be grounded.

The Texas A&M Forest Service says two air tankers were grounded on Feb. 23 in Erath County when the drone appeared at the wildfires perimeter.

Officials say one aircraft had dropped retardant on flames and the second plane was following to drop as well when the drone flew into its path, nearly causing a collision.

The forest service responded to 10 separate fires in Texas on Feb. 23 covering more than 7,000 acres.

Authorities in other states have reported similar problems with drones.

For instance, aircraft fighting two fires in 2015 in Californias San Bernardino National Forest were forced to land when unauthorized drones disrupted operations.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Wildfire
An intentionally set fire damaged a prayer hall at a Tampa-area mosque early Friday, investigators said.

The arson occurred at the Islamic Society of New Tampa, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said in a news release.

Fire investigators responded at around 2 a.m. After gathering evidence, they determined the fire was intentionally set. No one was at the mosque when the fire started.

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.

An alarm company notified a mosque board member early Friday, and he found first responders there when he arrived, CAIR said.

Investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives also responded, the group said. The ATF confirmed its agents were there but said the local fire department was leading the investigation.

CAIR said the fire started at a door to the prayer hall. There was damage to the door and carpet inside from sprinkler water and smoke.

Authorities said holes were found in the door but determined they were not made by bullets, as some had initially feared.

Morning prayers were moved to another building. Afternoon prayers may be canceled due to the damage to the hall, local news media reported.

Worshippers were directed to other mosques in the area until the building is repaired.

The blaze was at least the second intentionally set fire at a Florida mosque in the past six months. Joseph Schreiber was sentenced to 30 years in prison earlier this month for setting fire to the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce on Sept. 11. It was the same mosque that the Orlando nightclub shooter attended occasionally.

Mustafa Ameen, the Islamic Society of New Tampas lawyer and spokesman, said this is the first time a fire has been intentionally set at the mosque. He said theyre awaiting the outcome of the investigation to better understand the motive, but have been boosted by community support.

We appreciate the entire community standing in solidarity with us, he said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida
Updated earthquake concerns for Mossyrock Dam, the tallest structure of its kind in Washington, have prompted Tacoma Power to commit to a new, reduced water level at Riffe Lake that will likely stretch well into the next decade.

The Chronicle reported the lower water level will be employed during the spring and summer months when mountain snow runoff is typically allowed to fill the reservoir.

By keeping less water behind the dam, Tacoma Power hopes to alleviate risks that might exist to downstream communities should an earthquake of at least 7.5 magnitude strike close to the dam.

The fear is that the upstream piers that direct water through the spillway could become damaged, or even break off, during a strong quake. That scenario would disable the typical spillway function and allow the lake to rapidly drain.

Representatives from Tacoma Power said that only the 65-feet tall, 90-feet long spillway piers are believed to be at risk during the projected earthquake event. Tacoma Power says there is no risk to the integrity of the main arched concrete dam structure, and noted that no dam of its kind has ever failed due to earthquake activity.

If a full capacity Riffe Lake reservoir were to drain through a damaged spillway, a flow of 230,000 cubic feet per second would inundate communities downstream.

Tacoma Power representatives said communities from at least Toledo to Longview would be affected. They referred to that worst case scenario as a regional flooding event. By maintaining a lower lake level, officials believe that even a complete failure of the spillway function would lead to a release of water that would not cause substantial flooding issues along either the Cowlitz or lower Columbia rivers.

Pat McCarty, generation manager for Tacoma Power, said there is no imminent danger and that the summer water level reduction is being done as a precaution for public safety.

He also said Tacoma Powers announcement has no connection to the situation at Californias Oroville Dam, where authorities ordered a large evacuation last week.

This is 100 percent about public safety. Frankly, the risk we are talking about is very slim but that was not a risk we were willing to take, McCarty said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Washington Earthquake
California Gov. Jerry Brown is calling for a boost in spending on water and transportation infrastructure as the waterlogged state grapples with an emergency dam repair, frantic levee fixes and catastrophic road damage caused by storms.

The Democratic governor redirected $50 million from the general fund for emergency response to flooding and asked state lawmakers to speed up $387 million in flood-control spending from a 2014 voter-approved water bond.

But his plan would address just a fraction of the $187 billion in unmet water and transportation infrastructure needs he identified. Brown said he didnt have the full answer on how exactly the state would generate enough money to shore up infrastructure but suggested tax increases would likely be needed.

Despite what you hear from many conservatives, there has to be a very healthy public expenditure based on taxes, Brown said.

The governor 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 following five years of drought.

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 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.

The governor deflected blame from himself and the Department of Water Resources for failing water infrastructure in the state, particularly the Oroville Dam, where two damaged spillways threatened massive flooding and caused an urgent evacuation.

This is the way the world works, Brown said. If we want to guard against any problem 100 percent, youd have to quadruple the spending, and that wouldnt make any sense.

He downplayed the significance of concerns that environmental groups raised more than a decade ago about the safety of the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam. In 2005, three advocacy groups filed a motion with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that warned using the emergency spillway could cause significant erosion.

I dont think thats very significant that an environmental group filed something, he said, noting that the state can never completely eliminate risks associated with infrastructure like the dams massive earthen spillway.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Flood Pollution
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A few simple tax tips of record-keeping, investing, and reporting can apply to most investors and can help you save money.

Reinvest Dividends

Investors can limit capital gains on the sale of mutual fund shares by automatically reinvesting dividends in the fund. Reinvested dividends increase your investment in a fund, effectively reducing your taxable gain (or increasing your capital loss).

Say you originally invested $5,000 in a mutual fund and had $1,000 in dividends reinvested in additional shares over the years. If you then sold your stake in the fund for $7,500, your taxable gain is $1,500 ($7,500 minus the original $5,000 investment and the $1,000 reinvested dividends). Many people forget to deduct their reinvested dividends and end up paying tax on a higher amount.

Key Takeaways Tips to help taxpayers save money include reinvesting dividends to reduce taxable gains or investing in tax-exempt municipal bonds.

Keep accurate records of your reinvested dividends, and review the rules applicable to your situation every tax season.

Capital losses can offset capital gains, lowering the tax obligation.

While the reduction in taxable income in this example may not seem like a big difference, failing to take advantage of this rule could cost you in the long run. By missing out on tax savings today, you lose the potential compounded growth those extra dollars would have earned in the future, and if you forget to consider reinvested dividends year after year, your tax-adjusted returns will suffer.

Keep accurate records of your reinvested dividends, and review the tax rules applicable to your situation every tax season.

Bonds

When the stock market performs badly, investors look elsewhere for places to put their money. Many find a haven in bonds, which often perform counter to equitiesand provide interest income to boot. The best part: You may not have to pay tax on all the interest you receive. If you bought the bond in-between interest payments (most bonds pay semiannually), you usually won't pay tax on the accrued interest prior to your purchase. You must still report the entire amount of interest you received, but you'll be able to subtract the accrued amount on a separate line.

Municipal bonds (aka munis) can also offer significant tax advantages. These bonds are often issued by state governments or local municipalities to finance a particular project, such as the construction of a school or a hospital or to meet specific operating expenses.

Most munis are issued with tax-exempt status, meaning the interest they generate does not need to be claimed when you file your tax return. Those that are highly rated, and thus low-risk, can be very attractive investments.

Reducing Taxes

Investors who invest in small business ventures or are self-employed can write off many operating expenses. For example, if you take business trips during the year that require you to obtain accommodations, the cost of your lodging and meals can be written off as a business expense within specified limits depending on where you travel. If you travel frequently, forgetting to include these types of seemingly personal expenses can forfeit a lot of tax savings.

For homeowners who moved and sold their home during the year, an important consideration when reporting the capital gain on the sale is the cost basis of the purchase. If your home underwent renovations or similar improvements with a useful life of more than one year, you can likely include the cost of the improvements into the adjusted cost basis of your home, reducing your capital gain incurred on the sale and the resulting taxes.

Tax-Deferred Programs

Every time you trade a stock, you are vulnerable to capital gains tax. Making your purchases through a tax-deferred account can save you a pile of money. Tax-deferred accounts come in many shapes and sizes. Individual retirement accounts (IRA) and simplified employment pension (SEP) plans are two examples.

You are not taxed on the funds until you withdraw them, when the money will be taxed as income. Presumably, at that time your tax rate will be lower than now because you'll be retired with little or no earned income.

Tax-deferred accounts provide an additional benefit of flexibility; investors need not be concerned with the usual tax implications when making trade decisions. Provided you keep your funds inside the tax-deferred account, you have the freedom to close out of positions early if they experience strong price appreciation, without regard to the higher tax rate applied to short-term capital gains.

Match Profits/Losses

In many cases, it is a good idea to match the sale of a profitable investment with the sale of a losing one within the same year. Capital losses can be used against capital gains, and short-term losses can be deducted from short-term gains. Also, if you have a particularly bad year, you can carry $3,000 of your loss over to future years.

So-called paper gains and losses do not count since there is no guarantee that your investments will not change in value before you close out your position.

Capital gains and losses are only applied to your tax return when realized.

Add Broker Fees to Stock Costs

Buying stocks isn't free. You always pay commissions and may also pay transfer fees if you change brokerages. The Internal Revenue Service does not allow you to write off transactions fees, such as brokerage fees and commissions, when you buy or sell stocks. But these expenses should be added to the amount you paid for a stock when determining your cost basis.

Think of these costs as write-offs because they are direct expenses incurred to help your money grow. After all, brokerage fees and transaction costs represent money that comes directly out of your pocket as an expense incurred while undertaking an investment. Many small brokerage fees incurred over a year can add up.

Hold on to Your Stocks

Short-term capital gains (less than one year) are taxed as ordinary income, a higher rate than the capital gains rate that applies to long-term gains. For example, the capital gains rate is no higher than 15%, while the top marginal tax rate for ordinary income is 37%. When you consider the long-term effects of compounding on the money you save on your taxes today, it can prove beneficial to hold onto stocks for at least one year.

The Bottom Line

Many investors are eager to learn about the next investment opportunity for market-beating returns, but few put in the same effort to minimize taxes. Part of a successful financial plan is astute tax management. This tax season, ensure you're doing all you can to keep your money. And talk to a tax planner: The savings you uncover may make a healthy boost to your annual return.
People approaching retirement age with little in savings may have a bumpy road ahead. But certain steps can build a nest egg as rapidly as possible to ensure at least some money will be there for support in retirement.

1. Fully Fund Your 401(k)

An employee in this age category who is offered a 401(k) at work should consider funding it to the maximum amount. To provide you with a sense of how powerful maxing out a 401(k) can be, consider the following:

An individual who is 40 years old and who contributes $17,500 annually to a 401(k) could accumulate more than $1.3 million in savings by age 65. This assumes an 8% return and no employer contributionssee the figure below. Note the annual contribution limit for 401(k)s is $19,500 per year for 2021 and $20,500 for 2022.

That's a powerful savings tool, and it's evidence that workers nearing retirement should seriously consider funding their 401(k)s as soon and as much as possible.

Note that the total allowed catch-up contribution for those 50 and older is $6,500 per year for 2021 and 2022, for a total of $26,000 for 2021, and $27,000 for 2022.

"Factoring in no growth at all, if you can sock away $24,000 a year from age 50 to age 60 (11 years), thats $264,000 more saved for even the earliest unpenalized retiree. An extra $250,000-plus saved prior to retiring can make or break an income-producing portfolio lasting throughout retirement," says Martin A. Federici, Jr., AAMS, MF Advisers, Inc., Dallas, Pennsylvania.

Image by Sabrina Jiang  Investopedia 2020

2. Contribute to a Roth IRA

Roth IRAs offer investors a great way to save and grow money on a tax-deferred basis. There are some income limitations. For 2021, if you are single and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is $125,000 ($129,000 for 2022) or more a year, your contribution limit is reduced. If you are single and your MAGI is $140,000 or more for 2021 ($144,000 for 2022) you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. For married folks filing jointly, there are contribution limitations for those with MAGI of $198,000 for 2021 ($204,000 for 2022). And at or above $208,000 for 2021 ($214,000 for 2022), the contribution limit is nil.

How much can one potentially sock away with a Roth? Consider the following example:

A 40-year-old who invests $6,000 each year and obtains an annual rate of return of 8% has the potential to accumulate more than $473,726 by age 65. Even a person who waits until age 50 and starts saving $6,500 per year (using the same return assumptions) can save as much as $190,000 by age 65.

Note that the yearly contribution limits for IRAfor both traditional and Roth versionsis $6,000 for years 2021 and 2022. The catch-up contribution for those 50 years old and older is $1,000.

According to Michelle Buonincontri, CFP, CDFA, Being Mindful in Divorce, Scottsdale, Arizona:

Maximizing your Roth IRA contributions and utilizing Roth conversions when appropriate can really make sense. A Roth account allows for tax-free compounding, and when withdrawal rules are followed, the withdrawals, including the earnings, will be tax-free. This really creates an opportunity for tax planning later to minimize taxable income when you are in the withdrawal phase, and that can add up and help make your money last longer in retirement.

A fully funded Roth IRA and 401(k) can help to rapidly build retirement assets.

3. Consider Home Equity

While a home should not usually be considered a primary source of retirement income, it can provide liquidity during retirement. To that end, older individuals might consider borrowing against the equity in their homes in order to fund living expenses. "A large portion of the population has most of their wealth tied up in real estate properties. This can be used in many ways to fund retirement. You can use a home equity line (HELOC) to draw from when needed, or you could sell, downsize, and live off the equity.

Whatever you choose, it is important to consider the impact on your monthly income. People are living longer than decades ago, so it is important to make sure you can have a sustainable income for many years to come," says Kirk Chisholm, wealth manager at Innovative Advisory Group in Lexington, Massachusetts.

A reverse mortgage may make sense because lending institutions may shorten repayment periods and increase repayment amounts for older borrowers. Selling a primary residence outright and moving to a smaller and less costly home may also make sense for older individuals. In many cases, they no longer need a big house, as children are usually off on their own.

However, selling a home should not be taken lightly. After all, in many instances, it takes the homeowner 30 years to accumulate full equity ownership in the house. Therefore, it would be a shame not to obtain the largest amount possible from a sale.

That said, individuals should consider current market conditions and whether it is the most advantageous time to sell. Naturally, homeowners should also consider any tax consequences. Married homeowners who file a joint tax return can generate profits of up to $500,000 without owing federal tax on capital gains. For single individuals, the limit is $250,000.

This is assuming that you meet certain requirements: The home being sold must be your primary residence, and you must not have benefited from the capital gains exclusion on another home during the past two years. Additional requirements are explained in IRS Publication 523, available from the IRS.

Finally, if you're not just moving to a smaller place in your own neighborhood, factor in the cost of living in the area you might be relocating to before making the decision. In other words, it's wise to make sure that real estate prices and the cost of everyday items like groceries are generally lower than where you live now.

4. Take Your Deductions

It's important to note that standard deductions aren't for everyone. In fact, if you have a large amount of mortgage interest, deductible taxes, business-related expenses that weren't reimbursed by your company, and/or charitable donations, it probably makes sense to itemize your deductions.

Sit down with a CPA and go over your personal situation to determine whether it makes sense to itemize. Then get in the habit of saving receipts and keeping good records. Remember, in the end, it's not always what you make, but what you save that countsparticularly as you get closer to retirement.

5. Tap Into Cash Value Policies

While tapping an insurance policy for its cash should be considered a last resort, if the original need for the insurance is no longer there, it may make sense to cash out. However, before ever canceling any policy or accessing its cash value, you should first consult a tax advisor and an insurance professional to review your individual needs.

6. Get Disability Coverage

Don't forget to either obtain disability coverage or make certain that your job offers some sort of group disability benefit. The idea behind obtaining such coverage is simple: to protect yourself and at least a portion of your income and nest egg just in case the worst should happen.

Your chances of becoming disabled depend on your career and your lifestyle, but according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2019, approximately 40.7 million Americans report some level of disability. That's a substantial number12.7% of "the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population," according to the report. It means that in order to protect your income and improve the chances that you will retire with some form of a nest egg, it makes sense to at least consider some form of disability coverage.

"Disability insurance is important to protect your savings," says Elyse Foster, CFP, Harbor Financial Group, Inc., Boulder, Colo. "Contact your employer or professional association for the most cost-effective options."

The Bottom Line

Individuals in their 40s and 50s who have done little or no retirement planning are certainly at something of a disadvantage. However, with the proper planning and a willingness to save and invest, the odds are not insurmountable.
Mobile World Congress has taken over Barcelona, Spain for its annual glut of technology news, and AT&T isnt missing a beat.

In the first big announcement of the show, AT&T and Current, powered by GE, have entered into an exclusive agreement to connect cities across the United States and Mexico to the Internet of Things (IoT). Together, the companies said they plan to unlock a realm of possibilities to improve the way cities operate, communicate and meet the needs of citizens.

Since launching its Smart Cities organization in 2015, AT&T has been using its resources and IoT expertise to deploy solutions and, with its smart cities framework as the foundation, the company has been helping cities develop and implement a holistic smart cities strategy to address current and future needs. The agreement with Current will extend AT&Ts smart city services, and open new revenue opportunities for the company. By introducing GEs Predix-powered IoT platform, AT&T can use outdoor LED lighting in a city to create a digital infrastructure that helps address issues like traffic flow and parking optimization, gunshot detection on city streets, air quality monitoring and weather emergency alerts.

Intelligent lighting plays a huge role in a smart city, said Chris Penrose, president, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. Our collaboration with Current will enable us to use a citys existing lighting infrastructure to more securely connect sensor-enabled networks. This will put them on the path to becoming a smarter, more sustainable city.

In Ireland, the company has announced a new initiative to work with Dublin City and IDA Ireland to work together on next-generation smart cities solutions. The initiative reportedly will foster an open dialogue of IoT best practices with Ireland and Dublin, which is shaping up to make itself a leading global IoT location.

IoT solutions are already generating a measurable value for businesses. And around the world, more cities are realizing the impact IoT solutions can have on making their communities more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable, said Mike Zeto, general manager, AT&T Smart Cities. As an IoT and smart cities leader, were excited to lend our passion, expertise and insights to help Dublin create a more connected city that will have lasting benefits for current and future generations.

As part of this agreement, AT&T will also explore opportunities to work with local organizations on IoT-related development projects, including Dublins Docklands IoT project.

Being smarter will be a defining characteristic of tomorrows leading cities. Dublin has the key ingredients and is exploiting them to be at the forefront of smart city developments leveraging our unique cluster of global technology companies, thriving start-ups and research centers, said Owen Keegan, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council is delighted to collaborate with AT&T, one of the world's leading technology companies, to explore future smart city innovations.

In other global news, AT&T, KPN in the Netherlands, KDDI and NTT DOCOMO in Japan, Orange across 29 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Telefonica across Europe, Telstra in Australia, TELUS in Canada and Verizon in the U.S. joined forces to confirm support for the global deployment of LTE-M at the Mobile World Congress.

These operators have stated the goal of working to ensure that LTE-M supports roaming and standards-based local service delivery so that both enterprise and customer-oriented IoT objects, such as trackers or wearables, can be designed for worldwide markets. The supporting operators are engaging in several activities including pilots, IoT Open Labs and launches of starter kits to support and accelerate the ecosystem of modules and objects.

And finally, for today, in China, AT&T and China Mobile have agreed to work together to further enable the Internet of Things (IoT), according to an announcement. The deal is designed to help AT&T global business customers connect and deploy their assets and offerings in the Chinese market.

China is one of the fastest growing markets. It holds incredible opportunity for our global business customers, said Chris Penrose, President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. Working with China Mobile means we can further develop that opportunity. This makes it an even more exciting time to be in the IoT.

The two companies reportedly are developing a new tech platform that will seamlessly move a business customers AT&T IoT subscription over to China Mobiles local service, in order to simplify the supply chain for customers expanding in China.

We look forward to helping AT&T business customers bring their connected solutions to our market, said Li Feng, Chairman & CEO, China Mobile International. We believe this will help unlock new options and experiences for our customers while achieving one of our core goals  increasing the number of connected devices on our network.

Edited by Alicia Young
Irish hopeful Ruth Negga missed out on an Oscar for her performance in Loving after La La Land's Emma Stone came out on top in the Best Actress category.

The Irish star Negga, wearing a red Valentino dress, was sporting an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ribbon as she posed for photographs outside the Dolby Theatre before the ceremony.
Irish Hotels Federation president Joe Dolan said a majority of its members cited runaway insurance costs as their greatest worry and want reforms to the way courts assess injuries.

We have no issue whatsoever with genuine accidents where guests are rightly compensated. However, the vast majority of claims in the hotel sector concern minor injuries and the higher compensation payouts recommended by the updated Book of Quantum are putting pressure on insurers to increase the reserves, Mr Dolan said.

The IHF estimates insurance costs cost the industry 42m a year, equivalent to 730 a room.

Mr Dolan, who was speaking ahead of the start of IHF annual gathering, said that the industry had tapped a record year in tourism numbers.

However, hoteliers outside the big cities will likely face the challenge of having fewer British tourists because of the slump in the value of sterling since last summer.

The IHF estimates that the industry provided a significant contribution to the economic recovery, helping to spread prosperity beyond urban areas.

It said over 8.8m visits in 2016 helped generate a total of 8.25bn in revenues and created 13,000 new jobs.

Occupancy rates on average rose to 72%, marking the highest level for 11 years.

The IHF said, however, that Brexit will have effects in areas that can least afford it.

The impact of sterlings collapse in our largest market, which accounts for 40% of our overseas visitors, has and continues to be a significant concern, chief executive Tim Fenn said.

The real impact of a potential deterioration in this market will tell a new story, we believe, in 2017 as advance bookings made pre-Brexit sustained this market in 2016. Deterioration in our GB visitors will hit our rural tourism hardest as this is the one market that does travel outside our city and tourist hotspots.
The timing of any IPO and the price that investors will be prepared to pay for a 25% stake in the bank loom large as AIB releases its full-year earnings this week.

Minister Noonan in late January surprised many watchers when he said that if market conditions allow that early summer was the first window of opportunity for the return of a chunk of AIB to private hands.

The Government has long eyed a sale.

As the economic recovery took hold, the aim was to test the market as a way of securing as much as possible of the billions taxpayers injected into the banks during the crisis.

The surprise Brexit vote last summer added a layer of complexity and the near meltdown in European banking markets scuppered any plans for an early sale.

Now somewhat ironically, the election of president Donald Trump, who has pledged to reflate the US economy, has since boosted bank valuations in the US and Europe.

Government advisers will have to assess whether they will get close to a valuation of between 2.5bn and 3bn in a sale for a quarter of the bank.

Much less attention has been paid to the state of the loan books  which one way or another decides the valuations of all banks.

Almost 10 years from the onset of the crisis, the Irish lenders carry some of the highest levels non-performing loans in Europe.

Critics point out that reducing bad loans is the only way that banks can open credit to help firms and households.

No coincidence, the critics say, that Irish SMEs and home borrowers pay the highest costs for their loans.
Jawdropping political upheaval on both sides of the Atlantic has created unprecedented levels of uncertainty. Businesses involved in international trade are accustomed to a baseline level of uncertainty and relative anonymity.

Were not just talking about major events with global ramifications, such as volcanic ash clouds, or tsunamis. There are also micro-disruptions in supply chains every day, such as port strikes, that force exporters and importers to be on their toes at all times.

Yet, this year is particularly taxing. Firms face uncertainty about trade agreements, taxes, and tariffs, as well as the threat of public naming and shaming of corporations who follow their normal free-trade rights, but offend the Trump administrations America First mantra.

This is particularly worrying for Ireland, as the US is our largest export market taking 30bn of our manufactured goods last year. The US protectionist rhetoric will also be worrying for the 150,000 employees in US corporations based here. With Brexit, the fear is that a volatile UK market will slow Irelands exports to our second largest market, and extensively damage our agri-food trade.

Of particular concern is the higher costs resulting from increased duties and taxes, and the impact on Irelands competitiveness.

Increased duties and taxes mean an increase in the cost of goods sold. This, in turn, will require manufacturers to either increase prices (which will ultimately be felt in the consumers wallet) or see their profit margins squeezed. Neither is ideal.

Irelands commercial interests are not served well by increasing import tariffs and hollowed-out trade agreements.

Having operated under the established regulatory burden of multilateral trade agreements, put together over many decades by the World Trade Organisation, the idea of scrapping existing programmes and developing new processes to support bilateral agreements incites deep anxiety among exporters and importers alike.

Taxing specific countries, such as China and Mexico, may also result in retaliatory trade practices that will impact on the originator countries, their economies and the companies sourcing from them. Reviewing 2017, the World Bank, the IMF and the OECD forecast global economic growth of 3%. The two key risk factors driving their outlook are Brexit and president Trump. For the US, all are forecasting a major jump in economic activity driven by the Trump administrations promised stimulus package and lower corporation tax. An expanding US economy, and with it a stronger dollar, would be good news for Irelands exporters focused on the US.

However, all the international bodies are forecasting a slowdown in the growth of the UK economy in 2017. In the short term, the large-scale uncertainty created by Brexit is expected to impact export demand through the exchange rate as well as through consumer and business confidence.

About 30% of all employment here is in sectors that are heavily related to UK exports particularly SMEs in the agri-food and tourism sectors which are likely to feel the brunt of any negative shocks to trade. A fall in export sales of 500m to the UK is a conservative forecast of the impact of the continued weak sterling and falling UK economic activity in the year.

The forecast by the Economic and Social Research Institute for 5% growth in exports of goods and services seems a good one, as long as the Trump administration doesnt create a major trade war. Hopefully, the checks and balances of the US political system will see off his bluster.
Explain to us what you do?

I suppose Plusvital would consider ourselves an Irish equine science company. First and foremost were Irish and very proud of that. When we go around the world its a great place to be. As an Irish company we have great standing in the racing regions around the world because we focus on horses.

We do a range of products and services for horses, primarily supplements now but also genetic products. We really believe if we focus on products that are based on science and good research it will benefit our clients.

Plusvital was setup in 1975, so weve been around for 40 years. We focused on equine supplements, but in 2015 we acquired a company called Equinome. Equinome has developed thoroughbred genetic testing service, most famously the speed gene test. Since then the combined companies have been growing well in all the regions.

Why take over Equinome?

You have to go back to 1975 to get the answer to that one.

The original founder of the company, Denis OBrien, had an innovative idea that horses would require supplementation. The story goes that as he went around with his product, which was racing syrup, to all the trainers they pretty much all told him the horse supplementation wouldnt take off.

By the time you fast forward 40 years later and supplementation is pretty much ubiquitous throughout the industry both on the racing side and the sports side. We were looking around and wondering how do we push the company on again in a way that would allow having that edge over the competition.

We figured out that supplements werent going to take us where we wanted to go fast enough. So we looked around and found Equinome. Equinome had been set up in 2009 by Dr Emmeline Hill from UCD and she had found ground-breaking research around the speed gene in thoroughbred horses. They developed tests that could show what the optimum race distance of flat horses was going to be.

It was similar to our story and we had started out. It was a brand new product on the market and they began to carve out a niche for themselves.

The initial feedback from people was that it was a novelty, it would ever catch on. They had just come out of their five-year startup cycle and so they too were looking at how they could push on and make the company bigger. It was a good fit for both companies. Now we dont see ourselves as a supplement company, we see ourselves as an equine science company. We have some incredibly smart people here who are always looking for the connections between nutrition and genetics.

Isnt this all about creating the one percent or the half percent difference between winning and losing?

Thats absolutely it, no different than in any sport. Its all about finding the edge.

There was actually a study out recently by a university in the UK that talked about that idea of the percent. It measured a huge amount of races within the UK and Ireland and found the average difference between first and second was just 0.32%. Thats the difference between winning and coming second and that can have a huge effect on prestige, financial rewards, success for the trainer and success for the owner.

At the elite end of every sport what youre trying to do is find that edge, no matter how minuscule, that is going to put you past the winning post first or help drive over the try line from inches away. Thats what makes the best trainers or the best teams. That they have been able to eke out every last drop of performance out of them. That is simply what we do. We can provide the key information or the key nutritional attributes which make the difference in a sport of tight margins. We have been successful in doing that so far.

Has acquiring Equinome allowed you to work closer with clients?

Thats exactly what it is. Jim Bolger, the racehorse trainer, was one of the shareholders in Equinome and continues to be an advocate for genetic testing in the industry. He talks about testing the horses when they are a couple of days old and at that stage he can already tell you what the optimum race distance of the horse is going to be.

Remember thats all before hes seen it run and or do anything like that. Previously what would have happened would have been guesswork based upon pedigree. You can test everything from the horses optimum race distance to its chances of making the race track.

Thirty percent of thoroughbred foals dont even make it to the race track, so thats an important thing to know.

This field of research is only going to get bigger, quicker and faster. We are best placed to take advantage of the changes in technology and how they reflect on the industry. Its funny because you sit down and make five-year plans for your business, but technology and research are advancing so quickly that those plans become obsolete over the course of a year. To respond to that you have to constantly reassess what is changing and how we can make it work for us.

What is your business model in this quick-changing industry?

Well, there is two main revenue streams for us.

One is, of course, the supplements and getting them out to market. We have exclusive distribution deals in countries around the world. I just got a flight from the Middle East where I had a meeting with one.

We need people who speak the language and know the right people to talk to. The speed test is important as well.

Right now we are mainly dealing with thoroughbred horses, but there is an opportunity to open that up in the future to the veterinary industry as well.

The pace of change within the technology side of the industry means the costs of testing is always coming down. So, at some, well have to start moving into different streams.

There is a whole other side to industry as well in sports horses too. I think that well also be supplying information and data. We have a number of research programs running at the moment centred around health traits and if we deliver on them, we can be information suppliers as well. If we can tell trainers and owners that a certain horse is at risk of getting X, then they are going to ask what can be done about. Its one thing to be able to supply data, its another thing entirely to bring a solution to them as well.
THE local authority official from Ballaghaderreen wrote to the Department of Agriculture to advise that regional councillors had voted to call for a ban on the use of a controversial chemical, but what he got back was a lecture on semantics.

Denis Kelly, acting director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, fell foul of the departments linguistic police by using the term weedkiller in his letter.

Your note refers to the term weed killer which is not an accurate or indeed a helpful descriptor of the type of PPP [plant protection product], came the reply.

In fact the term only invokes an immediate negative and emotive response. Consequently, we refer to such products as desiccants and/or herbicides which merely mean that they are used to eradicate or destroy unwanted vegetation.

So that was Mr Kelly put in his place. Whatever about the ban on the use of the chemical, he was banned from calling it a weedkiller.

Controversy

The plant protection product, desiccant, herbicide or, to be mischievous, weedkiller, in question was glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, one of the most familiar chemical sprays youll see in your local garden centre and one of the most commonly used by farmers around the world.

What this brief exchange of letters reveals is the level of sensitivity around it. Depending on who you talk to, its either a cancer-causing evil or the greatest, and safest, biochemical breakthrough since penicillin.

And its not just the usual suspects lining up on either side of the argument  organic growers versus traditional farmers, environmentalists versus big business. Two giants of public health are also at odds over it.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is one arm of the World Health Organisation, following a review of various studies, published findings in March 2015 that classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans.

However, in May 2015, other experts at the WHO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans.

The European Food Safety Authority backed this view in November 2015. There followed a lengthy and heated row between scientists on both sides, each attacking the research methodology of the other.

Review

In the meantime, glyphosate came up for its periodic licencing review with its authorisation for use in the EU due to expire at the end of June 2016.

The proposal on the table was that the authorisation be re-approved for a 15-year-period but the cancer studies row made some member states nervous  in particular heavyweights France and Germany.

A compromise proposal was put forward that approval would be granted for 18 months and meanwhile, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the EUs regulatory body, would be asked to undertake a review of glyphosate to see if it believed the IARCs concerns were justified.

That review, which included an element of public consultation, began last summer and is due to be completed by November of this year.

The move wasnt enough to secure a vote in favour of the extension, however. In early June, 20 member states, including Ireland, voted in support of the proposal but seven abstained and Malta voted against it.

An appeal vote followed on June 24 and again the necessary majority was not reached. That left it back with the European Commission to make a decision. If its authorisation was not extended by June 30, glyphosate was off the shelves.

Imagine the unfortunate official who would get the job of breaking the news to glyphosates manufacturers, foremost among them the international chemical giant, Monsanto.

So the commission approved a temporary extension, throwing glyphosate a lifeline for six months from the end of this year or six months from completion of the ECHA review, whichever is earlier, with recommendations for restrictions on its use in the interim.

Relief

A sigh of relief ran through the Department of Agriculture. Documents released under Freedom of Information show anxiety among officials and the farming sector at the thought of losing glyphosate.

At all stages leading up to the summer vote, Ireland was firm in backing the renewed authorisation  for 15 years as initially proposed, then for nine years, then seven and eventually 18 months as the commission tried to find a universally acceptable resolution.

In letters to various interest groups who wrote seeking guidance on the likely outcome of the deliberations, the department repeatedly stated its belief that glyphosate use was entirely safe.

In May, the frustration of a senior official in the pesticide control division with the perceived dithering and posturing by other member states was clear.

In an email to some of his like-minded counterparts abroad, he wrote: Maybe we have to lose glyphosate to bring some sense to the EU system, where sound bytes and NGOs hold more sway than scientific reason. Agriculture simply cannot survive without glyphosate.

A counterpart in the UK agreed, replying: When the supermarket shelves have large gaps and the price of food increases, we might begin to realise we have gone too far.

Conditions

The commissions decision to take the decision out of the hands of the member states  at least temporarily  put those fears on hold. But while extending the authorisation on glyphosate to the end of this year, the commission also added the following conditions on its use:

1. Glyphosate based products that also contained POE-tallowamine be banned. POE-tallowamine is a derivative from animal fat that, when used in conjunction with glyphosate, increases its effectiveness and so reduces the level of glyphosate required in the product.

According to the Department of Agriculture, products containing both substances POE-tallowamine are 20% cheaper than those based on glyphosate alone so its a popular additive but concerns about its toxicity have been growing.

2. Member states must pay particular attention to the protection of groundwater from contamination by glyphosate. Essentially, that meant restrictions on how close to groundwater sources spraying could take place.

3. Member states must pay particular attention to risks from using glyphosate in public parks and gardens, playgrounds, school grounds, healthcare facilities and sports and recreation grounds.

4. Member states must pay particular attention that the pre-harvest use of glyphosate on crops complies with good agricultural practices.

This was another case for the semantics police for it wasnt clear what pay particular attention to meant in practice. As one department official interpreted it, Ireland couldnt be forced to do anything but the nuance is that we take some regulatory action.

Ireland had no objection to the POE-tallowamine ban, but, as a department position paper put it: With regard to the other three proposals/restrictions, there is no scientific basis on which to act.

The groundwater issue was considered taken care of by existing domestic regulations so that wasnt deemed to require any additional regulatory action.

It was also felt that there were sufficient regulations governing the use of glyphosate in public areas so no further restrictions were considered necessary there either although it was intended to produce a decision support system to assist those in charge of maintaining such areas to carry out risk assessments and plan their spraying accordingly.

The fourth condition was different and requires a quick lesson in agricultural practices to understand.

Desiccation

Glyphosate is used by grain farmers  those growing the likes of wheat, oats, barley, oilseed rape and linseed - after a crop is harvested to clear fields of any weeds and other unwanted vegetation so that the land can be prepared for sowing crops for the next harvest. It is also used on standing crops for weed control. When used this way it is called a herbicide or weedkiller.

But it is also used pre-harvest when those crops are close to being ready for cutting. Then its called a desiccant but only the terminology changes because essentially it does the same job as when it is called a weedkiller.

It kills off the leafy and green parts of the plant and dries out the crop, hastening readiness for harvesting and ensuring all of the crop is ripe and ready at the same time. A combine harvester can cut a crop like this much quicker and straw baling is also faster because the stalks left behind are already dry.

Wet summers can play havoc with the process otherwise, delaying harvests, creating uneven harvests, or destroying the crop altogether.

As rain and summer go hand in hand here, glyphosate is the Irish farmers friend. A Department of Agriculture briefing document says, pre-harvest use of glyphosate on cereals as a desiccant and harvesting aid... is a significant use in Ireland.

Warnings

One farmer spelled it out clearly when he wrote to Agriculture Minister Michael Creed on behalf of 223 tillage farmers in the ministers Cork North-West constituency last May.

If we were to lose the use of this chemical it would surely spell the end for a sector that is already suffering from four years of low prices and high input costs, the farmer wrote.

Roundup as it is most commonly known is the most effective way of dealing with weeds such as sterile broom, Italian grass, canary grass and black grass.

The last weed in particular has decimated many tillage growing areas of the UK but thankfully is being kept in check in Ireland. Roundup is our only weapon to keeping this weed and others at bay. It is critically important that glyphosate is licenced again.

Barclay Chemicals, based in West Dublin, echoed that view in a letter in June. Barclay is very concerned with the current impasse regarding the renewal of glyphosate, the companys managing director wrote. Glyphosate is a vital tool for farmers leading to both economic and environmental benefits across the EU, he said, warning that restrictions on its use would have a significant negative impact on Barclay end users.

Pre-harvest uses of glyphosate for managing harvest are good agricultural practice where crops are harvested under adverse conditions, he continued.

Ireland and the UK reside in a temperate climate which can lead to uneven ripening and perennial grass weeds. This is not the case in drier climatic regions of the EU.

Barclay sincerely urges the minister to intervene and ensure that Ireland votes against such restrictions which are wholly disproportionate and unwarranted given the benign toxicological and environmental profile of glyphosate.

Voluntary ban

Not everyone associated with grain production is so enamoured, however. Some food producers, such as Flahavans, and some malsters who process barley for the drinks industry, do not accept crops that have been treated in any way with glyphosate  for weed control or desiccation.

Its a standard they have applied voluntarily in response to consumer demand and farmers wanting supply contracts have to comply. But other producers have no such qualms about using the chemical.

No such restrictions apply either to oilseed rape which is grown for both cooking oil and for the production of high protein animal feed.

As such, it is classified as a non-food crop although there are semantics at play there too as if it is used in cooking or in feeding animals that become meat for the table, it is indirectly a food crop.

Stance

Despite Irelands reliance on pre-harvest use of glyphosate, when the European Commission set out the conditions attached to the temporary extension of its authorisation, the initial reaction to the edict to pay particular attention to this usage was one of acceptance.

An internal Department of Agriculture email from July 2016 states that Ireland would be prohibiting all pre-harvest use of glyphosate on food crops, and only allowing it for weed control in non-food crops  with the exception of oilseed rape grown for animal feed, and grazing grass.

That position is reasserted repeatedly in internal communications and in letters to external bodies. In August, a letter to the employers body Ibec, which wrote on behalf of its subsidiary, Food and Drink Industry Ireland, stated: All pre-harvest glyphosate use on crops for human consumption will be suspended pending the deliberations of ECHA. This means that from 2017, pre-harvest use on cereal, oilseed or pulse crops destined for the food and drinks sector will no longer be permitted.

Given that the department had earlier expressed the view that there is no scientific basis on which to act, it is probably no surprise that the letter adds: This is purely a stance to give reassurance to the public.

Another letter in September, this time in response to queries from Irish Distillers, states: For harvest 2017, no Irish cereals destined for the food and drinks sector should contain any residues of glyphosate.

The minister made a statement to that effect in reply to a parliamentary question in September, saying: My department has taken a few very precautionary measures in an attempt to allay any concerns the general public may have.

These measures include the removal of certain products containing a particular co-formulant [POE tallowamine] from the marketplace, as well as disallowing the pre-harvest use of glyphosate on crops which may enter the food chain (milling wheat, malting barley, etc.).

Change of heart

Yet in November, there is a change in attitude and the policy is watered down. The total mandatory ban on pre-harvest glyphosate use on food crops is gone and it can now be used for weed control on standing crops.

That automatically raises the question of when does weed control end and desiccation begin? Glyphosate cant be applied for weed control too soon in a crops life or it will gradually kill the growing crop too but if its applied late in the crops growing cycle, it is effectively functioning as a desiccant.

Without a mandatory ban, its arguable whether there would be any discernible impact on farming practices.

So what happened in the interim to change the departments mind? A strongly worded letter from the Irish Grain and Feed Association on file dated October 18, 2016, may have had some influence. The association writes that the proposed prohibition on use of glyphosate on food crops would have the effect of seriously damaging the bottom of the chain, ie the farmers and intermediate processors.

A broad sweep move such as this will prevent our ability to offer premium oilseed rape contracts this spring/autumn. The seed and contracts when available may be offered to the UK instead, it warned.

A public statement such as this will give the WRONG [the associations emphasis] impression to international food customers, raising their expectations unnecessarily and putting a burden and cost on IE [Irish] suppliers that is unsustainable legally and financially.

Irish tillage farmers depend on a wide range of PPP [plant protection products] and technical dynamic arable advice that adapts to the season and GAP [good agricultural practice]. Giving the impression that primary production can manage without a full tool box is simply untrue and damaging to the sector.

Monsanto

But perhaps more significantly, the files show that a meeting with a delegation from Monsanto was arranged for September 16 at Monsantos request.

Monsanto would like to meet with you to clarify point 4 [the fourth condition laid down by the commission] and discuss pre-harvest uses and Good Agricultural Practices and to present a case that challenges the assertion that harvest management is not deemed to be a good agricultural practice, the companys head of regulatory affairs wrote.

The reply from the department was sympathetic: We agree entirely that harvest management should be considered as good practice and we have made this known to the COM [commission]. We do not wish to attract any negative attention to the country by ignoring the recital [decision] at the very least until ECHA give their pronouncement.

A meeting was agreed to, however, with four representatives from Monsanto due to attend. Whatever happened at that meeting is not chronicled in the correspondence released but by mid-November there is a softening of the departments stance.

An internal email clarifies the position: Having consulted with industry, but also having due consideration to actions taken by other member states, it is proposed to amend the restrictions in one area (No 4).

It is now NOT [the departments emphasis] proposed to apply a mandatory ban.

Later, in a reply to Diageo who were seeking clarification on restrictions, an official wrote: It is true to say that we were considering restricting the pre-harvest use to animal feed crops however, it was decided that as there was no scientific basis for such an action, we would restrict our actions.

In reply to a query from this newspaper, the department emphasised the significance of the glyphosate ban imposed by some food producers. The department continue to endorse this voluntary initiative but after further consideration did not introduce this restriction as a mandatory label requirement, it said.

Public opinion may decide glyphosates fate

Negative perceptions of the pesticide could harm Irish food industry, writes Caroline ODoherty.

The scientific jury might still be out on glyphosate, but the court of public opinion could decide the chemicals fate.

A letter to the Department of Agriculture, from a senior manager at Bord Bia, last May, illustrates the point. He asked for help in dealing with some negative publicity we are getting in Holland around the usage of Roundup in Irish grassland, and thereby in beef production in Ireland.

Mark Zieg, head of the beef sector at Bord Bia, explained the problem with the Dutch, who are an important market for Irish beef.

He wrote: Food journalist, Felix Wilbrink, of De Telegraaf (largest daily newspaper in Holland), has been making an issue of Roundup usage on Irish farms, following a visit a few years ago. He has previously been a supporter of Irelands natural food-production system, but the usage of Roundup has struck a negative, and lasting, chord with him.

Mr Zieg said efforts had been made to show Mr Wilbrink that there was relatively low usage of glyphosate on pasture here.

However, it remains an issue that he continues to make negative references about and he remains unconvinced of our case. It is becoming an issue in our promotional work, and amongst other, supportive opinion farmers in the market.

Mr Zieg asked for statistics on glyphosate usage across the EU to back up his arguments, but was told the data was not readily available.

The department does not downplay glyphosates image problem. In a letter to Simon Sheridan, managing director of the Dublin-based, Barclay chemical company, last July, Mr Sheridan was assured that the importance of glyphosate to his company was recognised, but the letter went on to say: Notwithstanding our support for the continued approval of glyphosate, we are also cognisant, and aware, of the extremely poor public profile of pesticides in general, but more so glyphosate. Never before has a pesticide issue attracted so much attention in Ireland.

As a food-producing island with a very positive and green profile, we have to be measured, and calculating, in our approach, and while my department continues to place emphasis on maintaining a science-based approach, we must always be aware that customers of Ireland Inc are observing our every action.

Public perception isnt unique to Ireland. In October, a senior official in the department emailed a counterpart in Finland to see what uses for glyphosate the ministry of agriculture there allowed. A more restrictive regime was in place, but the inference was that it was not for scientific reasons.

The Finnish official replied: We have not authorised glyphosate for desiccation use. We have a pre-harvest authorisation in barley, oats, and oil-seed crops (oil-seed rape and turnip rape), but only for treatment of weeds (esp grassy weeds like Elymus repens  couch grass).

And this is only authorised for a grain harvest that will be used as feed. It is not authorised on grain for food use. This authorisation has been in place for a long time, but not very much used, since the market is not interested in buying grain that has been treated with glyphosate. This is mostly an image issue, an it does not look good to spray a crop close to harvest issue. He said that farmers in Finland were not happy with the situation.

Concerns about glyphosate extend beyond agricultural use. Letters on file from members of the public, council officials, public representatives, and others, show a lack of clarity about how, and where, the chemical can be used, with a tone of reservation throughout the questions raised.

The regulations dont necessarily clear things up, as the replies reveal grey areas  such as when is or isnt a roadside gully considered surface water (close to which glyphosate must not be sprayed), and what body is responsible for pursuing an individual who appears to be using excessive amounts of glyphosate.

Some confusion also surrounds who can use what glyphosate-based products, for while anyone using them in a professional capacity  for example, in farming or grounds maintenance  is required to be registered and trained in its use, the products are often the same as those that can be bought in any garden centre and used by anyone.

Last August, a Tidy Towns adjudicator sought advice on what policy to adopt, writing: We continue to have long discussions on the weedkillers/chemicals.

The reply from the department advised: In a Tidy Towns scenario, if it is all volunteers that are doing the spraying, then only amateur products may be purchased and used. In many instances, the same product, with a different registration number, may be available for professional and amateur use.

Similarly, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, who wrote asking what permits were needed to use glyphosate on Japanese knotweed, were told: While there are different products registered, they have identical formulation details. This means that we could have amateur users needing no training whatsoever to do the same job as professional users who require training.

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland wrote last September, seeking clarification on the regulations around glyphosate generally.

The importance of registering as professional users was stressed. They were told: There are still a lot of people who are not registered, unless, of course, there are a good number of clubs who are turning organic and do not intend applying any pesticides in the future.

Glyphosate has been considered a godsend for tackling Japanese knotweed, the insidious plant that destroys native vegetation, damages buildings, and which can withstand most other approaches to weed control.

But even among those working tirelessly to keep the plant at bay  and who would attract a high level of public sympathy for their task  there are concerns about glyphosate.

The Japanese Knotweed Project in Co Kerry wrote to the department last July, suggesting that Teagasc might like to support a study on alternatives to the chemical.

How a herbicide became the holy grail of weed control

Glyphosate first appeared on the market in 1974. The agrichemical industry was then under a cloud, following the discrediting of the pesticide, DDT, which was toxic to helpful insects, as well as birds, animals, and fish.

As a non-selective herbicide  meaning it kills just about every plant it touches  glyphosate might have caused similar jitters, but for the fact that it works by blocking an enzyme that is essential for plant growth, but which is not present in humans or animals.

That proved a strong selling point for its creator, the chemical giant, Monsanto, who sold it under the brand name, Roundup, and while it was originally sold for non-crop use, it quickly became popular with farmers, boosting crop yields and allowing them to cut down on labour-intensive tilling to clear fields after harvest. Roundup was as effective as any plough in preparing the land for the next sowing.

It also began to be used in spot-spraying around standing crops to control weeds during the growing season. That was time-consuming, however, and Monsanto began working on the holy grail of weed control  a method of indiscriminately spraying an entire field and eradicating the weeds without killing the crops.

In the mid 1990s, the solution was developed in the form of genetically modified seeds that were glyphosate-resistant and this Roundup-ready technology soon dominated the soy, cotton, corn, and oilseed sectors.

In Ireland, Teagasc, the national agricultural advisory body, dabbled in GM for a time, but public opinion was against it and the trials were discontinued.

But Ireland, along with other rain-soaked countries in western and northern Europe, found another use for Roundup, applying it to crops a few weeks before harvest to halt growth and dry out the plants, ensuring they were all ready for the combine harvester at the same time, whereas nature might only manage an uneven ripening and a water-logged yield.

Neither Monsanto nor the Glyphosate Task Force, a lobby group of glyphosate-producing companies, mention desiccation  as the practice is called  in their information literature as a use for their products.

Regardless of that omission, use of Roundup as a desiccant took off in the early 2000s, driving up sales considerably.

838,250kg of pure glyphosate was used here in 2014, which represents sales of around 12m.

According to some counts, around 140m kilos is used in the US each year, while usage internationally is many multiples of that.

Monsantos patent on glyphosate expired some years ago, but the company is still a major producer of glyphosate-based products and Roundup remains the best-known brand in western countries.

As the use of glyphosate has grown, so, too, have concerns about its impact on human health and the environment.

Initially, fears focused on the theory that long-term, intensive usage of one herbicide would cause weeds to become Roundup-resistant.

Those fears were justified and, in some places, farmers have had to increase their doses of glyphosate to stave off these so-called superweeds, causing more concerns that this strategy will simply result in even more indestructible weeds.

More recently, attention has turned to possible hazards to human health, from exposure to spraying, from the chemical entering water sources through field run-off, and from residues in cereal crops used to make flour, oatmeal, malting barley, and cooking oils.

As desiccation uses glyphosate closest to harvest, it might be expected to leave more residues, but testing of foods here has not yet found examples where permitted maximum residue levels were exceeded.

Focus on Europes little-known agency

Its a safe assumption that the European Chemical Agency is not the EUs best known regulatory body but later this year there will be more anxious eyes on it than if it was holding a red wire in one hand, a blue in the other and a wirecutters between its teeth.

The agency has the task of assessing glyphosate to see what, if any, hazards it may present and what, if any, steps the European Commission should take to restrict its usage up to and including ending its authorisation for use within the EU.

The agencys 50-member Committee for Risk Assessment does this kind of work all the time but rarely on a substance that has divided the scientific community as much as glyphosate. On one side, it is accused of causing cancer, chiefly non-Hodgkins lymphoma, as well as reproductive difficulties and digestive disorders. On the other, it is praised as one of the safest chemicals in use.

The dispute centres to a large degree on different research methodologies.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which emptied a whole sack of cats among the pigeons in 2015 by declaring glyphosate to be probably carcinogenic, has been criticised by other scientific bodies for basing its studies on a mix of pure glyphosate and products that contain glyphosate along with other substances.

The argument is it could be the chemical reaction caused by a combination of substances rather than glyphosate alone that is to blame for any suspected health problems. The agencys Committee for Risk Assessment is looking at glyphosate alone, drawing on years of studies from all over the world as well as some 300 submissions it received from a public consultation exercise last summer, and the presentations of both advocates and opponents who were brought together in December to voice their opinions in open session in an unusual step from an agency that prefers to work under lab lights, not spotlights.

It has until the end of this year to provide its opinions and recommendations to the European Commission. Ireland has two members on the Committee for Risk Assessment  Yvonne Mullooly from the Health and Safety Authority and Brendan Murray from the Department of Agriculture.

The man with the job of keeping the 50 members in order is also Irish. Tim Bowmer, who was appointed chair in 2012, is a graduate of marine biology, botany and zoology from NUI Galway but has spent most of his career as an ecotoxicologist in the Netherlands.
Hundreds of millions of euro are being pumped into specialists facilities and a raft of new Garda stations is being built this year, including a 30m station in Sligo town and a 7m station in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Fitzgibbon St Station, in Dublin, is to be reopened at a cost of 8m, with asbestos already being removed.

But the Government is under pressure to build the new Garda headquarters (to house specialists divisions), before the lease on their current Harcourt Square complex expires.

Before the summer, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald is due to bring a memo to cabinet on the new, state-of-the art building on Military Road, close to Heuston Station. It will house specialist units of the gardai, such as the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau, the Emergency Response Unit, and the garda command and communications infrastructure.

OPW Minister Sean Canney said plans for the Garda headquarters are advanced and the multi-storey development would be purpose-built. You have all of the very, very sensitive units based there, and you have all of the intelligence that they would have, and that needs to be in a place where you dont have to move it again, he said.

You have a situation where we are now paying 6m a year, he said of the rented Garda headquarters at Harcourt Square. Last year, the Government secured a final, six-year lease extension, so they must have alternative accommodation when that expires.

A spokesman for Ms Fitzgerald said the negotiated lease on Harcourt Square removes the immediate need to leave the complex, but added that the development of the new HQ is a priority for the justice minister.

A site has been identified, on which the new facility [will be built]. Discussions are going on between the OPW and An Garda Siochana to finalise the brief for the facility, the spokesman said.

Separately, hundreds of millions of euro are being pumped into specialists facilities, such as the garda water unit, in Athlone, numerous Protection of Evidence and Materials (PEMs) facilities, and significant refurbishments.

New Garda stations will be provided in Glanmire, Co Cork, and at Bailieborough, Co Cavan, through direct exchequer funding. Three Garda stations will be built in in Sligo, Macroom, and Clonmel, by means of Public Private Partnership.

In addition, 100m has been spent on new divisional headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin, and Wexford, and on a new, regional headquarters in Galway, all of which are due to open later this year.

Mr Canney said that, after 10 years of stagnation, there is now a massive need to invest in Garda stations and other public buildings.

We have a huge package of work to carry out this year... and its not just gardai... the other thing we are looking after is the courts service and the maintenance of the courts, rebuilding, refurbishing of the courts.

Outline of building programme

Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme

80m Garda HQ on Military Road, Dublin.

100m for two Divisional Headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin and Wexford, as well as for a new Regional Headquarters in Galway, all due to open this year

4million National Cell refurbishment programme - 27 in planning, 49 are being considered

Dublin Airport Garda Station to be refurbished

Garda Water Unit, Athlone, refurbishment project

8million provided to refurbish and reopen Fitzgibbon Street Garda station in Dublins North Inner City

2million for Donegal town garda station extension and upgrade

1million estimated for custody facilities in Henry St, Limerick city

1.5million for custody facilities in Ballinasloe, Co Galway

Protection of Evidence and Material (PEMs) facilities to be developed in Ennis, Co Clare; Castlebar, Co Mayo; Santry, Dublin; Longford Town; Portlaoise, Co Laois; Collon, Co Louth; Naas, Co Kildare

Planned new garda stations
In a letter to the hospitals risk manager, Margaret Crowley, seen by the Irish Examiner, the surgeons warn the hospital must accept full responsibility for any adverse consequences to patients, as a result of failure to adequately resource the doctors to to deliver the service demanded of us.

The doctors warn that as a result of inadequate capacity, patient appointments are being delayed beyond what is clinically recommended.

This is unsafe, and, as a result, patients attending CUH are at risk of losing vision permanently and irreversibly, the doctors warn.

Moreover, it is the unanimous opinion of the surgeons the risk of patients losing vision as a direct result of delays in their appointments is unacceptably high.

Figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show 6,144 patients awaiting outpatient ophthalmology appointments at CUH as of January, of whom 2,094 are waiting more than a year.

However, figures from the surgeons show an estimated shortfall in capacity of 28,260 patient appointments per year. They say real waiting times for new referrals is over five years as the department receives 6,500 new referrals each year  but only has the capacity to see less than one fifth of those.

The letter was written on December 12 and signed by consultant ophthalmic surgeons Anthony Cullinane, Eamonn OConnell, Sinead Fenton, Gerard OConnor, and Zubair Idrees.

The doctors say there is a longstanding and ongoing capacity issue in the ophthalmology department, and they include a report which they say quantifies this.

The report points out that between 2007-2015, the demand for ophthalmic services increased exponentially, primarily due to the development of a treatment for three previously untreatable conditions, namely, age-related macular degeneration (gradual loss of sight due to blurring of central vision), diabetic macular odema (vision loss due to build up of fluid) and retinal vein occlusions (blockage of blood flow causing loss of vision). The surgeons say during the same period, capacity has collapsed, due to difficulties recruiting appropriately trained staff; increasing complexity related to delays in seeing and treating patients, and logistical difficulties relating to running a split-site service.

Access to inpatient services for ophthalmology is via the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital .

The hospital did not respond to an Irish Examiner query asking if there were any plans to provide additional resources to the department of opthalmology.
The effectiveness of current engineering education is to be examined, with recommendations about new apprenticeship models, professional development for working engineers, and teaching methods.

In what is likely to be a preliminary review of the sector, the HEA plans to have a background paper by May on some of these questions, to help guide a more detailed analysis.

A previous thematic review examined teacher training provision for primary and second-level in 2013. The main courses for entry to the profession have subsequently been extended by a year.

The review of engineering is being considered, and is set to look at international trends, as well as opportunities to better meet the needs of students, employers and research activity.

The review will examine the current state of engineering education provision in Ireland to establish if it is fit for purpose, efficient and effective and will make recommendations so as to better meet national skills needs, says a brief for parties who may be selected to prepare the background paper.

The take-up of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees is low relative to strong employer demand in Ireland.

Science, computing and maths graduates account for nearly 14% of all receiving third-level qualifications, much higher than an EU average of less than 10%.

But the 12.1% who get engineering, manufacturing and construction degrees are just below the corresponding average across 27 EU countries.

Part of the background paper authors role will be to look at likely future skills demands and also to take into account requirements to increase gender equality in higher education and to make engineering attractive as a career.

Ahead of its Engineers Week from March 4 to 10, Engineers Ireland recently held discussions between the education sector and the industry to examine some of those questions specific to civil engineering. They also considered the possibility for collaboration with the UK to minimise the impact of Brexit on the profession.

The organisation says there is a particularly acute shortage of graduates from civil engineering, which are expected to drop below 40 this year after being as high as 600 just three years ago.

A number of universities have been changing entry routes to engineering degrees in recent years.

Leaving Certificate students applying to University College Cork and University College Dublin, for example, seek entry directly to a general engineering course, rather than choosing whether they wish to study specific disciplines such as mechanical or civil engineering. UCC reported a 50% rise in undergraduate engineering applications last year.
There are 862 bird species in Ethiopia: we have approx 300 in Ireland and Britain. Ive seen about 30 of them, but will see more when I go to Lake Tana in the mountains but will steer clear of bad-humoured hippos, the most dangerous animals in Africa.

My best snapshot was of a hornbill, a bird straight from a fantasy comic book with a horn bigger than that of a buffalo mounted on its formidable bill. Id like to attach the photo to this column but internet in Ethiopia is on-off, mostly off, totally unreliable; it could spoil ones holiday if one let it.

Ill see if I can send a picture of rural people, still living in a pre-internet world. Photos of hornbills will be available on the internet.

Some natural history statistics of this vast, diverse tract of the Horn of Africa make the mind boggle. Id suggest to adventurous readers that possibly nowhere on earth has a richer fauna.

In addition to the birds (16 species endemic, 19 shared only with Eritrea), there are 279 mammals, 201 reptiles, 63 amphibians, 150 fish and who knows how many butterflies, dragonflies etc, flora species and so on.

There are 80 ethnic human groups, ranging from fierce, desert-living nomads, the Afar/Danakil in the north, to peaceful Neur herdsmen in the south west. Besides seeing the skeletons of the mothers of all mankind, the tiny Lucy and Ardi, hominoid young women who lived in the Rift Valley 3.2 million years ago, I found the Ethnological Museum with its exhibits of life and customs of the tribes most interesting, exhibiting the strange rites of marriage, rites of passage to adulthood and so on.

Hamar youths must run naked along the backs of 30 bulls not falling between them but jumping one to the other at full pelt, and repeat the process three times.

Travelling reveals novelties. After we leave the couple of hundred kms of the new Chinese built Expressway east to Djibouti, the French speaking independent enclave on the Gulf of Aden, we encounter small boys sharing a shovel to fill potholes on the old road, and asking passing drivers for a tip. Last week I said there was no begging: in the cities, there is.

Driving is hazardous. City drivers negotiate through gaps in the dense traffic of roundabouts and junctions. Find a gap, nose through and drive on regardless! Taxis are swarms of ancient blue Toyotas and Soviet-built Ladas, welded and panel-beaten: the taxi that carried us 6 km for a few euro was a 1978 Lada.

In the rural areas, small horse carts (a single wooden seat with driver and three passengers) are the public transport, with licence plates on the back.

These little carts, belting along the straight, empty country roads at a lively pace, or negotiating between huge trucks, mad minibuses and occasional 21st century 4x4s near towns, are eye-catching, the small horses caparisoned with a few bright rags, the women passengers in brightly coloured headdresses or shawls, the driver, now and then, wearing a cowboy hat. Dark people, bright colours, golden and brown plains with distant blue mountains.

Overturned trucks are an occasional feature, and burnt-out buses in one area where Turkish investment has built huge factories on farmland in some Government deal. Farmers, under-compensated, got very angry and, stopping the buses carrying workers, ordered them out and torched the transport.

These people were Oromo, the majority tribe. They and Somalis are Cushite-speaking, the second largest group Amhara and Tigray, ethnically Semitic: Amharic is the national language.

Religion is a major preoccupation: many Ethiopians are Orthodox Christians, with special veneration of the Virgin Mary, and St George, the national patron. They fast 250 days a year. Just now, Lent has started. One meal a day for 50 days.

One sees youths, women young and old, making the rounds of churches, pausing to kiss sacred stones and pray. Churches are everywhere in Ethiopia, from cathedrals carved into cliff faces, to island monasteries, to Coptic chapels.

God is black, and, often, in portraits (worn as necklaces by pretty young girls, hanging on taxi rear-view mirrors) Mary is very dark-skinned. Why not? She was Semitic, like the Ethiopians themselves.

The hotel we stayed when in Addis, the Itigue Taitu, is the oldest in Ethiopia, inexpensive, with charming staff and predicatable eccentricities. Over the two weeks of come and go, we met locals, and travellers and expatriates from all over Europe, from Yemen, Congo, USA. Most nights, we gathered around a table in the garden, drank beers, exchanged information, and told travellers tales beneath the Ethiop moon.
Sony has sold 915,000 units of PlayStation VR since the device was launched in October 2016, as revealed by PlayStation chief Andrew House in an interview with The New York Times.

The sales were better than expected for the period and set Sony on the path to achieve its goal of selling more than one million PlayStation VR units during the first six months of release.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) is being held this week in Barcelona. The big news, not surprisingly, centers on 5G. The question is whether the announcements are more hype, more substance, or an equal measure of each.

Nokia unveiled an end-to-end 5G system, according to WirelessWeek. The 5G FIRST platform includes its AirScale and AirFrame technology, Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) antennas, Cloud Packet Core and mobile transport. The offering includes services designed to enable 5G implementations in multi-vendor and multi-technology environments. Intel is contributing its architecture and 5G modem.

Qualcomm, Telstra and Ericsson said that they will jointly run 5G interoperability testing, which, according to Electronics Weekly, will focus on the antenna elements, and include adaptive beamforming, beam tracking and non-line of sight (NLOS) testing.

Qualcomm also said that it, NTT DOCOMO and Ericsson will conduct 5G interoperability testing and over-the-air trials in Japan on 5G New Radio specifications being developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership (3GPP). The trials will be in the mid-band at 4.5 GHz and millimeter spectrum (mmWave) at 28 GHz.

ZTE is using the show to release what Silicon Republic says is the first 5G phone. The device, capable of speeds as fast as 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps), will be able to record 360-degree panoramic virtual reality video.

Other announcements have already been made and more certainly will come before the gavel goes down on MWC. The key questions: Where does it leave 5G? Is it near? Or is this the typical rush of announcements by companies that have made strides and those that want everyone to think they have?

Network Worlds Alan Carlton writes that the industry is indeed moving along, looking at progress in the core and the radio access network (RAN). Carltons conclusion is that there is substance in what is happening, though his commentary was written before the conference:

It is fair to say that some good progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go. Cutting through the 5G hype, 3GPP has just about completed its study phase, but many big decisions are still only on the horizon. 5G will be rolled out in phases, and it is fair to say that Phase 1, which will bring support for some high-priority use cases, is on track, at least in standards, for completion in December 2018.

It would be interesting to get his take on what is being unveiled. He may well say that there is both progress and hype.

Carl Weinschenk covers telecom for IT Business Edge. He writes about wireless technology, disaster recovery/business continuity, cellular services, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and other emerging technologies and platforms. He also covers net neutrality and related regulatory issues. Weinschenk has written about the phone companies, cable operators and related companies for decades and is senior editor of Broadband Technology Report. He can be reached at [email protected] and via twitter at @DailyMusicBrk.
After reviewing the results of a recent survey on enabling innovation, my takeaway was that if youre a CIO or other IT leader, you probably think youre doing a much better job of giving the companys employees what they need than they think youre doing.

The survey was conducted by Softchoice, an IT managed services provider in Toronto. Among the findings, for example, was that while 93 percent of IT decision-makers believe their IT infrastructure serves their organizations innovation needs, only 24 percent of the employees are satisfied that the company is investing enough in technology that supports innovation.

I had the opportunity to discuss the results with Francis Li, Softchoices vice president of IT, and I asked him if my conclusion that theres a disconnect between employees and IT leaders, and that IT leaders seem to think theyre doing a much better job than the employees think theyre doing is a fair one. Li said its a very fair conclusion, and one that didnt surprise him at all.

Ive been in my position here at Softchoice as IT leader for the past five years or so, and one of the things that Ive tried to work toward  and perhaps my experience coming from the business helps  is driving a cultural change, not only with the management team, but also right down to frontline employees within the IT organization. The awakening for me, or the aha moment, was sitting in our IT scorecard reviews, looking at a balanced scorecard approach to managing our infrastructure. We saw mostly greens with high-uptime and high service levels, yet that didnt really correlate with some of the feedback that Id received from some of our business constituents. It was an awakening of sorts, knowing that weve got to stop fooling ourselves. If we think were doing a great job by traditional IT metrics, we are only fooling ourselves. Ultimately whats important for us to be measured by is the opinion of our internal constituents and end-user customers. If they dont feel that were doing a good job, then our scorecard metrics are very misguided.

Since Li is Softchoices vice president of IT, I couldnt help but point out that, statistically speaking, chances are Softchoices employees would likely want more than what hes delivering in terms of technology that supports innovation. Li readily acknowledged that he put himself in the same boat as most IT leaders in most organizations that took part in the survey:

I am sure that if we were to take a cut of the data and take a look at Softchoice employees, it would not differ very much at all from the overall results, in spite of my and my teams efforts to close the gaps. I think that a lot of it comes down to training and communication. I think that that is easily an area that is under-resourced at most organizations, and I would say that thats probably an area thats under-resourced here at Softchoice, as well. So its training on existing technologies  how to leverage existing technology and toolsets, and proactively communicating with our employees at all levels to ensure that they know what they have at their disposal. Its fostering good relationships, from the frontline individuals right up to the C-suite, so that people feel encouraged to really speak their minds about whether or not the technology that theyre using is adding value and is useful to them. And its asking what other things IT could be doing or investing in, in order to help them do their job and service the customer better.

Finally, I asked Li what he plans to do differently  what hes going to do now that he wasnt doing before as a result of what he learned from the survey. His response:

I think that one thing that we have done, which we need to do more of, is really carve out time in peoples calendars and schedules, so they can be more creative and work on things that they would consider more innovative and fun. So right now we carve out one day per quarter for kind of a variation of a hackathon. We call it IT Disruptive days. And thats when we allow our employees to spend some time either collaborating amongst themselves in technical teams, or collaborating with some of our end users in the business on low-hanging-fruit types of projects. It probably wouldnt be something that would have been prioritized by a center of excellence or steering committee within the organization; its likely not something that would have received an investment through our regular budgeting process. But its something that frontline employees think would be valuable and innovative, and would help them do their jobs better, or service the customer better. So I think I will endeavor to try and do more of that, because right now, we only do it once a quarter, and it certainly doesnt seem to be enough.

A contributing writer on IT management and career topics with IT Business Edge since 2009, Don Tennant began his technology journalism career in 1990 in Hong Kong, where he served as editor of the Hong Kong edition of Computerworld. After returning to the U.S. in 2000, he became Editor in Chief of the U.S. edition of Computerworld, and later assumed the editorial directorship of Computerworld and InfoWorld. Don was presented with the 2007 Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity by American Business Media, and he is a recipient of the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for editorial excellence in news coverage. Follow him on Twitter @dontennant.
Nokia dives back into the phone market through Finish startup HMD Global that owns the license to build Nokia phones. The company launched several new headsets on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 event, in a bid to rise once again as a leading light in the mobile world.

Nokia's Presence At MWC 2017

The highest end phone unveiled by HMD at MWC 2017 is the $229 mid-range Nokia 6 that already got an early start in China. HMD CEO Arto Nummela said that he wants Nokia to return to its past glory and become again a top player globally in the coming years. However, it is clear that the startup's strategy underscores the caution necessary when plunging into the highly competitive phone market.

While some customers and Nokia fans will be disappointed that there's no high-end phone for them, HMD's strategy goes for baby steps. The company's priority high on the top of the list is to get the Nokia experience back to as many users as possible with phones that people can actually afford. According to CNET, Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, said that this is a measured move on the part of HMD.

Nokia still covers 9 percent of the "feature phone" market globally. The company comes second only to Samsung that has a 13 percent share. The market for feature phones is larger than most people think, such phones representing about one in five of all mobile phones bought worldwide.

With the retro version of the 3310, Nokia phones also reached for inspiration out to the past. The 3310 is an iconic device that predates the iPhone. The retro version of the 3310 is the company's signature product at the show, a device that resurrects the popular Snake game from back in the day. The phone is due for launch in the second quarter of the year, but will not reach the U.S. market.

According to USA Today, another trend visible at the Mobile World Congress event is that Nokia is embracing Android in a big way. The new Nokia 6, as well as Nokia 5 and Nokia 3, will run on Android. The devices will get regular Android updates and the Google Assistant.

Will Nokia Step Up Its Game?

If Nokia aims to recapture its past glory as one of the top brands in the mobile world, then the company needs to step up its game. The market needs a Nokia challenger to topple the Galaxy S7 or take on the iPhone 7. However, HMD Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas did not offer any hint about a high-end phone joining the Nokia lineup any time soon.

According to Sarvikas, with the first wave of its global devices, the company is focusing first to start from the mid-range handsets. The startup is more confident to create its most impact on the mid- and low-range market. There, HMD can stand out and differentiate with its name and quality.

Tech analysts expect that some high-end Nokia phones are coming, but the market will still need to be patient. Ian Fogg, an analyst at IHS Markit, said that, once it has had a little more time for its research and development, it is expected HMD to offer more premium handsets, especially centered around imaging capability.
For years now, the Mobile World Congress has been the avenue for tech companies to announce their latest releases. This year's event started off with a bang as TCL and BlackBerry announced the BlackBerry KeyOne, their latest release into the smartphone world. The unit, with a lineup of high-end specs and notable features, might just be what the company needs to return to the industry with a bang.

There has actually been a lot of hype surrounding the device before it was officially announced. Several reports on the same have been released, but it was under the "BlackBerry Mercury" codename at the time, as noted by The Verge. The publication continued to say that the KeyOne is undoubtedly the best release from the company ever since TCL started licensing the name.

BlackBerry KeyOne: Specs

Arguably, the bar has not been set so high. But the new release from TCL and BlackBerry is still a notable one. It is attractive with its solid fit and finish, molded together from aluminum and covered in Gorilla Glass 4 at the front. The 4.5 inch LCD screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio and a solution of 1620 x 1080. The camera is set on 12 megapixels and uses a Sony sensor with 1.55-micron pixels.

The KeyOne is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 625 processor, which is definitely not the fastest and most powerful that is available in the market. However, the publication argued that it is still likely to be one of the longest-lasting handhelds in the market. Its 3505mAh battery is sure to last the entire day no matter how much use it goes, though. And oddly enough, the less powerful processor is also to be thanked for this.

BlackBerry KeyOne: Features

The new flagship will run on Android 7.1 straight out of the box and BlackBerry has committed to using Google's monthly security patches. However, users can expect some older mainstays to be still available. This includes BBM and BlackBerry Hub. It also comes fitted with BlackBerry DTEK, a software that is pre-loaded on TCL's devise. It monitors the phone's status, analyzes how secure it is and provides granular control over how services are able to use their functions.

Arguably, the most notable feature, however, is the physical keyboard. It sits snuggly below the screen and is very reminiscent of the keyboard from the BlackBerry Priv. It is touch sensitive and responds to swipes, much like a touchscreen so users will be able to easily scroll down and up. Each accessible key can also be assigned as a shortcut for different applications. Users can also just type to automatically search on google. The space bar also doubles as a fingerprint sensor.

BlackBerry KeyOne: First Impressions

As Trusted Reviews has reported, the BlackBerry KeyOne is a return to form, as the best features of older generations have come together. It has all the potential to turn the company back to the mainstream market, especially for those who are focused on security. However, it all depends on whether or not the market is ready or willing to make a return to the physical keyboard.
The Johnson Space Center, previous owner of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar bag, was ordered by a federal judge on Friday to return the moon collection bag together with the dusty specimens left inside from the historic 1969 moon landing to the woman who won the bidding. A rare find, the bag and its content are deemed a national treasure by a NASA lawyer. It was accidentally sold to the highest bidder back in 2015 in an inventory mix-up.

Joseph Gutheinz, a former NASA enforcement officer and moon rock hunter who supported the buyer's effort to gain rightful ownership to the item, explains that the bag is unique, with an incalculable value. U.S. District Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore in Houston rules in favor of Carlson, the buyer from Illinois. Carlson has bought the moon rock bag at a government auction for $995 in 2015.

According to the Web Top News, the government may have mistakenly put NASA's Apollo 11 bag up for sale, but some people say that the government lawyers have also committed a big mistake by not appealing another judges ruling on ownership. Considered as a unique space treasure, the bag is set to be covertly returned Monday to Carlson. The bag, about the size of a round dinner plate, have previously turned up in the home of a space museum director in Kansas decades after the moon mission.

Federal agents seized the bag in an unrelated criminal case, and was left in the care of the US Marshal's office. According to the Collect Space, it was put up for auction in 2014 with a suggested opening bid of $20,000, and nobody bid on it. In 2015, the flown zippered lunar sample return bag with lunar dust. 11.5 [inches]. Tear at Center. Flown Mission Unknown, was up again for auction where Carlson bid the highest.
A new study finds that the rising infections that has been caused by a type of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics is allegedly causing longer hospitalizations and may mean a higher risk of death for children in the United States. That being said, the researchers have recently found a 700 percent surge in terms of infections caused by the said type of bacteria suggesting that these infections are rapidly spreading more often in the community. Dubbed as Enterobacteriaceae, experts say that this bacteria has been the reason for the emergence of certain antibiotic resistant infections that also include such pathogens as Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Debunking Enterobacteriaceae

In one of her statements reported by The Washington Post, study lead author, Sharon Meropol, who also happens to be an assistant professor of pediatrics, epidemiology and biostatistics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has revealed that antibiotic resistance increasingly threatens their ability to treat our children's infections. Meropol continues to explain that there is a clear and alarming upswing throughout US of antibiotic resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections in kids and teenagers. In conducting the study, the researchers have also found that children with Enterobacteriaceae infections had 20 percent longer hospital stays than pediatric patients with more treatable infections.

Furthermore, according to reports revealed by Times Of India, researchers have claimed that bacterial infections that are said to be resistant to multiple drugs are especially concerning in children, for whom there are a limited number of stronger antibiotics currently approved for use compared to adults, which puts a number of kids at a higher risk for worse outcomes. Hence, Meropol said that health care providers must see to it that they only prescribe antibiotics when they're really needed. Additionally, previous research on antibiotic-resistant infections showed that factors such as young age, gender, certain medical conditions and even geography can increase a child's risk.

The Rise Of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Meanwhile, it was found that although weak or underdeveloped immune systems partly explain younger children's vulnerability, researchers have revealed that the association between resistant infections and older ages is more difficult to explain. As of the press time,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has highly emphasized that antibiotics' use for agricultural purposes, such as treating diseases in food-producing animals, and the danger that the surviving bacteria in farm settings develop resistance, multiply and spread. Ultimately, experts suggest that paying attention to our environment, water and soil is very important when addressing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Cuban media has proudly revealed that a team of scientists from Cuba are currently undertaking phase one of a clinical trial for a vaccine to help improve the health of people who are HIV positive. Cuban scientists have claimed that a therapeutic vaccine aimed at reducing the viral load of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is currently in phase one of a clinical trial, in which it is being safety is studied. Dubbed as TERAVAC-VIH, experts say that although the vaccine is not intended to give patients a cure for HIV, it will allegedly enable the patients to somehow improve quality of their lives by reducing the amount of viral load which will be administered nasally, orally and through a spray and injection.

The TERAVAC-VIH Vaccine

In one of her statements reported by Jamaica Observer, Yayri Caridad Prieto Correa, a researcher from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) said that the nine patients involved in the trial did not show any adverse effects or toxicity, which happens to be the prime objective of the phase. It was found that after a series of preclinical studies in laboratory animals, and tests in the small group of humans, the findings show that the immune response of the organism has been enhanced due to the use of the vaccine, however, Prieto Correa insisted on not creating false expectations. The CIGB researcher has also claimed that this is a multi-year project, and will take time which will include testing phases with a greater number of seropositives in which large-scale and comprehensive efficacy will be tested to determine whether or not to continue with its use.

Furthermore, according to reports revealed by Tele Sur, despite the development of the vaccine, Prieto Correa has highly emphasized the fact that the vaccine could not offer a cure and that prevention was the main strategy to avoid the spread of the virus. As of the press time, Cuba's medical and health care system, particularly in regards to doctor training and disease prevention, has been seen as an ongoing success. Last 2015, the World Health Organization has recognized Cuba as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis.

Cuba's Lauded Medical System

Meanwhile, it was found that the proposal has been presented at the first Congress BioProcess 2017, which takes place in Camaguey, shows signs of efficacy, however she noted that it does not cure the disease. Ultimately, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health reveals that 31 years after the first case diagnosed in the country with HIV, transmission by blood and its derivatives and mother-to-child transmission have already been eliminated.
Rick and Michonne will need to battle their way out in a large group of walkers while searching for supplies in "The Walking Dead" season 7, episode 12. Meanwhile, spoilers reveal Rosita will go for an alone mission.

Fans saw Negan for the first time in the "The Walking Dead" season 7B in this week's episode. Dwight framed Dr. Carson of letting Daryl go to remove Negan's trail on Sheryl and concocted a story that Sheryl has died. Meanwhile, it looks like Eugene has completely succumbed to the dark side.

The official synopsis for "The Walking Dead" season 7, episode 12 via Spoiler TV revealed the group will search for supplies. The sneak peak video for next week's episode feature Rick and Michonne entering a compound which looked like a previous base of some American soldiers. "Something has seriously happened here, a long time ago," Michonne said as they observed the place -- empty shells of gun bullets are on the ground. They also found some supplies of ammunition from a soldier zombie.

However, Rick won't be satisfied and urge Michonne that they search some more. "We should get back," Michonne said in the episode 12 promo as Rick drives the car. "Just a little more, Okay," Rick answers. The next thing, they are fighting to find their way out in a large group of walkers. There is also a glimpse of Rick's bloody face. "It's not about us anymore, it's about our future

Meanwhile, it looks like Rosita is off on a search mission by herself. The promo also shows Rosita wandering alone to find supplies. In episode 11, Tara suggested that the group should go back but Rosita said she can go alone to find supplies. "I can't just wait," Rosita said in the episode 12 promo. The synopsis also revealed someone in Alexandria must make a challenging decision.

"The Walking Dead" season 7, episode 12 titled "Say Yes" will air on Sunday, March 5 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has been generating a lot of hype among enthusiasts with its promise to be more powerful than the Hellcat. Since its announcement, the automaker promised to release weekly video teasers leading up to the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon's debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show. Dodge has delivered on its promise and here's what we know so far.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: The Possible Powertrain

One of the biggest mysteries shrouding the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is how much power it will be able to generate. We already know that it will be more powerful than the outgoing Dodge Challenger Hellcat but it simply begs the question of how much more powerful will it be? We also know that the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will draw power from a different version of an intercooled and supercharged Hemi V8 that is also found in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which dishes out 707 horsepower.

According to Car and Driver, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon may arrive with about 815 horsepower and more than 700 pound-feet of torque. This amount of power is expected to be delivered through an all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration by an automatic transmission that has a torque converter. Accordingly, the transmission is basically made for drag racing and it is capable of multiplying torque better by 18 percent than the outgoing Hellcat.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: What Else Is There?

Thanks to several video teasers, we are able to put a few pieces of the puzzle together. Apparently, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be fitted with a set of 315/40R-18 Nitto N05R drag radials. Accordingly, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be the first production car that will come with drag tires upon its release. The tires are also not just about the go as they are also quite stylish in the way they bear the Demon-head logo on their sidewalls.

Among the other details revealed by the weekly video teasers include the weight reduction for the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Apparently, Dodge has removed a lot of things from the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon to make it 200 pounds lighter than the Hellcat. In addition, it would seem that Dodge has also removed the passengers' seats for the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon. That being said, you may need to come up with a different plan if you were thinking about going on joyrides with some of your buddies in the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: The Drawback

While many people patiently wait for each weekly teaser from Dodge for the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, there are those that are already getting sick of the way the automaker is handling things. According to report, these weekly teasers are not helping Dodge at all. Considering how there are several more teasers to go that basically reveal so little about the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, many of us are starting to find this to be more annoying than exciting. Apparently, many enthusiasts are already losing interest and if Dodge is planning to keep this up, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon might just end up being out of the fight before it even steps on the battlefield.
The LG G6 and Google Pixel phones are both powerful high-end smartphones in their own right. Both devices are also praised for their amazing camera performance, the LG G6 for its dual rear camera setup while the Google Pixel for its low light camera performance. Both devices also run on Snapdragon 821. With that being said, how does LG's newest flagship, the LG G6, stack up against the almost six-month old Google Pixel?

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Availability

The LG G6 was just announced last Sunday during the 2017 Mobile World Congress. Regarding its release date, it will hit the Korean markets first on March 10. As for the Google Pixel, it was announced October of last year and was released in the same month.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Price

The LG G6 has just been confirmed to retail around $796. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel starts at $649 for its 32 GB variant and $749 for its 128 GB variant.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Design

The LG G6 measures 148.9 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm and weighs 63 g. It has a dust and water resistant feature with an IP68 rating and also has a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC for better sound quality. The phone is available in three color variations; ice platinum, mystic white and astro black.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel measures 143.8 x 69.5 x 8.5 mm and weighs 143 g. It is offered in three color variations; quite black, very silver and really blue. Though some reports claim it has a dust and water resistant feature, its IP rating was not listed.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Display

The LG G6 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD + FullVision display with a screen resolution of 2880 x 1440 (564 ppi). As for the Google Pixel, it features a 5-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (441 ppi) with a screen resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Platform

The LG G6 runs on Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box and is packed with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 chipset. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel's OS back when it was released was Android 7.1 Nougat and is also packed with a Snapdragon 821 chipset.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Internal Memory

The LG G6 features a built-in internal memory capacity of 32 GB with 4 GB of RAM and has an expandable memory option of up to 2TB. In the case of the Google Pixel, it features 4 GB of RAM with two variations of internal memory storages; 32 GB and 128 GB. It does not have an expandable memory option.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Camera

The LG G6 features a dual 13 MP rear camera, one used for wide-angle shots (125 degrees) and the other is used for taking normal shots (71 degrees). Its front-facing camera is a 5 MP sensor with a 100-degree angle.

As for the Google Pixel, it features a 12.3 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. It records video at 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps and 720p@240fps.

LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Battery

The LG G6 houses a 3,300 mAh (non-removable) battery that has Quick Charge 3.0 and is also capable of wireless charging. On the other hand, the Google Pixel is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2770 mAh battery where its stand-by time is 456 hours (3G), talk time is 26 hours (3G) and music play is 110 hours.
AT&T will be rolling out two new unlimited plans this week (most likely on Thursday) that will address some of its competitive deficiencies against Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. The two new unlimited plans are Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Choice. With that being said, here is the full breakdown and comparison between the two new unlimited plans.

The Entertainment

For this category, the Unlimited Plus offers a $25 monthly video credit that includes DIRECTTV, DIRECTTV Now and U-verse TV. On the other hand, the Unlimited Choice does not offer anything.

The Video

For this category, the Unlimited Plus offers HD when available and the Stream Saver turned off. As for the Unlimited Choice plan, it offers SD (480p) and video streaming at a maximum of 1.5 Mbps.

The Mobile Tethering

For this category, the Unlimited Plus offers 10 GB per line and after 10 GB it will be slowed to 128 kbps. Meanwhile, the Unlimited Choice plan has nothing to offer on this particular category.

The Network Speed

For this part, the Unlimited Plus offers 4G LTE, which is apparently the fastest speed. As for the Unlimited Choice plan, it only offers 3 Mbps max speed.

The Pricing Per Line For Smartphones

For one smartphone, the Unlimited Plus costs $90 while the Unlimited Choice costs $60. For two smartphones, the Unlimited Plus costs $145 and $115 for the Unlimited Choice. For three smartphones, the Unlimited Plus costs $165 while its counterpart, the Unlimited Choice, costs $135. For four smartphones, Unlimited Plus costs $185 while the Unlimited Choice costs $155. Lastly for five to ten smartphones, it is +$20 each on both unlimited plans.

The Pricing Per Line For Other Devices

For tablets, wireless home phone and hotspot, both unlimited plans offer +$20. As for the select wearables (watches), both unlimited plans offer +$10.

Other Information About The Two New Plans

First rule is credit starts within three bills. Exclusions and restrictions apply. Second rule, pricing after $5 (single lines) or $10 (multi-line) discount on plan charge for AutoPay (credit card excluded) and Paperless bill. Discount starts within two bills while taxes and other changes apply.

The third rule is for businesses where business customers get a $10 group discount. However, businesses are not eligible for the $25 per month video credit. AutoPay is also not required.
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, the chair of the House Science, Space and Technology committee, believes the U.S. is losing its leadership position in computing. That may sound good for funding, but Smith's solution is controversial.

Smith wants to shift National Science Foundation (NSF) R&D funding from efforts he believes may be "frivolous" or "low risk," to "biology, physics, computer science and engineering."

What Smith is outlining is a change in research priorities, such as moving research funding from anthropology to engineering. But complex systems require insights from human behavior, and this is expertise outside of computer science. Tech firms are hiring people with skills at interpreting behavior, including anthropologists.

America's "pre-eminence in several fields is slipping," argues Smith, citing supercomputing in particular, in an essay he released this week. "Last year China launched the fastest supercomputer in the world, five times faster than any supercomputer in the United States," he said.

The Texas Republican isn't proposing increasing federal R&D spending, arguing that the U.S. is now spending more than any other country. What Smith didn't note is that U.S. R&D investment has been declining for years as percentage of GDP, and that China is expected to surpass the U.S. in the next few years.

Smith questioned why the NSF, which has about $7 billion to spend, funded, for instance, a project "to study textile-making in Iceland during the Viking era." This research, which has received about $840,000 to date, is more complex than Smith makes it out to be.

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The textile research project has a number of goals, including offering "a window into how social, cultural and economic systems will adapt to contemporary climate shifts and assist in preparing us for potential changes," according to the NSF grant.

The principal researcher on this project, Michele Hayeur Smith , an anthropologist and research associate at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University, said in an email that "my research examines the roles of women in the economies of the European nations of the North Atlantic -- Norway, Scotland, Iceland, Denmark and its territories. I am focusing on textiles for this work because these islands' main export products for nearly 800 years were the cloth these women made. By examining their roles, through the products they made and the imports that competed with them, I am documenting how Europeans colonized and settled the north and how imports, in a globalized economy, undermined womens roles and these societies' economies."

She continued, "The textiles were the main economic product of the successful Viking societies that colonized in the North Atlantic islands and led to the earliest European contact with North America, around AD 1000. My work, therefore, is tied directly to the national narrative of America's exploration and discovery," said Smith.

This NSF-funded research is also helping train people who are increasingly important to high-tech companies, said Ed Liebow, executive director of the American Anthropological Association.

The skills and research methods used by anthropologists are, for instance, helping to develop self-driving systems. If a person is leaning into a street, is he just scratching something or preparing to cross? A human driver can make a reliable judgment but teaching a driverless system to understand the intent is an entirely different matter, said Liebow.

The hallmark of anthropological training is "participant observation," which means immersing yourself as the observer and learning the unwritten rules to understand context, Liebow said. These are important in many areas, including cybersecurity, privacy and user interface development.

Intel's Genevieve Bell, an anthropologist and Intel fellow, may be one of the best-known people working in the tech field, and her work helps bring understanding to the relationship people have with computing.

The NSF is spending about $7 billion to support science research, and an estimated $995 million will be spent on computer science and engineering this year. The NSF funding helps support a number of academic supercomputers, but the funding for the largest systems comes from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The "NSF is enormously important to the field," said Liebow. Its research improves the skills and research capabilities of people in the field, he said. He believes demand for people with those skills is on the rise.
Classic phone brands from yesteryear are coming alive in Barcelona.

Nokia, Blackberry and Moto were among the unlikely headline makers ahead of the Mobile World Congress trade show, which starts on Monday. Moto is owned by Lenovo, and the unit is still called Motorola Mobility.

The new smartphones mixed up retro ideas with new features. A new Nokia 3310 candy-bar phone is the modern version of its classic namesake, while the new Blackberry KEYOne handset has a hard keyboard, which made previous smartphones under the brand popular.

The Blackberry and Nokia brands have tremendous cachet, and fans will root for these brands to win again, said Roger Kay, principal analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates.

"The company just has to give them an excuse to buy from it once more," Kay said.

A brand can be revived if the company introduces good products "and puts some cleverness and money into promoting the new products under the old and familiar name," Kay said.

Nokia phones failed to gain traction under Microsoft, while BlackBerry couldn't survive competition from Apple and Samsung. Moto is doing considerably better under Lenovo, but has seen its handset market share decline thanks to other Chinese smartphone makers like Huawei, Vivo and Oppo.

The KEYone handset is made by TCL, which licensed the BlackBerry brand. The handset has a Blackberry-like feel but a modern look. It has a 4.5-inch screen that can show images at a 1620x1080 pixel resolution. The Android smartphone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. It includes a centralized messaging system called BlackBerry Hub and a security dashboard to get a better handle on permissions requested by apps. The KEYone will ship in April for less than $549.

Blackberry is big in Indonesia and also remains popular in Nigeria and South Africa, and the new handset could find some buyers in those countries, Kay said.

A real blast from the past came from new Nokia phones introduced by HMD Global, which has licensed the brand name. The new Nokia 3310 has a more modern look with curvy edges and is priced around $50. It's also got old-school features, including 2G connectivity for calling and text messaging -- no LTE, no 3G. It has a 2.4-inch screen, and a user interface very similar to the old phone. There's a 2-megapixel camera, 16GB of storage and and offers 22 hours of talk time. You can browse the web via an Opera Mini browser.

HMD also introduced modern Nokia smartphones with Android, the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5. The Nokia 3 is a low-cost LTE phone with prices starting at roughly $146. It has a 5-inch screen, 16GB of internal storage, and 8-megapixel front and back cameras. The screen displays images at a 1280-by-720 pixel resolution. It has a quad-core MediaTek processor.

The Nokia 5 will start at about $200 and is more sophisticated. Packed in the handset with a 5.2-inch 720p screen is a a 12-megapixel back camera and an 8-megapixel front camera, 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM. It has a Snapdragon 430 processor, which is on the lower end of the Qualcomm's CPUs.

Nokia phones could find acceptance in emerging markets if sold at the right price, said Annette Zimmermann, research director at Gartner.

"However, I don't expect them to get big in a Western Europe -- if that should become a target market. I don't think anyone here is waiting for a Nokia phone to come back to market," Zimmermann said.

Finally, Lenovo introduced the 5-inch Moto G5 and 5.2-inch Moto G5 Plus, which bring some premium features to budget handsets. The smartphones have eight-core Qualcomm CPUs, high-definition screens and high-quality cameras, which has been an issue in some older Moto G models. The Moto G5 has a 13-megapixel rear camera, while the Moto G5 Plus has a 12-megapixel rear camera with a wider focal length. Both the devices have 5-megapixel front cameras. The smartphones provide all-day battery life and charge quickly, company officials said. Overall, it's a continuation from where G4 left off, with faster processors.

The Moto G5 will start at $200 and the G5 Plus at about $229. They'll be available in March across Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America.
BARCELONA -- Samsung promoted its smartphone device testing and upgraded safety review processes during a major press event prior to Mobile World Congress on Sunday, almost without mentioning the disastrous Galaxy Note7 by name.

That was the infamous smartphone that Samsung recalled globally -- to the tune of 3 million devices -- after lithium ion batteries inside some units short-circuited, overheated and even caught fire. Samsung instituted an 8-step battery safety check process in January in reaction to the recall.

"The past six months has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging periods in our history," said David Lowes, senior vice president for marketing at Samsung Electronics Europe. "We did not meet the quality standards we set for ourselves and that consumers expected."

Lowes didn't mention the Note7 by name but added, "We're committed to radical and quality innovation. Thank you to our current customers who have stayed loyal to Samsung."

He mentioned the new 8-point battery safety check and noted that a special battery advisory group has been created with staff that includes academic expertise. "They will give a clear perspective on battery safety for our benefit and the industry as a whole," he said.

Samsung executives went on to describe innovations with 5G wireless technology as well as two new tablet products -- a Galaxy Tab S3 running Android 7 and a Galaxy Book 2-in-1 device running Windows 10. Both will be released in April, but Samsung didn't specify pricing.

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Eric McCarty, vice president of mobile product marketing at Samsung Telecommunications America, said the Galaxy Book will have special appeal for enterprises trying to augment their desktop fleets.

McCarty said in an interview that Samsung enterprise customers have responded especially well to Samsung's safety initiatives after the Note7 recall.

"The reaction has been extremely positive by enterprise customers," he said. "Many using the Note7 said they hated to give that device up."

Samsung announced that its next big "unboxed" announcement will come on March 29, which is widely expected to be its launch of the Galaxy S8 smartphone. The device might have been announced at MWC if not for Samsung's decision to announce its safety reviews first.

The delay in the next unboxed announcement came about "because we wanted to give the market time to show how seriously we are taking all the issues to make sure devices are safe," McCarty added.

The ramifications of the Note7 recall have surely awakened other smartphone makers globally, McCarty and analysts said.

At Lenovo, which announced the affordable Moto G5 and G5 Plus smartphones on Sunday, the lessons of the Note7 fiasco have been felt.

(Only the G5 Plus with a 5.2-in. display will be sold in the U.S. -- on Motorola's website -- for $229 for the 16 GB version, starting soon. Customers can purchase it unlocked for use on any U.S. carrier.)

"Everybody learned from the Note7," said Dan Dery, vice president of global products for Lenovo, in an interview. " It was beyond bad . . . but Samsung survived and might have been the only company that could have survived that."

He added, "nobody is safe" from such technical problems. "We have long relationships with U.S. carriers who demand reliability. You need to be scared and skilled to go through reviews by companies like AT&T and Verizon. I'm not saying this can't happen to us, but we are focused on these things, not only battery safety."
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.
Despite Israels 5th election in four years, it remains a beacon of democracy and freedom

The Israeli elections are fast approaching. On November 1, Israelis go back to the polls for the fifth round of elections in less than four...

What is a Jew? Israeli museum attempts an answer

JERUSALEMI was on a short visit to Israel and spent time with a friend with whom I have been engaged in a 30-year argument. Elli...
Whiting Petroleum appears to be serious in taking advantage of the current situation of oil producers. The company announced that it intends to make some huge investments in the United States, just as oil producers are working on scaling back their supplies.

Whiting Petroleum CEO, Chairman and President James J. Volker announced the company's plan to put more money on shale production in the United States, according to a report by UPI. The announcement is a welcome news for President Donald Trump as it could mean more job security in the energy industry.

The more than $1 billion in funding that Whiting Petroleum set aside for drilling investments will be used for ramping up production and reserves. The CEO said the plan will be beneficial to the company as it could give some much-needed boost to the balance sheet.

Despite the announcement, it seems that Whiting Petroleum cannot keep its stock from sliding down, Market Realist reported. The value of the company's stock has been falling since the start of 2017, a fact that could dampen shareholders' outlook on the company.

Whiting Petroleum is trying to fight off the impact of the volatile oil pricing to its shares. The announcement is expected to signal confidence to investors that the company has money to spare for increasing production.

States that are rich in oil are still experiencing some pressure due to supply concerns. The issue has been making investors anxious, thus impacting markets around the globe.

Whiting Petroleum's decision to produce more oil go against the pledge of oil-rich countries in the Middle East that vowed to limit the oil supply they put out on the market. Jobs & Hire previously reported that members of OPEC are trying to avoid oil glut in the market in order to control pricing.
Everyone knows that one must be prepared for every job interview. Not only will your mannerisms, social skills, and appearance be judged, but questions will be asked and some jobs have the toughest questions of allso tough it's ranging on absurd.

However, no matter how absurd, there is a job offer on the line and you need to come up with a suitable responsebe it witty, complex, or just as ridiculous as the questions thrown your way.

This is because as job hunters, we do not know the purpose behind the queries. It could be to determine our analytical skills, response to pressure, an idea of our personality, or out-of-the-box thinking.

An article by CNBC contained a list of jobs with the toughest interview questions. Check them out below.

Math questions

Some interviewers ask math-related questions and I'm not certain if they provide you with a calculator when they do. For instance, applying for a hardware engineer position in Jump Trading will result in being asked to look for the square root of 1.2, writes CNBC.

"What is the angle at 3:15?" is another question at Fast Enterprises, for the job of Implementation Consultant. If you're are able to recall your trigonometry, this answer may be a no brainer.

However, there are other questions that might come off as tough and will involve doing more complex computations in your mind. According to CNBC, Disney Interactive Studios, for example, asks a Software Engineer applicant the number of fire hydrants in Los Angeles County.

Identity questions

Working for audit at BDO USA, on the other hand, may find yourself revealing what part of the daily newspaper you look to read first. CNBC also wrote that getting a job as Twitter's brand strategist means having to identify a brand that represents who you are.

Random questions

Some questions seem to be completely random and unrelated to the job at hand. Take Optics Planet and the question of "What's the capital of Canada?"

There is also PSA Airlines who is interested in the person from history that you would like to go out with. Have you ever had a difficult interview question to answer? Share your story and comment it below!
More New Yorkers are going to find themselves landing more quality jobs with NYC Tech Talent Pipeline adding schools and businesses to its programs. As a result of this, more tech jobs will be available to students and graduates.

In a news report by the NYC, it was announced that the Tech Talent Pipelines TTP Residency Program will be expanded. The expansion involves including Lehman College and not simply being limited to the founding campus which is at Queens College.

According to NYC, the inclusion of Lehman College means that the program investment gains an increase of more than $1 million. Furthermore, it signifies the firm commitment towards aligning school curriculum with skills that are in demand, which is what the TTP Residency Program seeks to accomplish.

Furthermore, there will be 60 percent more internship opportunities for women who study computer science, reports Engadget. This will be thanks to the cooperation and collaboration between Cornell Tech, CUNY, and New York City firms.

Other expansion efforts include Urban Outfitters, Time Inc., New York Times, and Jet offering technology-related junior level jobs as well as fellowships and internships. Engadget adds that charitable commitments of $675,000 were renewed.

According to its official website, the Tech Talent Pipeline aims towards building solutions by working with the top employers of the city and equipping students with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the jobs of the century. However, the Pipeline is not the only platform to try to create and link education and job opportunities.

Last year, it was reported that businesses can hire Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship students for full employment. Retaining the graduate for more than 6 months would make the firm eligible for getting a grant that ranges from $2,000 to $10,000.

Another program in New Vermont offers students career pathways. An alliance between Vermont Technical College and the Agency of Transportation gives students more access to the possibility of having long lasting careers.
Ever wished that you could live inside a mall? Imagine the possibilitieshaving meals at different restaurants and fast food chains every day, browsing to your hearts content, and running into different people each day.

Now, that dream can be a reality for one lucky person as Mall of America, the largest mall in the United States, is looking for someone to live there and write about it. Best of all, that person gets paid $2,500 to do so.

As part of its 25th-anniversary celebration, Mall of America is holding a Writer-in-Residence contest which will give one special person the chance to spend five days deeply immersed in the malls atmosphere while writing about their experience.

According to the Mall of Americas official website, the application is open to everyone from all writing backgrounds and levels of experience. Only legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years or older at the time of entry are eligible to enter the competition.

25 semi-finalists will be selected from the first round of applications and will be judged on creativity and skill. The semi-finalists will have the opportunity to expand on their story idea in an essay.

The contest winner will stay in an attached hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota for 4 nights. He or she will also receive a gift card of $400 to buy food and drinks at the mall throughout the week and an honorarium of $2,500 for the sweat and tears theyll put into their prose.

During the winners time as Writer-in-Residence, the contest winners workspace will be located at in a common area space within Mall of America. He or she will be required to be at the mall from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and needs to be physically present at the writers desk for no fewer than four hours a day. The rest of the Writer-in-Residences time can be spent exploring the mall, posting on social media, and eating.

To apply, visit the application page here before March 10, 2017.

For more, check out Jobs & Hires report on the company that is offering its employees a paid week off to care for their new dog.
Uber has been in hot waters ever since former engineer Susan Fowler revealed the alleged sexual harassment and gender bias issues while she was still part of the company. And now another news regarding Uber came out wherein they block their employees at work from chatting using the anonymous application called Blind.

According to The Business Insider, there are a lot of Uber employees who use the app Blind when chatting with their co-workers. Blinds head of operations, Alex Shin said that over 2,000 Uber employees are currently using the said application.

And it seems like Uber is trying to block their employees from using Blind. The talks regarding it were said to come from Uber employees. The employees reached out to Shin and told them that they cannot access the application when they are at work.

"Out of over the 100 tech companies active on Blind, Uber has been the only company to make attempts at blocking employee access to Blind. The app doesn't launch on Uber WiFi," says Shin.

However, Ubers attempt seems not effective because it did not stop its employees from chatting. Shin even said that Our activity at Uber has gone up 3x since they blocked us on their WiFi.

According to BBC, Uber is currently facing a tough time. It first started with the sexual harassment issue and then followed by being sued for claims that its self-driving company stole technology from Google. Since the allegations came out, there are former Uber employees who reached out on BBC and shared their concerns regarding the companys operation in its other offices around the world.

An anonymous former employee even pointed out that the insane growth of the company started all the problems. Most likely, Uber was not ready and well-equipped to face the growth that they are experiencing. It seems like Ubers mess is getting more and more intense.

Meanwhile, Jobs & Hire reported that Uber is making a research on flying cars since former NASA engineer Mark Moore will become part of Ubers executive team. Moore will serve as the director of engineering for aviation.
The most influential transgender activist, Caitlyn Jenner, felt betrayed after President Donald Trumps administration ended federal protection for transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. Jenner strongly speaks out against Trump regarding the transgender order.

According to Fortune, last Wednesday, the Trumps administration lifted the federal guidelines that have been issued during the Obama administration. This has been an emotional national debate that ended on the side of the states rights. Without the said directives, it will be up to the states and school districts on how they will interpret the federal anti-discriminatory law. And most of all, they will be the one to decide whether the student can access restrooms according to their choice of gender and not based on their biological sex.

Betsy DeVos, Education Secretary said that "This is an issue best solved at the state and local level. Schools, communities, and families can find  and in many cases have found  solutions that protect all students."

After the announcement came out, Jenner took to social media to express her sentiment regarding it. The long-time republican activist, Jenner posted a video on Twitter intended for President Trump on Thursday wherein she strongly said that his decision is a disaster and even added, Mr. President, well see you in court.

Well @realDonaldTrump, from one Republican to another, this is a disaster. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me. pic.twitter.com/XwYe0LNUOq  Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) February 24, 2017

The New York Times reported that Jenner thought that President Trump is very supportive of the LGBT because it seems like he is very much in the community. She even credited Trump last summer for not supporting the law in North Carolina that prohibited people from using public bathrooms that are not their biological sex. But now, Jenner feels betrayed.

Jenner even said on her video that, From one Republican to another. This is a disaster. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me.

Meanwhile, Jobs & Hire reported that big tech companies such as Apple, Samsung, IBM, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, and HP are pulling together against the controversial Bathroom Bill in Texas senate.
Last March, Microsoft launched a Twitter bot named Tay. This was done as an attempt to advance how artificial intelligence communicates with the humans in real time basis. Hours after its released, hackers manipulated Tay and turned him into a racist, it prompted for the project to end right away. After the epic failure, Microsoft CEO sent a remarkable email to his employees.

According to USA Today, due to the Tay incident, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella sent a remarkable email to his Tay team to give light to what happened. Nadella gave an encouragement note on his email and said: "Keep pushing, and know that I am with you... (The) key is to keep learning and improving." Aside from that he also told his employees to take whatever criticism with the right spirit and most of all to show deep empathy for anyone hurt by Tay.

Microsoft explained on their blog the incident and mentioned how deeply sorry they were for the unintended hurtful and offensive tweets that came from Tay. It also pointed out that what happened does not reflect what the company stands for and most especially on how they designed Tay. And that they will only bring back Tay if they better anticipate any malicious conflicts that will come their way.

And now, the INC shared some powerful lessons that can help leaders in a lot of ways. Just like Nadella, it is very important that your employees, staff or team will know that you always got their backs. Mistakes are inevitable but what matters the most is how you all recover from it. As a leader, you have to give encouragement and boost up the morale of your people. By doing this, they will become more motivated to give their best.

Another thing that a leader must always keep in mind is that showing empathy is a strong tool that can make work easier and lighter. Taking into account other peoples feelings and emotions when it comes to work improvement can build a good connection. This will help build trust and loyalty which are important in every professional and personal relationship.

Meanwhile, in another leadership related news, Jobs & Hire reported that women empowerment is becoming more evident in the corporate world. Women leadership is hitting up in the boardroom because of their strong performance level.
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Attorney Willie Gary listens as his client Cynthia Robinson speaks during an interview in 2014 in New York.

A Florida appeals court ordered a new trial for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in an Engle progeny case in which a jury ordered the company to pay a potentially crippling $23 billion in punitive damages in July 2014.

The First District Court of Appeal ruled Friday that attorneys for Cynthia Robinson crossed the boundaries of proper closing argument repeatedly, flagrantly and often in defiance of the trial courts admonishments.

Robinson was represented by Willie Gary, one of the nations foremost and controversial attorneys in personal-injury lawsuits. Robinson sued as the widow of Michael Johnson Sr.

Gary urged the Escambia County jury to send a message to R.J. Reynolds and other big tobacco companies that will force them to stop putting the lives of innocent people in jeopardy.

It is clear from the record that Robinsons trial strategy was to utterly vilify their opponent, the appeals court ruled. Gray described Reynolds as unrepentant, anti-military, criminal predator, whom the jury must fight and destroy and Gods not pleased with Reynolds conduct.

We must conclude that Robinsons misconduct had its intended result, the appeals court ruled. Indeed, we regard the absurdly excessive punitive award as sure proof that the jury gave great weight to Robinsons presentation.

Our conclusion is reinforced by the absence of any meaningful effort on the part of the trial court to stop the wrongdoing, even when Robinsons (attorney) engaged in misconduct previously ruled improper.

Because this did not occur here, in spite of counsels myriad improper and inflammatory comments, Reynolds was denied a fair trial.

Lengthy history

Engle progeny lawsuits sprang from a decision in 2006 by the Florida Supreme Court that decertified a $145 billion class-action lawsuit initially filed by Howard Engle. That ruling limits former class members to filing individual lawsuits stating that cigarettes caused their respective illnesses.

At $23 billion, the awarded punitive damages represented at the time 75 percent of Reynolds American Inc.s market capitalization.

Robinson also was awarded $16 million in compensatory damages. The jury found Johnson 29.5 percent at fault for his illness.

Reynolds deferred Monday to comments attorneys made in July 2014 with the initial jury damages awards. Jeffery Raborn, assistant general counsel for Reynolds, called the damages grossly excessive and impermissible under state and constitutional law.

Reynolds attorneys said the jury award reflects a degree of passion and prejudice never before seen in Engle progeny litigation.

Analysts said there was ample legal precedent in and outside the tobacco industry that the amount was likely to be ruled excessive by a state appeals or state supreme court, and possibly thrown out or drastically reduced.

In January 2015, Circuit Court Judge Terry Terrell reduced the punitive damages to $16.9 million to match the compensatory damages. He wrote that the punitive damages award is admittedly and clearly constitutionally excessive. He said that awarding an equal amount in compensatory and punitive damages is reasonable and just.

Even at $16.9 million, it remained the sixth largest punitive damages award facing the company.

Reynolds requested a new trial in February 2015, which covers the punitive damages award only. That trial was stayed until the appeals court ruling. The appeal court heard oral arguments on May 24, 2016.

Clear standard

Christopher Growe, an analyst with Stifel, said the U.S. Supreme Court has set a clear standard for punitive damage awards for single-digit multiples at most of compensatory damages

In October 2002, a Los Angeles jury awarded $26.8 billion in punitive damages in a lawsuit involving Philip Morris USA. The amount was reduced to $26.8 million by a trial judge, and then set aside by an appellate court.

Reynolds fiscal 2016 report listed that 120 Engle progeny cases have been tried in Florida state and federal courts during a three-year period that ended Dec. 31, 2016.

Reynolds or Lorillard Tobacco has paid judgments in 37 cases. Those payments totaled $297.8 million and included $216.9 million for compensatory or punitive damages and $80.9 million for attorneys fees and statutory interest.

Reynolds is not responsible for paying damages while the verdict is under appeal.

However, it also could take years, millions of dollars in legal fees and require the placing of a $5 million appeal bond.

Analysts have speculated about what level of potential jury damages it could take to convince Reynolds, Philip Morris USA and ITG Brands LLC to agree to a Master Settlement Agreement-type deal on the Engle cases.

The manufacturers have indicated they are comfortable continuing to argue individual Engle cases.

Vector Group Ltd. and its Liggett Group tobacco subsidiary reached a settlement in which it will pay a combined $110 million to more than 4,900 Engle plaintiffs in exchange for the dismissals of their claims.
Nearly 100 people demonstrated Sunday against a billboards message that says Real men provide. Real women appreciate it by creating their own signs promoting equality among the genders.

The demonstration took place at Merschel Plaza on Fourth Street about 5 miles east of the billboard on Business 40 Westbound near the highways on-ramp from Linville Road.

The billboard belongs to Whiteheart Outdoor Advertising Co. Inc., which is owned by Bill Whiteheart, a former Forsyth County commissioner and a conservative Republican. Whiteheart declined to identify the organization that rented the billboard space for its message.

Molly Grace, an organizer of the protest, told reporters the billboards message is offensive to her, but the organization who displayed it on the billboard has a right to free expression.

This to me and to many other people, it is a pretty blatant statement about heteronormal gender roles, Grace said. We are concerned that it represents the reality that people in this country and in this world still think that is a normal way to think about women and men and their respective roles together.

I find it offensive because again it leaves out all of types of people, men and women, Grace said, Its pretty disrespectful to people who do not stratify their roles in the home or designate them in that way. Its offensive to people who have worked really, really hard on the behalf of women, both men and women.

The demonstrators consisted of mostly women, some men and parents with their children. They gathered in the plaza to paint slogans on about 30 bed sheets that promote equality. The rally also attracted a family from Raleigh who criticized the demonstrators for their stance against the billboards message.

Some of the slogans on the sheets said, Its Time Women Have Real Respect, Real People Respect Each Other, Real Men Provide? Seriously, I Provide Just Fine!!

Organizers will conduct an online vote to pick a slogan for a billboard they will rent along Business 40, Grace said. Bed sheets with other slogans will be displayed on private property throughout Winston-Salem.

Tracy Stottler of Kernersville said she participated in the demonstration because she saw a photo of the billboard.

I was stunned to see that, Stottler said. Its not a subtle message at all. The underlying message is for women to know their place. We have more rights than to be in the kitchen making a sandwich.

Peter Wilbur of Winston-Salem, a demonstrator, said he wasnt offended by the billboards message, but he believes it attempts to put men and women in stereotypical roles.

It says if you dont fit in this mold, then you are not a real person, Wilbur said. This is a world that diminishes the role of women.

Taylor Wenzel of Winston-Salem said that the billboards message is flawed.

I hate the billboards idea that theres only one way to do things, Wenzel said. If you dont do it that way, then you are somehow less than a real human.

Dana Pavick of Raleigh, her husband, Tom, and their six children, traveled from Raleigh on Sunday to demonstrate against the protesters in the plaza. The Pavlicks agree with the billboards message.

Dana Pavlick drew attention away from the demonstration as she argued with a female demonstrator for several minutes.

America doesnt stand for bashing men, Pavlick said to the demonstrator, adding that the protesters dont like the billboards message because it gets equality right.

Pavlick loudly said that the demonstrators should stop attacking families and criticized Grace for publicly saying that the billboards message was socially unacceptable.

Tom Pavlick, her husband, said that God made men and women, and we go together. He and his wife spoke to demonstrators throughout Sunday afternoon. Tom Pavlick said that most demonstrators were polite as they discussed their disagreements with the couple.

We had some good conversations, he said.

The Rev. Tembila Covington, the second vice president of the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity, said she attended the protest to support the billboards demonstrators.

Covington said the billboards message expresses outdated gender roles for men and women.

Its a struggle for all women to find our place in society, she said. Its a matter of fighting for equal respect.
Today

Sister Cities will meet at 6 p.m. at World Exchange, 420 N. Cherry St.

Tuesday

The Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District Advisory Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Public Works Conference Room 348 of City Hall, 101 N. Main St.

The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority will meet at 2 p.m. in the Stanley Frank Board Room, 1000-A Ted Johnson Parkway, Greensboro.

The Minority and Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in the Public Works Conference Room 348, City Hall.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 5 p.m. and open session at 6:30 p.m. in the Education Building auditorium, 4801 Bethania Station Road.

The Youth Advisory Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Committee Room 239, City Hall.

Wednesday

The Historic Resources Commission will meet at 4 p.m. in the fifth floor conference room, Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First St.

Thursday

The Winston-Salem Zoning Board of Adjustment will meet at 2 p.m. in the fifth floor public meeting room, Stuart Municipal Building.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold a briefing session at 2 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room, fifth floor of the Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St.
A state bill filed recently to prohibit law enforcement officers from racially profiling people could help increase trust between the police and the public, despite the uphill battle it faces.

Democratic legislators filed House Bill 99, known as the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2017, in the N.C. House, the Journals John Hinton reported. On top of prohibiting racial profling, it would require law enforcement agencies to collect homicide statistics, including data about people killed by law enforcement officers. It also  and this may be its most important provision  requires officers to receive annual training concerning discriminatory profiling.

The training components and homicide reporting components present a great opportunity for law enforcement and the community to continue growing their relationship toward more and more positive interactions, State Rep. Ed Hanes, D-Forsyth, told the Journal in an email. If we can work together on the data side that can guide our training, conversation and continued growth.

Many provisions in the bill are already being carried out by the Winston-Salem Police Department, Chief Barry Rountree told the Journal, including the departments policy on bias-free policing that prohibits officers from profiling people based on their race, ethnicity, origin, gender, gender identity and other characteristics.

Based on the way the current version of this proposed bill is written, I dont see any issues for the police department, Rountree told the Journal.

Good for our local police forces attention to this aspect of public service. Unfortunately, we doubt its a policy that every N.C. police department practices. And even with the departments attention, there may be room for improvement.

State Rep. Evelyn Terry, D-Forsyth, told the Journal that some constituents tell her that police racially profile them.

Racial profiling is a well-documented and deeply troubling problem that erodes trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly communities of color, Sarah Gillooly, the policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, told the Journal.

Right now, we are seeing too much violence in our communities, state Rep. Cecil Brockman of High Point, a Democrat and a primary sponsor of the bill, told the Journal. But it is hard to fix these problems if there is distrust between the community and law enforcement, especially if people feel like they are being profiled or discriminated against.

We need to work together to eliminate the biases that divide us so we can bring about safer situations for our next generation, he told the Journal.

And thats the meat of the matter.

In our current polarized climate, Republicans may be reluctant to pass a bill that originates with Democrats.

But like it or not  and however we got here  there are segments of the public that distrust the police. Thats the situation and it requires attention.

The bill could help resolve matters. The GOP should give it a shot.
DONALD CREWS, Winston-Salem

Open minds

The true character of the liberal society is evident with every newscast. Where are the open minds of liberals in accepting differing opinions? It seems that liberals are open-minded as long as one does not have an opposing view.

Where is the willingness to compromise for the best interest of the country? Again, if any compromise is made it will be the conservatives who submit.

Do open-minded liberals really care about the welfare of the country? It certainly doesnt appear that way. It appears that it is their way or the highway.

Why is there such anger and hostility to the American democratic society and so much disrespect for law and order among the open-minded liberal society? Never in American history has it been reported that conservative society was so hostile and outraged with government when liberals were in control. The same open-minded people who are protesting are most probably the greatest recipients of the benefits of government handouts.

America is becoming a dangerous society and the reality is that it will probably become more so. If liberals do not agree to compromise for the welfare of the country what will happen? This violence cannot continue if we are to have just and honest society.

Are we headed toward a totalitarian society as ancient Rome did in order to control anarchy? If so, the rest will be history.

******

BERNARD J. CARPENTER, Rural Hall

Attacking the press

I find it ironic that Cal Thomas, who makes his living in the journalistic profession, has chosen to attack the press (Trump and the media: demolition derby, Feb. 22).

A free press is the cornerstone of a free democracy. Dictators like Kim Jong Un control the press.

Thomas seems to be blind to the lies, bully tactics, fractured midnight tweet attacks, racism, alternative facts and juvenile self-admiration of President Trump. Make America great again has become make Russia great again, and tarnished the greatness that America was before Trump.

Thomas needs to read Matthew 5, and the story of the Good Samaritan. As for Trump, he has all the seven deadly sins in spades.

My take on journalism is to find the truth and present it, not to be the lackey of Trumps billionaire buddies and their bought millionaire congressmen and their self-serving political agenda. As the Bible says, The truth will set you free. How about it? Does Thomas have any truth in him?

The truth is that if you arent Native American, you are an immigrant. The truth is that Jesus Christ taught love your neighbor, acceptance and forgiveness. The truth is that the French gave us the Statue of Liberty because we were such a beacon for liberty, hope, righteousness and acceptance.

We need to give it back to them with an apology, stating that Trump decided that greed, fear-pandering, hate and demagoguery were more to our liking.

******

DANIEL P. ELLIOTT, Clemmons

A bastion of disinformation

I have no doubt that the Muslims quoted in the Feb. 21 Journal did have a hard day when the details of the anti-Muslim meeting in Kernersville were published (A hard day for us). Even I felt uncomfortable upon reading those words, although my discomfort certainly pales in comparison to that of a Muslim.

I have no idea where the anti-Muslim individuals at the meeting in Kernersville got their information. The only place I have seen it is on Facebook, todays bastion of disinformation (better known as fake news) that is possibly too accessible for some and definitely too trusted by many. Of course, the appearance of such propaganda on Facebook was to be investigated and rectified, via algorithm, some time ago by its famous founder, Mark Zuckerberg, who has shown, quite clearly since the presidential election, that he is certainly not a supporter of right-wing politics.

With hope, sooner rather than later, those who enjoy Facebook will learn to take all the supposed news articles with a grain of salt.

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.
Honouring veterans, CBRM council meeting highlight this week in Cape Breton

SYDNEY  During this Remembrance Week, we honour our veterans  those who died in battle, those who are still with us, and those who have passed away in the intervening years. Ceremonies to mark the end of the First and Second world wars, the Korean ...
02/27/2017



Taleah Collum

Dr. Taleah Collum, assistant professor of accounting, came to JSU in August 2006.

She began her studies at Florida State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in accounting. She went on to earn her Master of Accountancy from Florida State University and her PhD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Financial accounting is her primary area of teaching, while her research is focused mainly upon health care finance, specifically in hospitals.

My interested in financial accounting first started to grow when I was in college at FSU, explains Collum. My interest grew even more after I graduated from FSU with my masters degree and began working as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Auditing financial statements made everything I knew about financial accounting come together like a puzzle. When I was auditing, my main clients were in the health care industry. Accounting in health care is different from other industries, so I became very interested in how hospitals operate.

While offering one or two online or hybrid courses, Collums classes are conducted in a traditional format, but traditional is not necessarily the right word for her classes, as she seeks to make her classes an engaging experience for students.

Because accounting is not exciting material for most students, it is sometimes difficult to keep them engaged during class, said Collum. One thing I do is encourage them to ask questions. Once they understand its okay to ask questions, it makes class time much more valuable for the students. I also try to give them real world or personal examples for each topic.

The pace of her classes is set by her students comprehension of the materials. Students can expect assigned homework to ensure they are keeping up with the material. Points can be earned for participating in the discussion board and answering each others questions. Her online and hybrid classes also include videos to enhance learning. She encourages students to develop good study habits to learn the materials, rather than just simply memorizing.

The newly renovated smart classrooms in Merrill Hall, equipped with television screens and Surface Books, have helped Collum to cultivate a much more interactive atmosphere for her students. The advent of Google has also changed Collums classes, as she will often call upon a student to Google a question and have them find answers in real time.

Collum can also be found volunteering as the faculty advisor with the newly formed accounting honors organization, Beta Alph Psi, which teaches students soft skills and assists them with valuable networking opportunities. Regarding her involvement, Collum stated, Being a part of this organization is very demanding of my time, but it allows me to really get to know my students. It is so exciting to see them interact with potential employers, go through the interview process and get job offers.

Clearly, not only does Collum seek to present students with valuable information, but she hopes to prepare them with skills they will need for a career in accounting in the real world.

I also think it is important for students to think about their future and not the present, said Collum. College is a transitional phrase for most students, and it can be tough at times trying to juggle all of their responsibilities and their newfound freedom if they are living on their own. I always remind them to make school a priority because the four years they spend in college can determine what they do for the rest of their life.

JSU is thankful to have faculty members like Collum who go above and beyond to prepare students for life!
02/27/2017





The US Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has named Jacksonville State University a top producing institution of Fulbright Scholars. One of the most prestigious awards in academia, the Fulbright Scholars program is the US governments flagship international educational exchange program.

JSU received more Fulbright awards in 2016-2017 than any other university in Alabama and was among the top producers in the nation, with the following three recipients:

Guillermo Francia  A computer science professor, Francia is a recipient of a Fulbright Cyber Security Award from the US-UK Fulbright Commission. He is in London, England, for the spring term, working with a group of prominent cyber security experts at Imperial College to perform research on critical infrastructure security. He is part of the first wave of American researchers traveling to the UK as part of the 2015 Obama-Cameron bilateral agreement to strengthen cyber security research collaboration between the US and UK.

Russel Lemmons  A distinguished professor of history, Lemmons will travel to the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich in Germany over the next two springs to research the life of a Jesuit priest, Rupert Mayer, who opposed National Socialism. He plans to spend a great deal of time in the Jesuit archives and the Diocesan archives in Munich. The results of his research will be seen in a biography he is writing about Mayer.

Ellen Peck  An assistant professor of drama, Peck is both a theatre practitioner and a musical theatre historian specializing in the early 20th century. She is currently using her Fulbright award to teach classes in musical theatre and American theatre history at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania.

JSUs participation in the Fulbright Scholars program has enabled our faculty to experience international cultures, engage in scholarship with an expanded world view, teach in universities around the world, and bring those perspectives back to our campus, said JSU Provost Rebecca Turner. For a campus our size, located in a small town in rural Alabama, we are proud of our global citizenship emphasis and thank the Fulbright program for assisting us in fulfilling our mission.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 370,000 participants  chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential  with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Over 1,100 US college and university faculty and administrators, professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers and independent scholars are awarded Fulbright grants to teach and/or conduct research each year in over 125 countries throughout the world.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Mahershala Ali, 43, last night won an Oscar for best supporting actor, in Moonlight . The film treats themes of sexual repression, gayness, and the plague of drug dealing and addiction. Moonlight, of course, also won Best Picture, after a historic error in which the winner was initially incorrectly announced as Lalaland.

Ali has been an important figure in American popular culture, having most recently played Cottonmouth Stokes in Luke Cage (part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, streaming on Netflix) and having appeared as Boggs in The Hunger Games films and as Remy Danton in House of Cards.

Ali was born Eric Gilmore in Oakland, CA. His mother, Willicia, who raised him in Cleveland, OH, at some point became an ordained Christian minister. He gained another name, Mahershalalhashbaz, from Isaiah 8:3. This is the symbolic name that God ordained that the prophet Isaiah give to his second son, meaning quickly seize the spoils, quickly seize the spoils. God was thereby warning that within months of the childs birth, the Neo-Assyrian Empire would take Damascus and Samaria. This is the single longest name in the Bible and around 2010 he shortened it. Ironically, many Americans will assume that it is an Arabic Muslim name because it is exotic-sounding, but it is not. It is biblical and Hebrew.

In 2000, when he was in his mid-twenties, Gilmore converted to the Ahmadiyya branch of Islam and took the last name Ali (a reference to the first cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad). The late jazz legend Yusef Lateef was also an Ahmadi, a group that began in India and Pakistan and which many Sunni and Shiite Muslims do not recognize as Muslims. But since Ahmadis see themselves as Muslims, that is the way I shall speak of them.

Ali is the first Muslim to win an Oscar since the Academy Awards began in 1929.

Ali had earlier won a Screen Actors Guild Award as best supporting actor for his role of Juan in Moonlight. In his acceptance speech, he subtly referred to the pressure the Trump administration is putting on American Muslims:

I think what I have learned from working on Moonlight, you see what happens in persecution. What I was so grateful about and having the opportunity was playing a gentleman who saw a young man folding into himself as a result of the persecution of his community, and taking that opportunity to uplift him and tell him he mattered, that he was OK. And accept him. I hope that we do a better job of that. We kind of get caught up in the minutiae and the details that make us all different. I think theres two ways of seeing that. Theres an opportunity to see the texture of that person, the characteristics that make them unique, and then theres the opportunity to go to war about it. And to say that that person is different than me and I dont like you, so lets battle. My mother is an ordained minister. Im a Muslim. She didnt do backflips when I called her to tell her I converted 17 years ago. You put things to the side, and Im able to see her and shes able to see me. We love each other. The love has grown. And that stuff is minutiae. Its not that important.

SAG Awards: Mahershala Ali Acceptance Speech | 23rd SAG Awards

In this speech, interestingly enough, Ali used the stigma still all too often associated with gayness as a proxy for the stigma attached in the US to being Muslim in the era of Trump, and pointed to his own multi-religious family as a model for multi-religious America.

As for the question I ask in the title of this essay, you will object that Trumps Muslim ban only affects non-US citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.

But as it was implemented by apparently fanatical ICE agents, the ban also had an impact on US citizens, as President Bannon almost certainly intended that it should.

Muhammad Ali Jr., the son of the late renowned boxer, was allegedly illegally detained at the Ft. Lauderdale airport by ICE agents for several hours after he spoke in Jamaica for Black History Month.

You cant make this stuff up.

Chris Mancini, Muhammad Ali Jr.s attorney, asserted that his client was kept at the airport for almost two hours and that agents asked him over and over again, Where did you get your name from? and Are you Muslim?

After he affirmed that he is a Muslim, the officials continued to interrogate him about his religion and his place of birth (Philadelphia). He is a US citizen by birth and holds an American passport.

If white people in America didnt want African-American Muslims here, they shouldnt have kidnapped millions of Africans, some 20% of them Muslims, and brought them here as slaves.

So the answer is that Muslim-ness is being othered by the Trump cronies, and American Muslims are being coded as somehow foreign even though persons of Muslim heritage have been in North America for hundreds of years (long before the Drumpfs got here in the 1880s). And, yes, it is entirely possible that Mahershala Ali could be treated as Muhammad Ali, Jr., was.

Although Mahershala Ali is the first Muslim actor actually to win an academy award, prominent Muslims have long associated with Hollywood and have won Golden Globes and other awards. Omar Sharif, an Egyptian of Christian Syrian heritage who converted to Islam, was nominated for an Academy Award as supporting actor in David Leans 1962 Lawrence of Arabia. He was also celebrated for his roles in Dr. Zhivago and Funny Girl. I pointed out that he was never forced to play a terrorist. IMDB has a listing of younger Muslim talent in Hollywood, who are already making their mark.

The five directors nominated for best foreign film, one of them an Iranian, issued a joint statement in protest of the Trump Muslim ban, saying, We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color. . .

And, as noted, Mahershala Ali spoke of the great opportunity of playing an individual who saw a young man folding into himself as a result of the persecution of his community, and taking that opportunity to uplift him and tell him he mattered, that he was OK. And accept him.

He said, I hope that we do a better job of that. Me too.
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TeleSur |  

We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color, the directors of the five Oscar foreign films nominees wrote in a joint statement.

Thousands of people braved Londons winter drizzle on Sunday for a screening of the Oscar-nominated movie that has become a rallying point for opponents of U.S. President Donald Trumps immigration policy.

Hours ahead of what looked set to be the most politicized Academy Awards for years, London Mayor Sadiq Khan made clear his political motivation in hosting the British premiere of the The Salesman, whose Iranian director is boycotting the Hollywood ceremony.

President Trump cannot silence me, Khan said to cheers from the crowd gathered in Trafalgar Square. We stand in solidarity with Asghar Farhadi, one of the worlds greatest directors.

Farhadi, who won an Oscar in 2012 for A Separation, won another Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards Sunday but is stayed away in protest of Trumps attempt to ban people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

In a video message from Tehran, Farhadi thanked the dear people of London who are gathered on this cold afternoon, saying he was heartened by the reaction of filmmakers and artists to the oppressive travel ban of immigrants.

I hope this movement will continue and spread for it has within itself the power to stand up to fascism, be victorious in the face of extremism and saying no to oppressive political powers everywhere, Farhadi said.

Farhadi and the films lead actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, both said over a month ago they would not travel to Los Angeles to represent The Salesman because of Trumps ban, even if that meant they would be exempt from winning.

The ban was later overturned by U.S. courts but the administration is working on a new executive travel order.

In a statement to Hollywood trade publication Variety Friday, Farhadis publicist said that engineer Anousheh Ansari, who was the first female space traveler, and Firouz Naderi, a former director of NASAs Solar System Exploration program, would take Farhadis place at the Oscars and represent him on stage should the film win.

Ansari moved to the United States from Iran in 1984 as a teenager and made headlines as the first Iranian and first Muslim woman in space in 2006. Naderi left Iran for the United States in 1964 and worked for some 30 years in positions with the U.S. space agency.

On Friday, Farhadi and the five other directors in the running for this years foreign-language Oscar issued a joint statement blaming leading politicians for creating divisive walls.

The directors included Martin Zandvliet, director of Denmarks Land of Mine, Hannes Holm, director of Swedens A Man Called Ove, Maren Ade, director of Germanys Toni Erdmann, and Martin Butler and Bentley Dean, joint directors of Australias Tanna.

Without explicitly referring to any politician, they said, 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 US and in so many other countries, in parts of the population and, mostly and unfortunately of all, among leading politicians.

Regardless of who wins the Oscar, we believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color, the directors added. We want this award to stand as a symbol of unity between nations and the freedom of the arts.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Variety: Asghar Farhadis The Salesman Best Foreign Language  Oscars 2017  Full Backstage Interview
[JURIST] In a joint letter [text] to European Union Commissioner of Migration, Human Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopolous [official profile] on Friday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee [advocacy websites] expressed their concern regarding Hungarys proposed migration amendments. According to the two organizations, the amendments would automatically detain any asylum seekers, with the only exception being children under 14. The amendments would also authorize Hungarian law enforcement to remove any undocumented asylum seeker to the Serbian border. The letter accuses Hungarian law enforcement of using force to remove asylum seekers and migrants in the past. The letter urges Avramopolous to call the Hungarian Parliament to halt the passage of the amendments until they can be evaluated by the European Union.

The rights of migrant populations have emerged as significant humanitarian issues around the world, as millions seek asylum from conflict nations. In January HRW said [JURIST report] that it was against EU policy for Croatia to force asylum seekers back to Serbia. Also in January the European Commission labeled [JURIST report] the conditions on Greek Islands for asylum seekers as untenable due to heavy snowfall in the region. Ahead of the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants in September, UN experts urged [JURIST report] states to protect women and girls in the movement of refugees and migrants by adhering to international human rights conventions and standards. That same month HRW and Amnesty International said that the draft of the final outcome document for the UN summit on refugees fell short [JURIST report] of dealing with the issue effectively. Austrian Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said [JURIST report] earlier in September that Austria will take Hungary to the International Court of Justice if Hungary does not begin accepting returning migrants that crossed into Austria from Hungary.
The US Supreme Court [official website] on Monday granted certiorari [order list, PDF] in three cases following its February 24 conference. Among the cases that were denied review was a case involving a constitutional challenge to the death penalty. The petitioner in Reed v. Louisiana [docket; cert. petition, PDF] was sentenced to death in Caddo Parrish, Louisiana, a county that has sentenced more people to death than any other county in the country. In a dissent [text, PDF] to the denial of certiorari, Justice Stephen Breyer cited the arbitrary role that geography plays in the imposition of the death penalty as one of the reasons he would have granted the petition.

In Hamer v. Neighborhood Housing Services [docket; cert. petition, PDF] the court will determine if federal appellate courts should adopt the interpretation of Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(5)(C) [text] used by the Second, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Circuits, which states that the rule deprives a court of appeals of jurisdiction over an appeal that is statutorily timely, or whether they should adopt the interpretation of the Ninth Circuit, which allows for equitable considerations such as forfeiture, waiver, and the unique-circumstances doctrine. The question arose after the petitioner sued the Housing Services of Chicago and Fannie Maes [official websites] Mortgage Help Center following her termination as an intake specialist. She claims the respondent violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act [materials] when they fired her.

In Wilson v. Sellers [docket; cert. petition, PDF], a capital case, the court will determine if its decision in Harrington v. Richter [opinion] silently abrogated the presumption that that a federal court sitting in habeas proceedings should look through a summary state court ruling to review the last reasoned decision. The case concerns Marion Wilson, a Georgia man who remains on death row nearly 20 years after he was convicted of malice murder in connection with a robbery. Wilson claims his trial counsel was ineffective, in part because it failed to present evidence of his troubled upbringing.

Finally, in Artis v. District of Columbia [docket; cert. petition, PDF] the court will determine if the tolling provision in Section 1367 of Title 28 [text, PDF] suspends the limitations period for a supplemental jurisdiction claim while the suit is pending and for thirty days after the claim is dismissed, or whether the tolling provision does not suspend the limitations period but merely provides 30 days beyond the dismissal for the plaintiff to refile. The petitioner claims that the 30-day limit for her to refile her discrimination suit against her Department of Health supervisor, as well as the District of Columbia, should not have elapsed, even though 45 days had passed since her federal suit was dismissed. The petitioner is asking the court to adopt a grace period approach to the statute of limitations, as opposed to the stopped clock or suspension approach used by many jurisdictions.
This is the final feature in a five-part series which examines the current and future models for Groupe PSAs passenger car brands. The last instalment offers an overview of Peugeots future SUVs, monospaces and electric vehicles.

Free Report What's next for the Automotive industry? The theory of the peak car  particularly in the triad markets of the US, West Europe and Japan  and the need for sustainable transportation have driven the pivot to mobility in the automotive industry. Both of these drivers are motivating OEMs to change, while society at large is interested in sustainable transport. GlobalDatas forward-looking report provides you with insights into the direction that the automotive industry is heading in the next few years. It covers: The forces transitioning automotive to mobility services

CASE megatrends, and their relationship with COVID-19

The way forward for autonomous vehicles

Sustainability issues in automotive Examine the factors contributing to the future growth of different segments of the automotive industry. Download the full report to align your strategies for success and get ahead of the competition. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. Please enter a work/business email address Country United Kingdom United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D"ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People"s Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People"s Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Download free Report By clicking the Download Free Report button, you accept the terms and conditions and acknowledge that your data will be used as described in the GlobalData privacy policy By downloading this Report, you acknowledge that we may share your information with our white paper partners/sponsors who may contact you directly with information on their products and services.



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EVs & PHEVs

The iOn is a small plug-in model which sells in very small numbers, mostly in Europe. It is built in Japan by Mitsubishi Motors and, like the Citroen C-Zero, is a lightly altered version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Production of the cars for Groupe PSA started in October 2010.

Due to slow sales, the Ion is not expected to be directly replaced and build at MMCs Mizushima plant will likely end by mid-2017.

One segment up, there will be a EV version of the 208, Peugeots then CEO Maxim Picat told just-auto.com in May 2016. It is presumed that this will be the next generation model.

All C- and D-cars, including SUVs, will have new plug-in hybrid powertrains. It will start with 3008 in 2019. For the smaller cars, like 208 or 2008, we will launch an electric version of them, Picat stated.

There might also be an EV version of the 301: at the presentation of the DPCA strategic plan on 11 May 2016, Carlos Tavares and Zhu Yanfeng, the respective chairmen of DPCAs two company shareholders, signed an agreement to design an electric version of the Common Modular Platform (CMP). This future electric platform (e-CMP) will deliver a worldwide offering of all-electric, high-performance B and C segment vehicles for the Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Dongfeng brands from 2019. DS is likely to have the first car for this platform.

Another EV is the Partner Tepee Electric. This plug-in passenger van is about to have its premiere at the Geneva motor show. It goes on sale from September. As the vehicle upon which it is based was first released in 2008, a replacement model may be launched as soon as 2018 or 2019.

In the D segment, Peugeot has had mixed results with electrified models. By introducing the 508 RXH HYbrid4 in 2011, the brand was attempting to see if there might be a market for a plug-in hybrid derivative of its estate-crossover. The cars high price has put off many would-be buyers and sales have been slow.

A diesel-electric version of the 508 sedan was launched in certain markets during the second quarter of 2012. It used the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine + electric motor powertrain as the DS 5 HYbrid4, Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, Peugeot 5008 HYbrid4 and Peugeot 508 RXH.

Maxim Picat told reporters at September 2015s Frankfurt IAA that there would not be direct replacements for the diesel-electric hybrid cars. One reason was the lack of demand for diesel cars in China. Instead, petrol-electric models will be rolled out, with the Instinct concept (see image above) from the 2017 Geneva motor show having such a powertrain.

Crossovers & SUVs

The 2008 is one of Groupe PSAs best selling vehicles. This small crossover, a derivative of the 208, was launched in Europe from June 2013 after a world premiere at the 2013 Geneva motor show. Rivals include the Renault Captur and Opel/Vauxhall Mokka. The 2008 is front-wheel drive only. It is built in France, Brazil and China and production is about to start in Tehran as part of a new JV between PSA and Iran Khodro.

A mid-life facelift for the 2008 premiered at the Geneva motor show in March 2016. This should be the last update for the crossover before the second generation model appears in 2020. That should be based on the CMP architecture with production at the same plants as the existing model. However, as with other future Groupe PSA vehicles, there may be changes to certain future vehicle programmes should a takeover of Opel/Vauxhall occur.

Peugeot revealed the second generation 3008 to the media in May 2016, ahead of its Paris show debut four months later. At just 4,450mm in length, it is one of the most compact models in its segment but offers greater passenger and luggage space compared to the first generation model, which continues to be built and sold in China.

Despite the improvements in passenger and luggage capacities, the new model is, on average, 100kg lighter than the previous generation versions. This has been achieved via the use of lighter materials. Very High Strength Steel (VHSS) and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) have been used with a thermoplastic boot floor and tailgate plus aluminium wings, front suspension arms and rear seat frames..

A folding scooter with electric assist (e-Kick) by Micro is one option and a folding bike with electric assistance (e-Bike) by Peugeot is another. Docking stations hold the e-Kick or e-Bike in place in the boot and recharge the batteries while the vehicle is running.

Production of the 3008 for European markets takes place at Sochaux in France and the architecture is EMP2.

Peugeot sells the first and second generations of the 3008 in China, so the newer model is called 3008 SUV there. Even more confusingly, another version of the latest 3008 is sold in China as the 4008.

Exclusive to China, the 4008 is the rest of the worlds second generation 3008 with a different body. The 4008 premiered at the Chengdu motor show in September 2016. It went on sale locally immediately after the show. There are three turbocharged petrol engines: 1.2, 1.6 & 1.8. The 4008 is manufactured in Chengdu by Dongfeng Peugeot. It should remain in production there for seven years.

The second generation 5008 has become an SUV, whereas the previous model was a monospace/minivan. PSA, having seen the European people carrier segment shrinking, took the decision to make the second generation 5008 a seven-seater SUV. It is 11cm longer than the first 5008.

The 5008s architecture would be EMP2, PSA confirmed in November 2013. The company stated at the same time (in a media release) that it would spend 90 million euro at its Rennes plant in western France to build a Peugeot badged C-segment vehicle that will replace the current Peugeot 5008. The new model will come to market at year-end [2016] in Europe and the rest of the world.

PSAs statement further added, Production volumes are expected to reach 70,000 units a year as from 2017, lifting the plants total output to more than 100,000 vehicles a year at that time.

The new 5008 was announced to the media in September 2016 a few weeks before its public debut at the Paris motor show.

As well as at Rennes, the 5008 will be built in China: in July 2014, PSA and Dongfeng revealed plans to erect a new plant in city of Chengdu (Sichuan province). With total capacity eventually reaching 300,000 vehicles a year, DPCAs fourth plant would build Dongfeng Citroen and Dongfeng Peugeot and Fengshen-badged SUVs and MPVs, the partners announced. The plant was inaugurated in September 2016 with the first examples of the 5008 rolling off the line there two months later.

The first 5008s were also built at Rennes in November 2016 but in February 2017, Groupe PSA announced that strong demand for the 3008 meant it would delay series production of the 5008 for a few months. It is now expected to commence in May.

DPCAs production base comprises three plants in Wuhan, which are running on two shifts for a total potential capacity of 750,000 units a year. With the opening of the fourth plant, production capacity rose to one million units a year.

Monospaces

The Bipper Tepee, which is sold mostly in Europe, is a passenger version of the Bipper, a small van. It is built in Turkey by Tofas and went on sale in December 2007, having premiered at the Bologna motor show the same month. Although it has sliding side doors, there is no top-hinged tailgate. Instead it has the same asymmetric van doors as the LCV original, though, as with the side doors, these are glazed for the Tepee.

Facelifted versions of the Bipper, Nemo and Qubo were announced in June 2016. A replacement is due out in late 2018.

Announced in January 2008, the second generation Peugeot Partner, which is sold as the Peugeot Ranch in Italy, is also available as the Tepee, a minivan variant. It is the twin of the Citroen Berlingo Multispace. A facelifted Partner was revealed at the Algiers motor show in March 2015.

The successor to the Peugeot Partner was confirmed by PSA and General Motors in April 2015 as being under development. The Citroen Berlingo/Berlingo Multispace replacement and the Opel/Vauxhall Combo successor are part of the same development programme. All will be manufactured at Vigo, with the first of the three due to appear in 2018.

The Traveller, a larger van and minivan, was announced by Peugeot in December 2015. It is part of a three vehicle joint venture, the other two models being the Citroen SpaceTourer and second generation Toyota Proace. All are manufactured at the SEVEL nord plant in the French town of Lieu-Saint-Amand/Hordain.

PSA and TME revealed all three models at the Geneva motor show in March 2016. Each is available as an MPV for private buyers and as a Shuttle for business users. Up to nine occupants can be carried. The Proace, SpaceTourer and Traveller share powertrains and a platform.

These vehicles were the first vehicles for a modified version of PSAs EMP2 architecture. This has the front part of that platform but the rest was developed especially for the SpaceTourer, Proace and Traveller.

The LCV versions of the Traveller and SpaceTourer are the Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy/Dispatch.

Summary

Where Peugeot really needs to lift its performance is China, where sales fell by 14 percent in 2016, in a rising market. In short, the boom in SUVs have caught the brand off guard but the introduction of the 5008 and the new 3008 should see some improvements shortly: registrations data by model for January 2017 was not available at the time of writing.

There has been better news from Europe, where, as at the end of January, the Peugeot brand was off to a good start, its share of 6.1 per cent being steady, with sales slightly outpacing the market. According to ACEA, Peugeot registrations rose by +10.4 per cent, versus the markets rise of 10.2 per cent gain.

With Groupe PSA strongly profitable in CY2016, the years of relatively low spending on future models should now be behind the firm. Many questions remain unanswered over potential plans exist for new synergies with Opel-Vauxhall but the picture should become clearer later in 2017. At the very least, expect more sharing of architectures and European plants.

Future model plan reports for other manufacturers can be viewed in the OEM product strategy summaries section of just-auto.com.

Future product program intelligence

More data on vehicle lifetime and future product plans is available in PLDB from QUBE.
There was once euphoria in the Brazilian automotive market. Following the 2008/2009 financial crisis, the Lehman Brothers bank bankruptcy and the chain reaction that spread worldwide, auto companies settled here coincidentally commenced to profit enormously. And the order of the day became rescuing indebted parent companies, especially General Motors (at the time in Chapter 11 proceedings), Ford and Fiat.

How times have changed. Registrations here slumped almost 50% in four years (2013 through 2016) and the scenario reversed. Just last year, the local industry was given US$6.5bn by parent companies to pump in cash, the highest amount of the kind since 2010, according to the Central Bank of Brazil, cited by the O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper.

A further $5.3bn was transferred in the form of intercompany loans, to total about $12bn. For comparison, the US government injected $50bn to make new GM feasible in 2009 and recovered some $14bn during the process of handing the automaker back to new stockholders in 2013. Taxpayers loss topped about $11bn.

Pricewaterhouse Brazils managing partner Marcelo Cioffi has said the country continues to be an important market and automakers [parent] companies look forward for it. I do not believe in any relevant company giving up playing here in a near future, for investments in the recent years were quite heavy. There would also be a severe loss for retirees on company pensions.

Yet Cioffi is unable to figure out how long world automakers will tolerate their Brazilian subsidiaries reporting in red ink [GM has endured a decade of losses at Opel, now possibly to be sold to PSA  ed].

Brazil was the worlds fourth largest market for light and heavy vehicles earlier in the decade yet dropped to ninth last year.

Subsidiaries top executives are desperately trying to minimise the problem because local investments are for the long term. Markets are known to have cyclical phases, but Brazils 200-to-1,000 vehicle-to-inhabitants ratio is still way lower than those of mature economy countries which currently show only vegetative growth.

Automakers association Anfaveas president Antonio Megale said corporate [loans] must be [repaid] sometime but they were an alternative to local fund-raising. Money cost in Brazil is much higher, tax rates abroad are more civilised.

Last month, domestic sales were at a level between cold and tepid and, this February, a month of sequenced holidays based around Mardi Gras, they are not rising compared to the same month in 2016.

Anfaveas forecast is just 4% growth for full year 2017.
Honda Motors Indonesian unit  PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM)  has celebrated a one million unit automobile production milestone with a ceremony at the Karawang factory.

VIPs from the Indonesian government attended along with Seiji Kuraishi, executive vice president of Honda Motor, Noriaki Abe, president and CEO of Asian Honda Motor and Tomoki Uchida, president director of HPM.

HPM began local automobile production in February 2003 with the Honda Stream at its factory in Karawang, West Java. The plant was built on an area of 512,500sq m with an initial spend of IDR700bn and production capacity of 80,000 units. HPM started constructing its second factory on a total building area of 145,760sq m in 2012 and spent IDR3.1 trillion. The plant was inaugurated in January 2014 with capacity of 120,000 units taking Indonesian total capacity to 200,000 units a year.

When production started in 2003, annual sales were approximately 22,000 units. The company booked 200,000 unit sales in 2016 with a 19% market share. Currently, HPM produces seven models at the two factories  Mobilio, BR-V, HR-V, Jazz [Fit], Brio RS, Brio Satya and CR-V.

The Karawang factory also exports components worldwide to destinations include neighbouring ASEAN countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, other Asian countries such as India and Pakistan, as well as Latin American countries, including Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. HPM also delivers parts to Japan. In 2016, component exports from Indonesia grew from the 5,600 containers shipped in 2015 to over 7,700.

Export value increased from IDR1.8 trillion in 2015 to more than IDR2.2 trillion in 2016. In 2017, HPM plans to increase exports to nearly 10,000 containers worth about IDR2.5 trillion.

Honda further strengthened its Indonesian production operations with the opening of a stamping factory which produces automobile component parts such as side, roof and floor panels. The factory began operations in May 2016 after a spend of IDR194bn. The factory has implemented advanced production technology, including automatic continuous process and robotic systems, and has capacity for up to 2m pieces per year for both domestic sales and export.

In September 2016, HPM spent an additional IDR228bn on a new crankshaft factory that can make 240,000 a year. This factory complies with the government regulation for Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) models. Currently, HPM has achieved up to 87% local content in its products.

Kuraishi said: It is a great achievement to arrive at this milestone in just 14 years and follows [on from] Honda Motor Companys 100 millionth unit of cumulative automobile production worldwide in September last year. Honda sales in Indonesia were ranked fourth for Honda globally, behind only the US, China and Japan. Indonesia has always been and always will be an important market for Honda. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to doing business in Indonesia and the expansion of automobile production capacities with new factories is a testament to that commitment.

See also: ASEAN market review on just-autos research database QUBE
Indian-owned South Korean SUV maker SsangYong Motor signed a licensing agreement with a Saudi Arabian company at the weekend to locally assemble its vehicles in the country from 2020, according to reports in South Korea.

Ssangyong, owned by Mahindra & Mahindra, agreed to license CKD assembly to Saudi National Automobile Manufacturing Company (SNAM), allow it to localise key components and provide training and other technical support.

SNAM, a state-owned group affiliated with the Safari Group, is tasked with developing an automotive industry as part of the kingdoms long-term national development programme.

The company plans to build an assembly plant with a production capacity of 25,000 units per year, as well as parts manufacturing facilities, in the Saudi city of Jubail.

The Saudi vehicle market is estimated at over 1m units annually, based mainly on imports from Japan, South Korea, Europe and North America. SNAM aims initially to build a Ssangyong pickup truck at the new facility with other models set to follow if the first stage is successful.
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The strong growth for Cognac is poised to continue in the coming years, according to recent research, driven by increased consumption in the US, China and the UK.

Free Whitepaper What is the impact of Chinas Zero-COVID lockdowns on economic activity, consumer goods and the foodservice industry? China in 2022: the impact of Chinas Zero-COVID lockdowns on economic activity, consumer goods and the foodservice industry, to examine the current situation in Shanghai and other cities in China, to better understand the worst-affected industry sectors, foodservice in particular, and to explore potential growth opportunities as China recovers. The white paper covers: Which multinational companies have been affected?

What is the effect of lockdowns on foodservice?

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Spotlight on Shanghai: what is the situation there?

How have Chinese consumers reacted?

How might the Chinese government react?

What are the potential growth opportunities? While wanting to protect the country from being overwhelmed by Omicron, Chinas adherence to a Zero-COVID policy is resulting in a significant economic downturn. COVID outbreaks in Shanghai, Beijing and many other Chinese cities will impact 2022s economic growth as consumers and businesses experience rolling lockdowns, leading to a slowdown in domestic and international supply chains. Chinas Zero-COVID policy is having a demonstrable impact on consumer-facing industries. Access GlobalDatas new whitepaper,, to examine the current situation in Shanghai and other cities in China, to better understand the worst-affected industry sectors, foodservice in particular, and to explore potential growth opportunities as China recovers. The white paper covers: by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Whitepaper. Please enter a work/business email address Country United Kingdom United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D"ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People"s Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People"s Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Download free Whitepaper By clicking the Download Free Whitepaper button, you accept the terms and conditions and acknowledge that your data will be used as described in the GlobalData privacy policy By downloading this Whitepaper, you acknowledge that we may share your information with our white paper partners/sponsors who may contact you directly with information on their products and services.



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A joint report from just-drinks and the IWSR, released late last year, shows that while the sectors growth will moderate slightly from the near-4% volumes increase seen in 2015, global consumption will increase by some 2m cases by 2021. The research also predicts that the US will break the 6m-case barrier by the end of the forecast period.

China, which remains the largest Cognac destination by value despite a recent slump following the Governments anti-extravagance drive, will continue to recover, with growth accelerating in a few years time.

Although Cognac has suffered in China, the category has to some extent been protected by its longevity in the market, the report says. Forced to choose, many consumers will opt for Cognac over rivals such as Scotch whisky.

It seems inconceivable that there will not be some kind of rebound in the luxury Cognac market in China over the coming years, it adds. The key is to know precisely when, and to what extent.

While Chinese consumers tend to view relatively-inexpensive VS Cognacs as too cheap, opting for VSOP-and-above instead, VS is the key driver of the segments biggest volume market, the US. As China has cooled, producers have increasingly targeted the US, resulting in a double-digit sales increase in the country in 2015.

However, new entrants to the market are not necessarily copying the template of Moet Hennessys dominant Hennessy brand by selling VS to the hugely-influential African-American demographic; instead, they are increasing the prioritisiation of value over volume.

As demand for luxury Cognac has declined in China, companies are rerouting inventory investment into younger spirit  a reflection of the growing importance of the VS and VSOP segments in markets from the US to Africa to Eastern Europe.

There is an enormous and growing gulf between the big four Cognac houses  Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin and Courvoisier  and the rest, with the quartet accounting for almost 90% of the categorys retail value in 2015.

Related Companies
It was Maple Leaf Foods first major acquisition for over a decade and one very much in tune with one of the key trends in the North American marketplace. The Canada-based meat giant has become the latest in the sector to invest in the growing meat-free industry, snapping up US firm Lightlife Foods. Dean Best looks at the deal.

In its first material acquisition since 2004, Maple Leaf Foods, the Canada-based meat giant, has sought to tap into one of the growing categories in the North American market  meat-free.

On Tuesday (21 February), Maple Leaf announced it had moved to buy US plant-based protein manufacturer Lightlife Foods from private-equity firm Brynwood Partners for US$140m.

Maple Leaf became the latest major name to invest in the North American meat-free sector, following Pinnacle Foods deal for Canadian plant-protein firm Garden Protein International in 2014 for CAD175m (US$133.4m) and, a year later, the sale of UK-based Quorn Foods for GBP550m (US$682.5m) to Philippines-based food group Monde Nissin.

However, more pertinently, Maple Leaf became the latest meat company to invest in meat-free. In October, Tyson Foods, one of the worlds largest meat processors, dipped its toe into meat-free with a 5% stake in upstart US plant-based protein producer Beyond Meat.

Column: Why Tyson Foods investment in Beyond Meat is shrewd

Expanding into the fast-growing, plant-based proteins market is one of Maple Leafs strategic growth platforms, Maple Leaf president and CEO  and its largest shareholder  Michael McCain said on Tuesday, noting the deal also supports our commitment to become a leader in sustainability.

He added: Consumers are increasingly looking to diversify their protein consumption, including plant-based options. The acquisition of Lightlife provides Maple Leaf with a leading market position and brand in the United States in a category that is outpacing growth in the broader packaged foods sector.

Lightlife was founded in the late 1970s and through the 1980s and 1990s became one of a pack of brands marketing chilled vegetarian and soy-based products in the US. In the summer of 2000, the then ConAgra Foods snapped up Lightlife, with the packaged food major noting even then the consumer demand for healthful, vegetable-based products. Lightlife remained firmly in the chilled aisle until 2010 when ConAgra added frozen products to the range.

However, by the autumn of 2013, Lightlife had a new owner, with ConAgra selling the business to US private-equity firm Brynwood Partners. Brynwood described Lightlife as one of ConAgras smaller brands but a leader in the meat alternative category. Then ConAgra CEO Gary Rodkin said Lightlife was a nice business, a good equity but admitted better focus from a different company will help that business. He told investors at the time: It was our only real entry into that part of the store, and we just couldnt provide the kind of focus on it.

Lightlife is among a pack of US meat-free brands looking to ride the growing wave of interest in alternative products to meat in the country. The US remains very much in love with meat; according to data issued by Rabobank last year, US per capita meat consumption rose by the fastest rate in 2015 in 40 years. However, the meat-free category is on the rise, powered by the increasing number of vegetarians and vegans in the US but also interest from meat eaters looking to reduce their consumption for health or environmental reasons.

Speaking to investors yesterday to discuss the Lightlife deal and Maple Leafs 2016 financial results, McCain argued the underlying systemic growth in plant-based proteins is indisputable. He said: There is a significant consumer trend to not eat less meat, but to increase protein consumption in a more balanced way between meat and protein consumption. It is typically both and finding the right balance between meat proteins and plant proteins. And there is just tremendous consumer research and evidence and insights that would underpin that.

Data from Euromonitor International valued the size of the US meat substitutes market in 2016 at US$699.9m, with the market research firm forecasting sales will hit $738.5m this year, which would equate to growth of 5.5%. By 2021, sales could reach $863m, Euromonitor predicts, which would be year-on-year growth of 3.5%.

Figures from Euromonitor suggest Lightlife is the fifth-largest brand in the sector by sales. In 2016, Lightlife sales were worth just under $30m, behind Quorn at $38.3m, Kraft Heinzs Boca at $56.2m, Gardeins sales of $91.3m and category leader, the Kellogg-owned MorningStar Farms at $227.2m.

Euromonitor says frozen products accounted for 73% of the sales of meat-substitute products in the US last year and it sees that proportion staying the same as it looks out to 2021.

Lightlife is no longer present in the frozen aisle. As of now were only available refrigerated and our jerky is on the shelf, but were always coming up with new ideas  stay tuned! the company said in a tweet to just-food after being asked whether its frozen products, launched by ConAgra at the start of the decade, were still available.

The data from Euromonitor suggest Maple Leaf, should it want to build a business of scale, may have to consider re-introducing Lightlife frozen products. Talking to analysts on Wednesday to discuss the acquisition of Lightlife, as well as Maple Leafs 2016 results, McCain said: We have acquired a position in with Lightlife Foods, who have a 38% market share and the leading brand in the refrigerated plant protein segment in the United States. That segment is growing at a clip of around 11%. The refrigerated business is growing at a faster pace than frozen. I think this space has a natural inclination to refrigerated products.

McCain hinted Lightlife may have suffered under ConAgras ownership and praised the work done by the brands most recent owner, private-equity firm Brynwood.

If you look at the history of Lightlife, it was taken over by a very profitable and successful private-equity firm and they installed a management team that did an extraordinary job of turning around a business that had lost its way a little bit in a large company portfolio. They did an exceptional job of turning it around and driving the growth of this category it has demonstrated and is expected to continue, McCain said.

Asked what capital investment Maple Leaf may need to make in Lightlife, McCain suggested the Canadian group would not need to invest significantly in the business. From a modelling perspective, are we going to have to have to apply significant additional capital to this? The answer is unlikely. But we think theres just an opportunity to achieve double-digit growth rates with relatively modest capital investments, McCain said. [Brynwood has] done a great job with this business and positioned it well for growth and have really accelerated the growth rates that theyve experienced more recently as well above category growth rates. Do I think can we enhance that? The answer is yes. There will be some modest capital investments that are required and well take a very long-term view with respect to that.

The Maple Leaf CEO did give some indication of where he believed Lightlife could benefit from the companys ownership. We also can enhance that growth rate through some of the technology that weve been investing in internally. We have been concentrating on building our skill set, knowledge base, technology base, product design for over two years. Weve been investing in this and I think that will enhance their opportunities for product line extensions, distribution extensions, new channel opportunities. We think that we will be inclined to invest in the long term through the accelerations in the advertising and promotional investments that are made. Theres just many, many levers that we can bring to bear, of which capital is just one of them, to accelerate the growth rates beyond the excellent job theyve already done.

One way in which Maple Leaf could look to grow Lightlife is taking the brand into its home market. McCain did not explicitly say Maple Leaf would launch Lightlife in Canada but described such a move as a relatively obvious opportunity for us, adding it would be easy to leverage off our distribution footprint in Canada. He added: They dont have oodles of excess capacity in their plant in the US but they have enough to drive growth for the next few years. And then after that, it would be prudent organic capital investments to support the growth.

However, McCain sought to underline priority number one for Lightlife would be building the business rapidly as we possibly can in the United States. He said: Priority number one is driving its growth in the United States as quickly as we can. The ancillary to that is considering opportunities to enter the Canadian marketplace. But at the end of the day, we want to be very disciplined about how we do that. In Canada, its a new launch. In the United States, theyve got a fantastic platform to grow from and a very large and high-growth market, pointing to the growth Maple Leaf says there is the chilled segment. The one factual statistic thats available in the public domain is the category growth rate currently of 11%. Most industry pundits believe that that is going to sustain itself for the foreseeable future in this category. Its a very high-growth market today and brand positions like this are really important in that category. And we think we can accelerate it from there.

Broadly, the acquisition was welcomed by industry watchers. Michael van Aelst, an analyst at covering Maple Leaf for Canadian investment bank TD Securities, says the deal fits nicely with the companys growing strategic focus on sustainable meats and alternative proteins, while providing a dominant share in a category that is expected to have double-digit growth over the foreseeable future as consumers increasingly recognize the health and sustainability benefits of plant-based alternatives.

Maple Leaf did not disclose Lightlifes profitability but van Aelst suggested the US$140m price tag could, if one assumes the US firm enjoys mid-teens EBITDA margins, mean the Canadian group paid a high multiple of 20 times EBITDA or more. However, van Aelst said such a level would be arguably justified by the rapid growth potential in a burgeoning niche category.

Victor Martino, a California-based food and grocery industry strategist and consultant, says the deal has the potential to be good both for Maple Leaf and for the brand but argues the new owner needs to work on the brands image and product development.

During [the last] three years, I dont think the brand received proper attention, Martino says. The upside for Maple Leaf is Lightlife is an established brand with good retail distribution. The brand has been around for 30 years and has a 35%-39% share of the refrigerated plant-based protein foods category. The challenge for Maple Leaf is that Lightlife is a bit stodgy compared to the newer brands in the category, particularly Beyond Meat, which is creating a lot of brand excitement. Millennials are driving the category. In order to better appeal to the demographic, my suggestion is Maple Leaf refresh the brand, along with adding more cutting-edge items. The category is fuelled for growth. Therefore, if Maple Leaf plays it right, it should be able to grow Lightlifes current annual sales substantially.
Dallas Software Lawyer  How One Can Help Your Business

Dallas, Texas, USA, 02/27/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

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How does that work?

Software Development Agreement

Have your attorney review your software development agreement to ensure that it provides you what you need for your business. If you dont have a contract, your software lawyer can prepare one thats designed to meet your needs. Note that whats included in your agreement will vary depending upon whether its a desktop application, mobile app, or software-as-a-service (SaaS).

Never accept the other partys contract at face value as standard for app development. If youre a developer, you want an agreement you can use repeatedly thats designed to let you recycle code on other app development projects while limiting your liability exposure if the client is unhappy.

On the other hand, if you have software being developed by employees or independent contractors, you want to make sure you truly get what you pay for plus have legal remedies in case something goes wrong.

Software Beta Testing Agreement

If youre beta testing your software (and you should) before release, youll want to make it clear in a software beta test contract the limited rights and responsibilities of those testing your software. The scope of your license granted will be more restrictive than the end user license agreement (EULA) that retail customers get upon release.

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To learn more, go to http://mikeyounglaw.com/dallas-software-lawyer/

source: http://mikeyounglaw.com/dallas-software-lawyer/

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KEARNEY  When it comes to building, local supply company Builders doesnt just stock contracting materials. It also keeps on hand the necessary tools to build weather-resistant community relationships in the Kearney community.

When we opened 40 years ago, there were five of us: three full time and two part time, Builders founder Myron Andersen said.

Andersen opened the doors to the first location, then called Builders Warehouse, location in 1977 in a building just north of Highway 30 in west Kearney. The store initially served two purposes: it served the public and supported Andersens general contracting business, Myron Andersen Construction, was getting a fair deal on hardware and lumber.

Andersen operated the first Builders as a small hardware store and lumberyard, maintaining slow but steady growth over the first decade. He moved the store to a location in north Kearney in 1985, a move that would prove to be very lucrative for the small business.

We did about $150k in business the first year, Andersen said. Over the next five years we built that business up to a million and a half in sales, and weve continued to grow significantly ever since.

The business has grown three-fold in the last four decades. It currently employs more than 430 people with 87 in the Kearney area. There are Builders locations in Kearney, Grand Island and Denver, and just like that first location off of Highway 30, each store is geared toward the needs of the community.

In Kearney, we serve the local DIYer and the local contractor. We have some of the best customers in the marketplace and some of the best contractors in the marketplace, and we strive to get them working together on projects, Andersen said.

The other two locations are geared more toward professionals. The Grand Island location is mainly a professionals yard, with about 95 percent of the efforts related to that market. Denver is also a pro yard and is strictly large volume, Andersen said.

Integrating Builders with the community has set the company apart from the big box stores of the world, and so has Builders core company values, which Andersen said are imperative to running the right operation.

It may sound corny, but we live by the principal that we will never do anything to tarnish the pride that our parents had in us. We dont want to do anything to embarrass our family or friends. Its a good guiding principal to live by, and we make sure our new people understand it, Andersen said.

When you walk around our offices, youll see our guiding principals on our employees desks and walls because we think those are something so important and something that differentiates us from the competition.

Builders works hard to hire people who fit in with company and community values.

We work hard to find people who are a cultural fit to our company and understand customer service, Andersen said. We know you can buy the same products or a variety of our products online and at other stores, and the difference for us is how you add the value to it: Thats our people. Our people make a huge difference.

As Builders works to expand into other markets  something Andersen says it will continue to do  the company will continue that tradition of creating a localized, family atmosphere for their employees and customers.

One of the things thats contributed to our longevity and success is our people, Andersen said. We want to create a sense of family and teamwork with our employees, and we want to provide that same feeling when working with the community and our customers.

Myron installed in us many years ago that treating customers with respect and superior service will help forge a partnership with our community, Chris Borrego, president and CEO of Builders, said.

He helped take the reins alongside Andersens family after Andersen retired about two years ago.

We take great pride in servicing our local communities, Borrego said. We work to be a community leader, to be involved and give back.

That includes reinvesting a substantial amount of the profits back into the community, he said.

Builders has donated time and money to countless organizations through the years, Borrego said. The list includes Kearney Catholic High School, YMCA in Grand Island, and the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, for starters.

We try to help just about any charity that asks us to participate, at least in some fashion, said Borrego. We really look at each one of those requests and allocate what we can to them.

Thats just one of the keys to the decades-long success for Builders.

Were locally owned; we reinvest a substantial amount of our profits right back into the community that we live in, said Andersen. Its one of the things thats contributed to our longevity and success.

The company hopes to continue that trend for the next four decades, in Kearney and beyond.

In this age of consolidation and growth of big boxes, independents fill a need in the community and the local market, Borrego said. We look forward to filling that void and serving the community for the next 40 years.
KEARNEY  Moves can be challenging, but for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, its been a step in the right direction.

In January 2016, the state agency moved into a new facility at 620 E. 25th St., on the west end of the old Bobs Superstore building in Eastowne Kearney.

The move not only gave the commission a new, updated home, but it co-located it with the Nebraska Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, an agency it works closely with.

Before this move, they (Nebraska Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing) didnt have an office in Kearney, Erin Brandyberry, North Platte district supervisor said. The commission for the blind has been in Kearney since the 1970s.

The commission for the blind helps people maintain their independence in their homes, communities and schools by developing independent living skills and by helping them with skills and accommodations to gain employment and give back to their communities. Services are free to those who qualify for either the independent living program, 55 or older programs, or the Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation program. The commission for the blind is funded by the federal and state government.

Our goal is, from the day they walk in the door, to help them be independent, Deanne Jesse said. She has worked for the commission for the blind for 28 years.

Also in the building is the Area Agency on Aging and the S.A.F.E. Center, agencies the commission for the blind often works with. The commission for the blind Kearney office has about 70 clients in its 16-county coverage area and has five employees.

Much of the training of clients is done in their homes in their own familiar surroundings or at the commissions facility in Lincoln.

We have a few people come in here, but most of the time we go to peoples homes, Jesse said. For each person, we look at what theyre having difficulty with, and we want to address those issues right away  whether it is walking safely, doing their cooking or handling their medication.

One of the improvements that came with the move was an added conference room. The office also has a technology specialist who covers the western part of the state working with clients and the technology challenges they face with their disability.

Kearney native Kim Scherbarth, 47, spent seven months at the commission for the blinds training center in Lincoln where she took a free, intense program to learn nonvisual techniques. Scherbarth has retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease shes had all her life,

but wasnt diagnosed until she was 22. The disease causes gradual retinal degeneration and loss of peripheral vision.

I have enough vision that I can see like youre looking through a straw, she said. I only have one good eye, and in that one good eye, thats all I see.

Four years ago Scherbarth started learning Braille; techniques for cooking; alternatives for labeling medications, spices and canned goods; how to travel alone; skills for using a walking cane; and electronics. She can print Braille and uses a Dyno Tape machine to make Braille labels.

To travel, she uses family, Kearney Cab, the RYDE bus or friends.

Im pretty independent, she said with a smile.

Scherbarth uses a PenFriend, an audio labeler for the blind and visually impaired. The voice labeling allows her to put a label on an item, such as a can of soup, and record the name. When she retrieves the item, Scherbarth scans it with a pen that tells her the items name.

She also has items in her refrigerator labeled in Braille and has Loc-dots, or clear adhesive backed raised dots, on her microwave and oven.

Scherbarth refuses to let her blindness hold her back.

Theres no way Im giving up on anything. Im going to live my life. Yeah, Im going to have to figure out a different way of doing things, but Im not letting my blindness be something that keeps me from doing something I want.

@HubChic
KEARNEY  As a man of science, Paul Johnsgard also sees an important aspect of the annual sandhill crane migration, one that transcends facts and figures.

They are spiritual to me and to people I know, he said from his office in Lincoln. Thats a significant part of it for me. I just received a poem this morning from a woman who is a poet. A crane had flown into an overhead wire, and she watched it die. She was so taken by it, she wrote a poem about it.

As a child, Johnsgard saw a stuffed bird that impressed him.

That led to a life of fascination with live birds, the world-renowned ornithologist said.

The bird, a mounted red-winged blackbird, sat in a glass Victorian bell jar on the desk of his first-grade teacher in Christine, N.D., a small town about 20 miles south of Fargo.

Johnsgard writes about that experience in a biographical sketch: She invited me to examine that beautiful bird up close. I can remember that as if it were yesterday, and that experience was an important aspect of wanting to see live birds close.

His first-grade teacher, Evelyn Bilstead, died of a brain tumor several decades later. Johnsgard dedicated one of his bird books to his teacher as a tribute to the passion she sparked in him.

Johnsgard will present, Happy Birthday, Nebraska, a talk honoring Nebraskas 150th anniversary, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Merryman Performing Arts Center at 225 W. 22nd St. Admission to the talk is free.

This is an homage to Nebraska, Johnsgard said. Ill cover the things about Nebraska I most enjoy, the things Im most proud of and the things I most like to talk about; some aspects of the state, the State Capitol and some of the other institutions.

To a greater extent, Johnsgard will about talk the natural history of his adopted state, starting with the Platte River and the cranes.

Essentially, I want to tell people what the state is like and has been like for the past 150 years, he said.

Johnsgard, 86, came to Nebraska in 1961. One of his professors from Cornell University in New York notified him of an job opening in ornithology at the University of Nebraska saying, Nebraska would not be a bad place from which to look for another job.

Instead, Johnsgard grew to love the state and stayed, writing more than 70 books on topics ranging from Lewis and Clark to the natural history of Nebraska. He also created pen-and-ink drawings of birds to accompany his writing. He continued to write and teach and to hone his literary skills.

My mother saved some sketches of a goose I made when I was 5 years old, he said. That was the start for me. As for writing, in high school I was taken by good literature. I decided I wanted to become a good writer, so I started reading authors that I most enjoyed.

Johnsgard occasionally traveled to dangerous places to learn about birds.

Ive taken a lot of risks, Johnsgard said about his work. Thinking about it now days, some of those trips into the Andes Mountains were incredibly dangerous. But when youre young, you dont think much about that. Im more careful now.
KEARNEY  Kearney businesses are working for a stronger connection with customers to promote local shopping.

The Shop Kearney Retail Committee meets at 8 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month in the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce office at 1007 Second Ave. to discuss sales.

The purpose of the committee is to build a stronger bond between retailers, work to create a stronger retail environment by growing the number of retailers in the Kearney area, as well as retain our current retailers, inform of emerging retail trends and ideas and educate the public about the economic benefits of shopping and buying locally, chamber Marketing and Downtown Director Megan Colling said.

The retail meetings are heavily attended by small business owners, Colling said. All chamber members are invited.

As a result of the retail meetings, Colling said, businesses and the chamber put an emphasis on shopping local for the holidays during the 2016 Christmas season.

Because retail sales affect the citys sales tax revenue, another project the group worked on was to create an infographic with the city utilities highlighting the importance of local shopping and where tax dollars go.

Nebraskas sales tax rate is 5.5 percent. Kearneys rate is 1.5 percent.

The city misses out on about $300,000-$500,000 of sales tax revenue a year because of online sales, according to Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno.

The city is currently down about 4.9 percent for the month in sales tax revenue, Briseno said.

Right now, we are trending negative, he said.

During the 2015 calendar year $12,066,000 of sales tax revenue was collected by the city, and $12,076,000 was collected during the 2016 calendar year  virtually no increase, City Manager Michael Morgan said.

This is an issue because a large portion of the citys general fund derives from sales tax revenue. Amenities such as parks, trails, street repairs and the police and fire departments are funded with sales tax revenue.

The shortage prevents city staff from doing all the projects theyd like to do and affects operations, Morgan said.

As sales tax decreases, that affects the things people love about Kearney. We have to react accordingly, Briseno said in a previous interview.

Kearney has the lowest property tax in the state  a quality Briseno attributed to the citys success in collecting sales tax income.

The proposed property tax request for 2016-2017 is $3,323,831. The property tax levy will remain at 13.736 cents per $100.

Taxes make up 22 percent of the city of Kearneys revenue. The tax total breakdown includes 61 percent coming from sales tax and 16.93 percent from property tax.

However, as internet sales rise, local business and governments feel the heat.

If a business has a physical location in a state, it is required to charge the sales tax. However, if a business does not have a physical location within the state, the retailer is not required to list the tax. The tax, however, is still officially due. When filing taxes, shoppers are supposed to claim the purchases on their tax forms.

Lawmakers and businesses are working for change. Two similar bills, LB44 and LB564, were addressed at a January Nebraska Legislature committee hearing. The two bills would require online retailers to collect sales tax or send records to customers and the state in order to make sure the tax is paid.

State Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse sponsored a bill that would apply to retailers with online sales of more than $100,000, while the bill proposed by state Sen. John McCollister, of Omaha would apply to those with more than $25,000 in sales.

The bills would level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers making them more competitive with online businesses, Briseno said. The bills are supported by communities such as Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings, he said.

@AmandaPush
KEARNEY  A vacant building near Kearney Regional Airport once occupied by Coleman/Powermate and Pramac portable generator manufacturers would be sold and 30 jobs would be created, according to an agreement the Kearney City Council will consider Tuesday.

The city, which owns the large industrial building, had leased it to Coleman and Pramac but now plans to sell the structure for $800,000 to Midwest Partitions.

According to a memo from City Attorney Michael Tye to the City Council, the property has been for sale for more than a year, and The Development Council of Buffalo County had advertised it for sale locally and regionally.

Midwest Partitions Inc., a Nebraska company, plans to establish a manufacturing business in the building and has agreed to invest a minimum of $500,000 to improve the structures exterior appearance. Tye told the council that improvements will include re-facing the buildings facade as it faces Airport Road and the construction of a fence to screen the building from the nearby Patriot Park ballfield complex that opens this spring.

Tye said Midwest Partitions has agreed to create a minimum of 30 full-time jobs and to allow the city to annex the property and pay future paving costs for Piper and Cessna streets.

Tye said the building will return to the property tax rolls, and the city will no longer have the expense of maintaining the large vacant structure.

The city would also retain a right of first refusal with reference to the property for five years. According to Tyes memo, the sale would close on or before March 31.

Also on Tuesday, the council will:

- Conduct public hearings so Kearneyites can offer suggestions on the use of revenues from the citys one-half cent sales tax that voters approved in 2005. The council also will invite comments on the citys one- and six-year street plans.

- Consider a permit so an auto show can be conducted in Old Town Kearney on Central Avenue and First Avenue south of South Railroad Street. Matt Mattson has asked for permission to stage the Highway Creepers 4th Rock N Rods Car Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 22.

Tuesdays meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at city hall, 18 E. 22nd St.
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A 20-year-old woman from Soysambus sub-location in Ndalu Bungoma County, Kenya is currently hospitalized after her mother-in-law allegedly threw acid on her legs and tied her to a pole inside a room for two weeks to rot.

Soysambu sub-location administrator Geoffrey Okumu, who confirmed the incident, said the woman identified as Reginalda, was allegedly attacked by her motherin-law, Margaret Masai, shortly after giving birth. The suspect, however denied the allegations.

The Chief doctor at Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital, Oliver Mamadi said he received the woman last Wednesday, February 22, with both her legs and fingers in a state of decay.
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I am a new mom to a beautiful 8-month-old girl, and I am breastfeeding. I am also a doctor at a large, well-known academic institution. The hospital where I work delivers several thousand babies a year, and highly encourages their new moms to breastfeed. They offer a postpartum consultation with a lactation consultant, keep the baby in the moms room 24/7 while in the hospital, and provide several other pro-breastfeeding initiatives.

I delivered my baby at the hospital where I work, and I felt very supported in my efforts to breastfeed. After maternity leave, I returned to work, breast pump in tow, with the resolution to continue pumping and breastfeeding for at least a year, as is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Ironically, this has proven to be one of the most difficult things I have ever attempted.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that women with a child under one year of age should be given reasonable break time to express milk, as well as a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public. However, because I work in health care, I have to ask for help covering my patients when I take breaks. Not only is asking for breaks (especially from male colleagues) at times quite awkward, but asking for breaks is not a common thing, and is often frowned upon amongst doctors. Prior to having my baby, I had never asked for a break! Despite these mental hurdles, I got over my pride and asked for the help of my colleagues. Then theres the next hurdle: where to go.

The hospital where I work is over 1.5 million square feet, and there is exactly one dedicated lactation room in the entire building. If you happen to be on another end of the hospital, it can take 5 to 10 minutes to get there. Add the 15 minutes it takes me to pump, the time to get back, and suddenly it takes 30 minutes. Unfortunately in medicine, even if you ask nicely and have the best colleagues, you just cant take a 30-minute break; especially not twice a day, which is how often I need to pump.

Also, the one lactation room that is supposed to accommodate an entire hospital is, not surprisingly, frequently full. So instead, I try to find a place to go which is close to the unit I happen to be working in. Since I am a resident, each new month brings a new rotation, commonly in a different unit. The OR one month, ICU the next! In the beginning of each month, I, therefore, spend the first day asking around and hunting for the best place to quickly escape for my twice a day break.

Places that I have found to pump in have included, but are not limited to, empty isolation rooms (rooms where the patients with TB and Influenza stay), family consultation rooms, call rooms, locker rooms, and bathrooms. Yes, sadly, I have pumped while sitting on a bathroom floor more times than I can count. I told myself I wouldnt do it, and I hate doing it, but many times it has come down to quickly pumping in a bathroom, or not pumping at all. I chose the bathroom.

Keeping up production once back at work and away from your baby is an issue many breastfeeding women face. I can tell you from experience that pumping on a bathroom floor does NOT help your production issues! Most of the moms I work with have stopped breastfeeding sooner than they hoped to because of difficulty pumping at work. Either they refuse (understandably) to pump in a bathroom, or production drops when they arent given a time and space to pump. Regardless how or why, Ive talked to many new moms and have yet to meet a female doctor who was able to keep breastfeeding a full year as the AAP recommends. And its not for a lack of trying.

I highly doubt that my situation is unique. If I polled physicians at hospitals across the country, Im sure the stories would be similar. I dont blame hospital administrators. Unless you have been a working/breastfeeding mom yourself, or have witnessed someone close to you go through it, it is unlikely that you would ever think of lactating moms when designing a workplace.

Unfortunately our hospital, just like many other institutions in the country, is run by men. Mainly older men. People who have certainly never thought about needing to express milk to feed a baby. So even though it is an institution that strives to do the best thing for its patients by promoting breastfeeding, they fail to do the best thing for their employees. The elevators are filled with flyers announcing that this is a breastfeeding friendly hospital and offering times for free lactation consultations, yet employees are forced to pump while sitting in an empty isolation room or on dingy bathroom floors.

The ideal lactation room is not something fancy, spectacular, or even difficult to create. It is a room with a lock, a chair, and a plug. Thats all. It honestly doesnt need to be bigger than a closet. Other things like a sink to rinse your pump parts or a locked cabinet to store your pump are great bonuses, but are not necessary. A private, convenient place to go and sit for 15 minutes is all most women would ask for.

New studies continue to emerge touting the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfed babies get sick less frequently, meaning fewer sick days for mom or dad to stay home and take care of them. The benefits are so great that you would think that large companies, as well as society as a whole, would want to invest in helping young moms breastfeed as long as possible. Yet if a hospital, an institution centered around health and well-being, does not truly support its breastfeeding employees, how can we expect other businesses to do so?

Maisie Jackson is an anesthesiologist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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An article from the Wall Street Journal caught my attention, and for all the wrong reasons. It was a review of two recent studies showing that medical trainees have difficulty diagnosing patients with complicated histories or confounding psychosocial features. At least, thats the way I would describe those studies.

The WSJ, however, used much more pejorative language, referring to them as difficult patients, a nuisance, and an annoyance. The author wrongly presumed this perception was shared, not only by young doctors-in-training, but also by mature professionals. And her title  When Patients Are a Pain for Their Doctors  grossly misrepresented the way that health professionals feel about their sick and suffering patients.

The journal that published the two studies, BMJ Quality & Safety, didnt do a whole lot better, sometimes referring to the patients as difficult as well. Perhaps the Dutch authors didnt understand the nuances of the English language, but the British Medical Journal editors surely should have.

This type of language  and worse  was common among the house staff subculture when I began my career in the 1980s. Samuel Shems book, House of God, exposed the cynicism of trainees, who were themselves victims of an abusive training system.

Today such pejorative labels are viewed by most health professionals as on par with ethnic, racial, and gender slurs. In fact, research has shown that many of the patients so-labeled in the past were indeed from another race, another ethnicity, or another economic or social class. Others were mentally ill, didnt speak English, or had the audacity to be gay or lesbian, old or female. In the youthful, male-dominated house staff culture of that era, it was considered a character flaw just to be over fifty or have two X chromosomes.

The research has shown that these were not difficult patients by any objective measure. What made them difficult, frankly, was that their caregivers were themselves sleep-deprived and victims of an abusive training system. The proverbial shit flowed downhill: from senior faculty to trainees to patients.

The other reason patients got sacked with such pejorative labels was that they had complicated histories or incurable chronic conditions. They werent difficult people per se, but had conditions that were difficult to diagnose or treat. Some physicians at the time  again, typically, the younger trainees  felt overwhelmed and developed a language of blame as a way of masking their ineffectiveness, incompetence, and insecurity. The litany included code words such as difficult patients, hateful patients, malingerers, dirtballs, gomers (Get Out of My ER) and shpos (Sub-Human Piece of Shit). Remember, the house staff was a male, twenty-something subculture, so if the language sounds locker room talk, thats basically what it was.

Look back in the medical charts of yesteryear, and youll find students and residents writing things like, The patient was a poor historian, The patient failed therapy, or The patient was noncompliant. Nowadays every good doctor knows not to say or even think such things. After all, its the doctor who serves as the historian, so if the medical history isnt up to snuff, we should blame the doctor, not the patient. And if the patient doesnt get well, its the therapy that failed the patient. To label a patient as noncompliant implies that the physicians job is to bend the patient to his will, and the patients job is to submit. (The root is plie, as in a pair of pliers.) Ouch! The doctor-patient relationship should be one of collaboration and mutual respect. Not the doctor barking our orders and the patient blindly submitting.

When patients have complicated health histories or confounding psychosocial situations, the last thing they need is to be labeled as difficult or disruptive, a nuisance or an annoyance. Perhaps the diagnosis is whats difficult. Perhaps treating more than one condition is whats disruptive. Perhaps what makes them a nuisance and an annoyance is that the bean counters are measuring success in terms of quantity rather than quality of care.

Oftentimes illnesses are complex. It takes time to build trust, gather information, determine the diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan. All the while educating, comforting, and healing. You cant do this in drive-by fashion, while the patient rolls down a 12-minute assembly line.

Its important to note that neither of the two studies that the WSJ comments on were studies of real doctors  or real patients, for that matter. The researchers presented complicated, hypothetical situations to medical trainees. Predictably, these young docs stumbled. But the WSJ article misleads readers by concluding from these studies that real patients are a nuisance and a pain to their real and fully formed physicians.

I have observed, studied, and trained physicians in medical communication for the past three decades, and in my experience, no good physician ever speaks or even thinks this way about her patients. Instead, she would describe the challenge as being that of a complicated diagnosis or a complex or incurable chronic condition. She might say that this is a difficult case or a difficult relationship, but she would rarely refer to her patient as a difficult person. Doctors understand that patients come to them in pain, vulnerable, and afraid. They last thing they need is to be blamed for their problem and shamed by their caregiver.

Doctors view their work as a sacred calling, not a fee-for-service transaction. They dont expect patients to present with neat and tidy problems at convenient times and places. Doctors do have high expectations of themselves: to be caring, competent, effective, and respectful  in short, professional.

Medical trainees, like the ones in the study, are in the process of learning their medical skills. Its human nature to be defensive, to project, and to transfer blame when under stress. As time goes on, theyll learn how to manage projection, transference-countertransference, and other psychodynamics of intimate, professional relationships. Another problem for many trainees is that they havent yet figured out that a big part of health care isnt curing or fixing problems, but managing them. So they get frustrated when patients with chronic conditions dont meet their unrealistic expectations.

The bottom line here is that the term difficult patient should be removed from the lexicon. It should never appear in newspapers or medical journals. The language is blaming and makes it sound as though doctors and patients are at war with each other, when actually they have an incredibly collaborative relationship. They dont stand face-to-face in some power struggle, but side-by-side to manage health problems as a team. A cure may not always be possible. But as long as theres collaboration, cooperation, and a positive vibe, healing always is.

Warren Holleman runs a wellness program for physicians and is on the editorial staff, Pulse  voices from the heart of medicine. He blogs at Work Well. Be Well.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
A burglar who admitted breaking into a city centre barbers and stealing cash and tools and burgling an apartment had his case adjourned at Kilkenny Circuit Court.

Andrew Houlihan of no fixed abode admitted the offences in September 2014 and May 2015.

The court heard that on September 13, 2014 the injured party had locked up his premises, the Turkish barbers on Kieran Street and when he returned on September 15 the property had been entered. The tills had been opened and numerous items had been taken including scissors and shavers.

The incident was reported to gardai and they called to the injured party's premises. The defendant admitted breaking into the premises and the stolen property, including gels, shampoos, shavers and razors, were subsequently recovered from a house in the Altamount Park area of the city.

The defendant said he took 300 but this was disputed by the injured party who initially said 3,000 was taken and then said in another statement that it was 2,000 which was taken.

The court heard that at the time the defendant was keeping very bad company and that at the time of the offence the 21-year-old was suffering from addiction issues. The defendant has not come to garda attention since the incident. He went into residential treatment for his addiction issues in July 2015 and remained there for 15 months.

The defendant also entered a plea in relation to a burglary on May 3, 2015 at Pennefeather Lane. The court heard that on the date in question a group of friends were at a stag party had rented a house and went out socialising. One of the group returned home in the evening and walked in and closed the door but did not lock it.

He went up to the bedroom and started eating his pizza and was keeping 'an ear out' for the rest of the party. He heard footsteps but no conversation and then three heads popped around the door. He tried to close the door and there was a struggle and he was pushed back and he was thrown a punch and a pint glass was thrown at his forehead and he was sprayed with a fire extinguisher. He was asked for his wallet and gave one of the men 50 and got 'two or three deep cuts to his face' and the men left. The injured party realised there was a box of Strongbow cider missing and the accused was subsequently identified on CCTV.

The defendant told gardai that on the night in question he had nowhere to stay and went into the house and started drinking. He admitted that the injured party told him 'to get out' and that he 'sounded scared' and that he 'threw a pint at his chest'. The defendant said he was 'totally ashamed' and made full admissions.

Houlihan has been in Christian based treatment for the past 16 months and wants to start a new life in the army.

"I want to show my ex girlfriend and son that I can lead a good life. I grew up without a father, I don't want my son to do the same.

The court heard that the defendant has completed treatement and is now a member of the congregation at The Hope City Church in Tallaght. At the time of the offences he was socialising with 'an undesirable crowd' and has moved from Kilkenny and is no longer keeping that company. He is also involved in the Dublin Christian Mission and volunteers at a homeless facility.

Judge Brian O'Callaghan said that the court is impressed by the reports handed in and said that the defendant is a young man who appears to be taking serious steps to get back on track.

He adjourned both matters for a year to give the defendant time to convince the courts that he is absolutely genuine in trying to turn himself around.

The matters were listed for a date to be set at the next Circuit Court sittings in May.
The south-east region must strive to find a balance if its counties are to see real progress on issues such as broadband, transport infrastructure, and a regional university, local councillors have said.

The comments were made at last Mondays meeting of Kilkenny County Council as local councillors looked ahead to the southern regional launch of the Ireland 2040  Our Plan National Planning Framework, which takes place in Waterford this morning.

Senior planner Denis Malone gave a presentation to councillors outlining the planning framework process, which is part of the Governments ambition to put together a long-term plan for the country. The process is open to public consultation at the moment, and the closing date for submissions is March 16.

Cllr John Brennan thanked Mr Malone for the presentation, and said it was a lot of food for thought.

Creating a regional balance  there lies the challenge, he said.

If you look at the south-east as a region, there's a perception that the 'sunny south-east' is doing well. But when you look at the figures, the sunny south east is way below other regions in terms of jobs and income. In Kilkenny, we are quite lucky with the projects we've coming on, and the tourists and visitors we have.

Cllr Tomas Breathnach said that the National Spatial Strategy had failed for a number of reasons, including prospects changing based on the location of Government ministers, and the abolition of regional authorities.

The south-east is now a collection of five counties rather than a regional, cohesive unit, he said.

We need to get together, and we need a robust, strong framework in place.

Cllr Breathnach said that there was some special responsibility on Kilkeny as it shares a common boundary with the other counties.

Cllr Eamon Aylward said it was another report that looks good in theory but when you scroll down through it, it was all dependant on money. He said that a regional university is a must, as are upgrades for roads and broadband.

Friends of mine working in Dublin would gladly get out of working there if they could, he said.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty expressed concern that the Waterford boundary review process had been 'lumped in' with the framework.

They are separate issues, she said, adding that the two big issues were rural transport and broadband.

Cllr Pat Dunphy said it was a good document, and that people should make their submissions. He also mentioned the boundary issue.

If you are going to have county boundaries changed, it will never happen, he said.

When you look at the region and the south-east will the highest unemployment, something has to happen a bit different. We've a good road down from Dublin, but no road across the south to the big ports like Rosslare.

The Fine Gael councillor said that solar power and wind turbines would require a lot of consideration.

There are applications coming in from all over the place, he said.

You are talking about acres upon acres before you turn a profit. And as we've seen, the more you put into the grid, the more you need upgrades. There are solar farms going up all over the place.

Cllr Breda Gardner said she had her own fears regarding the plan, namely whether submissions would be taken into account. Citing the consultation process on the boundary issues, she said submissions had been ignored.

I feel a little bit disillusioned, she said.

I just have a few doubts with regard to this planning framework.

Full details of the National Planning Framework are available on www.Ireland2040.ie and the public are invited to contribute initial views by March 16. An updated plan is expected in autumn of this year.
Lyrath Estate Hotel has begun hosting the Irish Hotel Federation Annual Conference today (Monday) and will continue on until tomorrow. They published their report this morning to over 400 hotel and guesthouse managers and representatives.

The report shows that the average national room occupancy has grown to 72%, the highest number recorded in the last eleven years. This is due to a surge of 9.2% in overseas visitors to the country.

Chief executive of the Hotel Federation, Tim Fenn says that over 13,000 new jobs alone were created in the tourism and hospitality sector in 2016 bringing the total number of new jobs since 2011 to almost 50,000. This demonstrates the vital role the sector plays in Irelands on-going positive economic and employment growth. The tourism industry as a whole now supports approximately 220,000 jobs - equivalent to 11% of total employment in Ireland with almost 60,000 of these jobs in the hotel's sector alone.

During 2016, overseas visitors grew by 769,000 to 8.8 million with increases across all key markets. North America improved on last years performance with visitors up by 17% to 1.51 million in 2016. Visitors from mainland Europe were up 8% to 3.11 million while visitors from Britain  Irelands main tourism market  were up 9% to 3.66 million.



Mr. Fenn then went onto to discuss the difficulties the hotel sector is facing in relation to Brexit, as British visitors are our biggest market. The impact of sterling's collapse in our largest market, which accounts for 40% of our overseas visitors, has and continues to be a significant concern, we believe, in 2017 as advance bookings made pre-Brexit sustained this market in 2016. Deterioration in British visitors will hit our rural tourism hardest as this is the one market that does travel outside our city and tourist hotspots.

On a more positive note, Mr. Fenn also points to the significant growth in air access into Ireland. Recent growth in air access has been crucial. The new routes added in 2016 provided increased connectivity from new and existing markets to Irish airports delivering record-breaking passenger numbers. The new runway announced for Dublin Airport is also to be welcomed and demonstrates confidence and commitment to further growing our tourism success.



The conference continues on until tomorrow in the Lyrath Estate Hotel and features guest speakers throughout the two days
SINGAPORE, Feb 27 (IFR) - On a rare quiet day for Asian high yield, the segment seemed to recover lost ground from Friday's weak trading session. Conversely, there was generally a sell-off in investment-grade credit, especially at longer tenors.

The Asia ex-Japan iTraxx IG index widened half a basis point to 95bp/97bp, with some recent issues slipping wider.

In the IG segment, Citic's 2022s widened 1bp to Treasuries plus 119bp, while its 2027s moved out a hefty 7bp to Treasuries plus 157bp.

Huawei's 2022s slipped 2bp and its 2027s widened 6bp to Treasuries plus 132bp and 170bp, respectively.

However, Bank of China's new 2020s and 2022s tightened 2bp each to Treasuries plus 108bp and 100bp, respectively.

In high yield, Future Land's 2020s were a 10th of a point higher at 100.2, yielding 4.9%, after the company reported a 33% increase in full-year profit. Just over two weeks ago, the bonds had been trading below par.

Evergrande Real Estate's dollar bonds callable in February 2018 were seen unchanged at a cash price of 111.6, yielding 5.6%, after it sought consent to ease some of related covenants.

Noble Group's 2020 bonds dropped 1.25 points on Friday, after independent research provider Iceberg again criticised its accounting practices. Today, the bonds were seen at a cash price of 96.9, yielding 8.0%.

BUMA's 2022 bonds gained more than a quarter of a point, continuing a strong run, and were seen at 102.6, yielding 7.1%.

(Reporting by Daniel Stanton; editing by Dharsan Singh)
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(Kitco News) - The worlds second biggest gold producing nation, Australia, saw its highest production levels in more than 17 years last year, according to data compiled by mining consultancy firm Surbirton Associates.

Image courtes of Newmont Mining: gold production at its Tanami property.

The firm said that Australian gold production totaled 298 tonnes, up about 3.5% compared to gold mined last year and the highest level since 1999. The nations gold production ended on a strong note as 77 tonnes of the yellow metal was produced in the final quarter of the year.

It was a good year for Australias gold miners, said Dr Sandra Close, a Surbiton director, in a press release. We are getting very close to the 300 tonne a year mark but we still have a way to go to break the all-time annual record of 314 tonnes set in 1997.

Favourable foreign exchange rates is one of the main factors that drove gold production last year, according to Close. Last year the gold price in, Australian terms averaged A$1,676.52 an ounce, up almost 9% from 2015. In July, following the Brexit referendum gold in Aussie dollars rallied to record highs.

Overall the Australian dollar gold price has continued to be attractive, thanks to the combination of the US dollar gold price and favorable exchange rates, Dr Close said. This has encouraged the redevelopment of previously mined areas and the refurbishment of mothballed plants, thereby pushing Australian gold output higher.

However, looking ahead to the first quarter of 2017, Close said that weather problem could have a significant impact on gold production.



Output early in the year is often affected by rain from summer cyclones that disrupts mining in open pits and creates problems during processing due to the sticky nature of the ore, she said. 

Australias largest gold producers for the 2016 year were:



Operation Ounces Owner Boddington 800,000 Newmont Mining Corp Super Pit  JV 754,000 Newmont Mining Corp 50%, Barrick Gold Corp 50% Cadia East 732,288 Newcrest Mining Ltd Tanami 459,000 Newmont Mining Corp Telfer 440,519 Newcrest Mining Ltd
By Jonathan Stempel

Feb 27 (Reuters) - Gregory Abel, chief executive of the energy unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc , was awarded $17.52 million in compensation last year, mainly in the form of a bonus, a regulatory filing shows.

Abel, 54, received a $15 million bonus under a performance incentive plan at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, where he has been chief executive since 2008 and chairman since 2011. He also got a $1 million salary plus $1.52 million of other awards.

The total amount was down from $40.77 million in 2015, which included $39.5 million of incentive and bonus pay, and made Abel one of the best-paid U.S. executives.

Many investors and analysts consider Abel a top candidate to succeed Buffett, 86, as Berkshire's chief executive. Abel also sits on the board of food company Kraft Heinz Co , controlled by Berkshire and Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital.

Buffett's compensation is normally disclosed in March. The world's second-richest person takes a $100,000 salary for running Berkshire. His total compensation was $470,244 in 2015, mainly reflecting the cost of security to keep him safe.

Berkshire owns 90 percent of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Its profit from the unit, which consists of utilities, natural gas pipelines, other energy businesses and a real estate brokerage, rose 7 percent in 2016 to $2.29 billion.

Results benefited as lower fuel prices boosted margins at PacifiCorp, which runs a regulated utility in several western U.S. states, while acquisitions and rising home prices boosted profit at the real estate brokerage.

Though Buffett did not mention Abel by name in his annual letter to Berkshire shareholders on Saturday, he said Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns assets that are "of major importance to our country" and enjoys an "ever-widening diversity of earnings streams," including from wind energy.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)
(Corrects first paragraph to show mining investments have dropped for three years straight instead of nearly four years, in ninth paragraph corrects period for investment slump to 2014-2016 not 2013-2015 and cenbank estimate for 1.1 percent drop to 2017 from 2016)

LIMA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Peru will introduce new rules this week that will aim to turn around the Andean country's three-year slump in mining investment by eliminating permit requirements for exploration projects, the energy and mines minister told Reuters on Monday.

Ahead of a visit to Toronto for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention, Gonzalo Tamayo said the recent rally in some metal prices has not spurred enough interest in exploration activity to ensure a robust pipeline of future mines.

"We want to reactivate exploration," Tamayo said in a brief interview. "The level of claims isn't growing at the rhythm we'd like. It has to be faster."

Tamayo said the government was evaluating changing current rules so that exploration projects do not have to submit the same detailed environmental and archeological studies as proposed mines.

Instead, companies prospecting for new mineral deposits would only have to submit affidavits about the potential impacts of their plans that could be subject to supervision later.

"Exploration is less invasive," said Tamayo.

Safety regulations might also be revised to eliminate unnecessary and costly training sessions, but without raising the risk of accidents, Tamayo added.

Peru surpassed China as the world's second-biggest copper producer last year thanks to surging output from MMG Ltd's new Las Bambas mine and Freeport-McMoRan Inc's expanded Cerro Verde mine.

But years of weak mineral prices have dried up interest in building new, large-scale mines in Peru, which is also a leading zinc and gold producer. Mining investments dropped by double digits annually between 2014 and 2016, and the central bank said it expected a 1.1 percent contraction in 2017.

Tamayo declined to estimate how much time or money junior miners might save on securing permits under the forthcoming rules, which he said would not apply to projects that have already been submitted for approval.

Tamayo acknowledged that President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's six-month-old government is not the first to vow to slash red tape but said it was committed to doing all it could to make it easier for mining companies to work in Peru in coming years.

The government is also in the process of creating a new office in the cabinet to prevent social conflicts that have derailed mining projects in Peru in the past.

(Reporting by Mitra Taj and Teresa Cespedes; editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Editor's Note: We hope you enjoy Kitco News' new look, launched today! Don't forget to try out our newest feature: Kitco Chat! You will now be able to easily share and comment on all our articles. You can do so with or without signing up, but why not join Kitco's online community? In just a few easy steps, you will be able to create your unique username and password. Make sure to do so quickly, before someone else snags your username!

(Kitco News) - Gold prices are slightly down in early U.S. trading Monday, on a mild corrective and profit-taking pullback after prices last Friday scored a 3.5-mongh high. Gold and silver bulls are still enjoying the firm overall near-term technical advantage. April Comex gold was last down $1.40 an ounce at $1,256.90. May Comex silver was last up $0.004 at $18.41 an ounce.

The marketplace this week will focus on U.S. President Donald Trumps speech to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday evening. He will provide U.S. lawmakers with his plans for growing the U.S. economy, as well as other domestic and foreign matters. U.S. Federal Reserve officials, including Chair Janet Yellen, are also scheduled to speak this week. Their comments will be closely scrutinized following last weeks FOMC minutes that were deemed by many market watchers as a bit dovish on U.S. monetary policy.

The key outside markets on Monday morning find the U.S. dollar index near steady. The dollar index is still in a fledgling price uptrend on the daily chart. Meantime, Nymex crude oil futures prices are firmer today. Oil prices are still in a sideways and choppy trading range that has bound that market for weeks.

U.S. economic data due for release Monday includes durable goods orders, pending home sales and the Texas manufacturing outlook survey.

(Note: Follow me on Twitter--@jimwyckoff--for breaking market news.)

Technically, April gold futures bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage and still have some upside momentum. Prices are in a nine-week-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistance at $1,275.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is closing prices below solid technical support at $1,225.00. First resistance is seen at last weeks high of $1,261.20 and then at $1,268.00. First support is seen at Fridays low of $1,248.80 and then at $1,240.00. Wyckoffs Market Rating: 6.5

May silver bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage as prices hit a 3.5-month high overnight. Prices are in a two-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls next upside price breakout objective is closing futures prices above solid technical resistance at $19.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $17.50. First resistance is seen at $18.50 and then at $18.75. Next support is seen at Fridays low of $18.21 and then at $18.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.
COLOMBO, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's finance minister assured bondholders on Monday that their investments were safe, after the government said that past bond sales had not followed proper procedures.

A Sri Lankan commission investigating irregularities in government bond sales has found that governments since 1998 have not followed the legal procedure for bond sales, by failing to provide information on the bonds to the public.

"Any bond that has been issued will be honoured," Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told reporters in Colombo. "As a government, we take the responsibility and will honor everything. Nobody has to worry."

From now on, he said, the government will publish details of a bond sale a day after the sale, instead of issuing it at the end of the year.

Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said nobody should have any concern over the validity of any government securities.

Karunanayake's assurance comes as a government commission began investigating past bond issuance. Opposition lawmakers have charged that a February 2016 bond sale has cost the state more than $1 billion, by forcing borrowing costs up by 2 percentage points .

The central bank has dismissed the opposition's claims.

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal, editing by Larry King)
Warren Buffett, on CNBC, says bought about 120 mln Apple shares in 2017



NEW YORK, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett, chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc , told CNBC on Monday that his conglomerate had purchased about 120 million shares of Apple Inc. in 2017. "Apple strikes me as having quite a sticky product," Buffett said. He said that Berkshire's Apple stake was now worth about $17 billion and amounted to 133 million shares.

(Reporting by Sam Forgione Editing by W Simon)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

kitco news
The Herald reports:

Jailed former Heart of the City boss Alex Swney is teaching fellow inmates how to read and write.

Swney, 59, was jailed for five years and seven months in June 2015, after being found guilty of tax evasion and sophisticated offending spanning more than a decade.

The crimes involved more than $4 million.

It is understood he will be eligible for parole in May.

New Zealand Howard League for Penal Reform chief executive Mike Williams, a former Labour Party president, yesterday told the Herald on Sunday of Swneys work with fellow inmates via one of the organisations peer-to-peer literacy programmes.
Stuff reports:

Spiritual leaders with access to children are not subject to police vetting, a loophole that urgently needs closing, according to a victim of historic sex abuse.

It is not a loophole. The state has no business telling private organisations what to do with vetting.

As it stands now, the law states that all State-funded organisations have to vet childrens workers. But despite a legacy of child sexual abuse scandals, the law does not cover religious institutions.

That is because they are not state funded. The last thing you want is the state regulating religions, as that encourages religions to get involved in the business of the state.

The law applies anyone in a government-funded agency that works with children, along with core childrens workers like nurses and teachers. It also covers employees in religious groups programmes that receive State funding and teachers at religion-affiliated private schools.

So the law is not a loophole and not an exemption. If a religious programme is state funded, then the vetting is mandatory,

But all religious groups should screen leaders and youth workers too, Shelley said.

Why? Not all religions are the same.

Stuff contacted a range of religious institutions, including New Zealands Anglican, Catholic, Mormon, Presbyterian, Hindu, Jewish, Islamic and Scientologist groups, to ask whether they were vetting childrens workers. Among those that responded; the Catholic Churchs policy requires not only police checks, but psychological testing for its clergy training to join the order. Its social services staff are also vetted and it is currently drafting national guidelines for its smaller parishes. Presbyterian and Mormon churches already have national policies to vet employees and volunteers with access to children, and the Anglican Church circulated a document to its diocese last year recommending the same.

So most churches are vetting on a voluntary basis, so what is the problem?

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Students pose for selfies at a graduation ceremony at the Seoul-based university in this file photo. Korea Times photo by Shin Sang-soon



By Park Hyong-ki



The population of women with college degrees for the first time surpassed that of women who only graduated high school, Statistics Korea said.



Also, the population of single females increased, while the number of women who registered as the head of their household grew more than five times that of males.



The number of college graduate females aged over 25 reached 6.64 million in 2015, or 36 percent of the total 18.4 million aged above 25.



Those with a high school diploma totaled 6.32 million, or 34 percent of the total, the second-largest demographic.



The total female population increased 3 percent, or 736,000, to 24.89 million in 2015 from 2010.



The number of females who registered as the head of households grew 25.6 percent to 1.15 million in the last five years. This was about 5.3 times that of males who registered as household heads, which increased 4.8 percent to 619,000 in the same period.



"This is because of a growing number of married couples registering wives as the heads of households, in addition to the increasing single female population," a Statistics Korea official said.



Up to 77.3 percent of women aged 25 to 29 were single, up 8.1 percentage points during the five-year span.



The increase in single women reflects the growing number of people delaying marriage and having children, the statistics agency said.



Also, as more women pursue higher education, the average age of marriage is rising. More than half of 9.29 million women aged over 20 said marriage got in the way of their career, followed by 28 percent pointing to having children as an obstacle to career development.



The average age of women getting married was 24.2 in 2015, up 0.2 from 2010. Those who did not have kids accounted for 11.2 percent of the total female population aged over 15, up about 5 percentage points in the same period. The average age of Korean women stood at 41.6, up 2.3 years.
Yeongin post office worker Cho Man-sik died of atherosclerosis caused by excessive work. He is one of the examples of "kwarosa"  death from overwork. / Courtesy of MBC



By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea Post says average annual working hours for postal workers in 2016 was 2,531 hours, or 48.7 hours a week  8.7 hours more than the national standard.

But Korean Postal Workers' Union chief Kim Myung-hwan questioned the figure's credibility. With help from a Korea Labor Institute survey, he argued that the employees actually worked more than 55.1 hours a week.

"Among 190 Korea Post employees who died in the past five years, 150 were in their 40-50s and over 85 were postal workers. It shows that the service industry's occupational hazards are very severe," Kim said.

Rep. Lee Jung-mi from the minor opposition Justice Party said most of the nine postal workers who died in 2016 frequently worked overtime, more than 12 hours a day.

Choi Seung-mook, chief of Korean Postman Workers' Union (different from the Korean Postal Workers' Union), demanded that postal work service be exempt from the list of occupations the nation selected to legalize extra overtime work because Korea Post "abuses the law to force overtime work."

Death from overwork  "kwarosa" in Korean  has emerged as one of the most debatable issues as examples from a year before to this year have shocked the nation.












The European Union imposed additional sanctions on North Korea on Monday over nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out in defiance of the U.N. Security Council.

The decision, implementing a November UN resolution, comes with North Korea in the international spotlight after the assassination in Kuala Lumpur airport of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of leader Kim Jong-un.

The European Council, comprising the EU's 28 member states, said the new measures include restrictions on trade in coal, iron and iron ore, plus a ban on imports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc from North Korea.

The sale of new helicopters and vessels to North Korea was banned, while tighter controls were introduced on the transport, finance and property sectors.

Member states will also curb any teaching, training or scientific links which might benefit North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, it added.












By Yi Whan-woo





Yun Byung-se

The world should step up efforts to refer the North Korean leadership to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its increased violations of human rights, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said Monday.

Speaking before the 34th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Yun said impunity should no longer be granted to North Korea in the wake of the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"There have been countless cases of North Korea's human rights violationsand the story did not end as the world was shocked by the North Korean leader's half-brother being assassinated brutally in Malaysia two weeks ago," Yun said in a keynote speech.

"For the perpetrators of North Korean human rights violations to be made responsible, the international community should refer to cases of North Korea to the ICC as seen from the resolutions adopted by the UNHRC and the U.N. General Assembly.

"Now is the time to terminate granting customarily immunity to those perpetrators, including the North Korean leadership," he added.

Yun said the tyrannical regime has been "directly challenging" human rights norms and other international norms. He cited the connection between North Korean diplomats and the murder of Kim Jong-nam using the toxic nerve agent VX, an internationally-banned chemical weapon.

"North Korea's worsening human rights record will pose threats to the peace and security of the international community overall. We must take necessary measures independently and collectively before human rights violations beget a greater calamity," he said.

Yun said South Korea will work closely with the international community to hold those who are responsible for North Korea's dire human rights record to account. He mentioned Seoul's first-ever human rights act on North Korea that took effect last year, and the establishment of a North Korean human rights archive accordingly to collect and record relevant information.

Yun arrived in Geneva, Monday to join the UNHRC session and the U.N. Conference on Disarmament.

He is expected to underline the gravity of Pyongyang's repeated violations of international conventions as well during his speech scheduled at the disarmament conference today.

The government said it initially planned to send Second Vice Foreign Minister Ahn Chong-hee to Geneva but changed its plan after it was revealed that Kim Jong-nam was poisoned to death using VX.

"Given the serious nature of Kim Jong-nam's death, the government decided that sending a higher-ranking delegate to the U.N. meetings would be more effective in urging other countries to bolster pressure on North Korea," a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

In Washington D.C., the three top nuclear negotiators from South Korea, the United States and Japan were scheduled to hold their first joint talks on the denuclearization of North Korea since the Donald Trump administration began Jan. 20.

The three envoys are Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs; U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun; and Japan's Asian and Oceania Affairs Bureau Director-General Kenji Kanasugi.

Kim said the dialogue this time will also cover Pyongyang's military threats using chemical weapons in the wake of the assassination of Kim Jong-nam.

"The issue of North Korea's chemical weapons will be discussed in addition to its nuclear and ballistic missile provocations," he said.
By Rachel Lee

Pakistan Ambassador Zahid Nasrullah Khan held a ceremony on Feb. 22 at his Seoul residence to present a Letter of Commission from the President of Pakistan to the newly appointed Consul General of Pakistan Shinn Tae-young.

Shinn received the commission for his efforts in "forging a much closer and stronger relationship between the two friendly countries, especially in the field of trade and investment," according to the embassy.

Shinn said he would work to bring the people of Pakistan and Korea together for their mutual benefit and prosperity.
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....
By Rachel Lee



Leading multinational companies gathered in Thailand on Feb. 17 to discuss ways to strengthen the country's competitiveness.



Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak led the "Honorary Investment Advisers (HIAs) Business Forum," at which executives the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) appointed met Thai government officials and local industry representatives.



Those attending included the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Finance and the Federation of Thai Industries. They talked with the executives about technology and innovation and people development as the top investment promotion aims that will help Thailand increase national competitiveness.



Jatusripitak said: "The government intends to build on our key strengths, like food and agriculture, as well as service industries, and promote the adoption of new technologies that will further enhance our national strengths and competitiveness."



During the meeting, the government presented the national agendas and the roadmap to the Thailand 4.0 initiative, under which innovation will drive economic growth.



"The country needs a transformation to increase competitiveness amidst the global changes," a BOI spokesperson said. "As part of this roadmap, the government has identified five agendas considered top priorities _ namely human capital reform, development of target industries and technology, fostering local enterprises through innovation, strengthening local economies at provincial levels and connecting Thailand to the world."



The Deputy Prime Minister said: "The government has also assigned specific government bodies to facilitate investment in such specific issues as promotional incentives handled by the BOI and tax by the Finance Ministry. What's more is the establishment of the Strategic National Administration Committee chaired by the Prime Minister, which will be the government body that brings all these different government bodies together to ensure close collaboration to address immediate tasks to enhance sustainable development."



Jatusripitak also introduced his country's accomplishments in the past two years to increase the ease of doing business, including relaxing regulations, law amendments and speeding up the bureaucratic process. He said plans are in place to create a friendly environment for technology adoption and innovation. The government also has made important reforms that will help improve the efficiency and speed of services, he said.



In terms of human resource development, the government is implementing major education reform. World-leading educational institutes will be encouraged to open campuses in Thailand, which will not only serve Thailand but also neighboring countries in the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) region.



The participating HIAs offered to work with the government in arranging training, apprenticeships and educational programs using their knowledge and expertise to help Thailand achieve the "4.0 citizen" development goal.



The BOI's HIA Business Forum is part of the "Opportunity Thailand 2017" seminar held by the BOI to provide investors with information about Thailand's latest investment incentives. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the seminar and emphasized the importance of partnerships with the private sector, investors and society in driving changes that will increase national competitiveness and stimulate economic growth and social development in the region.




By Rachel Lee

Costa Rica's Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Elayne Whyte Gomez, has been elected president of a UN conference to negotiate a treaty banning nuclear weapons.

Ambassador Whyte was elected by acclamation to guide this process, drawing on her solid international experience and Costa Rica's permanent commitment to global nuclear disarmament and peace. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948.

Costa Rica's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Gonzalez Sanz, said the international community has recognized the moral authority of Costa Rica as a country that complies firmly with the rule of law and resorts to international law and bodies for peaceful coexistence.

"The next months will require a lot of work but we embark on this task aspiring to hold up our country's legacy and contribute to the efforts of the international community to create a safer, nuclear-weapon-free world for future generations," he said.

Costa Rica will participate in the negotiations to be held in New York from March 27 to 31 and June 15 to July 7.
Azerbaijan Ambassador to Korea Ramzi Teymurov, second from right, poses with officials from the Korean government at the exhibition "Azerbaijan Realities: from Past to Present" at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 14. /Courtesy of Embassy of Azerbaijan





By Rachel Lee

For Baku, this year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea but is also the anniversary of a tragic event.

At the exhibition "Azerbaijan Realities: from Past to Present" at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 14, Azerbaijan Ambassador to Korea Ramzi Teymurov presented a collection of photos and videos of the Khojaly genocide. This bloody tragedy involved thousands of Azerbaijanis in the town of Khojaly in the Daghlyq Garabagh (Nagorno-Karabakh) region of Azerbaijan that had been under occupation by neighboring Armenia for more than 20 years. Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Park Byeong-seug and Korea-Azerbaijan Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Hwang Young-cheul also attended the event.

"In 1992, Azerbaijan lost control over Shusha city, Lachin, Khojavand and Khojaly districts as a result of Armenian occupation, which affected the lives of thousands of civilians and increased the number of internally displaced persons," the ambassador said. "But Azerbaijan successfully rose from the ashes of invasion and managed to become one of the fastest-growing economies under the leadership of her great son, national leader Haydar Aliyev, and with the support of our allies and friends like Korea."

The exhibition consisted of two parts _ one focusing on the Khojaly massacre and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the other displaying Azerbaijan's cultural heritage.

Marking the 25th anniversary of ties with Seoul at the same time, Teymurov mentioned the stable cooperation and development between the two nations in many fields.

"In the past 25 years we have built up strong and closer contacts at all levels, and deepened mutual understanding and trust," the diplomat said. "The high-level exchanges of visits between the two countries played an important role on achieving remarkable outcomes in almost every sector of our relations, based on mutual respect and shared interests."

Ethnic Azerbaijanis in Khojaly town faced the armed forces of Armenia and the Motorized-Infantry Battalion No.366 of the former Soviet Union, which led to the killing of 613 civilians. Additionally, 1,275 people were taken hostage, 150 went missing and 487 people were disabled, 76 of whom were teenagers.

"Today, Azerbaijan is dynamically developing in all fields _ lead by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan _ based on its significant geographical location that makes Azerbaijan an important transportation hub between East and West, its energy and natural resources that create enormous opportunities for local and foreign entrepreneurs to develop their own businesses and to support overall economic development of the country, and finally its rich history and culture that attracts the international community as a tourist destination and as a host of many important international events," Teymurov said.

Last month, the embassy hosted an event to remember the 27th anniversary of Baku's "Black January" massacre of Jan. 20, 1990. During the night of Jan. 19-20, about 26,000 Soviet troops entered the capital Baku and committed atrocities against the Azerbaijani people who were struggling for freedom and sovereignty. Some 133 civilians lost their lives and 700 were wounded. The Soviet army also attacked the state TV building to prevent news reaching the international community. The massacre evoked a deep sense of anger and indignation across the world. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan regained its independence and became a sovereign state.
Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Yongsan Garrison, central Seoul, Feb. 22. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



8th US Army commander calls for readiness



By Jun Ji-hye

North Korea's next "logical" step may be the test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), considering its young leader's focus on the technological development of ballistic missiles, the commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army said.

During an interview with The Korea Times, Feb. 22, Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, who took command of the Eighth Army on Feb. 2 last year, said, "Certainly, what we have seen has been Kim Jong-un's focus on development of his capabilities of ballistic missiles."

He cited the North's two nuclear tests and 22 launches of ballistic missiles such as the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and the Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) last year.

The North's ICBM, believed to have a range of more than 10,000 kilometers, could strike targets on the U.S. mainland in theory, but has not been tested yet.

"As you look at the acceleration of Kim's emphasis on ballistic missile technology as well as its weapons of mass destruction, the year 2016 clearly has been the year of dramatic changes with regard to North Korean threats," he said.

The commander said the latest provocation on Feb. 12, in which the North fired a new IRBM, was yet another step of Kim's emphasis on technological development.

During the launch, Pyongyang successfully fired its new missile propelled by a solid-fuel engine using a caterpillar-tracked, self-propelled missile-launching vehicle. Using such a system enables a country to prepare missile launches in greater secrecy, making it much more difficult to detect, trace and intercept them, according to military experts.

"As Kim has developed the capability, we think the next logical step that he may pursue will be that (ICBM) launch so we have to be prepared for that contingency," he said.

Lt. Gen. Vandal noted that the armed forces of the U.S. and South Korea have been preparing in a variety of different ways  from ballistic missile defense to keeping an eye on how thing are being developed in North Korea.

"As we look at that, there has to be a corresponding increase in our readiness across the United States Forces Korea (USFK) and across the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command," he said, giving an example of the implementation of rotational brigades that he describes are in the "much higher level of readiness."

He also cited that the U.S. Army has added in multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) battalions as well as Apache helicopter battalions.

The USFK recently replaced the 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior observation and light attack choppers that were stationed on the Korean Peninsula with the 24 AH-64D Apache heavy attack helicopters to better counter growing threats from North Korea.

As part of efforts to enhance the ballistic missile defense capability, the commander made it clear that a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery will be deployed on South Korean soil "sometime in this year."

South Korea and the United States announced their decision to deploy the battery last July, but concerns over possible delays or a reversal of the decision have been raised especially after President Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly in December for a corruption and influence-peddling scandal.

USFK Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks said last November that the anti-missile system will be brought over in the next eight to 10 months.

Regarding this, the Eighth Army commander said, "The initial assessment that Gen. Brooks conveyed is still accurate," adding that the timetable may change based upon the final agreement between the U.S. and South Korean governments.

On the upcoming Key Resolve and Foal Eagle annual joint military exercises beginning next month, Vandal said the U.S. armed forces will bring together a variety of different units  marines, army, naval and air forces.

"All of them collectively participate, some here in the peninsula and some remotely," he said, noting that the exercises are to "ensure our readiness for whatever provocations and whatever aggression may occur."

Earlier this month, Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his U.S. counterpart James Mattis agreed, during their talks in Seoul, on the need to carry out the strengthened annual exercises this year amid evolving nuclear and missile threats from the North.

Based on this agreement, this year's drills are expected to be conducted on the largest-ever scale, according to Seoul's ministry officials. Some of the U.S. strategic assets are also expected to be sent in a show of force against Pyongyang's potential provocations, officials added.

Last year, 310,000 troops from South Korea and 17,000 from the United States participated in the exercises.

Commenting on a massive $10.8 billion project to relocate the USFK, the commander said the construction project at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is "the largest construction project in the U.S. Army over the last 15 years."

The project has proceeded based on the two major relocation plans previously signed by Seoul and Washington  the Yongsan Relocation Plan (YRP) and the Land Partnership Plan (LPP).

The YRP is to vacate Yongsan Garrison, relocating most facilities and forces including the USFK and the Eighth Army headquarters to Camp Humphreys, while the LPP will redeploy the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), now stationed north of Seoul, also to Pyeongtaek.

"In fact, the Eighth Army, our headquarters, have already started to move this summer," Vandal said, noting that majority of units will be moved by 2018 but some units won't, based on the conditions.

"You have to keep in mind there are two aspects to that," he said. "One is the buildings, the actual infrastructure, and the second part is all of the command, control communication and computers. All of that have to be installed."

He also said the 210 Fire Brigade, the U.S. Army's key anti-artillery unit stationed in Camp Casey, north of Seoul, would remain there until the conditions are met.

"That would be sometime we project after 2020," he said.

The conditions for this include the completion of South's artillery reinforcement plan, according to Seoul officials.

Regarding the Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army (KATUSA), the commander said, "Young men from the Republic of Korea that serve as our KATUSAs are absolutely some of the best men I have ever worked with. They are well-educated and highly motivated. They are an integral part of the Eight Army."

KATUSA is a unique military program initiated during the Korean War, under which Seoul provides the U.S. military with soldiers who speak both English and Korean, allowing for greater functionality and maneuverability of U.S. forces throughout the Korean Peninsula.

He added he would like to see them helping U.S. soldiers learn the Korean language and culture better rather than always trying to speak English.
Asking business leaders for money to fund the Mir and K-Sports foundations set up and controlled by Choi, was to boost hallyu or the Korean wave, with the aim of raising the country's profile on the global stage, the attorneys said.

"Raising funds for the foundations was a perfectly legitimate part of conducting state affairs, and no extortion whatsoever was in play in the process. Choi's alleged involvement was a regrettable act of corruption from Park's closest inner circle, to which she was not privy," said Kim Pyung-woo, one of the attorneys.

Kim reiterated his earlier stance that he would not accept any decision by the court in an apparent attempt to preemptively reject a ruling against the President.

The lawyers also claimed that a ruling made by eight justices instead of nine was unconstitutional and therefore would hold no legal force.

"The retired former court President Park Han-chul was a President Park Geun-hye appointee," said Jeong Ki-seung, one of the attorneys. "With him gone, the ruling is destined to be unfavorable to the President. This is against the Constitution that guarantees a fair trial."



Eight Constitutional Court judges hear arguments from both National Assembly prosecutorial panel and President Park Geun-hye's defense attorneys at the final hearing of her impeachment trial, at the Constitutional Court in Jongno, downtown Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap



Justice for the people

In response, the National Assembly prosecutorial panel demanded that the court uphold the impeachment to bring justice as wished by the people.

It called for the immediate removal of the scandal-ridden leader.

"Considering that Park no longer has any basis for the power bestowed upon her  the public trust  her retaining the presidential office is meaningless as it further confuses and divides the country," said Kwon Seong-dong of the new conservative Bareun Party, leading the panel.

The impeachment charges, he said, were the result of a series of acts of malfeasance after Park failed to perform her duty as a president faithfully.

"The President's violations of both the Constitution and other criminal laws have been established through the corroboration of evidence that underwent strict verification," Kwon said.

The panel said Park abused her power by allowing her longtime friend Choi  a "nobody"  to meddle in every aspect of decision making for the country.

"The Constitution clearly states that the Republic of Korea is governed by the people and power comes from the people. By allowing or overlooking Choi's activities, Park fundamentally betrayed the public trust in her as a democratically elected leader," Kwon said.

"The top priority of Park should have been the protection of the public interest. But she abjectly failed by mobilizing not only administrative capabilities, but Cheong Wa Dae's influence in helping Choi pursue her own benefit to the fullest extent possible," he said.

The court will take up to 14 days in deliberations and likely rule on either March 10 or 13, the day of the retirement of acting court President Lee Jung-mi.
A move to close down the nation's largest dog meat market is underway.

Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, began disposing of dog cages and slaughtering facilities, Monday.

The move follows an agreement signed between Seongnam City and the dog meat vendors' association in December.

Among the 22 meat dealers, 15 have agreed to close their shops.

The city government will assist the vendors in seeking new businesses and refurbish their shops by May.

The market has been the target of criticism from animal rights activists as well as residents in the area who complained of the noise and odor coming from the slaughter.

Because the law on hygiene management of livestock does not include dogs in its definition of livestock, there were no legal grounds for authorities to regulate the dog meat market.

There are hopes that the move will help Moran Market and the area shed its tainted image.

The market sells 80,000 dogs a year, which is a third of the total dog meat consumption here.
Daegu Chimac Festival 2016. / Courtesy of KCIA

Daegu Chimac Festival, where "chimac" is Korean slang for the combination of chicken and beer, is recruiting foreign "Chicken Leaders" to promote the 2017 festival, which will run from July 19-23.

The Korea Chimac Industry Association Corporation (KCIA) will be hosting the event in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for the fifth year.

KCIA plans to recruit 20 enthusiastic Korean and foreign college and graduate students who currently live in Korea.

"Preference is given to candidates who are multilingual, are able to make high quality visual contents (extra preference if applicant can submit any previous works) and are open to stay during the festival," said a KCIA spokesperson.

The position is unpaid, but volunteers will have access to plenty of chicken and beer. They will also receive certification from the mayor of Daegu.

Applicants can apply from Feb. 22 to March 17, with successful applicants announced at March 27.

Forms can be downloaded here and submitted to dgchimac@hanmail.net.

The form is available in Korean and English.
Seoul's Gangnam-gu district will celebrate the 98th Independence Movement Day on Wednesday with a variety of events and discounts. / Courtesy of Gangnam-gu office



By Lee Han-soo

Seoul's Gangnam-gu district will celebrate the 98th Independence Movement Day on Wednesday with a variety of events and discounts.

The local government will promote the Independence Movement Day with the motto "A nation that forgets its past has no future."

"We will be encouraging residents to hang Taegeukgi, Korea's national flag, voluntarily by using the motto," said Gangnam-gu office.

Gangnam-gu will be promoting Independence Movement Day with a mobile Taegeukgi promotion booth, photo event and discounts with Taegeukgi and various performances throughout the district.

Coex complex will also give a 2,000 won discount for Megabox Theater and 3,000 won discount for Coex Aquarium to any ticket buyer who shows a picture of himself/herself hanging a Taeguekgi from March 1-7.

Buyers will also receive a 10 percent discount on all books from Youngpoong Bookstore in Coex.

"I ask all residents to unify and hang Taeguekgi at their homes to express our patriotism just like our forefathers did for our independence on March 1, 1919," said Gangnam-gu office chief Shin Yeon-hee.
South Korea's ruling Liberty Korea Party said Monday it respects the acting president's decision not to extend the special probe into a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye.

Earlier in the day, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn rejected the independent counsel's request to extend the term of the independent counsel, which ends Tuesday.

"Hwang has made a stern decision for the sake of national interests and stability, unaffected by illegitimate threats and pressure. We respect it," said Rep. Chung Woo-taik, the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party.

While the opposition parties demanded a month's extension, the ruling party has been opposed to a prolonged investigation, which it fears would help the opposition bloc in the presidential election.

The whip said the remaining part of the investigation can be carried out by state prosecutors. (Yonhap)
Ye Jong-suk, left, and Rep. Sohn Hye-won, campaigners for leading presidential hopeful Moon Jae-in, unveil the symbol and logo of Moon's camp at their campaign office on Yeouido, western Seoul, Monday. The camp chose a bear as its symbol because the animal represents Moon's "soft charisma." / Yonhap



By Choi Ha-young



The approval rating for leading presidential contender Moon Jae-in hit a new high of 33.5 percent in a poll released Monday, cementing his lead in the presidential race over other hopefuls.

The poll, conducted by Realmeter, also showed runner-up contender, South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung, is struggling to expand support after seeing an upsurge in previous weeks.

Moon's popularity increased by 1 percentage point from a week earlier to 33.5 percent, the highest rating for the former chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Previously, his highest rating was 32.9 percent in the second week of February.

The gap between Moon and An, also a DPK member, increased from 12.1 to 14.6 percentage points. An's rating stood at 18.9 percent, 1.5 percentage points lower than last week.

An drew flak from liberal voters for saying "President Park Geun-hye had a good will" in regard to the two foundations set up by her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

"An's uptrend seems to have reached its limit," said Choi Chang-ryul, a professor of political science at Yongin University. "Being ambiguous between liberal and conservative, he has failed to strengthen his presence in the party, which is necessary to win the primary."

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn took third place with 10.9 percent, followed by another DPK contender, Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, with 10.1 percent.

Hwang has been reluctant to extend the independent counsel team's mandate in its investigation into the scandal involving Park. Despite the move backed by pro-Park voters, the potential conservative candidate has shown a downturn for two consecutive weeks.

"Far-right voters have fully gathered their support for Hwang, so it will be difficult to garner additional supporters," Choi said.

Moon's dominance is also palpable in the party's possible primary. According to a Hankook Ilbo survey released Monday, 52.1 percent of participants were in favor of Moon. Only 28.4 percent of them were in favor of An, even if it is open to non-party members which may attract centrists in support of An.

Since the top two candidates are all from the main opposition party, the DPK's primary is considered a "de facto final" with regards to the presidential vote. As of Monday afternoon, over 1 million people have registered to vote in the DPK primary.

"We are expecting more than 2 million electoral college votes," a source from the DPK's in-house think tank said on the condition of anonymity citing his position. "Moon's victory has become easier than a week ago."

To turn the tables, An and Lee have called for more discussion opportunities. Their supporters overwhelmed the DPK's website server, Saturday, leaving messages in protest of the party's decision to have only two public discussions before the impeachment ruling.
By Jun Ji-hye

Bringing scandal-ridden President Park Geun-hye to justice was virtually handed over to the next government Monday when acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn rejected the independent counsel's request to extend its investigation into the presidential corruption scandal.

Hwang said, through his chief press secretary, that if the scandal needed to be investigated further, state prosecutors could take up where the independent counsel team left off or the National Assembly could set in motion yet another special probe.

But political observers said that even if the Constitutional Court upheld Park's impeachment and removed her from office, it would be unlikely that state prosecutors could begin their investigation immediately. The experts added that this could give Park more time to prepare to avoid arrest, including destroying evidence.

"Even if the court upholds the impeachment, the prosecution will not begin its investigation for at least 60 days until the early presidential election ends out of concern that its probe could exert influence on the election," Kim Tae-hyun, a lawyer, said, during his cable TV appearance.

Hwang's decision came a day before the independent counsel team's 70-day mandate expires. The team could have been given a 30-day extension if the request had been approved.

The Constitutional Court is widely expected to announce its ruling by March 13, when acting court President Lee Jung-mi, one of the eight justices, is set to retire. If the impeachment is upheld, the Constitution requires a presidential election to be held within 60 days.












By John J. Metzler



UNITED NATIONS  "More than 20 million people in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and northeast Nigeria are going hungry, and facing devastating levels of food insecurity," warned UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. In a stunning and passionate plea for famine relief in the drought and conflict ridden regions, Guterres stressed, "We're facing a tragedy; we must avoid it becoming a catastrophe." Over 1.4 million children remain at risk of death from famine.



Guterres cautioned, "This is preventable if the international community takes decisive action."



Addressing the media with a high-profile humanitarian panel including the UN's Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien, the Secretary General spoke of five million people in South Sudan and a further five million in northeast Nigeria who face serious food shortages.



He highlighted Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula; "Yemen is facing the largest food insecurity emergency in the world, with an estimated 7.3 million people needing help now."



In all these cases, insurgencies against already fragile governments are part of the equation.



Yemen, for example, has seen civil conflict between government forces supported by a Saudi Arabian coalition and Iranian backed Islamic rebels. The Secretary General called on all parties to the conflicts to "respect humanitarian law."



In Yemen, the food insecurity is "staggering," with 65 percent of households estimated to be food insecure; more than 460,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition.



Yemen has emerged as a hotbed of Al-Qaida operations. Moreover Yemen also hosts Islamic State terrorists, adding to instability in the country. Since 2014 the mountainous land has drifted into protracted civil war.



Despite the daunting humanitarian task which plagues these restive regions, a shortfall of emergency relief funding has hit UN relief agencies. While the Secretary General stresses that $5.6 billion is needed for 2017 with a $4 billion budget needed by the end of March "to avert a catastrophe," the stark truth remains that only $90 million has been received thus far. "That's around two cents for every dollar needed," Guterres lamented.



He warned that not acting now would only create a larger humanitarian danger in the near future. "This is a dramatic emergency situation and it needs a response."



When asked whether donor fatigue among UN member states is part of the problem creating the aid shortfall, the Secretary General surprisingly said that it's not a case of "donor fatigue" but widening and increasing challenges and crises whether from the El Nino weather pattern affecting rainfall, and the persistence of entrenched armed conflicts.



Stephen O'Brien added that "food, nutrition, water" are needed in the affected regions to provide people with "durable resilience".



The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) stated bluntly: "Protracted conflicts also mean continuous, slow and even at times rapid, erosion of people's food security and nutrition."



As recently as 2011, over 260,000 people died from famine in Somalia. But beyond famine, the country has suffered political turmoil since 1991. The conflict is fueled by and entrenched Al-Qaida linked Al Shabaab Islamic militia which controls large parts of the strategic East African land.



In northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram Islamic militants have until recently been operating in rural regions and have destabilized food production. A FAO report warns that "The Boko Haram conflict has had a huge impact on agriculture as a result of the large-scale population displacement and the restrictions imposed on agricultural activities."



Addressing the wider challenge in four separate countries the Secretary General stressed, "These four crises are very different, but they have one thing in common. They are all preventable. They all stem from conflict, which we must do much more to prevent and resolve."



Here the new Secretary General who comes from Portugal returned to his primary mission focus; preventive diplomacy and a respect for humanitarian law.



"The lives of millions of people depend on our collective ability to act," the Secretary General implored, adding, "In our world of plenty, there is no excuse for inaction or indifference."





John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." Contact jjmcolumn@earthlink.net.




By Kim Mi-kyoung





Eight days before Trump's inauguration, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam. During the visit he promised generous financial aid and reemphasized strategic partnerships. The natural reaction here to Abe's Southeast Asia swing begs the questions of "Why now?" and "What for?"

Japan does not get along with its immediate Asian neighbors. This is nothing new. It has a multitude of pending issues with China and Korea. China and Japan have been disputing territories which, in part, was caused by the U.S. in the post-World War II chaos. Now, while ditching China's AIIB, it very aggressively pursued TPP. It wanted to wash its hands off China-related initiatives.

And the Abe government did not waste much time in administering the "shock therapy" of suspending currency swap with Korea over the 2015 comfort women agreement. It flexed its muscles to make it clear on who sets the terms in the bilateral relations.

A series of actions made by Japan was clear and loud. It wants to reclaim the old glory as the leader of Asia by further strengthening Japan-U.S. ties. The necessary condition for Japan's revival parallel to Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was to synchronize with the US. Past enemies can become friends as signified by Obama's Hiroshima and Abe's Pearl Harbor visits.

All of those pertain to pre-Trump era. On the first day of his Presidency, Trump withdrew from TPP and demanded new negotiations for NAFTA. A few days later, he indeed began to build the wall near the Mexico border. He said many provocative things during the campaign, and meant all of it to our despair.

Trump's inaugural speech, convinced us that he is a much, much more dangerous personality than anyone could have ever imagined. A glimpse of hope for his behavioral modification and sensible policy stance dissipated in the air. He will not change, and the world has to fasten the seat belt in the era of "America First."

Trump pulled a biggest trick in his dubious career, and it worked. He probably tried to find a meaning in the successful scam and became convinced that only divine intervention can explain the whole schmuck. He sounded like a self-designated messiah who can save the U.S. from all the woes exaggerated in his subjective imagination.

It was only less than two years ago when Abe did his song and dance at the U.S. Capitol Hill. I watched his performance in awe and embarrassment. It seemed like he was going to do everything to woo the U.S. by mentioning his personal affection for the country, and the shared values and common interests legitimating the U.S. support for his political goals.

Trump is a business man who thrives on aggressive negotiations, winner-take-it-all mentality, love for money and cravings for public attention. Abe's tactics worked with Obama, but it will not work with Trump. Trump and Obama are two very different leaders.

Japan is left with two options. Kiss up unlike before. Or make friends, old and new, unlike before.





Kim Mi-kyoung is associate professor at Hiroshima City University. She can be reached at mkkim_33@hotmail.com.
Frontrunners should be vetted on reconciliation ability



A recent opinion poll confirmed an increasingly irreversible trend in the upcoming presidential election: the likelihood of the next president hailing from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).



Asked who they would vote for if the election were held tomorrow in the survey by Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, 30.9 percent of a randomly selected sample of 1,000 people supported Moon Jae-in, who lost to the incumbent President Park Geun-hye in the previous election. An Hee-jung, the governor of South Chungcheong Province, came in second at 15.8 percent, while Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-an, acting president for Park during her impeachment trial, and Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, also a progressive, garnered 10.3 percent and 10.1 percent in the poll. Ahn Cheol-soo was behind at 7.8 percent. Hwang has not declared his candidacy so there are none among conservative candidates with a significant presence.



With the election expected in May, there appears little time for the current pecking order to change. Thus, experts say that anybody who wins the DPK candidacy will most likely become the next president. Now, Moon is often cited as a prospective shoo-in after he has gained from previous polls, with his rival An losing momentum.



The shoo-in candidacy carries dangers with it, the gravest being the lack of vetting to see how he will perform as head of state. Moon as the losing candidate in the 2012 poll ran the gauntlet of questions about his competency. He by and large passed muster.



That was then. Now, the zeitgeist of the next election is about how to bring reconciliation to the nation that is suffering from the deepening ideological division over President Park's impeachment.



Moon has so far ridden on the crest of the massive anti-Park candlelit protests that pushed ahead the impeachment process against the head of state for her alleged corruption and illegal power sharing.



So far, Moon has rarely departed from his partisan dogma and tried to reach out to the other side of the ideological spectrum. In contrast, An, who marked a stunning rise in popularity, suggested a liberal-conservative coalition a la that by his mentor, the late President Roh Moo-hyun, although it apparently triggered a backlash and took a bite out of his ratings.



Still, an ideological firebrand leader is open to little compromise in governance, one example being U.S. President Donald Trump, who is stoking the nation's division with his anti-establishment policies.



Then, the DPK has its primary to worry about. The party wants to have 2.5 million voters, over 5 percent of the total of general election voters, participate in the selection of the candidate. With such a big electorate come many problems such as "illegal votes," candidates' collusion and the disapproval of the outcome by losing candidates.



The upcoming presidential election will come with many critical limitations caused by Park's impeachment. Still, the nation is in greater need of a better leader than ever before.




By Andrew Salmon





Talk about getting it wrong. In my last book on Korea, published in 2014, I mused on the changing nature of street politics.

My experience of reporting demonstrations, post-2008, was that most featured more cops than protesters. Given that the hardcore of past demonstrators were students  who, amid the present, mature economy, need to study hard to get jobs, leaving little time for protest  I speculated that the day of the Korean mass demo might be over. Buttressing this thought was the ever-expanding bailiwick of the interweb, which enables heated debate without physical protest.

Then came the "Candlelit Revolution," proving my surmise embarrassingly wrong. (Historians! Stick to recording/analyzing the past, rather than gazing into crystal balls!)

However, ongoing events indicate that the overall theme of the tome was bang on. Korea is "The Land of Extremes"  and if anything, it is getting more so.

Glaringly, the biggest extreme visible is the national divide: South Korea was arguably the greatest economic/political success story of the 20th century, North Korea one of its greatest failures.

Extremes are equally prominent in South Korea's economy: There exists a top-heavy layer of blue chip conglomerates and a bottom-level base of millions of mom n' pop stores, but virtually nothing in the middle. Moreover, we see an ironic extreme in HR: Youth unemployment soars, while the nation imports hundreds of thousands of foreign manual workers every year.

Extremes are visible in the polity, where politicking is confrontational, fraught and furious  even descending into fistfights on the Assembly floor. Extremes are visible in society, where Koreans are (by most metrics) among the world's most prosperous people, but also (by most metrics) among the least happy.

Extremes are evident in infrastructure and bureaucracy: Korea's internet boasts perhaps the best hardware backbone on Earth, but may be more over-regulated than that of any other democratic nation. Extremes are glaring in personal technologies  among the fastest/highest adoption rates on Earth; in working hours  among the longest on Earth; and in education  one of the most stressful systems on Earth. Extremes are equally visible in the heavy drinking culture, in the frenetic nightlife, in the high suicide rate  the list goes on.

In this thematic sense, I was on-target: The pendulum of street politics has swung from one extreme to another.

After years of tiny, ineffectual protests, colossal, seismic demonstrations that look set to overthrow the president are back in vogue. Another extreme: Current demos are among the biggest in the world in recent years, but are also the least violent, and best organized.

Amid this, yet another extreme becomes apparent: The broad divide between the young (anti-Park Geun-hye) and the old (pro-Park). While it seems universally true that the aged are more conservative than the young, Korea's demographic divide is more extreme than most.

Korea's pace of development was so swift that the experiences of different generations  those who grew up in poverty in the 1960s-70s, those who grew up fighting for democracy in the 1980s, and those who have grown up in prosperity ever since  were radically different. The ongoing situation may have widened this chasm: I know of families here that are on virtual non-speaking terms over the current crisis.

Speaking of which, with two of Korea's three most recent presidents having faced impeachment, the question now is: "Will an impeachment process become par for the course for every future late-term president?"

Looking North, Pyongyang continues to operate in extreme style, accelerating its tempo of nuclear and missile tests. And the rogue state grows ever more roguish, apparently deploying a miniaturized weapon of mass destruction  an ultra-toxic chemical agent  to off regime critic and potential defector Kim Jong-nam in (shock, horror) an international airport terminal.

Will the peninsula ever calm down? Amid a refusal to acknowledge the concept of win-win  where everything becomes a zero-sum game  with triumphant winner and infuriated loser, are we fated to witness ever-more extreme actions, behaviors and trends? Until and unless the overarching national mission of reunification is achieved, I suspect so.

Meanwhile, for those of us who are in, but not of Korea: Enjoy the theatrics. Few nations offer such compelling and incendiary drama.





Andrew Salmon is a Seoul-based reporter and author. Reach him at andrewcsalmon@yahoo.co.uk.
LG Electronics mobile chief Cho Juno unveils the company's smartphone business strategy, on the sidelines of this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC), at the Melia Barcelona Sarria Hotel in Barcelona, Sunday (local time). / Courtesy of LG Electronics



By Lee Min-hyung

BARCELONA  LG Electronics remains optimistic about its mobile unit's goal of rebounding this year with its flagship smartphone, the G6, the firm's mobile head Cho Juno said.

"We had so far focused too much on adding differentiated design or functions to our new smartphones, as LG is a latecomer in the smartphone industry," Cho said at a press conference, Sunday (local time), held on the sidelines of this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) here.

This came after the Seoul-based tech titan launched the premium handset, which did not contain as many surprising features as its modular predecessor, the G5.

"What really matters for smartphones are fundamentals  such as display size or battery," he said. "That is why we adopted the 5.7-inch large screen for our new model, allowing our customers to enjoy more comfortable experiences."












A researcher tests a quantum password telecommunication device at SK Telecom's Quantum Tech Lab in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province. The mobile operator said Monday that it will provide the cutting-edge technology globally together with Nokia. / Courtesy of SK Telecom



By Yoon Sung-won



SK Telecom's "quantum password telecommunication" will be distributed globally through a partnership with Nokia, the mobile operator said Monday.



Quantum password telecommunication is considered one of the best telecom security systems that no cyberattack can breach. It is expected to be used for national defense, finance, data-centers and self-driving cars.



The company said that it has opted for the partnership over a single-handed approach for wider penetration into the market.



"It is one thing for us to have top-notch technology and it is another to secure global markets," SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho said after signing an agreement with Nokia in Barcelona, Monday. Park is visiting the city to attend the Mobile World Congress 2017. "We will speed up the new information and communication technology paradigm through cooperating with global enterprises such as Nokia," he said.



Under the deal, SK Telecom and Nokia will jointly develop a quantum transmission system based on the technology by the end of the year. The system will be introduced in Nokia's new optical transmission devices.



Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri said, "SK Telecom's quantum password technology helped us to build a foundation to provide the world's strongest network security. We will be able to quickly respond to the rapidly growing market demand for cybersecurity."



The telecom company has pushed to develop the source technology at its Quantum Technology Lab since 2011.



"Though Korea started to develop quantum password technology later than the United States and China, we can now provide it globally after the successful demonstration with Nokia," an SK Telecom official said. "The partnership with Nokia also comes because of the global recognition of Korea's quantum security technology."



SK Telecom said it will also apply the technology to internet of things (IoT) devices.



The company also plans to complete development of a subminiature non-memory semiconductor called the quantum random number generator (QRNG) by the first half of this year and release it soon.



QRNG is used to generate untraceable random numbers as quantum passwords. But currently available QRNG cannot be used for mobile devices because it is as large as a credit card. It can be adopted for smartphones, IoT devices and autonomous driving cars only after its size has been decreased substantially, SK Telecom said.
Students make a presentation during last year's Hanwha Science Challenge contest at the company's recruiting facility in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, in this file photo. // Courtesy of Hanwha Group



By Jhoo Dong-chan

Hanwha Group will hold the Hanwha Science Challenge, a contest helping youths develop and strengthen their creativity in science. It will receive applications until April 2 from high school students accompanied by their teachers who want to participate in the annual contest.

Now in its seventh year, the Hanwha Science Challenge is a part of the group's corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in education, aiming at finding and encouraging future scientists. This year's theme is the same as it was last year _ "Saving the Earth."

"The contest is not about finding a correct answer for each question. It focuses mainly on enhancing the participating students' creativity and solution-finding capacity," a Hanwha Group spokesperson said.

"Students are also required to discuss and find a solution as a team. It will offer a great opportunity to raise their communication skills."

The grand prize-winning team will receive 40 million won while two gold and two silver medalist teams will receive 20 million won and 10 million won, respectively. Prize-winning teams are also offered a field trip to see selective foreign colleges and science institutes as well as Hanwha global operations.

In January last year, 10 prize winners from five teams went to Europe to visit the world's largest particle physics laboratory CERN and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, which has produced 21 Nobel Prize winners including Albert Einstein.

A total of 8,700 students from 4,122 teams have so far participated in the Hanwha Science Challenge since 2011, and over 700 teams are expected to participate in this year's event as well.

Hanwha spokesman said more than 60 percent of previous competition winners have landed in selective universities at home and abroad to fulfill their dreams in science.

Hanwha Group is also expected to give recruitment benefits to finalist students in case they apply for jobs with the group in the future.

For more information, visit sciencechallenge.or.kr or call 02-729-1472.
By Park Jae-hyuk



Lotte Group agreed Monday to give up a golf resort as a site for a U.S. anti-missile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, according to the Ministry of National Defense.



The military and the conglomerate will sign a land swap deal today at the earliest.



According to the defense ministry, Lotte International held a board meeting to approve the plan to provide the golf resort in the southeastern county of Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as the site for the anti-missile defense unit.



The Lotte unit will swap the land for a piece of military-owned property in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.



"We do not expect any changes to the planned deployment of the THAAD battery here by the end of this year," defense ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said in a press briefing Monday morning.



The ministry plans to take follow-up measures with the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), such as designating the site as a restricted area.



Lotte Group has been highly cautious about the issue which has caused controversy both domestically and internationally, although it has maintained its official stance of cooperating with the government on national security.



"We cannot confirm anything related to the THAAD issue, including the schedule and results of the board meeting," a Lotte spokesman said. "You should ask the defense ministry about the outcome instead."



Residents of Seongju held a rally in front of the Lotte International head office in Seoul on the day of the board meeting, demanding the company refuse to provide the land.



"The approval should be made by the next administration," said Na Gyung-che, co-representative of the minor opposition Justice Party in a press conference at the venue. "We hope Lotte will make a wise decision."



On top of the backlash, Lotte Group worries about possible economic retaliation from Beijing against its operations in China, which has strongly opposed the deployment of the THAAD system, saying it could monitor airborne objects not only in North Korea but also in China.



Bank officials said Korean banks have recently begun to inspect credit risks facing Lotte affiliates operating in China. They regard the nation's fifth-largest conglomerate as facing economic retaliation from the country.



The banks have anticipated that China will take additional measures against Lotte, once the board meeting approves the land provision.



The group, operating a total of 120 business sites in China, has already experienced various difficulties, including an order to halt its theme park construction in Shenyang, criticism from China's state-run media sources, unusual tax audits and surprise fire safety inspections.




Korean Air flight attendants walk in front of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner during a media showcase at Incheon International Airport, Monday. / Courtesy of Korean Air



By Jung Min-ho

Korean Air showcased a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Monday, the first company to do so in Korea.

The nation's largest flag carrier disclosed the aircraft at Incheon International Airport in front of media guests. It is the newest model of the Dreamliner in operation.

The aircraft can seat 269 passengers in a three-class configuration, with six seats in first class, 18 in business class and 245 in economy class.

Korean Air will debut the aircraft in March on domestic flights between Jeju Island and Seoul Gimpo International Airport as part of a certification period before launching it on long-haul international routes in June to Toronto, Los Angeles, Madrid and more destinations.

Compared with mid-size wide-body planes, the Dreamliner is 20 percent more fuel efficient and much lighter because it is primarily made of lightweight carbon fiber composites.

For passengers, the aircraft has a barometric control unit that can maintain atmospheric pressure lower than other models. With sensors that measure and instantly help the aircraft adjust to turbulence, passengers can also expect smoother flights with less noise.

Moving up from its mechanical role of producing parts to participate in the design process for itself, Korean Air is also proud that it has co-developed six parts for the B787 since 2004, including the raked wing tip, nose wheel well and flap support fairing.

"The co-development is a great achievement for Korean Air because that means Boeing recognizes Korean Air is now capable of meeting its high quality standards," the firm said in a statement. "An increasing number of companies try to benchmark Korean Air in the areas of development and production."

Korean Air said it plans to add four more 787-9s to its fleet this year, and five more by the end of 2019.
Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Danny Meyer speaks at a press conference at a Shake Shack store in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of SPC Group

By Park Jae-hyuk

Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer has recognized Shake Shack's Seoul restaurant as the world-best for its high-quality ingredients and socially responsible management, during his first visit to Korea, Monday.

"The two Shake Shacks in Seoul are our top performing Shake Shacks in the entire world. One of them is probably among the top three," said the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) running the restaurant chain, during a press conference at the Cheongdam store in southern Seoul.

The New York-based fast casual restaurant chain has opened more than 120 stores in 13 countries, including the U.K., Japan and the United Arab Emirates. It opened stores here in Gangnam and Cheongdam, both of which are located in southern Seoul.

The CEO said the Korean branch is the only one that can produce hamburgers tasting exactly the same as those made in New York stores. He said the flavors of Korea-made burgers made him feel like he was at home.

"Everywhere else in the world except for Seoul, the hamburger bun is shipped all the way from Pennsylvania to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Istanbul, Moscow and London," he said.

"But here we finally were able to find a bun, because SPC works so hard and because they are a baking company to begin with. They figured out for the first time ever how to make a bun that is good enough to be called Shake Shack."

The Korean company, which is best known for its Paris Baguette bakery chain, signed a monopoly operation contract with USHG to bring the premium burger chain here and attracts about 3,000 customers on average to the Gangnam store every day.

Meyer attributed Shake Shack's great success in Korea to SPC's socially responsible business philosophy. He met SPC vice president Hur Hee-soo in New York City six years ago and realized the two companies are both dedicated to social contribution.

Established in 1985, USHG has cooperated with non-governmental organizations for relief activities in communities, including offering free meals to needy neighbors. The CEO, who was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people by TIME magazine in 2015, has emphasized "hospitality" as the core value for Shake Shack and USHG.
A researcher conducts an experiment at Celltrion's research lab in Songdo, Incheon. Korea's leading biosimilar medicine producer plans to establish a larger presence in the United States and Europe to become one of the world's top 10 biopharmaceutical firms. / Courtesy of Celltrion



By Lee Hyo-sik

Celltrion, Korea's largest biosimilar medicine producer, will become one of the world's top 10 biopharmaceutical firms by boosting its presence in the United States and Europe, according to company founder and CEO Seo Jung-jin.

The company with the largest market cap on the tech-heavy Kosdaq has received approval from Korea, the U.S. and Europe for Remsima and other biosimilar products treating autoimmune disorders and other illnesses.

Using its past successes as a springboard, Celltrion will continue to expand its research and production facilities in Songdo, Incheon, to develop more biosimilar medicine so that patients with serious illnesses can receive treatment at lower costs, Seo said.

"Our beginning was humble back in 2002, but the company has grown into one of the world's leading biosimilar medicine producers, thanks to our dedicated, hardworking employees," the CEO said. "We will not remain complacent. We will continue to introduce more biosimilar products and make them available for patients around the world."

The company has undergone many trials and errors over the years, according to Seo, who said it was difficult to acquire technical knowhow and expertise about manufacturing biosimilar medicine.

"It wasn't easy either to receive approval from the government and build a global sales network. But we didn't give up," he said.

In 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certified Celltrion's manufacturing facilities in Songdo, the first of its kind in Asia.

In 2012, the company received sales approval from the Korean government for its first biosimilar, Remsima, after successfully conducting clinical trials on 856 patents in 19 countries.

Remsima is a biosimilar product based on Remicade, an original biopharmaceutical drug developed by Janssen in 1998 for treating rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's and other autoimmune diseases.

A year later, the company was also given approval from Europe, Japan, Turkey and other countries.

In April 2016, Celltrion received U.S. FDA approval, paving the way for the firm to enter the world's largest pharmaceutical market. On behalf of Celltrion, Pfizer has been in charge of sales and marketing for Remsima in the U.S. The drug is sold under the brand name Inflectra.

Last November, Celltrion received sales approval from the Korean government for Truxima, its second biosimilar referencing the lymphatic cancer drug Rituxan. A month later, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive recommendation for Truxima.
By the end of 2016, people are crazy about "Goblin", the next top-grossing K-drama series after "Descendants of The Sun". Not only did "Goblin" offer an interesting storyline, its actors and actresses were also able to steal everybody's attention with their outstanding performances and beautiful looks. The "Goblin" and "Train to Busan" hype have also made the South Korean notable actor, Gong Yoo, gained an even greater popularity.

However, Gong Yoo is not the only charming actor who have made an outstanding performance in 2016 drama series. Soompi has wrapped the list of top K-drama actors of 2016 who have made the best performance.

Lee Min Ho in "The Legend of The Blue Sea"

Lee Min Ho plays a con-artist Heo Joon Jae-in drama "The Legend of The Blue Sea". Ever since he debuted on "Boys Over Flowers", this charismatic actor soon claimed his place as one of top K-drama actors. Lee Min Ho never fails to make his fans love him even more with his charm, good character, and obviously his gorgeous face.

Park Hae Jin in "Cheese in The Trap"

Park Hae Jin's fantastic performance in "Cheese in The Trap" has garnered a huge fanbase. The actor had an uncanny resemblance to the webtoon character that he played. Fans were more impressed with Park Hae Jin's ability to play a quirky character. Now, the actor is ready to drop another bomb performance in a new highly anticipated drama titled "Man to Man".

Park Bo Gum in "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds"

The cutest actor, Park Bo Gum, needs to be included in this list. The actor not only succeeded to steal everyone's heart with his role as a genius chess player in "Reply 1988". Park Bo Gum made his fans adore him even more in his role as the Crown Prince Lee Young in "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds."

Song Joong Ki in "Descendants of The Sun"

Song Joong Ki is another top K-drama actor that must be included in this list. There's so much to love about him from his adorable charm, to his charismatic figure. "Descendants of The Sun" marked Song's first drama after he completed his military service.

Kim Woo Bin in "Uncontrollably Fond"

Kim Woo Bin played as the famous bad boy actor in KBS drama "Uncontrollably Fond". He costarred with miss A's Suzy to create his excellent performance despite the fact that the drama didn't earn good acknowledgments from critics. Do you agree with this list? Tell us which one is your favorite below!

Read Next: Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo Dating: 'Descendants Of The Sun' Actress Is Struggling With Commitment Issue; Wedding Is Not In Her Future?
Shinee's Minho is popular nowadays. He could show his nice acting in "Hwarang" and he also did really well in reality shows. Recently he also attended "Gucci" fashion show in Milan and he looked stunning with his fashion.

According to AllKpop, Minho attended the fashion week in Milan on Feb. 23. The idol was wearing coat, logo T-shirt and wool pants. Minho looked handsome and chic as his hair was put to the back. It is very different from his usual style which always put the hair to the front to look young and fresh.

For the fans who want to look the picture, it is available on the official Twitter of "Gucci." Fans can see clearly how chic he is with that outfit. Despite Minho, there are also other idols who came to Milan fashion week. According to Koreaboo, Suzy and Krystal f(x) also attended the fashion week. Before attending the fashion week, Suzy and Krystal had been on the talk as their airport fashions were on points. Bigbang's Taeyang was also reported to attend the fashion show.

Along with many stylish idols, Minho was outstanding with his outfit. Meanwhile, as the drama "Hwarang" had come to an end, Minho shared his thought during the shoot. He was playing a bright character in the drama and because of that he felt brighter as a person. He really liked his role in the drama because of the positive personality. Thus, he tried to be a better person and wanted to be more impressive as an actor.

For his activity in the future, he will have Shinee tour along with other members in March. They will travel to 10 countries including Canada, The United States, Japan, and many more. Their world tour "SHINee World V" is anticipated a lot by fans as they always perform powerfully on stage.

Read Next: BoA Will Be The Only MC For 'Produce 101' Season 2 Replacing Jang Geun Suk
JTBC's new romantic-comedy series "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" got off to a good start after scoring highest viewership ratings for its 24 February premiere, marking the new series as JTBC's highest ratings of all time. The viewership rating is not only a good thing about the new drama series. The lead actors Park Bo Young and Park Hyung Sik reportedly shared intimate moments on set that lead to a dating rumor between those two stars.

Recent reports suggest that Park Bo Young and Park Hyun Sik have undeniable chemistry while portraying their roles in "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon". Korea Boo has also hinted the romantic gestures between those two stars behind the scene. JTBC Drama broadcasted a preview on February 17 that released some cuts of behind-the-scene footages that reveal Park Bo Young and Park Hyung Sik's good chemistry. Some fans even speculate that Park Hyung Sik is secretly in love with Park Bo Young because he seemed can't hold his smile every time he looked at her.

The relationship between "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" lead actors is quite apparent when Park Bo Young's character, Bong Soon, made an encounter with Bo Young lightly poked Hyung Sik's face. In that scene, Park Hyung Sik's character was supposed to feel annoyed. Instead, the "Hwarang" actor pulled an all cute face and burst into a smile when he did the scene. He then caught himself quickly as he realized that he had been going out of character completely.

Fans also have highlighted Park Hyung Sik's special attention to his "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" costar. The actor was seen assisting Park Bo Young to go up on stage and caressed his costar's hair during the JTBC drama's press conference. Either Park Hyung Sik or Park Bo Young hasn't addressed the dating issue. However, fans are hoping that their relationship will lead into something much deeper.

"Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" follows the story of Bong Soon (Park Bo Young) who works as a bodyguard for a rich young CEO of a software gaming company, Min Hyuk (Park Hyung Sik).The JTBC's drama earned 5.7 ratings for its second episode that was aired on February 25. "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" has stolen JTBC's highest viewership record from "Secret Love Affair".

Read Next: SNSD 10-Year Anniversary Comeback Is Still Under Discussion; Will Jessica Jung Join The Rest Of The Group?
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed proclamations on Monday to schedule four double-executions for eight death row inmates starting on April 17.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge on Friday asked Hutchinson to set the dates since the U.S. Supreme Court rejected their appeals. The high court said on Tuesday that it wouldn't review a state Supreme Court decision upholding Arkansas' lethal injection law. Rutledge's request came hours after the Arkansas Supreme Court lifted its stay on that ruling.

Hutchinson previously set execution dates in 2015 for the eight inmates before they were put on hold by the state Supreme Court during their challenge to the lethal injection law. The new dates are:

-- April 17: Bruce Ward, convicted of the murder on Aug. 11, 1989, of Rebecca Doss of Little Rock;

-- April 17: Don Davis, convicted of the murder on Oct. 12, 1990, of Jane Daniel of Rogers;

-- April 20: Ledelle Lee, convicted of the murder on February 9, 1993, of Debra Reese of Jacksonville;

-- April 20: Stacey Johnson, convicted of the murder on April 1, 1993, of Carol Heath of DeQueen;

-- April 24: Marcel Williams, convicted of the murder on Nov. 20, 1994, of Stacy Errickson of Jacksonville;

-- April 24: Jack Jones Jr., convicted of the murder on June 6, 1995, of Mary Phillips of Searcy;

-- April 27: Jason McGehee, convicted of the murder on Aug. 19, 1996, of John Melbourne Jr., of Harrison; and

-- April 27: Kenneth Williams, who was convicted of the murder on Oct. 3, 1999, of Cecil Boren of Grady.

The state's supply of potassium chloride, one of three drugs used in lethal injections, expired in January. A prison system spokesman said the drug hasn't been replaced and was unaware of any attempts to acquire a new supply.

The state's supply of vecuronium bromide expires on March 1, 2018, while its supply of midazolam expires in April. The state announced it received a new supply of the vecuronium bromide in July, days after its previous supply of the drug expired.

Arkansas currently has 34 inmates with death penalties but Arkansas hasn't executed an inmate since 2005.
Demolition started last Friday on a large section of the Dawt Mill Dam on the North Fork of the White River north of Tecumseh.

Heavy equipment operators are tearing nearly 70 percent of the century-old concrete and rock dam. Chloe Butcher, 13, of Springfield, drowned there on June 25, 2016, after she fell while trying to help another swimmer and was trapped in rushing water going through the dam.

Dawt Mill Resort's owner, Ed Henegar, last fall received approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove a 290-foot section from the center of the 420-foot dam. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also helped with relocating a giant salamander that is an endangered species and lives around the dam. Delta Regional Authority (DRA) awarded the Dawt Missouri Preservation Society $86,625 last November to help pay for the project.

During my meeting with the Missouri Highway Patrol, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, DRA, local elected officials and property owners, I requested that the permit process to remove the damaged section be expedited, said U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R  Rolla, in a news release. I also strongly conveyed that the protection of the Ozark Hellbender salamander found in the Endangered Species Act should not be prioritized above public safety. Quick action was needed to prevent further tragedy.

Smith says federal and state officials coordinated efforts to ensure plans to remove the breached section of the dam moved swiftly.

In July, the Army Corps of Engineers assured me of an expedited review process of any permit requests related to the dam, and DRA explored investment opportunities through its programs aimed at improving public safety, said Smith. Projects such as this were the reason Congress established DRA in 2000.

DRA works directly with Congress to identify priorities throughout the 252 counties which make up the Delta Region. In Missouris Eighth Congressional district that Smith represents, 29 of the 30 counties qualify for DRA investments.
PRESS RELEASE

Only a Few EU Leaders Attending the Silk Road Forum in Beijing?

Feb. 25, 2017 (EIRNS)To date, the attendance of leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Switzerland at the Belt & Road Forum to be held in the Chinese capital in May, has been confirmed. There is, for instance, no indication yet that Germany will attend as well. Is there a lack of interest on the European side, which also has its EU Commission presently investigating the doubted "legality" of Chinese investments in the infrastructure of several Balkans countries.

A paper published by Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies already 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 Chinas 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. Apparently, the attitude of the media and elites in Europe has not improved much, since.

The said 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 Chinas leaders to do just that.
PRESS RELEASE

Pentagon Seeking Higher-Level Discussions with Russia on Air Safety in Syria

Feb. 26, 2017 (EIRNS)U.S. military officials have said they want to elevate the level of discussion with the Russian military in Syria on air collision avoidance, to a higher level, somewhere in the range of one to three-star generals, with Russian counterparts of the same rank, reported the Washington Post on Feb. 23. Right now, the discussion that takes place is at the colonel level, using what amounts to a commercial phone line between the two headquarters. The level of discussion needs to be elevated, they say, to improve deconfliction and improve safety for U.S. and coalition pilots. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, the top U.S. Air Force commander in the Middle East, said the current arrangement does not leave many options for U.S. officers.

"Our perspective has been that there needs to be another layer that allows us to have a more senior-level discussion, and weve got to work through where that layer is,"

Harrigian told reporters in Baghdad this week. One complicating factor is legislation passed by Congress in 2014 banning military-to-military contacts with Russia unless Russian forces withdraw from Ukraine. Mattis can waive it, but has not yet done so. Concern about mid-air collisions is said to be very high, with U.S., Russian, Syrian and Turkish planes all operating in the same airspace, especially around al Bab.

Harrigians call was echoed by Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command, on Feb. 24, reported Reuters. He noted that as the territory on the ground that ISIS controls shrinks, so does the available airspace for combat operations.

"It is going to become more and more complex as time goes on, and as we continue to squeeze ISIS and take continually more territory away from them, it becomes even more complex,"

he said.
Its hard to know where to start in examining the ways that Uber Chief Executive Travis Kalanick blew it during his painfully documented confrontation with an Uber driver on Feb. 5 over falling fares. But lets try.

First, Kalanick lost his cool. He was dumb enough to do so in full view of driver Fawzi Kamels dashcam, the video of which shortly ended up in the hands of Bloomberg. He displayed absolutely no awareness of the plight of drivers like Kamel, who have invested heavily in vehicles to serve Uber users and been squeezed mercilessly by Ubers fare policies. He didnt show the sensitivity to hear out a driver who has plainly been serving the company a lot longer than the average Uber driver, nearly half of whom leave the service within a year. Uttering an expletive, he blamed Kamel for his own problems and flounced angrily out of the car.

Finally, and most importantly, Kalanick treated the episode as though it reflected a personal character flaw that can be moderated with self-examination and leadership help, which could be anything from a visit to the Dalai Lama to a session with the Scared Straight team. Its clear this video is a reflection of me, he said in a message to Uber employees,  and the criticism weve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up.

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Some people dont want to take responsibility. They blame everything in their life on somebody else.  Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, to an Uber driver who complained the companys policies left him bankrupt

Leaving aside whether Kalanicks confession is sincere, which is doubtful, it doesnt address the core problems with Uber as an enterprise. These are all of Kalanicks making, and they cant be solved with therapy.

Theyre also reflected in the raft of setbacks that have bedeviled Uber over the last few weeks. They started with a boycott of the firm after it was perceived to have taken advantage of a taxi drivers strike at New Yorks JFK airport to protest President Trumps immigrant ban. That was followed by a devastating picture of a sexual harassment culture at Uber headquarters posted online by a former engineer, Susan Fowler Rigetti. Then there was the blistering accusation aired last week in a lawsuit by a Google subsidiary that Uber has stolen its driverless car technology.

These all stem to some degree from Ubers corporate strategy and self-image of a company that isnt shy about breaking rules and regulations and responding truculently when it encounters pushback. Such behavior may be useful when a company is trying to grow rapidly by arbitraging regulatory gaps. But it creates costs.

1/ What's described here is abhorrent & against everything we believe in. Anyone who behaves this way or thinks this is OK will be fired. https://t.co/6q29N7AL6E  travis kalanick (@travisk) February 20, 2017

One is the erosion of public credit and credibility. A company with a genuine reputation for good corporate citizenship will get away with missteps longer than one seen as a hive of insensitive jerks. A mea culpa will be taken more seriously from the CEO of the first company than from Travis Kalanick: Does anyone really believe that leadership help will change him or his company, or that the sexist and abusive behavior chronicled by Rigetti is really against everything Uber stands for and believes in, as Kalanick stated in a tweet responding to her post?

The most telling moment in the dashcam video came when Kalanick dismissed Kamels complaint about the economic challenges he faces as an Uber driver. In many ways, Kamel was right. You choose to buy everyone a ride, he told Kalanick, referring to Ubers fare-cutting, which comes partially out of the drivers pockets and partially from Ubers indulgent venture investors.

Kamel explained that the decline in his take had made it impossible to cover the cost of the town car he purchased to carry Uber customers. Im bankrupt because of you, he told Kalanick. Yet instead of showing some understanding of how Ubers business model transfers costs and risks from the company to its drivers, Kalanick barked back, Some people dont want to take responsibility for their own. They blame everything in their life on somebody else.

That lack of understanding wont be corrected with leadership help. Which brings us to the Google lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed last Thursday in San Francisco federal court by Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. devoted to developing self-driving technology. (Alphabet is Googles parent company.) Waymo is responsible for those bug-shaped cars and other vehicles testing the technology around Northern California. Theyre equipped with sophisticated laser systems that create a 3-D picture of the landscape, allowing the vehicles to navigate around obstacles.

Waymo says that Anthony Levandowski, who was once Googles driverless-car guru, downloaded 14,000 proprietary company files onto his own computer and absconded with them when he left Google to found his own company in 2016. That company, Otto, was soon acquired by Uber for $680 million. Not long after that, Google says, it discovered that Ottos technology was largely identical to its own. The lawsuit seeks damages for alleged infringement of three Google patents and an injunction barring Uber from using any of the technology.

Some Silicon Valley observers were struck by the extensive detail in the accusations.

Normally in a case like this, theres a lot of innuendo in the early stages, says Eric Goldman, a patent law expert at Santa Clara University law school. But Waymo specified how and when it alleges Levandowski downloaded the files, the breadth of his alleged theft and efforts to conceal his actions, and how it discovered them  from an email a supplier mistakenly copied to a Waymo employee.

Google spent a lot of time and money investigating before it filed the lawsuit, Goldman told me.

Of course, the lawsuit represents just one side of the story. Uber hasnt yet responded in court. In a statement, the company said it had determined that Waymos claims were a baseless attempt to slow down a competitor. Uber added, We look forward to vigorously defending against them in court.

Another unusual aspect of the case, Goldman says, is that Google is bringing it at all. Intellectual property lawsuits are out of character for Google. Moreover, Google is an investor in Uber with a stake of at least $250 million; a Google executive sat on Ubers board until just after Uber acquired Otto.

Google hasnt said much about why this episode should be different from any others, beyond a Waymo blog post that implies it was just too gross an offense to ignore.

These actions were part of a concerted plan to steal Waymos trade secrets and intellectual property, the post reads. Given the overwhelming facts ... we have no choice but to defend our investment and development of this unique technology. Waymo said it had no comment beyond the assertions in the lawsuit.

Goldman conjectures further that this might be an asset especially valuable to the Google family, something extra important. If thats so, it underscores the grand expectations for driverless technology, despite indications that it may be oversold. Google has been among the most enthusiastic developers in the field.

The case may also underscore the weakness of Ubers claim to a $70-billion valuation in the private venture market. That valuation had been based on the expectation that Uber was poised to radically reform the transportation-for-hire economy by shouldering vehicle-owning taxi companies and individuals out of the way, replacing them with independent drivers using their own cars. If Google is to be believed, Uber now puts such stake in owning its own capital assets that it was willing to pay $680 million for the necessary (allegedly stolen) technology.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.

UPDATES:

2:30 p.m., March 1: This column has been updated with additional analysis.

8:13 a.m., March 1: This column has been updated with a reference to a video of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick arguing with an Uber driver.

This article was originally published Feb. 27.
Wilbur Ross, the billionaire investor who will play a leading role in President Trumps revamping of the North American Free Trade Agreement, easily won Senate confirmation Monday night to be the administrations Commerce secretary.

Unlike some other Trump nominees who faced intense opposition from Senate Democrats, Ross had a relatively smooth confirmation hearing and cleared the full Senate 72 to 27.

Just before the vote, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the ranking minority member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, urged fellow lawmakers to vote for Ross, despite what he said was the Trump administrations refusal to release written answers to questions from Senate Democrats about Rosss investments in a Cyprus bank with reported financial ties to wealthy Russians.

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Nelson said he had talked with Ross twice about the matter and was satisfied with the nominees assurances that he had no knowledge of any interaction between the bank and people associated with the Trump administration.

Earlier in the confirmation process, there were questions about Rosss vast financial holdings and past involvement turning around distressed companies in textile and auto industries, in part by investing in low-cost manufacturing overseas and in Mexico. Trump has blasted such practices for killing American jobs but is now enlisting Ross to help reverse offshoring activities by overhauling trade and other economic policies.

Ross, 79, dealt with concerns about his massive fortune  and the potential conflicts of interest that might raise  by promising to divest most of his assets and step down from positions on multiple companies and foundations. In an agreement with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Ross said he would retain interests in a dozen entities engaged in real estate and shipping businesses, although most would not undertake new investments after his confirmation.

Now that Ross is on board, Trump is expected in short order to give the required 90-day notice to Congress for the administration to start renegotiating NAFTA. Ross has said that overhauling the 23-year-old pact with Canada and Mexico would be a top priority.

During his confirmation hearing in January, Ross signaled that his agency also would look at imposing duties on Chinese steel and possibly other goods that have been dumped at unfairly low prices or subsidized by the state.

Ross told lawmakers that he opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the massive 12-nation free-trade deal completed by the Obama administration but never ratified. Trump formally withdrew from the agreement after taking office and has threatened to pull out of NAFTA if the U.S. doesnt get concessions, particularly from Mexico.

Trumps often-strident talk on trade has put Republican leaders between a rock and a hard place. The GOP has long been the party of free trade. Ross has taken a more measured tone than Trump, saying that he is pro-trade.

Traditionally the head of the Commerce Department has wielded little power in the White House, but the president has indicated that Ross would be the principal Cabinet official in reshaping NAFTA and other trade deals to protect American industries and jobs.

With Rosss confirmation, two of three key figures on Trumps trade team are in place. In December, Trump tapped Peter Navarro, a UC Irvine business professor known for his harsh criticism of Chinas trade practices, to head a new White House-based trade council.

The president in early January nominated Robert Lighthizer, a veteran trade lawyer and negotiator who worked in the Reagan administration, to serve as the U.S. trade representative.

Navarros appointment did not require Senate confirmation. Lighthizers does, but a hearing on his nomination has not yet been scheduled, in part because of delays related to Lighthizers past work on behalf of foreign government clients.

don.lee@latimes.com

Follow me at @dleelatimes

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UPDATES:

4:45 p.m.: This article was updated after the Senate vote.

This article was originally published at 1 p.m.
If the academy could go back and do it all over again, do you think it would?

No, Im not talking about the choice of Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway to announce the best picture winner at Sundays Oscars ceremony.

Or about the decision to parade a bus full of wide-eyed tourists across the broad lip of the Dolby Theatre stage during the show, a stunt that might have been conceived as a funny commentary on class but played more cruelly, a chance for the swells to turn the tables and ogle the commoners.

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I mean that instead as a question about authenticity and the nostalgic architectural trappings of the Academy Awards ceremony: If Hollywood could jump in a time machine and spin the dial back to, say, 1925, would it?

I ask because the clear impression I got attending the Oscars this year (for the first time) was that the design of the Dolby Theatre, the production design for the show itself and  at least until the final trophy of the night turned out not to belong to them  the way the cast and crew of La La Land loomed, with their 14 nominations, over it all conspired to produce a four-hour reverie lifted right from the Jazz Age.

And maybe thats one reason the best picture snafu produced such an odd reaction. At least inside the theater, what I felt wasnt so much acute shock as much as disorientation, as if somebody had suddenly woken all of us up.

Looking back its clear the fiasco was a blessing in (heavy) disguise: It saved this years ceremony from nostalgia overload. When Moonlight director Barry Jenkins and the stars and producers of the film made their way to the stage after Beatty announced the mistake, it was as if the present were suddenly intruding on a happily uncomplicated version of the past.

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Until that moment wed been lulled, not unpleasantly, into a La La Land trance. (I realize now that even the name of that movie is less alliterative than soporific  and maybe most effectively enunciated while half in the bag.) Derek McLanes set design was, with the exception a couple of odd detours in the direction of Chinoiserie, ruled by affection for Art Deco, as if the academy were trying to channel Donald Deskey and turn the interior of architect David Rockwells Dolby Theatre into Radio City Music Hall.

Rockwells design for the theater building as a whole  like the Hollywood & Highland open-air mall that encloses it with a design meant to mimic the Babylon set from D.W. Griffiths Intolerance  is a valentine, heavily gilded if paper-thin, to Old Hollywood. The best of the onstage numbers was the La La Land medley starring John Legend and a stage full of old-fashioned L.A. lampposts, the kind you can see in Chris Burdens Urban Light installation in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Host Jimmy Kimmel (though his self-deprecating, improvised close to the show, in the wake of the best picture chaos, was impressive) operates most of the time in a genially milquetoast, throwback vein, as Vince Vaughn suggested when he compared him to the midcentury actor Sal Mineo.

Like (500) Days of Summer before it, La La Land, though set in the present, carefully frames its views of L.A. architecture to give pride of place to the old over the new. On balance the movies version of history is more compelling  less gaudy  than the Dolby Theatres.

Still, had the best picture honor sealed La La Lands dominance in the Oscar race this year, Sunday night would have unfolded as a nearly unbroken line of early-L.A. nostalgia, from the the red carpet to the show to the final award.

Instead the evening ended with a reversal of fortune of epic scale. Moonlight, with its painterly cinematography by James Laxton, is not immune to the pull of memory. But its story, like its treatment of the architecture of the Liberty City section of Miami, is also bracingly frank about the blind spots of contemporary American culture when it needs to be.

When the academy completes its ambitious new movie museum at the old May Co. building on Wilshire Boulevard in a couple of years, this dynamic will change  but only to a degree. The museums architectural centerpiece will be a spaceship-like glass dome designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano; the ruling aesthetic will be a sort of retro-futurism instead of the pure nostalgia of the Dolby. It will be one kind of fantasy replacing another.

All of which is to say that the Moonlight victory was surprising not just because of the envelope mix-up but also because the reversal meant that a movie about contemporary America  a movie offering a complex portrait of present-day African American culture, no less  had earned the top prize.

In general, in its architecture as in its best picture winners  in Rockwells Deco opera-house-in-a-shopping-mall, in Pianos dome, in La La Lands utterly charming but fully retrograde celebration of prewar L.A  the academy seems most itself, most comfortably at home, when it is traveling forward or backward in time.

christopher.hawthorne@latimes.com

Twitter: @HawthorneLAT

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If there was a newsmaker in the Los Angeles Philharmonic concerts conducted by James Gaffigan and mostly occupied by standard repertoire, it was the world premiere of an L.A. Phil commission, Unchained, by James Matheson.

On Saturday, before the second of three weekend performances, Matheson had a tale to tell at the pre-concert talk.

Twenty-one years ago, Matheson was a college student in Ithaca, N.Y., when he befriended a black man who bummed a cigarette off him. Matheson didnt reveal the details of what followed, but the friendship somehow soured to the point where Matheson pressed charges against the man. The latter was jailed later on another charge.

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Years later Matheson tracked down the man and found out that he is expected to be released (Monday, it turns out) from a mental health facility after 17 years in custody. That got Matheson thinking about race and our criminal justice system as he was writing this piece.

All of that is interesting to know, but it was not at all essential to assimilate Mathesons colorful assembly of snatches and patches. Unchained has airy flute harmonies, brass passages that bite, sharp snaps of the strings against the fingerboards of the instruments, and pretty string tremelos that go on for some time until the seas suddenly become very rough. The gentle bonging of steel drums, representing segregated Trinidad in the West Indies, is sparingly applied.

The piece ends up in the air, but then a lot of new pieces do these days, as if composers are having trouble committing to definitive endings. Yet Unchained, played in the second half of the concert, didnt wear out its welcome at a concise 10- minutes.

The new work was part of one of Gaffigans signature inverted programs, with the big work on top, tapering off after intermission with two smaller ones, the last an orchestral showpiece. He hasnt exactly set off a trend among his colleagues in that respect, but that has given him a distinct profile.

The concert opened with the humungous Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2, which Helene Grimaud tackled. A gusher of recordings of the two Brahms piano concertos have flowed forth lately for some reason. Deutsche Grammophon alone put out four of them in three years: one by Grimaud, one by Daniel Barenboim with Gustavo Dudamel in Berlin, and two by Maurizio Pollini. That makes it difficult for any to take hold.

Pianist Helene Grimaud performs a Brahms concerto at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Grimauds performance showed growth since her recording. Her Brahms 2 has become an appealing blend of grace, judicious pedaling, somewhat swifter pacing, and just enough sparingly-applied power. Gaffigan and the Philharmonic complemented her with smooth, clear textures and good swaying rhythm in the second movement. It was refreshing to walk away not feeling overstuffed by a heavy serving of Germanic red meat and dumplings.

The showpiece at the end was the Suite No. 2 from Ravels Daphnis and Chloe, which Gaffigan and the L.A. Phil dispatched with visceral bursts of thrill-ride power and the accustomed brilliance of their soloists. The acoustics of Walt Disney Concert Hall did the rest.

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 The Los Angeles Philharmonics YOLA holds a 10th anniversary tour with stops in Northridge, Visalia, Fresno and Oakland.

Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster.

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Director Asghar Farhadi won the Academy Award for foreign-language film Sunday night for The Salesman, his psychological tale about a young couple weathering the effects of a violent assault. But Farhadi wasnt present to accept the Oscar.

The director, who hails from Iran, boycotted the ceremony in protest of the travel ban implemented by President Trump in late January targeting travelers from seven countries, including Iran.

Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian in space, accepted the award for Farhadi and read a short statement from the director.

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My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of six other nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S., Farhadis statement said.

The audience inside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood greeted the statement with enthusiastic applause.

Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions, Ansari continued. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy which we need today more than ever.

In most years, the foreign-language film category at the Oscars can be a sleepy one  Hollywoods obligatory nod to the large body of cinematic work produced globally. The most notable foreign-language Oscar moments in recent years include Roberto Benignis dramatic traipse to the stage after winning the award for Life Is Beautiful, and Pedro Almodovars deliriously incomprehensible acceptance speech for All About My Mother in 2000.

But this year, the category became a fraught locus of politics after the implementation of Trumps travel ban. Farhadi announced that he would not attend the awards ceremony  even if he were granted an exemption from the ban.

In a statement, he condemned 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.

On Friday, the five directors nominated in the foreign-language film category  Denmarks Martin Zandvliet (Land of Mine), Swedens Hannes Holm (A Man Called Ove), Germanys Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann) and Australias Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Tanna)  issued a joint statement that expressed their unanimous and emphatic disapproval of the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the U.S. and dedicated the award to all the people, artists, journalists and activists who are working to foster unity and understanding.

Regardless of who wins the Academy Award for best foreign-language film, we refuse to think in terms of borders, the statement said. We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color.

Though the travel ban was later halted by a federal judge, Farhadi nonetheless stood by his decision to boycott the ceremony. He sent two prominent Iranian Americans in his place: Ansari and Firouz Naderi, a former NASA director for solar system exploration.

Farhadi remained in Tehran but remained highly visible.

He made a remote video appearance in London via video link just hours before the Oscars ceremony at an outdoor screening of The Salesman, organized by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and filmmaker Mike Leigh. The screening, a gesture of solidarity with the Iranian director, drew 10,000 people.

In the message delivered to the crowd, Farhadi said: I hope this movement will continue and spread, for it has within itself the power to stand up to fascism, be victorious in the face of extremism and say no to oppressive political powers everywhere.

Backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Naderi was asked why he thought Farhadi had chosen Ansari and him to accept the Oscar.

Shes an astronaut. I work for NASA. If you go away from the Earth and look back, you dont see any of the borders, he said, adding later: I think he chose the both of us to say come together. 

Contributing to this report was Times staff writer Trevell Anderson.

Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi in a videotaped message during a public screening of The Salesman in Trafalgar Square in London. (Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty Images)

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carolina.miranda@latimes.com

@cmonstah
The road back into the good graces of Hollywood has been treacherous for Mel Gibson, but the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday seemed to smooth and accelerate the journey significantly.

Its been 10 years since a public fall from grace that included a DUI arrest during which Gibson lobbed anti-Semitic and sexist language at a sheriffs deputy. In a separate incident later, an audiotape revealed him saying a racial epithet and making physical threats against his then-girlfriend.

Sundays Oscars made it seem as though that all may soon be forgiven.

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Gibsons film Hacksaw Ridge took home two Oscars  for film editing and sound mixing  and winners John Gilbert and Kevin OConnell both made it clear that their awards werent possible without the director.

Gibson also found himself with prime position in the auditorium with the camera often finding him for reaction shots, as though he were just another beloved actor like Jeff Bridges or Meryl Streep.

But reception wasnt all rosy for Gibson, who found himself serving as the punchline to several of host Jimmy Kimmels jokes. Gibson rolled with the punches, but the audience seemed unsure of how to respond to the quips. Some were met with boos and awkward silence.

Even if the audience wasnt sure how to handle the return of Gibson, he seemed perfectly comfortable.

The Oscar-winning director of Braveheart did red carpet interviews with girlfriend Rosalind Ross by his side. (She gave birth to Gibsons ninth child five weeks ago.) Through it all, Gibson was clearly at ease being back in the spotlight that spurned him for so long.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

libby.hill@latimes.com

@midwestspitfire
#OscarsSoWhite creator: The wins that happened last night were not because of #OscarsSoWhite

After two years of consecutive #OscarsSoWhite controversies, does Sunday nights best picture victory for Moonlight, among other wins for actors and filmmakers of color, represent a major breakthrough for the issue of diversity in Hollywood? Or could it ultimately prove to be just a blip?

We spoke to writer and activist April Reign, creator of the #OscarSoWhite hashtag, about what Sunday nights Oscar show says  and doesnt say  about the current state of inclusion in the film industry.

After two years of all-white nominees in the acting categories, what was your main takeaway from Sunday night?

April Reign: My main takeaway was that when quality films are made that reflect the diversity of experiences in this country, people will go to see them. They will receive critical acclaim and, in some cases, they will win what is considered the highest award in the film industry.

I think if one saw all nine nominees for best picture, it was clear that Moonlight deserved to be nominated  and for me personally, it was the best film that I saw in 2016. But Im also incredibly encouraged about what happened in the lesser-known categories: adapted screenplay and best documentary and even the nominations that we had of black people in cinematography and editing.

All that said, its just one night out of 90 nights of lack of representation of marginalized communities and, even with all of the wins [Sunday] night for films that reflect the black experience, #OscarsSoWhite remains relevant because there are still so many stories from traditionally underrepresented communities that need to be told.

What went through your head when it was initially announced that La La Land had won best picture?

I was disappointed, just because La La Land didnt stay with me the way Moonlight did. Moonlight was such a beautiful film, it almost could have been a silent film and you could have just watched it and still taken something away from it. La La Land was a return to nostalgia and it was sort of a self-congratulatory film for Hollywood. I think theres a place for all different kinds of films in different genres, but it wasnt one that I would say, I need to see that a second or third time, like I did with Moonlight.

Then we had the snafu and things changed and I was elated because what I thought was the best film actually won. You know, its all personal and subjective and people can make arguments about all nine of the films and I absolutely get that. But for me, just as a moviegoer, I thought it was the best film of the year.

Had La La Land, in fact, won best picture, what is your sense of what the social media reaction and the conversation around the diversity issue might have been Monday?

There was some of that. In those 30 seconds, I was watching it happen on Twitter and people were angry.

And were going to have that every year. I already have people in my mentions saying the win for Moonlight was just as rigged as the 2016 presidential election was, or Moonlight only won because of affirmative action.

Thats the difficult thing for me moving forward, that every time a person of color wins, theres going to be someone  and unfortunately some publications, not just some random trolls  that ask whether this was just some quota thing or whether it was deserved. And I think thats unfortunate because I think it really downplays all of the effort and the hard work and the talent that goes into all of these performances.

Nobody questioned whether Emma Stone should win an Oscar or whether Meryl Streep should win an Oscar. But people always question whether a person of color should, and thats just unfair.

Well never know how the votes broke down, but do you think the steps that the academy took last year to invite its largest, most diverse class ever has somehow turned the tide, or could this year ultimately just be a kind of one-off?

I think it remains to be seen. I think the influx of 683 invitees was helpful for everyone, both those who were already members and for new members, to say, Lets look at this process and make sure that were doing the very best that we can.

But its very important to me that we make sure to say that the wins that happened last night were not because of #OscarsSoWhite.

Viola Davis deserves every award ever, in every category. Mahershala Alis gripping, haunting performance was the best that I saw last year, so he was fully deserving. And all of the movies that were nominated and won were in production or pre-production for years before January 2015 when I created the hashtag.

So it really remains to be seen what happens, lets say, three or four years from now, if Hollywood really is going to make a significant change in commitment to financing and distributing and supporting  because those three things are not always synonymous  films that represent all marginalized communities.

[Sunday] was a great night, but it was one night out of many.
During an Oscar season in which marching on Washington has been as fashionable as walking the red carpet, one might assume swag bags have become a thing of the past.

That assumption would be incorrect.

It is likely that many of the celebs heading to the Dolby Theatre Sunday will accessorize with pins supporting Planned Parenthood and the ACLU and others will likely get political on stage mid-speech. But behind closed doors the top Oscar nominees are still being lavished with extravagant freebies.

This weekend, marketing company Distinctive Assets sent 25 gift bags, one each to nominees in the actor, actress, supporting actor and actress and director categories, plus one to host Jimmy Kimmel.

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Assembled by gifting guru Lash Fary, the bags  in actuality two jam-packed pieces of luggage  are filled with thousands of dollars worth of goodies. The most expensive retail item in the bags is worth $599: An Oomi Intelligent Smart Home, which lets users control their lights and security systems via an app. But arguably the most enviable giveaways are the trips. They include getaways to Hawaii, another to a mansion in Northern California, two stays at Italian hotels and a week at the Golden Door spa.

Lash Fary, who assembles the non-official Oscars gift bag, poses at his mid-city home. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Fary says hotels and resorts are willing to gift the trips because only about 10% of nominees are ever able to redeem them. Viola Davis, for instance, received a free African safari when she was up for supporting actress is 2009. She still hasnt been able to take the tour, though, and Fary says she calls every year to see if she can get an extension.

The conversation with a lot of the resorts is just about getting them over that fear of What if 26 people redeem this trip? says Fary, who lives in a mid-city duplex that includes a shrine to Barbara Streisand, a lock of her hair included. After you explain that less than 10% redeem in a given year, they feel more comfortable.

After all, most of Farys clients view the gift bags as a marketing expense.

Were not doing this as philanthropy, he explains. One of the questions I often get is, why are we gifting people who are rich and famous? Well, a gift doesnt have anything to do with a persons means or their bank account. And its not exactly free, because the brands get to leverage the celebrities names.

Not surprisingly, this can be murky territory  and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences wants to stay as far away from Fary as it can. Last year, it filed a lawsuit against him alleging trademark infringement, among other complaints, and was concerned about possible confusion that the bags were affiliated with the academy. While Fary puts together official gifting options for other award shows, such as the Grammys, the academy has not given anything away in over a decade. As a result of the legal threat, every news release Fary issues clearly states at the top that he has no affiliation with the academy.

Theyre in the business of promoting film, not promoting product, he says. All the attention on the gift bag superseded all the attention on some of the more fringe categories.

A non-official Oscars gift bag headed to Mel Gibson. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

While the academy has pulled back on gifting, Fary has not. He believes, emphatically, that more is more and fills his bags accordingly. There are things for kids: Customizable Crayola crayons, a childrens book, an electric scooter. There are less expensive items: A $2.99 protein bar, ChapStick, a CPR kit. And there are a lot of things for supposed body improvement: weight loss formulas, a plate that helps with portion control, seat mats designed to eliminate cellulite.

Were not saying you have to be thin or look a certain way, insists Fary. But I dont know any woman  whether shes an Oscar nominee or not  who if she has cellulite wouldnt want to have a solution for it.

Items in the non-official Oscars gift bag. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

amy.kaufman@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA
Any lingering doubts as to whether the academy would somehow hold the length and origins of O.J.: Made in America against it were vanquished Sunday when the 7 1/2-hour film produced for ESPN was awarded the Oscar for documentary feature.

Director Ezra Edelman acknowledged the debate around the film when he began his acceptance speech by saying, I want to thank the academy for acknowledging this untraditional film. I want to thank ESPN for allowing us the canvas and the time to tell this story. This is the only way it could be told.

The Made in America project was broadcast in five parts and shown in theaters in two parts. The film examines the life of athlete-turned-celebrity O.J. Simpson and the societal forces  the intersection of race, money and fame  that shaped him into the man he became and caused the deep divide in responses to his acquittal of murder charges in the 1990s.

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Whether the film should be considered a television program or a movie even eligible for Oscar consideration had been a point of considerable debate within the documentary community and in the media. The Times, for example, split the difference by having the project reviewed by both a movie critic and a television critic.

In accepting the honor, Edelman also made sure to note those who are often forgotten in conversations regarding Simpson when he said, I wouldnt be standing here tonight if not for two people who arent here with us: Ron Goldman, Nicole Brown; this is for them and their families.

It is also for others, the victims of police violence, police brutality, racially motivated violence and criminal injustice, he added. This is their story as well as Ron and Nicoles. I am honored to accept this award on all their behalves.

, Immediately after Edelman and producer Caroline Waterlow left the stage, the telecast went to the evenings host Jimmy Kimmel standing in the aisle of the theater next to Mel Gibson. Offhandedly Kimmel said, Now Im not supposed to make an O.J. joke?

He proceeded to do just that, referencing Simpsons current incarceration by saying, O.J., you get an extra slice of baloney on your sandwich tonight.

After some scattered response from the audience, Kimmel pretended to write his own review copy, saying he lost the audience with an absolutely tasteless joke about our beloved O.J.

With his joke, Kimmel inadvertently touched on an array of issues grappled with not only in O.J.: Made in America but in a number of the other nominated films as well. Taken together, this years nominees dealt with race, celebrity, representation, governance, incarceration, immigration and healthcare.

The other nominated films were Fire at Sea, directed by Gianfranco Rosi; I Am Not Your Negro, directed by Raoul Peck; Life Animated, directed by Roger Ross Williams; and 13th, directed by Ava DuVernay.

Rosis Fire at Sea examines the immigration crisis in Europe through the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, contrasting those finishing a difficult crossing of the Mediterranean against everyday life on the Island.

DuVernays 13th is named after the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which ended slavery in America, and the film examines the nations subsequent history of race, the justice system and incarceration.

Pecks I Am Not Your Negro features Samuel L. Jackson reading the writing of novelist and activist James Baldwin as a meditation on race and representation.

Williams Life, Animated is the story of Owen Suskind, a young man with autism who relates best to the world via animated Disney movies. (Williams is a previous Oscar winner for the 2010 documentary short Music by Prudence.)

The nominees made the category one of the most diverse of the night with regards to representation behind the camera, including four people of color, one woman and an Italian national. Though none of the films is a direct call to action, all in their own way are powerful wake-up calls that expose and inspire.

In an interview on the day of the academy award nominations, Rosi spoke about what drives him to make movies, words that might also summarize all the nominated films.

I want to make work of emotion, I want to make people wonder, and I want to make people keep asking questions; I dont want to give answers, Rosi said. I want people to relate to a world and ask themselves questions. I want people to come out of the movie and say, What can I do?

Full coverage: Oscars 2017 

SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter 

Mark.Olsen@latimes.com

Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus
Inside the theater

After what was perhaps the wildest interlude in Oscars history as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced La La Land as the best picture winner Sunday before it was announced that Moonlight actually took the top prize, attendees were in shock as they left the theater. That group included La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, who had already given an acceptance speech before realizing that his film hadnt actually won.

As he was greeted by people telling him how graciously he handled the gaffe, Horowitz said, They handed me the envelope, it said Moonlight won. It was an out-of-body experience. I love those guys, and Im happy they won. What can you do?

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Moonlight star Trevante Rhodes couldnt believe what had happened.

Its weird. Im equally pissed off and happy. This is the Oscars. How can they mess that up? But still, its a win. Everyone was happy. Its just very unique.

Amy Kaufman

Dakota Johnson backstage at the 89th Academy Awards (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The hallway backstage was filling up shortly before the show. Security guards listened to their earphones. Shirley MacLaine followed Alicia Vikander into the green room. Javier Bardem sipped a drink. Meryl Streep chatted near a black curtain. Dakota Johnson, wearing a champagne-colored gown, ducked into the hallway bathroom. She emerged moments later with both a grimace and a grin: Its pretty gnarly in there. Two men in tuxes and wearing white gloves stacked Oscar statuettes on lighted shelves in the wings.

Jeffrey Fleishman

During the first commercial break, only a few stars dared leave their seats so early in the show. Gael Garcia Bernal made a break for the mens room, but Jamie Dornan and Scarlett Johansson each posted up at a bar. The actress was sporting 10 earrings in her left ear  by our count, anyway  and insisted to a friend that they were all real. Oh, Ive been getting piercings for a looong time.

Amy Kaufman

Candy is parachuted down to the audience during the telecast of the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 in the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Unlike at the Golden Globes, which is centered on a boozy dinner, theres no food or drink allowed inside the Dolby. That means that during commercial breaks, nominees have to sneak out to the bar area to get snacks. Those looking to nosh, however, dont have a lot of options: There were only miniature cookies and sesame snack mix up for grabs. Later in the show, individually wrapped oatmeal raisin and chocolate mint cookies were given to the theater guests.

Amy Kaufman

Musician John Legend was strolling toward the wings backstage when a woman yelled out: Your best friends behind you, John. Looking a bit baffled as cameras flashed, Legend said, Whos my best friend?

He turned and saw Ryan Gosling, his La La Land costar and lead actor nominee, and put his arm around him. Moments later Gosling and costar Emma Stone, winner of the lead actress Oscar, watched in the wings as Legend performed a medley of songs from the film as dancers swirled suspended against the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills at twilight.

Jeffrey Fleishman

Full coverage: Oscars 2017 

In the press room

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi chose not to attend the awards in protest of the recent immigration ban and asked Firouz Naderi and Anousheh Ansari to accept the foreign language film award on his behalf if his film The Salesman were to win. It did. When asked why he thought the pair was chosen, Naderi said, Shes an astronaut. I work for NASA. If you go away from the Earth and look back, you dont see any of the borders.... I think he chose the both of us to say come together.

Trevell Anderson

On the red carpet

Lin-Manuel Miranda rapping during the telecast of the 89th Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

When asked why film was important to him, original song nominee for How Far Ill Go from Moana and Hamilton mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda reflected on his childhood. Its important to me because it showed me worlds I never knew were possible. It exposed me to cultures I never would have otherwise seen. It transported me beyond my small neighborhood in uptown New York. Im standing here because I saw Little Mermaid when I was 10 and it changed my life. I couldnt believe they broke into a Caribbean tune in the middle of a Disney movie. And here I am with a nominated tune for a Disney movie. How ... cool is that?

Trevell Anderson

Barry Jenkins walked out of the Dolby Theatre on Sunday with an adapted screenplay Oscar for best picture winner Moonlight, which he also directed. But before the ceremony, when asked why the Oscars matter he talked about the power of film to reflect the world in which we live. The Oscars, theoretically, is the best at that reflection, he said. I think what we show on stage at these ceremonies, in the audience, and films nominated, its a statement about what America is and the state of the world at this current moment. I think its important in that way. The diversity of the nominees this year is proof-positive of that.

Trevell Anderson

amy.kaufman@latimes.com

Twitter: @AmyKinLA

Twitter: @JeffreyLAT

Twitter: @TrevellAnderson

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Another year, another red carpet. The fashion at the Academy Awards in Hollywood was a retro rewind. Think throwback silhouette gowns, rich velvet fabrics, romantic lace details and trailing capes. And, of course, jewels.

But while there were no fashion gaffes as big as what happened on stage (Bjork and Cher remain unchallenged there), there were some misses.

Lets face it: This year the fashion isnt what most viewers will remember about the evening. But its always fun to see.

Heres who our fashion writers picked for worst and best style of the 2017 Oscars.

The worst

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times left; Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times (left); Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Dakota Johnson wore a Gucci champagne satin long-sleeve, high-neck gown with metallic gold high heel shoes and metallic gold clutch. She looked as though she was trying to be a life-sized replica of the golden Oscar statuettes. Dressing like the award was not a winning move. She scored a place on our worst-dressed list.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Jessica Biel wore a Kaufman Franco gown with Tiffany & Co. jewels. The gold metallic camo look is interesting, for sure, but a little too C-3PO's sister for our tastes, which made it one of our least favorite looks of the night.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Scarlett Johansson wore an Alaia dress with an edgy studded black belt. This look is a bit confusing and feels too casual for the Academy Awards. Therefore, Scarlett earned a timeout on our worst-dressed list.

(From left: Paul Buck / European Pressphto Agency; Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press; Jordan Strauss / Invision /Associated Press) (From left: Paul Buck / EPA; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Sofia Boutellas Chanel looks like a glitter-handled feather duster. And that swept her straight onto our worst-dressed list.

(From left: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times; Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press) (From left: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times; Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP)

Jamie Dornan wore an Hermes tuxedo, a Cartier watch/cuff links and Tod's shoes. While we like all the individual pieces of the outfit, somehow it didnt work together, which earned a spot alongside his 50 Shades costar on our list of least-liked looks of the night.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

We like Halle Berry . And we like Versace. But the usually stunning Berry fell as flat as her hair stood high in this Atelier Versace ensemble.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

To be kind, maybe Ryan Gosling was simply trying to be on trend and channel a bygone era with this Gucci made-to-order black velvet, shawl lapel, one-button tuxedo, but thanks to the white evening shirt with blue-tipped ruffle details, that bygone era is the high school prom. He'll be spending the rest of the semester on our worst-dressed list.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times left; Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times (left); Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

We wanted to love Hailee Steinfeld's Ralph & Russo dress but thanks to the peculiar grandma's shower curtain vibe and the curious back ruffle, we just couldn't.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Felicity Jones wore Dior and unfortunately missed the mark. The plain-and-simple ballerina look might be perfect for the top of a tween girl's musical jewelry box, but on the Academy Awards red carpet it's a short spin to the worst-dressed list.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Pharrell Williams made an impression wearing Chanel at the Academy Awards, but it wasn't a good one. Did he get in a cat fight on his way to the Oscars? His shirt looks shredded? He's on our worst-dressed list.

The best

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Viola Davis looked fierce in a custom red Armani Prive vermillion silk gown with a high neckline that falls into draped shoulders and pleated detailing on the bodice.

She blazed her way onto our best-dressed list hours before she went home with the Oscar for supporting actress.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Emma Stone wore a gorgeous embellished Givenchy dress that harks back to the flapper days. Though we are not in love with the color of the dress, we're smitten with everything else about it. And for that, Emma earned gold on our best-dressed list.

Oh, and she brought some home too, with her win for lead actress.

(Robert Gauthier, left, Jay L. Clendenin, right / Los Angeles Times) (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times (left); Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times (right))

Mahershala Ali was a shoo-in for the best-dressed list thanks to his tone-on-tone Ermenegildo Zegna Couture tuxedo, shirt, bow tie and pocket square -- accessorized with Monique Pean Homme shirt studs.

He took home the statuette for supporting actor.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

It's always good to bet on black, and here it paid off for Brie Larson, whose custom strapless, black velvet ruffled gown by Oscar de la Renta earns her a spot on our best-dressed list.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Kirsten Dunst wore a custom Christian Dior Haute Couture dress (extra points for the pockets!), Niwaka diamond necklace and earrings, and Christian Lacriox shoes. She's also carrying a Roger Vivier clutch -- all the way to our best-dressed list.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Taraji P. Henson knows how to steal a scene. She wore a custom off-the-shoulder navy velvet Alberta Ferretti gown, dazzling Nirav Modi statement necklace and Jimmy Choo shoes and bag. Henson perfectly captured the retro rewind vibe of the 2017 Oscars red carpet -- and captured a place toward the top of our best-dressed list.

(Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)

Was that Belle from Beauty and the Beast? No, it's her Oscars 2017 doppelganger -- actress Leslie Mann , who shone in a yellow Zac Posen dress, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Jimmy Choo clutch and shoes. On anyone else at any other time, we might feel differently, but here she's our guest on the best-dressed list.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Alicia Vikander was a picturesque vision of romance and glamour in Louis Vuitton. Her little black dress made a big statement and catapulted her onto the best-dressed list.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Ruth Negga wore a custom-made red Valentino dress and Irene Neuwirth jewelry. Negga looked like a queen in such a regal ensemble, which is why she reigned on our best-dressed list.

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Heading into February, things were looking grim here in the rugged hills north of Santa Barbara.

While much of California was emerging from five years of drought, this giant reservoir had dwindled to a weedy channel at just 7% of capacity and was perilously close to being written off as a regional water supply.



For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that California is emerging from its worst drought in history. Experts generally agree that although the most recent drought was severe, it likely was not the worst to affect the state.

And then the rains came in unrelenting horizontal sheets. It was one of the largest storms in memory over the Santa Ynez Valley on Feb. 17, swamping historical records and causing the lake to rise a whopping 31 feet in depth in just a few days.

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It slammed us with intense sideways rain, recalled Beverly Keller, manager of the Cachuma Lake General Store. Falling on the roof of my mobile home, it sounded like thunder that wouldnt stop.

Cachuma Lake, once a poster child of the drought, has begun to shed that reputation, and the rhythms of life behind its 64-year-old dam are showing signs of dramatic improvement.

At a nearby marina managed by Kellers husband, Monty, some rental boats were taking in so much rainwater that they were in danger of sinking.

We started bailing rainwater out of those boats with water pumps, said Keller, 52, shaking his head at the memory. Meanwhile, the level of the lake was rising before our eyes.

The storm had dropped more than 7 inches of rain over the region, with much of that precipitation cascading down into the lake from the steep slopes and ravines of surrounding mountains. Many of the dusty hilltops that had emerged as Cachuma dropped to historic lows were once again submerged beneath the placid surface of the lake, which had reached 43% of its capacity.

California as a whole also hit a major milestone last week when federal authorities declared that less than 20% of the state faces any drought conditions and no area faces extreme or exceptional drought.

Some officials blamed the lakes stubbornly low level on what they called rain shadow in the area. Because of the terrain, storms typically dump so much rain on the coastal side of mountains that there is not much left when it gets to the inland side.

Perhaps no reservoir in California was as depleted as Cachuma. The water shortage was so acute on the Central Coast that the city of Santa Barbara, which is served by the lake, banned outdoor watering altogether and was preparing to re-commission its long-dormant desalination plant.

Even today, Cachuma is still lagging behind other reservoirs. At least six of the states major reservoirs are now holding more than 100% of their historic average, and massive Lake Shasta has so much water that dam operators opened spillway channels for the first time in six years this month.

Even though Cachuma Lake is less than half full, its revival has been cause of major celebration.

Tourists from across Southern California were using the replenished lake as a backdrop for selfies. For the first time in nearly two years, private boats were launching from a ramp that only two weeks ago was hundreds of yards from the shoreline. The reservoir had risen to 45% of capacity.

Jesse Pizano, 44, stood on the shore and cast a baited hook beyond bobbing mats of flotsam washed into the lake by the recent storms.

Cachuma is starting to look like its old self, he said. And, man, it didnt take long for that to happen.

Try to imagine this, he said, marveling at the change in scenery. A few weeks ago, I had to walk down a trail to get to the water from the parking lot.

Nodding toward clumps of twigs sticking several inches above the waters surface, he said, Those are the tops of trees that grew along the receding shoreline during the drought.

However, the reservoir, which is still surrounded by a bathtub ring of arid encrustments, has a long way to go.

The drought is not over, David Sweet, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Oxnard. And we dont know if another storm like that will hit or not. We certainly dont see anything like it over the next seven days.

The good news: The area around Cachuma Lake, which is midway between the beaches and bustle of Santa Barbara and the Danish community of Solvang, is no longer considered to be in extreme drought. On Feb. 23, its status was lowered to severe drought, Sweet said.

Cachuma Lake can hold about 193,000 acre-feet of water, enough to serve about 400,000 families for a year.

The lake provides about 85% of the water for a quarter-million Goleta Water District residents and 12,000 acres of cropland along Santa Barbara Countys south coast.

Goleta Water District customers have long relied on Cachuma to supply almost all of their water. As of September, however, the district was getting just 3% of its water from the lake, officials said. More than half of the districts water at the time was supplied by its drought buffer: the Goleta Groundwater Basin.

The drought is not over.  David Sweet, National Weather Service meteorologist

Monty Keller was more concerned with weather conditions Sunday, which had settled back into what he described as the usual in these parts this time of the year  clouds and sunshine with a little dribble.

Gazing out at the lake, he took a deep breath, sighed and said, Things are looking better, but were still not even close to normal.

We could really use another big fat shot of rain, he added. If it doesnt rain like that again fairly soon, well be nearly dry again in a few years.

Louis.Sahagun@latimes.com

@LouisSahagun

Times staff writer Matt Stevens contributed to this report.

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Nine people were injured, one critically, when an SUV driven by a person suspected of human smuggling crashed Sunday while being chased by Border Patrol agents near Lake Morena east of San Diego.

The agents tried to pull over the Chevrolet Trailblazer, which was headed east on state Route 94 in the Campo area, at about 11:40 a.m., said Mark Endicott, a supervisory Border Patrol agent for the San Diego sector.

The driver sped off and crashed into a boulder about 15 minutes later off Lake Morena Drive near the entrance to Lake Morena County Park, Endicott said. The SUV was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

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All nine people in the SUV were hurt. Two people suffered minor injuries, six were moderately injured and one person was in critical condition, Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said. He didnt know whether it was the driver or a passenger who was seriously hurt.

Lyndsay Winkley is a reporter with the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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One person was killed and 26 others were injured Monday when a charter bus collided with two vehicles on State Route 58 in the Mojave Desert, authorities said.

The 2007 Chevrolet Starcraft bus from A&F Tours in Arcadia was traveling east on the highway just after 12 p.m. when for reasons unknown it moved into the westbound lanes and crashed head-on into a Subaru Outback and a Chevy Spark, said Officer Brian Benson, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol in Barstow.

The bus, which was carrying 26 people, overturned and landed upright, he said.

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The driver of the white Subaru suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. Twenty-six people were injured in the collision, including nine critically, fire and CHP officials said.

The bus was traveling from Fresno to Las Vegas when it crashed two miles east of Highway 395 near the unincorporated community of Kramer Junction, Benson said.

Photographs from the scene showed the front of the bus was badly damaged. U-best Holiday was displayed on its sides.

Accident investigators arent sure how fast the bus was going when it swerved into oncoming traffic, but the vehicles collided with enough force to leave the two smaller vehicles shredded. Luggage, car door pieces and a bumper were scattered across the road.

The bus flipped during the collision, tearing most of its front away and shattering several windows. One of the smaller vehicles came to a rest on its side, with clothing, sleeping bags and shoes spilling out of its broken back window. The other car stayed upright, but the force of the accident sheared away most of the right side of the vehicle.

Authorities closed State Route 58 east of Highway 395 for several hours. Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions as emergency responders cleared the accident site.

Eric Sherwin, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, said more than a dozen ambulances were used to transport patients to four hospitals.

Earlier in the day, the department had requested at least six helicopters. However, weather conditions in Kramer Junction and the Cajon Pass forced officials to cancel the flights, he said.

Skies were overcast in the remote area, and winds were blowing up to 20 mph with some 30-mph gusts, said meteorologist Brett Albright of the National Weather Service in San Diego.

Units from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow and the Kern and San Bernardino county fire departments treated patients at the scene, Sherwin said.

We are doing the best we can, Sherwin said Monday afternoon.

The CHPs Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash, Benson said.

Calls to A&F Tours were not immediately returned.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA

frank.shyong@latimes.com

Twitter: @frankshyong

UPDATES:

5:30 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the California Highway Patrol and details about the scene.

4:15 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the California Highway Patrol about the crash and number of injuries.

1:40 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesman Eric Sherwin.

1:15 p.m.: This article was updated with officials saying that helicopters may be unable to fly to the scene due to weather conditions.

This article was originally published at 12:55 p.m.
Four years ago, Mitch OFarrell was the political underdog as he ran for Los Angeles City Council, vastly outspent by a competitor with powerful backers such as the mayor, labor unions and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

OFarrell ultimately triumphed after a bruising campaign laced with accusations of homophobia, threats and voter fraud, winning on his record as a City Council aide.

Now OFarrell is the one with the edge in campaign cash and the big-name endorsements. And now a new crop of underdogs is coming for him, arguing that OFarrell has done too little to stop out-of-scale development that degrades neighborhoods and displaces renters in a gentrifying district that stretches from Hollywood to Echo Park.

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At a recent debate in Silver Lake, one challenger urged residents to vote for him or several of his rivals  pretty much anyone but OFarrell. For those of you who are sick of development thats inappropriate for your community, you have to act up and vote for somebody else, said East Hollywood activist Doug Haines.

The other challengers are tenant activist Sylvie Shain, former neighborhood council President Bill Zide, former Bernie Sanders campaign volunteer Jessica Salans, and David De La Torre, who manages a private stevedoring company. All are vying to represent neighborhoods that have been ground zero for the raging battles over real estate development in Los Angeles.

In Hollywood, for instance, Haines has spearheaded lawsuits that halted the construction of a Target store, emptied a Sunset Boulevard apartment tower, and overturned an update to the Hollywood community plan, which called for taller buildings near transit hubs.

OFarrell took office after those plans were initiated, but he has sparred with Haines and other critics over his vision for new development along transit corridors in Hollywood. At the Silver Lake forum, OFarrell bemoaned the suburban planning guidelines that still govern Hollywood, saying the ground has changed under our feet.

People have real concerns about growth and development, OFarrell said in a later interview. But the backdrop is that we have an unprecedented interest in investing in Los Angeles.  What I always come back to is, what is the balance we have to strike?

OFarrell says that since he took office, more than 1,200 units of affordable housing have been approved in his district. He has sought to alter a city law allowing small lot projects that include multiple detached homes on a single lot, which have stirred up alarm about out-of-scale development.

And after renters raised concerns about the proposed tear-down of a Hollywood apartment building for a new development on Yucca Avenue, OFarrell encouraged the developer to ensure spots for those tenants at their current rents, he and the developer said.

I told the developer, I just wont support displacement, OFarrell said.

Backers have applauded OFarrell for reducing the size of new development in some neighborhoods: In Elysian Valley, he pushed to scale back the height of new buildings allowed next to the Los Angeles River, which is bracing for a development boom. Tracy Stone, an architect who lives in the area, praised the councilman for acting swiftly to prevent the area from being overwhelmed by towering buildings and traffic congestion.

In Echo Park, OFarrell also worked to reduce the height limits for new buildings along part of Sunset Boulevard.

Critics of OFarrell want him to come out and say there cant be any development, said Holly Hampton, vice president of the board of the Echo Park Historical Society. We have to have development. It just has to be appropriately planned.

His challengers counter that OFarrell has done too little to prevent the elimination of existing housing and help residents hurt by new development. Shain, for example, opposed plans to turn an empty Hollywood apartment building into a hotel, arguing that it would set a damaging precedent that would allow more housing to be converted.

She and other tenant activists were unimpressed when an OFarrell aide said the councilman did not back the hotel plans but saw no legal basis to stop them. OFarrell later added that the building had long been vacant and slated for redevelopment.

Shain, who is now suing the city over the decision, pointed out that a hotel conversion in another part of Hollywood was scuttled when the lawmaker who represented that area, Councilman David Ryu, sharply opposed it.

OFarrell just didnt care, Shain said. He didnt use the levers that he holds, in his position, to do anything.

Silver Lake residents were also unsuccessful in pushing OFarrell to oppose a new development that tore down existing homes facing Coronado Street.

At a City Hall hearing on the Coronado Street project, an OFarrell aide said they were working to alter the city law that allows such small-lot developments, but city lawyers had advised them that the planned project was in line with the existing rules. The OFarrell aide told the committee to reject the appeal filed by neighbor Anne Hars.

OFarrell has since backed a proposal to adjust the small-lot rules to make such developments more compatible with neighborhoods and to encourage builders to preserve bungalow courts rather than tearing them down.

In January, he pushed to designate an Echo Park Avenue bungalow court that is threatened by such a development as a historic monument, a step that would give it added protection from demolition. OFarrell said the Coronado Street site was not eligible for the same kind of protection.

The city has lost lawsuits in the past, and we have to be very, very careful about that, OFarrell said.

Hars, who is supporting Shain, questioned why OFarrell hadnt sided with them earlier if he had concerns about the small-lot rules. People were made homeless because of this law, the Silver Lake resident said. Then, in election season, hes making a stand on it?

Zide argued that the changes to the small-lot rules were useless because they were impossible to enforce, calling them too little too late. The former Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council president worked to help elect OFarrell four years ago, but said he gradually became disillusioned with the councilman, beginning with his support for the controversial Millennium Hollywood skyscraper project.

De La Torre, who also volunteered to support OFarrell when he first ran for office, has also turned against the councilman. He and other challengers have accused OFarrell of being detached from the people he represents. Salans said that the biggest thing we have gotten feedback on is that he cant be reached.

OFarrell has maintained that he is accessible, telling the Silver Lake crowd that his staff had never turned down requests for his weekly office hours.

So far, OFarrell has raised far more campaign money than any of his rivals  more than $400,000  and independent committees formed to support his candidacy have drummed up tens of thousands of dollars more.

Among his challengers, Shain has led in fundraising with more than $28,000, including a $5,000 loan to herself, followed by Salans, who has raised nearly $14,000. Haines has yet to report any money raised by his campaign, but an independent committee has generated more than $20,000 to support him.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesEmily
Monday is the last day to sign up for a newly expanded program providing grants of up to $3,000 to earthquake retrofit single-family homes.

Registration ends Monday and is run by a program that receives money from the state and the nonprofit California Earthquake Authority. Homeowners can register at earthquakebracebolt.com.

Officials expect to provide grants for 2,000 retrofits, up from 1,600 last year. There is $6 million in funding for the program this year, up from $4.8 million last year.

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In Southern California, areas now available to request grants include certain ZIP codes in Altadena, Alhambra, Claremont, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Redlands, San Bernardino, San Marino, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, South Pasadena and West Hollywood.

In Northern California, areas now include certain ZIP codes in Albany, Berkeley, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Eureka, Hayward, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Oakland, Piedmont, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Mateo, Watsonville and Woodside.

Single-family homes that qualify for the grant are typically built before 1979 and are not bolted to their foundation. When a quake occurs, the house can topple or slide off. Engineers say its like pulling the rug out from under the house.

These types of homes have been damaged in earthquakes as early as the 1906 San Francisco quake, as well as in the 1933 Long Beach, 1971 Sylmar, 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge quakes, and the 2014 Napa earthquake.

To reattach an intact house to its foundation, an owner might have to pay to lift the entire structure several feet and pour a new concrete foundation, then lower the house, at a cost as high as $400,000.

By contrast, the cost of a preventive retrofit is usually between $2,000 and $10,000, with an average price tag of $5,000, according to the California Residential Mitigation Program, which administers the grants. The solution is generally simple: Add metal rods to attach the wooden house to the concrete foundation, and plywood to add stiffness and strength to keep the house on its foundation.

There are more than 1.2 million houses in California estimated to be particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because of how they were constructed.

Experts liken unretrofitted single family homes with this structural flaw to driving a car without seat belts.

City governments have not required homeowners to make seismic retrofits to single-family homes. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Los Angeles city building officials briefly considered requiring 50,000 single-family homes to be retrofitted, but the idea was rejected.

ron.lin@latimes.com

@ronlin

ALSO

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Yes, Californias drought is all but over, and the dramatically revived Cachuma Lake proves it
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, has died at age 96.

Ive learned to forgive, Tenney said in 2012, on the 70th anniversary of the march, but Ill never forget.

Tenneys 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 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.

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Tenney, who lived in Carlsbad, Ca., died Friday, said David Levi, his grandson.

If you fell down, you died. If you stopped walking, you died.  Lester Tenney

Born in Chicago on July 1, 1920, Lester Irwin Tenney joined the Army 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.

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 USC 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.

After he retired, 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 he 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 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 wasnt the company that imprisoned him, but Tenney was grateful. And optimistic that the other companies will eventually apologize, too.

Tenney is survived by his wife; son Glenn Tenney; stepsons Don Levi and Ed Levi; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A suburban Philadelphia judge has ruled that a jury from outside the area will hear the sexual assault case against actor Bill Cosby.

Montgomery County Judge Steven ONeill ruled Monday. He says the jury will be sequestered during the trial.

Lawyers for the 79-year-old TV star had pushed to have his trial moved out of the Philadelphia suburbs because of worldwide media reports that brand him a serial rapist.

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Cosby is set to go on trial June 5 on accusations that he drugged and molested a former Temple University employee at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will decide where in Pennsylvania the jurors will be selected.

ALSO

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Good morning. Its Monday, Feb. 27, and heres whats happening across California:

TOP STORIES

Quite the plot twist

It was supposed to be an Academy Awards about politics, President Trump and diversity. And it was, until the end, when there was a mix-up over who won best picture. (Moonlight, it turned out.) Los Angeles Times

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Heres how the epic mistake could have happened. Los Angeles Times

And heres how it looked backstage. Los Angeles Times

While the error got all the attention, the ceremonies also marked an important political moment, as Cathleen Decker writes. Los Angeles Times

Plus: A small but hearty bunch of pro-Trump supporters took to Hollywood Boulevard. It was part protest march, part people-watching, part performance art. Los Angeles Times

Obamacare alternative

With President Trump now vowing to put forward a replacement for the Affordable Care Act in March, some California politicians and healthcare advocates are once again promoting the idea of a state-run single-payer system that operates like Medicare. But that would come with a huge price tag -- and a lot of uncertainty. Los Angeles Times

Drought symbol

If there is one place one can go to say Californias drought is finally over, its Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara County. Just a few weeks ago, it was the only place in California still in extreme drought. Now, after epic rains, the place is transformed. Los Angeles Times

IMMIGRATION AND THE BORDER

A day with immigrants: So how many undocumented workers does California actually have? They make up 10% of the labor force in California, USC researchers say, but about 45% of agriculture employment and 21% of construction workers. Los Angeles Times

Consider compassion: Archbishop Jose Gomez and Steve Lopez talk about when deportation makes sense and when it doesnt. If someone in the U.S. illegally commits a really bad crime, Gomez said, hes not opposed to deportation. But deportation for a relatively minor offense would be too severe. Honestly, for me, the penalty is not proportionate to what happened, he said. Los Angeles Times

The kids: Can children really be bad hombres? Sonia Nazario, author of Enriques Journey, argues they cant. New York Times

Help wanted: Is Trump planning to loosen hiring standards for Border Patrol agents? Foreign Policy

Open season? Some immigration agents who felt constrained under Obama now feel the gloves are off under Trump. New York Times

Tense times: Santa Ana is one of Californias most hard-core sanctuary cities, and thats already caused a break with ICE. Los Angeles Times

Words matter: Debating the very definition of deportation. San Diego Union-Tribune

New middle class: Deported from California and other parts of the U.S., they find a middle-class life back home in El Salvador. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

Street sweep: Mayor Eric Garcetti vowed to use data to improve city services and make City Hall work better. By one measure -- cleaning up L.A.s notoriously filthy streets -- his effort appears to have worked. Los Angeles Times

Body found: The body of a 14-year-old boy who disappeared from San Fernando during a powerful storm earlier this month has been found on an island in the Los Angeles River near Griffith Park. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

They like Trump: California Republicans had mixed feelings about Donald Trump during the primaries. But now, they are all in and liking what they see. Los Angeles Times

Rallying point: The silencing of Janet Nguyen, a Republican state senator and Vietnamese refugee, became a rallying force at the California GOP convention this weekend. Los Angeles Times

Who wore that haircut better? Silver Lake hipsters or alt-right leaders? LA Weekly

Tax plan: Trump could hold major sway in the future of affordable housing in California. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

White House plea: San Bernardino is asking for President Trumps help in dealing with its epidemic of homicides, among other issues. As San Bernardino emerges from bankruptcy we are striving to revitalize our community but continue to face many challenges including violent crime, a letter from the city to the White House says. San Bernardino Sun

Tragedy: A well-known magician was found dead Friday at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood. Daryl Easton had been in the business for decades, won numerous awards and had been performing at the club in recent days. Los Angeles Times

Panicked moment: Marking the grim anniversary of a very dark time in Los Angeles history. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE

Request denied: A Redding newspaper asked City Hall for maps showing what flooding along the Sacramento River might look like and officials denied the request, citing a terrorist threat. Record Searchlight

Will it hold? Can the damaged Oroville Dam spillway survive through the end of the rainy season? Sacramento Bee

Compare and contrast: Contrasting the emergency response to the Oroville Dam crisis and the San Jose flooding, the Silicon Valley city is not faring so well. Mercury News

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

On the Peoples Court bench: Joseph Wapner was a fairly anonymous retired Los Angeles County Superior Court judge when the call came. Almost overnight, he became an unlikely American TV icon, a white-haired jurist who was dubbed the Solomon of Small Claims. Los Angeles Times

Plus: Actor Bill Paxton died unexpectedly after surgery. Los Angeles Times

In the bubble: So how can you tell you live in the San Francisco bubble? A $15 cup of coffee, taking Lyft for three blocks and not seeing a Windows PC since 2011. Thats a start. SF Gate

Pssst: Are those Disneyland FastPass tickets so valuable theyve created a scalpers market? Orange County Register

Serious cinema: People love to say Hollywood has abandoned movies for grown-ups as it chases comic-book blockbusters and young people. But heres evidence to prove that untrue. Los Angeles Times

Fashion police: Meryl Streep versus Karl Lagerfeld. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles: Cloudy and cool Monday. San Diego: Chance of rain. Bay Area: Partly cloudy. Sacramento: Partly cloudy. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

This weeks birthdays for notable Californians: architect Frank Gehry (Feb. 28, 1929), Rep. Ami Bera (March 2, 1965) and Rep. Paul Cook (March 3, 1943).

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.
Im Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some story lines I dont want you to miss today.

TOP STORIES

The Oscars No One Saw Coming

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The election. The Super Bowl. And now, the Academy Awards. Its never over till its over, even if youre giving a victory speech. In a moment more shocking than a streaker on stage, the team for the odds-on favorite musical La La Land was saying its thank-yous when it was revealed Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had announced the wrong winner (watch it here) and the award belonged to the underdog coming-of-age story Moonlight. Backstage, panic ensued. (Paging Russia  or Steve Harvey? No, the accountants apologized.) It capped a night that defied expectations, including a small pro-President Trump rally outside the awards and relatively few takedowns of the president inside. As Cathleen Decker writes, the diversity of the winners  including the first Muslim actor to win and an Iranian director who had boycotted the ceremony over the travel ban  spoke more loudly than the jabs.

The casts of Moonlight and La La Land onstage with host Jimmy Kimmel and Warren Beatty. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

More About the Oscars

-- Film critic Kenneth Turan says the twist ending was embarrassing for the academy but may be good for the Oscars.

-- Photos: Red carpet arrivals, show highlights and best of the 89th Academy Awards.

-- Fashion police: the best- and worst-dressed.

-- Our blog of the entire night, plus the complete list of nominees and winners.

Trumps Options to Fight ISIS

Trump has vowed repeatedly to defeat Islamic State but has never spelled out what that means. That could change soon, as Pentagon strategists are due to offer battle plan options as early as today after a monthlong review. What would an accelerated war against the militants in Iraq and Syria look like, especially when the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has warned that battlefield victories wont be enough? It could involve more troops in operations around Mosul, where Islamic State has been creating car bombs on an industrial scale.

You Can Shut Us Out, but You Cant Shut Us Up

In speeches or on Twitter, Trump has repeatedly called media outlets fake, disgusting or dishonest. Then on Friday the White House barred reporters from major news organizations such as the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and CNN from attending an off-camera news briefing. Readers should know: Regardless of access, the L.A. Times will continue to report on the Trump administration without fear or favor.

In Mexico, Trumps Wall Is in Their Heads

President Trumps great, great wall along the southern border hasnt been built, but its already having an effect on the mind-set in Mexico. Though many factors  enhanced enforcement from the pre-Trump era, bad weather and higher smugglers fees, to name a few  are believed to have slowed down border crossing in the Nogales area, Trumps name keeps popping up. Its just too hard now with Trump, said one recent deportee, whose wife and two daughters, both U.S. citizens, live in St. Louis.

More Politics

-- Trumps pick for Navy secretary has withdrawn from consideration, the second nominee to bail on a top Pentagon position because of problems untangling financial investments.

-- A White House spokeswoman said its too soon to say whether a special prosecutor should look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

-- Trumps promise to ramp up deportations spreads fear among California businesses.

Drought Report: We See the Lake as Half Full

Cachuma Lake north of Santa Barbara has been a symbol of Californias persistent drought. Even as many of the states reservoirs have filled this winter, the lake stayed dry, stuck in a rain shadow. Guess what? The shadow has lifted. Thanks to a storm on Feb. 17, the lake rose 31 feet in just a few days and, as of last measure, stands at 45% of capacity. Overall, federal authorities say more than 80% of the state is out of the drought.

OUR MUST-READS FROM THE WEEKEND

-- Steve Lopez: Trump needs to stop terrifying immigrant families and consider the real cost of mass deportations.

-- Santa Paula offers a window into the fear, uncertainty and confusion that have gripped heavily Latino immigrant communities since Trump took office.

-- Meet El Salvadors growing middle class: deportees from the U.S.

-- New Democratic Party chief Tom Perez vows to take the fight to Trump.

-- Herbert Fink, a hipster who helped make Rodeo Drive a fashion destination, has died at age 93.

-- Readers reach out to columnist Chris Erskine and his wife, Posh, in their time of need.

-- Up for a pentathlon? Youll have to run, swim, ride, fence and shoot, all in one day.

CALIFORNIA

-- With Obamacare in jeopardy, some California politicians and healthcare advocates are considering going it alone with a single-payer system.

-- California Republicans were in a festive mood at their weekend convention in Sacramento, but the GOP still faces a hard reality here.

-- The State Bar is seeking to discipline former Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich, claiming that as a county prosecutor he suppressed important evidence in a murder case.

-- Authorities say they recovered the body of a 14-year-old boy on an island in the Los Angeles River. He had disappeared during a powerful storm this month.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

-- Bill Paxton, who died at age 61, will be remembered as an actors actor who had the rare ability to move seamlessly through time.

-- Judge Joseph A. Wapner, who presided over The Peoples Court, has died at age 97.

-- The ABC miniseries When We Rise chronicles the gay rights movement as part of a universal struggle.

-- With pointed and political new work, 82-year-old artist Llyn Foulkes shows hes far from finished.

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD

On May 16, 1929, motion-picture celebrities gathered for the first Academy Awards honoring the films of 1927 and 28. The Times coverage back then: one photograph and two paragraphs under the front-page headline Film-Merit Trophies Awarded. After all, the winners had been announced three months earlier. More history in our Oscars timeline.

NATION-WORLD

-- Twenty-eight people were injured when a car plowed into a Mardi Gras parade crowd in New Orleans over the weekend.

-- Muhammad Alis son may sue after being detained at a Florida airport and questioned about his religion.

-- Thousands of Russians marched in Moscow to mark the death of Boris Nemtsov, an outspoken opposition leader who was gunned down two years ago.

-- Sri Lankans who once embraced Chinese investment are now wary of Chinese domination.

BUSINESS

-- Developers of affordable housing in California are on pins and needles over Trumps tax plan.

-- Why Snapchats unprecedented real estate strategy in Venice could be techs new standard.

SPORTS

-- Kurt Busch survived a crash-filled Daytona 500 to win the race. Only 25 of 40 cars managed to finish.

-- Miguel Aguilar of the L.A. Galaxy is believed to be the first DACA recipient to become a professional athlete. Hes unsure of his place on the team and his home.

OPINION

-- What happens when the bad hombres are ICE agents? The finer points of immigration law get ignored.

-- Should you vote no or yes on Measure S? Here are the arguments on both sides.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- First person: A Muslim working at the National Security Council explains why she called it quits. (The Atlantic)

-- Inside the billionaires birthday party held just over a mile away from Mar-a-Lago. (Town & Country)

-- Remembering the golden age of Little Golden Books. (NPR)

ONLY IN L.A.

Where is there an apartment whose interior exists in Koreatown and exterior is in Long Beach? In La La Land, of course. Thats Hollywood. Heres an insiders guide to nearly every scene in the film and where they really happened, even if the film didnt really win.

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.

If you like this newsletter, please share it with friends.
Urban voters may like the idea of using more wind and solar energy, but the push for large-scale renewables is creating land-use conflicts in rural regions from Maryland to California and Ontario to Loch Ness.

Since 2015, more than 120 government entities in about two dozen states have moved to reject or restrict the land-devouring, subsidy-fueled sprawl of the wind industry.

The backlash continued last month when a judge in Maryland ruled that the possible benefits of a proposed 17-turbine project did not justify or offset subjecting the local community to the adverse impacts that will result from the wind projects construction and operation. The judges ruling probably spells the end of an eight-year battle that pitted local homeowners and Allegany County against the developer of the 60-megawatt project.

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Objections to the encroachment of wind energy installations dont fit the environmentalists narrative. The backlash undermines the claim  often repeated by climate activists such as 350.org founder Bill McKibben and Stanford engineering professor Mark Jacobson  that we can run our entire economy on nothing but energy from the wind and sun. Many of those same activists routinely demonize natural gas and hydraulic fracturing even though the physical footprint of gas production is far smaller than that of wind. Three years ago, the late David J.C. MacKay, then a professor at the University of Cambridge, calculated that wind energy requires about 700 times more land to produce the same amount of energy as a fracking site.

Rural residents dont want to see the red-blinking lights atop the turbines, all night, every night for the rest of their lives.

Rural residents are objecting to wind projects to protect their property values and viewsheds. They dont want to live next door to industrial-scale wind farms. They dont want to see the red-blinking lights atop the turbines, all night, every night for the rest of their lives. Nor do they want to be subjected to the audible and inaudible noise the turbines produce.

Even in California, which has mandated that 50% of the electricity sold in the state be produced from renewable energy sources by 2030, there is resistance to wind power. In 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ban wind turbines in L.A.s unincorporated areas. At the hearing on the measure, then-Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said the skyscraper-sized turbines create visual blight  [and] contradict the countys rural dark skies ordinance.

In New York, angry fishermen are suing to stop an offshore wind project that could be built in the heart of one of the best squid fisheries on the Eastern Seaboard. Three upstate counties  Erie, Orleans and Niagara  as well as the towns of Yates and Somerset, are fighting a proposed 200-megawatt project that aims to put dozens of turbines on the shores of Lake Ontario. As in California, New York has a 50 by 30 renewable-energy mandate.

Outside the U.S., about 90 towns in Ontario have declared themselves unwilling hosts to wind projects.In April 2016, a wind project near Scotlands famous Loch Ness was rejected by local authorities because of its potential negative effect on tourism. Poland and the German state of Bavaria have effectively banned wind turbines by implementing a rule that allows turbines to be located no closer than 10 times their height to homes or other sensitive areas.

The defeat of the Maryland wind project came as a relief to K. Darlene Park, a resident of Frostburg and the president of Allegany Neighbors & Citizens for Home Owners Rights. We were up against an army of suits, she told me. Its like a brick has been taken off our shoulders.Parks tiny group relied on volunteers and a budget of about $20,000 as it fought the turbines all the way to the states public service commission.

Neither the communications director nor the CEO of the American Wind Energy Assn., which spends more than $20 million per year promoting wind power, would comment on the rural opposition to wind turbines. Their refusal isnt surprising. If the wind lobby  and their myriad allies at the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental groups  acknowledges turbines negative effects on landscapes and rural quality of life, it would subvert their claims that wind energy is truly green.

Just as problematic for the industrys future: to increase wind-energy production to the levels needed to displace significant quantities of coal, oil and natural gas will require erecting more  and taller  turbines (new models reach to 700 feet). But the more turbines that get installed, and the taller they are, the more nearby residents are likely to object.

Wind energy simply requires too much territory. That means we cant rely on it for major cuts in emissions. Indeed, the more wind energy encroaches on small towns and suburbs, the more resistance it will face. That resistance will come from homeowners like Park who told me, We feel this renewable energy push is an attack on rural America.

Robert Bryce is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and the author, most recently, of Smaller Faster Lighter Denser Cheaper: How Innovation Keeps Proving the Catastrophists Wrong.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook
Its been five weeks since Donald J. Trump took the oath of office after waging a campaign of fear, and the nation is seeing the results. They arent pretty and, in many cases, undercut basic standards of decency, American perceptions of how people should be treated by law enforcement  Customs and Border Protection agents are federal law-enforcement officers  and international perceptions of the United States as place of freedom, refuge and opportunity.

Two high-profile cases involved the detention of Philadelphia-born Muhammad Ali Jr.  holder of one of the most famous names in the world  at a Florida airport where he was questioned about his name and Muslim faith, and a decision by immigration agents, acting on a tip that an immigrant in the country illegally was aboard a San Francisco-to-New York flight, to seek the identifications of everyone on the flight before they deplaned.

The detention of Ali was grotesquely intrusive  he was returning from a trip to Jamaica with his mother, who was not detained, and had identification and a U.S. passport. Ali said that he was repeatedly asked the derivation of his name (his father, born Cassius Clay, adopted it after converting to Islam), and about his religious beliefs.

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But even more egregious was the reception border agents gave those landing on the domestic flight to New York. Federal agents, working with flight attendants, asked each passenger to show identification before leaving the plane. The government said later the agents were searching for someone against whom it has a deportation order, and who they believed was on the plane. (He wasnt.)

Nothing says authoritarian regime like being asked by government agents to show your papers, which is precisely what happened here. In these days of tightened airport security, its hard to imagine that any of the passengers felt as though they had the right to refuse. They did, and so do you.

There are more examples of this new hard-edged, and cold-hearted, enforcement regimen. A transgender woman in El Paso was detained at a courthouse as she sought protection against a domestic abuser, an act that will likely resonate among other undocumented immigrants who might be fleeing an abusive partner.

Daniel Ramirez Medina answered that door to ICE agents in Washington seeking his father, and was detained, too, despite holding a waiver from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Acclaimed Australian childrens author Mem Fox sobbed like a baby after being detained at LAX en route to a speaking engagement in Milwaukee.

Nothing says authoritarian regime like being asked by government agents to show your papers.

In Texas, French Holocaust historian Henry Rousso was detained at Houstons airport and threatened with deportation by agents who questioned the validity of his visa. He was admitted after intervention by lawyers for Texas A&M University, where Rousso was scheduled to deliver the keynote speaker at the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study. Roussos area of specialty, ironically enough, is Vichy France, the puppet regime emplaced in the so-called Free Zone after the country fell to the Nazis in 1940.

As distressing as these actions are, its even more appalling that immigration and border agents say their jobs have become fun again. Two unions representing immigration and border agents said morale amongst our agents and officers has increased exponentially in the wake of Trumps policy shifts, which White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said was intended to take the shackles off immigration agents.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration fired the man President Obama brought in late last year to try to change a Border Patrol culture that had led to lax oversight, corruption and excessive use of force. This is at the same time Trump wants to loosen hiring requirements to add 15,000 agents to the border and immigration force.

All of which raises the not-so-hypothetical question of who will watch the watchers? And what sort of a nation are we becoming?

Scott.Martelle@LATimes.com

Follow my posts and re-tweets at @smartelle on Twitter

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7:55 a.m.: This caption was updated to clarify the time reference and name of the photographer.
To the editor: I was 19 years old during the last century, touring Europe with college classmates, when I walked into a bathroom in Austria. I walked through a door signed Damen. My male classmates entered a doorway marked Herren, and we met on the inside. My life views changed after that experience. (Trump administration rescinds guidelines on protections for transgender students, Feb. 22)

I have advocated unisex bathrooms for years. I have suffered criticism from friends and family over these many years. After all, why do women want to primp in front of a bathroom mirror in the presence of men? Why does anyone wish to be exposed to urinals?

During the last year, we have had two presidents weigh in on the issue. Discussing bathrooms is beneath the dignity of the highest office in the land.

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My advice is to have unisex bathrooms universally and lave sus manos.

Betty Schulman, Coronado

..

To the editor: Speaking practically, how well received would a transgender male be in a womens bathroom? Would the reaction be, Prove youre a woman or Im calling the police?

And how about a transgender woman? How much harassment would she face in the mens room?

Judy Melton, Pasadena

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
President Trump vowed to use his first joint address to Congress on Tuesday to call for a dramatic $54 billion increase in military spending, coupled with an equally large cut to domestic programs that could gut some core functions of the federal government, setting up his most concrete blueprint yet for reordering the nations priorities.

Though Trumps proposal will likely be altered significantly in the coming debate between the Trump administration and lawmakers in both parties, it represents the kind of bold initiative that Trump relishes as he prepares for another milestone early in his term. The speech, which takes the place of a State of the Union address in a presidents first year, will be Trumps most formal since his inaugural address, a dark and relatively short speech that framed his presidency as emerging from a nation marked by rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones.

Though Trump has flouted formal traditions in other venues, speaking extemporaneously to obsess on the size of his electoral victory or inaugural crowds or to spar with the press, the batch of policies he previewed Monday suggests that he will at least come equipped Tuesday with a script that uses the address as other presidents have: to advocate for his agenda. For Trump, that includes a replacement for Obamacare, a sharp cut in federal regulations and an increase in federal spending on military and law enforcement.

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This is a landmark event, a message to the world in these dangerous times  of American strength, security and resolve, Trump said Monday in a speech to most of the nations governors, who were in Washington, D.C., for their annual winter gathering.

Yet Trump continued to send mixed messages on spending.

He again called the nearly two decades of war in the Middle East a failure, as he has repeatedly.

We have to start winning wars again, he said, explaining his call for an increase in military spending that would amount to nearly 10%. It is geared to allow the armed services to rebound after several years of cuts known as sequestration forced by a failed negotiation between the Obama administration and the GOP-controlled Congress.

But at the same time, he lamented the costs so far of fighting in the region, which he put at $6 trillion.

Trumps biggest challenge, however, will be finding money to cut elsewhere in the budget, which his administration has yet to detail. He promised in his campaign to protect Social Security and Medicare and aides said the current spending proposal would not affect those programs.

His advisors have said they would target foreign aid, a move opposed Monday by 121 retired admirals and generals and one that could put him at risk of undercutting his strong ties with Israel, an ally that is the top recipient of such funding. Yet even if Trump finds a way to cut foreign commitments, the entire category still represents only about 1% of the entire budget.

That would likely mean a cut of at least 10% to other portions of the budget  including environmental protection, diplomacy, education and job training  which have already absorbed sequestration cuts of their own since they kicked in in 2013.

Cutting some programs, such as heating assistance, public housing and grants to communities that help the poor, could have a disproportionate impact on the group of Americans whom Trump has labeled the forgotten man and the forgotten women hit hardest by the loss of manufacturing jobs.

These are all core functions of government, said Marc Goldwein, senior vice president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, who has advised Congress on deficit reduction.

At the same time, Trump repeated his promise on Monday to rebuild the nations infrastructure, but has yet to explain how he would do so without increasing the size of the deficit. Spokesman Sean Spicer said the program would be negotiated separately with Congress as part of a longer-term deal.

Trump will also make a separate request to Congress to pay for his promised wall on the Mexican border, said Trumps budget director, Mick Mulvaney. The cost is estimated at $12 billion to $38 billion if the administration were to build along the entire 2,000-mile border.

Mulvaney did not rule out making deeper cuts to Social Security and Medicaid, saying the discussion would come as part of the debate over changing the tax code. Yet Trump also promised again Monday to initiate a major tax cut as part of that process, further complicating efforts to trim the deficit.

Trump seemed eager to put off many such details. Mulvaney called the military proposal top-line numbers and said the full budget would not be released until May. Congress, which has had a hard time passing budgets that cut popular programs even under GOP leadership, may reject some or all of Trumps plans. Because the sequester was written into law, Republican Senate leaders would need Democratic support to reach the 60 votes necessary to reorder spending.

Trump said his speech would also emphasize his efforts to reduce government regulation, which has put him at odds with environmental advocates but in sync with many traditional conservatives in his own party.

Still, Trumps roll-out seems geared more toward setting up a debate than articulating a full-blown agenda. He and his aides have stressed repeatedly that he is keeping his promises.

We are taking his words and turning them into policies, Mulvaney said.

Trump is single-mindedly focused on that goal, forcing his staffers to go through a checklist of campaign promises, said Chris Ruddy, a Trump confidante and founder of the conservative website Newsmax, calling it a shotgun approach.

If Congress doesnt go along with this, thats their problem in his mind, Ruddy said.

Ruddy said he believes Trump is a bit too anxious, failing to leave time to think through how the military should spend the money or, with his flood of executive orders in his initial weeks, bring Congress along on his goals for beefing up border enforcement.

Still, Democrats have also expressed an eagerness to debate over promises. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has begun using the Twitter hashtag #brokenpromises to criticize Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Trump fully intends to break his promises to working families by taking a meat ax to programs that benefit the middle class.

The presidents budget plan means helping the wealthy and special interests while putting further burdens on the middle class and those struggling to get there, Schumer said.

Trump is certain to get backing for military spending increases from defense hawks in his party.

The Republicans who lead the Senate and House armed services committees, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, called Trumps increase too small, given the cuts absorbed in recent years. The Pentagons budget fell by a total of more than $100 billion between 2011 and 2014, causing top U.S. military leaders to gripe about the struggle to fight the Islamic State militant group and other terrorists while also staying prepared to confront threats from Russia and China.

With a world on fire, America cannot secure peace through strength with just 3% more than President Obamas budget, McCain said in a statement. We can and must do better.

In September, Trump called for adding more than 80,000 Army soldiers to get to 540,000 on active duty. He wanted to increase the number of active-duty Marines to 200,000 from the current 182,000. He also wanted to increase the Navys ships from 287 to 350, and add to the Air Forces fighter jet fleet by two dozen, to 1,200 aircraft.

But the party is no longer unanimous in that position. In recent years, deficit hawks have gained influence, blocking attempts to restore cuts made as part of the sequester. And other GOP members of Congress have made clear they are unwilling to pay for increased defense spending by cutting other domestic programs, especially state and local services.

Staff writers W. J. Hennigan, Lisa Mascaro, Brian Bennett and David Lauter contributed to this report.

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

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California Republicans were in a festive mood at their weekend convention in Sacramento.

They toasted their airy new downtown headquarters with views of the Capitol and decorated with pictures of Ronald Reagan and other memorabilia from the partys storied history in the state. They reelected leadership that had turned a practically bankrupt party into one that raised $19 million last year. And they celebrated having helped elect a Republican president for the first time in more than a decade.

Isnt it nice to win? Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare asked hundreds of delegates and guests during a dinner speech Saturday night.

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But for all the cheer, the state GOP still faces a hard reality. It has not elected a statewide politician in more than a decade, its numbers are dwindling, Democrats have a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature and, after three consecutive election cycles where Republicans ceded the top posts in government to Democrats, it has no major prospects to run for governor or Senate next year.

Here in California, the state GOP has hit rock-bottom, said Jon Fleischman, a conservative blogger and the state partys former executive director. But as delegates huddled across from the state Capitol, where we have no influence, the atmosphere was almost festive because of President Trump and how much he has riled up the left.

One of the most celebratory events was a reunion of Trump supporters on Saturday afternoon. Trump lost badly to Democrat Hillary Clinton in California, but he had an active base of tens of thousands of volunteers here who called voters in battleground states. Republicans were hopeful these people, many of whom were new to politics, would turn their energy to California elections.

Our job is to build a structure that wins elections and wins elections right here, said Tim Clark, Trumps California campaign manager who is now serving as a liaison between the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services. Weve done our job nationally. Now we have to focus on our state in 2018.

Throughout the weekend, Republicans focused on an argument similar to one that propelled Trump to victory in unlikely states such as Wisconsin and Michigan: While Democrats have insisted they have made life better for their constituents, ordinary Americans are still struggling.

On Sunday, Assembly GOP leader Chad Mayes highlighted a series of videos with the tagline California deserves better. Featuring a female narrator skewering Democrats for talking about their achievements, the videos focus on the ongoing problems of poverty, crumbling infrastructure and high housing costs.

Attendees also heard from Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista and conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, who were critical of Trump at times during the presidential campaign but praised some of his acts since taking office.

But notably absent from the convention was any major Republican candidate laying the groundwork for a gubernatorial or Senate run in 2018.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, whom many GOP activists would like to see mount a run, slipped into the convention quietly and briefly on Friday. Pressed by reporters, he denied once again that he plans to run for governor.

California Minutemen founder and former Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who mounted an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2014, said he was considering running again. He blasted the party leadership for not stopping the Democrats from achieving a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature.

Updates from Sacramento 

The California GOP, everybody who is in leadership should be fired. They should resign in shame because in the year of Trump  they lost, he said. They lost their only purpose for existing, which was to resist the supermajority, or prevent the supermajority of Democrats in the state, and they lost seats. Its unbelievable that that could possibly happen in such a sweep of the country.

The Republican Party establishment helped knock Donnelly out in the primary in 2014 because of his controversial statements and views, but then did nothing to help the partys eventual nominee, Neel Kashkari, who faced impossible odds against incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown.

In 2016, with low name recognition and sparse party support, Republican candidates were shut out of the U.S. Senate race, and two Democrats faced off for the first open Senate seat in more than two decades.

It was the first time since the enactment of the states top two primary  in which the top two vote-getters move on to the general election regardless of party  that a Republican failed to make the cut. That could happen again in 2018, though elected officials were hopeful that the party had learned its lesson last year.

The Republican Party last election, for whatever reason, didnt want to engage, said Assemblyman Rocky Chavez (R-Oceanside), who briefly ran in 2016 for the seat vacated by Sen. Barbara Boxer upon her retirement. But I think we have learned from the non-engagement. We will not do that again. We will have somebody.

Party Chairman Jim Brulte, reelected by a near-unanimous voice vote Sunday morning, said that since he took over the party in 2013, he has worked to strengthen its grassroots organization and to stock local city councils and school boards with quality GOP candidates, part of a strategy for a statewide GOP rebound.

But he conceded that the party had not reacted quickly enough to demographic changes that led, in part, to the GOPs declining share of the states voters. Republicans account for just 26% of the electorate in California, so even candidates who receive every GOP vote in the state come in far short of whats needed to win, he said.

You have to have as many Republicans on board as possible, then you have to go out and make your case to independents and Democrats, Brulte said. Theres no conservative way to walk a precinct. Theres no moderate way to put up a campaign sign.

seema.mehta@latimes.com

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

For the latest on national and California politics, follow @LATSeema and @cmaiduc on Twitter.

Times staff writer Phil Willon contributed to this report.

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The White House on Sunday again smacked down calls for a special prosecutor to look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, and President Trump dismissed coverage of Russia-related queries as FAKE NEWS.

Meanwhile, Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista became the highest profile Republican in the California delegation to say a a special prosecutor should be tapped to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Im Sarah Wire, I cover the California delegation in Congress. Welcome to the Monday edition of Essential Politics.

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Trump is scheduled to give his first speech to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday  but remember, its technically not a State of the Union speech, it only gets that name after hes been in office a full year. In it, Trumps expected to give the country a glimpse at what may be in the federal budget hes expected to release next month.

Get the latest about the Trump administration on Essential Washington and follow @latimespolitics, and keep an eye on our Essential Politics news feed for California political news.

TRUMPS WAR WITH THE MEDIA

Trumps criticism of the news media continued last week in a speech to supporters and was followed by the White House barring 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. Over the weekend, the president announced he does not plan to speak at the annual White House Correspondents Assn. Dinner.

GOP CONVENTION IN SACRAMENTO

California Republicans gathered in Sacramento over the weekend to celebrate Trumps victory and pave a path for the 2018 election.

On Friday, conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt spent much of his speech praising the presidents policies and appointees.

After being removed from the state Senate floor Thursday, Orange Countys Janet Nguyen became a folk hero at the California GOP convention.

In a speech to delegates Saturday, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) urged California Republicans to be bold and push ballot initiatives that could be a tough sell with the states voters, like increasing offshore oil drilling and eliminating the state income tax. In a separate speech, Issa said Republicans have to do a better job listening to the concerns of all Americans, even those critical of the GOP.

Delegates easily passed resolutions supporting key tenets of the Trump administrations agenda, and picked Jim Brulte to lead the party for a third two-year term. Brulte vowed to improve the California Republican Partys fortunes in 2018.

MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Trump to work with California on marijuana regulation.

Patrick McGreevy has the story on the letter from Newsom, a leading supporter of the proposition that legalized recreational marijuana in California, which urged the president not to follow through on threats to increase federal enforcement against recreational marijuana firms.

The letter came a day after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters, I do believe that youll see greater enforcement against recreational marijuana.

TOWN HALLS AND PROTESTS

Demonstrations have continued outside the offices, and even the homes, of members of Congress.

By the end of the week, the staff of Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) said it would no longer meet with protesters, and people holding a vigil outside Rep. Dana Rohrabachers Costa Mesa home were dodging sprinklers.

Several Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank faced large crowds at town halls. Activists even held some events on behalf of Democrats who didnt schedule their own town halls.

Members are starting to schedule town halls for the next several weeks. Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) will hold one next week, and his staff will be checking IDs at the door to make sure those who attend live in his district.

BALANCING CALIFORNIAS ROLE

Taking the national stage as a leading foe of Trumps policies, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Friday told the Democratic National Committee meeting in Atlanta that his state is fighting federal efforts to roll back protections for immigrants and the environment. The national Democrats also picked a new party chairman, Tom Perez, at the meeting.

Becerra said Trump will strike out if he continues to try to undermine important state policies.

In a news conference Friday, Gov. Jerry Brown walked a fine line, talking about ways the nations largest state can work with the new administration. Brown also unveiled a $437-million plan for shoring up some of Californias most pressing water and flood-control needs.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

 Trumps pick for Navy secretary, Philip M. Bilden, withdrew from consideration late Sunday, becoming the second White House nominee to bail on a top Pentagon position because of problems untangling his financial investments.

 House Democratic Caucus Vice-chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Whittier) gave the caucus weekly speech, and she urged Americans to protest, call their members of Congress and turn out in droves at town halls.

 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.

 If you think its time to rein in money in politics, look to Sacramento or Californias voters, John Myers says in his column this week.

 Developers of affordable housing in California are on pins and needles over Trumps tax plan, Liam Dillon reports.

 The Republicans who made Reagan president are mourning the party they once knew.

LOGISTICS

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Killing with kindness, GOPs McClintock faces down hostile questioners as town hall goes into overti
State authorities have declined to pursue a complaint alleging that Newport Beach Councilman Brad Avery had a conflict of interest when he voted to ban water jetpack use from Newport Harbor.

Local activist and former council candidate Mike Glenn had argued in his filing with the California Fair Political Practices Commission that Avery should have recused himself from the Feb. 14 vote by the City Council because of his day job as director of marine programs for Orange Coast College.

The Costa Mesa college has a waterfront School of Sailing and Seamanship in Newport Beachs Mariners Mile that offers boat rentals and various marine classes.

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

Glenn contended that Averys vote was improper because jetpack operations share the limited space in the harbor with boats that Avery is paid to promote and operate.

The FPPC disagreed.

Citing state law, Galena West, chief of the FPPCs enforcement division, said Averys own financial interest did not apply in this situation because he is a public employee of a local governmental agency.

In addition, West said in a letter dated Monday and sent to Glenn, there was insufficient evidence presented that Mr. Avery had a financial interest in any business entity that would have been affected by his decision.

Avery said in an email that he is pleased with the decision, adding that its nice to have this behind me.

Glenn acknowledged Monday on his website, SaveNewport.com, that Avery was cleared by the FPPC.

This clears Avery to vote on virtually all harbor matters moving forward without the threat of a conflict of interest case being brought against him, Glenn wrote. But the fact that this exemption exists to begin with is  frankly  horrifying. This seems logically inconsistent with very severe long-term consequences. But that is nothing new to government, I suppose.

Congratulations to Brad on this ruling.

--

Bradley Zint, bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
There may come a time when World War II ceases to be a source of fascination for millions of Americans, but for now, the subject matter continues to inspire historians, novelists, screenwriters  and everyone who is glued to the American Heroes Channel.

Perhaps youre reading All the Light We Cannot See or Countdown to Pearl Harbor or streaming the movie Allied in 4K Ultra HD. You may even be contemplating a visit to this citys National WW II Museum, a sprawling campus that offers still more evidence of our obsession with a conflict that ended more than 70 years ago.

During a recent trip that was dedicated (primarily) to the pursuit of a bacchanalian experience, I suggested to my husband, Steve, that we spend an afternoon focused on history rather than indulgence. It turns out that three hours of immersion in battles, weapons and war memorabilia was a welcome break from the festivities.

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The facility, founded by historian Stephen E. Ambrose, opened in 2000 as the D-Day Museum and was later designated by Congress as the official World War II museum of the country. Since its opening, it has continued to grow in size and ambition  more than 30,000 square feet in exhibit space added in the last couple of years, and there are plans for a hotel and conference center as well.

We visited on a Monday holiday, but the museum was humming with the murmurs of scores of visitors, most of whom couldnt seem to get enough of the touch screens, videos, voiceover narration, maps, artifacts and newsreels. (The museum estimates 2016 attendance at 700,000.)

The 300,000-square-foot complex is large, taking up about 3 blocks in New Orleans Warehouse & Central Business District. Visitors can sit through a Beyond All Boundaries video in the Solomon Victory Complex and walk through the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. They can indulge their interest in nostalgia at the gift store or dine at the American Sector restaurant.

But on the afternoon of our visit, most museum-goers could be found in the Campaigns of Courage pavilion, a 32,512-square-foot building that houses the Road to Berlin exhibit, which opened in December 2014, and The Road to Tokyo, which opened a year later.

The exhibits are presented chronologically, with maps of major battles and sites, models of bunkers and Quonset huts and a mockup of the bridge of the USS Enterprise. You can look at newsreel footage and photographs or pick up a dog tag that will unlock an interactive exhibit devoted to an individual (a service person or civilian) who participated in the war.

The visitors who toured with us, many of them elderly, some of them sporting veterans caps, lingered at many of the exhibits as if they were inspecting a shrine. The occasional young man wandered through looking for a specific entry point  a battle, perhaps, or a weapons exhibit.

Couples walked by hand in hand, talking about parents or grandparents who served, an acknowledgment of the individual sacrifices that are bound up in the costs of war. Some of the objects on view  a telegram announcing the death of a son, a dented cigarette case that deflected a bullet, a vase discovered amid the ruins of Nagasaki, Japan  speak to those sacrifices as well, in a way that the detailed chronicling of military campaigns or displays of aircraft or weapons can never do.

Another touchstone to the war will open April 1 when a wartime patrol torpedo boat that saw action in Europe goes on display. Volunteers spent a combined 100,000 hours at the museum restoring PT-305, which you will be able to tour for $15. Forty-five minute rides on Lake Pontchartrain in the historic boat cost $350.

If you visit the museum, you will probably listen to excerpts from the thousands of oral histories collected from men and women whom the war touched in some manner. They were young  17 or 23 or 27 years old  and most of them had no understanding of what was about to befall them.

They served in Italy or Okinawa or they worked in wartime factories or spent time in a Budapest ghetto. Long after your visit has concluded, their survival and willingness to testify may be the thing you will remember the most.

Admission: $26 to $36

Info: National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., (504) 528-1944

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travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
Lets say I decide four friends and I are going to Phuket, Thailand, for a week in early April. I just found a $498 round-trip fare on China Eastern from LAX, including all taxes and fees. Now all I have to do is find a reasonably priced place for us to stay. In a resort town.

Scarcer than hens teeth, as my grandmother used to say. But there may be a way to take the bite out of that bill. Thanks to airline competition, weve seen amazing fares to Asia as low-cost carriers keep nudging their higher-priced competition in the financial ribs.

That fare mentioned above was on China Eastern, tracked down Monday, for a longed-for but not yet realized trip to Thailand April 3-12. With airfare volatility, this fare may no longer be available by the time you read this.

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Chinese carriers have added capacity, which puts continued downward pressure on fares, said Tom Spagnola, a senior vice president of supplier relations for CheapOair. And not only on fares to China, he said in an interview in late 2016, but also to Thailand and the Philippines.

Signs point to a phenomenal year for the budget-minded traveler. At least where airfare is concerned. Because even though Im a budget traveler and my bank account tells me I need to rein it in, my back tells me it will hate me more than it already does if I sleep cheap.

For my proposed stay, I could try the Peninsula Bangkok  for twice as much as my ticket cost me, assuming my bunkie would split the cost with me and can stand my snoring.

I could go lower end of course. But although the top end is well represented and the hostel end is certainly present, the cupboard of the mid-level hotel is, if not bare, not exactly overflowing, said Srikanth Beldona, a professor at the University of Delaware who runs the schools hospitality business management program.

Maybe Ill rent a place. And not just any place. I want a penthouse on the Chao Phraya River that cuts through Bangkok for $50 a night or so. To quote Vivian in the movie Pretty Woman, I want the fairy tale.

And I can have it if I cast my lot with HomeAway vacation home rentals. That mode of travel stay is nothing new in Europe and even in the U.S., but it is in Asia, which is beginning to embrace this way of stay while you play.

For many travelers, hotels may be a protective cocoon, especially if language is an issue. They promote an I-am-on-vacation mind-set, especially when you realize you dont have to empty the trash or vacuum and you can have fresh towels and clean sheets daily if you want them (and if you dont feel guilty about damaging the environment by demanding the luxury of new linens).

Hotels are offering a completely different product  a full-service experience  and many travelers are looking for a break from being at home, Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Minor Hotel Group, said in an email. Minor, founded in Thailand by William E. Heinecke, has numerous hotels in Asia, including the highly touted Anantara brand.

Rajakarier applauds different options in the market because that means there is something for everyone.

A vacation rental does have much to recommend it, including privacy and flexibility, said Jeff Hurst, chief commercial officer for HomeAway, which is making headway in the Asia market.

If youre a group of friends traveling together, cooking together may be a better option than being in a crowded restaurant where you may not be able to hear each other, Hurst said. And for parents traveling with young children  Hurst has two  if the kids sack out for the night at 7:30, Hurst said, what do you do for the next three hours?

If you have a house, and theyre in their own room, you have a bottle of wine or watch a movie. Youve just got options.

Technology helps address some of the needs that home-stayers might miss having if theyre not in a hotel, Hurst said. Food delivery apps, for instance, mean you arent tied to the kitchen.

Being part of a community also fulfills an increasing need among travelers for authenticity, a word used so often that it is becoming a cliche. But shopping where local residents shop, stopping and having coffee at the local bistro and generally interacting with the residents brings you closer to a culture.

Thats partly what has fueled the success of Airbnb, which told me in an email that it has 74,000 accommodations in China, 48,000 in Japan and 47,000 in Thailand (all kinds of spaces, not just whole houses).

These sharing economy accommodations are the antidote, its email said, to mass-produced tourism.

The market has room for growth. Cambodia, Airbnb said, so far has only 4,000 travel offerings in a country rich with travel opportunities that include Angkor Wat and an emerging vacation-adventure industry that features bike rides among temples and kayaking the Mekong River.

Such potential growth is partly what fuels Hursts enthusiasm about Asia. Its going to be the biggest travel region in the world, he said.

For Southern California travelers, its an opportunity to experience a region that is quicker to get to than Europe, cheaper, in many cases, and offers insights into countries and cultures that havent yet been loved to death.

At this point, my trip to Asia is still a distant dream. But on HomeAway, I just saw the coolest-looking spot  OK, its a villa  on Chang Noi beach, about 200 miles from Bangkok, at $127 a night for a four-bedroom place.

If there are five of us, thats less than $26 a night, and that is a budget travelers sweetest dream.

Have a travel dilemma? Write to travel@latimes.com. We regret we cannot answer every inquiry.

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
Iranians delighted Monday in the Oscar victory by director Asghar Farhadi, who won his second foreign language film award but boycotted the ceremony in protest of President Trumps immigration policies.

Farhadi, who won for his drama The Salesman, had an Iranian American engineer  Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian-born person to travel to space  deliver a statement on his behalf condemning Trumps inhumane executive order banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, from entering the U.S.

For the record: An earlier version of this story referred to Arthur Millers play as The Salesman. The correct title is Death of a Salesman.

Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear  a deceitful justification for aggression and war, Farhadi wrote. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

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Irans theocratic government and military establishment are accused of human rights abuses, supporting foreign extremist groups and curbing free speech. But Tehran seized an opportunity with the Oscar win to stake out some moral high ground over the United States.

Irans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, tweeted, Proud of cast & crew of The Salesman for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan.

Proud of cast & crew of "The Salesman" for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) February 27, 2017

Iranian state media gave scant coverage to the Oscar news, but many Iranians learned of Farhadis victory  which followed his 2012 triumph in the same category for the film A Separation  through social media.

Farhadi had announced in January that he wouldnt attend the ceremony. On Friday he joined the directors of the four other Oscar-nominated foreign language films  from Denmark, Germany, Australia and Sweden  in issuing a statement expressing 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.

Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi speaks in a recorded video message during the public screening for his film The Salesman in Londons Trafalgar Square. (Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP/Getty Images)

Hours before the ceremony on Sunday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a Muslim, held a free public screening of The Salesman that drew thousands. Khan has called Trumps travel ban shameful. The travel order has been stymied in court.

Trump has singled out Iran for criticism since taking office, ordering fresh sanctions following an Iranian missile test and threatening to reconsider a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, that has eased economic restrictions against the Islamic republic.

For many Iranians, who have reacted with a mixture of fear and contempt to Trumps harsh rhetoric, Farhadis victory was a moment to celebrate.

The Oscar for The Salesman shows the world of art is beyond man-made frontiers, with an emphasis on humanity, said Rahim Zohabi, a 65-year-old businessman in Tehran.

Art cannot be limited by bans and walls. Hopefully [the Oscar] will promote peace and understanding between nations, if not politicians.

The film centers on an Iranian couple  actors starring in a local production of Arthur Millers play Death of a Salesman  whose life is upended when the woman is assaulted by an intruder.

Some hardliners criticized the film for presenting a negative image of Iran. Others speculated that Iranian authorities submitted the film for Oscar consideration in an attempt to show a humane side to the theocracy  and that Farhadi was rewarded by a liberal Hollywood for his opposition to Trump.

The award was politicized, said Farshid Farivar, a 54-year-old publisher of art magazines. The Salesman didnt deserve the Oscar.

Ahmad Kassaeian, an optician and writer, said Iranians worldwide would cheer the success of one of their own.

I think Mr. Farhadi cannot make any tangible impact in reducing the tension between Iran and America, said Kassaeian, 54. But culturally, if we gain greater recognition and respect among Americans, thats important.

Special correspondent Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Times staff writer Bengali from Thiruvananthapuram, India.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

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At a shelter here across the border from Arizona, volunteers are stocking food and other supplies in case of a large influx of deportees from the other side.

We dont want any surprises from Mr. Trump, Juan Francisco Loureiro, director of the Don Bosco migrant center, said of the U.S. presidents plans to step up deportations. We need to be ready.

Along the border, dejected recent deportees and new arrivals from the south headed for the U.S. are weighing whether to vault for the north or just go home  essentially, admitting defeat.

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Its just too hard now with Trump, said Alejandro Ramos Maceda, 33, recently deported after being picked up on a traffic charge in St. Louis  where he said he has a wife and two daughters, both U.S. citizens.

In Nogales, Mexico, shelters like the Don Bosco migrant center are stocking on supplies as deportees and would-be crossers either decide to go back to their hometowns or try crossing again. Many have families on the U.S. side. (Liliana Nieto del Rio / For The Times)

Discouraged, Maceda said he plans to stay in Mexico for the moment, a choice that many other deportees with families in the United States have reluctantly embraced.

Maybe my wife will come visit, he said, his tone not betraying much hope.

Not one post has been driven into the ground for President Trumps proposed new border wall. There has been no sign of ramped-up Border Patrol forces as part of the administrations promised enforcement buildup.

But interviews on the Mexican side of the frontier suggest that, in just a few weeks, the new president has had a profound effect on how people in the border region act, plan and, perhaps more importantly, think. Although his strategy has scarcely begun to be enacted, Trump is deep in peoples heads.

Its just a lot harder to cross than we thought, said Vicente Vargas, 15, one of five teenagers from Mexicos Puebla state who said they were going back home, discouraged at how difficult, and costly, it is to get over the border  especially given the likelihood that they would be apprehended if they made it to the other side.

The 15-foot steel fence between portions of Nogales, Ariz., and Nogales, Mexico. (Liliana Nieto del Rio / For The Times)

That the current difficulties have nothing to do with Trump doesnt matter: Vicente and his downcast colleagues blame the new presidents border blueprint. Even deportees picked up months before Trump took office seem to point a finger at the new administration.

Theres just a lot of uncertainty right now, said Jesus Arturo Madrid Rosas, the representative here for Grupo Beta, a Mexican government aid organization that provides assistance to migrants. People dont know whats going to happen. Maybe thats keeping some people back.

He and others stressed that many factors  blustery weather, enhanced border enforcement from the pre-Trump era, ever-increasing fees charged by smugglers  are probably slowing down the northbound human traffic. Rumors about both U.S. amnesties and crackdowns have long filtered back to sending communities and swayed the behavior of prospective border-jumpers. The coming spring months are usually the busiest.

But Trump  or Troomp, as the presidents name is pronounced here, without much affection  often gets the blame, or credit, depending on ones point of view.

This Trump, I dont agree with him, but hes doing what his people want, said Eliseo Estrada, a burly Nogales police commander standing on a high point where the existing border fence  an undulating, 15-foot-high curtain of steel shafts  separates this bustling city from the much smaller Nogales, Ariz. Mexico could use a strong president too, he said.

Down the hill in town, where backyards cluttered with bicycles, patio tables and toys push against the frontier fence, shrines mark the spot where, in 2012, a Border Patrol agent firing through a gap in the fence emptied about 10 rounds into a Mexican teenager, Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. The much-anticipated murder trial of the agent, Lonnie Swartz, is scheduled to begin this year.

On the Mexican side of the border in Nogales. (Liliana Nieto del Rio / For The Times)

Even people smugglers, known here as coyotes  whose fees are adjusted upward as crossing becomes more difficult  say the tough talk on the other side has left many uncertain.

People are psychologically traumatized, said one veteran smuggler, a slim raconteur with a tequila laugh, who asked not to be identified for fear of arrest.

On the U.S. side too, word of the Trump crackdown is causing anxiety as people wonder about relatives and neighbors in the United States who may be deported  or about those in Mexico who may be permanently separated from loved ones.

Thats all anyone is talking about, Trump, the border, deportations, roundups, said Sheriff Tony Estrada of Santa Cruz County, in southern Arizona. You hear it in the cafes, in the restaurants, everywhere, said Estrada, who was born on the Mexican side and emigrated as an infant with his family to Nogales, Ariz. People are scared.

An image at an art installation along the fence depicts the mustachioed visage of Jesus Malverde, an early 20th century Robin Hood figure who is much revered today as patron saint of Mexicos narco-traffickers and outlaws.

Despite the enforcement crunch of recent years, illicit drugs continue to pass through  via narco-tunnels burrowed beneath the fence; in loads tossed over or hoisted across; and in semi-trailers and cars passing through the pair of busy ports of entry, sometimes sprinkled with especially potent chili pepper extract to dissuade sniffing dogs.

Long before the Trump era, successive U.S. administrations poured billions of dollars into hiring more guards, improving fencing and deploying military-style hardware, from ground sensors to drones to floodlights and camera-mounted observation towers. There is no doubt the investment has made illegal crossing more difficult and expensive  not to mention more dangerous, as is clear from the scores of migrants who have perished in recent years trying to cross through the Arizona desert.

These days, no one ventures forward here without a smuggler. The era of large groups scrambling on their own is long gone. The criminal syndicates that run drugs also control the people-smuggling trade. The mafia demands their cut, said the loquacious coyote, who has been at it for more than two decades.

Unseen lookouts, known as puntos, closely observe the border strip, reporting back to their superiors on any activity.

East of town, where the imposing steel border fence gives way to an easy-to-hurdle barrier of rusted old locomotive rails topped with barbed wire, there was plenty of evidence of past crossers: empty water bottles, discarded food packages, doused campfires. Footprints and debris lined an eerie, abandoned graveyard known as the Chinese cemetery, the apparent resting place of many from the regions once-thriving Chinese community, largely forced out in an early 20th century wave of xenophobia.

But finding anyone crossing in a zone that was once filled with prospective border-jumpers was impossible.

Two Border Patrol agents, their green-and-white vehicle parked on a dirt road on the U.S. side, seemed skeptical that Trumps planned wall would be effective, given the rough, mountainous terrain and summer thunderheads.

A wall would probably wash out once the monsoons come, concluded one agent, speaking from across the fence and declining to be identified because he was not authorized to speak.

Coyotes now charge about $4,000 a head to smuggle the undocumented to Tucson, just 60 miles north, and $6,000 to get to Phoenix. The fees are about five times what they were a decade ago, when this stretch of international boundary was by far the busiest in the Southwest. Between fiscal 2006 and 2016, however, annual Border Patrol apprehensions in the Tucson sector, which includes the Nogales border strip, plunged from almost 400,000 to about 65,000.

In fact, Trumps border buildup comes at a time when illegal immigrant traffic is generally way down. Across the Southwest border region, agents in fiscal 2016 recorded 408,870 apprehensions  compared with 1.1 million in 2006 and 1.6 million in 2000. Non-Mexican nationals, mostly Central Americans, now outnumber Mexicans detained.

Notwithstanding the considerable challenges, not everyone is deterred. It is an article of faith here that no one can stop those determined to cross. The smuggler said he was passing three clients the next evening. Many deportees say they have no choice but to get back.

My life is on the other side, said Oscar Felix, 48, who was found with other disheveled and exhausted deportees at a Catholic shelter that provides breakfast to migrants. Of course I will return.

Felix said he had lived for 30 years in the Phoenix area after entering the U.S. illegally three decades earlier, and worked as a mechanic. He has four U.S.-born children, he said, from 1 to 14 years of age. He said he was arrested in December on an outstanding warrant for driving without a license, was jailed for three days and then turned over to immigration agents, who held him for 2 months before he was removed in February.

He said he planned to visit family in Ciudad Obregon, his hometown, and then head back across. He had no doubt he would make it.

I have no life in Mexico; my life, my family is on the other side, the distraught Felix said as he stood in a driving, cold rain outside the free-breakfast site. Its not about Trump. Its about my family. I have to go back to Phoenix.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Twitter: @mcdneville

Special correspondents Cecilia Sanchez in Mexico City and Liliana Nieto del Rio in Nogales contributed to this report.

ALSO

Did a Mexican migrant leap to his death at the border minutes after deportation?

Meet El Salvadors growing middle class: Deportees from the U.S.

Trump needs to stop terrifying immigrant families and consider the real cost of mass deportations

Dreamer in Washington state still faces deportation as attorneys accuse immigration agents of deception
It was around 3 p.m. when the Iraqi lieutenant finally accepted that his soldiers assault on Wadi Hajar, an industrial neighborhood in southwest Mosul, would not succeed.

Resting on the bumper of a battered black Humvee, he stared at the ground, his face pinched in anger and frustration. All around him was the urgent movement of men under fire, retreating.

The resistance is just too strong from this direction, said the lieutenant, a counter-terrorism officer who for reasons of security gave only his first name, Mustafa. Its Islamic States main defensive line from the south.

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The first week of the campaign for western Mosul started with rapid territorial gains for the government. Iraqi troops, backed by U.S. special forces and coalition warplanes, swept through lightly defended villages, tightening the noose on Islamic States last redoubt in the city.

But as the terrain has shifted from the desert to the urban, the pace has slowed and the casualties have mounted, suggesting the militants will not be routed from the city without a fierce fight.

The offensive, which started Feb. 19, is the second part of an internationally backed campaign launched last fall to take back the city, which the jihadists conquered in 2014 and made the capital of their self-declared caliphate. In the first part, the government seized control of eastern Mosul in 100 days of punishing combat.

The fight for western Mosul may prove harder, as the neighborhoods there have narrower streets and tightly packed buildings thought to shelter some of the jihadists most fervent supporters.

The difficulty is compounded by the governments mandate to avoid high civilian casualties, a concept of operations that security forces had paid for in blood, Bruno Geddo, head of the United Nations refugee agency in Iraq, said in an interview last week.

Thousands of people have fled the carnage even as the government has urged the people of western Mosul  estimated to number 750,000  to remain in their homes.

While government forces were making progress in some neighborhoods, Wadi Hajar was not among them.

Artillery and mortar shells rained down for hours Saturday as the crew of a Russian-made TOS-1 launcher a few miles away on the highway to Baghdad fired rockets at militant strongholds.

Meanwhile, dozens of government Humvees and armored personnel carriers lined up on the highway between the Mosul airport and the Ghazlani military base.

An armored bulldozer ripped through a sand berm half a mile away from Wadi Hajar, clearing the way for armored vehicles that raced up the highway.

Dont stop firing, a commander ordered his men.

But then on the walkie-talkie came the first sign of trouble.

Im facing heavy fire in my direction, sir, crackled a voice. I cant go forward. Im being fired upon from 180 degrees.

A counter-terrorism service soldier changes a Humvee tire under fire near west Mosul. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

Behind the berm, the remaining troops waited for the order to advance. It never came.

Instead, they huddled behind Humvees for cover from the steady stream of bullets whistling all around them. Some soldiers furtively peeked out, ducking then scampering between the vehicles.

Then came a large explosion. It was a mortar round striking a police armored personnel carrier, engulfing it in flames. For a moment, thick acrid smoke gave the fighters respite from the snipers. But then ammunition still inside the vehicle began to explode, sending soldiers running for cover.

A few yards away, the lieutenants eyes were reddened by smoke and emotion.

Some of my men are trapped inside, he said, explaining that the police units had not advanced to give them support.

The men were hunkered down in a building, but the militants had wounded one of them and cut off their escape route.

Well come and help you, a commander told them over the radio. Well send in a Humvee, drive right up to the buildings door. Then well open the door to give you cover and you can load the wounded man and come in one by one. Just keep on firing to make way.

The voice on the other end quavered: We have no ammo, and we cant all come out from one end.

Word came that an officer had been killed. His comrades loaded his body into a Humvee, but the vehicle was now on fire.

Im not leaving the martyr behind! a soldier shouted.

Finally, two Humvees raced through the berm. As they came to a stop, troops rushed to the vehicles to help the wounded.

A wiry soldier named Murtadha stumbled out of one vehicle. He seemed to be in a trance.

Somebody opened a bottle of water and poured it over Murtadhas head.

As the fighting subsided, the men began to eat their lunch, using their hands to scoop up handfuls of rice and zucchini tomato stew.

A few smiled tentatively. But the moment of relative calm quickly ended as an enemy mortar round screamed through the air and landed on a Humvee with a deadening thump.

Everyone in the cars! Stop eating. We have to move, shouted the lieutenant.

Behind him, another mortar round fell.

We need to attack from another point, he said. This one wont work.

On Sunday, troops would try to breach Wadi Hajar in a fresh assault. It too would fail.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

ALSO

Islamic State has been cranking out car bombs on an industrial scale for the battle of Mosul

U.S. advisors are now fighting alongside Iraqi forces in the battle for Mosul

Defense Secretary James Mattis says U.S. air forces heavily involved in Mosul operation

To cross the front lines in the battle for Mosul, you just hail a cab
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
Tonight brings the first solar eclipse of 2017. The Sunday's spectacle is an annular eclipse, which means a silver of the sun's surface will still be visible on the moon.

According to New York Times report, the "ring of fire" eclipse will blaze over parts of South America and the southern and western tips of Africa. The solar phenomenon occurs when the moon moves in between the sun and the Earth. But it is too far away to completely block the sun as it would during a total solar eclipse.

The NASA report has stated that the moon's orbit around the Earth is elliptical, meaning that at some points it is farther away from the Earth than at others. The annular eclipse occurs when the moon is at or near its greatest distance, which is known as apogee.

The countries to watch best chance to watch the "ring of fire" include Chile, and Argentina in South America as well as Angola, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. The moon's shadow is cast on Earth, and it varies between 18 miles and 55 miles in width as it moves, reported by SPACE.

The thing is called path of annularity. NASA reported that that outside of the line will be able to see a partial solar eclipse which looks like some galactic giant.

The spectacle will cross the South Atlantic into Africa. The scenario will hit parts of Angola around 4.15 pm local time and make appearances in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo before the sun sets. The spectacle will last for a few minute when it crosses over these countries.

However, NASA scientists warn that the fiery ring will be very bright, even though it is not a full solar eclipse. The scientists suggest wearing a pair of eclipse glasses to watch the performance.


Mexico has warned the US government on unilateral tax on Mexican to finance a border wall. The Mexican Foreign Minister said the government could place tariffs on selected goods from US states reliant on exports to Mexico.

According to BBC, the foreign minister has identified states including Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin as possible targets for retaliatory tariffs. Mexico is by far the top destination for Texan exports with a good worth of over $115 million exported there in 2015.

The Mexican Foreign Minister's warning came after US President Donald Trump said that the wall will be built "soon way ahead of schedule". Trump pledged to put always American citizens first and build a "great, great border wall".

The report from US government says they will start design proposal for the wall in next month. The US department says it will ask companies to submit proposals for the build of several prototype wall structures on or around March 6.

The shortlist of the best designs will be drawn up by March 20. After which bidders will be asked to cost their ideas.

INDIA BLOOMS has reported that the US president said Mexico will pay the wall, which could cost up to $21.5 billion. But the actual figure is much higher than Trump's estimated price tag of $12 billion. For that, the president has proposed to levy a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a border wall.

The Mexican Foreign Minister Mr. Videgeray, in a radio interview, said that Mexico believes in free trade. But they would have to respond if the US tried to impose a unilateral tax on Mexican imports.

However, the wall issue is a very sensitive political issue in Mexico. Mexican President Pena Nieto has canceled a trip to meet Trump last month over the border dispute. He said Mexico will not fund the wall.


White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer shocked the cannabis industry recently. Spicer's stated that he is expecting the Department of Justice will enforce more federal laws prohibiting recreational marijuana. These laws, if passed, will also be applied to the states where marijuana is already legal.

According to CNN, this announcement is a complete reversal from Obama administration's point-of-view. Before the federal government was not allowed to interfere in the states where recreational use of marijuana is legal.

Till date, eight states have legalized recreational cannabis for adults. They include Alaska, Colorado, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

"When you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people," CNN quoted Spicer. "There is still a federal law that we need to abide by when it comes to recreational marijuana and drugs of that nature."

Forbes, however, stated that the legal cannabis industry has pointed out the benefits of recreational Marijuana legalization. The very first benefit that comes to mind is from law and order point of view.

Legalizing marijuana resulted in reduced criminal activity that involves drug cartels and gangs. This, in turn, means less court, prison and police spending.

When a state legalizes Marijuana, it is tested, labeled and packaged in child-proof containers before selling. This is definitely safer than acquiring cannabis illegally.

Another proof using marijuana over opioids are that the side effects are fewer and it's not addictive. Also, an overdose of marijuana does not block the respiratory cells and then death, unlike opioids.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are raised in tax revenue because of marijuana taxing. And lastly, there is a key benefit of job creation. Over 100,000 have been employed so far for legal marijuana cultivation and so forth procedure. Cannabis has become the third largest cash crop in Washington.
Manny Pacquiao is set to fight Amir Khan on April 23, 2017 and it looks like the bout will be held in the United Arab Emirates as Pacman revealed before. Amir Khan's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, has not officially confirmed the event but the two fighters said that they have agreed to the fight's terms. Amir was Manny's sparring partner when he was still under Freddie Roach. He may take his knowledge of Pacquiao's moves to his advantage now that they are set to fight for real.

Manny Pacquiao posted on Twitter that his team and Amir Khan's have agreed to the terms of the April 23 fight, ESPN reported. The tweet also said that this fight was what fans wanted. Amir Khan replied to Manny's tweet saying that he has agreed and even called the event a "Super Fight."

Manny Pacquiao is fresh from a win over Jesse Vargas in November. The Philippine senator has a large fan base all over the world that has created a poll over Twitter on who will he fight next. Khan was actually the leading choice for Manny's next opponent while Australian Jeff Horn is second and American Terence Crawford is third, ABC reported.

Amir Khan on the other hand has never fought since he moved up to middleweight to fight Canelo Alvarez in May 2016. Canelo knocked out Khan. The 30-year old fighter has been trying to land a fight with Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather. Reports say that he might use his knowledge of Manny's moves to get the upper hand on the ring. But of course a fight against the WBO world welterweight champ could also boost his career and take him to more prominent fights it he wins.

Manny Pacquiao said in an interview that he wants his next fight to be in the UAE however the venue for his match against Khan is yet to be announced.
Xiaomi said, at the time of its Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 launch that it will introduce a special matte black variant of the device in a couple of months. Keeping to its promise, the Chinese company is now bringing the special color version of the budget handset on 1 March.

Redmi India, in a tweet confirmed that the black color variant will be up for sale on Flipkart and company's e-commerce platform Mi.com beginning 12 noon. Currently, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is available in three color variants, which are Gold, Grey, and Silver. However, the new variant will be up for sale on Mi.com and Flipkart from March 1, as per Firstpost.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 was launched in the month of January and was announced in three memory configurations; 2GB RAM with 32GB storage, 3GB RAM with 32GB of internal storage and 4GB RAM with 64GB of inbuilt storage. We hope that the new black variant will be available in all three versions. Some of the highlights of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 are a solid metal body, processor performance, and improved camera as compared to the Redmi Note 3.

According to Indian Express, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 features a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD display on the front covered with a curved protective glass. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor which is step down from the Snapdragon 650, though is said to be more power efficient.

There is a new 13MP camera at the back with phase detection auto focus and a dual tone LED flash, while on the front side there is a 5MP camera. Connectivity options in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 include support for dual-SIM (hybrid SIM card slot), 4G with VoLTE, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS with GLONASS, infrared sensor and a microUSB port.

The battery is the Unique Selling Point of this phone; 4100 mAh that Xiaomi claims lasts 25 percent longer than the previous Redmi Note 3. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is running on MIUI 8 beta based on Android Marshmallow, and a Nougat beta update has been promised to users.
With the new administration, Trump wanted to speed up the long-planned moon mission as he wanted his administration to do something different with the space program. Generally, NASA is always taking everything surely and taking precautions before sending astronauts to space and explore.

With the urge of Trump administration to speed up the mission, NASA launches a study answering the possibility of adding two astronauts to the first test flight of Exploration Mission 1 or the EM-1. NASA released the pros and cons involcing two crews on the first test flight.

The EM-1 is scheduled for November 2018 and the new rocket system will launch with a new Orion capsule on top and will orbit the moon. After exploring and orbiting the moon, the capsule will return to Earth, entering the atmosphere at very high speed down in an ocean, Geek Wire has reported.

NASA thinking about to have mannequins on board and only after the test mission will put live astronauts into Orion capsule and ascend to the moon. The second mission or EM-2 will be taking place on 2021.

In a recent teleconference with reports, "I do not have a preconceived position as to whether I am for this or against this," said NASA official, William Gerstenmaier regarding the results of the study. But according to the results of the study conducted whether the plan is possible, the result suggested an increase of the mission risk.

According to Gerstenmaier, if the current plan will change and will be added two astronauts to the first test flight will only increase risk. Adding that if astronauts are involved, they would tentatively last about eight or nine days. But the benefit of having two humans aboard, he claimed that they will get a chance to test the systems in a rigorous way, The Washington Post has reported.

The study will be completed in a month. And if NASA's result indicating that it isn't possible that a crew will be onboard, NASA will be sticking to its first plan. But if the study is possible, then the launch date for EM-1 will be pushed into 2019.

Trump reportedly shows an interest with President Kennedy's vow to put a man on the moon by the end of 1960's. The reports suggest that Trump may also wanted the space ambition as he wanted to do some bold moves and different in the space program.
OnePlus will be launching its next flagship OnePlus series this year. The Chinese tech firm will skip the OnePlus 4 and directly unveil the OnePlus 5. The flagship is expected to feature a ceramic body and be powered by a latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. This year's edition of OnePlus is expected to be waterproof and will boast a 5.5 inch Quad HD AMOLED display.

There have not been many talks about the next 'flagship killer' from OnePlus "officially" but the promise of featuring a latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and an even bigger RAM has got OnePlus enthusiasts excited. The OnePlus 5, OnePlus 4 is said to be powered by the Snapdragon 835 SoC and is likely to have 6GB RAM with 64GB internal memory, according to News 18.

Meanwhile, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 4 is rumored to be competing with Samsung Galaxy S8. With that, the flagship is expected to have a tough battle with other flagship smartphones like HTC M11, as per Android Headlines.

OnePlus 5, OnePlus 4 will be having the big 4,000 mAh battery with an internal storage of 64GB. However, the device will be having two variants - the 128GB and the 64GB for its storage capacity, which is reported to be expanded up to 256GB via MicroSD card. OnePlus 5 will also be having a Dash Charge support for quicker charging.

The upcoming OnePlus 5, OnePlus 4 is guaranteeing to provide the best camera features by coming with a 23MP rear camera and 8 MP front-facing camera. The upcoming OnePlus 5 might also have D-touch facilities that will be coupled with a fingerprint sensor and quick charging.

OnePlus is said to launch the flagship smartphone run on the Android 7.0 Nougat anytime soon this April 2017.

OnePlus 5, OnePlus 4 is rumored to be available in five colors variants including gold, white, black, ceramic and blue. If you are wondering why OnePlus is skipping OnePlus 4 and launching the 5th edition directly. This is because in China number four is considered unlucky.
Feb 26, 2017, 2:01pm ET

Cadillac Oscars ad speaks to "a nation divided"

The ad is one of four to be aired tonight during the Academy Awards.

Cadillac will air four new commercials during the Academy Awards show tonight, but certainly the one that will be most talked about seems to be timed for our political times, despite a staunch denial by the brand.

Titled "Carry," the ad opens on large protest crowds, scenes all too familiar to those keeping up with the news these days. "We are a nation divided," the narrator intones. "That's what they tell us, right?"

However, the tone soon transitions into a message about unity rather than division, with images of protesters and police hugging, soldiers and athletes literally carrying injured compatriots, and rescue workers airlifting flood victims off roofs. "But what they don't tell you, what doesn't make the news," the narrator continues, "Is this: we carry each other forward, no matter who we are, what we believe, or where we come from."

The message then turns to the brand's history of "carrying humanity" while images of Marylin Monroe, Muhammad Ali and President Dwight Eisenhower all posed with Cadillacs.

Cadillac director of brand marketing Melody Lee told Automotive News that the spot was "neither a political or social statement," instead "a celebration of the incredible American spirit, and of a country that when united, inspires, enables and achieves."

However, given the content it seems unlikely the ad will be seen as neutral. It closes with this sentiment: "Maybe what we carry isn't just people; it's an idea that while we're not the same, we can be one."

The three additional ads are: "Pioneers" focuses on Cadillacs future, with nods to semi-autonomous tech; "Pedestal" showcases the Escala concept; while an unnamed one is all about the 2017 CTS-V. See them below.
Geneva LIVE: Peugeot Instinct concept

Mar 8, 2017, 5:00pm ET

The Instinct knows if you\'ve been getting enough exercise.

Peugeot has unveiled the Instinct concept at the Geneva Auto Show.

The Instinct takes the form of a four-door shooting brake. Its front end wears a sharper, more aggressive-looking rendition of Peugeot's current design language. Large alloys wrapped by low-profile tires fill the wheel arches, giving the concept a muscular look.

Power is provided by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that sends 300 horsepower to all four wheels. The user can choose whether to drive or be driven by selecting one of four driving modes named Drive Boost, Drive Relax, Autonomous Sharp, and Autonomous Soft, respectively.

Samsung's Artik internet-of-things platform takes in-car connectivity to new heights. The Instinct gathers data from smartphones, smartwatches, connected home devices, and laptops to determine the user's profile.

For example, starting the engine in the morning remotely locks the door to the driver's house. Peugeot explains the Instinct can also tell when the user is tired -- e.g., after an intensive workout session -- and automatically engage Autonomous Soft mode, which prioritizes comfort.

It can also detect when the user hasn't been getting enough exercise and offer to park itself a 10-minute walk away from the destination. Finally, it uses deep learning technology to determine the user's driving style, and tell whether he or she prefers to drive or be driven on a specific type of road. The cabin is just as futuristic as the aforementioned tech features. The steering wheel retracts into the dashboard when it's not needed to create an open, lounge-like atmosphere. The driver can change the radio station or instruct the car to pass the vehicle ahead using simple hand gestures, while a chatbot lets the four passengers "talk" to the car.
Authorities have found an 76-year-old dementia patient who walked away from his Bethlehem home Thursday.

Santiago Colon (Courtesy photo)

Santiago Colon, of East Third Street, was found early Sunday at a gas station near Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township.

Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio said Colon was in a parked car with the engine running when he was spotted by an Allentown police officer who recognized him.

The officer then took Colon to the hospital, where he was evaluated and released. Colon returned home around 10 a.m. Sunday, DiLuzio said.

Colon around noon Thursday was reported missing after being seen at a grocery store near his home and not returning. His family told police he had spoken of heading to a relatives old address in Perth Amboy, N.J., or possibly Florida.

Police continue to search for Jeremy Raisanen, 41, who was reported missing on Wednesday by his wife. He is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall with blue eyes, brown hair and glasses.

His family is very concerned about his well-being, police said in a news release Friday.

Authorities ask that anyone with information on Raisanen's whereabouts to contact the Bethlehem department at 610-865-7187.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
boscov.jpeg

The late Albert Boscov was remembered Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 at Santander Arena in Reading. (File photo)

Thousands packed Santander Arena in Reading Sunday to remember retail giant Albert Boscov, whom many described as a caring philanthropist, loyal friend and family man, according to reports.

Boscov, 87, died Feb. 10 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Surrounded by his wife Eunice and their three daughters, he passed away at home in Reading, where his father founded the business in 1914.

The two-hour public memorial drew a large crowd made up of family members, friends, business people, employees, vendors, buyers and patrons. Guests were seated to music and a slideshow, according to the memorial's program.

Some in attendance had never met the man several called not only a giant in the industry, but also the community, pennlive.com reported.

About a dozen speakers, including Bob Brock, a lifelong friend and several of Albert's family members, remembered Boscov with stories, music and videos. Former Gov. Ed Rendell, former Gov. Tom Corbett and Sen. Bob Casey also were in attendance, according to reports.

Tom McMahon former mayor of Reading stated that at 5 feet, 7 inches, Boscov was not a man of big stature, but he was a real-life superhero, according to the pennlive.com report.

The Eric Mintel Quartet, Gerald Veasley and Carol Reddick presented a musical performance of "The Impossible Dream," according to the program.

Jim Boscov, Albert's nephew and now CEO of the family-owned company, recalled in reports how his uncle propelled a family operation to one of the biggest region-wide franchises.

"Albert taught of us it's all about relationships. Everybody wins," Jim Boscov stated in the pennlive.com report.

Albert Boscov took over the company from his father in 1950 and became known for his attention to detail and involvement in every facet of the company. After a long and successful career, he rescued the business when he came out of retirement in 2008 to buy it back amid bankruptcy.

Boscov's employs about 7,500 people and has 25 stores in Pennsylvania and 25 others spread across New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Connecticut and Ohio, according to its website. Locally, it has stores at the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township and the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall.

Corbett shared a light-hearted memory in the pennlive.com report about Albert: "He's the only man that ever called me honey...He had a great heart, great compassion for the people of Pennsylvania especially this region. There isn't anyway I would miss this."

The memorial wrapped up with a video of Boscov, leaving one of his stores, singing "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," reports said. The family also played a slide of personal thanks set to a song by Louis Armstrong, according to the program.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Moonlight-La-La-Land-Warren-Beatty-mistake.jpg

Presenter Warren Beatty shows the envelope with the actual winner for best picture as host Jimmy Kimmel, left, looks on at the Oscars. The winner was originally announced as 'La La Land,' but later corrected to 'Moonlight.'

(Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

If you turned off ABC-TV's coverage of the Academy Awards just as the final "thank you" speech was gearing up, you missed the Oscar for "best drama in an otherwise boring awards show."

In a slip-up for the ages, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced -- after some obvious confusion on Beatty's part -- that "La La Land" had snagged the Oscar for best picture. Actually, they had been handed the card for best actress (Emma Stone in "La La Land"), and the gaffe wasn't exposed until a producer of "La La Land" interrupted the acceptance speeches to tell the producers of "Moonlight" they were the true winners.

"This isn't a joke," Jordan Horowitz told the stunned crowd, motioning for the "Moonlight" representatives to come onstage.

The confusion was reminiscent of the flubbed crowning in the Miss Universe pageant last year. PwC, the accounting firm that tabulates the balloting and handles the envelopes on awards night, apologized for the mistake.

SNAFU aside, did the best film finally prevail? Was "Moonlight" the right choice, or did "La La Land" deserve the top prize? Or "Manchester by the Sea?" Or another of the nominated films?

Have a say in our informal poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comments section?
Police are searching for a 27-year-old man prohibited from carrying a firearm who allegedly left a shotgun behind in a Greenwich Township hotel room.

Charged is Peter R. Minchella Jr., whose last known address was in the first block of Chestnut Street, Oxford Township.

Greenwich Township police officers just after 3 a.m. Saturday were dispatched to America's Best Value Inn to check on a man who was locked inside a hotel bathroom. The man reported to police there were other people in the room with guns and knives.

Police searched two hotel rooms for the male caller, finding blood in one of the rooms and a 12-gauge shotgun in the other. No one was in either room during the search, according to police.

Officers found the caller who had no recollection of making the report, police said.

Police then obtained an arrest warrant for Minchella, who they said was renting the two hotel rooms. Minchella is prohibited from possessing firearms, according to police.

He is charged with unlawful possession of weapons and certain persons not to have weapons -- both third-degree crimes.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
An Abbeyleix butcher is set to represent Ireland in the World Butchers Challenge.

Abbeyleix butcher Mark Williams will be part of Team Ireland at the World Butchers Challenge in 2018.

Mark opened his shop Williams Butchers in 2014 and comes from a long line of butchers, with his father, grandfather and great grandfather all in the trade.

Its a huge honour, I am very proud to be part of a team to represent Ireland, he said. Its a great achievement for myself and my family and Id really like to thank our customers and the people of Abbeyleix who have dropped in over the last few days to congratulate me and wish me well.

Williams Butchers is a proud member of Butchery Excellence Ireland, based in Aughnacloy County Tyrone, which was developed to help butchers across the country keep on top of changes to legislation, food safety, food labelling, new product development, personal development, training and marketing.

The World Butchers Challenge will be held for its first time in Belfast next year, and it is expected that over ten global teams will take part in the 2018 event, including teams from Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand.
Elizabeth Delaney - Castlecomer and Wolfhill

The death took place on Sunday February 26 of Elizabeth (Betty) Delaney (nee Brennan) of 6 Colliery Close, Clogh, Castlecomer, Kilkenny and Wolfhill.

Peacefully in the care of the Matron and Staff at Castlecomer District Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Sadly missed by her sons, Jim, Noel, John, Marty, daughters Catherine, Mary, Clare. Brother Michael, sister Mary, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.



Reposing at her residence from 7pm Sunday evening with rosary at 8pm. Removal on Monday from her residence with prayers at 6.45pm, arriving to Saint Patrick's Church, Clogh for 7.30pm Mass. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 12 noon with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Angela Tyrrell - Abbeyleix

The death took place on Sunday, February 26 of Angela Tyrrell (nee Ryan) of Tullyroe, Abbeyleix.

Funeral Arrangements Later

Nora McEvoy - Portarlington

The death took place on Saturday, February 25 of Nora McEvoy (nee McEvoy) of Ballycullane, Portarlington.

Peacefully in the care of the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick. Deeply regretted by her loving husband Michael, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and friends.

Reposing in Moloney's Funeral Home, Mountmellick, from 4pm on Sunday. Removal at 5.30pm to St. Paul's Church, Emo, arriving at 6pm. Requiem Mass on Monday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St. Paul's adjoining cemetery.

Paddy Saunders - Portlaoise

The death took place on Friday, February 24 of Paddy Saunders of Dublin Rd, Portlaoise.

Peacefully at The Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. Surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Joan, and and grandad to the late Keeva. Loving father to Tony, Paul, Thomas and Mairead. Deeply regretted by his loving family, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives and friends.

Reposing at his son Thomas (Mocky) residence at Borris Great (beside Ballard Nursing Home), on Saturday from 5pm with rosary at 8pm. On Sunday reposing from 3pm with rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Monday in Ss Peter and Pauls Church followed by interment in Ss Peter and Pauls Cemetery.

Eileen Gosling - Mountrath

The death took place on Friday February 24 of Eileen Gosling (nee Fahy) of 9. St. Fintan's Terrace, Mountrath.

Peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, predeceased by her husband John, daughter Bridie and grandson Neil, deeply regretted by her loving family Marie, Joy, Martina and John, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Tildy and Geraldine, brothers Michael and Tony, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at her home on Saturday afternoon from 3pm with rosary at 9pm. Removal on Sunday morning to St. Fintan's Church Mountrath, for Funeral Mass at 11.30am, followed by burial in St Fintan's cemetery Mountrath.

Ann Delaney - Portlaoise

The death took place on Thursday, February 23 of Ann Delaney (nee Conway) of Cappagh, Portlaoise, and formerly of Bishops Court, Straffan, Kildare.

Peacefully at home, surrounded by her family and friends. Predeceased last year by her husband Jim. Deeply regretted by her daughter Ruth and her partner John and her son Mark and his partner Fiona, grandchildren Alannah, Elisha and Kody, her brother Sean, (Allenwood), uncles and aunts, neices and nephews, relatives and many friends and her neighbours.

Reposing in her home from 5pm on Friday, recital of the rosary at 8pm. Family time on Saturday morning. Funeral arriving for 11am mass in St. Fintan's Church, Ballyfin on Saturday morning. Burial after in St. Fintan's Cemetery.
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Young people in Laois should consider a career in the Defence Forces as recruitment begins again in earnest.

Thats according to Laois TD and Minister Charlie Flanagan who is highlighting a major recruitment drive announced.

His remarks come as a significant new recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces is targeting an intake of 860 personnel, across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.

They are looking for general service recruits, apprentices and cadets and I strongly encourage young men and women in Laois to consider this exciting opportunity, said Minister Flanagan.

There is no greater honour than to serve your country, and for many young people this recruitment drive could be the start of a fantastic career, with first class training, and opportunities for travel and personal fulfilment.

Minister Flanagan said he was really pleased that this years recruitment drive is focused on diversity, and in particular the need for increased participation from women and the different ethnic groups and nationals in our countrys Defence Forces.

Minister Kehoe is overseeing a welcoming and engaging workplace environment for all in the Defence Forces, irrespective of gender, creed, ethnicity or sexual orientation, he said.

The recruitment drive is part of the Governments commitment to maintaining the strength level of the Defence Forces, incorporating the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, at 9,500 personnel.

In 2016 recruitment to the Defence Forces reached a record high with an intake of 690 personnel, so we are going even higher this year, giving more young people in Laois the opportunity to serve their country, concluded the Minister.

Anyone interested in joining should apply at www.military.ie.
The case of three men, one of whom is frm Kildare, who were involved in a scam of passing un-roadworthy vehicles at a NCT test centre has been adjourned after one of them became unwell when the judge sentenced him.

Stephen Rooney (37) had just been sentenced to a year in jail at the Circuit Criminal Court today when he slumped over in the dock. Judge Gerard Griffin rose and an ambulance was called for him.

Judge Griffin had imposed a three and half year sentence but had suspended the final two and half years after taking into account Rooney's co-operation with the garda investigation and remorse.

He was just about to sentence his co-accused Alan Richardson (28) and Vincent Brunton (34) when Rooney became ill.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard last week that Rooney, Richardson and Brunton were arrested and charged following a garda investigation in the wake of an RTE Prime Time documentary in 2011.

The court heard that Richardson, who was working as a NCT inspector was contacted by his neighbour, Rooney and asked to pass two Toyota Carinas. Both vehicles had previously failed the test and were scheduled for a re-test.

The men were to get 100 between them for their role although no money was ever exchanged. Richardson then asked NCT tester, Brunton to pass one of the vehicles as roadworthy.

Rooney, of The Paddocks Grove, Adamstown, Lucan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to one charge of forgery of a NCT certificate and one charge of corruption in that he accepted or obtained 100 as an inducement or reward for securing a NCT certificate on April 20, 2011. He has minor previous convictions dating back to 2000.

Richardson, also of The Paddocks Grove, pleaded guilty to the same forgery charge and a charge of corruption in that he accepted a gift of cash from Stephen Rooney as an inducement or reward for a NCT certificate.

Brunton of Priory Square, St Raphael's Manor, Celbridge, Co Kildare pleaded guilty to one charge of forgery, making a false NCT certificate on April 20, 2011.

Neither Richardson nor Brunton have previous convictions and it was accepted that each of the three men fully co-operated with the garda investigation and were genuinely remorseful for their involvement.

A fourth man, Darren Meehan (40) of Delemere, Enfield, Co Meath, was approached to pass the second vehicle. He received a two and half year suspended sentence last month for his role after he pleaded guilty to producing a false NCT certificate.

Judge Griffin adjourned sentencing all three men to March 6 next and remanded each of them on continuing bail after he said he felt it was necessary considering Rooney's unfortunate ill health.
There has been a lot of attention on the Mayoral races taking place in the great cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol but, as so often is the case, the West Midlands mayoral contest has not received so much publicity. It maybe because the Mayor wont just cover Birmingham, but other areas as varied as the Black country and the city of Coventry.

For too long, the West Midlands has been sitting quietly at the back of the queue when successive governments decide which region to support  and that has to change.

Beverley Nielsen, our candidate to be the first West Midlands Mayor, has placed getting the best deal for the West Midlands, and the next generation, squarely at the heart of her election bid.

Beverley is branding herself as a champion of change and is determined to see that Birmingham and the rest of the West Midlands conurbation remain ignored no longer.

A former CBI regional director, and director of leading UK FTSE plc, AGA Rangemaster, Beverley has spent the last decade at Birmingham City University, and is responsible for a raft of innovative partnerships bringing employers and students together to create employment and wealth.

Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe, with almost 45% of its population under 25, so a key plank of Beverleys pitch is giving young people a helping hand, at a time when they need it most, by giving everyone under the age of 25 free travel on public transport across the West Midlands.

However the decision of this Tory government to go for a hard Brexit deal means more must be done to help our SMEs survive the current economic and political uncertainty, and focus on creating an environment which allows them to prosper in the future. At the other end of the business scale, a West Midlands Mayor must also fight to secure the livelihoods of workers at such global giants as Jaguar Land Rover, GKN and JCB, who depend on continued tariff-free access to the Single Market.

Weve been told by government that the first Mayor must make 4 billion of cuts, because thats the size of the funding shortfall which the Tories want to impose upon us. Its absurd, illogical and unfair.

So we need to persuade people not to keep voting in the same way and expect change. We have a Tory candidate in denial about his partys austerity policies, and meanwhile, Labour is in turmoil over its attitude to Brexit.

This region needs a strong Lib Dem voice, as we are the only party with a rational Brexit policy. There are people counting on us to stand up for them.

But of course to reach out to those people we need to communicate with them. And that is where you come in. We have produced a crowd funding video which highlights exactly why Beverley Nielsen is the right candidate to be the first West Midlands Mayor. Please do take a look  and then donate what you can.

* Kate Canty is the Campaign Coordinator for Beverley Nielsen in the election for West Midlands Metro Mayor
The Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Falkner chaired a discussion on 8th February on the demise of Hong Kongs political freedoms since the transfer of its sovereignty to China. The event was organised by the Henry Jackson Society at the Palace of Westminster.

The speakers were Joshua Wong (a Hong Kong student and co-founder of the political party Demosisto), Angela Gui (daughter of detained publisher Gui Minhai) and Benedict Rogers (Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission).

2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to Chinese rule. The freedoms for Hong Kong citizens, guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, have been increasingly undermined, with additional concerns now being raised about the abduction of individuals who are not Chinese citizens and which are taking place beyond Chinese borders.

Guis father holds only Swedish citizenship but was kidnapped by the Chinese authorities from his holiday home in Thailand in October 2015 after his part in the publication of books critical about Beijings leaders.

Gui stated that the kidnapping of foreign citizens from foreign territories points to the development of an imperial aspect of Chinese foreign policy where the Chinese government deems Chinese ethnicity, rather than Chinese citizenship, as the source of its authority over certain individuals.

Wong urged the international community to keep a watchful eye on China, stating that Beijings emphasis on prosperity and stability has in reality meant the erosion of political freedoms.

He also stated that it was not easy to fight for democracy in Hong Kong when others [were] more interested in business interests and that they would continue to fight until we have it back.

Rogers argued that the UK was not living up to its responsibilities as outlined in the Joint Declaration and that the UK has a right and an obligation to keep checking if China is keeping its side of the bargain.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration outlined the one country, two systems principle in which the Chinese government promised to uphold fundamental rights including freedom of speech, freedom of press, judicial autonomy and protection from unlawful detention for a period of 50 years beginning from 1997.

However, since 2002 Hong Kong has dropped from 12th to 70th place in the World Press Freedom Index. To date at least five Hong Kong booksellers have disappeared, believed to have been kidnapped, by Chinese agents for selling or printing books critical of Chinese leaders. In 2016 pro-democracy activists, including Wong, were found guilty of unlawful assembly following their roles in the 2014 Umbrella Movement; a verdict which Amnesty International said was a chilling warning for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Hong Kong.

* Esther Lam is on the Executive of the Chinese Liberal Democrats as Membership Development Officer.
Precisely why am I doing this again? That is the question I am asking myself as I leap from my Sunday morning slumber and prepare to travel the 56km from the city centre to the West Limerick village of Ashford.

I have  in my wisdom  agreed to join the Broadford/Ashford walking group as they did their monthly walk through a beautiful, yet often unheralded part of west Limerick.

On the second Sunday of each month, a hardy band of walkers meet in either Ashford or neighbouring Broadford and hold a walk around the mountains, hills, and boreens which shadow both villages.

A committed group of volunteers have revitalised the former walking routes around the two villages, with information boards, and guided walks in the hope of attracting more tourists.

Sean Neenan, who hosts the walks, tells me after my arrival that although the walk is strenuous in parts, the views will be worth it.

Spotting my fatigue following my own late night expedition to Nancy Blakes the previous evening, Corina Sheedy from Broadford says: Itll blow the cobwebs away without doing any permanent damage.

Well thats the theory anyway, her friend chimes in with a smile.

Led by Sean, Julie OSullivan and a committed group of volunteers, the Broadford/Ashford walking trails  initially devised in 1999  have been significant enhanced.

Six nationally recognised trails have been developed within the Mullaghareirk mountain range. The routes vary in distance between 6km and 20km and have been carefully selected to provide spectacular views over Limerick. All routes are fully waymarked with illustrated storyboards.

This particular group is the Limerick Leaders representative in this years Get Involved contest, a national initiative aiming to recognise sustainable enterprises. The walks are well attended by members from the local community.

The intake varies a lot according to the weather, says Sean, who is leading the trail today. And whats been going on the night before! Its often easier to get groups off-season rather than on-season.

We pick walk number three, the six km Gortnaclohy Loop, which takes in the steep Cobs Road, which leads to the Mass Rock, where people worshipped in feudal times, and further into a dense forest.

Thats the toughest part of the walk out of the way, Sean reassuringly tells me as we reach the top of the road.

Its all easy now! he adds.

It was worth the effort though, for we are greeted with a wonderful vista of Co Limerick and its neighbouring counties.

Despite the mid-morning mist, the Galtee Mountains are clearly visible, as are the villages of Broadford, Ashford and Dromcollogher in the valley below.

Later on, Michael Manley, who allows the walkers access to his land in the latter part of trail, added: Its a beautiful area. You know if you have a clear day, you can see the roof on Thomond Park. If theres a game on a clear night, youd see the floodlights.

Among the hardy band of walkers are Kathleen Barry, who is a member of the committee which developed the walks.

It gets me out of the house. It allows me to meet all the local people, and introduces me to new people, she explains.

Gesturing at a gaggle of youngsters running, she adds: Its great to be able to get to know all these people.

Ben Noonan, also from Broadford, hit the hills with his daughters Orla, 9 and Aoibhinn, 5.

Its great for the kids to get them out. Youre meeting people too. Its a good start to a Sunday  and it brings up the auld appetite too, he smiles.

Ben also explains that because his children are with their friends from school, it takes the hard work out of encouraging them to tag along.

They dont miss the miles when they are together. Its an example of where there are numbers, things become easier.

There is excitement mid-way through the walk when the clatter of horses sounds in Ashford, with a hunt in full swing.

Look at all the horses  just look at them jump the fence, Bens five-year-old daughter Aoibhinn beams.

It costs around 2,000 annually to maintain the six mainly off-road walks around Ashford and Broadford.

Money raised from various local events  like table quizzes  helps pay to ensure stiles are added where necessary, and the walkways remain clear of weeds, overgrown grass and debris.

As we descend down to Ashford Village again, it is back to the Village Inn for a well-earned coffee and sandwich.

Will you be joining us again, Sean asks me. While I may have hesitated ahead of the walk, there is no doubt I will be back!

See www.walkbroadfordashford.com for more
LIMERICK raised actress Ruth Negga has narrowly missed out on winning an Oscar at tonight's Academy Awards ceremony in LA.

Ruth, the 35 year-old star of Loving, lost, as had been expected, to the overwhelming favourite Emma Stone, for La La Land.

Stone paid tribute to the "extraordinary women" in her category in her acceptance speech for Actress in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards.

Also nominated were Natalie Portman (Jackie), Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) and Isabelle Huppert (Elle).

The award was presented by last year's Best Actor winner, Leonardo DiCaprio, who had referred to Negga's turn in Loving as portraying a 'Civil Rights icon'. She was also one of many attending to wear a blue ribbon highlighting the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ruth was accompanied by her mother, partner Dominic Cooper and cousin Dave Malone to the awards at the Dolby Theatre in LA.

Ruth Negga's arrived to the #Oscars red carpet pic.twitter.com/tsAGGbFWgS  The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 26, 2017

Arriving at the ceremony, Ruth told Sky News - when asked about being up against legendary actress Meryl Streep in particular - that it was a "celebration of extraordinary talent by women who have integrity", referring to her fellow nominees.

There was a nice mention for Limerick on E!'s red carpet coverage when the star arrived, wearing a custom made red Valentino gown.

Limerick gets a nice little mention on E! Live from the Red Carpet at #Oscars

"Ruth (Negga) was raised in Limerick, Ireland"  Limerick Leader (@Limerick_Leader) February 26, 2017

Limerick lady Ruth Negga wears an exquisite custom made red Valentino gown at #Oscars https://t.co/f8gj6Rg3tS  Limerick Leader (@Limerick_Leader) February 26, 2017

Mayor of Limerick Kieran O'Hanlon had said that, irrespective of whether she took home the gold statuette, he would be inviting the Oscar nominee and her family to a mayoral reception in her honour before the end of his term.

"Of course, we wish her every success. She's one of our own, and I would certainly love to invite her to Limerick to attend a mayoral reception in her honour, for her and her family, before my term as mayor ends."

It is the first time a Limerick raised actress has touched the peak of Hollywood stardom since Richard Harris was nominated for an Oscar in 1990 for The Field.

Ruth's extended family in Dooradoyle and London had gathered to watch the ceremony with anticipation, with Uncle Ger Malone saying in advance that they were all proud and delighted with her success, saying they always recognised their 'star' in the family.

Shes a hard worker, very committed and deserves every success. She was always a great little actress growing up," he said.

Loving tells the true story of an illegal inter-racial marriage in 1950s Virginia, with the couple battling before the Supreme Court in 1967 for their right to live together as husband and wife.

Ruth went to national school in Roxborough, and later spent part of her secondary school at Scoil Carmel on OConnell Avenue, before moving to London and completing her drama studies at Trinity College Dublin.
A PALESTINIAN who left Syria just as the war broke out is now offering free Arabic classes in Limerick, after the initial offer from a Syrian refugee received unexpected demand in the city.

Hala Jaber, 29, a community musician and PhD student at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, will begin her free course in the Arabic language from this Wednesday, March 1, in Doras Luimnis offices on OConnell Street.

I have had the chance to learn English and French, and now Id like for people to have the opportunity to learn my language, said Ms Jaber, who completed her undergraduate studies in music performance in Syria.

She said the enthusiasm amongst Irish people in signing up for the Arabic classes in Limerick is a positive sign that people want to connect to other people who are coming here, and theyre seeing people as people, not as refugees. Were just trying to make a connection.

She completed her MA in community music in UL, and now also hosts weekly community music workshops for refugees and asylum seekers.

A Syrian refugee, Radwan Abouhajar, 40, began teaching Arabic to his first group of students in Limerick last Wednesday, to build friendships between Irish and multicultural communities.

He said he has been taken aback by the overwhelmingly positive response to his initiative. While just six people signed up for his first course in Portlaoise last year, nearly 50 people sought to sign up to the first free series of Arabic classes in Limerick.

The first class was capped at 12 students, and Doras Luimni, the local human rights group, is now hoping to offer a third course to meet a level of demand which they did not anticipate.

It is the first time the group has offered Arabic classes, having been established 17 years ago.

Its brilliant news. We will have to find a bigger hall for everybody, said Mr Abouhajar, who is due to be featured in an upcoming Would You Believe documentary on RTE focusing on Syrian refugees who have been resettled in Ireland.

Leonie Kerins, director of Doras Luimni, which supports all migrants living in the Mid-West, said they are delighted with the response they have received.

There has been a huge amount of interest, and we are still getting emails enquiring about the course. Were delighted this has had such a positive reaction.

Among those who have started the course is Zoe Lawlor, a lecturer at the University of Limerick, who has frequently travelled to Gaza as an active campaigner with the Limerick branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

We had a group of kids here from Gaza last summer and I regretted I wasnt able to speak to them in their own language. Its a lovely language, and I am very excited about speaking it, she said.

Mr Abouhajar moved to Ireland three years ago with his wife, and his daughter, now aged six, while his second daughter, now aged 15 months, was born here.

The language classes are very basic  the alphabet, phrases, short conversation. But people want to know more about our culture, our history and our language. Irish people want to build friendships with us. The reception has been very warm here. Its lovely. Everyone is so helpful.

Forty-seven Syrian refugees were resettled in Limerick last year, and a further 25 people are due to arrive in the coming weeks.

Over 80 Syrian refugees are due to arrive to the county Roscommon town of Ballaghaderreen, and 54 were resettled in Portlaoise.

While there is no fee for the one and a half hour class, donations are welcome. To book contact Brian at b.vandamme@dorasluimni.org or call 061 310328.
A SERIAL offender who got a suspended consecutive term for committing burglaries while on bail has been given an extra year in jail following an appeal by prosecutors.

Colin Culhane (35), with an address at Courtbrack Accomodation, in Limerick, had pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of burglary relating to an eight month period in 2014.

He was given concurrent five year sentences on counts 1-6 and wholly suspended consecutive terms of two years for the remaining two counts by Judge Tom O'Donnell on October 1, 2015.

The Director of Public Prosecutions successfully sought a review of Culhane's sentence this Monday on grounds that it was unduly lenient. Culhane was effectively given an extra year in jail following a fresh sentence hearing.

Giving judgment in the three-judge Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards said Culhane was a chronic drug addict, who had 71 previous convictions including 37 for burglary. The present offences were committed while Culhane was subjected to two lengthy suspended sentences.

Counsel for the DPP, Timothy O'Sullivan BL, submitted that the sentencing judge erred in suspending the entirety of the consecutive two year terms.

Mr Justice Edwards said the Court of Appeal agreed. He said the express policy of the legislature is that sentences for offences committed while on bail should attract consecutive sentences and they should involve at least some element of actual custody.

Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said the court was satisfied that the sentencing judge erred in principle.

In respect of the consecutive terms, the Court of Appeal resentenced Culhane to three years imprisonment with the final two years suspended.

Mr Justice Edwards said Culhane must serve a year in custody consecutive to the five year sentences imposed in respect of the first six counts.
Apr 27, 2021, 1 PM

By Michael Baadke

In its Stamp News Release 95-050, the United States Postal Service described Alice Hamilton as a crusader for industrial medicine. Born in New York City on Feb. 27, 1869, Hamilton studied at the University of Michigan, earning her medical degree in 1893, followed by advanced research in Germany, and at Johns Hopkins University Medical School.

She moved to Hull House in Chicago after she accepted a position as professor of pathology at Northwestern University in 1897. In 1919, she joined the faculty of Harvard University as assistant professor of industrial medicine.

During the 1910s and early 1920s her work in the field of industrial medicine exposed many occupational hazards as she campaigned for ventilation, antitoxic rinses and other workplace safeguards against industrial poisons, the Postal Service wrote about Hamiltons career. Her pioneering work Industrial Toxicology (1934) is still regarded as a primary text for medical students.

Hamilton also advocated for safe work environments for women, child labor laws, womens suffrage, and other social reforms. In 1956, she was named Woman of the Year by Time magazine. She died at age 101 on Sept. 22, 1970.

The 55 stamp honoring Alice Hamilton was issued July 11, 1995, in the Great Americans definitive series (Scott 2940).
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MWC 2017: Is the LG G6 a second Android flagship phone? It is loaded with new features, such as a 5.7-inch FullVision Display, Google Assistant and plenty of cameras, yet the LG may not be the torchbearer in its battle against Samsung /smart-living/innovation/mwc-2017-is-the-lg-g6-a-second-android-flagship-phone-111646895957781.html 111646895957781 story

The LG G6 may no longer be the flagship phone from LGs Android smartphone line-up, but it is certainly dressed up to mean business. At the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, LG unveiled the G6, the logical successor to the G5, which was replaced by the V20 as the flagship.

For starters, the G6 has a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with minimal bezels around it. LG calls it FullVision. But thats not what is uniqueit has a rather odd 18:9 aspect ratio, and a resolution of 2,880x1,440 pixels. This is yet another attempt at ensuring that genuinely big-screen phones remain single-hand useable. However, this might pose a bit of a challenge, as some Android apps may initially have scaling issues, till app developers roll out updates. What youll also notice is that the edges of this display are rounded, and LG claims this makes the LCD panel more durable and absorbs impact from drops better. Thats not all, because there is a layer of the Gorilla Glass 5 over the display, to further protect it from impacts.

The G6 is water and dust resistant as well, the first time for a G-series phone, and it has an IP68 rating. This means, that unlike the predecessors, the battery will not be the removable type. The phone will be available in Astro Black, Ice Platinum and Mystic White colour optionswe will miss the brown leather option from the predecessor.

The LG G6 is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 821 chip, and will be paired with 4GB RAM and the options of 32GB or 64GB internal storage. It is a bit perplexing why LG didnt go with the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip in the G6, and the reason for that could perhaps be the fact that they chose better software optimization rather than risking the newer processor for outright performance. This will pack a 3,300mAh battery.

After the success of the G5s dual camera set-up, and the popularity of this feature in phones launched over the past few months, LG has sensibly made an upgrade in the G6. Instead of the 16-megapixel and 8-megapixel combinations earlier, the G6 instead uses dual 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 sensorsone is an ultra-wide-angle with f/2.4 aperture and 125-degree coverage, while the second has an f/1.8 aperture and 71-degree vision and optical image stabilization. While the hardware may be in place, the software optimization will be critical for the camera performance, particularly for the depth of field effect.

The phone runs Android 7.0 (Nougat) with a slightly tweaked version of LGs custom interface wrapped around it. The interface has been altered for the new aspect ratio, yet heavily relies on an overall square dominated visual look, like before.

Pricing details and India availability specifics have not yet been announced.
Oscars 2017: Ending with a bang A perfectly predictable ceremony is brought to a shattering end after a monumental gaffe /how-to-lounge/movies-tv/oscars-2017-ending-with-a-bang-111646895854211.html 111646895854211 story

When everyone gets over the madness of the final moments, we can all try and come to grips with the idea that Moonlight a small, complex film about gay, black characters, closer in sensibility to Wong Kar Wai than an American indiewon best picture. Photo: Reuters

On a night that was almost completely devoid of surprise, the end was chaos, heartbreak and jubilation. In a nod to 50 years of Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway walk out to announce the Best Picture winner. Beatty opens the envelope, examines the contents. He looks confused. He shows the card to Dunaway, who announces La La Land as the winner. Cast and crew go up on stage, start making their speeches. Suddenly, one of the producers, Jordan Horowitz, says, Theres been a mistake."

The Best Picture winner was Barry Jenkinss Moonlight. Someone had given Beatty the wrong envelope; the card inside had Emma Stone for Best Actress on it, which is why he hesitated. It was only when Horowitz said he wasnt joking and held up the right card that the Moonlight camp began to celebrate. Half a minute later, the stage was a mess of tuxedos and gowns: host Jimmy Kimmel, a despondent Beatty and the actors, directors and producers of the two films.

Theres an abundance of irony in the fact that, before this shocker of an ending, the evening had gone exactly according to script. Every award seemed to go to the odds-on favourite in that category, from The Salesman (foreign film) to Zootopia (animated feature) to O.J.: Made in America (documentary feature). La La Land, which had 14 nominations, picked up six awards: original score, original song, production design, cinematography, actress for Emma Stone, director for Damien Chazelle. Manchester by the Sea won in the two categories it was tipped to: original screenplay and actor (Casey Affleck). Moonlight won Adapted screenplay and a richly deserved supporting actor award for Mahershala Ali.

Award ceremonies sometimes take on the qualities of their host, which might explain why, with Kimmel in charge, the results were uniformly devoid of wit, imagination and energy. No one expected Kimmel to be anything better than passable, but when he made a Matt Damon joke (they have a running mock feud on his talk show) within the first five minutes, it was clearly going to be a bumpy ride. At times it felt like Kimmel was hosting his late night show from the Oscar stage: aside from multiple references to Damon, there was a laboured gag involving a tourist bus and a throwaway segment with celebrities reading mean tweets about themselves. It made one long for the unpredictability of Chris Rock, or even the predictable shtick of Billy Crystal.

Kimmels safe unremarkableness seemed to rub off on the presenters and winners. There were the usual appeals to liberal values and open-mindedness, but precious little wit was on offer, save for a dry Shirley MacLaine. Best supporting actress winner Viola Davis gave a three-minute speech, a third of which was a moving tribute to unfulfilled dreams and the rest a long list of thanks. John Cho and Leslie Mann joked their way uncomfortably through the sci-tech Oscars" segment. Affleck was graceless in his acceptance speech; Stone was ecstatic but unremarkable. There were only two bright spots: a beaming Sunny Pawar saying yes" and no" to Kimmels questions without quite understanding them, and Om Puri turning up for a few seconds in the In Memoriam reel.

When everyone gets over the madness of the final moments, we can all try and come to grips with the idea that Moonlight a small, complex film about gay, black characters, closer in sensibility to Wong Kar Wai than an American indiewon best picture. Some will choose to use this win to run down La La Land, which is short-sighted, given that Chazelles film has extraordinary attributes of its own and would have been a worthy winner as well. Others will attribute the win to a liberal backlash following the Trump presidency, which is again unfair, for this assumes that Moonlight was elevated because of what it represents and not because its a fantastic film. I hope Moonlight won because the voters genuinely thought it was the best film on offer. If they can honour a film as complex and thoughtful as this, there might just be hope for the Oscars yet.
MWC 2017: Moto G5 attempts to combine style with substance The new Moto G5 and G5 Plus are focusing on Chinese rivals as they have equipped themselves to take on the affordable Android segment /smart-living/innovation/mwc-2017-moto-g5-attempts-to-combine-style-with-substance-111646895940300.html 111646895940300 story

Motorola has upgraded the Moto G line-up of budget smartphones at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona.

Lenovos sub-brand Motorola has upgraded the Moto G line-up of budget smartphones at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona. Dubbed as the Moto G5 and G5 plus, the two smartphones will be available in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific in March.

The entry-level variant of the Moto G5, which offers 32GB internal storage, will start at $229 (approximately Rs15,260), while the entry-level model of the G5 Plus with 32GB storage will start at $259 (approximately Rs17,259).

New design language

The new Moto G smartphones bring a new design language to the series. The plastic bodied Moto G smartphones are now a thing of the past. The Moto G5 and G5 Plus have a full metal body with closed battery. The metal finish will put it at par with the more premium looking smartphones from Xiaomi, Meizu and LeEco. What gives the new Moto devices an upper hand is their splash-resistant coating which makes it more rugged. The fingerprint sensor on the front panel looks like a home button, but only serves as the fingerprint sensor like last years Moto G4 Plus.

The new smartphones are also technically more powerful than their predecessors. The Moto G5 will be driven by Qualcomms new Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor and has a 2,800mAh battery, while the Moto G5 Plus runs on Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, which also powers the likes of Moto Z Play (Rs24,999) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (Rs9,999 onwards). It comes with a 3,000mAh battery.

Smaller screen

The Moto G5 is the smaller of the two phones. It has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1,920x1,080p, while the Moto G5 Plus has a 5.2-inch display with 1,920x1,080p.

This comes as a surprise as the Moto G4 and G4 Plus came with a much bigger 5.5-inch display.

This is likely to make users who have now got accustomed to a bigger screen a little disappointed.

Both Moto G5 and G5 Plus run the latest Android Nougat with stock Android interface.
Nokia is back, with three Android phones Nokia returns with a trio of Android phones that look to shrug off any comparisons with the Windows Phone Lumia of yesteryears /smart-living/innovation/nokia-is-back-with-three-android-phones-111646895908561.html 111646895908561 story

Nokia phones are back. Finnish company HMD Global, which now has the rights to make and sell phones with the Nokia branding, has unveiled three Android phones at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona. These three Android phones are positioned for the mid-range price brackets. But, itll be interesting to see if these Nokia phones are up to challenging the extremely popular Chinese phones.

The Nokia 6 has an aluminium unibody design.

The first phone is the Nokia 6. It has been available in China for about a month now, but now with some tweaks, it is ready for the global markets. The basic specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, 3GB RAM, 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080), 32GB of storage and a microSD slot as well. The primary camera is a 16-megapixel one, while the front facing 8-megapixel camera is a wide-angle lens with auto focus. The Nokia 6 has an aluminium unibody design. There will also be a limited edition glossy Arte Black variant, which will have 64GB storage and 4GB RAM, apart from looking different from the standard version.

HMD Global says that the Nokia 6 will be rolling out in Q2 2017, but there is no confirmation on which countries will get the device in the first wave. It will be priced at $242 for the standard variant, and $315 for the Arte Black glossy version.

The Nokia 5 has a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel wide-angle selfie camera.

The second phone is the Nokia 5. Quite aptly, it has a slightly smaller display sizea 5.2-inch HD display. This phone runs Qualcomms Snapdragon 430 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. The Nokia 5 has a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel wide-angle selfie camera. Like the Nokia 6, the Nokia 5 also has an aluminium body, but slight design tweaks see it get more rounded spines, and it looks very much like the Apple iPhone in some ways. We are waiting for confirmation about the actual launch dates of the device, which is tentatively for Q2 2017, with a price tag of $199.

The Nokia 3 will also start shipping in Q2, with a price tag of $147.

The Nokia 3 is the most basic phone among the trio. It runs a MediaTek MTK 6737 quad-core processor, with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. The front and rear cameras have both 8 megapixels. Unlike the more expensive siblings, the Nokia 3 has a polycarbonate body, with aluminium only around the frame. Unlike the other two phones, this one looks very much like the affordable Lumia smartphones from not too long ago. The Nokia 3 will also start shipping in Q2, with a price tag of $147.

All three devices, the Nokia 6, 5 and 3, run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, and HMD Global promises regular updates, so youll always stay on top of features and security" for these phones.
MWC 2017: Huawei unveils AI-powered Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic Huawei is going to release two new smartwatchesHuawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic targeting young and sophisticated buyers /smart-living/innovation/mwc-2017-huawei-unveils-ai-powered-watch-2-and-watch-2-classic-111646895868162.html 111646895868162 story

Huaweis other major announcement after the P10 and P10+ smartphones at the Mobile World Congress 2017 is the Huawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic. Successors to the beautiful Huawei Watch from last year, the new smartwatches will run on Googles new Android Wear 2.0 OS and will be available in the US and the UK in April 2017 and at $350 (approximately Rs23,346). They are expected to arrive in India in May 2017.

The presence of new OS means users can download apps directly on the watch. The new OS also comes with AI-powered Google Assistant baked into the software.

Read more: MWC 2017: Huawei P10 and P10+ are the first steps towards achieving a dream

The Huawei Watch 2 with its colourful and slimmer (20mm) rubber bands has a sporty look. The Watch 2 Classic has a more premium but slightly wider (22mm) leather band. The dial in Watch 2 is made of plastic while the dial in Watch 2 Classic is of stainless steel.

The two run on the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip with 768MB RAM and 420mAh battery. The hardware is pretty much at par with smartwatches by rival brands. The LG Watch Sport, which also offers a circular dial, runs Android Wear 2.0 and has the same processor, RAM and battery, but offers a slightly bigger 1.38-inch display.

The new Huawei watches have retained the circular shaped dial of the predecessor and offer a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with screen resolution of 390x390p and a layer of Gorilla Glass 3. The Apple Watch Series 2 offers a bigger 1.65-inch OLED display (42mm dial) with a more durable Sapphire crystal glass panel.

The good news is that both Huawei watches have got the IP68 certification which makes them dust resistant and water resistant up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. The Apple Watch Series 2 is a lot more durable in this regard and can survive dips of up to 50 metres.

The Huawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic offer all the relevant health-related tools such as heart rate sensor, pedometer and Huaweis Fit training program. For connectivity, they include Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, GPS and a built-in microphone for answering calls on the watch itself. The international model of the new Huawei watches will have a LTE variant too.

The Huawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic will be available in India at a slightly higher price tag if you factor in the import duty. The Apple Watch Series 2 (42mm) is available at Rs34,900.
One of the biggest questions that keep physicists up at night is why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe.

One of the biggest mysteries in physics is why there's matter in the universe at all. This week, a group of physicists at the world's largest atom smasher, the Large Hadron Collider, might be closer to an answer: They found that particles in the same family as the protons and neutrons that make up familiar objects behave in a slightly different way from their antimatter counterparts.

While matter and antimatter have all of the same properties, antimatter particles carry charges that are the opposite of those in matter. In a block of iron, for example, the protons are positively charged and the electrons are negatively charged. A block of antimatter iron would have negatively charged antiprotons and positively charged antielectrons (known as positrons). If matter and antimatter come in contact, they annihilate each other and turn into photons (or occasionally, a few lightweight particles such as neutrinos). Other than that, a piece of matter and antimatter should behave in the same way, and even look the same  a phenomenon called charge-parity (CP) symmetry. [The 18 Biggest Unsolved Mysteries in Physics]

Besides the identical behavior, CP symmetry also implies that the amount of matter and antimatter that was formed at the Big Bang, some 13.7 billion years ago, should have been equal. Clearly it was not, because if that were the case, then all the matter and antimatter in the universe would have been annihilated at the start, and even humans wouldn't be here.

But if there were a violation to this symmetry  meaning some bit of antimatter were to behave in a way that was different from its matter counterpart  perhaps that difference could explain why matter exists today.

To look for this violation, physicists at the Large Hadron Collider, a 17-mille-long (27 kilometers) ring beneath Switzerland and France, observed a particle called a lambda-b baryon. Baryons include the class of particles that make up ordinary matter; protons and neutrons are baryons. Baryons are made of quarks, and antimatter baryons are made of antiquarks. Both quarks and antiquarks come in six "flavors": up, down, top, bottom (or beauty), strange and charm, as scientists call the different varieties. A lambda-b is made of one up, one down and one bottom quark. (A proton is made of two up and one down, while a neutron consists of two down and one up quark.)

If the lambda and its antimatter sibling show CP symmetry, then they would be expected to decay in the same way. Instead, the team found that the lambda-b and antilambda-b particles decayed differently. Lambdas decay in two ways: into a proton and two charged particles called pi mesons (or pions), or into a proton and two K mesons (or kaons). When particles decay, they throw off their daughter particles at a certain set of angles. The matter and antimatter lambdas did that, but the angles were different. [7 Strange Facts About Quarks]

This is not the first time matter and antimatter have behaved differently. In the 1960s, scientists studied kaons themselves, which also decayed in a way that was different from their antimatter counterparts. B mesons  which consist of a bottom quark and an up, down, strange or charm quark  have also shown similar "violating" behavior.

Mesons, though, are not quite like baryons. Mesons are pairs of quarks and antiquarks. Baryons are made of ordinary quarks only, and antibaryons are made of antiquarks only. Discrepancies between baryon and antibaryon decays had never been observed before.

"Now we have something for baryons," Marcin Kucharczyk, an associate professor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which collaborated on the LHC experiment, told Live Science. "When you'd observed mesons, it was not obvious that for baryons it was the same."

While tantalizing, the results were not quite solid enough to count as a discovery. For physicists, the measure of statistical significance, which is a way of checking whether one's data could happen by chance, is 5 sigma. Sigma refers to standard deviations, and a 5 means that there is only a 1 in 3.5 million chance that the results would occur by chance. This experiment got to 3.3 sigma  good, but not quite there yet. (That is, 3.3 sigma means that there's about a 1 in 4,200 chance that the observation would have occurred randomly, or about a 99-percent confidence level.)

The findings are not a complete answer to the mystery of why matter dominates the universe, Kucharczyk said.

"It cannot explain the asymmetry fully," he said. "In the future, we will have more statistics, and maybe for other baryons."

The findings are detailed in the Jan. 30 issue of the journal Nature Physics (opens in new tab).

Original article on Live Science.
Bringing extinct species back from the dead could mean letting living species slip away.

A new study of de-extinction  the potential to use genetic techniques to recreate lost animals and plants  finds that given limited conservation dollars, the benefits of bringing back one lost species would probably cost the extinction of more species that are currently on the brink. For example, if New Zealand resurrected 11 of its extinct species, the government would have to sacrifice the conservation of 33 living species to pay to keep the revived species alive, researchers reported today (Feb. 27) in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

"There would be sacrifices," said study author Joseph Bennett, a professor of biology at Carleton University in Ontario. "Without major increases in budgets, it would be like a one-step forward, two-step back scenario." [Photos: 6 Extinct Animals That Could Be Brought Back to Life]

Not everyone finds the cost-benefit argument compelling, however. While weighing costs and outcomes is critical in any conservation scheme, there are other ethical issues at play in the de-extinction debate, said Ronald Sandler, the director of the Ethics Institute at Northeastern University in Boston. Proponents of de-extinction are often driven to right past wrongs, Sandler told Live Science.

"You might have a species that is very culturally important or symbolically important and it might be reasonable to take extra measures," Sandler said.

Reviving the dead

No one has yet been able to revive an extinct species for any significant stretch of time. The closest thing to a victory so far was the revival of the Pyrenean ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica). The species went extinct in 2000, but scientist reported in the journal Theriogenology in 2009 that they had cloned an ibex embryo and successfully grew it to term in the uterus of a goat. However, the female baby ibex lived for only a few minutes before dying due to defects in her lungs.

Still, de-extinction is under serious consideration by conservationists and geneticists alike. In 2015, Harvard scientists announced that they had used the gene-editing technique CRISPR to put mammoth genes in the elephant genome, a process that could theoretically result in a sort of woolly mammoth/elephant hybrid.

The initial cost of resurrecting a lost species is unknown, Bennett told Live Science, so for their study, he and his colleagues focused on costs that are easier to gauge: the expense required to reintroduce an extinct species into the wild and then protect it. They made their estimates using conservation data from New Zealand and New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Weighing the costs

First, the researchers considered 70 animals from New Zealand and 29 animals from NSW that went extinct within the last 1,000 years. From this list, they gleaned 11 New Zealand species and five NSW species that were relatively similar in habitat and lifestyles to living species that are covered under current conservation plans.

"We used the living ones, with all their costs, as the surrogates for the extinct ones," Bennett said.

This provided an estimate of what it would cost to keep the de-extinct animals alive in the wild, Bennett said, but the estimate is probably on the low side. There are many unknowns when considering extinct species, he said, so using living species probably underestimates the true costs. [Wipe Out: History's Most Mysterious Extinctions]

The researchers then ran the numbers on two scenarios. In one, the government was solely responsible for bearing the conservation costs of the de-extinct species. In the second scenario, private organizations stepped up to pay the bill for conserving the revived species.

Most of the species the researchers ended up considering were animals, though there were a few plants on the list. In New Zealand, the theoretical de-extinct species list included eight birds, such as the iconic huia (Heteralocha acutirostris), with its curved yellow beak, and the once-plentiful laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies). The list also included two plants (Myosotis traversii var. cinerascens and Stellaria elatinoides, neither of which have common names) and one frog, the Waitomo frog (Leiopelma waitomoensis).

The NSW list included two plants, Persoonia laxa and Euphrasia rupture, neither of which have common names. There were two birds on the list, the Lord Howe pigeon (Columba vitiensis godmanae) and the robust white-eye (Zosterops strenuous), and one marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi gaimardi). [Images: 25 Amazing Ancient Beasts]

In almost every case, reviving an extinct species and asking the government to pay to conserve it would require deprioritizing a greater number of still-living species, the researchers found. The money used to conserve all five New South Wales species, for example, could go to keep 42 not-yet-extinct species from vanishing.

The quick and the dead

The only exception to this rule was the New Zealand species Coenocorypha chathamica, or the Chatham bellbird. Conserving that "revived" bird would likely protect habitat for 39 living species, the researchers found. However, Bennett said, the cost-benefit doesn't include the cost of reviving that bird in the first place, so even in that best-case scenario, de-extinction probably ends up costing more than it is worth.

In a scenario where external sponsors step up to conserve the revived species, there are no losses for already-living species, the researchers found. However, those conservation dollars, if applied to living species rather than de-extincted ones, consistently went further and saved more species overall.

"To me, if I was a private agency looking at conservation, I would be considering working on the living rather than the dead as my best legacy," Bennett said.

Northeastern's Sandler, in a News & Views Op-Ed piece accompanying the study, made a case for looking beyond these raw numbers. There are too many uncertainties to be sure that de-extinction would be a net loss in all cases, he said. He cited an effort to bring back the extinct heath hen to Martha's Vineyard as a project in which the goal is to preserve not just the bird, but its entire habitat.

Straight cost-and-benefit analyses don't take into account all ethical concerns, Sandler added. While such analyses are "important and crucial," he said, there are some species that might merit extra effort just by dint of their symbolic, economic or cultural value. (Think of the effort that China expends to save the iconic panda, for example.) Proponents of de-extinction also often want to rethink the entire "parks and preserves" paradigm of conservation, Sandler added. In a world where the climate is changing rapidly, the ecological relationships in those parks and preserves are fraying, he said.

"Some conservationists are trying to rethink the ways in which we approach conservation, because some of the standard paradigms aren't as effective as they once were," Sandler said.

Bennett said he respects the ethical arguments that de-extinction proponents make, but sees the practical considerations as more compelling.

"If you have 10 million [dollars] and you can bring back one species or you can use that money to save possibly dozens more, you have a choice at that point," Bennett said. He added, "My real hope with this paper is that it will shine increasing attention on our opportunity to conserve species before they go extinct."

Original article on Live Science.
Beautiful, classic photos of bustling, crowded downtown San Francisco in the 1940's and 1930's.
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A young male was found dead Saturday after authorities responded to a structure fire in a neighborhood in central Laredo.

The fire was reported at about 5 p.m. at an apartment located near East Montgomery Street and North Arkansas Avenue.

A fire department official said arson and foul play are suspected. The official said it appeared the male did not die as a result of the fire.

At least four places were identified in the apartment where fire appeared to have been intentionally started, according to the official.

An arson investigator was on scene. The Laredo police and fire departments are conducting an ongoing investigation.

As of Saturday evening, Laredo Police Department spokesperson Joe Baeza confirmed that a fire was reported and a body was found.
Although the city manager will not change his fundraising process for the upcoming annual trip to Washington, D.C., City Council mulled ways they can ease public opinion around the situation.

During a recent public comment period at a City Council meeting, Vish Viswanath of the watchdog group Our Laredo said the current fundraising process creates a conflict of interest.

The city managers office solicits donations for the trip from people and businesses around the area that often have contracts with the city.

Viswanath said last year Our Laredo found 30 or 40 instances where the city managers office recommended contracts to businesses that had contributed money toward the D.C. trip.

Most of this money is raised to fund a reception, which costs around $70,000, according to City Manager Jesus Olivares. His office, as of early February, had already raised about half of the money for the trip in March.

The cost of hotels and flights for the council members is covered in their travel budgets, which comes from taxpayer money.

Councilman George Altgelt underscored the importance of the trip itself, so that Laredo representatives can advocate for the city. But he suggested the city cut out the reception.

We could probably live with not doing the whole $70,000 prom night up in D.C. extravaganza. We could probably save that money, Altgelt said.

Or, rather than solicit donations for this event, council could vote to use money from the general fund, Olivares said.

Councilman Vidal Rodriguez said this would mean less money for projects in their districts. He advocated that the current process remain.

The people that donate to the city, they dont donate because of contracts. They donate because they believe in the city, and they give us the opportunity to go and search for funds. ... If we dont make those trips, whos going to advocate for us? Rodriguez said.

In the end, council members voted to sustain the city managers process for the trip in March, with only Councilwoman Nelly Vielma voting against.

Its too late to make a decision (for this trip). So I say at the next City Council meeting we already take action on a procedure for next year, Councilman Charlie San Miguel said.

San Miguel said he liked the ideas that Viswanath suggested in public comment, which involve a double blind bid. This could be held by business groups like Laredo Chamber of Commerce or Laredo Development Foundation, so no one at the city would know who was contributing to the trip.

This would also serve to prove Rodriguezs belief that businesses are donating not for their own good, but for the good of Laredo, San Miguel pointed out.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

New York State Senator Phil Boyle (R-C-I, Suffolk County) yesterday hosted his 5th Annual Black History Month Awards Celebration at the Bay Shore  Brightwaters Public Library.

Bay Shore, NY - February 24, 2017 - New York State Senator Phil Boyle (R-C-I, Suffolk County) yesterday hosted his 5th Annual Black History Month Awards Celebration at the Bay Shore  Brightwaters Public Library. This years event honored outstanding individuals from the 4th Senate District for their personal and career achievements, positive influences, and community advocacy.



Senator Boyle said, Black History Month allows us to honor the significant accomplishments of Black Americans and recognize the central role they have played in our nations history. I take great pride in the cultural diversity of New Yorks 4th State Senate District and I believe it is important to find ways to acknowledge the contributions that my constituents have made. Each of our distinguished honorees is an integral part of our community, and we applaud their commitments to civic engagement, education, health care, economic empowerment, and criminal justice.



The Senator presented awards to 12 Black and African American citizens from the Towns of Babylon and Islip for their outstanding contributions to our community. The honorees were:
State Councilor Yang Jiechi (eighth from left) and representatives of BRICS countries pose on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the year's first BRICS Sherpa meeting in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. Yang urged BRICS nations to work together to raise the voices of developing countries in global affairs.LI XIANG/XINHUA

China says joint efforts can tap bloc's potential

BRICS countries should make joint efforts to maintain the openness of global economies and oppose trade protectionism amid worldwide economic sluggishness, China's top diplomat said on Thursday.

This year's BRICS summit, which will be attended by leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will be held from Sept 3 to 5 in coastal Xiamen, Fujian province, State Councilor Yang Jiechi announced at the opening ceremony of this year's first BRICS Sherpa meeting, held in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

Sherpas are senior diplomats and officials in charge of coordinating affairs ahead of the BRICS summit.

With the past decade's cooperation, BRICS has become an important force to boost economic growth and improve global governance, Yang said, adding that there remains great potential for cooperation between the BRICS countries.

"The advantages of complementary resources of the five countries are yet to be developed," he said.

Yang proposed that the five nations work together to raise the voices of developing countries and emerging economies in global affairs.

Yang cited an International Monetary Fund report that said emerging markets and developing countries contributed about 80 percent to global economic growth last year.

More than 100 representatives, including diplomats and bankers, attended the Sherpa meeting, which will end on Friday. The theme of the Sherpa meeting was to deepen BRICS partnership and create a brighter future.

China holds the BRICS presidency this year. In a letter to the leaders of BRICS countries on Jan 1, President Xi Jinping predicted that they will continue to make progress on cooperation and play a bigger role in international affairs in the next decade.

"In accordance with an open, inclusive and win-win BRICS spirit, China will work with other BRICS countries to make the Xiamen summit a success and move BRICS cooperation to a new level," Xi said in the letter.

Anil Sooklal, director-general for Asia and the Middle East for South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said China has chosen a very appropriate themestrengthening BRICS partnership for a brighter futurefor this year's meeting.

This year is one of the most difficult that the world has experienced as a global community, said Sooklal, who is South Africa's Sherpa at the meeting. He cited uncertainties brought by the new US presidential administration and problems in the European Union.

"This provides a major vacuum on the global stage, and BRICS is the only coherent forumthe five countries are a powerful force for good in the world," he said, adding that BRICS is well placed to show global economic leadership.

Sergey A. Ryabkov, Russian deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, said, "It's perfectly fine that China tries to present BRICS as an association with global reach."

"BRICS is not against anyone. We have an open mind," he added.
Local News, National & World News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

A Centereach High School graduate and Centereach, N.Y. native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CSFWP).

Centereach, NY - February 24, 2017 - A Centereach High School graduate and Centereach, N.Y. native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CSFWP).



Petty Officer 2nd Class Byron Arias works as an aviation machinist mate and operates out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California.



Arias is responsible for performing work center supervisor duties.



I like the interaction with the Sailors and working hands-on with the aircraft, Arias said.



Lemoore has been home to the Navys west coast strike fighter community since 1980, when strike fighter squadron VFA-125 was the first squadron established to train Navy and Marine Corps aviators in the F/A-18 Hornet, said Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Commander, Naval Air Forces.



The strike fighter wing, headquartered at NAS Lemoore, ensures that each squadron is fully combat-ready to conduct carrier-based, all-weather, attack, fighter and support missions for the Pacific Fleet.



The morale is high throughout the command and they support the professional development of Sailors, Arias said.



With the CSFWP consisting of more than 20 squadrons, highly specialized jobs range from training new aviators to maintaining airframes and engines, to handling and flying aircraft.



The most important thing I've learned is to be versatile because we are constantly traveling all around the world and supporting new missions, Arias said.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Wyscaver, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Food, Wine, & Dining, Local News, Health & Wellness, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

Governor Cuomo announced the NYS Food Laboratory has increased testing of food and beverage samples for health hazards, purity and accuracy of labeling by 10 percent.

Albany, NY - February 24, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the New York State Food Laboratory has increased testing of food and beverage samples for health hazards, purity and accuracy of labeling by 10 percent  up from 61,000 tests in 2015 to 67,000 in 2016. Advanced food testing conducted at the cutting-edge laboratory resulted in more than 300 product recalls and several high-profile food investigations, which led to the removal of contaminated products from shelves across New York.



"As one of the most sophisticated food laboratories in the nation, New York's food testing capabilities help reduce the potential for foodborne illness, ensure food labels deliver what they promise, and make sure the rights of customers are put first," Governor Cuomo said. "New York is a leader in pioneering high-tech food testing, and with this state-of-the-art laboratory, we will continue to improve product safety for the health and betterment of all New Yorkers."



Accuracy in Labeling

New York State Grown & Certified is the first statewide, multi-faceted food certification program designed to assist New York farmers. The program allows farmers to take advantage of the growing demand for locally grown and produced foods, and raises these products to a higher standard by addressing food product labeling. As part of the Grown & Certified program, the Laboratory has focused its attention on testing products for accuracy in labeling.



Testing protects against economic fraud and ensures contaminated foods are removed from commerce. For the first time ever, in 2016, the New York State Food Laboratory implemented a DNA-based method to test fish for speciation. Other examples of labeling testing conducted by the Food Laboratory include:

Olive oil testing to ensure that other, less expensive oils have not been added

Low-fat product testing to ensure that products meet the standard for low-fat

Pet food testing to ensure that label claims, such as 8% protein, are correct

Increased Testing of Imported Foods

Last year, scientists at the Food Laboratory also increased testing of imported foods, such as cheese and spices. This research was initiated and conducted as an additional effort to reduce the number of contaminated products in the marketplace. The Food Laboratory processed 1,073 imported food samples in 2016  a 28 percent increase from 2015.



The New York State Food Laboratory was one of the first laboratories in the country to test spices for improper use of materials that may have serious health consequences. In 2016, hundreds of spice samples were tested to identify unlabeled fillers, industrial dyes not approved for food products, and harmful contaminants such as lead.



Additionally, in 2016, the Department of Agriculture and Markets Divisions of Food Safety and Inspection, and Milk Control and Dairy Services collected over 23,300 food, beverage and milk samples, an increase of 17 percent from last year. The majority of samples collected are part of routine public health surveillance programs, but many are in response to foodborne illness and outbreak investigations, consumer inquiries, and a variety of other food-related investigations.



The Food Laboratory is accredited to several internationally recognized quality system standards. Staff conduct innovative and analytical testing in support of food safety and bio-security programs, and consumer and agricultural interests in New York. The Food Laboratory recently began using whole genome sequencing, which dramatically increases the ability to characterize foodborne pathogens. This allows staff to accurately identify the sources of contaminated foods, and assist in the reduction of foodborne illnesses across the State. The Food Laboratory is also a member of the national Food Emergency Response Network, and participates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PulseNet network on public health surveillance and foodborne illness outbreak investigations.



State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said, "Through the work of the staff at the New York State Food Laboratory, New York State is engaged in cutting-edge analysis that is not only helping to ensure the safety and quality of our food supply but also to advocate for more accurate and faster detection methodologies. Im proud to say that this year, not only did our Department field staff collect more samples, but our scientists and staff at the Laboratory also conducted more testing on food products received. Their level of technical expertise is respected across the country and is proving New York is a leader in food safety testing."



Association of Public Health Laboratories Food Safety Program Director Sharon Shea said, "APHL is enriched by having the New York State Agriculture and Markets Food Laboratory as a leading associate institutional member. Both the cutting-edge facility and the excellent scientists represent the gold-standard in testing for microbiological and chemical contaminants. We are proud of the work they are doing to keep food safe for New Yorkers and everyone across the country."



Association of Food and Drugs Officials Executive Director Joe Corby said, "This country could never develop an integrated food safety system without the active participation of our public health and food testing laboratories. AFDO is especially impressed with the contributions of officials from New York Agriculture and Markets Food Lab who have volunteered their time on committees, workgroups, and other formalized efforts designed to help assure a safer food supply for all."



USDA Pesticide Data Program Sampling Manager Chris Papas said, "For 25 years, the New York Department of Agriculture and the Markets Food Laboratory Division has been a valued partner in the USDA's Pesticide Data Program, providing reliable data to help assure consumers that the food they feed themselves and their families is safe."



US Food and Drug Administration Office of Regulatory Affairs Laboratory Accreditation Program Lead and Erin Woodom-Coleman Project Officer Ruiqing Pamboukian said, "The New York Department of Agriculture and the Markets Food Laboratory Division has been a valued partner. As a mentor lab, they spent significant efforts helping their three mentee labs to achieve accreditation. Two of the mentee labs successfully achieved accreditation in 2016, while the third lab has scheduled on-site assessment recently. They are active participants and often serve as session speakers in our laboratory accreditation meetings. Their laboratory best practices have been valued and shared with other laboratories in our group."



About the New York State Food Laboratory

The New York State Food Laboratory relocated to a newly constructed building in 2013. The 67,000 square foot facility is home to 43 microbiologists and chemists and support staff.



The Food Laboratory regularly collaborates with the US Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Liquor Authority. The New York State Food Laboratory is also contracted to provide specialized analytical services to universities and other state and federal agencies. The Food Laboratory also helped develop an integrated Rapid Response Team (RRT) involving several state and federal partners that enables the Department to respond to any and all emergencies involving food in our State.



Additionally, the Food Laboratory has a cooperative agreement with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to test produce and dairy products for pesticide residues in support of the USDA Pesticide Data Program. As a recipient of FDA grants, the Food Laboratory also monitors hazards in animal feed and pet food.
Family & Parenting, Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

The communities of Miller Place and Rocky Point, along with the neighboring hamlets of Brookhaven's North Shore, are gearing up for an annual rite of Spring.

Rocky Point / Miller Place, NY - February 24, 2017 - The communities of Miller Place and Rocky Point, along with the neighboring hamlets of Brookhaven's North Shore, are gearing up for an annual rite of Spring. The Friends of St. Patrick are pleased to announce that the 67th annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2017.



The event will kick off at the comer of Harrison Avenue in Miller Place at 1:00 p.m. sharp and will proceed east along Route 25A before ending at the corner of Route 25A and Broadway in downtown Rocky Point. While the idea of shortening the parade route was briefly considered, due to overwhelming popular demand, the length has not been changed.



Typically, over 50,000 spectators line the parade route to enjoy this wonderful event. Grand Marshall Joseph Cognitore will be near the front of the parade, along with numerous local leaders and dignitaries. Parade Queen Jessica Wooley, accompanied by her Royal Court of Michelle Wooley and Anna Maria Jacobsen will don their tiaras and be waving to the crowd from their Royal Float. This year's parade promises to be chock full of excitement, with numerous pipe bands, marching bands, marchers and floats galore.

A fundraising cocktail party is being held on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at the East Wind Grand Ballroom from 4-8 p.m. There will be Irish music, food, dancers and moderately priced drinks. The highlights of the party include the introduction of our Grand Marhsall and the crowning of our Queen and her Court. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at McCarrick's Dairy, the Hartlin Inn or the Law Office of James E. McElhone.
Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

The First Squad reports the arrest of a Freeport man for Attempted Murder that occurred on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 5:01 am in Freeport.

Freeport, NY - February 24, 2017 - The First Squad reports the arrest of a Freeport man for Attempted Murder that occurred on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 5:01 am in Freeport.

According to detectives, Freeport Officers received a call for a male shot at the Freeport Fire Department, 16 Broadway. Upon arrival officers found a 42 year old male shot several times. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. An investigation revealed that the victim was shot on Washburn Avenue and had drove himself to the above location and called police.

On Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 6:42 pm Antonio Smith, 43, of Freeport was placed under arrest for the above crime. Defendant Smith is being charged with 1 count of Murder 2nd degree (Attempt), 1 count of Assault 1st degree. He was arraigned on Friday, February 24, 2017 at First District Court, Hempstead.
Local News, Crime, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

Nassau County Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves and Police PBA President James McDermott will honor two Nassau County police officers for their bravery and heroism.

Mineola, NY - February 27, 2017 - Nassau County Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves and Police PBA President James McDermott will honor two Nassau County police officers for their bravery and heroism at a ceremony being held on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 1:00pm. They helped a woman that was held and robbed by knife point



Officers Porrazzo and Rodriguez were on routine patrol, when they received notification that two men had robbed a woman at knife point in North Hills. The officers saw a red 2005 Dodge Neon pass through a red light at the intersection of Stewart Avenue and Merrick Avenue in Westbury.



The Officers quick action, keen observation skills and dedicated service resulted in the arrest of the suspects, who were charged with First Degree Robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, possession of a dangerous weapon and unlawful fleeing of a police officer.

When: Monday, February 27, 2017 at 1:00pm

Where: Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building at 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY
Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

The Third Squad reports the details of Burglary which occurred on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 12:40 am in Roslyn Heights.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Roslyn Heights, NY - February 25, 2017 - The Third Squad reports the details of Burglary which occurred on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 12:40 am in Roslyn Heights.

According to detectives, four male blacks entered a Sherwood Lane home through a side door an approached a female victim, 63, and demanded she give them money. One of the suspects wearing a red jacket threatened the victim while another held her down and ripped a gold chain from her neck. One of the other suspects removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the victims pocketbook. The four suspects fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. The victims husband, 66, was also present sleeping in a different part of the home at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported. No further description is available at this time.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
Family & Parenting, School & Education, Local News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

In light of recent federal immigration-related actions, guidance reminds districts of their duty to uphold the rights of immigrant students and safeguard student data.

The guidance provides districts with relevant information pertaining to their duties under the law with respect to their students and the confidentiality of student records.

New York, NY - February 27, 2017 - In light of recent federal immigration-related actions that have created fear and confusion in New York and across the country, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today reminded school districts of their duty to comply with existing state and federal laws that ensure the rights of immigrant children to attend New Yorks public schools without fear of reprisal.

Our schools must be places where all students can learn, free of fear or intimidation - no matter their immigration status. No family should have to worry that sending their child to school may result in deportation," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "That's why we'll ensure that all students remain protected under state and federal laws, no matter the draconian immigration policies that come out of Washington. I'm grateful to Commissioner Elia and SED for our continued partnership, ensuring that New York remains a leader in guaranteeing the rights of all students."

Throughout our long history, New York State has been a refuge for people from other lands seeking a new and better life for themselves and their families, said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. Home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, New York has always welcomed immigrants. Indeed, our greatness as a state derives, in large part, from the contributions of immigrants. Our immigrant students have a right to a free education and they must not fear retribution for themselves or family members simply because they attend school. As education and law enforcement leaders, it is imperative that we protect all students as well as the information we have about them to the fullest extent possible under the law.

The guidance provides districts with relevant information pertaining to their duties under the law with respect to their students and the confidentiality of student records. Law enforcement officers may not remove a student from school property or interrogate a student without the consent of the students parent or person in parental relation except in very rare instances, such as when a crime has been committed on school property.

In addition, the guidance reminds districts that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents must consent to disclosing personally identifiable student information, except in very limited situations that do not appear to cover requests from federal immigration officials to access personally identifiable student information.

Read the full guidance here.
Local News, Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 27 2017

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini and Chief of Department Cameron issued a statement regarding threats to Jewish institutions today.

At this time, no specific threats have been reported to the SCPD.

Suffolk County, NY - February 27, 2017 - Joint statement from Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini and Chief of Department Cameron regarding threats to Jewish institutions:

The Suffolk County Police Department is aware of the threats that have been made to Jewish institutions in the region and across the nation. We are closely monitoring the situation and in contact with our law enforcement partners, both local and federal. At this time, no specific threats have been reported to our department. Out of an abundance of precaution, the Suffolk County Police department has enhanced patrols at synagogues, Jewish cemeteries and religious institutions.
Taliban shadow governor Mullah Abdul Salam, at a Taliban rally in Kunduz province in 2015.

The Taliban announced today that the US killed Mullah Abdul Salam, its shadow governor for the northern Afghan province of Kunduz, in an airstrike on Feb. 26. Salam led Taliban forces in overrunning Kunduz City and holding the provincial capital for two weeks in 2015. His forces also entered Kunduz City and held large areas of it for nine days in 2016.

The governor for Kunduz of the Islamic Emirate, the sincere and devout individual, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund was martyred by a cowardly airstrike of the invading American infidels on 26/02/2017 in Dasht-i-Archi district of Kunduz province, the Taliban noted in a statement that was released on its official website, Voice of Jihad.

The Taliban described Salam as the liberator of Kunduz and said he had trained thousands of Mujahideen such that they will follow his path.

Dasht-i-Archi, the district where Salam was killed, is heavily contested by the Taliban. Only four days ago, the Taliban claimed it shot down an Afghan military attack helicopter. The Afghan Ministry of Defense claims the helicopter landed due to technical problems. Unable to recover the helicopter, the military destroyed it in an airstrike.

Salam was one of the Talibans most important and influential shadow governors. He was one of several Taliban shadow governors who were detained by Pakistani security services in early 2010. He was later released and returned to Afghanistan and resumed his role as the Talibans governor for Kunduz.

As shadow governor for Kunduz, Salam has succeeded in making the province one of the most unstable in all of Afghanistan. For the past three years, all seven districts in Kunduz have been contested or controlled by the Taliban, according to a study by FDDs Long War Journal.

Salam engineered what is perhaps the most successful large-scale Taliban military operation in Afghanistan since the Islamic Emirate was driven from power by the US in 2001. In late Sept. 2015, his fighters overran Kunduz City and held it for two weeks before being driven out by Afghan forces backed by US airpower and special operations forces. Salam organized a second push to retake Kunduz City in Oct. 2015, and his fighters made it to the center of the provincial capital and controlled a large portion of the city for nine days.

Kunduz City is the only major Afghan city to fall to the Taliban since US forces entered the country in 2001.

The Taliban claims it operates a training camp in Kunduz. In the summer of 2016, the Taliban released a propaganda video of its Omar ibn Khattab training facility. Salam also appeared in the video.

Additionally, Salam has been a key figure in the Afghan north and has kept his forces loyal during difficult leadership changes. After the Taliban announced the death of Mullah Omar, the founder and first emir of the Taliban, in 2015, Salam held a large rally and swore allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. The move was controversial since the Taliban hid Omars death for more than two years. And after the US killed Mansour in May 2016, Salam again pledged to his successor, Mullah Haibitullah.

Salam was rewarded for his loyalty and effectiveness on the battlefield. When Taliban emir Mullah Haibitullah replaced 24 of the Talibans 34 shadow governors earlier this year, Salam retained his post.

Salam has been in the crosshairs of the US and Afghan intelligence for at least three years. After Salams forces overran Kunduz City for the first time, he was targeted in at least three airstrikes, according to Afghanistans National Directorate of Intelligence. On Oct. 1, 2015, the NDS claimed it killed Salam along with a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative known as Faris. Salam promptly denied reports of his death and issued an audio tape to prove it. Afghan officials also claimed to have killed Salam in Oct. 2016, but the Taliban again denied the reports.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivers his speech during the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb 18, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said that he was "deeply concerned about the increased tensions" in southern Western Sahara between the Moroccan berm and the Mauritanian border, and called on relevant parties to "exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions."

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the increased tensions in the vicinity of Guerguerat in the Buffer Strip in southern Western Sahara," said a statement issued here by Guterres' spokesman.

Armed elements of both Morocco and Frente Polisario remain in close proximity to each other, a position they have been in since August 2016, monitored during daylight hours by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the statement noted.

"The secretary-general calls on both of the parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions, be that through the actions of military or civilian actors," the statement added.
Culture / Art Republik

Feb 27, 2017 | By Staff Writer

Eddie Botha is a contemporary artist from Melbourne, Australia, who recently participated in Affordable Art Fair (AAF) Singapores 2016 autumn edition, and collaborated with Art Republik as the featured artist for our fair booth. Eddies work is both personal and indifferent, sentimental and light, as he examines human interactions deeply. Born in South Africa, Eddie is a well-travelled multiculturalist, dreamer, comedian, nature lover and activist whose search for cultural identity and sincere relationships is expressed through his highly detailed drawings and paintings of people and society. Using pen, paint, newspaper and collage, Botha depicts intricate, intimate scenes of conversations about human nature, people, technology, media, politics and sexuality, which unfold using a complex language of colour, symbolism and metaphor.

Art Republik speaks to Eddie Botha to find out more.

At the Art Republik booth on the AAF fairgrounds, your work invited people to touch, literally, with buttons that emitted light and sounds. Why the interactive element?

My works are about interaction. I believe life is about interaction, between people, nature and technology. It appears that our modern lives revolve around these three elements. Further, I want to break down the barrier between people and my artworks. There has been a development where art has become an elitist thing, and for the average person, its something foreign and expensive. As we all know, in galleries we are strongly deterred from touching art, and I want to change that, break that physical separation and allow engagement with the artwork. By engaging more senses such as hearing, touch and visual stimulation, the experience becomes so much richer as the viewer determines and influences how the artwork responds to them. Lastly, the element of technology has been linked to fear of robots and artificial intelligence taking over the world. I like to put this serious subject into a playful manner and make it friendly, a bit humorous and make people smile. Life doesnt have to be all doom and gloom and its really up to us to determine what technology does for us.

Your work deals with contemporary culture, politics and the cultural landscape; is there a reason you are drawn to those subjects, and why in an off-beat, humorous manner?

I depict my surroundings, everyday life  thats all I really know. I dont watch television or read newspapers, so the news I receive is quite filtered and perhaps limited. I do this deliberately to not be indoctrinated by the media but to remain, to some extent, objective. I remember in South Africa, growing up during the Apartheid regime and believing that it was right because the media manipulated our thinking. That has left a huge imprint on my way of absorbing information and made me very skeptical of any media  except for Art Republik of course! Humour is important to me to break the seriousness of life. People need to smile and have some fun. I once read that the definition of humour is when you take a serious subject and exaggerate it or put it across in an absurd manner. So I use this theory in my art, taking a serious issue that I feel needs to be voiced out, and exaggerate it, making it funny, but still make people aware of the issue. Im not necessarily trying to solve any issues, but rather to make people aware of things we get very accustomed to that we really shouldnt, like violence, racism, sexism and so forth.

We spoke with you at the AAF fairground, just off the US electing Donald Trump into office; you mentioned you had to respond to that, all of which came out in your work. How do you view your work/yourself politically? Do you, much like Keith Haring, wear your affiliations on your sleeve?

I guess I say things as they are. Thats just my character. As an Australian, I am fortunate that we have the freedom to say what we believe. I really do not like politics at all and I think we all know that the current political situation is nothing short of absurd. A good person wont make it in politics, simply because they will be ousted by evil. I was upset about someone who behaves as badly as Donald Trump and deems it acceptable to the extent of giving him such a big platform to speak his nonsense from. I simply try to slow down the damage he is doing, and if many people do that, we might even change it for good. I should say that Im referring to the whole system here as well, not just him. My work does deal with politics, but it also deals with many other aspects, many of them positive and uplifting.

Your work seems to have a lot of people observation, all around. Is that something you enjoy, and inspirational to you  seeing the world move, and people getting along with their lives?

Yes, life revolves around people. The dynamics of daily life intrigues me. That fleeting glimpse of a stranger walking past you in the street. That unexpected smile or kind gesture. Even simply the fact that every day we see people whom we will never see again. Or the fact that you might be sitting next to your spouse in the bus and not know it yet. Life is full of surprises.

You were born in South Africa and now reside in Melbourne  how did that all come about?

I grew up in South Africa, as my forefathers came there in 1652, one of the earliest families. I loved Africa, and I still do. Even though I was gifted in art and proved very talented as a younger person, my dad did not want me to study art, so I became a landscape architect. I worked as that in South Africa for about four years and got robbed and found my life in danger numerous times. I decided to give other countries a consideration. A friend told me that she saw an advertisement in the newspaper for a landscape architect needed in Malaysia by a property developer. I applied and three months later, found myself in a very interesting and dynamic Kuala Lumpur where I could make important decisions easily. Everything was so new and interesting, so different. I fell in love and subsequently stayed there for almost seven years. I did well financially during this time and always kept drawing, although it was for the purpose of design or leisure. I got married to a lovely Malaysian-Chinese lady 10 years ago now, and we decided to move to Australia. At first, we lived in Newcastle for three years, but Melbourne proved to be a much more suitable place for us. We love Melbourne and have lived in Australia for about eight years already.

You have cited African, Asian (Malaysias energy especially) and Australian Aboriginal influences are things that you enjoy and have a big imprint on your work. And manga as well. What about these diverse cultures, do you find interesting?

We all have intrinsic values that we share. Where do we belong, how do we fit in, contribute to society? As I moved and relocated, I constantly had to ask myself these questions, analysing how society functions and how to assimilate. Yet, there is a fantasy world that we all have within us, a manga world. I contrast this with notions of primitive art that roots from the spiritual, the everyday life  art done for no financial gain. I touch on topics like consumerism and marketing at this stage. I juxtapose a fantasy world with the real world where some elements of my work are deliberately unreal whilst other elements seems fake, but could perhaps be more real than those that seems artificial. I resin-coat marketing ads, promising you a dream lifestyle whilst drawing simple line drawings of someone talking on their mobile phone, or having a nap. There has been such a distortion of real life now by the media that I like to point towards this. No doubt that spending time in Malaysia, London and any city centre, that element of interaction and multiculturalism became real for me. As a separated white person, I perhaps always longed for that as I knew that was our mistake, and I want to fix it and avoid it from ever happening again.

What would you be if not an artist?

I really cannot imagine doing anything else even when I try to. I love music a lot, which is another art form anyway, so still being an artist. Whatever I might try to do, will be in the form of an artist just using other media. Im keen to try some sculpture work next year if I have the time.

Whats next for you?

I have a solo show in New York in April, and also taking part in Art Expo in New York during that time. There are three exhibitions I have been offered here in Melbourne that I will show work for in 2017. I want to push my boundaries further and do more collaborative work in Melbourne and abroad. There is a lady in Dhaka that I got along with really well during the recent visit to the Asian Art Biennale, and we will do some artworks together. I want to re-engage with some Melbourne and Sydney galleries and hit up some curators to get some projects going. I tend to be unorganised and take things as they come. 2016 has been great year for me so I hope to keep the momentum up for 2017.

This article was first published in Art Republik.
Taking your iPhone to any place but an Apple store or Apple-authorized repair shop for a screen fix used to automatically void your warranty. Thats apparently no longer the case.

According to an internal memo circulated to Apple retail stores and published by 9to5Mac, iPhone repairs that would be covered by your devices warranty will still be covered, even if you had your screen fixed by a third-party shop. Theres a caveat, though: If there are signs that the third-party repair work caused damage to your iPhone, or if the repair is related to the display, youll have to pay the out-of-warranty price for repair at an Apple store or authorized repair shop.

Apple has become a little less strict about screen repairs over the last year. Back in September, the company slashed the cost of a cracked screen fix from $79-$99 (depending on which size phone you have) to $29 under the AppleCare+ insurance program. Third-party repair shops usually charge between $100 and $150 for a new screen, or you can try to DIY a fix for $40-$100. Apple made the 2-year, $129 AppleCare+ program more attractive by making it cheaper to fix a cracked display

But now at least you wont be punished for foregoing AppleCare+ and going the third-party route. Its unclear exactly why Apple has become more lenient about its customers going elsewhere for repairs. Perhaps the company hopes that it can point to its screen repair leniency when fighting right to repair legislation in states like Nebraska, which would require device manufacturers to be more open about how users can fix their devices.
US President Donald Trump points to the media up as he walks on the South Lawn upon his return to the White House in Washington, US, Feb 24, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said Saturday he would not be attending the annual White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner, one day after his press team blocked several mainstream media from attending a press gaggle at the White House.

"I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!" Trump tweeted.

The remark broke away from a long running tradition of the participation of the president and the first lady at the event where politicians, journalists and celebrities gather to toast one another.

In a statement released after Trump's twitter, the WHCA said it had taken note of Trump's position.

Trump attended the event in the past, which became the subject of many jokes made by former US President Barack Obama in last year's gala.

The Trump administration is locked with an ongoing feud with many major US news outlets. Trump has openly criticized the Cable News Network and the New York Times, among others, of fabricating "fake news" regarding his administration, and has labeled them "the enemy of the American people" in a previous tweet.

The animosity between the White House and the press reached a new height Friday, because nearly 10 US and British news outlets were barred from an informing press briefing given by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer at the White House, raising condemnation from many news outlets as well as the WHCA.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > How and Why Vladimir Putin earned Global Popularity

by R.G. Gidadhubli and Rama Sampathkumar

The well-known international media organisation Forbes ranked the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, as the worlds most powerful man from 2013 to 2016four times in a row. Prior to that Times magazine named Putin as the Person of the Year in 2007. In fact Putin has dominated the political scene both at home and abroad for more than one-and-a-half decade. Hence it may be worthwhile to examine and analyse as to how and why Putin has earned this ranking and emerged as a powerful leader from the global perspective.

First, Putin has managed to showcase his leadership quality, often critical, in the media in the USA. This is mainly because of the unexpected victory of Doland Trump in the US presidential election held in December 2016. In this context there have been ongoing allegations of Russias involvement in hacking in the election campaign by the Kremlin meaning thereby on the order of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, supporting Doland Trump and against Hillary Clinton. This has been emphatically denied by the Russian Government. Even as there is an ongoing debate and controversy, the US President-elect, Donald Trump, has shrugged off allegations that Russia meddled in the election. Thus even as both Putin and Trump have denied, both have benefited.

Hence having won the election, as per reports on January 29, 2017, Donald had a one-hour telephonic talk with Putin within a few days after his taking over the presidency; and this hit the media news. Even as officially this talk was a part of protocol, Trump, who had pledged to mend ties with Moscow in his election campaign, has reiterated this after taking over the presidency of America. Thus Trump may be indirectly obliged to Putin for his success in the controversial election.

Be that as it may, Putins shrewd diplomacy is evident from the fact that, as reported by the Russian press on December 30, 2016, after Trump got elected he opted out of a tit-for-tat retaliation against the United States which under Obamas administration in November 2016 had kicked out 35 Russian officials over allegations of hacking aimed at interfering in the US election, espionage, and harassment of US diplomats in Russia. At any rate this has further helped Trump to hold on to his contention in favour of Putin and improve relations with Russia.

Trump has expressed his admiration for the Russian leaderships quality and strength to deal with problems including fight against Islamic terrorism, which will also be his own policy priority. Moreover there is media speculation whether with improved relations with Putin, Trump will soften Western policy of economic sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine. In fact it is important to note that Trump also did not support the media allegation against Putin as a killer that was reported by Times Global on February 6, 2017. Russia has demanded apology from the American mediaperson.

Looking back, in 2016 along with Putins rising power certain events proved positive for Russia. For instance, the Brexit vote exposed the deep rifts in the European Union that have benefited Russia as some of the EU members are critical of Putin. It may be argued that Putins regime has taken careful aim at the soft underbelly of Western democratic institutions. Hence Donald Trumps victory might pave the way for a break from the traditional Washington policy towards Moscow that Putin has been looking for.

Secondly, Putins leadership at domestic and regional levels has assumed significance. On December 26, 2016 Putin met with the leaders of several former Soviet republics in St. Petersburg, a day after the 25th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated prior to that meeting that Putin believed the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a mistake and disaster. While the disintegration cannot now be reversed, Putin believes in a new integration in the space of the former Soviet Union. The Presidents of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrghyzstan were in St. Petersburg for the meetings, which included informal summits of the Eurasian Economic Union, that has become a reality in 2015, and Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). Hence with that objective at that summit Putin expressed his hope that the creation of a favourable business environment was needed to achieve full-fledged development of their economies. He opined that since forming a common market with the other Eurasian Economic Union countries about two years ago, trade between them has already increased significantly. This has been possible since non-tariff trade barriers have been slashed by 30 per cent and a single market for drug and medical products has been created. Thus by 2025 the EEU aimed at the formation of a common financial market and common markets for gas, oil, and petroleum products, with harmonised rules of trade. By this Putins objective and vision may partly be achieved. In fact ever since Putin came to power in 1999, his mission has been to make Russia great again and restore its due place in contemporary world history.

Thirdly, it is a matter of great global significance that Putin has been able to bring about a ceasefire deal in the Syrian conflict. On December 28, 2016 the Syria ceasefire deal was signed and Russia and Turkey were Guarantors for the same. Putin, having signed the ceasefire agreement with Turkey, stated that the Russian military would scale down its presence in Syria, but he didnt say how many troops and weapons would be withdrawn. More importantly, Putin has asserted that Russia will continue fighting international terrorism in Syria and supporting the Assad Government. While the West had been critical of Russias aggressive acts in Syria during the last couple of years, there has been a drastic change with the signing of the peace treaty in Astana in January 2017. It is opined by some analysts including Vasily Maximov that Moscows intervention under the leadership of Putin in Syria has an important dimension and that Russia has succeeded in trying to boost its position in the Middle East and demonstrate its global stature while attaining leverage in negotiations with the West.

Fourthly, Putin has succeeded in increasing convergence between Russia and China on many global issues during the past few years. It is significant that in December 2016 Putin displayed renewed interest in the long-delayed China-Russia highway across the Amur River by extending technical and financial assistance to it; it is to be completed by 2019 and will enhance trade relations. China is thirsty for energy and raw materials from Russia to fuel its economic growth. In fact he is aware that what is binding them together has been their shared interest in balancing the USA on global issues. It needs to be stated that another major factor drawing them together is a mutual dependence because even as Russia, though superior to China in nuclear weapons, is no match as far as the Chinese conventional military weaponry is concerned. Russias Look-East policy subsequent to the conflict with Ukraine on the Crimean issue in 2014, which worsened Russias political and economic relations with Europe and the USA, was welcomed by Beijing and that was an axis of convenience as rightly stated by Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Moscow Centre highlighting Russia-China relations.

Fifthly, Russia is also in recent years growing closer to Pakistan and this is a matter of anxiety, especially at a time that India is trying to isolate Pakistan in this region. China is already a strong supporter of Pakistan and with the two major powers involving themselves with Pakistan, it is certainly not good news as far as India is concerned. Further, Russia held its first ever joint military exercise with Pakistan days after the Uri terror strike (September 2016) in the Indian administered State of Jammu and Kashmir and at the BRICS Goa Summit, India felt let down by Russia as Moscow did not support Delhis stand by publicly naming the Pakistan-based terror outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, as opined by Sachin Parashar. It needs to be noted that one cannot deny that both Russia and Pakistan are opening a new era of strategic and political alliance. President Putins proposed visit to Pakistan in May of this year will witness the inauguration of the US $ 2 billion LNG North-South Pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, as reported in the International News by Noor Aftab. This is possibly intended by Putin who wants to enhance Russias presence and influence in South Asia.

Lastly, on the domestic front Putin enjoys support and popularity by over 80 per cent of the population. Even as there are some Opposition parties and political leaders, including Alexei Navalny who proposes to contest in the presidential election against Putin, he has made sure that no political Opposition exists to challenge his authoritarian rule. It is worth noting that Russias annexation of Crimea has boosted Putins popularity at home even as there is strong opposition in the West. Russians constitute a substantial portion of the population in Crimea which has helped in the referendum held for the annexation. Russia claims that all legal processes were in place for that purpose.

In his annual state-of-the-nation address on December 1, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the country is unified like never before and is fully capable of achieving its strategic economic and geopolitical goals. Speaking at the Defence Ministry on December 22, 2016 Putin asserted that Russias military is now stronger than any possible attacker but must be prepared to adjust plans to neutralise the potential threats to the country.

Dr R.g. gidadhubli is a Professor and former Director, Centre for Central Eurasian Studies, University of Mumbai. Dr Rama Sampathkumar is a former Assistant Professor, Centre for Central Eurasian Studies, University of Mumbai.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Defend the Constitution from the Sangh Parivar!

by S. Sudhakar Reddy

We have been celebrating January 26 as the Republic Day. The Constitution of India, which came into existence on January 26, 1950, abolished the Dominion Status of India, rejected the British Crown and declared India as a full-fledged Democratic Republic.

The Indian Constitution is one of the biggest Constitutions of the world and is the most valuable gift from Dr B.R. Ambedkar to the nation and its people. It was necessary to overcome the painful colonial past. The Constitution gave Directive Principles for the nation, with definite goals to be achieved by implementing them. It gave us democracy, secularism and equality for all the citizens irrespective of religion, caste, creed and language. By incorporating socialism through an amendment, the goal for socialism was also included. Our Constitution gave us freedom of faith, freedom of expression and abolished untouchability, defining it as a punishable offence.

The Indian Constitution provided clarity and paved the way for secular democracy in the country by dividing the authority among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, with checks and counter-checks among the three and ensuring an autonomous status to the Judiciary.

It went on alright for almost six-and-a-half decades, though the Directive Principles were not taken up seriously by the ruling parties. The Democratic, Secular, Socialist Republic has forgot socialism as its goal and after 1992, that is, following the collapse of the USSR with the emergence of a unilateral world led by the US, adopted globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation. This has led to the fast growth of corporate capitalism and of late crony capitalism, paving way for concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and looting crores of people pushing them into abject poverty.

After the BJP Government led by Narendra Modi has come to power at the Centre in 2014, consistent efforts are being made to sabotage the Constitution in letter and spirit.

Suffocating the Judiciary

After the new dispensation led by Narendra Modi has taken over, the Judiciary is being pushed to the wall. The fine balance between the Executive and Judiciary is thrown to the winds. Our Judiciary does not have enough number of judges from the High Courts up to the Supreme Court. The names recommended by the highest court are kept pending for years together and the Executive demands the right to appoint the judges according to its priority and choice. The Legislature is almost totally ignored. Parliament meets for a few days and the government, through its provocative acts and tactics, does not allow the proceedings and throws the blame on the Opposition. The Prime Minister wants the Legislature to stand up and applaud all that he says, instead of a proper meaningful debate on Bills and peoples issues.

Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people, for the people. Today it has become the government of Narendra Modi, by the RSS and for the corporate houses. People are nowhere. This is nothing but sabotaging the Indian Constitution and its guidelines.

Secularism at Stake

The right to faith and freedom of religion are being attacked by the Sangh Parivar for a long time but once they have come to power with absolute majority in Parliament they are utilising the government machinery, to spread poisonous communalism, harassing the minorities on the one side and pressurising and influencing the media to propagate its Goebbelsian lies on the other.

All those who are opposed to the RSS ideology and its pro-fascist agenda are being branded as anti-nationals. Patriotism has become the monopoly of the Hindutva forces in the country. In the name of cow protection, Muslim minorities and Dalits are targeted, attacked and killed. An atmosphere of terror is being unleashed all over the country.

Universities are attacked by anti-social elements, led by the ABVP, targeting Dalit students. Rohith Vemula committed suicide because he could not withstand the discrimi-nation and victimisation. It was done by the university Vice-Chancellor at the dictate of the ABVP. The Ambedkar-Phule Study Circle was banned in the IIT, Chennai. A students journal was banned in the Pondicherry University.

Kanhaiya Kumar in the JNU was arrested and targeted because he exposed the Sangh Parivars activities. They tried to physically harm him and branded him as anti-national. Freedom of speech was another target. Tamil writer Murugan was forced by the Sangh gangs to apologise for what he had written 30 years ago.

Scientists, journalists, writers, artists and economists are being attacked for returning their awards in protest. Self-appointed cow protection groups, cow vigilante groups have spread terror all over the country and the BJP Government in Maharashtra has banned the sale of beef.

Dalits in Una in Gujarat were beaten up and tortured in public with a false accusation that they had killed cows, while they were skinning a dead cow at the request of the owner of the cow. When the Dalits in anger refused to skin the dead animals, they were threatened. Dalit children were burnt alive in Haryana and it was termed by a BJP Central Cabinet Minister as like a stray dog getting killed after being hit by a stone.

Common civil code is being brought into the debate to provoke Muslim minorities and consolidate the votes of the majority community. Adivasis in millions are thrown out of their lands and houses for projects and mines of the corporates. Adivasi people are denied democratic rights in Bastar where the BJP Government is ruling with an iron fist. False cases are being foisted on university professors, teachers, and journalists. All democratic rights are being denied to the people, particularly the tribals. There is police raj. It is in the light of such unprecedented onslaughts on our Constitution by the Sangh Parivar and its affiliates with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the last meeting of the National Council of the Communist Party of India, held in December 2016 at Hyderabad, decided to observe this years Republic Day as the Save Constitution Day.

Reservations Attacked

Reservations to SCs, STs, OBCs are opposed by the Sangh Parivar since long, accusing these as vote-bank politics. Now some upper castes in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana are organising themselves demanding reser-vations. This will ultimately pave the way for cancellation of all reservations, which will deny the small guarantee to the downtrodden sections of the Indian society. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and his second lieutenant are repeatedly demanding a review of all caste-based reser-vations. If the discrimination was based on caste, how can reservation be denied to the victims who have suffered for centuries?

Economic Policies

The economic policies of the BJP Government are pro-corporate, pro-rich and anti-poor. Only meagre Budget allocations are made for the MGNREGS, education, health and other welfare activities. Corporate tax has been reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent and still further reduction is planned. Service tax is increased by another three per cent including surcharges raising it to 15 per cent. Demonetisation is a direct attack on the poor people of the country.

The concentration of wealth has abnormally increased during the last two years of the Modi Government and 58 per cent of our wealth is in the hands of the top one per cent of the population. Where then is equality? Where is the welfare society? Every single provision of the Constitution in favour of the people is being flouted by Modi and his colleagues.

The Republic Day is the proper occasion for us to raise our voice in defence of the Constitution of India, which is targeted by the Sangh Parivar. It has no right to refuse the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution to the people of India, who created it. This nefarious game-plan should be fought back. We must with all our might defend the Constitution of India.

Let us pledge to do so! Let us fight for it!!

The author is the General Secretary, CPI.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Countdown for International Womens Day

MUSINGS

Countdown for the International Womens Day has begun. Nah, no lessening of rapes and molestations and trafficking! Its just that the political speeches are more than laced with concern for womens safety and, of course, gaudy receptions planned for the DayMarch 8th.

Reserving a day for women seems rather absurd and more along the synthetic strain. Why just one day...why not all days of the year or years! And why only for women ...why not for men!

The stark truth is that none of the political and bureaucratic whos who gives a damn to whether the human being is left alive or dumped in one of those dying slots. And the so-called celebration days are fitted more to distract, make an ass of the hapless!

In those earlier years I did attend a couple of the Womens Day celebrations but found them to be so bogus that it was impossible to sit through... And then, when I began reading the socio-economic realities facing our men and women I made it a point not to attend even one of these hyped events.

Dismal facts on not just the roti-kapdaa-makaan front, but also on the sexual exploitation front. If young girls are raped, young boys are sodomised. If older women are molested, older men are seduced. If a bunch of human forms is trafficked its a mixed lotwomen and children and even teenaged boys. If the jailed population is subjected to torture, it affects all prisoners men and women.

Its a different matter altogether that none of the political rulers and their aides want to peep into those hell-holes, where a large percentage of our population sits languishing. Needless for me to add that this jailed lot is left at the mercy of the jail staff headed by the jailors. And after reading several books authored by former prisoners, all that I can say is that the jail conditions are hellish, yet we sit so unbothered. Yes, even on Womens Daybesides sending a box of sweets for the inmates, theres no furthering of concern.

A countrys development (actual and factual development and not along farce formats!) can be judged by the condition of its jailed population and also by that of its women and children and the minority communities. And seeing the condition of all these groups, we are lagging far behind. Still stuck in those dark ages.

Harsh Manders Latest Book

Harsh Manders latest book is Stories of Suffering, Oppression and Resistance (Speaking Tiger).

Harsh Mander is one of those bureaucrats who resigned from the Indian Administrative Service soon after the Gujarat pogrom in 2002 and took to writing on Gujarats communally surcharged atmosphere and the plight of the minority population. He wrote extensively and continues to do so, focusing on the survivors of that pogrom and the havoc they go through, day after day ...His latest book, Fatal Accidents of Birth: Stories of Suffering, Oppression and Resistance, has just hit the stands. In this book, Mander focuses on seventeen stories of women and menwho simply because they were born poor, or of a particular gender, or into a certain caste or religion, fell prey to the many atrocities and indignities endemic to contem-porary India. Some resisted, survived and soldier on. Some did not.

These are hitting stories. Each one of them portraying how the very governance and the political lot manning it can ruthlessly trample upon human lives. Space constraints come in the way, so unable to quote extensively. Let me quote from one of these 17 stories. Titled, Life Among the Graves, it focuses on a pogrom survivor of Gujarat. To quote from it, It was a dusty, scorching day in Ahmedabad in the harrowing summer of 2002 when I first met Khalid Noor Mohammad ...When Khalid spoke to me about the seventyfive years of his life, it was as though its significant landmarks were all major communal riots. He spoke of them the way other people talk of life-eventsbirths, deaths, weddings. The Partition riots of 1947 in which he lost his father, the Ahmedabad riots of 1969 which broke a long interlude of peace, the Jagananth riots of 1985, the sectarian violence that followed in the wake of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, and now the carnage of 2002... I have seen many riots, Khalid said, and each time we have moved on. But this hullad was completely different. My body may still have some strength, but this riot has just broken my spirit. Earlier, they killed our men and attacked our homes and shops. But women and children were mostly spared. Never before this merciless burning of our people, even of infants and small children. Never before this mass rape and humiliation of our women. Never before have so many of us been rendered completely homeless.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Ignore Prof Bipan Chandras Forewarnings . . . At Our Own Peril

by Ajayakumar Kodoth

I wish to see India exist as a nation-state, a strong nation-state. But the rise of certain social and political forces with narrow policies is a threat to our national integrity. Take communal powers, for instance. There is no doubt that as a political party, the BJP stands for national unity. But theirs is a brand of extreme nationalism. Their communal policies will weaken India. I fear that if the BJP happens to remain in power for ten years, India will get partitioned again. (Kalakaumudi, Issue 1039, August 13, 1995: 6)

These words by the renowned historian, the late Bipan Chandra (1928-2014), were spoken 22 years back when this writer, along with fellow academic Dr C. Balan, interviewed him through the course of two nights at the Guest House of Mangalore University. Actively participating in the interface were the veteran journalist, T.V. Krishnan (formerly of Patriot), the historian, Dr Kesavan Veluthat, and the writers doctoral research guide and former member of ICHR, Dr B. Surendra Rao. In todays political context, Prof Bipan Chandras observations regarding issues of topical importance like nationalism, communalism and secularism gain fresh and increased significance, and this article is an attempt to remind readers how prophetic his words have turned out to be.

The opportunity to see and get introduced to Prof Bipan Chandra came in 1981 when he visited the writers father, the veteran freedom fighter, K. Madhavan, at his residence in Kanhangad, north Kerala. The visit was part of Prof Bipan Chandras preparations towards co-authoring a compendious historical work on the Indian freedom struggle. More than three-and-a-half decades later, the memories of the whole day that Prof Bipan Chandra, Prof Bhagwan Josh of JNU and Dr K.K.N. Kurup spent in the company of my father are still green. So also the awe-struck attention with which this writer, as a young student of History, listened to their conversation.

A stalwart among Marxist historians in independent India, Prof Bipan Chandra stood apart from them all on several fronts. His conclusions about the Indian national movement were unique, and have been the subject of intense discussions. He was open in his oppo-sition to the Communist stance of considering Gandhiji as a mere bourgeois leader and main-taining a distance from him. Communalism is an ideology, he argued and stated that it was one of the challenges that deserved top priority in free India. As an author of several books, he was never dogmatic about his principles, and one can be certain that his assessments and comments about nationalism, communalism and secularism will be taken up for serious debates in the future.

If one examines the Sangh Parivar agenda that has been put through experiments over these one-and-a-half decades of the 21st century, it will not be difficult to see how right his fears about the balkanisation of India were. By the phrase balkanisation of India what he was pointing to, more specifically, was the social splintering of the people. That social splintering will eventually precipitate political partition of the nation is a phenomenon that is all too familiar to the Indian consciousness. The active communal-fascist agenda is evident in all the activities of the Sangh Parivar one sees everywhere the communal attacks in Gujarat in 2002, the organised violence unleashed on Christian churches in Odisha, the assassination of Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi, the Dadri incident in UP, the terrorisation of the Dalits and other minority communities in the name of protection of cows, the move to rein in free thinking in universities, the appointment of pure-bred Hindutva votaries to high-ranking posts in top academic institutions and publishing houses, the official and unofficial ban on famous, secular, historical books, the anti-reservation policies of the RSS, the ill-motivated steps to wipe out the Nehruvian socialist-secular legacy from public memory and so on. All these have to be viewed as constituting the greatest threat to the continued existence of India as a nation-state.

The interview made a comprehensive evaluation of how the consciousness about the nation-state crystallised in the Indian mind, and how far and deep it has spread. However, without going into the details of all the topics covered in the interview, this article will attempt a summary of Prof Bipan Chandras views on nationalism, secularism and communalism.

The process of nation-building is a historical one that will reach completion only in the distant future. But there is a fundamental difference between a nation and a nation-state. The nation-state is an independent entity in every sense of the term. There is no foreign authority casting a shadow over it, either politically or economically. In free India, it is the formation of the nation-state that is currently underway. The foundation of a nation can be laid only through economic, social and cultural harmonisation. In India, attempts in this direction began during the Mughal period. The prospect of a political unification of India came later, when the British rule gave impetus to the realisation of the concept of nationhood. This in turn spurred the process of nation-building. However, political and economic independence that was gained through the anti-colonial struggle was what converted India into a nation-state. Though very complex, the process of nation-building is gaining greater strength in India today. Not only did this process continue after the attainment of freedom but it also progressed with a sense of responsibility. How-ever, with the gaining of independence, in place of a single nation-state, three emerged even-tuallyIndia, Pakistan, and later, Bangladesh. This was a huge setback but the process of nation-building continued in India without a break. The process of nation-building is a human activity, not a divine one, and that is why it is a historical process.

What is still a continuing process in India today is different from those of other nation-states. India is a land that embraces the different cultures of its various native states. All these cultures need to be nourished equally. The reason why the separatist ideology has not emerged or gained traction in South India is that Hindi is not foisted on it. Nor is the Central authority. Pandit Nehru, Smt Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao did not rule with the special interests of UP or Bihar in mind.

Prof Bipan Chandras views on the nation-state are very unique. His observation about China is a case in point. The Chinese do not talk about the Chinese nation. Instead they talk about the Chinese people. In European countries like England, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and so on, the terms nation and nationalism have great relevance. When the nationalist movement began in India, we borrowed these terms. Prof Bipan Chandra argues that the phrase multi-nationalism does not apply to India because it may lead to a lot of confusion. Therefore the concept of the Indian nation should stand for the Indian people. Inherent in the idea of nation-building is the process of the unification of the Indian people who have common political and economic interests. Although there are several shortcomings, primary among them being the fact that development is not moving at the same pace in all parts of the land, the process of nation-building is still progressing. The short-comings are largely the creation of the capita-listic system too.

India, he argues, has to thrive as a strong nation-state. This argument has to be seen against the existing world order. For example, Africa does not seem to be progressing or growing strong. The reason is that it is not united. Palestine was a platform where the Arabs could display their strength and unity but disunity led to Israel establishing power over them. The condition of the Latin American countries is no different. They have enough human resources but their lack of unity has helped the cause of US imperialism. The US has succeeded in pitting all the Latin Americans against one another for its own advantage.

But the Indian people, who have various cultures, languages as well as castes, and occupy different financial levels, can be kept united only by the ideology of nationalism. Class ideology will not succeed in this regard. Only a struggle for social justice can use class ideology to its advantage. The European Union has come into being. A confederation of South Asian countries has also taken birth. The Latin American countries are trying to cobble together a union. But in Africa all efforts in this direction have collapsed miserably.

We, the Indians, have common economic interests. But what is the common ideology that can bind us together? The inadequacy of class ideology has already been mentioned. Therefore one has to conclude that only nationalism can be effective. In fact, it has a very constructive role to play. But it needs to be applied in a consistent manner. We badly need to progress, and in order to do so, sacrifice is essential. Only the ideology of nationalism can inspire people to make sacrifices for the greater, common good. However, only that brand of nationalism is worth struggling for that will ensure equality to all people. A democratic political order cannot afford to permit inequality; it cannot afford to have advanced regions and chronically backward pockets. Therefore what we need is a kind of nationalism that is built on egalitarian principles that will ensure justice and social equality among the various castes, religions and sexes.

A re-interpretation of nationalism is the need of the hour. Nationalism has been subjected to endless discussions, but never to re-interpre-tation. Very few people talk about the great principles of our freedom struggle that should form the foundation-stones of nation-building. We should build a new nation and strengthen it by infusing it with a greater sense of equality. Nationalism, in the final analysis, should be an integral part of the daily lives of the citizens. What we need today is a nationalism that will be the lifeline of all the people, and not a religious nationalism that lays stress on the superiority of Hinduism or any other religion. The nationalism touted by the Sangh Parivar will serve only to divide the nation because it aims to create a theocratic Hindu nation, not a secular one. Such an aim is not viable. It is traitorous as well.

According to Prof Bipan Chandra, the Indian national movement was not only a national freedom struggle but a unification process too. As early as in 1891-92, the President of the Congress had announced that the aim of the Indian national movement was national unification as well. And the contributions made in this regard by the moderate Congress leadership were considerable. Thus the unifi-cation that began in the 1880s with the constitution of the INC, gained strength by 1905. The nationalist consciousness began to strike deep roots in the minds of the Indian people. That was the reason why the organi-sations of farmers, workers and students, that were formed as part of the national movement, took on a nationalist character in spirit, and also in their labels from their very inception in 1885All India Congress Committee (AICC), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), All India Students Federation (AISF), and so on. The Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India did not represent the social and political sections that espoused narrow policies. Rather, they were truly nationalist in orientation. The ideology of the RSS, on the other hand, is in direct contrast to this. Although it was born in 1925, during the time of our freedom struggle, it kept away from the independence movement and also became a counter-revolutionary force.

These observations form the core of Prof Bipan Chandras beliefs.

The Indian national freedom struggle is one of the biggest peoples movements the world has ever witnessed. Yet, he teasingly comments, while we are uncritical in accepting labels like American, French, Russian, Chinese, and Cuban Revolutions, we are hesitant about describing the Indian freedom struggle as the Indian Revolution! Among the aforementioned struggles, the American and the French revolutions were actually bourgeois revolutions. One of the major charges Prof Bipan Chandra levels against the Indian Communist leadership is its failure to take forward our successful national revolution in tandem with its contribution to the nation-building process. He viewed the Calcutta Thesis of 1948 from this critical prism and came down heavily on E.M.S. Namboodiripad who concluded his book on Nehru with a dismissive attitude towards the contributions of Nehru and Gandhiji.

One of the most important arguments made by Prof Bipan Chandra, particularly when approached from the contemporary point of view, is that the RSS is to be seen not only as a fascist organisation but as a truly counter-revolutionary force. While all the movements, including the Left, that participated in the national freedom struggle, have made sacrifices for the unity and progress of the country, the Sangh Parivar with its communal agenda divides the people, and through them, destroys the country. It was 22 years back that Prof Bipan Chandra told this writer: I fear that if the BJP happens to remain in power for ten years, India will get partitioned again.

The BJP came to power with an over-whelming majority in 2014. One has only to look at the seeds of insecurity it has sown among the minorities and the Dalits, within merely two-and-a-half years of administration, to calculate the damage it can inflict in 10 years. We have seen only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The only way to hound these commu-nalist-divisive forces out of the country before they grow into demonic proportions is by forging a grand alliance of the secular, democratic forces. The forewarnings of a scholar like Prof. Bipan Chandra, gifted with a realistic view of history, are important sign-posts that we may ignore only at our own peril.

The author is a former member of the Kerala Public Service Commission, erstwhile member of the faculty of History, Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad, and son of the late freedom fighter, K. Madhavan of North Malabar.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Racial Discrimination returns to UK

Its sheer racialism. Four British nationals of Pakistani origin committed a crime of sexual exploitation and were sentenced to imprison-ment. But the judge McClosky, in his own wisdom, said that after serving the sentence they should be sent back to the country of their origin.

I wonder if this would have happened to a White man, especially to Europeans. The judge without demur said in his verdict that the convicts nationality should be stripped. The ruling by an immigration tribunal subsequently has also cleared the way for the Pakistanis to be removed from Britain. They had acquired British citizenship by naturalisation.

According to the Dawn from Karachi, they were among nine men of Pakistani and Afghan descent convicted of luring girls as young as 13 into sexual encounters using alcohol and drugs. They were based in Rochdale, in northern England. Five of the dual nationals, deprived of their citizenship, were British Pakistanis, while two were of dual British and Sudanese nationality. The remaining six were dual Austra-lian, Iraqi, Russian, Egyptian and Lebanese nationals. To this date 10 of the orders have been appealed against.

Among the four facing deportation is ringleader Shabir Ahmed, sentenced in 2012 to 22 years in jail. The other three are Adil Khan, Qari Abdul Rauf and Abdul Aziz. Ahmed, who was convicted of rape as well as other charges, remains in custody, while the other three men have been released on licence. Khan, Rauf and Aziz were convicted on conspiracy and trafficking for sexual exploitation charges. Aziz was not convicted of having sexual intercourse with any child.

The judge at the hearing in the upper tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber described their crimes as shocking, brutal and repulsive. His decision rejected claims concerning human rights laws and a complaint of dispro-portionate interference with their rights. The case centres on a decision by Prime Minister Theresa May, when she was the Home Secretary, to take away the mens citizenship for the public good.

The number of people subject to the power, under which the Home Secretary can deprive dual nationals of their British citizenship if it is deemed to be in the public interest, has increased since the coalition government came to power. The measure was included in the 2006 Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act as a direct result of the July 2005 bombings in which 52 people died and more than 700 were injured. It was used only four times in the following four years, but has been used nine times since last years general election.

The five victims of the gang who gave evidence in the 2012 trial were all White, and spoke of being raped, assaulted and traded for sex, being passed from man to man, and sometimes being too drunk to stop the abuses. The men, ranging in age from 22 to 59, used various defences, including claiming the girls were prostitutes. One British MP had demanded that the four men, who appeared at the tribunal, should be deported as soon as possible, saying: Foreign-born criminals should not be able to hide behind human rights laws to avoid deportation.

This is somewhat similar to what President Donald Trump did soon after taking over. By an executive order, he temporarily blocked people from some Muslim-majority countries from entering the US on visas. This included the Green card holders who have the right to visit the US without having earned US nationality.

Like in the UK case, Trumps order did say that his order was to protect the American people from the threat of terrorism or criminal activities. But it doesnt necessarily do that. Instead, it points to the new Presidents serious thinking about putting Islamophobia, that was a central part of his campaign, into practice. But Hillary Clinton, who challenged him in the presidential election, has replied that they would defend the Constitution of America. It does not debar anybody because America itself is a country of immigrants.

The very discussion on stripping the nationality of a countrys citizen is ominous. By declaring anybody anti-national you can send him back to the country he once belonged. This will be very harsh on journalists and authors. They utilise the freedom of expression to run down their own country or politicians.

This is happening in India itself. Take the case of an online editor of a publication: he is facing the wrath of the Election Commission as the newspaper published the exit poll results after the first phase of elections in UP. As many as 15 FIRs have been filed against the publication. Sometime ago, even the owner of a national channel was arraigned by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry when he refused to tender an apology for what the channel had broadcast.

Sometime ago, the Ministry also defended the censorship. The Minister explained that the government had only one channel while the private sector had several. Therefore, the Ministry had every right to use the official channel to put across the governments point of view. I wish that this prerogative is used to describe the plight of Dalits or the minorities. But since the upper castes dominate the media, there is hardly any mention of the atrocities committed against the marginalised.

When it comes to India, at least there is no racialism. The attackers on the Parliament House and in Mumbai were tried by various courts and eventually sentenced. The convicts were Muslims. The emphasis on religion is itself bad. Saudi Arabia, which is a Muslim country, prefers Muslims to be in their midst. It is another story that they prefer Indian Muslims to Pakistani Muslims. Even the policeman there lets go the Muslims from India for any traffic violation while the Pakistanis are singled out for punishment.

The UK Government will be blamed of racial discrimination if the order of the judge to send the convicts to their country of origin is enforced. Yet it must be admitted that racial discrimination is increasingly taking the centre of stage in the UK.

The author is a veteran journalist renowned not only in this country but also in our neighbouring states of Pakistan and Bangladesh where his columns are widely read. His website is www.kuldipnayar.com
Feb 26 - American actor Bill Paxton, who rose to stardom with roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as "Aliens"and "Titanic," has died at age 61 after complications from surgery, his family said in a statement on Sunday.

Paxton, who appeared in dozens of films over some four decades, had recently starred in the HBO television series, "Big Love," about a polygamous Mormon family, and acted alongside Tom Cruise in the film, "Edge of Tomorrow."

For his role in "Apollo 13," Paxton won a Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture in 1996.

He was nominated for three Golden Globe Award in the best actor category for his work in "Big Love" and the 1990s mini series, "A Bright Shining Lie."

It was not immediately known what surgery Paxton, a Fort Worth, Texas, native had undergone.

"It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery," a family representative said in the statement.

"Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him,and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable," it said.

Paxton leaves behind his wife, Louise Newberry, and two children, James and Lydia.

Reuters
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Dalit Uprising: from Rohith to Una

by Sanjay Kumar

The Dalit movement has had a radical legacy of anti-caste resistance against Hindutva and brahminical hegemony in colonial and post-colonial India. Dalit resistance emerged during the struggles in the colonial period based on the strong modern universal values of liberty, equality and fraternity; these were led by radical Dalit-Bahujan intellectuals like Jyotirao Phule, Ambedkar, Periyar. In short, after the long struggle for resistance of the anti-caste move-ment it has achieved to some extent self-respect and dignity. But the question of caste-based discrimination is still haunting the Dalits and their social experiences.

After the death of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dalit resistance was not very much in existence in the mainstream of Indian politics. However, it has to be noted that in April 1970 some radical young Dalit activists like Namdev Dhasal and his comrades along with the Dalit Panther movement radicalised the Dalit masses against the brahminical hegemony in the public sphere. Dalit Panthers had emerged as a movement of radical assertion demanding equality against the upper castes. During a short time, the Dalit Panthers impact was politically and ideologi-cally witnessed at the national level. It was with the Dalit Panthers movement in India that the oppressed castes tried to project their reply to the upper-caste Hindus in an aggressive manner.

After that once again another Dalit-Bahujan political activist, Kanshiram, tried to unite all socially oppressed groups under the banner of the All India Backward and Minority Community Employees Federation (BAMCEF). Although the BAMCEF movement in the 1980s and 1990s achieved political success in terms of electoral politics and for the first time Dalits became a political force, this electoral politics failed to annihilate caste. But at the same time Kanshi-ram had revived once more the Dalit-Bahujan intellectual icons and their ideas, specially those of B.R. Ambedkar. We cannot deny that in contemporary times, Ambedkar is a single voice of the national Dalit movement and provides the theoretical framework and vision for Dalit politics even today.

In the emerging new Dalit resistance Ambedkars radical ideas could be seen in the case of the Rohith Vemula movement and the Una agitation, now going on in Gujarat and elsewhere. It needs to be underlined here that both agitations have not only been concentrated on the question of identity like caste but also moved beyond and raised the question of socio-economic inequality among all marginalised communities. Both the movements tried to build a radical mass struggle by uniting all the Left and progressive forces to resist the brahminical and communal fascist forces.

After Babasaheb Ambedkar, for the first time the socially oppressed and downtrodden communities have begun asserting their socio-political rights and challenging the practice of the century-old traditional caste hierarchy. The new Dalit assertion and socio-economic developments have created a new political class among Dalits and this class has spread political awareness among the radical Dalits, who have later launched struggles for achieving socio-economic justice for the masses.

From both the movements the question arises before the mainstream liberal political parties and the caste-based ones about the annihilation of caste and caste discrimination; why is annihilation of caste and caste discrimi-nation still not a priority in their manifestos? So far the Dalit struggles have only concentrated on identity politics and Dalit reservation that has continued for many decades. But the Rohith and Una movements have tried to think beyond identities and Dalit reservation because both the movements have attracted a large section of young radical Dalits, who realised that only implementation of land distribution, end of caste-based occupation, anti-privatisation, resource distribution, execution of strong laws against caste atrocities, political participation in power can liberate them.

The Dalit movement is a mass movement; it alone cannot fight Hindutva and capitalism. It needs a broader alliance with the progressive forces. Historically, the movements had a much wider agenda of social justice instead of remaining confined to reservation-based issues alone. The Rohith Vemula movement and the struggle of the Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti and other Dalit groups have raised their aspirations for the future vision so that the ultimate goals can be achieved. They want social justice with economic rights, especially in the Una movement they tried to accommodate Adivasi rights, womens rights and created a new alliance with other movements to fight against the Hindutva forces and capitalism because they said that the BJP Government gave land to corporate houses, but did not give it to the Adivasis and Dalits. For the first time in Gujarat the Dalit resistance has challenged the so-called BJP-RSS-led Gujarat Model, Vibrant Gujarat and developed Gujarat and brought about unity among Dalits and Muslims and other progressive sections.

However, it is unfortunate to note that today the BJP-RSS talk about hyper-nationalism under the garb of the Hindutva ideology which means they want to perpetuate the century-old caste and Varna system. For instance, this can be easily noticed in the BJP-ruled States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh etc.

Both the movements are not guided by any political party, their emergence can be traced to the socio-political contradictions in society. The centre of the movements is not just the question of Dalit identity and dignity but a change in political power, land rights, jobs, and equal distribution of natural resources. One of Unas prominent activists and leaders, Jignesh Mewani, tried to build a new front combining the Dadri and Una incidents to forge a broader movement. He also said: It is time to move beyond social justice and talk of livelihood issues not just for Asmita; instead the fight has to be for Astitva also.

On August 15 in Una a massive Dalit Maha-sammelan took place; this has exposed the so-called Hindutva politics. On a massive scale almost 20,000 people from the marginalised communities, particularly Dalits, gathered and protested against the rapidly increasing vigilan-tism of the Gau Rakshak Dal in Una (Gujarat). At a rally organised by the Dalit Atyachar Ladai Samiti, Dalits took the oath of not continuing with the age-old practice of manual scavenging; and they also refused to remove the carcasses of dead cows. Jignesh Mevani became a leader of the Una movement. Durng this movement, slogans such as Una Aazadi Koch demand with Modi sarkar down down! Gujarat model down down and Gaaye nu puchhdu taame rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo (You keep the cows tail, give us our land) were raised by the protesters.

For the last three years crimes against Scheduled Castes (SC) have been increasing day by day. According to the National Crime Control Bureau statistics of 2014, a total of 951 cases were registered in connection with crimes against Dalits and these included murder, rape, kidnapping and abduction, robbery etc. According to the National Crime Control Bureau, the official data on crime against Dalits reveals that there was a surge of 17.1 per cent in Dalit atrocities in 2013 as compared to 2012. The increasing number was even more dramatic between 2013 and 201419.4 per cent. Also in the BJP-ruled States such as Gujarat, Chhattis-garh and Rajasthan, the National Commission for Schedule Castes has rightly documented and reported the highest rates of crimes against Scheduled Castes in 2015. The data show an almost 40 per cent increase in incidents of crime against Dalits across India between 2011 and 2014. In the State-wise report on crime against Dalits in 2015, Gujarat stood at the first place with a total number of 6655 cases (163.3 per cent); similarly another BJP-ruled State, Chhattisgarh, appeared at the second place with a total number of 3008 cases (91.1 per cent) and Rajasthan came third with 7144 (58.5 per cent).

In a similar vein, after Rohiths suicide students formed a Joint Action Committee for Social Justice at the University of Hyderabad (JAC) demanding a Rohith Act; the demand was made by members of the JAC for Social Justice. The Rohith Act has been implemented and it will ensure legislative protection for students from marginalised societies in higher educational institutions. There is also the need to implement the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act; this was amended recently for the inclusion of new offences and establishment of exclusive special courts to ensure speedy justice to victims of marginalised communities.

However, crime and discrimination against Dalits is rising despite more stringent laws. Also there is lack of political will and lack of democrati-sation of the police and judiciary. The reacurrence of Dalit atrocities connotes a larger ideological background that is attached to it. To counter Dalit atrocities, a powerful ideological resistance movement needs to be built up and streng-thened. Dalit resistance is not to defend the individual identity alone, facets of it resonate with universal human values.

In this respect, a noted academician has recognised the Dalit movement as a demo-cratic revolution. Indian democracy constitu-tionally acknowledges all kinds of provisions to safeguard the interests of the marginalised communities. Despite the scholarly acceptance of the Dalit move-ment as a fully democratic movement and the institutional provisions enshrined in the Consti-tution of India, the state is prominently seen as having failed to deliver citizens rights to the oppressed communities, particularly Dalits. And this invokes a sense of socio-economic alienation. The progressive state apparatuswhich includes civil society, political parties, so-called pressure groups and judiciary etc.has also not substan-tially contributed to the annihilation of caste and the communal Hindutva fascist forces. Several scholarly studies, apart from institutional reports on the violence against oppressed communities and caste-based discrimination, reveal the fact that such violence has increased over the years rather than going down. This puts a question-mark over the credibility of the state and its idea of democracy.

Before concluding, it is pertinent to remember that what the organic intellectual and political philosopher, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, had said about revolution is still relevant. According to him, for a successful revolution it is not enough that there is discontent. What is required is a profound and thorough conviction of the justice, necessity and importance of political and social rights. It is high time that the new Dalit resistance employs political and philosophical imagination in the political struggle to annihilate caste with socio-economic justice as Ambedkar thought of during his life-time. Una and Rohith have given a new impetus and dimension to the social movement to demolish Hindutva and the brahminical fascist forces. In my view, this has the potential of a radical social transformation and constructing an egalitarian society in the long run.

Dr Sanjay Kumar is currently pursuing research on Black Consciousness in Africa at the Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Mayawati set to Return in Uttar Pradesh

Six months prior to the 2017 Assembly elections the battle for power in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh was seen as between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is presently ruling at the Centre. The BJPs chances had slightly dwindled after its State Vice-President Daya Shankar Singh made some inappropriate comments against the Dalit leader of the BSP. At this point the Samajwadi Party, the party presently in power, was predicted to be out of the race.

Then after a series of melodramatic incidents in his family Akhilesh Yadav was catapulted from the status of half-Chief Minister to a full Chief Minister and the sole leader of the party. Earlier he was often taunted to be half in the four-and-a-half Chief Ministers UP had, his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, uncle Shivpal Yadav, another uncle Ram Gopal Yadav and senior leader Azam Khan being the four full Chief Ministers. There was an impression that since Mulayam Singh was publicly taking the side of his brother Shivpal, the party cadres would remain loyal to Shivpal if it came to choosing between him and Akhilesh. However, Akhilesh proved everybody wrong and now is the undisputed claimant to the office of chief ministership on behalf of the Samajwadi Party with Shivpal and even Mulayam having been marginalised. The State has witnessed a silent coup by a serving ruler who has been able to unshackle himself now.

There is a perception in the society that this was a drama masterly scripted and directed by Mulayam Singh to end all challenges to his son from within and outside the party. There is no doubt that Akhilesh has emerged as a mature leader improving upon his please-all but weak image prior to the drama. The additional gain was free publicity in terms of the space taken up by the family controversy in the media to compete with the hi-tech campaign of his opponents.

Akhilesh Yadav started making public pronouncements even while the controversy was on that he would be able to win over 300 seats if he were to have an alliance with Congress party, the fourth contender for power. It is unusual for a bigger party to seek alliance with a smaller party, in terms of number of seats the two parties were expected to win. Whether it was the strategist, Prashant Kishore, working behind-the-scenes or the understanding that it would make easier for Muslims to choose between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and their alliance, Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi finally struck an alliance and immediately they were in the race for power.

Now the BJP has slipped to the third place and the question is: who would finish first, the BSP or the SP-Congress alliance? The Muslims have belied the hopes of the SP-Congress and chosen the BSP as an instrument to decisively defeat the BJP. The uncertainty in the SP till the last moment before the elections made them take an early decision to support the BSP this time. Mayawati has not spared any efforts to get Muslims to her side by reassuring them that she will not enter into an alliance with the BJP at any cost to form the government. In the event of the BSP falling short of a majority by some seats it is quite likely that the Congress will break its alliance with the SP and offer support to it. Rahul Gandhi has already indicated that he respects Mayawati as the leader of Dalits.

The reason the BSP has an edge over the SP-Congress alliance is due to an allegation against the SP that it did not do anything to prevent the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar in which Muslims were clearly the losers. The President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Asduddin Owaisi, has claimed that there was no difference between Gujarat in 2002 and Muzaffarnagar in 2013. About 50,000 people, mostly Muslims, were displaced from their villages; many of them have not been able to return.

Akhilesh Yadav failed to prevent communal and criminal incidents, some of them involving his Ministers, and thus the rule of law did not always prevail in his regime. He was, however, forthcoming in disbursement of compensation after the incidents as a relief to the families of victims. Hell go down in history as a compensation Chief Minister. He overdid the act and also gave awards to people who were openly flouting important laws like the Right to Free and Compulsory Education of Children. Bharti Gandhi, the owner of the largest commercial chain of schools in Lucknow, the City Montessori School, received honours from the State after she and her husband, Jagdish Gandhi, refused admission to children from the disadvantaged Valmiki community of sanitation workers on an official order. After 13 children from this community were admitted by a court order in 2015, the Gandhis refused to again admit 58 students in 2016.

On the other hand the BJP is suffering from the setback of change of big denomination notes. UP is not like the home State of the Prime Minister. In Gujarat people may not have an option and tolerate any inconvenience to them. But people in UP have been irritated by the ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes because of the inconvenience it caused them. Long queues and repeated visits to banks has been a humiliating experience for many. Moreover, the purpose of the exercise doesnt seem to have been fulfilled. Narendra Modis closeness with the Emirs of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, when he and his party and parent organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, are avowedly anti-Muslim, is perplexing.

Because of the listless performances of Akhilesh Yadav in UP and Narendra Modi at the Centre, it appears that people are not averse to giving another chance to Mayawati, who had dealt with law and order and communal situations with a heavy hand in the past, something which goes in her favour at this point.

Noted social activist and Magsaysay awardee Dr Sandeep Pandey is the Vice-President of the Socialist Party (India). He was elected to this post at the founding conference of the party at Hyderabad on May 28-29, 2011.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > BJP and UP Elections

EDITORIAL

It is a foregone conclusion by close observers of the national political scene that in the ongoing elections for the Assembly of the countrys most populous StateUttar Pradeshthe ruling party at the Centre, the BJP, will not able to repeat the landslide victory that it was able to register in the Lok Sabha polls in mid-2014, that is, roughly two-and-a-half years ago. The party had then bagged as many as 71 out of the States 80 Lok Sabha seats and its ally two more making the NDAs total tally in UP 73, something that was literally unbelievable to any dispassionate analyst including this writer.

This time, however, the situation is different. As The Times of India has cautiously noted in today editorial On A Knife Edge:

The BJP is relying heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modis charisma once again to pull off this election for them. While Modi is no doubt a potent factor, his campaign could be less effective than 2014 because incumbency has set in with the NDA at the Centre for three years, and this is a local election where the BJP is not projecting any chief ministerial candidate or a strong State-level leadership. And there may be a headwind from demonetisation.

The editorial concludes with the observation:

With identity politics enjoying a field day the outcome is likely to be fractured and even a hung Assembly shouldnt come as a surprise.

Even Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in an interview to a national TV channel, has conceded the support behind the SP-Congress alliance but for which, he claims, the BJP under Modi would have easily crossed the 300-seat mark.

But UP is not only Indias most populous State. It is larger and more diverse than many countries, as the aforementioned TOI editorial asserts. That is precisely why at different phases of polling in the State one was exposed to different reportsthat the Modi-Amit Shah juggernaut was not having the desired effect, that the SP-Congress alliance had rejuvenated not just the secular forces but the anti-BJP opposition among the public as a whole, and evenwhat the media was trying to painstakingly suppress for reasons it alone knows bestthat the BSP might emerge as the single largest party when the results come out. However, to be safe it would not be prudent to hazard a specific guess at this moment especially when the contest is so close to make any substantive forecast.

Yet some pointers are unmistakable and these have been already noted and commented upon by sections of the media. For example, Narendra Modis speech at a campaign rally in Fatehpur on February 19. As The Indian Express underlined yesterday (February 21), the PM accused UPs

SP government of bhedbhaav or discrimination on the basis of religion and caste, and suggested that it was the biggest problem facing the State today. If there is a kabristan (graveyard) in a village, the PM said, then it must have a shamshan ghat (cremation ground) too. If there is electricity during Ramzan, it should be there on Diwali as well; if there is electricity during Holi, it should be there on Eid too.... the PMs message was clear. It was this: By building graveyards, or by making special provisions to reach electricity to Muslim neighbourhoods on festival days, the SP Government is indulging in policies of minority appeasement... Policies favouring the minority are inevitably at the expense of the majoritys needs and interests. Both the PMs choice of examples, and his message, are unfortunate. .. Halfway into the campaign for UP  the staging ground for political trends and experiments that have resonated nationally  he paints the electoral contest as a dark and grimy tug of war between communities, denuded of concerns, ideas and hopes that are transcendent and shared.

It further boldly affirmed:

the PMs slogan of sabka saath, sabka vikas  which he reiterated in Fatehpur  can also be accused of perpetuating injustice if, in a society of deeply entrenched and historically embedded inequalities, it does not make space within itself for a specific and special outreach to minorities and the disprivileged.

What is more, it unequivocally pointed out:

In UP, the BJP list of candidates figures not a single Muslim. In such a context, the PMs attempt in Fatehpur to elevate discrimination as an overriding theme is troubling. It neither behoves the PM nor his office.

We are of course not carefully dissecting the PMs speech here. We are also not lamenting why a PM misuses his office to make such statements. We are only bringing into focus the fact that Modis latest reliance on pronouncements to effect communal polarisation manifests a sense of isolation on the part of the BJP. This is reflected also in what a prominent BJP leader from UP now in Modis Union Cabinet, Kalraj Mishra, has said: Muslims are in a quandary whether to go with BSP or SP....If Muslim votes get divided, our prospects get even better. This is a sign of desperation to catch any straw that comes the BJPs way, not one of confidence.

The final outcome on March 11 will bring out the ground reality. Whatever the result, it is bound to put paid to the ambitious dreams of the ruling party at the Centre. The UP electorate will certainly have the last laugh.

February 22 S.C.
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Theres no doubt that Tokyo is a hub of interesting sights, massive shopping districts, and a dream for every serious foodie. However, if youve visited the city before, you might be itching to take a day trip or two away from the hustle and bustle of the modern metropolis, its criss-crossing subway lines, and the stifling skyscrapers.

With plenty of great outlying locations just a train ride away, it isnt at all inconvenient to slip locations like Yokohama (Japans second largest city) and Kamakura into your travel itinerary.

Head up to the gallery to familiarise yourself with these easy side trip destinations  theyre well worth a visit if youre thinking of heading to Tokyo on your next vacation.

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images

Read more:

Clear & Bright: 9 Japanese beauty secrets to achieve your most radiant skin

Land of the Rising Sun: 6 Reasons to visit Japan in 2016

Bizarre Beauty: 8 Japanese beauty gadgets that make you do a double take
Peak American Wealth  Revisited

Lets see. On February 18, I wrote an essay called Not Nearly Enough Growth To Keep Growing, in which I said ..the Automatic Earth has said for many years that the peak of our wealth was sometime in the 1970s or even late 1960s.

That provoked a wonderfully written reaction from long-time Automatic Earth reader Ken Latta, which I published on February 23 as When Was Americas Peak Wealth?. Ken put peak wealth sometime in the late 50s to early 60s. As I said then, I really liked his definition of wealth as being best measured by the capacity to be utterly wasteful. The article spawned a series of nice comments, for some reason largely by people in his age bracket (Kens 73).

Which is nice, but it poses as many questions as it provides answers. Like: why does the Automatic Earth have so many older readers? Should that be a reason for worry? And also: why dont the young react in equal numbers? Dont younger Americans have as many ideas as the generation(s) before them about when Americas peak wealth might have occurred?

Must one have been an eye-witness to the decline to know that it happened? Do only old farts ponder these things? Are there lessons to be learned, be they personal or history-wide? Interesting, all of it, if you ask me. Do younger people not acknowledge that peak wealth is behind us, and perhaps occurred before they were even born? Me, I like history lessons, and Kens for sure.

Tomorrow, Ill have another take on all this written by Charles A. Hall, Emeritus Professor at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. Charlie thinks neither Ken nor myself have given nearly enough attention to the role energy plays in wealth, and the peak thereof.

But first, heres Ken Lattas response to the comments on his article.

Ken Latta: The responses to my article on peak wealth were so thought-provoking that a follow-up article seemed appropriate. You cant cover the history of the world in one blog post and I appreciate the additional ideas from the commentariat.

John Day: I remember 1969 as better than 1970. That first moon landing was a real high point for all of us. Everybody thought 1971 sucked. Things were different after November 1963. LBJ was a sonofabitch, as he put it. Its hard to nail a year down, but after we lost our president, things were never the same.

John Day: Reminded us of a substantial breaking point the assassination of John Kennedy represented to the flow of history. But, history has its own problems. The finer details are oh so often swamped by a popular narrative. JFK was way more beloved dead than alive. Like Trump he could draw big crowds, but he very narrowly beat Nixon. Detractors favored referring to him as weak on foreign affairs.

I clearly recall were I was when the news came in about him being shot in Dallas. I was hanging out with some of my squadron mates in our team office when our Captain came by to inform us. He was African-American and clearly disturbed by it. It was much less concerning to the enlisted ranks. He had not been popular with most of us. It was a divided nation even then. I think his mourners should not forget that JFK presided over the early stages of the Viet-Nam adventure. With Green Berets and meddling in the South Viet-Nam governments affairs, as is our custom.

It was just another case of his bad luck really. The American War on Viet-Nam could have happened to Eisenhower. My older brother was staged in a Korean Port waiting for orders to board a troop ship for transport to what was then still usually known as French Indo-China to support the French Army in their losing battle against the Viet Minh. But, Ike was a fairly sensible man and called it off.

V. Arnold: Wow, great thread. Im 72 and was there also; I remember it pretty much as you tell it. Id agree with your time-line also as to when peak wealth occurred. The beginning of the downturn was very late in the 50s/early 60s with our war in Vietnam and then; Nixon going off the gold standard. That allowed the next chapter of crony capitalism. I attribute an accelerating deterioration to Friedman and his Chicago School of Economics and the age of the neo-liberal. Dont forget Reagan; I felt the effects of his union busting first hand with stagnant wages until I retired over seas in 2007. I hope to read more of your writings from time to time. Cheers.

V. Arnold: Wrote very derogatory words about Uncle Miltie Friedman and the Chicago School of Terror. For that I salute him or her. Hell is too good for Milton and his apostles.

Forget Reagan? Not as long as I live. I also remember where I was when he was declared the next president. Sitting in the nicest bar in the little mountain town of Boulder Creek, Ca, nursing a drink. The bar was crowded and broke into loud celebration at the news. All I could think of was how f**king doomed we were. How I wish I had been wrong.

Hotrod: Thank you for your thought provoking article. I sometimes look at the health of the surviving car companies after WWII as a bellwether to the shape of the economy. Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, Packard all were struggling mightily by the mid 50s. For the farming community the peak was about 1952. After the post war demand had been met, and greatly exceeded, farming declined into a real recession during the middle and late 50s and never was quite the same. Since then, machinery and technology, mostly purchased on credit, has kept production up and prices down for farmers, typically at or below the cost of production. Many of these labor saving and production enhancing tools stand unused, but are still being paid for. The only exception to this situation is massive drought, or massive flooding which can temporarily insert profitability to those not affected.

Hotrod: Reminisced on the tribulations of many car makers [Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, Packard], some of them long established, in the early 1950s. I remember that too. I think a substantial part of their problems probably stemmed from not having enough dealerships. People were traveling more and wanted reassurance that a dealer with parts and experienced mechanics would be available in the next town. I think it actually surprising that those companies lasted as long as they did. Actually Nash and I think it was Packard merged to become American Motors and lasted another three decades.

He (my assumption) also mentioned farming and its trials. Farming is not the easy route to riches. The compensation has always been that if you hadnt pledged your feal to the Lord of a Manor or signed up to be a share cropper, you were your own boss.

The late 40s thru early 50s were pretty good on our farm. When I was a little tike, we had an already ancient Macormick-Deering 10-20 tractor and a team of draught horses. My eldest brother having been told of his tour of northern and central Europe under the guidance of a man named Patton, wrote to dad asking him to take the money he had been sending home and buy a new tractor. All dad could find at a local dealer was a Minneapolis-Moline as they were about the only company allowed to build tractors during the war.

Many of them were shipped to England to help the British increase their food production. That was the only brand new tractor our family has ever owned right up to this day. My nephew still has it, but its in bits and pieces now. By around 1950 we were fully mechanised. Shortly after dad died in 1959, my brother rented out the land got himself a factory job. The prices of equipment steadily increased. The value of crops did not.

Crop prices did increase substantially about a decade ago, but not nearly enough to pay for new equipment unless you operated a very large farm. And more recently crops have declined in value again. I think a lot of farmers are in trouble.

Patricia: I am worried. Everybody who comments here is in their 70s as I am. Is that because we have more time to reflect and write down our thoughts or is it because the youth of today arent interested in anything except Facebook? If that is the case then I am so glad I am at the end of my life but what about my darling grandchildren.

Patricia: Expressed concern over whether the prevalence here of geezers was due to us having too much time on our hands or the youth having no time for anything except Facebook. Based on my own family, I can say that their devotion to Facebook is tempered by addiction to gaming. I mean video not casino. I think we can say that Patricia is right on both counts.

I too feel a certain gratitude for having been born during the war years with the expectation that I may be expired before the ordure collides with the air circulator. We oldies do have a psychological quandary with regard to our descendants. Knowing as we do that its coming. I too have grandchildren and a great grandchild. I desperately wanted to make them aware and try to offer some guidance.

What I learned was that they are at least vaguely aware of the looming threats and dont want to hear more about it. They know there isnt really much they can do about it. I think they believe that when it happens they will just do what they can to deal with it. All things considered (apologies to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, I wonder if that program is still on) that is probably about the best attitude any of us can have.

What bothers me most about our youth is what they dont seem to know. Im talking about the kinds of knowledge that will likely be very useful when things get stinky. Larding debt onto the kids so they could go to college and learn computer science, physics, art history and how to be a social justice warrior was probably to their detriment.

I dont exactly know what would be absolutely best for them to know, but Im pretty sure it isnt those kinds of things. I tend to believe that it will be good to know, as examples, how to shoot, how to fish, how to tell the difference between weeds and food, how to loosen rusted bolts and how to turn hemp into rope in addition to dope.

By Raul Ilargi Meijer

Website: http://theautomaticearth.com (provides unique analysis of economics, finance, politics and social dynamics in the context of Complexity Theory) 2017 Copyright Raul I Meijer - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Raul Ilargi Meijer Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Updated: With comment from Hasbro

EAST LONGMEADOW -- Play-Doh will soon be manufactured at the Cartamundi plant in East Longmeadow, toymaker Hasbro told the Wall Street Journal.

Hasbro sold the East Longmeadow plant to Cartamundi in 2015, but the 1.2 million square foot plant still manufactures Hasbro board games like Sorry!, Clue, Life, Risk, Monopoly and and Candy Land under contract.

The factory, which now makes toys and games for other companies as well, has about 350 employees.

Hasbro told the Journal that Cartamundi will soon hire 20 people to in order to start making Play-Doh in the second half of this year.

The plant was built between 1963 and 1965 by the former Milton Bradley Co. and sold to Hasbro in 1984.

Play-Doh was invented in Cincinnati in the 1950s. For a time, Hasbro made Play Dow in the East Longmeadow plant. But Hasbro hasn't made it in the United States since 2004, using instead factories in Turkey and in China.

But demand for the modeling clay has increased 20 percent a year each year for five years. Hasbro said it needs US production to meet demand.

Play Doh, which has been produced in China and Turkey since 2004, is bringing domestic production back to East Longmeadow in 2017, thanks to increased U.S. demand. (Republican File Photo)

Hasbro executives told the Journal that their plans have nothing to do with President Donald Trumps plans to bring US manufacturing to the United States.

Play-Doh is made of flour, water, salt, boric acid, and mineral oil and was first developed to clean wallpaper.

According to Hasbro, if you made a big ball of all the Play Doh Compound ever created, it would weigh more than 700 million pounds.

Hasbro spokeswoman Julia Duffy said Monday that the decision to create Play Doh production capacity in East Longmeadow was the result of a regular review of the toymaker's global supply chain. Hasbro doesn't own any manufacturing capabilities, instead relying on suppliers like Cartamundi.

"Given the growth of our North American business and the Play-Doh brand, we are creating plans to bring some of the production of Play Doh to the US by the second half of 2018," she wrote. "Play-Doh has grown into one of Hasbro's most international and successful brands. 2016 was the brand's fifth straight year of growth and our largest year for play Doh ever.

Cartamundi makes 30 million Hasbro games a year.

Hasbro likes having game production stateside because it needs a quick turnaround time. if a title is selling well headed into the all-important holiday season, the East Longmeadow plant can have more games on the shelves in a matter of weeks.
AGAWAM -- Look on the shelves at a hardware store or home center.

If it's a warehouse-type place, also look up at the commercial roof covering the store.

You'll see products from Agawam's OMG Inc. in both places.

The 36-year-old company, originally known as Olympic Manufacturing, makes screws, washer plates, vents, metal edges, adhesives and construction equipment for commercial flat roofs like those over factories and big box retailers. OMG also makes FastenMaster, a line of screws for residential decks that contractors can hide, giving the finished deck a better appearance. OMG sells FastenMaster at lumber yards and hardware stores around the country, with contractors as the primary customers.

It all adds up to about a billion screws a year.

"That's actually small in our industry," said Hubert T. McGovern, company president. "We aren't competing for the business making all these drywall screws holding up the walls. We don't do commodity screws. We work in a very specific niche market."

Some OMG screws are as long as two feet, long enough to fasten a roof through layers of insulation.

And, with an ongoing expansion, it'll do more of the work making its products here in Agawam, with more employees doing the manufacturing.

"We're committed," McGovern said. "We are committed to our workforce and we need our people if we are to grow."

And to grow its staff -- if OMG can find the workers it needs.

OMG is nearing completion on a $15 million expansion to add heat-treating equipment to its manufacturing operation in Agawam. The heat treating plant will go on top of manufacturing, warehousing and administrative capabilities already located on Bowles Road. The company even has a wind tunnel in Agawam for testing its roofs in simulated storms.

The heat-treating equipment, $10 million of which is already in place, will be able to harden about 80 percent of the 100,000 pounds of screws OMG makes in an average day. Those screws have to get up to 1,000 degrees and then get quenched in a bath of oil in order to take on the appropriate strength, said Kevin Walters, project manager for the heat treating operation.

Today, OMG sends its screws out to be heat treated by other companies. That's several tractor trailers coming and going every day to plants up and down the east coast.

"That is why it takes days to weeks to get our product processed," Walters said.

The first of the new equipment will be up and running in about a month, after which OMG will do most of its own heat treating.

"We can serve our customers more quickly," Walters said. "More rapidly."

The factory will still make the screws from steel wire, adding points, heads and the threading. Those screws will be loaded win bins tagged with a coded card.

Then bins will arrive in the heat treating room, where workers will shoot the zebra code on a tag with a laser scanner, just like a clerk would while checking out a customer at a store.

"That tells us what recipe we are using," Walters said. "How long and how hot."

The bins will automatically travel to the right machine and dump in the screws. Then the cart picks them up and takes them to the next step in the process.

Once completed, the line will have five heat-treating machines, plus machines for quenching in oil, tempering and washing.

OMG has already hired nine full-time employees for the heat treatment unit. The company will need a total of 25 people to staff it.

That doesn't count the 15 or so other open positions at OMG, which has struggled in recent years to attract qualified candidates for manufacturing jobs despite an aggressive package of pay and benefits and a lot of recruiting.

"Our HR staff, it's their job to go out and get people," McGovern said. "And they work hard."

OMG said it matches salaries based on surveys of similar employers across the country. To stay competitive, OMG also offers a benefits package that includes paid time off coming in the door, a company match on 401k contributions, a wellness program with both financial and physical fitness elements, tuition reimbursement, health, life and disability insurances, and paid holidays. OMG estimates that these benefits on average represent about 25 percent of an individual's annual base pay.

The nonsupervisory heat treatment positions typically pay in the range of $16 to $22 and hour.

McGovern said fewer people today think of manufacturing careers. OMG wants to raise its profile to get on people's radar.

"I doubt there isn't a manufacturer in the U.S. who doesn't have the same problem," said Robert D. Murphy, senior vice president of supply chain management at OMG.

McGovern said OMG now does its own training in house. "We look for people with mechanical aptitude and we train them ourselves," he said.

The Agawam plant has about 350 employees out of the company's total of 530. Other, smaller, plants are in Addison, Illinois, with about 50 employees; Ashville, North Carolina, with 50; Charlotte, North Carolina, with 15; and Rockford, Minnesota, where there are 10 to 15 employees. There also are warehouses across the country, as well as in Canada, China and in the Netherlands.

OMG is owned by Handy & Harman Ltd., a publicly traded company whose other businesses range from meat cutting, fish processing and deli equipment to precious metals.
Changes at Bradley International Airport

Passenger airplanes at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. January 21, 2015. (Michael S. Gordon / The Republican)

(Repubublican File Photo)

WINDSOR LOCKS -- United Airlines will fly nonstop to San Francisco from Bradley Intentional Airport, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Monday.

It's a seasonal service, beginning June 8, 2017 and running through Sept. 5.

The new San Francisco flights realize a long-held goal of Bradley and the Connecticut Airport Authority to add more West Coast service. The airport already had flights to Los Angeles.

United will fly to San Francisco with a 128-seat Airbus 319. The outbound flight will leave Bradley at 6:30 a.m. EST and arrive at San Francisco International at 9:46 a.m. PST. The return flight will depart San Francisco International at 10:30 p.m. PST, with an arrival at Bradley at 6:53 a.m. EST.

"It is undeniable that we are witnessing a period of significant growth at Bradley International Airport with the addition of yet another nonstop route to another major hub," Governor Malloy said in a news release. "What I hope everyone understands with these ongoing developments is that adding more airlines and more routes opens the door for increased economic opportunities for business travelers who see Hartford as a destination where their companies can do business with even more convenience."

The announcement also continues a trend of Bradley adding flights:

"This is exactly why I pushed for the creation of the Connecticut Airport Authority several years ago, because we see Bradley as a key economic driver in our region," Malloy's statement continued. "We will continue utilizing the airport as yet another resource to grow jobs and increase business activity in Connecticut."

Bradley has also added amenities including an Escape Lounge first-class area, a Phillips Seafood restaurant, a duty-free shop, a Customs and Border Protection Global Entry enrollment center, and a mothers' nursing room. In the coming months, a Two Roads Brewery Tap Room is also scheduled to open at the airport.
James Taylor at Tanglewood, July 4, 2014 (Hilary Scott).JPG

James Taylor performs at Tanglewood on July 4, 2014

(Hilary Scott | BSO photo)

James Taylor will return to Tanglewood this summer with two show slated for July.

Taylor will perform in the Koussevitzsky Music Shed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. Both performances will begin at 8 p.m. Fireworks will follow the July 4 performance.

Tickets for the concerts are priced from $108 (shed) to $27 for the lawn and go on sale March 6 at 10 a.m. through the venue website at tanglewood.org or by calling (888) 266-1200.

Taylor has appeared at Tanglewood 25 times since his first performance there in 1974.

He will also play Boston this summer with an Aug. 11 date slated for Fenway Park.
Faye Dunaway,Warren Beatty

Faye Dunaway, left, and Warren Beatty present the award for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES -- It was one of the most awkward moments in the history of the Oscars, of television, in entertainment, heck maybe in American history.

And somehow Warren Beatty, Hollywood's ultimate smooth leading man, was at the center of it.

The producers of "La La Land" were nearly done with their acceptance speeches for Best Picture, the Oscar broadcast's credits sequence about to roll, when a stir of whispers began on stage. Moments later "La La Land" producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone and said "Moonlight won Best Picture" and insisting that "this is not a joke."



The collective jaw of the crowd at the Dolby Theatre -- and of America -- remained dropped long after they became convinced it was no joke, but what academy historians later called an apparently unprecedented Oscar error.



Beatty returned to the mic and amid silence, explained that he had opened the envelope and he was confused when it read "Emma Stone, La La Land." He had shown it to co-presenter Faye Dunaway briefly, as though he wanted her to read it, which she did, apparently assuming the Emma Stone part was off but the "La La" part correct.



"It's one of the strangest things that's ever happened to me," Beatty said backstage. "Thank God there were two of us up there."



Dunaway then asked him, "Who else should I tell?"



"Everybody," he said.



At that point, a security guard tried to take the real envelope and Beatty said, "Security is not getting this. I'm giving it to Barry Jenkins," the director of "Moonlight." Beatty also refused to show it to anyone else.



ABC News, tweeting about the ceremony broadcast on its network, said the envelope held by Beatty read, "Actress in a leading role."

The mistake was being investigated by the academy, which had no immediate comment.

Here is a video of the awkward moment when the mistake was announced:

Watching the #Oscars producers slowly tell the #LaLaLand team they didn't win Best Picture is WILD. Keep your eyes on the background pic.twitter.com/3TRUWZAMjH  Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 27, 2017

PwC, formerly known as Price Waterhouse Coopers, is the accounting firm that counts votes and provides winner envelopes for the Oscars and has done so for more than 80 years.



When the firm's representatives realized the mistake, they raced onstage to right it, but too late, officials told The Associated Press.

said Beatty and Dunaway "had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred."



The Los Angeles Times reported that Oscars for each category have a duplicate set of envelopes waiting on each side of the stage, apparently to make it easier to distribute them to presenters.

The result of the mistake was a bizarre scene with the entire cast of both movies standing together on stage exchanging sympathetic awkward stares and hugs.



The crowd had to rouse itself from its stunned stupor to try to give "Moonlight" its just due for winning the big award. And as the credits rolled, usually bringing sweet relief after a long night, people appeared hesitant to leave in their disbelief.



"It made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected," a bemused Barry Jenkins, co-writer and director of "Moonlight," said backstage.



"The folks at 'La La Land' were so gracious," he added. "I can't imagine being in their position and having to do that."

Oscars 2017: 'Moonlight' wins for best picture after 'La La Land' mistakenly handed trophy



Filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan, who won a best screenplay award for "Manchester by the Sea," cracked wise backstage: "It turns out that we actually won best picture, which we're really happy about," he said.



The ceremony's chaotic scene immediately raced to the top of all-time Oscar moments, far more stunning than the nude man who raced across the stage in 1974 as part of the "streaking" fad.



And it immediately evoked Steve Harvey's recent gaffe of naming the wrong Miss Universe winner.



The Miss Universe Twitter account quickly let the Oscars know they felt their pain.



"Have your people call our people, we know what to do," the tweet read.

Have your people call our people - we know what to do. #Oscars #MissUniverse  Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) February 27, 2017



That was the beginning of a Twitter pile-on that may be the biggest of all time, with many declaring that "La La Land" won the popular vote while "Moonlight" won the electoral college.



But this stage, and this audience, were far, far bigger and are likely to last far, far longer in collective memory.

The National Desk contributed to this report

.
The manufacturing industry in Montana has experienced a much more robust growth than the industry overall in the U.S. since the Great Recession that started in late 2008.

Between 2009 and 2015, manufacturing employment in Montana grew by 10.9 percent and now employs roughly 23,000 people. In the U.S. overall, manufacturing employment has grown by 4.7 percent.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/business/manufacturing-in-montana-gains-in-productivity-don-t-match-gains/article_f503bac0-db92-5881-83aa-706c4a28dee7.html
A resolution introduced in the state House against selling federal lands or transferring them to Montana met the same fate as a similar measure introduced in the Senate this week, with majority Republicans voting to table the measure.

On Friday, Rep. Virginia Court, D-Billings, brought House Joint Resolution 11 before the House Natural Resources Committee. The resolution, which states a policy position and is not legally binding, recognizes the value of public lands to Montanas economy, recreation, heritage and quality of life, and opposed efforts to claim, take over or sell off those lands.

TOM KUGLIN [email protected]

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.com/business/legislature-kills-second-resolution-opposing-federal-land-transfer-or-sale/article_6d51ac50-27af-5e71-a831-2d8bf5ca4308.html
On a recent Wednesday night, Montana State University channeled its inner Silicon Valley at 406 Labs http://www.montana.edu/launchpad/406labs.html .

A group of startup businesses gathered to present their various ventures  from a rideshare app to a bioengineered toothpick  in front of a crowd in the atrium of Jabs Hall. The startups, six in total, represented the first cohort of 406 Labs, the universitys business accelerator program.

The night was a celebration for several reasons. Not only was it the first group of startups to successfully emerge from 406 Labs, it also represented a win for the accelerator  one of the first of its kind in the state.

By Lewis Kendall Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/business/mini-silicon-the-success-of-bozeman-s-business-accelerator/article_42a1f2f8-037f-5c93-8635-683648de6678.html
The first ever part time web development boot camp classes start on March 7th in Missoula & Helena! With a great cohort in both cities, we are excited to help working professionals keep their day job while picking up the skills to join Montanas growing high tech scene!

Full Class Information: http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=88071635c4c51d5dc08ef06c4&id=893ec7d0a0&e=a18c2207fa
The U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with Transparency Mauritius, organized a National Budget Simulation workshop with the aim to train young leaders on the budget formulation process and the importance of fiscal transparency. The workshop was held at Le Meridien Hotel in Pointe aux Piments.

This workshop followed a three-day webinar and training course held in July 2021 on Improving the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the National Budget. Thirty participants attended the webinar led by Michael Castro, an international consultant from the U.S. with experience in the field of budget transparency, participation, and accountability.

During the workshop, participants had to prepare a mock national budget using tools and techniques from the webinar. Prizes were awarded to the best teams. Dr. Ashok Aubeeluck, former Director of Budget and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and former Head of Economic Research at the Bank of Mauritius, and Brinda Dabysing, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank and Board Member of Transparency Mauritius, acted as mentors for the simulation workshop.

A workbook written by Michael Castro on improving the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the National Budget was also launched during the workshop. The workbook provides a detailed analysis of the budget process in Mauritius and useful insights on how to improve social accountability through problem-driven budget advocacy. The workbook will be distributed to students at the University of Mauritius and the University of Technology.

U.S. Embassy Chargee dAffaires Judes E. DeBaere said, We sincerely hope that this project is a building block toward shaping future Mauritian leaders to become active champions of good governance and transparency for their country. Transparency in how power is exercised, how public resources are spent and how national projects are implemented helps a society thrive and reach its full potential. The United States and Mauritius share the goal of promoting fiscal transparency, and the U.S. Embassy is proud to facilitate this project, led by Transparency Mauritius.

Rajen Bablee, Executive Director of Transparency Mauritius, said, Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies. The why of the budget and its elaborations must be understood and citizens should be equipped to know and empowered to ask questions.

The training, simulation workshop and workbook publication are supported by the U.S. Department of States Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund (FTIF). These grants are part of the U.S. governments longstanding efforts across the world to promote good governance, democracy, and transparency.

Since FTIFs establishment in 2012, the Department of State has awarded approximately $40 million for projects benefitting over 65 countries to enhance budget transparency, advance public financial management, and improve the transparency of licensing and contracting in natural resource extraction.

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Local officials, law enforcement, healthcare providers and mental health advocates came together Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of an expanded behavioral health treatment and crisis center in Lenoir. This center will treat people from Caldwell, McDowell and Alexander counties.

The Caldwell C3 Comprehensive Care Center will primarily serve residents of Caldwell, McDowell and Alexander counties. In addition to existing mental health, substance use and developmental disability outpatient programs, the center now includes a 12-bed crisis stabilization unit for adults, with stays projected to last from five to seven days. New staff members are currently in training, with admissions set to begin in March, according to a news release.

The crisis stabilization unit is designed to offer quality treatment that is closer to home than most inpatient psychiatric facilities, reduce strain on local hospitals and save time for law enforcement officers who transport residents for treatment. Once discharged from the crisis unit, individuals can use the centers outpatient services, such as medication management or counseling, to help achieve and sustain long-term recovery.

The community partners behind Caldwell C3 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday in the new units day room.

Caldwell C3 is a testament to the tenacity and commitment of the community partners in this area, said Brian Ingraham, CEO of lead project partner Vaya Health. This full array of community-based services will dramatically improve the landscape of behavioral healthcare in these counties.

Caldwell C3 is designed to offer support, hope and real options for recovery. Funding and other support was provided by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), Foothills Services, Inc., and Vaya. Key partners include Caldwell County and RHA Health Services, Inc., which operates the facility, as well as local hospitals and law enforcement agencies, according to the news release.

Special guest Jason Vogler, interim senior director of the N.C. Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, called Caldwell C3 an excellent example of community-based treatment envisioned by the states Crisis Solutions Initiative.

It really makes me happy to know we have something here in Lenoir to serve the local community, Vogler said.

The Caldwell crisis facility provides a safe and comfortable environment for individuals who are experiencing a mental illness or substance abuse crisis, said Scott Farmer, NCHFA executive director. This facility is a great example of the type of housing financed by the states Housing Trust Fund.

Also praising the center were Mike La Brose, vice chairman of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners; Rick French, Vayas board chairman who also serves as Alexander County manager and as a Foothills Services board member; Rebecca T. Smith, vice president at Caldwell UNC Healthcare; and Carol Wolfenbarger, president of McDowell Hospital.

Caldwell C3 will have a ripple effect on our communities  we will see a culture change that will lead to greater prevention, earlier intervention and more effective crisis stabilization, said Wolfenbarger.

State Sen. Ralph Hise and state Rep. Josh Dobson were unable to attend Tuesdays ceremony but sent public letters of support, according to the news release.

Hise called the center a landmark addition to the continuum of behavioral healthcare in the three-county area. One of our greatest responsibilities is to ensure access to prevention, early intervention, crisis response and ongoing behavioral healthcare, Hise said in his letter. It is especially rewarding to see a program of this scope come to fruition in our western counties.

This new center provides real hope for recovery, Dobson said in his letter. The expansion of the Caldwell Comprehensive Care Center fills a long standing gap in Caldwell and surrounding counties and will make a positive difference affecting individuals and their families for decades to come.

Gordon J. Simmons, RHA CEO, presided over the official ribbon-cutting and thanked partner organizations.

Vayas support of Caldwell C3 is part of the organizations ongoing Community and Capital Reinvestment Plan, which utilizes cost-savings from effective Medicaid management to enhance treatment options throughout western North Carolina. The center is located at 2415 Morganton Blvd. SW in Lenoir.

Vaya Health manages public funds for mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual or developmental disability services in 23 North Carolina counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.

Access to services and crisis help are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-849-6127. You can learn more at www.vayahealth.com.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a deep convolutional neural network that can diagnose skin cancer by examining images of skin lesions. Skin cancer is the most common human cancer, and one in five Americans will be diagnosed with it at some point in their lives. At present, skin cancer is primarily diagnosed through an initial visual assessment by a dermatologist, with additional biopsies and histopathological assessments if a cancerous lesion is suspected.

During development of their technology, the researchers trained their artificial intelligence system using a dataset of almost 130,000 images of different skin cancers. Impressively, the artificial intelligence system performed as well as a panel of 21 experienced dermatologists in diagnosing some common types of skin cancer, along with melanoma, a particularly deadly form of skin cancer. In the future, this system could be adapted for use on mobile devices, potentially permitting for point of care assessment of skin lesions. The technology could also support dermatologists in making clinical assessments.

Medgadget asked one of the joint lead authors on the study, Andre Esteva, some questions about the research and their plans for the technology.

Conn Hastings, Medgadget: Can you explain how the deep convolutional neural network works, in simple terms?

Andre Esteva: Neural networks are computer algorithms inspired, on a high level, by a rudimentary understanding of how neurons in the human brain work. They are composed of layers of simple computational units, which we call neurons, that perform very basic mathematical functions. When a neural network has multiple layers, we call it deep, and if the data processing from layer to layer involves performing convolutions on the data, we call it a convolutional neural network.

Medgadget: Is misdiagnosis of skin cancer a significant issue at present? What clinical impact do you envisage the technology having? Could it eventually outperform/replace a dermatologist in this context?

Andre Esteva: Our work is in no way intended to replace a dermatologist. Rather, it is intended to enhance them by potentially extending their reach outside of the clinic. Aided by our technology, one dermatologist could provide care for many more patients by using such an algorithm. The misdiagnosis of any cancer is always an issue. Today in America over 5 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.

Medgadget: Congratulations on the performance of the technology against a panel of dermatologists. Were they surprised that the system could match them in terms of accurate diagnoses?

Andre Esteva: Convolutional neural networks have been incrementally improving performance to match humans across a number of tasks, including the ImageNet challenge (a major computer vision competition), playing Atari games, playing Go, and even playing poker. However, all of these tasks either already have massive amounts of data available, or they have the ability to generate massive amounts of data  for instance, the computer can play Go against itself arbitrarily many times. Even though we have (to the best of our knowledge) the largest skin dataset available, it is still orders of magnitude smaller than these other tasks. To perform at the level of a board-certified dermatologist was indeed surprising.

Medgadget: Are there any challenges in adapting the system for use with mobile devices? Do you envisage that it could be incorporated in an app that works in conjunction with a conventional smartphone camera?

Andre Esteva: There are always new challenges when adapting a technology to a new system (such as embedding this algorithm in a mobile device). Given the ubiquity of mobile devices, they could certainly be used to run such algorithms. However, we must stress that these algorithms are not yet ready for mobile device deployment at scale. To achieve that would require a rigorous clinical trial in which we could verify that the performance seen in the paper, where the algorithm is tested on computer images, is also seen in a functioning app, which takes images on actual patients.

Medgadget: Can the technology be applied to other clinical situations that require a visual assessment?

Andre Esteva: There are many medical imaging modalities that could benefit from deep neural networks  our paper highlights several, including radiology and pathology. This would not require an expansion of our current system, but the training of a new one.

Medgadget: Could the system potentially be used to pro-actively monitor a suspect lesion and assist in indicating when it becomes cancerous, rather than just detecting pre-existing cancer?

Andre Esteva: That is one potential application, and we welcome the medical communitys feedback on the best technology system to use our algorithms.

Flashback: Artificial Intelligence System Matches Dermatologists at Skin Cancer Diagnosis
by Chase Martin , February 26, 2017

Wireless connectivity within the Internet of Things may be receiving a boost in speed soon as new efforts launch to implement and leverage 5G connectivity.

Verizon is collaborating with Ericsson and Samsung in the U.S. to roll out 5G connectivity to pilot customers in 11 states within the first half of this year.

The faster speeds of 5G networks are expected to enable real-time wireless communications between Internet-connected devices and ultimately expand the Internet of Things with new capabilities.

"5G technology innovation is rapidly evolving," Adam Koeppe, vice president of network planning at Verizon, said in a statement.

"Network density is increasing to meet the demands of customers, and following the FCC's aggressive action on 5G spectrum, the time is right to deliver the next generation of broadband services with 5G," Koeppe said.

The pilot is expected to begin in April in these cities:

Ann Arbor, MI

Atlanta, GA

Bernardsville, NJ

Brockton, MA

Dallas, TX

Denver, CO

Houston, TX

Miami, FL

Sacramento, CA

Seattle, WA

Washington, D.C.

"The 5G systems we are deploying will soon provide wireless broadband service to homes, enabling customers to experience cost-competitive, gigabit speeds that were previously only deliverable via fiber," stated Woojune Kim, vice president of the Next Generation Business Team at Samsung Electronics.

On the hardware side, Ericsson, Samsung, Intel and Qualcomm have been developing 5G chipsets to enable the high-speed connectivity in smartphones and other IoT devices.

In addition to developing 5G-capable chips for smartphones, Qualcomm also appears to be working to support other areas within the Internet of Things.

For example, the San Diego company is integrating support for Googles Android Things platform in one of its 4G LTE processors.

Integrated 4G LTE, a first for Android Things, combined with our other wireless technologies, brings comprehensive connectivity and capabilities to the Google Cloud Platform, stated Jeffery Torrance, vice president of business development at Qualcomm Technologies.

Developers are now able to create cost-effective, innovative connected devices and applications for both consumer and industrial IoT segments, which will help accelerate and expand the development of the overall IoT ecosystem, Torrance said.

Google recently launched Android Things as an IoT-specific platform aimed at enabling fast and secure creation of IoT devices, as the IoT Daily reported at the time (Google Joins IoT With Android Things).

Qualcomm also recently expanded its push into wireless virtual reality with a new VR headset design and accelerator program for brands to modify and bring their own version of the headset to market.

The headset design is untethered and utilizes inside-out tracking capabilities, which means it behaves similarly to room-scale VR systems like HTCs Vive, but without the need for external sensors in the room. In addition, Qualcomm has teamed up with Leap Motion to integrate hand tracking capabilities into the headset to bring natural hand movement into VR without requiring handheld controllers.

As we deliver the new Snapdragon mobile platform for greater immersion with untethered virtual reality HMDs (Head-Mounted Display), natural user interfaces like hand movements will help consumers more intuitively interact with VR content and transform the consumer experience, Tim Leland, vice president of product management at Qualcomm Technologies, said in a statement.
by Bob Garfield , Featured Columnist, February 27, 2017

First of all -- congratulations to all of the fine films that were named best picture of the year Sunday night. "Moonlight," "La La Land," Miss Colombia, Al Goreyou were all spectacular.

The real winner, though, was the President of the United States, because the stunning Best Picture snafu will forever erase what until that moment had been the overriding theme of the evening: the Trump Repudiation Bandwagon.

From host Jimmy Kimmel to actor Gael Garcia Bernal to Zootopia director Rich Moore to The New York Times commercial, the president got more shade than the patio tables at Nerano and was the consensus winner of Worst Performance in a Tragedy.

There were three reasons for this:

1) Trump is an actual menace to American values and democracy itself. Silence = Death.

2) Celebrities often like to be seen as politically and socially aware artists -- no matter how superficial, vacuous or under-informed they may actually be. (This can become tedious and borderline oppressive, even when you largely agree with the celebrity's politics.. If you've ever seen Team America: World Police, please know I laughed hard when the Tim Robbins and Sean Penn puppets were mowed down.)

3) An audience on the order of 100 million in 225 countries. Now that is a bully pulpit. If you are embarrassed by your President before the entire world, how do you not grab that opportunity? I'm just surprised nobody has ever taken a shot at Bank of America or Comcast. (Meryl Streep: They said 4-hour window and I sat there for three days. Three days!)

But wait. An hour or two earlier, these same celebrities were walking the red carpet answering questions about their clothing, and about their movies, and about the honor of working side by side with whomever, and the even greater honor to be nominated alongside whomever and whatever mindless pabulum ABC and E! could throw at them.

Because the Academy Awards aren't a town hall -- they are a pageant, a chance for all of us little people to gawk and vicariously soak up the glamour of their lives. (Never mind that it's hot, and every actress is starving and Nicole Kidman's heels are killing her and everyone in the room lives in a perpetual simmer of panic because this -- all of this -- is going to go away. Fuckthis is my seat? THIS IS MY SEAT? ROW P?! I HAVE TWO GOLDEN GLOBES!)

All in all, some significant cognitive dissonance at play. An annual tribute to all that is not real, by and for personas that are not real but inhabiting bodies that are, ahem, augmented reality, presuming to weigh in on political affairs that are all too real. Is it inspiring? Is it insipid? Is it self-sacrifice? Is it self-regard? And then there is the question of time and place. Is La La Land the proper venue for this conversation? The winner is? Or the whiner is?

Here I am obliged to look inward.

Since the Trump catastrophe began to coalesce almost two years ago, I have myself used every journalistic venue I could find to shed light on the encroaching darkness.

This includes not just public radio, The New York Times op-ed page, cable news and The Huffington Post, but this very space.

If you look around the immediate vicinity, youll see my essays immersed within news of digital traffic, personnel and account changes, ad tech, audience measurement and so on. Which may also seem a bit out of context.

Some MediaPost readers have been vocal about this, on the grounds of What does his opinion on Donald Trump have to do with media and marketing? It's a fair point, I suppose, so before I return to the Oscars, let me address it.

1) If you don't think Donald J. Trump is a media and marketing story, I have a wall to sell you. He is a creature of the media and a marketing phenomenon such as politics has seldom seen. Repulsive, but phenomenal.

2) He is also a historic threat to the media business, to the First Amendment that protects us and to the very meaning of truth, which I hope is our product. Not to mention net neutrality, which is fixing to disappear along with a lot of other regulatory law-and-order mechanisms that will alter the business landscape dramatically (and for the worse.)

3) This is an opinion column. If you criticize such a thing for being biased, as some have, you are obtuse beyond belief. But unlike some political commentary I can think of, it is argument informed by context, history and documentable evidence -- not alternative facts.

4) If, as I often hear, you don't come to MediaPost to read my tirades, I have splendid advice: Don't read them. This feature is not compulsory. If you do not slog through them, you will be neither taxed nor Tazed. This is not Obamacare; there's no individual mandate.

There. I've gotten that off my chest. But of course, that doesn't let me off the hook. I've just claimed that a business publication focused on digital media is unequivocally the appropriate venue for highly political content, yet I also have made clear that Sean Penn and Tim Robbins give me the heebie-jeebies.

I know that's exactly the effect I'm having on some readers. Why should I get to chime in if I just want movie stars to pipe down? How to reconcile this?

It won't be by calculating the effect. Does anyone think Trump voters will hear the acceptance speech of the "Zootopia" director and suddenly have the scales fall from their eyes?

On the contrary, such politicization is probably more likely to increase resentment of Hollywood elites, alongside the media elites, the "Coastal elites and the pointy-head intellectuals who are not to be trusted because they know things. The powder-blue ACLU ribbons many actors wore, I promise you, are an alt-right hate meme already.

Nothing was said that was particularly novel or illuminating. You could argue that those celebrating immigration, for instance, were belaboring the obvious to all for whom it is obvious and just irritating everyone else. And with all due respect for Kimmel's irony, ridiculing the overrated Meryl Streep, nobody thinks Meryl Streep is overrated.

Probably not even the midnight Tweeter himself. So apart from some chuckles, what did we get?

Ahthat's it. The chuckles. The joke that's funny because we know it's truth. The moment of shared sanity. The opportunity, in one of the few remaining vastly shared cultural experiences in the world, to realize that we aren't crazy. We aren't paranoiac. We aren't alone.

People we respect, or admire, or like, or at least recognize, are expressing the very doubts or worry or rage we feel. They validate us. They give us permission to be disgusted and afraid. And maybe the courage to resist.

So do I want my annual Pageant of Unreality contaminated with the posturing of spoiled celebrities with $50,000 gift bags? Yes, I do. Bring it on. Speak your mind. Empty your heart.

Except for Sean Penn. He should really just shut up.
by Tobi Elkin @tobielkin, February 27, 2017

AOL and mobile data exchange adsquare announced a partnership on Monday to bring adsquares global data from 360 million mobile consumers to the ONE by AOL cross-screen programmatic platform, aiming to improve its targeting in 12 markets. The deal was announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

AOL will use adsquares combination of anonymized data sources from retail purchases, location, mobile advertising IDs, mobile and online usage, and first-party data to offer mobile audience mapping for publishers.

AOL said the data will help connect with its ONE by AOL: Publishers product, which seeks to help publishers improve the value of their inventory by delivering contextually relevant audiences to advertisers. It will also enable advertisers using ONE by AOL: Advertisers to connect with audiences in realtime on mobile devices and across screens.

In addition to the U.S., the partnership extends to markets in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, and Switzerland. The deal also allows AOLs managed media sales teams in those markets to use audience data to optimize mobile campaigns across AOLs owned and operated properties, including The Huffington Post, Engadget, TechCrunch, MAKERS, and Build.

The partnership also extends across Microsoft brands such as MSN and Outlook.com (AOL+MSFT Partnership markets only), and to AOLs mobile in-app advertising platform.

Quality and scale in mobile data is essential. Teaming up with adsquare extends our leadership in these areas, benefiting publishers that can use the data to more effectively merchandize their inventory, as well as advertisers, who can use it to better target audiences across mobile, Alex Timbs, head of data & attribution, AOL International, told Real-Time Daily via email.

Tom Laband, CEO & Co-Founder, adsquare, stated: Mobile is so much more than the most personal channel for targeting customers. Its also the most consistent identifier, and source of a broad set of data.
by Tanya Gazdik , February 26, 2017

The Garage Team Mazda has appointed Erich Funke as chief creative officer.

The agency is a WPP company founded on a partnership with Mazda and oversees the advertising and marketing for Mazda North American Operations. Funkes first day with GTM in Costa Mesa, California will be March 6. Harvey Marco, The Garage Team Mazdas last CCO, reportedly left the agency in late September. He still lists that position as his most recent position on LinkedIn, ending in 2016. Marco has been leading creative at Garage Team since its inception in 2010. Garage Team Mazdas most visible recent work has been the Drivers Life campaign and The Driver in All of Us, a three-minute film profiling both amateur and professional drivers.

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It could not be determined at press time whether the change had been made at the request of the client or else what motivated it. Mazda could not be reached for comment.

WPP says Funke brings integrated creative leadership and award-winning expertise to the agency.

He most recently served as vice president, creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles for 11 years. As an experienced veteran of automotive advertising, Funkes brand-building work has appeared in case studies across the world and has won more than 80 local and international awards.

Funke has worked on campaigns across a variety of accounts including Apple, BMW, Ford, Infiniti, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota. Funke was born in South Africa and started his career at Grey, JWT and TBWA Hunt Lascaris in South Africa where Mazda was one of the first major brands he worked on.

We are delighted to have Erichs creative leadership at GTM, said Michael Buttlar, WPP Mazda global client leader and CEO of GTM, in a statement. As an integrated-team agency, we are equally excited about Erics reputation as an enthusiastic collaborator and skilled team-builder, both with his clients and within his own agency.

Prior to Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles, Funke spent time at FCB Irvine, BBDO Chicago and TBWA\Chiat\Day, also in Los Angeles.

I find Mazda to be an exciting brand with a really authentic and compelling story to tell, says Funke in a statement. I look forward to working with GTM to continue to develop brave ideas for Mazda, big or small, with smart, strategic solutions.

His most recent initiatives at Saatchi include leading the Toyota Camry creative launch. He also helped orchestrate the creative in 2012 in which a Toyota Tundra towed the retired Space Shuttle Endeavour to its ultimate resting place, which won awards worldwide including four Cannes Golds, two Golds at The One Show, and five Golds and a Platinum effectiveness award at the AMEs.

Throughout my career, I have believed in effective solutions and to this end, have skillfully adapted to the clients individual needs, Funke writes in his online bio. I'm a strong believer in developing 360-degree communications built on ideas rather than just executions and have created advertising across all media from publishing books, to staging events, to creating digital platforms, content, as well as TV, poster, print, radio and sponsorship. And although I will admit I'm probably the worst Facebook friend ever, because I flit in, and flit out, I navigate brands through the digital space using social media with great success.
by Tanya Gazdik , February 27, 2017

Hyatt Hotels is launching a campaign that includes the first TV spot on behalf of the companys full portfolio of brands in nearly a decade.

Themed For a World of Understanding, the spot features the timeless (and perhaps, very timely) song What the World Needs Now Is Love, performed by Grammy nominated artist and songwriter Andra Day. The song was written and composed by the iconic team of Hal David and Burt Bacharach and first released in 1965.

Created by MullenLowe, the 60-second spot was filmed earlier this year in Thailand, Morocco and Spain, and explores how people from different cultures and countries unite through simple human connections. A 30-second version debuted Sunday night during the politically charged Academy Awards. It features a series of personal vignettes that speak to the power of understanding.

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On March 1, Hyatt Hotels will officially launch World of Hyatt, the companys new global platform to build and engage a community of travelers around the idea of understanding. It reflects Hyatts purpose and reaffirms its commitment to building genuine and trusted experiences and engaging its community of loyalists in a way that is meaningful to them, according to the company.

The work on World of Hyatt was driven by a simple insight about the human heart -- that the greatest longing is to know and be known, to understand and be understood, said Maryam Banikarim, global chief marketing officer, Hyatt, in a release. This platform is about the power of a little understanding. Listening, noticing each other, extending a thoughtful gesture -- can make all the difference. This is how we connect on a deeper level  to inspire irrational loyalty.

The global campaign will extend across TV, digital, social, out-of-home, in-hotel, print, and events throughout 2017 with an emphasis on the United States, China and India. Hyatt also turned to the Hyatt family to bring its story to life. Hyatt colleagues around the world wore Spectacles by Snap Inc. to offer a perspective of the world through their eyes. Their stories have been woven together and will be shared internally and externally through social media and other channels.

We knew there was a great opportunity to not only craft something very honest, authentic and true to the Hyatt brand but also create something resonant at a time when the world really needs it, said Tim Vaccarino, executive creative director, MullenLowe, in a release. Its the small things that can have an amazing impact, things everyone is capable of; a knowing glance, a smile, an outstretched hand. These things transcend race, language and culture.

A new loyalty program also will go live on March 1. There are more tiers and more ways to earn status. The tier names -- Discoverist, Explorist, Globalist -- reflect the aspirations of members as they travel and expand their world.

Also as part of the campaign, Hyatt is collaborating with AFAR, a company that was founded on the notion that travel brings about understanding, which will allow World of Hyatt a way to engage guests beyond traditional hotel stays. The two are preparing an immersive once in a lifetime excursion to Tokyo.

The hotel company also is supporting non-profits Learning AFAR and No Barriers USA, which conduct a program designed to inspire transformational learning. Hyatt also is supporting Chicago Public School students to participate in an immersive 4-6 month curriculum that teaches students how to overcome obstacles, live a life of purpose and give back to the world, culminating in a 10-day excursion to Costa Rica.


by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, February 27, 2017

With President Trumps Twitter account on its usual flamethrower setting, elected officials use of social media is naturally coming under a bit more scrutiny.

In New York City, politicians are being warned not to use official accounts as a soapbox for political activity  but this is clearly a bit of a tricky issue, considering the massive overlap between official and political concerns.

Last week, the citys Conflicts of Interest Board issued new guidelines warning elected officials that they cant use the official city social media accounts for things like publicizing campaign events or endorsing a candidate, according to the New York Daily News, which first reported the ruling.

Per the new rule, any posts containing overtly political content may only appear on the officials campaign or personal accounts.

Further, elected officials may not post to their campaign or personal accounts during normal working hours, or using government-provided devices.

Officials are also prohibited from having city staff members post to their campaign or personal accounts, a task which must be left to their campaign committee.

Finally, the guidance warns that all officials and employees must not appear to be speaking on behalf of the city in their private accounts.

Politicians are still allowed to re-post or share content from city accounts on their campaign accounts, for example re-tweeting a video from the mayors office.

The News speculates that the Boards statement may have been prompted by Mayor Bill de Blasios posting of a promotional video detailing the mayors accomplishments over the last year back in December.

The light-hearted and possibly misconceived video, which involved Broadway and TV stars singing about affordable housing, was attacked by critics who said it looked a lot like a campaign ad, even though it was posted by official accounts controlled by the mayors office.

Of course there is a broad range of content straddling the official and political realms, and arguably, most types of content actually fall in this gray zone.

For example, if the head of the Department of Transportation tweets about the great job snow removal squads are doing during a blizzard after the mayor ordered them to hit the streets in the early morning, this could be seen as an implicit endorsement of his leadership.

Similarly when City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito tweets We need more women in our NYCCouncil & beyond, or re-tweets someone applauding NYCs police commissioner for coming out against Trumps plan to deport illegal immigrants, these certainly seem like political statements.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, February 27, 2017

Brandzooka, the automated media-planning and buying platform backed by Madison Avenue renegade Alex Bogusky, closed a second round of funding.

It is on track for a series A round later this year that will help accelerate its growth. But its already on its way.

The Boulder, Colorado-based startups revenues grew 1,600% in 2016 and boasts 6,000 registered clients.

While many of those customers are smaller long-tail players, it has already attracted business from some of the ad industrys biggest, including the Tropicana brand and its agency, Dentsu Aegis experiential unit MKTG.

Other big brands utilizing the platform include Apple, Audi, Jansport, Progressive and the White House. Yes, the White House.

While big brands are discovering the power and simplicity of Brandzooka to mount digital video advertising campaigns, Founder-CEO Aquiles La Grave says it has also attracted a fervent base of the longest-tail brands as users.

We were recently reviewed by a 13-year-old kid who was telling his friends to use their allowance money to use Brandzooka to promote their YouTube channels, La Grave explains, adding, It works for brands of any size.

La Grave says the growth of its customer base is a testament to the quality of the platform itself, because it effectively practices what it preaches, utilizing efficient programmatic media-buying markets to promote itself to new customers.

Of the 6,000 that have signed up to utilize the platform to date, La Grave estimates that about half are actively utilizing it to create video campaigns and distribute them to audiences via programmatic media-buying markets.

Brandzooka combines a simple front-end interface enabling even the smallest and least sophisticated customer to turn their video assets into optimized video advertising formats that can then be served to audiences acquired through pr ogrammatic exchanges utilising DSPs (demand-side platforms) for budgets of any size.

In effect, Brandzooka has pulled off what predecessors, such as now defunct SpotRunner, Google TV Ads and Microsofts Navic, tried but failed to achieve: a long-tail marketplace enabling the smallest advertisers in the world to compete with Madison Avenues biggest.

While Brandzooka doesnt utilize TV inventory -- yet -- it accomplishes the same goals by giving customers video ad creation tools and enabling them to acquire and scale digital video audiences that meet their budget goals.

Its easy enough for a 13-year-old, but sophisticated enough for a Tropicana, La Grave quips. He adds it fulfills a vision he and Bogusky developed of completely automating the media buyer, which is the last piece of the human remnants of the deployment of media online.

He claims Brandzookas self-serve interface is capable of taking 95% of the decisions a media buyer makes -- elements audience targets, frequency caps, sources of inventory, sources of DMP data, etc. -- and fully automate it within a Brandzooka campaign.

The only thing a customer has to answer are: Who do you want to reach, what are they interested in, where are they, and what do you want to talk to them about, he explains, adding, If you can answer those questions, it is literally enough to create a campaign with our platform.

Tropicana - Your Best You from Brandzooka on Vimeo.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 27, 2017



Google began emailing reminder letters late last week about its decision to eliminate the column in AdWords called Converted Clicks, which helps advertisers to better understand last-click performance metrics that many still rely on.

Late last year, Google moved all accounts using the Converted Clicks metric to Conversions, which Google's developers believe offers more options to access detailed information. The company called the old metric outdated, limited and antiquated.

The letter warns advertisers and their agency partners that they only have a few weeks to download performance data or risk losing it forever after March 15, 2017. The original announcement, made in September 2016, doesn't seem to faze Jonathan Kagan, senior director of search and biddable media at MARC USA Results: Digital. "I dont feel like it is any substantial game changer. It just means advertisers need to better understand their 'conversion' metrics and have a better segmentation of them," says Kagan. He adds that "in reality, any sophisticated search marketer has already been doing this."

Although unconfirmed by Google, one digital agency rep brought up the point that Converted Clicks will remain available in the paid version of DoubleClick Search, although Google will remove it from the free version of AdWords.

Jeremy Hull, VP of products and services solutions at iProspect, says that if this is a permanent rather than temporary change, it could be a smart move on Google's part to get advertisers to move from free to fee. If it is temporary, he says, it would just mean that any advertisers using Converted Clicks for DoubleClick bidding rules have more time to transition. Or it could mean that Google is giving brands a way to archive data through DoubleClick.

Hull says Converted Clicks is simply a yes or no count, detailing the number of clicks that drove one or more conversions, whereas the Conversions metric measures which conversions occurred.

In Conversion metrics, advertisers can set the measurement to track additional data points from the conversion such as revenue. Conversions also measures cross-device conversions, which are not tracked by Converted Clicks.

One agency partner -- Tim Daly, CEO at Vincodo, who is not in favor of Google's decision -- says the move further reduces the amount of free data shared with brands and it presents challenges for the data because the new version counts multiple log-ins rather than those only logged in on one device. He says it forces advertisers to accept Googles Conversions column that collects multiple conversion "fires" and does not "truly" represent how advertisers want to assess performance with regard to their acquisition media dollars.

It also includes Googles flawed cross-device conversion data, which he believes is "heavily forecasted and for which they offer no transparency to what their actual data capture is versus how much they forecast."

In addition, advertisers that are focused on acquiring new customers dont count multiple conversions -- they only count one. "And you count the one to determine the cost per acquisition and then look at the lifetime value, which frankly has nothing to do with Google." he said, whereas he said provides a cleaner view of just new customer orders. "The Conversion column is taking credit for conversions it doesn't deserve, which provides misrepresented results."
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 27, 2017

A Montana resident who unsuccessfully sued Facebook for allegedly violating a robo-texting law, now wants a federal appellate court to revive his case.

The lawsuit dates to March 2015, when Noah Duguid alleged in a 2015 class-action complaint that Facebook repeatedly sent him text messages, although he had never used the social networking service. Duguid, who apparently had been assigned a recycled phone number by his carrier, alleged that Facebook repeatedly notified him via SMS that his account had been accessed.

Duguid argued that the social networking service violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits companies from using automated dialers to send text messages to people without their consent.

U.S. District Court Judge Jon Tigar in San Francisco recently dismissed Duguid's complaint on the grounds that it didn't contain facts to support the claim that the texts were sent via an automated dialing system.

Last week, Noah Duguid began the appellate process by filing papers with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Facebook is currently facing at least two other lawsuits alleging violations of the robo-texting law. District of Columbia resident Christine Holt, who also says she doesn't have a Facebook account, is still suing the company for allegedly sending her SMS messages after she obtained a cell phone from MetroPCS.

Facebook also is fighting a lawsuit by Florida resident Colin Brickman, who alleges in a class-action complaint that the company is violating the anti-spam law by sending users messages about their friends' birthdays. U.S. District Court Judge Thelton Henderson in San Francisco recently rejected Facebook's bid to dismiss that matter on free speech grounds.

Last week, the social networking service asked Henderson to authorize an immediate appeal of that ruling.
For many parents of young children, sleep deprivation is likely a regular occurrence. But according to new research, mothers fare worse than fathers.

Share on Pinterest Researchers have found that mothers get less sleep when living with children, but fathers sleep is unaffected.

From an analysis of more than 5,800 adults, researchers found that having children in the house significantly reduced the number of hours mothers slept each night, while fathers sleep remained unaffected.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the study found that mothers were much more likely than women without children to report feeling tired during the day.

Study co-author Kelly Sullivan, Ph.D., of Georgia Southern University, and colleagues are due to present their findings at the American Academy of Neurologys 69th Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, in April.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should aim to get around 7-9 hours of sleep each night, but more than 35 percent fail to meet these recommendations.

Parents may not be surprised by this statistic, having likely spent many a night tending to a babys cries or waiting up for their teenager to arrive home. Popular notion holds that mothers are more likely to experience lack of sleep than fathers, and the new study appears to support this belief.

I think these findings may bolster those women who say they feel exhausted, says Sullivan.

For their study, Sullivan and colleagues analyzed data from a telephone survey of 5,805 men and women aged 45 and under from across the United States.
As the authors of the new study point out, many of the patients who ultimately receive a benign diagnosis undergo invasive medical procedures such as surgical lung biopsy. The new research, however, uncovers a genomic tool that could enable physicians to tell whether a patient has a malignant lesion by simply taking a swab of their nose.

For instance, of all the patients screened using computed tomography (CT) as part of the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial , 25 percent had a lung lesion, but approximately 95 percent of these cases were, in the end, found to be benign.

Lung lesions  or solitary pulmonary nodules  are small growths in the lungs that are usually detected incidentally when a patient has an X-ray for other reasons. Although physicians are typically worried about cancer upon discovering the lesions, these are benign in the majority of cases.

A team of researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) in Massachusetts may have found a more convenient way to determine whether lung lesions are malignant. The findings were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute .

In the case of patients with low risk of lung cancer, the current diagnostic procedure can sometimes be invasive and unnecessary. However, new research may have uncovered a less invasive, less costly way to screen these patients.

BUSM researchers collected nasal epithelial brushings from patients who were in the process of having their lung lesions evaluated. These participants were people who currently and formerly smoked, and who were enrolled in the two Airway Epithelium Gene Expression in the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer clinical trials.

The epithelium is a membrane of cellular tissue that, in this case, encloses and protects the nasal cavity. Scientists examined these nasal epithelial brushings and profiled the participants gene expression by using microarrays  a genetic tool commonly used to detect gene mutations, such as in BRCA1 or BRCA2, in a persons DNA.

The researchers found cancer-associated gene expressions to be altered in a similar way across the two airway sites. This led them to believe that the nasal airway epithelial field in people who smoke extends all the way to the nose, and that the brushings could be a biomarker for lung cancer.

Marc Lenburg, Ph.D., a professor of medicine at BUSM and co-senior author of the study, explains the significance of the findings:

Our findings clearly demonstrate the existence of a cancer-associated airway field of injury that also can be measured in nasal epithelium. We find that nasal gene expression contains information about the presence of cancer that is independent of standard clinical risk factors, suggesting that nasal epithelial gene expression might aid in lung cancer detection. Moreover, the nasal samples can be collected non-invasively with little instrumentation or advanced training.

Corresponding author Dr. Avrum Spira, a professor of medicine, pathology, and bioinformatics at BUSM, also weighs in:

There is a clear and growing need to develop additional diagnostic approaches for evaluating pulmonary lesions to determine which patients should undergo CT surveillance or invasive biopsy, Dr. Spira says. The ability to test for molecular changes in this field of injury allows us to rule out the disease earlier without invasive procedures.

This research builds on previous work by the same team, who located another biomarker for lung cancer, found in the epithelium of the bronchus.

Our group previously derived and validated a bronchial epithelial gene-expression biomarker to detect lung cancer in current and former smokers, Dr. Spira explains. This innovation [] is measurably improving lung cancer diagnosis. Given that bronchial and nasal epithelial gene expressions are similarly altered by cigarette smoke exposure, we sought to determine in this study if cancer-associated gene expression might also be detectable in the more readily accessible nasal epithelium.

Learn how a colorful compound in fruits and vegetables could lower smokers lung cancer risk.
An eight-week mindfulness-based meditation program led to improved quality of life and psychological well-being in clinical trial of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In the randomised, open-label and controlled clinical trial that included 100 patients, participants who underwent meditation training scored higher on a questionnaire specifically developed to assess quality of life in people with ALS. They also reported lower levels of anxiety and depression. These results remained stable, when not further improved, over a 12-month follow-up.

"There has been very limited investigation on psychological interventions that can promote quality of life in people with ALS. I found that very strange, as we are not able to cure the disease, but we all agree that the promotion of quality of life is the current main goal in ALS cases," said Dr. Francesco Pagnini, lead author of the European Journal of Neurology study. "This is the first controlled trial in this field, suggesting that a mindfulness-based intervention can be a very important tool to increase the well-being of people with ALS."
The high level of genetic diversity between individual tumors suggests that if it were to be developed, a broad cancer vaccine would be unlikely to work for more than 0.3% of the population, according to new research published in the open access journal Genome Medicine.

Next generation sequencing has revealed a wealth of information on the genetic diversity of tumors, which in turn has led to research into individualised treatments for cancer based on the molecular characteristics of a patient's tumor. Cancer vaccines are one type of prospective treatment that involves turning the patient's immune system against the tumor.

Dr Ryan Hartmaier, lead author from Foundation Medicine, USA, said: "A broad or semi-universal vaccine capable of targeting many different tumors would be seen by some as the 'holy grail' of cancer therapy as it wouldn't involve the time or cost of individualising treatment."

"We undertook comprehensive genetic analysis of over 60,000 unique tumors to look for sets of genetic alterations that could potentially be targeted to generate a semi-universal cancer vaccine. However, our findings demonstrate that even in the best-case scenario a vaccine would be useful for less than 0.3% of the population".

One way a cancer vaccine works is by recognising a biological molecule in a patient's tumor that is 'non-self' and turning the patient's immune system against it, as it would a bacterial infection. The key to producing a vaccine to do this is to work out what specifically in the tumor could be targeted. Neo-antigens are molecules produced by tumors as a result of tumor-specific genetic alterations that mark the tumor as being non-self. Individualised cancer vaccines could be developed for each person based on their own tumor neo-antigens but this isn't currently feasible or practical on a large scale.

In theory, a broad cancer vaccine that targeted multiple neo-antigens would only need to match up with one neo-antigen in every tumor to illicit a response, so could be used to treat many people with different cancers. However, not every alteration to a gene produces a targetable neo-antigen, something that could prove problematic to the design of a broad cancer vaccine.

Dr Hartmaier explained: "If we limit our analysis to a relatively small set of carefully selected genetic alterations, a large portion of the tumors we studied have at least one of these alterations, suggesting that there could be scope for a broad cancer vaccine. But because not all of these genetic alterations will produce a neo-antigen, we had to perform computer-aided analysis to predict which of the alterations would be targetable. We were able to predict that between 2 and 12% of the alterations would produce a neo-antigen."

"From these we were able to select a panel of 10 neo-antigens that could be applied to the maximum amount of unique tumors in our data set. This revealed that between 0.7 and 2.5% of the tumors in our study contained at least one alteration that would produce one of our predicted neo-antigens. We estimate this to encompass less than 0.3% of the population."

The researchers only looked at known cancer-associated genes in this study and they state that they cannot exclude the possibility that unknown genetic alterations exist elsewhere in the genome that could produce broadly targetable neo-antigens. Neo-antigens are also less likely to occur in cancer-associated genes so it is possible that many more neo-antigens exist outside of these regions. The researchers state that their computer model for predicting neo-antigens focussed on one particular biological pathway and further investigation needs to address other routes of neo-antigen production.
Infections caused by a type of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics are occurring more frequently in U.S. children and are associated with longer hospital stays and a trend towards greater risk of death, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Previously acquired mostly while children were already in the hospital, the new findings also suggest the infections - caused by bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family that are resistant to multiple drugs - may be spreading more often in the community.

"Antibiotic resistance increasingly threatens our ability to treat our children's infections," said study author Sharon B. Meropol, MD, PhD, of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "Efforts to control this trend are urgently needed from all of us, such as using antibiotics only when necessary, and eliminating agricultural use of antibiotics in healthy animals."

In the retrospective study, researchers analyzed data from 48 children's hospitals throughout the U.S., focusing on approximately 94,000 patients under the age of 18 who were diagnosed with Enterobacteriaceae-associated infections between 2007 and 2015. The proportion of these infections caused by bacteria that were resistant to multiple antibiotics increased from 0.2 percent in 2007 to 1.5 percent in 2015, a more than 700 percent increase in prevalence over the eight-year period.

Bacterial infections resistant to multiple drugs are especially concerning in children, for whom there are a limited number of stronger antibiotics currently approved for use compared to adults, putting kids at higher risk for worse outcomes. In the study, children with Enterobacteriaceae infections resistant to multiple antibiotics had hospitals stays that were 20 percent longer than patients with infections that were susceptible to antibiotics, the researchers found. The results also suggest a greater mortality risk among pediatric patients infected with the resistant strains, although the increased odds for death were not statistically significant.

Most of the resistant infections were present when the children were admitted to the hospital, suggesting the bacteria may be increasingly spreading in the community. Older kids, children with other health conditions, and those living in the Western U.S. were more likely to have the infections, the study found. The results build on previous research reporting rising rates of these infections in adults and outbreaks in hospitalized children, especially in less-developed countries in Latin America and Asia, where antibiotics are available over the counter.

Future research should focus on better ways to limit the transmission of resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, including between hospitals and long-term care facilities and their communities, in addition to the development of new antibiotics that are safe and effective to use in children, Dr. Meropol said. "While the march of antibiotic resistance seems inexorable, informed and rigorous efforts to reverse this trend have been successful for other types of organisms, and are urgently needed within this context."

Article: Incidence and Outcomes of Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Children, 2007-2015, Sharon B. Meropol Allison A. Haupt Sara M. Debanne, Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, doi: 10.1093/jpids/piw093, published 22 February 2017.
Teenagers who self-report feeling drowsy mid-afternoon also tend to exhibit more anti-social behavior such as lying, cheating, stealing and fighting. Now, research from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of York, in the United Kingdom, shows that those same teens are 4.5 times more likely to commit violent crimes a decade and a half later.

"It's the first study to our knowledge to show that daytime sleepiness during teenage years are associated with criminal offending 14 years later," said Adrian Raine, the Richard Perry University Professor with appointments in the departments of Criminology and Psychology in the School of Arts & Sciences and the Department of Psychiatry in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine.

He and Peter Venables, an emeritus psychology professor at the University of York, published their findings in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Raine had collected the data for this work 39 years earlier, as part of his Ph.D. research (studying under Venables) but had never analyzed it. Recently, he began noticing cross-sectional studies, those that analyze multiple behaviors at a single point in time, connecting sleep and behavioral problems in children. He dug out his old dissertation work to look for a link between these and illegal behavior in adulthood.

"A lot of the prior research focused on sleep problems, but in our study we measured, very simply, how drowsy the child is during the day," Raine said.

To get at this information, he tested 101 15-year-old boys from three secondary schools in the north of England. At the start and end of each lab session, which always ran from 1 to 3 p.m., he asked participants to rate their degree of sleepiness on a 7-point scale, with 1 being "unusually alert" and 7 being "sleepy." He also measured brain-wave activity and sweat-rate responses to stimuli, which indicates the level of attention a person pays to a tone being played over headphones. This represents brain-attentional function, Raine said.

Next he collected data about anti-social behavior, both self-reported from the study participants, as well as from two or three teachers who had worked with each teen for at least four years.

"Both are helpful. There are kids who don't really want to talk about their anti-social behavior, and that's where the teacher reports really come in handy," Raine said. "Actually, the teacher and child reports correlated quite well in this study, which is not usual. Often, what the teacher says, what the parent says, what the child says - it's usually three different stories."

Finally, Raine conducted a computerized search at the Central Criminal Records Office in London to suss out which of the original 101 had a criminal record at age 29. Excluding minor violations, focusing instead on violent crimes and property offenses and only those crimes for which participants were convicted, the researchers learned that 17 percent of participants had committed a crime by that point in adulthood.

With these data in hand, Raine also incorporated the study participants' socioeconomic status. He found a connection.

"Is it the case that low social class and early social adversity results in daytime drowsiness, which results in inattention or brain dysfunction, which results 14 years later in crime? The answer's yes," he said. "Think of a flow diagram from A to B to C to D. Think of a chain. There is a significant link."

Put another way, he added: "Daytime drowsiness is associated with poor attention. Take poor attention as a proxy for poor brain function. If you've got poor brain functioning, you're more likely to be criminal."

The researchers stress that drowsiness in and of itself doesn't always predispose a teenage boy to becoming anti-social. And many children with sleep problems do not become lawbreakers. But the researchers did find that those with sleepiness and a greater frequency of anti-social behavior during teenage years had higher odds of a life of crime later.

Knowing this could potentially help with a simple treatment plan for children with behavioral issues: Recommend they get more sleep at night.

"That could make a difference not just for anti-social behavior at school with these teenage kids but more importantly, with later serious criminal behavior," Raine said. "More sleep won't solve crime, but it might make a bit of a dent."
The 600,000 older Australians who suffer from back pain have a 13 per cent increased risk of dying from any cause, University of Sydney research has found.

Published in the European Journal of Pain, the study of 4390 Danish twins aged more than 70 years investigated whether spinal pain increased the rate of all-cause and disease-specific cardiovascular mortality.

Low back pain is a major problem, ranked as the highest contributor to disability in the world. Nearly four million people in Australia suffer from low back pain and the total cost of treatment exceeds $1 billion a year.

"Our study found that compared to those without spinal pain (back and neck), a person with spinal pain has a 13 per cent higher chance of dying every year. This is a significant finding as many people think that back pain is not life-threatening," said senior author Associate Professor Paulo Ferreira, physiotherapy researcher from the University's Faculty of Health Sciences.

"As this study was done in twins, the influence of shared genetic factors is unlikely because it was controlled for in our analysis.

"These findings warrant further investigation because while there is a clear link between back pain and mortality we don't know yet why this is so. Spinal pain may be part of a pattern of poor health and poor functional ability, which increases mortality risk in the older population," he said.

Lead author Dr Matthew Fernandez from the Faculty of Health Sciences, said: "With a rapidly growing ageing population, spinal health is critical in maintaining older age independence, highlighting the importance of spinal pain in primary health care as a presenting symptom."

"Back pain should be recognised as an important co-morbidity that is likely to impact people's longevity and quality of life."

Associate Professor Ferreira added: "Policy makers should be aware that back pain is a serious issue - it is an indicator of people's poor health and should be screened for, particularly in the elderly."

Recent research has also found that commonly prescribed medications for back pain such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective in treating pain and have side effects.

"Medications are mostly ineffective, surgery usually does not offer a good outcome - the best treatment for low back is a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity. People need to get moving," Associate Professor Ferreira said.

Few studies have examined the potential reduced life expectancy associated with spinal pain in an ageing population, particularly after controlling for familial factors, including genetics.

This study follows previous research which found that people with depression are 60 per cent more likely to develop low back pain in their lifetime.
Fathers who use cocaine at the time of conceiving a child may be putting their sons at risk of learning disabilities and memory loss. The findings of the animal study were published online in Molecular Psychiatry by a team of researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The researchers say the findings reveal that drug abuse by fathers - separate from the well-established effects of cocaine use in mothers - may negatively impact cognitive development in their male offspring.

The study, which was led by Mathieu Wimmer, PhD, a post-doctoral researcher in the laboratory of R. Christopher Pierce, PhD, a professor of Neuroscience in Psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, found evidence that the sons of fathers that ingested cocaine prior to conception struggle to make new memories. Their findings demonstrated that the sons - but not the daughters - of male rats that consumed cocaine for an extended period of time could not remember the location of items in their surroundings and had impaired synaptic plasticity in hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and spatial navigation in humans and rodents.

"These results suggest that the sons of male cocaine addicts may be at risk for learning deficits," said senior author, R. Christopher Pierce, PhD, a professor of Neuroscience in Psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pierce and his colleagues propose that epigenetic mechanisms are at the root of the problem. Epigenetics refers to heritable traits that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence, as is the case with genetic inheritance. DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, like thread around a spool, and chemical changes to histones influence the expression of genes, which is an epigenetic process.

Their research showed that cocaine use in dads caused epigenetic changes in the brain of their sons, thereby changing the expression of genes important for memory formation. D-serine, a molecule essential for memory, was depleted in male rats whose father took cocaine and replenishing the levels of D-serine in the sons' hippocampus improved learning in these animals.

In collaboration with Benjamin Garcia, PhD, presidential professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine, the authors showed that cocaine abuse in dads broadly altered the chemical marks on histones in the brain of their sons, even though the offspring were never exposed to cocaine. Chemical modifications on the histones were changed to favor active transcription of genes in the hippocampus of male rats with a paternal history of cocaine taking, allowing more production of the enzyme D-amino acid oxidase, which degrades D-serine. The authors propose that increased expression of the enzyme, driven by changes in the epigenetic landscape, cause the memory problems in the sons of addicted rats.

"There is substantial interest in the development of D-serine and related compounds, which are well tolerated by humans, as drug therapies," Pierce said. "The ability of D-serine to reverse the adverse effects of paternal cocaine taking on learning adds potential clinical relevance to our research."

This research was supported with grants by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (T32 DA28874, R01 DA33641, K02 DA18678, K01 DA30445, K01 DA039308, R00 DA033372, R21 MH102679, R21 GM110174, DOD W81XWH-13-1-0426).
A potentially life-saving treatment for sepsis has been under our noses for decades in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) most people have in their medicine cabinets, a new University of Colorado Boulder study suggests.

Each year more than 1 million people in the United States contract sepsis, an overwhelming immune response to infection. It kills as many as half of those who contract it, sometimes within days, according to the National Institutes of Health. As the number of cases rises, particularly in intensive care units, pharmaceutical companies have been scrambling to develop a drug to combat the condition.

"NSAIDS like ibuprofen and aspirin are among the most prevalent pharmaceuticals worldwide, with over 30 billion doses taken annually in the United States alone. But their precise mechanisms of action are not entirely understood," said Hang Hubert Yin, a biochemistry professor at CU Boulder's BioFrontiers Institute and lead author of the new paper, published in Cell Chemical Biology. "We provide the first evidence for a novel mechanism of action for NSAIDS, one we believe could have a direct impact on people's lives."

Researchers have long known that NSAIDs work in part by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). They've also known that these NSAIDs can come with serious side effects. Some NSAIDs have been removed from the market after showing they boosted risk of heart attack and stroke.

But Yin's research found that a subgroup of NSAIDs also act strongly and independently on another family of enzymes, caspases, which reside deep within the cell and have recently been found to play a key role in aggressive immune responses, like sepsis.

"For instance, some chemicals derived from bacteria actually penetrate the cell and trigger the caspase response, prompting the cell to commit suicide. This also is known as apoptosis," said Yin. "Such activation, in turn, potentially causes inflammation."

After the disappointing failure of late-stage clinical trials of anti-sepsis drugs targeting an immune receptor called toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), located on the surface of cells, Yin and other scientists began to wonder if the key to halting the disease was to develop an antiseptic therapy that simultaneously targets caspases.

As a first step, his team screened 1,280 existing FDA-approved drugs for caspase-inhibiting activity. Of the 27 that lit up, half were NSAIDs. NSAIDs also comprised eight of the top 10 most potent caspase inhibitors.

"It was a complete surprise," said Yin.

He and study co-author Ding Xue, a professor in the department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, then used biochemical and biophysical assays in the lab, as well as experiments with roundworms to test the theory further.

"We showed that NSAIDs were effective in delaying cell death in worms, presumably by blocking caspase activity."

It remains questionable whether existing NSAIDs, perhaps in higher doses, could be used to treat sepsis. The risk of side effects may be too great, said Yin. But he is already working on follow-up studies looking at whether new sepsis drugs could be developed combining caspase-inhibiting NSAIDS and TLR4 inhibitors.

NSAIDs could also potentially be repurposed to address other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and neuro-degenerative diseases.

"To think about the wide potential applications of these NSAID drugs is very exciting," Yin said.

He hopes the research will also help scientists better understand why NSAIDs cause serious side effects like liver, kidney and cardiovascular problems, so they can develop safer next-generations versions.

An estimated 16,500 people die annually from NSAID complications.

The National Institutes of Health funded the study.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.

Feb. 27, 2017

John Bierly

Daryl Mann

Perry Ballard

Dan Grigorescu

$2.3 billion

Tennessee

/PRNewswire/ -- Flexpoint Ford, LLC ("Flexpoint Ford"), a private equity firm focused on the healthcare and financial services sectors, announced today that it formed a partnership with SouthEast Eye Specialists and its affiliates ("SouthEast Eye Specialists" or "SEES"), a leading provider of medical and surgical eye care, and Center for Facial Rejuvenation, a leader in facial medical aesthetics. Founded in 1999, SouthEast Eye Specialists specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye and eyelids, including cataracts and associated advanced lens replacement, along with corneal disease, glaucoma, eye muscle disorders, eyelid abnormalities, retina disease, laser vision correction, and pediatric eye care. SEES "co-manages" patients with outside optometrists, which are the principal source of patient referrals. Center for Facial Rejuvenation focuses on facial cosmetic procedures, skin care, and laser treatments."We are extremely excited to partner with Flexpoint Ford, and to align ourselves with a capital partner that shares our focus on providing the highest level of clinical care," says Dr., co-founder of SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation.SouthEast Eye Specialists fosters relationships with outside optometrists and healthcare providers to co-manage the care of patients. "A core component of our practice is the long-term relationships that we have built with our referral community," says Dr., co-founder of SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation. "We chose to partner with the Flexpoint Ford team based upon their deep experience in healthcare services and understanding of the importance of our practice's co-management model."Opened in 2009, Center for Facial Rejuvenation provides patients with the skillful delivery of safe and effective medical procedures focused on improving the appearance of the face and neck."The teams at SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation have consistently demonstrated the highest focus on patient care, employee satisfaction, and community relations," says, Managing Director at Flexpoint Ford. "We look forward to supporting both teams with additional capital to allow them to expand their services across the country.""SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation both deliver exceptional care to their patients which translates into exceptional outcomes," says, Vice President of Flexpoint Ford. "As a result, the companies are entrusted by doctors to care for their patients with medical problems of higher complexity, and have gained the trust of their community through their proven track record. We are excited to help expand their model into new communities, recruit additional physicians, and support the continued growth of these two innovative businesses.": Flexpoint Ford is a private equity firm dedicated to the healthcare and financial services sectors. Flexpoint Ford seeks to build relationships with executives and companies who look for Flexpoint Ford to be a value-added partner. Flexpoint Ford currently manages approximatelyin committed capital on behalf of its limited partners. For more information, visit www.flexpointford.com or call (312) 327-4520.: With locations throughout, SouthEast Eye Specialists is the region's leading specialty eye center. Led by a team of highly trained, board certified professionals, SouthEast Eye Specialists is committed to providing exceptional patient care including cataracts and advanced lens replacement, corneal disease, glaucoma, eye muscle disorders, eyelid abnormalities, laser vision correction surgery, retinal surgery, and pediatric eye care. A physician-referral only practice, SouthEast Eye Specialists is entrusted by other doctors to care for patients with medical problems of higher complexity. For more information, visit www.southeasteye.com or call (877) 933-7337.Center for Facial Rejuvenation offers medically proven treatments and compassionate patient care to provide the best in skin care, laser treatments, and cosmetic procedures. Center for Facial Rejuvenation customizes treatments to meet individual patient goals, utilizing surgical and non surgical treatments such as BOTOXand fillers, lasers, chemical peels and physician grade skincare products. For more information, visit www.chattanoogaface.com or call (423) 648-2035.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flexpoint-ford-partners-with-southeast-eye-specialists-and-center-for-facial-rejuvenation-300412904.html



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To better understand the neurodevelopmental trajectory and role of immune function in ASD, new clinical studies detail the timing of immunologic disturbances in children with ASD and the relationship between immune system activation and severity of impairments.Inflammation may also help explain why ASD affects boys four to five times more than girls. A review highlighting the importance of the immune system in the normal development of males proposes how the process of masculinization makes boys more vulnerable to the effects of inflammation.Children with ASD often suffer from gastrointestinal issues, and two reviews highlight recent research on the environmental and genetic links that may bridge immune dysfunction, the gut microbiome, and impairments in brain development associated with ASD.Recent research has also implicated the maternal immune system during pregnancy on risk of ASD in children. Two new reviews in the issue collate research in humans and animal models that link alterations in the maternal immune system, whether through genetic autoimmune disorders or through immune system activation in response to infection, with impaired brain development observed in ASD."Research in this new area of neuroimmunology provides real hope that new therapies directed at preventing and/or correcting immune dysregulation in ASD could improve the lives of millions of Americans," Dr. McAllister concluded.Therapies targeting the immune system may also have benefits beyond ASD, as indicated by a new study linking maternal immune dysfunction with an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The findings suggest that correcting immune dysfunction may have potential for preventing a range of psychiatric diseases.Source: Eurekalert
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Fernanda O. Novais et al, CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity mediates pathology in the skin by inflammasome activation and IL-1 production, PLOS Pathogens (2017); DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006196

T cells present in the immune system may trigger the activation of the signaling pathway which may lead to chronic inflammation. By blocking either of the two major pathway in the drugs may reduce lesions in animal models.Phillip Scott, senior author, vice dean for research and academic resources at Penn Vet, said, "This is a neglected tropical disease, so it can be difficult to get the investment needed to develop new therapies.""Our discoveries implicate the use of drugs in leishmaniasis that are already in use for other inflammatory diseases. This will be the foundation for clinical trials moving forward."This work on leishmania in Brazil dates back 30 years. The skin damage may mainly occur to the direct effects of the Leishmania parasite when compared to an immune response. The CD8 T cells may protect the body from infections and promote increased disease.Novais, said, "In earlier work, we found that CD8 T cells lead to inflammation, but what we didn't know was what was downstream from the CD8 T cells""Here we discover the pathway by which they cause inflammation."Previous studies found that the expression levels of IL-1 gene, may encode a cytokine that is known to contribute inflammation and other conditions. These were elevated in the tissue samples of Leishmania-infected people.The IL-1 protein was found to be responsible for tissue damage. This was tested on infected animals that lack mature T cells to which CD-8 T cells were added back. The research team found high levels of IL-1 when compared to the infected mice which lack T cells.The mice with CD-8 T cells when added with an inhibitor of IL-1 can greatly reduce the severity of the disease. Treatment with an inhibitor of a related molecule called IL-1 is not nearly as effective.that blocks the IL-1 receptor may help to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This may reduce the skin pathology in mice.The authors also found Scott, Novais and colleagues, found that IL-1 need to be processed by an enzyme to become active if this can be a potential therapeutic target.Caspase enzymes is one of the type of enzymes that can be processed by IL-1, These are implicated as requisite for the CD8-induced pathology in leishmaniasis.NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex which is responsible for processing caspase-1 and may be required to develop leishmania-related skin lesions.The two inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome is being tested. One of which is an approved diabetes drug, which prevents the mice from developing severe disease.These findings were assessed in humans by carrying out skin biopsies from leishmaniasis patients. The lesion biopsies in culture was found to produce more IL-1 when compared to normal cells. And also treating the lesion biopsy may reduce the amount of IL-1 culture cells that were released.Further clinical trials are carried out to test the efficacy of drugs like anakinra or glyburide.Source: Medindia


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Whats the first thing that strikes your mind when you hear about Iraq? War-torn area, maybe, oil, thats a possibility too; but would you ever associate fashion with it? Well, we are not trying to discriminate or anything but there is no denying the fact that the general perception of people across the globe does not have even the slightest mention of fashionable men or women from that area. However, that trend is changing and the credit goes to these handsome Kurdish hunks, who are leaving no stone unturned in introducing Iraqi fashion to the mainstream scenario.

These uber cool men also known as Iraqi hipsters from Mr. Erbil https://www.instagram.com/mr.erbil/ are giving men around the world some really tough competition and making women go weak in their knees. Their fashion statement is no joke and lets just say after watching them in their full glory, one can get inferiority complex shots hit right in their feels.

Merely 60 miles away from the war zone where battle between the Iraqi forces and Islamic state is on its prime, this gentlemans club is flaunting their dapper clothes, perfectly groomed beard and killer style will sass in the oasis of calm, Erbil.

Forget Milan, New York or Paris hipster streets, with the looks of it these men will slowly turn the tables towards the world and take over the fashion world by storm.

From smart casuals to traditional Ottoman era wardrobe, their regular meetings are far from being an ordinary affair. Whats more, this club aims to support local tailors and craftsmen who help them in crafting their outfits.

The group has nearly 40 members. These men, all in their 20s and 30s conduct photoshoots at picturesque locations and their popularity is echoed Instragram as they boast over 60,000 followers.

Mr. Erbil dreams of launching their own clothing brand, collaborate with fashion houses and set up a shop.

Talk about flaunting colours, see if you can beat this guy!

So guys, although we know its hard to breathe and tougher to look past them, but take a cue from these super f**king hot men to up your style quotient and dear women, you can spend all the time in the world to take a good look and swoon over them.
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Why the One Health approach is important now more than ever
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"We express our abhorrence and unequivocal condemnation of today's arson attack on the French Institute in Athens.



This mindless and criminal act against an institution that is a symbol of Greek-French friendship and France's contribution to the cultural and intellectual life of Greece is doomed to fail.



Contrary to its intention, this barbaric and incomprehensible act will strengthen even further the deep-rooted friendship between the peoples of Greece and France, and the close cooperation between their governments".
Here are five noteworthy news stories and events to start your week, from the editors at Military.com.

1. Navy Secretary Nominee Withdraws

Financier Philip Bilden has withdrawn his nomination for Navy secretary due to concerns his business attachments wouldn't meet government ethics requirements, the Pentagon announced Sunday night. The former Army Reserve officer recently retired as senior adviser of private equity investment management firm HarbourVest partners. He's the second service secretary nominee to withdraw from consideration due to financial interests since Trump took office. Billionaire businessman Vincent Viola, nominated for Army secretary, also withdrew his name. It's not yet clear who will replace Bilden and Viola as nominees.

2. Bases Cut More Services Amid Hiring Freeze

Officials at Marine Corps Camp Lejeune and Air Station New River in North Carolina announced closures and cutbacks resulting from the federal hiring freeze directed last month by President Donald Trump. Hourly child care at the child development centers was suspended effective Feb. 23. Other cutbacks starting between Feb. 27 and March 6 at the locations 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. At least two Army bases have taken similar steps to reduce child care services.

3. Air Warfare Symposium Kicks Off

The U.S. Air Force's top brass will head to Orlando this week for the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium. The event will take place Wednesday through Friday at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel. Watch for leaders to talk about their plans to add more airmen to the ranks and more equipment to the fleet as part of President Trump's first budget request, which as The New York Times reported Sunday is expected to call for a sharp increase in military spending. The agenda includes a number of leaders, but Heather Wilson, Trump's nominee for Air Force secretary who hasn't yet been confirmed in the position, is not anticipated to attend.

4. VA to Process Claims from Camp Lejeune Water

The Veterans Affairs Department expects to receive a surge of compensation claims totaling more than $2.2 billion from veterans exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 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. The Lejeune claims initially will be handled by a VA regional office in Louisville, Kentucky, and aren't expected to approach the volume of claims that were filed in the wake of the Agent Orange rulings.

5. Army Seeks to Expand Civilian Credentialing for Soldiers

The U.S. Army is working to provide more soldiers with civilian credentials so they can find jobs after they leave service in their fields, from truck driving to information technology, an official said. Acting Army Secretary Robert Speer is poised to issue a directive to expand the service's "Soldier for Life" transition program and improve coordination between the active and reserve components on the process, according to Maj. Gen. Hugh Van Roosen, the service's deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel plans, programs and policies. The directive is expected by late March and additional guidance by early summer.

-- Hope Hodge Seck, Amy Bushatz and Richard Sisk contributed to this report.

-- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry.
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...
Financier Philip Bilden has pulled out of consideration for secretary of the Navy due to concerns his business attachments would not meet government ethics requirements, the Pentagon announced tonight.

Bilden, the recently retired senior adviser of private equity investment management firm HarbourVest partners, was nominated Jan. 25 for the post.

A former Army Reserve officer, Bilden had spent more than 20 years in Hong Kong establishing his firm's presence in Asia. His connection to the Navy included service on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the United States Naval Academy Foundation and the Naval War College Foundation.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Bilden's decision was a personal one, motivated by privacy concerns and "significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests."

Mattis added, "While I am disappointed, I understand and his respect his decision, and know that he will continue to support our nation in other ways. In the coming days I will make a recommendation to President Trump for a leader who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the president's vision to rebuild our military."

Bilden also released a statement, saying he had come to his decision to withdraw 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 family's private financial interests," he said. "I am deeply grateful for Secretary Mattis' enduring support and confidence throughout the nomination process. I have been greatly honored by President Trump's consideration of me to lead our committed and capable Sailors and Marines who defend our Nation's interests at home and in harm's way."

Bilden is the second service secretary nominee to withdraw from consideration due to business entanglements since Trump took office. Billionaire businessman Vincent Viola, nominated for Army secretary, pulled out of consideration Feb. 4 because the challenges of separating from "the organizations  built over the last thirty-five years have proven insurmountable," according to a statement from Viola's camp.

Trump's own business interests, which include properties all over the world, including China and the Middle East, have also garnered criticism. Trump announced in January that he would not divest his interests in his companies, but would hand off control to his sons while he was a sitting president. Both Bilden and Viola would have been subject to strict disclosure requirements and scrutiny during the Senate confirmation process, which Trump as president-elect did not have to undergo.

It's not clear who will be named to replace Bilden.

Former congressman J. Randy Forbes, a Republican from Virginia, was an early favorite for the Navy secretary nomination. But Forbes, former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on seapower and projection forces, joined the faculty of the U.S. Naval War College as a senior distinguished fellow earlier this month.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Depending on your PT test, the order of swimming may best be determined by where it is in the order of events of that test.
Disneyland will release a new fragrance on Wednesday called Frozen in a Bottle, which is inspired by both the movie "Frozen" and the landscape of Norway. At the helm of the project is Norwegian perfumier Geir Ness, who is well-known for his own line of perfumes, Laila in particular...

"I wanted something clean and fresh so that people feel like they're part of the movie, like they can smell it," he told the Orlando Sentinel.

His signature scent Laila is already a perfume of the Norwegian landscape. With Frozen in a Bottle, that same backdrop continues to inspire while allowing you to enter the movie better, in principle, thanks to the 5th sense.

Ness said in a press release,

"Inspired by the film's spectacular scenery, I crafted a fragrance that captured the natural magic of my native Norway not only its sparkling fjords and dazzling glaciers, but the elemental power of the mountains, and the pristine, invigorating air. I've created "Frozen" in a bottle!"

Main notes for the eau de parfum are: lily of the valley, rose, amber, wild mountain flowers and lavender. It took two years to develop the scent and Ness watched the movie 20 times to help him nail the composition.

The edp launches on March 1, 2017 at Epcot's Norwegian pavilion and on Disney Line Cruises.
Success of Radd-ul-Fasaad Operation depends on eliminating roots of terrorism: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that unless the roots and origin of militancy are uprooted, the operation Radd-ul-Fasaad will not be result-oriented. He said that if the neighbouring country is involved in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan, then who else is responsible to expose her than the government of Pakistan? He said that it is not by cutting off the branches alone but the roots of the tree of terrorism that sustainable peace will be established, failing which terrorism will continue to branch off.

In his special interview with a TV channel, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that he remains stick to his old stance regarding the Panama leaks case, adding that there will be no major change in his opinion. He however added in the same breath that it is his prayer to Allah Almighty that the decision comes contrary to his opinion. He said that the Panama leaks will become the election material for the ruling party and they will benefit from it in the run up to election, saying that they have established their transparency.

Talking about the extension in the term of military courts, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that according to his information, the amended draft being prepared by the government does not contain words such as terrorism in regard to actions of sectarian and religious outfits. These words have been replaced by heinous acts against the state of Pakistan. He warned that if such a thing happens, then ideological terrorism will get legal protection and those having difference of opinion with the government will become target of this amendment. The government will use this to crush the opposition.

Dr Qadri said that one has become fed up having heard the name of RAW agent Kalbushan but the Prime Minister has remained unmoved and did not speak a word about him. He said that if the rulers think that India is involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan, then why do not they take notice of it? He asked why are they refraining from the extreme action when the matter relates to Pakistans security and survival? He said that the rulers have had the support of extremist organizations in the election.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor-based startup Cribspot has evolved from simply listing rentals to now managing more than 100 spaces for property owners across the Midwest.

The business, started by three University of Michigan students in 2012, has seen a boost in business with some funding from the Y Combinator, known for funding companies like Reddit and Dropbox, and an expansion into managing rental properties.

Cribspot now handles around 850 tenants in three cities - Ann Arbor, East Lansing and Columbus - and works with almost 100 property owners to help lease, maintain and market their rental spaces, according to co-founder Tim Jones.

"No other management company has scaled quite as much as that so fast," Jones said.

He still remembers the college years he met Cribspot's other co-founders, Jason Okrasinski and Evan Dancer, and first discussed the idea of Cribspot, originally A2Cribs. The class project took over weekends and conversations and is now a full-time job for the three alumni.

"Finding housing is a thing everybody hates," Jones said, calling it a "classic problem" people face in college towns.

The co-founders sought to make that experience easier by putting all rental properties on one site. They launched the new version known as Cribspot in fall 2013 and began building networks to include rental properties in other college towns across the country.

"Everyone was sharing and talking about it," said Jones, which is when Y Combinator took notice and offered Cribspot a hand. "That was really exciting for us."

Cribspot quickly expanded from 15 to 170 college towns and started to gain a reputation for being different from other real estate sites. In June 2015, the company began managing rental properties in a response to tenant feedback and issues they experienced themselves as college students when working with local landlords.

"We feel a lot of them didn't solve the problems of leasing and renting. I think a lot of them get complacent," Jones said. "You can order dinner and a cab from your phone, but can't make rent payments."

That part of the business grew fast, Jones said, and prompted the engineering team to quickly develop interfaces to allow users a variety of functions through the website.

"There's boots on the ground that a normal tech company may not have," Jones said. "We really wanted to take it to the next level."

Cribspot now offers online rent payments, virtual apartment tours, maintenance scheduling and extensive photo galleries and layout descriptions so renters know what they are getting into, Jones said, even if they are out of state or halfway across the world.

Cribspot charges for managing properties based on the number of bedrooms, from $40 on a yearly basis to $49 on a monthly basis. There is also a rent guarantee that owners can implement that covers 12 months and costs half a month's rent for the property.

It has been a popular feature used by around half the owners Cribspot represents, Jones said, and a symbol of the company's commitment to finding and retaining tenants.

"We put our money where our mouth is," Jones said.

Maintenance charges range from $23.50 to $38 per hour, depending on the severity of the issue and time involved.

Heidi Mitchell is the owner of Prentice Partners of Ann Arbor, which owns five properties with a focus in the Burns Park area. She lives in California and was first contacted by Cribspot in 2016 to consider letting the company manage her properties.

It was a decision she said "made all the sense in the world," with her being out of state.

"I gave them a try with one of our properties and it's been working really well ever since," Mitchell said. "They are taking over our properties as they come up with new rental contracts."

She appreciates the consistency and technology Cribspot offers when it comes to managing the properties, and said it is also the caliber of the employees.

"They are very dedicated to their mission, to make it easy for the landlords and have the tenants have a good experience," Mitchell said. "Ultimately, that's good for me. The tenants stay happy, and there are no headaches."

Cribspot now employs 11 people, who work in the Ann Arbor office at 1200 N. Main St. or satellite locations in East Lansing and Columbus, Ohio. The team includes two full-time maintenance technicians and three engineers who maintain Cribspot's internal software and new experiments.

The newest feature is a Chat application, which was unveiled about 4 weeks ago and gives users another way to communicate maintenance issues or questions about renting.

"It's been amazing how quickly people have accepted this," Jones said about the Chat feature.

What's next for Cribspot? The company is looking at more features to offer its clients, like automated laundry and cleaning services tenants can sign up for through the website and an expansion of the maintenance application.

There is also an emphasis on expanding the Cribspot brand, and achieving the kind of recognition other Y Combinator companies like Airbnb have garnered.

"We're really focused on being that kind of brand," Jones said.

He sees the Columbus and East Lansing markets expanding to the same degree Ann Arbor currently has, about 700 tenants, as more property owners come to know and trust the Cribspot brand. The goal is to reach 2,500 to 3,000 tenants by the end of 2017.

"We think that's definitely within reach," Jones said. "Now we're starting to attract bigger clients with bigger portfolios."

Mitchell has experienced different approaches to property management in other markets, and said Cribspot is "head and shoulders above what I've seen in other markets."

"You don't have to do much research to understand that our culture is being driven more and more towards the experience, whatever the retail sector is," Mitchell said. "The experience part of it is a big deal. They're very in-tuned to that."
The Grandville and Wyoming branches of the Kent District Library have kicked off a combined Community Read program.

The Community Read program features selected books for area residents to read and discuss, culminating with the authors visiting March 27.

Wyoming branch Manager Lori Holland said the two library branches decided to offer the program together this year so they could combine resources and reach more community members. She said a committee from both library staffs chose the books highlighted in the program.

"We are looking for titles that engage a variety of readers in order to promote literacy," she said. "The book must have compelling characters and themes and foster discussion around issues that are important in our communities."

This year's selected main title is "All American Boys" by Brendan Kiely. The novel, a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner, tells the story of two teenagers - one white and one black - who must deal with the consequences of a violent act that leaves their community and the country racially divided.

"Ghost," by Jason Reynolds, was chosen as the book for middle-school students to read, and "Friendshape," by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld, was selected as the picture-book companion title.

Holland said the accessibility of the book also is a factor because students in the Grandville, Wyoming and Godwin Heights school districts take part in the program. She said about 1,400 high school students are expected to participate this year, with the authors planning a visit to the schools.

She said about 4,000 community members in total are anticipated to be a part of this year's program.

Each branch is set to hold book discussions on the titles. The program ends with a celebration from 6 - 8 p.m. March 27 with Kiely and Reynolds speaking about their books at the Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW.

The books are available at the library branches. For more information on the program, visit www.kdl.org.
It was the wildest finish in Oscars history. A historic live-TV moment. A mistake for the ages. A somewhat dull Oscar night turned inside-out at the last minute.

But first things first: "Moonlight" is an extraordinary film. A remarkable work that clings to the memory months after you see it. Do not let the controversial 2017 Oscars fail - the first time a winner was mistakenly announced on stage in the award show's 88 years - overshadow its artistic achievement.

If you haven't seen "Moonlight" - and judging by its $22 million box-office tally, you haven't - that should be corrected. Writer/director Barry Jenkins' moving story of an emotionally repressed gay black man growing up in Florida is a must-see. The writing and performances are nuanced and evocative; the cinematography is gorgeous; it's relevant to our souls and our society.

Of course, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway's erroneous announcement of "La La Land" adds contextual drama to the evening, beyond their being handed the wrong envelope. (It was for "La La Land" star Emma Stone's best actress win.)

Going into the evening, "La La Land" seemed like the favorite to win. It's a movie about movies. It was the conservative choice, most likely, we thought, to be selected by the Academy. "Moonlight" was its closest competitor, but pragmatists didn't expect it to win. This, despite some popular support quietly growing behind Jenkins' film.

That's why the error was extra shocking. "La La Land" producer Jordan Horowitz interrupted his crew's acceptance speeches, graciously handing over the awards to Jenkins and his cast, crew and producers. Horowitz, host Jimmy Kimmel and Beatty repeatedly explained it wasn't a joke, or staged.

It appeared to be an honest mistake, and it had to be corrected.

Jenkins, perhaps unwittingly, referenced a theme of "La La Land" - one of the musical's Oscar-nominated songs is called "Audition (The Fools who Dream)."

"Even in my dreams, this couldn't be true," Jenkins said, accepting the award after the mix-up was straightened out. "But to hell with dreams, because this IS true."

And as much as I love "La La Land," a heartful, charming and occasionally breathtaking film, its win felt like a mistake. Like the more important film wasn't winning. Like the film that best represents our time and the state of the art would go home without the night's biggest award. (I declared "La La Land" the best film of 2016, but the experience of watching "Moonlight" grows richer in the mind by the day, enhanced by additional discussion of it in the lead-up to Oscar night.)

To clarify: They are both beautiful pictures. And the evening's strange events perhaps underscores how silly it is to pit these films in competition with each other. Maybe they should be celebrated as triumphs on their own terms.

Notably, "La La Land" won six Oscars out of its record-tying 14 nominations, for Stone, director Chazelle, production design, cinematography, score and original song.

"Moonlight" finished with three, for best picture, supporting actor Mahershala Ali and adapted screenplay.
Editor's note: This story has been updated as of 11:53 a.m.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Police are investigating a bomb threat at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor.

A staff member called police about 9:20 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27 to report the threat at the Hebrew Day School at 2937 Birch Hollow Drive, said Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Matthew Lige.

The staff member told police that a male caller called the school, located at the center, and said there was a bomb in a backpack and that it would be detonated, Lige said.

The center was evacuated and the about 200 students and staff members were taken to an off-site location, Lige said. Police are working with the FBI and Michigan State Police, and bomb-sniffing dogs were searching the premises as of 11:15 a.m.

Shortly before noon Lt. Lige said the search has been completed and no explosives or suspicious packages were found. Students are being allowed back into the building.

Because of the specific nature of the threat, Lige said the approach was different than a typical bomb threat. Now that the school has been swept and no explosives were found, AAPD will begin working with the FBI to determine who made the call.

Birch Hollow Drive is closed at Stone School Road and the surrounding neighborhood has been blocked off.

Lige said similar threats were called in across the country Monday, but it was not immediately known if there was a direct connection. The Indy Star reports that a similar threat was made the Indianapolis JCC.

The JCC centers in Harrisburg and York, Pennsylvania have also been evacuated today for bomb threats, according to a report from Pennlive.com
ANN ARBOR, MI - Bomb threats are becoming all too frequent at Jewish community centers and Hebrew schools across the country, says Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor Executive Director David Shtulman.

It's why he wasn't truly concerned for his safety when a threat was called in about 9:20 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor at 2937 Birch Hollow Drive. The Hebrew Day School and the Jewish Federation are both housed at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor on Birch Hollow.

It's the second time such an incident has happened at the center in the last year and, for Jewish institutions, "it's really just a question of when it happens," Shtulman said.

"What really goes through our heads is, 'Oh, no, not again,'" he said outside the center, after police cleared the building.

"We're already a part of several today," Shtulman said, referring to incidents reported at Jewish community centers and schools across the country on Monday.

"There has never been an actual bomb and so we're not really concerned about somebody trying to blow us up, but when you have 175 small children you are always going to act with an overabundance of caution and do whatever you can to assure that everyone is safe," he said.

Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Matthew Lige said a person with a male voice called the school and said there was a bomb in a backpack and that it would be detonated.

After students and staff were evacuated from the building, Ann Arbor police worked with the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad and the FBI to assure there were no explosives.

The building was cleared and students began returning to the building by about 11:45 a.m.

Shtulman said he hopes law enforcement is able to find those responsible and put an end to the threats, but he feels responsibility for safety rises to the level of President Donald Trump, as well.

Almost 70 Jewish institutions have been targeted with bomb threats this year, according to media reports.

"I think it's part of the larger problems that are happening with threats against all kinds of people just over the last few months," he said. "Something is broken in America, I think, quite frankly, and I hope the administration will put the resources into trying to address these concerns as much as they are trying to get rid of people who really we don't need to get rid of."

He said the calls were harassment, instead of true threats, but said the school and center are safe and follow protocol when these incidents occur.
ANN ARBOR, MI - About a year ago, India West looked in a mirror and saw her face clearly reflected for the first time in more than a decade.

Peering through the lenses of a technological device called eSight, West, who has dealt with varying degrees of blindness in both eyes since she was 4 years old, glimpsed what it was like to have her vision restored that day in February 2016 as part of an evaluative demonstration.

The eSight glasses capture, process and display real-time video, allowing the visually impaired to make the most of their remaining vision.

"I always cry, because it was amazing," said her mother, Elena Kaltsas. "It seemed like it helped her so much. She was able to see things she hadn't seen or couldn't remembering having seen before.

"And it was, you know... I don't think we were prepared for the psychological impact of that, the emotional impact."

West herself described the experience as overwhelming.

"When I put on the eSight glasses, it actually felt like memories flooded back to my mind," she said. "Everything was stunning and overwhelming at the same time."

West's blindness, which resulted from a 22-hour surgery on a brain tumor when she was a child, has defined many aspects of the 17-year-old's life up to this point.

Following her surgery, she was completely blind and didn't have full control of her faculties, necessitating the use of a wheelchair. Over time, Kaltsas said, she started to regain some of her vision.

"They said (India) would never see again, but she's regained some (sight)," Kaltsas said. "She's got low vision in one eye and only light perception in the other, so she's still pretty close to being blind."

Kaltsas said the eSight glasses could change her daughter's life.

There is only one major hurdle: the technology isn't covered by insurance, and they can't afford it otherwise. The glasses cost $9,995.

"They said she's definitely a good candidate for the device," Kaltsas said, referring to the eSight representatives that evaluated her daughter last year. "But it's very expensive."

Various other health complications have affected West throughout her life, her mother said. Kaltsas explained that chemotherapy became necessary for about 10 months when her daughter was 6 years old and that she faced another brain surgery when she was 7.

West, who can now walk and navigates with a cane, said one area of her life that her visual impairment has always significantly affected is her schooling.

"In elementary it was hard, especially because I felt alone a lot," she said. "I found it really hard to fit in. I struggled with day-to-day activities. I was not able to walk and fully navigate ... and so at that time I felt depressed."

"She struggled a lot in school for a long time," Kaltsas said. "(It was) difficult to sort of integrate her into the public school setting, because being visually impaired, a lot of schools -- despite special education mandates -- they're really not prepared to sort of meed the needs of kids who learn differently."

When Kaltsas learned of a private school in the area offering a scholarship West was eligible for, she jumped at the opportunity. West would be approved and started attending Clonlara School in Ann Arbor in 2015.

Now a senior, she is set to graduate from the private school in January 2018.

Kaltsas said her daughter has always been interested in technology, and in leveraging her disability to be an advocate for the blind community.

To that end, West has been working alongside University of Michigan professor David Chesney and his engineering students, trying to find ways to make life a little easier for those who suffer from visual impairment.

She started visiting Chesney's software engineering course in the fall of 2016, providing input and feedback on his computer science students' projects, ranging from the creation of games to helpful programming language tools and household items.

"India is an absolute pleasure to work with in all regards," Chesney said. "She brings enthusiasm and authenticity to every project that I have had the privilege to work with her on. I am truly glad to call her a friend."

During the first two months of 2017, West has continued working with Chesney in a slightly different capacity, becoming involved with the Multidisciplinary Design Program through the College of Engineering at UM.

"I am working with another group of Dave's students who are making a ... travelling device for navigating through bigger areas," West explained.

Chesney said the two projects West is currently assisting with include the instrumentation of a building on campus to make it completely navigable by blind or visually impaired persons and a vision system that quickly identifies other people in a room.

Kaltsas said West has been an advocate for the visually impaired community in other ways as well.

For example, she will be conducting a disability awareness training session on March 8 at Clague Middle School in Ann Arbor. She participated in a similar event at the school last year.

Though crowdfunding efforts have not gained much traction, it is Kaltsas' hope that she will be able to raise enough money to purchase her daughter her own pair of eSight glasses in the near future.

To date, she said they still have a ways to go for that to become a reality.

To learn more about West and her story, and to donate, visit her eSight crowdfunding page.
UPDATE 7:30 p.m.: Police have successfully ended the barricade situation off of Dhu Varren Road in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor police Sgt. Bonnie Theil confirmed that police were able to make contact with the woman barricaded in her Carrot Way apartment and get her out without further incident shortly before 7:25 p.m. Sunday.

Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Matthew Lige said no force was used and negotiators from the Washtenaw County Crisis Negotiation Team resolved the incident.

The woman surrendered and was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.

No one was injured.

Dhu Varren remained closed at Pontiac Trail about 7:40 p.m., but the road was expected to be reopened shortly.

UPDATE 6:25 p.m.: Police have confirmed that the situation is a response to woman in her 30s barricaded in her apartment.

The woman is believed to be suicidal, and police are working to resolve the situation, Ann Arbor police Sgt. Bonnie Theil said.

The apartment complex has been evacuated.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Police blocked streets on the north side of Ann Arbor on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 26.

Although she would not confirm the circumstances of the blockage, Ann Arbor police Sgt. Aimee Metzer said Dhu Varren Road was blocked from Pontiac Trail to at least Birchwood Drive as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Armored Washtenaw Metro SWAT vehicles, Ypsilanti police, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, and Huron Valley Ambulance were on scene with Ann Arbor police.

This post will be updated when more information becomes available.

Those experiencing thoughts of suicide can get help from:

The 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Military veterans press #1.

The Ozone House, a 24-hour hotline for youth, at 734-662-2222.

The 24-hour hotline at University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Services at 734-936-5900.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Amir Kamouneh came to the United States from Iran in 1978 and he says he still regularly hears people tell him to "go home."

"As I have grown older and wiser, my response is, 'This is my home. You go home. I didn't ask your permission to come here,'" he said.

Kamouneh said he came here as a student, earned a degree in mechanical engineering, and stayed in the U.S.

"Because my field was in demand, the Department of Labor certified that somebody with my skills is needed, so I became a permanent resident and later on I became a citizen," he said.

He earned a Ph.D. in manufacturing from the University of Michigan and spent many years leading projects as an engineer for General Motors. He's now semi-retired and makes his living as a landlord in Ann Arbor.

"This is my home," he said. "We are part of this community and we are going to stay, and those who don't like it will have to get used to us."

Kamouneh talked about some of the hostility he faces as an Iranian Muslim, including a time he said he was assaulted in front of his home, during a "meet and greet your Muslim neighbors" event Sunday, Feb. 26, in Ann Arbor.

About 70 people from across the city, young and old alike, packed into the clubhouse at Earhart Village condos on Greenhills Drive.

For nearly two hours, residents took turns standing up and speaking into a microphone, sharing their experiences and concerns about the current national discourse, and discussing ways to support Muslims and immigrants.

The event was co-organized by Kamouneh, who lives in Ann Arbor's River District, and Susan Dushane from the King Elementary School neighborhood.

"I am speechless," Kamouneh said afterward. "I was afraid only four or five people would show up, and it surpassed my expectation.

"I think there was love not just for Muslims, but there was love for each other as Ann Arborites and there was love for each other as human beings."

Kamouneh said he hopes to stay connected with his neighbors who came out, most of them not Muslim, and organize a group to continue getting together.

Sunday's meeting came together after someone using the NextDoor app asked why there were police in front of the Islamic Center on Plymouth Road the other day. Kamouneh said he was glad someone cared enough to ask, and that prompted a discussion that eventually led to organizing a meeting to talk about the experiences of Ann Arborites who are Muslim.

Kamouneh said the hostility he faces as an Iranian Muslim immigrant in the U.S. didn't start with Donald Trump's election as president. He said it started back in 1979 with the Iran hostage crisis.

"For all other Muslims, it was after 9/11, so we've been dealing with this for 16 years," he said, encouraging others to reach out and befriend minorities.

"You will find Muslims and people from the Middle East are some of the warmest people you'll ever meet, and they're also good cooks."

Dushane, who is not Muslim, said she and her husband first moved to Ann Arbor in 1967, moved away in 1971, and came back in 1987.

"I don't think we've ever faced a time like this in all those years, so it's really good that we're here together to figure out how to approach this situation," she said.

In speaking with Kamouneh privately on the phone, Dushane said she heard some "pretty horrible things" about his experience here, even in Ann Arbor.

"We think of ourselves as a bubble here, somewhat immune to the hate and violence that happens in other places, but we're not," Dushane said.

City Council Member Kirk Westphal, D-2nd Ward, invited all 10 of his council colleagues to attend Sunday night's meeting, and four of them did, including Jane Lumm, Zachary Ackerman, Jack Eaton and Jason Frenzel.

Frenzel, D-1st Ward, said growing up on the southeast side of town, his three best friends were African American, Korean and Vietnamese, and he was raised by lesbians. He said he can attest people here are not always nice to everyone.

Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, asked people in Sunday's audience who are Muslim to raise their hands. Only a small handful did.

Ackerman said the fact that so many people who are not Muslim came out to meet and support their Muslim neighbors is tremendous. He said he's proud the City Council always votes unanimously in favor of any resolutions or ordinances that deal with supporting refugees and immigrants.

"I'm proud that, in this community, we're pushing in that direction," he said. "We need to do more because this community is for everyone."

Tejas Rao, who came to the U.S. from India about 25 years ago, said he has had a positive experience here.

He said he first came as an exchange student in high school, met his wife, went to college, got a job, got a green card and now is a citizen.

"There's obviously a lot of bad stuff going on, but I firmly believe that there are more people who are kind and welcoming in America than there are people who are not," he said, adding he believes a smaller group of people are hijacking the national discourse and making Americans look bad right now.

"So I think we need to remember that," he said.

Rula Hashem, a Muslim who came to the U.S. from Palestine in 1994, expressed gratitude for the warm feelings she felt from other residents Sunday night. She said she believes God created people to be different, with different languages and religions, and everyone is supposed to live together in harmony.

"I appreciate all the love," she said to the many who spoke and shared similar sentiments.

Hashem said the majority of her time living in the U.S. has been a positive experience, though she said her first job as a math instructor was in Texas where she didn't feel as well received as she has been here in Michigan. She recalled many students walking out of her classroom on the first day of class in Texas, and she believes it's because of the way she was dressed as a Muslim. She said she's grateful to have met so many wonderful people here.

Ann Arbor resident Pat Dost said she has known Kamouneh and his family for more than a decade. She said she was raised believing certain things about the U.S. and what Americans believed in, and it's been difficult to see what is happening now, and to see the way Kamouneh has been treated at times.

"I've been in the car with Amir when he's been told to get out of the country, to go home," she said. "And I was one of those naive people who thought 'not here in Ann Arbor, we're a liberal community.'

"I've been to the hospital with him after he was beaten up," she added, noting Kamouneh's daughter also was assaulted once.

"They probably won't say too much about it, but I wanted people to know that this is real and it is happening to people, and we need to just come together in love and support. I'm not political. I don't know how else to do that, but to be kind to people ... no matter where they're from ... is a start."

Kamouneh said it was about six years ago when two white men came to his door, asking for money. He said they were scam artists.

After he said he wasn't interested, one of the men started getting aggressive and demanding money, saying they would tell his neighbors he didn't support the troops if he didn't give them money, Kamouneh recalled.

Kamouneh, who considered it ethnic intimidation, said he told the men to get off his property and then a physical altercation ensued.

He said racial slurs were directed at him.

"Eventually they ran off, I called Ann Arbor police, and I had taken his wallet, so I had his name ID," Kamouneh said, adding the case was investigated for two months before police passed it onto the prosecutor's office, but only charges for assault were brought, not ethnic intimidation. Kamouneh said it took years for police to arrest the man, who eventually served five months in jail.

Kamouneh said his daughters were assaulted in an Ann Arbor park by three juveniles once and he believes that also was a hate crime.

"I do believe there is a reluctance on the part of law enforcement to call a hate crime a hate crime," he said. "We all would like to think this is a safe community, that America isn't like this, but the reality is these hate crimes are not officially being tallied and the victims end up suffering more during the investigation."

Kamouneh said he hopes when people hear labels such as "Muslim," "Iranian" and "immigrant," they can put a face to those labels.

"I am more than that," he said. "I'm also a father. I'm also a brother. I was an engineer."

He said he also hopes more of his fellow residents will speak up and get involved when they see people being mistreated.

"What I'm hoping is that, with the rise of hate groups in America, it's not enough that we just defend against hate groups," he said. "It's important that we actually do positive things to actually prevent hate crimes."

Ginger Reynolds, a member of Huron Hills Church, said her church is seeking to be open and loving toward everyone, including Muslims. She said the church is offering a new class called "loving your Muslim neighbors."

Another person who spoke mentioned the Islamic Center on Plymouth Road is offering free "Islam 101" classes every Wednesday night for anyone who wants to learn more about the beliefs and practices of Islam.

Judith Cawhorn said a diverse group of women across Ann Arbor have started an informal organization called the Women's Action Movement with different action subgroups, including one focused on making Ann Arbor a safe sanctuary community for all. She invited others to get involved.

Another woman invited others to get involved in the Circles program through Ypsilanti-based Friends in Deed, which matches people in poverty with middle- or upper-income partners to build relationships.

Kamouneh mentioned Trump's recent executive order attempting to keep people from seven majority-Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the U.S.

He noted a large number of people going through science and engineering programs in the U.S. are foreigners, including many Iranians.

"Now, there are those who tell us foreigners or immigrants to get out of here. The reality of it is, if these people get out of here, who's going to do the operation on your children in the hospital? Who's going to design the next rocket or work in the airplane factory, or the satellite that needs to go up?" he said.

Kamouneh said he thinks many younger immigrants or students who are here studying are afraid to speak up.

"They're afraid Homeland Security will single them out and mark them for deportation. They're afraid that if they leave the country to go visit their parents, they cannot get back in to continue their education," he said.

"Since I am a citizen and I am older, I have fewer things to be afraid of. I can speak for them, for a lot of these silent immigrants who are in this country, who are doing honorable work, whether it's mowing the lawn or working in a restaurant or being a scientist or a doctor."
BAY CITY, MI -- A pothole that turned into a political lightning rod has been repaired and an Interstate 75 overpass in Bay County that has been closed for two weeks is open to traffic again.

Road crews have finished repairs to an overpass on Mackinaw Road between Townline 14 and Chip roads. Bay County Central Dispatch officials issued a Bay Alert before 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, saying the road is now open.

Crews tested the repairs over the weekend, according to a Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson, before opening the road back up on Monday.

MDOT officials had said recent temperature fluctuations and precipitation likely caused the pothole.

State Rep. Brian Elder, D-Bay City, linked the pothole, which gave an aerial view of I-75, to U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her family, arguing they were the recipients of "insider tax cuts" that took away money from proper infrastructure maintenance across the state.

A DeVos family spokesman called Elder's statement a political attack that is not factually based.

Bay County Republican chairman Brandon DeFrain issued a statement following Elder's remarks, asking the state legislator to present an infrastructure plan.

There are still two other roads in Bay County closed for repair right now. Beard Road between Farley and Nolet roads in Merritt Township and Erickson Road Bridge between Flajole and Bay Mid Line roads remain close.
Detroit Police Car door.jpg

(Tanya Moutzalias | MLive file)

DETROIT, MI -- A former Detroit police officer was arrested at the conclusion of a nearly two-hour standoff with officers on the force he used to belong to early Monday morning, WXYZ-TV, Channel 7 News reports.

Detroit police representatives couldn't be reached to confirm the report Monday.

According to Channel 7, more than 30 gunshots were reportedly fired during the incident that concluded when the suspect, a Detroit police retiree who served 20 years and left the force eight years ago, attempted to flee in his vehicle and was arrested for suspected drunk driving.

"Shooting an automatic weapon in public, numerous rounds," Commander Elvin Barren of the Detroit Police Department told WJBK-TV, Fox 2 News. "So these things are concerning, so I don't know happened over the course of the years that would prompt him to conduct himself in that manner."

There were no injuries reported and criminal charges are pending.

The Detroit Bomb Squad was called in when a subsequent search of the man's home revealed grenades that were later determined not to be live.
IMG_8448.PNG

County commissioners are pictured at a 2017 board meeting in this Flint Journal file photo.

(MLive.com | Molly Young)

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Genesee County Commissioners voted again Monday to follow the recommendations of the sheriff in his department's legal issues.

But like last week, commissioners did not say what the recommendation was or even which legal issues the vote addressed.

Instead, some county commissioners took exception to an MLive-Flint Journal article on last week's vote.

"I was disappointed with the coverage we had on this because it only covered the second half of the meeting coming out of our closed session, and I just want to make it clear that -- for whatever public comments there were -- that this session went closed based on clear exemptions by the state of Michigan for closed [sessions] to protect the county's assets, and I was just disappointed that the newspaper coverage only covered us coming out of session and not the legitimate, authorized reason for going into session," said County Commissioner David Martin.

The Open Meetings Act allows public bodies like the Board of Commissioners to go into closed session, but requires all decisions of a public body to be made at an open meeting.

After the closed session, commissioners voted to "follow the request and recommendation of the sheriff," but did not spell out the recommendation or reference a case name or number.

Commissioners repeated the vote Monday but did not give details on the legal matters they discussed.

Commissioner Drew Shapiro, who missed last week's vote, joined in the unanimous vote this week.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell again said he could not elaborate on the closed session.

"Any time you go into a closed session, it's to discuss either lawsuits or personnel matters ..." Pickell said, saying that no one would want to have those discussions in a public meeting. "I think you'll probably find out pretty soon. There's always transparency in the system, but right now it's working its way through. When the person files the lawsuit you will know about it."
FLINT, MI -- Students were able to catch a performance by dance group Tapology at Pierce Elementary as one of the many activities being held by Flint Community Schools this month to celebrate Black History Month.

The Feb. 23 performance came hours after students at Holmes STEM Academy took part in a school-wide presentation after each classroom was given a decade and asked to reenact a historical event or highlight a historic figure.

Students at Freeman Elementary are scheduled to take part in a one-hour presentation on Africana studies Monday, Feb. 27 by a University of Michigan-Flint professor being held through the school district's Community Education initiative in conjunction with the Crim Fitness Foundation.

A choir concert featuring Flint choir and Howell Middle School choir students is also set to take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday afternoon at Riverside Tabernacle, 429 NB Chavez Drive, in Flint.

Alan Lynch, music director with Flint schools, teamed up with a composer at UM-Flint to listen put together the performance after listening to students' takes on the water crisis.

Howell Middle School choir students are taking part after having donated body wipes and hand sanitizer to Flint students.
Donald Trump

President Donald Trump smiles while speaking to a meeting of the National Governors Association, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the White House in Washington.

(Evan Vucci | The Associated Press)

President Donald Trump's plan to cut spending on domestic programs, including those at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is dangerous and "would gut the agency focused on preventing the next Flint water crisis," U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee says.

"This is not the responsible federal budget that my constituents expect and deserve," Kildee, a Flint Township Democrat, said Monday, Feb. 27, in a news release. "A budget is a statement of our nation's values. We should be making investments in policies that create good-paying jobs here in America and provide more opportunity for working families ..."

The EPA is overseeing the response to Flint's water crisis.

The Associated Press reported Monday that Trump's upcoming budget will propose a $54 billion increase in defense spending and impose cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid.

White House budget officials outlined the information during a telephone call with reporters Monday on condition of anonymity after Trump last week decried the use of anonymous sources by the media, the AP reported.

Kildee said the Trump budget would make drastic cuts to EPA and other domestic agencies, which will have operating budgets revealed in a partial submission to Congress next month.

Monday's announcement about the federal spending plan comes one day before Trump's first address to a joint meeting of Congress.

Kildee said last week that he's invited Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the Flint pediatrician who helped to expose the Flint water crisis, to attend that address with him.
busfolo.jpg

Flint police are investigating after a single bullet struck an MTA bus carrying school Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 in Flint. No one on the bus was injured. (Roberto Acosta | MLive.com)

FLINT, MI -- Madison Academy is resuming classes Monday, Feb. 27, following safety changes after an MTA bus with several of the charter school's students on board was struck by a bullet last week.

A statement posted Feb. 26 on the school's Facebook page by elementary/middle school principal Tricia Osborne and high school principal Joddi Mills notes Madison Academy is assisting Flint police "in every way possible during their investigation."

Officers responded for a 911 call around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, after someone heard what they believed to be gunshots in the area of South Dort Highway and Cherokee Avenue on the city's southeast side.

MTA also phoned 911 regarding the incident. Police observed a rear window broken on the bus stopped at Cherokee and and Mohawk avenues in Flint. The window was broken by a single round of gunfire.

A Flint police officer will be riding along Monday morning with students on the affected route "to help ease fears of the parents and students, who were subjected to the initial incident," reads the statement.

None of the 30-plus students riding on the bus at the time nor the driver were injured when two people in the street began firing shots one another.

The officer will be on the bus "as a precaution," according to Flint police Chief Tim Johnson.

"I want the public to feel safe, and if having an officer on the bus with passengers will make them feel better then that is what we're going to do," he said.

Officers will also be at random bus stops throughout pickups and drop-offs Monday.

The school made the decision to cancel classes Friday, Feb. 24, after the shooting incident.

School staff is expected to address student safety Monday to reinforce students are safe at Madison Academy "and that they can always reach out to the staff, in any situation, if they ever feel otherwise."

Flint resident Rebekah Fitch had four children on the bus, one of which phoned her immediately after the bus was struck by the gunshot.

"I was terrified," she said. "Not just for my kids but the whole bus. I knew the bus was full ... there was so much yelling in the background when they called. All I could do was pray and ask God for everything to be OK. I hope they find (the person responsible)."

She agreed with the school's decision to not hold classes to end the week.

"This gives time for everything to be investigated and kids to be comforted," Fitch said.

Evidence was collected by Flint police off the bus, which Ed Benning, MTA general manger, said has been placed in "quarantine" until the investigation by law enforcement is completed.

Anyone with information about the shooting incident may contact Flint police at 810-237-6800.
KENTWOOD, MI -- In the four years Victor Murdock has had his American Legion Riders motorcycle jacket, he cannot recall ever being accused of being in a gang.

But that's just what happened when he and three friends met up at Kentwood's Dave & Buster's Saturday, Feb. 25.

"Me, my fiance and my road captain and his wife, we had planned to meet up there," Murdock said. "Just drink a couple beers and play some video games, you know?"

But Murdock describes a confrontation with Dave & Busters General Manager Josh Leibowitz shortly after he arrived to meet the other members of his party.

Murdock said another employee first asked him to take off his beanie cap, which he agreed to do.

"Then I turned to my right, and the manager was standing right there," he said. "He placed his hand on my chest and said, 'You're not coming in here.' He basically explained to me their company policy and said I can thank Chicago for this -- whatever that means -- that anything gang-related you can't wear there."

Leibowitz declined to comment for this story, instead directing a reporter to April Spearman, vice president of marketing for Dave & Buster's.

In a prepared statement, Spearman explained the company-wide dress code policy, and why the group was asked to remove their jackets or turn them inside-out.

"Our dress code, which prohibits evidence of gang affiliation, is in place to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy themselves in a fun and safe environment," she wrote in the statement. "Though we understand that the American Legion promotes a positive mission, for consistency reasons we cannot allow motorcycle jackets displaying patches or rockers."

Spearman went on to apologize on behalf of the company.

"We are extremely grateful to all of our active military members and veterans and are honored to have them as valued guests in any of our locations," she wrote. "Our policies are in no way meant to be disrespectful and we apologize for any frustration this may have caused."

Though the company spokesperson also said the group was given the option to have their coats checked by staff, Murdock contests that claim.

"We were blatantly told turn them inside-out, or take them off or leave," he said. "I'm sorry. I'm not going to cover up my American flag and I'm not going to cover up the American bald eagle."

Spearman later amended the statement, acknowledging that the individuals "left abruptly, before our management had the opportunity to extend" an offer for their coats to be checked.

Attempts to explain their affiliation with American Legion Post 179 in Grandville were met with a reiteration of the policy, Murdock said.

"I get it," he said. "Everyone has to have a policy to keep the unwanted element out. But an American flag and a bald eagle does not represent a gang element."

A complaint about the incident posted to a Dave & Buster's Facebook page Sunday, Feb. 26, was later removed.

The son of a U.S. Navy veteran, Murdock is not a veteran himself, but said he joined Friends of the American Legion and the Legion Riders chapter in an effort to honor his father and help other veterans.

As the assistant director of Post 179's "Riders" chapter, Murdock said their members' jackets are a lot more to them than just protection from the elements.

"A lot of our members are war veterans," he said. "When they wear our jackets they usually have the battalion they served in. It's not just a jacket. It's a badge of honor."

Murdock said he understands a policy against clothing showing a gang affiliation, but cannot see how that would apply to him and other members of the Legion Riders groups.

"I'm just blown away by it," he said. "It's not that we're asking for an apology. There needs to be an amendment to their policy, or an education of the workforce to tell the difference.

"Were do we draw the line? Pretty soon we're not going to be able to wear shirts with American flags on them."
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)

Jane Rachel Slotsema, 25, in a photo provided to the Grand Rapids Press with her obituary.

WYOMING, MI -- A woman who collided head-on with another vehicle in the opposite lane on U.S. 131 was identified by police as Jane Rachel Slotsema.

Slotsema, a 25-year-old Grand Rapids resident, was driving south in her 2009 Hyundai Sonata when she entered northbound lanes near 28th Street in Wyoming. She struck a 2007 Ford Edge being driven by 27-year-old Jonathon Yarrington, killing the father of two on Feb. 23.

According to an obituary published by the family, Slotsema graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 2009 before pusuing a career in psychology. Slotsema graduated from the University of Michigan in 2013 and planned to complete a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University in the spring.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 107 LaGrave Ave. SE. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Slotsema's name to Grand Rapids Christian Schools and Hope Network.

A third vehicle in the northbound lane was unable to avoid the crash was also involved. A 26-year-old Grand Rapids man in a 2002 Chrysler mini-van crashed, but was not seriously injured.

Members of the Michigan State Police Rockford Post notified family members of both deceased drivers later that night.
UPDATE: 2 men hit by gunfire in drive-by shooting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mi -- Police are responding to two separate medical scenes Monday morning after receiving reports of shots fired.

Officers were initially dispatched around 11 a.m. to the 1000-block of Prince St. SE after receiving a call about a victim shot in the back, according to police dispatch reports.

Minutes later, a second 911 call sent police to an apartment in the 1000-block of Franklin St. SE.

At the second scene, police told dispatch officers they found a male victim who had a gunshot wound to one of his legs, according to dispatch reports.

A police spokesman said he is on his way to the Prince Street scene.

Officers in the area reported looking for a gray vehicle. It was last seen in the area of Franklin Street.
Tom Perez

Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who is a candidate to run the Democratic National Committee, speaks during the general session of the DNC winter meeting in Atlanta, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

As he looks to chart a new course for the Democratic Party moving forward, newly elected Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said part of his plan is to refocus party efforts on states like Michigan in coming elections.

In an interview with MLive prior to the Feb. 11 Democratic National Committee forum in Detroit, the former Secretary of Labor under then-President Barack Obama said his goal is to invest in state parties and make the DNC more involved in training and candidate recruitment, while also stressing to prospective voters that the Democratic Party will support workers.

Perez said he spoke with many DNC members from Michigan during his time in Detroit, where Democrats lost the state's Electoral College votes in the presidential election for the first time since 1992 and also missed an opportunity to pick up additional seats in the state House.

Talking to voters on the ground regularly and understanding what happened between 2012 and 2016 in areas like Macomb County, where voters supported Obama in 2012 but solidly supported President Donald Trump in 2016, is key to the party's future success, Perez said.

"There's a formula for victory, but it starts with establishing a 12-month organizing presence here in the state," Perez said. "We need to be the party of listeners, and we need to do a better job of explaining to people that we are the party of good job creation. We are the party that has helped people enter and stay in the middle class."

He praised Attorney Mark Brewer's plans to file a lawsuit claiming Michigan's political districts are gerrymandered and argued Democrats need to "play offense" to combat voter suppression. Perez said he hopes to work at a state-by-state level to expand early voting, vote by mail and universal registration efforts.

Perez also said he hopes to alleviate concerns about party transparency that cropped up during the 2016 presidential election, noting that he plans to set the party's primary debate schedule "well in advance of when we know who the candidates are" to avoid the perception of giving some candidates an unfair advantage over others.

Perez was tapped to lead the Democratic Party Saturday after a tight vote at the party's Atlanta meeting, where it took two rounds of voting to decide the race between Perez and Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. Perez was the first choice of Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, while Ellison had won support from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Perez's first act as chair was to name Ellison deputy chairman of the party.

The vote came after the 2016 election dealt a blow to Democrats, with President Donald Trump defeating Hillary Clinton and Republicans holding onto their lead in the Senate.

Before the Detroit forum, where delegates and members of the public in the Midwest had the chance to see candidates for leadership positions participate in Q&A forums, Perez said he thinks Democrats should treat Trump "the same way Mitch McConnell treated Barack Obama."

"He's demonstrated from the day he was elected that he has no interest in reaching across the aisle," Perez said. "He has engaged in a frontal assault on our democracy, and it's up to Democrats to lead that charge. We should fight like hell."

Trump responded to Perez's election on Twitter, where he said he "could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party."

In a subsequent tweet, Trump alleged the race was rigged: "Bernie's guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance," he said.

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
[February 27, 2017] Earin Showcases True Wireless Earbuds at Mobile World Congress

Earin will showcase the next generation in the company's line of True Wireless Earbuds at Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) (MWC) taking place in Barcelona this week. On the heels of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) where Earin debuted the M-2 earbuds to critical acclaim, the company today announced new details leading up to the launch of M-2 this spring. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005160/en/ Earin showcased the M-2 True Wireless Earbuds, coming spring 2017, at Mobile World Congress (Photo: Business Wire) Fashion-Forward Design Featuring the fashion-forward Scandinavian design elements that Earin has become known for, the M-2 earbuds will be the smallest and lightest available on the market when they release later this year. M-2 are desiged to create a seamless user experience like no other - answering calls, playing/pausing music, and skipping to the next song - all with a touch interface on the tip of the earbud. A magnetic docking capsule both stores and charges the earbuds, offering three hours battery life with one charge and 12 hours of music.



Discreet, Cutting-Edge Technology The magic behind M-2 comes in the form of X Audio, a proprietary algorithm refined by sound engineers and hearing aid experts over the course of the past 20 years. The exclusive X Audio algorithm married with a custom designed dual microphone array (2 in each earbud), creates smart noise cancellation that can handle extreme sound level from the surrounding environment. With the accompanying app, Audio Transparency Mode enables background noise to be minimized and speech amplified, seamlessly adjusting levels by environment and providing the best possible sound at all times. Like its predecessor, M-2 is equipped with world class speakers creating crystal clear audio, allowing users to take calls, listen to music or access Siri from anywhere. Dual antenna and Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) powered by NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert) results in a reliable and stable connection unmatched by competitive products.

Earin M-2 True Wireless Earbuds will be available at brick and mortar and online retail shops in the US, Europe and Asia this spring. For more information visit www.Earin.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Additional press materials and product images can be downloaded here. ABOUT EARIN

Earin creates audio products of extraordinary quality for people who love music. Following one of the most successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns to date, the company was established in 2014 with a simple aim - to create high fidelity audio devices without compromise. Located in Malmo, Sweden, the dedicated team of audio technicians, engineers and industrial designers are continually exploring the potential of sound and technology. Earin wireless earbuds are dedicated to sound like no other. From the incredible acoustic detail and clarity, to the breathtaking immersive audio experience, Earin sets a new standard for wireless audio. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005160/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Global Mobile Launches DEWALT MD501 Rugged Android Smartphone in Canadian Market

Rugged mobile device designed specifically for professional construction end-users

Ensures lone worker safety with pre-configured settings

IP68 guarantees protection from total dust ingress and continuous submersion in water

Dual micro SIM for greater connectivity across networks and for business/personal differentiation

5-inch HD Bright View Gorilla Toughened glass

Ultimate all-seasons device, operating range of -20C/-4F to 60C/140F

Wireless Qi charging: less hassle, no cables

24 months Manufacturer's Warranty

Readily available to CE retailers and channel partners through an exclusive agreement with Ingram Micro Canada VANCOUVER, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Global Mobile Communications has today announced it is launching a DEWALT branded high-end, completely ruggedized smartphone to the Canadian market. Global Mobile Communications experience combines deep insight into the large-scale construction industry with an intimate knowledge of innovative mobile technology. The result is the DEWALT MD501 Android smartphone: a dual-SIM 4G Android 6 (Marshmallow) rugged handset, presenting all the functionality of a high-performing smartphone, combined with a durable, robust design and specialised features for the trade professional. Designed to perform in a diverse range of working environments, the device is able to withstand the extremes of weather and outdoor working conditions associated with the region. Tough exterior The MD501 is waterproof, dustproof and weatherproof, in line with the recognised industry standard IP68. The DEWALT ruggedized handset conforms to MIL-STD 810G, and is able to withstand up to two-metre drops onto solid concrete. Central and northern Canada experience subarctic and Arctic climates, where the temperature can drop below -20C/-4F in sparsely populated areas. With an operating range of -20C/-4F to 60C/140F, the MD501 will withstand the tough Canadian winter conditions, ensuring connectivity for the user, regardless of their working environment. A five-inch screen comprised of HD Bright View Gorilla Toughened Glass 3 will endure the inevitable stresses that accompany daily jobsite use. The DEWALT MD501 has been rigorously tested to exacting industry standards and the harshest possible conditions. It is designed to exceed the expectations of even the most demanding construction professional. Smart interior Global Mobile is a leader in its field, and its expertise is evidenced by the rich feature-set of the MD501. Delivering high-end smartphone performance, the DEWALT device also boasts additional features intended to maximise end-user productivity, management and efficiency. The HD screen is compatible for use with gloves for maximum ease-of-use while on-site, and a 13MP rear camera is ideal for logging and recording jobsite conditions. Unlike many smartphones on the market, advanced battery technology provides up to 36 hours heavy usage and up to a week standby, designed to mitigate scenarios where a worker is left without connectivity which, working in rural locations, can easily rove a major safety concern. Wireless Qi charging provides a convenient means of charging the MD501, saving on the amount of cables the end-user has to travel with. As such the MD501 is fully compatible with all forms of wireless, cordless charging.



Never alone With many years' experience of delivering mobile solutions for rugged outdoor and working environments, Global Mobile understands the needs of end-users, and the demands and potential dangers of working in this field. The MD501 is designed to address and mitigate these dangers, with features which support lone worker safety. The device has a pre-installed Lone Worker Protection App, which can be easily accessed using a side mounted function button and provides both an audible and text alarm, sending a worker's GPS location and alert message to their manager or colleague. For workers in more treacherous conditions, who face the unpredictability of the Canadian weather and landscape, the accelerometer can be set, triggering an alarm if the user suffers a fall. In addition, the side mounted function button can be easily programmed to make Push-To-Talk calls allowing a manager to instantly communicate one-to-one or one-to-many, providing cohesion among lone workers based in disparate locations. These features are not only of benefit to the health and safety of the end-user, but can help ensure a business complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act in force in its territory.

Consistent connectivity The MD501 offers dual SIM capabilities, allowing even greater connectivity for all areas of a worker's life, whether working in a rural location, or contacting friends and family out of hours. The dual 4G feature improves cellular coverage, allowing the user to switch networks, offering a potential solution to mobile blackspots with limited cellular coverage. An amplified loudspeaker provides increased ringtone volume and improved call clarity, designed to be heard above the high noise levels associated with large-scale construction sites. Stephen Westley, Director of Global Mobile Communications, said, "As a working environment, the vast Canadian landscape throws up a number of potential hurdles. Limited cellular coverage, extreme weather, and vast territories all pose difficulties for the professional tradesperson, especially those working alone, or in remote areas. The DEWALT MD501 Android Smartphone offers the high-end performance of a market-leading device, combined with a robust, ruggedized build, and with additional features tailored to the needs of the DEWALT user working in this environment." Pricing and availability The MSRP of the DEWALT MD501 Android smartphone is Can $699.99 and is available now to CE retailers and channel partners through an exclusive relationship with Ingram Micro Canada. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Notes to editors For further information, high resolution images or products for review please contact: Catherine Dunwoody

Communications Specialist

c[email protected]

(604) 736-3185 Additional details available at www.dewaltphones.com

Product images available here. Copyright  2017 DEWALT. DEWALT and the DEWALT Logo are trademarks of the DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., or an affiliate thereof and are used under license. The yellow/black color scheme is a trademark for DEWALT power tools & accessories. About DEWALT DEWALT is a leading manufacturer of industrial corded and cordless power tools, power tool accessories and hand tools in categories that include Woodworking, Drilling & Fastening, Concrete & Metal Power Tools, as well as Cutting, Abrasive, and IMPACT READY Impact Driver Power Tool Accessories. Hand Tool categories include Measuring & Layout, Knives & Blades, Mechanics Tools, and Storage Solutions. With seven manufacturing locations in the USA, DEWALT remains committed to domestic manufacturing and has produced over 90 million individual units of Power Tools, Hand Tools and Accessories in the United States with global materials in 2016 alone. Visit the website to learn more about DEWALT Tools Made in the USA with global materials. DEWALT tools can be found nationally and internationally, wherever tools are sold. With more than 1,000 factory-owned and authorized locations, DEWALT has one of the most extensive service and repair networks in North America. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook and Twitter. About Ingram Micro Ingram Micro helps businesses Realize the Promise of Technology. It delivers a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world. Deep expertise in technology solutions, mobility, cloud and supply chain solutions enables its business partners to operate efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Unrivaled agility, deep market insights and the trust and dependability that come from decades of proven relationships, set Ingram Micro apart and ahead. More at www.ingrammicro.com. SOURCE Global Mobile Communications

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[February 27, 2017] Arcus Teams with Thinfilm to Deliver 'Smart' LINIE Aquavit

Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") (OSE:THIN), a global leader in NFC (near field communication) mobile marketing solutions using printed electronics technology, today announced Arcus ASA ("Arcus") (OSE:ARCUS), Norway's largest wholesaler of wine and liquor, as a new customer. Preparations are underway for an initial field trial, which is expected to begin in the second quarter. For the trial, Thinfilm's smartphone-readable SpeedTap tags will be applied to bottles of Arcus' legendary LINIE Aquavit brand to enable a direct connection with consumers. Thinfilm will also present the LINIE Aquavit connected bottle at Mobile World Congress 2017, February 27 - March 2, in Barcelona, Spain. To accelerate innovation within its spirits category, Arcus will levrage Thinfilm's end-to-end NFC solutions offering to improve its ability to engage with consumers. SpeedTap tags integrate with the Thinfilm CNECT software portal, a powerful cloud-based platform that enables remote tag (News - Alert) management, custom content delivery, and brand analytics and reporting.



Each SpeedTap tag is uniquely identifiable and virtually impossible to clone, and can be read with the simple tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone or device. Once tapped, the tags allow smart devices to wirelessly communicate with the CNECT software portal. This combination creates a compelling one-to-one mobile marketing platform from which Arcus can connect directly with its consumers. As a result, LINIE marketers are able to instantly deliver brand stories, product news, and other contextual content. "LINIE aquavit is the world's oldest aquavit brand, created in 1821. We have a strong focus on innovation in order to keep the brand contemporary and build awareness around the aquavit category," said Romain Jourdan, Category Manager for Norwegian Aquavit, at Arcus. "We are excited to partner with a fellow-Norwegian firm and look forward to working closely with Thinfilm on this innovative initiative."

Arcus is a publicly-listed company on the Oslo Stock Exchange, and is the world's largest producer of aquavit and the leading wine and spirits company in Norway. In addition, the company is Sweden's second largest importer of wine, the third largest in Finland, and the second largest producer of spirits in Denmark. Arcus also owns the Aalborg, Liten, and Gammel Opland aquavit brands. "Arcus and the iconic LINIE Aquavit brand represent a unique combination of old-world tradition and new-world innovation," said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. "We're very excited about the role our NFC technology will play in connecting Arcus to its consumers." About Thin Film Electronics ASA Thinfilm is a leader in NFC smart packaging solutions using printed electronics technology. The first to commercialize printed, rewritable memory, the Company today creates printed tags, labels and systems that include memory, sensing, display, and wireless communication - all at a cost-per-function unmatched by conventional electronic technologies. Thinfilm's roadmap integrates technology from a strong and growing ecosystem of partners to bring intelligence to everyday items and effectively extend the traditional boundaries of the Internet of Things. Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") is a publicly listed Norwegian company with headquarters in Oslo, Norway; product development and production in Linkoping, Sweden; product development, production, and business development in San Jose, California, USA; and sales offices in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.thinfilm.no. This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to 5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005286/en/

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In a recent letter to its investors, Crispin Odey commented as follows:

Money managers specializing in picking stocks and bonds are being driven out by mindless passive investing.

Odey is a London based hedge fund manager, whose flagship fund lost almost 50% in 2016.

Photo courtesy of Wes. All complaints can be directed towards him.

Are Active Managers Being Treated Unfairly? Or Are They Failing to Adapt?

Blaming the disappointing performance of active management on the exponential growth of passive indexing (defined here) is not a new idea. However, a recently published paper in the Journal of Financial Economics, provides a new and notable take on the continuing debate. In a surprising turnabout to Mr. Odeys comment, the authors of the article find that actively managed funds are more active, charge lower fees, and produce higher alpha, when faced with more competitive pressure from low-cost passive index funds.

A summary of the main questions and insights include the following:

What is the relation between explicit indexing and product differentiation (active share)? Active funds are more active (have a higher active share) in countries where explicitly indexed funds have a higher market share and lower costs.

What is the relation between explicit indexing and price that investors pay for active management (total shareholder costs)? Active funds total shareholder costs decrease with market share and costs of the index funds. For instance, a decline in the average cost of index funds of 50 basis points is associated with lower fees (16 basis points) charged by active funds.

What is the impact of regulation such as Pension Acts (that are designed to increase market completion by providing investors with easy access to low cost index funds) to the product differentiation and price of active funds? The passage of pension legislation is associated with an increase in active share (on average by 1.6%) and a decrease of total shareholder costs of active funds (on average by 3 to 5 bps).

Story continues

Does the performance of truly active funds improve in markets where competition from index funds is higher? Active funds perform better in countries where there is a higher presence of explicitly indexed low cost funds.

One of the reasons why we like this article is the expanded universe of their analysis. Almost all of the many articles discussing active investing focus solely on the universe of US equity securities. A significant feature of the Cremers et al. (2016) article is that it included active and passive equity mutual funds in 32 countries. To our knowledge, this represents the most robust and comprehensive analysis within the fund management literature detailing the relationship between actively and passively managed funds.

One can find the first informative statistics in Table 1 of the paper, where the authors tabulate the extent of explicit indexing, closet fund indexing , and active management in the different countries.

Table 1: Extract from Cremers et al. (2016)

The results are hypothetical results and are NOT an indicator of future results and do NOT represent returns that any investor actually attained. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect management or trading fees, and one cannot invest directly in an index.

It appears that on average, of the 11,776 funds in the sample, 22% are explicit indexers, 20% are closet indexers and 58% are true active managers. As the table shows, there is some differentiation at the country level where some countries have no explicit indexers (Italy, Liechtenstein, Poland, and Portugal), a few countries have a high number of closet indexers (Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Spain) and even fewer countries have a low number of truly active managers (Switzerland).

Conclusion

Overall we think these results are great news for investors, but also for active fund managers. Investors should look to find truly active funds (those with higher active share) in countries where the market share of explicit passive index funds is high. From these competitive environments, they are more likely to experience higher alpha and lower costs. Perhaps, active funds managers should welcome the spread of true indexers as they progressively drive away competition from closet indexers, who seem to be the main culprit behind the negative press on active investing.

Indexing and Active Fund Management: International Evidence

Martijn Cremers

Miguel Ferreira

Pedro Matos

Laura Starks

link

Abstract

We examine the relation between indexing and active management in the mutual fund industry worldwide. Explicit indexing and closet indexing by active funds are associated with countries regulatory and financial market environments. We find that actively managed funds are more active and charge lower fees when they face more competitive pressure from low-cost explicitly indexed funds. A quasi-natural experiment using the exogenous variation in indexed funds generated by the passage of pension laws supports a causal interpretation of the results. Moreover, the average alpha generated by active management is higher in countries with more explicit indexing and lower in countries with more closet indexing. Overall, our evidence suggests that explicit indexing improves competition in the mutual fund industry.

Note: This site provides no information on our value investing ETFs or our momentum investing ETFs. Please refer to this site.

Join thousands of other readers and subscribe to our blog.

Please remember that past performance is not an indicator of future results. Please read our full disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Alpha Architect, its affiliates or its employees. This material has been provided to you solely for information and educational purposes and does not constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer or any advice or recommendation to purchase any securities or other financial instruments and may not be construed as such. The factual information set forth herein has been obtained or derived from sources believed by the author and Alpha Architect to be reliable but it is not necessarily all-inclusive and is not guaranteed as to its accuracy and is not to be regarded as a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the informations accuracy or completeness, nor should the attached information serve as the basis of any investment decision. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission from Alpha Architect.

References [ + ]

Active Managers Should Love Passive InvestingIt Makes Them Better! originally appeared on http://blog.alphaarchitect.com/?p=27040
you are here:
business After IndusInd Bank, RBL enters race for merger with Bharat Fin IndusInd Bank is not the only one interested in striking a deal with Bharat Financial. The newly-listed RBL Bank is also said to be interested in exploring a merger with Bharat Financial, sources with direct knowledge of the development said.
FILE PHOTO: AIG CEO Peter Hancock speaks during the White House summit on cybersecurity and consumer protection in Palo Alto, California February 13, 2015. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith

(Reuters) - American International Group Inc's (AIG.N) directors are discussing whether to penalize or oust Chief Executive Peter Hancock over a major setback in the insurance firm's turnaround plan, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Fifteen directors are expected to debate on various potential actions at a board meeting in early March, the report said. (http://on.wsj.com/2lYNS53)

The goals for AIG's two year restructuring plan include returning $25 billion to shareholders and becoming a "leaner, more profitable and focused insurer" by trimming its property and casualty business and shedding unwanted assets.

AIG's fourth quarter marked a critical midpoint in the ambitious two-year strategic plan aimed at turning the company around. AIG's net loss widened to $3.04 billion, or $2.96 per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, from $1.84 billion, or $1.50 per share, a year earlier.

"AIGs Board of Directors and management team have agreed on a clearly defined transformation plan for the company to deliver high quality, sustainable earnings," the company said in a statement on Monday. "At this point every year, we actively review our past and future expected performance against our plan, and this year is no exception," the company said.

The restructuring plan, unveiled early last year, followed pressure from billionaire activist investors Carl Icahn and John Paulson in 2015 to split the company in three because of AIG's poor performance that year.

By slimming down, AIG could shed its designation as a non-bank systematically important financial institution (SIFI), Icahn has said.

AIG has had the label since its near collapse in 2008 and the government bailout that followed, driving regulators to consider some non-bank companies as "too big to fail."

(Reporting by Nikhil Subba in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Cynthia Osterman)
business Tata Sons agrees to pay $1.17 bn to DoCoMo, withdraws case in HC In 2009, the Japanese telecom giant invested around USD 2.6 billion in order to buy a 26.5 percent stake in Tata Teleservices (TTSL). It later deemed the venture as its aworsta overseas investment, and sought USD 1.17 billion in compensation for its 2014 exit from India.
For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

Former President George W. Bush on Monday offered a gentle critique of some of the rhetoric and policies President Donald Trump has embraced in his first few weeks in office.

"Today" host Matt Lauer confronted Bush specifically about Trump's assertion that some news-media outlets were the "enemy of the people." It was a rare interview for Bush, who was promoting his new book, "Portraits of Courage."

Though Bush qualified that Trump had been in office for only a few weeks and that the media ecosystem was far less splintered during his administration, he emphasized the importance to democracy of dissenting media voices.

"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy," Bush said. "We need an independent media to hold people like me to account. I mean power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power. Whether it be here or elsewhere."

Over six minutes, Bush countered Trump's worldview, seeming to slightly criticize everything from Trump's immigration policy to his description of "American carnage" across the US.

Asked about Trump's executive order temporarily banning entry to the US by people from seven majority-Muslim countries, Bush seemed to acknowledge critics' assertion that the ban discriminated based primarily on religion.

"I think it's very important for all of us to recognize one of our great strengths is for all of us to be able to worship the way they want to or not worship at all," Bush said. "A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely. I understood that right off the bat, Matt, that this was an ideological conflict and people that murder the innocent are not religious people. They want to advance an ideology."

When asked if he was for the travel ban, Bush added: "I'm for an immigration policy that's welcome and that upholds the law."

Though Trump has only begrudgingly acknowledged that Russia meddled in the US 2016 election, the former president was far less hesitant that the US needed to pursue answers.

Story continues

Bush emphasized the need for the US to further investigate Russia's hacking and leaking of US internal political documents, saying he trusted Sen. Richard Burr, the Republican head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, to investigate Russia's role in the election.

"We all need answers," Bush said. "Whether or not a special prosecutor is the right way or go or not, you're talking to the wrong guy."

He added: "That question needs to be answered."

The former Republican president's opposition to some of Trump's initial policy decisions came after months of public and private criticism of Trump from the former first family.

Neither Bush nor his father, former President George H. W. Bush, supported Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump made rhetorical attacks on the Bushes a central part of his primary campaign against Jeb Bush, continuing to mock the former Florida governor even after he dropped out of the primary.

NOW WATCH: 'It's a lie': Jake Tapper calls out Trump during a fiery interview with Kellyanne Conway



More From Business Insider
business Porinju: Reliance may rise 20-25%; why investors must watch politics Some stocks, such as Reliance Industries are coming out of that consolidation after a decade, Porinju Veliyath, MD, Equity Intelligence India told CNBC-TV18 while asserting that Indian markets are at an ainflection pointa.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett told CNBC on Monday he would judge President Donald Trump after four years, first and foremost, by how safe the US has been kept.



"That is the No. 1 of the chief executive of the United States," he said. "And that's not an easy job."



Buffett said on "Squawk Box" his top concern is how to prevent rogue nations from getting weapons of mass destruction, and he singled out North Korea as a specific threat.



The health of the economy at the end of four years is a second yardstick by which Buffett said he'd evaluate the Republican Trump administration.



"And then third, I'll judge him on if the economy does well, which I expected it to do, how wide the participation in a better economy extends."



The chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, who supported Democrat Hillary Clinton for president, said he would have judged her by the same standards.



Reminding investors of his past statements, Buffett pointed out that he said the U.S. economy would be fine under Clinton or Trump.



To that end, Buffett told CNBC on Monday that mixing politics and investment strategies would be a "big mistake."



"Probably half the time
The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana.
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,
Keiya Iida, right, deputy director-general of Economic Affairs Bureau of Japan's Foreign Ministry, speaks as Iman Pambagyo, director general of International Trade Cooperation of Foreign Affairs, listens during a meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Kobe, western Japan, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Negotiators from 16 Asian countries are meeting this week for talks on a regional trade pact that could supplant the Trans-Pacific Partnership rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump. (Shohei Miyano/Kyodo News via AP)

TOKYO (AP)  Negotiators from 16 Asian countries are meeting in the Japanese port city of Kobe this week for talks on a regional trade pact seen as a rival to the Trans-Pacific Partnership rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump.

China is not part of the TPP but is playing a leading role in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, which faces hurdles of its own in the talks, which are to run Monday through Friday.

After taking office last month, Trump withdrew from the Pacific Rim-based TPP, which now includes 11 countries from Chile to New Zealand. The U.S. is not a part of the RCEP initiative.

RCEP members include some of Asia's poorest countries, such as Laos and Myanmar, as well as some of its richest. Reaching consensus over tariffs, trade in services and restrictions on investments in key industries has proven tricky since the talks were launched in 2013.

Apart from Japan and China, RCEP members include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some other leaders of other TPP member countries have said they hope to persuade Trump to reconsider his rejection of the trade pact, which was a centerpiece of U.S. economic policy in Asia during the previous administration.

Trump has said he prefers bilateral deals. He has also pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and to impose a border tax to compel manufacturers to move more production back to the U.S. from overseas.

Such moves have raised uncertainty in Asia, where many countries have prospered thanks to freer trade and the expansion of global supply chains. RCEP member countries accounted for nearly a fifth of U.S. goods imports in 2016, with China accounting for half of that, or just over 20 percent.
February 27, 2017

Al-Qaeda Gets An Oscar

Hollywood is all about fake. That is what movies are - fake depictions of a fake reality that only exist in the mind of scriptwriters, directors and a usually gullible audience. (Disclosure: I do like some movies.)

Hollywood has never been shy of plagiarizing. Every idea, tale of cinematographic trick that made a splash somewhere - and is thereby a potential money generator - will get copied again and again. Every successful make gets a remake. And another one.

In 2015 the promoting host of the Miss Universe franchise "misread" the name of the winner. He announced "Columbia" when the chosen winner was "Philippines". After he few minutes he "corrected" himself. That "mistake" brought a lot of additional media attention - and financial value - to the event owner.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the U.S. marketing and lobby organization of the movie makers, hands out some yearly rewards arranged to promote specific movies or persons in the movie business. The academy award ceremony is a rather boring event but it gets a lot of hype and media attention (and thereby generates lots of advertisement revenue).

To further increase its value this years event plagiarized the idea of the Miss Universe promoters. One of the hosts announced the wrong winning movie for some category and then reversed himself to announce a different "real" winner. It was a "mistake" just as surely as Hollywood's latest movie was a description of real life.

Those without memory went into the desired frenzy, the insiders yawned. "Oh, that clumsy fake again."

One of this years prices went to a fake "documentary" about a fake "rescuer" group which makes and distributes fake videos, staged photos and fake victims of the war on Syria. These al-Qaeda propaganda sidekicks, the White Helmets, are a British disinformation operation that is financed by more than $100 million of U.S. and UK taxpayer money. Its general task is to convince the "western" public that the war on Syria is justified because of the "cruelty of the Syrian government" which the fakes intend to establish in the mind of its consumers.

Hollywood never was shy of taking government money to promote war on this or that country or "enemy". The Pentagon's liaison office in Hollywood finances many movies. If there are some tanks needed and military heroes in a script the Pentagon will organize the props, real tanks and soldiers, at no cost - provided of course that it can read and "correct" the script the way it sees fit. The makers of "Top Gun" need planes, air craft carriers and lots of explosions? No problem at all and at no costs to the producers. In exchange military recruitment staff will wait to trap moviegoers when they leave the theaters. Congress will happily pass the money for more useless planes.

An Academy Award reinforces the message a production carries and gives the people behind the message additional value. The marketing companies that create and run the "White Helmets" will surely receive a few extra millions for yesterday's Oscar promotion.

Hollywood is all fake. The wrong winner is announced and al-Qaeda gets an Oscar. "No harm done," the promoters of such fakes might say.

Except to the people of Syria. For them the destruction and death promoted by the fancy people in Los Angeles is all too real.

Posted by b on February 27, 2017 at 15:49 UTC | Permalink

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Several participants in the Morganton Department of Public Safety Citizen Police Academy were able to meet a very important member of the department who just happens to have four paws and a fur coat.

MDPS Officer and K-9 Handler Stacey Huffman has been partnered with Shrek, a n 8 -year-old German Shepard, for four years.

The Citizen Police Academy is a 13-week program for those interested in learning more about the duties and responsibilities of city of Morganton police and fire personnel. About 20 people were accepted into the program, said a previous News Herald article.

Shrek plays a very important role and carries many responsibilities in his position , Huffman said . Those responsibilities include being obedient, tracking and trailing, narcotics and building searches, apprehending criminals and protecting their handler , just to name a few.

The reason German Shepherds are used many times as police K-9s are due to their keen sense of smell.

According to information from Huffman, a human has around 40 million olfactory glands, which are cells that register different kinds of smells. A German Shepard has a total of 220 million, which is more than five times the amount of human.

Huffman agreed that it would be a very different situation if MDPS did not have any K-9s.

There would not be as many drug busts as there are , and I am not just saying this because I am a handler, Huffman said. Both Kimo, Fred and Shrek have been a huge part of this department.

In 2016, a total of 27 suspects were apprehended while a K-9 was present with the K-9 biting. There were 19 building searches for suspects and seven tracks were conducted where suspects or evidence was located, said information rom MDPS.

In 2016, 3.28 kilos of marijuana worth $14,298 and 956.56 grams of methamphetamines worth $105,845 was seized with the help of K-9s , along with 119.81 grams of crack cocaine valued at $13, 495 and 11 guns related to narcotics arrests, the information said.

Huffman passed around empty jars that had the odor of different narcotic drugs including marijuana and crack cocaine. She also showed the class what each drug looked like in physical form.

They (the K-9s) are that asset that we as humans do not have, Huffman said. They help us get into vehicles that we normally could not have gotten into if it wasnt for the dogs nose.

Once the lecture part of the evening ended , Huffman asked for four people who were willing to hide their car keys somewhere in the grass around the MDPS fire station where the class was held so Shrek could search for them.

Basically , what he is looking for is odor other than the grass, she said. Keys are going to put off human odor and metal odor. The perfect one was the lady who hid her keys behind the wall and , as he (Shrek) came up on the wall , the odor was banked on the wall, so he followed the odor straight to the keys.

After searching the grass and around different bushes, in a matter of minutes, Shrek was able to produce each set of car keys.

Huffman also conducted a building search with the help of Public Safety Officer Joey Belanger, who hid in a closet at the station without Shrek knowing.

When police respond to a building where the alarm has gone off and the door is broken into , Huffman will give Shrek a command and he will search the building for any human presence.

When people commit a crime or when people do things, they emit odors that normally do get emitted, Huffman said.  The fact that he (Belanger) was hiding from a police K-9 is his nervousness so that odor is going to keep coming and rolling out and Shrek will locate the odor.

Shrek notified Huffman of the location of Belanger by scratching at the door to where he was hiding.

Mike Stroud , who is a local business owner and Associate Pastor at Horizon Church in Morganton , wanted to participate in the academy because he has always been interested in the community and knew that this was an opportunity to know more about local police.

A lot of time s, we look at them from the inside out, so to speak , and they do not get the fair assessment a lot of times and I have been guilty of that, Stroud said.

He hopes to become better connected to those working in Public Safety when he is finished with the academy.

Once we first got here (at the beginning of the program) , they gave us an orientation and gave us a tour of the department, Stroud said. They have made it real personable and approachable.

Participants will be learning about several different aspects , including : fire prevention and education ; criminal investigations; DUI, pursuit driving, traffic law and enforcement; TASER Basics ; crime prevention ; K-9 responsibilities ; and Patrol Division Operations.

We were able to study a murder - suicide and they had props setup and it is stuff you dont think about as a regular citizen that they have to go through, Stroud said.

He says the thing that has stood out the most to him is how high of a standard each officer requires of himself or herself.

I am just glad to be a part of it and I think everyone should be a part of it, he said.

Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907.
Thanks to government initiatives and workplace engagement, more people than ever before are paying into a retirement saving scheme in the UK. Auto-enrolment has signed up 7.2 million people for defined contribution workplace pensions over the last four years. Auto-enrolment now enters the final sprint to 2018 enrolling the smallest businesses employees into pensions  bringing the total expected figure to more than 10 million scheme members.

Just 10% of women are ready for retirement, based on their current savings

Thanks to auto-enrolment, and a greater awareness of the importance of pension provision, more people are adequately saving for retirement than before  56% compared to 45% three years ago, according to life company Scottish Widows. But that still leaves 44% of people without adequate pension provision; While auto-enrolment may look like the cure-all, its effects are limited.

The scheme has been accused of being particularly ineffectual when it comes to low-paid and part-time workers, which unfairly penalises women who are more likely to be working flexible hours after returning to employment following childbirth. Working fewer hours means they are less likely to meet the annual income threshold for auto-enrolment of 10,000. Twenty percent of all workers earn less than 10,000  but if you look at female workers this jumps to 31%. According to the Department of Work & Pensions, of the 11.2 million workers eligible for auto-enrolment, only four million are women. Last summer, a report from Aegon revealed that just 10% of women are ready for retirement, based on their current savings. The insurer revealed that women have on average 20,000 saved into pension plan, while men have more than double that 52,500. While the gap has been gradually narrowing between male and female life expectancy at birth in the UK over the past 32 years, from six years in 1980 to 3.7 years in 2014, according to the Office of National Statistics, women are still tasked with making their  smaller  pension pot last longer than men. And in the UK, women can no longer rely on the State Pension making up this shortfall. A new flat rate State Pension was introduced last year, billed as a cure-all for the complicated top-up system; a fair, generous replacement for the existing two-tier State Pension. But according to the Work and Pensions Committee pensioners with fewer than 10 qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) have seen their weekly State Pension income fall in comparison with the previous system. Women have particularly suffered, as they are more likely to take career breaks to raise children and therefore fail to rack up sufficient contributions.
Last week star fund manager Neil Woodford has confirmed the details for his new Income Focus fund, with an expected 5% yield at launch and a portion of the portfolio in global stocks.

Investors have also been looking at top performing UK equity income funds with solid track records and highest Morningstar analyst ratings, as well as best performing Japan equity funds over the past three years. You can find the best of our content, as voted on by Morningstar.co.uk readers, below.

Top 20 FTSE 350 Dividend Paying Stocks

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2017: Dividend payments have been boosted 4.8 billion by Brexit. We reveal the top 20 dividend paying stocks in the FTSE 350

Woodford Income Focus Fund Launch: All the Details

Star fund manager Neil Woodford has confirmed the details for his new Woodford Income Focus fund, with an expected 5% yield at launch and a portion of global stocks

Top 20 FTSE 100 Dividend Paying Stocks

THE INCOME INVESTOR: The largest companies in the UK source their revenues internationally, meaning your dividend stream is boosted by global economic growth

Which is the Best UK Equity Income Fund?

There are hundreds of UK equity income funds - but which do Morningstar analysts rate highest and which have outperformed their peers?

3 Best Performing Japan Funds

Which Japanese equity funds have delivered the most profit to investors over the past three years?

What is a Fund?

Funds are suitable for investors who do not have the time or expertise to construct and monitor a portfolio themselves. We go back to basics and explain all

European Stocks Will Outperform S&P 500 in 2017

European and Japanese stock markets will outperform S&P 500 in 2017 - and it is due to the resurgence of value stocks, says Henderson's John Bennett

Which Top-Rated Investment Trusts Can You Buy at a Discount

Six top-rated investment trusts are trading at discounts, despite strong gains in 2016 - and are among the most popular trusts with Morningstar readers

Rebalance Your Portfolio with Care

Value-driven investing can produce significant returns - but take care when rebalancing your portfolio to avoid value traps

Flurry of Fund Launches in Time for ISA Season

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Fund launches from Woodford, Franklin Templeton and PIMCO, manager changes at Jupiter and a new role for the City Superwoman
With the number of friends and family increasingly choosing a shared home buying plan, one Canadian lender is offering a mortgage specifically for that strategy.Meridian Credit Union, an Ontario-based CU that offers its services through the broker channel, has launched a mortgage allowing individuals to pool resources and attain a mortgage for a shared home."With the steady rise in the housing market, many Ontarians are looking for a viable financial solution to help reach the goal of owning a home," says Bill Whyte, Meridian's SVP and Chief Member Experience Officer. "That's why we created the Family and Friends Mortgage."Up to four people can be placed on title and the mortgage doesnt require additional costs.Meridian has also published a guide with recommendations for navigating the tricky transaction, including budgeting, sharing expenses, and creating contingency plans.A Meridian rep confirmed with MortgageBrokerNews.ca that the product will be offered through the broker channel.Its certainly a unique product that will appeal to a very small buyer segment. However, the shared buying strategy appears to be growing in popularity.Especially in expensive housing markets such as Toronto and Vancouver."Particularly in some of the larger markets in Canada, affording that first home or condo is increasingly more challenging," Erica Nielsen, vice-president of home equity finance at the Royal Bank of Canada, told Canadian Press last year in a profile about friends sharing home ownership.
Canadas young professionals and families who are getting their homes for the first time are now spending more than any other generation, according to a fresh report from the national mortgage industry association.In its latest survey, Mortgage Professionals Canada noted that from 2014 to 2016, first-time buyers across the country have average down payments of an all-time high of 23 per centhigher than the 22 per cent average of buyers from previous generations, , Better Dwelling reported.In addition, the study found that roughly 51 per cent of first-time buyers utilized their personal savings to fund their down payments. Meanwhile, 19 per cent acquired loans from financial institutions or secured the help of their parents.Back in December, Statistics Canada cautioned that young professionals nationwide have been labouring under far worse conditions than their counterparts in other generations, with the youth unemployment rate over a period of 4 decades (from 1976 to 2015) being around 2.3 times higher than the rate among workers older than 25 years old.Less young Canadians are also working in full-time positions today than in 1976, StatsCan added.UBC School of Population policy professor Paul Kershaw and York University finance professor Moshe Milevsky warned that the prohibitive prices todaywhich have prevented a significant portion of the millennial consumer base from getting into home ownershipcould trigger a domino effect that might harm the long-term prospects of the entire Canadian real estate sector.If people stop making initial acquisitions there is a possibility that further sales and other parts of the retail sector will slow down and then that will have an impact on the price people can sell their homes, Kershaw said.The last thing we want is to be a commodity labour market. What's stopped us from doing that is the connections we've had to our community. If the younger generation sees housing as unaffordable and uninteresting they're more likely to move internationally, Milevsky agreed.

Related stories:

Millennials are crucial to keeping the housing industry aliveexperts

New rules will push first-time buyers out of the market faster
Last week, the Manitoba government announced that it will be funding emergency housing units aimed at providing temporary shelter for those who are illegally crossing the U.S.-Canada border through the province.Officials said that over 400 asylum seekers have filtered into Manitoba over the past 10 months, and the funding is intended to ease the pressure on local resettlement organizations.This is a national issue, not solely one we are dealing with in Manitoba, Premier Brian Pallister stated during a press conference on Thursday (February 23), as quoted by CBC News.Pallister pledged $110,000 to resettlement agency Welcome Place for 2017-18. The funding will shoulder paralegal services and transportation expenses from border-town Emerson to Winnipeg.In coordination with the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, the provincial government is also planning to designate primary care paramedics to Emerson, as many of the asylum seekers are exhausted and tend to suffer from the extreme cold.A further $70,000 will boost the 2017-18 funding for a refugee response co-ordinator position with the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO).
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany and other net contributors to the joint European Union budget will have to pay out more once Britain leaves the bloc, European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said in comments published on Monday.

Britain's net contribution of some 9 billion euros ($9.55 billion) could not be offset totally through future budget cuts, he told Handelsblatt business daily in an interview for its Tuesday edition.

German Oettinger's brief covers the EU's budget and human resources.

Germany, Europe's largest economy, makes the largest net contribution to the EU budget each year at more than 15 billion euros.

According to an internal Finance Ministry report in September, Germany may have to contribute an extra 4.5 billion euros in 2019 and 2020, after Britain leaves.

Senior German government officials have said the EU budget must shrink if Britain's contribution falls away.

Oettinger said the EU was considering further cut agricultural subsidies, but it still needed more funds given other issues that Brussels wanted to take on, such as tackling the causes of migration and bolstering joint defence.

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber, editing by John Stonestreet)
Gov. Greg Abbott told state lawmakers that Texas not only leads the nation in oil and gas, its enjoying an innovation renaissance typified by technology development.

Midland, Abbott said in his State of the State address, Midland, Texas, now beats the San Francisco area in the percentage of jobs created by startups.

Knowing that Midland enjoyed a bounce during the latest oil boom, we were curious whether the governor was correct that it had become a hot spot for startups?

We asked Matt Hirsch in Abbotts office about the basis of this comparison and didnt hear back.

But the day Abbott spoke, R.G. Ratcliffe, writing in Texas Monthlys Burkablog, attributed the comparison to an analysis of government data by howmuchnet.com, which says it focuses on preparing visualizations about money. That analysis, presented on a U.S. map, indicates that according to U.S. Census data, startup businesses in 2014 accounted for 4.7 percent of the nonfarm private payroll jobs created that year in Midland. Text above the map states the epicenter of job creation from startups in the U.S. is in the heart of Midland, Texas.

In contrast, according to the presentation, startups in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont part of California accounted for 2.2 percent of such new jobs. Startups accounted for 2 percent of such new jobs in the San Jose-Sunnyvale region, which encompasses Silicon Valley. The average for U.S. metropolitan areas was 2.1 percent.

The map is accompanied by this explanation: The Census Bureau defines startups as businesses that began operating in a particular year. There is no prior business activity associated with the startups. The Business Dynamic Statistics produced by the Census Bureau provide valuable information on business in the U.S. across a broad range of statistical categories. Although San Francisco is often associated with tech startups, that definition may include more established businesses that do not qualify as startups according to the fairly strict definition of the Census Bureau.

We clicked next to a Census Bureau business dynamic statistics webpage and downloaded its chart, which places Midland No. 1 nationally in 2014 for its share of nonfarm private payroll jobs created by startups. The chart, posted in September 2016, ranks San Francisco 112th among the nations 366 metro areas.

For perspective on the rankings, we queried a West Texas economist and a counterpart in the San Francisco area.

Amarillo economist Karr Ingham oversees the Midland-Odessa Regional Economic Index, which shows Midlands economy roaring through 2015 but losing steam almost to the end of 2016 before starting to rebound. Ingham added that hard post-2014 data on jobs from startups doesnt appear to be available.

In California, Juliana Bunim of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the Midland-topped breakdown wasnt limited to high-tech startups like businesses famously prolific in and near San Francisco. Thats an important distinction because when people hear the word startup, they often assume they are technology companies, Bunim said.

And of course when it comes down to number of jobs and companies, the Bay Area -- though a smaller percentage -- has significantly more, Bunim said. She noted, too, the bureau breakdown covered jobs created by startups in a year, not over several years.

By phone, California economist Christopher Thornberg called the focus on the rate of jobs-created-by-startups metric almost laughable given differences in the respective economies. Thornberg suggested Midlands 2014 spike in jobs tied to startups was all about an oil boom. The idea youre going to compare whats happening with oil in Midland with whats happening with high tech in San Francisco, its just apples and oranges, he said. Both are solid economies. They go about it different ways.

Our ruling:

Abbott told legislators Midland now beats the San Francisco area in the percentage of jobs created by startups.

The Midland area in 2014 whaled the San Francisco area by this metric. We dont know where either region ranks now; the government hasnt done an update. Its worth clarifying, too, that startups in this context simply means new businesses; Midland didnt become a better-than-California high-tech hub. The two economies differ in scale and job types.

We rate this claim -- Mostly True.

---

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Texas top oil and gas association on Tuesday said taxes and royalties paid to state and local governments fell significantly in the last fiscal year, reflecting the plunge in oil prices and decline in drilling activity during that period.

Oil and natural gas producers generated a total of $9.7 billion in revenues for state, county and school district coffers in fiscal 2016, which ended Aug. 31, according to the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Thats down nearly 40 percent from a peak of $15.7 billion in 2014 and 30 percent from $13.8 billion in 2015.

For perspective, thats out of $111.3 billion in total state revenue, of which sales taxes provided $28.8 billion.

Texas has grown less dependent on both revenue and jobs from the fossil fuel industry in recent years, which allowed it to remain in relatively stable fiscal condition even as other large oil and gas producers like North Dakota, Alaska and Louisiana suffered during a two-year oil bust that began in the summer of 2014.

Oil and gas taxes, royalties The amount paid to state and local governments in the fiscal year: 2016: $9.7 billion 2015: $13.8 billion 2014: $15.7 billion Total since 2007: $108 billion Share of Texas' economy represented by oil and gas: 12.5 percent Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association, Commerce Department See More Collapse

Still, the associations President Todd Staples used the annual tabulation to trumpet the industrys importance to the states economy, and press for the maintenance of a business climate that favors oil and gas production.

What Texas needs now is for our lawmakers to look closely at what Texas needs to attract businesses, Staples told reporters. He said his groups priorities for the legislative session include adequate funding for the Railroad Commission, low taxes and support for pipelines.

Staples also cited the oil and gas industrys formidable workforce in Texas, which still enjoys higher-than-average wages, even though it has shrunk from more than 100,000 workers in November 2015 to about 92,000 employees today, according to the Dallas Federal Reserve.

The comptrollers office has forecast that state oil and natural gas tax collections will rise 32 and 27 percent respectively in the coming two-year period as oil prices recover. The price for West Texas Intermediate oil hovered around $54 a barrel in New York on Monday, more than double the low of $26.21 reached just over a year ago.

But there are increasing concerns that while oil supply seems boundless, demand may be peaking as vehicles become more fuel efficient and alternative energy sources like wind and solar increase their share of electricity production. Meanwhile, advances in automation have decreased the rate at which the industrys workforce needs will rise along with production.

I dont think anyone is forecasting the wide-open speed at which jobs were created, and revenues of 2014, Staples said, just because the global supply is so much, and demand is not growing as fast as it has in previous decades.

Even though the state overall isnt heavily dependent on oil and gas, some counties and school districts rely almost entirely on revenues from local production.

For example, Karnes City Independent School District gets 87.1 percent of its revenue from the industry, and took a $6 million hit last year.

On the other hand, the district didnt keep much of the revenue it took in during the boom times anyway, since Texas school finance rules require excess collections to be sent back to the state.
IAB Australia Revamp Focuses on Measurement

Digital ad industry body IAB Australia is to launch three new councils this year, all of which focus on aspects of ad measurement. CEO Vijay Solanki says digital measurement and a 'trustworthy digital value chain' are among the organisation's key priorities for the year.



Other priorities are building brands online and growing mobile value, Solanki said at a media briefing last week, while announcing the appointment of a new Regulatory Affairs Director, Kamani Krishnan. IAB Australia Chair Nicole Sheffield said the body must 'continue to ensure that Australia leads the way with the transparency of digital currency'.



IAB's Research Director Gai Le Roy (pictured) will oversee a new look Executive Measurement Council, overseeing all aspects of measurement including the work of two other councils, the existing Audience Measurement Council and a new group, the Ad Effectiveness Council, which will be launched in March. Among the latter's tasks will be exploring how digital measurement data can be combined with other forms of media data to enhance cross-media planning and buying.



Thirdly, a new Executive Tech Council led by Executive Technology Consultant Jonas Jaanimagi, will bring together the existing Video, Mobile, Audio and Standards and Guidelines Councils under one umbrella; and will focus on viewability, adblocking, ad fraud and programmatic.



The bureau will release Nielsen audit results, ad fraud benchmarking data and ad blocking guidelines next month, further ad blocking and viewability studies in Q2, along with a 'Data Hygiene Handbook', and a cross media study in Q3.



IAB Australia was incorporated in July 2010 as one of over 43 IAB offices globally and is online at www.iabaustralia.com.au .




(Adds Czech PM saying meeting due on Thursday)

BUDAPEST, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Hungary and Slovakia will ask the European Commission in a joint motion to consider legal means to eliminate "double standards in quality" of food products sold by companies in Eastern Europe and in the west, Hungary's agriculture ministry said on Monday.

The ministry said the two countries would submit the motion at the March 6 meeting of the EU's farm and fishery council, according to a statement carried by national news agency MTI.

Hungary also welcomed a Slovak proposal that the Visegrad Four countries - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - should hold a meeting as soon as possible about the issue, the ministry said.

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Monday the Visegrad group prime ministers would discuss food quality at a summit in Warsaw on Thursday.

He said the problem needed a European solution and the Commission should get involved.

Central European countries have called in the past few weeks for the EU to ban using inferior ingredients in products sold under the same brand in some EU markets, a practice that is legal as long as the ingredients are declared on the packaging.

(Reporting by Krisztina Than and Jan Lopatka; Editing by Louise Ireland)
Calaveras County Seal View Photos

San Andreas, CA  Timely maneuverings for and against commercial cannabis in Calaveras are in play well ahead of the special election when voter-residents will consider whether or not to ban what has reportedly become the countys largest legal industry.

The Calaveras Cannabis Alliance circulated the word Friday a writ of mandate is being sought from Calaveras County Superior Court that, if granted, would require County Clerk, Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Turner and the Measure B cannabis ban initiative authors Bill McManus and David Tunno to delete or amend eight separate alleged outright falsehoods or objectively untrue statements in text McManus and Tunno submitted for printing in the voter pamphlets to be mailed ahead of the May 2 ballot.

Under state law, the court, in order to maintain the integrity of the election process, has jurisdiction to order the removal of any information that it might determine to be false or misleading.

Bob Bowerman is listed as the petitioner on the filing. A Calaveras County resident and cannabis activist, also the founder of the Sacramento chapter of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), Bowerman was additionally among the five candidates who ran seeking former District 5 Supervisor Steve Kearneys seat in last falls recall election. His attorneys, Jasun Molinelli and Adrian Lambie of the Archer Norris law firm are based in Walnut Creek.

County Elections Office On Notice

Bowerman also maintains that, not just in the submitted language but in their community efforts to promote the Measure B ban initiative, McManus and Tunno have been spreading untruths that are preventing voters from being able to make an informed choice.

The initiative, itself, seeks to ban the cultivation, processing, delivery and dispensing of cannabis in the county. His lawyers say they anticipate a hearing on the matter in the next two weeks and that, as the county is on notice of the challenge, it should refrain from printing any ballot materials until the matter is resolved.

Among the claims by McManus and Tunno that Bowerman contests is that they blame the urgency ordinance regulating cannabis, passed last year, for bringing cannabis cultivation to Calaveras County when in fact satellite imagery and law enforcement reports have well-established the decades-long illegal existence of commercial grows.

He says their submitted language also conceals the ban initiatives negative impacts: that it eliminates funding for law enforcement; closes the countys three legal medical marijuana dispensaries that provide medication to sick patients; wipes out an estimated 2,600 jobs within the regulated industry and likely hundreds more created by its economic growth effect. Bowermans employment numbers come from a recently released Calaveras Cannabis commercial medical marijuana cultivation industry reports, also reported on here by myMotherLode.com this morning. It attempts to provide a snapshot of the 2016 production value and economic impacts.

A Three-vote Ban Bloc

Meanwhile, at the boards last meeting, District 1 Supervisor Gary Tofanelli, District 4 Supervisor Dennis Mills, and District 5 Supervisor Clyde Clapp  who all ran and won their seats as cannabis ban proponents  by a three-vote majority, set in motion a staff directive to fast-track the crafting of the supervisors own ban ordinance, should Measure B fail. Under current direction it would comply with state law and include nothing more.

Mills states to Clarke Broadcasting, My district has consistently rejected this activity [cannabis grows] with my election, the rejection of Prop 64, and the rejection of Measure D last fall, particularly Angels Camp, which also has a ban in place and recently rejected a dispensary application.

Mills adds that he plans during Tuesdays board meeting to poll the supervisors to gain a consensus on timeline dates for completing the ordinance. Among the boards cannabis-related agenda items Tueday are approving crop abatements, liens for administrative costs and fines collections relating to five noncompliant grow operations.
President Donald Trump View Photos

President Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

As Black History Month 2017 comes to a close, I am very grateful for the many wonderful opportunities to honor African American heroes, faith leaders, entrepreneurs and the many others who changed the course of our Nation. We are blessed by the lives and examples of those who have made this Nation a beacon of freedom, talent, and unbreakable American spirit.

This week, I had the privilege of visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture right here in Washington, D.C. Its a new, beautiful Smithsonian museum that serves as a shining example of African Americans incredible contributions to our culture, our society, and our history. It also tells of the great struggle for freedom and equality that prevailed against the sins of slavery and the injustice of discrimination.

The work and love of the people who helped create such a masterpiece is a testament to the legacy of so many leaders it honors. I left that museum confident that together, America can overcome any challenge.

Theres a great quote by Muhammad Ali in the museum  I shook up the world, he said. And that is what he did. So did leaders like Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King, and so many others. They shook up the world for the better because they inspired our Nation to march toward justice and freedom for all. Today, and every day, I pledge to continue that march so that every American  no matter his background, no matter her background  has the chance to climb that great ladder of success.

It was very special to accompany Dr. Ben Carson and his family for the first time seeing the Carson exhibit. I am proud that soon he will serve in my cabinet as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. HUD has a very, very powerful meaning far beyond housing. It is about transforming our communities. About bringing back hope. And Ben will do a fantastic job.

Thats what I am committed to doing also. I want every African-American child, family, and worker to have access to great schools, safe communities, and good-paying jobs. I want every disadvantaged child in America to have a choice about where they go to school  so important. I also want to honor and promote the achievements of Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout our Nation. They do a fantastic job. They are not given the credit that they deserve, and they are going to start getting that credit.

In order to help African Americans thrive, we are working very hard to make sure every child can grow up in a safe community  and have access to high-paying jobs.

Weve lost a lot of our best jobs to other countries  and this has hurt the African American community very badly. This week I met with manufacturing CEOs  were going to be working to bring back those jobs, and I mean really good-paying jobs.

I will be talking more about these issues in my Joint Session Address to Congress and to all Americans next Tuesday evening. I hope you will be watching.

Thank you, God bless you and God bless America.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
San Andreas, CA  While a majority of the Calaveras County supervisors and numerous locals favor lowering the boom on commercial cannabis cultivation in their backyards a study released last week on its local economic impact conservatively estimated its 2016 production value at $252 million.

The report placed the industrys total economic impact somewhere around $340 million, considering the ripple effects from increased spending in retail establishments and general spending in the community that occurred as a result.

Published by the University of the Pacific, Center for Business and Policy Research in Stockton, it was co-authored by Dr. Jeff Michael and Dr. Thomas Pogue, respectively the centers executive director and associate director. The pair spent about a year researching the industry for another report in which they modeled scenarios and various industry enterprises that might be legally permitted within the Sacramento area in order to project the potential of commercial cannabis there.

The Calaveras report was commissioned by Ebbetts Pass Lumber Company owner Jason Hauer, an alumni, who saw the initial study and his own profits soar as commercial growers established their operations.

A Snapshot Attempt

In an interview with Clarke Broadcasting Michael describes the study as a model-based estimate that attempts to capture a snapshot of 2016 cannabis cultivation industry activity in Calaveras.

The numbers are based on research he and Pogue had already done on growing operations and then adjusted, using data shared by several registered commercial growers and additional interviews and others. It excludes non-registered and personal/caregiver grows as well as sales through the countys three legal medical marijuana dispensaries. It does not look at public costs of enforcement or expenditures of revenues.

I think it is a reasonable estimate, not a precise tally from tax records, but building up to the best of our ability with the information that is there, Michael explains. We were conservative in a number of ways. We did not consider the canopy size and simply use multipliers based on best practices, for example. Of current practices he remarks, Locally, the growers are not getting the kind of yields and output seen from legal growers in Washington and Colorado. Most commercial grows registered under mixed light [usage] but very few are yet using that production technology, so we really dialed down our estimates, based on our interviewsbut still came out with the high value output.

Describing the economic impact of Calaveras cannabis as larger by multiples over other county agricultural industry commodities and higher than estimates of hospitality industry sales, Michael estimates that the 700-plus registered commercial marijuana grows in 2016 represented between 15 and 20 percent of the countys economy. He also states that it was responsible for creating 2,600 year-round equivalent jobs. So, for good or for ill, he says, [The commercial cultivation industry] is significant, and that is why people have felt the impact both economically as well as culturally in the county.

Surging Taxable Sales A Sign Of The Times?

Among related observations Michael points to are taxable sales within the county, which last year surged ahead of neighboring counties such as Amador. That makes sense as that it is a result of, if you have had a significant increase of economic activity. Of course, it will be different between different merchants, as the hardware and lumber outlet in Arnold saw a large increase in sales. In an interesting aside, Michael shares it was similarly hardware and materials suppliers that helped finance his centers Sacramento research.

Adding another anecdotal reference that could reflect an influx of activity in Calaveras last year, Michael mentions that when U-Haul Corporation published its annual list of top one-way U-Haul drop offs, Angels Camp cracked the Top 20 for small communities across the country.

As the state moves forward towards the establishment of track and trace structuring and commercial grows, with the passage of Prop 64, will additionally serve legal recreational users, Michael projects that there will be fewer commercial growers and operations will move away from outdoor one-harvest growing towards more efficient year-round greenhouse technologies. He further maintains that areas like Calaveras with relative proximity to urban areas like the Bay Area and Sacramento will have an ability to thrive because they can more easily truck in their legally grown yields for processing and development into other products.

Potential For A Strong Legal Industry?

Could a strong legal industry in Calaveras inhibit the currently existing illegal one? Michael qualifies his response. If the resources for enforcement are there and the presence of the industry helps generate it, he states. That is the goal and the targetProp 64 proponents want the illegal industry out.

As for Humboldt County, a poster child for ban supporters, Michael says it is unlikely that market will become legal anytime soon. The scale of operations is so huge alreadywe expect most of their crop to be sold illegally until more of the country moves towards legalizing it, he opines. However he notes strides towards legitimization such as a state task force already busily seeking solutions to the industrys cash and banking issues.

As commercial cannabis continues to establish itself, both as an agricultural commodity and state-regulated industry, Michael states,Things could look a lot different moving forwardthey could change quickly.

Should Calaveras decide to sway in support commercial marijuana cultivation, which at this point is uncertain, Michael plans continuing his industry study from other angles. I would like to look at some of the fiscal and tax revenue issues, he states. They are importantin thinking about enforcement resources and best possible outcomesthat provide for the countys needsanda healthy industry of legitimate operators.
Costco Wholesale Corporation COST is slated to report second-quarter fiscal 2017 results on Mar 2, 2017. In the preceding quarter, the company underperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%. Lets see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.

What to Expect?

The question lingering in investors minds now is, whether Costco will be able to post positive earnings surprise in the quarter to be reported. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter under review is $1.35, reflecting a year-over-year increase of about 8.9%. We observe that the Zacks Consensus Estimate has been stable in the past 30 days. Analysts polled by Zacks expect revenues of $29,954 million, up 6.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Costco forms part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. As per the latest Earnings Preview, total earnings for the sector are expected to decline marginally by 1.2%, however, revenue is projected to improve 4.7%. We noted that the Retail-Wholesale sector has lagged the broader market in the past three months. In the said time frame this Zacks categorized sector gained 3.7%, while S&P 500 index advanced 7.3%.

Costco Wholesale Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Costco Wholesale Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Costco Wholesale Corporation Quote

Factors at Play

Costco continues to be one of the dominant retail wholesalers based on its scale and quality of merchandise offered. A differentiated product range enables the company to ensure an upscale shopping experience for its members, resulting in market share gains. Moreover, Costco continues to maintain a healthy membership renewal rate. Further, the company is gradually expanding eCommerce capabilities in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Mexico, Taiwan and Korea. We are also encouraged by its expansion strategy, as it remains committed to opening new clubs in the domestic and international markets. However, investors are worried about Costcos top-line performance that had missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last eight consecutive quarters.

Story continues

What Does the Zacks Model Unveil?

Our proven model shows that Costco is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter. A stock needs to have both a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) and a positive Earnings ESP for this to happen. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Costco has an Earnings ESP of +0.74% as the Most Accurate estimate stands at $1.36 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged lower at $1.35. So the ensuing positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 make us reasonably confident of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Other Stocks Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates

Here are some other companies you may want to consider as our model shows that these too have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat:

Best Buy Co., Inc. BBY has an Earnings ESP of +1.81% and a Zacks Rank #3.

Fred's, Inc. FRED has an Earnings ESP of +15.79% and a Zacks Rank #3.

Staples, Inc. SPLS has an Earnings ESP of + 4.00% and a Zacks Rank #3.

A Full-Blown Technological Breakthrough in the Making

Zacks Aggressive Growth Strategist Brian Bolan explores autonomous cars in our latest Special Report, Driverless Cars: Your Roadmap to Mega-Profits Today. In addition to who will be selling them and how the auto industry will be impacted, Brian reveals 8 stocks with tremendous gain potential to feed off this phenomenon. Click to see the stocks right now >>



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
A man whose out-of-the-blue confession in 2001 solved the long-dormant case of a San Antonio airman killed 11 years earlier was sentenced Monday to 45 years in prison.

Timothy C. Thomason, 38, avoided prosecution on a capital murder charge by pleading guilty to murder before State District Judge Mickey Pennington on Monday.

Authorities said they are seeking indictments of two others whom Thomason implicated in the slaying of Scott M. Prince.

"I anticipate his continued cooperation in the investigation," Medina County District Attorney Tony Hackebeil said in a story in Tuesday's San Antonio Express-News.

The defendant was jailed in California on a theft charge in 2001 when he told of strangling a young airman in San Antonio years before. Thomason's account contained details that linked him to the disappearance of Prince, 26, on Nov. 9, 1990.

Until then, authorities said, they had no leads in the slaying of Prince, whose skeletal remains were found on a ranch in Medina County 16 months after he vanished.

Prince's parents complained about not being consulted on the plea bargain and called the sentence too lenient.

"I know that he's been helping, but I still think he should get the death penalty. I don't know how you get away with murder," Joan Prince told the newspaper in an interview from Florida.

"Under the circumstances, I thought this is an appropriate plea sentence," Hackebeil said, noting that Thomason voluntarily came to Texas, led officers to the murder scene and provided other useful information.

Thomason's account of Prince's death has changed. He said initially that Prince gave a ride to him and a girlfriend as they hitchhiked on Loop 410 and that they robbed and strangled him as a friend by the name of Mike watched. In a jailhouse interview last fall, Thomason claimed he had wanted to free Prince but that "Mike" stomped him to death.

Thomason's wife, Judith Thomason _ his girlfriend at the time of the killing _ was located in Michigan last fall and charged with capital murder in Prince's death. Officials said she implicated herself during a telephone call to her husband at the Medina County Jail, where she is now being held.

According to court records, she implicated herself in a conversation that was recorded by saying she would not have told what she knows about the murder. Officials said Thomason recently initiated divorce proceedings against his wife.

Information from: San Antonio Express-News
Piper Disney Pixar

Less than a mile from Pixar Studios in Emeryville, California, there's a calming stretch of beach that animator Alan Barillaro visits often. Three years ago, while walking along that Pacific shore, Barillaro came on an idea that has become the latest great Pixar work.

It's "Piper," the short film that showed before the hit "Finding Dory," and won the best animated short Oscar on Sunday.

At the time Barillaro, 41, was heavily involved in what Pixar calls a Tools session. Its when animators basically spend time messing around with the companys proprietary software to see the ways they can implement new tools for their projects.

Barillaro didnt get into specifics of the session when he talked to Business Insider recently, but Pixar CCO John Lassetter wasnt that into it anyway. But the character Barillaro created for the test had promise.

Starting out with the crow from Brave, Barillaro transformed that into one of the tiny sandpiper birds he saw constantly on his trips to the beach running back and forth from the tide.

With the encouragement of Lasseter and Finding Dory director Andrew Stanton, Barillaro found himself working on storyboards about the sandpiper.

I got to be totally honest, Barillaro told Business Insider, it was outside all of the normal development structure of the studio.

Barillaro, who has been at Pixar since he was 18, has worked on almost every level at the studio  animator on "Monsters, Inc.," supervising animator on "The Incredibles" and "Brave"  but having never directed before, he was searching for advice.

I assumed with directing, I would get the secrets of how to do it from Andrew and John, the tools they use to guide themselves, but then he realized something else about those filmmakers' talent.

What I found I was lacking was how personal they take their work and being honest in what youre trying to say, Barillaro said.

He spent a year with storyboard artists trying to formulate his sandpiper, which he named Piper. What he came up with was a baby sandpiper who is no longer being fed by his mother, so he has to overcome his fear of the water to get his own meals.

Story continues

Piper Disney Pixar final

Lasseter was impressed by the progress and greenlit the project to be Pixars latest short for "Dory."

Barillaro said it was working with Stanton as animation supervisor on WALL-E that made him understand how to make a compelling and personal six-minute short about a sandpiper and his mother with absolutely zero dialogue.

People have to remember, when we start these things, we have no idea how well pull it off, Barillaro said. I remember reading the script for WALL-E and going to Andrews office and reading act one and couldnt believe we were going to tell a love story between two robots with no dialogue. I felt I was taking lessons learned from that film and applying them to mine.

It took just over a year and a half to do the animation for Piper, which included close to 7 million feathers created for the sandpipers and billions of sand pebbles to make up the beach.

At some point you just realize numbers havent been created to count how many we did, Barillaro said of the sand pebbles.

But seeing as Piper was born from a Tools session, Barillaro wanted to push the animation technology at Pixar as far as he could. The short uses the new render software that Stanton also used in Finding Dory, and to get the sandpiper feathers and the rushing tide to look right, animators  who totaled up to 40  did almost everything by hand, as opposed to having the software create simulations.

Alan Barillaro Deborah Coleman Pixar.JPG

We pushed the rendering power to its limit in this film, Barillaro said.

But with all Pixar projects, short or long, focus on the story is paramount. And Barillaros biggest challenge was finding a way to have Piper and his mother carry a conversation without it looking too human.

Dialogue that was written by Barillaro guided the team initially, but by year three of production, they had to figure out how to make Piper and his mom communicate on their own.

I was very passionate about not humanizing the story and not going to gestures that are very human, like using hands, Barillaro said. One time I asked the animator to do a head shake for the bird, like a human saying no. And what I appreciated was a note that John gave me saying, I know its hard, but look for another gesture. His encouragement to keep looking and not going for the easy one, that meant a lot.

Barillaro finally handed off Piper a few weeks ago  literally hours before the deadline to have the short attached to Finding Dory when it plays in theaters. He admits its a bittersweet feeling.

Its the moment you feel you know how to do it, he said.

But he also knows that at Pixar, theres always something else to tackle.

You come back to the office the next day and after all those years being a bird, now you have to be a monster or a fish, he said.

Watch a clip from Piper below:

NOW WATCH: Meet the genius behind all your favorite Pixar and Disney movies





More From Business Insider


I am a Berlin resident, and a zebra.



I suffer from a rare cancer called neuroendocrine tumor carcinoid cancer, or NET. Most carcinoid tumors start in one of three areas  lungs, digestive system (GI tract) and in the pancreas.



There is no cure for this cancer and it will never be in remission.



The zebra is the mascot for my cancer. Zebra is a medical slang term for a surprising diagnosis. The color on the cancer wheel (each cancer has a color associated with it, like pink for breast cancer) is black and white. However, NET cancers are anything but black and white; more like 50 shades of gray and then some. No two NET cancer patients are alike, just like no two zebras as exactly alike.



It is a very sneaky, complicated, under the radar cancer and can hide and go just about anywhere. It is typically a slow-growing cancer, and if caught early a patient can live a long time, as long as it is not fully metastasized, as mine is. However, the cancer can also manifest and present itself as quickly as several months.



My primary tumor was located in the ileum (GI tract) and was missed completely during a routine colonoscopy.



Then, after months of complaining of discomfort, abdominal pain and bloating/distention, weight gain, vomiting, hot flashes, redness to my face/neck and sluggishness, my doctor slapped on labels of menopause, IBS, IBD, H. Pylori, cecum thickening, ulcerative colitis, and a few others.



Everything but NET cancer/carcinoid cancer.



Eventually, I was rushed to the hospital for a gallbladder/appendix procedure and was given an exploratory operation and told you have cancer, although just two months prior, with the colonoscopy, I was told you have no cancer.



I was rushed to the hospital due to a life-threatening bowel obstruction, as the tumor continued to grow.



I have had to deal with so much pain and suffering and it is my goal to not have others go through what I am going through. I am looking to save lives in what I am doing with the establishment of The Stifle Cancer Foundation. I plan on Kickin Cancer in the Noid... and everywhere it goes.



I am a patient advocate, health activist and cancer patient looking to do something positive.



In the short time since my diagnosis (September 2015), I have had seven major surgeries, over 136 vials of blood drawn, 54 scans (MRIs/CAT scans), four nuclear scans and two gallium scans.



This cancer can never be in remission, it will live with me until it takes over completely. It is difficult to deal with this dynamic; that there will not be a cure in my lifetime, that the cancer will continue to grow and that I face more invasive surgeries down the road, clinical trials and chemotherapy.



I am on a mission to educate and bring forth awareness to all, but especially to reach out to the medical community, to enlighten them about this cancer and to be better informed that this cancer could be the culprit of patients problems (not IBS or IBD).



A first ever educational symposium on NET cancers is being planned for November  NET Awareness Month  at St. Francis/Smillow Hospital. And I hope to replicate this at other cancer centers/hospitals in Connecticut and provide support and resources for newly-diagnosed NET patients.



Not enough funding or awareness goes to rare diseases, to this cancer, specifically. I intend to change this, starting with the State of Connecticut. The state has already proclaimed NET Cancer Day. And I recently applied to become a state ambassador for promoting rare disease and the issues we patients, and caregivers, face.



Being denied medical coverage or procedures critical in our management of our health, is one of the areas I am going to work on specifically. I just received a bill in the mail for $144,000 from my insurance provider, which denied 100 percent of the claim.



Cancer is expensive, debilitating and emotionally draining. I intend on making things better and easier for patients with NET cancer by providing resources, information, education and awareness programs to help navigate the maze of this rare disease.



Steve Jobs, the poster man for NETS, died of pancreatic cancer, but what he actually died from was neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas (the primary tumor was found in his pancreas.)



More and more people are getting this cancer and there has been a huge spike of incidents of this cancer throughout the country and internationally.



There can be hope.



More and more people are getting this cancer throughout the country and internationally. So maybe not so rare after all?



What is a patient to do that is presenting symptoms? The Netest is an important tool. Netest is blood-based molecular diagnostic tool that provides highly sensitive and specific information about the status of a neuroendocrine tumor, or if tumor activity exists, and should be used in tandem with other standard bio-marker tests when a patient presents symptoms such as CgA (Chromogranin A.)



The point is, catch it early before it catches up to you.



My mantra is nine letters, three words, one meaning: I live life.



My goal is to live life to the fullest, to not let this cancer define me or own me, to make a difference in the lives of others by helping spread the word of this cancer.



Ultimately, I intend on saving lives with the work I shall be doing through my foundation and being a patient advocate and health activist, not just a cancer patient.



Cancer has been bittersweet for me. It has taught me a great deal. It has brought me to a place of acceptance and resolve and it has given me inner strength to fight harder and harder. It has brought me many new friendships and alliances.



I am not happy I have cancer but I am happy I have what I have in my life; good friends, family and their devoted love, kindness, and compassion. I count my blessings every day and live life to the fullest. I have good days and bad ones, but the good ones, I get out and do as much as I can and push myself.



I hope to inspire everyone who reads this article to do more, give more, love more, be more ... to create their great. Also, take charge of your health and become an educated and aware patient. Be your own advocate!



Helpful websites: www.stiflecancerfoundation.org, carcinoid.org, www.nih.gov, www.wrenlaboratories.com, thehealingnet.org.






BRIDGEPORT (AP)  Bridgeport police have made an arrest in a shooting in the city last week that left one man dead and the suspect suffering a gunshot wound.



Police say 26-year-old Jovanne Brown was held over the weekend on $1 million bond on felony murder, robbery and weapons charges in connection with the slaying Friday night of Michael Watkins.



Capt. Brian Fitzgerald tells The Connecticut Post (http://bit.ly/2lXteSM ) that Brown shot Watkins multiple times during an altercation. Watkins, who had a pistol permit, shot Brown in the chest.



Police say after being treated for his wounds, Brown initially lied to detectives about how and where he had been shot, but later said he shot Watkins.



Watkins death was Bridgeports fourth homicide of 2017 and the second of the day.







Information from: Connecticut Post, http://www.connpost.com






A Glen Carbon man is facing felony charges of meth possession and driving with a revoked license.

The Madison County States Attorneys office has charged Travis S. Barton, 35, of the 200 block of Summit Avenue, with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine for allegedly possessing less than 5 grams of meth, in violation of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.

He was also charged with Driving While License Revoked. That charge was levied after Bartons black Ford F-150 pickup truck was pulled over on Austin Avenue in Glen Carbon on Dec. 30.

According to court records, his license had been suspended as a result of a 2011 charge of Driving Under the Influence and an earlier conviction for Driving While License Revoked.

During the Dec. 30 stop, Glen Carbon police searched the truck and allegedly discovered a digital scale with white residue, consistent with that of methamphetamine, according to a sworn statement accompanying a search warrant. The residue was sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab where it tested positive for meth, according to the statement.

Glen Carbon police also searched the house on Summit Avenue earlier this month and allegedly found small amounts of a white residue and assorted drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

After his arrest, Barton was jailed on $20,000 bail.

He was later released on a recognizance bond.

Barton faces a preliminary hearing Feb. 24 at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center in Edwardsville.
Casting call applications for Season 3 of Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta's "Billion Dollar Buyer" show are available online. The open casting call will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 9 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

RELATED: Fertitta set for second "Billion Dollar Buyer" season

Local small businesses are encouraged to apply for a chance to appear on the show in which Fertitta, owner of Landry's Inc., offers critiques and advice, and who may make a substantial deal with the contestants.

Houston is my hometown and I want to help those in our community turn their small business into big business," Fertitta said in a statement. "If you think you've got what it takes to earn my business, we want to hear from you and possibly feature your product on the show."

Show producers and members of the Landry's team will be at the casting call.
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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, also could 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.

RELATED: Corporations are piling on debt

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.

The Consumer Sentiment Index swung wildly based on the political discourse over the past 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.

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.

RELATED: How we should judge Trump's economic performance

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.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 William Luther /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 2 of 5 John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Texas manufacturers in February continued to see growing production and have positive outlooks in a new survey, but market basics appear to be reining in some of the industrys post-election optimism.

The Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas  which surveyed 115 Texas manufacturers  showed continued increases in manufacturing activity. The production index  which measures the amount of goods companies produce  increased by 4.8 points in February to 16.7. The percent of manufacturers reporting increases in production remained steady while the percent reporting decreases dropped by 4.5 percentage points.
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The end of this week will mark the start of a new generation for The Witte Museum when the modernized campus opens to the public Saturday.

Gone are the days of a dimly lit foyer  the 90-year-old Witte Museum now welcomes guests with The H-E-B Lantern, a "glowing," 28-foot glass cube which houses a Quetzalcoatlus dinosaur replica.

RELATED: Dive into the new Witte with 360-degree videos and interview interactives

Museum staff noted the previous Triceratops replica was a hit with visitors and they are excited to expand the collection in the Valero Great Hall with a Tyrannosaurus rex, Acrocanthosaurus and Mozasaurus, which will swim in an "ancient sea."

"This magnificent creature, the new Witte, is robust and substantial enough for people to want to invest in its next 100 years," Witte CEO and President Marise McDermott said, according to San Antonio Express-News archives.

With the completion of the nearly $100 million project now official, McDermott said her goal is to raise another $100 million by the museum's 100th birthday in 2026.

RELATED: Take a closer look at The Witte's new features and exhibits

President and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums Laura Lott told the Express-News the Witte's makeover isn't something that happens every day.

"It happens pretty rarely, this kind of extension renovation. You guys are lucky."

Even longtime residents, like chairman of the Witte Board of Trustees' Facilities Committee Walter Embry, are fascinated by the transformation.

READ MORE: How architects and designers transformed The Witte into something incredible

"People will be blown away when they come in here," Embrey told the San Antonio Express-News. "People who have grown up with an image of the old Witte are not going to believe what's going on here."

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
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Southtown hotspot Azuca Nuevo Latino has moved next door and closed its sibling restaurant, Hearsay Urban Taste, chef/owner Rene Fernandez confirmed.

So the good Cuban sandwich and Argentinian-style parade of meats, the parrillada, are still available, as are the multiple variations on a mojito and what's still a nice pisco sour.

RELATED: 2 S.A. eateries on Texas Monthly's top list

The beginning of the end of Hearsay began when chef Diego Fernandez left San Antonio for San Francisco last August. He had been chef and co-owner of Hearsay's predecessor, Starfish. Diego and his father, Rene, owned that restaurant together.

Shortly after the younger Fernandez left, Rene Fernandez decided to keep both restaurants open. He rechristened the seafood-forward Starfish as the small-plates Hearsay. That lasted for a few months, and then landlord disputes at the Azuca space gave the elder Fernandez reason to move his restaurant over late last year.

RELATED: Review: Azuca

Azuca is a solid Nuevo Latino place that offers dishes from throughout Latin America and a few from Spain. Highlights on the menu include gambas al ajillo (Spanish garlic shrimp), ropa vieja (Cuban-style shredded beef) and a tropical fruit brulee.

The restaurant is at 709 S. Alamo St., 210-225-5550, azuca.net.

etijerina@express-news.net

Twitter: @etij
Joining several fast food hot spots and casual dining establishments with perfect health scores in the city's weekly restaurant inspections is a list of S.A.'s most well-loved dining magnets and staples.

Inspectors turned in perfect health reports at local bars, H-E-Bs, Whataburgers, Starbucks, a Northeast Side pizza mecca and Church's Chicken, the fried chicken spot that got its start back in 1952 with a stand across the street from the Alamo.
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STAMFORD  Nancy Bono and Cheryl Vukelic, of Stamford, crossed the red carpet into the lobby of the Avon Theatre on Sunday on the earlier side of 7 p.m. dressed as hippies at the theaters annual Oscar Night Party.

The women disagreed whether Oscar watchers should carp on bad fashion choices by superstars as they walk the red carpet.

Its hard to dress for those types of events, Vukelic said.

But they have people to help them,  Bono said. Of course, youre talking to the woman who is in a tie-dyed dress.

Vukelic said she would be awaiting the announcement in the Best Actress category, where she chose Natalie Portmans performance as Jackie Onassis in the biopic Jackie, as worthy of the nod, though she wavered as she recalled Isabelle Hupperts turn in the film, Elle.

I didnt think Elle was that great a film, but she was excellent, Vukelic said. But Jackie, dragged me into all the details of the JFK assassination.

The women said the annual party with food and drink and dress-up contests made Oscar night an event.

Bernard Simpkin, of New Canaan, and his date Sandra Benee, of Greenwich, said they enjoyed the film Lion, based on the memoir, A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley, a 5-year-old Indian boy adopted by an Australian couple.

Benee said the performance by 8-year-old Sunny Pawar was cute.

The child was very winning, Benee said.

Simpkin said the most involving movie he saw this year might be, Hidden Figures, which tells the story of three African-American women who played an important role working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during the early days of the space program.

Simpkin, 74, said he felt he learned something new from the film about the period of the early 1960s when America began a monumental effort to surpass Russia in the space race after the successful launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik.

When Sputnik launched it was something I became fascinated by, Simpkin said.  But I never realized the importance of the calculations that were made by the scientists at that time.

About 150 film fans wearing a mixture of formal wear and late 1960s fashion turned out at the Avon Sunday night for the 10th annual Avon Theatre Oscar Night Party, allowing them to watch the four-hour live satellite feed of the 89th annual Oscars from Los Angeles between 7 and 11 p.m.

Tickets were $100 for Avon members, and $125 for nonmembers, including an open bar for the duration of the event and pre-show hor doeuvres and later dinner catered by the downtown restaurant Capriccio inspired by the cuisine of the province of Puglia,Italy.

Proceeds go to support the operation of the Avon Theatre Film Center, a nonprofit venue that shows independent, foreign and non-mainstream films.

Its the best deal in town, Louisa Greene, director of development and marketing, said. Look around, there are people of all kinds here because this is a great opportunity for people to come together and share what their favorite films are.

During the event, the Avon was planning give Best Dressed prizes to a man and woman in two categories: Best Glamorous Hollywood attire and Best Summer of Love Attire, the latter in recognition of the Avons celebration of the films of 1967.

The broadcast feed at the event leaves out commercials, with the screen going black during those breaks, providing time to socialize, Greene said.

Were extremely proud to be one of the few venues that ABC television allows to broadcast the Oscars in a theater, Greene said. There are not very many venues allowed to.

Kent and Lumi Smith, of Greenwich, said they went full bore this year in their efforts to acquire the grooviest threads and win the Best Summer of Love, attire contest. The couple wore tinted granny glasses and headbands, with Lumi Smith wearing a mini-dress covered in peace symbols.

Kent Smith paired a garish partially blue, yellow and red polyester shirt bought online with a black vest and a pair of frayed jeans.

Weve tried to win the costume part of the evening for a few years, Kent Smith said.  It is nice to come out and watch the show with other people who are interested in it.

Smith said he didnt see as many nominated movies as he would have liked to, but the couple both thought the romantic comedy musical La La Land, should take home some awards.

It deserves anything that it wins, Kent Smith said.
AUSTIN -- There was much chuckling and chatter at the Texas Capitol following the release of Texas Monthly's cover story featuring Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holding the gavel standing over the words "In Charge."

One recurring reaction went something like this: "Maybe the magazine should have done a vote count on Patrick's priority bills before making that assertion."

So far, it does not seem Patrick has sufficient support in the Texas Senate to bring school vouchers or the "bathroom bill" to the floor. Of course, there's plenty of time in the session for Patrick to work the senators and get enough of them on board for either or both of those key pieces of legislation.

But the question of whether Patrick can round up the votes for those bills isn't what determines his dominance at the Capitol. No, instead it's the fact that Gov. Greg Abbott leaves a void Patrick is more than happy to fill.

Prime example: This week on the Trey Ware Radio Show on KTSA in San Antonio, Patrick answered a question on Abbott's behalf that the Capitol Press Corps has been diligently trying to get the governor to answer: Whether he supports Senate Bill 6.

"Of your state leaders, only the speaker has not said he's in favor of this at this point," Patrick said. "So, you've got the governor, the attorney general, myself, we have fifteen sponsors of the bill in the senate," Patrick said, adding that he thinks it will be passed out of the upper chamber in the next few weeks.

Trouble is, Abbott has made no public statements supporting or opposing Senate Bill 6.

The full story can be found in the Quorum Report. Copyright 2017, Harvey Kronberg,http://quorumreport.com/index.cfm, All rights are reserved. This story is presented as part of the Houston Chronicle's collaboration with Quorum Report. For inside information on Texas politics and government and to sign up for real-time updates, go here.
In May, West University Place residents will vote in a general election for City Council members and, possibly, a new mayor. All four positions on the Council and the mayor's seat are up for re-election on May 6.

There are eight candidates running for City Council and three vying for the mayor's post. Mayor Susan Sample is asking for a second term in the office. Before she ran unopposed for her first term as mayor in 2015. She previously served two terms on City Council.

Sample says during her time as mayor, she's been able to work with Council Members to accomplish a number of initiatives, and if given the opportunity to serve again, she sees safety and security as a top priority.

"Approval to repave Buffalo Speedway is an accomplishment, we have a new park that I'm really proud of - Hughes Park, at no cost to the city - it couldn't have gone better. We've done a lot and I would like to continue that," Sample said Friday. "I think resident safety is always important. It's not something you can rest on, it always has to be revisited and updated."

She mentioned the trial use of license-plate reading cameras as one way to improve safety, and the approval in the most recent budget to hire two additional patrol officers for West University Police Department.

An issue she says is always on the minds' of residents is flood risk and the cost to homeowners who reside in flood planes. If given a second term, she hopes to help remove burdensome insurance premiums and costs from property damage by removing those areas from flood plane categories through drainage improvements.

One of her challengers is Greg J. Micek, a software developer who has lived in West U since 2004, and is seeking the position specifically to impact security. Micek said he has no political background, but has been involved in community service for 34 years.

"My platform is public safety and economic empowerment. I have been trying to get community leaders to embrace my program for years but it's tough to get their attention," said Micek. "When the opportunity for Mayor showed up, I thought this is what I need to do. I don't believe in too much government influence or control. I see myself as a thought leader to get the community behind these initiatives."

The initiatives Micek is pushing for have to do with the convincing police and the public to embrace a technology he's developed through his company that uses software that mimics a police sketch artist. He said using the computer-based artist creates a higher-quality image with less cost. The software was endorsed by the "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh in an interview with Larry King.

During the interview Walsh explained how the computerized sketch was used in a case in Florida that led to the capture of a rapist when the suspect's mother saw the sketch on television.

Micek says he wants the public and West U law enforcement to take advantage of the technology that he would donate at no cost to the city and to every resident, which he believes will make the city safer by deterring crime. He said he's offered the technology to the city and WUPD in the past at no charge, but they were not interested.

He's also in favor of license-plate reading cameras being used on public streets to catch criminals.

"I deal with a lot of bureaucratic resistance. If I become Mayor, I can get on the other side of the wall and as an insider I'll be able to get it accepted."

Sonny Brandtner, a Practice Manager with an accounting and business consulting firm has lived in West U for 20 years. He sees himself better positioned to take the Mayor's office and its responsibilities than incumbent Sample."Now, my son is 17 and I'm no longer with the bigger firm and I can make the commitment I need to make to the community," said Brandter, who ran for City Council a few years ago but didn't win the seat.

His chief effort as Mayor would be to lower property tax rates, and even to negotiate with Houston ISD on the rate homeowners pay to the district. He also believes his professional background gives him the experience to work with the community and with City Council.

"I think I would be a good listener and gain concesus (on Council) and take action, not on what I want to do, but what our community wants done," he said.

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 6 at City Hall Council Chambers, 3800 University Blvd.
The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve Dr. Leland Moore as the new superintendent in a special-called meeting on Feb. 15.

"Dr. Moore brings the experience and vision needed to lead the district and embrace the community," said Board President Barbara Moore. "We are excited to have him as our new superintendent."

With over 35 years of experience in education, 18 years as a superintendent, Moore began his career as an agriculture teacher before moving on to campus administration and eventually district administration. In addition to his years of service in education, Moore has also been a successful rancher and businessman in rural Texas. He said he is looking forward to being a part of the COCISD family.

"I am extremely happy because this feels like home," said Moore. "I was born and raised in this part of Texas, so I especially appreciate the community of Coldspring because it does feel like home."

Moore has served as interim superintendent since July, and was named lone finalist for the permanent position in January. He said it is an honor to be the Board's choice for the job.

"There is a lot of work to be done, we know that, but there is also a lot of potential here, a lot of possibilities," said Moore. "We have a great team that believes in putting the needs of students first, and I look forward to a long tenure with them. I have reached the final destination in my career."
Movie fans know the cry "You can't handle the truth!" from the 1992 film "A Few Good Men," but before Jack Nicholson played Col. Nathan Jessup onscreen, the character shook up audiences in person in the show's 1989 Broadway staging of the military courtroom drama.

When Pearland's Phil Connolly auditioned for the role of Jessup at The Purple Box Theater, where Aaron Sorkin's "A Few Good Men" plays through March 4, Connolly understood the challenge of following in Nicholson's footsteps.

However, the opportunity was too rich to resist.

"I've never had this much fun," said Connolly, who is 59 and a systems analyst at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

"It's an iconic role, and to deliver that line, it's by far the best experience I've had in theater."

Jessup said he avoided watching the film after he was cast in the part.

"Of course, I'm informed by what (Jack Nicholson) did," Connolly said. "But I stay true to what I'm doing, I try to make the role my own, and the line just comes out."

Connolly's character is a hostile witness in the court-martial of two U.S. Marines charged with murdering a weaker fellow soldier on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

Teresa McLemore of Pearland portrays both a lawyer and the sergeant at arms.

More Information Want to go? What: "A Few Good Men" Where: Purple Box Theater, 1309 W. Parkwood, Friendswood When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through March 4 Cost: $15, $12 seniors Information: (818) 642-4665, www.thepurpleboxtheater.com See More Collapse

At the show's first dress rehearsal, said Connolly, "Putting on the uniform was quite a buzz."

Not as impressed with wearing a uniform was Deidre Brown, who went through officer training school in the Marine Corps and works as a corporate law litigator in Houston.

However, the former Friendswood City Council member, who portrays JoAnne Galloway, a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander in the play, cheered the performances of Connolly and his inquisitor, Albert Alonzo as Lt. Daniel Kaffee (the Tom Cruise role in the movie).

Amid the taut friction of the trial, the character of lawyer Sam Weinberg provides comic relief.

"It's a lot of cracking jokes," said Webster actor Sean Deflora, 32, who enjoys delivering Weinberg's "typical Long Island, Jewish snark" humor.

For example, in a scene where attorneys from a different branch of the military tell Weinberg's legal team, "We don't like you," Weinberg shrugs and says, "Another Christmas card we're not going to get."

Deflora's character also peppers the play with common-sense commentary on moral/ethical violations in the military trial.

Deflora spent his early childhood in Friendswood before moving with his family to Virginia, where he earned a 2006 bachelor of arts in English "with a whole lot of theater" at George Mason University in Fairfax.

He and his parents, John and Bridget Deflora, returned to the Houston area so they could live near relatives.

The actor, who lives in Webster, is woking as a substitute teacher this year while studying online for a teacher certification.

Rounding out the cast are Brian Chambers, Damarcus Gray, Mat Rosenthal, Dean Burse, Juan Buitrago, Zaheer Contractor, Richard Groseclose, Chase Harris, Pat Monks, Meg Sheridan and Steve Rockey.

The director is Cathy Holbrook, who advised that those under age 14 shouldn't attend because of strong language in the play.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net
With wind gust to near 60 mph, the National Weather Service has issued High Wind Watch from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday across the region.

Winds are expected to be from the southwest at 35 to 45 mph Tuesday. As a result, the NWS warns that travel could become hazardous, especially for small cars and large trucks. Lightweight outdoor objects could be swept away if not secured. Also, blowing dust will reduce visibility, especially near construction sites and open fields. Broken tree limbs and downed utility lines also may result, the weather service warns.
The annual Stridin & Survivin Vendor Fair is making its way back to Edwardsville from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 12 at the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Hall. Admission and parking are free for attendees.

Coordinator Debbie Wiemers said the fair will feature 40 vendors, including Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Avon, Advo Care, Austrailian Eucalyptus Oil, and more.

We have a lot of the different vendors that come so they can do some early shopping, see some new products that they dont have to go from home to home when they have their home shows  everything is under one location at the same time, Wiemers said.

Hourly attendance prizes will be featured, along with two larger prize drawings with a value of $100 each.

The proceeds will benefit cancer research, education and patient care.

Wiemers said following the vendor fair will be the 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Dance & Auction on Saturday, March 25 at the American Legion in Edwardsville, which will also be donated to cancer research.

We charge the vendors a table fee and the vendors all donate an item to us. On March the 25, we are having our big dinner dance and auction where we raise the most money that day. So for the vendor fair itself, we pay for the advertising and the signs, the hall rental; we dont make a lot that day but we get ours from the donations that the vendors give us for the dinner dance and auction, she said.

All attendees will also be given vendor bags, which will include advertisements from the vendors and other local businesses.

Stridin & Survivin originated in 2008 and is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that is run by volunteers, donating funds to cancer research each year.

For more information about the program, visit www.strivinandsurvivin.org or search Stridin & Survivin on Facebook. For more information or questions regarding the vendor fair, call 618-830-0339 or email info@stridinandsurvivin.org.
YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region will honor 12 local leaders at the sixth annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards on Wednesday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m. at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw.

The awards honor women from the Great Lakes Bay Region who have demonstrated volunteer or professional activities and have made outstanding contributions in the categories of business, healthcare, entrepreneurship, education, community leadership and lifetime achievement.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is granted to women who have through a lifetime of volunteer and/or professional activities made outstanding contributions to their communities. The 2017 honorees include:

 Pamela Monastiere, community volunteer

 Maureen Donker, Reece Endeavor and City of Midland mayor

 Carolyn Wierda, Saginaw Valley State University

The Women of Achievement Awards are granted to women who have made outstanding contributions in volunteer and/or professional activities in their prospective fields. The 2017 honorees include:

 Dorothy Zehnder, Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn  business and entrepreneurship

 Drewe Robinson, Tri-Star Trust Bank  community leader

 Rhonda Butler, Public Libraries of Saginaw  education

 Dr. Smriti Pant, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers and Saginaw Valley State University  healthcare

 Rehana Khan-Brown, community activist  social justice

The Women of Achievement Emerging Leader Awards are granted to women, between the ages of 18-25, who demonstrate emerging leadership skills and have exhibited through their character, accomplishments and activities a philosophy of empowering women, and commitment to their community. The 2017 honorees include:

 Amelia Jaskiewicz, Northwood University

 Rebecca Meredith, Saginaw Valley State University

 Jennifer Peacock, Central Michigan University

 Kristina Sandoval, Delta College

The YWCA Women of Achievement Awards will feature Jimmy Greene, president/CEO of ABC Greater Michigan, and Leslie Perry, owner Leslie Perry Cosmetics, as special guest emcees at the 2017 YWCA Women of Achievement Awards.

Its such a privilege to draw attention to the achievements and continued contributions that our honorees have made to the Great Lakes Bay Region. Each woman is a superior model in their field of expertise and we are particularly pleased to honor their accomplishments, said Ann Coburn-Collins, event chair and YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region board member.

Each year, I am in awe by the accomplishments and dedication to our community by our Women of Achievement honorees, and this year is no different, said Misty Janks, executive director of YWCA GLBR. Our 2017 women will inspire others to reach for more and to contribute to the empowerment and growth of the Great Lakes Bay Region.

The awards dinner is open to the public. Tickets are $60 each or a table of eight for $500. To purchase tickets, visit www.ywcaglbr.org or contact the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region at (989) 894-9055.
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Maegan Hembree left home four years ago headed for a friend's house in Lubbock.

She never made it. Her family, friends and police are still trying to find out what happened to the woman who would now be 34-years-old.

Hembree, a native of Smyer, a small town in the Texas Panhandle, was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2013, driving her red two-door Saturn. In the car with her was Michael Todd Ramsey, someone she had known for a few months.

FRESH EYES: New sheriff promises new look at cold missing persons case

She planned on visiting a friend about 25 minutes away in Lubbock. She didn't arrive.

Police told KCBD-TV that they found Ramsey three days later driving Hembree's car. Ramsey was questioned multiple times, but no charges were filed.

Hembree, last seen wearing pajama pants and a hooded sweatshirt, stands 4'11 and weighs 120 pounds. She has dark blonde hair and green eyes.

VANISHED: She left work 25 years ago and hasn't been seen or heard from since

Hembree has multiple tattoos, including a large Houston Astros logoon the back of her neck, and a tattoo on her lower left leg.

Hembree is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Anyone with information about her whereabouts may call the Hockley County Sheriff's Office at (806) 894-3126.

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see more missing persons cases in Texas
Ahead of the Governors Ball this past weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott made a pit stop at Vice President Mike Pence's home at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

On Saturday, Abbott tweeted: "Hanging out on the front porch of the vice president's residence. Thanks @VP."
Crimes Stoppers of San Antonio is requesting the publics assistance in finding two males who disappeared from a bloody crime scene on the citys West side.

San Antonio police responded Feb. 16 to an active shooting call in the 800 block of Lee Hall. When officers arrived, they discovered blood on the driveway of the location, where it appeared that someone had sustained serious bodily injury.
A 19-year-old man told police he was shot in both of his legs "for no apparent reason" as he was walking on the East Side late Sunday.

Officers responded to the shooting around 11:45 p.m. at West Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and South Pecos Street after the victim's mother waived down officers while trying to transport him to a downtown hospital.
A 36-year-old San Antonio man was arrested Friday in Mexico City after he allegedly kidnapped his child, fled to Mexico and made plans to take her to Iraq, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Ismail Khaleel Al Gebory, now faces a charge of international parental kidnapping. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy on Monday.
Picture The Alamo 183 years ago: Lt. Col. William B. Travis scribbling the enemy in large force is in sight as he wrote to Gonzales for backup, while Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his army prepared to overtake the garrison.

Feb. 23, marks the 183th anniversary of the first day of the 13-day siege, better known as the 13 days of glory that ultimately ended in the Alamo company's defeat.
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A former Hidalgo County Assistant District Attorney was found dead in Zilker Park Saturday in Austin, according to media reports and the Travis County Medical Examiners Office.

The medical examiners office confirmed Ricco Diaman Delgado, 32, was found dead at Zilker Park at 2210 William Barton Drive in Austin.

Austin Police Department spokesman Justin Berry said during a news conference Saturday the mans body was found submerged in the water near a bike trail at about 10:10 a.m. that day.

RELATED: 19-year-old shot in both legs 'for no apparent reason' on East Side

Police do not suspect foul play at this time, though the investigation is ongoing.

CBS 4 reports Delgado resigned from the Hidalgo County District Attorneys Office in October.

Court records show several arrests for Delgado, including two DWI arrests and several arrests for possession or use of inhalants or volatile chemical.

CBS 4 attributes his resignation to recent arrests on those charges. He handled misdemeanor cases.

The TV station has previously reported on Delgados arrests, detailing multiple incidents. In one case Delgado was found unconscious in his car with a can of Office Depot-brand cleaning duster on his lap, according to another story by CBS 4.

RELATED: SAPD, Crime Stoppers seek 2 men who fled bloody West Side crime scene

Delgados family told the TV station they are devastated by the loss of their son.

Delgado was released from jail on Feb. 15, the TV station reports, 10 days before his body was found.

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Twitter: @tylerlwhite
Now that Donald Trump is president of the United States, one of the most contentious foreign policy issues that has come up is moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

For me, the question of Jerusalem is a personal one. I am Palestinian, and I was born in Jerusalem long before Israel was established. Mine was one of the citys leading families, tracing our roots in the Holy Land for centuries. My family owned several tracts of valuable property in the Old Citys Christian Quarter.

In 1948, during what we Palestinians call al-Nakba, or the great catastrophe, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee from their land.

My family was walking to the German convent in Jerusalem to seek shelter when my father and oldest brother, Mihran, were abducted and imprisoned by Jewish militias looking to take over the land. My mother and her seven children (we ranged in age from 4 to 16) were placed in a fenced prison zone. There we remained under the gaze of soldiers until the state of Israel was established. There was no school, food was rationed, and the entrances were heavily guarded.

After our release, we tried to return to our home, which was built by my grandfather in the 1880s, but it had been taken over and all our possessions were gone. My brother was released four years later, in 1952, but my father was not sent home until he became ill in 1955  in the end, his imprisonment led to his untimely death.

We found ourselves living in a segregated society: As Palestinians, we were not allowed to attend Jewish public schools, and jobs were difficult to come by. This lack of opportunity made it impossible to fathom staying in our beloved city. With no viable future, we all migrated to Western countries.

The expulsion of Palestinians continues to this day, even in the city of Jerusalem itself. Recently, emboldened by President Trumps vocal support and in spite of widespread international condemnation, the Israeli government approved the building of 2,500 new settlement units. Of those, 566 will be in East Jerusalem, where Palestinians have lived under Israeli military occupation for nearly half a century. And recently, they added thousands more settlement homes to the list.

It is evident that Trump and his advisers do not comprehend the magnitude and the importance of Jerusalem as the Holy City of Peace and a place for all people. Prior to the current crisis and for thousands of years, prophets, scientists, scholars, merchants and poets populated Jerusalem, and it became the religious, cultural and political center of civilization. It is the holiest city for the three Abrahamic religions  Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It is known as the city of miracles  the location of Christs resurrection, Muhammad ascension to heaven and Abrahams near sacrifice. It is a sacred place and deeply significant to many worldwide.

The decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem would have grave consequences  it is a highly provocative move that flies in the face of longtime U.S. policy and shows little respect for or understanding of the citys multireligious, multiethnic identity.

Under the Trump administration, I fear any minimal progress that has been made will be rapidly undone. How can we have peace in the Holy Land when the most powerful nation in the world ups its already excessive support for Israel and provocatively threatens to move the embassy to Jerusalem?

President Barack Obama promised Israel $38 billion over the next 10 years, more than any previous military aid package and more aid than to any other country in the world. With such support, what will motivate Israel to seek peace and share the land?

I can only hope that President Trump will think twice before moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and standing in the way of Palestinian freedom, so long overdue.

Jacob J. Nammar is the author of Born in Jerusalem, Born Palestinian: A Memoir. He lives in San Antonio.
Much in the same way taxpayers got the message about tolls being inevitable on U.S. 281 and Interstate 10, an Express-News editorial told our community, Toll roads are necessary  deal with it (Feb. 15).

Taxpayers dont appreciate being told what to do, especially when it comes to the long arm of government reaching into our wallets. Contrary to the narrative, tolls are no longer a user fee, with only those who use toll lanes paying for them. When $326 million in gas taxes is used to subsidize the construction of toll lanes inside Loop 1604, everyone will pay for them. But only the select few who can fork over up to $23 a day will be able to use them.

Thats right: The plan calls for dynamic tolling, with the toll rate changing in real time and reaching the maximum during peak hours, which is 50 cents a mile.

So if you need to drive all 23 miles during rush hour, youre looking at $23 a day, round trip, to use the lanes your gas taxes helped pay to build. Thats double taxation and warrants a taxpayer revolt. Tolls, once imposed, tend to never disappear. If there is one thing a government bureaucrat wont give up, its an unaccountable revenue stream in the hands of unelected boards. They can always find a use for your money.

Local elected officials are banking on voters having a short memory. They want you to forget about passage of Proposition 1 and Proposition 7, which, together with the end to most gas tax diversions, will boost the highway fund nearly $5 billion more per year. A recent report states that an additional $80 billion in new road funds will be available in the next 10 years.

Yet the Express-News Editorial Board says theres still not enough money, and you miserly taxpayers should agree to a gas tax hike, tolls and anything else it can dream up to take your money, like the Alamo Regional Mobility Authoritys agenda to secure another hike in your vehicle registration fee. This is after the $10 fee hike Bexar County elected officials got passed in 2013.

Lets not forget Gov. Greg Abbotts campaign promise to fix our roads without raising taxes, fees, tolls or debt. He reiterated his Texas Clear Lanes Initiative last year, promising Proposition 1 and Proposition 7 funds would go to the most congested roads across the state.

Yet the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization chose to spend our communitys new funds on lower priority projects so it could profit off the congestion on the North Side and impose tolls. In fact, Loop 1604 on the South and East sides will get Loop 1604 expanded without tolls, while North Side commuters are told, Tolls are necessary, deal with it.

Taxpayers should not stand for a targeted, discriminatory toll tax imposed on the North Side against their will. The AAMPO votes on it March 27. Make your voices heard.

Terri Hall is founder of Texans for Toll-free Highways.
Texas does not do well by the more than 93,000 elderly and disabled people who depend on the services of nursing homes for their daily care.

That could be changing with recently introduced legislation to eliminate a loophole in the law that allows a large percentage of violators of nursing home regulations, even repeat offenders, to avoid fines.

The filing of the bills comes on the heels of a recently released report by AARP titled Intolerable Care that offers a troubling snapshot of what the organization calls the Texas nursing home quality crisis.

AARPs findings are based on its review of multiple years of records from the Department of Aging and Disability Services, which licenses long-term care providers in the state. The lack of attention to the quality of care found in many of the states more than 1,200 nursing homes was blamed on the departments lack of enforcement power under current law.

While the agency can cite nursing home operators for violations, its hands are tied when it comes to fining them. State law allows nursing homes to correct any violation without administrative penalty if the violation did not result in serous harm or the death of a resident, did not constitute a serious threat to health or safety, and did not limit the capacity to provide care.

Of the 17,466 licensing violations found in 2015, only 40 resulted in enforcement action. Many of those cited were repeat offenders. State records show that in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, about one-quarter of nursing homes accounted for 94 percent of all serious violations. Records show the state collected fines from only 22 of the 328 long-term care facilities that were cited.

There are no penalties assessed on 80 percent of the violations. That means limited incentive for nursing home operators to correct the violations, AARP found.

State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, has filed legislation seeking to address the problems cited in the nursing home report. The proposed legislation eliminates the right to correct language in the nursing home regulations and imposes progressive sanctions based on the severity of recurring violations. It also requires all nursing facilities in the state to carry professional liability insurance coverage of $300,000 per occurrence and $1 million in aggregate.

The legislation will go a long way toward holding those responsible for providing long-term care for our states more vulnerable residents accountable.
Father Fidelis Mukonori, a Catholic priest who mediated talks between Zimbabwes former President Robert Mugabe and the military generals who toppled him, says former First Lady Grace Mugabe participated in some discussions leading to the stepping down of Mr. Mugabe after a military intervention.

In an exclusive interview with VOA Zimbabwe Service, Father Mukonori, for the first time, revealed that Mrs. Mugabe attended some of the meetings between Mr. Mugabe and the generals. The generals were not happy that Mrs. Mugabe was allegedly attacking them, war veterans and senior party members like then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, now president, at ruling Zanu-PF party rallies.

Asked if Mrs. Mugabe participated in the discussions, Mukonori responded, She came in when she had to.

Mukonori though was quick to add, But she was not the major focus. We were zeroing in on the commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, and the Head of State and government and first secretary of Zanu-PF, President Robert Mugabe. For us that was the center of focus. We didnt want to lose focus.

Father Mukonori says as far as the generals were concerned Mr. Mugabe was answerable to the (former) first lady. The first lady was the secretary for Womens Affairs and that in my view was part and parcel of the responsibility of the president. So we did not have to deal with that issue.

ELIMINATION OF GENERAL CHIWENGA

There were unconfirmed reports that as the plot to oust Mnangagwa thickened, there were also plans by the former first lady or her backers to cause an arrest or elimination of army General Chiwenga  deemed to be too close to Mnangagwa.

Asked about the reports, Father Mukonori said, It was denied (by the former first lady). He added, I brought up the issue personally during the discussion period with the commanders.

There were also allegations that a statement read by now detained former Zanu-PF Youth League leader, Kudzi Chipanga, had been authored by the former first lady or her office.

Father Mukonori told VOA Zimbabwe Service that when this issue was raised, Mr. Mugabe personally called the first lady to explain to the generals the source of the statement.

Mrs. Mugabe denied the allegation that she had authored it. In the press statement, Chipanga said youths were prepared to defend Mugabe to the last man.

Said Chipanga:  We are, therefore, taking a stand against those who are bent on sowing division among our people and also those taking advantage of the privilege of their appointment by our president to extort guarantees and immunity for fugitives, boarder (sic) jumpers from the same appointing authority.

These people should be warned that we the youth are watching in our millions and those who wish to ride on the back of the tiger will end up inside. As a revolutionary party, Zanu-PF is evolving and placing itself at the forefront of the constitutional dispensation we fought the oppressor for and obtained.

The remarks were a direct response to warnings given by General Chiwenga that the ruling Zanu-PF should not purge war veterans from its ranks. But after being allegedly abducted and beaten up by the army, Chipanga offered an apology.

He said, I was ill-advised to read a document that was handed over to me by one Rodney Dangarembizi (Dangarembizi is a close associate of former First Lady Grace Mugabes who organized her 50th Birthday Dinner in 2015) yesterday.

As a leader of the Zanu PF Youth League, I have since reflected and I personally admit that I erred together with my entire executive to denigrate your highest office. We are still young and make mistakes and we have learnt a lot from this mistake. I have not been persuaded to offer myself to the state media but I have personally reflected and realized my mistake, thank you, said Chipanga.

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FORT DODGE, Iowa  A new Kwik Star Express in Fort Dodge, Iowa, celebrated its grand opening last week, featuring a variety of food and in-store merchandise that cater to its community.

The Messenger News reports that the store has a walk-in humidor stocked with a wide variety of cigars.

The convenience store industry has changed so much, Kwik Trip and Kwik Star spokesman Steve Wrobel said. Years ago it meant simply fuel and tobacco. We have moved so much more into foods as a company.

Fresh foods are delivered daily from the companys headquarters in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The news source notes that the stores meat, potatoes, eggs, bread, milk, bananas and other groceries are a good value for customers, and that people shouldnt have to pay more for convenience.

We have [an] opposite philosophy. Provide a value, a good portion for a value price, and people appreciate that and support that, Wrobel said. Rather than overcharging for the convenience side of things we really want to offer the values.

The cigar selection is of special interest to Fort Dodge Store Leader David Munoz, who previously worked at Tobacco Outlet, a partner of Kwik Trip/Kwik Star. We have something in here pretty much for any kind of budget and taste, he said, adding that the stores wood-walled humidor is kept at a consistent 65% to 75% humidity, and no more than 75 degrees.

In addition to coffee and powdered cappuccino, the store is selling freshly made espresso drinks from an automated Franke machine. [It] makes real espresso drinks like you would get at a coffee bar, said Munoz. It grinds the beans, it mixes flavors, it uses real milk.

The fReal milkshake/smoothie machine is popular with customers. Everybody is going crazy over this, Munoz said.

The Wisconsin-based company operates Kwik Trip stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and its locations in Iowa are called Kwik Star to avoid confusion with the Oklahoma-based QuikTrip.

Wrobel told the news source that the new Fort Dodge store wont have a full range of hot foods found at the larger convenience store, but it has a steady selection of ready to eat, grab-n-go items.

Whether youre a large or small family, youre probably going to do your big shopping once a week, once every two weeks, once a month, whatever the case may be, Wrobel said. Were kind of that corner grocery store where you might fill in with some of your different, in-between things.
The Financial Times obtained access to a European Commission document that puts paid to a pet proposal for how the City could have its cake and eat it too in a Brexit, that of the implementation of an equivalence regime. We had been skeptical that this arrangement would be approved by the European side. Our view appears to be correct.

While this had not been fleshed out in any detail, the UK proponents argued that London could be permitted to service customers on the Continent more or less as before if UK regulations were deemed to be equivalent, since the EU had already allowed for that with some financial services.

The idea had been bandied about before, with a recent sighting in January. Then, an influential banking industry lobbying group, TheCityUK, published its demands for Brexit talks. We wrote at the time that they showed how the British side was in a bubble, and that the document pressed for several ideas that had already been rejected by the EU.

The only good thing that could be said about equivalence was that it at least had not been previously nixed. The equivalence proposal resulted from the fact that the industry did recognize that one of its pet asks, passporting, was a non-starter. Passporting would have allowed UK-based employees of UK firms to sell services to customers in the EU. Its not hard to imagine why the EU would not be keen about that in a post-Brexit world.

Some detail from the Financial Times in January:

The City of London has retreated from demanding continued access to the single market in any post-Brexit deal with the EU, according to its principal lobbying group. In a list setting out its priorities for the forthcoming EU negotiations that was published on Thursday, TheCityUK abandoned the idea of fighting to retain the financial passport, which allows companies to sell their services throughout the single market from a single location. Previously its desired outcome was for the UK either to remain in the EUs single market, or to strike a special agreement preserving existing passporting rights. But Theresa Mays administration has shown little interest in pursuing such a deal. TheCityUK is now pinning its hopes on building a deal around equivalence, a relatively new legal concept embedded in some but not all EU financial regulation. This allows companies from markets that are deemed to have equivalent regulatory standards to trade freely across borders with each others customers under their home countrys laws and regulations. Miles Celic, the groups new chief executive, said that a bespoke deal tailored to the needs of the UK should be achievable. It would protect London as a market and those European customers using it, he said. Thats an advantage not only for the UK, but for the EU too.

And as we remarked in our post then:

Yves here. Recall we had said passporting would never happen because the EU would not grant it. There are two astonishing assumptions in this little spiel, one explicit, one implicit. The first is the idea that the EU is on board with preserving the City of London. Huh? All advanced economies regard promoting their banks as a strategic priority. The Continent would love nothing better than to take a piece out of the City. It means more jobs, not just banking but new office construction, and relocation of the related support professionals, like lawyers and accountants The implicit assumption in the banking lobbyist thinking is that the EU and UK could agree on an equivalence deal when the EU doesnt have all its financial service regs on that basis. The Financial Times article mentions that commercial lending and insurance are not covered, for instance. Moreover, this would be tantamount to the UK giving up sovereignity, since the EU retains the upper hand. The EU can withdraw the right to operate under equivalence rules with a mere months notice if they deem the other countrys regs to be not equivalent. Bank of England governor Mark Carney is making less than happy noises about the idea because it could result in, per the Financial Times, Britain losing influence and even control over its own markets. So what is the lobbyist proposal? Again from the pink paper: TheCityUK argues that issue can be dealt with by the UK negotiating a long term deal that would establish the principles on which equivalence was founded and also creating a mechanism to resolve disputes. This is tantamount to asking the EU to overturn its legal system to accommodate British bankers. Na ga happen. The EU is a civil law system. Rules and regulations are set forth in great detail. Judges will interpret them but in theory, their rulings dont have precedential value (in practice they do but not remotely to the degree they do in the Anglo common law system). The idea of having only some rough and ready guidelines and winging it is not even remotely how the EU does things. Weve commented repeatedly that Eurocrats are rigid, literal-minded, and procedural. Thats actually served as a plus for them since it produces the predictability theyve needed to keep a now 27 member nation group functioning at all.

Back to the present post. Here is the Financial Times sneak update on equivalence:

The City of Londons hopes of maximising access to the EU are set to be dealt a blow by European Commission plans to take a tough stance on rules that could provide a post-Brexit lifeline for the UK financial sector.. Instead, many are looking to take advantage of the EUs equivalence provisions, which make it simpler for foreign institutions to do business with Europe, as long as Brussels trusts their home countries have similar standards of oversight. But the commissions staff working document emphasises Brussels determination to carry out continuous follow-up monitoring to make sure countries deemed equivalent still meet the criteria. It also stresses the commissions power to withdraw the status at any time in light of contrary developments. Brexit supporters argue that the UK could disentangle itself from the EUs financial rules while still benefiting from market access. But the document makes clear that one of the commissions prime concerns is to make sure that no country can get or keep equivalence if it conducts a regulatory bonfire or retreats to light-touch supervision. The document argues that the EU should set sufficiently robust prerequisites, or conditions, before it grants equivalence, including the on-site inspections of overseas firms operating in Europe and effective access to data The EU official cautioned that equivalence remained very much case-by-case. One sector doesnt set a precedent for another, one country doesnt set a precedent for another.

What the UK seems unwilling to understand is that the EU has no reason to be nice. Its politicians are responsible to its people. The Brits harbor the fantasy that a vigorous City of London is somehow good for the Continent when more and more studies have ascertained that advanced economies have financial sectors that are overly large and are hindering rather than helping growth.

So to the extent that Europeans are going to be subject to the unduly costly ministrations of bankers, it might as well be their bankers in their countries, since they get the ancillary benefit of having them rent office space, pay local taxes, dine in local restaurants, and support the jobs of other service professionals like lawyers and accountants.

Yet if you read the comments on this article, youll see a large cohort lecturing the EU that they are making a big mistake in dissing the UK and they will come to regret having to deal with pricier and inferior financial services. Really? Even if the Eurobanks wind up offering pricier wares, that means clients will consume them less.which is a desirable outcome, given the desirability of shrining an oversized and too often predatory financial services industry.

But the hubris of the Brits who believe they have a policy say in Brexit continues unabated. They are in store for a rude awakening.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends most of her time in Asia researching a book about textile artisans. She also writes regularly about legal, political economy, and regulatory topics for various consulting clients and publications, as well as scribbles occasional travel pieces for The National.

Having spent all but a month of 2015 and all of 2016 outside the US, Ive been able to shut out most of the Trump hysteria something I imagine would be much more difficult to do if I were marooned stateside. Yet even I wasnt able to dodge the recent contretemps over the White Houses decision to exclude the BBC, NYT, Politico, and Buzzfeed from last weeks Friday press gaggle.

Spicer Organizational Changes: Improved Media Access

So, while my ears rang with the sounds of the usual suspects wailing that the latest Trump abomination sounded the death knell for a free press, imagine my surprise to read a Columbia Journalism Review article published on the very same day of the exclusion  We analyzed two weeks of Spicer press briefings. Heres what we learned. lauding changes the White House Press Office has made to improve access for many media outlets.

Some of these tweaks recognize that the make-up of the media has evolved both in the way news is produced and delivered, and in the distribution of the inherent biases of those who produce the news. Another allows in questions from flyover country that previously might never have passed through a White House presser. These actions look to be improvements from any perspective other than that of Bigfoot legacy media accustomed as they are to being treated as primus inter pares, and by virtue of that status, to playing an outsize gatekeeping role. Lets look at some of them.

First off, White House press secretary Sean Spicer has mixed things up a bit by calling on other than the usual suspects to ask the first questions at press briefings. The pieces authors, Carlett Spike and Pete Vernon, write:

Following Spicers very first press briefing on January 21, many mainstream outlets raised concerns about the attention the press secretary gave conservative media. The first four outlets called on that day were New York Post, CBN, Univision, and Fox News. Of course, conservative outlets saw things differently. Fox News applauded Spicers engagement with outlets beyond the usual suspects, calling it a really refreshing start to the Trump press policy.

(The New York Times published a piece here in which it analyzed just how much a departure from the practice under Spicers predecessor, Robert Gibbs.)

What, I ask you, does it matter who gets called on first? Shouldnt the key issue be that those called on represent, at least generally, the overall composition of the press pool? When looked at from that perspective, the new arrangements dont appear all that bad.

Spike and Vernon found when they analyzed the first two weeks of briefings under the new system that the breakdown, by ideological slant, of outlets called on was as follows: mainstream 30%; progressive 12.5%; moderate 27.5%; and conservative 30%.

When they looked at the outlets called on by medium rather than by ideology, they found the breakdown to be as follows: broadcast 22.7%; print 27.3%; digital 34.1%; and radio 15.9%.

Second, the authors found that allowing greater prominence to conservative media didnt mean things would be easy peasy for Trump. Why am I not surprised? Trump, after all, is not exactly anyones idea of a typical conservative, and theres no reason to think that the conservative media might go particularly easy on him. Moreover, journalists get attention by breaking stories, and asking tough questions, rather than blowing air kisses. This logic applies to journalists across the ideological spectrum. From the piece:

While not every question deserves a gold star, conservative media isnt letting Trump off the hook. One standout reporter from the briefings we analyzed is John Roberts of Fox Newswho consistently asked tough questions and wasnt afraid to challenge Spicers answers. During the February 14 briefing, for example, reporters hammered Spicer with questions about Michael Flynns resignation. When Spicer eventually turned to Fox News, Roberts didnt let up and asked for specifics on a possible investigation into Flynns actions.

Spike and Vernon also cite questions on Christian genocide posed by Townhalls Katie Pavlich and to clarify the policy options under consideration now that Trump has put Iran on notice raised by The Washington Examiners Sarah Westwood. Both demonstrate that conservative media arent going especially easy on Trump.

The third innovation and to my mind most interesting innovation Spicers office has made is to include Skype seats in the briefing room. Over again to Spike and Vernon:

Perhaps the most visible change to the White House briefings under Spicer is the introduction of Skype seats, wherein journalists and commentators from around the country are beamed into the briefing room and called on to ask questions. The White House has not yet released any details of the selection process, only stating that outlets more than 50 miles outside of Washington, DC would be considered for a virtual seat. In the seven briefings we analyzed, Spicer called on 14 reporters and commentators, representing outlets from 11 states. Called on most often were journalists from Ohio and Florida, states with influential and often decisive electoral colleges.

NBCs Chuck Todd originally proposed Skype seats to allow outlets that cant afford to pay for a full-time Washington presence to participate in White House press briefings. The 2016 election revealed just how out of step those in the Acela corridor were from the views of voters throughout the country. What better way to make sure their concerns are addressed than to include questions from reporters who arent beholden to any Beltway consensus because they live and work outside the Beltway? To elaborate further:

Its clear that many viewers feel as if the media, which is based in left-leaning coastal centers, didnt effectively channel the voice of the electorate during the runup to the election, Todd said. The solution? Get back on the horse and tell stories about people who feel underrepresented. Thats the bottom line, Todd said. We didnt tell the stories about folks in Macomb County. We didnt tell the story of the coal miners in West Virginia. I think a Trump voter would say we spent a lot of time telling the story of the DREAMer that may get deported, but we dont spend enough time telling the story of the 19-year-old inMissouri who is addicted to opioids and has no job prospects. Telling those stories is essential to winning back the trust of America writ large, Todd said, The fact of the matter is, we have a trust problem in rural America, Todd said.

Todd also recognized that these Skype seats could allow reporters with some substantive expertise agriculture for example to ask focused questions. Maybe their expertise wouldnt be relevant at every press briefing, but allowing them to ask regular questions would mean issues that fall within their expertise would be addressed more often, as framed by reporters who know their subjects.

Its far too soon to evaluate the record of Skype seats, as the systems just been inaugurated. Yet so far, according to Spike and Vernon:

Some local reporters have used issues in their regions to speak to broader national problems. Josh McElveen of WMUR in New Hampshire referenced his states opioid crisis and right to work debate to question the administrations position on the two issues, which have national implications. John Huck, a reporter with a Fox affiliate in Las Vegas, asked Spicer for assurances that the administrations rollback of financial regulations wouldnt leave Nevadans holding the bill. Again, it was a question based in local experience thats of national importance.

There is of course the possibility that the process could be manipulated by allowing in ringers planted to ask pro-administration questions, for example. But in principle, the Skype seat idea seems sound,as a means of breaking up the ossified Beltway consensus, and reminding the press and administration alike of the concerns of the many people who live in flyover country.

The White House Correspondents Dinner

Ill close with what may on first impression seem to be lighter point. Trump has recently announced that he wont attend this years White House Correspondents Dinner. The clips Ive seen of the ultimate Nerd Prom with it smug, insular, smarmily self-referential participants- exemplify much of whats wrong with the relationship between the White House and the press that covers it. The only clip of the spectacle I enjoyed was in 2006, when Stephen Colbert in character as his rightwing Colbert Report alter ego spoke truth to then-President George W. Bush. That was a night to remember, and so I include the clip for those of you who havent seen it, or would like to see it again:

Now, its a not-so-open secret that one motivation for Trump to run for President was the mocking of his presidential ambitions at the 2011 dinner. If thats indeed the case, those who masterminded and executed that roast have a lot to answer for.

*****

By electing not to show up this year, Trump is performing a public service: killing off a tradition thats well past its sell-by date, and that perpetuates an unhealthy sycophantic relationship between press and public servants.

Another Tradition Ripe for Scuppering

And speaking of unhealthy spectacles, let me here put in a plug for scuppering another custom thats long bothered me and was brought to the front of my mind by this piece in The Spectator:

The cynical idealists of the US press corps, rebellious foot soldiers of the First Amendment, solemnly rise when the President enters the room. This, they insist, is out of respect for the office and the republican ideal.

Is it? Whenever I return to the UK, Im immediately stuck by how much more adversarial the press is toward political officials. Tune into a BBC interview, for example, and see the refreshing lack of deference in questioning, and the more pointed follow-ups. One doesnt get top billing at the BBC by being a craven interviewer. The attitude doesnt necessarily manifest itself in the form of sound bite zingers, but rather in a refusal to defer reflexively to authority.

The Presidents elected to do a job. The White House press corps also have a job to do which is scrutinising, questioning, and reporting on the activities of the President and his administration. Isnt it time to cease making this reflexive gesture of deference or more accurately, supplication whether it be to the office, or to the man (or perhaps someday, the woman), who occupies it?
Alarming New Coral Bleaching Event Has Begun at the Great Barrier Reef TruthOut

Watch the heartwarming sight of Olive Ridley turtles taking their first baby steps to the sea Scroll.in

How psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD actually change the way people see the world (David L)

Wendys plans self-ordering kiosks at 1,000 locations WHIO (martha r)

The Big Question for the U.S. Economy: How Much Room Is There to Grow? NYT (UserFriendly) Help Me.

Store closings are part of the business, but is this business as usual? Chain Store Age (martha r)

Class Warfare

Warren Buffett endorses share buybacks FT (Marshall) Buffett has become the worst kind of crony capitalist.

Buffett and Gates: America Is Already Great, Thanks to Immigrants Atlantic (UserFriendly)

If Facebook ruled the world: Mark Zuckerbergs vision of a digital future The Conversation

Brexit

Yanks to the Rescue Time (Sid S)

Models wear pink protest hats at Milan Fashion Week show The Hill (UserFriendly) Kill me. How many rural voters do you think this swayed? Which direction?

China?

Russia

Interesting week for Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump Vineyard of the Saker (Chuck L)

How years of IMF prescriptions have hurt West African health systems The Conversation

What Happens to Refugees Turned Away by the Safe Third Country Agreement Vice

Must It Always Be Wartime? NYRB

Chelsea Clinton lets loose on Twitter Politico

Natural gas could cost less than coal for Kemper plant WLOX (PF)

2016 Post Mortem

India

Big Brother IS Watching You Watch

Documents Indicate Germany Spied on Foreign Journalists Der Spiegel I Tracked Myself With $170 Smartphone Spyware that Anyone Can Buy Motherboard (furzy) A reminder of the perils of smartphones and that Big Brother is only the tip of the iceberg.

UNSPOKEN LEGACY: THE PERILS OF LETTING OBAMA OFF THE HOOK FOR EXECUTIVE OVERREACH War on the Rocks

DNC

Centrist populists are by no means risk-free FT (UserFriendly) The populists are everywhere, check under your bed.

THE LONG HISTORY OF DEPORTATION SCARE TACTICS AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER Intercept (martha r)

Trump Transition

Antidote du jour:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
By Zainab Calcuttawala, an American journalist based in Morocco. Originally published at OilPrice

A string of oil deals between Russian oil companies and Arab petrostates have shifted the center of political gravity in the Middle East and North Africa towards Moscow  counteracting the effect of decades of American military and political involvement as U.S. President Donald Trumps plan for the region remains unclear.

The 2014 oil price drop hit the national economy hard, causing the price of the ruble to plummet and GDP growth to grind to a halt. This has pushed Moscow to look outward to project strength as a crippling recession proceeds on the domestic front.

The Arab World has been Putins favorite arena to grow the Russian sphere of influence. Moroccan King Mohammed VIs visit to Moscow last year brought the two countries closer together on tourism and counterterrorism issues. But the North African countrys lack of oil or gas resources did not leave room for further discussions on Russias flagship foreign policy issueenergy.

The rest of the Middle East and North Africa, however, is brimming with proven fossil fuel reserves, and Putin has used his massive state-owned energy companies to carve out political opportunities in vulnerable and stable Arab nations.

Syria took the first dose. The continuation of President Bashar Al Assads regime is all but guaranteed thanks to Russian political maneuvering in the months leading up to Trumps inauguration and the Russian militarys contribution in the fall of several rebel strongholds in major Syrian cities.

Russian oil and gas companies  all intimately related to Putins personal wealth  have reaped the greatest rewards from Moscows intrigues.

According to Sputnik, which quoted Dmitry Sablin, Assad told a visiting Russian delegation of lawmakers this week that neither Iran nor China has companies with a worldwide reputation in the oil and gas sector like Russia has. Therefore, Assad sees only the work of Russian companies, Sablin said.

State-owned oil and gas company Rosneft has shaken up the MENA region the most so far.

Late last year, American authorities rechecked the terms of a deal for the purchase of a minority stake in Rosneft by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund commodities trader Glencore. At the time, the White House said the arrangement could be in violation of international sanctions levied against Russia after the country forcibly annexed Ukrainian Crimea.

The experts at the Department of Treasury that are responsible for constructing and enforcing the sanctions regime will carefully look at a transaction like this, Josh Earnest, the press secretary for the Obama Administration, said.

Since the $11.3 billion deal profits the Russian government and not Rosneft itself, Moscow argued that it did not violate the terms of the sanctions, which specifically named no-go entities.

Two years ago, in Egypt, Rosneft signed two deals to supply liquefied natural gas and other petroleum products to Cairo. In the months following, Russia doubled down on its energy investments in the country, offering $25 billion to build a 1,200 MW nuclear power plant over 12 years.

Putin made his entrance to Egypt at an opportune moment. The NPP construction project in El Dabaa near Alexandria is important in itself and it is a much more significant project in positive terms than return of Russian tourists to Egypt, Egyptian Professor and energy strategist Tarek Peggy said in an interview with TASS this week. The Mediterranean gas will be enough to cover national demand for the next 30-35 years; therefore it is highly important to start building the NPP now in order to provide ourselves with electric power after that.

Most recently, Rosneft moved into Iraq and Libya, expanding its footprint in two Middle Eastern countries with weak domestic stability just recovering from years of civil strife.

We need the assistance and investment of major international oil companies to reach our production goals and stabilize our economy, NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said this week in an official statement.

The Russian company agreed to by oil from Libyas National Oil Corporation and promised to new markets worldwide for Kurdish crude oil, according to a statement by Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin.

By taking over part of the Kurdistan Regional Governments distribution burden, Russia is helping the semi-autonomous zone bypass potential hurdles with Baghdad, which controls the flow of oil through crucial pipelines. Disagreements between the Iraqi capital and Erbil regarding oil export contracts have caused pipeline closures in the past. With a new ally in Russia, the KRG can devise new ways to get their oil products out without having to negotiate with the Iraqi government, buttressed by the U.S.

This is just a snapshot of the impact a single company has had on a slew of MENA petrostates. Transneft, Gazprom and other Russian firms have other deals in related fields that entangle Moscows interests in weapons sales with the ambitions of Arab leaders seeking to grow their oil wealth and maintain the strength of their regime through force.
Germany's plan for 100% electric cars may actually increase carbon emissions

(Nanowerk News) Germany has ambitious plans for both electric cars and renewable energy. But it cant deliver both. As things stand, Germanys well-meaning but contradictory ambitions would actually boost emissions by an amount comparable with the present-day emissions of the entire country of Uruguay or the state of Montana.

In October 2016 the Bundesrat, the countrys upper legislative chamber, called for Germany to support a phase-out of gasoline vehicles by 2030. The resolution isnt official government policy, but even talk of such a ban sends a strong signal towards the countrys huge car industry. So what if Germany really did go 100% electric by 2030?

To environmentalists, such a change sounds perfect. After all, road transport is responsible for a big chunk of our emissions and replacing regular petrol vehicles with electric cars is a great way to cut the carbon footprint.

But it isnt that simple. The basic problem is that an electric car running on power generated by dirty coal or gas actually creates more emissions than a car that burns petrol. For such a switch to actually reduce net emissions, the electricity that powers those cars must be renewable. And, unless things change, Germany is unlikely to have enough green energy in time.

After all, news of the potential petrol car ban came just after the chancellor, Angela Merkel, had announced she would slow the expansion in new wind farms as too much intermittent renewable power was making the grid unstable. Meanwhile, after Fukushima, Germany has pledged to retire its entire nuclear reactor fleet by 2022.

Germanys grid is struggling to cope with all that intermittent power. (Image: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / shutterstock)

In an analysis published in Nature ("Emissions: Step on the natural gas for German cars"), my colleague Harry Hoster and I have looked at how Germanys electricity and transport policies are intertwined. They each serve the noble goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, when combined, they might actually lead to increased emissions.

We investigated what it would take for Germany to keep to its announcements and fully electrify its road transportation  and what that would mean for emissions. Our research shows that you cant simply erase fossil fuels from both energy and transport in one go, as Germany may be about to find out.

Less energy, more electricity

Its certainly true that replacing internal combustion vehicles with electric ones would overnight lead to a huge reduction in Germanys energy needs. This is because electric cars are far more efficient. When petrol is burned, just 30% or less of the energy released is actually used to move the car forwards  the rest goes into exhaust heat, water pumps and other inefficiencies. Electric cars do lose some energy through recharging their batteries, but overall at least 75% goes into actual movement.

Each year, German vehicles burn around 572 terawatt-hour (TWh)s worth of liquid fuels. Based on the above efficiency savings, a fully electrified road transport sector would use around 229 TWh. So Germany would use less energy overall (as petrol is a source of energy) but it would need an astonishing amount of new renewable or nuclear generation.

And there is another issue: Germany also plans to phase out its nuclear power plants, ideally by 2022, but 2030 at the latest. This creates a further void of 92TWh to be filled.

Adding up the extra renewable electricity needed to power millions of cars, and that required to replace nuclear plants, gives us a total of 321 TWh of new generation required by 2030. Thats equivalent to dozens of massive new power stations.

Even if renewable energy expands at the maximum rate allowed by Germanys latest plan, it will still only cover around 63 TWh of whats required. Hydro, geothermal and biomass dont suffer from the same intermittency problems as wind or solar, yet the country is already close to its potential in all three.

This therefore means the rest of the gap  an enormous 258 TWh  will have to be filled by coal or natural gas. That is the the current total electricity consumption of Spain, or ten Irelands.

Germany could choose to fill the gap entirely with coal or gas plants. However, relying entirely on coal would lead to further annual emissions of 260 million tonnes of carbon dioxide while gas alone would mean 131m tonnes.

By comparison, German road transport currently emits around 156m tonnes of CO 2 , largely from car exhausts. Therefore, unless the electricity shortfall is filled almost entirely with new natural gas plants, Germany could switch to 100% electric cars and it would still end up with a net increase in emissions.

Germanys electricity sector in 2030? (Image: Denes Csala, Author provided) (click on image to enlarge)

The above chart shows a more realistic scenario where half of the necessary electricity for electric cars would come from new gas plants and half from new coal plants. We have assumed both coal and gas would become 25% more efficient. In this relatively likely scenario, the emissions of the road transportation sector actually increase by 20%, or 32 million tonnes of CO 2 (comparable to Uruguay or Montanas annual emissions).
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
Tipperarys former Minister of State Tom Hayes will seek to resurrect his political career at the next general election.

Hayes, who is a former chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and a former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, told The Nationalist this morning (Monday) that there is no government representation in the constituency and that has to change.

He also pinned his colours clearly to the mast and said that he will be supporting Minister Simon Coveney to become the next leader of Fine Gael.

However, Mr Hayes said that he doesnt know when that leadership contest will take place and he thinks current Taoiseach and party leader Enda Kenny will stay in office longer than people think.

Addressing speculation about his role in the next general election, for former TD siad he will first have to put his name before a Fine Gael selection convention in the constituency, which he plans to do. Party headquarters will decide when that takes place and there is no information on when that might be held.

Hayes lost his seat in Dail Eireann in the 2016 general election.

Clonmel based Cllr Michael Murphy is also considering his options.
Clonmel Credit Union management and board members met with local councillors and Oireachtas members in Clonmel Town Hall this morning to brief the public representatives on the "exploratory" merger talks they are engaged in with Charleville Credit Union in Co. Cork.

A joint statement from Paul Davey, CEO of Clonmel Credit Union, and Annette Kiely, CEO of Charleville Credit Union was issued to the public representatives attending the meeting.

It stated: "We are currently engaged in exploratory talks on a possible merger. This is an ongoing process. These talks may or may not come to fruition and any change would be subject to approval by the relevant parties. If a merger or transfer of engagement should take place, we will inform the members of both credit unions directly. Members can continue to do business in the usual way with both credit unions. Our number one priorty at all times is our members - and this will be reflected in all decisions taken by both Charleville and Clonmel Credit Unions."

Mr Davey said they also engaged in a questions and answers session with the public representatives on the current talks with Charleville CU, the process of seeking a merger or transfer of engagement and the consultation with credit union members.

Sinn Fein Cllr Catherine Carey, who attended the briefing, said the public meeting she has organised about the proposed merger of both credit unions will still go ahead in Hearn's Hotel in Clonmel tomorrow (Tuesday)at 8.30pm.

She said she has been inundated with credit union members contacting her because they are concerned about the proposal.

She believes Clonmel Credit Union should organise an information meeting about the merger talks for its members to re-assure them.

Mr Davey reiterated that it was still too early in the talks process for an information meeting for members but pointed out that the communications strategy with its 27,000 membership will be discussed at the monthly meeting of Clonmel Credit Union's board of directors tomorrow (Tuesday).
Bus Eireann is to end its Clonmel to Dublin Expressway service from March 12.

The transport company is to begin cutbacks from next Monday, March 6. The X7 Clonmel to Dublin route will be the first to be shut down.

The board of Bus Eireann met today (Monday) and following the Acting Chief Executive Ray Hernan said the company will begin to implement cost saving measures from Monday, March 6.

The National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU) has announced it will start an all-out strike from next Monday.

The two other routes to be closed will be Athlone to Westport from April 16 and Dublin to Derry from May 28.

A public meeting on the matter is scheduled to be held by the NBRU in Clonmel this Thursday, March 2, in the Clonmel Park Hotel, at 8pm.

The X7 Dublin to Clonmel route currently operates eight services daily.

The strike will not affect school bus services.

Mr Hernan said a review of all 'structures' will be finalised by the end of March and acknowledged it will result in some job losses. He said difficult decision were being taken to safeguard the company's future. Bus Eireann will be insolvent by May if current loses continue, the company say.

NBRU General Secretary Dermot O'Leary has appealed for the company to return to the Workplace Relations Commission for talks.
South Tipperary General Hospital's (STGH) Catering Department was recently commended for excellent food safety practices at the Food Safety Assurance Awards in the RDS, Dublin.

The awards are operated by the Food Safety Professionals Association (FSPA), the industry organisation for Irelands food safety professionals, which is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home in Newport was also awarded at the event for having one of the highest standards of hygiene and food safety in the country.

Mary Daly (chairperson, FSPA) presenting Darren Daly of Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home with an accolade.

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.

STGH Catering Department manager Margaret Bergin applauds the ethos of her team: "The catering department's aim is to make certain that fresh food prepared and cooked on the day will have a better outcome for the patients they serve daily. There are daily challenges to overcome, however all the staff keep food safety in mind and take confidence that holding certification in this area will give confidence in the service they deliver.
However, Julia Gordon is now on the record saying that the agency is actively analyzing whether or not to do so, and it's considering the potential magnitude and composition of a reduction.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to NATO Headquarters on Monday (27 February 2017), for talks on current security challenges and the partnership between the Alliance and Yerevan.

The Secretary General thanked Armenia for its contributions to NATOs missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo. He stressed that the Alliance is committed to working with Armenia and other partners. Together, we are developing a new Individual Partnership Action Plan, tailored to your needs and requirements, said Mr. Stoltenberg. He added that there are opportunities for further cooperation on interoperability, defence reform and defence education. The Secretary General praised Armenia for its participation in NATOs Building Integrity Programme to counter corruption in the armed forces, and its progress on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 to promote the role of women in peace and security.

The Secretary General and President Sargsyan also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Mr. Stoltenberg expressed concern over the continuing violence along the line of contact. It is important to avoid escalation, because there is no military solution to this conflict and its persistence is holding back the region, he said. NATO encourages both Armenia and Azerbaijan to return to the negotiating table and work toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Sunday, February 26, 2017 by: David Gutierrez Tags: cervical cancer , HPV vaccine , priority This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) Recent studies supposedly proving the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine manipulated data to make the cervical cancer death rate among black women look much lower than it actually is, according to a study recently published in the journal Cancer.

Vaccine supporters had pointed to the studies as evidence that cervical cancer rates have been falling due to vaccination against HPV (human papillomavirus), several strains of which have been linked to cervical cancer development. But the death rate of black women from cervical cancer is actually twice as high as was reported by the studies, the new analysis found.

Prior research has also shown that the commercially available HPV vaccines may not protect against the virus strains most likely to infect black women.

Screening is still key

The researchers re-analyzed mortality data for the years 20002012 from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), using a new method to calculate death rates from cervical cancer per 100,000 people. They found that previous reports had included women who had undergone complete hysterectomies that included removal of the cervix, and thus had literally no risk of developing cervical cancer.

When the researchers removed these women from the sample, the cervical cancer death rate among white women jumped from 3.2 per 100,000 to 4.7, a nearly 50 percent increase. Among black women, the jump was even more striking, from 5.7 per 100,000 to 10.1 (a 77 percent increase).

The researchers said that the racial difference in death rates is possibly due to differences in access to high-quality cervical cancer screening and care.

The highest rates are seen in the oldest black women, and public health efforts should focus on appropriate screening and adequate treatment in this population, they wrote.

Despite the messages promoted by the vaccine industry, regular pap smear screening is the most effective way to prevent death from cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is very slow growing, and when detected early by a pap smear, is almost never fatal.

In fact, because the HPV vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing strains of HPV, because it has no effect on women who are already infected, and because no vaccine is 100 percent effective, vaccinated women still need to be screened just as frequently as unvaccinated women. This makes the vaccine practically useless from a health perspective in countries with good screening access.

In fact, public health experts have raised concerns that drug company messaging may mislead vaccinated women into skipping recommended pap smears, and thus actually increase their risk of dying from cervical cancer.

Risks of vaccine often outweigh benefits

According to Diane Harper, a researcher who helped develop the HPV vaccine, the shots risks actually outweigh its benefits for women in wealthy countries.

All three HPV vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil and Gardasil 9) have been linked with serious side effects, including sudden unconsciousness, seizures, Guillain-Barre syndrome, facial paralysis, blood clots, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, ovarian failure, premature menopause and stroke.

And a 2015 study in the Danish Medical Journal found that a small subset of women receiving the HPV vaccine went on to develop a cluster of neurological, autoimmune symptoms not consistent with any known disease, but falling into a specific pattern. Symptoms of this hypothetical autoimmune nervous syndrome include excessive fatigue; balance difficulties upon standing; severe non-migraine headaches; gastrointestinal disturbance; and cognitive dysfunction.

Harper has also expressed concern that the HPV vaccine is being given to girls as young as 9, when there is no evidence that it is safe or effective in girls younger than 15. She also warns that it is unknown how long protection from the vaccine lasts, so girls vaccinated too young may lose their immunity before they even become sexually active.

More than 90 percent of HPV infections are cleared out by the immune system within two years.

Sources for this article include:

HealthImpactNews.com

VaccineImpact.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) As most of you are aware, last week we witnessed massive attacks on independent media. Alex Jones, who is by far the leading voice in the war against tyranny, was stripped of $3 million in ad revenue after being banned from AdRoll. We saw Milo, one of the loudest Trump supporters, be ripped apart after making irresponsible statements that the media was able to manipulate into pro-molestation remarks, causing him to lose his $250,000 book deal and step down from Breitbart. And now NaturalNews.com, which has been a pioneer in exposing the lies of big pharma, vaccine makers, and dirty food pushers, has had all of its 140,000 articles scrubbed from Google, even while Google refuses to provide any evidence justifying the blacklisting. We see this for what it is; a massive conspiracy to silence the truth.

Before all of these events unfolded, Mike Adams, a.k.a. The Health Ranger, had a suspicion that something was about to happen when an anonymous person offered Adams $50,000 to destroy Alex Jones. On his February 17th podcast Adams explained that after he had refused to take the money or lie about Jones, the person threatened that the media would retaliate and destroy Adams. Just five days later we witnessed this come to fruition. (RELATED: Get all the news Google doesnt want you to read at Censored.news)

Are these attacks on such high profile independent media members a result of being Pro-Trump? Jones has a direct connection to Donald Trump and had a significant influence on him being elected. Milo has been an avid cheerleader for Trump and his executive orders on immigration. Adams owns the popular Trump.News website, which provides real news about what is happening in the Trump administration, and threatens the fake news spewed out by mainstream media.

We fear that this censorship is leading up to something big to take out Trump. These three pioneers could derail the obvious false-flag event that the deep state is planning, which is why any attempt to harm or discredit them will be taken. What they are planning will be huge. It could come in the form of an assassination attempt on President Trump, or it could be a terror attack like 9/11. Whatever it is they dont want the independent media, which cant be controlled like the corporate media, to be asking questions and pointing fingers.

These are scary times we are living in, and news is the biggest weapon. We need your help to protect it. It is of dire importance for you to sign up for the Natural News newsletter, and even more importantly you must break your daily habit of using Google as your primary search engine. Natural News developed goodgopher.com as an alternative to Google and it is a great search engine that supports independent media and helps stick it to globalists.

Sources

NaturalNews.com

Breitbart.com

Infowars.com
(Natural News) Over 100 million American parents have no clue that every time they get their children injected with some kind of inoculation or immunization, they are indirectly abusing their children with chemical violence. Of course, if they really knew what was in those vaccines and the caustic effect that even just parts per billion of mercury has on the central nervous system and brain, they would start asking more questions and doubting the validity of modern Western medicine, as they righteously should.

If anyone would dare to read the vaccine insert that lists the ingredients, warnings and side effects, they would be left in a state of horror, knowing that most vaccines contain all of the allergens and toxic preservatives that are responsible for the very chronic, severe health trauma from which many children are suffering.

What happens when you repeatedly inject mercury  which can be found in the annual flu shot that doctors recommend  formaldehyde, MSG, genetically modified bacteria, other peoples blood (human albumin), and aluminum into your childs muscle tissue? Google certainly wont provide you with any of these answers, as they have chosen to delete from history everything that exposes the dangers of untested, unsafe, experimental vaccines.

Google pushes toxic medicine while burying natural cures and the truth about neurotoxic vaccines

Americans are now enslaved by dogma, propaganda and insidious medical lies. Many people do their research based off of the wrong online outlets, such asWebMD, Wikipedia, or Prevention Magazine, and those who prefer to use more accurate information are now left with a huge void in informative and professional research. It would seem that the popular search engine Google has completely black-holed over 140,000 very popular professional articles about natural remedies, dangerous food ingredients (like GMOs), and some of the most toxic, dangerous medicine on planet earth today  the dreaded flu shot.

Never before has the danger of a medicine been more underestimated, under-researched, and untested than the mercury-loaded influenza vaccine  yes folks, its a vaccine. No American is even allowed to debate whether the flu shot works or if its safe. Now, thanks to Google, you cant even find out that the Health Ranger, Mike Adams, already tested flu shots and found 25,000 times the mercury in them then you can legally find in fish or tap water. Lets talk about history repeating itself for a second.

In 1935, doctors and scientists across America knew for a fact that smoking caused lung cancer, but they buried the research for profits

Clinical trials proved smoking commercial tobacco caused lung cancer, but 20,000 doctors endorsed, pushed, and even self-advertised cigarettes as healthy, safe, and good for digestion. They knew the smokers would be coming back to them over the years with cancer, diabetes, Alzheimers, and more, but it was all about the money. These doctors lied for twenty plus years about the safety of cigarettes. They went so far as to say that cigarettes were physician tested and approved.

Today, Google knows exactly what theyre doing by deleting 140,000 Natural News articles. They are preventing Americans from looking into alternative cures for preventable diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinsons, heart disease, autism and Alzheimers.

By silencing the debate thats recently heated up about the dangers of mercury in vaccines, Google is directly endorsing medical quackery all across the country, from MDs to Pediatricians, and from nurses at hospitals to nurses at elementary schools. There are only two kinds of people when it comes to vaccines: those who have been brainwashed into believing that injecting mercury is safe and those who know mercury injections cause brain damage, central nervous system disorders, autism, Aspergers syndrome, autoimmune disorders, lowered immunity, and more.

Vaccines are supposed to be based on scientific research thats validated and verified with clinical trials, not by the manufacturers who make billions off them. We need checks and balances in medicine, just like the government, but there are none. We need open discussions and multi-sided debates about the safety of vaccines, flu shots, and every single ingredient mixed in them.

We need to talk about whether the vaccine schedule requires too many shots too close together. We have to be candid about how many children have died and been maimed, some permanently, from vaccines. We need to talk about how much the secretive vaccine court has paid out to all the families whose children were killed or crippled by vaccines. Unfortunately, Google supports quack medicine and forced medication that causes brain damage. Stop using Google now. Want a powerful, honest search engine? Try GoodGopher.com. Youll be pleased with what you find.

Sources:

TruthWiki.org

NaturalNews.com

Healio.com

GoodGopher.com
(Natural News) Earlier this week, search engine giant Google decided to go for the kill against the independent media. It all started with the takedown of Breitbart News Editor Milo Yiannopoulos, who was forced to resign from the paper over some statements he made in the past that seemed to imply that he was in favor of pedophilia  an accusation he vehemently denies. Now, the worlds most evil purveyor of information is going after Natural News, having pulled the entire site and all of its subdomains from the search engine entirely, meaning yours truly will no longer show up in online searches made through the Google platform.

During a recent interview on the Robert Scott Bell Show, Natural News Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, explains what went down in the days leading up to Googles blacklisting of Natural News. After being told by an unnamed source to take down Infowars Alex Jones or else face consequences, Adams did the right thing by refusing to slander his partner in crime on the independent media front  and just as promised, Adams is now paying the price in the form of blatant censorship.

As of February 22, more than 144,000 pages of content on Natural News have vanished completely from Googles search engine platform. Not only does performing a search for Natural News content turn up nothing from the site, but even searches for other popular topics that at one time turned up front-page content  topics like superfoods and vaccines, for instance  are now showing nothing on Natural News. In other words, in the world of Google, Natural News no longer exists, and theres no telling if or when it will ever re-emerge.

Google is now the Orwellian ministry of truth, Adams explains to Bell during the segment, which you can listen to in its entirety here. They are now deciding whose speech will be allowed, and whose speech will be silenced, based entirely on their opinions.

Robert Scott Bell calls for Google Bypass Operation

You dont have to agree with all of the information provided on Natural News to recognize that allowing its purveyance is called freedom. What Google is doing, on the other hand, is called censorship, and it has no place in a free society. Natural News hasnt broken any rules other than challenging the official narrative on things like vaccine safety, Big Pharma, the Trump presidency, and other pertinent issues.

You see, Google wants to keep the public in the dark about the dangers of mercury in vaccines, for instance, and it cant do that if Natural News is publishing articles exposing these dangers. Google also apparently wants Natural News to do the bidding of the globalists who want nothing more than to remove President Trump from office  and as long as President Trump keeps his campaign promises and follows the Constitution, Natural News isnt going to advocate for this, either.

Failing, bought-and-paid-for media outlets like CNN and MSNBC simply cant compete with the truth coming from media outlets like Natural News and Infowars. So their only option is to team up  or so it appears  with the movers and shakers in digital information distribution to silence all competition and continue peddling fake news to whomever will receive it.

What this really indicates about Google and the globalists and the system is they are no longer willing to allow a debate to take place because they would lose the debate, says Adams about the state of things at Google. So what they have to do instead is silence the debate. Where else have we seen this? This is Atlas Shrugged all over again.

Sources for this article include:

SoundCloud.com

NewsTarget.com
Radioactive particles are mysteriously floating across Europe, leaving everyone baffled, including experts.

The radiation spike was first noticed on the 2nd week of January in Norway, and then it made its way across Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, France and Spain.

The Barents Observer reported that the radioactive Ionide-131 was initially detected by the air filter station at Svanhovd, which is located a few hundred meters from Norway's border to Russia's Kola Peninsula in the north.



Although it started in Norway, it was Finland and France who went public with the information.

Press release by Institute de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (IRSN) noted that Iodine-131 has a short life, which suggests that the radionuclide is released recently.



Iodine-131 is closely associated with atomic bombs. Belfast Telegraph said the same material was found at the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plants.

As such, theories about the possibility of nuclear weapon testing surfaced. However, scientists noted that the Iodine-131 recently found in Europe was found on its own, which might imply that the radioactive leak did not originate from any nuclear weapon.



The closest hypothesis that experts have is that it came from medical isotope facilities that did not inform the authorities about the leak.

News.com.au reported that the US military has now dispatched to U.K. a nuclear "sniffer plane" called the WC-135 Constant Phoenix, to detect where the radiation is originating.



The report added that the plane was also seen close to North Korea following the country's nuclear missile tests as well as over Japan after the Fukushima power station meltdown.

The US Airforce has not admitted that the aircraft was dispatched for the purpose of detecting the source of radiation, but has admitted that they deployed it.

The Independent quoted a US Airforce spokesperson who said the aircraft is in Europe "on a preplanned rotational deployment scheduled far in advance."

"The WC-135 routinely conducts worldwide missions and we are not going to get into further details," they said.
New research from the University of Michigan suggests that signs of psychopathy can already be noticed and detected in children as young as two years old.

This is a very surprising twist of events, as famous psychologist William James posited that personality in a person fully develops at age 30. However, Rebecca Waller and her team offer a different insight towards developing personalities in toddlers.

The researchers analyzed data of 31 children and their mothers. Data was collected until the children were 9 and a half years old. The team then created the Callous-Unemotional (CU) pre-psychopathic behavior chart, which highlights particularly low levels of guilt and empathy -- important elements of showing emotions towards other people.

Meanwhile, they also asked the other parent of the child and teachers to rate the particular child on the Deceitful-Callous (DC) behavior. This assessed the child's propensity to lie and if the children in question do lack the ability to feel others. According to The Minds Journal, this was highlighted by some specific items such as being violent and having temper tantrums

According to Susan Whitbourne Psychology Today, people commonly refer to adults when the terms "antisocial" or "psychopath" are mentioned. The article mentioned instances of trauma such as bullying, abuse and petty crimes as signs of brewing mental disturbance.

In an introductory article about Psychopathy, Whitbourne notes psychologist Robert Hare and his two determinants of psychopathy: a somewhat mysterious charm and "manipulativeness" and a socially-deviant lifestyle.

This is why it was quite surprising for a research to show that these determinants can already be seen in toddlers. However, it was also important to consider that Waller and her colleagues did not account for the entire socioeconomic scale. This is because their participants were from low-income homes, meaning there is a potential for external risk factors.

Regardless, their research showed that children with high DC scales developed behavior problems as they grow up. It was also surprising that the DC ratings for children as early as two years old were good predictors of how they will grow.

Waller and her colleagues think their study can help "prevent" the growth of children into teenagers and adults with problems as these assessments may help therapists, teachers and even parents to develop a more positive attitude towards children.
After going through five years of drought, California is now under a new threat.

Since the beginning of the year, California has experienced major storms, extreme flooding and severe landslides. New research has connected these to atmospheric rivers.

Tech Times defines atmospheric rivers as jet of moisture responsible for most of the horizontal transport of water vapor outside of the tropics.



According to the study, atmospheric rivers can hold up to 15 times more water than the amount that flows through the Mississippi River. But more than the massive amount of water it can bring, the study notes that atmospheric rivers also carry strong winds that are twice as strong as the speed of the average storm.

Atmospheric scientist Duane Waliser told NPR, "Not only do [atmospheric rivers] come with this potential for flooding hazards, they also come with potential for high impact winds and extremes that can produce hazardous conditions."

Read Also: Global Warming Hiatus Isn't Real: New Study Confirms Ocean Warming is Faster Than Ever

The researchers collected data of atmospheric river occurrences between 1997 and 2014. They have found out that atmospheric rivers are responsible for up to 75 percent of all extreme wind and rainfall events on the world's coasts.

The team also measured how atmospheric rivers affect the extremity of storms and found out that about half of the top two percent of the windiest storms around the globe are associated with atmospheric rivers.

IB Times cited that in areas such as western Canada, northern Europe, New Zealand and southern South America, atmospheric rivers occur on up to 35 days a year.



It is feared that climate change will further intensify the formation of atmospheric rivers because warmer air can hold more moisture. This means that the capacity of atmospheric river to hold water will further increase, bringing more catastrophe and damage to properties.

A few weeks ago, the Oroville dam has suffered erosion due to extreme rainfall, leading to evacuation of nearly 200,000 residents in nearby countries. The research has been published in Nature Geoscience.

Read Also: Oroville Dam Crisis Not Over Yet, America's Tallest Dam May Not Withstand Incoming Storm
NASA is not only an expert when it comes to space explorations, but the agency has had a reputation of artistically bringing to life alien life concepts such as exoplanets, Mars and other celestial objects. The recent discovery of seven Earth-like planets is another opportunity for NASA to create a graphic representation of the potentially new worlds.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory released an image of TRAPPIST-1e, the small dwarf star found in the TRAPPIST-1 star system where seven new exoplanets orbiting a single star was discovered. NASA promoted the exoplanets as a "Star Trek" type of trip in the recent poster. The small dwarf star could be in the next habitable solar system, so humans may actually be able to go there in the future.

Just like NASA's former posters like the Mission to Mars recruitment lineup, the Trappist-1e poster follows the retro theme. Last. Feb. 22, NASA JPL released the image to commemorate the discovery of the seven new exoplanets. Experts say that three of them are located in the "habitable zone" and that most of them may even have liquid water on them; water being one of the most important building blocks of life.

Need a vacation? Head on over to the fourth planet in the #TRAPPIST1 system by downloading our newest travel poster https://t.co/vvPMJ2rH6b pic.twitter.com/Izr0kN0jsq  NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) February 23, 2017

"These seven rocky worlds huddle around their small, dim, red star, like a family around a campfire," according to NASA in the poster description. Any of them could harbor liquid water, but the planet showed here, fourth from the TRAPPIST-1 star, is in the habitable zone, the area around the star where liquid water is most likely to be detected."

The poster was wittingly labeled just like how travel agencies promote their most coveted locations. "Planet Hop From TRAPPIST-1e," the NASA poster said. "Voted Best 'Hab Zone' Vacation Within 12 Parsecs of Earth."

The TRAPPIST-1 system is located about 40 light-years away from Earth. Various telescopes worldwide such as NASA's Spitzer Telescope, ESA's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the TRAPPIST telescope all collaborated to confirm that the transiting objects not too far from Earth are indeed part of a star system.
Everyone is Mars-bound in the next few years. The capability of reaching the red planet is no longer a question but rather when. Experts even argued that with the number of private and government agencies aiming for the red planet, there could be a traffic jam on Mars come 2021.

One thing to note is the increased number of landers and rovers that are set to arrive on Mars. This is not entirely a bad thing. However, those that won't succeed and will die on the mission might be left as space trash and that may even cause a certain level of contamination. Also, regulating these spacecraft to avoid collision is a concern for NASA.

But that's not stopping deep space exploration programs to build spacecraft fit for the Martian climate. A study suggests that every 26 months, it is best to launch a mission to Mars when Mars and Earth are aligned.

This also means that the best possible time to reach the planet will come in July to August 2020, according to Popular Mechanics. So everyone with a Martian ambition is working towards making that window in 2020 including NASA, Elon Musk, China, Boeing and many other.

Read Also: ESA Releases Images of Stunning Mosaic of Mars' North Pole

Anyone who will make it to the 2020 window is likely to arrive on the planet by 2021. The window explains why there would be traffic on Mars. However, regulating the traffic may be NASA's problem after all. The agency is expected to direct and serve as a communicating center for all the spacecraft and agencies that are aiming for Mars.

Just like how a control tower communicates with planes that are about to land and lift off, someone has to do it but the "airport" is on Mars. Only it will be millions of miles away from the planet. Some unmanned missions gearing towards Mars in the 2020 window includes NASA's Mars 2020 rover, China. Europe, ISRO, and even UAE. NASA is already anticipating the traffic jam, according to Aviation Week.

Since orbiters on Mars have grown in number, NASA had been monitoring to avoid collisions. And if most of the missions successfully launch in 2020, NASA will have its hands full with trying to avoid any collisions on the red planet.
Neanderthals may have been gone for the past 40,000 years, but their role in the lives of humans still persists.

Humans continued to mate with Neanderthals until about 50,000 years ago -- and this practice has the long-extinct species still affecting modern humans' genes such as their health and looks, scientists from the University of Washington revealed in a research paper published in the journal Cell.

According to a report from New Scientist, the study examined the DNA of 214 people in the U.S. with European ancestry. Led by Joshua Akey of the University of Washington in Seattle, the team of researchers compared the participants' DNA to those of the Neanderthals', discovering that there were Neanderthal gene fragments that are active in 52 kinds of human tissue.

Apparently, some of the participants had two copies of the same gene: one human and one Neanderthal. More significantly, there were differences in activity in a quarter of these genes.

For example, the gene ADAMTSL3 is linked to schizophrenia, but the Neanderthal's control of it decreases risk and increases height. Susceptibility to lubus may also be an effect of the presence of Neanderthal genes, a report from The Verge revealed.

"The implication is that these variants that came into the human gene pool around 50,000 years ago are still affecting human biology," Sriram Sankararaman, scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles who wasn't involved in the study, told New Scientist. "This study makes important progress in understanding how Neanderthal genes many of us carry in our genomes affect diverse human traits by dictating how genes are regulated."

Meanwhile, the Neanderthal versions of genes in the brain and testes were hardly ever active. Changes in gene regulation in the brain might account for humans having eventually overtaken Neanderthals intellectually, while the differences in the testes might help scientists understand the way two species develop incompatibility sexually.
Over 500 municipal employees in a small town in northern Sweden may soon enjoy an hour-long break every week to go home and make love with their partners.

The proposal to give local municipal employees a paid sex break was made by councilor Per-Erik Muskos of Overtornea, a small town in northern Sweden. Muskos believe that the paid sex break could help put a stop to the dwindling local population and, at the same, improve the employees' marriage life and morale.

"We should encourage procreation. I believe that sex is often in short supply. Everyday life is stressful and the children are at home," said Muskos, in a report from New York Times, "This could be an opportunity for couples to have their own time, only for each other."

According to The Independent, the fertility rate in Sweden has been falling gradually over the past several decades, from an average 2.2 children per woman in 1960 to only 1.9 in 2014. Over the last decade, the population of Overtornea has also experienced a gradual decline. Data from the municipality showed that the population of the town has dropped from 5,229 in 2005 to 4,711 in 2015.

Local municipal employees already have a paid hour every week intended to be used for fitness activities. Muskos suggested that employees could used this one-hour allotted for exercise to go home and have sex with their partners.

There is just one big problem with the proposal, enforcement. Muskos admitted that it is possible that an employee could take advantage of the hour-long paid break and go somewhere else, instead of coming home to their partners. Single employees could also utilize their weekly break to hook up with strangers using dating apps.

The proposal is set to be voted in spring and Muskos see no reason why it wouldn't pass. He emphasized that the only possible reason for the proposal not to get through is because the officials don't trust their own employees.
A frantic couple in the South Bay has put their wedding on hold to blanket neighborhoods with yellow signs and pour thousands of dollars into the search for their beloved dog, who went missing on Feb. 13.

Trendee King and James Galley, who recently moved to the Bay Area from Southern California, dropped off their black and tan Brussels Griffon pooch named Theo at a national dog sitting service. The next thing they knew, he managed to slip out of a door and escape into the neighborhood near Blossom Hill Road and Almaden Expressway.

Trendee King, James Galley

"Our lives have been turned upside down and we're not sure what's next," Galley said in an email.

King, who was in the midst of purchasing her wedding gown when Theo went missing, and Galley put a halt to their wedding preparation in order to search for their missing pup.

The worrisome owners have poured dollar after dollar into covering the South Bay with signs, and they even said they used six Bloodhounds in an attempt to track down the 12-pound Brussels Griffon with a snaggletooth. They are also offering a $3,500 reward.

"Theo is family and we're sinking our wedding savings into finding our beloved pup," Galley wrote.

Trendee King, James Galley

Aside from the signs, the couple has littered social media with pleas asking for any information about Theo's location. King, who has more than 27,000 followers on her Instagram account, has plastered her profile with photos of the dog. Even an Instagram account with more than six million followers has joined in the search effort by sharing a photo of the yellow sign.

"People are supporting us because they know dogs are our best friends, our better halves, our kids," Galley wrote. "Sometimes they fill that void in your life, sometimes they bring two people closer together, and they always make your life better. It was clear that Theo brought my fiancee and I closer together."

Anyone with information about Theo's whereabouts is asked to text or call 310-663-2652.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the first female police chief to be hired in Oakland's history, was sworn in Monday morning.

Kirkpatrick, 57, a former police chief in Spokane, Washington, inherits a department recently marred by a sexual misconduct scandal involving a teenager, a racist text scandal and accusations of excessive force.

"This is the message," Kirkpatrick said. "What has happened has happened. Today, we got a new day. Its new beginnings. Were moving forward. Thats not to dismiss history. History is a part of our fabric, but weve got to look to the future."

Among her goals include the need to implement a culture change throughout the department and improve safety across the East Bay city.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley said the new chief will help provide much needed stability and leadership.

"I think people dont know what they are supposed to do one day from another," O'Malley said.

In the past, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has expressed disgust with some of the behavior within the Oakland Police Department, adding she was not hired to oversee a "frat house."

Kirkpatrick said her focus will be on transforming, not reforming.

"Transformation is when you think differently, and when you think differently, your cultures change," she said.

Kirkpatrick, who has 35 years of law enforcement experience, actually applied to run Oakland's police department under former Mayor Jean Quan, a source told the East Bay Times. However, Sean Whent was awarded the job, but he later became the first chief to resign amid the sex-abuse scandal.

In all, the Oakland Police Department has had six police chiefs since 2011: Paul Figueroa, Ben Fairow, Whent, Anthony Toribio, Howard Jordan and Anthony Batts.

Civil rights attorney John Burris, who negotiated the settlement that placed the department under federal oversight in 2003, said the city was close to regaining local control until the recent scandals.

"Its important that (Kirkpatrick) understand why that case came about and the importance of carrying it through," Burris said of the infamous Riders scandal that involved alleged police brutality and misconduct by a group of Oakland officers in the 1990s.

Kirkpatrick said she is up to the challenge.

"I am not a quitter," she said.

Before joining the East Bay department, Kirkpatrick most recently spent six months as the Chief of Bureau of Organizational Development for the Chicago Police Department.

Kirkpatrick was also the police chief of Spokane from 2006 to 2012, where she struggled with the aftershocks of a fatal police beating and hog-tying of a janitor. The incident prompted outcry and a demand for police reforms and accountability.

However, Kirkpatrick's attempt at holding officers responsible for their actions did not sit well with the department's rank-and-file, according to the Chicago Tribune. In fact, a detective sued her and the city of Spokane for defamation and wrongful termination after he was fired for allegedly threatening his wife. Not only was Jay Mehring awarded over $700,000 by a jury, but he was also reinstated to the force.

After Kirkpatrick's departure, a Justice Department review reprimanded the Spokane Police Department for a "lack of transparency, accountability, and community outreach efforts," which, they said, "increased the distance between the police and its community."

Kirkpatrick has also served as chief deputy of the King County Sheriff's Office in Washington state, where she supervised a staff of more than 1,000 from November 2012 to June 2014.

Kirkpatricks LinkedIn profile indicates she has been a licensed attorney in Washington state for 23 years, after graduating from the Seattle University School of Law. She also graduated from the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute as well as the FBI's Law Enforcement Executive Development School.
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

This story was originally published Feb. 27.



The pregnancy of New York giraffe April has captivated the world, with millions of people across the globe tuning into a live stream as she prepares for the birth of her fourth calf at an upstate zoo.

But what do we know of the relationship between April and her much younger beau Oliver?

On Monday morning, Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, outside Binghamton, revealed new details about the romance that led to the pregnancy, which has had the world enthralled for days.

It was no secret April was an older woman. At the ripe age of 15, the long-necked beauty has already had three calves to at least one other giraffe.

[NATL] Unbelievable Animal Stories: Dog Befriends Abandoned Baby Giraffe

But for Oliver, who is only 5 years old, this calf is his first.

The park said the two spotted lovers met when Oliver was just a young 3-year-old bull "coming of age." April was 13 at the time.

"The park thought it had only one cougar (LuLu), until April arrived," the zoo joked of the age difference.

A cougar is a term used to describe an older woman who dates younger men.

"Here we are, almost 1 1/2 years later, waiting for their family to grow by one," the zoo said.

It also shared a picture of the couple canoodling on its first meeting at the zoo.

Animal Adventure Park

Despite his youth Oliver has showed his maturity, appearing supportive and nuzzling April through her pregnancy. He stood by her when the live stream of her pregnancy was taken down from YouTube after activists complained that she breached the platform's "nudity and sexual content" policies.

But the first-time father had to be separated from April as they frolicked outside Saturday afternoon because he got aggressive and wanted to "rough house."

According to veterinarians, bullish behavior is common for male giraffes during the final stages of pregnancy.

[NATL] Adorable Zoo Babies: White Lion Cubs Nala and Simba Born in France

"He does not want to play house -- he wants to ROUGH house," the park wrote in a Facebook post Saturday morning. "That is natural behavior as males take no part in rearing their young, nor have a need for a female once she is pregnant. Sad but true."

Viewers were concerned about the long-necked lovers' separation and questioned the vet's intentions until the zoo offered reassurance and told animal lovers to trust them.

As of Monday, April's pregnancy continued to be streamed online, with the zoo saying the expectant mother was doing well.

Three Baby Giraffes Born at Six Flags in New Jersey as Giraffe Pregnancy Captivates World
Former President George W. Bush said Monday he believes in a "welcoming" immigration policy, called freedom of religion a bedrock freedom and forcefully defended the media as "indispensable to democracy."

In speaking out in an interview on NBC's "Today" show, Bush also didn't categorically rule out that a special prosecutor could be needed to investigate contacts between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and the Russian government.

"Today" host Matt Lauer asked Bush several questions about Trump and his policies, and while Bush didn't criticize the president, whom he noted has been in office for just one month, he did offer positions on religion, immigration, the fight against ISIS and the press that run at odds with views Trump has recently espoused.

Bush was on the "Today" show to discuss his new book of paintings by the Texan and stories of U.S. veterans called "Portraits of Courage," which benefits theMilitary Service Initiative of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Bush did not make an endorsement in the presidential election and did not vote for president, a spokesman has said.

Trump is expected to issue this week a revised version of his controversial travel ban on people from seven majority-Muslim countries.

"A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely," Bush said when asked about the travel ban, which a federal court stayed amid widespread legal challenges.

Bush went on to say that members of ISIS shouldn't be considered religious people if they cut off the heads of innocent people, and he called the conflict with them an ideological one.

But he seemed to imply that the U.S. is already making its offensive against ISIS harder by insisting on the travel ban. He said, "I think it's very hard to fight the war on terrorism if we're in retreat," when Lauer asked about the ban and the fight against ISIS.

Bush alluded to the consequences that leaving a conflict can have. He presided over the second U.S. invasion of Iraq, which removed Saddam Hussein from power but left the country split by sectarian violence, which ISIS exploited soon after its founding and spread through the country's north  a force the Iraqi military is still battling with in the major city of Mosul.

Asked specifically if he was for or against Trump's ban, he said, "I am for an immigration policy that is welcoming and upholds the law."

While Trump spent the beginning of his most recent major speech, at CPAC, attacking the "fake news," a label he's given to outlets like NBC News and The New York Times, Bush called the media "indispensable to democracy."

"Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse power, whether it be here or elsewhere," he said.

Bush noted that he tried as president to have Russian President Vladimir Putin embrace a free press, and said that it's harder to insist upon that value abroad if it there isn't one at home.

When Lauer asked Bush if he'd be in favor of a special prosecutor looking into possible links between Trump's presidential campaign and the Russian government, Bush said, "I think we all need answers."

But he did not know if a special prosecutor was the right way to go about finding those answers. He said that if Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, were to recommend a special prosecutor, that would "have a lot more credibility with me."

Couple ties the knot in Hawaii before welcoming their first child together

Bush has spent time in recent years helping veterans, including painting some of the ones he's gotten to know.

Bush said Monday he wants to sell a lot of books so he can help more veterans, and that what he misses about being president is saluting men and women in uniform.

"This is a book about the men and women who have been tremendous national assets in the Armed Forces -- and who continue to be vital to the future success of our country," Bush writes in the introduction. "The greatest honor of the presidency was looking them in the eye and saluting them as their Commander in Chief. And I intend to support and salute them for the rest of my life."

An exhibit of Bush's paintings will be on display from March 2 through October 1 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the SMU campus in Dallas.
Grammy Award-winning Chicagoan Chance the Rapper tweeted Monday that he is scheduled to meet Wednesday with Gov. Bruce Rauner.

"The two of us will address funding education in Chicago," he wrote on Twitter. "I'm eager to hear his ideas."

I'm meeting privately with the governor Wednesday. The two of us will address funding education in Chicago. I'm eager to hear his ideas.  The Big Day out now (@chancetherapper) February 27, 2017

A spokeswoman for the governor confirmed Monday that Rauner and Chance, real name Chancellor Bennett, will be meeting privately this week to chat about issues affecting the state.

Bennett slammed Rauner last year on Twitter, urging the Republican not to veto a bill that would have funded higher education for low-income students in Illinois.

Over a series of tweets, Bennett pushed Rauner to "engage us and explain your budgeting ideas and your plans for our higher education."

Now, with MAP grant students still trapped in budgetary limbo, Bennett will have the opportunity to voice his concerns directly to the governor. During his annual budget address earlier this month, proposed a significant increase in MAP funding.

The Chicago-born Bennett is no stranger to politics. His father, Ken Bennett, served as an aide to Mayor Rahm Emanuel before being tapped in July to serve as government liason to Chicago's new tourism board, Crain's reported. The elder Bennett also served under late Mayor Harold Washington and former President Barack Obama.

Following a Black History Month celebration at the Thompson Center Friday, Rauner said he was planning to meet with the Chicago superstar in the coming week. He also lauded Dorothy Jean Tillman, a young artist who was honored at Fridays event for her contributions as a childrens book writer and ensemble member at the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

I tell you, Dorothy Jean Tillman, this young lady, 10 years old, extraordinary talent, Rauner told reporters. What an inspiration she is. I look forward to seeing her next week.

Shes going to come when Im getting together with Chance the Rapper, I think the middle of the week, he added.

After winning three Grammy awards earlier this month, Rauner took to Twitter to congratulate the rapper on his historic haul.

Congrats to @Chancetherapper for making history as an independent artist and taking home 3 grammys. Rauner tweeted. IL is proud that youre one of our own.

Congrats to @Chancetherapper for making history as an independent artist and taking home 3 Grammys. IL is proud that you're one of our own.  Governor Rauner (@GovRauner) February 13, 2017

Bennett responded, requesting a sit-down with the governor.

Thank you Governor, he tweeted. I would love to have meeting with you this week if possible.

Rauner quickly accepted Bennett's invitation, noting that he is looking forward to the conversation."
Former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy will not be forced to testify in the increasingly hostile divorce case of former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and his estranged wife Sandi -- at least for now.

A judge on Monday said subpoenas seeking to have McCarthy and two others testify in the case have been stayed until jurisdiction in the highly-publicized divorce battle is determined.

The decision follows a motion filed last month by the soon-to-be former Mrs. Jackson looking to quash subpoenas in the case. The subpoenas included ones for McCarthy, Chicago businessman Richard Simon, and former police officer James Love.

McCarthys lawyer had also reached a separate agreement with Jacksons attorney to hold off on any appearance.

The subpoena to former police superintendent Garry McCarthy was surprising and unwarranted, McCarthys attorney Morgan Stogsdill said outside of court in January. Mr. McCarthy has absolutely nothing to do with the Jackson divorce.

McCarthy and the others received subpoenas earlier this year, demanding that they appear for questioning by the former congressmans attorney, and bring along documents and photos which might detail previous relations they may have had with Sandi Jackson.

While Mr. McCarthy will follow any directive of this court, at this juncture, it is unnecessary to do so, Stogsdill said.

Previously, Simon echoed McCarthys comments that he had nothing to offer in the Jackson divorce, declaring in an e-mailed statement that he had only met Sandi Jackson on two occasions, which were social events with more than 100 people present.

I have not communicated with her directly or indirectly, or with Ms. Jackson by telephone or by any electronic means ever, Simon told NBC5. There are no gifts, funds, or anything else of value given to Ms. Jackson by me for any reason, nor have I done so for another.

From the media spin, said Simon, it appears that Mr. Jacksons lawyer is far over reaching for legal actions in Illinois, so the court will keep the case in Illinois.

In her motion to quash the subpoena requests, Sandi Jackson accused the former congressman of conducting a fishing expedition."

Jesse has improperly issued three third-party subpoenas simply to harass Sandra, that motion stated. The subpoeanas were filed in the public court file and immediately posted in online news articles, all without a copy being served on Sandra or her attorneys.

That motion went on to declare that the one-time Chicago alderman was seeking a hearing, to prevent any further abuse by Jesse, the consequence of which is the immediate dissemination of information to the public at large, including the couples teenage children.
Two brothers, accused as a veritable crime wave of serial rape, have been sentenced to 147 years in prison in what is expected to be the first in a series of trials.

L.B. Joseph, 31, and Leondo Joseph, 40, both of Chicago stood before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Dennis J. Porter in a heavily guarded courtroom where a number of their alleged victims came to see prison terms handed out.

Cook County prosecutors Mary Jackovac and Amy Watroba called the facts at this first trial horrific saying the Joseph brothers kidnapped and serially raped a woman for hours at gunpoint.

Both men, who represented themselves at trial, continued to insist in court that they are innocent.

Leondo Joseph was initially charged in 2014 with 216 counts of rape and six victims. L.B. Joseph was charged with 93 counts and two victims. A brand new victim has now been added for each of them.

Leondo Joseph, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, feet shackled, railed, threatened suicide and swore at the judge.

Seven Cook County armed officers guarded the proceedings, as he was led out shouting the Illinois court system is prejudiced.

L.B. Joseph, later, was no more contrite attacking the victim, who testified at trial, as a liar and said in court that NBC5s reporting was slanderous.

Judge Porter sentenced each man to 147 years as multiple alleged victims watched in court.

One was Nikki Saez, who arrived at the Criminal Courts building accompanied by her mother Michelle Ford, with both apprehension and determination.

I can walk in with a smile because I know Ill be leaving there and Ill be able to move on with my life, Saez said.

There were only tears when she recounted in December 2014, in an NBC 5 interview, how she told police L.B. Joseph repeatedly raped her after they met on a date.

Police and prosecutors did not charge L.B. Joseph with rape in Saezs case, citing inconsistencies. He was charged with battery but was found not guilty by a judge.

Two years later both men were indicted on multiple counts of rape.

Last September a Cook County jury found both brothers guilty.

Michelle Ford, Nikki Saezs mother, has been a constant presence in court throughout pre-trial motions and testimony.

My daughter didnt get justice but these other victims can have a piece of mind now, she said of todays sentencing.

The reality of rape is what was also on trial here as rapists statistically have more than one victim.

We know that the men who perpetrate these crimes tend to do so over the course of their lifetimes," said Sarah Layden, interim executive director of Rape Victim Advocates.

The legal system didnt believe Nikki Saez but today, she said, she got justice just the same.

I still said 'no' that night and Im so thankful these girls got justice and had their cases heard the way they are supposed to be heard.
No one spoils their fans quite like Chance the Rapper.

The 23-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist loves to find new ways to surprise his loyal following, and on Sunday he did just that.

The Chicago native bought out multiple showings of the new movie "Get Out" at a theater on the Chicago's South Side and invited anyone and everyone to watch it for free.

Chance tweeted early Sunday that the horror film by Jordan Peele "WAS INCREDIBLE!! BEST FILM ACROSS ANY GENRE IN AWHILE," and encouraged his followers to see it. [[414821053, C]]

Just a few hours later, he made it easy for them. [[414820943, C]]

"I bought all the tickets to #GetOut at Chatham Theatre on 87th Just pull up with ID and enjoy the movie," he tweeted, adding, "All day guys, come thru! Bring whoever, it's free I just want you to see it on 87th. There's a few more showings today!"

The Chatham 14 Theaters, located on W. 87th St. near the Dan Ryan Expressway, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment, but the website listed the 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. showings as sold out.
Authorities are searching for a man who burglarized a woman's apartment while she was sleeping on Chicago's Near North Side.

Around 3 a.m. on Feb. 5, a man opened the unlocked door of an apartment in the 1000 block of N. Clark St. in the city's Gold Coast neighborhood, according to an alert from Chicago police.

Officials said the man, who was captured on surveillance video, took numerous credit cards and cash as the victim slept.

The suspect was described as a black man, standing between 5'10" and 6' and weighing approximately 180 to 200 pounds. He was wearing what appeared to be an Adidas backpack.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Chicago Police Department at (312) 747-8382.
In a virtually unprecedented move, The Cook County States Attorneys office has reportedly agreed to take a fresh look at cases involving a disgraced Chicago Police sergeant and the tactical team he commanded on Chicagos South Side.

Already in that case, the commander of the crew, Sgt. Ronald Watts, and one of his officers, Khalat Mohammed, were convicted of shaking down drug dealers and others at the Ida B. Wells housing project. But others have come forward to say they were framed by the officers and others who worked on the same tactical team.

Two other Chicago police officers, Shannon Spalding and Daniel Echeverria, said they developed evidence which was never prosecuted, that the entire team was dirty.

In court this morning, Assistant States Attorney Joseph Magats told Judge Leroy Martin, We are looking into the matter, and investigating all of the claims that are brought to us.

In the long run, that could end up involving hundreds of cases.

Defense Attorney Joshua Tepfer told Martin this morning that he has been working with the States Attorneys office to identify other individuals who were framed and wrongfully convicted by Watts and officers working under his command. Tepfer told the judge that the two sides are even seeking outside funding, to finance a much wider investigation.

In my belief there are many, many cases of individuals who were wrongfully convicted at the hands of these officers, Tepfer told NBC5. The process of identifying them has always been the most difficult part of the process.

Journalist Jamie Kalven, who had sued for the appointment of a so-called special master to investigate wrongdoing by the officers, called the decision by the States Attorney to proactively investigate the cases, a new day.

Nobody knows really how big this potentially is, Kalven said. These officers operated in abandoned communities in high rise public housing for more than a decade.

Officers Spalding and Echeverria, who tried to blow the whistle on wrongdoing at Ida B. Wells, said they unsuccessfully tried to warn superiors that uncharged officers were still working.

Officers who have been engaged in criminal activity for years may very well still be on the force, Kalven said.

A spokesman for the Cook County States Attorneys office said at least initially, the probe will be centered on individuals still incarcerated who might have been framed by Watts. But Tepfer says the two sides will make an effort to expand that inquiry to include other individuals who are no longer in custody, but may have been framed by Sgt. Watts previously

I absolutely believe that this is unlike any other scandal that Ive ever witnessed, Tepfer told NBC5. I believe it encapsulates the code of silence like nothing Ive ever seen.

Already in that case, the commander of the crew, Sgt. Ronald Watts, and one of his officers, Khalat Mohammed, were convicted of shaking down drug dealers and others at the Ida B. Wells housing project. But others have come forward to say they were framed by the officers and others who worked on the same tactical team.



Two other Chicago police officers, Shannon Spalding and Daniel Echeverria, said they developed evidence which was never prosecuted, that the entire team was dirty.



In court this morning, Assistant States Attorney Joseph Magats told Judge Leroy Martin, "We are looking into the matter, and investigating all of the claims that are brought to us."



In the long run, that could end up involving hundreds of cases. But for now the States Attorneys office suggests a limited examination of those convicted by the officers in question.



Defense Attorney Joshua Tepfer told Martin this morning that he has been working with the States Attorneys office to identify other individuals who were framed and wrongfully convicted by Watts and officers working under his command. Tepfer told the judge that the two sides are even seeking outside funding, to finance a much wider investigation.



Were working together to get funding that would not cost taxpayers a dime, Tepfer told the judge.



"In my belief there are many, many cases of individuals who were wrongfully convicted at the hands of these officers," Tepfer told NBC5. "The process of identifying them has always been the most difficult part of the process."



Journalist Jamie Kalven, who had sued for the appointment of a so-called "special master" to investigate wrongdoing by the officers, called the decision by the States Attorney to proactively investigate the cases, "a new day."



"Nobody knows really how big this potentially is," Kalven said. "These officers operated in abandoned communities in high rise public housing for more than a decade."



Officers Spalding and Echeverria, who tried to blow the whistle on wrongdoing at Ida B. Wells, said they unsuccessfully tried to warn superiors that uncharged officers were still working.



"Officers who have been engaged in criminal activity for years may very well still be on the force," Kalven said.





While the States Attorneys spokesman said the initial examination will be centered on individuals still incarcerated who might have been framed by Watts, Tepfer says the two sides will make an effort to expand that inquiry to include other individuals allegedly framed by officers who are no longer in custody.

"I absolutely believe that this is unlike any other scandal that Ive ever witnessed," Tepfer told NBC 5. "I believe it encapsulates the code of silence like nothing Ive ever seen."
Police are investigating a bomb threat at the Hebrew High School in West Hartford and the threat came on the same day several Jewish Community Centers and Jewish day schools also received threats.

West Hartford police said the school on Bloomfield Avenue received a bomb threat at 10:43 a.m. Monday.

Police officers and firefighters responded to help school officials, searched the school and did not find anything suspicious.

Students returned to normal operating procedures a short time later, according to police.

Police said they are continuing to work with faith based leaders in the community with security concerns.

Detectives are investigating and police said they would notify the FBI.
Trump border

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly issued new guidance on Tuesday outlining how his department will enforce President Donald Trump's executive order to crack down on immigration.

The goal is not "mass deportation" White House press secretary Sean Spicer said, but to eliminate exceptions that President Barack Obama's administration allowed to keep undocumented immigrants who weren't a threat from being deported.

"Remember, everybody who is here illegally is subject to removal at any time," Spicer said at the press briefing on Tuesday. "The president wanted to take the shackles off individuals in these agencies and say: 'You have a mission. There are laws that need to be followed. You should do your mission and follow the law.'"

How does Trump's new immigration policy  and Kelly's implementation of it  compare with Obama's? We broke it down.

How many unauthorized immigrants are in the US?

Official data from the Department of Homeland Security estimates that just over 11 million unauthorized immigrants live in the US, making up about 3% of the population.

How many did Obama deport?

During Obama's eight years in office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported over 3.1 million unauthorized immigrants. Most unauthorized immigrants who were apprehended inside of the country, not at the border, were convicted criminals, according to DHS.

In 2016, ICE officials removed 240,255 people, 58% of whom had criminal histories. Of the 65,332 people apprehended inside the country, 92% had been convicted of a crime, according to DHS statistics.

What's the same?

immigration protest trump

DACA

Trump left intact Obama's 2012 executive order on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

The action allowed immigrants under 31 who came to the US as children to apply for a deferred action, meaning the government won't deport them for two years and grants them the ability to legally work in the country. Applicants can reapply for DACA if they still meet the criteria. Citizenship and Immigration Services determines on a case-by-case basis if they can stay.

Story continues

Obama tried to expand deferred action in 2014 to include the parents of green-card holders or of children who were granted DACA privileges, but the courts struck down that order, and the Supreme Court left in place that ruling in a 4-4 vote.

Protecting sensitive locations

The DHS policy preventing enforcement activities at "sensitive locations" remains in effect. These include schools, places of worship, hospitals, and public demonstrations like rallies. The policy is meant to allow unauthorized immigrants to go to these locations "without fear" of being apprehended and deported.

Prioritizing criminals

The Obama administration prioritized enforcement for convicted criminals, those who posed a danger to national security, and gang members. That won't change under Trump's order.

"All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention, and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States," says a DHS Q&A about the order's implementation. "The guidance makes clear, however, that ICE should prioritize several categories of removable aliens who have committed crime, beginning with those convicted of a criminal offense."

What's different?

ice immigration raid

Not just criminals

In short, Trump's goal is to deport more unauthorized immigrants than Obama did, faster.

The DHS Q&A repeatedly says that "all of those in violation of the immigration laws"  that is, anyone who has entered the country illegally  can be deported at any time.

10,000 agents

Trump plans to hire 10,000 ICE agents, which could effectively triple the force, since the agency employed 5,700 deportation officers under Obama.

Kelly also outlined that the administration will encourage and train local law-enforcement officers to perform ICE duties, such as apprehending suspected unauthorized immigrants, under the 287(g) program. However, many mayors have declared their territories "sanctuary cities," where local law enforcement won't participate in the program.

Expedited removal

The number of people subject to "expedited removal" will increase, meaning they will largely bypass court proceedings before being deported.

Under Obama, ICE agents invoked this authority when they apprehended unauthorized immigrants within 100 miles of the US border within 14 days of when they crossed it. Trump has expanded expedited removal to unauthorized immigrants who have been in the country for up to two years, no matter where they were apprehended.

Removing privacy protections

This policy, which Obama had left intact but Trump rescinded, dates back to President George W. Bush's administration. Bush had expanded privacy rights to include unauthorized immigrants' personally identifiable information collected by agencies such as DHS. Trump's administration will no longer enforce this.

The border

The DHS memos direct federal resources to be used to expand detention centers for immigrants and to build the wall along the border with Mexico.

It's unclear how much each of these directives will cost, though a DHS internal report estimated the wall alone would cost $21.6 billion.

Seeking asylum

Trump's order changes the process for people claiming asylum in the US because they suffered persecution in the countries they fled based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group.

Under Obama, asylum officers typically referred cases to the courts to decide. But Trump's policy directs the officers to determine whether an applicant has "credible fear" of returning to their country when deciding to advance a case.

"The goal of DHS is to ensure the asylum process is not abused," says a DHS Q&A on the policy. "Asylum officers are being directed to conduct credible fear interviews in a manner that allows the interviewing officer to elicit all relevant information from the alien as is necessary to make a legally sufficient determination."

NOW WATCH: Here's the 20-step vetting process refugees must follow to enter the US





More From Business Insider


You will soon be able to travel non-stop from Bradley Airport to San Francisco. United Airlines is adding seasonal non-stop flights from Bradley International Airport to San Francisco International Airport between June 8, 2017 and Sept 5.

The service will be on 128-seat Airbus 319s with outbound flights leaving BDL at 6:30 a.m., Eastern Time and arriving at SFO at 9:46 a.m. Pacific Time. The inbound flight will depart SFO at 10:30 p.m. Pacific Time and arrive at BDL at 6:53 a.m. Eastern Time.

Gov. Dannel Malloy, the Connecticut Airport Authority and United Airlines made the announcement today.

It is undeniable that we are witnessing a period of significant growth at Bradley International Airport with the addition of yet another nonstop route to another major hub, Malloy said in a statement.

United is proud to offer our Connecticut customers a convenient and comfortable travel experience between Hartford and our premier Pacific gateway hub in San Francisco, Aileen Moriarty, Uniteds manager of Connecticut sales, said in a statement. This new route will provide multiple connections to destinations along the U.S. West Coast and to Uniteds international routes to China and business centers throughout Asia.
President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Navy, businessman Philip Bilden, said Sunday he was withdrawing from consideration for the post, citing concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Bilden's withdrawal raises similar issues to that of Vincent Viola, Trump's nominee for Army secretary who stepped aside earlier this month. Just last week, the Pentagon sought to tamp down reports that Bilden might pull out.

Bilden was an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve from 1986-1996. He relocated to Hong Kong to set up an Asian presence for HarbourVest Partners LLC, a global private equity management firm. Bilden recently retired from HarbourVest Partners after 25 years.

In a statement released Sunday by the Pentagon, Bilden said he determined that he would not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without what he called "undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family's private financial interests."

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement that he would make a recommendation to Trump for a nominee in the coming days.

On Feb. 19, after press reports suggested that Bilden might drop out, the Pentagon issued a statement saying Bilden had assured Mattis he remained committed to serving as Navy secretary if confirmed by the Senate and that Mattis was confident Bilden was "the right leader" to rebuild the Navy and Marine Corps.

Viola cited his inability to successfully navigate the confirmation process and Defense Department rules concerning family businesses. A military veteran and former Airborne Ranger infantry officer, he was also the founder of several businesses, including the electronic trading firm Virtu Financial. He also owns the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and is a past chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery, the team confirmed Monday.

Hamilton returned to Houston to be examined Monday by Dr. Walt Lowe, who performed reconstructive surgery on the former AL MVP's left knee last June.

On Monday, the team confirmed the latest surgery was to repair some damaged meniscus cartilage and said Hamilton is expected to be out up six weeks; after recovery, Hamilton will likely need a minor league rehab assignment.

The team also confirmed there were no issues with his surgically repaired ACL in the same knee.

"We'll know once Dr. Lowe sees him," Rangers assistant general manager Mike Daly said before Monday's announcement. "Josh felt and Dr. Lowe felt that he needed to go back down and get an evaluation."

Hamilton was examined by Lowe in Houston last Wednesday after his knee flared up in running drills. He was given a platelet-rich plasma injection to alleviate the discomfort.

Hamilton returned to camp on Thursday and he experienced discomfort after riding a stationary bike for two days.

The 35-year-old Hamilton played just one game in the minors last season while recovering. He was medically cleared in December and signed a minor league contract with Texas.

Hamilton was a five-time All-Star as an outfielder. He has been working out this spring at first base to put less wear and tear on the knee.

Hamilton has not played in more than 90 big league games in a season since 2013.

In 2010, he hit .359 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. In 2013, he hit 43 home runs with 128 RBIs.

"It is disappointing for Josh," manager Jeff Banister said. "I feel for him. He came into camp feeling good. I'm sure that for him, this is a challenge."

"This is a player that still has talent and capability. The curiosity is how long can a guy do it for and do it consistently," he said.

There's always a chance, too, that Hamilton might never play again.

"I don't think anybody wants to take it to that extreme," Daly said. "Josh has stated that he wants to play. That is why he is in camp. He wants to play and we want him to play. We'll see what happens after Dr. Lowe looks at him."

Hamilton has a $24 million contract for 2017 and the Los Angeles Angels are obligated to pay the Rangers $22 million to cover most of it.

This is the final season of the $125 million, five-year deal he signed with the Angels as a free agent before the 2013 season, though they traded him back to Texas two years later.
Cobblestone walkways, an island chapel and 16th century hand-carved stonework. It sounds like something out of Medieval England.

It's actually 21st century McKinney.

Adriatica is a planned development that started almost 20 years ago and continues to grow.

The idea came after a developer from Texas was visiting the island of Broc, located off the coast of Croatia. He fell in love with it so much, he decided he wanted to recreate it here in North Texas.

You would think this would just be a pipe dream, right? Well, obviously not.

When you compare the buildings in Broc to those in Adriatica, they are almost identical. The Bell Tower and Chapel are built from the same design. And the stonework is all done the same way, hand-carved, as it is in Europe

Mandi Shing, the director at the Bella Donna Chapel in Adriatica, said while the place is beautiful, the design of the village is about much more than that.

"People are so used to having to get into their cars and drive. In Adriatica, everyone is interacting a lot more, everyone is walking from place to place," said Shing. "There is just a large sense of community here. People know their neighbors and want to know their neighbors."

The developers are not done. There is a 122-unit apartment complex under construction and plans for a medical center and more homes and restaurants.

This small village in McKinney keeps pushing into the future, while day-to-day, they enjoy living in the past.
Uptown breathes life into Dallas. Frisco has its $5 Billion Mile. Plano shines with its Legacy West.

The commercial real estate projects that bring office buildings and shopping centers are economic engines in North Texas.

Real estate has really become a recruiting and retention tool, said Christine Perez, senior communications specialist at Cushman & Wakefield in Dallas.

People really care about their surroundings, how they're spending the bulk of their time during their day, so they want to make it as nice as possible to really recruit those talented workers.

"Theres enough of the pie for everybody, said Brettany Schovanec, a tenant representative for corporate real estate company Fischer.

Schovanec is one of the young women finding success in commercial real estate through a free networking group called Ladies in CRE, a supportive circle for commercial real estate women in their 20s and 30s.

The reality is this was a very male dominated business for decades, and now you've got females and younger females trying to break in and pave their way and it's hard when you're on your own, said Allison Johnston, a leasing agent at Gaedeke Group and founder of Ladies in CRE.

Johnston was one of those young women trying to break in. As she started her career in commercial real estate, she found herself jumping from one lunch meeting to another trying to develop business. She realized other young women in the business were doing the same thing, so it made sense to Johnston to meet in a group environment.

Ladies in CRE started 2012 with 35 members. Five years later, more than 400 women come to find personal and professional connections.

When you can build a network where we you can support each other and help each other do that, you achieve success a whole lot quicker and help others along the way, Johnston said as she pointed to successes among members.

They connected with someone and got a job out of it, or they connected with someone and got some business out of it and now they refer business, she said.

The women are a powerful force in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

One of the first things I noticed when I walked into some of the professional meetings was that it was filled with almost exclusively white men. There were very few women in the room and even fewer minorities, said Perez.

She wrote about commercial real estate in Dallas for almost two decades before joining the other side. She markets property for Cushman & Wakefield and sees an industry changing with the time.

The industry is definitely aware, and the industry definitely cares, said Perez. Companies want to recruit women and minorities. They want their workforce to look like the clients they serve.

Perez says a program called REAP helps minority candidates in real estate and other professions find opportunities in commercial real estate. She also sees the industry aggressively recruiting not just within its ranks and on college campuses but outside the profession as well.

Theyre starting to look at other industries; large retailers for retail industry professions, people who may work in logistics for industrial positions; other professionals in large corporations like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, to to recruit them to the office side.

You almost always see a female on a team now which didn't use to be the case, agreed Johnston. We bring attributes and talents to the table that might be different from men but we can complement each other when you're work as a team."

Johnston and others in her group rely on those whove been there to get where they want to go; women like Tanya Little, founder of Hart Commercial.

My peers would say we have all grown up in the business and kind of paved the way, if you will, for women in commercial real estate, said Little who shares her 25 years of experience in the business to empower the next generation.

We see it as our season to give back and seeing them grow up in the business, us still being part of the business, we're able to help them take those next steps, said Little.

She has been there for me when I've hit a roadblock and am not sure what to do in a situation because I haven't been there before, Johnston said of her four-year mentor/mentee relationship with Hart. I love having someone I can turn to who has been there.

Mentoring is a big part of what Ladies in CRE provides for its members as well as a connection to community.

We just don't want to be this girls networking with each other over cocktails, said Johnston. We want to have an impact on our community, too, primarily, women-focused charities where we can help other women.

And through it all, says Johnston, women gain confidence and understand their talents and attributes are needed at the table.

The cool thing about this group is there are a lot of girls that would like to help each other but don't know how or have that opportunity, she said. Its helped me grow my network in a short amount of time. I now have trusted business confidantes where we share information and share deals that I might not otherwise established.

I feel very fortunate that at 30 years old, I get to get up every morning and do what I truly love.

Ladies in CRE kicks off 2017 with its first meeting on March 1. The theme this year is Stiletto Network, based off a book of the same name that explores the power circles among women and how they are changing business.
We've heard horror stories from consumers about contractors taking off with their money, but a North Texas couple says a roofing company preyed on their entire neighborhood.

Residents in an Arlington community said they feel completely duped and they didn't even see it coming. They said SOS Roofing and Construction ran off with more than $40,000, and the customers want justice.

Last year's spring weather was unforgiving to many north Texas homes, but Donald and Darline Ward though they had gotten lucky.

We walked around our house, we didn't see any shingles missing, said Darline.

Then "Billy" from SOS Roofing and Construction arrived at their doorstep. The Wards thought that was strange to begin with because they said there's no soliciting in the area.

"He came to the door and he's like, 'You know you have roof damage,'" Darline Ward said. "So I got a hold of my insurance company. The insurance agreed with him and then they sent me out a check for the roofing company. I give them a cashier's check for $10,000. Then all of a sudden, no more calls from Billy. No contact from nobody.

The couple says they tried calling and texting Billy for months. They even went to the address listed on the company's website to get answers, but no one was there. So the couple came to one conclusion: their roof wasn't getting done and their $10,000 was long gone.

Unfortunately, the Wards are not alone.

There's a large group of people who have been scammed, like several houses in the neighborhood, Darline explained.

Altogether, the residents said they paid more than $40,000 to have their roofs repaired. They signed contracts and were given projected start dates, but they say none of their homes have been touched.

Its like you went in my pocketbook and stole money out of my pocketbook, said Dedre Jones.

Their stories are almost identical. Most of them got a visit from the same salesman, Billy.

He was smooth. You liked him, said Dennis Hale. He was eager to help you until you gave him the money, and then he did a disappearing act.

They then turned to the owner of SOS Roofing and Construction, Will Jenkins, for answers. They say he's full of excuses and refuses to offer a refund.

We reached out to Jenkins to find out his side to this story. He says in part:

"They have been pretty dead set on ruining my company and reputation for some time now it seems....I do acknowledge and accept responsibility for the amount of time it is taking to do their projects, also that they put a down payment on my services...My company took on a massive workload this past year. We've faced great adversity, and are behind on our schedule. I am sorry to all of my homeowner's that have been bearing with me, and the time delays. But I promise when your home is next on my schedule I will be 100% focused on your project from start to finish."

We asked Jenkins if he would offer refunds to any of the customers due to the extensive delay, but did not receive a response.

If I saw that guy right now, there's no telling what I would do. I'd go crazy on him, said Brenda Banks.

They should go to jail, said Dennis Hale.

Many of the customers said they went to the Arlington Police Department but were told it's a civil matter and that they'd have to take the owner to court.

The Tarrant County District Attorneys office told NBC 5 Responds they're aware of the allegations "are looking into them."

Meanwhile, Donald and Darline Ward just want their $10,000 back, but they aren't holding out too much hope.

"I'm hoping that maybe he'll come forth and say, 'Hey, we didn't get your work done. Here's your money back,'" Darline said. "Other than that, I want to see him locked up for the theft that he has committed. That is a crime.

Here are Samantha Chatmans solutions to help you avoid this problem:

 If a contractor or salesman comes knocking on your door after a storm, be cautious. Don't be quick to sign up for repairs.

 You should also get your estimated work date written on the contract. Most of the customers we heard from didn't have any start or completion dates in writing.

 Always research the company before agreeing to any work. You can look them up on Google and Facebook. See what other customers have to say online.
Dallas police are asking for the public's help finding 76-year-old Ray Lee Washington.

Washington went missing from his home in the 3700 block of Moonstone Drive on Feb. 17, according to a Dallas police news release.

Washington was last seen using his motorized wheelchair and wearing a maroon jacket and blue jeans. He's described as a black male, five feet nine inches tall and 170 pounds.

Washington has brown eyes and gray hair.

Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 or (214) 671-4268.
The Fort Worth Police Department is expanding in the fastest growing area of the city.

The department is breaking ground on its sixth patrol division facility which will serve North Fort Worth. A groundbreaking ceremony planned Monday morning was canceled due to overnight rain.

"It's growing so much over there and there are a lot of people coming in; businesses and residents, Officer Tamara Valle said.

The 23,000 square foot facility will be located near Alliance Town Square on North Riverside Drive.

Its not so much that we dont have a presence there, but it would be great to have an actual place where people can come and see the officers, Valle said. Actually speak to someone and not have to drive very far from their neighborhood to do it.

The $14 million project will house 110 officers and 13 administrative staff.

It will give the officers a chance to come back to sector and do what they need to do, Valle said. They will be able to increase their extra patrol time, hanging out, [knowing] whats going on in the neighborhood [and] get to know the neighbors a little more.

At 777 Barbershop, not far from the location of the new station, patrons and barbers wondered what changes they would see.

More patrols, more tickets, Johnny Temsisouvanh laughed. But hey, it will keep the streets safe.

Many residents say they welcome the extra police presence.

I think its a good idea. In my last apartment, I had a lot of break-ins in my car. So, I think its a good idea, Temsisouvanh said. This community is expanding. So, I think it would be nice to have more police officers.

The new facility is expected to be finished in early 2018.
The manager of an Austin pizzeria says an employee has been fired after a police officer who was a customer was given a receipt that included a profane insult.

Southside Flying Pizza manager David Hatley said in an email Sunday to the Austin American-Statesman that he was "appalled" by the actions of the employee.

KXAN-TV reports the receipt included the word "pig" typed onto it. It wasn't clear what day the officer visited the pizzeria.

Austin police issued a statement saying the incident reflected the actions of one person and is not representative of the restaurant and its staff.

Police said the restaurant made a donation to a nonprofit that supports law enforcement.

Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday told KXAN he doesnt think the incident will have a lasting impact.

Our officers have eaten there for years. I dont think thatll stop, he said. You know, the first 24 hours was pretty tough, a lot of officers were very angry. A lot of citizens were very angry. But just like we said, you cant let one bad egg spoil the bunch.

A group of officers, led by a the police association's vice president, planned to eat at the pizza shop for lunch Monday.
* Saudi expects to float 5 pct of state oil company for $100 bln

* HKEX hopes to leverage deep-pocketed China investors to woo Riyadh

* Bourse will have to overcome its own rule restrictions

By Michelle Price

HONG KONG, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's stock exchange will bank on its role as a gateway to mainland China's deep-pocketed investors to take on other leading venues and win the coveted $100 billion listing of Saudi Arabia's giant state oil company, Aramco, it said on Monday.

Charles Li, the CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), said access to Chinese capital and China's role as the world's largest importer of oil made Hong Kong a viable contender in the frantic race between listing venues.

Chinese banks are also expected to play a part. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China International and China International Capital Corporation (CICC) are among the Chinese banks pitching for an advisory role.

"For an IPO of that scale, it makes perfect sense to potentially be accessible by the very large capital base and investment wealth onshore in China," Li told reporters during an earnings briefing, adding it also made sense for Aramco to have a listing in Asia.

He said the Hong Kong stock exchange has had discussions with Aramco and is working "very hard" to snag what is expected to be the world's biggest ever IPO. He gave no details on any of the concessions Hong Kong is expected to make for the deal.

Li's comments come as Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday kicked-off a month-long Asia tour to promote investment and court investors for the IPO. The monarch is visiting Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China.

Saudi authorities plan to list up to 5 percent of the world's largest oil producer on the Saudi stock exchange in Riyadh, the Tadawul, and also one or more international markets, potentially raising as much as $100 billion. One source familiar with the pitching process confirmed Asia was being considered by Aramco as a listing venue.

Story continues

With a focus on China's wealth and its strategic importance to Saudi Arabia - the kingdom is among the biggest suppliers of crude to China - the HKEX is seen as having an edge over potential Asian rival bourses in the race to bag the giant IPO.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange, which has made efforts to woo Aramco, according to two sources, has less liquidity than Hong Kong and has seen foreign companies steadily delist over the past decade with only a handful of foreign listings remaining.

The Singapore Exchange is also keen to get a piece of the Aramco IPO pie, sources have said, but would again face numerous challenges given its smaller size.

RULE CHANGE

The Hong Kong bourse, the world's No.1 IPO market in 2015 and 2016, famously lost the record $25 billion IPO of Chinese Alibaba Group Holding to New York because it could not offer the ecommerce giant dual-class shares.

Again here, some listing rules in Hong Kong would have to be circumvented if HKEX is to clinch Aramco's IPO, according to one person involved in pitching Hong Kong to the oil giant.

Currently, the rules do not allow companies to list less than 15 percent of their total number of issued shares, while Saudi is also not currently an accepted jurisdiction of incorporation for Hong Kong listed entities. A secondary listing could also be tricky since HKEX does not currently recognise Saudi's Tadawul as a legitimate primary listing venue.

Regulatory sources said the exchange does have discretion over how the rules are applied and is able to grant waivers in special circumstances as it did in the case of some Chinese bank listings. Russia's Rusal was also able to create a Jersey-incorporated entity in order to raise $2.2 billion through its Hong Kong IPO in 2010, they added.

"Even so, I think the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) will have issues with the lack of disclosure around Aramco," said one of the sources involved in pitching a Hong Kong listing. "This could set the HKEX up for another clash with the SFC."

HKEX's Li did not respond to a question on the regulatory challenges the IPO could pose for the exchange.

The SFC declined to comment. Aramco did not immediately respond to a Reuters query for comment.

(Reporting by Michelle Price; Additional reporting by Tom Arnold, Rania El Gamal and Saeed Azhar in DUBAI; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
The Dallas Police Department is asking for help finding a 22-year-old man who may be a danger to himself or others.

Monday, Dallas police said Matthew Buerger was last seen leaving Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas on the 8200 block of Walnut Hill Lane.

Buerger is white, 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a navy-colored hoodie and blue jeans.

Buerger was last seen on foot and may be a danger to himself or others.

Anyone with information are asked to call the Police Department at 911 or 214-671-4268.
President George W. Bush surprised veterans at a media preview of a new art exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Tuesday.

Bush is combining his love of painting with his work to help the nation's military veterans with his new book and exhibit, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chiefs Tribute to Americas Warriors."

"I'm a little nervous about what they think of their paintings, but it is what it is," Bush told the media with a chuckle.

While painting the portraits of wounded warriors, he's gotten to know them over the years since leaving office.

"One of the things that I think is so important about expressing yourself through paint is to, in my case, think about their stories. I know them all," he said.

Purple Heart Recipient Chief Warrant Officer James Williamson served in both the Air Force and the Army and is one of the many portraits hanging at the Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

"I was humbled to be one of these," Williams said. "And very realistic, I might add."

Staff Sgt. Johnnie Yellock was also on hand Tuesday, he served since 9/11 and the president has come to know his story personally.

"He made the tough decision that had to be made. I don't regret any of the decisions that I've made. I joined at a time knowing that I was going to see combat and I'm honored to have served under his presidency," said Yellock.

For those who can't make it to the exhibit the president's paintings along with in-depth stories of the veterans' perseverance after suffering visible and invisible wounds of battle are featured in a new book.

Bush appeared on the "Today" show Monday to talk about the book and introduced some of the wounded warriors profiled in the book.

We first told you about the former president's book plans in fall 2016.

On Veteran's Day, Bush posted a photo on Instagram of himself painting one of the 98 portraits.

The book came out Feb. 28, 2017, and includes an introduction by Bush and forewords by former first lady Laura Bush and by Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"This is a book about the men and women who have been tremendous national assets in the Armed Forces -- and who continue to be vital to the future success of our country," Bush writes in the introduction. "The greatest honor of the presidency was looking them in the eye and saluting them as their Commander in Chief. And I intend to support and salute them for the rest of my life."

Bush and several of the veterans profiled in the book joined Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie for Facebook Live chat about the book.

The book will be released in two editions: a $35 hardcover and a $250 "deluxe" volume, cloth-bound and signed by Bush. There is also a $30 audio CD read by President Bush.

Bush, who has become an avid painter since leaving the White House, is donating any net author proceeds to the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Military Service Initiative, which helps post-Sept. 11 veterans and their families' transition to civilian life.

The paintings from "Portraits of Courage" will be on exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, from March 2 through early October.

According to our media partners at The Dallas Morning News, Bush will sign his new book next month at the Barnes & Noble on Northwest Highway in Dallas, but only for would-be buyers who already purchased a wrist band to secure a place in line.

More: George W. Bush Presidential Center - Portraits of Courage Exhibit and Book Information
A new district attorney in Central Texas says his staff has discovered paperwork showing that more than 200 criminal cases had never been previously examined by prosecutors.

Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick said many of the cases date back to 2014 and range from sexual assaults to forgeries, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Dick took over as district attorney in January, replacing Jana Duty, who he defeated in the Republican primary last March.

Much of the paperwork discovered last month in a vacant administrative office is the basic forms that police officers submit to the district attorney's office for review, Dick said. There were a total of 218 cases that had been left unexamined.

"I was alarmed," he said. "What we didn't realize at the time was how many there were and how serious they were."

Dick believes the problem of the unexamined cases is due to the district attorney's office being short-staffed during Duty's last year in office. He had expected a three- to four-month backlog of casework when he took office, but the discovery pushes the delay to upward of six months, he said.

Compounding the problem is Dick's office must still respond to about 1,500 requests from defense attorneys over the last four months of 2016 for an explanation of evidence the office has against their clients.

"Being behind by 1,500 individual discovery requests far exceeded the normal backlog," he said.

Duty did not respond to a request for comment on the cases and whether her office was short-staffed last year.

Dick noted that district attorneys are not aware of every case that comes into their office. "I am trying to be fair to her," he said. "Whether she should have been aware is a different question."

Jack Strickland, a deputy chief prosecutor for the Tarrant County district attorney's office from 2011 to 2014, said it's unusual for 218 cases to be left behind.

"It would really be a mess to inherit," he told the newspaper. "I think it sends the wrong message to the public that this stuff is just languishing because people don't think it's important to get to."

Dick says he's hiring additional prosecutors to help with the backlog, but also in anticipation of the county's growing population and the increasing volume of cases his office is expected to handle in coming years.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to review appeals in three Texas death row cases, including one where a man pleaded guilty to a triple slaying in South Texas.

The high court's rulings moved two inmates closer to execution: LeJames Norman, 31, condemned for the 2005 shooting deaths of three people during a botched robbery of a home in Edna, about 100 miles southwest of Houston, and Bill Douglas Gates, 67, condemned for strangling a Houston woman in 1999.

Neither has an execution date.

Norman and an accomplice also now on death row, Ker'Sean Ramey, were convicted in the slayings of Samuel Roberts, 24, Tiffani Peacock, 18, and Celso Lopez, 38, inside the home they shared in Edna, in Jackson County. Roberts' parents discovered the bodies Aug. 25, 2005.

Court records indicated Ramey and Norman believed there was 100 kilograms of cocaine in the house and hoped to steal it, but they never found any drugs. Norman was arrested trying to cross a bridge into Brownsville from Mexico about five months after the killings. He pleaded guilty to capital murder, leaving a jury to decide only on punishment. Norman's appeal raised questions about the competence of his trial attorneys.

Texas prison records show when Gates was arrested for the slaying of Elfreda Gans, 41, at her Houston apartment, the Riverside County, California, man was on parole after serving six years of two life prison terms in California for robbery, assault on a peace officer and possession of a weapon by a prisoner. His appeal also questioned whether his trial lawyers were deficient.

The third case refused by the high court involved prisoner Michael Wayne Norris, whose case was returned by a federal district judge in 2015 to his trial court in Houston for a new punishment hearing. A federal appeals court last year upheld that decision. Norris has been on death row nearly 30 years for fatally shooting a Houston mother and her 2-year-old son.

Patrick McCann, Norris' attorney, said Monday the ruling involved legal procedural point related to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Norris is awaiting his new punishment trial and Monday's ruling had no effect on that, McCann said.

Norris was on parole after serving time for murder when he was arrested for fatally shooting Georgia Rollins, 38, and her 2-year-old son, Keith, at their Houston apartment in 1986. His appeal challenged the instructions provided to his jurors during the punishment phase of his 1987 trial in Harris County.

At the time, trial courts were wrestling with evolving jury instructions about mitigating evidence, like mental impairment or dysfunctional childhood, and how it should be applied to punishment in capital murder convictions. The Supreme Court visited the issue several times, refining trial procedures through its rulings, and several cases of Norris' era were returned to trial courts for new punishment hearings.

Editor's Note: The AP corrected this story to show two cases move closer to execution but one appeal involves case that has been returned to trial court for new punishment hearing
The U.S. Justice Department said Monday it is abandoning its longstanding opposition to a key aspect of Texas' toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law, costing voting rights groups their most important ally and possibly encouraging other conservative states to toughen their own election rules with President Donald Trump in charge.

It's a dramatic break from the agency's position under President Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the voter ID law passed in 2011 by Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters.

"It's a complete 180," said Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center. "We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. There has been no new evidence that's come to light."

The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification  gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. Voting rights activists sued, and the case returns to court Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.

Justice Department spokesman Mark Abueg said that although the Justice Department will no longer argue that the law was intended to discriminate against minorities, it doesn't plan to withdraw from a portion of the lawsuit that argues that the law had the effect of discriminating against them.

The "intent" versus "effect" distinction is important since the former is still being argued before Gonzales Ramos.

A federal appeals court last year already ruled on effect, deciding that the Texas law discriminated against minorities and the poor and ordering changes ahead of the November election. The U.S. Supreme Court last month declined a Texas appeal that sought to restore the law, but Chief Justice John Roberts hinted that the high court could eventually hear an appeal at a later time.

That appeal likely can't happen until Gonzales Ramos rules on the Legislature's intent, though, and she's not expected to decide until weeks after Tuesday's hearing. In the meantime, the Justice Department's withdrawal means voting rights organizations suing will lose the assistance of a group of Department of Justice lawyers who had been assisting them on the case. The groups say they plan to press on even without the extra help.

In a filing Monday, the Justice Department said it was dropping its claim that Texas' measure was crafted with the purpose of disenfranchising minority voters because state lawmakers are considering a proposal to revise the law. The Republican-backed bill would make-permanent the court-ordered changes imposed for the November election, but its fate won't be known until closer to the end of Texas' legislative session in May.

"Thus, there is no basis for further judicial action at this juncture, when the State is 'acting to ameliorate the issues raised' in this case and has requested reasonable time to do so," the agency argued.

Along with Texas, the Obama-led Justice Department launched a high-profile legal challenge against North Carolina's voter ID law, arguing that its requirements were unnecessary and unconstitutional. North Carolina's top Democrats recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss an effort to restore the law, which had been struck down as unconstitutional.

Republican-led legislatures around the country have in recent years rushed to pass restrictions on voting, arguing they were necessary to prevent fraud at the ballot box, despite any evidence that it's a widespread problem.

Under Obama, the Justice Department sought to contest such measures, but the Trump administration's change in strategy could empower other conservative-controlled states to follow Texas' lead and tighten their voter ID rules.

Trump has consistently touted unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and has praised laws requiring ballot box photo identification.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions repeatedly sounded alarms over voting fraud and intimidation as a U.S. senator and challenged Justice Department attorneys over whether they were pursuing it aggressively enough. As a U.S. attorney in Alabama in the 1980s, he prosecuted three civil rights activists on charges of tampering with ballots. The three defendants were acquitted in a matter of hours.

And during his confirmation hearing last month, Sessions defended laws requiring voters to show picture identification at the polls: "I think voter ID laws, properly drafted, are OK."

Wendy Weiser, director of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said it was disappointing that the Justice Department would change its legal position.

"The more vigorously the Department of Justice pursues illegal discrimination when it happens, the more deterrent an effect it has," she said. "When they pull back from vigorous enforcement, it may have an unfortunate and pernicious effect of sending a green light to states that there's going to be less policing" of discriminatory laws.
Determination took one cancer patient from a hospital bed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and inspired others  including her doctor  to join her.

When Lila Javan was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2010, she started chemotherapy, got a stem cell transplant from her sister and eventually regained her health. Then, nearly five years later as she was planning to book a climbing trip to Africa, she went to a routine checkup and learned her cancer had returned.

"At first, [Mt. Kilimanjaro] didn't have much significance," Javan, a 39-yearold filmmaker, said. "I wanted to visit that part of Africa. When I started going through the treatment, it became so much more. It represented my cancer diagnosis."

A friend made a poster of Kilimanjaro through a window and put it up in her hospital room. Climbing Kilimanjaro became a goal, and Javan wanted the doctor whod helped her fight cancer to climb too.

"She said, 'Will you do this with me?' and I said, 'Absolutely,' because there was all this hope and looking to the future, Dr. Sarah Larson, an oncologist at UCLA Medical Center, told NBC4. I said yes, and I walked out of that room and I thought, 'What did i just do?'"

As Javans health improved the women began to train, and others soon joined them. A 14-person team of nurses and friends together raised more than $100,000 dollars for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

"It kind of, not to be cheesy, but it renewed my faith in humanity," Javan said. "The love and support I got back from people just was amazing, and it's what got me through."

Two years later the team made it to the top of Africas highest mountain.

"I kept putting one foot in front of the other, Javan said. We got to the top and the sun was rising, and I saw Sarah and I started to cry. It was the most unbelievable, amazing moment of my life. The fact that we'd all trained togetherand we're doing this not just for ourselves but for something else made it more significant.

Javan and her climbing cohort have inspired others to raise money for cancer research through a campaign called Climb2Cure. She is turning her journey into a documentary film and already has her sights set on a new climb: Mount Everest.

Click here to learn more about Javans journey or join your own Climb2Cure team.
A Jewish school in Broward County was evacuated Monday after a reported bomb threat was received by officials.

Crews cleared the David Posnack Jewish Day School off Pine Island Road and Stirling Drive around 9:30 a.m. Students were taken out of their classrooms and eventually moved off campus.

Police didn't said how the threat was received as they searched the school, however Davie Police later confirmed it was not a credible threat.

The threat drew the attention of actor and South Florida native Josh Gad:

The threat is the latest one made toward a facility catering to the Jewish community in recent weeks  including threats called into Jewish community centers in both Miami Beach and Kendall. A total of 16 JCCs across the country received threats on Monday.

It also comes a day after swastikas were found keyed into cars on Miami Beach.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz called on President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to make investigating the threats a top priority for the Department of Justice. She also blamed the president, saying it's no coincidence the threats are mounting during his administration.

"To me that has opened the flood gates where people who would lurk in the shadows and feel their views as anti-Semites would be shunned now feel like well, the President of the United States seems to think this is if not acceptable, certainly hasn't discouraged it," she said.
A Broward County paralegal whose debt reduction companies were accused of defrauding consumers out of $2.4 million has agreed to pay $4,500 to settle the case.

The Miami Herald reports that Chastity Valdes will pay that amount to the Federal Trade Commission in an agreement with that agency and the Florida attorney general's office.

The $4,500 is the stated value of the assets held by the 35-year-old Valdes and her companies, Consumer Assistance LLC, Consumer Assistance Project and Palermo Global.

Officials said Valdes promised to reduce her customers' student loan debt but did little work as she charged them $250 upfront and up to $303 per month.

They say she also faked high ratings for her companies on Facebook and other social media sites.
Vandals targeted a Jewish cemetery in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia, knocking over hundreds of headstones over the weekend and the damage remained visible Monday.

Police responded to a report of vandalism at Mount Carmel Cemetery on Sunday at 9:40 a.m. When they arrived, they were met by a man who told them three headstones belonging to his relatives were knocked over and damaged, authorities said.

Police told NBC10 at least 100 more headstones were knocked over. A rabbi who walked through the cemetery told NBC10 he counted 460 headstones that were toppled or damaged. [[414823183, C]]

"This is not just a random act," said Rabbi Shawn Zevit of Mishkan Shalom. "To topple so many headstones clearly is a concerted effort with intent."

"When we got there, I saw the degree of desecration," Rabbi Yosef Goldman said. "Seeing it in person was heartbreaking and devastating." [[414953713, C]]

No arrests have been made and police have not released information on any suspects. The Anti-Defamation League is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Fraternal Order of Police is also offering a $3,000 reward, bringing the total to $13,000.

"In my time this is the worst that we have seen as far as anti-Semitism," said Nancy Baron-Baer of the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia. "We need to be more united and not so divided."

Philadelphia-area rabbis visited the cemetery to comfort those who have loved ones buried there. [[414819143, C]]

"I'm devastated by this," said Janice Wilson of Overbrook. "I don't know whether to cry or to scream."

"On one hand there's a sense of anger and grief, but also hope because we are seeing people coming together as sisters and brothers to show that the faith communities in Philly and in the USA will not be broken by these hateful acts," Goldman said. "We will be stronger, and the Jewish community and the faith communities will be stronger."

Police believe the vandalism occurred between late Saturday night and Sunday morning.

"My heart breaks for the families who found their loved ones' headstones toppled this morning," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney wrote in a released statement. "We are doing all we can to find the perpetrators who desecrated this final resting place, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia. I encourage Philadelphians to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and to show them that we are the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection."

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf also called the vandalism a "cowardly, disturbing act."

"We must find those responsible and hold accountable," Wolf wrote.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday President Donald Trump condemns the latest act of vandalism in Philadelphia.

An organizer launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for damage repair while the Jewish of Greater Philadelphia is organizing a cleanup effort for Tuesday.

Philadelphia city councilman Bobby Henon, who grew up close to the cemetery, told NBC10 union groups will donate time and effort to clean the cemetery and install security cameras.

John Dougherty of the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council also offered to replace the headstones, re-sod damaged gravesites and clean the cemetery for free. The building trades council is the umbrella organization for more than 50 union locals that work in the construction industry.

Dougherty called the vandalism a "cowardly act of anti-Semitism that cannot be "tolerated." Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon and the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect also condemned the vandalism.

Jewish graves in Philadelphia now vandalized. Stop this incubator of #Antisemitism and other hate. WE BEG YOU @POTUS @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/RHuIjdE2Yg  Anne Frank Center (@AnneFrankCenter) February 26, 2017

The FBI opened a civil rights investigation into the vandalism, the agency announced Monday. "The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time." The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is also deciding whether hate crime charges will be filed as investigators work to determine the motive for the vandalism.

Last week vandals damaged 154 headstones at a Jewish cemetery in University City, Missouri. The incident sparked national outrage and a crowdfunding campaign from a Muslim group that has now raised more than $130,000. Some of that money will now go toward the Mount Carmel cemetery as well.

More than 10 Jewish Community Centers across the country were also evacuated last week due to bomb threats.

An investigation is underway after vandals damaged headstones at Mount Carmel Cemetery in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia. Police say the suspect or suspects damaged 75 to 100 graves at the Jewish cemetery, located on Frankford and Cheltenham avenues. The incident follows another vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in University City, Missouiri last week in which 154 headstones were damaged.

Vandals toppled headstones at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia. This is just one of a number of attacks against the Jewish community across the United States. NBC10s Cydney Long spoke to visitors at the local cemetery. A White House Representative also weighed in with NBC10 on the recent attacks.
An unsuspecting group of tourists on a Hollywood sightseeing tour took a pitstop of a lifetime Sunday night at the Academy Awards thanks to a prank instigated by host Jimmy Kimmel.



Told they were walking into an exhibit to look at Oscar dresses, the group instead entered the actual awards ceremony starring those dresses on real-life celebrities.



Led by tourists Gary Coe and his fiancee Vicki Mines from Chicago, they were greeted by Kimmel.

"Hello, there," Kimmel said. "Welcome to the Dolby Theater. This is the home of the Academy Awards, which are in fact happening right now."

"Let me give you a little tour," he said. "This is Nicole Kidman."

Kimmel told the Chicago couple they didn't have to hold up their cell phones since they were on live TV, but they clearly couldn't help themselves.



They greeted Kidman, shook hands with/got a kiss from Ryan Gosling and even were faux-married by Denzel Washington.



Mines revealed she and Coe were getting married in July, and when Mines disclosed to Kimmel that Washington was her favorite actor, Kimmel made a suggestion.

"Will you be the best man at their wedding?"

Washington, sitting a few seats down, hopped up and pronounced them "husband and wife."



Before departing, Coe held Mahershala Ali's Oscar, Jennifer Aniston gave Miner her sunglasses, and the couple snapped some of the most exclusive selfies in existence.



They definitely will have a few stories to tell back home.
What to Know The woman was walking on the street in Highland Park when a man with a gun came up to her

The man forced her into the basement of a nearby building and beat and sexually assaulted her

A homeowner called police when she found the woman on her front porch

A 23-year-old New Jersey man has been arrested in the brutal beating and sex assault of a Highland Park woman earlier this month, authorities say.

Middlesex County prosecutors and Highland Park police say Brandon Cox of Franklin Township has been charged with 16 counts of the Feb. 19 attack on Harper Avenue.

Cox, who was arrested last week on an unrelated charge, was charged in the attack after the investigation into the sex assault.

Authorities say the 36-year-old victim was walking with a child when the suspect approached her at gunpoint, forced her into the basement of a nearby apartment building and repeatedly punched her and sexually assaulted her.

He ran away, and a neighbor called police after the victim ran to the neighbor's home following the attack. She was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Newark.

Additional details about the baby that was said to be with the woman weren't immediately known.
An accident involving two tractor-trailers blocked two lanes on the George Washington Bridge Monday morning, causing delays of up to 90 minutes.

The delays affecting the inbound upper level of the bridge were at 90 minutes from the New Jersey Turnpike to the tolls at 8.30 a.m., Total Traffic said. The inbound lower level of the bridge also saw delays of about 25 minutes.

Total Traffic said the accident involved two tractor trailers.

One was carrying bricks, some of which were thrown onto the roadway.

By 9 a.m. the accident had been cleared, but traffic cameras were still showing delays.
A New York fire chief was suspended after having an argument with a fire fighter at the fire house, officials say.

Islip fire chief William Moon has been suspended ninety days, a department commissioner said Monday.

Moon was involved in a verbal argument with a fire fighter at the fire house, according to commissioner Mike Leo.

An investigation determined the chief's conduct was "unbecoming" of an official in his position, Leo said.

Moon confirmed the suspension via a text message but refused further comment.

The exact nature of what happened remains unclear; but Leo said there was no evidence of any physical assault and no criminal charges were involved.

Moon will return to his position in the volunteer department once his suspension is completed.
What to Know The Oscars got a cinematic ending of their own Sunday when "La La Land" was mistakenly declared the winner instead of "Moonlight"

The White House is expected to announce major cuts to the EPA and other longtime Republican targets when it reveals its budget

Actor Bill Paxton, known for "Twister" and other blockbusters, died at the age of 61

Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Moonlight Wins Best Picture After Gaffe

If you stayed up to watch the end of the Oscars you got to see two films win for best picture, "La La Land" and moments later after some confusion, the real winner "Moonlight." Oscar presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway incorrectly announced "La La Land" as the best picture winner, a mistake that wasn't corrected until the filmmakers had already given their acceptance speeches onstage. Moments later the filmmakers of "Moonlight" were ushered onstage and presented with the Oscar. Casey Affleck's portrayal of a grieving father in "Manchester by the Sea" won him the award for Best Actor, and Emma Stone's portrayal of a struggling actress in "La La Land" got her Best Actress. See a list of all the winners. The blunder was all the talk at Hollywood parties on Sunday night.

Actor Bill Paxton Dies

Bill Paxton, a prolific and charismatic actor who had memorable roles in such blockbusters as "Apollo 13" and "Titanic" while also cherishing his work in "One False Move" and other low-budget movies and in the HBO series "Big Love," died from complications due to surgery at the age of 61. A family representative issued a statement Sunday on the death but provided no further details. Response to his death streamed in on Twitter Sunday, with Hollywood stars like Tom Hanks, Aaron Paul and Charlize Theron all writing notes to mourn their friend.

Health Care, U.S. Budget on Trump Agenda

President Donald Trump toasted the nation's governors on Sunday, welcoming state leaders to a black-tie ball at the White House ahead of discussions about his plans to repeal and replace the so-called Obamacare law. During his toast, the president noted his Monday meeting with the governors at the White House, saying, "Perhaps health care will come up," a nod to the effort in Congress to repeal and replace the sweeping health care law installed under President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, Capitol Hill aides say the White House is moving to propose slashing cuts to longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The White House budget office will send agencies proposed levels for the 2018 budget year on Monday, aides said. The Pentagon is due for a huge boost, but many nondefense agencies and foreign aid programs are facing cuts.

Vandals Target Jewish Cemetery

Vandals targeted a Jewish cemetery in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia, knocking over hundreds of headstones. Police told said at least 100 more headstones were knocked over. A rabbi who walked through the cemetery said he counted 460 headstones that were toppled or damaged. "To topple so many headstones clearly is a concerted effort with intent, Rabbi Shawn Zevit of Mishkan Shalom said. Last week vandals damaged 154 headstones at a Jewish cemetery in University City, Missouri. More than 10 Jewish Community Centers across the country were also evacuated last week due to bomb threats.

New DNC Chief Faces a Trump-Era Reckoning

When Tom Perez stepped to the stage as the newly elected Democratic national chairman, his first official act was to invite his vanquished rival to join him as deputy chairman. Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison accepted on the spot and two men stood together, smiling like a national ticket at a presidential nominating convention. Reaction wasn't enthusiastic among the liberal groups that embraced Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. The reaction underscores the challenges Perez and Democrats face as they look to recover from a disastrous electoral slide.

Dozens Injured in Mardi Gras Crash

The man who allegedly plowed into a crowd enjoying a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit, police said Sunday. The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement identifying the man as 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto. The accident happened Saturday during one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras. Police said Sunday that 28 people were hurt in the accident that sent 21 people to the hospital; an additional seven people at the scene declined medical help.
What to Know At least six Jewish Community Centers in New Jersey, NYC, Long Island and Westchester County got bomb threats Monday

They were part of a nationwide wave of threats against JCCs

There have been at least five such waves of bomb threats since the start of this year

At least seven Jewish Community Centers in the tri-state region were evacuated Monday after the latest in a round of anti-Semitic bomb threats, authorities said.

As a result, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday he had ordered an investigation into the bomb threats across New York State.

"In response to these anti-Semitic attacks, I am ordering the State Police to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to investigate these threats and apprehend those responsible."

The Jewish Community Centers Association told NBC News at least 16 facilities nationwide received threats. Facilities in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Indiana, Alabama, Missouri, North Carolina and Florida reported calls.

The NYPD said they were doing a sweep of all three Jewish Community Centers on Staten Island after a person phoned in just before 10 a.m. and said an explosive was going to go off.

The Cherry Hill Jewish Community Center in Camden County, New Jersey was safely evacuated before 11 a.m., and police were at the scene, the center tweeted.

Nassau County police confirmed just before noon that the JCC in Plainview had been evacuated, and authorities said the Tarrytown and Scarsdale facilities in Westchester County had received threats as well. While there have been no threats in Suffolk, police there say they've enhanced patrols at synagogues, Jewish cemeteries and religious institutions out of an abundance of precaution.

Almost all of those facilities were cleared and reopened to students and staff within a couple of hours of the initial threats.

NATIONWIDE THREATS

A map compiled by the online edition of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz of the Feb. 27 threats.

The threat comes amid a rash of bomb threats targeting Jewish Community Centers across the country

Some 16 centers, including one in New Jersey, were threatened in nine states on Jan. 9, according to Marla Cohen, communications manager for the New-York based, JCC Association of North America.

Nine days later, Cohen said, 28 centers in 17 states were threatened. She said some of the threats came in as robo-dialers and some were actual people. The FBI was assisting in the probe.

Just last Monday, another 10 were evacuated.

Oren Segal, the director of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism, said on Twitter Monday that there have now been five such waves of threats in the last two months.

President Trump, after days of pressure to address the threats more aggressively, last week called them "horrible and painful."

Top Tri-State News Photos
Investigators are trying to track down the owner of the drone that crashed through a Manhattan apartment window over the weekend.

They're using the serial numbers on the drone, though it's not clear if the drone is registered as it should be by law. Either way, whoever operated it was breaking the law, authorities say.

Some versions of the particular drone that crashed through the 27th-floor apartment at 20 Waterside Plaza in Kips Bay were part of a nationwide recall. There were complaints about the GoPro Karma going out of control and crashing to the ground.

Police are looking into whether the craft, a 1-foot by 1-foot drone with 10-inch propellers and a camera, was part of that recall.

It landed just feet from the 66-year-old woman who lives in the apartment when it crashed through Saturday afternoon. She declined to speak to NBC 4 New York Monday.

Neighbor Iris Lim, who's a surgeon and a mother of a 1-year-old, was disturbed.

"It's a little disconcerting to think you could be in your apartment and in comes a drone out of nowhere," she said.

George Wimbly, who runs a professional aerial photography that uses drones, says it's key for operators to follow the rules, especially the new ones that ban drone operation in much of New York City save for a few parks in the outer boroughs.

"Right now, no one can really fly drones in New York City. It's Class-B airspace. You've got heliports over here, you're within a five-mile radius of local airports," he said, pointing out the proximity of the East River helipads.

Though the NYPD doesn't keep specific records on drone incidents, the FAA reports an uptick near local airports in recent years. Last February, a drone crashed into the Empire State Building, and though no one was hurt, the owner was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
A woman was rescued from the Saugatuck River after people in a waterside restaurant heard her screaming for help and police boarded a civilian boat to reach her, officials said.

The woman was in a car that plunged into the river from the State Boat Launch in Westport. A man who was in the car with her, 76-year-old Richard Lamendola, of Syosset, died, police said.

Diners at the Whelk Restaurant heard the woman's screams Saturday night and called 911, police said.

Emergency responders found the woman in the middle of the river and heading north in the current.

Firefighters and police officers boarded a civilian boat to rescue her, police said.

The man was found about a half hour later near the Bridge Street bridge, police said.
A man has been charged with second-degree murder and burglary in the stabbing death of a woman in her Manhattan apartment, police said Sunday.

Alexander Felix, 34, of Brooklyn, was arrested at a hospital where he was being treated for a cut to his hand, police said.

Eloise Liz, 48, was stabbed as many as 10 times in her home on 153th Street in Hamilton Heights, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said there was no known relationship between Felix and Liz.

A neighbor heard a loud argument and called 911 at about 3:50 a.m. Saturday, police said.

"I have to come in and out this building every day," neighbor Randy Romero said. "I have to go to work and to know that a stranger can just come in the building and just murder somebody that lives on my floor that I used to see on a regular basis, say hello to, have conversations with  its the scariest thing in the world."
Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh talks to journalists during a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader

DUBAI (Reuters) - OPEC's level of compliance with production cuts in January has been acceptable, Iran's oil minister said on Monday, expressing hope for further cooperation from non-OPEC members in the near future.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed on Nov. 30 to cut output by 1.2 million bpd to 32.5 million bpd for the first six months of 2017, in addition to 558,000 bpd of cuts agreed to by producers such as Russia, Oman and Mexico.

"OPEC members' level of compliance to cut oil production in January has been acceptable and we predict more cooperation from the non-OPEC members in near future," Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency.

He added that Iran's level of production has reached 3.9 million bpd in February.

Zanganeh also said that Iran will launch before the beginning of the new Iranian year (March 20) its first tender for foreign investment to develop the Azadegan oilfield but added that the tender will not be public and will be limited to only a few companies.

Iran's first new-style tender since the lifting of sanctions has been postponed several times for unspecified reasons.

OPEC's third-biggest oil producer hopes its new Iran Petroleum Contracts (IPCs) will draw foreign companies and boost output after years of under-investment. But foreign firms have so far made little inroads into the country despite the lifting of sanctions.

Zanganeh dismissed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump's tough stance against Tehran has made foreign firms more cautious to invest in the energy sector.

"No company has slowed down its negotiations with Iran," Zanganeh was quoted as saying by the IRNA news agency.

(Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by David Goodman and David Evans)
A new round of threats to Jewish community centers was reported Monday across the United States, including one in Florida that drew a rebuke from actor Josh Gad, for whom the threat was close to home.

Gad said he grew up near a Jewish day school that was evacuated in Broward County Monday morning.

The national Jewish Community Centers Association told NBC News that at least 20 centers and day schools were targeted with bomb threats Monday. Among those targeted were Jewish community centers in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Alabama, Missouri, North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey and in the New York City area, police said.

No explosives or injuries have been reported so far, and many of the centers have returned to normal operations.

"Not sure how this has become the new normal," Gad said in a message on Twitter. "Disgraceful."

David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, on Monday called on members of government and law enforcement up to the White House to condemn the threats and act to stop them.

"Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities," Posner said in a statement.

The statement said all threats reported so far have been determined to be hoaxes.

Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit founded by several national Jewish groups to bolster security at Jewish institutions, said "the Jewish community is back in business" after the latest wave of threats. Jewish Community Centers and other groups have extensive security protocols in place, Goldenberg said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement Monday that he's asked state police and federal homeland security officers to investigate.

"Any anti-Semitic act or act of intimidation aimed at Jewish institutions and people in Pennsylvania is truly reprehensible and we must find those responsible and hold them accountable. This is not who we are as Americans or Pennsylvanians. We will not take these threats and acts lightly," he said.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the acts of vandalism and bomb threats serious, unacceptable behavior and promised the Justice Department will "do what it can to assist in prosecuting anybody" proven to have participated.

Speaking Monday, he called the attacks and threats "a very serious and disruptive practice."

It's just the latest round of threats to Jewish community centers across the country since January. No explosive has been uncovered amid the months of threats, many of which have been called in.

On Jan. 9, 16 centers in nine states received threats. In central Florida bomb threats targeted two Jewish centers and two Jewish preschools in Tampa. Authorities said no explosives were found at those locations.

On Jan. 18, 27 Jewish community centers in 17 states, including Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, Tennessee and North Carolina received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No injuries or actual explosives have been reported.

Other threats have been reported as well. The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with threats, the agency has said.

In the last two weeks, Jewish cemeteries in Missouri and Pennsylvania have also been defaced, with dozens of headstones toppled.

A Muslim crowdfunding effort to support the Missouri cemetery has raised more than $136,000, and organizers say they will use some of the money for the Philadelphia cemetery where similar vandalism occurred.

The fundraising effort began last week after 154 headstones were tipped over at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Missouri, a St. Louis suburb. The money raised so far is nearly seven times more than the original $20,000 goal and will be used to help repair damage and upgrade security.

And organizers say some of the money will go to aid Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia, where several hundred headstones were knocked over during the weekend.

The fundraising campaign is scheduled to continue another three weeks.

President Donald Trump last week called the threats to the centers "horrible and painful." His remarks came amid pressure for him to speak out about the threats.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday Trump is "deeply disappointed and concerned" about the latest act of vandalism in Pennsylvania and the threats to the community centers, and condemns those acts.
Trader Joe's has issued a recall for their Unsweetened Apple Sauce products due to the potential presence of glass pieces inside.

The affected products are:

Trader Joe's First Crush Unsweetened Gravenstein Apple Sauce, barcode number 00015905, best before Aug. 8, 2018; Trader Joe's Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce with barcode number 00194877, best before Oct. 6, 2018; and Trader Joe's All Natural Unsweetened Apple Sauce with barcode number 00014359, best before Dec. 16, 2018.

All potentially affected products have been removed from store shelves and destroyed, according to the company.

Trader Joe's advised consumers to not eat the products with the affected codes. Consumers are to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joes for a full refund.

For more information, call Trader Joes Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 (Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST) or send an email.
In El Paso, Texas, Carmen Ramos and her friends have developed a network to keep each other updated by text message on where immigration checkpoints have been set up.

She also makes sure she does everything by the book. From sticking to the speed limit to keeping a sharp eye on her surroundings, the 41-year-old isn't taking any chances, The Associated Press reported. In 2008, with her husband and three children, Ramos left Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, for the United States to escape drug violence and death threats. But their tourist visas have since expired.

"We are surprised that even a ticket can get us back to Mexico," Ramos told the AP. "We wouldn't have anywhere to return."

The executive order that President Donald Trump signed his first week in office takes a harsh line on immigration, one that may lead to the deterrence of immigrants' participation in public life. With undocumented immigrants under the threat of deportation by local authorities, experts say it is likely that they will shy away from any situation that may require their personal information.

"I think what were going to see are immigrants receding from public life in lots of ways," Lee Gelernt, a civil rights lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, told NBC. "That includes not accessing emergency services and not reporting crimes they witness, which are not good for the community as a whole."

Gelernt said ACLU lawyers will challenge aspects of the executive order as they are rolled out, but for now the order has taken the form of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The ACLU is trying to determine if there have been any civil rights violations, such as racial profiling or excessive force, during these raids.

The Department of Homeland Security is taking measures to enact the sweeping actions that Trump's executive order involves.

Although Trump has said repeatedly that the country is focused on "getting the bad ones" out of the country, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly directed ICE agents to expand their pool of undocumented immigrants to prioritize for deportation.

In the statement issued last week about the order, the department announced it would "not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement, meaning that law enforcement officials can detain an undocumented immigrant who has committed an offense of any kind. In 2014, former President Barack Obama implemented guidelines for deporting unauthorized immigrants that focused on gang members and convicted felons.

Kelly also directed ICE to partner with state and local authorities to investigate, apprehend and detain immigrants.

"We don't want there to be this overwhelming sense of fear or panic in these communities," DHS press secretary Gillian Christensen said. "When you look at the executive order, it's still the top priority to detain people who pose a threat to public safety or national security."

Christensen also noted that undocumented immigrants covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals progam are exempt from the executive order.

But lawyers and advocates are warning those immigrants not to enroll in DACA for fear their information will be used to deport them, according to The Washington Post.

And some reported incidents suggest that ICE is taking a strict approach in its detention of immigrants. On Monday, The New York Times reported that Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco, a well-respected restaurant owner in Illinois, was detained by authorities without a specific reason, but immigration officials noted his two drunk-driving convictions from 2007.

Another undocumented immigrant in Fort Worth, Texas, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in early February while in an ICE detention center but was returned to the center following a short stint in the hospital. The Daily Beast reported that 26-year-old immigrant crossed the border in 2015 in search of work and asylum from her native country, El Salvador. And Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos was deported to Mexico a few weeks ago after her immigration check-inher eighth since her 2008 conviction for using a fake Social Security number to get work, CNN reported.

"Targeted enforcement, focused on actual national security threats, makes sense," William Stock, president of American Immigration Lawyers Association, said in a statement. "However, these memos, which seem to treat everyone as an enforcement priority, aren't going to make us safer, and they are already causing fear in communities across the nation."

Immigrants in the Chicago area have told the AP that they are scared to drive, and some are even wary of taking public transit. When Chicago police and federal authorities conducted regular safety checks on a train line earlier this month, many assumed it was an immigration checkpoint.

Word spread so quickly that Chicago police issued a statement assuring immigrants, "You are welcome here."

Gelernt expressed concern that the presence of the ICE agents during raids and arrests could instill fear in undocumented immigrants.

"Even if ICE is not making arrests at any moment their mere presence is going to create anxiety and fear," he said.

Michele Lamont, a Harvard professor and cultural sociologist who specializes in race, inequality and immigration, said that it would be natural for undocumented immigrants to fall into the shadows because of their perceived "undesirable" status.

"They know how they may be perceived by other Americans," she said. "The assumption that they're not good members of society can push people away from their own communities. If you know the likelihood that you will be outed, then of course privatization will be the natural reaction."

Lamont also said that Trump's executive order will likely come with "a lot of unintended consequences."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer predicted Monday that the Affordable Care Act will survive amid what he called a White House and GOP in disarray.

Schumer said the law, also referred to as "Obamacare," will not be repealed. He said the GOP so far has not been able to "pick off" a single Democratic lawmaker to support repeal.

"They can't agree on a timeline, or even what to replace it with," Schumer said.

Schumer spoke at the National Press Club along with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in advance of President Donald Trump's speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.

The two leaders of congressional Democrats aimed to depict Trump's first 40 days in office as unsuccessful with Schumer saying that the main accomplishment of the president and Republicans has been to undo a few regulations that were an "afterthought" of the Obama administration.

Schumer said that Democrats are "united and on offense. We're doing a lot better than we thought."

Pelosi, asked about Trump's budget proposal at the National Press Club Monday, said she hasn't seen "all the particulars." But she said that by looking at the personalities in his administration who are shaping the document, she expected cuts in grants for medical researchers and in Head Start support for low-income kids.
Nearly 200 storm chasers paid tribute Sunday to the late actor Bill Paxton by spelling out his initials using GPS coordinates on a map depicting the heart of Tornado Alley.

The effort coordinated by Spotter Network spelled out "BP" to honor the leading man in the disaster movie "Twister," which inspired a generation of storm chasers.

Storm chasers and storm spotters have spelled out the initials of fellow chasers in the tight-knit community four or five times before, but never for someone who hasn't directly "made a significant contribution to the field," said John Wetter, president of the nonprofit that tracks the positions of tornado chasers and works with the National Weather Service to update weather forecasts.

"This is the first time we've gone way outside of that. There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of meteorologists today  myself included  who were impacted by the movie 'Twister' and the role Bill played in that," Wetter told The Associated Press in a phone interview. " 'Twister' was kind of the first time in a mass media marketplace the meteorologist became cool, if only for a little while."

The storm chasers spelled the initials on a map that was centered around Wakita, Oklahoma, a real town in the heart of Tornado Alley that served as the set for almost all of the movie, Wetter said.

The National Weather Service joined Hollywood stars in honoring Paxton, whose four-decade Hollywood career included roles in "Aliens" and "Titanic."

"Twister was an inspiration to many budding meteorologists over the last 20 years. Thank you, Bill Paxton, a.k.a. Bill "The Extreme" Harding," the agency tweeted.

In the movie, Paxton plays a storm chaser who's researching tornados during a twister outbreak in Oklahoma. Paxton's death at age 61 was announced Sunday.
A group gathered Sunday afternoon to honor the victim of one of Philadelphia's oldest and most notorious cold cases. A memorial service was held for the still unidentified, "boy in the box," outside a wooded area off 720 Susquehanna Road around 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

It was the same location where the child, who investigators believe was between 3 and 7 years of age, was found beaten, stuffed in a card board box and abandoned 60 years ago. The boy's grave now reads Americas Unknown Child.

The details of the cold case chilled Philadelphia. Putting a name on the boys grave is something that frustrated generations of police investigators. Last year, two authors  one from Los Angeles, and another from outside New York, said they believed they had traced the boys family to Memphis, Tennessee and needed his DNA to prove it. You can read the NBC10 Investigators report on their findings here.
A man is in the hospital after he was shocked while working on the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) System of a building in Wilmington, Delaware Monday, causing him to fall and hit his head.

Officials say an employee inside a building on 1201 North Orange Street shortly after 3 p.m. heard a strange noise on the ninth floor and went to investigate. The employee then found an unresponsive HVAC worker who was convulsing while hanging from a ladder in the ceiling area. As the employee went to help him, the ladder tipped over and the HVAC worker fell, striking his head on the floor.

The victim was briefly unconscious and had signs of electrical burns on his arms. He was taken to Christiana Hospital. Officials have not yet revealed his condition.

Firefighters isolated the HVAC unit the victim had been working on. They are securing the power of the unit until it can be inspected.




An Australian-inspired cafe on South Street is heading to Queen Village for its second outpost.

Ants Pants Cafe, owned and operated by Liz Fleming and Nancy Silverman and known for its Australian-inspired dishes, first opened in October 2004 in the Graduate Hospital section of Philadelphia.

Fleming and Silverman will open their second location in about 1,100 square feet of space at 526 S. 4th St. in the Queen Village neighborhood of Philadelphia, MSC Retail announced Monday.

Location No. 2 is slated for an April 1 opening.

To read full article, click here.

For more business news, visit Philadelphia Business Journal.
Parts of Pennsylvania were cleaning up Monday, two days after high winds destroyed buildings, took down tree limbs and killed farm animals.

The National Weather Service said it has preliminarily attributed damage near Wrightsville in York County to a tornado, with winds up to 90 mph.

York County spokesman Mark Walters said more than 40 properties were damaged in a 4-mile stretch, with reports of trees falling on garages and houses and a front porch that simply "blew away."

A confirmed tornado also cut a 13-mile swath through the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre areas, generating 120 mph winds and injuring two women.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton said one woman at Lake Scranton was injured in the head, the other in the leg, and both required hospital treatment.

National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Steinbugl said at least two homes and a metal horse barn were extensively damaged in that part of the state, with about 28 other homes with some sort of damage.

A strong cold front moved across Pennsylvania, interacting with unseasonably warm temperatures and a large amount of wind shear in the atmosphere, Steinbugl said.

"A little bit of instability was all it took to put these ingredients together and produce these tornadic storms," he said.

Officials estimate damage in Lancaster County from straight-line winds of 70 mph to 90 mph has reached about $7 million, with 22 structures deemed to have been severely damaged or destroyed. Most of the damage ranged along 9 miles in the northern part of the county.

Lancaster emergency management Director Randy Gockley said chickens and cattle were killed when buildings collapsed.

"The storm lasted for less than 30 minutes," Gockley said. "It was a very fast-moving event."

The front that blew through the eastern part of the state Saturday afternoon also brought reports of quarter-sized hail in Philadelphia.

There also were wind damage reports in a wide region that includes Reading, the Lehigh Valley and parts of the Philadelphia suburbs, Steinbugl said. [[287977901, C]]
San Diegans spent the weekend creating public health projects at the Big Data Hackathon hosted by San Diego State University (SDSU).

The annual event aims to get more students and professionals using data sets to solve problems.

We need to be well versed in what's happening in our digital realm and knowing what's happening in big data, said Amy Schmitz Weiss, a professor in SDSUs School of Journalism and Media Studies. It's impacting everything that we do. In being able to help in those ways by putting on events like this, having workshops, having classes, is just one part to help people have a better understanding in what's happening in the digital platform."

Participants worked in teams to come up with public health projects, the theme for this years event.

Competition in the Big Data Hackathon began Feb. 18. The event continued Saturday, with final projects due by noon Sunday.

The top projects will win a cash prize, with the opportunity to work with San Diego Countys Health and Human Services Department.
Two years after the loss of Melba Bishop, a former Oceanside City Councilmember, her family is struggling with the same pain.

Joel was a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a father, Joel Bishops brother Lucky, the oldest of the four Bishop brothers told NBC 7.

Bishop, 45, was fatally shot near Buccaneer Park in Oceanside Friday.

Sleeping has been hard, Lucky said. Its tough.

Joel Bishop was found on South Myers Street and later died at the hospital. His family said they are still reeling from his mother losing her battle with cancer two years ago.

Melba Bishop left a legacy in San Diego, helping to redevelop downtown and finish the Oceanside Civic Center.

She would want us to love each other and take care of each other, and that's what she'd want, Lucky said.

Oceanside Councilmember Jerome Kern released a statement about Joel Bishops death, saying: My heart goes out to the family during this difficult loss, especially since it comes so soon after the death of his mother.

Oceanside mayor Jim Wood's office released a statement as well that read: Very saddened to hear of Joels death."

Loss is always hard, Lucky said. He meant a lot to us.

Lucky wanted those who helped his brother in his last moments to know one thing.

Thank you for just being there when I couldnt be. Thank you, he said.

Hector Galvez and Jamie Radloff were arrested for homicide hours after the shooting, police said.

Ed. Note: A previous version of this article misidentified the late Melba Bishop as a member of the U.S. Congress. We have corrected the information and regret the error.
U.S. Border Patrol agents working in the San Diego Sector are apprehending more immigrants from countries other than Mexico, despite the citys proximity to the country.

For several years, the number of Mexican nationals crossing the border into the U.S. illegally has gone down, according to the Pew Research Center.

But agents have seen a recent increase in the apprehension of immigrants from countries other than Mexico, also known as OTMs.

For fiscal year 2016, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended 190,760 immigrants from Mexico compared to 218,110 immigrants from countries other than Mexico (OTMs) along the Southwest Border.

San Diego sector Border Patrol Agent James Nielsen says a majority of their apprehensions locally are still Mexican nationals, but in 2015, San Diego sector Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 2,000 OTMs.

That number grew to more than 6,000 in 2016. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent James Nielsen said the agency is on track to pass that number this year.

Nielsen said the OTMs are coming from all across the world.

Central America; China; Romania; India; Pakistan; I mean, all over, he explained.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Diego said the most recent apprehensions of OTMs from Oct 1, 2016. to Jan. 31 include:

Guate: 1,716 OTMs

Elsal: 749 OTMs

Hondo: 471 OTMs

India: 306 OTMs

Nepal: 238 OTMs

Ive also come across Other Than Mexicans who actually present themselves to us, Nielsen told NBC 7. So, I would be driving the road and theres a group of four people and theyre waving me down and they can be claiming political asylum or whatever you have  religious  theyre claiming asylum of some kind."

Dr. Katrina Burgess, of the UC San Diego Center for Comparative Immigrant Studies, said the people who try to cross the border illegally often risk it all to do so.

Spend a few minutes to read about the journey these people have taken, she said. You do not do this lightly; theyre really risking their lives."

Burgess said the increase in OTMs show her that President Donald Trumps immigration policies, including building a border wall to separate the U.S. from Mexico, may be targeting a problem thats no longer there.

Migration of Mexicans to the United States is falling, she explained. The apprehensions of Mexicans are at the lowest level in 50 years. Some of our rhetoric and proposed solutions are stuck in the past.
As Seen On
You don't have to go to New Orleans to enjoy Creole-cuisine, masks, beads, King Cake and everything else that screams Mardi Gras. Plenty of events in the D.C.area are bringing "NOLA" traditions to you! Here's our top 11 things to do for Mardi Gras locally!

Mardi Gras Extravaganza at Union Market

D.C. mixologists, bars and restaurants will showcasing their southern-inspired favorites at Dock 5 in Union Market (5th Street NE) this Tuesday from 5 to 10 p.m. Dock 5 is a unique warehouse venue complete with high ceilings and glass garage doors.

You'll get to try southern style food and drinks as mixologists compete to create the best Hurricane cocktails. You can also participate in a contest yourself -- just wear your best Mardi Gras costume. The winner gets a bejeweled trophy.

Jazz bands such as Dupont Brass and the Swinging Jazz Quartet will be performing live.

Proceeds from the event will go to two nonprofit organizations: the St. Bernard Project, which aids families after natural disasters, and D.C. Central Kitchen, which fights against hunger and poverty. Tickets are $65.

Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade & Ball

Wear anything from an elaborate dress or suit to a beaded costume to the Mardi Gras Ball this Tuesday from 7 to 11 p.m. -- the best-dressed guests will win prizes!

Weather-permitting, a parade will kick off at 7 p.m. at Wilson Boulevard and N. Barton Street in Arlington, although the parade may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

But the ball will go on! The party starts at 7 p.m. at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) You'll get free beads and enjoy live music and gumbo.

Tickets for the ball range from $25 to $50. VIP tickets include unlimited food, beer and wine. You can also help judge costumes to choose the King and Queen of the ball. Tickets are available online. You must be 21+ to attend.

Host Mardi Gras Pancake Races (With Waffles) at Washington National Cathedral

The cathedral will celebrate Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) with its traditional pancake races with a new twist: They're using waffles. This year's races will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, with teams from St. Albans, Beauvoir, the cathedral stone masons and more competing. A three-day Waffle Madness bracket competition is preceding the races at the Open City Cafe at the cathedral. Proceeds will go to the Cathedral Scholars college prep program.

Mixology Class for Beginners

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own cocktail? Now's the time! Learn how to mix Mardi Gras-inspired drinks such as Hurricanes, plus Mai Thais and many more this Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m at 407 H St. NE.

And don't worry -- the class is for beginners so no experience necessary. Tickets are $45; you can order yours online.

Mardi Gras Moms' Night Out

If you're a mom looking for something fun and family-friendly to do for Mardi Gras, head to Play, Work or Dash (8214 Old Courthouse Road, Suite B, Vienna, Virginia) this Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

How it works: You can mingle with other women while your kids play in the playroom. Play, Work or Dash is offering free childcare so you and your kids can all have fun. Kids will get to make Mardi Gras-themed crafts while you socialize and enjoy drinks and refreshments. There will be plenty of cute props and a professional photo booth for you as well.

The event is free, but space for children is limited, so be sure to register online in advance.
Almost 100 federal government employees have admitted to or been caught viewing copious amounts of pornography while on the job in the past five years, according to an investigation by the News4 I-Team.

The cases include workers who admitted spending six hours a day surfing illicit images and videos and maintaining tens of thousands of adult images on their office desktops.

While only some of the cases revealed by the I-Team were criminal in nature, because they included viewing of pornographic images of underage teens, the I-Team investigation raised questions about whether the federal government has instituted sufficient penalties.

Using the Freedom of Information Act, the I-Team sought records of cases of egregious on-the-job pornography viewing at 12 major government agencies:

Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of Transportation

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Postal Service

U.S. Department of Labor

NASA

Export-Import Bank

U.S. Department of Commerce

Social Security Administration

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The request was directed to agency inspectors general, the internal watchdogs who investigate larger scale misconduct and computer misuse. The records obtained and reviewed by the I-Team showed about 100 workers admitted surfing pornography while on the job. In many cases, the surfing consumed hours of an employees time each day.

View Examples of Federal Workers Viewing Porn in a full screen map

At the Environmental Protection Agency, inspector general memos showed at least two employees at the agencys Washington, D.C., offices admitted viewing large quantities of pornographic material at their work spaces. In one case, the employee acknowledged watching porn for up to six hours a day for several years. In the second case, at the agencys Office of Water on Constitution Avenue, an employee was suspended for five days after being seen watching pornographic videos at a work terminal.

These cases are improper and constitute time fraud by workers whose salaries are funded by taxpayers, EPA Deputy Assistant Inspector General Craig Ulmer said.

The computer systems were purchased to perform government work, he said.

Thats classified as fraud, waste and abuse," he said. "They should be working on their EPA projects.

At the Department of Commerce, internal investigators found a patent and trademark employee made 1,800 connections to pornographic websites. According to memos released by the agencys inspector generals office, the employee told investigators, When I am working hard, I go to these images to take a mental break.

An employee at the D.C. headquarters of the Federal Railroad Administration searched for porn for 252 hours in one year, the equivalent of 10 full work days according to memos from the agencys inspector general.

Spokespeople for the EPA, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Transportation told the I-Team computer misuse is prohibited and opens employees to possible disciplinary action, including termination.

But several agencies queried by the I-Team said penalties for computer misuse, including the viewing of pornography, are flexible and can include written reprimands.

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of a U.S. House subcommittee overseeing federal employees and misconduct, said the I-Teams findings reveal federal agencies should consider a zero-tolerance policy for pornography.

Thats the thing your (I-Team) work has shown," Meadows said. "This is not just an isolated incident at one single agency. Were starting to find it across almost every agency.

Reported by Scott MacFarlane, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Jeff Piper.
Three Jewish schools in the D.C. area received bomb threats on Monday, as nearly 20 other schools and community centers in multiple states received similar calls.

Students and staff members at Aleph Bet Jewish Day School in Annapolis, Maryland, and Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia, were evacuated from the buildings after the threats. The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, also received a threat. Officials did not evacuate that school.

Someone placed an anti-Semitic call to the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School about 9:30 a.m., Rabbi Mitchel Malkus said.

"They said that there was a bomb on our premises and that Jewish souls would be destroyed," Malkus said about the message he said was made via a recording.

The school's receptionist had been trained on what to do if she received such a call, and was able to get the caller's phone number.

Police were on the scene within minutes. They determined there was no immediate threat to the school.

Moments earlier, Gesher Jewish Day School received a similar call, at 9:17 a.m., Fairfax County police said.

More than 100 people inside the school were evacuated while police searched the building. The school later received an all-clear.

Just minutes after the Rockville school received a threat, the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School on Spa Road in Annapolis did as well, at 9:44 a.m.

Students and staff were evacuated from the building, and the Annapolis Fire Department's Bomb Squad responded. Officers and K-9 units searched the building and found no explosive devices.

No injuries were reported.

A wave of threats to Jewish day schools and community centers was reported across the United States Monday, including in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and in the New York City area, police said.

In all, seven day schools and 13 community centers received threats, Peter Alexander of NBC News reported.

BREAKING: In total, 20 bomb threats received today by JCC's (13) & Jewish day schools (7). Full list of sites here. pic.twitter.com/TIwyDSCzot  Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) February 27, 2017

No explosives or injuries were reported, and many of the centers returned to normal operations.

The bomb threats follow the vandalism of hundreds of headstones at Jewish cemeteries in Missouri and Pennsylvania.

Malkus said he was prepared to receive threats and that the school already had ramped up security measures. He called for President Donald Trump to repeatedly denounce anti-Semitism.

"The political climate in the country is such right now that it leads to this type of situation. I know that the president denounced anti-Semitism last week, and I'd like to see more of that and an emphasis on who's behind these calls."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer read a statement on Monday about Trump's concerns about the vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

"The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he said.

It's National Puppy Day. The Humane Rescue Alliance and News4's Sheena Parveen make the case for adopting older pets, and tell what you should consider.

Before Monday, The Jewish Federations of North America said that about 60 Jewish schools and Jewish community centers (JCCs) had received about 70 bomb threats since early January.

Acting Annapolis Police Chief Major Scott Baker cited a rash of anti-Semitic threats in that city.

"There has been an increase in threats to the Jewish community over the recent months," he said in a statement. "We take these threats seriously, and we will work to identify those responsible and toward a successful prosecution."

Virginia Attorney General also spoke out against the threats Monday.

"This recent wave of anti-Semitism is cowardly, it's disgusting, and we must make it clear that we as Virginians unequivocally reject it," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Police in Fairfax and Montgomery counties, plus the FBI, are investigating the three attacks in the D.C. area.

Capt. Paul Starks of the Montgomery County Police Department urged anyone who sees anything suspicious at Jewish schools and other sites to call police.
A Virginia man is accused of biting another man's face after using anti-Muslim slurs in a mall parking lot late last year.

Robin McGreer, 35, was arrested Monday and charged with bias-related malicious bodily injury, Fairfax County police said in a statement.

Investigators said McGreer approached a 31-year-old man on Nov. 27 in the lot at Tysons Corner Center, started a conversation and threatened him with racial insults.

The two started fighting and police say McGreer bit the victim in the face before fleeing.

The victim suffered a significant facial wound and was taken to a hospital.

Police spokeswoman Megan Hawkins said the threats and slurs at issue were anti-Muslim. She said the delay between the incident and arrest occurred because the investigation was thorough.

Online records did not list an attorney for McGreer, a McLean resident.
An 18-year-old woman who vanished after leaving her job early Saturday night has been found safe.

Angelica Ivania Barahona-Rivas was found Tuesday morning in Montgomery Village, Montgomery County police say.

Barahona-Rivas left her job at the Wok Express in Gaithersburg before her shift was scheduled to be over. Her family and friends became concerned when they could not get in touch with her.

Barahona-Rivas's cousin, Alexandra Reyes, 15, was found dead in Springfield, Virginia, earlier this month. Ten people have been arrested in connection with her death.
The mother of Ashley Guindon, the Prince William County police officer who was killed on her first day on the job, is thanking the community for their support during the most difficult time of her life.

Sharon Guindon published the two-page letter in InsideNova Friday, days before the first anniversary of her daughter's death.

Throughout the letter, Sharon Guindon thanks businesses and community members who helped her navigate the "immeasurable loss" of her only daughter.

"As I was thrust into a whole new world; stunned and grief stricken...their heart-felt expression of sympathy and support goes beyond words," she wrote.

Guindon was killed Feb. 27, 2016 while responding to a domestic dispute at a home in Woodbridge, Virginia. It was her first day with the Prince William County Police Department.

Ronald Hamilton, an Army staff sergeant, assigned to the Pentagon shot Guindon and two other officers after his wife, Crystal Hamilton, called 911 for help. Police believe Crystal Hamilton was killed before the officers arrived.

In the letter, Sharon Guindon relives the days following her daughter's death, thanking each person who lent a hand or offered kind words along the way.

"Your many acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy have been a great comfort to me and my family during the past year," Sharon Guindon wrote.

Guindon went through training with the department in 2015 before leaving for personal reasons. She rejoined the department the next year and had been sworn in as an officer the day before she was shot.

"As we quickly realized, Ashley's death was not only a family tragedy, but a community tragedy," Sharon Guindon said in the letter. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for the kindness and generosity you poured upon me and my family during the most difficult time of my life."

Read the full letter here.
About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.



The NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit



http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/vision/message.html





NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.  NEC Corporation.
SEOUL, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The killing of the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was organized by the reclusive state's ministry of state security and foreign ministry, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the country's intelligence agency.

The eight North Korean suspects include four officials of the state security ministry and two officials of the foreign ministry, the lawmakers quoted the intelligence agency as saying.

South Korean and U.S. officials said Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean leader's estranged half-brother, was killed by North Korean agents in an airport in the Malaysian capital on Feb. 13. North Korea has not acknowledged his death.

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Ju-min Park; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Iranians on Monday cheered the choice of one of their own for best foreign film Oscar, lauding director Asghar Farhadi's boycott of the Hollywood ceremony for his film "The Salesman" as an act of defiance against the Trump administration's executive order.

Farhadi refused to attend the Academy Awards, announcing after the temporary U.S. travel ban was initially imposed last month for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries that he would not attend the ceremony  even if an exception was made for him. Iran was one of the seven countries affected by the measure, which has since been blocked from being carried out by a federal court ruling.

"The Salesman"  about a couple performing Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and their attempts to find peace and justice after the wife is attacked at their Tehran apartment  had become a rallying cry for immigrant rights after the travel ban.

The six nominated directors in the foreign language category had put out a joint statement ahead of the award decrying what they called the climate of "fanaticism" in the United States and dedicating the award to the promotion of "unity and understanding" regardless of who won.

It was the second Oscar for Farhadi. His film "A Separation" won in the same category for 2012.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he saw the prize as taking a stance against Trump's executive order. "Proud of Cast and Crew of "The Salesman" for Oscar and stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture and civilization for millennia," he tweeted in English.

State radio and television briefly reported on Farhadi's win, which Tehran film daily Banifilm ran an op-ed saying that Trump had "probably never imagined what contribution the travel ban would have for Farhadi's film." The trade paper said the executive order had likely propelled "The Salesman" to victory.

Trump's victory has prompted concern among many in Iran, particularly in the wake of a 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S. and other world powers that led to the lifting of crippling economic sanctions. The Trump administration earlier this month said it was putting Iran "on notice" after it test-fired a ballistic missile.

Many Iranians learned of the Oscar win from social media.

"I am proud of this," said Mahbod Shirvani, a 19-year-old music student said outside the campus of Tehran University. "It shattered the U.S president's stance on Muslim nations. It showed that American people and artists are against Trump's policies."

Davood Kazemi, 21, who studies painting, said the "award showed Trump cannot stop international figures and he cannot thwart artists' solidarity that has formed, regardless of race, nationality and religion."

In a statement read out at the ceremony on his behalf by Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian-American astronaut, Farhadi said the empathy filmmakers can foster is needed today more than ever. Ansari was joined onstage by another accomplished Iranian-American, Firouz Naderi, a former NASA director.

"I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight," Farhadi's statement read. "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S."

"Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear," it said.
Authorities are urging customers of a credit union in Belfast, Maine to check their accounts after dozens of people said hundreds of dollars were stolen from their accounts.

Police say someone apparently installed a skimming device in an ATM at the Down East Credit Union branch on Saturday.

Police Sgt. Daniel Fitzpatrick says more than two dozen people have reported thefts from their accounts, with some accounts losing around $100 and others being emptied entirely.

One person reported that more than $900 disappeared.

Police haven't found any other skimming devices on other ATMs in the area.

An investigation remains ongoing.

The credit union says the breach didn't happen internally and it believes less than 100 members were affected. Most of the withdrawals were made in New York.
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: April the Giraffe Has 'Active Night,' Not Pleased by Vet Visit



The 15-year-old giraffe named "April," who has captivated millions of people across the world in a live stream as she prepares for 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 Sunday night April was experiencing increased belly movement and was not wanting to be touched.

"April was notably less tolerant of veterinary examination today...but always a lady, she kept her manners," the vets said.

We visited April the giraffe at Animal Adventure Park to see how she and her keepers were getting on ahead of the birth of her new calf.

Despite that spirits were high, with the zoo joking that April had been nominated by the president for Secretary of Labor, "as she was rather experienced," however she had to decline the appointment due to her "hooves being full".

The happy and healthy mother-to-be has also started to produce milk and shed a few droplets during a Saturday evening examination.

New York's Pregnant Giraffe April Captured on Camera in the Final Throes of Pregnancy

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 below.

Giraffe pregnancies can take 15 months, and labor can last up to a few days.

The spotted beauty was up early Monday morning eating a late night snack and circling her pen. On Sunday morning, she had gazed into the camera, wiggling her ears as she chewed her breakfast. The zoo said the giraffes will stay inside due to the extreme temperature drop and wet or frozen conditions.

"Rest assured, they receive extra enrichment and extra attention on days they do not venture out," the zoo said. "A little extra bonding time!"

April has been slinking gracefully around her hay-laden home in no apparent distress. Once she goes into active labor, zoo officials say the keepers will go in to help her.

[NATL] Unbelievable Animal Stories: Dog Befriends Abandoned Baby Giraffe

She and the first-time father, 5-year-old Oliver, had to be separated from each other while they frolicked outside Saturday afternoon because he got aggressive and wanted to rough house. According to vets, bullish behavior is common for male giraffes during the final stages of pregnancy.

[NATL] Adorable Zoo Babies: White Lion Cubs Nala and Simba Born in France

"He does not want to play house -- he wants to ROUGH house," the park wrote in a Facebook post Saturday morning. "That is natural behavior as males take no part in rearing their young, nor have a need for a female once she is pregnant. Sad but true."

Viewers were concerned about the long-necked lovers' separation and questioned the vet's intentions until the zoo offered reassurance and told animal lovers to trust them.

Not much changed over the weekend: April alternated between standing still, swinging her tail, drinking water and slowly circling her pen. At one point Saturday afternoon, the calf could be seen kicking around in her belly.

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 said it will hold an online competition to name the baby giraffe once it's born.
The second suspect in a gruesome double murder in Peabody has arrived back in Massachusetts following his arrest last week.

Wes Doughty, 39, was arrested in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Friday after six days on the run.

He arrived to Boston's Logan Airport late Monday afternoon and was escorted by state police to Middleton House of Corrections.

Doughty was taken into custody on Friday after being questioned as a panhandler outside of a McDonald's. After police ran his name, they discovered he had a warrant out for his arrest.

Doughty is one of two suspects charged in the double murder of 37-year-old Mark Greenlaw and 39-year-old Jennifer O'Connor at 19 Farm Ave. in Peabody on Feb. 18.

Michael Hebb, 45, of Peabody, was arraigned on Feb. 21 after being taken into custody without incident at the Maple Village Condos a day earlier.

Before Doughty was captured, police say he carjacked a vehicle outside of Hailey's Restaurant in Middleton on Wednesday night.

The carjacking victim, Ken Metz, was tied up with a seatbelt while being threatened with a knife while Doughty drove for three hours toward Boston, according to authorities. Metz was unharmed and said that Doughty told him "I cant kill you" after Metz told Doughty about his family.

Metz was able to escape when the suspect pulled into a parking lot behind Hollywood Liquors, which is when he was able to untie himself and run into Good Eats on Tremont Street for help.

Doughty is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Peabody District Court.
Move over and slow down for emergency and construction vehicles.

Connecticut state police are again spreading that message after a state Department of Transportation vehicle was struck by another vehicle while working in an active construction zone on Interstate 95 Sunday.

Connecticut State Police

According to police, around 10:48 a.m. a DOT dump truck with a crash trailer working in a marked construction zone near exit 29 on I-95 south in Bridgeport was struck by a Toyota 4runner. The 4runner was traveling in the right lane of traffic and drifted into the right shoulder when the accident occurred.

Police said the force of the crash caused heavy damage to both vehicles but only minor injuries were reported.

The driver of the 4runner was charged with failure to obey the Connecticut "move over" law, distracted driving, and following too closely. The driver was not identified.

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a proposal that would expand the move over law to include any vehicle pulled over on the side of the highway, not just emergency vehicles.
A father and a son are recovering after they were both struck by an SUV in Brockton, Massachusetts.

The incident occurred at 680 Centre St., near the Signature Healthcare facility. According to the Brockton police, the young child and his father were leaving the Wizards Duel game store when they were hit by an orange Hyundai Tucson SUV.

Both were transported to a local hospital in Boston. The child suffered lesser injuries and is expected to recover. The father is currently in serious condition.

The driver of the SUV stopped and waited for help to arrive.

No identities have been released.

The incident is under investigation but police will not say if the driver will be charged.
Authorities are investigating an apparent homicide after a man's decomposed body was found in Everett, Massachusetts.

The Middlesex district attorney said state police went to an apartment on Oakland Avenue on Saturday where they found the body of a man believed to be in his 60s in an advance state of decomposition.

That man has since been identified as Francis Brescia, 65.

The building's landlord discovered the body during a well-being check. A third floor neighbor tells us Brescia's body was discovered on the second floor, and that the building had been smelling for about a week. She said it smelled as if they had mice in their kitchen.

"It was horrible. I saw him on the bus maybe 10 days ago," Alba Acevedo said.

She said he used to live with someone.

"He used to live with someone, younger guy but he left. I don't know when, two or three months ago and it was only him," Acevendo said.

Other neighbors said investigators have not told them much about the incident.

"At least tell people around here to let us know what's going on," said neighbor Janet Maliawco. "I mean is this just some random act or is there something going on?"

The state's medical examiner office ruled Brescia's death a homicide, but the cause of death has not been released.

The investigation is ongoing and no suspects have been named.

"There is a lot challenges and that's where we are, small pieces of information we do know are being withheld to protect the integrity," said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.
A Burlington, Vermont man has pleaded not guilty to shooting another man in the head as he sat in a vehicle outside a church in St. Albans.

Police say 22-year-old Zakk Trombly walked up to a vehicle in the parking lot of the Holy Angels Church last week, pounded on the windows and demanded the driver open the door.

They say he then shot 22-year-old Dustin Davenport, of Richford. Officers found Davenport lying in the parking lot. He was in critical condition on Friday.

Trombly was arrested in Swanton on suspicion of attempted murder following an investigation and interviews.

WPTZ-TV reports investigators believe he was upset that Davenport scammed a group Trombly was with in a drug deal.

The Burlington Free Press reports Trombly pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.
One person was killed and five others were injured in two separate crashes over the weekend in Warwick, Rhode Island that police say were both caused by drunk driving.

The first crash happened around 8:40 p.m. Sunday near 982 Warwick Ave., according to necn affiliate WJAR.

Police said a car driven by 34-year-old Justin Preston of East Providence, crossed the center line and struck a vehicle head-on.

Three adults and two children, ages 2 and 8, were taken to Hasbro Childrens Hospital. One child was reportedly seriously injured.

The second crash, which resulted in a man's death, happened around 10 p.m. near 2055 Warwick Ave.

Police said 26-year-old Megan White of Warwick, caused a three-vehicle crash that killed an 82-year-old man from Cranston.

White will be charged with driving under the influence, death resulting.

Preston is facing charges of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

Its not clear if either suspect has an attorney or when they will appear in court.
Authorities are investigating after a pregnant woman and her unborn baby died during an apparent opioid overdose in Vermont last week.

Police in Chester told MyNBC5 the 33-year-old woman could not be revived after she was found just after midnight Thursday in an apartment on Pleasant Street. Her friends tried to revive her with Narcan and performed CPR before calling 911.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was seven and a half months pregnant; the fetus did not survive.

Police, who also told MyNBC5 that the woman was revived after another overdose in September when she was two months pregnant, are investigating what happened to the victim in the hours before her death.
A Johnston, Rhode Island sixth grader has won the state's Google doodle contest and is competing against students nationwide to win a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 grant for his school.

The Providence Journal reports Wilson El Hage, from Nicholas E. Ferri Middle School, beat out thousands to become Rhode Island's winner in the ninth annual "Doodle 4 Google" competition.

Students redesigned Google's logo with the theme "What I see for the future."

The boy's design, "The Travel Watch," asks: "Do you want to travel into the future, see Mars or Venus? Or do you prefer to go back into the prehistoric times? The time travel watch can take you anywhere, so why not!"

A public vote will determine the five finalists. The winning design will go live on March 31.
As the number of consumers turning to online shopping increases, the rise of online fraud is also rising.

Those committing internet crimes are depriving their victims of either funds, interests, personal property and/or sensitive data. As the threat escalates, consumers and companies alike are seeking various methods to tackle the phenomenon.

Ecommerce fraud has a long and controversial history. Thus, providing a forecast for the months ahead can help retailers adopt an adequate solution to confront the many challenges in 2017.

1. Identity theft and friendly fraud

The main threat will remain identity theft. Fraudsters will seek your personal information. Their main goal is to use a different identity and, for example, place an online order. Identity theft also includes a concept known as man-in-the-middle attacks where credit-card data is intercepted and copied as it is transferred online.

In the practice of friendly fraud, a customer pays for ordered goods and/or services through a direct debit or a credit card. The second step involves a deliberate chargeback from the issuing bank, taking place only after receiving the purchased goods or service. The involved fraudster then goes on to claim the credit card or details of customers account has been stolen. While the customer is reimbursed, they decide to keep hold of the goods.

2. Merchant and triangulation fraud

In merchant fraud, the goods are provided at extremely low prices yet no shipment takes place. There is also a wholesale version of this fraud. No specific method enjoys any exclusivity, yet it is common knowledge that no-chargeback payment methods come to life in this practice of fraud. This also involves a majority of the push payment types.

Considered as one of the more complex ecommerce attack methods, triangulation fraud involves quite a bit of collaboration, as three points are involved. Role #1 belongs to an ordinary customer placing an order through a type of credit, debit or PayPal tender. Role #2 involves a fraudulent seller receiving the placed order, then requesting the actual product from a legitimate ecommerce website while using a stolen credit card. Role #3 is the part played by a legitimate ecommerce website completing the order requested, completely unaware of the criminal nature.

3. Affiliate and clean fraud

Two types of affiliate fraud are popular these days, while both seek one objective. By manipulating sign-up data or traffic, fraudsters are pursuing the objective of collecting more money. Options include actual people using fake accounts who log into sites of merchants or simply employing an automated process.

Clean fraud also involves the use of a stolen credit to make an order. In such a method, criminals resort to complicated practices, such as using sound analyses equipped in fraud detection systems, and obtaining in-depth data on the owners of stolen credit cards. This information is needed to deceive the payment process and bypass the fraud detection solution.

4. The counterattack

Online piracy and the sale of counterfeit goods will face new challenges, as the U.S. Department of Justice has declared a new initiative teaming up state and local law enforcement agencies in this struggle. Washington has already pumped $3.2 million into this campaign.

New state-of-the-art advances are also making life more difficult for fraudsters, especially with the introduction of EMV chip card technology. This is a significant leap forward in enhancing credit card security, providing a strong incentive for small and large companies to jump on the bandwagon.

5. Fighting fraud

Fraud prevention and chargeback guarantee for ecommerce merchants, Riskified works on establishing genuine financial security between online customers and ecommerce merchants. This company delivers ecommerce fraud prevention solutions for merchants to certify previously avoided transactions.

At a time when the relationship between a buyer and a seller is in search of trust more than ever before, customer experience and the bottom line is protected through the services provided by this firm in pioneering the charge-back guarantee.

We founded Riskified with the retailer in mind and have grown adept at servicing the needs global retailers have as they expand their e-commerce and m-commerce operations to provide more personalization to consumers, says co-founder and CEO Eido Gal, signaling the high demand and importance of such services in todays digitized world.

As calls for digital goods increase, we are witnessing a rise in the necessity of protection against fraud.

Digital goods, such as electronic gift cards and e-tickets, are becoming increasingly popular. In the U.S., over $127 billion is spent on gift cards annually, Shalhevet Zohar explained in a blog post about ecommerce fraud trends.

Such statistics, growing as we speak, demonstrate the huge market fraudsters seek to tap intoand the utmost necessity for consumers to be adequately prepared.

Final thoughts

The fraud landscape is a constantly changing and evolving phenomenon, demanding an adaptive approach to remain at top of your game. Retailers in the U.S. have suffered $109 billion more due to suspected fraud costs resulting from false declines of legitimate orders. This is far beyond actual fraud losses. The ecommerce industry is increasing its demand for fraud prevention platforms, and there is new revenue opportunities for those companies able to provide such high-valued expertise.
Eliminating a tangled Christmas tree lights wiring scenario in data centers is imperative and can be achieved with infrared, reckons an academic network engineering team.

Infrared lasers should be installed on the top of data center racks and be used to transmit information. It would be far superior and cheaper than fiber optic, and it would be better than attempted, but lacking, radio signaling.

Radio doesnt work, says Mohsen Kavehrad, the W. L. Weiss Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering at Penn State and one of the developers, in an article on the schools website.

Radio, in millimeter spectrum, an alternative to fiber-optic wires, has an issue in that the signals get unmanageable quickly. The beams become wide over short distances, Kavehrad says. That results in inadequate throughput, he says.

Infrared laser helps simplify communications in data centers

The way to handle increasing complexity in data centers is to simplify the communications. And you do that with flexible infrared free-space laser, Kavehrad says. Buildings should be able to be a mile long, yet allow each rack to individually communicate with another.

Kavehrads and his collaborators developing system is called Free-space optical Inter-Rack nEtwork with high FLexibilitY, or Firefly. Kavehrad says it works in proof of concept, using a cheap lens to obtain a narrow beam.

That beam is not susceptible to interference like radio; there arent any limits to the number of servers and racks that can be connected. And it has high, uninterruptable throughputthe laser wont be interrupted by humans walking around because it's placed on the top of the cabinets.

Human interference is minimal because the racks are more than 6.5 feet high, so most workers can walk between the rows of racks without breaking the laser beams, the Penn State article says.

The existing standardfiberis a hindrance to flexible data centers, the team says. Its too cumbersome. The group includes members from Carnegie Mellon University and Stony Brook University.

The researchers say fiber-optic cable not only begins to resemble jumbled, stored Christmas lights over time, but it causes bottlenecks. Those choke points slow the whole system down.

In addition, the team points out that large numbers of servers are offline in many data centers at any one time because the operation is built for peak traffic. Those on-hold racks and servers are still powered, though. That costs money, not only in electricity consumption, but also in cooling. Easier provisioning negates the need to power the servers all the time.

Rising power costs make cutting data center power usage critical

Some say power costs are going to skyrocket. In fact, a University of Michigan study found climate change will increase American power costs during the next century billions of dollars more than economists previously predicted. Current estimates dont take into account peak usage during hot weather properly, the study claims.

Thats why cutting electricity costs for data centers may become crucial. Pulling unused, idling servers out of a data centers mix can be achieved by more efficient provisioning of rack communications, such as that conceivably provided by laser. It could reduce power consumption. Kavehrad estimates that typically 30 percent of data center servers are powered but offline.

Different colored lights are behind Firefly, the bi-directional infrared system. The researchers say it will achieve transmission rates of 10 Gbps. They say that their architecture, which uses multiplexed signals carried by the different colors, also implements miniscule, almost undetectably moving mirrors. Those are used for the rapid targeting and reconfiguring.

Ultimately, we would like to get rid of the fiber optics altogether, Kavehrad says.
Later this evening, the 89th Academy Awards ceremony will kick off live from Los Angeles. With Jimmy Kimmel assuming hosting duties once again, we'll undoubtedly be greeted with a number of hilariously crafted sketches as we learn which films and actors were Oscar worthy in 2016.

If you're one of millions who have cut the cord, or even if you just so happen to be on-the-go during tonight's televised broadcast, there's no need to fret. Indeed, catching all of the festivities straight from your iOS device is certainly doable, though there are some restrictions which we'll get to in a second.

The Oscars ceremony is set to air on ABC and will begin at 8:30 on the east coast and 5:30 on the west coast. That said, here's how you can ensure that you won't miss even a second of the festivities.

The easiest way to catch all of the action from your iPhone or iPad is to simply go to ABC's Live Stream page (or open up the Watch ABC app) and sign in with your TV provider, a long list which includes Xfinity, AT&T U-Verse, Charger, DirecTV, Dish and more.

Sounds simple enough, but there are some geographic restrictions that are curiously in effect. That said, only viewers from the following cities can take advantage of the ABC Live Stream: Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham and San Francisco.

There is one caveat, though, which applies to DirecTV subscribers who can access the live stream from the following additional markets: Albuquerque, Boston, Ft. Smith / Fayetteville, Jackson (Mississippi), Kansas City, Milwaukee, Monterey-Salinas, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Portland-Auburn (Maine), Savannah, and West Palm Beach.

Also of note is that ABC will air an All Access video feed (available here) that will not show the actual show but will provide interviews with nominees and other backstage and red carpet goodies.

Now as to why ABC would make catching The Oscars much more daunting a task than it should be, well, that's anybody's guess.

In any event, to help get you primed for the event, below is a list of nominees across a few categories.

BEST PICTURE

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Remember when Ruslan Stoyanov, a top cybercrime investigator for Kaspersky Lab, was arrested and charged with treason? It is now being reported that the treason charges were for allegedly passing state secrets to Verisign and other US companies.

An unnamed source told Reuters that the accusations of treason were first made in 2010 by Russian businessman and founder of the online payment firm ChronoPay, Pavel Vrublevsky. The December 2016 arrests of Stoyanov and two FSB officers, Sergei Mikhailov and Dmitry Dokuchayev, were in response to those 2010 claims that the men had passed secrets on to American companies.

I can confirm we (Chronopay) expect to be part of this case, Vrublevsky told Reuters. In 2010 we provided the FSB and other important Russian agencies with evidence that at least one FSB employee, as well as several other people, were involved in treason.

When he first made the allegations, Vrublevsky had been arrested and convicted for organizing a cyberattack on Chronopays competition, a rival online payment firm. He claims the charges against him were a result of information about his business practices which were illegally leaked by FSB officer Mikhailov to Stoyanov who had contacts with American firms like Verisign. Vrublevsky is now on parole and denied any wrongdoing.

Verisign denied that it received information that would be classified as secret. The companys iDefense unit does compile dossiers on cybercrime for businesses and government agencies, but claims none of the information was classified. Former iDefense analyst Kimberly Zenz said, Nothing like the arrangement as described by Pavel Vrublevsky ever took place.

Verisign Vice President Joshua Ray also told Reuters that its reports to government agencies and other customers include information acquired in unclassified ways; he doesnt believe any of the shared information included state secrets.

An unidentified source told Reuters that a fourth man, Georgy Fomchenkov, also had been arrested in the case. He is believed to be a former FSB officer.

When the news first hit of Stoyanov having been arrested for treason, Kaspersky Lab released the following statement:

The case against this employee does not involve Kaspersky Lab. The employee, who is Head of the Computer Incidents Teams, is under investigation for a period predating his employment at Kaspersky Lab. We do not possess details of the investigation. The work of Kasperksy Labs Computer Incidents Investigation Team is unaffected by these developments.

Why Russia would suddenly be interested in a seven-year-old case is not fully understood. Reuters source claimed that Russian authorities sometimes use old cases as a way of charging people suspected of later crimes. However, the timing also corresponded with the US accusing Russia of meddling in the presidential election.

Kasperskys former top cybercrime investigator, Stoyanov, as well as Fomchenkov and Mikhailov, had filed appeals. Reuters reported that the Moscow District Military Court, which often deals with sensitive cases relating to state security, rejected the appeals.

Hopefully something will turn around for Stoyanov, considering how much good he has done in exposing Russian cybercrime.
BARCELONA -- The big themes of Mobile World Congress (MWC) so far center around the internet of things, artificial intelligence and 5g wireless.

But you can add in more than 35 new smartphones and a smattering of products and services related to just about anything in wireless communications and mobility.

There are 100,000 visitors at MWC this year and thousands of vendors. Something, it seems, for everybody.

Major companies like Samsung have mega-booths, but there are some thematic exhibits too, like the GSM Association's Innovation City, which focuses heavily on smart city-related tech.

AT&T has set up an exhibit also showing off smart city tech, including a light pole equipped with sensors that can communicate to public safety and traffic officials about road, parking and pedestrian conditions. Sensors can also be installed to monitor air pollution, weather or the sound of gunshots.

On Monday, AT&T announced it has joined in an exclusive agreement with Current, a division of GE, to deliver internet of things technology to cities in the U.S. and Mexico. Specifically, AT&T will be GE's exclusive reseller of intelligent sensor nodes in the two countries.

The nodes are integrated within light poles, almost invisibly, and can work with lighting elements from multiple manufacturers, AT&T said. They are equipped with three cameras and multiple sensors. Data from the nodes can be sent wirelessly over AT&T's 4G LTE network, or it can be connected to a fiber optic backhaul.

City governments can use existing light poles and power supplies that are then equipped with more energy-efficient LED lighting. Costs savings from energy-efficient lighting can be used to pay for sensors and for the software platform used to aggregate sensor data.

The city of San Diego has a project to equip 3,200 streetlights with LED lighting and sensors, expected to bring a $2.4 million reduction in energy usage annually, AT&T said. Added savings could come from reduced labor costs to maintain the lights and poles.

While energy savings from new lighting might be the initial lure for smart cities, the long-term benefit is expected to come from data from sensors that is shared widely. That way, students, developers and entrepreneurs can access the data to build applications.

John Gordon, chief digital officer of Current, said in an interview that GE technology helps keep the intelligent-node sensor data available for general purposes. In the past, cities were forced to tie one type of sensor to one application.

"Anybody can access this data," Gordon said.

Mike Zeto, general manager of AT&T smart cities, said the open data movement made available with such intelligent node technology is what has pumped energy into smart city programs.

"Cities are not dragged along kicking and screaming anymore" to the smart city concept, he said in an interview. "There are cost efficiencies for public safety, the environment and even economic development. You can even add in public Wi-Fi."

In the coming year and into 2018, many U.S. cities plan to move their smart city pilot projects ahead to the point of commissioning full-scale proposals from technology and infrastructure vendors, Zeto said.

Over at another booth at MWC, Harman announced an early detection and warning system that could be useful to city utilities for monitoring vibrations from water pumps or other mechanical infrastructure.

The Harman Quick Predict system was developed using a vibration analysis algorithm built by Intel and has already been put to use in Intel's fabrication facilities, said Andrew Till, vice president of technology for Harman. Harman has a 30,000-plus workforce and makes software for connected products used in autos, industrial settings and more. Its brands include JBL and Lexicon.

Till said the Quick Predict system uses machine learning to detect when machine vibrations have reached a point when problems might arise. After an earthquake, for example, the system could be used to assess the health of machines used in factories or utilities that process water or sewer.

This story, "Smart cities at the center of Mobile World Congress" was originally published by Computerworld .
The mobile industry is so anxious for 5G that its now planning something thats almost 5G, but will be ready a year earlier.

On Sunday, many of the worlds biggest equipment vendors and mobile operators joined hands to accelerate the 5G NR (New Radio) specification that will define many elements of 5G. The new technology they plan to produce will handle some of the planned uses of 5G but will be ready for large-scale trials and deployments in 2019 instead of 2020, they say.

Theres a lot at stake with 5G for both carriers and the companies that supply their networks, who are all gathering this week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The next generation of technology will give operators new services to sell, like multi-gigabit broadband and special offerings for the internet of things and connected cars, and it should help vendors emerge from a years-long sales drought following the rollout of LTE.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What we talk about when we talk about 5G wireless +

The official 5G NR specification is expected to be finished in time for large-scale deployments starting in 2020. It will be part of whats called Release 15 from the 3GPP, the group that standardized LTE. The new specification thats being proposed, called Non-Standalone 5G NR, will use LTE radios and back-end software while adding another mode that will be able to support some 5G use cases, according to a press release by its backers.

Most of the main industry players are part of that group. Vodafone, AT&T, and carriers from many other countries are on board, along with hardware makers like Qualcomm, Intel, Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE. They plan to propose Non-Standalone 5G NR at a 3GPP meeting next month in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Nokia and Verizon are notable exceptions. At a Nokia event in Barcelona on Sunday, Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri said they were implementing the first commercial end-to-end 5G solution with fixed wireless networks in several U.S. cities. Intel is also involved in that rollout, which is based developments from the Verizon 5G Technical Forum.

The group will still support the true 5G specification, called Standalone 5G NR, and gave assurances that their interim system will be compatible with that specification once its done.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 27, 2017) - Leading Edge Materials Corp. ("Leading Edge Materials") or ("the Company") (TSX VENTURE:LEM) (LEMIF) announces the staking of the Company's second cobalt ("Co") - copper ("Cu") project, Kontio, located in north eastern Finland approximately 50 km northwest of the town of Kuusamo. The project is secured by Leading Edge Material's 30,800 hectare Kontio-Sarvivaara reservation which is valid until September 2018.

The Kontio project lies within the Kuusamo Schist Belt, host to numerous significant deposits in Eastern Finland. The Kuusamo Schist Belt is comprised of various meta-sedimentary sequences with regular mafic and felsic intrusive and regional scale albite alteration.

Eleven cobalt-copper deposits or occurrences were discovered in the vicinity of the Kontio project during the 1970's and 80's, following which time no significant exploration work has been documented. The Company's Kontio-Sarvivaara claim reservation secures 4 of these occurrences, along strike potential of the Haarakumpu cobalt-copper deposit, plus numerous untested geophysical anomalies.

Haarakumpu is the most significant deposit in the region which was discovered by the Lapin Malmi exploration coalition in 1982 using electromagnetics ("EM"). The strong EM and magnetic anomaly was tested with 23 holes, defining an inferred resource of 2.6 Mt @ 0.25% Co and 0.46% Cu in a dipping sheet approximately 6m thick (Vartiainen, H., 1984. Rautaruukki Oy internal report). The stratigraphic position of the Haarakumpu deposit trends onto the Leading Edge Materials reservation.

Prospect Areas

In the north of the reservation area lies the Pattasoja prospect, which was first located in 1971 by the Rautaruukki Company who discovered Co to 0.9% in boulders. Ground geophysics, boulder sampling, till sampling and mapping was followed by 9 diamond drillholes which discovered a greater than 1km long cobalt-bearing pyrite mineralized zone. Seven drill holes intersected Co mineralization greater than 0.1%, peaking at 1.1% Co over thin intervals. Pattasoja presents a high priority target for immediate follow up, with cobalt in till anomalies extending well beyond the drilled area.

Story continues

The Ristisuo prospect lies centrally within the reservation area, where Lapin Malmi discovered Cu-Co bearing boulders that were subsequently followed up by various geophysical methods and three drill holes. Low grade mineralization was encountered, but the source of the mineralized boulders was not intersected.

The Maaninkajoki prospect is defined by a strong EM resulting from pyrite alteration. Exploration by both Lapin Malmi and Rautaruukki located cobalt-rich pyrite bearing boulders up to 0.44% Co, the source of which was not identified.

Exploration at the Maitokoski prospect was limited, however a greater than 250m long EM conductor was defined beneath thin soil cover. No further exploration was completed to test the bedrock source.

Blair Way, President and CEO, stated "This new and large reservation is one of the best cobalt exploration areas in the Nordic region, with numerous indications of high grade cobalt. The area is unexplored since the 1980's, when activity was focused on copper rather than cobalt, demonstrating that the best cobalt grades do not correspond with highest copper grades. Modern geophysical methods provide an excellent opportunity to quickly develop high priority targets.

The Kontio project provides Leading Edge Materials with an additional high priority battery materials project in a mining supportive country. We continue to pursue and explore high quality critical materials projects."

Cobalt plays an essential role in lithium ion batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. Annual consumption of cobalt is forecast to double to 200,000 tonnes over the next 5 years due to the accelerated uptake of lithium ion batteries for the storage of low carbon energy. Approximately 50% of cobalt is presently sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with an extremely high and unsustainable social impact. Europe is investing heavily in lithium ion battery technologies, and is seeking sustainable sources of the cobalt, lithium and high purity graphite upon which these batteries rely.

On behalf of the Board,

Blair Way, President & CEO

The qualified person for the Company's exploration projects, Mark Saxon, Director of Leading Edge Materials, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has reviewed and verified the contents of this release.

The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include but are not limited unexpected geological conditions; exploration activities to advance the Company's cobalt projects; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; dealings with non-governmental organizations; court rulings and appeals process; competition with other companies within the mining industry, changes in world metal markets and equity markets beyond the Company's control; the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the Company; and the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the Company is subject to. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the Forward-Looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such Forward-Looking Statements. Such Forward-Looking Statements has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements. Forward Looking Statements is made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake to update such Forward-Looking Statements except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Despite the governments efforts to attract investment under its Make in India campaign, sales of manufactured goods fell 3.7 per cent during 2015-16 -- the first decline in seven years --s parking fears of layoffs and debt default in the months to come.

Spurred by a global slowdown and lack of demand, sales of manufactured goods were falling even before demonetisation, affecting sectors ranging from textiles to leather to steel.

As a result, in the six months to September 2016, engineering major Larsen & Toubro laid off some 14,000 employees. Companies such as Microsoft, IBM and Nokia were also reported to have cut back on their workforce in 2016-albeit on a smaller scale-blaming sluggish demand for downsizing.

In November 2014, just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his Make-in-India campaign, Nokia shut its factory in Chennai, rendering 6,600 full-time workers jobless.

Economists say the government must step in to support the manufacturing sector, which constitutes 15-16 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and supports 12 per cent of the workforce.

Why sales are down: Investment falls, costs and import duties rise, demand contracts

A range of factors including falling investment, increased input costs and higher import duties have caused demand for manufactured goods to fall, a trend that was visible before demonetisation and has strengthened since.

While the services sector grew by 4.9 per cent in 2015-16, faster than the 3.7 per cent recorded in the previous financial year, manufacturing contracted for the first time in seven years, from a growth rate of 12.9 per cent in 2009-10 to -3.7 per cent in 2015-16, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows.

Small-scale private companies, with yearly annual sales of less than Rs 100 crore, have been more seriously affected as their sales have contracted continuously for the last seven years. Having registered an 8.8 per cent decline in 2009-10, their sales fell by 19.2 per cent year-on-year in 2015-16.

"Our sector is making huge losses as the price of electricity and raw material has gone up," Shan Ali Syed, owner of a small-scale textile plant in the town of Bhiwandi, 32 km northeast of Mumbai, told IndiaSpend. "Hence, cost of final product also increases, and we are unable to compete with cheaper imported Chinese products."

"Higher export duty and decline in demand has led to reduction in sales even before demonetisation," Manoj Kishanchand Ahuja, a Mumbai-based small-scale gold jewellery manufacturer, said. "We were forced to reduce production. So, hiring of workers on contractual basis has also gone down." He added that most of his business takes place in cash, and post-demonetisation, the situation has worsened.

Investment has fallen because of a decline in demand, leading to lower sales and profits. "New orders recorded a decline sequentially (quarter-on-quarter) as well as on a year-on-year basis and dipped into negative territory," the RBI said in its latest report.

A cutdown in industrial output for the fourth straight month in December, along with a depressed investment outlook, could lead to more layoffs, industry captains have warned.

On top of that, net loans to the manufacturing sector, which account for 65 per cent of corporate loans, have declined by 77 per cent in the last six years, IndiaSpend reported in January 2017. Large-scale manufacturing units have been the worst hit, recording a fall of 69 per cent.

The fallout: Jobs and companies at risk

If sales do not improve, companies will act to cut costs, manufacturers and traders said.

"The most common way of cutting cost in India is to reduce the workforce," economist Ila Patnaik, who has served as the principal economic advisor to the government of India, told IndiaSpend. "If the global economy and the domestic market do not improve, we can expect more layoffs in this sector."

Companies forced to close down due to financial distress will also lay off workers. Closure of 186 industrial units led to net job losses of 12,176 in the manufacturing sector over the last four years, the labour ministry estimated in a December 2015 reply in the Lok Sabha.

Syed blamed the post-demonetisation cash crunch for falling sales as well as a shortage of workers due to mass exodus from cities. "Labourers have to be paid in cash as they don't have bank accounts. Since we were unable to pay them in cash, the workers have returned to their villages," he said.

In the first 34 days of demonetisation, micro- and small-scale industries have suffered job losses of 35 per cent and a 50 per cent dip in revenue, an All India Manufacturer's Organisation study showed as the Indian Express reported on January 7, 2017.

Global upheavals have also caused problems for manufacturers, G.K. Jain, a large-scale manufacturer and exporter of readymade garments, said.

With sluggish growth and high unemployment hitting American and European economies, importers there want to pay lower prices to overseas manufacturers, squeezing exporters' profit margins, Jain said.

There has been a rise in borrowings by vulnerable companies in the steel sector, the RBI report said. However, steel secretary Aruna Sharma said: "There was heavy investment in public and private steel sector in the past, and the investment takes place in cycles." She added, "So, once the returns on that investment start coming, there will be big investments again."

The RBI also noted that Indian manufacturers have collectively run up debt of Rs 6.9 lakh crore. The decline in sales and its impact on profit margins has impacted manufacturing industries' ability to service their debt. In its study of the financial statements of 1,707 manufacturing companies over the last four years, the RBI revealed that the number of vulnerable companies whose debt-equity ratio is higher than 200 per cent has increased from 215 in 2012-13 to 284 in 2015-16-an increase of 32 per cent. A high debt-equity ratio means a company is aggressively using borrowed money to finance its growth, leading to higher risk for default.

The RBI's analysis also showed that the debt at risk of default among private manufacturing companies grew nearly four-fold, from Rs 58,800 crore to Rs. 2.1 lakh crore ($32 billion) in the four years to March 2016.

What can be done: Invest in infrastructure, remonetise and increase overall public spending

Economists agree that the government must take steps to undo the damage caused by demonetisation by investing more in infrastructure, remonetising the economy and increasing the allocation for public-spending programmes.

It could take two to three quarters for the effects of the demonetisation-induced short-term shock to wear off and for normalcy to return, Patnaik predicted.

For longer-term support to manufacturing and job creation, new investment and enterprise are a must, economist Ajit Ranade said. "If we need to add two million jobs every month, then we need to create 20,000 to 50,000 new enterprises every month," he said. "We need a big push in infrastructure."



NEW DELHI: Despite the governments efforts to attract investment under its Make in India campaign, sales of manufactured goods fell 3.7 per cent during 2015-16 -- the first decline in seven years --s parking fears of layoffs and debt default in the months to come. Spurred by a global slowdown and lack of demand, sales of manufactured goods were falling even before demonetisation, affecting sectors ranging from textiles to leather to steel. As a result, in the six months to September 2016, engineering major Larsen & Toubro laid off some 14,000 employees. Companies such as Microsoft, IBM and Nokia were also reported to have cut back on their workforce in 2016-albeit on a smaller scale-blaming sluggish demand for downsizing. In November 2014, just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his Make-in-India campaign, Nokia shut its factory in Chennai, rendering 6,600 full-time workers jobless. Economists say the government must step in to support the manufacturing sector, which constitutes 15-16 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and supports 12 per cent of the workforce. Why sales are down: Investment falls, costs and import duties rise, demand contracts A range of factors including falling investment, increased input costs and higher import duties have caused demand for manufactured goods to fall, a trend that was visible before demonetisation and has strengthened since. While the services sector grew by 4.9 per cent in 2015-16, faster than the 3.7 per cent recorded in the previous financial year, manufacturing contracted for the first time in seven years, from a growth rate of 12.9 per cent in 2009-10 to -3.7 per cent in 2015-16, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows. Small-scale private companies, with yearly annual sales of less than Rs 100 crore, have been more seriously affected as their sales have contracted continuously for the last seven years. Having registered an 8.8 per cent decline in 2009-10, their sales fell by 19.2 per cent year-on-year in 2015-16. "Our sector is making huge losses as the price of electricity and raw material has gone up," Shan Ali Syed, owner of a small-scale textile plant in the town of Bhiwandi, 32 km northeast of Mumbai, told IndiaSpend. "Hence, cost of final product also increases, and we are unable to compete with cheaper imported Chinese products." "Higher export duty and decline in demand has led to reduction in sales even before demonetisation," Manoj Kishanchand Ahuja, a Mumbai-based small-scale gold jewellery manufacturer, said. "We were forced to reduce production. So, hiring of workers on contractual basis has also gone down." He added that most of his business takes place in cash, and post-demonetisation, the situation has worsened. Investment has fallen because of a decline in demand, leading to lower sales and profits. "New orders recorded a decline sequentially (quarter-on-quarter) as well as on a year-on-year basis and dipped into negative territory," the RBI said in its latest report. A cutdown in industrial output for the fourth straight month in December, along with a depressed investment outlook, could lead to more layoffs, industry captains have warned. On top of that, net loans to the manufacturing sector, which account for 65 per cent of corporate loans, have declined by 77 per cent in the last six years, IndiaSpend reported in January 2017. Large-scale manufacturing units have been the worst hit, recording a fall of 69 per cent. The fallout: Jobs and companies at risk If sales do not improve, companies will act to cut costs, manufacturers and traders said. "The most common way of cutting cost in India is to reduce the workforce," economist Ila Patnaik, who has served as the principal economic advisor to the government of India, told IndiaSpend. "If the global economy and the domestic market do not improve, we can expect more layoffs in this sector." Companies forced to close down due to financial distress will also lay off workers. Closure of 186 industrial units led to net job losses of 12,176 in the manufacturing sector over the last four years, the labour ministry estimated in a December 2015 reply in the Lok Sabha. Syed blamed the post-demonetisation cash crunch for falling sales as well as a shortage of workers due to mass exodus from cities. "Labourers have to be paid in cash as they don't have bank accounts. Since we were unable to pay them in cash, the workers have returned to their villages," he said. In the first 34 days of demonetisation, micro- and small-scale industries have suffered job losses of 35 per cent and a 50 per cent dip in revenue, an All India Manufacturer's Organisation study showed as the Indian Express reported on January 7, 2017. Global upheavals have also caused problems for manufacturers, G.K. Jain, a large-scale manufacturer and exporter of readymade garments, said. With sluggish growth and high unemployment hitting American and European economies, importers there want to pay lower prices to overseas manufacturers, squeezing exporters' profit margins, Jain said. There has been a rise in borrowings by vulnerable companies in the steel sector, the RBI report said. However, steel secretary Aruna Sharma said: "There was heavy investment in public and private steel sector in the past, and the investment takes place in cycles." She added, "So, once the returns on that investment start coming, there will be big investments again." The RBI also noted that Indian manufacturers have collectively run up debt of Rs 6.9 lakh crore. The decline in sales and its impact on profit margins has impacted manufacturing industries' ability to service their debt. In its study of the financial statements of 1,707 manufacturing companies over the last four years, the RBI revealed that the number of vulnerable companies whose debt-equity ratio is higher than 200 per cent has increased from 215 in 2012-13 to 284 in 2015-16-an increase of 32 per cent. A high debt-equity ratio means a company is aggressively using borrowed money to finance its growth, leading to higher risk for default. The RBI's analysis also showed that the debt at risk of default among private manufacturing companies grew nearly four-fold, from Rs 58,800 crore to Rs. 2.1 lakh crore ($32 billion) in the four years to March 2016. What can be done: Invest in infrastructure, remonetise and increase overall public spending Economists agree that the government must take steps to undo the damage caused by demonetisation by investing more in infrastructure, remonetising the economy and increasing the allocation for public-spending programmes. It could take two to three quarters for the effects of the demonetisation-induced short-term shock to wear off and for normalcy to return, Patnaik predicted. For longer-term support to manufacturing and job creation, new investment and enterprise are a must, economist Ajit Ranade said. "If we need to add two million jobs every month, then we need to create 20,000 to 50,000 new enterprises every month," he said. "We need a big push in infrastructure."
By Reuters

Wal-Mart Stores Inc is running a new price-comparison test in at least 1,200 U.S. stores and squeezing packaged goods suppliers in a bid to close a pricing gap with German-based discount grocery chain Aldi and other U.S. rivals like Kroger Co, according to four sources familiar with the moves.

Wal-Mart launched the price test across 11 Midwest and Southeastern states such as Iowa, Illinois and Florida, focusing on price competition in the grocery business that accounts for 56 percent of the company's revenue, said vendor sources with direct knowledge of the matter who did not wish to be identified for fear of disrupting business relations with Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart's tests are aimed at finding the right price point across a range of products that will attract more shoppers, and then adjusting prices as needed.

Spot checks by Reuters on a basket of grocery items sold by competing Aldi and Wal-Mart stores in five Iowa and Illinois cities showed Wal-Mart's bid to lower prices is already taking hold. Wal-Mart consistently offered lower prices versus Aldi, an improvement over recent analyst estimates that Wal-Mart's prices have been as much as 20 percent higher than Aldi on many grocery staples.

The competition at these stores is intense, with both competitors selling a dozen large eggs for less than a dollar. A gallon of milk at some stores was priced at around $1. For a graphic, click: http://tmsnrt.rs/2le6v0Y

The big box retailer also held meetings last week in Bentonville, Arkansas with food and consumer products vendors, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever PLC, Conagra Brands Inc, and demanded they reduce the cost they charge the retailer by 15 percent, sources said.

Wal-Mart also said it expects suppliers to help the company beat rivals on head-to-head pricing 80 percent of the time, these vendor sources said. The wide-ranging meeting with suppliers - where Wal-Mart discussed other topics - was also attended by Johnson & Johnson and Kraft Heinz Co, among others, sources told Reuters. The consumer goods companies did not respond to Reuters requests seeking comment.

These Wal-Mart moves signal a new front in the price war for U.S. shoppers, as the pioneer of everyday low pricing seeks to regain its competitive pricing advantage in traditional retailing.

For more than a year, Wal-Mart said it is investing in price while not sharing specifics. When asked by Reuters about the test and demands on grocery suppliers, Wal-Mart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez said the company is "not in a position to share our strategy for competitive reasons."

Germany-based discount grocer Aldi is one of the relatively new rivals quickly gaining market share in the hotly competitive grocery sector, which already boasts Kroger, Albertsons Cos Inc and Publix Super Markets as stiff competitors on price. A second Germany-based discount grocer, Lidl, is planning to enter the U.S. market this year, and together the German discounters pose a serious threat to Wal-Mart's U.S. grocery business.

The stakes are high for Wal-Mart. According to Scott Mushkin, managing director of Wolfe Research and a leading pricing analyst, the retailer would need to spend about $6 billion to regain market share from all of its grocery rivals.

Wal-Mart also needs to find ways to cut prices without further damaging its bottom line. In its latest quarter, gross margins slipped 8 basis points, while net income dropped 18 percent compared to the year-ago quarter. The company attributed the decline to factors such as price investments, which is essentially the cost of cutting prices.Vendors said Wal-Mart has told them it intends to maintain margins on average and lose money on some goods as part of its pricing plan. Wal-Mart told vendors it will absorb some of the losses so suppliers can adjust to the new pricing demand.

A supplier of consumer goods said Wal-Mart cut prices on some of his company's products by as much as 30 percent in some stores over the past few months.

"It helped them figure out the sweet spot that drives traffic," the person said.

Wal-Mart also said it wants vendors to make logistics improvements that would help vendors get $1 billion more in sales, though it did not specify the time period. The retailer asked vendors to work harder on shipping orders in full and on-time, which would trim delivery costs, reduce re-orders, and reduce out-of-stock problems that have vexed the retailer and hurt sales in recent years, vendor sources who attended the meeting told Reuters.

"Wal-Mart is trying to go back to where they were 10 years ago when they were absolutely the low price leader," a large packaged food supplier told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "We understand they are willing to give up profits to a large extent in some cases, so they can invest in their own brand."

Aldi and Kroger declined to comment on the story. Lidl and Publix did not respond to Reuters' requests seeking comment. Albertsons said running its stores means delivering price competitiveness every day, but did not comment specifically on the tests.

HEATED COMPETITION

Wal-Mart is eyeing both German chains based on its recent experience in the United Kingdom. Aldi and Lidl, with their no-frills stores, limited product assortment and low-cost model, have successfully upended the grocery market there, cutting into the sales of larger players like Tesco Plc and Asda, Wal-Mart's UK arm.

A Reuters spot check of markets where Wal-Mart is running its new U.S. pricing program indicates the retailer has already taken the price battle to Aldi. The Reuters check of Wal-Mart and Aldi stores in five Midwestern cities where Wal-Mart is running its test found Wal-Mart's prices for a basket of 15 staples averaged 8 percent less than Aldi's products.

Reuters conducted the price comparisons in Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Dixon and Galesburg, Illinois. At each, Reuters collected prices for a basket of 15 similar-sized products including private-label packages of butter and milk, along with branded items like Crest toothpaste and 2 liter-bottle of Coca-Cola.

In some cases, Wal-Mart's prices were as much as 10 percent cheaper than at Aldi. Reuters found Wal-Mart's prices were lower on at least eight and as many as 12 items in each of the five locations.

Wal-Mart is also conducting the price comparisons in Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, according to sources.

In the United States, Aldi is starting from a small base and Lidl has not yet opened its first store. Aldi, with roughly 1,600 U.S. stores, accounts for only about 1.5 percent of the U.S. grocery market - but it is growing at 15 percent a year. Mushkin of Wolfe Research estimated Aldi and Lidl together could grab as much as seven percent of the U.S. market over five years.

Wal-Mart currently controls about 22 percent of the U.S. grocery market, and its U.S. sales are estimated to grow about 2 percent this year, according to analysts.

Over the past few years, Aldi's prices have been about 20 percent lower than Wal-Mart's, said Mushkin of Wolfe Research. When Mushkin in December compared Wal-Mart and Aldi prices in Connecticut for private label goods - the retailers' own brands, typically the lowest-priced goods in each category - he found the German chain's prices were 24 percent lower.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc is running a new price-comparison test in at least 1,200 U.S. stores and squeezing packaged goods suppliers in a bid to close a pricing gap with German-based discount grocery chain Aldi and other U.S. rivals like Kroger Co, according to four sources familiar with the moves. Wal-Mart launched the price test across 11 Midwest and Southeastern states such as Iowa, Illinois and Florida, focusing on price competition in the grocery business that accounts for 56 percent of the company's revenue, said vendor sources with direct knowledge of the matter who did not wish to be identified for fear of disrupting business relations with Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart's tests are aimed at finding the right price point across a range of products that will attract more shoppers, and then adjusting prices as needed. Spot checks by Reuters on a basket of grocery items sold by competing Aldi and Wal-Mart stores in five Iowa and Illinois cities showed Wal-Mart's bid to lower prices is already taking hold. Wal-Mart consistently offered lower prices versus Aldi, an improvement over recent analyst estimates that Wal-Mart's prices have been as much as 20 percent higher than Aldi on many grocery staples. The competition at these stores is intense, with both competitors selling a dozen large eggs for less than a dollar. A gallon of milk at some stores was priced at around $1. For a graphic, click: http://tmsnrt.rs/2le6v0Y The big box retailer also held meetings last week in Bentonville, Arkansas with food and consumer products vendors, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever PLC, Conagra Brands Inc, and demanded they reduce the cost they charge the retailer by 15 percent, sources said. Wal-Mart also said it expects suppliers to help the company beat rivals on head-to-head pricing 80 percent of the time, these vendor sources said. The wide-ranging meeting with suppliers - where Wal-Mart discussed other topics - was also attended by Johnson & Johnson and Kraft Heinz Co, among others, sources told Reuters. The consumer goods companies did not respond to Reuters requests seeking comment. These Wal-Mart moves signal a new front in the price war for U.S. shoppers, as the pioneer of everyday low pricing seeks to regain its competitive pricing advantage in traditional retailing. For more than a year, Wal-Mart said it is investing in price while not sharing specifics. When asked by Reuters about the test and demands on grocery suppliers, Wal-Mart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez said the company is "not in a position to share our strategy for competitive reasons." Germany-based discount grocer Aldi is one of the relatively new rivals quickly gaining market share in the hotly competitive grocery sector, which already boasts Kroger, Albertsons Cos Inc and Publix Super Markets as stiff competitors on price. A second Germany-based discount grocer, Lidl, is planning to enter the U.S. market this year, and together the German discounters pose a serious threat to Wal-Mart's U.S. grocery business. The stakes are high for Wal-Mart. According to Scott Mushkin, managing director of Wolfe Research and a leading pricing analyst, the retailer would need to spend about $6 billion to regain market share from all of its grocery rivals. Wal-Mart also needs to find ways to cut prices without further damaging its bottom line. In its latest quarter, gross margins slipped 8 basis points, while net income dropped 18 percent compared to the year-ago quarter. The company attributed the decline to factors such as price investments, which is essentially the cost of cutting prices.Vendors said Wal-Mart has told them it intends to maintain margins on average and lose money on some goods as part of its pricing plan. Wal-Mart told vendors it will absorb some of the losses so suppliers can adjust to the new pricing demand. A supplier of consumer goods said Wal-Mart cut prices on some of his company's products by as much as 30 percent in some stores over the past few months. "It helped them figure out the sweet spot that drives traffic," the person said. Wal-Mart also said it wants vendors to make logistics improvements that would help vendors get $1 billion more in sales, though it did not specify the time period. The retailer asked vendors to work harder on shipping orders in full and on-time, which would trim delivery costs, reduce re-orders, and reduce out-of-stock problems that have vexed the retailer and hurt sales in recent years, vendor sources who attended the meeting told Reuters. "Wal-Mart is trying to go back to where they were 10 years ago when they were absolutely the low price leader," a large packaged food supplier told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "We understand they are willing to give up profits to a large extent in some cases, so they can invest in their own brand." Aldi and Kroger declined to comment on the story. Lidl and Publix did not respond to Reuters' requests seeking comment. Albertsons said running its stores means delivering price competitiveness every day, but did not comment specifically on the tests. HEATED COMPETITION Wal-Mart is eyeing both German chains based on its recent experience in the United Kingdom. Aldi and Lidl, with their no-frills stores, limited product assortment and low-cost model, have successfully upended the grocery market there, cutting into the sales of larger players like Tesco Plc and Asda, Wal-Mart's UK arm. A Reuters spot check of markets where Wal-Mart is running its new U.S. pricing program indicates the retailer has already taken the price battle to Aldi. The Reuters check of Wal-Mart and Aldi stores in five Midwestern cities where Wal-Mart is running its test found Wal-Mart's prices for a basket of 15 staples averaged 8 percent less than Aldi's products. Reuters conducted the price comparisons in Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Dixon and Galesburg, Illinois. At each, Reuters collected prices for a basket of 15 similar-sized products including private-label packages of butter and milk, along with branded items like Crest toothpaste and 2 liter-bottle of Coca-Cola. In some cases, Wal-Mart's prices were as much as 10 percent cheaper than at Aldi. Reuters found Wal-Mart's prices were lower on at least eight and as many as 12 items in each of the five locations. Wal-Mart is also conducting the price comparisons in Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, according to sources. In the United States, Aldi is starting from a small base and Lidl has not yet opened its first store. Aldi, with roughly 1,600 U.S. stores, accounts for only about 1.5 percent of the U.S. grocery market - but it is growing at 15 percent a year. Mushkin of Wolfe Research estimated Aldi and Lidl together could grab as much as seven percent of the U.S. market over five years. Wal-Mart currently controls about 22 percent of the U.S. grocery market, and its U.S. sales are estimated to grow about 2 percent this year, according to analysts. Over the past few years, Aldi's prices have been about 20 percent lower than Wal-Mart's, said Mushkin of Wolfe Research. When Mushkin in December compared Wal-Mart and Aldi prices in Connecticut for private label goods - the retailers' own brands, typically the lowest-priced goods in each category - he found the German chain's prices were 24 percent lower.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: A 14-year-old Class 10 student was allegedly stabbed to death by a former student of the school, aged 16, at a school in Yelahanka on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 2.30 pm after the annual day celebration of the Government Higher Secondary Boys School, Yelahanka. Monday also marked the beginning of study holidays before the board exams for Class 10 students.

Harsharaj

According to police sources, a former student of the school, who had dropped out, was annoyed with the victim Harsharaj Ns friendship with a girl from the same school.

The two also had several confrontations over the issue in the past 15 days. On Monday at the school day event, Harsharaj had received 3-4 prizes.

After the event, when Harsharaj walked outside the school, the former student and three of his friends who were with him, all minors, taunted Harsharaj about the prizes he had received.

An argument developed, which turned ugly and Harsharaj was eventually stabbed multiple times by the student in a narrow lane just off the Yelahanka main road beside the railway track. It is unclear whether the student had brought the knife with him with an intention to commit the murder, or happened to carry the knife as a matter of habit.

Harsharaj was taken to a nearby hospital by passersby and was declared brought dead. The teenaged assailant was also injured after being pelted with stones by Harsharajs friends.

He too was admitted to a hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. The three other boys who were with him fled the scene of the crime. Two were taken into custody while the third boy is still missing. Harsharajs father, Narayan, is a daily wage labourer.

BENGALURU: A 14-year-old Class 10 student was allegedly stabbed to death by a former student of the school, aged 16, at a school in Yelahanka on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2.30 pm after the annual day celebration of the Government Higher Secondary Boys School, Yelahanka. Monday also marked the beginning of study holidays before the board exams for Class 10 students. HarsharajAccording to police sources, a former student of the school, who had dropped out, was annoyed with the victim Harsharaj Ns friendship with a girl from the same school. The two also had several confrontations over the issue in the past 15 days. On Monday at the school day event, Harsharaj had received 3-4 prizes. After the event, when Harsharaj walked outside the school, the former student and three of his friends who were with him, all minors, taunted Harsharaj about the prizes he had received. An argument developed, which turned ugly and Harsharaj was eventually stabbed multiple times by the student in a narrow lane just off the Yelahanka main road beside the railway track. It is unclear whether the student had brought the knife with him with an intention to commit the murder, or happened to carry the knife as a matter of habit. Harsharaj was taken to a nearby hospital by passersby and was declared brought dead. The teenaged assailant was also injured after being pelted with stones by Harsharajs friends. He too was admitted to a hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. The three other boys who were with him fled the scene of the crime. Two were taken into custody while the third boy is still missing. Harsharajs father, Narayan, is a daily wage labourer.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Indian Air Forces oldest training institute in Tambaram and Pathankot-based 125 Helicopter squadron, also known as Gladiators or Mudalai by Sri Lankan Tamils, will be honoured with the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively on March 3.

Air Officer Commanding-in-chief Training Command, Air Marshal SRK Nair, told reporters here that Group Captain V D Badoni, commanding officer of 125 Helicopter Squadron, and Group Captain A Arunachaleswaran, commanding officer of Mechanical Training Institute (MTI), would receive the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively.

The award recognises the meritorious service rendered during war and peace. The event would be attended by Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal C Hari Kumar.

MTI has its history dating back to pre-independence days when Indian Air force was formed on October 8, 1932. With the formation of first air squadron in 1933, a need was felt for a specialised training institute. This gave birth to the School of Technical Training at Ambala in Punjab. It was later bifurcated and in 1946 named as Schools of Ground Training.

On February 1947, one of the bifurcated training institute from Ambala was moved to Tambaram, which until then was an American Naval Base. On September 17, 1947, nationalisation of the unit was completed.

In 1980, the Ground Training School was rechristened as Mechanical Training Institute, where three premier trades of Indian Air Force --- Propulsion Fitter, Structure Fitter and Weapon Fitter-- undergo training.

Similarly, 125 Helicopter Squadron at Pathankot has played a pivotal role in peace-keeping as well as counter-insurgency operations since its inception on November 1983. The unit was equipped with Mi-35 and Mi-25 helicopters.

It proved its mettle during the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and was nicknamed by Tamil insurgents as Mudalai (alligator in Tamil). During the operations, the squadron earned its first gallantry award Vir Chakra. It had also played a key role during Pakistani intrusion in Kargil and also in United Nations Peace Keeping mission in Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo.

It also played a stellar role in confining terrorists to a restricted area during the attack on Pathankot Air base. The squadron boasts of two Vir Chakras, two Yudh Seva Medals, nine Vayu Sena Medals and Mention-in-Despatches.

CHENNAI: Indian Air Forces oldest training institute in Tambaram and Pathankot-based 125 Helicopter squadron, also known as Gladiators or Mudalai by Sri Lankan Tamils, will be honoured with the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively on March 3. Air Officer Commanding-in-chief Training Command, Air Marshal SRK Nair, told reporters here that Group Captain V D Badoni, commanding officer of 125 Helicopter Squadron, and Group Captain A Arunachaleswaran, commanding officer of Mechanical Training Institute (MTI), would receive the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively. The award recognises the meritorious service rendered during war and peace. The event would be attended by Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal C Hari Kumar. MTI has its history dating back to pre-independence days when Indian Air force was formed on October 8, 1932. With the formation of first air squadron in 1933, a need was felt for a specialised training institute. This gave birth to the School of Technical Training at Ambala in Punjab. It was later bifurcated and in 1946 named as Schools of Ground Training. On February 1947, one of the bifurcated training institute from Ambala was moved to Tambaram, which until then was an American Naval Base. On September 17, 1947, nationalisation of the unit was completed. In 1980, the Ground Training School was rechristened as Mechanical Training Institute, where three premier trades of Indian Air Force --- Propulsion Fitter, Structure Fitter and Weapon Fitter-- undergo training. Similarly, 125 Helicopter Squadron at Pathankot has played a pivotal role in peace-keeping as well as counter-insurgency operations since its inception on November 1983. The unit was equipped with Mi-35 and Mi-25 helicopters. It proved its mettle during the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and was nicknamed by Tamil insurgents as Mudalai (alligator in Tamil). During the operations, the squadron earned its first gallantry award Vir Chakra. It had also played a key role during Pakistani intrusion in Kargil and also in United Nations Peace Keeping mission in Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo. It also played a stellar role in confining terrorists to a restricted area during the attack on Pathankot Air base. The squadron boasts of two Vir Chakras, two Yudh Seva Medals, nine Vayu Sena Medals and Mention-in-Despatches.
Sinduja Jane By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After conventional methods like insecticides, fumigation and insecticide-treated nets proving ineffective in containing the dreaded Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue, chikungunya and other viral infections, experts in India are looking closely at a bacteria to take on the menace from within.

The microbe that caught the researchers eye is the Wolbachia, a mostly benign microbe that has the ability to block the growth of viruses like the ones that spread dengue. It is the common bacterium found in as much 60 per cent of the insect family  except Aedes Aegypti. The effort therefore is to introduce a strain of the bacterium in Aedes that would control the virus  and the mosquito itself  from multiplying.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Monas University, Australia, for the research, starting with dengue virus, said ICMR director general Dr Soumya Swaminathan, also the secretary of union department of health research, on the sidelines of 13th conference on vectors and vector-borne diseases organised by the National Academy of Vector Borne Disease and Central University of Tamil Nadu, here on Monday.

The bacterium will contain dengue, chikungunya, zika and other viruses spread by this mosquito. The Aedes mosquitoes will not carry the infection, so even if it bites humans, the virus will not spread. This will help to eliminate dengue, chikungunya and other viruses if proven successful, explained Dr P Jambulingam, director, Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, ICMR.

The preliminary works for the research study, fully funded by ICMR, was ongoing at the research centre in Puducherry.

As the wMel strain of Wolbachia that is effective in controlling the viruses is not present in India, researchers here are planning to import the strain from Monas University. The process for obtaining permission to import it was on. Wolbachia bacteria will not survive outside the body. So we are importing the insect larvae, develop them into adults, and then allow the Wolbachia carrier mate with the mosquitoes here. We will develop colonies like this in Phase I of the research, Dr Jambulingam said. Then they will be released into the field and studied, he said, adding the next phases would be taken up only after ensuring the success in the first step.

Using Wolbachia is not a new idea. After it was identified in the 1920s, research has been going on for years to understand more about the characteristic of the microbe that is inimical to the viruses that are harmful to humans. This has picked up pace after the recent zika scare.

The Aedes mosquitoes get viruses like dengue from infected humans. Once inside the insect, the virus replicates within 8-12 days, after which anyone bitten by it gets infected. Researchers have found that the bacterium technique works in two ways: once inside, Wolbachia spreads to all cells and stymies the growth of viruses. Even if these mosquitoes bite, the infection will not be passed. Also, while this bacteria is passed from mother to its offspring, when an infected male mates with an uninfected female, it will not let the eggs hatch. This means there is a possibility of controlling the Aedes population that does not have the bacteria.

CHENNAI: After conventional methods like insecticides, fumigation and insecticide-treated nets proving ineffective in containing the dreaded Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue, chikungunya and other viral infections, experts in India are looking closely at a bacteria to take on the menace from within. The microbe that caught the researchers eye is the Wolbachia, a mostly benign microbe that has the ability to block the growth of viruses like the ones that spread dengue. It is the common bacterium found in as much 60 per cent of the insect family  except Aedes Aegypti. The effort therefore is to introduce a strain of the bacterium in Aedes that would control the virus  and the mosquito itself  from multiplying. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Monas University, Australia, for the research, starting with dengue virus, said ICMR director general Dr Soumya Swaminathan, also the secretary of union department of health research, on the sidelines of 13th conference on vectors and vector-borne diseases organised by the National Academy of Vector Borne Disease and Central University of Tamil Nadu, here on Monday. The bacterium will contain dengue, chikungunya, zika and other viruses spread by this mosquito. The Aedes mosquitoes will not carry the infection, so even if it bites humans, the virus will not spread. This will help to eliminate dengue, chikungunya and other viruses if proven successful, explained Dr P Jambulingam, director, Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, ICMR. The preliminary works for the research study, fully funded by ICMR, was ongoing at the research centre in Puducherry. As the wMel strain of Wolbachia that is effective in controlling the viruses is not present in India, researchers here are planning to import the strain from Monas University. The process for obtaining permission to import it was on. Wolbachia bacteria will not survive outside the body. So we are importing the insect larvae, develop them into adults, and then allow the Wolbachia carrier mate with the mosquitoes here. We will develop colonies like this in Phase I of the research, Dr Jambulingam said. Then they will be released into the field and studied, he said, adding the next phases would be taken up only after ensuring the success in the first step. Using Wolbachia is not a new idea. After it was identified in the 1920s, research has been going on for years to understand more about the characteristic of the microbe that is inimical to the viruses that are harmful to humans. This has picked up pace after the recent zika scare. The Aedes mosquitoes get viruses like dengue from infected humans. Once inside the insect, the virus replicates within 8-12 days, after which anyone bitten by it gets infected. Researchers have found that the bacterium technique works in two ways: once inside, Wolbachia spreads to all cells and stymies the growth of viruses. Even if these mosquitoes bite, the infection will not be passed. Also, while this bacteria is passed from mother to its offspring, when an infected male mates with an uninfected female, it will not let the eggs hatch. This means there is a possibility of controlling the Aedes population that does not have the bacteria.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday wrote to the Delhi Police seeking swift action against the miscreants who harassed Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) student organisation ABVP went viral.

Addressing the media here, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal informed that she has written a letter to the Delhi Police seeking an FIR against those people, who threatened her with death and rape online.

She (Kaur) has sent us screenshots of how some boys are continuously threatening her with rape online. The DCW has taken cognisance of the situation and we have written a letter to the Delhi Police, seeking an immediate FIR against these miscreants, so that they are put behind bars, Maliwal said.

Calling on the Delhi Police to take responsibility for the safety and security of Kaur and her family, the DCW chief said that at present there is a despicable trend of people going online to attack women with taunts and threats, adding that an example needs to be set by teaching these men a lesson.



We need to find who these people are who are targeting her. She (Kaur) has called for action against some ABVP members. If these boys are let go, then it will send a message that you can get away with targeting women. All she wants is peace in our Universities and she is just putting her point across, which we need to respect, Maliwal said.

Further asserting that the DCW does not support any anti-national elements whatsoever, she defended Kaur from charges of hurting national sentiments, adding that all she wanted was peace in the Delhi Universities.



Earlier, Gurmehar asserted that her campaign is aimed at raising voice against organisations, which challenge the law of the land and try to curb the fundamental right of freedom of speech.

I will not be scared or be cowed down, my father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to take bullet for the country, I also have the courage to take a bullet for the nation. I want all students to raise their voices against the violence and say that they will not tolerate this, she said.

After the North Campus clash, Kaur had 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.

Gurmehar had earlier said that she received rape threats on social media after the campaign. Kaur has faced verbal backlash on Facebook, with many saying her father would be extremely unhappy with her for supporting anti-nationals.

Delhi Universitys Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and 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.



Meanwhile, a political slugfest is underway over Kargil bravehearts martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur against the ABVP.



Hours after BJP MP Pratap Simha compared Kaur with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted to suggest that Kaur was being influenced by someone or a group.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said.



"At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand," Simha, who represents Mysore in the Lok Sabha, said.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday wrote to the Delhi Police seeking swift action against the miscreants who harassed Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) student organisation ABVP went viral. Addressing the media here, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal informed that she has written a letter to the Delhi Police seeking an FIR against those people, who threatened her with death and rape online. She (Kaur) has sent us screenshots of how some boys are continuously threatening her with rape online. The DCW has taken cognisance of the situation and we have written a letter to the Delhi Police, seeking an immediate FIR against these miscreants, so that they are put behind bars, Maliwal said. Calling on the Delhi Police to take responsibility for the safety and security of Kaur and her family, the DCW chief said that at present there is a despicable trend of people going online to attack women with taunts and threats, adding that an example needs to be set by teaching these men a lesson. We need to find who these people are who are targeting her. She (Kaur) has called for action against some ABVP members. If these boys are let go, then it will send a message that you can get away with targeting women. All she wants is peace in our Universities and she is just putting her point across, which we need to respect, Maliwal said. Further asserting that the DCW does not support any anti-national elements whatsoever, she defended Kaur from charges of hurting national sentiments, adding that all she wanted was peace in the Delhi Universities. Earlier, Gurmehar asserted that her campaign is aimed at raising voice against organisations, which challenge the law of the land and try to curb the fundamental right of freedom of speech. I will not be scared or be cowed down, my father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to take bullet for the country, I also have the courage to take a bullet for the nation. I want all students to raise their voices against the violence and say that they will not tolerate this, she said. After the North Campus clash, Kaur had 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. Gurmehar had earlier said that she received rape threats on social media after the campaign. Kaur has faced verbal backlash on Facebook, with many saying her father would be extremely unhappy with her for supporting anti-nationals. Delhi Universitys Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and 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. Meanwhile, a political slugfest is underway over Kargil bravehearts martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur against the ABVP. Hours after BJP MP Pratap Simha compared Kaur with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted to suggest that Kaur was being influenced by someone or a group. "Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said. "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand," Simha, who represents Mysore in the Lok Sabha, said.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: A glorious era in the history of the Indian Navy will come to an end on March 6, when the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pendent onboard INS Viraat will be lowered for the last time.

Ending the Viraat era, the aircraft carrier will be decommissioned at a grand ceremony at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

The flagship of the Indian Naval fleet, INS Viraat is the longest-serving warship in the world. She is getting ready for decommissioning after 30 glorious years of service. Prior to joining the Indian Navy, the ship served the Royal Navy for 27 years. The Centaur-Class aircraft carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987.

The decommissioning ceremony will be attended by personnel who worked onboard Viraat, including some officers from the United Kingdom. At the ceremony, a special cover by the Army Postal Service and a book on the history of Viraat will be released.

The ship has spent 2,252 days at sea, sailing 5,88,287 NM over the past three decades, upholding the motto Jalamev Yasya, Balamev Tasys (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful). This implies Viraat has spent seven years at sea and travelled around the globe 27 times.

The ship had played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989, during the Sri Lankan Peace Keeping operation. In 1990, she was affiliated with Garhwal Riffles and Scouts of the Indian Army. Her major contribution was in Operation Parakram in 2001-2002, during the standoff between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack on the Parliament.

The ship has participated in various international joint exercises, such as Exercise Malabar (USA), Exercise Varuna (France) and Naseem-Al-Bahar (Oman Navy). She had also been an integral part of all the annual theatre-level exercises (TROPEX).

The last operational deployment of INS Viraat was for the International Fleet Review (IFR-2016) off Visakhapatnam. The ship was a centrepiece of the Navy, and housed fighters Sea Harriers (popularly called White Tigers); anti-submarine aircraft Sea King MK-42B and Sea King MK-42C (known as Harpoons); and SAR helicopter Chetak.

The ingenious Air Light Helicopter Dhruv and Russian twin-rotor Kamov-31 have also operated onboard the ship.

KOCHI: A glorious era in the history of the Indian Navy will come to an end on March 6, when the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pendent onboard INS Viraat will be lowered for the last time. Ending the Viraat era, the aircraft carrier will be decommissioned at a grand ceremony at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The flagship of the Indian Naval fleet, INS Viraat is the longest-serving warship in the world. She is getting ready for decommissioning after 30 glorious years of service. Prior to joining the Indian Navy, the ship served the Royal Navy for 27 years. The Centaur-Class aircraft carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987. The decommissioning ceremony will be attended by personnel who worked onboard Viraat, including some officers from the United Kingdom. At the ceremony, a special cover by the Army Postal Service and a book on the history of Viraat will be released. The ship has spent 2,252 days at sea, sailing 5,88,287 NM over the past three decades, upholding the motto Jalamev Yasya, Balamev Tasys (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful). This implies Viraat has spent seven years at sea and travelled around the globe 27 times. The ship had played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989, during the Sri Lankan Peace Keeping operation. In 1990, she was affiliated with Garhwal Riffles and Scouts of the Indian Army. Her major contribution was in Operation Parakram in 2001-2002, during the standoff between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack on the Parliament. The ship has participated in various international joint exercises, such as Exercise Malabar (USA), Exercise Varuna (France) and Naseem-Al-Bahar (Oman Navy). She had also been an integral part of all the annual theatre-level exercises (TROPEX). The last operational deployment of INS Viraat was for the International Fleet Review (IFR-2016) off Visakhapatnam. The ship was a centrepiece of the Navy, and housed fighters Sea Harriers (popularly called White Tigers); anti-submarine aircraft Sea King MK-42B and Sea King MK-42C (known as Harpoons); and SAR helicopter Chetak. The ingenious Air Light Helicopter Dhruv and Russian twin-rotor Kamov-31 have also operated onboard the ship.
By Online Desk

Here are the latest on the 89th Academy awards:

As it happened:

10: 42 am: It might seem like the best joke pulled by Jimmy Kimmel so far. But with all seriousness, this fiasco can be marked as the best goof up in the history of Academy Awards. The 89th Academy Awards ended on a crazy note with the wrong name for Best Picture being announced on stage by the presenter. Still one can't figure out if this end is a good surprise or a bizarre one.

10: 33 am: The joke is probably on Warren Beatty who read out the wrong name at first. La La Land was announced to have won the award. But minutes later, after the acceptance speech began, and the entire crew of La La Land took the stage, Moonlight was announced as the Best Picture.

Presenter Warren Beatty shows the envelope with the actual winner. (Photo | AP)

10: 24 am: Emma Stone wins award for Best Actress for La La Land. The award was presented by last year's Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio.

Emma Stone. (Photo | AP)

10: 14 am: Casey Affleck wins Best actor for the movie Manchester by the Sea.

Casey Affleck. (Photo | AP)

10: 11 am: Damien Chazelle wins Best Director for La La Land.

Damien Chazelle with the award for best director for La La Land. (Photo | AP)

10: 07 am: Jimmy Kimmel showered cookies and donuts down on the audience.

10: 02 am: Moonlight won an award for Adapted screenplay.

9: 59 am: Manchester by the Sea wins award for the Best Original Screenplay. The award was received by Kenneth Lonergan.

9: 53 am: Jennifer Aniston took the stage to present the year's montage of the great actors and artists who passed away in the past year.

Jennifer Aniston. (Photo | AP)

9: 48 am: The award for the Best Original Song is bagged by La La Land for the song City of Stars. Scarlett Johansson presented the award for the same.

9: 40 am: La La Land wins award for Best Original Score. Justin Hurwitz received the award.

9 39 am: Jimmy Kimmel did not fail to entertain the audience. The mean tweet franchise that was introduced was bitter but better at fun. The winners and the nominees were seen reading out disturbing tweets about them. This was followed by a performance by John Legend.

9: 26 am: La La Land wins yet another award for Best Cinematography. Linus Sandgren took to the stage to accept the award.

9: 20 am: Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel took a jab at Donald Trump. It seems like Kimmel couldn't care less. Jimmy tweeted the President of USA asking if he was up. The tweet was projected on the big screen just to make the moment a tad more dramatic.

9: 16 am: Sing grabbed the award for The Best Live Action Short Film. The award was received by Kristof Deak and Anna Udvardy.

9: 10 am: The White Helmets wins award for Best Documentary Short Film.

9: 08 am: On a lighter note, Jimmy Kimmel lifted Sunny Pawar from Lion while the theme song from the animation movie The Lion King played in the background.

9:07 am: Hacksaw Ridge wins award for Best Film Editing.

A scene from Hacksaw Ridge. (Photo | AP)

9:00 am: The Jungle Book wins award for Best Visual Effects.

8: 43 am: La La Land wins the award for the Best Production Design. David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco received the award.

8: 40 am: Zootopia wins award for Best Animated Feature Film.

Zootopia won best animated feature. (Photo | AP)

8: 38 am: Piper wins award for the Best Animated Short Film.

8: 23 am: Charlize Theron and Shirley MacLaine presented the award for the Best Foreign Language Film. Iranian drama The Salesman won the award this year. The director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the award function. However sent a statement which reads, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country before describing Trumps ban as inhumane.

Watch video here: London open-air screening backs Oscar boycott director Farhadi

8: 02 am: Viola Davis wins the award for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. Viola received a standing ovation while she stood emotionally on the stage. She gave a powerful speech, and thanked her family and friends for the same.

Viola Davis. (Photo | AP)

7: 57 am: Hacksaw Ridge wins academy award for Best Sound Mixing.

7: 53 am: Arrival wins award for Achievements in Sound Editing .

7.40 am: The award for Best Documentary Feature is won by 'OJ: Made in America', which was based on the sensational murder trial of OJ Simpson back in the 1990s. He was accused of murdering his wife and her alleged lover.

7.35 am: Harry Potter spin-off movie 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', wins award for Best Costume.

7: 30 am: David Ayer's directorial 'Suicide Squad' wins the 'Best Make-up and Hair' award.

Mahershala Ali with the Oscar. (Photo | AP)

7: 19 am: Mahershala Ali wins the 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' award for Moonlight. So Moonlight opens its account, by bagging the first award of the night. Dev Patel missed the train, despite his fine performance in Lion.

7: 13 am: Now legendary actress Meryl Streep comes under Kimmel's roaster. He says that it is Meryl's 20th consecutive Oscar appearance, although she didn't star in any film in last year. He also jokingly requests the audience to give her an 'undeserving' round of applause.

7: 11 am: Talking about Oscars and fashion, Ruth Negga's long-sleeved custom Valentino gown is a scene-stealer and landed the actress on several best-dressed lists for the evening.

Negga, who is a best actress nominee for "Loving," combined the high lace collar with responsibly sourced rubies. She also included one accessory that several other stars included  a blue ribbon supporting the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ruth Negga, wearing the ACLU ribbon, arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

Negga was among those cited by People magazine as the best dressed of the evening. Other popular looks included a velvet gown worn by Taraji P. Henson, and a fringe gown sported by best actress nominee Emma Stone.

Opinion online was mixed about Halle Berry, who rocked a huge head of tousled curls along with a one-shoulder dress.

While the men get less scrutiny, many online noted the ruffles on best actor nominee Ryan Gosling's tuxedo shirt, with some likening it to a look from a 1970s prom.

7: 08 am: Kimmel starts the event by roasting Matt Damon. He also congratulates Amazon.com for their first ever association with the Oscars.

7: 00 am: The 89th Academy Awards finally starts, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting his first Oscars. His entry was a quirky one too, with a dance performance.

6: 40 am: Each celebrity who strolls the Oscars red carpet seems to have their own style as they pass their cheering fans in the bleachers.

Some, like Emma Stone and Jeff Bridges, smile politely and wave while others just walk by, seemingly oblivious to the adulation.

Martin Butler, right, arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

Laura Dern and Nicole Kidman, meanwhile, joined hands and lifted them in a cheer of their own.

As for those in the bleachers, when they aren't cheering many are gossiping.

Among the comments overheard: Vince Vaughn and Dern are tall and Michael J. Fox is really short.

6: 30 am: Justin Timberlake is the king of the Oscars red carpet, as least as far as the bleacher fans are concerned.

While some celebrities like Viggo Mortensen and Scarlett Johansson ignore the bleacher crowd, Timberlake stopped to lead a cheering war between two sections.

Justin Timberlake, left, and Jessica Biel arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

As wife Jessica Biel stood by in a stunning gold dress, Timberlake put his hand to his ear to draw applause.

Then he'd judge which section was winning by raising and lowering his hands

The crowd responded with raucous cheers.

6: 20 am: Veteran actor Mel Gibson hits the red carpet too.

Rosalind Ross, left, and Mel Gibson arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

6: 10 am: Justin Timberlake says the beginning of the Oscars is going to be free of politics.

Timberlake tells The Associated Press, "Watch the top of the show, it will be very un-political. I can promise you that."

It is an apparent tease to Timberlake's performance of his Oscar-nominated song, "Can't Stop the Feeling," which is from the animated film "Trolls."

Timberlake says he's honoured that the film academy honoured such a feel-good song. Timberlake says "I think the world could use a little bit of that."

Andrew Garfield arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

Even before Sunday's ceremony begins, politics is on the mind of many nominees. Some top nominees, including Ruth Negga and director Barry Jenkins, are wearing blue ribbons supporting the American Civil Liberties Union.

Others, including documentary nominee Ava DuVernay and best actor nominee Andrew Garfield, say art is inherently political and winners should express their feelings about the current political climate if they wish.

6: 04 am: Andrew Garfield, one of the lead actor nominees for his breathtaking performance in Hacksaw Ridge, has arrived at the red carpet. Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry are here too.

Jessica Oyelowo, left, and David Oyelowo arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

6: 00 am: It was a no-brainer for Lin-Manuel Miranda when it came to picking a date for the Oscars.

It's his mother, Luz, who got him there after all.

Miranda's mother says she stayed up late watching the Oscars every year and told her son he would be there someday.

To which her son adds that she earned the honor "by calling dibs when I was 10 years old."

5: 45 am: Prominent faces arriving at Red Carpet so far: Octavia Spencer, Jackie Chan, Felicity Jones, Dev Patel and Matt Damon.

Casey Affleck arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

5: 40 am: Stars are mixing high fashion with some advocacy on the Oscars red carpet.

Several top nominees are sporting blue ribbons supporting the American Civil Liberties Union, including best actress nominee Ruth Negga and best original song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Miranda brought his mother to the Oscars, and she also prominently displayed the ribbon. The ACLU is among the groups suing over a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration that has been placed on hold by federal courts.

Director Barry Jenkins planned to wear one, and realized in the middle of a red carpet interview that he had lost it.

Jenkins, who is nominated for best director for "Moonlight," says he does not yet know what he would say if he wins an Oscar Sunday. He says, "I think art is inherently political," and he supports any artists who speak out about politics at the awards show.

Best actor nominee Casey Affleck also wore the ribbon at Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards, where he won the award for best male lead.

5: 30 am: First rule for Oscar bleachers fans: Yell loudly if you want to get a celebrity's attention.

That's what a group of fans did  repeatedly  until Ruth Negga politely turned away from a red carpet TV interview to give them a wave.

Before she could, however, one of her earrings fell out. Fortunately, her team saved it, she smiled and waved, then moved on.

After waving to the crowd, Lin-Manual Miranda made sure bleacher fans didn't overlook the person he was with. He pointed to her and mouthed the words, "My Mom."

Jackie Chan, beaming ear to ear, pretended to toss one of two stuffed pandas he was carrying into the crow. A disappointed groan moved through the bleachers when he moved on.

Jackie Chan has brought some furry friends to walk with him on the Oscars red carpet.

The action star did red carpet interviews clutching two plush panda toys. He told The Associated Press that he is a panda ambassador and also owns two of the bears in China.

The bears are dressed in yellow jackets and silver boots with UNICEF name tags, while Chan is sporting more traditional formal attire. Chan says he takes the bears with him everywhere, snapping photos with them. He says he may sell them for the charity.

Chan was a recipient of an honorary Oscar last year.

5: 25 am: Celebrities have begun arriving on the red carpet in Hollywood ahead of the 89th Academy Awards.

Hundreds of people sitting in the fan bleachers shouted excitedly when actor Jerry O'Connell walked by.

Broadway star Cynthia Erivo is also among the first arrivals, her shock of white hair a beacon in the crowd.

The weather is slightly chilly and there's the possibility of sprinkles from gray clouds overhead.

Here are the latest on the 89th Academy awards: As it happened: 10: 42 am: It might seem like the best joke pulled by Jimmy Kimmel so far. But with all seriousness, this fiasco can be marked as the best goof up in the history of Academy Awards. The 89th Academy Awards ended on a crazy note with the wrong name for Best Picture being announced on stage by the presenter. Still one can't figure out if this end is a good surprise or a bizarre one. 10: 33 am: The joke is probably on Warren Beatty who read out the wrong name at first. La La Land was announced to have won the award. But minutes later, after the acceptance speech began, and the entire crew of La La Land took the stage, Moonlight was announced as the Best Picture. Presenter Warren Beatty shows the envelope with the actual winner. (Photo | AP) 10: 24 am: Emma Stone wins award for Best Actress for La La Land. The award was presented by last year's Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio. Emma Stone. (Photo | AP) 10: 14 am: Casey Affleck wins Best actor for the movie Manchester by the Sea. Casey Affleck. (Photo | AP) 10: 11 am: Damien Chazelle wins Best Director for La La Land. Damien Chazelle with the award for best director for La La Land. (Photo | AP) 10: 07 am: Jimmy Kimmel showered cookies and donuts down on the audience. 10: 02 am: Moonlight won an award for Adapted screenplay. 9: 59 am: Manchester by the Sea wins award for the Best Original Screenplay. The award was received by Kenneth Lonergan. 9: 53 am: Jennifer Aniston took the stage to present the year's montage of the great actors and artists who passed away in the past year. Jennifer Aniston. (Photo | AP) 9: 48 am: The award for the Best Original Song is bagged by La La Land for the song City of Stars. Scarlett Johansson presented the award for the same. 9: 40 am: La La Land wins award for Best Original Score. Justin Hurwitz received the award. 9 39 am: Jimmy Kimmel did not fail to entertain the audience. The mean tweet franchise that was introduced was bitter but better at fun. The winners and the nominees were seen reading out disturbing tweets about them. This was followed by a performance by John Legend. 9: 26 am: La La Land wins yet another award for Best Cinematography. Linus Sandgren took to the stage to accept the award. 9: 20 am: Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel took a jab at Donald Trump. It seems like Kimmel couldn't care less. Jimmy tweeted the President of USA asking if he was up. The tweet was projected on the big screen just to make the moment a tad more dramatic. Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?  Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) February 27, 2017 9: 16 am: Sing grabbed the award for The Best Live Action Short Film. The award was received by Kristof Deak and Anna Udvardy. 9: 10 am: The White Helmets wins award for Best Documentary Short Film. 9: 08 am: On a lighter note, Jimmy Kimmel lifted Sunny Pawar from Lion while the theme song from the animation movie The Lion King played in the background. 9:07 am: Hacksaw Ridge wins award for Best Film Editing. A scene from Hacksaw Ridge. (Photo | AP) 9:00 am: The Jungle Book wins award for Best Visual Effects. 8: 43 am: La La Land wins the award for the Best Production Design. David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco received the award. 8: 40 am: Zootopia wins award for Best Animated Feature Film. Zootopia won best animated feature. (Photo | AP) 8: 38 am: Piper wins award for the Best Animated Short Film. 8: 23 am: Charlize Theron and Shirley MacLaine presented the award for the Best Foreign Language Film. Iranian drama The Salesman won the award this year. The director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the award function. However sent a statement which reads, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country before describing Trumps ban as inhumane. Watch video here: London open-air screening backs Oscar boycott director Farhadi 8: 02 am: Viola Davis wins the award for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. Viola received a standing ovation while she stood emotionally on the stage. She gave a powerful speech, and thanked her family and friends for the same. Viola Davis. (Photo | AP) 7: 57 am: Hacksaw Ridge wins academy award for Best Sound Mixing. 7: 53 am: Arrival wins award for Achievements in Sound Editing . 7.40 am: The award for Best Documentary Feature is won by 'OJ: Made in America', which was based on the sensational murder trial of OJ Simpson back in the 1990s. He was accused of murdering his wife and her alleged lover. 7.35 am: Harry Potter spin-off movie 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', wins award for Best Costume. 7: 30 am: David Ayer's directorial 'Suicide Squad' wins the 'Best Make-up and Hair' award. Mahershala Ali with the Oscar. (Photo | AP) 7: 19 am: Mahershala Ali wins the 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' award for Moonlight. So Moonlight opens its account, by bagging the first award of the night. Dev Patel missed the train, despite his fine performance in Lion. 7: 13 am: Now legendary actress Meryl Streep comes under Kimmel's roaster. He says that it is Meryl's 20th consecutive Oscar appearance, although she didn't star in any film in last year. He also jokingly requests the audience to give her an 'undeserving' round of applause. 7: 11 am: Talking about Oscars and fashion, Ruth Negga's long-sleeved custom Valentino gown is a scene-stealer and landed the actress on several best-dressed lists for the evening. Negga, who is a best actress nominee for "Loving," combined the high lace collar with responsibly sourced rubies. She also included one accessory that several other stars included  a blue ribbon supporting the American Civil Liberties Union. Ruth Negga, wearing the ACLU ribbon, arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) Negga was among those cited by People magazine as the best dressed of the evening. Other popular looks included a velvet gown worn by Taraji P. Henson, and a fringe gown sported by best actress nominee Emma Stone. Opinion online was mixed about Halle Berry, who rocked a huge head of tousled curls along with a one-shoulder dress. While the men get less scrutiny, many online noted the ruffles on best actor nominee Ryan Gosling's tuxedo shirt, with some likening it to a look from a 1970s prom. 7: 08 am: Kimmel starts the event by roasting Matt Damon. He also congratulates Amazon.com for their first ever association with the Oscars. 7: 00 am: The 89th Academy Awards finally starts, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting his first Oscars. His entry was a quirky one too, with a dance performance. 6: 40 am: Each celebrity who strolls the Oscars red carpet seems to have their own style as they pass their cheering fans in the bleachers. Some, like Emma Stone and Jeff Bridges, smile politely and wave while others just walk by, seemingly oblivious to the adulation. Martin Butler, right, arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) Laura Dern and Nicole Kidman, meanwhile, joined hands and lifted them in a cheer of their own. As for those in the bleachers, when they aren't cheering many are gossiping. Among the comments overheard: Vince Vaughn and Dern are tall and Michael J. Fox is really short. 6: 30 am: Justin Timberlake is the king of the Oscars red carpet, as least as far as the bleacher fans are concerned. While some celebrities like Viggo Mortensen and Scarlett Johansson ignore the bleacher crowd, Timberlake stopped to lead a cheering war between two sections. Justin Timberlake, left, and Jessica Biel arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) As wife Jessica Biel stood by in a stunning gold dress, Timberlake put his hand to his ear to draw applause. Then he'd judge which section was winning by raising and lowering his hands The crowd responded with raucous cheers. 6: 20 am: Veteran actor Mel Gibson hits the red carpet too. Rosalind Ross, left, and Mel Gibson arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) 6: 10 am: Justin Timberlake says the beginning of the Oscars is going to be free of politics. Timberlake tells The Associated Press, "Watch the top of the show, it will be very un-political. I can promise you that." It is an apparent tease to Timberlake's performance of his Oscar-nominated song, "Can't Stop the Feeling," which is from the animated film "Trolls." Timberlake says he's honoured that the film academy honoured such a feel-good song. Timberlake says "I think the world could use a little bit of that." Andrew Garfield arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) Even before Sunday's ceremony begins, politics is on the mind of many nominees. Some top nominees, including Ruth Negga and director Barry Jenkins, are wearing blue ribbons supporting the American Civil Liberties Union. Others, including documentary nominee Ava DuVernay and best actor nominee Andrew Garfield, say art is inherently political and winners should express their feelings about the current political climate if they wish. 6: 04 am: Andrew Garfield, one of the lead actor nominees for his breathtaking performance in Hacksaw Ridge, has arrived at the red carpet. Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry are here too. Jessica Oyelowo, left, and David Oyelowo arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) 6: 00 am: It was a no-brainer for Lin-Manuel Miranda when it came to picking a date for the Oscars. It's his mother, Luz, who got him there after all. Miranda's mother says she stayed up late watching the Oscars every year and told her son he would be there someday. To which her son adds that she earned the honor "by calling dibs when I was 10 years old." 5: 45 am: Prominent faces arriving at Red Carpet so far: Octavia Spencer, Jackie Chan, Felicity Jones, Dev Patel and Matt Damon. Casey Affleck arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP) 5: 40 am: Stars are mixing high fashion with some advocacy on the Oscars red carpet. Several top nominees are sporting blue ribbons supporting the American Civil Liberties Union, including best actress nominee Ruth Negga and best original song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda brought his mother to the Oscars, and she also prominently displayed the ribbon. The ACLU is among the groups suing over a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration that has been placed on hold by federal courts. Director Barry Jenkins planned to wear one, and realized in the middle of a red carpet interview that he had lost it. Jenkins, who is nominated for best director for "Moonlight," says he does not yet know what he would say if he wins an Oscar Sunday. He says, "I think art is inherently political," and he supports any artists who speak out about politics at the awards show. Best actor nominee Casey Affleck also wore the ribbon at Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards, where he won the award for best male lead. 5: 30 am: First rule for Oscar bleachers fans: Yell loudly if you want to get a celebrity's attention. That's what a group of fans did  repeatedly  until Ruth Negga politely turned away from a red carpet TV interview to give them a wave. Before she could, however, one of her earrings fell out. Fortunately, her team saved it, she smiled and waved, then moved on. After waving to the crowd, Lin-Manual Miranda made sure bleacher fans didn't overlook the person he was with. He pointed to her and mouthed the words, "My Mom." Jackie Chan, beaming ear to ear, pretended to toss one of two stuffed pandas he was carrying into the crow. A disappointed groan moved through the bleachers when he moved on. Jackie Chan has brought some furry friends to walk with him on the Oscars red carpet. The action star did red carpet interviews clutching two plush panda toys. He told The Associated Press that he is a panda ambassador and also owns two of the bears in China. The bears are dressed in yellow jackets and silver boots with UNICEF name tags, while Chan is sporting more traditional formal attire. Chan says he takes the bears with him everywhere, snapping photos with them. He says he may sell them for the charity. Chan was a recipient of an honorary Oscar last year. 5: 25 am: Celebrities have begun arriving on the red carpet in Hollywood ahead of the 89th Academy Awards. Hundreds of people sitting in the fan bleachers shouted excitedly when actor Jerry O'Connell walked by. Broadway star Cynthia Erivo is also among the first arrivals, her shock of white hair a beacon in the crowd. The weather is slightly chilly and there's the possibility of sprinkles from gray clouds overhead.
By Associated Press

TOKYO: Fans of Haruki Murakami rushed to Japanese bookstores Friday to get his latest work with an esoteric title.

"Kishidancho Goroshi," or "Killing Commendatore," is a two-part story about a 36-year-old portrait painter and what happens after his wife divorces him and he moves into an old house on a mountainside west of Tokyo. The mysterious events include meeting a neighbour and finding the painting that shares the book's title.

Murakami has described it as a very strange story.

Devoted fans of the internationally acclaimed and best-selling writer lined up outside stores on the eve of the book launch.

Shinchosha Publishing Co. said overseas availability is not yet known. No details are known yet on translations.

Murakami, 68, usually shies away from the limelight, although he has spoken out on issues such as world peace and nuclear energy.

He began writing while running a jazz bar in Tokyo after finishing college. His 1987 romantic novel "Norwegian Wood" was his first best-seller, establishing him as a young literary star.

The preceding novel "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage" was released in Japan in 2013, and a collection of short stories, "Men Without Women," was published in 2014. His million-seller "1Q84" in 2009 was one of his longest novels, with the Japanese edition coming out in three volumes.

The book launch coincides with "Premium Friday" government initiative to encourage office workers to leave early for a longer weekend.

Unfortunately, fans in Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido would have to wait until Saturday to get their books because a freight train carrying the shipment had an accident, Shinchosha said.

The publisher has said 1.3 million copies are planned for first-edition prints, a huge number for Japanese literature that usually comes in the several thousands.

TOKYO: Fans of Haruki Murakami rushed to Japanese bookstores Friday to get his latest work with an esoteric title. "Kishidancho Goroshi," or "Killing Commendatore," is a two-part story about a 36-year-old portrait painter and what happens after his wife divorces him and he moves into an old house on a mountainside west of Tokyo. The mysterious events include meeting a neighbour and finding the painting that shares the book's title. Murakami has described it as a very strange story. Devoted fans of the internationally acclaimed and best-selling writer lined up outside stores on the eve of the book launch. Shinchosha Publishing Co. said overseas availability is not yet known. No details are known yet on translations. Murakami, 68, usually shies away from the limelight, although he has spoken out on issues such as world peace and nuclear energy. He began writing while running a jazz bar in Tokyo after finishing college. His 1987 romantic novel "Norwegian Wood" was his first best-seller, establishing him as a young literary star. The preceding novel "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage" was released in Japan in 2013, and a collection of short stories, "Men Without Women," was published in 2014. His million-seller "1Q84" in 2009 was one of his longest novels, with the Japanese edition coming out in three volumes. The book launch coincides with "Premium Friday" government initiative to encourage office workers to leave early for a longer weekend. Unfortunately, fans in Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido would have to wait until Saturday to get their books because a freight train carrying the shipment had an accident, Shinchosha said. The publisher has said 1.3 million copies are planned for first-edition prints, a huge number for Japanese literature that usually comes in the several thousands.
By Express News Service

MANIKPUR (UP): The UP election has its assortment of interesting characters -- oddballs, gangsters, defectors  but how many can claim to have been played by Madhuri Dixit on the silver screen? Sampat Pal Devi has had that singular honour by virtue of being the leader of the Gulabi Gang, a vigilante movement of women for women.

When she started the Gulabi Gang (literarlly, Pink Gang) back in 2006, Sampat Pal Devi was a fiery woman who would take no nonsense about women and was not too shy of wielding a lathi in their defence. Over the years, her vigilante movement  women clad in pink sarees and armed with bamboo sticks -- became a rage across UP and inspired a Bollywood movie titled Gulabi Gang with Madhuri Dixit playing Sampat Pal. Books have been written about her and documentaries made and the Gulabi Gang became famous.

Today, Sampat Pal is still a fiery woman but shes not too keen to talk about Gayatri Prajapati, the Samajwadi Party candidate and minister against whom theres an FIR for the rape of a woman and sexual harassment of the victims minor daughter. For Sampat Pal Devi is a candidate for the Manikpur seat in the Assembly, and her party, the Congress, has an alliance with Gayatris Samajwadi Party.

Shy about Gayatri Prajapati

Sampat Pals hectic campaign ended two days ago and she had time for an interview. But bring up Gayatri with her and she demands proof. ''Saboot kahan hain ki Prajapatiji ne balaatkaar kiya? I don't believe in gossip or speculation. Maybe she (the victim) was a pawn for some netas, she says.

This is a classic politicians dodge and her fancy footwork takes her close to blaming the victim and thereby alienating the very constituency that gave her her 15 minutes of fame. ''Women here are uneducated and they fall into traps easily, she says angrily. I have seen many cases -- about 75 per cent cases -- in which women sleep with men and then call it rape. In love affairs, there is consensual sex and I don't consider that as rape.''

About Gayatri Prajapati, the Gulabi Gang leader says she knows nothing  I dont even have the time to watch TV -- although the victim and the story is on everybodys lips in Chitrakoot, Banda and Manikpur.

Candidate Sampat Pal is a far cry from the Gang leader who worked up such a racket in a rape case involving then BSP MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi that he was arrested in 2011. Her fuchsia-clad gang members beat up men and government officials in public.

How the Gulabis got going

Gulabi Gang

Sampat got the Gulabi Gang going in 2006 in Banda district of Bundelkhand, one of the 200 poorest districts in the country where sexual violence is common and women have been known to be bartered.

Fame has taken Sampat Pal places, including earning her a spot on Big Boss and two shots at an election. The last time, as a red hot leader of the Gulabi Gang, she pulled in 20,000 votes. Her Gulabi Gang members put in some serious effort then. In each village, she deployed 30 of them, armed with staves, to keep watch on people distributing money or liquor.

This is her third tilt, again on a Congress ticket. Sampat Pal says she has now learnt the ropes of fighting an election. ''Mujhe maloom hi nahi tha ke election kaise ladte hain. Bahut sare log haste bhi they (many people used to laugh). Lekin ab sabh kuch seekh gayi hoon (but I have learnt now),''she says.

MANIKPUR (UP): The UP election has its assortment of interesting characters -- oddballs, gangsters, defectors  but how many can claim to have been played by Madhuri Dixit on the silver screen? Sampat Pal Devi has had that singular honour by virtue of being the leader of the Gulabi Gang, a vigilante movement of women for women. When she started the Gulabi Gang (literarlly, Pink Gang) back in 2006, Sampat Pal Devi was a fiery woman who would take no nonsense about women and was not too shy of wielding a lathi in their defence. Over the years, her vigilante movement  women clad in pink sarees and armed with bamboo sticks -- became a rage across UP and inspired a Bollywood movie titled Gulabi Gang with Madhuri Dixit playing Sampat Pal. Books have been written about her and documentaries made and the Gulabi Gang became famous. Today, Sampat Pal is still a fiery woman but shes not too keen to talk about Gayatri Prajapati, the Samajwadi Party candidate and minister against whom theres an FIR for the rape of a woman and sexual harassment of the victims minor daughter. For Sampat Pal Devi is a candidate for the Manikpur seat in the Assembly, and her party, the Congress, has an alliance with Gayatris Samajwadi Party. Shy about Gayatri Prajapati Sampat Pals hectic campaign ended two days ago and she had time for an interview. But bring up Gayatri with her and she demands proof. ''Saboot kahan hain ki Prajapatiji ne balaatkaar kiya? I don't believe in gossip or speculation. Maybe she (the victim) was a pawn for some netas, she says. This is a classic politicians dodge and her fancy footwork takes her close to blaming the victim and thereby alienating the very constituency that gave her her 15 minutes of fame. ''Women here are uneducated and they fall into traps easily, she says angrily. I have seen many cases -- about 75 per cent cases -- in which women sleep with men and then call it rape. In love affairs, there is consensual sex and I don't consider that as rape.'' About Gayatri Prajapati, the Gulabi Gang leader says she knows nothing  I dont even have the time to watch TV -- although the victim and the story is on everybodys lips in Chitrakoot, Banda and Manikpur. Candidate Sampat Pal is a far cry from the Gang leader who worked up such a racket in a rape case involving then BSP MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi that he was arrested in 2011. Her fuchsia-clad gang members beat up men and government officials in public. How the Gulabis got going Gulabi GangSampat got the Gulabi Gang going in 2006 in Banda district of Bundelkhand, one of the 200 poorest districts in the country where sexual violence is common and women have been known to be bartered. Fame has taken Sampat Pal places, including earning her a spot on Big Boss and two shots at an election. The last time, as a red hot leader of the Gulabi Gang, she pulled in 20,000 votes. Her Gulabi Gang members put in some serious effort then. In each village, she deployed 30 of them, armed with staves, to keep watch on people distributing money or liquor. This is her third tilt, again on a Congress ticket. Sampat Pal says she has now learnt the ropes of fighting an election. ''Mujhe maloom hi nahi tha ke election kaise ladte hain. Bahut sare log haste bhi they (many people used to laugh). Lekin ab sabh kuch seekh gayi hoon (but I have learnt now),''she says.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: A BJP MP from Karnataka on Monday courted controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.



Kaur, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College.



BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents Mysuru, on Sunday posted an image on microblogging site Twitter with the pictures of Gurmehar Kaur on one side and Dawood Ibrahim on the other.



In the post, Kaur is addressed as a soldier's daughter and is compared with Dawood, who is addressed as the son of a policeman.



Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war.



In the image the girl is holding a placard "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him" while Dawood is seen holding a notice which reads "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them."



The post also has a caption which reads "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand".



Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

NEW DELHI: A BJP MP from Karnataka on Monday courted controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Kaur, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College. BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents Mysuru, on Sunday posted an image on microblogging site Twitter with the pictures of Gurmehar Kaur on one side and Dawood Ibrahim on the other. In the post, Kaur is addressed as a soldier's daughter and is compared with Dawood, who is addressed as the son of a policeman. Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war. In the image the girl is holding a placard "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him" while Dawood is seen holding a notice which reads "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them." The post also has a caption which reads "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand". Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) has laid a network of cyber traps to nab BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary Juhee Chowdhury, who is absconding since her name got involved in the Jalpaiguri child trafficking racket.

"Prime accused Chandana Chakraborty and her brother Manas Bhowmick are leading to multiple directions during the interrogation. We hope Juhee helps connect the dots," a CID official told New Indian Express.

A team of cyber experts of Kolkata police have travelled to Siliguri and are in the process of tracking Juhee Chowdhury by trying to locate her handset. The BJP leader's mobile phone is switched off. "We doubt that she may be in Delhi or Kolkata. We may arrest her as soon as she is located," the official added. Juhee's location may be located if she now makes calls from her handset.

Meanwhile, BJP Mahila Morcha President and Rajya Sabha MP Rupa Ganguly has supported Juhee's hide-and-seek. "I feel Juhee is doing the right thing. She is a young woman who got scared by the way the CID treats the accused. Had she been of my age she would have faced interrogation," she said. However, the 'Draupadi' of Mahabharat fame clarified that she did not have a word with the accused BJP leader.

However, minister of state for heavy industries and Asansol MP Babul Supriyo said that it was illegal to flee from CID interrogation when the investigating agency found her accused in the case. "I don't support her (Juhee's) hiding. She should come overground, face the interrogation and prove herself innocent," he told media.

On the other hand, BJP has opened the counter-allegation front against Trinamool Congress accusing involvement of TMC youth Jalpaiguri district president Saikat Chatterjee, who as a lawyer had facilitated 20 of the 52 adoptions from prime accused Chandana Chakraborty's shelter homes. Hence, State BJP leadership has called for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, stating that many more Trinamool links may emerge if a central probe is initiated.

However, the Trinamool Youth Jalpaiguri district president said he pulled out of the dealings after coming to know about the irregularities. "I did not fight any case for Chandana's homes. As a professional lawyer, I signed the documents related to 20 adoptions. However, not one parent, of the adoptions where I signed the documents, got the children. So, BJP's allegations are baseless. I came to know about the irregularities of Chandana's shelter homes five years ago and hence stopped signing their adoption deals," he told mediamen.



KOLKATA: West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) has laid a network of cyber traps to nab BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary Juhee Chowdhury, who is absconding since her name got involved in the Jalpaiguri child trafficking racket. "Prime accused Chandana Chakraborty and her brother Manas Bhowmick are leading to multiple directions during the interrogation. We hope Juhee helps connect the dots," a CID official told New Indian Express. A team of cyber experts of Kolkata police have travelled to Siliguri and are in the process of tracking Juhee Chowdhury by trying to locate her handset. The BJP leader's mobile phone is switched off. "We doubt that she may be in Delhi or Kolkata. We may arrest her as soon as she is located," the official added. Juhee's location may be located if she now makes calls from her handset. Meanwhile, BJP Mahila Morcha President and Rajya Sabha MP Rupa Ganguly has supported Juhee's hide-and-seek. "I feel Juhee is doing the right thing. She is a young woman who got scared by the way the CID treats the accused. Had she been of my age she would have faced interrogation," she said. However, the 'Draupadi' of Mahabharat fame clarified that she did not have a word with the accused BJP leader. However, minister of state for heavy industries and Asansol MP Babul Supriyo said that it was illegal to flee from CID interrogation when the investigating agency found her accused in the case. "I don't support her (Juhee's) hiding. She should come overground, face the interrogation and prove herself innocent," he told media. On the other hand, BJP has opened the counter-allegation front against Trinamool Congress accusing involvement of TMC youth Jalpaiguri district president Saikat Chatterjee, who as a lawyer had facilitated 20 of the 52 adoptions from prime accused Chandana Chakraborty's shelter homes. Hence, State BJP leadership has called for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, stating that many more Trinamool links may emerge if a central probe is initiated. However, the Trinamool Youth Jalpaiguri district president said he pulled out of the dealings after coming to know about the irregularities. "I did not fight any case for Chandana's homes. As a professional lawyer, I signed the documents related to 20 adoptions. However, not one parent, of the adoptions where I signed the documents, got the children. So, BJP's allegations are baseless. I came to know about the irregularities of Chandana's shelter homes five years ago and hence stopped signing their adoption deals," he told mediamen.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant parole to UP MLA Mukhtar Ansari and said the right to contest an election from jail does not give anyone the right to be released for campaigning.



Justice Mukta Gupta in her 23-page order said, A right to contest the election cannot imply that the candidate gets a right to be released from jail for canvassing as a candidate for being elected. If the candidate is in custody for an alleged offence, it would be the discretion of the court to release him or not, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.



The court while setting aside the trial court's decision to grant custody parole to Ansari said, When a person in custody fills up nomination as a candidate, he does not get a vested right to be released for canvassing. He runs the risk of not being released on bail to contest election from custody.



Ansari, an MLA who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest from Mau Assembly seat in UP, was given custody parole by a trial court on February 16 till March 4, enabling him to campaign in the election.



But the order was stayed the next day by the high court after Election Commission of India moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole on the ground that he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai in which he is facing trial in a Delhi court.



No court can pass orders violating the ethos of a free and fair election. Undoubtedly the impugned order violates the instructions of ECI," the court said.



The accused, while seeking relief, had told the trial court that he has been in judicial custody since December 2005 and was granted parole to contest polls earlier too.



Ansari has over 40 criminal cases against him, including that of murder and kidnapping.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant parole to UP MLA Mukhtar Ansari and said the right to contest an election from jail does not give anyone the right to be released for campaigning. Justice Mukta Gupta in her 23-page order said, A right to contest the election cannot imply that the candidate gets a right to be released from jail for canvassing as a candidate for being elected. If the candidate is in custody for an alleged offence, it would be the discretion of the court to release him or not, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case. The court while setting aside the trial court's decision to grant custody parole to Ansari said, When a person in custody fills up nomination as a candidate, he does not get a vested right to be released for canvassing. He runs the risk of not being released on bail to contest election from custody. Ansari, an MLA who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest from Mau Assembly seat in UP, was given custody parole by a trial court on February 16 till March 4, enabling him to campaign in the election. But the order was stayed the next day by the high court after Election Commission of India moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole on the ground that he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai in which he is facing trial in a Delhi court. No court can pass orders violating the ethos of a free and fair election. Undoubtedly the impugned order violates the instructions of ECI," the court said. The accused, while seeking relief, had told the trial court that he has been in judicial custody since December 2005 and was granted parole to contest polls earlier too. Ansari has over 40 criminal cases against him, including that of murder and kidnapping.
By PTI

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons, also possibly the last, to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in connection with its money laundering probe case against him and others.



Officials said the agency issued the fourth summons to Naik, via his lawyer and through e-mail, to join the probe even as it rejected his plea to depose before investigators via an Internet-based video link from abroad.



They indicated that the latest summons could well possibly be the last issued to him and the agency may move court for an arrest warrant against him, if he again choses to ignore the summons.



The ED officials had earlier indicated inability to allow the video link proposal as such a remedy is not allowed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).



Moreover, they said, the agency wants to question Naik "in person" given the serious charges of money laundering being investigated against him and others.



Naik, through his lawyer, had made a proposal to depose via video link some days back even as he apprehended that he could be arrested by the agency like his aide Aamir Gazdar.



"My client is willing and ready to give any statement before you via Skype or any other mode of electronic media to assist you in your investigation," a letter sent by Naik, also the founder of NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), through his lawyer Mahesh Mule had said. Naik had said he is an NRI and has not received any summons.



The letter, however, added that his brother was served the summons on February 2, asking Naik to appear before ED on February 9 and maintained it could not be construed as proper service (of summons).



Naik has also requested the ED to wait for the order of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal before asking him any questions about his now-banned NGO IRF as the ban is being contested.



IRF was banned for five years by the government last year under the UAPA for its alleged terror activities.



Naik had also claimed that he faces an extremely hostile atmosphere in India and under these circumstances, conducting a fair probe against him would be impossible. He had sought a few months time to appear before the ED in person.



The ED had last week arrested Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of Naik, in connection with this money laundering case.



The central probe agency had registered a criminal case against Naik and others in December last year after taking cognisance of an NIA complaint under the UAPA.



The ED is looking into the charges of illegal funds laundered by the accused and the subsequent proceeds of crime thus generated.



Naik (51) is said to be staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after some perpetrators of the Dhaka terror strike last year claimed that they were inspired by him.



He along with unnamed IRF officials has been booked under section 153A, IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), besides various UAPA sections.

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons, also possibly the last, to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in connection with its money laundering probe case against him and others. Officials said the agency issued the fourth summons to Naik, via his lawyer and through e-mail, to join the probe even as it rejected his plea to depose before investigators via an Internet-based video link from abroad. They indicated that the latest summons could well possibly be the last issued to him and the agency may move court for an arrest warrant against him, if he again choses to ignore the summons. The ED officials had earlier indicated inability to allow the video link proposal as such a remedy is not allowed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Moreover, they said, the agency wants to question Naik "in person" given the serious charges of money laundering being investigated against him and others. Naik, through his lawyer, had made a proposal to depose via video link some days back even as he apprehended that he could be arrested by the agency like his aide Aamir Gazdar. "My client is willing and ready to give any statement before you via Skype or any other mode of electronic media to assist you in your investigation," a letter sent by Naik, also the founder of NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), through his lawyer Mahesh Mule had said. Naik had said he is an NRI and has not received any summons. The letter, however, added that his brother was served the summons on February 2, asking Naik to appear before ED on February 9 and maintained it could not be construed as proper service (of summons). Naik has also requested the ED to wait for the order of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal before asking him any questions about his now-banned NGO IRF as the ban is being contested. IRF was banned for five years by the government last year under the UAPA for its alleged terror activities. Naik had also claimed that he faces an extremely hostile atmosphere in India and under these circumstances, conducting a fair probe against him would be impossible. He had sought a few months time to appear before the ED in person. The ED had last week arrested Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of Naik, in connection with this money laundering case. The central probe agency had registered a criminal case against Naik and others in December last year after taking cognisance of an NIA complaint under the UAPA. The ED is looking into the charges of illegal funds laundered by the accused and the subsequent proceeds of crime thus generated. Naik (51) is said to be staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after some perpetrators of the Dhaka terror strike last year claimed that they were inspired by him. He along with unnamed IRF officials has been booked under section 153A, IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), besides various UAPA sections.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday got a new spokesperson as Pakistan expert Gopal Baglay replaced Vikas Swarup, who is headed to Canada as envoy.

Baglay has been handling the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran division of the MEA before taking over the high profile portfolio of the MEA spokesperson. Baglay has handled media a decade earlier as press counsellor in Kathmandu.

The 1992-batch officer marked his arrival with the name of the official Twitter handle of the Ministry switching over from Vikas Swarup to Gopal Baglay. Baglay has also served as Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan and his expertise would add to his profile; especially as the Modi government would be working towards a thaw in the relationship with their neighbour in the west.

Baglay can speak Russian, Hindi, Urdu, English and Nepali.

Swarup, a 1986 batch officer, who was the MEA spokesperson for nearly two years, is going to be the new High Commissioner of Canada, a position that fell vacant since the Ambassador Vishnu Prakash retired several months ago. Swarup has to present his credentials before March 2.

Under his tenure, Swarup will oversee the maiden visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to India later this year.

Swarup has played an important role in shaping the MEAs social media presence.

Baglay will be replaced by Dr Deepak Mittal, a 1998-batch IFS officer, in PAI Division. He has served in Bangladesh, Egypt and Israel in various capacities and as Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In MEA he has handled work related to countries in the neighbourhood and also served in the Prime Ministers Office (2014-2016). He took over as Joint Secretary (CPV) in September 2016. He is a fluent speaker of Arabic, English, Hindi and Punjabi languages.

"Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors," Baglay tweeted.

Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors.  Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) February 27, 2017

(With inputs from PTI)

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday got a new spokesperson as Pakistan expert Gopal Baglay replaced Vikas Swarup, who is headed to Canada as envoy. Baglay has been handling the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran division of the MEA before taking over the high profile portfolio of the MEA spokesperson. Baglay has handled media a decade earlier as press counsellor in Kathmandu. The 1992-batch officer marked his arrival with the name of the official Twitter handle of the Ministry switching over from Vikas Swarup to Gopal Baglay. Baglay has also served as Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan and his expertise would add to his profile; especially as the Modi government would be working towards a thaw in the relationship with their neighbour in the west. Baglay can speak Russian, Hindi, Urdu, English and Nepali. Swarup, a 1986 batch officer, who was the MEA spokesperson for nearly two years, is going to be the new High Commissioner of Canada, a position that fell vacant since the Ambassador Vishnu Prakash retired several months ago. Swarup has to present his credentials before March 2. Under his tenure, Swarup will oversee the maiden visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to India later this year. Swarup has played an important role in shaping the MEAs social media presence. Baglay will be replaced by Dr Deepak Mittal, a 1998-batch IFS officer, in PAI Division. He has served in Bangladesh, Egypt and Israel in various capacities and as Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In MEA he has handled work related to countries in the neighbourhood and also served in the Prime Ministers Office (2014-2016). He took over as Joint Secretary (CPV) in September 2016. He is a fluent speaker of Arabic, English, Hindi and Punjabi languages. "Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors," Baglay tweeted. Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors.  Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) February 27, 2017 (With inputs from PTI)
By PTI

IMPHAL: Irom Sharmila Chanu today refused to accept the 'security escort' provided to her by the state authorities under the direction of the Election Commission of India.



Sharmila told PTI that she has no enmity with anyone and has "nothing to fear about".



The former iconic human rights figure said she does not approve of the "VIP culture" of being surrounded by armed forces and wants to be with the people.



On the other hand, Additional Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu said, "The state authorities are doing their part as the ECI has directed them to provide security to Sharmila as she travels alone almost all the time."



"Security has been provided to Sharmila for her own safety," he told PTI.



Meanwhile, Erendro, convenor of Sharmila's party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) said six personnel from the state armed forces were provided for her security. "They follow her continuously," Erendro added.



The ECI, on Friday, had asked the state authorities to provide escort to Sharmila who is contesting the upcoming 11th Manipur state assembly elections from Thoubal, the home turf of incumbent Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.



Sharmila had formed her own political party -- the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) -- which has fielded three candidates for the upcoming polls in the state.

IMPHAL: Irom Sharmila Chanu today refused to accept the 'security escort' provided to her by the state authorities under the direction of the Election Commission of India. Sharmila told PTI that she has no enmity with anyone and has "nothing to fear about". The former iconic human rights figure said she does not approve of the "VIP culture" of being surrounded by armed forces and wants to be with the people. On the other hand, Additional Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu said, "The state authorities are doing their part as the ECI has directed them to provide security to Sharmila as she travels alone almost all the time." "Security has been provided to Sharmila for her own safety," he told PTI. Meanwhile, Erendro, convenor of Sharmila's party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) said six personnel from the state armed forces were provided for her security. "They follow her continuously," Erendro added. The ECI, on Friday, had asked the state authorities to provide escort to Sharmila who is contesting the upcoming 11th Manipur state assembly elections from Thoubal, the home turf of incumbent Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. Sharmila had formed her own political party -- the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) -- which has fielded three candidates for the upcoming polls in the state.
By IANS

RANCHI: To remove the fear of mathematics among the students and help them solve equations using simple tricks, the Jharkhand government has decided to commence the study of 'vedic' maths as a pilot project in 100 schools of Ranchi.

The concept will be introduced from the next academic session for which the Jharkhand Education Project has joined hands with a Delhi-based institution.

The Jharkhand Education Project has directed the District Education Officer to give the names of the schools in which the course will be introduced in the first phase.

Official sources said the names of the schools will be sent to the Jharkhand Education Project in March along with school details regarding number of teachers and students.

Once these names are received, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard will be inked with the Delhi-based firm.

The Delhi-based institution will not only provide the study material to the schools but also training to teachers of the school for the subject.

In the first phase, the subject will be taught in classes 4 to 6 and the programme will be reviewed after six months. If the results are positive, it will be extended to other schools.

"Contrary to popular belief, vedic maths has got nothing to do with any religion. It is basically a concept based on 16 'sutras' or, in the common language, tricks or techniques by the means of which questions can be easily solved.

"These 'sutras' are applicable to all the chapters and take less time to solve complex question. Even the complete syllabus of vedic maths can be completed in lesser time, compared to the mainstream maths taught in the schools," an official from the education department told IANS.

"Research indicates that the students from Jharkhand have been found to be very weak in mathematics. The report says that only 42 per cent students studying in class 8 in the government schools can solve division problems," the official added.

The concept of vedic maths is being currently taught across many states in the country which has helped to draw the attention of the students towards mathematics.

Even in countries like the US, Britain, and Australia, schools have opened which are imparting education regarding vedic mathematics.



RANCHI: To remove the fear of mathematics among the students and help them solve equations using simple tricks, the Jharkhand government has decided to commence the study of 'vedic' maths as a pilot project in 100 schools of Ranchi. The concept will be introduced from the next academic session for which the Jharkhand Education Project has joined hands with a Delhi-based institution. The Jharkhand Education Project has directed the District Education Officer to give the names of the schools in which the course will be introduced in the first phase. Official sources said the names of the schools will be sent to the Jharkhand Education Project in March along with school details regarding number of teachers and students. Once these names are received, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard will be inked with the Delhi-based firm. The Delhi-based institution will not only provide the study material to the schools but also training to teachers of the school for the subject. In the first phase, the subject will be taught in classes 4 to 6 and the programme will be reviewed after six months. If the results are positive, it will be extended to other schools. "Contrary to popular belief, vedic maths has got nothing to do with any religion. It is basically a concept based on 16 'sutras' or, in the common language, tricks or techniques by the means of which questions can be easily solved. "These 'sutras' are applicable to all the chapters and take less time to solve complex question. Even the complete syllabus of vedic maths can be completed in lesser time, compared to the mainstream maths taught in the schools," an official from the education department told IANS. "Research indicates that the students from Jharkhand have been found to be very weak in mathematics. The report says that only 42 per cent students studying in class 8 in the government schools can solve division problems," the official added. The concept of vedic maths is being currently taught across many states in the country which has helped to draw the attention of the students towards mathematics. Even in countries like the US, Britain, and Australia, schools have opened which are imparting education regarding vedic mathematics.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A day after one of the biggest scams in army recruitment was reported, Indian army has ordered a top-level inquiry into the alleged leak of the question papers. Pune-based Southern Command has been tasked to carry out the Court of Inquiry to examine the role of any serving army personnel, if any.

Army on Sunday revoked examination for Pune zone (Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee after the racket was busted by Thane police.

In fact, the issue on Monday rocked the Army headquarters in national capital, as top brass of army was given detailed briefing about the paper leak. Top army sources maintained that stringent action will be taken against the guilty.

On Sunday, the Army had to cancel examinations, scheduled for several posts including those of soldier clerk, strongman and soldier tradesman at 52 centres across the country.

Thane police arrested 18 suspects, including a retired serviceman and a paramilitary personnel, during multiple raids in Maharashtra and Goa since Saturday midnight.

Local police officials claimed that 350 students who possessed question papers were also detained for questioning and a case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, IT Act and Prevention of Corruption Act against the accused.

Among those arrested, 9 were from Pune, 6 from Nagpur and three from Goa, he said.

Of the detained candidates, 79 are from Pune, 222 from Nagpur and 49 from Goa, the officer had said.

Following the tip-off about the leak, which police suspect happened either from the printing press or from the distribution centres, local police also shared information with Director of Army Recruitment Exams and also the Military Intelligence wing regarding the leak for further leads.

Police also claimed that the papers were leaked to aspirants through social media mobile messaging service WhatsApp and students paid Rs4-6 lakh to the middlemen.

NEW DELHI: A day after one of the biggest scams in army recruitment was reported, Indian army has ordered a top-level inquiry into the alleged leak of the question papers. Pune-based Southern Command has been tasked to carry out the Court of Inquiry to examine the role of any serving army personnel, if any. Army on Sunday revoked examination for Pune zone (Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee after the racket was busted by Thane police. In fact, the issue on Monday rocked the Army headquarters in national capital, as top brass of army was given detailed briefing about the paper leak. Top army sources maintained that stringent action will be taken against the guilty. On Sunday, the Army had to cancel examinations, scheduled for several posts including those of soldier clerk, strongman and soldier tradesman at 52 centres across the country. Thane police arrested 18 suspects, including a retired serviceman and a paramilitary personnel, during multiple raids in Maharashtra and Goa since Saturday midnight. Local police officials claimed that 350 students who possessed question papers were also detained for questioning and a case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, IT Act and Prevention of Corruption Act against the accused. Among those arrested, 9 were from Pune, 6 from Nagpur and three from Goa, he said. Of the detained candidates, 79 are from Pune, 222 from Nagpur and 49 from Goa, the officer had said. Following the tip-off about the leak, which police suspect happened either from the printing press or from the distribution centres, local police also shared information with Director of Army Recruitment Exams and also the Military Intelligence wing regarding the leak for further leads. Police also claimed that the papers were leaked to aspirants through social media mobile messaging service WhatsApp and students paid Rs4-6 lakh to the middlemen.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

SEKMAI: In dry Manipur, it is not just electoral politics that is getting this Assembly segment high.

When it comes to the 16th Assembly constituency called Sekmai, located some 20 km from capital Imphal, there is more than one reason that the name rings bells across the Northeast. Sekmai also means the most famous local brew of Manipur.

As the battle of ballots between ruling Congress and resurgent BJP gathers momentum, there is a free flow of the local brew not only to different pockets of the constituency but also to poll agents to carry it to the rest of the State to quench sekmai-thirsty voters.

Kh. Tomba Singh has never made better business in the last five years. These days, he is busy with orders from impatient and eager poll agents cutting across party lines and from across the State.

I am doing brisk business. You can say my business has risen three times. The agents of the political parties have been milling around here for the past few days to place their orders and carry home the drink, he said.

Compare the scene with what Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said last week in Imphal. He said, Dry Manipur should remain dry in letter and spirit.

As the French town Cognac derived its name from the local drink by the same name, this scheduled caste-reserved constituency of Manipur got its name from sekmai. Previously, the village was known as Sengmai. Japanese engineers and officials, who had briefly stayed in Imphal in the 1990s to launch the Manipur governments sericulture project, which was funded by Japan, compared sekmai with the countrys most famous local brew sake.

There is no ban on the sale and consumption of sekmai but its carriage to other parts in large quantities is prohibited. It is popular not just in Manipur but across the Northeast.

Sekmai is prepared with local rice and the stems of a creeper plant called yangli. The yangli stems are kept in water for a few days and later, the water is mixed with ground rice to prepare hamei, which is usually given the shape of a chapatti. Subsequently, boiled rice and hameis are mixed and fermented for five to six days. The whole process ends in about 10 days with distillation. The distilled water is called sekmai, explained retired engineer Kh. Gambhir Singh to Express.

Local drinks andro and phayeng are prepared elsewhere in the State but locals claim they are no match for sekmai.

It (sekmai) doesnt have any side effects. There is no chemical used in its preparation. This is a pure drink, said A Robin, a local.

According to locals, sekmai is used in all events - during the birth of a child, death of a person, marriages, festivals and the performance of rituals.

The constituency has around 20,000 voters, out of which some 5,000 are settled in Sekmai village. According to Robin, nearly 3,000 of them, mostly women, eke out a living by engaging themselves in the preparation of sekmai and selling it. The locals are believed to have migrated here from Thailand centuries ago.

Meanwhile, the constituency is all poised for a straight fight between sitting MLA Khwairakpam Devendro Singh of the Congress and Heikham Dingo Singh of the BJP. Others have not fielded candidates here.

SEKMAI: In dry Manipur, it is not just electoral politics that is getting this Assembly segment high. When it comes to the 16th Assembly constituency called Sekmai, located some 20 km from capital Imphal, there is more than one reason that the name rings bells across the Northeast. Sekmai also means the most famous local brew of Manipur. As the battle of ballots between ruling Congress and resurgent BJP gathers momentum, there is a free flow of the local brew not only to different pockets of the constituency but also to poll agents to carry it to the rest of the State to quench sekmai-thirsty voters. Kh. Tomba Singh has never made better business in the last five years. These days, he is busy with orders from impatient and eager poll agents cutting across party lines and from across the State. I am doing brisk business. You can say my business has risen three times. The agents of the political parties have been milling around here for the past few days to place their orders and carry home the drink, he said. Compare the scene with what Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said last week in Imphal. He said, Dry Manipur should remain dry in letter and spirit. As the French town Cognac derived its name from the local drink by the same name, this scheduled caste-reserved constituency of Manipur got its name from sekmai. Previously, the village was known as Sengmai. Japanese engineers and officials, who had briefly stayed in Imphal in the 1990s to launch the Manipur governments sericulture project, which was funded by Japan, compared sekmai with the countrys most famous local brew sake. There is no ban on the sale and consumption of sekmai but its carriage to other parts in large quantities is prohibited. It is popular not just in Manipur but across the Northeast. Sekmai is prepared with local rice and the stems of a creeper plant called yangli. The yangli stems are kept in water for a few days and later, the water is mixed with ground rice to prepare hamei, which is usually given the shape of a chapatti. Subsequently, boiled rice and hameis are mixed and fermented for five to six days. The whole process ends in about 10 days with distillation. The distilled water is called sekmai, explained retired engineer Kh. Gambhir Singh to Express. Local drinks andro and phayeng are prepared elsewhere in the State but locals claim they are no match for sekmai. It (sekmai) doesnt have any side effects. There is no chemical used in its preparation. This is a pure drink, said A Robin, a local. According to locals, sekmai is used in all events - during the birth of a child, death of a person, marriages, festivals and the performance of rituals. The constituency has around 20,000 voters, out of which some 5,000 are settled in Sekmai village. According to Robin, nearly 3,000 of them, mostly women, eke out a living by engaging themselves in the preparation of sekmai and selling it. The locals are believed to have migrated here from Thailand centuries ago. Meanwhile, the constituency is all poised for a straight fight between sitting MLA Khwairakpam Devendro Singh of the Congress and Heikham Dingo Singh of the BJP. Others have not fielded candidates here.
By PTI

INDORE: A special court here today awarded life imprisonment to SIMI chief Safdar Hussain Nagori and 10 other activists of the banned group after convicting them in a 2008 case of sedition.

On a plea of 10 of the accused lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Jail, they were informed about the court's judgement through video-conferencing.

Special Additional Sessions Judge B K Paloda pronounced all the 11 activists of Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) guilty under IPC sections 124(A) (sedition) and 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), and also under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Besides 45-year-old Nagori (45), the others convicted are Hafiz Hussain (35), Aamil Parvaz (40), Shivli (38), Qamruddin (42), Shahduli (32), Qamran (40), Ansar (35), Ahmed Baig (32), Yasin (35) and Munroz (40).

Nagori, Parvaz, Qamruddin, Qamran, Shivli and Ahmed Baig and Hussain were also convicted under IPC section 122 (collecting arms, etc, with intention of waging war against the government of India).

Government advocate Vimal Mishra told reporters that apart from Munroz, the other 10 accused are lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati jail.

During last hearing in the case, they had appealed to the court that they should not be brought to Indore during the pronouncement of the judgement and that they should be informed about the order through video-conferencing facility.

Their plea was accepted by the court.

Mishra said Munroz was on bail since a long time. He appeared in the court during the pronouncement of the judgement today. After being pronounced guilty, he was taken to the Indore Centre Jail from the court.

The 11 SIMI activists were arrested from Indore on the intervening night of May 26-27, 2008, and pistols, cartridges, veils and inflammatory literature were seized from them.

On their information, a large cache of explosive material was also recovered.

INDORE: A special court here today awarded life imprisonment to SIMI chief Safdar Hussain Nagori and 10 other activists of the banned group after convicting them in a 2008 case of sedition. On a plea of 10 of the accused lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Jail, they were informed about the court's judgement through video-conferencing. Special Additional Sessions Judge B K Paloda pronounced all the 11 activists of Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) guilty under IPC sections 124(A) (sedition) and 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), and also under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Besides 45-year-old Nagori (45), the others convicted are Hafiz Hussain (35), Aamil Parvaz (40), Shivli (38), Qamruddin (42), Shahduli (32), Qamran (40), Ansar (35), Ahmed Baig (32), Yasin (35) and Munroz (40). Nagori, Parvaz, Qamruddin, Qamran, Shivli and Ahmed Baig and Hussain were also convicted under IPC section 122 (collecting arms, etc, with intention of waging war against the government of India). Government advocate Vimal Mishra told reporters that apart from Munroz, the other 10 accused are lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati jail. During last hearing in the case, they had appealed to the court that they should not be brought to Indore during the pronouncement of the judgement and that they should be informed about the order through video-conferencing facility. Their plea was accepted by the court. Mishra said Munroz was on bail since a long time. He appeared in the court during the pronouncement of the judgement today. After being pronounced guilty, he was taken to the Indore Centre Jail from the court. The 11 SIMI activists were arrested from Indore on the intervening night of May 26-27, 2008, and pistols, cartridges, veils and inflammatory literature were seized from them. On their information, a large cache of explosive material was also recovered.
Kumar Vikram By

Express News Service

MATHURA: A gang of thieves has stolen oil worth more than Rs 100 crore from a pipeline of state-owned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) here. The thieves had been operating smoothly for the past one-and-a-half years until the police unearthed a well-oiled interstate racket and arrested four persons on February 17. Twelve others are still absconding.

The racket involves petrol pump owners, politically-connected individuals and police officers from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.

Police are also questioning the officials of Mathura Refinery, commissioned in 1982 to meet the demand of petroleum products in the north-western region of the country, including the National Capital Region.

They have also written to IOCL and the Petroleum Ministry, recommending a vigilance inquiry. Sources said phones of several refinery officials have been placed under surveillance and their call details will be checked.

This was not the first case of oil theft; at least eight such cases have been registered in the past two-three years at different police stations of Mathura and adjoining areas. Police said that several gangs are involved in theft.

In the latest case, police have discovered the role of some petrol pump owners and a local village head.

The gang also involves an engineer as his expertise was needed in stealing oil from high-pressure refinery pipeline.

Inspector general of police, Agra zone, Sujeet Pandey said, More arrests have to be made as it is a large-scale loss. The culprits will be booked under the provisions of stringent laws, including Gangster Act and NSA. Many big people are involved, and I am personally monitoring the case.

The police expressed its inability to quantify the worth of the oil stolen since the investigation is in its initial stage and many accused are still absconding, informed sources while claiming that the amount would easily cross Rs 100 crore.

An IOCL statement, however, stated that the quantity of the pilfered oil is not very large. IOCL officials are cooperating fully with the police in the case and it welcomes investigation in case of any evidence against any of its employees, added the spokesperson.

Meticulous planning

An investigation revealed that the gang members had been plotting the crime for about two years.

First, they purchased a plot in the ATV Colony situated down the National Highway that passes through Mathura city.

The Mathura-Jalandhar pipeline from which oil was stolen passes through this colony.

They constructed a room on the plot, owned by one Ravi Chaudhary who was arrested on February 17.

The gang members started digging a tunnel from inside the room to connect with the pipeline which was running about 100 metres away from the room.

The pipeline runs 15 feet deep under the surface and they constructed the tunnel at the same level so that it could connect to the pipeline. They had installed lights and fans to provide air and lighting inside the tunnel, said Virendra Singh, an investigator from the Highway Police Station.

To execute the theft successfully, the gang hired experts. Police said mastermind Ram Hari Chaudhary, a local village head who has been arrested, had paid `18 lakh to five people from Faridabad; one of them, identified as Chetan, is an engineer.

Sonu, Ravi, Mistri and Gaima, led by Chetan, completed the tunnel work in about three months. They dumped the surplus soil on nearby vacant plots.

Organised racket

About 100 tankers were pressed into service to transport the stolen oil from the pipeline to different petrol pumps.

While Manoj Goyal, an absconding accused, owns several petrol pumps in Agra and other places in Uttar Pradesh, another accused, Tarvinderjeet Singh, who has been arrested, also owns two petrol pumps.

It is clear that it is a very organised racket which has been going on for a long time. Chassis and registration numbers of tankers and vehicles have been found forged. It is linked with Faridabad, they purchased a plot in Mathura, oil is being sold at Agra and other places, IG Pandey said.

Initial investigation has revealed that they used to sell oil in tankers to other petrol pumps in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.

There is a lot to find in the case but it is certain that the racket was spread in many places. Most of the oil was sold at Agra pumps. They also sent tankers to places such as Hathras, Etah, Mainpuri,

Bharatpur, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Noida and Delhi. There could be many more places, said a police officer.

They operated only after 10-11 pm and filled around 10 tankers daily. Some members of the gang also escorted the tankers in their personal vehicles to help at police check-posts.

Insider hand

The needle of suspicion points to refinery employees since drawing oil from the high-pressure pipeline is not possible without their help.

The gang got regular information from the control room of the refinery. Connecting pipes to the high-pressure pipeline through a valve is not possible without the help of an insider, said a

police officer.

It is a single pipeline, which runs from Mathura to Jalandhar, and diesel and petrol pass through it in regular intervals. The gang members had information about the particular fuel that passed through it at a given time. Accordingly, they filled the oil in different tankers.

An IOCL official said the company has taken several measures such as day-and-night patrolling, round-the-clock online monitoring of pipeline pressure and flow conditions, installation of leak detection systems, surprise patrolling by senior officers, etc.

It is also seeking the help of the local administration and police to curb pipeline tapping and pilferage.

MATHURA: A gang of thieves has stolen oil worth more than Rs 100 crore from a pipeline of state-owned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) here. The thieves had been operating smoothly for the past one-and-a-half years until the police unearthed a well-oiled interstate racket and arrested four persons on February 17. Twelve others are still absconding. The racket involves petrol pump owners, politically-connected individuals and police officers from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Police are also questioning the officials of Mathura Refinery, commissioned in 1982 to meet the demand of petroleum products in the north-western region of the country, including the National Capital Region. They have also written to IOCL and the Petroleum Ministry, recommending a vigilance inquiry. Sources said phones of several refinery officials have been placed under surveillance and their call details will be checked. This was not the first case of oil theft; at least eight such cases have been registered in the past two-three years at different police stations of Mathura and adjoining areas. Police said that several gangs are involved in theft. In the latest case, police have discovered the role of some petrol pump owners and a local village head. The gang also involves an engineer as his expertise was needed in stealing oil from high-pressure refinery pipeline. Inspector general of police, Agra zone, Sujeet Pandey said, More arrests have to be made as it is a large-scale loss. The culprits will be booked under the provisions of stringent laws, including Gangster Act and NSA. Many big people are involved, and I am personally monitoring the case. The police expressed its inability to quantify the worth of the oil stolen since the investigation is in its initial stage and many accused are still absconding, informed sources while claiming that the amount would easily cross Rs 100 crore. An IOCL statement, however, stated that the quantity of the pilfered oil is not very large. IOCL officials are cooperating fully with the police in the case and it welcomes investigation in case of any evidence against any of its employees, added the spokesperson. Meticulous planning An investigation revealed that the gang members had been plotting the crime for about two years. First, they purchased a plot in the ATV Colony situated down the National Highway that passes through Mathura city. The Mathura-Jalandhar pipeline from which oil was stolen passes through this colony. They constructed a room on the plot, owned by one Ravi Chaudhary who was arrested on February 17. The gang members started digging a tunnel from inside the room to connect with the pipeline which was running about 100 metres away from the room. The pipeline runs 15 feet deep under the surface and they constructed the tunnel at the same level so that it could connect to the pipeline. They had installed lights and fans to provide air and lighting inside the tunnel, said Virendra Singh, an investigator from the Highway Police Station. To execute the theft successfully, the gang hired experts. Police said mastermind Ram Hari Chaudhary, a local village head who has been arrested, had paid `18 lakh to five people from Faridabad; one of them, identified as Chetan, is an engineer. Sonu, Ravi, Mistri and Gaima, led by Chetan, completed the tunnel work in about three months. They dumped the surplus soil on nearby vacant plots. Organised racket About 100 tankers were pressed into service to transport the stolen oil from the pipeline to different petrol pumps. While Manoj Goyal, an absconding accused, owns several petrol pumps in Agra and other places in Uttar Pradesh, another accused, Tarvinderjeet Singh, who has been arrested, also owns two petrol pumps. It is clear that it is a very organised racket which has been going on for a long time. Chassis and registration numbers of tankers and vehicles have been found forged. It is linked with Faridabad, they purchased a plot in Mathura, oil is being sold at Agra and other places, IG Pandey said. Initial investigation has revealed that they used to sell oil in tankers to other petrol pumps in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. There is a lot to find in the case but it is certain that the racket was spread in many places. Most of the oil was sold at Agra pumps. They also sent tankers to places such as Hathras, Etah, Mainpuri, Bharatpur, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Noida and Delhi. There could be many more places, said a police officer. They operated only after 10-11 pm and filled around 10 tankers daily. Some members of the gang also escorted the tankers in their personal vehicles to help at police check-posts. Insider hand The needle of suspicion points to refinery employees since drawing oil from the high-pressure pipeline is not possible without their help. The gang got regular information from the control room of the refinery. Connecting pipes to the high-pressure pipeline through a valve is not possible without the help of an insider, said a police officer. It is a single pipeline, which runs from Mathura to Jalandhar, and diesel and petrol pass through it in regular intervals. The gang members had information about the particular fuel that passed through it at a given time. Accordingly, they filled the oil in different tankers. An IOCL official said the company has taken several measures such as day-and-night patrolling, round-the-clock online monitoring of pipeline pressure and flow conditions, installation of leak detection systems, surprise patrolling by senior officers, etc. It is also seeking the help of the local administration and police to curb pipeline tapping and pilferage.
Kalyan Chakravarthy By

Do we belong here?  this question directed at the American administration by a heart-broken Sunayana, wife of aviation engineer and victim of hate crime, Srinivas Kuchibotla, has found an echo back here in Andhra Pradesh. Following the ascendancy of the right in the land of the free, there is a creeping sense of discomfort among middle-class parents in the State whose sole ambition is to send their sons and daughters to the US by hook or by crook.

A doctor couple from Vijayawada cancelled their daughters wedding to an NRI based in the United States. Many others, who had been proud of their sons and daughters living the American Dream despite feeling abandoned, now find themselves answering the question are your children safe?

Some may brush it off as a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated hate crime, but it reflects the changing perception of the American Dream in a society that is obsessed with it to such an extent that the very definition of a respectable family has become synonymous with a ward settled in America. The tragic incident in Kansas could just be the trigger for a long- overdue introspection and course correction. Its estimated that one in every four Indians in the US is a Telugu. But for each such success story, there are thousands of failures back home.

A majority of the engineering graduates coming out of the scores of engineering colleges here are simply unemployable. The Andhra Pradesh government has now begun opening skill development centres to impart job skills to them, but if their hearts and minds are not on engineering, as is the case in respect of most students who take to the course only to please their parents, no programme is going to benefit anyone. The only way to help them is for their parents to let them live their dream, not the American Dream.

Journalist beaten up

In the wake of the Kansas shooting, all eyes are on US President Donald Trump whose visceral hatred for the media is making news every other day, but for some inexplicable reason, the same kind of intolerance for the media in Andhra Pradesh has failed to attract attention. The ruling TDPs MLA from Chirala Amanchi Krishna Mohans brother Amanchi Swamulu and his supporters battered a journalist, Nagarjuna Reddy, in full public view with sticks even as his 11-year-old son tried to save him, for merely writing against them. No concrete action has since been taken against the culprits and adding insult to injury, the journalist was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The legislators brother was apparently furious that Reddy exposed how the man and his aides borrowed loans from banks in the name of eligible beneficiaries who were left speechless when the bankers knocked on their doors for repayment. All that the State government could do was pay lip service and promise action.

Close on the heels of the incident came Speaker Kodela Siva Prasad Raos angst against the media for reporting his by now infamous women and cars comment. Though he didnt mean to offend, his comments betray the ingrained attitude towards women in the coastal region he hails from. But thats beside the point. What followed was a clear caution to the media to regulate itself and the justification for Kodelas remarks  expression problem!

Task cut out for Nara Lokesh

By Telugu New Years Day, Ugadi, in April, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidus son Nara Lokesh could well be in the State Cabinet.



The party politburo, which met on Sunday, decided to get Lokesh elected to the Legislative Council through the MLAs quota in the elections scheduled in March. Lokesh, who has been looking after party affairs as its general secretary, has been a behind-the-scenes player so far.

Once in the Cabinet, comparisons with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Raos son K T Rama Rao are inevitable. KTR, as IT minister, has been proactive and slipped into his role effortlessly. The elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation further strengthened his political career. Lokesh, coming in at a critical juncture, would have his task cut-out. Amaravatis construction is yet to take off and both he and his father will have to walk the talk before they face the next elections in 2019.



Waiting for them would be an aggressive YSRC chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of the late YSR and main Opposition leader, and a combative actor-cum-politician Pawan Kalyan.

2019 will be Lokeshs moment of truth.

Kalyan Chakravarthy

Deputy Resident Editor, Andhra Pradesh

Email: chakravarthy@newindianexpress.com

Do we belong here?  this question directed at the American administration by a heart-broken Sunayana, wife of aviation engineer and victim of hate crime, Srinivas Kuchibotla, has found an echo back here in Andhra Pradesh. Following the ascendancy of the right in the land of the free, there is a creeping sense of discomfort among middle-class parents in the State whose sole ambition is to send their sons and daughters to the US by hook or by crook. A doctor couple from Vijayawada cancelled their daughters wedding to an NRI based in the United States. Many others, who had been proud of their sons and daughters living the American Dream despite feeling abandoned, now find themselves answering the question are your children safe? Some may brush it off as a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated hate crime, but it reflects the changing perception of the American Dream in a society that is obsessed with it to such an extent that the very definition of a respectable family has become synonymous with a ward settled in America. The tragic incident in Kansas could just be the trigger for a long- overdue introspection and course correction. Its estimated that one in every four Indians in the US is a Telugu. But for each such success story, there are thousands of failures back home. A majority of the engineering graduates coming out of the scores of engineering colleges here are simply unemployable. The Andhra Pradesh government has now begun opening skill development centres to impart job skills to them, but if their hearts and minds are not on engineering, as is the case in respect of most students who take to the course only to please their parents, no programme is going to benefit anyone. The only way to help them is for their parents to let them live their dream, not the American Dream. Journalist beaten up In the wake of the Kansas shooting, all eyes are on US President Donald Trump whose visceral hatred for the media is making news every other day, but for some inexplicable reason, the same kind of intolerance for the media in Andhra Pradesh has failed to attract attention. The ruling TDPs MLA from Chirala Amanchi Krishna Mohans brother Amanchi Swamulu and his supporters battered a journalist, Nagarjuna Reddy, in full public view with sticks even as his 11-year-old son tried to save him, for merely writing against them. No concrete action has since been taken against the culprits and adding insult to injury, the journalist was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The legislators brother was apparently furious that Reddy exposed how the man and his aides borrowed loans from banks in the name of eligible beneficiaries who were left speechless when the bankers knocked on their doors for repayment. All that the State government could do was pay lip service and promise action. Close on the heels of the incident came Speaker Kodela Siva Prasad Raos angst against the media for reporting his by now infamous women and cars comment. Though he didnt mean to offend, his comments betray the ingrained attitude towards women in the coastal region he hails from. But thats beside the point. What followed was a clear caution to the media to regulate itself and the justification for Kodelas remarks  expression problem! Task cut out for Nara Lokesh By Telugu New Years Day, Ugadi, in April, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidus son Nara Lokesh could well be in the State Cabinet. The party politburo, which met on Sunday, decided to get Lokesh elected to the Legislative Council through the MLAs quota in the elections scheduled in March. Lokesh, who has been looking after party affairs as its general secretary, has been a behind-the-scenes player so far. Once in the Cabinet, comparisons with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Raos son K T Rama Rao are inevitable. KTR, as IT minister, has been proactive and slipped into his role effortlessly. The elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation further strengthened his political career. Lokesh, coming in at a critical juncture, would have his task cut-out. Amaravatis construction is yet to take off and both he and his father will have to walk the talk before they face the next elections in 2019. Waiting for them would be an aggressive YSRC chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of the late YSR and main Opposition leader, and a combative actor-cum-politician Pawan Kalyan. 2019 will be Lokeshs moment of truth. Kalyan Chakravarthy Deputy Resident Editor, Andhra Pradesh Email: chakravarthy@newindianexpress.com
Jonathan Head, a British BBC journalist who faces jail in Thailand, is the latest victim of the countrys criminal defamation law used against journalists investigating corruption

Defamation, a Thai weapon against reporters

Unlike most countries, defamation is a purely criminal offence in Thailand. Citizens can launch cases and arent charged if they lose. Also, Thai computer crime laws have been used to muzzle investigative journalism

What happens in Phuket...

Head, the BBCs Southeast Asia correspondent, reported in Sep. 2015 on how two foreign retirees were scammed out of their properties in Phuket. In retaliation, he was slapped with a criminal defamation case. He was also charged under the Computer Crimes Act which has a five-year jail term. Head had to surrender his passport to the court as he fights a two-year court battle

259

journalists jailed worldwide in 2016, according to Committee to Protect Journalists

Previous victims

Heads arrest wasnt the first instance of a journalist facing the wrath of the law in Thailand. British journalist Andrew Drummond who wrote about Thailands criminal underworld left the country after a slew of defamation cases and threats against him. British rights activist Andy Hall left Thailand after facing multiple defamation cases

Jonathan Head, a British BBC journalist who faces jail in Thailand, is the latest victim of the countrys criminal defamation law used against journalists investigating corruption Defamation, a Thai weapon against reporters Unlike most countries, defamation is a purely criminal offence in Thailand. Citizens can launch cases and arent charged if they lose. Also, Thai computer crime laws have been used to muzzle investigative journalism What happens in Phuket... Head, the BBCs Southeast Asia correspondent, reported in Sep. 2015 on how two foreign retirees were scammed out of their properties in Phuket. In retaliation, he was slapped with a criminal defamation case. He was also charged under the Computer Crimes Act which has a five-year jail term. Head had to surrender his passport to the court as he fights a two-year court battle 259 journalists jailed worldwide in 2016, according to Committee to Protect Journalists Previous victims Heads arrest wasnt the first instance of a journalist facing the wrath of the law in Thailand. British journalist Andrew Drummond who wrote about Thailands criminal underworld left the country after a slew of defamation cases and threats against him. British rights activist Andy Hall left Thailand after facing multiple defamation cases
By Express News Service

VISAKHAPATNAM: As many as 32 youngsters mostly college going students on Monday were called up for counselling by the city traffic police on the charges of taking part in bike races during the night of Sivarathri festival. The cops have seized total 32 high-end motorbikes. Huge fines are going to be imposed.

According to ADCP (Traffic)K Mahendra Pattadu, the youth have been involved in bike racing on Shivarathri night at several stretches from RK Beach to Bheemili. The police say that over 1,000 youth were involved in racing, however, they had caught just 32. While few bikers were caught red-handedly on the day itself, in the case of several others, the police noted down the registration numbers of the vehicles as they were at a good speed and summoned for counselling along with their parents on Monday.

Traffic police say fine of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 can be charged on the youth for many violations including causing public inconvenience on the festival day. The police also warn that in future if the youth are caught once again, their driving licences will be cancelled.

VISAKHAPATNAM: As many as 32 youngsters mostly college going students on Monday were called up for counselling by the city traffic police on the charges of taking part in bike races during the night of Sivarathri festival. The cops have seized total 32 high-end motorbikes. Huge fines are going to be imposed. According to ADCP (Traffic)K Mahendra Pattadu, the youth have been involved in bike racing on Shivarathri night at several stretches from RK Beach to Bheemili. The police say that over 1,000 youth were involved in racing, however, they had caught just 32. While few bikers were caught red-handedly on the day itself, in the case of several others, the police noted down the registration numbers of the vehicles as they were at a good speed and summoned for counselling along with their parents on Monday. Traffic police say fine of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 can be charged on the youth for many violations including causing public inconvenience on the festival day. The police also warn that in future if the youth are caught once again, their driving licences will be cancelled.
Suraksha P By

Express News Service

RANEBENNUR (HAVERI): About 300 km northwest of Bengaluru, Ranebennur town, with a population of over a lakh, thrives on labour-intensive activities like agriculture and spinning cotton yarn.

There are around 19 thandas (hamlets) near Ranebennur along National Highway-4. Of the 1,520 women who underwent hysterectomies in the general hospital under Dr Shant Pandannar, 70-80 per cent women live in thandas. They toil in the fields, factories and construction sites to eke out a living.

The only government hospitals are the Ranebennur Taluk General Hospital and a maternity home that cater to all women, be it deliveries or small and major ailments. The women expected relief from the surgery, but are now living in pain and fear for their lives and future.

These women complain of the debilitating after-effects of hysterectomies. They feel endless fatigue, back pain and body pain. They cant perform the hard physical labour they once used to and it has cost them their livelihood. Many are also trapped in a vicious debt trap as they have mortgaged land and gold to pay for medical treatment. They want compensation from the government and the doctor to be put behind bars.

Operate in a day or youll die

A 14-km drive from Ranebennur on the national highway leads one to Kakola thanda. Chennamma (33) lives here with two teenaged children in her asbestos sheet-roofed house. She got her uterus removed when she was 28.

I had gone to the general hospital with stomach pain at noon that day. Dr Shant asked me to get an ultrasound scan done outside. When I brought the reports, he said my uterus was causing a threat to my life and if I didnt get operated that day, Id die. I told him there was no chance of me acquiring an infection as I hadnt even got the family planning operation done. By 3 pm, I was on the operating table, she said.

He prescribed medicines worth Rs 15,000. One painkiller injection was priced at Rs 5,000. It did not give me any relief. I had even been to Hema Patil Hospital, but they did not say I need to get my uterus removed, she added, breaking down.

Chennammas daughter studies in a private school and her son in a government school. My husband earns Rs 5,000 per month. If I work for a day, Im on the bed for two days. I am of no help to him. The pain is killing me. I feel like committing suicide. The doctor says women from the Lambani community do activities that are not advisable after surgery. He asks us not to lift weights. I cant even draw water from the well now. How can I live like this? she asks.

For Gowramma (26), it has already been seven years since she got her uterus removed. She got the surgery done at just 19, when she already had a one-year-old child and an 8-month-old toddler. It had only been three years since marriage. I was still breastfeeding my second child. When I was told to get the operation done by Dr Pandannar, I told him Ill get it done once my baby stops feeding. He said if I dont get operated, Id die, she said. Gowramma pledged her gold thali to pay for the medicines.

Almost every woman Express spoke to said that their age has been misquoted in the discharge summary. The women are armed with discharge summaries, medical bills, ultrasound scans and previous medical records from private hospitals.

Lakshmi Ramesh (now 25) was 22 when operated upon. Her discharge summary, however, says she was 48. The women allege that the doctor had instructed them not to reveal their actual age if anyone enquired.

Doctor never took money directly

The women said that Dr Pandannar never took money directly from them. They always paid money at Someshwara Medicals, a shop right opposite the hospital, in exchange for drugs and consumables for the surgery, which they suspect were never used for the operation.

None of these surgeries were performed with the consultation of a gynaecologist. It is not that a general surgeon cannot perform hysterectomy, but the fact that one doctor performed 1,520 hysterectomies without getting a gynaecological opinion raises suspicion.

Where are discharge summaries?

As many as 45 women underwent hysterectomies in Baslikatte thanda and at least 10 patients have no discharge summaries. Mallesh, a construction worker whose 26-year-old wife Manjavva underwent the operation, said, We met BJP leader Jagadish Shettar twice in Hubbali and once in Bengaluru. Our thanda has the maximum number of patients and we have been present at every protest. We want Rs 5 lakh compensation from the government and the doctor to be jailed. No other woman should suffer like our women did.

RANEBENNUR (HAVERI): About 300 km northwest of Bengaluru, Ranebennur town, with a population of over a lakh, thrives on labour-intensive activities like agriculture and spinning cotton yarn. There are around 19 thandas (hamlets) near Ranebennur along National Highway-4. Of the 1,520 women who underwent hysterectomies in the general hospital under Dr Shant Pandannar, 70-80 per cent women live in thandas. They toil in the fields, factories and construction sites to eke out a living. The only government hospitals are the Ranebennur Taluk General Hospital and a maternity home that cater to all women, be it deliveries or small and major ailments. The women expected relief from the surgery, but are now living in pain and fear for their lives and future. These women complain of the debilitating after-effects of hysterectomies. They feel endless fatigue, back pain and body pain. They cant perform the hard physical labour they once used to and it has cost them their livelihood. Many are also trapped in a vicious debt trap as they have mortgaged land and gold to pay for medical treatment. They want compensation from the government and the doctor to be put behind bars. Operate in a day or youll die A 14-km drive from Ranebennur on the national highway leads one to Kakola thanda. Chennamma (33) lives here with two teenaged children in her asbestos sheet-roofed house. She got her uterus removed when she was 28. I had gone to the general hospital with stomach pain at noon that day. Dr Shant asked me to get an ultrasound scan done outside. When I brought the reports, he said my uterus was causing a threat to my life and if I didnt get operated that day, Id die. I told him there was no chance of me acquiring an infection as I hadnt even got the family planning operation done. By 3 pm, I was on the operating table, she said. He prescribed medicines worth Rs 15,000. One painkiller injection was priced at Rs 5,000. It did not give me any relief. I had even been to Hema Patil Hospital, but they did not say I need to get my uterus removed, she added, breaking down. Chennammas daughter studies in a private school and her son in a government school. My husband earns Rs 5,000 per month. If I work for a day, Im on the bed for two days. I am of no help to him. The pain is killing me. I feel like committing suicide. The doctor says women from the Lambani community do activities that are not advisable after surgery. He asks us not to lift weights. I cant even draw water from the well now. How can I live like this? she asks. For Gowramma (26), it has already been seven years since she got her uterus removed. She got the surgery done at just 19, when she already had a one-year-old child and an 8-month-old toddler. It had only been three years since marriage. I was still breastfeeding my second child. When I was told to get the operation done by Dr Pandannar, I told him Ill get it done once my baby stops feeding. He said if I dont get operated, Id die, she said. Gowramma pledged her gold thali to pay for the medicines. Almost every woman Express spoke to said that their age has been misquoted in the discharge summary. The women are armed with discharge summaries, medical bills, ultrasound scans and previous medical records from private hospitals. Lakshmi Ramesh (now 25) was 22 when operated upon. Her discharge summary, however, says she was 48. The women allege that the doctor had instructed them not to reveal their actual age if anyone enquired. Doctor never took money directly The women said that Dr Pandannar never took money directly from them. They always paid money at Someshwara Medicals, a shop right opposite the hospital, in exchange for drugs and consumables for the surgery, which they suspect were never used for the operation. None of these surgeries were performed with the consultation of a gynaecologist. It is not that a general surgeon cannot perform hysterectomy, but the fact that one doctor performed 1,520 hysterectomies without getting a gynaecological opinion raises suspicion. Where are discharge summaries? As many as 45 women underwent hysterectomies in Baslikatte thanda and at least 10 patients have no discharge summaries. Mallesh, a construction worker whose 26-year-old wife Manjavva underwent the operation, said, We met BJP leader Jagadish Shettar twice in Hubbali and once in Bengaluru. Our thanda has the maximum number of patients and we have been present at every protest. We want Rs 5 lakh compensation from the government and the doctor to be jailed. No other woman should suffer like our women did.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approached the Interpols National Central Bureau (NCB) for Afghanistan under Kabuls Interior Ministry to confirm the purported death of the Malayali, who was suspected to have joined the so-called Islamic State(IS)ranks.

Hafeesudheen Theke Koleth, 24, hailing from Padanna in Kasargod, had reportedly been killed in a drone attack in the war-ravaged countrys eastern Nangarhar Province the other day.

According to an NIA official, the National Central Bureau (NCB) under the CBI-- which functions as the Interpol in India-- has been asked to communicate with its counterparts in Afghanistan and confirm the matter.

Until, we get confirmation via the official channels, we cannot verify his death. Since the police and the security agencies in Afghanistan have little access to the eastern province, particularly in the areas where the IS has a strong presence, the confirmation will take time. Since the government agencies in Afghanistan have not recovered Hafeesudheens body, it has not been officially confirmed yet, he said.

The NIA had approached the Interpol to include 19 persons, including Hafeesudheen in the most wanted list. But the request is only under process now. Once the confirmation about the death of Hafeesudheen is received, the NIA would be filing a report in the respective court in Kochi. Later he would be discharged from the case.

The NIA had found Hafeesudheen, Muhammed Marwan and Muhammed Manzad had boarded a flight from Mumbai to Dubai on June 5, 2016. After reaching the Iranian capital Tehran, the trio made it to the Iran-Afghan border before crossing over into Afghanistan.



KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approached the Interpols National Central Bureau (NCB) for Afghanistan under Kabuls Interior Ministry to confirm the purported death of the Malayali, who was suspected to have joined the so-called Islamic State(IS)ranks. Hafeesudheen Theke Koleth, 24, hailing from Padanna in Kasargod, had reportedly been killed in a drone attack in the war-ravaged countrys eastern Nangarhar Province the other day. According to an NIA official, the National Central Bureau (NCB) under the CBI-- which functions as the Interpol in India-- has been asked to communicate with its counterparts in Afghanistan and confirm the matter. Until, we get confirmation via the official channels, we cannot verify his death. Since the police and the security agencies in Afghanistan have little access to the eastern province, particularly in the areas where the IS has a strong presence, the confirmation will take time. Since the government agencies in Afghanistan have not recovered Hafeesudheens body, it has not been officially confirmed yet, he said. The NIA had approached the Interpol to include 19 persons, including Hafeesudheen in the most wanted list. But the request is only under process now. Once the confirmation about the death of Hafeesudheen is received, the NIA would be filing a report in the respective court in Kochi. Later he would be discharged from the case. The NIA had found Hafeesudheen, Muhammed Marwan and Muhammed Manzad had boarded a flight from Mumbai to Dubai on June 5, 2016. After reaching the Iranian capital Tehran, the trio made it to the Iran-Afghan border before crossing over into Afghanistan.
By Express News Service

ROURKELA: Anid fractured mandate for the 35-member Sundargarh Zilla Parishad (ZP) council, the ruling BJD, emerging as the largest party, is set to stake claim to retain the ZP council. But for this, it has to take the support of Congress, which has five seats.

Without Congress support, neither the BJD nor the BJP can form the council. The Congress, however, wants the post of ZP president by taking the support of either BJD or BJP. This has put both BJD and BJP in a piquant situation.

After official declaration of results on Saturday night, the BJD secured 14, BJP 13 and Congress five ZP seats. One seat each went to CPM, CPI and Birmitrapur MLA George Tirkeys nominee. Eighteen is the magic figure for an absolute majority. The possibility of the BJD and the BJP entering into a post-poll alliance is remote and the Congress is playing its cards cleverly.

Sundargarh District Congress Committee president Dushmanta Naik has claimed that his party has the support of CPM and CPI and it wants the post of ZP president, reserved for ST (Woman). He said Subdega-A ZP member Goreti Xess is the only ST (Woman) ZP member of Congress and it is up to either BJD or BJP to support her.

In fact, the Congress bargain has surprised the BJD and the BJP. Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh Lok Sabha member Jual Oram said Sundargarh unit BJP president B K Mishra has been asked to hold talks with other parties. The BJP would contest the post of ZP president, he added.

Jual said the Congress demand is not practical. Jual also rejected any possibility of tying up with the BJD.

The BJD sources too denied any scope of joining hands with its friend-turned-foe BJP. The BJD was in alliance with the BJP in Odisha from 1998 to 2008 and the BJD-BJP combo had together fought the Sundargarh ZP poll in 2007. Rourkela Development Authority (RDA) Chairman and former BJD Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak said party chief Naveen Patnaik would take the final call.

Sundargarh Collector Bhupendra Singh Poonia said the election to the post of ZP president and vice-president would be held on March 12 and 24 respectively.

ROURKELA: Anid fractured mandate for the 35-member Sundargarh Zilla Parishad (ZP) council, the ruling BJD, emerging as the largest party, is set to stake claim to retain the ZP council. But for this, it has to take the support of Congress, which has five seats. Without Congress support, neither the BJD nor the BJP can form the council. The Congress, however, wants the post of ZP president by taking the support of either BJD or BJP. This has put both BJD and BJP in a piquant situation. After official declaration of results on Saturday night, the BJD secured 14, BJP 13 and Congress five ZP seats. One seat each went to CPM, CPI and Birmitrapur MLA George Tirkeys nominee. Eighteen is the magic figure for an absolute majority. The possibility of the BJD and the BJP entering into a post-poll alliance is remote and the Congress is playing its cards cleverly. Sundargarh District Congress Committee president Dushmanta Naik has claimed that his party has the support of CPM and CPI and it wants the post of ZP president, reserved for ST (Woman). He said Subdega-A ZP member Goreti Xess is the only ST (Woman) ZP member of Congress and it is up to either BJD or BJP to support her. In fact, the Congress bargain has surprised the BJD and the BJP. Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh Lok Sabha member Jual Oram said Sundargarh unit BJP president B K Mishra has been asked to hold talks with other parties. The BJP would contest the post of ZP president, he added. Jual said the Congress demand is not practical. Jual also rejected any possibility of tying up with the BJD. The BJD sources too denied any scope of joining hands with its friend-turned-foe BJP. The BJD was in alliance with the BJP in Odisha from 1998 to 2008 and the BJD-BJP combo had together fought the Sundargarh ZP poll in 2007. Rourkela Development Authority (RDA) Chairman and former BJD Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak said party chief Naveen Patnaik would take the final call. Sundargarh Collector Bhupendra Singh Poonia said the election to the post of ZP president and vice-president would be held on March 12 and 24 respectively.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday appealed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to reconsider the State Governments decision to withdraw tax incentives to the mega oil refinery project of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district.

The withdrawal of fiscal incentives like 11-year deferment of VAT on petroleum products from the refinery sold in Odisha will adversely hit the States economy and send a wrong signal to the corporate world as well, Pradhan told reporters here.

Expressing his readiness to renegotiate on the vexed issue of tax deferment, the Petroleum Minister said the State Government has never taken up the matter with the Centre before deciding to withdraw the fiscal incentives to IOCL.

The Chief Minister, who is writing so frequently to Prime Minister on sundry issues, could have done so before taking such an important decision, he said. Irrespective of our political differences, I request the Chief Minister to reconsider the tax sops withdrawal decision, he said.

Responding to the State Government charge that the refinery project was delayed by six years resulting in revenue loss of about `2000 crore per annum, Pradhan said the NDA Government was in no way responsible for it.

The project was delayed due to several factors like delay in land acquisition and law and order issues which were State subjects. IOCL has nothing to do with such problems. The State Government is trying to cover up its deficiencies by shifting the blame to the national oil major, he said.

Rubbishing Finance Minister Pradip Amats allegation that IOCL took unilateral decision to enhance the capacity of the oil refinery from 9 million tonne to 15 million tonne, Pradhan referred to a letter written by then IOCL Director (Refinery) Jaspal Singh in 2009 to the then Chief Secretary Subash Pani indicating the decision taken by the Board of Directors of the national PSU.

The Union Minister strongly refuted the State Government allegation that IOCL is not sharing the financial viability report of the project after its capacity was increased. He said some anti-Odisha bureaucrats are trying to cause harm to the State by misleading the Government.

With another Rs 75,000 crore investment in pipeline for the proposed petrochemical complex, Pradhan feared that the expansion plan may be derailed if the State Government remains adamant on its decision. On the State Government view that the refinery no longer needs incentives as its profitability had increased due to a higher capacity and low global oil prices, he said Paradip refinery is yet to achieve profitability on a standalone basis.

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday appealed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to reconsider the State Governments decision to withdraw tax incentives to the mega oil refinery project of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district. The withdrawal of fiscal incentives like 11-year deferment of VAT on petroleum products from the refinery sold in Odisha will adversely hit the States economy and send a wrong signal to the corporate world as well, Pradhan told reporters here. Expressing his readiness to renegotiate on the vexed issue of tax deferment, the Petroleum Minister said the State Government has never taken up the matter with the Centre before deciding to withdraw the fiscal incentives to IOCL. The Chief Minister, who is writing so frequently to Prime Minister on sundry issues, could have done so before taking such an important decision, he said. Irrespective of our political differences, I request the Chief Minister to reconsider the tax sops withdrawal decision, he said. Responding to the State Government charge that the refinery project was delayed by six years resulting in revenue loss of about `2000 crore per annum, Pradhan said the NDA Government was in no way responsible for it. The project was delayed due to several factors like delay in land acquisition and law and order issues which were State subjects. IOCL has nothing to do with such problems. The State Government is trying to cover up its deficiencies by shifting the blame to the national oil major, he said. Rubbishing Finance Minister Pradip Amats allegation that IOCL took unilateral decision to enhance the capacity of the oil refinery from 9 million tonne to 15 million tonne, Pradhan referred to a letter written by then IOCL Director (Refinery) Jaspal Singh in 2009 to the then Chief Secretary Subash Pani indicating the decision taken by the Board of Directors of the national PSU. The Union Minister strongly refuted the State Government allegation that IOCL is not sharing the financial viability report of the project after its capacity was increased. He said some anti-Odisha bureaucrats are trying to cause harm to the State by misleading the Government. With another Rs 75,000 crore investment in pipeline for the proposed petrochemical complex, Pradhan feared that the expansion plan may be derailed if the State Government remains adamant on its decision. On the State Government view that the refinery no longer needs incentives as its profitability had increased due to a higher capacity and low global oil prices, he said Paradip refinery is yet to achieve profitability on a standalone basis.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Finance minister Pradip Amat today admitted in the assembly that revenue of Rs 7446.73 crore was pending on various companies including court cases.

Replying to a question from Prafulla Kumar Samal and Bhagirathi Badajena (both BJD), the minister said Rs 2085.96 crore is pending against 109 companies under commerce department. The minister said Rs 1141.27 crore entry tax could not be collected as a case is pending in Supreme Court which includes tax, interest and fine.

Similarly, a case is pending in High Court as a result of which `1001.19 crore entry tax could not be collected. Similarly, Rs 2121.31 crore is water tax pending against 57 companies under the Water Resources department. He said Rs 1918.36 crore water tax is pending collection from industrial houses for court cases. However, Rs 225.35 crore water tax is pending collection without any court case, he said.

Amat said 39 companies have defaulted payment of Rs 1279.77 crore electricity bill which includes interest amount. He said that dues of Rs 363.61 crore is pending because of a stay order from the Supreme Court. Similarly, dues amounting to Rs 368.32 crore is pending because of a High Court order, he said.

The minister said certificate cases have been filed for collection of pending electricity bill of Rs 547.84 crore. Dues of Rs 1846 crore of mining revenue is yet to be collected against 39 companies, he said and added that Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Paradip has not paid its VAT dues amounting to Rs 1485 crores since December 2015.

About Rs 60 crore excise revenue is yet to collected and different state and central government organisations have also not paid Rs 3255.14 crore, he said. The minister said regular review meetings are being held at the level of finance minister, chief secretary and finance secretary to expedite collection of pending revenue in different sectors.

BHUBANESWAR: Finance minister Pradip Amat today admitted in the assembly that revenue of Rs 7446.73 crore was pending on various companies including court cases. Replying to a question from Prafulla Kumar Samal and Bhagirathi Badajena (both BJD), the minister said Rs 2085.96 crore is pending against 109 companies under commerce department. The minister said Rs 1141.27 crore entry tax could not be collected as a case is pending in Supreme Court which includes tax, interest and fine. Similarly, a case is pending in High Court as a result of which `1001.19 crore entry tax could not be collected. Similarly, Rs 2121.31 crore is water tax pending against 57 companies under the Water Resources department. He said Rs 1918.36 crore water tax is pending collection from industrial houses for court cases. However, Rs 225.35 crore water tax is pending collection without any court case, he said. Amat said 39 companies have defaulted payment of Rs 1279.77 crore electricity bill which includes interest amount. He said that dues of Rs 363.61 crore is pending because of a stay order from the Supreme Court. Similarly, dues amounting to Rs 368.32 crore is pending because of a High Court order, he said. The minister said certificate cases have been filed for collection of pending electricity bill of Rs 547.84 crore. Dues of Rs 1846 crore of mining revenue is yet to be collected against 39 companies, he said and added that Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Paradip has not paid its VAT dues amounting to Rs 1485 crores since December 2015. About Rs 60 crore excise revenue is yet to collected and different state and central government organisations have also not paid Rs 3255.14 crore, he said. The minister said regular review meetings are being held at the level of finance minister, chief secretary and finance secretary to expedite collection of pending revenue in different sectors.
By AFP

KUNDUZ: An air strike has killed an Afghan Taliban commander who twice oversaw the capture of a strategic northern city, officials said Monday, in a major blow to the insurgent group.

Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund, the Taliban shadow governor in Kunduz province, was killed on Sunday when he was holding a meeting in the volatile Dasht-e-Archi district.

"He was killed with five others in the house," said provincial governor Asadullah Amarkhil.

The Taliban acknowledged the death of "the conquerer of Kunduz", saying he was killed in a "cowardly attack by US invaders".

The US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Akhund had led the insurgents to mount several attacks in Kunduz since 2011.

The Taliban seized the provincial capital Kunduz city for about two weeks in September 2015, in their biggest victory since they were toppled from national power by a US-led invasion in 2001.

The militants briefly overran the city again in October last year before they were beaten back by NATO-backed Afghan forces.

KUNDUZ: An air strike has killed an Afghan Taliban commander who twice oversaw the capture of a strategic northern city, officials said Monday, in a major blow to the insurgent group. Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund, the Taliban shadow governor in Kunduz province, was killed on Sunday when he was holding a meeting in the volatile Dasht-e-Archi district. "He was killed with five others in the house," said provincial governor Asadullah Amarkhil. The Taliban acknowledged the death of "the conquerer of Kunduz", saying he was killed in a "cowardly attack by US invaders". The US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Akhund had led the insurgents to mount several attacks in Kunduz since 2011. The Taliban seized the provincial capital Kunduz city for about two weeks in September 2015, in their biggest victory since they were toppled from national power by a US-led invasion in 2001. The militants briefly overran the city again in October last year before they were beaten back by NATO-backed Afghan forces.
President Donald Trump on Monday affirmed his plans for a major build-up in defense, national security, and anti-crime efforts and vowed to offset those hundreds of billions of dollars in new costs by making deep cuts throughout the rest of the federal budget. But Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says that Trump intends to make good on his campaign promise not to go after Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs.

A Trump budget blueprint being released today would add $54 billion in defense and security funding next year while cutting that amount from "lower priority programs" across government agencies, according to the administration. That 10 percent increase would bring total spending on personnel, military hardware, and other defense contracts to at least $603 billion in fiscal 2018.

Related: A Military Buildup and Big Tax Cuts: Is the Debt Set to Soar Under Trump?

Were going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people, Trump told a gathering of the nations Republican and Democratic governors at the White House. We can do so much more with the money we spend. With the $20 trillion in debt, the government must learn to tighten its belt  something families all across the country have had to learn to do, unfortunately.

The administration has signaled that this will mean, for example, deep cuts in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State Department, foreign aid, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, AmeriCorps, the Export-Import Bank and dozens of other long-standing and popular domestic programs.

But for the time being, at least, the Trump budget plan that the president will outline during his first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night will leave untouched entitlement programs that constitute the major drivers of the nations mounting debt.

Trump talked about repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and pressing for an historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America during dangerous times abroad and at home.



Related: Prospects Dim for Deficit Control as Trump Drives for Defense Buildup



Mnunchin declared over the weekend that talk of cutting or revamping Social Security and Medicare, the premier federal programs for providing income security and health care to seniors and retirees, is off the table as far as the president is concerned.

Story continues

Asked by Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business News on Sunday whether the Trump administration needs to hit entitlements sooner rather than later with the national debt on the cusp of $20 trillion, Mnuchin replied: We are not touching those now. So dont expect to see that as part of this budget. We are very focused on other aspects, and thats whats very important to us. Thats the presidents priority.

If that proves to be the case, then Trump will have made good on a campaign promise to protect federal programs designed to help the elderly and low-income Americans from budget cuts. I am going to protect and save your Social Security and your Medicare, Trump declared two days before the November election in Sioux City, Iowa. You made a deal a long time ago, a long time ago to pay into the system.

This was Mnunchins strongest statement on the topic to date. The former Wall Street banker and hedge fund manager skirted describing the types of spending cuts the administration was preparing to make during his Senate confirmation hearings. However, conservative Republican Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, the new director of the Office of Management and Budget, insisted during his confirmations hearings that he would push for Social Security and Medicare reforms, according to The Hill.

Related: Budget Battle Looms as Trump Identifies Spending Cut Targets

Mulvaney in fact once called Social Security a Ponzi schemes that requires overhauling. And former GOP Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, the new secretary of health and human services, previously supported transforming Medicare into a voucher-type program for future recipients.

Precisely how Trump intends to mount a major buildup of the military, build a wall along the southern border with Mexico, bolster the ranks of border patrol and immigration agents, slash taxes and leave entitlements intact without driving up the debt even more remains to be seen.

William A. Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told The Fiscal Times last week that Trumps budgetary logic is dangerously similar to that of the Reagan administration, which pursued a big defense buildup and tax cuts, only to touch off nearly two decades of struggle to contain rampant deficits -- including major cuts in social safety-net programs.

Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor and Democratic Party leader, said today on MSNBC that for him and average Americans, Trumps budget math doesnt make sense.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has repeatedly warned that the government is on track to return to an era of massive, trillion-dollar-a-year deficits and historic levels of debt as a share of the national economy absent changes in the existing entitlement programs.

Related: Trumps Deportation Plan Could Cost Hundreds of Billions of Dollars

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for low-income people accounted for nearly $1.8 trillion of the governments $3.9 trillion in spending in 2016, according to the CBO. Moreover, with the number of people 65 and over projected to increase by a third over the coming decade, Social Security and Medicare spending is slated to increase to 42 percent of total government outlays by 2027.

The leadership of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, an anti-deficit group, has called on Trump to discuss the importance of the national debt during his first address to a joint session of Congress. Not since Harry Truman has the national debt been so high as a share of the economy for a new president, said former defense secretary and CIA director Leon Panetta, former Republican Indiana governor Mitch Daniels and former Democratic Rep. Tim Penny from Minnesota.

President Trump should use the power of the presidency during tomorrows address to talk about the danger our debt poses and begin to put a plan forward to fix it, they added. A comprehensive growth strategy will be aided by reducing waste and inefficiencies throughout the government, improving the regulatory environment, pursuing fiscally-responsible pro-growth tax reform, containing rising health care spending, and making Social Security solvent.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
By AFP

SOUTH OF MOSUL: Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State group in west Mosul reached the city's southernmost bridge Monday, a key step in efforts to defeat the jihadists in their stronghold, a spokesman said.

The move, a little more than a week into a major push on Mosul's west bank, could allow Iraqi forces to extend a floating bridge between the city's two halves and pile pressure on the jihadists.

"The Rapid Response force and the federal police have liberated Jawsaq neighbourhood and now control the western end of the fourth bridge," Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told AFP.

The spokesman for the Joint Operations Command was referring to the southernmost of five bridges -- all of which are damaged and unusable -- across the Tigris River that divides the northern Iraqi city.

"That means the bridge is under control on both sides," said Rasool.

Government forces retook the east bank from IS a month ago, completing a key phase in an offensive on Mosul that began on October 17 and has involved tens of thousands of fighters.

Engineering units will be expected to deploy a so-called "ribbon bridge" across the Tigris that will allow the connection of the western side's active front lines to the already retaken east bank.

Rasool said that the interior ministry's Rapid Response force had now fully retaken two neighbourhoods on the west bank, while forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have retaken another further west.

"The street fighting is intense, these are populated neighbourhoods," Rasool said. "But our forces are fighting deep in the west, the enemy is broken."

Desert advance

Iraq forces were also retaking desert territory southwest of the city in order to further cut off Mosul from IS-held territory in Syria.

"In general, all the troops are moving forward as planned and doing so rapidly," Staff Lieutenant General Abdelamir Yarallah told AFP from Talul al-Atshana, the highest point in the Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital.

Nearly a month after wresting back full control of the city's east bank from the jihadists, Iraqi forces launched a fresh push on the western side, which is a little smaller but very densely populated.

They made quick initial gains, blitzing through the last open areas south of the city limits, facing limited resistance from IS as they retook the airport and a nearby military base.

IS fighters have hunkered down deep inside the city, and while Iraqi forces are still advancing steadily, the battle is expected to get tougher the farther they venture towards the centre.

Iraqi aviation helicopters and air strikes by the US-led coalition have played a key role in the latest progress, but the density of the civilian population inside the city will limit air support.

The west bank of Mosul includes the Old City, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance in July 2014 and proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria.

Some of its streets are too narrow for military vehicles and will oblige Iraqi forces to undertake perilous dismounted operations.

What the jihadists still hold of Mosul is their last major urban bastion in Iraq, and its recapture would crown more than two years of a bloody counter-offensive to retake the third of the country it lost to IS in 2014.

Starvation risk

IS's "caliphate" has shrunk to a rump, but it still controls the Syrian city of Raqa and remote, scattered pockets of territory in both countries.

The fighting in Mosul's west bank has raised concerns about the fate of the estimated 750,000 or more people trapped there with dwindling food supplies and little or no access to health services.

The United Nations' food agency said accounts by recently displaced people it was helping were very alarming.

"We are hearing from some families that food has drastically risen in price and is unaffordable. In extreme cases, people cannot access food at all," the WFP's Iraq chief Sally Haydock said.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Sunday it had received reports that some people were surviving on bird feed.

The UN has said it was planning for a possible exodus of 250,000 people or more from west Mosul.

Yet only a few hundred families have fled their homes as Iraqi forces retook their neighbourhoods over the past week.

Some are unable to leave because IS uses them as human shields, while others decide against exposing themselves to cross fire or leaving their property unprotected.

Some residents may also be IS supporters willing to help jihadists in their last stand or afraid to face arrest if they leave.

SOUTH OF MOSUL: Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State group in west Mosul reached the city's southernmost bridge Monday, a key step in efforts to defeat the jihadists in their stronghold, a spokesman said. The move, a little more than a week into a major push on Mosul's west bank, could allow Iraqi forces to extend a floating bridge between the city's two halves and pile pressure on the jihadists. "The Rapid Response force and the federal police have liberated Jawsaq neighbourhood and now control the western end of the fourth bridge," Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told AFP. The spokesman for the Joint Operations Command was referring to the southernmost of five bridges -- all of which are damaged and unusable -- across the Tigris River that divides the northern Iraqi city. "That means the bridge is under control on both sides," said Rasool. Government forces retook the east bank from IS a month ago, completing a key phase in an offensive on Mosul that began on October 17 and has involved tens of thousands of fighters. Engineering units will be expected to deploy a so-called "ribbon bridge" across the Tigris that will allow the connection of the western side's active front lines to the already retaken east bank. Rasool said that the interior ministry's Rapid Response force had now fully retaken two neighbourhoods on the west bank, while forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have retaken another further west. "The street fighting is intense, these are populated neighbourhoods," Rasool said. "But our forces are fighting deep in the west, the enemy is broken." Desert advance Iraq forces were also retaking desert territory southwest of the city in order to further cut off Mosul from IS-held territory in Syria. "In general, all the troops are moving forward as planned and doing so rapidly," Staff Lieutenant General Abdelamir Yarallah told AFP from Talul al-Atshana, the highest point in the Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital. Nearly a month after wresting back full control of the city's east bank from the jihadists, Iraqi forces launched a fresh push on the western side, which is a little smaller but very densely populated. They made quick initial gains, blitzing through the last open areas south of the city limits, facing limited resistance from IS as they retook the airport and a nearby military base. IS fighters have hunkered down deep inside the city, and while Iraqi forces are still advancing steadily, the battle is expected to get tougher the farther they venture towards the centre. Iraqi aviation helicopters and air strikes by the US-led coalition have played a key role in the latest progress, but the density of the civilian population inside the city will limit air support. The west bank of Mosul includes the Old City, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance in July 2014 and proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria. Some of its streets are too narrow for military vehicles and will oblige Iraqi forces to undertake perilous dismounted operations. What the jihadists still hold of Mosul is their last major urban bastion in Iraq, and its recapture would crown more than two years of a bloody counter-offensive to retake the third of the country it lost to IS in 2014. Starvation risk IS's "caliphate" has shrunk to a rump, but it still controls the Syrian city of Raqa and remote, scattered pockets of territory in both countries. The fighting in Mosul's west bank has raised concerns about the fate of the estimated 750,000 or more people trapped there with dwindling food supplies and little or no access to health services. The United Nations' food agency said accounts by recently displaced people it was helping were very alarming. "We are hearing from some families that food has drastically risen in price and is unaffordable. In extreme cases, people cannot access food at all," the WFP's Iraq chief Sally Haydock said. The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Sunday it had received reports that some people were surviving on bird feed. The UN has said it was planning for a possible exodus of 250,000 people or more from west Mosul. Yet only a few hundred families have fled their homes as Iraqi forces retook their neighbourhoods over the past week. Some are unable to leave because IS uses them as human shields, while others decide against exposing themselves to cross fire or leaving their property unprotected. Some residents may also be IS supporters willing to help jihadists in their last stand or afraid to face arrest if they leave.
By AFP

QALANDIYA: A Palestinian woman suspected of intending to attack Israeli guards at a West Bank checkpoint into Jerusalem was shot and injured by security forces today, police said.

The 30-year-old woman walked towards the guards at the Qalandia checkpoint using the vehicle-only lane "all the time clutching her handbag in a way that made them suspicious", police spokeswoman Luba Samri wrote in a statement.

She had ignored repeated orders to halt and they opened fire.

The Palestinian woman was lightly injured and taken by Israeli ambulance for medical treatment, Samri added, without specifying if any suspect items were found in her handbag.

Since a wave of violence broke out in October 2015, 252 Palestinians, 41 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities, with others were killed during protests, in clashes or Israeli air raids on Gaza.

The rate of attacks has declined sharply in recent months.

QALANDIYA: A Palestinian woman suspected of intending to attack Israeli guards at a West Bank checkpoint into Jerusalem was shot and injured by security forces today, police said. The 30-year-old woman walked towards the guards at the Qalandia checkpoint using the vehicle-only lane "all the time clutching her handbag in a way that made them suspicious", police spokeswoman Luba Samri wrote in a statement. She had ignored repeated orders to halt and they opened fire. The Palestinian woman was lightly injured and taken by Israeli ambulance for medical treatment, Samri added, without specifying if any suspect items were found in her handbag. Since a wave of violence broke out in October 2015, 252 Palestinians, 41 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities, with others were killed during protests, in clashes or Israeli air raids on Gaza. The rate of attacks has declined sharply in recent months.
By IANS

NEW YORK: The US Police has said that over 100 headstones were vandalised at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, local media reported.



This came less than a week after similar vandalism was reported in Missouri, Xinhua news agency said.



The act of deliberate destruction came to light after a man visiting the cemetery called police on Sunday morning to report that three of his relatives' headstones were knocked over and damaged.



Officers found that about 100 other headstones were also knocked over, apparently sometime on Saturday night.



The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia lists Mount Carmel of containing tombstones dating back to at least the mid-1800s.



A criminal mischief/institutional vandalism investigation was opened, the police said.



Less than a week ago, nearly 200 headstones were damaged and toppled in the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery in the St Louis suburb of University City in Missouri.



This year alone, 54 Jewish community centres in 27 states received dozens of bomb threats, according to the Jewish Community Centre Association.



The White House has denounced the spate of threats made against the community around the country.

NEW YORK: The US Police has said that over 100 headstones were vandalised at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, local media reported. This came less than a week after similar vandalism was reported in Missouri, Xinhua news agency said. The act of deliberate destruction came to light after a man visiting the cemetery called police on Sunday morning to report that three of his relatives' headstones were knocked over and damaged. Officers found that about 100 other headstones were also knocked over, apparently sometime on Saturday night. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia lists Mount Carmel of containing tombstones dating back to at least the mid-1800s. A criminal mischief/institutional vandalism investigation was opened, the police said. Less than a week ago, nearly 200 headstones were damaged and toppled in the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery in the St Louis suburb of University City in Missouri. This year alone, 54 Jewish community centres in 27 states received dozens of bomb threats, according to the Jewish Community Centre Association. The White House has denounced the spate of threats made against the community around the country.
By PTI

ROME: Pope Francis attended a service at the All Saints' Church in Rome today, becoming the first pontiff in history to visit an Anglican church in the Italian capital. Francis's visit marked the 200th anniversary of the All Saints' church, furthering a rapprochement between the Vatican and the Anglican Church of England that began last year.

In a further sign of the closer ties, the pope spoke of the "possibility" of a visit to troubled South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, his Anglican counterpart. Pope Francis added that such a visit would only be for a single day "because the situation is difficult there".

South Sudan, which only gained nationhood in 2011, has been engulfed since 2013 by a civil war which has left thousands dead and three million people displaced. "As Catholics and Anglicans, we are humbly grateful that, after centuries of mutual mistrust, we are now able to recognise that the fruitful grace of Christ is at work also in others," the pope said in a sermon today.

"Today we can be encouraged by our gathering." Closer ties with other faiths and branches of Christianity have been a priority for Francis since he became pope in 2013. Last October, he attended a special service in Rome with Welby to mark the 50th anniversary of the first joint prayer of a Catholic pontiff and a head of the Church of England.

The service marked the historic meeting between then archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI. The Church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic church under British King Henry VIII in the 16th Century, and Anglicans have not recognised the pontiff as their spiritual leader since then.

ROME: Pope Francis attended a service at the All Saints' Church in Rome today, becoming the first pontiff in history to visit an Anglican church in the Italian capital. Francis's visit marked the 200th anniversary of the All Saints' church, furthering a rapprochement between the Vatican and the Anglican Church of England that began last year. In a further sign of the closer ties, the pope spoke of the "possibility" of a visit to troubled South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, his Anglican counterpart. Pope Francis added that such a visit would only be for a single day "because the situation is difficult there". South Sudan, which only gained nationhood in 2011, has been engulfed since 2013 by a civil war which has left thousands dead and three million people displaced. "As Catholics and Anglicans, we are humbly grateful that, after centuries of mutual mistrust, we are now able to recognise that the fruitful grace of Christ is at work also in others," the pope said in a sermon today. "Today we can be encouraged by our gathering." Closer ties with other faiths and branches of Christianity have been a priority for Francis since he became pope in 2013. Last October, he attended a special service in Rome with Welby to mark the 50th anniversary of the first joint prayer of a Catholic pontiff and a head of the Church of England. The service marked the historic meeting between then archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI. The Church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic church under British King Henry VIII in the 16th Century, and Anglicans have not recognised the pontiff as their spiritual leader since then.
By AFP

JERUSALEM: A rocket or mortar round launched from the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel before dawn on Monday but caused no casualties, the army said.

"A projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area...in southern Israel," a military statement said.

"No injuries have been reported."

Security forces were sweeping the area where the object is thought to have fallen in order to recover fragments for investigation, the statement said.

Early in February Israel hit Gaza with tank fire and air strikes that wounded three Palestinians in response to a projectile fired from the Palestinian territory which wounded nobody.

On February 16, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Gaza's Hamas rulers that he would respond harshly to their "provocation" in future.

JERUSALEM: A rocket or mortar round launched from the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel before dawn on Monday but caused no casualties, the army said. "A projectile fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area...in southern Israel," a military statement said. "No injuries have been reported." Security forces were sweeping the area where the object is thought to have fallen in order to recover fragments for investigation, the statement said. Early in February Israel hit Gaza with tank fire and air strikes that wounded three Palestinians in response to a projectile fired from the Palestinian territory which wounded nobody. On February 16, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Gaza's Hamas rulers that he would respond harshly to their "provocation" in future.
By Associated Press

HARRISBURG: A Democratic candidate's run for the Pennsylvania Legislature is down the drain  partly because he used too little water at the house he claimed as his residence.

A state judge on Thursday threw Frederick Ramirez off the ballot in the race for an open House seat in Philadelphia.

The judge found that low water and electric use at the house Ramirez claimed as his residence showed he really didn't live in the district.

According to testimony, for 11 months he was billed for a total of about 3,000 gallons of water, or the equivalent of less than two toilet flushes a day on average.

His lawyer said the low numbers, showing zero use in some months, are misleading because of how bills are calculated.

Neighbors testified they never saw Ramirez on their block, the bedroom light was always on and the home never seemed to put out trash for curbside pickup.

"The fact that there are no photographs or pictures on the walls, combined with the fact that his daughter's room is still decorated for an infant, more strongly reveals that (the) candidate is not domiciled at (the house), but merely uses that location as a convenient place to stay" when he is working at a nearby clinic he owns, wrote Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey.

The seat became vacant with the Jan. 3 resignation of Democratic Rep. Leslie Acosta. She had been re-elected in November, about two months after her secret guilty plea of conspiracy to commit money laundering to a federal judge became public.

Ramirez's lawyer, Adam Bonin, said the property is indeed Ramirez's home. Bonin said he is considering his options, including a potential appeal.

"Obviously, and especially given when this decision was handed down, time is of the essence," Bonin said.

The judge's ruling leaves just one candidate on the ballot for the March 21 special election, Republican Lucinda Little, in what is an overwhelmingly Democratic district.

"I feel that justice has prevailed," Little said Friday. "We need a representative that actually lives in the district, that actually cares about the district."

A spokeswoman for the Department of State, which oversees elections, said the agency's lawyers were examining whether Democrats are legally allowed to pick a new candidate.

The head of the state Democrats said he expects his party to take some sort of action in the coming days.

"If he's not the candidate, we need to find somebody, even if it's for a write-in," said Marcel Groen, the party chairman. "That said, it's certainly preferable to have someone on the ballot."

The race will not affect partisan control of the state House, where Republicans hold a 121-82 majority.

HARRISBURG: A Democratic candidate's run for the Pennsylvania Legislature is down the drain  partly because he used too little water at the house he claimed as his residence. A state judge on Thursday threw Frederick Ramirez off the ballot in the race for an open House seat in Philadelphia. The judge found that low water and electric use at the house Ramirez claimed as his residence showed he really didn't live in the district. According to testimony, for 11 months he was billed for a total of about 3,000 gallons of water, or the equivalent of less than two toilet flushes a day on average. His lawyer said the low numbers, showing zero use in some months, are misleading because of how bills are calculated. Neighbors testified they never saw Ramirez on their block, the bedroom light was always on and the home never seemed to put out trash for curbside pickup. "The fact that there are no photographs or pictures on the walls, combined with the fact that his daughter's room is still decorated for an infant, more strongly reveals that (the) candidate is not domiciled at (the house), but merely uses that location as a convenient place to stay" when he is working at a nearby clinic he owns, wrote Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey. The seat became vacant with the Jan. 3 resignation of Democratic Rep. Leslie Acosta. She had been re-elected in November, about two months after her secret guilty plea of conspiracy to commit money laundering to a federal judge became public. Ramirez's lawyer, Adam Bonin, said the property is indeed Ramirez's home. Bonin said he is considering his options, including a potential appeal. "Obviously, and especially given when this decision was handed down, time is of the essence," Bonin said. The judge's ruling leaves just one candidate on the ballot for the March 21 special election, Republican Lucinda Little, in what is an overwhelmingly Democratic district. "I feel that justice has prevailed," Little said Friday. "We need a representative that actually lives in the district, that actually cares about the district." A spokeswoman for the Department of State, which oversees elections, said the agency's lawyers were examining whether Democrats are legally allowed to pick a new candidate. The head of the state Democrats said he expects his party to take some sort of action in the coming days. "If he's not the candidate, we need to find somebody, even if it's for a write-in," said Marcel Groen, the party chairman. "That said, it's certainly preferable to have someone on the ballot." The race will not affect partisan control of the state House, where Republicans hold a 121-82 majority.
MJ Akbar visits Maldives to strengthen prosperity between two nations

New Delhi Feb. 22 : Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar visited Maldives on February 21-22 to reiterate India's support for a stable, democratic, peaceful and prosperous Maldives fulfilling the aspirations of its citizens.





(Posted on 22 February 2017, 1667761370 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php  (Posted on 22 February 2017, 1667761370 173O212O198O32)

During the visit, Akbar met President of Republic of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and also had a separate meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim.Akbar's visit was to keep up with the tradition of close political consultations and exchanges between India and Maldives.The minister conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal greetings to the President of Maldives.During the meetings, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed to impart fresh momentum for further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide spectrum.The discussions focussed on areas of defence and security, counter-terrorism and economic ties including substantial investment in the tourism sector in Maldives.President Abdul Gayoom conveyed his appreciation for the consistent support of India and reiterated the high priority attached by his government to India in keeping with their 'India First' policy.
Queen Bey extends support to trans-youths post transgender bathroom rollback

New Delhi , Feb. 25 : U.S President Donald Trump's decision to reverse Barack Obama's directive on transgender access to public school bathrooms created a storm nationwide and the latest one to voice concern is Beyonce.





(Posted on 25 February 2017, 1667761370 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php  (Posted on 25 February 2017, 1667761370 173O212O198O32)

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 and 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."
Good students are more into booze, smoking pots: Study

New York [USA], Feb. 25 : It's not only the peer pressure that makes kids try alcohol or smoke pot!





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A new study reveals that students with higher marks are more likely to drink alcohol and smoke pot compared with teens with lower scores.According to a study published Wednesday in the British Medical Journal Open, students with higher marks tend more into pot than cigarettes.Although some people believe smart students simply have a tendency to experiment, James Williams and Gareth Hagger-Johnson, co-authors of the new study, say these patterns of substance use may continue into adulthood."Our research provides evidence against the theory that these teens give up as they grow up," said the authors, both affiliated with University College London.The researchers surveyed more than 6,000 students from public and private schools across England.Using questionnaires, they regularly tracked each student's use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis from age 13 or 14 until age 19 or 20. Williams and Hagger-Johnson used national test scores taken at age 11 to rank students academically, reports CNN.Some of their results provided no surprises.During their early teens, high-scoring pupils were less likely to smoke cigarettes and more likely to drink alcohol than their peers with lower test scores. At this time, they were slightly more likely to say they used cannabis.During their late teens, pupils with the highest scores were more than twice as likely to drink alcohol regularly compared with others, yet they also showed themselves to have less of a tendency to binge-drink. During this same period in their lives, the academically gifted students proved nearly twice as likely to use cannabis persistently and 50 percent more likely to use it occasionally compared with their peers with lower test scores.One "potential explanation," Williams and Hagger-Johnson said, is that "higher-ability adolescents are more open to try cannabis but are initially cautious of illegal substances in early adolescence as they are more aware of the immediate and long-term repercussions that breaking the law might incur.""Cognitive ability is also associated with openness to new experiences and higher levels of boredom due to a lack of mental stimulation in school," the co-authors added.
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Give us a chance, will do in 15 months what Congress has not done in 15 years

Imphal, Feb 25 : : 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.





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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 countrys 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, well do what they havent, he said.
Centre's attitude toward Kashmiri's a bigger threat than Pakistan: NC

Jammu , Feb. 25 : 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.





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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 don't 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 can't be solved by a bullet or a gun, but by dialogue. And dialogue is the way we should adopt," he said.
Study reveals new risk factors for anxiety disorders

Berlin [Germany], Feb 25 : People experiencing anxiety disorders, we have got some bad news for you.





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According to a recent study, Mental, social and inherited factors all play a role in anxiety disorders.The journal was published in journal Molecular Psychiatry.A research team from Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) describes a hitherto unknown genetic pathway for developing such diseases. They pinpointed at least four variants of the GLRB gene (glycine receptor B) as risk factors for anxiety and panic disorders.In Germany, around 15 percent of adults suffer from anxiety and panic disorders. Some people may have an extreme fear of spiders or other objects while others have breathing difficulties and accelerated heart beat in small rooms or large gatherings of people.Scientists from Munster, Hamburg and Wurzburg have looked into questions like, how are fear and anxiety triggered and how do anxiety disorders arise and evolve, within the scope of Collaborative Research Center (CRC) TR 58 funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.Their goal is to develop new therapies that are better tailored to the individual patients. Anxiety disorders can be treated with drugs and behaviour therapy for instance.The discovery sees that different variants of the GLRB gene are associated with anxiety disorders and might also contribute to the development of improved therapies."Some mutations of the gene cause a rare neurological disorder called hyperekplexia. The patients are permanently hypertonic and show pronounced startle responses, which may even cause sufferers to fall involuntarily. Similar to persons suffering from anxiety disorders, these patients develop behaviour to avoid potentially frightening situations," explains Professor Jurgen Deckert, member of the CRC and Director of the Department of Psychiatry at the JMU University Hospital.But the GLRB gene variants that have recently been associated with anxiety and panic disorders for the first time are different from the ones described above. They occur more frequently and presumably entail less severe consequences. But they, too, trigger overshooting startle responses, and as a result may excessively activate the brain's "fear network"."The results point to a hitherto unknown pathway of developing an anxiety disorder," Deckert says.He believes that further investigations are now necessary to determine whether these findings can be harnessed to develop new or individual therapies.
BMC polls: Won't ally with Congress at any cost, says Fadnavis

Mumbai (Maharashtra) , Feb. 25 : 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).





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"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.
Sunil Lanba visits UAE,Oman

New Delhi, Feb 25 :; 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.





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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.
Will Oscar 2017 go all political this year?

New York [USA], Feb. 26 : Keeping the trend, set by Meryl Streep at the Golden Globe Award 2017, in mind, expecting a 'political' wave at the 89th Annual Academy Awards is inevitable.





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At least, the wave was seen very prominently at Grammys, BAFTA and BRITS.A survey, by Fox news, has come up with an inference, which says almost 45 percent of attendees at the Oscars can voice their political opinion.Among the rest 55 percent, about 25 percent may say 'we shouldn't talk politics,' where as 21 percent prefers staying out of politics. The rest 10 percent may be of the feeling- 'Hollywood too liberal.'Meanwhile, according to a report in CNN, the 'Hamilton' actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who addressed Mike Pence from the stage, shortly after the presidential election, said that he expects politics to play a role in the acceptance speeches of this year's Oscar winners."I anticipate we'll see more of the trend that has been building in Hollywood and I, for one, am very happy about it," CNN quoted the actor saying."It's imperative that anybody who has a platform, anybody who has a voice right now, that they stand up and speak their mind, particularly about a lot of issues that are effecting people who do not have a voice or platform," he said, adding, "I hope they do take their opportunity, and I look forward to hearing it and seeing it."For the unversed, Dixon made headlines in November, when he read a message to Pence, then the vice president-elect, during a curtain call, after learning the politician was in the audience, where he said, "We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us."This angered Donald Trump, who later tweeted, "the cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man" and demanded an apology, which the actor refused.
Politics at Oscars? Debate British stars

London [UK], Feb. 26 : Looks like, Oscars this year, has turned into a platform to slam the U.S President Donald Trump and his political moves.





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To protest, or not to protest- that is the question! As the film fraternity gathers in Los Angeles for the 'big night,' the British stars weigh into the debate.At a pre-Oscar's party held in honour of this year's British nominees, several UK stars split over the issue, as their American counterparts, reports Telegraph.co.uk.'Homeland' fame David Harewood, urging the would-be Oscar winners to speak out against Trump's policies, said, "Any attempt to bash Trump is good."Cara Speller, producer of nominated animated short film 'Pear Cider And Cigarettes,' feels artists have a "responsibility to speak out."But, Neil Corbould, Oscar nominee in the 'Special Effect' category for 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' feels it to be a wrong platform to make political comments."It should be for the film people I think. Political is another platform," he said.Meanwhile, director David Mackenzie, whose 'Hell Or High Water' has earned four Academy Award nominations, said he feared any political statements would be diluted by the "babble" surrounding the Oscars- "It's interesting. I think there's a lot of politicising going on at the moment. I hope the message doesn't get diluted by too much babble so I have mixed feelings about that."Going by the trend, set by Meryl Streep at the Golden Globes Awards, the 89th Academy Awards ceremony, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, is expected to be dominated by speeches against Tump's policies, particularly travel ban, revoking of environmental protection laws, transgender bathroom rollback and attacks on the press.
LAGOS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Nigeria's central bank said on Monday it will auction $100 million in forward contracts after selling the U.S. currency last week to boost dollar liquidity and help close the gap between the official and black market exchange rates.

The bank sold $370 million in 60-day contracts last Monday while the result of another $230 million forward auction held last week is yet to be released.

The naira traded at around 305.50 on the interbank market after the bank intervened with $1.5 million on Monday. On the black market, the currency was quoted at 460 per dollar.

(Reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha and Oludare Mayowa; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Kerala: Temple inferno injures two, cause attributed to improper waste management

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) , Feb. 26 : A fire broke out in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram city in the early hours of Sunday, after a pile of garbage was set on fire by locals, thus revealing the apathy of the local administrative bodies.





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A post office building and its godown were gutted after a fire broke out near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. No casualties or injuries were reported, and the situation is said to be under control presently.This is the third such incident being reported in the area encircling this temple, in the past year. Dewaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has appealed to the public, stating that the matter is being considered for immediate discussions.According to locals, the city lacks an efficient waste disposal system, due to which locals are forced to burn piles of garbage. However, the local administration has assured residents that the matter is of serious concern, and is being monitored and discussed with the concerned authorities.
#Oscars2017: Casey Affleck slams Trump's abhorrent policies

London [UK], Feb. 27 : Casey Affleck, known for his calm behaviour bluntly showed his displeasure over U.S. President Donald Trump's 'un-American' policies.





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The 41 year-old recently spotted at Independent Spirit awards, slammed the Trump administration for its distasteful policies, reports The Independent."The policies of this administration are abhorrent and they will not last. You don't have to clap out of obligation... They're really un-American," he said.The 'Manchester by the Sea' star, believes it is time to struggle for the future of our nation."It's a time to struggle for the future and the soul of our nation. I know this feels preachy and boring and I'm preaching to the choir but I'm just lending my voice to the chorus here. You are struggling - you're doing it so well and speaking up," he added.The actor arrived at the ceremony wearing a t-shirt spelling the word "love" in Arabic.On a related note, Affleck is said to be the front-runner for Best Actor in a Leading Role at The Academy Awards.
Oscars 2017: Jimmy Kimmel takes jibe at Trump, honours Meryl Streep

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : As expected the 89th Academy Awards started with poking fun at the U.S. President Donald Trump.





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The host for the night, Jimmy Kimmel took to the stage and jumped right into the political humour."The broadcast is being watched in more than 225 countries that now hate us," he quipped.Taking some serious jabs at President Trump, the late night host continued, "It's so easy to reach out and heal. I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone thanks to him."He closed out with a particularly sassy nod to what happened to Meryl Streep after the Golden Globes."We're also here to honour the actors who seem great but actually really arent," Kimmel joked, as the camera panned to Streep. "One in particular has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances. From her mediocre work in Out of Africa to her underwhelming performance in Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep has phoned it in for her entire lackluster career. This is her 20th nomination, which is amazing because she wasn't even in a movie this year-we just wrote her name down."Jimmy then directed the crowd to rise to give her an "undeserved" standing ovation, as he joked "Nice dress, by the way, is that an Ivanka?"On a related note, an unusually tense atmosphere coalesced before the Dolby Theatre ceremony, with protests, rallies and boycotts swirling around this year's Oscars.
My absence is out of respect for people of my country: Asghar Farhadi post'Best Foreign Film' Oscar win

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : Art is beyond politics and policies- proves Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's winning Oscar in the 'Best Foreign Film' category for 'The Salesman.'





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44-year-old actor, who boycotted the event, protesting the U.S President Donald Trump's travel ban policy, labels the order as "inhuman."To accept the honour and speak on his behalf at the 89th Academy Awards, Farhadi sent Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian, and first self-funded woman in world who went to space.Ansari read out the director's statement, which started with, "It's a great honour to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I am sorry I am not with you tonight."Attacking the U.S President with his strong words, Farhadi's letter continued, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'us and our enemies' categories creates fear- deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries, which have themselves been victim of aggression.""Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture sheer human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others-= an empathy we need today more than ever," the statement further read.Meanwhile, Farhadi had a free screening of The Salesman in London, which was introduced by London mayor Sadiq Khan.'The Salesman' premiered at Cannes last May, follows a couple in Tehran involved in an amateur dramatic production of Arthur Miller's 'The Salesman,' who are forced to move apartments following an earthquake. But the flat into which they move had an unhappy history, compounded by an unwelcome intruder.On a related note, Farhadi won Iran's first Oscar for his film 'A Separation' in 2012.
Jimmy Kimmel pokes fun at Trump: Asks publications with worlds 'times' to leave

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : As expected, 'Trump jokes' continued to feature in the 89th Academy Awards ceremony, with the host for the night, Jimmy Kimmel, starting the night with sardonic remarks on the U.S. President, tickling the funny bones of several Hollywood celebrities.





(Posted on 27 February 2017, 1667761386 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php  (Posted on 27 February 2017, 1667761386 173O212O198O32)

Taking on Trump administration's recent gag order blocking some media outlets from covering its daily press briefing, Kimmel said that anyone from CNN, New York Times or any publication with the word "times" should leave the building.Kimmel, from the very beginning, took to the stage and jumped right into political humour."The broadcast is being watched in more than 225 countries that now hate us," he quipped.Taking some serious jabs at President Trump, the late night host continued, "It's so easy to reach out and heal. I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone thanks to him."He closed out with a particularly sassy nod to what happened to Meryl Streep after the Golden Globes."We're also here to honour the actors who seem great but actually really arent," Kimmel joked, as the camera panned to Streep. "One in particular has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances. From her mediocre work in Out of Africa to her underwhelming performance in Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep has phoned it in for her entire lackluster career. This is her 20th nomination, which is amazing because she wasn't even in a movie this year-we just wrote her name down."Jimmy then directed the crowd to rise to give her an "undeserved" standing ovation, as he joked "Nice dress, by the way, is that an Ivanka?"
'The White Helmets,' speaking about 'banned' Syria, wins Oscar

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : Looks like the 89th Academy Awards is all about trolling Trump and slamming his policies, especially 'travel ban order.'





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But of course indirectly!After Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's Oscar win, now 'The White Helmets' wins the golden statuette for 'Documentary Short Subjects.''The White Helmets' speaks about a group of rescue workers, who courageously saved over 82,000 lives in Syria.On this note, Syria is one of those seven-Muslim countries, which was banned immigration in the United States, early this month, by the Trump administration.Story does not end there. Khaled Khatib, the 21-year-old cinematographer for 'White Helmets,' who worked to draw attention to the plight of his country's civil war, was not allowed to board his flight to from Istanbul to Los Angeles for the Academy Awards night.Reportedly, he was stopped by US officials who said they had uncovered "derogatory information" about him.'The White Helmets,' a 40-minute Netflix documentary, 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.
Oscars: Casey Affleck wins Best Actor award

Los Angeles, Feb 27 : Actor Casey Affleck won the Best Actor award for his performance in the movie Manchester by the Sea.





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On the other hand, Emma Stone clinched the best actress award for La La Land.The films films Damien Chazelle was awarded the Best Director award on the star studded night.
TataCLiQ.com joins launch celebrations of Tata Hexa

Mumbai/Kolkata, Feb 27 : TataCLiQ.com has joined the launch celebrations of the Tata Hexa, the lifestyle utility vehicle from Tata Motors, as the online partner.





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In addition to buying their favorite brands across apparel, electronics, and footwear, consumers can now also experience the hextraordinary, power-packed and dynamic Tata Hexa on Tata CLiQ. This exclusive partnership will enable consumers to book test drives, explore additional features and benefits with just a CLiQ.Based on a new versatile platform the HEXA is a complete vehicle package, with an exceptional combination of design, luxury, off-road and on-road capabilities, boasting modern and exciting architecture, plush interiors and next-generation connectivity and performance related features, enhancing the functionality of the vehicle.Speaking on the partnership Ashutosh Pandey, CEO TataCLiQ.com said, We are really happy and excited with this exclusive partnership. Tata Hexa promises to be a perfect combination of style, features and performance and we are sure that our discerning consumer base will be excited to discover the brand-new SUV on our portal.According to Vivek Srivatsa, Head of Marketing, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, With rapidly changing digital landscape, brands across industries are aligning themselves to adjust and conform to the interactive world. Adressing this digital shift, we are delighted to partner with TataCLiQ.com for our recently launched lifestyle vehicle, HEXA. As we are targeting a far younger set of buyers, we believe this partnership will help us reach out to the right set of customers in a more effective way.The HEXA features a new first-in-segment SUPER DRIVE MODES system, to provide customers with a pleasurable, comfortable and dynamic driving experience. This Super Drive Modes system allows the driver to seamlessly switch between four different driving modes Auto, Comfort, Dynamic and Rough Road, for enhanced ride comfort stability over different terrains.The new system is a flawless combination of the vehicles Engine performance, new-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Torque on Demand (TOD) and the vehicles Instrument Cluster display and ambient lighting, which can be activated through a well-placed rotary knob, on the center console.
Film Certification Appellate Tribunal clears same-sex love music video Miss You

Kolkata, Feb 27 : The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has rescinded the directive from the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to cut ten seconds of the 'Miss You' music video of Friends of Linger, instead giving it a 'U/A' Certificate with no cuts. The video on same-sex love released on September 15, 2016 was originally given an 'A' Certificate by the board. This was appealed against resulting in the CBFC offering an U/A certificate with the condition that 10 seconds of the 4.55 minute had to be cut.





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The 10 seconds in question involved the two characters both men lying in bed semi-nude. The CBFC claimed this was intimate whereas Sharif D Rangnekar (one of the two actors, the lyricist and lead vocalist of the song) who led the appeal with the FCAT contended that the scene in focus was of separation and not of love-making or intimacy. This scene was also an important part of the narrative, says Rangnekar who felt the video directed by Manav Singh Malvai, was sensitive and real.After a nearly four-month long wait, the FCAT, in the presence of Chairperson, Manmohan Sarin and members - Poonam Dhillon and Shekhar Iyer passed an order in favour of the appeal, hence over-turning the decision of the CBFC. The order states that the song has been sensitively filmed relating to a contemporary social issue. It also affirms that the visuals and cuts directed by CBFC are intrinsic to the narrative.We are happy at the outcome of our appeal to the FCAT. The decision clearly is greater than the song or video itself as it marks a shift in how such institutions view visual content involving the LGBTQ community, Rangnekar said. The video is an expression of longing and love as well as separation caused by marriage. This is a reality that we need to address and not shy away from, he adds. The victory, according to Rangnekar is not limited to freedom of expression but also of claiming spaces that are exploited by common society and the heterosexual world. As equal citizens, I see no reason why our stories need to be pushed away, he added.Since the song went online it has had over 57000 views on YouTube and more than 60000 on Facebook. While we have received a formal copy of the order, we are awaiting the certificate which will allow us to distribute the music video to television channels in India.Watch the video here -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYOkLL0QHvE
Indo-Russian educational collaboration to boost Digital India initiative

Kolkata, Feb 27 : To strengthen Bengal's presence in the Digital India initiative, JIS College of Engineering has planned to set up a centre for excellence in collaboration with four Russian universities.





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The announcement was made recently in Kolkata.The four collaborating Russian universities are Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research Nuclear University, Innopolis University and Russian New University.The plan took off in November 2016 when JIS visited Russia as part of a delegation from The Bengal Chamber of Commerce Industry (BCCI), which went to Russia to explore opportunities for Bengal.During our visit to Moscow, the Russian consulate told us that the model of our centre of excellence is unique and we from Bengal can become a role model for the rest of the country when it comes to taking Russian help for yielding societal benefit through an education initiative, said Taranjit Singh, Managing Director of JIS Group Educational Initiatives and Chancellor of JIS University,Sila Singh Ghosh, Vice President of Corporate Communication, JIS group said that the Centre of Excellence would screen students based on their innovative ideas and later, both JIS and the Russian partners, would finance and send students to pursue higher studies in Russia with full scholarship from their universities.Keeping in line with the Digital India mission, the JIS Group organised a two day International Symposium on Gen Next Initiative for Digital India. It was attended by a 16-member delegation from Russian universities.Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, BCCI, said, The motto of the symposium basically is the power to empower.It was also announced that JIS has entered into a collaboration with The University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom (UK) where the UK university will offer joint degrees and student exchange programmes.So that a large number of students can get access to their courses, JIS group has decided to take its courses online through the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the AICTE portal: SWAYAM.The curriculum will be designed by Manpreet Singh Manna, Director of AICTE.According to JIS, some of the advantages of the online courses will be cost free access, skill training, accessibility with lower bandwidth, user friendly, accessible in 10 different languages and supervised by the Microsoft Dot Net technology.(Reporting by Shilpa Salwan)
Tata Power's Community Development initiative aids towards social upliftment of 136 villages

Mumbai/Kolkata, Feb 27 : Tata Power has reached out to 136 villages under its Social Capital and Infrastructure initiative-Sanrachna, by creating 702 Self Help Groups that benefited over 84,502 people across locations.





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The objectives of the Sanrachna initiative emanate from 3 main efforts that are aimed at overall community development namely - Womens Empowerment, Building Infrastructure and, Promotion of Government Schemes. The company drafted and implemented various programs to develop the communities and provide the villagers with employment, skill-upgradation and access to basic infrastructure.With the objective of promoting gender equality and women empowerment by implementing income generation training and skill upgradation, Tata Power succeeded in engaging 9928 SHG members across locations. This has helped towards a 37% increase in number of trained members since FY2015.Identifying that the Khandke region of Ahmendnagar district, Maharashtra, is a drought prone region, Tata Power in association with Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra NGO, constructed two check dams at Ranjani and Devgaon village. These check dams did not only provide irrigation to farms, but also recharged 30-40 individual and public wells along with water sources like ponds, streams, rivers, etc.Tata Power also provided technical assistance to the government of Maharashtra in setting up 8 watershed management systems in Ranjani and Devgaon villages. More than 115 households from these two villages have been benefitted by these initiatives.Tata Power familiarized 633 school students with the AABY scheme - AAM ADAMI BIMA YOJANA (AABY SCHEME); a social security scheme of the Central Government implemented through Social Justice Department of Government of Maharashtra. Till FY16 the company impacted 2180 lives through interventions aimed at securing lives through Government Schemes in Dherand.Speaking on this achievement, Ashok Sethi, COO ED, Tata Power, said, We, at Tata Power have taken up the onus of developing the communities around our areas of operation as it gives us a great sense of gratification when we are able to take them a step towards development. We will continue to work towards creating positive impact on the lives of people and develop initiatives that promote gender equality and the social development of children.Image:tata website
UN rights expert calls on Myanmar authorities to protect Rohingya population

New York, Feb 27 : Concluding a four-day visit to parts of Bangladesh where she met with members of Myanmar's Rohingya community who fled the violence there following attacks on a border post in early October and the ensuing military operations, a United Nations expert called for urgent action by the Government of Myanmar to end the suffering of the Rohingya population in the country.





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The magnitude of violence that these families have witnessed and experienced is far more extensive than I had originally speculated, highlighted Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.She recounted several allegations of horrific attacks including the slitting of some peoples throats, indiscriminate shootings, houses being set alight with people tied up inside and very young children being thrown into the fire, as well as gang rapes and other sexual violence.Earlier this month, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a flash report, based on its interviews with the people who fled Myanmar, in which it documented mass gang-rape, killings, including of babies and young children, brutal beatings, disappearances and other serious human rights violations by the countrys security forces.In addition to the alleged human rights violations occurring within the context of the security operations that followed the 9 October attacks, Lee also highlighted on Monday how the Government of Myanmar appears to have taken, and continues to take, actions which discriminate against the Rohingya and make their lives even more difficult.I urge the Government of Myanmar to immediately cease the discrimination that the community continues to face, to act now to prevent any further serious rights violations and to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into those already alleged to have occurred, said the UN rights expert.We all owe it to those I have met and their fellow community members to do everything in our power to ensure this is done and to give the Rohingya people reason to hope again, she added.During her mission to Bangladesh, Lee visited the capital Dhaka and the town of Coxs Bazar, located near its border with Myanmar, where many members of the Rohingya community had fled to. Lee will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council on 13 March.Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.UN Photo/Jean-Marc FerrSource: www.justearthnews.com
In Geneva, UN urges upholding human rights amid rising populism and extremism

New York, Feb 27 : Disregard for human rights is a disease, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday told the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council, urging Member States to uphold the rights of all people in the face of rising populism and extremism.





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Addressing the top UN human rights body for the first time since becoming Secretary-General, Guterres appealed to world governments to speak up for human rights in an impartial way.Disregard for human rights is a disease, and it is a disease that is spreading North, South, East and West, the Secretary-General told the high-level segment of the 34th regular session of the Human Rights Council, alongside UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein. The Human Rights Council must be part of the cure.Having lived under the dictatorship of Portugals Antnio de Oliveira Salazar, Guterres explained that he was 24 before he knew democracy. Denying his compatriots their human rights had oppressed and impoverished many of them, resulting in a mass exodus, and also brought bloody civil wars to Portugals former colonies in Africa.Calling on Mondays world more dangerous, less predictable, more chaotic, the Secretary-General called for making prevention a priority, tackling root causes of conflict and reacting early and more effectively to human rights violations.He highlighted the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the treaties that derive from it, and urged the Council to be fully engaged on the issues that require their attention.We are increasingly seeing the perverse phenomenon of populism and extremism feeding off each other in a frenzy of growing racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance, Guterres said.Minorities, indigenous communities and others face discriminations and abuse across the world, he added, noting abuse targeting refugees and migrants, and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI).Among other issues raised, Guterres also called for protection of the human rights defenders and of journalists who are essential to the checks and balances of any society.In his address, UN High Commissioner Zeid denounced reckless political profiteers who threaten the multilateral system or intend to withdraw from parts of it.We have much to lose, so much to protect, the UN High Commissioner said.Without a commitment to fundamental human rights, to the dignity and worth of the human person and to the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, our world will become chaos, misery and warfare, he warned. Of all the great post-war achievements, it is this assertion of the universality of rights in human rights law that may be the most noteworthy.Speaking directly to the political actors, Zeid said the sirens of historical experience ought to ring clear and pledged that we will not sit idly by in the face of violations.Our rights, the rights of others, the very future of our planet cannot, must not be thrown aside by these reckless political profiteers, he added.For his part, the President of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, Peter Thomson, called for greater dialogue and cooperation for peace among Governments, the UN system, civil society and the private sector.He lauded the Human Rights Council as essential to bridging divides, and called for advancing with common purpose towards sustainable peace.Just as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda recognizes human rights as a cornerstone for sustainable development, so too does the concept of sustaining peace, stated Thompson, urging the Council members to put forward their best ideas, well-honed skills and most determined will to defend the place of human rights in the drive to implement sustainable development and sustaining peace in on Mondays challenging times.UN Photo/Elma OkicSource: www.justearthnews.com
Who are Newport's top taxpayers? Take a look at the top 50.
Thought Leaders Jane Hill, Ph.D. Allen House Professor Dartmouth College

An interview with Dr. Jane Hill, Dartmouth College, conducted by April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Cantab)

When was it first discovered that patient breath could be used to diagnose disease?

The breath of patients has been used to diagnose disease since was first recorded, as far as we know, by the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, who wrote described "fetor hepaticus" (breath of the dead) back in ~400 BC, a reference to the pungent smell of thiols on the breath of patients with liver dysfunction.

The first, FDA-approved system using breath to diagnose an infectious agent was approved in 1996. Its a urea-based breath test for Helicobacter pylori (the stomach ulcer bacterium).

Over the past couple of decades, the analytical technology and the clinical microbiology insight needed to create a breath test for infections has seen a considerable number of advances and there are now numerous research teams focused on evaluating patient breath as a diagnostic fluid for infectious diseases. Significant challenges still need to be overcome.

In what ways has our understanding advanced in this field over recent years and what advances in technology have been important to your research?

The collection of breath samples in a reliable manner is one of the ways we have increased our understanding over the last few years in this field. Components in the breath are affected by exercising, sitting down and standing up etc., and so it is vital to have a reliable baseline of breath measurement.

At Dartmouth College we use state-of-the-art analytical equipment to analyze breath samples, this includes secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry on a system we modified system from AB Sciex, which enables us to carry out essentially real-time analysis of volatile.

Another instrument that we use is a two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry system from LECO, the profiles of which are more chemically comprehensive. With these instruments, we are able to look for molecules in the breath comprehensively. Developing real-time sensitive detection instruments that can be translated into a clinical setting is a vital area of research that needs to be further developed.

The inclusion of medical doctors on breath research teams i.e., alongside analytical chemists, has also helped focus breath-based infectious disease research questions. Statisticians, engineers, and clinical microbiologists are also becoming increasingly more common members of breath research teams, in a bid to aid translation of research into the clinic.

How can translation from laboratory to clinical setting be achieved?

At this moment in time, very few proof-of-concept biomarkers end in successful translation into a clinical setting. I suggest that success is more likely when the underlying biochemical hypothesis is strong and the link to disease pathogenesis well known. Without a solid understanding of the organism and the hosts response during infection with the organism, as well as the clinical confounders, such as co-morbidities, or biochemical mimics, progress will founder.

Researchers need to be aware that there are several stages in the development of a breath test for infectious diseases. The process is lengthy, involving the iteration of results obtained via data discussions with chemists, medical doctors, clinical microbiologists, etc. Translation of research is achievable, however it is important that assumptions are minimized and always contextualized with input from by clinicians.

Cell culture systems can and should be used when considering a developing technology, which might, for example aim to measure volatile molecules particularly quickly or sensitively. In this experimental system, evaluating the technology is an essential proving ground.

Then, if the proof-of-concept works, a translation has to be done in conjunction with medical doctors and other people with insight into a clinical application. Although knowledge of the organism and the patient population may be well-known, other clinical confounders must be considered. These confounders are quite different to the more discrete and well-understood problems analytical chemists typically consider in a laboratory.

For example, a patient may have a co-morbidity factor, such as an underlying heart disease issue or diabetes, which can influence the molecules in the breath as well as the control patient populations recruited to the breath study. If the heterogeneity that occurs in a patient population is not accounted for, both in terms of the diseases that might appear similar to the one that you're trying to develop a diagnostic for, as well as those that might exist in the general population, your evaluation of putative breath biomarkers may not be effective. Prevention of this common error is usually obtained with the active involvement in the project, including the early planning stages, by clinical staff, such as physicians and nurses.

A common mistake when trying to translate laboratory research for clinical application for an infectious breath test is assuming that the culture volatile molecules grown in the lab will be exactly the same as the molecules detected in the human patient, which is highly unlikely. It is therefore vital that scientists remain hypothesis-driven and that both in vitro and in vivo phases.

What do you think the future holds for diagnosing infections through molecules in patient breath?

There are still some stages to overcome, getting FDA and MHRA approval is nontrivial, taking several years to make it through the approval process. However, over the next decade or so we will see more breath tests come onto the market. My team hopes to be a part of that wave.

Please can you outline your upcoming talk at Pittcon 2017?

Pittcon 2022: March 6-10 Click here to learn more about Pittcon 2022. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA USA

My talk at Pittcon will cover the effective use of cell cultures to develop proof-of-concept datasets useful to the clinical context. I will also talk about the design of these experiments within the bigger context of the clinical relevance.

In particular, I will focus on the following three bacterial infection contexts:

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis kills approximately one and a half million people each year making it the biggest infectious disease killer in the world each year. I will present work expanding from the lab bench to patient breath analysis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that particularly impacts vulnerable populations, like those with cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, creating a high level of morbidity and mortality for those patients. We have carried out a lot of bench and clinical work in this context and I will try and make those connections in my talk at Pittcon. Multidrug-resistant bacteria I will share our early work on possible strategies to target the identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

What Pittcon Can do for You Play

What Pittcon Can do for You from AZoNetwork on Vimeo.

Where can readers find more information?

About Pittcon

Pittcon is a registered trademark of The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization. Co-sponsored by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Pittcon is the premier annual conference and exposition on laboratory science.

Proceeds from Pittcon fund science education and outreach at all levels, kindergarten through adult. Pittcon donates more than a million dollars a year to provide financial and administrative support for various science outreach activities including science equipment grants, research grants, scholarships and internships for students, awards to teachers and professors, and grants to public science centers, libraries and museums.

Visit pittcon.org for more information.
Porvair Sciences launched their new Seed Genomics microplate at the recent Plant & Animal Genomics 2017 conference in San Diego (USA) and received an enthusiastic response from the assembled scientists.

Visiting genomic researchers were particularly impressed by the strong reinforced polypropylene deep well plate with its matching polypropylene cap mats. The extra ribbing underneath the plate to support its use in a GenoGrinder bead beater system* was a feature welcomed by many visitors who saw the plate.

A leading UK contract genomics lab later tested the plates and found that they could survive 4 minutes of bead beating with barley seeds, a notoriously hard carpel to crack, in a GenoGrinder system at 1750 rpm using a 6mm steel grinding ball. According to the technician who tested it, this is unprecedented as most commercially-available deep well microplates crack under this level of applied force.

Steve Knight - Sales Director of Porvair Sciences, commented We went to San Diego with a whole stack of seed genomics plates to give away not really knowing if we had done the right thing. The overwhelming response from the researchers, scientists and technicians we spoke to was that a reinforced and specially strengthened deep well microplate for bead-beating was a most welcome addition to the seed genomics laboratory. Off the back of this success we will consider expanding the range into other formats soon.

Samples of this new extractable-free polypropylene 2.1ml square well, pyramid based-plate are still available.
The computer gathers relevant disease information from 200 documents in just a few seconds. Doctors have no chance at matching its tempo.

"This technology contributes to more accurate and updated information about pain and risk, and makes this information available to doctors involved in patient care. The research results show, at this stage, that the system's precision is not far off the level of experienced clinicians, and the computer is in addition much quicker than the doctors", says Geir Thore Berge.

He is a qualified nurse, and works with IT and information systems at the Department of Technology and e-Health at Srlandet Hospital HF. As a PhD research fellow, he is associated with the Centre for e-Health and Care Technology and the Department of Information Systems at the University of Agder (UiA).

Together with Senior Consultant Dr. Tor Oddbjrn Tveit at the hospital, and Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo at UiA, he conducts research into the structuring of health information at Srlandet Hospital. With the help of new formulae (algorithms), Berge has developed a system which recognises linguistic patterns and expressions in large quantities of data.

"There are on average around 200 documents in a patient's medical records, and in the A&E in particular it is preferable that the doctor rapidly gains an overview of, for example, the patient's allergies, in order to be able to make correct decisions about treatment", says Berge.

The computer does not inform the doctor of the type of treatment called for, but it does find relevant information about the patient so that the doctor can make a safer decision.

Artificial creativity

With the help of formulae (algorithms), the system retrieves the relevant information by association based on the patient's documents. The formulae are so-called "learning algorithms". In short, this means that the system does not just mimic and retrieve information which is loaded into it, but it is also capable of putting this information together in new ways.

Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo has carried out fundamental research in this area. Granmo has developed a language tool based on artificial intelligence with the ability to learn any language after being fed a large quantity of text. Berge has only found two academic articles in a worldwide search which address this same type of formula and tool, but these are not completely self-learning, and have not been trialled in practice either.

"We have tried out Granmo's formulae, which are completely self-learning, and we have also got them to work in practice," says Berge.

Berge has developed a computer system which feeds Granmo's algorithms with the correct rules and terms, whilst Senior Consultant Tveit has been supportive on the medical front. System tests have worked out so well that Srlandet Hospital has already decide to trial it on their own patients in the operative and intensive departments during the spring.

Promising results

"The results so far are very promising. The system captures the context of meaning and associations, and is smarter than it was earlier. Nine out of ten relevant pieces of information connected to allergies were retrieved," says Tor Oddbjrn Tveit.

It was Tveit who initially suggested testing the new algorithms on allergies.

"Allergies can be difficult and complex, and if the system can learn this field, it will most likely also be able to transfer to other areas of illness", says Tveit.

The senior consultant is surprised at the progress of the research project.

"I didn't think that artificial intelligence would be able to gain a hold on all of these variables so quickly, so precisely, and in an associative fashion. But the system really does this. It provides a very good overview of what you must think through before you - as a doctor - make a decision", says Tveit.

Testing for three months

Now, the new electronic decision support system is being tested out in clinical practice.

"Now we are in the process of testing out the system on patients in the operative and intensive departments. We are going to spend two or three months on this," says Tveit.

If the system works as well in practice as it has done in theoretical trials, Tveit reckons that the technical elements are so solidly in place already that the new algorithms will be able to be put into use almost immediately.

"In purely technical terms, it can be put into use straight away. What will, potentially, take time, are the commercial, legal and bureaucratic considerations and clarifications," says Tveit.

He emphasises that there are four factors which must be in place before a new system for information structuring can be put into use at the hospital.

"The system must, firstly, provide relevant information. Secondly, it must avoid irrelevant information, and thirdly, it must find it quickly. Fourthly, there must be a qualified doctor to interpret the information that the machine retrieves" says Tveit.

Doctors are still the most important factor

He emphasises that, just as with other medical aids at the hospital, you cannot rely on the equipment alone.

"Artificial intelligence used in the hospital's computer system will be able to help doctors make safer choices for the good of the patient. It will function similar to an x-ray or a blood test. If it is to be of any value, the doctor has to interpret the x-ray or blood test - and the information from the computer - before deciding on a potential treatment", says Tveit.
Invasive aquatic species like round goby, Asian carp, and sea lamprey are a growing problem in New York State. Their presence impacts water quality, food supply, recreation and tourism, as well as human and animal health. Early detection is a critical first step in monitoring a species' spread and managing responses.

Scientists at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine have devised genetic tests that can detect the environmental DNA (eDNA) of invasive species in a waterway before they become established there. But there are more than 7,600 freshwater lakes and ponds and over 70,000 miles of rivers and streams in New York State, all of them potential conduits for the unwelcome species. How can the Cornell team watch them all for signs of a potential invasion? The answer: teams of young citizen scientists from schools located near a lake, river, or creek, who gather water samples to send to Cornell for analysis.

Dr. Donna Cassidy-Hanley, a senior research associate at the Cornell Veterinary College, had already worked with teachers across New York state to provide hands-on resources for teaching basic science. Teaming up with Cornell Professor James Casey, who developed the genetic tests, Cassidy-Hanley went back to those teachers with a new proposal: Engage your students in a hands-on research project with Cornell scientists that introduces them to invasive species, ecology, environmental management, and bio-informatics, and that has important real world impact.

The response has been amazing. "We had hoped to get five or six teachers involved in the pilot program," says Hanley-Cassidy. "We currently have 60 teachers across the state." Students at schools from New York City to small rural upstate towns have joined in the effort to monitor the spread of invasive fish, contributing critical data and learning about science firsthand.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Cornell sends participating classes free kits containing everything needed to collect water samples. Sample collection starts in the spring as soon as the ice melts and continues until the waters freeze in the fall. Cornell shares detailed test results with teachers and students as soon as the analyses are complete, providing a platform for further learning and discussion. Some classes travel to Cornell to see the laboratory where their samples are tested.

Casey is impressed with the quality of the samples. "I was surprised at how well the program works," he says. "Round goby have been identified at 38 separate sites across the state, including two sites in areas where round goby had not previously been found." The program is supported in part by a USDA HATCH grant, which covers activities in New York state. Word is spreading and teachers from other states are expressing interest in the possibility of similar program, The feedback from teachers and students is very encouraging. Student interest is high, even among students with little past interest in science, and extracurricular groups like ecology clubs have become involved. "Activities like this can have a game changing influence on attitudes and interests," Cassidy-Hanley says. "Seeing firsthand how invasives can affect fishing and boating, as well as the environment and the economy, helps students understand that science has a real impact on daily life."
It will be open 24 hours a day, and will never close down for festivals or take a holiday. The machine will provide sensible and personal advice for young people who contact its chat service. This is the aim of Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo at the University of Agder.

Together with researchers from Sintef, Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, the University of Agder (UiA), under the leadership of Ole-Christoffer Granmo, is in the process of developing a completely new chat service design to assist health and social workers.

"The task is to contribute to providing good health services for the population. If we develop an advisory service which is available twenty-four hours a day, this will be of enormous value to society", says Granmo.

Granmo and Associate Professor Morten Goodwin lead the new Centre of Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) at UiA. Granmo has more than 20 years' experience with fundamental research into algorithms and data communication.

Granmo understands that many might be rather taken aback that a computer, via chat, can help vulnerable young people between the ages of 16 and 26 seeking advice on mental health.

"The machine will not provide standard replies based on frequently asked questions, but will be programmed in such a way as to give unique and adapted advice to each individual young person," says Granmo.

Scientific breakthrough

The prospects which Granmo is talking about may sound like science fiction, but are really just science. Indeed, it is science of a high calibre. The scientific breakthrough on artificial intelligence came, according to Granmo, about 10 years ago. He suggests that a combination of three things makes it possible for us to talk about a revolution:

Enormous level of access to vast quantities of data via the internet Access to more data and calulation power than previously with GPUs. New formulae (algorithms) which can exploit the internet's vast quantities of data and the new GPUs' data processing power.

GPUs are, roughly speaking, processors in computers which can do around a thousand tasks simultaneously. A normal computer can use four. At the new centre for artificial intelligence at UiA's Campus Grimstad, there are three machines installed at the present time, with six GPUs in total.

"Previously, there has always been a limit to the performance we were able to get out of the machines. But with great quantities of data and a lot of data power, combined with smarter algorithms, we have almost limitless capacity. This opens up new possibilities," says Granmo.

Creative artificial intelligence

According to Granmo, we can understand algorithms as different kinds of formulae. The algorithms decide in which order different calculating operations are to be carried out on a computer. The breakthrough in artificial intelligence has also led to new kinds of algorithms. In short, this means that the computer does more than just mimic and deliver the information we have plotted into it. What is new here is that the algorithms are designed in such a way that they put the information together in a new and intelligent way.

This is what the researchers call "self-learning formulae" (algorithms). They contribute, for example, to Tesla's ability to make self-driving cars which make intelligent choices. These are, furthermore, the same kinds of algorithms that UiA is now trialling at the anaesthesia and intensive care departments of Srlandet Hospital (see the story about fast computers on uia.no). These are the self-learning algorithms that Granmo will use when developing the new chat service.

New formulae

Granmo and his colleagues at UiA possess the experience and knowledge to devise new formulae for the computers.

"We take today's best algorithms and develop them further. The aim is that young people will be able to chat with the machine and receive good health advice, but this demands that the service is both medically and technologically robust. We have ensured that this is the case through multi-disciplinary collaboration in the research group and with other partners," says Granmo.

A great demand

The webpage ung.no is an information channel for young people and part of an initiative from the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs. Ung.no is one of several actors to have drawn up a memorandum of understanding together with the research group in order to assess how they might use the research results on their own webpages.

"We have many enquiries on our webpage, and it will be exciting to see what the researchers find out. Through the questions and requests we receive on ung.no, we see that the need for information and advice connected to mental health is great," says Beate Aas, editor of ung.no.

Development work has been triggered

Granmo reckons that the prototype will be finished within four years. Despite earlier successes and breakthroughs in the research into artificial intelligence, he does not for the time being have any answers regarding how the chat service will be realised. He does, however, know something about devising formulae (algorithms), and believes that they will be able to be developed in order to fit the question and answer machine which is now in development.

"If I knew beforehand what the solution was going to be, it would not be exciting at all. The challenge of the research is to discover new connections and formulae en route, and to reach a goal which many initially thought was impossible," says Granmo.

Researchers from Sintef, UiA, Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo have been granted 13 million Norwegian kroner (1,5 million euro) over a four-year period in order to develop the chat service. Amongst the other collaborative partners are entities such as Oslo Council, ung.no, Save the Children and the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs. The project is named "Social Health Bots", and is intended to establish knowledge concerning more effective health services for young people (16-26 years of age) via a robotised and artificial intelligent chat service.

Source: http://cair.uia.no/Cair.Umbraco.Web_deploy/milestones-and-discoveries/computer-to-give-advice-on-mental-health/
Scientists at The Wistar Institute in collaboration with Roswell Park Cancer Institute found a significant association between a rare genetic variant of the p53 gene present in African American women and their risk of developing breast cancer in premenopausal age. The study was published online by the journal NPJ Breast Cancer.

TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer. The p53 protein is a critical tumor suppressor in the cell and genetic mutations that occur in cancer cause a loss of its function in regulating proliferation arrest and cell death. In addition to these changes, there are several minor, naturally occurring genetic variants of the p53 gene, also known as polymorphisms, and some of them are associated with an increased risk of cancer.

The rare p53 polymorphism analyzed in this study is found almost exclusively in populations of African descent. Wistar scientists have previously shown that this polymorphism impairs the ability of p53 to induce cell death in vitro and significantly increases cancer risk when recreated in a mouse model. The new study analyzed the statistical association of this variant with the risk of developing breast cancer in African American women.

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"Based on our previous studies on the functional effects of this genetic variant on the p53 protein, we sought to verify if it alters cancer risk in human carriers," said Maureen Murphy, Ph.D., professor and program leader of the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program at Wistar and senior author of the study. "This genetic variant is present exclusively in people of African descent, so our study addresses cancer disparities in African American women, a historically underrepresented group in research studies."

"Our results show that the risk of developing breast cancer is increased by nearly 70 percent in premenopausal women who carry this polymorphism," Murphy said. "Because its frequency is very low in the African American population, larger studies will be needed to confirm our observations."

Murphy and colleagues conducted statistical studies on a cohort of more than 14,000 women of African descent and didn't find any association of the polymorphism with increased breast cancer risk overall. However, as previously observed with other genetic variants of p53, a significant association was present in women in premenopausal age.

Elucidating the effects of p53 polymorphisms on cancer risk is a challenging task, especially due to the limited availability of sample cohorts from specific populations. This study provides a strong suggestion that the genetic variant considered might be associated with a significant increase in breast cancer risk, although this association will need to be confirmed in a larger sample set.

Source: https://www.wistar.org/news-and-media/press-releases/genetic-variant-the-p53-gene-linked-breast-cancer-risk-premenopausal-a
Exposure to secondhand smoke has long been associated with negative health effects. A study of secondhand smoke exposure after two smoking bans in Spain, publishing today in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, suggests that overall exposure can be decreased across all settings by comprehensive legislative efforts.

The authors reviewed approximately 2,500 adult non-smokers' self-reported rates of tobacco smoke exposure in several public and private settings following smoking bans in 2006 and 2011. The survey results showed significantly lower exposure following the second legislation, with participants reporting their overall exposure falling from 72% in 2006 to 45% in 2011. Exposure decreased across all locations surveyed, beyond the workplaces and hospitality settings covered by the 2011 legislation. For example, exposure also decreased in residences from 29% to 13% and in transportation spaces from 41% to 13%.

"The study findings highlight the impact of smoke-free policies, which contradict the hypothesis driven by the tobacco industry that smoke-free legislation merely displace smoking from public to private places," said lead author Esteve Fernandez of the Catalan Institute of Oncology. Senior author Maria J. Lopez of the Public Health Agency of Barcelona said that "exposure to secondhand smoke in selected outdoor settings may be further reduced by extending smoke-free legislation."
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Civic Polls: The Fight For Consolidation Vs Relevance

(From left) File photo of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, BJP leader and Maharshtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.

It's a sense of Deja vu for those following the municipal elections for the Brihanmumbai Corporation. The Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party fought the elections separately (much like the 2014 Assembly polls) and neither of them has got the necessary mandate to come to power on its own. It's an awkward situation where neither can easily walk back from its campaign tirade against the other.



The BJP emerged as the clear winner in the civic body polls with its stellar performance across state. Barring Thane and Mumbai, everywhere BJP is the number one party. The BJP, under CM Fadnavis, fought to consolidate itself further in the state, but the other political parties fought not just an aggressive BJP, but each other to occupy the space of opposition in the state.





Tiger Shiv Sena



Since the Fadnavis government took charge, Shiv Sena has played the role of opposition from within the government. Be it portfolio allocation, be it the demonetisation drive or recently the inauguration of the giant (and quite pointless) Shivaji Statue in the Arabian Sea, Sena has pitted itself against the BJP. Its recent rhetoric of 'notice period' and 'resignation in our pockets' hinged on the hope that the party would single-handedly control BMC and could then walk out of the government to the other side of the aisle and take the BJP head on in 2019. But the Mumbai voter has dealt a blow to Sena's ambition as it is now at the mercy of other parties to recapture the Mayor's seat. Sena could still cobble up an arrangement to capture the BMC without BJP but it would be too frail a pedestal from where it can walk the talk of leaving state government and going solo in 2019.





'The Grand Old' Congress



It's no surprise that the factionalism-ridden Mumbai Congress was battered in the civic polls. State big-wigs and Mumbai Congress veterans only put up a cosmetic united front after Rahul Gandhi installed his 'chosen one' at the helm of affairs. The state Congress has shown no spark in the Assembly in the 2.5 years of BJP-Sena rule and is holding on to the LoP's post with the lead of one MLA over its former ally, NCP. In Mumbai, it managed to retain just above half of its 2012 tally, in Solapur  former CM Sushil Kumar Shinde's den  the party faced an absolute rout in the corporation, in Amaravati Congress is nowhere close to power, while BJP bettered its numbers manifold. While it did show some spine in Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis at places, there isnt much that the Congress can take away to boost itself at the state level.





Maverick Pawar's NCP



NCP's replug of Maratha politics by lending its weight to the Maratha Morchas did not help it much in the civic polls. The party campaign led by former deputy CM Ajit Pawar failed to capture the urban voter's imagination and got two body-blows in the western belt  Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. While it did well in Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samitis, even wresting away the Parali Panchayat Samiti from BJP minister Pankaja Munde, it isn't fodder enough for the NCP to raise stakes at the state level.





MNS Engine Runs Out of Steam



Raj Thackeray and his MNS have got a bitter reality check this election. Despite Raj's repeated demand for a clear mandate in the Assembly for the state's Navnirman, voters rejected his candidates in Mumbai and even Nashik where they were in power till now. The MNS scored an embarrassing seven in Mumbai, while in Nashik it has been dethroned and decimated to a paltry three. MNS's tall claims of having a blueprint for Maharashtra and being the only representative of the Marathi identity have been shown the dustbin by the voter.





What it Means for the State



Much like at the Centre, the BJP in Maharashtra is harping on the development and transparency agenda. A boisterous BJP under the proven administrative skills of Fadnavis blessed by an expansionist party chief Amit Shah will be rearing to return to power on its own in 2019. The Sena knows it must be proactive and hence it is posturing itself as a credible alternative. The picture will get a lot clearer in the next 2.5 years and the arena would be wide open in 2019.
India has stepped up its lobbying efforts against moves threatened by the Trump administration to impose visa curbs on high skilled workers that could undermine the movement of software professionals from India to America. The CEOs are not expected to meet the President.

: R Chandrasekhar, the president of the Indian software industry's lobbying group NASSCOM, has said he hopes the Donald Trump administration takes a "pragmatic" view about the H1B visa issue."We are here to engage with the administration and Congress and to dispel some of the myths about the movement of high skilled workers," Chandrasekhar told CNN's Maggie Lake in an interview. We hope they take a pragmatic and open minded view," he added.A number of high level CEO's from various Indian technology firms are in Washington DC on Monday meeting with officials from the Trump administration. India's foreign secretary S. Jaishankar will hold "wide ranging bilateral discussions" with American officials on the H1B visa issue and the safety of Indian nationals in the US after suspected hate crimes against Indians.Chandrasekhar told CNN said that it was incorrect to say that the tech industry in America was reluctant to hire American workers. "There is a shortage of skilled workers in America and that is what the H1B programme is filling," he said.Chandrasekhar added that the H1B programme has created more jobs in America than it has destroyed.
After the Mona Lisa, Italy's most beloved and enduring gift to world culture might be the meatball. But talk to any two Italian cooks about which ingredients actually comprise a meatball and you're going to get an argument. Fine. I took this contentiousness as a license to concoct a meatball recipe of my own using the best tips from Italian friends and colleagues.



Let's start with the meat in this meatball. Ideally, it should be an equal mix of beef, pork and veal, allowing each one to contribute its own unique flavor and texture. If you can't find ground veal at your supermarket, opt for the meatloaf mix, which contains all three meats. If there's no ground veal and no meatloaf mix, you'll be fine with half pork and half beef.



To amp up the flavor to an even higher level, I've prescribed several umami bombs: prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano and tomato paste. And of course, minced garlic.



Tradition requires meatballs to be cooked well done, which can make them dry. Accordingly, I've combined the meat mixture with a panade. Panade, a paste made of breadcrumbs soaked in milk, keeps the meat juicy as the meatballs cook.



Of course, when you make meatballs, you want them to retain their shape. A raw egg helps to bind the ingredients, but you also want to be sure to mix them rigorously, either in a stand mixer or with your hands. Refrigerating the meatballs for 30 minutes before sauteing them also helps.



The finishing touch is to simmer the meatballs in the tomato sauce. This process allows for an exchange of flavors. Indeed, I think of it as a marriage. Both the meatballs and the sauce benefit greatly.



This hearty dish is tailor-made for a blustery late-winter dinner. There won't be much argument at the table about its deliciousness.



BETTER MEATBALLS



Start to finish: 2 hours, 15 minutes (1 hour, 15 minutes active)



Servings: 6



3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs



1/2 cup whole milk



1/2 pound ground beef (85 percent lean)



1/2 pound ground pork



1/2 pound ground veal



2 ounces prosciutto, finely chopped



2 ounces finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus extra for garnish



1 large egg



2 tablespoons tomato paste



2 teaspoons minced garlic



3/4 teaspoon kosher salt



1/2 teaspoon black pepper



3 tablespoons vegetable oil plus extra for cooking the little patty



1/2 cup all-purpose flour



1/2 cup red wine



Marinara Sauce (recipe below) or 5 cups store-bought marinara



1 pound spaghetti



Chopped fresh parsley for garnish



In the bowl of a stand mixer, soak the bread crumbs in the milk for 20 minutes. Add the ground beef, pork, veal, prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, egg, tomato paste, garlic, salt and pepper, and using a paddle attachment, beat the mixture for 1 minute or until it is very well mixed. (Note: If you don't have a stand mixer, just mix all the ingredients well with your hands for about 3 minutes.)



Pinch off a little bit of the meat mixture, form it into a patty and in a small skillet saute it until it is cooked through. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if desired. Scoop out the mixture, preferably using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop and roll into balls. (If you don't have an ice cream scoop, roll the meat into walnut-size balls.) Chill for 30 minutes.



In a large skillet heat half the oil over medium-high heat. Toss half the meatballs in the flour, shaking off the excess and add them to the hot oil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the meatballs, shaking the pan and turning them gently until they are browned on several sides. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat the procedure with the remaining flour, oil and meatballs.



Add the wine to the skillet and simmer it, scraping up the brown bits, until it is reduced by half. In a large saucepan combine the meatballs with the marinara and the reduced wine. Bring the liquid just up to a boil, turn it down to a simmer and simmer it gently, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.



Speedy Marinara Sauce



Makes: About 5 cups



4 large garlic cloves, smashed



1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil



1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes



2 (28-ounce) cans plum tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted), chopped



Kosher salt



In an unheated medium saucepan combine the garlic and the oil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, turning over the garlic several times, until it is just golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and a hefty pinch of salt, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook at a brisk simmer until the sauce is reduced to about 5 cups, 20 to 25 minutes. Discard the garlic. Season with salt to taste.



Nutrition information per serving of the meatballs: 739 calories; 223 calories from fat; 25 g fat (8 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 128 mg cholesterol; 874 mg sodium; 78 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 43 g protein.



Nutrition information per serving of the sauce: 628 calories; 346 calories from fat; 38 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 493 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 18 g fiber; 27 g sugar; 10 g protein.



NOTE: Sara Moulton is host of public television's "Sara's Weeknight Meals." She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows, including "Cooking Live." Her latest cookbook is "Home Cooking 101."
A Viennese cafe owner has a message for customers who dawdle over drinks while charging their cellphones: Pay up.



And Galina Pokorny says that instead of complaining when they see a power charge on their bills, customers should read the menu: "Electricity, 1 euro" is printed there.



Pokorny said Thursday that a quick plug-in remains free at Terassencafe, "but this is meant for people who come in and sit for hours while charging their phones."



Pokorny spoke after Austrian media reported complaints from two women who were charged for charging over wine spritzers. She thinks the fuss will die down and other establishments will follow her example.



She notes the grumbles that greeted cafes starting to charge for serving a glass of water with coffee a few years ago were short-lived.
Indore: A CBI court in Indore on Monday awarded life sentences to 11 SIMI operatives, including its former chief Safdar Naugauri on charges of treason.



One of the convicts, Munroz, who was out on bail, was also arrested by police to serve the sentence, said the District Prosecution Officer Vimal Mishra.



The CBI court delivered the verdict through video conferencing as all convicts including Nagauri are presently lodged in Ahmedabads Sabarmati jail in Gujarat.



Being tried for Ahmedabad bomb blast cases, the accused heard the quantum of punishment in Gujarat jail.



The accused were also charged with plotting terror incidents, possessing illegal arms and being members of banned outfit.



Police had claimed to arrest Nagauri and 12 other SIMI operatives from a flat in Sanyogitaganj area in Indore in 2008, a claim which opposed by defence lawyers.



Police also said to have recovered arms, ammunition, radical literature and explosives from a farmhouse in Choral where SIMI activists allegedly used to train its members in physical exercise, combat and organisation philosophy.



Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh was the hotbed of the SIMI activities.



SIMI was earlier put under the list of banned outfits by the Centre over its role in terror activities.






Rohatgi said the rule needs to be scrapped as it only leads to delayed decision-making on important matters.

"Yes I did write a letter as reported. Apart from this rule being an impediment to a swift decision making process, Public Sector Units are entitled to approach the law officers directly."

Article 76 states that it shall be the duty of the Attorney General to give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has urged the government to scrap a rule which bars him from giving legal advice to other ministries without routing it through the law ministry.According to Rule 8(e) of the Law Officers (Condition of Services) Rules, 1972, it is laid down that a law officer shall not advise any ministry or department of Government of India or any statutory organization or any Public Sector Undertaking unless the proposal or a reference is received through the Ministry of Law and Justice.Rohatgi, speaking to News18 said that the rule in question is also a hindrance for PSUs approaching the top law officer.In a letter to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, copies of which have been forwarded to Finance Minister Arun Jaitely and Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Rohatgi said various ministries, departments and even ministers have declined to route their requests for his legal opinion through the Law Ministry due to urgency of the matter.Rohatgi even quoted the Constitution to justify his demand and stated that this rule which requires law officers to give legal opinion to various central ministries and departments only when the issue is referred to them by the Law Ministry runs contrary to Article 76 of the Constitution.Urging the government to revoke the rule at the earliest, Rohatgi said if every such proposal was routed through the Law Ministry, the entire work would come to a grinding halt and no urgent remedial measure could be taken since the Law Ministry takes it own time.
Parsauli village in Uttar Pradeshs Amethi district is sticking to its decision to boycott the state Assembly elections on Monday to protest the lack of development in the area.The story was reported by CNN-News18. Taking cognisance of the report, the District Magistrate reached out to the villagers and requested them to participate in the elections.However, the DM told CNN-News18 that they turned him away and have refused to vote. So far, no one from the village has voted.Villagers told CNN-News18 that the administration built a road to the village two days before polling, but they are in no mood to relent.Political leaders contesting from Amethi have said that they have reached out to the villagers to convince them to vote. Candidates cutting across party lines told CNN-News18 that they have approached the villagers.We have visited the Parsauli village and assured them. They have a democratic duty and they should exercise it. They said they will vote for us. Whatever problems they have, we will resolve them after the elections, said Ameeta Singh, the Congress candidate from the seat.Her husband Sanjay Singh said, We talked to them and they are totally convinced. They will vote for us.There is a triangular contest taking place on the seat with allies Congress and the Samajwadi Party fielding candidates. While Ameeta Singh is from the erstwhile royal family of Amethi, the BJP has fielded her Garima Singh, the first wife of Ameetas husband Sanjay Singh. The SP has fielded controversial state minister and party heavyweight, Gayatri Prajapati.
Hyderabad: The mortal remains of the Indian engineer, who was shot dead in the United States in an apparent hate crime incident, arrived at the international airport on Monday night.



The body was taken to his residence in Bachupally area of the city after it arrived in a flight at Shamsabad.



Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting on Wednesday night. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident.



The incident took place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.



Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused, Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.



Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.
New Delhi: In a reply to a Supreme Court observation on how can the Internet Service Providers stop uploading obscene content on the internet, counsel for Google on Monday stated that the Centre has a scheme with Rs 195.30 crore allotted which will have senior officers as experts monitoring the cybercrime issue.



The apex court is hearing arguments in the case which pertains to the loss of dignity for women and children due to the objectionable content uploaded online.



The counsel for the respondents (Google) submitted that a new affidavit has been filed by the Centre in the case which talks about the salient features of cybercrime and how a Rs 195-crore scheme with experts has been devised to look into the issue.



In an earlier round of hearing, a bench of Justices MB Lokur and UU Lalit had sought information from Google about its in-house procedure adopted to identify such obscene content and what steps can they take to prevent it.



However, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was representing Google India, expressed regret in not being able to prevent such acts unless reported by an individual.



This case has opened up the possibility of whether artificial intelligence can play a key role in the automatic deletion of objectionable content uploaded online. But on Monday, Google submitted that there are algorithms which govern the search engines operation and it is impossible to keep a check on it as the system is automated and since there is no human interface.



To put a human interface in this automated system will skew the system as it will depend on a person to allow or disallow any content, submitted Google India.



This bench had earlier asked the search giant will it or will not it be conducive to prevent the uploading of such contents and also had said that what the apex court is looking for is prevention and not cure, when it comes to comes to pornographic content online.



But on Monday, Google said that in a day, a billion videos are uploaded and out of which may be 20 videos are of child pornography. However, it also said that there is a provision that can stop the serial offenders who have footprints of patterns.



The matter has now been adjourned to March 6.






He says, They dont even comb or tie their hair, adding that he doesnt understand why these things have to be brought to the church.

Questioning the clothing choices of women, he says that the biggest problem is the way women dress. They complain every day about their problems; about their marriage not taking place; about not getting jobs, he says, adding that all of this was because of what they wear.

: A Shalom TV video, which purportedly shows a pastor saying that women who wear jeans, t-shirt and arouse men by wearing skimpy clothes should be drowned, has gone viral. The video was posted on Facebook by Jasmine PK on January 25.The pastor starts his address by saying that he doesnt feel like leading the Mass at some churches, seeing the girls sitting in the front row wear jeans, tops or t-shirts with a mobile in hand.The pastor then questions the girls attending his address. My question to the girls sitting here is  has the Catholic diocese granted you permission to wear clothes that men do? Forget the diocese. Is the Bible giving you the permission? he asks.Quoting the Bible, the priest then says, Bible says women should not wear the clothes of men and men should not wear the clothes of women. If you do that, you disregard god.The video carries the logo of Shalom TV, but CNN-News18 could not independently verify its authenticity or when it was aired. Jasmine, who posted the video on Facebook, setting off an online storm, said she did not know the identity of the pastor. Calls to Shalom TV for details on the viral video clip went unanswered.The pastor also claims in the video that some boys had approached him saying they were enticed when they saw semi-nude women outside church and committed sin.Citing the Bible once again, the preacher claims that if a youngster or an old man finds women in the church wearing skimpy clothes, and forcing them to sin, such women should be drowned in the sea after tying a stone to their neck.You have a nice attire in the form of a churidar, but now Satan has entered you, prompting you to throw away your dupatta.He then recalls an instance where a girl was allegedly impregnated by her brother. He says that the family had to force the girl to abort the foetus. Her father said that his son told him he was aroused by his sisters attire when parents were out on work, says the pastor.
New Delhi: The hearing on allegations by banks that beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya had allegedly transferred USD 40 million to his children violating court orders, could not take place in the Supreme Court on Monday as it came up before a different bench.



The bench said it would verify how the case filed against Mallya by a consortium of banks, led by the State Bank of India, was listed before it when another apex court bench was already hearing the matter.



"There is a system of listing. It cannot be listed like this," a bench comprising Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit said after it was apprised that the case was being heard by another bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph.



"We will verify how this matter has been listed before us," it said and posted the matter for hearing on March 3.



At the outset, the bench was informed that this matter was being heard by another bench comprising Justices Joseph and R F Nariman. When the court said it would hear the case only after verifying how this matter was listed before it, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing the banks, said "my submission is that this matter should not go to another bench".



The bench said "but there must be some reason. We will check it". Earlier, a bench headed by Justice Joseph had asked Mallya to file his response on the allegations by the banks that he had allegedly transferred USD 40 million to his children in "flagrant violation" of various judicial orders.



The banks had alleged that the orders of the Debt Recovery Tribunal and Karnataka High Court have been violated by Mallya by transferring the amount to his children, that he and his firm owed over Rs 6,200 crore to the banks and the money should have been deposited in Delhi.



In October last year, the court had rapped Mallya for not making full disclosure of his overseas properties and had asked him to do so within a month.



The bench had also pulled up Mallya for not giving details of USD 40 million which he had allegedly received from British firm Diageo in February last year, saying it was of the "prima facie view" that proper disclosure as per its earlier order was not made.



The Attorney General had alleged that the USD 40 million belonged to the consortium of banks which was now stashed in Mallya's Swiss bank account and said that it should be brought back to India or the Supreme Court.



The consortium had on August 29 last year told the Supreme Court that Mallya had deliberately not made full disclosure of his assets including the USD 40 million he received on February 25 from Diageo.



It had asked Mallya, who owes over Rs 9,000 crore to around 17 banks, to deposit a "substantial amount" with it to "prove his bonafide" that he was "serious" about meaningful negotiations and settlement.
If we allow girls there will be four times more boys coming in and then there will be no space in the library, he said, in an apparent effort to lighten the atmosphere. The answer did elicit a round of laughter from a section of students and teachers, but many objected to the remarks.

All hell broke loose. In the ensuing cacophony, I was labelled the instigator of a vicious campaign to malign AMU, Aligarh, and Muslims not necessarily in that order. Overnight, I became an agent of Modi whose party, my baiters said, wanted to dismantle the varsity.

If we go by the slogans and placards at Ramjas and AMU, the mortal threat to the concept of India is epitomised by two students: Shehla Rashid and Umar Khalid. Maybe it is time the government took its eyes off battling terrorism and eradicating poverty, now that the threat to the Republic has been so clearly identified and narrowed down to two individuals in their twenties.

Sometime after the crack of dawn on November 11, 2014, the days Times of India hit the stands at the university town of Aligarh. And my phone started ringing. It wouldnt stop through the day.My friends and fellow journalists were desperately trying to reach me, worried what will happen to me now after my article that the TOI had front-paged.As campuses once again make it to headlines for all the wrong reasons in India, the panicked calls from my well-wishers ring in my ear once more. It also makes me wonder: Just why do Indian campuses, instead of being the well-spring of progressive thoughts and the courage to articulate them, have come to be dominated by the most regressive of the lot? The ones who wallow in their caste and religious identities, masquerading it all in the cloaks of nationalism or patriotism in places like Delhi University and religiosity in the case of Aligarh Muslim University?In Ramjas College in DU last week, it was the sovereignty and integrity of the nation under threat  as severe and mortal a threat as only a seminar with a title Unveiling the State, Regions in Conflict can pose. In AMU 2014, the conservative crowd there wanted to stone the shaitan  yup, that would be me  for a newspaper report with a headline as staid as Girls in AMU library will attract boys: VC.Even while I was fielding calls suggesting I stay at home  and if I had to venture out at all, I better stay out of the University Circle  I was wondering what the fuss was about. Mine was not an expose or an investigative report; it was a straightforward news report of what Vice-Chancellor Lt General Zameeruddin Shah had told assembled media the day before.The newly elected Womens College Union was just in place  one major brick in the foundation for something resembling gender parity in the 142-year-old university. While presenting their list of demands the girls leaders asked for unhindered access to the Maulana Azad library, the universitys seven-storey central library.The girls recited poetry of Allama Iqbal and Majaz Lakhnawi and let the people in power know they were not going to be satisfied by empty promises this time around  the demand has been quite old and was covered by other newspapers in the past as well. And then the V-C decided to speak.Every time it cant be dealt with in such a frivolous manner, a teacher in the audience told me. For her, the question was not just about access to the Maulana Azad Library. At stake were larger arguments almost mainstreamed in the campus about law and order, safety for girls, parents disapproval to let the girls out in the library, against AMU culture etc.In other words, it was a basic fight for human dignity that a bunch of brave girls were leading. I went back, spoke to a few more students and teachers. Yes, of course, I spoke to the V-C once again on what he had really intended to say. I wrote my piece, which I would say was just plain-vanilla news reporting.It, however, caught the attention of other editors in New Delhi. A round of follow-up articles ensued, some insightful, a few steeped in the stereotyped notion of a Muslim university.There were student protests soon at the campus. The newspaper I worked for then and I were banned on the university campus. Times of India, Aligarh Muslim University mein nahi aayega (Times of India wont be allowed in the university), the venerable V-C Shah declared from the main campus.My effigy was burnt. One of the journalists present at the event told me later: Your effigy is the grandest among other effigies of the media. A student leader issued a public threat exhorting the crowd that wherever you find her, you can do whatever you want.Text messages poured in condemning me for trying to emerge as a fighter for womens rights in a place that has always been fair to women. I was reminded how my service was more of disservice to the community. I was reminded the AMU has no biases and, in fact, holds women in high regards besides giving them special treatment that no other university follows.There was a collective denial among students. V-C is our father, Media apologise screamed the placards that appeared on the streets. Girls, whose voices I gave vent to, boycotted me.Incidentally, just around two weeks ago, the same abuses were heaped at Shehla Rashid, former vice-chairperson of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), by the same AMU crowd. Rashid was termed Gustakh-e-Rasool (one who wronged the prophet). The irony then would be that the same Shehla was at the centre of another raging campus fire a week later in Delhi Universitys Ramjas College, this time for offending the concept of nationalism as defined by the saffron camp.Add to that hit-list a third one, Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of a Kargil martyr, now being accused of lowering the morale of the Indian Army apart from other sins. A BJP MP even compared her to Dawood Ibrahim. For standing up to her friends who were beaten black and blue in the DU campus, Gurmehar is being threatened with rape and murder by some self-appointed guardians of a 2,000-year-old civilisation.Saffronistas and Islamic conservatives have more in common than they realise. For starters, they share the same enemies. And both are racing against modernity at a speed that baffles Young India.
Iranian film The Salesman on Sunday won the Oscar for best foreign language film, with director Asghar Farhadi skipping the Hollywood gala in protest at a travel ban by US President Donald Trump.In a statement read in his name, Farhadi said he was staying away in solidarity with people "disrespected" by Trump's policy, which is currently on hold after a decision by a federal appeals court.Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear -- a deceitful justification for aggression and war," he said in the statement read at the Hollywood gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari."These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression."Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others -- an empathy which we need today more than ever."It is the second win in the category for writer-director Asghar Farhadi, who previously won for 2011's A Separation. He boycotted the Oscars in protest of the travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration.The Salesman is a thriller about a married couple's attempts to find peace and justice in Tehran after the wife is attacked in her apartment.(With inputs from AFP)
We all have been waiting for this moment, right? To know if the most deserving films and performances were lauded at the prestigious awards ceremony of the year  the Oscars! While La La Lands victory at the Oscars 2017 was expected, the viewers were a bit unsure about the triumph of Moonlight as Best Film. From what other nominated titles won to the most unforgettable moments, we get you all. Read on.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his Fathers name to justify his anti-national stand, tweeted the MP from Mysore.

The political slugfest roiling Delhi Universitys North Campus got even more heated after a BJP Member of Parliament compared Gurmehar Kaur to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and junior Home Minister Hansraj Ahir saying that the police will do their job.BJP MP Pratap Simha tweeted a photo on his Twitter account comparing Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur to Dawood Ibrahim.Hansraj Ahir, the Minister of State for Home, also jumped into the fray, telling CNN News18 that he didnt think there was violence on campus and that students should just study.Hansraj Ahir told CNN News18 that the police will do its work in case anyone raises anti national slogans. They filed a sedition case last year when anti India slogans were raised in JNU. Even in this case they will do their work.Kaur was reacting to the happenings in Ramjas college. Delhi Universitys North Campus witnessed bloody scenes last week after a protest march against the RSS-linked Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) turned ugly. The unrest on campus began the previous day. On Tuesday, Ramjas College cancelled a seminar titled Culture of Protest for which they had invited Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to speak. This was done after ABVP activists protested against their participation.Khalid was scheduled to speak in the afternoon on the topic The War in Adivasi Areas at the event was organised by the colleges Literary Society. However, the protests began even before he could arrive. Khalid made the news last year when he was booked on charges of sedition alongside fellow research scholar Anirban Bhattacharya and then JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The trio was accused of shouting anti-India slogans on the JNU campus.A video of Tuesdays events, that has gone viral on social media, shows stones being pelted at the event allegedly by ABVP activists. Professors in Ramjas College had claimed that Khalid was invited due to his academic credentials. Police had to cordon off the College.On Wednesday, a protest march was organized at 1 pm from Ramjas College to Maurice Nagar police station to protest against the ABVPs actions. The protests were met with violent resistence as the ABVP clashed with agitating students. Journalists covering the event were also manhandled during the chaos.Gurmehar Kaur, reacting to these events, had taken on the ABVP on Facebook and Twitter. She posted a picture of herself holding up a placard that 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.She soon landed in the eye of a social media storm with allegations that she had received rape threats online.
Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti admitted on Sunday that the BJP has committed a mistake by not giving tickets to Muslims in the ongoing UP Assembly elections.



Union Minister and BJPs star campaigner in UP, Uma Bharti, told CNN-News18, that BJP should have given tickets to Muslim candidates in UP.



"Rajnath Singh ji is right when he said we could have given them (Muslims) tickets. But sometimes the winnability (sic) factor prevails both in case of Muslims and women," Uma Bharti said.



She also said that she will raise this issue with party chief Amit Shah.



UP BJP leader Vinay Katiyar has openly said why should his party give tickets to Muslims when they don't vote for BJP.



Speaking to CNN-News18, Katiyar said, "Why should his party give tickets to Muslims when they don't vote for BJP."



The BJP has not given a single Assembly ticket to Muslims in the assembly elections.







The fifth phase of polling is underway today with high profile constituencies in Ayodhya and Amethi going to election.



With 32 Muslim Candidates for 52 Seats, minorities hold trump card in hub of mandir politics in the town of Ayodhya that goes to polling.
"ABVP is trying to intimidate people everywhere. There is a clear pattern of this violence cutting across universities," he said.

ABVP Media Convenor Saket Bahuguna rebutted Kaur by challenging her to "name all the outsiders", alleging that "you people carry out violence in Kerala and everywhere."

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.

"I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner," he said.

: Congress on Monday trained its gun on Prime Minister Narendra Modi even as the Delhi Univeristy Students Union started a 'Tiranga March' in the university's North Campus. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Congress leader Manish Tiwari said that ABVP is "backed by the Sangh Pariwar", and "violence runs in their DNA"."You may not like what the person thinks but trolling, mindless threats... trolling emanating from people whom the Prime Minister follows. This is the worst form of state intimidation and this is not how democracies and democratic countries function."It is extremely unfortunate and highly reprehensible. Needs to be condemned in the strongest terms that an alternative point of view, if not liked or accepted, will be met by state intimidation and state-sponsored violence whether it is in the real or virtual world," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.He was replying to a query about rape threats issued to Gurmehar Kaur, a Lady Sri Ram College student, after she condemned the ABVP for violence at Ramjas College.Reacting to BJP Mysuru MP Pratap Simha's remarks against her, he said, "Such a gentleman certainly does not deserve to be in Parliament.Delhi University AISA President Kawalpreet Kaur told CNN-News18 that there was no outsider at Ramjas College event disrupted by the ABVP supporters, contrary to the claims made by ABVP that the event had a lot of people from Jawahar Lal University."There was no outsider... ABVP was the only outsider disrupting the event," she said, "Ramjas College and professors don't need any certificate from Parishad gundas."Saket also said that Kaur was deviating from the topic and "the college admin had cancelled the event only for Umar Khalid". "I don't know why is ABVP being named."However, Ramjas college Principal Rajendra Prasad told CNN-News18 that he had no idea about any protest march and urged students to "sit and talk". "I would say these are the challenges we have to face... It is going to affect each and every party," he said, adding that the students should talk and "restore normalcy".Ramjas College which witnessed widespread violence over the last week has also ordered an enquiry to look into its students' involvement in clashes over a seminar. However, the college resolved to stand by its teachers and students who organised the event."An enquiry committee has been constituted to probe the involvement of Ramjas' students in provoking or initiating the violence. Principal Rajendar Prasad will address the students and teachers on Monday morning urging them to maintain peace and not be scared of anything," a senior college official said.Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh who was in Varanasi on Monday said he was in touch with Delhi Police over the situation arising out of the Ramjas College clash.The minister told journalists that he had asked Delhi Police to act with caution.Delhi University's Ramjas College witnessed violent clashes on February 22 after ABVP members allegedly forced the cancellation of a seminar and the next day disrupted a march by its critics.The Delhi Police was widely blamed for not restraining the ABVP activists and also for assaulting students and journalists.Three policemen were suspended last week on charges of assault.(With inputs from Agencies)
As Uttar Pradesh goes to the polls in the fifth phase in eastern parts of the state on Monday, CNN-News18s Sumit Pande traveled to Varanasi to speak to a important personality who will have an impact in this election.



We were instructed to wait at a designated spot at 10.15 pm sharp. On reaching, my mobile phone rang and I was informed that the person we intended to meet would arrive in another five minutes. Exactly at twenty minutes past ten, four Suvs shepherded by a bike arrived at the nondescript hotel in downtown Varanasi. A solitary rickshaw plied on the street outside as we were ushered in to the hotel lobby to meet Afzal Ansari, former MP and brother of don turned politician Mukhtar Ansari. Mukhtar's Qaumi Ekta Dal recently merged with BSP.



Q: What are the prospects of BSP in this belt?



A: I have been campaigning for the party from Pratapgarh to Ayodhya and now Poorvanchal. SP has lost steam after third phase. In Ayodhya SP leader Azam Khan lost his cool on seeing BSP flags fluttering across the city. We are doing very well.



Q: How do you explain merger with BSP?



A: It was Mulayam Singh Yadav who called me to seek merger of my party. He showed me how Qaumi Ekta Dal and SP votes together would have won three more LS seats in 2014 general elections. He himself reasoned that if we strike an alliance and do not merge the party, he would not be able to assure transfer of his party votes to us. It is time and circumstances which lead to a lot of things in life and politics. Prolonged persecution tends to generate sympathy. People watch things very closely.



Q: You complain about lack of development in Poorvanchal but all these years you and your brother have dominated politics here?



A: You call us sadak chaap and mafia. Do you know this Afzal Ansari contested and won three elections from Mehmoodabad in Ghazipur on Communist Party of India CPI ticket. I have learnt my politics from Comrade Sarju Pandey. I have led and mobilised unorganised farm labour. I come from the family of freedom fighters of Ghazipur, the same town which in 1942 Quit India Movement declared itself free from the British. Scores of our people were hanged. It was in 1995 at the behest of MSY did I join SP. While working for the CPI I fought not only the feudal forces but also the Naxal elements which were trying to spread in eastern UP. Do you think I have won elections playing Muslim card when less than eight percent electorate in my constituency are minorities.



Q: Who is your main contender here?



A: BJP has faltered in ticket distribution in this entire belt. You will see its impact and also it's repercussions on BJP leaders after the polls. In Varanasi, out of eight just tell me if BJP is in contest in even two. What was Shyam Dev Roy Chaudhary's fault that a seven time MLA he was denied ticket by the BJP.



SP, I have said, is out of race after the third phase. On the other hand BSP is getting support from not only minorities and a section of the upper caste especially Brahmins. We will do very well in the last two phases. The outcome of the fifth phase in the Devipatan region, I feel, would be very important in determining the outcome of the polls.
Information of threat to life to PM during his Mau visit from Rasool Pati (Haren Pandya murder accused): Mau ASP, RK Singh pic.twitter.com/s8e0t5TORC  ANI (@ANI_news) February 26, 2017

Rasool Pati, associates planning to attack PM's cavalcade with rocket launcher/vans with explosives, security enhanced: Mau ASP, RK Singh pic.twitter.com/XvGnOy7H4d  ANI (@ANI_news) February 26, 2017

: The security in the Mau district, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a rally on Monday, has been ramped up after Mau ASP RK Singh on Sunday claimed that there was a threat to PM Modi's life.As per Singh, Rasool Pati, who is an accused in the Haren Pandya murder case, and his associates have hatched a plan to attack the prime ministers convoy with a rocket launcher/van and explosives.PM Modi's decision to hold a rally in Mau could be attributed to the fact that the district is considered a bastion of mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is contesting on a BSP ticket. The BSP supremo Mayawati fielded Ansari, making her inroads into the Muslim vote base.Ansari has been an MLA from Mau for a record four times, once as a BSP candidate previously. His brother Sibakatullah, and son Abbas are contesting from Yusuf Pur and Ghosi respectively.Mau will go to polls in the penultimate phase of Uttar Pradesh elections, along with Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, and Ballia districts.
Brazilian energy giant Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. or Petrobras PBR recently announced that its Board of Directors has agreed to settle four investor lawsuits filed in the Federal Court of New York. The company has set aside $372 million in provision for the settlement of the lawsuits, which is $8 million above what had been provisioned in Sep 2016.

The company intends to resolve lawsuits filed by New York City Employees Retirement System (and others), Transamerica Income Shares, Inc. (and others), Internationale Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH, Lord Abbett Investment Trust - Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund (and others).

The lawsuits filed by the shareholders will help recoup losses triggered by the various corruption, money laundering and bribery schemes tied to company contracts. The settlement of the cases would resolve uncertainties, costs and potential liabilities associated with the disputes.

Petrobras, a few months back, had signed agreements to close 15 individual lawsuits. With the current agreement to resolve the additional lawsuits, the company has reached a settlement in 19 individual actions out of the total 27 that were consolidated with the class action.

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Petrobras is Brazils largest state-controlled energy firm, operating in segments like exploration, refining, marketing, transporting, distribution and biofuels. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Petrobras mismanagement and involvement in the money laundering and corruption cases have worsen the credit metrics of the company making it difficult for the firm to find creditors.

Petrobras underperformed the Zacks categorized Oil & Gas Emerging Markets Integrated industry over the last three months. During the aforesaid period, shares of Petrobras fell 0.3% while the broader industry gained around 4%.

Better-ranked players in the industry include Pioneer Natural Resources Company PXD, Semgroup Corporation SEMG and Range Resources Corporation RRC. All the three companies sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 stocks here.

Story continues

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Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's son and Telugu Desam Party's general secretary, Nara Lokesh, is all set to make his way into the State Cabinet via the Legislative Council.



The TDP Politbureau members proposed name of Lokesh to be elected as an MLC under the partys quota. The Legislative Council Elections are scheduled to be held on March 20th.



Thanking his party, Lokesh, tweeted, "Heartfelt thanks to TDP Politburo for believing in my capabilities & proposing my name as MLC. It is an opportunity to serve people closely."



Calling the move as shortcut to ministerial post, the opposition has slammed Lokesh for not contesting election. Speaking to CNN news 18, YSRCP state secretary Rajiv Krishna said, "TDP is trying to project Lokesh as heir to party. If so, then he should get elected by the people.



Even people like KTR or Akhilesh Yadav, they fought elections. The message is clear that they are scared to face people. Ruling TDP has picked wrong route for Lokesh, in his first step in democratic process, ha added.



After coming to power, this is the first time Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will reshuffle the cabinet. Apart from inclusion of Lokesh in Cabinet, many big changes are expected where Minister's may face the axe.


Millions voted on Monday in 51 assembly constituencies in the fifth phase of staggered elections in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer T Venkatesh, an estimated 57.36 percent of the 1.8 crore electorate voted between 7 am and 5 pm on Monday. Voting ended by and large peacefully in the state.

A total of 262 of the 403 assembly constituencies voted in the first four rounds of the elections which began on February 11. The last two rounds of voting will take place on March 4 and 8.

The results of the elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab will be known on March 11.

Stay tuned for Live updates

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
To support government efforts against cyber crime while also helping companies and citizens to be more secure, Microsoft has announced the launch of a cyber security centre in Mexico.Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 Launch Date Confirmed The Cyber Security Engagement Centre will serve Mexico and other Latin American countries, Microsoft said.Read more: Nokia 6, 5, 3, and 3310 Launched at MWC 2017: All You Need to Know "By opening this Cyber Security Center, we are offering our clients protection from attacks and security risks, as well as ways to detect them and find solutions," Jorge Silva, General Manager of Microsoft Mexico, said in a statement released this weekend.Read more: Huawei P10 First Impressions Review: Green Is the Colour of Envy "At Microsoft, we are committed to invest in the region so we can bring our cyber security capabilities to customers by identifying current threats that affect the economy's prosperity," Silva said.The center will help fight cyber crime, particularly in the dismantling of criminal organisations that operate through Botnet schemes.It will also help cyber security experts from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America to work with Microsoft specialists to fight cyber crime together."By opening this center, we are bringing Microsoft's offer of security increasingly closer to customers in order to be a strategic part of their transformation, and together we will create a country and a region that are more prosperous and productive, and above all, that are safer," Silva said.
US startup Hyperloop One is hosting a media event in New Delhi on February 28, Tuesday to share its Vision for India. There will be discussions on the need for transformative transportation in the country.For those unaware, the company is building a high-speed transportation based on the hyperloop concept, which can be simply seen as an electromagnetically levitated pod running through a low-pressure tube.Hyperloop One is creating a new mode of transportation that offers speeds three to four times faster than high-speed rail for 67 percent of the cost to deploy and operate. Its electric and with its smaller footprint can fit comfortably into many existing rights of way, said the company in the media invite for the event.Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant will be present at the event along with Hyperloop One Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Shervin Pishevar, and Hyperloop One Global CEO Rob Lloyd.Stay tuned to this space for more updates.
Washington: Al Qaedas alleged deputy leader Abu Khayr al-Masri was killed in a drone strike in northwest Syria, US-based terrorism-tracking website SITE Intelligence said on Monday, citing jihadist sources.



The 59-year-old Egyptian national, the deputy of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Syria died in the US drone strike near the city of Idlib, according to the report.



On Monday, the Pentagon confirmed it carried out a strike in northwest Syria on Sunday but did not say who the attack had targeted.



Photos posted on social media show a car with a gaping hole in its roof after the attack but its windscreen mostly intact. Activists from the Britain-based watchdog Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported al-Masri's death.



Al-Masri, a son-in-law of late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, was implicated in the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in which more than 200 people, mostly civilians, died.



He was part of the global jihadist organisation for three decades and was one of Al Qaeda's most senior leaders. He fought alongside bin Laden in Afghanistan and was a veteran of conflicts in Egypt, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Pakistan according to terrorism experts.



He was born Abdullah Muhammad Rajab abd al-Rahman in Kafr al-Shaykh, Egypt, on November 3, 1957, according to the US Treasury Department.
He may be the closest one gets to understanding the Donald. Stephen K Bannon, the banker-turned-screenwriter-turned-chief strategist, is the main force behind many recent decisions by US President Donald Trump. And the man setting the course for the most powerful nation on Earth is himself reportedly influenced by an Indian text: Bhagavad Gita, and its concept of dharma.For those not very familiar with Bannon: Prior to taking up the job in the White House, he steered the faltering Trump campaign to one of the biggest upsets in US presidential election history. Before plunging into politics, Bannon was the executive chair for Breitbart News, a news and opinion website he once famously described as a "platform for the alt-right". He had also done stints with Goldman Sachs, Hollywood and the US Navy.After the election, he was credited with giving the Trump administration some semblance of political philosophy. He helped draft the presidents inaugural address, and was reportedly behind the stalled ban on travel from seven Muslim countries. He speaks of "sovereignty", "economic nationalism" and opposition to globalisation - all of which offers some insight into his worldview.This piece in the New York Times though suggests what drives 63-year-old Bannon is not his politics or his ideology. He has a respect for duty, his former screenwriting collaborator Julia Jones told the NYT "The word he has used a lot is dharma....He found the concept of dharma in the Bhagavad Gita."It's not very clear how Bannon comprehends the Sanskit word dharma. The article suggested 'ones path in life or ones place in the universe'. This one in The Diplomat however, contextualises it as 'righteousness, but also duty'.This devotion to the Gita is despite Bannon believing that capitalism in US should rest on a Judeo-Christian foundation. Trumps chief ideologue has never explained what he means by that.
The Taliban group in Afghanistan on Sunday used a rare public statement in the name of its leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, to call on Afghans to plant more trees for worldly and other-worldly good.



Official Taliban outlets released the "special message" under Akhundzada's name, an uncommon move for the group that has recently published unsigned statements on a range of issues such as civilian casualties, upcoming military operations, and the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops in the 1980s.



Akhundzada, a cleric, is believed to have been in hiding since becoming Taliban leader in May 2016 following the death of his predecessor in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan.



In the statement, he urged Afghan civilians and Taliban fighters to "plant one or several fruit or non-fruit trees for the beautification of Earth and the benefit of almighty Allah's creations."



The Taliban has been waging an insurgency against the government in Kabul and its NATO coalition backers since being ousted from power in a U.S.-led military intervention in 2001.



Since the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops in 2014, the Taliban has made slow but steady gains, now controlling or contesting more than 40 percent of Afghanistan.



While the Taliban is mostly known for its insurgent attacks, it has political aspirations and has often worked to provide basic services and assert connections in communities in areas it controls.



Akhundzada, who was reported to have spent 15 years teaching at a mosque in Pakistan, interpreted verses of the Koran in his call for more trees in the arid country.



"Planting trees and agriculture are considered actions which hold both worldly good and benefit as well as immense rewards in the hereafter," Akhundzada said in the statement.
Akeedi, aged 15 or 16 when he signed up, was one of dozens of young recruits who passed through the training facility in the past 2-1/2 years as they prepared to wage jihad. In several cases this involved carrying out suicide attacks - Islamic State's most effective weapon against a US-backed military campaign to retake the group's last major urban bastion in Iraq.

Islamic State has attracted thousands of young recruits in Mosul - by far the biggest city in the caliphate it declared in 2014 over territory it seized in Iraq and Syria. The group has carried out hundreds of suicide attacks in the Middle East and plotted or inspired dozens of attacks in the West.

Most of the recruits listed in the registry were Iraqi but there were a few from the United States, Iran, Morocco and India. Akeedi's entry says he pledged allegiance on Dec. 1, 2014, a few months after the jihadists seized Mosul.

Another recruit of the same age, Atheer Ali, is listed in the registry beside a passport-sized photo showing a boy with bushy eyebrows and large brown eyes. He wears a dark collar-less tunic, a brown head covering and a cautious smile.

Gathered in the family sitting room, Ali's relatives said he was brainwashed. Many of his school friends fled Mosul after the militants took control and Ali fell in with a new crowd, but his family never noticed a change in his behaviour.

: "My dear family, please forgive me," reads the handwritten letter discarded in the dusty halls of an Islamic State training compound in eastern Mosul."Don't be sad and don't wear the black clothes (of mourning). I asked to get married and you did not marry me off. So, by God, I will marry the 72 virgins in paradise."They were schoolboy Alaa Abd al-Akeedi's parting words before he set off from the compound to end his life in a suicide bomb attack against Iraqi security forces in 2016.The letter was written on an Islamic State form marked "Soldiers' Department, Martyrs' Brigade" and in an envelope addressed to his parents' home in western Mosul.His letter never reached his family. It was left behind with a handful of other bombers' notes to relatives when Islamic State abandoned the facility in the face of an army offensive that has reclaimed more than half of the city since October.The militants also left a handwritten registry containing the personal details of about 50 recruits. Not all entries had years of birth, and only about a dozen had photographs attached, but many recruits were in their teens or early 20s.These documents, found by Reuters on a trip into eastern Mosul after the army recaptured that area, include some of the first first-hand accounts from Islamic State's suicide bombers to be made public and offer an insight into the mindset of young recruits prepared to die for Islamic State's ultra-hardline ideology.Reuters interviewed relatives of three of the fighters including Akeedi to help determine where they came from and why they chose jihad. In rare testimonies by families of Islamic State suicide bombers, they told of teenagers who joined the jihadists to their dismay and bewilderment, and died within months.Reuters could not independently verify the information about other recruits in the registry. Islamic State does not make itself available to independent media outlets so could not be contacted for comment on the letters, the registry or the phenomenon of teenage suicide bombers.The training compound visited by Reuters consisted of three villas confiscated from Mosul residents. Man-sized holes knocked through exterior walls allowed easy access between the villas.Lower floors were littered with IS posters and pamphlets on topics ranging from religion to weaponry, as well as tests on warfare and the Koran. Green paint and bed sheets on the windows obscured the view from outside and gave the rooms an eerie glow.Flak jackets and body-shaped shooting targets filled one room, while medicines and syringes were scattered around another that appeared to have served as a clinic.The rooms upstairs were packed full of bunk beds with space for almost 100 people. Printed signs outlined strict house rules. One ordered: "Brother jihadi, respect quiet and cleanliness".A relative told Reuters by phone that Akeedi's father was deeply distressed by his son's decision but feared punishment if he tried to remove him from Islamic State's ranks. Reuters was unable to contact his father.Akeedi rarely visited his family after joining the jihadists. On his last trip home he told his father he was going to carry out a suicide attack in Baiji, an oil refinery town south of Mosul where the militants had been fighting off repeated offensives by the Iraqi military.Islamic State teenage militant Atheer Ali's entry in an Islamic State registry is seen in a training facility in eastern Mosul in Erbil, Iraq, February 26, 2017. Picture wasa taken on February 26, 2017. ("He told his father, 'I am going to seek martyrdom,'" said the relative, who declined to be named because he feared reprisals from Islamic State or from Iraqi forces preparing to storm the area.A few months later, Akeedi's family was told by the militants that he had succeeded.His father, Abu Amir, told Reuters his son had been an outstanding student who excelled in science and was always watching the National Geographic TV channel. He loved to swim and fish in a nearby river and would help out on his uncle's vegetable farm after school.Ali was shy and slim, lacking a fighter's mentality or build, Abu Amir said in an interview at his eastern Mosul home, sifting through family photos.So the father was horrified when one day in early 2015 Ali didn't come home from school but ran off with seven classmates to join Islamic State.When Abu Amir went to the militants' offices across the city to track down his son, they threatened to jail him.He never saw his son alive again.A few months later, three Islamic State fighters pulled up at Abu Amir's house in a pickup truck and handed him a scrap of paper with his son's name on it. He was dead.Abu Amir retrieved Ali's body from the morgue. His hair had grown long but he was still too young for facial hair. Shrapnel was lodged in his arms and chest.He said the fighters told him he had been hit by an air strike on a mortar position in Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul. They described him as a "hero"."Even now I'm still astounded. I don't know how they convinced him to join," said Abu Amir. "I'm just glad we could bury him and put this whole thing to rest."Sheet Omar was also 15 or 16 years old when he joined Islamic State in August 2014, weeks after the group captured Mosul. Next to his registry entry is the fatal addendum: "Conducted martyrdom operation".Shalal Younis, Omar's sister's father-in-law, confirmed he had died carrying out a suicide attack, though he was uncertain about the details.He said the teenager, from the Intisar district of eastern Mosul, had been overweight and insecure and joined the jihadists after his father's death."His mind was fragile and they took advantage of that, promising him virgins and lecturing him about being a good Muslim," said Younis. "If someone had tempted him with drugs and alcohol, he probably would have done that instead."
Mount Airy(US): The WWII Navy officer who guided his warship into Japanese territory to rescue future President John F. Kennedy and his crew has died at age 97, his daughter said Sunday.



William "Bud" Liebenow died Friday from pneumonia complications, said Susan T. Liebenow of Arlington, Virginia.



Liebenow was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was a new college graduate when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. He joined the Navy and volunteered for service on the fast, small and heavily armed attack vessels called PT boats.



Liebenow and Kennedy were each captains of PT boats in the South Pacific in 1943 when Kennedy's boat was destroyed by a Japanese destroyer. Kennedy and 10 other surviving crew members swam to a small island. Kennedy scratched a note into a coconut that two Solomon Islands natives carried to an American base.



Liebenow guided his boat behind enemy lines to track down the survivors of PT-109 on the island where they were hiding.



"Pulled right up to the beach," Liebenow told WRAL-TV in 2015. "Just a part of the job really."



Kennedy invited Liebenow and his family to the president's inauguration ceremony 18 years later, Susan Liebenow said.



But Liebenow's naval career didn't end with that rescue.



The following year, Liebenow commanded a PT boat that was part of the D-Day invasion of northern France. His PT-199 was tasked with zooming around the waters off Normandy and rescuing men whose boats had been blown up by Nazi defenders. Liebenow's boat helped rescue about 60 crew members from the destroyer USS Corry, which was sunk during the invasion struggle.



"We went in to pick up survivors and do what we could," Liebenow told the Mount Airy News in 2014. "We spent most of that day picking up guys out of the water."



After the war, Liebenow worked as a chemist for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and retired after 30 years, his family said. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Lucy, and a son.
James Thomas Shelton "Tadpole" James Thomas "Tadpole" Shelton, 55, of Hurt died on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on March 23, 1961, in Lynchburg, a son of the late Edgar Lee Shelton, Sr. and Rebecca Ann Farmer Shelton. He enjoyed NASCAR, the Washington Redskins, and loved spending time with his daughter and grandson. He was an employee of Walmart in Bedford and a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by a daughter, April Shelton of Huddleston; three brothers, Edgar "Bootsie" Shelton of Gretna, Hugh "Andy" Shelton and his wife, Betty of Bedford, and David "Pickle" Shelton of Gretna; a sister, Rhonda Shelton Witt and her husband, Jeff of Hurt; and one grandson, Justin Lee Shelton. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, February 27, 2017, at Altavista Memorial Park with military honors by the Virginia Army National Guard Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2017,at Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista. Please visit the online tribute at www.finchandfinchfuneralservice.com to share a memory or send a condolence to the family.
Battling to recover state taxpayer money lost in a failed Appomattox factory deal, Virginia officials hired the former attorney of the company that broke it.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership in December paid $5,000 for lawyer Robert "Robin" Wood to take on its lawsuit against the site consultant for Lindenburg Industry, the company at the center of the bad factory deal. Lindenburg, which received a state grant for a plant the company never opened, is a defendant in the case.

Wood represented Lindenburg in the same case last year, withdrawing as counsel with a judge's approval after saying he couldn't locate the company's president, Anyuan Zhu, also known as Steven Chu, a Chinese national.

Because of conflict of interest concerns, lawyers aren't permitted to switch sides in lawsuits without the permission of their former clients. A judge last month rejected the change in the Lindenburg case.

A law professor called the attempted move dubious. A former State Bar of Virginia president said it raised questions over attorney-client rights.

Changing lawyers generally is a routine matter. In this case, however, Appomattox Judge Donald Blessing said the attempt to move the former Lindenburg attorney to the government agency's side raised the appearance of impropriety."

In the same courtroom later this year, the partnership hopes to recover part of a $1.4 million state grant Lindenburg received in 2015 to build catalytic converters in a former furniture factory.

Last year, The Roanoke Times revealed that the state failed to properly vet Lindenburg, partly relying on a company website filled with false information. State police and the FBI are investigating.

The partnership hired Richmond-based Troutman Sanders last year to pursue the lost grant money. But after spending $28,257 over 10 months, the agency decided it wanted a lower-priced firm, said Dan Clemente, chairman of the partnership board. A day after deciding to change lawyers, the agency issued a check to Wood's firm, Lynchburg-based Woods Rogers Edmunds & Williams, for $5,000, almost a fifth of the amount paid to Troutman Sanders.

An independent authority, the partnership operates on a mostly state-funded annual budget of $27 million.

After consulting colleagues, Wood said he was available and, from a cost-saving perspective, he was a good choice because he already knew the issues, Clemente said.

The agency is now on its third lawyer and due back in court late next month.

Lindenburg executives Yunshan Stella Li and Zhu presented themselves as well-financed Chinese manufacturing executives in 2014 when they committed to invest $113 million and create 349 jobs. Fooled by the company website, partnership officials recommended the deal to Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who closed it during a trip to China in October 2014. The project collapsed the following year.

With creditors circling, Lindenburg officials hired Wood in late 2015. He reported to the court that Lindenburg stopped communicating with him, making continued representation impossible. Blessing allowed Wood to withdraw as Lindenburgs lawyer.

Three months later, the partnership hired Wood. The partnership sent the check to Woods Rogers under a retainer agreement for Woods services.

Common reasons to change attorneys include disputes over strategy or concerns over cost. Litigants sometimes pause a difficult case to get fresh eyes on it. Choices for lawyers in Virginia are abundant: The state is home to more than 32,000 active attorneys.

Normally, a routine approval from a judge follows a lawyer-change request, often without a hearing.

But concerns over potential conflicts can trigger closer scrutiny. Those scenarios are covered by the Rules of Professional Conduct, published by the State Bar of Virginia, an arm of the state Supreme Court. Also called "rules of reason," they govern all aspects of the client-lawyer relationship. The rules instruct lawyers to be loyal to clients, preserve confidentiality of former client information and avoid conflicting interests, such as representing parties at odds. As in other states, it is forbidden to break faith with a former client unless that client gives specific, written permission.

Among the prohibitions cited, a lawyer shouldnt rescind on behalf of a new client a contract drafted on behalf of the former client. Another forbids a lawyer who has prosecuted a person for a crime to then represent the same person in a subsequent civil action against the government over the same issue.

When Wood appeared Jan. 25 before Blessing seeking approval to become the partnership's new attorney, he still had not spoken with former Lindenburg officials, including Zhu, with whom he'd dealt previously.

Mark Loftis, chairman of the litigation section at Woods Rogers, argued that the partnership's suit does not target Lindenburg directly, so there's no conflict. The judge disagreed.

Blessing gave a preamble before his decision, repeatedly praising the legal work by the lawyers handling the matter.

When I present this ruling Im not saying anybodys work-product is not good; its just that I see it a different way, Blessing said, according to a court transcript. All of you are good attorneys with excellent reputations. And that being said, those reputations should continue.

Then, describing himself as possibly too old school, the 61-year-old Blessing explained his objections to the attorney change.

I think the way things look matter just as much as the way things are," the judge said, "[T]he appearance of impropriety, that's not going to be the controlling tenet of my ruling, but it is a concern.

He cited case law that says judges should assume clients give confidential information to their lawyers, the rule that former attorneys cannot work for a new client adverse to an old one without consent and the loyalty obligation attorneys owe former clients until released.

The partnership since has hired G. Edgar Dawson III of Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards in Lynchburg. Dawson is a well-regarded business litigator based in Lynchburg who can bring a fresh and local perspective to this matter, said Stephen Moret, who took over in January as partnership CEO.

Troutman Sanders was still the partnerships lawyer in the Appomattox case as of Thursday, but assuming Blessing agrees, Dawson will take over, Moret said.

Sandi McNinch, the partnership's general counsel, said the payment to Woods Rogers wasnt for work related to the question of whether Wood could serve as counsel for the partnership but for work on other issues related to the Lindenburg matter. When the judge told Wood he couldnt serve, his service to the partnership ended, Moret said.

George Rutherglen, a professor of law at the University of Virginia for the past 40 years, said he found it baffling that Wood asked for court approval to assist the partnership without Lindenburg having signed off on it. When told that Wood actually worked on the Lindenburg matter, Rutherglen said:

"I think this is very dubious. It's very dubious to switch sides without the consent of the former client. It's very dubious to keep the money. You keep pushing the envelope on ethical violations, you expose yourself ... ," he said. I dont know why the state is doing it. I dont know why the attorney is doing it.

Asked whether the partnership would be refunded the money paid for Wood's services, McNinch said it would not.

Kevin Martingayle, a Virginia Beach attorney and former president of the state bar, said the bar rules are designed for public protection. In this case, the rights that the rules protect are Lindenburgs.

I personally would not have attempted this, Martingayle said. This is one of those too-close-for-comfort scenarios where I think if they wanted to do this the safest way, the thing to do would have been to get the written consent of everybody involved.

Wood, an attorney for the past 50 years and an adjunct law professor, said he and Loftis agreed that the partnership and Lindenburg are not at odds legally. Wood said his side respectfully disagrees with Blessing.

Told of Rutherglens take, Wood said, We considered this seriously before we got into it.

Told of Martingayles take, Wood said, Thats their opinion.

Wood called to comment in response to an email sent to both him and Loftis. Loftis did not respond.

When the case resumes for a hearing scheduled March 31, partnership officials have said theyll amend their original complaint against Development Advisors, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based site consultant targeted in the lawsuit. In the first filing, the partnership said Lindenburgs Zhu insisted the company could not repay the grant. The partnership said it concluded suing Lindenburg would be futile.

The partnership has accused Development Advisors of failing to fulfill its professional obligations in the Lindenburg project. The site consultant denies this. The company has said Lindenburg incurred a bill of $1.48 million, paid $620,000 and agreed to the consultant placing a deed of trust on the Appomattox factory to secure payment of the balance of $859,484. After Lindenburg failed to pay, Development Advisors foreclosed. Blessing ordered sale proceeds set aside saying he would decide later whether the partnership had a valid claim to that money.

The partnership has called itself an unpaid creditor of Lindenburg with an interest in the companys assets. The only asset known to the partnership, court papers said, is Lindenburgs claim that its out-of-state consultant, Development Advisors LLC, breached its obligations to Lindenburg Industry.

Partnership officials have not presented evidence of the alleged breach, but have argued that because of it, Lindenburg does not owe all of Development Advisors' fees. That throws into question the foreclosure action, the partnership contends.

Development Advisors, which describes itself as a real estate broker and development company that assists in incentives negotiations, says it fully met its obligation to its client.

Led by veteran site consultant Patric Zimmer, Development Advisors called on Blessing nearly five months ago to dismiss the partnerships lawsuit. The agency hasnt responded. Nor has Blessing ruled.

There are no accusations against Lindenburg because its principals literally have disappeared, said Clemente, the board president. There is no office, there is no building, there is no person. What do you do?

Pennsylvania investor Dan David, whose reports have been cited by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Chinese fraud cases, said he researched Zhu, who as Lindenburg's president signed a performance agreement with Virginia for the state grant.

Zhu, David said, is closely affiliated with two businesses in China that "have money.
If U.S. President Donald Trump proceeds with plans to label China a currency manipulator, the confrontation would likely escalate beyond trade, David Roche, global strategist at Independent Strategy, told CNBC on Monday.

"Although there are actually no economic grounds, according to the U.S. Treasury's own criteria, for judging a country to be a currency manipulator, I believe on the grounds of politics, Trump will force this through his Republican support and that'll be the start of a confrontation with China, which I think is actually the point at which the proverbial soft stuff hits the fan," Roche told CNBC's " Squawk Box " on Monday.

During his campaign, Trump vowed to label the country a currency manipulator for the purposes of a competitive trade advantage on his first day in office and threatened to impose a tariff of as much as 45 percent on China's exports to the U.S.

On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that the administration would stick to the existing process to judge whether China was a currency manipulator. By those standards, China doesn't match the definition.

In fact, China's policymakers have appeared to be supporting their currency (Exchange: CNY=) in recent months, not trying to push it lower.

But in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, shortly after Mnuchin's comments, Trump called China the "grand champions" of currency manipulation, saying he hasn't "held back" on the manipulator label despite not following through with his campaign vow.

But Roche didn't expect slapping the manipulator label on China would be the end of the confrontation.

"If Trump goes ahead with this, the cost to the U.S. will be substantial," Roche said. "The ability of China to inflict pain on the U.S. is very substantial."

While acknowledging that analysts' consensus appeared to be that China's response would be "measured and pointed," Roche said he disagreed.

Story continues

"Once the confrontation starts, it'll run and it'll involve not just trade -- you know putting tariffs on American widgets and America putting tariffs on Chinese widgets," he said. "It'll involve Chinese holdings of Treasurys -- which are still a trillion [dollars], down 30 percent, but still a trillion. It'll involve things that can happen to American executives and organizations in China, such as nice tax audits."

Roche pointed to the 19th Communist Party congress this fall as one reason China would likely take a hard line on any U.S. pressure on trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be aiming to consolidate his power by appointing allies at the congress and possibly even signal he will stay on for an unprecedented third term.

"Xi has to show great strength, because Xi is still struggling to put his people in power in the standing committee in November. The last thing he can be seen to be now is a wimp," Roche said.

Evelyn Cheng contributed to this article.

By CNBC.Com's Leslie Shaffer; Follow her on Twitter @LeslieShaffer1



Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.







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The tumult surrounding President Donald Trump has produced strikingly little shift in public opinion.

Chalk that up to a growing political tribalism.



Yet the real tests of tribal solidarity have barely begun. His actual governance on issues like taxes, trade and health care will present escalating potential strains for Trump's diverse coalition and agenda.



Consider the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. A minority of 44 percent now approves of Trump's performance as president, just slightly below the 46 percent of the popular vote he won last November. Some 48 percent disapproves, matching the percentage that voted for Hillary Clinton.



Among those who identify with a political party, 9 percent of Democrats approve; 8 precent voted for him. Fully 86 percent of Republicans approve, just a tick below the 88 percent who voted for him.



Tribal feeling, sometimes described as group solidarity or ethnocentrism, reflect survival instincts that have always impelled human beings to distinguish friends from foes. In recent decades, that sentiment has dramatically strengthened within the American party system. The increasing congruence of ideology and partisanship has so sharpened the divide that 9 in 10 Democrats and Republicans now routinely back their party's nominee.

By race, solidarity remains strong. Among African-Americans, just 14 percent approve of Trump's job performance; among Hispanics his support is at 33 percent. Among whites, 52 percent approve.

Among African-Americans, political solidarity surged in Democrats' favor after Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A similar trend occurred among Hispanics after 2004, as Republicans took a hard line against legal status for undocumented immigrants.



Lately, solidarity among whites has increased in Republicans' favor. As the U.S. Census projects America will become a majority minority nation within three decades, psychologists at UCLA in a 2015 study found fear among whites of losing their status as the "prototypical" ethnic group.



That fear, they wrote, represents "a novel, emerging source of resistance toward diversity in 21st Century America." Trump harnessed it better than anyone in last year's Republican field, as the first African-American president prepared to leave office.



In early 2016, political scientists from the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt examined data from the American National Election Study on voter attitudes toward candidates and different racial, ethnic and religious groups.

Their conclusion: Group solidarity among whites represented Trump's critical edge.



"Ethnocentrism among white Americans explains Trump's astonishing emergence," concluded Donald Kinder and Cindy Kam. In November, Trump defeated Clinton by 20 percentage points among whites.



Yet the concrete allocation of governing rewards will test the allegiance of two different groups of Trump supporters: financially squeezed blue-collar voters who welcome crackdowns on immigration, trade deals and crime; and affluent pro-business Republicans who seek cuts in taxes and regulations.



The Affordable Care Act that Trump pledges to repeal would eliminate insurance subsidies for many blue-collar workers who backed him, while cutting taxes for the wealthy. The tax cut plan he campaigned for would also disproportionately benefit high-earners.



In the name of working-class allies, Trump has scuttled the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. That disappointed business supporters who have flourished in the globalized economy. His proposed travel ban , now stymied in federal court, triggered complaints from Silicon Valley and other multinational U.S. corporations.



In any event, solidarity within Trump's coalition could hold. An experiment by British psychologists, offering different groups of schoolboys choices of monetary rewards, found that individual teenagers chose options that benefited their groups, even if they received less themselves.



Members of groups, Vanderbilt's Kam explained, often prefer "the self-esteem they derive from where their in-group stands," regardless of material self-interest.



Yet research also shows that such solidarity weakens with higher levels of education. That means that upscale Trump supporters may be most susceptible to defection if policies adversely affect them, Kam speculated. The NBC/WSJ poll shows that, compared to Election Day, Trump's standing among college-educated whites has fallen slightly more than among non-college whites.





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Women in music

The Ministry of Education Curriculum Division, Pan In The Classroom Unit, Pan Trinbago and the Pan in School Co-ordinating Council honoured Michelle Huggins-Watts, Natasha Joseph, Chantelle Esdelle and Nubia Williams for their contribution to steelband music over the years.

All four women have very impressive biographies and have been in pan music for many years.

Here they receive their awards on stage at the Savannah.
Were going for a fifth

Interviewed at the bands Carib Street, San Fernando pan yard yesterday, Smith said Saturdays win had been fully expected by the band.

We were working hard on doing a beaver trick to bring some more pride in the pan fraternity for San Fernando and it worked out for us as we had planned, Smith said.

From since 2014, we realised that we could dominate this category because of the arrangers ability. He, Duvon Stewart, is one of the best in the country, if not the best. From the day we kicked off the preliminaries in the pan yard, we were wondering what kind of sound we would get from our yard. Pan Elders yard is located on the southern side of the San Fernando Hill.

But it worked out where we were in front again by about four points and then the semi-final we went to nine points and then for the final, the victory was by about seven points. Asked what made the difference on Saturday, he said The performance of the band, the band is a show band, because Panorama is not just the music alone, its how you interpret and how you perform on stage. However, Smith said the absence of a full sponsor is proving to be a hindrance to the bands development should it decide to move into the Large Band category.

People are saying why dont we go Large, but going Large is more money. Were surviving in the Medium category but even the prize money is not sufficient to carry you through because when you pay everybody, the band comes back down to zero again. Smith said the band is assisted by Petrotrin, TECU Credit Union and some smaller businesses and they are grateful for the help they have received.

Asked his feelings about the band remaining unsponsored considering its successes over the past few years, he said, Well sometimes I really wonder what we could do.

All we could really do is just keep creating this history and hope that one day somebody would come on board as a full sponsor because we need it. If you watch the pan yard, people getting sick from the dust and we need to restructure the band even better than how it is now.
No more Champs

Thousands of of locals and foreigners alike are in for a massive post-Carnival disappointment as the expected last lap of Carnival will not be presented.

In an interview with Newsday during the final of the Small Band category of the National Panorama competition on Thursday at Skinner Park, San Fernando, Pan Trinbagos president Keith Diaz said, We have no money so we cannot do anything about that show. Normally we use the gate receipts from Panorama to put on the Champs in Steel.

The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has all the money from Panorama. Champs is a Pan Trinbago presentation. We book the artistes, but I am not doing anything that will put the organisation in a bad light. I cannot commit to artistes and then turn around and tell them I cannot pay them for their performances. Artistes are already calling Pan Trinbago about the show. Diaz said Pan Trinbago is the only organisation which gives the winners in mas, pan and calypso/ soca a chance to show off their winning costumes and performances.

We showcase the juniors and seniors in all their glory. The show is a true spectacle to the visitors but that does not seem possible this year. Asked about finances for the show over the years Diaz said, We used the gate receipts, some sponsorship and the ministry also helped. Former ministers Marlene McDonald gave us, Joan Yuille-Williams gave us, Gypsy (Winston Peters) and even Lincoln Douglas contributed to the production of Champs of Steel Plus.

But this minister is not interested in helping culture, she only studying to mash up everything.

The minister not observing that 90 percent of pan players are the youths of this nation, pan keeping them off the streets and away from crime.
Tiny tots take over Port-of-Spain too

There were also vendors offering make-up and face painting services under white tents on the promenade during the parade.

The South Quay judging point had a large number of spectators, both in the stands and on the sidewalk, taking in the cute toddlers in their Carnival finery; some had to be held by one hand while others chipped and twirled on their own with just a little guidance now and then from the adults who accompanied them.

Police officers were stationed along the route, with several based at the judging points, while still more officers passed along the route in their official vehicles.

The sun shone brightly around 2.30 pm yesterday as young boys in lime green and white Fancy Indian costumes, from the Warriors section of the band, The Reservation, danced in front of the judges on South Quay.

Belmont Boys RC School presented Pierrots on Parade, which featured pierrot grenades in various colour combinations as well as a male individual dressed as a black and white midnight robber-pierrot grenade.

Rain started falling shortly after 3.30 pm, prompting the spectators on the sidewalks to seek shelter under the eaves of the Courts store on the corner of South Quay and Chacon Street. The masqueraders however didnt let the drizzle turned light shower affect them - they chipped, twirled and zig-zagged across the stage through it all.

One of the more unusual presentations was by Coco-Lily Productions.

Their presentation, Mama Tell Me When, included children with headpieces that looked like black vinyl records with red centres while another section; Mama Uz To Watch TTT, featured three boys with TV-shaped headpieces with the logo of the now defunct State television company, Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT).
Carnival Plan being revised

In her response, the minister noted that the NCC is the body responsible for the conduct of all Carnival activities under the aegis of the Government an in collaboration with key partners in the industry.

She said while the NCC has an existing strategic plan for 2013 to 2017, the recommendations of that plan are being revised for the 2017/2018 fiscal year.

The long term plan for the Carnival industry remains the objective as identified in the NCC Act: to make Carnival a viable, national, cultural and commercial enterprise, Gadsby-Dolly stated.
Freeport resident complains about damage to home

Mohansingh said he has been living on the land for the past 35 years and has since constructed a five-bedroom house.

It is a year now since the heavy rollers are working on a daily basis at this site which in ten feet away from my house and it is three months now that the floor and walls in my home started cracking, Mohansingh said.

He added that apart form the noise pollution, there is the dust pollution and also pockets of water which has provided a breeding ground for mosquitoes at the back of his house.

Mohansingh said he has since lodged complaints to Courts head-office as well as the Environment Management Authority (EMA) and MP for the area Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie. The EMA said they are investigating the matter and Courts has not replied. He says Tewarie has since taken his information and has sent letters to Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis.

Mohansingh allaged that Courts is now erecting a wall that will block one of the driveways to his home.

He has sought legal advice and intends to take the matter to court.

A call to the Chaguanas branch of Courts was directed to the Portof- Spain office. Someone who identified himself as a manager but who refrained from giving his name, said there was no one in office at the tine to deal with the matter.
It May Not Be the Time

You Think It Is
(Repeats Feb. 24 item, no changes in text)

By Fergus Jensen

Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc warned this week that it could take the Indonesian government to arbitration and seek damages over a contractual dispute that has halted operations at the world's second-biggest copper mine.

Marking a sharp escalation in the row, the government also said it would go to arbitration if no resolution was reached.

Here are some questions and answers on the contract dispute: WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR FREEPORT AND INDONESIA?

Freeport's 2016 copper sales from Indonesia were worth about $2.4 billion, up 130 percent since 1996. This year, its Grasberg mine is due to contribute around a third of Freeport's global copper sales of 4.1 billion pounds.

But despite being one of the largest tax payers in Indonesia, Freeport's relations with the government have become strained, particularly as Southeast Asia's biggest economy has sought greater control over its natural resources.

Freeport and the government have been in talks on converting its 1991 mining contract to a new permit and have made some progress in recent years. Freeport has agreed to pay export taxes, higher royalties on copper, gold and silver sales, and to triple its smelter capacity and cut its concession size by more than half.

In January, however, Indonesia introduced rules that prevent Freeport from exporting copper concentrate until it adopts a new permit that would terminate its current contract and impose new terms, including some different than those already agreed.

Freeport's current contract is not due to expire until 2021 and it wants guarantees that its mining rights will not change before committing to $15 billion of investment to expand its Grasberg underground mining operations.

WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF THE LATEST ROW?

The halt in January to Indonesia's exports of semi-processed ore exports came as part of a renewed push for miners to build domestic smelters and squeeze more from its mineral resources.

Story continues

Miners like Freeport were given an option: exports could only continue once they replaced contracts of work with special mining permits.

A new permit would allow Freeport to apply for an early extension to its mining rights, but would also leave it open to prevailing rules and changes to taxes and other terms from which it is currently exempt.

The rules require Freeport to divest up to 51 percent of its Indonesian unit compared with 30 percent currently. So far it has divested 9.36 percent.

Freeport would also have to pay a dividend tax, 10 percent VAT and an export duty of up to 7.5 percent on copper concentrate exports.

WHAT ARE BOTH SIDES SAYING?

Freeport says the stoppage of its exports and attempts to enforce the new rules on taxes and divestment violate its contract of work.

According to Freeport, the new mining permit lacks the legal and fiscal certainty it needs, and that under Indonesian and international law its contract should be immune to changes.

The company said it is only willing to adopt the new permit once it has a stable agreement providing the same rights and the same legal and fiscal certainty it has now.

The government has said Freeport must comply with Indonesia's 2009 mining law, recent regulations and its 1945 Constitution, which in some cases have different requirements than terms set out in Freeport's 1991 contract of work.

Freeport's contract, for example, requires the company to only construct one smelter, while the government now says it must build at least one more.

The government has said it will seek a resolution that does not break the law and that honours Freeport's contract.

HOW HAS THE ROW ESCALATED?

On Feb. 17 the government issued a new export permit for Freeport allowing it to export up to 1.1 million tonnes of copper concentrate over the next year, while proposing a six-month window to negotiate fiscal terms.

Freeport has said it "cannot accept" the new permit that would require the termination of its existing contract at the end of this window, regardless of where negotiations were at.

After declaring force majeure on exports, Freeport said on Monday it had started laying off workers in Indonesia and that it had given a formal notice to the government of multiple breaches of its contract in a step towards arbitration.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Freeport's contract allows 120 days to "use its best endeavours to resolve the dispute through consultation and use of administrative remedies."

If this fails, conciliation or arbitration proceedings would be held in Jakarta, or another location if agreed by both sides.

If Freeport opts to terminate its contract, all contract properties would be offered for sale to the government at cost or market value, whichever is lower, but not below the depreciated book value.

If the government does not accept this offer, Freeport would have 12 months to sell or dispose of assets. All roads, schools and other immovable properties that are in public use would immediately become Indonesian property.

(Reporting by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Almost exactly 580 years ago, King James I of Scotland was murdered by a group of conspirators in a sewer tunnel beneath a monastery as he attempted to escape, recounts the BBC. Stabbed dozens of times, he is said to have died in a pool of his own blood. His tomb, however, has been lost to history, and now researchers and archaeologists are coming together to try to find it underneath the Scottish city of Perth and to recreate the site as a virtual museum. "It's like Game of Thrones and Outlander all rolled into oneexcept this story is real," says a project leader from the Glasgow School of Art, per the AFP. He adds that the kingknown also as a poet, musician, and athletehad been working to make Perth the capital of Scotland, so the day he died "changed Scotland forever."

The king was buried in an elaborate tomb in the city's Charterhouse monastery, which he himself had built modeled on the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps. But the entire monastery was plundered and destroyed during the Reformation, reports the Courier. Researchers hope to locate the Charterhouse buildings during a two-year dig, then use the information to virtually reconstruct the complex, says a researcher from the University of Stirling, per the University of the Highlands and Islands. "Locating the royal tombs within the church would be the icing on the cake," he adds. (Was King Arthur actually a Scot?)
Jimmy Kimmel pulled a prank on a bunch of unsuspecting tourists at the Oscars Sunday night to mixed reviews. The award show host arranged for a tour bus to be brought to the Dolby Theatre, at which point the people on board were brought inside the auditorium as the audience yelled "Mahershala!" (in homage to Oscar winner Mahershala Ali). The stunned surprise guests were then introduced to the front-row celebrities, including Ryan Gosling (who apparently gave Gary from Chicago his Oscars swag), Denzel Washington (who "married" Gary and his fiancee), and Meryl Streep, whom Kimmel described to the tourists as "overrated."

But Kimmel also took the opportunity to make fun of a few of the tourists' names, which didn't go over well on Twitter, the Guardian notes. One woman with a name she explained sounded like "jewelry" received a bit of a jab from the host, while her new husband, Patrick, got a thumbs-up from Kimmel for his more-familiar-sounding name. Advocate reporter Nico Lang tweeted, "I'm not into this trend of making fun of the names of people of color. It's not cute, Jimmy Kimmel," while the Guardian's Benjamin Lee noted of the entire gimmick: "It all [felt] a bit patronizing to be quite honest, allowing 'real people to gawp at celebrities." (Read more Oscars stories.)
President Trump's campaign-trail criticism of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, while "problematic," 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, a military judge ruled Friday. Bergdahl's lawyers had argued that Trump violated their client's due-process rights by repeatedly calling him a "traitor" and that the judge should dismiss charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Bergdahl is scheduled for trial in April, and could face life in prison on the latter charge. On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly said Bergdahl should be executed.

The judge, Army Col. Jeffery Nance, wrote in his ruling that Trump's comments were "disturbing and disappointing" but didn't constitute unlawful command influence. Nance agreed with prosecutors' arguments that Trump's comments amounted to campaign-trail rhetoric. The comments shouldn't harm potential jurors' impartiality, Nance wrote. Nance did say, however, that he would allow defense attorneys wide leeway to question potential jurors about Trump. Bergdahl has said he walked off his post to cause alarm and draw attention to what he saw as problems with his unit. (In December, his lawyers asked former President Obama for a pre-emptive pardon.)
The financier that President Trump nominated to be secretary of the Navy has decided that the job would be too hard on his finances. Philip Bilden, a former military intelligence officer who spent 20 years working in private equity in Hong Kong, cited conflict-of-interest rules when he withdrew from consideration Sunday, reports Reuters. "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 family's private financial interests," Bilden said in a statement.

The Pentagon and Sean Spicer firmly denied reports earlier this month that Bilden was likely to pull out, the New York Times reports. "Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited (sic) to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm," Spicer tweeted on Feb. 18. The AP notes that Bilden's withdrawal is very similar to that of Vincent Viola, Trump's pick for Army secretary. The Wall Street billionaire pulled out on Feb. 3, citing rules concerning family businesses. In a statement, Defense Secretary James Mattis said Bilden had "significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests" and promised to recommend a new Navy candidate within days. (Read more Navy stories.)
Cops in Philadelphia have vowed to track down the vandals who toppled large numbers of headstones in a Jewish cemetery over the weekend. Initial estimates put the number of graves vandalized in the Mount Carmel at around 100. CBS Philadelphia reports that the estimate has risen to 300. "It's criminal. This is beyond vandalism," Northeast Detectives Capt. Shawn Thrush tells the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It's beyond belief." Police say the damage was discovered Sunday morning after a man called to report that three of his relatives' headstones had been knocked over, the AP reports.

The Anne Frank Center said it was "sickened, sickened, sickened" by the vandalism and urged President Trump to deliver a nationally televised speech outlining how he plans to fight anti-Semitism, as well as "Islamophobia and other rising forms of hate," the New York Daily News reports. Mayor Mike Kenny offered condolences to affected families. "Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia," he said. "I encourage Philadelphians to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and to show them that we are the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection." (After a similar attack in Missouri last week, Muslim-Americans started a fundraiser.)
A judge in Britain has denied a woman's claim that dim lighting in a jazz club was to blame for injuries she suffered in a fall, with her unusually frank ruling making headlines because of its references to the woman's "inebriated, obese state." Judge Heather Baucher ruled last week that 254-pound Eren Hussein was responsible for her own injuries when she tumbled down stairs at a popular London jazz spot "on three-inch platforms," the Telegraph reports. Hussein, 53, filed a civil lawsuit demanding thousands of dollars in damages from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club after she broke her wrist and elbow there in March 2012 during a night out.

Hussein testified that she missed a step outside an upstairs lounge and fell down two flights of stairs. "It was dark, it was dim and I didn't see my step as I was going down," she said. But the judge faulted her for not holding the banister, noting that Hussein "must have taken up much of the width of the stairway." Hospital records described Hussein, who has since lost 70 pounds, as "obviously drunk," but she insisted she only had 2.5 glasses of wine and champagne. The judge noted she may have been affected by painkillers she was taking. "On that evening, whether due to one or more of the factorspainkillers, weight, shoes, drinkshe simply missed her footing," the judge said, per the Independent. (Read more justice stories.)
A prominent French historian and Holocaust expert set to speak at a Texas A&M University conference was detained at Houston's airport and nearly deported in the latest snafu involving US immigration agents. Henry Rousso's Kafkaesque tale unfolded Wednesday after he landed in Houston on a flight from Paris and was taken into custody for 10 hours, he confirms via Twitter. The "inexperienced" agent who questioned him seemed confused by his visa status, a fact confirmed by the lawyers who later saved him from being sent home "as an illegal alien on the first flight out," a Texas A&M professor tells the College Station Eagle. While Customs and Border Protection officials have stayed mum, a $2,000 honorarium due to Rousso appears to have been a source of confusion, the New York Times reports.

While such payments are common, a border agent questioned whether the Egyptian-born French citizen had a working visa to enter the US. Texas A&M officials in a "panic" scrambled a legal team that managed to spring the scholar. The Washington Post reports reaction was swift and angry in France, still smarting from President Trump's comment that "Paris is no longer Paris." Angry tweets included one from popular presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron, who fumed "there is no excuse." Rousso tells the Times he is "nervous" to return to the US. "The United States is no longer quite the United States," he writes on the Huffington Post's French site, via the Guardian. Immigration lawyer Jason Mills, who worked to get Rousso released, tells the Times that border agents are now "looking really hard for reasons to deny, instead of reasons to admit." (Trump's immigration plan could cost billions.)
Malaysian police investigating the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half brother believe they know somebody who might help them solve one of the most bizarre murder mysteries they have ever faced. They know his name, his nationality, and have a pretty good idea where he's holed up. The problem is Hyon Kwang Song is a North Korean diplomat. Malaysian police investigating the killing of Kim Jong Nam in an airport lobby on Feb. 13 are seeking seven North Korean nationals in connection with the case. Most have left the country, but authorities say they believe twofirst secretary Hyon and an employee of Air Koryo, the country's flag carrier, remain. If so, it's not hard to imagine where they might be: the North Korean Embassy, a plain, yellow two-story house in an affluent neighborhood just 10 minutes from downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Whether they are indeed at the embassy is anybody's guess. Police can't check because to do so they need permission from North Korea, which so far has said absolutely not. Investigators have submitted a request through Malaysia's foreign ministry to the North Korean Embassy to interview the diplomat. "If you have nothing to hide, you do not have to be afraid," says the national police chief. "You should cooperate." But the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations says a foreign diplomat is "inviolable" and is not liable to any form of arrest or detention. "If he is a Korean diplomat with a diplomatic passport, then he has immunity no matter a criminal case or otherwise," a lawyer tells the AP, which has more. (Kim Jong Nam suffered a "very painful death," per Malaysia's health minister.)
North Korea executed five senior security officials with anti-aircraft guns because they made false reports that "enraged" leader Kim Jong Un, South Korea's spy agency said Monday. The comments by the National Intelligence Service in a private briefing to lawmakers come as Malaysia investigates the poisoning death of Kim's estranged elder half brother, Kim Jong Nam. South Korea believes Kim Jong Un ordered the hit. The spy agency told lawmakers that five North Korean officials in the department of recently purged state security chief Kim Won Hong were executed by anti-aircraft guns because of the false reports to Kim, said South Korean lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo. It's not clear what false reports they allegedly made, and the NIS didn't say how it got its information.

Of note: South Korean spies have a spotty record reporting on high-level events in cloistered North Korea. Pyongyang fired Kim Won Hong in January, presumably over corruption, abuse of power, and torture committed by his agency, Seoul said earlier this month. The fallen minister had been seen as close to Kim Jong Un. North Korea has not publicly said anything about Kim Won Hong or the alleged executions. Lee also cited the NIS as saying that Kim Won Hong's dismissal was linked to those false reports, which "enraged" Kim Jong Un when they were discovered. Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has reportedly purged a large number of high-level government officials in what rival Seoul has called a "reign of terror." (This man could help solve Kim Jong Nam's murder, but there's a catch.)
An elderly Florida woman taking part last August in a citizen's role-playing drill with police was accidentally killed during the exercise. Now, per WINK News, Lee Coel, the cop who pulled the trigger has been arrested and charged with felony manslaughterand Tom Lewis, the chief of the Punta Gorda PD, has been charged with a misdemeanor of culpable negligence, the state attorney's office announced Wednesday. Coel, who ended up fatally shooting 73-year-old Mary Knowlton with real bullets instead of the fake ones meant to be used during the community exercise, showed "a pattern of complacency, questionable decisions, and insubordination" even before Knowlton's shooting, WINK uncovered in December. He's been on administrative leave since the incident and posted a $5,000 bond to get out of Charlotte County Jail Wednesday afternoon.

Knowltonwhose family accepted a $2 million-plus settlement in November with the police and citywas one of a few dozen citizens taking part in the role-playing activity, meant to show participants how quickly cops have to act in dangerous situations. There are conflicting reports from Fox 13 and WFTS whether Coel, then 28, or Knowlton was playing the cop. Coel's lawyer said last week Coel thought his gun contained blanks, adding cryptically they now know who loaded the gun (without offering additional details). Lewis will answer his summons in court on April 5 for his roleallegedly failing to keep the event safe, per NBC 2. "Why did [Coel] aim the gun at her and not off to the side?" a local asks, per the Naples Daily News. The family of Knowlton, meanwhile, says the librarian who'd been married for 54 years would have preached forgiveness. "That's what my mom was about," her son said. (Read more police shooting stories.)
Former President George W. Bush on Monday offered what CNN characterizes as "muted criticism" of some of President Trump's actions, but he also pointed out that Trump has been in office a mere month. "You have to take the man for his word that he wants to unify the country," Bush said on the Today show. "We'll see if he's able to do so." See the video here. Some specifics:

Media: Asked about Trump's description of the press as an "enemy of the people," Bush laughed and said, "I considered the media to be indispensable to democracy." He said the press was necessary to keep authorities "like me" in check because "power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive." He added that he'd spent time trying to convince Vladimir Putin on the subject, "and it's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent, free press if we're not willing to have one ourselves."

Russia: On Moscow's alleged meddling in the election, Bush said, "We all need answers." But he stopped short of calling for a special prosecutor, saying that decision should be made by Congress. He specifically praised Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr and said he'd defer to him on the matter.

On Moscow's alleged meddling in the election, Bush said, "We all need answers." But he stopped short of calling for a special prosecutor, saying that decision should be made by Congress. He specifically praised Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr and said he'd defer to him on the matter. Travel ban: Asked directly if he supported Trump's now-stalled executive order, Bush avoided saying yes or no. "I am for an immigration policy that is welcoming and upholds the law."

(Read more George W. Bush stories.)
She became famous for surviving an Ebola outbreak, then heading back to the Liberian hospital that helped her to assist with other patientspart of what landed her among the "Ebola fighters" who won Time magazine's Person of the Year honor in 2014. But the "superpowers" Salome Karwah used to say survivors like her boasted finally gave way last week: She died Tuesday from complications following childbirth, Time reports. Now known as Salome Harris after marrying her fiance, Harris had a healthy baby boyher fourth childwho was delivered by C-section on Feb. 17. She went home a few days later, but went into convulsions and was rushed back to the hospitalonly to have staff refuse to touch her because of her past Ebola illness (she was foaming at the mouth and they were afraid of the fluids).

Karwah told her Ebola recovery story on the Doctors Without Borders website in 2014, noting that her parents ended up dying while she was recuperating and how she believed God had kept her, her fiance, and other family members alive "for a purpose." That purpose, in her mind, was to keep others from succumbing to the disease, as well as to fight against the stigma people with the virus often facethe same stigma that may have contributed to her death, her sister tells Time. A 2014 Wall Street Journal profile described Karwah's dedication, with the then-26-year-old working six days a week to feed, bathe, and comfort her sick patients. "To survive Ebola and then die in the larger yet silent epidemic of health system failureI have no words," a health advocate who toiled alongside Karwah tells Time. (Encouraging news on the vaccine front.)
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a political rally in his campaign in Mau for the sixth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He had failed to address a rally in Lok Sabha elections in 2014 after one of the partys veteran leaders passed away before the political rally.

Modi attacked the ruling state government for distressed farmers and other key issues in Uttar Pradesh.

LIVE UPDATES

#By development I mean: irrigation for farmers, education for children, employment for youth and medicines for the elderlies

#Our focus is on development of Poorvanchal

#And giving tickets to such gangsters is it not a mockery of democracy?

#Why do gangsters here keep smiling when they go to jail? This is because they get all facilities inside

#Law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh is a disaster. Crime rate is rising, incidents of loot, rape, riots are reported. This must end

#Centre allotted funds for 24X7 power supply in Uttar Pradesh. But what stops the SP government from utilising those funds

#Why SP government doesn't care about the farmers in Uttar Pradesh? Why they are not helping farmers in distress? They must answer

#We are undertaking measures for welfare of our farmer brothers and sisters. We want their incomes to double by 202

#When Nehru ji was the PM, MP from Ghazipur expressed concern over poverty. Report was presented, but no action was taken

#This time UP will play Holi of Development

#Development is the need of Uttar Pradesh, we will fulfill that need

#When Nehru ji was the PM, MP from Ghazipur expressed concern over poverty. Report was presented, but they didn't take any action

# India is scaling newer heights of progress. It is due to the 125 crore Indians. UP too can develop. It needs a stable BJP Government: PM

# SP, BSP and Congress want to defeat BJP but should not play with the future of Uttar Pradesh: PM

# SP, BSP are well aware that they'd be defeated in these elections. And, now they are creating an environment that no party gets majority: PM

# BJP believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas: PM

# As the elections are progressing, people of Uttar Pradesh have made up their minds to support the BJP: PM

# I can see tremendous enthusiasm among people here. I thank people for their affection: PM



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New Delhi:

A 17-year-old boy allegedly committed suicide on Sunday by jumping off from the eighth floor of a building in West Delhis Janakpuri area.

Pulkit, a class 10th student, jumped to death from the Vishwa Sadan building in the Janakpuri District Centre at about 5.20 PM, said a senior police officer.

The security guards rushed him to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

No suicide note has been recovered and police is speaking to his family to ascertain the reason why he took the extreme step, said the officer.

The boy lived with his family in Sagarpur area nearby.
New Delhi :

The family of the twins, who died on Sunday after they fell into a washing machine in Rohini area, has requested police not to conduct post-mortem on the bodies.

The family of Naksh and Neeshu are devastated and they requested us not to conduct post-mortem on the bodies of their children, a police officer said.

We have accepted their request. Since no foul play is suspected and the family has also given in writing that they dont suspect anything suspicious, the autopsy hasnt been carried out, the police officer said.

ALSO READ | Delhi: Left alone for minutes, 3-year-old twins drown in washing machine

He said that a pile of clothes was lying till the level of the washing machine and one of the twins probably peeped inside and fell in the washing machine.

The other brother probably did the same out of curiosity and fell inside the machine, he added.

When the mother returned, she didnt find her kids and started searching outside and even made a PCR call, he said.

She also called her neighbours and they checked the footage from CCTV cameras installed in the housing society but they didnt see anyone entering the house while she had gone out to get detergent, he added.

The woman, meanwhile, also called her husband, who arrived some time later, he said.

After they didnt see anything suspicious, the couple started searching their home and the husband found the children inside the washing machine, he added.

They were rushed to the hospital but were declared brought dead.
(Adds details, quotes, context)

MOSCOW, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Russia is proposing the creation of an OPEC-like organisation for the global aluminium industry, TASS news agency quoted Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov as saying on Monday.

Russia's Rusal was overtaken by China's Hongqiao as the world's biggest aluminium producer several years ago, as Rusal cut back its production capacity due to a fall in prices.

Manturov told reporters about the idea of an aluminium-making group on the sidelines of an economic conference in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, unites some of the world's largest oil producers. Its members, together with non-OPEC oil producers such as Russia, agreed to reduce oil production and support global prices in 2016.

"It is currently at the stage of a proposal," Manturov told reporters.

"At the first stage" of creating such an organisation for aluminium, participation of officials such as industry ministers "would be enough".

"What is more important is that all governments, which are the main producers and exporters of primary aluminium, agree on principles of single policy in the area of standards and technology," the minister said.

Rusal, controlled by Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, was not available for immediate comment. Shareholders include trading giant Glencore and Russian businessmen Viktor Vekselberg and Mikhail Prokhorov.

Rusal's 2016 production rose one percent year-on-year to 3.685 million tonnes and is expected remain stable in 2017.

Prices for aluminium, used in transport and packaging, have risen 12 percent in London since the start of 2017. The metal closed 0.85 percent up at $1,901 a tonne on Monday.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Greg Mahlich/Ruth Pitchford)
Imphal:

Irom Sharmila Chanu on Monday refused to accept the security escort provided to her by the state authorities under the direction of the Election Commission of India.

Sharmila told PTI that she has no enmity with anyone and has nothing to fear about.

The former iconic human rights figure said she does not approve of the VIP culture of being surrounded by armed forces and wants to be with the people.

On the other hand, Additional Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu said, The state authorities are doing their part as the ECI has directed them to provide security to Sharmila as she travels alone almost all the time.

Security has been provided to Sharmila for her own safety, he told PTI.

Meanwhile, Erendro, convenor of Sharmilas party Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) said six personnel from the state armed forces were provided for her security. They follow her continuously, Erendro added.

The ECI, on Friday, had asked the state authorities to provide escort to Sharmila who is contesting the upcoming 11th Manipur state assembly elections from Thoubal, the home turf of incumbent Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Sharmila had formed her own political partythe Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) -- which has fielded three candidates for the upcoming polls in the state.
Patna:

The IAS Officers Association on Sunday met Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and submitted a resolution demanding a CBI probe into the arrest of BSSC Chairman Sudhir Kumar in connection with paper leak scam.

The extraordinary general body meeting of Association, held on Sunday, was attended by 110 officers in which they also demanded Kumars immediate release, Associations Bihar Branch Treasurer and IAS Officer Dipak Kumar Singh said.

A resolution was passed at the extraordinary general body meeting. A delegation met Governor Sri Ram Nath Kovind while the rest of the officers stood outside the Governors house in a human chain, Singh said.

The delegation submitted the resolution to the Governor who has assured to look into the matter, he said. Earlier, the Association in its meeting on February 24, the day Kumar was arrested by the SIT, had demanded for a CBI inquiry to ensure an independent and fair probe.

The CBI will be in a better position to independently establish the links beyond the officials as repeated reports have suggested interference and/or patronage of persons with clout, according to the resolution.

A copy of the resolution will also be submitted to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar whom the Association has Already met in this regard.

The resolution said, It has also resolved that all further verbal instructions from any high office including the office of the Chief Minister shall not be complied with unless given in writing.

A delegation would visit Kumar to express solidarity with him in this hour of crisis and bear all the legal and other related expenses on his behalf, it said, adding as a mark of solidarity with Kumar, its members will wear black arm bands until resolution of its demands are met.

The delegation would also meet Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Speaker Vijay Choudhary and Leader of Opposition Sushil Modi.
Lucknow:

An estimated 57.36 per cent of 1.81 crore electorate on Monday cast their votes amid tight security during the fifth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh with Amethi and Faizabad assembly seats remaining the centre of attention.



The day-long poll process remained largely peaceful in 51 Assembly constituencies spread over 11 districts of the state.



57.36 per cent polling was recorded till 5 PM and the figure is likely to go up as several voters waited in queues to exercise their franchise, UP Chief Electoral Officer T Venkatesh said.



The first four phases of UP polls this time saw voter turnouts of 64 per cent, 65 per cent, 61.16 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.



Though the exercise remained slow during the the first two hours in morning, it picked up pace gradually with the first-time voters seen exercising their franchise quite enthusiastically.



Prominent contestants in the phase included controversial minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati from the ruling Samajwadi Party, who is facing Amita Singh from Congress and BJPs Garima Singh in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi.



Prajapati, against whom an FIR has been lodged in an alleged rape case, said the people were with him and there was a strong wave in the favour of SP. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will become the CM again, he claimed.



Amita, wife of Congress leader Sanjay Singh, hoped people would support the best candidate and I will definitely win.



Garima, the first wife of Sanjay, on the other hand said there was no development in the constituency and people were facing problems.



The districts that went to polls in the Vth phase are Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Basti, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur.



Faizabad is another hot seat with BJPs Ram Temple issue once again figuring in its election manifesto this time.



Ayodhya Assembly seat, which falls in Faizabad district, used to be a traditional stronghold of BJP since the Ram Temple movement days. But it was snatched by SP in 2012. This time the saffron party is trying to wrest it back.



The turnout in these constituencies in 2012 was 57.09 per Cent.



The Governor said to prevent crop residue burning and for its better management, the government has proposed an action plan of Rs 303.15 crore for getting straw management equipment, training and demonstrations during 2017-18.



Indian Oil Corporation is in the process of setting up an ethanol-based power plant in Panipat, he said.



Sugarfed is planning to expand the Panipat Sugar Mills along with co-generation and ethanol plant in Dahar village, installation of 60 kilolitres per day ethanol plant at Shahabad Sugar Mill, and expansion and modernisation of Karnal Sugar Mill, Solanki said.



Under its Horticulture Vision, the state aims to double the area under horticulture and triple production by 2030, he said, adding it has been planned to increase total cultivated area under from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent.



The Governor said the total annual milk production for the year 2015-16 had reached 83.81 lakh tonnes, taking the per capita per day availability of milk to 835 grams, the second highest in the country.



Under the Risk Management and Livestock Insurance, launched during the year, large farm animals and small ruminants would be insured for a period of three years, he said.



Solanki said the state ranks second in the country in fish productivity per hectare and has been declared a Fish Disease Free State.



There are about 16,000 hectares of water bodies under intensive fish farming and the state produces about 1.50 lakh metric tonnes of fish per annum, he said, adding the government plans to increase production from 7,200 to 8,200 kilograms per hectare.



Haryana Government is actively working to further empower the Panchayati Raj Institutions through capacity building and devolving functions and funds, he said, adding villages in 14 districts would be Open Defecation Free by end of this month.The government is offering 34 e-Services to the citizens relating to various kinds of certificates, copies of land records, e-stamps and permissions, he said.



Solanki said the Haryana Government has aligned its vision Digital India Programme and all Gram Panchayats are being connected through optical fiber under Bharat Net.Till date, the cable has been laid in 4,051 Gram Panchayats and Wi-Fi equipment has been installed at 119 Gram Panchayats/Schools, he said, adding there is a plan to establish Wi-Fi in 350 villages during 2017-18.



The Governor said under the skill up-gradation programme a Startup Warehouse has been set up in Gurugram and plans are to set up Mobile Application Development Centre, Startup Incubators in seven universities.

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New Delhi:

Indias Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit US from Tuesday to discuss key bilateral issues including India's concerns over a possible clamp down on H1B visas and safety of Indians are expected to be discussed.

During his four-day visit, Jaishankar will also hold talks on regional and international issues of mutual interest with senior members of the Donald Trump administration during his four-day visit.

The government has been constantly emphasising on the concerns regarding the H1B visa issue and engaged with Trump administration as well as members of the US Congress on the issue.

ALSO READ | H-1B visa constraints: India reaches out to Trump administration to bay concerns

H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year.

After the recent hate crime attack on an Indian engineer in a crowded bar in Kansas City, safety of Indian nationals is also expected to figure during the discussions between two sides.

With PTI Inputs

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New Delhi:

Lady Sri Ram Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur on Monday commented about students organisation ABVP as well as on the right to freedom of speech.

Kaur said that she will not be scared or be cowed down, her father took a bullet for the country and she is also ready to take bullet for the country.

The Delhi University student also stated that, Stones were not pelted on Umar Khalid, he was not even present, stones were pelted on students who were there.

On February 22, violent clashes broke out between Left-affiliated AISA and RSS-backed ABVP at DUs Ramjas college over a seminar invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid which left several students and three teachers injured.

On the question of patriotism she said 'love my country and I also love my fellow students and I support their right to freedom of speech'

The Delhi University student, whose social media campaign against ABVP recently went viral, alleged to have received rape threats.

Lady Sri Ram Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, said she has attracted a barrage of hate messages over her stand on the issue.

Also Read: Ramjas College clash: Sehwag counters Army martyrs daughter on Twitter

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New Delhi :

Convicted on the charges of treason, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) leader Safdar Nagori has been awarded life imprisonment along with 11 other accused by the Indore district court.

The court pronounced the decision on charges of hate speech, conducting training camps, and for promoting anti-national literature against Nagori.

All the accused have been found guilty of the charge of treason under IPCs section 124A.Keeping in mind security, the district court has been heavily deployed with police forces.

ALSO READ: Setback for Mukhtar Ansari: Delhi High Court sets aside lower courts parole order

According to District Public Prosecutor, Vimal Mishra, another accused, Manuroj, who is out on bail has also been taken into custody.

On 26 March 2008, Police had arrested 11 SIMI militants with heavy arms and ammunition. When Police searched their residences, anti-national materials along with objectionable CDs and anti-national literature were seized. For the same, the court has awarded life imprisonment to all the 11 accused.

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New Delhi:

A major fire broke out at the famous wholesale marketA Burrabazar in Kolkata. According to initial reports, at least 20 fire engines have been rushed to the spot.

No casualties were reported till the time of filing this story, however, according to agency reports, situation was not under control.A

More details awaited.

Burrabazar fire UPDATE: Fire tenders increased to 25; situation not under control.Residents being evacuated,disaster management team at spot pic.twitter.com/ehGr8G86Jq a ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

A

Fire breaks out at Kolkata's wholesale market Burrabazar, 20 fire engines at the spot. Situation not under control. pic.twitter.com/ED4pNIdOUt a ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017







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New Delhi:

The Delhi University and JNU campuses are ready to witness more marches and counter-marches on Tuesday after ABVP held a Tiranga march on Monday.

Left-affiliated AISA, Congress -backed NSUI and JNU teachers also are mulling to register their protest against the Ramjas College violence. Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is also organising a symbolic one-day hunger strike at Arts faculty followed by a 'Mashaal' rally on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, ABVP, which objected to a seminar at Ramjas College last week where JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited, took out a 'Tiranga march' from the college to Delhi University's Arts Faculty.

Shouting slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and dubbing it a 'march for the nation', the ABVP members carried the national flag as they marched inside the Ramjas College campus. With hashtags like 'March4nation', 'IstandwithRamjas' and 'Istandwithnationalism', the student outfit urged more students to join via social media for the protest against Left-leaning students' groups who are "supporting those involved in anti-national activities".

On the other hand, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu asserted freedom of expression does not mean liberty to advocate disintegration of the country. Naidu accused Congress and the Left of trying to give a "different colour" to happenings on some campuses, "I am surprised about the efforts made by the Congress and the Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in a few universities saying it is an assault on freedom of expression," Naidu told reporters.

He claimed certain "misguided" sections were trying to mislead the young population and create social tensions, and hurt the sentiments of the people of India.

Another union minister Jitendra Singh said the country would not allow premiumon anti-India activism and there is a need for drawing a bottom line to check such activities.

"Freedom of debate doesn't allow debating to instigate anti-India activism and there is a need to draw a bottom line on it," said the Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office. (with PTI Inputs)

Also Read: BJP MP Pratap Simha compares Gurmehar with Dawood; Rijiju questions her mindset

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New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed Delhi Govt's appeal against stay order of its new nursery admission norms on the neighbourhood criteria.



The government's appeal, argues that in the absence of the neighbourhood criterion, schools will accept admissions in an arbitrary and opaque manner, and even justify charging exorbitant fees from parents. A A A A A A A A A A A

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court judge had said the interim stay on the January 7 notification would remain in place till final till the pleas challenging the Delhi government order directing the private unaided schools to accept nursery admission norms based only on the neighbourhood or distance criteria.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal directed the single judge to decide the petitions expeditiously.

aWe have dismissed the appeal (of Delhi government).We, however, have directed the single judge to decide the petitions (challenging the Delhi governmentas decision) as expeditiously as possible,a the bench said. It also said that the single judge should not go by its observation made in the interim order.

The division bench was hearing an appeal filed by the AAP government against a single judgeas February 14 interim order.

The single judge had stayed Delhi governmentas new nursery admission norm, saying aa studentas educational fate canat be relegated to only his/her position on a mapa.

Terming the criterion as aarbitrary and discriminatorya, Justice Manmohan had said it benefited only those parents who live close to good private schools.Challenging the interim order, the Delhi government had said that in the absence of the neighbourhood criterion, schools will accept admission in an arbitrary and opaque manner, and even justify charging exorbitant fees.

Delhi HC dismisses Delhi Govt's appeal against stay order of its new nursery admission norms pic.twitter.com/T9Ux0hIXFA a ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

In two directives on December 19, 2016 and January 7, the Delhi government had made it compulsory for 298 private schools built on Delhi Development Authority land to accept nursery children who live in that neighbourhood or live within a certain distance from the school.

The single judge had ordered an interim stay of the January 7 notification till the final disposal of the pleas challenging the Delhi governmentas order.

The two associations, representing the schools and the parents, had alleged that the Delhi government has adiscriminateda as the neighbourhood criteria had been applied against only 298 schools and not been made?mandatory for 1,400 other schools in the city.

(With PTI Input)

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New Delhi:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Monday.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Palanisamy presented a memorandum containing 23 different issues, including exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and Constitution of Management Board.

On February 24, Palanisamy had a brief interaction with Prime Minister Modi at Coimbatore when the latter had arrived in the city to inaugurate the bust of Adiyogi.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had arrived in Delhi last night.

Also Read: TN CM Palanisamy writes to PM on construction of reservoir across Cauvery

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Space may be the final frontier, but it is also fast becoming another potential battlefield where America must be prepared to defend itself against any and all adversaries.

Related: Game of Drones - The Air Force Ramps Up Video Game Warfare

That was the message in a recent Defense News op-ed by two Air Force generals -- Dave Goldfein, the services chief of staff, and Jay Raymond, chief of the U.S. Air Force Space Command. They quoted another general, John Hyten, head of the U.S. Strategic Command (guardian of the nuclear arsenal), who has said that there is no such thing as a war in space, there is just war, its with an adversary and if it extends into space we have to figure out how to fight it.

As if on cue, the global military information site IHS Janes 360 reported late last week that Russia plans to arm some of its MiG-31BM interceptor aircraft with anti-satellite weapons. A new missile is being developed for this aircraft capable of destroying targets in near-space," a Russian Aerospace Forces squadron commander said on Zvezda TV, a channel run by the Russian Defense Ministry, according to Janes.

One major reason that defending satellites and space-based systems has become so imperative is that the Air Force is relying more and more on attack drones, which are controlled from afar through satellite links. Drones also use satellite-based GPS to relay their positions to ground control.

Related: More Killer Drones, Please: The Air Force Places a $371 Million Order

As retired Air Force Major General James Poss wrote recently, Beyond line of sight (BLOS) data links [have] revolutionized air power. And the BLOS drones are getting more powerful.

The Air Force plans to replace its fleet of MQ-1 Predator drones with MQ-9 Reapers by 2018, according to UPI. The Reaper has a 3,750-pound payload capacity vs. 450 pounds for the Predator, a 50,000-foot flight ceiling vs. 25,000, and can cruise at about 230 miles per hour vs. 84 miles an hour. Reapers cost almost $15 million apiece.

Story continues

Generals Goldfein and Raymond laid out a three-part strategy the Air Force is pursuing: enhancing its ability to spot threats and control space assets; strengthening partnerships across the Department of Defense and intelligence community to defend space systems; and building on the Interagency Combined Space Operations Center that was set up last year in Colorado.

War in space, the generals wrote, is no longer just the stuff of science fiction writers like Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. In space, we must be able to detect threats early  and respond so decisively that no foe is tempted to raise a weapon in anger.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
New Delhi:

The polling of fifth phase Uttar Pradesh assembly elections ended at 5PM on Monday. According to latest data available, voting registered till 5PM was 57.36 per cent, lowest till now in ongoing state assembly elections. In this phase, BJP, SP and BSP will fight to stake claim at 51 constituencies of the eastern UP.

"57.36% turnout in fifth phase of UP Polls; voting ends by and large peacefully in 51 assembly seats," UP CEO T Venkatesh informed PTI.

In all, 608 candidates are in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats of Siddharth Nagar district.



1.84 crore voters, including 96 lakh women, will decide the fate of leaders in the fray including 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 in this phase.



Due to death of Samajwadi Party candidate Chandrashekhar Kanaujia in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar), the EC has announced fresh date of voting in this constituency on .



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 and Peace Party won two seats.



The districts going to polls in this phase are Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Basti, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur.



As it Happened:

#6:27 PM

Approximately 57.36% voting recorded till 5 PM in the fifth phase of UP elections

#4:45PM

Estimated 52 per cent of voter turnout till 4 PM during fifth phase of UP polls where all eyes are set on Amethi and Faizabad

#3:00 PM

49.19% voting recorded till 3 PM for fifth phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh

#11:31 AM

27% voting recorded till 11 am



#11:10 AM

13% voting recorded till 10 AM



#UPPolls2017: Mahant Gyandas of Hanuman Gadi casts his vote at a polling booth in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/ew8eFfqRtI  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

#9:32 AM-10.77% voting in Uttar Pradesh fifth phase assembly elections till 9 am

Voting underway in Ayodhya at polling booth no.127 #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/13tntThsOi  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Congress Amethi candidate Amita Singh with husband and Congress MP Sanjay Singh after casting vote #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/ybBzNoxdIy  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Voting underway at polling booths 127 and 128 in Amethi #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/VdspqUNCqN  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

I am winning with a huge margin and Samajwadi Party Govt under Akhilesh ji will be in power again: Gayatri Prajapati,SP Amethi candidate pic.twitter.com/xInhnFTSE6  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

Voting underway at polling booth no.40 in Amethi #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/JvhZZTqxPN  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

#FLASH Voting for Uttar Pradesh's fifth phase of elections for 51 seats across 11 districts, begins (Visuals from Ayodhya) pic.twitter.com/NtSVrJY8pr  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

#7AM: Voting begins in 51 constituencies for Phase 5 of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections



Important details about Uttar Pradesh Elections



# Total Assembly Constituencies: 51

# Date of Polling: (Phase 5 out of 7 phases)

# Total Electorate: 1.84 crore (including 96 lakh women)



# Major Parties & Alliance



- SP (Samajwadi Party) + Indian National Congress

- Bhartiya Janta Party

- Bahujan Samaj Party

- Peace Party



# 2012 Assembly Election Results:

- SP: 37 Seats

- BSP: 3 Seats

- BJP: 5 Seats

- Congress: 5 Seats

- Peace party: 2 Seats

- Others: 0 Seat



Security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling

Five out of 51 assembly constituencies going to poll on border Nepal, which has recently come under scrutiny for cross-border terrorism. Central forces on conducted flag march in sensitive areas close to the Terai region in Nepals foothills.



PM Modi had also recently attributed the Kanpur train tragedy to vulnerability along the northern border in these areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it a point in his speech in Gonda to refer to the Kanpur train tragedy in which 150 people were killed.



Modi had said the accident was due to a conspiracy and the perpetrators carried it out sitting across the border in Nepal.



Gonda is close to Nepal and so are Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur and Sidhharth Nagar districts.



Two-cornered fight between BJP and SP-Congress

The districts of eastern UP are traditionally aligned towards Samajwadi Party. With 37 incumbent MLAs, SP will have only real competition with PM Modi-led Bhartiya Janta Party.



In 2012 assembly elections, BJP had managed only 5 seats, but the party improved its voter base considerably in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.



Illustrious fight for politically-crucial Amethi

The eyeballs will remain focussed on the Nehru-Gandhi family dominated Amethi, as it goes to polls with as many as 24 candidates, maximum in this phase.

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 spouse, making it a rani versus rani contest.



The campaign

The run-up to the high-decibel campaign for the fifth phase saw free flow of words like donkey, Kasab and kabootar, taking the level of speeches by leaders of key parties to a new low.



As the war of words among rival parties got uglier, Modi had 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 in Bahraich 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...Akhilesh ji 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 had 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 had 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 had 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 had said after Shah coined the acronym matching the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack perpetrator.



Akhilesh had also hit out at the BJP chief for his KASAB barb, saying KA actually stood for kabutar (pigeon) 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.



After Mondays voting, 141 constituencies in 25 districts will be left in poll fray. The remaining two phases will be held on and 8, apart from voting on



Manipur will vote on and 8. Goa and Punjab have voted on . Counting of votes in all the states will be taken up on , culminating the exercise.



(With inputs from PTI)

Assembly Elections 2017: Full Coverage

Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017: Full Coverage



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New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday reiterated that we wont let ISIS become a challenge for India. Singhs comments came a day after two suspected ISIS terrorists, who were allegedly planning to carry out serial blasts at some religious places in Gujarat in the next couple of days, were arrested by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad from Rajkot and Bhavnagar.

During a programme in New Delhi, Singh was also asked about the Ramjas College frenzy, on which he replied I had talked to the Police Commissioner on this and I continue to be in touch with him on latest developments.

Two suspected ISIS terrorists, who were allegedly planning to carry out serial blasts at some religious places in Gujarat in the next couple of days, were arrested by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad from Rajkot and Bhavnagar, the ATS said on Sunday.

ALSO READ | Gujarat ATS arrests two 'ISIS terrorists' from Rajkot, Bhavnagar

The two, who are brothers, were in touch with ISIS operatives overseas through social media, police said, adding they have recovered bomb-making material from the two. The two were allegedly planning to carry out blasts at religious places like Chotila.

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Colombo:

At least seven persons, including an underworld don, were killed when a prison bus was attacked by unidentified men in southwestern Sri Lanka on Monday, police said.

The attackers opened fire on the bus transporting prisoners from Kalutara prison to a magistrate court, police media spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said.

He said seven persons were killed and four injured. The bus was attacked at Nagaha junction in Kalutara, ColomboPage reported.

Among the dead was notorious underworld figure Aruna Damith Udayanga alias Samayan and two prison officials. Another two officers critically injured in the gunfire have been admitted to a hospital, the police said.

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Beijing:

Chinas top diplomat will be in the US this week on the first official visit from the country since President Donald Trump took office, amid signs of strain in ties over trade relations and growing tension in east Asia.

State Councillor Yang Jiechi will be in Washington for two days beginning today. He will exchange views with senior Trump administration officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang.

Yang, the top diplomat in Chinese political hierarchy who has served as ambassador to Washington, is the first senior official from China to visit the US since Trump took office on January 20.

His visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of US President Richard Nixons ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for establishing diplomatic ties in 1979.

And it comes after Trump agreed to honour the One China policy, which considers Taiwan part of China, during a telephonic conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 10, retracting from his previous public stance that he would negotiate the policy.

The future of US-China ties remain uncertain after Trump accused the worlds second-largest economy of cheating at trade and repeatedly called it a currency manipulator.

Trump has also slammed China over its assertive moves in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing has built islands that can potentially be used for military purposes.

Before Trump assumed office, he had called up Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen ruffling feathers in Beijing. The call was thought to be the first between the leader from the island and a US president since bilateral ties were severed in 1979.

Trump has often suggested he might use Taiwan as leverage in negotiations with China to rein in communist North Korea.

Ahead of Yangs visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart Rex Tillerson informally met last week on the sidelines of a G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Bonn, Germany.

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Islamabad:

More than 350 suspects, constituting Afghan and Uzbek nationals, have been arrested and arms and drugs recovered from them during countrywide search operations against terrorists, the Army said. Law enforcement agencies claimed to have recovered arms from the restive North Waziristan and foiled a terror bid in Quetta, the provincial capital of troubled Balochistan.

The agencies arrested over 350 suspects, including Afghan and Uzbek nationals during the countrywide search operations on Saturday night and Sunday, The News International said. They have also recovered arms and drugs from their possession.

Army said a huge cache of arms was recovered from Shirani village of Dattakhel, North Waziristan. The law enforcers arrested more than 30 suspects and seized arms and drugs during a raid in Gulberg and other areas of Peshawar, while 75 persons were detained in Bannu.

About a dozen Afghan nationals were among 20 peoplearrested in Karmpur and Jamal Ghouspur areas of Kashmore in Sindh province. Similarly, Rangers and other law enforcers arrested over 160 people, including Afghan nationals, from different parts of Karachi.

In Bahawalpur, 22 suspects were arrested which also included Uzbeks and Afghans. The police in Quetta claimed to have foiled a major terror bid by recovering a bomb planted on Arbab Karam Khan Road, which was defused by the bomb disposal squad.

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Islamabad:

Pakistans top diplomat in the UN Maleeha Lodhi on Monday deleted a congratulatory tweet about Oscar winner Muslim actor Mahershala Ali after being criticised for promoting an Ahmadi, considered to be non-Muslims in Pakistan.



The 43-year-old actor won the Oscar for his portrayal of a drug dealer in coming-of-age drama Moonlight, becoming the first Muslim actor ever to win the prestigious award.



Soon after her tweet, Lodhi came under fire for promoting an Ahmadi, who are considered non-Muslims in Pakistan. She later deleted her tweet as a response to the criticism.



Alis birth name is Mahershalalhashbaz and he converted to Islam in 1999. In 2001, he joined the Ahmadiyya Community.



Pakistans parliament had declared Ahmadis non-Muslims in 1974, and they have repeatedly been targeted by Islamic extremists, who view them as heretics. Article 260-3 of Pakistans Constitution declares Ahmadis non-Muslims.



In 1984, they were banned from calling themselves Muslim. They are banned from preaching and even from travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Several Ahmadi mosques were shut down at the time in Pakistan. Their publications are prohibited.The minority Ahmadiyya Community members have also been taken to court on blasphemy charges.



Pakistans only Nobel laureate scientist Dr Abdus Salam, a major figure in the 20th century theoretical physics, was also an Ahmadi.



Ahmedis were prosecuted by the fundamentalists and contribution of eminent people like Dr Salam was ignored.

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US:

The WWII Navy officer who guided his warship into Japanese territory to rescue future President John F Kennedy and his crew has died at age 97, his daughter has said.

William Bud Liebenow died Friday from pneumonia complications, said Susan T Liebenow of Arlington, Virginia. Liebenow was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was a new college graduate when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941.

He joined the Navy and volunteered for service on the fast, small and heavily armed attack vessels called PT boats. Liebenow and Kennedy were each captains of PT boats in the South Pacific in 1943 when Kennedys boat was destroyed by a Japanese destroyer.

Kennedy and 10 other surviving crew members swam to a small island. Kennedy scratched a note into a coconut that two Solomon Islands natives carried to an American base.

Liebenow guided his boat behind enemy lines to track down the survivors of PT-109 on the island where they were hiding. Pulled right up to the beach, Liebenow told WRAL-TV in 2015.

Just a part of the job really.

Kennedy invited Liebenow and his family to the presidents inauguration ceremony 18 years later, Susan Liebenow said. But Liebenows naval career didnt end with that rescue.

The following year, Liebenow commanded a PT boat that was part of the D-Day invasion of northern France. His PT-199 was tasked with zooming around the waters off Normandy and rescuing men whose boats had been blown up by Nazi defenders.

Liebenows boat helped rescue about 60 crew members from the destroyer USS Corry, which was sunk during the invasion struggle.

We went in to pick up survivors and do what we could, Liebenow told the Mount Airy News in 2014. We spent most of that day picking up guys out of the water.

After the war, Liebenow worked as a chemist for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and retired after 30 years, his family said. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Lucy, and a son.

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Clinton crony John Podesta joins the Washington Post as a columnist

The discredited establishment media just keeps doubling down on all the reasons why fewer and fewer Americans trust these purveyors of fake news and alternate reality.

Take the Washington Post, for instance. First out of the gate with a wildly fabricated narrative that Russia helped Donald Trump steal the election from Hillary Clinton  one of the worst, most corrupt presidential candidates in a century  the paper has now given a platform to the very man who probably did more than she did (and much more than the Russians ever did) to destroy her candidacy: John Podesta. (RELATED: Russian hack narrative revealed to be elaborate media hoax email leaks actually came from Bernie Sanders insider)

Yes, the Post has made Podesta a weekly contributing columnist, Politico reported, which is likely to be nothing more than another Trump hatefest coming from that wretchedly dishonest rag every day:

Podesta, who also served as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and a counselor to President Barack Obama, has recently written two op-eds for the Post.

The first, published in December, was about the the FBIs investigation into Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee. The second, published last week, was about President Donald Trumps penchant for dismissing all criticism of himself as fake news.

You remember Podesta, right? His hacked emails were the subject of so much controversy during much of 2016, having been released, trickle-style, by Wikileaks. What are some the things we learned about Podesta and Americas largest hate group, the Democratic Party, from those emails? Here are just a few from a much larger list of things:

 Jose Fernandez, as assistant secretary of state for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, told the establishment media he acted independently when he approved a horrendous deal giving Russia 20 percent of all strategic American uranium reserves. But did he? He was later found to be active in Clintons presidential campaign and became a board member of the Center for American Progress, which is chaired by Podesta.

 Clinton and her lackeys in the media trashed Trump for his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but she praised him as recently as 2014, calling him engaging and a very interesting conversationalist with whom the U.S. should build a more positive relationship. Major hypocrite alert.

 And Russia hacked the DNC and Clinton campaign emails, did it? Then how come there were trust issues within the campaign about leakers?

 There was so much collusion between Podesta, the Clinton campaign and the corrupt establishment media, it should make anything he would write in a column suspect. Washington correspondent for CNBC and The New York Times, John Harwood, sent Podesta his private approval of Clintons appearances like he was a member of her team. Times columnist Nicolas Kristof sent his questions to Podestas team ahead of an interview with Bill Clinton. Another Washington reporter gave Clinton veto power over quotes he can and cant use. Still, another praised by her campaign as someone who has never disappointed in making sure stories favorable to the campaign get teed up for public consumption. (RELATED: 10 percent of Hillarys emails should have been classified, but she routed them through her own private home brew email server)

 In all, at least 65 establishment media hacks were meeting and coordinating with Podesta and the Clinton campaign.

 Regarding Trumps travel ban on Syria and six other terrorist-infested countries, Clinton told an audience in 2013 at a lunch for the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Vanguard that the steady stream of Syrians into Jordan was putting that countrys security at risk. And particularly with Syria which has everyone quite worried, Jordan because its on their border and they have hundreds of thousands of refugees and they cant possibly vet all those refugees so they dont know if, you know, jihadists are coming in along with legitimate refugees, she said.

And now the Post has hired Podesta to be a voice of political expertise. Why am I not surprised?

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources:

TheGatewayPundit.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

NYPost.com

TheNationalSentinel.com

Politico.com

Submit a correction >>
First Amendment under attack as teacher punished for praising Trump

In todays hyper-politicized world, the biggest casualty other than common sense and civility has been the Constitutions First Amendment. In the Age of Trump, praising a president who won a sizeable majority of electoral votes is even enough to create employment problems.

As reported by Constitution.com, Left-wing teachers and academics can get away with saying all kinds of vile things while teaching our children to hate their own country. But for the rare conservative and Trump supporter among the nations primary educators? Not so much.

Veronica Fleming, a computer lab instructor at Parkside Elementary School near Naples, Florida, dared to praise the presidents actions on enforcing immigration law on her own Facebook page, and for that, she was reassigned to administrative duties, EAGNews noted.

The funny part about immigrants staying home is the rest of us who pay for them are here at work like weve always been, Fleming wrote of the recent Day Without Immigrants protest, which was a flop (some even lost their jobs). Looks like less mouths to feed today. Have fun while you still can. So glad to hear about massive deportation. Lets make America great again. Thanks Donald Trump!

But since most of the students at Parkside and their parents are minorities and recent immigrants, they get to be outraged and have their voices heard. And of course, like the cowards they are, the Left-wing administrators who run Parkside caved to the complaints of parents rather than standing up for their own teacher and her right to speak her mind under the Constitution.

Selective allowable discrimination is alive and well in Americas public school system, Constitution.com noted. Liberal teachers literally get away with all kinds of highly questionable and unethical things, but let a conservative teacher express their views on their own private social media pages and they are punished for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Especially if youre a white teacher, like Fleming.

Naturally she was labeled by the angry Left  shes a racist!  while real racists dominate American classrooms all over the country. Students are increasingly taught that only the history and cultural mores of white Americans were (and are) racist. White America was and is greedy. White America was and is bigoted. White America stole from the rest of the world to enrich itself (rather than defend two-thirds of the planet from would-be tyrants). White America is dishonest. And so forth.

To the Alt-Left academic, only the lowly, humble immigrant and minority is never racist, never greedy, never mean-spirited, never dishonest, never hurtful, never bigoted and never intolerant.

Thats just nonsense. But worse than that, such rhetoric is intentionally divisive.

We should all be stumping for fair and equal treatment of all Americans, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or cultural heritage. (RELATED: See all the news that they dont want you to see at Censored.news)

Natural News founder/editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, said it best recently when he made an appeal to all Americans, regardless of where our ancestors, grandparents, and parents came from:

The bottom line for me is that I support everybody as long as theyre pro-liberty! It doesnt matter to me if youre African, Indian, Asian, Latino, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, conservative, liberal, libertarian, independent or whatever as long as you support the fundamental principles of individual LIBERTY, I can happily live alongside you as your neighbor, colleague or countrymen/women.

We cannot survive as a society if we cannot tolerate someone elses political views and opinions, period, especially in a multicultural, multi-ethnic society. I agreed with almost none of President Barack Obamas policies and politics. Yet, I defended anyones First Amendment right to publicly (or privately) voice their support for him. However, its his Left-wing Democratic Party that cant stand voices of political dissent. Just like the Russian Marxists, the Chinese communists, and Nazi and Italian fascists; they seek to silence opposition and punish anyone who disagrees with their worldview. (RELATED: Google censorship transforming the Health Ranger into an almost cultural hero of the First Amendment)

So the problem isnt on this side of the political spectrum, its on the other side.

Flemings opinion of immigrants and Trumps decision to enforce immigration law are hers alone. Agree or disagree, she has every right to it.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources:

Conservative.news

EAGNews.org

Submit a correction >>
Trump to ditch the White House correspondents dinner in his latest slap at a dying, disgraced establishment media

For years those of us in the media who have dedicated our careers to honest, fair coverage of both political parties have sat back in shame and disgust as many of our colleagues prostrated themselves at the feet of power in Washington, D.C., via the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, an affair even seasoned establishment journalist Tom Brokaw cant stand to attend (so he doesnt).

But I think any organizationhas to have a kind of self-policing instinct and what were doing with that dinner, as it has been constituted for the past several years, is saying, Were Versailles. The rest of you eat cake, Brokaw has said about the dinner. His breaking point was when someone dragged actress Lindsay Lohan, who is habitually entering some rehab program or another, to the affair in 2013. She became a big star at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Give me a break.

Now, the shoe is on the other foot. The other half of this disgraceful melding of political power with the media, the president of the United States, is opting out of the affair in what appears to be Donald J. Trumps latest backhand to a wholly corrupt and ideologically-driven Washington media establishment. (RELATED: In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler arrested and executed fake news journalists who rightfully claimed that Jews were being exterminated)

I will not be attending the White House Correspondents Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening! Trump tweeted on Saturday. Once again, our president fully understands what is and is not truly important in his quest to  dare I say it?  Make America Great Again.

As The Hollywood Reporter noted, Trumps decision to skip the WHCD follows a White House decision earlier in the week to exclude The New York Times, CNN, Politico and Buzzfeed News from a press gaggle.

The National Sentinel reported on that freeze out:

The princelings of the so-called mainstream media still dont seem to understand a couple of things since Donald J. Trump ascended into the Oval Office January 20: They are not the purveyors of influence and public opinion they thought they were, and this White House has had it with the false narratives and fake news reporting so many of them live on.

The dinner, which is scheduled for April 29, has become little more than a show and an amazingly tone-deaf display of just how symbiotic the establishment media has become with the people they are supposed to cover (and expose, unbiasedly). But White House Correspondents Association President Jeff Mason (yes, there really is a White House Correspondents Association, and it really does have a president) is still trying to pretend that this event is important to people other than the attendees when he said in response to Trumps bowing out that the dinner has been and will continue to be a celebration of the First Amendment and the important role played by an independent news media in a healthy republic.

If you havent tweeted LOL! and ROFL! back at Mason yet, heres your chance.

The founding fathers would be disgusted by so many things today if they were somehow reincarnated and could see what weve done with the nation they birthed (and that would go for both sides of the political spectrum, though conservatives are generally much bigger defenders of constitutional originalism), but what has happened to the media in America would certainly be high on their list.

They enshrined freedom of the press in the very first amendment to the Constitution because they knew that a free press was the only way to hold to account those elected to office. (RELATED: #SaveNaturalNews White House petition blasts through 40,000 signatures as internet outrage against Google censorship explodes everywhere)

Ben Franklin was among the most prolific defenders of this principle. He once said, If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.

John Adams, our second president, said, The liberty of the press is essential to the security of the state.

Thomas Jefferson, our fourth president, noted: Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.

Clearly, these great men, these magnificent architects of the freest form of government ever devised, wanted the free press to afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted. Obviously, then, they envisioned a more adversarial relationship between the media and elected officials (not just Republicans).

Trump ditching the WHCD is less an affirmation of the founders principles behind a free and independent media than it is a message to the corrupt media establishment that, to him, there are much more important things for the country than dining with the enemy.

But thats okay too.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources:

SaturdayEveningPost.com

TheNationalSentinel.com

HollywoodReporter.com

Submit a correction >>
DANBURY - Holding signs that called for peace and love, hundreds cried for unity and justice Sunday afternoon at an interfaith Humanity Rally.

An estimated 300 people from different races, religions and backgrounds gathered to support each other in the wake of the division and hate crimes in the city and nation since Donald Trump was elected president in November.

The Association of Religious Communities planned the rally as a way for people to speak out against injustice while getting to know one another.

P.J. Leopold, executive director of ARC, said that since the election, she has seen people turn to anger instead of dialogue. The rally was meant to change that, with speeches and an indoor fair where people could chat and learn about each others religion or organization.

Its bridge building, Leopold said. It doesnt mean you always agree, but with the fear in the air, we want people to have civil discourse.

Several community leaders shared their experiences as an immigrant or religious minority on the lawn of the Central Christian Church. In between speeches, attendees were asked to get to know a stranger or share whether they at that moment felt more afraid or hopeful.

As I mingled among the crowd, I heard hope, hope, hope, Leopold said. And thats how we want people to feel because if thats how you feel, thats how you act.

Danbury resident Herb Krate, 76, was among the attendees. He said he has never been politically active, but after seeing what Trump has done in office he said he could not stay silent.

This is the true expression of democracy and boy do we need it, he said. If this kind of pressure stays going all over the countryits got legs they have to pay attention. The majority of the country is not with him and he wouldnt be in office if we went by a simple majority.

The rally was not an anti-Trump event, Leopold said, but many of the speakers mentioned the presidents executive order banning all refugees and immigrants from select countries.

State Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, said, as an Asian-American, the order reminded him of the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese internment camps. He said the nation must be vigilant so that history does not continue to repeat itself.

I wanted to come here today to exhort all of you not just to demonstrate, and not just to speak up, not just to ask what can I do today, but to commit yourself to this battle, he said.

Are you ready to work for justice? he added, to shouts of approval from the crowd. Are you ready to work for our freedoms? Are you ready to work for the people here and across the state who share our story? Are we going to get to work together and are we not going to stop?

Mariam Khan, a Muslim woman who grew up in Danbury, told the crowd how she experienced Islamaphobia at 8, when people blamed her and all Muslims for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. She described how her parents property was vandalized with a swatiska this fall and how she and her father, the president of the Baitul Mukarram Masjid, were held at the airport by customs agents the day after Trumps order, even though they are American citizens.

But Khan said this hatred hurts more than just the Muslim community.

A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, she said. It is not just the Muslim community under attack here, it is not just the immigrants. It is everything that this country stands for. If your neighbors house is on fire, your house is in fire. Right now it may be my home and Im scared tomorrow that it might be yours.

Wilson Hernandez, who came to the United States from Ecuador in 1985 and owns the restaurant La Mitad del Mundo, debunked the election rhetoric that called immigrants criminals. He reminded the crowd that, instead, immigrants are dreamers and that the country was built on people who came to this land of opportunity.

Thank you for standing with immigrants and please know we stand with all of you and all of your dreams, he said. Humanity is united by many things. So let us step away from any kind of hate and let us build bridges with all of our sisters and brothers.
BROOKFIELD - The town plans to apply for a grant that will help residents make necessary home improvements.

The town hopes to get $400,000 through the Community Development Block Grant, a program that loans money to low- and middle-income homeowners for property repairs. Residents can learn more about the program at a public hearing at 7 p.m. March 6.

The town received a similar grant in 2013 and has since helped 11 families, said Lisa Low, of Lisa Low & Associates, the firm that oversees the application and administration of the loans.

But more families have said they want to use the program, First Selectman Steve Dunn said, so the town wants to apply for more money. He described the grant, also called the Small Cities program, as a great benefit for residents.

Its an extremely cost-effective way for people to stay in their houses and maintain them, Dunn said. Theres no cost to the town and simply by being administrators we can help residents and thats why we're here.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives more than $13 million each year to the state, which then distributes the funds to towns. Since 1982, more than $325.7 million has gone to Connecticut municipalities.

To qualify for a loan, homeowners must be up to date on taxes and have 10 percent equity on their home. They also must earn below HUDs income limit, which is $77,500 for a four-person household.

Low said 60 to 75 percent of recipients are senior citizens, but the program also serves people with disabilities, single parents and low-income families.

The program does not pay for luxury improvements, officials said, but enables homeowners to fix urgent issues in a house, such as a leaky roof or poor septic system.

It allows residents be safe and secure in their homes, Dunn said. It protects their house and it protects their property values too.

Residents can also get a loan to improve windows and heating systems to make their homes more energy-efficient, Low said. Many projects also enable a home to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act or state and federal code.

When we go in to do an inspection, were really doing that with [codes] in mind, she said. Where are the code issue here? How can we make sure this home is safe and comfortable?

The zero-interest loans are $30,000 or under and are paid back after the property title changes. The money is then put in a revolving fund and goes back to finance more loans.

Its a constant investment of funds into the community to help people, Low said.

Low asked residents who might be interested in a loan to fill out a letter of intent on the towns website or at the public hearing by March 31. These letters will help the town earn the grant.

Officials also hope to get a better understanding of the need for the grant at the public hearing.

We hope everyone will come out and understand what the program is, Dunn said. Hopefully it will get people interested in possibly using the program.
Todays economic and environmental realities call for the energy efficiency industry and business leaders to engage more than ever before. Entrepreneurs have a deep understanding of changing business models, perhaps a better comprehension than most regulators or policy makers, and the utility industry is looking to these innovators to glean insights on redesigning their business model.

Subject to stricter and stricter regulatory requirements, the utility industry will continue to go through a massive overhaul to become adherent to environmental standards. One facet of this is, of course, residential consumerism.

In California, peak demand is growing at about 2.4 percent per year, roughly the equivalent of three new 500-megawatt power plants. But utilities are under pressure to do more with less, which means finding ways to encourage energy consumers to save power.

1. Utility as a platform

Companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple learned years ago that they would be much more effective if they expanded from providing services to offering platforms. Platforms play host to entire technology ecosystems by inviting developers, partners and users to collaborate and innovate.

Like healthcare or education, a majority of utility companies are working with antiquated infrastructure. By becoming more platform-centric, the utility industry will flourish in the future.

When utilities engage customers in smart energy practices, customers see the value and impact of their usage while driving positive, measurable outcomes for utilities, explains Yoav Lurie, founder and CEO of Simple Energy, a web platform that uses social game mechanics to motivate customers to save energy. By leveraging creative, platform-driven collaboration, utilities can better transform customer and consumption data into digital experiences that inspire people to take action.

2. Gamification

Human brains are wired to enjoy the challenges, positive feedback and social bonding that games provide. The advent of digital technology has simply amplified the hold that games have always had on us.

Gamification is especially powerful in motivating behavior change. Take the weight loss app Fitocracy as an example. Within the Fitocracy community users keep track of their points allowing them to level up, complete bonus quests and earn badges by reaching their milestones.

Similarly, games are being deployed to motivate consumers to live sustainably, recycle and save energy.

Many younger generations are so immersed in games that game mechanics -- adventures, avatars, points, badges, virtual currency and so on -- are almost more compelling to them than ordinary life, Lurie says. It is no wonder that educators, marketers, enterprise solutions developers and now utilities are turning to games to help achieve their objectives.

3. Virtual reality

No longer just a pipe dream, VR is being used creatively in many spaces because there is an element of physiological connectivity. In the energy space, some entrepreneurs are trying to educate consumers about energy use in VR formats.

Consider wind turbines. Imagine standing in the rolling hills of Denmark, home to the worlds largest turbines. Sweeping over 200,000 square feet, users can stand on a turbine, enjoy a 360-degree view and engage their whole body in the experience. The stimulation of the experience is because of the immersive VR, but the cognitive relationship will be with wind turbines. Watts Wind Energy put together a VR video showcasing the grandeur of the turbines at Lake Echo.

Due to technological advancements, wind turbines are the largest moving man-made structure ever engineered, and its difficult for people to grasp how this structure influences the landscape. VR places the user into the landscape, making it easier to understand what it truly takes to create clean energy.

Summary

Entrepreneurs and business owners have a deep comprehension and appreciation for changing business models. Utilities are taking lessons from startups by leveraging technology opportunities where they can and integrating third party liaisons where they lack the expertise or market penetration. Understanding the need for a different business model that provides financial stability for the utility industry will be critical in securing reliable energy sources in the future.

Related:

3 Ways the Utility Industry is Mimicking Startup Mentality

The 3 Traits to Help You Crush Your Goals

Don't Forget the Fly-Over States



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
One thing that you can say with absolute certainty about Donald Trump: His campaign style has not changed between being a candidate and being our President. He remains combative, bristles at any perceived slight, cannot accept any criticism and is forever the narcissistic showman who we have watched in amazement as he established a hard base of support with 40% of the American Electorate. Whether or not that base holds steady remains to be seen.

Trumps relationship with the Russians has been discussed throughout the campaign, but it is only recently that details put an even darker and more serious slant on the issue.

There is a former British spy, Christopher Steele, now gone missing, who was hired by an unknown group to check out Donald Trumps ties to Russia, meaning Putin and company. Mr. Steele came up with a report alleging that when Trump was in Moscow in 2013, he was involved with prostitutes and subsequently offered real estate deals that were the equivalent of bribes. The Steele report also alleges that Trump worked closely, this past summer, with Russian intelligence operatives in connection to the hacking of Democrats and Democratic organizations as well as the public distribution of hacked emails and other materials.

All of this was recently put in an appendix to an intelligence report the CIA provided to Trump. The report was in the possession of the FBI in early summer 2016 and they sat on it for reasons yet to be provided by Director James Comey. Director Comey is being investigated by a Congressional Committee for his handling of the Clinton email inquiry as well as the Trump report.

Trump denounced the report as a fabrication and a Nazi-style smear. The outgoing head of the CIA, James R. Clapper Jr., said the agency has not made any final judgment as to the accuracy of the allegations. Putin said it never happened.

To date, Trump has refused to provide a direct answer to the Steele allegation that he or any member of his team was in contact with Russia during the campaign. Instead, Trump voiced the same unfounded claim that we have heard before, namely, that the media was out to get him.

What we do know to be absolutely true regarding whether or not Trump was enticed into a honey trap prepared by Russian intelligence is the following: 1. Trump has been quiet about Crimea and the Ukraine and he isnt silent about much; 2. Trump has described Putin as very smart and more of a leader than Obama; 3. Trump has supported Great Britains withdrawal from the European Union; 4. Trump has indicated he is negative about the existence of NATO.

These tea leaves certainly seem to suggest that Trump may be on his way to breaking up the western alliance  much to the delight of Putin and his cohorts.

Who knows what Trump will do about Russian sanctions and support of NATO? Could Trump be the Manchurian candidate? Only time will tell, but so far, it looks like a possibility.

A little more flattery, a few more trips to Moscow and maybe then we will have a clearer perspective as to whether Trump has been bought and paid for.

Edward Marcus is former chairman of the Democrat State Central Committee in Connecticut and former state Senate majority leader.
GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Museum of History is pleased to announce that BCU Foundation is donating $100,000 in support of the Museum's new signature exhibition, the Canadian History Hall. The Hall will be the largest, most comprehensive and engaging exhibition about Canadian history ever created. It opens July 1, 2017, as Canadians celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

BCU Foundation is a leading Ukrainian-Canadian charitable institution, which promotes the vibrant growth and long-term development of the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Launched in 2006, the foundation delivers assistance to cultural and educational endeavours in Canada.

"The generous support of BCU Foundation will help the Museum tell the remarkable story of Canada and its people to present and future generations," said Mark O'Neill, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Museum of History. "This will be an important and enduring gift to all Canadians."

"BCU Foundation is proud to make this significant investment in the Canadian History Hall. We are honoured to support the Museum as it celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation," said Roman Medyk, BCU Foundation Chair. "Our contribution to the Hall will honour the generations of Ukrainian-Canadians who helped build, enrich and shape this country, and will provide a lasting legacy for all Canadians to celebrate our rich diversity."

The Canadian History Hall presents Canada's story as it's never been seen before. Visitors will encounter Canada's national history as told through the diverse experiences and perspectives of the real people who lived it, bringing together a collective story of conflict, struggle and loss, and also of success, achievement and hope. This new signature exhibition illuminates the enduring legacy of Canada's past  a legacy that is alive, relevant and continually unfolding in the Canada we know today.

The Hall's development is being funded by the federal government and contributions from private donors across the country.

Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History attracts over 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum's principal role is to enhance Canadians' knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada's history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians' awareness of world history and culture. Work of the Canadian History Museum is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

For more information, visit historymuseum.ca and follow us on Twitter: @CanMusHistory.

If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list or if this information should be directed to someone else, please send an email to [email protected].

SOURCE Canadian Museum of History

For further information: Media contacts: Stephanie Verner, Media Relations Officer, Telephone: 819-776-7169, [email protected]; Eliane Laberge, Social Media and Media Relations Officer, Telephone: 819-776-7097, [email protected]; Ivanna Purkiss, Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, BCU Financial Group, Telephone: 416-763-7003, [email protected]; Lesia Spolsky, Managing Director, BCU Foundation, Telephone: 416-763-3388, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.historymuseum.ca/


SoftBank Group Corp.s Masayoshi Son his belief that computers will exceed humans in intelligence in three decades, and that within this period he expects one computer chip to have the equivalent of a 10,000 IQ. I really believe this, he said at a keynote speech at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday. The growth in computer ability was why I acquired ARM, he said.

This is more than idle talk for Japans second-richest man. SoftBanks recent deals include the $32 billion acquisition of ARM Holdings Plc, the chip designer that Son believes will play a key role in the development of artificial intelligence, and a $1.2 billion group-led investment in satellite startup OneWeb Ltd. The Japanese telecoms and Internet company is also in the process of creating a $100 billion Vision Fund with Saudi Arabia and other backers that would make Son one of the worlds biggest technology investors.

SoftBank Group expects to invest at least USD 25 billion over the next 5 years. SBG has concluded a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 12, 2016 with the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PIF), under which PIF will consider investing in the Fund and becoming the lead investment partner, with the potential investment size of up to USD 45 billion over the next five years. In addition, a few large global investors are in active dialogue to join SBG and PIF to participate in this Fund. The overall potential size of the Fund can go up to USD 100 billion.

With the establishment of the SoftBank Vision Fund, we will be able to step up investments in technology companies globally. Over the next decade, the SoftBank Vision Fund will be the biggest investor in the technology sector. We will further accelerate the Information Revolution by contributing to its development.

ARM, already a dominant supplier of semiconductors for mobile phones, will ship 1 trillion chips for devices including cars, TVs and even shoes in the next 20 years, Son said. He said the U.K. tech firm would be increasing its focus on chip security, after revealing video footage of ARM engineers hacking a 44 car, and that one ARM engineer managed to hack 1.2 million security cameras during his lunchtime.

SoftBanks investment in OneWeb will help the Florida-based startup launch 2,000 satellites to offer high-speed global connectivity, he said.

SoftBank is aiming to close the first round of investment in its technology Vision Fund by the end of this month, people familiar with the matter have said. The initial investments will likely include $45 billion from Saudi Arabia and $25 billion from SoftBank, as well as $1 billion each from Apple Inc., Qualcomm Inc. and Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison, they said. The initial round is likely to exceed $80 billion and the timing of the closing may still change, said one of the people.

We believe the singularity is inevitable and all businesses will be redefined as computers overtake humans in intelligence, Son said at an earnings briefing in November.

SoftBank may announce deals within days of the funds first closing, one of the people said. The company has had preliminary discussions to make an investment in WeWork Cos., a New York-based startup for sharing office space, said the people, cautioning a deal may not be finalized. WeWork, with more than 140 locations around the world, was most recently valued at $16 billion.

It should be noted that Google has $14 billion in research and development budget. Google R and D funds are growing by 10% or more each year. Google is also invested into the Spacex plan to create a global satellite network. Google, Baidu, Facebook, IBM all have very large Artificial intelligence budgets. Softbank Vision fund will be large but not completely out of the range of other strong competitors.

SOURCES  Bloomberg, Softbank, Google Finance
The Carnival of Nuclear Energy blogs has changed its name to Nuclear Energy News Weekly.

1. Neutron Bytes  Dan Yurman  An Up and Down Week for Developers of Advanced Reactors

In Washington, DC, the Third Way, a think tank, hosted a meeting of some of the countrys best thinkers, leaders, funders, and doers in the field of development advanced reactors. Cheerleading is helpful, but the proof will be in federal funding for reactor R and D and regulatory reform at the NRC.

In Cambridge, MA, Transatomic, a startup, is now making a list of lessons learned following publication of a critical review of the firms reactor design. One of the lessons is that other start-ups with audacious claims are likely to receive similar levels of scrutiny.

2. Neutron Bytes  Dan Yurman  Flagship reactor projects delayed in U.S. and China

Commercial operation dates for Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia (1150 MW Westinghouse AP1000s) have been pushed back again this time to December 2019 and September 2020 respectively. The units are now over three years late

Completion of two Areva 1660 MW EPR reactors under construction in Taishan, China have been delayed at least six months the China Generation Nuclear (CGN) said in a statement this week.

3. Forbes James Conca  Anti-Nuke Dogma Trumps Common Sense On Nuclear Energy

A new report from an anti-nuclear group gives some alternative spin to the same old dogma  shut down all nuclear plants and replace them with renewables. Unfortunately, its conclusions are wrong, especially about the cost savings and climate effects.

4. Forbes  The TRAPPIST Worlds  Should We Invest In A Back-Up Planet For Earth?

The discovery of seven Earth-like planets orbiting a near-by star has really gotten everyone thinking about space colonization again. Four of these planets are in the Goldilocks Zone  a sweet spot where liquid water is stable and life could develop or survive if transplanted.

5. Nuke Power Talk  Harold Denton, who led the NRC response to TMI, has passed away

6. Nuke Power Talk  Mildred Dresselhaus of MIT who has been dubbed the Queen of Carbon, and was only recently profiled in a Super Bowl ad to encourage young girls to study science has passed away.

7. MZConsulting Inc  In an era where facts no longer matter, consequences still do

When facts no longer matter, consequences do. Removing nuclear from the mix does not support environmental goals. Germany is heading down a path to nowhere.

8. Nextbigfuture  Less nuclear energy has meant higher costs, less clean energy overall and more deaths.

Michael Shellenberger explains how less nuclear energy has meant higher costs and less clean energy overall.

* USA has shutdown nuclear plants prematurely because of lower natural gas costs

* this has increased emissions of CO2 and air pollution

* Overall energy costs have increased in the USA which correlate with lower nuclear energy mix

* Germany has 6 times more carbon intensive energy than France

* Germany shutdown nuclear energy and now is even more reliant on coal and fossil fuel

* France uses 80% nuclear power for electricity

* France has half the cost of electricity compared to Germany

* the global decline in nuclear power (-7.5% of energy mix) has not been replaced by solar and wind (4.5%)

* the global decline in nuclear (most of Japan nuclear shutdown, Germany shutdown, some early shutdowns in USA and Europe) has not been made up by the build in China and Asia and appears like future Europe and USA shutdowns (150 GW) will made up by new nuclear in China and India and Asia through 2030.
The South Korean K2 Black Panther tank development started in 1995 and cost $260 million. South Korea designed a tank that on paper appears to be at equal or better than the specifications of current NATO tanks.

Mass production commenced in 2013 and the first K2s were deployed with the armed forces in June 2014. The K2 costs over US$8.5 million per unit.

From Germany, South Korea developed its own version of the Rheinmetall 120-millimeter L55 gun, which is a full 1.3 meters longer than the 120-millimeter L44 caliber gun used on all Abrams tanks and older Leopard 2s. With a longer gun comes greater internal pressure, so the L55 gun has superior muzzle velocity.

It can fire up to 10 rounds a minute. The ammunition for the main gun is loaded in a 16-shell magazine. The tank has a total ammunition capacity of 40 rounds for its main armamment.

The K2 can also ford rivers up to 4.2 meters deep via a snorkel kit that doubles as a conning tower, something the Korean army learned from the 35 T-80Us it acquired from Russia back in the late 90s.

Although the heart of a tank is its gun, the next most important component is its engine and transmission, collectively known as the powerpack. For this, South Korea again looked to Germany and its excellent MTU-890 V12 diesel 1,500 horsepower engine.

The most noticeable is the tanks hydropneumatic suspension. Originally developed on the K1, an improved version allows the K2 to lower or raise its profile. Like a low riding street car it can kneel, sit or lean in any direction.

This allows the tank to conceal itself using the ultimate hull down positions, the holy grail of defensive tank tactics, where the tanks turret and cannon peeks out from behind elevated terrain  which hides most of the tank from any enemies advancing against it.

Next is the use of a millimeter band radar in conjunction with the K2s fire control system. Although South Korea didnt invent millimeter band radar, its integration and application of it is unique.

Since mountainous terrain is uneven terrain, there is a danger of sudden bumps knocking out the aim of even a stabilized gun while the tank is on the move.

Details of the composite armor of the Black Panther are classified. The frontal armor has been proven to be effective at defeating the 120 mm APFSDS round fired from the L55 gun. Explosive Reactive Armor blocks are also present, with the addition of Non-Explosive Reactive Armor planned for the K2 PIP version.

Defense against incoming missiles is provided by a soft-kill anti-missile system. The K2 PIP will likely deploy a hard-kill anti-missile defense system when it is released within the next few years.

The millimeter band radar system mounted on the turret is capable of operating as a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). The vehicles computer in turn can triangulate incoming projectiles, immediately warn the vehicle crew and fire off Visual and Infrared Screening Smoke (VIRSS) grenades, which can effectively block optical, infrared and radar signatures. Once the hard-kill AMS is installed, the radar system will also be responsible for tracking and targeting the incoming missiles for the AMS.

The K2 also has a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and radar jammer. Four all-bearing Laser warning receivers (LWR) are also present to alert the crew should the vehicle become painted, and the computer can also deploy VIRSS grenades towards the direction of the beam.

An automatic fire suppression system is programmed to detect and put out any internal fires that may occur, and atmospheric sensors alert the crew if the tank enters a hazardous environment

K2 PIP upgrade

The K2 PIP is an improved version of the initial production model of the K2 that will be released within the next few years. Improvements will include:

* Upgrading the Semi-Active In-arm Suspension Unit to an Active In-arm Suspension Unit

* Integration of a high-resolution terrain-scanning system to the vehicles suspension system. This is purported to allow the vehicle to plan ahead by scanning nearby terrain up to 50 meters away in all directions and calculate the optimal position of the bogies in order to improve vehicle handling over uneven terrain.

* Integration of a hard-kill anti-missile system.

* Addition of Non-Explosive Reactive Armor (NxRA).

* Potentially replacing the 120 mm / L55 gun with an electrothermal-chemical gun, which will significantly increase the vehicles firepower and potential payload.

SOURCE- War is Boring




In what many have termed the most heroic act yet by a Nigeria clergyman, Dr. Chris Okafor, the General overseer of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, a.k.a Liberation City has truly caused a profound upset to both the political and religious establishment in Nigeria by his fiery admonitions during Sunday service at his church.The Oracle of God, as hes fondly called literally went nuclear when he angrily chastised the church leadership in Nigeria and wondered why they are so quiet in the face of mounting confusion, recession, destruction, oppression and killing of Christians in most parts of the country.The fiery preacher accused most of the leading pastors who should be speaking out against injustice and bad governance of taking bribes like money and oil wells from the government hence their inability to defend Christianity and the masses.In a video that is now going viral on the Internet, Dr. Chris Okafor called out some big men of God when he angrily yelled, SHAME UNTO PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE! Then he preceded, FATHER MBAKA, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU?According to the man of God, Pastor Tunde Bakare was one of those who led the Save Nigeria (SNG) group to occupy Lagos while protesting so called bad governance under former president Jonathan, and was also a very vocal critic of that government. He wondered why Pastor Bakare has gone so silent even when its obvious that Nigeria now has a government that is far worse than the one he protested against. Speaking further on pastor Tunde Bakare, the man of God thundered, That Pastor is a two-faced Pastor!On Father Ejike Mbaka, the man of God accused him of disqualifying former President Goodluck Jonathans administration probably because, as alleged, he requested certain favors from that Government but was turned down. The man of God wondered why Father Mbaka who openly told the world that President Buhari was the messiah has now gone so silent, and is shamefully unable to even criticize his regime in the face of gross misconduct and bad governance. Blowing hot, he said Mbaka, go and examine your prophetic ministry. He said that for Father Mbaka to now complain that people are dying of hunger and still find it difficult to criticize the government of the day simply makes him a hypocrite. He then went on to ask, What has happened to you, Father Mbaka?The man of God did not spare the General Overseers of The Redeemed Christian Church of God when he made a veiled reference to the Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor who was killed during a morning cry session on the outskirts of Abuja and how the church played it down. At this he also wondered why the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who is a pastor, has done so little to help. He also wondered why the General Overseer of Deeper Life Church has been quiet even when members of his church have taken a lot of hit from the massacre of Christians that has been ongoing.Finally, the man of God also referenced the killing of one Imo State born Christian woman who was a few months ago beheaded in the Northern part of Nigeria. He then said we also need to know if Rochas Okorocha is a Christian or a Muslim, because those people killed are from Imo State and he did nothing.The man of God said that if Christian leaders were speaking out and doing what they were supposed to be doing, we wouldnt have a country where the rule of law means nothing and the government doesnt even respect court orders. According to him  why should Nnadi Kanu still be in detention when the court has given orders for his release? Why cant they obey the court orders first, and then follow due process? Also, we know Dasuki may have done some things but if the court said you should release him, then release him, and let him have his time in court! He then went on to say that as a matter of fact, the Government should release Kanu with immediate effect! We must obey the court and stop taking laws into our own hands!
In a rousing speech, Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua has decried the state of Africas future, admonishing African countries to fight against...

In a rousing speech, Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua has decried the state of Africas future, admonishing African countries to fight against division and focus on building a better tomorrow for its young people.In the wake of rising tensions within several African countries, the renowned cleric addressed congregants in The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) on Sunday 26th February 2017 in a sermon televised live on Emmanuel TV and subsequently posted to social media."No African country can succeed alone, Joshua began. Africans need each other to develop, he continued, citing an example that West Africa needs Southern Africa for development and vice versa.Joshua implored all Africans to contribute to the society they live in and not engage in illicit trade or unlawful activities. Everyone has a contribution to make. Whether you are poor, rich, immigrant or refugee  you have a contribution to make.He added that citizens must work hand-in-hand with the police to report those who have travelled within Africa with criminal intentions.With regard to issues of illegal immigrants, drugs and other crimes, our duty is to work with the law enforcement agencies by giving them useful information. It is only when these agencies fail that we can lawfully protest.Joshua then stressed that Africans should be accommodating to citizens of the same continent, calling for unity to triumph over tribal or ethnic divisiveness. Dear Africans, we should not let other fellow Africans feel unwelcome to our countries.The cleric spoke candidly on the state of Africas future, stating that the continent had neglected her youths, resulting in a situation that looks gloomy, frustrating, hopeless and dark.When I think about the future of Africa, I have sleepless nights, he admitted. Africa has abandoned the youths to themselves. Africa has failed to make provision for the youths, whereas tomorrows Africa is the youths.Rather than toeing the line of name-calling or blame-exchanging, the Nigerian called on Africans to take collective responsibility for their current status.Much to the delight of the multi-national crowd, the cleric then announced his readiness to travel within Africa for gatherings organised for the purpose of addressing these issues and building a better future for African youth.What then is the way forward? The Lord has instructed me to make myself available and I know God, in His infinity, must have touched other Africans, so that we can come together to remedy this challenge.Joshua rarely travels abroad, his last trip within Africa being a reconciliatory visit to the East African nation of Tanzania to douse tensions in the wake of the 2015 elections. Tanzanias President John Magufuli is a self-professed follower of Joshua, visiting his church in Nigeria prior to his ascension to office.Long live the future of Africa  the youth. Long live Africa. May God bless you, Joshua concluded.The message comes in the midst of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and escalating tensions between Northern and Southern Cameroon.Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelancer, currently residing in Lagos, Nigeria
Details of the report of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabs failed attempt to blow up an airlin...

Details of the report of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabs failed attempt to blow up an airliner approaching Detroit in December 2009 has been released.The 200 page-report was released to the New York Times on the order of a federal judge.According to the report, the Obama administration had first hand testimony from AbdulMuttalab that an American- born cleric, Mr. Anwar al-Awlaki, conceived the plot and trained him for the attack.The New York Times said the documents justified Obamas order for killing the cleric in a drone strike in Yemen in 2011. The former US President argued that killing Mr. Awlaki was equivalent to the justified police shooting of a gunman threatening civilians.Thus, Awlaki became the first American deliberately killed on the order of a president without criminal charges or trial since the civil war.The report revealed that Awlaki kept Abdulmuttalab in his house in the province of Shabwah, Yemen, where Al-Qaeda had a large presence, and introduced him to other trainers and bomb makers.In training, he fired a Kalashnikov rifle a few times but was never comfortable shooting. His sober devotion to jihadist cause, however, persuaded Mr. Awlaki that he could be trustedwith a suicide attack. When a friend from Nigeria called Abdulmutallab to come home, he realised his parents were behind the call. He agonised, as he prepared for the flight to Detroit, about how to tell them goodbye.Abdulmutallab told FBI agents that only Mr. Awlaki or a comparable figure, not his parents, would have the religious authority to dissuade him from jihad. His last mail from Awlaki offered encouragement for his lethal mission. I wish it goes well, I wish you all the best, the cleric wrote.When the agents asked in retrospect if Mr. Awlakis documented patronage of prostitutes disturbed him, he demurred. It might be false slander, if not, then Mr. Awlaki could repent of those sins and his commitment to jihad would outweigh such transgressions, he said.Abdulmutallab is serving a life jail term in US.
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), has stated that anyone that is not w...

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), has stated that anyone that is not willing to support the current administration should be ready to kiss Nigeria goodbye.According to him, the ongoing anti-corruption war led by President Muhammadu Buhari needed the support of all Nigerians and not unnecessary criticisms.Speaking with newsmen, the outspoken anti-corruption crusader said that some stupid Nigerians who have been fighting against Buharis war against corruption should realize that the president was elected to save the country from collapse.He said, Nigerians should not tolerate corruption. They should stop saying stupid things like when there was corruption, life was easier.There are some stupid Nigerians who talk like that forgetting that at that time oil was $110 per barrel and now its $37, forgetting that at that time the Niger-Delta Avengers did not destroy anything and we are getting 2.7 million barrels a day; now we are getting less than one million. And they are now saying corruption was better.Those very stupid Nigerians should realize that this regime that we now have is a regime that has come to save the country.They should support it strongly for the sake of their own future and that of their children and great-grandchildren. If we do not support this government to succeed, we can kiss Nigeria good bye.
President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the appropriation of N157.75 billion in the 2017 budget estimates for the N-Power scheme to hir...

President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the appropriation of N157.75 billion in the 2017 budget estimates for the N-Power scheme to hire additional 350,000 unemployed graduates under the N-Power Volunteer Corps.Mr. Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to Acting President Yemi Osinabjo made the disclosure on Sunday while giving update on the Social Investment Programmes, SIPs, of the Buharis presidency in a statement. He said that out of the N-Power 2017 N157 billion budget  350,000 unemployed graduates more would be hired and trained, alongside 50,000 non-graduates youths to be engaged as artisans and in other creative ventures.He also stated that Under the N157.75 also, a sum of N4.5B has been earmarked for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM program to support young Nigerians in building skills in those disciplines. Akande told Nigerians to expect more this year especially in the area of implementation, saying that all of the SIPs are now undergoing different stages of implementation.While we were able to engage 200,000 unemployed graduates last year, we will do 350,000 more this year, he assured, adding that some of the teething problems are giving way to lessons that would smoothen implementation under the 2017 budget.The vice presidential spokesman further disclosed that about N75 billion has been allocated for the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, which will provide one hot meal a day to 5 million primary school pupils. He explained that this would certainly be an improvement on how far the feeding programme has been implemented so far under the 2016 budget which has so far attained the feeding of about one million pupils.Akande also stated that under the 2017 budget a sum of N112.2B has been allocated for the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, GEE, aimed at providing interest-free loans to up to 1.2million market men and women, traders, artisans, youths and farmers. Under the GEEP, he explained that beneficiaries would receive between N10,000 and N100,000 loans with a one-time 5% administrative fee.According to him, over 20,000 Nigerians in over 14 states and have been benefiting from GEEP already under the 2016 budget of SIP. He added that the Conditional Cash Transfer which has kicked off in 9 states would be further expanded under the 2016 budget and will reach more states and much more Nigerians.The plan in 2016 budget targets one million poorest and vulnerable Nigerians. And in the 2017 budget an additional N54.98B has been allocated for the continuation of the N5000 monthly social safety net payments to the poorest Nigerians. Akande further clarified that while President Buhari has approved another N500 billion in 2007 for all the social intervention programmes, N100 billion out of it, has been allocated for the Family Homes Fund, saying that it has already been announced by the Ministry of Finance. 2017 implementation of the SIP is going to be far more impactful than what we were able to do under the 2016 budget, so Nigerians should expect more this year, the resolve of the Buhari presidency is firm that more lives must be touched positively under this programmes which Nigerians have come to appreciate, Akande said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr John Oyegun, says Nigeria is still under a stable leadership under the Acting P...

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr John Oyegun, says Nigeria is still under a stable leadership under the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, as he believes strongly in both what the president and the party stands for in terms of effective leadership.Mr Oyegun was speaking when a delegation of the national leadership of the party paid a condolence visit to Okwuosa family in Oraifite, Anambra state on Saturday.He, further assured Nigerians that the temporary absence of the president did not affect the conduct of government business.According to him, the president had already built a firm foundation for national leadership and everything was still in perfect shape for the good of the entire nation, even as citizens look forward for his return in good health.He said, Well the president is there, he may not be physically with us right now. the nation is on course, no question about that because we are lucky. We have a very cerebral acting president and vice president.We have a man who believes strongly in what the president stands for and what the party stands for and we have an administration that is strong, firm on the ground and very much in charge.The temporary absence of Mr President does not affect the conduct of government business.Of course we will like to have him here, of course we will love to have him in good shape, strong, as the leader of the team, but we thank God he has built a very strong and firm foundation of national leadership, we miss him but business is going on.
Many were speechless and others moved to tears, weekend, when they were conducted round a warehouse in Satellite Town, Lagos, that was f...

Many were speechless and others moved to tears, weekend, when they were conducted round a warehouse in Satellite Town, Lagos, that was filled with sub-standard tyres imported into the country by some Chinese nationals. The tyres, described by Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, as the largest seizure of substandard tyres in one swoop in the history of Nigeria, is about two million and worth over N5 billion. Director-General and Chief Executive, of SON, Osita Aboloma, who conducted journalists round the warehouse, described the tyres as dead on arrival, adding that allowing them to enter the market amounted to surreptitiously taking away the lives of millions of Nigerians.The two Chinese nationals, Taolung Shen and Xu Jing Yau, arrested in connection with the fake tyres, are now telling the police all they know about the issue.The two were paraded before newsmen, following their arrest, and the sealing of the warehouse where they had been cloning different sizes of tyres under such brand names as Powertrac, Aptany, Harmony, Duraturn, Bearway, City Tour, Winda, Glory, Chachland, City Grand, Grandsonte (Tyre Type) and Sunny (for tricycle), among others.ExposedAboloma said the Chinese importers were busted through inter-agency collaboration and intelligence received from well meaning Nigerians. According to him, we acted on the intelligence we received from well-meaning Nigerians. This was achieved as a result of inter-agency collaboration. The glory is not for SON alone. You can see the number of tyres brought in and you can imagine the implication for our society if these tyres are let into the market.We have over 60 containers of tyres; actually stuffed tyres to be precise. Again, even if these are to be standard tyres, the fact that up to five of them were tucked into one, with operators using rods to separate them from one another when they reached Nigeria, the tyres will naturally become substandard.This is because in the course of separating them, the wires and geometrics of the tyres will be affected. He said stuffing tyres through the long sea journey from China to Lagos had already compromised the quality, not to talk of the crude way the tyres were separated on arrival in Nigeria and the poor storage facility, without sufficient aeration in the warehouse. It was observed that the Chinese adorned the tyres with new labels and shiny linings to create the impression that they were new.Aboloma added: SON Directorate of Compliance intercepted one of their trucks on the highway, tracked it and then this. You can see the amount of danger that these people are posing to our people and our economy just because they want to make huge profit at the expense of the lives of Nigerians.Expiry datesHe said on getting to the premises, they also uncovered other illicit activities including re-labelling, high level of stuffing of several tyres into one, tampering with expiry dates and stacking the tyres in very bad conditions. He said: It is a clear case of investing millions in illicit business to destroy the lives of millions of Nigerians. If we should allow something like this, it will amount to killing Nigerians.He showed tyres in stock at the warehouse postdated January as date of manufacture, adding because we have sensitised the public that while buying tyres, they should look out for the manufacturing date, these people postdated their tyres to reflect manufacturing date to be first week of January 2017.However, the tyres berthed on Nigerian soil first week of February 2017. So, are they saying it took them only four weeks to bring the tyres from China to Nigeria across the sea? Aboloma thanked SON Directorate of Compliance for discovering the warehouse and other meaningful Nigerians for volunteering information to the agency, saying that those arrested in connection with the latest deal would be tried in line with the new SON Act and if found guilty, prosecuted. Aboloma advised users of automobile tyres nationwide on the need to be extra cautious when making purchases of such products.
Chelsea reportedly turned down a world-record offer for Diego Costa.Chinese Super League club, Tianjin Quanjin, were keen on the Spain international and were ready to pay as much as 107million (90.3million) to sign him.SFR Sport reports that Costa was offered a salary of over 85million return for a three-year contract.Costas head was turned by the deal and he clashed with manager Antonio Conte, which resulted to him being dropped for the trip to Leicester City.Tianjin owner Shu Yuhui had confirmed last month, that he held talks with Costas agent, Jorges Mendes.I made an appointment with Mendes and he came to my hometown to visit me. At that time, we were interested in signing Costa, he said.PSG told us Cavani would only be allowed to leave in June, even though the player himself was willing to join us.The same can be said for Costa because Chelsea would only let him leave in June. However, the new season of CSL will almost reach the halfway stage in June, we cant wait so long.
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll has warned Muslims clerics, Islamic title holders and District heads in the state who are in the habit o...





Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll has warned Muslims clerics, Islamic title holders and District heads in the state who are in the habit of beating up their wives to desist from such act.Speaking on Sunday during a mass wedding of 1,520 couples sponsored by the Kano state government, Sanusi warned that any title holder found wanting would outrightly lose his title.According to Sanusi, You should all come back to your senses and stop these barbaric [acts] because we will not allow these to continue in Kano.I have warned all district heads, village heads, ward heads and imams to also desist from the bad habit of beating their wives and whoever among them is reported to me to have beaten up his wife, would outrightly lose his title.The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, noted that he wont be backing down from making law against poor men seeking to marry more than one wife.He explained that although the law was not meant to stop Muslims from marrying up to four wives, it regulates how a man should treat his wives and children according to the tenets of Islam.He said: We are going meet on Wednesday this week to review the over 80 pages of the law and make the necessary adjustment before presenting it to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.
A fresh xenophobic attack occurred overnight in Johannesburg, where about 100 people ransacked shops Monday, police said.

A fresh xenophobic attack occurred overnight in Johannesburg, where about 100 people ransacked shops Monday, police said. Doors and windows were smashed in, and food and other items were strewn on the floor in stores believed to belong to immigrants in Jeppestown, an area in the central business district, a Reuters witness said.Weve been stuck inside here until the police came, Abdul Ebrahim, a Somali shop owner, said after emerging from his store, where a number of his colleagues had barricaded themselves.No one told us what they were looking for, he added when asked why the mob had attacked his shop.At least one person was arrested.We are following up on leads and we are expecting to make more arrests, police spokesman Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said.She said she did not know the nationalities of the shopkeepers and police were waiting for owners to come forward, so that they could open cases of violence and damage to property.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Sunday approved polygamy in order to reduce unmarried women in the society.





Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Sunday approved polygamy in order to reduce unmarried women in the society.Governor Ganduje said the state government will henceforth regulate marriages in order to sanitise the institution in the state.He said this during the mass wedding of 1,520 widows, divorcees and spinsters at the Kano Central Mosque, also called on wealthy people to marry more than one wife in order to reduce the number of unmarried women in the society.He said that the state government and Islamic scholars will come up with a document which would be presented to the State Assembly.We are determined in Kano State to come up with laws that will govern marriage and laws that will govern family lives, he said.Ganduje said that the mass wedding was aimed at combating rising rates of divorce, births out of wedlock and the number of impoverished widows and divorcees in the state. He also decried the high rate of divorce and domestic violence in the society.A situation where you have domestic violence where women are beaten, sometimes beaten to death: This cannot continue, he said.The governor said that the state government would establish Hisbah Academy in order to teach people the doctrine of Hisbah and also learn how to guide humanity in knowledge of reasoning.
Mavin record Boss and superstar producer, Don Jazzy, has disclosed that he has stopped taking deals of being a brand ambassador, as he ha...

Mavin record Boss and superstar producer, Don Jazzy, has disclosed that he has stopped taking deals of being a brand ambassador, as he has outgrown that.According to the music producer who spoke at the launch of Flobyt in Lagos, he's allabout partnerships now.Brand ambassador? I stopped that a long time ago. We are bigger than those things now. We are more about partnerships" he said.
A former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has been arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.





A former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has been arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.The ex-governor was arrested over items recovered inside in a building in Abuja, reportedly belonging to him.Below are items recovered from the building according to DSS:(i) Glock pistol with two (2) magazines and a total of Twenty-Nine (29) rounds of ammunition;(ii) Mini-Uzi with two (2) magazines containing 10 rounds and 4 rounds respectively;(iii) Forty-two (42) extra rounds of ammunition contained in a pack; and(iv) One (1) AK-47.Other items recovered include:i. Twenty-one (21) Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and one (1) Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy;ii. Twenty-three (23) Luxury designer watches; andiii. Forty-five (45) keys to various exotic cars.
Ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that former President of South Africa, late Nelson Mandela and a South African socia...

Ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that former President of South Africa, late Nelson Mandela and a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop, Bishop Desmond Tutus advice among others that prompted him to go into the presidential race in 1999 shortly after he (Obasanjo) was released from prison.Mr. Obasanjo made the revelation at a church service for his 80th birthday organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, held at the Treasure House of God, Agbeloba, Abeokuta .He said the advice of the duo, among others, prompted him to go into the presidential race in 1999 when he contested for the seat to emerge Nigerias president.When I came out from prison for the offence I didnt commit and people started putting pressure on me to be Nigerias President, I was confused, Mr. Obasanjo, who led Nigeria both as a military and a civilian leader, said.But in that confusion I seek advice, not from here. I went first to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Mandela said Olu (Olusegun) whatever your instinct tells you, follow it', Mr. Obasanjo said.Tutu, after listening to me, said are you tired of serving God and your people. He now said my advice to you is that go and do what your people asked you to do.'Mr. Obasanjo said a biblical passage helped him finally agree to run in 1999.When I now came back, one day I was reading the book of Esther and I saw where Modekiah said you are here for your people and I started changing my mind from there, he said .In his speech at the church service, the Olowu of Owu, Mr. Obasanjo hometown, Adegboyega Dosumu, said the former president has a purpose in life, and he has executed the purpose to the best of his ability.He has always followed his heart and he has good intention for Nigeria, the monarch said.The monarch appealed to Mr. Obasanjo to help stop the importation of Indian garri into Nigeria.The food and drug regulator, NAFDAC, recently confirmed the existence of imported garri but said it never approved it and was clamping down on its sale.The Olowu said the importation of Indian garri would have a negative implication on the countrys economy .Also, the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, while attesting to the former presidents good performance, described Mr. Obasanjo as Gods sent for the emancipation of humans, especially in Nigeria.The monarch said Mr. Obasanjo saved him from being killed during the military rule; adding that his advice was a saving grace.The church programme was attended by some dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga; Speaker of the House of Assembly , Suraj Adekunbi; and House of Representative member representing Remo constituency, Ladi Adebutu.At the end of the event, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ogun State Chapter, decorated the former president as the Asiwaju Onigbago (leader of the believers) of Christians in Ogun State.
Primate Elijah Ayodele, Spiritual Head of INRI Spiritual Evangelical Church, told NAIJ that Nigeria will come out of recession if the Fina...

Primate Elijah Ayodele, Spiritual Head of INRI Spiritual Evangelical Church, told NAIJ that Nigeria will come out of recession if the Finance Minister and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria are sacked and replaced with Igbos.''I will keep saying this until the federal government does something about is; the CBN governor has to leave his post for someone better. He should be removed and replaced with somebody who understands what Nigeria's economic situation is all about,'' Primate Ayodele said.''An Igbo man should head the economic team and recession will come to an end. The minister of Finance should also be removed but it unfortunate that the government is not likely to accept those who will take us out of recession; only an Igbo man can take us out of recession.''The rise in dollar is something I predicted earlier and with what is presently happening, I see it getting worse. Nigeria should neglect dollar and have a tie with China and see what happens afterwards.
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that there has not been any free and fair election in Nigeria in the last couple of years.





Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that there has not been any free and fair election in Nigeria in the last couple of years.Ugwuanyi said this in Enugu when the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Committee led by Sen. Ken Nnamani paid him a courtesy call.He said that lack of free and fair election was responsible for the dwindling fortunes of Nigerias democratic experiment on inability to conduct free and fair elections over the years.He said that it had become imperative to put in place a robust electoral act that would engender peace and stability in the polity.According to him, the need for the ongoing reform could be overemphasised.It is a well known fact that our inability to conduct free and fair elections had impacted negatively on our efforts to deepen democracy over the years.Necessary reforms must, therefore, be carried out to resolve all the issues required to be carried out to promote peace and stability in the country, he said.Ugwuanyi commended the committee for giving the South-East zone the opportunity to send their views on how to entrench credible, acceptable, violence and rancor free election in Nigeria. Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Sen Nnamani said that the exercise was aimed at making elections more efficient, effective and less expensive.He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Oct. 4, 2016 inaugurated the committee in keeping to his promise of strengthening electoral system in Nigeria. Most people are asking why another electoral reform panel is being set up when that of Justice Uwais has not been implemented.Though Uwais did a fantastic job but some areas of that report require panel beating and dynamic approach to capture some incidents in the system. For instance, that report did not take into consideration what happened in Kogi State not too long ago, he said.Nnamani said that it had become needful to tinker some obsolete electoral laws, adding that the committee had been working in clusters and behind the scene. There is no constitutional requirement for public hearing but it has become conventional that no group has monopoly of knowledge.That is why we have come to seek the ideas of the public, he said. Nnamani said that the South-East zonal public hearing in Enugu was the first of seven of such that would hold across the country.
Nokia on Sunday night re-launched the Nokia 3310 nearly 17 years after its debut. This is the same old classic Nokia phone, which people s...

Nokia on Sunday night re-launched the Nokia 3310 nearly 17 years after its debut. This is the same old classic Nokia phone, which people say is the toughest object in the universe.The revamped version will be sold under licence by the Finnish start-up HMD Global, which also unveiled several Nokia-branded Android smartphones.The new 3310 qualifies as a "feature phone" rather than a smartphone as it only provides limited internet facilities.It relies on 2.5G connectivity - and is powered by the S30+ operating system, which allows web browsing but has a much smaller range of apps than Android or iOS.Its single camera is also restricted to two megapixels.The new 3310 weighs 79.6g (0.18lb) and has a 2.4in (6cm) displayHowever, its advantage over more powerful handsets is its battery life. HMD says the colour-screened phone has up to a month's standby time and delivers more than 22 hours of talk time.It also comes with the modern version of the classic game Snake preinstalled.
His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, will host a massive gathering of corporate personalities in Lond...

His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, will host a massive gathering of corporate personalities in London, United His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, will host a massive gathering of corporate personalities in London, United Kingdom in March.A UK-based organisation, Babatunde Loye Foundation, reputable for its laudable initiatives on business opportunities and human development, is putting up the corporate and awards dinner and the Ooni has been enlisted as the special host for the day.Ooni of Ife and Mr Babatunde Loye, Chairman, Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) and Founder, BL FoundationSpeaking through a video broadcast made for the occasion, the prominent monarch expressed his interest and readiness for the event, and emphasised the importance of such occasion in promoting business opportunities in Nigeria and in raising the living condition of the entire black race.Im reaching out to Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora that cut across the entire United Kingdom and the entire black race as a whole for a corporate dinner that is going to be part of my visit to the United Kingdom for business and investment opportunities in Nigeria, and for the entire Africa as a whole under the auspices of Babatunde Loye Foundation for us to join hands together to chart a positive course in order to better the living condition of the black race and in particular our dear country Nigeria, said the Ooni.Also talking on the forthcoming gathering, the executive director of Babatunde Loye Foundation who is also the chairman of Central Association of Nigerians (CANUK) in the UK, Mr. Babatunde Loye said that the foundations determination to have Ooni was most thoughtful given the traditional rulers influence in the corporate world before his ascension to the throne and the respect he presently commands which cuts across different strata of the society.Mr. Babatunde Loye, Chairman, Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) and Founder, BL Foundation in a chat with Ooni of IfeWe are very pleased to have the Ooni of Ife as our special guest and host for this very important gathering of influencers in the corporate world and reputable foreign investors. The occasion will provide opportunities for profound deliberations and exchange of links on business and investment. And it is also a platform to honour and appreciate those who are impacting our world in several positive ways, said Loye.The event, which will be held at the exquisite JW Marriot Hotel, West London and managed by a UKs leading events management firm, Kiskirine Events, will have in attendance captains of industry, accomplished entrepreneurs and top diplomats including the Nigeria Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Simon Ogah.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated former president Shehu Shagari on his 92nd birthday.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated former president Shehu Shagari on his 92nd birthday.According to a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Osinbajo said he joined his family, well-wishers and indeed all Nigerians, in celebrating former President Shagaris selfless service, leadership and steadfast commitment to the advancement of Nigeria, over the years.He said decades after serving as the second republic President of Nigeria, Mr. Shagari has continued to advance the unity, peace and prosperity of our nation.He believes that the patriotism, principles and the lofty values the former President displayed throughout his public life as a teacher, politician, parliamentarian, president and now as an elder statesman, make him one of the foremost national leaders of our time.The Acting President is confident that the honesty and strength of character with which former President Shagari has been known, will continue to be a source of inspiration.While wishing the nonagenarian many happy returns of the day in good health and joy, Prof. Osinbajos prayer for the former President is that as his days are, so shall his strength and favour be, spokesperson Laolu Akande said.
Emeka Ihedioha, a former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, has described Ali Modu Sheriff as a contractor invited to help th...

Emeka Ihedioha, a former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, has described Ali Modu Sheriff as a contractor invited to help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its low point.He said Sheriffs contract had long expired and that he has nothing to contribute to the opposition partys development.Ihedioha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Monday that Sheriff by his conduct had failed to show an attitude worthy of uniting and strengthening the party.According to him, the conduct, actions, language and temperament displayed by Sherriff has succeeded in planting disunity amongst members.His utterances after the Appeal Court judgment in Port Harcourt created division in the party rather than unit members, this showed that he is not interested in the progress of our party, he said.Sheriff has nothing to show as his contribution toward the growth of our party, both in his state and at the national level.It will interest you to know that Sheriff has never participated in any state or national convention of the PDP.He was only a contractor that was brought into the party to play a leadership role in our trying times and I think that the brief period of three months assigned to him by the party has long expired, Ihedioha said.He said that the party would appeal the court ruling that recognised Sheriff as its national chairman.The ex-deputy speaker also assured party members that there were enough evidences at the partys disposal with which it would claim victory at the apex court.Ihedioha, therefore, urged party faithful to continue to support the Sen. Ahmed Makarfis PDP which was duly adopted by well meaning party faithful.I believe that the judiciary as an unbiased umpire will deliver fair judgment at the apex court and I know that the judgment will vindicate us by granting Markafis victory, he said.
* Two investment rounds could be worth over $3 bln - CNBC

* Deal would be further break from tech and telecoms focus

* SoftBank in discussions with WeWork for some time - sources

* WeWork worth $16.7 bln - Hony Capital (Adds context, details on WeWork)

By Thomas Wilson and Julie Zhu

TOKYO/HONG KONG, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Japan's SoftBank Group Corp is close to making an investment in U.S. office-sharing startup WeWork expected to be worth over $3 billion, CNBC reported on Monday, as it expands its reach beyond tech and telecoms.

Led by founder Masayashi Son, SoftBank has made a string of surprising acquisitions and investments over the past months, most recently an all-cash deal to buy asset manager Fortress Investment Group.

The deals come as SoftBank moves towards cutting-edge tech investments as telecoms services markets mature, announcing last year the creation of a tech investment fund with Saudi Arabia that could grow to $100 billion and make the group one of the world's largest private equity investors.

SoftBank is looking at a $2 billion primary tranche of funding in New York-based WeWork, followed by a secondary round worth more than $1 billion, CNBC reported, citing an anonymous source.

The company could increase the size of the secondary investment to nearly $2 billion for a total investment of almost $4 billion, CNBC added. If the deal closed, WeWork would be valued at more than $20 billion.

SoftBank and WeWork declined to comment.

SoftBank had been in discussions for some time regarding an investment, two people at one of WeWork's investors said, without elaborating.

WeWork, which provides shared workspaces to start-ups in the Americas, Europe, Hong Kong and Shanghai, plans to expand to Beijing in May, co-founder Miguel McKelvey told reporters in Hong Kong last week.

It will continue to raise capital for expansion ahead of an expected public listing, McKelvey said, without indicating a time frame.

Chinese private equity giant Hony Capital, its backer Legend Holdings Corp and property developer China Oceanwide Holdings Ltd, among others, last year ploughed $700 million into WeWork.

Story continues

The deal valued WeWork at $16.7 billion, Hony said - less than that reported by CNBC but still making it among the world's most valuable startups.

SoftBank shares fell as much as 2.3 percent in morning trade, compared with a 1.4 fall for the benchmark Nikkei average .

SoftBank, a diverse company that holds stakes in U.S. carrier Sprint, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and other firms, last year bought chip designer ARM Holdings, Britain's most valuable technology company, for $32 billion.

Son also promised a $50 billion investment and 50,000 new jobs in the United States after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in early December.

Some of SoftBank's moves have caused concern among analysts, as it is wrestling with a heavy debt pile.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; Thomas Wilson and Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo; Julie Zhu in Hong Kong; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Nigerian Music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, has donated N3.5 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refuge...

Nigerian Music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, has donated N3.5 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria, to support humanitarian interventions.The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Hanson Tamfu, External Relations Officer, UNHCR, Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.He said the donation from the 2face Foundation was to support the commission in providing life-saving support to families forcibly displaced in Nigeria and across the continent.Tamfu said that Tuface expressed joy and commitment to helping the victims of insurgency who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the unrest in the North-East.He said the musician also pledged his continuous support to UNHCR in its humanitarian assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other persons.The officer quoted Tuface as saying, I am proud to support the UN Refugee Agency because of its proven track record of being at the fore front of displacement emergencies. I want to help people who have been forced to flee their homes because of different issues. I care about them and this donation is one of such efforts because we plan to have a major charity concert in June to raise money whilst offering my music and talents to the world for donations towards this noble cause. I am confident in UNHCR because it knows how to make a difference in the lives of millions of women, children and men who have lost everything but hope, Tuface said.Tamfu said that UNHCR is almost entirely supported by donations from governments, who contribute 89 per cent of its annual funding needs.He disclosed that UNHCR and its partners require USD2.45 billion to provide critical life-saving assistance to the displaced families in Africa.He said that funds were required to meet the enormous needs of displaced persons with the number of the worlds displacement at more than 63.9 million.The officer explained that this was also due to an unprecedented level of over 19.4million of those living in Sub-Saharan Africa, the needs are enormous.Mr Valentin Tapsoba, UNHCRs Director of the Africa Bureau, appreciated Tuface for his generosity and contribution to UNHCRs cause. Tapsoba said that having someone of Tufaces calibre who recognises the needs of the people who have been forced to flee their homes was extremely encouraging.He said that it was a clear step in the direction of an Africa that takes ownership of its own challenges and strives to address them.Tapsoba said that as a musician, who has been singing for over two decades, his campaign would cut across all generations and make an impact. The Bureau Chief said that in Nigeria, the UN Refugee Agency responds to the needs of the more than 1.8 million displaced.He explained that since the needs were over whelming, the agency has turned to Africas philanthropic world to meet some of the funding gaps, which are worrisome and huge. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation from Tuface, founder of the 2face foundation, is to kick-start UNHCRs first ever fundraising campaign in Nigeria.
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has been elected as the Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) rep...

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has been elected as the Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.Umahi was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the forum attended by all the governors from the zone in Enugu on Sunday.Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, who announced this after a closed door meeting, said that the lot fell on Umahi to lead the group because Abia and Anambra had had their turns in the past.I want to specially recognise the oldest member of this forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra.We have just risen from a meeting and it is my pleasure to officially introduce the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum in the person of Gov. Dave Umahi.He is our chairman today because Anambra and Abia have taken their turns in the past and we are moving forward from Ebonyi flank at this moment, Ikpeazu said.Umahi said his election was an honour to lead the forum even though he might not be the most qualified.I want to thank my brother governors and to accept the leadership position my colleagues have pushed on me.Not being the most qualified but they decided that I should be the chairman of the forum at a time like this. I want to thank them with all sense of humility, Umahi said.NAN reports that this is the first time after the 2015 general elections that all the governors were meeting face to face at the forums meeting.Some of the governors had in the past delegated their deputies to represent them at the meeting.
Sacked National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has asked the National Chairman of the pa...

Sacked National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has asked the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to vacate the partys national secretariat immediately.He said Sheriff, who was declared the authentic national chairman of the PDP by the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, should wait until the Supreme Court makes its own pronouncement on the matter.The spokesperson for the faction, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, accused the Police of favouring the former governor of Borno State in the crisis.Adeyeye, a former minister of state for works, said that Sheriff must leave the secretariat in order to avoid breakdown of law and order.
The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has rejected purported results for Etche State Constituency and Etche/Omuma F...

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has rejected purported results for Etche State Constituency and Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency Etche/Omuma rerun elections reportedly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Sunday, saying that the purported results are for the rerun elections that were earlier declared inconclusive by the Returning Officers, Prof. Olatunbosun Odusanya and Prof. Omotola respectively at the Okehi, Saturday. They had subsequently announced that the conclusion of the process would take place today (Sunday) or on Monday.The statement which was signed by Rivers State APC Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya JP said, we were taken aback when it was reported that the National Electoral Commissioner in charge, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu had ordered that the incomplete results be declared despite the earlier declaration by the two Returning Officers on Saturday at Okehi that the elections were inconclusive.The statement reads: The APC vehemently rejects the results as declared today (Sunday) at the State INEC Office in Port Harcourt. This action by INEC runs counter and contradictory to earlier announcement on Saturday by the aforementioned Returning Officers who are the duly empowered persons to make such declarations. What INEC did today is a rape on democracy and the APC will surely resist it with every legal window available to it. INEC can only do what it did today because Gov. Nyesom Wike has, as usual, generously compromised key officials of INEC in Rivers State.The APC notes that despite the general outcry concerning Gov. Nyesom Wikes interference in the electoral process, the governor physically held hostage a Returning Officer to force him announce results in a manner unbecoming of a governor. We condemn this and call on INEC leadership and security agencies to investigate this unfortunate incidence.We recall that this same compromised INEC in Rivers State embarked on the now infamous 2015 elections which is unarguably the worst election in the annals of Nigeria. During the December 10, 2016 rerun that followed, INEC continued to exhibit unwarranted contradictions and unwholesome mishandling of the process which resulted in the further rescheduling of the rerun elections for Etche State Constituency and Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency. Sadly, INEC has, once again, bungled it.
The Bayelsa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered plans by some persons to attack investment...

The Bayelsa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered plans by some persons to attack investments of MTN in the state as a reprisal for ongoing attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.The states Commander of NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said in a statement in Yenagoa on Monday that the corps was on red alert to stop aggrieved persons from destroying MTNs facilities in the state.Agu said intelligence reports revealed that such persons were planning to vent their anger on MTNs masts and other facilities.He advised persons behind such plots to desist from toeing a violent path and appealed to members of the public to report suspicious persons to the corps.He said: Our attention has been drawn to an intelligence report that some persons are planning to carry out an attack on South African investments especially the MTNs telecommunication masts and other facilities following the ongoing xenophobia attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.Members of the public especially Bayelsans are hereby advised to desist from such acts and avoid taking laws into their hands.As an organisation saddled with the responsibility of protecting our critical national infrastructures, the command remains committed to deliver on its mandate.Members of the public are hereby advised to report persons or group of persons suspected to be planning such attacks to the command.
PALISADES PARK -- A man was arrested after police searched through his car and home on Friday and found thousands of dollars of suspected cocaine, authorities said.

Jose Baez, 44 of Palisades Park, faces a number of drug-related and money laundering charges, according to a news release from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

Jose Baez, 44 of Palisades Park

The prosecutor's office pulled over Baez on Friday in Fort Lee and he gave police consent to search his car. There, authorities found an "electronic hidden compartment" where $63,500 was stashed, they said.

Police obtained a court order to search his home, where they found almost $319,000 and about four kilograms of suspected cocaine, authorities said.

Baez was held at the Bergen County Jail awaiting his first appearance in the Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.

Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.
katz_jewish_community_center.jpg

The Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill was evacuated Monday morning after receiving a bomb threat. Numerous Jewish community centers across the country reported receiving similar threats at the same time Monday. (Rebecca Everett | For NJ.com)

CHERRY HILL -- The Katz Jewish Community Center on Springdale Road in Cherry Hill was evacuated this morning after receiving a threat, according to an update posted on the center's Facebook page.

The center received the threat via a phone call, they said on their Facebook around 11:40 a.m. Police were on scene at the time.

The Camden County bomb squad responded to the center at 10:50 a.m., county spokesman Dan Keashen said. As of 11:50 a.m., crews were still sweeping the building.

As many as 500 people may have been inside when it was evacuated, Keashen said.

"At this time of day, that place is usually teeming with people," Keashen said. "The center has a daycare, gym and rehab center."

Jewish Community Centers across the country were being evacuated after bomb threats were made, according to other reports. They included another JCC in Delaware, as well as ones in Michigan, Miami, Indiana, Staten Island, and Pennsylvania. In some cases, the centers reported receiving a phone call in which a woman's voice that was electronically altered said a bomb would go off in the building anywhere between 10 minutes to three hours from then.

In Cherry Hill, police cruisers blocked both entrances to the community center. Around the main entrance, a small group of staff and law enforcement officials gathered and police dogs could be heard barking.

Parents who arrived were sent to Temple Emanuel Synagogue across the street to wait for news. Staff declined to comment to a reporter but told concerned parents that the children had been evacuated to a nearby building to wait for the all-clear.

These incidents appear to mirror a rising number of incidents around the country that many regard as incidents of intolerance and hate. More than 100 cemetery markers were also reported damaged in Philadelphia over the weekend.

-- Rebecca Everett contributed to this story.

Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
HADDON TWP. -- The doors of the landmark Westmont Theatre are finally open again, but anyone who saw a concert or film here in decades past won't recognize it if they step inside.

The building is now home to Westmont Planet Fitness, which had its ribbon cutting Thursday.

On the outside, the building does not look that different. The name on the marquee is now outlined in purple neon lights and the gym's name is on the marquee sides.

Inside, the space is a modern, spacious gymnasium with a new partial second floor and multiple pieces of medical equipment.

"It would have been easier and more cost effective for us to start with an empty space in a standalone or plaza type environment," said franchise owner William Cassotis. But the Westmont Theatre building, he said, "had so much potential and offered a very unique look."

After years of trying to get the vacant theater redeveloped, the township sold it to Lazgor LLC of Cherry Hill for $50,000 in 2014.

Mayor Randall Teague said last fall that while many residents had dreams of keeping the building as a theater, economic realities made that nearly impossible. It would have cost as much as $5 million to renovate the 1,200-seat theater.

Cassotis declined to say how much the building's renovation cost, but Henry Gorenstein of Lazgor told the Courier-Post it was $2.5 million.

Lazgor and Cassotis' ownership group, Planet Fitness Southern NJ, shared the cost of the work, Cassotis said.

The Westmont Theatre has seen better days. In order to try and survive the multiplex onslaught the theater was divided in two, hence the limited size. Posted by Haddonfield United on Wednesday, May 20, 2015

"This was an involved buildout. The building was completely dilapidated and required an overhaul of all major infrastructure," Cassotis said in an email on the day of the ribbon cutting.

In addition to the electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation work, they had to level the floor, which was previously slanted toward the stage, and add the mezzanine. The partial second floor, which holds mostly cardio equipment, required an elevator to be put in, he said.

The decaying Westmont Theatre before the Planet Fitness restoration Posted by Haddonfield United on Friday, February 10, 2017

The ownership group owns 12 other Planet Fitness gyms in South Jersey. They are in Clementon, Mount Laurel, Sewell, Cinnaminson, Ewing, Brooklawn, Mantua, Hamilton, Hammonton, Delran, and Berlin.

After researching the Westmont area, Cassotis said the group "knows" the site is perfect for a Planet Fitness. He called it an underserved market where people were in need of a non-intimidating gym that is "judgement-free."

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Rutgers celebrates 250th anniversary with birthday bash

Rutgers President Robert Barchi has been critical of President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel from seven majority Muslim countries. (Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

(Patti Sapone)

NEW BRUNSWICK -- Standing before hundreds of students last month, Rutgers University President Robert Barchi condemned President Donald Trump's travel ban on seven majority Muslim's country in strong and explicit terms.

"I believe it is contrary to what we believe as a university," Barchi said during a campus protest of Trump's executive orders on immigration. "And I thought it was contrary to what we believed as a nation."

The speech was a rarity for a college president who typically tries to stay out of politics and steer clear from controversy. So what prompted Barchi to speak up?

"Once the campaigns are over and we start having actions taken that directly impact my students at my university -- my ability to do what I need to do and our ability as a university to carry out our mission -- I have to speak out," Barchi said in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. "And that's what is happening."

Barchi made a point in the interview to explain that his words aren't meant to be partisan. It's Trump's actions that Barchi is speaking against, not Trump himself, the Rutgers president said, according to the report.

However, Barchi said he does have strong personal feelings about Trump's order.

"I fundamentally believe what I'm talking about here. This is stuff that I can get up on a podium and cry about," Barchi told the newspaper. "I don't do that very often, but it seriously bothers me and I think I have a very serious responsibility to speak out about that."

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Oscars-2017-Meryl-Streep-standing-ovation.jpg

Meryl Streep stands for applause at the Oscars on Sunday. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jimmy Kimmel, host of the Academy Awards, started off the show Sunday night with a nod for Meryl Streep, who this year received her 20th Oscar nomination.

In keeping with insults hurled by President Donald Trump, who recently called the actress "overrated" in a tweet, Kimmel acknowledged Streep, again nominated in the best actress category for "Florence Foster Jenkins," "for her many uninspiring and overrated performances." As the actress sank into her seat, covering her face, Kimmel kept the joke going by citing some more of the Summit native's work (see clip below).

"From her mediocre early work in 'The Deer Hunter' and 'Out of Africa' to her underwhelming performances in 'Kramer vs. Kramer' and 'Sophie's Choice,' Meryl Streep has phoned it in for more than 50 films."

Trump had tweeted about Streep in January, calling her "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood" and a "Hillary flunky" after she gave a speech when she accepted her Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. The speech criticized the then-president-elect's immigration policy and mockery of a disabled reporter, though Streep did not actually use Trump's name.

To even the score, Kimmel asked the audience to stand and give Streep a "totally undeserved" round of applause.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
Mahershala-Ali-first-Muslim-actor-to-win-Oscar.jpg

Mahershala Ali accepts the award for best actor in a supporting role for 'Moonlight' at the Oscars. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Actor Mahershala Ali garnered rave reviews as Juan, a drug dealer who becomes a father figure for young Chiron in "Moonlight."

But when he won the Academy Award Sunday for best supporting actor, Ali also made history as the first Muslim in history to win an acting Oscar.

The actor, who also appears in another best picture nominee, "Hidden Figures," had addressed his religion in his acceptance speech when he won a Screen Actors Guild award for the same role in January.

"My mother is an ordained minister," he said. I'm a Muslim. "She didn't do blackflips when I told her I converted 17 years ago ... I'm able to see her. She's able to see me. We love each other ... and that stuff is minutia. It's not that important."

In his acceptance speech at the Oscars, Ali, 43, didn't mention the milestone. He thanked director Barry Jenkins and his wife, who made it through awards season in her third trimester of pregnancy and gave birth four days ago to their daughter.

Here's a sampling of the Twitter reaction to Ali's win:

[&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="//storify.com/NJentertainment/mahershala-ali-becomes-first-muslim-to-win-actor-o" target="_blank"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View the story "Mahershala Ali becomes first Muslim to win actor Oscar" on Storify&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;]&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;h1&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mahershala Ali becomes first Muslim to win actor Oscar&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/h1&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;h2&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Ali won for playing Juan in 'Moonlight'&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/h2&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Storified by &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="https://storify.com/NJentertainment"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;NJ.com&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;middot; Mon, Feb 27 2017 03:25:21 &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;mahershala ali is killing it, first muslim actor to win an oscar [?] [?] moonlight was amazing [?] shefa&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;9GAG: Mahershala Ali really had the best year ever. #Oscar https://t.co/zW3g9F8DGbMisha Shah&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mahershala Ali Is the First Muslim Actor to Win an Oscar. [?] [?] Daniel Arsham&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mahershala Ali is so beautiful [?] Kiana &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A Black Muslim Won An Oscar!!!![?][?] "Mahershala Ali is the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar" https://t.co/fGvpNoIcfYFEMWOC&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;My boy Mahershala Ali. Congrats on that golden statue. Damn so proud of you!Wayne Pretlow&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mahershala Ali congrats brother on your Oscar! #oscars #moonlight #mahershalaali https://t.co/sA3LzQ8fj6 https://t.co/Bh7d0jfIkSDavid Radney&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Congrats to former Gael Mahershala Ali on winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor #OscarsSaint Mary's Hoops&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
NATIONAL PARK -- The lower part of a person's decomposed leg was discovered Sunday after washed up along the shoreline of the Delaware River in Gloucester County, authorities said.

A woman found the limb while walking her dog in National Park. The foot was attached to the limb, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.

No clothing and no markings were found.

The leg was taken to the Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office where a DNA sample will be collected in an effort to make an identification.

West Deptford police are assisting the prosecutor's office in the investigation. National Park has a shared services agreement with West Deptford to provide police services.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The defense team for the ex-Edison police officer charged with firebombing his supervisor's house will be allowed to examine the truck allegedly used to transport the make-shift bombs without prosecutors present, an appeals court ruled.

The ruling upheld a trial court's decision on a request by Michael Dotro's attorney to inspect the truck. The attorney argued having prosecutors present could tip off the office to a potential defense before the trial.

Dotro, who spent 10 years on the force before resigning in September, is expected to stand trial in April or May on multiple charges, including five counts of attempted murder, for his alleged role in setting his police captain's house on fire while his family and 92-year-old mother were asleep.

The ruling came with additional provisions to protect the evidence, including a camera focused on the expert's hands at all times and a second camera recording the rest of the truck.

The trial court's original ruling required two retired Superior Court judges to oversee the inspection, which would be scheduled with the Middlesex County Prosector's Office at least three weeks in advance. The prosecutor's office appealed that original ruling, leading to Monday's decision.

Dotro is accused of driving the dark-colored pickup to the home of Edison police Capt. Mark Anderko on May 20, 2013, and igniting two one-gallon jugs on the captain's front porch between 3 and 4 a.m., according to the ruling which detailed the investigation's findings.

Authorities said they found the jugs -- one labeled Poland Springs and the other QuickChek -- at the scene and remnants of blue rags, which they believed were used as wicks to set the fire.

Similar blue rags were found in the front seat of Dotro's 2001 Dodge Truck and smelled of gasoline, according to authorities.

Video surveillance from the QuickChek near Anderko's home shows a dark-colored pickup turn out of the parking lot towards the Monroe Township house just minutes before the fire erupted, the court papers say.

The video shows a similar pickup drive past the QuickCheck coming from the direction of Anderko's home 15 minutes later, court paper said. The prosecutor's office alleges was enough time to make the round-trip and set the jugs on fire, according to the court papers.

Dotro's attorney Robert Norton filed a motion to inspect the truck after viewing the surveillance video.

Some of the towels found among the charred debris at the Anderko's home were surgical towels used by the medical center where Dotro's wife, Alycia Dotro, worked, authorities said.

The ruling also points out that some of the evidence favors Dotro's defense.

Passing the QuickChek would not be the most direct route home for Dotro and gasoline found his Manalapan house could have been stored for his generator and snow blower, the ruling said. Also, a hair sample and a fingerprint on the jugs did not match Dotro's, according to the court papers.

One of the two hair samples found at the scene was lost two years by the FBI laboratory.

A judge reduced Dotro's bail to $800,000 in December and lifted his travel restrictions.

Dotro was given two years probation as part of plea deal in January for his role in a plot to get back at another officer for giving his family member a DUI. He is also accused of scheming to firebomb another supervisor's house, although the plot never materialized.

Alycia Dotro was indicted on accusations of lying to officials and illegal access to police records in an alleged tire slashing.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
WOODBRIDGE -- A 22-year-old EMT has been charged with exchanging sexually explicit messages and photos with a 12-year-old boy, authorities said.

Zachary Motta, 22, of Iselin

Zachary Motta, of the Iselin section of Woodbridge, who was employed as an EMT at a New Brunswick hospital, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and possession of child pornography, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Motta, who also served with the Iselin Volunteer Fire Company, was arrested at his home Friday after an investigation found that between October 2016 and February, he "had sexually explicit conversations on the internet with the boy," according to the prosecutor's office.

Motta sent explicit photos of himself and received photos from the boy, authorities said. The investigation began after the boy's mother contacted authorities.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Christopher Pennisi at 732-745-3330 or Detective Joseph Chesseri at 732-745-3115.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Trump supporters

Donald Trump supporters,left, argue with protestors while at Columbus Circle. Thousands of people mark President's Day with a protest in front of the Trump International Hotel in Manhattan. Monday February 20, 2017. New York, NY, USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

( )

UPDATE: Hundreds in Middletown rally in support of President Trump

MIDDLETOWN -- Supporters of President Donald Trump will hold the first of two planned rallies along Route 35 on Monday to promote the president's "Contract with the American Voter."

The rallies, which are affiliated with the "Main Street Patriots" activist group, are two of more than 70 similar events being held across the United States on Monday and March 4 in support of Trump's agenda.

According to the Main Street Patriots website, the rallies will be "peaceful, positive, patriotic, uplifting, and open to anyone that supports an America First agenda."

"Unlike those protesting against President Trump's vision, we are a diverse coalition that are the heart and soul of America that wants our nation to fulfill our potential, as the greatest nation on God's green earth!" the website states.

The first Middletown rally is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on Monday at the ShopRite Plaza on the corner of Route 35 and Harmony Road. The March 4 rally is scheduled to take place at the same plaza between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

A group of the Trump supporters are then expected to travel to neighboring Red Bank at 6 p.m. for a meeting of that borough's Human Relations Advisory Committee. The committee is scheduled to discuss if it should recommend that Red Bank become a "sanctuary city," the Asbury Park Press reported.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A man wanted on murder charges in the Dominican Republic was arrested last week at an apartment in the Hackensack area, immigration officials said.

Kelbin Perez De Los Santos, 35, had been sought by Dominican authorities for allegedly shooting someone to death with a shotgun after a dispute in a restaurant in Los Girasoles in July, the U.S Marshals Service said.

De Los Santo fled to New Jersey after the killing, authorities said. The Interpol National Central Bureau in Santo Domingo issued a Red Notice in August 2016 requesting Perez De Los Santos' arrest.

He was taken into custody by ICE's Newark Fugitive Operations Officers and the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

ICE conducted interviews and did surveillance before arrest De Los Santos. He is being held until being deported.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Imagine living in an apartment that has no heat, or is infested with rats and roaches. Would you continue paying the rent? If you stop, then you would be starting a fight that is stacked against you.

Paula Franzese, a professor of law at Seton Hall University School of Law, is leading an effort to even the playing field. She says there are good and bad landlords, just as there are good and bad tenants. But the law, at this stage, favors the landlords.

She spoke with Tom Moran, the Star Ledger's editorial page editor. An edited transcript appears below:

Paula Franzese. (Courtesy Seton Hall)

Q. You're working on ways to help low-income tenants demand better treatment from their landlords, but first please describe how big a problem this is.

A. It's immensely significant. We have data from the Census that at least 1 in 3 residents of Newark is living in poverty. And the options for residential housing are quite narrow. Many people are living hand to mouth, and are struggling to stay in affordable units, even when the rent is subsidized.

Q. If conditions in a rental are bad, does a tenant have the right to withhold rent?

A. In theory. But the dilemma is this: that tenant is obliged to place those funds in escrow to show good faith, to show the rental money is available and that the tenant is not, in bad faith, inventing a problem as a way out of the rent obligation.

That's a significant problem for a tenant who needs to use the withheld sums to abate the problem when the landlord fails to do so. For example, the tenant could use those funds to buy a space heater when there is no heat, or use the money to hire an exterminator for a roach or rodent infestation. Without that chance, the tenant might be displaced.

Q. When you looked at eviction cases for failure to pay rent, how often did tenants claim that their apartments were uninhabitable?

A. What astonished us is that in 4,000 cases in Essex County we examined, in only 80 cases was the tenant using that as a defense. That figure is startling, given the likelihood that serious code violations exist in Newark and its vicinity.

Q. Meaning it tells you that tenants don't have sufficient leverage against landlords?

A. Yes

Q. Let's talk about subsidized apartments, where part of the rent is paid by the government. Does the government withhold its share of the rent if conditions are unlivable?

A. No, and that that's one of our major findings. We learned that even the most egregious and neglectful landlords continue to receive rental subsidies from state and federal agencies.

That's a significant inequity: While the tenant must continue to deposit the withheld rent with the court, the landlord continues to receive significant subsidies.

Q. So in effect, the government is undermining the tenant's leverage by supporting landlords, even if conditions may be unlivable?

A. Yes.

Q. How often to landlords move to evict tenants?

A. Quite often. There were 40,000 residential eviction actions in one county, Essex, in one year. The work is made quick and sometimes too easy for landlords because the vast majority of tenants are without assistance of legal counsel.

Q. If they had good lawyers, any idea how many could effectively fight back?

A. New York City is committed to providing representation for tenants who can't afford it, and the data to support that decision is quite telling. It reveals that countless tenants without counsel have been wrongly displaced and ended up in shelters or on the street. The cost-benefit analysis tells us that millions of dollars can be saved by providing tenants a voice since the city otherwise would have to spend money to house those who are wrongly evicted, for example, in shelters.

Q. Tell us about the blacklist.

A. This can add insult to injury. It's equivalent to a credit rating. These private firms prepare a master list of all tenants who have been named as defendants in eviction cases, without reference to any surrounding circumstances. When a tenant applies for housing, the landlord pays a fee to this private firm for that information. What that does is black list tenants, including tenants who have a good-faith basis for withholding rent, and even including those who prevailed in court. So this can be quite insidious and unfair. We believe this practice has to be hemmed in by statue.

Q. Ok, that is horrifying. What are the possible solutions?

A. First, at a minimum, such lists must provide context to indicate the disposition of the cases and the circumstances. It has to include a time limit as well, so that after a date certain the records would be expunged.

Q. What about the requirement that tenants place rent payments in escrow?

A. We are working on modifications to that statute. If the court makes a preliminary determination that the tenant has shown a basis for the claim that the premises are unsafe, unsanitary, or unlivable in some way, the tenant should be relieved of that obligation while the claim is pending. That would allow the tenant to use that money to remedy the condition.

Q. What about the government withholding its share of rent in these cases?

A. If the court has a basis for concluding the premises are uninhabitable, the state and federal governments should be alerted, and they should suspend their share of rental subsidies.

Q. Are elected officials helping you in this effort?

A. Absolutely. Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) and Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex) are sponsoring important legislative reform.

Q. So what's the next step?

A. Work on that legislative reform, with a dialogue among all the actors in this struggle to make decent housing an assurance for all. That has to include tenants, particularly those who have been left behind, and have been voiceless so far. And landlords because there are many good-faith landlord who try to do the right thing. It has to include public and private sectors of the bar, too. No one should be without a safe and sustainable roof over their heads, and all of us have a duty to help achieve that.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
By Joseph White

DETROIT (Reuters) - Japan's Takata Corp (7312.T) on Monday removed a major obstacle to its potential sale or restructuring, pleading guilty in a U.S. federal court to a felony charge as part of a $1 billion settlement that included compensation funds for automakers and victims of its faulty airbag inflators.

U.S. District Court Judge George Steeh approved the previously agreed settlement, despite objections from lawyers for victims of Takata inflator explosions that the criminal settlement identified automakers as victims of fraudulent activity.

Steeh said automakers could be victims of Takata's decisions to hide evidence over 15 years that its inflators were defective and still be subject to civil litigation for harm done to individuals.

With the criminal settlement and penalties set, Takata is expected to intensify its search for a buyer or financial backer.

Steeh said he considered imposing a stiffer sentence, noting federal guidelines allowed for up to $1.5 billion in fines. But the judge said he approved the settlement because Takata could otherwise be pushed into bankruptcy, delaying efforts to replace millions of potentially deadly inflators still on the road.

"Destruction of the corporation would probably have been a fair outcome in this case," Steeh said, adding he had been involved in a separate case in which Takata had admitted to price fixing.

Lawyers for U.S. vehicle owners have sued Honda Motor Co , Nissan Motor Co , BMW AG (BMWG.DE), Ford Motor Co (F.N), Mazda Motor Corp and other automakers, alleging they knew about the defective Takata inflators for years but kept using them.

Lawyers for vehicle owners said in a court filing on Monday in Florida that automakers acted "recklessly" because "they were focused on the low price of Takatas inflators and concerned that if they stopped using Takatas inflators, they might not have a sufficient supply."

At least 16 deaths have been linked to exploding Takata inflators. The defects have led 10 automakers to recall more than 31 million cars worldwide since 2008. All but one of the deaths have occurred in Honda vehicles.

Story continues

The automakers could face costs to replace all the defective airbags "that would be 5, 6 or 9 times the $850 million" set aside in the fund, Steeh said, indicating the total replacement cost could be more than $7.6 billion. The Takata airbag recall is the largest ever for the auto industry.

Yoichiro Nomura, Takata's chief financial officer, appeared in court to formally accept the plea agreement.

"I would like to sincerely apologise on behalf of Takata," he said.

In January, Takata agreed to establish two independently administered restitution funds: one for $850 million to compensate automakers for recalls, and a $125 million fund for individuals physically injured by Takatas airbags who have not already reached a settlement with the company.

Automakers in the United States are set to continue recalling defective inflators through 2020. U.S. safety regulators have said automakers are responsible for replacing defective airbags no matter what happens to Takata.

The investigation of Takata was the latest criminal probe by U.S. prosecutors of automakers or suppliers accused of trying to duck costly steps required to comply with safety or environmental regulations. Toyota and GM paid hefty fines to settle charges they unlawfully hid safety defects from regulators, and Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) in January paid $4.3 billion to settle criminal charges related to its cheating on diesel emissions tests.

TURNAROUND EFFORT

Takata is seeking financial backers as it faces potentially billions of dollars in recall-associated costs. It has not identified what company has been selected by a steering committee leading that process.

Key Safety Systems (KSS), a Chinese-owned auto supplier, is the leading candidate, people familiar with the process said in early February. A person briefed on the matter told Reuters on Monday a decision may be reached by the end of March.

Takata has denied investor speculation that it would have to seek some form of bankruptcy protection in the United States or Japan. However, during the court hearing, Judge Steeh and lawyers for the Justice Department alluded to the potential for Takata to collapse if it could not find a buyer.

As part of the agreement with U.S. authorities, Takata has agreed to pay a $25 million fine and has 30 days to pay the $125 million for victim compensation.

Takata has up to a year to deliver the remaining $850 million for automaker compensation. If a financial backer takes control of Takata, however, the money for the automakers must be delivered within five days. Reuters had reported in November that Takata may file for bankruptcy as part of a restructuring.

Steeh said he will decide who should manage the compensation funds after considering proposals from potential candidates.

Takata will be on probation and under the oversight of an independent monitor for three years, and has agreed to make significant reforms in the way it handles safety issues. The Justice Department has demanded similar oversight to resolve the investigations into mishandling of auto safety problems at GM and Toyota.

MORE LITIGATION

The settlement of the federal criminal case does not end Takata's legal troubles. The company faces multiple civil suits brought on behalf of people injured by exploding inflators.

Kevin Dean, a South Carolina lawyer for some Takata victims suing automakers, said in a court filing on Monday in Detroit that the criminal plea agreement is "wrought with inaccurate, incomplete and misleading assertions of fact" that could help automakers avoid liability. In court, Dean told Judge Steeh that automakers will argue in the civil cases that they are not responsible for airbag-related injuries or deaths because Takata has now admitted hiding evidence that the inflators could rupture.

U.S. prosecutors also have charged three former senior Takata executives in Japan with falsifying test results to conceal the defect.

(Reporting By David Shepardson in Washington and Joseph White in Detroit; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
"A little over 60 years ago, there was a moderate Republican from New Jersey who spoke out against Senator Joseph McCarthy ... The moderate Republican who said this in 1954 was Rep. Peter Frelinghuysen. So my question for you, Congressman, is how much damage does President Trump need to do to the country and to the Republican party before you stand up and find your own Peter Frelinghuysen moment?" A standing ovation for the final question from last night's Essex County #nj11townhall Posted by NJ 11th For Change on Friday, February 24, 2017

This editorial has been updated to include remarks from the Congressman.

At a recent town hall in Livingston, where Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.) did not show, someone saluted the memory of a moderate Republican during the height of McCarthyism.

"By remaining silent," Rep. Peter Frelinghuysen said in 1954, "we permit the public to believe that most Republicans condone the senator's tactics. By remaining silent, we lend credence to the view that we prefer to risk losing our freedom than to offend a questionable asset to our party."

That was the Rodney Frelinghuysen's father, of course.

The speaker who invoked his memory, Matt Walters of Montclair, concluded by asking the absent congressman this question on Thursday night: "How much damage does President Trump need to do before you find your own Peter Frelinghuysen moment?"

It's a valid question. We have doubts that the congressman and other members of his party can provide an answer, or summon the will to break a voting pattern that is conspicuously Draconian.

Groups such as the NJ 11th For Change wonder whether Frelinghuysen even has the courage to defend his record - he hasn't met with constituents in a town hall in years - and the same waiting game is now being played in most red districts throughout New Jersey and the U.S.

The congressman says he "applaud(s) the effort" of NJ 11th For Change to hold town halls, but he will continue to boycott them because he believes they are incapable of "civil discourse."

Meanwhile, he is batting 1.000: Fourteen times he has cast a vote this term, and every one supports the position held by Donald Trump. He lacks the mettle to buck Trump, and maybe Frelinghuysen can live with that. But he also lacks the mettle to uphold the legacy of a father who was a true profile in courage.

* * * *

The congressman issued a solicited statement that arrived too late to include in this editorial:

"I certainly do not agree with everything this President says, does or how he presents his positions to the world. But I do agree with giving him an opportunity to govern. He has been in office less than 40 days and all Americans have a responsibility to help this President succeed.



"For my part, I will continue to advocate an agenda that benefits all Americans."

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Like a trail of tears, two dozen New Jerseyans shared their stories one by one in Trenton Wednesday, explaining how ceaseless pain from horrendous diseases like Lupus and Tourette's and RSD dominates their lives and how marijuana helps relieve it.

It is wrong that they have to beg like this, and everyone in the room knew it - especially the state health regulators charged with recommending to the Department of Health whether to expand access to the Medicinal Marijuana Program to include such maladies. The chairman of the review panel, Alex Bekker, conceded the drug's palliative effects and confirmed the "sufficient evidence. . . .that marijuana can be very helpful" for any chronic pain.

That was encouraging. But as noted by Ken Wolski, executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey, that's only half the journey.

Why is New Jersey still one of the few states with MMPs that don't recognize chronic pain as a qualifying condition, unless that pain is related to cancer or AIDS treatment? Why limit its access when multiple studies show that marijuana can help reduce dependence on opioids? And why must people suffer a minute longer than necessary?

The panel has 60 days to submit a report that Bekker already crystallized in one sentence, but that is followed by a five-month public review session, followed by a final determination from DOH Commissioner Cathleen Bennett sometime in October.

That's eight months away.

Eight more months of waiting for what Wolski estimates could be as many as 100,000 people who needlessly suffer from chronic pain.

Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Health Committee, put it this way: "That's far too long, when evidence from other states is clear on the efficacy of treating (chronic pain from) certain disorders and diseases."

The law allows DOH to expand the NJMMP, yet after four years, it still consists of only five dispensaries serving 11,000 active members - largely because the Christie Administration has created political barriers that delay expansion. It took three years for him to open the first dispensary. The rules are considered the most restrictive in the U.S.

The rare exception was the governor's decision to add PTSD to the original list of qualifying conditions (ALS, muscular dystrophy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, etc.) last September. We applauded that. But now it's time to expedite the expansion.

Christie should be reminded that MMP expansion can help him gain some traction in his crusade to reduce opioid addiction.

For starters, unlike opioids, marijuana doesn't kill 19,000 people annually in the U.S. In fact, states with medical marijuana programs have fewer opioid deaths - a whopping 25 percent lower opioid overdose mortality rate than states without MMP. A July 2015 study found that broader access to medical marijuana "may have the potential benefit of reducing abuse of addictive painkillers."

So if the governor seeks to reduce access to painkillers, this is a no-brainer. Opioids have caused a national crisis. Drug companies lied - Purdue Pharma was fined $634 million for claiming Oxycontin was safer and less addictive than traditional painkillers - and doctors were complicit, writing 259 million prescriptions for opioids as recently as 2012, or one for every American adult.

Marijuana may not be a panacea, but it is effective against many forms of chronic pain and it isn't linked to deadly overdoses.

We are confident the MMP board will make the right recommendation. But those who use the data and update the rules need to take it out of the political arena once and for all. Pain is all some people know. We've wasted enough time getting them the relief they need.

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If there is anyone who represents what it means to achieve the "American dream," it is West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh.

As a young man who just graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Hsueh left his native Taiwan in 1969 with just $300 in his pocket for an uncertain future in the United States.

Through diligence and hard work, Hsueh advanced his education and earned advanced degrees in chemical and environmental engineering at Rutgers University.

His professional career followed a parallel climb at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, where he has held key positions to ensure water quality and reclaim contaminated "brownfield" sites in the state.

Hsueh credits his experience in dealing with New Jersey's severe drought from 1998 to 2002 with giving him the ability handle crises and emergencies.

But his professional achievements take a back seat to his more than a quarter century of serving the people of West Windsor.

The concept of "service" has always been a big part of who Hsueh is.

When he came to West Windsor in 1985, he soon offered to use his talents as a volunteer in township government. He said he wanted to better understand how the township worked and to do something to contribute to it.

He certainly has assembled an impressive resume of civic engagement.

Hsueh became involved in many community, social and civic groups. These include the board of directors of Robert Wood Johnson Health Care Corporation at Hamilton, the NJ State Planning Commission, the State Water Supply Authority, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisor Panel on Immigration Policy, New Jersey Conference of Mayors, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

He has also been honored with numerous awards for his service in so many organizations.

But he is best known by so many people in Mercer County as the face of West Windsor.

Hsueh has served as mayor of the 26-square-mile township since he was elected to the post in 2001. Before that, for he served on the township council for eight years.

During his tenure as mayor, Hsueh has shepherded West Windsor through a period of growth.

With pride, he can point to West Windsor twice being named as the most family-friendly neighborhood to raise kids and the best place to buy a home.

He also can boast of the township's road improvements, expanded parks and open space, an improved senior center, the opening of a farmers market and arts center and a AAA bond rating.

Now, at the age of 72, Hsueh announced he will not seek re-election.

He certainly is entitled to enjoy a much-earned retirement from local government when his term ends Dec. 31. He has given so much of himself to serving others. For that, we thank him for a job well done.

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By Barbara Harris

I'm headed to Trenton this morning because I need legislators to know what my grandsons' public charter school means to them.

I'm raising two African American boys in Newark and we all know in this country what can happen to African American men, especially if they drop out of school.

Uncommon Schools' North Star Academy is providing my grandchildren with an education like nothing that I experienced for myself or for my own children.

When I hear my elected representatives speaking negatively about charter schools, I want to ask them if they have ever visited North Star Academy. If they did, they would quickly see how well it is serving my grandchildren and the other kids who attend.

There are too many lawmakers who have never stepped foot in North Star Academy, or a school like it. They have never come for morning circle. They have not met with our wonderful teachers. They have not seen how well our children are doing in class.

So I'm going to the Trenton State House along with hundreds of other charter families from across the state to let these lawmakers know that charter schools are working for our children.

In my experience, North Star approaches education differently. It starts early in the morning when the children come to school. Many of the kids in our neighborhoods come from broken homes, where there may be drugs or violence.

When they arrive at North Star, there are usually three or four teachers there to greet them, shake their hand, give them hugs and say, "good morning." I don't know how the teachers do it, but they remember every child's name. It may seem like a small thing, but it's exactly what our kids need. It's daily nourishment for the soul.

When my own children went to public school 20 years ago, if I wanted to get in touch with their teacher, I'd have to call the main office, then leave a message. More often than not, I wouldn't get a call back. At North Star, I am never left in the dark. I have teachers' cell phone numbers. I can call them anytime I want. And believe me, I do.

The teachers and the families at North Star have a special bond. It's like we are one big family all working together to raise our children. The school is so inviting for parents, and grandparents, like me.

From the moment my oldest grandchild entered North Star, I knew it was going to be different. Even in kindergarten, they told me about the expectations for my grandson to go to college.

One of my grandsons was diagnosed with ADHD. In many schools, he would have been medicated and classified as special education. At North Star, they understood I didn't want him medicated and they have been willing to work with him, though it's not always easy.

There are times when he goes into a closet in a classroom and just cries. But the staff knows how to handle that. They are patient and kind and work with me. Together as a team we are making progress for him.

Sometimes, I think about moving.

But my grandsons don't want to leave because of North Star. I will not leave because of how well they are doing at North Star.

When it comes to my grandsons, I don't play. That's why I'll be in Trenton today.

Barbara Harris is a grandparent and primary caregiver of two boys attending North Star Academy, which serves over 4,600 students in Newark and is part of Uncommon Schools.

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Cooper University Health Care board of trustees Chairman George E. Norcross III announced Monday that its Three Cooper Plaza building in Camden County will be renamed The John and Joyce Sheridan Health Center at Three Cooper Plaza in honor of the former president and CEO of the health care system.

John Sheridan joined Cooper in 2005 and served as president and chief executive officer of The Cooper Health System from 2008 until his and his wife died in 2014. They had lived in Montgomery Township in Somerset County.

"John Sheridan left a lasting legacy at Cooper University Health Care and in Camden, a city he worked tirelessly to improve," Norcross said in a news release. "John and his beloved wife, Joyce, loved Cooper, and the Cooper family loved them back.

"It's only fitting that they will always be remembered at Cooper University Health Care in this way."

The John and Joyce Sheridan Health Center is approximately 160,000-square-feet in size and is located in the heart of the Health Sciences Campus in Camden. The campus is one of the many projects spearheaded by John Sheridan as part of his revitalization efforts in the city, according to the release.

The state's attorney general's Office last month revised John Sheridan's cause of death to "undetermined," and the couple's four sons are now seeking a new investigation into their parents' death.

The Somerset County Prosecutors Office had originally determined that John Sheridan had killed his wife, Joyce, and set their Montgomery Township home on fire before taking his own life.

The couple's sons have long disputed those findings, saying investigators missed pieces evidence and mis-characterized other evidence once making their ruling public.

"Mom and dad dedicated themselves to making Cooper and Camden better places; dad through his tireless efforts at Cooper Hospital and Cooper's Ferry, and Mom through her unending support of him and his work," the Sheridan family said in a statement. "They were so proud of the success of the hospital and the revitalization of the surrounding community.

"We want to thank Mr. Norcross, Ms. (Adrienne) Kirby (president and chief executive officer of Cooper University Health Care) and the board of trustees of Cooper for recognizing our parents' contributions to the city of Camden and to this great institution."

John Sheridan was passionate about serving the Camden community and the building that will bear his and Joyce's names houses primary care, specialists, and community health physicians that provide care for local residents, and families across the region, averaging more than 100,000 patient visits a year, according to the news release.

Prior to joining Cooper, John Sheridan was a senior partner and co-chairman of the law firm of Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti, LLP.

John Sheridan also served in high-level positions in state government, including commissioner of Transportation, chairman of the board of the New Jersey Transit Corporation, general counsel to New Jersey Turnpike Authority, deputy attorney general of the state of New Jersey, assistant counsel to Governor William Cahill, and counsel to the New Jersey Senate Minority.

He also served as a member of the board of trustees for the Carrier Clinic for 25 years.

Joyce Sheridan was a high school social studies teacher who focused on teaching students with difficult lives and who struggled academically.

"John had such a wealth of experience in law, government, and business and he was liked and respected by everyone," said Kirby. "He strengthened Cooper and expanded its reach to serve many more patients as well as connected with our community to bring the surrounding neighborhoods back to life.

"John was very special and honoring him and Joyce for all they did for Cooper and Camden is well-deserved."

John Sheridan played a leading role in many of the biggest initiatives in Cooper's recent history, particularly the revitalization of the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital, construction of the Roberts Pavilion, and the creation of the Health Science Campus, according to the release.

In partnership with Norcross, the two men turned the four-decade-old dream of creating a four-year allopathic medical school in South Jersey into reality.

John Sheridan called the creation of the medical school "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," and Norcross credited him with devising the strategic framework enabling the state government's approval of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, according to the release.

In 2016, the medical school graduated its first class.

One of John Sheridan's most enduring legacies may be Cooper's partnership with MD Anderson to create MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. As early as 2002, he urged the creation of a top-rated cancer center at Cooper. He deserves a good deal of the credit for the partnership that brought the nation's number one cancer center to Camden, Norcross said.

"John had great vision and he was the energy behind so many initiatives that have made Cooper the success it is today," closed Norcross. "He was a good friend, a mentor, and role model. John Sheridan is truly missed by every member of the Cooper family."

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Holzinger1.jpg

Karl A. Holzinger, M.D. examines the eyes of patient in Cambodia.

(Photo provided)

After hours of traveling and hard work, Karl A. Holzinger, M.D. is finally back to serving his patients at Eye Associates in South Jersey. While working with Children's Surgical Center (CSC) in Phnom Penh Cambodia, the team performed a total of 75 surgeries during the week, along with 400 or more examinations.

"Before joining our team of surgeons here at Eye Associates, Dr. Holzinger served as chief of ophthalmology in the Navy," said president of Eye Associates, Sydney L Tyson, MD/MPH. Dr. Holzinger has participated in 45 missions in 15 different countries over his career as an ophthalmologist. During his time serving in the Navy as ophthalmology department chief in several surgical centers in Honolulu, Hawaii; Dr. Holzinger became affiliated with Britain native and founder of Children's Surgical Center (CSC) Dr. Jim Gollogly.

Gollogly set up the Children's Surgical Center (CSC) in Phnom Penh Cambodia in 1998. The original purpose was to address landmine injuries that occurred from landmines laid during the Vietnam War. Now being a robust eye program, CSC provides free care for the poor. CSC addresses eye problems and trauma including cataract, oculoplastics, and pediatric issues such as tumors, strabismus, and pediatric cataracts. Gollogly and the CSC where even featured in a BBC documentary.

Patients lined up at Children's Surgical Center (CSC) in Phnom Penh Cambodia. As people age in Cambodia, they just expect to go blind. The fact that the doctors are able to give sight to these patients is very rewarding. The surgeries are completely free for these patients through CSC.

"I started working with Jim when I was in the Navy, working several times in Cambodia (generally not at CSC), but in more remote areas between 2002 and 2007," said Holzinger. Jim's organization would provide nurses and usually one or two ophthalmologists in training. "We did cataract surgery mostly. Patients generally could only see shadows before surgery and needed help walking because the cataracts were so advanced."

After retiring from the Navy in 2007, Holzinger returned to Cambodia just once in 2010.

After that he joined Eye Associates & the SurgiCenter of Vineland while attending other missions in India, Ghana, and Indonesia. "These missionary trips were great, but I always wanted to go back to Cambodia," said Holzinger. "The Cambodian people went through such atrocities during the Khmer Rouge rule. It is especially rewarding to be able to help in any little way I can."

"On this last trip, I worked with an old colleague, Dr. Kevin Winkle," said Holzinger. Winkle is a pediatric ophthalmologist now living in Alaska. "We worked together at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii until we both retired from the military. So it was nice meeting up in Cambodia. He did pediatric surgeries and I did adult cataract surgeries." Together, Dr. Holzinger and his colleague trained four doctors during the program.

Karl A. Holzinger, M.D. performs Cataract Surgery on patient in Cambodia while training other ophthalmologists.

With all these advanced surgeries performed in such poor locations, many wonder how surgeons like Holzinger travel with all the supplies necessary. "I work through Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) out of Santa Barbara California. They provide all of the surgical supplies, which I take along on the plane." Before SEE, the military would purchase all of the supplies. "They have been a great support, and I have worked with them for probably 30-35 missions over the years. With their help, we've performed 1,500-2,000 cataract surgeries." Their web site is www.seeintl.org.

When asked why missionary trips are so important to him, Dr. Holzinger responds, "The people we treat on these trips would never in their lifetimes have any access to an ophthalmologist. As people age, they just expect to go blind. The fact that we are able to give site to these patients is the most rewarding thing I could ever do as an ophthalmologist. The surgeries are completely free for these patients through CSC."

"We are so thankful to have Dr. Holzinger," said administrator of Eye Associates, Gina Biagi. "Aside from being a great doctor, this man has such a great heart. It is so amazing to hear all of the stories Dr. Holzinger has for us when returning from his trips. I'm excited to hear where he will go next!"

Eye Associates and SurgiCenter of Vineland has offices in five locations -- Vineland, Cherry Hill, Blackwood, Hammonton and Mays Landing. Visit, www.sjeyeassociates.com.

This article submitted by Karly Jeffers for Eye Associates.
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.
Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Sun and a few passing clouds. High 82F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Welcome to nonleaguedaily.coms news provision, your go-to source for all non league updates, rumours, interviews, and much more besides.

Founded by a team with a genuine passion for the world of non league football, nonleaguedaily.com understands exactly what supporters of the so-called lower leagues are looking for. You want the high-quality reporting, in-depth analysis, and match reporting that matches that is more commonly found in the journalism for the top flights, but with the focus firmly fixed on the national leagues.

We understand that your passion, interest, and dedication is constant, and we believe you need a news service that matches that commitment with its own dedication and thoroughness  so thats what you can expect from our site.

The latest non league news, as and when it happens

Conventionally, non league news has always travelled fairly slowly, especially when compared to the instantaneous, constant breaking news cycles found in the upper leagues. Tales are told on terraces, rumours passed between pub patrons and circled between supporters at the latest game, often forced to remain somewhat local initially before word eventually spreads to other locales.

For us, this slow spread may be fairly organic in nature, but it simply isnt compatible with the modern football environment. Its also not conducive to the current fast-paced, always-available media landscape, nor the way that people tend to consume news nowadays. Thats why we have put together a non league news source that fans can turn to for the latest updates, as and when they happen, and as and when you want to read them. Non-league news now is the only acceptable speed at Betting.co.uk.

We update our non-league football news coverage constantly, bringing you all the latest developments and seeking to spread the word as quickly and accurately as possible. So if youre wondering whats happening both with your local team and with the lower leagues as a whole, you can visit us for non league news now, and be confident the stories you find are completely up to date.

News reported by passionate fans

Our efforts to bring you the very best non league football news are undeniably a professional concern, and one that we take seriously. We are  if youll excuse the uncharacteristic tooting of our own horns  good at what we do, and we know that the efforts we make in this regard are one of the reasons our site has enjoyed such success thus far.

However, everyone who writes for us also shares our readers enthusiasm for non league football. Were not just churning out content in the hopes of cashing in on a professional dream; were here because we want to be, and will always be dedicated and committed to non league football as an entity and thriving in the experience of being able to talk about our favourite subject whenever we can. We create non-league news now that is written by genuine fans and enthusiasts, for fans. We know what you want to know and what matters most to an ardent non league supporter, and we always ensure that focusing on these elements is our guiding principle as we seek to solidify our status as an online non league paper fans can always rely on.

When compiling non league news, we think with the mind of a fan first and foremost. We cover the angles and stories that we find compelling and that we know our fellow non league enthusiasts also care about. News doesnt have to be dry and formulaic, in our opinion. When its written by people who are genuinely as fascinated by the stories they are reporting on as their readership will be, we believe news can be interesting, compelling, and even have a sense of personality and humour.

News content written with passion and expertise

We believe that thanks to our dedication, insightfulness, and commitment to our subject matter of non league today, we are offering the best of both worlds to those searching for an online non league paper. We give you the professional approach we feel is appropriate for news about one of the most intriguing aspects of UK football; an aspect that we genuinely feel does not receive the interest and plaudits that it should be generating. Nevertheless, we dont let that professionalism take over everything we do: we remain committed fans, nurturing our own personal interest in non league football and ensuring every word we compose is infused with a sense of passion and dedication that enhances the posts we create.

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President Donald Trump is preparing a security budget that will ramp up spending for the Pentagon while slashing funding for most other federal agencies.

Trump plans to increase defense spending by $54 billion per year, which would be a 10% increase. Hed cut funding for most other agencies by $54 billion to keep his overall budget from adding to the national debt. Most federal programs will see a reduction, an official with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) told reporters on Monday.

Trump has made no secret of his desire to scale back regulatory agencies, especially the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But such agencies tend to have modest budgets compared with the cost of military troops and hardware. The EPAs entire budget is around $8 billion, for instance. Thats only two-thirds the cost of a single Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, which comes with a price tag of about $13 billion.

Defense accounts for about 16% of federal spending, but much of the rest goes toward entitlement spending. Social Security accounts for 24% of the federal budget; Medicare, 15%. Trump has pledged not to cut either of those popular programs, even though their costs are growing. Medicaid, the health care program for the poor, accounts for 9% of spending, and Trump does favor changes in the way those funds get spent, which could lead to cutbacks there. Interest payments account for another 6% of spending, which Trump cant cut. All told, with defense, Social Security, Medicare and interest expenses exempt, Trump would have to find $54 billion in cuts from less than 40% of the budget.

The OMB official said a budget blueprint the White House plans to release in mid-March would contain large cutbacks in foreign aid. The budget expects the rest of the world to step up in some of the programs America has been so generous in funding, he said. Total funding for the State Department and the US Agency for International Development totals about $50 billion per year. But the amount going to foreign countries in the form of aid is only about $26 billion, which is well under 1% of all federal spending. This chart shows where the big money is in the federal budget, and how that has changed over time:

Story continues

That might sound like a pot of money thats easy to raidexcept every penny of aid has ardent supporters in some corner of Washington, DC. The biggest recipient of US foreign aid is Israel, according to a recent analysis by the Washington Post. That aid amounts to more than $3 billion per year. Trump has pledged strong support for Israel to influential, wealthy donors such as Sheldon Adelson, a huge Israel backer. So that $3 billion might be spared from cuts.

Other large recipients of US foreign aid include Egypt (about $1.3 billion), Afghanistan ($1.3 billion), Pakistan ($700 million) and several African countries. While some critics characterize such aid as a giveaway, it often helps ward off Islamic terrorists and other groups hostile to US interests.

Congress appropriates the money that funds the federal budget, of course, not the president, and Trumps emphasis on security will undoubtedly find some fans among defense hawks on Capitol Hill. But Congress is loath to cut spending on anything, especially domestic agencies that constitute valuable turf for committee chairs in the House and Senate. And that means Trumps security budget will have plenty of critics, too.

Read more:

Trump might be coming for your weed

5 Trump myths about illegal immigration

Trump now owns Obamacare

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman
Locally grown and local quality are on the menu at the new restaurant owned by Ryan and Janie Rogers and Brandon Juon.

They love this area and it shows, even in the name of eatery  712, which is Southwest Iowas telephone area code. Theres also a large mural on the wall of the former Bayliss Park fountain. Located in the Shoppes of Madison Avenue, the restaurant opened on Feb. 6 and already is becoming quite a treat, according to Janie Rogers.

Its been outstanding, she said. Weve had very good crowds.

This is the third venture for the trio, who also own Glory Days in the 100 block of West Broadway and I-80 Liquor and Tobacco on South 24th Street.

We call this restaurant a contemporary American restaurant featuring a menu of mostly scratch-made recipes using as much locally grown produce as possible and natural locally-sourced meats as possible like Jons Naturals out of McClelland, Janie said.

There are also 23 craft beers on tap with a heavy emphasis on Iowa-brewed brands, she added.

People have been impressed by our beer list, Janie said.

As far as the main course, patrons can choose from pork chops, 12-ounce ribeyes, plum creek chicken, as well as two dishes growing in popularity  the short rib and the roasted salmon.

Hand-held treats include Our Burger, the grilled cheese sandwich, fig and ham flatbread and a growing favorite  the 712 Cubano featuring roasted pork, ham, cheese and more.

Starters include meatballs, crab cakes, tater tots, fried pickles and pork belly sliders. There are plenty of salads to enjoy plus a kids menu. Besides the long list of beers, which also features the national brands, many different wines, cocktails and sodas are available.

We really are Council Bluffs people, Janie said. I went to T.J., Ryan went to Lewis Central and Brandon went to A.L.

The trio originally looked in Omaha for their new restaurant, but it never worked out.

Actually, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, she said.

This is where we wanted to be, Janie said. People daily are thanking us for bringing this to them. We are filling a need. Its a little more upscale of an environment and menu, but we try to make it approachable in that you dont have to be too dressy.
Jolla and a Chinese consortium signed an exclusive agreement for the development of a Sailfish-based operating system for the local market. The investment in growing the Sailfish-driven ecosystem in China is expected to reach $250 million.

4 Reviews

Although we might not see any new Jolla-branded devices anytime soon, the company behind one of the few alternative mobile operating systems still being developed might have a bright future waiting for it in China. With Firefox OS now gone for good, it is great to see that Sailfish OS is still afloat and might begin to grow soon as well.

According to Jolla chairman Antti Sarrnio who spoke to TechCrunch ahead of a press conference held in Barcelona, "We are discussing with very big players joining in. We are not granting this [exclusive] licence for small businesses  its some very big Chinese players joining this. They have both the financial and other resources to scale the operating system in China."

The Chinese consortium that Jolla teamed up with aims to invest $250 million in developing an ecosystem based on Sailfish for China. For now, there are still some details missing - who is exactly backing up this effort and over what timeframe is this investment expected to take place.
Amit Singhal

A top Silicon Valley engineer has stepped down from his role at Uber after it was discovered there were sexual-harassment allegations against him at his previous job at Google that he did not disclose when he was hired.

The engineer, Amit Singhal, is leaving Uber after Recode's Kara Swisher notified the company of the allegations through her reporting. Singhal was senior vice president of engineering at Uber.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign after learning about the allegations, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person also said that Singhal went through the standard background checks before his employment at Uber and that the sexual-harassment allegations during Singhal's time at Google never came up.

Singhal oversaw Google's search engine for years and was considered one of the company's most powerful executives.

According to Swisher's report, a female employee filed a sexual-harassment complaint against Singhal while they were at Google in 2015. Google later allowed Singhal to leave his job before the company could take further action against him, Swisher reported. Singhal is said to have denied the allegations.

In a statement to Business Insider through a representative, Singhal again denied them.

"Harassment is unacceptable in any setting," the statement says. "I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior. In my 20-year career, I've never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own."

Singhal's representative said Singhal is not denying that there were allegations, but denying they're true.

Singhal announced his retirement from Google in February 2016 after nearly 15 years at the company.

"I am eager to see what kind of impact I can make philanthropically, and of course, to spend more time with my family  especially with my wife who I miss spending time with given our incredibly busy lives, and our son who will go to college soon, leaving an empty nest behind," he wrote at the time.

Story continues

Singhal's departure comes after a rough several days for Uber. The company is undergoing an internal investigation led by former Attorney General Eric Holder into allegations of sexual harassment within the company after a bombshell blog post by a former engineer, Susan Fowler, was published. A New York Times article highlighted even more seedy parts of Uber's culture, alleging drug use and groping. And Waymo, Google's new name for its self-driving-car company, is suing Uber, accusing one of its employees of stealing key self-driving technology.

Uber declined to comment. Google also declined to comment.

NOW WATCH: Heres all the futuristic technology Ubers self-driving cars use to get around





More From Business Insider


Andriy Artemenko

The Ukrainian lawmaker who met with President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and the businessman Felix Sater in New York last month to discuss a controversial peace plan for Ukraine "got confirmation" from Sater that his plan was delivered to the White House, he told Business Insider.

Andrey Artemenko, a member of Ukraine's parliament who used to be part of the country's far-right Radical Party, said he met with Cohen and Sater at the Loews Regency New York on January 27 to discuss Artemenko's proposal for solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The meeting was organized by Sater, who knew Cohen through his work with the Trump Organization and was introduced to Artemenko by a mutual friend named Yan Aronov, Artemenko said. (Aronov did not respond to a request for comment.) The plan they discussed involved lifting sanctions on Russia and allowing Moscow to lease Crimea for either 50 or 100 years, he said. In return, Russia would have to withdraw its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Controversy erupted earlier this month after The New York Times reported that Cohen said he had "hand-delivered" the plan in a sealed envelope to Michael Flynn before Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser over a separate Russia-related firestorm. Cohen's initial account largely aligned with what Artemenko and Sater said Cohen told them he would do after their meeting.

But Cohen quickly walked back his initial story, telling The Washington Post hours after the Times story was published that he hadn't delivered the plan to Flynn or discussed it with anyone in the White House. The White House has said it has "no record" of receiving the document.

Michael Cohen

Both Artemenko and Sater have disputed Cohen's revised account, however. Artemenko told Business Insider, and Sater has told The Post and CNN, that Cohen explicitly said he would show the plan to Flynn.

Story continues

The Times has stood by its reporting.

"Mr. Cohen told The Times in no uncertain terms that he delivered the Ukraine proposal to Michael Flynn's office at the White House," The Times' deputy managing editor Matthew Purdy said. "Mr. Sater told The Times that Mr. Cohen had told him the same thing."

Artemenko's assertion that Cohen followed through on delivering the plan to Flynn could not be independently confirmed by Business Insider. Cohen said in a text message Sunday that Artemenko's version of events was untrue.

"Untrue. No one could confirm said delivery as it never occurred," Cohen said.

Sater did not return multiple requests for comment.

Whereas Artemenko's and Sater's stories have been largely consistent, however, Cohen appears to have altered his account at least three times since speaking with The Times and The Post.

In a series of text messages to Business Insider last week, Cohen denied "even knowing what the plan is." But he acknowledged in a later text that he met with Artemenko in New York for "under 10 minutes" to discuss a plan Artemenko said "was acknowledged by Russian authorities that would create world peace."

Cohen continued to deny that he delivered the plan to Flynn, but he then appeared to shift his story again in an interview with NBC News. Even if he had taken an envelope with a peace plan to the White House, he said: "So what? What's wrong with that?"

Finally, Cohen told CNN last week that he had dinner with Artemenko but that Ukraine was not discussed.

'People like my idea'

Artemenko, for his part, was expelled from Ukraine's Radical Party and has been accused of treason by Ukrainian prosecutors for meeting with Cohen and Sater last month. But he insisted in an interview with Business Insider that he did nothing wrong.

"I'm a member of parliament," Artemenko said. "It's my obligation and duty according to Ukrainian law" to try to find a solution to the war.

"This is my motherland, I was born here, and I've realized that we cannot fight against Russia alone until the last Ukrainian soldier has died," he added. "And they accuse me of treason! Nonsense! I have a right to have my personal opinion in a democratic and free country."

Artemenko said he modeled his plan to lease Crimea to Russia off China's lease of Hong Kong to Britain for 99 years in 1898 and the US's contentious "lease" of the Panama Canal from Colombia in 1903. In court filings, however, Ukrainian prosecutors said Artemenko's proposal was an attempt to "legitimize the temporary occupation" of Crimea by Russia, which forcibly annexed the peninsula in 2014.

ukraine president petro poroshenko

The prosecutors also accused Artemenko of conspiring with Moscow to commit "subversive acts against Ukraine." But it is unclear what role, if any, Russia played in bolstering the plan.

The New York Times said Artemenko told them he had "received encouragement for his plans from top aides to Mr. Putin." He told Business Insider, however, that he had never spoken with any Russian officials about his ideas. Russia has also denied approving of, or even having any knowledge of, the proposal.

Reached for comment, the Times' Scott Shane said "We reported what Mr. Artemenko told us."

"Greed, envy, and pride  it is their main defects," Artemenko said, referring to the Ukrainian government. He said he thought the government felt threatened by him "because I'm alone and I have my own foreign allies, contacts, and supporters."

When asked if he was still trying to get his vision heard by the US, Artemenko replied "Yes."

"I got thousands of phone calls and emails from people all over Ukraine supporting me!" Artmenko said. "People like my idea."

But some Ukrainians have characterized Artemenko as a relatively marginal, if not virtually unknown, player, whose "peace" plan was probably not his own creation but that of Ukraine's pro-Russia Opposition Bloc formed after former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in 2014.

"None of us had heard much about [Artemenko]," Natalia Gumenyuk, the head of the Ukrainian news outlet Hromadske.tv, told The Atlantic last week. Gumenyuk described him as "a really obscure member of parliament from a shady political party."

"It's interesting that it's this kind of person who got in touch with someone" in the US, she added.

The January 27 rendezvous was not the first time Artemenko, a self-proclaimed Trump supporter, made contact with the president's allies. Artemenko met with Trump's campaign last year and offered to organize a meeting between Trump and Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Valeriy Chaly. But Chaly ultimately refused to meet with Trump's team, Artemenko said, because the Ukrainian government was backing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at the time.

Strana.ua, a Ukrainian news site, recently reported that Artemenko told them in an interview that he began discussing his peace plan with Cohen and Sater last year, "at the time of the primaries, when no one believed that Trump would even be nominated."

Artemenko confirmed to Business Insider that Strana had interviewed him but denied telling it he had met with Cohen in 2016. Cohen also denied ever meeting with Artemenko before this year. Sater did not respond to requests for comment.

In any case, Chaly, the Ukrainian ambassador, told The Times last week that Artemenko's proposal to lease Crimea to Russia constituted "a gross violation of the Constitution.

"Such ideas can be pitched or pushed through only by those openly or covertly representing Russian interests," he said.

NOW WATCH: The president's close friend of 40 years explains Trump's sense of humor





More From Business Insider


Lili Cipriani Restaurant Bar. The name conjures up images of a cozy bistro tucked away on a side street in Paris. And the owners, mother Liliana Pineda Guillen and daughter Jesica Zamudio Pineda, look very French-like indeed with their perfectly coiffed hair and form fitting sleekly fashionable dresses.

But Lili Cipriani is a beach bar on Isla de Ixtapa, accessible only by panga (water taxi), a 10-minute boat ride away from Ixtapa, the once sleepy fishing village now turned major resort area on Mexicos Pacific coast. But as busy and built-up as Ixtapa is, Isla de Ixtapa (Ixtapa Island) is anything but. Here its all open air beach restaurants, families swimming in the surf, fishing boats bobbing in the water and people escaping the sun under the thatched roofs of the restaurants. Theres nary a high rise in sight.

On our own, I wouldnt know which one to pick, but our guide who lived in Ixtapa from a decade when he worked at the Club Med there says he knows the best and leads us to Lili Cipriani.

Like the other restaurants on the beach, its narrow, stretching from Playa Varadero to the much quieter Playa Coral, a secluded cove edged by large black boulders and outcroppings of rocks covered with tall sticklike cactus.

The floors here are sandy but mother and daughter navigate effortlessly even though theyre wearing heels. Large cooking clay vessels standing over open fires and fish sizzles on grills set above wood burned down to coals. Want to snorkel in the clear warm waters of the bays? Lili Cipriani rents snorkeling equipment and sells sunglasses and water wings. Massages, the real kind, are available upstairs. Vendors sell jewelry, ironwood carvings and perfectly hand-embroidered blouses.

And the panga that bought us? Navigated by Lilianas husband.

This family seems to have their business model down pat which may be why their restaurant is twice as crowded as all the others lining the beaches.

Under umbrellas on Playa Coral sipping pina coladas from hallowed out pineapples decorated with happy faces, we watch as a fisherman with a cooler begins laying out his catch on a large platter. Theres lobsters, large shrimp, giant snappers and other fish I dont recognize. Net bags filled with oysters are given to young boys, maybe around 12 in age, who deftly shuck them using with mallet and dangerously sharp knives. Choose what you want and theyll cook it immediately. Cant get much fresher than that. Someone at the table next to ours orders the snapper in garlic and the flavor wafts over, the garlic sweet smelling after being cooked.

When I ask for recipes, Pineda happily obliges though she tells me nothing is really written down. Its a little garlic, a squirt of lime kind of thing.

Its all very simple, she said. Even the coconut shrimp.

There seems to be some sort of honor system here. We consume a large order of coconut shrimp (which cost $12 and was more than we should have eaten) and then wander down to the end of the cove but no one comes running after us to ask us to pay our bill.

But, of course, they dont need to. Theres no way were not coming back to eat some more.

Filete de Pesca al Mojo de Ajo

(Fish in Garlic)

1 tilapia, snapper or other fish fillet

1 Lime

Salt and pepper to taste

 olive oil

6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

Season fish with salt, pepper and lime juice. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Heat oil at low heat in a large frying pan. Once hot, fry the garlic slices until they are golden. Make sure to remove promptly once they are light golden, if you leave them longer they will get a bitter taste. This step takes a few seconds, so be very careful.

Increase heat to medium high using the same pan and oil in which you sauteed the garlic. Once hot, add the fish and cook on both sides for about 2-3 minutes per side for fish thats approximately 1/3-inch-thick; 5-7 minutes for thicker fillets. Turn only after one side is golden brown to cook on the other side.

Remove this from the frying pan; drain.

To serve, top with chopped parsley and golden garlic slices.

Camarones al Coco

(Coconut Shrimp)

24 jumbo shrimp, peeled, leaving the tail and first segment of the shell intact

juice of 1 lemon

1 cup flour

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

1  cups corn flakes, slightly crushed

1  cups dried, sweetened shredded coconut, coarsely chopped

Oil for frying

Soak the shrimp for one minute in cold water to cover, with the lime juice. Remove and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.

Mix the flour, eggs and milk to make a batter. Add salt to taste if desired.

Holding each shrimp by the tail, dip into batter shaking off any excess.

Coat the shrimp with a mixture of the cornflakes and coconut. Place on a platter and let dry so the coating will stick.

While the shrimp is drying, heat a heavy skillet with enough oil to fry, about 350 F.

Fry the shrimp in batches in the hot oil, turning once, until golden, for a total of 1 minute per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serves 4.
A senior economist from the Fed will give a talk about where the Midwest economy is headed at Dynasty Banquets on Thursday.

William Strauss, senior economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will address the Calumet Area Industrial Commission at its "Midwest Economy and Manufacturing" luncheon.

The event takes place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the banquet hall at 4125 Calumet Ave. in Hammond. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m.

Attendees can hear from Strauss, who tracks manufacturing in the Midwest and is a business professor at both DePaul University and the University of Chicago.

Tickets are $40 for CAIC members who RSVP, and $50 for anyone else. For more information, visit www.calumetareaindustrial.com.

It is Strauss' fifth annual talk before the Calumet Area Industrial Commission, he will go over what happened in 2016 and offer a forecast for the next three years.
Lakeshore Public Media and Purdue University Northwest plan to convene a panel discussion about immigration in light of the recent controversy over a ban on travel from seven Muslim countries.

Two Purdue University Northwest faculty members and an attorney who graduated from the university will discuss Executive Power & Legal Questions about Immigration in Hammond at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Chris Nolte, Lakeshore Public Media newscaster and host of the Regionally Speaking show, will moderate the talk on the concourse level of the Student Union and Library in the Room with a View at PNWs Hammond Campus.

Associate Professor of Political Science and constitutional legality expert Frank Colucci and Assistant Professor of Political Science Yu Ouyang will discuss U.S. presidential power and immigration issues with associate attorney Alfredo Estrada, an immigration expert who works for the Northwest Indiana firm of Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP.

They will have a one-hour-long discussion that will be recorded and later broadcast on Lakeshore Public Radio, which can be found on 89.1-FM. The public is welcome to attend the free event.
DELPHI, Ind.  Investigators have moved to a larger headquarters as they work on finding who killed two teenage girls near a northern Indiana hiking trail.

Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby says investigators relocated Saturday from Delphi's municipal building to the Carroll County REMC building.

Leazenby tells the (Lafayette) Journal & Courier the new location provides more room as police review thousands of tips into the killings of 14-year-old Liberty German and 13-year-old Abigail Williams.

The Delphi girls' bodies were found Feb. 14 in a wooded area near the community about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis. They vanished the day before while out on the trail.

Authorities have released a grainy photo of a man and audio of a male saying "down the hill" taken from German's cellphone.

Deal reached to end 9-month lockout at South Bend factory

SOUTH BEND, Ind.  More than 300 workers at a Honeywell factory in South Bend will soon be returning to those jobs after reaching an agreement to end a nine-month lockout.

Members of the factory's United Auto Workers local voted Saturday to approve a new five-year contract with the company. Honeywell had locked out the workers since a contract offer was voted down in May and again in November.

Union local president Todd Treber tells the South Bend Tribune (http://bit.ly/2lnTliu ) that Honeywell moved some from its previous positions and calls the new contract an equitable offer.

Honeywell Aerospace spokesman Scott Sayres says the company and union officials are working on arrangements for the workers' return.

The factory makes brakes and wheels for commercial and military aircraft.
EAST CHICAGO  A 23-year-old East Chicago man remained at an Illinois hospital Monday after he was shot in the face more than a week ago in the 1300 block of West Chicago Avenue, police said.

East Chicago police released information Monday regarding the shooting, which occurred about 11 p.m. Feb. 16.

An officer was dispatched to an apartment complex on West Chicago Avenue for a report of shots fired and found the man lying in the front yard with an apparent gunshot wound, Lt. Marguerite Wilder said.

A neighbor told police he had an ongoing problem with the man, who came to the neighbor's residence and displayed a weapon in a threatening manner while children were present, Wilder said.

The man who was shot was taken to an Illinois hospital for treatment, she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Terrance Fife at 219-391-8318. To remain anonymous, call 219-391-8500.
CROWN POINT  Residents in Northwest Indiana are increasingly taking advantage of a 2013 state law that allows ex-offenders and those arrested to wipe their criminal records clean.

More than 500 residents in Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties filed petitions last year to expunge their criminal records, a court procedure created in 2013 by the so-called "second chance" law that allows residents to prohibit public access to their criminal record.

The Times previously reported that fewer than 60 people prosecuted in Lake County took advantage of the law in the first year it was implemented, but in 2016 more than 300 petitions were filed in the county's courts, according to data provided by the Lake County Data Processing Department.

At least 77 petitions were filed in LaPorte County courts in 2016 and 180 petitions were filed in Porter County courts, according to preliminary data provided by the state.

Despite the law's popularity, it remains controversial.

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter said he supports the law's intent  an opportunity for reformed ex-offenders to obtain a fresh start  but he said he believed employers should be aware of an applicant's criminal history before they make a job offer.

"I spoke to legislators and they felt people could redeem themselves  and that is true  but that conviction can be indicative of future behavior," Carter said.

Attorney Dan Tsataros, an assistant professor at Indiana University Northwest, said not just employers, but all residents should be able to learn the criminal history of their neighbors.

"I don't know about you, but I want to know if the woman baby-sitting my child has a criminal record," Tsataros said.

It's important to note not all offenses can be expunged. Persons convicted of specific offenses, such as murder, rape, human trafficking and official misconduct, can never expunge those records.

Other ex-convicts have to wait between five to 10 years before they can request expungement, and they cannot be convicted of a new offense during that period.

Also, not all criminal conviction records can be sealed. Certain felony criminal records remain public, but are instead marked as "expunged," and it is unlawful to discriminate against the convict because of his offense.

Attorney Renee Hatcher helped start the Initiative for Northwest Indiana, a project created in 2013 by the Chicago Lawyers' Committee to provide pro bono legal services to Indiana residents seeking to expunge their criminal records, among other services.

Though the project ended, Hatcher said she continues to get calls from residents seeking assistance in navigating the complex laws that govern expungement in the state, which were rewritten in 2015.

Hatcher said employment is the primary reason people offer for wanting to expunge their criminal records, but she has heard from people who cannot volunteer at their child's school or rent an apartment because of their criminal record.

Hatcher said the second-chance law was created to address recidivism at a time when the state's prison population was rapidly growing.

Despite an overall decline in crime rates, Indiana's prison population increased 33 percent, from 20,966 inmates to 28,051, between 2002 and 2012, according to statistics from the Indiana Department of Correction. The Department of Correction's budget increased 64.3 percent during that same period, from $143.7 million in 2002-2003 to $236.2 million in 2012-2013.

In contrast to her colleagues, Hatcher said she believed the law should be changed to benefit petitioners.

She said the law currently only allows offenders to file for expungement once in their lifetime, but that creates an additional burden on repeat low-level offenders, who are required to track down arrest and conviction records from multiple law enforcement agencies or courthouses.

Hatcher said Indiana also does not destroy expunged criminal records, as is the case in Illinois.

"I am glad there is an expungement law, but I think it can be improved to work in the way people want it to work," Hatcher said.
CROWN POINT  A 44-year-old bouncer at Fantasy Gentlemen's Club in Hammond is accused of acquiring a prostitute for an undercover police officer.

Lamont C. Scott was charged Saturday in Lake Criminal Court with promoting prostitution, a level 5 felony.

Two undercover police detectives visited the strip club at 3850 179th Street in Hammond on Thursday night to investigate complaints of prostitution, according to a probable cause affidavit.

One detective spoke with a 19-year-old dancer who offered to take the officer to a private room for a 15-minute dance, where everything goes, the affidavit states.

The woman confirmed when asked that she would have sex with the detective in the private room, but he would need to speak with Scott, the affidavit states.

The detective allegedly paid Scott $165 and was assured that Scott would guarantee his privacy in the room, the affidavit states.

The dancer entered the room, tossed a condom at the detective and began to undress, according to the affidavit.

Officers from the Hammond Police Department and Indiana State Excise Police then entered the business and intervened, the affidavit states.

A man who answered the phone Monday afternoon at Fantasy Gentlemen's Club said the club's owner was not available to discuss the incident.

The strip club is operated by Saharah Inc., according to state records. The president of that corporation is Seif El Sharif.

El Sharif, 67, of Dyer, was charged in November in Cook County with conspiracy to commit aggravated battery on allegations he tried to pay someone to injure three business associates.

Scott is jailed on a $10,000 bond, according to court records.
INDIANAPOLIS  A constitutional work-around to guarantee the candidate who receives the greatest number of individual votes is elected president was rejected last week by the Republican-controlled Indiana House.

State Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, proposed amending House Bill 1521 so Indiana could join Illinois and the 10 other states that have agreed to award their electoral votes to the national popular vote-winner, regardless of which presidential candidate wins their state.

The National Popular Vote Compact, which is authorized under the U.S. Constitution's provision for interstate agreements, is set to take effect when states controlling 270 electoral votes  the minimum needed to elect a president  sign on to the plan.

States that already have joined the compact hold 165 electoral votes. Adding Indiana's 11 votes would have left just 94 electoral votes to go.

Pierce said the Electoral College is a relic of an earlier age that twice in the last five elections (2000, 2016) failed to put into office the presidential candidate preferred by the most Americans.

Republican President Donald Trump last year received 2,864,974, or 2.09 percent, fewer votes than the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.

"You'd never put up with that kind of system here in Indiana to elect our chief executive," Pierce said. "Why do we settle for it to elect the president of the United States?"

House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, said ensuring that the popular vote-winner becomes president probably is the best way to "restore America's faith in its institutions and our democracy."

"Nobody could be more entertained than I about what has transpired in our electoral system. But there are deep problems for our democracy if we continue to have this result," Pelath said.

"We have to bring our presidential election system into the modern era, and this is a way to do it."

House Republicans were uniformly opposed to the idea and defeated it, 69-29, on a party-line vote.

Throughout U.S. history, all five times a popular vote-loser nevertheless won the electoral vote it sent the Republican candidate to the White House, including Indiana's own Benjamin Harrison in 1888.

State Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne, and state Rep. Jerry Torr, R-Carmel, argued that switching to a popular vote for president would have the election decided in just a few cities or populous states, rather than forcing candidates to campaign throughout the country.

"We in Indiana have no control over what they do with their election laws in places like California," Torr said. "We have no idea how many people who aren't actually qualified to vote may have voted in California."

State Rep. Tom Washburne, R-Evansville, objected to how the popular vote compact effectively eliminates the Electoral College but technically doesn't get rid of it.

"We have means for amending our Constitution," Washburne said. "I don't think it serves our country well to try to go around the Constitution and do side agreements with other states."

Pierce responded by pointing out the Electoral College already does not operate as the Constitution's framers intended, since electors in most states are not free to vote for whomever they believe is most qualified to serve the nation as president.

Indeed, the underlying legislation, which passed the House 94-0 on Wednesday, would immediately replace any Hoosier elector who votes for any presidential candidate other than the one he or she has pledged to support.

"Part of what this bill is about is to make sure an elector never thinks for themselves. We want them to be robots and do exactly what is intended," Pierce said. "Why not have that system of robots fully reflect the will of the people?"
LANSING  A Lansing man was struck and killed early Friday morning in the area of 178th and Oakley Avenue.

Lansing police were called to the area about 2 a.m. for a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon arrival, police found a man lying on the side of the road. He was identified as Lonnie Graham, 43, of Lansing. Graham had suffered obvious trauma, according to a news release from village spokesman Fabian Newman.

Lansing EMS arrived and Graham was pronounced dead on scene.

Officers met with the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, who remained on scene. The driver was taken into custody pending further investigation. The vehicle, a brown Chevrolet Venture minivan, was towed from the scene.

Graham was transported to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy.

The Illinois State Police responded to the scene to assist with the accident scene investigation. This investigation is on-going at this time and further details will be available at a later time.

Anyone who has additional information about this investigation is asked to contact the Lansing Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 708-895-7150.
GRIFFITH  The School Board plans to seek public input on whether to resume the open enrollment program that brings in students from other communities.

A public forum will be held during the board's business meeting at 7 p.m. on March 16 in the LGI Room at Griffith High School. Those attending should enter through Door N.

The previous board began the program two years ago and had voted in December to continue it for a third year.

The current board, which took office last month, voted in January to cancel the previous board's approval so a study can be done on the impact of open enrollment on the school system and class sizes.

The study is being conducted by School Superintendent Peter Morikis.

"Pete and his administration team will present data that has been collected on these students, as well as any positive or negative effects and the impact the policy has had on our district," said Leah Dumezich, the board's first vice president.

She said she and board Secretary Lisa Megquier have been asking for the study for two years.

The report will present information on the program's cost, attendance, sports/clubs, academic achievement, student growth, discipline, classroom size and other pertinent areas, Dumezich noted.

"We as a board would like to move forward in a transparent manner," Dumezich stressed.

The forum will give everyone involved  residents, teachers, administration personnel and parents  a chance to speak out, ask questions and show support for or against the open enrollment policy.

"It's the board's opportunity to give the community an idea to understand open enrollment, to understand what open enrollment means to the school district as well as to the community of Griffith," board President Gary Sutton said.

He added that the board wants to get a sense from the community of what it thinks about open enrollment so the board can make an informed decision.

"Sometime after that there will be a vote" during a subsequent meeting, Sutton said.
VALPARAISO  Porter County Purple Heart veterans will now have a group to call their own.

The first meeting of Porter County Chapter 833 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27 at the Valparaiso VFW, 705 Roosevelt Road.

Ted Uzelac Jr., of Portage, a Purple Heart recipient, initiated chartering the group for Porter County.

"This is the only congressionally charted veterans organization in the country," said Uzelac. He wanted to have a Porter County chapter so local Purple Heart recipients would have a place to get together, he said.

The group, Uzelac said, provides services to veterans and their families. It also promotes Americanism and provides scholarships to youngsters. It maintains a legislative unit which lobbies on behalf of veterans and their issues.

Uzelac said the local chapter was formed with the help of the state commander Mike Shadowden and Carlos Arambula, the sergeant of arms of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter.

"It took getting enough people together to form the chapter," said Uzelac. The new chapter has more than 20 members. Those who have been wounded and have received the Purple Heart have a common ground, he said.

"We are looking to take care of the veterans from the past, the present and the future," he said.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday responded to the father of US Navy SEAL Chief William "Ryan" Owens, who was killed in action during a raid in Yemen, saying the Department of Defense would launch three investigations into the operation.

Owens' father, Bill, in an interview with The Miami Herald on Sunday, urged President Donald Trump to answer questions about the raid in Yemen that resulted in the death of his son, as many as 29 civilians, and the destruction of an MV-22 Osprey helicopter.

"Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?" Bill told The Herald.

In early February, Spicer told reporters in response to questions about the Yemen raid: "I think anyone who undermines the success of that raid owes an apology and a disservice to the life of Chief Owens. ... The raid, the action that was taken in Yemen was a huge success."

But Bill Owens made it clear he firmly supports investigations into the raid and that he's not pleased with the White House seemingly using his family's tragedy to avoid answering questions about it.

William

"Don't hide behind my son's death to prevent an investigation," Owens said. "I want an investigation.  The government owes my son an investigation."

Spicer replied to Owens' request on Monday, saying it is "standard operating procedure" for the Department of Defense to review missions like the Yemen raid. In this case, according to Spicer, the investigation will be three-pronged, as the raid involved loss of equipment, loss of civilian life, and loss of a US Navy SEAL.

Spicer reiterated the importance of the information gained in the raid, which he has repeatedly characterized as helping to save American lives. Spicer again shied away from calling the raid a "100% success," as it led to Owens' death.

Story continues

osprey night vision

Bill Roggio, the editor of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal, previously told Business Insider that Al Qaeda's branch in Yemen plans international attacks and that some of the intelligence on these attacks can be recovered only by going in and confiscating hard drives.

Ultimately, Roggio said it would be "hard to know" the success of the mission without seeing the intelligence recovered. "And we're never going to see it," he said.

NOW WATCH: Trump says he shaved $600M off Americas most expensive weapons system





More From Business Insider
Ruth Negga, dripping in responsibly sourced rubies with a custom Valentino gown to match, accessorized with something extra Sunday on her first Oscar red carpet as a nominee  a blue ribbon in support of the ACLU.

The ribbon popped up on others walking the red carpet, including Lin-Manuel Miranda.

She gave kudos to the civil rights group for helping the real Loving couple as they fought their way to legal marriage as a mixed-race couple. And Negga shouted out her home country, Ireland, poised in her red tiara and statement earrings.

Her gown was long-sleeved with a high lace collar in a bright red that can be tricky on red carpets. As for the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Negga planned to enjoy her moment: My win is my nomination.

Neggas little ribbon popped up elsewhere on the red carpet, including the lapel of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who noted his tuxedo came from Yonkers, New York, the same shop where he got his high school prom tux in 1998.

A standout this awards season, Elle nominee Isabelle Huppert, shimmered in a blush-tone Armani Prive, her hair loose with diamond ear cuffs ideal punctuation marks. Does the French legend care about fashion? The dark lacquer on her nails popped against her belted gown with loose, romantic sleeves.

Well it looks like I do pay a little bit of attention, she said. I think all these things are rituals and you have to honor the rituals.

In Champagne: Felicity Jones, who wore a princess look that fell above the ankle.

Miranda, a song nominee, choked up a bit as she was serenaded by Hamilton cast members, including some Schuyler sisters.

I hate you for making me cry before the Oscars have even started, he laughed, accompanied by his mom, Luz Towns-Miranda, who also donned the blue ACLU ribbon.

Little Sunny Pawar, the kid star of Lion who has been a source of great fun on the carpet this season, flashed a peace symbol and adjusted his bow tie on the carpet in a bite-size, black tuxedo, a huge smile on his face and trainers on his feet.

Hailee Steinfeld, a presenter, walked in a pleated back ruffle couture gown in a floral design with a long, sheer train, from Ralph & Russo. Shes been a recent person-of-interest on red carpets. This time, her hair was up and she let her bare shoulders speak volumes.

Who slayed in trendy velvet? Presenter Taraji Henson, in off-shoulder deep blue by Alberta Ferretti and a diamond necklace perfect to show off her decolletage. She looked every bit the movie star with a high side slit. Her Hidden Figures co-star, Olivia Spencer, also went off the shoulder in a feathery lavender gown by Marchesa.

Ave Duvernay, the creator of the film 13th, wore high-neck, long-sleeved gray, pleats providing a bit of a bustle effect.

Chrissy Teigen joked with husband John Legend on the carpet, dressed in white Zuhair Murad Couture with gold embroidery and a dramatic cape. Another favorite carpet couple, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, chatted amiably  he in a Tom Ford tux and she in a slinky KaufmanFranco textured gown with a statement gold and silver collar adornment that lent the appearance of metallic fringe.

Associated Press reporter Nicole Evatt contributed to this report.
ANAHEIM  Ree Taylor went from hopelessness to enlightenment in a matter of about 10 minutes as she stood within an interactive prayer experience for the protection of the environment, a multimedia art exhibition at the 2017 Religious Education Congress.

The exhibit, a response to Pope Francis 2015 encyclical letter to all Roman Catholic bishops on climate change, featured artwork, audio and visual presentations and poetry to address the issue of climate change and provide solutions for what members of the Catholic faith can do to obtain sustainability.

The pope, in his encyclical, said climate change is real and is a result of human activity, not overpopulation.

The letter calls for those of the Catholic faith to consider lifestyle changes to support the environment. Though some Catholics have said the Pope shouldnt be weighing in on such topics, many attending the exhibit on Sunday seemed receptive to his message.

Taylor, 64, stood at the Toxic Turtle, an artwork made entirely of trash collected on the beach in Long Beach by students from the Intellectual Virtues Academy.

She took a photo and sent it to her grandchildren in Michigan to spread awareness.

The problem isnt just trash on the beach, its everywhere, Taylor, an Anaheim resident, said. The turtle hit me. Its a huge problem to overcome.

Minutes later, she came upon a cross in the final stage of the exhibit. The cross was made of old bleachers from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. The image of repurposed wood planks renewed her faith.

I see the cross and there are solutions, she said.

Thousands of event-goers made their way through a space that included a prayer Labyrinth, a chapel and live music, in addition to the climate change exhibit.

The exhibit included six chapters, beginning with an overview, followed by images of environmental damage. It wrapped up with the Catholic churchs ability to take action.

Amanda Baumgartner, from Seattle, Wash., sat on a bench for several moments reflecting on what she thought was a beautiful and powerful display. She was particularly struck by a painting, a Native American rendition of Christ surrounded by symbols of nature.

She began to think about the Dakota Pipeline project.

It made me think about our relationship with Earth and how our Native American brothers and sisters are serving to protect it, she said. Were doing them a disservice.

While many in attendance were moved by the exhibit, Valerie MacRae, a designer for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, said some who turned out were skeptical that climate change was a real problem.

George Falcon, 40, stood at a monitor displaying the disposal of clothing in America. The video informed him that 85 percent of textiles end up in a landfill.

Falcon, from Los Angeles, said he was moved in particular because of the nearby homeless population.

Why be wasteful? he asked. We have a lot of homeless people in downtown L.A. who need clothes. Why waste when it can go to them?

The exhibit, which has focused on such issues as immigration and human trafficking in previous years, was co-sponsored by the Office of Religious Education and Catholic Relief Services, which coordinates the overseas efforts of the Catholic church.

The Religious Education Congress, held Thursday through Sunday and organized by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, is in its 61st year and is the largest annual gathering of Catholics in the United States. More than 40,000 people participated in the four-day event.

Contact the writer: npercy@scng.com
MANILA, Philippines  Abu Sayyaf extremists in the Philippines released a video showing the beheading of a German hostage in the first sign the brutal Filipino militants carried out a threat to kill him after a ransom deadline lapsed over the weekend.

President Rodrigo Dutertes adviser dealing with Muslim rebel groups, Jesus Dureza, condemned the killing of Jurgen Gustav Kantner as barbaric, saying the Philippine military and other groups exhausted all efforts to save his life up to the final moment.

We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim, Dureza said in a statement. We all tried our best. But to no avail.

The brief video circulated Monday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, shows Kantner sitting in a grassy clearing and saying Now he kill me shortly before a masked militant beheads him with a curved knife.

A few gunmen mutter Allahu Akbar, or God is great, in the video that lasts a minute and 43 seconds.

The Philippine military confirmed that Kantner had been mercilessly and inhumanly murdered.

Our operations in the past several days and nights using all our resources were unrelenting. We lost some of our best men in the process, because we value the life of Mr. Kantner and that of the others who have fallen prey to this terrorist group, spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

An intelligence report seen by The Associated Press said an Abu Sayyaf militant, Moammar Askali, had wanted Kantner to be killed as announced but others wanted to wait out for a ransom payment. The militants circulated a video earlier this month in which Kantner said he would be killed if ransom was not paid by 3 p.m. Sunday.

Philippine officials have said the militants were seeking a ransom of 30 million pesos ($605,000).

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned this abominable act, which shows once again how inhumane and without conscience these terrorists act, spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement. We must all stand together to fight against them.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer would not give any details on possible negotiations with the kidnappers, including whether there was a ransom demand, citing government policy and saying that public comment never helps in finding a solution in such cases.

The Abu Sayyaf claimed in November that its gunmen had kidnapped Kantner and killed a woman sailing with him off neighboring Malaysias Sabah state. Villagers later found a dead woman on a yacht with the German flag off Laparan Island in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, the military said.

Kantner and his partner, Sabine Merz, were taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2008 and later freed, officials said.

The Abu Sayyaf, which the U.S. and the Philippines have blacklisted as a terrorist organization, is holding more than 20 foreign and local hostages in jungle encampments in the countrys south. They beheaded two Canadian men last year after separate ransom deadlines lapsed.

Duterte has ordered troops to destroy the Abu Sayyaf extremists, saying their ransom kidnappings were embarrassing and were creating a security alarm in the waters bordering the south, Malaysia and Indonesia. The three countries have made efforts to jointly shore up security along their busy sea border but the kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf and allied gunmen of passing crews have persisted.



Associated Press writer David Rising in Berlin contributed to this report.
ANAHEIM  More than 100 people gathered and marched peacefully outside of the Anaheim Police Department Sunday night to protest a Los Angeles Police Department officer who discharged a gun while in a scuffle with teenagers last week.

A 13-year-old boy is accused of threatening to shoot the off-duty officer, at which time the officer attempted to detain the boy until Anaheim police arrived. The boy has said that he said Im going to sue you. There was a physical confrontation between the officer and several other juveniles.

We will not tolerate anybody putting hands on our youth, said Cihuatl Pitzatic, of Anaheim, who was handed a microphone that was passed around the crowd. Dont let this stop. Standing Rock, N.D., went on for months, we can do the same in Anaheim.

A video of the Tuesday altercation that quickly went viral shows the off-duty officer detaining the boy and then, with other teenagers trying to free the youth, firing his weapon that had been tucked into the waistband of his pants.

The downward shot did not strike anyone but footage from the confrontation made national news, angering many while some supported the officer.

Protesters Sunday held signs that said Charge and arrest LAPD officer, Anaheim homeowner  protect our children, Film the police, and No Justice, No Peace.

The crowd voiced a mixture of defiance, anger and frustration.

We care that they (our children) can walk home without being harassed. And so what, if a kid steps on the grass? If you dont want him to step on your grass, build a fence. That would solve it, right? said Genevieve Huizar of Anaheim, whos unarmed son Manuel Diaz was fatally shot by police Anaheim police officer Nick Bennallack in 2012. The District Attorneys Office announced that the shooting was justified, determining that Bennallack believed Diaz had a gun.

Those children should have been listened to and respected said Damion Ramirez, whose group, Young Survivors Legacy Support Network organized the protest. They should have also taken the officer into custody to let everybody in the community know that they are fair.
SANTA ANA  A former Santa Ana teacher was sentenced Monday to 190 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting two girls during trips to the Philippines.

U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney opted to give Robert Ruben Ornelas the maximum punishment after a jury found the 65-year-old Santa Ana man guilty of seven felony counts, including having illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country and producing child pornography.

During three trips to the Philippines from 2006 to 2012, Ornelas sexually assaulted two girls who were as young as 8 years old when the abuse began. Ornelas filmed the encounters, bringing the footage back with him into the United States.

A relative found the child pornography on Ornelas computer in 2013, sparking the federal investigation.

Prosecutors argued that giving Ornelas the maximum sentence was the only way to stop him from preying upon other children in the future.

Ornelas taught in the Santa Ana Unified School District from 1992 to 2003.

Contact the writer: semery@ocregister.com
If you attend San Juan Capistranos 59th Swallows Day Parade on March 25, watch for an alpaca named Caramel.

The alpaca was the judges choice winner at the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Associations annual Kids Pet Parade held on Saturday. But as far as the pet parades announcer was concerned, there was a problem.

I said I hoped it was a llama, emcee Jim Taylor said. Now my Dalai Alpaca joke sounds stupid!

Whatever you call it, the winning pet and its team  Lauren Price, Emily OBrien and Isabelle Cota  will be invited to appear in the Swallows Day Parade, as is the custom in San Juan.

But as a warmup for the parade, there are some other events in the making:

El Presidente Ball: 6 to 10 p.m. March 17 at El Adobe Restaurant, offering dinner and dancing and a best-dressed contest inviting western, Spanish, Mexican and early California attire. Tickets are $65 in advance, $75 after March 3 or at the door.

Fiesta Grande: 6 to 9 p.m. March 22 at the Swallows Inn, admission is $5 at the door, featuring award presentations for hairiest man (contestants with documented new beards), best existing beard, best existing mustache, best saloon girl, best outlaw, best western hat, and more.

Frog jumping contest: 4 p.m. March 24 at Mission Grill, featuring music, frogs and prizes. Just stop by.

Hoos Gow Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 24 in downtown San Juan, where friendly deputies in traditional western attire will seek out city slickers not dressed for the occasion and maybe, just maybe, dress them up with a noose or send them to jail, where bail is the purchase of a Fiesta Association souvenir, with proceeds benefiting the Swallows Day Parade.

Swallows Day Parade: The Fiesta de las Golondrinas Parade at 11 a.m. March 25, celebrates the annual return of migratory birds each spring to Capistrano from South America. Its said to be one of the biggest non-motorized parades in the USA. Bring your camera.

The Mercado: On parade day, The Mercado Street Faire takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Historic Town Center Park, featuring live music, vendors, a play zone for children and presentation of awards after the parade.

For any events requiring tickets, or for details, see swallowsparade.com. Questions? Call 949-493-1976.

Contact the writer: fswegles@scng.com or 949-492-5127
WESTMINSTER  More than 13,000 customers went without power Sunday night after a car hit a power pole, police said, with power getting fully restored within hours.

At about 11 p.m., a car struck the pole near Bolsa Avenue and Chestnut Street, with two people then seen fleeing, police said.

Officers quickly found the pair, said Officer Alan Aoki of the Westminster Police Department. It was unclear if the suspects were formally arrested or just detained.

All of the Southern California Edison customers had their power back by 2:14 a.m. Monday.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Westminster police at 714-898-3315. Anonymous tips can be given to Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-855-TIP-OCCS or going to Crimestoppers.org.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com
Moments after Emma Stone won best actress for her role in La La Land she walked back on stage to celebrate that films victory for best picture, too  though that only lasted until  in one of the most bizarre moments in Oscar history  it was revealed that Moonlight not La La Land had won that top prize.

I dont know if this is a measurable thing but is that the craziest moment of Oscar history of all time? Stone said after arriving backstage with her Oscar in hand. Cool! We made history!

Stone said that despite the rug being pulled out from under the La La Land crew she wasnt disappointed.

Of course it was an amazing thing to hear La La Land, Stone said. But God, I (bleepin) love Moonlight.

As for what happened? Warren Beatty, whod presented the best picture award with Faye Dunaway, said on stage that when he opened the envelop it said Emma Stone and La La Land, and Dunaway then announced the best picture was La La Land.

I was holding my best actress in a leading role card the whole time, so whatever story that was, I dont know what that was, Stone said backstage. I think everyones in a state of confusion still.

And as for her little fella, shes in love, sort of.

I had a little creepy moment back there where I was looking down at this like it was a newborn child, Stone said. This is a naked man! Hopefully Ill look at my own newborn children differently.

* * *

Barry Jenkins, who won Oscars as the director and writer of Moonlight, followed Stone to the stage in the press room. He and the rest of the team that won  eventually  the best picture award seemed still stunned.

I think all the movies that were nominated were worthy, so I took the results, I applauded like everyone else, Jenkins said. It made a very special feeling even more special but not in the way I expected.

The last 20 minutes of my life have been insane.

Asked if anyone had explained what happened Jenkins said no one had.

Things just happened, he said. I wanted to see the card. And Warren refused to show the card to anybody before he showed it to me.

The card Beatty showed him said Moonlight as best picture, Jenkins said.

I will say the folks from La La Landwere so gracious. I cant imagine being in their postion and having to do that. I wasnt speechless because we won, I was speechless because it was so gracious of them to do that.

A few questions later, Jenkins paused, grinned, and said what everyone who worked on the film must have been thinking: Hot damn, we won best picture!

* * *

Mahershala Ali, who won best supporting actor for his work in Moonlight, also talked about the shock that came with the way his film ended up the best picture of the year.

When (La La Land producer) Jordan Horowitz said,  Moonlight, you guys have won, it threw me more than a bit, Ali said. Because I didnt want to go up there and take anything from anybody.

Ali said the script for Moonlight was the best thing thats ever come across his desk and he wanted to play the part of Juan, a drug dealer who takes the main character under his wing when he is young, from the moment he read it.

Im really fortunate that Idris (Elba) and David Oyelowo left a job for me, he says, laughing. Very kind of them.

Ali is the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, but asked about it back stage in the press room he said he didnt really think about himself in that context.

Regardless of ones theology or however you see life or relate to worshipping God, as an artist my job is the same, he said. Its to tell the truth and try to connect with these characters as deeply and honestly as possible.

The diversity of roles honored by the Academy Awards this year, both nominees and winners, seemed a more important deal to Ali.

The diversity topic, its very real in that when I was growing up, Im 43 years old, there werent a lot of people on TV, there werent a lot of people in films, he said. It was big deal with Billy Dee Williams was in Star Wars. It was somebody in the story that I could attach to and go, Oh were present as well.

* * *

Viola Davis arrived backstage beaming at her Oscar and beautiful in a red gown. Happy, but still adjusting to the fact that shes an Oscar winner now.

I feel good, she said. You know its not my style to just kind of wake up and go, Oh, Im an Oscar winner! Ill have some mac and cheese and Ill go back to washing my daughters hair tomorrow night.

But this is the first time in my life that Ive stepped back, she said, pausing to compose herself and fight back tears. And I cant believe my life. I grew up in poverty. I grew up in apartments that were condemned and rat-infested and I just always sort of wanted to be somebody.

I just wanted to be good at something, Davis said. So this is sort of like the miracle of, God, of dreaming big and just hoping that it sticks and it lands and it did.

A few questions later she seemed to be getting used to her new status, ending one answer with this: At 51 Im sorta lovin me, she said, and the reporters in the room applauded.

* * *

It takes nearly an hour after the start of the Academy Awards for the first winners to make their backstage, shiny gold Oscars in their hands, and unlike most years, its not the supporting actor or actress, whose category always opens the show.

No, Mahershala Ali, who won best supporting actor for his role in Moonlight, went back to his seat in the audience, and so when winners do arrive theyre from the below-the-line categories of makeup and hairstyling  a win for the DC comic book movie Suicide Squad  and costume design  which goes to Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, which unbelievably is the first Oscar to ever go to a film from the Harry Potter canon.

I didnt realize that, thats shocking, said Colleen Atwood, the Oscar winner for best costumes. Theres so much incredible artistry in the Harry Potter movies.

Atwood had arrived on stage to accept her award seeming flustered. Sting told me I was going to win tonight, I was like, What? she said, probably having expected that La La Land with its 14 nominations would take her category too.

Asked backstage about the pressure of following up eight Harry Potter movies with one built from new characters and different era and setting, Atwood said that once she conferred with her director she was given free reign.

I was totally set free, she said.

The Oscar for hairstyling and makeup went to Alessandro Bertolazzi, Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson for Suicide Squad, and given that two of the three are Italian  you can guess which two  it wasnt surprising that the first question and answer backstage was in that language and all we got was the final viva lItalia!

Asked  in English  about the pressure of creating characters for a comic book fanbase notoriously picky about how their heroes and villains are portrayed, Bertolazzi said he shut that kind of idea out.

Yes, of course its incredible pressure, but with the pressure you can do nothing, he said. You just start in the moment and use your experience, your talent. You forgot everything, you forget the pressure, you do the best of your best.

* * *

Ezra Edelman, who won best documentary feature with Caroline Waterlow for OJ: Made In America, said he was in high school when the O.J. Simpson case captured the attention of the world. Asked why it still has such a hold on the public, he talked about how it remains an unfinished chapter in history for many.

History is the present, Edelman said. Its past but its present. When we were offered the chance to make this movie it was very clear that the story that was covered and told 20 odd years ago was missing something.

There was room for more of this story to be told, he said. Its got race, celebrity, class, gender. Its sports, sex, murder. I think thats why its always something thats going to fascinate us (as well as) the lack of resolution from the trial.

Theres always going to be a sense of intrigue around the story, Edelman said.

* * *

Sound mixer Kevin OConnell put an end to his unwanted Oscar record  20 nominations without a single win  when he and three others won the Oscar for best sound mixing for Hacksaw Ridge.

I have to tell you it was the greatest experience in my entire life, OConnell said backstage after winning. I wasnt expecting it to happen but I feel as though Im eternally grateful that it happened, especially for the project that its for.

His partners in the honor seemed particularly happy to be sharing the moment with him.

Weve idolized films that hes mixed, said Robert Mackenzie, who shared the award with OConnell, Andy Wright and Peter Grace. To be standing beside him tonight winning an Oscar is just amazing.

OConnell, whose first nomination came in 1984 for Terms of Endearment, and whose other nominated films include the likes of A Few Good Men and Pearl Harbor, said that Top Gun was probably the most difficult movie on which hed worked, largely because the technology that exists today in his field simply didnt exist back then.

* * *

Director Asghar Farhadi won his second Oscar for best foreign language film for The Salesman, but was not at the ceremony as a statement against President Donald Trumps ban on travel to the United States by residents of seven Muslim-majority countries including Farhadis Iran.

Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian astronaut who flew on the International Space Station, and Firouz Naderi, a former NASA director for solar system exploration, came backstage to speak on Farhadis behalf.

Naderi said many Iranian-Americans could have accepted the Oscar for him, but he believes Farhadi chose him and Ansari for a reason specific to their own endeavors.

Shes an astronaut, I work for NASA, he said. I think the reason is if you go away from Earth and look back at Earth you dont see any borders or lines. You just see one whole beautiful Earth.

Farhadi likely could have come to the Oscars once the courts suspended the travel ban but chose not to do so as a gesture of solidarity with all others who were caught up by it.

When you stand on your principles you have to make hard choices and he just made one, Naderi said.

* * *

Disneys Zootopia won best animated feature film, telling a story about bias and discrimination through the characters of cartoon animals.

We got this idea about five-and-a-half, six years ago to talk about bias with talking animals, said Byron Howard, who shared the Oscar with Rich Moore and Clark Spencer. The great thing it allowed us to do was let the audience not prejudge the characters.

Asked a moment or two later about what most inspired them in their work as storytellers, Moore talked about his realization as an adult that the movies and stories that affected him most as a child were those that worked on multiple levels.

I remember as a kid I always loved the movies that made you think after the story was over, Moore said. So many of the lessons that Ive learned in life were from stories, and it feels very good as an adult to be able to give that back.

* * *

David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco grabbed the first Oscar of the night for La La Land, the married couple winning for best production design, and answered questions backstage about how their work helped create the romantic, vintage vibe of the movie.

Theres such a magic to Los Angeles, a magic when young people first come here, Reynolds-Wasco said. Youve seen images of the city before you arrive, but when you get here youre still running into things like the Laurel and Hardy steps, or youll walk by some archives of the past or the recent past.

Wasco said the goal was for La La Land to be a beautiful movie set in a beautiful city.

We used as a template the Jacques Demy movies of the 60s like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, which showed Paris in a beautiful way.

As for all those street lights in different scenes?

Its a low-budget movie, Reynolds-Wasco said. We rented 12 street lights and took them everywhere, but they turned out to be a beautiful thread throughout the movie.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7787 or plarsen@scng.com
86-year-old Riccardo Bertani is an exceptional man. Born to a family of farmers in Caprara, a small settlement in Reggio Emilia, Italy, he abandoned his study right after elementary school and dedicated his life to translating and documenting over 100 extinct and rare languages from all around the world.

It was castrating, I quit, Bertani says about his decision to leave school right after completing his elementary studies. I was interested in other things, and I have to say that only one teacher understood my decision. Claiming to be allergic to math, the young boy started working in the fields, like most of the men in his village, but soon realized he wasnt much of a farmer, either. Thats when he started focusing more on the things he was most passionate about, reading and learning languages.

Since Riccardos father was a member of the Communist party and former mayor of the village, most of the books in his house growing up were Russian tomes. Even though he didnt understand the language, he was fascinated by them. He started looking up authors like Lev Tolstoy, reading their works in Italian, and then using a Russian grammar book to learn the original language they had been written in. For some reason, he was attracted to Eastern countries like Russia and the Ukraine and for the next 18 years he did nothing but translate whatever books he could find from those countries. And after diving deeper into their culture, he discovered all these different Siberian people, Mongolians, Eskimos, and developed a taste for rare and extinct languages.

Photo: YouTube screengrab

But just as a amazing as his hunger for linguistics is Riccardo Bertanis unique studying schedule. Ever since he was a young boy, he had a thing for dawn. For years, I would wake up at two in the morning and wait for the sun to rise. During those hours, my brain seemed to function better, I had a clear mind, so I started to pass the time studying, Bertani told Italian newspaper La Repubblica. As he got older, that schedule became a bit too tough, but even at 86-years-old he still wakes up at five in the morning to see the sunrise and study his beloved languages.

Bertanis fascination with languages may have started with Russian and Ukrainian, but it eventually spread to over 100 lost and rare languages from all over the world, including Eskimo, Yakut, Yukaghir, Rutul, Etruscan, Prussian, Basque, Mongolian and many, many others. And the most fascinating thing about his experience, is that it is all documented. In 70 years of study, Riccardo Bertani has filled over 1,000 journals with translations, explanations and phonetic pronunciations of thousands of words from various languages. Experts who have examined his lifes work consider it a way of making all these lost and unknown languages accessible to the average Italian. And everyone is welcome to see and study these journals for themselves, Riccordos door is always open.

Photo: Portale Reggio Emilia

Ricardo Bertanis mastery of over 100 rare and extinct languages is famous among linguists the world over. He has been invited to countries like Russia and Bulgaria to speak about his experience, but he has always declined. In fact, he has never set foot outside Italy. The reason, he says is fear of disappointment. He has formed his own image of Russia and other countries from the books he has read over the years and he doesnt want that spoiled by reality. Im afraid that it would be like seeing Greece today after reading the Aeneid, Riccardo says.

Interestingly enough, Riccardo Bertani doesnt speak English, German or other modern languages, but test his knowledge of Yakut or Etruscan and youre in for a big surprise.

Despite his extensive knowledge of languages, Riccardo Bertani is not ashamed to admit his faults. Having left school after five years of elementary studies, he admits that when it comes to simple math like multiplication of division or single figures, he has great difficulties. He was always a disaster at both arithmetic and geometry, which is one of the reasons he hated school so much.
The Arthur W. Page Center at Penn State, taking a much-needed PR leadership role, has launched a campaign for better government/institutional press relations. It cant be done alone.

Help is also needed from the four PR associations represented at the Feb. 22 dinner at the Grand Hyattthe Arthur W. Page Society, Institute for PR, PR Council, and PR Society of Americaas well as some organizations that were not there.

Jill Gabbe, senior advisor, Finn Partners (left) with Jack O'Dwyer (middle) and Bill Nielsen, chair of the Arthur W. Page Society dinner. (photos: Erica Berger) Bill Nielsen and Marie Hardin, Dean, College of Communications, Penn State. Jon Iwata (right) of IBM presenting award to Dick Martin. Ann Barkelew, founding general manager and senior partner of Fleishman-Hillard with Harold Burson.

The Page Centers PR at the dinner was flawlessproviding this reporter with a seat at the table in front of the podium so we could take photos and talk to Page Center executives and the award winners, and providing us with texts of award winners Ann Barkelew, Dick Martin and Alan Murray. Questions to staff were answered promptlyeven on the weekend.

We give the Page Center an A for practicing PR as we had routinely experienced it several decades ago.

We also give good marks for press relations to the Arthur W. Page Society, Institute for PR, PR Council, New York Women in Communications, Museum of PR, Black PR Society, Center for Communication, and Communications Week, an event staged each fall in New York by Tiffany Guarnaccia of Kite Hill PR.

Reps at the above pick up the phone when called, answer questions and supply documents. Reporters are welcome at their events and leaders are available for in-person interviews.

Flunked: CPJ, SPJ, PRSA, ProPublica, Politico

As for press-averse groups, the well-heeled Committee to Protect Journalists quickly comes to mind.

CPJ, which called Donald Trump an unprecedented threat to the rights of journalists, pledged at its $1,000-a-plate banquet Nov. 22, 2016, to shift part of its attention from abroad, where it documents press persecution, to the U.S., where reporters are battling with the Trump Administration.

The banquet was chaired by CNN president Jeff Zucker, who was told by President Trump at a press meeting on Nov. 21, I hate your network, everyone at CNN is a liar and you should be ashamed.

Zucker told the CPJ dinner that CNN will hold the new administrations feet to the fire and they should respect that even if they dont welcome it.

CPJ executive director Joel Simon, as quoted in the NYT Feb. 25, said Trumps battle with the press sets a terrible example for the rest of the world.

CPJ Puts Press in the Balcony

The CPJ board, headed the past five years by Sandra Mims Rowe, former editor, Portland Oregonian, said CPJ was making an unprecedented foray into U.S. politics because A Trump presidency represents a threat to press freedom unknown in modern history.

But how does CPJ treat the journalists who try to cover it?

Pretty shabbily. Only one reporter from each medium is allowed, and they dine on sandwiches, potato chips and soft drinks in the balcony of the Waldorf-Astoria. They are not allowed on the ballroom floor where attendees get the finest in food, wine and liquor.

CPJ is beyond a doubt the richest journalist organization with net assets of $16.5 million before the 2016 dinner, which raised $1.75M. Attempts were made to block an ODwyer staffer from going to the pre-dinner cocktail party but she made her way into the room anyway. Phone calls and emails to CPJ staff are usually ignored.

The annual banquet is held on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving which cuts down on press coverage. The New York Times usually ignores the event except for a photo or two in its Sunday society section. However, given the Trump brouhaha, last year it bought a seat downstairs for editorial board member Carol Giacomo.

Seminar (ex-PR Seminar) Is Locked

A group of 200+ corporate and agency execs that has evaded press coverage for 65 years is Seminar, PR Seminar until 2007. Oddly, editors of more than two dozen media such as New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New Yorker, The Economist, Barrons, Business Week, Bloomberg, etc., have addressed it without one word of coverage ever hitting any of their news columns.

We have covered the group extensively over the years helped by various sources. Retired General Stanley McChrystal, who led the troops in Afghanistan, was the featured speaker in 2013. He became famous as the runaway general following a story in Rolling Stone.



Seminar now hosts a website open to the public, www.theseminar.biz, but what goes on during its four-day meetings each June at top resorts remains beyond the reach of the press.

PRSA Needs to Push Press Freedoms

Another sizable PR organization that needs an open door press policy is PR Society of America, represented at the Feb. 22 Page dinner by chair Jane Dvorak. Not present was CEO Joseph Truncale. For most of PRSAs 70-year history, that title was with a career PR person. It needs to be returned.

The Society has not had a press conference since 1993. Reporters were barred from its annual Legislative Assembly from 2011-2013. When they were allowed back in 2014 at the meeting in Washington, D.C., they had to sign an agreement barring picture-taking or recording under pain of lifetime banishment.

The ODwyer Co. is not allowed to exhibit its five informational products at annual PRSA conferences and ODwyer reporters are barred from the exhibit hall This only scratches surface of the anti-press, anti-member, anti-New York practices at the Society. It has just signed a multi-million 10 or 15-year lease at 120 Wall St. without checking with members and thus far refuses to provide any details.



"Travel" costs for 2015 were $470,144. There has only been one PRSA national conference in New York since 1992, a span of 25 years, and none are planned. Why? Dozens of staffers get room, board and other costs for more than a week each year for the OOT meetings, not counting advance trips--all unnecessary if the meeting were in NYC. Over a ten-year-period, this is a waste of close to $5 million. The airline bill must be considerable.

Oddly unresponsive to questions and requests for interviews are the Society of Professional Journalists, ProPublica, and Politico. The New York Financial Writers Assn. has no room for working press at its annual Follies. Reporters who want to cover are told they can stand at the back of the room.

PR/Press Joint Effort Possible

The acceptance of a Page Center award by Time chief content officer Alan Murray signals a historic integration of PR and press.

Murray, who oversees editorial policies and standards at Time, Inc., and is also editor-in-chief of Fortune, said both PR and journalism deal in the facts.

Ellyn Fisher

A problem, said Murray, who previously spent two decades at the Wall Street Journal in high editorial posts, is that there is no common currency of facts to form the basis for civil discourse, much less civic action, on any of the very real problems and issues that face our society.

We need institutions like the Arthur Page Center, that are dedicated to the truth and to the currency of facts, more than ever before, he said.

Martin urged the PR industry to create a PR counterpart to the Ad Council that has created public interest campaigns for 75 years. Ellyn Fisher, SVP-PR and social media for the Ad Council, could assist in the formation of such an organization.

Text of Murrays remarks is below:

Thank you for this magnificent award. It's such an honor to receive it and to receive it here among friends. And I do consider you friends. Some of my journalist colleagues think those of you in public relations are the enemy. But Ive always felt that you and we are trading in the same currencyfacts. You may withhold a fact every now and then, or pile up the facts so they tilt toward the storyline you are paid to present.

And I may assemble the facts in a way that suits my notion of the perfect narrativewhich may be no closer to reality. But at the end of the day, we both deal in facts. And the facts are the facts.

Funny how a simple truism like thatthe facts are the factssounds almost old-fashioned these days, like "dialing a telephone," or "checking the dictionary." Some even contend we live in a post-fact society.

Clearly, changes in the press have something to do with that. I trained in an organization that had standards of verification, fact checking, and fairness. But in the Internet age, everyone is a journalist, and common standards of the profession have declined.

Speed also has something to do with it. Our readers want news the instant it happens, not 24 hours later, and certainly not five days later. That leaves less time for checking the facts, making sure you have the story right.

Bias is an issue, too. The people who go into journalism are, as a group, generally to the left of the people who go into banking. Its hard to escape that reality.

Then there is the fact that we editors no longer control your front pageyour social media contacts do that. And guess what? Your friends tend to pass along headlines that have edge and bite to them and are more likely to ignore traditional, straight headlines and stories.

All that had happened before we entered the era of Trump. Now, we have a president who has an exceedingly loose relationship with factslike whether President Obama was born in Kenya, or Muslims danced on the tops of buildings in New Jersey after 9-11, or he won more electoral votes than any president since Ronald Reagan.

Trump also has decided to make the press his enemydisgusting, corrupt, fake news, he calls us. And he makes no distinction between those who have standards of verification and fairness and those who dont. He baits us by throwing out incorrect facts and misguided notions several times a day, knowing we will take the bait and thus prove his point, over and over, that we are against him.

The result is that the great divide between those in this country who voted for Donald Trump and cheer now that he is doing exactly what he said he would do, and those who didnt, is getting wider and deeper. And there is no common currency of facts to form the basis for civil discourse, much less civil action, on any of the very real problems or issues that face our society.

Now, Im not sure I know what to do about this. If I did, I suspect it would take more than the six minutes Ive been allotted tonight to address it.

But I do know this: we need institutions like the Arthur Page Center, that are dedicated to the truth and to the currency of facts, more than ever before. So I thank you for this, and I encourage you to keep it up.
An all out strike at Bus Eireann is set to start next Monday (March 6) after the company decided to implement 'cost saving' measures from next week.

In a statement, the company stated, Due to the perilous state of the Companys finances and the failure to reach agreement with unions at the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC) last week, the Board of Bus Eireann considered the matter in detail at its meeting today and approved proposals for immediate cost savings to be implemented from Monday, March 6th.

These measures are vital to ensure that the Company remains solvent, and can continue to trade as a going concern. The Company must deal with its challenges directly, and the Board have a duty to ensure Bus Eireann is financially sustainable and therefore must take the necessary steps to secure this. Further dialogue aimed at urgently resolving these challenges would be welcome.

In response NBRU General Secretary Dermot OLeary said, Bus Eireann Management are determined to steer a course towards conflict by issuing ultimatums to staff, before they have had the opportunity to digest, never mind analyse the detail contained in this latest missive. Placing an emphasis on, as it were, parking the race to the bottom agenda for now, and replacing it with broad sweeping generalisations under insider specific language, is obviously designed to create an impression that there has been a major shift in policy, away from raiding workers pay packets to plug the policy induced financial gap at Expressway.

Mr OLeary added, The fact is that by informing staff that they are going to introduce far reaching and financially impactful measures from next Monday, without agreement, Bus Eireann has left us with no option but to inform the Company that we will reactivate our previously notified strike action to coincide with the implementation of these measures.

SIPTU members in Bus Eireann will also commence an all-out strike action on Monday, March 6, if management at the company carries out a series of 'threatened cuts' which it outlined in a letter issued to staff this afternoon.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said, Our members are amazed at the attitude displayed by this letter which completely discounts the views of the majority of elected representatives, the public and its workforce. The letter to staff outlines an intention to proceed with a series of cuts at the company on Monday next which will automatically result in strike action by workers.

The letter includes a threat to cut the three services connecting Dublin to Clonmel, Athlone and Westport. It also states that the services between Dublin and Limerick and Dublin and Galway will be greatly reduced.

The measures concerning changes to the conditions of employment of workers are notable in that they target driver grades, in particular. In contrast, it would seem that the company does not see any role to be played by managerial grades in this cost cutting exercise. Issues such as the sub-contracting of services and the redeployment of staff, which are stated without any detail on how they will be implemented, will not be accepted.

He added, The letter is a plan to render Bus Eireann services unrecognisable and massively curtail the public service the company currently provides. This level of cuts and the associated pay reductions already threatened have only bolstered our members resolve to resist this attack on the public services they provide.

SIPTU representatives have always been, and remain, available to discuss the introduction of efficiencies at Bus Eireann. However, what is being outlined is the destruction of the company as a public service provider and in light of this it is inconceivable that the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, will not intervene to rein in a management which is clearly acting against that the interests of the travelling public, he concluded.
In 2011, Jason Strong walked into an Air Force recruiters office and fell in love.

I joined the Air Force at a very chaotic time in my life, said Strong, now a staff sergeant and a data operator on the E-4B at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. I had been in foster care for my senior year of high school, which was the only year I went to public school. Prior to that I had gone to a school run by this private community. It wasnt state accredited, it had its own curriculum. For biology, half the pages on human anatomy were ripped out. I was playing a ton of catch up, and I realized that really quickly.

The private community was the Society of St. Pius the Tenth, an offshoot of Catholicism that split from the mainstream Catholic church in 1970 over the changes made to the church during Vatican II.

Then I enrolled in Kansas State University, and as time progressed, things were even crazier back at home, he said.

Strong is one of 12 children, and he felt pulled in multiple directions as his younger siblings cycled into foster care.

I realized that I had spent the first 17 years of my life fighting not to be something, and that left me with a vacancy of, What am I? Who am I? he said. I only knew myself in comparison to what I was not, and that left me with nothing. I convinced myself I needed a structured environment, to expose myself to as many things as possible, and to get as much information as I could in a way that would allow me to be financially stable.

This led Strong to the military. As he entered the recruiters office that day, he saw a sign hanging on the wall with the Air Force core values printed on it.

This is so corny, but I fell in love with what it said and I thought, I want to be around people like that, Strong said. That was why I chose the Air Force. Its given me a structured environment, and I just got my bachelors degree. I now have an inside perspective on the military, Ive deployed three times. I understand so much more about the world and society than I did five years ago when I was this floundering child.

On his most recent deployment to Afghanistan in 2015, Strong managed to make a lasting mark on the country in a way few in the military manage to do.

I was online one day after a flight and I think it was on CNNs front page  talking about a womans efforts in Kabul to start the first girls school, he said. I clicked on the link and read her story, and I saw the link to her fundraising campaign.

That woman was Razia Jan, and her school was the Zabuli Education Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. Originally a K-12 school, it has since expanded into a college. Strong donated, and was excited to see the campaign surpass their original fundraising goal before the deadline.

Strong felt his childhood shared a lot of the experiences that kids in Afghanistan had in regards to fundamentalist religions.

That kind of environment can impact future achievement and future self-worth, he said. Im a huge proponent of gender equality, because I had sisters that are dramatically impacted by fundamentalist Christian religion, which restricts them and has stopped them from reaching their goals or setting their goals. So to see someone as brave as Razia Jan over there, winning over an entire village of men to get them to support their daughters going to high school and now college, is everything I want to be able to do in my life.

Strong recognized that he had duties to fulfill in the Air Force that took precedence over helping organizations like Jans achieve success, but he still wanted to help. He contributed enough to the fund raiser to receive a private viewing of the documentary filmmaker Beth Murphy was making on the school.

In late July 2016, Murphy reached out to Strong, asking if he had any contacts in the Army Post Office or with an APO address. An individual in the United States had donated a years worth of school supplies for 500 girls to the Zabuli Education Center, but the school was unable to afford transport of the donation to Kabul.

She wanted to know if I had any contacts who could help facilitate the transport of a years worth of school supplies for 500 girls, he said. I randomly did, in Kabul  his name is John Phommavongsa. I met him on my first deployment to Kandahar. He worked for a commander who was super on board with this. The commander was able to make everything happen. It was so much easier to coordinate than I had initially expected, and everything went through perfectly.

Strong worked with Phommavongsa and U.S. Air Force Col. William Maxwell, deputy commander of the multinational force at Hamid Karzai International Airport through August 2016, and by September the supplies had been delivered to the school.

Staff Sgt. Strong's coordination with the force protection team ensured a safe and efficient transfer of the donation to the school leadership from the HKIA, Maxwell said. I believe that all people should find ways to become involved in projects like this one. The military especially has an opportunity to be a part of it here  and it is also a benefit for the people of Afghanistan to see our military personnel as people too, and to understand that our coalition personnel are working toward the benefit and the success of the people of Afghanistan.

The success of Afghanistan could likely depend on the future of schools like Zabuli, Maxwell said.

This is one of the simplest things we can do and it can have a lifelong impression on the children that benefit from it, Maxwell said. The impressions of the children of Afghanistan will have a lasting impact on their continued thoughts about the coalition of nations here providing for the future of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Strong feels supporting girls schools in areas like Afghanistan is important because those schools often face difficulty by virtue of simply existing. Unlike the United States, most girls in Afghanistan dont make it all the way through school, or their families are unable to afford the tuition.

This school is different, because a few girls have even been able to stay past getting married, Strong said. They usually get married very, very young, too. They were able to teach not only girls the value and potential of pursuing education, but also potential suitors and their families the value of allowing their wives to be in school. Its sad that it has to be allowed, and it isnt a fundamental right.

Girls schools in Afghanistan face centuries of resistance to the education of women.

"It is heartbreaking to see the way these terrorists treat...women," said Jan in a 2012 interview with CNN. "In their eyes, a women is an object that they can control. They are scared that when these girls get an education, they will become aware of their rights as women and as a human being. The day we opened the school, (on) the other side of town, they threw hand grenades in a girls' school, and 100 girls were killed."

Strong said a motivator for the help he provided was also an attempt to show the bravery and competence of women like Jan, and combat the sexism he sees in western culture.

Beth Murphy, director of What Tomorrow Brings, said she was moved by Strong's desire to become involved with Zabuli.

"I think he really believes in the power of education," she said. "The reality is girls education is about as close as we come to having a golden key that can unlock and solve issues of poverty, security and global health. I think its so beautiful that someone who was stationed in Afghanistan for the U.S. military kept a picture of Razia and her students on his refrigerator and found inspiration in their story. Sgt. Strong is a very brave man and he sees bravery, too, in the Afghan girls who go to school every day in the face of so many obstacles."

Strong sees his actions as part of a larger effort to make the world better.

I used to think one person could change the world, but I dont anymore, he said. I think that we all, collectively, help make the world a better place. Being a man doesnt mean you have to degrade women. If Razia Jan can build a school for girls in Afghanistan, maybe we can talk about women in a better way. Maybe we can treat our female co-workers with the same amount of respect we treat our male co-workers.

As a result of Strongs contribution to the fundraiser for Zabuli, he gets a private viewing of the documentary, What Tomorrow Brings. He has opted to locate the viewing at the 557th Weather Wing auditorium on March 2 at 6 p.m. Any individual with base access is encouraged to attend. Strong and Beth Murphy, the director, will be in attendance. For more information, please call 294-3663.
Few would dispute that the world, with its hectic pace and rapid change, can be a stressful place these days.

It turns out thats particularly true for medical students, residents and physicians as well as for other health care providers, from nurses to dentists.

Studies of physicians indicate rising rates of stress and burnout in recent years, exceeding those in the general population, and concern has grown about depression and even suicide.

A growing list of local and national health care education and health care professional organizations have launched initiatives to address the problem. The National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, recently formed an action collaborative around the issue, making it a national priority.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has been a leader on the issue, on Tuesday will hold its second annual colloquium on the topic. Last years event explored whats known about the problem. This years session will feature a national leader on building resilience and well-being among providers.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, UNMCs chancellor, said the issue is important not only because it affects individual health care providers but also the care they provide to patients.

If youre preoccupied with family issues or economic issues or are overly stressed out, no one is going to perform as well as if they were not, he said.

Gold said the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which sets educational standards for preparing physicians, began looking into the issue a few years ago after several suicides among residents at a prominent East Coast institution. A member of the organizations board, he began asking similar questions at UNMC and formed a group to address them in 2015. Last fall, he and other UNMC faculty members wrote a column for another medical education organization urging other medical schools to take their own steps.

We cant sweep this issue under the carpet, he said. The biggest risk we have is not recognizing the importance of it. Then (we need to) manage it, treat it and restore people back to a balanced life.

Other efforts are underway in the metro area. The Metro Omaha Medical Society, or MOMS, recently opened an anonymous online assessment for physicians, medical students and residents. A licensed social worker with a Pennsylvania telehealth firm will evaluate the surveys and send responses. Those showing signs of distress will be referred to telehealth experts or local professionals. The Behavioral Health Support Foundation, which supports behavioral health initiatives in the community, is funding the cost of the social workers evaluating the assessments and of consultations for medical students, residents and fellows, who typically have fewer resources, during the 2017 pilot project.

We did this because we saw the need, said Carol Wang, executive director of MOMS. You cant ignore some of the things we see nationally and locally.

Meantime, CHI Health has started a focus on workplace well-being for its providers, working with Creighton University. Several other hospital systems offer help through their employee assistance programs.

Dr. Chelsea Chesen, an Omaha psychiatrist and head of MOMSs task force on physician burnout, said the group also has made information and interventions available in publications and on its website.

She, like Gold, said the efforts arent just about helping physicians but also helping make sure they stay in the workforce and remain at the top of their game.

While it may seem like a selfish thing that doctors are talking about taking care of themselves, she said, its really ultimately about providing better care to all people.

Ultimately, she said, the goal is to change the culture in medicine, both for physicians, physicians-in-training and other health professionals, to make self-care part of the norm.

Juliann Sebastian, dean of UNMCs nursing college and head of the universitys coordinating council, said making the change means finding ways for providers to take care of themselves without seeing it as taking away from their clinical work, or their studies.

The university hired a psychologist to lead wellness efforts and a student wellness coordinator. It launched an app with a stress survey and tools to relieve stress.

Its also borrowing a phrase from public health and making the healthy choice the easy choice. The university recently rededicated an expanded and renovated fitness center, called the Center for Healthy Living. New buildings are designed with wider staircases, which architects say encourages people to take the stairs. The McGoogan Library on campus has added a reflection room.

While the concerns the organizations seek to address are different, they do fall on a kind of continuum.

Suicide, Chesen said, usually isnt the result of burnout alone but of mental health problems that arent being adequately addressed.

Mayo Clinic researchers have estimated that up to 400 physicians commit suicide each year. That number hasnt changed over time. But it stands out, Chesen said, because it represents the enrollment of an average four-year medical school. It also results in losses that health care can ill afford, given shortages of doctors and other health care providers.

Chesen said she knows of three such suicides that occurred locally within the past 12 months. Doctors who face such problems, Chesen said, may be afraid to ask for help for fear of being seen as less than fit.

Wang said the Metro Omaha Medical Society aimed to head off privacy concerns by offering the physician assessment and follow-up sessions on a platform thats not affiliated with local employers.

Burnout differs from mental illness in that its more about isolation and losing perspective, Chesen said. While mental illness is treatable in its own right, burnout can be addressed by things like seeking support or contact outside work, doing yoga or taking time away.

Burnout, however, does appear to be on the rise. Mayo Clinic surveys found that 54 percent of physicians reported at least one symptom of burnout in 2014, up from about 46 percent in 2011. The study also indicated that burnout was more common among physicians than workers in other fields.

Dr. Steven Wengel, chairman of UNMCs psychiatry department and a task force member, said he believes the increase in burnout has to do with the pace of change in health care, which is faster than any time hes seen in his 25 years in practice.

Indeed, a time-motion study that followed 57 physicians found that they spent 33 percent of their time on direct patient care and 49 percent on clerical tasks, including interacting with electronic records.

Medicine is going through a revolution, and hopefully good things will come of it, he said. But were in this very stressful middle stage. The old has gone away ... and were trying to adapt to a lot of change.

Online burnout test available to health care workers

The Metro Omaha Medical Societys confidential online assessment of on-the-job burnout is available to any physician or physician-in-training at omahamedical.com.
Want to know what events are happening this week? Activities include a college theater production and special film screenings.

Learn about peace effort:

Nebraskans for Peace will host a film screening of Disturbing the Peace with filmmaker Stephen Apkon at Film Streams on Tuesday. Disturbing the Peace is about former enemy soldiers  Israeli and Palestinian  who joined forces to challenge the status quo. It details their journeys from soldiers to nonviolent peace activists. Following the film will be an audience question-and-answer period with the filmmaker. Tickets are $9 for general admission, $7 for students, seniors, teachers, military and those arriving by bicycle; and $4.50 for Film Streams members. For tickets, go to filmstreams.org or call 402-933-0259.

Attend the theater:

The University of Nebraska at Omaha theater department will host The Guard at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The Guard is a comedic drama about a museum guard who journeys back in time after touching a famous Rembrandt painting. Performances will be at the Weber Fine Arts Building, 6001 Dodge St. Doors open at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $16; free for UNO students. For tickets, go to unotheatre.com or call 402-554-7529.

Meet an author:

Tina Payne Bryson, co-author of New York Times best-sellers The Whole-Brained Child and No Drama Discipline, will give a presentation at the Completely KIDS Guild Author Luncheon on Thursday at Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass St. Bryson will speak about how to teach children to be happier, healthier and more confident. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person or $100 with an autographed book. To make a reservation, go to completelykids.org or call 402-397-5809.

Attend a fundraiser:

Set Me Free Project will host a night of dining, comedy and an auction during Comedy for Change on Thursday. This event is a fundraiser for Set Me Free Project, which helps empower youths in Nebraska schools and communities by teaching self-respect, tools to help protect kids from trafficking and the potential dangers of social media. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. at the DC Centre Banquet Facility, 11830 Stonegate Drive. Cost is $35 per person, $60 per couple or $250 per table. To register, go to setmefreeproject.net or call 402-521-3080.

Discuss natural resources:

The School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host a free film showing of the climate advocacy documentary Disruption at 7 p.m. Thursday. The film examines climate change and the movement to combat it. It presents commentary from climate, political and societal experts. A panel discussion with natural resource faculty will follow. Park in the lot for Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St. The film and panel will be in the auditorium.
A 25-year-old Bellevue man was arrested Sunday in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, in connection with a terroristic threats and weapons case.

Plattsmouth police said Austin Courcier was arrested on suspicion of making terroristic threats, obstructing a police officer, use of a weapon to commit a felony and in connection with two Douglas County warrants.

Police said they were called to a disturbance in Plattsmouth around 5 p.m. Police said Courcier was in Plattsmouth when he reportedly pulled a gun while approaching a house. Courcier left the area prior to officers arriving, police said.

His vehicle, which was spotted by an officer on the north side of town, turned up in a residences driveway. Police said Courcier got out of the vehicle and fled behind the residence.

The Nebraska State Patrol and an Omaha police helicopter helped locate Courcier, who was arrested in the area just south of the Masonic Home on Avenue D, police said.
A 29-year-old man was injured in a shooting early Monday outside a southwest Omaha bar.

Police said Cossi Ahikpos wounds were not life-threatening.

The shooting occurred outside the Rehab Lounge and Nightclub near 120th Street and West Center Road about 2:10 a.m., police said.

Ahikpo told officers that he was in the Rehabs parking lot when he heard gunfire and then realized that he had been shot, police said.

Ahikpo was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, police said.
As public school students prepare for annual state testing next month, state officials are deciding what the next generation of Nebraska tests will look like.

Those tests could look quite different, for instance, including some technology-assisted questions that gauge deeper learning.

Six bidders are vying to become the states new testing contractor. State officials are poring over the proposals, hoping to award a contract in May.

The contractor would start July 1. Kids would start taking the new tests next school year.

The Nebraska Department of Education could stick with its current contractor, Data Recognition Corp., which submitted a proposal. Or Nebraska could head in a new direction and try commercially available products from other bidders.

The states current battery of tests, known as Nebraska State Accountability, or NeSA, are primarily made up of questions developed by Nebraska educators.

ACT, best known for its college entrance exam, submitted a bid. ACT offers a suite of tests called Aspire for elementary and middle school students.

Other bidders are the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), the University of Kansas Center for Research, NCS Pearson and Questar Assessment. The Kansas proposal was prepared by the universitys Achievement and Assessment Institute. The institute houses the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation, which developed assessments for Kansas schools.

After experiencing computer problems with the writing test under the current contractor, Nebraska is putting a premium on reliability in the next contract.

I dont want one where Im sending an email out to everyone, going Sorry, the technology didnt work again, Nebraska Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said.

To that end, companies with a proven track record and established products could have some appeal, though Blomstedt said the state also wants flexibility to set up testing the way it wants.

Officials intend to award a one-year contract, beginning July 1, with options to renew for up to four additional years.

The proposals range in cost from almost $3.6 million to $7.7 million for the first year. Officials reviewing the proposals have not yet done an analysis that would allow for an apples-to-apples comparison. Data Recognition Corp. has a one-year, $4.3 million contract to provide all Nebraska testing services this school year.

Although critics say that kids are tested too much and that test results simply reflect a schools poverty level, both federal and Nebraska law require testing for accountability purposes.

Under the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act, which stripped away elements of No Child Left Behind, states are still required to test all students annually in math and English language arts in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school. The law also requires a science test administered three times: in elementary, middle and high school.

The law encourages states to adopt tests that assess higher-order thinking skills and understanding.

State tests are designed to gauge whether students are proficient on the states academic standards.

Pat Timm, president of the Nebraska State Board of Education, said having six proposals is very positive.

To have six responses was quite remarkable, she said.

Timm said the state is looking for reliability, effectiveness and efficiency in the next contractor.

Whichever contractor is chosen must have the new tests in English language arts, mathematics and science ready to go by March 2018.

The assessments might have a new name, replacing NeSA.

The state, in its request for proposals, asked that the new assessments measure higher-order thinking skills and students academic growth.

The state says its looking for an innovative approach to assessment.

Bidders may provide multiple-choice tests. But the department is seeking assessments that test the standards at higher depth of knowledge and include rigorous types of questions that are better at assessing higher-order thinking and at engaging students.

State officials indicate that they are interested in adaptive test items  that means the computer selects questions in response to a students answers. A correct answer means the next question is tougher. Computer adaptive testing is viewed as more accurate and less time consuming.

The department expects the majority of tests to be delivered online and the online system will operate without stress to students and adult school personnel.

The state already made a major change in testing for this year.

For the first time, all 11th-graders in the public schools will take the ACT exam this spring at the states expense. The exam replaces the NeSA tests for high school juniors.
Lincoln  University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds asked the Legislatures Appropriations Committee on Monday to avoid decreasing NUs state money so tuition wont have to shoot skyward.

In a more than two-hour session before the committee, Bounds fielded the bulk of polite but detailed questions over his assertions. Bounds maintained that cutting state money to the NU system will require the university to raise tuition by a total of 10 percent or more over the next two years. Further, cuts would stymie NUs momentum, he said, harming the states economic development for the long haul. The state is looking for places to trim because of a looming budget shortfall.

Not looking at this through a long-term lens is a problematic strategy, Bounds told the committee. Ill tell you, companies arent going to move to a place where they dont think the university is vibrant and strong.

State Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell acknowledged the universitys role in job creation in Nebraska. But Kuehn said if the Legislature does as the university wishes, other state-supported programs must receive less or the state must raise taxes.

Which, Kuehn asked, would Bounds propose?

I wouldnt be so bold as to tell you, Bounds said.

Keeping NUs state money flat would mean the NU system would receive about $583 million over each of the next two years. Thats how much NU started this fiscal year with, although it has dealt with a mid-year cut of about $13 million since then.

A preliminary proposal by the Legislatures Appropriations Committee, the main budget-making panel, recommends the NU system receive $576 million over each of the next two years.

NU seeks $20 million more over two years, which includes keeping state money at the level NU started with this fiscal year, plus $6 million for operations at a University of Nebraska Medical Center simulation and training center being erected near 42nd and Emile Streets in Omaha.

The $6 million originally had been in the budget proposed for 2015-17, NU Board of Regents Chairman Bob Whitehouse of Papillion told the committee.

The Appropriations Committees preliminary plan is about $3.4 million more generous over two years than Gov. Pete Ricketts initial plan. Bounds has said either plan would require NU to make more than $50 million in cuts over the next two years.

If the $20 million were restored over two years, Whitehouse and Bounds said, NU could avoid double-digit tuition increases, such as 7 percent over each of the next two years.

Bounds has created a budget response team of 10 committees to seek cuts and efficiencies in areas such as facilities management, public relations, info technology, printing, travel and other areas.

Bounds said he couldnt say exactly how much would be trimmed through the work of the committees.

But clearly we are serious about finding every dollar we can find, he said.

The NU system includes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, UNMC and the small Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

State Sen. John Stinner of Gering, head of the Appropriations Committee, asked Bounds about the Nebraska Innovation Campus, a research complex at UNL where university and private entrepreneurs are supposed to form partnerships.

Stinner said it was his understanding that university programs, not companies, make up the bulk of programs at the campus so far.

Bounds answered that the campus should have been created 20 years ago. As it is, it was devised several years ago.

I think its the right investment, Bounds said. Were doing the things that I think will be important to Nebraskas economy.

He said it took years for a company to move into the Research Triangle in North Carolina. The triangle now is highly successful, he said.

Kuehn told Bounds that he believes farmers would feel a tax increase more personally than they would suffer from the cuts proposed for the NU system.

Bounds said UNMC performs vital missions in rural Nebraska. It produces the majority of medical doctors and health care providers across the state. And the universitys nursing programs and extension services cost NU money but help rural residents, he said.

Stinner said Monday that his panel will consider NUs request as well as new information about state revenues. A state forecasting board Monday said Nebraska revenues are expected to be even lower than previously estimated.

The Appropriations Committee will move its final budget recommendation to the full Legislature by April 24, Stinner said, where it may be debated and modified. The governor has line-item veto power.
For a long time, Rachelle Ornelas had wanted a new puppy. After months of saying no, her boyfriend finally bought her one last month.

This particular little yellow Lab was extra special: It came with an engagement ring. Call it a puposal.

At Long Dog Fat Cat pet store in Village Pointe, Erik Sprague asked Ornelas to marry him, puppy in hand.

Do I really get to keep the puppy? she responded, followed with a yes and a kiss.

Sprague, 42, and Ornelas, 28, have been together for four years. Part of their routine has been to visit the pet store during pet adoption events  though the couple already have a black Lab and a beagle-foxhound mix.

I never had any problem going to look at the puppies and dogs with her, but every time we went in there, I would tell her Were not taking one home,  Sprague said. But that never stopped her from asking every time we went.

The two met while serving in the U.S. Army. After Ornelas was discharged and Sprague retired, they connected and began dating. Though the two are from the South  hes from Alabama, while she is from Florida  the couple moved to Omaha to be near Spragues daughter, Avalynne, who lives with her mother in Bellevue.

Sprague, who now works for Hormel Foods in Fremont, Nebraska, said they had been talking about getting married for more than a year. He bought the engagement ring before Christmas and started looking for an opportunity to make a memorable proposal.

She kept dropping hints about how I was going to have to do something really creative when I proposed, he said. One day, she kind of let me off the hook, and said, You could always just get me a puppy. 

Ornelas said she would occasionally send Sprague videos of surprise engagements that she would see on Facebook. One particular video featured a puppy with a ribbon tied loosely around its neck. On the ribbon was an engagement ring.

I guess he remembered, said Ornelas, a certified nursing assistant. I was expecting the proposal, but I wasnt expecting it to happen how it did.

On Jan. 10, Sprague went to Long Dog Fat Cat to put his plan in motion. The staff agreed to help. That Saturday, he drove to Yutan, Nebraska, to pick up the puppy and then dropped him off at the store, where staff cleaned him up and put a bow on him.

Then, with 9-year-old Avalynne, Sprague got Ornelas to the pet store.

While we were there, I was trying to distract Rachelle, so Dad could grab the puppy, Avalynne said. I was showing her collars and toys for the dogs we have now.

Sprague retrieved the puppy, adorned with the red ribbon and engagement ring.

How about this one? he asked as he knelt down. As Ornelas cooed over the little fur-ball, Sprague asked her to marry him.

I thought he was joking, Ornelas said. The puppy had a ribbon on his neck, so I looked around the ribbon thinking Hes not being serious and then I found the ring.

Once it was established that she could also keep the puppy, Ornelas gleefully said yes.

The couple named the puppy Jon Snow, or Snow for short.

As with the proposal, Avalynne will also play a part in the wedding as a junior bridesmaid.

(Rachelle) gave me a box and it had a note in it, and it said He popped the question to me, now its my turn. Will you be a junior bridesmaid?  Avalynne said, and in the box was a Ring Pop.

The wedding is planned for spring 2018 at Ornelas aunt and uncles home in Texas. In the meantime, the puppy has made himself at home with his new family.

Erik did a good job picking out the perfect ring that reflected my style, and our puppy is so smart, Ornelas said. I love them both so much.
The belief that universities are teeming with liberal professors is not new, but an Iowa senators response is unusual.

State Sen. Mark Chelgren proposes that professors at Iowa State, Iowa and Northern Iowa be hired with an eye on equalizing the political representation on their faculties.

Chelgren, a Republican, denies that its directed toward increasing the numbers of Republicans and conservatives on faculties. He says that while he doesnt expect his bill  Senate File 288  to pass, he hopes it will generate discussion.

My concern is universities around the country are becoming intolerant, he said last week. There needs to be open dialogue from across the political spectrum on campuses, he said.

Some conservatives say the concept of diversity at universities falters when it comes to diversity in political opinion. Some professors, on the other hand, call Chelgrens proposal an ill-conceived concept that needlessly brings politics into hiring.

It makes absolutely no sense to us. ... Its clear that hes politically motivated, said Russell Ganim, director of the division of world languages, literatures and cultures at the University of Iowa. Ganim also is on the University of Iowa Faculty Senate.

Do we require political balance in other professions? asked Ganim, who was a longtime professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before going to Iowa.

Jonathan Sturm, president of the Iowa State University Faculty Senate, said its far more important that universities achieve diversity in race, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and disability.

As a nation we are woefully behind in the fair representation of diverse perspectives that people such as these bring to our society and our education, Sturm said. It is this issue that needs addressing long before Sen. Chelgrens issue.

But Richard Duncan, a professor of law at the University of Nebraska, quoted another professor as saying that when faculty members talk about diversity in race, gender and sexual orientation, what they want is people who think exactly like they do. That, Duncan said, is not intellectual diversity.

Chelgrens bill would forbid hiring a faculty member if that addition would cause the percentage of professors belonging to a political party to exceed that of the other party by 10 percent.

The bill calls for the state election commissioner to divulge voting records annually to the universities overseen by the Board of Regents.

Duncan, who is conservative, said there is no question that faculties at most universities across the nation are dominated by liberals.

Jenna Robinson, president of the conservative James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal in North Carolina, said her states legislature considered a somewhat similar amendment this year. It was short-lived.

Robinson said there are good data showing that university professors typically are liberal. Robinson referred to the UCLA-based Higher Education Research Institutes national survey of faculty members. The 2014 data indicated that 60 percent of faculty members identified themselves as liberal, 28 percent as moderate and 12 percent as conservative. The survey included responses from more than 16,000 faculty members at 269 colleges and universities.

I think the argument people are now having is what do we do about it, and should we do anything about it? Robinson said. I think we should talk about it. But I dont think we should look for a legislative solution.

Duncan agreed that while more intellectual diversity should be welcomed on campuses, he wouldnt care to see it done through legislation.

On the other hand, if we rely on the faculty to do it, it wont get done, he said.

Thomas Harnisch of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities called the proposal unworkable, antithetical to the values of higher education and sure to be challenged in court if it passed.

Professors should be hired on merit, not because of political beliefs, he said. The law would encourage professors to change their political affiliation even if their political beliefs stayed the same, he said.

Under such a law, a scientist with millions of dollars in grant support could be rejected as a job candidate because of his political affiliation, Harnisch said.

Further, in disciplines such as chemistry, math and engineering, politics have little or no role, he said.

And if the law passed, Harnisch speculated, Iowa would be at a big disadvantage in hiring the best and brightest.

Chelgren, 49, of Ottumwa, said that when he attended the University of California-Riverside years ago, there was a liberal slant on its faculty.

Chlegren, who owns businesses involved in welding, machine fabrication, injection molding and medical component manufacturing, said he left Cal-Riverside just before accruing enough credit hours to graduate.

He decided, he said, that he didnt need a diploma from a school to show that he was intelligent.
Residents of Crescent are worried about what will happen to their community if the Council Bluffs school board votes Tuesday evening to close their school.

The administration of the Council Bluffs Community School District is recommending the closing of Crescent Elementary School at the end of the school year to improve academic achievement, save money and address dwindling enrollment.

Opponents of the closing have asked for more time to work with the district to address the enrollment decline, while also expressing a belief that more school-age children will live in the Crescent area in the near future.

They also reject the districts argument that the combination classrooms now in use at the school are driving down test scores, saying that Crescent students still are performing above many of their peers.

Sharon Oamek, who operates Honey Creek Creamery, cited a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia showing that property values typically decrease when a community school closes  another major concern cited by opponents.

The school was renovated and a full-sized gym was added after a fire in summer 2006. Students spent the 2006-07 school year at another Bluffs elementary school before returning to Crescent the next year.

Enrollment has averaged 106 students per year since the fire. It currently enrolls 85.

School board members declined to say how they plan to vote Tuesday, but they said they are listening to the feedback thats been pouring in, as well as the districts arguments for closing the school.

The board is scheduled to hear from the public, discuss the proposal and then vote. Because of a March 1 deadline for enrolling in a school in a district outside of a familys assigned district, board members arent expected to postpone the decision. However, they could choose to delay it until the following school year.

If members vote Tuesday to close the school, they also will be asked to make a boundary adjustment to move part of Crescents territory to College View Elementary and give current students in that portion of the district a choice of schools.

Troy Arthur, the school board president, said the focus has to remain on whats best for the students.

We really do want to make a decision that is best for all of our kids, Arthur said.

Crescent's argument

At a gathering of people opposed to the closing last Thursday in Crescent, Sharon Oamek complained that residents didnt have a chance to give their opinion before the district proposed the closing.

Were not a dying rural community here, Oamek said. This could cause the economic demise of our community if we no longer have a school here.

Mayor Brian Shea said the grass-roots effort to keep the school alive was backed wholeheartedly by the city.

We need to keep the school open as part of our identity, he said.

Before breaking for the evening, nearly all of the roughly 30 people present raised their hands when asked if they would register ahead of time to speak to the board Tuesday.

Stakeholders in Crescent argue that closing the school would have an impact on local businesses, as well as home values. Crescent leaders note that in the past two years taxable valuation has risen 24 percent, rising from $19.7 million in 2014 to $24.4 million in 2016.

Vicki Overly, the owner of Add-It-Up tax and bookkeeping who also serves as the citys treasurer, said Crescent is growing.

Overly also said the recently renovated school is in good shape and suggested that instead of closing the building the district consider alternatives such as bringing special needs and talented and gifted students to Crescent to fill classrooms there and alleviate crowding elsewhere.

Why would you shut down a good building? said Overly, whos been in business in Crescent for 12 years. It doesnt make sense to me. You can utilize the school weve put our tax dollars in.

Leaders in Crescent say expected growth in the community will bring more children to the district.

The attendance area for Crescent has 120 students, according to the Council Bluffs Community School District. But the district said many students in the Crescent area dont attend the school. The district said 57 students who live in the Crescent Elementary boundary attend other schools, with 30 at Council Bluffs district elementary schools and 27 enrolled in other districts.

Ride it out, Overly said of the recent low enrollment numbers. Kids are coming.

Shea said the city is continuing its work to bring more families to the area.

The first phase of the Golden Hills residential development features 26 homes. Two more homes are being built in the area as well, Shea said.

Plans for further development were slowed when the Missouri River flood of 2011 damaged the sewer system, and repairs were slowed by trouble recouping money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Shea said plans for the second phase of Golden Hills call for an additional 25 homes. Construction is slated to begin this year. The city is examining sewer system capacity for additional residential expansion.

The Crescent City Council is planning work on sidewalks, curbs and gutters to refurbish the Main Street area along the Old Lincoln Highway. Shea also serves on the Pottawattamie County Trails Board and said a connection to Crescent is planned after initial work connects Council Bluffs to Underwood and then Neola.

School district's argument

Crescent Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School less than four years ago, recognizing the academic accomplishments the rural school in the Council Bluffs Community School District had achieved.

That achievement dropped off  along with enrollment  following the schools shift to emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math and its increased use of combination classrooms, where students in two grade levels learn together.

A summary of the reason for closing the school that was given to school board members states that about half of Crescent students are in combination classrooms for multiple years, with current fifth-graders in combined classes for five straight years.

Frequent involvement in combination classes can lessen students achievement levels, even with excellent teachers and considerable family support, the summary document says.

The district says it has seen a drop in proficiency rates in reading and math, with scores at Crescent approaching the districts average when the school was performing much better only a few years ago.

Superintendent Martha Bruckner said Crescent students should be scoring exceptionally on the Iowa Assessments, not showing a decline. She said the district accepts blame for the decline because combined classrooms are negatively affecting achievement.

Julie Smith, director of elementary education, said research supports the districts dim view of combination classrooms. She said combination classes can work in some situations, but the Iowa Core means students should work on the same topics as others at the same grade level, which means circular curriculum  teaching the same concepts to third and fourth graders, say, and then alternating the concept the following year  isnt available for core subjects like reading and math.

Time set aside for math, for example, just doesnt stretch as far when teachers have to give two different lessons and cant engage with students as they work on problems and develop their skills.

We love Crescent, Bruckner said at an earlier meeting. Weve maybe kept it open out of emotion instead of rational thinking over the last couple of years. But how many years do you wait?
A 19-year-old Ralston woman was killed when a small sport utility vehicle crashed into a semitrailer truck about 6:30 p.m. Sunday on U.S. Highway 275 near Valley.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said Tyler Cherrington died at the crash scene. She had been driving a 2004 Buick Rainier.

The semi driver, Kreg Mitteis, 59, of Orchard, Neb., was not injured, the Sheriff's Office said.

The truck had been hauling 37 head of cattle, and no cattle deaths were reported, said Sgt. Jennifer Birkhofer of the Sheriffs Office. A cattle company helped unload the animals from the semi and load them onto another.

The crash shut down highway traffic in both directions for much of Sunday night.

The SUV had been heading west on Highway 275, toward Fremont, when it crossed the median on the divided, four-lane stretch of roadway and went into the path of the eastbound semi, Birkhofer said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, the Sheriff's Office said.

No other occupants were inside the vehicles, but first responders initially feared that a child might have been thrown from the SUV, Birkhofer said. An Omaha police helicopter helped search for other possible victims but found none.

Other law enforcement agencies that helped with the crash included the Nebraska State Patrol and police from Waterloo, Valley and Bennington. Volunteer firefighters from Valley and Waterloo also responded.
Former President George W. Bush rarely weighs in on current political events, but on Monday, he offered some of his most pointed critiques of President Donald Trump's statements and policies in an interview with NBC News' "Today" show.

Asked about Trump's claim that the media is the "enemy of the people," Bush warned that an independent press is essential to democracy and that denouncing the press at home makes it difficult for the United States to preach democratic values abroad.

"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy," Bush said. "We need an independent media to hold people like me to account.

"Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse power, whether it be here or elsewhere," he added.

Bush noted that during his presidency, he sought to persuade people like Russian President Vladimir Putin to respect a free press.

"It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when we're not willing to have one ourselves," Bush asked.

On Russia, Bush added that "we all need answers" about whether Trump campaign officials had contact with Russian officials in the election. But he did not endorse the idea that an independent prosecutor was necessary. Bush said that Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr was an "independent thinker" capable of handling the inquiry.

"If he were to recommend a special prosecutor, then it'd have a lot more credibility with me," Bush said of Burr.

Bush's interview was pegged to the release of his new book of oil paintings of wounded veterans. But the former president seemed unusually willing to offer criticism of the sitting president from his own party, a departure from his longtime practice of staying out of the fray.

Bush even chuckled as host Matt Lauer reminded him of Trump's colorful description of "American carnage" during his inaugural address, which Bush attended.

Lauer sought to pin Bush down on his position on Trump's travel ban, which Bush refused to endorse.

Instead, he offered a defense of religious freedom, warning that the terror threat is not a religious war but an ideological one.

"I think it's very important for all of us to recognize one of our great strengths is for people to be able to worship the way they want to or to not worship at all," Bush said. "A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely."

"I understood right off the bat that this was an ideological conflict and people who murder the innocent are not religious people  they want to advance an ideology and we have faced those kinds of ideologues in the past," he added.

Pressed to state clearly whether he supports or opposes the ban, Bush would only say "I am for an immigration policy that's welcoming and upholds the law."
Soe Doh Moo died in the crash around 8:50 a.m. about 3 miles south of Pleasant Dale at Nebraska Highway 103 and Denton Road, the Seward County Sheriffs Office said. The Sheriffs Office said a 1997 Honda Accord was westbound on Denton Road when the vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign at Highway 103. The Honda traveled into the south ditch on Denton Road before rolling several times into a field, officials said.
LINCOLN  A hearing to decide the fate of beer sales in the border village of Whiteclay, Nebraska, has been delayed a month to April 6.

The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission had been scheduled to meet March 7 to decide whether the liquor licenses for four beer-only liquor stores should be renewed.

But now that hearing has been rescheduled to April.

Hobert Rupe, who directs the Liquor Commission, said that prominent trial attorney David Domina has been retained to represent five of the people objecting to the Whiteclay licenses, and Domina indicated that he would need a couple of days to submit his evidence.

Rupe said that moving the hearing to April will remove conflicts for the use of hearing rooms at the State Capitol with the Legislature, which will be done with its committee hearings by then.

Whiteclay has earned notoriety for its beer stores, which sell the equivalent of 3.5 million cans of beer from an unincorporated village of about a dozen residents. Almost all of the sales are to residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation just across the South Dakota border, where alcohol is banned but alcoholism and other alcohol-related problems are rampant.

The Liquor Commission had required the Whiteclay liquor stores to reapply for their licenses because of concerns that law enforcement in the village was inadequate.

The Sheridan County Board in January recommended renewal of the licenses after concluding that there were enough patrols of the community despite records that showed slow response times to emergency calls.
Capturing the state on canvas, artist creates stirring homage with painting series

Artist and Nebraska native Todd A. Williams says he became a painter so he could capture the beauty he saw around him as a child.

To help celebrate Nebraskas 150th anniversary, hes completed a series of paintings that depicts every county and is showcased in Painting the Legacy of Nebraska, an exhibition heralding nostalgia and history. Endorsed by the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission and managed in part by the Friends of the Nebraska Sesquicentennial, Painting the Legacy of Nebraska is traveling to different venues in the state throughout the year, beginning March 1 at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln.

Williams has been giving the public a sneak peek of the exhibition 12 images at a time through a collectors calendar series. We caught up with him to discuss the project.

Q: How did the project begin, and how has it evolved?

A: The project started in 2011. However, I was first inspired to do this collection by prior trips to Europe. I did a series of paintings: Vienna, Prague and throughout Italy. I started painting Legacy of Nebraska in my hometown of Central City in Merrick County, and in the surrounding counties. In 2012, I met with Michael Smith at the State Historical Society to explore more of the history and historical landmarks throughout the state. He told me about the sesquicentennial coming up in 2017 and encouraged me to contact the Nebraska 150 committee because he thought it would be a perfect fit for my project.

Q: How do you choose your subjects?

A: As a child growing up in Nebraska, I was always inspired by the beautiful sunsets, which first led me to become an artist. In choosing the different scenes for each county, I had help from a lot of state and county historical societies, local historians and sponsors.

Q: Which Nebraska county was your favorite?

A: Two of my favorites are Reaping The Harvest, from Keith County, and Sioux Encampment, near Chimney Rock in Morrill County. For Reaping The Harvest, I loved the story the painting tells of the work ethic of the Nebraska people. The painting depicts a storm approaching at dusk, yet the workers continue to complete the task at hand  they dont give up. For Sioux Encampment, Ive always loved the Native American history in Nebraska and the historical significance of Chimney Rock during the migration to the west.

Q: Along the same lines, which was the most challenging?

A: Each county presented its own challenge. As an artist creating a painting, I deal with a lot of factors. I tried to envision the collection of work as a whole exhibition, with a variety of subjects.

Q: Where do you paint each one?

A: Some were done on location, while others were done in the studio from a photo reference.

Q: How long does each work take?

A: I liken it to a surgeon. It takes a lot of experience to know what works and what doesnt. The time varies with each subject and the research done and can vary from several hours to several weeks or months.

Q: Did you research each county first?

A: Yes. I traveled to all 93 counties to research each and gain knowledge from locals. Mostly, I visited with county seat newspaper workers and volunteers from the county historical societies.

Q: How did you make each painting a part of Legacy of Nebraska?

A: I want each painting to capture the essence and spirit of the people or landscape of our great state. It was important to me to show others the great beauty and history that are unique.

See the collection and the exhibition schedule, toddwilliamsfineart.com.
Chat Services

Technology plays a very big role in recruitments. IS handlers in Syria communicate with youth in India and tell them about the IS ideology. Messages are shared on chat services such as Telegram.

Social Media

Social media plays a very big part in recruitments. Several posts speaking about how Islam is at risk are put out at regular intervals. These posts call on the youth to join the IS.

High Quality Videos

High quality videos are also a big draw. IS recruits are shown videos of beheading explaining why these persons they call infidels must be killed.

Through Media Managers

The IS has also been very media savvy. There is propaganda material pushed into all corners of the internet speaking about the what the IS stands for. The media managers ensure that the content is available easily to all.

Using women

The IS also speaks about the growing number of women militants. It says if women are coming forward and fighting for the cause of Islam, then the men should not be far behind.

Marriage centres

Marriage centres have also been opened up by the IS. Most recruits back out because they feel there would be no normal life. In such cases, the marriage centres help lure the recruits.

Religious centiments

In India, the issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, Babri Masjid and the persecution of Muslims is often used as a recruitment tool. Many recruits feel that they should fight for the cause of the IS to protect their religion.

Caliphate

Declaring the Caliphate has been one of the biggest draws. This according to analysts has worked the most while recruiting into the IS.

Promise of Virgins

The promise of virgins in heaven if one lays down his life for the cause of jihad has been used not just by the IS, but also by various other terrorist groups. This has been a primary recruitment for terror outfits.

Monetary benefits

In some cases, the IS has also offered money to new recruits. This is however the least preferred option as many join the IS because of ideology. However in some cases the IS has offered money to people who recruit.
X, Y, Z, Z+ and SPG: The whys and hows of security categories in India

2,580 CRPF men injured in J-K post Burhan Wani killing

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Feb 27: A total of 2,580 Central Reserve Police Force personnel have been injured in over 200 violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last July.

Data from the CRPF said that its troopers were injured in 142 stone pelting incidents, 47 grenade blasts, three firing incidents and 43 instances of acid attacks or petrol or kerosene bomb attacks in the state.

Of the injured troopers, 122 inflicted grievous injuries, the data said.

The unrest in Jammu and Kashmir began July 9, a day after the death of Wani in a gunfight with security forces. Over 90 civilians were killed and around 12,000 injured in the violence.

"An additional 158 companies (over 16,000 personnel) of the CRPF were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir considering the surge in violence both in terms of militant activities and law and order situation," outgoing CRPF Director General K. Durga Prasad told IANS.

He also said the attacks on the force's personnel by Jammu and Kashmir's civilians came as they were threatened by the militants.

"Locals in the state are obstructing our counter-militancy operations as they are under duress by the militants. However, the situation has improved compared to last year," Prasad said.

Prasad, who will retire from the service on February 28, also said that the home ministry as well as the central welfare fund of CRPF will provide financial assistance to the troopers injured in the stone pelting attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The CRPF chief said that the Home Ministry would provide Rs 2,500 to those who suffered minor injuries and Rs 7,500 for the personnel injured grievously.

"We will provide financial assistance to our men from CRPF's welfare fund but it is divided in different categories. Those suffered minor injuries will be given Rs 4,000, and grievously injured will get Rs 25,000 after hospitalisation. Those grievously injured after being hit by bullet or blasts during operation will get Rs 50,000.

"For grievous injuries in action during operational duties leading to hospitalisation, we provide Rs 1 lakh," Prasad added.

IANS
'Pollution not a state problem': As Delhi chokes, AAP leader passes the buck to Centre

BJP accuses AAP of siphoning off money meant for welfare of construction workers

Kejriwal now claims BJP offered to spare Sisodia, Jain if AAP backs out of Gujarat polls

AAP \"merely a party of UT Delhi\", only Cong can challenge BJP in Gujarat, HP: Azad

AAP slams BJP as Gurmehar Kaur gets rape threats

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Feb 27: The AAP on Monday slammed the BJP for not condemning those issuing "rape threats" on social media to a Delhi University student who took a stand against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

"A girl is being threatened by rape on social media. Not a single BJP or RSS leader called it wrong or condemned it. Why," Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh tweeted.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an army Captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

She later received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP on Sunday over the issue and said it had now become a party of "hooligans" and "criminals".

Sharing a video of Kaur speaking about the "graphically detailed" rape threat she received, Kejriwal tweeted: "Just listen to this. This is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism."

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he added.

Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war. She has meanwhile, met DCW chief Swati Maliwal and complained against the online threats she had been receiving ever since she stood up to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association and the RSS' student wing 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.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

IANS
What is card tokenisation? Here are some FAQs answered

Bank holidays in November 2022: Here is the full list of non-working days

Bank employees likely to go on strike on Tuesday, operations may be impacted

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 27: Operations at public sector banks may be hit on Tuesday as most unions under the aegis of UFBU have threatened to go on strike to press for various demands, including accountability of top executives in view of mounting bad loans in the banking sector.

Most of the banks, including SBI, PNB and BoB, have already informed their customers that functioning of branches and offices will be impacted if the strike takes off. The functioning of private lenders like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank is expected to be normal except delay in cheque clearances.

The United Forum of Bank Unions is an umbrella body of 9 unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the stir.

The conciliation meeting before the chief labour commissioner on February 21 failed to break the logjam as the bank management represented by the Indian Banks Association did not agree to demands and put conditions, All India Bank Employees' Association General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told PTI.

All attempts to find solutions to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results and hence, UFBU decided to proceed with the proposed strike on February 28, he said. Unions are also opposed to the proposed labour reforms of the government and outsourcing of permanent jobs in the banking sector.

Some of the demands include compensation of employees and officers for extra hours of work put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of process of next wage revision of bank employees.

They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched for criminal action against wilful defaulters.

UFBU, who claims membership of nearly 10 lakh across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement of demonetisation to banks.

As many as 27 public sector banks control 75 per cent of the total business.

PTI
BMC elections: Shiv Sena keeps everyone guessing

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

It has been over three days since the results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections were announced. The stalemate however continues with both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena unable to strike common ground and form an alliance. The BJP and Sena, with 82 and 84 seats respectively, each fell short of the 114 mark.

Many in the RSS feel that the BJP and the Sena should rule the BMC together. The RSS feels that the Sena entering into an alliance with the Congress which has 31 seats would be wrong as that would be against the people's mandate. Even if both parties come together, the leaders need to agree on who would get the coveted mayor's post.

The Sena has said that the mayor would be from their party. Many in the RSS have suggested that the post of mayor should be on a rotation basis. Since the Sena has bagged more seats, the party should get to choose the mayor for the first two-and-a-half-years.

In the midst of this deadlock, there is speculation that the Sena would seek the support of the Congress. With the support of the Congress, the SS would be in a comfortable position to rule the BMC. However, the Congress says that it would not back the Sena. The BJP too has said that there is no question of taking the support of the Congress to rule the BMC.

It is reliably learnt that Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackerey had sent his emissaries to meet with the Congress, who have offered the post of deputy mayor to the Congress. Congress leader Ashok Chavan held a meeting of party leaders in which the Sena's proposal was discussed. All parties have time till March 9 to sort out the issue. The mayor's election is slated for that date, and the floor test for the post is by a show of hands.

OneIndia News
Child abuse: Why wait till a child is hurt? Why is the survivor forgotten?

India

oi-Anusha

'Child abuse, a word that is met with emotions ranging from sorrow, anger, disgust, shock and the urge to fight for justice but all of them wait, wait till a child is hurt, till a toddler is abused, till the perpetrator has committed a grave crime and till the crime has been reported. Why don't we act earlier? Why wait?' ask many child rights activists.

We try to understand what factors lead to the rising numbers of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act cases.

Given the recent incident of multiple cases of sexual abuse coming to light in a pre-school in Bengaluru, citizens took to the streets demanding safety for their children in schools on Sunday. What came as a surprise, however, was the police showing solidarity with the protesters. Scores of women constables also held posters demanding that school authorities take responsibility for children's safety.

"When the fight is against any social evil; police will stand shoulder to shoulder with civil society for fighting against it. More so when it comes to child safety," said Additional Commissioner of Police Hemanth Nimbalkar. He addressed the protesters who had gathered demanding action against the pre-school management for attempting to shield an alleged serial child abuser.

These numbers should shock you

If the numbers are anything to go by, the trend is definitely worrying. The National Crime Records Bureau states that 273 cases of child abuse were registered in Bengaluru in 2015 till August. The numbers for 2016 are far more alarming. "Between January to December 2016, a total of 1827 cases of child abuse were registered in Bengaluru alone. The highest number of POCSO cases are registered here. Cases of abuse on toddlers, below the age of 5, are also high in number in Bengaluru," says Kripa Alva, chairperson, Child Rights Commission.

What comes as a bigger shocker though is the conviction rate. "In 2016, the conviction rate stood at 14 per cent. This is definitely not sending out a strong message to the society that child abusers will be brought to the books," she adds. Under the POCSO act, the commission is entitled to get a record of the number of cases involving children from the investigating authorities but the same hasn't happened.

We asked Alva what she thought was the cause of rising number of child abuse cases and she points to poor conviction rate.

The police, however, claim that rise in cases is a result of awareness and the willingness to report cases of sexual abuse. The department believes that the trend shows that people are willing to put their trust in the system and ensure that the accused are behind bars.

A result of system failure?

Many child rights activists believe that the problem lies with the system. The recent incidents have taken place in a pre-school that does not come under the purview of the public instructions department and the child protection policy is not implemented.

"Have you noticed the sudden spurt of kindergarten and pre-schools franchises? Have you ever wondered why? They are not answerable to anyone. They floor the young parents with gadgets, fancy learning equipment, clean premises but who is to question safety," asks a child rights activist who has worked with the child welfare committee in Karnataka.

"The POCSO mandates that any man employed for non-teaching positions should work outside the school premises but that isn't followed. The police is yet to be given full knowledge of the act so that the perpetrators are booked under apt sections. Let them take the prosecutor's help if they want. A strong case from day one will ensure better conviction," Alva adds.

What is the need of the hour

Those involved in campaigning for child rights believe that the onus is on the school, parents, law enforcing authorities as well as society on the whole to ensure child safety. Activists believe that addressing these three core issues can help ensure a safe environment for a child.

Monitoring Review mechanism: The biggest challenge currently seems to be creating a mechanism to review pre-schools and kindergartens that do not come under the purview of the child protection policy. There is an immediate need to constitute a committee that will ensure that schools are held responsible for a child's safety. The committee should ensure implementation of child protection policy to kids below the age of five.

The government should move to recognise pre-schools as legal educational institutes which will pave way for them to be held accountable. 'The business of profit has to end," said an activist who did not want to be named.

Legal awareness for police: Many times irrelevant sections of the POCSO are filed against the accused which allows them to secure. "Let the police department take an advocate's help while filing cases. We have seen perpetrators walking free simple because he/she was not booked under relevant sections of the act. The lack of knowledge also contributes to the case lagging and low conviction rate," says Kripa Alva.

Stop rush for premature schooling: Many activists also believe that the rush to admit a child into the schooling system, formal or informal, has to stop to ensure child safety. "We live in a competitive world and see children as young as two and a half or three being sent to pre-schools. Parents think early schooling will help the child but how will you teach a vulnerable child to differentiate between a good touch a a bad touch. Let the child at least be of an age where he or she can raise an alarm. The onus also lies with the parents while schools' irresponsibility is unpardonable," she says.

OneIndia News
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Class 10 student stabbed in Bengaluru school

India

oi-Anusha

By Anusha Ravi

A class 10 student was stabbed to death when clashes broke out between two groups of students at a school in Bengaluru.

The deceased, identified as Harsha was stabbed by a fellow student amid chaos that prevailed during the annual day celebrations of a government composite college premises.

Police who arrived at the spot took two suspects into custody. Both the accused students are juveniles.

The Police personnel from the Yelahanka police station claimed that the duo was identified by other students and have been booked under juvenile justice act.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 20:16 [IST]
Congress accuses Modi government of attacking democracy

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Feb 27: The Congress on Monday accused the Modi government of joining forces with the Sangh Parivar to unleash assaults on Indian democracy.

Addressing the media here, Congress leader Manish Tewari said the assault on students and teachers by alleged ABVP activists at the Ramjas College was part of a concerted effort by rightwing forces.

"The incident (at Ramjas) is not isolated. Ever since this government came to power, attempts have been on to adjust the discourse 90 degrees to the right."

"There is this pattern of intimidation and violence going across the country which challenges the fundamental precept on which the Constitution of India rests, the idea on which the country has been founded."

"Therefore, time has come for all progressive, pluralistic and patriotic forces to come together and fight this relentless assault on the Indian democracy by elements of the Sangh Parivar (that) has complete and absolute backing of the government right up to the Prime Minister," said Tewari.

"This is indicative by the kind of people the Prime Minister has chosen to follow on his Twitter handle."

Earlier, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien had said that Modi was following on Twitter certain trolls who write venomous, misogynist stuff besides issuing murderous threats.

IANS

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Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 18:21 [IST]
Congress writes to EC, demands FIR against Modi

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Feb 27: The Congress on Monday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, urging him to get an FIR registered against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged violation of the model code of conduct.

In a three-page letter to the CEC, the party said that during the election campaign in Uttarakhand, Modi held a public rally in Haridwar on February 10 'without requisite permission' of the Election Commission and thus violated the model code.

It said that on bringing it to the notice of the Chief Election Officer of Uttarakhand and other authorities, a show-cause notice was issued, and since the Bharatiya Janata Party failed to convince the EC through its reply, it filed an FIR against the Haridwar Unit of the BJP.

"In this connection, we would like to submit that a breach of model code of conduct was committed by Modi himself, amongst others. An FIR should be filed against the perpetrator himself, amongst others, who committed the breach of model code," the party said.

The letter also reminded the EC that an FIR was filed by the commission against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, as a road show the party had organised in the state on February 12 had got delayed a little.

"In this context, we would like to submit that there should not be two yardsticks in filing of FIR. If Election Commission has filed an FIR against the Congress vice president and thechief minister of the state merely on the ground of delay in concluding the road show, which was inadvertent otherwise, and for which prior permission was already taken from the appropriate authority, similarly FIR should also be filed against Narendra Modi, J.P. Nadda, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Madan Kaushik and other BJP leaders, who addressed/participated in the election rally on 10.02.2017 for breach of model code of conduct," it said.

IANS
Connectivity between India and SE Asian nations improving

India

oi-PTI

Jaipur, Feb 27: India and the South East Asian nations, including Myanmar and Cambodia, are enhancing land and sea connectivity to boost trade and are working on various projects such as Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.

She said huge potential exists in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam nations for Indian manufacturers. The Commerce and Industry Minister said India and CLMV countries are working on accelerating projects to improve port, road and air connectivity. India and Myanmar are cooperating to connect the Bay of Bengal ports (Visakhapatnam-Krishnapatnam) and the Sittwe port (in Myanmar), Sitharaman told reporters here.

She was speaking here for the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave, organised by industry body CII. "Sittwe is a major port in Myamnmar. If Sittwe is connected with our Bay of Bengal ports, Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam and also south Chennai or even further up to Haldia, Paradaip or Dhamra, a lot of trade which goes from India to these SEA countries can go and land in Sittwe and from there go to Myanmar or CLMV countries," she said.

As regards the land connectivity, she informed that the work is being expedited for the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project. It aims to improve connectivity between Indian ports on the eastern seaboard and Sittwe port in Myanmar. The Myanmar government has stated that it will expedite the work from its side, she said, adding that the Indian side of the work is progressing. This project, she said, would technically connect Kolkata through the north eastern states of India to the entire South East Asian nations.

On improving the air connectivity, she said that a lot is happening between SEA and India in this area and from Gaya airport, there is a need to give more connections. "We want more aircraft to go from there. Also, from Assam and Guwahati airports as from other parts of India. We want to connect with the south east Asian countries...lot of discussions are going on. These are international negotiations, so they do take time," Sitharaman added.

On a project in Bangladesh, she said that through Petrapole, the under sea linkage for Internet facility "is something on which India and Bangladesh are working". It will improve the Internet connectivity of the north east states states.

PTI

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Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 18:00 [IST]
Can't book teachers for advising students to study well: Madras HC on Kallakuruchi student death

Declare TN floor test null and void: Madras HC notice to speaker

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Madras high court has issued notices to the speaker of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on a petition that sought to declare the trust as null and void. A division bench comprising Justices Huluvadi Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan also issued notices to the assembly secretary.

The trust vote held in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly witnessed chaotic scenes two weeks back. E Palanisami who took the floor test was won the same amidst absolute chaos and the opposition being forced out of the assembly.

The opposition had complained the governor of the state and asked him to order a fresh floor test. The opposition had also complained that their demand for a secret ballot was also rejected.

OneIndia News
Delhi campuses turn battleground of 'nationalism'

India

oi-Anusha

Security has been heightened at the north campus of Delhi University as the campus prepares to witness a series of marches in the next couple of days. Delhi University Students Union called for a 'Tiranga on Monday even as students of Jawaharlal Nehru University called for a meeting to discuss their next course of action. Faculty from the DU, as well as the JNU, have planned a protest march from Khalsa College on March 1.

The situation inside the DU has been tense ever since incidents of violence broke out in Ramjas campus between students protesting the cancellation of event where JNU's Umar Khalid was scheduled to speak and members of the ABVP.

All hell broke loose last week after ABVP and students of Ramjas College came to blows following the cancellation of an event where Khalid was invited as a speaker. Many likened the situation to the JNU fiasco in 2016. The violence led to massive social media uproar. While Ramjas students accused the ABVP of thrashing the student community, the ABVP accused the students of propagating anti-national ideologies.

Tiranga March The Tiranga march led by the ABVP aims to appeal to the idea of nationalism with hashtag #March4nation, #IstandwithRamjas and #Istandwithnationalism. The ABVP claims they will be protesting against left-leaning student groups for allegedly supporting those involved in anti-national activities. Public Meeting JNU will hold a public meeting on Monday evening to condemn the acts of violence in Ramjas campus and plan their next course of action. Tuesday will see protests from faculty against the ABVP. ABVP activists shout slogans as they hold a protest against AISA at DU campus in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo credit: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Social Media Campaign While Ramjas students started off a social media campaign to say they were not afraid of the ABVP, it soon gathered momentum with students of various colleges coming together to express anger against ABVP for the violence. #Students AgainstABVP trended on twitter with massive support to Ramjas students pouring in. #StudentsWithABVP The trend, however, did change with those opposing Khalid's visit taking to Twitter to make #StudentsWithABVP trend. The twitter war continues even as students on both sides prepare to keep their protests alive. What principal says Rajendra Prasad, the principal of Ramjas College has appealed to students to maintain calm and not let anyone take away their right to study. In a notice issued to students, the college has promised to take measures to ensure normalcy and safety of students. "I appeal to the students not to get involved in any activity which spoils the name of Ramjas and adopt peaceful modes to deal with any conflict of ideas," the statement said.

OneIndia News
Did Akhilesh admit that hes guilty of using bad language?

India

oi-Maitreyee

Lucknow, Feb 27: This election season, especially in Uttar Pradesh, we have seen how our leaders have unashamedly used 'foul and provocative' language against each other. Be it Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi or UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav-they're all guilty of the using bad and unpalatable language.

[UP assembly polls: 'Spare the donkey please', say animal activists]

Now, it seems the incumbent CM of UP has realised his mistake and has rather obliquely admitted his 'crime'. During a press conference on Sunday, CM Akhilesh told reporters, "This is not the language of Lucknow. We are just replying to issues raised by those who come from Delhi." Akhilesh was answering to the question of the use of 'donkey' and other such words during election campaign.

Recently, the Samajwadi Party leader made an 'opaque' attack against PM Modi while referring to an advertisement of Gujarat government in which Amitabh Bachchan promotes tourism in the state. He said,"Ek gadhe ka vigyapan aata hai, main iss sadi ke sabse bade mahanayak se kahunge ke ab aap Gujarat ke gadhon ka prachar mat kariye (I would urge the Superstar of the Century-Amitabh-to stop advertising for donkeys of Gujarat)."

Before that 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.

OneIndia News
Freedom from IS after 17 months, Indian doctor is back with his family

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

For this doctor it was freedom after 17 months. After spending 17 months in the captivity of the Islamic State, 62 year old physician Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam touched down at his hometown in Vijayawada. I am free and feel lucky to see my family in India, he said.

Recalling the ordeal, the 62 year old doctor said that he would be shifted around several times through dungeons in the line of fire. The sight at the airport was a heart rendering one. Dr Ramamurthy who had suffered multiple bullet injuries could barely walk. He could not move his left wrist as there is a bullet still lodged.

The doctors say that he would need at least another four months to completely recover. I was taken to the battle field to treat injured jihadis he said. I had to cater to my own injuries while treating on others he said.

The doctor was abducted on September 8 2015 in Libya. He was freed on February 22 after the intervention of top officials in the government. He recalled that his captors were educated persons. They were aware of the socio-economic conditions of India, he said. There were operatives in the age group of 10 and 65, he also said.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 17:49 [IST]
Kuchibhotla murder: Widow of Indian-techie can stay in US for now

Kansas shooting: Swaraj hails Ian Grillot's heroism

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 27: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday wished a speedy recovery to the Ian Grillot, who was injured while intervening in the shooting that killed an Indian engineer in the US, and said India salutes his heroism.

India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot ! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 27, 2017

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them to 'get out of my country'.

[Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mortal remains brought to Hyderabad]

Grillot, 24, tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas He is recovering in a hospital after being shot in the hand and chest.

PTI
Gap between rich and poor has widened, needs to be bridged: Gadkari

Nagpur- Two Jet Airways air hostesses molested by drunk passenger

India

oi-Lisa

Nagpur, Feb 27: Two air hostesses of Jet Airways flight number 9S24460 registered a written complaint to the flight captain against passenger Akash Gupta, who was travelling on seat number 41E of molesting them. Gupta was on Mumbai-Nagpur flight on Saturday.

The accused had grabbed the hand of the two air hostesses when they were serving him his meal. The air hostesses had immediately informed other crew members about the incident and they tried to stop Gupta. But Gupta argued with crew members, so they informed the captain.

When the air hostesses registered a complaint against Gupta the flight captain, Gopalsingh Mohansingh informed the Central Industrial Security Force about the incident. Gupta who is from Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh was then handed over to CISF.

Gupta has been arrested and a case of outraging of modesty under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code. The Police later interrogated him and on Sunday he was produced before the court which sent him to magisterial custody.

The accused was on a vacation to Goa and on return journey he had boarded the Jet Airways flight for Nagpur at Mumbai airport. The police said accused had probably consumed liquor in Mumbai.

OneIndia News
No parole to campaign for don politician Mukthar Ansari

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Delhi high court on Monday rejected a plea by don politician Mukthar Ansari in which he sought parole. The court had earlier granted a three-day interim stay on custody parole that was handed out by the trial court.

Ansari is contesting the elections from Mau Sardar constituency on a BSP ticket. The Election Commission had moved the Delhi high court seeking cancellation of Ansari's parole which was granted by a special court. It was said that he is likely to influence the witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

The special court had granted custody parole to Ansari from February 16 to March 4 to campaign. On Friday the EC told the Delhi high court to reverse the special court order and quash the parole granted to him.

OneIndia News
Anand Mahindra's tweet about UPI at country's 'last tea shop' is every Indian's emotion

Lunar eclipse 2022: Temples to be closed on Nov 8; Are you allowed to worship?

Palaniswami meets Modi, submits list of 23 crucial TN issues

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Chennai, Feb 27: Release of funds for disaster relief for drought and cyclone, setting up of the Cauvery Management Board, stopping Karnataka from building a dam across the Cauvery were some of the major demands made by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

TN CM #Palaniswami presented memorandum containing 23 issues including NEET & constitution of Cauvery Management Board to PM Modi in Delhi pic.twitter.com/gIdBSjyVtm  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

In a meeting in New Delhi, Palaniswami submitted to Modi a memorandum listing out 23 crucial issues for the state for which the Central government's action is urgently needed.

He also demanded allocation of 2,000 MW power to be generated by the third and fourth atomic power units being set up in Kudankulam in the state.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister stressed the necessity of setting up of the CMB to oversee the sharing of Cauvery river water following the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

He also urged Modi to release Rs 2,500 crore as an immediate drought relief from the National Disaster Response Fund.

On the issue of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for medical college admissions, Palaniswami sought the approval for Tamil Nadu's bill seeking exemption from the common entrance test.

With local population up against the hydro-carbon or natural gas exploration project at Neduvasal in the state, he requested Modi to ensure the interests of farmers are fully protected.

Palaniswami also raised the issues of Kerala building dams across Bhavani and Pambar rivers, the protection of traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay, the retrieval of Katchatheevu islet from Sri Lanka, and the realignment of the Kochi-Bengaluru gas pipeline.

IANS
PM Modi invokes development mantra in UP; slams SP-Congress alliance

India

oi-Maitreyee

Lucknow, Feb 27: During his election rally in Mau, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went back to his pet issue 'development'. "India is scaling newer heights of development. It is due to 125 crore Indians. UP will also develop, it needs a stable Bharatiya Janata Party government," said PM Modi during his poll rally in sensitive Mau.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence of winning the high-stake assembly polls in the state.

"Jaise jaise chunaav aage badh raha hai, aisa lag raha hai ki BJP aur sahyogi dalon ki sarkar banne waali hai. (I assure you we are capable of winning majority on our own, but small parties in alliance with us will get representation in cabinet)," said PM Modi.

Once again he promised of waiving off loans of farmers in the state.

"As an MP from UP, I want to assure you that after winning elections on March 11, we will arrange for waiving off farmer loans in the first cabinet meeting itself," said PM Modi. "We want to double the income of our farmers by 2022."

Attacking the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP, PM Modi said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has failed the state in all counts.

"Your chief minister is claiming that he is providing electricity. Are you getting electricity?" he asked the voters of Mau. "You are lucky that the elections in Mau are being held so late. This is why you still have electricity. Once elections are over, you won't have electricity."

The PM alleged that the SP government did nothing for the safety of women in the state.

"Shouldn't our mothers and sisters be protected from rapes and snatching incidents?" asked Modi. "Police station here has become the office of Samajwadi Party, which compels them to do wrong deeds."

OneIndia News
Anand Mahindra's tweet about UPI at country's 'last tea shop' is every Indian's emotion

Manish Sisodiya claims his PA 'arrested' by ED after conducting raids

Lunar eclipse 2022: Temples to be closed on Nov 8; Are you allowed to worship?

Video of man urinating on Delhi Metro tracks goes viral

Rajnath Singh asks Delhi Police to act cautiously on Ramjas

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Varanasi, Feb 27: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said he was in touch with Delhi Police over the situation arising out of the Ramjas College clash.

The minister told journalists that he had asked Delhi Police to act with caution.

"I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner," he said.

Delhi University's Ramjas College witnessed violent clashes on February 22 after ABVP members allegedly forced the cancellation of a seminar and the next day disrupted a march by its critics.

The Delhi Police was widely blamed for not restraining the ABVP activists and also for assaulting students and journalists.

Three policemen were suspended last week on charges of assault.

IANS

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Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 15:26 [IST]
Remove Jaya's photos from TN state buildings, HC petitioned

India

oi-Anusha

The Madras high court on Monday will hear two petitions filed seeking removal of Jayalalithaa's portraits from government offices as well as on welfare scheme products.

Two public interest litigations petitions have been filed in the Madras HC by DMK legislator Anbazhagan while another has been filed by advocate K Balu who is the president of Advocates Forum for Social Justice, an organisation affiliated with Pattali Makkal Katchi. A bench comprising acting chief justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan has agreed to hear the cases on Monday.

[Why Jaya's photos will have to be removed from TN govt offices, assembly]

The petition states that since the Supreme Court had found Jayalalithaa guilty in the disproportionate assets case, her photographs cannot be displayed in state owned buildings and also welfare schemes launched by Tamil Nadu. The SC while holding Jayalalithaa guilty had however abated the sentence in the event of her death.

OneIndia News
Rijiju repeats Modi; blames Congress for all ills of Manipur

India

oi-Maitreyee

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Imphal, Manipur, on Saturday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju held a poll meeting in Chandel on Monday.

Rijiju, like his 'boss' PM Modi, blamed the ruling Congress for all the ills plaguing the north eastern state. From militancy to lack of development in Manipur, the minister of state for home affairs told the crowd how the state suffered because of the 'policies' of the Congress.

"All the problems in Manipur and the northeast region are created by the Congress party. We are here to solve those problems," the minister was quoted by ANI. "Peace is the only mantra for development," he added.

All problems in Manipur and the north-east region are created by the Congress party; We are here to solve those problems: Kiren Rijiju pic.twitter.com/jqMsd9HGUe  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

Later, speaking to the media, the minister said militant organisations in Manipur are thriving due to the 70-year rule of the Congress. "They have ruined the state," added Rijiju. According to an estimate, more than four dozens militant groups operate in Manipur. Because of the militancy problem, the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in place in the state.

Like Modi, Rijiju also did not say anything about the ongoing economic blockade in the state. Modi, during his rally in Imphal, said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power in the state, it will remove the blockade.

On Monday, Manipur entered the 118th 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. Because of the blockade, prices of fuels and essential commodities have shot up very high.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 13:56 [IST]
SIMI's Safdar Nagori sentenced to life imprisonment in terror case

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The chief of the Students Islamic Movement of India, Safdar Nagori has been sentenced to life by a court in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The court held Nagori guilty on charges of terror and ordered him to serve the rest of his life in jail.

The prosecution will appeal in the high court and seek a death sentence. Nagori too would appeal seeking quashing of the trial court verdict.

Nagori along with 10 other SIMI operatives were arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorist squad on March 28, 2008. The ATS said that at the time of the arrest, they had found on Nagori and others explosive material along with detonators. Several weapons too had been found on them.

The prosecution argued that Nagori and his men had planned on carrying out terror strikes in several parts of the country. It was said that he had decided to avenge the ban that was imposed on the SIMI in 2002.

OneIndia News
AAP vs LG fight again and this is time it is on Gandhi Jayanti

The revolutionary the British feared: Chandrashekhar Azad

India

oi-Lisa

Bengaluru, Feb 27: On the 86th death anniversary of Chandrashekhar Azad, the nation is paying tribute to the legendary revolutionary who shot himself dead, as he did not want to be captured alive by the British.

Birth and childhood:

Azad was born on July 23, 1906 in Bhabara village of present day Madhya Pradesh. His forefathers had their roots in Badarka village near Kanpur. He was sent to study at Kashi Vidyapeeth in Banaras, by his father Sitaram Tiwari as his mother Jagrani Devi wanted him to be a great Sanskrit scholar.

Azad the 15-year-old freedom fighter:

He joined the non-cooperation movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in December 1921 when he was 15. He was arrested then for taking part in the movement and produced before a magistrate where he had famously given his name as Azad (free), he had told the magistrate that his father's name was Swatantrata (which means independence) and he had said his residence was jail. From that people started calling him Chandrashekhar Azad.

Revolutionary methods:

When Gandhi suspended the non-cooperation movement in 1922, Azad met other young revolutionary leaders who later introduced him to Ram Prasad Bismil, who had formed Hindustan Republican Association in 1924 along with other revolutionaries.

To show his loyalty, to the nation and the association, Azad had burnt his hand over a lamp. As an active member of HRA he used to collect funds which mostly came by robbing government properties. Azad became a famous revolutionary when he robbed the train at Kakori, in Lucknow in 1925. After the robbery, the British captured many revolutionaries and sentenced them to death. Azad however managed to escape and later reorganised HRA with the help of other revolutionaries.

He was also part of team that attempted to blow up the viceroy's train in 1926 and he had shot at J P Saunders in Lahore in 1928 to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai. Such was his fame that despite being Congressmen, Motilal Nehru used to fund Azad regularly.

He was closely associated with Bhagwati Charan Vohra who along with Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru helped to further transform HRA into Hindustan Socialist Republican Association in 1928 with an aim to make India independent socialist nation.

Home-base Jhansi:

Azad settled down near Jhansi and started living as Pandit Harishankar Brahmachari in a hut build near a Hanuman temple on the banks of Satar River. He used to teach children from a nearby village and thereby established great rapport with the locals. He used to use Orchha forest near Jhansi for shooting practice and to train other members of the group, as he was an expert shooter.

Azad also learned to drive in Jhansi, and made loyal group members in Sadashivrao Malkapurkar, Vishwanath Vaishampayan and Bhagwan Das Mahaur. Congress leaders Raghunath Vinayak Dhulekar and Sitaram Bhaskar Bhagwat also became his supporters and Bhagwat allowed them to stay at his place for some time.

Death:

Azad was surrounded by police when he was at the Alfred Park in Allahabad on February 27, 1931. Jawaharlal Nehru had informed police about him being in the park.

Azad was wounded in police firing and while he was successful in ensuring that Sukhdev could escape, he was not able to do so himself despite killing three policemen and wounding few. Azad had taken a pledge that he will never be captured alive, and so he shot himself dead with his last bullet.

Tribute to Chandrasekhar Azad:

Post-Independence, the park where Azad died was renamed as Chandrashekhar Azad Park. His Colt pistol is presently displayed at the Allahabad Museum. A monument for him was built in his ancestral village of Badarka and several schools, colleges, roads and other public institutions across India were also named after him.

OneIndia News
How the numbers add up in UP: This is what BJP's win percentage was

UP elections 2017: Why phase five will be the decider

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Lucknow, Feb 27: It is being termed as the decider phase. On Monday, polling will be held for 51 seats in 12 districts in the fifth phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2017.

During the last elections, the Samajwadi Party had won 37 seats in this phase while the Congress, BJP won 5 each and the BSP managed just 3. This phase would also be closely watched since polling will be held in Amethi, the Parliamentary constituency that Rahul Gandhi represents. Amethi has five assembly segments under it.

There are 12 districts which will go to polls. As many as 18 million voters will decide the fate of 607 candidates. The key districts apart from Amethi which would poll on Monday are Sultanpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich and Shravasti in the Terai region.

Parties Phase 5 results 2012 Samajwadi Party 37 BJP 05 Congress 05 BSP 03 Peace Party 02

One of the most-watched candidates in this phase would be Gayatri Prajapati of the SP. The Supreme Court had ordered filing of rape charges against him. It may be recalled that he had been dropped from the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet on charges of corruption. However, Akhilesh was forced to give him a ticket following pressure from Mulayam Singh Yadav. Prajapati will be contesting against Amit Sinh of the Congress and the BJP's Garima Sinh.

Security is high in several parts of the state which polls on Monday. The Election Commission has worked overtime to ensure that free and fair polling is held. The Central forces also carried out a flag march at the Terai region which is in Nepal foothills.

OneIndia News
Uri attack: Guides who 'helped' terrorits set to walk free

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Two guides from Pakistan occupied Kashmir are set walk free after the National Investigation Agency filed a closure report in the Uri attack case. The NIA had arrested Faisal Hussain and Ahsan Khursheed on the charge that they had helped the terrorists carry out the attack on an army camp at Uri, Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, 2016.

The duo were arrested three days after the attack. After the arrest they made a confessional statement admitting to helping the terrorists. However, investigations conducted by the NIA could not find enough evidence to link them to the attack. Moreover, the NIA was unable to corroborate the confessional statement.

The closure report will now be submitted to the court. Once the court approves of the same, the duo will walk free. Their return formalities will then be finalised by the ministry for External Affairs.

After the attack, the police had claimed that the same was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad. However further investigations showed that the Jaish had no role to play in the attack. It was an attack carried out by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, the NIA had said. In October 2016, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba held a special prayer for those terrorists killed in the attack. The prayer service was held at Gujranwala in Pakistan.

OneIndia News
What voters of Ayodhya in UP want: Its not religion, but development

India

oi-Maitreyee Boruah

Lucknow, Feb 27: On Monday, the residents of the ancient temple town of Uttar Pradesh--Ayodhya-the hot-bed of communal politics--voted during the fifth phase of the 'grand' Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2017. This time, the voting for the assembly elections in the state has been divided into seven phases. The last two phases of voting are scheduled on March 4 and 8. The results of the elections will be declared on March 11.

As reporters from the mainstream media landed in Ayodhya to gauge the mood of the town, most residents of the town openly expressed what they want from the next government. A first-time voter, who is pursuing his college degree, told NDTV that he wants job opportunities for the youths in the town.

The 18-year-old, who also helps his father in his shop, added that construction of the controversial Ram temple could take place anytime in Ayodhya. "The leaders should concentrate on developing the town."

The television footages clearly indicate--those who have not visited Ayodhya--how badly the town lacks basic civic amenities. From garbage strewn on small alleys of the town to crumbling buildings, the ancient town looks really 'ancient'.

Another Muslim youth echoes similar sentiments to the first-time voter mentioned earlier. "Religion is not the issue for the voters here. We want development, job opportunities and better civic amenities."

However, politicians from all the political parties are guilty of fanning communal politics in the town. In every election rally-issues of the Babri Masjid demolition and the construction of Ram temple in the disputed site invariably pop up. The voters--who are seemingly tired of communal politics--say Ayodhya has much more than the Babri Masjid and Ram temple.

For the Bharatiya Janata Party, Ayodhya is a prestige constituency. In fact, the rise of the party across the country is credited to the Ram Mandir movement. After the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, the party has won the assembly seat four times. However, in the last assembly elections in 2012, the Samajwadi Party bagged the constituency.

OneIndia News
Anand Mahindra's tweet about UPI at country's 'last tea shop' is every Indian's emotion

Lunar eclipse 2022: Temples to be closed on Nov 8; Are you allowed to worship?

Who's polluting young girl's mind: Rijiju on Gurmehar Kaur

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Feb 27: Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Monday wondered who was 'polluting' the mind of a Delhi University student campaigning on social media against the ABVP.

Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College and daughter of an army officer killed in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP after the violence in Ramjas College.

Kaur posted a picture on Facebook saying: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

She then received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her 'anti-national'.

In response to Kaur's campaign, the minister said: "Who's polluting this young girl's mind?"

Clashes took place at Delhi University's Ramjas college on February 22 after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members forced the cancellation of a seminar and then disrupted a march.

IANS
In solidarity with the immigrants and refugees

On Sunday, Asghar Farhadi won his second Oscar for The Salesman but chose to boycott the awards night to register is protest against Trump's ban on immigrants. Farhadi and many others chose to give the Oscars a miss in solidarity with the immigrants and refugees.

Oscar statues lined up backstage during the Oscars in Los Angeles. Photo credit: PTI

Out of respect for the people of my country

Reading a statement from Farhadi. Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian to go into space, who accepted the award on his behalf read out a statement from him that said, "I am sorry I am not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US."

Even before the award ceremony began, people understood quickly that the 89 academy awards was going to be bigger than a mere award function. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue set the tone for the rest of the evening.

A scene from Asghar Farhadi's The Salesman

Film fraternity rallies behind Streep

The funny man hailed Meryl Streep after she was called an 'overrated actress' by Trump following her golden globes speech. She didn't have to say a word but a standing ovation was enough to convey that the film fraternity rallied behind her even if it meant going against the President of the United States. Justin Timberlake, who sang and danced his way through his Best Song contender Can't Stop the Feeling from Trolls. He aimed at taking potshots at all the people who trolled Streep.

Actress Meryl Streep poses for photographers. Photo credit: PTI

The Trump ban

Call it coincidence or deliberate act to convey dissent to those who run the government. Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar award, a black Muslim at that, making it very clear that Muslims are not banned at the Academy Awards, the US government may. Ali won the Academy Award for the best supporting actor for his role in The Moonlight. While his win, coming on close heels of Trump Ban on Muslims did not go unnoticed, the actor also utilised the opportunity to send out a message to those in authority.

United States President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Photo credit: AP/PTI

Sending out a message

"When we get caught up in the minutia, the details that make us all different, there are two ways of seeing that. It's an opportunity to see the texture of that person, to see what makes them unique. Or it's an opportunity to go to war about it. To say that that person's different than me and I don't like it, so let's battle," he said.

Mahershala Ali poses in the press room with the award for best actor in a supporting role for Moonlight at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo credit: AP/PTI
China: Judge suspended for mocking traffic cop

International

pti-PTI

Beijing, Feb 27: A Chinese judge has been suspended after he mocked on social media a picture of a traffic police officer working in heavy snow. The punishment, which is unusually harsh even by the Chinese government standards, came ahead of the annual meeting of the legislature, the National People's Congress, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

It appears to be another example of the authorities attempting to strictly control comments and actions by cadres deemed embarrassing to the authorities, the Post said.

Li Bingxiang, a judge at intermediate court in Lijiang in Yunnan province, ridiculed pictures of the police officer working in the snow in Shaanxi province that were published on the social media account of People's Daily on Saturday.

The pictures of the 57-year-old officer received praise from others for his dedication to duty. Li, however, wrote on his social media account, "When a 57-year-old policeman is on duty in the wind and snow, there could be three explanations. Firstly, he was receiving punishment due to mistakes; secondly, he was trying to make a show; and thirdly, it was a show".

An official statement said Li had been suspended and would be dealt with 'seriously'. The court statement also said Li had made wrong comments that had hurt the policeman. Li later apologised on his Weibo account and pledged not 'to disseminate the remarks inconsistent with the interests of the ruling Communist party and the nation'.

"My wrong comments hurt the feelings of an old comrade and his family," he wrote.

PTI
Donald Trump likely to boost military spending in upcoming Budget

International

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Feb 27: US President Donald Trump will instruct federal agencies on Monday to assemble a budget for the coming fiscal year that includes sharp increases in Defence Department spending and drastic cuts to domestic agencies, according to administration officials.

A day before delivering a high-stakes address on Tuesday to a joint session of Congress, Trump will demand a budget with billions of dollars in reductions to the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department, according to the officials with direct knowledge of the plan. Social safety net programmes, aside from the big entitlement programs for retirees, would also be hit hard, the New York Times reported.

The budget plan, a numerical sketch that will probably be substantially altered by House and Senate Republicans - and opposed by congressional Democrats - will be Trump's first big step into a legislative fray he has largely avoided during the first 40 days of his administration, according to the daily.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said that Trump's first budget would not touch Social Security or Medicare.

Trump's policy on entitlement reform is unclear, and his administration has not proposed a way to salvage Social Security and Medicare, the most expensive piece of the federal budget, or refuel trust funds expected to run dry in less than 20 years, The Hill magazine reported.

Instead, Trump's plan to pay down the nearly $20 trillion national debt rests on bolstering economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation. Trump's team is also considering tax cuts without equivalent spending cuts, but insist lower corporate taxes will fuel domestic manufacturing and investment.

The budget will predict 2.4 per cent growth in 2017, according to the New York Times. That is more than the 1.6 per cent former President Barack Obama's administration average but below the 4 per cent to 6 per cent growth Trump promised on the campaign trail.

Mnuchin said the administration would like to complete comprehensive tax reform by August, an ambitious goal given the jam-packed legislative calendar.

The White House and Congress will have to raise the debt ceiling around March 16 and fund the government by the end April 28.

IANS
Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia vandalised

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Feb 27: Vandals have broken and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States.

Hundreds of headstones, some of them more than 100 years old, were cut in half, local media reported yesterday. A local rabbi, who was unnamed, told ABC television affiliate WPVI, that the affected graves at the historic Mt Carmel Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia's northeastern Wissinoming neighborhood also included those of one-time members of the Quaker and Muslim communities.

New Jersey resident Aaron Mallin discovered the vandalism yesterday when he came to visit his father's grave at the cemetery. "It's just very disheartening that such a thing would take place," he told WPVI. Police say they are investigating the vandalism. The Anti-Defamation League has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon posted a statement on Twitter saying, "#Philadelphia Jewish cemetery desecration is shocking and a source of worry. Full confidence #US authorities catch and punish culprits."

The attack comes a week after more than 100 headstones were damaged at a Jewish cemetery in St Louis, Missouri. The incident prompted a Muslim-led crowdfunding campaign to raise more than USD 100,000 to repair the cemetery, and a visit by Vice President Mike Pence.

Among more recent attacks, vandals spray-painted swastikas on several cars, highway overpasses, buildings and an elementary school playground over the weekend in Buffalo, New York, The Buffalo News reported. After remaining silent on the subject for several days, President Donald Trump on Tuesday decried the anti-Semitic threats against Jewish community centers across America as "horrible" and "painful."

However, concern is rising about his embrace by white supremacist groups and an "alt-right" movement given a platform on Breitbart, the online news outlet once headed by Trump's chief White House strategist Steve Bannon. The White House raised eyebrows on International Holocaust Remembrance Day late last month by issuing a statement that made no mention of the six million Jews killed in the Nazi genocide.

PTI
Pervez Musharraf says, Indo-Pak dispute a 'stumbling block' in regional cooperation

International

pti-PTI

Dubai, Feb 27: The Indo-Pak dispute was a 'stumbling block' in regional cooperation with SAARC proving to be ineffective due to its "politicisation", former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation happens to be the regional instrument for cooperative socio-economic development but it is proving to be quite ineffective, Musharraf said while addressing 'South Asia Rising' conference hosted by Eisenhower Fellows from South Asia.

"Individual countries are performing on their own but when we talk of collective performance of South Asia, there is no collective goodwill or collective cooperation and unfortunately the Indo-Pak dispute happens to be the stumbling block," the former Pakistani president said.

"There is no doubt in my mind that opportunities for collaborative cooperation within South Asia abound. Collectively we have a large quantity of water available for livestock, for human consumption, for agriculture and also for the cheapest form of power generation," he said. Musharraf said that the region also has abundant fertile land and natural resources.

"We also have a very strong and very large human resource potential, which also happens to be very intelligent. However, we do require better literacy and skill development," he said. The conference is the third of its kind, with the first two conferences held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2006 and 2012.

The former Pakistani president said South Asia needs to look at itself with introspection and clarity. The challenges within and between states have had the better of all the abundant opportunities that exist in South Asia, he said at the conference whose focus was on regional connectivity and citizen empowerment.

"We see poor leadership leading with poor governance exacerbated by corruption and nepotism. Then we see political turmoil within and between states as a result of which we are collectively failing to optimise the potential that we have in South Asia for growth," Musharraf said. He said that the politicisation of the SAARC platform is another issue. "We saw politicisation this year when SAARC was supposed to be held in Pakistan but it was scuttled," he said.

Musharraf said that Kashmir happens to be the main dispute between India and Pakistan, which needs to be resolved. He also said that Afghanistan has emerged as another challenge obstructing regional cooperation. "Unfortunately, Afghanistan also blames Pakistan for introducing religious militancy in the region. But nothing is farther from the truth," he said, adding that it all started with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan back in 1979.

Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai in March last year, after his name was removed from the Exit Control List. Raman Madhok, Managing Director & Head -- CMI Group, from India -- and Shahid Mahmud, Chairman and CEO -- Interactive Group, were the co-chairs of the two-day conference that will end tomorrow.

PTI
Prayer meeting held for Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas

International

oi-PTI

Houston, Feb 27: Hundreds of people in Kansas City joined a peace march and prayer vigil, celebrating the life of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla cut short in a senseless triple shooting incident at a pub in an apparent hate crime.

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted, "We want peace"; "We love peace"; "Let us not leave our children"; "Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall". Many of them carried candles and signs reading, "We don't support politics of hate." The march for peace and the prayer meeting was attended by friends of Srinivas.

United States: Prayer meeting held for #SrinivasKuchibhotla in #Kansas, survivor of the shoot out & his friend Alok Madasani also attended. pic.twitter.com/pBJ2z5SFnA  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

Alok Madasani, another Indian who was wounded in the shooting on Wednesday, was on his crutches. The sisters of the third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, injured that night when he intervened during the argument with the shooter US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, Lt Governor Jeff Colyer, US Congressman Kevin Yoder, Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke, and other state officials also joined the march and the prayer meeting.

We ask all of you for tolerance of our diversity & respect for humanity: Alok Madasani, #KansasShooting survivor at prayer meet in #Kansas pic.twitter.com/1B6ISrK0SI  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

The prayer was conducted by priests from various religions at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, Kansas City. Addressing the gathering, Alok remembered his nine years of friendship with Srinivas. "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 would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care."

I hope I am not asking for too much because that is what my friend (#SrinivasKuchibotla) would have wanted: Alok Madasani in #Kansas pic.twitter.com/6U2cyWlAd8  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

Other friends who spoke there had similar words for Srinivas. They described him as a positive, warm, kind, caring, brilliant, well-mannered and an absolutely outstanding human being. Srinivas, 32, was killed and Alok, of the same age, was injured at a city bar by the navy veteran screaming racial slurs and telling them to "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before he opened fire on them.

He reportedly mistook them for immigrants from the Middle East. The incident has led to fear among the minority Indian- American community, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's controversial plan to ban travellers from certain countries to realise his campaign pledge of putting "America first."

At a news conference two days ago, Srinivas's wife Sunayana Dumala asked the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against minorities. She said reports of bias against minorities make them afraid and wonder whether "do we belong here". Although Sunayana did not mention Trump by name, she did say, "Not everyone will be harmful to this country."

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, February 27, 2017, 13:51 [IST]
Trump's silence on Kansas shooting is deafening and disturbing

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

US President Donald Trump's silence on the Kansas shooting in which an Indian was killed is deafening. Srinivasa Kochibhotla was shot dead by a hate driven man at Kansas on Thursday after being told, 'get out of my country'. Indian officials in Delhi said that it is rather upsetting that Trump who goes on a rhetoric all the time had nothing to say about the incident which shocked the entire world.

Following the incident, the White House said nothing. It was only during a briefing on Friday that the White House made a remark after being reminded about the incident. The response was subdued and aimed more at brushing aside any correlation to Trump's rhetoric. "Any loss of life is tragic said press secretary Sean Spicer. I am not going to get into, like that kind-- to suggest that there is any correlation, I think it is a bit absurd," Spicer said.

Many even took to the social media to vent out their anger at the President's silence. While they expected a reaction from him, many even said that they were not surprised at all with his silence. He is not going to say anything, several people said.

Peter Daou, an advisor to Hillary Clinton said,"If the news media really wanted to be fair, they would give this as much attention as they do to attacks on white victims. There are others who have questioned why this is not a bigger story in the American media."

While in India, people are generally surprised about Trump's silence, in America too there are similar voices. The Indian community in the US is big and the Kansas incident needed more attention. Jon Favreau, Barack Obama's speechwriter wrote, "Once upon a time, Presidents such as Obama or Bush would have spoken out against this hate crime. Trump yelled about the media and FBI, he said. While reacting to the statement issued by White House, he said it seemed more like a clarification than a condemnation."

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Opalesque Industry Update - Given the hedge fund industry's lackluster performance in 2016 and the significant amount of hedge fund firms that closed their doors, many institutional investors have been revisiting their allocations to hedge funds. As many investors question whether actively managed investments are worth the management costs associated with them, there has been some rejiggering taking place as some institutions have begun shifting their allocations away from actively managed investments in favor of passive investments such as ETFs. Yet, as the U.S. economy continues its recovery and a new presidential administration promises a more pro-business approach that could benefit a historically cyclical industry, now may not be the best time for institutions to pull their support from hedge funds. To see how the alternative investment community believes the hedge fund industry is poised to perform over the next few years, The New York Hedge Fund Roundtable recently surveyed its membership about the topic. The state of the hedge fund industry was the subject of one of the Roundtable's most recent events, where Mark Yusko, the founder, CEO and CIO of Morgan Creek Capital Management discussed his thoughts on several of the issues of most concern to the industry at the moment. "The death of active management has been greatly exaggerated. Four times in my career hedge funds have 'died,' active management has died and value investing has died," said Yusko, noting that the industry was first declared 'dead' when it had $300 billion in assets under management, then again at the $600 billion mark, then at the $1.2 trillion mark and now at the $3 trillion mark. While Yusko believes the industry will continue to grow, he is concerned with the current shift toward passively managed investments. "Twenty years ago you couldn't measure the percentage of passive money as a percent  it was sub-1%, but today it is 40%," said Yusko. "And the most egregious of it is this thing called smart beta, which is an oxymoron because it just doesn't exist. Smart beta is great marketing, but it is not a real thing," he said. Roundtable members believe that assets under management within the hedge fund industry will continue to grow. At the same time, however, Roundtable members believe there will be additional consolidation within the industry and that investor pressure will push fees away from the current 2 and 20 standard, to a 1 and 20 structure. "The performance of hedge funds is being criticized by those who compare performance against index and long only investment products. Hedge funds, however, were never designed to compete with long-only products. As risk mitigation and capital preservation vehicles their value is most realized when there are adverse market conditions. So in a way they can be compared to insurance," said Timothy P. Selby, Chairman of the New York Hedge Fund Roundtable. "No one likes to pay for insurance, but when disaster hits the insured consider their policies one of the best investments ever made." New York Hedge Fund Roundtable members had the opportunity to weigh in on the state of the industry at one of the Roundtable's most recent events, as well as through an online electronic poll. *Of the respondents to this survey, 32% were fund managers; 14% were allocators; 8% were risk management or trading; 39% were service providers; and 7% were other industry participants. Following are some of the key findings of both surveys: Asked what they believe will happen to fees within the hedge fund industry over the next three years, 80% of respondents said they believe fees will be lowered to a 1 and 20 structure; 11% think fees will continue inching up above the industry's current standard of 2 and 20; and 9% think fees will remain at 2 and 20.

Given the number of hedge fund firms that closed up shop in 2016, respondents were asked what they think the hedge fund landscape will look like in three years. 64% of respondents think there will be fewer hedge fund firms in business than there are now, while 36% think that there will be more hedge fund firms in business than there are today.

71% of respondents think that assets under management within the hedge fund industry will be above $3 trillion three years from now, while 29% believe assets under management will fall below the $3 trillion mark.

When asked what they believe investor sentiment is towards active vs. passive investments, 66% of respondents think that, despite the fact that the majority of active manager underperformed last year, investors will stay the course and continue investing into actively managed investment such as hedge funds. 34% of respondents think that investors have lost confidence in actively managed investments and will begin moving more money into passive investments such as ETFs.

Asked if the new presidential administration is likely to achieve the trifecta it is aiming for of regulatory relief, tax cuts and fiscal spending in 2017, 51% of respondents think it will never happen, while 49% believe that the Trump administration will achieve its goal.

When asked to rank the United States, Europe, Japan and Emerging Markets in the order that they believe they will perform in 2017, 57% of respondents believe that the U.S. will perform best, 29% think Emerging Markets will do best, 8% think Europe will perform best and only 6% think that Japan will do best. Conversely, 38% of respondents believe that the European market will be the worst performer in 2017, 33% think Japan will be worst and 29% think that Emerging Markets will be the weakest performers.
China Caprolactam Market Report 2017

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Albany, New York, February 25, 2017: Market Research Hub adds China Caprolactam Market Report 2017 new report to its research database. The Global Caprolactam Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Caprolactam industry.Request for Sample Report:Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Caprolactam market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, India, China, Korea and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Caprolactam industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Table of Contents:China Caprolactam Market Report 20171 Methodology/Research Approach1.1 Research Programs/Design1.2 Market Size Estimation1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation2 Data Source2.1 Secondary Sources2.2 Primary Sources3 Disclaimer1 Caprolactam Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Caprolactam1.2 Caprolactam Segment by Types (Product Category)Continue@.......Browse Full Report with TOC:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of Market Research Reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.90 State StreetAlbany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel : +1-518-621-2074Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :Follow us on LinkedIn:
Specialty Food Ingredients Market foreseen to grow exponentially by 2020

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On the bases of function of different food ingredients global specialty food ingredients market can be bifurcated into color, acidulants, food enzymes, flavor, food preservatives, food emulsifiers, starches and nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals has the largest market share for specialty food ingredients, and is expected to dominate the global market in forecasted period. Specialty food ingredients are majorly used by food processing industry. Other major application of specialty food ingredients includes bakery and confectionery, diary, convenience food, meat and seafood products and functional food items.Food ingredients provide unique color, textures, nutrients, functionalities and flavors to the cooked or processed food products. Food ingredients are added to enhance taste and flavor to the processed food items. Specialty food ingredients are used by food and beverage industry to enhance taste and flavor to the processed food. Specialty food ingredients are able to meet customers demands owing to their unique features including processing aids, coloring, preservation, emulsification and nutritional enhancement. Also, help in enhancing shelf-life, stability and texture of the food products. Specialty food ingredients are majorly sold to food processing industry including large food manufacturing companies as well as medium-sized companies.North America has the largest market share for specialty food ingredients, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. North America is expected to dominate the global market in forecasted period owing to increasing consumption of processed food in the U.S. and Canada. Healthy eating habit is expected to boost the European specialty food ingredients market. However, Asia Pacific region is expected to witness highest growth in the coming future. Emerging markets of China, India and Brazil is further expected to boost the global specialty food ingredients market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Increasing urban population coupled with rising disposable income level is increasing the penetration for packaged and convenience food items, in turn increasing the demand for specialty food ingredients. Additionally, rising rate of diabetes and obesity in both developed and developing countries, prompts the consumer to focus more on healthier lifestyles, in turn demand for health and wellness food ingredients from food and beverage manufacturing companies. This is also driving the global specialty food ingredients market to some extent.For More Information Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report @Changing consumer consumption trends towards health and wellness food products shows increased purchasing power of individual; this is providing ample growth opportunity for the food manufacturing companies to expand their market in healthy food products. Some of the major companies operating in the sodium reduction ingredients market are Cargill Inc., Kerry Group Plc., Cambrian Solutions Inc., Advanced Food Systems Inc., E. I. Dupont De Nemours and Company, Specialty Commodities, Sensient Technologies Corporation, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Ingredion Incorporated and Tate & Lyle.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Neuromorphic Chip Market to Surpass US$ 10 Billion in Revenues by 2026

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Technological advancements in the open-ended dominion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are demanding advanced neuromorphic chips to serve as processors from machine learning and automated reasoning operations.According to a latest research by Future Market Insights, development of AI systems is fuelling the growth of global demand for neuromorphic chips. Scientists and researchers developing diverse AI platforms are integrating neuromorphic chips to improve smart functioning and reasoning abilities of machines. Governments from several parts of the world are inducing surplus expenditure towards development of AI systems, which is incidentally catalysing the demand for neuromorphic chips in the global tech industry.In 2015, about US$ 1.5 billion worth of revenues were attained through the global sales of neuromorphic chips. Increasing preference for neuromorphic engineering over conventional computing and a large-scale integration of analogue circuits for improving neurological & biological mimicking in smart machines continues to drive the demand in the global market for neuromorphic chips.Request Report Sample@Future Market Insights report, titled Neuromorphic Chips Market: Global Industry Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, projects that the global neuromorphic chips market, which is currently valued at an estimated US$ 1.6 billion, will rake in revenues worth US$ 10,814.9 million by 2026 end. According to the report, the size of global neuromorphic chips market will expand exponentially  at 20.7% CAGR. Technical hurdles such as developing complex algorithms, and a sluggish commercialization of neuromorphic chips inhibits the markets growth to some extent. And, high costs associated with the pricing as well as production of neuromorphic chips remains a key challenge for the key players in global neuromorphic chips market.Regional Forecast of Global Neuromorphic Chips MarketKey findings assessed while analysing the neuromorphic chips market across several regions in the world include,North Americas neuromorphic chips market is projected to be valued at nearly US$ 3 billion by the end of forecast period.In 2015, Western Europe recorded US$ 304.5 million revenues through sales of neuromorphic chips, rendering it the second-most dominant region in the global market after North America.Nevertheless, the neuromorphic chips revenues attained in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will increase at the fastest growth rate, exhibiting a stellar 23.6% CAGR through 2026.Following APEJ, the Japanese neuromorphic chips market is estimated to be valued over US$ 1.6 billion by 2026-end.Demand for neuromorphic chips in Middle East & Africa will be comparatively less, while the expansion of neuromorphic chips market size in Eastern Europe and Latin America is predicted to be more than 17% CAGR throughout the projection period.Global Neuromorphic Chips Market: Competitive BackdropIndustry leaders and tech giants such as IBM Research Inc. and Intel Corporation are participating in the growth of global neuromorphic chips market. Being a leading developer of advanced integrated platforms in digital technology has favoured Intel Corporation to engaging in designing, manufacturing & computing of neuromorphic chips. In 2016, IBM Research used phase-change materials to advance the data storing & processing capacities of neurons in analog chips. Besides these, companies such as Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., BrainChip Holdings Ltd., HRL Laboratories, LLC, General Vision Inc., Hewlett-Packard Labs, and Knowm Inc., are leading participants shaping up the competitive landscape of global neuromorphic chips market.Send An Enquiry@Global Neuromorphic Chips Market: End-users & ApplicationsAdvanced technologies are being used for development of alternative processing chips that recognize images or 3-dimensionally classify objects while capturing live environments. So, the demand for neuromorphic chips in image recognition is less likely to grow higher over the forecast period. About 37% of global neuromorphic chips market value is currently accounted by image recognition, but is projected to steep below 35% by 2026-end. Signal recognition & data mining applications, on the other hand, will witness a considerable rise in their global market share over the forecast period. With respect to the key end-user industries, aerospace & defence, consumer electronics and automotive are expected to collective account for nearly 60% of global neuromorphic chips revenues by the end of forecast period. Global neuromorphic chips sales accounted by aerospace & defence are expected to be more than US$ 2 billion by 2026-end. Healthcare industry, on the other hand, is projected to exhibit a US$ 1.3 billion incremental opportunity from 2016 to 2026.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Green Power Market Revenue and Value Chain 2016-2026

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Green power is basically production of electrical energy from environment friendly and renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, biomass, solar and low-impact hydropower. There has been an increased awareness among consumers regarding use of environment friendly sources of electricity supply. This in turn has led towards demand for green power sources in the recent past. In order to support green environment campaign, governments of various countries are taking initiatives to enhance consumer awareness as well as availability of green power sources. Globally, there has been integration of renewable energy and equipment installations. For instance, in Iceland 80% of the electricity is generated from earths heat. Similarly in Norway, 98% of electricity is generated using geothermal, hydroelectric and wind energy.There have been increased number of attempts to offer low-cost, environment-friendly options to low down the negative impact of using non-renewable sources of energy for electricity generation. For instance, in India the untapped market of renewable energy is anticipated to be around US$ 10.5 billion by 2017 end. In order to tap this potential market, government of India is taking various measures such as promotion of small power plants for both biomass and solar, entrepreneurship development for electricity in rural areas through solar power, biomass waste and rice husk, solar cooking initiatives, green campuses and buildings construction, and projects for off-shore wind generation, among others. With introduction of programs offering consumer choice for domestic electricity ensuring price stability balancing the increased electricity price volatility in some countries is leading towards increased adoption of green power sources as a mode of electricity generation.Request Report Sample@Green Power Market Segmentation:Green power market is segmented on the basis of energy resources, equipment type. Different type of energy resources include solar, biomass, wind and small hydropower. Of which, biomass is further segmented into landfill gas and agricultural waste. On the basis of different energy resources, equipment vary and are classified into solar energy equipment, wind energy equipment, geothermal energy equipment and hydropower energy equipment. Further, agricultural waste is sub-segmented into poultry litter and others. Geographically, the green power market is segmented into seven regions namely North America, Western Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Green Power Market Dynamics:Factors such as population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation, growing per capita consumption, depletion of conventional reserves and increasing concerns for climatic change are contributing towards increasing adoption of green power sources as mode of electricity generation. This is further fuelling green power market growth at a robust rate and is expected to gain significant traction in the near future. However, proper balance of environmental stability and economic development is a concern for government and environment control authorities across the globe. However, barriers towards growth of green power market include low cost of utility default service, high entry barriers for new entrants, lack of existing renewable energy plants and insufficient unbundling of revenue-cycle services. Despite of the aforementioned challenges, green power market is anticipated to grow significantly in the near future. This is attributed to development of solar parks, government initiatives and programs, increasing awareness regarding use of renewable energy sources, among others.Request For TOC@Green Power Market Key Players:Depending on the equipment manufacturers for energy resources such as wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy and hydropower energy, some of the key solar panel manufacturers are Trina Solar Limited, Yingli Solar, Canadian Solar and others. Similarly prominent wind turbine manufacturers include Siemens AG, General Electric Company (GE Power), and Senvion SE among others. Few prominent geothermal energy system manufacturers include FHP Bosch Group, Earthlinked Technologies Inc., Aquatherm Industries, Inc., and Ormat Technologies, Inc. among others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Vision Care Products Market 2015-2025 Shares, Trend and Growth Report

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The eye is the most amazing and complex structure in the body. The two eyes provide about half the total sensory input from entire body into the brain. Eyes are sensitive to trauma, infection or inflammation that may end up in blindness.The vision care products market is driven by the increase in the number of patients suffering from eye disorders like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. Myopia is the most common disorders and it affects 1.6 billion people around the globe, whereas presbyopia is found in about one billion people globally. The prevalence of hyperopia increase in the elderly. Around 50% of people aged above 65 years in the US have hyperopic conditions.Vision Care Products Market: Drivers and RestraintsPresently, vision care products global market is driven by the aging population, rising incidence and prevalence of eye disorders like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, technological advancement in healthcare industry.Request For Report Sample@With the increase in the disposable income levels and health consciousness among general population, vision care products are being widely adopted. Also, lifestyle side effects emerging from increased usage of computer, television viewing have contributed towards the growth of vision care products at a global level. Various promotional campaign by the key players to capture the market share in the emerging countries.However, availability of counterfeit products in the market and large number of local players in this market act as a barriers for the growth of this market.Vision Care Products Market: SegmentationVision care products global market is segmented into following segmentation:Spectacle lensesSingle Vision Spectacle LensesDigital lensesProgressive LensesContact lensesSoft contact lensesRigid gas permeable lensesDisposable contact lensesCleaning and disinfecting solutionsVision Care Products Market: OverviewWith rapid technological advancement, aging population, and increase in the prevalence of eye disorders around the globe, the vision care products market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecasted period (2015-2025).Vision Care Products Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic region, global vision care products market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Asia Pacific is emerging as dominating markets for vision care products market due to their high healthcare awareness and augmented disposable income. Amongst the Asian countries, India and china are more promising due to large population pool and increased number of hospitals.Request For TOC@Vision Care Products Market: Key playersSome of the key participating players in global vision care products market are Alcon, Inc., SEIKO OPTICAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Essilor International, CIBA Vision Corporation, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, CooperVision, Inc., ZEISS Group, HOYA CORPORATION and others.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Market Research on Beta Carotene Market 2015 and Analysis to 2025

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Carotene is a pigment found primarily in plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria. It may also be found in non-photosynthetic bacteria and molds. There are different types of carotenes which includes lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin and others. Beta carotene is a fat-soluble pigment found in various plants, grains, fruits and vegetables. It is present in the form of red, orange and yellow pigment. After consumption, the human body converts beta carotene into vitamin A which enables various immune functions to work properly and also helps to maintain healthy skin, thus driving the demand of betas carotenes in food and beverages products across the globe.Beta Carotene Market SegmentationOn the basis of type beta carotene is segmented as water soluble and oil soluble beta carotenes. Among both the segment water soluble beta carotene is expected to account for the major share due to its high implication. Moreover, water soluble beta carotene are further sub segmented as powder beta carotene and liquid beta carotene. Also, oil soluble beta carotene is sub segmented as powder beta carotene and liquid beta carotenes. Among thesub segments of oil soluble beta carotenes, powder beta carotene is expected to account for the major market share during the forecast period.Request For Report Sample@On the basis of application beta carotene is segmented as food and beverages, supplements, cosmetics, and feed. Among all these segments food and beverages is expected to account for the major market share as compared to others in the near future. Beta carotene are majorly used in providing color in the food and beverages which is expected to drive the demand for beta carotene in these products. Moreover, cosmetics segment in beta carotene market is expected show a substantial growth during the forecast period. The food and beverages segment is further sub segmented as bakery and confectionery, dairy products, soft drinks/juices, processed food and others (infant food). Among all these sub segments bakery and confectionery is expected to contribute major share in beta carotene market in terms of revenue followed by processed food. Moreover, cosmetics segmented is further sub segmented as hair cosmetics, skin cosmetics, nail cosmetics, eye cosmetics and toiletries.On the basis of source beta carotene market is segmented as carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin and others (spinach and plums). Among all these sources carrots is expected to account for major share of beta carotene market. However sweet potato is expected to show a healthy growth during the forecast period..Globally, North America is expected to contribute the major share of beta carotene market followed by Europe. In North America, the United States is expected to occupy the major share on the pie in beta carotene market followed by Canada. Increasing health consciousness among the consumers is expected to drive the growth of beta carotene across the region. In Europe, Germany and France is expected to account for the major share in beta carotene market during the forecast period. Whereas, Asia pacific is concerned it is expected to register a healthy growth by 2020. In Asia pacific region China and Japan is expected to be the major contributor in beta carotene market. Increased use of cosmetics products in these region is predicted to support the growth of beta carotene market in the region.Beta Carotene Market DriversBeta carotene possess many features such as it lowers the risk of lung cancer, heart diseases, and skin problems. Moreover it also helps in controlling age related eye disorders and enables proper functioning of immune system. Thus, awareness among the consumers for the benefits of beta carotene is fueling its growth across the globe. Moreover increased usage of beta carotene in food and beverages industry to provide color to their final product is also fueling its growth during the forecast period.Request For TOC@Beta Carotene Market Key PlayersSome of the major players operating in beta carotene market include BASF SE, Kemin Industries Inc., Algatechnologies Ltd., Chr. Hansen A/S, Phytone Limited, Cyanotech Corporation, Royal DSM N.V., LycoRed Ltd., Overseal Natural Ingredients Ltd., Pharmline Inc., Sensient Technologies Corporation, Mera Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Valensa International LLC among others.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Organic Cocoa Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2015 to 2025

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The certified organic cocoa market represents a very small share of the total cocoa market, estimated around 0.5% of total production. However, the demand for organic cocoa products are growing at a very strong pace, the supply side faces a strong challenge to meet the demand of organic cocoa. Since, farmers are paying ample amount for producing organic cocoa, production of organic cocoa is more in least developed countries. Organic cocoa has many nutritional benefits such as more fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese and many other minerals. Moreover it also contains antioxidants, which helps to protect skin. Organic cocoa also helps to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Demand for organic cocoa products are very high in U.S, U.K and Germany, hence organic cocoa are supplied to developed economies of North America and Western Europe to manufacture organic cocoa products. Currently, Dominican Republic is dominating the organic cocoa market in terms of production that holds around 70 percent of the total market share; Peru, Ecuador and Mexico together hold around 20 percent of the market share in terms of production; rest around 10 percent is held by Bolivia, Ghana, Brazil and others.Organic Cocoa Market Segmentation:On the basis of product type the organic cocoa market is segmented into cocoa powder, cocoa paste, cocoa butter, cocoa beans and others (products containing cocoa). Products containing cocoa holds the highest market share in terms of value followed by cocoa beans and cocoa butter.Request For Report Sample@On the basis of application organic cocoa market is segmented into confectionaries, bakery, functional food, health drinks, home cooking use and others (pharmaceuticals, ointments, and toiletries). Organic cocoa is majorly used in food industry as a main ingredient of chocolate.Geographically, Organic cocoa market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Latin America is dominating worldwide followed by Middle East and Africa (MEA) in terms of organic cocoa production. Majority of organic cocoa is exported to Western Europe followed by North America. U.K and U.S are the largest manufacturing countries of organic cocoa products in the world, since organic chocolate is more popular in U.K, U.S and Germany and consumers from those countries owe a significant inclination towards organic chocolates irrespective of high pricing of organic products.Organic Cocoa Market Dynamics:Chocolate is the main application of organic cocoa which is the main growth driver of organic cocoa market. Also, the organic cocoa market is expected to be largely driven by the health consciousness among consumers. However, lack of proper supply of organic cocoa restrains the global organic cocoa market which also leads to increase in price of organic cocoa. There is a huge opportunity in the North America and Western Europe and Japan. Asia Pacific excluding Japan is an untapped market which is also a potential market for organic cocoa. This is attributed to increasing inclination of consumers towards organic products, rapid urbanisation, strengthening supply chain for organic cocoa and rising health consciousness among consumers.Request For TOC@Organic Cocoa Market Key Player:Some of the leading players are Kraft Foods Inc., Cargill Incorporated, Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V., Ciranda, Blommer Chocolate Company, Artisan Confections Company, PASCHA Company, InterNatural Foods LLC and Wilmor Publishing Corp.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Organic Baby Food Market Report: 2016 Edition

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SummaryGens report, Global Organic Baby Food Market Report: 2016 Edition provides detailed market and segment level data on the Global and Chinese consumption of Organic Baby Food. The report provides historic, forecast and growth patterns by company, country and type/application from 2016 to 2021.This report delivers an extensive overview of Global Organic Baby Food industry with a focus on China. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies. It also helps the companies to better understand the trends of Soups market to seize opportunities and formulate crucial business strategies.Get Sample Report @With this report, you will get access to:1. Market overview including definition, industrial chain (upstream & downstream), manufacturing technology details and the costs analysis from the aspects of raw materials, labor costs and depreciation.2. Value and volume consumption status and trends of the market, including Global and Chinese top players capacity & production, price & production value, cost & profit and market shares from 2011 to 2016.3. Worldwide supply/demand pattern of Organic Baby Food by country or region (North America, China, EMEA, Asia except China), and by application/type.4. Growth, trends and forecast of 2016-2021 Organic Baby Food market and some important proposals for new investment of Organic Baby Food Industry before evaluating its feasibility.Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 Global and Chinese Organic Baby Food industry covering all important parameters.Table Of Contents:Chapter One Description1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Findings of IndustryChapter Two Brief Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Industry Chain Structure2.2.1 Upstream Raw Materials2.2.2 Downstream MarketChapter Three Development and Trends3.1 Key Manufacturing Technologies3.2 Issues and TrendsChapter Four Cost Structure4.1 Bill of Materials (BOM)4.3 Labor Costs4.4 Depreciation Costs4.5 Manufacturing CostsBuy Complete Report Visit @About Us:Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors.Contact Us:ReportBazzar30 Wall Street, 8th floor,New York, NY 10005.United States.US: +1 (212) 389-6363India: +91 20 66528525Email Id: sales@reportbazzar.comWebsite:
Global Market Provides an Overview of Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Medical Devices Pipeline Assessment, 2016

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"The Report Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Medical Devices Pipeline Assessment, 2016 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SummaryGlobalData's Medical Devices sector report, Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Medical Devices Pipeline Assessment, 2016" provides an overview of Endoscopy Visualization Systems currently in pipeline stage.The report provides comprehensive information on the pipeline products with comparative analysis of the products at various stages of development. The report reviews major players involved in the pipeline product development. It also provides information about clinical trials in progress, which includes trial phase, trial status, trial start and end dates, and, the number of trials for the key Endoscopy Visualization Systems pipeline products.This report is prepared using data sourced from in-house databases, secondary and primary research by GlobalData's team of industry experts.View Report @Scope- Extensive coverage of the Endoscopy Visualization Systems under development- The report reviews details of major pipeline products which includes, product description, licensing and collaboration details and other developmental activities- The report reviews the major players involved in the development of Endoscopy Visualization Systems and list all their pipeline projects- The coverage of pipeline products based on various stages of development ranging from Early Development to Approved / Issued stage- The report provides key clinical trial data of ongoing trials specific to pipeline products- Recent developments in the segment / industryGet Sample Copy Of This Report @Reasons to buyThe report enables you to -- Formulate significant competitor information, analysis, and insights to improve R&D strategies- Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage- Identify and understand important and diverse types of Endoscopy Visualization Systems under development- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies- Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying major players with the most promising pipeline- In-depth analysis of the products current stage of development, territory and estimated launch dateRead our latest Press Release atTable Of Contents :1 Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 61.2 List of Figures 92 Introduction 102.1 Endoscopy Visualization Systems Overview 103 Products under Development 113.1 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Stage of Development 113.2 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Territory 123.3 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Regulatory Path 133.4 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Estimated Approval Date 143.5 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Ongoing Clinical Trials 154 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products under Development by Companies 164.1 Endoscopy Visualization Systems Companies - Pipeline Products by Stage of Development 164.2 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Stage of Development 185 Endoscopy Visualization Systems Companies and Product Overview 205.1 Aequorea Vision Medical, Inc. (Inactive) Company Overview 205.1.1 Aequorea Vision Medical, Inc. (Inactive) Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 205.2 Agfa HealthCare NV Company Overview 235.2.1 Agfa HealthCare NV Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 235.3 Aix-Marseille Universite Company Overview 255.3.1 Aix-Marseille Universite Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 255.4 Augusta University Company Overview 275.4.1 Augusta University Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 275.5 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Company Overview 285.5.1 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 285.6 Boston Scientific Corp Company Overview 295.6.1 Boston Scientific Corp Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 295.7 Endopix Ltd. Company Overview 315.7.1 Endopix Ltd. Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 315.8 Flex Film Kinetics Company Overview 325.8.1 Flex Film Kinetics Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 325.9 Hannover Medical School Company Overview 335.9.1 Hannover Medical School Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 335.10 Imperial College London Company Overview 345.10.1 Imperial College London Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 345.11 John Hopkins University Company Overview 355.11.1 John Hopkins University Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 355.12 KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America Inc Company Overview 375.12.1 KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America Inc Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 375.13 King's College London Company Overview 385.13.1 King's College London Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 385.14 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Company Overview 395.14.1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 395.15 Minimally Invasive Devices, LLC Company Overview 415.15.1 Minimally Invasive Devices, LLC Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 415.16 NanoLite Systems, Inc. Company Overview 42MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Europe Product Overview and Scope of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Market Report 2016

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"The Report Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Market Report 2016 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"This report studies sales (consumption) of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump in Europe market, especially in Germany, UK, France, Russia, Italy, Benelux and Spain, focuses on top players in these countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these Countries, coveringArthrexConMedEndo-FlexEnertechGIMMIKARL STORZLemkeMaxer EndoscopyRichard WolfXIONView Report @Market Segment by Countries, this report splits Europe into several key Countries, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump in these countries, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeGermanyFranceUKRussiaItalySpainBeneluxGet Sample Copy Of This Report @Split by product type, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IIType IIISplit by application, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3Table of Content :Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Market Report 20161 Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump1.2 Classification of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.2.3 Type III1.3 Application of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Market by Countries1.4.1 Germany Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 France Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 UK Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Russia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Italy Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 Spain Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.7 Benelux Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Europe Market Size (Value and Volume) of Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (2011-2021)1.5.1 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.1.2 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume and Value) by Countries2.3.1 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Countries (2011-2016)2.3.2 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Market Share by Countries (2011-2016)2.4 Europe Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume) by Application3 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 Germany Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Application4 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Value (2011-2016)4.1.1 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.2 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.4 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)4.2 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 France Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Application5 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Value (2011-2016)5.1.1 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.2 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.5 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)5.2 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 UK Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Application6 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Value (2011-2016)6.1.1 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)6.1.2 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)6.1.6 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)6.2 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers6.3 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by Type6.4 Russia Endoscopy Irrigation Pump Sales and Market Share by ApplicationMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
External Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) Market Value and Volume Analytics With Growth Analysis from 2011 to 2020

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"The Report External Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) Market in Sweden - Outlook to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Products that are designed to combat infestation by external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, on one or more than one of the listed animal categories (i.e. cats, dogs, birds, fish, and rodents).External Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) Market in Sweden - Outlook to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of External Parasite Treatments market of Sweden. The research handbook provides the up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2015 and illustrative forecast to 2020 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for External Parasite Treatments and its variants Bird, fish and rodent products, Cat products, Cross-segment products and Dog products.Sales Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency of Sweden and Volumes are represented in M Units. The research handbook acts as an essential tool for companies active or planning to venture in to Sweden's External Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) market. The comprehensive statistics within the research handbook provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting.View Report @Key Findings- Overall External Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) market value and volume analytics with growth analysis from 2011 to 2020.- Sales Value and Volume analytics for variants of External Parasite Treatments; Bird, fish and rodent products, Cat products, Cross-segment products and Dog productsSynopsisExternal Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) Market in Sweden - Outlook to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of External Parasite Treatments market of Sweden. The research handbook provides the up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2015 and illustrative forecast to 2020 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for External Parasite Treatments and its variants Bird, fish and rodent products, Cat products, Cross-segment products and Dog products.ReasonsToBuy- Get access to authoritative and granular data on the External Parasite Treatments (Pet Healthcare) market and fill in the gaps in understanding of trends and the components of change behind them.- Enhance your understanding of the market to update your strategic and tactical plans based on volume and value changes.- Analyze the components of change in the market by looking at historic and future growth patterns.- Use the data to understand future patterns of the market trends from winners and losers to category dynamics and thereby quickly and easily identify the key areas in which you want to compete in the future.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Table of Contents1 Introduction1.1 What is this Report About?1.2 Definitions1.2.1 This report provides 2015 actual sales; while forecasts are provided for 2016 20201.2.2 Category Definitions1.2.3 Volume Units and Aggregations1.2.4 Exchange Rates1.2.5 Methodology Summary2 Sweden External parasite treatments Market Analysis, 2010202.1 External parasite treatments Value Analysis, 2010202.1.1 External parasite treatments Market by Value, 2010202.1.2 External parasite treatments Market Value by Segments, 2010202.2 External parasite treatments Volume Analysis, 2010202.2.1 External parasite treatments Market by Volume, 2010202.2.2 External parasite treatments Market Volume by Segments, 2010203 Sweden External parasite treatments Market Analysis, by Segment 2010203.1 Bird, fish and rodent products Analysis, 2010203.1.1 Bird, fish and rodent products Market by Value, 2010203.1.2 Bird, fish and rodent products Market by Volume, 2010203.2 Cat products Analysis, 2010203.2.1 Cat products Market by Value, 2010203.2.2 Cat products Market by Volume, 2010203.3 Cross-segment products Analysis, 2010203.3.1 Cross-segment products Market by Value, 2010203.3.2 Cross-segment products Market by Volume, 2010203.4 Dog products Analysis, 2010203.4.1 Dog products Market by Value, 2010203.4.2 Dog products Market by Volume, 2010204 Appendix4.1 About GlobalData4.2 DisclaimerMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
In-depth analysis of the Global Endoscopy Market Analysis & Outlook (2016-2020)

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"The Report Global Endoscopy Market: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2016-2020) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Endoscopy is a procedure to scan and diagnose the patients body from inside, in which a tube like instrument is put inside the body of the patient through a cut in skin or mouth or anus. This procedure is very much different from procedures like X-ray, CT scan, Ultrasound and other imaging test. The global endoscopy market has three main segments i.e. endoscopic equipment, accessories and service & repairing. Worldwide, several big medical technology companies are engaged in manufacturing endoscopes and its related market products.The report Global Endoscopy Market provides an in-depth analysis of the global market along with its segments. The major trends, growth drivers as well as issues being faced by the industry are being presented in this report. The key players in the industry, Medtronic Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Olympus Corporation and Boston Scientific are being profiled.The key factors driving the growth of endoscopy market are growing ageing population, growing obese population, increasing number of diabetic patient, accelerating economic growth, rising demand of laparoscopic surgery, growing demand of minimally invasive surgery and growing demand for GI procedure. Some of the noteworthy trends and developments of this industry are technological advancement and assisting algorithms. However, the expansion of endoscopy market is hindered by associated patient risk and environmental issues.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @Table of Content1. Endoscopy Market - An Overview1.1 An Introduction1.2 Use of Endoscopy1.3 Types of Endoscope2. Global Endoscopy Market Analysis2.1 Global Endoscopy Market by Value2.2 Global Endoscopy Market Forecast by Value2.3 Global Endoscopy Market Segments2.3.1 Global GI Endoscopy Market by Value2.3.2 Global GI Endoscopy Market Forecast by Value2.3.3 Global Laparoscopy Market by Value2.3.4 Global Laparoscopy Market Forecast by Value2.3.5 Global Urology Endoscopy Market by Value2.3.6 Global Urology Endoscopy Market Forecast by Value2.3.7 Global Arthroscopy Market Forecast by Value3. Global Flexible Endoscope Market Analysis3.1 Global Flexible Endoscope Market by Value3.2 Global Flexible Endoscope Market Forecast by Value3.3 Global Flexible Endoscope Market by Volume3.4 Global Flexible Endoscope Market Forecast by Volume3.5 Global Flexible Endoscope Forecast Average Selling Price4. Market Dynamics4.1 Growth Drivers4.1.1 Growing Ageing Population4.1.2 Growing Obese Population4.1.3 Increasing Number of Diabetic Patient4.1.4 Accelerating Economic Growth4.1.5 Rising Demand for Laparoscopic Surgery4.1.6 Growing Demand for Minimally Invasive Surgery4.1.7 Growing Demand for GI procedure4.2 Market Trends4.2.1 Technological Advancement4.2.2 Assisting Algorithms4.3 Challenges4.3.1 Associated Patient RiskMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E : sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Hazardous Waste Management Industry Analysis, Market Size, Sales, Shares, Forecast Report 2017: Onsite, Offsite

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Hazardous Waste Management in Global market, especially in United States, China, Europe and Japan, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringClean Harbors IncDaniels Sharpsmart IncRepublic Services IncStericycle IncSuez Environment SAVeolia Environment SABiomedical Waste SolutionsWaste Management IncRemondis MedisonSharps Compliance IncMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Hazardous Waste Management in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoInfectious and Pathological WasteSharpsPharmaceutical WasteOthersSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Hazardous Waste Management in each application, can be divided intoOnsiteOffsiteDownload Sample Copy Of This Report:Table of ContentsGlobal Hazardous Waste Management Sales Market Report 20171 Hazardous Waste Management Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Hazardous Waste Management1.2 Classification of Hazardous Waste Management1.2.1 Infectious and Pathological Waste1.2.2 Sharps1.2.3 Pharmaceutical Waste1.2.4 Others1.3 Application of Hazardous Waste Management1.3.1 Onsite1.3.2 Offsite1.4 Hazardous Waste Management Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Hazardous Waste Management (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Hazardous Waste Management Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Hazardous Waste Management Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Hazardous Waste Management (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Hazardous Waste Management (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global Hazardous Waste Management (Volume) by ApplicationBrowse More ICT Market Research Reports:3 United States Hazardous Waste Management (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Hazardous Waste Management Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Application4 China Hazardous Waste Management (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Hazardous Waste Management Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Application5 Europe Hazardous Waste Management (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Application6 Japan Hazardous Waste Management (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers6.3 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Application7 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7.1 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Value (2012-2017)7.1.1 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.2 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.3 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)7.2 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers7.3 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type7.4 Southeast Asia Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Application8 India Hazardous Waste Management (Volume, Value and Sales Price)8.1 India Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Value (2012-2017)8.1.1 India Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)8.1.2 India Hazardous Waste Management Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)8.1.3 India Hazardous Waste Management Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)8.2 India Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers8.3 India Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by Type8.4 India Hazardous Waste Management Sales and Market Share by ApplicationMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Textile Washing Products (Household Care) Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics Outlook to 2020

http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/985279

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"The Report Textile Washing Products (Household Care) Market in United Kingdom - Outlook to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SummaryCleaning / Laundry products specifically designed to clean textile products. Includes CarpetCleaners, Detergent tablets, Fabric Fresheners, Fabric conditioners, Laundry Bleach, Limescale Preventers, Liquid detergents, Powder detergents, Stain removers and other detergents.Textile Washing Products (Household Care) Market in United Kingdom - Outlook to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of Textile Washing Products market of United Kingdom. The research handbook provides the up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2015 and illustrative forecast to 2020 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Textile Washing Products and its variants Carpet Cleaners, Detergent tablets, Fabric Fresheners, Fabric conditioners, Laundry Bleach, Limescale Preventers, Liquid detergents, Powder detergents, Stain removers and other additives and Other detergents.Sales Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency of United Kingdom and Volumes are represented in M Units. The research handbook acts as an essential tool for companies active or planning to venture in to United Kingdom's Textile Washing Products (Household Care) market. The comprehensive statistics within the research handbook provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting.View Report @Key Findings- Overall Textile Washing Products (Household Care) market value and volume analytics with growth analysis from 2011 to 2020.- Sales Value and Volume analytics for variants of Textile Washing Products; Carpet Cleaners, Detergent tablets, Fabric Fresheners, Fabric conditioners, Laundry Bleach, Limescale Preventers, Liquid detergents, Powder detergents, Stain removers and other additives and Other detergentsGet Sample Copy Of this Report @SynopsisTextile Washing Products (Household Care) Market in United Kingdom - Outlook to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of Textile Washing Products market of United Kingdom. The research handbook provides the up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2015 and illustrative forecast to 2020 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Textile Washing Products and its variants Carpet Cleaners, Detergent tablets, Fabric Fresheners, Fabric conditioners, Laundry Bleach, Limescale Preventers, Liquid detergents, Powder detergents, Stain removers and other additives and Other detergents.ReasonsToBuy- Get access to authoritative and granular data on the Textile Washing Products (Household Care) market and fill in the gaps in understanding of trends and the components of change behind them.- Enhance your understanding of the market to update your strategic and tactical plans based on volume and value changes.- Analyze the components of change in the market by looking at historic and future growth patterns.- Use the data to understand future patterns of the market trends from winners and losers to category dynamics and thereby quickly and easily identify the key areas in which you want to compete in the future.Read our latest Press Release atTable of ContentTable of Contents1 Introduction1.1 What is this Report About?1.2 Definitions1.2.1 This report provides 2015 actual sales; while forecasts are provided for 2016 20201.2.2 Category Definitions1.2.3 Volume Units and Aggregations1.2.4 CAGR Definition and Calculation1.2.5 Exchange Rates1.2.6 Methodology Summary2 United Kingdom Textile washing products Market Analysis, 2010202.1 Textile washing products Value Analysis, 2010202.1.1 Textile washing products Market by Value, 2010202.1.2 Textile washing products Market Value by Segments, 2010203 United Kingdom Textile washing products Market Analysis, by Segments 2010203.1 Carpet Cleaners Analysis, 2010203.1.1 Carpet Cleaners Market by Value, 2010203.1.2 Carpet Cleaners Market by Volume, 2010203.2 Detergent tablets Analysis, 2010203.2.1 Detergent tablets Market by Value, 2010203.2.2 Detergent tablets Market by Volume, 2010203.3 Fabric Fresheners Analysis, 2010203.3.1 Fabric Fresheners Market by Value, 2010203.3.2 Fabric Fresheners Market by Volume, 2010203.4 Fabric conditioners Analysis, 2010203.4.1 Fabric conditioners Market by Value, 2010203.4.2 Fabric conditioners Market by Volume, 2010203.5 Laundry Bleach Analysis, 2010203.5.1 Laundry Bleach Market by Value, 2010203.5.2 Laundry Bleach Market by Volume, 2010203.6 Limescale Preventers Analysis, 2010203.6.1 Limescale Preventers Market by Value, 2010203.6.2 Limescale Preventers Market by Volume, 2010203.7 Liquid detergents Analysis, 2010203.7.1 Liquid detergents Market by Value, 2010203.7.2 Liquid detergents Market by Volume, 2010203.8 Powder detergents Analysis, 2010203.8.1 Powder detergents Market by Value, 2010203.8.2 Powder detergents Market by Volume, 2010203.9 Stain removers and other additives Analysis, 2010203.9.1 Stain removers and other additives Market by Value, 2010203.9.2 Stain removers and other additives Market by Volume, 2010203.1 Other detergents Analysis, 2010203.10.1 Other detergents Market by Value, 2010203.10.2 Other detergents Market by Volume, 2010204 Appendix4.1 About GlobalData4.2 DisclaimerAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact us:Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E : sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Detailed information about the Volta River Authority - Power Plants and SWOT Analysis 2016

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"The Report Volta River Authority - Power Plants and SWOT Analysis, 2016 Update provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The report contains a detailed description of the power generation companys business operations, history, corporate strategy, and business structure. This report contains a detailed SWOT analysis, information on key employees (executives), and major products and services.View Report @Scope- Major Power Plants (assets) - summarized and detailed information about the power plants (assets).- Operational Metrics (capacity, generation, revenue, sales, number of consumers).- Business description - A detailed description of the companys operations and business divisions.- Corporate strategy - GlobalDatas summarization of the companys business strategy.- SWOT analysis - A detailed analysis of the companys strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats.- Company history - Progression of key events associated with the company.- Major products and services - A list of major products, services and brands- Key employees - A list of the key executives and personnel heading key departments/functions.- Executive biographies - A brief summary of the executives employment history.- Financial deals - Coverage of key financial deals from 2006 onwards, depending upon information availability- Important locations and subsidiaries - A list of key locations and subsidiaries of the company, including contact details.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Reasons to buy- Gain key insights into the company for academic or business research purposes. Key elements such as SWOT analysis, corporate strategy and major products and services are incorporated in the profile to assist in various business decisions (M&A and JV).- Identify potential customers and suppliers with this reports analysis of the companys business structure, operations, major products and services and business strategy.- Understand and respond to competitors business structure and strategies with GlobalDatas detailed SWOT analysis. In this, the companys core strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are analyzed, providing an up to date objective view of the company.Table of ContentTable of ContentsTable of Contents 2List of Tables 4Company Snapshot 5Key Information 5Company Overview 5SWOT Snapshot 5Operational Metrics 6Volta River Authority, Operational Metrics, By Capacity 6Volta River Authority, Operational Metrics, By Segmental Information 6Volta River Authority, Wind Farms 7Volta River Authority, Wind Farms, Ghana 7Volta River Authority, Solar PV Parks 8Volta River Authority, Solar PV Parks, Ghana 8Volta River Authority, Hydro Power Plants 9Volta River Authority, Hydro Power Plants, Ghana 9Volta River Authority, Thermal Power Plants 10Volta River Authority, Thermal Power Plants, Ghana 10Business Description 11Business Overview 11Major Products and Services 11History 12SWOT Analysis 14Overview 14Volta River Authority Strengths 14Power Generation Assets 14Revenue Generation Model 14Volta River Authority Weaknesses 15Operational Performance 15Working Capital Deficit 15Volta River Authority Opportunities 15ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency 15Growth of Tourism Industry 15Increase in Demand for Electricity 15Volta River Authority Threats 15Socio-Environmental Impact 15Operational Issues 16Environmental Laws and Regulations 16Transmission and Distribution Network Safety 16Key Employees 17Company Statement 18MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Market Analysis And Forecast Report 2017: Revenue Management, Account Management, Customer Management

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Telecom Cloud Billing Services in United States market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringAmdocsOracle CorporationCGI GroupEricssonNetcracker TechnologyComputer Sciences CorporationHuaweiRedknee SolutionsAsiainfoCerillionTech MahindraMarket Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoConvergentPrepaidPostpaidInterconnectSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Telecom Cloud Billing Services in each application, can be divided intoRevenue ManagementAccount ManagementCustomer ManagementDownload Sample Copy Of This Report:Table of ContentsUnited States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Market Report 20171 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Telecom Cloud Billing Services1.2 Classification of Telecom Cloud Billing Services1.2.1 Convergent1.2.2 Prepaid1.2.3 Postpaid1.2.4 Interconnect1.3 Application of Telecom Cloud Billing Services1.3.1 Revenue Management1.3.2 Account Management1.3.3 Customer Management1.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Telecom Cloud Billing Services (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Price by States (2012-2017)4 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States Telecom Cloud Billing Services Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6.1 Amdocs6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Convergent6.1.2.2 Prepaid6.1.3 Amdocs Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Oracle Corporation6.2.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Convergent6.2.2.2 Prepaid6.2.3 Oracle Corporation Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 CGI Group6.3.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Convergent6.3.2.2 Prepaid6.3.3 CGI Group Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 Ericsson6.4.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Convergent6.4.2.2 Prepaid6.4.3 Ericsson Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 Netcracker Technology6.5.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Convergent6.5.2.2 Prepaid6.5.3 Netcracker Technology Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Computer Sciences Corporation6.6.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Convergent6.6.2.2 Prepaid6.6.3 Computer Sciences Corporation Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 Huawei6.7.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Convergent6.7.2.2 Prepaid6.7.3 Huawei Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 Redknee Solutions6.8.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Convergent6.8.2.2 Prepaid6.8.3 Redknee Solutions Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 Asiainfo6.9.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Convergent6.9.2.2 Prepaid6.9.3 Asiainfo Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.10 Cerillion6.10.2 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Product Type, Application and Specification6.10.2.1 Convergent6.10.2.2 Prepaid6.10.3 Cerillion Telecom Cloud Billing Services Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.11 Tech Mahindra7 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Telecom Cloud Billing Services8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Telecom Cloud Billing Services Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Telecom Cloud Billing Services Major Manufacturers in 20158.4 Downstream BuyersMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Industrial 3D Printing Market Size, Share, Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2022

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www.psmarketresearch.com/industry-report/semiconductor-and-electronics

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The global industrial 3D printing market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing demand for accuracy and speed in printing, and introduction of new materials for 3D printing. Some of the other factors driving the global industrial 3D printing market are increased spending by several manufacturers on research and development activities, growing demand from end user industries, and enhanced regulatory support provided by different governments. Increasing adoption of 3D printing technology in aerospace, automotive, consumer goods and healthcare industries are supporting the demand for 3D printing. Automotive industry is the largest end user segment of the global industrial 3D printing market and is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period.To Browse Full Report Visit Here:The industrial 3D printing technology provides good opportunity to enhance the potential of manufacturing and supply chain management. The 3D technology helps in consolidating various components into a single product, and managing inventory complexity for industries. The industrial 3D printing technique is used to enhance productivity and reduce cost of production. However, lack of skilled labor, limitation in design tools and product size, and high cost and limited availability of materials is expected to hamper the growth of the global market.3D printing is referred to the additive manufacturing process that creates a digital design from a physical object. The technology helps in reduction of waste material, repairing parts that are costly to replace, decreasing the lead time, and reducing tooling cost. Moreover, 3D printing technology can be used for printing variety of materials using a uniform technique, in which a digital model is turned into a solid three dimensional physical object by adding material layer by layer. The 3D printing technique is useful for production of spare parts which is otherwise difficult to obtain. Manufacturers are shifting their focus to mass production instead of low volume production, which can be used across various industries.Browse For Related Research Visit Here:The industrial 3D printing is used for manufacturing, tooling and repairing heavy equipment, machinery and robotics in the industries such as aerospace and defense, electrical, food and beverage, jewelry and healthcare. Among different industrial 3D printing technologies, the laser metal deposition is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period.Geographically, North America is the largest market for industrial 3D printing, owing to the higher usage in aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, and health care companies. Also continuous technological up gradation and financial support from the government is supporting the growth of the North American market. The key growth drivers for the European market are increased initiatives by the government, extensive industrial base and high funding in research and development.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:AbhishekAssistant  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Patient Handling Equipment Market to Reach US$b17.5 Billion by 2021

Patient Handling Equipment Market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/patient-handling-equipment-market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/requestsample/patient-handling-equipment-market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/

New York, February 27: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Patient Handling Equipment Market by Product (Wheelchair, Scooters, Medical Beds, Bathroom Safety, Mechanical, Ambulatory), Type of Care (Bariatric Care, Critical Care, Wound), Accessories (Lifting, Transfer) & by End User (Home, Hospital) - Forecast 2014 - 2021The global patient handling equipment market is anticipated to exceed USD17.5 billion in the forecast period. North America is expected to grow at highest CAGR. Europe is projected to be the market leader of patient handling equipment market in 2017. Government regulations on mandating use of patient handling equipment is driving the market in Asia Pacific.Browse Full Report:Patient handling equipments are used to provide safety and reduce the hazard when handle patient. The patient handling equipment should have easy to handle and secure to workers when they require equipments. The main reason for patient handling equipment is to provide correct shifting, moving and lifting of patient so that minimizing injuries and the injuries related cost. Varity of methods are used to handle patient such as physical moving technique, small patient handling support and big patient handling support equipment.The major driving factors of patient handling equipment market are as follows: Rising old population is driving the patient handling equipment market Growing the number of diseases is expected to increase need of it Government plans to support the use of patient handling equipment Development in technical field.The Restraints factors of patient handling equipment market are as follows: Skillful training and sufficient information are necessary to handle patient safely. Dare to handle bariatric care patient.Download Free Sample Report:The patient handling equipment market is segmented on the lines of its product, end user , accessories and type of care. The patient handling equipment market is segmented on the lines of its product like ambulatory aids, non mechanical equipment, mechanical equipment, bathroom safety supplies, medical beds and wheelchair and scooters. The wheelchair and scooter is further segmented into manual wheelchair, powered wheelchair and scooters. The medical beds covers curative care beds, psychiatric care beds and long term care beds. . Under end user segmentation it covered home care, hospital, elderly care, nursing homes and long term care. The patient handling equipment market is segmented on the lines of its accessories like lifting accessories, transfer accessories, evacuation accessories, stretcher accessories, hospital bed accessories, bariatric boards and transfer sheets. By type of care it contains bariatric care, fall prevention, critical care and wound care.This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for patient handling equipmentand related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2013, estimates for 2014 and 2015, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2020.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for patient handling equipment4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.Key players profiled in the report include: Stryker Inc Hill-Rom Inc. ArjoHuntleighInc Guldmann Inc. Invacare Corporation Linet Inc. Stiegelmeyer Inc. Joerns healthcare Handicare Inc. Prism MedicalCompany profile includes assign such as company summary, financial summary,business strategy and planning, SWOT analysis and current developments.The Top Companies Report is intended to provide our buyers with a snapshot of the industrys most influential players.The Patient Handling Equipment Market has been segmented as below:By Product Segment Analysis Wheelchair and scooters Manual wheelchair Powered Wheelchair Scooters Medical Beds Curative care beds Psychiatric care beds Long term care beds Others Bathroom safety supplies Mechanical equipment Non mechanical equipment Ambulatory Aids OthersBy End-user Analysis Home care Hospital Elderly care Others (Nursing homes, long term care)By Accessories Analysis Lifting accessories Transfer accessories Evacuation accessories Stretcher accessories Hospital Bed Accessories Others (Bariatric boards, transfer sheets)By Type of care Analysis Bariatric care Fall prevention Critical care Wound care Others (transfers)By Regional Analysis North America Europe Asia-Pacific Rest of the WorldAbout MarketResearchEngine.comMarket Research Engine is a global market research and consulting organization. We provide market intelligence in emerging, niche technologies and markets. Our market analysis powered by rigorous methodology and quality metrics provide information and forecasts across emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models. Our deep focus on industry verticals and country reports help our clients to identify opportunities and develop business strategies.Media ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862, +91-860-565-7204Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States
Global Absolute Linear Encoders Market Research Report 2016 Industry Growth with CAGR in Forecast - 2022

Absolute Linear Encoders

http://bit.ly/2lqweDY

http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-absolute-linear-encoders-market-professional-survey-report.html

The Absolute Linear Encoders research report by QY Research represents an inclusive evaluation of the Global Absolute Linear Encoders Market and comprises considerable insights, historical data, facts, and statistical and industry-validated data of the global market. Additionally, it consists of estimated data that is evaluated with the help of suitable set of methodologies and assumptions. The research report highlights informative data and in-depth analysis of Absolute Linear Encoders market and its corresponding segments that are based on technology, geography, and applications.The examination on value chain of Absolute Linear Encoders market is provided which covers the growth factors and restraints of the industry along with the key market competitors.To Request Sample Copy Of This Report:The report comprises precise information, comprehensive analysis in two waysqualitative and quantitativeindustry experts inputs, and information provided by industry analysts and industry participants involved in the entire value chain. The report highlights exhaustive study of major market and their present trends, along with corresponding market segments. The Absolute Linear Encoders report also provides data regarding various market factors and their impact on the overall market and its segments.Global Research report analyzes the scope of Absolute Linear Encoders industry including size, share, analysis, sales, supply, production, definition, specification, classification, demands, application, forecast trends, industry policy, and news. The report focuses on regional as well as global market, its key players, along with market segments including detailed study on various divisions and its applications. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Absolute Linear Encoders market.Furthermore, the report evaluated major market points such as production, revenue, capacity utilization rate, gross, price, capacity, gross margin, supply, cost, demand, export, consumption, import, growth rate, market share, and so on.Browse Complete Report At:The global Absolute Linear Encoders market report is a helpful source which assists manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, customers, and individuals and investors who have interest in this market.SummaryNotes:Production, means the output of Absolute Linear EncodersRevenue, means the sales value of Absolute Linear EncodersThis report studies Absolute Linear Encoders in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2011 to 2015, and forecast to 2021.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringNEWALLLika ElectronicGURLEY Precision InstrumentsKublerGIVI MISUREFagor AutomationGEMACELCIS ENCODERSIKOAbout Us:MRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting. It consists of head such as, latest report, category, niche market and news. Reports published on the million of category like chemical, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, manufacturing and construction etc. Latest national, international, business News published under news portal.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Global Animal Health Market Report: 2014 Edition Analyzes the Development - Major Players are Zoetis, Merck and Elli Lilly

http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=234394

http://www.researchmoz.us/healthcare-market-reports-56.html

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

http://healthcare-research-report.blogspot.in/

ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Global Animal Health Market Report: 2014 Edition " to it's Large Report database.Animals like people suffer from diseases and require proper care from the veterinarians, the farmers and the pet owners. Food producing animals are the species that provide animal protein including cattle (both beef and dairy), swine, poultry, sheep and fish, whereas companion animals are the animals that are kept by people for companionship, protection and enjoyment such as dogs, cats, and horses among others. Keeping animals healthy and treating them with dignity is one of the main objectives of the animal health industry and applies equally to companion animals, livestock and wild animals. Animal health market includes pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medicinal feed additives. Pharmaceuticals contribute significantly to the health and well-being of food-producing and companion animals.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Veterinary healthcare globally has had a significant boost in revenues due to a number of factors. Economic development and related growth in per capita disposable income, increasing pet ownership, increasing demand for improved nutrition especially animal protein, higher attention on food safety and higher demand for greater livestock production are major factors contributing to the growth of animal health market. Going forward, the key factor for the growth of animal health market will be the need to increase production of farm animal products (eggs, milk, beef and other dairy products).The report, Global Animal Health Market analyzes the development of the animal health market, with a focus on its segments including: market for companion animals and food producing animals. The global market along with markets of the US, the UK and China are being discussed in the report. The major trends, growth drivers as well as issues being faced by the industry are being presented in this report. The three major players in the industry - Zoetis, Merck and Elli Lilly are being profiled, along with their key financials and strategies for growth.Read All Healthcare Market Research Reports @Table of Content1. Market Overview1.1 Introduction1.2 Animal Health Products1.2.1 Types of Animal Health Products1.2.2 Value Chain Analysis1.2.3 Animal Medicines vs. Human Medicines2. Global Animal Heath MarketGlobal Market ValueGlobal Market Growth2.1 Market Segmentation by SpeciesFood Producing AnimalsCompanion Animals2.2 Market Segmentation by Product Group2.3 Market Segmentation by Geography2.3.1 The USMarket ValuePet OwnershipPet Industry Expenditures2.3.2 The UKMarket ValueMarket SegmentationPet Ownership2.3.3 ChinaMarket ValueMarket SegmentationAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
Global 3D Printing Market (Polyjet, FDM, SLS, SLA) is Expected to Reach USD 7,240 Million by 2019 - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast

http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=188677

http://www.researchmoz.us/ict-market-reports-96.html

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http://deep-research-report.blogspot.com/

ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Global 3D Printing (Polyjet, FDM, SLS, SLA) Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2013 - 2019 " to it's Large Report database.The 3D Printing Market has seen rapid growth in recent years due to its increasing applications across different sectors Such as consumer products and electronics, automotive, medical, industrial and aerospace. Decreasing cost of 3D printers and its increasing adoption across the government and education sectors is further expected to spur the demand in the coming years. Additionally, 3D printer manufacturers are continuously focusing on the development of new 3D printing materials, which would provide improved surface finish and high strength 3D models.This market has been segmented by use, by technology, by application and by geography. It also includes the drivers, restraints and opportunities, Porters five forces analysis and value chain of the 3D printing market. The study highlights current market trends and provides forecast from 2013 to 2019. We have also highlighted future trends in the market that will impact demand.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:By geography, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and RoW. In addition, the market attractiveness analysis provided in the report highlights key investing areas in this industry. The report will help manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to understand the present and future trends in this market and formulate their strategies accordingly.The global 3D printing market here refers to the market by use, by technology, by application and by geography. The market is categorized into the following segments:3D printing Market by UseCommercialPersonal3D printing Market by TechnologyPolyjetFDMSLSSLAOthersRead All ICT Market Research Reports @TABLE OF CONTENTCHAPTER 1 PREFACE1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2 RESEARCH SCOPE1.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGYCHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARYCHAPTER 3 MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 INTRODUCTION3.2 VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS3.3 MARKET TRENDS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK3.4 MARKET DRIVERS3.4.1 EXPANDING APPLICATIONS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES3.4.2 INCREASING TREND TO MANUFACTURE TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED PRODUCTS AND DECLINING COST OF 3D PRINTERS3.5 MARKET RESTRAINTS3.5.1 INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS3.5.2 INABILITY TO MASS PRODUCE IN QUICK TIME3.6 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES3.6.1 REPLACEMENT OF TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING BY 3D PRINTING3.6.2 DEVELOPMENT OF 3D SCAN AND PRINT TECHNOLOGY3.7 PORTERS FIVE FORCE ANALYSIS3.7.1 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS3.7.2 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS3.7.3 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES3.7.4 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS3.7.5 DEGREE OF COMPETITION3.8 MARKET ATTRACTIVENESS BY APPLICATION3.9 MARKET SHARE BY KEY PLAYERSAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
Global 4K2K TV Market: Industry Analysis, Growth, Demand & Outlook 2016-2020: Top Players like Samsung, Panasonic, LG

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http://www.researchmoz.us/ict-market-reports-96.html

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Global 4K2K TV Market: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2016-2020) " to it's Large Report database.Display Resolution, also known as screen resolution, is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It is identified by the width and height of the image as well as the total number of pixels in the image. There are number of display resolution present today like high definition TVs, full HD TVs and many more. In terms of television resolution, 4K is the latest technology.4K resolution, also called 4K, refers to a horizontal resolution on the order of approximately 4,000 pixels and vertical resolution on the order of 2,000 pixels. Television systems with 4k resolutions are regarded as ultra-high definition systems. The 4K2K TVs have become the most popular choice today mainly because it provides picture clarity, better image debt & color handling, and a more cinematic and immersive experience.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Asia pacific is the largest market of 4K2K TVs. It is the manufacturing hub for 4K2K TVs and the region is home to all the leading vendors of IC drivers, panel displays, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). All the latest innovation and technological developments in the TV market comes from Asia Pacific.The key factors driving growth of the 4K2K TV market includes increase in the 4K2K panel shipments, falling average selling price, greater adoption rate year after year, rising popularity of 4K UHD content, growing awareness about the 4K technology and rise in middle class population and lifestyle. However, market growth is hindered by the factors such as limited adoption of 4K2K technology in 48 inch TV sets and high costs of 4K2K TVs. The major trends featuring the market includes rising proportion of 4K2K TV Panels using RGBW technology, use of LED backlighting in 4K2K TVs and entry of new Chinese vendors in the market.The report offers an in-depth analysis of the Global 4K2K TV Market with special focus on Asia Pacific. It covers the regional and global aspect of the market. The top notch players in the market exhibit a very close competition. The report profiles Samsung, Panasonic, LG Electronics and Hisense.Read All ICT Market Research Reports @Table of Content1. Market Overview1.1 Resolution1.2 Common TV Resolution1.3 4K2K TV Resolution2. Global 4K2K TV Market2.1 Global 4K2K TV Market by Value2.2 Global 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Value2.3 Global 4K2K TV Market by Shipment Volume2.4 Global 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Shipment Volume2.5 Global 4K2K TV Market Volume by Region2.6 Global 4K2K TV Market by Penetration Rate2.7 Global 4K22K TV Market Penetration Rate by Type3. Regional 4K2K TV Market Analysis3.1 Asia Pacific3.1.1 Asia Pacific 4K2K TV Market by Shipment Volume3.1.2 Asia Pacific 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Shipment Volume3.1.3 Asia Pacific 4K2K TV Market Volume by Country3.1.4 China 4K2K TV Market by Shipment Volume3.1.5 China 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Shipment Volume3.1.6 Korea 4K2K TV Market by Shipment Volume3.1.7 Korea 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Shipment Volume3.1.8 Japan 4K2K TV Market by Shipment Volume3.1.9 Japan 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Shipment Volume3.2 The Americas3.2.1 The Americas 4K2K TV Market by Shipment Volume3.2.2 The Americas 4K2K TV Market Forecast by Shipment VolumeAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
The Store of the Future & the Factory of the Future: connected at SIMAC

A successful partnership between ELSE Corp & ATOM LabMilan, February 25: A ground-breaking milestone for ELSE Corp, an innovative Virtual Retail startup from Milan, was achieved at SIMAC Tanning Tech 2017, this past week. In a pivotal industrial partnership between ELSE Corp, ATOM Lab and ShoeMaster, the public were introduced to a streamlined vision for the future of industrial 3D CAD integration for mass customised footwear, from design to retail and from retail to manufacturing. For the first time, the startup successfully demonstrated their virtual retail platform E.L.S.E., completed with their order management module ELSE-ware, fully integrated into a cloud based hybrid manufacturing supply chain.Located in the ATOM Lounge at SIMAC, the process began at the Virtual Shop, presented by ELSE Corp, where the customers data could be recorded, their feet scanned through the integrated 3d foot scanner and they could customise the 3D designs in a demo collection through the powered by E.L.S.E. virtual product configurator. Other than the startups original E.L.S.E. configurator which was connected to the Factory on Demand, a project by ATOM Lab- ATOM Group, they also demonstrated an Augmented Reality version of their configurator where customers could customise a shoe by pointing a tablet at different samples, accessories and physical materials and seeing theircustomised shoe visualised as a high-quality 3D model on the mobile device.Visitors to the Virtual Shop also got a glimpse into the mixed reality future of shopping concept being explored and developed at ELSE Corp through a Hololens device, where they could play with the colour and material options of the different shoes seen as holograms, by making simple gestures.Once configured via the Virtual Shop powered by E.L.S.E., the customers custom orders were then sent to the next step in ATOM Labs nine-step Factory on Demand for mass customised hybrid manufacturing - where they were produced using a mix of traditional, digital and additive manufacturing methods, produced just-in-time, according to the ERP grade Customized Hybrid Manufacturing Order specification generated via ELSE-ware by ELSE Corp.For more information: http://www.else-corp.com/ELSE Corp is an Italian startup based in Milan, founded in 2014. Since then, the company has been working on designing and developing a technologically advanced Cloud SaaS API platform for Virtual Retail or no stock retail for the Apparel & Footwear industry. The platform E.L.S.E., Exclusive Luxury Shopping Experience is aimed at providing an extraordinary Customer & Shopping Experience in 3D (applications, web, mobile apps, Virtual Reality, Augmented and Mixed Reality environments), that supports at its core Mass Customization and cloud based hybrid & distributed Manufacturing services, integrating all their components and processes into brands and retailers e-commerce, CRM, ERP and PLM systems; from 3D Design and Interactive Visual Merchandising for customized and MTM sales, to on demand production.Contact Information:Else Corp Srl. CEO & Co-founder: Andrey Golub a.golub @ else-corp.itELSE CorpVia Durando 3920158 MilanoItalypr@else-corp.it
Global Sunflower Oil Market 2017 Forecast, Growth and Analysis to 2022

https://goo.gl/MbCdwZ

https://goo.gl/JSOqD8

www.fiormarkets.com

www.9dimenreports.com

Global Sunflower Oil Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Sunflower Oil market globally, providing basic overview of Sunflower Oil market including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure, Sunflower Oil Market report provides development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Sunflower Oil market size, share and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.Global market research report of Sunflower Oil 2017 mainly focuses on Production, means the output of Sunflower Oil and Revenue, means the sales value of Sunflower Oil in market.Download Sample Report @The Global Sunflower Oil Industry Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Sunflower Oil industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Sunflower Oil market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report focuses on global major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The Sunflower Oil industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.Access Full Report With TOC @With 236 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Table of ContentsGlobal Sunflower Oil Market Research Report 20171 Sunflower Oil Market Overview2 Global Sunflower Oil Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Sunflower Oil Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Sunflower Oil Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Sunflower Oil Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Sunflower Oil Market Analysis by Application7 Global Sunflower Oil Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Sunflower Oil Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Sunflower Oil Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Contact UsMark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Salad Containers Global Market 2017 by Manufacturers - Eco-Products, Rubbermaid, BIOPAC

http://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/34079/request-sample

https://goo.gl/0NRMiB

www.fiormarkets.com

Global Salad Containers Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Salad Containers market globally, providing basic overview of Salad Containers market including Definitions, Classifications, Applications and Industry chain structure, Salad Containers Market report provides development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Salad Containers market size, share and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.Download Free Sample Report @Global market research report of Salad Containers 2017 mainly focuses on Production, means the output of Salad Containers and Revenue, means the sales value of Salad Containers in market.Salad Containers market research report studies Salad Containers in Global market, Salad Containers market report gives detail analysis of regions especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Global Salad Containers market report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with their Business perspective which consist of Salad Containers Capacity, Production, Price, Revenue and Salad Containers market share for each manufacturer.Salad Containers Market Research Report 2017 Covers the following Manufacturers.Eco-ProductsRubbermaidBIOPACGlobal Salad Containers Market segment by Regions, Salad Containers market report splits Global into several key Regions, with Salad Containers production, Salad Containers consumption, Salad Containers revenue, Salad Containers market share and growth rate of Salad Containers in these regions, from 2011 to 2021. Salad Containers Market report split by Product type and Application, with Salad Containers Production, Revenue, Price, market Share and Growth rate of each type, according to Application Salad Containers Market report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Salad Containers in each application.Access Full Report @Salad Containers Market Research Report Split by Type,Type IType IISalad Containers Market Research Report Split by ApplicationApplication 1Application 2Table of ContentsGlobal Salad Containers Market Research Report 20171 Salad Containers Market Overview2 Global Salad Containers Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Salad Containers Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Salad Containers Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Salad Containers Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Salad Containers Market Analysis by Application7 Global Salad Containers Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Salad Containers Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Salad Containers Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 Appendix14.1 Methodology14.2 Analyst Introduction14.3 Data SourceFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Mark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:
Reinforced Foil Tapes Market: Superior conformability, Moisture resistance, Durability over a wide range of environmental conditions drives demand

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20111

Reinforced Foil Tapes has all the qualities of aluminum and additionally is an adhesive that is durable and sustainable. These tapes are aesthetically pleasing as it has shiny surface and is preferred over other conventional adhesive tapes as these tapes are used for thermal conductivity, moisture and chemical resistance, heat and light reflectance, flame resistance and weather resistance. Reinforced foil tapes also provide high tensile strength. These tapes are commonly used for sealing the joints or seams on tube wrapping materials, as well as repairing of foil-scrim- kraft facing, aluminum foil fiberglass cloth laminate, foil scrim facing to name a few. Reinforced foil tapes come with wrinkle free backing material in tearing resistant, which assure durability. Reinforced foil tapes high quality adhesive assure constant high bonding force.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights atGlobal Reinforced Foil Tapes Market: DynamicsThe global reinforced foil tapes market is expected to grow at a healthy rate during the forecast period owing to increasing demand for high strength tape among vendors. Global reinforced foil tapes can be used in vast temperature range and weather conditions, ensuring a reliable, airtight seal that resists moisture. The demand for global reinforced foil tapes is gaining traction due to the huge growth in the overall the packaging industry. In addition, reinforced foil tapes are known for its superior conformability, moisture resistance, and durability over a wide range of environmental conditions, which makes it a preferred choice for vapor sealing of irregular and tough duct work, seaming of fabricated metals, and sealing of leaks and cracks that further accelerates the growth in the reinforced foil tapes market. However, the price volatility in raw materials and rising completion from low cost alternatives can act a major hindrance for growth in the reinforced foil tapes market.Global Reinforced Foil Tapes Market: SegmentationThe Global reinforced foil tapes market is segmented based on application, end use, and region. On the basis of application global reinforced foil tapes market can be segmented into sealing, strapping, and holding. On the basis of end use global reinforced foil tapes market can be segmented into aerospace, appliance, electronic and automotive industry and marine industries. On the basis of region global reinforced foil tapes market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. The global reinforced foil tapes market is estimated to gain substantial market share in near future owing to increasing demand for Flame retardant tape among vendors.Global Reinforced Foil Tapes Market: Regional OverviewNorth America is expected to gain high market share in reinforced foil tapes market owing to increasing application of reinforced foil tapes due to rising industrialization and modernization. Europe is a major market of global Reinforced Foil Tapes both in term of demand and manufacturing followed by North America. Asia Pacific region is expected to witness a healthy rate in the reinforced foil tapes market primarily driven by the growth in the developing countries like India and China. The growing consumer base and rising manufacturing activities combined with growth in disposable income in the developing countries is driving the growth in the Asia Pacific. MEA and Latin America are expected to witness moderate growth in the reinforced foil tapes market over the forecast period.Global Reinforced Foil Tapes Market: Key PlayersThe main players of global Reinforced Foil Tapes market such are 3M Company, AI Technology, Inc. Avery Dennison Corporation, Alco Technologies, Inc. DuPont, Henkel Ag & Company, Brady Corporation. Other prominent players of global Reinforced Foil Tapes market are Coilcraft, Inc, Cybershield, Inc. CGS Technologies, Inc, Chomerics North America, Dow Corning, EIS Fabrico, ETS-Lindgren, Greene Rubber Company, Henkel, Intermark USA, Inc, Laird Technologies, Leader Tech Inc, Majr Products Corporation, PPG Industries, Schlegel Electronic Materials, Inc., Schaffner Holding AG, Tech-Etch, Zippertubing Company.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.
Solid State Lighting Market Expected to Grow at Market Size of USD 23 Billion by 2022

Solid State Lighting Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1781

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solid-state-lighting-market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/energy-measurement-ics-market

The global market for Solid State Lighting Market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 8% during the period 2016 to 2022 and expected to grow at market size of USD 23 billion in 2022.Market HighlightsThe global Solid State Lighting market has been evaluated as growing market and expected that the market will touch high growth figures in upcoming years. The number of benefits such as long durable life, high energy efficiency, and smaller flexible size of solid state device is increasing its usage in various applications such as commercial or industrial events, outdoor lighting, residential lamps and street lights among others. Industries such as Philips, Samsung electronics, Eaton Corporation, and Osram Licht AG among various other industries are developing the Solid State Lighting Market.Key Players Royal Philips Electronics N.V. (Netherlands) Panasonic Corporation (Japan) Samsung electronics Co. Ltd. (South Korea) Acuity brands lighting, Inc. (U.S.) Cree, Inc. (U.S.) Eaton Corporation PLC (Ireland) General electric (U.S.) Energy Focus, Inc. (U.S.) Intematix Corporation (U.S.) Osram Licht AG (Germany)Get a Sample Report @List of FiguresFigure 1 Research ProcessFigure 2 Drivers Of Global Solid State Lighting MarketFigure 3 Global Solid State Lighting Market: By Technology (%)Figure 4 Global Solid State Lighting Market: By Application (%)Figure 5 Global Solid State Lighting Market Share By Region (2016 & 2022) (%)Figure 6 North America Solid State Lighting Market, By Technology (%)Figure 7 North America Solid State Lighting Market, By Application (%)Figure 8 North America Solid State Lighting Market Share By Country (2016 & 2022) (%)Figure 9 Europe Solid State Lighting Market, By Technology (%)Figure 10 Europe Solid State Lighting Market, By Application (%)Figure 11 Europe Solid State Lighting Market Share By Country (2016 & 2022) (%)Figure 12 Asia-Pacific Solid State Lighting Market, By Technology (%)Figure 13 Asia-Pacific Solid State Lighting Market, By Application (%)Figure 14 Asia-Pacific Solid State Lighting Market Share by Country (2016 & 2022) (%)Figure 15 Row Solid State Lighting Market, By Technology (USD Billion)Figure 16 Row Solid State Lighting Market Share by Country (2016 & 2022) (%)ContinueSolid State Lighting Market:The Solid State Lighting can be segmented by technology and by applications. By technology LEDs and OLEDs are used to produce technically advanced Solid State Lighting products. Various application sectors such as Residential, commercial, outdoor lighting, transportation, and consumer electronics among others are showing fruitful opportunities for the solid state lighting market.Market Research Analysis:The growing demand for energy efficient and low power consumed lighting devices is increasing opportunity for solid state lighting manufacturers. The fluorescent lamps which are used at present creates light with filaments and gases encased in a glass bulb which consumes high power to generate electricity. Whereas solid state lighting convert electricity into light with the support of semiconductor included in the bulb. Also emerging smart technology such as smart city is creating high opportunity for the adoption of solid state lighting products.The growing consumer electronics market and transportation market is also fuelling the market growth of Solid State Lighting devices. However, high cost of components and flicker and dimming performance is the current challenges which are hampering the market growth.Target Audience: OEM Consumer electronics vendors Transportation LED vendors Research & consultants Distributors and resellers GovernmentBrowse Report @List of TablesTable 1 Global Solid State Lighting Market (Usd Billion)Table 2 Global Solid State Lighting Market, By TechnologyTable 3 Global Led Markets, By RegionTable 4 Global Oled Market, By RegionTable 5 Global Solid State Lighting Market, By ApplicationTable 6 Global Residential Market, By RegionTable 7 Global Medical Markets, By RegionTable 8 Global Commercial Market, By RegionTable 9 Global Outdoor Lighting Market, By RegionTable 10 Global Automotive Market, By RegionTable 11 Global Transportation Market, By RegionTable 12 Global Consumer Electronics Market, By RegionTable 13 Global Others Market, By RegionTable 14 Global Solid State Lighting Market, By RegionTable 15 North America Solid State Lighting Market, By CountryTable 16 North America Solid State Lighting Market, By TechnologyTable 17 North America Solid State Lighting Market, By ApplicationTable 18 U.S. Solid State Lighting Market, By TechnologyTable 19 U.S. Solid State Lighting Market, By ApplicationTable 20 Canada Solid State Lighting Market, By TechnologyContinue..Related ReportGlobal Energy Measurement ICs Information, Functions (Active Energy, Apparent Energy, Reactive Energy), By Type (Single Channel, Multi-Channel), By Application (Smart Plugs, Industrial, Smart appliances, Smart Homes, Smart Cities) - Forecast 2016-2022About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Worldwide Geocells Market: Size, Share and Market Forecasts 2017

Geocells Market

http://www.decisiondatabases.com/ip/7401-geocells-industry-market-report

http://www.decisiondatabases.com/ip/7401-geocells-industry-market-report

http://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-7401

www.decisiondatabases.com

The report on Geocells market is the latest addition to the huge database of DecisionDatabases.com.This research study is segmented on the basis of applications, technology, geography, and types. The Report provides a detailed Geocells Industry overview along with the analysis of industrys gross margin, cost structure, consumption value, and sale price. The leading companies of the Geocells Market, manufacturers and distributors are profiled in the report along with the latest Industry development current and future trends.Access the Report and full TOC @This report studies Geocells in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering*Strata*TENAX*Atarfil*TYPAR*Terram*AllianceGeo*Maccaferri*HANES GEO COMPONENTS*Hongxiang*Taian Road EngineeringMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Geocells in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like*North America*Europe*China*Japan*Southeast Asia*IndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into*Type I*Type IIDownload Free sample Report @Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Geocells in each application can be divided into*Load Support*Slope and Channel Protection*Earth Retention*Reservoirs and LandfillsTable of Contents-Snapshot1 Market Overview2 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)4 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Market Analysis by Application7 Global Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Market Forecast (2016-2021)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixPurchase a copy of Report @About Us:DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research reports provider, enriching decision makers and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research Report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.3rd Floor, Fountain chambers,Nanabhai Lane, Fort, Mumbai - 1E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.comPhone: +91 99 28 237112Web:
Proteomics Market worth 21.87 Billion USD by 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=731

The report "Proteomics Market - Instrument, Reagent & Service (Spectroscopy, Chromatography, Electrophoresis, Immunoassay, HPLC, X-Ray Crystallography, Mass Spectrometry and Surface Plasmon Resonance) Application (Diagnostics, Drug Discovery) - Forecast to 2021", is projected to reach USD 21.87 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2016 to 2021.731.htmlThis report studies the global proteomics market over the forecast period of 2016 to 2021.Download PDF Brochure @The global proteomics market is projected to reach USD 21.87 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2016 to 2021. The global proteomics market exhibits potential for significant growth and is propelled by the increasing need for personalized medicine, R&D expenditure, technological advancements, and increased funding for proteomics projects. However, a few pivotal factors hampering the growth of this market include the reduced funds in key markets, sequestration cuts in the U.S. and reduced funds for proteomics research, high cost of tools and equipment, and dearth of skilled researchers.In this report, the global proteomics market is majorly segmented on the basis of instrumentation technology, application, reagent, services & software, and region. On the basis of regent, the protein fractionation reagents segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. On the basis of services and software, the analytical laboratory services segment commanded for the largest share of the market as these services help in effective diagnosis and research for drug discovery.On the basis of application, the market is segmented into drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, and others applications. The clinical diagnostics segment accounted for the largest share of the global proteomics market in 2015. This is attributed to the increased understanding of the relevance of investigating and understanding patterns of protein expression for diseases and drug development. Whereas, the drug discovery segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the continuous search for alternative and efficient methods to deliver enhanced drugs and the increasing R&D investments from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.In 2015, North America accounted for the largest share of the proteomics market, followed by Europe. The large share of this regional segment can be attributed to factors such as easy availability of funds from various organizations for carrying out proteomic research using innovative technologies and stringent regulatory requirements regarding pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth in this market majorly due to improving biopharmaceutical research infrastructure and growing economies in Japan and India. In addition, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on strengthening their presence in emerging markets of APAC countries.The global proteomics market is fragmented in nature. Some key players in this market are Agilent Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.), Bruker Corporation (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), GE Healthcare (U.S.), Luminex Corporation (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), PerkinElmer Inc. (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (U.S.), and Waters Corporation (U.S.). These leading players have primarily focused on new product launches, acquisitions, agreements, collaboration, partnerships, and expansions for growth in the market.About MarketsandMarketsMarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.Contact:Mr. RohanMarkets and MarketsUNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZMagarpatta city, HadapsarPune, Maharashtra 411013, India1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com
Interactive training session on cleanrooms and environmental monitoring at Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA

Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA

www.pharma-microbiology-usa.com/openpr

www.pharma-microbiology-usa.com/openpr

http://www.smi-online.co.uk

The seventh in its series, Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA will take place in San Diego, on the 8th and 9th June 2017.The 2017 agenda will provide, 16 thought provoking presentations, 17 leading expert speakers, 2 pre-conference workshops and an extended interactive training session.Morgan Polen the Subject Matter Expert on Contamination Control from Microrite will be hosting the training session on 'Effects of cleanrooms and barrier systems on environmental monitoring data'.Recent warning letters show that manufacturers of aseptic products are receiving the most 483s; many are related to smoke studies. Smoke / Airflow Visualization tests are often performed by third party certifiers. However, per FDA guidance, dynamic in-situ air pattern analysis is more complex. These studies should be investigative and effective at identifying design flaws or airflow issues. They should be performed using the correct type of smoke, smoke density, and camera angles. Therefore this exclusive one hour interactive training session will cover: Regulations and guidelines related to smoke studies Types of smoke (and equipment) used for smoke studies-pros and cons Execution of an investigative smoke study Case studies with videos of bad airflows and barrier system flaws Practical demonstration of smoke vs fog Discussions on 483s related to smoke studies Mistakes made during environmental monitoring in barriers with inadequate laminar flow that lead to excursions.Alongside hosting the extended training sessions, Microrite will be providing a presentation throughout the two day conference where they will be joined by GSK, Bimeda, Sanofi, Amgen, Excellent Pharma Consulting, Renaissance Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, Vericel Corporation, Roche, Merck and more. All of the speakers have been carefully handpicked to provide insightful presentations from industry experts who will share recent case studies and discuss the developing trends in the field of pharmaceutical microbiology.Running alongside the conference will be two pre-conference workshops held on the 7th June.WORKSHOP A: Technologies for Monitoring Contamination Control and Case Studies on Contamination Control. Hosted by Jim Polarine Jr, Senior Technical Service Manager, STERIS Corporation and Andrew Bartko, Research Leader, Battelle Memorial Institute.WORKSHOP B: Microbial Required Use for Terminal Sterilization. Hosted by Jerry Dalfors, Principal, JD TechnologiesFor those wanting to attend, there is currently an early bird offer available; book by 31st March to save $200 off the conference price. Register atPharmaceutical Microbiology USA is sponsored by Charles River and Rapid MicrobiosytemsFor sponsorship packages: Contact Alia Malick +44 (0) 207 827 6168 or e-mail amalick@smi-online.co.uk.For delegate enquiries: Contact Fateja Begum on +44 (0) 20 7827 6184 or email fbegum@smi-online.co.ukFor media enquiries, contact Zoe Gale on +44 (0) 20 7827 6138 or zgale@smi-online.co.ukPharmaceutical Microbiology USA8 - 9 June 2017San Diego, California, USAContact e-mail: zgale@smi-online.co.ukContact tel: +44 (0) 207 827 6184#smimicrobiology---- END ----About SMi Group: Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atHarling House, 47-51 Great Suffolk St,
Global Benzoates Industry Outlook  Market Overview, Trends and Forecast Analysis To 2022

Benzoates

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/999238-global-benzoates-market-research-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/999238-global-benzoates-market-research-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/999238-global-benzoates-market-research-report-2017

www.wiseguyreports.com

Benzoates MarketWiseGuyReports Publish a Latest Market Research Report On  Global Benzoates Market Report 2017  Industry Research, Manufacturers, Sales, Consumption, Segmentation, Price, Revenue, Share and Forecasts to 2022.Request Sample Copy of this Report @Description:In this report, the global Benzoates market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Benzoates in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Benzoates market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingPoulvetRM ChemicalsGood Scents CompanyTaj PharmaceuticalsSakshi Dyes and PharmaceuticalsSONEFFBC IndustriesPanjivaSino HarvestSurya Life SciencesSAFCBrown ChemicalCharkit ChemicalJarchem IndustriesTotal Specialty ChemicalsU.S. ChemicalsSpectrum ChemicalsCellmark USAOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoPotassium BenzoateSodium BenzoateOtherOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Benzoates for each application, includingFoodDrinkOtherComplete Report Details @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comTable of ContentsGlobal Benzoates Market Research Report 20171 Benzoates Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Benzoates1.2 Benzoates Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Benzoates Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Benzoates Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Potassium Benzoate1.2.4 Sodium Benzoate1.2.5 Other1.3 Global Benzoates Segment by Application1.3.1 Benzoates Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Food1.3.3 Drink1.3.4 Other1.4 Global Benzoates Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Benzoates Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Benzoates (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Benzoates Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Benzoates Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Benzoates Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Benzoates Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Benzoates Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Benzoates Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Benzoates Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Benzoates Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Benzoates Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Benzoates Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Benzoates Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Benzoates Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion7 Global Benzoates Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 PoulvetRM Chemicals7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Benzoates Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 PoulvetRM Chemicals Benzoates Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Good Scents Company7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Benzoates Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Good Scents Company Benzoates Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Taj Pharmaceuticals7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Benzoates Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Taj Pharmaceuticals Benzoates Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Sakshi Dyes and Pharmaceuticals7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Benzoates Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Sakshi Dyes and Pharmaceuticals Benzoates Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 SONEF7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Benzoates Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 SONEF Benzoates Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview12 Global Benzoates Market Forecast (2017-2022)12.1 Global Benzoates Capacity, Production, Revenue Forecast (2017-2022)12.1.1 Global Benzoates Capacity, Production and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)12.1.2 Global Benzoates Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)12.1.3 Global Benzoates Price and Trend Forecast (2017-2022)12.2 Global Benzoates Production, Consumption , Import and Export Forecast by Region (2017-2022)..CONTINUEDMake an Enquiry @CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India
Printed And Flexible Sensors Market Simple in Design & Offers Higher Performance

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=270

Currently, mature markets such as that of piezoresistive and biosensors occupy the largest shares within the global printed and flexible sensors market. But this scenario could soon change with the emergence of hybrid CMOS sensors and photodetectors.Their rise in this market will largely dictated by a growing demand for high-quality imaging services and technological developments pertaining to flexible and printed sensor technology.What works in the favor of this market is that it is yet to reach its full commercial potential. A number of countries have launched programs to fund initiatives and innovation in the printed and flexible sensors market, which is attracting new investors.This market study has been designed to help the following market entities: raw material manufacturers and suppliers, fabricators, manufacturers, and distributors.Request A Sample Of This Report:The market research report on the printed and flexible sensors market segments and analyzes the entire market based on technology type, applications, and geographical regions.This report offers research-backed insights into trends that will tangibly impact the market for printed and flexible sensors, while also providing forecasts for each of the segments within the market.All analyses and forecasts contained in this report are for the forecast period between 2012 and 2020. This report also takes into account both mature and emerging technologies and devices used for manufacturing printed and flexible sensors.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Food Service Equipment Market Demand for Cost Effective & Energy Efficient Food Service Equipment

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1547

The report provides company market share analysis of various industry participants. The key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and the recent developments in the field of food service equipments (commercial refrigeration).Major market participants profiled in this report include .Ali Group, Meiko, Hobart Corporation, Manitowoc Company Inc., Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. Cambro Manufacturing Company Inc. and Dover Corporation among others.This report covers the global food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market along with their performance in regions such as North America, East Europe, South West Europe, North West Europe, Central Europe, Asia Pacific and Russia among others.Request A Sample Of This Report:The report provides in-depth analysis for each region along with market estimates and forecast from 2013 to 2020 in terms of revenues and volumes.Refrigeration is the process of transferring the heat from one location to another. In this case the heat is taken from the foods and other edible items and transferred out from the refrigeration units.The commercial refrigeration equipments are primarily used in the hospitality industry. The changing lifestyle and increase in number of hotels and restaurants is fuelling the market for growth.The commercial refrigeration equipments are generally segmented by the types of equipments. Continuous technological advancement in refrigeration systems is owing to the growth of this market.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Global LED Downlights Market Research Report 2017

LED Downlights Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/950820-global-led-downlights-market-research-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/950820-global-led-downlights-market-research-report-2017

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LED Downlights MarketSummaryWiseguyreports.Com Adds LED Downlights -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and analysis of Top Key Player Forecast to 2021 To Its Research DatabaseGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of LED Downlights in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanGlobal LED Downlights market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingOSRAMPhilips LightingGE LightingLUGOPPLE LightingPanasonicNVC Lighting.....For Sample report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoHigh Power Lamp BeadsLow Power Lamp BeadsIntegrated Lamp BeadsOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of LED Downlights for each application, includingAutomotiveIndustrial BuildingsResidential BuildingEnquiry before buying @Table of ContentsGlobal LED Downlights Market Research Report 20171 LED Downlights Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of LED Downlights1.2 LED Downlights Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global LED Downlights Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global LED Downlights Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 High Power Lamp Beads1.2.4 Low Power Lamp Beads1.2.5 Integrated Lamp Beads1.3 Global LED Downlights Segment by Application1.3.1 LED Downlights Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Automotive1.3.3 Industrial Buildings1.3.4 Residential Building1.4 Global LED Downlights Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global LED Downlights Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of LED Downlights (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global LED Downlights Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global LED Downlights Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)7 Global LED Downlights Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 OSRAM7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 OSRAM LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Philips Lighting7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Philips Lighting LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 GE Lighting7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 GE Lighting LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 LUG7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 LUG LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 OPPLE Lighting7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 OPPLE Lighting LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Panasonic7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Panasonic LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 NVC Lighting7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 LED Downlights Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 NVC Lighting LED Downlights Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview..Buy This Report @Continued...Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Automotive Financing Market Size, Development Status, Type, Application, Analysis and Forecast 2022

Automotive Financing

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Automotive Financing ReportThis report studies the global Automotive Financing market, analyzes and researches the Automotive Financing development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeBank of AmericaAlly FinancialHitachi Capital Asia-PacificHDFC BankHSBCIndustrial and Commercial Bank of IndiaBank of ChinaCapital OneWells FargoToyota Financial ServicesBNP ParibasVolkswagen FinanceMercedes-Benz Financial ServicesStandard BankBanco Bradesco FinanciamentosClick here for sample report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Automotive Financing can be split intoOEMSBanksFinancial InstitutionsOthersMarket segment by Application, Automotive Financing can be split intoLoanLeaseOthers......Some of the Major Point in Table of ContentsGlobal Automotive Financing Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Automotive Financing1.1 Automotive Financing Market Overview1.1.1 Automotive Financing Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Automotive Financing Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Automotive Financing Market by Type1.3.1 OEMS1.3.2 Banks1.3.3 Financial Institutions1.3.4 Others1.4 Automotive Financing Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Loan1.4.2 Lease1.4.3 OthersFor Detailed Reading Please visit @3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Bank of America3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Ally Financial3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Hitachi Capital Asia-Pacific3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 HDFC Bank3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 HSBC3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Industrial and Commercial Bank of India3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Bank of China3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Capital One3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Wells Fargo3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Toyota Financial Services3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Automotive Financing Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 BNP Paribas3.12 Volkswagen Finance3.13 Mercedes-Benz Financial Services3.14 Standard Bank3.15 Banco Bradesco Financiamentos..ContinuedBuy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPh: +91 841 198 5042info@wiseguyreports.com
Farm Tractor Market Latest & Advanced Mechanized Farming Techniques

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This research report provides in-depth analysis of the North America and Europe farm tractor market on the basis of horsepower. The horsepower segment is classified into less than 40 HP, 40 HP  80 HP, 81 HP  120 HP, 121 HP  180 HP, 181 HP  250 HP, and more than 250 HP.Additionally, the farm tractor market report also covers horsepower category wise price trend analysis for the all the countries covered in the scope of study and analyzes the impact of fluctuating prices the market in the two regions. The report also provides Porters Five Force Analysis for the North America and Europe farm tractor market.This model provides comprehensive analysis of various attributes, and highlights vital factors acting as entry barriers to new players in farm tractor market, anticipated threat of substitutes for farm tractors, analysis of suppliers and buyers power, and degree of competition in the farm tractor market.The report also provides value chain analysis covering key actors in the farm tractor value chain including component manufactures, OEMs (tractor), distribution channel partners, and the end-users.In addition to this, forward and backward integration scenarios is covered in the study which analyses the changing scenarios of widening scope of work and services provided by tractor manufacturers.Request A Sample Of This Report:The market attractiveness analysis for North America and Europe regions is also included within the scope of the research report. The market attractiveness analysis compares the farm tractor market of prominent countries in both the regions based on market size, potential opportunities, and the Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).The report provides competition landscape covering the market share of the leading players in the Europe and North America market based on their revenues in 2015.In addition to this, competition matrix compares and analyzes prominent players in terms of their capabilities and future potential. This includes attributes such as market position, offerings, R&D focus, top line growth, market share, segment growth infrastructure facilities and future outlook.Company profiles of the players covered in the study includes detailed information and analysis based on business overview, strategies, product offering. Furthermore, SWOT analysis of these players is also covered in the company profile section.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Hydraulic Rubber Hose Market Increase in Demand due to a Growing Demand for Agricultural Efficiency

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The global hydraulic rubber hose market is segmented by application, types, and by geographic regions. The market has been segmented by application into agriculture machinery, lubrication lines, construction machinery, industrial and material handling equipment, power and telephony mobile equipment, others (blowout preventer control lines, etc.);.Based on the type of hose, the market is segmented into standard hydraulic rubber hose, mining hose, steam hose, air hose, spiral hose, others (water blast hose, fuel hose, and automobile air conditioning hose).Standard hydraulic rubber hoses are further studied based on different pressure ranges namely high pressure hydraulic rubber hoses, medium hydraulic rubber pressure hoses and low pressure hydraulic rubber hoses.The market size and forecasts in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) for each of these segments have been provided for the period from 2012 to 2022, considering 2013 and 2014 as the base years. The report also provides compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each segment of the market for the forecast period 2014 to 2022.Request A Sample Of This Report:Geographically, the hydraulic rubber hose market has been segmented into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America.The market overview section in the report comprises qualitative analysis of the overall market considering the factors determining market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities.The report also includes analysis of key participants in the hydraulic rubber hose market along with their role in the value chain. We have included future trends that will impact the demand.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
public_safety_oregonian_105.JPG

(The Oregonian/OregonLive)

(LC- The Oregonian)

A 35-year-old Vancouver woman turned herself in to the Clark County Sheriff's Office on Sunday following a hit-and-run the previous night in which a 44-year-old man died.

Jessica Bankhead told police she was the driver of the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder that hit Richard Waller of Vancouver who was walking about 11 p.m. Saturday in the inside eastbound lane in the 2300 block of Northwest Minnehaha Street. Waller was found dead at the scene. A shopping cart was found near his body.

Bankhead was booked into the Clark County Jail on a felony high-and-run allegation. Her vehicle was located and seized as evidence. The damage to the vehicle was consistent with the collision.

-- Lynne Terry
Coming at the end of an awards season that has been even heavier on anti-Donald Trump rhetoric than on tearful speeches thanking agents and lawyers, the 2017 Oscars carried an extra layer of suspense.



Would the Oscars show be another demonstration of how divided the country is, with a parade of winners attacking Trump and his policies? Or would the evening be a trip to "La La Land," with the multi-nominated escapist musical keeping the mood light and breezy?



Instead, the show ended with the craziest climax in Oscar history, showing just how divided things can really be, as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read the wrong Best Picture winner. After seemingly bringing the evening to its expected end, announcing "La La Land" as the Best Picture, and the movie's producers took the stage to give their thanks, it turned out that Beatty and Dunaway had made a mistake.



The Best Picture winner was, instead, "Moonlight," the independently made, low-budget story about a gay African American male and his coming of age.



It was a shocker that transformed what had been a pretty standard Oscars show into a jaw-dropper.

Host Jimmy Kimmel jokingly asked Beatty, "Warren, what did you do?"

Beatty said when he opened the envelope, "it said Emma Stone, 'La La Land." Stone had won best actress a few moments earlier. It appeared Beatty and Dunaway had been given the wrong envelope.

Before the last-minute mix-up, the 89th Oscars had offered both the anticipated political digs at Trump, and the usual awards show silliness, mostly thanks to

who at times turned the Oscars into a super-long episode of his late-night show.

And after two years of #OscarsSoWhite controversy, with the show being slammed for overlooking actors of color, the 89th Oscars made history with a record number of wins for African Americans, including Viola Davis (best supporting actress for "Fences"), Mahershala Ali (best supporting actor for "Moonlight") and "Moonlight" writers Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney.



But Kimmel and the writers seemed intent on keeping the mood light, no matter what.



Kimmel set the tone with a confident, sharp opening monologue that combined self-deprecating humor ("Oh good, I got a sitting ovation"), good-natured jabs at celebs (teasing Justin Timberlake, who opened the show performing his best song nominee, "Can't Stop the Feeling" about reuniting with NSYNC), and pointed jokes (the Oscars show was watched, Kimmel said, in "more than 225 countries that now hate us.")



Unlike other hosts, Kimmel didn't largely disappear after his opening monologue. But his recurring visits got less entertaining as the evening dragged on, and Kimmel ordered candy dropped from the rafters, chatted with tourists brought in for an unexpected visit to the Oscar show, and kept the jokes coming.



To his credit, Kimmel didn't take himself or the proceedings too seriously. But that also robbed this Oscars of emotional impact.





And does anybody else find the long-running mock feud between Kimmel and Matt Damon as hilarious as they do? By the end of the Oscars broadcast, this bit felt as tedious as the ill-advised recurring segments featuring actors waxing on about favorite films.



Here are other highlights and lowlights from the 2017 Oscars:



The inevitable political comments: Kimmel needled Trump, saying he wanted to thank the president: "remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him." Kimmel also recalled Trump's comments responding to Meryl Streep's Golden Globes speech -- in which the actress attacked Trump's agenda -- by jokingly referring to the "overrated" Streep.



"Nice dress, by the way," Kimmel said to Streep. "Is that an Ivanka?"



They wore that? Fashions from the red carpet

Kimmel also saluted the French best actress nominee Isabelle Huppert, saying he was glad homeland security let her come.



Nodding to Trump's Twitter habit, Kimmel at one point sent a Tweet to the president, asking "U up?"



On a more serious note, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the ceremony. When his film, "The Salesman," won for best foreign language film, Farhadi had a representative on hand to read a statement from the director: "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S."



Rich Howard, co-director of "Zootopia," which won for best animated feature (beating "Kubo and the Two Strings," made by Hillsboro's Laika studio), also made a reference to the Trump administration. "We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world that embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other," Howard said.



Mel Gibson: Despite Kimmel's suggestion that we should try and have respectful conversations with those who don't agree with us, social media lit up whenever Gibson was on camera. The actor-turned-director's film "Hacksaw Ridge" was up for several nominations, and Twitter users were mad as hell that everyone seemed to have gotten over Gibson's history of transgressions, from anti-Semitic remarks to allegations of abuse.



Diversity and division: As the show ran long, social media users were arguing whether a few of Kimmel's jokes had been racist. But it all ended with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, reunited decades after "Bonnie and Clyde," presenting the award for Best Picture.



Beatty said our goal in politics is the same as our goal in art, "and that's to get to the truth." The Best Picture nominees reflected increasing diversity in "our community," Beatty added.



Then he and Dunaway announced the movie that won the night's biggest prize. After a weirdly long pause, Beatty handed the envelope to Dunaway, who said "La La Land" won Best Picture. But as it turned out, this wasn't a year when Hollywood was staying in its escapist comfort zone.

And, just as the Hillary Clinton/Donald Trump race ended with an upset, so did the Oscars, as the "La La Land" winners were stopped, and "Moonlight" emerged the victor.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com

503-221-8227

@Kristiturnquist
When Keith Klippstein headed out to buy some Beatles albums on a crisp February day in 1987, the stress quickly got to him.

"I figured I'd be OK, that I'd be able to hold out until now," he said after arriving at the Tower Records in Beaverton. "But driving over here, I started to panic out. I was screaming at traffic to get out of the way at every red light."

Why the emotional turmoil? This was, let's remember, 17 years after the legendary Liverpudlians had shut down their band. There was no new Fab Four music on offer. John Lennon, the Beatles' acerbic leader, had been dead for half a decade.

But Klippstein had good reason to panic. Record stores everywhere expected to sell out of their Beatles stock quickly.

That's because 30 years ago this week, Beatles music finally became available on compact disc, offering, as The Oregonian put it, "the promise of never developing scratches, static or pop" -- that is, promising "immortality" for your music collection.

"As big as everyone thought it would be, I think it's going to be even bigger," Capitol Records promotions manager Stan Foreman said at the time.

Sure enough, Portland-area fans overwhelmed record-store staff, who couldn't operate their cash registers fast enough to keep up.

"The response has been absolutely phenomenal," offered Don MacLeod, the owner of Portland's Music Millennium.

Of course, it wasn't just that the Beatles were a worldwide phenomenon whose myth and popularity had only grown since their 1970 split. There were plenty of music fans in Oregon who had vivid memories of seeing the band live right here in Portland.

The Beatles played Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 22, 1965. (Check out the photo gallery above.) Thousands of Oregonians -- most of them teen girls, it seemed -- screamed in joy and wonderment and shock throughout the concert. The beginning of The Oregonian's report the next day tried to capture the noise coming from the audience: "eeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEE! ..."

As expected during the short performance, "shrieking, crying girls" occasionally tried to fake out the police officers in front of the stage so they could hurl themselves at the musicians. Still, "Portland nice" prevailed. Fans actually wanted to hear the music.

"This is the most orderly crowd we've ever seen on either of our U.S. tours," one of the Fab Four said after the performance. (John Painter Jr., The Oregonian reporter covering the event, apparently couldn't tell John or Paul from George or Ringo.) What most impressed Painter about the Beatles: How quickly and surreptitiously they managed to abandon the scene once they'd finished their set. The newsman wrote: "The huge wave of girls who left the Coliseum at a dead run to try to glimpse their heroes saw nothing more than the escorting police car's red light winking in the distance."

That was then. Nearly 22 years later, Beatlemania returned to the Portland area. Needless to say, the fans didn't do quite as much shrieking and crying this time -- so long as their music store of choice still had Beatles CDs to sell them.

At the time they didn't realize that their sleek, new "no-wear" compact discs wouldn't be prized possessions forever, that a digital revolution would come along within just a few years and make CDs all-but obsolete. In 1987, the Beatles on compact disc was as good as it got. Enthused Keith Klippstein, holding up the four new Beatles CDs he'd just purchased:

"This is what I'd consider the ultimate."

-- Douglas Perry
Trump Travel Ban Q&A

In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, people carry posters during a rally in New York's Times Square against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority nations.

(Andres Kudacki/AP Photo)

Fatemah Reshad

In the chaotic few days following President Trump's travel ban, the big, brown eyes of an Iranian baby headed for Oregon helped focus the debate.

Fatemeh Reshad wasn't scary. She wasn't a terrorist. She was a 4-month-old in need of open-heart surgery who likely wouldn't survive the six-month pause Trump had placed on foreign visitors from seven predominately Muslim counties, including her own.

Pictures of Fatemeh's capped head and toothless grin on social media showed Oregonians - and people around the world -- what humanitarian work looks like.

And her story spurred people into action. Jennifer Morrissey, a Portland-based immigration attorney, read about Fatemeh and her family's plight on a Facebook page for lawyers. She teamed with Amber Murray, an immigration lawyer from Washington, D.C., who learned of the case similarly.

They worked with the baby's uncle, an American citizen who lives in Portland, transferring health records and coordinating the care and surgery that OHSU plans to provide for free.

That desire to help has spread. "I have people calling me asking, 'What can I do? What should I do?" Morrissey said.

Babies like Fatemeh, however, aren't the only ones who could benefit from that same spirit of generosity.

Those affected by the ban are more typically adults, some with long and often painful histories. Some, indeed, come seeking help and basic services. Yet many also come offering investment, expertise and service that many Americans need.

As Morrissey points out, hundreds of immigrants come to Oregon to provide economic benefit. They launch entrepreneurial ventures, invest in businesses, help with important academic research and serve various communities.

Doctors from around the world come to Oregon each year through a special visa program to provide medical care to rural and under-served communities. Nationwide, the Conrad 30 visa waiver program has delivered 15,000 doctors over the past 15 years.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom.

Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, John Maher, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and Len Reed.

To respond to this editorial:

Post your comment below, submit

, or

.

If you have questions about the opinion section, contact Laura Gunderson, editorial and commentary editor, at 503-221-8378 or lgunderson@oregonian.com.

Another 6,000 medical students attend residency programs in the U.S. each year, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. The Associated Press reported this week that at least six are at OHSU.

That's important to remember as the Trump administration prepares to unveil a new "tighter and more streamlined" version of the executive order next week. Leaked memos imply some affected by the original ban may no longer be targeted. Green-card holders, for instance, have been cleared to travel along with others who sacrificed their safety to provide translation services to the American military.

Thankfully, efforts by the state of Washington to block Trump's order and the work by Morrissey and Murray, helped Fatemeh and her family get to OHSU Hospital, where she remains.

Yet some version of the seven-country ban is expected to remain in Trump's newest proposal. While it stands to reason that a review of the 75 or so visa programs likely would identify some security holes that should be addressed. But the answer isn't a blanket ban and Oregonians should remember our state is built on a history of immigration.

Oregon benefits from the richness foreigners bring. Schools and workplaces blossom with connections to the global community. Businesses and universities advance with help from leadership, research and investment immigrants bring.

Oregon doctors aim to repair the holes Fatemeh's heart. Hopefully, her story will remain in all of ours.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
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(The Oregonian/OregonLive staff)

By Lori Chavez-DeRemer

A new legislative season has started and the chickens are coming home to roost. Legislators need to act on promises made on the campaign trail. Here are the biggest issues in our state:

Public Employees Retirement System: There is nothing more pressing than finding a solution for the "promised deal" that will eventually break Oregon. While that may seem extreme, it's the truth. Today, PERS is running a $22 billion deficit that is unfair to all. Lawmakers need to recognize this and enact a solution. This situation that seemed like a distant problem is now a guarantee of generational debt that will strap our kids and grandkids if we let the only solution be a complete reset after bankruptcy. We owe it to future generations to try. PERS employees have contracts to be honored, but we might need to work together to redefine "honored." Along those lines, the public employee unions can step up and be heroes to their members, and to their state since they are in the driver's seat.

Balancing the Budget: The Legislature faces a $1.7 billion shortfall this session, due mostly to expansion of Medicaid and growth in personnel and PERS costs. The state's budget deficit comes at a time when we have record growth and record expenditures. A solution to balancing the budget is simple, and we do it annually in Happy Valley. Spending what you have and not wasting millions of dollars in bureaucracy isn't hard to do if you directly correlate money spent to need, instead of want. Cuts can also be identified through agency audits, deregulation, re-prioritizing, and incentivizing financial freedom from the government.

There are many disconnects between voters and legislators as witnessed this last election season. Voters in 2016 overwhelmingly rejected Measure 97, but Democratic leadership is now saying "You didn't mean that. So let's craft a new corporate tax." In addition, Measure 98 passed, allocating funds to career-technical education courses. Governor Kate Brown is breaking that promise as well by not pledging to fully fund it.

Transportation: Transportation is one of my top priorities here in Happy Valley and it should be for the Legislature. Oregon has one of the worst traffic problems in the country, and legislators are letting special interests derail priorities. One of our state representatives held a transportation town hall in Happy Valley, only to walk away telling us there is a need. We know that. The need for new infrastructure is "old news" and Oregonians expect a solution. The congestion on I-205 affects everyone in the Portland metro area with citizens losing $1,400 a year due to time spent in traffic, according to one recent study by Inrix, a transportation analytics firm. We can solve this issue if legislators move forward with a revenue package that directly fixes roads. It may not solve the whole problem, but it sticks to the priorities and promises made by both sides.

These issues are lost causes if we don't make hard decisions. Talking the talk makes a good legislator; walking the walk makes a good leader.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been mayor of Happy Valley since 2011.
We cannot repeat our mistakes: Thank you, Casey Parks and Samantha Matsumoto, for your companion pieces on the 75th anniversary of the internment of Japanese after Pearl Harbor ( "He was born in Portland. An executive order sent him to a Japanese interment camp" and "4 years at Tule Lake: My grandparents look back on their internment," Feb. 17). Both were touching and heartbreaking. I know well because I was a part of that time and was the age of some of the children sent to the camps. My father was deeply disturbed about the disappearance of his Japanese friends who owned bountiful truck farms to the east of our little island outside Bellevue in Washington state.

As a young girl, I could not understand why they were being sent to camps, as these were our friends and had no part in the bombing or Japan's aggression. When they returned four years later, their farms were gone. Five years later, my good high school friend, Mary Ann Shimono, would talk little of those times. Despite her incarceration, she seemed free of any malice or anger.

Eventually, I passed state department tests to go to Japan to work, but married instead. My husband's brother, during the U.S. occupation of Japan, had married a Japanese woman who survived the Nagasaki bombing. My new sister-in-law lovingly cared for my babies while I worked. Yes, "democracy can be overridden so easily," said Mr. Sakamoto and I'm proud of Portland for becoming a sanctuary city. We were a country at war back then. We are not at war now and cannot repeat the terrible mistakes of those long ago years by removing or banning innocent people from our country.

Syd Kanitz, Tigard

We shouldn't forget: Thanks to The Oregonian and Casey Parks for the informative and heartrending story of the Sakamoto family's experience in an internment camp during World War II. It is difficult to comprehend now that this could have happened. It shows what fear, prejudice and ignorance can create. Specific groups of people, or people with religions or languages different from what we may be used to should not be treated this way.

During WWll, a German Protestant pastor, Martin Niemoller, ended up in a Nazi concentration camp for speaking out against the regime. His writing 'First They Came' has survived long past that regime. It pointed out how silence in the face of prejudice and persecution can lead to complicity.

We, as a city, as a community and as a nation have to be vigilant and speak up so that the horror inflicted on the American-Japanese communities on the West Coast during WWll, is never inflicted again on any group of people.

This true story of how Henry Sakamoto, his family and others of our fellow Americans were terribly treated by losing everything and held in internment camps should be taught in every school in the country. We should never forget.

Joan Frazer, Southwest Portland
1 protest.JPG

People participate in a protest Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Portland, Ore. Thousands of demonstrators turned out Monday across the U.S. to challenge President Donald Trump in a Presidents Day protest dubbed Not My President's Day.

(Dave Killen/Staff)

We're ready to sacrifice: Regarding "PERS fix won't come until schools 'go off the cliff'" (Feb. 18), I was curious as to why bankruptcy was not considered to be a potential solution. Stockton, Calif., Central Falls, R.I., and Detroit are three municipalities that recently declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy due to runaway pension costs. Federal bankruptcy judges ruled in each case that public pensions and other post-employment benefits could be cut, even where a state's constitution protected these benefits. This is because federal bankruptcy law supersedes state law.

As a result, retirees' pensions were reduced in Central Falls and Detroit. Stockton elected not to cut pensions, which would presumably have affected the decision makers, and I understand they are now facing a possible second bankruptcy as a result. Perhaps an "expert" could opine on this so that citizens can more fully understand this option.

After all, we are facing the untenable specter of schools and other services "falling off the cliff." Drastic times require drastic measures. As a footnote, my wife is a Tier One employee very near retirement, and we are prepared to be part of the solution (lower than promised retirement benefits) provided others, including existing retirees, are required to shoulder their share of the burden.

Jim Harlan, Southeast Portland

Focus on Obamacare repeal: I wanted to remind the Republicans of the tremendous job ahead of them, like fighting against the blockades that the Democrats are throwing in the face of everything President Trump is trying to accomplish.

Please, continue to have the moral conviction to stand your ground when it comes time to repeal Obamacare. We all know just what a disaster Obamacare is and has been since its inception! A fresh start is needed as it cannot be fixed.

Once Obamacare is repealed, we need to urge Congress to pass a second budget for fiscal year 2018 that lowers spending levels and then debate and pass a series of conservative, free-market healthcare reforms that enact consumer choice, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and lower costs.

This two budget strategy will ensure that momentum for Obamacare repeal does not stall. It also provides ample time for individuals who have insurance through the Obamacare exchanges to transition back to the individual market without losing coverage. The American people are so close to taking back their healthcare. Our Republican leaders in Congress have one last chance. There are no more excuses.

Paully W. Watson, Glendale

America's greatest threat: What is the greatest threat to America? ISIS? Immigrants? Obamacare? No. The greatest threat to our children is runaway global warming. Despite the current frigid Oregon winter, 2016 was the hottest year on record. Without swift action, global warming will continue to accelerate, causing droughts interspersed with record downpours, raising the sea level and acidifying the ocean.

The Trump administration denies global warming and is moving to make the problem worse. So it is up to all of us - indivudals, cities, counties and states to fight extra hard to rein in the problem.

Oregon lawmakers should prioritize legislation that cuts greenhouse gas pollution. Polluters should pay for the cost of the pollution they put into our air, just like we pay our trash collectors. Putting a price on carbon would bring us into line with what California and British Columbia, as well as several eastern states have done and would go a long way towards reducing our carbon footprint. Our legislators should also invest in a clean energy economy that helps Oregonians most threatened by climate change and a changing economy, such as low-income, rural, tribal, people of color and impacted workers.

Mike Litt, Oakgrove

Don't throw a fit: Things didn't go right for me eight years ago, and nothing went my way ever since. But I didn't go march and block traffic and break things. I had to go back to work.

We are not now more "polarized," as stories suggest. The only difference is the losers this time are the bigger cry babies. They just shout and stomp more -- and apparently have the extra time to do it.

One of the markers of the passage from childhood to adulthood is the understanding that you can't always get your way. My children's kindergarten teacher used to repeat to my children and the rest of the classroom, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." What I have to say is, I do not feel bad for you at all. It could be a long time, but you'll survive, just as I had to. I have no sympathy for you. Now it's someone else's turn.

Ken Randall, Hood River
1priebusbannon.JPG

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, right, and White House strategist Stephen Bannon, speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

By Alexandra Petri

Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon definitely get along. Everything you have heard about their relationship, says Priebus, is wrong. If you have heard that they are slowly engaged in a battle to the death, that is definitely not true. That is their, uh, belligerent chemistry. They are like brothers (Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Nam), just regular brothers.

They are the best of friends, like Frog and Toad, or even Bert and Ernie, if you catch them on the right evening. They talk all night until they fall asleep, holding hands. This is what they told New York Magazine's Olivia Nuzzi:

"We talk a lot, pretty much all day long," Priebus said. "And then we communicate at night -"

"Until we fall asleep," Bannon interjected with a laugh.

Priebus cut in, "Until somebody falls asleep ... You fell asleep last night."

"I did," Bannon said.

"I think, like, a quarter to 11," Priebus added.

"I did," Bannon said.

"He became unresponsive," Priebus laughed.

Also, they give each other back rubs.

They are like Kirk and Spock, except that the only people writing fan fiction about their relationship are the two of them, together, every time they speak to the media -- for instance, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, in conversation with Matt Schlapp.

Stephen hates it when people insult his good buddy, Reince. When his old employee Matt Boyle published an anti-Priebus story on Breitbart.com, a website that Bannon is deeply ashamed of, has nothing to do with and is definitely not speaking to now, he was INFURIATED and reportedly made a very strongly-worded phone call to yell at him. Nobody treats his Reince Priebus that way! His Reince is a cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs. He did not leak the story. No way, no sir, no how! He definitely did not give Reince the nickname "Rancid." When would he have had time? They are talking to each other every minute of every day. They are holding hands right now, just to hold hands, not because that leaves one less hand free for stabbing in the back. They would never! They would stab one another in the front or not at all.

Really, this is a love story.

What do they love about each other? So, so many things. Priebus loves Bannon's clothes. "I love how many collars he wears," he told everyone at CPAC, batting gently at Bannon's collar. "Interesting look." Ha, ha, ha, ha!

If anything, they doth not protest enough.

CPAC showcased the exciting chemistry that fans of the Priebus-Bannon franchise have come to look forward to on each media outing. They love to laugh and touch. They are so comfortable with one another. More comfortable than anyone. Their friendship is as slouchy and comfortable as every garment that Bannon has ever put on his body. They are closer than any human beings have ever been, like Holmes and Watson, or a crocodile and a bird that lives in the crocodile's mouth and cleans its teeth.

They do not share a vision of nationalism based on a certain "culture," but they do share . . . an office, with a fireplace and comfy sofas.

They are different, as Bannon acknowledges, but that is just why they work so well together. They complement each other and compliment each other. Bannon is a pile of creepy nationalist conspiracy theories concealed under a big raincoat who made Breitbart the platform for the alt-right (his words, not mine), whereas Priebus is . . . a human man from the great state of Wisconsin. Why did Donald Trump win? Bannon says it is because America is bound by a certain "culture" and nationalism, in opposition to the media, which he kept cavalierly referring to as the "opposition party." Priebus says he talked to his neighbor in Kenosha, and his neighbor thought Trump was just great.

And they have so many nice things to say about each other! Kind of!

"He's very dogged," Priebus says, "incredibly loyal." Also "extremely consistent" and "someone that I work with every second of the day." Are these compliments? They sound like a plea for help. When I try to compliment people, I usually say things like "I cannot stop him" and "He will not change" and "He is like a Roomba that has gone feral, and I cannot escape him no matter how I try."

"Very important to have in the White House," Priebus says.

"I've been running a little hot on occasion," Bannon acknowledged, mildly. But he is not there to talk about his expansive vision for "deconstruction of the administrative state" or his enmity for the media, "the opposition party," or how excited he is to be invited to CPAC after being among the uninvited for so long.

No, he is there to offer mild, back-handed compliments to Reince Priebus. "Reince is indefatigable. . . He's always kind of steady. . . Reince is indefatigable." The man is NON-STOP! (I know that Stephen Bannon appreciates this reference, because he quipped during the same panel that the campaign was "outgunned, outmanned" and now we must burn all our "Hamilton" references and fumigate the house.)

"Time for a group hug!" moderator Schlapp suggested.

Anyway, those sound like people who love the other person and are not waiting for the other party to blink. (Please blink, oh god, Reince Priebus just wants to go to bed, but what if Stephen Bannon does something when he is asleep? Stephen fall asleep please, oh, God, how many more years of this? Will Reince ever see Kenosha again?) Nothing like that. They are fine. Fine, and very much in love. There is no music to Reince Priebus's ears like the sweet sound of Stephen Bannon's voice, which he hears every day, all day from dawn until night. There is no smile that so warms the cockles of Stephen Bannon's heart like Reince Priebus's smile when Stephen does one of those classic things he does, like rail against the "corporate, globalist media" or praise Trump as the best rally speaker since William Jennings Bryan. In the chaos of the early days in the White House when no one knew what light switch to use, their hands brushed gently and they smiled. They do not need light. They have each other.

They are two different men, but their bond is unbreakable. They have tried. But when they threw it in the fire hoping to destroy it, like the One Ring, nothing happened. It is Mount Doom or nothing.
By E.J. Dionne

WASHINGTON -- Just when you despair that only chaos animates the Trump administration, along comes Steve Bannon, the White House ideologue, to offer the Rosetta Stone illuminating what this circus is all about.

And when you realize what Trump & Co. might really be up to, your despair turns to alarm.

There is no way of knowing how much Donald Trump truly cares about the ideas that Bannon holds close to his heart. Trump seems far more obsessed with attacks on him from many directions -- and genuinely worried that investigations of his team's ties to Russia could pose a mortal threat to his power.

After Bannon had offered his Deep Thoughts on Trumpism at the Conservative Political Action Conference last Thursday, there was Trump on Friday morning back to his usual grubby business of using Twitter to denounce his enemies. His target in this case was the FBI. He accused the agency of being "totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers'" and being guilty of leaks of its own.

Trump's anxiety was likely heightened by word that Reince Priebus, his chief of staff, asked the FBI to deny reports that several members of Trump's team had contacts with Russian agents during the 2016 campaign. Priebus' intervention raises serious questions about whether the White House is trying to shut down or influence inquiries that are plainly in the national interest.

Bannon, appearing with Priebus, may have had this in mind when he told the assembled conservatives that "every day, it is going to be a fight" and pushed Team Trump's attacks on the media to a new level. Trump picked up on the theme in his own CPAC remarks on Friday, echoing countless authoritarians in repeating his condemnation of "fake news" outlets as "the enemy of the people." Trump's survival may depend on his supporters ignoring a lot of bad news and inconvenient facts.

But it is Trump's opponents and the not-yet-committed who need to pay close attention when Bannon, the president's visionary chief strategist, promises an ominous-sounding "new political order." Philip Stephens, a columnist for the Financial Times, had a nice description of Bannon's job, describing him as "the ideologue who informs Mr. Trump's impulses." And Bannon actually made sense of Trump's seemingly bizarre habit of naming people to head up agencies whose missions they openly oppose.

When Bannon listed the administration's central purposes, the first two were unsurprising: "national security and sovereignty" and "economic nationalism." But then came the third: the "deconstruction of the administrative state." Bannon explained that officials who seem to hate what their agencies do -- one thinks especially of Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency who has sued it repeatedly to the benefit of oil and gas companies -- were "selected for a reason, and that is deconstruction."

Thus did Bannon invoke the trendy lefty term "deconstruct" as a synonym for "destroy."

This is a huge deal. It reflects a long-standing critique on the right not just of the Obama and Clinton years but of the entire thrust of American government since the Progressive Era and the New Deal. Critics of the administrative state -- "the vast administrative apparatus that does so much to dictate the way we live now," as Scott Johnson, a conservative lawyer and co-founder of the Power Line blog, put it in 2014 -- see it as unconstitutional because regulatory agencies make and enforce rules based on authority they claim was illegitimately ceded by Congress.

That's the theory. In practice, this is a war on a century's worth of work to keep our air and water clean; our food, drugs and workplaces safe; the rights of employees protected; and the marketplace fair and unrigged. It's one thing to make regulations more efficient and no more intrusive than necessary. It's another to say that all the structures of democratic government designed to protect our citizens from the abuses of concentrated private power should be swept away.

It's a very strange moment. Trump and Bannon are happy to expand the reach of the state when it comes to policing, immigration enforcement, executive branch meddling in the work of investigative agencies, and the browbeating of individual companies that offend the president in one way or another. The parts of government they want to dismantle are those that stand on the side of citizens against powerful interests.

In his CPAC presentation, Bannon accused Trump's foes of being "corporatist." But, in the truest sense of the word, the real corporatists are in the White House.

E.J. Dionne's email address is ejdionnewashpost.com. Twitter: EJDionne.

(c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group
NETHERLANDS.JPG

An election billboard with posters of various political parties and a windmill are seen in Amsterdam on Friday. As a March 15 parliamentary election looms, the political mood is turning inward as firebrand anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders dominates polls with an isolationist manifesto that calls for the Netherlands "to be independent again. So out of the EU." Wilders' face is seen in black and white with a text reading "Netherlands Ours Again."

(AP Photo)

By Leonid Bershidsky

Geert Wilders, the anti-Islam front-runner in the Dutch general election campaign, owes a large debt -- ideologically, strategically and tactically -- to U.S. Republican leaders, from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. But the ways in which he is different from them, and the ways in which the Netherlands is different from the U.S., make it unlikely that he'll win power in the March 15 elections.

In a country which doesn't have much of a political campaigning traditions, Wilders looks more like Trump than any other Dutch politician. "Wilders has the same tactics as Trump," says Erik van Bruggen, the head of BKB, an Amsterdam firm that organizes advocacy campaigns and runs a campaigning school for aspiring politicians. "This campaign is all about him. He campaigns via Twitter, he refuses to participate in debates or give critical interviews, he pushes his message directly to the voters, creating the impression that he tells it like it is, without trying to talk smooth or soft."

Wilders's audible Limburg accent -- funny to more educated Dutch -- is the stylistic equivalent of Trump's quirky colloquialisms. Like Trump, Wilders is impervious to accusations: A recent conviction for inciting racial hatred (by asking an audience if they wanted more or fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands) only boosted his public approval ratings. Comparisons between the Dutch nationalist and Trump are so frequent that Politico headlined a profile of Wilders "The Man Who Invented Trumpism."

But the American roots of the Wilders phenomenon go deeper. In a country that has embraced socialist policies, Wilders has always looked to U.S. conservatives for an alternative path to voters' hearts. Koen Vossen, a lecturer in political science at the Radboud University Nijmegen, traced this trajectory in a recent book, "The Power of Populism," a rare attempt at an objective dissection of Wilders' views and tactics.

Wilders got his start in politics in 1990, as a staffer for VVD, the mainstream liberal party that is now led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the very same party Wilders' PVV is beating in the polls now. In the 1990s, the VVD was led by Frits Bolkestein, who became Wilders' political mentor. Bolkestein was a proponent of Reagan's and Margaret Thatcher's free market economic policies, and so, for a while, was Wilders, who rose from a lowly staffer to a parliament member for the VVD.

In those early years of his career, Wilders, an expert in the convoluted Dutch social security system in which he once worked, mainly attacked entitlement abuses and advocated scrapping the minimum wage.

At the same time, he worked on a lengthy report on the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. In the late 1990s it wasn't a particularly popular theme, but Wilders was strongly pro-Israel -- another U.S.-style feature in a Europe that tended to blame both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict -- and he had plenty of help from conservative U.S. experts, including future defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld. When 9/11 happened, it was validation of his work.

"His in-depth knowledge of Muslim extremism made him a sought-after expert on the subject," Vossen wrote. "He built a reputation as a very loyal supporter of the American War on Terror and all accompanying measures, such as military interventions in Afghanistan and later Iraq."

Back then, he was still a VVD member. He decided to split off from the party in 2004, when it became clear it didn't share his anti-Islam slant and wasn't inclined to believe in a Muslim "axis of evil." Wilders's own life changed drastically that year: He was put under constant government protection after a Muslim extremist shot provocative filmmaker Theo van Gogh for his open mockery of Islam. Wilders turned out to be on the terrorist group's hit list too.

The Wilders Group, which later morphed into the PVV, initially included just two other members -- conservative theorist Bart Jan Spruyt and journalist Martin Bosma (who is now the PVV's chief ideologist). Bosma, an alumnus of the New School for Social Research in New York, was a student of U.S. campaigning and speech-writing. His heroes included Karl Rove, Pat Buchanan, Irving Kristol. Spruyt, too, was plugged into the U.S. conservative scene. In 2005, he took Wilders on an educational and fund-raising trip to the U.S. -- to visit institutions such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. Richard Perle and Grover Norquist were among the people Wilders met on that tour, and they inspired him to think about setting up a party dedicated to lowering taxes.

U.S. neoconservatism and the War on Terror were the major inspirations for the Wilders Group's first political platform. Later, however, he dropped the economic neoliberalism because it was unpopular in the Netherlands. His current economic program promises increased benefits to native-born Dutch, funded by the elimination of aid to immigrants. But Wilders appears reluctant to talk about his economic program in much detail. "It's outside his comfort zone," Vossen told me in an interview. "If this election were about the economy, Wilders wouldn't be doing so well. But, unfortunately for the governing coalition, it has done a decent job of the economy, so the election is about the atmosphere in the Dutch society."

That atmosphere is created by increasing tension between native-born Dutch and immigrants, but also, in large part, by external events -- terrorist attacks in France and Belgium, the prominence of the Islamic State, the Trump movement in the U.S. The way Wilders exploits these events comes straight from U.S. Republican playbooks -- those used by the Tea Party long before Trump.

"These are all U.S. campaign techniques," Vossen says. "The framing, the mudslinging, the repetition of the key message in very simple words, meant for the common man -- Henk and Ingrid, as Wilders calls them. Intellectuals laugh at that -- and they fall into the same trap that the Republicans learned to set for the U.S. elite."

It has all worked up to a point. Recently, however, the PVV's popularity has been slipping -- and it's expected to do worse in the election than in current polls, just like in 2012. If in the U.S. and the U.K., many were too shy to tell pollsters they preferred a populist agenda, in the Netherlands many say they'll vote for Wilders to push mainstream politicians in a more nativist direction. Most Dutch people -- including some of those who say they'll vote for him -- don't really want him to win.

"The Dutch have very definite notions about their prime minister," van Bruggen says. "They want solid, trusted leadership, they want experience." The Dutch could, perhaps, vote for an outsider -- they nearly handed power to Pim Fortuyn, the public intellectual who was assassinated in 2002 right before an election he could have won. Wilders, however, doesn't fit the bill. He is one of the country's longest-serving legislators, a political professional who has proved incapable of working in one of the Netherlands' almost inevitable governing coalitions.

In 2010, the minority government led by the VVD and the Christian Democrats made a deal with the PVV to ensure its support -- but Wilders failed to keep his end of the bargain. That's why today, no major party is willing to work with him. "He's not seen as reliable," Vossen says.

There's another reason why the PVV's poll ratings are not usually a reliable indicator of its actual performance. The party only has one official member -- Wilders himself: The leader wants to eliminate the possibility of internal squabbles that plague other Dutch parties. He achieves that goal, but at the price of having no grassroots infrastructure, no party machine on which to fall back on as Trump fell back on the Republican Party after winning the nomination. Vossen says no more than 70 people work three days a week or more for the PVV, and there are fewer volunteers than for any of the major parties.

Unlike Trump, Wilders draws no energy from big rallies. He has always been fonder of analytical and parliamentary work, but the heavy security surrounding him since the van Gogh assassination also makes it nearly impossible to go on the campaign trail. This year, Wilders barely managed to hold one campaign event, a walkabout in a Rotterdam suburb. On Thursday, he announced he was suspending his campaign because an intelligence officer assigned to his protection may have been passing information about his whereabouts to a Dutch-Moroccan criminal gang.

This ever-present danger -- he named his English-language autobiography "Marked for Death" -- adds to his romantic appeal, but not necessarily to his trustworthiness in the eyes of pragmatic Dutch voters. The Trump-style campaign Wilders has pursued may actually be working against him today: The media are full of reports of Trump-induced chaos in American government and policy. Wilders, who has loudly supported Trump, is getting associated with his messy first weeks.

Wilders' big moment may not come this year -- he's unlikely to govern even if the PVV comes first, and if it comes second, the establishment will breathe a huge sigh of relief -- but that doesn't mean it won't come at all. A major terrorist attack on Dutch soil or even another 9/11 elsewhere, or an attack on Wilders's own life may instantly change everything. But a dependence on external events is weak ground from which to attack one of the most entrenched political establishments in Europe.

(c) 2017, Bloomberg View
Recent immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration are creating a culture of distrust and could strangle Oregon's economy, Gov. Kate Brown told Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly on Sunday.

Brown, a Democrat, met with the Republican administration's top immigration enforcement official one-on-one during an annual National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C.

Brown said she is particularly worried about a chilling effect the presence of Immigration and Custom Enforcement Officers in county courthouses may have on residents.

"I'm concerned some actions of Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers are creating an atmosphere of fear," said Brown in a statement. "Today I shared with Secretary Kelly that the trust in public institutions is undermined when Oregonians seek assistance from public officials, but are instead met with suspicion from those they expect to help them."

What's more, she said, that fear puts Oregon's economy at risk because of its reliance on immigration policies like the H1-B visa program, which allows companies to hire foreign workers with specialized skills.

The same day Brown met with Kelly, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also a Democrat, said the Secretary of Homeland Security assured him that immigration agents are not conducting random raids and will not target undocumented residents unless they are suspected of being involved in illegal activity.

Trump's priorities for deportation issued earlier this year also include undocumented immigrants who are charged but not convicted of a crime, abuse public benefits or are considered "a risk to public safety or national security" by an immigration officer.

The discussions between governors and Kelly came after Trump on Thursday said the deportation effort was a "military operation." Hours later, Kelly told reporters the US will not use its military to enforce immigration laws, and that there will be "no mass deportations."

According to a statement from Brown's office, her conversation with Kelly also touched on Oregon's efforts to comply with the federal Real ID Act, which requires to state to upgrade drivers licenses to meet security guidelines.

In addition, they talked about Oregon's earthquake preparation efforts and possible reduction of federal emergency aid funds.

In December, Oregon was left off an early list of 50 infrastructure priorities to receive funding from the Trump administration.

Earlier this month, Brown issued an executive order strengthening the state's sanctuary status and asked the Attorney General to sue the White House over Trump's executive order banning most travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S.

-- Anna Marum

amarum@oregonian.com

503-294-5911

@annamarum
Under the cover of darkness, about 22 FBI agents surreptitiously walked onto the Mahleur National Wildlife Refuge, entering from the east, three days after the arrests of the occupation leaders and the fatal police shooting of occupation spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, according to testimony Monday.

"We went in on Jan. 29 (2016) and remained there at least a 24-hour period,'' FBI agent Kevin Murray testified for the government on the fifth day of the second Oregon standoff trial.

The government is expected to rest its case by day's end, and Ammon Bundy is expected to be the first defense witness Tuesday morning.

As Murray took the stand and held up a .223-caliber black assault rifle -- one of seven firearms that he found in a trailer at The Narrows RV Park on Jan. 29, U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown admonished him: "Sir, watch where you're pointing that!''

The judge indicated she had heard similar concerns voiced by jurors from an earlier firearm presentation in court.

As the agent leaned into the microphone to reassure jurors, the judge cut him off: "Sir, will you please listen to me ... and answer the question'' from the prosecutor.

Murray testified that he found seven loaded guns on a bed "ready to go'' in the back of a trailer at the RV park on Jan. 29 during the course of the 41-day occupation of the federal wildlife refuge last winter.

Defendant Jake Ryan, one of four defendants now on trial, had told another FBI agent that four of the guns belonged to him and that he had removed three others from the refuge and left them in the trailer.

FBI agent Shawn P. Hall said Ryan gave a voluntary interview to the FBI on Feb. 10 in Sanders County, Montana. Hall said Ryan asked for FBI help retrieving his guns, Hall said.

According to the interview, Hall said Ryan went to the refuge in January 2016 for three reasons: He believed the refuge belonged to the people and not the federal government, he supported Harney County ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steven Hammond and he wanted to learn about Ammon Bundy's and Finicum's interpretations of the U.S. Constitution.

Asked why he brought three .45-caliber pistols and a Remington shotgun to the refuge, Ryan told the FBI "it was for self-defense,'' Hall testified. Ryan described the refuge as dirty, cluttered and not well-maintained. He volunteered that he and two others also used heavy equipment on the refuge.

When asked if he did any excavation, Ryan's mother advised him not to answer, Hall said.

On cross-examination, Ryan's defense lawyer Jesse Merrithew pointed out that it was his client who first brought up the guns he left at the RV park.

In other testimony, jurors heard from refuge archeologist Carla Burnside, who said she learned that three computers on the refuge had been breached on Jan. 2, 2016, the first day of the armed seizure.

When she returned to work, she found someone had moved a clipboard with computer passwords that had been locked in a filing cabinet in her office.

FBI agents also identified and showed jurors bags of ammunition recovered from the refuge bunkhouse and refuge fish biologist Linda Beck's office.

Investigators discovered more than 2,680 rounds of ammunition in Beck's office and $3,606 in cash on the upstairs level of Beck's office, said FBI senior evidence response team agent Steve Daniels.

FBI Agent Travis Welter was called back to the stand to explain what firearms traces the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives did on guns recovered from the scene.

Of about 40 guns discussed in court, Welter said he was able to trace some to their owners -- other occupiers including Ammon Bundy, Eric Flores, Travis Cox, Jon Ritzheimer, Dylan Anderson, Jeff Banta, Sean Anderson and Jake Ryan.

He said a .45-caliber rifle found in defendant Duane Ehmer's horse trailer appeared to have been seen resting on the lap of Finicum during a video posted to social media during the occupation.

A 12-gauge shotgun and a .223-caliber rifle with a unique sling that read "Sage'' on it was given to Victoria Sharp, who came with her family to sing at the refuge, by her brother, Thomas Sharp, Welter testified.

Thorn was seen on a video on the night of Jan. 26, 2016, holding another rifle that had been given to co-defendant Flores, Welter said.

Defense lawyer Marc Friedman pointed out that some of the guns were traced back to people who have never been charged in the occupation. Friedman also asked Welter if he knew who brought which firearms to the refuge.

"I can tell you who did not bring those weapons,'' Welter replied.

"What do you mean?'' Friedman asked.

"This list has been gone through. No CHS (confidential human source) brought these weapons,'' he said.

Blaine Cooper, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the refuge occupation case, took the stand in the afternoon.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Thara John Memory, the mentor of jazz artist Esperanza Spalding who won a Grammy with her in 2013, faces allegations of sexually abusing two girls and two women in Portland.



The famed jazz trumpeter and instructor was arraigned Monday on accusations of third-degree sexual abuse, attempted third-degree sexual abuse and harassment. He was booked into the Multnomah County Jail and then released.



Memory, 68, was indicted Friday.



He is accused of inappropriately touching the breasts, mouths and cheeks of the alleged victims between July 2013 and March 2016, the indictment said. Two were under age 18 during the alleged abuse.



An investigation began last September after a student filed a complaint, police said.



Memory directs the American Music Program, a nonprofit where students in seventh- to 12th-grade learn jazz. The American Music Program's bands have won national honors including the 2015 Essentially Ellington event in New York, the country's top high school jazz competition.

He also leads an after school jazz music program at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Northeast Portland and gives private one-on-one lessons, said his attorney Lisa Ludwig.

Two of the alleged victims were Memory's students who have since stopped taking lessons, his lawyer said. It's not yet clear if the other two also were his students.

While out of custody, the instructor will not be allowed to have any contact with children, Ludwig said.

"We believe there's a lot more to this story and we're eager for it to come out," she said.

According to Memory's biography, he has taught courses at Portland State University, Portland Community College and Marylhurst University and has worked with high school band programs at Wilson High School in Portland and the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy in Beaverton.

Memory is an Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductee. In 2013, Memory and Spalding won a Grammy together for their collaboration on Spalding's song, "City of Roses."



Portland police ask anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Jeff Myers at 503-823-0595 or jeff.myers@portlandoregon.gov.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
mcauliffe_governors

National Governors Association Chairman Terry McAuliffe speaks Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, during the opening session of the association's winter meeting in Washington. While in Washington, McAuliffe met with the head of the Department of Homeland Security. (Cliff Owen/Associated Press)

(Cliff Owen/Associated Press)

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, D, said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Kelly assured him Sunday that immigration agents are not conducting random raids and will not target undocumented residents unless they are suspected of being involved in illegal activity.

"He explained to me what the new procedures were," McAuliffe said Sunday after a private 45-minute briefing with Kelly, a retired general. "I do take a four-star U.S. Marine general at his word."

McAuliffe, who was in Washington for the winter meeting of the National Governors Association, which he chairs, had asked Kelly for a meeting to discuss reports that federal agents recently rounded up people outside a church charity shelter in the Washington suburbs of Northern Virginia.

The governor has repeatedly faulted the Trump administration for taking an aggressive stance against immigrants, saying it creates a climate of fear and scares away foreign businesses that might want to locate in the state. McAuliffe attended a rally at Dulles International Airport the day Trump imposed his travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations, which has since been stayed by a federal judge.

"I am very concerned about this. It has had a chilling effect," McAuliffe said. He has said that two businesses that were considering Virginia locations have already walked away out of worry that they would not be welcome.

But in Sunday's meeting, which was closed to the press, Kelly assured him that there will be no random raids.

"He told me that is not going to happen," McAuliffe said.

He said he told Kelly that the Trump administration had done a terrible job of making its policy understood by the public. "They need to do a better job with communications because they have scared people," McAuliffe said.

He said the general responded with "exasperation" and "frustration." McAuliffe said Kelly told him that he had "tried to get this message out, but it's just not being reported."

-- Gregory S. Schneider
Marissa Wallin and Justin Rose are engaged to be married July 1, 2017. Parents of the couple are Sten and Anne Wallin of Midland, and Robin Rose of West Chazy, N.Y., and the late Brian Rose. The bride-elect, a graduate of the International School of Zug and Luzern, expects to graduate in June with a Scottish masters degree in philosophy from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The groom-elect, a graduate of Fork Union (Virginia) Military Academy, expects to graduate in May with a bachelors degree in chemistry from Virginia Military Institute.

How they met: The couple will be married in St. Andrews, Scotland, where they met as students.
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A 1946 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Morgan v. Virginia ruled that segregated bus seating was unconstitutional, prompting a group of African-American and white civil rights activists, who called themselves Freedom Riders, to travel to the South and use segregated restrooms, restaurants and other areas marked with Whites Only signs.

Another Supreme Court decision came in 1960: In Boynton v. Virginia, the court ruled that segregation of interstate transportation facilities was unconstitutional.

On paper, the high court had lifted restrictions of segregation in the country. Riders saddled up again to test that decision in real time.

But as history has it, many Americans in the South were not ready for acceptance and willing to avoid compliance and integration at any cost. Freedom Rides turned horrific and deadly.

William Barnett, 86, was there. And on Friday he told those at Creative 360 in Midland of the wild rides he and some of the nearly 500 Freedom Riders endured.

Barnett recalled one incident in which people slashed tires and firebombed the bus. They held the door shut while it erupted in flames. The gas tank exploded. Some people burned, some escaped, he said.

Before taking off, Barnett said he and others devised a system. Two couples, one person black and the other white, would sit at either end of the bus and someone in the middle would observe in case of arrests. They notified the FBI before each ride and requested an escort.

They didnt show up, Barnett said.

His last ride landed him at a police department 30 miles away.

We were taken to the basement, Barnett said. We got chained to the cell and we were beaten very badly.

He recalled six or seven policemen taking off their badges before taking turns in the seven-hour beating. He was left with a broken cheekbone, shin, ribs and other wounds. The officers covered them in burlap sacks and took them to a hospital afterward. Barnett needed 180 stitches in his lower intestine.

He said that was his last physical activity in the Civil Rights Movement. He stayed in the hospital for months.

Years later, he met one of the officers who had beaten him. The officer brought his sons. He wanted to admit his wrongdoing and seek forgiveness, Barnett said.

Barnett grew up in Detroit. He lived in a white neighborhood. There were 21 houses and three door keys that could open any house on the block, he said. Nowadays, most have bars on them, he said.

Of the 3,000 students in the high school he attended, only five were black.

I didnt see a lot of discrimination, he said.

He graduated at 16. When he was 19 and in the military, he met a girl in Tennessee. By the sixth date, Barnett asked her to marry him. They eloped in Kentucky and later returned to Detroit to take jobs, but had feelings that they werent doing what they wanted to in life. They moved to the poorest ghetto community in Lansing, and got their doctorates.

Still, it wasnt until I got to the South that I saw what discrimination was like, Barnett said.

Barnett came to Midland in the late 1970s. He was a professor of anthropology and dean of arts and behavioral sciences at Saginaw Valley State University. He also taught at the University of Iowa, where he was director of Asian studies, and was department chair at Fayetteville State. He studied in Taiwan, Borneo and several other countries, and was a visiting professor in southern India this year.

In his 86 years, Barnett has been arrested 59 times.

He told of a sit-in at a coffee shop in Nashville, where whites could sit down and blacks couldnt. He got a group together with two blacks and sat down. They were asked to leave. The police were called.

As a civil rights activist and anthropologist, he said he had been trained to relax in such situations.

They took us by the feet and dragged us up the stairs, Barnett said. We went to jail. That was the first of my arrests.

His hardship wasnt without victory. Barnetts claim to fame came at Fisk University in Tennessee, where he said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had spit on him  the unsanitary gesture was part of the training Barnett had received to endure the 40 to 50 sit-ins in which hed later participate.

While those at Creative 360 laughed at that story, they applauded Barnett the during the next one.

Back in Nashville, he said he was able to desegregate a federal courthouse. He showed up with a hammer and screwdriver to remove signs that read Colored Men and Colored Women and replaced them with new signs that simply said Men and Women.

Preston Jones, 81, of Midland, has known Barnett for years. The two know each others histories and attend the same church, he said.

I know it from a different perspective, Jones said. I was raised in it.

Jones, born in Jacksonville, Florida, had grown up in St. Petersburg, where, in an incident in either 1948 or 1949, he said he had refused to sit at the back of the bus. He was ejected.

We couldnt go to the movies. You couldnt go to restaurants. You couldnt try on clothes  only shoes, he said. I grew up in the midst of segregation.

In Virginia, Jones engaged in activism similar to that of the Freedom Riders, years before the 1961 ride to New Orleans, on a bus from Hampton to Newport News. He moved to Midland in 1968 and worked at The Dow Chemical Co. as a patent examiner for 30 years. (In some ways, the mistreatment followed him: A man in Midland assumed he wasnt a good guy and pulled a gun on him, Jones said. In a separate incident, Jones said he was disrespected at a car dealership in a disagreement with a dealer.)

Jones and others on Friday urged Barnett to document his story in words, images and video more so than he already has. One listener said he should do so for his story to become more than a few paragraphs in a textbook.

People really need to see and here this, Jones said. You could feel his emotions. So many people believe this did not happen.

Barnetts activism wasnt limited to the Freedom Riders era. It stretched from womens marches to gay movements, his involvement in which led him to sometimes employ what he called an active desegregation effort.

No matter the cause, his anthropologic acumen kept him prescient. Some friends disowned him (But of course, I made a lot of new ones, he said). He expected residents in the towns theyd visit to repel civil rights movements, especially during Freedom Rides.

I was scared all that time, he said.

Barnett asked those at Creative 360 on Friday to consider the success of the nearly 500 Freedom Riders  and what they were up against: governors, mayors and police in 11 states who opposed integration. Fifty-six years later, in front of a couple dozen people who were imagining those times in merely a vicarious sense, the only way they could, he turned thoughts in his own head to measure the social impact.

Five hundred people, he began to say. His voice broke. He struggled to get the next words out and was later handed a tissue: (saw a social issue and)  said, Nope. Change that.

A son of Scottish immigrants, Barnett questioned why he even got involved with the Freedom Riders. But it was like a religious calling, he said, God wanted me to do it.

The fear is gone these days.

Im 86, Im not worried about dying, Barnett said. Ive had a wonderful life. I think Ive made an impact on the world and made life better for many groups.
A 35-year-old Midland man who first was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct has been sentenced to prison time after making a plea in the case.

Christopher James Trudell was charged with one count each of first- and second-degree criminal sexual assault, and entered a guilty plea to one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The original counts were dismissed as a part of the plea deal.

Trudell was sentenced to between 13 months and three years for the fourth-degree count, and to between seven and 22 1/2 years in prison for the third-degree count.

The terms are to be served at the same time, and Midland County Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Beale also noted Trudell must register as a sex offender.

The charges are the result of a Midland County Sheriffs Office investigation that began in July when a 15-year-old girl reported she had been sexually assaulted the month before in Ingersoll Township. The girl told officials Trudell was highly intoxicated and gave her alcohol to drink, then forced her to have sex with him.

After that, Trudell continually asked her to again have sex with him, as well as touched her and got into the shower with her on later occasions.

During an interview with detectives, Trudell admitted touching the girl and having sex with her.

Trudell previously was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2010 in Clare County, and larceny in a building plus conspiracy to commit larceny in a building in 2015 in Midland County.

He was on probation for the latter two offenses through the Michigan Department of Corrections in July when the incidents occurred.
DELAVAN  Residents of Delavan will meet March 6 for a special town hall meeting to discuss the fate of the National Guard Armory, which is under consideration for closure by the Illinois National Guard.

Colonel Craig Holan of the Illinois Army National Guard will discuss the current situation and its future at the Delavan American Legion Post 382 at 118 E. Third St in Delavan at 6 p.m. on March 6. Local officials such as Delavan Mayor Liz Skinner will be there. Also invited are several state and local officials and legislators.

A year ago, officials announced they were considering closing the facility that dates back to 1938 as part of the Armys 202 Redesign Plan intended to modernize facilities across the country. Guard officials say it would take between $3 million and $5 million to modernize the Delavan facility for modern military use.

It is scheduled to close in September, but local officials remain optimistic the facility will remain open. If not, alternate uses will be considered.

The public is invited to attend the meeting.
NORMAL  Nominations are being accepted for the Distinguished Alumni Award at Heartland Community College. It recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their profession and made a positive impact on their community.

March 17 is the deadline to submit nominations to the Heartland Community College Alumni Association. Forms are available at heartland.edu/alumni. Click on the Celebrate Success link.

The recipient must agree to be present to accept the award during commencement on May 19 at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in downtown Bloomington.

To be eligible for the award, the candidate also must have:

 Completed at least one class at Heartland.

 Achieved success of an exceptional nature in their chosen field or profession.

 Made a positive impact on their community through leadership and/or active volunteering.

The first award was given in 2009.

Previous winners have included Justin and Adam Bellas, brothers and owners of Bellas Landscaping, which they started while attending Heartland; John Bierbaum, a Normal West High School teacher and finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year in 2013; and Tim Rixstine, president of Molly Maid of Bloomington-Normal.

The purpose of the award is to recognize alumni who are making a difference in their community, said Chris Downing, HCC Foundation executive director. We encourage co-workers, family members, friends and professors to consider taking a few minutes to nominate an alum who deserves to be honored.

Completed forms can be emailed to chris.downing@heartland.edu or delivered to Downing at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal IL 61761.

For more information, call 309-268-8110.
Q: I heard that different organizations are providing activities for disabled veterans, designed to improve the veterans quality of life. Are there any programs like that in the Central Illinois area?

A: Yes! HOOAH Deer Hunt for Heroes is a locally operated non-profit organization that organizes hunting and fishing excursions for disabled veterans. HOOAH (Healing Outside of a Hospital) is totally funded through private donations, fundraising and volunteerism. The program helps disabled veterans heal mentally and physically through outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

HOOAH covers transportation, lodging, license, tags, food and equipment for each of the sponsored events. No hunting or fishing experience is necessary. Veterans are paired up with a guide on every trip. The guides walk them through every step and great friendships are made.

For more information, contact HOOAH coordinators Tom Huffington 309-830-3313 or Tom Gaither 618-616-4382; email HOOAHDeerHuntforHeroes@aol.com or visit HOOAHdeerhuntforheroes.com. HOOAH can also be found on Facebook at HOOAH Deer Hunt for Heroes.

Donations can be mailed to HOOAH Deer Hunt for Heroes, P.O. Box 351, Stanford, IL 61774

Did you know?

The VA offers veterans, service members, their dependents and caregivers their own personal health record through My HealtheVet, which can be found at www.myhealth.va.gov/. This is a free, online personal health record and is available 24/7 with internet access.

Veterans who are enrolled in VA Health Care can obtain access by completing the one-time, in-person authentication process whenever the veteran is at a VA facility.

Services available on My HealtheVet include participation in secure messaging with VA health care team members; VA wellness reminders; VA appointments; VA lab results; VA allergies, adverse reactions and other key portions of the VA electronic health record.

The veterans Private Identification Number (PIN) will enable the veteran to access the medical records using an internet connection.
Sappi Europe Appoints Maik Willig as Ehingen Mill Director

Maik Willig

Feb. 27, 2017 - Sappi Europe announced the appointment of Maik Willig as Ehingen Mill Director, effective March 1.

Willig joined Sappi in 2012 as Production Manager and became Paper Mill Manager of Ehingen at the beginning of 2015.

Prior to joining Sappi, Willig held the position of Plant Manager Paper Mill for Rondo Ganahl in Austria, and he began his career with Stora Enso Reisholz in Germany.

Willig holds a master's degree from the University of Munich in Pulp and Paper Engineering.

Steffen Wurdinger, VP Manufacturing, R&D and Technologym (the mill's previous director) commented, Ehingen Mill is in line to support Sappi's enhanced specialities offering over the next few years. In order to drive this programme of investments at the mill, we need to have the right person in place. Maik is that person. He understands the company's objectives and is on board to ensure that Sappi fully meets its full potential.

Sappi's Ehingen Mill is situated on the Danube River in Ehingen, southern Germany. The mill an annual production capacity of 140,000 tons of pulp (chlorine-free sulphite pulp) and 280,000 tons of graphic fine paper. Ehingen produces a range of coated paper in sheet and roll format in matt or silk-matt finish and Fusion Topliner. The mill has over 500 employees.

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Sappi Europe SA is the leading European producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. To learn more about the company, please visit: www.sappi.com.

SOURCE: Sappi Europe
So you've filled out the usual predictions for your Oscar pool for Best Picture and Director, for which amazing actors will be snubbed to serve the hungry maw of La La Land's statue haul. But, perhaps you want something a little more exciting. Perhaps you're jonesing to place a bunch prop bets on the more interesting action around Hollywood's most self-congratulatory night. We at PAPER are here to help, offering our predictions and odds on the probability of some fascinating side-events, as determined by the finest bookies in the land (nope).



The red carpet talking heads will inadvertently offend at least one woman by inappropriately discussing her hair/make-up/clothes/accessories. Odds: 7-2

Lin-Manuel Miranda will NOT get the "O" in his EGOT; Hamilton nerds across the country rage. Odds: 6-1

A Chrissy Teigen reaction face will be the most-GIF'd image on Twitter immediately after. Odds: 5-3

A winner will give a woke speech addressing either Donald Trump (2-1), the Muslim ban (3-2), misogyny/women's rights (5-3), transgender rights (5-2), or the Dakota Access Pipeline (7-1).

A winner (2-1 odds it's a man) will botch their attempt at an inspiring, woke speech and end up making it all about them. Odds: 5-2

Emma Stone will do something charming and human, and you will forget how annoyed you are that La La Land beat Moonlight. Odds: 2-1



Jennifer Lawrence will trip on her way to the stage even though she is not nominated and potentially not even attending. Odds: 3-1



One losing nominee will both "forget" to clap for the winner as well as express real human emotion, like furrowing their brow in disappointment. This will make for many gifs and perhaps even a think piece or two. Odds: 6-1



All attendees will look hungry and miserable, while at least half of the front row's teeth will be too bright. Odds: 9-4



Someone uses a minority to accept their award because they're all about the cause. Odds: 14-1



A relative "newcomer" will cry hysterically during their speech, and yell thank yous into the mic as the play-off music comes on in a desperate effort to disregard with the time limit. Odds: 9-1

John Legend's performance of "Audition" and "City of Stars" will be the only La La Land success story that Twitter users will also agree with. Odds 3-1



Jimmy Kimmel will open the night with a full-on roast of Matt Damon. Odds 9-2

Meryl Streep will actually show up on the red carpet wearing head-to-toe Chanel, revealing that her recent "beef" with Karl Lagerfeld was all an elaborate hoax. Odds 12-1

The Stranger Things kids will present an award together and everyone at home will promptly start bawling uncontrollably. Odds 8-1

There will be at least one attempt to recreate the social media splash of Ellen's Oscars selfie, salvaged only by the adorable kids from Moonlight and Lion. Odds: 7-4

Splash photo via Oscars.org.


AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH we've finally hit critical mass on the whole "are they/are they not" sitch with Abel and Selena! To get you up to speed real quick: we've known that #SelBel were a thing (they're not super great at hiding it but also they like to make us, seasoned investigators, go on a scavenger hunt through the 'Gram). But they haven't exactly said they're heart eyes for each other. UNTIL NOW.

Lovebirds Selena Gomez and the Weeknd met up in Amsterdam at the rapper's concert this week. She posted the evidence on her Instagram story--over the top of her stiletto heels we can see the Starboy dancing with pure star joy.





Cozier and cozier, friends, things are getting cozier and cozier.





Selena Gomez leaving The Weeknd concert. (Via me ) pic.twitter.com/cFPLzt5oBQ

 Selena Gomez News (@SelenaHQ) February 24, 2017





Their VERY REAL relationship has caused upset, of course, with Abel's ex Bella Hadid, who both unfollowed Selena after the two started making headlines and made it clear that she's tired of hearing about the two.

An insider told US that Gomez plans on showing up at random stops throughout the Weeknd's tour, so keep an eye out for Abel's elusive but FOR SURE girlfriend.

Header photo via David X Prutting/BFA.com
Jennifer Garner is largely known for her career as an actress but the Hollywood mom is also an early education advocate. The "13 Going on 30" star recently met with U.S. governors to discuss preschool programs with Save the Children, the nonprofit organization the actress actively supports.

Garner attended the National Governors Association on Saturday and sat down with state leaders. According to Page Six, the actress and the governors discussed how they can help low-income families with kids whose early education preparation are severely lacking due to access and resources.

They want to bring in teachers to these families' homes so that the children can be best prepared for kindergarten. Garner said this move should impact and make a difference in the children's lives, especially when this is a crucial age for their developing brains.

Garner also said that she's aware of how crippling poverty can as she witnessed this in her community while growing up in West Virginia. Early intervention in these families should give the children some advantage, as well as compound their interest in going or continuing with school.

Gov. Robert Bentley shared a photo from the meeting with Garner on his Twitter account. He also shared that he talked with the actress about similar successful early education programs in his home state of Alabama.

Thrilled to share Alabama's PreK success story w/ actress & #earlyed advocate Jennifer Garner, before Sat's NGA Education Cmte. #WeTheStates pic.twitter.com/EenE4huunl  Gov. Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) February 24, 2017

In 2016, Garner testified before the House about keeping the funding for Save the Children. "I'm here because I believe so much in Save the Children's early childhood programs, and I am hoping that you will continue to support them," the mother-of-three said, per People.

Over 12,000 preschool-aged kids benefited from the programs the organization established in Kentucky the previous year. Apart from education, the organization also provides free health care services to families who have no means.
Some pregnancy signs and complications warrant a call or visit to the doctor. Certain red flags shouldn't be ignored because it can matter to the life and health of the mom and the baby in her womb.

It's normal for pregnant moms, especially those experiencing this miracle for the first time, to have fears and worries about the changes in their bodies. Doctors understand this all too well but some 23 percent of women still hesitate to contact their OB/GYN or midwife for fear that they could be regarded as a nuisance, according to Fox News.

So, what pregnancy signs and complications demand immediate attention from the doctor? Below are a few red flags to watch out for.

Medical attention is necessary any time a woman bleeds during their pregnancy. Whether it's a few spots, blood in the urine or heavy bleeding, giving the doctor a call within 24 hours is recommended.

In some cases, bleeding is a sign of miscarriage or a pregnancy complication like placenta previa. In other cases, it could only be an indicator of the body's hormones adjusting to the changes. A quick phone call to the doctor should help with peace of mind.

If a pregnant woman experiences abdominal pain or cramp that doesn't subside, it's also a good idea to phone in. In late term pregnancies, this symptom could indicate premature labor. It might also be indicative of complications like kidney problems, which might require treatment, or placental abruption, which require careful monitoring and management.

Fever during pregnancy is not normal, according to Health Line. It could be an indication of infection or other underlying conditions like dehydration. Call the doctor for suggested medications but for high fever above 101.5 F and accompanied by chills or body pains, it might be necessary to undergo diagnostic tests to address the real issues.

Physical changes like sudden swelling, puffiness, vision changes and weight drop or increase also need a checkup with the doctor as these are also indicators of a complication in the pregnancy. Baby Center advises moms to trust their instincts and if something doesn't feel right, no matter how minor it is, calling the doctor is always a good decision.
Apple's competition is now out in full force this week at the Mobile World Congress trade show, the largest mobile device event of the year held in Barcelona, Spain. Yesterday Patently Apple posted our first report of the event covering Samsung's new tablets. A clear third of their presentation was about pumping up the next generation 5G networks with their partner Verizon. Today Samsung's full keynote has been made available so that you can hear what Verizon said about the upcoming future of 5G networks along with seeing the full roll out of their new tablets. The second keynote presented in our report covers the new Nokia 6 smartphone that's now going global while the third keynote covers LG's new smartphone. If you're interested in keeping on top of what Apple's competition will be offering this year then you'll enjoy the availability of these three videos in one report.

Samsung Keynote



Nokia Keynote

Patently Apple first covered the company HMD bringing the next-generation of Nokia products to market back in December. The new Nokia 6 will start at US$245 up to US$325 for a smartphone with 5.5" display (1920 x 1080), 16MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. The entry unit comes with 3GB RAM, 32GB storage. The Nokia Arte Black Limited Edition comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage. The Nokia 6 will update Android as frequently as the iPhone updates iOS, as in constantly, unlike other Android phones on the market which is going to be a great selling point.

Apple fans will get a kick out of Nokia's keynote including a video of the design of the Nokia 6 trying to copy the classic Jony Ive introductions. I laughed when they talked about "this thinking is Nokia Legacy." Nokia led the way in ugly cell phones prior to the iPhone. In fact complete rubbish and now that they copy Apple's approach to design, it's their legacy. Yes, comedians they are.

Yet with that said, Nokia smartphones will make an impact on the market, especially in Europe where they will cheer on the return of the Nokia brand. And with their aggressive pricing, they should be able to make an impact around the globe with the exception of the U.S. where Apple's iPhone 8 and Samsung's S8 are likely to remain the leaders.



A Brief 30 second Nokia 6 ad about the Smartphone's Design





LG Keynote

LG's new smartphone offers a nice new design but it's unlikely to help them in the U.S. market. It's a very slow and clumsy presentation  though if you're an LG fan I'm sure you'll enjoy it.











About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
During my undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of Montana, I took a capstone class on Philosophy of Mind. We started with Descartes, setting out the direction that Western thinkers would take: the problem of mind (immaterial, without spatial relations) and body (material, spatially located) interacting with one another. This is the mind-body problem and it vexed Descartes 400 years ago and it vexes those who look deeply into it today.

The problem is not only in regard to interaction, though thats a central part of it. Descartes wasnt the first to ponder it, but hes probably the first to put it in such clear terms in his Meditations on First Philosophy. And it was a woman, Elisabeth of Bohemia, who pointed out the very problem (a fact often ignored by philosophers in academia but nicely picked up by Carroll and discussed in the video).

In any case, Descartes left us with dualism  two substances (body and mind) that were ultimately separate but -somehow- in contact with each other. Most options for solving the mind-body problem in Western thought have been monistic (just one substance) materialists of one sort or another  though other options include phenomenalism, idealism, vitalism, and dual-aspect monism. Materialists, in one way or another, say that all that exists is body (matter), and mind thus doesnt exist or only exists in the way that a car exists: based on particular parts and/or functions.

But while philosophers have tended toward materialism, as John Searle has noted, the person on the street is still a dualist and believes in a truly separate mind and body (or body and soul).

The following video should be of interest, then, as both an explanation and exploration of the philosophical materialist view, represented by Sean Caroll, and an opposing view from Alan Wallace which perhaps doesnt get fully worked out.

Read Sean Carrolls recent book on this (and much more): The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself

And one of the books that helped shape my capstone paper on Buddhism and Philosophy of Mind, Alan Wallaces The Taboo of Subjectivity: Toward a New Science of Consciousness. These are just two of at least a dozen or so great books exploring the topic of mind and body and everything else that are brilliant and compelling. Dont just read one, or even two. Read several and grapple with the force of the arguments, the subtle presuppositions that come with each position, and the ways that each deals with counterarguments near and far.

My own view on the nature of reality, and consciousness within it, is of agnosticism and openness. Western phenomenologists and most Buddhists would tend to assert that our beginning point is experience, not stuff out of which experience bubbles. Even if we imagine a cold dead universe of matter, perhaps not long after the big bang, there is still my consciousness of that imagined scene. Consciousness for me is both inescapable and primary.

I think I did go through a materialist phase, early in my life as a philosopher. Materialism is awesome for what it can tell us about the world  weve increased our knowledge in the last 80-100 years thousands-fold over all that came before. No amount of meditative mastery is going to get you inside an atom (imho) despite what some zealous Buddhism apologists might like to claim. However, Ive come to appreciate people like Alan Wallace (and David Chalmers, who I had the fortune of meeting around the time I was taking that course on Mind) for pointing out the still mysterious nature of consciousness itself.

It is quite possible that well find a sort of missing link between brain (or whole body) states and mind, such that a reduction will be complete and testable. Or perhaps consciousness, the what its like to be me or you or a bat or a colorblind volunteer in a thought experiment, is ultimately irreducible and may be discovered as a new property of the universe itself, one always here but hitherto unrecognized.
From the Public Discourse:

The details of the Doe case are particularly appalling. Though her case paved the way for millions of women to abort their children, Sandra Cano herself never wanted an abortion. While going through divorce proceedings, she thought that her parents had hired a lawyer to help her fight for custody of her four children and the fifth child she carried. When she found out that her lawyer scheduled an abortion for her and filed the complaint in Doe v. Bolton, which stated that Sandra wanted an abortion and had been denied one by the state of Georgia, Sandra fled to Oklahoma to avoid being pressured into having an abortion she did not want. She returned only after her lawyer and her mother assured her she would not have to abort her child.

There was no record in Sandras case: no written discovery, no interrogatories, no document requests, no depositions, and no expert reports. When I read the transcript of the argument before the three-judge panel, I saw that the attorney general of Georgia argued to the court that they needed discovery. The court, being so anxious to make law, told him they saw no reason to bother.

When the attorney general pointed out that the court didnt actually know if Mary Doe is even pregnant, the judges said they would just assume that she was. It didnt occur to the attorney general that Mary Doe might in fact be pregnant but might never have asked the doctors for an abortionbecause she didnt want one. Had Sandra been deposed in the case, her true desires would have been revealed, the case would have been dismissed, and there would never have been a decision by the Supreme Court in Doe v. Bolton.

Sandras attorney, Margie Pitts Hames, convinced Sandra to sit in the back of the courtroom that day. Sandra told me she agreed to this because she wanted to return to Georgia and see her four children. Hames never spoke to Sandra again. Sandra did not know what was going on in the case until she saw a television news commentator announcing the Supreme Court decision on January 22, 1973.

Sandra grieved over that decision for years. She decided to get a copy of the file in her case to review it. The Court would not give it to her, because everything was filed under seal. She retained an attorney who filed a motion to permit Sandra to obtain copies of what was filed on her behalf. The motion was opposed by Margie Pitts Hames, who didnt want Sandra to see the filings. Eventually the Court ruled in favor of Sandra, and she then discovered that the entire record was nothing other than a single affidavit purporting to be her own sworn statement. Sandras signature was found on an affidavit that stated that she wanted an abortion, had gone to a hospital seeking an abortion, and the doctors refused to perform one.

Sandras signature was forged. The entire case was a fraud on the Courtfraud that could have been easily detected but for the Courts decision to decide the substantive issues without any kind of factual record or record containing discovery of any kind.

<break>

In Normas case, the entire record consisted of a single affidavit that Norma signed but never read. Norma met with her attorney only twice. The first time, they met in a bar over a pitcher of beer to discuss Normas willingness to be a plaintiff. The second time, Norma signed the affidavit.

Norma, whose education never went beyond freshman year of high school, later testified that she never knew or understood what an abortion was. She thought that the procedure just prevented a human being from coming into existence, like birth control.

It wasnt until the mid-1990s, when she worked at an abortion clinic, that Norma started to understand what an abortion really was. One day she was in the Parts room, where parts of the babies, like limbs and heads, were brought after the unborn children had been aborted. It was then that Norma realized that abortions terminated the lives of actual living human beings. Soon after, she had her conversion to the pro-life side and, in 1997, started her ministry: Roe No More.
Patna: Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) President and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, at a press conference in Patna on Sunday, branded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a 'curse' on Bihar who, in his twelve years of rule in the state, failed to check corruption and destroyed education in the wake of a series of scandals in the education department.

"Never before in Bihar the education system has been this bad. There is one scam after another. Corruption is rampant in all departments but education department is the worst affected by the failure of this administration. Nitish Kumar, who had promised to clean the system after coming into power, instead knowingly allowed corruption to flourish. He has been a curse to Bihar and I don't think things are going to get any better under his leadership," the Central Minister said.

Kushwaha further said that like sex racket in Bihar, the state's education department was marred with scandals that refused to go away.

"Topper scam and BSSC scam should send chilling message to any law-abiding citizen but Nitish Kumar is not concerned with it. His actions are always reacting and not proactive. He believes in punishing the guilty but has no desire to stop the crime from taking place in the first place," the RLSP chief said.

"As long as crime is allowed to flourish and education is marred with corruption, Bihar cannot expect to develop," he said.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Iran MPs pass legislation in response to Trump travel ban

02/27/17

Source: Press TV

Iranian lawmakers have added a new article to the proposed budget bill for the next fiscal year (starting March 21, 2017) to attract investment by the country's nationals living in the United States.





Protests against Trump's Muslim Ban

Poster by Amnesty International USA



The legislation was approved during the open session of the Parliament on Sunday as 150 lawmakers voted in favor while 19 voted against and six abstained.



Under the article, the legislators urged the government to provide nearly 61.7 million dollars to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance to recruit and attract investment by Iranian nationals living in the US.



Speaking after the approval of the article, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the "reciprocal measure" was adopted in response to the new US administration's move for banning entry into the country of nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran.



Meanwhile, lawmaker Mohsen Kouhkan, who had tabled the proposal, also said the Parliament's move "conveys a clear message" to the world that the Islamic Republic supports every single one of its citizens all over the globe.

US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on January 27 that blocked entry into the United States for 90 days for citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It also suspended entry of all refugees for 120 days and barred Syrian refugees indefinitely.



US District Judge James Robart in Seattle, Washington, suspended the order nationwide on February 4 after his state challenged its legality. A three-judge panel in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Robart's ruling.



The White House has vowed to issue a revised travel ban which would still target the same seven Muslim countries.



Iran's Foreign Ministry on January 28 censured the recent "insulting" decision made by the new US government, vowing that Tehran would respond to the move in kind.



"In order to protect the dignity of all the Iranian people inside and outside the country, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will scrutinize the short-term and long-term outcomes of the decision by the US government on Iranian nationals and will take appropriate consular, legal and political measures," the ministry said in a statement.



It warned that any US move to extend discriminatory measures against the Iranian nationals would be illegal and said the Islamic Republic reserves the right to react to any violation of international law by Washington.
Iran Says Navy Test-Fires New Missiles In Persian Gulf

02/27/17

Source: RFE/RL

An Iranian official says the country's navy has successfully test-fired its latest missiles during military drills in the Persian Gulf, part of the first major exercise in the area since the January 20 inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.





file photo: Iran's Zafar naval cruise missile



Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said on February 27 that naval forces test-fired the newest versions of the medium-range Nasr missile, according to the Iranian news agency Mehr.



Tasnim, another Iranian news agency, reported that a laser-guided Dehlaviyeh missile was also successfully tested.



The ranges of the missiles, both made in Iran, are not known.



The missile tests were part of annual drills held near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The two-day exercises began on February 26.





Iran's Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan



Trump's administration responded to a ballistic-missile test in late January by saying it was putting Iran "on notice" and imposing new sanctions on Tehran.



Nearly one-third of the world's oil trade by sea passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been the scene of previous confrontations between the United States and Iran.



Based on reporting by AFP, Mehr, and Tasnim
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A cellular base station with 128 antennas may soon help some mobile operators serve many more subscribers in crowded areas.

Nokia demonstrated the technology, called massive MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) with Sprint at Mobile World Congress on Monday. Its one of several types of advances in LTE that could eventually come into play with 5G, too.

Massive MIMO uses a large number of small antennas to create dedicated connections to multiple devices at once. In this case, the base station has 6464 MIMO, or 64 antennas each for upstream and downstream signals. In Nokia and Sprints tests, it increased the capacity of a cell by as much as eight times for downloads and as much as five times for uploads.

For the demonstration, the base station connected with eight commercial, off-the-shelf phones behind a wall of Nokias booth and streamed data to and from them.

Stephen Lawson A diagram in Nokias booth at Mobile World Congress showed how a demonstration of massive MIMO worked, on Feb. 27, 2017. Stephen Laws

The system isnt designed to give users dramatically higher speeds but to help give users better access to the capacity of a cell. Typical base stations today have 22 antenna systems with just two antennas each for uploads and downloads. Rather than everyone in an area sharing those few antennas, theyll be able to get their own lanes.

Sprint is jumping on this technology, planning trials soon and commercial deployment soon after, because its uniquely positioned among U.S. carriers to use it, said Gunther Ottendorfer, Sprints chief operating officer of technology.

For one thing, its the only operator in the country with commercially licensed frequencies high enough, at 2.5GHz, to take advantage of massive MIMO at this scale, Ottendorfer said. (In trials, some other carriers are using massive MIMO with other types of frequencies.) Because the size of antennas is defined by wavelengths, higher frequencies mean smaller antennas, so a 6464 system for more typical cellular frequencies would be too big to be practical. Sprint already uses 88 MIMO in some of its antennas, the closest thing to massive MIMO on a U.S. carrier network.

Also, most current phones could use the system with Sprints 2.5GHz LTE network because it has a way of organizing frequencies that most U.S. carriers dont use. There wont be a standard for achieving the same thing with more typical phones and networks until next year, Sprint says.

But Sprint isnt the only carrier that has these two advantages. So does China Mobile, and Nokia has been testing 6464 massive MIMO with them, too, said Ashish Dayama, head of MulteFire and TD-LTE marketing at Nokia.

The highlight of what the companys demonstrating with Sprint is that its commercial hardware, downsized through cycles of development into something that can go on a real-world cell tower, Nokia says.

5G will take massive MIMO even further, using much higher frequencies such as 28GHz. Theres a lot of spectrum up in those bands to deliver even more capacity, but only in relatively small areas, said John Saw, Sprints chief technology officer. At that point, the 2.5GHz network will offer better coverage and will probably serve as an anchor for the 5G network, he said.
Lenovos Miix 320 is a $199 Windows laptop that could have a chance of combating cheap Chromebooks. While HPs Stream devices are a decent stab at the same effort, the Miix 320 includes various features that help it feel a little special, even if its still a pretty bare-bones machine. Announced Monday at Mobile World Congress, the laptop will ship in April, with a pen-enabled version coming in July.

The Miix 320s best feature is its form factor: a 2-in-1 detachable laptop, which doesnt exist among Chromebooks (the ones with 360-degree hinges dont count). Theres a secure, but easily released magnetic joint between the display and keyboard halves, and the 10.1-inch display is light enough to hold easily as a tablet. The screen is a little smaller than the typical Chromebooks 11-inch display, but its 19201200 resolution is noticeably finer than the crummy old 1366768 spec you find on most of those larger screens.

Lenovo The display half of Lenovos Miix 320 includes a USB-C port (and dont worry, there are USB-A ports in the keyboard half).

I didnt have much time to use the keyboard, but my first impression is that it might be a step up from the worst Chromebook keyboards, whose hard plastic buttons make me feel like Im typing on rocks. Im more intrigued by the built-in Microsoft Precision Trackpad, which recognizes some additional touching and swiping gestures for easier navigation through Windows 10.

Connectivity often suffers in laptops this small, but the Miix 320 struck a thoughtful balance. It looks to the future with one USB-C port on the display half, and it tucks two USB-A ports into the keyboard half to let us all use the legacy devices we hate to give up. You also have an LTE option, so you really could use it just about anywhere.

Lenovo Lenovos Miix 320 uses a Microsoft Precision Trackpad for more versatile touch controls.

Heres the bad news: The Miix 320 comes with a mere Intel Atom X5 (Cherry Trail) processor, which means youll need to stick to web-browsing and a few mainstream applicationsnothing fancy. On the other hand, this CPU gives you great battery life, up to 10 hours from a full charge. You also get 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of eMMC storage, though please note that unlike with Chromebooks, you need to save some room for your Windows OS20GB for the 64-bit version.

We dont know whether the Miix 320 will be able to rise to chip away at Chromebooks market share. Chromebooks exist in part because its difficult to accommodate Windows 10 in a low-end laptop. On the other hand, I couldnt be the only person who suffers and swears when I attempt to be productive on my smartphone.

The upshot is that a small, light Windows machine like the Miix 320 could give me the screen and keyboard I crave in an easily carried device. Indeed, if I got the LTE model I wouldnt have to tether my phone or take my chances with public Wi-Fi. Ill be sure to let you know what its like if I get one in for review.
Sonys smartphone roadmap has never been predictable. It was barely six months ago at IFA when it merged the Xperia X and Z lines to create the Xperia XZ, a handset with top-of-the-line specs aimed at jump-starting its standing in the high-end U.S. market. While that gambit didnt quite work out the way it had hoped, Sony has decided to take another crack at it.

But instead of changing its strategy, Sony is doubling down on it. It brought no less than four new phones to Mobile World Congress, including two new flagships, the Xperia XZs and the XZ Premium, a phone that shines, quite literally.

The first thing you notice about the new phone is the mirror finish that surrounds the device. Available in deep sea black and luminous chrome, the finish gives the phone a sparkly appearance that seems destined to require lots of polishing. But the innovation in the XZ Premium is actually below the surface. Its primary features are both firsts on a smartphone: a 4K HDR display and super slow-motion video.

The 4K screen is 5.5 inches across, which means its small enough that the 4K resolution shouldnt make too much of a difference. On a large screen like a television, the added pixels are immediately noticeable, but on a small screen its much more difficult for the human eye to discern the extra resolution.

But this is where the HDR comes in. Short for high dynamic range, HDR is a technology that widens the dynamic range that can be displayed so both dark and bright areas of an image are represented equally well. The tech has been in some cameras for a while and is now coming to video, with some downloaded movies from Amazon Prime and Netflix already supporting it.

Detail oriented

Keeping the screen powered on is a respectable 3,230mAh battery, and Sony has kept the fingerprint sensor on the right edge of the device built into the power button (though the U.S. model will ship without one). But even with one of the highest resolution screens around, the XZ Premium, like most Sony phones, is all about the Cyber-shot cameras.

Youll find a 19MP camera on the back and a 13MP one on the front, plus support for 4K video recording. The super slow-motion is a fun feature thats the XZ Premiums party trick. Sony is branding it Motion Eye and it captures video at 960 frames per second. When played back at the normal 30 frames per second, the video appears slowed by 32 times so things that happen fast can be viewed in super detail. The video works at 720p resolution.

Another interesting feature of the phone, which wont hit U.S. shelves until late spring, is its processor. It include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, which is something of a milestone for Sony. The next-gen chip, which is capable of 4G LTE data transfer at up to 1Gbps, made its debut at CES, but the XZ Premium is the first phone tipped to include it. All of the other flagships announced so far this year (including the LG G6) still use the 821.

However, it might be nothing more than a bit of gamesmanship on Sonys part. Reports say that Samsung has snatched up the first run of 835s for its upcoming Galaxy S8, so it is likely that the XZ Premium wont actually ship for several weeks after Samsungs flagship launch. Pricing hasnt been announced for the XZ Premium, but it certainly wont come cheap.

Sony The Xperia XZs will be available in blue, silver, and black.

S marks the spot

Sony also announced the Xperia XZs, a follow-up to the barely six-month-old XZ. With the same 5.2-inch display as its predecessor, the new handset includes the XZ Premiums Motion Eye camera system, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of storage. It will be available on April 5 in blue, silver, and black for $700.

Theres also the 5-inch Xperia XA1 and 6-inch Xperia XA1, both of which feature 23MP rear cameras. The Ultra also gets a 16MP selfie cam with optical image stabilization, along with 4GB of RAM and a 2,700mAh battery. The Xperia XA1 will go on sale May 1 for $300, while with XA1 Ultra wont be available until late spring.

This article was updated with additional details by Michael Simon.
Its been almost six years since the space shuttle has flown.

But NASAs scientists, pilots and technicians still take to the skies in the pursuit of science. And sometimes, a few lucky educators go with them.

This is a trip of a lifetime, to be included, to see science happen, said Wendi Rodriguez, who teaches middle school science for Snowline Joint Unified in the High Desert.

Flying with her was Rialto Unified third-grade teacher Marie Thornsberry, whom shes known for two decades.

Walking up to the plane today, we got teary eyed, Thornsberry said. The fact that we have been friends for 20 years makes it that much more special.

On Jan. 24, the educators flew aboard SOFIA, NASAs Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, based at the space agencys Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale.

It was a 10-hour, 5,000-mile flight from California to Texas, to British Columbia and back, above commercial airliners and the water vapor that blocks much of the infrared radiation from space. The altitude allowed the telescope at the rear of the plane to clearly see Mars, a pair of asteroids and a distant galaxy.

Photos: Hitching a ride with NASAs high-flying infrared telescope

For the educators, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the opportunity to fly with scientists.

When I was in college, I was always the one who would drag my friends out to see the meteor shower, Thornsberry said.

Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors

Four educators, two from California and two from Wisconsin, flew that day as part of NASAs Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program.

Any time you impact a teacher, you impact 150 students or more, said Pamela Harman, co-manager of the program. We get stories from ambassadors who say they have kids who say, Wow, I never thought about astronomy or astrophysics and get inspired by it.

NASA has other ambassador programs, including for the Cassini space probe and the solar system generally, but they dont have what Harmans program has.

The solar system ambassadors do not get to check out the planets, Harman said. This program is unique.

The SOFIA program began in 2011 and, as of the last week of January, about 90 educators have ridden along.

Read more: Meet SOFIA, NASAs high-flying infrared telescope

Weve had some teachers change their whole career trajectory, Harman said. They said, I need more physics; I need more astrophysics. Some have started after-school astronomy clubs.

Those accepted into the program must take a graduate-level astronomy program to prepare them to be able to speak with (and understand) scientists working with SOFIA.

Rodriguez first encountered SOFIA during an Armstrong open house in 2009.

They showed us a row of seats and said, These are for educators,  she said. I sat down and said, This is going to be my seat. 

When the ambassador program was announced, she applied. On the third time applying  the second with Thornsberry as her partner  they were accepted.

Although the chair she originally chose is gone, the victim of remodeling sometime in the past eight years, she was still thrilled to fly on SOFIA.

Surreal, Rodriguez said. Weve talked about it, trained for it, three times weve been told our flight week was here, and it was postponed or canceled. Its finally here.

Heavy water, aliens with gas

Did I tell everyone were at a level 39? Mission Director Karina Leppik said, her voice crackling on the in-flight communication system. If not, I just did.

On this flight, SOFIA flew between 39,000 and 42,000 feet. Commercial airliners typically fly between 32,000 and 37,000 feet, although the supersonic Concorde could reach up to 60,000 feet. But even the Concorde never reached space or even near-space heights: Most people define space as starting at the Karman Line, 100 kilometers or 328,000 feet above sea level.

You can feel the drop in temperature, Thornsberry said.

Im not cold yet, Rodriguez replied. Im still warm from being in the cockpit (earlier).

Leppik spoke again.

The sun is about to set, she said. Could you move the TL as high up as itll go?

The telescope rotated, pointing almost to the ceiling to avoid the infrared glare of the setting sun.

We dont care about the elevation now, Leppik said. The suns down.

With the plane having flown east to Arizona, where night had fallen, the telescope was aimed at Mars. Thornsberry and Rodriguez knelt at a window, photographing the red planet with their cellphone cameras.

SOFIA is something of a Swiss Army Knife, with different instruments attached to the telescope on different flights. On this flight, SOFIAs information was being fed through EXES  the Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph  a UC Davis instrument capable of detecting the chemical composition of distant gases. EXES, used on about 10 percent of SOFIA missions, can detect a chemical present in 1 in 100,000 parts of a larger body of gas.

Read more: Inside NASAs airborne infrared telescope SOFIA

On Mars, EXES was looking at carbon dioxide and water levels on the surface, according to Matt Richter, a research physicist at UC Davis, and the proud parent of EXES. In addition to regular water, scientists were looking for deuterated or heavy water, which is more dense than regular water.

Deuterated water is a little heavier, so it wont escape over time (into space) as easily, Richter said. So you can get an idea of Martian water (levels) over time.

Shohei Aoki, a post-doctoral student at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, was using EXES to look for something else on Mars: methane gas. Last March, SOFIA looked at Mars during late summer in the Martian calendar. Now, during Martian spring, Aoki was looking to see if methane levels matched projected seasonal variations.

This molecule is very interesting, because it can be produced by geological activity or by biological processes, he said.

In other words, if theres more methane in the Martian atmosphere than scientists predicted, it could be due to aliens releasing gas after a meal.

Messier 77

During much of the flight, SOFIA was looking at Messier 77. Also known as NGC 1068, its a barred spiral galaxy 47 million light years away, dominated by a supermassive black hole at its center.

The observations were being made on behalf of Naseem Rangwala, a post-doctoral fellow at NASAs Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. She researches the chemical composition of the star-forming regions of neighboring galaxies.

We want to study molecular gas in general because its the material for star formation, she said from her office at Ames. If we can understand the chemical composition of these gases, we can understand the star formation.

Astronomers cant easily observe what they really want to look at: hydrogen, the primary building block for the universe. Instead, they have tools that can detect carbon monoxide, which astrophysicists use as a proxy for the production of hydrogen molecules, based on the processes that lead to the creation of carbon monoxide.

This cannot really be done with any of the other telescopes but SOFIA, Rangwala said. Its a tough observation for us, because this galaxy is far away.

If hydrogen molecules are detected in predicted amounts in galaxies whose levels of carbon monoxide is already known, that means astrophysicists can safely continue using carbon dioxide as a proxy for hydrogen molecules, the stuff they care the most about.

To be able to pick it out of the spectrograph data, SOFIA observed the Metis and Vesta asteroids, to establish a baseline to compare to NGC 1068.

It was star formation, like Rangwala is studying, that first got Richter excited about astrophysics in college.

I liked the idea that, with the laws that we know from here, we can estimate whats going on out there, he said. That, to me, was really cool.

I love science

The EXES observations werent the only experiments taking place on the SOFIA flight. Rodriguez brought science projects suggested by her students.

Earlier in the school year, Rodriguez had her students, who were obsessed with the water bottle flipping fad, figure out the best bottle to use and the proper amount of water to fill it with. At students suggestion, she brought the water bottle aboard SOFIA, where she got scientists and crew members to try to flip a water bottle at 39,000 feet.

So far, the scientists have done better than almost anyone else, Rodriguez said.

She also brought her late mother-in-laws class ring, comparing its weight on an electronic scale both on the surface and 42,000 feet up. At 3,000 feet above sea level at her home in Phelan, it weighs 15 grams.

If were not ascending or descending, no extra forces on the scale or the ring, theres no change, Rodriguez said.

Ashley Adams teaches seventh- and eighth-grade science in the tiny Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School District outside Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The entire district, which had 574 students in 2006, is housed in a single K-8 school.

When I was in eighth-grade science, we studied the stars and tracked the moon, and I fell in love with it, she said.

When she got the call last summer that she would be flying, Adams had other things on her mind:

We got the call the day before I was due, she said.  Youre accepted, youre flying. Lets pick flight weeks. I dont know, I dont know how to do this, Im about to become a mom! 

The flight was the payoff to years of waiting for her team partner, Geoff Holt, who runs the planetarium for the Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, Wisconsin, where Adams used to work. Before teaming up with Adams, he had made failed attempts to get into NASAs solar system ambassador and Phoenix ambassador programs.

If were looking to compete globally, economically, we need the scientists, the engineers to develop the products, the researchers to develop the new medicines, Holt said. If we dont have NASA out there, some of that inspiration is lost.

Adams hopes to translate her week with NASA into an enthusiasm for science among students in rural Wisconsin.

They wont remember the details of what they learned in eighth-grade science  I dont, she said. But I remember thats when I learned I love science.

Still flying

Theres a hazy future for NASA, an agency that helped shape the world we live in today.

In January, President Donald Trump announced a hiring freeze for all non-military positions. But NASA has long been a popular target for budget hawks, a view that doesnt get much support aboard SOFIA.

The entire NASA budget represents one half of 1 percent of the federal budget, pilot Manny Antimisiaris said. One half of one penny of each dollar goes to all the NASA centers.

If we want to make this country great, as our president says he wants, this is not where he should pull the money from, flight engineer Tim Sandon agreed.

Antimisiaris, Sandon and pilot Mike Luallen all have previously worked for the Air Force and commercial airlines.

With the airlines, its literally point A to point B. It almost becomes routine, Antimisiaris said. With NASA, its never the same. Thats what keeps it interesting.

But the agency and its continuing mission means more than that to them.

The research that we do saves countless lives around the world, Sandon said. We provide a lot more than just space exploration.

At least five fighter pilots lives have been saved by an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System developed and tested at Armstrong. NASA also flies Earth science missions out of the center, including some that Adams has previously used in her lessons.

Where we live now, and not just where we want to go in the future, happens at our center, Antimisiaris said.

I dont have any kids, Sandon said. If Im going to provide anything for future generations, its by supporting the scientists downstairs and what theyre going to do for future generations.
The Kings made a stunner of a trade Sunday, obtaining goaltender Ben Bishop from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a deal that sent former Ontario Reign goaltender Peter Budaj, among others, to Tampa Bay.

The official details: The Kings get Bishop and a 2017 fifth-round pick from the Lightning for Budaj, defenseman Erik Cernak, a seventh-round 2017 pick and a conditional 2017 pick.

The trade gives the Kings two of last years three Vezina Trophy finalists in Bishop and Jonathan Quick, who returned from a groin injury only Saturday in a 4-1 victory over the Ducks.

Bishop, 30, is 16-12-3 with a 2.55 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 32 games with the Lightning this year, with one shutout. Hes a veteran of eight seasons with the Lightning, Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues and is 146-77-23 with a 2.32 goals-against, .919 save percentage and 19 shutouts. He led Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015.

He can be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Budaj, 34, resurrected his career last season in Ontario, winning the Baz Bastien Award as the AHLs best goaltender with a 42-14-4 record, 1.75 goals against, 9.32 save percentage and nine shutouts for the Reign. He stepped up after Quick was injured on opening night in San Jose, and was 27-20-3 for the Kings with a 2.12 goals-against (third in the league), a .917 save percentage and seven shutouts, which tied him for the league lead.

Cernak, a 19-year-old prospect, has appeared in 40 games this season with the Erie Otters (OHL), where he has recorded three goals and 14 assists with a plus-27 rating and 47 penalty minutes.
Groupe Ideal, a business group that manages a diverse portfolio of businesses, says plans to expand its operations and become an international player within and beyond the shores of Ghana was on course.



The President of Groupe Ideal, Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani, told journalists in an interview that in furtherance of the goal, the company would be undertaking major acquisition and mergers this year in the areas of finance, media and education to expand its territory.



He said negotiations were already underway with some entities and the Groupe Ideals long-term vision of becoming a world class company playing in the international market could be attained as early as 2018.



The company has plans to establish a presence in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom and also expand into some African countries.



Groupe Ideal currently operates in the areas of Investment Banking, Business Finance, Trade, Asset Management, Mining and Offshore Consultancy Services, Media, and Security Services.



Dr Dzani said TV Africa, one of Groupe Ideals subsidiaries, would soon extend the broadcast of its programmes to some countries on the African continent to project African values through ethical journalism.



He said the company would continue to focus on good customer service and tailor products to meet the needs of clients to drive the business growth.



On his recent election as the Greater Accra representative on the Council of State, Dr Kotei Dzani, sounded very positive about his role, saying he would bring his expertise on board to offer advice to the President.



Dr Dzani is an Entrepreneur and Businessman per excellence, with extensive business experience as an Economist and Business Owner with a proven record of successful entrepreneurship. He brings on board considerable years of experience in managing Micro & SME financing operations in Ghana.



He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and an Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA. He also holds an MBA in Corporate Governance and Finance from University of Hull, United Kingdom. He is currently undertaking a professional law degree.



The companies that form this spectrum include Ideal Finance, First Trust Savings and Loans, Ideal Capital partners, Ideal Asset solutions, Ideal Trade, TV Africa, Ideal pension Trust, Ideal Insurance brokers, Tsaste Foundation, a CSR wing of the Groupe Ideal financial holdings Force 64 Security, and Westfielld offshore consult.



Through its broad spectrum of operations, Groupe Ideal has created jobs for several youths in Ghana, thereby helping to improve standards of living and accelerating the general development of the country.



With a vision to be the standard of excellence in every sector, we in Groupe Ideal hopes to replicate such impacts beyond the shores of Ghana by extending its operations into other African countries, Europe and America.

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.

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The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa district Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of the National Board for small Scale Industries has organised a five-day entrepreneurial training for 42 selected persons in Breman Jemera and its surrounding areas.



The participants were made up of 41 females and one male.



The training, sponsored by Rural Enterprise Programme would provide self-employment to the beneficiaries to complement governments efforts at addressing unemployment in the society.



Madam Rebecca Duker, a Resource person trained the participants on Baking and Confectionery, while Mr Richard Dela, Deputy Coordinating Director at the Assembly schooled them on marketing issues, book keeping, customer relations practices and managerial skills.



Mr Patrick Asafo Agyei, Head of the district BAC in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) said, since 2016, a total of 308 people, made up 119 males and 189 females had benefited from entrepreneurial trainings from his outfit.



He mentioned, Palm Oil, Cassava, Fruit processing, Soap making, Carpentry and Joinery, Beauty care and financial managements, Book keeping, Baking, and Confectionery in the district as some the courses.



Mr Asafo Agyei advised the participants to utilise the knowledge and skills they acquired to help improve their livelihood.



He urged them to form groups so as to enable them access funds from Rural Enterprise Development Fund to establish their business.



The participants were given certificates of participation after the closing ceremony.

Source: GNA









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended Goldstar Air, a privately owned Ghanaian airline, on how far it had reached in its efforts to operate air services.



Let me take this opportunity on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo to congratulate Goldstar Airline for how far the airline has come in its quest to operate air services to and from Ghana, Aviation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, said at the inauguration of a new head office building of the airline, at Ashalley Botwe, Accra.



Mr Ellis Hugh-Tamakloe, Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Aviation, read the Aviation Ministers speech.



The airline last December acquired the Air Carrier License, and processes to acquire the Air Operators License (ACL) have gone very far.

It has also completed training for its cabin attendants, and intends to provide Ghanaian dishes on board with the intention of establishing a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre to help maintain aircraft both in Ghana, the sub-region and beyond.



I must say that this fits perfectly into our aviation development agenda and collaboration with the private sector.



It therefore comes as no surprise that as part of its preparations, the airline has put up this structure we are all currently viewing and about to open to enable them conduct their operations professionally, Madam Dapaah said.



She indentified aviation as a catalyst for the socio-economic development for many countries, and a sector that contributed immensely to employment generation and wealth creation.



It is in the light of the above that H E... Akufo Addo sees the Aviation Sector as a key in the NPP Governments agenda for change and hence established a complete Ministry to focus on the strategic development of the sector, the Minister said.



She reiterated the policy of the Government of Ghana to develop Ghana as a hub for international and regional operations by working with private sector, adding that in the area of security and safety, Government policy is to build capacity in the industry and also put in place all measures to ensure the sustenance of high safety and security standards.



Madam Dapaah assured operators in the aviation industry that the Government would support and encourage local airlines and entrepreneurs to set up strong private airlines that could fully utilise all of the nations route rights, most of which were dormant thereby giving a form of operational monopoly for foreign carriers on those routes.



The Government is also poised to establish a national airline with private sector participation to support our policy of making KIA an aviation hub in the region, Madam Dapaah assured.



The Aviation Minister urged the airline to speed up processes to see aircraft in the skies and take off existing best practices in the sector.

Mr Eric Bannerman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldstar Air announced that the company would be operating scheduled and non-scheduled flights from Accra to 11 destinations, namely London, Dubai, Guangzhou, Lagos, Monrovia, Dakar, Banjul, Conakry, Freetown, Abidjan, Baltimore and Washington.



He said the airline had made adequate preparations for takeoff during 2017 summer and would rely mainly on Ghanaians, meaning that it would create about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs when the airline commences its operations fully.



Nii Amasa Asuku II, the Chief of Mamprobi and Head of Nii Tetteh Gbeshi Family in Accra, who chaired the inauguration, praised the location of the office, explaining it would allow the airline to monitor flights in the air.



Mr Bannerman, together with Madam Christiana Quartey, and other dignitaries joined hands in cutting the sod to inaugurate the building.





Source: GNA









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Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Education over the weekend charged the countrys tertiary educational institutions to produce the requisite human resource that would propel the economy to higher growth and productivity.



Our quest as a nation to develop firmly rests on the performance of our educational institutions and government is impressed that you are producing graduates through a blend of competency and industrial training.



The Minister for Education was speaking at the first congregation of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) at Takoradi on the theme: Consolidating Industrial Growth in Ghana: The Role of Technical University Education.



The university successfully turned out a total of 2,940 grauduands of which 91 received Bachelor of Technology degrees, 2,435 received HNDs ,whiles 114 Civil Engineering grauduands received HND competency based training certificates from the National Board for Professional and Technician Examination.



A total of 258 were awarded non-tertiary certificates and 42 received chartered institute of logistics and Transport certificates.



Dr Prempeh said government was committed to placing emphasis on the continuous linkage of academia with industry and the world of work to ensure curriculum relevance to promote employment and self-reliance as well as reducing unemployment.



He mentioned that the collaboration between universities and industries was critical for skills development, innovation and technology transfer and the promotion of entrepreneurship.



Dr Prempeh said, With the conversion of the polytechnics into technical Universities, the government will reactivate the original aim of linking Technical and Vocational to the Universities to be at the forefront in providing the technical workforce for the one district, one factory programme.



Touching on issues of the TTU, the minister said government would continue with the retooling and equipping of the engineering and the science laboratories to raise the standards.



Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission who was the guest speaker reiterated that education continued to be a vital tool for national development.



He said for Ghana to rapidly grow its industrial sector, higher technical education must be given the needed boost adding, technical university education was a major tool for productivity enhancement and poverty reduction.



Mr Aubynn mentioned that inadequate application of science and technology had created a gap between the developed and the developing countries; A well-resourced technical education at the tertiary level holds the best prospect for the application of science and technology, innovation and diffusion. These are so critical to Ghanas drive for sustainable industrial development.



The CEO of the Minerals Commission said Ghana must strive to make technical education the centerpiece of its innovation system, increase productivity, sustained progress and remain competitive in the global economy.

Reverend Professor Frank John Eshun, Vice Chancellor of the University said it had taken off on a good note, and looks promising from where I stand.



He said the university had reviewed all its curriculum in the competency based training mode in line with modern technology and industrial requirement and also developed new programmes.



The Vice Chancellor said staff orientation to prepare and re-orient them to effectively utilise the capacities collectively to respond to the new mandate and status was also on course.



He mentioned that the university would soon launch Research, Innovation and Development Fund to promote quality applied research that could help spur the socio-economic growth of the country.

Source: GNA









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The Minister of Education, Dr Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, has announced that government would soon abolish the payment of utility bills in public tertiary institutions.



He has also announced governments intention to increase the amount of loans under the Student Loan Scheme and streamline its administration to enhance easy recovery of the loans.



The education minister also revealed that in addition to the Book and Research allowances for lecturers, the government would establish a Research Fund to facilitate further researches and innovations.



Dr Opoku-Prempeh, fondly called Napo, stated these in an address read on his behalf at the 1st Congregation of Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in the Western Region on Saturday.



The university successfully turned out a total of 2,940 graduands in the 2015/2016 academic year, 91 of them were awarded Bachelor of Technology degrees and 2,435 were awarded Higher National Diplomas (HND).



One hundred and fourteen Civil Engineering graduands received HND Competency-Based Training (CBT) certificates from the National Board for Professional and Technician Examination (NABTEX).



Two Hundred and fifty-eight of the graduands received Non-tertiary Certificates of Attendance and 42 were also awarded the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) certificates.



Let me also announce that a provision of GH55 million has been made in the 2017 budget to pay for the Book and Research allowance, he stressed.



The minister added, To ensure that the relevance of the technical universities is felt, there is a comprehensive programme to sponsor both lecturers and administrators to acquire higher degrees in order to impart the needed skills and knowledge to move the country forward.



He pointed out that it is the aim of the government that the technical universities will be at the forefront in providing the technical workforce for the one district, one factory policy.



Each technical university will be supported by government to at least train craftsmen, technicians and technologists needed to man factories in the regions in which they are located, he stated.



The education minister posited that the government would strengthen the National Council for Tertiary Education to effectively play its advisory and regulatory role in tertiary education.



The Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev Prof. John Frank Eshun, said the vision of the institution is to be the most preferred engineering and Applied Sciences University of choice, devoted to excellence in teaching and applied industrial research.



He mentioned that a number of projects were at various stages of completion, including the construction of the first phase of Institutional Facilities at Akatakyi campus in Ahanta, being sponsored by the African Development Bank.



The Western Regional Minister, Dr Kweku Afriyie, claimed, Upon assumption of office some few months ago, we have shown enough commitment to improving technical and vocational educational training in the country.

Source: Daily Guide









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It may be early days yet but all appears not to be well between the government of Ghana led by the New Patriotic Party (NPPs) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) over the alleged decision by the former to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the latter.



Over the weekend, Board Chairman of GOIL, Prof. William Asumaning dismissed media reports of the appointment of a new head for the oil company and impliedly accused President Akufo-Addo of sidestepping the due process in removing and appointing a GOIL CEO (IF THE REPORT WAS TRUE), following a story headlined "Nana Addo Picks New Heads for Forestry Commission, Ghana Health Service and GOIL".



The president reportedly fired the CEO and Managing Director of Goil, Mr. Patrick A.K Akorli, and appointed Mr. Osei Prempeh to replace him. But government's decision has been criticized by some including the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers.



A statement issued by GOIL Board also strongly denounced the report and appeared to take a subtle dig at the appointing authority.



However, it appears the GOIL Board may have goofed in responding to news of the appointment.



Peacefmonline.com sources at the presidency say, no such announcement has been made by the president.



Highly-placed officials at the seat of government questioned whether there was a correspondence from official quarters to the GOIL board regarding the said appointment, or if it (board) simply reacted to reports flying about in the media.



Attempts to reach out to GOIL Management on the issue, particularly on whether they (Board) admit the inappropriateness of their hasty action, have been met with NO COMMENT from officials.



As it is now, the attempt to clarify the process involved in the appointment or removal of a GOIL CEO and also dismiss reports of a head without any form of communication from government to that effect, smacks of a highly-respected body that hastily reacts to news or reports about its operations without finding out the veracity or otherwise of such claims.



But while GOIL may have committed a huge faux pas judging by its hurried reaction, Ghanaians and more importantly, industry watchers are also worried that, nearly 72 hours about the purported news on the appointment of a new GOIL CEO (IF INDEED IT IS FALSE) from the seat of government, no disclaimer been issued. Why the loud silence?



Is it that the announcement of the appointment of a new head for GOIL is credible and that of the Forestry Commission and Ghana Health Service same?



And if the report of the appointment is indeed FALSE, where did the news originate from and for what purposes? Or is it the case of an attempt by some (either within or without government) for their own parochial interest?



Intense Pressure, Blackmail Or What?



Or perhaps, it buttresses reports of attempted blackmailing of those at the helm of affairs to force their hand in a certain regard?



It would be recalled that about a month ago, the Presidency came under intense pressure from party supporters over the choice of persons to fill the various metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) positions.



On January 22, some party youths in Bole-Bamboi Constituency warned the party over the purported endorsement of NPP Communication Director for the constituency, Abdulai Ibrahim as the DCE.



They hinted of dire consequences for the party if the decision is carried through.



This was followed by skirmishes in Accra at Odododiodoo constituency and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district in the Northern Region over a similar decision.



Subsequently, the party through Acting NPP General Secretary, John Boadu issued a stern warning to its supporters that it would not succumb to these obvious acts of blackmail over the appointment of the various MMDCEs across the country.



For now, we await a disclaimer from the presidency on the false news of the appointment of a new GOIL CEO, and the perpetrators fished out and disciplined, or we accept that indeed a new head for the oil company has been named!

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Accra would host the African Union (AU) Department of Social Affairs' three-day regional capacity building workshop on increased advocacy to ending child marriage through media engagement from Monday, February 27 to Wednesday, March 1.



The workshop participants drawn from West and Central Africa would be from Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon and the Gambia.

The rest are Guinea- Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.



A statement signed by Dr Olawale Maiyegun, AU Director of Social Affairs, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the major objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of the media to better investigate and report on child marriage in Africa with a focus on addressing the root causes and the different facets of the issue and challenging all stakeholders towards ending the practice.



It said the workshop would link the role of the media as key information transmitters in delivering the key tenets of the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa, AUs Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals.



It said the workshop, which targets representatives of major media outfits in Africa focused on reporting on developmental issues and a variety of issues around social behavioural change.



It said the target group would include key media practitioners with presence on both traditional and new media platforms.



It noted that national based communication and advocacy officers from UN Agencies, international non-governmental organisations, and civil society organisations would also be part taking in the workshop.



"Child marriage is a human rights violation and has been included in a number of legal instruments at the continental and international levels," it said.



The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) defines a child as a person under the age of 18 years and the African Youth Charter defines a minor as a person below the age of 17.





Source: GNA









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The board chairman of Ghana Oil Company Prof. William Asumaning has accused President Akufo-Addo of sidestepping the due process in removing and appointing chief executive officer for the oil company. The president fired the CEO and Managing Director of Goil Mr. Patrick A.K Akorli, and appointed Mr. Osei Prempeh to replace him. His decision has been criticized by some including the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers.

The board chairman of the company has also issued a statement to establish his dissatisfaction. He also disregarded the presidents appointee.

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, Prof. Asumaning said.

Below is his full statement

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)









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President Nana Akufo-Addo and ex-President J.A. Kufuor, Mike Ocquaye and a host of other political figures were in Kumasi to mourn with Trade Minister. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and his family when performing the final funeral rites of Bridget Kyerematen-Darko, a victim of the La gas explosion.



Bridget Kyerematen-Darko, 58, a sister of the Minister, died from injuries from the La gas explosion which occurred last December when the fire from the explosion extended to her shop, Aid to Artisans Ghana.



She has been working there as the Executive Director until her death. More than ten other persons were confirmed dead with over 40 said to have been injured in the explosion.



She earlier worked in the cocoa industry as a Projects Officer and later joined the Ministry of Finance where she worked with a team on Private Sector Reform.Mrs Kyerematen-Darko, however, left the Ministry in 1993 to join ATAG, a non-governmental organization established in 1989 to support the development of the Craft Industry in Ghana.



President Akuffo-Addo who was joined by the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo led a strong government delegation which also included the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo; Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah; Deputy Chief of Staff-Asenso Boakye among others.Mrs Kyerematen-Darko, however, left the Ministry in 1993 to join ATAG, a non-governmental organization established in 1989 to support the development of the Craft Industry in Ghana.



President Akuffo-Addo who was joined by the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo led a strong government delegation which also included the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo; Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah; Deputy Chief of Staff-Asenso Boakye among others.With live band performances from highlife legend Amakye Dede and another artiste to climax the funeral, mourners had the opportunity commensurate with the family over their loss and also went home entertained.









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The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has said Sundays tanker yard explosion in Tema was caused by the activities of some individuals who were siphoning fuel from one of the tankers.



Twelve fuel tankers went up in flames, which also swept through portions of the Ashaiman Timber market.



Several fire tenders battled the explosion for hours before bringing the fire under control.



Speaking to Class News, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Billy Anaglate, said the fire was caused by illegal activity.



We had 12 tankers out of which nine were totally burnt and three partially burnt. They had 25 tankers parked in this yard but 12 of them were those that got burnt the place is a yard in which tankers normally park and this yard people were siphoning fuel and the siphoning is what caused the actual fire. There have never been any injury, there have never been any death. The only thing that got burnt was a goat, he stated.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Ghana and the Czech Republic have identified new opportunities where they would strengthen their bilateral relations.



The opportunities identified include; defence and security, defence industries, modern equipment support to Ghana by the Czech Republic, medical supplies and training for Ghana Armed Forces Personnel.



Madam Margita Fuschova, the Czech Republic Ambassador to Ghana made this known, when he paid a courtesy call on Mr Dominic Nitiwul, Minister for Defence at the Square in Accra.



She said her country was interested in assisting Ghanas defence sector in equipment supplies, technology transfer, study by the Military personnel in Czech institutions and improving the quality of life of Ghanaian soldiers.



She also reiterated the Czech governments preparedness to support the Ministry in developing into a modern standard new shoe factory in Kumasi, which was restarted a few years ago with Czech funding.



The Ambassador urged the Defence Minister to reconsider an earlier Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed between the two countries and review areas, where necessary.



Czech investors are ready to come to Ghana for business, the Ambassador assured and encouraged the Minister to look again at the MOU, so we start a new process.



She extended an invitation to the Minister to visit her country to see what they could offer Ghana.



Mr Nitiwul acknowledged the long-standing relations between the two countries and said Ghana was appreciative of Czech governments assistance over the years.



He outlined governments priority areas to include improving housing for the Armed Forces, training of Air Force pilots and other technical staff and actualising the one district-one factory concept.



He said the defence industries programme was of great interest to government and expressed the hope that Czech Republic could help in that direction.

Source: GNA









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The European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission would on Monday, February 27, launch its final report on the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections which was won by the New Patriotic Party.



Dr Tamas Meszerics, the Head of the EU Election Observer Mission announced in Tamale on Saturday during a meeting with some civil society organizations, Northern Regional heads of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Electoral Commission, the GJA and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council ahead of the official launch of the report in Accra.



Dr Meszerics commended Ghana for peacefully conducting elections and urged the country to find ways of appointing future Electoral Commissioners instead of the Constitutional mandate, where the President exercises the prerogative.

That he said would eliminate suspicion and perception of the Commissioners political allegiance.



The 40 page report described the overall conduct of the 2016 elections as transparent, incident-free and free and fair and expressed hope that there was more room for improvement in future elections.



The report discussed among other things, the political background of the country, election administration, voter registration, election campaign, media and elections, participation of women, election disputes, results and post-election environment and recommendations.



The report described the media landscape in Ghana as very vibrant and that though some media outlets affiliated to some political parties and personalities, it did not affect the conduct of the elections in anyway.

Ghana enjoys a vibrant and pluralistic media landscape, though some concerns arise from media ownership by politicians, varying standards of journalism and reports of financial influence exerted on some media professionals.., the report said.



The report also recommended among others the passing of the Right to Information Bill to give substance to Article 21 of the Constitution and transparency to many aspects of the elections, establishment of an inclusive Parliamentary mechanism for cross party involvement in the selection of EC members.

It said the EC members should be given a reasonable tenure of office to increase stakeholder confidence to enhance the independence of the body.



Other recommendations included; possible reduction in nomination deposits particularly for Parliamentary candidates and possible special dispensation for female candidates to promote womens participation in governance.





Source: GNA









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President Akufo-Addo won the 2016 general election on the back of several promises he made to Ghanaians including the restoration of teacher and nursing trainee allowances, rebuilding of a stable and robust economy, repayment of DKM victims money, free education and restructuring of the NHIS, raising the hopes of Ghanaians for massive progress and development of the country.



But after only six weeks in power, former Communications Minister in the Mahama administration that lost the 2016 election to NPP explains that the good will from Ghanaians that Akufo-Addo enjoyed and rode on to victory has vanished.



According to Omane Boamah, Akufo-Addo has failed so far to align his words with the necessary actions.



Making reference to a section of Ghanaians who were to benefit from particular promises, Omane Boamah indicated that they had lost hope in the governments ability to live up to their promises.



They talk about good will of the Ghanaian people. It worked for them during the election because they went about on the lofty promises knowing very well what they knew about the economy they were going to give excuses. Theres no point arguing with the electorate agreed with them and gave them the mandate



that person in the Brong Ahafo Region, that person in the Upper West Region, that person who is a victim of the DKM scandal, that person who is a victim of the God is love scandal whose promise has not being paid, who voted for the NPP because of the lofty promise that the money was going to be paid has lost hope because that person does not see practice been aligned with the promise 6 weeks after the Akufo-Addo administration started working.



President Akufo-Addo reiterated his governments commitment to delivering on the promises they made to Ghanaians ahead of the 2016 elections when he appeared before parliament on 21st February 2017 to present his maiden SONA.



Omane Boamah expressed these sentiments in his reaction to the content of the President's maiden SONA on Alhaji and Alhaji show on Radio Gold.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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The Special Aide and Programmes Manager to the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Andy Owusu, has commended the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, for the massive recognition given to Ashanti Region in the appointment of ministers and officials in his administration.



Andy Owusu, who is credited with the formulation of campaign strategies which resulted in the massive votes secured by the NPP in the region, told Peacefmonline.com in an interview that he is filled with joy that the President has truly recognized the role Ashanti Region played as a stronghold of the party by adequately giving the region the lion share in terms of the appointments of persons to serve in his government.



The Ashanti Region has had the biggest number of appointees, securing 9 out of the 39 ministers selected excluding that of deputy ministers.



But what has however gladdened the hearts of Chairman Wontumi's Special Aide, are the latest appointments which saw the region once again securing four major places namely including that of the CEO for Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the Medium and Small Scale Loan Centre (MASLOC) which respectively went to Justin Koduah and Stephen Amoah, aka Stika.



Besides these, the President has also appointed Mr. John Kumah, a legal practitioner from Ejisu as the Chief Executive Officer of Youth Enterprise Services (YES) whilst the former CEO of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Dr. Nsiah Asare also heads to the Ghana Health Service(GHS) as the Director General.



This is in spite of the fact that the region had already benefitted from other key positions such as Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) which has Mr. Osei Isaac as the CEO whilst Hon. Osei Prempeh, former MP for Nsuta Kwamang, also heading to Ghana Oil Company as the Managing Director.



"President Nana Akufo Addo has indeed shown love to the region even more than his own people in the Eastern Region. We couldn't have asked for more," He noted



It is for this reason that Andy Owusu is calling on residents and supporters in the region to rise up and challenge any group that attempts to engage in propaganda that the President has refused to give the region its due share.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email: [email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Former bikie Lionel Patea has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his former partner Tara Brown.

Patea received the sentence this afternoon after pleading guilty earlier in the morning, with Supreme Court Justice Debra Mullins noting the severity of the crime:

Ms Brown lost her life in your hands in a brutal way. Ms Brown was the fatal victim of your domestic violence. She lost her life at your hands in a traumatic and brutal way. She will not now have the joy of seeing her daughter grow up or fulfil the promise of the life that she had led until she was killed by you.

Brown passed away from her injuries in September 2015, a day after Patea ran her off the road at Molendinar on the Gold Coast before bludgeoning her with a metal fire hydrant cover.

Witnesses told the court that they tried to stop Patea, who they initially believed to be attempting to provide aide Brown, who was trapped in the car, but to no avail. Patea turned himself into police 30 minutes after the incident took place.

In the days leading up to the attack, Brown had been living in a safe house away from the Gold Coast after having filed domestic violence orders and child custody orders against Patea.

She had returned to the Gold Coast on September 6th, to stay with a friend while looking for an apartment. Custody orders were served on Pateas lawyer on the 7th, the day after which he called his daughters daycare to see if she would be attending that day. When they confirmed that she would be, Patea followed Browns car after she had dropped their daughter off, ultimately forcing her off the road.

Patea pleaded guilty to murder, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. A statement from Patea was read out by his lawyer to the media:

Today I appear before the court to accept full responsibility for my actions against Tara Brown. I do this knowing the enormous pain I have caused Taras family, her loved ones, and also my own family who love Tara deeply. I accept without reservation the punishment imposed on me by the justice system today. I will also be ultimately judged by God. I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven. I now live only for my daughter Aria.

Tara Brown was 24.

Source: ABC.

Photo: Facebook.
In Queensland news that shouldnt be surprising but still definitely is, a Toowoomba woman was caught in the nigh-inexplicable position of having a not insignificant amount of weed in her handbag while attending court last month.

Apparently 39-year-old Jodie Leigh Palmer underwent a routine search upon entering the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on January 13, during which a security guard found 6.9g of green leafy material.

When the cops showed up and asked her what said material was, she told them it was marijuana.

She pleaded guilty today to possessing the drug, in the very same court at which she was initially busted. Her lawyer told the court that Palmer was in the process of getting a blue card (presumably to work with children), and that a conviction would damage her ability to obtain the card and further employment.

The court agreed, and Palmer got off with a $300 fine.

Okay, thats good; its good that shes not going to jail for carrying around a bit of pot. But also, there are a lot of questions that this raises, right? Like I can think of, absolute minimum, at least three pressing queries: 1) Why was she going to court in the first place? 2) Why did she take $50 worth of weed to court with her? and 3) How did she expect to not get caught?

What kind of cowboy operation are you running up there, Toowoomba?!

Source: Toowoomba Chronicle.

Image: Christina Hempfling / EyeEm / Getty.
After this mornings disastrous Newspoll  which pegged Labor ahead of the Coalition 55  45 on a two-party preferred basis  it was pretty clear Malcolm Turnbull would need something to point his finger at. That something, after months and months of passive-aggressive silence, is none other than Tony Abbott.

Turnbull held a press conference about the dismal poll showing, criticising it as a mere snapshot of voter intentions a full two and a half years before theyre actually supposed to go to the polls. But then he decided to take a swipe at Tony, who has been sowing discord from the backbench ever since he was knifed.

But  Turnbull being Turnbull  he didnt refer to Abbott by name. He just pointed out an outburst from last week, clearly referring to Abbotts demands that the Liberal Party veer further to the right and outline a conservative path forward.

Malcolm Turnbull says Tony Abbotts outburst is to blame for the govs poor Newspoll result @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/6nB4hpHP5e  Olivia Leeming (@olivialeeming) February 26, 2017

Turnbull wasnt exactly being subtle:

We saw an outburst on Thursday and it had its desired impact on the Newspoll. It was exactly as predicted and as calculated. He knew exactly what he was doing and he did it. Im not going to be distracted by that. Its a fact of life. Thats whats happened. Im focused on the jobs of Australians that we are protecting by delivering the leadership.

Who could he possibly be talking about?

Of course, its a little bit rich. Abbotts extremely obvious sniping and undermining didnt suddenly cause the base to drop out of the Liberal Party. Theres a lot more going on here  and Id be shocked if most Australians were even vaguely aware of Abbotts rant last week. But no matter.

Source: News.com.au.

Photo: Getty Images.
The feud between Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon is as long-running as it is well documented, but never before has their salty relationship been subject to the full Academy Awards treatment. Still, when Kimmel was given the shot to hang shit on his nemesis while hosting the Oscars, you better believe he took it.

It started before proceedings even got underway, with a snide little Insta post.

Best Picture Vominee Matt Damon #Oscars A post shared by Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) on Feb 23, 2017 at 6:58pm PST

Damon retaliated on the Red Carpet, essentially saying Kimmel is merely a puppet for a team of actually-competent humans.

Matt Damon: Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel is talentless, but hes got an incredible group of writers who work for him. https://t.co/Ij4Al8Rb9r pic.twitter.com/uQojEZPQT0  ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Kimmel clocked that one, too.

He also had his first major victory during his opening monologue. It worshipped Her Highness Meryl Streep, but ol mate Matty didnt land any of that affection. Kimmel let the audience know Ive known Matt so long, when I first met Matt, I was the fat one. True. And weve had problems  hes a selfish person. Those of you whove worked with him know this.



But Matt did something very unselfish, and I want to commend him for it. For real. Matt, as you probably know, could have starred in Manchester By The Sea he could have taken that lead actor part for himself. But he didnt. He gave that role to Casey Affleck, his childhood friend. He handed what turned out to be an Oscar-calibre role over to his childhood friend, and he made a Chinese ponytail movie instead. And that movie, The Great Wall, went on to lose eighty million dollars. Smooth move, dumbass.

When Kimmel welcomed that busload of random tourists to the Dolby Theatre, he introduced em to Casey Affleck  but told the crew to ignore the jerk Damon sitting behind him.

Some time later, Damon managed to trip Kimmel while he was walking down the aisle. That was almost nothing compared to Kimmels full-on production about how much Damons flick We Bought A Zoo is thoroughly bang-average.

.@jimmykimmel honors a film that inspired him, We Bought A Zoo with Matt Damon. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/FcVVTDUOdO  Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Then, when old mate Ben Affleck was tasked with reading out a list of nominees, the man introduced as Guest  yup, Damon  was played out instantaneously by the orchestra, led by Kimmel:

WRAP IT UP!  @jimmykimmel playing Matt Damon off the stage while he reads nominations. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/0grELfJ1zx  Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Finally, just before the colossal fuck-up that was the Best Picture award, Kimmel announced to the crowd that it was his favourite time  when hed get to watch Damon lose out on another gong.

This battle isnt over. Itll probably last until the heat death of the universe  or, until the general public loses its interest. When that happens, and the most tedious historians of the future examine this weird pop-cult beef, theyll note the 2017 Academy Awards as its absolute zenith.

Photo: Jimmy Kimmel / Instagram.
Earlier today, the *unthinkable* happened.





Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway accidentally announced La La Land as the Best Picture winner, instead of the real winner, Moonlight.

These things  well, they just dont happen*. It almost seems like a very, very poor troll for every single person who said Moonlight should win but La La Land would win but it was flat-out a mistake. Beatty was handed the wrong card, i.e. the one that declared Emma Stone the Best Actress winner.

(Except for Australias Next Top Model in 2010 or Miss Universe in 2016.)

#Oscars shocker: Warren Beatty reads the wrong Best Picture winner, La La Land didnt win  Moonlight did. pic.twitter.com/iB6TLxyTn5  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017

And theres a not-totally-unfounded chance that it was all Leonardo DiCaprios fault.

Wait, Leo never gave Emma Stone the envelope when she won for Best Actress.so is this whole #LaLaLand mishap his fault?! ???? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/mMZ4xVYUMF  Access Hollywood (@accesshollywood) February 27, 2017

This is a fuck-up of the highest order, and youve gotta feel at least a little bit bad for the La La Land guys. Still, they handled the situation with dignity and grace, and Moonlight absolutely deserved to win.

But christ-a-live, these flubs dont happen too often, and reactions have been exactly what youd expect.

WHAT  Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 27, 2017

They are going to say La La Land, but Moonlight is actually going to win. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/g33c0gjvLx  Joseph Scrimshaw (@JosephScrimshaw) February 27, 2017

Warren Beatty looking at the card trying to figure out how Emma Stone could win Best Picture pic.twitter.com/NkQrmYDHwg  spencer claus (@spxncxrx) February 27, 2017

Watching and re-watching the end of the Oscars like its the Zapruder film  James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) February 27, 2017

Warren Beatty just pulled a Steve Harvey. MOONLIGHT won Best Picture. Unreal. #Oscars  Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) February 27, 2017

Everyone at home watching the last 5 minutes of the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/pSYZlz6BDz  People Magazine (@people) February 27, 2017

ALL THE WHITE PEOPLE ON STAGE BEING REPLACED BY BLACK PEOPLE IS A METAPHOR IF I HAVE EVER SEEN ONE. #Oscars  Charlotte Abotsi (@CharlotteAbotsi) February 27, 2017

Have your people call our people  we know what to do. #Oscars #MissUniverse  Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) February 27, 2017

In the space of about 30-seconds flat, the shot of the correct card being held up has already become a meme. Some things are inevitable, like famous people holding up white cards and people with the ability to do so editing the crap out of them.

STILL CANT QUITE BELIEVE IT FOLKS@!!@@@!!! pic.twitter.com/kLkdQNk6tI  brad esposito (@braddybb) February 27, 2017

I just dont know about this pic.twitter.com/lk1xwFGH5n  salvador amygdali (@maxuthink) February 27, 2017

WE DID IT pic.twitter.com/VHbpohn1dX  Bucky Isotope (@BuckyIsotope) February 27, 2017

Has anyone done this yet pic.twitter.com/zTK1t0hI4D  Jen Lewis (@thisjenlewis) February 27, 2017

Miss Universe called: it wants its shtick back.

Photo: Twitter.
There is only one more week for high school seniors to apply to the Best and Brightest program. Deadline is March 6.

The PA Media Group - The Patriot-News and PennLive - will honor 20 high school seniors as the Best and Brightest to represent the potential of the class of 2017.

This is our 25th year of honoring these exceptional students.

Recipients are featured in The Sunday Patriot-News in May and in a photo gallery, videos and profiles on PennLive. Students, families and school officials also are invited to an awards reception in May.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2017, at our office, 2020 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg. A postmark of that day is acceptable. Additional pages may be added to the applications as needed.

Best and Brightest application - 2017 by PennLive on Scribd

To be eligible, a senior must have at least a B or 3.0 grade point average although a grade point average below 3.0 because of extenuating circumstances does not preclude participation.

Seniors must attend a public or independent high school or be home-schooled or attend cyber school in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York county. Local residents attending schools in other counties or states are not eligible.

Selection is based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and service to school, peers and community as well as an autobiographical essay and two letters of recommendation.

Educators assist in semifinalist selection and leaders from business, the arts, education, faith, government and the community choose the 20 finalists.

The application is being sent to high school administrators and guidance counselors in the nine-county area of central Pennsylvania. It also will be printed in some issues of the The Patriot-News and Sunday Patriot-News.

For more information, contact Deb Kiner at dkiner@pennlive.com or 717-257-4749.
George W Bush

Former President George W. Bush opened up about immigration, national security, the media and veterans during an interview Monday morning.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Former President George W. Bush opened up about immigration, national security, the media and veterans during an interview Monday morning.

Bush attended the "Today" Show to promote his new book Portraits of Courage -- a collection of stories and oil paintings by the president honoring the sacrifice and courage of America's military veterans. During his interview with Matt Lauer, Bush addressed a number of issues that have popped up as a result from President Donald Trump.

Bush -- who faced harsh criticism over his presidency -- said he believed the media to be "indispensable to democracy." His defense of journalists comes after Trump called the media the "enemy of the American people."

"We need an independent media to hold people like me to account," Bush said. "Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere."

Bush spoke briefly about one of the most controversial aspects of Trump's young presidency -- his travel ban. Trump sought to prohibit citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days, all refugees for 120 days and indefinitely ban refugees from Syria.

"I am for an immigration policy that's welcoming and that upholds the law," Bush said.

Trump's travel ban was shot down by the court but has already proposed a new, similar ban.

Watch the video above for Lauer's interview with the former president.
FotorCreated.jpg

Keyayra Champlin, left, and Shawn Elliott

(submitted)

A 2-year-old boy lived in a Grantville home with floors covered in animal feces and garbage, a bathroom filled with excrement and little food in the house to eat, say police in charging a couple with child endangerment.

Shawn Elliott, 28, and Keyayra Champlin, 21, both of Waco Drive in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County, were charged Feb. 21 with endangering the welfare of a child, which is a third-degree felony.

Police said they went to the home Feb. 19 after receiving a tip the occupants were using drugs in the presence of children.

They described seeing garbage and dog/cat food strewn about and found the 2-year-old "standing next to a decrepit arm chair and a tattered and filthy mattress."

The child was "pantsless and dirty," records state.

The trooper trapped the child in a blanket and carried him out of the house, and the child repeatedly said "hungry" and pointed to his mouth, records state. The fingernail on the child's left thumb appeared to be falling off, the trooper added.

The refrigerator was filled with empty food cartons, rotting food and "nothing readily observable that was clean and viable for the child to eat or drink," police said.

Champlin told police they smoke marijuana "almost daily," are unemployed and sometimes get food at a food bank or a friend's house. She said one toilet "works enough to use," and blamed the conditions in the house on roommates who were recently kicked out.

Here is what troopers said they found in the home:

One toilet filled to the top with feces, urine and toilet tissue and the other covered in fecal debris.

Kitchen floor covered in piles of fecal matter, presumably from the dog.

Cat's litter box full and dirty.

Kitchen sink filled with stagnant water, food debris, garbage.

Stove in pieces.

Both bathroom sinks filled with hair, clothes and other items.

Floors covered in clothes.

Items in various states of disrepair.

Holes in walls.

Light fixtures with exposed wiring and no lights in the child's room.

Wall outlets protruding and several space heaters plugged in in close proximity to flammable debris and garbage

Knives at reachable level of a child.

Elliott is in Dauphin County prison in lieu of $25,000 bail, while Champlin was released on $25,000 bail.

The two were charged last December with child abuse/endangerment, court records show.

And in January, Elliott was charged with intimidation, retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases and related offenses after police said he tried to intimidate a trooper.

Elliott claimed a trooper investigating a separate burglary case told others of sexually explicit text messages, pictures and videos he found on Elliott's phone. He is accused of threatening to sue that trooper if he didn't make his child abuse cases disappear.
CARLISLE - Dickinson College's board of trustees has elected Margee Ensign as its 29th president.

Ensign, who most recently served as president of the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Nigeria, will take office in Carlisle on July 1. She follows Nancy Roseman, who resigned as Dickinson's president at the end of the 2015-16 academic year.

Dickinson Trustee Chair Jennifer Reynolds lauded Ensign as a "higher education pioneer" who, while in Nigeria, who notably convinced her school to offer scholarships to girls who managed to flee from the Boko Haram Islamist militants after their abduction of 270 students from a school in Chibok in 2014.

Fifty-seven of the women eventually attended AUN, including an initial group that Ensign helped personally escort from Boko Haram-controlled territory to Yola.

Ensign also founded and chaired the Adamawa Peace Initiative, described as a group of civic and religious leaders that helped feed and empower hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Boko Haram who landed in the Yola area.

Prior to her 15 years of work in Africa, Ensign has previously served as dean of the University of the Pacific's School of International Studies, and in faculty and administrative roles at Columbia and Tulane universities.

In accepting the Dickinson presidency, Ensign said in a brief video supplied by the college she is "excited about taking a college that everyone calls the hidden jewel, and making it less hidden.

"Dickinson is at the forefront of so many of the things that I believe in, and I think what our country needs at this point."

Ensign's hiring closes a 10-month search following Roseman's surprising resignation, during which the Carlisle liberal arts college was helmed by Neil Weissman, the school's longtime provost and dean.

During that search period, Ensign, who Dickinson spokesman Christine Baksi said stepped down as AUN's president upon accepting Dickinson's offer, had also been publicly identified as a finalist for the presidency at Earlham College in Indiana.

Reynolds, in Monday's announcement, cited Ensign's "love of students, passion for the liberal arts and dedication to an interdisciplinary education that encompasses global perspectives and sustainable values...

"She is the right person at the right time to move Dickinson forward."

Ensign is a graduate of New College in Florida who later earned a doctorate in international political economy from the University of Maryland. She describes herself as an avid athlete who swims, jogs and plays squash.

Ensign has one daughter, who is currently a graduate student in Boston.
HARRISBURG--Harrisburg police say it's too soon to tell if the threat phoned in to the Jewish Community Center in the capital city is connected to similar hoaxes.

The phone call came in to the Harrisburg center at Front and Vaughn streets at 10:11 a.m., said police Capt. Gabriel Olivera.

The phone call conversation was not recorded, said Jenn Ross, president of the community center.

But police are working through the phone company to try to learn the identity and location of the person who made the call, Olivera said.

It was too early to know if they can recover the caller's phone number, Olivera said Monday when he briefed reporters at about noon. Likewise, it was too soon to know if Harrisburg's call was connected to any other hoaxes perpetrated at other Jewish centers in other cities.

Because of that, federal authorities had not yet been brought into the investigation, police said. But federal investigators could be brought in later if it looks like the local case is connected to others out of state.

The phone call created a serious disruption Monday, Ross said, with the entire facility being evacuated. Members and children at the early learning center and day school were temporarily relocated to other buildings while police brought in bomb-sniffing dogs to check the community center.

The children were not told about the bomb threat, parents told PennLive.

Police officers and dogs swept the building and proclaimed it safe within two hours of the phone call.

Ross lamented a documented wave of anti-Semitism since 2015 that includes vandalism at two Jewish cemeteries near St. Louis and Philadelphia last week.

"In the case of hoaxes," she said, "it upsets people. It's disruptive to business, but it doesn't create the same harm as someone who learns their loved one's monument has been destroyed."

Ross described the incident Monday in Harrisburg as upsetting more than frightening. She said it seemed the incident was connected to other hoaxes.

"They had the technology in place. It's basically just another call. They didn't have many chances of being caught at that point so it's just a way to disrupt business and really demonstrate a wave of hate in the community."

The disruption goes beyond the Jewish community Ross said, since the center serves the entire community. As police were packing up to leave Monday, Ross said she hoped members would return to the center.

"It is a safe location," she said. "And we look forward to seeing you today."
ct-jewish-cemetery-headstones-damaged-philadel-001.jpg

Philadelphia Police Det. Timothy McIntyre and another Philadelphia police officer look over tombstones that were vandalized in the Jewish Mount Carmel Cemetary Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 in Philadelphia. (Michael Bryant / AP)

(Michael Bryant, Associated Press)

Philadelphia police are investigating after more than 100 headstones were vandalized in a Jewish cemetery.

The incident at Mount Caramel Cemetery in the city's Wissinoming neighborhood is being viewed as an act of hate.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney released the following statement:

"My heart breaks for the families who found their loved ones' headstones toppled this morning. We are doing all we can to find the perpetrators who desecrated this final resting place, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia. I encourage Philadelphians to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and to show them that we are the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection."

My heart breaks for the families who found loved ones headstones toppled. We stand w/our Jewish brothers & sisters https://t.co/tBq9Mtxtqr  Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) February 26, 2017

Gov. Tom Wolf also reacted on Twitter, calling the vandalism "a cowardly, disturbing act."

The vandalism of Jewish headstones at a Phila. cemetery is a cowardly, disturbing act. We must find those responsible and hold accountable. https://t.co/6eM0G2tC4S  Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) February 26, 2017

Philadelphia police were alerted to the situation at 9:40 a.m. Sunday when a man visiting the cemetery reported that three of his relatives' headstones were knocked over and vandalized.

When police arrived at the scene, they found an additional 100 headstones had been damaged.

The Anti-Defamation League, with support from the Mizel Family Foundation, is giving a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism.

A local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police is also offering a $3,000 reward for information.

Two weeks ago, some 30 headstones were knocked over at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Philly's Bridesburg neighborhood, but city police haven't found a link between the two incidents.

The latest incident in Philadelphia also comes a week after nearly 200 headstones were vandalized in a Jewish cemetery in suburban St. Louis, according to CBS News.

Vice President Mike Pence went to the Missouri site and called it a "vile act of vandalism" that the administration condemns "in the strongest possible terms," CBS News and other outlets reported.

"We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those that perpetrate it in the strongest possible terms," Pence said.

The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect is calling on President Donald Trump to speak about how he will fight against hate and anti-Semitism.

"How you react in the coming hours is vital to the greatness of America," the organization said in a tweet.
HARRISBURG-- Many parents who learned about the bomb threat at the Jewish Community Center Monday morning rushed to a nearby building to collect their children.

The children from the day school were evacuated along with everyone else after the 10:11 a.m. bomb threat, which was phoned into the community center at Front and Vaughn streets in Harrisburg.

Zachary Nitzan, was one of those parents. He and his wife drove to the area shortly after 11 a.m. He told PennLive why he decided to pick up his child and what he thinks of the bomb threat in our video.
weather022617.jpg

(Accuweather)

It should feel a lot more like February this week -- that is after a few more days of warmth to start the work week.

"The first half of the week looks mild," said Aaron Tyburski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

Tyburski pointed to highs in the low 50s on Monday and then back up in the 60s on Tuesday. He added that temperatures possibly get back up to the 70s by Wednesday.



That warmth is expected to give way to more seasonable temperatures as a front will sweep over Pennsylvania Wednesday and start to cool the region.

"Thursday through the weekend cools back down into the 40s," Tyburski said, noting the warm start to the week and an average end.

The weather should be more steady Thursday and through the next week, Tyburski said. He added that it is too early to accurately project temperatures, but current models call for more February-like weather.

Check back with PennLive for the latest weather updates.

Here's a look at the extended forecast through Thursday:

MONDAY: Sunny. High near 52. Low around 39.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with a high around 61. Low near 40. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. High near 69. Low around 44. Showers likely with thunderstorms possible. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny with a high near 48. Low around 31.

You can see live weather updates via the National Weather Service and other Twitter sources below.

Tweet us at @pennlive with photos of inclement weather at your place, incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.
Donald Trump

More than 500 evangelical leaders from across the country have sent President Trump a letter denouncing his executive order barring refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

It was the perfect example. I'm speaking of the image of the president sitting in the middle of a country club eating dinner with a foreign leader. They are surrounded by country club members shining their cell phone lights on his table so he can read the delivered messages about the North Korean launch of a ballistic missile. The perception this represents depends on your opinion of the president.

One could think, "Look how unflappable President Donald Trump is. He doesn't even break stride from dining to address a serious notification." On the other hand, your thinking might run along this line: "Perhaps the president, his staff and Prime Minister Abe should have sought a more secure area to receive and discuss the incoming messages".

A picture is worth a thousand words.

JOHN EDWARDS, Hampden Township
ABORTION RALLY ART.jpg

Abortion rights supporters chant pro-choice slogans during a rally outside of the Planned Parenthood South Dallas Surgical Health Services Center, Saturday morning, Feb. 11, 2017 in Dallas. Anti-abortion activists emboldened by the new administration of President Donald Trump staged rallies around the country Saturday calling for the federal government to cut off payments to Planned Parenthood, but in some cities counter-protests dwarfed the demonstrations. (Ben Torres/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

By Susan Stamper Brown

Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade is now singing with the angels.

Susan Stamper Brown (Cagle Syndicate photo)

It's not that Roe, whose real name was Norma McCorvey, did anything to deserve spending eternity in heaven. No one has. Not even Mother Teresa. We're all as broken as McCorvey when we compare ourselves to a holy God.



Despite all the bloodshed this poster child for the abortion movement is responsible for, her sins were washed as white as snow. "My eyes were opened after I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart," McCorvey said while testifying before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in 1998.

During that testimony, she acknowledged how wrong and broken she was, and that said she had experienced the power of God's forgiveness, vowing she would devote the rest of her life "undoing the law that bears my name."



McCorvey's testimony exposed the truth about the Roe v. Wade decision, admitting the affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court "didn't happen the way I said it did, pure and simple. I lied."

She said her attorneys "needed an extreme case to make their client look pitiable" so the premise of gang rape "started out as a little lie, but my little lie grew and became horrible with each telling."

She also said she was "lied to" by her legal counsel "to further their [abortion] agenda" and opined her attorneys "never told me that what I was signing would allow women to come up to me 15, 20 years later and say, 'Thank you for allowing me to have my five or six abortions.'"



McCorvey continued, "Since all these lies succeeded in dismantling every state's protection of the unborn, I think it's fair to say that the entire abortion industry is based on a lie."



To that point, what good could ever come from a law conceived by lies and deceit? But apparently lies matter little to those bowing at the altar of self-ism. To them, abortion is a holy sacrament they'll do anything to protect.

They refuse to accept that even if you leave God out of the argument, life begins at the moment of fertilization and the child develops his own unique DNA.Without a doubt, the most dangerous place in America today is in the womb.



During another subcommittee testimony in 2005, McCorvey begged that the monster she helped create be reversed. She said she was "used and abused by the court system in America" and never received the opportunity to speak for herself during the court case.

She claimed her "lawyers were looking for a young, white woman to be a guinea pig for a great new social experiment, somewhat like what Adolf Hitler did."



McCorvey continued: "Do you have any idea how much emotional grief I have experienced? It is like a living hell knowing that you have had a part to play, though in some sense I was just a pawn of the legal system. But I have had to accept my role in the deaths of millions of babies and the destruction of women's lives."



McCorvey understood that although she had received forgiveness, bells cannot be un-rung.

The train carrying her choices had already left the station, so all she could do is spend the rest of her life trying to stop the train to prevent further carnage.



During that last testimony, McCorvey said, "We can ask the children to forgive us but the children are dead."Now, so is she. But, from what I understand about God's grace, I wouldn't be surprised if the One who washed her sins "as white as snow" brought with him to Heaven's gates, the vast sea of 55 million precious kids, the victims of abortion, to welcome a weary Norma home.



Susan Stamper Brown is a regular contributor to Townhall, The Christian Post, Right Wing News and GOPUSA. Readers may email her at writestamper@gmail.com.
The public face of a group that tracks hate crimes across America has sounded a warning bell on the recent uptick of anti-Semitism across the country.

"We've really seen the genie come out of the bottle," Mark Potok, senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Birmingham, Ala., said Monday, hours after Jewish community centers nationwide, include those in York and Harrisburg, were evacuated due to bomb threats.

"This is the fifth wave of bomb threats that we've seen in the last six weeks. It's up around 90 incidents now," Potok said.

The threat against the J.C.C. in Susquehanna Township occurred around 10:30 a.m., Dave Black, of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, told PennLive. Black said police were on-scene and that K9 units were searching the building at the corner of Vaughn and North Front Streets.

In York, York Area Regional Police said they received a bomb threat phone call at 10:08 a.m. Monday. The call, which was from a male "robotic voice," said there was a bomb inside the Jewish Community Center building at 2000 Hollywood Drive.

Parents rushed to pick up children in daycare and nursery schools. One witness described elderly women, still wet from water aerobics, huddling a hallway during the evacuation.

Critics have pointed the finger of blame at the new Trump administration for the rise in the incidents, arguing that those from the so-called "alt.right" have been empowered by its message of American nationalism.

"I don't think there's any question about it," Potok said of the link. "We catalogued 1034 hate incidents and crimes in the 34 days after the Trump election. A lot were anti-Semitic."

According to Potok, the largest "number of these incidents was on the day immediately after the election and they went down everyday thereafter," and in many cases, the alleged "perpetrators and either named Trump or used his ["Make America Great Again"] slogan.

Potok pointed to a number actions by Trump during the 2016 and after last November's election, that could have emboldened some on the far-right fringe.

They notably included a Holocaust remembrance proclamation that notably failed to specifically mention the deaths of 6 million Jews during the World War II era atrocity perpetrated by the Nazis.

"That is the way that neo-Nazis view World War II," he said. "They argue 'Millions died, why the whining about Jews?'" Some have blamed White House adviser Stephen K. Bannon, the former head of the hyper-conservative Breitbart website, for the omission.

As to Trump, whose daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism with her marriage to real estate developer Jared Kushner, "Who's to say whether he is personally anti-Semitic?" Potok mused.

"It hardly matters. when he does these things, he is sending a signal to those on the radical right that these things are okay," he said.

So far, the threats against Jewish centers and cemetery desecrations have not resulted in injuries or deaths. But, according to Potoki, "It's just a matter of holding your breath and waiting ... When people reach the point of phoning in multiple threats and attacking cemeteries, very hard to say where it'll stop."
Compiled by Staff Writer Wallace McKelvey

There Ought to Be a Law

In Pennsylvania, legislation tends to follow a circuitous path toward becoming a law. It can involve any number of constituent groups and lobbyists over a span of many years. Each law begins its life as an idea and that idea is usually summarized in whats called a co-sponsorship memorandum.

These memos are essentially the first pitch a lawmaker gives to his or her colleagues in the hope of rallying enough support to move forward with a change in the law. Sometimes the ideas are so unpopular or off-kilter they never go any further, but many more actually do make it from that pitch to the governors desk.

Heres a look at the ideas lawmakers have come up with recently.

Let us know what you think about these ideas in the comments.

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PennLive file photo

Shielding information about police shootings

What will change? Currently, local municipalities or district attorney's offices make decisions about when and how much detail to release about incidents in which law enforcement officers are involved in a shooting or use of deadly force. This law would mandate that the name and identifying information of the officer be withheld until the either the investigation is complete or 30 days after the incident, whichever comes first.

Who's pitching it? Rep. Martina White, a Philadelphia Republican who graduated from Elizabethtown College in 2010 and served as a financial advisor before joining the Legislature in 2015.

What are its chances? This proposal landed on Gov. Tom Wolf's desk in November only to face a swift veto. The new iteration will be up for second consideration when the House returns in March. Now, it's a question of numbers: Will it garner enough support to overcome a likely veto in 2017?

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Prohibiting LGBT discrimination

What will change? This proposal would extend anti-discrimination protection in the areas of employment, housing and accommodations to LGBT groups.

Who's pitching it? Sen. Pat Browne, a Lehigh County Republican, and Sen. Larry Farnese, a Philadelphia Democrat.

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Daniel Zampogna, PennLive

What are its chances? Gov. Tom Wolf has called for such protections throughout his time in office. Having the backing of a high-ranking Republican senator helps this legislation's chances although it's still likely to face strong opposition.

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Wage garnishment for crime restitution

What will change? Although wage garnishment exists for things like unpaid child support, no such mechanism is in place for the payment of restitution, fines and other costs awarded to victims of crime. This proposal would open up that possibility.

Who's pitching it? Rep. Becky Corbin, a Chester County Republican who previously worked as a legislative aide before being elected to the House in 2013.

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Becky Corbin, R-Chester, reads victims names during a remembrance ceremony for domestic violence victims. James Robinson, PennLive.com

What are its chances? The bill is up for second consideration when the House returns in March but doesn't have much bipartisan support. It's unclear if it has enough support to make it to the governor's desk.

A similar proposal, which would garnish the wages of prisoners, is also working its way through the House.

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Senate confirmation for agency executives

What will change? This proposal would mandate Senate confirmation for the executives of the Gaming Control Board, the Higher Education Assistance Agency, the Liquor Control Board and the Lottery Fund within the Department of Revenue.

Who's pitching it? Sen. John Rafferty, a Berks County Republican, currently chairs the Senate Transportation Committee.

What are its chances? All of these posts are high-powered positions in major state agencies but the proposal would likely face strong opposition under the argument that it erodes the power of the state executive branch. Last year, a similar push to have the Legislature oversee the inspector general was vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

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Environmental Protection Agency archive photo

A 'sugar house' exemption

What will change? This proposal would exempt "maple sugar houses" from the state's construction codes. The argument put forth by its sponsor is that the houses are used in agricultural production and the public generally doesn't have access.

Who's pitching it? Rep. Tina Pickett, a Bradford County Republican and former hotel/restaurant owner who was elected in 2001.

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Rep. Tina Pickett. Photo by Daniel Zampogna, PennLive

What are its chances? Last session, the bill never made it out of committee but it is up for second consideration when the House returns next month. Considering the specificity of the issue, the latest iteration has picked up a decent amount of support.

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(Shutterstock photo)

Family and medical leave for workers

What will change? Under this proposal, workers would be entitled to six weeks of unpaid leave to care for a sibling, grandparent or grandchild with a serious health condition if such sibling, grandparent or grandchild has no living spouse, child over 17 years of age or parent under 65 years of age.

Who's pitching it? Sen. Andrew Dinniman, a Chester County Democrat who's worked as a college professor and has served in the Senate since 2006.

What are its chances? Such a leave has been widely discussed for years but never gained much traction, in part due to opposition from business groups.

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Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-Chester. Photo by Dan Gleiter, PennLive

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Wallace McKelvey | wmckelvey@pennlive.com

Studying the cost of the Right-to-Know Law

What will change? Under this resolution, the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee would review the costs for state agencies to fulfill public records requests.

Who's pitching it? Rep. Kate Harper, a Montgomery County Republican who previously served as a Lower Gwynedd Township supervisor.

What are its chances? Generally speaking, if a resolution makes it onto the calendaras this one hasit will pass. This study is worth noting, however, since the cost to fill these public records request is a sore spot for some state agencies. And any change to the state law could have a serious impact on transparency.

(Shutterstock photo)

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Wallace McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com

Notification of accruing student debt

What will change? Colleges would be required to send annual letters to students with information about their debt, including an estimate of their total debt upon graduation and what their likely monthly payments would be.

Who's pitching it? Sen. Guy Reschenthaller, an Allegheny County Republican, and Sen. David Argall, a Berks County Republican.

What are its chances? It's unclear how much support this kind of bill would receive. Indiana and Nebraska have instated similar legislation.

(PennLive editorial cartoon)

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Wallace McKelvey | WMcKelvey@pennlive.com

Increase safe drinking water standards

What will change? Pennsylvania's inspections of drinking water systems garnered increased scrutiny and a warning from the EPA this year. This legislation, beyond the inspection question, would create so-called "critical zones" around intake areas for drinking water that the Department of Environmental Protection would be responsible for implementing and protecting.

Who's pitching it? Sen. Charles McIlhinney, a Bucks County Republican who was a key architect of 2016's liquor reform law, Act 39.

What are its chances? Last year, the measure picked up bipartisan support in the Senate but never made it out of the Environmental Resources and Energy committee. Although the issue is more top of mind now, it's not clear how much momentum this proposal could have in 2017.

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Wallace McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com

Read more

There Ought to Be a Law is a digest of various laws that have been pitched by legislators in Harrisburg. Here's a look back at recent features:

(PennLive file photo)

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Wallace McKelvey | WMcKelvey@pennlive.com

Other capitol news you may have missed
Here, there, everywhere  why car washes seem to be on every corner

business
U.S. - Mexico energy relationship bound to flourish despite Trump's NAFTA renegociation

Omar Torres/AFP/Getty Images



Amid U.S.-Mexico acrimony, energy might present common ground and opportunity, analysts say

LOS ANGELES

Petroleumworld.com 02 27 2017

President Trump has repeatedly said he wants to renegotiate NAFTA and railed at U.S. companies that moved operations to Mexico. His administration has suggested imposing punitive tariffs, and he continues to say he'll make Mexico pay for a wall on its norther border.

South of that border, Mexico's foreign secretary reportedly told Mexican lawmakers in private that the country is prepared to impose tariffs of its own. According to news reports, Luis Videgaray said the Mexican government is bracing for a long battle with the Trump administration.

Such cross-border talk has raised fears north and south about possible bruising effects on various industries, such as automobile manufacturing and agriculture.

But many analysts agree that in at least one sector  energy  the two countries still share opportunities for financial gain and have less incentive for conflict. Even if some terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement change, they say, energy can remain a boon for both countries' economies, along with that of Canada.

Ixchel Castro, the manager of oil and refining research in Latin America for the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, said the involvement of former Exxon Mobil Chief Executive and current Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who visited Mexico City last week, was a good sign.

Someone from Exxon Mobil understands very well how this mutual collaboration has been a win-win in the last few years, Castro said.

Castro was referring to the changes that President Enrique Pena Nieto signed into law in 2013, opening the Mexican oil industry to foreign investment. It was a groundbreaking move. Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, had been a state monopoly since 1938, and has long been beset by mismanagement, corruption and nepotism.

Pemex has always worked as an appendix of the government and Ministry of Finance, and worked less as an oil company, said Ariel Ramos, a partner at Mayer Brown, a legal services firm in Mexico City, and a NAFTA and energy expert. Most decisions it made were more politically driven and driven by the federal budget than operationally driven.

For decades, Pemex has been the federal government's piggy bank and crutch. Critics say that because profits haven't been well-invested, its infrastructure and technology are tired and its production down. And when the government eased gasoline subsidies in December, prices jumped 20% for premium gas (and 14% for regular) the next month. Protests, sometimes violent, broke out nationwide.

But for foreign investors, Pemex's problems  and Mexico's resources  present opportunity.

In the U.S., they're still discovering new reserves, but they're more difficult for production, Ramos said. It would be easier to just cross the border and start operation on the Mexican side than to go to areas of the U.S. with more complexity and cost.

For example, consider the Eagle Ford Shale, the oil-rich geological formation that has been tapped in Texas thanks to fracking and other technology. The formation continues into Mexico, but has not been developed there because of lack of technology, investment and infrastructure, according to Ramos.

NAFTA, which took effect in 1994, eliminated most tariffs among the United States, Mexico and Canada. Energy wasn't its prime focus, but the deal grandfathered in Mexico's laws at the time concerning foreign companies working in the energy sector, Ramos said.

Ellen R. Wald, a U.S.-based energy and geopolitics analyst, explained the exceptions made for Mexico that remain in NAFTA with the example of a Texas company that produces energy in Mexico and sells it back to its customers in Texas. Under NAFTA, the company would be required to sell any excess power to Mexico's federal electricity commission  and at a rate set by the commission.

But Ramos said that rule and ones like it have essentially fallen from use since Pena Nieto opened the oil industry to foreign investment three years ago. He says that, because these rules are no longer in effect, they would not constitute a major part of renegotiations.

Wald takes a somewhat different view. Again, consider this example of the Texas company in Mexico. Pena Nieto's more liberal policies benefit such companies, but future presidential administrations could, hypothetically, backtrack, she said.

What if next year the Mexican government decides it's done with liberalization? she asked. A new NAFTA could put Pena Nieto's open energy policies more firmly in place, she said.

Wald stressed the importance of creating regional stability when it comes to energy. You can decide where to plant your field of wheat, but you can't decide where oil and gas will be. Having the ability to work together as neighbors is more efficient when providing energy security, she said.

Mexico-based energy analyst David Shields said that it would be unlikely for Trump to pursue tariffs on energy. That's because the U.S. sells more energy to Mexico than it imports.

If Trump's main intention were to hurt Mexico's economy, he could stop buying crude from Mexico and buy it from somewhere else, but that's not good business. We understand Mr. Trump to be a businessman, Shields said.

Ramos suggested that, when it comes to energy, Mexico can use certain regulations that still represent barriers to investment as bargaining chips with the United States.

For example, Mexican law requires that companies engaged in energy initiatives use at least a certain percentage of Mexican contents  that is, raw materials and workforce.

Ramos suggests that Mexico could relax such requirements, allowing U.S. and Canadian firms greater freedom in whom to hire and what sort of material to use. Such an offer could improve the odds of Mexico getting a better deal in other sectors, such as agriculture.

Regionally, the United States, Canada and Mexico have a lot to gain from collaborating in the market for fossil fuels.

Energy reform in Mexico represents a possibility of creating an energy hub that would have almost no rivalry worldwide, Ramos said. Still, he said, that doesn't make this a good time to revisit NAFTA.

Any revision of NAFTA would not be done under ordinary trade negotiations, because of the stance the U.S. is taking on other issues as well  binational security, drug smuggling and immigration, Ramos said. Unfortunately, all of these other issues would contaminate a discussion and revision.






 READ MORE: Kameelah Rashad

This is a remarriage for both of us. It was difficult for me to begin to see my divorce not necessarily as a failure. Growing up  because I didn't know my father  I thought, well once I get married, I want to be married for the rest of my life. And part of that was internalizing messages about black families. That fathers are absent and, you know, we don't stay married or we don't get married and things like that. So I think that had become part of my fantasy  that when I got married, I would stay married for the rest of my life.

Fast forward to that moment where my husband and I are planning our wedding. And as black Muslims, we wanted to incorporate not just elements of our faith into our wedding ceremony, but from our culture, as well. For me, jumping the broom and having this wonderful ceremony, bringing so many people together to celebrate our black Muslim life and our path together as a couple, it represented for me that undeniable way  that in spite of all of the challenges and difficulties in our personal lives, but also as a community, we are still very much seekers of love and joy and happiness. Perhaps that's a blessing from God to us. That we can still seek those things in spite of pain and loss and trauma.

It was electric, the energy that I felt. When we held hands and then when we jumped over, it really felt like we did it. And not just us as individuals, but thinking about all of our ancestors. And when I introduce people to me and they're trying to also understand the intersection of being black and Muslim, I explain to them that I am a proud descendant of enslaved Africans. And so for me, it's like once we were over the other side and had jumped the broom, I just felt like, I'm hoping that our ancestors are also pleased that we found each other. And that we are able to create a kind of family and community and a kind of love that we can demonstrate publicly and unapologetically.

We had to invite in the recognition and the honoring of all of those who may not have had the opportunity to love in this way. It's keeping the memory of our ancestors close, because we are living in a way that was denied to them.

We hear a lot about black trauma and pain and suffering, but I feel like we cannot have that conversation if we also don't talk about love and joy and resilience. It's an incomplete, insufficient conversation if all we talk about is the pain that we've experienced. We're always surrounded by the narrative of inferiority and of deficiency and of suffering. But we also have to make space for the celebration of what is beautiful. And so I think black joy is essential to the story of how we thrive and move forward.

Share your Black Joy story: We want to hear from you. Click here for the details on how to share your story about Black Joy and read more stories from around Philadelphia.
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A young entrepreneur is literally making a killing  by turning dead animals into pencil cases and selling them online.

Plymouth University student Jack Devaney gained worldwide notoriety last week when images of his bizarre creations went viral.

It all started when the 22-year-old 3D Design student posted photos of his "homemade pencil case" on the image sharing site Imgur last week.

Pictures of the pencil case, which is made out of a real dead rat, have now been viewed almost 500,000 times.

Jack told The Herald that his recent global recognition has been a real boost to business - and he's since sold his strange creations all over the world.

"They're most popular in America, but I've also sold them in Norway," Jack told The Herald.

"I think it's great that I've managed to sell some."

But as always, not everyone's a fan.

"There's been a varied response. The average posts range from "This guy is a nut job" to "Where can I get one", but I'm always polite when I'm responding," Jack says.

The third-year Plymouth student, who moved here from the north to study, told The Herald that he was even banned from various local Buy and Sell groups.

"They were selling boring stuff like fridges and no one was talking to each other."

After posting pictures of his unusual inventions, he says he was blocked by the group and barred from posting or commenting.

"All I wanted to do was put a smile on their faces. I think some people choose to be offended," Jack said. "They could just ignore it."

However, the setbacks didn't stop Jack from marketing his crazy creations elsewhere. "There are plenty of other ways to share them and that's why I posted them on Imgur and Etsy," he says.

Jack first decided to start "making daft stuff" while surfing the web with his girlfriend.

He said that they saw a funny picture of some bad taxidermy and wondered if they could make their own.

"I'd worked part-time as a butcher for nine years so I've been sort of desensitized to the process," he said.

"It also meant that I knew how to pluck, skin and dress different animals."

With his already honed skills in butchery, Jack just needed to source the creatures themselves.

"I used to have a snake when I was younger and I knew that you could buy frozen mice, rats and chicks from different pet stores," Jack said.

After a few initial experiments with mice and rats, Jack decided to branch out, and began using moles, squirrels and rabbits.

"I get them from pest control and estate managers, I basically posted on facebook asking for help and I had people getting back to me within 10 minutes," he said.

"My last order cost about 25 for four moles and three squirrels, the delivery costs about 12 so I'll always order them in bulk" he said.

"They post them signed for next day delivery  probably so they don't get all smelly in theBut how does he do it? According to Jack, the first step is to remove the fur and the skin.

Jack says that it is best to do this when the animals are still slightly frozen, as it makes much less mess.

"It's different for each animal, rats are quite thick-skinned but rabbits are much more delicate," Jack said.

In order to treat the hides, Jack uses Borax substitute, which he says is available from various hardware stores.

The next step is to turn the pelt inside out and apply the Borax powder to the skin to dry it out. sorting office," he said.

Once that's done turn it the right way round and apply a small amount of powder to the fur  then brush it through with a toothbrush

"I don't use my own toothbrush," Jack says. "I bought a cheap multipack."

In spite of his worldwide success, Jack isn't confident in a future career based on his wacky work.

"You'd have to be a nutter to think you could make a living out of this," Jack said.

"Some people have suggested my work is satirical or that they have a deeper meaning but they are just daft."

"The mole for instance, it's got these weird hands that are bent the wrong way and the only thing they can hold are a spear or a wizard staff."

"Once I made him the spear, he needed a helmet too so then he became a medieval pikeman."

"If no one buys them then I'll just have a load of moles hanging around," he says.

You can check out more of his work on Facebook , Etsy , Instagram or Imgur .
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

It really is a shame, a travesty, a disaster that so many Americans are fundamentally stupid. Because if they were just a little more aware of anything other than their religion, their guns and their ignorant racism and bigotry, America may not be facing the serious threat in the White House. Actually, that threat includes Republicans in Congress and state legislatures, but without that angry fascist in the Oval, the terrifying assault on America may not deliver the results the Trump and his administration are planning.

One of the things too many Americans dont understand is that without a functioning government, their lives would be very similar, if not identical, to people living in third world places like Somalia and Yemen. Republicans have intimated their intent to completely dismantle the government to give the rich, corporations and religion free rein to trample the people underfoot, but they have never openly called for destroying the government like the Trump and his ultimate superior Steve Bannon. And make no mistake, when Bannon calls for dismantling the administrative state, he means completely destroying the government that fundamentally protects Americans from a dictatorship. A dictatorship, by the way, that Sean Spicer accidentally admitted is what the Trump and his administration really is. More on that later.

If Americans werent inherently stupid, they would know that the administrative state is not a terrorist cabal out to kill off white people, steal their bibles and guns, or drive them into poverty. What the administrative state entails is fundamentally laid out in the Constitution and is precisely what keeps Americans from being ruled by a dictator and enslaved by oligarchs. The administrative state includes things like the separation of powers, regulatory oversight of predatory corporations and financial institutions, agency rules that keep Americans food, medicine, and water safe, and a variety of domestic social programs affecting every American alive; all of the things that Trump, Bannon, the Kochs and no small number of Republicans want or have wanted eliminated.

This week at the CPAC meeting, Trumps chief strategist Bannon explained that Trumps agenda and ultimate goal is really taking apart every aspect of the government; save its ability to wage war on anyone or any nation that fails to abide Trumps tyranny. He said, that deconstruction of the administrative state means eliminating the system of taxes, regulations and trade pacts that infringe upon ones sovereignty. If you look at these [Trump] Cabinet nominees, they were selected for a reason, and that is deconstruction.

Now, too many Americans actually believe that everything Trump intends in deconstructing the administrative state is going to make them incredibly wealthy, give them everlasting life in American Heaven, and make America an Aryan Christian Utopia. It is a stupid mindset and one Republicans have counted on to stay in power for the past eight years.

However much Republicans want to dismantle the United States government, including everything that protects the people, Bannon said the Trump White House is digging in for a long conflict to transform Washington and upend the world order. He said to all Americans that, If you think theyre going to give you your country back you are sadly mistaken. Every day, it is going to be a fight. Bannon was not implying that the media would never give your country back, he meant the Trump administration. It is baffling, and a complete mystery, why anyone would think or believe that the media owns the country, or is so in control as to fight to avoid having to give it back to the people.

That one statement is even more telling, and terrifying, than admitting Trump appointed Heritage Foundation nominees to deconstruct the agencies they are now running. Bannon, like his underling Donald Trump, fully intends to reorder America, and the world, in his own image. It is curious indeed that no-one at CPAC questioned who is not going to give your country back. Thus far it is only the Trump waging a daily fight to keep America out of the hands of the people; including stupid conservative people.

What Bannon is really saying is that there indeed is a dictator in the White House and that America must be transformed by the Trump-Bannon; not the people. Press secretary Sean Spicer said something similar a couple of months ago when he said only a dictatorship would ever consider subduing the press; this week the Trump dictatorship barred journalists from press briefings in a blatant suppression of the free press. Trump, with valuable assistance and instructions from Bannon is intent on fulfilling his most cherished role of authoritarian dictator that any sane human being knew was his plan all along; Bannon just expedited Trumps ascension as a vicious authoritarian tyrant faster than even Trump imagined possible.

That assessment is precisely what Ohios former governor, Ted Strickland (D), said about Bannon. He is a dangerous person driven by an authoritarian ideology who, I fear, has more influence than anyone in the administration. This is a mean, vicious, intolerant group. Ive never seen anything like this in my political life.

Maybe Mr. Strickland has never seen it in America, but history is replete with examples of the Trump-Bannon partnership whether it was Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, Italy under Benito Mussolini, or Russia under Trumps facilitator Vladimir Putin. However, it is Bannons intent on upending the world order that makes Trump closer to Adolf Hitler than Putin or Mussolini. According to Steve Bannon, America is now Donald Trump and he has no intent of ever giving it back to the people. Republicans have long worked to restrict the federal governments oversight of anything remotely related to keeping the people safe, economically or health wise, but even they never openly claimed their overarching goal was destroying the government; and that is what Bannon means in deconstructing the administrative state.

The real tragedy, and it is incredibly tragic, is that there is absolutely nothing anyone can do to stop the Trump Bannon. Democrats are powerless to do much more than rant and rave about the injustice of allowing a tyrant to take down the government, and the people can resist, but at the end of the day Republicans run the government Bannon and Trump will deconstruct according to their stated purpose, and wild applause from stupid conservatives at CPAC.

That is what happens when stupid people, stupid racist people, think purging Mexicans and Muslims from America is more important than defending their democracy and their country. A once proud nation that will die a premature death because a bonafide dictator, Steve Bannon, is in the White House with his pet Trump on a very short leash with a very powerful shock collar in case he gets out of line.

**The above article is commentary by R Muse**
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A week after slamming Donald Trump for his cowardly reaction to rising anti-Semitism in the United States, the Anne Frank Center has called on the president to act following an attack on a Jewish cemetery near St. Louis and then another in Philadelphia:

Jewish graves in Philadelphia now vandalized. Stop this incubator of #Antisemitism and other hate. WE BEG YOU @POTUS @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/RHuIjdE2Yg  AnneFrankCenter(US) (@AnneFrankCenter) February 26, 2017

Watch the report courtesy of CNN:

Another Jewish cementary has been vandalized, Anne Frank Center calls for White House to take action https://t.co/J3l861PPMi  New Day (@NewDay) February 27, 2017

Donald Trump, who draws so much support from his anti-Semitic, white supremacist base, has been reluctant to upset his followers by defending Jews from these increasingly violent acts, from bomb threats to vandalism. Over 150 tombstones were damaged in the first attack and at least 100 in the second. A nearby Christian cemetery was untouched.

In fact, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) documented over one thousand Bias-related incidents in the first month following the election, including over 100 swastikas and scores of bomb threats against Jewish community centers in just the last month.

The Anne Frank Center wants Donald Trump to speak out against anti-Semitism. He is unlikely to do so. Trumps popularity continues to sink as his disapproval rating climbs, and he is more reliant than ever on the very people who promote this kind of behavior.

Trumps crowd in Melbourne, Florida, was smaller than earlier crowds there, only highlighting his problems. If he were to disavow this demographic, his next such rally would be given only to his cheering staff.
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

It is simply disgusting to listen to some journalists and news organizations report and comment on the Russians favorite American fascist, the one in the White House, as if he, his agenda, or administration are normal and not an existential threat to the people and the country. Being fair and balanced is one thing; portraying the Trump as anything other than a terrifying aberration is abominable. However, there is one news personality that has gone out of his way to praise the Trump and there is a good reason; he is being paid by Russia.

Once upon a time, Ed Schultz faked out no small number of progressives and liberals as a self-styled prairie populist, but for the second time in six years, he revealed his true conservative bona fides. He also exposed his true national allegiance when he signed on to get paid by Vladimir Putin to anchor a nightly show on Russia state-run network (RT) in America.

One always assumed Schultz was no progressive and no kind of liberal, in large part due to his exhortation to Democrats to sit out the 2010 midterm elections to teach President Obama a lesson about not fulfilling promises he clearly never made. No matter, Schultz had a hand in giving the teabaggers control of the House of Representatives they have never feared losing. Now Schultz is pimping for Donald Trump as a heroic figure fighting for the little people, and it is either because he was always a dyed-in-the-wool conservative or because he is employed by Russian president Vladimir Putin; it is probably a combination of the two.

Although he used to deride Trumps Russian cohort Vlad as Putie, he has changed his tone; even a two-faced cretin like Ed Schultz recognizes its not a good idea to criticize his employer. As the Washington Post noted in December, since he has become a paid hack for Russia, and Americas voice as surrogate for Russian president Vlad Putin, Schultz, who once said on MSNBC that Putin is crippling his country and has a nasty human rights record, now has a Russo-friendly, or perhaps American-skeptical, viewpoint on any number of issues.

Schultz has performed a one-hundred-eighty degree turn on Donald Trump as well. After calling Trump a racist and ridiculing his political ambitions a few short years ago, this week he praised Trumps skills during CPAC and downplayed Russian Vladimir Putins role in interfering with an American election to install a friend of Russia in the White House. Schultzs embrace of Trump is obviously a requirement to land a gig with Russias state-sponsored American television network, Russia Today.

During his appearance at CPAC, Ed Schultz could not heap enough praise on Trump despite harshly criticizing him when Schultz pretended to be a liberal on MSNBC. On Thursday while talking with reporters on CPACs radio row, Schultz said this about his boss Putins puppet in the White House:

I think hes pragmatic, and I think he wants to win for the little guy. [Trump] will go with the people. And, Schultz said Trump will slow the Republican Congress efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Then Schultz went full-on Trump and railed against the Democrats efforts to oppose the hateful Trump and Republicans agenda saying:

They [Dems] ought to be focused on saving healthcare. They ought to be focused on making sure we dont privatize Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Thats where the Democrats ought to be. Instead, theyre chasing down scandals or theyre making them up. Im justIm a little disappointed in them right now.

Heres a new flash Ed Ruskie Schultz; progressives, liberals, and any respectable Democrat is more than just a little disappointed in falling for your scam that you are, or ever were, anything but a nasty conservative; and a liar. Dems should focus on saving healthcare? They should make sure we dont privatize Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid? And they are just making up scandals reported by 17 different intelligence organization?

One might be inclined to excuse Schultz comments, praise for Trump, and lying that Democrats are fabricating scandals if he was always a red-state teabagger with no awareness of the truth; but that isnt the case. He knows Democrats are in a major fight to protect healthcare from Republicans and Trump. He also is well aware that preventing the privatization of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security or thwarting the GOPs attempts to slash the programs to death is a do-or-die effort for Democrats.

Schultz is just as aware that the so-called made up scandals meme came directly from the Trump administration. Still, he never choked while lying like a good and proper Trump staffer revealing that lying in service and defense of a fascist has no effect on him personally, because personally, he was never a progressive or a liberal; he always was and still is a lying conservative.

**The above article is a report with commentary by R Muse**
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Tilting his chin up in defiance (please note, SNL), White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tried to put an end to questions about the need for a special prosecutor to investigate President Trumps Russian connections with nothing but arrogant outrage.

Spicer demanded, I guess my question would be, A Special Prosecutor for what? Weve heard reports for six months and nothing has come of it Russias involvement has been investigated up and down.

Spicer then claimed that the FBI came to them to declare that a story in the Times was not true.

It was quite a show. If only denials counted in anything other than alternative fact world. Watch here via NBC News Bradd Jaffy:

Spicer: A Special Prosecutor for what?  Russias involvement has been investigated up and down Oh? pic.twitter.com/d9QZ8PEpwA  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 27, 2017

Poor Jonathan Karl (he of the conservative media training) tried to have a serious question and answer session with Spicer about the need for a special prosecutor.

After Spicer pretended there was no there there with his, I guess my question would be, A Special Prosecutor for what?'

Heres a few screengrabs of Karls face because his look of confusion is priceless:

Karl explained as one would to perhaps a non-speaking child, To look into the whole Russia connection 

Spicer wasnt going to allow that to be heard, so he spoke over Karl, But, yeah, and heres my so heres my 

Karl continued trying to explain the obvious conflict of interest in Jeff Sessions being in charge of an investigation into his own behavior as part of the Trump campaign, Sessions was part of the campaign 

Oh, no, Spicer wasnt having any of that. We have now, for six months, heard story after story come out about unnamed sources say the same thing over and over again. and nothings come of it.

Well, not exactly nothing. I mean, General Flynn was fired for his contacts with Russia during the transition in what appears to be an undermining of President Obamas sanctions on Russia, which is of course a real problem because it looks like a quid pro quo.

So the question is, what did Trump get from Russia?

Spicer also thought that Chairman Nunes alleged denials of any Russia problem were good enough, as if as a Republican and former Trump Transition Team Executive Committee Member, Devin Nunes has no motive to deny reality.

However, these investigations are ongoing, and no conclusions have been reached.

Nunes, whose agenda is obvious given his own involvement in the growing Russia scandal, tried to spin his way out of it by claiming it would be a witch hunt, as if witch hunts werent what Republicans specialize in:

Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes doesn't want to go on a "witch hunt" in investigating Trump campaign contact with Russia. pic.twitter.com/MhYfvX1Ze8  Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) February 27, 2017

Fuller explained in a Huffington Post article, After The Washington Post reported last week that the White House had enlisted intelligence officials and leading lawmakers  like Nunes and Senate Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.)  to dispute reports that the Trump campaign had repeated contact with Russia, Nunes spoke to journalists to address the controversy.

More,  So when the Post reported that the White House had asked Nunes, a Trump campaign surrogate and a member of the transition team, to talk to a reporter, it bolstered the argument that the intelligence chairman isnt up to the job of investigating the White Houses ties to Russia.

This is the White Houses source for why we should just let this all go.

If youre keeping track, all of the people on Trumps various teams deny totally that they worked with Russia behind President Obamas back or colluded with Russia to win an election they looked doomed for.

They are all innocent, no need to ask anyone who wouldnt be facing criminal charges if what they are saying isnt true, after all, its only our national security and indeed western democracy at stake! But HEY PEOPLE, they won and so can you all please shut up about HOW they won?

You have to ask yourself, what are you investigating? Spicer tried to lecture Karl, who still wasnt buying what Spicer was selling.

Well, Russian interference, Karl replied, saying the words Spicer probably wishes he hasnt left an opening for.

Spicer tried to shut it all down by saying that the House and Senate looked at it, and the Intelligence Community had looked at it.

He didnt say that they found nothing. So chalk that up to Trumpian teflon is catching.

Because of course, that isnt true. In fact, it is the intelligence community that is forcing the issue because Republicans are blocking it and they have the majority in the House and Senate.

If Democrats win back the majority in 2018 in the Senate, it would behoove us all if they would finally do the country a solid and investigate the Republicans who are trying their best to quash this entire thing because it stinks to high heaven.

Spicer said there was no new reporting, which of course is not true.

Karl pushed back hard, Do you now categorically deny that there were no contacts between the Russians and the

Spicer spun, Oh, I cant deny  and Im 

Karl, Well thats what an investigation would look at 

Spicer, spinning off the axis of THE QUESTION, pivoted back to well the House and Senate looked at it and blah. How many people have to say theres nothing there before you realize theres nothing there.

Um. Well, why not start with a denial by President Trump that he and his campaign team and transition team had NO contact with Russia? Oh, thats right, they did have contact with Russia. OK. So Thats why this isnt going away.

So the real point here is Spicer would like you to stop asking about Russia, okay? and no, he wont deny there is a problem but hello, stop asking because others asked and theres nothing there.

Are you all good now?

No?

Why so mean, America.

Remember, Spicer cant deny and wouldnt deny the Trump contact with Russia. That is all that really came out of this exchange, and that is all that really matters. That and Jonathan Karls face should become a meme for consternation.
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The top-ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) had some bad news for President Trump. The committee will be investigating potential Trump campaign collusion with Russia during the 2016 election.

Video:

Rep. Schiff said, Im saying in our committee as part of our investigation, we have not investigated that yet. That will be investigated. We dont know the answer. We shouldnt pre-judge it, and any conversations that Gang of Eight or any others have with IC (Intelligence Community) officials are not the conclusion of our committee. They are not the end point of our investigation. They cant be.

The top-ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee was responding to Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) who said, There is no evidence that Ive been presented [by the intelligence community] of regular contact with anybody in the Trump campaign.

The bad news for Trump is that there is going to be an investigation into whether or not the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the presidential election. The White House and Republicans arent going to be able to bury this investigation.

It is clear that Trump allies in Congress are trying to prevent an examination of the campaigns conduct during the 2016 election. Democrats are pushing hard and one way or another, they are going to investigation potential Trump campaign collusion with Russia during the 2016 election.

The story isnt going away, and every time the White House tries to bury the Russia scandal, it comes back to haunt them with more unanswered questions.
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President Trump continuously claims to be the victim of Democratic obstruction while presenting himself as a unity president, but he spends a lot of his time dissing Democrats. In fact, he is doing what Republicans inaccurately accused President Obama of doing. And then Trump whines about the reaction to his insults and snubs.

Monday morning, Trump put an end to the bipartisan post National Governors Association and President press availability by shuttling the Democratic governors off site.

Zeke Miller tweeted:

Post-POTUS/NGA press avail at the White House used to be a bipartisan thing. Now it's just GOP governors  Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 27, 2017

Jared Leopold tweeted:

Democratic governors were not invited to join presser at White House. Were shuttled off site. https://t.co/FltiGtYvKw  Jared Leopold (@jaredleopold) February 27, 2017

In 2014 during the press availability post NGA meeting, when governors of both parties spoke to reporters after their meeting with then President Obama, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) accused President Obama of having waved the white flag of surrender on economic growth. Did President Obama ban Republicans from the press availability after this? No, of course not.

It isnt just Republicans who have broken the protocol and turned partisan attack dog on White House grounds. In 1992, Colorado Gov. Roy Romer (D-CO) attacked President George H.W. Bushs economic policies, only to have the White House turn off the loud speakers on him, according to a Washington Post report.

So the NGA meetings were tinged with partisanship even though they werent supposed to be. But never has a president  especially in their second month of office  completely dissed an entire party and shuttled them away from the press availability.

Trump did this because he doesnt want Democratic governors to be heard by the press. He knows they dont agree with him on policy, and they have legitimate concerns about his ties to Russia.

Instead of allowing a public fight, Trump did what a totalitarian would do, and tried to shut down the Democrats all together. No disagreements allowed. Power is centralized with Trump only, and complete subservience to President Trump is required.

This is decidedly un-democratic, and in that sense, only feeds the Russian smoke billowing around Trump, for Putins main goal is to undermine western democracy.
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Donald Trump is still having trouble staffing his administration and he really needs to stop blaming the Democrats. And this is not his only problem, as the hated press showed what the administration calls fake news is actually the real news and that once again the press was right and the White House was wrong.

Earlier this month he lost his nominee for Army Secretary when billionaire Vincent Viola found it impossible to separate himself from his business interests. Now, another rich guy, financier Philip Bilden Trumps pick for Navy Secretary, has withdrawn his name due to ethics requirements he realized he will not be able to satisfy:

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.

Or, as Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said of Bildens reasons,

This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests.

To make matters worse, Sean Spicer said this was not going to happen despite reports to the contrary from the hated press. As intrepid Toronto Star fact-checker Daniel Dale tweeted,

Trump's choice for Navy secretary has withdrawn, as CBS reported he would and Spicer said was totally false. https://t.co/qZ29si1f3m  Daniel Dale (@ddale8) February 27, 2017

This was in response to Sean Spicers vehement denial a week earlier

Those people would be wrong. Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm. https://t.co/AfRZfQQCzG  Sean Spicer (@PressSec) February 18, 2017

Of an even earlier CBS News report by White House correspondent Major Garrett (you see why Trump wants to avoid the White House correspondents dinner):

News: Am told by two people familiar with the matter that Navy Secretary nominee Philip Bilden is likely to withdraw  cld b this weekend.  Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) February 18, 2017

This is all very embarrassing, which is why the White House let the news out during the Oscars when few would be paying attention. And no wonder: Flynn resigned, Harward declined to be his replacement, Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration for Labor Secretary

There is symmetry at least in the recurring theme of Bilden withdrawing his name due to the requirement to separate personal from business interests, something Trump himself refuses to do. We dont yet know what will happen with Trumps Air Force Secretary nominee Heather Wilson.

The decision has set twitter a-crowing over Trumps discomfiture and sent Trump scurrying to find another suitable rich white guy to run the government. People are all too ready to see this as another example of a man who doesnt want to serve Trump/Putin or to tie himself to a sinking ship, despite the reasons given.

CBS News said Bilden would withdraw. Sean Spicer said CBS News sources were wrong. CBS News sources were right. Bildens withdrawal was not fake news, but actual news. Score 1 for the press.
Watchdog and Public Service reporter

Thad Moore is a reporter on The Post and Couriers Watchdog and Public Service team and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. To share tips securely, reach Moore via ProtonMail at thadmoore@protonmail.com or on Signal at 843-214-6576.
Muslims say; religious freedom for me, but not for thee.



The Golden Rule and other reciprocity sayings indicate that what we grant ourselves or some others should also be granted to everyone. This would include the right to critique religions and governments.



Islam and its Muslim adherents are quite vocal in denigrating other religions and political system, yet say that others who denigrate Islam and Sharia should be penalized in various ways, --- even unto death.



Where I come from, reciprocity is fair play and all players in a game play by the same rules. Islam and Muslims wants to win the God wars by having different restrictive rules for their interlocutors.



Should we respect and tolerate a religion that denies us the rights and play by the same rules that they enjoy?



If yes, please tell me why we should respect such a religion.



Regards

DL


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
Q: Our warranty for our 2010 Kia Rio was up to 75,000 miles. At 79,000 the engine light went on and we had the dealership check the problem. It turned out that three of our coils went bad. Could you please explain how important these coils are and if this particular car brand has problems with it?  E.H., Chicago

A: The coils that failed are the ignition coils. There is one for each cylinder and they create the high voltage needed to make the spark plugs spark. So, yes, they are very important. We are not familiar with any pattern of failures although it seems that Kia and Hyundai coils do not have as long a life as other manufacturers.

Q: A little over a year ago, we purchased a used 2010 Dodge Nitro Shock. When winter set in we realized that the heat did not come out of the floor vents as strong as it did other vents. No matter where you changed the setting to it would not come out the floor vents very strong. On very cold days your feet can get numb, while your face and head are burning. We replaced an actuator after diagnosing it online. The actuator moves (we tried it before installing it), but it doesn't open the floor vent. The dealer we bought it from wants to put in a new "heater box" to the tune of $1,500. Others say the actuator needs to be calibrated. Your thoughts?  C.F., Lake County, Ill.

A: Door actuators need to be initialized after installation and a scan tool is required to do it. The dealer has the equipment, but so do many independent repair shops. Try this first, as it is much cheaper than replacing the whole HVAC box.

Q: The fuel gauge needle is stuck on full and has not moved in many miles on my 1986 Monte Carlo. The mechanic told me the repairs are a big job and that the float in the tank may be stuck. Can it be fixed?  A.L., Addison, Ill.

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A: GM had issues with that vintage of autos due to sulfur in gas damaging the sender unit. The fuel tank must be removed to replace the sender and the labor can become expensive. Almost anything can be fixed except, according to comedian Ron White, stupid.

Q: When a vehicle is featured in a newspaper article the description usually includes the make, model, gas mileage, horsepower, features, interior space, length, width, and sometimes the price as tested. Generally the description does not include the vehicle weight. Most car enthusiasts know that a quick reference guide to vehicle performance is the weight to horsepower ratio. Is the vehicle weight purposely excluded by the article author or by the manufacturer to conceal this factor for buyer consideration?  J.K., Glen Ellyn, Ill.

A: We do not think that carmakers are trying to deceive you. It is a matter of how much information is valuable to the greatest number of potential buyers. Besides, the curb weight varies depending on how the vehicle is equipped. Does it have a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine? Automatic or manual transmission? Is the interior the base or luxury edition? What kind of wheels and tires does it have? Perhaps you can extrapolate the weight of the car based on its gross vehicle weight rating that appears on the driver's door sticker.
WINONA  A live falcon show will be held at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Winona Friendship Center, offering an opportunity for kids and parents to see three live falcons.

The falcon show is free. The program is sponsored by the Winona Bird Club, Hiawatha Valley Audubon.

Abbie Kumrie, former education director of education of the Raptor Education Group, will be on hand to answer questions. Kumrie specializes in kid-friendly programs and has worked for the National Wage Center in Wabasha. The friendship center is located at 251 Main St., Winona.

The falcon show also underscores the conservation success in America with regard with Peregrine falcons. The falcons had vanished from the upper Mississippi and eastern region of the country by the early 1970s. Scientists discovered that the pesticide DDT changed the peregrine's biology, causing it to lay eggs so thin that they cracked when adults incubated them. And even when the eggs hatched, the adults would not care for them.

The federal government banned DDT and other pesticides in 1972. Today, people can see eagle nests on the Mississippi and falcons defending their nests at Bay State and other locations.
Two months ago is the time transpired since Sheryl and I left Rochester for Joliet. Upon our return last week, I did not expect to see much change. I had a surprise awaiting me.

Driving north on Broadway from downtown, I was happy to see ground broken on the long-delayed construction of the mammoth hotel-retail-office space building at the corner of Broadway and Center Street. I have to hand it to the team at Titan Development & Investments for the persistence and faith that the project would be built. Gus and Andy Chafoulias and their partners must be very proud to add another tower to Rochester's ever-growing skyline.

In Joliet, another of my solid-Greek friends is Nick Macris. He labels a technique that typically gets him what he wants. He calls it the "Greek Death Grip." Nick applied the uber-firm handshake on me minutes after I reunited with him at a Joliet Kiwanis Club meeting. Grasping my right hand resolutely up to my forearm, looking me dead straight in the eyes, he said, "Randy, I want you to come to lunch with me and meet Jim Watts, executive director of the Joliet Family YMCA."

"Uh-oh," I thought. "This smells more like an invitation to join a board than merely to have a friendly lunch at Al's, Joliet's premier steakhouse." When I learned that Nick had invited fellow Family Y board member Eric Hanson, also a longtime friend of mine, I was certain about a board-ask set-up.

Long-story short: Yup, an invitation to join the Family Y board was extended post-lunch over coffee. As I did during the first weeks and months when I arrived in Rochester, and when board membership invitations were extended to me, I demurred, pleading time needed to settle myself before committing to volunteer activities and obligations.

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(Sub-head here?)

The two-fold incentive for return to Rochester was for an annual physical exam at Mayo Clinic and also to have state and federal taxes returns prepared. As it turned out, both events occurred the same day, so please give me extra points for stamina under duress. Postscript: Both ordeals were less painful than imagined.

The greater salve on the three-day visit was follow-through on a promise with friends that Sheryl and I would return and often. Bruce and Vikki Wolff threw open their front door with impeccable hospitality, assuring us that we also needed to traipse off and visit others. Yet, I was bothered just a little as Sheryl and I did not wish to treat their handsome home as a hotel with a very fine restaurant.

Assured thusly by the Wolffs, we did meet with others for every available lunch, supper and coffee break. I even came upon good friends about on every sidewalk as I walked from the parking ramp to Mayo's Baldwin Building.

Wednesday morning, Bruce invited me to be the guest geezer at "Geezer Coffee" at Dunn Bros. South. Sheryl said it was sad that Rochester has to import a geezer for an hour when one-upmanship prevails as we share harrowing tales of grand-parenting, politics and aging.

Thursday morning, just before we headed back to Illinois, I shoehorned a return to my Sunrisers Kiwanis Club for a merry breakfast meeting. Then we skedaddled out of town ahead of the late-week snowstorm.

Truth be told, we have more treasured friends than time this trip. Alas, we could not catch up with everyone. To those chums missed this go 'round, Sheryl and I pledge a redux return  but with an admonition: Didja know that Interstate 90 stretches two opposite directions? Like the Wolffs, the Chapmans have open-door hospitality in Joliet, too.
Mayo Clinic was in "growth mode" in 2016 as its net operating income fell to levels not seen since 2012, while revenues rose by 6.6 percent.

The 2016 financial report released this morning shows Mayo Clinic's net operating income was $475 million, down from $526.4 million in 2015. The operating margin for 2016 was 4.3 percent. That's a significant drop from 5.1 percent and 8.5 percent in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

However, revenue from current activities climbed to $10.99 billion from $10.3 billion in 2015.

Mayo Clinic added to its staff to end 2016 with 63,078 employees, an increase from 60,110 in 2015. Those numbers do not include medical residents, fellows and students.

Meanwhile, donations to Mayo Clinic grew in 2016 to $296 million from $277 in 2015 and $288 in 2014.

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Mayo Clinic Chief Financial Officer Kedrick Adkins discussed an early version of the report with reporters on Friday.

"2016 was a strong year for us. It reflects the continued investment that we're making in our organization, in the infrastructure as well as our people. It also reflects some of the economic challenges that are in the health care environment for patients and providers," he said. "We're in growth mode  6.6 percent growth that is characteristic of some strong revenue growth across the organization."

Investments in future

Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. John Noseworthy also lauded the 2016 results.

"Our strong financial performance enables Mayo to hire and retain the best talent, and invest in technology, facilities and our staff as we strive to deliver the best outcomes and service to our patients," he stated in the release that accompanied the annual report.

Adkins pointed to clinic's investments in facilities, its education systems and its technology as accounting for the drop in operating income. Its capital expenditures exceeded $600 million in 2016, which is exactly the same amount Mayo reported in 2015. Mayo Clinic reported that its total investment in the Destination Medical Center initiative grew to $9.5 million, up from the $8 million tally it listed in 2015.

"We recognize that we have to grow and expand. Our growth in expenses is reflective of the major projects we have under way," said Adkins. "The electronic health records and IT infrastructure update is a project that is in excess of $1 billion."

That project is mostly being driven by the Verona, Wis.-based health care giant Epic. However, Adkins says that more that $1 billion is not all going to Epic and reflects some of Mayo Clinic's internal costs.

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"It's not like demand is down," he said, emphasizing that Mayo Clinic's investment in facilities and people is what made 2016's report less impressive than those in 2015 and 2014. "Our volume growth was strong. Our revenue was up 6.6 percent. Surgery was up over 2 percent. ER visits were up by 3.5 percent."

Net revenue for medical services in 2016 was $9.22 billion, up from $8.62 billion in 2015.

Patients makes perfect

Mayo Clinic's total patient numbers have held steady the past few years. Mayo Clinic treated 1,318,800 patients in 2016, just 500 more than the 1,318,300 it treated in 2015. In 2014, 1,317,900 patients were seen by Mayo Clinic.

A decrease in income from for-profit initiatives and ventures did result in a much lower income tax bill for Mayo Clinic. In 2015, Mayo was charged $33 million for state and federal income taxes. That number dropped to $13 million in 2016.

"In 2015, we had a really big year for some of our venture activity. We were at a solid level in 2016, but not at the level of 2015," said Adkins.

Mayo Clinic was hurt by more than $25 million in losses in 2016 from Mayo Clinic Health System - Waycross, Georgia. It added Waycross as an affiliate in 2012. On Sept. 29, 2016, Mayo Clinic signed a non-binding memo of understanding with HCA Management Services to sell the Waycross facility, though that deal is still pending.

"It's a situation we continue to look at and manage. We're looking at finding another partner for Waycross. It's just taking a little longer than we hoped," said Adkins.

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In 2016, Mayo Clinic provided $83 million in unreimbursed charity care, which was an increase from $73 million in 2015. In addition, it provided $546 million in unreimbursed medical care for patients in Minnesota's Medicaid programs.

"From environmental stewardship efforts, community wellness initiatives and outreach to reduce health disparities among our most vulnerable citizens, Mayo Clinic is committed to giving back to our communities," said Mayo Clinic VP of Administration Jeff Bolton in the announcement.

Mayo Clinic reported $4.3 billion in net property and equipment, minus depreciation and amortization, at the end of 2016. That's up from $4.2 billion in 2015, though construction in process was down to $381 million from $411 in 2015.

Looking to 2017

After a building year, what does 2017 look like for Mayo Clinic?

"More of the same," said Adkins. "Mayo being in growth mode will continue to hold true for 2017."

The investment in the medical records change over to the Epic system and other technology upgrades will continue.

"For the next two to three years, we'll see our financials reflect the work that we're doing at rebuilding that technology," he said. "At the same time, we're clearly making investments in our physical facility, research and education."

Adkins added that more staff will also be needed to support that growth, so expects to see Mayo Clinic's employee number to continue to grow in 2017 and 2018.

-----

Other Mayo Clinic revenues

 Cafeteria revenue $40 million in 2016, $38 million in 2015, $37.5 million in 2014 and $38 million in 2013.

 Retail pharmacy sales $278 million in 2016, $281 million in 2015, $251.4 in 2014 and $164.2 in 2013.

 Royalties $61 million in 2016, $65 million in 2015, $52 million in 2014 and $38.4 million in 2013.

 Retail stores $53 million in 2016, $41 million in 2015, $20 million in 2014 and $24.8 million in 2013.

 Graduate medical, other education $35 million in 2016, $31 million in 2015, $43 million in 2014 and $66.4 million in 2013.

 Oil- and gas-producing activities $11 million in 2016, $14 million in 2015, $23.8 million in 2014 and $700,000 in 2013.

 Other $209 million in 2016, $182 million in 2015, $192 million in 2014 and $169.4 million in 2013.
Rochester International Airport passengers will have more daily flights to Chicago this summer, thanks to United Airlines.

Airport officials announced this morning that United will add three round-trip daily flights to Chicago O'Hare Airport, starting on June 8.

United's arrival is a boon for the airport, which has been trying to expand flights in recent years.

"The addition of this service will provide 150 new departing seats per day, which is a capacity increase of 35 percent for our community," stated airport Executive Director John Reed in the announcement of the new flights.

Adding more flights has been a goal, since Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center initiative began. While the city of Rochester owns the airport, Mayo Clinic is contracted to manage it via its Rochester Airport Co.

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"Transportation to Rochester has emerged as a major theme in our destination planning for our patients and the community. Mayo Clinic established the airport in 1928 and has always bee one of its strongest supporters," stated Mayo Clinic's Medical Director of Public Affairs Dr. John T. Wald in the release announcing the new flights.

Rochester International Airport typically serves almost 240,000 passengers from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin each year.

This follows American Airlines expanding its daily flights from four to five in 2015.

Of course, Rochester International also lost some flights in 2015, when Delta Air Lines pulled the plug on daily flights to Detroit, just seven months after introducing them with great fanfare and a press conference at the airport. Delta continued to offer daily flights to Minneapolis and Atlanta.

That was not the first time Delta has ended flights from Rochester to Detroit. It killed a similar service back in 2011.
MINNEAPOLIS  Keith Ellison isn't accustomed to losing. He won big in the last eight elections he's been involved in  the last six provided him a seat in Congress for a Minneapolis-area district. And Ellison was willing to walk away from the U.S. House to run a beleaguered Democratic Party.

But Ellison lost the DNC chair's race Saturday to former Obama administration Labor Secretary Tom Perez, 235 votes to 200. So he's staying put.

"I absolutely will remain in the House of Representatives," said Ellison.

He also accepted an on-stage ask from Perez to be deputy chair of the party.

About an hour later, the two stood side-by-side talking to reporters. Perez was wearing a campaign button with Ellison's name and Ellison wore one from Perez. They said the coalition had been in the works well before the chair's race was decided, which happened on a second ballot.

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"We've spoken about it for some time," said Perez. "Neither of us document the days, but we've spoken about it for some time because we think it's really important. And I'm very honored that we're here together because we're the embodiment of good synergy."

Ellison says that as deputy he expects to be a go-between for the national party and Democrats in Congress as they work to counter President Trump's agenda.

Both men say they hope their show of unity will ripple through a party still trying to patch a rift from last year's presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Ellison had strong backing among the Sanders faction.

"There's no one, not just the two of us, but there's no one in this race that wanted to win at any cost," said Perez. "This race is not about Keith Ellison, it's not about Tom Perez."

Minnesota DFL Party Chair Ken Martin said for the sake of the party, Ellison's new role needs to be more than symbolic.

"For me personally, I hope it is more than just a ceremonial post," said Martin. "I hope Keith is part of the inner sanctum of making decisions at the DNC and really helping drive their agenda as we move forward. Only time will tell whether or not that's going to happen. I certainly think for Tom Perez and the DNC right now, it's really incumbent on them to bring all of the supporters of Congressman Ellison into the party."

Until his term ended Saturday, former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was one of several vice chairmen of the party. He was in Ellison's corner in the race.

Rybak said even in losing, Ellison's stature has risen tremendously.

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"Keith Ellison always had a lot of support around the country, but he's now, I believe, the leading voice of progressives who want to engage in the system and make it better," said Rybak.

Rybak said he shared words of encouragement with the congressman as the race came to an end.

"I hugged Keith backstage and said, 'I've been proud of you in the past but I've never been more proud of you than the way you handled this.' It'll be hard for a few days and there will be times in a couple months from now where he'll question 'Could I have done this or that?' But the reality is he did every single thing he could and came within an eyelash."

Ellison seemed prepared for either outcome before any ballots were cast. In an interview with MPR News on the eve of the DNC election, Ellison spoke about what-ifs and said he would remain "in the fight no matter what happens."

"I love being in Congress," said Ellison. "I mean the highest honor I have ever received anywhere and anytime other than being a parent or a husband is to represent the people of the 5th Congressional District. I would return to that seat with tremendous honor and renewed vigor."

Closer to home, Ellison's return to Congress heads off a scramble for his seat that had already drawn several DFL candidates-in-waiting.
LOUISVILLE  Supervisor Jay Twomey and Plant Manager John Dale, of Ash Grove Cement, were presented with Patriot Awards Feb. 22, by Lou Wagner, Nebraska Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer and Area Chair in recognition of extraordinary support of their employee serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Both were nominated for being highly supportive of the Iowa National Guard by their Reserve Component employee, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin Altman, who is currently deployed.

Altman noted Ash Grove and his supervisors there always take the time to thank him for his service and never hesitate when he notifies them of any military duty which takes him away from the job. He also stated the company matches his 401k during his deployment.

The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them have answered their nations call to serve, said Wagner. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nations Guard and Reserve units.

Ash Grove is the largest American-owned producer of cement and the sixth largest producer of cement in the United States. The company has continued to grow throughout the years and now consists of eight cement plants and two deep water import terminals. In addition, Ash Grove has subsidiaries consisting of ready-mix companies, aggregate companies, packaged materials companies, and a paving company.

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.
Minnesota legislators appear eager to get the issue of Sunday liquor sales decided early in the legislative session.

The Minnesota Senate is expected to vote today on a bill to allow liquor store sales on Sundays. One week ago, the Minnesota House overwhelmingly passed a similar bill.

Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, is the author of the Sunday sales bill. He said he is optimistic the Senate will do something its never done before  vote in favoring of allowing liquor stores to sell booze on Sundays. He said lawmakers are being lobbied intensely by citizens who favor the change.

"This is the strongest grassroots effort by the people that I've seen on any issue during my time in the Senate. Based on my count, I'm confident we have the votes to pass the bill," Miller said.

Even if the Senate passes Miller's bill, that might not be the end of the Sunday liquor sales debate. Miller's bill is slightly different than the House version. It would allow liquor sales between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The House bill would allow stores to open an hour earlier. Miller's bill also prohibits merchandise from being delivered by wholesalers on Sundays.

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At this point, Miller said he is not planning to amend his bill so it matches the House language. That means the House could pass Miller's bill language or there would need to be a House-Senate conference committee to iron out the differences.

Walz wants special prosecutor

First District DFL Rep. Tim Walz wants a special prosecutor appointed to investigate possible contact between Russia and officials with President Donald Trump's campaign. In a statement, Walz cited recent media reports that the White House asked the FBI to knock down reports that Trump associates were in contact with Russian intelligence agents.

"The need for independent investigations, free of political influence or calculations, into the full scope of the Putin-Russia attack on our democracy has become more evident in recent days than ever before," Walz said in a statement.

The Mankato Democrat is also co-sponsor of a bill to establish a National Commission on Foreign interference in the 2016 Election..

Trump has dismissed allegations of improper contact between his associates and Russian officials via Twitter. He tweeted on Sunday, "Russia talk is 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!"

A big week for the budget

It's a big week in St. Paul when it comes to the budget.

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On Tuesday, the state's budget office will release its February budget forecast. That matters because those are the numbers lawmakers will rely on when crafting their two-year budget proposals.

The December forecast estimated that Minnesota would have a $1.4 billion budget surplus. If the surplus estimate drops, lawmakers will have less funding available for tax cuts and spending.
ST. PAUL  A local lawmaker wants to scrap a state law that requires judges to retire at the age of 70.

Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, has introduced a bill to get rid of the mandatory retirement age for judges. She said requiring judges to step down at the age of 70 is arbitrary.

"It strikes me there is no other area where we welcome and appreciate age discrimination, which is what it is. And it seems to me that it is very counterproductive to impose an age limit on a profession where longevity and wisdom are benefits," Liebling said.

Minnesota is one of 32 states in the nation with a mandatory retirement age for judges, according to the National Center for State Courts . Iowa requires judges retire by age 72. Wisconsin has no mandatory retirement age for judges. In November, Pennsylvania voters approved a constitutional amendment to boost the retirement age for judges to 75. Meanwhile, a ballot measure in Oregon to eliminate that state's mandatory retirement age failed last year.

Meanwhile, Clay County District Court Judge Galen Vaa filed a lawsuit against the state last year arguing the mandatory retirement age law is unconstitutional.

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While most states have put restrictions on how old a judge can be to serve, that's not the case at the federal level. U.S. Supreme Court justices are appointed for life but can choose to retire.

Liebling's bill has gotten bipartisan support. Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe is a co-sponsor. Meanwhile, Rochester GOP Sen. Dave Senjem has introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Senjem said he thinks it is worth discussing whether it is a good idea to have a mandatory retirement age for judges.

Senjem, who is 74, said he knows plenty of people older than 70 who are still able to do their jobs well.

"Let's just air (the bill) out and see where it lands and have the conversation," Senjem said. "I know individuals at 70 who are perfectly able to think and decide and make wise decisions, in my opinion. So why do we have this mandatory age of 70 for a judge?"

Liebling said the main argument she hears against her bill is that there are bad judges, and the mandatory retirement rule helps get rid of them. The Rochester Democrat said it would make more sense to have a process to get rid of bad judges based on their actions  not their age.

She added, "Yes, there are some bad judges who probably should retire. There are also some good judges who are forced to retire. I just don't think drawing an arbitrary age limit is really a beneficial thing to do for the state."
MINNEAPOLIS  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 might 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."

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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 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.

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.

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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."
There was a bizarre incident at the Minneapolis Institute of Art today: a fight broke out in an 18th Century European art gallery. Almost equally remarkable is the manner in which my local newspaper, the Star Tribune, reported the altercation: Punches thrown when fight erupts inside Minneapolis Institute of Art; one involved had look of neo-Nazi.

The Stribs report begins:

A shoving match broke out in a most unlikely place, the typically serene Minneapolis Institute of Art, where three people who appeared to be neo-Nazis fought with several others in another group of activists, a witness said Sunday. Security guards arrived at the mayhem late Saturday afternoon on the museums third floor, broke up the confrontation and had one of the reputed neo-Nazis pinned to the floor, said museum visitor Will Bildsten.

So far the story is all about neo-Nazis. Or, anyway people who appeared to be neo-Nazis. But it takes two to make an altercation, and the Strib describes the other group as activists. So keep reading:

Institute Director Kaywin Feldman said some of those involved in the incident were among roughly two dozen people staging a protest outside the museum in opposition to anti-immigration sentiment in the United States. They hoisted a banner with slogans in Spanish and English: Una clase, una lucha  contra fronteras [a class, a struggle  against borders]! and below that, Dont deport our fellow workers.

Aha! So the activists involved in the fight were open borders protesters who had been outside the museum.

When the group said to look like neo-Nazis entered the admission-free museum, several from the protest outside followed, Feldman said.

So three people said to look like neo-Nazis went into the museum, and the open borders protesters followed them, which apparently is what precipitated the fight. Indeed, the account confirms that it was the open borders protesters who attacked at least one of the neo-Nazis:

The adversaries made their way to the third floor amid the 18th-century European art, where the tension turned physical, the director said. She said one person among the trio was attacked but didnt want to press charges.

A witness describes what led up to the fight:

Vijit Nanda, visiting the museum with Bildsten, said, I heard voices that were louder than usual for a museum. There [was] a large man with a buzz cut arguing loudly with some people. They were getting in each others faces and quickly started pushing each other.

Are people with buzz cuts neo-Nazis?

When the fight was over, the open borders protesters marched away in what sounds like military formation:

As he and Bildsten were leaving that part of the museum, a group of people dressed in mostly darker colors walked out in front of us chanting and pumping their hands in the air, Nanda said. I honestly do not remember the exact words, but it was something along the lines of Nazi scum get off our streets!'

The Strib article concludes:

Once the guards broke up the clash, The anti-fascists marched off in a line, [Bildsten] said.

When a bunch of guys dressed in black chant and pump their hands in the air while marching in a line, you know they are anti-fascists.

The Strib does its best to obscure the fact, but it seems clear that the aggressors in the altercation were the open borders protesters. Meanwhile, is there any reason to think that the people they attacked were actually neo-Nazis? The evidence comes from william o bildstens Twitter feed:

Witnessed neo-Nazi demonstration today within the Minneapolis Institute Arts w/ my friend (1st-gen immigrant) on way to Protest exhibit #wtf  william o bildsten (@wbildsten) February 26, 2017

The Protest exhibit is a photography exhibit that is described here. Was there a neo-Nazi demonstration inside the museum? That isnt how the newspaper described what happened, but Bildsten is their primary witness.

Protesting neo-Nazis "guarded" 16th century-ish European art near exhibit with photog of Ghandi and MLK. Organized by evil 'Identity Europa'  william o bildsten (@wbildsten) February 26, 2017

Is this true? I have no idea. Bildstens Twitter feed suggests that he is a pretty intelligent lefty.

That is where the story sits at the moment. It appears that a group of pro-illegal immigration protesters followed another group into the museum, accosted them and started a fight. The other group may or may not have been neo-Naziswho, for what it is worth, are not exactly a major political force in Minneapolis. Nevertheless, the Star Tribunes account focuses on the maybe-Nazis and goes easy on the anti-fascists who march around chanting, with clenched fists in the air.

Stay tuned. There may be more to come.

UPDATE: I believe this short paragraph has been added to the Star Tribune story:

Fliers handed out by the protesters outside identified the participants as with the defense arm of the Industrial Workers of the World union.

I like that defense arm. But the other guys are the fascists!

PAUL adds: The modern-day incarnation of the Industrial Workers of the World is a nasty group with thuggish tendencies. I hope the guys with buzz-cut won the fight (unless it turns out that they actually are neo-Nazis).
Our friend Tevi Troy has an article in Politico about what he perceives to be a three-way split in conservatism produced by the Trump ascendancy. Tevi identifies the three branches as (1) ever-Trumpers, the presidents ardent supporters; (2) conservative critics; and (3) safe-space conservatives.

Members of the third group are trying to find a safe space by focusing their attention on media bias against Trump and the excesses of anti-Trump protesters. They are anti-anti-Trump. As for their view of the president, it fluctuates. In Tevis words, they will be discomfited some days, and exhilarated the next; sometimes these extremes will happen on the same day.

Tevi sees the three-way split he describes as akin to the arguments that helped define and solidify a movement in the 1960s and 1970s [that] helped move conservatism towards governing and electoral successes in the 1980s. He adds:

As fascinating as these divisions are within the conservative movement, these splits can also have important implications for the future of America. Whichever group wins over conservatism will likely dominate the Republican party for the foreseeable future. With that party controlling the White House, Congress, and a majority of state houses and governors mansions, the direction of the GOP will also help determine the policy direction of the country. What seems like an intramural squabble among talking heads and scribblers could emerge as the start of a defining moment in 21st century political history.

Yet, the ideological content of the three-way split does not quite live up to this billing. The split between the conservative critics and the safe-space conservatives strikes me as more about attitude and tactics than ideas.

The critics are inclined to speak out when they disagree with Trump. The safe-spacers are inclined to hold their fire, at least for now. But its not clear that the two camps differ much as to the merits of whatever they are criticizing (or refraining from criticizing).

The ever Trumpers diverge ideologically from the other two groups, but how much? In Tevis telling, their view of conservative critics of Trump has at least as much to do with anger over lack of support for their man as it does with sharp ideological differences.

To illustrate a split on ideas, Tevi cites an article on foreign policy by Michael Anton, who wrote as Publius Decius Mus during the campaign and now works for the Trump administration. Last Fall, Decius clashed with some conservatives after he dubbed the contest between Trump and Clinton The Flight 93 Election. His thesis, expressed in the opening sentence, was:

2016 is the Flight 93 election: charge the cockpit or you die. You may die anyway. Youor the leader of your partymay make it into the cockpit and not know how to fly or land the plane. There are no guarantees.

This was hardly a ringing endorsement of Donald Trumps merit as a leader. It was mainly a commentary on how bad the alternative to Trump was. The dispute over the Flight 93 election can be viewed as more about attitude and strategy than ideology.

What about Antons foreign policy piece? Im certainly not an ever Trumper. Yet as I re-read Antons article, I didnt find much with which sharply to disagree.

Antons argument is that the liberal international order that Trump critiques is not an end, but a means to preordained ends. The ends it should serve are peace, prestige, and prosperity for America and Americans.

In Antons view, the liberal international order continues, for the most part, to serve these ends. But there are important exceptions that require correction.

The main exception, for Anton (as, it appears, for Trump) is trade. The second is our alliance structure. The third is democracy promotion.

Anton doesnt call for abandoning NATO, though (Trump hasnt either). He argues only for making it more relevant. The devil is in the details, of course, but I doubt that Trumps conservative critics are wedded to keeping NATO just as it is.

The only detail Anton mentions is not pushing NATO any closer to Russia. This is an issue that likely will divide conservatives, but it doesnt seem like the basis for a schism.

Turning to democracy promotion, Anton points to differences among conservatives as to just how viable democracy is in some parts of the world and, relatedly, how valuable it is in serving the U.S. interest in maintaining peace and stability. The debate is interesting, but probably not of great moment. I know of few conservatives who these days want to build American foreign policy around democracy promotion. Indeed, the extent to which conservatives have wanted this in the past has been overstated, in my view.

Finally, there is trade. Here the rift may be significant. Anton says the Trump administration is right to be skeptical of free trade ideology and to revisit trade policy based on core interests and commercial realities.

Sure. But if, in practice, this ends up meaning restrictive trade policies, then the administrations approach will divide conservatives on a matter of core concern. Such a division would be a two-way, not a three-way, split. Would the two-sides co-exist within a single conservative movement? Im not sure.

In the end, I agree with Tevi that the Trump administration stands a good chance of producing ideological divisions that might well reshape conservatism. I suspect, though, that it will be the approach President Trump takes to some issue or crisis not yet on the horizon that brings this about.
For the 20-plus years my friend Bruce Sanborn served as chairman of the Claremont Institute, we attended the annual meeting of the America Political Science Association over Labor Day weekend. At the APSA convention we attended the panels sponsored by the Claremont Institute. It was our idea of a good time.

In those panels we heard a lot about the administrative state, frequently from Professor John Marini. Professor Marini had written about it in The Politics of Budget Control in 1992 and continued to deepen his understanding of the subject over the years. It took me a long time to understand the reference. Now it has become a thing thanks to the ascendance of Steve Bannon to his perch in the White House and his comments at CPAC last week, discussed by Paul in the adjacent post.

You may have heard that our own Steven Hayward has a new book that is available now on Amazon. I read the book in galley and think it is the best book I have read since Philip Hamburgers Is Administrative Law Unlawful? of 2014. Steve is a gifted teacher and a born storyteller, qualities that are prominently on display in his new book.

Steves book presents a lucid account of the development of the most important strand of contemporary American conservatism. It a brilliant and invaluable book. The themes of Steves book culminate in his account in chapter 9 of the administrative state as developed in the work of certain students of Leo Strauss and Harry Jaffa. The new issue of Claremont Review of Books adapts Steves chapter 9 on The Administrative State and the End of Constitutional Government into an essay under the heading The threat to liberty that the CRB has placed online at our request. By all means buy and read Steves book. If you read nothing else about the administrative state, read Steves essay adapted from the book.

Studying administrative law in law school, I dont think we read anything that raised questions about the legitimacy of the agencies giving rise to to it. We took it as a given and picked up the story with the passage of the Administrative Procedure Act in 1946. We should have taken a look at the question of legitimacy in constitutional law, and probably did, though the standard New Deal account I would have received is extremely misleading.

Exercising executive, legislative and judicial powers, the agencies are a constitutional anomaly. When it comes to a government of limited powers based on the powers allocated and divided among the three branches, the administrative agencies dont really fit. I am honor bound to add that the Supreme Court doesnt quite see things my way, although Douglas Ginsburg spells out elementary principles (and cites some relevant case law) in Legislative powers: Not yours to give away.

Judge Ginsburg quoted James Madison in Federalist No. 47 for the proposition that the accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. Having Madison as your authority on the Constitution is not too shabby unless you think that history has rendered his teaching moot and his handiwork obsolete.

In The Constitution and the New Deal (reviewed here by the late Professor Richard Morgan), Professor G. Edward White quotes William Howard Taft eulogizing Chief Justice Edward White for his contributions to the new field of administrative law. Taft singled out cases reviewing actions of the Interstate Commerce Commission (RIP), the granddaddy of the supposedly independent regulatory agencies. Taft said that:

[t]he Interstate Commerce Commission was authorized to exercise powers the conferring of which by Congress would have been, perhaps, thought in the earlier years of the Republic to violate the rule that no legislative powers can be delegated. But the inevitable progress in exigencies of government and the utter inability of Congress to give the time and attention indispensable to the exercise of powers in detail forced the modification of the rule. Similar necessity caused Congress to create other bodies with analogous relations to the existing legislative, executive, and judicial machinery of the Federal Government, and these in due course came under the examination of this court. Here was a new field of administrative law which needed a knowledge of government and an experienced understanding of our institutions safely to define and declare.

In the beginning, the Supreme Court distinguished between the administration of a law clearly written by Congress and the wholesale delegation of lawmaking powers to these agencies under the rubric of rule making. But a funny thing happened on the way to the administrative forum. Congress has been more than happy to cede its powers and its legislative responsibilities in exchange for political cover. Now it cant be blamed for unpopular policies. The agencies, unaccountable or removable, are to blame. Hadley Arkes observes in The Return of George Sutherland: The political branchescollaborated in creating these odd offices that did not fit the logic of the separation of powers.

Over time, the scope of agency rule making has become ever broader and less confined. The federal administrative agencies have grown like Topsy, wielding authority over every corner of our lives. Insofar as our rights and liberties are concerned, the administrative state in the Age of Obama achieved proportions reflecting a crisis. Something  more than something  many things have gone haywire since the Progressive era and the New Deal.

Every year the agencies expand their reach and become less accountable. A Democratic Congress joined with Obama to open up whole new frontiers in administrative governance, starting with Obamacare, but Obamacare was only the beginning. Consider, for example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its administrative structure, as described by Todd Zywicki (more here):

A centerpiece of the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation was the creation of a new Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) within the Federal Reserve. Few bureaucratic agencies in American history, if any, have combined the vast power and lack of public accountability of the CFPB. It is an independent agency inside another independent agency, presided over by a single director who is insulated from presidential removal. Additionally, the Board is outside of the congressional appropriations process. Finally, its actions are unreviewable by the Federal Reservethey can be checked bureaucratically only by a supermajority vote of the Financial Stability Oversight Council finding that the Boards actions imperil the safety and soundness of the American financial services industry.

The CFPB brings us the reductio ad absurdum of the administrative state. The legal structure around the CFPP is designed precisely to insulate it from political accountability. It is a design better suited for a government of unlimited powers conducive to tyranny rather than to a government of limited powers conducive to freedom. One wonders if the Supreme Court will ever return to first principles or set some limits on how far the agencies can be removed from political accountability. That would be a beginning.

As I looked around online for scholarship that would help me understand the dubious constitutionality of the administrative state, I discovered that Professor Hamburgers book Is Administrative Law Unlawful? was forthcoming in 2014 from the University of Chicago Press. Professor Hamburgers book addressed the question I wanted answered. Spoiler alert: His answer regarding the purported constitutionality and legality of the administrative regime was No! in thunder (as Melville said of the grand truth about Nathaniel Hawthorne).

Urging the editors of National Review to review the book when it came out, I was instead sent a review copy by Rich Lowry and Michael Potemra. They invited me to put up. For me the book represented an awakening. Thats what I tried to convey in my review of the book.

In addition, we posted an interview with Professor Hamburger on Power Line. The Library of Law & Liberty posted an outstanding podcast with Professor Hamburger that remains accessible online. Hillsdale Colleges Kirby Center hosted Professor Hamburger for a fantastic lecture about the book upon its publication (video below).

Last year the Manhattan Institute awarded Is Administrative Law Unlawful its Hayek Book Prize. The institute has posted Professor Hamburgers Hayek Lecture here with a preface by Amity Shlaes and an introduction by former New York Times columnist John Tierney (video below).

Myron Magnet reviewed Professor Hamburgers book for the Manhattan Institutes City Journal in 2015 in The dead Constitution. The new issue of City Journal publishes Professor Hamburgers essay How government agencies usurp our rights. The same issue includes Adam Whites thematically related essay Break the bureaucracy!

My thanks to Paul and E.J. Dionne and Steve Bannon, for that matter, for giving me the occasion to revisit this subject. In his Hayek Lecture Professor Hamburger asserts that the question of the administrative state is the great civil liberties issue of our time. It is a thought that helps to put Steve Bannons comments last week in the appropriate context.
With Nigeria currently reputed as the worlds leading producer of shea nuts, the Nigerian Export Import Bank said it was ready to support the country to recover its lost capacity.

Of the estimated over 680,000 metric tons of shea nuts produced annually in West Africa, Nigeria accounts for over 370,000 metric tonnes, or 53 percent of the capacity, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Oil Seeds Association of Nigeria.

Shea trees, which grow wildly throughout the country, are predominantly in 21 of the 36 states of the federation.

The central bank said about 56 per cent of the production of shea nuts are exported, and the balance are either consumed locally, smuggled out of the country, resulting in a loss of nearly N345 million every year.

With current global demand for shea butter projected to grow from about $10 billion to more than $30 billion per annum by 2020, acting Managing Director of NEXIM, Bashir Wali, said the bank sees an opportunity to fund investments to boost the countrys production capacity.

NEXIM is interested in providing funding for increased proactive measures to reposition agricultural products, such as shea, as part of its non-oil export sector interventions in the agro-processing sub-sector, Mr. Wali said.

Mr. Wali was speaking during the visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Banking & Currency to Ladgroup Limited in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Ladgroup is Nigerias leading indigenous conglomerate, with a 40,000 metric tons per annum state of the art Oil Mill Extraction factory, the largest shea nuts processing factory in Africa.

With approximately 600,000 tons of shea nuts collected each year, the NEXIM MD said if the industrys full potentials were realized, it would serve as an important source of jobs and income to the country, particularly millions of poor and under-served communities.

Available statistics say nearly two billion shea trees grow naturally on park lands in 21 African countries, stretching from Senegal to South Sudan, with more than 16 million women living in rural communities individually collecting the fresh fruits and the kernel they process to extract a healthy vegetable oil known as shea butter they sell to earn a living, Mr. Wali said.

As a demonstration of the banks commitment to support the industry to grow, Mr. Wali said NEXIM Bank had in March 2015 approved about $5.8 million to Ladgroup Limited to set up a shea nut processing factory.

The facility, which covered equipment finance ($2.8 million) and working capital ($3million), helped the company to purchase and install a shea butter refining unit, a step down transformer and to augment its working capital base.

The factory is dedicated to sourcing and processing of shea nuts into shea butter for sale to both domestic and export markets.

Ladgroup said its target was on major European importing companies in the confectionary/ chocolate as well as cosmetics/pharmaceutical industries in Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and UK, which have a combined import capacity of over 95,000 metric tons annually.

Besides Ladgroup Limited, NEXIM Bank also provided working capital for Shea butter processing to Karite Oil Limited (formerly Fagow Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited) in Akure, Ondo State, for the 22MT capacity shea butter processing plant.

The MD said NEXIM Banks interest in shea nuts processing for export was as a result of the very high demand for shea butter, coupled with the impressive potentials for foreign exchange revenue stream as well as massive job creation opportunity at various levels of its value chain.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee, Jones Onyereri, who acknowledged NEXIM Banks contributions to the development of the Nigerian non-oil export sector, said the current economic recession has opened Nigerians eyes to the immense opportunities in the country beyond oil and gas, especially in agriculture and solid minerals.

The Chairman of Ladgroup Limited, B. A. Onafowokan, noted NEXIM Banks commitment to governments effort to diversify the countrys revenue base, especially through promotion of export-oriented investments in the non-oil sectors.

He said company planned to create about 300 direct and more than 600 indirect jobs as well as earn about $5million in the first year, and $100million in the next five years.

In addition to its traditional uses, such as cosmetics, soap, moisturizer, oil, wax, ointments and candles, shea butter is commonly used in the production of cocoa butter equivalents or improvers. About five percent content, by weight, is allowed under European Union regulations in chocolate, other confectionaries and margarine, creating even larger international markets for shea products, Mr. Onafowokan said.

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The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, on Monday said Arik Air, under its previous management, owed the International Air Transport Association, IATA, $78 million (about N25 billion).

Simon Tumba, Media Consultant to Arik Air, gave the figure while speaking with journalists in Lagos.

The airline was on February 9 taken over by the Federal Government under the auspices of AMCON as a result of its huge debt profile.

AMCON appointed Roy Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert, to manage the airline under the receivership of Oluseye Opasanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Mr. Tumba said the debt was for all aviation services provided under the platform of IATA, which recently suspended the airline from its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) and Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS).

Arik Air under the former management was owing everywhere they operated. Apart from the over N300 billion owed to AMCON, the airline also owes about N50 billion to Nigerian banks and another $78 million to IATA.

The airline was also in credit to their fuel suppliers and was not able to pay staff salaries for months.

There was no good corporate governance in Arik as most decisions were single-handedly taken by the executive chairman, he said.

According to him, out of the almost 30 aircraft in the airlines fleet, only about 10 are currently serviceable, which made the new management to reduce its routes and flight operations.

He said that the new management also discovered that Arik had no record of gains and losses of operations carried out in 2015.

Mr. Tumba said the management in collaboration with AMCON had appointed KPMG to carry out a forensic audit on the airline, and the result would be out in 10 weeks.

AMCON is not interested in liquidating Arik Air. We believe that the airline, which has one of the youngest fleet in Africa, can be turned around through good corporate governance and financial discipline.

The current management is looking at the backlog of salaries owed staff because the staff should be motivated to get the airline running properly.

The current management is working with government to add five aircraft to the fleet to increase its size and the airlines routes.

We have also resolved the issue of fuel supply, which has improved Arik Airs flight operations since the takeover, he said.

(NAN)

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Plattsmouth police officers arrested a Bellevue man Sunday afternoon for obstructing a police officer, using a weapon to commit a felony, having two outstanding Douglas County arrest warrants and possessing illegal drugs.

Police were called to investigate a disturbance at a residence in the 600 block of Fifth Avenue in Plattsmouth at about 5 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Austin Courcier, 25, of Bellevue approached the residence and used what appeared to be a gun to beat on the door.

According to Police Chief Steve Rathman, Courcier was allegedly at the residence with a woman regarding a child custody case. He, however, was not the father of the child in question.

Before the officers arrived, Courcier left the area in a vehicle. Assisted by Nebraska State Patrol and Omaha Police Departments Able 1, officers found that Courcier pulled into the driveway of a residence in the 18000 block of Webster Boulevard on the north side of town.

Upon seeing law enforcement, the suspect then left the vehicle and ran into the woods behind the residence. Courcier was later located and arrested just south of the Masonic Home on Avenue D. He was booked into the Cass County Jail for terroristic threats, obstruction a police officer, use of a weapon to commit a felony, two Douglas County arrest warrants and various other drug charges.
The Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, on Monday, sealed the offices of Kabo Airlines, Monaco Ventures Limited and Paki International Motors, all in Kano, over tax liabilities.

Kabo Airlines owes N149,707,949.03 from the assessment year of 2004 to 2013. According to the head of the enforcement team in Kano, Bukar Gana, the airlines liabilities are made up of Income Tax (IT) and Education Tax (ET). He explained that the company did not contest the liabilities, an action which led to the sealing of its premises on Ashton Road, Kano State.

Also sealed was Paki International Motors, which owes Company Income Tax (CIT) totaling N51,148,117.57, accumulated between 2008 and 2014.

The enforcement similarly sealed Prince Hotel (Sojuna Hotel) over N8,359, 680.76 liability from 2014 to 2016. In its defence, the hotel management pleaded that the default was as a result of non-disclosure of the liability by the companys tax auditor. It promised to pay 50 percent of the liability immediately and the remaining in April.

Phamadex Nigeria Limited, which owes withholding tax amounting to N572,331,.72 from 2014 to 2015 assessment year, presented evidence of payment of the liability. However, the company was yet to pay the penalty and interest that had accrued on the liability. The team gave the company the grace to pay up within 24 hours.

The FIRS team also visited the premises of Monaco Ventures Limited over an Education Tax debt of N385,922.50. The company was also sealed up by the team. The enforcement exercise continues in other parts of the country.

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The visiting delegation of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, led by its Secretary General, Mohammed Barkindo, on Monday joined millions of Nigerians and well-wishers to pray for the quick recovery and return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Buhari, who is currently in London, departed the country after writing the National Assembly on January 18 to notify the lawmakers of his decision to proceed on a 10-day vacation.

Though the vacation was to last for 10 days, the president extended it indefinitely for health reasons.

Since then, various groups and individuals, including the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, National Assembly and other well-wishers have trooped to the Nigeria House in London to visit and pray for the recovery of the President from an undisclosed illness.

On Monday, the OPEC delegation, led by Mr. Barkindo, a Nigerian, also prayed for Mr. Buhari.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Kachikwu, who received Mr. Barkindo and his delegation had spoken about the crucial role the President played towards the emergence of a Nigerian as the Secretary General of the oil producers group.

Mr. Kachikwu, who was reacting to Mr. Barkindos showers of commendation on him (the minister) for the support his candidacy received in the run up to the his elections, said all the accolades should rightly go to President Buhari.

The minister said the president not only believed in his judgment to have nominated Mr. Barkindo, but confirmed his candidature and did everything possible to ensure he emerged.

All the positive things he (Barkindo) has said about my role in his emergence as the Secretary General (of OPEC) I see it as him dressing me in borrowed robes. I believe all the commendation should rightly go to President Buhari who did everything possible to ensure a Nigerian emerged as the head of OPEC Secretariat, Mr. Kachikwu said.

While urging Nigerians to appreciate the President for his achievement, Mr, Kachikwu urged Mr. Barkindo, who is visiting Nigeria for the first time in his official capacity since his election, to request two members of his delegation  a Muslim and Christian  to offer prayers for the quick recovery of the President from his sickness and return back to the country.

I will rather request the Secretary General to ask two members of his delegation to pray for the quick recovery and return to the country of the President.

Nigerians have been praying for his recovery, but I dont trust their prayers are working quick enough. May be God will hear the prayers of our visitors quickly and heal the President and bring him home tomorrow, Mr. Kachikwu said jokingly.

Consequently, Mr. Barkindo nominated the Head of OPEC Petroleum Studies department, Ghanimi Fard, who offered prayers on behalf of Muslims, while Abiodun Ayeni, a Nigerian working at the OPEC Secretariat, also did so on behalf of Christians.

Mr. Barkindo, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was elected Secretary general of OPEC in June last year, and is in the country as part of his member country consultative visit.

He will also participate in the three -day 2017 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, which opened on Monday.

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The Private Sector Advisory Group of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Fund, UNSDGF, the first in Africa, is to be inaugurated in Nigeria with a mandate to mobilise private sector organisations willing to partner on ventures to help achieve the SDGs.

The Executive Director/co-Founder, Sahara Group, who is also a member of SDGFs Advisory Board, Tonye Cole, speaks on the role of the group and how it would inspire renewed public-private collaboration to promote inclusive growth and development in Nigeria. Excerpt:

PT: Whats the origin of the Advisory Group?

COLE: Following challenges by the United Nations in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund, SDG-F, in New York decided to inaugurate the private sector advisory group, PSAG, made up of 13 private sector organisations from across the world, to support the effort to find sustainable solutions to identified global problems.

The private sector was invited as a critical partner following observations by the UN that in many countries private companies carried out thriving corporate social responsibility projects with little or no involvement of the host governments.

PT: What has the group been doing since its inauguration?

COLE: Some of the key milestones of the PSAG since it was introduced include a workshop with various private sector organisations in Nigeria to create awareness on their role in the achievement of the SDGs; launch of a flagship project between the UN SDG-F, Sahara Group and Kaduna State government to achieve certain SDGs.

The group has also set up a local PSAG in Nigeria to coordinate public-private sector partnerships towards achieving the SDGs, while reporting same to the UN headquarters towards improving the global SDG ratings of the country.

PT: How would the PSAG advance the quest for the SDGs in Nigeria?

COLE: The group will guide the global counterpart and provide strategic support to achieve better development results in coordination with the private sector in Nigeria.

The group will assist in identifying areas of common interest and promote the sustainability of global public goods. The primary objective of establishing productive public-private partnerships with the private sector by offering suggestions on how to work more effectively with one another at the national level.

Besides, the group will work closely with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs to ensure that the global goals are achieved in Nigeria. We strongly believe that the achievement of the groups objectives will improve Nigerias global SDG ranking as well as the standard of living of numerous underprivileged Nigerians through the provision of sustainable solutions to basic problems.

PT: Which are the key partners driving the project in Nigeria to ensure effectiveness and sustainability?

COLE: The presidencys involvement through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs shows the high premium placed on the initiative by government. But, the caliber of key partners is also important. The list include Sahara Group, Growing Businesses Foundation; Lagos Business School, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited; United Nations Development Programme, Unilever Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, General Electric, Dangote Group and Channels Television.

All partners, working in collaboration with the presidency are confident the event will lay a solid foundation for sustainable public-private partnerships in Nigeria as we continue the quest to achieve the SDGs.

We intend to extend invitations to other committed and SDG-driven organisations to have wider geographical and cross sectoral representations. We believe the formal inauguration of the group in Nigeria will give impetus to ongoing and new initiatives aimed at accelerating socio-economic growth and development.

The focus of the group will be to increase public-private sector participation through advocacy and awareness; promotion of the development of practical and effective business models; improvement of capacity building for stakeholders; midwifing relevant dialogues between public and private stakeholders to provide alternative viewpoints and opportunities to engage.

The group will also determine deserving recipients of public-private ventures and allocate resources to projects that will promote inclusive economic growth.

PT: What does the project mean to Sahara Group as a member of the SDGFs advisory board and arrow head of the PSAG in Nigeria?

COLE: We at Sahara Group feel quite privileged to serve on the advisory board of the SDG-F. We treasure every activity and project we have been involved in across the globe. As a sustainability driven organisation, the project means a lot for us. Through our various personal and CSR initiatives implemented through Sahara Foundation, we have touched the lives of many beneficiaries and provided local solutions to global challenges in nine countries across the world where we operate.

Sahara is passionate about empowering people and providing opportunities for individuals, small businesses and communities to thrive and attain goals beyond imagination. If we could record such great success on our own, imagine the success potential that could come when organizations with a common goal come together to work with the government.

This is why we are passionate about the group. We believe it is a step in the right direction to achieve the SDGs. Through this newly set up vehicle, Sahara Group will continue to serve as an anchor that brings various players together for the benefit of Nigeria.

PT: Are there structures in place to integrate the PSAG in Nigeria with similar organisations around the world?

COLE: Absolutely, that is the plan. We have direct lines to the global PSAG. Our local group is a mirror of the global group. As the first to set up a local PSAG in Africa, Nigeria will encourage other member organisations to establish local chapters in their respective countries.

The ultimate aim of the local PSAG is to promote cross sectoral collaborations to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. We expect that there will be a lot of collaborative efforts with the global PSAG to explore how global social issues can be solved locally.

PT: What special requirements are there for corporate organisations or individuals seeking to be part of the group in Nigeria?

COLE: The PSAG is open to other committed sustainability driven private sector organisations and business leaders from various industries across Nigeria. However, there are restrictions as to how many members that can be accommodated at every point in time.

PT: Laudable projects like the PSAG sometimes receive mixed reactions as people tend to believe their usefulness will be short-lived. Why would make the PSAG project different?

COLE: Given the level of enthusiasm and commitment of all stakeholders to the vision of the project, I am confident that the PSAG has come to stay. With direction from the global PSAG as well as the support of sister groups in Africa and global development agencies, we can expect so much in terms of creativity, efficiency and sustainability.

The support from the Presidency and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs will also drive the initiative and encourage more participation from other stakeholders.

It is also important to note that the PSAG is strategically aimed at utilizing SDG 17 (partnership) to drive the adoption and implementation of the SDGs. Hence, the cross sectoral and cross border partnerships are the strength of this group which make it different from others.

PT: As part of its 20th anniversary activities, Sahara Group said it would establish an extrapreneurship hub to provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. Whats the hub up to?

COLE: The Sahara Hub, www.saharahub.com, is a technology powered convergence of youth and young adults to inspire innovation.

Through the extrapreneurship framework, Sahara will promote a common ground for shared expertise and capacity to help young entrepreneurs enhance their craft and businesses. This will ultimately enhance wealth creation and preservation. Over the next four years (2017- 2021), Sahara Foundation plans to directly impact 12 million Nigerian youth and create value through the identification, development and maintenance of relevant stakeholders through which beneficiaries can grow and sustain businesses.

This will be achieved through skills acquisition training, mentoring and access to a network of committed stakeholders.

The hub is expected to attract the most innovative entrepreneurial projects and connect them to the global village of social investors.

This platform will provide resource materials, inspire networking and collaboration on a mass scale for local, regional, national and global beneficiaries. The multiplier effect we hope to generate with the new model are the boundless opportunities young business owners would be exposed to within the various hubs.

Our dedicated web portal will be available for leading business individuals and organisations to guide and link budding extrapreneurs. We are particularly excited about the fact that this is a sustainable approach to empowering youth and engendering economic growth and development.

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The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has provided evidence it says proves the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, is behind the partys crisis.

A former Borno State governor, Ali Sheriff, was declared the authentic chairman of the PDP by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, two weeks ago.

The Makarfi faction has said it has appealed the decision at the Supreme Court.

Speaking Monday at a press conference in Abuja, the spokesperson of the Makarfi faction, Dayo Adeyeye, said the actions of some leaders of the APC have proven its allegations of instigating crisis in the PDP.

We have stated several times that the APC has its hand deep in the PDP crisis. There is no doubt that Sheriffs activities against the PDP are being aided and abated by the APC, he said.

For the record, just last week, the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, gave unsolicited advice that we should support Senator Sheriff. That is one instance of their meddlesomeness in the PDP affairs.

No doubt that Okorocha and Co. are happy that their man won at the Appeal Court but very much afraid that he could lose at the Supreme Court.

Also, we have it on good authority that the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has deployed his former Abuja Liaison Officer who was a former Intermediate Officer of the party, Mr. John Enebeli, among others to lure some members of staff in support of Senator Sheriff by promising them huge sums of money to offset their outstanding allowances, Mr. Adeyeye said.

He also said the same tactic being applied by Mr. Enebeli was made by Mr. Sheriff when he first assumed office as chairman.

No access to secretariat until Supreme Court verdict

Mr. Adeyeye also said the recent Court of Appeal judgment was based on the appeal filed by Mr. Sheriff against the judgment of Justice Liman of the FHC in Port Harcourt, which upheld the legality and constitutionality of the May 21st 2016 National Convention that took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and the Decisions arising therefrom.

He said because of that appeal, law enforcement agencies denied the National Caretaker Committee and the employees access to the partys National Secretariat.

Now that the party led by the National caretaker Committee has filed appeal against the recent judgment, the status quo ante remains until the determination of the Appeal to the Supreme Court, he said.

He called on the police and other relevant agencies as well as lovers of peace and democracy to ask Mr. Sheriff to also respect the on-going litigation processes.

The Police should ensure that Sheriff and Co. do not occupy the National Secretariat in order to avoid breakdown of law and order. We have noticed that the Police have taken sides in this matter perhaps because of directives of the APC but a stich in time saves nine, he said.

Mr. Sheriff had on Friday gained entrance to the Wadata Plaza secretariat of the party in company of some members of his National Working Committee, NWC, and supporters.

He told reporters that he was there to inspect the place and would resume fully on Tuesday this week.

Mr. Adeyeye however said Mr. Sheriff simply forced his way into the secretariat because the keys to the building are with the Board of Trustees, BoT, who, he said, are the Custodian of the Assets of the Party.

He cited Article 32(5) (e) of the PDP Constitution (As Amended in 2012).

We know that the keys of the Secretariat are still with the BoT but Sheriff entered by breaking the doors in an action totally unbecoming of a person who has been Governor of a State, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also claiming to be a National Chairman of a major Political Party.

We therefore demand that Senator Sheriff and Co. vacates the National Secretariat immediately, he said.

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The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court will on March 13 decide on an application for the retraction of a January 26 order withdrawing control of an oil block, OPL 245, from two multinational oil companies.

The oil firms, Shell and Eni, through their Nigerian subsidiaries, challenged the propriety of the Nigerian government withdrawing the oil block from them, pending the determination of a criminal matter.

The order was sought ex-Parte by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which said it was investigating the corruption surrounding the block.

OPL245 is considered one of Nigerias richest oil blocks and estimated to contain over 9 billion barrels of crude.

Apart from Shell and Eni, who want the block back, Malabu, the firm to which the block was originally assigned by the Nigerian government in 1998 under controversial circumstances, also sought to retake possession of the block.

At the opening g of session on Monday, the counsel representing Malabu, Abdullahi Haruna, asked the court to accept a fresh application, seeking the variation of the court order made on January 26.

The presiding judge, John Tsoho, however refused the application, stressing that the court was not initially aware of it and could not just suspend other matters to officially recognize the fresh application.

It is not just bringing up the application that matters but what could be achieved by bringing up the material. An application seeking variation of the order cannot be properly entertained. I hold that Malabus application for variation of the court order shall stand in abeyance, Mr. Tsoho said.

When the court resumed hearing on the application by Shell and Eni, the counsel representing Eni, Babatunde Fagbohunlu, questioned the action of the EFCC on the forfeiture order.

Is it possible for the EFCC to attach and subsequently forfeit an asset on a motion that was completely filed on an ex-parte basis? I respectively submit that the answer that my Lord should give to that motion is an authentic no, said Mr. Fagbohunlu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Mr. Fagbohunlu added that the manner of application that preceded the January 26 order offends his clients right to fair hearing and should therefore not be allowed.

Section 28 allows the EFCC to seize an asset, but it must immediately follow such seizure with a motion on notice; that application has to be on notice, because the (EFCC) statute does not authorise it to be ex-Parte, said Mr. Fagbohunlu.

He further said the Supreme Court had in previous rulings ordered that an ex-parte motion cannot be given in such a manner as to remain ex-parte till the end of the case.

According to section 28, the interim order should be accompanied with an inter-party motion.

The exercise of a power has a condition precedent. The condition precedent is that there must be precise rules. If the regulatory framework is missing, your lordship must dismiss this action, Mr. Fagbohunlu said.

The counsel representing Shell, Ajayi Oyinsola, also asked the court to dismiss the order on the grounds that the EFCC act only allows it to carry out such an action on movable asset.

What we have here is a mere licence and a tangible right that is incapable of destruction or incapable of being moved. It is a license over some thousands of square miles of the ocean. The ocean cannot be destroyed, or taken away. There is nothing there can be put on the seal of the EFCC, he said.

I urge that your lordship dismiss or strike out this case because it is an abuse of process; it is patently hopeless and an attempt at directing the court to do that which it ought not to do, he added.

The condition precedent to approaching the court is the doing of certain things, Mr. Oyinsola said, adding that the condition for securing the court order was not duly followed.

He therefore called for the dismissal for the January 26 court order.

The counsel representing the EFCC, Johnson Ojogbane, however said the argument of counsel that the application should have been filed by the EFCC and not its chairman, does not hold water. He contended that the commissions chairman acted in his capacity as a representative of the entire commission and therefore such an argument should not be considered.

He further said the application for dismissal of the January 26 order cannot be entertained after the matter had been determined.

Mr. Ojogbane added that the matter is criminal in nature and that the action of the commission has been in tandem with a criminal matter.

Speaking further, Mr. Ojogbane said the OPL 245 is a tangible asset, whose control had the capacity of being moved. The action of the EFCC therefore was in line with its decision to suspend the control of the block.

After hearing all the arguments, the court adjourned its ruling till March 13.

The $1.1 billion 2011 deal

After several political and judicial intrigues that ensured OPL 245 changed hands several times between Malabu, Shell, and the Nigerian government, Goodluck Jonathan emerged Nigerias president in 2010. On the prompting of his attorney general, Mohammed Adoke, one of Mr. Jonathans first directive upon assuming office was that the oil block be given to Malabu.

Persons close to Mr. Jonathan told PREMIUM TIMES the former president took the decision because of his closeness to Dan Etete who had helped him during his tenure as petroleum minister and because of the perception among persons from the oil producing Niger Delta that OPL 245 was one of the few oil blocks awarded to someone from the region.

By 2010, Mr. Etete had schemed out other owners of Malabu including by fraudulently altering Corporate Affairs Corporation, CAC, documents, investigations revealed.

The CAC recently said its official in charge of the Malabu documents was brutally murdered.

Despite Mr. Jonathans directive that Malabu be given OPL 245, the company really did not exist and had no staff or technical competence to manage the block. Based on advice from desperate businessmen including an Israeli, Ednan Agaev, Mr. Etete decided to cash in on the block. Through various middlemen, the former minister approached oil giants, Shell and ENI, to buy the block. Knowing Mr. Etetes history including the fact that he had been convicted in France for money laundering, the oil firms would not do a direct deal.

For the transaction to continue, a legally recognised mediator would have to be found.

That mediator turned out to be the Nigerian government, represented by Mr. Adoke.

The agreements that were sealed led to Shell and ENI paying the $1.1 billion into a Nigerian government account in JP Morgan Chase in London. The money was to then be transferred to Malabu accounts controlled by Mr. Etete.

Although Shell and ENI have repeatedly claimed they did not know the money was going to end up with Malabu, investigations in Nigeria and Italy as well as leaked documents revealed that claim to be false. Mr. Adoke himself would later admit that he, on behalf of the federal government, only acted as a mediator for two willing parties  Malabu and the oil majors. Mr. Adoke was, however, aware of the various fraudulent manipulations of Malabu by Mr. Etete when he authorised the transaction, multiple sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.

THE TRANSFERS TO FRAUDULENT FIRMS

To ensure no one stopped the shady transfer of the $1.1 billion to Mr. Etete, the money had to be quickly transferred. More so, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was set to assume office as Nigerias Finance Minister and the officials involved were not sure she would play ball.

On August 16, 2011, a day before Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala was to assume office, Mr. Adoke and the then Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, authorised the transfer of the money to Malabu accounts in Nigeria controlled by Mr. Adoke.

However, all the $1.1 billion could not be transferred. Emeka Obi, a man who claimed he helped broker the deal between Malabu and the oil majors filed a suit in the UK, that ensured $215 million was frozen of the money. The remaining $801 million was subsequently transferred to Mr. Etete: $400 million was transferred to a Bank PHB account while $401 million was transferred to a First Bank account.

Immediately Mr. Etete received the money, curious transfers began. PREMIUM TIMES investigations, now confirmed by the EFCC, reveal that shady companies linked to Abubakar Aliyu received about $479 million dollars from Mr. Etete. Our investigations later showed that most of the companies were non-existent and used fake addresses in their registration documents.

The companies  Rocky Top Resource Ltd, Imperial Union Ltd, Novel Properties & Dev. Co. Ltd, A-Group Construction Ltd, and Megatech Engineering Ltd  were all charged in the suit filed by the EFCC.

While Mr. Etete later admitted that only $250 million of the money paid into his account was his, Mr. Aliyu is believed to have acted as a front for officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration including Mr. Adoke.

It is based on its investigations of the corruption surrounding the transfer of the block that the EFCC asked the court that it be temporarily forfeited to the Nigerian government. The request, granted by the court, is what Shell and Eni are contesting and which will be decided on March 13.

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On the day a court sacked a senator, who has been in office for almost two years, for not being validly elected, the government pledged to enact a new law that would bar the swearing-in of candidates whose cases are still at the tribunals.

The Chairman of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee, Ken Nnamani, said the ongoing reform will discourage swearing-in of office holders with cases at the election tribunals.

Mr. Nnamani, who spoke at the South-East zonal public hearing on electoral reforms on Monday in Enugu, said that the measure would discourage attempts by politicians to win at all costs.

He said that politicians were in the habit of deploying unwholesome means to be declared winners following which they would dare their opponents to go to the tribunal.

We want to come up with a new system whereby no one can be sworn into office if they have election petitions hanging on their necks, the presidential committee chairman said.

Politicians are fond of fighting to win and saying let us go to court, he said.

Under the existing electoral law, election winners are sworn-in even when they still have existing cases relating to the elections.

The inaugurated officials thus have the advantage of using state resources or money legitimately earned while in office to prosecute their case.

Speaking on Monday, Mr. Nnamani said it was sad that prosecution of election cases had become costlier than campaigns.

Experience has shown that majority of the cases in our courts are either pre-election or post-election matters and we want to find a way out of this, he said.

Mr. Nnamani said that the committee would ensure that future elections were credible such that no court would be able be upturn any of such elections, adding that such would also discourage unnecessary litigations.

He said that the prevailing circumstance where cases were won in the courtrooms was discouraging.

We want to ensure that after a candidate had spent time to campaign and given the mandate by the electorate such mandates will not be dropped at the court by way of losing in the case, he said.

He said that the work of the committee would not go the way of others before it, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari being a victim of electoral fraud had shown enough political will to implement the outcome.

The president has been a victim so Nigerians should not entertain any fear whether or not the report of this committee will be implemented.

I can assure you that if the president remains in office he is most likely to implement the outcome of our work.

The easiest thing anyone can do is to criticize but we are here to listen to the public, he said.

The chairman said that the committee was made up of political veterans and consultants who could tell where the electoral act was faulty.

Mr. Nnamani said that the need for a new electoral act could not be over emphasized as laws were dynamic and in line with the dictates of the time.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 23 memoranda were received by the committee.

The public hearing is the first of seven of such that will hold across the country.

(NAN)

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A serving police inspector and a dismissed army corporal were among 14 suspects arrested by the NDLEA in Kogi for being in possession of 1,083.62 kilograms of Indian hemp valued at N6 million.

The Commander of the NDLEA in Kogi, Idris Bello, told journalists in Lokoja on Monday that the police inspector was arrested on February 25 at Crusher area of Lokoja while conveying 75 bags of Indian hemp weighing 818.2 kg in a police bus with registration number NPF 7973 NPF.

He said that the suspect was conveying the drug from Okpela, Edo, to Abuja when he was arrested alongside two other accomplices.

Mr. Bello said that the dismissed army corporal was arrested in Lokoja while on his way from Edo with 44kilograms of weed suspects to be Indian hemp

According to him, 12 other suspects, including a woman, were arrested this month with varying kilograms of weed.

He said that the 40- year-old woman was carrying a four-year-old boy at the time she was arrested with 32.4 kilograms of Indian hemp.

The commander said that three other suspects were arrested with 190 blocks of compressed Indian hemp, although the exact kilogram and monetary value had not been ascertained.

He said that the suspects, who were coming from Edo, were arrested at Obajana in Kogi in a car with registration number Kano BC 737 KMC.

Mr. Bello, who attributed the success of the command in recent times to the support being received from the state government, thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for the donation of patrol vehicles.

Speaking on the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Jerry Omodara, commended the NDLEA for its efforts, urging it to sustain the tempo.

He promised that the state government would continue to offer support to all security agencies in the state.

(NAN)

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Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has unveiled a public-private partnership industrial plan valued at $20 billion dollar for development of gas-based industries in Nigerias Niger Delta region.

Tagged the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, GRIP, Mr. Osinbajo, according to his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, disclosed the industrialization plan at the State House, Abuja on Monday when he met with the project development partners, a consortium of Fortune 500 companies like the GSE&C of South Korea, the China Development Bank, Power China and several others global operators from Asia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle-East.

GRIP is located at Ogidigben, Delta State, and envisaged to be a regional hub for all gas-based industries, Mr. Osinbajo said. He added that it sits on 2700 hectares with fertilizer, methanol, petrochemicals, & aluminium plants located in the park that has already been designated as a Tax Free Zone by the FG.

Under the plan presented today by the consortium to the Acting President, about $20 billion would be invested to develop the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, and generating 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in the process.

The industrial park would be a cluster for several industries in one location benefiting from an efficient, cost-competitive and abundant supply of natural gas, proximity to a deep sea port and centralized utilities, & services such as uninterrupted power, world class telecommunications and processed water.

The park, originally conceived by NNPC, is located about 60km from Warri, and is about 1km away from the operational base of Chevron Nigeria Limited. It will be connected to over 18 trillion Cubic Feet of gas reserves in fields such as Odidi, Okan, Forcados, located within a 50km radius. It is equally planned that the park will be connected to Nigerias most dominant gas pipeline network-ELPS, enabling supply of gas to and from the park, the office further explained.

Mr. Osinbajo was quoted as saying: we already have a Steering Committee in place, chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and that shows the level of our commitment. We are unwavering.

We take the project very seriously and glad to see you are committed and ready to make several other commitments. This is a process that we intend to see happen.

He was said to have stressed the Buhari Administrations unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta region, many parts of which the acting president just visited as part of the administrations bid to engage the volatile oil-producing region.

He said his visits to the Niger Delta communities had been mandated by President Muhammadu who is on extended medical leave in the United Kingdom before he travelled in January.

The building of an industrial gas hub in Ogidigben, Delta State was one of the feedbacks that was received during the visit to the state, he said.

In his remarks at the meeting, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, was quoted as expressing confidence that the GRIP will bring the much needed succour to the people of the Niger Delta, and the oil-producing states.

The development partners were led by Sheikh Bayorh of the UAE, who was said to have expressed commitment to the project. NNPC boss, Maikanti Baru, was also said to be at the meeting.

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Malaria vaccine in trial phase

The Director for Vaccines at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Orin Levine, said scientists at the organisation were moving to the next stage of evaluation of a malaria vaccine candidate.

He said experts, researchers and physicians at the organisation were working towards finding solutions to neglected infectious diseases killing children and adults in Africa.

Vaccination has played a vital role in child health across the world and same approach is what we want to bring to the development of malaria vaccine. We are not there yet, but we are very hopeful, he said.

Mr. Levine urged the federal and state governments in Nigeria to increase funding of routine immunisation programmes to sustain them.

Know your genotype before marriage  Gowon

A former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, urged intending couples to know their genotype before marriage in order to prevent the complications associated with sickle cell anemae.

While expressing concern over global statistics that 75 per cent of sickle cell cases in the world occur in Nigeria, he urged the federal government to do more, regretting that his government could not take steps to combat the menace of the disease because its enormity was unknown at the time.

Eyitayo Lambo, a former Minister of Health, said the disease could be managed effectively by medical practitioners especially if there was increased intervention by government and sickle cell foundations to allow for early detection.

He said researches are ongoing on drugs that can be used to effectively manage people with sickle cell.

One dies of Lassa fever in Cross River

A 22-year-old woman, Itodo Christabel, was confirmed to have died of Lassa Fever in Calabar, Cross River state

Ms. Itodo who had taken ill in Benue State requested to be referred to Eburutu Barracks clinic in Calabar, where her husband who works with the military lives.

It was from Eburutu clinic that she was taken to the Navy Hospital, Calabar, where she was managed for some days before being referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital where she died less than 12 hours after admission.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Thomas Agan, who confirmed the incident, said doctors and nurses who attended to her had been quarantined.

Nigeria Health workers threaten strike

The National Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, has put Nigerias federal government on notice that its members would go on strike after February 27, if it fails to address the rot in the health system.

The president of the group, Ogbonna Obinna, gave the notice during street protest in Abuja. The group comprises all hospital health staff apart from medical doctors.

Some of the inscriptions they displayed on placards during the protest include: Federal Ministry of Health has legalised corruption, and Our hospitals are empty.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences accredited in 18 universities

The Registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) Elijah Mohammed, said the Council has so far accredited the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 18 universities across the country.

Mr. Mohammed said the accreditation is to ensure that qualified professionals are produced in the universities. He said about 1,500 pharmacists were being produced annually in the country, and that number was grossly inadequate.

Some of the accredited institutions are Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Maiduguri, University of Jos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Madonna University Okija, University of Port Harcourt, Nmamdi Azikiwe University Akwa, University of Uyo, Delta State University Abraka, and University of Benin.

Others include University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Gate Foundation spent $250 million on humanitarian service in Nigeria in 2016  Official

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said that it spent $250 million dollars on health, education and improving the lives of the poor in Nigeria in 2016.

Mairo Mandara, its Country Representative, said the organisation spent about $35million five years ago but it had to spend more last year because the needs were high.

She said there will be a little increase in the amount the foundation will spend in Nigeria this year.

We see the need and then address the need based increasingly on partnership with the government; we look at what the government is trying to put on its own scale and then partner with them.

She urged wealthy Nigerians to help improve the lives of others and bridge the poverty gap, adding that millionaires around the world had started supporting it.

Ogun prosecutes 10 fake doctors

The Ogun State Commissioner of Health, Babatunde Ipaye, said the state government had dragged about 10 fake medical practitioners to court for allegedly operating illegal medical facilities in the state.

Mr. Ipaye said the suspects were arrested during a monitoring of medical facilities across the state after being identified to be using fake documents to operate clinics and hospitals.

He said some of the fake doctors had caused the death of four pregnant women in Ifo Local Government Area where a particular hospital ruptured four pregnancies.

He said the ministry would not relent in its fight against quacks and quackery in the state. The state government has so far  shut down 168 private health facilities following the failure of the owners to revalidate or register the facilities.

FG to help homegrown drug manufacturers reach production target

The federal government has told pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Nigeria that it is ready to support them in ensuring that 70 per cent of the drugs Nigerians need are produced in the country, in line with the National Drug Policy.

According to a statement from his office, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, at a meeting with members of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), said the Health Ministry was ready to support willing and capable groups to expedite action towards the achievement of that goal and ensure access to quality medicines by Nigerians at affordable cost.

The National Drug Policy stipulates that Nigeria should aim at producing 70 per cent of its medicines needs.

Ogun state commissions children emergency medical units

Ogun State government has commissioned an emergency facility in a bid to enhance child health care services in the state.

The state commissioner of health, Babatunde Ipaye, who commissioned the one-stop shop for child care delivery at the General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, said the facility would enable children access health care services without stress.

The facility is equipped with a state of the art laboratory, pharmacy and doctors call room for 24 hours a day service.

Americans and life expectancy

A research led by scientist from Imperial College London in collaboration with the World Health Organisation shows that the average life expectancy is set to increase in many high income countries by 2030.

The result showed that the United State is likely to have the lowest life expectancy at birth by that year among the countries. The research team explained that the poor results in the United States are due to a lack of universal health coverage, as well as its highest child and maternal mortality and homicide rate among high-income countries.

Life expectancy is projected to rise in all 35 industrialized countries covered in the study, with a probability of at least 65 percent for women and 85 percent for men.

Army medics take charge of Zimbabwe hospital

Zimbabwe has deployed army medics to work at major public hospitals following a week-long strike by junior doctors who are demanding an increase in call allowances and a duty free car facility.

Gerald Gwinji, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, said the doctors strike had put pressure on public hospitals, which were already struggling with shortages of drugs and under-funding from the government.

Edgar Munatsi, the president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, which called the strike, said doctors wanted their call allowances to be increased to $10 an hour from the current $1.20. He said more than 400 doctors were staying away from work, warning that senior doctors could also join the strike.

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An estranged wife, Sola Bamisile, 30, on Monday told an Ikole Ekiti Customary Court that she could no longer bear her husbands strong sexual urge.

The petitioner alleged that her husband, Bayo Bamisile, constantly beat her whenever she refused him sex.

Sola told the court that within five and a half years of their marriage she had given birth to four children.

She also alleged that the respondent failed to care for her and the children.

According to her, none of the children is in school.

I always quarrel with my husband because none of our children is in school; there is no proper care for me and the children.

My husband is always concerned about having sex with me whenever he has taken palm-wine.

He has not even paid my dowry, she said.

The petitioner, however, told the court that her husband and his family members had been reaching out to her to reconsider her divorce move.

My husband and his family have been coming to me to change my mind about the divorce.

He has also written a letter of undertaking to be of good behaviour, she said.

The petitioner tendered the letter of undertaking in court as exhibit.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the letter was admitted by the court.

The respondent denied the allegation of constantly fighting his wife and failing to take care of his family.

He however admitted not paying the dowry.

The president of the court, Yemisi Ojo, ruled that the plaintiff should monitor the respondents behaviour for three months to ascertain if he had changed.

She also ordered that the man should enrol his children in school before the next adjourned date.

Ms. Ojo adjourned the case to May 8 for report of settlement.

(NAN)

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Legislative Speaker and District 19 Senator Jim Scheer served as the keynote speaker for Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Councils annual meeting and banquet Feb. 23 in Weeping Water.

Scheer, a Norfolk resident, was elected to 19th Legislative district in 2012, a seat formerly held by Mike Flood. Scheer was chosen as the Speaker following the 2016 election when the conservative majority placed Republicans in committee leadership positions in all but two of the 14 standing committees. Scheer currently serves on the rules committee, executive board and reference committee.

Being the speaker has been a little different than I imagined it to be, Scheer told guests at the meeting. Someone said its like herding cats. No, its like owning your own cemetery. Youre standing on top of everybody but nobody listens.

Scheer said the bills introduced this legislative session deal mostly with financial and policy issues. The session started out a little bumpy, he said.

He assured people, however, that the Legislature remains nonpartisan. Just visit other Legislatures and youll see were pretty nonpartisan.

Ten of the people chairing committees, he explained, have less than two years of experience in the Legislature. We had 18 new senators elected for two years due to resignations and replacements, Scheer said. There were four or five races where people werent re-elected. When you have that vast a turnover, you shouldnt have been surprised that it took a while for people to get to know each other.

Scheer said he has walked down the Capitols hallway with new senators, who dont acknowledge other senators when they meet.

Why didnt you say hi to him? Scheer asked.

What? the other senator replied.

Hes a senator, Scheer said.

I didnt know that.

We are not partisan when we discuss rules, its based on culture. Last year we had 24 filibusters. The bills that usually take a long time are philosophical questions. We really have to start working together. Sometimes I feel like I was in the movie Groundhog Day. Every morning weve talked about the same thing for three hours. It was almost immediate burnout in two to three days.

On Feb. 23, the Legislature marked its 30th day in session with few bills passing. On Thursday, we started to work again with senators on both sides. We had deep caverns. We passed five bills yesterday (Feb. 22) and got started on my bill that allowed people teaching to wear a cross. Sen. (Ernie) Chambers found exception with that, but having that said, we got done with that in about three hours, Scheer said.

Scheer said he is optimistic about the productivity of the remaining session. But, with optimism comes reality. Priority bills have to be chosen by March 9. There are a number of priority bills that just wont make it to the finish lines. They will have to come back next session, he said. Its a learning experience.

Scheer told people that finding competent people to serve in the Legislature may not be easy in the future. Were seeing a lot of gray-haired people in the Legislature. They are the only ones who can afford to serve, he said.

Times have changed with many companies not willing to let employees take time off to serve in the Unicameral. The average 40-year-old with a family cannot afford to forgo employment and health benefits to be a senator with little compensation. If we cant afford to pay them, why would they want to stay eight years? People have to know they are wanted in that position, Scheer said.

Scheer said his wife, Kristi, has been very supportive of his Legislative duties. But we have grandkids around the country and we dont get to see them as often as we should. Here I am tonight and Im not with my grandkids, he said. I love you all but I love my grandkids more.

Serving in the Legislature entails attending and speaking at many luncheons and dinners where the fare is, of course, free. Ill sit down at a table and two to three bites and someone asks a question I need to answer and that leads to more questions, he said.

Nebraska needs people with different ideas serving in the Legislature. It just shouldnt only be the people who can afford to serve in the Legislature. You need to be sure you have diversity. If all are like-minded, you wont have the opportunity to discuss what would be good for the state of Nebraska.

He compared the Legislature to communities like his hometown. Our school board had three people elected and there were three people running. There was one person running for mayor. You need people to tell you what they are going to do in office. You would get what you deserve and you would get what you pay for. This is especially true in rural areas. There are not a lot of people moving into those areas.

Other states are facing similar leadership problems. Not all is bad about the state. A lot of states have term limits but most have more than one house, Scheer said. Also, the term is a lifetime term. In other states, you can serve 12 years, and then youre done. Here, you just have to get out a term. Ours isnt as restrictive as one would think. Its one of the least restrictive term limits naturally. 
The Nigerian community in South Africa said on Monday that another shop belonging to a member was looted in the latest xenophobic attack at Jeppestown, Johannesburg.

Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, told the News Agency of Nigeria on telephone from Pretoria that the shop was looted on Sunday night.

We have received information that there was an overnight attack on shops belonging to foreigners at Jeppestown, a business district in Johannesburg.

A shop belonging to a Nigerian was affected.

The goods in the shop were looted by the attackers. The Nigerian was not hurt during the attack.

We also learnt that shops belonging to other foreigners were also looted, he said.

Mr. Anyene stated that attempts made to loot another shop belonging to a Nigerian failed as the owner called the police.

He said the value of items lost in the affected shop had not been ascertained while the incident had been reported to the Nigerian Mission and the South African police.

We have told Nigerians to adopt protective measures to save their businesses and homes.

The union is in touch with the Nigerian mission and our chapters in the nine provinces of South Africa are also on alert.

They have been directed to sensitise our people on the situation in the country and to be cautious in all their endeavours, he said.

(NAN)

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, says the Federal Government has purchased 100 rice mills for distribution to rice-producing states in the country.

Mr. Ogbeh said this in Umuahia on Monday during the Federal Governments town hall meeting with prominent indigenes of the state.

He said that the machines would also be sold to private millers at reduced rates, adding that the gesture was part of governments intervention to boost local rice production.

According to him, Nigeria is spending $5 million daily on rice importation from Thailand, India and Vietnam.

He expressed delight that Nigeria now ranked second in rice production in the continent, adding that

the money spent on importation could be put into infrastructure development.

The minister also spoke on governments efforts to enhance the production of cocoa and cashew in the country.

He said that the Federal Government would soon relaunch cocoa production in three states of Abia, Ondo and Cross River, adding that new fertiliser for the commodity was being developed.

Accordingly, he said that federal government also planned to set up six major cashew-processing factories in the country in collaboration with the private sector.

Mr. Ogbeh said that Abia had potential for coconut production and urged the state to explore its great potential in agriculture to boost its internally generated revenue.

He said that states in the federation could be financially autonomous and viable, without depending on Federal Allocation, if they could explore and exploit their huge potential in agriculture.

According to him, a scheme for the construction of 10 dams in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, known as Project 10-37, is underway.

The minister also said that there were plans to restructure the Bank of Industry to enable it meet the demands for facilities by agriculturists in the country.

He said that the Anchor-Borrower Programme would be expanded to include the rice millers at the end of the restructuring.

Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelama, said that the Federal Government was committed to the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for which Aba was known.

Mr. Enelama said that to achieve its target on SMEs, government placed high premium on the development of dilapidated infrastructure, especially the roads and power.

He also expressed the hope that with the recent efforts made to resolve some issues delaying the take-off of Geometric Power Plant, located in Osisioma, near Aba, the problem of power in Aba would soon be over.

He said that government was determined to create industrial zones and parks in the country and that Aba stood to benefit greatly from governments interventions for the nations industrial growth.

According to him, with governments emphasis on how to promote made-in-Nigeria products, Aba stands an advantage of being a great beneficiary of all the federal governments interventions.

The meeting, which was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was attended by some National Assembly members from Abia, including Mao Ohuabunwa, representing Abia North Senatorial District.

Other dignitaries included chairmen of political parties as well as a cross-section of traditional rulers from the 17 local government areas of the state.

(NAN)

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A defendant in the alleged N754 million fraud at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Ekene Nwakuche, said his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was obtained by coercion.

Mr. Nwakuche said this on Monday while standing trial in an Ikeja High Court alongside five others, including Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of NIMASA.

Mr. Akpobolokemi, Nwakuche and other co-defendants are standing trial over alleged N754million fraud at the agency.

The other co-defendants are Ezekiel Agaba, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

At the resumption of trial within trial, Mr. Nwakuche said that his statement to the EFCC, admitting complicity in the fraud, was not voluntarily given.

Mr. Nwakuche, led in evidence by Seni Adio, SAN, said, On September 30, 2015, at 9.30 a.m., my boss, Mr. Ezekiel Agaba, and I went to the office of the EFCC on invitation.

We were not attended to until about 2.00 p.m.; I introduced myself as Agabas Personal Assistant (PA),

I wrote my name, signature and I was told to write about myself, when I questioned why I was to write about myself, I was told that I was the guest of EFCC operatives and that it was only normal for me to tell them about myself.

At some point, I asked for a lawyer but I was told by the EFCC operatives that I didnt need a lawyer, I didnt have a case to answer and that it was our DG, Mr. Akpobolokemi that they were after.

My boss called me aside and told me to co-operate and that my statement was just mere corroboration and that it was Akpobolokemi that they were after, he said.

Mr. Nwakuche, in his testimony further revealed how Orji Chukwuma, an EFCC operative, allegedly threatened to detain him if he refused to co-operate.

Chukwuma told me, see this small boy, I havent seen such a useless Igbo boy like you, I will detain you like I detained Akpobolokemis P.A.

I did not want to be detained because it was a Wednesday and the next two days were public holidays making Monday the next working day.

A cautionary statement was written by Chukwuma and I was told what to write, where to write and when to write.

There were inconsistencies in the dates because I was heavily fatigued and I left the EFCC between 11.00 p.m. and 12.00 a.m., he said.

Mr.Nwakuche further alleged that on subsequent visits to the anti-graft agency, he was told what to write in his statements by EFCC operatives.

I was assured that I was going to be a prosecution witness for the agency against Akpobolokemi.

Chukwuma and Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, played a bad cop, good cop routine on me in order to get my statement.

There were no cameras in their conference room and when I raised my concern about the contents of my statements to friends, I was advised not to challenge it at the Human Rights Commission because Ill get into more trouble.

One day, during a routine visit to the EFCC, I was told that I was to be arraigned in court, despite prior reassurances that Ill not be arraigned, he said.

However, the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, debunked Mr. Nwakuches claim of coercion during cross-examination.

The cautionary words were written before you were told to start writing and you signed it which showed you understood.

You signed that you were not obliged to say anything; that whatever you say will be taken into writing and may be used against you in a court of law.

I put it to you that all our meetings at the EFCC were covered by cameras, I also put it to you that a lawyer came to see you when you visited the EFCC, Mr. Oyedepo said.

Mr. Oyedepo also asked Nwakuche if there was any promise in writing given to him by the anti-graft agency not to use his evidence against him. He replied saying, No, there was no written promise, only an oral promise.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case to March 29 for adoption of addresses in the trial within a trial.

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Former President Shehu Shagari has urged Nigerians and the international community to support President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, saying the president is an honest, incorruptible and detribalised leader.

Mr. Shagari, who clocked 92 on Saturday, said the president was doggedly fighting corruption to sanitise governance in the country and therefore, needed the prayers and support of all Nigerians.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that Mr. Buhari was a true nationalist whose penchant for Nigerias socio-economic development was unparalleled.

He said the president was striving to salvage the country from the hands of anti-Nigeria forces, and appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for leaders at all levels rather than cursing them.

Buhari is also intensifying efforts to truly diversify the economy by taking attention away from heavy dependence on oil revenue, the former president said.

He expressed satisfaction with the efforts so far made by the present administration to improve the security situation in Nigeria and urged the government not to relent.

Meanwhile, Bala Shagari, eldest son of the former president, has described his father as humble and disciplined, saying they were proud of him.

He said the family was grateful to God for the life of their father, adding that it was a blessing that he had lived to 92 years and was still strong.

We must show gratitude to Almighty Allah for his longevity. Our father is an invaluable blessing from God; he is free with us and always provides wisdom and guidance to us.

He is never greedy and he is a person who never solicits for anything or position, only gets it purely on merit, Mr. Shagari added. (NAN)

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Below are our top 10 comments selected from reactions to stories published last week. The comments were chosen based on their relevance to the story under which they were published, adherence to civil discourse, including non-use of abusive language, and ability to stir further civil discourse. The comments do not reflect the opinion of PREMIUM TIMES or its editors.

Story: Interview with the president of the Nigerian Medical Association, Mike Ogirima, who argued that doctors in public hospitals should not be allowed to run private clinics.

Comment by Citizen:

What about the consultants who will never attend to their patients or appear at work at all? In OAUTHC you have so many of them. Professor Erabor, for instance, will never attend to his patients but when such patients die he will insist that a post Morten must be conducted at the expense of the grieving families. How about professor (Mrs) Adejuyigbe who is a perpetual absentee, she is always globetrotting. In the case of Erabor, he ensures that all resident doctors and house officers are members of his the church in which he is the GO (Sanctuary of Hope). What of Professor Nkem, one of her patient had spent more than 3 years in and out of the hospital without meeting her for once. The poor your lady got to know Prof Nkem only when she became an employee of the OAUTHC. My point is that many seniors in the medical profession are the major problem. The position of chief medical director in our hospital should never be given to Doctors, doctors are not trained administrators so why should they covet the positions they are never quality to hold. Doctors are quack administrators. NMA President should encourage his colleagues to toll the line of other countries, doctors are not usually the administrative head of hospitals anywhere in the world. Remove doctors from administration of the hospitals then you will see that Nigerias hospitals will live up to expectation.

I wish all doctors, particularly the senior ones, are like Doctors Akintomide and Alatise both of the OAUTHC. God bless Nigeria.

Story: PDP Crisis: Makarfi faction, pledges support for partys National Caretaker Committeedespite Courts affirmation of Modu Sheriff as national chairman of the party.

Comment by Simon tor Gideon:

The right of appeal is engrailed in the Nigerian Constitution. The same constitution also recognises the Supreme Court as the last and final arbitration organ on any legal dispute, so if the Markarfi faction believes justice was not served at the Appeal Court they have every right to seek redress at the highest court, ie, the Supreme Court. The last time I checked it was Sheriff and his APC moles that took an otherwise internal party matter to the courts, so why talk of reconciliation now that the matter is in court?

Story: How a 25-year-old armed robbery suspect robbed ATM users in Lagos.

Comment by John Christian Alex:

Going to physically withdraw money at an ATM is not a smart thing to do. If we plan our day we can cash money the previous day so we can use it the next day. There is also the bank mobile app which is another way to transfer money around and in Lagos almost everywhere you need to physically use cash have POS machines so why wake up at such odd hour to withdraw cash?

Story: President Muhammadu Buharis lawyer gave a judge N500, 000 while his certificate controversy was before the judge.

Comment by Pure Reasoning:

If this allegation is true, there is need to investigate what the money is for and under what circumstances was the money provided. Giving money to a judge if there is a pending case before the judge is nothing more than an act of corruption. Therefore, the public need an answer.

Story: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signs seven bills into law.

Comment by Wode:

If you ask me, I would tell you that this is a real change: right attitude to governance; strengthening of institution instead of individual; adhering to the letters of the constitution and not living larger than life. Taking life simple on the side of the President and taking responsibility on the side of A/V President, without deep interest in the politics of it, are things that show complete deviation from what was in practice in the past. If we continue to put right people there, there is every hope of a greater Nigeria.

Story: Deputy Speaker of Borno House of Assembly says his governor, Kashim Shettima, should succeed Buhari as president.

Comment by Okwufulueze Emeka Daniel:

When suggestions for a presidents successor come shrouded in vague remarks as Danlami Kubos especially at a time when there are speculations over the presidents state of health and his capability to lead his country, our country, then one cant help but wonder what is really happening. What exactly did he mean by when the time comes for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to get President Buharis successor.? What time is this man talking about?

Story: Central Bank of Nigeria issues new foreign exchange policy

Comment by Rommel:

I think 20% margin of profit is good but I am waiting to know how it will be implemented, Nigerian love for foreign goods including currency is an obsession, SAD!

Story: The Nigerian government sacks all directors in Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Comment by Tim Ayoola:

Welcome development, these are the guys that could not enforced reasonable policies. Making a lot of us the New Pilots to be jobless after spending so much in aviation sch.I just pray that Government will investigate them well.God bless Nigeria.

Story: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo makes an unscheduled airport visit.

Comment by Segun Abayomi:

The acting president is right. I have cancelled two future trips to Nigeria just because of Abuja airport planned closure. This will also delayed projects take off and jobs..

Story: New Ondo state new governor Rotimi Akeredolu takes oath of office

Comment by OmoLasgidi:

Excellent statesmanship by BAT. Putting his partys interests above himself

The misinformed should note that AKETI was his legal representative, and they go back a long way back.

What should be paramount in the minds of us, the masses, is to keep demanding for good government and our rights. We must never lose sight of this, politicians will always find common ground, we also need to be joined up in demanding our rights!

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The Presidency said on Sunday that its Social Investment Programmes, SIP, had a plan to hire 350,000 more unemployed graduates under the N-Power Volunteer Corps in 2017.

According to the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, President Muhammadu Buhari has requested appropriation of N157.75 billion in the budget for the N-Power scheme.

He said that in addition to the 350,000 unemployed graduates to be hired and trained, 50,000 non-graduate youth would be engaged as artisans and in other creative ventures.

He said that from the allocation the administration had earmarked N4.5 billion for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM) programme to support young Nigerians in building skills in those disciplines.

Mr. Akande, who welcomed the great public enthusiasm the SIP programmes had so far generated, urged Nigerians to expect more this year especially in the area of implementation.

While we were able to engage 200,000 unemployed graduates last year, we will do 350,000 more this year, he assured.

Mr. Akande disclosed that about N75 billion was earmarked for the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme to provide one meal a day to five million primary school pupils.

He said that in 2016 the feeding programme covered about one million pupils.

Mr. Akande said the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme aimed at providing interest-free loans to up to 1.2million market men and women, traders, artisans, youths and farmers was allocated N112.2 billion.

He said: 2017 implementation of the SIP is going to be far more impactful than what we were able to do under the 2016 budget, so Nigerians should expect more this year.

The resolve of the Buhari presidency is firm that more lives must be touched positively under these programmes which Nigerians have come to appreciate.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to actively take advantage of the different schemes this year.

(NAN)

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Emeka Ihedioha, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has kicked against recognising Modu Sheriff as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman.

Mr. Ihedioha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Monday that Mr. Sheriff by his conduct had failed to show an attitude worthy of uniting and strengthening the party.

According to him, the conduct, actions, language and temperament displayed by Mr. Sheriff has succeeded in planting disunity amongst members.

His utterances after the Appeal Court judgment in Port Harcourt created division in the party rather than unite members. This showed that he is not interested in the progress of our party.

Sheriff has nothing to show as his contribution toward the growth of our party, both in his state and at the national level.

It will interest you to know that Sheriff has never participated in any state or national convention of the PDP.

He was only a contractor that was brought into the party to play a leadership role in our trying times and I think that the brief period of three months assigned to him by the party has long expired, Mr. Ihedioha said.

He said the party would appeal the court ruling that recognised Mr. Sheriff as its national chairman.

He also assured party members that there were enough evidences at the partys disposal with which it would claim victory at the apex court.

Mr. Ihedioha, therefore, urged party faithful to continue to support the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP.

I believe that the judiciary as an unbiased umpire will deliver fair judgment at the apex court and I know that the judgment will vindicate us by granting Markafis victory, he said.

(NAN)

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The Standard Organisation on Nigeria has warned Nigerians to always check for expiry dates of tyres before purchase.

Osita Abuloma, the Director General of SON, spoke on Sunday after the arrest of two Chinese nationals for allegedly importing N5 billion worth of substandard tyres into the country.

Mr. Abuloma said the seized tyres were shipped from China and were post-dated to make them appear roadworthy.

Because we have sensitised the public that while buying tyres, they should look out for the manufacturing date.

These people postdated their tyres to reflect manufacturing date to be first week of January 2017, whereas the tyres berthed on Nigerian soil first week of February 2017.

So are they saying it took them only four weeks to bring the tyres from China to Nigeria across the sea?

Mr. Abuloma further said the fact that the tyres are tucked into one another  in groups of five  using rods to separate them would compromise their quality.

This is because in the course of separating them from the squeeze, the wires and geometrics of the tyres will be affected.

The Chinese suspects, identified as Tanlong and Xu Jing Yao, were arrested after a tip-off from well meaning Nigerians, Mr. Abuloma said.

We acted on the intelligence we received and this was achieved as a result of inter-agency collaboration, he said.

The glory is not for SON alone. You can see the volume of tyres brought in and you can imagine the implication for our society if these tyres are let into the market.

Mr. Abuloma said the seizure  60 containers of tyres  was the agencys biggest ever.

As you can see, they have different types and models of tyres. They have for tricycles, trailers, buses and normal cars, he said.

When the tyres are separated from one another, they simply brand them to deceive unwary Nigerians. But I can assure the Nigerian public that these arrested persons will be prosecuted under the new SON Act.

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The Nigerian Army says efforts are ongoing to rescue a soldier who got missing in action during an ambush in Lagos.

Olaolu Daudu, the spokesman, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.

The search operation for the missing officer is ongoing, Mr. Daudu, a lieutenant colonel, said.

A soldier on February 21 got missing in action when troops came under heavy fire during a routine patrol of Lagos creeks.

The troops who were on routine patrol of the creeks around Abule-Ado, Festac Town area in Lagos, came under heavy gunfire in an ambush.

Troops remain resilient and focused in search of their colleague, he said.

He urged members of the public to provide the Army with useful information on the missing officer and assured residents of their continued safety.

(NAN)

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This years First West African Vaccine Summit organised by Pfizer seeks to find answers to the health burden poised by meningococcal and pneumococcal diseases globally.

Medical experts in Nigeria have called for early diagnosis and vaccination in paediatrics and adults, in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate attributable to these diseases.

The medical practitioners who spoke at the summit said it was unacceptable to be losing a large percentage of the Nigerian population to preventable diseases like meningitis and pneumonia, with the availability of effective vaccines to prevent the attacks.

Meningococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with reported epidemics and outbreaks in different parts of the world. Despite the availability of antimicrobial therapy, challenges remain in early recognition and prevention of the disease.

The worldwide health burden attributable to pneumococcal disease remains significant, particularly in children aged under 5 and adults aged over 65. Africa bears a large portion of this burden with the region having the highest global incidence and mortality rate of pneumococcal disease in children younger than 5 years.

Delivering a paper titled : Expanded age BOM Pneumococcal/PCV 13 expanded indication, Osi-Ogbu Ogugua, Chief Consultant and head of Geriatric/Endocrinology unit at the National Hospital Abuja, identified chronic liver disease, predisposing factors to invasive pneumococcal disease.

While attributing 60 per cent of childhood death to pneumococcal, she further mentioned measles as a predisposing factor to the disease in Paediatrics, stating that under 5 children and the aged are at a higher risk of the disease.

Still on pneumococcal disease, Adejumoke Ayede, a senior lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, disclosed the mortality rate of pneumonia in Nigeria as at 2008 to be 177,000, lamenting the paucity of current data.

Going forward, Ms. Ayede recommended the use of pneumococcal vaccine, the use of PCV 13 and Nimenrix- as tested and proven vaccines for the prevention of broadest serotype pneumococcal disease respectively. Aside the use of vaccines for prevention, she mentioned adequate nutrition, proper hygiene, a sound immune system, keeping the body warm in cold weather, and micro supplements as other preventive methods against the disease.

Professor Gregory Erhabor explained the essence of the summit, saying it is imperative for stakeholders to improve their knowledge on service delivery in order to have the best patient outcome. He said Pfizer deemed it fit to update health care practitioners on the latest trends in the management of preventable diseases, in order for them to compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world, and to have a formidable Healthcare team in the country.

The Director of Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Nigeria and East African Region, Margaret Olele, explained the efforts of Pfizer in combating meningitis and Pneumonia in Nigeria, especially for the internally displaced person (IDPs).

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PLATTSMOUTH  A Florida man who was transporting methamphetamine through Cass County in his car pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge Monday morning.

Clyde S. Olk, Jr., 43, appeared in Cass County District Court for a plea hearing on one Class I misdemeanor count of attempted possession of controlled substance-methamphetamine. The state agreed to reduce its original felony-level charge in exchange for his guilty plea.

Deputy County Attorney Richard Fedde told the court the St. Petersburg, Fla., resident was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 through Cass County on July 18. A Nebraska State Patrol trooper became concerned after he saw Olks car pull onto the eastbound weigh scales near Waverly.

Fedde said Olks girlfriend got out of the car as soon as the trooper approached. The trooper reported that she appeared to be under the influence of some type of drug. He then talked to Olk and asked to see his vehicle registration papers.

The trooper spotted a medical syringe inside the cars glove box compartment when Olk opened it to retrieve his registration information. The trooper learned neither Olk nor his girlfriend were diabetic and they did not provide any other valid medical reason for owning a syringe. The trooper also learned Olk had an active warrant for his arrest from authorities in Las Vegas, Nev.

A K-9 unit searched the vehicle and located items that were later sent to the state crime lab. State employees tested the syringe and found it contained methamphetamine.

Olk is free on bond. The court set a sentencing date of May 8.
The Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, on Sunday asked the federal government to refund N13 billion his government has incurred on fighting cattle rustling and armed banditry in the state since 2011.

Mr. Yari made the request while conducting the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, on an inspection of weapons collected from bandits recently in the state.

The governor said since assuming office in 2011, his administration has been spending heavily on fighting the menace of banditry.

Mr. Yari, who is the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, said since the Constitution of Nigeria stipulates that security is the responsibility of the federal government, resources committed to fighting insecurity by states should be refunded to enable the states concentrate on execution of developmental projects.

According to a statement by the governors spokesperson, Ibrahim Dosara, many bandits had surrendered their weapons since the state government set up a peace negotiation committee in the state.

Peace is now being enjoyed in the state, following successful peace negotiations with the bandits, Mr. Yari said.

The governor called for a regional forum for checking the proliferation of arms within the West African sub-region to ensure a safer West Africa.

Responding, the Minister expressed delight at the success recorded by the government of Zamfara state in the peace process.

He commended the governor for the efforts in the collection of arms and promised to support the state government in the maintenance of law and order in the state.

The Minister who said security is everybodys business, also said the Federal Government has set up an Air Force base in the state as part of its contributions to the fight against bandits in the state.

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The police in Ogun State have arrested three women over the mysterious death of the lover of one of them in Mamugba community, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the arrests to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, said the suspects connived to dump the remains of the victim in the bush.

He said, the man had visited to spend the night with his lover, identified as Rukayat Bashorun, but died in a mysterious manner.

The Ogun State police command has arrested three women namely: Rukayat Basorun 37, Omobola Shodimu, and Aanu Owoade, for murder. The suspects were arrested when information got to the police that they secretly dumped a corpse in a bush, he stated.

The police spokesperson added that the Divisional Police Officer for Ogijo, Tijani Mohammed, who received the information led his officials to the area at Mamugba village, Simawa where the main suspect, Ms. Basorun, was arrested.

Investigation revealed that the deceased happened to be Rukayats lover who came to spend some time with her but died in suspicious circumstances in the house of the suspect.

Rukayat then connived with her two other accomplices to take the body and dump it in the bush, he emphasised

Mr. Oyeyemi said, on interrogation, Ms. Basorun confessed that the deceased was her man friend who went to visit her but suddenly fell sick.

She stated further that she took him to a private hospital but the money charged by the hospital was too much for her to pay which made her to take him to an undisclosed clinic where she said the man gave up the ghost, he stated.

When asked the reason why she decided to dump the corpse in the bush, she could not give any reasonable response, Mr. Oyeyemi stated.

The police spokesperson said the corpse had been recovered and deposited at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital mortuary in Sagamu for autopsy.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

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Election season is getting off to an early start as several contenders already have launched their campaigns for the citys top office.

Current City Council President Pro-Tem Thomas Tafelski, financial planner Jim Parrelly and businessman Hakim Fakhoury are among the candidates wholl be running for Dearborn mayor.

Now in his fourth city council term, Tafelski first became a councilman in 2001 and served as council president from 2007 to 2013.

He also served on the City Plan Commission from 1999 to 2001 and the City Beautiful Commission from 1998 to 1999.

He said he decided to run for mayor to bring change to the city. The city has only had four mayors since World War II, Tafelski said. We do some things very well  but its time to move into the new millennium and I feel I can bring the city to that change.

If elected, Tafelski said he will advocate for strong neighborhoods with firm but fair enforcement of city ordinances. Neighborhood stabilization and rejuvenation are definitely at our core, and we fall short there, he said. The building and safety department has gone through three name changes since 2007 and still doesnt have it correct. Theres unequal enforcement and a lack of enforcement.

Business district development and public safety programs also are high on his priority list. We need a better economic development plan in place to drive people to Dearborn and make it a destination spot once again, he said.

Tafelski is a lifelong Dearborn resident and a 1988 Fordson High School graduate. He earned a bachelors degree in 1992 from The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He has three sons.

As mayor, my pledge will be to take what I have learned from my many talks with residents and business owners and turn it into action, he said. Over the years, I have learned what their priorities are and what is important to their families.

Parrelly, a financial planner who grew up in east Dearborn, said new leadership is needed to guide the city into the future.

We have all watched for too long as outdated leadership has held office for decades, fractured our city, and simply watched as Dearborn has been maligned in the national media, he said in a post on his campaigns Facebook page. Fresh leadership and new perspective is what we need now.

A graduate of Fordson High School and The University of Michigan, he is married with two sons.

The grandson of Italian immigrants, Parrelly said he believes Dearborns diversity should be celebrated. Lets be proud of who we are as a city, he said. I want to put Dearborn back on the map.

He also called for a city hall that more accurately represents taxpayers.

The top elected official of Henry Fords hometown should be an ambassador for us, a person who upholds our historic standing and represents our fellow citizens, vigorously and proudly promoting Dearborn to attract new commerce, new residents, and new energy to our city, he said.

Fakhoury has lived in Dearborn most of his life, graduating from Edsel Ford High School and Henry Ford College. He decided to run for mayor to provide an alternative to the career politicians who he said have manipulated the city to remain in office.

Revising the city charter in several areas will be foremost among his efforts if elected  including allowing term limits for mayor and the city council, ensuring all parts of the city are represented by creating representative districts and creating a division between the mayors office and city council by forbidding the city attorney from representing both entities.

As a businessman, Fakhoury said hes invested much of his time and money in the redevelopment of west Dearborn, both by purchasing and renovating old buildings as well as by being a member of the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and West Dearborn Chamber of Commerce.
Fremont Area Association of Retired School Personnel will meet March 8 with a catered lunch at noon at the Main Street Education and Administration Center, 130 E. Ninth St.

Sally Ganem will present the virtual tour of the State Capitol program. Members are asked to bring toilet paper for donating to Low Income Ministry.

All retired school personnel are invited. Reservations must be made by Thursday by calling 402-727-5217. The cost for the meal is $7.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
Dear Abby: As parents of an adopted child, we were concerned about when we would have the conversation. Then a neighbor told us about how they would celebrate Gotcha Day with their adopted daughter each year.

Gotcha Day is a day to celebrate because its the day we became a family. We adopted their idea and have been doing something special on this day since before our child could even say the word gotcha.

Early on, she had no idea what we were celebrating; she just knew it was a special day for us. Through the years, she was able to process exactly what it meant at her own pace, which relieved the need to ever have that dreaded conversation. Recently our daughter told us she loves this day more than her actual birthday!

I thought Id share this with other adoptive parents who worry about when the right time might be to explain to their child that they were prayed for, wanted, loved and adopted.  Blessed Parents in Pennsylvania

Dear Blessed Parents: I had never heard of anything like this, but I think its a great concept and certainly worth sharing with my readers. Thank you!

Dear Abby: After 32 years of marriage, my wife went out and got a tattoo on her shoulder. Its about 8 inches by 6 inches  quite large  and she did it without any advance discussion with me, which has left me sort of shocked. Her position is that its her body and shell do what she wants. This has driven a wedge between us, and Im not sure if we can move forward. What is your advice?  Unmarked in Nevada

Dear Unmarked: To me, whats important is not that your wife got the tattoo without discussing it with you, but her motive for doing it in secret. My advice is to do nothing in haste or in anger. Try to get her to explain to you what the tattoo symbolizes to her, because it may be important. After that, whether you decide to move forward  or move out  is something only you can decide.

Dear Abby: My co-worker tried to complete suicide last year. She took eight months off after that. Now we are approaching the one-year anniversary.

We work for a small, family-owned business. Everyone knows she tried to kill herself, but no one knows why. She has reduced her hours and her stress level, at least at work. I have picked up most of her duties, and Im quick to lend a hand. Shes a lot older than I am, and Im not comfortable lending an ear.

How do we handle this situation? Do we act like its just like any other normal day?  Uncomfortable at Work

Dear Uncomfortable: If your co-worker wanted to disclose her reason(s) for trying to kill herself, you would already know what drove her. Because a suicide attempt is nothing to celebrate, be sensitive and dont draw attention to it unless she brings it up.

Write to Dear Abby at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or at dearabby.com.
Question: Do you know of any resources that can help me find affordable high-speed home internet services? Im retired and live primarily on my Social Security and would like to find something cheaper than the $40 per month that I currently pay.  Searching Senior

Answer: There are two great resources you can turn to to help you locate low-cost or discounted internet services, but whats available to you will depend on where you live and/or your income level. Heres where to begin.

Low-cost internet

Your first step to locate cheaper high-speed internet is EveryoneOn, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making affordable internet services available to all Americans.

Through partnerships with providers such as Comcast, Cox, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mediacom and others, EveryoneOn can help you search for services in your area that provide high-speed (4G LTE) internet at a very low cost. Most participating companies charge about $10 per month, with no contract and no equipment fee. However, for nonincome qualifiers, there may be a one-time setup/equipment fee of $62. Data plans will vary too.

To start your search, go to EveryoneOn.org and type in your ZIP code and click on the Find Offers button, or you can call 877-947-4321. Youll then need to answer a few questions regarding your household financial situation so the internet services youre eligible for can be located.

Some providers offer their services only to people with limited financial resources. Others offer low-cost deals to everyone regardless of income. Whats available to you will depend on where you live.

Also note that in addition to the low-cost internet services, EveryoneOn provides referrals to affordable computers and free computer classes. Most of the companies they work with offer refurbished tablets, usually for under $100, and computers for under $160 that are available to everyone. Their referrals to free computer classes are typically offered in public libraries across the U.S.

Discounted internet

If you dont have any luck finding a low-cost service through EveryoneOn, and your income is low enough, another option is the Lifeline Assistance Program. This is a federal program that provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy to help pay for broadband internet service, or for a home or wireless phone. Only one benefit is available per household  either phone service (home or wireless) or internet (home or mobile), but not both.

To qualify, youll need to show that your annual household income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines  which is $16,281 for one person, or $21,924 for two  or that youre receiving certain types of government benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps, SSI, public housing assistance, veterans pension or survivors pension benefit, or you live on federally recognized tribal lands.

To apply, youll need to contact an internet provider in your area that participates in the Lifeline program and ask for an application form. To locate providers in your area, visit LifelineSupport.org or call 888-641-8722. Once the provider verifies your eligibility, they will begin service.

Note: The internet companies that partner with EveryoneOn do not accept the Lifeline subsidy.
Assemblyman Chris Brown is speaking out against President Donald Trumps proposed elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts.

On Monday, Brown, R-Atlantic, voted for a resolution that opposes the Republican presidents proposal to eliminate the endowment. The National Endowment of the Arts awards about $800,000 annually to New Jersey.

The federal government certainly needs to reduce wasteful spending by trillions of dollars, but eliminating the NEA  which is only .0003% of the entire federal budget  isnt going to help realize that goal, Brown said in a statement. It would be a mistake for the Trump Administration to cut a program that helps bring people together, educates our children, enriches our communities, and seeds economic growth.

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, also voted in favor of the resolution.

Gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy to host town hall meeting in Pleasantville Phil Murphy, Democratic candidate for governor, will be in the area Monday to lay out his ur

Last week, The New York Times reported the White House Budget Office had compiled a list of nine programs that could be cut under Trumps proposed 2018 budget. Among them were the National Endowment of the Arts, the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports PBS, NPR, and other public radio and television.

Trumps final budget proposal is expected to come in March.
HAMMONTON  Its one of those age old questions: Is it called gravy or sauce?

Depends on who you ask.

On Sunday, professional and amateur chefs from around the area brought their pasta to the second annual Gravy vs. Sauce Competition to be eaten by locals, judged by experts, and raise money for the Hammonton Rotary Club. But not everyone agreed what to call spread on top of the noodles.

In my upbringing we always called it gravy, said Tony DAlessandro, who entered the competition with his dish of Tonys Organic Gravy.

We call it gravy in my family, said Chris Biscoglio, another chef in the competition. I think if you have meat in the sauce, then youre going to call it gravy. But whatever you call it, thats up to you.

Others agreed, saying the term sauce meant just the marinara sauce, whereas gravy is cooked with meat.

I think thats generally accepted as the explanation, said Carolyn Vince, who brought her homemade sauce, called Nanas Sauce, to the competition.

But the debate over what to call the food didnt stop anyone from trying samples from the 31 chefs at Elvins Hall on the White Horse Pike on Sunday. The competition, hosted by the Rotary Club, awarded prizes for first and second place dishes judged by Atlantic Cape Community College culinary professors.

There was also the peoples choice award that was voted on by people in attendance. All of it raised money for a good cause.

We decided that in a town like Hammonton with a long Italian history that it would be a good idea to start a sauce and gravy competition, said Maribeth Capelli, one of the organizers of the event. I think its worked out really well. The contestants are from all over and a lot of it homemade.

The Rotary Club helps with a lot of community projects in Hammonton such as graffiti cleanup, installing eco-friendly bike racks, and contributing to the police and fire departments. The club also awards at least one $2,000 scholarship to a local graduating senior every year.
OCEAN CITY  A former beach-tag checker was awarded $200,000 as part of a settlement from Ocean City, closing her case against the city and her former boss for child sexual abuse.

In her civil case filed in Cape May County Superior Court in 2014, the plaintiff, who was 17 at the time of the incidents, sought a trial and compensation stemming from a sexual relationship between her and her supervisor, former superintendent of beach fee operations Charles Cusack.

According to the settlement agreement, the city will pay the plaintiff and her attorneys in exchange for the case being dismissed. The plaintiffs attorney, Justin White of Testa Heck Scrocca and Testa in Vineland, declined to comment on the settlement given the nature of the case.

A request for comment from the city was not immediately returned.

In the complaint, the plaintiff, a 2012 Ocean City High School graduate, said Cusack hired her as an employee mid-summer 2012 and expected payment in return for giving her a job  payment in the form of (the plaintiffs) virginity.

On Aug. 4, another beach-fee operations employee walked into Cusacks office and witnessed Cusack engaging in sexual activity with the plaintiff, reporting the incident to another supervisor, who then notified police, according to the complaint.

The suit alleged child sexual abuse, discrimination, violations of civil rights, negligence and battery.

This civil case stemmed from a criminal sexual assault case against Cusack, of Egg Harbor Township.

Cusack, 53, a former city police officer, was sentenced last year to five years probation and ordered to register as a sex offender after he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree sexual contact.

The settlement, which was signed in October, contains no admission of guilt or liability by the defendants. The settlement includes no confidentiality clause but does contain a nondisparagement agreement barring either party from making disparaging comments about each other.

Cusack retired as a police officer in Ocean City in 2011 with a salary of $102,920. He receives a monthly pension payment of $5,574, according to New Jersey pension data. He was arrested in August 2012.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore had a clever idea last year. A popular fishing area in the Atlantic that shares the citys name, Baltimore Canyon, could be designated the first U.S. urban marine sanctuary, giving the aquarium a unique opportunity to connect an urban population to the ecological treasure.

When the aquarium withdrew its sanctuary proposal this month, some environmental activists thought it might have done so in reaction to the new federal administration of President Donald Trump. Sanctuary status would rule out energy exploration, and the president has called for fewer restrictions on oil and gas drilling.

One reason to doubt this interpretation of events is that there isnt a meaningful threat of oil and gas drilling in Baltimore Canyon, with widespread opposition to drilling off the East Coast and no foreseeable profitability to such drilling in a world already awash in oil and natural gas.

What actually derailed the sanctuary plan was a traditional, bottom-up opposition campaign, which convinced the aquarium management that many people in at least three states have an interest in Baltimore Canyon and must be part of the marine sanctuary process.

The campaign to stop the designation wasnt particularly evident in South Jersey. The regions deep-sea fishers know the 5-by-28-mile canyon as a top spot for billfish, tuna and tilefish. The competitors in Cape Mays prominent fishing tournaments make the 145-mile roundtrip to it to catch winners.

South Jersey anglers and marinas opposed the sanctuary designation, and 2nd District Rep. Frank LoBiondo was among House members who wrote to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration urging its rejection. But area stakeholders knew forceful opposition was being gathered by peers in a place much more dependent on the canyon  the other Ocean City, in Maryland.

There, from the moment the aquarium floated the idea in October, that citys $100 million-a-year fishing industry got to work organizing. Aquarium officials heard from opponents and early on indicated to them that if there was significant opposition, they would pull the sanctuary application.

In Maryland, the anti-sanctuary campaign was big, combining the voices of fishers, businesses and municipal, state and federal elected officials. The White Marlin Capital of the World was not about to take a chance on sanctuary status interfering with its identity and economy.

So the aquarium, as it had promised, withdrew the application. It said it would take a couple of years to gather further community input on the matter.

Most other marine sanctuaries allow largely unrestricted fishing, so taking the time to develop a well-crafted designation is the right approach. We think this will eventually produce a Baltimore Canyon Marine Sanctuary with widespread public support.
State can fight tobacco as well as opioid use

Gov. Chris Christie has declared he will use his last year in office to push for additional programs and services intended to prevent and treat opioid addiction. This is commendable, and its about time he focused real attention on the states troubles. Opioid addiction has ballooned as a health epidemic, and it will take concerted effort of more than one year to achieve real and lasting results.

Unfortunately, Christie has failed utterly to address the health problems created by a much larger health issue: tobacco use and its resulting impacts on heart, lung and other diseases. Under Christie, New Jersey no longer devotes any funds received from a landmark court settlement with tobacco companies, diverting millions to the bloated state government budget. Tobacco use kills thousands of New Jerseyans every year. By comparison, heroin and other opioids kill a little over a thousand, a tenth of tobacco fatalities.

Opioid addiction is a scourge that must be addressed immediately and forcefully, but to devote no dollars to the fight against tobacco addiction is unconscionable. The Christie administration deserves condemnation for its profligacy.

He should devote substantive resources to both fights: the headline-grabbing fight against opioids and the much larger fight against tobacco addiction.

Daniel T. Bachalis

Hammonton

Warm weather road salt

What is going on with striping roads with brine solution? More wasted tax dollars. Its 60 degrees with no snow in sight and public employees are out there. No wonder real estate taxes are highest in nation.

Dan Histon

Egg Harbor Township

Bring back Glass/Steagall

The recent reaffirmation of President Trumps campaign pledge for restoring the Glass/Steagall Act, echoing the Democratic and Republican Party planks, and the call for bipartisan efforts by Sens. Charles Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and others, would immediately if accomplished, be the first needed step to save the U.S. from continuing economic collapse. This combined with reconstituting a Hamiltonian national bank would create the vehicle necessary to infuse needed credit for massive new infrastructure rebuilding. This would eliminate corrupting Wall Street influence on crucial issues of vital national economic policy.

Japan, China and others wish to invest their U.S. Treasury certificates, pension funds, etc., in such stable, long-term efforts, a win-win proposition, as was the call by China to join the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Bruce Todd

Waretown

End pennies, save money

Are pennies worth the trouble? Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the purchasing power of one cent in 1913 was approximately equal to that of todays quarter. In 1913, the cent was the lowest denomination coin and today it still is. Over 2.5 billion pennies were struck (2014-2016) and comprised 55 percent of the total coins minted. Estimates of the cost to produce and distribute pennies range from 1.7 to 2 cents each and the Treasury loses $100 million yearly by continuing to produce these nearly worthless coins.

Canada stopped minting pennies in 2012, and its time that the U.S. does likewise. This action would halve U.S. coin production and could justify consolidating coin manufacturing from three mints to two. Given the countrys ballooning deficit, it makes perfect economic sense for the U.S. Treasury to abandon nostalgia and end deficit-enhancing penny production.

Tom DeFiore

Hammonton
Speed limits seem to be an issue here in New Jersey. Yes, we have a reputation for bad driving habits. And if you ask most people, they know exactly how many points a speeding ticket puts on your license (minimum of two).

Buena resident Brian Fatcher wrote to Public Eye about his neighborhood on Kimberly Lane and the cars that speed by his house daily.

Fatcher, who worked in construction for 33 years, knew a lot about the proper codes and zoning for a residential community, as well as the history of his cul-de-sac.

The subdivision was built 40 years ago. Ive lived here for 30 years.

Fatcher said a 20 mph speed limit sign was posted when the homes were built.

Over the years and in response to speeding drivers, Fatcher added caution signs and a blinking light. Now, hes asking the Borough Council to add speed humps to Kimberly Lane.

The problem: cars speeding through his cul-de-sac neighborhood, despite a posted 20 mph speed limit sign.

The additional problem: Fatcher did a lot of homework with this one. He has received a response from the borough, who told him they could install 25 mph speed limit signs so police can enforce the state regulated speed limit for residential zones. Fatcher was told the signs would be installed Friday, but they were not.

Fatcher has said raising the speed limit is counter to his hope for cars to slow down, and he was unsure how often local police patrol no-outlet neighborhoods.

The facts: The state Department of Transportation says the speed limit enforced in residential neighborhoods is 25 mph.

A search for answers about lower speed limits led to the New Jersey Permanent Statutes Database and a subsection called rate of speed.

The municipality or county, along with an engineering or traffic investigation, can designate a safe speed limit based on the following criteria: residential density, sidewalks, whether schoolchildren walk on the street, and the proximity of recreational or park areas, schools, community residences, family daycare homes, child care centers, assisted living facilities or senior communities.

Kimberly Lane fits criteria including the presence an elder-care facility, children walking from school bus stops and a lack of sidewalks.

The DOT says a speed hump can be built by a municipality on a residential road with a posted speed of 30 mph or less and which have fewer than 3,000 vehicles per day, without the approval of the commissioner.

So Buena could build Fatcher his speed hump. The DOT has all the regulations and engineering protocol for speed humps.

The next step: Public Eye did not receive a response from the borough. Fatcher said he plans to attend the council meeting, as he often does, and bring the issue up on the floor.

If something is broken or neglected in your neighborhood, email Public Eye at lcarroll@pressofac.com.
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.




The AccuWeather app for Android Wear 2.0 provides six complications users can choose from. Each can be personalized on their watch face, providing local weather forecast information including current conditions, cloud cover, precipitation, AccuWeather RealFeel  temperature, wind speed, and more. Simply tap on a complication and each will quickly open the AccuWeather app, landing users on the 'Now' screen. In the 'Now' screen, users can access current conditions, current temperature, and high/low temperatures for the day. With a single tap on the 'Now' screen, users will view an hourly forecast for up to 12 hours. With a second tap, they will see the daily forecast. With a third tap, they will be able to open the AccuWeather app on their connected Android phone to view additional detailed local weather forecasts and information with Superior Accuracy.

"AccuWeather is committed to providing weather information and updates with Superior Accuracy in exciting, actionable new ways that will protect and improve lives globally," said Steven Smith, President of Digital Media for AccuWeather. "As one of the first apps available on the new Android Wear 2.0 operating system, AccuWeather continues to lead in mobile innovation and fulfill our life-saving mission."

AccuWeather has also developed a customizable watch face for the new Android Wear 2.0 operating system which users can select once the AccuWeather app for Android Wear 2.0 is downloaded, allowing for any three complications to be shown at a given time on their device. Additional options users can choose to customize their experience include adding a location, allowing users to receive severe weather alerts for that specific location, a Celsius/Fahrenheit option, and a GPS enable/disable feature to automatically receive real-time weather updates in any location worldwide.

The AccuWeather for Android Wear 2.0 App and AccuWeather app for all Android smartphones and tablets are available in the Google Play store.

About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com

Over 1.5 billion people worldwide rely on AccuWeather to help them plan their lives, protect their businesses, and get more from their day. AccuWeather provides hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute forecasts with Superior Accuracy with customized content and engaging video presentations available through smart phones, tablets, free wired and mobile Internet sites via AccuWeather.com, award winning AccuWeather apps, connected TVs, wearables, smart homes, and connected cars, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the AccuWeather Network cable channel. Established in 1962 by Founder, President, and Chairman Dr. Joel N. Myers - a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society who was recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur Magazine's Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs book - AccuWeather also delivers a wide range of highly-customized enterprise solutions to media, business, government, and institutions, as well as weather news, content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites. AccuWeather's CEO, Barry Lee Myers, is an award winning leader in global weather information issues and one of the world's most recognized advocates for cooperative relationships between government weather agencies and the weather industry. He is a leader in the digital weather information space.

Visit www.AccuWeather.com for additional information.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472253/AccuWeather_Android_Wear.jpg

Related Links

http://www.AccuWeather.com



SOURCE AccuWeather
OCEAN VIEW, Delaware, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "(CTMS) Clinical Trial Management System Market Size By Component (Software, Hardware, Services), By Product (Enterprise Based, Site Based), By Delivery Mode (Web, Cloud, On Premise), By End Use (Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Companies, Clinical Research Organizations, Healthcare Providers), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Poland, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2024" by Global Market Insights, Inc. says CTMS Market size is poised to surpass USD 2 billion by 2024.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/799556-a )



Growing prevalence of chronic diseases, surge in clinical trials outsourcing, rising R&D cost and favorable government initiatives will drive global clinical trial management system market size.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1155

Improvements in regulatory framework for drug approvals and patent laws along with rapid economic development in emerging countries of India and China will expand clinical trial management system market size. Quality trials at reduced cost continues to remain unique proposition for regional industry growth.

Stringent regulatory guidelines to ensure drug safety & efficacy, extended approval time, difficulties in recruitment for trials and increasing number of clinical trial failures in phase II and phase III should hinder clinical trial management system market growth. Hardware component was valued at over USD 90 million in 2015, and is estimated to expand at 13.1% CAGR from 2016 to 2024. Pharmaceutical companies are outsourcing their requirement to specialized firms in other regions. This has resulted in increase in sales of hardware components used for clinical trial management system.

Enterprise based accounted for over 70% of clinical trial management system market share in 2015 and is projected to grow at 13.8% CAGR from 2016 to 2024. It provides dedicated services with special in house capabilities for clinical trials management. Cloud delivery mode is projected to witness robust growth of over 15% from 2016 to 2024 and expected to reach over USD 350 million by 2024. In terms of revenue share, Web and On Premise together account for over 85% clinical trial management market share in 2015, growing at over 14% and 11.5% from 2016 to 2024 respectively.

Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are estimated to surpass USD 1.4 billion by 2024. As these organizations are continuously striving to develop potent novel drugs and therapeutics to use against diseases and disorders. China clinical trial management system market size is anticipated to generate over USD 270 million in terms of value by 2024. Increasing government policies to setup a research center and growing R&D investments in life sciences, pharmaceutical, and clinical research industries, along with combination of HIS with CTMS, additionally the increased clinical research outsourcing and increasing prevalence of diseases.

Browse key industry insights spread across 105 pages with 92 data tables & 6 figures & charts from this 2017 report Clinical Trial Management System Market in detail along with the table of contents at:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/clinical-trial-management-system-ctms-market

U.S. clinical trial management system market share was over 70% of regional industry revenue in 2015. The factors driving business growth include favorable regulatory environment, effective ADR monitoring and evaluation policies and improved government funding. Germany clinical trial management system market size held more than 15% industry share in 2015 and anticipated to exceed USD 180 million by 2024. Favorable clinical trial regulations should boost the industry growth over the forecast period.

India clinical trial management system market size was around USD 50 million in 2015, expected to witness robust growth of more than 22% from 2016 to 2024 due to growing preference for conducting clinical trials associated with its low cost and good quality of trials. Latin America clinical trial management system market size is expected to surpass USD 110 million by 2024, owing to favorable government regulations and increased adoption of new medical technologies in the areas of clinical chemistry and biomedical research.

Global clinical trial management system industry is highly fragmented and competitive in nature. Some of the notable industry players include MedNet Solutions, Oracle Corporation, Bio-Optronics, BioClinica, Medidata solutions, PAREXEL International Corporation, Merge Healthcare, DATATRAK International, and VEEVA Systems. Other prominent participants include eClinForce, Forte Research Systems, and DSG.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1155

Clinical trial management system market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of value and volume in USD million from 2012 to 2024 , for the following segments:

CTMS Market, By Component

Software

Hardware

Services

CTMS Market, By Product

Enterprise Based

Site Based

CTMS Market, By Delivery Mode

Web

Cloud

On Premise

CTMS Market, By End Use

Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Companies

Clinical Research Organizations

Healthcare Providers

The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:

North America U.S. Canada

Europe Germany UK France Poland Russia

Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Taiwan

Latin America Brazil Mexico

MEA South Africa



Browse Related Reports:

Clinical Laboratory Services Market Size By Test (Human & Tumor Genetics, Clinical Chemistry, Medical Microbiology & Cytology, Other Esoteric Test), By Service Provider (Hospitals, Stand-Alone Laboratories, Clinics), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada , Germany , UK, Japan , China , Brazil , Mexico , South Africa ), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2024

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/clinical-laboratory-services-market

Pharmacovigilance Market Size By Clinical Trial Phase (Preclinical, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV), By Service Provider (In-house, Contract outsourcing) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada , UK, Germany , Spain , Italy , France , China , Japan , India , Australia , Argentina , Brazil , Mexico , South Africa , Saudi Arabia , UAE, Qatar ), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2024

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/pharmacovigilance-market

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

Contact Us:

Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights, Inc.

Phone: 1-302-846-7766

Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688

Email: sales@gminsights.com



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SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc.
DUBAI, UAE, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Welcome to Cooper Fitch's Salary Guide for 2017 which covers professional (mid to senior level) jobs across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Cooper Fitch is a specialist recruitment firm based in the UAE offering recruitment, HR advisory services and executive search, servicing clients throughout the Middle East since 1997.

We are delighted to present our findings and share valuable insights into the region's employment and salary trends found in key sectors. This guide summarises our salary expectations and recruitment forecasts for the coming year and we base all of our salary predictions on information provided by organisations located in the UAE, as well as market observations from our own experts.

2016 was a flat year economically (approximately 1-2% GDP growth) and this was reflected in recruitment activity, with slower job creation and consolidation in some sectors leading to job losses. We have seen salaries reduced or remaining flat in certain industries and it has been a particularly tough year for the banking and energy sectors. Banking remains uncertain for 2017 with a significant number of mergers planned for the next 12 months. Overall, the economy was sluggish, due in part to poor consumer confidence and low commodity prices. The number of new jobs coming onto the market was lower than in 2015, resulting in a softening of salaries for the year as a whole.

The outlook for 2017 is improving and market sentiment looks reasonably positive. Cooper Fitch estimates GDP growth of between 4-6% across the UAE, with oil prices predicted at between US$55-US$65 per barrel. We expect to see increases in salary levels and new jobs being made available following a better than expected finish to 2016 and a similar start to 2017.

We are seeing new hires for the year ahead, with jobs in consultancy, advisory, legal, strategy and tax, along with big infrastructure projects, playing a major part in the recruitment drive for 2017. Other areas, such as supply chain and manufacturing have also shown signs of recovery, but to a lesser extent, as have the energy and oil and gas sectors, with reasonable job creation and head count approval predicted for 2017. The imminent introduction of VAT in the UAE, and across the GCC, is believed to be the biggest contributor for job creation in the year ahead.

Overall, we predict that salaries will rise by between 4-6%, dependent on the GDP and commodity prices outlined above. However, by reading the commentary in this guide, you will see that there are significant differences in recruitment forecasts according to sector (with some more likely to perform better than others), directly impacting salary performance. We hope you find the insights presented in this report interesting and beneficial, and we welcome any feedback.

Cooper Fitch is the new name for Morgan McKinley in the Middle East. We specialise in jobs for the following industries - accounting, sales, marketing, banking, digital, tax, legal, audit, strategy, compliance, supply chain, construction, technical sales, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain and technology.

UAE Salary Guide 2017 (full overview)

Accounting & Finance Salary Guide UAE 2017

Banking & Financial Services Salary Guide UAE 2017

Digital Salary Guide UAE 2017

Human Resources Salary Guide UAE 2017

Legal Salary Guide UAE 2017

Manufacturing Salary Guide UAE 2017

Property & Construction Salary Guide UAE 2017

Sales & Marketing Salary Guide UAE 2017

Supply Chain Salary Guide UAE 2017

Technology Salary Guide UAE 2017

Technical Sales Salary Guide UAE 2017

SOURCE Cooper Fitch DMCC
According to the report, based on the 2016 market data from Ctrip Corporate Travel and Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world's largest business travel organization, China's business travel spending reached US$290 billion in 2016, second only to the US.

As the size of the market grows, the need for upgrading the industry is also increasing. "In addition to the basic demand for cost savings through business travel management, enterprise customers currently hope to improve management efficiency through an effective and integrated business travel management system," said Ctrip vice president, Ctrip Corporate Travel CEO Fang Jiqin in his opening speech at the summit. "The changes in the demands from enterprise customers and the industry's need to improve its own value proposition have driven the transformation of the business travel industry. It is on this basis that Ctrip Corporate Travel came up with the TM+ strategy."

Comprehensive, self-service and smart are the three major features of the business travel management "TM+" era. In terms of comprehensive, horizontally, products span different sectors and fields, expanding from booking for air tickets, hotels to sharing platforms, MICE and other travel-related incentives, which enables integrated services; vertically, processes expand from booking and payment to the front-end business travel application and authorization along with the back-end reimbursement and analysis, delivering end-to-end process management and control. In terms of self-service, TM+ moves the industry from self-service booking, business travel authorization and payment to a fully holistic business travel management process, including client onboarding and maintenance, expense auditing and settlement, traveler profile changes as well as electronic invoice delivery and validation . As for smart, providing smart yet cost-efficient recommendations based on traveler preferences as gleaned from his or her travel history and providing smart reports based on comparative analysis of individual spending against the enterprise as a whole and, through the application of big data, the industry as a whole.

Whole process: a new standard across the business travel management industry

Given the pressing demand from customers for a transformation of business travel management, Ctrip Corporate Travel released an upgraded, whole-process version of its app at the summit. The new app has upgraded several functions including authorization and booking, extra-budgetary requests while in transit, as well as reimbursement following the trip, providing a full range of intelligent, integrated, one-stop business travel management services. The upgrades to the app serve to help customers reduce business travel costs and improve travel management efficiency.

Ctrip Corporate Travel will continue to bring together upstream and downstream providers in the business travel ecosystem and seek deeper strategic cooperation with industry-leading office automation systems, cost control reimbursement software and travel service providers, corporate procurement platforms as well as social and financial platforms. All of these are efforts made to explore and develop more imaginative components to TM+, and deliver further service enhancements to the business travel management industry.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472263/2017_Summit.jpg

SOURCE Ctrip
INGLEWOOD, California and BARCELONA, Spain, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Faststream Technologies, a vanguard of technology solutions specializing in product and system engineering, Digital Transformation, IoT, Big data, Security and application development with the global footprint across North America, EMEA and APAC, once again, to join The Mobile World Congress (MWC), 2017. This event is set up to be held at the Mobile World Capital, Barcelona, Spain at two places - Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjic, from 27th February to 2nd March 2017.

Vinay Bansal, the CEO will likewise demonstrate solutions focusing on Internet of Things and M2M solutions. He will be discussing on connected cars, smart homes, wearables and everyday objects to the cloud which has a impact on smart cities, specifically smart parking technology. According to a recent survey, by 2017, 20% of car manufacturers will provide WLAN hotspots and about 80% of cars sold in U.S has a rear cameras. This means more businesses would need to invest significantly on the innovation of IoT solutions for better connected cars.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472353/Vinay_Bansal_Faststream_Technologies_MWC.jpg )



Speaking about the participation in the Mobile World Congress 2017, Vinay Bansal said, "If you want to remain in this global Mobile business, you must create an infrastructure that fits your business." The Mobile World Congress, 2017 does that by providing a platform through which businesses can connect with one another, create mentorship and develop the skills that are needed to succeed, based on a vision and nature of the business. They have been an active participant of this annual event for several years. With their adage "to innovate daily", so far they have already designed, developed and deployed to more than 30 to 40 enterprises & customer applications and is associated with a constant process of the web and mobile application development and innovation.

This time around, they are intended to showcase EV charging solution using cloud and IoT that would not simply mirror the business's excellence in technology however would even predict their enormous passion for technology. For Faststream Technologies, the answer is simple; make charging stations that can also move around. This is the idea behind the EV charging solution which include mobile power source specifically design for it and whole solution is connected to IoT.

The idea of EV charging solution is fairly simple; instead of looking for parking spots near charging ports, EV drivers can park anywhere, where the vehicle can be charged with the portable EV charger. Then, with a smartphone application specifically designed for this portable EV charger, they can tag where they parked their vehicle. Then a motorized EV charger attendant will then come charge the vehicle with a portable EV charger, ensuring it is ready to go when the driver returns.

The team is led by group of senior executives and technologists who complement each other with the goal of turnkey solutions. Few of their technologists have multi patents in their kitty, in the areas of Analog/Mixed-Signal Design, IoT and embedded systems. The solutions offered by this company are manifold and are customized to specific business requirements of clients that consequently enable the clients to "Grow Faster and Save Smarter."

With its 7+ years of cross-industry experience and technical know-how throughout all significant business functions, Faststream Technologies helps corporations and Governments around the world with their Cloud/Web based Custom Application Development, Enterprise Mobility and Business Intelligence services and solutions making their businesses future all set. Targeted at developing value for its clients, it operates from its headquarter at Inglewood in California and its branch workplaces in India. The firm provides and affordable pricing models and offers an ensured ROI for companies wanting to leverage disruptive and innovative mobility solutions. Leveraging technical competence to create best-in-class IT services and solutions is what Faststream Technologies is known for and they will be available at HALL 8.0 STAND 8.0C32 in the upcoming Mobile World Congress for one-to-one consultation, business & partnership discussion.

About Mobile World Congress:

Mobile World Congress (MWC) is the world's most significant and best mobile industry event consisting of a massive exhibition, an acclaimed meeting, exceptional networking opportunities, partner programs, the Glomo Awards and a lot more. Mobile World Congress is the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, organized by the GSMA and held in the Mobile World Capital Barcelona, 27 February - 2 March 2017.



About the Company:

Faststream Technologies, a leading global design and engineering services and solutions company, focused on complete software and hardware product development. The company focuses on building IoT and mobile solutions that aid clients transform their concepts and existing products into next-gen technologies. Faststream builds converged solutions using the most up to date hardware, BI, IoT and cloud technologies for technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications and enterprise clients.

For more details about the company can be gathered by calling them at +1-310-491-0410 or shoot them a mail at info@faststreamtech.com. And you can connect with them on Twitter @faststreamtech.

Faststream Technologies Pvt Ltd

111 N La Brea Ave

Suite 608

Inglewood

CA 90301

https://faststreamtech.com

Contact:

Vinay Bansal

Founder & CEO, Faststream Technologies

+1-310-491-0410

Email: vinay@faststreamtech.com



SOURCE Faststream Technologies Private Limited
175 Hotels Across the Globe Achieve Coveted Five-Star Award; 38 New Properties Receive Top Honors for First Time

Launching in 20 New Destinations, with the Largest and Most Diverse Group of Winners, Awards Continue Global Expansion into Australia and Pacific Rim

Bali Emerges as a Luxury Hot Spot with Three Five-Star, 10 Four-Star and Three Recommended Hotels; Two International Hotels Earn A Record-Breaking Six Five-Star Awards

ATLANTA, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 59th list of worldwide Star Rating recipients, continuing its exceedingly selective approach for recognizing the world's finest properties and rewarding gracious, intuitive service.

For 2017, the award winners include 22 new Five-Star hotels, 76 new Four-Star hotels and 83 new hotels in the Recommended category. Other first-time recipients include seven Five-Star restaurants, 13 Four-Star restaurants and 12 Recommend restaurants. The list also honors nine new Five-Star spas and 35 new Four-Star spas. See the complete list of winners here.

As it continues to expand globally, Forbes Travel Guide now rates properties in 42 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, with plans to add the Middle East and Africa for 2018. Newly added international destinations for 2017 include: Bali, Barcelona, Bogota, Budapest, Cartagena, County Kildare (Ireland), Dublin, Kyoto, Lima, Lisbon, Manila, Melbourne, Monte Carlo, Munich, Osaka, Santiago, Seoul, St. Tropez, Sydney, Venice and Zurich.

"This year's Star-Rated properties  the largest and most global group in the company's history  achieved an impeccable standard of excellence in hospitality, underscoring our overall mission of positively contributing to the international tourism industry as well as the individual hotel experience," said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide. "We are excited to recognize the 2017 Star Rating recipients, an exceptional collection of hotels, restaurants and spas with a strong culture of service. In an online environment of confusion and clutter, Forbes Travel Guide is the most trusted source of information to assist guests in making informed decisions," Inzerillo said. "We are proud to congratulate everyone who showed dedication to their guests and employees."

To celebrate this year's award, Star-Rated winners are invited to the Forbes Travel Guide All-Star Celebration in New York City on March 2. Attendees will enjoy selections of dishes prepared by award-winning chefs and legends of the international culinary world, including: Jose Garces, Amada; Christian Pratsch, Asiate; Daniel Boulud, Daniel; Mario Batali and Joe and Lidia Bastianich, Del Posto; Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Georges; Geoffrey Zakarian, The Lambs Club; and Michael White, Vaucluse.

HIGHLIGHTS, TRENDS & FUN FACTS FOR 2017

By the Numbers Among the total 1,464 winners, there are 175 Five-Star, 478 Four-Star and 237 Recommended hotels. Overall, 62 Five-Star, 176 Four-Star and 73 Recommended restaurants earned distinctions. In the spas category, a total of 56 Five-Star and 207 Four-Star spots achieved awards.



Beauty in Diversity

While the 2017 group of winners is the most diverse in terms of size, location and style, one overarching theme that ties them together is that each delivers its own distinctive experience. New Five-Star hotels range from the brand-new fresh and inventive Faena Hotel Miami Beach and the recently restored grand dame Ritz Paris to over-the-top all-suite hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Macau . Boutique hotels also made a strong Five-Star showing, including Cabo San Lucas' 87-room The Resort at Pedregal, London's 30-room Hotel 41 and Rome's 14-suite Portrait Roma.



The same diversity can be found with the new Four-Stars winners, which include St. Lucia's Jade Mountain Resort, whose 29 three-walled suites are open to the elements and have either their own private infinity pool or Jacuzzi, and Mystic, Connecticut's Spicer Mansion, a new eight-room hotel that pampers with monogrammed pillows and chauffeured BMW service.

New and Noteworthy Among the new destinations, the small island of Bali emerged as a big luxury winner. The new luxury hot spot snagged Five-Star distinctions for three hotels (Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, The Villas at Ayana). It also tallied an impressive 10 Four-Star hotels and three Recommended properties. Five Four-Star spas also debuted. Puerto Rico is rebounding from a tourism slump with a new Five-Star hotel, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico . It joins Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in achieving the top honor. The island also boasts its first Five-Star spa, Spa Botanico, a five-acre oasis within Dorado Beach. Manila launched with two Five-Star hotels ( Marco Polo Ortigas Manila , Sky Tower at Solaire Resort and Casino), a quartet of Four-Star properties ( Fairmont Makati , Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, Raffles Makati, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila) and a pair of Recommended hotels (Makati Shangri-La, Manila; Pan Pacific Manila). In Australia , Crown Towers Melbourne and The Darling in Sydney picked up their respective city's first Five-Star hotel distinction. In addition, Melbourne added a Four-Star ( Park Hyatt Melbourne ) and two Recommended properties (Grand Hyatt Melbourne; The Langham, Melbourne). Sydney racked up two Four-Star (The Langham, Sydney; Park Hyatt Sydney ) and a pair of Recommended hotels (InterContinental Sydney Double Bay; Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney). Each city also gained a Four-Star spa (Crown Spa Melbourne, Sydney's The Darling Spa). Numerous European destinations debuted with their first Five-Star properties: Budapest (Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest), Barcelona (Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona ), the French Riviera (Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel) and Venice (Belmond Hotel Cipriani).



Stars All Around An elite group of 11 properties earned Five-Star awards for their hotel, restaurant and spa. These triple Five-Star winners include: Banyan Tree Macau; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; The Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia ; Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego ; The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong ; Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas ; Mandarin Oriental, Macau ; Mandarin Oriental, Miami ; Montage Laguna Beach; Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island ; and Wynn Las Vegas. Altira Macau and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong received a total of four Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and two restaurants. Crown Towers Macau won a total of five Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and three restaurants. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Wynn Macau set a new record, achieving a total of six Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and four restaurants.



Where the Hotel Stars Shine Brightly In the United States , the greatest number of Five-Star hotels are in: California (18), New York (9), Florida (8), Massachusetts (6) and Nevada (5). California gained two new Five-Star hotels this year: Napa's Solage, An Auberge Resort and San Diego's Fairmont Grand Del Mar . U.S. cities with the highest number of Five-Star hotels include: New York (8), Beverly Hills (5), Las Vegas (5) and Miami (5). Globally, cities with the most Five-Star hotels include: Macau (10), Paris (10), London (9) and Hong Kong (8). Macau and Paris remain neck and neck with one new winner each in 2017.



Where the Restaurant Stars Shine Brightly In the United States , the greatest number of Five-Star restaurants reside in: New York (7), California (6) and Nevada (6). Cities in the United States with the most Five-Star restaurants include: New York (7), Las Vegas (6) and Chicago (3). Las Vegas' fine-dining scene is seeing an uptick with three new Five-Star restaurants: Le Cirque Las Vegas and Picasso, both in Bellagio, and Wing Lei in Wynn Las Vegas. Globally, cities with the highest number of Five-Star restaurants include: Macau (11) and Hong Kong (8).



Where the Spa Stars Shine Brightly In the United States , the greatest number of Five-Star spas are located in: California (8), Florida (5) and Nevada (5). California's two new Five-Star spa additions are Meadowood Spa in Napa and The Spa at Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles . The brand-new and sumptuous Meadowood Spa brings Napa Valley its first Five-Star spa. Globally, cities with the most Five-Star spas include: Macau (7), Hong Kong (5) and Shanghai (4). Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Mayakoba is the first and only Five-Star spa in Mexico .



For details on how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star Ratings, click here.

To view the complete list of 2017 Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating recipients, click here.

To view and download images of all 2017 Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating recipients, click here.

ABOUT FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE

Forbes Travel Guide is the originator of the prestigious Five-Star Rating system, and has provided the travel industry's most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against up to 800 rigorous and objective standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions. Forbes Travel Guide is the most prestigious standard for luxury hospitality worldwide. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, visit www.forbestravelguide.com.

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SOURCE Forbes Travel Guide
The two workshops were presented by GCL-SI and its distributor Mustek, one of the largest assemblers and distributors in South Africa, in Johannesburg on Feb 15 and Feb 17 in Cape Town respectively.

GCL's G-Home Solar Kit consists of solar panels, mounting system, inverter, intelligent energy management system and energy storage system (optional). The kit, which makes self-consumption of solar energy, helps reduce users' electricity bills as well as the carbon footprint.

For the energy storage system, users can choose GCL's E-KwBe that launched last year. The lithium battery is charged by solar panels during the daytime to store excess electricity and supply power to a home load as needed later, maximizing consumers' self-sufficiency by solar power.

The Solar Kit also comes with a yield stimulation model, which helps determine the most suitable energy storage size based on user's consumption profile, roof size and annual solar energy production.

The energy management system will allow users to connect digital devices (PC, tablet or smart phone) to the energy storage system. With that, users can monitor and evaluate the energy storage unit.

"GCL-SI aspires to incorporate green energy into daily life by creating intelligent products that make solar technology more efficient," said James Hu, president of GCL-SI Overseas BU. With that vision and mission, GCL-SI plans to hold workshops in more regions around the world in the coming year to share the latest products and technologies.

About GCL-SI

GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. (002506 Shenzhen Stock) (GCL-SI), is part of the GOLDEN CONCORD Group (GCL), an international energy company specializing in clean and sustainable power production, founded in 1990. With global assets worth near USD 19 Billions, GCL group currently takes 22.2% and 29.1% market shares in poly-silicon and wafers respectively utilized in the solar industry.

SOURCE GCL System
Customer experience leader enhances employee engagement to help organisations improve service, increase revenue, and reduce costs

SAN FRANCISCO and BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesys (www.genesys.com/uk), the global leader in omnichannel customer experience and contact centre solutions, has completed the acquisition of privately held Silver Lining Solutions Ltd., a provider of industry-leading employee performance optimisation software and Genesys OEM partner.

Silver Lining Solutions develops employee performance optimisation software that helps improve employee engagement and performance, enabling organisations to serve customers better, increase sales and operational effectiveness, and reduce costs.

The acquisition of Silver Lining Solutions further expands Genesys' capabilities to help organisations elevate employee engagement and improve business results related to sales, collections, workforce productivity, and customer satisfaction.

"Silver Lining Solutions has been a valued Genesys OEM partner since 2009," said Paul Segre, chief executive officer of Genesys. "Employee engagement is key to customer experience. This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to innovation and leadership in this rapidly evolving market. Assessing and evaluating employee behaviors, skills, and capabilities is critical for managing and understanding overall workforce performance and customer satisfaction  and ultimately, in improving a company's bottom line."

The award-winning U.K.-based company was founded in 2001 and has offices in the U.K., Asia Pacific and the U.S. Genesys has been offering the Silver Lining Solutions Performance DNA portfolio comprised of Optimizer and Planner, through Genesys Skills Management, which bundles Genesys Skills Assessor with Genesys Training Manager into one package.

"This announcement underlines our strategy for augmenting organic growth with acquisitions that give us complementary best-of-breed technologies," Segre said. "This strategy not only gives our customers a competitive advantage, but is integral to our mission of powering the best customer experiences on the planet."

About Genesys

Genesys powers more than 25 billion of the world's best customer experiences each year. We put the customer at the centre of everything we do and passionately believe that great customer engagement drives great business outcomes. More than 10,000 companies in over 100 countries trust the industry's #1 customer experience platform to orchestrate seamless omnichannel customer journeys and build lasting relationships. With a strong track record of innovation and a never-ending desire to be first, Genesys is the only company recognised by top industry analysts as a leader in both cloud and on-premise customer engagement solutions. Visit http://www.genesys.com/uk.

Connect with Genesys via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and the Genesys blog.

Media Contacts:

Christine Holley

Senior Director of Market Communications

Genesys

christine.holley@genesys.com

+1 317.715.8220

Lisa Hawes or Sarah Koniniec

Sterling Communications for Genesys

genesys@sterlingpr.com

+1 408.395.5500

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Related Links

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SOURCE Genesys
DUBAI, UAE, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

- Hisham Farouk, CEO of Grant Thornton in the UAE to take up senior global role



- Global accounting organisation sees MENA region's transition to the Future Economy



The Global Competitiveness Index for 2016-2017 of the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked the UAE at 16th position (out of 138 countries assessed). This position is as a recognition of the gains which have been made from previous years, particularly with regards to technological adoption and business sophistication.

This position further endorses the strength of the UAE amidst the global market, where it is also recognised as the third largest global centre for sukuk, alongside being referenced as the financial services hub for the Middle East.

The global position which the UAE holds has been recognised by Grant Thornton International, one of the world's largest accounting and advisory services organisations, who have appointed United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Hisham Farouk to its Board of Governors.



Amongst a whole host of local accolades, Hisham has been named in the top three for the Middle East and Africa Power 50 list of International Accounting Bulletin.[1]

He is the first appointment to the Board of Governors from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which further reinforces the fact that the MENA region is a distinct and dynamic part of the global economy, and demonstrates the importance that a global firm such as Grant Thornton attaches to it. The appointment also acknowledges that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become very substantial trading and financial centres in world terms.



Hisham said: "The pace and scale of change in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other MENA countries is truly extraordinary. The young population, changing dynamics of the oil market, and the advent of enabling technology mean that Governments and other stakeholders see the potential to create jobs in a new kind of economy. This will only be possible if the diversification of economies away from hydrocarbons towards services continues."



"In the meantime, there is a shift from the family-business model towards the institutionally-owned business model. This is at a time that the burden of regulation is increasing: the introduction of Value Added Tax in the UAE from the beginning of 2018 is just one example."



"The MENA region is making an epic transition to the Future Economy, and I am honoured to be able to play a role in that as a member of the Board of Governors of Grant Thornton International."



About Grant Thornton:

Grant Thornton International is a global organisation of member firms with 47,000 people in more than 130 countries.

1. International Accounting Bulletin, 2015

Contact: Nigel Sillitoe - +971()55 8809676 - sillitoe@insight-discovery.com

SOURCE Grant Thornton
SAN FRANCISCO, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The global hydrophilic coatings market size is projected to reach USD 14.74 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The demand for the product is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period, driven by the rising application scope in industries including automotive, medical, optical and aerospace.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 )



Rising development of medical infrastructure in developing economies in Asia Pacific is expected to drive the demand for the compound over the forecast period. The rising consumer spending capacity, along with growing geriatric population in developed countries, is expected to augment the demand for improved medical facilities and practices. In addition, increasing demand for vehicles and rising penetration of the product in other end-use industries such as aerospace and marine are expected to have a positive impact on growth.

Growing consumer awareness regarding the diversified characteristics of hydrophilic coatings, including durability, low friction coefficient and low particulate count, is expected to aid market growth for the coatings in the medical industry. As a result, the demand for the product is expected to rise over the next nine years.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Hydrophilic Coatings Market Analysis By Substrate (Polymers, Glass, Metal, Nanoparticles), By Application (Aerospace, Automotive, Marine, Medical Devices & Equipment, Optical), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World) And Segment Forecast, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/hydrophilic-coatings-market

Further key findings from the report suggest:

Polymers accounted for the largest market in 2015, which was valued at over USD 3 billion in 2015.The increasing utilization of polymers in manufacturing automotive parts and medical equipment, including catheters and guidewires, is expected to drive the industry demand.

in 2015.The increasing utilization of polymers in manufacturing automotive parts and medical equipment, including catheters and guidewires, is expected to drive the industry demand. The utilization of hydrophilic coatings for metal and glass substrates is expected to grow owing to the increasing application of the metal in end-use industries, including aerospace and automotive. The increasing utilization of glass substrates in construction and automotive industries is expected to aid market growth over the forecast period.

The demand for hydrophilic coatings in medical devices & equipment is expected to witness significant growth owing to the increasing application in catheters, guidewires and other medical devices.

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market, growing at a CAGR of over 6% from 2016 to 2025.Increasing production of medical devices in the region, coupled with rising investments in medical infrastructure expansion, is expected to propel demand.

is expected to be the fastest-growing market, growing at a CAGR of over 6% from 2016 to 2025.Increasing production of medical devices in the region, coupled with rising investments in medical infrastructure expansion, is expected to propel demand. High production volume in China and Japan is expected to drive industry growth for the coatings over the next nine years. The rising number of infrastructure development projects and the growing manufacturing industry are expected to aid the growth for the product in India .

Browse related reports by Grand View Research:

Specialty Surfactants Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/specialty-surfactants-market

Wood Preservation Chemical Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/wood-preservation-chemical-market

High Performance Ceramic Coatings Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/high-performance-ceramic-coatings-market

Corrosion Protective Coatings Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/corrosion-protective-coatings-market

Grand View Research has segmented the hydrophilic coatings market on the basis of substrate, application and region:

Substrate Outlook (Volume, Kilo tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Polymers Glass Metal Nanoparticles Others

Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Aerospace Automotive Marine Medical devices & equipment Optical Others

Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Europe Germany UK Asia Pacific China India Japan Central & South America Brazil Middle East & Africa



Read Our Blog: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/bulk-chemicals

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com



Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
PRAGUE, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

On February 20, IAOP unveiled The 2017 Global Outsourcing 100 list at the Outsourcing World Summit held in San Antonio, Texas, the United States. IBA Group - http://www.ibagroupit.com - was listed among The Global Outsourcing 100 companies in the Leader judging category for the fifth consecutive year.

"Choosing the right partners is more important than ever. Companies that outsource, not only in the traditional sense but also through the wide array of the ever-changing collaborative business models are scrutinizing their providers very closely. The GO100 is the definitive guide to help companies research and compare service providers with whom they are considering relationships," said Debi Hamill, IAOP CEO.

Now in its 11th year, the 2017 Global Outsourcing 100 recognizes the world's best outsourcing service providers. The list is based on applications received, and judging is based on a rigorous scoring methodology that includes a review by an independent panel of IAOP customer members with extensive experience in selecting outsourcing service providers for their organizations.

The Global Outsourcing 100 and its sub-lists are essential references for companies seeking new and expanded relationships with the best companies in the industry. The lists include companies from around the world that provide the full spectrum of outsourcing services - not just information technology and business process outsourcing, but also facility services, real estate and capital asset management, manufacturing and logistics. They include not only today's leaders but tomorrow's rising stars. IAOP Membership is not required nor is it considered in compiling the final list.

For 2017, the following five areas were considered and judged:

1. Size and Growth as measured by revenue, employees, and global presence.

2. Customer References as demonstrated through value being created at the company's top customers

3. Awards and Certifications as demonstrated through the value being created through industry recognition, and relevant organizational and individual professional certifications.

4. Programs for Innovation as demonstrated through specific programs and resulting outcomes that produce new forms of value for customers.

5. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as shown through corporate programs and outcomes that address such topics as community involvement and development, labor practices, human rights, fair operating practices, environmental impacts, consumer issues, and organizational governance.

See the 2017 Global Outsourcing 100 list at https://www.iaop.org/Content/19/165/4701

SOURCE IBA Group
Delivers superior set of features and capabilities than classic Internet Communication offerings

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GENBAND, a leading provider of real-time communications solutions, today announced that Kandy, its disruptive cloud communications platform, is powering Deutsche Telekom's immmr, an innovative communications service providing a new voice and video calling experience as an Internet communication service. With Kandy as part of the immmr architecture, the service offers an integrated, real-time communications experience from the cloud allowing anyone to communicate anywhere, with anyone, on any device and any network.

"Today's users require a next-generation communications experience and we knew that it would take a state-of-the-art partner to meet those needs," said Judit Andrasi, immmr CEO. "We selected Kandy after an extensive evaluation as its advanced capabilities enable us to deliver a cloud service that redefines communication services. immmr is now live and providing carrier-network integrated Internet communication in Slovakia. We look forward to introducing the immmr proposition in additional countries in the coming months."

By moving mobile communications into the cloud, immmr allows users to leverage a mobile number from any device and without being tied to a specific SIM card, opening up a new era of digital communications.

"Having one of the world's largest and most prestigious carriers select Kandy for its groundbreaking new service is a significant achievement," said David Walsh, CEO and Chairman, GENBAND. "Just two years after launching Kandy, we're further validating our mission, which is to empower our customers and enable them to quickly launch innovative services, create new revenue streams, enhance their customer relationships and deliver a superior experience by bolting Kandy onto their network and building upon it."

immmr leverages Kandy for its real-time communications needs including voice calls, group video messaging and more, while also availing itself of a complete suite of operational tools comprising service rating, billing and monitoring. Additionally, the Kandy deployment provides the security and privacy assurances required by Germany's stringent security and privacy regulations, among the strictest in the world.

"We've been working with the immmr team from the very beginning to closely align our product features and functions to their needs," added David Hiscock, GENBAND's SVP of EMEA Sales. "Leveraging Kandy gives them the additional flexibility of white-labeling our cloud-based, turnkey mobile apps for quick Time to Market, and developing the custom apps that best meet their users' needs via our APIs and SDKs for continued innovation."

About immmr

immmr (www.immmr.com) is a voice and video communication service aims to bring back voice calling to everyone's life by making it as easy, hassle-free and accessible as possible. Therefore, immmr unifies voice, video calls and messaging all in one service that users can connect to from any device and from anywhere. The immmr team is headquartered in Berlin. It's their mission to remove existing barriers in current communication services and to build a service that offers a seamless experience to their users. The app is available for Android and iOS devices as well as web browsers via web.immmr.com.

About Kandy

GENBAND's Kandy communications Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a real time software development platform built from GENBAND's core communications, presence, security and real time technologies. Kandy enables service providers, enterprises, software vendors, systems integrators, partners and developers to enrich their applications and services with real time contextual communications, providing a more engaging user experience. With Kandy, companies of all sizes and types can quickly embed real time communications capabilities into their existing applications and business processes. For more information visit kandy.io.

About GENBAND

GENBAND, a 2015 CNBC Disruptor 50, is a global leader in real-time communications software solutions for service providers, enterprises, independent software vendors, systems integrators and developers in over 80 countries. Kandy, its award-winning, disruptive real-time communications software development platform, is built from the company's global telecommunications network and security technologies. The platform enables these companies to easily embed a full suite of voice, video, chat, screen-sharing and collaboration capabilities into their existing business, web and mobile applications. The company's Network Modernization, Unified Communications, Mobility and Embedded Communications solutions enable its customers to quickly capitalize on growing market segments and introduce differentiating products, applications and services. GENBAND's market-leading solutions, which are deployable in the network, on premise or through the cloud, help its customers connect people to each other and address the growing demands of today's consumers and businesses for real-time communications wherever they happen to be. To learn more visit genband.com.

GENBAND, the GENBAND logo and icon are trademarks of GENBAND.

Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/296156/kandy_genband_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.immmr.com



SOURCE GENBAND
DUBLIN, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "India Frozen Food Market By Product Type (Frozen Snacks, Frozen Fruits and Vegetables, Frozen Meat, Poultry and Seafood, and Others), By Organized Vs Unorganized, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021" report to their offering.

Frozen food market in India is projected to register a CAGR of 15% during 2016-2021

Frozen food is rapidly gaining popularity in India. Rising urbanization, changing lifestyles and increasing expenditure on frozen food is projected to drive sales of frozen food products in the coming years. Further, frozen food manufacturing companies are changing their product dynamics and offering innovative frozen food products, as per consumer demands in India and all these factors are projected to boost frozen food sales in the country in the coming years. Further, growing working population base coupled with convenience benefits offered by frozen foods is driving India frozen food market.

Rising number of nuclear families, increasing migration of people from semi-urban and rural areas to developed metropolitan cities due to availability of a large number of employment opportunities in these regions is also anticipated to augur well for India frozen food market in the coming years.

In 2015,frozen food products market in India was dominated by frozen snacks segment. Further, with increasing availability through online sales channels such as Amazon, Big Basket etc., frozen snacks are projected to continue dominating India frozen food market through 2021. McCain, Godrej Tyson, Venky's, Darshan Foods, National Dairy Development Board (Mother Dairy), Al Kabeer Exports and Innovative foods are few of the leading players dominating India frozen food market.

India Frozen Food Market 2011-2021 discusses the following aspects of the frozen food in India:



India Frozen Food Market Size, Share & Forecast

Segmental Analysis - By Product Type (Frozen Snacks, Frozen Fruits and Vegetables, Frozen Meat, Poultry and Seafood, and Others), By Organized Vs Unorganized

Policy and Regulatory Landscape

Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities

Competitive Landscape & Strategic Recommendations

Market Trends & Developments



Growing Demand for Retort Technology Packaging

Increasing Number of New Product Launches

Rising Demand for Ready to Eat Food

Introduction of Single Serve Frozen Products

Growing Demand for Innovatively Packaged Frozen Food

Competitive Landscape



Al Kabeer Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Darshan Foods Pvt. Ltd.

Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd.

Godrej Tyson Foods Limited

Haldiram's Snacks Pvt. Ltd.

ITC Ltd.

Innovative Food Limited

MTR Foods Pvt. Ltd.

McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd.

National Dairy Development Board

Venky's India Pvt. Ltd. Rivers

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/g6jc9g/india_frozen_food

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

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Related Links

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SOURCE Research and Markets
LONDON, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

It is with much sadness we report the untimely death of Irvine Sellar 82 who passed away Sunday morning after a short illness.

Irvine will always be remembered for his determination "against all odds" to create and develop The Shard, a building that changed London's skyline forever.

His career in both retailing and property stretches back more than 60 years. He was one of the fashion retailers at the heart of the Carnaby Street revolution and "swinging London" of the 1960's.

The unparalleled success of "Mates by Irvine Sellars", the UK's second largest fashion chain catering for both men and women that was a feature of High Streets up and down the country, was borne out of the street markets which once dominated many British towns.

"Mates by Irvine Sellars" was the first fashion retailer to sell men's and women's clothing from the same store.

Having sold the retailing business in the early 1980's Irvine moved into property and within a few short years headed up the Stock Exchange quoted Ford Sellar Morris which at its peak generated annual pre-tax profits of 25m and held a widely spread investment and development portfolio,

Along with other companies in the sector the 1991-3 collapse in the property market adversely affected Irvine's fortunes. But with his usual grit and determination, he picked himself up and started again.

The turning point came in November 1998 when he and two partners acquired accountants PWC's headquarters at London Bridge. Following a Government White Paper which recommended that planners should look favourably at tall buildings close to major transport hubs, Southwark Towers became the kernel for The Shard and London Bridge Quarter.

Plans for a near 1,400ft tall building were released in April 2000. A few months later the internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano was appointed to design a multi-use building that would not only be commercially successful but would also enable visitors to see London "as it had never been seen before".

The scheme was finally given the go-ahead in November 2003 following an intensive public enquiry. Construction got underway in 2008 and The Shard was inaugurated in July 2012 with a light show that brought London's traffic to a standstill.

The Shard, together with the wider London Bridge Quarter, was developed in partnership with the State of Qatar, of which Irvine was immensely proud. A partnership which continues today as construction of the third building, Shard Place, at LBQ gets underway.

Irvine was not a traditional property developer - he had no formal training in the industry, just a sharp business sense and the ability to see the wider picture. He would often remark that he was the conductor of an orchestra of professionals.

Few, if any, in the property world ever believed The Shard would be built. They thought he would never get planning consent and when he did they thought he would never be able to finance development which he did after securing two major pre-lets. It was then thought that he would never build it - but, of course he did. And then no-one thought it would be a commercial success.

Today The Shard is an incredibly popular tourist venue for those wishing to visit The View From The Shard, the Shangri-La hotel runs at near capacity, the restaurants serve thousands of covers every week, and the office space is virtually fully let at rents that have established a new level for the area.

The property industry has lost an immense and irreplaceable character whose sheer grit and determination will leave a huge void in a sector known for big characters.

Irvine leaves a wife, three children and five grandchildren.

His son James, who has worked alongside Irvine for the past 20 years, will take over running of the Sellar Group.

SOURCE Sellar Group
Mobile World Congress demonstration to feature a live version of the Kandy IoT enterprise solution with Real Time Communications, powered by the AT&T IoT Starter Kit

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GENBAND, a leading provider of real time communications solutions, today announced that it will demonstrate a live version of its Kandy Internet of Things (IoT) enterprise solution with Real Time Communications capabilities, powered by the AT&T IoT Starter Kit*, at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 27  March 2. Kandy is GENBAND's disruptive cloud communications platform that easily adds messaging, voice, video, presence, and collaboration capabilities directly into mobile and web applications. The Kandy platform has been enhanced to deliver the "human element" to IoT connectivity via contextual Real Time Communications solutions. The Kandy platform easily "Bolts On" to a service provider's network to bring together Real Time Communications with IoT. Messaging and IoT applications, chat bots and developers can also connect to Kandy via its advanced Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to provide innovative user interactions for multiple industry verticals and consumer apps, using bot automation for routine tasks and seamlessly escalating to human conversations for more complex activities.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/296156/kandy_genband_Logo.jpg

"Without the human element in IoT you are left with just 'Big Data' and 'Things' and that is why the intersection of IoT and human interaction is so critical," said David Walsh, Chairman and CEO, GENBAND. "Adding context to the data from multiple connected end-points or 'Things' gives businesses the ability to respond in real time in the most relevant manner according to the circumstances and dynamics of the situation being addressed."

Walsh added, "Enhancing secure vertical market applications with a human element requires the digital cognitive Real Time Communications capabilities that a solution like Kandy offers to ensure exchanges are promptly delivered, understood, and/or correctly and efficiently acted upon. Our Kandy platform also provides the 'conduit' to communicate with and escalate to human interaction via apps such as our Live Support and Concierge Wrappers."

Kandy has also teamed up with JpU, a leader in transforming mobile networks into IoT networks, for a combined offering that delivers secure IoT and Real Time Communications capabilities to vertical markets. The combined offering significantly improves IoT network security, reduces costs and enhances device and machine control, while facilitating market-leading Real Time Communications capabilities between IoT devices and applications.

"We are delighted to join forces with the Kandy team to deliver the latest in IoT security, connectivity and device management technology, along with Real Time Communications capabilities to the marketplace," said Jonathan Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, JpU. "Together we are allowing service providers to tap into a new and rapidly growing market, while cutting costs and introducing new revenue streams."

Key Takeaways

GENBAND has enhanced its award-winning Kandy communications platform to deliver the "human element" of IoT via Real Time Communications solutions by allowing CSPs to easily bolt on the platform to leverage Kandy's APIs and Wrappers, preconfigured apps such as Live Support and Concierge .

and . Kandy also allows messaging and IoT applications, chat bots and developers to connect via its APIs to provide cognitive bot and human connectivity for multiple industry verticals and consumer apps.

Kandy and JpU have teamed up for a combined offering that delivers secure IoT with Real Time Communications capabilities to vertical markets.

The combined Kandy-JpU solution will also be on display at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, February 27  March 2. Visit GENBAND's booth 2I31 in Exhibition Hall 2.

*AT&T IoT Starter Kits come with a full set of capabilities that developers need to jumpstart their IoT projects: hardware, services, IoT connectivity, and integrations. For more information, visit starterkit.att.com.

About Kandy

GENBAND's Kandy communications Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a real time software development platform built from GENBAND's core communications, presence, security and real time technologies. Kandy enables service providers, enterprises, software vendors, systems integrators, partners and developers to enrich their applications and services with real time contextual communications, providing a more engaging user experience. With Kandy, companies of all sizes and types can quickly embed real time communications capabilities into their existing applications and business processes. For more information visit kandy.io.

About GENBAND

GENBAND is a global leader in real-time communications software solutions for service providers, enterprises, independent software vendors, systems integrators and developers in over 80 countries. Kandy, its award-winning, disruptive real-time communications software development platform, is built from the company's global telecommunications network and security technologies. The platform enables these companies to easily embed a full suite of voice, video, chat, screen-sharing and collaboration capabilities into their existing business, web and mobile applications. The company's Network Modernization, Unified Communications, Mobility and Embedded Communications solutions enable its customers to quickly capitalize on growing market segments and introduce differentiating products, applications and services. GENBAND's market-leading solutions, which are deployable in the network, on premise or through the cloud, help its customers connect people to each other and address the growing demands of today's consumers and businesses for real-time communications wherever they happen to be. GENBAND's award-winning Marketing Advantage Program offers partners free resources, training and campaigns to fuel their success in implementing GENBAND powered services. To learn more visit genband.com.

GENBAND, the GENBAND logo and icon are trademarks of GENBAND.

About JpU

JpU builds an innovative self-service mobile connectivity platform for IoT and Enterprise Mobility that revolutionizes security and network control paradigms by shifting control from the MNO to the enterprise. IoT and Enterprise Customers gain control over their "slice" of the MNO network, allowing a true self-service network management experience, along with new layers of security and billing control. Coupled with a new breed of a mobile network core ready for NB-IoT, JpU enables MNOs to host vast numbers of IoT devices on their network at a very low cost-per-device. For more information visit jpu.io.

Related Links

http://www.genband.com



SOURCE GENBAND
During the visit, the JUMORE delegation also had meetings with the governor of Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), the mayor of Astana, and leaders of some other important institutions including KAZNEX INVEST, a major development institution under the Ministry for Investment and Development of Kazakhstan, the state-owned logistics enterprise KTZ Express and Kazakhstan's largest national chamber of commerce, ATAMEKEN, reaching a lot of consensus on areas of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral trade, finance, investment and logistics and more in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.

As an important node on the Belt and Road trade route, Kazakhstan borders on China, making it the first stop from China to Central Asia. JUMORE has maintained close cooperation with Kazakhstan for a long time. In 2016, JUMORE made in-depth exchanges with the Kazakh embassy in China and reached strategic cooperation with several important institutions of Kazakhstan. During the G20 Hangzhou Summit, H.E. Bakhytzhan Sagintayev made a visit to JUMORE and highly appreciated the company's model.

Through the E4B model of JUMORE, Kazakh resources and products can get access to the Chinese and global markets. Meanwhile, high-quality goods in China can also be introduced to Kazakhstan through JUMORE's platform, which will definitely promote economic and trade exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. JUMORE can also help Kazakhstan introduce global investment, technology, and services, and promote manufacturing. Both parties can explore more opportunities to cooperate in projects such as roads, railways, ports, communications, energy, and more in light of Kazakhstan's huge demand for infrastructure construction and upgrading.

Up to now, Jumore has established cooperation with more than 120 countries worldwide and all of the provinces in China. It is foreseeable that the cooperation between China and Kazakhstan will open a new situation for Kazakhstan's economic transformation and lay a solid foundation for upgrading Sino-Kazakh cooperation.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472224/JUMORE_Kazakhstan_Meeting.jpg

SOURCE Zhejiang Jumore E-commerce Co., Ltd
TOKYO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LONGi Group recently announced that it has renamed its overseas brand LERRI Solar, which encompasses its solar cell and module businesses, as LONGi Solar. The company will participate in PV Expo 2017 in Tokyo, Japan from March 1 to March 3, 2017, with its new brand identity.

LONGi Group, a global leader in monocrystalline silicon industry, has built an entire industry value chain encompassing the upstream (silicon ingots and wafers), midstream (solar cells and modules) and downstream (utility and distributed generation power stations) of the solar industry with the support of its advanced monocrystalline technologies. The launch of its brand integration strategy demonstrates LONGi Group's commitment to becoming a leading global solar technology company.

By capitalizing on the group's overall strengths in monocrystalline technologies, LONGi Solar focuses on the research, development and manufacturing of high-efficiency, cost-effective monocrystalline photovoltaic products with the aim of providing owners of solar facilities and their investors with solutions that reduce the cost of per kilowatt hour of electricity generated using LONGi Solar's cells and modules. To be showcased at the Japan PV Expo are the company's wide range of high performance monocrystalline products including its 305W 60-cell PERC module.

LONGi Group President Li Zhenguo said, "As the world's largest monocrystalline wafer manufacturer, LONGi Group has established a leading market position and high level of brand recognition in the global monocrystalline wafer markets. Being recently named a Tier One module supplier by Bloomberg New Energy Finance is a testament to our achievements across the solar value chain. The renaming of the LERRI Solar brand consisting of our solar cell and module businesses as LONGi Solar highlights LONGi Group's determination and confidence in expanding its solar cell and module businesses in overseas markets. We believe that the LONGi Group's brand integration strategy will help power the evolution of our business interests worldwide."

SOURCE LONGi Solar
MILAN, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Coop Alleanza 3.0, Europe's biggest consumers cooperative and an integral part of the COOP system, Italy's leading large-scale retailer, has chosen Milkman, the Italian startup specialized in home deliveries by appointed day and time-window, for the launch of EasyCoop, Italy's most innovative and advanced e-commerce service. For its development and management Coop Alleanza 3.0 has founded the subsidiary company Digitail.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471822/Milkman_Logo.jpg )



Rome's customers will be enabled to shop on the www.easycoop.com portal and enjoy, during checkout, unprecedented and total flexibility, deciding the day and time window in which to receive their orders.

EasyCoop's objective is to make life easier for those who shop online. A task made achievable by Milkman's proprietary technology, the only one in the world letting shoppers freely decide their time availability based on their own personal needs. This optimization translates in a spike of customer's satisfaction and logistical, environmental and economic efficiencies.

"We strongly wanted to collaborate with Milkman because of its big focus on the customer": tells Digitail's CEO Andrea Zocchi. "Milkman has a proven track record of customization towards the end user, that makes it really "easy", the obvious choice if you want to be sure of not letting down those among our customers who want to shop online".

Antonio Perini, CEO Milkman, explains: "The union between Milkman's digital expertise and the extraordinary quality with which Coop Alleanza 3.0 takes care of its customers and products, will result in an online shopping experience that goes beyond the highest expectations, for a trend that already exponentially increases month by month. With the utmost simplicity shoppers will take control of their orders and follow them step by step. It's a brand-new way of living your online shopping".

The new service involves sending an SMS reminder a few minutes before delivery occurs, also including name and identification code of the driver. It will be active Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 10 pm.

COOP's customers are going to be served by a fleet of vans decorated with two logos: Milkman's and EasyCoop's. The same combination will be sported on drivers' uniforms.

The new-born alliance marks the launch of the startup's services outside the city of Milan, where it already operates time-window deliveries for Eataly Today, Tannico, Graffitishop, Campari, Grappa Nonino, Foppa Pedretti, My Beautik and other eCommerces who decided to bet on the last-mile revolution.

Milkman, in Milan, also works in direct contact with online shoppers, thanks to the Milkman App (free on the AppStore and Google Play Store), awarded by Apple with a place on the Top 10 best Apps of 2016. Milkman's App is dedicated to those who buy online and then are never home to receive their parcels.

Milkman's name reminds us of the reliability and warmth of those milkmen of times past, who delivered fresh milk door to door, every morning. That's because the startup strongly believes in the human factor, even inside a world as digitalized as that of eCommerce.

The project has been created by Antonio Perini, co-founder of Cortilia and Viamente (acquired by Workwave) and Tommaso Bau, co-founder of itecs. Milkman has its headquarters in Milan and Verona, Italy. www.milkman.it/en/

SOURCE Milkman
DUBLIN, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Munich Re Automation Solutions Ltd is delighted to announce that it has been officially recognised as one of the Best Workplaces in Ireland in 2017.



This well-deserved accolade was presented at the Great Place to Work Best Workplaces in Ireland awards in the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road, Dublin on Wednesday 22nd February. This is their first year to be named as a top Irish workplace, recognition awarded on the basis of an employee survey and an assessment of their policies and practices.

Sandra Kelly, Head of Human Resources, commented: "This is our first year to take part in the Great Place to Work campaign and we are privileged to be listed as a Best Workplace 2017 on our first endeavour. We thrive on a culture of innovation, diversity, skill, professionalism and friendliness."

Ross Mayne, CEO of Munich Re Automation Solutions Ltd added: "I am delighted for our team and it is fantastic to be recognised with this award. Our success is largely built on the collective skills, abilities and expertise of our employees who are committed to going the extra mile for our clients all over the world."

All over the country, employees at Ireland's Best Workplaces report a significantly greater sense of job security than those in peer organisations. This level of employee confidence provides these organisations with a workforce that is engaged, focused on the task at hand, and eager to offer their contribution to future successes.

"The listed organisations this year have separated themselves from their peers by leveraging the power of trust to the benefit of all their stakeholders, and that is why I want to extend my congratulations to one and all on a wonderful achievement," said John Ryan, CEO of Great Place to Work Ireland.



Munich Re Automation Solutions Ltd. is the leading provider of electronic new business and automated underwriting solutions to the life insurance industry.

http://www.munichre.com/automation-solutions

Contact

Sandra Kelly, Head of Human Resources

Tel: +353 1 293 2888

skelly@munichre.com





SOURCE Munich Re Automation Solutions Ltd
TELTOW, Germany, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI), a world leader in eye tracking technology, will premiere its mobile eye tracking technology on an ARM-based mobile virtual reality (VR) platform at GDC 2017.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472271/SMIEyeTrackingSamsungGearVR.jpg )



SMI eye tracking is a proven technology found in smart devices, including computer and tablet screens, eye tracking glasses and AR/VR.

The VR demo, which uses a Samsung Gear VR headset with the Samsung Galaxy S7, features an Exynos 8890 SoC with an ARM Mali GPU and will showcase the benefits of eye tracking for mobile VR, including foveated rendering. As well as delivering a superior visual experience to the user, foveated rendering alleviates the power demand issues common to mobile VR. Addressing the demand VR places on chips in smartphones is crucial for the continued growth of this market and enabling next generation mobile VR.

"Eye tracking technology will bring yet another level of sharpness and detail to untethered VR worlds," said Pablo Fraile, director of ecosystems, mobile compute, ARM. "Our demonstration of SMI mobile eye tracking technology on ARM-based devices highlights how foveated rendering will increase the efficiency of mobile VR experiences without compromising frame rates or visual quality."

SMI has delivered more than 10 eye tracking integrations for AR and VR in the past 12 months - covering tethered VR HMDs, standalone and mobile VR headsets.

"Given ARM's global position as a mobile technology provider we are very pleased with the success of this collaboration," said SMI Director OEM Business Christian Villwock. "We have long believed that eye tracking is central to the future of all VR - including mobile - and having a company such as ARM align with this view is to us, a vindication of that long-held belief."

Key benefits of eye tracking for VR include:

Foveated rendering- providing a richer visual experience with a lower processing load

providing a richer visual experience with a lower processing load Social presence- the SMI Social Eye, launched earlier this year, creates a realistic eye-to-eye experience when avatars meet in virtual worlds

the SMI Social Eye, launched earlier this year, creates a realistic eye-to-eye experience when avatars meet in virtual worlds Gaze interaction- select content by simply looking at a menu option

select content by simply looking at a menu option Personal display calibration- providing a VR experience more comfortable for the eye

providing a VR experience more comfortable for the eye Analytical insights- which are of great value to games developers, corporate users and researchers

Experience ARM's eye tracking demo at GDC 2017, booth 1924. The demo will teleport the user into the heart of a smartphone, exploring the inside - from chip to camera to speakers - from an entirely new perspective, guided by a friendly robot companion.

About SMI

SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) has been a world leader in eye tracking technology for 25 years, developing and marketing eye & gaze tracking systems for scientists and professionals, as well as OEM and medical solutions for a wide range of applications. Find out more at www.smivision.com. Follow @SMIeyetracking on Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter.

Media Contacts

SensoMotoric Instruments GmbH (SMI)

Tim Stott

+49-(0)-162-271-61-66

tim.stott@smi.de



SOURCE SensoMotoric Instruments GmbH (SMI)
NEW YORK, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Persistence Market Research projects -

The future of global telecommunication industry will witness higher adoption of complex information systems which will facilitate speedy data convergence

System integrators will play a key role in compiling information emanating from multiple and advanced telecommunication network standards

Integration of business support systems (BSS) and operation support systems (OSS) will boost the support for end-to-end telecommunication services and bring forth some improved customer management solutions

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )



Owing to rising urban population, growing strength of telecom networks, brimming data transference, and deployment of advanced technologies, the demand for system integration in telecommunication continues to surge in regions namely, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. A latest study published by Persistence Market Research has estimated that the market for system integration in telecommunications across these regions is presently valued at US$ 22.5 Bn. By the end of 2024, these regions will collectively showcase revenue growth at an impressive 6.3% CAGR and witness the market for system integration in telecommunication reach US$ 36.9 Bn in value.

View Research Report Analysis and Market Overview@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/asia-pacific-latin-america-and-emea-system-integration-in-telecommunication-market.asp

Rapid System Integration in Telecommunications across Asia-Pacific (APAC)

The demand for system integration in telecommunication across APAC countries is projected to witness revenue growth at 7.1% CAGR. A majority of system integration solutions adopted across APAC telecommunications industry will be directed towards OSS, revenues from which will reach US$ 10.6 Bn by the end of 2024. China will contribute with more than one-third of overall revenues, while India, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and ASEAN countries will showcase rampant revenue growth. Vodafone Hutchinson Telecommunications, Telstra Corporation Ltd., SingTel Optus Pty Limited, NTT-Docomo Corporation, Ideal Cellular Ltd., Reliance Communications, and Softbank Corporation are some of the prominent IT service provider in the APAC telecommunications industry.

Telecommunication Services in Latin America awaiting System Integration

On an average, 40% of revenues procured in Latin America's system integration in telecommunication market will be emanating from Brazil. The demand for integrating OSS and BSS will also gain traction in Mexico and Argentina. Although, the overall system integration in telecom market in Latin America is being projected to expand at a moderate CAGR of 4.4%. High implementation costs of system integration solutions are imposing a relatively less adoption in Latin America, as opposed to the APAC region, Europe or Middle East & Africa. Leading IT service providers mapping Latin America's telecom industry are identified as Telefonica Brasil, TIM Brasil, Telecom Argentina SA, Nextel, Telcel, Claro Brasil, and Telefonica SA.

A sample of this report is available upon request@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/14008

High Integration of OSS/BSS Systems in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)

The EMEA system integration in telecommunication market is presently valued US$ 10.5 Bn. In the Middle East and Africa, South Africa is projected to exhibit high value CAGR of 7%, while the European system integration in telecommunication market will see consolidated growth from the EU5 - Spain, Germany, Italy, France and the UK. These five countries will also dominate the overall EMEA region, accounting for over 40% value share by the end of 2024. The MTN Group, Saudi Telecom Company, Vodacom, and Airtel Africa are leading telecom service providers across the Middle East and Africa. The telecom industry of Nordic countries and Russia is mapped by IT service providers namely, Telenor ASA, VimpelCom Ltd., and Mobile TeleSystems. Meanwhile, companies such Deutsche Telekom, Orange SA, BT Group plc., Telefonica SA and Vodafone Group plc. are charting the waters of telecommunication services in EU5 countries.

View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/asia-pacific-latin-america-and-emea-system-integration-in-telecommunication-market/toc

The report has also profiled leading providers of system integration solution in telecom across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa. These include, Oracle Corp., Redknee Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Sigma System Canada, NetCracker Technology Corporation, Openet Telecom, Ericsson, Comptel Corp., and Amdocs Inc.

You can now buy a single user license of the report at http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/14008

For more information, please e-mail us at sales@persistencemarketresearch.com

PMR Overview

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.



Contact

Persistence Market Research

U.S. Sales Office:

305 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York City, NY 10007

United States

USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353



Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
OTTAWA, Ontario, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Continuing to advance its network virtualization strategy, Verizon has implemented an orchestrated real-time analysis engine that aggregates IP and optical network data to successfully provide service assurance for NFV deployments.

Verizon has chosen CENX to provide the tools that deliver a unified view of the state of physical and virtual components across multiple network systems and data centers.

Operational complexities increase as service providers implement NFV across networks. A singular view, such as that provided by CENX, simplifies those complexities with views of network inventory, service topology, faults, performance, and usage. This information is then correlated with KPIs to generate end-to-end performance monitoring.

"As one of the first global carriers to implement SDN and NFV, Verizon is committed to providing the level of service our customers expect," said Eric Lia, Executive Director, Network Infrastructure Planning for Verizon. "CENX's service assurance capabilities enable us to manage the inherent complexities that come with virtualization while meeting the high bar we set for service delivery."

Over the years, Verizon has adopted new ways to design, develop, and manage its networks while staying focused on service assurance in order to deliver the high quality of service and end-user experience for which the company is known.

Jay McMullan, Senior Vice President of CENX, said, "We are excited to continue our relationship with Verizon by applying our CENX product suite to their growing NFV assurance initiatives."

Be sure to visit Verizon and CENX at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, from Feb. 27 to Mar. 2.

About CENX

CENX fundamentally changes the way service providers view their networks. A leading provider of network and service operations software solutions, CENX ingests all of an operator's network data, across multiple domains and physical and virtual infrastructure. Harnessing the power of big data analytics, CENX visualizes network and service topology, inventory, fault, and performance in a single pane, in real time. CENX enables the world's largest and most innovative service providers to scale their operations as the network scales. http://www.cenx.com

Links and search terms

http://www.cenx.com

http://www.cenx.com/about/overview.html

CENX, Service Assurance, Ethernet services, IP Services, Carrier Ethernet, software-defined networking, SDN, network functions virtualization, NFV, 4G, mobile backhaul, big data analytics

Follow CENX

http://www.blog.cenx.com

http://www.twitter.com/cenxinc

http://www.linkedin.com/company/cenx-inc

http://www.youtube.com/cenxinc

For media inquiries, please contact: Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA), +1-866-695-3629, jsa_cenx@jaymiescotto.com

SOURCE CENX
Working with experts from MIT, students at The British School Warsaw use data to research issues facing the city

WARSAW, Poland, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Students at The British School Warsaw are undertaking an ambitious project to collect data in order to understand problems facing the city. Working with researchers and experts from MIT, as well as local organisations, and teachers, students will collect and analyse data to identify issues in the city as part of the Data-Driven Curiosity Challenge. Using results from their research, students will educate their school and community, helping them to better understand and connect with the issues.

The challenge is the second phase of a three-part annual activity designed by MIT experts based on STEAM subjects and the scientific method. Students will use data to analyse the following issues:

Smog: At times, children are unable to go outside during break times as a result of heavy smog. Students have started to research this issue further as Warsaw is considered to be one of the most polluted cities in Europe . They will collect data from a range of sources and look at causes and effect, as well as prevention strategies which will help lower smog levels. Students have asked various experts in the city to help them find solutions to the problem, including a local politician and a local member of an NGO who has set up Warsaw Smog Alarm to create awareness around smog in the city. Some children have also created YouTube smog blogs to generate awareness to members of the community.

is considered to be one of the most polluted cities in . They will collect data from a range of sources and look at causes and effect, as well as prevention strategies which will help lower smog levels. Students have asked various experts in the city to help them find solutions to the problem, including a local politician and a local member of an NGO who has set up Warsaw Smog Alarm to create awareness around smog in the city. Some children have also created YouTube smog blogs to generate awareness to members of the community. Traffic: This problem has enhanced the effects of climate change and the release of CO 2 emissions. It has contributed many problems in the environment, including smog around Warsaw . Through research students have discovered that old cars in the city have resulted in higher emissions. One class analysed how often they use their cars to get to school, how much CO 2 this produces, its impact on the environment, and what can be done to improve the situation.

emissions. It has contributed many problems in the environment, including smog around . Through research students have discovered that old cars in the city have resulted in higher emissions. One class analysed how often they use their cars to get to school, how much CO this produces, its impact on the environment, and what can be done to improve the situation. Recycling habits: Often rubbish in Warsaw goes to vast landfills or burned by locals, producing extremely dangerous toxic gases. Students have carried out research, observations, surveys, and online investigations to explore the causes of these issues and what can be done to help improve recycling.

Through engaging with real world problems happening in their local community, students have learned to collaborate with their peers and the community by collecting information which will then be used to create a meaningful data story.

Alun Yorath, Principal at The British School Warsaw said:

"This project has certainly gripped the imagination of the young minds at The British School Warsaw. The corridors are abuzz with chatter about data and what it means. As a previous Head of Science I have been mightily impressed by the level of investigative enquiry I have witnessed. The enthusiasm with which they have approached this project is remarkable and is a testament to the 'power' of the MIT collaboration."

John Durant, Director of MIT Museum, said:

"I am delighted to see the MIT STEAM Challenge move into its second phase of operations. The new challenge being posted to Nord Anglia students will cultivate skills in data collection and analysis that are at the heart of effective problem solving in many areas of life and work. We look forward to working closely with Nord Anglia teachers and students over the coming months."

This challenge is part of a wider collaboration between MIT and Nord Anglia Education schools incorporating the interdisciplinary subjects of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). At the core of the collaboration is the reflection of MIT's philosophy of 'mind and hand' which calls for a practical approach to problem solving. Through this approach, students at The British School Warsaw will develop key transferable skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, curiosity and communication, which can be employed across all academic subjects, and in future careers.

The Nord Anglia-MIT collaboration launched in September 2016 in 13 inaugural schools and will expand to educate more than 37,000 students at Nord Anglia Education's 43 international schools in following years.

About The British School Warsaw

The British School Warsaw was established in 1992 teaching students ages 2-18 with a student body representing over 60 nationalities. The British School Warsaw offers the English National Curriculum, adapting to the needs of the international community. It also offers the IGCSE examinations and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The school aims to inspire students to achieve the highest academic standard in all that they do while providing a premium education in Poland with a safe, happy and supportive environment. Learn more at http://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/warsaw.

For further information, please contact:

Olga Rasiewicz

Director of Admissions and Marketing

Email: olga.rasiewicz@thebritishschool.pl

Tel: (0048)-22-842-32-81

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471785/Nord_Anglia_Education_Master_20170228LOGO_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.nordangliaeducation.com



SOURCE Nord Anglia Education
LONDON and NEW YORK, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

WiderPool, global innovation brokers, and Vivigas & Power, one of Italy's leading gas and electricity utilities, have announced a strategic partnership to bring technology-focused innovation to the Italian energy market. The collaboration aims to turbocharge Vivigas' customer engagement capabilities by matching it with suitably curated technology solutions.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472157/WiderPool.jpg )



Spanning a history of over 50 years, Vivigas & Power supplies energy to over 316,000 customers with annual revenues of over 500m. Vivigas CEO Andrea Bolla explained that the business is embarking on a journey to be the innovation driver in the Italian energy sector to create real, solid, long-term value for customers. "Excellence in customer service is our organisation's core value. We would like to enhance that and create customer journeys providing an easily tailored product that reflects the young innovative culture of Vivigas itself", Vivigas' vision is to position itself as an innovation driver not just in its sector but throughout the Italian market. This is a unique opportunity for a growth-stage tech company to work with a market leader in Italy becoming the key driver for their innovation strategy.

WiderPool was founded in 2015 by serial entrepreneurs Ignacio Macias, founder of Spain's leading technology accelerator Top Seeds Lab, and Adarsh Radia, serial entrepreneur in a number of industries ranging from restaurants to telecommunications to wearable technology. They set about to address the inefficiencies facing key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. Technology startups generally face difficulties with business development and spend an inordinate amount of time and resources on securing funding. On the other end of the spectrum, larger more established corporations suffered when it came to innovating their existing business models or acquiring new technology. WiderPool came about as a new generation of enablers that address this supply/demand imbalance in the world of innovation. They act as a proactive VC investor to technology businesses providing funding as well as connecting them to customer bases (corporations) that are seeking their innovation. To the corporate, WiderPool acts very much like a corporate venturing or technology curation arm, working hand in hand to deliver new growth opportunities to an established business. WiderPool is supported by a global network of over 60 advisory board members that are leading industry and technology vertical experts.

The Vivigas/WiderPool Innovation Programme 2017 has just been launched and will accept applications until the end March 2017. Through its deep network, WiderPool will seek a long list of technology businesses that are viable before beginning the jury process followed by detailed due diligence. WiderPool will provide the right fit with an initial capital development fund of $250,000 and up to $1Milion follow-up funding available to help the right fit scale its product into Vivigas. It is with this collaborative process that WiderPool will aim to help surpass Vivigas' 15% annual growth rate that it has sustained over the last decade.

For any enquiries whether you are a corporation trying to access innovation or a technology business looking to scale contact Paul Ust at paul@widerpool.com, +1-202-270-1858.

SOURCE WiderPool
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year, LATF USA presented the annual Hollywood Beauty Awards (HBAs) on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at the iconic Avalon Hollywood.

The black tie dinner gala benefitted the M*A*C AIDS Fund. The HBAs recognizes the architects of beauty in hair, makeup, photography and styling for Film, TV and Music, as well as for the red carpet and editorial.

Hollywood Beauty Awards Founder & CEO Michele Elyzabeth & Paris Hilton Zachary Quinto presented Outstanding Achievement in SFX Makeup Award to Joel Harlow.

Radio personality, Lisa Stanley (K-EARTH 101) and comedienne/actress, Kym Whitley ("Fist Fight") co-hosted the show.

Lexus returned as the 2017 HBAs title sponsor. Supporting sponsors included NuMe, Moet & Chandon, and The Hollywood Reporter as media partner. Award design by Christopher Guy

The show was broadcast LIVE STREAM at LATFusa.com and on YouTube. Direct link: https://youtu.be/qW-7wAyEHRo

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

Commander Spock himself, Zachary Quinto presented to Joel Harlow for Outstanding Achievement in SFX Makeup. The two have worked together on the incredible "Star Trek" reboot franchise.

Academy Award winner and 2017 nominee, Octavia Spencer presented to honoree Melissa Forney, who created Octavia's hairstyles on "Hidden Figures."

Trai Byers from FOX's "Empire," presented to Beverly Jo Pryor for Outstanding Achievement In Makeup.

Billy Bob Thornton presented to longtime friend Timothy White for Outstanding Achievement in Photography.

Melissa Rivers gave a touching and hilarious honoring the legendary Bob Mackie for

Outstanding Achievement In Costume Design & Styling.

Melissa McCarthy gave a surprise video speech from NYC for Linda Flowers' Outstanding Achievement In Hairstyling award.

Paris Hilton shined bright receiving the Fragrance of the Year for GOLD RUSH Paris Hilton from Perfumania Holdings CEO Stephen Nussdorf.

Lea Michele presented her best friend, Sarah Potempa with the Product of the Year award for BEACHWAVER.

Garcelle Beauvais presented to Sabrina Maren for the Brand of the Year award for NuMe.

Dr. Andrew Ordon of CBS' "The Doctors" presented to the Timeless Beauty Award recipient, "Dallas" star Linda Gray. Record producer Adrian Gurvitz and Lisa Stanley presented to the New Beauty Award recipients, GRAMMY nominee, Andra Day and CBS' "Blue Bloods" star Sami Gayle.

Award designer, Christopher Guy presented to Etienne Taenaka (Director of Sassoon Salons) and Stan Newton (Director of Sassoon Academies) for the Special Tribute Award to SASSOON.

Dr. Jason B. Diamond presented the Beauty Enhancement Award to Dr. Harold Lancer.

Other celebrity presenters include: Taylor Nolan (ABC's The Bachelor), Danielle Lombard (ABC's The Bachelor), Chaley Rose (Nashville, 2016 New Beauty), Actress Nikki Leigh as the HBAs awards model, Sterfon Demings (2016 hair honoree), Kathryn Blondell (2016 hair honoree) and more...

WINNERS:

Every year, the nominee categories are named after the current honorees. These established nominees, specializing in creating celebrity looks for the red carpet and editorial compete in each honoree category.

Joel Harlow Award for Makeup:

Angela Levin - WINNER

Claudia Betancur

Michelle Clark

Beverly Jo Pryor Award for Makeup:

Saisha Beecham

Sam Fine

Steven Aturo - WINNER

Linda Flowers Award for Hairstyling:

David Gardner

Giannandrea - WINNER

Jenny Cho

Melissa Forney Award for Hairstyling:

Larry Sims - WINNER

Neal Farinah

Nikki Nelms

Timothy White Award for Photography:

Christopher Polk

Eric Charbonneau

Jennifer Graylock - WINNER

Bob Mackie Award for Styling:

Jason Bolden

Jen Rade - WINNER

Derek Roche

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY AWARDS:

The HBAs were founded by LATF USA's publisher, Michele Elyzabeth. The award show recognizes the architects of beauty in hair, makeup, photography and styling in Hollywood. The HBAs honor the unsung heroes in the beauty industry, including Beauty Enhancement, Timeless Beauty, New Beauties, Fragrance of the Year, Brand and Product of the Year. The final vote is determined by the expertise, creativity and artistry, as well as photographs, bios and reels which are submitted for each nominee. A panel, which makes up the HBAs board is comprised of professionals from the beauty industry; encompassing Journalists, Publicists and Beauty Experts. New members are added every year. www.hollywoodbeautyawards.com and www.latfusa.com

ABOUT M*A*C AIDS FUND:

The M*A*C AIDS Fund, the philanthropic arm of M*A*C Cosmetics, has raised more than $440 million since its inception in 1994, exclusively through the sale of M*A*C VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipgloss. The Fund is the heart and soul of M*A*C Cos- metics, encompassing diversity while celebrating life and the outspoken attitude of the company. Partnering with bold, visionary, and brave organizations to confront the epidemic in communities where people are at highest risk around the world, the M*A*C AIDS Fund is ending AIDS, one lipstick at a time.

Social Media: #HollywoodBeautyAwards -- #HBAs --

Twitter, Facebook & Instagram: @LATFusa & @HollywoodBeautyAwards

Contact:

Parapluie Inc.

Executive Producer: Pamela Price

323.876.3090

[email protected]

SOURCE LATF USA

Related Links

http://www.latfusa.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society for Ethnopharmacology-India (SFE-India) has presented its "SFE  Outstanding International Ethnopharmacologist Award  2017" to Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC). The award was given to Blumenthal at the society's annual meeting and scientific conference in Surat, Gujarat, India, on February 23.

Ethnopharmacology is a branch of ethnobotany and pharmacology focused on the traditional knowledge and customs concerning medicinal substances (especially those of plant origin) and their traditional medicinal uses. The field encompasses traditional ethnobotany, modern scientific and clinical research of historically used medicinal substances, and quality control of these substances as they are used in modern societies.

"SFE-India is happy to confer the 'SFE  Outstanding International Ethnopharmacologist Award  2017' to Mark Blumenthal for his outstanding contributions to the fields of ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and medicinal plant research," wrote Professor Pulok Mukherjee, PhD, secretary of SFE-India and director of the School of Natural Product Studies at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India.

Blumenthal has more than 45 years of experience in the fields of herb and medicinal plant education, research, publishing, quality control, regulation, market dynamics, and related areas. In addition to founding and directing ABC since 1988 and serving as editor-in-chief of the nonprofit's peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram, which he launched in 1983, Blumenthal is the senior editor of three highly regarding reference books on medicinal plants and co-editor of two additional reference books. He is also editor-in-chief of HerbClip, ABC's series of summaries and critical reviews of clinical studies of medicinal plants and related materials.

Blumenthal has been active in the international herb community in the area of quality control and education on adulteration and fraud in botanical raw materials and extracts as founder and director of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program, an international educational program underwritten or endorsed by more than 180 responsible parties.

"I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award that recognizes the international impact of the educational efforts of the American Botanical Council," said Blumenthal in his acceptance of the award.

"Medicinal plant research and quality control are international; they are not limited by political borders," Blumenthal continued. "Scientists share their information globally for the highest benefit to all humankind, and I am pleased that ABC's educational publications and programs are valued by our professional colleagues in India, a country with a rich history and tradition of medicinal plant use and robust modern scientific research."

ABC Chief Science Officer Stefan Gafner, PhD, added: "Mark Blumenthal has had a lifelong commitment to promote the responsible use of medicinal plants. The traditional use of medicinal plants by various cultures has always been one of his prime interests. Examples include the ABC-organized ecotours for pharmacists to learn about the 'pharmacy of the rainforest' in Peru, Belize, Costa Rica, and parts of Africa. I congratulate him for this well-deserved recognition of his contributions to the field of ethnopharmacology."

Previous recipients of the award include Michael Heinrich, PhD, professor of pharmacognosy at University College London; Geoffrey Cordell, PhD, retired professor emeritus of pharmacognosy at the University of Illinois-Chicago; and Robert Verpoorte, PhD, professor emeritus at Leiden University.

About SFE-India

SFE-India works to disseminate knowledge for the promotion of ethnopharmacology and medicinal plants. In keeping with its mission of "Globalizing local knowledge and localizing global technologies," SFE-India strives to provide an environment for knowledge-sharing among researchers, health care practitioners, and decision-makers interested in the promotion of ethnopharmacology and medicinal plants.

About the American Botanical Council

Contact: Tanya Garduno, (512) 926-4900 Ext:129, [email protected]

SOURCE American Botanical Council

Related Links

http://www.herbalgram.org


STOCKHOLM, Feb 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Concentric AB board of directors has resolved to convene an annual general meeting of shareholders to be held Thursday 30 March 2017 with, among other things, a proposal on a performance based incentive program. Further details on this and other proposals are found in the notice convening the meeting which is found below.

The notice is expected to be published in the Swedish Official Gazette (Post- och Inrikes Tidningar) and on the company's website within the next few days.

Unofficial English translation for information purposes only. If there are differences between the English translation and the Swedish original, the Swedish text will take precedence.

Annual general meeting in Concentric AB

The annual general meeting of Concentric AB will be held 10 a.m. CET on Thursday 30 March 2017, in Kreugersalen at Tandstickspalatset, Vastra Tradgardsgatan 15, Stockholm.

Notice of Attendance

Those wishing to attend the general meeting must:

(i) be recorded in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB, as of Friday 24 March 2017; and

(ii) notify the company of their intention to participate in the general meeting at the address Concentric AB, Strandgatan 2, 582 26 Linkoping, Sweden, by telephone +46 722-26 90 80 or at the company's website, www.concentricab.com, no later than Friday 24 March 2017.

On giving notice of attendance, the shareholder should state the shareholder's name (company name), address, telephone number, personal identity number or equivalent (corporate identity number) and shareholdings. Proxies and representatives of a legal person are asked to submit documents of authorisation prior to the general meeting. A proxy form will be available on the company's website, www.concentricab.com, and will be sent, immediately and free of charge to the recipient, to those shareholders who so request and state their postal address.

In order to participate in the general meeting, those whose shares are registered in the name of a nominee must request their bank or broker to have their shares owner-registered with Euroclear Sweden AB as of Friday 24 March 2017 and the bank or broker should therefore be notified in due time before said date. This registration may be made temporarily.

Agenda

Proposal for agenda

Opening of the general meeting and election of chair of the general meeting Drawing up and approval of the voting list Approval of the agenda Election of one or two persons to approve the minutes Determination of whether the general meeting was duly convened The CEO's report Presentation of the annual report and the auditor's report and the consolidated financial statements and the consolidated auditor's report Resolutions on:

(a) adoption of the income statement and the balance sheet and the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet;

(b) appropriation of the company's result according to the adopted balance sheet and on record date for dividend; and

(c) discharge of personal liability for the board members and the CEO for the financial year 2016 Resolution on the number of board members and auditors Resolution on fees to the board members and the auditor Election of the board members and the auditor Resolution on approval of guidelines for remuneration to senior executives Resolution on reduction of share capital with retirement of repurchased own shares and increase of the share capital through a bonus issue Resolution on a performance based incentive programme (LTI 2017) Resolution on a directed issue of warrants and approval of transfer of warrants Resolution on:

(a) authorisation for the board of directors to resolve on acquisition of own shares;

(b) authorisation for the board of directors to resolve on transfer of own shares;

(c) transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2017; and

(d) transfer of own shares to an employee stock option trust Closing of the general meeting

Proposal for election of chair of the general meeting (item 1 on the agenda)

The Nomination Committee, which was appointed in accordance with what is set out below, proposes that the chair of the board, Stefan Charette, is to be elected chair of the general meeting.

Proposal for resolution on appropriation of the company's result according to the adopted balance sheet and on record date for dividend (item 8 (b) on the agenda)

The general meeting has at its disposal profits carried forward of SEK 996,739,090.18 added with the net profit for the year of SEK 132,915,286.32. Thus, the general meeting has in total a non-restricted equity of SEK 1,129,654,376.50 at its disposal.

The board of directors proposes a dividend for the financial year 2016 of SEK 3.50 per share, totalling SEK 141,686,944 and that the balance SEK 987,967,432.50 is carried forward.

As record date for the dividend the board of directors proposes Monday 3 April 2017. Subject to the resolution by the general meeting in accordance with this proposal, the cash dividend is expected to be distributed by Euroclear Sweden AB on Thursday 6 April 2017.

Proposals for resolution on the number of board members and auditors, resolution on fees to the board members and the auditor, and election of the board members and auditor (items 9  11 on the agenda)

In accordance with the resolution of the annual general meeting 2012, Goran Espelund, chair (Lannebo Fonder), Erik Durhan (Nordea), Marianne Nilsson (Swedbank Robur Fonder) and Johan Strandberg (SEB Fonder) were all appointed members of the Nomination Committee in October 2016, before the annual general meeting 2017. The Nomination Committee, which represents 36.18 per cent of the shares and votes in the company, proposes that the general meeting resolves in accordance with the following.

The number of directors is proposed to remain unchanged, which means that the general meeting shall elect seven directors, with no deputy directors

The Nomination Committee proposes re-election of the directors Kenth Eriksson, Marianne Brismar, Martin Lundstedt, Susanna Schneeberger, Martin Skold, Claes Magnus Akesson and election of Anders Nielsen as new director. Stefan Charette has declined re-election. It is proposed that Kenth Eriksson be elected chair of the board.

Anders Nielsen was born in 1962 and has studied Industrial Economy at Linkoping Institute of Technology.

Anders Nielsen has previously been, inter alia, Technical Director at Scania Latin America, Senior Vice President for Scania's chassis and cab production, Executive Vice President Production and Logistics Scania CV AB, and later CEO at MAN Truck & Bus AG. He was appointed to the board of Scania AB as Head of Production and Logistics in 2010.

Anders Nielsen is currently Chief Technology Officer of Volkswagen Truck & Bus, which is the holding company of the brands Scania, MAN and MAN Latin America, and is also responsible for R&D activities across the Volkswagen Truck & Bus Group. He was appointed to the board of Haldex AB in 2015.

More information about the proposed directors can be found on the company's website www.concentricab.com .

The Nomination Committee proposes that the company shall have one auditor with no deputy. The Nomination Committee proposes that the registered accounting firm KPMG AB shall be re-elected as the company's auditor until the end of the annual general meeting 2018. KPMG AB has informed the company that Anders Malmeby, authorised public accountant, will remain auditor-in-charge of the company. The Nomination Committee's proposal is in accordance with the Audit Committee's recommendation. The Nomination Committee and the Audit Committee have not been influenced by a third party and no clause of a contract entered into with a third party has been imposed which restricts the choice of certain auditors or audit firms.

Fees to the directors for the period up to and including the annual general meeting 2018 is proposed to be paid as follows. The chair of the board will receive SEK 540,000 (previously SEK 525,000) and each of the other directors will receive SEK 255,000 (previously SEK 250,000). In addition the chair of the Compensation Committee will receive unchanged SEK 50,000 and the chair of the Audit Committee will receive unchanged SEK 75,000. The above proposal means that the total remuneration to the board (remuneration for committee work included) will increase from SEK 2,150,000 to SEK 2,195,000.

The Nomination Committee has conducted an analysis of director fees and associated remuneration for committee work compared to similar companies based on several measures of size and complexity. The outcome of this analysis supports the Nomination Committees proposal to increase the remuneration of fees and compensations.

Fees to the auditor for services performed are proposed to be paid against by the company approved current account.

Proposal for resolution on approval of guidelines for remuneration to senior executives (item 12 on the agenda)

The board proposes that the general meeting resolves on guidelines for remuneration to senior executives mainly in accordance with the following.

Concentric AB has established principles and forms for remuneration to senior executives. The board of directors and its Compensation Committee resolve on the structures of remuneration systems, as well as levels and forms of remuneration to senior executives. The board of directors proposes that the general meeting adopts the following guidelines for the establishment of remuneration to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other senior executives. These guidelines will be valid for agreements entered into after the general meeting's resolution and for changes made to existing agreements thereafter.

The board of directors is entitled to deviate from the below guidelines if there are specific reasons or needs in an individual case.

General

It is of fundamental importance to the company and its shareholders that the guidelines for remuneration to senior executives, in both a short and long term perspective, enable the company to attract and retain senior executives and other employees with excellent competence. To obtain this it is important to sustain fair and internally balanced terms that are at the same time competitive on the market with respect to structure, scope and compensation levels.

The terms of employment for senior executives shall consist of a balanced combination of fixed salary, annual bonus, long-term incentive programme, pension and other benefits and terms for dismissal/ severance payment.

The total annual monetary remuneration, i.e. fixed salary, bonus and other long-term monetary remuneration, shall be in accordance with market practice on the geographical market where the senior executive operates. The total level of the compensation will be evaluated annually to ensure that it is in line with market practice for corresponding positions within the relevant geographical market.

The remuneration should be based on performance. It should therefore consist of a combination of fixed salary and bonus, where the variable remuneration forms a relatively substantial part of the total remuneration, but it is understood that the bonus is always capped to a pre-defined maximum amount

The annual report 2016 sets out details of the total remuneration and other benefits awarded to the senior executives during 2016.

Remuneration and remuneration forms

The remuneration system of the company consists of various forms of remuneration in order to create a well-balanced compensation that fosters and supports management and achievement of goals in both a short and long-term perspective.

Fixed remuneration

The fixed remuneration shall be individually determined and shall be based on each individual's responsibility and role as well as the individual's competence and experience in the relevant position.

Annual bonus

Senior executives have an annual bonus that is payable on an annual basis. The annual bonus is structured as a variable part of the fixed salary. Bonus goals shall primarily be based on the outcomes of financial objectives for the entire company as well as clearly defined individual goals with respect to specific assignments. The latter is to ensure that the senior executive also focuses on non-financial targets of specific interest.

Bonus related financial objectives for the company shall be established by the board annually in order to ensure that they are in line with the company's business strategy and profit targets. On behalf of the board, the Compensation Committee establishes the financial objectives for individual units proposed by the CEO.

The part of the total remuneration consisting of the annual bonus varies depending on position and may be up to 50 percent of the fixed annual salary at full goal achievement. The bonus goals are constructed so that no bonus will be paid if a certain minimum performance level is not achieved. All bonus schemes within the organisation are discretionary and payable at the sole discretion of the management unless payment is guaranteed by an existing legal agreement or contract.

Application of variable pay guidelines

Under pre-existing employment contracts, there are ongoing deviations from the variable pay guidelines outlined above in respect of the CEO, whereby he may be entitled to an annual bonus of up to 80 percent of his fixed salary at full goal achievement.

Long-Term Incentive Programme

In order to foster a long-term perspective in the decision-making and to ensure long-term achievement of goals, the board may propose the general meeting to resolve on long-term incentive programmes.

The board uses long-term incentives in order to ensure that senior executives within the company have a long-term interest in a stable value increase of the Concentric share. By implementing an incentive programme that is connected to the company's profits and at the same time its increase in value, the long-term growth of the company is awarded and fostered. Further, long-term incentive programmes also aim to make the company a more attractive employer, which contributes to the company's ability to retain key employees within the group as well as to recruit new key employees

Potential remuneration in the form of long-term incentive programmes shall be in accordance with market practice on each relevant market.

Pension

When entering into new pension agreements with senior executives who are entitled to pension, the pension shall be based on defined contribution plans. Senior executives retire in accordance with local regulations on pension. As a main principle, pension premiums are based solely on fixed salary. Certain adjustments may occur in individual cases in accordance with local market practice.

Other benefits

Other benefits, such as company car, compensation for healthcare and health and medical insurance shall form a minor part of the total compensation and shall correspond to what may be deemed common market practice in each geographical market.

Special remuneration

In addition to the above described remunerations, agreements on additional remunerations may be made in exceptional situations, for example when considered necessary to attract and retain key personnel or induce individuals to move to new places of service or accept new positions. Such special remunerations shall be limited in time and may not exceed 36 months. Further, the total remuneration must not exceed an amount equivalent to two times the remuneration the individual would have received in the absence of an agreement on special remunerations.

Terms for dismissal and severance payment

Terms for dismissal and severance pay shall correspond to what may be deemed common market practice for each geographical market. The CEO has a notice period of 12 months. Other senior executives have a notice period up to 6 months. In addition hereto, when entering into new employment contracts, agreement may be made with senior executives on severance pay upon termination of employment by the company, corresponding to a maximum of 12 months' fixed salary. Upon termination of employment, local practice in the geographical market where the senior executive operates shall be complied with.

Proposal for resolution on a reduction of share capital with retirement of repurchased own shares and increase of the share capital through a bonus issue (item 13 on the agenda)

The board proposes that the general meeting resolves to reduce the share capital with a retirement of repurchased own shares and to increase the share capital through a bonus issue mainly as set out below. The resolutions are conditional upon each other, thus the board proposes that the general meeting makes one joint resolution with respect to the proposals.

A. Reduction of share capital

The company's share capital will be reduced as follows.

The company's share capital will be reduced by SEK 1,634,724 . The reduction will be made with retirement of 698,600 of the shares in the company repurchased and held by it. The retirement of shares will be made without any repayment The purpose of the reduction is to allocate means to unrestricted equity. The means will, however, be restored to the share capital in accordance with item B below.

The board states the following as an account under Chapter 20 Section 13 Paragraph 4 of the Swedish Companies Act. The resolution to reduce the share capital in accordance with this item does not require the approval of neither the Swedish Companies Registration Office nor, in disputed cases, a court of general jurisdiction, since the company simultaneously will carry out a bonus issue meaning that neither the restricted equity nor the share capital will be reduced. The effect of the board's proposal in item A means that the company's restricted equity and share capital will be reduced by SEK 1,634,724. The effect of the board's proposal in item B below means that the company's restricted equity and share capital will be increased by SEK 1,634,880 and thereby SEK 156 higher than the amount before the reduction. The proposed resolution to carry out a bonus issue is set out in item B below.

B. Increase of share capital through a bonus issue

To restore the share capital following the proposed reduction of share capital as set out above the share capital will be increased by a bonus issue of SEK 1,634,880 by a transfer of SEK 1,634,880 from the company's unrestricted equity.

The bonus issue will take place without the issuing of new shares.

Following the resolutions under items A and B the company's share capital will total SEK 97,275,360 and there will be 40,872,000 outstanding shares, each with a quota value of SEK 2.38.

The board, or anyone appointed by the board, is entitled to make the minor adjustments to the above proposed resolution that may be necessary upon registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office, Euroclear Sweden AB or due to any other formal requirement.

The general meeting's resolution under this proposal is valid only if supported by shareholders holding at least two-thirds of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the general meeting.

Proposal for resolution on performance based incentive programme (LTI 2017) (item 14 on the agenda)

The board of directors believes that an incentive programme that is connected to the company's profits and at the same time its increase in value will award and foster the long-term growth of the company. Further, an incentive programme will contribute to the ability of the company to retain and recruit key employees within the group.

Considering the above, the board proposes a long-term performance based incentive programme ("LTI 2017") under which senior executives and key employees will be entitled to receive employee stock options that entitles the participants to acquire shares in the company under mainly the terms and conditions set out below. In order to ensure and maximise the management's engagement in the company, allocation of employee stock options under LTI 2017 will be conditional upon the participants becoming shareholders in the company by own investments in the company's share in the stock market. The board's intention is that the incentive programme will run over a long-term period, thus the board intends to propose the general meeting in the coming years to resolve upon similar incentive programmes.

To be able to implement LTI 2017 in a cost-efficient and flexible manner, the board of directors has considered various methods for transferring the company's shares under LTI 2017, such as a share swap agreement with a third party, repurchase and transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2017 or an Employee Share Ownership Trust as well as transfer of warrants entitling to subscription of new shares. The board of directors has also taken into consideration that delivery of shares under LTI 2017 will be made no earlier than 2020. In order to retain full flexibility, the board proposes that shares can be delivered with any of the above four alternate methods (in accordance with the proposals below and the board's proposal on directed issue and transfer of warrants and the board's proposal on acquisition and transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2017, or an Employee Share Ownership Trust), with the right for the board to combine or choose any of the methods.

The board proposes that the general meeting resolves on the implementation of a long-term incentive programme, LTI 2017, principally based on the following conditions and principles.

LTI 2017 shall comprise up nine senior executives, including the CEO, and other key employees within the Concentric group. In order to participate in LTI 2017, the participants must make own investments in Concentric shares in the stock market no later than 31 May 2017 , with right for the board to, in respect of participants joining LTI 2017 thereafter, postpone the last day of acquisition to no later than 6 December 2017 . Within LTI 2017, investments in Concentric shares may be made by the CEO up to a value of 50 per cent of his annual base salary effective from 1 January 2017 , by the CFO up to a value of 30 per cent of his annual base salary effective from 1 January 2017 and by other participants up to a value of 20 per cent of their respective annual base salary effective from 1 January 2017 . The maximum number of shares that each participant is entitled to acquire under the LTI 2017 shall be calculated using a share price of SEK 123.10 , which equals to the average of each trading day's volume weighted average share price on Nasdaq Stockholm during the period from 1 February 2017 to 14 February 2017 (inclusive), rounded to the nearest ten ore. Each Concentric share acquired under LTI 2017 will entitle the participants to two (2) free employee stock options, where each, after a three year lock-up period, will entitle the participant to acquire one (1) Concentric share at a price of SEK 98.50 and SEK 147.70 respectively. This exercise price equals 80 and 120 per cent respectively of the average of each trading day's volume weighted average share price on Nasdaq Stockholm during the period from 1 February 2017 to 14 February 2017 (inclusive), rounded to the nearest ten ore. Each Concentric share acquired under LTI 2017 will also entitle the participants to two (2) free performance employee stock options ("Performance Employee Stock Options"), where each, if certain performance criteria specified below are met, will entitle the participant to acquire one (1) Concentric share at a price of SEK 98.50 . This exercise price equals 80 per cent of the average of each trading day's volume weighted average share price on Nasdaq Stockholm during the period 1 February 2017 to 14 February 2017 (inclusive), rounded to the nearest ten ore. Each participant may receive no more than four (4) employee stock options and Performance Employee Stock Options in total for each acquired Concentric share. In all, a maximum of 170,000 employee stock options, each entitling to one (1) Concentric share, may be allocated under LTI 2017. Allocation of the employee stock options is to be decided by the board. The employee stock options shall have a 39 months term (but never past 31 October 2020 ) and can be exercised to acquire Concentric shares during a three month period from the date of publication of the company's report for the first quarter 2020. Exercising the employee stock options is subject to the participant remaining employed in the Concentric group (with certain exceptions decided by the board) and retaining the Concentric shares acquired under LTI 2017 throughout the three year lock-up period, thus up to and including the date of exercising the employee stock options. The board of directors shall be authorised to resolve on a premature exercise of the employee stock options (i) if a person, alone or together with related parties, acquires such number of shares in the company that it, in accordance with applicable rules, gives rise to an obligation to announce a mandatory offer to acquire all outstanding shares in the company or (ii) for individual participants based on individual circumstances, or (iii) if premature exercise is otherwise deemed to be suitable or appropriate, taking into account performance achieved to the date of premature exercise. The number of Concentric shares that may be transferred to participants in LTI 2017 may be recalculated due to a bonus issue, share split, rights issue and/or any similar event, by applying the recalculation principles applicable on the warrants proposed to the general meeting under the board's proposal on directed issue of warrants. The board of directors shall decide on the detailed terms and conditions of LTI 2017. The board shall be entitled to deviate from or adjust the terms and conditions as a result of local regulations and practice.

Performance criteria

The conditional right to exercise the Performance Employee Stock Options is subject to the fulfilment of the following performance criteria.

The first Performance Employee Stock Option will entitle the participant to acquire one (1) Concentric share per Performance Employee Stock Option if the company's reported earnings per share of the financial year 2019 reach or exceed SEK 8.00.

The second Performance Employee Stock Option will entitle the participant to acquire one (1) Concentric share per Performance Employee Stock Option if the company's reported return on equity reaches or exceeds 25 per cent per year in average over the financial years 2017, 2018 and 2019.

No partial exercising of Performance Employee Stock Options will be allowed if the performance criteria are not fully met.

Authorisation to enter into a swap agreement

The company's supply of shares to the participants under LTI 2017 may be made by instructing a third party to deliver Concentric shares under a swap agreement.

In accordance with this, the board proposes that the general meeting resolves to authorise the board to enter into a swap agreement regarding own shares. Thus, it is proposed that the financial exposure of LTI 2017 may be hedged by the company entering into a share swap agreement with a third party, whereby the third party in its own name shall acquire and transfer Concentric shares to participants in LTI 2017.

Costs

The LTI 2017 is expected to result in annual costs of approximately MSEK 1.6 for the company if participants invest to their individual limits under the incentive programme and the performance criteria are met, and an annual 15 per cent share price growth is assumed. In addition to this, social security charges will apply in the year of vesting, 2020. Social security charges are expected to amount to approximately MSEK 0.6 annually based on the same assumptions.

Preparation of the matter

The board's proposal on LTI 2017 has been prepared by the board of directors.

Voting majority

The general meeting's resolution on this proposal is valid only if it is supported by shareholders representing more than half of the votes cast.

Proposal for resolution on a directed issue of warrants and approval of transfer of warrants (item 15 on the agenda)

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves on a directed issue of warrants with the right to subscribe for new shares in the company, mainly in accordance with the below proposal.

The board's proposal entails the general meeting shall decide on a directed issue of 170,000 warrants with the right to subscription of new shares in the company, principally in accordance with the following conditions

The warrants are issued free of charge. Each warrant will give the right to subscribe for one new share in the company, thus the share capital of the company can increase with a maximum of SEK 404,600 if the warrants are fully utilised. The right to subscribe for warrants shall, with a deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, be granted the company's fully owned subsidiary Concentric Skanes Fagerhult AB. Subscription to the warrants shall be made no later than 31 August 2017 , with the board reserving the right to extend this time limit. The warrants can be exercised to subscribe for shares in the company from the registration of the warrants with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and up to and including 31 December 2020. The warrants shall have an exercise price corresponding the share's quota value, SEK 2.38 . The new shares issued under the warrants shall entitle to dividend as from the first record date for dividend to occur after the registration of the new shares with the Swedish Companies Registration Office. The number of shares issued under each warrant may be recalculated in accordance with recalculation principles due to a bonus issue, share split or consolidation, rights issue and/or any similar event.

Reason for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential right

The reason for deviating from the shareholders' preferential rights is that the company wishes to implement an incentive programme for senior executives and key employees within the group, by which they can be offered the opportunity to take part in an increase in the company's share value.

Dilution

At full utilisation of the warrants, the number of outstanding shares in the company will increase by 170,000. These shares constitute 0.4 per cent of the number of shares and votes after full dilution, calculated as the number of new shares in relation to the number of existing and new shares in the company. Together with outstanding warrants under previous incentive programmes, the warrants will result in a combined dilution of approximately 1.9 per cent of the outstanding shares and votes in the company

If the proposed warrants had been fully utilised throughout 2016, the company's basic and diluted earnings per share for the financial year 2016 would have been SEK 5.99 and SEK 5.98 per share respectively on a pro forma basis, instead of SEK 6.01 and SEK 6.00 per share respectively as reported.

In the event that repurchased shares, or shares transferred by a third party under a swap agreement, (in accordance with the board's proposal for acquisition and transfer of own shares and the board's proposal of LTI 2017, respectively) are fully or partly transferred to the participants in LTI 2017 instead of warrants, the dilution will be reduced.

Transfer of the warrants

Furthermore, the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves to approve that Concentric Skanes Fagerhult AB, on one or more occasions, may transfer warrants to the participants in LTI 2017 in accordance with the terms and conditions of LTI 2017, and dispose of the warrants in order to cover costs related to, or fulfil obligations occurring under, LTI 2017.

Preparation of the matter

The board's proposal has been prepared by the board of directors.

Special authorisation

The board of directors proposes that the board, or anyone appointed by the board, shall be entitled to make the minor adjustments to the above proposed resolution that may be necessary upon registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office or due to any other formal requirement.

Voting majority and condition for resolution

The general meeting's resolution under this proposal is valid only if it is supported by shareholders representing at least nine tenths of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the general meeting.

The board proposes that a resolution under this proposal is to be subject to the general meeting having resolved to pass the board's proposal on LTI 2017 under item 14 on the agenda.

Proposals for resolution on authorisation of acquisition and transfer of own shares, transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2017 and transfer of own shares to an employee stock option trust (items 16 (a)-(d) on the agenda)

Proposal for resolution on authorisation for the board of directors to resolve on acquisition of own shares (item 16 (a) on the agenda)

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting authorises the board to resolve on repurchase of own shares on one or several occasions during the period up to the annual general meeting 2018 mainly in accordance with the following.

Acquisition of own shares must be made on Nasdaq Stockholm. Own shares may be acquired to the extent the company's holdings of own shares in total amounts to no more than one tenth of all shares in the company. Acquisition of own shares on Nasdaq Stockholm shall be made in cash and at a price within the stock market price interval registered at any given time, such interval being the interval between the highest purchase price and the lowest sales price.

The reasons for the proposed authorisation to repurchase own shares are to be able to improve the company's capital structure and to enable share transfers in accordance with the board's proposals for authorisation for the board to transfer own shares and for previous and proposed resolution on transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2014-2017, to increase the flexibility for the board in connection to potential future corporate acquisitions, as well as to cover costs for LTI 2014-2017 and enable delivery of shares in accordance with LTI 2014-2017.

A resolution passed by the general meeting in accordance with this proposal is valid only when supported by shareholders holding at least two thirds of the votes cast as well as of the shares represented at the general meeting.

Proposal for resolution on authorisation for the board of directors to resolve on transfer of own shares (item 16 (b) on the agenda)

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting authorises the board to resolve on transfer of own shares on one or several occasions during the period up to the annual general meeting 2018 mainly in accordance with the following.

Transfer of own shares must be made either on Nasdaq Stockholm or in another manner. Transfer of own shares may be made with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights. The maximum number of shares that may be transferred is the total number of own shares held by the company at the time of the board's resolution to transfer the shares. Transfer of own shares on Nasdaq Stockholm shall be made at a price within the stock market price interval registered at any given time, such interval being the interval between the highest purchase price and the lowest sales price; transfer of own shares in another manner shall be made at a minimum price that shall be determined in close connection with the shares' quoted price at the time of the board's resolution to transfer the shares. Payment for the transferred shares may be made in cash, by contribution in kind or by set-off. The board is entitled to determine the other terms and conditions of the transfer which, however, shall be in accordance with the market practice.

The reasons for the proposed authorisation to transfer own shares and for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights are to be able to improve the company's capital structure, to cover costs relating to LTI 2014-2017 as well as to increase the flexibility of the board in connection to potential future corporate acquisitions, by facilitating a fast and cost-efficient financing by divesting holdings of own shares.

A resolution passed by the general meeting in accordance with this proposal is valid only when supported by shareholders holding at least two thirds of the votes cast as well as of the shares represented at the general meeting.

Proposal for resolution on transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2017 (item 16 (c) on the agenda)

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves on transfer of own shares mainly in accordance with the following.

The maximum number of shares that may be transferred is 170,000. The participants in LTI 2017 are, with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, entitled to acquire the shares with right for each of the participants to acquire no more than the maximum number of shares allowed under the terms and conditions for LTI 2017. The participants' right to acquire shares are conditional upon the fulfilment of all of the conditions set up in LTI 2017. The shares must be transferred within the time period set out in the terms and conditions of LTI 2017. The shares must be transferred at a price equivalent to the price established under the terms and conditions of LTI 2017. Payment for the shares must be made in cash and within ten banking days from the participants' exercise of the employee stock options that entitle the participants to acquire the shares. The number of shares that may be transferred to the participants in LTI 2017 may be recalculated due to bonus issue, share split, rights issue and similar events in accordance with the terms and conditions of LTI 2017.

The reason for the proposed transfer and for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights is to enable delivery of shares under LTI 2017.

The board proposes that a resolution under this proposal is to be subject to the general meeting having resolved to pass the board's proposal on LTI 2017 under item 14 on the agenda.

Resolution passed by the general meeting in accordance with the board's proposal for resolution on transfer of own shares to participants in LTI 2017 is valid only when supported by shareholders holding at least nine tenths of the votes cast as well as of the shares represented at the general meeting.

Proposal for resolution on transfer of own shares to an employee stock option trust (item 16 (d) on the agenda)

The Joint Share Ownership Plan

In order to enable a tax efficient delivery of shares under LTI 2017 to participants resident in the United Kingdom, Concentric wants to be able to invite them to take part in a Joint Share Ownership Plan ("JSOP"). Using the JSOP will not change any terms specified in LTI 2017, such that participants will receive the same pre-tax benefits for the same exercise proceeds subject to the same conditions regarding the lock-in period for holding savings shares, maintaining continuity of employment and achieving the relevant performance criteria. In addition, the total annual costs for Concentric using the JSOP are expected to be in line with those specified in the board's proposal on LTI 2017 under item 14 on the agenda.

Participants that accept this invitation will, instead of receiving an Employee Stock Option or a Performance Employee Stock Option under LTI 2017, receive (i) a Capped Employee Stock Option and (ii) Joint Ownership Rights together with an Employee Share Ownership Trust[1] ("ESOT") in a Concentric share (for which they will pay in cash).

The Capped Employee Stock Option will provide the participant with the value of the Concentric share that would have been realised under LTI 2017 up until the cap. The cap will be determined at the time the Capped Employee Stock Option is issued to the participant based upon the value of the Concentric share at that time. The Joint Ownership Right will provide the participant with any benefits that would have been realised under LTI 2017 if the share price on exercise of the Capped Employee Stock Option exceeds the level of the cap. Participants that join the JSOP will automatically surrender their entitlement to regular Employee Stock Options and Performance Employee Stock Options provided under LTI 2017. Through both the Capped Employee Stock Option and the Joint Ownership Right, the participant is given the same opportunity to take part of the growth of value of the Concentric share had the participant not surrendered the rights to the options provided under LTI 2017.

To facilitate the JSOP, Concentric will transfer a number of own shares repurchased to the ESOT equal to the maximum number of share options which may be awarded to participants who elect to join the JSOP. As specified within the terms of a joint ownership agreement, these shares will be jointly owned by the ESOT and the respective participant.

If all the conditions for a participant to receive a Concentric share under a regular Employee Stock Option or Performance Employee Stock Option are met, then

the participant will be eligible to exercise the respective Capped Employee Stock Option;

the total funds paid by the participant to Concentric will be the same as the exercise price of the Employee Stock Option or Performance Employee Stock Option; and

the ESOT will surrender its ownership rights in a jointly owned Concentric share and transfer the Concentric share to the participant as full and final settlement of their entitlement under LTI 2017.

If all conditions set out in LTI 2017 for the exercise of an Employee Stock Option or a Performance Employee Stock Option is not met, any participant in JSOP must surrender all his ownership rights in a corresponding jointly owned Concentric share to the ESOT and the participant may not exercise the Capped Employee Stock Option. Such shares will be retained in the ESOT and used for future share schemes or other variable remuneration purposes in Concentric.

The JSOP will result in Concentric incurring some up-front costs for setting up the necessary practical arrangements. However, the use of Capped Employee Stock Options will also cap social security contributions, such that the total annual costs are expected to be in line with those specified in the board's proposal on LTI 2017 under item 14 on the agenda. In summary, the JSOP gives the company an opportunity to offer LTI 2017 to participants resident in the United Kingdom in a more tax efficient solution than if the shares had been delivered to them through any other method, whilst ensuring that the conditions for the participants remain the same.

Transfer of Own Shares

In light of the foregoing, the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves on transfer of own shares to the Trust mainly in accordance with the following.

The maximum number of shares that may be transferred to an ESOT is 120,000. The ESOT is, with deviation of the shareholders' preferential rights, entitled to acquire all shares. The shares will be transferred to the ESOT free of charge. The shares must be transferred to the ESOT before 31 December 2017 . The number of shares that may be transferred to the ESOT may be recalculated due to bonus issue, share split, rights issue and similar events in accordance with the terms and conditions of LTI 2017.

The reason for the proposed transfer and for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights is to enable a tax efficient delivery of shares under LTI 2017 to certain participants resident in the United Kingdom.

The board proposes that a resolution under this proposal is to be subject to the general meeting having resolved to pass the board's proposal on LTI 2017 under item 14 on the agenda.

Resolution passed by the general meeting in accordance with the board's proposal for resolution on transfer of own shares to the ESOT is valid only when supported by shareholders holding at least nine tenths of the votes cast as well as of the shares represented at the general meeting.

Miscellaneous

Documents

Copies of the board's and the Nomination Committee's complete proposals including the board's and the auditor's statements, the accounts and the auditor's report regarding 2016 will be available at the company and on the company's website www.concentricab.com no later than as from Thursday 9 March 2017 and will be sent, immediately and free of charge to the recipient, to those shareholders who so request and state their postal address. The documents will also be available at the general meeting.

Information at the general meeting

If so requested by any shareholder and if the board of directors deems it possible without significant detriment to the company, the board of directors and managing director must provide information at the general meeting about circumstances that may affect the assessment of an item on the agenda, circumstances that can affect the assessment of the company's or its subsidiaries' financial situation, the group accounts and the company's relation to other companies within the group. Shareholders who wish to submit questions in advance may send them to Mia Segerberg, Concentric AB, Strandgatan 2, 582 26 Linkoping, Sweden.

Shares and votes

As per the day of this notice, the number of shares and votes in the company totals 41,570,600 respectively of which the company holds 1,088,616 own shares.

Concentric AB (publ)

The board of directors

[1] The Employee Share Ownership Trust is a separate legal entity governed by independent trustees, who act within the guidelines as stipulated under the trust deed. These guidelines specify that any monies or shares received by the trust must be used solely for the provision of share schemes or other variable remuneration on behalf of Concentric.

For further information, please contact :

Mia Segerberg,

Corporate Communications,

Telephone: +46 72-226-90-80.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/concentric-ab/r/annual-general-meeting-in-concentric,c2200339

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/1643/2200339/635120.pdf Notice AGM 2017

SOURCE Concentric AB

Related Links

http://www.concentricab.com


LONDON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ANTECY will present at CleanEquity Monaco 2017 on March 9th & 10th at the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

CleanEquity is an annual invitation-only event hosted by Innovator Capital, the London based specialist investment bank. The conference provides an intimate and collegiate setting for inventors and entrepreneurs to share their stories with delegates - key decision makers looking to assist them with reaching their commercial and strategic goals.

Other partners and sponsors include Prince Albert II of Monaco's Foundation, Covington & Burling, Cisco EIR, Cision, Cranfield University, Hobbs & Towne, the Monaco Economic Board, Parkview and the Social Stock Exchange.

ANTECY has been identified by an expert panel as one of the world's most innovative sustainable technology companies and has been selected to present to senior financial and strategic cleantech investors, policy makers, legislators, end users and media.

In 2010 ANTECY started out with a visionary idea to convert electrons from solar energy into high density clean fuels. It started with investments in fundamental research and worked with leading international research groups as UTwente, TU/D and ITQ-UPV. Within 5 years a proof of concept has been demonstrated at lab scale and in 2016 an extensive feasibility study by Shell Global Solutions confirmed the potential of technological and economic feasibility. As a result, Shell committed an investment for further process development.

Currently, ANTECY provides a technology for economically viable production of solar fuels. Key innovation is a low cost CO2 capturing system from ambient air expecting $ 50/ton from air and < $ 25/ton from flue gas. The core technology is well protected with a few already granted patents and several published or pending patents as well. The aim is to sell or license the technology to an industrial multinational in the solar fuel value chain, traction with industries shows that an exit (aim 20192021) after demonstration of the technology at a relevant scale is realistic.

Where most of ANTECY's competitors are working with liquid and grafted amines, ANTECY use a solid salt to capture CO2 and these solid salts have a few important advantages relative to amines. First of all, they are less costly (potentially >30%) and more stable, especially when it comes to CO2 capturing from air which requires the treatment of large gas streams. Secondly, solid salts are 100% recyclable while amines are toxic and corrosive and last but not least, the Company's developed solid sorbent can capture and concentrate CO2 at temperatures below 80C; allowing the process to be efficiently integrated in many (petro)chemical processes.

ANTECY is currently running a financing round for two million euros to scale up to a relevant size demonstration unit. With this development stage, ANTECY will prove the low cost CO2 capture and gain traction within the industry.

ANTECY BV

Hogebrinkerweg 15e

3871 KM Hoevelaken

The Netherlands

T: +31 33 2540473

E: [email protected]

W: www.antecy.com

About Innovator Capital

Innovator Capital, established in 2003, is a specialist investment bank advising emerging technology companies on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions. Its expertise includes intellectual property and multinational strategic partnering.

www.cleanequitymonaco.com

SOURCE Innovator Capital
BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Athenex announced today that Mr. J. Nick Riehle has agreed to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the company effective upon approval of the Company's Board of Directors. He will report to Athenex's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Johnson Lau.

Mr. Riehle is highly experienced in the biopharmaceutical sector, having served as Chief Financial Officer of Chelsea Therapeutics from its inception in 2004 until 2014 when it was sold to Lundbeck. He was a key member of the leadership team alongside Chelsea's former Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Simon Pedder, who is also currently an officer of Athenex. Mr. Riehle previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of HAHT Commerce from 1996 to 2003, and held numerous senior finance and marketing roles at Nortel Networks from 1979 to 1996.

Dr. Johnson Lau, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman, stated, "Nick is a veteran in the biopharmaceutical sector and brings the invaluable experience of having been CFO of a publicly traded pharmaceutical company. During the eight years I served as a Board member of Chelsea Therapeutics, including as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, I witnessed first-hand Nick's high standards and strong work ethic. We are delighted to have someone with Nick's extensive credentials joining our senior management team, and we warmly welcome him."

Mr. Riehle stated, "I am delighted to be a member of the Athenex team and look forward to making significant contributions to its continued growth."

Mr. Riehle obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, a Master of Business Administration from York University in Toronto, Ontario, and the Certified Management Accountant designation from the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario.

About Athenex

Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leader in the discovery and development of next generation drugs for the treatment of cancer. Athenex is organized around three platforms including an Oncology Innovation Platform, a Commercial Platform and an Global Supply Chain Platform. Our Oncology Innovation Platform generates clinical candidates through an extensive understanding of kinases, including novel binding sites, human absorption biology and through the application of our proprietary research and selection processes in the lab. Our current clinical pipeline is derived from two different platform technologies we call Orascovery and Src Kinase Inhibition. The Orascovery platform is based on the novel oral P-glycoprotein pump inhibitor molecule HM30181A, through which we are able to facilitate oral absorption of traditional cytotoxics, which we believe may offer improved patient tolerability and efficacy as compared to IV administration of the same cytotoxics. The Src Kinase Inhibition platform refers to novel small molecule compounds that have multiple mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of the activity of Src Kinase and the inhibition of tubulin polymerization during cell division. We believe the combination of these mechanisms of action provide a broader range of anti-cancer activity as compared to either mechanism of action alone.. Athenex's employees worldwide are dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by creating more active and tolerable treatments. Athenex has offices in Buffalo and Clarence, New York, Cranford, New Jersey, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Hong Kong, Taipei Taiwan, and multiple locations in Chongqing, China.

SOURCE Athenex

Related Links

http://www.athenex.com


HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Landry's Inc. restaurant chain and its Downtown Aquarium that claimed the Animal Legal Defense Fund defamed Landry's by publicly commenting on the controversial treatment of four endangered white tigers kept at an aquarium exhibit.

Harris County District Judge Steven Kirkland ordered Landry's to pay $450,000 in penalties and an additional $174,000 in legal fees to deter the company from filing such lawsuits in the future.

For 12 years, the tigers, named Nero, Marina, Coral and Reef, have never been allowed to leave their indoor confinement at the Downtown Aquarium. Because the Aquarium has no outdoor space for the tigers, they lack adequate access to fresh air, sunlight or natural surfaces. Evidence showed the tigers are kept in 10'x10' cages for up to 20 hours per day.

The motion for dismissal was filed by Houston law firm Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA, under a Texas law called Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). This law allows judges to dismiss meritless lawsuits filed against those who speak out about a "matter of public concern."

"This was a baseless lawsuit filed to get those who care about the protection of those caged tigers to keep quiet about their concerns. Landry's tried to use our courts to squelch debate about this important public concern. This Anti-SLAPP law was designed for exactly this kind of abuse of the legal system," said AZA lawyer Adam Milasincic, who represented the Animal Legal Defense Fund and has successfully used this same law in the past.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced its concerns about the four tigers in September 2016 when it delivered a 60-day notice of intent to sue  as required by the federal Endangered Species Act  on behalf of Cheryl Conley, a Montgomery County woman who witnessed the tigers' behind-closed-doors cages at the downtown facility. Before the 60-day notice period expired, Landry's pre-empted the organization and Ms. Conley by suing for defamation.

Ms. Conley, represented by Ashish Mahendru and Darren Braun of Mahendru P.C, filed a separate anti-SLAPP motion requesting dismissal. Her lawyer Mr. Mahendru called Mr. Fertitta a "Billion-Dollar bully." Mr. Mahendru's motion asked for the tiger enclosure to be shut down, but the judge did not go that far in this ruling.

The lawsuit is Landry's, Inc. and the Downtown Aquarium, Inc. v. Animal Legal Defense Fund et al. No. 2016-79698 in Harris County's 334th District Court.

Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, intellectual property, and business dispute cases. AZA is recognized in Chambers USA 2016 among the best in Texas commercial law; U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America as one of the country's best commercial litigation firms for 2017; and Law360 as one of only 13 Texas Powerhouse law firms. National corporate counsel named AZA one of the country's best in client service among law firms serving the Fortune 1000.

For more information contact Mary Flood at 713-857-6560 or [email protected].

SOURCE Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC), today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable on April 3, 2017 to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2017. Based on the trading price of $19.35 as of close of market on February 24, 2017, the cash dividend results in an annualized dividend yield of 2.69%.

The Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) remains suspended with respect to this dividend in consideration of the previously announced delay in the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

About Banc of California, Inc.

Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) provides comprehensive banking services to California's diverse businesses, entrepreneurs and communities. Banc of California operates over 100 offices in California and the West. The Company was recently recognized by Forbes for the second straight year as one of the 100 Best Banks in America for 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe-Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors, including those set forth from time to time in the documents filed or furnished by Banc of California, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and Banc of California, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made.

Investor Relations Inquiries: Media Inquiries: Banc of California, Inc. Abernathy MacGregor Timothy Sedabres, (855) 361-2262 Ian Campbell / Joe Hixson / Kristin Cole, (213) 630-6550 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Banc of California, Inc.

Related Links

http://bancofcal.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Banker's Toolbox, Inc., the leader in Bank Secrecy Act anti-money laundering compliance solutions, announced today the acquisition of Georgia-based Integra Systems. Integra Systems provides customer due diligence and OFAC scanning solutions to financial institutions, insurance companies, auto dealers, brokerage firms, healthcare providers and more.

The company's powerful OFAC scanning technology, IQ AutoScan, will be integrated into Banker's Toolbox's existing product suite. IQ AutoScan scans customer databases and other files on a daily basis against the OFAC list, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) list, FinCEN, EU/UK/UN sanctions list and any other list, automatically with no manual steps required.

Banker's Toolbox is focused on accelerating its growth through the acquisition of new technologies and capabilities for its customers. "We are incredibly excited to welcome Integra Systems and its customers to the Banker's Toolbox family," said CEO Wayne Roberts. "Our business is experiencing record sales and we believe the addition of Integra to our family is a great fit for all parties."

Banker's Toolbox will continue to aggressively seek out companies like Integra Systems whose strategies align with theirs. "Integra's capabilities will add value to our customers and our strengths," said Wayne. "And this is just the beginning."

Supported by private equity firm Accel-KKR, Banker's Toolbox has a vision to be the partner of choice for any organization that is subject to regulatory compliance, even outside of the financial industry. "We are bullish on the Banker's Toolbox team and growth potential," said Park Durrett, Principal at Accel-KKR. "This acquisition adds to a strong and growing portfolio of compliance-related solutions provided by Banker's Toolbox and will continue the momentum we have seen the team bring to both their customers and the industry in the last several quarters."

To learn more about Banker's Toolbox products and services, visit www.bankerstoobox.com.

About Banker's Toolbox, Inc.

Austin, TX-based Banker's Toolbox, Inc. helps organizations manage risk and streamline compliance. The company's product suite consists of proven solutions for money laundering detection and reporting, risk management through fraud prevention, secure wire processing automation, and commercial real estate loan portfolio risk assessment. The Banker's Toolbox team is a unique combination of seasoned bankers, former regulators, and information technology experts. For more information, visit the company's website at www.bankerstoolbox.com.

About Integra Systems

Integra Systems was formed in 1994 by banking and IT professionals. The company has extensive experience in regulatory compliance, lending, operations, and financial reporting. Integra Systems can help all industries such as banks, insurance companies, automobile dealers, and others comply with the OFAC, BSA, Patriot Act, and Red Flag requirements. Integra Systems offers a broad range of products from stand-alone server solutions to web-based products in an effort to manage risk. For more information, please visit www.integrasystems.net.

About Accel-KKR

Accel-KKR is a technology-focused private equity firm with $4 billion in assets under management. The firm invests primarily in growth-oriented software and technology-enabled businesses well positioned for topline and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value through the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. For more information, please visit www.accel-kkr.com.

SOURCE Banker's Toolbox, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.bankerstoolbox.com


BALTIMORE, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LMM LLC ("LMM" or the "Firm") announced the completion of the acquisition of Legg Mason, Inc.'s (NYSE: LM) ("Legg Mason") stake in the company by Bill Miller. Mr. Miller, together with the companies he controls, now owns 100% of LMM.

The mutual funds managed by the Firm will be known under the new fund family name Miller Value Funds. Additionally, the mutual funds were renamed: Legg Mason Opportunity Trust is now Miller Opportunity Trust and Miller Income Opportunity Trust is now Miller Income Fund.

LMM and its affiliated company, Miller Value Partners, LLC, will conduct their investment advisory businesses in close coordination under the name Miller Value Partners.

About Miller Value Partners

LMM LLC is a registered investment adviser founded in 1999, and serves as the investment manager for the Miller Value Funds family. Miller Value Partners, LLC is a registered investment adviser founded in 2015, providing investment management services for high net worth clients and private funds. Collectively, the two firms will do business as Miller Value Partners.

Bill Miller serves as Chief Investment Officer and Chairman for Miller Value Partners. The Firm's long-term, value-driven investment approach produces flexible strategies with high active share. Miller Value Partners is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.

Please carefully consider the Funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. This and other important information is contained in the prospectus, which you may obtain by visiting millervaluefunds.com or calling 888.593.5110. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

For Use with Institutions Only; Not for Use with Retail Investors.

The Miller Value Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

SOURCE Miller Value Partners
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocom, the association representing the California life science community, today announced the appointment of four new officers and four new members to its board of directors. These include the appointments of Dan Burgess to chairman, Christophe Schilling, Ph.D., to chair elect, Ted Schroeder to chair emeritus and Richard Pascoe to vice president, industry.

"Having been a key component of the city's biotech industry for nearly 30 years and a Biocom board member for 16 years, Dan understands the dynamic qualities of both our organization and our larger scientific communityknowledge that will be invaluable in him serving as our chairman," said Joe Panetta, president and chief executive officer of Biocom. "His appointment, supported by the executive appointments of current board members Christophe, Ted and Rich, will be a vital resource for Biocom as our association extends its expertise and advocacy throughout the city, state and nation."

An active member of San Diego's biotech community, Dan Burgess has overseen the discovery, preclinical development, clinical development and marketing of a number of pharmaceutical products. He first joined Biocom's board of directors in 2001, and he serves as chairman of the supervisory board of Nabriva Therapeutics, as chairman of the board of Atox Bio, as a board observer for Thesan Pharmaceuticals and as a board member of Arsanis, Inc., Cidara Therapeutics and Genoa Pharmaceuticals. In addition, Mr. Burgess is currently a venture partner with SV Life Sciences. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of San Diego-based companies Mpex Pharmaceuticals, Rempex Pharmaceuticals and Tripex Pharmaceuticals, all of which were ultimately acquired by larger pharmaceutical firms. Mr. Burgess received a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University.

Christophe Schilling, Ted Schroeder and Richard Pascoe have all served as instrumental, transformative members of the region's life science community. Dr. Schilling, appointed as the board's chair elect, first became a director of Biocom's board in 2010. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Genomatica, a bioengineering technology company serving the chemical industry, and he is also a member of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Biotechnology. Ted Schroeder, president, founder and chief executive officer of Zavante Therapeutics, initially joined Biocom's board in 2010, served as chair in 2015 and 2016, and has now been appointed as chair emeritus. Mr. Schroeder serves as a member of the board of directors of Otonomy, Inc., Cidara Therapeutics and Collegium Pharmaceutical. Richard Pascoe, appointed as vice president, industry has served as a Biocom board member since 2016, and is the chief executive officer of San Diego-based Apricus Biosciences. Mr. Pascoe is a member of the board of directors of KemPharm Inc. and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, and he is also a member of Biocom's Veteran's Initiative.

"A board of directors should, by definition, provide expertise and knowledge surrounding major, organization-wide decisions," said Mr. Panetta. "I can say with the utmost confidence that the new officers and the new members exceed this definition, and they will undoubtedly help to solidify Biocom's recognition as a cluster-specific expert, as a state-wide organization and as an international presence."

The additional new members of the board are:

Kelly Farrell , chief of staff and senior director  oncology research & development, Pfizer

, chief of staff and senior director  oncology research & development, Pfizer Kevin Tremblay , senior director, San Diego market leader, BioMed Realty

, senior director, market leader, BioMed Realty Ronnie Hanecak , Ph.D., senior director, licensing, UC Irvine Applied Innovation

, Ph.D., senior director, licensing, UC Irvine Applied Innovation Ho Sung Cho , Ph.D., vice president, biotherapeutics, Celgene

About Biocom

Biocom is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California's life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 850 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs, and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.

Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. Our goal is simple: to help our members produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. In addition to its San Diego headquarters, Biocom operates a core office serving the Los Angeles market, satellite offices in Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, and has a continuous staff presence in Sacramento. Our broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service providers.

For more information on Biocom, please visit our web site at www.biocom.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@BIOCOMCA).

SOURCE Biocom

Related Links

http://www.biocom.org


CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BioHiTech Global, Inc. ("BioHiTech" or the "Company") (OTCQB: BHTG), a green technology company that develops and deploys innovative and disruptive waste management technologies, today announced the launch of the Revolution Series Digesters, the Company's new sustainable food waste disposal solution designed for lower volume food waste generators. The new digester series targets a large market segment of the food services industry that represents more than 1.5 million potential customers including full and quick service restaurants, coffee shops, hospitality companies and other specialty food service providers.

The new Revolution Series Digesters are designed to cost effectively meet the needs of this market segment by leveraging the same regulatory compliant digestive technologies as the Company's successful line of Eco-Safe Digesters that service the mid-to-large volume organic waste markets. The Revolution Series Digester units have a compact design requiring minimal floor space and eliminate the odors, leaks, and pests associated with the use of dumpsters and bins. They operate on standard 115 Volt power and can be easily connected to existing plumbing in about two hours. The rapid throughput of the units will enable BioHiTech to offer this sustainable solution at a cost that is competitive with or lower than traditional waste disposal.

The BioHiTech Revolution Series also offers BioHiTech Cirrus, the Company's proprietary cloud-based mobile app, that can turn each unit into a "Smart" device that provides a wealth of actionable real-time data analytics to improve supply chain management and operational efficiency. With over a million restaurants in the U.S. alone, the BioHiTech Revolution Series opens a vast untapped market segment for BioHiTech Global. The Company intends to aggressively market the product through its current distribution channels and sees those efforts having a positive impact on revenues beginning in the second half of 2017.

"We are excited to launch these important new products as we continue to forge innovation and value in the sustainable waste disposal industry," said Frank E. Celli, Chief Executive Officer of BioHiTech Global. "Most on-site food waste disposal solutions are expensive and designed for high volume users that can cost effectively utilize a larger scale unit installation. Our Revolution Series opens a large new market opportunity for our Company by making our proprietary sustainable waste disposal solution economically viable for the multitude of prospective customers that do not require a larger unit. These units are compact, easy to install, and offer an excellent value proposition by reducing disposal costs and providing actionable supply chain management data. We believe the Revolution Series will be a significant driver of future revenue growth and we look forward to rolling it out through our growing distribution network in order to build lasting value for our shareholders."

The Revolution Series Digesters will be available in two model sizes "Seed" and "Sprout" providing a cost effective solution for businesses of all sizes within this market segment. The Company has already received orders for pilot units from a national retailer during its pre-launch stage and expects to deploy those units in multiple locations in the coming months.

The new Revolution Series units will be on display in Booth #220 at the Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA) annual trade show at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, March 5th through March 7th.

About BioHiTech Global

BioHiTech Global (OTCQB: BHTG), "The Company" headquartered in Chestnut Ridge NY, develops and deploys innovative and disruptive waste management technologies. The combined offerings of BioHiTech Global offer our customers a full suite of technology based disposal options capable of having a significant impact on waste generation while providing a true zero landfill environment. With options for both on and off site biological treatment of waste, BioHiTech Global is a leader in zero waste solutions for businesses and municipalities. For more information, please visit www.biohitechglobal.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this document contain certain 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, as amended. These statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BioHiTech Global, Inc. to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. BioHiTech Global, Inc. assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation those set forth as "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). There may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the BioHiTech's SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. BioHiTech Global, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.

Company Contact:

BioHiTech Global, Inc.

Lisa Giovannielli

Director, Corporate Communications

Direct: 845-262-1081

[email protected]

www.biohitechglobal.com

SOURCE BioHiTech Global, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.biohitech.com


ACTON, Mass., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluejay Diagnostics, Inc. (Bluejay) today announced a collaborative clinical research agreement with Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. (Hitachi Chemical) to develop a non-invasive, point-of-care test that measures total IgE in human tears. The technology could be used to aid in the diagnosis of Allergic Conjunctivitis, i.e. "Pink Eye." Under this collaboration, Hitachi Chemical will provide its technology, knowledge and understanding of the product to perform clinical trials and regulatory applications in the United States, Europe and South America.

"Strengthening the allergy business is part of Hitachi Chemical's in vitro Diagnostics strategy. Our collaboration in developing a point of care total tear IgE test with Bluejay and expansion into non-invasive in vitro diagnostics is right in line with this strategy," said, Tsuyoshi Uchida, Director of Medical Business Unit of Hitachi Chemical. "With the tear IgE test in the US market, it will complement our flagship OPTIGEN (allergen-specific IgE assay) product line and expand our US allergy business."

According to Svetlana Dey, President and CEO of Bluejay, "Our collaboration with Hitachi Chemical in developing a total tear IgE non-invasive test complements Bluejay's research and development strategy of tailored point-of-care diagnostics, or in other words, finding the right material and technology at the right time for patients. Through our collaboration with Hitachi Chemical, we hope to deliver non-invasive, rapid, point-of-care tests that enhance patient care and just as importantly avoid unnecessary treatment regimens, such as antibiotics."

The agreement will provide Bluejay with access to Hitachi Chemical's Allerwatch product - currently marketed in Japan for diagnosis of Allergic Conjunctivitis - for exclusive development, marketing and manufacturing in North America, South America and Europe.

About Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.

Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange4217), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers wide range of innovative products, such as electronic materials, automobile parts, energy storage devices and systems, in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2015 (ended March 31, 2016) totaled 547 billion yen ($4.8 billion). For more information on Hitachi Chemical, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi-chem.co.jp/english/.

About Bluejay Diagnostics, Inc.

Bluejay Diagnostics, Inc., headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, develops, manufactures and markets non-invasive, point-of-care (POC) tests that provide patients and providers access to affordable and timely healthcare in markets with unmet needs. The company's flagship product, a POC test for Allergic Conjunctivitis, is currently undergoing U.S. FDA 510(k) clinical trials with an expected launch in late 2017.

Contact: Jeffrey Aidt

Senior Director, Corporate Marketing

Tel: 978 631 4870

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Bluejay Diagnostics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.na.com


Bosch Rexroth is headed to Las Vegas with its newest products and technology for CONEXPO/IFPE March 7-11, 2017. Featured systems include the new 3-D iCube demonstration display that lets customers access 15 different construction applications on four dedicated touch screens. The system allows customers to explore solutions and benefits instantly, rotating each Rexroth component, and zooming in and out for more information as desired.

Another featured system is the Genius Cab, shown for the first time in the U.S. at CONEXPO, an innovative wheel loader cabin concept developed by Bosch and five other companies. Bosch and Bosch Rexroth components included on the cab are: direct drive wiper, body computer, ultrasonic sensing, digital outer mirror, BCM software, DI4 terminal and joystick. The project's aim is to demonstrate to manufacturers of construction machinery, agricultural machinery, and industrial forklifts how much potential there is for efficient system integration. The concept won an innovation award at Bauma 2016 in the Design category.

Product highlights include new technologies aimed to improve performance in skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, and drive train solutions:

The A21 VG 35/45 compact double pump for closed-circuit applications featuring an efficient back-to-back design that allows for installation in application with very limited mounting space.

compact double pump for closed-circuit applications featuring an efficient back-to-back design that allows for installation in application with very limited mounting space. New A2FM bent-axis hydraulic motors which are up to 26 percent more compact than their predecessors and are notable for their high power density.

which are up to 26 percent more compact than their predecessors and are notable for their high power density. The new A30VG, an axial piston variable pump , suitable for wheel and travel drives, enables short engineering times for hydrostatic travel drives thanks to its full compatibility with Rexroth's mobile electronics range and well-proven standard software for the EP control concept.

, suitable for wheel and travel drives, enables short engineering times for hydrostatic travel drives thanks to its full compatibility with Rexroth's mobile electronics range and well-proven standard software for the EP control concept. New radial piston motors (MCR5T, MCR6T) are shorter, stronger and more efficient with 20 percent shorter installation length, 10 percent higher starting torque and high travel speeds with low diesel rotational speeds.

Visitors should also make sure to check out Bosch Rexroth's additional new hydraulic and mobile electronic products, which include:

CHoose, a new compact hydraulics configuration tool that can speed time to market.

a new compact hydraulics configuration tool that can speed time to market. The Hagglunds CBm delivers the world's highest torque-to-weight ratio with all of the advantages expected from a direct drive motor.

delivers the world's highest torque-to-weight ratio with all of the advantages expected from a direct drive motor. New 8000 series transmission units cover a wide range of applications for hydrostatic travel drives.

cover a wide range of applications for hydrostatic travel drives. The award-winning BODAS DI4 is a freely programmable 7-inch screen with multiple display functions and video images which can be shown on a single display.

is a freely programmable 7-inch screen with multiple display functions and video images which can be shown on a single display. With BODAS software DRC function modules, vehicle manufacturers can achieve considerably lower costs during the integration and application of hydrostatic travel drives.

For more information on Rexroth's CONEXPO booth (#S80214) and offerings, visit www.boschrexroth.com/conexpo.

About Bosch Rexroth

Economical, precise, safe, and energy efficient: drive and control technology from Bosch Rexroth moves machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, and Factory Automation to develop innovative components as well as tailored system solutions and services. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drives and controls, gear technology, and linear motion and assembly technology all from one source. With locations in over 80 countries, more than 31,100 associates generated sales revenue of approximately $5.99 billion (5.4 billion euros) in 2015. To learn more, please visit www.boschrexroth.com.

About Bosch

Having established a regional presence in 1906 in North America, the Bosch Group employs some 32,500 associates in more than 100 locations, as of December 31, 2016. According to preliminary figures, in 2016 Bosch generated consolidated sales of $13.7 billion in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and www.bosch.ca.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 390,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2016). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 73.1 billion euros ($80.9 billion) in 2016. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected industry. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group's strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life, and to improve quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is "Invented for life." The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 450 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch's global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company's future growth is its innovative strength. At 120 locations across the globe, Bosch employs 59,000 associates in research and development.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com , www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse.

SOURCE Bosch Rexroth

Related Links

http://www.boschrexroth.com


SEATTLE, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) today announced Eric Toone as executive managing director and science lead and David Danielson as managing director for science. The two are the first employees hired on the BEV science team since the $1 billion fund launched in December to finance emerging technology with the potential to deliver affordable, reliable, zero-carbon energy.

"BEV's vision to transform the energy market requires the deep in-house scientific expertise that Eric and David provide," said John Arnold, BEV board member, founder of Centaurus Advisors and co-chair of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. "They understand the unique complexities of the energy technology landscape and what it will take to build the breakthroughs that will power the world in the future."

As the core of the scientific team, Toone and Danielson will work with investors, entrepreneurs, and managers as part of the BEV leadership group, which is currently being hired. Together, the BEV team will make investments that align to the leadership and strategic direction established by the fund's board.

Toone was most recently the leader of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative at Duke University. In 2009, he was a founding member of the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency  Energy (ARPA-E) where he created and led the agency's electrofuels program. Toone, who holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Toronto, has also founded three pharmaceutical companiesVindica Pharmaceuticals, Valanbio Therapeutics and Aerie Pharmaceuticalsthat scaled novel research into commercially-viable products.

Danielson joins BEV from Stanford University, where he is a Precourt Energy Scholar. Prior to Stanford, Danielson spent seven years at the U.S. Department of Energy, including four years as assistant secretary of energy heading the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energythe world's largest government funding agency devoted exclusively to energy innovation. In 2009, Danielson joined ARPA-E as its first employee and worked closely with Toone to build the organization. Danielson holds a PhD in materials science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In December 2016, members of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition formed Breakthrough Energy Ventures as a vehicle to help satisfy the world's growing demand for affordable, reliable, zero-carbon energy. The investor-led fund is currently focused on building its management team, which is being recruited from a global talent pool of entrepreneurs, scientists and investment experts. As a for-profit, private-sector effort, BEV builds on the foundation of research laid by efforts such as Mission Innovationa commitment by 22 nations and the European Union to double their investment in clean energy R&D.

About Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Founded by members of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) invests in next generation technologies to provide reliable, affordable, zero-carbon energy, food, and products to the world. BEV is led by investors, guided by science, and equipped with patient and flexible capital needed to transform the energy market.

SOURCE Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Mr. Perkins joined the Structured Settlement industry after an extensive career in Finance as a former CPA and having held a management position at Protiviti's Credit Risk Management practice. His success in settlement services is directly attributed to his financial background that helps to bring credibility to the table. Having most recently worked for Structured Financial Associates, Mr. Perkins' expertise in working with insurance carriers, self-insured individuals and plaintiff attorneys, helps him settle claims with the claimants' future financial needs in mind.

Mr. Perkins and Case Administrator, Gina Sanders, will become part of the Ringler team in Chicago, led by Mike Casey and Pat Kilinsky. Kilinsky says, "Adding Derek to our team makes good business sense. His strong financial background is a great benefit to the settlement claimants, insurance professionals and attorneys that work with us. We are excited about Derek's skills in providing customers with objective, customized settlement solutions that yield a win for all parties involved."

Mr. Perkins commented, "The decision to make the move to Ringler was an easy one. I have long-admired Mike Casey and Pat Kilinsky in the industry and the opportunity to work with them was a perfect fit. In addition, the Ringler model, the direction that the company is moving toward, and the vision of the Management Team fits perfectly with my personal business model for the future."

Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Melissa E. Price, welcomes Derek Perkins to the Ringler organization saying, "We're truly excited to have Derek at Ringler. I have worked with Derek since he joined our industry. He's a consummate professional and admirable colleague, coming on board at an important time of growth for our company. He is a great addition to the Ringler family and I feel certain that he will see new potential and exponential growth under the Ringler umbrella."

About Ringler

Ringler is the largest settlement planning company in the United States with over 150 Consultants in more than 70 offices nationwide since it was established in 1975. Ringler's team of expert and objective advisors has earned the trust of all parties involved in the settlement process, providing winning solutions. Every Ringler Consultant takes an individualized, customer-focused approach to each case, backed by the strength and resources of a national brand to collaborate with injured people, attorneys and insurance professionals, providing the most effective and fair settlement solutions for claimants and their families. Ringler is dedicated to continue to be the most innovative and acknowledged leader in the profession.

SOURCE Ringler
CARMEL, Ind., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) announced today that its board of directors has nominated Stephen N. David to stand for election to the board at the company's annual meeting of shareholders on May 10, 2017. He would fill the vacancy resulting from the retirement of director Michael Tokarz, effective at the annual meeting. The other eight current directors have been nominated for re-election at the meeting.

Mr. David, 68, has been a Senior Advisor with The Boston Consulting Group since 2005, providing strategic planning services in sales, marketing and technology to a variety of clients across multiple industries, including financial services. He retired in 2005 after 34 years with Procter & Gamble ("P&G"). During his P&G career Mr. David held multiple senior management positions including Chief Information Officer, Global Customer Development Officer, and Senior Vice President, Business Development. He previously served on the board of Iomega Corporation, a consumer technology company, from 2002 until its acquisition in 2008 and as a director of Checkpoint Systems, Inc., which provides merchandise availability solutions for the retail industry, from 2012 until its acquisition in 2016. Mr. David received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska in 1970.

CNO Chairman Neal Schneider said, "We are very pleased and excited that Steve has agreed to join the CNO board. He brings a wealth of experience and skills which fit well with CNO's strategy and focus on serving the evolving needs of our middle-income market. He will be a valuable asset as we continue to grow our business and deliver value to shareholders. I would also like to personally thank Mike, with whom I have had the pleasure of working on the CNO board since 2003, for his many contributions to the board and to CNO. His presence will certainly be missed."

About CNO Financial Group

CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) is a holding company. Our insurance subsidiaries  principally Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company and Washington National Insurance Company  primarily serve middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans by helping them protect against financial adversity and provide for a more secure retirement. For more information, visit CNO online at www.CNOinc.com.

SOURCE CNO Financial Group, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.CNOinc.com


Ranking Among the World's Best for the Ninth Time

FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Concentrix Corporation announced it has again been selected to the 2017 Global Outsourcing 100 by the IAOP. The Global Outsourcing 100 recognizes the world's best outsourcing service providers based on demonstrated global excellence.

"Clients and industry analysts alike acknowledge our ability to provide innovative solutions that are truly different in the marketplace," said Concentrix President Chris Caldwell. "We actively invest in technology including digital engagement and automation to give our clients new ways to build lasting customer relationships."

Companies featured in the IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 list have passed rigorous criteria and independent review by an industry-experienced panel of customer members. For 2017, the companies were judged based on: Size and Growth, Customer References, Awards and Certifications, Programs for Innovation, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

"Choosing the right partners is more important than ever. Companies that outsource, not only in the traditional sense but also through the wide array of the ever-changing collaborative business models, are scrutinizing their providers very closely," said Debi Hamill, IAOP CEO. "The GO100 is the definitive guide to help companies research and compare service providers with whom they are considering relationships."

About IAOP

IAOP is the go-to association leading the way to improve outsourcing outcomes by bringing together customers, providers and advisors in a collaborative, knowledge-based environment that promotes professional development, recognition, certification and excellence. With over 120,000 members and affiliates worldwide, IAOP is not only on top of the latest trends but in front of them. Through its expansive global chapter network, premier training and certification programs, knowledge center, member community and more, IAOP helps members learn, grow and succeed. For more information and how you can become involved, visit www.IAOP.org.

ABOUT CONCENTRIX

Concentrix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), is a leading business services company. We focus on customer engagement and improving business outcomes for over 450 global clients across six continents. Our 100,000+ staff deliver technology-infused, omni-channel customer experience management, marketing optimization, digital, consulting, analytics, and back office solutions in 40+ languages from 125+ delivery centers. We serve automotive; banking and financial services; insurance; healthcare; technology; consumer electronics; media and communications; retail and e-commerce; travel and transportation; and energy and public sector clients. Visit www.concentrix.com to learn more.

About SYNNEX

SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), a Fortune 500 corporation and a leading business process services company, provides a comprehensive range of distribution, logistics and integration services for the technology industry, as well as outsourced services focused on customer engagement strategy to a broad range of enterprises. SYNNEX distributes a broad range of information technology systems and products and also provides systems design and integration solutions. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX Corporation operates in numerous countries throughout North and South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at www.synnex.com.

Statements in this release that are forward-looking involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release.

Copyright 2017 SYNNEX Corporation. All rights reserved. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo, CONCENTRIX, and all other SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo and CONCENTRIX Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. IAOP, Global Outsourcing 100 and International Association of Outsourcing Professionals are registered trademarks of IAOP. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners.

SNX-G

SOURCE Concentrix

Related Links

http://www.concentrix.com


British Crisis Magazine ('A Voice for the Faithful Catholic Laity') published an article on the historic Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which took place in Crete in June 2016.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471918/Crisis_Magazine_Orthodox.jpg )



Author Tyler Arnold describes a number of disagreements that have arisen as a result of the Council's adoption of the "Relations" document, which addresses Catholic-Orthodox relations. Crisis Magazine describes the discord between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who holds the title "first among equals" in the Orthodox Church, and other Orthodox Churches including those of Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and even Greece, as threatening to factionalize the Orthodox world instead of uniting it.

Crisis Magazine also comments on Rev. Dn. Paul L. Gavrilyuk's statement from the office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate while discussing the "Relations" section of the Council and its consequences.

As the Crisis Magazine article notes, "Vatican II caused a mountain of controversy within the Catholic Church in the 1960s resulting in schismatic tensions. The documents, including the aforementioned decree, caused some Catholics to reject the Council and others to even abandon the Church entirely, though virtually no Council fathers did so despite lively disagreement over the proper interpretation of the documents in the years that followed."

"It is unsurprising that some of the same concerns are raising tension within the Orthodox Church," concludes the author, Tyler Arnold, for Crisis Magazine.

For more information on Crisis Magazine, visit: http://www.crisismagazine.com/about-us

SOURCE Crisis Magazine
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybernance Corporation announced today collaboration with Lockton Companies, the world's largest privately held, independent insurance broker. The collaboration will provide Lockton's cyber insurance clients access to the Cybernance Platform for cyber risk assessment and management. The solution is immediately available to all Lockton clients.

"As the leader in cyber risk governance, we are excited to provide Lockton's clients this high value service to establish an internal control system to manage cyber risk," said Michael Shultz, CEO of Cybernance. "Lockton clients will see immediate benefits from insights gained on how to integrate cyber risk controls across the enterprise. Client and broker can then engage in meaningful discussion about risk mitigation. "

The Cybernance Platform, a cyber risk governance software application based upon the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) enables companies to assess, measure and report on their cybersecurity maturity across the entire organization. Once the software is installed, it can be fully operating in a matter of weeks.

The product which is web-based is fully released, tested and already in the insurance market. The Cybernance Platform enables non-technical board members, executives, internal auditors, general counsel and chief risk officers to maintain insight into and exert control over their organizations' level of protection against cybercrime. A few key features include Policy, Audit, Access Privileges, Risk Assessment, Training and Monitoring, Third Party Service Provider and Vendor Security, Incident Response Plan and Reporting.

"Lockton is delighted to welcome Cybernance as one of our key team members as we continue to invest in the best resources to address our clients' cyber security concerns," said Ben Beeson, cyber risk practice leader for Lockton. "The Cybernance platform will help Lockton clients assess their cyber security posture in real time relative to the NIST Cyber Security Framework as well as the imminent New York Department of Financial Services Cyber Security Regulation."

About Lockton

More than 6,000 professionals at Lockton provide 50,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, employee benefits consulting, and retirement services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held, independent insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall.

About Cybernance Corporation

Cybernance is the leader in Cyber Risk Governance (CRG) started by industry veterans with a deep-seated knowledge of cyber security and technology solutions to mitigate enterprise risk. Founded in 2015, Cybernance is a venture-backed corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas. www.Cybernance.com

CONTACT: Karen Shultz

Brilliant Ideas Group

[email protected]

512-294-3004

SOURCE Cybernance Corporation

Related Links

http://www.Cybernance.com


MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybis LLC announced that its Board of Directors has elected Judson (Jud) Brandt as its Chief Executive Officer.

A leading technology influencer, Brandt has a strong background in building high-growth technology consulting practices and developing robust information strategies and capabilities for some of the world's largest companies. His proven operating and leadership experience, deep technology and cyber security expertise, and global business perspective will help grow Cybis into one of the industry's premier cyber security intelligence companies.

"Businesses and communities worldwide are facing increasingly formidable and complex threats to keeping their information secure," said Brandt. "Every threat begins with a person, and every attack on a business or other high-value target begins with the prospect of creating advantage through theft of an asset or degradation of a target. These threats can no longer be addressed strictly by installing the latest software or tools, which is why I am so excited to bring Cybis to market to address this growing threat through advanced means currently not applied beyond the public sector."

Cybis is a partnership between Convergint Technologies, the global leader in service-based systems integration, and Orbis Operations, a customized intelligence and cyber security solutions provider. "We are excited to announce the addition of Jud Brandt as the leader of our cyber security team of former nation state protectors," said President and CEO of Convergint Technologies, Ken Lochiatto. "Jud's proven leadership skills will guide our Cybis team as they expand their tailored cyber security solutions throughout the world."

Brandt, 50-years-old, brings to Cybis an extensive set of technology leadership experiences. He most recently served as Chief Technology Officer for Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. His previous roles include Vice President, Business Consulting for Oracle; Managing Director, Technology Strategy and Architecture for Accenture; divisional CIO and eBusiness leader for Delta Air Lines; and Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He resides in McLean, VA and Darien, GA.

ABOUT Cybis

Cybis is an agency-grade security intelligence group addressing "special matters" for entities seeking to operate with a deeper understanding of the evolving threats within their environment. Founded in 2016, Cybis consultants are an integrated team of former CIA, NSA, and commercial cyber experts with decades of real-world experience that have conducted cyber operations on behalf of the U.S. Government against our nation's most advanced adversaries.

SOURCE Cybis
D-Link and TeamF1 Networks partner to deliver cloud-based device management platform and cloud based 802.11ac Access Points, DBA-1000 Series Access Points, for small and medium-sized businesses.

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- D-Link Corp ("D-Link"), a global leader in connectivity for home, enterprise, and service providers, and TeamF1 Networks ("TeamF1"), a subsidiary of D-Link India Ltd ("D-Link India") and a leader in embedded networking and security software solutions for wired and wireless applications, today announced their partnership in delivering mydlink Business, a cloud-based device management platform featuring ease, value, and scalability for small and medium-sized businesses ("SMB"). The business cloud platform is specifically designed to suit the operation and workflow models of system integrators ("SI"), value-added resellers ("VAR"), and telcos/ISPs.

D-Link has built and operated one of the largest home device management cloud platform, mydlink, which has managed millions of consumer devices across the globe for more than seven years. TeamF1 has developed and licensed its holistic network security software stack, TFOS (pronounced as "t-force"), for enterprise and SMB leaders for the past fifteen years. In the past two years, D-Link and TeamF1 jointly developed an innovative multi-tenant, multi-purpose cloud-based device management platform, mydlink Business, to satisfy needs for secured network access and premises surveillance for global chain stores, regional SI/VARs, and telco/ISP-based smart home, office, and city offerings.

Today, with the advancement of networking technologies and the increase of network security threats, business owners increasingly depend on their trusted partners, e.g., managed service providers or telco/ISP, to set up and manage secured networks for them. Telcos/ISPs, for the sake of customers' satisfaction and reducing operating expenditure, are looking up to experienced network security vendors for scalable solutions that are secure, rapid to deploy, and able to reduce their truck rolls. "The D-Link multi-tenant, multi-purpose mydlink Business platform was purposely built to address these needs. Its hierarchical multi-tenant architecture accommodates needs of different types of operators, e.g., telco/ISP, SI, VAR, or even store owners, and the multi-purpose service framework enables add-on services, ranging from business BYOD, secured remote access, hospitality, hotspot, to business intelligence," said Dr. Ted Kuo, CEO and Chairman of TeamF1. "We are excited to be part of this joint project. Our engineering teams in Silicon Valley and Hyderabad have been working closely with D-Link wireless devices team and cloud solution DevOp team from concept development to early customers' engagement."

The first batch of managed devices that work with mydlink Business is the DBA-1000 series 802.11ac dual-band business access points ("AP"). These APs could be physically located on different premises but under the same administrator's management. By leveraging virtually unlimited resources in the cloud, mydlink Business could serve millions of devices, store access logs, analyze and learn from collected data.

"mydlink Business and DBA-1000 APs are ideal solutions for telcos/ISPs to manage chain stores or satellite offices across large geographic regions," said Mr. Tushar Sighat, CEO of D-Link India. "Our new cloud-based solutions mydlink Business and DBA-1000 series provide simple and smart wireless network management that can help expand businesses and their networks," said Mr. Douglas Hsiao, CEO and Vice Chairman, D-Link.

Mydlink Business and DBA-1210P are available for sampling in May 2017 and scheduled to be generally available in the beginning of Q3, 2017.

About D-Link Corporation:

D-Link Corporation ("D-Link") is a global networking solutions provider in connecting people and businesses. We aim to connect more homes, small businesses, medium to large-sized enterprises, and service providers. D-Link implements and supports unified network solutions that integrate capabilities in switching, wireless, broadband, storage, IP surveillance, and cloud-based network management. An award-winning designer, developer, and manufacturer, D-Link has grown from a group of seven friends since its founding in 1986 in Taiwan to more than 2,000 employees worldwide.

D-Link Corporation

Michelle Chiang - Public Relations

[email protected]

+886-2-6600-0123 #5653

About D-Link (India) Ltd:

D-Link (India) Limited ("D-Link India") is an India-based networking solutions company and has been publically traded since February, 2001 at BSE/NSE. D-Link Corporation is the promoter of D-Link India. The Company is engaging in the marketing and distribution of networking products in India and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. It offers products that extend across home, small-and-medium, and enterprise network equipment, including Ethernet switches, firewall security, wireless access points, Internet protocol (IP) surveillance cameras, networked storage, Internet of Things ("IoT") sensors, and structured cabling. To further secure and expand its business in network security solutions, D-Link India acquired its long-term solution partner, TeamF1 Networks (P) Ltd, in June 2014 but kept the TeamF1 operation independent.

D-Link (India) Limited

Ms. Divya Shetty

Sr. Manager - PR & Marketing Communication

[email protected]

+91-9004672817

About TeamF1 Networks (P) Ltd:

TeamF1 Networks (P) Ltd, a subsidiary of D-Link (India) Limited, is a leader in high performance embedded networking and security software. Founded in 1996, TeamF1 Networks' products enable secure networking of telecom or Datacom, and industrial equipment, and provide the infrastructure components needed for switching and wireless products in various market segments. TeamF1 Networks leverages pre-existing software blocks that have proven their merit in thousands of deployments, minimizing risk for OEMs and Service Providers (SPs) at flexible licensing terms. The Company has research and development centers in Fremont, California, USA and Hyderabad, India.

TeamF1 Networks (P) Ltd

Mr. Venkateswara Rao Chitturi

VP of Operations

[email protected]

+91-4066287500

D-Link and D-Link logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of D-Link Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other third party marks mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright  2016. D-Link. All Rights Reserved

SOURCE D-Link
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2017 Annual Meeting, Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) is introducing a new axle ratio for the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle designed to support engine downspeeding for linehaul trucks. This new axle ratio of 2.47:1 allows truck buyers to fine-tune their driveline specifications for an optimized balance of productivity and fuel efficiency.

Dana leads the industry with seven available ratios to support engine downspeeding, ranging from 2.26:1 to 2.93:1.

This new ratio from Dana is ideally suited for direct-drive versions of the SmartAdvantage Powertrain, a joint collaboration between Eaton and Cummins. The configuration is recommended for regional-haul applications that travel a composite of interstate highways, secondary roads, and urban operations.

Proven to be the most fuel efficient powertrain in the trucking industry since its introduction in 2013, the SmartAdvantage Powertrain features the Cummins X15 Efficiency Series engine paired with an Eaton Fuller Advantage 10-speed automated manual transmission. The engine and transmission share critical data, determining the torque required to deliver superior drivability and an optimum power level.

By utilizing engine downspeeding and leveraging the Cummins X15 engine's class-leading low-end torque, many vehicle operators will see a tangible improvement in fuel economy over traditional drivelines. The system also delivers a better value when compared with competitive integrated powertrains.

"As industry experts, Dana, Cummins, and Eaton share engineering data in order to fine-tune the powertrain and maximize the benefits of engine downspeeding," said Mark Wallace, executive vice president of Dana and president of Dana Commercial Driveline Technologies. "The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle, which is the fastest, lightest, and most efficient axle available, is fully optimized for the best-performing powertrain on the market, delivering a powerful system that manages dynamic challenges resulting from higher torque requirements."

For guidance in selecting the optimal configuration, truck owners can visit smartadvantagepowertrain.com.

Four years ago, Dana was the first to offer a driveline solution for engine downspeeding with the introduction of the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle and the SPL Series driveshafts.

Dana's optimized system for the SmartAdvantage Powertrain includes the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle with the new axle ratio of 2.47:1, the SPL 250 driveshaft, and the SPL 170 inter-axle shaft. This system is designed to handle higher input torque from downsped engines compared with competitive powertrains, providing further weight and cost savings in select applications.

Dana is featuring a range of efficient drivetrain solutions for the commercial-vehicle industry in booth 1334 at the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2017 Annual Meeting this week.

About Dana Incorporated

Dana is a world leader in highly engineered solutions for improving the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of powered vehicles and machinery. Dana supports the passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway markets, as well as industrial and stationary equipment applications. Founded in 1904, Dana employs approximately 27,000 people in 34 countries on six continents who are committed to delivering long-term value to customers. The company reported sales of more than $5.8 billion in 2016. Forbes Magazine has again selected Dana as one of America's 100 Most Trustworthy Companies. Based in Maumee, Ohio, the company's headquarters operations were selected as a "Top Workplace" by The (Toledo) Blade in 2017. For more information, please visit dana.com.

SOURCE Dana Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.dana.com


NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) is unveiling its new Rhombus TireAnalytics solution, a cloud-based platform that enables commercial-truck owners and fleet maintenance managers to identify best practices for tire maintenance and optimize tire lifecycle management. The technology is being showcased at the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2017 Annual Meeting.

Leveraging Dana's close collaboration with trucking customers and a growing leadership in intelligent, data-driven solutions for vehicle owners, the Rhombus TireAnalytics solution provides valuable insights into the condition of tractor and trailer tires that help identify and analyze tire wear trends, predict maintenance issues that can be addressed preemptively to minimize truck downtime, and establish optimal timeframes for scheduled replacement. For larger fleets, it also facilitates the implementation of straightforward, standardized tire inspection and maintenance practices across terminals.

Available now in the United States and Canada, the Rhombus TireAnalytics system integrates portable communications and computing platforms, advanced data collection and analysis, information sharing, and dashboard technologies through a cloud-based solution. Truck owners can use the system with their existing mobile, tablet, and desktop assets, eliminating the need for any additional hardware purchases.

"Customer centricity is fundamental to everything we do at Dana, and it drives our long-standing commitment to innovation and best-in-industry quality and durability. It also provides the foundation for the commercialization of new technology  a key element of our enterprise strategy," said Mark Wallace, executive vice president of Dana and president of Dana Commercial Driveline Technologies. "Today's launch of the Rhombus TireAnalytics solution is our next step in developing world-class, data-driven solutions and customer experiences that address the top issues in the industries we serve."

Rhombus TireAnalytics is the latest in a series of intelligent solutions from Dana for vehicle owners. At Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in January, Dana announced a comprehensive e-commerce platform that streamlines the identification process of the company's automotive and commercial-vehicle replacement parts portfolio and connects service technicians around the world with Dana's aftermarket parts distributors.

Dana is also developing Spicer Smart Suite technology for off-highway applications. This platform of fully integrated, connected-vehicle features converts operating data from the drivetrain into actionable insights for enhancing productivity, improving operator and machine safety, reducing maintenance costs, and decreasing total operating costs.

"Over the lifetime of a truck, tire maintenance is a top spend item and a leading cause of over-the-road truck-down incidents that drive roadside assistance costs and late delivery penalties," said Tim Farney, vice president of global sales for Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. "The Rhombus TireAnalytics solution is a first-to-market, easy-to-use solution that enables truck owners to thoroughly assess the success of their tire management strategies, establish operational excellence for this critical area of maintenance, and utilize Big Data and 21st-century cloud-based software to predict and optimize tire spend."

TMC attendees may visit Dana in booth 1334 to learn more about the Rhombus TireAnalytics system and Dana's comprehensive suite of solutions for commercial vehicles. More information is also available at RhombusTire.com.

About Dana Incorporated

Dana is a world leader in highly engineered solutions for improving the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of powered vehicles and machinery. Dana supports the passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway markets, as well as industrial and stationary equipment applications. Founded in 1904, Dana employs approximately 27,000 people in 34 countries on six continents who are committed to delivering long-term value to customers. The company reported sales of more than $5.8 billion in 2016. Forbes Magazine has again selected Dana as one of America's 100 Most Trustworthy Companies. Based in Maumee, Ohio, the company's headquarters operations were selected as a "Top Workplace" by The (Toledo) Blade in 2017. For more information, please visit dana.com.

SOURCE Dana Incorporated
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- China's top transplant official is trying to divert international attention from that country's appalling organ procurement record by making false statements about the practice of transplant medicine in the United States, says Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), a leading medical ethics advocacy group. According to a recent interview in the Chinese Global Times , transplant chief and former Deputy Minister of Health, Huang Jiefu, denounced the US as "the most rampant organ trade country in the world."

"Some groups, for instance poor people and refugees, will, for their livelihood, come to America and sell organs," Huang claimed in the interview, saying that in 2016, "280 foreign patients came to the US for transplants ... far more than the limit" allowed in the US. The limit regulation Huang Jiefu referred to was abolished three years ago and replaced by an obligatory transparent reporting system aimed to include every non-citizen/non-resident transplant. Yet, with 33,500 transplants performed in the US in 2016, the 280 that Huang cites as a violation would only represent a mere 0.83% of the total, far below the US guideline.

Huang also stated that the "use of death row prisoner organs was not China's innovation," but practiced first in the US. The Global Times quoted Huang as saying that during his visit to Harvard University in the 1990s, he was shown organ specimens taken from prisoners. In contrast to his claims, the provisions that permit organ harvesting from executed prisoners were legally adopted in China as early as 1984 and are believed to still be in place.

China's claims of having ended the organ harvesting from executed prisoners in 2015 remain unverified. Lack of transparency and independent scrutiny are an increasingly insurmountable obstacle for China in meeting international ethical standards. During a conference on organ trafficking at the Vatican in early February, Huang offered a scant four-slide data presentation in attempts to allay international concerns about the continued practice of harvesting organs from prisoners, including prisoners of conscience. In a semantic attempt to brush off the mass of evidence on forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China, Huang refuted the claims with a simple "nonsense" retort but failed to provide any counter-evidence.

Dr. Torsten Trey, DAFOH executive director, states: "We have considerable eyewitness accounts from Falun Gong practitioners of having been subjected to implausible medical exams and blood tests while in detention in China. If the claims that prisoners of conscience are used as organ source is 'nonsense', then why not allow independent international inspections in Chinese detention camps?"

Huang Jiefu has a record of making conflicting statements. In an interview with Australian ABC TV in 2013, he commented about organ harvesting from prisoners from an odd juxtaposition saying "before [the prisoner] died he found his conscience and found he needed to do something to repay society. So why do you object?" All global ethical standards condemn such practice. After an announced ban on harvesting organs from executed prisoners in 2015, Huang described death-row prisoners instead as citizens who have the right to donate organs, a gross misunderstanding not shared by the international community.

DAFOH is calling on the US medical community to repudiate China's false accusations, demand transparent access to its organ procurement and transplant system and to increase pressure on China to answer questions concerning the practice of forced organ harvesting from living prisoners of conscience.

Contact :

Damon Noto, MD

Tel: +1-917-912-4858 Email: [email protected]

www.DAFOH.org

www.facebook.com/DAFOH

https://twitter.com/dafoh_org

SOURCE Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting

Related Links

http://www.dafoh.org


DUBAI, UAE, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

-Top Marks and Middle East Honours for Students from one of the Dubai's Leading Schools -

Students from Dubai Scholars Private School in Al Qusais have received top marks and Middle East honours having achieved some of the top scores in the Middle East according to the ACER's International Benchmark Test (IBT) 2016.

Six Dubai Scholars students have been awarded Certificates of Honour in the assessment that compares student performances internationally.

The IBT is a globally administered programme of assessments that assesses students from year groups 4 to 11 in English, Mathematics, and Science. It provides a high quality, skill-based assessment aligned to all major curricula that gives schools, students, and parents an insight into their performance through global comparisons.

The Certificates of Honour are given to the highest achieving student in each year group for the three subjects. Six of these Certificates of Honour were awarded to students from Dubai Scholars - topping the results from over 50,000 students in the Middle East that participated in the IBT. The results reflect Dubai Scholar's vision of advancing excellence and innovation, as well as its dedication to higher quality learning; a vision shared by all schools under the Scholars International Group umbrella.

The IBT educational assessment is recommended by KHDA so as to help benchmark the performance of Dubai Schools in relation to each other and the region in general.

"We're delighted with this fantastic achievement and congratulate all of our students on their results that highlight our ability to compete with the best students within the Middle East and the world," said Thelma Miranda, Head Mistress of Dubai Scholars. "This truly reflects Dubai Scholar's commitment to academic excellence while celebrating the unique characteristics of every one of our students," she added.

Founded in 1976, Dubai Scholars is one of the oldest and most distinguished schools in the UAE. The school boasts a whole child approach to teaching and learning combining a strong academic programme with the performing arts and sports, providing students with opportunities to grow and develop in many areas of interest and talent.

Delivering an extended and enriched English National Curriculum, Dubai Scholars educates nearly 1600 students from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 13. It has seen its students go on to distinguish themselves at the finest universities including Oxford, Cambridge, University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University.

SOURCE Dubai Scholars Private School
ATLANTA, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Richard Duhe has joined the firm's Southeast Employee Benefits Consulting Practice in Atlanta as a Benefits Consultant and Director of EPIC MobileEZ.

Across a career spanning 30 years, Duhe has focused on assisting clients in a wide range of industries with their health & welfare risk management needs; specializing in the assessment, design, implementation, and management of medical cost containment and employee engagement programs.

Duhe's experience includes development of mobile application strategies and digital media communication, as well as the identification, analysis and management of a broad spectrum of exposures and risks. He has extensive experience working with third party administrators, associations, and pools.

Prior to joining EPIC, Duhe also developed the EPIC MobileEZ mobile application, a comprehensive digital media communication solution for employers and their mobile workforces.

As a consultant for EPIC's Employee Benefits practice in the Southeast, Duhe will provide client service leadership, including overall strategy, coverage negotiation, and the coordination and management of internal and external resources.

As Director of EPIC MobileEZ, he will continue to implement risk mitigation, training, wellness, and safety strategies within a mobile environment for EPIC clients.

Duhe will also focus on relationship management and business development, bringing EPIC's resources in employee benefits to clients across the region.

"Rick founded a successful Atlanta, Georgia-based managed care company called MediCor," said Steve Needle, EPIC Managing Principal, Employer Services SE Region. "He has a proven ability to both manage a team and provide creative, cost-effective employee benefit solutions. We are excited to have Rick join EPIC's growing operations here in the Southeast and across the country."

Duhe was appointed to the Governor's Georgia State Board of Worker's Compensation Chairman's Advisory Council, Rehabilitation and Managed Care Committee in 1996, serving as Chairperson from 2009-2012. He is a former certified disability management specialist, certified rehabilitation consultant, and vocational expert. His entrepreneurial endeavors have been mentioned on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and featured on the cover of Inc. magazine.

Richard Duhe can be reached at:

EPIC

Office: 678.475.5713

Mobile: 404.545.0466

[email protected]

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0227s2p-Richard-Duhe-300dpi.jpg

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Dave Hock, of EPIC

650.295.4608

[email protected]

Nicole Conley

408.295.4309 x104

[email protected]

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants

Related Links

http://www.epicbrokers.com


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced it intends to grant its first CRISPR-Cpf1 patent to the Broad Institute, MIT, and Harvard University, based on a patent application filed in June 2015.

CRISPR-Cpf1 holds the potential for simpler and more precise genome engineering than has been available with CRISPR-Cas9. Feng Zhang and collaborators elucidated the mechanism and harnessed the Cpf1 system for gene editing in human cells in a paper published in Cell in September 2015.

"We are committed to continue making the CRISPR-Cpf1 technology widely accessible," Zhang said. "We are excited to further explore the expansive natural diversity of CRISPR systems and develop new tools to accelerate research and improve human health."

The natural CRISPR-Cpf1 system is an RNA-guided system that has important differences from the Cas9 system, including the fact that it is a simpler system that does not require a tracrRNA component. The EPO has allowed the inventors' claims to an engineered Cpf1 system, including methods for use in genome editing in eukaryotic cells.

Zhang, a core institute member of the Broad Institute, an investigator at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, and the James and Patricia Poitras '63 Professor in Neuroscience and Associate Professor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Biological Engineering at MIT, is listed as an inventor, along with students Omar Abudayyeh (Harvard Health Sciences and Technology), Jonathan Gootenberg (Harvard), Ian Slaymaker (MIT), and Bernd Zetsche (MIT/Bonn Medical School).

Several Cpf1 patent applications are pending in the United States, each describing various methods that rely on the system first published by Zhang and collaborators in Cell in September, 2015. These include applications from the Broad Institute as well as from other organizations.

These patents add to a growing international landscape of intellectual property around CRISPR. The EPO has previously granted eight of Broad's CRISPR-related patent applications. In the United States, the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued 50 patents with claims to CRISPR and/or Cas9, including a robust portfolio of 13 CRISPR patents to the Broad Institute, MIT and affiliated groups for inventions from Zhang and the Zhang lab. The USPTO has also issued ten CRISPR patents to Harvard University relating to inventions of Broad Senior Associate member George Church and the Church lab, and of Broad Institute core member David Liu and the Liu lab; three CRISPR patents to DuPont; one to Agilent Technologies; one to University of Georgia Research Foundation; one to Institut Pasteur; and one to Caribou Biosciences. In addition, the USPTO is considering other applications.

For more than four years Zhang and collaborators have worked with the nonprofit Addgene to openly share CRISPR reagents more than 37,000 times with researchers at nearly 2,100 institutions in 59 countries.

"Researchers at many institutions have contributed to the understanding and use of CRISPR systems, and it is encouraging that the worldwide intellectual property landscape reflects this diversity," said Issi Rozen, Chief Business Officer at the Broad Institute. "It is vital that these institutions pledge to treat these technologies as a public good, and share them in ways that maximize the benefit to patients. This includes open sharing with the academic and nonprofit community, non-exclusive licenses for research purposes, and limits on exclusivity so there is always a path for promising medical innovations to be explored."

About the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard was launched in 2004 to empower this generation of creative scientists to transform medicine. The Broad Institute seeks to describe all the molecular components of life and their connections; discover the molecular basis of major human diseases; develop effective new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutics; and disseminate discoveries, tools, methods, and data openly to the entire scientific community.

Founded by MIT, Harvard, Harvard-affiliated hospitals, and the visionary Los Angeles philanthropists Eli and Edythe L. Broad, the Broad Institute includes faculty, professional staff, and students from throughout the MIT and Harvard biomedical research communities and beyond, with collaborations spanning over a hundred private and public institutions in more than 40 countries worldwide. For further information about the Broad Institute, go to http://www.broadinstitute.org.

SOURCE Broad Institute

Related Links

http://www.broadinstitute.org


The charger will assist with next generation electric vehicle charging research, and will allow testing of EV research platforms at 150kW initially. The installed system has the potential to reach charging speeds of up to 350kW with an upgrade. As automakers align on future hardware and service standards, the station will enable industry coordination and testing. EVgo is using the station to study utility impacts, installation standards, permitting, and building and safety requirements. It will also provide a demonstration platform for electrical certification committees and building code officials.

Both EVgo and ABB consider the implementation of High-Power fast charging as a critical next step in the evolution of EVs, as automakers are introducing new electric vehicles with increased battery capacities and longer ranges. Already, two automakers have announced plans to sell vehicles in the U.S. that will charge at significantly higher rates in less than two years. Additionally, five automakers have announced a collaboration to build 400 High-Power charging stations (350kW) throughout Europe.

The fastest available public chargers currently in the market are 50kW, which can provide roughly three miles per minute of charge. A 150kW charger can provide nine miles per minute, and a 350kW charger will provide more than 20 miles per minute. The new charging station will be available to automotive research vehicles on request, and is intended to help inform future advances in electric vehicle development, range, capacity and charging speed. The charger will not be open to the public, though it resides at the nation's busiest public fast charging site in Fremont, California.

"EVgo has taken another first step in next generation High-Power fast charging that will advance the entire electric vehicle industry," said Terry O'Day, Vice President, Product Strategy and Market Development at EVgo. "Our goal is to enable improved fast charging service in the future, helping our automotive OEM partners provide even more convenient and appealing options to their customers."

EVgo has partnered with Lucky Supermarkets to install the charger at its Mowry Avenue location in Fremont, where the High-Power fast charging station is now in service. Fremont was chosen for the High-Power charging station location because the area currently has the highest traffic in the EVgo network, making it a natural fit for the rollout of a next generation charging station. The High-Power charging station utilizes a CCS connection standard but is not open to the public.

"ABB shares EVgo's vision of supporting an ever-growing population of EV drivers who demand the convenience of a fueling station experience," said Tarak Mehta, President, Electrification Products division at ABB. "We're proud to be part of this industry leading project with our high power charging technology."

EVgo currently operates the largest public fast charge network in the country, with over 900 fast chargers in 66 of the top-selling automotive markets in the US, and supports all current charging standards. EVgo provides exemplary service because it owns and operates its charging stations, and utilizes a variety of flexible charging plans for drivers including pay-as-you-go, low-cost membership charging plans and unlimited charging plans for customers of partner OEMs, including BMW, Nissan and Ford. EVgo has ABB DC fast charging stations installed across its network with the critical connectivity needed for remote asset management, helping enable EVgo's high uptime performance.

About ABB

ABB is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees. www.abb.com

About EVgo

EVgo is America's largest and most popular public fast charging network for electric vehicles (EVs). EVgo provides drivers with a premium service based on the fact that it owns and operates 100 percent of its stations. EVgo charging stations include the fastest multi-standard chargers available to the public and its rapid growth takes EV drivers further than any other public network in the U.S. To find out more, or to join the EVgo network, visit www.evgo.com.

Media Contact:





Breanna Buhr / Brian Alexander Melissa London JMPR Public Relations ABB Media Relations (818) 992-4353 (919) 820-4431 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] @ABB_Media

SOURCE EVgo

Related Links

http://www.evgo.com


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(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471924/Perspectum_Diagnostics_fatty_liver_disease.jpg )





The scientists have been studying images from the UK Biobank MRI imaging study, the world's biggest study of its kind ever undertaken.

In the past, diagnosing liver disease has relied upon invasive biopsies, but LiverMultiScan DiscoverTM technology, developed from the University of Oxford by Perspectum Diagnostics, can identify people with disease in a painless and safe 15-minute scan.

Liver disease has been highlighted by Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, as a major public health concern. The research published today shows that people with excess liver fat are more likely to have high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes.

UK Biobank is a major national and international resource following the health of 500,000 people who were aged 40-69 years when they joined the study. Results from Perspectum Diagnostics are some of the first to come out of the imaging part of the UK Biobank resource, which plans to scan the hearts, brains and abdomens of 100,000 participants.

Perspectum Diagnostics' Dr Rajarshi Banerjee, said it was exciting that the study was providing answers to important questions so quickly. "We know that fatty liver disease is a major health problem and it is important to develop new techniques that allow doctors to make quick and accurate diagnoses that don't cause distress to patients," he said.

Dr Louise Thomas, Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster added "being able to look at the risk of liver fat in such a large population in the UK Biobank is a unique opportunity and will help us to understand more about how fatty liver disease develops."

Professor Cathie Sudlow, UK Biobank's Chief Scientist, welcomed the development. "The goal of UK Biobank is to improve health. It is exciting to see these advances emerging from the resource, which is becoming increasingly valuable over time. We look forward to seeing further results of relevance to understanding and treating major diseases as the resource matures."

This study was a joint project between scientists from Perspectum Diagnostics, and the University of Westminster, as part of an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership. The work was done in collaboration with the UK Biobank and Imperial College London.

Read to full article here: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0172921

About Perspectum Diagnostics

Perspectum Diagnostics is a medical imaging company, founded by scientists and physicians from the University of Oxford. It has pioneered the use of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately detect and measure biomarkers of liver disease. Available in over 50 hospitals and clinics on five continents, LiverMultiScan DiscoverTM enables quantitative liver assessment in a safe, non-invasive, 15-minute MRI scan. The technology is currently being used to assess primary endpoints in clinical trials for investigational therapies to treat NAFLD and NASH.

About UK BioBank

The resource is funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, and the British Heart Foundation, and is transforming researchers' ability to investigate a wide range of common painful and life-threatening disorders.

About the University of Westminster

The University of Westminster has a distinguished 175-year history, and boasts a vibrant learning environment that attracting more than 20,000 international students. We continue to invest in our future with innovative research and redevelopment. We offer highly attractive and highly rated practice-based courses, many with international recognition. Visit https://www.westminster.ac.uk/

Contact

Dr Rajarshi Banerjee

Tel: +44-(0)1865-261457

[email protected]



http://perspectum-diagnostics.com

SOURCE Perspectum Diagnostics
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Flexpoint Ford, LLC ("Flexpoint Ford"), a private equity firm focused on the healthcare and financial services sectors, announced today that it formed a partnership with SouthEast Eye Specialists and its affiliates ("SouthEast Eye Specialists" or "SEES"), a leading provider of medical and surgical eye care, and Center for Facial Rejuvenation, a leader in facial medical aesthetics. Founded in 1999, SouthEast Eye Specialists specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye and eyelids, including cataracts and associated advanced lens replacement, along with corneal disease, glaucoma, eye muscle disorders, eyelid abnormalities, retina disease, laser vision correction, and pediatric eye care. SEES "co-manages" patients with outside optometrists, which are the principal source of patient referrals. Center for Facial Rejuvenation focuses on facial cosmetic procedures, skin care, and laser treatments.

"We are extremely excited to partner with Flexpoint Ford, and to align ourselves with a capital partner that shares our focus on providing the highest level of clinical care," says Dr. John Bierly, co-founder of SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation.

SouthEast Eye Specialists fosters relationships with outside optometrists and healthcare providers to co-manage the care of patients. "A core component of our practice is the long-term relationships that we have built with our referral community," says Dr. Daryl Mann, co-founder of SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation. "We chose to partner with the Flexpoint Ford team based upon their deep experience in healthcare services and understanding of the importance of our practice's co-management model."

Opened in 2009, Center for Facial Rejuvenation provides patients with the skillful delivery of safe and effective medical procedures focused on improving the appearance of the face and neck.

"The teams at SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation have consistently demonstrated the highest focus on patient care, employee satisfaction, and community relations," says Perry Ballard, Managing Director at Flexpoint Ford. "We look forward to supporting both teams with additional capital to allow them to expand their services across the country."

"SouthEast Eye Specialists and Center for Facial Rejuvenation both deliver exceptional care to their patients which translates into exceptional outcomes," says Dan Grigorescu, Vice President of Flexpoint Ford. "As a result, the companies are entrusted by doctors to care for their patients with medical problems of higher complexity, and have gained the trust of their community through their proven track record. We are excited to help expand their model into new communities, recruit additional physicians, and support the continued growth of these two innovative businesses."

ABOUT FLEXPOINT FORD: Flexpoint Ford is a private equity firm dedicated to the healthcare and financial services sectors. Flexpoint Ford seeks to build relationships with executives and companies who look for Flexpoint Ford to be a value-added partner. Flexpoint Ford currently manages approximately $2.3 billion in committed capital on behalf of its limited partners. For more information, visit www.flexpointford.com or call (312) 327-4520.

ABOUT SOUTHEAST EYE SPECIALISTS: With locations throughout Tennessee, SouthEast Eye Specialists is the region's leading specialty eye center. Led by a team of highly trained, board certified professionals, SouthEast Eye Specialists is committed to providing exceptional patient care including cataracts and advanced lens replacement, corneal disease, glaucoma, eye muscle disorders, eyelid abnormalities, laser vision correction surgery, retinal surgery, and pediatric eye care. A physician-referral only practice, SouthEast Eye Specialists is entrusted by other doctors to care for patients with medical problems of higher complexity. For more information, visit www.southeasteye.com or call (877) 933-7337.

ABOUT CENTER FOR FACIAL REJUVENATION: Center for Facial Rejuvenation offers medically proven treatments and compassionate patient care to provide the best in skin care, laser treatments, and cosmetic procedures. Center for Facial Rejuvenation customizes treatments to meet individual patient goals, utilizing surgical and non surgical treatments such as BOTOX and fillers, lasers, chemical peels and physician grade skincare products. For more information, visit www.chattanoogaface.com or call (423) 648-2035.

SOURCE Flexpoint Ford, LLC

Related Links

http://www.flexpointford.com


HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Flotek Industries, Inc. (NYSE: FTK), a leading developer and distributor of prescriptive chemistry-based technology, today announced the appointment of Matt Marietta as senior vice president of corporate development and investor relations.

In this role, he will oversee investor relations, communicating the company's growth strategy, financial performance and plans for enhancing shareholder value to investors, analysts and other external audiences. Additionally, he will lead business development initiatives including M&A, joint ventures and investments. Based out of Flotek's headquarters, he will serve on the company's executive leadership team, reporting to Chief Executive Officer, President & Chairman of the Board John W. Chisholm. He is scheduled to join Flotek on March 1.

"Matt brings an ideal mix of expertise to this role, with a strong track-record as a recognized financial analyst with relationships spanning the company's investor and analyst base. His deep knowledge of the energy and chemicals industries and strong understanding of Flotek will benefit our company and stakeholders," said Chisholm. "I look forward to having Matt join my executive leadership team to strengthen our relationships with the financial community and drive further successes with our business partners."

Matt joins Flotek from Stephens, Inc., where he was a publishing sell-side analyst covering Flotek. He expanded the firm's energy practice, ultimately leading its oilfield services equity research team. He has been recognized by Institutional Investor and cited in numerous publications including Reuters, CNBC, WSJ, Bloomberg as an industry thought leader. Matt brings with him extensive industry contacts, investor relationships and nearly 15 years of shale-focused technical experience ranging from accounting to reservoir valuations and SEC reporting.

"This is a pivotal moment for the energy industry  and a time in which technology pioneers will make a profound difference and transform the way business is done. Flotek is uniquely positioned to lead this fundamental change, and I am looking forward to help drive an exciting future for the company's shareholders," said Marietta.

Matt began his career in the Barnett Shale in 2005 as an independent land prospector during the beginning of the shale revolution. He subsequently joined XTO Energy during its rapid acquisition phase and assisted in the integration of acquired properties across North America into the enterprise. Prior to Stephens, Matt helped develop Exterran's compression business after the merger of Hanover and Universal Compression while the industry focus shifted to oil and wet gas plays, as well as develop predictive models for shale production trends and future growth opportunities.

About Flotek Industries, Inc.

Flotek is a developer and distributor of prescriptive chemistry-based technology, including specialty chemicals, to clients in the energy, consumer industrials and food & beverage industries. Flotek's inspired chemists draw from the power of solvents and oils of oranges to deliver solutions that enhance energy production, cleaning products, foods & beverages and fragrances. In the oil and gas sector, Flotek serves large and independent energy producers and oilfield service companies, both domestic and international. Flotek Industries, Inc. is a publicly traded company headquartered in Houston, Texas, and its common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "FTK." For additional information, please visit Flotek's web site at www.flotekind.com.

SOURCE Flotek Industries, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.flotekind.com


British model, designer and actress Poppy Delevingne talks to award-winning global fashion magazine PORTER about her relationship with her sisters who are "[her] everything, [her] peas in a pod." Cara, the youngest, tells PORTER, "I wouldn't ever want to imagine a world without Poppy and Chloeif one of them killed someone I would help bury the body."

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471893/PORTER_Delevingne_sisters_1.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471894/PORTER_Delevingne_sisters_2.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471896/PORTER_Poppy_Delevingne.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471895/PORTER_Natalia_Vodianova_cover.jpg )

In conversation with PORTER's Features Director, Vassi Chamberlain, Poppy talks candidly about her "love giver" mother, Pandora, and how witnessing her struggles taught her an important life lesson. "We have all learned that addiction and mental illnesses are illnesses and I think a lot of people overlook thatit is a chemical imbalance; it's like cancer, a sickness and people need to see it as that. So when people ask me, 'Are you angry with your mum?' I'm like, 'No there is nothing to be angry about,'" she tells PORTER.

Poppy also credits the relationship between herself, Chloe and Cara as one of the most important reasons for growing up happy: "[Cara] slept in my bed for yearsTo have each other was just so, so vital," she tells PORTER. Sisters Chloe and Cara also make a fashionable appearance in PORTER, reinforcing how important the support they give one another is. While Chloe admits, "We are very lucky, the chemistry between us is kind of perfect," Cara also proclaims, "The best thing about being with [Poppy and Chloe] is just being with them."

There's no doubt that Poppy's set to 'hustle' her way to stardom and with upcoming roles in Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Golden Circle, it looks like 2017 could well be the year of Poppy Delevingne.

Highlights:

Cara on how far she'd go for her siblings:

"Oh my God, it's incredible to have these two. I don't know what I would do without them, it would be horrifying. We have been through everything together. They helped bring me up. They taught me my love of music. We used to do dance routines to the Spice Girls, which we still do. I wouldn't ever want to imagine a world without Poppy and Chloe. Put it this way, if one of them killed someone I would help bury the body."

Poppy on the type of actress she hopes to become:

"Charlize Theron in Monster. I want to disappear completely into someone else's skin."

Poppy on life lessons and a happy family:

"We have all learned that addiction and mental illness are illnesses and I think a lot of people overlook that. What people don't understand is that it is a chemical imbalance; it's like a cancer, a sickness and people need to see it as that. So when people ask me, 'Are you angry with your mum?' I'm like, 'No, there is nothing to be angry about.' We all just want to be there for her. We've seen her struggle, she's so strong for us and is such a love giver and just wants to be loved back, so we all give that to her, and that's why my parents are still together and so happy."

Poppy on witnessing her mother's illness from a young age:

"There were tricky times. I was 12 when it all started happening, which is the time you really need a mum - getting your period, wanting to know what sex is about. Cara was six years younger. She slept in my bed for years. She would literally twine her body around mine when I tried to sleep. To have each other was just so, so vital."

Poppy on her inspiration for temporarily relocating to LA:

"She is such a doer Cara, she is so ambitious. She has always known what she wants and she's a hustler. Sometimes I call her and I'm like, you need to help me hustle, and she is like, 'Come on!'"

The Delevingne's are photographed by Bjorn Iooss for PORTER and Natalia Vodianova is photographed by Cass Bird for PORTER. All items can be purchased directly off the pages of PORTER magazine either by scanning the item with the NET-A-PORTER shopping app or by purchasing the PORTER digital edition at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/porter-magazine-uk/id803076371?mt=8

To see the full interview with The Delevingne's buy the latest issue of PORTER, on sale since February 10, available in both print and digital editions, or go to:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/porter-magazine-uk/id803076371?mt=8

https://twitter.com/PORTERmagazine

https://instagram.com/PORTERmagazine

https://www.facebook.com/PORTERmag?ref=br_rs

For images and information, please contact:

Sam Hancock

+44(0)203-471-5396

[email protected]



SOURCE PORTER, powered by NET-A-PORTER
BEDMINSTER, N.J., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GCAP) ("GAIN" or "the Company"), a global provider of online trading services, announced that it has successfully migrated the former customers of FXCM's U.S. business to GAIN'S retail brand FOREX.com (www.forex.com). Over the weekend, GAIN transferred over 47,000 accounts with total assets of approximately $142 million.

To ensure that the migration was successful and that the transferred customers were fully supported, GAIN took several key steps, including creating a microsite dedicated to former FXCM customers with information regarding the transfer process and training on FOREX.com's products and services, increasing customer service staffing levels and extending weekend support hours.

In advance of the transfer, GAIN also made several significant enhancements to its products and services, including integrating TradingView charts on FOREX.com's desktop platform, extending FOREX.com's Active Trader program to MetaTrader4 (MT4) customers and providing access to an increased range of third party trading platforms used by migrating customers, such as NinjaTrader.

"We are very pleased with this weekend's successful account migration," said Glenn Stevens, CEO of GAIN Capital. "In a short period of time, and with the help of the National Futures Association (NFA) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), we successfully transferred over 47,000 accounts to FOREX.com. Our focus during this process was to make the experience as seamless as possible and ensure incoming customers receive the support they need."

Following GAIN's acquisition of FXCM's U.S. customer base, FOREX.com is now the largest provider of retail FX in the United States, with over 70,000 customer accounts.

GAIN is one of the largest providers of retail FX & CFD trading services globally. The Company is currently regulated in eight jurisdictions, with approximately 140,000 customers and over $1.5 billion in assets. In addition to its U.S. regulated retail forex business, GAIN operates regulated retail trading operations in the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Grand Cayman and Canada, conducting its retail trading business globally under its FOREX.com and City Index brands. GAIN operates a broadly diversified business, which, in addition to its retail FX business, includes a U.S.-based retail futures business and an international institutional trading business, GTX.

About GAIN Capital

GAIN Capital (NYSE: GCAP) provides market access and trade execution services to a diverse client base of retail and institutional investors across a range of exchange-traded and OTC markets. Founded in 1999, the company today supports customers in over 180 countries via several globally recognized brands, including FOREX.com, City Index and GTX. GAIN Capital is headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, with a global presence across North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. For further company information, visit www.gaincapital.com.

SOURCE GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.gaincapital.com


The case, Pauline Alvarez v. Agricultural Labor Relations Board (attached), is pending in Sacramento Superior Court. The Alvarez complaint specifically mentions the whistleblower's involvement in matters related to Gerawan, including her charge that the ALRB filed a "false declaration in order to obtain a temporary restraining order against Gerawan Farming in a dispute with that grower."

Ms. Alvarez, a 30-year ALRB employee, alleges that she and other field examiners were directed by Ms. Torres-Guillen "to dredge up witnesses that would assist the UFW's position" after Ms. Alvarez "recommended dismissal of cases in which the UFW failed to cooperate and provide witnesses and evidence to support its allegations." Ms. Alvarez alleges that she protested the "settlement of cases by farm workers against the UFW where there was sufficient evidence to establish that the UFW violated the law," the ALRB's refusal "to notify workers of their rights to file charges against the UFW when the UFW violated the workers' rights," and the "ghostwriting" of the UFW legal brief by the ALRB staff.

As explained in today's filing, "[t]hese allegations paint a portrait of an agency highjacked by an ideological agenda set by Ms. Torres-Guillen and implemented by her hand-picked loyalists." "The question now before the Superior Court," according to David A. Schwarz, counsel for Gerawan, "is why the Board concealed Ms. Alvarez's lawsuit and claimed that her identity was a secret long after Ms. Alvarez sued the ALRB for suppressing insider complaints alleging prosecutorial abuse by this agency?"

Gerawan seeks an independent investigation as to whether the ALRB misled the Superior Court in response to Gerawan's Public Record Act request for these whistleblower documents. In its motion, Gerawan argues that "[t]he ALRB did not withhold the complaint to protect Ms. Alvarez. It appears that the ALRB withheld it to conceal allegations of misconduct directed at its most senior enforcement officers, and to avoid public scrutiny of the agency's failure to stop this misconduct."

"Ms. Alvarez's charges are a symptom of a deeper problem at the ALRB," said Dan Gerawan, co-owner of Gerawan Farming, Inc. Gerawan continued, "we hope that a full and fair inquiry will make sure that what happened to us and our employees never happens to others in this State."

A copy of Gerawan's filing can be downloaded here.

See attached list of some of ALRB Investigator Pauline Alvarez's allegations.

Ms. Alvarez's whistleblower retaliation complaint against the ALRB can be downloaded here.

ALRB Field Investigator Pauline Alvarez alleges that she:





Recommended dismissal of cases in which the UFW failed to cooperate and provide witnesses and evidence to support its allegations. ALRB General Counsel Torres-Guillen consistently defended the UFW and assigned Plaintiff and other field examiners the task of trying to dredge up witnesses that would assist the UFW's position.

Protested the settlement of cases by farm workers against the UFW where there was sufficient evidence to establish that the UFW violated the law.

Protested ALRB's refusal to allow Alvarez to notify workers of their rights to file charges against the UFW when the UFW violated the workers' rights.

Protested the ALRB's refusal to bring charges against the UFW for engaging in improper negotiations.

Notified the State Auditor Committee that the ALRB appeared to be biased towards the UFW with respect to various cases, including the Gerawan Farms case.

Protested the ALRB's unethical and biased conduct in giving a draft of a legal brief to the UFW, which the UFW then copied and submitted to the Board as the UFW's own brief, with minor modifications to try to disguise the plagiarism.

SOURCE Gerawan Farming

Related Links

http://www.prima.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gigster, an on-demand software development platform, today announced that Richard Akers, former Informatica and HP Software executive, will join as the company's senior vice president of partnerships to help address the increased demand for access to high quality, on-demand software development within the enterprise sector.

Richard Akers, Senior Vice President of Partnerships, Gigster.

Founded in 2014, Gigster has grown to a network of over 1,000 freelance engineers, software developers, designers and product managers, culled from the top 1 percent of applicants. To support its expansion efforts, Gigster also has a core team of over 40 full time employees. In the last year, Gigster has seen unprecedented momentum in the enterprise sector as more Fortune 500 companies see the benefits of distributed teams for software development. In the last 12 months, Gigster saw a 400 percent year-over-year customer growth rate, and signed over 25 enterprise customers, including PepsiCo, IBM, US Bank, MasterCard and eBay.

Richard Akers brings over 25 years of business and corporate development experience at the world's largest technology firms. Akers was most recently the vice president of global alliances at Informatica, where he led the data integration company's program focused on systems integration partners. Prior to Informatica, he also held senior leadership roles focused on worldwide alliances at HP Software, Oracle and BEA Systems.

Akers' new role will focus on moving the company's business up market through key alliances with global system integrators, independent software vendors, telecommunication services and public cloud platforms.

"Richard's extensive experience in the global system integrations market and passion for technology make him a natural fit for Gigster," said Roger Dickey, Gigster CEO and co-founder. "Our goal of providing great software on-demand to everyone has lead to an efficient delivery platform that serves Fortune 500s and small businesses alike. We saw tremendous growth in the last year, and it became clear having someone like Richard on our side will allow us to make the strategic partnerships necessary to continue growing in a sustainable way."

"Gigster is well-positioned to be a leader in the software development industry, offering top talent and speed at a fixed cost. I'm looking forward to helping the company establish the vital partnerships necessary to bring the on-demand economy to the enterprise," said Richard Akers, senior vice president of partnerships at Gigster.

In its Technology Vision 2017 report, global professional services company Accenture forecasts a surge in on-demand labor platforms as 85 percent of executives surveyed said they plan to increase their organization's use of independent freelance workers over the next year. Paul Daugherty, chief technology and innovation officer, Accenture, commented, "These moves reflect a larger trend  businesses are transforming their organizational models and the way they manage their people to take advantage of an increasingly digital and on-demand workforce."

About Gigster

Gigster is an on-demand software development platform powered by a network of 1,000+ freelance software developers, engineers, designers and product managers. Gigster was founded in 2014 by CEO Roger Dickey, founder of Mafia Wars, and chief technology officer Debo Olaosebikan, a Cornell University Physics Ph.D candidate. A Y-Combinator graduate, Gigster has raised over $12.5 million from Andreessen-Horowitz, Greylock Partners, Bloomberg Beta and Felicis Ventures. In 2016, the company was named one of Forbes' "Next Billion Dollar Startups." Gigster is located in San Francisco, Calif.

To learn more, visit www.gigster.com.

SOURCE Gigster

Related Links

http://www.gigster.com


TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Golden Star Resources Ltd. (NYSE MKT: GSS; TSX: GSC; GSE: GSR) ("Golden Star" or the "Company") announces its Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources estimate as of December 31, 2016.

HIGHLIGHTS

Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 1.9 million ounces of gold

8% increase in head grade of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves to 3.05 grams per tonne ("g/t") compared to 2015 estimate

11% decrease in gold content due to mining depletion during 2016 compared to December 31, 2015 estimate

estimate Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 4.4 million ounces of gold

Exploration strategy update expected to be released later in the first quarter of 2017

Sam Coetzer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Star, commented:

"It is pleasing to see from the 2016 Mineral Reserve estimate that despite the reduction in ounces due to mining depletion, the head grade has increased by 8%. This reflects our mine plan, which sees Golden Star mining higher grade, more profitable ore going forward and underlines our strategy to become a high grade, low cost producer. During 2016 we conducted limited exploration as we focused on advancing our two high grade underground mines. However following the achievement of commercial production at our Wassa Underground Gold Mine, our exploration team's focus in 2017 will be on defining additional Mineral Reserves at both of our operations. I look forward to providing an update on our exploration strategy later this quarter."

Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Summary

The following table provides a summary of Golden Star's estimated Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves and Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2016.



Tonnes ('000) Grade (g/t Au) Gold Content ('000 oz) Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves1 19,456 3.05 1,910 Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources1,2 49,741 2.74 4,382

Notes to Table 1. Includes non-refractory material only 2. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves

Mineral Reserves were estimated using a gold price of $1,100 per ounce. Mineral Resources were estimated using a gold price of $1,300 per ounce.

Mineral Reserve Estimate: Breakdown by Asset

The following table provides a breakdown of Golden Star's estimated Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves as of the dates set forth therein.

Mineral Reserves Dec 31, 2016 Proven Mineral Reserve Dec 31, 2016 Probable Mineral Reserve Dec 31, 2016 Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve Dec 31, 2015 Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces (000) g/t Au (000) (000) g/t Au (000) (000) g/t Au (000) (000) g/t Au (000) Wassa Open Pit - - - 11,264 1.56 565 11,264 1.56 565 14,179 1.46 667 Wassa Underground - - - 5,477 4.21 742 5,477 4.21 742 5,397 4.59 796 Stockpiles 695 0.96 21 - - - 695 0.96 21 789 0.93 24 Subtotal Wassa 695 0.96 21 16,741 2.43 1,307 17,436 2.37 1,328 20,365 2.27 1,486 Mampon - - - 301 4.64 45 301 4.64 45 304 4.60 45 Prestea South - - - 510 2.31 38 510 2.31 38 1,892 2.30 140 Prestea Underground - - - 1,094 13.93 490 1,094 13.93 490 1,041 14.02 469 Stockpiles 115 2.55 9 - - - 115 2.55 9 25 2.69 2 Subtotal Prestea 115 2.55 9 1,905 9.35 573 2,020 8.96 582 3,261 6.26 656 TOTAL 810 1.18 31 18,646 3.13 1,879 19,456 3.05 1,910 23,626 2.82 2,143

Notes to the Mineral Reserve Estimate: 1. The Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2016, were estimated using a gold price assumption of $1,100 per ounce 2. The slope angles of all pit designs are based on geotechnical criteria as established by external consultants. The shape and size of the pit designs are guided by consideration of the results from a pit optimization program. 3. Cut-off grades have been estimated based on operating cost projections, mining dilution and recovery, government royalty payment requirements and applicable metallurgical recovery. Marginal cut-off grade estimates for the open pits are as follows: Wassa: 0.7g/t; Mampon (part of the Prestea Mineral Reserves): 1.5g/t; and Prestea South: 1.2g/t. Break-even cut-off grade estimates for the underground mines are as follows: Wassa Underground: 2.4g/t; and Prestea Underground: 7.7g/t. 4. Numbers may not add correctly due to rounding. 5. Only non-refractory ore is included in Golden Star's Mineral Reserves.

Reconciliation of Mineral Reserves

The attached graphs in Figure 1 provide a reconciliation of the Company's Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016.

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources: Breakdown by Asset

The following table provides a breakdown of Golden Star's estimated Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources as of the dates set forth therein.



December 31, 2016

Indicated Mineral Resources December 31, 2016

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources December 31, 2015

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources tonnes (000) grade g/t Au ounces (000) tonnes (000) grade g/t Au ounces (000) tonnes 0 grade g/t Au ounces 0 Wassa Open Pit 27,500 1.43 1,265 27,500 1.43 1,265 37,974 1.23 1,501 Wassa Underground 13,499 3.82 1,656 13,499 3.82 1,656 13,090 3.85 1,621 Wassa Other 3,348 3.78 407 3,348 3.78 407 3,583 3.76 434 Subtotal Wassa 44,347 2.33 3,328 44,347 2.33 3,328 54,647 2.02 3,556 Bogoso/Prestea Refractory 14,424 3.01 1,396 14,424 3.01 1,396 14,740 3.00 1,420 Mampon 418 4.11 55 418 4.11 55 396 4.25 54 Prestea South 1,176 2.28 86 1,176 2.28 86 2,568 2.12 175 Prestea Underground 1,570 15.69 792 1,570 15.69 792 1,597 15.52 797 Bogoso/Prestea Other 2,230 1.69 121 2,230 1.69 121 2,151 1.70 118 Subtotal Bogoso/Prestea 19,818 3.85 2,451 19,818 3.85 2,451 21,452 3.72 2,564 Total (Including Refractory) 64,165 2.80 5,778 64,165 2.80 5,778 76,099 2.50 6,120 TOTAL NON REFRACTORY 49,741 2.7 4,382 49,741 2.74 4,382 61,359 2.38 4,700

Inferred Mineral Resources: Breakdown by Asset

The following table provides a breakdown of Golden Star's estimated Inferred Mineral Resources as of the dates set forth therein.



31-Dec-16

Inferred Mineral Resources 31-Dec-15

Inferred Mineral Resources tonnes (000) grade g/t Au ounces (000) tonnes (000) grade g/t Au ounces (000) Wassa Open Pit 149 1.43 7 286 1.37 13 Wassa Underground 14,450 4.16 1,931 14,442 4.16 1,930 Wassa Other 982 5.18 164 1,764 4.53 257 Subtotal Wassa 15,581 4.20 2,102 16,492 4.15 2,200 Bogoso/Prestea Refractory 1,112 2.78 99 1,184 4.22 161 Mampon 100 2.10 7 103 2.08 7 Prestea South 40 1.97 3 72 2.34 5 Prestea Underground 3,203 8.78 905 3,249 8.74 913 Bogoso/Prestea Others 380 1.55 19 389 1.54 19 Subtotal Bogoso/Prestea 4,835 6.64 1,032 4,997 6.88 1105 Total (including refractory) 20,417 4.77 3,134 20,305 4.82 3,144 TOTAL NON REFRACTORY 19,305 4.89 3,034 20,305 4.82 3,144

Notes to Mineral Resource Estimates 1. The Mineral Resources for Wassa Other include Father Brown, Benso and Chichiwilli. 2. The Mineral Resources for "Bogoso/Prestea Others" include Chujah, Dumasi, Bogoso North, Buesichem, Opon, and Ablifa. 3. The Wassa Underground Mineral Resource has been estimated below the $1,300 per ounce of gold pit shell using an economic gold grade cut-off of 1.81g/t, which the Company believes would be the lower cut-off grade for underground mining. 4. The Father Brown Underground Mineral Resource has been estimated below the $1,300 per ounce of gold pit shell using an economic gold grade cut-off of 3.17g/t, which the Company believes would be the lower cut-off grade for underground mining. 5. Prestea Underground Mineral Resource has been estimated below the $1,300 pit shell of Prestea South down to 3,800 metres elevation using a gold cut-off grade at 5.43g/t. 6. Mineral Resources were estimated using optimized pit shells at a gold price of $1,300 per ounce. Other than gold price, the same optimized pit shell and underground parameters and modifying factors used to determine the Mineral Reserves were used to determine the Mineral Resources. 7. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. 8. Numbers may not add correctly due to rounding.

Company Profile

Golden Star is an established gold mining company that owns and operates the Wassa and Prestea mines situated on the prolific Ashanti Gold Belt in Ghana, West Africa. Listed on the NYSE MKT, the TSX, and the GSE, Golden Star is strategically focused on increasing operating margins and cash flow through the development of its two high grade, low cost underground mines both in conjunction with existing open pit operations. The Wassa Underground Gold Mine commenced commercial production in January 2017 and the Prestea Underground Gold Mine is expected to achieve commercial production in mid-2017. Gold production in 2017 is expected to be 255,000-280,000 ounces with cash operating costs of $780-860 per ounce.

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Some statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward looking statements and information include but are not limited to, statements and information regarding: Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates and underlying assumptions; the timing of the commencement of commercial production at Prestea Underground; the timing of the release of the exploration strategy update; the focus of Golden Star's exploration team in 2017; the realization of Golden Star's plan to mine higher grade ore going forwards; 2017 production guidance; and the transformation of Wassa and Prestea to lower cost mines and the Company into a lower cost producer. Generally, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements and information are inherently uncertain and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual facts to differ materially. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion of these and other factors in Management's Discussion and Analysis of financial conditions and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Additional and/or updated factors will be included in our annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2016 which will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forecasts contained in this press release constitute management's current estimates, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered thereby. We expect that these estimates will change as new information is received. While we may elect to update these estimates at any time, we do not undertake any estimate at any particular time or in response to any particular event.

Technical Information

The Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates have been compiled by the Company's technical personnel in accordance with definitions and guidelines set out in the Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum and as required by Canada's National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mineral Reserve estimates reflect the Company's reasonable expectation that all necessary permits and approvals will be obtained and maintained. Mining dilution and mining recovery vary by deposit and have been applied in estimating the Mineral Reserves.

The Mineral Resource technical contents of this press release have been reviewed and approved by S. Mitchel Wasel, BSc Geology, a "Qualified Person" pursuant to NI 43-101. Mr. Wasel is Vice President Exploration for Golden Star and an active member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The 2016 and 2015 estimates of Mineral Resources were prepared under the supervision of Mr. Wasel. The Mineral Reserve technical contents of this press release, and the 2016 and 2015 estimates of Mineral Reserves, have been reviewed and approved by and were prepared under the supervision of Dr. Martin Raffield, Senior Vice President, Project Development and Technical Services for the Company. Dr. Raffield is a "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.

Additional scientific and technical information relating to the mineral properties referenced in this news release are contained in the following current technical reports for those properties available at www.sedar.com: (i) Wassa - "NI 43-101 Technical Report on feasibility study of the Wassa open pit mine and underground project in Ghana" effective date December 31, 2014; (ii) Prestea Underground - "NI 43-101 Technical Report on a Feasibility Study of the Prestea Underground Gold Project in Ghana" effective date November 3, 2015; and (iii) Bogoso - "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources and Reserves Golden Star Resources Ltd., Bogoso Prestea Gold Mine, Ghana" effective date December 31, 2013.

Cautionary Note to US Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources

This press release uses the terms "Measured Mineral Resources" and "Indicated Mineral Resources". The Company advises US investors that while these terms are recognized and required by NI 43-101, the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") does not recognize them. Also, disclosure of contained ounces is permitted under Canadian regulations; however the SEC generally requires Mineral Resource information to be reported as in-place tonnage and grade. US Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves.

Cautionary Note to US Investors Concerning Estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources

This press release uses the term "Inferred Mineral Resources." The Company advises US investors that while this term is recognized and required by NI 43-101, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of Inferred Mineral Resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. In accordance with Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. US investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the Inferred Mineral Resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

SOURCE Golden Star Resources Ltd.

Related Links

www.gsr.com


COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The benefits of financial education are clear  higher economic growth, lower poverty rates and greater consumer confidence. This is why Experian and Credit Builders Alliance are hosting a two-day credit education training session for financial educators in Mississippi. The event is organized by the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy and will be held March 1 - 2, 2017, at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in the Jackson, Miss., area.

"Mississippi's average credit score is 645. It's the lowest ranking state in Experian's State of Credit report, falling 28 points below the national average," said Rod Griffin, Experian's director of public education. "We are committed to empowering the state's financial educators with high-quality education, which ultimately will help strengthen the community's understanding of personal finance management."

The workshop will highlight the basics of building credit, the importance of a good credit history and the value of credit reports. Additionally, the workshop will demonstrate how to promote access to responsible financial products and how to respond to consumer questions. Participants also will share information about local initiatives aimed at bringing underserved consumers into the financial mainstream.

"We want to alleviate poverty and bring prosperity to our communities. Credit is essential to attaining that goal. However, consumers need to know how to use credit responsibly," said Dara Duguay, executive director, Credit Builders Alliance. "These educators are on the front line of ensuring consumers are receiving accurate information. This is why we are so passionate about delivering training sessions with top credit experts throughout the country."

To learn more about the training, visit http://creditbuildersalliance.org/register.

For more information regarding Experian's education efforts, visit http://experian.com/consumereducation.

About Credit Builders Alliance

Credit Builders Alliance serves as a unique and vital bridge between our nonprofit members and the major credit reporting agencies (CRAs). Through this support, CBA helps people who are outside the financial mainstream build credit to achieve their goals and enjoy financial security for themselves and their families. Our core services, CBA Reporter and CBA Access, provide nonprofits with both the ability and critical technical assistance to report loan data to the CRAs and to pull low-cost client credit reports for the purposes of financial education, outcome tracking and underwriting.

About Experian

Experian is the world's leading global information services company. During life's big moments  from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers  we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.

We have 17,000 people operating across 37 countries and every day we're investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Learn more at http://www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the company.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts:

Kelsey Audagnotti

Experian Public Relations

1 714 830 7907

[email protected]

Dara Duguay

Credit Builders Alliance

1 202 888 7588

[email protected]

SOURCE Experian

Related Links

http://www.experian.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Gutride Safier LLP regarding the Filippo Berio Olive Oil Class Action Settlement.

If you purchased Filippo Berio Olive Oil a class action settlement may affect your rights.

A proposed class action settlement has been reached concerning Filippo Berio Olive Oil labeling practices. The case is known as Kumar v. Salov North America Corp., Case No. 4:14-cv-02411-YGR (N.D. Cal.).

What is this about?

The lawsuit claims that Filippo Berio olive oil products were inappropriately labeled as "Imported from Italy" on the front label. As part of the settlement, defendant Salov North America Corp. has agreed to stop this labeling practice and provide payments for customers. The defendant denies any wrongdoing.

Who is a class member?

You are an eligible class member if you purchased, between May 23, 2010 and June 30, 2015, (in the United States, for personal use and not resale), any of the following Filippo Berio branded olive oil products: Robusto Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Delicato Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive Oil, or Light Tasting Olive Oil.

What are the benefits?

Defendant will provide class members a payment of $0.50 per can or bottle purchased. A minimum of $2.00 will be paid to any class member who submits a valid claim. Class members can obtain payments for up to 10 purchases (up to $5.00 per household) without proof of purchase. Proof of purchase is required to obtain a payment of more than $5.00 per household (for more than 10 bottles or cans purchased).

What are my rights?

You have the right to make a claim, to object to the settlement, to exclude yourself from the litigation, or to do nothing. To receive a payment, you must submit a claim, either online or by mail to the administrator. Your claim must be postmarked by May 2, 2017. In the alternative, you may exclude yourself from the litigation. This is the only way to preserve your right to pursue a separate lawsuit against the defendant about the claims released by this settlement. You will receive no payment. Your request for exclusion must be received by May 2, 2017. Finally, you may object to the settlement. To object, you must submit an objection in writing that complies with the requirements in the settlement notice available at www.SNAOliveOilSettlement.com . Your objection must be received by May 2, 2017. If you do nothing, you will receive no payment and have no right to sue later for the claims released by the settlement.

The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 1304 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612, Courtroom 5, 2nd Floor, on May 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., to decide whether to approve the settlement and to award attorneys' fees and expenses of up to $982,500, to be paid by Defendant, and $2,500 for the Plaintiff, as a representative award. The motion for fees and expenses will be posted on the website below after they are filed. You may attend this hearing, but you don't have to.

Payments will be made to the Settlement Class only if the Court approves the settlement and all appeals are resolved. Please be patient.

If the settlement does not become effective, the litigation will continue, but only on behalf of purchasers in California. If you are a purchaser in California, you have the same rights under the settlement as other class members. You also have the right to make a claim or object now and exclude yourself from the litigation later, if the settlement does not become effective.

For more information, please visit www.SNAOliveOilSettlement.com , or contact the claim administrator at 1-844-702-2783 or by writing to: Kumar v Salov, c/o Heffler Claims Group, P.O. Box 58476, Philadelphia, PA 19102-8476, or contact class counsel Gutride Safier LLP at www.gutridesafier.com .

SOURCE Gutride Safier LLP

Related Links

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NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Information Builders, a leader in business intelligence (BI) and analytics, data integrity, and integration solutions, today announced that it has been ranked a market leader in the BARC Score Business Intelligence (Enterprise BI Platforms). Developed by the Germany-based Business Application Research Center, the BARC Score Business Intelligence (Enterprise BI Platforms) is an evaluation of top vendors worldwide delivering modern enterprise BI platforms that fulfill a broad set of BI requirements and support a wide range of use cases.

Tweet This: [email protected] named a market leader in @BARC_Research's BARC Score for enterprise #BI platforms http://ow.ly/ySZC309iuSs #analytics

As defined by BARC, a modern enterprise BI platform must be able to span traditional and explorative BI and analytics requirements for both standalone data and information applications, and when embedded in operational applications. The BARC Score ranking is based on the Center's expert analysis as well as data points from the industry's largest independent global survey of BI end users. The BI Survey 16, released last fall, revealed that Information Builders outperforms its competition in business benefits, operational BI, flexibility for users, and vendor support, among other metrics.

Information Builders was positioned as a market leader in the BARC Score Business Intelligence for Enterprise BI Platforms for achieving high marks across the two evaluation categories  Portfolio Capabilities and Market Execution. The company earned an exceptional score for the features and functionality of the WebFOCUS BI and analytics platform, and rated well across the sub-criteria for Market Execution, including sales and marketing strategy, financial performance, and customer feedback.

The flexibility and scalability of WebFOCUS' reporting capabilities were cited among the platform's key strengths, along with its "uniquely wide range of data sources" and inherent support for operational BI. The content export features of Information Builders' InfoAssist+ solution for ad hoc reporting, query and data discovery, and the company's InfoApps for the development of predefined interactive applications for business users were also highlighted as strengths in the assessment.

Dr. Carsten Bange, founder and CEO, BARC said:

"Information Builders' WebFOCUS merited strong ratings across all of the various functional areas we evaluated for this BARC Score, earning the company noteworthy positioning within the market leader class. From what our analysis revealed, Information Builders delivers a highly competitive, modern enterprise BI platform that has a long track record of success in supporting a breadth of key organizational requirements and use cases."

Gerald Cohen, president and CEO, Information Builders, said:

"As a well-established, global company with decades of experience, our team is exclusively equipped to understand, anticipate, and respond to organizations' evolving BI and analytics needs. As a result, the WebFOCUS platform consistently receives high ratings in BARC assessments, and other industry evaluations, for its robust functionality and proven business value. Our position as a market leader in this BARC Score demonstrates that wisdom as well as our ability to remain on the cutting-edge of innovation."

Download the BARC Score Business Intelligence Enterprise BI Platforms today.

About Information Builders

Information Builders provides solutions for business intelligence (BI), analytics, data integration, and data quality that help drive performance improvements, innovation, and value. Through one set of powerful products, we enable organizations to serve everyone  analysts, non-technical users, even partners, customers, and citizens  with better data and analytics. Our dedication to customer success is unmatched with thousands of organizations relying on us as their trusted partner. Founded in 1975, Information Builders is headquartered in New York, NY, with global offices, and remains one of the largest independent, privately held companies in the industry. Visit us at informationbuilders.com, follow us on Twitter at @infobldrs, like us on Facebook, and visit our LinkedIn page.

Press Contacts

Kathleen Moran

Information Builders

(917) 339-6313

[email protected]

Kate Finigan

LEWIS

(781) 761-4500

[email protected]

SOURCE Information Builders

Related Links

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AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International Biophysics Corporation, a global medical device manufacturer based in Austin, Texas, today announced a 34% revenue growth in 2016 when compared to the previous year based upon a 53% increase in unit sales. This growth was fueled by its AffloVest sales in the United States in addition to the expansion of its global sales of surgical product lines.

Said H. David Shockley, Jr., International Biophysics' CEO, "As we enter our 25th year in delivering high-quality, innovative medical devices to patients in underserved markets, we are seeing rapid growth in our market share in both respiratory and surgical devices. Based upon results to date, we are highly confident that 2017 will continue and even exceed this trend of increased sales growth across all of our product offerings."

AffloVest is the newest technology in High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) therapy that mobilizes lung secretions and helps clear airways which can help prevent chest infections for patients with Bronchiectasis and other chronic respiratory conditions. AffloVest is the first and only completely self-contained, battery operated, portable and fully mobile during use High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) device.

Added Mr. Shockley, "Through our sales and marketing efforts, we are building awareness for the AffloVest in the COPD patient population for Bronchiectasis. We are pleased to see robust returns on our investments in infrastructure by moving production of the AffloVest from overseas to the United States and in growing our sales team here."

International Biophysics will be exhibiting at the Medtrade conference in Las Vegas this week. The company will be showcasing its AffloVest to the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers at the conference.

For more information, please contact:

David Shockley

International Biophysics Corporation

2101 E. St. Elmo Road #275 | Austin, TX 78744

(512) 326-3244

Or visit: www.biophysicscorp.com

SOURCE International Biophysics Corporation

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http://www.biophysicscorp.com


HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WaterBridge Resources, LLC ("WaterBridge" or the "Company"), a midstream development company focused on developing, acquiring and operating flowback and produced water infrastructure for oil and gas producers, announced today that energy industry veteran John R. Durand has joined the Company's Executive Leadership Team as President and Chief Operating Officer. WaterBridge is an investment platform funded by Five Point Capital Partners LLC, a private equity firm focused on midstream energy infrastructure and energy sector investments across North America.

Mr. Durand has more than three decades of industry expertise, having held executive leadership positions across multiple disciplines, spanning upstream oil and gas, midstream services, commodity marketing and power generation. Prior to joining WaterBridge, he served on the Management Team of Pioneer Water Management LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pioneer Natural Resources, one of the largest independent producers in the Permian Basin. In that role, Mr. Durand oversaw the commercial, logistics and supply sourcing functions for the largest midstream water operation in North America and served as the commercial lead in negotiating landmark agreements with the cities of Odessa and Midland to purchase municipal effluent water for Pioneer's long-term development requirements.

Steve Johnson, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of WaterBridge, said, "John is an exceptionally talented and respected leader in our industry. His unique blend of skills and experience across disciplines will add immense value, as we deliver an even wider range of superior services to our E&P customers." Mr. Johnson continued, "WaterBridge is ideally positioned to expand its business and to build an industry leading water management company within an opportunity-rich North American market."

John Durand, said, "The opportunity to join this impressive WaterBridge team, with the support of Five Point Capital Partners, was very compelling to me. I look forward to leveraging my knowledge and relationships for the benefit of WaterBridge and our partners. By providing an integrated set of vital midstream services, WaterBridge optimizes activity, drives down costs and reduces environmental impact. In turn, E&P operators can focus on drilling and production  thereby maximizing investment returns."

David Capobianco, CEO and Managing Partner of Five Point Capital Partners, said, "We are delighted to welcome John and look forward to our continued partnership with WaterBridge, as the Company builds world-class water infrastructure businesses. WaterBridge is ideally positioned to pursue greenfield and brownfield acquisition opportunities in emerging resource plays and other conventional producing basins."

In addition to his executive experience with Pioneer, Mr. Durand's professional experience includes management roles with Mobil Oil, Union Pacific Resources, Williams Energy, FPL Energy, Crosstex Energy and PVR Partners. He has broad experience in the Permian, Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast producing regions, the Delaware and Midland basins, as well as the Marcellus, Utica, Barnett and Haynesville Shale plays. Mr. Durand earned an M.B.A. in Corporate Finance from the University of Dallas and a B.S. degree in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Louisiana.

About WaterBridge Resources, LLC

WaterBridge Resources is a midstream development company focused on developing, acquiring and operating flowback and produced water infrastructure for oil and gas producers, including water sourcing, gathering, reuse, pipeline infrastructure, separation, and disposal infrastructure solutions. WaterBridge was founded by Stephen Johnson and Andy Stephens, in partnership with Five Point Capital Partners. For more information, please visit www.H2OBridge.com.

About Five Point Capital Partners LLC

Five Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on midstream energy infrastructure and energy sector investments across North America. Five Point's investment strategy is to partner with, develop and support strong management teams through buyouts and growth capital investments within the midstream energy sector. Based in Houston, Texas, Five Point is currently investing from Five Point Capital Midstream Fund II L.P. and manages more than $600 million of capital commitments. For further information, please visit www.fivepointcp.com.

Media Contacts

Daniel Yunger or Ethan Lyle

KEKST

212-521-4800

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Five Point Capital Partners

Related Links

http://www.fivepointcp.com


"The 21 st Annual Hematology Conference brought together world leading experts in the management of blood cancers," said Dr. Goy. "Healthcare providers from all over the world participated in thoughtful discussions about the unprecedented changes happening in oncology and how they will impact the outcome of patients with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. It was very energizing to see the enthusiasm of all attendees and this makes me incredibly optimistic about the future of our patients."

Nearly 150 healthcare professionals from 9 countries were in attendance and participated in interactive and thought-provoking panel discussions about applying the latest treatments and clinical trial data in hematological malignancies into practice.

"Our Hematology Conference in Miami provided a forum for oncologists to meet experts, discuss cases, and review the rapid changes happening in the field and in particular appreciate what becomes relevant as new standards," continued Dr. Goy.

This year's conference featured several highlights, including:

Speakers from world-class institutions such as John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering , Georgetown University , Emory University , the Mayo Clinic and the Paris University Hospital System

, , , the Mayo Clinic and the Paris University Hospital System The well-known and highly interactive Medical Crossfire discussion panels that encourage the exchange of ideas in a highly engaging format

A panel discussion led by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), designed specifically for nurses

Motivational speaker Amy E. Herman , an expert in professional development who has trained medical students how to improve their communication and observation skills with patients, as well as top law enforcement officials in the CIA, FBI and Scotland Yard. Throughout her discussion, Herman analyzed famous works of art to help attendees understand how perception impacts the clinical setting

"On behalf of the team at Hackensack Meridian Health and John Theurer Cancer Center, I would like to congratulate Dr. Goy on putting together another successful hematology conference," said Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. "Dr. Goy is constantly striving for excellence in research and innovation as the head of one of the largest cancer centers in the nation. I have no doubt that the conversations he helped kick start at this year's conference will further advance our ability to successfully diagnose and treat cancer patients."

This was Dr. Goy's third time chairing the annual conference. This year, Dr. Goy co-chaired the symposium again with Sager Lonial, Professor and Chair of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory School of Medicine, Chief Medical Officer of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition to Dr. Goy, several other healthcare professionals from John Theurer Cancer Center participated in panel discussions including: Dr. David Siegel on "Emerging Therapies in Myeloma" and "Case Discussion and Medical Crossfire"; Tatyana Feldman, MD, on "Reshaping the field of Hodgkin Lymphoma (Including Immunotherapy, Antibody-drug Conjugates, Bendamustine)"; and Melinda S. Weber, DNP, RN, APN, AOCN, C. on "CNE-Breakfast Symposium: Monitoring and Managing Patients Receiving Immunotherapy".

ABOUT THE JOHN THEURER CANCER CENTER AT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. The 14 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to the John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. Housed within a 775-bed not-for-profit teaching, tertiary care, and research hospital, the John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of aftercare services that distinguish the John Theurer Cancer Center from other facilities. www.jtcancercenter.org.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 13 hospitals, including two academic medical centers, two children's hospitals and nine community hospitals, physician practices, more than 120 ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and urgent care and after-hours centers. Hackensack Meridian Health has 28,000 team members, more than 6,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The Network's notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, the number one hospital in New Jersey as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, consistently achieving Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," one of the "20 Best Workplaces in Health Care" in the nation, and the number one "Best Place to Work for Women." Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

The hospitals of Hackensack Meridian Health include: academic medical centers  HackensackUMC in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune; children's hospitals  Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; community hospitals  Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, HackensackUMC Mountainside in Montclair, HackensackUMC Palisades in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley in Westwood.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.

SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Health

Related Links

http://www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org


BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GENBAND, a leading provider of real time communications solutions, today announced that it will demonstrate a live version of its Kandy Internet of Things (IoT) enterprise solution with Real Time Communications capabilities, powered by the AT&T IoT Starter Kit*, at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 27  March 2. Kandy is GENBAND's disruptive cloud communications platform that easily adds messaging, voice, video, presence, and collaboration capabilities directly into mobile and web applications. The Kandy platform has been enhanced to deliver the "human element" to IoT connectivity via contextual Real Time Communications solutions. The Kandy platform easily "Bolts On" to a service provider's network to bring together Real Time Communications with IoT. Messaging and IoT applications, chat bots and developers can also connect to Kandy via its advanced Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to provide innovative user interactions for multiple industry verticals and consumer apps, using bot automation for routine tasks and seamlessly escalating to human conversations for more complex activities.

"Without the human element in IoT you are left with just 'Big Data' and 'Things' and that is why the intersection of IoT and human interaction is so critical," said David Walsh, Chairman and CEO, GENBAND. "Adding context to the data from multiple connected end-points or 'Things' gives businesses the ability to respond in real time in the most relevant manner according to the circumstances and dynamics of the situation being addressed."

Walsh added, "Enhancing secure vertical market applications with a human element requires the digital cognitive Real Time Communications capabilities that a solution like Kandy offers to ensure exchanges are promptly delivered, understood, and/or correctly and efficiently acted upon. Our Kandy platform also provides the 'conduit' to communicate with and escalate to human interaction via apps such as our Live Support and Concierge Wrappers."

Kandy has also teamed up with JpU, a leader in transforming mobile networks into IoT networks, for a combined offering that delivers secure IoT and Real Time Communications capabilities to vertical markets. The combined offering significantly improves IoT network security, reduces costs and enhances device and machine control, while facilitating market-leading Real Time Communications capabilities between IoT devices and applications.

"We are delighted to join forces with the Kandy team to deliver the latest in IoT security, connectivity and device management technology, along with Real Time Communications capabilities to the marketplace," said Jonathan Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, JpU. "Together we are allowing service providers to tap into a new and rapidly growing market, while cutting costs and introducing new revenue streams."

Key Takeaways

GENBAND has enhanced its award-winning Kandy communications platform to deliver the "human element" of IoT via Real Time Communications solutions by allowing CSPs to easily bolt on the platform to leverage Kandy's APIs and Wrappers, preconfigured apps such as Live Support and Concierge .

and . Kandy also allows messaging and IoT applications, chat bots and developers to connect via its APIs to provide cognitive bot and human connectivity for multiple industry verticals and consumer apps.

Kandy and JpU have teamed up for a combined offering that delivers secure IoT with Real Time Communications capabilities to vertical markets.

The combined Kandy-JpU solution will also be on display at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, February 27  March 2. Visit GENBAND's booth 2I31 in Exhibition Hall 2.

*AT&T IoT Starter Kits come with a full set of capabilities that developers need to jumpstart their IoT projects: hardware, services, IoT connectivity, and integrations. For more information, visit starterkit.att.com.

About Kandy

GENBAND's Kandy communications Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a real time software development platform built from GENBAND's core communications, presence, security and real time technologies. Kandy enables service providers, enterprises, software vendors, systems integrators, partners and developers to enrich their applications and services with real time contextual communications, providing a more engaging user experience. With Kandy, companies of all sizes and types can quickly embed real time communications capabilities into their existing applications and business processes. For more information visit kandy.io.

About GENBAND

GENBAND is a global leader in real-time communications software solutions for service providers, enterprises, independent software vendors, systems integrators and developers in over 80 countries. Kandy, its award-winning, disruptive real-time communications software development platform, is built from the company's global telecommunications network and security technologies. The platform enables these companies to easily embed a full suite of voice, video, chat, screen-sharing and collaboration capabilities into their existing business, web and mobile applications. The company's Network Modernization, Unified Communications, Mobility and Embedded Communications solutions enable its customers to quickly capitalize on growing market segments and introduce differentiating products, applications and services. GENBAND's market-leading solutions, which are deployable in the network, on premise or through the cloud, help its customers connect people to each other and address the growing demands of today's consumers and businesses for real-time communications wherever they happen to be. GENBAND's award-winning Marketing Advantage Program offers partners free resources, training and campaigns to fuel their success in implementing GENBAND powered services. To learn more visit genband.com.

GENBAND, the GENBAND logo and icon are trademarks of GENBAND.

About JpU

JpU builds an innovative self-service mobile connectivity platform for IoT and Enterprise Mobility that revolutionizes security and network control paradigms by shifting control from the MNO to the enterprise. IoT and Enterprise Customers gain control over their "slice" of the MNO network, allowing a true self-service network management experience, along with new layers of security and billing control. Coupled with a new breed of a mobile network core ready for NB-IoT, JpU enables MNOs to host vast numbers of IoT devices on their network at a very low cost-per-device. For more information visit jpu.io.

SOURCE GENBAND

Related Links

http://www.genband.com


MCALLEN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LA Crawfish, a Houston-based restaurant franchise known for its unique Vietnamese-style Cajun seafood, today announced the opening of another franchise store in McAllen, Texas. The company continues to move forward in its aggressive franchise expansion initiatives throughout the United States.

Crawfish

Lee De Luna, LLC secured the rights to open the first LA Crawfish franchise in the Rio Grande Valley. "We've been following the growth of LA Crawfish for quite some time and we are excited about bringing this new Cajun flavor to McAllen. It is the perfect fit for this city," said Henry De Luna, Managing Partner of Lee De Luna, LLC.

"We know that the millions of people that visit McAllen as well as the city's residents are going to be fans," said Minson Ngo, President of LA Crawfish. "The Rio Grande Valley represents a great market for us and we look forward to introducing additional stores throughout the valley and other parts of Texas in the years to come." With each opening, the franchising company provides 12-15 new jobs to the community. As of February of 2017, LA Crawfish has 10 stores open with 3 additional stores in development. In addition, it has also signed two regional development agreements in Dallas, Texas and Orange County, California.

LA Crawfish, founded in 2011, is a fast-casual restaurant concept that offers a unique boil-in-a-bag Cajun menu that consists of crawfish, shrimp, and crab. It also offers various flavors of chicken wings and oysters along with traditional and fusion pho bowls. Three mouth-watering sauces are available: garlic butter, spicy Cajun, and chili lime. Over the years, LA Crawfish has established itself for offering best-in-class Cajun dishes and has developed a strong cult following.

The city of McAllen, also known as "The Jewel in the Valley Crown," sits on the U.S.  Mexico border and has been one of the fastest growing regions in America. The McAllen, Mission, Edinburg MSA and Reynosa, Mexico is a dynamic community with a combined population of 1.7 million. Over the past two decades, the area has advanced greatly both in population and industry and has attracted some of America's top retailers and Fortune 500 companies.

The new franchise store, set to launch on March 6th, will be located at 1303 South 10th Street, McAllen, Texas 78501. The store will be open Monday through Sunday from 11:00am to 10:00pm.

LA Crawfish, through its partnership with All-Star Franchise Development, plans to open 100 franchise locations nationwide and has franchise opportunities available in major key markets, such as Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco. To learn more about ownership opportunities, contact David Lee at 832-330-7795 or visit www.thelacrawfish.com.

Contact:

All-Star Franchise Development, LLC

David Lee

(832) 330-7795

[email protected]

SOURCE LA Crawfish

Related Links

http://www.thelacrawfish.com


WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the new national Latino-Jewish Leadership Council (LJLC) will gather for their first consultation on March 1, in the nation's capital.

LJLC, convened by AJC, is comprised of more than 35 prominent figures in the Latino and Jewish communities across the country. The Council aims to further strengthen Latino-Jewish cooperation in advocating for issues of shared concern and values cherished by both communities. Many members of the bipartisan group have held important positions in both Democratic and Republican administrations.

"The future of this country is based, as it has always been, on communities coming together with a vision for a better future and, through hard work and perseverance, making that vision our shared reality," said Luis Ubinas, President of the Board of Directors of the Pan American Development Foundation, and former President of the Ford Foundation. "In this coming generation, the Latino and Jewish communities working together can achieve any aspiration."

At Wednesday's meeting LJLC members will discuss, among other issues, the political transformations taking place in the U.S., tensions affecting relations with Mexico, the hardening of immigration policies, and the recent increase in incidents of hate against religious minorities.

"When the very ethos of American pluralism has been challenged by some, when hate crimes have increased, and when entire communities have been stigmatized, creation of this Council reinforces the importance of our shared destiny, and the strength and resilience of our nation derives from its diversity," said Dina Siegel Vann, director of AJC's Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs (BILLA).

AJC has long been committed to deepening Latino-Jewish understanding and cooperation. The LJLC expands upon groundbreaking initiatives that have included helping launch the bipartisan Latino-Jewish Congressional Caucus in 2011, and hosting in 2013 a National Conversation on the State of Latino-Jewish Relations in Washington, D.C., attended by 100 high-level leaders from both communities. Most LJLC members have participated in these and other BILLA initiatives.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal Floris LLC has announced that they are now assisting former customers of the Federal Bank of the Middle East (FBME). FBME has run aground after a long legal battle, and now, Legal Floris LLC is helping the institution's customers recover funds from blocked accounts.

FBME launched in 2003, and after various issues, the bank's Cyprus branch was placed under resolution by the Central Bank of Cyprus. Then, a resolution was issued for the main office in Tanzania by the Bank of Tanzania. Right now, many customers feel that they are in limbo as they await the next steps in recovering their funds.

There are three major cases going on at the moment regarding FBME: FBME vs Lew in the U.S.; the Arbitrage Tribunal via the ICC in France; and CBC vs FBME in Cyprus.

In the U.S., a verdict can exclude FBME from conducting business in the U.S., and this could leave the bank virtually unable to position itself in the current global financial marketplace. The ICC's Arbitrage Tribunal is an international dispute resolution court. The ICC's positive ruling for the bank will mark the assignment of a financial claim, but a ruling in favor of the Central Bank would mean that there is safe conduct for liquidation of the bank. In Cyprus, owners can receive damages or the liquidation of the bank starts.

The Deposit Guarantee Scheme protects deposits in Cyprus for up to 100,000 Euro. Legal Floris LLC is leveraging their vast knowledge and valuable resources to work with FBME customers who want to recover their deposits. At this time, the Legal Floris LLC team is representing more than 1.300 FBME bank customers with accounts in Cyprus and Tanzania.

Legal Floris LLC understands that many of the bank's customers simply were caught in a bad position, and the company remains wary of customers who were conducting malicious activity within the bank's operations. The group is adamant that they only offer representation to honest customers who wish to recover lost funds from FBME.

The Legal Floris LLC team is well-versed in FBME's long and winding trail of legal woes, and the firm remains dedicated to working one-on-one with customers who want to know the best way to recover their funds.

More information can be found at http://www.legalfloris.com/the-legal-battles-of-fbme-bank/.

About Legal Floris LLC

Legal Floris LLC specializes in representation for consumers and enterprises caught in the crosshairs of bank failures and investment fraud, including Ponzi and pyramid schemes, insider trading and losses, and more.

Contact

Floris Alexander

Legal Floris LLC

Phone: +357 96 343 680

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.legalfloris.com

SOURCE Legal Floris LLC

Related Links

http://www.legalfloris.com


DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban submarkets have seen a remarkable rise in housing development over the course of the last couple of years, with ever-growing skyscrapers and towers reshaping skylines and reviving downtowns that used to be missing the modern architectural design options in the past. As the cost of living in these areas continues to rise faster than wages and the number of jobs outside of cities increases, many real estate experts, including Western Rim Property Services CEO Marcus Hiles, predict a resurgence of activity in suburban submarkets in 2017.

As individuals seek affordable housing and move farther into the suburbs, The Washington Post reported that, "the percentage of people who drive to work will increase for the first time in a decade." Citing a Jan. 14 Forbes article, Hiles explained that corporations are exiting cities, and young professionals are following the jobs. Outside of Dallas, for example, Toyota and FedEx headquarters are moving to West Plano, State Farm has established a massive presence in Richardson, and large employment sectors already exist in Irving, Plano and North Dallas.

The locations in which apartments are being constructed have coincided with this trend. Although Dallas' Uptown and Downtown submarkets experienced an urban revival and an abundance of properties opened, 82 percent of the construction continues to be in areas outside of the city-center. Marcus Hiles noted that as young professionals seek more space than they can afford in a city, empty nesters look to reduce upkeep, and millennials search for their first residence, developers have had to adapt to a shifting market, and as a result, the suburbs have become decidedly more urban.

Marcus Hiles is a Texas real estate investor, developer and philanthropist who founded Western Rim Property Services in 1988 with a unique vision of luxury living. Nearly three decades later, his company owns and manages over 15,000 upmarket residential rental properties. An active member of his community, Hiles supports local, national and global initiatives for education, women and children.

Marcus Hiles - Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services: http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com

MarcusHilestx (Marcus Hiles) - DeviantArt: http://marcushilestx.deviantart.com

Marcus Hiles (@marcus_hiles) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcus_hiles

Marcus Hiles - New Luxury Apartments in Frisco, TX - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmsJNbfOh-g

SOURCE Marcus Hiles

Related Links

http://www.marcushiles-news.com


SEATTLE, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced that Jeffrey Nipp has joined the company's Employee Benefits practice as a senior consultant. Nipp brings 30 years of industry experience to his new role at Milliman. His responsibilities will include evaluating, researching, constructing, and monitoring multi-asset class portfolios, with an emphasis on public pension plans. Prior to joining Milliman, Nipp was a managing director for Invesco and before that BlackRock, where he worked with retail and institutional clients. He also spent 20 years in senior leadership roles at Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin.

Rich Wright, Principal at Milliman, says, "Jeff is a valuable addition to the Employee Benefits practice at Milliman with a varied range of experience that will be an asset to the firm. He has a proven track record of successfully meeting clients' needs and is widely respected in the industry. We're excited to have him join our team."

Nipp says, "I'm thrilled to join an organization that places such a high value on independence and excellence. This role will allow me to focus on producing the best results for clients, and to do so at a firm which has a reputation for thoughtful analytical work that is second to none in the industry."

About Milliman

For over 60 years, Milliman has pioneered human capital strategies, tools, and solutions worldwide. With offices in over 60 countries, Milliman is one of the world's largest consulting and actuarial firms. Milliman consultants offer highly effective solutions in the retirement benefits, compensation, healthcare, and employee communications arenas, in addition to providing insurance, investment, and other financial services.

SOURCE Milliman, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.milliman.com


- Creating flexible and intuitive virtual user interfaces

- Superior image quality and focus-free projection

- Bosch booth at MWC: Hall 6, booth 6E20

"The exciting developments in the Internet of Things are advancing at an amazing pace and Bosch Sensortec continues to drive innovations," says Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec, "It is not just about how devices communicate or sense their surrounding environments, but increasingly about how technology interacts with human beings. Laser projected virtual interfaces are a new fascinating solution in a world of previously undreamed of opportunities."

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471907/Bosch_MEMS_scanner_BML050.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471908/Bosch_Interactive_laser_projection.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471909/Bosch_BML050_reference_design.jpg )



A core component of this solution that enables focus-free laser projection and turns any surface into a virtual user interface (UI) is the BML050 - a high-precision MEMS scanner for interactive laser projection applications. The virtual UI solution gives any kind of device a unique personality of its own, enabling technology to interact with people, to make life simpler and more exciting.

With the help of the BML050, a precise on-demand UI can be created for the interconnected world of the IoT, e.g. for home appliances, tablets and social robots. The BML050 is a ground-breaking solution for embedded projectors and augmented reality applications such as games, infotainment and in-car head-up displays. With this solution devices can interact in complex, intuitive and convenient ways to merge their function with our everyday lives.

Bosch technology enables interactive projectors

With the BML050 microscanner Bosch Sensortec is extending its current portfolio by optical microsystems. The scanner includes two tiny MEMS mirrors to project an RGB color laser onto any surface to create a projected image. The BML050 is both compact and power efficient, making it ideal for space- and power-restricted devices.

Bosch Sensortec provides a ready to use projector reference design including an RGB light source. This facilitates fast evaluation and saves design-in time to give early adopters an important head start. Interactivity is enabled by a photo diode that measures the reflected light intensity pixel by pixel - no calibration required.

Bosch Sensortec's solution provides outstanding projection quality by means of advanced speckle reduction and precise control of the MEMS scanning mirrors and laser diodes. The BML050 projection principle eliminates the need for focus adjustment tasks, and the native laser color-space vastly exceeds industry standards, such as AdobeRGB.

Robust, compact and easy to integrate solution

Bosch Sensortec's MEMS scanner is based on a well-established and robust core technology housed in compact wafer-level module packages. At the core of our system, there are two independent, hermetically-encapsulated MEMS scanning mirrors, which are optically aligned for fast and easy integration. The BML050 also includes a video processor, control circuits, laser drivers and power management ICs.

The partitioning of the BML050 supports a wide range of applications, significantly cutting down time to market deadlines, giving customers an edge at this early-adopter stage in the market's development.

Bosch Sensortec provides software support for major operating systems and is ready to assist customers with operation and parameter configurations as well as hardware integration and calibration tasks.

The BML050 will be available for selected customer projects in the second half of 2017.

The market research company IHS Markit predicts that between 2017 and 2020, revenues from MEMS scanning mirrors will increase at a healthy CAGR of 18%*.

"MEMS scanners are currently emerging for a wide range of use cases,*" explains Jeremie Bouchaud, Director MEMS & Sensors at IHS Markit. "The Bosch Sensortec MEMS scanner BML050 enables two functions in one product, namely projection display and gesture user interface. Other new use cases of MEMS scanners include e.g. adaptive headlights and automotive head up displays."

Twitter: follow us on #BoschMEMS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BoschSensortec

*Information based on IHS Markit, Technology Group, MEMS Market Tracker - Automotive, January 2017. Information is not an endorsement of Bosch-Sensortec. Any reliance on these results are at the third party's own risk. Visit https://technology.ihs.com/ for more details.

For more information, please visit http://www.bosch-sensortec.com, twitter.com/boschMEMS

Additional information is available online at http://www.bosch.com, http://www.iot.bosch.com,

http://www.bosch-press.com, https://twitter.com/BoschPresse

Contact:

Silvia Mayer

phone: +49(0)7121/35-18453



Contact person for press inquiries:

Christian Hoenicke

phone: +49(0)711/811-6285



Pictures accompanying this release are available in the AP PhotoExpress feed using ref# PRN892002, PRN892004, PRN892006.

SOURCE Bosch Sensortec
BASEL, Switzerland, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on women's health and other endocrine-related disorders, today announced upcoming presentations at two investor conferences:

March 7 at 10:40 a.m. ET at the Cowen and Company 37th Annual Healthcare Conference

at at the Cowen and Company 37th Annual Healthcare Conference March 14 at 2:35 p.m. ET at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference

A simultaneous webcast will be available for each conference via the Events page under the Investors and Media section of Myovant's website at myovant.com. Please connect to the company's website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. A replay will also be available at the same location for 30 days following each conference.

About Myovant Sciences

Myovant Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for women's health and other endocrine-related disorders. Myovant's lead product candidate is relugolix, an oral, once-daily small molecule that acts as a GnRH receptor antagonist. Myovant plans to conduct five international Phase 3 clinical trials of relugolix and recently initiated one of two international trials comprising its Phase 3 program in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. Two additional Phase 3 trials are planned in women with endometriosis-associated pain, as well as one in men with advanced prostate cancer. Myovant is simultaneously developing MVT-602, an analog of kisspeptin, for the treatment of female infertility as part of assisted reproduction. Over time, the company intends to expand its development pipeline to include other potential treatments for women's health and endocrine-related disorders. For more information, please visit the company's website at myovant.com.

SOURCE Myovant Sciences

Related Links

http://www.myovant.com


RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- President Trump announced today that North Carolina native Ray Starling has be appointed to the National Economic Council as Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade, and Food Assistance. "This appointment sends a clear message that the White House is serious about addressing the needs of American farmers and rural communities, and I believe Ray Starling has the knowledge, experience, and vision to be a strong advocate for American agriculture," said North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten.

Starling is leaving the role of Chief of Staff for Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and has spent the majority of his career in agriculture policy.

"We will greatly miss Ray's tremendous leadership, his warm sense of humor, and his genuine passion for working on behalf of all North Carolinians, but the silver lining is that our state's loss is America's gain," said Senator Thom Tillis. "There is simply no one better qualified than Ray to advise the President on agriculture and trade policy. Ray has been a lifelong champion for North Carolina's agricultural industry, and he will now play a major role in fulfilling the administration's plans to support our nation's farmers and ranchers and revitalize rural America. This is an incredible honor for Ray that is more than well deserved, and it's also a testament to how respected North Carolina's agricultural community is across the nation. I wish Ray and his family all the best in this new and exciting chapter, and I look forward to working closely with him to advocate for our state's agricultural and rural communities."

"North Carolina Farm Bureau has had the privilege of working with Ray Starling for many years and we have always found Ray to be a steadfast supporter of North Carolina farmers," said Wooten. "Having grown up on a farm in Eastern North Carolina, Ray has a deep and personal understanding of what our farmers are experiencing and what they need in order to grow and succeed. Combined with his extensive knowledge of agriculture policy, Ray has proven to be an invaluable asset in supporting farmers and growing North Carolina agriculture. We look forward to working with Ray in his new role and congratulate him on this tremendous honor."

Starling's role as Special Assistant is housed within the National Economic Council, whose functions are best described in the Executive Order President Clinton issued to create it in 1993: (1) to coordinate the economic policy-making process with respect to domestic and international economic issues; (2) to coordinate economic policy advice to the President; (3) to ensure that economic policy decisions and programs are consistent with the President's stated goals, and to ensure that those goals are being effectively pursued; and (4) to monitor implementation of the President's economic policy agenda.

SOURCE North Carolina Farm Bureau
Investors and other interested parties are able to access a copy of the presentation that will be used during the meetings, which will include NextEra Energy's adjusted earnings expectations and NextEra Energy Partners' adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution expectations, at www.NextEraEnergy.com/investors or www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com .

NextEra Energy, Inc.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is a leading clean energy company with consolidated revenues of approximately $16.2 billion, approximately 45,900 megawatts of generating capacity, which includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests related to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), and approximately 14,700 employees in 30 states and Canada as of year-end 2016. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy's principal subsidiaries are Florida Power & Light Company, which serves approximately 4.9 million customer accounts in Florida and is one of the largest rate-regulated electric utilities in the United States, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from eight commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin. A Fortune 200 company and included in the S&P 100 index, NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune's 2017 list of "World's Most Admired Companies." For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

NextEra Energy Partners, LP

NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) to acquire, manage and own contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy Partners owns interests in wind and solar projects in North America, as well as natural gas infrastructure assets in Texas. The renewable energy projects are fully contracted, use industry-leading technology and are located in regions that are favorable for generating energy from the wind and sun. The seven natural gas pipelines in the portfolio are all strategically located, serving power producers and municipalities in South Texas, processing plants and producers in the Eagle Ford Shale, and commercial and industrial customers in the Houston area. The NET Mexico Pipeline, the largest pipeline in the portfolio, provides a critical source of natural gas transportation for low-cost, U.S.-sourced shale gas to Mexico. For more information about NextEra Energy Partners, please visit: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com.

SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc.; NextEra Energy Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.nexteraenergy.com


WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest professional organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) in the country, will host its annual Health Policy Conference (#AANPHPC) on Capitol Hill, where nearly 300 members will advocate to lawmakers on the importance of ensuring patient access to high-quality and affordable health care.

Drawing from experience of over 800 million patient visits last year, AANP members will also share insight on some of the nation's most pressing health care challenges, from combatting chronic disease to ensuring patient access to high-quality primary, acute and specialty health care in rural and urban settings.

They will urge Members of Congress to support critical health care priorities, including:

Ensuring patients have access to their chosen health care provider and the care provided is covered by their insurer;

Maintaining patient coverage for vital health services including providing patients with access to ambulatory care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health services and addiction treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventive services, wellness services and chronic disease management and pediatric services;

Creating greater efficiency in the Medicare system by retiring barriers to practice and eliminating unnecessary duplication of health care provider's efforts and;

Including NPs and their patients in Medicare Shared Saving Program.

"There is no doubt the potential changes in health care policy have every lawmaker's attention," said David Hebert, CEO of AANP. "They know the health and well-being of all Americans is a top priority and NPs gladly serve as a trusted source on health care with unparalleled expertise to assist them in furthering the interests of patients."

"The bond between patients and NPs has become stronger than ever before and that is due to an over fifty-year long track record of providing excellent care," said AANP President Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP. "NPs tirelessly work to ensure every patient that walks in their door receives high quality and patient-focused care. This has built tremendous trust with our patients and we are here to share that story on Capitol Hill."

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 222,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP membership includes approximately 73,000 individual members and 200 organizations. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate a nurse practitioner in your community, go to npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Related Links

http://www.aanp.org


NEW YORK and MIAMI, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Parkinson's Foundation has awarded $500,000 for translational research grants to address critical unmet needs in Parkinson's disease. The investments jumpstart practical solutions to ease difficulties related to cognition, fatigue and sleep, all of which are debilitating yet under-recognized symptoms in Parkinson's.

"As a leader in patient-driven research, the Parkinson's Foundation understands that listening to the community is key to accelerating science," said John L. Lehr, chief executive officer of the Parkinson's Foundation. "Our translational research grants are changing the field by shifting research attention to the most pressing needs of people with Parkinson's. We are confident that filling these critical gaps in science will drive breakthroughs that can improve lives."



The translational research grants are funded through the Community Choice Research Awards, the first program to set research priorities based on the insights of people living with Parkinson's. The awards have helped the Parkinson's Foundation to identify symptoms that are troublesome for many people living with the disease, but receive limited research funding.

"When it comes to research studying the 'invisible' symptoms of Parkinson's  including cognition, sleep and fatigue  there is a research desert," said James Beck, Ph.D., Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, a division of the Parkinson's Foundation. "At the Parkinson's Foundation, we envision a different research landscape  one in which patient-driven research flourishes. These grants are one way to make it happen."

Among the five cutting-edge projects supported through the grants is one led by Hengyi Rao, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, who is using neuroimaging to study changes in brain function related to fatigue and the potential of blue light as a therapy. About half of people with Parkinson's report fatigue as a major problem, yet no effective therapies exist. Dr. Rao theorizes that exposing the eyes to a short wavelength blue light may reduce fatigue in Parkinson's. Along with Dr. Rao, four additional researchers have been awarded grants to study the potential of therapies that include exercise, at-home brain stimulation, motivational behaviors and cannabidiol, a derivative of cannabis.

"As a scientist and a person with Parkinson's, I am impressed by the high quality research that is supported through the translational research grants. The Parkinson's Foundation is always a step ahead when it comes to putting the needs of patients first, and these grants are no exception," said Girija Muralidhar, Ph.D., a member of the Foundation's People with Parkinson's Advisory Council and a grant reviewer. "I cannot think of a better way to invest in science that impacts our lives."

All projects funded through the translational research grants undergo rigorous peer review. The topic areas addressed were initially identified through the Community Choice Research Awards, which invite people with Parkinson's disease and care partners to share their research priorities. Learn more by visiting www.pdf.org/ccra.

2017 Translational Research Grants

Impact of a Novel Exercise Intervention on Executive Function and Sleep in Persons with Parkinson's Disease

Amy W. Amara, M.D., Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham

At-home Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Fatigue and Cognitive Slowing in Parkinson's

Milton Biagioni, M.D., The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders at NYU Langone, Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

Goal-directed Behavior in Parkinson's Disease

Nabila Dahodwala, M.D., University of Pennsylvania, Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

Multi-modal Neuroimaging of Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease

Hengyi Rao, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

Pilot Study of Cannabidiol in People with Parkinson's Disease and RBD Sleep Disorder

Renata Riha, M.D., University of Edinburgh

About the Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation is working toward a world without Parkinson's disease. Formed by the merger of National Parkinson Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in August 2016, the mission of the Parkinson's Foundation is to invest in promising scientific research that will end Parkinson's disease and improve the lives of people with Parkinson's and their families through improved treatments, support and the best care. For more information, visit www.parkinsonsfoundation.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636) or (800) 457-6676.

About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US and over 10 million worldwide. Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's and is the 14th leading cause of death in the US. It is associated with a loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression) as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease.

SOURCE Parkinson's Disease Foundation

Related Links

http://www.pdf.org


REHOVOTH, Israel, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharma Two B Ltd., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for Parkinson's disease, announced today it has completed its third round of financing. The $30MM funding round was led by Israel Biotech Fund (IBF) which identified the company, led the due diligence, and syndicated with leading US and Israeli biotechnology investors, including aMoon and JVC. Current investors, including JK&B and Generali Financial Holdings FCP-FIS SF2 participated in this round as well. Mr. Jeff Kindler, a member of Israel Biotech Fund's Venture Advisory Team, will join Pharma Two B's Board of Directors. Mr. Kindler is the former CEO and chairman of Pfizer.

The funds raised will be used to complete the final pivotal phase III clinical trial needed to register P2B001, the company's lead combination product for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This round will enable Pharma Two B to expand its portfolio to include additional products.

"We are happy to have secured the financing that will support our drug candidate through its phase III trial and enable us to offer better and safer treatment for early-stage Parkinson's patients," said Pharma Two B's Founder & Chairman, Mr. Ehud Marom. "We are thrilled by the strong support of our existing investors, and by the addition of our new investors. We are confident that with their assistance, Pharma Two B can build a thriving commercial biopharmaceutical company. The presence of IBF in the Israeli Biotech space is something we have all been waiting for. Their rigorous scientific and clinical due diligence and deep networking capabilities present a significant contribution to the investment landscape in Israel."

Dr. Nurit Livnah, Pharma Two B's CEO said, "The phase IIb trial we conducted for P2B001 has met all primary and secondary end-points and demonstrated optimized efficacy and safety of the low dose combination product. This unique set of properties was obtained through the complementary mechanisms leading to synergetic effects, which are further enhanced by the unique sustained release delivery profile. We are confident that the phase III trial will follow the same path and will enable us to bring P2B001 to the market soon. Parkinson's disease is defined as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, treated mostly with Levodopa today. P2B001 has the potential to initially fill a significantly unmet need in the treatment regime for early stage Parkinson's disease patients and could be expanded into treatment as an add-on to Levodopa as well."

"I was impressed by the strong leadership team and by the work done so far by Pharma Two B. I'm excited to join its board of directors" said Jeff Kindler, "Our goal is to provide a safe and effective solution to early-stage Parkinson's patients which would allow them to maintain a regular daily regime in the early years of onset."

About Pharma Two B

Pharma Two B develops clinically differentiated and value-added products, based on approved drugs. The company focuses on Fixed-Dose-combinations of two or more drugs with complementary and synergistic effects, providing high clinical value and shorter regulatory pathways (US 505(b)(2) approach). The company develops products in two therapeutic areas with great unmet needs. The company's leading product is a combination drug for the treatment of early stage Parkinson's disease.

About Israel Biotech Fund

Israel Biotech Fund seeks high value returns by identifying and maximizing the success of therapeutic assets of Israel-based biotech companies. Based in Rehovot, Israel's main Biotech hub, Israel Biotech Fund invests exclusively in Biotech companies developing drugs at or near clinical stages. The Fund has the tools, experience and network required to identify the best opportunities and partner with its portfolio companies to help them go the distance.

About JK&B Capital

Founded in 1996, JK&B Capital is a Chicago-based venture capital firm with more than $1.1 billion cumulative under management. JK&B focuses on Information, healthcare and communications technologies. JK&B is an active investor that works closely with their portfolio companies to help them grow and prosper.

About Generali Financial Holdings FCP-FIS SF2

Generali Financial Holdings FCP-FIS SF2 is an open-ended venture fund established by the Generali Insurance Group as the sole investor. The fund is managed by Allegro S.a.r.l., an independent management company operating in Luxembourg, BIT Enterprises Ltd., is the Israeli representative and advisor of Allegro.

About Marius Nacht and aMoon Partners

Founded in 2016 by Marius Nacht Chairman of Check Point and Dr. Yair Schindel former CEO of Digital Israel, aMoon Partners is an investment management firm focused innovative Israeli healthcare and life science ventures. The fund is investing in a broad spectrum of healthcare sub sectors, including; Biopharmaceuticals, Devices and Digital Health. The fund puts further emphasis on precision, personalized and preventive medicine and on companies which offer either lifesaving solutions or significant cost savings for global healthcare systems.

About JVC Investment Partners

JVC Investment Partners ("JVC") is a Chicago-based private investment firm established in 2000 to invest in low middle-market and growth platforms in the health care industry. JVC brings over fifty years of operating and investing experience in the health care industry across a wide spectrum of businesses and markets.

Press contact:

Marjie Hadad

MH Communications

+972-54-536-5220

[email protected]

SOURCE Pharma Two B Ltd
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Polsinelli announced today that it will elevate Intellectual Property as a fourth Service Department to serve alongside Polsinelli's existing Business, Litigation, and Real Estate and Financial Services Departments.

Recognizing the increased client focus on IP and in building upon the significant growth the firm saw for this work in 2016, this realignment enhances Polsinelli's ability to serve its clients and will provide a platform for the firm's projected continued investment into this practice area.

"We have been steadfast in our focus to strategically build our national Intellectual Property practice as a priority service area of the firm," said Polsinelli Chairman Russ Welsh. "This new Intellectual Property Department  and the strong team we have in place  affirms our commitment to serve clients across industries in the full range of IP services."

Polsinelli's IP team is one of the largest practices in the nation, comprised of more than 120 attorneys, patent agents and scientists working in cities coast to coast. The new IP Department will have two divisions, Science and Technology, and IP Proceedings and Litigation, and nine practice groups. Shareholder Patrick Woolley, the former IP practice chair, will lead the new Department. Shareholders Gregory Novak and Tracy W. Druce will serve as vice chairs.

"The new infrastructure provides additional resources and services to the practice, enabling us to better partner with our clients in all areas of IP," Woolley said. "Our team's collective  and expanding  expertise includes both domestic and foreign issues, and we are able to work in a variety of areas including patents, trademarks, copyright, licensing, litigation, trade secret litigation, patent litigation, and business advice and guidance."

Less than a year ago, Polsinelli's IP practice grew by nearly 50 attorneys when it integrated Houston-based boutique Novak Druce Connolly Bove & Quigg, LLP in March 2016. Later that same year, Polsinelli was named one of four "IP Litigation Powerhouses" in the BTI Litigation Outlook Report and a Top Patent Law Firm by IPWatchdog, earned several high rankings by Chambers USA in IP, and secured the No. 24 spot in Corporate Counsel's Patent Litigation Survey.

"Polsinelli has an impressive team in place and we will continue our focus of building and strengthening our IP Department," Novak said. "This new structure aligns with the overall firm strategy and will advance our ability to collaborate across the country and across disciplines to ensure our clients are best served."

About Polsinelli

Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 800 attorneys in 20 offices, serving corporations, institutions, and entrepreneurs nationally. Polsinelli attorneys provide practical legal counsel infused with business insight, and focus on health care, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, mid-market corporate, labor and employment, and business litigation. Polsinelli attorneys have depth of experience in 100 service areas and 70 industries. The firm can be found online at www.polsinelli.com. Polsinelli PC. In California, Polsinelli LLP.

For more information, contact:

Carrie Trent

314-552-6864, [email protected]

SOURCE Polsinelli

Related Links

http://www.polsinelli.com


"As we work to improve outcomes for patients facing the world's toughest cancer, we must also elevate the national dialogue surrounding the disease," Fleshman said. "With three decades of proven expertise, Michael has the leadership needed to drive visibility to the cause."

One of Rosen's key roles will be increasing awareness about the organization's ground breaking research and clinical initiatives like Precision Promise, a revolutionary clinical trial that will dramatically accelerate progress and bring promising therapies to patients faster.

"I am incredibly proud to work for an organization that is funding critical and pioneering research," Rosen said. "Our approach offers real hope to increase survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients. And there is nothing more important."

Most recently, Rosen served as executive vice president of marketing and communications for the Mental Health Association of New York City, where he managed all marketing, communications strategies and development. Between 2013 and 2016, Rosen led strategic communications for Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism advocacy organization.

Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, Rosen had an award-winning career in network television news. As the Executive Producer first of The Saturday Early Show and then CBS This Morning Saturday, Rosen oversaw the entire broadcast and grew the viewing audience by 10 percent. At ABC News, Rosen was second in charge for the network's Peabody Award-winning coverage of 9/11, and covered the war in Kosovo on location. Rosen has been honored with three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards and four DuPont Awards.

Rosen earned his BA in political science from Boston College.

Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and follow the organization on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the global leader accelerating the pace of research progress for one of the world's deadliest cancers. With an urgent mission to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients and double survival by 2020, the organization, founded in 1999, executes a bold and comprehensive strategy to Wage Hope through research, patient services, advocacy and community engagement. The organization's visionary goals, world-class programs and services, extensive grassroots network, patient-focused outcomes and advisory board of scientific and medical leaders, provide the critical backdrop to help pancreatic cancer patients today and create transformational change for all patients in the future.

Media Contact:

Cara Martinez

Senior Manager, Public Relations

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Direct: 310-706-3357; Cell: 310.562.7821

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Related Links

http://www.pancan.org


ROMEOVILLE, Ill., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rapak North America a business unit of DS Smith, Plastics Division announced today the launch of its new DuraBev line of beverage bags for bag-in-box packaging formats. This next generation bag has been redesigned to provide a more robust packaging solution for BIB applications such as post-mix syrup and juices.

The enhanced structure of DuraBev provides a more durable, puncture resistant product which can even reliably survive a 40" drop test. The DuraBev bag uses Rapak's embossed film technology providing evacuation performance in excess of 99%, compared to standard post-mix bags. DuraBev is available in a variety of sizes and bag fitments.

Rapak will showcase DuraBev at the upcoming International Beverage Dispensing Equipment Association (IBDEA) conference, to be held March 9-13 in Orlando, Florida.

ABOUT DS SMITH

Rapak is part of Plastics' Flexible Packaging segment with operations in North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. DS Smith, Plastics Division is part of DS Smith Plc. a  5/ 4 billion plastics and packaging multinational with operations in 36 countries, employing 26,000 people. DS Smith, Plastics Division operates from 28 sites in 14 countries. The Plastics Division businesses are focused on three main areas: Flexible packaging and dispensing solutions, rigid packaging and foam products.

For more information visit www.dssmith.com/DuraBev

SOURCE DS SMITH, PLASTICS DIVISION

Related Links

http://www.dssmith.com


DULLES, Va., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a four year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract known as "Mobile Sensors" valued up to $128 million. Raytheon will operate and maintain the Cobra King radar aboard the United States Naval Ship Howard O. Lorenzen (TAGM-25) and the Gray Star radar aboard the USNS Invincible (TAGM-24).

"Raytheon is sustaining and modernizing the advanced sensor systems the Air Force depends on to succeed on today's digital battlefield," said Todd Probert, vice president of Mission Support and Modernization at Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. "We will keep Cobra King and Gray Star available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where they are in the world."

The two shipboard radars are forward deployed supporting U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. Raytheon personnel deploy aboard the ships to operate and maintain the radars and their subsystems. Raytheon also provides engineering and logistics support.

Raytheon has a 16 year history on the program and is the developer of the Cobra King radar.

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.

Media Contact

Raytheon

Rachael Duffy

571-250-1517

[email protected]

SOURCE Raytheon Company

Related Links

http://www.raytheon.com


SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of the worst flooding to hit San Jose in decades, Santa Clara County REALTORS Foundation has donated $10,000 to the San Jose Flood Victims Relief Fund. Over 14,000 people were impacted by the overflowing Coyote Creek due to spillover from the Anderson Reservoir.

"The Santa Clara County REALTORS Foundation strives to help families and revitalize our local communities, and this includes assisting in disaster relief," said Bonnie Wilson, the Chairperson for the Foundation. "We are inspired by the response from our REALTOR Community, and we hope to continue our work in uniting local real estate professionals in giving back and enriching the lives of those affected by this unfortunate event."

The Relief Fund, set up by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, is supporting nonprofit organizations that are providing immediate and long-term relief and recovery assistance to flood victims in San Jose. The public can help by contributing online at www.siliconvalleycf.org/sjflood.

"It is heartbreaking to see so many families displaced from their homes but I am heartened by the outpouring of community support," said Neil Collins, CEO of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS. "I am proud and grateful that our Members responded to the needs of the community that we serve. Those impacted by the flooding remain in all of our prayers."

The SCCR Foundation is the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS, which is made up of over 6,000 Realtors and Affiliates in and around the Bay Area. The SCCR Foundation aims to bring organized real estate together by investing in our neighborhoods with compassion, foresight and action.

Learn more about the Santa Clara County REALTORS Foundation at www.sccrfoundation.org

Learn more about the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS at www.sccaor.com

About the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS

SCCAOR, established in 1896, is California's oldest and Northern California's largest real estate association. We represent over 6,000 REALTORS and affiliate members. SCCAOR exists to meet the business, professional and political needs of its members and to promote and protect homeownership and private property rights.

Contact: Spencer High

Phone: 408.445.5095

[email protected]

SOURCE Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS

Related Links

http://www.sccaor.com


MADRID and ARMONK, N.Y., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Santander and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a collaboration to design and develop a suite of IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps to support the banking group's digital transformation and give employees the tools to create deeper engagements with their customers. These custom-built, native apps made for iOS will be rolled out across more than 11,000 iOS devices, changing how Santander's commercial network employees, including those supporting Corporate, SME, Private and Retail Banking, approach their day-to-day activities and boost productivity.

Using iPhone, Santander employees can expect to have immediate access to up-to-date information on products, services, and clients, allowing them to make better recommendations to customers on bank products such as Santander's 1|2|3 account for SMEs, an account that provides cash back incentives for customers, rewards through Santander shares and offers a high profitability among other financial advantages. These iOS apps will be designed with a user-centric approach and be specifically tailored for employees working in Santander's central offices and the banking network. The first set of apps planned to be deployed include:

Achievement Overview helps branch office managers and territory supervisors monitor the most important achievement indicators at a moment's notice, in order to navigate through different financial objectives and performance metrics on products, clients or geographical areas.

helps branch office managers and territory supervisors monitor the most important achievement indicators at a moment's notice, in order to navigate through different financial objectives and performance metrics on products, clients or geographical areas. Easy Risk: gives operators mobile access to metrics for capital requirements and risk management. Managers will also be able to access risk policies and industry reports available in the bank, as well as the latest news and reports of the macro environment.

"Innovation is one of Banco Santander's identity signs. Collaborating with IBM will help us accelerate our digital transformation and improve the client experience to anticipate customer needs," said Javier Cuenca, Managing Director T&O Area Banco Santander.

IBM will work with Santander to quickly and efficiently design, develop and deploy multiple native iOS apps using Apple's modern programming language, Swift. Every app will be seamlessly integrated with Santander's enterprise systems, putting real-time data at the fingertips of employees. Santander is leveraging IBM's app design and development model  Mobile at Scale  that will support the rapid development and deployment of these apps the first set of which are planned for release in April, and new apps will continue being developed during the next two years.

"Santander is committed to reinventing how it conducts business, beginning with creating new ways for bank employees to engage with business customers for an exceptional banking experience," said Gareth Mackown, European Mobile and Apple Leader, IBM. "Through our partnership with Apple, we're putting innovative, data-driven mobile solutions in the hands of Santander's employees to empower them with information that transforms the way they approach customer service."

About IBM

For more information, visit http://www.ibm.com/services/gbs.

For more information regarding IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps and services, please visit: www.ibm.com/mobilefirst/us/en/mobilefirst-for-iOS.html or www.apple.com/business/mobile-enterprise-apps/.

About Santander

Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Spain, with a meaningful market share in 10 core countries in Europe and the Americas. It is among the world's top banks by market capitalization. The bank's purpose is to help people and businesses prosper, in a way that is simple, personal and fair. Founded in 1857, Santander had EUR 1.52 trillion in managed funds, 125 million customers, 12,200 branches and 188,000 employees at the close of 2016. Santander made attributable profit of EUR 6,204 million in 2016, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.

Media Contacts:

Marisa Conway

IBM Media Relations

(917) 992-0280

[email protected]

SOURCE IBM

Related Links

http://www.ibm.com


FORT MILL, S.C., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In an engineering milestone that is expected to offer significant cost savings to mining companies throughout the world, Schaeffler has developed the world's first sealed 241/1250 spherical roller bearing. Featuring an outside diameter of nearly two meters, the ultra-large 241/1250 bearing was specifically designed for the highest-capacity High Pressure Grinding Roll Crushers (HPGRs) used by the mining industry. Previously only available in an open configuration (i.e., without seals), Schaeffler's new sealed version of this massive roll support bearing is designed to prevent the crushing materials from contaminating its internal components.

Schaeffler developed the sealed 241/1250 bearing to help the mining industry cut costs and boost efficiency. Until now, miners have typically been forced to inject high quantities of grease into the bearings to prevent contamination. While necessary, this practice wastes resources and significantly increases a mine's preventive maintenance expenditures. By introducing a sealed bearing for this challenging application, Schaeffler's innovation promises to also increase mining productivity.

The bearing's sheer mass  as evidenced by a total weight of approximately eight metric tons, including rolling elements that weigh 60 kg each  presented an engineering challenge that very few companies are able to master, even before the complex sealing arrangement is factored in. The outside diameter of the molded seal, which features unique design elements that were first developed for marine applications, measures approximately 1.4 meters.

The state-of-the-art sealing properties are provided by metal shields installed on both of the bearing's side faces, each of which features an optimized polymer seal that prevents the ingress of crushing material. According to Schaeffler Industry Manager for Raw Materials Mike White, "The new sealed version of our high performance 241/1250 bearing is expected to offer significantly longer operating life, while substantially reducing the cost of preventative maintenance to the end user. Schaeffler is committed to helping our mining partners produce more while consuming fewer resources. We are very proud to be the first bearing manufacturer to offer this design improvement to the mining industry."

The new sealed 241/1250 spherical roller bearing, which is being produced at Schaeffler's manufacturing plant in Brasov, Romania, is expected to be commissioned into service in early 2017.

About Schaeffler

The Schaeffler Group is a leading global integrated automotive and industrial supplier. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a key contribution to "Mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The technology company generated sales of approximately EUR 13.3 billion in 2016. With around 85,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest family companies and, with approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries, has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies.

SOURCE Schaeffler

Related Links

http://www.schaeffler.com


New interpretation concept of Santa Rosa de Lima structure at Cusi Mine, based on exploration of the NW-SE regional structural system

structure at Cusi Mine, based on exploration of the NW-SE regional structural system Many of the most important high-grade Silver deposits in Mexico are associated with NW-SE structural systems

are associated with NW-SE structural systems Drill campaign started in December 2016 to confirm theory has had remarkable consistency of good results

to confirm theory has had remarkable consistency of good results Underground drift reached the structure confirming width/grades and is already sourcing development ore feed to Cusi's processing plant

Historical Drill hole highlights include:

Hole No. True Width (m) EQAg (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Au (g/t) Cusi-628: 20.0 287 266 0.22 0.21 0.06 Cusi-509 12.0 794 758 0.36 0.33 0.13 Cusi-551 6.0 374 358 0.26 0.16 0.00 Cusi-575 5.0 860 709 2.12 1.31 0.03

Current Drill hole highlights include:

Hole No. True Width (m) EQAg (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Au (g/t) Cusi-2 3.2 351 332 0.20 0.18 0.06 Cusi-4 3.9 298 167 2.25 1.25 0.00 Cusi-5 2.5 218 200 0.12 0.14 0.12 Cusi-6 1.5 1243 1152 0.26 0.52 0.85 Cusi-14 3.1 1126 1034 1.50 2.00 0.00

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) ("Sierra Metals" or "the Company") announces the discovery of new high grade silver intercepts occurring in the Santa Rosa de Lima complex located within the current Cusi Mine operational area. The Santa Rosa de Lima complex lies within a regional structure extending some 64 kilometers. Extension on the Cusi property has an anticipated length of 12 kilometers. The discovery comes as part of a reinterpretation of the Hydrothermal model and a drilling campaign consisting of 15,000 meters which began in December 2016. To date, the Company has drilled 10,200 meters or about 79% of the planned program which is expected to be completed by the end of March 2017. The Cusi Mine is located within the municipality of Cusihuiriachi in the central portion of Chihuahua State, Mexico. The mine area encompasses 11,657 hectares in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range. (See Figure 1).

The Cusi Mine is located in the eastern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range. The Sierra Madre Occidental is the consequence of one of largest volcanic events in the world that occurred between the Cretaceous and the Tertiary periods. The Sierra Madre Occidental Range is formed by two volcanic groups; the Upper Volcanic Complex (UVC) and Lower Volcanic Complex (LVC). The Sierra Madre Occidental is one of the largest known epithermal precious-metal metallogenic regions and is host to numerous well-known gold-silver producing mining districts including: Concheno, Ocampo, Bacis, Tayoltita, Topia, Guanacevi, La Cienega, Mulatos El Sauzal and Pinos Altos.

The Cusi Mine is located within the Lower Volcanic Complex where there are also subvolcanic rocks that have a wide dissemination of mineralization. The current operations at Cusi are being developed in secondary veins with a preferred NE-SW arrangement. The Santa Rosa de Lima structure has no clear evidence of surface hydrothermal activity although it is recognized for 12 kilometers. This area has an extensive relationship with the structural trend where the "Los Gatos" project (Sunshine Silver Mines Corporation) is located 40 kilometers to the SE of the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone.

The mineralization at the Santa Rosa de Lima structure is located 100 meters below the surface, and can occasionally be observed at surface at the intersections of veins like "Promontorio" and "Santa Edwiges".

The Santa Rosa de Lima structure was identified as a high priority target that began with the review of all existing geological information. Eight previous drill holes (2012) were studied and analyzed as they intercepted the zone of interest. (see below table 1.1)

"This is a truly exceptional development for the Cusi Mine and has the ability to be transformational to current operations" stated Mark Brennan, President and CEO of Sierra Metals. He continued, "We are very excited by the potential to add significant tonnage and ounces with much higher grades and notably increased widths to our current resource base. The discovery of a high-quality silver resource of this scale within our existing operation should have a very favorable economic outcome."

Table 1.1 shows the results of the historical drilling (as previously disclosed?)

No. Hole Width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) EQAg (g/t) Cusi-634 3.5 0.15 316 0.28 0.26 347 Cusi-628 20.0 0.06 266 0.22 0.21 287 Cusi-509 12.0 0.13 758 0.36 0.33 794 Cusi-637 4.0 0.02 200 0.14 0.10 211 Cusi-465 2.3 0.03 231 0.39 0.38 263 Cusi-551 6.0 0.00 358 0.26 0.16 374 Cusi-551a 12.0 0.00 229 0.45 0.53 267 Cusi-578 1.5 0.03 140 2.06 2.62 346 Cusi-575 5.0 0.03 709 2.12 1.31 860

1. Samples were dried, crushed and pulverized by ALS Chemex in Chihuahua City, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Chemex to their laboratory in Vancouver. 2. Silver equivalent ounces were calculated using the following prices: $18.30/oz Ag, $0.93/lb Pb, $1.15/lb Zn, $1,283/oz Au.

A program of 15,000 meters of drilling is currently in execution. This program is targeted to investigate an area of one kilometer in length and 500 meters in depth in the target area defined by the previous drill holes. Drilling to date demonstrates that mineralization is consistent across the assessed area and lies between 1,850 and 1,500 meters above sea level (150 to 550 meters below surface) in depth. To date there are four drills operating in the area to complete the program.

Drilling will continue along the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone to the NW and SE in subsequent programs as the possibility exists to define a 12 kilometer zone.

Table 1.2 shows the drilling results of the current drilling program.

Hole From To Width

True (m) Au

(gpt) Ag

(gpt) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) EQAg

(%) Cusi-2 339.7 343.8 3.2 0.06 332 0.20 0.18 351

339.70 341.25

0.05 267 0.14 0.19



341.25 342.70

0.06 215 0.22 0.17



342.70 343.80

0.07 579 0.26 0.18

Cusi-4 306.25 311.35 3.9 0.00 167 2,25 1,25 298

306.25 307.65

ind 159 1.20 1.65



307.65 308.80

ind 88 1.12 0.18



308.80 310.35

ind 158 0.24 0.288



310.35 311.35

ind 282 8.0 3.51

Cusi-5 313.35 318.45 2.50 0.12 200 0.12 0.14 218

313.35 314.00

0.14 645 0.29 0.30



314.00 315.15

0.00 66 0.46 0.04



315.50 317.00

0.00 65 0.64 0.66



317.00 318.45

0.16 292 0.17 0.26

Cusi-5a 351.50 354.50 1.50 0.04 292 0.12 0.08 302

351.50 353.00

0.06 539 0.14 0.08



353.00 354.50

0.02 96 0.11 0.08

Cusi-6 309.80 312.65 1.50 0.85 1152 0.26 0.52 1243

309.80 311.15

1.87 2400 0.53 1.01



311.15 312.65

0.22 90 0.02 0.82

Cusi-8 292.00 293.50 0.95 0.00 104 0.07 0.08 104 Cusi-8a 297.85 303.75 3.75 0.00 73 0.08 0.11 83

297.85 299.45

0.00 80 0.06 0.12



299.45 300.65

0.00 20 0.09 0.11



300.65 302.25

0.00 112 0.07 0.12



302.25 303.75

0.00 75 0.10 0.11

Cusi-14 351.55 356.50 3.10 0.00 1037 1.19 1.75 1154

351.55 352.20

0.00 779 1.14 2.18



352.20 355.00

0.00 105 0.16 1.20



355.00 356.50

0.00 2890 3.13 2.59

Cusi-21 361.65 367.10 3.90 0.00 68 2.82 1.75 242

361.65 362.55

0.00 59 3.93 2.66



362.55 363.10

0.00 49 0.40 0.68



363.10 364.30

0.00 81 5.52 2.34



364.30 366.15

0.00 68 2.03 1.42



366.15 367.10

0.00 72 1.31 1.35

Cusi-21a 369.30 372.15 1.90 0.00 67 5.24 3.49 400

369.30 370.05

0.00 32 0.36 1.81



370.05 371.65

0.00 33 9.41 4.73



371.65 372.15

0.00 193 0.90 2.41

Cusi-22 433.20 436.95 1.90 0.00 54 1.68 2.22 208

433.20 434.50

0.00 23 1.18 1.73



434.5 435.65

0.00 125 3.13 4.04



435.65 436.95

0.00 30 0.90 1.12

Cusi-22a 438.90 443.85 2.50 0.00 73 1.20 2.98 243

443.85 440.80

0.00 30 1.97 5.08



440.80 442.05

0.00 30 0.59 0.83



442.05 443.10

0.00 184 0.69 0.90



443.10 443.85

0.00 98 0.97 4.08



1. Samples were dried, crushed and pulverized by ALS Chemex in Chihuahua City, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Chemex to their laboratory in Vancouver. 2. Silver equivalent ounces were calculated using the following prices: $18.30/oz Ag, $0.93/lb Pb, $1.15/lb Zn, $1,283/oz Au.

"The discovery and evaluation to date of the Santa Rosa de Lima zone demonstrates very important potential in our operations at the Cusi Mine. We hope in the short term to have a better understanding of the 12 kilometer structural extension containing the Santa Rosa de Lima zone" stated J. Alonso Lujan, Vice President Exploration of Sierra Metals. "Intercepts such as those returned in Cusi-6, Cusi-14 and Cusi-509 are common in epithermal deposits of "bonanza" (High grade). There is reasonable potential to expand the Santa Lima da Rosa zone to depth and along strike to the NW and SE as these areas have never been drill tested. We look forward to an exciting future exploring the Santa Lima da Rosa zone and the surrounding district."

An overview of Cusi Project in relation to the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range is shown in Figure 1. A plan map of the Cusi area is shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 shows the distribution of the drilling program that is being executed in Santa Rosa de Lima Zone.

Figure 1.  Overview

Figure 2. - Plan View

Figure 3. - Shows the distribution of the previous drillings and the current drilling program in the study area of the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone.

Quality Control

The quality assurance-quality control (QA-QC) program employed by Sierra Metals has been described in detail in the NI-43-101 report for Bolivar dated May 31, 2013, prepared by Gustavson Associates in Denver, which is available for review. All samples are sent to ALS Chemex, samples were transported under Sierra Metals chain of custody to ALS Chemex (ISO 9001) in Chihuahua City, these were dried, crushed and pulverized by ALS Chemex in Chihuahua City, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Chemex to their laboratory in Vancouver, Canada.

Drilling Methodology

The procedures used during diamond drilling include:

Holes are drilled to produce HQ (63mm) or NQ (48mm) sized core.

The collar locations of all drill holes are surveyed using GPS and local coordinates.

All drill core is washed  realigned and digitally photographed prior to logging and sampling.

Qualfied Persons

All technical data contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gordon Babcock, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based polymetallic mining company with production from its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and its Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company recently completed a very successful operational improvement program at its Yauricocha Mine and is now focused on completing a similar program at each of its Mexican operations in order to increase production volume, recoveries and modernize operations. Sierra continues to grow its mineral resources with several exciting brownfield opportunities such as the Esperanza Zone at the Yauricocha Mine, which went from first discovery to mining in less than one year. The Company has several other brownfield exploration opportunities at all three mines in Peru and Mexico that are within, or very close to, the existing mines. Sierra is actively exploring these opportunities and hopes to daylight them in the short-term. The Company has large land packages at all three mines with several regional, highly prospective targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company's shares trade on the Lima Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de Lima) and on the TSX under the symbol "SMT".

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs as to future events or results. These statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Sierra Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.sierrametals.com


MADISON, N.J., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today reported that in 2016 its affiliated brokers and sales professionals achieved approximately $95 billion in global sales volume, the highest annual sales volume performance in the history of the brand, driven largely by a brand record of over 127,000 transactions.

Global Growth

The Sotheby's International Realty brand also reported growth across its global network, which now encompasses nearly 70 countries and territories worldwide. At year-end, the network totaled 880 offices and more than 20,000 sales associates.

"2016 proved to be yet another record year for the Sotheby's International Realty brand," said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. "In just 12 years, we have grown from $4.2 billion to $95 billion in sales volume. Our brand has achieved exponential growth, and I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication from our affiliate member companies, their independent sales associates and our dedicated worldwide staff. This is a true testament to the strength and international footprint of this extraordinary brand."

Outside the United States, the Sotheby's International Realty brand achieved $10 billion in sales volume in 2016 and continued to expand into key markets. The brand saw continued growth in Europe, entering the countries of Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Montenegro. The brand also expanded in the Asia-Pacific region through affiliations in Fiji and Shanghai and continued to grow in Hong Kong and greater Thailand. Finally, the brand expanded its presence in the Caribbean with the addition of affiliates in Roatan and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

In the United States, the Sotheby's International Realty brand achieved $85 billion in sales volume in 2016 and also added seven independently owned and operated residential real estate firms as well as 45 new offices to its network across the country. This past year witnessed continued significant growth by existing affiliate companies through talent attraction and mergers and acquisitions, most notably increasing the brand's market presence in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, throughout southern Rhode Island and on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The brand also entered several key new markets last year, namely: Gulf Shores, Alabama; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Innovative Technology

The Sotheby's International Realty brand was at the forefront of interactive technology in 2016 with the introduction of 3D Tours with Virtual Reality capability on sothebysrealty.com. Additionally, the site saw the most traffic in its history with nearly 22 million visits, a 54% increase year-over-year.

The brand also launched the first luxury real estate app for Apple TV, featuring professionally curated high-resolution photography and high-definition video giving consumers the opportunity to explore homes on a screen larger than ever before. An alliance with Juwai.com was launched in 2016 that gives the Sotheby's International Realty network an edge to generate Chinese homebuyer interest on one of the world's most prominent real estate websites with over two million monthly visitors. As a truly international brand, Sotheby's International Realty has the most global representation on Juwai.com, displaying luxury listings from 66 countries and territories.

The Sotheby's International Realty brand was the No. 1 real estate company represented in two of the six categories that comprise the annual REAL Trends/The Wall Street Journal "Top Thousand" report. The Sotheby's International Realty brand claimed 45 of the top 250 sales associates in the Individual Sales Volume category, more than any other real estate company. The brand also had the highest combined individual sales volume from sales associates in the same category. In addition, the Sotheby's International Realty brand had the most individuals represented in the Individual Average Sales Price category, holding 17 of the top 50 spots (34%), further establishing the strength of the Sotheby's International Realty brand as a leader in luxury real estate sales.

Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, each brokerage firm and its clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

About Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby's International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

CONTACT

Lindsey Scharf

Sr. Manager, Brand Content and Communications

Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

175 Park Avenue

Madison, NJ 07940

(973) 407-5596

[email protected]

SOURCE Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

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http://www.sothebysrealty.com


CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines is revitalizing its route network with more destinations, more flights and more convenient connections for customers in both domestic and international markets. Subject to government approval, the carrier will add a seasonal route between San Francisco and Munich for the first time ever, and one of the carrier's daily flights between Newark, New Jersey and Tel Aviv, Israel will be upgauged with the new Boeing 777-300ER. The airline is also growing its domestic network, adding even more connections and additional service to 30 destinations across the U.S.

"Starting this summer we're offering more flights, to more destinations at more convenient times than in recent memory," said Scott Kirby, president of United Airlines. "And with bigger and more modern aircraft for many of our flights, we'll be getting you to the moments that matter most - relaxed and ready to go."

New International Service

United's seasonal flight between San Francisco International Airport and Munich Airport begins on May 24 with service from MUC to SFO returning the next day. The route will be operated with one of the most advanced passenger airplanes, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which delivers unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions.

Flight From To Departure Arrival 194 SFO MUC 2:05 p.m. daily 10:25 a.m. the next day 195 MUC SFO 12:10 p.m. daily 2:55 p.m. the same day

Beginning May 5, United will operate one of its Newark-Tel Aviv flights with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring the all new United Polaris seats. This will be the second route  in addition to the carrier's flights between San Francisco and Hong Kong  that will utilize the brand new Boeing 777-300ER.

Flight From To Departure Arrival 90 EWR TLV 11:45 p.m. daily 4:20 p.m. the next day 91 TLV EWR 11:10 p.m. daily 4:35 a.m. the same day

New Domestic Markets

United is growing its domestic network by improving connectivity through its hubs, offering better products and scheduling optimal flight times. The new routes bring non-stop service to more cities giving customers more convenient travel options to some of the country's largest cities, and beyond. The carrier is adding service to thirteen cities, including four all-new destinations: Champaign/Urbana, IL; Columbia, MO; Rochester, MN and United's shortest flight to Santa Rosa, CA.

From To Frequency Start Date DEN COU  Columbia, MO Daily Aug. 1 DEN SBP  San Luis Obispo, CA Daily June 8 EWR SMF  Sacramento, CA Daily June 8 IAH SGF  Springfield, MO 2 times Daily June 8 ORD CHO  Charlottesville, VA Daily June 8 ORD CMI  Champaign/Urbana, IL 3 times daily June 8 ORD COU  Columbia, MO 2 times daily Aug. 1 ORD RNO  Reno, NV Daily June 8 ORD RST  Rochester, MN 3 times daily June 8 ORD GEG  Spokane, WA Daily June 8 SFO CVG  Cincinnati, OH Daily June 8 SFO DTW- Detroit Daily June 8 SFO GEG  Spokane, WA 2 times daily June 8 SFO STS  Santa Rosa, CA 3 times daily June 8 SFO BDL  Hartford, CT Daily June 8

Expanded Domestic Service

United is also introducing daily summer service in six markets. Flights to Salt Lake City, Fort Lauderdale, Tucson and New Orleans not previously offered in the summer, will now move to year round service.

From To Frequency Start Date DEN KOA  Kona, Hawaii Daily June 8 EWR SLC  Salt Lake City, UT Daily June 8 IAD FLL  Fort Lauderdale, FL Daily June 8 ORD TUS  Tucson, AZ Daily June 8 SFO MSY  New Orleans Daily June 8 SFO FCA  Kalispell, MT Daily July 1

Added Flight Frequencies

In an effort to increase customer choice in key business and leisure markets, United will add additional daily flights in 15 existing markets.

From To New Frequency DEN ABQ  Albuquerque, NM 5 times daily DEN FLL  Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2 times daily DEN MCO- Orlando, FL 4 times daily DEN TPA  Tampa, FL 2 times daily EWR ATL - Atlanta 8 times daily EWR DTW  Detroit 7 times daily EWR PDX  Portland, OR 2 times daily IAD JAX  Jacksonville, FL 3 times daily IAD PVD  Providence, RI 4 times daily IAD PWM  Portland, ME 4 times daily IAD ROA  Roanoke, VA 3 times daily IAH ATL  Atlanta 8 times daily IAH CHS  Charleston, SC 3 times daily ORD FLL  Fort Lauderdale, FL 3 times daily ORD RSW  Fort Myers, FL 2 times daily

In total, United is adding 47 new daily round trips to its domestic schedule. The flights will be on a variety of mainline and regional jets that will add nearly 8,700 additional seats per day and approximately 90,000 new flight miles. These flights are now available for purchase with domestic service beginning as early as June 8. Flights returning to United's international seasonal summer schedule such as Xi'an, China and Rome are also available on united.com.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2016, United and United Express operated more than 1.6 million flights carrying more than 143 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 737 mainline aircraft and the airline's United Express partners operate 483 regional aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "UAL".

SOURCE United Airlines

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http://www.united.com


VANCOUVER, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE MKT: TGB) ("Taseko" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a US$33 million streaming agreement with Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd ("Osisko") for Taseko's 75% share of payable silver production from the Gibraltar Mine.

Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko, stated, "Management is continually searching for accretive initiatives to allow the Company to advance its business strategy, while ensuring shareholder's interests are held paramount. Selling this silver stream, which is an unappreciated aspect of our business, was not an obvious source of capital, but turned out to be a very attractive source. With the proceeds from this transaction added to our year end cash balance we have approximately $130 million in available liquidity. The expected cash generation from Gibraltar will further strengthen our balance sheet this year, providing us with a number of options regarding our debt obligations and project advancement."

"While we believe the higher copper prices combined with our strong operational performance will generate significant cash flow in the months ahead, monetizing Gibraltar's modest silver production for C$43 million is a prudent decision for the Company. Silver sales represent approximately 1% of Gibraltar's total revenue and the sale of this small by-product will not materially impact the mine's overall cost structure. Offsetting the impact from the reduced silver revenue is the strong operating performance of our molybdenum plant as well as higher molybdenum prices."

"We are very happy to partner with Osisko on this transaction. In less than three years, they have become a world-class precious metal royalty and streaming company, already holding more than 50 royalties. Osisko's investment in Gibraltar's silver stream further endorses our high quality copper mine," concluded Mr. Hallbauer.

"The Gibraltar silver stream is Osisko's first streaming transaction," commented Sean Roosen, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Osisko. "Taseko's management team has a history of success, and we are pleased to partner with them as they build a strong platform within the copper sector."

Transaction Details

In exchange for an upfront deposit of US$33 million, Taseko will deliver 100% of its share of Gibraltar payable silver production until 5.9 million ounces have been delivered, which is approximately equivalent to Taseko's share of the silver in the current proven and probable reserves. After that threshold has been met, 35% of Taseko's share of all future silver production will be delivered to Osisko. Osisko will pay US$2.75 per ounce for all the silver deliveries made under the contract. Additionally, Osisko will be granted warrants for three million common shares of Taseko with a strike price to be set at a 50% premium to the 10-day VWAP prior to closing. The warrants will expire on April 1, 2020.

Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in early March 2017 and is subject to the completion of customary conditions.

Russell Hallbauer

President and CEO

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains "forward-looking statements" that were based on Taseko's expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "anticipate", "project", "target", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "should" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to:

uncertainties and costs related to the Company's exploration and development activities, such as those associated with continuity of mineralization or determining whether mineral resources or reserves exist on a property;

uncertainties related to the accuracy of our estimates of mineral reserves, mineral resources, production rates and timing of production, future production and future cash and total costs of production and milling;

uncertainties related to feasibility studies that provide estimates of expected or anticipated costs, expenditures and economic returns from a mining project;

uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses permits for development projects and project delays due to third party opposition;

uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings;

changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our exploration and development activities and mining operations, particularly laws, regulations and policies;

changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and in the demand and market price for copper, gold and other minerals and commodities, such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and financing;

the effects of forward selling instruments to protect against fluctuations in copper prices and exchange rate movements and the risks of counterparty defaults, and mark to market risk;

the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover mining risks;

the risk of loss of key employees; the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates;

environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining including processing and stock piling ore; and

labour strikes, work stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate mines, or environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt the production of minerals in our mines.

For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company's annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Taseko Mines Limited

Related Links

www.tasekomines.com


NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Advertising Research Foundation (thearf.org) is proud to announce the finalists for the 23rd ARF David Ogilvy Awards.

The ARF David Ogilvy Award stands for creative approaches to analytics, to consumer insight approaches, and to leading innovative partnerships with the entire creative team. It was David Ogilvy who famously said, "As far as I know, I'm the only creative genius who started in research."

This year's finalists embody that ethos with a range of outstanding market research that enabled creative excellence. They were chosen from 51 entries, over days of spirited judging by juries of the industry's brightest stars.

"The David Ogilvy Awards celebrates the awesome power of an irrefutable insight; the launch pad for any successful campaign," said Jimmie Stone, CCO, Edelman and ARF David Ogilvy Grand Jury Judge.

The best overall campaign will receive the Grand Ogilvy Award. Winners will be announced at the 2017 David Ogilvy Awards Gala on March 20, 2017, in New York City, a highlight of The ARF 63rd Annual Conference Re!Think 2017.

23rd ARF David Ogilvy Awards Finalists :

Ad Council "Type 2 Diabetes Prevention"

Advil "Distant Memory"

Cambridge Analytica "Make America Number One"

Cigna "TV Doctors of America"

Coors Light "Climb On"

Galderma  Benzac "Cool Kids for Benzac"

Garnet Hill "Beautiful, Naturally Mobile Studio"

Herbalife Nutrition "Revitalizing Online Sales Through Optimized Lead Generation"

Humana "Start with Healthy"

Johnsonville Sausage "Welcome to Johnsonville, Wisconsin"

Kellogg's Special K "#OwnIt"

Myrbetriq  Consumer "Taking Back Control"

Nexplanon "ARMOR up"

Nike "Take on TJ"

Ontario Women's Directorate "#ItsNeverOkay"

Raising the Roof "Coming Soon"

Quidel "Captain Quidel vs. Influenza"

TD Bank Group "Official Partner of Big Dreams"

Turkcell "Healthmetre"

Walmart  Hispanic "Wonder Every Day"

About The ARF 63rd Annual Conference:

The 63rd Annual Conference Re!Think 2017 is the premier gathering of leaders from every avenue of advertising -- including top brand marketers, media/tech companies, research organizations, academics, agencies and more. A highlight of the conference is The David Ogilvy Awards, celebrating groundbreaking campaigns that use insight to create amazing advertising. The two-day conference is held in New York City on March 20-21, 2017. http://thearf.org/arf-annual-2017/

About The ARF:

The ARF is an organization dedicated to creating, curating, and sharing objective, industry-level advertising research. We empower members with original, unbiased research and insights to help them grow their businesses. Founded nearly 80 years ago, The ARF's members today include more than 400 leading brand advertisers, agencies, research firms, and media-tech companies. It hosts several key events throughout the year to drive connections and innovations within the industry. http://thearf.org/

Media Contact:

Daniel Bulgrin, Director of Strategic Partnerships

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 646-465-5733

www.thearf.org





SOURCE The Advertising Research Foundation

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CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Mom Project, the leading career destination for moms, announced today three new additions to its Executive team. Denise Chase, Chief Community Officer, Arun Umapathy, Chief Technology Officer, and Dr. Pamela Cohen, Principal Data Scientist will have central roles in executing the company's vision and strategic objectives.

Denise Chase will continue to grow The Mom Project's talent network across the United States and further develop the community engagement experience. Chase comes to The Mom Project after having worked in business development for Procter and Gamble, where she helped grow the Pampers brand; Texas Children's Hospital, where she marketed the launch of a world-class maternity hospital; and Catalina Marketing, where she led digital media strategy for top brands including Coca-Cola.

Arun Umapathy will expand the company's digital platform, bridging technological demands with the business needs of The Mom Project. Umapathy has extensive experience working with startups in fields spanning multiple industries including HealthTech, Fintech, and most recently as CEO of NYC DevShop, an award-winning mobile and web development agency.

Dr. Pamela Cohen will be responsible for the ideation, research, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms underpinning the Mom Project's proprietary dataset. In addition to increasing match strength, Pamela will be focused on building actionable insights for companies looking to attract and retain top female talent. Dr. Cohen has extensive experience working with startups as well as global research firms, having served as VP, Predictive Social Intelligence at Blab, as well as SVP, Predictive Analytics for Ketchum.

Allison Robinson, The Mom Project's Founder and CEO, welcomed Chase, Umapathy and Cohen. "Denise, Arun and Pamela bring a wealth of experience in their respective fields and I'm incredibly proud to welcome them to the team. Together, I look forward to the next phase of growth for The Mom Project where we enable technology and data to solve for the needs of working women and world class companies."

About The Mom Project

The Mom Project is a pioneering digital platform that is changing the way women work and redefining career structures by providing women with real work opportunities that are in balance with their personal goals. This evolution will keep more talented, professionally accomplished women and mothers in the workforce.

Using a unique matching approach, The Mom Project platform supports work ranging from clearly scoped projects to permanent roles. The positions are developed directly with companies and are a precise match for individual experience, skill sets, flexibility, and professional goals. Becoming a member of the talent community is free of charge and there are zero fees for companies until a successful match is made.

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, The Mom Project has a community of 10,000+ highly skilled women and men and is actively serving 150+ companies focused on recruiting and retaining diverse talent. www.themomproject.com

SOURCE The Mom Project

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council honored two professionals with its highest honor  the Silver Spark Plug at the opening of its 2017 TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition.

"The Silver Spark Plug is our industry's highest honor, recognizing professional excellence in commercial vehicle maintenance," said Carl Kirk, ATA vice president of maintenance, information technology & logistics and TMC executive director. "This year's winners represent the pinnacle of our industry and we are pleased to bestow this honor on them."

This year's honorees are: Lou Stumpp, national account manager, fleet services for Navistar, and Rich Carroll, vice president of sales and marketing at Jost International.

"I congratulate these tremendous individuals for their efforts to keep our trucks, and America, moving," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "More than half of the 7.3 million people employed by the trucking industry do something other than drive a truck, and without them, our nation's goods don't get to our stores, hospitals and factories. These individuals are examples to all of us in this industry and they're to be commended."

"Only individuals who represent the best of our council in their commitment to improved engineering and maintenance standards through the development of TMC recommended practices are honored with the Silver Spark Plug," said TMC Chairman Doug White, vice president of maintenance at Dunbar Armored. "I congratulate all these winners for their achievement and commitment."

TMC is America's premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance professionals. TMC features a diverse membership of equipment managers, service-dealers, owner-operators, industry suppliers and manufacturers, educators, academia and others that support the trucking industry. TMC member fleets represent the broad range of industry vocations, including truckload, less-than-truckload, municipal, private, on/off-highway, construction and other operations. Find out more about TMC online at http://tmc.trucking.org.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward

SOURCE American Trucking Associations

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http://www.trucking.org


SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Trucept Inc. (OTC Pink: TREP) Trucept Inc. names Norman Tipton as CEO. The outgoing CEO, Brian Bonar, has agreed to provide transitional consulting services through June 30.

Tipton is a native of San Diego. For the past 10 years he has been Vice President and General Counsel of Trucept Inc. Since 2007 Tipton has been an advisor to several publicly traded companies' boards. In 2013 he joined the Board of Directors of Trucept Inc. He has previously held management positions at SAIC, a Fortune 500 company, and the San Diego Union-Tribune. Since 1995 he has lectured as adjunct faculty in law-related upper-division courses at SDSU.

He attended San Diego State University, where he received his Master's Degree in Sociology and his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. Tipton, a member of the California Bar, is a cum laude graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Bonar, who is retiring, said that Tipton is the ideal candidate to succeed him. "Norman has been heavily involved with the company and its history, and plans for the future."

Trucept's Florida address is 15310 Amberly Drive, Tampa. Its phone is 866 961-5763.

Trucept Inc. relieves clients from business operations tasks, including payroll processing, human resources support, workers' compensation insurance, safety programs, employee benefits, and other administrative and aftermarket services predominantly related to staffing. It also offers employee and employer benefits and aftermarket products.

SOURCE Trucept Inc.
ACTON, Mass., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirmed Networks, the leader in virtualized mobile networks, today announced that it has been selected to provide a virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) to Truphone, a leading global mobile network operator.

Truphone delivers a wide range of advanced telecommunications services to some of the world's largest financial institutions, IoT customers and OEM's. Truphone provides services to some of the largest global brands and is a recognized leader in the area of mobile call recording services. Recent innovations from Truphone have included the introduction of an eSIM data offering for iPad users and an IoT connected car solution for Kia Motors.

As Truphone's roadmap covers geographical expansion and support for additional technologies such as Voice-over-WiFi (VoWiFi) and 5G, they found that Affirmed Networks' virtualized mobile packet core would enable them to evolve their existing capabilities while allowing them to quickly and securely scale on a single platform. To further enhance their service assurance capabilities, Truphone will also deploy the Affirmed vProbe solution, enriching their real-time network intelligence across the virtualized infrastructure.

Truphone achieves significant capex and opex savings with the Affirmed Networks' Content Cloud solution. This Cloud Native architecture integrates several core network services such as packet inspection, service orchestration and value added services onto a single, virtualized platform, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the network.

"Our customers place their trust in us because they know we are focused on providing a truly business-class service offering," said Igor Borisoglebski, Truphone's CTO. "We need a network that is capable of supporting our rapidly growing business, our ambition for innovation and our commitment to provide reliable connectivity services to our customers around the world. Affirmed Networks' solutions and expertise will enable us to capitalize on the benefits of a virtualized network and provide the reliable connectivity needed for success in today's and tomorrow's global economy."

The deployment of an NFV based Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) will also enable Truphone to quickly develop new service offerings, opening lucrative new revenue streams that can be deployed over today's 4G network, and over 5G in the future.

"NFV-based architectures deliver significant capital and operational savings over legacy networks," said Mohammed Shanableh, Affirmed Networks' vice president of global operations. "By moving to a virtualized network with integrated Wi-Fi access, Truphone is able to experience even greater operational savings while gaining the ability to develop and deliver compelling new services more efficiently than ever before."

In November 2016, Affirmed Networks' virtualized Wi-Fi solution was honored by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), receiving the top award in the category "Best Next-Gen Wi-Fi Network Infrastructure" at the organization's annual event in San Jose, California.

About Truphone

We're changing the way the world communicates and in doing so creating a whole new set of possibilities. Our global network and patented SIM technology powers connectivity for any device anywhere. We deliver game-changing products and services: mobile recording for compliance, international mobile business plans and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Nine of the world's leading investment banks trust Truphone for their mobile recording compliance. More than 3,500 companies choose us as their business mobile provider. Headquartered in London, Truphone has 10 offices worldwide. To learn more, visit www.truphone.com

About Affirmed Networks, Inc.

Affirmed Networks has achieved significant attention as its Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) solution has become the standard for the world's top mobile operators. Currently, the company has been deployed commercially, including in Tier 1 and Tier 2 mobile networks, and is engaged in many trials worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.affirmednetworks.com.

SOURCE Affirmed Networks

Related Links

http://www.affirmednetworks.com


(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472232/miFon.jpg )



An estimated 20 million phones are lost every month in India alone and only about 2 per cent of these are recovered. Global Statistics indicate a third of smartphone users experience loss every year. Anti-Theft Software in Mobile Phones Could Save Consumers $2.6B a Year in USA alone.

miFon, a powerful mobile security app developed by an UAE based startup led by a team of Indian professionals, ensures smartphone users no more have to worry about these.

miFon provides best in class powerful anti-theft measures like thiEfie, siRen, rLock, sOs Panic button to discreetly seek help in emergencies, smX to locate misplaced or lost phone even when internet is not available, miVac anti-malware protection, xFit to keep phone fit and as good as new, miBkup auto-magically back up precious data.

"Our strategic partnership with miFon will help us differentiate Intex in the crowded Android smartphone market. This is a step towards protecting our customers' investment in Smartphone as well as beyond." said Nitin Goel, VAS & Experience Head, Intex Technologies. "We are immensely delighted to partner with miFon. We evaluated leading mobile security platforms and found that miFon's focus, intent and capability on creating end-user value was way ahead of all the others", he added.

With proliferation of smartphones, increasing security risks, and mobile based payments, miFon can be the number one choice in terms of security, as it not only offers best in class protection for one's precious phone and data, but also their loved ones.

"You can never put a price on your phone, data or personal protection and miFon is the most powerful and easiest Android security suite to ensure you never have to" says miFon, Co-Founder & Chief Strategist, Abhijit Barua.

"miFon users will be able to protect their smartphones against malware, data-theft, device loss or theft to name a few. miFon has many unique features like Thiefie captures and mails pictures in case there is a device theft and smX to locate your misplaced or lost phone even if the phone is not connected to the internet" he added.

miFon's founder, Abhijit Barua, is a telecom and IT veteran, who has over 20 years of experience with global tech companies like AT&T, BT, Hewlett-Packard, SIFY, TATA VSNL, Vodafone and Wipro, ventured on his own to create a best in class mobile platform.

"We are honoured to partner with Intex, the leading Smartphone manufacturer in the World's second largest smartphone market, India. miFon's unique capabilities provide comprehensive protection to end users & differentiating value to our partners" said, miFon co-founder & Chief of Corporate Affairs, Partha Sarathi Guha Patra, an engineering professional turned entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in senior leadership positions. He had served Wipro Limited for more than 26 years as Senior Vice President & Head - Corporate Affairs, Vice President - Strategic Initiatives, VP & Global Business Head - Defence, Aerospace & Security; VP & Head - Product Engineering & Embedded Application.

The miFon 9-in-1 Security Suite is available for free from Google Playstore. The PRO features are available on TRY&BUY and PRO subscriptions at US$14.95. IOS version will be available by second half of 2017.

About Intex

Intex is an Indian handset manufacturer which pivoted from making computer peripherals. It is one of India's biggest smartphone makers. The company has also manufactured TVs and recently launched an Android smartwatch in a bid to expand its product portfolio.

About miFon

miFon 9-in-1 Security Suite is a mobile based security service from an UAE-based, Indian led tech startup, that provides best in class and ubiquitous anti-loss protection for device, data and family. To learn more, visit http://www.mifon.mobi or http://www.facebook.com/MIFONM or follow us on twitter @mifonm or email us on [email protected]

SOURCE miFon
Attendees enjoyed boat rides, getting temporary tattoos with Polynesian designs, making leis, and witnessing traditional Hawaiian practices such as casting fishing nets and shucking coconuts. Dinner festivities started with a gathering around the underground oven  also called an imu  to see the removal of the roasted pig. While the warriors dined on native delicacies, dancers put on a show to represent the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, and New Zealand.

"This luau was a cultural event that allowed warriors and their ohana  their family  to understand Hawaii and its people," said Army veteran Penny Kalua. "I knew a few of the people there and got to meet lots of other veterans, which made it even more of a positive experience."

These connection events support the recovery needs of warriors by reintroducing them to the bonds experienced during military service. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with veterans to address their mental health issues.

WWP staff advised warriors of additional services that could benefit their recovery processes. WWP offers programs that assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors. Generous donors make it possible for wounded warriors to benefit from program resources at no cost to them.

"I have not been with Wounded Warrior Project for very long, but I already feel that sense of not being alone," Penny said. "Words cannot do justice to what I feel in my heart for the unconditional support they have provided me and those close to me."

To learn and see more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/, and click on multimedia.

About Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project

Related Links

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LONDON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This report provides all the information you require to better understand Warner Chilcott and its partnering interests and activities since 2010.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3605643/





Description

The Partnering Deals and Alliance since 2010 report provides an in-depth insight into the partnering activity of one of the world's leading life sciences companies.



On demand company reports are prepared upon purchase to ensure inclusion of the most up to date deal and company data.



The report will be delivered in PDF format within 1 working day of receipt of order. If the CD-Rom version purchased, the report will be sent by courier using express service.



One of the key aspects of partnering is finding those companies that are potential candidates for the development and commercialization of the next generation of therapies. A lot of resources are spent on finding partners, identifying their interests and making contact to initiate discussions.



Using this report, dealmakers will effectively and efficiently target their partnering activities to deliver the company's business development objectives.



The initial chapters of this report provide an orientation of deal making and business activities. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the report, whilst chapter 2 lists the top companies partnering with the company since 2010. Chapter 3 provides an overview of the leading partnering and M&A deals since 2010 to present date based on headline value.



Chapter 4 provides details on how to approach biopharma companies with partnering opportunities whilst chapter 5 lists forthcoming partnering events and conferences where biopharma companies will be present to discuss opportunities face to face.



The main body of the report is provided in chapter 6 providing a infographic visual summary of the company's partnering activity since 2010 according to deal type, industry sector, phase of development, and therapy area.



The deals are listed by deal type, stage of development and therapy focus, allowing easy access to deals and alliances of interest. Every deal record links to an online, live version of the deal record at the Current Agreements deals and alliances database. Where available, deal records also include the contract document as disclosed at the SEC.



One of the key aspects of partnering is conducting due diligence on a partner to determine under what terms a prospective partner agrees to a partnering relationship.



Understanding the flexibility of prospective partners' negotiated deals terms provides critical insight into the negotiation process in terms of what you can expect to achieve during the negotiation of terms. Whilst many smaller companies will be seeking details of the payments clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered  contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not.



In addition, contract documents provide the answers to numerous questions about a prospective partner's flexibility on a wide range of important issues, many of which will have a significant impact on each party's ability to derive value from the deal.



Each contract document is accessible through a link to an online version of the actual contract document as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.



Analyzing actual company agreements allows assessment of the following:

- What is actually granted by the agreement to the partner company?

- What exclusivity is granted?

- What is the payment structure for the deal?

- How are sales and payments audited?

- What is the deal term?

- How are the key terms of the agreement defined?

- How are IPRs handled and owned?

- Who is responsible for commercialization?

- Who is responsible for development, supply, and manufacture?

- How is confidentiality and publication managed?

- How are disputes to be resolved?

- Under what conditions can the deal be terminated?

- What happens when there is a change of ownership?

- What sublicensing and sub-contracting provisions have been agreed?

- Which boilerplate clauses does the company insist upon?

- Which boilerplate clauses appear to differ from partner to partner or deal type to deal type?

- Which jurisdiction does the company insist upon for agreement law?



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3605643/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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"Our gallery is committed to expanding contemporary art discourse by presenting exhibitions of work by significant, yet oftentimes under-represented artists whose work might otherwise not be seen in Utah," said Lydia Gravis, director of the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery. "We are honored to debut this retrospective of Lydia Okumura's work in the Western United States. Working for almost 50 years, she continues to explore the realms of geometric abstraction through both re-imaginations of past installations and new work," said Gravis.

Okumura's aim as an artist is to actively challenge viewers to question their perception of space through sculptures, installations and works on paper that blur the line between two and three-dimensions. Beginning as a young artist in Sao Paulo, she studied the Japanese art magazine Bijutsu Techou which introduced her to international movements such as Conceptual Art, Minimalism, Land Art and Arte Povera. These movements, along with Brazilian Concretism and Neo-Concretism, influenced Okumura's work.

"Lydia Okumura is without question a dynamic and integral figure in art history," said Becky Jo Gesteland, Associate Dean of the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. "The sharing and discussions around her work will continue to allow our students and the larger community to explore questions of space within a given purpose," said Gesteland.

A native Sao Paolo, Okumura has exhibited widely in the city and is part of multiple museum collections, but she is much less known in her adopted country of the United States. Lydia Okumura: Situations is the artist's first solo museum exhibition in the United States. On display will be the installation In Front of Light for which Okumura won a prize in the 1977 Sao Paulo Biennial, along with additional works Okumura will reproduce for the exhibition. These include several wire mesh sculptures recreated from her 1984 solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Sao Paulo including the installation Labyrinth for MAM.

The artist will be in Ogden for the opening reception on Fri., March 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibition will run from Fri., March 3, 2017 to Fri., April 7, 2017. The Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The exhibition will be open during evening hours for the First Friday Art Stroll on Friday, April 7th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The gallery is closed on Sundays. "The exhibition, "Lydia Okumura: Situations" is free and open to the public. For more information please visit:

(http://weber.edu/shawgallery/).

About the Artist: Lydia Okumura (b. 1948, Sao Paulo) lives and works in New York and Sao Paulo. She was born to a Japanese immigrant family and attended a Japanese school in Brazilmerging two very distinct cultural influences that continue to resonate in her work. She specialized in industrial ceramics and painting, which she displayed at her first solo exhibition at Varanda Galeria in 1968. From 1970-1973, she attended Fundacao Armando Alvares Penteado and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts.

In 1970, Okumura began working in a collective based in Sao Paulo named Equipe3 with artists Genilson Soares and Francisco Inarra. With their installation in the 1973 International Biennial of Sao Paulo titled Pontos de vista (Points of View), Okumura developed her signature style of extended geometrical compositions in site-specific spaces. She received a four-year scholarship to the Pratt Graphics Center in 1974 and moved to New York.

Okumura first traveled to Japan in 1979 as a resident artist at Wako University, and subsequently has had numerous exhibitions in Japan, including in Today's Art of Brazil, in 1985an exhibition at the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, Japan, where Okumura's work was acquired for the Museum's permanent collection. The previous year, Okumura had a solo exhibition at the Sao Paulo Museum of Modern Art. Beginning in 1989, Okumura started working in the Public Services Department at the United Nations, while simultaneously producing art at her studio in Union Square, New York. Her work is included in numerous collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY; The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Japan; Museo de Art Moderna, Brazil; The Akron Art Museum, Ohio; and Museum of Belas Artes, Venezuela.

Lydia Okumura: Situations was organized by the University at Buffalo Art Galleries, Buffalo, New York. The Exhibition is curated by Rachel Adams, UB Art Galleries Senior Curator. Lydia Okumura: Situations is supported by BROADWAY 1602, UPTOWN & HARLEM, and Buffalo Wire Works.

Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery exhibitions and programs are generously supported by Mark E. & Lola G. Austad Endowment for Visual Arts, the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, the Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation, the Eccles Foundation, Ogden City Arts, Weber County RAMP, the Kimball Family Foundation, Tim and Stephanie Harpst, Jack and Bonnie Wahlen and Jim and MaryAnn Jacobs.

About the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities

The Weber State University Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities teaches students to excel as they seek, understand, question and express complexities critical to the experience of being human. The Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities offers five degree programs in the following areas: Communication, English, Foreign Language, Performing Arts and Visual Art & Design. Master's degrees are also offered in Communication and English. The college serves nearly 2,000 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate students. The Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities is the Western region's foremost institution for student-centered teaching and research which investigates the human experience and aims to educate global citizens who are responsible, creative and critical artists, performers and communicators. For more information please visit our website (http://www.weber.edu/cah), or online at (www.facebook.com/WSUartsandhumanities).

Contact:

Christie Denniston, APR

Director of Marketing and PR

Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities

Weber State University

Phone: 801-626-6431

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Weber State University Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities

Related Links

http://www.weber.edu/cah


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
Rome, Feb 22 : A paper bomb went off near the Italian parliament here as hundreds of taxi drivers protested over delays over an Italian legislation regulating app-based Uber and car-hire services.

The loud explosion on Tuesday shattered a large window in the 70th century Palazzo Macchi di Cellere, prompting shopkeepers to shutter their stores.

The blast spooked some protesters, who left the heavily policed Piazza di Monticitorio square, where the Italian Parliament is located.

The bomb exploded as Italy's Transport Minister Graziano Delrio met taxi union representatives in a bid to end a six-day strike by taxi drivers.

At least one demonstrator was injured during clashes with police outside the ruling Democratic Party's headquarters here.

Police charged at protesters who threw objects including glass bottles at officers and overturned tables and chairs at local bars and restaurants.

Videos were circulated on social media of a passer-by being beaten over the head with a baton, given first-aid by a reporter and taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Some protesters threw eggs at the Democratic Party headquarters and at Uber and car-hire drivers.

Drivers from all over Italy joined the Rome protest while wildcat strikes caused disruption to traffic in other major cities.

Taxi drivers said the legislation, which suspends until the end of 2017 norms to control car-hire and car-share services, helps Uber's "irregular" inroads into Italy's rigidly regulated taxi industry.

But supporters of the decree said Italians want greater choice in ride-sharing options.

Taxi services have been available to and from hospitals and for pregnant women and the disabled during the strike.
New York, Feb 22 : Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have developed a robotic arm that can drastically cut down the cost of performing complex, minimally invasive procedures, also known as laparoscopic surgery.

Minimally invasive procedures could lead to less trauma for patients and shorter recovery times after surgery.

The hand-held instrument developed at the University of Michigan in the US provides the same sorts of benefits as robot-assisted surgery, such as greater precision and functionality, but at a lower cost compared to existing robotic surgical systems, the creators said.

The new $500 surgical instrument could take the place of a $2 million robot for certain minimally invasive procedures, according to a university statement on Tuesday.

The lower cost could result in new capabilities for rural hospitals and other medical centres that cannot afford more expensive systems.

The technology gives surgeons a higher degree of dexterity and intuitive control than traditional laparoscopic instruments, said Shorya Awtar, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan in the US.

The technology is based on US National Science Foundation-funded engineering research and is being commercialised by FlexDex Surgical.

Awtar, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur, co-founded FlexDex with his University of Michigan colleague and surgery professor, James Geiger, and entrepreneur Greg Bowles.

Surgeons in Michigan began using the new instrument in January, according to the team.

"This is the culmination of 10 years of effort and to know that the device is performing exactly as we expected it would, impacting patients' lives in a positive way -- it is an amazing feeling," Geiger said.

FlexDex is an all-mechanical platform that mounts to the surgeon's arm. It uses a unique engineering approach to enable the tip of the instrument to mimic the direction of movement of the surgeon's hand.

"Wherever I move my hand, the tip of this instrument follows," Geiger said.

No other instrument currently on the market operates like this, according to the team.
New Delhi, Feb 22 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on a plea of Election Commission seeking cancellation of custody parole granted by the trial court to gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari for canvassing in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls.

Justice Mukta Gupta reserved the order after counsel for the poll panel and Ansari's counsel concluded arguments in the case.

Ansari is contesting the polls from Mau Sadar constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket.

The high court had on February 17 stayed the custody parole after the Election Commission moved the high court seeking Ansari's bail cancellation, granted by a special court in Delhi till March 4, on the ground that he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP lawmaker Krishnanand Rai, in which he is facing trial.

The Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant in the case also moved the high court, opposing Ansari's release from a Lucknow jail.

Senior advocates Salman Khurshid and Sudhir Nandrajog, appearing for Ansari, told the court that he hasa legal right to contest election and right to campaign has been given under Representation of the People Act.

Election Commission's counsel, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan however told the court that Ansari's release has direct impact on conduct of "free and fair election in the constituency".

Ansari's release may create fear in the mind of the voters if he Awas allowed to roam around in the constituency, he added.

The Commission also said that during election there is huge deployment of police force for free and fair election and policemen can not be added to his security during his release and campaigning process.

Uttar Pradesh government also said it can not provide more police force and "if something happens (after Ansasri's release) state will not be blamed", the counsel appearing for the state told the court.

Rai, along with six supporters, was shot dead in Bhanwarkol area in Ghazipur district on November 29, 2005. The case was transferred from Ghazipur to Delhi by the Supreme Court in 2013 on a plea filed by Alka Rai, wife of Rai.

A four-time legislator from Mau Sadar, Ansari is in jail since 2005. He has more than 40 criminal cases against him, including murder and kidnapping. The BSP had welcomed him and his family in January this year after his Qaumi Ekta Dal merged with the party ahead of the UP elections.
Hathras (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 22 : A bright and young final year student pursuing Chartered Accountants's course in Delhi remains untraced, five days after he went missing on the Yamuna Expressway.

His father Ambrish Maheshwari told IANS that police action had yielded no results so far.

"(There are) still no leads, no telephone calls for ransom" regarding Shubham Maheshwari, 23, the anguished father said. Hathras is located some 35 km from Aligarh.

Owner of a brick kiln, Maheshwari said his son boarded a bus from Anand Vihar in east Delhi on the morning of February 18.

"Shubham last called his mother around 9.30 a.m. from a highway toll plaza where the bus had stopped for snacks and tea. After that we have no idea what happened to him."

A statement was first given to Delhi's Shakarpur police station. An FIR was registered on February 19 at the Jevar police station in Gautam Buddh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.

Neighbours described Shubham as "a bright boy, usually calm, tall and handsome".

Bharat, a family friend in the neighbourhood, told IANS: "He never involved himself with 'mohalla' affairs and kept his distance. He is soft spoken and brilliant in studies."

Family members told IANS that the Chartered Accountants Institute should come forward to help the family.

"If the institute takes up his case and pressure the police to speed up investigation, it will be very helpful," Maheshwari said.

Till Wednesday evening, the family had not received any tip or phone call seeking ransom.

"But the suspicion of his having been kidnapped are very strong as he comes from a known business family," a local in the Dilliwala Chowk area told IANS.

This is one more instance of the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, residents say.

"Authorities cannot even secure the high-profile Yamuna Expressway from where people are frequently looted or kidnapped," complained an activist, Sachchendra Kumar Singh.

The young man was wearing a black and white check shirt with a brown jacket when he went missing.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : A day after DMK leader M.K. Stalin met President Pranab Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum on the events that took place in Tamil Nadu assembly last week, he met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday and discussed the political situation in the state.

"It was a courtesy call. He enquired about her (Sonia Gandhi) health and she enquired about party supremo Karunanidhi's health condition. It was a formal discussion. They also discussed political situation in Tamil Nadu," said a DMK leader, adding that the meeting lasted 25 minutes.

The leader said it "was also a strategy call" as Stalin came here for the first time after becoming the Working President of DMK. The party is also an alliance partner of the Congress in the UPA.

"Yesterday (Thursday), around 7 p.m., Stalin met the President and gave him a memorandum regarding what happened in the Tamil Nadu assembly (on February 18)," the leader said.

Stalin, who is also Leader of Opposition in the assembly, had filed a plea to seek annulment of the trust vote.

In his petition, the DMK leader also sought the court's directions to assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal to conduct the trust vote with a secret ballot under a monitoring committee comprising the Governor's Secretary, Chief Secretary and a senior official from the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court on Wednesday declined to pass any interim order to put on hold or annul the trust vote won by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and adjourned the case filed by Stalin for February 27.

The court also ordered submission of the video footage of the happenings in the Tamil Nadu assembly on February 18 -- the day Palaniswami sought and won the trust vote by securing 122 votes with only 11 against.

As a part of its multi-pronged attack on K. Palaniswami's government and to protest events inside Tamil Nadu assembly, the DMK, under the leadership of Stalin, also held a day-long hunger strike across the state.
Seoul, Feb 25 : 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.
Amritsar, Feb 25 : The Border Security Force (BSF) has handed over a Pakistani national who had crossed into the Indian territory inadvertently, officials said on Saturday.

The Pakistani national, Mureed Faqir, aged around 60, was apprehended by BSF troopers on Friday while he inadvertently crossed the International Boundary (IB) and entered Indian territory and reached near the border security fence, a BSF spokesman said here.

Faqir was apprehended in the operation area of Border Out Post (BoP) Donas Raja Deena Nath in Amritsar sector, the BSF spokesman said.

"The Pakistan Rangers were contacted and the apprehended Pakistani national was handed over to them being an inadvertent border crosser on humanitarian ground," the spokesman added.
Barcelona, Feb 27 : China's Lenovo Moto launched its new mobile devices Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus at Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's largest mobile industry event being held in Barcelona.

Moto G5 has a 2,800 mAh battery offering up to 24 hours of battery life.

Moreover, users can be always connected thanks to its rapid charging, which enables hours of battery with only a few minutes of charge, Xinhua news agency reported.

With a Snapdragon 430 processor, the Moto G5 has a 13 MP rear camera with autofocus software and a 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution.

The Moto G5 Plus has a 3,000 mAh battery, also offering up to 24 hours of battery life, which thanks to its TurboPower charger can be extended up to six hours of extra time in just 15 minutes.

With a 5.2-inch screen, the Moto G5 Plus has a rear camera with 12 MP with dual autofocus pixels, 5 MP front camera and a Snapdragon 625 processor.

The company said the Moto G5 Plus device will hit the market in the second quarter of 2017, while the Moto G5 will be available in late March in two different models with 2GB RAM or 3GB RAM.

On Sunday, several companies presented their new devices on the eve of the official opening of the MWC, which is expected to gather 2,200 exhibitors, 101,000 trade visitors from 200 countries and regions.
New York, Feb 27 : The US President Donald Trump has decided to compete with the Academy Awards ceremony by staging the White House Governor's Dinner, the first big black-tie soiree he has organised since taking office.

While the Oscars are under way in Los Angeles on Sunday evening, Trump and his wife Melania will host the annual ball to which the governors of the 50 states, both Democrats and Republicans, have been invited, Efe news agency reported.

The first lady said in a statement that Americans come together as a nation at this dinner, leaving aside political positions and partisan interests.

She will act as master of ceremonies at the high-profile dinner and, in so doing, will try to silence those who have criticised her for being largely absent from the White House, living in Manhattan as she does with her son Barron while he finishes out the school year.

With the ball, despite his extensive experience in show business, Trump on Sunday evening will immerse himself in hosting the governors and deflect or avoid directly witnessing the criticism that will probably be leveled at him at the Oscars, which begin at 5:30 pm Los Angeles time.

Most actors, many of whom are traditional progressives or liberals, appear to have testy relationships and negative opinions of Trump, who considers Hollywood part of the privileged and corrupt sector of the US.

Many film stars and other entertainers, in addition, threw themselves into Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and have harshly criticised the measures Trump has taken during his first month in office.

At the Golden Globe Awards in early January, actress Meryl Streep set the tone for that ceremony with an impassioned speech defending foreigners, artistic creation and the free press.

The 89th edition of the Academy Awards promises to be very politicised, but what is not yet clear is how Trump will respond.
Los Angeles, Feb 27 : Indian-origin British actor Dev Patel -- who is in contention for Best Actor in a Supporting Role trophy for "Lion" at Oscars -- brought his mother Anita to attend the 89th Academy Awards ceremony here.

The award gala is being held at Dolby Theatre here on Sunday.

Talking about his experience at the red carpets of Oscars, Dev said: "It is mind blowing. It is amazing. I am here with my mom...It is a beautiful and special moment and I am absorbing it now."

Dev looked daper in a white Burberry tuxedo, while his mother looked elegant in a black sari and added a touch of bling with gold work on it. With her hair tied up in a bun, Dev's mother opted to go for minimalistic with just long earrings to finish up her look.

"Lion", based on Saroo Brierley's best-selling autobiography "A Long Way Home", is a true story about an Indian boy who falls asleep on a train only to wake up and realise he is miles away from home in a strange land where he does not speak the language.

He experiences many challenges before getting adopted by a couple in Australia. Years later, he sets out to find his lost family.

He also said that with the role he had to "kind of battle my own resume" and convince people that he could disappear, change skin and be accepted as Saroo.

Dev also had his eight-year-old "Lion" co-star Sunny Pawar at the red carpet.

Talking about Sunny, Dev said: "He was icing on top and beautiful to work with him."

Dev also won a BAFTA Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Lion" earlier this month.
Manila, Feb 27 : The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group beheaded German hostage Jurgen Kantner after a deadline to negotiate his release expired, Philippine police said on Monday.

Philippines National Police chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said at a press conference that the execution took place in Zamboanga, Efe news quoted a report by ABS-CNB News.

Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS)terrorist group, earlier also beheaded Canadian hostages John Ridsdel and Robert Hall between April and June 2016 after hostage negotiations failed.
Lucknow, Feb 27 : Brisk polling is reported from most of the 51 constituencies where elections are underway amid tight security in the fifth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, a poll officer said.

People turned up early to vote in Amethi where a high-profile battle was on between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Despite being in alliance for the 403-seat assembly polls, both parties fielded their candidates in Amethi, a Gandhi bastion.

Amita Singh, who is the Congress candidate from Amethi, is the wife of the party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and has been a legislator in the past.

Singh cast her vote in the first hour as polling began at 7 a.m. She told reporters that people were with her party and that she would win.

Pitted against her, is SP's Gayatri Prajapati, the "tainted" minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government against whom the Supreme Court ordered an FIR in a gang rape case.

Prajapati also cast his vote and claimed that not only would he win but also that the SP would again form the government in the state, with Akhilesh Yadav as the Chief Minister for a second term.

People made long queues in many other places like Faizabad, Bahraich, Basti, Gonda, Siddharthanagar, Sant Kabeernagar, Sultanpur and Shrawasti.

At many places, technical snags in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) lead to delays and disruptions in the polling process.

According to officials, these technical snags were reported from booth numbers 292 in Devipatan, Labhua (203), booth numbers 51,52 and 55 in Siddharthanagar.

Over 1.84 crore voters will decide the fate of 617 candidates from 11 districts till 5 p.m. There are as many as 43 women in the fray.

Voting for Alapur seat in Ambedkar Nagar was countermanded and then deferred to March 8 due to the death of an SP candidate.

In the 2012 polls, the ruling SP bagged 37 of these 52 seats (including Alapur), the Bahujan Samaj Party three, Bharatiya Janata Party five, the Congress five and the Peace Party two.
London, Feb 27 : A lawyer representing Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said that there was a "great concern" that a new Ecuadorian President could force him out of the country's London embassy, the media reported on Sunday.

Ecuador's presidential race will be decided in a run-off election, to be held April 2, between ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno and opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso.

Moreno has indicated he would back Assange's continued stay, while Lasso has indicated he would evict the Australian activist within 30 days of taking office.

"We are preparing potential legal remedies should the opposition come to power in Ecuador," Jennifer Robinson, a member of the legal team representing Assange and Wikileaks, told NBC News.

"You don't change asylum protections just because a change of government," she added.

Assange was granted asylum in Ecuador in 2012, and has been sheltering in the country's UK embassy since then, in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault.

The whistleblower said he fears Swedish authorities could deport him to the US, where he argues his work with Wikileaks could earn him life in prison or even the death penalty.

Robinson also expressed concerns about Assange's wellbeing, after over four and a half years of living in the embassy.

"His health is deteriorating. It's obviously far from ideal but given the difficult circumstances he is doing incredibly well, but the situation has to end and it is in the hands of the US administration to end that situation," the lawyer told NBC News.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : The AAP on Monday slammed the BJP for not condemning those issuing "rape threats" on social media to a Delhi University student who took a stand against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

"A girl is being threatened by rape on social media. Not a single BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) or RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) leader called it wrong or condemned it. Why," Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh tweeted.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an army Captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

She later received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP on Sunday over the issue and said it had now become a party of "hooligans" and "criminals".

Sharing a video of Kaur speaking about the "graphically detailed" rape threat she received, Kejriwal tweeted: "Just listen to this. This is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism."

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he added.

Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing 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.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.
Seoul, Feb 27 : South Korea's Constitutional Court on Monday began the final hearing in President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial for her involvement in a corruption scandal.

However, President Park did not appear at the hearing and will instead have her defence attorney read her closing statement, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The prosecution's final argument was made by the National Assembly impeachment panel, starting with Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the minor conservative Bareun Party.

Park was impeached on Dec. 9 for allegedly letting her friend Choi Soon-sil meddle in state affairs and colluding with her to extort money from local conglomerates.

If the court upholds the impeachment and permanently removes Park from office, South Korea is required to hold a presidential election within 60 days.

Dozens of Park's supporters rallied to demand the court's rejection of the impeachment. The protests were non-violent, although sometimes rowdy, prompting police to intervene and remove protesters from the site.

A group of anti-Park protesters held a separate rally outside the court before the hearing began.

Park's lawyers are again expected to challenge the legitimacy of the trial. They have argued the court has been unfair toward the president by closing hearings at an early date.

Some of them have hinted they may not accept the court's ruling because it will be delivered by eight justices instead of nine, following the retirement of Chief Justice Park Han-chul last month.

The court is expected to announce its ruling by March 13, when acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi is set to retire.

Some legal experts speculate that the court may break from past practice and announce the date of its ruling at the end of Monday's hearing to prevent unnecessary social strife.

The court usually announces the date of a ruling three or four days in advance.
Los Angeles, Feb 27 : In a rare and unexpected gaffe, "La La Land" which dominated the 89th Academy Awards, was announced the winner of the Best Picture category, when in fact it was "Moonlight".

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway who were called to announce the winner, pondered a while before reading the cue card, which ended up being wrong.

The "La La Land" makers were mostly through their speech before the error was realised, and a representative said: "There's a mistake... 'Moonlight', you guys won Best Picture... This is not a joke, I'm afraid they read the wrong thing. 'Moonlight' Best Picture."

"Moonlight", reportedly one of the films with the lowest budget ($1.5 million) to win an Oscar, was nominated for the Best Picture honour with "Hidden Figures", "Hell or High Water", "Arrival", "Lion", "La La Land", "Fences", "Manchester by the Sea" and "Hacksaw Ridge".

The winning film tells a story of a young Cuban black man who struggles through life in a rough neighborhood of Miami. The victory of this tale also goes on to make a strong statement at a time when US President Donald Trump has launched a tirade against immigrants in the country.

After the unprecedented mix-up on stage, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel said: "I blame myself for this. I knew I'd screw this up... I promise I'll never come back."

The incident was reminiscent of comedian Steve Harvey's infamous Miss Universe goof up in 2016, when he mistakenly gave the crown to the wrong winner.

Taking a dig at the Oscars, a post from the official account of Miss Universe, read: "Have your people call our people - we know what to do. #Oscars #MissUniverse."
Colombo, Feb 27 : Seven persons were killed in an attack on a prison bus in southern Sri Lanka on Monday, police said.

A criminal gang member, Aruna Udayashantha, was killed in the shooting incident in Kalutara town, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.

This is the second shooting targeting a prison bus over the past one year in Sri Lanka.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to release gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari on parole for canvassing in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls.

Justice Mukta Gupta allowed the plea of the Election Commission (EC) which moved the high court challenging a trial court's order granting bail to Ansari till March 4 to campaign.

Ansari is contesting the polls from Mau Sadar constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket.

The high court had on February 17 stayed the custody parole after the EC moved the court seeking the cancellation on the ground that Ansari might influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case.

A special court in Delhi earlier granted bail to Ansari in the murder case of BJP lawmaker Krishnanand Rai.
Ranchi, Feb 27 : Jharkhand government has decided to ban polythene in the state, an official said on Monday.

"Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has asked to bring a proposal regarding banning of the polythene in the next cabinet meeting. There will be also a move on sending people to jail who uses polythene in the state," said an official to IANS.

The official said that motive behind the ban is to protect environment and save the cows.

"Cows eat polythene which causes their death. Banning of polythene use will protect their lives," the official added.

The official said that the quantum of sentence of violating the polythene use is not clear.
Chennai, Feb 27 : Citing legal provisions that bars a convict from exercising the right to vote, former AIADMK Member of Parliament K.C. Palaniswamy on Monday urged the Election Commission to disqualify V.K. Sasikala as party General Secretary.

Former Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy told IANS that law has to prevent convicts from holding party posts to ensure probity in public life.

"Section 62(5) of The Representation of People Act, 1951 clearly bars a convict from voting in any election in India. The right to vote is the basic democratic right in India," Palaniswamy, former MP and AIADMK member, told IANS here on Monday.

Section 62(5) of the Representation of People Act reads as follows: "No person shall vote at any election if he is confined in a prison, whether under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custody of the police:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to a person subjected to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force."

Palaniswamy said the law is clear that a convict does not have a voting right.

"As a logical corollary a person whose basic democratic right is cancelled should not be allowed to participate in the democratic process as a leader of a political party," Palaniswamy argued.

He said AIADMK's interim General Secretary Sasikala is convicted for four years in a corruption case.

"In AIAMDK it is the General Secretary who authorises party candidates and allots the party symbol to them to fight elections. Further it is the General Secretary who issues the directions to the party Whip as to how the party legislators have to vote in the assembly or in the Parliament," Palaniswamy said.

"How can a person who is legally barred from participating in the basic democratic process - voting in an election - indirectly take charge of a political party," Palaniswamy argued.

Asked for his comments, former Chief Election Commissioner Krishnamurthy told IANS: "Section 11A and Section 65 of the Representation of People Act prevent a convicted person in respect of certain offences from voting in election to Parliament/State Assembly but such persons are not disqualified from holding positions in a political party."

"Time has indeed come for law to prevent such persons holding party posts to ensure probity in public life," Krishnamurthy added.

"Hence keeping the Representative of Peoples Act in mind the Election Commission should act swiftly to declare that such convicts and disqualified persons cannot hold any post in the political parties which may include the primary membership. This will set a precedence in the electoral reforms to a greater extent," Palaniswamy said.

Palaniswamy said he has sent an additional representation to the Election Commission.

This follows his petition sent in January 2017 in which he had urged the poll panel to appoint an independent and fearless officer to conduct the election for the post of General Secretary of AIADMK, restrain the present office bearers from being removed or replaced, so as to ensure a level playing field, till the holding of elections, and sought that direction be given to the present office bearers not to alienate or fritter away the assets of the party other than those necessary for the regular expenses of the party and not to decide on any policy decisions till the elections are over, including expulsion of any member of the party.

He also sought that the appointment of Sasikala as "interim general secretary", on December 29 last year, not be recognised.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : A Delhi University student who got rape and death threats on social media after launching an online campaign against the ABVP on Monday approached the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

Gurmehar Kaur met DCW chief Swati Maliwal and complained against the online threats she had been receiving ever since she stood up to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a DCW official said.

Daughter of an army officer killed in the Kargil war, the Lady Shri Ram College student posted pictures on her Facebook page saying: "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

She hashtagged #StudentsAgainstABVP

Kaur launched the online campaign against the RSS student wing after the February 22 violence in Delhi University's Ramjas College.

She then received rape and death threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Speaking to the media on Monday, Kaur said she was not afraid because she was fighting for "the right cause".

"Just because you are a student organisation which is in power does not mean you can threaten me. I don't want to be scared of you.

"A student organisation's job is to work for the welfare of the students, not to rule them or to scare them," she said.

"I am getting hundreds of threats. If I start lodging complaints against each of them, then even the police would ask me to stop," she added.

Along with threats, Kaur has also received the support of innumerable people -- young and old -- for her stand against the ABVP and violence on the campus.
The Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority are pleased to announce that the 16th edition of the Malta International Fireworks Festival will be taking place on three nights between Saturday April 22nd and Sunday April 30th 2017.

The Festival will be taking place in three different locations around the Maltese Islands, namely Xagra (Gozo), Marsaxlokk and Valletta. The event kicks off in Gozo on Saturday April 22nd , followed by a performance in Marsaxlokk on Friday April 28th , and the Grand Finale taking place in the Grand Harbor, Valletta on Sunday April 30th 2017.

This years closing event is going to be particularly special, as apart from marking the anniversary of Malta joining the European Union, it will also form part of the celebrations to mark the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The music that will be used during the Grand Finale will be produced by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra to accompany the fireworks display performed by Pyroemotions and St Mary Fireworks Factory of al-Gaxaq, with the latter being the 2016 festival winners.

Another novelty introduced this year is that, for the first time, all Malta Pyrotechnic Association members and observers were permitted to apply for a spot in the Festival.

In order to encourage increased local participation, the Organizing Committee has decided to reward the highest placed local competitor with an invitation to participate at an international fireworks festival, taking place overseas, in order to showcase our skills.

This year, MTA received a total of 12 applicants, with 10 being from overseas, namely Italy, France, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Croatia, Czech Republic and Ukraine, with the remaining 2 being local.

From these, 6 participants were shortlisted, and expectations are high for this years festival as the chosen foreign participants have all won firework competitions overseas in the past.

All the foreign participants are free to purchase their fireworks from local licensed fireworks factories, while the local participants must let off their own manufactured fireworks.

MTA CEO, Mr Paul Bugeja, said that this Festival is one of the main highlights in the Maltese calendar of events and it has grown in popularity both locally and abroad. Mr Bugeja continued by thanking all those involved in this Festival, in particular the organizing committee this year lead by Dr Godfrey Farrugia. It is relevant to note that this event is generating substantial trade to a wide spectrum of stakeholders wherever this is being organized. Gozo in particular has now become a permanent calendar event which helps to reduce seasonality even further in our sister Island.
Kabul, Feb 27 : Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday said his country is not a threat to any other country.

"Afghanistan is an independent country and will remain so for hundreds of years to come," Ghani said here.

"Those who want to change Afghanistan into a battle field will take their wishes to the grave with them."

The President also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the security forces and said: "Mawlawi Salam, [Taliban's shadow governor for Kunduz] and his fighters were eliminated in Kunduz because of you."

"Terrorists do not have the ability to face Afghan security forces," he said.
New Delhi : Title: Immortal; Author: Krishna Udayasankar; Publisher: Hachette India; Pages: 408; Price: Rs 399 Some mythological/folklore motifs can be found in all civilisations, and one yardstick of their prominence in public perception is the extent they figure in popular literature, especially thrillers. This was one genre the West scored higher till now with Indians most remiss in making use of a bountiful heritage - till now.

A 'philosopher's stone', capable of transmuting base metals into valuable ones, or conferring everlasting life, is not only the preserve of Harry Potter universe, or for that matter, a man fated to remain immortal ranges beyond the Wandering Jew but we never recognised them in our folklore.

And this is where Krishna Udayansankar steps in, to give them their due.

Already having a creative and most different reinterpretation of the Mahabharata to her credit in the Aryavarta Chronicles trilogy, her new venture features the epic's most potent, promising but scandalously underutilised character - Ashvatthama, son of the preceptor Drona.

But we come across him in our age where he now goes under the identity of Professor Bharadvaj, a historian known for hunting lost artefacts for well-heeled clients. But he makes clear he is "not your Indiana Jones variety of tomb-raiding, whip-snapping adventure hero" and seemingly frivolous offers can go to the "Harry Potter section".

Comparisons with Dan Brown and the spate of other mytho-thrillers are obvious, but Udayasankar, whose corpus also included a novel based on the founding myth of Singapore and full-length collection of prose-poems, makes her contribution stand out in some vital ways.

Key among this is the character she has chosen, and his demeanour - hard-bitten and jaded cynical, snarky, restless, ruthless (when needed), and not still content with his fate. Then the point of view is first person, which makes for some incisive looks at philosophical issues, including mortality and destiny. It also offers tantalising recollections of a rich tapestry of global history and culture our protagonist has participated in or witnessed closely.

Commencing with a rather grisly subterranean encounter in South America - which does gives us a striking impression of his prowess, the story proper begins aptly in the eternal city of Varanasi where we get better acquainted with him, and his friend Hariprasad Namdeo, alias Baba Shivdas, the only one who knows his secret.

However, this is also a point when the professor is convinced it is time to change identities again as he been doing frequently through his 4000-year existence. But as he is preparing to vanish after a dip in the Ganga, fate intervenes - via his mobile phone.

It is his assistant in Delhi, telling him that a persistent client seems promising that forces him to change his mind. It is a young, rather determined woman who seeks to enlist his service to find the Vajra - an Indian equivalent of the philosopher's stone developed by legendary ancient philosopher Nagarjuna.

Our man is first disappointed and declines, terming it a futile quest - for he has been searching for it unsuccessfully for eons now in an attempt to understand his own condition. He is slowly won around after she produces what she claims is a piece out of the three in which it was broken and hidden at dispersed places by its creator. Also helping him is the spate on attacks on them by some unidentified assailants.

The search takes them on a racy, hazardous quest to the Somnath Temple, the Kashi Vishwanath/Gyanvapi complex, Mount Arunachalam in Tamil Nadu, the Hingula Devi in Balochistan before a shocking, cliff-hanger of a climax in suburban Bangalore. And then friends and foes are not what they seem and heartbreaking choices have to be made.

Udayasankar not only creates a vigorous pace but spices our interest with brief, most well-researched digressions into the professor's past, including in ancient Greece and its imperial Persian foe, the Crusades (though Saladin was not in power in 1160) and even down to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA's valiant but doomed fight.

Most of these demand a fleshing out in subsequent installments, for one does hope this is the debut of a new series since the character is too valuable for a sole appearance. And when you get to the final paragraphs, you will crave the next comes early.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Dharamsala, Feb 27 : Tibetans in exile settled in Dharamsala, where their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is also residing, on Monday celebrated the first day of the Tibetan lunar new year Losar.

Special prayers were held in the morning at the hilltop Tsuglagkhang temple close to the official palace of the Dalai Lama at McLeodganj, where Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay expressed concern over the plight of people of Tibet.

According to the Tibetan lunar calendar, Losar is the first day of the New Year. Traditionally, it is celebrated in a big way for three days.

The festival marks sacred and secular practices like prayers, ceremonies, rituals and folk dancing and merrymaking.

"Losar is an important traditional festival of Tibet, and therefore it is celebrated with wholehearted thrill and joy to bring auspiciousness. Tibetan people have the most precious responsibility to preserve our unique identity, rich culture, heritage and Tibetan Buddhist tradition," Sangay said in a statement.

He said the situation inside Tibet continued to remain grim under repression and oppression.

"Those of us who are in exile should be aware of it and summon courage and determination to carry forward the Tibetan freedom movement, based on truth, justice and non-violence."

Extending greetings, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is the third most important Tibetan religious head, said in a message: "May the year of the Fire Bird brings you good health, peace and joy and all your aspirations be fulfilled."

The Dalai Lama and his followers fled Tibet after a failed uprising against China's communist rule in 1959.

Around 140,000 Tibetans now live in exile, over 100,000 of them in different parts of India.

Over six million Tibetans live in Tibet.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : AAP legislator Rajesh Rishi's brother was arrested here on Monday for allegedly assaulting an elderly woman over a parking dispute, police said.

The Janakpuri MLA's brother, Rajeev Rishi, was also accused of assaulting the victim's husband Virender Singh in the Sunday night incident at Dabri in west Delhi.

Police said Rishi and his friend Satish Yadav were arrested after they attacked the couple over parking issues.

"Rajeev and Satish along with some AAP workers got into a fight with their neighbours after the couple opposed the parking of cars as it created nuisance for residents," Deputy Commissioner of Police Surender Kumar told IANS.

The elderly couple demanded that the Aam Aadmi Party supporters remove their cars, Kumar said.

According to the police, the victim alleged that the parking trouble started in January when a large number of ticket seekers came to Rishi's home to seek ticket for the upcoming civic polls.

"Some drivers were found consuming liquor in the cars in the evenings," Kumar quoted the victim as saying.

The couple said they had gone to Rishi to discuss the parking problem but instead got manhandled by the two men now under arrest, Kumar said.

The entire incident was captured on mobile phones by some residents, Kumar added.
Mumbai, Feb 27 : A glorious era of the flagship of the Indian Navy, the INS Viraat, will end next Monday with her decommissioning after 57 years of service, including 27 with the Royal Navy, a top official said here.

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba - who was once the executive officer of the ship in 1998 - will be present for the momentous occasion, along with some officers and men from India and United Kingdom who serve with her, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra, said.

At sunset on March 6, the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pendent will be lowered for the last time on board INS Viraat symbolizing the end of her glorious era in Indian naval history, Vice-Admiral Luthra said taking around a media contingent on board the ship for the last time.

The ceremonies of the Guinness Record holder warship shall be commemorated by releasing a book on her history, and a Special Cover by Army Postal Service, he added.

On plans for converting the ship into a memorial floating museum, he said the central government is examining various aspects and proposals and would convey about it to the Indian Navy soon.

The Andhra Pradesh government has formally evinced interest in making the INS Viraat a museum, though similar plans for the erstwhile Vikrant had failed.

"We were keen to retain (INS) Vikrant (as a museum), but it did not materialize," Vice-Admiral Luthra said, referring to the country's first aircraft carrier which ended up in the scrap yard in Mumbai.

Presently, INS Vikramaditya is the only serving aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy and the second one, named Vikrant, is under construction at Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

"We expected that she will be ready for sea trials by the end of 2018. Ideally we should have three aircraft carriers and a long-term perspective plan looks at three such warships.. While one can be deployed on the western seaboard, the second can be on the eastern seaboard and third can be taken up for refits," he pointed out.

As far as a third aircraft carrier is concerned -- after INS Vikramaditya and the under-construction Vikrant, concept studies have been completed and deliberations on size are underway, Vice-Admiral Luthra said.

The motto of the outgoing warship, INS Viraat was 'Jalamev Yasya, Balmev Tasya' (Sanskrit, meaning - One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful), which was first adopted by the great warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century as the guiding principle of his naval-military strategy.

It housed the fighters 'White Tigers' - the Sea Harriers of INAS 300, which were decomissioned in Goa in May 2016, anti-submarine aircraft Sea King MK42B, Sea King MK42C or 'Harpoons', SAR helicopter Chetan, besides ALH 'Dhruv' and Russian twin rotor Kamov-31.

Under the Indian flag, she clocked more than 22,622 flying hours by various aircraft, spent around 2,252 days at sea sailing 10,94,215 km, and since her inception her boiler was running for 80,715 hours.

She played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 in Sri Lankan Peace Keeping operations, Operation Parakram in 2001-2002 when India and Pakistan were in a stand-off post-terror strikes on Indian Parliament, among others.

She took part in various international joint exercises like Exercise Malabar (USA), Exercise Varuna (France), Naseem-Al-Bahar (Oman), at all the annual theatre level war exercise, TROPEX and her last operational deployment was at the International Fleet Review, Visakhapatnam, in February 2016.

With a full load displacement of 28,700 tonnes, the 226.5 metres long and 48.78 metres wide ship was manned by 150 officers and 1,500 sailors.
Bhopal, Feb 27 : A special court in Indore on Monday handed life sentences to 11 SIMI activists, including Safdar Nagori, for anti-national activities.

The trial against Nagori and 10 other Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) members was conducted on charges of possession of firearms and explosives and also for indulging in 'anti-national' activities.

Ten of the 11 convicts are lodged in the Sabarmati jail in Gujarat.

One of the convicts, Munroz, who was out on bail, was rearrested after his conviction and sent to jail, district Public Prosecutor Vimal Kumar Mishra told IANS.

On March 26, 2008, a joint team of Madhya Pradesh police and Special Investigation Team had raided a place in Dhar district's Peethampur area but the accused managed to flee.

They were later caught from Indore's Shyam Nagar along with firearms and explosives on the intervening night of March 26 and 27, 2008.
Seoul/Kuala Lumpur, Feb 27 : Two North Korean ministries orchestrated the plot to kill Kim Jong-nam on the orders of Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea's spy agency said on Monday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said four of the eight suspects behind the murder worked for Pyongyang's Ministry of State Security, with two others being from the Foreign Ministry, Yonhap reported.

"The assassination of Kim Jong-nam was an act of systematic terror ordered by Kim Jong-un," South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-kee said in a televised address. "The operation was conducted with two assassination groups and one supporting group."

The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died earlier this month after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from Kuala Lumpur Airport. Malaysia said an autopsy showed he was poisoned with VX nerve agent and died within 20 minutes.

Seoul's Unification Ministry slammed Pyongyang for using VX nerve agent, which is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations.

"We strongly condemned North Korea for using a chemical weapon against a civilian," Jeong Joon-hee, a ministry spokesman, told a press briefing. "The government plans to take joint actions against Pyongyang with the international community."

Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said now is the time to make North Korea realise that it cannot sustain the regime with a reign of terror.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has requested the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur allow a diplomat and an airline employee to cooperate in a probe into the death of Kim Jong-nam, the news agency reported.

The Malaysian police said last week that Hyon Kwang-song, the second secretary at the embassy, and Kim Uk-il, an employee at Air Koryo, the country's flag carrier, are suspected of being involved in the killing of Kim on February 13.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry is believed to have sent an official document requesting the North Korean mission to cooperate in the investigation as Hyon and Kim are wanted for questioning, Yonhap said.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose campaign against the ABVP has gone viral, found herself at the centre of a major row on Monday as the ruling BJP and the opposition traded charges over the Ramjas College clashes, re-igniting the intolerance debate.

Facing death and rape threats after her social media campaign against the RSS student wing, Kaur, daughter of an Army officer killed in the Kargil war, was compared to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim by a BJP MP while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju wondered who was "polluting" her mind.

But Kaur got the endorsement of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and many others for her stand against the ABVP and violence on the campus. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) urged the police to act against those threatening her.

Kaur, a student of the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College, insisted she won't be intimidated.

"I am not afraid because I am fighting for the right thing," she said, adding she was getting numerous threats on phone and social media besides filthy comments.

"It would be very nice if I get protection. Fear is not in my blood. My father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to do that," she added.

Kaur, 20, told the media that nobody had the right to threaten any woman with rape.

Kaur took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which controls the Delhi University Students Union, after ABVP activists were blamed for the attacks on students, teachers and journalists in the campus.

Students opposed to the Ramjas College violence of February 22 and the online threats against Kaur have decided to take out a march in the Delhi University on Tuesday.

The issue triggered a war of words between the BJP and the Congress.

"Criticise the government but don't abuse the motherland," Rijiju said, after Kaur also posted: "Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him."

BJP MP Pratap Simha from Mysuru posted an image of Dawood on Twitter with the words "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them."

The MP added: "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand."

Both Rijiju and Simha faced widespread flak.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a Gurmehar Kaur."

Said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari: "An atmosphere is being created to protect those who support violence or are fascist in nature. But those who try to express something within the limits of the Constitution, they face violence."

The Congress also targeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his remark in London that "there is an alliance of subversion on Indian campuses".

Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party blamed the Modi government for the threats to Kaur and accused the ABVP of unleashing violence "both in the real and the online world".

Union ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back at the opposition for its narrative of attack on freedom of expression.

"Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country? Does freedom of expression mean raising slogans like Azadi for Kashmir, Azadi for Bastar?" asked Prasad.

Naidu accused Leftists of trying to turn universities into "laboratories for separatist experiments". He called the ABVP "a nationalist organisation".

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Varanasi: "I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner."
Rabat, Feb 27 : Brazil has commended the return of Morocco to the African Union (AU) which, it said, is likely to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among African countries.

Morocco's presence within the AU will contribute to strengthening dialogue and cooperation ties binding the community of African countries, said Brazil's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Brazil also reaffirmed its determination to continue to work with Morocco to promote the bonds of friendship between the two countries.

Morocco joined the AU in January after a 33-year gap. The country left the AU's predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, in 1984 after the body recognised the independence of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : A BJP MP from Karnataka on Monday courted controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents Mysuru, on Sunday posted an image on micro-blogging site Twitter with the pictures of Gurmehar, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, on one side and Dawood on the other.

In the post, Gurmehar, who launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College, is addressed as a soldier's daughter and is compared with Dawood, who is addressed as the son of a policeman.

In the image, she is holding a placard "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him" while Dawood is shown holding a placard which reads "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them." The caption reads "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand".

Condemning this, Congress said Simha "doesn't deserve to be in Parliament".

"Someone who has no respect for the families of martyrs, someone who has no respect for the pain of a young lady who grew up without her father because her father laid down his life to protect the unity and integrity of the country.

"Such a gentleman definitely has no right to sit on the highest portals of the Indian democracy," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

"Unfortunately this is an ethos which has become intrinsic to the BJP because it flows from the top.

"When you have the prime minister (Narendra Modi) referring to the media as 'bazaroo', ministers referring to journalists as 'presstitutes', front organisations of the RSS and BJP perpetrating violence, then obviously their members of parliament feel that possibly by insulting the family members of the Kargil martyrs, they also may find a place in Modi's cabinet," he added.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid.















New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Congress on Monday said it will not extend support to the Shiv Sena for the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation mayoral election, explaining "it is more important for the party to fight communal forces".

"Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam has already clarified that the Congress will not support the Shiv Sena," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

"As far as the Congress is concerned, fighting communal forces is more important than supporting any party while keeping political equations in mind," he added.

However, senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told IANS: "Nothing has been decided yet (on support to the Shiv Sena). I don't know anything else."

He said this gave an indication that parleys with the Shiv Sena were on after no party notched up a clear majority in the corporation elections.

Serious differences emerged on Saturday in the Congress over the issue of support to the Shiv Sena.

All India Congress Committee General Secretary and seniormost Congress leader Gurudas Kamat raised "strong objections" to even any discussion on a tie-up or indirect support to the Shiv Sena in the BMC.

Nirupam has already clarified that the party was not interested in supporting the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray.

The Congress won 31 of the 227 seats in the local body, compared with Shiv Sena's tally (84+3) and the BJP (82).
New Delhi : New Delhi, Feb 27 IANS) India and Israel will hold a series of events in both countries on a variety of subjects to celebrate the silver jubilee of their diplomatic relations, an official release said on Monday.

On Tuesday, a logo will be unveiled jointly by Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relation) and Daniel Carmon, lsraeli Ambassador to India, at the lndira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts here to mark the occasion.

"India and Israel have been cooperating with each other on many fronts and achieved many milestones in fostering bilateral relationship," a Ministry of External Affairs release said.

Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, India and Israel have been cooperating in many areas like defence, agriculture, science and technology, education, dairy, innovation etc.

India is one of the leading importers of Israeli defence equipment, including missiles, drones, radars and other critical military components.

Israel is also a major contributor of defence technology to India.
Tehran, Feb 27 : Iran's Culture Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday lauded prominent director Asghar Farhadi's best foreign film Oscar win for his movie "The Salesman".

"With Farhadi's film The Salesman, the voice of the Iranian culture was heard in the world," state news agency Irna quoted Salehi-Amri as stating.

"Iranian culture is a culture of peace, friendship, convergence and coexistence.

"This message and this award showed that the US President's behaviour is against peace and friendship," Salehi-Amir added in a reference to Donald Trump's controversial ban on citizens of seven Muslim countries.

Salehi-Amir praised the art and cinema community for awarding Farhadi an Oscar at the Los Angeles awards ceremony on Sunday - and his boycotting of the star-studded event.

"Your symbolic absence from the Oscar awards ceremony has unmasked the so-called defenders of human rights while revealing the true image of Iranians."

Zarif added his praise of Farhadi's Oscar win.

"Proud of cast & crew of 'The Salesman' for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia," Zarif tweeted.

In his acceptance statement, read out by two Iranian Americans at the ceremony in Los Angeles, Farhadi said his absence was in protest at Trump's "disrespectful" three-month travel and visa ban.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US," read Farhadi's statement.

"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war," the statement added.

All six directors nominated in the best foreign language film category signed a statement before the ceremony condemning a "climate of fascism" in the US.

Despite being granted special permission to attend, Farhadi said last month he would not take part in the Oscar awards after Trump on 27 January imposed the ban on nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Taraneh Alidoosti, leading actress in the movie, also declined to attend the Oscars ceremony to show her rejection of what she called Trump's "racist" visa ban for Iranians.

"The Salesman" tells the tale of a married couple who are appearing in a local production of Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" and whose lives are thrown into turmoil after the wife is attacked while home alone, causing the husband to seek revenge.

Before the Oscar ceremony on Sunday, "The Salesman" was screened in London's Trafalgar Square at the request of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who referred to the Trump ban as "cruel" and "shameful".

US courts have blocked the travel ban but the Trump administration is preparing a new executive order.

Farhadi's earlier drama "A Separation" won the best foreign language film Oscar in 2012 and a Golden Globe award the same year.
Chandigarh, Feb 27 : Eight students were detained by the Chandigarh Police on Monday after a clash between members of two student organisations here.

The clash took place between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Students for Free Society (SFS) at the Students' Centre on Panjab University campus here.

Police officials said that tension had been brewing between both sides since Sunday.

The students were detained to maintain law and order.
Kolkata, Feb 27 : A major fire broke out at a multi-storied building in the commercial hub Burrabazar area in central Kolkata on Monday, police and fire brigade sources said.

The fire was first noticed at 9.30 p.m. at a plastic warehouse on the ground floor of 3, Amratala Lane.

There were no reports of any casualty and injury.

State Fire Service Minister Sovan Chatterjee visited the spot to monitor the fire fighting operation.

"Around 21-22 fire engines are working. The fire fighters are having to carry water from other areas to douse the flames. We hope the fire would be controlled within a short while," said Chatterjee, also the city Mayor.
London, Feb 28 : Britain has deported a woman without warning because she allegedly spent too much time abroad.

Irene Clennell has been married for 27 years to a British man and has two children by him.

Clennell was deported from Britain to Singapore on Sunday, reportedly with only $15 on her, because she had no legal right to remain in the country, Xinhua news agency quoted the Britain's Home Office as saying on Monday.

"Clennell last entered Britain as a visitor in 2013 and went on to make an application to remain as the spouse of her husband in 2013, this was refused and her appeal rights were exhausted on July 10, 2014," the Home Office said.

Clennell, 53, reportedly first arrived in the country in 1988, married her husband two years later and received an indefinite residence permit in 1992, a right which she then lost by failing to comply with the conditions of that authorisation.

Britain's visa system for marriages with non-European Union nationals requires the British spouse to show annual earnings of at least $23,175 and that the couple can demonstrate long uninterrupted periods of time living in the country.

According to the BBC public network, Clennell and her husband, John, moved to Singapore in 1992, while he returned in 1998 to Britain with the couple's two children.

She remained in the Asian country to look after her mother, although she claims that she visited Britain several times during short periods, and returned to reside in the country from 2003 to 2005.

In 2007 she was denied entry to the country at a British airport, as persons with an indefinite residence permit must present a visa if they have been away for more than two years.

"Where a person is granted indefinite leave to remain, it will lapse if they live outside of Britain for two years or more," the Home Office said.

A statement went on to explain that Clennell had spent the majority of her life, and her married life, living in Singapore.

"Clennell was granted indefinite leave to remain in 1992 but this lapsed after she went on to live outside Britain for more than two years," the statement said.

An internet campaign over the internet has raised more than $37,350 to help Clennell.
Russian President Vladimir Putin began a two-day, three-nation tour of Central Asia on February 27, seeking to shore up ties with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Putin met with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev in Almaty and touted recent talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, seeking a resolution of the 6-year-old war in Syria.

"The Kazakh side has played a positive role, not only as a host and organizer of the event but in fact influenced the positive results of the Astana gathering," Putin said.

Nazarbaev said that a quarter century after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is Kazakhstan's "No. 1 economic and political partner."

"In 25 years, we have established exemplary ties that should be between friendly neighboring countries," Nazarbaev said.

Nazarbaev, 76, has been in power since before the Soviet collapse. In late January, he said he would delegate some of his sweeping powers to parliament and the cabinet, raising questions about an eventual transition in the oil-rich, tightly controlled country.

Russia is vying for influence in Central Asia with China, which also borders Kazakhstan and has increased its clout in the region in recent years.

After talks with Nazarbaev, Putin traveled to Tajikistan and held talks with President Emomali Rahmon.

On February 28, Putin will visit Kyrgyzstan.

The Kyrgyz visit comes amid rancor over the detention of opposition leader Omurbek Tekebaev, who Kyrgyz authorities say is being held as part of a criminal corruption investigation.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia are members of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), groupings that Moscow uses to maintain influence in the region.

The Kremlin says Putin's trip is meant to mark the 25th anniversary of Moscow's diplomatic relations with the three Central Asian nations. He is not visiting the other two, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Along with Russia and 11 other Soviet republics, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan gained independence when the Soviet Union fell apart in December 1991.

With reporting by Interfax and TASS
Behlman Electronics Inc., is known for providing extra-value COTS power products for mission-critical shipboard applications, as well as for military and commercial airborne, land and mobile programs, and critical industrial power solutions. The design of their latest 3-output shipboard power supply, P/N 94039-1, has been specially enhanced to meet the shipboard input-power requirements of MIL-STD-1399, Section 300B. It also includes numerous other MIL-STD design factors for input power and environmental parameters for use on land and airborne, as well as shipboard.

The new DCS1000T-1, P/N 94039-1 is another example of what can be achieved via the Behlman COTS Reconfiguration Program, which specializes in modifying proven power supplies to meet new requirements, without the high cost of custom designs.

P/N 94039-1 input is Power Factor Corrected, and it accepts voltages from 85 to 265 VAC, and frequencies from 47 to 440 Hz. Three outputs provide two at 20 VDC @ 6.25 A; and one at 24 VDC @16.7 A. In addition to being deigned to meet both MIL-STD- 1399 and MIL-STD-704 input power requirements, it is also designed to meet MIL-STD-901 and MIL-STD-810 for shock; MIL-STD-167 and MIL-STD-810 for vibration and humidity, plus MIL-STD-461C/D and RE102 (with proper shielding) for EMI/EMC. Protection from short circuit, over current, over voltage, and over temperature are standard. At only 11.32 L x 5 W x 2.0 H, this compact unit is readily accommodated in tight spaces.

According to Behlman President, Ron Storm, We are proud of our ability to turn the DCS1000T Series Power Supply into P/N 94039-1 to meet the special needs of the very latest USN shipboard gun control systems. Doing this eliminated the need for high-cost custom design and manufacturing, and helps control military spending. Doing this right here in the USA, supports local employment and the USA economy. In addition to shipboard applications, we expect that design engineers working on ground and airborne systems will also find P/N 94039-1 useful in their programs, as is, or with whatever special reconfigurations they may need.

Behlman Electronics Inc., (http://www.behlman.com), a subsidiary of Orbit International Corp., manufactures and sells high-quality standard, modified-standard, custom and COTS power solutions, including AC power supplies, frequency converters, inverters, DC-DC, AC-DC, DC-AC, uninterruptible power supplies, the VPXtra line of VPX/VME Power Supplies, and the IQCM Intelligent Chassis Manager.

Orbit International Corp., based in Hauppauge, New York, is involved in the manufacture of customized electronic components and subsystems for military and nonmilitary government applications. Other subsidiaries and divisions include Orbit Instrument, Tulip Development Laboratory, and Integrated Combat Systems, all of which are members of the Orbit Electronics Group.

For more information, contact Behlman Electronics Inc., 80 Cabot Court, Hauppauge, New York 11788 USA; TEL: +1 631 435-0410; FAX: +1 631 951-4341; sales(at)behlman(dot)com; http://www.behlman.com.
Jergens Shanghai Opening the China Sales and Support office with Jergens enables us to pursue the rapidly growing die casting industry at the end user level.

On October 1, 2016 Jergens, Inc. welcomed our newest partner Visi-Trak Worldwide, LLC to its wholly owned foreign entity (WOFE) in Shanghai. Located in a new economic development technology park in the Jinqiao District in PuDong, Shanghai, China, the 500-square meter facility contains offices, warehousing and a technical center featuring permanent product displays.

Visi-Trak Worldwide, a pioneer in monitoring, process control and automation for the die-casting industry has helped customers increase efficiency, quality levels, and profitability for over 35 years. Bryon Shafer is the General Manager of the ASG Division and Jergens Shanghai facility. He noted, We are extremely excited to welcome the world-class Visi-Trak brand to our operations in China.

Additionally, Shafer commented, While our WOFE in China was established in 2006 to grow market share of the Jergens brands into the Chinese market, the business model has recently expanded to provide local market access to other US mid-market industrial product manufacturers like Visi-Trak.

Jergens can deliver a broad range of solutions in the areas of HR and Payroll, Accounting & Finance, Logistics and Warehousing and Sales, Marketing and New Business Development in China. For more information Bryon Shafer can be contacted at Jergens, Inc., 15700 S. Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110-3898 or 216-706-6400 or by email: bryon.shafer(at)jergensinc(dot)com

Visi-Trak Worldwide, LLC Joins Jergens Divisions in China Market

Jack Vann is the founder and CEO of Visi-Trak Worldwide, LLC. Mr. Vann noted, The Visi-Trak partnership with Jergens Shanghai has helped establish our sales and support team in the China industrial market. We are seeing positive results from the efforts made over the last seven months to further establish our presence and ability to serve this market. The availability of outstanding office space, as well as other services, shortened the time it took us to get started. This partnership made it easy for our employee in the U.S., Mr. Hengyu Zhu to transfer to the China office and focus entirely on sales efforts and supporting our existing customers in China.  Mr. Vann also indicated, [The partnership] has made it easier to deal with many of the compliance and other administrative issues and has proven to have immediate benefits across the board. Opening the China Sales and Support office with Jergens enables us to pursue the rapidly growing die casting industry at the end user level.

Having direct sales staff on the ground in China has enabled Visi-Trak to generate many new business development opportunities and is creating many new prospects. Mr. Vann says, We are very excited about the potential growth opportunity this alliance offers Visi-Trak Worldwide. With the growth Visi-Trak is seeing, they are currently planning for additional engineering support personnel needs in China. The human resources services that Jergens can supply will make evaluating and hiring local engineering talent much easier for VTW.

About Jergens, Inc. Tooling Component Division

Founded in 1942 to help American manufacturers operate efficiently, Jergens, Inc. is comprised of three distinct business units: Workholding Solutions, Lifting Solutions, and Specialty Fasteners. Jergens, Inc. is committed to helping its customers achieve leaner, more profitable manufacturing, and continues to add products and engineered solutions for an integrated approach to Manufacturing Efficiency. Jergens, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company.

For more information visit: http://www.jergensinc.com or contact Jergens, Inc. at 15700 S. Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110-3898. Phone: 877-486-1454; E-mail: info(at)jergensinc(dot)com

About ASG, Division of Jergens, Inc.

ASG is ISO 9001:2008 certified and has been offering products and solutions for the assembly industry for over 30 years. A complete line of torque control products and precision fastening equipment is offered through ASG Assembly, Industrial, and Precision Fastening product groups and includes electric and pneumatic torque control drivers, automated fastening systems, torque testers, work station accessories, precision screw presenters, automatic tape and label dispensers, the X-PAQ System, and more.

For more information: visit http://www.asg-jergens.com or contact ASG at 15700 S. Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110-3898. Phone: 888-486-6163; E-mail: asginfo(at)asg-jergens(dot)com

About Visi-Trak Worldwide, LLC

Founded in 1981, Visi-Trak Worldwide, LLC is a worldwide leader in process control and automation for the aluminum, magnesium and Zinc die-casting industries worldwide. From the first monitoring and shot control applications to todays complete process automation solutions, Visi-Trak has provided industry with the tools needed to increase quality and throughput while decreasing cost. Visi-Trak continues to help customers become more competitive by developing and licensing new control technologies. From shot control systems for high integrity castings, to high-speed, high-resolution sensor technologies, to PLC HMI interfaces, and monitoring software  Vis-Trak combines them all into complete process automation solutions. Visi-Trak is an ongoing supporter of industry research and development and a charter member SDCE, ADCI, and NADCA. Visi-Trak established its initial business in China over the last several years by working with several leading machine builders.

For more information: visit http://www.visi-trak.com. For direct U.S. sales, support, and product inquiries contact our headquarters in Valley View Ohio. Visi-Trak Worldwide, LLC. 8400 Sweet Valley Dr., Suite 406 Valley View, OH 44125. US only Toll Free: 800-252-8725 Telephone: 216-524-2363 Fax: 216-524-9594

Downloads and Image(s) High resolution image available upon request

Contact Information

Robyn Green, ASG Marketing

ASG, Division of Jergens, Inc.

Tel: (216) 706-6419 | Fax: (216) 481-4519

Email: robyn.green(at)asg-jergens(dot)com

15700 S. Waterloo Rd. | Cleveland, OH 44110

###
We're especially excited at the prospect of bringing more Ethereum-related technology into the Hyperledger community... Monax's proposal and code makes this possible - Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director, Hyperledger

Monax Industries Limited ("Monax"), a market-leading blockchain and smart contract company, today announced that it has joined the Hyperledger Project as a General member. Hosted by the Linux Foundation, Hyperledger is a collaborative cross-industry consortium created to advance blockchain and smart contract technology.

Monax will be the first member company in Hyperledger to bring Ethereum to the Hyperledger Project. Joining firms like IBM and Intel, Monax is re-licensing its blockchain client, which includes a built-to-specification Ethereum Virtual Machine ("EVM"), to Apache 2.0 and proposing it to Hyperledger Technical Steering Committee ("TSC") for incubation.

"We're very pleased to be joining Hyperledger and submitting our client for consideration by the TSC," said Casey Kuhlman, Chief Executive Officer of Monax. "From our perspective joining has many merits. Our users will benefit greatly from the confidence of Hyperledger's strong community and code governance frameworks. If our code proposal is accepted, Hyperledger will gain a blockchain client that includes an EVM. And we get to build new relationships with the outstanding people and firms of this consortium who are doing the hard work to advance smart contract technology to production-readiness and change the world."

"We're very happy to welcome Monax aboard," said Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director, Hyperledger. "Although a lot of big names have joined Hyperledger, cutting-edge startups like Monax have a great deal to contribute as well, both in terms of code and new ideas. We're especially excited at the prospect of bringing more Ethereum-related technology into the Hyperledger community, complementing the existing portfolio of projects. Monax's proposal and code makes this possible, and we are looking forward to working with them and the new participants this effort will attract."

ABOUT MONAX

Monax's software is an open platform for developers and devops to build, ship, and run blockchain and smart contract systems for enterprise. From offices in London, Berlin, and the New York area, Monax's multidisciplinary team of lawyers, scientists, and engineers combine their respective areas of expertise to deliver fit-for-purpose blockchain and smart contract tooling to the world's best companies, whether innovative startups or global financial infrastructure providers. To learn more, visit: https://monax.io.

ABOUT HYPERLEDGER

The Hyperledger project is an open source collaborative effort created to advance blockchain technology by addressing important features for a cross-industry open standard for distributed ledgers. It is a global collaboration including leaders in finance, banking, Internet of Things, supply chains, manufacturing and Technology. The Linux Foundation hosts Hyperledger Project as a Collaborative Project under the foundation. To learn more, visit: https://www.hyperledger.org/.
We are encouraged by the AIDS Healthcare Foundations forward thinking and development of the association to support the HIV providers and their patients." - Tim Safley, ACHC Director, DMEPOS, Pharmacy, Sleep

Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is pleased to announce it has partnered with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to develop a comprehensive Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation with Distinction in Infectious Disease Specific to HIV. This partnership helps to elevate the practice of treating HIV by introducing an accreditation distinction. ACHC provides a wide range of pharmacy accreditation services that assess the business as a whole, including the process of preparing medications. Regardless of setting, pharmacies seeking accreditation with a Distinction in Infectious Disease Specific to HIV must do so in combination with ACHC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation.

ACHC is thrilled to partner with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in an effort to provide the HIV community with resources and services that will lead to enhanced quality and efficiency of treatments, said Tim Safley, ACHC Director, DMEPOS, Pharmacy, and Sleep. We are encouraged by the AIDS Healthcare Foundations forward thinking and development of the association to support the HIV providers and their patients. It is a step in the right direction for the entire industry and will serve to support physicians with quality standards, best practices, and educational resources.

The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundations goal is to rid the world of AIDS. Since 1987, AHF has provided cutting-edge treatment, education, and advocacy for people around the world living with HIV and AIDS. Currently, the organization is leading a mass testing initiative to identify and treat the 25 million people who are unaware that they are infected. One way AHF funds its mission is through its network of U.S. pharmacies. In fact, 96 cents out of every dollar collected by these pharmacies goes directly toward medical care that is available regardless of a patients ability to pay.

Specialty pharmacies treat more than 400,000 patients in the United States who are HIV-positive. But there are nearly 400,000 additional people living with HIV who have fallen out of care. Specialty pharmacies have become an important aspect in preventing loss to follow-up of these individuals. The pharmacist has the opportunity to talk with the patient at least once a month, whereas the patient may only talk with his or her physician every three to six months.

The advent of the cocktail of oral medications to help control HIV has extended both length and quality of life for countless patients, allowing them to live productive lives and make meaningful contributions to society. But as these patients age, they are developing conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, diabetes and other comorbidities. As a result, the therapy for HIV patients has become increasingly complex.

Monitoring patients medication therapy; providing adherence tools; and helping patients find other services that they may require, such as financial assistance to help cover the very expensive cost of care are all services that specialty pharmacies must be willing and ready to provide to the HIV patient population. This requires a high touch collaborative effort on the part of pharmacists, patients, caregivers and providers to be successful in helping patients stay in care.

Expertise in medications used in the treatment of HIV as well as all of the comorbidities that these patients are now presenting with requires continued vigilance and a need to keep up with evidence-based treatment to ensure these patients receive the care they need and deserve.

We are honored to partner with ACHC on their new Distinction in Infectious Disease Specific to HIV, said K. Scott Carruthers, Chief Pharmacy Officer for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. This valuable complement to Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation allows pharmacies to showcase their above-and-beyond commitment to a unique class of patients with comprehensive needs. The Distinction provides added peace of mind that pharmacies have patient safety at top of mind.

Since the introduction of its Pharmacy Accreditation program in 1996 (and as the first accrediting body to offer accreditation in Specialty Pharmacy), ACHC has grown to become a leading national accreditation organization with more than 3,000 pharmacies accredited in the U.S. With a broad array of pharmacy compliance solutions, including accreditation programs for specialty, infusion, and long-term care, as well as non-sterile and sterile compounding services, ACHC is positioned to be the solution of choice for all clinical settings as well as for payors, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. ACHC has taken additional steps to meet market needs by offering specialty distinctions in Oncology and Infectious Disease Specific to HIV. With a comprehensive suite of educational resources, ACHC is also committed to helping its customers maintain continuous compliance.

ACHC is a non-profit accreditation organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. The organization has CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice, and DMEPOS and a Quality Management System that is certified to ISO 9001:2008. ACHC is the providers choice for accreditation because of its personal Accreditation Advisors, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing, and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organizations dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

For more information on ACHC Accreditation programs, or to download ACHC Accreditation Standards,

please visit http://www.achc.org or contact customerservice(at)achc(dot)org or (855) 937-2242.

###
Powered by Artificial Intelligence, Wysdom uses natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to continuously increase its knowledge and understand customer needs. It has analyzed millions of actual customer questions over many years, making it the markets most effective enterprise digital care solution.

According to CrowdCare customers, a majority of subscribers now prefer to contact their service provider through digital channels, such as a mobile apps, Facebook, Twitter or web chat. By responding in an automated manner, these companies can avoid having a customer service rep behind every single interaction, decrease the time required for subscribers to receive an answer, deflect potential calls and empower consumers to communicate via their preferred digital channel.

In partnership with CrowdCare, this tier one provider is committed to implementing a single digital care engine that will listen to all customer questions, quickly review thousands of data points to deliver the right answer and ensure consistency across all digital channels. This visionary strategy will ensure that its subscribers receive the same high level of service across all current and future digital care channels.

We are proud to be supporting one of Canadas largest service providers in blazing a trail of innovation in customer communications and leading the way in delivering the ultimate service experience for their subscribers, said Ian Collins, CEO and co-founder of CrowdCare. Automated digital care must go well beyond returning a list of potential answers for a customer to painstakingly search through until they find what they need or give up and contact a live agent. By adding context to NLP technologies, Wysdom learns to provide the right personalized information and delights customers with quick, accurate answers.

By implementing Wysdom as part of their customer care strategy, subscribers of this tier one provider are getting the right answers to questions about their accounts, billing and device-related issues, wireless products and services. More than half are happy with the speed and accuracy of the information that Wysdom provides. This improves the overall customer care experience, ensures a higher degree of subscriber satisfaction, lowers support costs and improves operational efficiency.

Wysdom is the only multi-channel solution that is purpose built for telecommunications carriers to combine natural language with big data to deliver the best answers directly to subscribers, adds Collins. We are proud to be extending our intelligent digital care for the enterprise across multiple channels and lines of business at this leading Canadian communications and media company.

About CrowdCare

CrowdCare offers the worlds most mature multi-channel enterprise digital care solution to deliver fast, effective and personalized answers to customer questions. Telecommunications companies around the world rely on CrowdCares Wysdom solution to deliver exceptional automated answers to their customers while increasing satisfaction and loyalty and reducing customer care expenses. With millions of actual customer questions analyzed over many years, Wysdom is the most effective enterprise digital care solution in the market today.
Dealerships can more easily identify trends, adjust their product and marketing mix, and maximize the ROI of their digital advertising program.

RV Trader, a division of Dominion Enterprises, has released an enhanced dashboard for its Dealer Center, giving dealers a more complete picture of how shoppers search, research and connect with a dealership. This is the second release for the Dealer Center, which debuted in July 2016.

The first release highlighted various ways consumers connect with dealerships, including emails, phone calls, clicks to dealers websites, live chat sessions, and mapping to a dealership. By looking at these connections in a more holistic manner, the tool began to change the conversation about how consumers shop and interact with dealers in todays increasingly digital marketplace.

In this second iteration of the Dealer Center, RV Trader focused on more in-depth reporting and a streamlined inventory management system for dealers. With this tool that automatically layers a dealers inventory and listing traffic, dealerships can more easily identify trends, adjust their product and marketing mix, and maximize the ROI of their digital advertising program.

Paige Bouma, vice president of RV Trader, shared: The goal in developing the Dealer Center was to give dealers a real-time picture of their inventorys performance on our site, allowing them to adjust their digital advertising strategy based on the needs of the online buyer. This will ultimately make their businesses even more successful.

To read more about the change in consumer buying habits and get innovative tips to optimize inventory listings for the online buyer, download a free white paper courtesy of RV Trader here.

For more information on the new Dealer Center, call 757-351-7680.

About RV Trader

RV Trader, a division of Dominion Enterprises, is the premier online classifieds site for buying and selling recreational vehicles. With over 165,000 new and pre-owned units for sale by dealers and private sellers across the country, RV Trader attracts millions of active buyers every month who visit the site in search of their next unit. To help sellers capitalize on this targeted audience, RV Trader offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing solutions to help advertise RVs for sale to active buyers across all devices.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading online marketing and software services company offering client solutions across multiple targeted business verticals. Our widely recognized B2C web and mobile portals, including ForRent.com, Homes.com, CycleTrader.com and BoatTrader.com, generate nearly 30 million unique visits monthly. Our B2B cloud SaaS solutions directly support clients in establishing their online and mobile brands, generating leads, and managing customer relationships. Dominion Enterprises has more than 40 businesses and 3,000 employees in our Norfolk, Va. home office, across the U.S.
North American Title Company Logo The notification and reporting is very robust and offers a very effective way for monitoring our adherence to all requirements in a way that saves both time and money.

MIAMI  Feb. 27, 2017  North American Title Co. (NATC) has implemented the OurRecords Inc. compliance management system, which allows the company to request its credential requirements, forms, manuals, procedures and policies with third-party vendors and contractors.

The title industry has always had many, complex moving parts, said Tiffany Bertling, NATC senior vice president, business systems and process. Since the new heightened compliance standards were put in place by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, we have been on a quest to build a substantive system to meet the highest standards of compliance with our third-party service providers in a streamlined and transparent format. OurRecords has met all of our criteria for a truly high-performance system that ensures all of our requirements  both internal and external  are met and verified within one system.

OurRecords Business Partner Solution is optimized for managing compliance for thousands of organizational business partners.

OurRecords completely automates the onboarding, document submission, review, approval and maintenance of business partner compliance. Business partner compliance documentation is kept with each partners profile and all submissions, communications and storage of documentation is completely secure. Access to business partner compliance data is always available or one API call away.

American Land Title Association (ALTA) Best Practices specifically address the importance of vetting compliance of third-party providers, said OurRecords co-founder and CEO Bill Hall. Recently, ALTA revised the best practices with respect to specific guidelines around managing signing agents. Our solution allows NATC to create criteria around different groups of vendors, depending on the level of credentialing needed. For instance, each state or underwriter may have different prerequisites for signing services. The requirements can be easily customized to each of those parameters.

Hall said once the criteria are set up for a particular type of third-party vendor and the necessary instructions and documents uploaded, NATC can send invitations to new and existing vendors to create their OurRecords account. Full instructions and documentation can be downloaded, completed and re-uploaded for verification and approval. The system also notifies the respective parties as required when new documentation is needed, for instance re-verification of errors and omission insurance or licensing.

The system also allows us to track all of our internal licensing for individuals, offices and underwriter appointments, Bertling noted. The notification and reporting is very robust and offers a very effective way for monitoring our adherence to all requirements in a way that saves both time and money.

About OurRecords

OurRecords Inc. is a growing provider in the mortgage compliance management industry, helping companies effectively leverage OurRecords compliance network to minimize risk and lower the cost of compliance management. Providing a complete array of products, services and solutions, OurRecords is uniquely positioned to help lenders, underwriters, title and settlement agents, and other members of the mortgage value chain automate compliance management. The platform simplifies regulatory and compliance management; controls and secures information; and simplifies the management of records for staff, contractors, vendors and volunteers. Led by CEO Bill Hall, OurRecords serves businesses, organizations, government, individuals and nonprofits. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Plano, Texas. To learn more, visit http://www.ourrecords.com.

About North American Title

With well over 1,000 associates and a vast network of branches from coast to coast, North American Title Group, LLC (NATG) is among the largest real estate settlement service providers in the United States. Consisting of both agent and underwriter operations, NATG reported annual net revenues in fiscal 2015 of $229 million. The company also has the resources and stability of a wholly owned subsidiary of an S&P 500 company with over $14.4 billion in assets (fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 2015). North American Titles agency network operates nationally under the name North American Title Co. and similar names (NATC) in 19 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia, in addition to the District of Columbia. Through our relationship with our expanding affiliate network, NATC provides real estate settlement services in all 50 states. NATG is headquartered in Miami, Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.nat.com.
Bill Proudman, CEO co-founder of WMFDP, comments on Rockwell Automation receiving the Catalyst Award White male leaders now fully own the D&I work in ways that are inspiring and dramatically altering for the better, the Rockwell Automation culture.

Catalyst, the leading non-profit advocate for womens advancement in the workforce, recently announced the three recipients of its annual Catalyst Award: diversity and inclusion initiatives by Rockwell Automation, one of the largest companies dedicated to industrial automation and information; global science company 3M; and North America-based BMO Financial Group.(1)

For 30 years, the Catalyst Award has recognized exceptional efforts to help women advance in business.

This years Awards Conference and Dinner will be held on March 8, International Womens Day, at the New York Hilton Midtown. The Dinner chair will be David S. Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Procter and Gamble Company, and nearly 100 CEOs of major multinational corporations, leaders from government, NGOs and education, along with over 1,600 guests, are expected to attend.

Catalyst credits proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives, along with long-term dedication to cultural change within corporate America and across global markets, as spearheading such advancements. It cites the work of Rockwell Automation and specifically the executive leadership development firm White Men As Full Diversity Partners (WMFDP).

In describing Rockwell Automations Culture of Inclusion Journey, Catalyst said, Awareness and learning is a cornerstone of inclusion work at Rockwell Automation. It comprises a variety of activities that include White Men As Full Diversity Partners experiential Learning Labs and Summits, unconscious bias training, and inclusion-related workshops.(3)

Rockwell Automations strategy has helped create a more inclusive workplace. Between 2008 and 2016, womens representation in the United States has increased from 11.9% to 23.5% among vice presidents, from 14.7% to 23.2% among directors, and from 19.3% to 24.3% at the middle-manager level. At the most senior leadership levels, womens representation doubled, increasing from 11.1% to 25.0% among the CEOs direct reports and from 11.1% to 20.0% on the board of directors.

We at WMFDP are more than thrilled that Rockwell Automation is receiving the Catalyst Award.

Over the last decade of work with their leadership, they have championed the journey metaphor that is necessary for senior leadership to embrace. White male leaders now fully own the D&I work in ways that are inspiring and dramatically altering for the better, the Rockwell Automation culture. Their leadership has been bold and courageous in their willingness to walk their talk, said WMFDP CEO co-founder, Bill Proudman.

At Rockwell Automation in the United States, more than 8,000 employees in 100 locations have been impacted. Results demonstrate that Culture of Inclusion (COI) Journey initiatives contributed to advancing women upwards through multiple echelons of the company.

We work with white male or dominant group leaders, because if they are ignored, cultural change in business progresses slowly or not at all, and likely does not embrace an entire organization, Proudman explained. Lockheed Martin, another longstanding WMFDP client, was honored with the Catalyst Award in 2014.

About White Men As Full Diversity Partners (WMFDP):

White Men as Full Diversity Partners (WMFDP) is a diversity and leadership development firm in Portland, Oregon, founded by Bill Proudman, Michael Welp, Ph.D., and Jo-Ann Morris in 1996. WMFDP takes an unorthodox approach towards eradicating bias and discrimination in the workplace. Their client list includes Alaska Airlines, Dell, Rockwell Automation, Lockheed Martin, Northwestern Mutual, Chevron Drilling & Completions, The Nature Conservancy, Mass Mutual, and others. The majority of C-level executives are white and male, and they are frequently omitted from a vital role in diversity and equality. Proudman and Welp observed that these critical subjects were not being taken to the doorstep of these leadersall to the detriment of struggling minorities and the economy as a whole. With a background that includes extensive field work in post-Apartheid South Africa in the early 1990s, Proudman and Welp have dedicated the last two decades to educating and engaging leaders of any race, color, gender or orientation. Welp is the author of the book, "Four Days to Change." With an insightful foreword by Proudman, the book chronicles the journey from rural South Africa to the boardrooms of Americaall to lay the groundwork of a global paradigm shift.

1. 2017 Catalyst Award Honors Global Initiatives at 3M, BMO Financial Group and Rockwell Automation. Catalyst. 31 Jan. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.

2. Catalyst Awards Dinner. Catalyst. 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.

3. Rockwell Automation-Culture of Inclusion Journey. Catalyst. 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
Kent Runyon, Compliance Officer and Vice President of Community Relations for Novus Medical Detox Center, discusses implications for women in the opioid epidemic For women, there are different factors that contribute to the development of long-term substance use disorders that men simply do not experience.

Much attention has been paid to the problem of men suffering from substance use disorder, but concern for women who become dependent on opioid painkillers has fallen short. From 1999 until 2010, fatal overdoses from prescription pain medications rose by 400% among female patients, compared to a 237% increase in fatal overdoses in male populations.(1)

The proportion of women using illicit drugs is also increasing at a faster rate than of men, but physician referrals to appropriate detox and treatment facilities are low. Only 3.2% of women are referred to detox programs, regardless of whether or not they would like such a referral. While women are more likely to receive individual counseling, they are less likely to take advantage of detox programs, even if they are referred to such programs.(2)

Kent Runyon, Compliance Officer and Vice President of Community Relations for Novus Medical Detox Center, explained, For women, there are different factors that contribute to the development of long-term substance use disorders that men simply do not experience. It is critically important to get women who are struggling with substance use disorders into appropriate detox programs, where they can take the critically important initial steps on the path toward recovery.

Barriers to effective treatment for women with substance use disorders are many. Responsibilities to children and the household can make some women unwilling to seek professional help, and risk factors such as emotional and psychological distress are more commonly identified in women.(1) Many women are financially dependent on spouses, and cannot afford treatment on their own.(2)

The process of becoming addicted often follows a different pathway for women than with men. In general, women use smaller amounts of opioids for shorter lengths of time before they become addicted. They may become addicted to opioid medications faster than men, and some studies have suggested that women are more sensitive to opioid-related cravings.(1)

Women are also more likely to be given concurrent prescriptions for both opioids and benzodiazepines, which can create a dangerous combination of effects.(3) And an especially troubling and common problem among women with substance use disorders is that of doctor shopping. For years, physicians have recognized the potential dangers in prescribing a patient opioids and benzodiazepines at the same time. Many women who struggle with substance use disorder get around this by obtaining prescriptions from multiple physicians at different healthcare facilities. Approximately 500,000 people nationwide engage in doctor shopping every year, many of them women.(4)

The impact of addiction to prescription pain medications is significant. Since 2007, more women have died from overdoses than from car accidents.(3) Every three minutes, a woman is admitted to her local emergency room for abuse of prescription painkillers.(3)

Runyon said, Emergency Department doctors should be especially concerned with the number of women who are seen in their facilities. If a woman comes in and is struggling with a substance use disorder, the best thing you can do is refer her to a safe, effective detox program manned by competent, experienced medical professionals.

About Novus Medical Detox Center:

Novus Medical Detox Center has earned The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation as an inpatient medical detox facility. Licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Novus provides safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs that are based on proven medical protocols and are designed to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal. The facility is located on 3.25 acres in New Port Richey, Florida, in a tranquil, spa-like setting bordering protected conservation land. Intent on proving that detox doesnt have to be painful or degrading, Novus set out to transform the industry by bringing humanity to medical detoxing, with individually customized treatment programs and 24/7 access to nursing care and withdrawal specialists. Today, Novus is renowned as a champion of industry standardization and a staunch advocate for patients who are fighting to overcome substance use disorders. Frequently recognized for its contributions to the industry and local community, Novus has become a regular source for media publications such as The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and has ranked in the Tampa Bay Business Journals Fast 50, the Florida Business Journals Top 500, and the Inc. 5000 list of Americas fastest-growing companies. For more information on Novus medically supervised detox programs, visit http://novusdetox.com.

Sources:

1. White Paper: Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdose in Women. Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/documents/white-paper-opioid-508.pdf

2. Gender differences in emergency department visits and detox referrals for illicit and nonmedical use of opioids. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4899061/

3. CDC seminar addresses challenges of opioid abuse in women. The American Journal of Managed Care. http://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/cdc-seminar-addresses-challenges-of-opioid-abuse-in-women

4. Nurse working to stop doctor shopping: studies and counsels women who abuse prescription medication. Rush University. https://www.rushu.rush.edu/news/nurse-working-stop-doctor-shopping
BlackTradeLines - African American Business Network Creating a company directory structure has been simplified by assigning extensions like Press one for Customer Service ...

BlackTradeLines, an economic development company focused on the black community has released an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) tool for all its business directory members. Available now, the companys communication tools give black owned businesses the ability to run their business and organizations more efficiently, increasing client growth and revenue potential.

The company understands that most Black Owned Businesses and organizations continue to operate without business phone numbers, which increases the risk for loss of potential clients, response to missed calls in a timely manner, loss in customer feedback, and delayed access to company personnel, resulting to decline in sales.

The IVR system allows clients to easily interact with a company in a dynamic way via telephone touch keypad or speech recognition.

Provided as a communication tool for each user, the IVR system serves as a way to setup company or organizational virtual directories that give back to black business owners and it grants professionals the ability to structure their organizations instead of operating using personal cell phones with ring tones.

"Creating a company directory structure has been simplified by assigning extensions such as Press one for Customer Service, Press two for Sales, Press three for Marketing and Advertising to each different phone keys and saving the settings.", says Evans John, Senior Application Developer at BlackTradeLines.

"When customers call, not only will they be given various options directing them towards their specific need, but also the IVR maintains quality of service and efficiency by providing a professional first-impression."

Starting at $2 per month, the IVR service can be tailored to fit all professional needs. It is capable of handling large call volumes and routing calls to various members of an organization.

BlackTradeLines works tirelessly to bridge the gap between business owners and their customer base all under one platform. Apart from the IVR service, the company also provides other communication technologies like conference rooms, Internet radio stations, voice and short code text messaging, empowering black owned businesses, and much more.

For more information about Interactive Voice Response (IVR), visit http://www.blacktradelines.com.

About BlackTradeLines:

BlackTradeLines is a company that uses digital technology to empower African American businesses.

For more information contact 310.272.5438

Download our Black Trade Circle mobile app available for iOS and Android.

###
Draken aircraft provided a significant cost-savings to the government while reducing the consumption of hours on USMC and US Navy combat aircraft used in the role of a training aid.

Draken International, operator of the largest privately-owned fleet of ex-military aircraft in the world, marked another milestone providing adversary Red Air support for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in support of Agile Lightning and Wing Fury from 26 to 31 January 2017. The exercise demonstrated the F-35Bs ability to conduct expeditionary short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) operations. Agile Lightning integrated a complex training environment featuring distributed operations and Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations. The mission included nearly 2,000 Marines in air and ground roles, more than 16 aircraft from 7 squadrons across 3 Marine Air Wings, the U.S. Navy forces from the U.S.S. Bunker Hill, Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 97, and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center participated.

Draken operated from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar during the exercise and marked their USMC adversary support debut with their virtually brand-new L-159 Advance Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA). Draken is the only contract air services firm operating jets with Pulse-Doppler Radar and 4th generation capabilities. The L-159 ALCA are equipped with pulse Doppler GRIFO radar which simulated advanced threat aircraft and missiles alongside Drakens A-4K Skyhawk aircraft, operating pulse Doppler APG-66 radar. The Draken aggressors in coordination with U.S. Navy aggressor FA-18E aircraft integrated with surface-to-air threats to present an anti-area access denial scenario for the MAGTF which utilized the 5th generation combat capabilities of the F-35B alongside FA-18 and AV-8B aircraft.

Lt. Col (Ret) Jeff Scott, Drakens Director of Marine Corps Operations, and a former F-35B pilot, remarked, The L-159 and its radar capability increased Drakens already proven ability to replicate advanced threats to provide a realistic training environment. Draken aircraft provided a significant cost-savings to the government while reducing the consumption of hours on USMC and US Navy combat aircraft used in the role of a training aid.

In addition to these exercises, Draken also supports the USMC as the current contract provider of live Close Air Support for Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Training. Draken is the only contract air services company deploying live ordnance and the only contract air services company with both a US Navy flight clearance and a US Air Force flight release.

About Draken International

Draken International is the worlds largest operator of ex-military aircraft. The company is based out of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. The organization sets a new standard in airborne adversary support, flight training, threat simulation, electronic warfare support, aerial refueling, research, testing, as well as other missions uniquely suited to their fleet of aircraft. With over 80 tactical fighter aircraft incorporating modern 4th generation capabilities, the company is uniquely positioned to answer the growing global demand for commercial air services. Draken employs world class, military trained fighter pilots including USAF Weapons School Instructors, Fighter Weapons School Graduates, TOP GUN Instructors, Air Liaison Officers and FAC-A Instructors. For additional information, visit http://www.drakenintl.com.
Chris Brandl

Hotze Health & Wellness Center (HHWC), a world leader in the alternative health care industry, announces Chris Brandl as its New Guest Director.

Brandl is a dynamic and influential executive leader who has brought vision and purpose to corporations throughout his career. He began his professional career at Omnium Worldwide, now known as West Corporation, and handled collections for Telecommunications, Healthcare and Financial Services. After being recruited by ADP, his success led him to take a leadership role at Akzo Nobel, which was later purchased by Innovation Group. There he was responsible for building an account management team along with building the iMRN network to over 2500 shops across the country. In 2010, he joined the team at Sterling Autobody.

Brandl grew up in a farming community in Northeast Nebraska and majored in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He expanded his higher education through coursework in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Since then, he has received continuing education MBA level certifications from Cornell University in Marketing Strategy for Business Leaders and Executive Leadership. He is an active member in the American Marketing Association and Cornell Alumni Group.

For more information on HHWC, please visit, http://www.hotzehwc.com.

About Hotze Health & Wellness Center:

Hotze Health & Wellness Center is leading the Revolution in Wellness care by changing the way women and men are treated through detoxification and bioidentical hormone replacement. Founded in 1989 by Steven F. Hotze, M.D., the Center has successfully treated more than 30,000 patients. In an effort to help patients obtain and maintain life-long health and wellness, physicians and registered nurses on staff address the root cause of symptoms, and correct health ailments naturally rather than merely masking symptoms with drugs. For more information, visit, http://www.hotzehwc.com, and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HotzeHWC.
Raleigh PaaS Team Raleigh is a growing city filled with opportunities.

Corus360, a technology-led organization that strives to empower clients through people, technology, and resilience, continues to grow, adding a new branch of its People as a Service in Raleigh, North Carolina. The team consists of Meghan Fernandez and Hailey MacLaren, two stand-out professionals with a record of finding the right people for the right job.

Raleigh is a growing city filled with opportunities. said Meghan Fernandez, Business Development Manager for Corus360s PaaS North Carolina branch. Im thrilled to be working in an environment with this much energy in it.

People as a Service (PaaS) focuses on providing companies with the skilled resources they need to run their businesses. This allows Corus360 to modernize clients technical infrastructure on all levels. In addition to selecting ideal technologies and providing seamless resilience, PaaS allows Corus360 to provide clients with the perfect people to maintain and utilize the former two. As Corus360s market expands, growing its PaaS division is necessary to continue providing quality service to clients. From the Midwest to the East coast, the PaaS team rigorously screens prospects to ensure the delivery of the right person the first time.

Raleigh is an expanding market, with close to twenty thousand people deciding to make it their new home every month. In addition to the sheer influx of people, Raleigh boasts the lowest unemployment rate for workers in the tech community in the country, leading some to call it the East Coast Silicon Valley. As Raleigh continues to grow, Corus360s PaaS team will continue to grow with it.

The Raleigh duo is dedicated to client success, asserting that as their focus in the Mid-Atlantic market. Meghan brings nine years of experience in the field and a strong drive to work with people. She seeks to establish meaningful customer relationships and create success within their organization. Hailey MacLaren moved to Raleigh after living and working in New York City in search of a place where she could find a job with a greater emphasis on helping the people she works with. Both possess a passion for ensuring businesses find people that fit the unique needs of their organizations and that the people, once situated, are happy to work there.

Its amazing to watch People as a Service grow into the Raleigh market, said Steve Johnson, CEO of Corus360. Hailey and Meghan do a wonderful job of helping our clients in the Mid-Atlantic region and only continue to improve outcomes for them.

About Corus360

Corus360 is an innovative solutions company that empowers organizations to build, transition, and ultimately transform their environments to reach desired outcomes by selecting the right people, implementing ideal technologies, and planning for seamless resilience. For more information, visit http://www.corus360.com.
Chi Davis new book, By His Grace ($14.99, paperback, 9781498493239, $7.99, eBook, 9781498493246) tells the story of a daughter of an American Soldier, who fled to America as a Vietnamese refugee. Chi Davis shares her story of how her relationship with the Lord was made stronger by each of the trials she endured throughout her life. She recounts how the terrors and hardships of war, abandonment, physical and psychological abuse, fear, depression and other personal struggles were part of Gods plan to bring her to a personal relationship with Him. Each seemingly devastating life event is shown to glorify the Lord and demonstrates that He is the one in control. Beginnings, separations, brokenness, grace: each tell a story of struggles and redemption where the author recounts how the Spirit was using each tribulation to draw her to Salvation.

Davis says, By His Grace is based on true events that will be inspirational for others and illustrates Gods grace in my life, even when I did not know him.

By His Grace is based on Chi Davis experience and journey through war times and separation from family, which ultimately lead her to salvation.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order By His Grace through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

Media Contact: Chi T. Davis

Email: chi.davis(at)att.net
Professional women screening She Started It: A Documentary on Women Tech Founders She Started It is meant to be used as a catalyst for conversation, awareness, community building and finally action, to provide better support for women entrepreneurs and inspire more women to dream bigger.

Ellevate Network will be hosting nationwide screenings of She Started It: A Documentary on Women Tech Founders at chapters across the country including Boston, Boulder, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Long Island, Los Angeles, Madison, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. The screenings are in honor of International Womens Day and Womens History Month and coincide with Ellevates #TakeBackFeminism campaign, a call for all people to reclaim the feminist movement as an inclusive and necessary part of modern day society.

She Started It follows five young women over two years as they pitch VCs, build teams, bring products to market, fail and start again. The documentary takes viewers on a global roller coaster ride from San Francisco to Mississippi, France to Vietnam. Along the way, it weaves in big-picture perspectives from women like investor Joanne Wilson; former White House CTO Megan Smith; GoldieBlox CEO Debbie Sterling; and Ruchi Sanghvi, the first female engineer at Facebook.

President of Ellevate Network Kristy Wallace said, Were honored to be screening such an important and honest film about trailblazing women in entrepreneurship. By opening up the conversation about brave women doing great things in business, were exposing a larger audience to not only the challenges women business leaders face, but shine a light on the inspirational stories of those women making real change in the world through their persistence, resourcefulness, and of course, their [support] networks.

Nora Poggi and Insiyah Saeed, directors of She Started It, said, "We are very excited to partner with Ellevate Network to bring our film to such a wide audience across the United-States. We believe networks such as Ellevate have the power to lift women up through community and mentorship. Our film She Started It is meant to be used as a catalyst for conversation, awareness, community building and finally action, to provide better support for women entrepreneurs and inspire more women to dream bigger. Ellevate will bring this conversation to a wider audience and we cannot wait to see the impact it creates."

We are so pleased to announce this special event. Each screening will be followed by a guided discussion about the film and networking with local professional women of the chapter. Help us inspire the next generation to dream bigger, and urge todays generation to support women entrepreneurs.

To find your local screening, click here, choose your chapters city, and register for the event.

We would like to thank our sponsors for these nationwide screenings, including Seismic, University of Colorado, Boulder Campus, Charlotte Technology Cooperative Initiative, Xavier University, Center for Innovation, Virtuosi, George Mercer School, Industrious, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, New School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, PHX Start Up Week, Campus Groups @ Point Park University, Reddit, and Landmark Theater.

About Ellevate Network: Ellevate Network is a global professional women's network committed to elevating each other through education, inspiration, and opportunity. Our mission is to close the gender achievement gap in business by providing women with a community to lean on and learn from.
Now we provide Internet connectivity for homework to kids in our district who didnt have access at home.

Kajeet, the industry leader for safe, mobile student Internet connectivity, announces its most recent partnerships as a result of money allocated by the Minnesota Department of Education. Minnesota appropriated $500,000 to fund broadband connectivity to students without Internet outside the classroom. Up to $50,000 was available for each recipient. Of the 12 school districts awarded the Internet Broadband Expansion for Minnesota Students grant, six have already partnered with Kajeet to provide Internet access to their rural students.

Part of our district has high-speed fiber, and part has nothing. But, with high poverty rates, people cant always afford Internet, said Matt Grose, superintendent for Deer River Public Schools. Now we provide Internet connectivity for homework to kids in our district who didnt have access at home.

All applicants applied for the first grant, Broadband Expansion and Off-Campus Learning, which aims to enable student access to learning materials available on the Internet through a mobile broadband connection, such as a Wi-Fi hotspot. If eligible, applicants could apply to a second grant, School Bus Internet Access, designed to make Internet access available on school buses, enabling students to complete homework while commuting.

Deer River also connected their entire bus fleet, as some students spend over an hour commuting to and from school. Its a long time to be on the bus, which breeds trouble and wasted time. This [Kajeet] program is a natural extension of our student device initiatives, said Grose. Were taking advantage of student time spent on the bus.

Kajeet Education Broadband met the criteria for both grants with its Kajeet SmartSpot and SmartBus solutions. Were thrilled that Minnesota is stepping up to alleviate the growing Homework Gap as technology use inside and outside the classroom increases, said the CEO and founder of Kajeet, Daniel Neal. Rural students are at a disadvantage to their urban peers if their Internet connectivity is lacking. And providing educational filtering keeps students on task to help them succeed.

Grant winners partnering with Kajeet include: Deer River Public Schools, Fertile-Beltrami Public Schools, Lake of the Woods Public Schools, Lake Superior School District, Princeton Public Schools and Rothsay Public Schools.

About Kajeet

Kajeet, the industry leader for safe, mobile student Internet connectivity, is closing the Homework Gap in school districts across the country. Kajeet provides an affordable mobile broadband solution that connects low-income students to the resources needed to complete homework. The Kajeet SmartSpot solution, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot combined with the innovative Sentinel cloud portal, enables administrators and teachers to provide CIPA-compliant, customizable filtered Internet access that keeps students focused on school work and provides mobile Internet connectivity for education without worry of data abuse. Kajeet products and services, which operates on both the Sprint and Verizon network, are protected by the following issued U.S. patents: 9,237,433; 9,137,389; 9,137,386; 9,125,057; 8,995,952; 8,929,857; 8,918,080; 8,774,755; 8,774,754; 8,755,768; 8,731,517; 8,725,109; 8,712,371; 8,706,079; 8,667,559; 8,644,796; 8,639,216; 8,634,803; 8,634,802; 8,634,801; 8,630,612; 8,611,885; 8,600,348; 8,594,619; 8,588,735; 8,285,249; 8,078,140; 7,945,238; 7,899,438; 7,881,697. Other patents are pending. For more information, please visit us at kajeet.net.
The National Association of Veteran-Serving Organizations (NAVSO), a national non-profit that enables providers to become more effective and efficient in delivering services to veterans and military families is celebrating two years since its establishment. During this time NAVSO has served over 20,000 professionals via online tools, webinars and sector-specific summits that helped organizations improve how they serve, invest in or employ members of the military community. NAVSO has a unique capacity to convene the right individuals to drive transformational change in the veteran services marketplace including its own influential team. As such, NAVSO is pleased to announce the following additions to the NAVSO Board of Directors for their extraordinary expertise in serving the military community:

Brandon Shelton  Brandon is Managing Partner of Task Force X Capital Management (TFX), a veteran-led advisory and venture capital firm. A US Army veteran, Brandon and his organization focus on growing seed and early-stage veteran businesses and startups.

Rosemary Williams  Rosemary is a military family and veteran advocate having most recently served as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Prior to her service at VA, Rosemary served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Find Complete Board Member Biographies here: http://www.navso.org/about/board

The following specialists have been added to NAVSOs Board of Advisors:

Dr. David Albright, PhD, MSW  David is the Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health at The University of Alabama. He is a military veteran and former research fellow with both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the RAND Corporations Center for Military Health Policy Research.

Nate Smith  Nate is the Chief Operating Officer for Hire Heroes USA. A decorated Marine Corps veteran, Nate is a nationally recognized expert on military transition and veteran employment with many national media appearances.

John Williams  John is founder and principal of Powell Strategies, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business providing full-service communications and management consulting for the federal government, non-profits and private sector companies. John is a retired Marine and a mentor to young veteran entrepreneurs.

Find Complete Advisory Board Biographies here: http://www.navso.org/about/advisors

We are very excited about the additions to our leadership team, said Chris Ford, NAVSO Founder and CEO. Their superior expertise and genuine advocacy for our Nations veterans and military families will elevate NAVSOs success in our mission to serve those who serve the military community.

We pride ourselves in being able to bring the right people to the table to drive positive change in services for the military community, Ford continues. This includes our own team and we are thrilled to have the expertise that our new Board Members and Advisors bring to NAVSO. We know they will help successfully guide and challenge us through the next stage of our growth.

While were excited to welcome new members to our team, its important to acknowledge NAVSO could not have achieved the tremendous growth over the past two years without the strategic insights of the original Board members and Advisors whose terms have ended, added Ford. We are grateful to Board Members Shalimar Cabrera and Snejana Daily, as well as our many Advisors: Anthony Hassan, Tony Forbes, Randy Howard, Ralph Ibson, RJ Naugle, Christian Rahn, Jon Sherin and Lisa Stern for their stalwart dedication to both NAVSO and the broader military community.

About NAVSO:

NAVSO is the only organization in the nation focused exclusively on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of veteran services across the public and private sector. Its web-based platform (http://www.navso.org) with best practice sharing and consolidated information empowers service providers with a safe place to connect, collaborate and coordinate efforts with like-minded professionals from around the nation. NAVSO is motivated to serve the nations veterans and military families best interests, and ensure the continuance of the all-volunteer force as a matter of national security.

NAVSO is a GuideStar Exchange Gold Participant. GuideStar USA, Inc. is an information service specializing in reporting on 1.9 million U.S. nonprofit companies.
University of St. Thomas Chapel of St. Basil I believe the University of St. Thomas project brought Philip Johnson out of retirement and back to life as an architect.

The Chapel of St. Basil, designed by architect Philip Johnson and named for St. Basil the Great, a fourth century bishop in what is today Turkey, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017 in conjunction with the University of St. Thomas 70th anniversary as a private Catholic institution of higher learning in the City of Houston.

Dating back to its inception and early years, the University of St. Thomas had an interest in a chapel to complete its Academic Mall, which was also designed by Philip Johnson in the 1950s at the behest of arts patrons John and Dominique de Menil. The de Menils, who had arrived in Houston in the early 1940s, were instrumental in establishing and cultivating the relationship between Johnson and the University of St. Thomas. Johnson had included plans for a chapel in his original campus design, but the vision was not executed until much later in both Johnsons and the Universitys lives. "I believe the University of St. Thomas project brought Philip Johnson out of retirement and back to life as an architect," said Dr. Joseph McFadden, president emeritus and professor of history. Johnson saw the chapel, his final Houston project, completed in 1997. He died in 2002.

Under the leadership of former UST President Joseph McFadden, the first lay president in its history, the University embarked upon a capital campaign from 1993 to 1995 that helped make the Chapel of St. Basil a reality. The chapels cost, roughly $6 million, was financed through a capital campaign, which included a $250,000 donation from the Basilian Fathers, the congregation of priests who founded UST. Groundbreaking on the chapel was held on March 18, 1996, and the project was completed and dedicated by Bishop The Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, now Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston, on June 7, 1997, during the Universitys 50th anniversary year.

From a design perspective, the Chapel of St. Basil consists of, as Philip Johnson himself put it, three basic geometric shapes: a cube for the body of the church, a sphere for the dome, and a granite plane connecting these shapes by intersecting both the dome and the cube.

With its striking appearance and indomitable height, achieved through a cross culminating the buildings golden dome, the Chapel of St. Basil looms over the entire campus, establishing the Universitys Catholic character for all to behold no matter where they are situated.

The Chapel of St. Basil completes the Universitys Academic Mall and stands in stark contrast to the design and aesthetic of the other campus buildings in order to emphasize the singular and sacred relationship the chapel has with the University community. It is composed of white stucco and black granite while the other buildings on the mall consist of rose-colored brick. The Chapel of St. Basil and the Doherty Library, which anchors the other end of the Academic Mall, stand on opposite sides of the campus in order to evoke the perpetual relationship between faith and reason.

Inside the Chapel of St. Basil, light is one of the dominant characteristics. The building is effused exclusively with natural light, and the interplay of this light with the stark white walls from the dome, skylight over the altar and over the statue of Our Lady, and from the tilted glass cross in the west wall, makes an immediate impression upon any visitor to the chapel.

Three artists contributed to the interior elements of the Chapel of St. Basil to enhance the heritage of Philip Johnsons architectural marvel. David Cargill of Beaumont, TX designed the chapels altar, Stations of the Cross, statue of Our Lady, tabernacle, candlesticks, holy water fonts, stand for the paschal candle, processional cross, and incense burner. Houston native Michael Dobbins created the wooden furniture, and Michael Ploski of Poland painted the icon of St. Basil.

The Chapel of St. Basil has a unique and storied legacy on the campus of the University of St. Thomas, in the City of Houston, and on a global level given the way in which it links UST to Philip Johnson, the de Menils, the Basilian fathers, and the Catholic community in Houston. As it celebrates twenty years, Johnsons final project completed in Houston remains an inspirational landmark as it continues to serve as a beacon of Catholic faith.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

The University of St. Thomas was founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers as an independent, Catholic, coeducational university in Houston, TX. Situated in the citys Museum District, the University enrolls 3,312 total students with an undergraduate population of 1,602. Set against the backdrop of the Texas Medical Center, of which it is a member, UST has seen a 75% growth rate among students pursuing degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and over half of the undergraduate student body pursues a degree in one of the STEM fields. The University of St. Thomas was ranked 29th in the 2017 edition of the U.S. News and World Reports Americas Best Colleges list of universities in the western region of the United States and was additionally ranked one of the best colleges in the West according to The Princeton Review. For more information, please visit http://www.stthom.edu.
Congressman McHenry with the Aeroflow Healthcare team

Aeroflow Healthcares executive team and Mom and Baby Division met with Congressman Patrick McHenry to discuss the repeal/ replacement of the Affordable Care Act. The hour-long meeting with Congressman McHenry focused on the importance of protecting Womens Preventive Care services, specifically breastfeeding support for mothers. These services benefit the health of infants and their mothers and are also beneficial to the American taxpayer.

Congressman McHenry briefed the Aeroflow team on the current status of the Affordable Care Act and offered his support that womens health should be a protected and valued element of our healthcare system. There is no promise to this, yet Congressmen McHenry expressed his confidence in Aeroflows advocacy and marketing efforts to local and federal government officials.

Aeroflow Healthcare is a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider specializing in helping pregnant and nursing women access lactation support, supplies, and services. The company works closely with mothers to provide exceptional support for breastfeeding health benefits. Aeroflow plans to continue their efforts to protect and promote womens health services for mothers nationwide.

To learn more about Aeroflows advocacy efforts for Womens Preventative Care, visit aeroflowinc.com/womens-preventative-care.

Aeroflow Healthcare was founded Asheville, NC in 2001 as a home oxygen provider and has since grown to become one of the leading durable medical equipment providers nationwide. Aeroflow is an accredited Medicare and Medicaid provider and accepts most commercial insurances. To learn more, visit aeroflowinc.com.
Elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea, managing partner at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP Since a power of attorney is, like many legal documents, a standardized form created by statute, the natural tendency is to assume that they are all the same and contain identical provisions. This, however, is often an incorrect and dangerous assumption.

On March 16, Westchester elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP in White Plains and Somers, N.Y. will address the importance of an effectively drafted power of attorney in an educational program to the Mount Vernon Bar Association. With millions of baby boomers coming of age, Mr. Enea urges those in or approaching their elder years to closely examine the language contained in their power of attorney to ensure its sufficiently broad.

Since a power of attorney is, like many legal documents, a standardized form created by statute, the natural tendency is to assume that they are all the same and contain identical provisions, said Anthony Enea, who has spent three decades protecting the rights of seniors, the disabled and their families. This, however, is often an incorrect and dangerous assumption.

A power of attorney is an extremely important document, especially if there are issues regarding ones health and mental capacity. If the power of attorney is durable, the agent will be able to act even if the principal is subsequently disabled or incapacitated. The actions an agent can undertake, however, are controlled by the explicit terms of the power of attorney -- making close examination of the documents language necessary. For example, the agents ability to gift/transfer the assets to himself and/or others is only permitted in New York if the power of attorney specifically grants the agent the authority to do so.

It is not at all uncommon for a client to believe that he or she has executed a power of attorney with broad gifting power. Once the document is closely examined, however, it is often revealed that it does not allow the agent to make gifts in amounts in excess of $14,000 per person per year. The failure to include broad gifting authority can also result in the agent not being able to make the transfers necessary for the principal to be eligible for Medicaid (home care and/or nursing home) and/or reduce potential estate tax liability, explained Enea.

It is important to include any powers deemed prudent beyond the statutory powers found on most power of attorney forms. For example, a broadly drafted power of attorney could include language that permits the agent to create either a revocable and/or irrevocable trust on behalf of the principal. This is a power that can be of significant value for both estate planning and long-term care planning, in many cases savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Named Westchester Countys Leading Elder Care Attorney at the Above the Bar Awards, Anthony Enea is president of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and past chair of the New York State Bar Associations Elder Law Section. His practice areas include elder law; Medicaid asset protection trusts; Medicaid applications (home care and nursing home); special needs planning; guardianships (Article 81 and 17-A); and wills, trusts and estates. Enea was named Best Lawyers 2017 Trusts & Estates Lawyer of the Year in White Plains and recently received the Honorable Richard J. Daronco Distinguished Service Award from the Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County and the Dr. Joseph A. Cimino Community Service Award at ArchCare at Home's 2016 Hope Gala.

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is located at 245 Main Street in White Plains, N.Y. with additional offices in Somers, N.Y. Elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea can be reached at 914-948-1500 or a.enea(at)esslawfirm(dot)com. For the latest news, visit Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano online at http://www.esslawfirm.com.

About Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is an AV preeminent rated elder law firm with offices in White Plains and Somers, N.Y. The practice concentrates on Elder Law; Medicaid Planning; Nursing Home and Home Care Applications; Wills, Trusts and Estates; Guardianships; Estate Litigation; Supplemental Needs Trusts; and Special Needs Planning. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP serves Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Queens and is committed to providing the highest quality legal services to seniors, the disabled and their families.
David Reid Browns new book, Spirit Soundings Volume 1: Sailing into a Hazardous World ($15.99, paperback, 9781498465236, $7.99, eBook, 9781498465243) captures the inspirational adventure in ministry of Chaplain David Reid Brown, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.) aboard the USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12) from October 2000 through April 2002. This three volume series covers the aftermath of the bombing of the USS COLE (DDG-67), the harrowing attacks of 9/11, a wartime deployment to Afghanistan, and homecoming to America. Spirit Soundings engages the reader and provides them with a clear sense of the depth of their relationship with God, a basic understanding of the role of a Navy Chaplain, and a greater awareness of the dynamic setting of Sea Service Ministry.

Brown says, This book is meant to open or deepen the readers relationship with God. It presents Christian faith in a unique, grassroots, user-friendly manner that will have great appeal to the "un- churched" or pre-Christian world.

David Reid Brown has served as a chaplain in the United States Navy for 21 years. During his career, God has allowed him to sail all of the major oceans of the world, visit 5 continents, and experience 2 war-time deployments.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Spirit Soundings Volume 1: Sailing into a Hazardous World through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

Media Contact: David Reid Brown

Email: davidbrown60088(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mediterranea, a leading manufacturer of trend-setting porcelain tile, is proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2017. The company is welcoming all of its customers and friends in the tile industry to celebrate with them at Coverings, to be held April 4-7 in Orlando, FL.

Founded in Miami in 1987 by Michael Mariutto, Mediterranea has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the worldwide leaders in porcelain tile design. In the mid-1990s, the company launched the groundbreaking series Tuscania, one of the very first tile series to be designed with Roto-Color technology, which was revolutionary at the time for vastly increasing diverse graphics in tile design.

In its earlier years, Mediterranea partnered with factories in four continents to produce tile worldwide. From Italy to Turkey, Brazil, Argentina and the United States, Mediterraneas factory partnerships distinguished the company from its competition, and provided a global manufacturing footprint to suit the architectural and design needs of its U.S. client base. Today, Mediterranea still partners with leading factories Serenissima (Italy) and EGE (Turkey) to produce tile series for U.S. importation.

In 2006, the Mediterranea brand was merged together with Stonepeak and the Iris/Fiandre Group of companies , expanding Mediterraneas production capacity, and technological innovation. Joining forces with the Iris/Fiandre family of companies gave Mediterranea resources and support from one of the worlds leading tile manufacturers, said Mariutto. Fiandre and the Minozzi family have provided Mediterranea the tools to grow and further innovate, leading to the development of industry-leading designs.

Today, as design has transitioned into high-definition inkjet technology, Mediterranea has continued to lead the way with its trademarked Dynamic HD Imaging design process -- delivering distinctive looks, aimed squarely at the U.S. market. Many of the series designed with this technology are legends in the industry - including American Naturals, Boardwalk, Marmol Collection, Touch, and including the groundbreaking 2016 introduction, Marthas Vineyard, which introduced 12 x 48 wood-look planks for the first time. The new QUANTUM brand brings the world of large-format porcelain panels into the companys portfolio, featuring sizes up to 5 x 10, and making possible an entirely new range of design possibilities.

Mediterranea will kick off its 30th anniversary celebration with a special reception for customers and friends April 5 at the Coverings exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, booth 3300, from 3:30-5:30pm.
The Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Council of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS (JTHS-MIAMI) will host JTHS-MIAMI Rock the Market on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place. The conference is designed to equip local Realtors with the latest market information, services and trends so they can better serve their clients.

JTHS-MIAMI Rock the Market will feature a broker panel analyzing 2017 local real estate trends, a Palm Beach and Martin counties market forecast by Integra Realty Resources (IRR) Senior Managing Director and 2016 MIAMI Industry Analyst of the Year Anthony M. Graziano and more than a dozen individual presentations on topics ranging from new MIAMI services to leveraging video to sell more properties.

We are thrilled to bring Rock the Market to Palm Beach County for the first time, said Lynne Rifkin, 2017 JTHS President and Realtor with Keller Williams of the Palm Beaches. Rock the Market in Broward and Miami-Dade counties drew sold out, standing-room only crowds this year. Realtors love Rock the Market because it helps them market themselves, learn industry trends and help their clients.



Event: JTHS-MIAMI Rock the Market

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 28

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Venue: Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place

Address: 122 Soundings Avenue, Jupiter, FL 33477

Media - RSVP, Inquiries and Interviews

Lynda Fernandez

lynda(at)miamire.com

(305) 468-7040

RSVP at JTHSrealtors.com/RocktheMarket. The program is free to JTHS-MIAMI members and non-members and includes a full hot lunch, refreshments and many raffle prize opportunities. Registration and power hour is from 9-10 a.m. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drawings will be held from 3-4 p.m.

About the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound (JTHS) Council

The Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Council (JTHS) of MIAMI Association of REALTORS (MIAMI) seeks to serve, unify and lead residential members in Palm Beach and Martin counties. With more than 2,500 members in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the JTHS Council provides members with a legislative voice, education opportunities, a code of ethics, networking opportunities and more. JTHS merged with the MIAMI Association of REALTORS in September 2015. The JTHS official website is http://www.jthsrealtors.com.

About the MIAMI Association of REALTORS

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 97 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward Council, the Jupiter Tequesta Hobe Sound (JTHS) Council, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council and the award-winning International Council, it represents nearly 45,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S., and has official partnerships with 160 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.miamire.com

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Heroes and Horses Founder / CEO Micah Fink This is a story about people, and what can happen if they make choices to learn about themselves

Ten year Navy SEAL combat veteran, Micah Fink, is on a mission. Fink is the founder and CEO of, Heroes and Horses - a Montana based Non-profit organization that focuses on helping former combat veterans find their purpose after returning home from service.

On January 3, 2017, Heroes and Horses embarked on the first stage of what will be a 500-mile horse-packing journey. They traveled to Burns, Oregon, where they were gifted fifteen wild mustangs from the Oregon BLM Corrals, in which they intend to utilize in their 2017 Three Phase program beginning in June. To prepare the wild horses for the upcoming program, Micah and the Heroes and Horses team will be putting them through a rigorous gentling process, which will include putting five hundred riding miles on each horse, in hopes of being able to integrate all fifteen mustangs into their current H&H herd. Once proven, the horses will be paired up with sixteen combat veterans that have been hand selected by the program.

The 500-Miles Project will be documenting the amazing progression of these horses over eight months as they transition into their new lives and find a new purpose, while helping those striving to do the same.

The 500-Miles Project is a short form documentary that is in production by The Pursuit Society, Lux Nova Kino, Josh Fletcher, and photographer Chris Douglas.
BVoIP provides a comprehensive cloud communications platform for IT and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to adopt and deploy both internally and for their downstream customers. While BVoIP leaves the door open from a dial tone perspective allowing partners to retain their current provider or choose a new dial tone provider, BVoIP has selected a group of preferred, vetted providers in each region to deliver a more streamlined program. net2phone is now one of these preferred providers.

net2phone's SIP Trunking service provides BVoIP clients with access to unlimited international calling for a low, flat monthly rate. net2phones SIP Trunking solution includes unlimited calling anywhere in the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada plus 22 other popular destinations: Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Backed by IDT Telecom, a leading global carrier of voice communications, and certified compatible with the majority of IP PBX providers, net2phone SIP Trunking is efficient and reliable.

George Bardissi, President and CEO of BVoIP

"BVoIP is excited to team with net2phone. We believe net2phones SIP Trunking provides extreme value to our partners. net2phones unlimited international calling plans can help them to win new business and compete more effectively in this global economy."

Jonah Fink, President of net2phone

"We are delighted to team with BVoIP in order to provide their partners with unparalleled flexibility. BVoiPs partners will be able to select net2phone SIP Trunking solutions featuring unlimited calling between 25 popular international destinations, and will also be able to price those solutions to meet their customers requirements. Our recent certification by 3CX further strengthens net2phones value add solution for BVoIPs partners.

About BVoIP:

BVoIP helps IT and Managed Service Providers attack voice and unified communications worldwide. Having come out of the MSP space, BVoIP designed its program to not only automate how MSPs interact with their existing systems and tools but to also assist MSPs with an offering to standardize their Unified Communications offering to their customers. BVoIP has built integration with MSP industry solutions from Autotask, ConnectWise, ConnectBooster, DeskDirector, BrightGauge, JoomConnect, and others. BVoIP is currently available in North America, Europe, and the Australian / New Zealand Regions. For more information please visit http://www.bvoip.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

About net2phone:

net2phone is a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) provider to small and mid-sized businesses. net2phones cloud based communication services are distributed exclusively through channel partners and offer business customers substantial cost savings. net2phone is a subsidiary of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), a global provider of telecommunications and payment services. To learn more, please visit http://www.net2phone.com or follow us on Linked IN.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Media Contacts:

BVoIP Contact

George Bardissi

CEO

Phone: 215-402-7200

net2phone Contact

Denise D'Arienzo

Director of Marketing Communications

Phone: 973.438.3227
America's Essential Hospitals Essential hospitals often are anchor institutions in their communities and serve patients for whom social determinants profoundly influence health.

America's Essential Hospitals' research entity, Essential Hospitals Institute, has been awarded an 18-month grant to help essential hospitals move beyond their walls to help people overcome social and economic factors that impact health.

The project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), will support essential hospitals in building a foundation for population health improvement activities, assembling and aligning needed resources, and achieving community-integrated health care.

"Essential hospitals often are anchor institutions in their communities and serve patients for whom social determinants profoundly influence health," said Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals. "While this gives them a deep understanding of these nonclinical factors, applying that experience to improve community health often faces severe resource challenges."

Population health programs, which promote healthful behaviors and mitigate social determinants of poor health, play an increasingly important role in preventing conditions that require medical care. America's Essential Hospitals has made population health improvement a research priority. The Institute recently completed a project, funded by a RWJF planning grant, to assess its members' capacity to improve population health and to identify the support they need to deploy population health programs.

A full report of the planning grant's findings is available on the America's Essential Hospitals website, along with a road map to community-integrated health care. The newly launched project builds on these findings with a three-part strategy to support hospitals in their work to improve population health:

-- engage stakeholders and foster partnerships at the national and local levels;

-- compile and share existing population health tools and resources tailored to essential hospitals; and

-- convene learning communities to build essential hospitals' internal capacity to address population health.

A combination of in-person summits, distance learning opportunities, and online resources will provide essential hospitals with the foundation they need to learn and apply lessons from their pioneering peers and from the growing body of research on population health. By helping to broker partnerships between essential hospitals, public health departments, and community organizations, America's Essential Hospitals will help communities mitigate resource constraints through collaboration.

Kalpana Ramiah, DrPH, the association's research director, says the RWJF project provides an opportunity for the association to help essential hospitals use their unique position to influence the health of their communities. "Our work reflects the simple reality that to succeed as partners of the population health movement, hospitals need support to apply key tools and to develop core partnerships in population health," she says. "Support provided now will have a lasting impact on moving our nearly 300 member hospitals toward community-integrated care."

# # #

About America's Essential Hospitals

America's Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. Since 1981, America's Essential Hospitals has initiated, advanced, and preserved programs and policies that help these hospitals ensure access to care. We support members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education.

Our nearly 300 members are vital to their communities, providing primary care through trauma care, disaster response, health professional training, research, public health programs, and other services. They innovate and adapt to lead the broader health care community toward more effective and efficient care. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.

About Essential Hospitals Institute

Essential Hospitals Institute is the research and quality arm of America's Essential Hospitals. The Institute supports the nation's essential hospitals as they provide high-quality, equitable, and affordable care to their communities. Working with members of America's Essential Hospitals, we identify promising practices from the field, conduct research, disseminate innovative strategies, and help our members improve their organizational performance. We do all of this with an eye toward improving individual and population health, especially for vulnerable people.
Sensible Surrogacy advises clients away from Southeast Asia. Every time a country closes its border to surrogacy, local agents move to the next, less developed country. The result is a steady decline in medical care and legal stability,

While local IVF clinics wait for new legislation in Cambodia and Laos, Sensible Surrogacy now warns all childless couples to stay away from the region. The decision is based on risk of sanctions by the local government against intended parents as well as the rising costs surrogacy and decreasing level of medical services in the region.

Sensible Surrogacy had been informally advising Western clients from considering options in that region. Now there has been a more formal decision made to withdraw from the region completely.

"The Cambodian government has been sending mixed messages, and that has given hope to some couples weighing the possibility of surrogacy in southeast Asia. The government officially announced that legislation is pending that would legalize the practice while simultaneously threatening couples who are now in the country with their newborns," said Bill Houghton, director of Sensible Surrogacy.

In November 2016, the Cambodian Ministry of Justice issued a Prakas stating that Embryo Transfers for surrogacy are now prohibited in that country. The move was quickly followed in December by at least three arrests of individuals providing surrogacy services. The detainees still remain in police custody.

Meanwhile the Khmer Times reported on statements by the Cambodian Foreign Ministry that the legalization of surrogacy was being officially discussed. A new law is being drafted to make surrogacy legal in order to control and prevent Cambodian children who are born via surrogacy from becoming victims, according to the Cambodian news outlet.

Surrogacy agents waiting for changes in Cambodia have begun building new practices in nearby Laos. But Mr. Houghton warns couples of the increased risks and costs of surrogacy in that country. According to the stats published by the World Health Organization, Cambodia has an infant mortality rate or 1.83%. "As if that were not bad enough, the infant mortality rate in Laos is about twice that number," he said. "Every time one country closes its border to surrogacy, local agents move to the next, less developed country. The result is a steady decline in medical care and legal stability," according to Mr. Houghton.

Meanwhile programs in the region are escalating in costs due to the increased risks and special steps needed to navigate the legal minefield, Mr. Houghton said. A more complete analysis of the cost of surrogacy in the region can be found at the Sensible Surrogacy website.

In lieu of Southeast Asia, Sensible Surrogacy recommends pursuing surrogacy in Mexico and the United States (where the price of surrogacy has been falling substantially) or surrogacy in Ukraine (which has the most supportive legislation for surrogacy worldwide).

Sensible Surrogacy is an an ethical IVF & surrogacy consultancy and publisher of the Sensible Surrogacy Guide, which is the definitive source for how surrogacy works for childless couples. Since 2012 they have advocated for affordable, complete and ethical surrogacy services through their overseas consultants and a network of medical and legal service providers.
Rigaku Supermini200 High-power Benchtop Sequential WDXRF Spectrometer

Rigaku Corporation today announced the publication of a new brochure available for the South American market that describes capabilities and areas of application for the Rigaku Supermini200 wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometer.

WDXRF is one of the most powerful and well established techniques for elemental analysis. The Rigaku Supermini200 is the only commercially available benchtop wavelength WDXRF spectrometer.

The new brochure, published in Portuguese, covers basic principles of WDXF, unique advantages of the system, suggested applications for a range of sample types, and technical specifications.

For more information about the Supermini200 spectrometer or to request the brochure, visit https://www.rigaku.com/pt-br/products/xrf/supermini

Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 90 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities.

For further information, contact:

Michael Nelson

Global Marketing Coordinator

Rigaku Corporation

Phone: (512) 225-1796

michael.nelson(at)rigaku.com
Rigaku NEX DE VS - Variable Spot EDXRF Spectrometer ROHS

Applied Rigaku Technologies, Inc. today announced the publication of a newly updated brochure that describes the Rigaku NEX DE VS direct excitation variable spot X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) elemental analyzer  the newest addition to the Rigaku NEX DE Series of high-performance, direct excitation EDXRF spectrometers. This ten-page document provides an overview of capabilities, basic specifications and application options.

Titled NEX DE VS  Elemental Analysis by X-ray Fluorescence, the document provides guidance for users in industry, academia and government seeking elemental analysis solutions for the field, plant or laboratory.

The Rigaku NEX DE VS high-performance, direct excitation EDXRF elemental analyzer is the newest, most advanced benchtop EDXRF spectrometer on the market, delivering wide elemental coverage with easy-to-learn Windows-based software. The spectrometer features a single-position sample stage with three analysis spot size options  3 mm, 8 mm and 14 mm  that are easily changeable by the systems automatic collimators. A 1.3 megapixel CMOS camera and an LED lighting system allow a sample to be visualized via the software interface.

The new brochure features an overview of X-ray fluorescence and details about the units silicon drift detector (SDD) technology. A description of the unique functionality of the system, including the ability to non-destructively analyze for sodium (Na) through uranium (U) in almost any matrix, is also presented. Essential product specifications and features, as well as descriptions of suitable applications and industries, complete the brochure.

For more information about the NEX DE VS spectrometer or to request the brochure, visit http://www.rigakuedxrf.com/nex-devs.php

About Rigaku

Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 90 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities.

For further information, contact:

Michael Nelson

Global Marketing Coordinator

Rigaku Corporation

Phone: (512) 225-1796

michael.nelson@rigaku.com
Cook County commuters are more likely to face long travel times than their suburban counterparts. Finding ways to decrease the number of hours spent en route to work can greatly increase quality of life.

Living in Chicagoland is synonymous with long commute times, but some suburbanites are finding ways to beat the traffic. A new transportation snapshot from Lake County Partners shows suburban commuters are more likely to have a quick commute than their city counterparts.

Among residents in Lake, DuPage, Kane, and McHenry Counties, 22 percent travel less than 15 minutes to get to work each day compared to just 12.6 percent of Chicago residents and 16 percent of Cook County residents. Cook County residents were also most likely to face one-way commute times of more than 30 minutes. In fact, 55 percent of those in Cook County have commutes that total more than an hour each day, and nearly 15 percent have commutes exceeding two hours a day.

The average Chicagoland commuter is spending more than an hour each day getting to and from work, said Kevin Considine, Managing Director of Lake County Partners. When you add it up over the course of the year thats like spending six work weeks in transit, far more time than most spend on vacation each year.

Finding ways to decrease the number of hours spent en route to work can greatly increase quality of life, noted Considine. Living and working in suburban counties may be the key. When we crunched the numbers, we found that commuters outside of Cook County were most likely to enjoy short commute times.

The analysis found that nearly 70 percent of Lake County residents also work in the county, contributing to its shorter commute times. We are fortunate here in Lake County to have a local economy that affords residents the ability to work where they live, offering a combination of high-quality jobs and excellent communities for a high-quality of life, said Considine.

About Lake County Partners

Lake County Partners is a 501(c)(3) economic development corporation that works to maintain economic vitality in Lake County, Illinois by creating and retaining quality jobs, stimulating capital investment, and pursuing economic diversity. Lake County promises businesses a highly-educated workforce, beautiful and diverse recreational areas, a gateway to global markets, the right balance between work and play, top-ranking schools nationwide, world-class healthcare in your backyard, global industry leaders, and first-rate quality of life.
49.80% of college students believe that they will be helped by federal student loan forgiveness programs.

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. In the spirit of Financial Aid Awareness Month, LendEDU conducted a survey to 500 current college students. The 16 question survey was created to test the knowledge of current college students in regards to the financial aid process. The results of the survey confirmed that current college students are struggling to understand the financial aid process.

The results of our survey showed us that students do not understand the basics of applying for financial aid and the long term impact of student debt, said Nate Matherson, Co-Founder & CEO of LendEDU. We found that current college students are overestimating post-graduate repayment benefits. We were very surprised to find that 49.80% of college students believe that they will be helped by federal student loan forgiveness programs after graduation and that 64% of college students incorrectly believe that it is possible to refinance student loan debt with the federal government.

In 2017, an estimated seven out of ten colleges students will graduate with student loan debt. On average, the average borrower is leaving campus with $28,400 in student debt. Student debt can have a lasting impact on the financial, personal, and emotional lives of graduates for a decade. Our survey indicates that current college students may be underestimating the difficulty of repaying student debt. Moreover, the results of our survey indicate that current college students do not understand the eligibility requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the refinancing process.

To view the full results of the 16 question survey please see the full-report on the LendEDU website.

LendEDUs survey was conducted using Pollfish on February 14th, 2017. Our survey was conducted with a screener question to identify and survey only current college students.

###

About LendEDU

Since 2014 LendEDU has delivered free financial aid resources to high school and college students. LendEDU is a marketplace for student loans and student loan refinancing. LendEDU helps graduates find the lowest student loan quotes with one application. The company is partnered with all of the leading student loan companies including SoFi, Citizens Bank, Sallie Mae, College Ave, Earnest, LendKey, among others.

LendEDU was founded by Nate Matherson and Matt Lenhard in August of 2014. LendEDU is a graduate of Y Combinators W16 class, the Iowa Startup Accelerator, and the Horn Program at the University of Delaware.

For more information, please contact:

Dave Rathmanner

Email: dave.rathmanner(at)lendedu.com

Phone: 302-584-0389
Fiord is a well-known ISP company in Moscow region, and provides wideband Internet connection to city businesses and residential areas. During the recent upgrade of network infrastructure, Fiord decided to install a 10 Gbps outdoor millimeter wave radio link for the connection of a newly serviced residential area. The fiber optics alternative was also considered, but postponed, as it required much more time for installation. In busy cities like Moscow, fiber optics is usually installed in ducts underground, but digging in the frozen ground is hard to do and expensive during the winter.

The PPC-10G broadband link provides full-duplex data rates of up to 10 Gbps in a single, zero-footprint, all-outdoor solution. Among ISP application like in the case of Fiord company, the link is intended for Security/Safe City applications, 4G/LTE Backhaul, Corporate Campus Networks, IPTV.

10 Gigabit millimeter wave (MMW) technology is the best choice for wireless connectivity on distances over 1 mile where free-space optics becomes unreliable, especially in situation if fiber optics is not unavailable or too expensive. More over, an additional benefit of PPC-10G is the fact that radio units are installed on sites owned by the customer, therefore bringing the connectivity under full control and management of the user and not dependable on fiber optics operator.

An additional advantage of millimeter wave technology is that up to four PPC-10G parallel links may be installed at the same point-to-point locations, and aggregated into one 40 Gbps channel with no mutual interference. PPC-10G utilizes Ethernet protocol, which is the evolving standard for switches and routers available from a variety of telecommunication equipment manufacturers.

Right now, the PPC-10G link has been installed on 10.2 km distance. Probably, this case is the longest E-band 10 Gigabit wireless link installation in the world, said Ilya Popov, Fiords CIO. Snow and minus-degree weather is not a problem at all for this millimeter wave radio. We have remote control and monitoring to links transceiver components, and see that temperature inside the radio cases is within the allowed limits. We also enjoy that link manufacturing facility is in St.Petersburg that is within 1 hour flight, and we could rely on fast service support.

About Fiord

Fiord was founded in 2002, and now has 15 years of successful experience of ISP business in Moscow region. Fiords main advantages on the market is a high availability of services, excellent internet connectivity and routing. Fiord has partnership with major global Tier1 telecom operators, such as Level3, Telia, Tata, NTT, Seabone Telecom Italia, Tinet, Cogent. The company has presence in the main European traffic exchange points with support nodes located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Stockholm.

For further information: http://fiord.ru

About ELVA-1

Founded in 1993, ELVA-1 is well known player at industrial and scientific instrumentation markets as supplier of components and systems for frequencies from 30 GHz to 1THz. Since 2000, ELVA-1 designs and manufactures ultra high speed radio links according to ECC and FCC requirements. The link operating frequencies include 40.5-43.5GHz, 71-76 & 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz with emphasis on 71-76 & 81-86 GHz as FCC streamlined licensing rules for E-band. Similar, European regulations CEPT channel plan (ECC Recommendation (05)07) for 71-76GHz and 81-86GHz frequency bands radios opens EU wireless fronthaul, backhaul and network extension markets for point-to-point fixed wireless systems (FWS).

Come and visit ELVA-1 at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona (MWC17).

ELVA-1s booth #6N28 is located at Hall 6, ground floor with main entrance from Congress Square.

For more PPC-10G information, please visit http://elva-1.com/products/a40106.

Please send all inquiries via email to: sales(at)elva-1.com.

Visit us at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elva1mmw
We invite everyone to join us this year to enjoy an inspirational evening of learning, celebrating and giving back to our community.

The Multi-church, non-profit organization ServeOurCity today announced details for the upcoming Good Friday 2017 event, taking place on April 14th at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

Starting at 6:00 PM, Good Friday 2017 brings together worship teams and pastors from more than 300 Churches in the greater Austin area. The theme of the event is to celebrate cultural diversity while promoting racial healing for the city and the nation. Seventeen different faith leaders are speaking at the event, and the service culminates with a full concert by multiple Dove Award and Grammy Award winning gospel superstar, Kirk Franklin.

Now in our 8th year, the Good Friday event is about gathering and giving, said Randy Phillips, pastor of LifeAustin Church. Past events have raised more than a million dollars, which weve given to well-vetted charities throughout the community, such as the Capitol Area Food Bank, Caritas, AISD 3rd Grade Reading Program, Aids Services of Austin, The Refuge, and Mobile Loaves & Fishes.

Additional presenters for the evening include: Gaylon Clark of Greater Mount Zion, Matt Carter of The Austin Stone, Tim Hawks of Hill Country Bible, and Rob Koke of Shoreline.

General admission to the event is free. Tickets can be obtained at http://www.GoodFridayATX.com

Donations from attendees will be accepted through both text-give and the events app, which will be launched in the coming weeks. Numerous Church sponsors have generously participated to fund the event, and corporate sponsors are also invited to get involved. Information on sponsorship opportunities can be obtained by visiting ServeOurCity.com or contacting John Capezzuti at john@serveourcity.com.

ServeOurCity is called to feed the hungry, love the lonely and heal the hurting wherever possible, concludes Gaylon Clark. We invite everyone to join us this year to enjoy an inspirational evening of learning, celebrating and giving back to our community.

About ServeOurCity:

ServeOurCity is a multi-church, non-profit organization that gathers and gives. We gather churches together all over Austin every year on Good Friday for a citywide worship experience and giving to local charities. To date, the organization has given more than one million dollars to well vetted non-profit organizations throughout the community. Anyone interested in joining ServeOurCity is invited to call (512) 220-6383, or email info(at)serverourcity.com for more information.

Contact Information:

Jill Warren

Director of Outreach

ServeOurCity

jill(at)servourcity.com
We are proud to offer the countrys largest selection of the nations leading RV brands

Lazydays, The RV Authority and worlds largest RV dealership, has been ranked as the No. 1 RV dealer in Florida across multiple categories. The annual rankings are compiled and published by Statistical Surveys, Inc., a premier provider of market intelligence for RV manufacturers and dealers.

Lazydays Tampa was the top-ranked Florida RV dealer in the following categories:



#1 Dealer in Florida

#1 Towable Dealer in Florida

#1 Motorized Dealer in Florida

#1 Travel Trailer Dealer in Florida

#1 Fifth Wheel Dealer in Florida

#1 Class A Dealer in Florida

#1 Class C Dealer in Florida

In addition, Lazydays has once again been ranked as the No. 1 Class A Diesel Dealer in the United Statesa distinction it has held for the past 14 consecutive years.

We are proud to offer the countrys largest selection of the nations leading RV brands, said Ron Fleming, Lazydays Vice President and General Manager. We appreciate our partnerships with the top RV manufacturers in the world to provide our customers with the best buying experience in the industry.

Situated on 126 acres just outside Tampa, Florida, Lazydays flagship location features a selection of more than 1,500 RVs from Americas most popular motorhome and towable manufacturers. The Lazydays Tampa campus is also home to 234 RV service bays, Lazydays RV Accessories & More (Floridas largest RV accessories store), RV rentals and a 300-campsite RV resort. Visitors can choose from three on-site restaurants, including the exclusive members-only Crown Club for luxury motorhome owners, and take advantage of complimentary seminars and classes, such as Lazydays popular Drivers Confidence Course.

Consumers in the Western region can also experience Lazydays extensive RV selection and signature customer service experience at the companys Tucson dealership and its three locations in the Denver area and Northern Colorado.

About Lazydays

Lazydays, the RV Authority and worlds largest RV dealership, caters to every RV need. Lazydays offers the largest selection of RV brands in the nation featuring more than 2,500 new and pre-owned RVs, over 300 service bays and two on-site campgrounds with over 700 RV campsites. Based on 126 acres outside Tampa, FL, Lazydays also has a dealership located in Tucson, AZ as well as three dealerships located in Loveland, Aurora and Longmont, CO.

Lazydays RV Accessories & More offers more than 40,000 accessories online for your shopping convenience. Shop us online or visit one of our store locations in Florida, Arizona and Colorado. Lazydays also has RV Rental fleets in Florida, Arizona and Colorado.

Since 1976, Lazydays has built its reputation on providing an outstanding customer experience with exceptional service and product expertise, and as a place to rest and recharge with other RVers. More than a half-million RVers and their families visit Lazydays every year, making it their home away from home. Lazydays has been recognized as a Top 50 RV Dealer by RV Business and as one of Tampa Bays Top Work Places. The Lazydays Employee Foundation, supported by payroll contributions from Lazydays employees, has contributed more than $1.5 million dollars to make many historic changes for at-risk children in the Tampa Bay, Tucson and Colorado communities.

For most people, Lazydays isn't just the beginning of their journey; it's very much a part of their ride. To learn more, visit http://www.lazydays.com.

###
VeriComply announced today the closing of an angel round financing with an investor group of seasoned angel investors with decades of experience in marketplace lending, diligence, technology and commercial real estate. The lead investor, Jon Barlow, was the founder of Eaglewood Capital and 2013 Lendit Innovator of the Year. John Maute, was co-founder of Helios AMC / Situs Holdings, a global real estate diligence firm, and board member of Money360, a CRE marketplace lending platform. Roger Dickerson, the former VP of Investor Operations at LendingClub, joined the round and recently joined the Company as President. The investment group also includes Robert Alter, founder of Sunstone Hotel REIT, a multi-billion dollar NYSE listed REIT, Green Mesa Capital, a family office focused on real estate and alternative investments, and Toby Prehn, the founder of 13 finance companies.

The funding will enable to the Company to ramp up sales and operations of its automated verification services for marketplace lending and continue to recruit talented executives and employees.

We are pleased to have the financial backing and connections of this exceptional group of angel investors, commented Roger Cohen, CEO of VeriComply. Our investors have the knowledge and relationships that are even more important to launching a successful business than their capital. In fact, our investors have probably brought more new asset classes to the securization markets than any group in the industry.

About VeriComply.

VeriComply automates the assembly of assets by origination platforms and the verification of loans for the secondary market. The Companys proprietary technology platform and process automatically recognizes loan files, extracts and validates loan data against the source documents and creates a complete audit history. The platform can be integrated with origination, servicing and data aggregation systems to keep accurate loan documents and audit histories linked to the loan data and always accessible. http://www.vericomply.com

Contact Roger Cohen, CEO, roger.cohen(at)veriComply(dot)com for more information
We are thrilled to share this moment with all operators and technology enthusiasts who are excited to see a small cell with unlimited potential. - Mr. Lixin Sun, CEO of Baicells

Baicells Technologies has announced today that, after joining the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) in 2016, their LTE eNodeB small cell will be included in TIPs RAN unbundling project demonstration hosted by SK Telecom this year at Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC). This collaborative demonstration will exhibit an open interface, virtualization, and a cloud computing solution.

This collaboration aims to create a more open market environment for the industry. Baicells Technologies joined the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) at Mobile World Congress in 2016, hoping to work with all operators, infrastructure providers, system integrators, and other technology companies to develop new technologies to contribute to the future of telecom networking.

"It is a great honor to join the Telecom Infra Project, and we thank industry partners for providing us the opportunity to participate in the project. This collaborative demonstration is in line with our vision of an internet connection within everyones reach, and we always hope to work together to reimagine the traditional approach to building and deploying telecom network infrastructure," commented Mr. Lixin Sun, CEO of Baicells Technologies.

With new technology to help operators and the entire ecosystem to create a more open network environment, we hoped every module in the demonstration would go well. Our small cell product, in collaboration with industry partners, will help operators to build a more flexible, innovative and efficient network, continued Mr. Sun. We are thrilled to share this moment with all operators and technology enthusiasts who are excited to see a small cell with unlimited potential.

About Baicells Technologies

Baicells is a privately-held, high tech company dedicated in wireless broadband access solutions. Our main products and solutions cover indoor and outdoor small cells, CPEs, antennas, etc. With the vision to connect the unconnected, Baicells has introduced some real breakthrough technologies to the LTE system, like moving a complete LTE system to unlicensed spectrum and building it with an IT based architecture. With Baicells turnkey end-to-end solutions, it becomes much easier to provide wireless internet within everyone's reach at a very low cost.

Baicells' innovative solutions can be used by mobile operators, broadband access operators, cable operators, mobile virtual operators, governments and enterprise private networks. http://www.baicells.com

27th Feb to 2nd Mar 2017, Mobile World Congress

Baicells Technologies

Stand No 5G21, Hall 5, Fira Gran Via

Learn more: contact(at)baicells.com
San Francisco Hair Transplant Among the highlights on our Yelp listing is PRP therapy for hair loss.

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, a professional hair transplant clinic serving San Francisco and environs, is proud to announce an upgrade to the company's Yelp listing. Bay Area residents struggling from thinning hair can research information on the upgraded Yelp page on topics as diverse as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, hair transplantation techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation, as well as other hair restoration therapies.

Among the highlights on our Yelp listing is PRP therapy for hair loss. This is a relatively new procedure so we are still getting the word out about it to the community, explained Miguel Canales, founder of Silicon Valley Hair Institute. Our upgraded Yelp page offers photos and more details. It could be the perfect fit for some Bay Area locals suffering from a thinning hair. It should also be noted that we service both men and women suffering from hair loss.

To review the updated Yelp page for hair transplant service in San Francisco please visit https://www.yelp.com/biz/silicon-valley-hair-institute-foster-city. To learn more about various hair transplant procedures including FUT and FUE, please go to http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/. Of special note is the page on hair transplant services for Bay Area women at http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/hair-transplant-for-women/.

San Francisco and Yelp: Getting the Word Out on the Best Hair Transplant Options

Silicon Valley can be known as a diverse population with individual tastes and interests. Savvy Bay Area locals may investigate several social network sites before choosing a restaurant or service.

Finding the right fit can require searching a few key social network sites for information. If a San Francisco native has decided to find the best hair transplant service, Google+ and Yelp could be the first place to look. Smart business owners may frequently upgrade a Yelp page to ensure the latest technology is readily available to the community.

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, a leading hair transplant clinic in the Bay Area has recently upgraded the company's Yelp listing. Platelet Rich Plasma hair growth therapy (PRP) has been a recent discovery for hair loss treatment, for example, and is featured on the upgraded listing. Men or women may find it is the perfect fit for a thinning hair problem. If PRP therapy for hair is not the right fit, a menu of hair transplant services including FUT and FUE can also be found. San Francisco locals dealing with individual hair loss problems can find the best hair transplant options in San Francisco through Yelp.

About Silicon Valley Hair Institute

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, under the leadership of top-rated California hair transplant surgeon Miguel Canales MD, is one of the best facilities offering San Francisco Bay Area hair transplants. Dr. Canales provides the full range of advanced hair transplant and hair restoration procedures for Bay Area residents, from San Francisco to San Mateo to Palo Alto. If one needs a hair transplant specialist, look no further than this Bay Area hair transplant center. Dr. Canales also performs female hair transplants for women and eyebrow restoration, thus offering the best hair transplant and robotic hair replacement options. Call today to 650-551-1100 for a no-cost consultation, or for more information visit http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/.
San Francisco Hair Transplant Its easy for a patient to get confused over what FUE and FUT mean as hair restoration techniques.

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, a professional Bay Area center for hair transplantation therapy, is proud to announce a new informational post on robotic hair transplantation. San Francisco residents may be confused over two popular hair therapy procedures. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) can sound similar. Either treatment can be used to provide a Bay Area patient with thicker hair, but the most important step is to come in for a professional consultation, as only a hair restoration specialist can evaluate and make a recommendation as to the best procedure.

Its easy for a patient to get confused over what FUE and FUT mean as hair restoration techniques, explained Miguel Canales, founder of Silicon Valley Hair Institute. Medical acronyms and tech speak can throw people off a bit. Both treatments can help men and women dealing with hair loss. Our new blog post easily explains the difference.

To view the new blog post please go to http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/confused-fue-vs-fut-hair-transplant-bay-area-dont/. Information noting the difference between FUE hair transplant treatment and FUT treatment can be reviewed. San Francisco locals researching hair loss therapy can research several other treatments as well, and reach out to hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Canales, for a consultation.

Understanding FUE Hair Transplant Treatments ASAP in the Bay Area

Common acronyms used in daily life can be easy for the general population to decipher. Bay Area residents may be used to seeing the acronym ASAP and understand it means As Soon as Possible. Simple abbreviations for texting or filling out forms may also be easy to decode. Acronyms for specific industries, such as the medical profession could be more difficult to translate. If a San Francisco local is considering FUE hair transplant treatment, it might be confused with FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). Both can help balding scalps yet only one of the two hair loss treatments may be a better choice for an individual.

Silicon Valley Hair Institute has recently posted a new blog noting the difference between FUE hair transplant services and FUT. Bay Area residents searching for the best individual hair loss treatment can have many choices. The new post can help patients understand the important differences between an FUT or FUE hair transplant procedure. Depending on the hair loss problem and other factors specific to a Bay Area resident, either FUE or FUT may be the better choice. If a woman or man has been experiencing thinning hair, the problem may be crucial to the individual. A top FUE hair transplant service can be found ASAP in San Francisco.

About Silicon Valley Hair Institute

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, under the leadership of top-rated California hair transplant surgeon Miguel Canales MD, is one of the best facilities offering San Francisco Bay Area hair transplants. Dr. Canales provides the full range of advanced hair transplant and hair restoration procedures for Bay Area residents, from San Francisco to San Mateo to Palo Alto. Treatments include FUT, FUE, PRP plus other technologies to help stop hair loss. If one needs a hair transplant specialist, look no further than this Bay Area hair transplant center. Dr. Canales also performs female hair transplants for women and eyebrow restoration, thus offering the best hair transplant and robotic hair replacement options. Call today to 650-551-1100 for a no-cost consultation, or for more information visit http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/.
They always say that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

The JM Internet Group, a leader in SEO training online, is proud to announce new updates to its popular SEO Tips blog. The SEO Tips blog is utilized by Dr. Jason McDonald, SEO director of the JM Internet Group, as an easy forum to receive and answer questions from students of the companys popular SEO training courses as well as incoming questions from persons reading his popular book on SEO, the SEO Fitness Workbook 2017. The company is announcing four new posts for February, 2017, in addition to four posts for January, 2017, on a ranging of common questions from small business owners and marketers on the topic of search engine optimization.

They always say that there is no such thing as a stupid question, explained Jason McDonald, director of the JM Internet Group. Clearly, the popularity of the SEO Fitness Workbook in conjunction with my courses at Stanford Continuing Studies and online for the JM Internet Group are creating a cornucopia of important questions from students.

To view the eight new posts (for both February and January, 2017), simply visit http://jm-seotips.org/. There, one can scroll down the posts in chronological order. Alternatively, one can browse the new question and answer posts on SEO by using the tag index, as for example, at http://jm-seotips.org/category/cat-seo/.

New Posts on Search Engine Optimization

Among the new posts are the following examples. First, Website Redesign and 301 Redirects: How to Get Google to Reindex. This post answers the common question as to when a person updates his or her website, what is the approximate time it will take for the website changes to be not only indexed by Google but to appear in the Google search index. The answer, as explained by Dr. McDonald, is a) to create 301 redirects where appropriate, b) to use the Google Search Consoles feature of Fetch as Google, and c) to build inbound links to the new content. Second, another interesting post concerns Using a Facebook Personal Profile (Page) for Business. Here, only in a few circumstances should a business attempt to use a profile on Facebook. An example would be a musician or realtor who is extremely comfortable mixing his or her personal brand with the business. For most businesses, it is far better to choose an official Facebook Page for their marketing purposes. Other posts can be found at the website, and persons who have the SEO Fitness Workbook and/or have taken one of Dr. McDonalds courses are encouraged to submit questions via the website.

About JM Internet Group

The JM Internet Group (https://www.jm-seo.org/) provides SEO, Social Media Marketing, and Google AdWords training and courses for busy marketers and businesspeople. Online search engine optimization training helps explain keywords, page tags, link building strategies and other techniques needed to climb to the top of search engine rankings for Google, Yahoo, and Bing. The teaching methodology is hands on, with live examples and discussions, taught from the convenience of each students computer.

Contact:

JM Internet Group, Media Relations

Email. jm(dot)internetgroup(at)gmail(dot)com
The logo makeover is the first step in the brand revamp for Goldstream Incorporated

The brand revamp was inspired by a recent industry conference the firm attended in London, where one of the guest speakers highlighted the importance and benefits of a strong brand and the role that branding plays in talent acquisition.

About Goldstream Incorporated: http://www.goldstreamincorporated.co.uk/about-us/

The logo makeover is the first step in the brand revamp for Goldstream Incorporated, with CEO Dan Coolican keen to freshen up the company's website. Rebranding breathes new life into a business and shows the focus and vision of a firm. Aside from the lion concept, Mr Coolican revealed that his input in the original branding for Goldstream Incorporated was minimal. When we initially launched, branding wasnt something I felt confident about contributing towards. I knew I wanted a lion on the logo but other than that, I left most of the decision making in the hands of the professionals. However, now I have more experience I am much more hands on, and I have been involved in every stage of the logo evolution, and I am excited for the website to be next, said Mr Coolican.

A lion symbolises wisdom, power, courage and ferocity - all traits that Mr Coolican wanted to be synonymous with his business. The entrepreneur and business owner was excited to give the brand an overhaul but was conscious of staying true to the original idea, while making it fresher and modern at the same time.

The revamp of the website is still in its early planning stage. However, the objective is to portray more of the company culture and not be so focused towards client acquisition. CEO Dan Coolican hopes that once launched, the new site will help with the firm's recruitment process, allowing them to attract the right kind of applicants to the business. This can be done by providing them with a feel of the company culture, the firms goals and ambitions, and how they can fit in with all the above.

At Goldstream Incorporated they recognise the importance of evolving, and they encourage people to embrace change. Goldstream Incorporated is an outsourced sales and marketing firm based in Nottingham. As direct marketing specialists, the firm works closely alongside their clients to create unique marketing campaigns, which will accurately represent their products or services to consumers. There has been much excitement over the brand revamp, and CEO Dan Coolican is passionate about gaining maximum exposure for the Goldstream Incorporated brand in 2017.
We are in the midst of paradigm change, Dr. Liegner said. Improved methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention are urgently needed.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.  Peer-reviewed guidelines from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) has disclosed that despite scientific studies, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) dismiss any existence of chronic Lyme disease. Kenneth B. Liegner, M.D. has compiled into a single volume a compelling argument that the disease does exist in his book, In the Crucible of Chronic Lyme Disease (published by Xlibris).

The Bohlsen Group writes a review of the book, saying, this body of work includes scientific articles, speeches and presentations, correspondence with legislators and principals in the field and photographs of persons important in the history of the disease. It illustrates a rational, ethical and scientifically based approach to care of persons suffering from this still incompletely understood illness.

We are in the midst of paradigm change, Dr. Liegner said. Improved methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention are urgently needed.

Liegner has spent more than 25 years working with Lyme and and tick-borne diseases has personally cared for many patients suffering from chronic Lyme disease. He calls for a "Manhattan Project" for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases, and advocates for physician autonomy and patient rights.

It took medical science roughly 500 years to gain a good understanding of syphilis, Liegner said. We are but 40 years in to Lyme disease, caused by a spirochete considerably more genetically complex than Treponema pallidum, the organism causing syphilis.

In the Crucible of Chronic Lyme Disease: Collected Writings & Associated Materials

By Kenneth B. Liegner, M.D.

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 892 pages | ISBN 9781503587366

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 892 pages | ISBN 9781503587373

E-Book | 892 pages | ISBN 9781503587359

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Kenneth B. Liegner, M.D. is a board certified internist with training in pathology and critical care medicine. He holds the first U.S. patent proposing application of acaricide to deer for area-wide control of deer-tick populations to reduce Lyme disease. Currently, he acts as a member of the board of directors of International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), a member of the professional & scientific advisory board of The Lyme Disease Association, Inc. and a member of the American Physicians and Surgeons. His private practice is located in Pawling.

Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.
RE/MAX Realtor Michelle Fisher recently earned a number of prestigious RE/MAX Properties, Inc. honors. Fisher received the Quantum Leap Award, Platinum QSC Award, 2016 Client Service Award (the only agent out of her entire firm to receive this), 300% Club Award and the Hall of Honor Award.

It is truly such a blessing, an honor, and a privilege to rank among the best of the best here in Colorado, said Fisher, a Zillow All-Star and 5-Star Agent.

Fisher is also a 2016 RE/MAX Hall of Fame inductee, Best of Colorado Springs Awards for Real Estate recipient and 2016 American Institute of Real Estate Professionals 10 Best Client Satisfaction Award recipient. She is also a Peak Producers Award winner, putting her in the top 10 percent in El Paso County.

Fisher is a native of Colorado and has lived in Colorado Springs for more than fifteen years. Fisher, her husband and two daughters are a sponsor family for Compassion International, a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. They also enjoy volunteering for and providing monetary donations to Soles4Souls, CURE International, Empart USA, World Vision, Habitat for Humanity and the Care and Share Food Bank.

About Michelle Fisher, RE/MAX Properties, Inc.

Michelle Fisher is an Accredited Buyers Representative, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert, Certified New Home Specialist, Military Residential Specialist, Residential Construction Certified, Seller Representative Specialist, USA Cares Certified Military Housing Specialist and Quality Service Certified. For more information, call (719) 322-6467, or visit http://www.movesbymichelle.com.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Kicking off the festivities with the 4 Wheel Parts Vehicle Parade presented by ODYSSEY Battery with all that horsepower roaring down the Strip is quite a sight for fans.

Global leader in off-road performance product sales and installation, 4 Wheel Parts, is among the sponsors of the Mint 400 held March 1-5 at the Nevada state line, with multiple activities scheduled in Las Vegas. In addition to leading the vehicle procession down the famed Las Vegas Strip, 4 Wheel Parts President and CEO Greg Adler will compete in the The Great American Off-Road Race" on Saturday, March 4.

The annual Polaris RZR Mint 400 presented by BFGoodrich Tires began in 1968 with six classes and today it boasts over 20 as it attracts the sports elite from around the country. Team 4 Wheel Parts driver Greg Adler returns to the iconic event in his #210 4400 Class Jeep after completing the King of the Hammers Race earlier in the month.

The event also marks the fifth straight year 4 Wheel Parts participates as a sponsor of the Mint 400 Vehicle Parade featuring race vehicles in a procession down the Strip on Wednesday, March 1. Powered by ODYSSEY Battery, the 10-mile parade will give off-road enthusiasts an up close look at over 350 of the worlds most rugged off-road vehicles before they compete.

The Mint 400 has a rich history dating back to the origins of off-road racing in the wide open Nevada desert, said Greg Adler, President and CEO of 4 Wheel Parts. Kicking off the festivities with the 4 Wheel Parts Vehicle Parade presented by ODYSSEY Battery with all that horsepower roaring down the Strip is quite a sight for fans. When you combine that with contingency and numerous activities right in the heart of downtown on Fremont Street, its developed into so much more than an off-road race. Were proud to share in the continued legacy of this storied event.

Thursday, March 2 at 11 a.m., time trials sponsored by Method Race Wheels will commence and teams competing in the Pit Crew Challenge will have a chance at 7:30 that night to qualify and compete in the single elimination contest. The Limited Race gets underway at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 4, with the Unlimited class race beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The Mint 400 began in 1968 and after a 20-year hiatus, the legendary race resumed in Las Vegas in 2008. The 400-mile battle pits the worlds premier off-road racers against each other. Among the stars who have competed in past races are actors Patrick Dempsey and James Garner and celebrated off-road champions Mickey Thompson and Walker Evans.

Greg Adler Motorsports is Supported by:

4 Wheel Parts  BFGoodrich Tires  ODYSSEY Battery  MagnaFlow Exhaust  AMP Research / AVS  LUND  Rigid Industries  G2 Axle & Gear  Bushwacker  Makita Industrial Power Tools  Impact Racing  MasterCraft Safety  King Shocks  K&N Filters  FiberwerX  AAM

About 4 Wheel Parts

4 Wheel Parts is the global leader in truck, Jeep, SUV and off-road performance products. With 77 locations across the U.S. and Canada and growing, 4 Wheel Parts Service Centers install all the products they sell. Maintaining the nations largest inventory of off-road tires, Moto metal wheels, suspension products, and accessories, 4 Wheel Parts serves customers across the country and around the globe. Life is Better Off-Road. Visit them at 4wheelparts.com or call toll-free 877-474-4821.
Patti Engineering, Inc., a leading control system integration company based in Auburn Hills, MI with offices in Texas and Indiana, today announced its participation in Manufacturing in America 2017, hosted by Siemens and Electro-Matic Products. The event will take place March 22-23, 2017 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Patti Engineering will be exhibiting for the 8th consecutive year and will present a technical seminar for conference attendees.

The Manufacturing in America (MiA) conference brings together executives, engineers and enthusiasts from the manufacturing community to network, learn about the newest technologies, and share best practices. MiA is held annually in Detroit, which has the second largest concentration of engineers in the country.

New this year, the MiA is presenting The Summit, a four-hour session exploring how digitalization is shaping the future of manufacturing. The Summit will feature thought-provoking presentations, discussions and sharing of best practices with leading U.S. manufacturing industry experts.

In addition to The Summit, the MiA conference will offer over 100 focused educational seminars, 50 exhibitor booths and two networking receptions. On Thursday, March 23, local students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in educational workshops with manufacturing equipment in a program called the Student Zone.

The Manufacturing in America event is a conference we look forward to each year, said Sam Hoff, founder and president of Patti Engineering. Our engineers enjoy taking advantage of the technical seminars and sharing ideas with others in the manufacturing community.

To learn more and register, visit http://www.attendmia.com

About Patti Engineering, Inc.

Patti Engineering, Inc. is a CSIA Certified control systems integration company offering high-caliber engineering and software development services. Patti Engineerings technical expertise in electrical control and information systems provides turnkey control systems integration for design/build, upgrade/retrofit and asset/energy management projects. Industrial automation, production intelligence and shop floor IT solutions services include: project management, electrical engineering, hardware design, hardware procurement, software development, installation, calibration, start-up testing, verification, documentation, training and warranty support. Customer satisfaction and project success earned the company placement in the Control Engineering Magazines Hall of Fame. For more information, visit http://www.pattieng.com.
Peterson's, a Nelnet Company is proud to announce its inclusion in the National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE) Publisher's Resources Coalition for its exclusive Dean Vaughn Total Retention System. The Dean Vaughn Total Retention System series includes Medical Terminology 350, Basic Human Anatomy, and Fundamentals of Dental Education.

Unique to most consortiums, the NCHSE is composed of individuals and organizations, including competitive publishing companies with a special interest in health science education. By joining this coalition, Petersons is aligned with several other medical science publishers to stay current on issues that impact health science education, the healthcare industry, and NCHSE products and services. "I am very excited that Petersons Publishing has joined the NCHSE, said Dominic Rotondi, Executive Director of Petersons. I am certain that the experience and ongoing commitment Petersons has with academic and career achievement for students, combined with the insights of the National Consortium for Health Science Education can facilitate better and more well-informed publications.."

About Petersons

For over 50 years, Petersons has offered products and services to keep students and their families engaged throughout the pre-college, in-college and post-college experience. Petersons parent company, Nelnet Inc.  one of the leading education services and finance companies in the world  offers innovative products and services throughout the educational life cycle to help students reach their academic goals. For more information, please visit Petersons.com.
Voxox logo 'Not offering SMS as a means to interact with customers creates an unnecessary barrier for effective business communications,' said Kevin Hertz, CTO and co-founder of Voxox.

Voxox, innovator in cloud communication solutions for businesses with the most comprehensive Unified Communications Platform as a Service, today announced that the company has expanded its wholesale SMS portfolio. Voxox has rolled out two-way SMS via dedicated U.S. toll-free numbers as sender ID. The offering is geared towards SMS aggregators and other relevant service providers, as well as businesses that use high-volume SMS in their applications or products. Voxox representatives are sharing more information on this new wholesale service, along with other wholesale solutions, at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona.



"A growing number of business patrons prefer to text rather than call companies on the phone, so not offering SMS as a means to interact with these customers creates an unnecessary barrier for effective business communications," said Kevin Hertz, CTO and co-founder of Voxox. "With the potentially immense cost-savings that two-way text messaging can offer businesses, we wanted to ensure that our extremely competitive wholesale SMS rates can be used for both local and toll-free business phone numbers. We are excited to close the loop on this with today's announcement."



The expansion of the Voxox wholesale SMS portfolio to include two-way toll-free texting service comes on the heels of Voxox's recent introduction of toll-free texting support for its virtual PBX service Cloud Phone, which is geared towards very small businesses ("micro-businesses"). Cloud Phone and other Voxox solutions are available for operators and service providers to white label or co-brand through the Voxox For Operators partner program.



Voxox wholesale SMS solutions are offered through a web service API. To learn more about Voxox wholesale services, please visit http://www.voxox.com/wholesale. To set up a meeting with Voxox at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, please email sales(at)voxox(dot)com.



About Voxox

Voxox is an innovator in unified cloud communication solutions for businesses. The foundation of the company's offerings is its award-winning unified communications Platform as a Service, which enables the company and its customers to build powerful, scalable applications and services. For end-users, Voxox provides an extensive suite of carrier-grade business phone solutions, including its flagship business app, Cloud Phone, as well as SIP Trunking, hosted PBX, and a wide array of wholesale services, such as high volume SMS. For service provider partners, Voxox delivers cutting-edge mobile and desktop applications that integrate voice, video, messaging, fax, media sharing and more. Voxox is headquartered in San Diego. For more information, please visit http://www.voxox.com.
Youth members of the Young Marines atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima during the 2016 Reunion of Honor These Young Marines represent some of the best and brightest young men and women from across our great nation. Each shares qualities of leadership, self-confidence and good citizenship, and each lives a drug free lifestyle.

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has named six division winners of one of its most prestigious awards - the Division Young Marine of the Year. The winners will travel to Guam and Iwo Jima in the spring for the annual Reunion of Honor which this year takes place Saturday, March 25, 2017 on Iwo Jima.

From these six winners, one will be named National Young Marine of the Year in May at the Young Marines Adult Leaders Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The division winners are:



Division 1  YM SgtMaj Jordan A. James, 17, of Jeannette, Pennsylvania. James is a member of the Westmoreland County Young Marines under the command of Ronald Maxson. James is a junior at Penn-Trafford High School.

Division 2  YM SgtMaj Caleb Maurer, 16, of Bromley, Kentucky. Maurer is a member of the Northern Kentucky Young Marines under the command of Lynne Arnold. He is a sophomore at Dixie Heights High School.

Division 3  YM SgtMaj Carson George, 17, of Oviedo, Florida. He is a member of the Orlando Devil Dogs Young Marines under the command of John Gionet. George is a junior at Paul J. Hagerty High School.

Division 4  YM SgtMaj Angel Luiz Orozco, 16, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a member of the Pikes Peak Young Marines under the command of Kevin Coward. Orozco is a junior at Sierra High School.

Division 5 - YM SgtMaj Michael Dulin, 17, of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of the Greater Cleveland Young Marines under the command of Craig Boone. Dulin is a junior at Olmsted Falls High School.

Division 6  YM SgtMaj Anna Saucedo, 16, of Temecula, California. She is a member of the Temecula Valley Young Marines under the command of Wilson Lee. Saucedo is a junior at Temecula Valley High School.

These Young Marines represent some of the best and brightest young men and women from across our great nation, said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. "Each shares qualities of leadership, self-confidence and good citizenship, and each lives a drug free lifestyle which is a cornerstone of the Young Marines. I am very proud of all six division winners."

The six honorees are invited to the annual Reunion of Honor trip to Guam and Iwo Jima. The year 2017 marks the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and the 73rd for Guam. Annually, American and Japanese veterans come together for remembrances of their fallen brothers and to recall the fierce battles that took place on the two islands during World War II. The Young Marines act as escorts for the veterans during the trip.

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 275 units with 9,200 youth and 2,760 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: http://www.YoungMarines.com.
Looking to deliver more book recommendation features on Facebook, HarperCollins is adding two online bot-powered recommendation engines to Facebook Messenger.

HarperCollins is adding BookGenie and a similar Epic Reads A.I. interface to the Facebook Messenger feature on two of its Facebook pages. Carrie Bloxson, v-p of marketing, said HC is relying on "the power of artificial intelligence" to deliver recommendations for "readers searching for their next great book.

BookGenie is available on Facebook.com/HarperCollins and the Epic Reads bot (specifically for YA titles) is available at Facebook.com/EpicReads. Both services feature interactive artificial intelligence widgets that can find new HarperCollins titles based on their taste, general mood, and past favorite books.

Both services are activated by clicking on the blue Facebook Messenger button located under the pages Facebook cover photo. On the BookGenie/HarperCollins page, the messenger will ask the user for information about what books they like and, through an exchange of information with the software, the user will be offered titles.

Epic Reads is an online recommendation site for YA titles that HC launched in 2012; the Epic Reads Facebook bot is accessed the same way as BookGenie. However this bot is designed to be slightly more interactive; it will respond to recommendation requests with an animated video image of a comically cheerful female book lover who asks the user for details about their mood and literary taste before delivering a recommendation.

Margot Wood, Epic Reads senior community manager, said the most popular question her team receives is: "What book should I read next?" Wood said that now, with the bot, "we can scale conversations with our community and engage, share content, and deepen consumers connection with our brand.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University has entered a partnership that will take its content onto the global stage and will provide international learning opportunities for professors and students.

FutureLearn, based in the United Kingdom, is Europes largest massive open online course (MOOC) provider and was founded by The Open University, a distance-learning leader since 1969. Through this partnership, Purdue instructors will be able to reach a global audience with online learning content that further strengthens Purdues action plan for digital education.

The FutureLearn platform will provide our faculty and staff the opportunity to reach broad audiences, large audiences, and different audiences with modular learning content in a cutting-edge social learning environment, said Jon Harbor, Purdues associate vice provost for teaching and learning and director of digital education. This is also part of a larger Purdue strategy to develop and take advantage of modern technology to further our land-grant mission.

The MOOCs that are launching are free and open to anyone. The courses do not result in credits, but certifications can be obtained for a fee, typically about $60.

FutureLearn is one of the largest MOOC providers in the world but had not partnered with U.S. institutions until this year, agreeing to collaborate with Purdue, American University, Colorado State University, Pennsylvania State University, and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

We are delighted to be making our first move into the U.S. market with a partner as progressive as Purdue, said Simon Nelson, CEO of FutureLearn. The many ways in which they are integrating MOOCs to extend their content, reach new students and introduce new perspectives to the campus should be an inspiration to universities around the world.

Initially, four Purdue courses  psychology statistics, data science, and two in communications disciplines  will be offered as FutureLearn MOOCs that will launch in mid-April.

A majority of the FutureLearn courses will be 2-8 weeks long and might take 3-5 hours per week. All MOOCs can be completed on any device with internet capabilities, such as a smartphone, enabling a larger group of individuals to participate.

There are a lot of conversations happening with instructors on campus, and Im confident well have a lot more MOOCs come out during the year, said Maricel Lawrence, Purdues associate director for digital education.

MOOCs will make Purdues education available to a diverse global group. A faculty member might take content taught in a three-credit course and break it into multiple MOOCs, some of which could reach a K-12 audience, undergraduate students, employees of corporate partners, alumni, international partners, or independent learners. Also, potential students will be able to take a Purdue-offered MOOC as a way to gauge their interest in the university or even potential areas of study.

Instead of using learning modules just once, they can be used in many different ways, Harbor said. Purdue will have an even wider portfolio of non-credit learning opportunities, and interested learners will be able to see and access the range of offerings Purdue has available.

Some professors might also use MOOCs as a method for students in their classes to interact with a global audience, while people already in the workforce may complete a MOOC in communications and then decide to pursue an online masters program. Information on scientific breakthroughs also can be relayed through MOOCs, allowing training and information to be taught to a wide audience in an expedient manner.

Its a canvas that faculty can paint in a wide variety of ways to meet lots of different audience needs, Harbor said.

FutureLearn uses a pedagogy approach of social learning in the courses  meaning it creates an environment and encourages interaction and conversation among students and faculty  rather than a straight lecture period.

Theres a very powerful learning theory behind the social learning approach, based on many years of experience and research, which forms the very core of the FutureLearn platform, Harbor said.

Purdues partnership with edX, an online learning platform founded by MIT and Harvard, will continue.

Registration for the FutureLearn courses offered by Purdue can be completed online at https://www.futurelearn.com/partners/purdue. Questions on the FutureLearn partnership can be directed to Maricel Lawrence, Purdues associate director for digital education, at lawren36@purdue.edu.

Media contact: Brian Peloza, 765-496-9711, bpeloza@purdue.edu

Sources: Jon Harbor, jharbor@purdue.edu

Maricel Lawrence, lawren36@purdue.edu

Sarah Mulder: sarah.mulder@futurelearn.com, +44 7720401466
OSAGE | An Illinois man remained hospitalized on Monday with injuries he received in a crash near Osage.

Chaudhary Jitendrakumar, 25, of Woodridge, Ill., crossed the center line of Highway 9 and hit a westbound semitrailer near Cameo Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, according to an Iowa State Patrol crash report.

The crash scene is about 8 miles west of Osage.

Troopers say the impact ripped a wheel off Jitendrakumar's Toyota Camry and rolled his car onto the shoulder.

The loose wheel hit a Pontiac Grand Am driven by a 16-year-old Osage girl.

Jitendrakumar was flown by helicopter to Mercy Medical CenterNorth Iowa.

He was then transferred to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Jitendrakumar was listed in fair condition Monday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Troopers say the driver of the semitrailer, Nathan Schrom, 30, of Austin, Minnesota, and the driver of the Pontiac Grand Am, Bailey Young, did not required transport to the hospital.

Troopers said the crash remained under investigation Monday.

No citations have been issued.

-- Molly Montag
WINNETKA, Ill. (AP)  When a largely white public school nestled in Chicago's wealthiest suburbs planned a daylong civil rights seminar, it drafted two National Book Award winners as keynote speakers and crafted a syllabus that would be the envy of most liberal arts colleges.

But New Trier, a high-achieving, 4,000-student high school regularly ranked among the nation's best, found itself stepping into the minefield of the national dialogue on race and civil rights. Some parents and conservative groups have deemed the event during Black History Month "radical" and "divisive." Dueling petitions circulated, heated emails were exchanged and hundreds of people packed a school board meeting beyond capacity.

While New Trier's demographics and resources aren't reflective of many public schools, the debate highlights the complications of teaching civil rights when much of the country struggles to discuss race. Some educators worry their work will become more difficult after a polarizing election that's fueled divisions, even in homogenous and largely Democratic areas like the upscale Lake Michigan suburbs making up New Trier.

For educators the goal is simple.

"One of the things we most hope happens is for the kids to be able to see the world through someone else's eyes," said Superintendent Linda Yonke.

Dozens of workshops Tuesday will cover such topics as voter suppression, affordable housing and police brutality. Colson Whitehead, whose historical fiction "The Underground Railroad" has won literary accolades, will speak.

Organizers want students to think about how race might affect daily life and be moved to action, if necessary. Administrators and many parents say it's particularly important because of the school's population: Roughly 85 percent of the students are white with similar demographics among the teachers. In Winnetka, home to the main campus, the median household income is more than $200,000 and stately brick mansions are common.

New Trier began all-school seminar days in the early 1990s, though it's not an annual event. Students and teachers write the curriculum and regular attendance rules apply. Topics vary. In previous years, the school has addressed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The first hint of a pushback started last year, when the event coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and one workshop included ways to explore white guilt.

As this year's Seminar Day approached, opposition spread.

Breitbart News  once led by White House chief strategist Steve Bannon  deemed the event "a major left-wing indoctrination project." The National Review weighed in, as did the Illinois Family Institute, calling it a "smorgasbord of ideologically non-diverse seminars." A local publication backed by a conservative activist and businessman dug up school administrators' voting records. A Wall Street Journal opinion piece proclaimed it a "racial indoctrination day."

Parents, some linked to conservative organizations, formed a small but vocal opposition group.

"The school went about this in a way that ensures it will be narrow and divisive," said Betsy Hart, who has two children enrolled. Hart, a senior writer at the conservative Heritage Foundation who says her school activism is separate from her day job, expects the parent group to continue pushing for more conservative voices at New Trier High.

Among its numerous and nuanced requests, the group wants to add research supporting voter identification laws to a session on voter suppression and ensure a panel on affirmative action includes contrasting views such as the suggestion that it's detrimental for minorities. The group has presented the district with a three-ring binder full of research and an annotated schedule for the day: yellow highlights for language the parents find objectionable and green for suggested alternatives.

Still, most students and their parents have expressed support for the day. About 450 people signed a petition seeking different speakers versus roughly 5,000 signatures for keeping the lineup as is.

School administrators said parents had opportunities to air concerns, and adding last-minute speakers doesn't boost the seminar's quality.

"Critical thinking is about more than having two opposing views," said Tim Hayes, an assistant superintendent.

He and others worry the opposition is in reaction to the nation's political climate and not the educational content. Experts say most schools already struggle with teaching civil rights.

A 2012 study by the Southern Poverty Law Center examined curriculums in every state and concluded the majority failed to require teaching about the movement while others oversimplified it.

Isabelle Hauser, a 17-year-old junior, said she won't attend the seminar. The biracial teen, whose father is white and mother's family is from Ecuador, said she was turned off by last year's talk about white guilt.

"It's a matter of the day being balanced. I see it as being too progressive and liberal," she said. "You shouldn't feel guilty for attending such a great school and having a great education. You should feel blessed."

Other students argue that's the point. Some have prepared for Seminar Day by watching Spike Lee's 1989 film, "Do The Right Thing," which tells the story of simmering racial tension in a New York neighborhood that erupts in violence.

"When the thing that your community is most worried about is that your education is too liberal, I feel like that's a motivating factor to get out more," said 17-year-old Celia Buckman, a senior at New Trier. She writes for the Huffington Post, including an article supporting the seminar. "It really makes you think about the kind of privilege that your community really has."

___

Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sophiatareen .
URBANA, Ill. (AP)  A central Illinois man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his son.

Sixty-seven-year-old David Farrell of Urbana entered the guilty plea Friday in the death of 29-year-old Matthew Farrell. Authorities say the June 12 shooting occurred at the family home during a second angry encounter between the two men that day.

Champaign County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Larson said he agreed to the guilty plea because two witnesses were prepared to testify that Matthew Farrell struck his father during an argument about three hours before the shooting. He says both men had been drinking.

Farrell is to be sentenced April 10.

Larson said he will seek a 20-year prison sentence for Farrell. Defense lawyer George Vargas said he intends to ask for probation for Farrell.
In his budget address, Gov. Bruce Rauner said Illinois should emulate Massachusetts workers compensation system. However, following its lead would come at a great cost to our states taxpayers. Massachusetts doctors who care for those injured on the job are the lowest paid in the nation, which raises concerns about access to quality care.

If Illinois cuts the rate doctors are compensated to treat injured workers to match Massachusetts levels, a patients choice of physicians will be seriously limited and wait times for treatment are sure to rise significantly.

The governor missed a chance to condemn the real problem with workers compensation in Illinois: insurance company profiteering. The insurance companies have exploited insufficient oversight and, since a 2011 rewrite of state law, have taken most of the savings for themselves as profits, rather than passing along their reduced cost of doing business to employers.

According to a report last year from the Illinois Department of Insurance, workers comp insurers saw profits jump nearly 22 points between 2010 and 2014, from negative 11 percent to positive 11 percent, while between 2011 and 2015 they reduced their financial payouts on claims to below the national average.

There are 332 insurance companies writing workers compensation insurance in Illinois, more than any other state. Our state is an attractive place for them to do business precisely because of insufficient oversight and laws that put their interests ahead of Illinois workers and employers.

Cutting benefits, lowering medical reimbursements and denying more claims only further bolsters the insurance industrys profits. These types of cuts would shift to taxpayers, through Medicaid and other publicly funded programs, the responsibility for the resulting medical bills and income support payments.

Legislative efforts concerning workers comp should focus not on further eroding the rights of the injured, but on improving workplace safety and oversight of workers comp insurers.
DES MOINES | The Osage High School Model United Nations group attended the Iowa Youth Symposium Oct. 25 to 26 at the State Capitol in Des Moines.

The first involved chosen delegates from regional meetings attending and caucusing with other distinguished delegates from other regions.

They created position papers on certain topics, like species extinction, climate refugees, intellectual property rights, and free and fair elections.

The Osage delegates selected to attend the first day were Lauren Naastrom, Elijah Bluhm and David Curha. Curha was unable to attend the first day.

The rest of the delegation joined the group the next day to create resolutions. They presented them to the group as a whole.

The process is about creating opportunities for students to work together with people of differing viewpoints to create a cohesive plan to work towards solutions for global problems, said group adviser Lisa Brandau. We learn a great deal about being global citizens and how the problems of the world affect us in the United States as well.

The Osage Sister City group helped pay the delegation fees for the symposium. Osage Schools provided transportation and staff support.
If you are the person who left letters on the windshields of the cars in the St. Anne Catholic Church parking lot recently quoting Sacred Scripture and describing what you think the Roman Catholic Church teaches about those Scripture passages, I would really like to have an opportunity to discuss your thoughts in this regard.

Unfortunately, you did not sign your letter and that makes it impossible to discuss what you have been taught about the Catholic Church from someone who has not studied what our church does teach. I am impressed with your 34 years of Scripture study, but would really have liked a chance to discuss with you the teachings of the church that traces its teachings back to the Apostles.
G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now!
My fondness for Melbourne radio station Magic 693 began not long after its debut on the airwaves in 1994.

As a Tassie kid obsessed with radio, in general, I would take great delight in recording tape after tape of Victorian radio stations while there for my yearly January school holiday visit with my auntie on the Mornington Peninsula.

On a visit in January 1995, I saw a TV ad featuring Johnny Young promoting a new radio station called Magic 693 playing unforgettable songs of the 40s, 50s and 60s. The 693 signal was very strong on the Peninsula (it broadcast from near Werribee), and so I recorded a 90 min tape of Magic 693 to listen to later and add to my aircheck collection.

To be honest, I didnt know any of the music that, in the early days, was mostly instrumental, but I did love the jingles and the on-air presentation from the knowledgeable and friendly sounding announcers.

Over further yearly visits I would again listen to Magic 693 and record airchecks from time to time, and once the format evolved with some more contemporary music and the instrumentals became less frequent, I grew to love it more and more.

In 2000 I attended the Swinburne Uni commercial radio course, and one of our assignments was to listen to as much radio as we could. One day in class Jim Barbour the teacher did a test on this asking those who had listened to particular stations in the last week to raise their hands. When Magic was mentioned, I was the only student to put up their hand earning me the nickname Magic from that point on.

In 2004 I moved back to Tassie in Launceston and again fell in love with Magic 693 as the signal was so strong that it made it across the Bass Strait reasonably well into Northern Tasmania even during the day resulting in me listening even more. I was even told that some Launceston taxi drivers had it on in their cabs because they enjoyed the songs you didnt hear anywhere else.

Names such as Bill Howie, Mark Carter, Ward Everaardt, Peter OCallaghan, Rick Ditchburn, Andrew McLaren, Anne Gilding, Jane Holmes, Peter Van and Kevin Johns kept me company over the years and further propelled my love of radio and music.

As of Monday the 27th February 2017 the Magic Music will be no more in Melbourne, replaced instead with a relay of lifestyle talk from Sydney. A sad end to a once great radio station. Thanks to all those who sailed in her and for some great listening over the years. R.I.P. Magic along with her unforgettable songs.
DES MOINES | The problems to be solved by an election bill under consideration by Iowa lawmakers dont exist and are not likely to be issues in the future, either, speakers told a House panel Monday.

We dont understand what problem you are trying to fix, Connie Ryan of the Interfaith Alliance for Iowa Action Fund told an Iowa House State Government Committee panel.

Specifically, she said, the alliance opposes the bill because of its proposed signature verification and voter identification requirements.

When the people go to the polls and they have to prove who they are, that goes against the grain of what we are as a nation, she said. We dont have a voter fraud issue in the state of Iowa and it makes no sense to put in provisions that would limit peoples ability to vote.

State Government Committee Chairman Ken Rizer, R-Cedar Rapids, has acknowledged voter fraud is not a large problem in Iowa. But he rejects the argument that is reason enough to stop going ahead with the bill.

If Iowa wants to remain a state with the most secure elections, then changes proposed in HSB 93 are needed to protect election integrity, he wrote in a newsletter to constituents.

Rizer said that HSB 93, which the State Government Committee will take up Tuesday, would strengthen Iowas election integrity, encourage the use of new voting technology, provide a system of checks and balances to ensure voter identity fraud is not occurring and align some of Iowas voting regulations with many of the states Midwestern neighbors all without suppressing or infringing voter rights.

However, speakers at the hearing werent convinced of the need or that HSB 93 wouldnt suppress voting.

Although there is a gut level feeling that voter impersonation is rampant in Iowa, Myrna Loehrlein of the League of Women Voters said studies do not bear out those fears.

There needs to be some provision of replacement for voter ID documents in case they are lost or stolen, Loehrlein said. That was a concern for Laura Hessburg of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, who said abusers often take or destroy personal documents.

Loehrlein was one of several speakers to oppose the signature verification language in HSB 93. Signatures change over time due to age and disability, she said, and there are no safeguards in the bill to prevent poll workers from targeting specific voters  people of color, for example.

The bill addresses a problem that likely will never exist, added Bill Brauch, a former Iowa assistant attorney general who helped write the states identity theft law.

He warned that the plan to mail voter ID cards to the 85,000 Iowans without other accepted forms of voter ID is a potential danger if the cards are mailed to outdated addresses where the voter no longer lives, he said.

Lawmakers also heard from One Iowa Action Fund that transgender Iowans would face barriers because their IDs may not accurately reflect their gender.

The ACLU-Iowa warned HSB 93 would erect barriers for African American voters. Nationally, about 25 percent of African Americans do not have acceptable voter IDs, Daniel Zeno said.

Speakers did not offer only criticism. Any Campbell, a lobbyist for the League of Women Voters, AARP and disability groups, thanked the Secretary of State Office for reaching out to the league. She also liked provisions calling for the expansion of e-pollbooks and postelection audits.

However, she tempered her compliments by asking lawmakers to proceed more slowly by updating the current system to ensure the information is accurate and to make the voter experience better.

A public hearing on HSB 93 will be scheduled later, Rizer said.

Reach James Lynch at 319-398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com.
SNTF awarded Alstom a contract worth around 200m in July 2015 to supply 17 six-car sets, which will be built at the companys Reichshoffen plant in eastern France. Each 110m-long set will seat 254 passengers.

The styling of the train was developed by Alstoms Design & Styling division in collaboration with SNTF. The external livery is intended to reflect the urban, rural, mountain and coastal landscapes of Algeria through a subtly-reflective coating. Through the design, the teams have attempted to evoke the modernisation, movement and beauty of Algerias landscapes with the shared goal of offering passengers a unique and comfortable travelling experience, says Mr Henri Bussery, general manager of Alstom Algeria.

For detailed data on rolling stock orders in Africa, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
Connecticut bond commission approves additional funds for NHHS rail program Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman , Editor, Railway Track & Structures; and Engineering Editor, Railway Age









The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved an additional $50 million in funding for the New-Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.

The funds, approved at the Feb. 1, 2017 meeting, will support the design and environmental permitting for new CTrail Hartford Line stations in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Enfield as well as 7.5 miles of double track from Windsor to Enfield. Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) also says the funding will support the construction of approximately four miles of double track between Hartford and Windsor, which is currently underway.

CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said, The funding approved by the State Bond Commission reinforces our States continued commitment to providing new regional passenger rail service on the Hartford Line, which will become the newest component of a robust and vibrant multi-modal regional transportation system.

Scheduled to launch in 2018, the CTrail Hartford Line will offer more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity and regional trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield. The majority of the existing rail stations will be replaced and several new stations will be built. The expanded service and new stations are expected to increase ridership, improve the high speed and passenger rail system serving the northeast, expand intermodal transportation options, encourage economic development and create more livable and sustainable communities.
Washington's Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on Monday threatened to bring in contractors and pursue further legal action if unionized employees refuse to work overtime.

The authority said in a release that union leadership was encouraging members to turn down extra shifts.

Metro is aware of a potentially unlawful and disruptive labor action threatened by the leadership of ATU Local 689, said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Paul J. Wiedefeld. [W]e will do everything we can to minimize the impact to service while putting safety first and encouraging employees to continue working in support of our customers. Meanwhile, I am keeping every option on the table, including increasing the use of contractors and legal action to ensure full compliance with our labor agreement and the WMATA Compact.

The developments come after Metro on Feb. 24 filed a federal lawsuit seeking to vacate an arbitrators ruling on overtime that sided with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689.

The authority is working to cut down on overtime in order to close a budget shortfall.

Metro in the filing in U.S. District Court stated it wants to implement an anti-fatigue safety policy designed to prevent bus and train operators from working seven consecutive days.

The union members who by seniority work on an off day are paid at time-and-a-half, while those who work a second consecutive off-day  called a seventh day  are paid double time.

An arbitrator in 2016 found that pay provisions in the authoritys collectively bargained contract with the union superseded the safety policy.

The authority said that its Fatigue Risk Management Policy provides that no employee perform work on more than six consecutive days, and that any employee working six consecutive days receive at least 24 hours off before returning to work.

The local opposed the policy, claiming Metro applied it inconsistently, and last year filed a grievance.

Metro in a statement said it has been phasing out the assignment of seventh-day work while paying some employees not to work on their seventh day.
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President Donald Trump's decision to attend a NATO meeting in Brussels in late May provides an opportunity for the alliance to reconstitute the trans-Atlantic security bargain in light of Trump's earlier pronouncements that the alliance is obsolete. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis's recent warning to Europe that it must start increasing defense spending by the end of this year adds urgency to finding this new bargain.

Trump will be looking for a symbolic victory at this summit rather than a confrontation with 27 other national leaders. So Europe needs to create a positive outcome for Trump in advance.

Europe can deliver its portion of this bargain in three ways. First, it needs to demonstrate the value of its existing military contribution to the alliance. A Trump visit to the new British aircraft carrier, to be armed with American F-35s, would help to dramatize existing contributions.

Europe needs a bold initiative on burden sharing.

Second, Europe needs a bold initiative on burden sharing. This is not an issue for Trump alone; a broad consensus exists among defense thinkers on both sides of the Atlantic that Europe has been a free rider for too long. Trump has just been bold enough to raise the stakes.

Europe should commit to reaching its agreed goal of spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense in five years rather than 10. That would give Trump some bragging rights during his term in office.

In addition, Europe might use this additional defense spending to make a few highly visible purchases of U.S. defense equipment. Germany might buy more cargo and reconnaissance aircraft. The Netherlands might buy more F-35s. Poland might invest more in U.S.-made air defense. NATO itself might lease U.S. forward-deployed defense equipment. And so on.

Remember the value that Trump placed on his successful effort to prevent Carrier from moving a small air-conditioning plant to Mexico? Symbolism will be important here.

And third, NATO as an institution could play a larger role in global operations against militants' attacks. This initiative would address much of the reason Trump called the alliance obsolete.

The current Defense Department review of ways to accelerate the war against the Islamic State militant group provides a perfect opportunity. NATO nations contribute significantly to the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition, but the alliance itself has been left out. It provides some AWACS reconnaissance by the Boeing E-3 Sentry, but it is not a member of the coalition. That should change.

Once the United States sees that its European allies are serious, it could take two steps to strengthen its part of this new trans-Atlantic bargain. It can visibly underline its commitment to Europe.

The best way to do this would be to deploy a fourth U.S. Army brigade combat team to Europe. That would reset U.S. forces in Europe at about where they were when President Barack Obama came into office. Existing forward-deployed units and missile defense plans should also be kept in place.

Trump's vision of improved relations with Russia can be constructive, but only if it is done without severing the alliance.

And second, Trump could assure the European allies that he will consult with them in detail before negotiating any major deals with Russia. Trump's vision of improved relations with Russia can be constructive, but only if it is done without severing the alliance.

This trans-Atlantic bargain could be formalized in a new NATO strategic concept. The old concept, which guides most allied activities, was produced in 2010, when the world looked quite different. Trump could embrace this new concept and thus solidify the alliance.

Nations will want to speak out if Trump issues proclamations that clash with their fundamental valuesfor example, on torture and admission bans. And so they should.

But America's allies can also help to shape Trump's overall security policy. They will need to engage with his administration to exercise that vote.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer served previously as NATO's secretary-general and as foreign minister of the Netherlands. Hans Binnendijk is an adjunct political scientist at the RAND Corporation and served as special assistant to the U.S. president for defense policy.

This commentary originally appeared on Newsweek on February 25, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
For the first time, some areas of Brazil will receive a broadcast of the popular Carnival through an HD DTT signal.





The countrys capital, Brasilia, and part of the metropolitan area, as well as Rio Verde, the first Brazilian city to switch off analogue TV, will be the first areas to which Carnival programming will arrive through digital broadcasting. The digital signal will also bring high definition to the parades, increasing video and audio quality for an event in which colours and music are paramount.For the rest of the country, in which DTT and analogue TV are both available, the scenario will completely change for Carnival 2018, as 312 cities, including Sao Paulo, are scheduled to complete the digital switchover within the coming months.Following Brazils DTT plan, Sao Paulo will be the next area to switch off analogue TV , by the end of March. The country intends to complete the switchover by 2018, becoming Latin Americas third country to do so.Carnival broadcasts started in 1973, covering Rio de Janeiros main parades, and rapidly extended throughout the country. By 1975, all the most significant parades were broadcast, becoming a must-watch for Brazilian families.
Trust Bank ex-manager found guilty of embezzling $227 million

MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI, Yevgeniya Sokolova)  The Basmanny District Court of Moscow has found former Trust Bank top manager Oleg Dikusar guilty of embezzling 14.6 billion rubles ($227 million), RAPSI learnt in the courtroom on Monday.

The court also found guilty the second defendant in the case, ex-deputy chairman of the board at Trust Bank and former banks CFO Yevgeny Romakov.

Earlier, prosecutors have asked the court to sentence Dikusar, who stands charged with embezzling 14.6 billion rubles ($227 million), to 7.5 years behind bars.

Investigators believe that from 2012 to 2014, Dikusar and Romakov forged loan agreements with several Cyprus-based companies inflicting a 9.9 billion-ruble ($154 million) loss on the bank.

Moreover, between 2013 and 2014, Dikusar alienated a total of 4.6 billion rubles ($71.6 million) Eurobonds which were on the banks balance sheet on behalf of Trust Bank owners.

Russias Deposit Insurance Agency sustained large damages because it was required to compensate the embezzled funds to defrauded investors.

Midsized lender Trust Bank reported losses of 18.8 billion rubles ($293 million) in 2014 amid a financial crisis. As of December 1, 2014, its assets were estimated at over 290 billion rubles ($4.5 billion).

The Central Bank estimated that the banks debts exceeded the value of its assets by 67.8 billion rubles ($1 billion).
DES MOINES | An Iowa teenager brought spectators to tears Monday as she recounted a heart-wrenching tale of her years of abuse as a foster child that one legislator said points out weaknesses in the states child welfare protections.

Malayia Knapp, 18, told members of the Legislatures Government Oversight Committee how she was beaten at her Urbandale foster home and locked up  many times without food  with her sister in a small basement room behind a steel door.

I was afraid to talk with anyone, she testified, including describing a choking situation where she feared for her life. It didnt seem like there was any help.

Knapp said the abuse and punishment spanned years until she was able to escape and convince police and the state Department of Human Services about the improper treatment and conditions.

Eventually, said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, a misdemeanor assault charge was brought against Knapps adoptive mother but other children stayed in the home.

Knapps account, McCoy said, plus a recent situation where Natalie Finn, 16, of West Des Moines, suffered cardiac arrest from emaciation after being denied critical care, has raised concerns whether the states child welfare officials are taking the right steps to safeguard children when abuse is reported.

This process started because too many Iowa children are falling through the cracks, he said of Mondays informal hearing attended by House and Senate Democrats who are on the joint oversight panel. The state system to protect them has been pushed beyond capacity.

McCoy said he has questions and concerns about the vetting of parents before children are adopted from foster care, the impact of reducing the Iowa Department of Human Services workforce by about 800 since 2011 and whether Iowas home-schooling rules have adequate oversight to protect children who may have no contact with the school system.

We must analyze the current policies and procedures and make the necessary changes, he said during Mondays hearing.

Reach Rod Boshart at 515-243-7220; rod.boshart@thegazette.com.
During January 1942 the RAN strengthened the allied naval forces in the Java Sea area with the arrival of HMAS Hobart, the little sloop HMAS Yarra, both veterans against the Italian forces in the Red Sea and Mediterranean theatre of war, and three AMS vessels- Ballarat, Toowoomba, and Wollongong. These Australian Merchant Ships, armed to the teeth and seeing action nearly every day, were employed on a variety of tasks ranging from rescuing shipwrecked crews adrift in the notorious Banka Strait, rescuing survivors of enemy action, downed aircraft occupants and maintaining a patrol for the protection of merchant and refugee shipping escaping towards Tandjong Priok. A hopelessly congested port across the Java Sea on the north coast of the Dutch East Indies island of Java, and serving Batavia, the capital. The month of February witnessed a shipping exodus of all types and sizes of vessels fleeing the impending fall of Singapore.

The assembly of the Imperial Japanese army, air and navy forces in southern Borneo, Celebes and the Molucca Islands for the final assault to take Java occupied the greater part of February 1942, during which time air raids were launched at Batavia, the capital, and Surabaya, the main naval base. The Japanese Eastern Force, 48th Division, was concentrated at Jolo Island in the Sulu Archipelago and the 56th Regimental Group at Balikpapan. An Imperial Japanese Navy squadron, under Rear-Admiral Takeo Takagi, of two heavy cruisers and two destroyer Flotillas covered the 41 transports. The Japanese Western Force, sailing from Cam Ranh Bay, and its 56 transports were escorted by four heavy cruisers and two flotillas of destroyers. A striking force of four battleships and four carriers under Vice-Admiral Nobutake Kondo, having refuelled at Kendari, headed for the waters around Java.

Admiral Conrad Helfrich had two naval components to his combined fleet, the Eastern Strike Force at Surabaya and the Western Strike Force engaged in escort duties across the sea-lanes of the Java Sea. On Thursday 26 February a large Japanese expedition of transports protected by warships was reported approaching Java from the north, and it appears to have been in at least three separate task groups. All available Allied ships-of-war were put to sea with the intention of locating and sinking the transports before the enemy landing could be effected. The Eastern Strike Force was under the command of Dutch Rear-Admiral Karel Doorman, flying his flag in the Dutch cruiser De Ruyter, had in his combined surface squadron the other Dutch cruiser Java and destroyers Witte de With and Kortenaer, reinforced by the Royal Navy cruiser Exeter of the River Plate fame, the heavy cruiser USS Houston the Flagship of Task Force Five of the US Asiatic Fleet plus the Australian Leander Class light cruiser HMAS Perth under Captain H.M.L.Waller DSO and Bar, and the British destroyers Jupiter, Electra and Encounter. Doorman, informed of the Japanese sortie, set out at 6.30pm joined by the British China Force that arrived that morning, under orders to attack the enemy convoy. The next day Japanese aircraft shadowed Doorman's squadron and he received confusing reports, unable to locate the enemy vessels he returned to Surabaya on the afternoon of Friday 27 February. Entering the harbour he received the location of 30 Japanese transports, 20miles west of Bawean Island, and set out immediately to intercept.
A month after his inauguration, Donald Trump has not publicly mentioned Thailand. Yet in a looming foreign policy crisis over the South China Sea, the seeds of which the president partly inherited and has partly sowed, the kingdom is poised to play an outsized and oppositional role.

China has territorial disputes over the South China Sea with five Southeast Asian nations and a sixth with Taiwan. In July 2016, a UN maritime tribunal ruled Chinas means of demarcating territory unlawful. Beijings defiance notwithstanding, this ruling put most of Chinas claims on shaky legal ground, to say nothing of its 3,000 acres of artificial islands constructed since 2013.

As candidate, Trump used the presidential debates to deliver an economic indictment against China  manufacturing threat, currency manipulator, climate-change propagandist  and announced plans to increase the US Navys fleet from 272 to 350 ships. If the China claims were aimed at viewers and votes, the naval announcement was more likely heard in Beijing.

Following the election, Trump raised the stakes by taking a congratulatory phone call from Taiwans president, and his nominee for secretary of state said the US should block Chinese naval access to the South China Seas disputed islands. Four days into the administration, Trumps press secretary vowed to defend such islands in international waters and not part of China proper, words his defense secretary later walked back.

The phone call not only seemed to upend four decades of US policy, but was publicly justified by Trump with reference to equally sensitive weapons sales to Taiwan. Blocking Chinese access, likewise contradicting longstanding US adherence to freedom of navigation, would discredit the main justification for American ships in the South China Sea as well. It would also be unlawful. Often seen as separate issues, Taiwan in fact marks the northernmost point of the South China Sea, thereby linking Beijings One China policy with its new littoral irredentism. And while Trumps affirmation of One China on a call with Chinas president was welcomed by Beijing, he also assigned to his National Security Council an advisor who last year predicted, Were going to war in the South China Sea in five to 10 years.

The Chinese, having described both Taiwan and South China Sea as core national interests against which the United States would indeed have to wage war, are stirred.

To be fair, Trump is forced to play catchup. The Obama administration did not so much pivot to Asia as manage a shuffle. Introduced in 2009 and detailed by Hillary Clinton two years later, the pivot  already a decade past due  was virtually dead on arrival. The underwhelming transfer of 2,500 marines to Western Australia, begun five years ago, remains incomplete. In that sense, a recent pledge by the US ambassador to Thailand of continuity in bilateral relations, presumably intended to reassure his hosts, was more cause for resignation.

Trump cannot be expected to simply embrace the policy of his chief opponent. But his moves thus far, replacing the noncommittal with the cavalier, both advance a regional crisis and place the US at further geopolitical disadvantage if it comes.

Despite being both a bilateral and multilateral US treaty ally, as well as holding major non-NATO status, Thailand has hardly factored into Washingtons regional strategy. Clinton devoted a single sentence to Thailand in her lengthy articulation of the pivot, while Obamas visit to the kingdom in 2012 was long on pledges and short on follow-up. Thailands 2014 coup detat was both a result of declining US influence in the country and the cause of historical lows since. A self-defeating law compelled the Americans to suspend their main program for training and educating the Thai military, alongside a paltry cut of $3.5 million in military aid.

In contrast, the Peoples Republic of China has been slowly supplanting the US in Thailand since the Asian financial crisis 20 years ago. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra welcomed and accelerated Chinas regional rise for six years starting in 2001. His flagship Asia Cooperation Dialogue gave pride of place to Beijing and pointedly excluded Washington. More importantly, since his overthrow, Thaksins opponents and nominees alike have maintained his pro-China orientation.

In just the three years under his sister Yinglucks government ending in 2014, Thailand saw China become its leading trading partner and second largest source of foreign investment. The latter had sat at a mere 1 percent in 2006. Chinas premier became the first foreign national to address Thailands parliament, while joint naval and marine exercises were added to Sino-Thai army drills begun under Thaksin. China also built a submarine dock and training facility on Thailands eastern shore, and increased shipments of dual-use oil and rubber up the Mekong River.

Critically, these efforts were pursuant to a bilateral strategic partnership, originally signed by Thaksin but repeatedly expanded through 2016. Under the current military government, the first joint air force exercises between the two countries took place in 2015. This years defense budget includes the purchase of three Chinese submarines and the first of 10 tanks to be purchased from China by 2020. In January, Thailand announced intentions to develop a joint weapons and defense industry to facilitate increased procurement of Chinese arms.

If Thai objectives are political and financial, Chinas are coldly geopolitical. Thailand separates the narrow Straits of Malacca from the contentious South China Sea. Through the straits passes one-third of global trade and two-thirds of all oil and liquefied natural gas, and even higher percentages of what China exports and consumes. The South China Sea is also believed to be resource-rich. That the US secretary of state is a former ExxonMobil executive has no doubt caught Beijings attention.

The problem for China is that the US Navys Seventh Fleet effectively controls the Straits of Malacca, compromising Chinas primary maritime access to the Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. In a crisis, Chinas ability to move ships and supplies could be stymied. Thailands narrow Isthmus of Kra, however, also separating the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea on the east from the waters on the west, holds the key to bypassing the straits.

In May 2015, China and Thailand reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a long-discussed canal across the isthmus, a project in which the US has shown no interest since the 1970s. While both sides issued denials, the report followed a sharp rise in canal-related activity under both Thaksin and Yingluck. In January 2016, a member of Thailands royal Privy Council wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Prayuth, advocating new feasibility studies. Last month, Prayuth remarked that a canal should be debated by future governments.

Since Thaksin came to power, Thailand has strictly adhered to the One China policy: Taiwan, Tibet, the Falungong, Uyghur separatists. And as the only nation in Southeast Asia that can claim membership of both its mainland and maritime regions, Thailand is a non-claimant in the South China Sea. In a crisis over either issue, thus involving the United States, Thailand is ripe to tip Chinas way.

Treaty obligations might prevail in actual armed conflict, but in any matter leading up to violence, these would make little difference and may be too late. The Philippines, the other US treaty ally in Southeast Asia, took the claims case against China to the international maritime tribunal. By the time of the decision, however, a new right-wing president had come to power  and promptly shelved the victory, announced a breakup with the United States, and pledged cooperation with an emboldened China.

Thailand can no longer be counted on, and wont remain off Trumps radar for long.
Not yet 100 days into his administration, President Donald Trump has bypassed traditional government protocols and doled out executive orders in relatively quick succession. To date, he has issued 13 orders and 12 memoranda since taking office. His order placing travel restrictions on immigrants and refugees, in particular, proved poorly thought out. It was reactionary rather than rational or substantive. The order met significant backlash, and states are pushing back through the legal system.

For those familiar with political science, and with institutional theory in particular, Trump could be considered something of an anomaly. Institutional theory holds that institutions over time will help shape a politicians preferences, agenda, or actions. In other words, a politician might come into office with his or her own expectations and agenda, but the construct and constraints of government -- including partisan divisions, bureaucratic encumbrances, constitutional limitations, and even shared norms and values -- will likely alter their capacity to push through a political agenda.

President Trump is putting this theory to the test. The rapidity of his issuance of executive orders, coupled with an insular policymaking process confined largely to his inner circle, allows little room for institutional settings and norms to come into play. Trump seems intent on writing the institutional rules as he goes rather than having them written for him.

However, even GOP aides have expressed concerns that the administration is moving too swiftly and without respect for critical protocol for vetting executive actions that have been in place for decades. As for these executive orders, Trumps decisions, according to Politico, are made without the necessary review from agency experts and lawmakers who will bear the burden of actually carrying them out. In the case of Trumps recent executive order on immigration and refugees, his own partys Senate majority whip, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and at least a dozen other GOP lawmakers and aides were taken by surprise, stating that they were neither briefed nor consulted prior to the signing of the order. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) even urged the president to slow down and work with lawmakers, especially considering the immigration ban was an extreme vetting proposal that didn't get the vetting it should have had.

What is likely to follow is a trial-and-error method of governance, pushing the boundaries of institutional and international norms until the boundaries push back.

Indeed, Trumps executive order on immigration is already receiving pushback from the courts, demonstrating that -- in the parlance of political science scholars -- institutions do matter. On Feb. 9, three judges from the U.S. Court of appeals for the 9th Circuit unanimously rejected the governments call to lift the suspension of the immigration order. It is becoming ever clearer that an effective method of curtailing Trumps haphazardness will largely depend on the United States system of checks and balances.

Yet what can this system do when it comes to U.S. foreign policy?

In light of the presidents many reckless and bellicose statements toward other nations, scholars and policy experts alike have been scrambling to decipher where executive powers over foreign policy begin and end. In recent weeks, Trump has clashed with Australias prime minister during his self-professed worst call by far with a foreign leader; questioned Americas long-standing One China policy (which Trump only recently acknowledged); and committed several other foreign policy faux pas. It is little wonder that European Council President Donald Tusk recently wrote that Trumps worrying declarations had put into question the last 70 years of American foreign policy.

Adding to concerns over how Trump might deal with critical foreign-policy issues is the fact that since the end of the Second World War, presidents have been increasingly cavalier about their capacity to wage war. As Louis Fisher, scholar-in-residence at the Constitution Project, notes, "the president has been commander in chief since 1789, but this notion that they can go to war whenever they want, and [ignore] Congress, that's a post-World War II attitude.

With comparatively few institutional barriers checking the presidents foreign policy decision-making powers -- especially compared to the more stringent institutional checks built into domestic policymaking -- the United Nations might have provided an additional institutional check, particularly on interventionist foreign policies. However, Trump has made clear his disdain for the international body, even reportedly drafting an executive order to cut U.S. funding for the United Nations by at least 40 percent.

The Wall Street Journal recently described Trumps approach to foreign policy as a win-the-deal style -- or what game theorists call a zero-sum approach. Some argue that Trumps cabinet officials will act to soften his harsh foreign-policy rhetoric. Because the White House holds the power of final say in foreign-policy matters, this would make little difference if the presidents overarching foreign-policy goals are geared toward zero-sum outcomes. Former Australian national security adviser Andrew Shearer recently pointed out that this win-the-deal style is not how the world of foreign policy actually operates. He added, that approach might work in business, but as someone whos been around foreign policy for a long time, I just dont see how its going to work internationally.

Due to the substantial foreign-policy powers afforded to Trump through his office, all methods of formal and informal institutional checks will need to be present and accounted for over the course of his administration, to ensure prudence and restraint -- and not haphazard chaos -- characterize his decision-making. a?a?
MASON CITY | A Mason City man was cited after a two-vehicle accident Sunday morning.

A 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Patricia Smith, 27, of Plymouth, was eastbound on B-20, west of Highway 65, when it was struck by a 2013 Ford Explorer driven by Thomas Lair, 63, of Mason City.

According to a Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's report, Lair's Explorer was exiting a service road and entered the path of Smith's Chevy.

Smith was evaluated at the scene by Mason City Fire Medics, but was not transported to a hospital.

Lair was issued a citation for failure to yield.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Department was assisted by the Mason City Fire Department.
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SIOUX CITY | A pedal mix-up caused a Jeep to smash through the front of a Chinese massage parlor Saturday in Sioux City, injuring one employee of the business, police say.

Sioux City Police Sgt. Jay Hoogendyk said the female driver of the Jeep was pulling up to Asian Comforts, 2121 Hamilton Blvd. at 5 p.m. and hit the gas instead of the brake.

"She thought she was braking, but instead, drove through the front of the business," he said.

Two Mason City buildings hit by vehicles MASON CITY | Two buildings in Mason City were hit by vehicles in separate incidents Thursday.

A male employee inside was hit by the car when it crashed into the business. He was taken to Mercy Medical Center-- Sioux City for non-life threatening injuries.

"It's more of a civil issue, where the owner of the building and insurance company decides something," Hoogendyk said.

The entryway's extensive damages caused the fire department and the city's Urban Search and Rescue team to be called to examine the structural integrity of the building, which ended up passing muster.

It was the second time in a week a vehicle crashed through a Sioux City business. The previous incident involved Family Dollar.

Mason City home is a magnet for careening vehicles MASON CITY | Bob McClanahan had a pretty good idea the loud noise outside his Mason City hom

Last year, a car crashed into the dining room of the Godfather's restaurant in Mason City. Police say the driver's foot slipped from the brake onto the gas pedal.

In 2015, vehicles crashed into the Mason City Menards and Dollar General stores in the same week.

A house at the corner of 12th Street Northwest and North Monroe Avenue ended up with a van on its porch in January, 2015. It's been hit multiple times over the years.

-- Alex Boisjolie writes for the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises newsaper. Reach him at aboisjolie@siouxcityjournal.com.
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'The problem is not the performance under Vishal Sikka, but the quality of Infy's board of directors, argues Debashis Basu.

IMAGE: Then Infosys executive chairman N R Narayana Murthy with the newly appointed CEO & MD Vishal Sikka in Bengaluru, October 2014. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI

When it comes to political issues, you may be able to get away with powerful rhetoric, even if it is false or exaggerated.

When it comes to issues of business, finance and economics, fortunately, there are usually numbers available to prove or disprove a point.

Put the numbers on the table and arguments can then start taking a more sensible or different direction.

Let's apply this to the recent controversy surrounding Infosys -- touted for its high governance standards.

Sometime in the summer of 2014, Infosys appointed Vishal Sikka as the first non-founder chief executive officer, after four founders had held the top position among themselves by turns for more than three decades.

Four weeks ago, the Indian corporate world woke up to the sudden shock of a front-page interview of Infosys Co-Founder N R Narayana Murthy lashing out at the board and the CEO for poor governance.

What went wrong? Maybe we should let the numbers tell us the main story.

When Mr Sikka was recruited to steer Infosys, it was making around Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion) in operating profit. (Operating, rather than net profit, is a better measure of a companys core operations).

In the December quarter of 2016, that figure has jumped to Rs 4,767 crore (Rs 47.67 billion). This is a leap of almost 37 per cent.

In contrast, how has Tata Consultancy Services done? TCS is a much bigger operation than Infosys.

It had a run rate of around Rs 6,800 crore (Rs 68 billion) in operating profit in the quarter ended September 2014. In December, this figure has gone up to Rs 8,230 crore (Rs 82.30 billion). This is a jump of only 21 per cent.

The market takes note of these things. On June 30, 2016, the Infosys stock was trading at Rs 774. It is around Rs 1,000 today -- a leap of 29.1 per cent.

TCS was at Rs 2,356 at the end of June 2016. The stock is barely above Rs 2,400 now -- a rise of 2.2 per cent over two-and-a-half years.

The shareholders of Infosys, which includes the 'promoters', can hardly complain.

There's more. The operating profit margin of TCS has declined from 31.04 per cent in March 2014 to 27.67 per cent today.

Operating margin of Infosys was around 25 per cent till June 2014. In September 2014 it was up to 26.11 per cent and in December 2016 had gone up to 27.6 per cent.

Isn't this why Infosys hired an outsider -- to emerge from stagnation?

To understand the rut Infosys had got into five years ago, let's look at another set of numbers.

On Saturday, June 1, 2013, Mr Murthy stepped in as the executive chairman after having retired in 2011. His tenure lasted for a year until Mr Sikka was brought in.

Why did Mr Murthy have to come back from retirement? Between June 2011 and June 2014, TCS was recording strong double-digit growth in operating profit. The average growth was around 30 per cent.

Infosys, by contrast was recording erratic growth -- some quarters were good, some not. Average growth was 15 per cent.

Indeed, when Mr Murthy stepped in, for two of the three quarters, Infosys had recorded a fall in operating profit, quite unprecedented when Indian software companies were doing quite well.

This was the time when one of the founders, S D Shibulal, was given charge of running the show, consistent with the socialistic power-sharing principle that Infosys followed.

Any retail shareholder looking at the above data will wonder what the fuss is all about.

There is one point, though, that retail shareholders may not be able to see, which the retired promoters of Infosys possibly can: Where the company is headed.

It is indeed true that beyond the financial data, under Mr Sikka and Chairman R Seshasayee, Infosys has been found wanting on governance issues.

The way it agreed to pay Rs 23.02 crore (Rs 230.2 million) to former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal (Rs 17.38 crore -- Rs 173.9 million -- in severance pay) and kept it under wraps before mentioning it in the annual report, stinks.

Worse, it is shocking that Infosys' board not only did not record the proceedings of the meeting which discussed the payment but is now dismissing it as a 'housekeeping issue.'

It is also devious that despite Mr Murthy wanting to be classified as a public shareholder, the board has continued to treat him as a promoter-shareholder. This saddles him with accountability, without information or power.

So, the real problem for Infosys is not the performance today under Mr Sikka, but the quality of its board of directors.

It was a surprise that it chose to appoint the head of a commercial vehicles major as chairman of a global software company like Infosys.

This was accompanied by the appointment of some rather mediocre people or yes persons to the board. This was the biggest failing of the founders, as they stepped away from the company.

Perhaps, they should have remained on the board and/or ensured better quality of replacements. They need to reverse this if governance continues to be an issue.

If not, their main option is to sell their shares and move on.

Debashis Basu is the editor of www.moneylife.in
'Politicians have always dealt in lies and propaganda.'

'But the scale of the propaganda and the impunity with which it is being unleashed now is stunning,' says Shuma Raha.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

When Winston Churchill wrote the six-volume History of the Second World War, published between 1948 and 1954, he was probably playing out a saying which is often attributed to him -- 'History is written by the victors.' He got the Nobel Prize in literature for that work.

And for many years, it was unquestioningly accepted as the most definitive history of World War II, one where Churchill, Britain's great wartime prime minister, played a pivotal role.

If there were inaccuracies and facts glossed over, it was not until decades later that researchers began to point them out.

Britain and its allies had won the war and Churchill's narrative was a winsome affirmation of that.

But Churchill is so last century. He merely tweaked a few facts here and there.

Look at the powers-that-be in India today -- they are far more intrepid, far more insouciant in their attempts to deliver the history of their choice.

Facts and historical evidence be damned.

The latest effort in this regard is almost farcical in its audaciousness.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Rajasthan is considering rewriting history text books at the university level because it wants to depict Rana Pratap, the heroic Rajput king of Mewar, as having won the battle of Haldighati against the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar.

This is pure fiction, of course.

Historical records are unambiguous: Rana Pratap, who refused to submit to Akbar, lost the battle of Haldighati in 1576 at the hands of the Mughal army led by another Rajput royal, Man Singh.

Even the most exaggerated legends about Rana Pratap's valour do not narrate a victory for him in this battle.

Evidently, the BJP government of Rajasthan doesn't let such minor inconveniences as facts come in the way of its grand purpose of glorifying its cultural icons.

Evidently, it is not enough to celebrate Rana Pratap as a hero -- he must be recast as a victor, a Hindu king who vanquished a Muslim ruler.

He must be redrawn to fit the narrative of right-wing nationalism, which wants to overturn the fact that at a certain period in history a large part of the landmass that became 'India' was ruled by Muslims.

But why blame the Rajasthan government for its brazen attempt to stand history on its head?

After all, an imaginative retelling of past events has become the hallmark of our post-truth world.

US President Donald Trump's advisor Kellyanne Conway described as 'alternative facts' the White House's assertion that the crowds at his inauguration were the biggest ever. (They were not).

Recently, she referred to a terror attack at Bowling Green, Kentucky, that never happened. Mr Trump himself is famous for his disregard for truth.

Our very own finance minister, Arun Jaitley, said recently that there was no shortage of cash at any point in the aftermath of the currency ban.

What about those who spent hours -- and the 100-odd people who died -- queuing up before banks and ATMs to withdraw some cash?

The minister did not go there, but they were clearly inhabiting an 'alternative' universe.

Of course, politicians have always dealt in lies and propaganda. But the scale of the propaganda and the impunity with which it is being unleashed now is stunning.

Today, whoever commands the bully pulpit gets the biggest shot at manipulating facts and megaphoning them until the lies settle in as the truth.

But to be fair to the Rajasthan government, it has been in the business of distorting history long before such phrases as 'post-truth' and 'alternative facts' became fashionable.

Last year, social science text books for Class VIII students of schools under the Rajasthan board of secondary education omitted references to Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to the freedom struggle and his role as India's first prime minister after Independence.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP's ideological fountainhead, makes no secret of its antipathy towards Nehru -- the secular, liberal leader who was the architect of modern India.

Moreover, the remaking of history has long been part of the RSS' nationalist agenda, which wants to indoctrinate the youth in the idea of India as a glorious monolithic culture.

A culture that is perhaps more rooted in myths than facts.

A culture that believes that our legends are sacrosanct and anyone who dares to deviate from them runs the risk of getting thrashed.

As filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was recently because it was rumoured that he planned to shoot a love scene between Rani Padmini of Chittor and Sultan Alauddin Khilji in his film Padmavati.

No doubt the Rajasthan government's latest stab at altering history will evoke the usual hand-wringing by left liberals. It will give rise to the usual cry that education is being 'saffronised.'

But I am optimistic. India is too vast and too diverse for a sweeping overhaul of its history.

Its youth are too invested in the future to worry too much about the past.

The denial of history -- getting a kick out of portraying a Rana Pratap as a winner or a Nehru as a non-entity -- will always be the preoccupation of sad old ideologues and their followers on the fringe.

CHECK OUT the FEATURES in the RELATED LINKS below...
'Trump's stated strong stance against Islamist extremism and terrorism could play into the Indo-US relationship.'

'It could mould US attitude and exert pressure on Pakistan.'

'In the event of US military presence in Afghanistan increasing, however, Pakistan could gain an opportunity to again emphasise its importance,' says former senior RA&W officer Jayadev Ranade.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

At a time when the international balance of power is still in flux and competition is underway in the Indo-Pacific, Donald Trump's election as the 45th President of the United States has added to uncertainties.

Trump's policies towards the Indo-Pacific -- and especially Japan, India and China -- have the potential to reshape developments in the region.

Discernible from Trump's campaign speeches and other remarks is that economic considerations will underpin most decisions and agreements.

Relationships will tend to be transactional in Trump's administration with a marked preference for bilateral negotiations and agreements rather than international or regional arrangements.

Unclear is the extent of influence that the military officers, who occupy a number of key positions in the Trump cabinet, will exercise on issues like China's actions in the South China Sea.

The considerable domestic opposition to Trump, however, makes it unlikely that policy changes contemplated by him can be implemented soon.

Implementation of the executive orders revising immigration laws has actually been temporarily frustrated by the US judiciary and infighting within the new administration.

The arbitrariness of the orders, which adversely impact the US economy, has been questioned.

Travellers to the US contribute well over $1.5 billion each year and the more than 1 million foreign students studying in US educational institutes provided over $32.8 billion in 2015-2016.

There are also persistent reports of infighting within Trump's inner circle of advisers. Leaks from the US intelligence community led to Lieutenant General Mike Flynn (retd) quitting within 24 days of his appointment as NSA.

Reports claim too that Russian intelligence has videos that 'compromise' Trump.

Among the countries in the Indo-Pacific, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the first leader to meet Trump on February 10, 2017. During the meeting, Trump reaffirmed the security commitments to Japan adding that the US is behind Japan '100 per cent'.

Both leaders said they would work together to maintain a strong economic relationship even after the US had withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The same day US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and pledged to enhance the US-Japan alliance.

Separately, US Defence Secretary Lieutenant General James Mattis, an important member of the Trump administration, in February reaffirmed US commitments to South Korea and Japan.

The general said the US would act swiftly to preserve the security of its allies against outside threats, including hostile acts by North Korea and China.

General Mattis reaffirmed US commitment to article 5 of the US-Japan security treaty, which includes the Senkaku islands, and called for an inter-governmental approach with allies to maintain stability in the South China Sea and counter China's expansion.

Within four days of his swearing in, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump had a telephonic conversation where Trump described India as a 'true friend and partner' and invited Modi to visit the US.

Among the issues discussed were trade, defence and terrorism and security in South Asia and Central Asia. Modi and Trump emphasised that the US and India will 'stand shoulder to shoulder in the global fight against terrorism.'

Modi is likely to meet Trump in May in what promises to be a good visit since there are few real differences. Both countries have invested a lot in the relationship over the past 20 years and it is in their mutual interest to preserve and build on it.

Trump's stated strong stance against Islamist extremism and terrorism could play into the Indo-US relationship. It could mould US attitude and exert pressure on Pakistan.

In the event of the US military presence in Afghanistan increasing, however, Pakistan could gain an opportunity to again emphasise its importance.

If the US exits Afghanistan, then China and Pakistan will play a larger role there.

Among the irritants that could surface between the US and India is the issue of H1B visas. Here, India will need to work with the US to find a solution.

China is the largest country in the region and has complicated relationships with the US and its allies.

After a rocky start following Trump's telephone conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and his subsequent tweet, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump had a lengthy, 'cordial' conversation -- their first -- on February 10.

In a reference to the earlier tension, China's official news agency Xinhua specifically reported Trump as saying 'he fully understands the high significance of the US government's pursuit of the one-China policy, adding that the US government adheres to the one-China policy.

Xinhua quoted Xi as replying that 'he appreciated Trump's stressing that the US government adheres to the one-China policy, adding that the policy is the political basis of China-US relations.'

Trump's telephone conversation with Taiwan's president, however, still rankles with Beijing, which apprehends that the next few years could potentially be rough.

Among the items on Trump's agenda for China are: Reducing the trade deficit; ensuring China revalues its currency; and preventing China from exercising sovereignty over the South China Sea through which trillions of dollars of international cargo transits.

The appointment of the Harvard educated China scholar Peter Navarro to head the newly-established National Trade Council suggests that China will be at the centre of the Trump administration's focus on economic issues.

A comprehensive policy for dealing with China is separately being formulated.

In the context of Trump's warning to US companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US from overseas and especially China, the Chinese industry minister said China would not change its plans for expansion of the Chinese economy.

Trump has also said he will increase the size of US ground forces and that of the US navy to over 350 fighting ships.

While this will appreciably increase jobs and manufacturing in the US, it simultaneously implies that the US navy will over the coming decade enhance its maritime presence especially in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

Interesting in this context are Trump's conversations with leaders of friendly South-East Asian countries, including Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, and their agreement to meet in the near future.

Beijing apprehends that the Trump administration's policies could retard its ambitions and its efforts since 2013 to alter the status quo in its neighbourhood.

China's responses have been measured and deliberate and it has given indication of willingness to cooperate by stopping coal imports from North Korea from February 19, till the end of December 2017 in a bid to apply pressure on Pyongyang.

It has, however, made clear that it will not yield its claims to sovereignty over the South China Sea.

Finally, it remains unclear whether Trump's repeated references to 'America First' are centered only on the economy or also intended to convey that the US will strive to remain the unchallenged superpower.

What is clear is that the Indo-Pacific will be of great interest to the Trump administration.

Jayadeva Ranade, former additional secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, is President of the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy.

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Much of the pre-2014 peace in our hotspots is diminished.

Kashmir is on the boil and the Northeast is anarchic, observes Shekhar Gupta.

For almost a decade now, it has been plausible to argue that India was more secure externally and internally than it had ever been.

It will be hasty to call an end to it, or to declare that it was just a passing epoch.

It will also be complacent not to note new threats.

The external front is still the same as before, in spite of the months when the LoC lights up. But the internal situation has deteriorated.

At its halfway point, the Narendra Modi government's report card on internal security is, let us stay with diplomatic euphemism, indifferent.

The government inherited a reasonably stable internal security environment in the summer of 2014.

Kashmir was quiet and the Northeast was more or less out of our headlines.

The most worrying, active trouble was then in east-central, tribal India, the Maoist region, or what North Block prefers to call the LWE (Left Wing Extremism)-hit zone.

The UPA government had shown a great deal of contradictions in its handling of armed Maoists although Manmohan Singh had quite accurately diagnosed it as India's number one security threat.

Police and central forces were suffering unacceptable casualties, the political class lived in the fear of assassination and illegal 'tax' collection was unabated.

There was, of course, the other perennial threat, of home-grown or Pakistani jihadis backed by the ISI, but post-2008, it had been stable.

I would agree with Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, therefore, when he ranked internal security threats in May, 2014 as LWE, Kashmir and then the Northeast.

The Maoist region is now much quieter. Security forces' casualties are minimal and armed rebel ranks are depleted with killings and capture in encounters and large-scale surrenders, even if many of these are stage-managed or fictional.

The state governments have much greater control. A good indication is the increase in mining activity.

Both other threats, however, have become worse.

The ranking should now change to Kashmir, the Northeast and the Maoist heartland, with ISI/IM/ISIS terror threat lurking as before.

Kashmir is back on top after a decade because of a combination of external and internal factors.

The relationship with Pakistan is at a low ebb, and that is also a political decision at the Indian end. The more worrying decline is internal.

Unrest in the Valley over the past months has taken the mood back to the ugly 2010-2011.

It has reversed most of the gains of a peaceful election and resumption of the political process.

Much was expected of a sagacious alliance between two contradictory ideological forces, the PDP and BJP. But it has mostly failed.

It is true that army chief, General Bipin Rawat, spoke more in anguish than any intent to launch a war on the local population. But frustration with the ground situation in the Valley is rising.

This is fundamentally different what happens on the LoC.

That, the army is fully capable of dealing with. It is a battle-hardened army that enjoys combat.

Getting into low-intensity, urban operations, and having to deal with thousands of angry civilians are a different matter altogether.

The army isn't equipped to deal with them.

The most lethal weapon the mobs carry is stones. The least lethal weapon the army uses is an automatic rifle.

It is a mismatch no regular army likes to deal with, or has ever succeeded in doing.

The myth of Israeli military genius has been exposed by similar mobs despite the use of much harsher measures on people Israel does not consider its own.

There is no way the Indian Army would use any lethal force even vaguely comparable against its own people.

The larger failure of the NDA government, and the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir lies in not being able to keep the population, particularly the young, engaged and more importantly, optimistic of the future.

In the process, as in the bloody pre-2002 past, Kashmir is back to being handled purely as a security problem, putting intelligence agencies in the control room and the army on the frontline.

This is not the script Atal Bihari Vajpayee had written.

And because Narendra Modi called Vajpayee's Kashmir policy his inspiration, it is for him to repair this situation, politically and strategically, not tactically or militarily.

One index of the state of internal security is how fully India's Central Armed Police Forces are stretched. They have now crossed a million mark in strength (the regular armies are 1.3 million) and are the largest in the world.

They are, at this point, fully stretched, with almost no reserves left.

Some of it is due to the state elections. But it is difficult to foresee much respite even March onwards.

That is partly because with winter thawing the Kashmir Valley will again be entering the 'campaign"' season unless the political process is restored. But also because the Northeast, which was calm for so long, is active yet again.

In fact, more active than it has been since the mid-1980s when Rajiv Gandhi signed peace accords with insurgents in Mizoram and agitators in Assam.

Worse, this renewed trouble is also less military (unlike the past) but more political and, therefore, tougher to respond to.

Manipur is in an active state of inter-ethnic anarchy and nobody seems to have any response to it except shove in more CAPF companies, even use the IAF's largest C-17s to airlift diesel to the blockaded Imphal Valley.

This is unsustainable.

Nobody had anticipated this at a time when the separatist insurgency has been dormant for years.

Even today it is a failure of governance as the conflict is Valley versus the Hill Tribes, Manipuri versus Manipuri. The Congress and BJP are both playing the ugly game to their own electoral advantage.

Nagaland's is a more complex -- and disappointing -- story.

Premature claims of a settlement when only a one-page framework agreement had been signed with the largest insurgent group resulted in the peace process drifting away.

This has given time and space for inter-group clashes and rivalries to fester. All of these groups carry arms and collect 'taxes' although, in fairness, they mean very little threat to anyone other than each other.

But they own their own respective domains, unchallenged, have become fully mixed with local populations and have stretched their influence to the adjoining district of easternmost Arunachal Pradesh.

It is a matter of time before it spreads to the sensitive oil districts of Upper Assam.

The overall internal security balance sheet, therefore, could be a lot better.

Postscript: The challenge of mobs in the Kashmir Valley and our army chief's anger brings back a conversation with the late Buta Singh in the summer of 1989 when he was Rajiv Gandhi's home minister.

He had invited my then editor Aroon Purie and me for dinner, mainly to explain his defence of the scams he and his sons were then said to be involved in.

He talked of a conversation on the same table with Georgian strongman and Russian foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze, who marvelled at how India managed to deal with massive protests, when his troops unleashed poison gas on the first crowd they encountered in Tbilisi, killing many and losing Georgians and sparking the unraveling of the Soviet empire.

"Your excellency," Buta Singh said, "We never send the army to face mobs because what can an army use but the lethal weapons it has?"

"So what do you do?" Shevardnadze asked.

"We have this thing called CRPF," said Buta Singh, "if you so desire I can lend you a couple of battalions to train your people, excellency."

IMAGE: General Bipin Rawat, the chief of the army staff, brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the security situation in Kashmir after four soldiers were slain in a firefight with terrorists on February 14, 2017. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo
'At a time when the entire India-US relationship needs to be defined by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, a fresh look at the liability issue has become urgent,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, former Governor for India at the IAEA.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, with then US President Barack Obama in New Delhi, January 25, 2015. 'Obama's nuclear gift to Modi is a shrewd investment,' Andy Mukherjee said in a column on Rediff.com

Long before the enactment of the Nuclear Liability Law by the Indian Parliament, the US had, under the Obama administration, developed a thought that India-US nuclear trade might not be possible or desirable.

After speaking to a senior White House official, I had said in my Rediff column dated August 21, 2009: '(But) the latest indication from Washington is that the US may not be interested in supplying nuclear material and reactors to India under the new dispensation.'

'This is emerging as a matter of policy as well as a practical measure. President Obama does not want to stand in the way of the implementation of the 123 Agreement, but he is sensitive to the criticism that he is willing to dilute his commitment to non-proliferation for the sake of commercial advantages.'

The feeling was that defence purchases will make up for the revenue loss on account of not having nuclear trade with India.

As of today, the US has not supplied even a kilogram of nuclear material to India, not to speak of supply of two to six reactors on which agreement was reached in principle on the basis of a commitment in writing given by India.

The blame is placed on the Nuclear Liability Law enacted in 2010 under which the Government of India has the option to recourse to the law to claim compensation from the suppliers in the event of a nuclear disaster.

This was not in keeping with international law, under which only the operator was liable.

It was obvious at that time itself that the proponents of the Liability Law had accomplished through the law what they could not do at the time of the vote on the 123 Agreement, as one of the objectives of opposing the Agreement was to deny the US a nuclear market in India. But Parliament was influenced by the tears shed for the victims of the Bhopal tragedy.

When the likely consequences were pointed out by bodies like the National Security Advisory Board, the government stated rather facetiously that any problems would be dealt with through the regulations to be framed later.

The US government and the companies concerned had made it clear at the time that as long as the law existed, no nuclear transfer would be possible.

The lawyers on both sides were quite optimistic that they would be able to find a way out through a legal fix, but many rounds of negotiations produced no results.

India signed the Vienna International Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Liability as a way to resolve the issue, but that too was of no avail. No details of the negotiations were available and there was no white smoke either.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the United States, President Barack Obama announced that the US and India had reached 'a breakthrough understanding' on the Liability Law, which would enable the companies on both sides to commence negotiations.

This was hailed by both sides as the single most important outcome of the visit and PM Modi was praised for his refreshing ability to cut across the hesitations of history to move forward.

But it was soon clarified that the law would not be changed and that the business negotiations should lead to some understanding that liability for the supplier was not mandatory and that it was only an enabling resolution.

It was also clarified that the amount of liability would be capped and paid for from an insurance pool.

In other words, there was no breakthrough and the legal parleys continued without any business deal.

The then foreign secretary Sujatha Singh, who said 'it is a done deal' mysteriously lost her job within a few days.

The issue came to surface again when it was announced after another Modi visit to the US in June 2016 that six Westinghouse reactors would be built in Andhra Pradesh and that preparatory work would begin shortly.

Techno-commercial discussions have been in place with Toshiba-backed Westinghouse and simultaneously there have been protests by local residents.

It was also announced that India would go for bulk purchases of reactors from the US and France.

The site for the American reactors had been shifted from Mithi Virdi in Gujarat to Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh when GE-Hitachi was supposed to set up the reactors.

But contrary to the understanding of the US state department, GE said that the liability issue was not addressed adequately by India signing the Convention on Compensation and that the suggested insurance pool would not suffice.

Westinghouse and Toshiba, which stepped in, appeared to be willing to work on the basis of the insurance pool, but the Nuclear Intelligence Review reported in early January 2017 that Westinghouse had become nearly bankrupt and an 'albatross' around Toshiba's neck and that it would not be able to fulfill its commitments to India.

More recently, Westinghouse and Toshiba announced out of the blue that the differences with India on the liability issue were irreconcilable and that 'legislation on nuclear damage is necessary to promote projects in India.'

But the real reason, it is alleged, is that it reflects Toshiba's struggle for survival.

The nuclear trade with the US is in limbo once again even if the US was sincere in seeking to resolve the liability issue.

What is at stake is also India's plans to jump from 5.78 gigawatts of nuclear power today to 63 gigawatts by 2032.

The heart of the matter may well be the decision taken by President Obama in 2009 that no nuclear material should be supplied to India, though it appeared that a genuine effort was being made at the technical levels to resolve the liability imbroglio.

A statement made by a senior Indian nuclear scientist in Thiruvananthapuram last year that the US was using the liability issue as a smokescreen not to initiate nuclear trade with India rings true now.

At a time when the entire India-US relationship needs to be defined by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi, a fresh look at the liability issue has also become urgent.

India had decided to go ahead with 'business as usual' even after the prospects of nuclear power had diminished, following the Fukushima accident.

India's assessment of Fukushima was that it was not serious enough to warrant any rethinking on nuclear power. Some recent reports show that the environmental contamination inside Fukushima was more serious than anticipated.

Asahi Shimbun, the Japanese newspaper, reported on February 19, 2017 that the radiation level in the damaged reactor was 650 sieverts per hour, deadly enough to kill a human being in less than a minute. The earlier estimate was only 530 sieverts per hour.

Another review of the acquisition plan may become inevitable in the new circumstances. A re-examination of the composition of India's energy mix itself may become necessary since, except for Kudankulam, no new foreign reactor is in place since the signing of the nuclear deal in 2008.

MUST READ features on India's nuclear programme in the RELATED LINKS below.
Irom Sharmila Chanu on Monday refused to accept the security escort provided to her by the state authorities under the direction of the Election Commission of India.

Sharmila said she has no enmity with anyone and has nothing to fear about.

The former iconic human rights figure said she does not approve of the VIP culture of being surrounded by armed forces and wants to be with the people.

On the other hand, Additional Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu said, "The state authorities are doing their part as the ECI has directed them to provide security to Sharmila as she travels alone almost all the time."

"Security has been provided to Sharmila for her own safety," he said.

Erendro, convenor of Sharmila's party Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance said six personnel from the state armed forces were provided for her security.

"They follow her continuously," Erendro added.

The ECI, on Friday, had asked the state authorities to provide escort to Sharmila who is contesting the upcoming 11th Manipur state assembly elections from Thoubal, the home turf of incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Sharmila had formed her own political party -- the Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance -- which has fielded three candidates for the upcoming polls in the state.

Meanwhile, the PRJA said on Monday that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act -- the AFSPA -- is not the medicine for militancy and it is there to 'extract resources' from Manipur.

To drive home the point, the PRJA said that there were only four insurgent groups when the draconian AFSPA was introduced in Manipur in the 1980s and the number has gone up to 32 since.

"The AFSPA is not about militancy and counter-insurgency. It is something beyond that. To deal with militancy and counter-insurgency, you may need laws and programmes but the AFSPA is not one of them.

"In the 1980s when the AFSPA was introduced in Manipur, there were only four insurgent groups and in 2016 there were more than 32 groups reported... The AFSPA is not the medicine for militancy. It has clearly multiplied the disease. The AFSPA is there to extract resources from Manipur, PRJA convener Erendro Leichombam said in an email interview.

He said that his party would work towards the removal of the Act, which gives sweeping powers and immunity to the army in conflict-ridden areas, from Manipur first and then move Parliament to repeal it from all places across India.

Asked whether the electoral fight this time was symbolic, the 33-year-old leader said, "Absolutely not. I think one PRJA MLA is worth 60 other MLAs. We are going to create so much ruckus inside the assembly and expose the lies that people are going to ask for more."

Asked whether the party would support either the Congress of the Bharatiya Janata Party in case of a hung verdict, Leichombam just said, "We are not going to ally with the Congress."

On the possibility of a future alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in view of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's appreciation of Sharmila, he said, "We are a very new party, we are barely five months old. We want to make sure we establish our own identity and foundation and once we are assured of the party strength, only after that we will be looking at an alliance."

Asked about the party's take on the economic blockade by the United Naga Council and its impact to the economy of the state, he said, "Every day, people are struggling because of the economic blockade. The Congress and the BJP are in power in the state and at the Centre, respectively. It is their job to resolve this at the earliest but they are just taking political mileage out of this."
Students of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad held a Tiranga march on Monday.

Raising slogans of Vande Mataram and calling it a march for the nation, the ABVP members carried the national flag as they marched inside the Ramjas College campus.

With hashtags like March4nation, IstandwithRamjas and Istandwithnationalism, the student outfit used social media to invite more students for the protest against Left-leaning students groups who are supporting those involved in anti-national activities.

Rashtrawadi Shikshak Sangh, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated teachers body, also staged a silent protest at Arts Faculty on Monday demanding check on abuse of freedom of speech and expression by the Left-groups.

On Tuesday, students and teachers of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, along with All India Students' Association members, will stage a march from Khalsa college on North Campus to Arts Faculty against the calling off a street play competition following threats from DU Students Union.

Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the ABVP.

While Left-affiliated groups have been protesting since then demanding action against ABVP and lodging of FIRs on complaints of injured students and teachers, the ABVP has conducted various marches reiterating they will not allow any anti-national activity on campus.

Images: ABVP members participate in the Tiranga march to protest 'anti-national' activities. With hashtags like March4nation, IstandwithRamjas and Istandwithnationalism, the student outfit used social media to invite more students for the protest. Photographs: Atul Yadav/PTI Photos
Hundreds of people in Kansas City joined a peace march and prayer vigil, celebrating the life of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla cut short in a senseless triple shooting incident at a pub in an apparent hate crime.

IMAGE: People march before a vigil for Srinivas Kuchibhotla at a conference center in Olathe, Kansas. All photograph: Dave Kaup/Reuters

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted, "We want peace"; "We love peace"; "Let us not leave our children"; "Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall".

Many of them carried candles and signs reading, "We don't support politics of hate."

The march for peace and the prayer meeting was attended by friends of Srinivas. Alok Madasani, another Indian who was wounded in the shooting on Wednesday, was on his crutches.

The sisters of the third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, injured that night when he intervened during the argument with the shooter, US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, Lt Governor Jeff Colyer, US Congressman Kevin Yoder, Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke, and other state officials also joined the march and the prayer meeting.

IMAGE: Representatives from five religions attend the vigil.

The prayer was conducted by priests from various religions at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, Kansas City.

Addressing the gathering, Alok remembered his nine years of friendship with Srinivas. "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 would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care."

Other friends who spoke there had similar words for Srinivas. They described him as a positive, warm, kind, caring, brilliant, well-mannered and an absolutely outstanding human being.

Srinivas, 32, was killed and Alok, of the same age, was injured at a city bar by the navy veteran screaming racial slurs and telling them to "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before he opened fire on them. He reportedly mistook them for immigrants from the Middle East.

IMAGE: People display banners and appealed for peace. Photograph: text here.

The incident has led to fear among the minority Indian-American community, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's controversial plan to ban travellers from certain countries to realise his campaign pledge of putting "America first."

At a news conference two days ago, Srinivas's wife Sunayana Dumala asked the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against minorities. She said reports of bias against minorities make them afraid and wonder whether "do we belong here".

Although Sunayana did not mention Trump by name, she did say, "Not everyone will be harmful to this country."

At the vigil, Mayor Copeland encouraged people to come together, saying, "One evil act does not divide a united community."

IMAGE: Alok Madasani, who was wounded in a shooting that killed Kuchibhotla, walks from the podium after speaking.

"We felt the fear, shared tears, felt pain, healing and outpouring of love and care at this moment from this community -- we stand together with the Indian-American community today and everyday, we will not let one act of evil separate us or divide us."

Police chief Menke assured everyone, saying "we are one and we stand as one. we are here to deplore. we assure everyone that we will do everything to bring justice to the victim and victims family in this case."

"I am here for many reason to share the sadness, to support the community and search for answers. Evil will never overwhelm goodness, love will conquer all, and power of goodness will always prevail."

Lieutenant Governor Colyer said, "We'll continue praying for the loved ones of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot, and especially for the friends and family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla. We will overcome evil and move from darkness to light."

IMAGE: Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, right, holds up his candle during the vigil

Reciting a prayer in Sanskrit that he learned recently, Colyer said "May we move from darkness to light, from death to eternal light. Evil does exist, we have seen it, but so does goodness and evil will be driven away."

Assuring the Indian-Americans at the gathering, he said, "We will overcome this stray incident and live as one big strong community and we will change the world."

There has been an outpouring of support and fundraisers have been held for the victims. Volunteers handed out candles as visitors stoically made their way into the temple.

IMAGE: Laura Grillot and her sister Maggie talk about their brother Ian Grillot, who was shot trying to stop the gunman who killed Kuchibhotla, during the vigil.

Less than a week after the tragedy, thousands of strangers from around the world have opened up their wallets to comfort the victims' families. Three separate GoFundMe accounts have between them raised more than USD 1 million in donations, which they pledge to help with the families' medical expenses.

Srinivas worked at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe. Srinivas and his colleague Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively.

The 51-year-old navy veteran was charged Thursday with first-degree murder. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Alok and Ian.
The Shiv Sena on Monday stepped up its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying its partner in Maharashtra and the central government has become 'a version of the Congress'.

"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said BJP won't align with the Congress, but has made his party 'Congress' by inducting many from the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party into the BJP fold,' it said.

'That is why, the Congress is preferable, but the question is where will this BJP-turned-Congress take Maharashtra and the country,' an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

'Our salutations to those who are dancing to the tune of 'saala mein to Congresswala ban gaya,' the Sena quipped, targeting Fadnavis and the BJP.

'Fadnavis should have said the BJP wont go with the Congress but (will go) with pro-Pakistan Mehbooba Mufti in Kashmir. The Congress is doubtful, but sharing power with Mehbooba Mufti, who supports Afzal Guru, is more dangerous, it said.

The Sena also said the BJP leaders are creating sounds of empty vessels over the issue of who will become the Mumbai mayor.

A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation poll results were declared, Shiv Sena had asserted that the civic bodys mayor will be from their party.

The Sena's attack on Monday on the BJP came a day after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue M G Vaidya favoured sharing of the Mumbai mayors post by the BJP and the Sena in view of the fractured verdict in the BMC polls.

Neither the Sena, which emerged as the single largest party after the February 21 election to the 227-member BMC 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.

The suspense over alignment of parties for controlling the Mumbai civic body continues, with the Congress, which finished third in the race with 31 seats, ruling out support to the Shiv Sena and the BJP refusing to accept Congress backing.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray addresses a press conference at Sena Bhavan in Mumbai. Photograph: PTI Photo
Students' Islamic Movement of India chief Safdar Hussain Nagori and 10 other activists of the banned group were on Monday awarded life imprisonment in a 2008 sedition case by a special court in Indore.

Special Additional Sessions Judge B K Paloda pronounced all the 11 SIMI activists guilty under IPC sections 124(A) (sedition) and 153 (A)(promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and also under the relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

On a plea of 10 of the accused lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Jail, they were informed about the court's judgement through video-conferencing.

Besides 45-year-old Nagori, the others convicted are Hafiz Hussain (35), Aamil Parvaz (40), Shivli (38), Qamruddin (42), Shahduli (32), Qamran (40), Ansar (35), Ahmed Baig (32), Yasin (35) and Munroz (40).

Nagori, Parvaz, Qamruddin, Qamran, Shivli, Ahmed Baig and Hussain were also convicted under IPC section 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against the government of India).

In its 84-page judgement, the court observed, "It appears from the activities of the convict that they don't have faith in the lawfully and constitutionally established Government of India.

"Their acts are against national unity and integrity of the country. They are involved in illegal activities by fomenting religious hatred with an aim to create serious danger for the entire humanity."

The prosecution has produced 27 witnesses as evidence to prove crime against the SIMI activists.

Appealing to the court to award maximum sentence to them, the prosecution argued that the banned SIMI activists have deliberately involved in acts against the government and have spread hatred on the basis of religion.

To fulfill their aims, they have distributed objectionable material, collected arms and explosives and imparted terror-training to the youths and also incited them against the country, the prosecution informed the court.

It also stated that during probe their relations with other terror outfits too were established. They don't consider Kashmir as an integral part of India and such literature was also seized from their possession which mentioned about "waging a war" against the country, the prosecution contended.

Government advocate Vimal Mishra told reporters that apart from Munroz, the other 10 accused are lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati jail.

During last hearing, they had appealed to the court that they should not be brought to Indore during the pronouncement of the judgement and that they should be informed about the order through video-conferencing facility. Their plea was accepted by the court.

Mishra said Munroz was on bail since a long time. He appeared in the court during the pronouncement of the judgement today. After being pronounced guilty, he was taken to the Indore Centre Jail from the court.

The 11 SIMI activists were arrested from Indore on the intervening night of May 26-27, 2008.

On their information, a large cache of explosive material including gelatin rods, detonator, CD, pen-drive, inflammatory audio-video and literature, pistol, country-made revolvers and live cartridges were also recovered.

IMAGE: SIMI chief Safdar Nagori.
'More than 90 per cent of the party cadres are with OPS.'

G Ramachandran was personally appointed by then chief minister J Jayalalithaa as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's IT wing secretary.

After her death, when her successor Ottakarathevar Panneerselvam sat at her samadhi on Marina beach on the night of February 8 before launching a full-scale rebellion against the coterie led by V K Sasikala, the first person to tweet about this was Ramachandran, then handling the AIADMK's official Twitter handle.

Ramachandran was the first person to be sacked from his party post by Sasikala, the AIADMK general secretary.

Ramachandran has since come out openly in OPS' support and continues to work for him online.

Ramachandran, left, spoke to Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar outside OPS' home in Chennai.

I joined the party when I was 18.

My father, a fan of Amma, was an MLA from 1991 to 1996. He passed away when I was 12 years old.

After getting an MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad, though I could have got a fat pay package in the private sector, I wanted to work only for Amma.

She was my role model and she always encouraged educated young people.

I worked in the party's information technology wing and became its secretary. We worked as a team there.

Unfortunately, we lost Amma.

When OPS was made chief minister I was happy as I felt that he could take Amma's legacy forward.

When OPS revolted that night I was the first person to come out in support of him.

The next morning I was sacked from the party.

The first thing we did was to share the phone numbers of all the MLAs so that the party cadres and people could talk to them and give them their views.

The MLAs were isolated and did not know what was going on outside.

The other thing we did was we put up a table at OPS' house where we gathered phone numbers and addresses of the people who came here.

Now all the people who came here are part of one big WhatsApp group. We are in touch all the time.

Then we had a missed call campaign where we asked people to give a missed call to one particular number to declare their support for OPS.

We got a lot of support through that.

We had also arranged for a digital display of what was happening inside OPS' home for the people who gathered here.

There were too many for all come in, so we thought it would be better if they knew what was going on inside without pushing their way in.

We have seen a huge surge in social media in support of OPS.

Youngsters, party cadres and common people have come out in support of him.

Overall, the pulse is that he is a simple man and he is one among us.

He is definitely accessible and he will solve our problems.

People appreciated how he handled the Vardah cyclone and the jallikattu crises. We are promoting that. Our Web site is ready. We will be launching it soon.

More than 90 per cent of the party cadres are with OPS. Only five to eight per cent must be there in that other faction.

This is very evident when I talk to people here and also when I go to my home town.

The pulse of Tamil Nadu is in OPS' support. We want to support OPS, they say.

They believe, and we believe, we share a belief that OPS can and will take Amma's legacy forward the way it should be done.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately release relief funds for the drought-hit state and for the damage caused by Cyclone Vardah.

Reiterating the states demand, Palaniswami sought Rs 39,565 crore as drought relief package and Rs 22,573 for the damage in the cyclone.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Prime Minister, Palaniswami said, We have also sought Rs 17,333 crore under various other central schemes.

The chief minister also put forth the demand to stop hydrocarbon extraction project in Neduvasal in Pudukkottai district that has attracted large-scale protests recently.

We have asked the PM not to take forward the Centres hydrocarbon extraction project without consultation with concerned farmer community and the state governments permission, he said.

Palaniswami avoided a question on the arrest of protesters in Neduvasal.

On the issue of the medical entrance exam NEET, a request has been made seeking the Centres assent for a state legislation exempting students of Tamil Nadu from taking up the entrance exam.

We have asked the Centre to ratify a legislation that has been passed in TN assembly exempting TN from NEET, he said.

We have also asked the Centre to fulfil our demand for setting up AIIMS at Tanjavur, the chief minister said.

Demand for setting up of Cauvery Management Board, Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, Rs 1,650 crore fund for special scheme for fishermen and their release from Sri Lanka were part of a memorandum submitted by the chief minister to Modi.

On his second day in the national capital, the CM is expected to meet Union Ministers of transport, law, power and urban development.

Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan later met the Chief Minister and spoke about projects in the state.

Image: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami gifts a bouquet to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: PTI Photo
Sensing defeat, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have launched a new game plan for a fractured mandate in Uttar Pradesh so that they can have bargaining power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

"The SP and the BSP, after the third phase of polling, have realised that they have no chance of winning and so they have launched a new game, a new technique...even if we are defeated or our seats decrease, no one should get majority," he said at an election rally in eastern UP town, Mau.

"I want to tell the leaders of the SP and the BSP to try whatever means they can to defeat the BJP, there is no problem with it. But do not play with the future of UP. It has suffered a lot in the past," Modi said in his over hour-long speech.

"You (SP, BSP) might be thinking that in case of a hung House, you will get a chance to bargain but the people of UP have shown you in the Lok Sabha polls, by ensuring a full majority to the BJP, and in these elections, they will ensure that the BJP wins with a huge margin," Modi said.

The prime minister said it is the right of the SP, the Congress and the BSP in democracy to try to win elections by doing whatever they want against the BJP.

"When the polls were announced and the SP got afraid that they will not win, in a hurry they went and sat in the lap of the Congress and boarded a sinking ship. They got encouraged by media coverage and got intoxicated and thought they will befool the people," Modi said.

However, public knows how to differentiate milk from water, he said.

On the hype on the SP-Congress alliance, Modi said soon after entering into an understanding they were claiming they will get a two-thirds majority and there were also reports that "certain people" will come out for campaigning.

"But soon after the first two phases, those very people decided to stay away from campaigning and those who were claiming a two-thirds majority came with folded hands asking for another chance to correct their mistakes," Modi said.

Pointing out that his party believes in taking its allies along even if it got full majority on its own, the PM said all its alliance partners will be made part of BJP government in UP if it comes to power, even though on its own.

"The ship of the Samajwadis has sunk. The BSP is not able to do anyhing...Bhatija (Akhilesh) is thinking as to how to save himself, while Bua (Mayawati) is worried thinking what the bhatija has done...," he said.

Noting that the country was being hailed all over the world today because it got a full majority government at the Centre after 30 years, Modi said when he, as the PM, shakes hand with world leaders they see "125 crore Hindustanis" in him.

He called for a full majority to his party in the polls so that UP is also hailed across the country.

Speaking about the "backwardness" of eastern UP, Modi said that with fertile land, enough water, labourious people and dreams of youths, it can be made the 'aan, baan and shaan' (pride of place) of the country.

"It is not as if leaders sitting in Delhi are not aware of the situation here but they don't have any concern...there cannot be a bigger crime...the Congress has committed a big crime as also the SP and the BSP and they all needed to be punished," Modi said.

"During Pandit Nehru's time, when local MP from Ghazipur Vishvanathji spoke about the plight of the region...about poverty and starvation, the entire Parliament was teary-eyed ...what he said no one will believe...there are people living in dismal state and poor families washed cow dung to retrieve foodgrains for filling their stomach," Modi said.

Pandit Nehru had set up the Patel committee for developing eastern UP and a report was given during his (Nehru's) time itself. "50 years have passed, see the criminal mindset, it has been lying in a box," he said, adding the report has now been taken out and work has started on its recommendation.

"After result on March 11, we will celebrate Holi of victory," Modi said.

Unleashing fresh attack on CM Akhilesh Yadav on the Fasal Bima Yojna, Modi said those who talk about 'kaam bolta hai' managed "only 14 per cent success" in implementing the scheme and asked if it was not a crime against the farmers and should the state government not be punished for it?

"What is the crime of farmers, why are you so angry and harming them by not buying foodgrains at the support price?... who is against the farmers and is only serving their interest by spewing venom of casteism...they will not be pardoned by the youths of UP," Modi said.

Alleging discrimination in power supply, he said, "Your CM is brazenly claiming that you are getting it...you are fortunate that polling will take place here at a later date and so you are getting power...where it is over, the power supply has been cut...here the same thing will be done after March 4...is this not betrayal and a lie?"

"He has so much ego that he is out to be fool people by spreading lies," he said, adding if the CM had development in his mind he would have also known about 2,700-km long Kandala-Gorakhpur gas pipeline worth Rs 5,000 crore which will also bring industry and development in this region.

He claimed that Centre was ready to give power at a low rate "but the state did not take it...only half of the funds for the purpose has been spent...such a government does not have the right to be in power for even a day".

Recalling the donkey remark, Modi said, "Akhilesh says he has talked about donkeys in fun...when Sheila Dikshit talked about her leader, I also thought it was out of fun...I want to ask whether the bad state of police thanas, people being stabbed and land being grabbed are also part of fun."

Referring to BSP fielding gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari from the Mau Sadar seat, Modi said when any muscle man is sent to jail here he "goes in smiling as they get perfect arrangements for their stay and security in jails".

"Give my message to all those who have evaded jails till now and those who are taking food for those inside that times have changed and after the results are announced on March 11, jails will be made jails in true sense and it will be seen how they have fun," Modi asserted.

Targeting BSP supremo Mayawati, he asked whether making tall claims on law and order and then giving tickets to musclemen is not making a mockery of democracy.

Citing 'Bahubali' film, Modi referred to a character in it 'Katappa' and hinted at a man standing with a stick on the dais calling it the stick of law and and promised guarantee of security under a BJP government in the state.
President Donald Trump can no longer dodge and distract from the cold reality that his administration has granted a platform for white supremacists and anti-Semites to advance their twisted causes. His failure to lead has helped members of the "alt-right" expand their reach.

On Tuesday, Trump finally spoke out, but only after nearly 200 gravestones were overturned at a Jewish cemetery in University City. Nationwide, Jewish organizations are warning about a spike in bomb threats and harassment aimed at Jews.

"The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community at community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil," Trump stated.

Hours earlier, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton prodded Trump to speak out about the University City attack, whose perpetrators and motives remain unknown.

Trump has inflicted serious damage upon himself with shoulder-shrugging responses to questions about anti-Semitism. Questioned last Wednesday about the failure of a White House statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day to mention the slaughter of 6 million Jews, Trump answered by reminding reporters of his Electoral College margin over Clinton.

The following day, Trump called on an Orthodox Jewish reporter during a news conference. The reporter questioned him about a nationwide rise in anti-Semitic attacks. Trump interrupted, ordered the reporter to "sit down" and "be quiet," then declared himself to be "the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life."

The president doth protest too much. Actions speak louder than words, and the most damaging action Trump has taken to undermine his "least anti-Semitic" title was to name Stephen K. Bannon as his chief White House strategist and member of the National Security Council. Before taking the job, Bannon headed Breitbart News, a website Bannon described last year as "the platform for the alt-right."

The Southern Poverty Law Center defines the alt-right as "a set of far-right ideologies, groups and individuals whose core belief is that 'white identity' is under attack by multicultural forces using 'political correctness' and 'social justice' to undermine white people and 'their' civilization."

When Bannon left Breitbart, Milo Yiannopoulos took over as editor. Not once has the Trump administration challenged Breitbart's alt-right alignment or urged the website to moderate its postings. But on Monday, the Conservative Political Action Conference did cancel a keynote address by Yiannopoulos  not for his advocacy of abhorrent right-wing views but because Yiannopoulos had recorded a video that favors loosening laws against pedophilia. Yiannopoulos resigned from Breitbart on Tuesday.

Against that backdrop, Trump's belated condemnation of anti-Semitism rings hollow. The Anne Frank Center called it "pathetic."

Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, has every reason to demand wider official acknowledgment that "anti-Semitism is alive and kicking." Hate mongers will have a prominent friend as long as Trump keeps Bannon in the White House.

This editorial appeared in the Feb. 21 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, another Lee Enterprises publication.
Western Sahara: UN chief Guterres urges Morocco and Polisario Front to de-escalate tensions in buffer strip

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 25 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Western Sahara: UN chief Guterres urges Morocco and Polisario Front to de-escalate tensions in buffer strip, 25 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e5406.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Deeply concerned about increased tensions in the vicinity of Guerguerat in the buffer strip in southern Western Sahara between the Moroccan berm and the Mauritanian border, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today called on Morocco and Frente Polisario to take all necessary steps to avoid escalation.

According to a statement issued by UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, armed elements of both Morocco and Frente Polisario (Polisario Front) remain in close proximity to each other, a position they have been in since August 2016, monitored during daylight hours by the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

The Secretary-General calls on both of the parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions, be that through the actions of military or civilian actors, the statement said, adding that Mr. Guterres also underlined that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo of the buffer strip.

Strongly urging the parties to unconditionally withdraw all armed elements from the buffer strip as soon as possible, to create an environment conducive to a resumption of the dialogue in the context of the political process led by the UN, the Spokesman said Mr. Guterres further called on the parties to adhere to their obligations under the ceasefire agreement and to respect both the letter and the spirit of it.

Western Sahara is located on the north-west coast of Africa bordered by Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria. The colonial administration of Western Sahara by Spain ended in 1976. Fighting later broke out between Morocco and the Polisario Front. A ceasefire was signed in September 1991. MINURSO was deployed that year to monitor the ceasefire between the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front and organizing, if the parties agree, a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara.

A revised settlement plan was proposed by the United Nations after seven years of diplomatic consultations was rejected by one of the parties in 2004. In approving the current phase of direct negotiations in 2007, the UN Security Council called for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political settlement which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
UN Security Council calls for immediate investigation into recent violence in DR Congo's Kasai region

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 25 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN Security Council calls for immediate investigation into recent violence in DR Congo's Kasai region, 25 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e5964.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the recent spate of violence in the south-central Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), calling on the Government to "immediately dispatch a credible and impartial investigation."

In a press statement issued in New York yesterday evening, the Council expressed grave concern at the recent reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by local militia in that region, including unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers, and of killings of civilians by members of Congolese security forces, known as FARDC, "all of which might constitute war crimes under international law."

Recalling that the DRC Government bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory, the Security Council urged the authorities to "constantly exercise maximum restraint and proportionate lawful use of force in its efforts to restore order."

The Council also called on the Government to immediately dispatch an investigation and to bring to justice and hold accountable all those responsible. Welcoming the Government's announcement in this regard, the Council encouraged the UN Stabilization Mission in the country, known by its French acronym MONUSCO, "to provide support to the Congolese authorities, if requested, in the conduct of this investigation, developments in which they will follow very closely."

MONUSCO was further urged to monitor and report on violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law and to update its contingency plans in this regard. In the longer-term, the Security Council encouraged the DRC Government to continue its efforts for the extension of State authority throughout the vast central African nation, ensuring credible governance with capable institutions, especially in the security sector, to prevent and deter violence.

As for the political situation in the country, the Security Council reaffirmed its strong support for the 31 December 2016 political agreement, "and its pursuit of peaceful, credible, free, fair and inclusive elections by December 2017, leading to a democratic transfer of power."

In this context, the 15-nation body said it is "increasingly concerned" at the continuing lack of progress in the dialogue among the political stakeholders in DRC related to implementation modalities of the agreement. The Council expressed concern that, two months after the signing of the agreement, the appointment of a Prime Minister presented by the Rassemblement coalition, as well as the installation of a new transitional government and of the Comite National de Suivi de l'Accord (CNSA) have yet to take place.

As such, the Council stressed the need to maintain the political goodwill that led to the signing of the agreement in order to avoid further insecurity in the DRC. Further, the Council called on all stakeholders in the DRC, including President Joseph Kabila, the presidential majority and the opposition, to redouble, in good faith, their efforts towards a speedy conclusion of the ongoing talks on the "arrangements particuliers" of the agreement, in order to urgently nominate a Prime Minister presented by the Rassemblement.

The Security Council reaffirmed the need for all parties to support and participate constructively in the mediation led by the Conference episcopale nationale du Congo (CENCO), and recalled that full and timely implementation of the 31 December agreement, in accordance with the Congolese Constitution and in line with Council resolution 2277 (2016), is critical in upholding the legitimacy of the transitional institutions until elections.
UNESCO meeting lays groundwork for reviving, protecting Iraq's cultural heritage

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UNESCO meeting lays groundwork for reviving, protecting Iraq's cultural heritage, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e61f4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

As details on the destruction of and damage to Iraq's rich and diverse cultural heritage emerge, the United Nations cultural agency has appealed to the international community to help protect and revive the country's archaeological, religious and cultural sites for future generations.

"This is a turning point for the Iraqi people and for the world's 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, Ms. 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 country's 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 Iraq's heritage, the country's 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.
UN envoy and Church leaders in DR Congo condemn attacks against Catholic facilities

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN envoy and Church leaders in DR Congo condemn attacks against Catholic facilities, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e68f4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The 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.
UN reports more than 300 migrant deaths on Mediterranean crossing in first two months of 2017

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN reports more than 300 migrant deaths on Mediterranean crossing in first two months of 2017, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e6d84.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

An 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 today.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that 13,924 migrants entered Europe by sea through 22 February, 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 on this past 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."

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.

To date in 2017, an estimated 326 migrants died during their deadly journey on the Mediterranean's central route linking Libya to Italy, compared with only two deaths on the Mediterranean's east corridor to Greece.
South Africa: Longstanding criminal justice failures and toxic populist rhetoric fuelling xenophobia

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, South Africa: Longstanding criminal justice failures and toxic populist rhetoric fuelling xenophobia, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e93c4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Authorities must ensure adequate protection for all refugees and migrants living in South Africa, amid the current protests in Pretoria and the escalating xenophobic tension and attacks in different parts of Gauteng Province, Amnesty International said today.

Two protests are currently underway in different parts of Pretoria, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi, against high inequality, poverty and unemployment. Another march is also taking place in the same area against xenophobia. A team from Amnesty International is on the ground monitoring developments, with spokespeople available for interview. The situation remains tense, with confrontations and violence occurring between the groups.

"The situation in Pretoria is precariously balanced and could easily escalate into serious violence. To avoid a bloody and wholly unnecessary conclusion to this standoff, the authorities must take all measures necessary to ensure that violence does not escalate and to facilitate the assembly of those who are demonstrating peacefully," said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Southern Africa.

The organisation believes that the latest spiralling xenophobic tension is being fuelled, in part, by longstanding police and criminal justice failures, including a failure to address toxic populist rhetoric that blames and scapegoats refugees and migrants for crime, unemployment and other social problems.

"South African authorities have largely failed to address the outbreak of xenophobic crimes that has been seen in the country since at least 2008 and bring those responsible to justice. Failure to act upon this sends a worrisome message that such acts are tolerated by the authorities," said Deprose Muchena.

"While respecting the freedom to express frustrations on socio-economic problems, the authorities have a duty to ensure effective strategies are in place to protect refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in South Africa against xenophobic attacks,"

"This cannot be allowed to continue, the authorities must take immediate action to protect those most at risk of being outed and facing attacks because of their nationality."

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Honduras: Justice gap over Berta Caceres' murder sends warning to activists

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Honduras: Justice gap over Berta Caceres' murder sends warning to activists, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3e9974.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The scandalous lack of an effective investigation to find those responsible for ordering the brutal killing of Honduran environmental activist Berta Caceres sends a terrifying message to the hundreds of people who dare to speak out against the powerful, said Amnesty International on the first anniversary of the killing on 2 March.

"Berta's tragic murder illustrates the woeful state of human rights in Honduras. The message is clear: if your human rights work disturbs those with power, you will be killed," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

"The scandalously poor investigation into Berta's murder, which has so far failed to identify those responsible for ordering her killing and the lack of an effective mechanism to protect witnesses and other human rights defenders, shows the Honduran authorities' lack of interest in securing justice.

"Every day that goes by without justice being delivered pushes Honduran environmental activists one step closer to a tragic end. Failing to protect them is failing to protect the natural resources which everyone depends on for survival."

Berta Caceres, leader and co-founder of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Peoples Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), was shot dead on 2 March 2016 in her home in the town of La Esperanza, in the province of Intibuca, western Honduras. For years, she had vocally campaigned against the construction of the Agua Zarca dam because of the threat it posed to the Indigenous Lenca people.

Since her brutal murder, several other Honduran environmental and human rights activists, including others from COPINH, have been harassed and threatened.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Include LGBT Students in Basic Policy for the Prevention of Bullying

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Include LGBT Students in Basic Policy for the Prevention of Bullying, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3fb9d4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Human Rights Watch thanks the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) for the opportunity to give comment on revisions to the Basic Policy for the Prevention of Bullying.

Human Rights Watch is an independent nongovernmental organization that monitors and reports on human rights in more than 90 countries around the world. Our first report concerning human rights in Japan was published in 1995 and since 2009 we have had an office in Tokyo. In 2015, we undertook a six-month research project on bullying and exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in Japan's schools.

We published our findings in a 2016 report "The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered Down," found at https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/05/06/nail-sticks-out-gets-hammered-down/lgbt-bullying-and-exclusion-japanese-schools.

Our research found that LGBT students in Japanese schools face physical and verbal abuse, harassment, frequent insults from both peers and staff. Hateful anti-LGBT rhetoric is nearly ubiquitous in Japanese schools, driving LGBT students into silence, self-loathing, and in some cases, self-harm. This means that LGBT children in Japan experience shame and stigma.

We also found that teachers are ill-equipped to respond to LGBT-specific bullying. Even when individual teachers or schools attempt to support students who request protection from sexual orientation or gender identity-based harassment, their response can be inadequate. This is because teachers are often ill informed about LGBT issues and ignorant of the specific vulnerabilities faced by LGBT children. Anti-bullying policies that enumerate the needs and vulnerabilities of LGBT students will change that by allowing teachers and school officials access to appropriate training, resources, and information.

We recommended that the Ministry specify categories of vulnerable students, including LGBT students, as part of the 2016 review process stipulated in the Bullying Prevention Act. We commend the Ministry for specifying "in order to prevent bullying toward students based on their gender identity disorder or sexual orientation/gender identity, schools shouldpromote proper understanding of teachers on gender identity disorder and sexual orientation/gender identity as well as make sure to inform on the school's necessary measures regarding this matter" in the draft policy. We recommend that this should be retained.

MEXT has been at the forefront of progress in the area of education-related rights for sexual and gender minority students. The 2015 MEXT directive sent to all school boards titled, "Regarding the Careful Response to Students with Gender Identity Disorder," describes several accommodations schools should make regarding transgender students and also mentions "sexual orientation." The 2016 MEXT "Guidebook for Teachers Regarding Careful Response to Students related to Gender Identity Disorder as well as Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" signaled an evolving view on LGBT rights and recommended several protective measures for LGBT students.

By amending the Basic Policy for the Prevention of Bullying to include "sexual orientation and gender identity," Japan's government is taking an opportunity to bring its policies in line with its international human rights obligations. Japan supported two recent United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions on ending sexual orientation and gender identity-based violence and discrimination, and also co-chaired the 2016 UNESCO International Ministerial Meeting: Education Sector Responses to Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression. We encourage the Ministry to continue its commitment to making education accessible for all Japanese children by enumerating "sexual orientation and gender identity" in the revised policy.

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
CLEVELAND, Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Point Capital Partners and its Blue Point III portfolio company, Premier Needle Arts (PNA), announced today the acquisition of Crafts Americana Group, Inc. (CAG), a leading supplier of knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing and other hobbyist products. This transaction represents the third add-on acquisition for PNA since Blue Point acquired the platform investment in December 2014.



From the onset, Blue Points focus was to turn Premier Needle Arts into a multifaceted business, and pursue acquisition opportunities in related quilting and other niche hobby fiber arts categories. CAGs product offering supplements and is a natural fit with PNA, said Sean Ward, a Partner with Blue Point. Needle and fiber arts are about creativity, accomplishment and community, and we are excited to be a part of something so important to so many.

The acquisition of CAG provides significant growth and synergy opportunities, which can be achieved by leveraging Blue Points domestic operational capabilities, as well as digital marketing and e-commerce resources. Blue Point also brings strategic Shanghai resources to assist with sourcing and supply chain initiatives.

We are very excited for our team and brands to join PNA, a group that shows its commitment to the needle arts community through its ownership of other strong brands with excellent product offerings, said Matt Petkun, Chief Executive Officer of Crafts Americana Group.

Our customers are passionate about quilting and related fiber arts, and PNA is dedicated to providing sophisticated, innovative and reliable high-quality products used by enthusiasts around the world, said Mark Hyland, Chief Executive Officer of Premier Needle Arts. Crafts Americana Group has a rich history as a leader in the fiber arts and knitting markets. We are thrilled to add CAG to the PNA family and continue to capitalize on opportunities for expansion into complementary product categories and channels.

Premier Needle Arts is the parent company of Handi Quilter, Superior Threads, Quilt Pro Systems and Crafts Americana Group. To best serve their customers, each of the brands and companies will continue to operate under their independent entities, existing management, locations, structures and go-to-market strategies.

Premier Needle Arts (www.premierneedlearts.com), headquartered in North Salt Lake, UT, is a leading provider of sewing, quilting, knitting and fiber art supplies and products to a global network of independent quilting stores, sewing retailers, quilting distributors and dealers and consumers. Four companies operate under the Premier Needle Arts holding company: Handi Quilter (North Salt Lake, UT) creates and builds both branded and private-label longarm quilting machines, and produces quilting tables and frames, as well as longarm quilting accessories, scissors, rulers, templates and patterns. Superior Threads (St. George, UT) is a leading supplier of 43 lines of premium threads used in quilting and sewing. Quilt Pro Systems (Dallas, TX) provides easy-to-use digital products that enable quilters to digitally and electronically design and audition their projects. Crafts Americana Group (Vancouver, WA) is a leading supplier of consumable products used in various enthusiast markets, including knitting, quilting and decorative painting.

Blue Point Capital Partners (www.bluepointcapital.com) is a private equity firm managing over $825 million in committed capital. With offices in Cleveland, Charlotte, Seattle and Shanghai, Blue Points geographical footprint allows it to establish relationships with local and regional entrepreneurs and advisors, while providing the resources of an international firm. The Blue Point group has a 26-year track record of partnering with companies in the lower middle market to facilitate growth and transformative change. It is one of only a few middle market private equity firms with a presence in both the United States and China, which provides a distinct advantage for its portfolio companies. Blue Point typically invests in manufacturing, distribution and service businesses generating between $20 million and $300 million in revenue.
Philippines: Arrest of Duterte Critic Widens 'Drug War'

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Philippines: Arrest of Duterte Critic Widens 'Drug War', 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3fc684.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The arrest of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima on politically motivated charges signifies the widening of President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" to include critics and political foes, Human Rights Watch said today. De Lima, a former justice secretary, is the main critic of the anti-drug campaign that has killed more than 7,000 people. She is currently being held at Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police, in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

De Lima surrendered to the police on the afternoon of February 24, 2017, after a Manila court issued a warrant for her arrest following the filing of charges by the Department of Justice. De Lima, her former driver, and other individuals are accused of violating the country's Dangerous Drugs Act, which prohibits the "sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of illegal drugs." If convicted, de Lima faces between 12 years to life in prison. Under the Philippine Constitution, legislators only enjoy privilege from arrest for crimes punishable by fewer than six years' imprisonment.

"By arresting Senator Leila de Lima on politically motivated drug charges, President Duterte is effectively expanding his 'drug war' from the urban poor to the legislative branch of the government," said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director. "Not only Congress, but other pillars of Philippine democracy, from the press to the judiciary, should be deeply worried."

De Lima's arrest followed a relentless government campaign of harassment and intimidation against her in response to her outspoken criticism of Duterte's "war on drugs" and her demands for accountability for the more than 7,000 Filipinos killed by police and unidentified "vigilantes" in that campaign. In August 2016, de Lima convened hearings of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which she chaired. The hearings exposed her to a torrent of harassment and intimidation from Duterte and other government officials. Duterte's allies in the Senate immediately shut down the hearings and stripped de Lima of her leadership of the committee.



Duterte's enmity toward de Lima - "I will have to destroy her in public," the president said in August - began in 2009, when she investigated his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City, where Duterte was mayor for more than two decades. De Lima's inquiry into the operations of the "Davao Death Squad" resulted in an official recommendation that the Office of the Ombudsman investigate Duterte's "possible administrative and criminal liability" in connection to Davao Death Squad killings. In 2012, the ombudsman did not include Duterte in its investigation but found several police officers guilty of "neglect of duty" for failing to investigate the killings. The Court of Appeals later overturned the convictions.

Since then, Duterte has publicly expressed his hostility toward de Lima, vowing to "destroy" her. In subsequent congressional hearings called by Duterte's allies, de Lima was subjected to ridicule and misogynistic attacks. Duterte subsequently claimed to possess several "sex tapes" of de Lima with her driver and publicly referred to her as an "X-rated actress." Over the past six months, Duterte has continued his personal attacks, referring to de Lima's "odious character" and repeatedly asserting that she will "rot in jail." In one speech, Duterte said: "If I were de Lima, ladies and gentlemen, I'll hang myself."

De Lima's arrest came in the wake of new allegations by a retired police officer, Arturo Lascanas, that when Duterte was mayor of Davao City, he personally ordered several killings by the Davao Death Squad. The accusations were consistent with testimony in the senate last year by Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed member of the death squad, that said he participated in Davao City killings on Duterte's orders.

"The arrest of Senator de Lima is both a political attack on her and a warning to all critics of Duterte's 'drug war,'" Kine said. "Governments concerned about the future of the Philippines need to publicly express their outrage and bring pressure for an international investigation and an end to Duterte's sinister and deadly campaign."

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Iraq/Kurdistan Region: Men, Boys Who Fled ISIS Detained

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 26 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Iraq/Kurdistan Region: Men, Boys Who Fled ISIS Detained, 26 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3fce14.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) forces are detaining men and boys who have fled the fighting in Mosul even after they have passed security clearances, Human Rights Watch said today. The KRG forces have detained over 900 displaced men and boys from five camps and the urban area of Erbil between 2014, when people fleeing the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) began arriving, and late January 2017. Detainees were held for up to four months without any communication with or update for their families.

Human Rights Watch interviewed the relatives of eight of these men and boys who had been taken from one of the camps on suspicion of affiliation with ISIS. Human Rights Watch also interviewed the relative of a displaced man detained by National Security Service officials at a checkpoint. The relatives said that KRG and Iraqi forces did not inform them of their detained relatives' whereabouts or facilitate any communication with the detainees.

"Displaced families told us they had trusted the security screening process and assumed their loved ones would be back within a day or two," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Now, months later, some of those same families are telling us that they would rather have stayed in Mosul and risked dying in an airstrike than to have their husband or son disappear."

In one case, KRG forces in December 2016 detained a homeopathic doctor who told them that he had been forced to treat ISIS troops. Asayish, KRG security forces, officers initially questioned and then released him in November, after a neighbor of the doctor, who was in the same camp, told the KRG forces that the doctor was innocent of any alliance with ISIS. His wife went to the Asayish office in the camp to ask about him, but said an officer told her, "Go away and stop asking about him."

In another case, the Asayish took a 14-year-old boy, Mahmoud, in mid-November after picking up his 22-year-old cousin, who had the same name as someone allied with ISIS. When the authorities realized the name mix-up, they freed the cousin but kept the 14-year-old. She said that when the officers came to take Mahmoud, she heard one officer asking the rest why they were taking such a young kid. "Since we have been at the camp, whenever he had to go to the bathroom, he asked me to walk him. He is a young, scared kid. I am so worried about him," she said, crying. This was only one of three times Asayish officers in the camp picked up the cousin because of his name.

And in a third case, the Kurdish authorities detained a young man who had gone to the camp marketplace in November to try to buy a cellphone. When his father tried to find out what happened to him, he was told: "Don't ask, if he didn't do anything wrong, then he will be fine. If he did do something wrong, then stop asking."

Human Rights Watch gathered reports of over 900 detentions from various sources, including camp-based actors, local communities, and camp residents. It was unable to verify how many of the detainees are still being held by KRG officials, whether any of them were allowed to communicate with their family members, and whether the families were informed of their whereabouts in any cases. Human Rights Watch has previously documented 85 other cases in which relatives of terrorism suspects said they were in the dark about the fate and whereabouts of relatives detained by KRG or Iraqi forces from camps and local communities. Detainees were held for up to four months without any communication with or update for their families.

Iraqi and KRG authorities should make efforts to inform family members, either directly or indirectly via local police or camp management, about the location of all detainees. The authorities should make public the number of fighters and civilians detained, including at checkpoints, screening sites, and camps during the conflict with ISIS, and the legal basis for their detention, including the charges against them. KRG authorities should ensure prompt independent judicial review of detention and allow detainees to have access to lawyers and medical care and to communicate with their families.

On October 17, 2016, the Iraqi central government and KRG, with the support of an international coalition, announced the start of military operations to retake Mosul, causing over 150,000 residents to flee their towns and villages. Many ended up in camps for displaced people under the control of Asayish.

In late January 2017, Human Rights Watch spoke to 10 relatives and witnesses in the Khazir camp, 35 kilometers west of Erbil, who said they had all fled Mosul in November and December 2016. During their journey, they had been screened for possible ISIS-affiliation at multiple locations, including Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) checkpoints, and upon arrival at the camp by Asayish, and were cleared. But they said that weeks or months later, security forces took the six men and two boys from inside the camp, between two days and two-and-a-half months before Human Rights Watch spoke with the families. They all said that they did not know where the men and boys are being held and that they had not been able to contact them, despite their efforts to request information from the Asayish officers at the camps, who told them to stop asking about their whereabouts.

In addition, one man who fled Mosul with his cousin, "Faris," in early January 2017, said that National Security Service officials detained Faris at an Iraqi military checkpoint. The man said that one of the Iraqi security forces at the checkpoint was an old acquaintance of theirs, but had fallen out with them many years before when he had refused to let Faris marry his younger sister. The man who fled Mosul said the other man pointed to Faris and told the National Security Service officials that he was affiliated with ISIS, at which point they detained him, leaving his cousin no other choice but to leave for the camp. He and Faris's sister said they had heard nothing official about his whereabouts since then, and that he never had any affiliation with ISIS.

Enforced disappearances, which occur when security forces detain and then conceal the fate or whereabouts of a detainee, placing them outside the protection of the law, are violations of international human rights law, and can be international crimes. Depriving detainees of any contact with the outside world and refusing, when asked, to give family members any information about their fate or whereabouts can be indications that detentions are enforced disappearances.

Dr. Dindar Zebari, chairperson of the KRG's High Committee to Evaluate and Respond to International Reports, provided Human Rights Watch with an explanation of KRG security force screening and detention processes for displaced persons in late October. He stated that KRG authorities are committed to informing the families of detainees of the process and status but, "due to a lack of personnel and financial resources this task may at times be a difficult one."

"Iraqi and KRG authorities should make sure that their efforts to keep civilians safe from ISIS attacks don't undermine basic rights," Fakih said.

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Hungary: Draft Law Tramples Asylum Seekers' Rights

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Hungary: Draft Law Tramples Asylum Seekers' Rights, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3fd734.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

A draft bill proposed by the Hungarian government would allow the authorities to automatically detain asylum seekers in transit zones and to summarily return asylum seekers to the Serbian border from anywhere in Hungary, Human Rights Watch and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee said in a February 24 letter to the European Commission calling for it to intervene.

These provisions would apply during under the current immigration "state of crisis," in effect since September 2015 and in force until September 2017, and any such declared emergency in future.

"The European Commission should not stand by while Hungary makes a mockery of the right to seek asylum," said Benjamin Ward, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch. "Using transit zones as detention centers and forcing asylum seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian side of the razor-wire fence is abusive, pointless, and cruel."

If approved, the law would allow authorities to detain all adult asylum seekers on its territory, including families with children and unaccompanied children ages 14 to 18, in transit zones, without any way for them to challenge the detention. It would also permit the authorities to summarily return all asylum seekers and other migrants in the country without permission to the Serbian border from any part of Hungary. This extends countrywide the July 2016 law that authorizes police to return to the border irregular migrants apprehended within eight kilometers of the border.

Human Rights Watch and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee have independently documented Hungarian law enforcement officials' use of systematic violence and abuse against asylum seekers and migrants during such summary returns to the Serbian side of the border fence.

The proposed legal changes, in combination with amendments already made to laws pertaining to asylum and migration since August 2015, seriously impede access to asylum in Hungary, Human Rights Watch and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee said.

If the bill is approved, the only way those without legal status in Hungary will be able to request protection through the asylum system is to gain admission to a transit zone established on the Hungarian-Serbian border. Currently, authorities admit only 25 people per week into each of the two transit zones, leaving over 7,000 asylum seekers and migrants stranded in Serbia, many in inhumane conditions.

In the transit zones, under fast-track border procedures in place, applications are being declared inadmissible if the person entered the country from Serbia on the basis of a July 2015 safe third country list which includes Serbia. Proposed legal amendments will also shorten the period for appealing inadmissibility decisions and asylum rejections from seven days to three, severely limiting asylum seekers' ability to challenge negative decisions. The draft law states that court clerks, who are not qualified judges, will have authority to issue judicial review decisions in asylum proceedings. The proposed amendments also include a provision to require asylum seekers to cover their cost of detention unless they are granted protection status.

The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Hungary in December 2015, based on its problematic asylum legislation, but no further information about the proceedings has been made public. The European Commission has also failed to speak out publicly on the need for Hungarian authorities to investigate violent pushbacks of asylum seekers and migrants at Hungary's border with Serbia. Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic have suspended all returns to Hungary under the European Union's Dublin rule, which allows a country to return an asylum seeker to the first EU country they entered, due to systemic deficiencies in the Hungarian asylum system that do not meet EU standards.

The European Commission should act before Hungary further undermines its asylum obligations under EU and international law, Human Rights Watch and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee said.

"These changes will make national courts in other EU countries even more unlikely to approve transfers to Hungary under the EU's Dublin rule," said Marta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. "These reprehensible measures undermine much needed solidarity among EU member states when it comes to addressing the refugee crisis in Europe and put people at risk of abuse."

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Gambia and South Africa to remain in the International Criminal Court

Publisher International Federation for Human Rights Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as International Federation for Human Rights, Gambia and South Africa to remain in the International Criminal Court, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3ff284.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

On 22 February, the South African High Court declared the South African Presidential decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute unconstitutional and led president Zuma to revoke the notice of withdrawal. This move follows the announcement, last 17 February, by the United Nations Secretary-General confirming that Gambia decided to reverse its withdrawal from the Statute of the ICC and to consider itself as a State Party. Our organisations applaud this prevalence of the rule of law and this move made by the newly elected president of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, and by South African President Zuma to strengthen their commitment to human rights and ending impunity. We encourage all States Parties to the Rome Statute to continue to support the Court and victims of international crimes.

Under the previous Presidency, on 8 November 2016, Gambia decided to withdraw from the ICC Statute, in accordance with Article 127 of the Rome Statute. The withdrawal only takes effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the UN Secretary General. During that time, the decision to withdraw can be reversed without having to go through the entire ratification process again.

Our organisations also welcome the South African High Court decision of 22 February recognising that the South Africa executive decision to withdraw from the ICC Statute without any Parliamentary approval is unconstitutional and invalid. President Zuma together with the Ministers of Justice and Correctional Services and International Relations and Cooperation were ordered to revoke the notice of withdrawal.

These decisions have even more isolated Burundi that had made similar declarations of withdrawal from the ICC Statute in October 2016, for internal political reasons, frustrating opportunities for accountability and effectiveness of victims' rights to see justice being done for the grave crimes they have suffered. We encourage those States to join Gambia's path and remain in the ICC.

Theses Gambia and South African decisions also confirm that the announced massive African withdrawal from the ICC is above all rhetoric. Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Lesotho, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia are among those that have reaffirmed their support for the ICC. Together with Liberia and Cape Verde, many of those countries also pushed back against adoption of a so-called "ICC withdrawal strategy" at the last African Union summit in January.

If the ICC has opened investigations in African countries during its first years of existence, it is in part because African States themselves overwhelmingly supported the creation of the ICC since 1998 by ratifying the Rome Statute and took a global leadership role in advancing the movement for accountability. Many African States have referred their own cases to the ICC to investigate the most serious crimes committed on their soil. Furthermore, in 2016 the ICC has opened an investigation into the situation in Georgia and at this moment six out of the ten situations under preliminary examination concern situations outside of Africa (Afghanistan, Colombia, Comoros/Greece/Cambodia, Palestine, UK/Iraq, Ukraine).
Lebanon: Right of Access to Information Law a major step despite enforcement challenges

Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 24 February 2017 Cite as Article 19, Lebanon: Right of Access to Information Law a major step despite enforcement challenges, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b3ff994.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

ARTICLE 19 welcomes the adoption of the right of access to information law in Lebanon and considers it to be a major step in reinforcing freedom of expression, and the principles of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption. The adoption of this law reflects Lebanon's international commitments, and ARTICLE 19 calls on authorities to comply with and enforce provisions of the law to ensure equal access to information.

"Lebanon joins a small group in becoming the fourth Arab country to provide legal protection for access to information, in a region that is among the worst on issues of freedom of expression and information, known instead for widespread corruption and bribery," says Saloua Ghazouani, Director of ARTICLE 19 Tunisia.

Eight years after submitting the draft law, and five years since the draft was discussed by the Administration and Justice Commission, the Lebanese Parliament finally adopted the Right of Access to Information law on 19 January 2016, marking a major achievement for the country.

ARTICLE 19 calls for the immediate and effective enforcement of the law's provisions and calls on the Government to show strong political will and positive administrative commitment to support the law and ensure its enforcement by taking appropriate measures in terms of practical and explanatory texts as well as by providing necessary material and human resources to monitor the successful implementation of the law.

"The legal protections of the Right of Access to Information law are necessary and important, and should be implemented with respect for International Law and Standards. However, this is not enough if the law is not properly enforced - many countries adopt laws to protect this right but do not show any desire to enforce it on the ground" says Saloua Ghazouani.

ARTICLE 19 calls again on civil society, journalists and all citizens to play an active role in making the best use of this law to build a culture of accountability and participation in public matters.

Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19
Russia Sells S-400 Complexes to China: Smart Move or a Mixed Blessing?

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Sergey Sukhankin Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 24 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia Sells S-400 Complexes to China: Smart Move or a Mixed Blessing?, 24 February 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 24, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b401904.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

Russia's S-400 Triumf (NATO classification: SA-21 Growler) air-defense weapons system appears to be generating ever greater interest among a number of potential customers around the world, including China, India, Turkey and Vietnam. For the time being, this fact is widely acclaimed in Russia. But how long will the positive excitement last?

On February 14, media reports revealed that Russia has begun producing S-400 complexes for China. The announcement came from Victor Kladov, a representative of Rostec, a Russian state holding company charged with promoting the development, production and export of domestic high-technology goods in the civil and defense sectors. Speaking at the 11th International "Aero India" air show, Kladov declared that China will acquire three units (six divisions) of S-400 complexes, in accordance with the contract concluded between Beijing and Moscow in April 2015. The value of the deal is said to be close to $3 billion, and deliveries are to start in 2017 (Lenta.ru , February 14).

Selling S-400s to China might provide the struggling Russian economy with a much-needed injection of funds and the Kremlin with illusory hopes for political support from Beijing. But the excited rhetoric regarding these arms sales obscures important negative trends that Moscow has been ignoring.

First, the Russian army itself suffers from a shortage of S-400 complexes. Thus, the decision to export this weaponry suggests that the Russian Ministry of Defense is having a hard time finding the money to buy them for its own military. Furthermore, Moscow's closest allies have also requested S-400s, but have yet to receive them: Belarus announced its interest in 2011, and Kazakhstan followed suit in 2015. Probably more important, however, is the fact that the Kremlin's decision to supply S-400 complexes to China could complicate Russia's relationship with another strategic partnerIndia.

On October 15, 2016, Russia and India concluded an agreement on the delivery of S-400 Triumf complexes. This deal (which, aside from the aforementioned missile system, included various types of other advanced weaponry) was the result of lengthy negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Riafan.ru, October 15, 2016). Moreover, this agreement was notably part of the "road map" commemorating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Delhi, which has sought to once again reiterate the "strategic" nature of relations between the two countries. However, as of February 16, there is reportedly still a lack of agreement on many key aspects of the bilateral arms sale contract. As one representative from the Russian side noted, "it is impossible to speak about concrete datesa lot will depend on the [production] capabilities of the Almaz-Antey company, since the deliveries of this weaponry to the Russian Ministry of Defense are a clear priority. However, judging by the experience of previous contracts, the deliveries [of the S-400s to India] could be initiated in the course of two or three years" (RIA Novosti, February 16). This statement seems to be nothing else but an excuse, especially considering the pace of cooperation with China in this domain. Rather, the Kremlin looks to be prioritizing its political ties with Beijing over Delhi.

Signs of resentment have already been audible among Indian intellectuals. For instance, in an interview in November of last year, the director of Carnegie India, Raja Mohanwhile reflecting on the state of Russo-Indian relationsindicated several key aspects that puzzle Delhi. First, he emphasized the inconsistencies in Russian policies toward other countries. Second, Mohan highlighted that India has long been one of the main and most lucrative venues for Russia's military-industrial complex, even while Russia was "starting to forget its old friendship" with this South Asian country. Third, he unambiguously stated that his country will not be a "younger brother" or a "pawn" in Russian political games. Fourth, according to the Carnegie India director, serious repercussions might ensue if Moscow continues to build closer ties with Pakistan. Finally, and most importantly, he suggested that it appears the Indian ruling elites are unsure about Russian priorities between Delhi and Beijing. As an example, Mohan pointed to the bitter experience of the Indian-Chinese war of 1962 as well as Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev once calling India a "friend" and China a "brother" (Lenta.ru, November 11, 2016). Clearly, the decision to provide Beijing with advanced weaponry ahead of Delhi once again serves as a reminder to Indian politicians and intellectuals of their country's status in the Kremlin's eyes.

Indeed, this is not the first time Russia was keen to trade the friendship and support of its key partners in exchange for lucrative contracts with other states. For instance, Armeniaa member of both the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Unionhas on many occasions expressed its deep disappointment with the fact that Moscow provides its regional rival Azerbaijan with advanced weapons (Oxu.az, March 18, 2015).

In the meantime, Russia tries to give the impression that regional political entanglements are of minor concern to it. Moscow is doing its best to convince itself that the rapid accretion of Chinese military might does not pose any threat whatsoever. The deployment by China of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia, was met with similar nonchalance. President Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, stated, "There is no threat to Russian national security interests" (Vlasti.net, January 24). At the same time, the Russian establishment rejoiced at the notion that the ICBM deployments were leveled against the United States.

The reality of the Chinese missile placements appears to be much more complicated, however. Despite Peskov's optimistic remarks, at least a part of the Russian elite is clearly alarmed by China's activities. Franz Klintsevych, a member of the Russian Federation Council (upper chamber of parliament), firmly stated that "Russia will not tolerate the deployment of advanced missiles on its national borders" (Polit.info, January 24). Moreover, on February 13, on the territory of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast (situated on the border with China), Russia's Armed Forces launched military exercises employing Iskander-M tactical (short-range) ballistic missile complexes (Deita.ru, February 13).

It seems that its economic hardship and international isolation is increasingly inducing Moscow to take ill-calculated steps without giving much consideration of their possible repercussions in a more distant prospective.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Donbas Blockade Exposes Political Fault Lines in Ukraine

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Maksym Bugriy Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 24 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Donbas Blockade Exposes Political Fault Lines in Ukraine, 24 February 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 24, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b4022e4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

It has been one month since a group of demobilized Ukrainian soldiers and veterans of the volunteer battalions took it upon themselves (starting on January 25) to enforce a trade embargo with the occupied territories of Donbas (region of eastern Ukraine encompassing the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces) (Euromaidanpress.com, February 6). Increasingly, this blockade of several rail and road routes leading into occupied Donbas is spilling over into political protests in Kyiv. The government is accused of profiting from the trade with the Moscow-backed separatist authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk, which simultaneously provides an economic lifeline to the separatists, thus prolonging the war (Realist, accessed February 22; Euromaidanpress.com, February 9). Some of the blockade's organizers, Verkhovna Rada (national parliament) members Volodymyr Parasiuk and Semen Semenchenko, joined by the OUN and some other radical nationalist organizations, clashed with police in the capital, on February 19, as they attempted to set up a protest camp in front of President Petro Poroshenko's administration building (Ukrainian News, February 20). But the police and National Guard forces swiftly broke up the crowd.

Meanwhile, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has exposed a series of subversive operations it says are being masterminded by Russia, which attempt to spark political chaos and potentially give rise to an insurgency in government-controlled areas of Ukraine. Subversive activities and legislative initiatives to promote a pro-Kremlin agenda were explicitly targeted at provincial groups, some of which have expressed clear separatist sympathies. Several of these groups were expected to smuggle firearms into the national capital. One recording published by the SBU quoted a Russian handler requesting that a known Ukrainian separatist use the campaign slogan "The Revolution of Dignity Continues" during public rallies in Kyiv, on February 2023, commemorating the victims of the EuroMaidan revolution of 20132014 (LB.ua, February 21). Whereas, Ukrainian Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios posted photos of seized AK and SVD rifles that the so-called "Odesa People's Republic" group was allegedly attempting to bring onto Kyiv's central square (Anatolii Matios February 21).

For now, the blockade-related riot attempts of local politicians as well as Moscow's efforts to spur violence during the February 1922 commemorations of the EuroMaidan victims have not led to any major spasms of bloodshed or political destabilization. Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman met with the blockade leaders, and the two sides agreed there would be no revolutionary new Maidan demonstrations. No major Ukrainian political party today advocates any sort of violent scenario either. Radical nationalist groups like the OUN, Bilyi Molot, C14 and some others, which clashed with police and National Guard forces in central Kyiv on February 19 (see above), enjoy strictly marginal support among the general population. Their members were most likely only "showing off" in a limited hooligan street action. Commenting on why Ukraine has not been overcome with fresh political instability or street violence, sociologist Iryna Bekeshkina cited two reasons: the low level of support for all politicians (in contrast, during the 2014 EuroMaidan, opposition leaders enjoyed 4050 percent support) as well as the absence of a trigger that would ignite the emotions of a substantial number of people (Novoye Vremya, February 22).

Still, the Donbas blockade has exposed Ukraine's political fault lines, which, if unaddressed, could eventually risk a political crisis. The underlying reason may be, in fact, a class one: that is, wealthy government functionaries and political elites do not represent the interests of the general population of an impoverished country at war. The most controversial goods being shipped from occupied Donbas to government-controlled Ukraine include coal and iron ore. Sizeable assets in both industries are owned by controversial Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov; and suspicions that he benefits from this trade across the line of contact are probably sound. Meanwhile, the government has done little to alleviate the problem of the rest of the country's critical dependence on coal shipments from uncontrolled Donbas territories. Kyiv has failed to communicate a clear vision regarding proper economic relations with the occupied territories and with Russia during this conflict. As a result, according to Volodymyr Sidenko, an economic expert at the Razumkov Centre think tank, instead of competitive trade, or an embargo, the government holds a politico-military monopoly on the exports and imports coming across the line of contact (Author's interview, February 21).

The Ukrainian government demands that the occupied territories should be reintegrated based on diplomatic efforts. But it has not yet elaborated a sound and credible reintegration strategy. Nor has the government demonstrated successful post-conflict stabilization efforts, sufficient assistance to displaced persons, or adequate security-sector and economic-reform efforts. Meanwhile, the activists and volunteers currently blockading roads and railways into Donbas represent private individuals exercising too much of a state function. As such, their actions risk deepening perceptions of the central government's weakness. In this context, political scientist Oleksiy Haran has pointed to "tendencies toward so-called makhnovism [anarchy] and ochlocracy [mob rule]" in Ukraine (Novoye Vremya, February 22). Adding to this social backdrop, the Ukrainian political process is gradually becoming more violent and increasingly includes more and more displays of paramilitary symbols and images in the national media (Liga, February 26). At the same time, the large crowds that consistently came out into the streets for three working days in Kyiv to commemorate the EuroMaidan victims may signal underemployment and economic stagnation in the country.

The government used the opportunity of the EuroMaidan remembrance celebrations to issue a message of political stability and assure the electorate of the healthy strength of the ruling coalition. Notably, Petro Poroshenko's Bloc, the People's Front and the Radical Party signed a declaration of "Unity for Victory." According to Razumkov Centre's Yurii Yakymenko, "It is important that the message was issued in the moment, when there is a certain radicalization of the political process and protests actions" (Razumkov Centre, February 22). Nonetheless, there is a risk that the combination of subversive operations and mass street protests may further exacerbate the level of political polarization in the country: even in case of the blockade, there are both proponents and opponents of trading with occupied Donbas. Such polarization, coupled with Ukrainians' eroding trust in their political elites as well as the people's defensive self-focus could, might, according to Volodymyr Sidenko, eventually reduce people's resistance to radicalism, which is critical for Ukraine's resilience (Author's interview, February 21).

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia's Arduous Quest to Resurrect Its Carrier Fleet: The Case of the Crimean NITKA Military Complex

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Ridvan Bari Urcosta Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 24 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia's Arduous Quest to Resurrect Its Carrier Fleet: The Case of the Crimean NITKA Military Complex, 24 February 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 24, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b402dd4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

The Crimean peninsula is a valuable asset, especially for its military attributes. When Russia illegally annexed Crimea in FebruaryMarch 2014, it notably gained full de facto control over Sevastopol (where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is based and had until then been leasing its facilities) and Donuzlav Bay (before 2014, the site of the Ukrainian Southern Naval Base). But in addition, Moscow obtained an important complementary assetthe Shore Based Test Facility (in Russian NITKA)which could prove useful in achieving its ambitions of restoring Russia's status as a blue-water navy Great Power (Topwar.ru, March 27, 2014).

Located near the northwestern Crimean town of Saky, NITKA is a truly unique military facility and was the only such complex ever built in the entire Soviet Union. The training site is designed for testing pilots of carrier-based aircraft. Specifically, at NITKA, pilots can practice carrier-deck take offs and landings on dry ground. The training facility features an exact replica of the deck of a Russian Kuznetsov-class heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser (a.k.a. "aviation cruiser"), complete with its notable "ski-jump" ramp (Arms-expo.ru, July 6, 2016).

The history of Moscow's yearning to become a true Sea Power is fraught with failures and disappointments. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Soviet Union built a handful of aviation cruisers, which feature close-in weapons systems but are smaller than the "true" carriers found in the United States Navy. Only one still remains in service with the Russian Navy: the Admiral Kuznetsov. The Kuznetsov is the only vessel currently in the Russian fleet capable of carrying and launching naval attack aircraft: MiG-29Ks (Fulcrum-D) and Su-33s (Flanker-D). Two other aviation cruisers have, in the meantime, been sold off to China and India. In the Soviet era, NITKA's facilities were precisely adjusted to train naval pilots who would take off and land on those vessels (Lenta.ru, July 17, 2013).

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, however, the situation for the Russian Navy drastically deteriorated. Two crucial naval aviation infrastructure complexesNITKA, in Crimea, and the Black Sea Shipyard, in Mykolaiv, which built the Soviet Union's carrierswere both left outside Russia's borders, in Ukraine. As a result, Moscow was hampered in training new pilots to fly from the Admiral Kuznetsov or in building any new aircraft carriers (Topwar.ru, July 2, 2014).

By 1997, the two states signed an agreement allowing Russia continued use of the NITKA complex for training new pilots for its aviation cruiser (Mid.ru, accessed February 13). This cordial arrangement persisted until 2008; but Russia's aggression against Georgia that year sparked a forceful diplomatic protest from Kyiv. On August 9, 2008, the Ukrainian government banned Russia from using the training facility. The Kremlin waited until 2010, when Viktor Yanukovych won the Ukrainian presidency, before pressing the matter further. Already, in August 2010, the training of Russian naval pilots at NITKA was restored.

Nevertheless, after the experience of again temporarily losing access to NITKA, the Kremlin realized it needed to reduce its dependence on Ukraine. In 2009, the government announced it would build an analogous pilot training facility in Yeysk, Krasnodar region. Unlike the Crimean NITKA, the nearly-billion-dollar Yeysk facility is thoroughly modern. Construction is almost complete, aside from the installation of arresting gear for practicing carrier-deck landings. Moreover, the complex will eventually be equipped with a unique flight-training platform, floating directly on the Azov Sea, for marine helicopter pilots to practice take offs and landings in choppy waters before having to put those skills into practice on board the Admiral Kuznetsov (Oborona.ru, November 2016).

The more Russia-friendly government that came to power in Kyiv in 2010 was ultimately amenable to restoring Russia's access to NITKA, but President Yanukovych did raise the lease price on Moscow. The two countries signed a new agreement on use of the facility, in 2012 (Mid.ru, accessed February 13). But as early as April 2013, Russia officially informed Ukraine that it had no further plans to train its pilots at the NITKA complex anymore (Moscow Defense Brief, May 2014). Tellingly, throughout most of 2012 and 2013, the Kuznetsov sat in its home port of Severmorsk undergoing maintenance (Rbth.com, June 1, 2013; TV Zvezda, December 17, 2013).

After Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, Moscow regained control of NITKA, its years of massive investment in the Yeysk complex notwithstanding. On one hand, Russian shipyards still lack the technical know-how to build new aircraft carriers for the navy. Therefore, having two naval flight training facilities seems superfluous. But on the other hand, the deployment of the Admiral Kuznetsov to the eastern Mediterranean last year identified a grave problem: namely, Russia lacks sufficient numbers of professional pilots able to fly from the deck of an aircraft carrier. In the span of a few weeks, during the operations off the coast of Syria, Russia lost two aircraft, which fell into the sea, pointing to inadequate levels of professionalism among its carrier fighter-jet pilots (see EDM, November 14, 2016; RT, December 5, 2016). Fewer than two dozen Russian pilots are certified to land on an aircraft carrier, and their average age is 50 years old (VPK-news.ru, October 5, 2016).

Henceforth, Russia will probably make greater use of both training complexes in the near future in order to boost the professionalism of its naval pilots and enhance Russia's naval aviation capabilities. The Yeysk facility will more likely be used for pure personnel training. Whereas, NITKA has the potential to be employed in much bigger projects, including testing the technology and operational practices that Russia will need to master to construct and operate a new aircraft carrier. Illustratively, Moscow intends to revamp the steam catapult built at the NITKA facility by installing an Electromagnetic Launch System. The Admiral Kuznetsov notably lacks a launch catapult (of either type), which decreases the bomb load its aircraft can carry upon taking off from the carrier deck (see EDM, October 27, 2016). An advanced electromagnetic catapult will presumably be included in any future Russian supercarrier designs (Flot.com, April 22, 2014).

Today, Russia has two out of three crucial elements of naval aviationaircraft and land-based training facilities. But it has only one, outdated, aircraft cruiser and no domestic ability to build more carriers. This is a limitation Moscow desperately seeks to address, and both the NITKA and Yeysk facilities will play a key role in Russian attempts to rebuild the country's carrier capabilities.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
The United States Faces Limited Options for Assault on Raqqa

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Wladimir van Wilgenburg Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, The United States Faces Limited Options for Assault on Raqqa, 24 February 2017, Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b4033a4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

The new U.S. administration has put on hold a plan proposed by former-President Barack Obama, and backed by the Pentagon, to directly arm the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG, Yekineyen Parastina Gel) (al-Monitor, February 2). The intention is to review other options, with President Donald Trump saying during his election campaign that the ideal situation would be to get Kurds and Turks to work together. This move, however, could be a difficult one, as Turkey considers the YPG as linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and wants to weaken their presence in northern Syria (Rudaw, July 22, 2016).

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, meanwhile, has indicated he wants to re-engage with Turkey, while at the same time calling the Syrian Kurds the United States' greatest allies in Syria (Daily Sabah, January 11; ARA news, January 14).

Closer cooperation with Russia, the main backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is also possible in the fight against Islamic State (IS), although it seems unlikely the administration would want to work with the Syrian government.

Nonetheless, the United States face some tough choices if it is to accelerate its campaign against IS and defeat the group in Raqqa, its de-facto capital in Syria and the base from where it coordinates its attacks abroad.

Unlike in Iraq, where there is a partnership with the Iraqi army, in Syria, U.S. options will likely come down to the choice between backing a non-Syrian Turkish force, or backing a Kurdish group with links to the PKK.

Wrath of Euphrates Option

One option is to work with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led multi-ethnic force established in October 2015, in coordination with the U.S.-led coalition.

With U.S.-backing, the SDF captured the IS-held town of Manbij on August 13, 2016, in a campaign that lasted over two months. On November 5, with coalition support, it launched the Wrath of Euphrates campaign, aimed at isolating Raqqa and clearing a total of 3,410 square kilometers of territory (ARA news, February 10).

Now, only four kilometers from Raqqa, the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition says SDF forces have almost surrounded the city and are ideally placed for an approach.

There are problems, however. Although according to the coalition, Arabs or Turkmen make up half of the SDF's estimated 50,000 forces, critics of the SDF stress that it is led by Kurds, who the Syrian opposition and Turkey are opposed to arming.

The main commanders of the Wrath of Euphrates campaign are indeed two Kurdish female fighters  Rojda Felat and Cihan Sheikh  but the SDF insists that 80 percent of the campaign forces are Arabs (Syria Direct, November 7, 2016).

There are also independent Arab groups fighting with the SDF. These groups include Syrian politician Ahmad Jarba's 3,000 fighters from the Syrian Elite Forces, led by Muhedi Jayila, and the Sanadid Forces made up of more than 4,500 fighters, led Bandar al-Hamadi Daham, as well as smaller Free Syrian Army groups (ARA news, February 6; Rudaw, October 11, 2016).

Nevertheless, the SDF and YPG face a serious manpower shortage, and as a consequence have for the first time included around 500 military conscripts, most of which are Kurds (Hawar News, February 5).

Another serious problem for the coalition ahead of an assault on Raqqa is the lack of armored vehicles and heavy weapons needed for the urban campaign. So far the Turkish opposition has meant the SDF has received only limited weapon supplies. However, the United States said it supplied armored vehicles to the Arabs within the SDF for the first time in January, possibly indicating that a greater level of support can be expected (Rudaw, 31 January).

The Euphrates Shield Option

An alternative would be for the new U.S. administration to work with Turkey.

Turkey launched its Euphrates Shield campaign on August 24, 2016 with the dual goal of tackling IS and preventing the Kurds from linking up their local administrations (Daily Sabah, November 13, 2016). On February 12, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the goal of the campaign is to clear IS from the town of al-Bab, before moving on to Raqqa and Manbij (Daily Sabah, February 12).

Al-Bab has proved more difficult to liberate than expected. Turkey was forced to increase its military presence from 3,000 to 7,000 Turkish soldiers, as well as to build three garrisons inside Syria and deploy its own tanks (Milliyet, 5 January).

The delay has been in part due to the limited effectiveness of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels, and the Turkish military's inexperience fighting IS in built up urban areas. Over 64 Turkish troops were killed, as well as 469 Syrian rebels, in an operation that has lasted six months (Milliyet, February 16).

According to official estimates, there are currently 3,000 fighting with the Turks (Hurriyet, August 24, 2016). Moreover, Turkey is reportedly training 5,000 Syrians, and has sent 450 recruits to Jarabulus, but the number of Turkish soldiers is still greater than the number of rebels (Middle East Eye, January 23; Hurriyet, January 25).

Waiting for the training and recruitment of more Syrian rebels could significantly delay an assault on Raqqa and might require more U.S. boots on the ground. This is not without risks. U.S. Special Forces embedded with the Syrian rebels at the start of the Turkish operation were chased out and threatened with beheading in September (ARA news, September 17, 2016).

While Coalition Special Forces have good relations with the SDF coalition, these do not extend to Islamist rebels. The Turkish rebel coalition includes Salafist groups such as Ahrar al-Sham, co-founded by al-Qaeda's top envoy in Syria, Abu Khaled al-Suri, and Ahrar al-Sharqiya, created by Abu Maria al-Qahtani, who split from al-Qaeda's Nusra Front but was killed in December 2015 (al-Monitor, August 9, 2016). Al-Qahtani had previously fought against U.S. troops as part of the Jihadist movement in Iraq (al-Akhbar, June 3, 2014; al-Araby, December 15, 2004).

Furthermore, the Turkish-backed FSA are currently about 210 kilometers from Raqqa, while the SDF forces are just 4 kilometers away.

Turkey has proposed to attack Tal Abyad through SDF-held territory. This would bring their forces 20 kilometers from IS, but would also break up the link between the local Kurdish administrations in Hasakah and Kobani (Yeni Safak, February 10). Furthermore, the Syrian army, backed by Iran and Russia, launched an operation on January 15 that could block the Turkish route to Raqqa (ARA news, January 16). This could be also be a reason for the Turks to head to Tal Abyad, since Ankara does not want a conflict with Russian-backed Syrian forces and would rather focus on the YPG and SDF.

Difficult Partnerships

It is unlikely Assad, Turkey and the Kurds will be able to work together to defeat IS without some form of a political agreement. While all three profess the intention of fighting IS, for the Syrian government the defeat of Syrian rebels is a priority, for Turkey the aim is to prevent the Kurds gaining territory, and for Syrian Kurds the priority is to achieve recognition for their local administrations.

The United States could attempt to broker some kind of alliance, possibly by backing a Turkish safe zone in Syria, in exchange for guarantees the Kurds will not be allowed to link up their territories. At the same time, the United States could give more political recognition to a local Kurdish-led Syrian federation (excluding northern Aleppo) and demand guarantees that Turkey refrain from attacking Kurdish enclaves, such as Efrin.

The United States could also empower more independent Arab groups within the SDF, such as the forces of former opposition chief Ahmad Jarba, and give the Arabs more autonomy within SDF-held areas in Raqqa and Deir-ar Zour.

Weaker options include using 5,000 to 10,000 Syrian Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in the SDF, trained by Iraqi Kurdish forces, to serve as a bridge to lessen tensions with Turkey by, for instance, patrolling the Syrian-Turkish borders. It is unlikely, however, that the YPG would accept this, and the Rojava Peshmerga will not fight in Arab-dominated areas such as Raqqa.

Meanwhile, choosing to back Turkish-backed forces over the SDF will lead to delays in an attack on Raqqa that will only serve to strengthen IS.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Turkey's Euphrates Shield Operation: al-Bab and Beyond

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Goktug Sonmez Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Turkey's Euphrates Shield Operation: al-Bab and Beyond, 24 February 2017, Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b404544.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

Turkish troops and Syrian rebels have claimed almost complete control of the Syrian town of al-Bab, including the town center, pushing back Islamic State (IS) fighters who have held the area since late 2013 and opening up a path to Raqqa, IS' de facto capital in Syria (Hurriyet, February 23).

That battle has been hard fought, but the defeat of IS is only part of the Turkish objective, the other being to halt the territorial gains of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (PYD), the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Rather than immediately pursue IS to Raqqa, Turkish success in al-Bab, according to Turkish officials, is likely to be followed by an offensive on Manbij to ensure the PYD withdrawal there is completed. Afrin and Raqqa may then follow.

However, whether the diplomatic, political and military dynamics will allow these next steps requires further analysis. Meanwhile, the anti-IS coalition's unwillingness to engage in the al-Bab offensive, despite Turkish calls for air support, has put strains on an important counter-terrorism alliance.

Operation Euphrates Shield

From mid-2016, Turkey re-adjusted its foreign policy, reconciling to a degree with Israel and Russia. Mending fences with Moscow in particular enabled Turkey to carry out airstrikes in Syria and increase its level of direct involvement in the country, including launching Operation Euphrates Shield in August of that year.

The declared goals of the operation were to fight IS in Syria and tackle the PYD, which, after capturing Manbij, was getting closer to merging its territory to form a belt along the Turkish border from Afrin to Kobane. Turkey was concerned this would create a PYD-controlled zone along its border from which the PKK could operate.

Turkey declared it would advance through the Azaz-Jarablus line and establish a "safe zone," a move it had been discussing with the anti-IS coalition for some time to no avail. This allowed it to prevent a merger of PYD-controlled cantons, as well as push back IS and prevent the group's mortar and rocket attacks on Turkish cities along the Syrian border. Within the context of the operation, Turkey not only supported the Free Syrian Army (FSA), it also engaged its own air and ground forces in Syria.

Since the operation began, Turkey and Turkish-backed FSA forces have cleared the Turkish-Syrian border of IS. Some 1,900 square kilometers (km) were cleared and more than 1,700 IS fighters were killed (Anadolu Ajans, December 22, 2016; TCBB, December 26, 2016).

The al-Bab offensive was the next stage of the operation.

Capturing al-Bab

Al-Bab, just 30 km from the Turkish border, was a stronghold for IS in Syria, the most significant after Raqqa. It stands in a strategic location on the M4 highway toward Iraq, and serves as a key route to Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir-al-Zour. Its capture is also a critical step toward preventing the merger of the PYD-controlled cantons in Syria, the other main aim of Operation Euphrates Shield. The increased number and frequency of attacks in Turkey by the Kurdish Freedom Falcons (TAK), which has links to the PKK, should be seen in this context.

To capture al-Bab, Turkish armed forces closed in on it from the north, east and west in a joint effort with FSA fighters. About 64 Turkish soldiers have been killed and 386 injured since Operation Euphrates Shield began. Some 469 FSA fighters have also been killed and another 1,700 injured, while on the IS' side more than 1,700 militants have been killed.

More than half of these deaths and injuries, on all sides, were from the offensive on al-Bab (al-Jazeera Turk, December 24, 2016; BIK, December 21, 2016). One of the most recent Turkish airstrikes killed some of the leading IS figures in the town, including 18 at the level of "emir" (HaberTurk, December 25, 2016).

Around the end of December, the Turkish military-FSA alliance succeeded in capturing the Aqil Mountain and the al-Bab hospital  one of IS' main headquarters and ammunition stores in the town  for several days. For weeks, the mountain and the hospital became one of the frontlines of the offensive, captured and re-captured by both sides but eventually came under the TAF and TAF-backed FSA control.

Capturing the Aqil Mountain, which overlooks the town, was key for Turkish forces as it allowed their howitzer and artillery fire to be more effective. Turkey's recent deployment of a new batch of 155mm howitzers and improved armored personnel carriers seems far from coincidental. For several weeks, none of the fighting parties were able to claim the area confidently. Likewise, a key challenge was the IS' presence in Qabasin and Bzaa, and their use of these two towns as frontlines in order to avoid being completely surrounded by Turkish-FSA forces. The capture of Suflaniyah village in the east of al-Bab was regarded as an important step, but was followed by a withdrawal in the early days of the offensive. It was only recaptured in the second phase of the battle with increased direct Turkish military support and the deployment of additional opposition fighters (South Front, January 13).

Urban warfare presents particular challenges. IS, which has held al-Bab for more than three years and Mosul in Iraq since mid-2014, has experience in defending the urban centers it has captured. The group plants improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in homes, ditches and along incoming routes, deploys vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) and uses tunnels to move fighters and carry out surprise VBIED and suicide attacks. The group's use of the urban population as human shields made the operation even more complicated. Images have also shown the use of IEDs and T4 explosives disguised as rocks, suggesting that even after capturing the town, making it safe will take some time.

Turkey has considerable experience in urban warfare from its campaign against the PKK in Cizre, Sur and Nusaybin, experience that will likely equip Turkish forces for the challenges in capturing and holding al-Bab. However, tactics are constantly evolving. Just as the PKK have used some of the urban warfare strategies employed by the PYD, it is only realistic to assume IS closely monitors the use of new tactics and will integrate them into its strategy where necessary.

The deployment of around 500 Turkish commandos, as well as of 1,400 opposition fighters from Idlib, is an indicator of just how difficult Turkey judged the capture of al-Bab to be and demonstrates a growing realization on Turkey's part that the next stage of Operation Euphrates Shield will require even greater military power (Hurriyet, December 26, 2016). Moreover, this deployment shows that even though the fighters on the ground from the opposition forces can help buy Turkey time to fortify required positions and deploy necessary additional units, complete reliance on them for further advances seems impossible for now. With the arrival of fresh manpower, permanent control over the Aqil Mountain and the surrounding of the town centers of Qabasin and Bzaa (the latter captured from IS on February 23), as well as holding Suflaniyah has been achieved. Turkey has increased the area its forces captured from IS from 20-25 percent in mid-January to more than 40 percent in mid-February (Liveumap, January, 17; February 17). According to reports from the field on February 23, al-Bab is now almost completely controlled by Turkish forces and their rebel allies (Milliyet, February 23).

Cracks in the Coalition

Although IS withdrew from Jarablus, al-Rai and Dabiq with relatively little resistance, the group has not had that option in al-Bab. Following the loss of Aleppo, IS has had nowhere to retreat and the battle for al-Bab was particularly hard-fought as a result.

A major deterrent to Turkey's advance against IS was that the group had acquired man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADs) and anti-tank missiles (ATGMs), captured from opposition forces and the PYD.

The al-Bab offensive was further complicated for Turkey by decisions made by its allies in the anti-IS coalition. First, the coalition announced that it would delay an attack on Raqqa until April, a move that enabled IS to move its fighters to al-Bab to bolster its defenses (T24, December 26, 2016). Second, the coalition's decision not to support the Turkish offensive with air support made the capture of al-Bab more difficult.

In December, Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kaln stated: "As for our operation in al-Bab, the international coalition should assume its responsibilities, especially when air support is concerned" (Hurriyet, December 26, 2016). The call was in part an attempt to draw the coalition into the fight against IS, the objective around which it was formed in the first place. The coalition claimed that it showed its "muscle" with sorties while Turkish troops were fighting, but it provided little real support (BBC Turkce, January 3). The recent statement by coalition spokesman Colonel John Dorrian that reconnaissance flights were made as well as bombings in support of the offensive in places "close to al-Bab" has not improved the situation.

As a result, Turkey has moved closer to Russia, further straining its relationship with the coalition. Russian air strikes south of al-Bab  even though these were neither coordinated with the Turkish offensive nor made in direct support of the Turkish and FSA forces  contributed to the image that Russia is a more supportive ally to Turkey than the United States within the context of this particular front (Anadolu Ajans, January 18; Middle East Eye, December 29, 2016).

Next Steps and Changing Dynamics

For IS, falling back to Raqqa offers a short-term solution following its defeat in al-Bab, but an attack on IS' de facto capital carried out simultaneously by the PYD on the one hand and Turkey-FSA forces on the other  even if uncoordinated  would be a two-front war that IS has neither the capability nor the resources to win. However, whether the PYD or Turkey-FSA forces will carry out that offensive is unclear.

The dynamics on the ground in Syria change almost on a daily basis. Talks promoted by Turkey, Iran and Russia, which have taken place in Moscow and the Kazakhstani capital of Astana, may be one of the most significant recent developments. Iran and Russia could put pressure on the regime of Bashar al-Assad and act as guarantors of the outcomes of any negotiations. All the parties will need to put pressure on their proxies, but the trilateral negotiation framework was an important factor behind the evacuation of 37,500 people from Aleppo, and so went some (limited) way toward addressing the humanitarian tragedy in the city.

It is noteworthy that the Assad regime's stance towards the PYD has grown harsher as the regime feels more secure (Daily Sabah, December 27, 2016). However, the killing of three Turkish soldiers by the Russian air force in a friendly fire incident, and a Kurdish conference held in Moscow this month attended by representatives of the PYD, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Gorran and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), suggest the Russia-Turkey relationship is not entirely without tensions (Hurriyet, February 10, Rudaw, February 16).

As far as Turkey's advance is concerned, Turkey has so far succeeded in clearing its border of IS forces. Likewise, it has established a de facto safe zone protecting its border towns and cities from IS mortar and rocket attacks, and it claims to have complete control over al-Bab.

Following the offensive on al-Bab, Turkey's next target was previously declared to be pushing YPG forces east of the Euphrates, which most likely means mounting an offensive on Manbij. Statements from the coalition about YPG withdrawal from Manbij are disbelieved by Turkey and not taken all that seriously by the YPG. Meanwhile, the United States' stance against support for Turkey taking on the YPG in Manbij complicates U.S.-Turkey relations and is an area that the new U.S. administration will need to address.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
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Tunisia's Counterterror Efforts Hampered by Weak Institutions

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Stefano Maria Torelli Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Tunisia's Counterterror Efforts Hampered by Weak Institutions, 24 February 2017, Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b405264.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

About 800 suspected jihadists have returned to Tunisia from abroad, putting pressure on the Tunisian authorities and potentially undermining Tunisia's political transition. The country is struggling to establish a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy and, beyond the immediate security concerns, institutional constraints are stymieing efforts to tackle domestic terror threats.

Perhaps as a consequence, Tunisia has produced the highest number of foreign fighters  both in absolute terms and per capita  in the world. According to official data from the Tunisian interior ministry and the United Nations, since 2013, about 6,000 individuals left Tunisia to join jihadist groups, the majority joining Islamic State (IS) in Syria, Iraq and Libya.[1]

A further 12,000 have been prevented from travelling abroad. [2] Recent public debate in Tunisia, however, has been focused on the issue of returning jihadists, with public opinion divided on suggestions of an amnesty for returnees.

Contradictory Policies

The case of Anis Amir, the Tunisian man accused of perpetrating the Berlin lorry attack on August 19, 2016, is instructive. Amri's case revealed Tunisia's contradictory policy regarding the repatriation of its citizens when they are expelled from other countries. Both Italy, where Amri was detained for four years between 2011 and 2015, and Germany, where he requested but was denied asylum in 2016, had tried to deport Amri back to Tunisia, but the Tunisian authorities refused to accept him.

In the case of the Italian requests, Tunisian authorities denied Amri was a Tunisian citizen; while in the German case, the request was delayed by the turgid Tunisian bureaucracy (Il Fatto Quotidiano, December 22, 2016). Amri reportedly had no passport when he applied for asylum in Germany, and Tunisian officials were slow to issue replacement documents (Der Spiegel, December 22, 2016).

In recent months, Tunisia has equivocated over the policies it should adopt toward returning militants. On the one hand, the government is routinely detaining returning jihadists under the country's 2015 Counterterrorism Law. Meanwhile, it has also sent contradictory messages about a possible pardon, a move that caused massive protests.

In December 2016, Tunisia repatriated two jihadists from Sudan and from Italy. The first, Moez Fezzani, was repatriated on December 23 and is accused of having taken part in organizing the Bardo Museum attack, and of having attempted to perpetrate a bombing attack against the Habib Bourguiba mausoleum in Sousse in 2013 (Kapitalis, December 24, 2016). [3] The second, Nasreddine Bin Dhiab, was repatriated from Italy on December 29 and is accused of having organized a jihadist cell in Italy (Kapitalis, January 7, 2017). According to Italian investigators, Bin Dhiab declared loyalty to IS and last November was ordered to carry out a Paris attacks-style operation in Italy in retaliation for Italian operations in Libya against IS.

The arrests are in apparent contrast to a statement by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, who, while on a visit to France on December 2, declared that returning jihadists would not be automatically detained (L'Orient Le Jour, December 2, 2016). Such leniency, however, provoked outrage from both the public and the police unions and continues to inform current popular debate.

Tunisia's Islamic-oriented Ennahda party has called for a de-radicalization program that would treat returning jihadists as individuals who require physical and psychological support. The most prominent and influential national union, the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT, Union Generale Tunisienne du Travail), meanwhile, declared its objection to any form of pardon for the returning jihadists, calling for them to be processed under the 2015 Counterterrorism Law.

Members of the ruling Nidaa Tounes party and the liberal Afek Tounes party also expressed their concern over returning jihadists and don't want them back. The security forces and police unions have taken even harder positions, with some calling for the withdrawal of citizenship for those found guilty of terrorism offences, although such a measure would likely be prohibited by Tunisia's new constitution, approved in 2014, which states in Article 25 that no citizen shall be deprived of citizenship or exiled.

De-radicalization Initiatives

In order to defuse the controversy, Essebsi announced returning militants would be processed according to the provisions of the 2015 Counterterrorism Law. That, however, is problematic. According to Tunisian and international civil society organizations, the law is unsuited to deal with the kind of terrorist threat Tunisia faces. [4] Indeed, the law is often considered too focused on security and overly repressive, providing for some controversial measures, such as the re-introduction of the death penalty for terrorism-related offenses. It also fails to take into consideration the political, social and economic causes of radicalization. Indeed, the law makes no provision for the de-radicalization of suspected jihadists.

Civil society organizations have proposed some initiatives on this point. The Rescue Association of Tunisians Trapped Abroad (RATTA), for example, has detailed a proposed de-radicalization program based on the identification of five different levels of radicalization. [5]

Under RATTA's proposal, the top three levels of individuals identified  those who have committed terrorist acts and killed others; those who have received training, but have not carried out an attack; and those who have been indoctrinated, but have not received training  are to be kept within de-radicalization centers, where they will follow a program intended to reintegrate them into society.

Below these, the lower two levels are reserved for individuals who show early signs of radicalization, but have not been fully indoctrinated. Some will remain in de-radicalization centers but carry out community work in the day, while those of least concern would be released but must undergo periodic psychological evaluation. The proposal has yet to be implement, and RATTA complains of a lack of cooperation from government institutions.

Institutional Difficulties

Another concern is structural difficulties at an institutional level. In terms of managing national security, it is not always clear which offices have responsibilities, neither is the role of the president or the prime minister clearly defined in this regard. The result is overlapping, or possibly even conflicting, responsibilities that only stand to get worse when the president and prime minister belong to different political parties.

It is unclear whether the president could promulgate specific executive orders in the field of counterterrorism, or whether the head of the government could bypass the president by promoting laws and creating ad hoc commissions.

Tunisia's bureaucratic difficulties and institutional weaknesses are perhaps most evident in the overlapping of responsibilities of the National Guard and the army.

The main driver of jihadism in Tunisia is the infiltration of militants across the border from Libya, a result of the increasing influence of jihadist groups linked to IS there. The emerging "Libyan connection" is borne out by the fact that about 70 percent of Tunisian jihadists received training in Libya. The National Guard  which answers to the interior ministry  and the army do not have a clear mandate over border operations, creating a major obstacle to counterterrorism efforts.

Without a de-radicalization program or an amnesty, returning jihadists are likely to face imprisonment. Here Tunisia faces a logistical problem  the authorities say there is not enough space to safely detain all returning and domestic militants (Webdo.tn, December 3, 2016). There is also the concern that prisons themselves are places of radicalization.

According to data from Tunisia's ministry of justice, currently there are 1,647 people being held for terrorist offenses in Tunisia, some of which could become recruiters of newly radicalized young people.

Tunisia's institutional systems are impeding its counterterrorism efforts, and public opinion is divided on the issue. Against this background, the 2015 Counterterrorism Law has been unhelpful. Meanwhile, a national commission on counterterrorism has been appointed and is due to outline a new strategy, but this has yet to be published.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Kenya: Mombasa a Focus for Islamic State

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Alexander Sehmer Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Kenya: Mombasa a Focus for Islamic State, 24 February 2017, Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b405fe4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

Police in Kenya's costal region arrested two suspected members of Islamic State (IS) on February 18. The pair had reportedly returned from Syria and their arrests serve as a reminder that while al-Shabaab remains the major threat in East Africa, IS continues to maintain a small but dangerous foothold in the region.

The two individuals  named as Nasra Hyder Faiz and Salim Mohamed Rashid  were arrested in police raids in Mtwapa in Kilifi county and the Kinzingo district of Mombasa respectively (Standard, February 18). They had apparently travelled to Syria and were picked up by Turkish authorities in November 2016 as they crossed the border on their way out of the country (Capital News, February 18). The Turkish authorities subsequently deported them to Kenya, where their family members possibly helped them to avoid the authorities (Standard, February 21).

According to the police, the two were set to issue instructions to local IS operatives to attack one of Mombasa's shopping malls (The Star [Kenya], February 18). That brings with it a chilling reminder of the 2013 Westgate Mall attack in the capital Nairobi, in which more than 60 people were killed. That attack was perpetrated by al-Shabaab. IS, by contrast, has yet to make real inroads into Kenya, but its efforts may now be gathering pace.

In August last year, two medical students were arrested in Malindi over alleged ties to IS. They were reportedly trying to obtain false documents and cross the border into Somalia (Capital News, August 29, 2016). Then in September, IS claimed its first attack in Mombasa, when three women stabbed a police officer and burnt down a police station in the port city (Standard, September 14, 2016). Meanwhile, in October, a man reportedly affiliated with IS was shot and killed outside the U.S. embassy in Nairobi after he stabbed a Kenyan policeman (Standard, October 30, 2016).

Kenya's coastal region is home to both separatist elements and radical Islamists, but in recent years the Islamists have proved a greater threat. Government efforts to dislodge al-Shabaab militants from the Boni Forest began to see success in 2015, forcing the militants out of the area. And in recent months, Kenyan troops have been joined there by U.S. Special Forces (The Star [Kenya], February 10).

The success of the Boni Forest operations has meant many of the al-Shabaab fighters there have gone to ground or left the country, some possibly heading to Tanzania. The authorities' focus on al-Shabaab, however, may mean that Kenya has taken its eye off IS.

The police station attack and the recent arrests suggest IS is beginning to target Mombasa, which is of particular concern as the infiltration of radical Islamists from Somalia and simmering socio-political tensions with Nairobi make the port city particularly vulnerable to IS recruitment efforts.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Pakistan: Looking to the Domestic Threat

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Alexander Sehmer Publication Date 27 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Pakistan: Looking to the Domestic Threat, 27 February 2017, Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b407064.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

Pakistan regularly blames neighboring Afghanistan for harboring militants that carry out attacks on its soil, but a recent series of suicide blasts has prompted the authorities to launch a major counter-terror offensive at home.

The Pakistani militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed a suicide bombing that left at least 13 people dead at an anti-government rally in Lahore, in Pakistan's Punjab province, on February 13 (Dawn, February 14). Officials said the blast was intended to target Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab's chief minister (Dunya, February 14). Jamaat-ul-Ahrar said the attack was retaliation for raids against militants in the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan.

The next day, the group carried out a suicide attack on the Mohamand Agency administration's headquarters in Pakistan's tribal region, killing five people (Geo TV, February 15). With another devastating bombing (claimed by Islamic State) just days later at the Lal Shabaz Qalandar shrine in southern Sehwan, which killed at least 70 people, most of them sufi devotees, it has been a bloody few weeks for Pakistan (Dawn, February 17).

The recent death toll has left the authorities jumpy, particularly in Lahore where counter-terrorism officials quickly declared a blast in a commercial district on February 23 that killed 10 people a terror attack (Dawn, 23 February). It later emerged the explosion had been the result of a gas leak (al-Jazeera, 24 February).

One of Pakistan wealthiest cities with few of the tensions that surface elsewhere, Lahore for years avoided major attacks, but in recent years it has become a target for Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. The group, which split from the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan in 2014, is not the only Islamist faction operating in Lahore. It is, however, one of the most violent groups active in Lahore, carrying out a suicide bombing last year in the city's Gulshan-i-Iqbal park that killed more than 70 people (Dawn, March 29, 2016).

Pakistan's immediate response to the Lahore and Sehwan attacks was to close border crossings and shell areas in Afghanistan where it claims Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is holed up (Dawn, February 18). It claims the shelling has had some success, but bombing its neighbor is of only limited use. Pakistan needs to crack down on Islamist militants closer to home.

The authorities say they are doing this. On 22 February, the government launched operation "Radd-ul-Fasaad," which is expected to see security forces deployed on counter-terrorism missions across the country (Dawn, February 22). The government also approved a request by the Punjab administration to deploy 2,000 Rangers  a Pakistani paramilitary force  across the province. It remains to be seen how effective these efforts will be.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Iraq: Whether doctors in the Kurdish autonomous region are assigned to practice medicine in particular locations by the Ministry of Health or whether they can practice medicine in a location of their choosing; whether this applies to male and female doctors; treatment of female doctors by the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) (2014-November 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 17 November 2016 Citation / Document Symbol IRQ105701.E Related Document(s) Iraq : information indiquant si le ministere de la Sante affecte les medecins de la region autonome kurde a des endroits particuliers ou s'ils peuvent exercer la medecine a l'endroit de leur choix; information indiquant si cela s'applique aux hommes et aux femmes medecins; information sur le traitement reserve aux femmes medecins par l'Etat islamique (EI) [Etat islamique en Iraq et au Levant (EIIL)] (2014-novembre 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Whether doctors in the Kurdish autonomous region are assigned to practice medicine in particular locations by the Ministry of Health or whether they can practice medicine in a location of their choosing; whether this applies to male and female doctors; treatment of female doctors by the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) (2014-November 2016), 17 November 2016, IRQ105701.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b426434.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Assignment of Doctors by the Ministry of Health

At the request of the Kurdish Regional Government, the RAND Corporation, a "nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis" (RAND Corporation 2014), produced a 2014 report on the health care system in the Kurdish region of Iraq, which states the following regarding the situation of the physician shortages, distribution, and training in Kurdistan:

[p]ublic sector ambulatory care relies almost exclusively on the obligatory one-year service of junior general practice physicians who have completed one or two years of post-graduate clinical (residency) training and return afterward for a final year of residency training in which they can begin to specialize. The most highly qualified among them are able to secure coveted placements in urban clinics, while the others are assigned to health centers in more rural/remote areas where they are often the clinic's only physician.

The actual year of obligatory clinic service between the years of post-graduate training is not itself treated as a year of formal clinical training: During this year, these physicians receive no mentorship, supervision, or other professional development support, and they have limited access to professional resources, such as the Internet or journals. Our observations, our discussions with several of these physicians, and the comments from government health authorities suggest that these young physicians are not only hard-working but also eager to complete their obligatory service and return to specialty training and urban practice. Virtually all of them provide clinic services in the morning and see private patients in the afternoon. All physicians who complete their clinical training have guaranteed government jobs (and pensions), but they receive relatively meager salaries for public sector work and derive much more substantial income from seeing private patients. (ibid., 97-98)

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer from an Erbil-based law firm that has been involved in promoting Kurdish women's involvement in the public and private sector, stated that "female doctors who are public sector employees are assigned to a public hospital and can also work privately after hours" and that "[d]octors who are able to set up a private practice [work] wherever they want to" (Lawyer 15 Nov. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a manager at the Medya Diagnostic Centre, a medical imaging centre and laboratory based in Erbil (MDC n.d.), stated the following regarding whether doctors are assigned to practice medicine in certain locations:

[u]sually, the city in which the doctor has graduated from the college of Medicine (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah or Dohuk) is where they will be placed by the Ministry of Health. This is with regards to the first two foundation years post-graduate. Following this, training for 1 year will occur within the 3 governorates but outside of the cities e.g. a graduate of Erbil medical college will be sent to rural areas of the Erbil governorate for this one year period. After this, the doctor will return to the urban area and start specialization. There are occasions where a lack of doctor availabilities in the rural areas means the doctor is not transferred back to the city after the one year period until other doctors become available to take their place. This is obligatory and the doctor does not have a choice in the matter. There [are] also times when the doctor may put in a request to be transferred to a particular area e.g. wants to be relocated closer to their family, but this is to be reviewed and authorized by the Ministry of Health. All these placements are assigned by the Ministry of Health. If a doctor wishes to transfer to a different Kurdish region, formal requests should be submitted and paperwork carried out at the Ministry of Health. (Manager 17 Nov. 2016)

The same source stated that these rules apply to both female and male doctors, and to doctors from Erbil, Dohuk, and Sulaymaniyah (ibid.).

2. Treatment of Female Doctors by ISIS

A joint report by Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and Minority Rights Group International (MRG) [1] reports that female doctors in ISIS-controlled areas have complained that dress code restrictions under ISIS, which include face veils and gloves, inhibit them from performing their jobs effectively (Ceasefire and MRG Feb. 2015, 16). The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014 states that following the ISI occupation of Mosul, the group enforced restrictions on women's movement and dress, noting that "female physicians in Mosul protested ISIL's campaign to force female doctors to wear the hijab, prevent female physicians from accessing the hospital if not dressed accordingly, and threaten with punishment those who failed to adhere to the rule" (US 25 June 2015, 61). According to a 2014 report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office on the situation of civilians in Iraq, women in ISIS-controlled areas "have been dealt with particularly harshly" and ISIS has attacked and killed female professionals, including doctors (UN 2014, 10). The same source states:

It was reported that some female doctors went on strike because of the difficulty in doing their job with their faces covered. On 13 August, a female doctor was killed while resisting ISIL trying to take her away from her home in Tayaran, south of Mosul for having organised or participated in the strike.

UNAMI/OHCHR received information directly from some female doctors in Mosul indicating that ISIL is monitoring the implementation of their takfiri regulations at the hospital entrances and, on two occasions, female doctors were stopped and insulted. ISIL also inquired in hospitals into the marital status of the female doctors and stated that married women should wear black, while unmarried females other colours, so as to be easily distinguishable. On one occasion, a female doctor reported that she was stopped from attending to an urgent case because she was not covered properly; after a long heated discussion with the ISIL fighter, she was allowed to perform her duties. In another case - not related to the covering of the face - a male anaesthetist was prevented from providing anaesthesia to a female patient; after arguing that there was no female anaesthetist available and that the life of the patient was in danger, he was permitted to attend to the case.

According to the female doctors on strike, ISIL threatened them with the destruction or seizure of their houses and properties if they did not return to work. Following these threats, a number of women doctors informed UNAMI/OHCHR that they had no choice but to return to work and abide by the dress rules being imposed on them by ISIL. However, sources in hospitals in Mosul reported to UNAMI/OHCHR that the number of staff members working in health care facilities in the city and subsequently had dwindled. (UN 2014, 10)

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights is a UK-based initiative "to develop 'civilian-led monitoring' of violations of international humanitarian law or human rights, to pursue legal and political accountability for those responsible of such violations, and to develop the practice of civilian rights" (Ceasefire and MRG Feb. 2015). MRG is a UK-based NGO "working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote cooperation and understanding between communities" (ibid.).

References

Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and Minority Rights Group International (MRG). February 2015. No Place to Turn: Violence Against Women in the Iraq Conflict. [Accessed 17 Nov. 2016]

Lawyer. 15 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Manager, Medya Diagnostic Centre. 17 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Medya Diagnostic Center (MDC). "About MDC." [Accessed 17 Nov. 2016]

RAND Corporation. 2014. Anthony, C.Ross and Melinda Moore, Yee-Wei Lim, Spencer S. Jones, Adrian Overton, Joanne K. Yoong. Sponsored by the Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Health. The Future of Health Care in Kurdistan Region - Iraq: Toward an Effective, High-Quality System with an Emphasis on Primary Care. [Accessed 16 Nov. 2016]

United Nations (UN). 2014. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office. Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict in Iraq: 6 July - 10 September 2014. [Accessed 17 Nov. 2016]

United States (US). 25 June 2015. Department of State. "Iraq." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014. [Accessed 17 Nov. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Colleges of Medicine at the Universities of Duhok, Hawler, Kurdistan Hewler, Sulaimani; Emergency Management Center; Kurdish American Medical Association; Investigator, RAND Corporation; Kurdistan Regional Government - Directorate General of Health in Duhok, Ministry of Health, Representation in the United States; PAR Hospital.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Emergency Management Center; Kurdish American Medical Association; Kurdistan Regional Government - Ministry of Health; Representation in the United States; PAR Hospital; Universities of Duhok, Hawler, Kurdistan Hewler, Sulaimani.
Haiti: The Fanmi Lavalas political party, including its leaders, political platform, geographic reach and activities; its relationship with the government; whether the party has ties to criminal gangs

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 10 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol HTI105745.FE Related Document(s) Haiti : information sur le parti politique Fanmi Lavalas, y compris ses dirigeants, sa plateforme politique, sa portee geographique et ses activites; sa relation avec le gouvernement; si le parti est associe avec des bandes criminalisees Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Haiti: The Fanmi Lavalas political party, including its leaders, political platform, geographic reach and activities; its relationship with the government; whether the party has ties to criminal gangs, 10 February 2017, HTI105745.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b428214.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Leaders of Fanmi Lavalas

According to the Political Handbook of the World 2015 (PHW), the leaders of Fanmi Lavalas (FL) are "Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Former President of the Republic; under house arrest [in] 2014), Luis Gerard-Gilles (2006 presidential candidate), Maryse Narcisse (Head of Executive Council and 2015 presidential candidate) [and] Joel Vorbe" (2015). In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a lawyer at the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), a non-profit organization that supports "the Haitian people in their struggle to achieve universal human rights, access to a just legal system, social justice, a society without violence, and the right to participate fully in choosing their government" (IJDH n.d.), stated that the "leader for life" of the FL is Jean Bertrand Aristide, that the formal coordinator is Maryse Narcisse and that the executive committee "includes (or has recently included) Dr. Gerard Gilles, Yvon Feuille, Joel Edouard "Pasha" Vorbe, Dr. Schiller Louidor and Claude Roumain" (ibid. 2 Feb. 2017). The same source wrote that Leslie Voltaire is also a close advisor to the party (ibid.). Similarly, in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the Director [1] of Defenseurs Plus, an organization for the promotion and defence of human rights in Haiti (HPN 7 Apr. 2016), stated that Jean-Bertrand Aristide is the national representative and founder of the FL political organization and that Maryse Narcisse is the national coordinator of the FL and ran as a candidate in the last presidential election (Director 27 Jan. 2017). In an article published by the Agence haitienne de presse (AHP), a local news agency that publishes daily news releases in English and in French (AHP n.d.), Louis Gerald Gilles is described as one of the members of the executive committee of the FL (28 Oct. 2015).

2. Political Platform and Program of the FL

The Lawyer at IJDH wrote that the FL's political platform is "basically Social Democrat" (2 Feb. 2017). With regard to the ideologies and programs of the presidential candidates, Roromme Chantal, professor at the School of Public Studies (Ecole des hautes etudes publiques) of the University of Moncton, told Le Devoir that [translation] "Maryse Narcisse, more in line with the leftist traditions of her party Fanmi Lavalas, promised social projects such as the construction of public housing, schools and hospitals" (Le Devoir 23 Nov. 2016). Similarly, according to an article published by the AHP, Maryse Narcisse [translation] "indicated that building housing has always been a priority for Fanmi Lavalas" (21 Sept. 2016).

According to an article published by Le Nouvelliste, Maryse Narcisse spoke publically at an event in Jacmel on Sunday 25 September 2016 and pledged to provide 24hour electricity to the population in the communes of Jacmel, Cayes-Jacmel and Marigot, and to work on getting access for other communes in the South-East that are without electricity (Le Nouvelliste 26 Sept. 2016). The same source reports that Maryse Narcisse promised to continue the road construction projects [translation] "going from the South department to Anse-a-Pitre in the South-East department," initiated by the "former Lavalas administration" (ibid.).

An article posted on the blog of Maryse Narcisse's official website indicates the following with respect to the education program of the FL:

[translation]

The Fanmi Lavalas government, through its program adapted to the needs of the community, will provide school children with the opportunity to learn a trade. [] The new Fanmi Lavalas government is also committed to reducing the rate of school dropouts and illiteracy, as it has done in the past. It will therefore give all our schools the chance to gradually take in out-of-school children. At the same time, literacy centres will open their doors again in all our communal sections. (Fanmi Lavalas 54 n.d.)

For more information on the political platform of the FL, as presented by Maryse Narcisse, consult the article attached to this Response, which was published in 2016 by AlterPresse, a Haitian alternative information network (AlterPresse n.d.).

3. Geographic Reach of the FL

According to the final results published by the Provisional Electoral Council (Conseil electoral provisoire, CEP) of Haiti, which is [translation] "responsible for organizing and independently monitoring the conduct of all elections in the country" (CEP n.d.a.), Maryse Narcisse won 95,765 votes in the first round of the presidential election of 20 November 2016, or 9.01 percent of the votes cast (ibid. 3 Jan. 2017). According to the same source, two members of the FL were elected in the second round of the legislative by-election in the electoral districts of Cabaret and Port-au-Prince (1st), in the West department, with 59.19 percent (ibid. 29 Dec. 2016) and 32.81 percent of the votes, respectively (ibid. 31 Dec. 2016). According to a document entitled [translation] "Breakdown of Votes" released by the CEP, Maryse Narcisse obtained the most votes in the presidential election in the West and South departments, with 61,111 votes (6.00 percent) and 13,124 votes (1.29 percent), respectively (ibid. n.d.b.).

The Director of Defenseurs Plus explained that the FL is a [translation] "working-class" organization in Haiti and that it is represented nationally (27 Jan. 2017). Similarly, the Lawyer at IJDH explained that the FL has members and supporters throughout the ten geographic departments but that its strongest base is in Port-au-Prince and its metropolitan area (2 Feb. 2017). An article published by Le Nouvelliste states the following with respect to the FL's election campaign during the 2016 presidential election:

[translation]

Many neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince, such as La Saline, Delmas 2, St-Martin, Solino, Bel-Air, Fort-National and Cite Soleil, were visited by the convoy of Fanmi Lavalas officials. In these communities, the Lavalas leaders attracted, as usual, many people who applaud Titid [Aristide] and Maryse. (7 Oct. 2016)

4. Activities of the FL

The Lawyer at IJDH stated that the FL has a radio and television station (Radio et Television Timoun) and organizes regular meetings and rallies at the Aristide Foundation for Democracy in Tabarre, as well as "regular, large and spirited" demonstrations (IJDH 2 Feb. 2017). The same source explained that the University of the Aristide Foundation (Universite de la Fondation Aristide, UNIFA), which is "closely associated with the party [FL]," includes a medical school, law school and computer sciences school (ibid.).

According to an article published in 2016 by Le Nouvelliste, in October 2016 the FL collected [translation] "big 'adoquains,' coins worth 5 gourdes, to facilitate [its] disaster relief mission [] for victims of the hurricane [Matthew]" (7 Oct. 2016). The AHP reports that the FL launched [translation] "a massive solidarity campaign" for the victims of Hurricane Matthew (AHP 5 Oct. 2016). The same source states that Maryse Narcisse encouraged citizens to make donations of clothing, medicine, building materials or drinking water to the Aristide Foundation headquarters in Tabarre (ibid.).

Sources report that the FL organized a summer school in July 2013 under the theme "For a Society without Exclusion," to discuss the country's socio-political and economic issues (HaitiLibre 4 July 2013; Haitian Truth 5 July 2013; Le Nouvelliste 3 July 2013). Sources indicate that charitable activities were planned during that event to help people in need (ibid.; HaitiLibre 4 July 2013).

An article published by the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA), an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide information and analysis on Latin America and the Caribbean (NACLA n.d.a.), states that Aristide, as president, worked closely with Lavalas to institute programs to promote literacy, improve health care and include the country's poor in national politics (ibid. n.d.b.).

5. Relationship Between the FL and the Government

According to the Lawyer at IJDH, the FL had a "decent" relationship with the government, but it has deteriorated recently as the FL has organized demonstrations to protest the election every day since 21 November 2016 (2 Feb. 2017). Similarly, the Director of Defenseurs Plus stated that Maryse Narcisse is challenging the last presidential election (27 Jan. 2017). An article published by HaitiLibre, an Internet site that focuses on news, issues and reactions among Haitians (HaitiLibre n.d.), states as follows:

[translation]

Following, among other things, the demonstrations by Fanmi Lavalas activists, supporters and sympathizers that materialized on Monday and Tuesday to protest against a so-called electoral coup d'etat and to demand respect for the ballots, convinced of the victory of their candidate Maryse Narcisse[,] Camille Junior Edouard, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security "strongly condemns all the threats and acts of intimidation that have taken place in the last 48 hours." (ibid. 23 Nov. 2016)

Similarly, an article published by the BBC states that police clashed with supporters of presidential candidate Maryse Narcisse who were awaiting the election results (BBC 23 Nov. 2016). The same source states that FL supporters threw rocks and set tires alight in Port-au-Prince on 21 and 22 November 2016 (ibid.). Sources report that FL supporters held demonstrations in the streets of Port-au-Prince on 22 November 2016 and that police used tear gas (Le Monde 22 Nov. 2016; AlterPresse 22 Nov. 2016). According to AlterPresse, [translation] "there were reports of heavy fire in the working-class neighbourhood of Solino, as well as burning tires in Delmas 2" (ibid.). According to Le Monde, during that demonstration, a fire was started in the middle of the street in the neighbourhood of Saint Martin and residents threw rocks at passing cars (22 Nov. 2016). AlterPresse writes that the government urged police [translation] "to prosecute anyone who incites violence, particularly through false alarms, following the election of 20 November 2016" (22 Nov. 2016). The Lawyer at IJDH explained that FL demonstrators have reported that the police repeatedly used excessive force, resulting in several injuries and deaths during the demonstrations (2 Feb. 2017).

Sources report that an arrest warrant was issued against Aristide on allegations of corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering or embezzlement (PHW 2015; Le Figaro 13 Aug. 2014). Sources state that Jean-Bertrand Aristide was under house arrest in 2014 (VOA 29 Aug. 2016; Perspective Monde 23 Sept. 2014). According to the Lawyer at IJDH, there is fear of repression among opposition parties such as the FL (IJDH 2 Feb. 2017). The same source pointed out that Aristide has been summoned to testify in a criminal investigation from several years ago (ibid.). The Lawyer at IJDH stated that "[t]here is a fear of judicial persecution and threats to party leaders and human rights defenders by this incoming government based on practices under President Martelly's administration" (ibid.). The same source noted that this fear extends to activists and leaders of the FL (ibid.). Further corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Lawyer at IJDH wrote the following with regard to the relationship between the FL party and the government:

Presently the party rejects the legitimacy of the elected president Jovenel Moise, saying he came to power through voter fraud and an "electoral coup d'etat." Nonetheless, some Lavalas leaders in the provinces have recently supported candidates of Moise's party, the PHTK [Haitian Tet Kale Party], such as in the departments of the South and Center. Gerard Gilles in late December [2016] [] posed for pictures with PHTK founder and former president Michel Martelly. Officially, however, the party is politically opposed to the government. (ibid)

According to the Director of Defenseurs Plus, the interim president [Jocelerme Privert] was the Minister of the Interior from 2001 to 2004, when the FL was in power (Director 27 Jan. 2017). The same source stated that a number of ministers in the current government are former FL members and share its ideology (ibid.). According to the Director of Defenseurs Plus, [translation] "the FL is therefore very close to the government" (ibid.). Similarly, an article published by Le Nouvelliste states that Gervais Charles, formerly one of the closest legal advisors of the Martelly government, has become the lawyer for the FL party (15 Feb. 2016). An article published by the Centre for Research on Globalization (Centre de recherche sur la mondialisation, CRM), a website that provides information on major news themes (CRM n.d.), states that the executive committee of the FL has remained completely mute on the crimes, [of corruption in particular], of the Martelly government (ibid. 12 Dec. 2013). The same source reports that Maryse Narcisse released a statement in 2013 saying that the FL was opposed to Martelly stepping down before the end of his term (ibid.). The statement was released around the same time as masses took to the streets to demand Martelly's resignation, following a scandal involving the death of a judge responsible for investigating Martelly's wife and son for corruption (ibid.).

6. Ties Between the FL and Criminal Gangs

No information concerning a relationship between the FL and a criminal gang was found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Some sources mention armed gangs called chime, supporters of Aristide who are responsible for [translation] "acts of terror" (Relations Mar. 2003) or young gangsters who supported Aristide when he returned to power in the early 2000s (Geopolis 21 Oct. 2015). An article published in 2006 by the National Human Rights Defense Network (Reseau national de defense des droits humains, RNDDH), an NGO involved in human rights education and the monitoring of human rights violations in Haiti (RNDDH n.d.), states that the authorities resulting from the presidential and senatorial elections in November 2000, the election in which Aristide was elected president, [translation] "used armed groups to intimidate their opponents" in order to stay in power (ibid. 5 Feb. 2006). Similarly, sources report that in 2014 when the former ambassador of France in Haiti, Thierry Bukard, testified during the trial of Amaral Duclona, the head of a Haitian gang, he stated that the chimeres, [translation] "armed by the [former] regime [of Aristide], had their connections at the presidential palace, from which they took their directions and were paid" (HaitiLibre 21 May 2014; Le Huffington Post 20 May 2014).

However, according to the Director of Defenseurs Plus, the term chimeres is not [translation] "appropriate" because it is considered "discriminatory or pejorative" (Director 27 Jan. 2017). The same source explained that the term refers to people who are excluded or frustrated; whose socio-economic rights are very precarious; who have an upbringing marked by brutality; who, for example, throw rocks and participate in violent demonstrations (ibid.). According to the Director of Defenseurs Plus, these individuals declare themselves to be FL supporters and identify with this political organization (ibid.). The same source stated that the FL is aware of this and accepts it (ibid.). Similarly, according to an article published by NACLA, the term chimes [chimeres], used to describe young slum dwellers, some of them members of street gangs, who came to the defence of the beleaguered government, is frequently used as a slur by elites to demonize and disparage Aristide supporters (n.d.b.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] The Director of Defenseur Plus identifies himself as a lawyer and human rights advocate. The information he provided is his personal view.

References

Agence haitienne de presse (AHP). 5 October 2016. "Fanmi Lavalas lance une vaste campagne de solidarite avec les victimes de l'ouragan Matthew." [Accessed 31 Jan. 2017]

Agence haitienne de presse (AHP). 21 September 2016. "Une caravane de milliers de partisans de Fanmi Lavalas avec a bord la candidate a la presidence et l'ancien president Aristide a parcouru plusieurs quartiers de la capitale ce mercredi : promesses entre autres de reconstruction de milliers de maisons detruites dans le centre-ville sous Martelly." [Accessed 31 Jan. 2017]

Agence haitienne de presse (AHP). 28 October 2015. "Fraudes apres la fermeture des bureaux de vote : les partis politiques se mobilisent et annoncent des manifestations jusqu'au 3 novembre pour empecher le detournement du vote de la population en faveur du candidat du pouvoir." [Accessed 31 Jan. 2017]

Agence haitienne de presse (AHP). N.d. "Presentation de l'AHP." [Accessed 7 Feb. 2017]

AlterPresse. 22 November 2016. "Haiti-Elections : Poursuite des manifestations de Fanmi Lavalas, malgre une mise en garde legale et institutionnelle." [Accessed 30 Jan. 2017]

AlterPresse. N.d. "Qui sommes-nous?" [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 23 November 2016. "Haiti police clash with protesters awaiting poll results." [Accessed 30 Jan. 2017]

Centre de recherche sur la mondialisation (CRM). 12 December 2013. "Haiti: Aristide's Party Fanmi Lavalas Taken Over by 'Macouto-Bourgeois Group'." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Centre de recherche sur la mondialisation (CRM). N.d. "A propos." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Conseil electoral provisoire (CEP). 3 January 2017. "Premier tour de l'election presidentielles resultats definitifs." [Accessed 27 Jan. 2017]

Conseil electoral provisoire (CEP). 31 December 2016. "Deuxieme tour elections legislatives complementaire depute rsultats definitifs." [Accessed 27 Jan. 2017]

Conseil electoral provisoire (CEP). 29 December 2016. "Deuxieme tour elections legislatives complementaire depute resultats definitifs." [Accessed 27 Jan. 2017]

Conseil electoral provisoire (CEP). N.d.a. "Mission." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Conseil electoral provisoire (CEP). N.d.b. "Ventilation des votes par departements." [Accessed 2 Feb. 2017]

Director, Defenseurs Plus, Haiti. 27 January 2017. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Le Devoir. 23 November 2016. "Dans la presidentielle, la 'bataille des ex'." [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Le Figaro. 13 August 2014. "Haiti : mandat d'arret contre l'ex-president." With Agence France-Presse. [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Fanmi Lavalas 54. N.d. "Fanmi Lavalas vers un systeme educatif efficace." [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Geopolis. 21 October 2015. "Haiti : Cite Soleil, le bidonville dont se jouent gangs et politiciens." [Accessed 24 Jan. 2017]

Haitian Truth. 5 July 2013. "Fanmi Lavalas Organizes Summer School to Orient Party for Elections." [Accessed 25 Jan. 2017]

HaitiLibre. 23 November 2016. "Haiti - Elections : manifestations, le Ministre de la Justice condamne avec force." [Accessed 31 Jan. 2017]

HaitiLibre. 21 May 2014. "Haiti - Justice : deuxieme jour du proces d'Amaral Duclona." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

HaitiLibre. 4 July 2013. "Haiti - Politique : Fanmi Lavalas se prepare dans la perspective des prochaines elections." [Accessed 25 Jan. 2017]

HaitiLibre n.d. "Pourquoi HaitiLibre?" [Accessed 20 Jan. 2017]

Haiti Press Network (HPN). 7 April 2016. "Haiti - Journee mondiale de la Sante : 'Defenseurs Plus' en appelle a la 50e legislature." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Le Huffington Post. 20 May 2014. "Proces d'un chef de gang haitien : le regime d'Aristide en accusation a Paris." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH). 2 February 2017. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by a lawyer at IJDH.

Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH). N.d. "About." [Accessed 6 Feb. 2017]

Le Monde. 22 November 2016. "Haiti : deux partis revendiquent la victoire a l'election presidentielle." [Accessed 20 Jan. 2017]

North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA). N.d.a. "About Us." [Accessed 31 Jan. 2017]

North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA). N.d.b. "The Fanmi Lavalas Political Project." Jeb Sprague. [Accessed 25 Jan. 2017]

Le Nouvelliste. 7 October 2016. "Fanmi Lavalas clot sa campagne electorale par une collecte de fonds." [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Le Nouvelliste. 26 September 2016. "Maryse Narcisse accompagnee de Jean-Bertrand Aristide en campagne dans le Sud-Est." [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Le Nouvelliste. 15 February 2016. "Le pire ennemi de Martelly c'etait Martelly lui-meme." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Le Nouvelliste. 3 July 2013. "Fanmi Lavalas lance son universite d'ete." [Accessed 30 Jan. 2017]

Perspective monde. 23 September 2014. "Mandat d'arrestation contre Aristide : la continuite d'un parcours controverse." Sandrine Jouis. [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Political Handbook of the World 2015 (PHW). 2015. Edited by Thomas Lansford. Washington, DC. [Accessed 20 Jan. 2017]

Relations. March 2003. L'impasse Lavalas. Franklin Midy. No. 683. [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Reseau national de defense des droits humains (RNDDH). 5 February 2006. "Rapport preliminaire de l'observation des joutes electorales du 7 fevrier 2006." [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Reseau national de defense des droits humains (RNDDH). N.d. "Vision & Mission." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2017]

Voice of America (VOA). 29 August 2016. "Aristide Joins Haiti Rally to Urge Voters to Back Candidate." [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Associate professor, Queens College; Associate professor, Universite du Quebec a Montreal; Association des journalistes haitiens; PhD candidate, Universite de Montreal; Plate-forme des organisations haitiennes des droits humains; Professor, University of Guanajuato; Professor, University of Virginia; Professor, University Wesleyan; Reseau national de defense des droits humains.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Factiva; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'Homme; Freedom House; HaitiAction.net; Human Rights Watch; IRIN; Reporters sans frontieres; United States - Department of State.

Attachment

AlterPresse. 23 September 2016. "Haiti-Elections : Maryse Narcisse de Fanmi Lavalas plaide pour le renforcement de l'Etat et des investissements." [Accessed 10 Feb. 2017]
Bahamas: Information on the Fire and Theft gang, including activities and state response (2014-November 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 16 December 2016 Citation / Document Symbol BHS105676.E Related Document(s) Bahamas : information sur le gang Fire and Theft, y compris ses activites et la reponse de l'Etat (2014-novembre 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bahamas: Information on the Fire and Theft gang, including activities and state response (2014-November 2016), 16 December 2016, BHS105676.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b429714.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

In a televised national address on crime delivered on 26 August 2015, the Minister of the Bahamian Ministry of National Security stated that "the proliferation of criminal gangs began forming in local communities by gang leaders recruiting young males, many of whom were high-school drop-outs" (Bahamas 26 Aug. 2015, 9). An article published in May 2015 by The Tribune, a newspaper based in Nassau, and written by Dr. Mike Neville, a forensic psychiatrist with four decades of experience "working in the hospitals, courts, and prisons at close quarters with offenders," indicates that, "unlike American gangs, there has not been a permanent presence of specific gangs, with many of the older gangs becoming obsolete and their names changing regularly" (The Tribune 26 May 2015). According to the same source, gang membership is made attractive to youth who feel marginalized from society or disconnected from their extended family unit due to the perception that "gangs can offer protection, respect within their community, money and a sense of power" (ibid.). Carlos Reid, a "pastor and reformed gang leader, [who] has written extensively about gangs in The Bahamas" is cited in the same article as stating that in 2010, an estimated 20,000 individuals belonged to a gang in the Bahamas, the majority of whom were between the ages of 14 and 35 (ibid.).

According to the Bahamian Minister of National Security, "Fire & Theft" is one of the criminal gangs that draws membership from Bahamian high school students; he describes the organization as one of the gangs which had, in 2015, become "more organized" (Bahamas 26 Aug. 2015, 9). Sources indicate that Julian 'Heads' Collie, who was murdered in April 2013, was the "reputed" Fire and Theft gang leader (The Tribune 3 Sept. 2014; The Nassau Guardian 8 Oct. 2015). The Nassau Guardian, a Bahamian newspaper, further indicates that the Fire and Theft gang is based in Nassau Village (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Further information on membership and structure of the Fire and Theft gang could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.1 Activities

Information on the activities of the Fire and Theft gang was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Without providing further details, in the 26 August 2015 televised national address on crime, the Minister of Bahamian National Security stated that criminal gangs, including "Fire & Theft,"

are deeply involved in the illegal drug and gun trades. The drugs they sell and the guns they use to protect their turf result in much of the murder, and mayhem and violence that we are currently experiencing, especially in New Providence. (Bahamas 26 Aug. 2015, 9-10)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

An article published by The Tribune in October 2015 cites an unnamed officer at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services as indicating that "the main gangs," including Fire and Theft, pose "major" violence problems in the prison system, and inmates are separated by their affiliated gangs in order to "keep the peace" (29 Oct. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. State Response

2.1. Legislation

According to the Minister of Bahamian National Security, an amendment to the Bahamian Penal Code was enacted in the Parliament in 2014 "with the intent to eradicate gangs" (Bahamas 26 Aug. 2015, 10). Without providing further details, The Tribune indicates that the Bahamian Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014, which was given assent on 12 June 2014 and "officially gazetted" on 23 November 2015, "make[s] it illegal to affiliate with gangs" (5 Jan. 2016). A copy of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014, available on the International Labour Organization (ILO) website, is attached to this Response.

In his national address on crime, the Bahamian Minister of National Security stated that the Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014 makes it a crime for

membership in an illegal gang [which] is now a major offence [and] punishable on conviction to a fine of $500,000 [C$675,870] and to imprisonment for twenty (20) years;

any person who has in their possession a bullet proof vest in association with an unlawful gang, [who are] liable on conviction, [punishable] to a fine of $100,000 [C$135,174] and imprisonment for 20 years;

members of an unlawful gang to commit crimes involving guns and or drugs,  [punishable] on conviction [to] $500,000 and 20 years in prison. (Bahamas 26 Aug. 2015, 10)

The Minister further noted that "[s]everal gang leaders are presently serving time in The Bahamas Department of Corrections, though not being convicted under this [Amendment] Act" (ibid. 11). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2.2 Anti-Gang Unit

According to the Minister of National Security in his 2015 address on crime, "specially selected and trained" national security officials established an anti-gang unit, which is "attached to the Firearm Tracing & Investigation Unit" and aims to "dismantle" gangs and arrest their members for engagement in criminal activities (Bahamas 26 Aug. 2015, 10). An article published on 25 May 2015 by the Public Affairs and Communication Office of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) reports that seven police officers took part in a two-week training program in El Salvador which provided them "the opportunity to learn the best-practices and how to apply them in gang-related crime" (ibid. 25 May 2015). Further information, including activities and effectiveness of the anti-gang unit, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Bahamas. 26 August 2015. Minister of National Security, Ministry of National Security. "Televised National Address on Crime." [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

Bahamas. 25 May 2015. Public Affairs and Communications Office, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). "Seven Police Officers Attend Gang Organization and Operation Course in El Salvador." [Accessed 8 Nov. 2016]

The Nassau Guardian. 8 October 2015. Artesia Davis. "Lawyer Suggests Three-year Sentence for Fatal Nightclub Shooting." [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

The Tribune. 11 February 2016. Sancheska Brown. "Crime Statistics: Murders, Rapes and Armed Robberies Up." [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

The Tribune. 5 January 2016. Khrisna Virgil. "Suspected Gang Members Charged Before New Law was in Place." [Accessed 18 Nov. 2016]

The Tribune. 29 October 2015. Adrian Gibson. "Young Man's View: Corruption Inside the Walls of Fox Hill Prison." [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

The Tribune. 26 May 2015. Dr. Mike Neville. "Life of Crime: Ganland Bahamas - How Much Violence Can Be Put Down to Gangs?" [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

The Tribune. 3 September 2014. Sancheska Brown. "Gang Leader's Suspected Killer Found Shot Dead." [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

The Tribune. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 18 Nov. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: The Nassau Guardian; Royal Bahamian Police Force; The Tribune; Youth Against Violence.

Internet sites, including: Abaco Life; The Abaconian; Amnesty International; The Bahama Journal; Bahamas B2B.com; BahamasNews.net; The Bahamas Post; Bahamas Press; Bahamas Spectator; The Bahamas Weekly; BBC; College of the Bahamas; ecoi.net; The Economist; The Eleutheran Newspaper; Factiva; France 24; Freedom House; The Freeport News; The Guardian; Human Rights Watch; The Independent; Inter-American Development Bank; NassauPunch.com; Organization of American States; Radio France internationale; UK - Home Office; UN - Development Programme, Office on Drugs and Crime, Refworld; US - Central Intelligence Agency, Department of State; University of the West Indies; ZNS Bahamas.

Attachment

Bahamas. 2014. Official Gazette. The Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014. [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]
Afghanistan: Requirements and procedures to obtain, renew, and replace a biometric passport, both within and outside the country; validity period of passport; whether the 'place of birth' noted in the passport is the same as the one listed on the tazkira, and whether it refers to the place of birth of the owner of the passport or their father's (2015-January 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 20 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol AFG105732.E Related Document(s) Afghanistan : information sur les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir, renouveler et remplacer un passeport biometrique, a l'interieur et a l'exterieur du pays; la periode de validite du passeport; information indiquant si le lieu de naissance inscrit sur le passeport est identique a celui inscrit sur la tazkira, et s'il correspond au lieu de naissance du titulaire du passeport ou au lieu de naissance de son pere (2015-janvier 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Afghanistan: Requirements and procedures to obtain, renew, and replace a biometric passport, both within and outside the country; validity period of passport; whether the 'place of birth' noted in the passport is the same as the one listed on the tazkira, and whether it refers to the place of birth of the owner of the passport or their father's (2015-January 2017), 20 February 2017, AFG105732.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b42a5f4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Obtaining a Passport within Afghanistan

Sources state that passport applications from within Afghanistan are submitted to the "Passport Department" (Shajjan & Associates 28 Jan. 2017) or "Passport Office" of the Ministry of Interior of Afghanistan (AHG 19 Jan. 2017). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Senior Associate with the Kabul-based law firm Shajjan & Associates cited Article 19 of the Afghan Law on Passport as indicating that the applicant must provide the following:

Afghan ID card (Tazkira). The Tazkira should be approved by the Population Registration Department. An application letter drafted by the applicant. Four passport size photos (4x5). A duly filled out form given by Passport Department. Receipt of payment of 5000 AFS ($USD 80). (Shajjan & Associates 28 Jan. 2017)

A copy of the Law on Passport could not be found by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The same source further stated that the applicant must apply in person "except for those below the age of 3 or those who are under treatment in hospitals" and that the "[b]iometric [information] of the passport applicant will be taken by the Passport Department" (ibid.). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of Afghanistan Holding Group (AHG), an Afghanistan-based consulting firm that provides "integrated financial, research, compliance, technology and procurement services" (AHG n.d.a), including "legal advisory services" (ibid. n.d.b), similarly indicated that the applications are filed in person and that the process involves "getting your fingerprints taken, [an] interview, fee payment and more" (ibid. 19 Jan. 2017).

According to the Senior Associate, "regular passports may be valid for a period of 5 or 10 years" (Shajjan & Associates 28 Jan. 2017). The website of the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Los Angeles states that upon verification of their Afghan citizenship and identity, applicants "can be provided with a valid passport with the validity of 5 years" (Afghanistan N.d.a).

The Senior Associate further cited Article 22 of the Law on Passport as indicating that "if the validity duration of a passport expires, the passport owner may apply for renewal and a new passport will be issued after payment of the required fee" (Shajjan & Associates 28 Jan. 2017). Further information on renewing a passport from within Afghanistan could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Information on replacing a lost or stolen passport from within Afghanistan could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Obtaining a Passport Outside of Afghanistan

According to the Senior Associate, "[i]n accordance with Article 14 of the Law on Passport, regular passports may be issued by Afghan Consulates outside of Afghanistan" and applicants must

Refer to the Afghan consulate and make an appointment. Fill out the required forms. Provide [their] Tazkira and 3 passport sized photos. Pay the fee of USD 120. (Shajjan & Associates 28 Jan. 2017)

The same source indicated that it "normally takes around seven days to obtain the passport" (ibid.).

The website of the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Los Angeles similarly states that it is "mandatory to have original Afghan National ID (Taskera) that is registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan" and that the applicant's previous Afghan passport, copy of "Green Card (front and back)," "proof of US residency," and passport photos are also required (Afghanistan n.d.a). The applicant's "fingerprints will be taken digitally" and their signature "will be taken on the designated box on the second page of the passport application" in-person at the Consulate of Afghanistan in Los Angeles (ibid.). The processing time is "7 to 15 business days" and the fee is $USD 120 (ibid.).

According to the website of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa, persons applying for new passports must

Complete and duly sign the relevant application form

Provide two passport size photos (2X2 inches) one affixed to the appropriate box in the application form (photos must be fresh, identical, taken directly off the face to show both ears and with a light background)

Provide original documents verifying their Afghan identity, including any of the following:



Tazkira Previous passport (if held) Marriage certificate (if endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul) Educational or professional documents issued by competent authorities in Afghanistan

If not in possession of any of the above documents, provide two Identity Guarantee Forms duly completed and signed by two Afghan nationals of an established social or professional background. (Afghanistan n.d.b)

The same source further states that "[a]ll applicants, applying for new passports must also"

Submit documents verifying residency status in Canada, such as PR card, Landed Immigrant document or citizenship document

Submit a document to verify current address, including driver's license, utility bills, municipal documents, etc.

Make the necessary payments

If applicable, submit a prepaid courier or registered, self-addressed return envelop or include an additional payment of $CAD 20 postal charge, alongside the necessary fees. (ibid.)

A copy of a passport application form, as provided on the website of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa is attached to this response.

According to the website of the Consulate of Afghanistan in Los Angeles, if the applicant's passport has been lost or stolen, they must "submit an original police report with [their] application and a copy of [their] passport and original afghan National ID (Taskera)" (Afghanistan n.d.a). A 2016 report entitled Access to Tazkera and Other Civil Documentation in Afghanistan, researched and written by "Samuel Hall [1] and the Norwegian Refugee Council [NRC]," similarly indicates that

[a]ccording to a provision of the new Passport Law (2015), Afghans whose passports have been lost or have expired while living abroad, as well as Afghans who have never had one, can apply for these at the nearest Afghan consulate or embassy. Applicants must bring their former passport with them if in possession of it - failing this, they should bring a police report describing the loss or the theft. (Samuel Hall and NRC Nov. 2016, 18)

3. Tazkira

According to the Senior Associate, the place of birth noted on the passport "is the same as [the] Tazkira. The place of birth on the passport refer[s] to the place [of birth] of the passport holder, not [their] father" (Shajjan & Associates 28 Jan. 2017). In contrast, the AHG representative stated that Tazkiras are "issued based on where someone is 'from', generally where their father was born" and further explained that in his case, for example, while he possesses a

USA birth certificate, [he] was issued a tazkira that stated [he] was from Faryab, Afghanistan When [he] applied for a biometric passport, they insisted on the passport matching [his] tazkira and listing [his] birth place as Faryab, Afghanistan. [He] had to go back to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to have them correct [his] tazkira by writing in the border that the place of birth is the United States. Only then was [he] issued a biometric passport listing my correct "place of birth" However, this is a long and tedious process, so many Afghans passports simply matches their tazkira regardless of their actual place of birth. (AHG 19 Jan. 2017, italics in original)

According to the 2016 Samuel Hall and NRC report, all Afghans are required to "return to their family's place of residence, or to Kabul, to apply for [a] tazkera" (Samuel Hall and NRC Nov. 2016, 17). For further information on tazkiras, see Response to Information Request AFG103918 of December 2011 and for information e-tazkiras, see Response to Information Request AFG104742 of February 2014.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] "Samuel Hall is an independent think tank providing research and strategic services, expert analysis, tailored counsel and access to local knowledge for a diverse array of actors operating in the world's most challenging environments" (Samuel Hall n.d.)

References

Afghanistan. N.d.a. Consulate General of Afghanistan in Los Angeles. "Requirements for a New Passport." [Accessed 30 Jan. 2017]

Afghanistan. N.d.b. Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa. "Passport Information." [Accessed 2 Feb. 2017]

Afghanistan Holding Group (AHG). 19 January 2017. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate.

Afghanistan Holding Group (AHG). N.d.a. "About the Firm." [Accessed 30 Jan. 2017]

Afghanistan Holding Group (AHG). N.d.b "Legal Advice & Analysis." [Accessed 2 Feb. 2017]

Samuel Hall and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). November 2016. Access to Tazkera and Other Civil Documentation in Afghanistan. [Accessed 18 Jan. 2017]

Samuel Hall. N.d. "Welcome to Samuel Hall." [Accessed 20 Feb. 2017]

Shajjan & Associates. 28 January 2017. Correspodence from a Senior Associate to the Research Directorate.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Afghanistan- Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; International Organization for Migration; United Nations - Refworld; United States - Department of State.

Attachment

Afghanistan. N.d. Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa. "Passport Application Form."
Sudan: The Nubian Congress, Ourbi Movement, and Dungala Movement including structure, leaders, objectives, activities, and branches; treatment of members by authorities and other groups (2014-November 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 22 November 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SDN105686.E Related Document(s) Soudan : information sur le Congres nubien (Nubian Congress), le Mouvement d'Ourbi (Ourbi Movement) et le Mouvement de Dongola (Dungala Movement), y compris la structure, les dirigeants, les objectifs, les activites et les sections; le traitement que reservent les autorites et d'autres groupes aux membres (2014-novembre 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sudan: The Nubian Congress, Ourbi Movement, and Dungala Movement including structure, leaders, objectives, activities, and branches; treatment of members by authorities and other groups (2014-November 2016), 22 November 2016, SDN105686.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b42d4a4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. The Nubian Congress

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a professor of anthropology at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, whose research includes Nubia [1] and who collected information from contacts in Sudan for this Response, indicated that there is more than one Nubian organization in Sudan with the name Nubian Congress [Nubian Congress Movement] (Professor at Erasmus University 17 Nov. 2016). The same source indicated that one was founded in 1996 in Khartoum, and that its name in the Nubian language is Nobiin Karayoos, and in Arabic is al mu'tamr al Nuubii (ibid.). The Professor at Erasmus University described the organization as a "non-violent political party" and indicated that it was part of the Congress of United Sudan Homeland (CUSH), a coalition seeking to represent marginalized ethnic groups (ibid.).

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a professor of archaeology and anthropology at Rhode Island College, whose research areas include the Nubia in Sudan and who has done field work there, indicated that "the Nubian people see themselves as marginalized, including linguistically and culturally, and feel that their archeological and cultural history is in jeopardy because of the Arab and Islamist [government's]" policies (Professor at Rhode Island College 9 Nov. 2016). The same source further explained that Nubians, both within Sudan as well as from the diaspora, protest against this marginalization, as well as against plans by the Khartoum government to build dams in the Nile (ibid.).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an associate professor of political science at McGill University, who specializes in African and Sudanese politics, stated that the Nubian Congress is a "relatively recent organization" of about three years old, which began in protest against the Khartoum government's decision to build a dam at the third cataract in the Nile (Associate Professor 14 Nov. 2016). The same source indicated that the Youth Movement of the Nubians emerged to protest the government's decision to build dams without providing compensation to or resettlement of Nubian residents in the area (ibid. 14 Nov. 2016). The Professor at Erasmus University indicated that among the Nubians, both CUSH and the Nubian Congress are "crucially influential" in "elaborating the public stand of Nubians in matters pertaining to the flooding of their remaining regions by the building of planned dams" (Professor at Erasmus University 17 Nov. 2016).

The Professor at Erasmus University stated that the Nubian Congress is, at its core, a "very small but strong group of highly educated Sudanese Nubians who are anti Islamist and secular and who seem to work individually while their moves are highly coordinated" and that their tactics are to work "behind curtains" (ibid.). The same source explained that surrounding the core there are "many circles who adhere to the Nubian Congress," including many youth who are involved in their activities, but who cannot admit or prove their involvement with the Nubian Congress (ibid.). Without providing details, she indicated that "some actions of the Nubian Congress are very risky under the Islamic regime of Khartoum" (ibid.).

The Associate Professor stated that the Nubian Congress Assembly is the organizational leadership committee within the Nubian Congress (21 Nov. 2016).

2. The Ourbi and Dungala Movements

The Professor at Rhode Island College described the Ourbi Movement as a "small and local" group that involves "a few family members from the village of Ourbi, as well as some others in exile" (Professor at Rhode Island College 9 Nov. 2016). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Associate Professor stated that members of the Ourbi Movement and the Nubian Congress are ethnically related, and that the former is located in the northern part of Sudan, while the latter is located in the central part of northern Sudan (ibid.). The same source further explained that they share the same grievances over dam construction and forced displacement, and that they have formed an alliance (ibid.).

The Associate Professor indicated that although members of the Dungala Movement and the Ourbi Movement are from the same ethnic group and the same region, they are different organizations (ibid. 21 Nov. 2016). According to the same source, the Dungala Youth Movement is not part of the Dungala Movement, but is a separate youth group that is part of an umbrella organization of youth movements in Sudan (ibid.) The Associate Professor noted that the Dungala Youth Movement was started by secondary school and university students who wanted their own movement, and, although their members are from the same ethnic group and are supportive of the Ourbi and Dungala Movement's objectives, they are not part of them (ibid.).

3. Branches

The Associate Professor indicated that that both the Nubian Congress and the Ourbi Movement have branches in Khartoum, Washington, DC, and London (ibid. 14 Nov. 2016). He also stated that since Nubians are a "diasporic community," the organizations may have branches in Egypt and "elsewhere" (ibid.). The Professor at Rhode Island College similarly indicated that the Nubians have diaspora groups in other countries such as the United States (Professor at Rhode Island College 9 Nov. 2016).

Further and corroborating information on the structure, objectives, branches and activities of the Nubian Congress, the Ourbi Movement, or Dungala Movement could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Information about leadership and membership of the Nubian Congress, the Ourbi Movement or the Dungala Movement could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Treatment by Authorities

Information on the treatment of members of the Nubian Congress and the Ourbi Movement was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Without providing details, the Professor at Erasmus University stated that security forces in Sudan are doing "all they can so as to crack down [on the] Nubian Congress by infiltrating and disintegrating it" (Professor at Erasmus University 17 Nov. 2016). According to the Associate Professor, members of the Nubian Congress and the Ourbi Movement have been subjected to arrest and "expulsion" from their land (Associate Professor 14 Nov. 2016). The Associate Professor also indicated that members face barriers in getting their passports renewed to prevent them from leaving Sudan and "continuing their opposition [from] abroad" (14 Nov. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Further information about the treatment of members of the Nubian Congress or the Ourbi Movement could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. However, the following information about the treatment of people protesting dams in Sudan may be of interest.

Sources indicate that in 2007, during a protest against a dam at Kajbar, at the third cataract in the Nile, security forces shot at protesters, killing about 6 people and wounding 16 more (Professor at Rhode Island College 9 Nov. 2016) or killing 4 and injuring "at least" 20 people (The Guardian 12 Dec. 2014). According to a February 2016 article by Radio Dabanga, a Sudanese radio station that broadcasts news and information on Darfur (Radio Dabanga n.d.), "[t]he opposition against the proposed dams intensified following the signing of funding agreements for the[ir] construction between Sudan and Saudi Arabia in November [2015]" (Radio Dabanga 18 Feb. 2016). Sources report the following 2016 incidents regarding protests against dams in the Nile:

Radio Dabanga reports that, on 21 January 2016, Khartoum security forces "shut down" an anti-dam meeting in the El Mahas Club in Khartoum (22 Jan. 2016).

The Sudan Tribune, a France-based online news website focusing on Sudan (Sudan Tribune n.d.), reports that, on 17 February 2016, Sudanese police dispersed a protest against the building of the Kajbar and Dal dams and arrested "dozens" of people (ibid. 17 Feb. 2016). Several sources indicate that the police used excessive force to disperse the protesters (ibid.; Freedom House 17 Feb. 2016; Radio Dabanga 19 Feb. 2016). Radio Dabanga reports that "at least nine" people were wounded (Radio Dabanga 19 Feb. 2016) and that 30 people were detained and later released (ibid. 18 Feb.2016).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] The Joshua Project, a Christian research initiative on ethnic groups throughout the world (Joshua Project n.d.a), states that the Nubians "consist of seven non-Arab Muslim tribes which originated in the Nubia region, between Aswan in southern Egypt and Dongala in Northern Sudan" and that there are 73,000 Nubians in Sudan (Joshua Project n.d.b). According to the United Kingdom's Home Office Sudan Country Report for 2004, the "black ethnic groups" called the Anag, Barabra, Birked, Danagla, Dilling, Mahas and Midobi, located in central and part of northern Sudan, are collectively known as the Nubians (UK April 2004).

References

Associate Professor of political science, McGill University. 21 November 2016. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Associate Professor of political science, McGill University. 14 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Freedom House. 17 February 2016. "Sudan: Police Forcibly End Protest Against Dam Project." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

The Guardian. 12 December 2014. Yosra Akasha. "Sudan's Anti-dam Movement Fights the Flooding of Nubian Culture." [Accessed 10 Nov. 2016]

Joshua Project. N.d.a. "Joshua Project." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

Joshua Project . N.d.b. "Nubian, Dongola in Sudan." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2016]

Professor of anthropology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. 17 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Professor of archeology and anthropology, Rhode Island College. 9 November 2016. Telephone interview.

Radio Dabanga. 19 February 2016. "Wounded Dam Protester: 'Khartoum Security Was Extremely Violent'." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

Radio Dabanga. 18 February 2016. "Dozens Detained, Wounded at Sudanese Dam Protest." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

Radio Dabanga. 22 January 2016. "Khartoum Security Shut Down Anti-dam Meeting in Club." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

Radio Dabanga. "About Us." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

Sudan Tribune. 17 February 2016. "Sudanese Police Disperse Anti-dams Demonstration, Arrests Several Protesters." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

Sudan Tribune . N.d. "About Sudan Tribune." [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]

United Kingdom (UK). April 2004. Home Office. Sudan Country Report. [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies; Arab NGO Network for Development; Assistant Professor, Georgetown University Qatar; Sudanese Human Rights Defenders Network.

Internet sites, including: Africa Confidential; AllAfrica; Amnesty International; BBC; Chr. Michelsen Institute; ecoi.net; Factiva; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Friedrich Ebert Stiftung; Human Rights Watch; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Minority Rights Group International; Norway - Landinfo; Political Handbook of the World; Radio France internationale; Stanford University - Mapping Militant Organizations; Sudan News Agency; Sudan Vision; UN - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld, ReliefWeb; Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization; US - Central Intelligence Agency, Department of State.
Sudan: Differences between the Burhaniyya and Burhamiyya Sufi orders; information on the Burhaniyya Sufi order; treatment of followers of the Burhaniyya Sufi order by society and authorities (2014-July 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 3 August 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SDN105593.E Related Document(s) Sudan: Differences between the Burhaniyya and Burhamiyya Sufi orders; information on the Burhaniyya Sufi order; treatment of followers of the Burhaniyya Sufi order by society and authorities (2014-July 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sudan: Differences between the Burhaniyya and Burhamiyya Sufi orders; information on the Burhaniyya Sufi order; treatment of followers of the Burhaniyya Sufi order by society and authorities (2014-July 2016), 3 August 2016, SDN105593.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b42dee4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

Sources indicate that the Burhaniyya [also spelled Burhani, Burhaniya, Burhaniya, or Burhaniyya] order (tariqa) is a Sufi organization that was founded in the 13th century in Egypt by Burhan al-Din al-Disuqi [also called Ibrahim al-Dasuqi (Hallenberg 1993, 116) and Sayyidi Ibrahim Qurashi Disuqui (Tariqa Burhaniya n.d.a)] (Tariqa Burhaniya n.d.a; Hallenberg 1993, 115-116; Abu Hanieh Dec. 2011, 100). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Calgary whose research focus includes immigration and ethnic relations, and has written on Sudanese identity and diaspora, explained that the Burhaniyya order

was introduced to Sudan from Egypt in the 1960s by Shaik Mohammed Osman Abdel Burhani who first settled and established it in Halfa then moved to Atbara before he relocated to Khartoum where he established it there in the end of the 1970s and early 1980s. The first Burhaniyya Zawia (center) was established in Khartoum 2. It was then moved to Al Soq Alshabi (the public market) in an area that has become their largest headquarter in Sudan  It is spread throughout Sudan (the Republic of Sudan that is) and has centers in all cities and most towns in Sudan. (26 July 2016)

Tariqa Burhaniya, a website that "provides general information and news to all Burhani brothers and sisters" as well as the general public (Tariqa Burhaniya n.d.b), provides the following "extended version" of the Burhaniyya chain of Sheikhs:

Sayyidi Sheikh Mohamed Sheikh Ibrahim Mohamed Osman

Sayyidi Sheikh Ibrahim Mohamed Osman Abduh al Burhani

Sayyidi Sheikh Mohamed Osman Abduh al Burhani

Sayyidi Ahmad Arabi ash-Sharnubi

Sayyidi Musa abu-l Umran

Sayyidi Ibrahim al Qurashi ad-Disuqi

Sayyidatuna Fatima ash-Shadhiliya

Sayyidi Abdu-l Aziz al Mukannabi abi-l Majd

Sayyidi Abu-l Hasan ash-Shadhuli

Sayyidi Abdu-s-Salam ibn Bashish

Sayyidi Ahmad al Badawwi

Sayyidi Abdu-l Qadir al Jilani

Sayyidi Ahmad ar-Rifa'i

Sayyidi Ali Zayinu-l Abidin

Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Zainab

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Husain

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hasan

Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatimatu-z-Zahra

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Uthman ibn Affan

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Umar ibnu-l Khattab

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Abu Bakr as-Sidiq

Ziyadatan fi sharafi-l Mustafa ([the] Prophet Muhammad) Salla-llahu 'alaihi wa sallam. (Tariqa Burhaniya n.d.c)

Sources indicate that the current spiritual leader is Sheikh Mohamed [or Sheikh Mohamed Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Mohamed Osman (Tariqa Burhaniya n.d.a)] (Tariqa Burhaniya n.d.a; Associate Professor 26 July 2016). According to the Associate Professor, he resides in the Al Soq Alshabi area of Khartoum (ibid.).

The Associate Professor indicated that the Burhaniyya order has "a little over 2000 followers in Sudan, [a] relatively large number for a tariqa [in Sudan]" (ibid.). The same source also indicated that

Al-Burhaniyya is very active and popular in Sudan. Their annual convention -takes place in April of every year- is an international event that attracts followers and supporters from all over Sudan and many countries in the world. It is a week-long event that consists of numerous religious and educational workshops and activities that usually attract many followers and the general public. (ibid.)

Further and corroborating information on the number of followers and level of popular support could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Difference between al-Burhaniyya and al-Burhamiyya

In a paper presented at the Second Nordic Conference on Middle Eastern Studies held in Copenhagen in 1992, Helena Hallenberg from the University of Helsinki indicated that Ibrahim al-Dasuqi's order "is known by the name referring to his own, al-Burhamiyya, or to his native town Dasuq, al-Dasuqiyya, or following his laqab [epithet] Burhan al-Din, al-Burhaniyya" (1992, 116). In contrast, the Associate Professor indicated that

the opinion on this issue diverges and is also dichotomous. Some  state that the two are interrelated, and some even believe that the only reason it is called Burhaniyya in Sudan is that when Burhaniyya -perceived by them as very much connected to Burhamiyya- was introduced to Sudan, some Egyptian Burhamiyya didn't want Sudan to take credit for their tariqa, (there is a long story about  relations between Sudan and Egypt). As such[,] those Egyptians insisted on the change of the name of the tariqa in Sudan. This means [that] the origin is the same but the politics divided the groups in the two countries. A competing perspective (of most of the Burhaniyya in Sudan) showcases this tariqa as being distinct from Burhamiyya in Egypt and elsewhere. On the contrary, they believe it is a continuity of the Burhaniyya in Egypt. (26 July 2016)

3. Treatment of al-Burhaniyya Order by Authorities and Society

3.1 Treatment by Salafis

Information about the treatment of followers of al-Burhaniyya Order by authorities and society in Sudan was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the Associate Professor,

[the] significant presence of Al-Burhaniyya and the appreciation and respect it is getting from the public is making it a target. Given the historical discontent (and on many occasion[,] animosity) from Al-Salifs (the extremist Wahabis Ansar Al-Suna and Islamists led by Al-Bashir and others until recently led by Al-Turabi) towards the Sofis [Sufis] in Sudan in general,  the followers of Al-Burhaniyya were and are targeted. By targeted I mean surveilled, interrupted and intimidated during their worship - for example during their Dars (religious lessons) and Zikir [or dhikr, the recitation of the name of Allah (Maruyama March 2015, 46)]. They have also been publicly intimidated during the celebrations of Al-Molid (birth of Prophet Mohammed) including recently in May 2016. These forms of intimidation also include yelling at worshippers on microphones and preventing them from worshiping. A recent incident led to the involvement of the police to protect the Burhaniyya followers. (26 July 2016)

Additional and corroborating information on this incident could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In a paper published in the Kyoto Bulletin of Islamic Area Studies, Daisuke Maruyama, a post-doctoral research fellow at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, indicates that Salafis, particularly the Jama'a Ansar al-Sunna al-Muhammadiya, known as Ansar al-Sunna, are a

threat to Sufis and the distinctive Sufi way [emphasis in the original], as demonstrated in how Salafis -it is claimed- were responsible for the destruction in 2011 of Sufi sheikhs' tombs and for the violent clashes in the following year that occurred during mawlid al-nabi (the birthday of the prophet Muhammad). (March 2015, 48)

In a 2012 article, Al-Akhbar, a Beirut-based news website, reports that there is "simmering conflict" between Salafis and Sufis in Sudan (Al-Akhbar 14 Mar. 2012). The same source indicates that the "'eternal dispute'" between the two originates in the "Salafi movement's belief that the ideas and actions of Sufism are baseless 'heresies and perversions' that ought to be extinguished" (ibid.). In another paper, Maruyama also indicates that "Sufis regularly refer to Salafis as 'Wahhabis' (al-wahhabiya), which is intended as an insult given this term's highly negative connotations. Sufis imply that Wahhabis are ignorant, ridiculous and extreme" (Maruyama 27 Dec. 2013, 113).

3.2 Treatment by Authorities

On 1 August 2015, the news portal Sudan Tribune quoted Sudan's first presidential assistant and son of the leader of the Khatmiyya Sufi order as stating that "Sufi orders are the powerful antidote to violent religious extremism and Jihadist movements" (Sudan Tribune 1 Aug. 2015). The same source also reports that the presidential assistant "'praised'" the role of Sufis in spreading Islam "'by gentle persuasion and beautiful preaching without hyperbole'" (ibid.). The article further states that "Sufi orders have largely suffered during the government of president Omer al-Bashir who came to power in 1989" (ibid.). In a 2013 paper, Maruyama indicates that, according to Sufis that he interviewed in Sudan from 2008 to 2013, Sufis were "concerned about the possibility" of the government cooperating with Salafis and not Sufis, which explain why they "have been trying hard to underscore their greater influence on Sudanese politics, which is rooted in their unified and successful stance against Salafis" (27 Dec. 2013, 114).

According to the Associate Professor, "[m]ost of the intimidation, which in some cases [includes] suppression because of one's religion, is often exerted by Ansar Al Suna. The latter act as they please in Sudan because the government avoids 'upsetting' them mainly for political purposes" (Associate Professor 26 July 2016). The same source gave the opinion that Ansar Al Suna are supported by Saudi Arabia, and the Sudanese government does not want to "'upset'" the Saudi government in order to maintain diplomatic relations (ibid.). The Associate Professor was of the view that, as such, "intimidation and suppression enacted directly by Ansar Al Suna means intimidation and suppression enacted indirectly by the government [which means that a member of the Burhaniyya faith] can be targeted at any time" (ibid.). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Abu Hanieh, Hassan. December 2011. Sufism and Sufi Orders: God's Spiritual Paths Adaptation and Renewal in the Context of Modernization. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. [Accessed 26 July 2016]

Al-Akhbar. 14 March 2012. May Ali. "Salafis vs Sufis: A Simmering Conflict in Sudan." [Accessed 18 July 2016]

Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Calgary. 26 July 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Hallenberg, Helena. 1992. "The Theme of Light and Illumination in Stories Concerning Ibrahim Al-Dasuqi." The Middle East Unity and Diversity. Papers from the Second Nordic Conference on Middle Eastern Studies, Copenhagen, 22-25 October 1992. Nordic Proceedings in Asian Studies No. 5. Edited by Heikki Palva and Knut S. Vikr.

Maruyama, Daisuke. March 2015. "Redefining Sufism in its Social and Political Contexts: The Relationship Between Sufis and Salafis in Contemporary Sudan." Kyoto Bulletin of Islamic Area Studies. No. 8. 40-56.

Maruyama, Daisuke. 27 December 2013. "Clashes, Conflicts and Contradictions: The External Policies of Sufi Tariqas in Contemporary Sudan." The Journal of Sophia Asian Studies. No. 31.103-122.

Sudan Tribune. 1 August 2015. "Sudan's Presidential Aide Calls for Promoting Sufism to Combat Religious Extremism." (Factiva).

Tariqa Burhaniya. N.d.a. "Burhaniya." [Accessed 26 July 2016]

Tariqa Burhaniya. N.d.b. "Welcome." [Accessed 26 July 2016]

Tariqa Burhaniya. N.d.c. "The Burhaniya Chain of Sheikhs." [Accessed 26 July 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: International Refugee Rights Initiative; a professor in the Department of Global Studies at Sophia University, Tokyo; Tariqa Burhaniya in Montreal and New York.

Internet sites, including: Africa Research Bulletin; African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies; Aljazeera; AllAfrica; Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Factiva; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; United Nations - Refworld; United States - Central Intelligence Agency, Department of State.
27 February 2017

Press release

This is a press release by NN Group N.V. ('NN Group'), pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 Paragraph 3 and Section 13 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit Openbare Biedingen Wft) (the 'Decree') in connection with the recommended public offer by NN Group for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd N.V. ('Delta Lloyd'). This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. Any offer will be made only by means of the Offer Memorandum, which is available as of 2 February 2017, and subject to the restrictions set forth therein. Terms not defined in this press release will have the meaning given thereto in the Offer Memorandum. This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, Canada or Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful.

Reference is made to the joint press release by NN Group and Delta Lloyd dated 2 February 2017 regarding the publication of the Offer Memorandum for the recommended public cash offer by NN Group Bidco B.V., a directly wholly-owned subsidiary of NN Group ('the Offeror'), to all holders of issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd (the 'Shares') to acquire their Shares at a price of EUR 5.40 (cum dividend) in cash for each Share (the 'Offer').

NN Group announces that, on 27 February 2017, NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) acquired a total of 3,800,138 Shares in the open market at a volume weighted average price of EUR 5.3642 per Share. The highest price per Share paid in a transaction conducted on 27 February 2017 was EUR 5.37.

Date Transaction type Total number of shares Type of shares Volume weighted average price in EUR 24 February 2017 Purchase 765,711 Ordinary 5.347 27 February 2017 Purchase 3,800,138 Ordinary 5.3642

Together with the 37,039,337 Shares already held by NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) prior to 27 February 2017, NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) now holds 40,839,475 Shares, representing 8.8% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding ordinary and preference shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd and 9.0% of the issued and outstanding ordinary share capital of Delta Lloyd.

To the extent required, NN Group will notify the Financial Markets Authority (Autoriteit Financiele Markten) in accordance with Section 5:38 of the Dutch Act on Financial Supervision (Wet op het Financieel Toezicht).



Offer Memorandum, Position Statement and further information

Information regarding the Offer is made available by way of the Offer Memorandum and/or the Position Statement dated 2 February 2017.

Digital copies of the Offer Memorandum are available on the websites of Delta Lloyd (www.deltalloyd.com) and NN Group (www.nn-group.com). Copies of the Offer Memorandum are also available free of charge at the offices of Delta Lloyd and the Settlement Agent at the addresses mentioned below. A digital copy of the Position Statement is available on the website of Delta Lloyd (www.deltalloyd.com).

Delta Lloyd

Delta Lloyd N.V.

Amstelplein 6

1096 BC Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Settlement Agent (ABN AMRO)

Gustav Mahlerlaan 10

P.O. Box 283

1000 EA Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Other

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) may from time to time after the date hereof, and other than pursuant to the intended offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase, ordinary shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd, that are the subject of the Offer. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in the Netherlands, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release to inform shareholders of such information, which will be made available on the website of NN Group. In addition, financial advisors to NN Group may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Delta Lloyd, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Media Relations NN Group

Media Relations

+31 70 513 8125

mediarelations@nn-group.com Investor Relations NN Group

Investor Relations

+31 88 663 5464

investor.relations@nn-group.com

NN Group profile

NN Group is an international insurance and asset management company, active in 18 countries, with a strong presence in a number of European countries and Japan. With around 11,500 employees the group offers retirement services, insurance, investments and banking to more than 15 million customers. NN Group includes Nationale-Nederlanden, NN and NN Investment Partners. NN Group is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (NN).

Notice to US holders of Shares

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. holder of Shares will generally be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may be a taxable transaction under applicable state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Shares is urged to consult his independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of acceptance of the Offer.

It may be difficult for U.S. holders of Shares to enforce their rights and claims arising out of the U.S. federal securities laws, since the Offeror and Delta Lloyd are located in a country other than the United States, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a country other than the United States. U.S. holders of Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, including Rule 14e-5 of the U.S. Exchange Act, in accordance with normal Dutch practice, the Offeror and its Affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its Affiliates, as applicable) may before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase, Shares outside of the United States, from time to time, other than pursuant to the Offer. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Delta Lloyd, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in The Netherlands, any information about such purchases will be announced by press release in accordance with Article 13 of the Decree and posted on the website of NN Group at www.nn-group.com.

Restrictions

The distribution of this press release may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, NN Group and Delta Lloyd disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither NN Group, nor Delta Lloyd nor any of its advisors assumes any responsibility for any violation by any person of any of these restrictions. Any shareholder who is in any doubt as to its position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay. This announcement is not to be published or distributed in or to Canada or Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful.

The information in the press release is not intended to be complete, for further information reference is made to the Offer Memorandum. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or an invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice or an inducement to enter into investment activity. In addition, the Offer made pursuant to the Offer Memorandum is not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws or regulations of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or filing with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the terms of the Offer Memorandum.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements", such as statements relating to the impact of the Offer on the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd and the expected timing and completion of the Offer. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words may, anticipated, expected or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Each of the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd, and any of their respective Affiliates, each with respect to the statements it has provided, believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. Nevertheless, no assurance can be given that such statements will be fulfilled or prove to be correct, and no representations are made as to the future accuracy and completeness of such statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Offeror's, NN Group's and Delta Lloyd's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or those results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that required regulatory approvals may delay the Offer or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the Combined Group or cause the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd to abandon the Offer, (ii) the risk that the Offer Conditions may not be satisfied, (iii) risks relating to NN Group's ability to successfully operate Delta Lloyd without disruption to its other business activities, which may result in the Combined Group not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected, (iv) the possibility that the Offer may involve unexpected costs, unexpected liabilities or unexpected delays, (v) the risk that the businesses of the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the Offer, (vi) the effects of competition (in particular the response to the Transaction in the marketplace) and competitive developments or risks inherent to NN Group's or Delta Lloyd's business plans, (vii) the risk that disruptions from the Transaction will harm relationships with customers, employees and suppliers, (viii) political, economic or legal changes in the markets and environments in which NN Group and/or Delta Lloyd does business, (ix) economic conditions in the global markets in which NN Group and Delta Lloyd operate, (x) uncertainties, risk and volatility in financial markets affecting the Offeror, NN Group and/or Delta Lloyd, and (xi) other factors that can be found in NN Group's and its subsidiaries' and Delta Lloyd's press releases and public filings.

Neither the Offeror, NN Group nor Delta Lloyd, nor any of their respective Affiliates and advisors, accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in the Offer Memorandum relating to the business, results of operations or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. Each of the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based except as required by applicable laws and regulations or by any competent regulatory authority.
P.O. & S.O. v Minister for Justice, Equality and Ireland & the Attorney General

Publisher Ireland: Supreme Court Publication Date 16 July 2015 Citation / Document Symbol [2015] IESC 64 Cite as P.O. & S.O. v Minister for Justice, Equality and Ireland & the Attorney General, [2015] IESC 64, Ireland: Supreme Court, 16 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,IRL_SC,58b43eb04.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

THE SUPREME COURT [Appeal No. 166/2014]

MacMenamin J.

Laffoy J.

Charleton J.

P.O. AND S.O. (AN INFANT SUING BY HIS MOTHER AND NEXT FRIEND, P.O.)APPELLANTSAND

THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE & EQUALITY, IRELAND AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL



RESPONDENTS

Judgment of Mr. Justice John MacMenamin dated the 16th day of July, 2015

1. This judgment should be read in conjunction with a ruling delivered by this Court on the 29th day of January, 2015, which sets out much of the procedural background. An account of the background narrative can be found in the judgment of Charleton J. (which I gratefully adopt for this purpose) also delivered today.

2. Essentially, two questions arise in this appeal. The primary question, and first in order of sequence, is as to whether the High Court judge (McDermott J.) was correct in refusing an application for an order, by way of judicial review, quashing the respondent's refusal to revoke a deportation order made by him in respect of the appellants. The second issue follows closely from the first. It is as to whether the appellants are entitled to an injunction restraining their deportation, in circumstances when there is in existence a valid and unchallenged deportation order. Should this Court determine that McDermott J.'s judgment [2014 IEHC 141], is correct, then, absent any other new and supervening exceptional circumstance or new and previously unavailable and unprocurable evidence, the application for an injunction cannot succeed. There is no fair issue. The Court decided to hear both matters together.



Background Facts

3. At the outset, I would seek to focus on a number of relevant facts. The first named appellant is the mother of the second named appellant. She arrived in this country on the 11th September, 2006. Her son was born in this country on 20th October, 2006, soon after the mother's arrival. S.O. has lived in this State ever since. He is not a citizen of Ireland. He is entitled to Nigerian citizenship. An unusual feature of this case is that the appellant's husband, and his family, remain living in Nigeria. It is not suggested that the first named appellant and her husband are separated, divorced or estranged. Consequently, the Court here is faced with the situation where, absent any entitlement on the father's part to reside in Ireland, any family reunification will, in fact, only be achieved in Nigeria. There is no suggestion that either the appellant's own family, her husband, or any of his family, are the subject matter of any persecution in Nigeria.

4. The second named and minor appellant, S.O., has known no other residence than Ireland. However, as the legal authorities, both in this State, and the European Court of Human Rights, make clear, a court must, in cases of this type, examine carefully the entitlement of adult parents to remain in the receiving State, prior to addressing what are contingent rights..

5. On the 20th September, 2006 the appellant unsuccessfully applied for asylum. Her claim was based on an allegation of persecution by the family of a friend. The appellant contended her friend disappeared after she had converted her to Christianity. She claimed the Nigerian police were not disposed to act on foot of this persecution. The asylum claim was rejected on credibility grounds. The appellants did not appeal the determination to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Instead, they brought judicial review proceedings which were discontinued some three years later. The apparent basis for the appellants' decision to discontinue the judicial review was because the proceeding would inevitably have failed by reason of the fact that the appellants had not exhausted their right of appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

6. The appellants were sent a "three options" letter on the 20th January, 2014. This outlined the approaches the appellants might adopt. It indicated that, in default, deportation would be considered. When considering deportation, the Minister must consider a range of criteria identified in s.3(6) of the 1999 Act regarding the duration and circumstances of the appellant's stay in the State. The appellants did not make any application for subsidiary protection. When deportation orders were signed against the appellants on the 9th May, 2012, they were then notified. On foot of the order, they were obliged to leave the State on the 3rd June, 2012. They subsequently sought revocation of the orders by letter of 21st September, 2012. However, those orders were affirmed by the Minister on 25th February, 2013. That decision was challenged in these proceedings, where leave to seek an order of certiorari was granted in the High Court.

7. However, at the substantive hearing, McDermott J. dismissed the claim. He upheld the Minister's refusal of the revocation application. The various claims in the judicial review are now considered.



Different Country of Origin Information

8. The appellants' case is that the Minister's decision should be quashed, inter alia, because the procedure breached fair procedures, in that the respondent's officials had placed reliance on deficient country of origin information, and because he had not placed sufficient weight on country of origin information submitted on the appellants' behalf. As McDermott J. pointed out, in order to substantiate the claim that the Minister had relied on incorrect country of origin information, the appellants would have to demonstrate that there had been some fundamental error in the use or interpretation of the available information, or that the conclusion reached was manifestly at variance with the content and effect of the documentation.



Material Not Bearing on the Appellants' Situation

9. A significant feature of this case was that the documentation upon which reliance was placed by the appellants was extremely generalised. There was no suggestion that the appellants' documentation contained material which was directly referable to their particular situation. Rather, the documents and reports submitted on behalf of the appellants contained generalised concerns as to the political and social situation in Nigeria. It became clear during the course of this appeal that the points of concern sought to be raised therein could, in fact, be applied to very many citizens of Nigeria (either female or male) and that, therefore, the concerns expressed therein were not at all specific to the appellants' situation, or to the issue of persecution.



Proximity in Time of Country of Origin Information

10. It was further suggested that the country of origin information relied on by the respondents was more recent than that submitted by the appellants. On this, McDermott J. observed:

11. In my view, the judge was correct in these observations and findings. The duty which falls on the Minister's officials in considering an application for revocation is to ensure that all relevant up to date information available is considered fairly. The onus is on the appellants to demonstrate that there has been some fundamental mistake or error in the consideration of that information. Absent such indication, it cannot be said that there has been a failure in a duty of fairness. This Court has already pointed out in Smith v. Minister for Justice [2013] IESC 4, (Clarke J.), that it is only when new material is advanced, that a revocation application might be properly considered. This was not the situation here. There was little new, and nothing referring to the appellants' position. There was no material of a character that could not have been advanced in the earlier application for leave to remain. Therefore, none of the material was fact-specific to the appellants' situation, or the stated apprehension of grounds for persecution.

12. The Minister's officials did not rely on new material which, unknown to the appellants, presented an entirely different picture of the situation in Nigeria. Had the officials done so, there might have been a deficiency in fair procedures. The position here, however, was that the entirety of the material was generally available, and, as pointed out in the High Court judgment, was actually of more recent origin than that submitted by the appellants' solicitors in their very lengthy letter containing enclosures. The Minister was not constrained simply to rely on information submitted by the appellants. Had the Minister relied on information emanating from private sources, which altered the scope and nature of the enquiry carried out, quite different considerations would arise. But, the Minister's information was simply more recent, and was readily available to immigration solicitors. In my view, the learned High Court judge was correct in concluding there had been no breach of fair procedures. I would not disturb his decision on those grounds either.



The Minister's Decision: A Discretionary Power

13. Was there a duty on the Minister to inform the appellants of the principles, policies and guidelines relating to decision-making on revocation applications? The learned High Court judge pointed out that the Minister's duty was to focus clearly on the circumstances of each case. However, he observed, the absence of guidelines or policy did not vitiate the decision. The discretion which the Minister acted under must be understood in the context of an overall consideration of the scheme of the statute, and, in particular, the relationship between s.3(1) and s.3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999.

14. Section 3(1) of the Immigration Act, 1999 makes clear that, subject to the provisions relating to prohibition of refoulement contained in the Refugee Act, 1996, the Minister "may by order" require any non-nationals specified in the order to leave the State within such period as may be specified in the order, and to remain thereafter out of the State. This is to be seen in conjunction with s.3(11) of the Act, which provides that the Minister may, by order, either amend or revoke an order made under s.3, including an order made under this section.

15. It would be entirely wrong to conclude that, by reference to these provisions alone, and in operating under this regime, the Minister is at large in exercising her discretion. Firstly, it is necessary that the Minister have regard to the materials which have been furnished previously. She must then consider here only new facts, materials or circumstances. If there are truly new facts, materials or circumstances which could be material to an overall assessment of the position, the officials should take an overall view as to the circumstances, including those new matters addressed (see Smith & Ors. (Minors) v. The Minister for Justice & Equality [2013] IESC 4, Clarke J.). Furthermore, in making such decisions, the Minister is obliged to operate within the boundaries of natural and constitutional justice, and also to decide in accordance with the international obligations which have been incorporated into domestic law by the Oireachtas. The Minister is not entitled to act unconstitutionally. She must determine every application on its merits. This includes operating within the boundaries of the 1999 Act itself, and, more broadly, the Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, as explained by the ECtHR, and the principle of proportionality, all of which must be applied to the circumstances of the case. As Fennelly J. in TC v. Minister for Justice [2005] 4 I.R. pointed out at paragraph 26 of his judgment:

16. What is involved in making decisions of this type is not a policy decision, but rather involves the exercise of a margin of appreciation relating to the facts of individual cases. As has been pointed out in a number of High Court authorities, the Minister, in considering an application under s.3(11), the Minister has two duties. She must consider carefully and fairly the reasons put forward for revocation. She must also verify that there has been no change in circumstances since the making of the deportation order, either insofar as concerns the applicants, or the situation in the country of origin, which would bring into play any of the statutory prohibitions for the return of a failed asylum seeker to the country of origin. There is no obligation to embark on a new investigation or enquiry, or to enter into an exchange of observations or replies with an applicant. There is no suggestion that the Minister is operating a blanket policy, which would allow for no exceptions.

17. Here, as the learned High Court judge points out, following the receipt of the "three options" letter from the first named respondent, refusing asylum, the first named appellant failed to make any application for subsidiary protection, or for leave to remain in the State, though their solicitors stated that that it was intended to be done. No explanation is offered as to why this was not done.

18. Consequently, on the 17th May, 2012 the letter enclosing the deportation order dated the 9th May, 2012, together with "an examination of the file" dated the 24th April, 2012, was furnished. This examination contained an assessment of the appellants' case, conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act, 1999. The learned trial judge pointed out that this analysis outlined the circumstances of the first named appellant and her son, and included reference to, and an assessment of, the materials submitted. The applicants did not challenge the deportation decision by way of judicial review, nor the conclusions reached in the examination of the file. Even though no application for humanitarian leave to remain was made, the Minister, nonetheless, received the material offered, and considered that material under the rubric of s.3(11) of the 1999 Act. The trial judge was completely satisfied that the material considered in the s.3(11) consideration had been previously considered, and was available in the examination of the file prior to the making of the deportation orders.

19. Insofar as some additional materials were referenced and quoted in the consideration, the trial judge was satisfied that these were readily available to the appellants, and did not afford any basis upon which to challenge the decision refusing to revoke the orders. A consideration of all this material demonstrates the trial judge was justified in this conclusion.



Article 8 ECHR

20. The trial judge then turned to consider the case made under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The appellants' case is that the right to private and family life is engaged here, with the consequence that affirming the deportation from the State would be unlawful. It is said there was a failure to provide a reason or rationale as to why it was considered that private life rights of the appellants would not be engaged by the deportation.

21. The trial judge pointed out that this matter had also been considered extensively in the examination of the file. Article 8.1 ECHR guarantees that every person has a right to respect to their family life, their home and correspondence. Article 8.2 provides there shall be no interference by a public authority with the essence of this right, except such as in accordance with law and is necessary on a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety, or the economic wellbeing of the country, for the prevention of disaster or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights or freedoms of others.

22. The judge found both aspects of Article 8.1 and 8.2 were considered, though no representations had been submitted on behalf of the appellants at the time of examination of the file. The Minister's officials noted that the second named appellant had entered the education system in the State. However, the officials also noted that the first named appellant was married to a Nigerian husband, who continued to reside in Nigeria. The appellants had no other family connections in the State. These rights were reconsidered in the assessment of the s.3(11) decision, as were a number of character references which were noted and quoted in relation to the first named appellant, and in particular her involvement in community, and participation in a number of educational and vocational courses.



Contact with the First Named Appellant's Husband - Family Reunification

23. In the context of Article 8 ECHR, it is true that the second named appellant is involved in the education system in this State, and has not lived elsewhere. To that extent the Article is engaged. However, the consideration before the Minister noted that the first named appellant stated during her asylum interview that she was still in contact with her husband, who was living in Nigeria. Additionally, as outlined earlier, the second named appellant is not an Irish citizen, and was, and is, entitled to Nigerian citizenship, as both his parents are Nigerian. The assessment referred to the fact that the first named appellant's immediate family, including her parents and three siblings, were all still living in Nigeria. Consequently, the respondent's determination was that a decision to deport the appellants would not constitute an interference with the right to respect for family life under Article 8(1) of the ECHR. Similarly, although the second named appellant is now 8 years of age, the fact cannot be ignored that both his immediate and extended family reside in Nigeria.

24. The judge concluded that the Minister's conclusion, that the deportation would not have the consequence of such gravity as to amount to a failure to respect the rights to private or family life, was a reasonable one. The fact that an applicant may derive benefits from continuing residence in the State, whether they be social or educational, did not amount to exceptional circumstances, as would give rise to an entitlement to remain in Ireland. As a general principle, a State is entitled to control entry into its territory. Article 8 does not entail a general obligation for a State to respect immigrants choice of the country of their residence, or to authorise family reunions in that territory.

25. This is not a situation where the making of a deportation order would effectively rupture family life; nor is it one where the extent of the ties in the contracting state are overwhelming on the evidence adduced. The judge concluded that it had not been shown that there were insurmountable obstacles in the way of the family living in the country of origin. I agree with his conclusions on the law and facts, and would not disturb them.



Article 8.2 ECHR

26. The issue of immigration control arises in this case. The appellants had no legal entitlement to remain in this State after the year 2010. Consequently, under Article 8(2) ECHR, considerations of "public order" weigh in favour of exclusion. Moreover, insofar as it might be said that family life arose in this State, it occurred at a time when the first named appellant must have been aware that her immigration status was such, that her status within the State would, in the words of the European Court of Human Rights, be "precarious" (see generally Nunez v. Norway, No. 55597/09, paragraph 70). Moreover, in Butt v. Norway (47017/09), the same court made clear that, as a general principle, the status of children would generally be identified with the conduct of their parents, failing which, parents might exploit the situation of their children in order to secure a residence permit for themselves and for the children.



Conclusion on the Judicial Review

27. It follows from this that the learned High Court judge was correct in his decision to dismiss the claim for judicial review.



The Test for an Injunction

28. It cannot be said, therefore, that the appellants have established either arguable or fair grounds to restrain their deportation. None of these grounds have been upheld. No additional matters are relevant. What is before the courts, therefore, is a deportation order which, on its face, is valid. The status of that deportation order has not been challenged in these proceedings, nor has it been challenged in any proceedings. While it is possible to envisage circumstances where this Court might exercise its inherent jurisdiction to grant an injunction to restrain deportation, in radically changed or new circumstances, and where information had not been previously procurable, this is not such a situation.

29. In the light of the foregoing, it is less necessary, in this case, to consider all aspects of the judgment of this Court in Okunade v. Minister for Justice [2012] 3 IR 152. It is true the obligation of a court is to adopt a more nuanced approach than that identified in Campus Oil v. The Minister for Industry (No. 2) [1983] I.R. 88. Family rights and privacy rights may be engaged. A court will also have regard to the steps taken in the asylum process, and the manner in which there has been an interaction between applicants and that process. However, the first step, as Clarke J. points out in Okunade, is that the Court should "first determine whether the applicant has established an arguable case; if not, the application must be refused ".

30. There is no arguable case in law. In the light of the circumstances, this is not a case where an injunction should be granted. The Court is dealing here with a measure, that is, the deportation order, which is not only prima facie valid, but has not been challenged. There is a clear public interest in the orderly operation of the asylum system. It is necessary that such a measure be implemented in the public interest, absent some supervening and new event which could not have been known or ascertained earlier. Even if private or family rights are properly engaged, in the true sense of the word, there has been no breach of those rights. It follows, therefore, that no injunction can be granted.



Costs Order

31. Counsel on behalf of the Minister has applied for costs thrown away on a limited basis. As outlined in the earlier ruling herein, an application for a reference to the European Court of Justice was made at the eleventh hour. In fairness to the appellants, that application has now been withdrawn. However, the Minister is entitled to the costs of the written submissions which were necessitated in answering the point. These costs should be payable on a costs thrown away basis.



A Concluding Observation

32. At the conclusion of this case, the Court asked counsel for the Minister to ensure that the particular circumstances of this case were drawn to the Minister's attention. The second named appellant has lived in this State, and no other State, for his entire life. He is involved in the education process here. The Court was assured that the Minister would carefully review the circumstances and would monitor the matter in accordance with her legal duty.

33. I confine myself to observing that it is the duty of the Court to uphold the law, but it is difficult to avoid the observation that real issues of ministerial discretion may arise in this case, which involve an 8 year old child, and his mother, both of whom have now resided in this State for well nigh on 9 years. As a matter of law, however, the duty of this Court is to identify and apply principles necessary for the operation of the immigration process. I must uphold the judgment of the High Court, and dismiss the appeal against the High Court orders.







Judgment of Ms. Justice Laffoy delivered on the 16th day of July, 2015





History of appeal and issues raised during its course

1. This is an appeal against the judgment of the High Court (McDermott J.) delivered on 21st March, 2014 (Neutral Citation [2014] IEHC 141) and the order of the High Court (McDermott J.) made on 7th April, 2014 refusing an application by way of judicial review for an order of certiorari quashing a decision made by the first named respondent (the Minister) on 25th February, 2013 affirming the deportation orders made against the appellants on 17th May, 2012. After the appeal was initiated, the appellants brought a motion before this Court, which was returnable on 25th July, 2014, for an injunction restraining their deportation pending the hearing of the appeal. Because of the pressure of work in the motion list on 25th July, 2014, the Court was not in a position to hear the motion on that day. However, it arranged to have it heard as early as possible and it was listed for hearing on 20th October, 2014. In the interim, the Court granted a stay on the deportation of the appellants pending the hearing of the motion, which stay has continued up to the present time.

2. As is outlined in the judgment of MacMenamin J. delivered in this matter on 29th January, 2015 (the First Judgment), when the motion for the interlocutory injunction was back before the Court for hearing on 20th October, 2014 counsel for the appellants, without any prior notice to either the respondents or the Court, made an application for a reference to the Court of Justice of the European Union for a preliminary ruling on a point of law identified for the first time in written submissions handed into the Court when the motion was being opened. What happened on the hearing of the motion is outlined in the First Judgment at para. 13. The Court explored the possibility of dealing with the substantive issues on the appeal, rather than the application for an interlocutory injunction, but the respondents were not agreeable to that course.

3. The difficulty with which the Court was confronted on 20th October, 2014 by being requested to make a reference in the context of an interlocutory application is outlined in the First Judgment. The difficulty was resolved in the First Judgment, as is set out in paragraph 18, by the Court determining that the application for a reference would be heard as part of the substantive appeal, rather than in the course of the application for an interlocutory injunction. The Court arranged for the hearing of the substantive appeal at an early date. The motion for the interlocutory injunction was not disposed of at that stage.

4. The substantive appeal was listed for hearing on 11th March, 2015. However, in written submissions filed on behalf of the appellants on 6th February, 2015 it was stated that, following consideration of the position and of the legal submissions which had been filed on behalf of the respondents, which had been delivered on 24th October, 2014, the appellants were withdrawing the application for a reference for a preliminary ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union. The position, therefore, was that on 11th March, 2015 the Court was primarily concerned with the substantive appeal. However, the motion for the interlocutory injunction was still pending. Moreover, an additional issue had been raised on behalf of the respondents in the written submissions filed on their behalf in response to the appellants' written submissions filed on 6th February, 2015. The additional issue arose out of the decision of the appellants to withdraw the application for a reference. It was that the respondents sought an order "for wasted costs pursuant to Order 99, rule 7 [of the Rules of the Superior Courts 1986 (as amended) (the Rules)] against the appellants' solicitors". In the respondents' written submissions it was stated that the wasted costs order sought was limited to -

At the hearing on 11th March, 2015 there was some lack of clarity as to whether the respondents were seeking the costs of the hearing on 20th October, 2014, in addition to the costs of the written submissions of 24th October, 2014. However, in reality, the hearing on 20th October, 2014 was primarily concerned with the application for an interlocutory injunction.



Concurrence on substantive issues

5. On the substantive issues raised on the substantive appeal, I am in agreement with the conclusions reached by MacMenamin J. and Charleton J. that the trial judge was correct in his decision to dismiss the application for certiorari, on the basis of their analysis of the judgment of the trial judge and the reasons they advance. The issues which I propose to comment on are the pending motion for an interlocutory injunction and the respondents' application for a wasted costs order.



Motion for interlocutory injunction

6. Prior to 20th October, 2014 the motion for an interlocutory injunction pending the determination of the appeal had been subject of no less than two sets of written legal submissions on each side. Understandably, the decision of this Court in Okunade v. Minister for Justice [2012] 3 I.R. 152 was at the core of the submissions. However, the respondents' position was that there were features in the appellants' case which distinguished it from Okunade.

7. First, particular emphasis was attached to the fact that the validity of the deportation orders had never been challenged by the appellants in this case. It is notable that during the long history of the procedures which pre-dated the judicial review proceedings in the High Court -

(b) judicial review proceedings which had been initiated by the appellants in the High Court against that decision were withdrawn by them in 2010,

(c) no representations had been made on behalf of the appellants in response to the "three options" letter sent by the Minister to the appellants on 20th January, 2010 outlining the Minister's intention to deport the appellants on foot of the failed asylum claim, and no application for subsidiary protection or for leave to remain in the State was made to the Minister on behalf of the appellants, and

(d) the validity of the deportation orders made on 9th May, 2012 and notified to the appellants in accordance with the statutory requirements of s. 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (the Act of 1999) was not challenged by the appellants.

In fact, the decision of the Minister which was challenged in the judicial review proceedings the subject of this appeal was made on foot of an application made on behalf of the appellants on 21st September, 2012 under s. 3(11) of the Act of 1999 to revoke the deportation orders. In the light of the foregoing circumstances, the position of the Minister was that, having regard to the decision of this Court in L.C. v. Minister for Justice [2007] 2 IR 133, the Court should not grant an interlocutory injunction restraining the Minister from executing the deportation orders pending the determination of the appeal.

8. Secondly, it was argued on behalf of the respondents that, unlike the position in Okunade, the appellants' motion for an interlocutory injunction was not brought in advance of an adjudication of their claims against the respondents, but rather after the judgment of the High Court following the full hearing in the High Court on the substantive application for judicial review.

9. This Court having decided to dismiss the substantive appeal, in my view, the following additional features must be considered. First, this Court has decided definitively that the appellants have failed on each ground advanced in support of the application for judicial review and on every issue which is relevant to that decision. Secondly, the point in time at which the interlocutory injunction would, in any event, cease to be effective, the determination of the substantive appeal, has been reached. Accordingly, at this point in time, the application for the interlocutory injunction is moot. If the Court were to embark on a consideration of the extent to which the test in Okunade is applicable in the circumstances outlined and of the application of the test to the facts in determining whether an interlocutory injunction pending the determination of the appeal should be granted by reference to the period between the initiation of the motion and the determination of the substantive appeal, in reality it would be determining a matter which is hypothetical because there can no longer be a real live legal controversy between the parties, given that the substantive appeal has been finally determined against the appellants.

10. Accordingly, in my view, it is not necessary for the Court to make a determination on the pending motion for the interlocutory injunction on the basis that it is moot. Moreover, as the controversy which was alive between the parties on the application for the interlocutory injunction before the substantive appeal was finally determined against the appellants, in my view, it is not appropriate to express any view on submissions made by each side in relation to that motion. As has been noted, up to the present time, the appellants have had the benefit of the stay granted initially on 25th July, 2014.



Wasted costs

11. In seeking a reference for a preliminary ruling in the written submissions handed into the Court on 20th October, 2014, counsel for the respondents relied for the first time in the proceedings on Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter). The essential position of the respondents in the written submissions filed on 24th October, 2014 in response was that the decision of the Minister pursuant to s. 3(11) is not a matter within the "scope of Union law" within the meaning of Article 51 of the Charter, and the Charter, therefore, has no application to the case. On the hearing of the substantive appeal, counsel for the appellants conceded that the provisions of the Charter apply only when Member States are implementing Union law and that it had become obvious that the application for a reference was flawed when the respondents' written submissions of 24th October, 2014 were delivered. Nonetheless, no step was taken to withdraw the application until after the Court's First Judgment and, indeed, until after the matter was listed before the Chief Justice on 5th February, 2015, after the First Judgment was delivered, for case management.

12. In support of the application for an order for wasted costs against the solicitors for the appellants, counsel for the respondents relied on the decision of the High Court (Cooke J.) in O.J. v. Refugee Applications Commissioner [2010] 3 IR 637. That case involved an application for leave to apply for judicial review against the Refugee Applications Commissioner in what, broadly speaking, may be characterised as an asylum context. The decision of the High Court in that case is analysed in Delany and McGrath on Civil Procedure in the Superior Courts, 3rd Ed., at paras. 23 - 144 to 23 - 146. As is pointed out there, Cooke J. explained that rule 7 of Order 99 of the Rules is "directed primarily at the relationship between a solicitor and his own client against whom an order for costs has been made and with disallowing his reimbursement of improperly incurred costs by his client and with ordering him to repay to any client any such costs which the client has been ordered to pay to a third party". Therefore, an order could be made pursuant to rule 7 requiring the solicitor for the applicants in that case to reimburse -

(b) costs which they were ordered to pay to the respondents.

The issue raised by the respondents on this appeal relates to the type of costs referred to at (b).

13. In the O.J. case, stating that the test to be employed was that the solicitor had to be guilty of misconduct requiring at least gross negligence in relation to his duty to the court, Cooke J. emphasised that legal practitioners owed a duty to the court and the court should be prepared to make a wasted cost order when this duty was breached, outlining the nature of that duty in the following passage which is relied on by the respondents (at p. 644 - 645):

Whenever the court has good reason to conclude that there has been a failure in the discharge of this latter duty such that proceedings have been unnecessarily commenced or wastefully continued, it should be made clear that recourse will be had to O. 99, r. 7 in order to protect the integrity and effective operation of the asylum process in the interests of the proper administration of justice and of the interests of those genuinely in need of protection and whose determination is likely to be delayed by abuses of process in other cases."

14. Cooke J. did, however, caution against overuse of the wasted costs jurisdiction. Nonetheless, on the facts before him he found that there had been "a clear default in the discharge of the duty owed by the legal practitioners to the court in commencing and continuing the proceeding" and he concluded that it was a case where costs had been incurred without reasonable cause and that, by reason of default on the part of the applicants' solicitor, costs had been incurred which had proved fruitless to the applicants. In the circumstances, he did not consider it just that the applicants be required to pay the costs. Accordingly, he made an order for costs against the applicants, but he made a further order pursuant to rule 7 that the solicitors for the applicants indemnify them in respect of the amount of those costs, to be taxed in default of agreement, by bearing those costs personally.

15. In support of the application for an order in favour of the respondents under Order 99, rule 7, it was submitted on behalf of the respondents that the application for a reference for a preliminary ruling had no purpose other than prolonging the process and postponing the implementation of valid deportation orders, which had not been challenged in the substantive proceedings. It was submitted that the application for a reference was unnecessarily commenced and that it was an abuse of process, delaying the determination of the application for an injunction and the implementation of the valid deportation orders. That the purpose of the application was to delay proceedings in this Court, it was suggested, is to be inferred from the fact that it was not withdrawn when the respondents' written submissions were delivered on 24th October, 2014, but only after this Court had delivered the First Judgment and this Court had engaged in further case management on 5th February, 2015. It was submitted that it was incumbent on the appellants' legal advisers to advise this Court at the earliest opportunity of their intention to withdraw the application for a reference and that there could be no excuse for failing to bring the matter to the attention of the Court as soon as possible after 24th October, 2014.

16. I agree with the principles enunciated by Cooke J. in the O.J. case and the approach he adopted in that case. I am satisfied that in this case there has been a clear default by the appellants' legal advisers in the discharge of the duty owed by legal practitioners to the Court in making the application for a reference, which was, as ultimately conceded, bereft of any legal basis. The default was exacerbated by the application not being withdrawn immediately after the respondents' written submissions were delivered on 24th October, 2014 and, thus, by failing to obviate wasteful use of the time and energy of this Court in having to address the appropriateness of hearing the application in the context of an application for an interlocutory injunction. Accordingly, I consider that it is an appropriate case in which to make a wasted costs order under Order 99, rule 7, which is the only jurisdiction which the respondents have invoked. However, I consider that it should be limited to the legal costs of the respondents' written submissions of 24th October, 2014.

17. As to the form of the order, following the form of the order made in the O.J. case, it will be that the appellants are required to pay the respondents' legal costs of the written legal submissions delivered on 24th October, 2014 and that, pursuant to Order 99, rule 7, the solicitors for the appellants are ordered to indemnify the appellants in respect of the amount of those costs, to be taxed in default of agreement, by bearing those costs personally.



Concluding observation

18. I think it is fair to record that, in response to the request that the particular circumstances of the case be drawn to the attention of the first named respondent (the Minister), the Court received a letter dated 13th March, 2015 from the Chief State Solicitor's Office, in which it was stated that the current legal reality was that they were unchallenged deportation orders in place in relation to both appellants, which were not the subject of these proceedings, so that the Minister was not in a position to say that she would not enforce those orders. However, it was stated that the Minister "is always open to receipt of fresh representations in connection with applications pursuant to s. 3(11) of the [Act of 1999], where fresh circumstances, particularly any humanitarian considerations relating to the [second named appellant], can be put to the Minister for consideration in accordance with law", which situation will continue to apply at the conclusion of the proceedings, regardless of outcome. While that is comforting, given that the second named appellant was born in the State, has lived all his life in the State and will be nine years of age in less than four months time, nonetheless, I must concur with the concluding observation of MacMenamin J.







Judgment of Mr Justice Charleton delivered on Thursday the l6th of July 2015

1 The applicants/appellants are Nigerian nationals. The assumed names in the title are used for the applicants/appellants in this judgment. Simon O, a minor, was born on 20th October, 2006 in Ireland to Nigerian parents. He will be 9 years old in a couple of months. His mother, Prudence O, arrived in the State on 11th September, 2006 while she was heavily pregnant. She claimed to have left Nigeria due to fear of persecution and claimed to have been helped out of the country by her husband, who remains in Nigeria, travelling to Ireland with the aid of a false passport. They appeal the decision of McDermott J declining them judicial review; PO & Anor v Minister for Justice and Equality & ors [2014] IEHC 141. They claim that a refusal by the respondent Minister to revoke a deportation order under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 was unreasonable and legally flawed and that the analysis of the trial judge is wrong. They also seek an interlocutory injunction pending the determination of this appeal. Both the injunction and the substantive appeal are decided in this judgment because of the manner in which the case proceeded. This is set out below.



History of asylum applications and challenges to decisions

2. On 26th September, 2006 the applicants/appellants applied to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for a recommendation that they should be granted refugee status. This was refused. They did not appeal the refusal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Instead, a judicial review application was initiated almost immediately in respect of that decision. Three years later, the case was discontinued by them. The reason for the discontinuance, this Court was told on appeal, was that the principle of an adequate appeal in place of judicial review was then generally applied by the High Court in refusing such applications. That principle was stated by Henchy J in The State (Abenglen Properties) v Corporation of Dublin [1984] IR 381 at page 405 thus:

3. Two decisions of the High Court in 2009 in the area of asylum emphasised the applicability of that principle. Those cases specifically addressed the delay caused where a decision of the Refugee Applications Commissioner was subject to a judicial review application and when that failed an appeal was brought to be, in turn, subject to another judicial review. These decisions were AD v The Refugee Applications Commissioner [2009] IEHC 77 and OA v The Refugee Applications Commissioner & Another [2009] IEHC 296. The principle as stated by Cooke J at paragraph 19 of OA was:

4. No appeal was taken to the Refugee Applications Commissioner, the applicants/appellants having decided for an application to the High Court. As of the withdrawal of the judicial review application in early January 2010, the applicants/appellants were illegally in Ireland. In consequence, on 20th January, 2010, the respondent Minister sent to the applicants/appellants a communication which is known among practitioners as the "three options letter". The choices set out in the letter were that the applicants/appellants would leave the State voluntarily; or that they would consent to a deportation order; or that they would apply for subsidiary protection and/or make representations to remain temporarily in the State. In effect, the options to a migrant at that stage of an asylum application process, having failed to establish grounds upon which to be declared a refugee, are to leave the State, or to seek subsidiary protection and/or apply for leave to remain the State. The applicants/appellants state in an affidavit of 26th March, 2013, that as a result of "inadvertence no applications were made for subsidiary protection or leave to remain on our behalf which was intended to be done." Consequently there was no challenge to the clearest possible statement that absent representations or another application, this time for subsidiary protection, the applicants/appellants would be deported from the State. Subsidiary protection relates to situations where substantial grounds have been shown for believing that the person concerned, if returned to his or her country of origin/former habitual residence, would face a real risk of suffering "serious harm", in consequence of the general situation in that country, in distinction to a well-founded fear of persecution.

5. Deportation orders are made under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. Under section 3(6) in determining whether to make a deportation order, the Minister is obliged to have regard to the age of the person; the duration of their residence in the State; their family and domestic circumstances; the nature of their connection with the State; their employment record and their employment prospects; their character and conduct; humanitarian considerations; any representations made by, or on behalf of, the person; the common good; and considerations of national security and public policy. In making any such decision the respondent Minister is obliged to proceed in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights, as provided for in section 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003. No representations were made on behalf of the applicants/appellants under section 3 of the Act of 1999 and nor was any application for subsidiary protection made. Nonetheless the file received the fullest possible analysis based on everything that had been raised before the Refugee Applications Commissioner. On the 17th May, 2012, the applicants/appellants received a letter from the respondent Minister indicating that he had decided to deport them. A deportation order dated the 9th May, 2012 was enclosed. A written analysis as to why the application to remain the State was also enclosed with the letter. The letter required the applicants/appellants to leave the State by the 3rd June, 2012. This order, on the face of it was final. Section 3(11) of the Act of 1999, however, enables the Minister to "amend or revoke [a deportation] order made under this section, including an order under this subsection". This means that a person subject to a deportation order may make representations to the Minister that the decision to deport should be reconsidered. This option was availed of. A very long letter dated the 21st September, 2012, was furnished by solicitors on behalf of the applicants/appellants detailing reasons why they should not be returned to Nigeria. It might reasonably be commented that of the 45 pages in this letter, perhaps 5 relate in some way to the applicants/appellants. The other 40 pages relate to conditions in Nigeria and could relate to any application by any person from Nigeria living anywhere in Europe. At paragraph 2.19 of the letter a fear of persecution is claimed by the first applicant/appellant "because she converted her friend from Islam to Christianity and soon after, her friend disappeared." A marriage outside caste is also mentioned. Integration into the community in Ireland is put forward as well and that is more a humanitarian appeal than the reiteration of an asylum claim that has failed.

6. By decision of the 25th February, 2013, the respondent Minister affirmed the deportation order and gave reasons for refusing to amend or revoke that order.

7. The applicants/appellants initiated the within judicial proceedings against that decision and were granted leave to apply for judicial review on the 22nd April, 2013, by Harding Clark J. The matter went to trial in the High Court before McDermott J and on 21st March, 2014, he refused the application. The decision of McDermott J was appealed to this Court. Under section 5 of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000, as amended, the final nature of the High Court order in most refugee type applications does not extend to a decision of the respondent Minister to refuse to amend or revoke a deportation order under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999. On lodging this appeal the applicants/appellants applied by notice of motion dated the 11th July, 2014, to this Court for an injunction restraining the deportation of the applicants/appellants pending the determination of the appeal. That motion came on for hearing on 25th July 2014, but the Court put the matter back for the fuller hearing that would be available outside the crowded motion list on a Friday. The matter first come on for hearing on 20th October, 2014, and on the hearing of that application counsel for the applicants/appellants applied with no notice to the Court or to the respondent Minister for an order for reference for preliminary ruling by the Supreme Court to the Court of Justice of the European Union pursuant to Article 267 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Since the respondent Minister was taken by surprise, the matter was put back for submissions. The Court was disturbed at the further procedural twist which the case had taken; PO & Another v Minister for Justice and Equality [2014] IESC 5, judgment of MacMenamin J of 29th January 2014. In February, 2015, the applicants/appellants withdrew that application, apparently seeing no merit in the point raised. In addition to the application for an interlocutory injunction, the respondent Minister had also requested that the substance of the case should be considered. Consequently, the matter was put in for hearing on 11th March, the Court becoming aware only in the week beforehand that the application for a reference had been withdrawn. This is the judgment on that application, both as to the appeal of the refusal of the interlocutory injunction and on the substance of the claim.



Progress of proceedings

8. On the application for an interlocutory injunction restraining deportation, the applicants/appellants claim that their case is equivalent to that of Okunade v Minister for Justice [2012] 3 IR 152. In consequence, they assert, pending the hearing of this appeal, the Supreme Court should injunct the respondents from acting on the deportation order of 9th May, 2012 as affirmed on the 25th February, 2013. The Okunade case involved a four year old child who had been born and brought up in Ireland. Similarly, the first named applicant/appellant has spent his entire life here. There are, however, differences between this case and Okunade. In that case, at paragraph 119, Clarke J referred to the "substantial lapse of time involved in this whole process" of asylum application, which led to a situation that a child of four years had no other country than Ireland. This, on his analysis, was a "function of the lack of coherent system and sufficient resources" in the analysis of claims for refugee status. In contrast, the respondent Minister urges, in the present case the lapse of time that has occurred is not due to systemic failings on the part of the State, but rather it is a result, in particular, of the applicants/appellants' decision to issue and later to discontinue judicial review proceedings. Clarke J also held that the "significant disruption of family life is a countervailing factor which, provided it be of sufficient weight, can be enough to tip the balance in favour of the granting of a stay or an injunction". The applicants/appellants submit that Okunade is "practically indistinguishable" from the instinct case for the purposes of applying the Okunade principles. However, the respondent Minister argues that in the present case, the disruption in the private life of the applicants/appellants is made up for by the prospect of the "re-establishment of family life" between the applicants/appellants and their husband/father and their extended family who generally reside in Nigeria. In Okunade the applicants had applied for refugee status and for subsidiary protection but had failed, essentially on credibility grounds. The Minister then sought to deport them. It was while they were seeking leave for judicial review of the refusal of subsidiary protection and of the process leading to the decision to deport them that an injunction against deportation was first refused in the High Court ([2011] IEHC 441). This decision was overturned by the Supreme Court. No injunction was granted in substitution of the order of the High Court because, by that stage, events had then moved on, the application for leave to seek judicial review having been refused by the High Court ([2012] IEHC 134), rendering the appeal in that case moot.

9. In this case, there has been no application for subsidiary protection, the judicial review application in respect of the decision of the Refugee Applications Commissioner of the 1st October 2007 was withdrawn four years ago, and a deportation order has been made following a detailed consideration of the representations of the applicants/appellants and has been affirmed on reconsideration. Perhaps the most important difference, however, is that this is not a case where the applicants/appellants are seeking leave to apply for judicial review. Instead the legal situation has moved on to the grant of leave and the full analysis of their claim by the High Court which found no substance in any of their arguments. On the analysis in the High Court, there has been no legal flaw in dealing with the application. Should this appeal succeed the most that can be achieved by the applicants/appellants, in the grant of an interlocutory injunction, is that the Court would overturn McDermott J and enable that the process of seeking the revocation of a valid existing deportation order should be renewed. The respondent Minister asked that if the substance of the case was to be dealt with, the principles in relation to the refusal or grant of an injunction should be dealt with as well.





Test for an injunction

10. As the Supreme Court pointed out in Okunade, the approach to the grant of an injunction is founded on the decision of this Court in Campus Oil v Minister for Industry (No. 2) [1983] IR 88. As this case and other asylum cases are ones involving sensitivities and rights inherent in the family and privacy, a more nuanced test is applicable. That consideration is to be applied in the light of the facts of the case, which include the various steps taken in the asylum process and the attitude of and reaction of applicants to same. This is made clear in the judgment of Clarke J at paragraph 104 of Okunade:

(a) the court should first determine whether the applicant has established an arguable case; if not the application must be refused, but if so then;

(b) the court should consider where the greatest risk of injustice would lie. But in doing so the court should:-

(ii) give such weight as may be appropriate (if any) to any public interest in the orderly operation of the particular scheme in which the measure under challenge was made; and,

(iii) give appropriate weight (if any) to any additional factors arising on the facts of the individual case which would heighten the risk to the public interest of the specific measure under challenge not being implemented pending resolution of the proceedings;

(d) in addition, and subject to the issues arising on the judicial review not involving detailed investigation of fact or complex questions of law, the court can place all due weight on the strength or weakness of the applicant's case.

At paragraph 109, Clarke J. stated, further:

11. In Meadows v Minister for Justice [2010] 2 IR 701, this Court affirmed the primacy of the executive in establishing policy in relation to immigration. There is no reasonable suggestion in these papers that what this appeal is concerned with is the case of refugee who has fled persecution. Rather, all the indications are that the applicants/appellants have made a choice to migrate to Ireland from Nigeria. Further, all the indications are that the various steps taken in the asylum process have become an instrument of delay and these steps have been taken by the applicants/appellants themselves.



Arguable case

12. The claim of the applicants/appellants to have an arguable case is based on a number of grounds. It is, firstly, argued that there was a breach of fair procedures because the official of the respondent Minister, making the decision not to revoke the deportation order, used deficient country of origin information and did not afford the applicants/appellants a right to be heard. Secondly, it is contended that the decision not to revoke the deportation order did not pursue a proper analysis and, further, that it deprived the applicants/appellants of a claimed right to know what the policy of the respondent Minister was in relation to cases such as theirs, namely where a Nigerian child had been born and brought up in Ireland but with no entitlement to Irish citizenship. A number of points under the European Convention on Human Rights are, thirdly, claimed to have not been considered.

13. Essentially, it is contended that the applicants/appellants' rights to private life and family rights, as guaranteed under Article 8, were either ignored or not properly analysed and that the severity of the disruption to private life and family ties in this case must be such as to amount to the kind of exceptional circumstances which would require that they not be deported. Through the asylum application system it must be recognised that the applicants/appellants have tentatively established connections in Ireland. In the case of the infant applicant/appellant, he has known no other country than Ireland. This has come about, however in circumstances where his mother made a deliberate choice to move here from Nigeria in circumstances where there are no indications that she ever had any case to make of persecution in her home nation.

14. The various points argued are now considered. It follows that if there is no reasonably arguable case to be made from the point of view of the grant of an interlocutory injunction that the substance of the appeal against the substantive judgment of McDermott J in the High Court also fails.



Defective information and defective analysis claimed

15. The trial judge ruled against the applicants/appellants, rejecting the contention that the official of the respondent Minister analysing the application to section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 erred. At paragraph 13 of his judgment the trial judge set out the test which he would apply:

16. As a matter of law, a decision maker in asylum applications is required to keep reasonably abreast of information in the country of origin. But a decision maker is not constrained, as if a jury in a criminal trial that has heard evidence, from researching the matter and sourcing fresh materials of reliable origin. These applications are not to be equated with an adversarial process. Were they so treated, the fundamental duty of the decision maker to enquire into the situation of an applicant by reference to the country of origin would be curtailed unlawfully.

17. The decision of the trial judge is consistent with the proper approach to be adopted by the High Court in the judicial review of an administrative decision. In judicial review, the High Court is not acting as a tribunal of appeal but is considering, instead, whether the analysis conducted met the standard that is inherent in the legislation. This case has passed the stage where the applicants/appellants are claiming to be refugees. That claim was first made on the 26th September 2006, and was rejected by the Refugee Applications Commissioner on the 1st October 2007. A judicial review application in respect of that decision was withdrawn in 2010. Subsidiary protection was not applied for. Section 11(A) of the Refugee Act 1996 provides that where an applicant "appeals against the recommendation of the Commissioner under section 13, it shall be for him or her to show that he or she is a refugee". Where his or her application for refugee status has been refused by the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the applicant decides to appeal that decision to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, the applicant may request, save in certain circumstances which are outlined in section 13(6), that there be an oral hearing before the Tribunal. This option was open to the applicants but was not availed of.

18. Credibility is central to the process. Anyone can decide to migrate from Nigeria to Ireland. Only those who on enquiry are shown to be refugees have an entitlement to stay in the State. Similarly, on an application for subsidiary protection where an applicant claims a situation of general violence in their country of origin, the enquiry will tend to shift to the information available as to the situation there. Where persecution, and thus refugee status, is claimed, under s.11(B) of the Refugee Act 1996 it is for the Refugee Applications Commissioner at first instance, or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, on appeal, to assess credibility. Guidance is given in relation to such questions as the possession of identity documents; whether the applicant has provided a reasonable explanation to substantiate his or her claim that the State is the first safe country in which he or she has arrived since departing from his or her country of origin/habitual residence; whether a full and true explanation of how the applicant travelled to and arrived in the State has been given; whether there was any reasonable explanation for delay if an application was not made on the frontiers of the State, effectively on arrival; whether an applicant has disposed of or forged identity documents; whether manifestly false evidence has been adduced; if there has been a previous withdrawal of an application; the stage at which an application was made; whether there has been cooperation; whether an applicant has left the State without permission; whether an applicant is residing where required and reporting changes of address as required; and whether on appeal the applicant has furnished information in relation to the application which he or she could have furnished during the Commissioner's investigation of the application but did not do so. As McDermott J adverted to, where a decision is the subject of a judicial review application, it has never been a function of the High Court to substitute its own opinion of the facts for that of the administrative tribunal whose decision is under question. The High Court is not empowered to grant the relief sought before the administrative body, be it a licence, a declaration or the award of some beneficial form of status. Rather, on any judicial review application, the High Court is inquiring into whether the tribunal has acted within jurisdiction and whether its decision accords with fundamental reason and common sense, one of the elements of which may be the proportionality of that decision; see Meadows v Minister for Justice [2010] 2 IR 701.

19. The quasi-judicial function involved in refugee type applications explicitly encapsulates not only the assessment of credibility but also involves a duty by the decision maker to keep abreast with the main developments in country of origin information and, if necessary, to make such inquires as are germane to uncovering the truth. The burden is not entirely on the administrative tribunal since applicants have a solemn duty of cooperation. In that regard, therefore, the approach of the trial judge to the analysis of this issue cannot be faulted. On a full review of the documentation, the trial judge ruled that the official acting on behalf of the respondent Minister under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 had not ignored relevant information given by the applicant and, further, had sourced relevant and current information. Applying the reasoning of Cooke J in EE v Refugee Appeals Tribunal [2010] IEHC 135, McDermott J held that the analysis conducted on behalf of the respondent Minister was careful and conscientious to the degree that no fundamental mistake had occurred and where the conclusion reached was not manifestly at variance with the content and obvious effect of the documentation. At paragraph 18 of his judgment, the trial judge ruled on the matter thus:

20. On this appeal it has been argued that the respondent Minister relied on "magazine articles", ignoring more robust country of origin information submitted by the solicitors for the applicants/appellants. On analysis this submission emerges merely as rhetoric. There was no change to the substance of the case and further there had been no change in the country of origin information material to the decision which could alter the essentially general claims put forward by the applicants/appellants. Nothing was of relevance beyond their personal information that could not apply to any other person who had come from any substantial part of the Nigerian population. Nothing has been advanced in argument which would given any reason to consider that this ruling was not correct.



Right to be heard

21. As a matter of law, as set out in the Refugee Act 1996, those applying for refugee status on the basis of a claim of persecution are entitled to be heard, to submit materials and to make relevant, concise argument both before the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal, before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The latter not being availed of in this case. Thus it is clear that there is a right to be heard within the asylum process. That right is specifically guaranteed to persons seeking a declaration of refugee status under the procedures laid down in the Act of 1996 in relation to the analysis by the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the rehearing that must take place before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, as noted above, deals with deportation orders. Subject to the prohibition on refoulement, the Minister may make an order requiring a person who is not an Irish citizen to leave the State within a specified period. In asylum applications, that process of making a deportation order occurs after the initial assessment and the appeal have been determined negatively against an applicant. Before making an order of deportation, however, the person affected must be afforded a right to be heard pursuant to legislation. Detailed statutory provisions are set down in section 3, subsections (3) and (4) of the Act of 1999, as amended. These provide:

(b) A person who has been notified of a proposal under paragraph (a) may, within 15 working days of the sending of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister and the Minister shall-

(ii) notify the person in writing of his or her decision and of the reasons for it and, where necessary and possible, the person shall be given a copy of the notification in a language that the person understands.

(a) a statement that the person concerned may make representations in writing to the Minister within 15 working days of the sending to him or her of the notification,

(b) a statement that the person may leave the State before the Minister decides the matter and shall require the person to so inform the Minister in writing and to furnish the Minister with information concerning his or her arrangements for leaving,

(c) a statement that the person may consent to the making of the deportation order within 15 working days of the sending to him or her of the notification and that the Minister shall thereupon arrange for the removal of the person from the State as soon as practicable, and

(d) any other information which the Minister considers appropriate in the circumstances.

22. In determining whether to make a deportation order in relation to a person, the Minister shall have regard to humanitarian considerations, among other considerations, pursuant to section 3(6). Perhaps as a matter of logic, that should be the end of the matter. However, anyone who has had a deportation order made against them can apply for it to be revoked under section 3(11). While it can be difficult to discern the legislative purpose of this entitlement to seek an administrative review following on a full consideration leading to a deportation order, as McDermott J stated, in some countries the political situation can suddenly lurch into instability. Were a person who had not granted leave to remain suddenly to find that their country had become unsafe or had suddenly initiated a policy of persecution, as in Germany in 1933 in relation to Jewish people, homosexual people and Romany people, the application under section 3(11) would provide them with proper resort to the Minister. It is clear, however, that the legislation in granting an entitlement to seek a revocation of a deportation order does not contemplate the regurgitation of old and rejected contentions: rather, something new involving a substantial change is required.

23. In considering whether to revoke a deportation order under section 3(11) any new information furnished by or on behalf of the applicant in seeking that such an order be set aside must also be taken into account. The process of giving an opportunity to an applicant to be heard, however, is not to be mistaken for the strict procedures within a criminal trial and nor are rules of evidence applicable. A fair procedure must be adopted. That is not in any way to be equated with criminal trial or civil trial procedures. This is an enquiry and not a trial. Fairness of procedure will involve reading the representations made under section 3(3) on behalf of an applicant and, where the revocation of a deportation order is sought, considering any new representations made under section 3(11). The right to be heard must be analysed within its proper context. Where there has been an application for refugee status which has been rejected, that may be taken into account in so far as it is relevant; as where the same case that has been rejected before the Refugee Applications Commissioner or on appeal before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal that finding is reiterated. Within the scheme set out in the Refugee Act 1996 and the Immigration Act 1999, where such an application has been made for a recommendation that the Minister declare that a person has refugee status, and this is rejected, deportation tends to be the final result of that process. In the assessment of applications for refugee status the process is one of inquiry and searching for the truth.

24. An enquiry about whether a person is a refugee is not an adversarial contest. Duties are cast on both sides. On the part of the applicant for refugee status, there must be full cooperation and the revelation of any relevant material. On the part of the decision maker there must be an inquiry into country of origin information and the position of the applicant in relation thereto. If the stage of deportation is reached, that relevant background, if applicable, may be taken into account together with any fresh representations that are made. In case C-277/11 MM v Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland, Attorney General a reference was made by Hogan J to the Court of Justice of the European Union as to the right to be heard in the bifurcated system operating in the State whereby an applicant for refugee status must first apply for a recommendation of refugee status and, only when that fails, may he or she apply for subsidiary protection. That case concerned the extent of the right to be heard in relation to the second part of that process; a distinct procedure whereby the person applies for subsidiary protection. The Court of Justice rejected the proposition that where, on the second stage, an official of the respondent Minister decides that subsidiary protection should be refused, a draft decision should be forwarded to the applicant so that he or she may comment thereon and make further representations. The Court used the opportunity afforded by that reference to restate what the nature of the right to be heard consists of. It does not necessarily incorporate an oral hearing; it does not require adversarial procedures; but it does need to observe two fundamental principles.

25. These principles are related both to each other and to ordinary sense. Firstly, the person affected by a decision has an entitlement to put forward their side of the case and, secondly, the administrative or quasi judicial tribunal must fairly consider such representations. The Court of Justice stated, at paragraphs 87 and 88 of the decision:

That right also requires the authorities to pay due attention to the observations thus submitted by the person concerned, examining carefully and impartially all the relevant aspects of the individual case and giving a detailed statement of reasons for their decision (see Case C-269/90 Technische Universitat Munchen [1991] ECR I-5469, paragraph 14, and Soprope, paragraph 50); the obligation to state reasons for a decision which are sufficiently specific and concrete to allow the person to understand why his application is being rejected is thus a corollary of the principle of respect for the rights of the defence.

26. The form of any procedures in relation to applications for refugee status or subsidiary protection or in relation to deportation orders is not laid down by European legislation. Instead, as the Court indicated at paragraph 94 of its judgment "it will be for the referring court to determine whether the procedure followed in the examination  was compatible with the requirements of EU law  [on the]  right to be heard " On this appeal, it is to be noted that that is what happened in relation to that case when the matter came back before Hogan J, MM v Minster for Justice Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General [2013] 1 IR 370.

27. Simple reiteration of prior material that does not establish a legitimate fear of persecution or of violence of a random kind in the absence of appropriate structural protection is not enough for an application to succeed under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999. In this case, the trial judge McDermott J held that there had been no failure to offer the applicants/appellants a proper hearing. In order to initiate a reassessment of an existing deportation order under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999, it cannot be sufficient simply to rely on the representations already made under section 3(3). In that regard the analysis of the trial judge at paragraphs 19-22 of his judgment is manifestly correct:

It is claimed that the procedures adopted by the first named respondent were unfair in that the applicants ought to have been made aware of the respondents intention to rely on information other than that submitted by the applicant before making a decision. While there is no general obligation to inform an applicant of the documentation used and sourced, it has been recognised that situations may arise where such disclosure would be just and appropriate. In Ahmed v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Unreported, High Court, 24th March, 2011), Birmingham J. stated:-

Cross J. gave further guidance in Zola Nanizaya v. The Minister for Justice and Equality [2012] IEHC 126:-

I am satisfied that the new documentation relied upon by the first named respondent in these proceedings is freely available to the public and did not come from private sources. Furthermore, the information sought did not alter the scope and nature of the inquiry made by the decision maker. A challenge was raised against the efficacy of the police force in Nigeria, and the decision maker, in examining the issue and the nature of any reforms undertaken by the authorities in Nigeria, accessed further information relevant to that matter. The information is not new and I am satisfied that the information obtained is an updating of previous documentation furnished by the applicant and was readily available to the applicant from well known sources to those practising immigration and asylum law. I am satisfied that there was no obligation to inform the applicant of the additional country of origin information accessed by the first named respondent or to provide a copy of that information to the applicants before making the decision. I am not satisfied that the applicants are entitled to any relief on this basis.

28. Section 3(11) confers a broad discretion on the respondent Minister, though one to be operated in accordance with the right to be heard, should an application for the revocation of a deportation order be made. The applicants/appellants argue that this is not lawful. It is claimed on this appeal that there should have been guidelines and that these should (a) have been operated by the respondent Minister and (b) disclosed to all who make any application as foreign nationals for any kind of leave to remain in Ireland. These, the applicants/appellants argue, include: when a child would be considered young enough to be returned to the country of origin of a parent; and when a family would be considered to have established ties within Ireland sufficient to require consideration under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. There are no such guidelines. The trial judge characterised the obligation cast upon the respondent Minister under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999, in considering whether to revoke a deportation order, as being discretionary. In that regard, it is clear that McDermott J's analysis meets with the principles previously enunciated by this Court in TC v Minister for Justice [2005] 4 IR 109 at paragraph 26. There Fennelly J stated:

29. The existence of guidelines may assist. On the other hand, guidelines may also trammel a discretion where too rigidly formulated. In other circumstances the availability of guidelines, such as those in relation to children who are Irish citizens but whose parents are non-nationals, may indicate the broad approach to be taken in individual cases. No cogent argument has been made on this appeal that in failing to provide guidelines in relation to children who are not citizens and who do not have parents who are citizens, that there has been, as the argument was put, such a deficit in information as to amount to a denial of the right to be heard. In support of the argument, counsel on behalf of the applicants/appellants cited R (Lumba) v Home Secretary [2012] 1 AC 245. In that case a policy of deporting foreign nationals who had been convicted of crime was operated by the Home Office. There, however, the existence and the terms of that policy were kept secret from the claimants. It was condemned as a "blanket policy" which was in fact inconsistent with the published policy. It is hard to make any argument derived from that case applicable here. The exercise of the power under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999 is, as the trial judge characterised it, a matter of discretion. The exercise of such decisions must proceed on the basis of allowing representations to be made by those seeking revocation of a deportation order under the section. In the absence of such representations it is impossible to see how the section might otherwise be engaged. The trial judge could not identify any blanket policy by the respondent Minister either in favour of deportation in circumstances similar to that of the applicants/appellants or against it. The discretion was there to be exercised in accordance with what the High Court had previously stated to be the appropriate approach. The trial judge properly set out that approach at paragraph 24 of his judgment as follows:

The learned President relied upon T.C ., cited above and a number of well established Supreme Court and High Court authorities. For example, in M.A. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Unreported, High Court, 17th December, 2009) Cooke J. summarised the effect of previous High Court case law as follows:-

It is clear that a decision maker must focus carefully on the circumstances of each particular case. The absence of guidelines or policy does not vitiate the decision the nature of which must be understood in the context of an overall consideration of the statutory scheme, the relationship between s. 3(1) and (11), and previous decisions taken in the asylum process.

30. This is correct. It follows therefore that, firstly, it is not necessary for a decision maker to initiate any new investigation or enquiry where the substance of an application to revoke a deportation order is that which has already been made and has been rejected in the context of a representation that a person should not be deported. Section 3(11) confers a broad discretion on the respondent Minister. Essentially, it is part of the statutory scheme to enable those whose country of origin situation has changed to make a plea, from the time of a refugee application or a plea against deportation, that, as a matter of discretion, the Minister should revoke a deportation order. In genuinely exceptional circumstances, it may be as well that a change in personal circumstances might also be part of such a reconsideration.



Convention rights

31. The manner in which the European Convention on Human Rights is to be analysed through judicial decisions has been laid down by this Court in McD v L [2008] 1 IR 417. Under the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, the rights laid down in the Convention must be respected by those engaged in administrative decision making. The obligation is set out in the following way in section 3:

(2) A person who has suffered injury, loss or damage as a result of a contravention of subsection (1), may, if no other remedy in damages is available, institute proceedings to recover damages in respect of the contravention in the High Court (or, subject to subsection (3), in the Circuit Court) and the Court may award to the person such damages (if any) as it considers appropriate.

(3) The damages recoverable under this section in the Circuit Court shall not exceed the amount standing prescribed, for the time being by law, as the limit of that Court's jurisdiction in tort.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating a criminal offence.

(5) (a) Proceedings under this section shall not be brought in respect of any contravention of subsection (1) which arose more than 1 year before the commencement of the proceedings.

(b) The period referred to in paragraph (a) may be extended by order made by the Court if it considers it appropriate to do so in the interests of justice.

32. The contention made on this appeal is that the official of the respondent Minister deciding on the application under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999 ignored the applicants/appellants' rights under Article 8 of the Convention to private and family life. It is contended that these rights are such that affirming, under section 3(11), the decision to deport the applicants/appellants from the State would be unlawful.

33. Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides:

2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic wellbeing of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Certain fundamental principles as to the operation of the Convention may be discerned and it is appropriate to concisely outline these.

34. The first principle is that every State is entitled to control entry with its territory. It has been affirmed on many occasions by the European Court of Human Rights that the control of immigration policy through legislation can be necessary in a democratic society under Article 8.2. Under the Convention, and under national law, there is no general entitlement of non-nationals to choose to come to and live in any contracting state without the permission of the appropriate authorities. In Nunez v Norway (No. 55597/09), a judgment of the 28th September, 2011, that principle was again affirmed. At paragraph 70 the Court stated:

35. The second principle is that those who create uncertainty as to their status within the country to which they migrate, by claiming asylum rights that are unfounded, cannot rely on mere presence to invoke Article 8 rights. That is part of the entitlement of Ireland to control entry into the State and is applicable in the analysis conducted of this case under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999. There was no basis upon which the applicants/appellants could be considered to be refugees. When they failed in that process, their judicial review application was discontinued by them. They did not apply for subsidiary protection and nor did they seek leave to remain in the State under section 3 of the Act of 1999. Their situation was always precarious. Any right to remain was at the discretion of the respondent Minister on the exercise of humanitarian, as opposed to legal, concerns and upon conducting an appropriate analysis in accordance with the State's international obligations in relation to refoulement as declared in section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 and pursuant to the provisions of the Act of 1999. The choices made on behalf of the first named applicant/appellant by his mother and next friend, and the second named applicant/appellant were a choice exercised on behalf of them both. In Butt v Norway (No. 47017/09), judgment of March 4th, 2013, of the European Court of Human Rights reiterated that a State party to the Convention is entitled to control the entry of non-citizens into its territory and their residence there, and accepted that immigration policy considerations would be undermined unless children were generally identified with the conduct of their parents. As the Court put it at paragraph 79:

36. The third principle is that in considering the interaction of the two parts of Article 8, a wide margin of appreciation in the analysis of the balance of a situation is afforded to decision makers. The often-claimed separate rights of children are, save for extraordinary circumstances, dependant upon the approach of the parent who claims on their behalf and on their own behalf through that child. That emerges clearly from the decision of Feeney J in Agbonlahor v Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2007] 4 IR 309. That was a case of a child immigrant who had been thought to suffer from attention deficit disorder but could in fact be found to be on the autistic spectrum. The claim was made that respect for family life entailed an entitlement to remain in Ireland, as opposed to returning to Nigeria where levels of care and treatment were said to be markedly inferior. At page 316 of the report, Feeney J stated:

37. That statement was made on the basis of the relevant decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Feeney J approved the principles stated by Lord Bingham in the House of Lords in that Court's decision in R (Razgar) v Home Secretary [2004] 2 AC 368. There, five useful questions within that wide measure of appreciation were set out at page 389 thus:

(2) if so, will such interference have consequences of such gravity as potentially to engage the operation of Article 8?

(3) if so, is such interference in accordance with the law?

(4) if so, is such interference necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others?

(5) if so, is such interference proportionate to the legitimate public end sought to be achieved?

38. These questions were, in fact, part of the analysis of the respondent Minister in considering this application. Nor should the first part of Article 8 of the Convention be analysed as if it stood alone in the absence of the second part. There is an entitlement by States to decide who is to enter national territory or who is to be allowed to remain. This entitlement is part of being a nation and it accords with the Convention in recognising that restrictions which are "in accordance with the law" and are "necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic wellbeing of the country" can be placed on migration. Such restrictions cannot apply to nationals of other European Union member states as a matter of European law; but even this is subject to legitimate rights of expulsion for crime or other serious reason.

39. The fourth principle is that particular, and quite extreme, circumstances will be required before the prohibition against torture and inhuman and degrading treatment as guaranteed by Article 3 of the Convention can be invoked. Here the very general and very long letter in support of revocation of the deportation order under section 3(11) of the Act of 1999, touched on many aspects of Nigerian society applicable to every person from that country. Included in those wide ranging arguments on this appeal were, in addition to claims about education and health care in Nigeria, particular criticisms of the Nigerian police force. The applicants/appellants could perhaps be arrested; though this threat remained unspecific and the reasons for it baffling. This is not a case where Article 3 of the Convention, concerning the prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, would be engaged. Nor is it a case where a child would be left without a primary carer. No rights to medical assistance or to education are asserted here. Pleading such rights, in any event, does not, save in exceptional cases, engage Article 8.1 in such a way as to overbalance the entitlements of the State to form an immigration policy under Article 8.2 of the Convention; Agbonlahor v Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2007] 4 IR 309 and CN v United Kingdom [2005] 2 AC 296. In Nnyanzi v United Kingdom (No. 21878/06), judgment of 8th July, 2008, the European Court of Human Rights broadly indicated the relevant principles to be taken into account when considering a deportation order or, it follows, the revision of a deportation order. These principles are stated at paragraphs 72-75 of the judgment as follows:

The Court also reiterates its finding in Bensaid v. the United Kingdom (no. 44599/98, judgment of 6 February 2001 at  46) that "not every act or measure which adversely affects moral or physical integrity will interfere with the right to respect to private life guaranteed by Article 8.

However, the Court's case-law does not exclude that treatment which does not reach the severity of Article 3 treatment may nonetheless breach Article 8 in its private-life aspect where there are sufficiently adverse effects on physical and moral integrity (see Costello-Roberts v. the United Kingdom, judgment of 25 March 1993, Series A no. 247-C, pp. 60-61,  36).

Any interference with Article 8 rights will infringe the Convention if it does not meet the requirements of paragraph 2 of Article 8. It is therefore necessary to determine whether the interference was "in accordance with the law", motivated by one or more of the legitimate aims set out in that paragraph, and "necessary in a democratic society.

40. While it is not a principle of law, as such, it is to be noted, fifthly, that the European Court of Human Rights has considered that children of the general age of six or under are adaptable to new beginnings; Uner v The Netherlands (No.46410/99), judgment of 18th October, 2006. Many might comment that this accords with our national experience in Ireland when so many families with young children have been forced, due to the economic crash from 2008, to seek a life outside Ireland together with their parents. In a prior generation, many fathers emigrated and supported their families from outside these shores.

41. There is no evidence that the official of the respondent Minister in dealing with this case came to a conclusion which was adverse to any of these principles or observations. The trial judge's analysis of these factors is set out at paragraphs 28 and 29 of his judgment as follows:

41. No argument has been advanced which could lead to the conclusion that this analysis is incorrect. Specifically, the relevant principles herein identified were fully appreciated by the trial judge and were correctly applied. It follows from the rejection of the substantive case that no arguable case sufficient for the grant of an interlocutory injunction has been made out.



Application of injunction principles

42. Over the two hearings in this case, the Court has been asked, in addition to ruling on whether there is any substance to the case correctly analysed by McDermott J, to indicate what would have been the decision had the Court merely been dealing with an application for an interlocutory injunction. That request was reasonable since the substance of the entire case was by the agreement of the parties to be considered. The principles in that regard have already been stated. On the injunction application, it is to be noted that in this case the deportation order of the 9th May, 2012, has not been the subject order of any judicial review application before the High Court. That deportation order, therefore, remains valid. In addition, the challenge to the decision not to revoke the deportation order pursuant to section 3(11) of the Act of 1999, has been dismissed after a full hearing in the High Court. Therefore, on the injunction application, the observations of McCracken J in this Court in LC v Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform [2007] 2 IR 133 at page 155, become equally applicable:

There might indeed be circumstances, although it is hard to envisage them, where the Supreme Court might exercise its inherent jurisdiction to grant an injunction which could have this effect, for example it might conceivably be exercised when a previously unknown fact comes to light, being a fact which was unknown at the time of making of the deportation order, and which is one of such gravity as might stay implementation of the deportation order. No such case has been made out before us.

43. No new facts have come to light which might be regarded as altering either the circumstances of the applicants/appellants since the date of the deportation order of the 9th May, 2012 and nor has any additional country of origin information cast doubt on the validity of that decision. In those circumstances, this case comes within paragraph 104(a) of the judgment of Clarke J in Okunade v Minister for Justice [2012] 3 IR 152: no arguable case has been made out for the grant of an injunction pending the hearing of this appeal. In consequence, had this been an injunction hearing only, on the grounds stated herein, no reasonably arguable case for injuncting the deportation of the applicants/appellants would have been shown.



Application for a reference and costs thrown away

44. In addition, the applicants/appellants requested, and then withdrew after argument on the appeal, a reference to the Court of Justice of the European Union for a preliminary ruling, or for reply by reasoned order by way of Article 99 of the Rules of the European Court of Justice, or clarification under Article 101 of the Rules of the European Court of Justice, pursuant to Article 267 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The withdrawal of that point nonetheless necessitated the need to plead to it in the sense of providing written submissions on behalf of the respondent Minister. Costs thrown away are sought by the respondent Minister. The matter can be dealt with concisely. This request, as noted above, was made during the hearing of this appeal and without warning either to the Court or to the respondents. The point raised is that, in contrast to Article 8 of the Convention, pursuant to Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union an absolute and unqualified right is given to respect for family life and that this is not qualified by any entitlement of Member States to interfere with that right for reasons of security or to protect the freedoms of others. The argument being that once a right to family life arises, the immigration policy of the State for migrants becomes irrelevant and certainly cannot override that right. Article 8 of the Convention is quoted above. Here the argument is made that Article 8.1 has no equivalent to Article 8.2 when Article 7 of the Charter is construed. As a text, Article 7 of the Charter simply guarantees to everyone "the right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications."

45. It is important to point out in terms of the correct order as to costs, first of all, that no claim under Article 7 of the Charter was ever made in these proceedings up to the point where it was orally raised on this appeal. It is not a ground relied upon in the statement to ground the application for judicial review, nor is it in the originating notice of motion and nor is it one of the grounds of appeal. There is, secondly, no application to enlarge the grounds, and such an application might be granted only in the most extraordinary circumstances at this stage of the proceedings. Article 51 of the Charter makes it clear that it is addressed "to the institutions and bodies of the Union" but only "when they are implementing Union law." Furthermore, the text of Article 51.2 baldly states that it "does not establish any new power or task for the community or the Union, or modify powers and tasks defined by the Treaties." Deportation is a function that is subject to the European Convention on Human Right
E.A. & P.A. -v- Minister for Justice & Ireland and the Attorney General

Publisher Ireland: High Court Publication Date 7 September 2012 Citation / Document Symbol 2012 IEHC 371 Cite as E.A. & P.A. -v- Minister for Justice & Ireland and the Attorney General, 2012 IEHC 371, Ireland: High Court, 7 September 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,IRL_HC,58b43ff74.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

THE HIGH COURT



JUDICIAL REVIEW [2012 No. 478 J.R.]







BETWEEN/

E.A. AND P.A. (AN INFANT SUING BY HIS FATHER AND NEXT FRIEND E.A.) APPLICANTSAND

MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY, IRELAND AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RESPONDENTS

JUDGMENT of Mr. Justice Hogan delivered the 7th day of September 2012

1. This application for an interlocutory injunction presents again in acute form the difficult dilemma which has confronted both officialdom and the courts on numerous occasions in the last decade or so, namely, how should the constitutional rights of a young child to the care and company of his parents be weighed against the interests of the State in effective immigration control and the general integrity of the asylum system?

2. The first named applicant, E.A, ("Mr. A."). is the father of the second named applicant P.A. ("P"). Mr. A. entered the State on the 7th June, 2005 and applied for asylum on the following day. He was later to marry a fellow Nigerian national, Ms.E.O. ("Ms. O.") in the State on the 19th December, 2006. Ms. O. was previously given a declaration of refugee status on the 4th April, 2005 and is a qualified nurse. Mr. A. and Ms. O. are the parents of P., who was born in the State on the 5th October, 2007 and who is an Irish citizen.

3. In his asylum application Mr. A. had claimed to be a Sudanese national and he further claimed his father was dead, but that his mother and siblings were resident in the Sudan. He had contended that he had fled from the Janjaweed militia who had attacked his village on several occasions and as a result of which his father had died. The asylum claim failed before the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. In the course of the appeal the Tribunal member had expressed serious reservations about the credibility of the claim with regard to Sudanese nationality and found that it was unlikely that the first named applicant was Sudanese.

4. It is hardly a surprise that against that background the Minster refused to grant Mr. A. a declaration of refugee status, but the applicant then applied for subsidiary protection and for application for leave to remain pursuant to the Immigration Act 1999. It then emerged in correspondence emanating from the applicant's solicitor in September 2009, that Mr. A. was in fact born in Nigeria and is entitled to Nigerian citizenship. While Mr. A. had claimed that his father was a Sudanese national and that he feared that his father was dead, the declaration supplied by Mr. A's father to the Minister not merely shows that these fears were not well founded, but that Mr. A.'s father is in fact also a Nigerian national. On that basis, therefore, that application for subsidiary protection was rejected in December 2009. Mr. A. was actually deported from the State on the 28th April, 2010. It now seems that he re-entered on the 5th December, 2010, and claims that he returned via the United Kingdom using a British passport arranged with the help of a friend.

5. The parents have been separated since September 2008 and a formal decree of judicial separation was granted by the Circuit Court in November 2011. P lives with his mother in Dublin and Mr. A resides in Galway. At the same time, Mr. A. claims that he has a close bond with his son and they meet at least once week. Indeed, the presence of his son in Ireland is the reason why Mr. A. states that he took the wholly unlawful step of returning to Ireland in open defiance of the deportation order which excluded him from this State. At the same time, it would not appear that Mr. A, is in a position lawfully to support his son financially. Nor can there by any realistic suggestion that P will leave either Ireland or, for that matter, the territory of the European Union, were his father to be deported afresh. After all, Ms. O has refugee status and P. is himself an Irish citizen.

6. A further consideration is that Mr. A. has engaged in a manifest deception of the Minister and his officials. Although the couple separated in September 2008, the Minister was not informed of his fact. On the contrary, Mr. A. frequently represented to the Minister that they were living together as a family unit. Thus, for example, on 20th April 2009 the applicant's solicitors wrote to the Minister informing him that the "couple and their son live together as a family unit." It is not disputed but that Mr. A. engaged in such egregious deception because he thought that he would have a better chance of securing a more favourable decision from the Minister.

7. There is no question at all but that if one looked at this matter from the perspective of Mr. A.. his outrageous conduct would have plainly disentitled him to any prospect of relief. There is no doubt whatever but that the State's interest in deterring such unlawful behaviour is very high. Here again, however, the court must, unfortunately, shut its eyes to his illegal and deceitful conduct in the higher interests of protecting the welfare and interests of the child: see, e.g., my own judgments in Oboh v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2012] IEHC 102 and AO v. Minister for Justice and Equality (No.2) [2012] IEHC 79. While the preservation of the integrity of the asylum system and, indeed, the integrity of the judicial process are of vital importance, in matters of this kind the court must, where possible, give primacy to the constitutional right of the child to the care and company of his parents in the manner envisaged by Article 42.1 of the Constitution. But before considering this issue, it is necessary first to consider the arguments advanced based on the decision of the Court of Justice in Case C-34/00 Ruiz-Zambrano [2011] E.C.R. I-000.

The arguments based on Ruiz-Zambrano

8. In Ruiz-Zambrano the applicants were a Columbian couple residing in Belgium, the second and third of whose children were Belgian. Their asylum application in Belgium had been unsuccessful, although the Belgian authorities could not return them to Colombia by reason of the risks to their safety presented by the on-going civil conflict in that country. Although the father of the children had previously been working and had paid social security contributions in Belgium, he was refused unemployment benefit by reason of his illegal status. Critical to the issues in the case was that the second and third children had Belgian citizenship and, accordingly, were European citizens for the purposes of Article 20 TFEU. The applicants argued that if the father could not obtain the benefit of social security contributions, the children would be obliged to leave Belgium and, indeed, the territory of the Union itself, thus setting at naught one of the essential elements of European citizenship, namely, the right to live in the territory of the Union.

9. Following a reference from the Belgian courts, the Court of Justice held as follows:-

42. In those circumstances, Article 20 TFEU precludes national measures which have the effect of depriving citizens of the Union of the genuine enjoyment of the substance of the rights conferred by virtue of their status as citizens of the Union....

43. A refusal to grant a right of residence to a third country national with dependent minor children in the Member State where those children are nationals and reside, and also a refusal to grant such a person a work permit, has such an effect.

44. It must be assumed that such a refusal would lead to a situation where those children, citizens of the Union, would have to leave the territory of the Union in order to accompany their parents. Similarly, if a work permit were not granted to such a person, he would risk not having sufficient resources to provide for himself and his family, which would also result in the children, citizens of the Union, having to leave the territory of the Union. In those circumstances, those citizens of the Union would, as a result, be unable to exercise the substance of the rights conferred on them by virtue of their status as citizens of the Union.

45. Accordingly, the answer to the questions referred is that Article 20 TFEU is to be interpreted as meaning that it precludes a Member State from refusing a third country national upon whom his minor children, who are European Union citizens, are dependent, a right of residence in the Member State of residence and nationality of those children, and from refusing to grant a work permit to that third country national, in so far as such decisions deprive those children of the genuine enjoyment of the substance of the rights attaching to the status of European Union citizen."

10. As I pointed out in AO v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2012] IEHC 79 Ruiz-Zambrano turns on factors:

11. So far as the present case is concerned, it cannot be said that there is any real prospect that P. will be obliged to leave the territory of the Union were his father to be deported. Recalling here that the parents are separated and that the child resides with its mother in Dublin, there would seem to be little reason why Ms. O. would agree to have the child moved to Nigeria with its father. Ms. O., after all, has refugee status and the child is an Irish citizen. The overwhelming likelihood is that the mother and child will remain in Ireland for the foreseeable future.

12. In these circumstances, just as was the case on the facts of AO (No.2), the applicant cannot lay claim to any Zambrano rights. Counsel for the applicant, Mr. O'Shea, argued forcefully that my interpretation of Zambrano as set out in AO (No.2) was incorrect and should not be followed. While aspects of Zambrano may well be clarified by the Court of Justice in the coming years, the key aspect of the decision is perfectly plain, namely, that the non-national parent (or parents) of a EU national dependent child cannot be deported if the practical effect of that decision would be likely to result in that child having to leave the territory of the Union. In effect, the Court held that a Member State cannot indirectly bring about a situation where an EU citizen is effectively deprived of the substance of one of the key incidents of that right of citizenship, namely, the right to reside in and be brought up on the territory of the Union.

13. This analysis was general confirmed by the subsequent decision of the Court of Justice in the course of its judgment in Case C-256/11, Dereci [2011] E.C.R. I-000. Here the issues which had been referred by the Austrian courts arose from decisions of the Austrian authorities to refuse residence permits to third country nationals who had married Austrian citizens. In some of the cases, the couples had children who were Austrian nationals. On the general Zambrano issue the Court of Justice stated:-

14. It follows, therefore, that the applicant cannot raise a fair question so far as the Ruiz-Zambrano arguments are concerned, precisely because there is no real prospect that the deportation of the applicant would bring about a situation where P. would be compelled to leave Ireland or, for that matter, the territory of the Union. In those circumstances, there are no grounds for contending that Mr. A. is entitled to an interlocutory injunction restraining his deportation on Zambrano grounds.

The constitutional rights of the child

15. The question of the constitutional right of the child to the care and company of its parents have already been well ventilated by me in my judgments in AO (No.2) and AO (No. 3). More importantly, the Supreme Court has frequently confirmed that this is a core constitutional value which is inherent in the entire structure of Article 41 and Article 42: see, e.g., Re JH (an infant) [1985] I.R. 375, 394-395, per Finlay C.J. As I pointed out in AO (No.2):

16. A practical consideration in the present case is that Mr. A. - whatever about his other failings - has sought to take an active role in the rearing of his son. How, then, would be P. be affected if his father were to be deported? In all likelihood the Ms. O. and P. would remain indefinitely in Ireland and it is not clear to me how father and son could continue to have any meaningful contact if Mr. A. were deported. After all, the very fact that Ms. O. were granted refugee status in itself provides that clearest possible indicator that she could not be expected to travel to Nigeria, even assuming that the family could afford to make such a trip or that Ms. O. would otherwise to do so. In all probability, therefore, if Mr. A. were to be deported, it would mean that P. would never see him again during his minority.

17. In these circumstances, I am therefore coerced to the conclusion that there abundant grounds for suggesting that the substance of P.'s constitutional right to the care and company of his father would be denied were his father to be deported. This would ordinarily be sufficient in itself to justify the grant of an interlocutory injunction restraining the deportation of Mr. A., his disreputable and egregious conduct notwithstanding. It is obvious that damages are not an adequate remedy and the balance of convenience suggests that the child's right to the care and company must be accorded due weight and protection. But before reaching this conclusion, it is necessary to examine the submissions of counsel with regard to the weight of precedent on this issue.

Stare decisis and the rights of the family in deportation cases

18. Counsel for the Minister, Mr. Conlan Smyth, argued that my own decisions in AO (No.2) and AO (No.3) were wrongly decided, contending specifically that I failed in my own judgment to address the implications of the decision of Clark J. in Alli v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2009] IEHC 595, [2010] 4 IR 45. For his part, Mr. O'Shea responds by saying that Clark J. herself did not apply the reasoning in Alli in her most recent judgment on this topic, S. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2011] IEHC 417. This has brought into sharp focus the question of the consistency of the relevant decisions of this Court on this general topic.

19. In my own case, while I previously deferred to the reasoning in Alli (and other similar decisions) in my own judgment I. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2011] IEHC 66, it might be also said that my own subsequent judgments in XA. v. Minister for Justice [2011] IEHC 397 and AO (No.2) and AO (No.3) cannot be readily aligned with the decision in Alli. Given these cross-currents of judicial opinion, it seems desirable to consider the matter afresh from first principles.

20. The starting point is, perhaps, the decision of Clarke J. in Kadri v. Governor of Cloverhill Prison [2012] IESC 27 where he stated with reference to the precedential status of earlier High Court decisions that a "court should not lightly depart from a previous decision of the same court unless there are strong reasons, in accordance with that jurisprudence, for so doing." Clarke J. thus expressly confirmed a long line of well known authorities, ranging from Irish Trust Bank Ltd. v. Central Bank of Ireland [1976-1977] I.L.R.M. 50 to Re Worldport Ltd. [2005] IEHC 189.

21. Turning to the substantive issue, it is clear that the constitutional rights of the family are not absolute, for all the reasons set out by the Supreme Court in AO and DL v. Minister for Justice [2003] 1 I.R. 1. Yet it is also clear that the result in that case turned on the fact that the parents in that case had indicated that they would take the young dependent children with them in the event that the parents were deported or, at least, that the Minister had assumed that they would do so: see, e.g., the comments of Keane C.J. ([2003] 1 I.R. 1, 13) and those of Murray J. ([2003] 1 I.R. 1, 65).

22. It is true that aspects of the reasoning and conclusion in AO and DL may well have to be reconsidered in the light of the reasoning of the Court of Justice in Ruiz-Zambrano insofar as any of future case of this kind comes within the scope of EU law. Yet it seems equally plain that AO and DL does not directly concern a case of the present kind where, of necessity, the effect of the deportation of his father to Nigeria would be to deprive an Irish citizen child of the opportunity of any real personal contact with his father, not least in circumstances where his mother has been given refugee status in this State, so that it would be unrealistic to expect her to travel to Nigeria.

23. It is true that Alli suggests - or, at least, might be thought to suggest - the contrary. After all, the citizen children in that case - two twin girls - were just over five years of age, more or less the same age as P in the present case. The parents were Nigerian nationals. Ms. Alli had been given permission to stay in the State under the IBC 05 Scheme and she stated that she was not prepared to return to Nigeria with her children, even if her husband - who had arrived illegally in the State after IBC05 permission to reside had been give to the wife - were to be deported.

24. In a comprehensive judgment, Clark J. considered that the issue was essentially determined by AO and DL ([2010] 4 IR 45,73):

25. So far as the proportionality exercise was concerned, the Minister was fully aware of the applicant's representations in relation to Mr. Alli's contributions to family life:

26. Clark J. went on to uphold the proportionality of the assessment made by the Minister:

27. In KI, I summarised the effect of Alli (and the other similar case-law decided around this time) in the following terms:

28. There is, of course, an immediate difference between Alli and the present case in that Ms. O. has no choice worth speaking of. Unlike the mother in Alli who availed of a special permission given under the IBC 05 Scheme, Ms. O. has been given asylum here, so that the act of her returning to Nigeria would be inconsistent with the grant of such status. That difference is in itself sufficient to take this case out of the ambit of Alli.

29. But over and above those considerations, the subsequent case-law has inched away from the position set out in Alli. This is, I think, evident from Clark J.'s own judgment in S. In that case the applicants were also Nigerian who had married in the State in early 2003. The wife had received status by virtue of the fact that she had given birth to a Irish citizen child. The husband (who had entered the State illegally and had unsuccessfully applied for asylum) was suddenly deported a few weeks after the marriage, even though the wife was pregnant again.

30. In 2009 the couple applied to have the deportation revoked. By this stage the wife was rearing two young sons on her own, but she (and they) had visited her husband on a number of occasions in Nigeria. The Minister had refused to revoke the deportation order, citing factors such as the adaptability of the children, the fact that they were entitled to Nigerian citizenship and the integrity of the asylum system.

31. Clark J. quashed the Minister's decision saying:

32. Clark J. went on to say that:

33. It is true that Clark J. saw the family in S. as effectively settled migrants. But by the same token in the present case Ms. O. and P. would have to be regarded as settled migrants. P., of course, is not a migrant at all, but rather an Irish citizen and Ms. O. has made her home here, having been given refuge by the Irish state.

34. So far as the children are concerned, both in S. and in this case, however, the effect of the deportation order was (or would be) more or less the same, namely, that they would be effectively deprived of their constitutional right to the care and company of their father. This would be especially true in the present case, as the reality is, as we have already noted, P. is unlikely to see his father again were he to be deported to Nigeria.

35. Similar views were expressed by me in both XA and in the decisions in AO. In XA I found that the probable effect of the deportation of the father to Nigeria was that the Irish citizen mother would be left to rear their Irish citizen child alone. Given, moreover, that she was unemployed and dependent on social security, the prospect that she could even visit Nigeria was in the circumstances an unreal one:

36. I went on to say that I could not agree with the views which Clark J. had herself expressed a year previously in U. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2010] IEHC 371, a case with broadly similar facts to the cases under consideration. In U. Clark J. had said:

37. I then went to say that I found myself coerced not to follow the reasoning in U.:

38. AO I grant a limited interlocutory injunction restraining the deportation of the Nigerian father of an Irish citizen child where the Irish citizen mother had had an acrimonious falling out with the father once his deceptions and criminal conduct had been brought to her attention. Here again I concluded that as the effect of the deportation might well lead to a situation where the father would never even see his child again, if the substance of the child's constitutional right to his care and company was to be preserved, it was necessary to grant some form of interlocutory relief.

39. Given these cross-currents of judicial opinion, it seems to me that the applicant can readily meet the Campus Oil standards of arguability. While readily acknowledging the desirability of maintaining judicial consistency, on further reflection I have come to the conclusion that the issue is so fundamental that faced with a choice between decisions such as Alli and U. on the one hand and S, XA and the AO decisions on the other, I would respectfully opt for the latter decisions, at least in those cases where the effect of the deportation order would be to split up the family and to deprive the children of the essence of their constitutional rights to the care and company of their parents by condemning them to a childhood without one of their parents. Moreover, it must be recalled that while Article 8 ECHR simply guarantees the right "to respect" for family life, some weight must be given to the even more emphatic description of family rights contained in Article 41 - "inalienable and imprescriptible" - even if those rights are not, of course, to be regarded as absolute. It is for these particular reasons that I consider that in the light of the comments of Clarke J. in Kadri I would feel justified in taking this step.

Conclusions

40. In summary, therefore, I would conclude as follows:

i. The applicant has manipulated the asylum system and has engaged in egregiously wrongful conduct. He has no personal merits which would entitle him to administrative or judicial protection.

ii. The applicant is not entitled to rely on the decision of the Court of Justice in Zambrano. Given that the mother has refugee status in this State, she cannot realistically be expected to return to or even visit Nigeria and there is almost no prospect that the effect of the deportation order would be to result in the child leaving Ireland or the territory of the Union.

iii. The court must, however, approach this application not from the perspective of the father, but rather from that of the child. It must accordingly seek to ensure, where possible, that the substance of the constitutional right of the child as guaranteed by Article 42.1 to the care and company of his parents is protected.

iv. In the present case, were Mr. A. to be deported, the likelihood is that the child would have no further personal contact with him during his minority, thus depriving the child of the essence of that constitutional right.

v. It is reason that I consider that Mr. A. has satisfied the Campus Oil criteria and I will therefore grant an interlocutory injunction restraining his deportation. I will discuss with counsel the form of that order and will give further directions for the early hearing of this application.
Afghanistan's Third Gender People

Publisher Institute for War and Peace Reporting Author Mahafoz-ul-Haq Publication Date 24 February 2017 Citation / Document Symbol ARR 567 Cite as Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Afghanistan's Third Gender People, 24 February 2017, ARR 567, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b442574.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Aimal, a 20-year old living in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, does not identify as either male or female. Instead, Aimal is "third gender," a category that does not fit typical definitions of masculine or feminine.

Regionally, there are ancient traditions surrounding this identification and the term has been legally recognised in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

In conservative Afghanistan, however, there is no such provision and those who do not conform to gender norms face discrimination and abuse.

In a shaking voice, Aimal explained that that life was utterly miserable.

"My parents treat my other brothers well, but I am treated as a slave and as a servant because of my gender and they think of me as a burden and disgrace to the family."

Having dropped out of school in the 9th grade when the bullying from other students became too much to bear, Aimal now earns a pittance working for a nearby tailor.

Aimal said that there were around 150 other third gender people in Nangarhar province, adding that many people tried to mask their identity for fear of abuse.

Weeping, Aimal continued, "People disrespect us and don't consider to be human beings. They abuse us in the streets as we go about our daily business. Even our families don't treat us well, but we too were created by Allah almighty and there's wisdom in the way God made us."

Aimal's father Mohammad Gulab, 53, said that he was deeply ashamed of his child.

"I wish Aimal had not been given to us by God, or that he had died in his childhood so that people would not abuse us," he said. "I fear for his future."

Third gender people in Afghanistan live in a legal and social limbo, with no rights in law and widespread ignorance of their community.

Numerous officials interviewed by IWPR on this subject simply laughed when asked about the issue or said that it was too shameful to discuss.

This is in contrast to neighbouring Pakistan, for instance, where in 2009 tens of thousands of people received identity cards recognizing them as third gender.

Mudasir Shah, a social activist and journalist from Khyber Pashtunkhwa, told IWPR in a telephone interview that there were more than 700,000 third gender people in Pakistan.

Although they are a marginalised community, often only able to earn money dancing at weddings or through sex work, they nonetheless had rights in law.

Shah said, "The federal state of Khayber Pashtunkhwa last month announced a dedicated budget for third gender communities," adding that the government had taken action after a sustained campaign by third gender groups.

However, there is little or no activism on third gender issues in Afghanistan. Even dedicated human rights groups said that they had no information on the subject.

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said that discrimination against third gender people was not an issue that they had ever addressed.

"I have no any information or knowledge and [AIHRC] has not conducted any investigations about this," said Hashima Sharifa, representing the AIHRC in eastern Afghanistan.

Spokesman Bilal Sidiqui also told IWPR, "AIHRC has not conducted any research or represented them, however if they present their concerns as a group the commission will pass these on to the authorities."

He agreed that legislation should exist to protect their rights, adding, "Our suggestion to the Afghan government would be to make effective programmes for the rights of third gender communities."

The legal issue is a particular problem as Afghanistan's justice system mandates different penalties for male and female criminals.

Mangal Sherzad, a law professor at Nangarhar university, said that this should have been addressed when Afghanistan's new body of law was put together after the fall of the Taleban in 2001.

He told IWPR, "Afghanistan's lawmakers should have included and protected third gender people's rights while writing the constitution, but this was ignored."

Officials in the judiciary acknowledge that there is a legal loophole when it comes to those who do not conform to gender norms.

Mohammad Wali Hashimi, director of Nangaahar's court of appeal told IWPR, "In some exceptional cases we can seek help from the forensic medicine department in order to determine their sexuality. If they have more dominant masculine characteristics the male punishment would be imposed, and if they had more feminine characteristics the female punishment would be applied."

He declined to elaborate as to what kind of exceptional circumstances he was referring to.

Abdul Qadir, director of the Afghan population registry also said they had no data on the number of third sex people in the country.

"There is no specific law regarding this, and we can only register them as neutral," he said. "We have nothing to do with any other rights and privileges."

Despite widespread prejudice, Islamic scholars said that there was no basis in Sharia for discriminating again third gender people.

Religious expert Fazlullah Mumtaz told IWPR that Islam gave rights to all people, regardless of their gender identity.

"Any kind of misbehaviour, mistreatment, ridicule or making them feel ashamed are against Islamic teachings," he said, adding, "Third gender people are creatures of Allah and laughing and mocking them is a major sin in Islam, akin to laughing at Allah almighty's creation."

He said that third gender people also had equal rights when it came to legal issues such as inheritance law, and called for imams to highlight the issue in their Friday sermons as a means of educating people about the subject.

Marginalised and isolated, third gender people often turn to sex work to survive.

Social affairs expert Shaf-ul-allah said that abuse and exploitation was a common experience among the community.

"Experience shows that third gender people are often rejected by their families and forced to flee their homes, and eventually people sexually abuse them," he said.

This is an ever-present risk for Muska, who identifies as female and told IWPR said she originally had been named Muskan.

"I don't like to be called by the name my family gave me, but I feel happy when somebody uses the name Muska," she said, adding that her family had rejected her after she came out to them.

"When I put on makeup, every member of my family laughed at me and this made me furious," she continued.

Muska added, "When I wanted to visit my third gender friends in Jalalabad city [the provincial capital] my family threatened and warned me. They told me that I was humiliating the entire family and that I had to stop," she said.

Their hostility escalated to a dangerous point, she continued.

"My family threatened to kill me on many occasions. One time I really though they were going to do it because my existence was so shameful to them."

Now living in a rented room near Jalalabad's central market with another third gender person, Muska said her life was much happier, despite the ongoing threat of abuse.

She and her friend earned a little money dancing at weddings, expecting to be paid between 15 and 40 US dollars a time.

But the threat of sexual exploitation remained constant.

"Sometimes rich people come to the market and ask us to have sex with them," she continued. "Sometimes it's even policemen who ask us for sex."

This report was produced under IWPR's Promoting Human Rights and Good Governance in Afghanistan initiative, funded by the European Union Delegation to Afghanistan.

Copyright notice:  Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Dos Santos & Ors v. Minister for Justice and Equality & Ors

Publisher Ireland: Court of Appeal Publication Date 30 July 2015 Citation / Document Symbol [2015] IECA 210 Cite as Dos Santos & Ors v. Minister for Justice and Equality & Ors, [2015] IECA 210, Ireland: Court of Appeal, 30 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,IRL_CA,58b447e04.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

THE COURT OF APPEALNeutral Citation Number: [2015] IECA 210

Ryan P.

Finlay Geoghegan J.

Peart J. Appeal No.: 2015/56IN THE MATTER OF THE REFUGEE ACT, 1996 (AS AMENDED), IN THE MATTER OF THE IMMIGRATION ACT, 1999 (AS AMENDED) AND IN THE MATTER OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (TRAFFICKING) ACT, 2000

ODENIS RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS, ANTONIA ALEXANDRE DE MORAIS, ITALO ALEXANDRE DUARTE, CAMILA ALEXANDRE DUARTE (A MINOR SUING BY HER FATHER AND NEXT FRIEND, ODENIS RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS), KARINE ALEXANDRE RODRIGUES (A MINOR SUING BY HER FATHER AND NEXT FRIEND, ODENIS RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS), GIOVANNA ALEXANDRE RODRIGUES (A MINOR SUING BY HER FATHER AND NEXT FRIEND, ODENIS RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS), JOAO ALEXANDRE RODRIGUES (A MINOR SUING BY HIS FATHER AND NEXT FRIEND, ODENIS RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS)APPLICANTS/APPELLANTS-AND-

THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND IRELANDRESPONDENTS

JUDGMENT of the Court delivered by Ms. Justice Finlay Geoghegan delivered on the 30th of July 2015

1. The appellants all members of a Brazilian family who arrived in Ireland at various dates between 2002 and 2007. They appeal against the judgment of the High Court (McDermott J.) of the 19th November, 2014, and an order of the 21st January, 2015, made pursuant thereto. The High Court dismissed the appellants' application by way of judicial review for orders of certiorari quashing the decisions of the respondent Minister making deportation orders in respect of the applicants. The trial judge by order of the same date certified that his decision to refuse the reliefs sought by the applicants involved points of law of exceptional public importance and that it was desirable in the public interest that an appeal should be taken to the Court of Appeal. The trial judge identified and set out five points of law which have focused and informed the appeal.

2. The appeal was heard with the appeal in C.I. and Others v. Minister for Justice and Equality and Others in which judgment is also being delivered today. The appeal raises similar issues in relation to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights to that raised in the appeal of C.I. albeit in a context where the trial judge did not consider the Minister to be in error in the approach taken in addressing the question recommended by Lord Bingham of Cornhill, in his majority opinion Regina (Razgar) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2004] UKHL 27,[2004] 2 AC 368. This appeal raises additional issues which require determination.



Background Facts

3. The applicants are all Brazilian nationals and a family unit consisting of a father, mother, and five children. At the time of the hearing of the appeal, the mother had returned to Brazil by reason of the illness of her father. The father and five children remain in Ireland. The father had arrived in Ireland lawfully on a work permit in 2002. It expired in 2003. Nevertheless he remained in the State, continued initially to work and paid all appropriate taxes without the relevant immigration permission. In 2007, he was stopped by gardai at a routine road check in Roscommon and was requested to present his passport to an immigration officer in Roscommon. His unlawful status was discovered and he was subsequently refused permission to remain in the State. He was then sent a letter pursuant to s. 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and after some initial difficulties in relation to receipt of letters, ultimately a solicitor took up correspondence with the Minister and made submissions under the Act of 1999. However, a deportation order was made on the 12th March, 2012.

4. The mother arrived in Ireland in 2003, and appears to have purported to enter the State for the purpose of a holiday with her brother who was in the State on a work permit. Three of the children came into the State in February 2007, accompanied by an uncle who resided in Ireland and the two further children came into the State in either June 2006 or 2007, again accompanied by their uncle.

5. By 2009 the father had ceased employment and was in receipt of unemployment benefit. In the course of his application to remain in Ireland, the remaining members of the family came to the attention of the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS). Correspondence was sent by solicitors on their behalf. In August 2011, the Minister indicated that he was proposing to consider the deportation of each of the applicants. Thereafter further submissions were made by solicitors on their behalf with limited submissions made on behalf the children identifying the schools being attended and the progress being made. The applicants' solicitors sent letters in September and October 2011.

6. The applicants have never made an application for asylum, notwithstanding the reference to the Refugee Act in the title to the proceedings.

7. An examination of file in relation to the father was concluded on the 10th February, 2012 and the official recommended that the Minister make a deportation order. A separate examination of file was concluded in respect of the mother and five children on the 13th February, 2012 which also recommended deportation of all. On the 12th March, 2012, the Minister made deportation orders in respect of all members of the family. Leave to apply for judicial review was granted by the High Court (MacEochaidh J.) on the 30th May, 2013. The post leave grounds of challenge and the grounds of appeal pursued on behalf of the children applicants are similar as the trial judge rejected each of the grounds pursued. In summary they fall under three headings:

2. The alleged obligation of the Minister pursuant to s. 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 as amended when construed in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to consider and treat as a primary consideration the best interests of the child when making a decision whether or not to deport the child.

3. The approach to and determination as to whether Article 8 of the Convention on Human Rights was engaged in relation to a potential interference with the child's right to private life.

8. In the appeal whilst the father and the mother remained nominally joined in the appeal, the focus of the appeal was the children's rights and in substance the appeal was pursued on behalf of the children appellants.



Article 40.3

9. The appellants submit that a non-national child, such as one of the applicant children herein, who is not a citizen and is not lawfully present in the State has as part of his or her personal rights protected by Article 40.3 of the Constitution, a right to a private life in the State including a right to remain in the State and continue to participate in a community life established while in the State. The trial judge at paras. 28 to 41 of his judgment carefully considered relevant authorities in relation to the rights under the Constitution, including Article 40.3 of children who are not citizens of the State and who are present in the State albeit without lawful permission. As appears, the authorities make clear that such children do have rights protected by the Constitution whilst present in the State. They have in particular rights guaranteed to them as a member of a family pursuant to Articles 41 and 42 and also certain personal rights under Article 40.3. These latter rights may include rights such as those identified by O'Higgins C.J. in G. v. An Bord Uchtala [1980] I.R. 32 (at pp. 55 to 56) and rights to fair procedures referred to by the trial judge

10. Whilst at certain points the trial judge referred to these children as non-national children the essential difference in relation to the present claim pursuant to Article 40.3 is between children who are citizens of the State and those who are not. The decision of the Supreme Court in Oguekwe v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2008] 3 IR 795, related to citizen children (of non-national parents) who were determined to have a constitutionally protected right to live in the State. It is the citizenship which grants such a constitutional right protected by Article 40.3. The children in these proceedings do not have any such personal right within the meaning of Article 40.3. Persons who are not citizens may be given a right by law or permission by executive decision to live in the State.

11. The trial judge was, in my judgement, correct in the conclusion reached from a consideration of relevant authorities of the Supreme Court that he could not be satisfied that the applicant children not being citizens of the State have a personal right within the meaning of Article 40.3 to remain in the State and/or participate in community life in the State.



Interpretation of s. 3(6)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended

12. The appellants make a subtle submission in reliance on Article 3(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as to the proper interpretation of s. 3(6)(a) of the 1999 Act, insofar as it applies to consideration by the Minister of deportation of a child. Article 3(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides as follows:-

The Convention has been ratified by Ireland. However, it has not been implemented by an Act of the Oireachtas and it is accepted on behalf of the appellants that by reason of Article 29.6 of the Constitution, it does not form part of the domestic law of the State.

13. Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 as amended, obliges the Minister in determining whether to make a deportation order in relation to a person to have regard to eleven matters set out in paras. (a) to (k) inclusive "so far as they appear or are known to the Minister". The matter specified in para. (a) is "the age of the person". The appellants submit that s. 3(6)(a) of the 1999 Act, is open to two interpretations: (1) the Minister must simply make a correct assessment of the age of the person and note same or (2) if the Minister determines that the person is a child (or, it was submitted, a person of advanced years) then he is required to give some further special consideration to the possible deportation of that person.

14. The appellants submit that the latter is the preferred interpretation and they submit that notwithstanding Article 29.6 of the Constitution and the fact that the Oireachtas has not enacted into domestic law the Convention on the Rights of the Child that s. 3(6)(a) should be interpreted in the manner consistent with the State's obligation under relevant international law i.e. Article 3(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In doing so, they rely upon the majority judgment of Henchy J. in O'Domhnaill v. Merrick [1984] I.R. 151, where in a claim to dismiss for inordinate and inexcusable delay proceedings initiated within the time limit provided by the Statute of Limitations 1957, in relation to a submission made in reliance on Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights having noted that the Convention was not part of domestic law, Henchy J. stated at p. 159:-

15. In reliance on this principle the appellants submit that where the Minister learns from the age of the person that he or she is a child the words used in s. 3(6) should be interpreted as requiring the Minister to consider the child's best interests as "a primary consideration" when determining whether or not to make a deportation order in respect of the child in order that it conform with Article 3(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

16. The trial judge accepted, correctly in my view, that s. 3(6) specifies matters to which the Minister must have regard which are relevant factors pertaining to the best interests of a child but that it cannot be construed as requiring that the best interests of the child be a "primary consideration" in determining whether or not to make a deportation order. As pointed out by Fennelly J. in Kavanagh v. Governor or Mountjoy Prison [2002] 3 IR 97, where the Government, having entered into an international agreement, wishes its terms to have effect in domestic law it may ask the Oireachtas to pass the necessary legislation, but if it does not do so, then Article 29.6 applies.

17. The Oireachtas, in requiring in s. 3(6) of the 1999 Act that the Minister have regard to the age of a person, intends inter alia that he identify whether the person is or is not a child, and if so of what age, and then consider the remaining relevant matters set out in s. 3(6) to a child of that age. Amongst the other matters are: (b) duration in the State; (c) family circumstances; (d) connection with the State and (h) humanitarian considerations. Certain of these relate to the welfare or best interests of the child. However it is not permissible to interpret the words used in s.3(6) in the context of the full section and scheme of the 1999 Act as requiring the Minister, to consider the child's best interests as "a primary consideration" when determining whether or not to make a deportation order in respect of a child. There is nothing in the Act which warrants such an interpretation. To so interpret s. 3(6) of the 1999 Act would be in breach of Article 29.6 and the power of the Oireachtas to determine the implementation in domestic law of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

18. This interpretation is also reinforced by Article 42A of the Constitution which came into force only after the judgment of the trial judge. The type of decisions in respect of which laws must be enacted to provide that the best interests of the child shall be "the paramount consideration" pursuant to Article 42A.4.1 does not include a decision such as that to be taken by the Minister in relation to the deportation of a child.

19. It should be noted that whilst reference was made in submissions to Article 24.2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which provides "In all actions relating to children, whether taken by public authorities or private institutions, the child's bests interests must be a primary consideration", the deportation decisions taken by the Minister herein were not ones to which the Charter applies.

20. Accordingly, in my view the trial judge was correct in determining that s. 3(6)(a) of the 1999 Act cannot be interpreted as requiring the Minister, when he ascertains the age of the person and identifies that the person is a child, to treat as a primary consideration the best interests of the child or, as alternatively put, to expressly decide whether deportation is consistent with the child's best interests. The Minister must of course as pointed out by the trial judge have regard pursuant to s. 3(6) to a number of factors (in particular the family circumstances) which relate to the child's welfare or bests interests and in reaching his decision, take these into account.



Article 8 of ECHR

21. The examination of file of the mother and five children considered the impact of a deportation order on their rights to respect to private and family life under Article 8(1) of the ECHR. The author set out the five questions recommended by Lord Bingham in the decision in the House of Lords in Razgar. She then identifies, in considering the first question, that if the Minister decided to deport the mother and the five children that "this has the potential to be an interference with their right to respect for private life within the meaning of Article 8(1) of the ECHR. This relates to their educational and other social ties that they formed in the State as well as matters relating to their personal development since their arrival in the State". The examination of file then points out that no information had been submitted regarding the mother's personal development since arriving in the State. This was not disputed before the trial judge or on appeal.

22. The examination of file then set out the submission that the five children were then attending primary and secondary schools in the State and, in respect of the two elder children, stated their point in the secondary cycle, and in respect of the three younger children identified the primary schools, and in one case a class. It then quoted the correspondence received from the applicants' solicitors which, having acknowledged the fact that members of the family remained in the State without legal status, stated: "I am instructed that the children have settled in well and have made friends here and consider Ireland to be their home".

23. The official who conducted the examination of file, then concluded:-

24. In the examination of file of the father a different approach was taken by reason of the fact that he had initially arrived in the State and was given permission to remain in the State for approximately one year as he was in possession of a valid work permit. It was acknowledged that during that period he had the opportunity to develop links with his community and develop his private life in the State. The official then considered the proposed interference by deportation with that private life in accordance with the principles applicable to Article 8(2) and concluded and recommended that the signing of a deportation order was in accordance with law, pursued a pressing social need and legitimate aim and was necessary and proportionate. There was no challenge to the validity of that assessment and it was submitted on behalf of the children that a similar assessment pursuant to article 8(2) of the ECHR should have been conducted.

25. The trial judge having considered the facts, submissions and much of the relevant law of the ECtHR set out in my judgment delivered today in CI concluded at para. 67 of his judgment:-

He further considered the distinction made in the case law of ECtHR between the position of settled migrants and those who were never lawfully living in a country and stated at para. 80:-

26. The submissions made on behalf of the appellants against the conclusions reached by the trial judge on this issue were similar to those made in support of the judgment of MacEochaidh J. in CI. The applicants herein were represented by the same counsel as the applicants in CI.

27. For the reasons set out in my judgment in CI I have concluded that the trial judge herein was correct in the conclusion he reached in upholding the lawfulness of the approach in the examination of file conducted on behalf of the Minister in relation to the State's obligations pursuant to Article 8 ECHR and the Minister's consequent obligation pursuant to s.3(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, and further that the trial judge was correct in his conclusion that on the facts before the Minister the decision that the alleged interference with the right to private life under Article 8 did not have consequences of such gravity to potentially engage its operation was reasonable.



Conclusion

28. It follows that the trial judge was correct in dismissing the applicants' claim for Certiorari of the decisions of the Minister to make deportation orders in respect of the applicants. Accordingly I would dismiss the appeal herein.



Addendum

Since reaching the above conclusions and preparing a draft judgment in this and C.I. and Others v. Minister for Justice and Equality and Others my attention was drawn to the judgments delivered by the Supreme Court (MacMenamin J., Laffoy J. and Charleton J.) on 16th July 2015 in P.O & anor -v- Minister for Justice and Equality & ors [2015] IESC 64. The judgments of MacMenamin J. and Charleton J consider an assessment by the Minister of a right to private life pursuant to Article 8 ECHR. Since it appears to me that the views I had independently formed on the issue are not inconsistent with those of the Supreme Court in the recently delivered judgments it did not seem necessary to reconvene the parties. The judgments are not directly relevant to the other issues in this appeal.
Title Latvia: Regulations No. 74 of 2010, Regarding the Procedures for Reunification of Families of Refugees or Persons Having Acquired Alternative Status or Temporary Protection in the Republic of Latvia

Publication Date 26 January 2010

Country Latvia

Cite as Latvia: Regulations No. 74 of 2010, Regarding the Procedures for Reunification of Families of Refugees or Persons Having Acquired Alternative Status or Temporary Protection in the Republic of Latvia [Latvia], 26 January 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b44d114.html [accessed 6 November 2022]
Russia: Peaceful Protester Alleges Torture

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Russia: Peaceful Protester Alleges Torture, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b44dad4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

UPDATE: On February 10, 2017, Russia's Constitutional Court ruled that article 212.1 of Russia's Criminal Code should not be applied in cases where protesters did not constitute threat to society.

On February 22, Russia's Supreme Court quashed Dadin's criminal sentence, recognized his "right to rehabilitation," and ordered his release.

On February 26, Ildar Dadin was finally released.

(Moscow)  A man imprisoned in Russia for a series of peaceful individual protests has alleged that he was beaten, humiliated, and threatened with abuse and death in custody, Human Rights Watch said today. Authorities should immediately release the prisoner, Ildar Dadin, and promptly and effectively investigate his allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

Dadin, 34, is the first person in Russia convicted for "repeated breaches of public assembly rules," a draconian criminal law introduced in 2014.

"Russian authorities should immediately free Ildar Dadin," said Yulia Gorbunova, Russia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Dadin was convicted for nothing more than peacefully exercising his right to free expression, and that in turn has led to further serious physical abuse against him and even death threats."

In December 2015, a court in Moscow sentenced Dadin to three years in prison for holding peaceful one-person protests, reduced on appeal to 2.5 years. In September 2016, Dadin was moved to Segezha penal colony in northern Russia to serve his sentence.

Dadin's lawyer, Alexey Liptzer, told Human Rights Watch that when he met with his client on October 31, 2016, Dadin told him about severe beatings and death threats from prison guards, and made clear that he feared for his life. Liptzer said that Dadin refused to describe the specifics of his alleged ill-treatment because he feared being overheard by the guards or recorded on camera, but instead wrote details on a piece of paper. The lawyer copied the notes and shared the information with Dadin's wife and several Russian and international media outlets.

Dadin told his lawyer he was placed in solitary confinement almost immediately upon his arrival at the penal colony, on September 10. Dadin considered his solitary confinement an arbitrary reprimand, and went on a hunger strike. He said in his notes that three guards and the head of the facility came to see him on September 11 and beat him. He said he was beaten four more times that day with 10 to 12 people at a time kicking him. After the third beating, his assailants put his head in the toilet.

On September 12, Dadin said, he was handcuffed behind his back and hung from the handcuffs. After half an hour, the prison staff removed Dadin's underwear and threatened to order another prisoner to rape him unless he stopped the hunger strike. After that, the head of the colony on several occasions threatened that the beatings would become more severe or that he might be killed if he filed a complaint or didn't follow instructions.

Dadin's wife, Anastasia Zotova, told Human Rights Watch that she had written numerous letters to her husband but that the last communication she received from him was on September 1, nine days before he was transferred to the penal colony.

"Ensuring Dadin's safety and investigating these horrendous torture allegations should be of immediate and paramount concern," Gorbunova said.

On November 1, Russia's Novaya Gazeta reported that the penal colony administration confirmed that the prison guards had to resort to "physical force" and "special methods" against Dadin after he allegedly refused to leave his cell and started "grabbing the colony staff by their clothes."

Torture in custody is a regular occurrence in Russia, as documented by Public Verdict Foundation, the Committee Against Torture, and other independent groups that monitor misconduct and violations by law enforcement agencies and provide legal assistance to torture victims.

Since 2012, Russia's parliament has adopted a slew of new laws severely restricting freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. Amendments adopted in 2014 made it a criminal offense to repeatedly violate public assembly regulations, punishable by up to five years in prison. Police arbitrary detained Dadin several times in 2015 for individual peaceful protests. His first violation was for protesting the conviction of peaceful activists for participating in the mass demonstration at Bolotnaya Square on the eve of Vladimir Putin's presidential inauguration in May 2012. Dadin was detained four more times for similar "offenses," which included a peaceful protest against Russia's role in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The authorities have opened similar criminal proceedings against several other people who carried out one-person protests, including Vladimir Ionov, 76, an outspoken critic of Russia's role in eastern Ukraine. Ionov fled Russia in August.

Russian authorities often arbitrarily refuse to give the required permission for public protests organized by government critics or the political opposition, and punish protesters participating in unsanctioned peaceful gatherings and single-person pickets.

The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Russian Constitution, as well as in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), treaties to which Russia is a party. As the European Court of Human Rights has made clear, the freedom to take part in a peaceful assembly is of such importance that a person cannot be subject to a sanction  even a minor one  for participation in a demonstration that has not been prohibited, so long as this person does not commit an act of violence or similar crime. The court said that in instances in which demonstrators do not engage in acts of violence, it is important for the public authorities to show tolerance toward peaceful gatherings for freedom of assembly to have real meaning.

After his conviction in December, Amnesty International designated Dadin a prisoner of conscience.

"Dadin's imprisonment symbolizes Russian authorities' quickly diminishing tolerance for dissent," Gorbunova said. "This relentless crushing of peaceful dissent and egregious abuses in detention need to stop."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. announces that a lawsuit was filed for certain purchasers of shares of Aetna Inc (NYSE:AET) over alleged Securities Laws Violations by Aetna Inc.

Investors, who purchased shares of Aetna Inc (NYSE:AET), have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554.

In July 2015, Aetna entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Humana Inc.

In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and others filed a civil complaint against Aetna and Humana asserting that the proposed Acquisition of Humana Inc by Aetna would violate antitrust laws. One of the main issues raised by the DOJ was Aetna and Humanas commitment to the Affordable Care Acts Public Exchanges. According to the DOJ, the proposed merger would lead to a loss of competition on the public exchanges in 17 counties in Georgia, Missouri, and Florida, counties in which Aetna and Humana both compete.

In August 2016, Aetnas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer announced that Aetna would withdraw its participation in 11 of its 15 state Public Exchanges beginning in 2017, including Aetnas participation in the 17 counties identified by the DOJ.

On January 23, 2017, the judge presiding over the DOJ case entered a Memorandum Opinion enjoining the proposed merger between Aetna and Humana after finding, that Aetnas senior executives did not view withdrawing from the 17 compliant counties as a business decision, but rather as a way of improving Aetnas litigation position.

On January 25, 2017, a lawsuit was filed against Aetna over alleged securities laws violations. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that Aetna and its senior executives attempted to leverage Aetna's participation in the Public Exchanges for favorable treatment from regulators regarding the Humana acquisition, that the Company threatened to limit its participation in public health insurance exchanges if the DOJ attempted to block the merger, that Aetna did not withdraw from certain public health insurance exchanges for business reasons as Defendants claimed, but to follow through on its threat of leaving the marketplace once the DOJ filed suit and to improve its litigation position, and that Aetna withdrew from public health insurance exchanges that were profitable for the Company.

Those who purchased Aetna Inc shares should contact the Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is a professional portfolio legal monitoring and a settlement claim filing service, which does research related to shareholder issues and informs investors of securities class actions, settlements, judgments, and other legal related news to the stock/financial market. The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is not a law firm. The information is provided as a public service. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon.
RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Triangle Capital Corporation (NYSE:TCAP) (Triangle or the "Company") today announced the commencement of a public offering of 7,000,000 shares of common stock. The Company also plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,050,000 shares of its common stock.



The Company intends to invest the net proceeds of this public offering in lower middle market companies in accordance with its investment objective and strategies, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated are acting as joint bookrunning managers of this offering. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC and JMP Securities LLC are acting as lead managers, and J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC, Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Fifth Third Securities, Inc. are acting as co-managers for this offering.

This offering will be made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form N-2 that has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus and a related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from any of the following investment banks: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014; BofA Merrill Lynch, Attn: Prospectus Department, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28255-0001, or by emailing dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, 787 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10019 (telephone number: 1-800-966-1559); Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attn: Equity Syndicate Department, 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152-4077 (telephone number: 1-800-326-5897), or by emailing cmclientsupport@wellsfargo.com or Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Attn: Syndicate Department, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (telephone number: 1-800-792-2473), or by emailing syndicate@rwbaird.com. Investors are advised to carefully consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of the Company before investing. The prospectus supplement and prospectus contain this and other information about the Company and should be read carefully before investing.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the shares referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Triangle Capital Corporation

Triangle Capital Corporation (www.TCAP.com) invests capital in established companies in the lower middle market to fund growth, changes of control and other corporate events. Triangle offers a wide variety of investment structures with a primary focus on mezzanine financing with equity components. Triangles investment objective is to seek attractive returns by generating current income from debt investments and capital appreciation from equity related investments. Triangles investment philosophy is to partner with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors to provide flexible financing solutions. Triangle typically invests $5.0 million  $50.0 million per transaction in companies with annual revenues between $20.0 million and $300.0 million and EBITDA between $5.0 million and $75.0 million.

Triangle has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act). Triangle is required to comply with a series of regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act as well as applicable NYSE, federal and state laws and regulations. Triangle has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Failure to comply with any of the laws and regulations that apply to Triangle could have a material adverse effect on Triangle and its stockholders.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the plans and objectives of management for future operations. Any such forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," "target," "goals," "plan," "forecast," "project," other variations on these words or comparable terminology, or the negative of these words. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may be incorrect, and we cannot assure you that the projections included in these forward-looking statements will come to pass. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the factors discussed in our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents or reports that we in the future may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Copies of any reports or documents we file with the SEC are publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and stockholders may receive a hard copy of our completed audited financial statements free of charge upon request to the Company at 3700 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 530, Raleigh, NC 27612.

We have based any forward-looking statements included in this press release on information available to us on the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, unless we are required to do so by applicable law. However, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including subsequent annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
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
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Authorities in northern China have ordered polluting factories to close, shutting off their power supply in a last-ditch battle against spreading toxic smog and potential industrial disasters ahead of the country's annual parliamentary sessions in Beijing.



The government last weekend named and shamed 18 cities in northern Chinas Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei region for continuing to pollute following unannounced undercover checks and night-time inspections as a swathe of toxic smog blanketed the region ahead of the parliamentary sessions.



The environmental protection ministry has warned that heavy pollution will continue until at least , ahead of the opening of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on and the National People's Congress two days later.



Meanwhile, steel plants, pharmaceutical factories and other polluting industries have been ordered to halt production by the Hebei provincial government.



An employee who answered the phone at a steel plant in Hebei's Shijiazhuang city confirmed the order had been made but said the factory hadn't halted production.



"Some factories are undergoing inspections, the smaller ones, but ours hasn't," the employee said. Asked if the factory was still in production on , he replied: "That's right."



An employee surnamed Yuan who answered the phone at an iron and steel trading company said the measures are aimed at battling the smog, but also at limiting the likelihood of industrial accidents in the steel and pharmaceutical industries, which are considered high-risk.

Temporary orders



"A lot of the high-risk industries are in partial shutdown at the request of city governments," Yuan said.



"Those with environmental issues, whose pollution controls are incomplete, they all have to halt production," Yuan said. "Once they shut down a few industries and limit the number of vehicles, then there will be less smog."



Asked if they would re-open once the annual parliament was over, he said it was unclear.



"They didn't say, but these were all temporary orders."



He said the industry would likely sustain heavy losses as a result of the shutdowns.



In Hebei's Langfang city, the Wenfang county environmental protection bureau cut off the electrical supply to one factory, according to video of the premises seen by RFA.



"They've taken a padlock and sealed off the electrical supply box," a local resident said. "They don't want the factory in production."



Jiangsu-based environmental activist Wu Lihong said the authorities are trying to create blue skies ahead of the parliamentary sessions, when the eyes of the world will be on China.



"They are taking these temporary measures because they are worried that there will be smog during the parliamentary sessions, as well as [obvious] water and soil pollution," Wu said.



"If the foreign media shoots footage of such pollution, then it will have a negative impact because it will be very embarrassing for such a major country that has pledged to cut emissions."

Patchy enforcement



He said the cutting of of the power supply likely happened because officials higher up knew that the orders were likely to be enforced in a patchy manner, with local governments colluding with polluting enterprises.



"Maybe local officials will turn a blind eye and let them carry on in production, so that's why the electricity is being cut off, so they can't operate," Wu said.



"This is a similar strategy to the one they used before the [2008] Olympics in Beijing," he said. "They shut down all the surrounding industries, and that was how we got our 'blue sky' Olympics."



Fellow environmentalist Ji Shulong agreed.



"They may manage to make the environment look nice but it'll be temporary, I'm telling you," Ji said. "This sudden environmental clean-up is obviously just for the parliamentary sessions."



He said the ruling Chinese Communist Party lacks the ability to follow through on its pledges to clean up the environment.



"They say one thing, and they do another," Ji said. "This clean-up and anti-smog operation ... is just so they can project a nice image ... it's all cosmetic."



Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Ding Wenqi for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Malaysian authorities are expected to press murder charges Wednesday against a North Korean chemist and two women who were arrested following the death of the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, according to sources and a news report.

The female suspects, Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong, poisoned victim Kim Jong Nam by smearing a banned nerve agent on his face that caused his death at a Kuala Lumpur area airport on Feb. 13, police said last week.

Yes, they will be charged in court on Wednesday, a senior Malaysian official told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, on Monday on condition of anonymity.

They will be charged under Section 302, the source said, referring to a section of Malaysias criminal code that covers murder with intent.

The alleged assassins were trained to handle the VX nerve agent and instructed to wash the deadly substance off their hands immediately afterward, Police Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar said.

A North Korean man in Malaysian custody, Ri Jong Chol, holds a doctorate in chemistry and is one of eight North Koreans whom police have named as suspects in the death of Kim Jong Uns estranged half-sibling, news reports said.

A remand order allowing police to hold the two women is due to expire Wednesday, but they and Chol are expected to face murder charges in a local court that day, the Sun Daily newspaper reported Monday.

Sources familiar with the ongoing probe said  as the results of the post mortem have been obtained by investigators indicating a nerve agent called VX was used in killing the victim whose travel documents identified him as Kim Chol  it was highly likely the attorney generals chambers will give police the go-ahead to charge the suspects with murder, according to the newspaper.

Meanwhile in Seoul, a South Korean lawmaker on Monday cited a report from his countrys intelligence service that pointed to growing evidence of the North Korean governments alleged involvement in the assassination of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2).

Among eight suspects in this case, four are from the ministry of state security and two who actually took action are from the foreign ministry, Lee Cheol-woo, one of a group of lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters according to Reuters.



That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organized by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry, Lee said.

Airport swept

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian police have named a second secretary at Pyongyangs embassy there as one of the eight North Korean suspects and have threatened to issue arrest warrants for him and for an employee of North Koreas state-run airline, if the embassy did not turn them over for questioning by investigators.

Kim was in great pain and died within 15 to 20 minutes after being attacked with the VX nerve agent  a banned chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction  Malaysian Health Minister S. Subramaniam told reporters on Sunday.

Kim was killed by a very serious paralysis brought on by exposure to the nerve agent, the minister said, according to Agence France-Presse.

Also on Sunday, a Malaysian Hazmat team swept the departure hall at KLIA2, where the attack occurred, for traces of VX.

Officials later in the day declared the area safe for travel, according to reports.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
A woman is shown watching boats pass the Pak Beng pier on the Mekong River in northern Laos in this undated file photo.

Laos is pushing ahead with the controversial Pak Beng dam as the government has found little reason to delay the project on the Mekong Rivers mainstream, a senior government official told RFA.

Of course all development projects have side effects, but these effects are solvable, Daovong Phonekeo, director-general of Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines, told RFAs Lao Service in a recent interview.

For example, some villagers will have to be relocated, but we will help them by building new roads, schools, and hospitals for the new villages, he told RFA during a meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Luang Prabang last week.

Phonekeo brushed aside criticisms that the 912-megawatt dam in Oudomxay province would harm the environment and lead to widespread dislocation.

We have studied this project well and published the results, he said. According to our study, only 1,000 people will be affected and they will be compensated.

Phonekeos estimates likely understate the impact of the Pak Ben dam and its sister projects on the Mekong, according to the environmental organization International Rivers.

International Rivers cites estimates that 6,700 people will have to be relocated, with 25 villages in Laos and two in Thailand directly affected by the project. Nearly all of the electricity generated by the dam is slated for export to Thailand.

The Pak Beng dam is the northernmost in a proposed cascade of eleven dams on the Mekong Rivers mainstream. Laos and other Asian nations have been on a dam-building spree as they try to harness the power of the Mekong and other rivers.

Environmental experts say the building of so many dams threatens to turn most of the Mekong River into a series of interconnected lakes.

Scientific studies, including the MRC-commissioned Strategic Environmental Assessment on Mekong Mainstream Dams, indicate that building multiple dams on stretches of the river would greatly increase the impact on fisheries, sediment, and hydrological flows.

While the Lao government sees power generation as a way to bootstrap the countrys economy, the projects are still controversial for their environmental impact and their financial arrangements.

But Phonekeo said the Pak Beng dam will help Laos as Vientiane pursues an economic plan that would turn the country into a major power exporter and serve as the battery for Southeast Asia.

The Lao government has already decided to go ahead with the project because it is a good project, he said. It will turn water into be a useful resource instead of letting water flow down the river uselessly. We want to make this resource more valuable.

Reported for RFAs Lao Service by Manichanh Phimphachanh. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Around 600 people in Myanmar's restive Rakhine state have protested a government decision to give 53 Muslims official identification cards, saying the move was illegal.

The protests on Monday in Sittwe and Maungdaw underscore the difficulty Myanmar faces as it attempts to deal with ethnic strife in the country where the largely Muslim Rohingya people are considered illegal immigrants.

Leaders of the protests in Sittwe, the Rakhine state capital where about 400 people demonstrated, and Maungdaw, where there were about 200 demonstrators, told RFAs Myanmar Service that local people should be part of any government review for Muslim people who are given the official IDs.

Only the local residents know about these Muslims backgrounds, said Thein Tan, who led the protests in Sittwe. Government officials dont know about them. They worked on this citizenship process without discussing it with local residents.

Immigration officials told protest leaders that they were following orders when they gave out the IDs, but they refused to elaborate on those orders, demonstrator Aung Htay told RFA.

Kyawt Sein, a protestor in Sittwe, said that she wasnt necessarily opposed to Muslims receiving the identity cards, but she accused local officials of keeping the decision secret.

The most powerful and responsible man in Rakhine state is the chief minister, and the chief minister didnt say anything about giving ID Cards to Muslims, she said. The Border Affairs Minister didnt say anything about it as well.

While Kyawt Sein told RFA that she wasnt opposed to Muslims receiving an ID, she drew the line at the Rohyingas.

It is OK to give IDs to people who have Myanmar citizen parents, but it is very dangerous for Rakhine ethnics, she said.

The protestors told RFA that the government should confiscate the ID cards and take action against government officials who gave ID cards to the 53 Muslims.

If they have already given illegal ID cards to Muslims, please withdraw them, Saw Thein Tan said.

The government of Myanmar does not recognize refugees as citizens. Officials in that country often refer to them as Bengalis who have illegally crossed the border from Bangladesh.

A military crackdown in Rakhine in recent months has caused at least 66,000 Rohingya to flee across the border to southeastern Bangladesh.

Newly arrived Rohingya refugees have reported witnessing cases of killings, rapes, and acts of arson carried out by Burmese security forces against their people, allegations that Myanmars government has denied.

Reported by Min Thein Aung and Kyaw Thu for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Chinese police in Sichuans Ngaba county detained a Tibetan monk on Saturday after he launched a solo protest calling for freedom for Tibet in the first such protest reported in the county this year, sources said.

Lobsang Tsultrim, a young monk belonging to Ngabas Kirti monastery, was taken into custody at around 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Ngaba county seat while calling out in public for Tibetan freedom and the return of exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, a local resident told RFAs Tibetan Service.

He was quickly detained by police stationed in the town, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He was taken from the scene, and his present condition and whereabouts are unknown, the source said.

Chinese security personnel in uniform and plain clothes swarmed the area following Tsultrims protest, which took place while a large prayer gathering was under way in nearby Kirti monastery, RFAs source said.

Kirti monastery and the countys main town have been the scene of repeated self-immolations and other protests in recent years by monks, former monks, nuns, and other Tibetans opposed to Chinese rule.

Eight solo protests were carried out by Tibetans in Ngaba last year, with another nine reported in the county in 2015, according to Tibetan sources in the region and in exile.

However, accurate numbers are difficult to obtain owing to communication clampdowns imposed by Chinese authorities in the area.

Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.




A Uyghur baker under police investigation killed five people in Xinjiangs Kashgar prefecture earlier this month after being brought to a hospital for medical care, sources in the region said.



Memet Eli, aged about 30, used an axe to carry out his Feb. 9 attack, also injuring an unknown number of people, sources told RFAs Uyghur Service.



The attack took place in Yengisar [county] hospital, a police officer in the countys Saghan township said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



Memet Eli had vomited blood the day before, and Abduhalik, the security chief in the village where Eli was under investigation, took him to the hospital for a checkup.



Leaving Eli waiting in line, Abduhalik went to get some food, and when he returned, Eli suddenly confronted him and hit him in the head with an axe, the source said.



After that, he attacked two Chinese shopkeepersone the owner of a pharmacy and the other the owner of a food storeand after that he rushed back into the hospital and killed a nurse inside, he said.



Also speaking to RFA, Ablikim, deputy director of the Yengisar Hospital, confirmed the attack had taken place, adding that Eli was captured alive shortly afterward.



It happened at around 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, he said. I was outside the hospital when it happened.



I later learned that Zhang Caixia, one of our nurses, was among the people killed in the attack, while several were wounded.



I took two of the wounded to Kerambagh Hospital, a prefectural hospital located in Kashgar city, and one of thema shop ownerdied there, he said.



'Political re-education'



Eli, a resident of Yengisars Setil township, had recently been forcibly returned from Korla city by police for investigation, and was undergoing political re-education, township security chief Yusup Mesum told RFA.



He had vomited blood in the village office on the morning of the day before the attack, and that is why the security chief took him to the hospital for a checkup, Mesum said.



We dont know if he got the axe from his home before visiting the hospital, or whether he bought it from a nearby market. None of this is clear, and different explanations are circulating on the streets.



Eli is believed to have eight children from two different marriages, Mesum said.

Right now, all his family members and officials in his village have been detained for investigation.

China has vowed to crack down on what it calls religious extremism in Xinjiang, and regularly conducts strike hard campaigns including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people, including videos and other material.

While China blames Uyghur extremists for terrorist attacks, experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from the Uyghurs and that repressive domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence there that has left hundreds dead since 2009.



Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Richard Finney.




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Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, who won Best Foreign Language Film, boycotted the Oscars in protest at U.S. President Donald Trump's attempted travel ban. One of his representatives at the ceremony, Iranian-American former NASA scientist Firouz Naderi, praised Farhadi's decision to stay away. (Reuters)
Hundreds of supporters of a Kyrgyz opposition party leader rallied again in the capital, Bishkek, a day after he was detained by authorities. They gathered in Ala-Too Square demanding the release of Omurbek Tekebaev, who is the leader of the Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party. (RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)
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Pictures from Iranian news agency Tasnim show the Iranian navy test-firing an antiship missile during military exercises in the Persian Gulf on February 27. The United States responded to a ballistic-missile test in January by warning Iran it was "on notice" and imposing new sanctions.
On February 27, 2015, Kremlin critic and former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov was murdered on a Moscow bridge. Thousands of people marked the second anniversary of his assassination. But with tributes to the slain opposition figure being dismantled, a group of volunteers are fighting to protect Nemtsov's memory. (YouTube, RFE/RL's Russian Service, Current Time TV)
Afghan officials and the Taliban say a senior commander of the militant group has been killed in northern Afghanistan.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on February 27 that Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund was killed in a "special operation." He gave no details.

Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said Akhund was killed along with nine other Taliban militants.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Akhund's death in a statement, saying he was killed by a U.S. air strike in the Dashti-e-Archi district in the northern province of Kunduz.

Akhund, the commander of Taliban forces in the northern province of Kunduz, had been declared dead several times in the past only to reappear.

A U.S. military spokesman told Reuters that an American warplane had conducted an air strike in Kunduz on February 26 but said there was "no confirmation of the results."

Taliban militants have briefly seized control of the provincial capital, Kunduz City, for two consecutive years, in a major embarrassment to the Kabul government.

Akhund's death is a blow to the Taliban as the militants prepare their annual spring offensive against government forces.

With reporting by Reuters
BRUSSELS -- The European Union and Armenia have agreed on a new pact tightening political ties, more than three years after Yerevan walked away from a more far-reaching political and commercial deal with the EU to join the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

Talks on the agreement concluded during a visit to Brussels by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian on February 27.

It is expected to be signed later this year, possibly in May.

Armenia negotiated an Association Agreement that included a free-trade deal with the EU in 2013, only to make a U-turn that same year and reject it under pressure from Moscow.

The negotiations on a new agreement with the EU started in December 2015.

It is less ambitious than the agreement that was abandoned in 2013, most notably lacking a free trade area component -- which Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine now have as part of their agreements with the EU. But it will upgrade political relations between Brussels and Yerevan, which are currently based on a Partnership and Cooperation agreement that entered into force in 1999.

Armenia's fierce rival, Azerbaijan, started talks on a new political agreement with the EU earlier this month.
Baku has removed the bodies of five slain Azerbaijani soldiers from a strip of land between the front lines military of Azerbaijan's military and separatist fighters from the Caucasus country's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The five soldiers were killed on February 25 in the latest clashes near Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said on February 27 that the bodies of the soldiers were removed some 48 hours after the clashes with the help of international organizations -- including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Azerbaijan and separatist authorities in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region have traded accusations over who was responsible for the armed clashes along the heavily militarized line of contact.

The separatists' military command said several Azerbaijani soldiers were killed and that separatist forces did not suffer any casualties.

Azerbaijans Defense Ministry confirmed that there were clashes during the predawn hours of February 25, but insisted the fighting was triggered by separatist forces.

Armenia-backed separatists seized control of the mainly ethnic-Armenian populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh during the early 1990s in a war that killed some 30,000 people.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict during the last 25 years have brought little progress.
MINSK -- Activists in Belarus are continuing their fight against the construction of a business center next to a protected memorial area near Minsk where at least 30,000 people were killed and buried by Soviet authorities in 1930s and '40s.

Protesters applauded and chanted "Long Live Belarus!" as bulldozers and tractors started leaving the site near the Kurapaty preserve on the outskirts of the capital, Minsk, on February 27.

However, a foreman told the protesters that the construction works that started on February 16 have been suspended for one day, not abandoned.

Protesters have been at the site around the clock for eight days. They demand an immediate halt to the construction, which they say desecrates the memory of thousands of victims of the Soviet state under dictator Josef Stalin.

Leaders of opposition parties and movements have been participating in the protest.
With talk of political change in the air, Vladimir Putin heads to Kazakhstan today on the first leg of a trip that will also take him to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

On today's Power Vertical Briefing, we look at Putin's efforts to protect Russia's interests in a region where it increasingly is forced to compete with a resurgent China.

Joining me is RFE/RL's News Editor Steve Gutterman.

Also on The Briefing, Steve and I discuss the second anniversary of Boris Nemtsov's assassination and the state of the Minsk peace process for Ukraine as the contact group prepares to meet this week.

Enjoy...

NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of The Power Vertical blog, and appears on Mondays.
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.
U.S.-backed Iraqi forces battling to retake western Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants have captured a neighborhood and a key bridge on the Tigris River, a move that could allow the opening of supply lines with the government-controlled east bank.

Military officials say it is crucial to establish a link between the east and west banks of the Tigris to support the battle to defeat IS in western Mosul, a drive launched on February 19.

The Iraqi military said in a statement on February 27 that government forces captured Mosul's southernmost bridge, one of five damaged and unusable bridges spanning the Tigris.

Iraqi military officials said they are trying to construct a floating bridge across the river.

"We had an important operation this morning to move towards the bridge," Colonel Falah al-Wabdan of the Iraqi Rapid Response forces told AFP.

He added the area was heavily mined and that his forces had killed 44 militants on February 26 alone.

Earlier on February 27, government forces captured the Tayyaran neighborhood, located close to the bridge.

Backed by U.S. air strikes, and bolstered by Shiite militias and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Iraqi forces launched their initial assault to force IS out of their stronghold city in October.

After a bloodier-than-expected battle, Iraqi troops retook eastern Mosul in January.

But experts say western Mosul, with its narrow streets and some 750,000 civilian residents, would be much tougher to capture against an estimated 2,000 IS fighters.

Iraqi military officials report steady gains so far, but they have come in the face of rising casualties.

The Associated Press on February 26 cited medical officials at front-line clinics as saying at least 30 security forces and more than 200 civilians have been killed or wounded in the past three days.

Residents report bodies strewn on the streets in some neighborhoods.

The Iraqi military has not released casualty figures from the assault.

Even as troops battle to liberate western Mosul, Iraqi officials and world historians have been meeting in Paris to coordinate plans to restore the citys cultural treasures, many of which have been bulldozed or bombed by IS militants.

Historians are anxiously awaiting the fate of Mosuls main museum, the second-largest in Iraq in an area that has been inhabited for an estimated 4,400 years.

The museum was looted during the 2003 Iraq war but was on the verge of reopening in 2014 when IS took over, AFP reports.

IS militants seized large portions of northern Iraq and Syria in an offensive in 2014.

The group has been accused of numerous atrocities and has claimed responsibility for major terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere.

Islamic State declared Mosul to be the capital of their so-called caliphate after capturing the city in 2014.

With reporting by AP, AFP and Reuters
BISHKEK -- A court in Kyrgyzstan has ordered opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party leader Omurbek Tekebaev to be kept in custody for two months while a fraud and corruption investigation continues against him.

Kyrgyzstans State Committee for National Security (UKMK) announced the February 27 court ruling in a statement that followed a hearing at the Bishkek court on whether Tekebaev, a member of parliament, should be held in pretrial detention.

It said Tekebaev would be "held until April 25" at a UKMK penitentiary facility.

Tekebaev, a former ally turned critic of President Almazbek Atambaev, was detained at the Bishkek International Airport early on February 26 as he was returning to Kyrgyzstan from Vienna via Turkey.

Under Kyrgyz law, he would have to have been released within 48 hours of his initial detention -- before 3.a.m. Bishkek time on February 28 -- if the court had not ordered his continued detention.

The UKMK says the corruption case against Tekebaev is related to a $1 million bribe he allegedly received from a Russian businessman while serving as deputy prime minister.

Hundreds of Tekebaev supporters rallied outside the court building during his hearing to demand his release.

They say his arrest is part of an effort to control dissent ahead of November's presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan and to prevent Tekebaev from running for president.

The demonstrators gathered on Ala-Too Square in Bishkek on February 27, holding placards calling Tekebaev's detainment a "provocation."

They chanted "Freedom for Tekebaev!" and urged President Atambaev to come out and explain the situation.

More than 1,000 supporters protested outside UKMK headquarters on February 26, demanding Tekebaev's release.

His detention months before a November presidential election has raised the prospect of fresh political turmoil in the Central Asian country, where protesters drove presidents from power in 2005 and 2010.

Former deputy parliament speaker Asia Sasykbaeva told journalists that the protests will continue until Tekebaev's release.

Former President Roza Otunbaeva, who was among the protesters on February 27, said that Tekebaev's detainment was politically motivated.

"We have seen all this before," said Otunbaeva, who was swept to power in the protests that toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiev in 2010 and served as president from April 2010 until December 2011.

"I was confident that current authorities will not repeat the mistakes of the previous authorities," she said. "Now, a political standoff is under way. Tekebaev's detainment is unjust and unacceptable in the independent Kyrgyzstan."

Many protesters said that Atambaev and members of the government and parliament "have quickly forgotten" that they came to power thanks to dozens of people killed in a crackdown on the protests against Bakiev in 2010.

Tekebaev's wife, Aigul Tekebaeva, told RFE/RL on Ala-Too Square that the UKMK would be responsible if something happened to her husband while in custody.

Once an ally of Atambaev, Tekebaev became a leading critic last summer after the president proposed constitutional amendments -- approved in a December referendum -- that opponents fear are designed to keep him and his allies in power indefinitely.

The amendments boosted the powers of the prime minister, prompting speculation that Atambaev -- who is barred from seeking a second term in the November 19 election -- could position himself to become the next prime minister or install an ally in the role.

Tekebaev, 58, is the third member of Ata-Meken to be detained by the authorities for questioning in recent weeks as part of the alleged corruption probe.

Earlier in February, authorities also detained parliamentary deputies Almabet Shykmamatov and Aida Salyanova for questioning.

The detentions come despite the fact that Tekebaev, Shykmamatov, and Salyanova all have parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

With reporting by AP and AFP
Macedonia's opposition Social Democratic Union (SDSM) leader has submitted signatures of support from three ethnic Albanian political parties to President Gjorge Ivanov, saying he has secured enough support in parliament to form a government.

Zoran Zaev, whose left-wing coalition secured 49 parliamentary seats in December's elections, announced on February 27 that he had obtained 18 signatures of support from lawmakers from three ethnic Albanian parties.

That support would give him enough to form a 67-seat majority coalition in the 120-member parliament.

"The signatures allow the crisis to end in Macedonia and the country finally to move forward," Zaev said in Skopje on February 27, adding that he expected a "peaceful and quick transfer of power."

But although Macedonia's largest ethnic Albanian party agreed to give Zaev its signatures of support, the party said it had not determined whether it would join any new coalition formed by Zaev.

Macedonia has been waiting for a new government since general elections in December.

Former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party won that vote and received 51 seats in parliament, but that was not enough secure a parliamentary majority.

Since then, Gruevski has been unable through coalition talks to gather the support of the 10 other lawmakers he needs to form a government.

Talks between Gruevski and the main ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI), failed when Gruevski refused to accept the BDI's demand for Albanian to be declared a second official language in Macedonia.

About a quarter of Macedonia's population of 2.1 million people are ethnic Albanians.

On February 27, Zaev said he expected President Ivanov to give him the mandate to form a new government in accordance with Macedonia's constitution.

Once Zaev receives that mandate from Ivanov, he will have 20 days to form a government that is approved by at least 61 parliamentary deputies.

Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE party said in a statement on February 26 that it could support Zaev's bid to form a government -- provided that Zaev does not agree to the demands for Albanian to become a second official language.

But after Zaev's announcement on support from all three ethnic Albanian parties, Gruevski on February 27 called on his nationalist supporters to launch protests against Zaev and block him from forming a government.

Gruevski said the deal Zaev had made with ethnic Albanian parties was a threat to Macedonia.

The VMRO-DPMNE has said it will use all legal means to prevent Macedonia from becoming officially bilingual.

It has said such a development would mean a "redefinition of the unitary character" of the country.

Macedonia narrowly avoided civil war in 2001 after an uprising by armed ethnic Albanians who sought greater rights.

With reporting by AP and dpa
5 "Lady Maslenitsa" burns in Chisinau, Molodova on February 26. The burning of the effigy takes place on the last day of the festival and is seen as a fiery farewell to the darkness and cold of winter.
MOSCOW -- Police have reportedly detained six activists at an improvised memorial near the Kremlin where Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was gunned down two years ago.

The website OVD-Info, which tracks arrests in Russia, said police detained six people on the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge late on February 26. City workers who came to the bridge with police removed flowers and candles that had been placed at the site.

The actions by the authorities came after about 15,000 people marched in central Moscow to honor the memory of Nemstov -- the largest opposition gathering in Russia since a similar march in 2016.

Nemtsov, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, was fatally shot on the bridge on February 27, 2015.

Five suspects from Russia's North Caucasus region are being tried for Nemtsov's killing, but relatives and supporters believe those who carried out the contract-style killing were following orders from someone higher up.

They say justice will not be done until those behind Nemtsov's killing are identified, tried, and convicted.

U.S. Ambassador John Tefft visited the makeshift memorial on February 27, and the United States urged the Russian government to "ensure that those responsible for Boris Nemtsov's killing are brought to justice."

"Though Boris Nemtsov is gone, his spirit lives on in Russians young and old who seek to build a more democratic and prosperous society," acting U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.

With reporting by OVD-Info


BARNAUL, Russia -- Hours after his release from prison, Russian political activist Ildar Dadin recounted how he was "broken" by physical abuse during his 15 months behind bars.

Appearing before journalists in a cramped, stuffy apartment, the 34-year-old described in detail the torture he says he endured while imprisoned in northern Russia before his transfer to the Siberian facility he was freed from on February 26.

Dadin had been serving a 2 1/2-year sentence after being convicted under a controversial Russian law that criminalized participation in multiple unsanctioned protests within a 180-day period. Prior to the introduction of the law passed in 2014, such offenses were considered misdemeanors.

Dadin was freed from custody after the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. He is the only person to have been convicted under the legislation, which has been heavily criticized by rights groups and lately even called into question by the Kremlin.

In the wake of Dadin's release, and calls by human rights ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova for the legislation to be repealed, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 27 that the law might undergo government review.

In November 2016, Dadin's case gained international attention when he made allegations of torture while in prison.

The torture claims sparked public outrage, prompted several top human rights workers to conducts probes at the prison, and ultimately led to Dadin being transferred to a new facility in Siberia's Altai region.

After initial confusion following the Supreme Court ruling about when he would be finally released from prison, and speculation he could be stuck behind bars for several more days, Dadin finally emerged on February 26, coatless and flanked by prison officers.

He briefly answered journalists' questions before leaving in a car with his sister and wife. Eight hours later, shortly after midnight and a four-hour drive away in the region's capital, Barnaul, Dadin spoke at length.

He at times spoke confusingly, but made one thing very clear: he tried to continue his civil activism behind bars, but was "broken" and unable to withstand the pain.

He says his first clash with prison authorities came while he was in pretrial detention in Petrozavodsk, in the far-northern Karelia region, when he complained to a senior prison official that he was not being allowed to sleep and that this was unconstitutional.

"He didn't like this, turned round immediately, made no attempt to register the complaint, and said, 'You and I will speak about the constitution and the law in No. 7 [IK-7],'" a reference to a prison in Karelia.

Dadin said his cellmate became "frightened" about what lay in store for Dadin at IK-7, but that he himself remained confident that prison authorities would not risk abusing an inmate with a known public profile

Dadin said he arrived at IK-7 on September 10, was told to leave his belongings, and was taken to another room for 20 minutes. When he returned, his belongings were searched, and prison officials found two blades. Dadin alleged the weapons were planted.

He said he was transferred to a punishment cell, but not formally registered there. He said he was ordered to stand facing the wall, and did put his hands against it, but refused to fully comply on the grounds that such procedure is not outlined by law.

For this, he said, he was verbally abused and threatened with rape. Ultimately he was left in the punishment cell, which featured a faulty toilet and sink, after guards had removed his toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, and towel. In response, he demanded a prosecutor be summoned to register a complaint about his conditions, and he then declared a hunger strike.

Dadin said he was then taken to the office of the prison warden. There, he said, he saw instructions on the wall outlining what inmates should do upon entering the office, including asking for permission to enter and identifying one's name, surname, sentence, date of entry, date of exit. Dadin declined to follow the instructions on the grounds they were not enshrined by official protocol or law.

He said the warden and three colleagues pushed him out into the corridor where they beat him, before continuing the beating inside the office. He alleged that the warden struck the first blow. "Like the leader of a gang, he led by example: 'You can do political prisoners too, don't be afraid, beat him,'" Dadin said, describing the warden's actions.

He said he was then taken back to his punishment cell, where he was again beaten during an evening search.
A German family with 10 children that settled in Siberia has reportedly returned to Germany just months after moving to Russia.

Russian-born Eugen Martens, 45, told RFE/RL in January that he had applied for repatriation under a Russian government program in October and settled with his family in Kyshtovka, a village in the Novosibirsk Oblast, in December.

Martens and his wife, Louisa, were born in Siberia's Omsk Oblast and were among hundreds of thousands of ethnic Germans who emigrated from the former Soviet Union to Germany in the 1990s.

The family's return to Russia made news in December. Martens said they moved due to concerns about what he described as the sexual permissiveness of German society and the influx of refugees there.

Russian media reports on February 27 quoted a friend of the family in Kyshtovka as saying that they had left for Germany on February 24, flying out of Novosibirsk.

Local authorities said the house given to the family in Kyshtovka has been empty for days.

The reports did not indicate why they decided to go back to Germany.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, vn.ru, ura.ru, and Rosbalt
BRUSSELS -- Serbia inched closer to European Union membership on February 27, completing talks with the EU on one of 35 areas it must address before joining the 28-nation bloc.



At talks in Brussels, the "negotiation chapter" on education and culture was opened and immediately closed because EU officials say Serbia is in compliance with all demands in that area.



Serbia has now begun negotiations on eight of the 35 areas it must address and closed two of them.



Maltese Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said that talks on several other issues can be opened during his countrys six-month term as EU president, which ends on June 30, and said that Serbia has made strides in the areas of customs, company law, and intellectual property.



Serbia's progress toward EU membership is largely determined by the success of the EU-sponsored dialogue with Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Since they resumed in January after almost an almost yearlong hiatus, the talks have produced a resolution to reopen a bridge that connects a mostly Serb-populated part of northern Kosovo with the rest of the country.
ON MY MIND

The authoritarian system Nursultan Nazarbaev built in Kazakhstan is widely seen as one of the models for Vladimir Putin.

And as Putin heads to Kazakhstan today on the first leg of a tour of Central Asia, Nazarbaev is changing his model. He's planning to devolve more powers to parliament and unlike Putin, he is actively preparing the ground for a succession when he leaves the scene.

All this is making the Kremlin very nervous.

One of the most wily post-Soviet leaders, Nazarbaev has skillfully navigated between Russia, China, the West, and the Middle East.

And the Kremlin is determined to preserve Moscow's interests once a transition takes place.

For this reason, it would be a good idea to pay close attention to the optics and signals that come out of today's meeting between Putin and Nazarbaev.

IN THE NEWS

Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a three-nation tour of Central Asia today. The Kremlin leader will visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Russian political activist Ildar Dadin has been released from prison, days after the Supreme Court overturned his conviction.

Thousands have marched in Moscow to commemorate slain Kremlin critic and former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov who was killed two years ago.

In the eastern city of Vitsebsk, an estimated 1,000 demonstrators took to the streets on February 26 to protest a tax on the unemployed that the government is calling a "Law Against Social Parasites."

The United States has called on Russia to "immediately" observe a cease-fire deal in eastern Ukraine -- saying that a combined force from Russias military and pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine had been targeting international monitors.

Ambassador Dan Fried, the longest-serving U.S. diplomat, warned against isolationism and Russian aggression in a speech at his retirement celebration on February 24.

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.

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.

Russia says it is ready to veto a draft UN resolution calling for sanctions against Syria over the use of chemical weapons on civilians.

LATEST POWER VERTICAL PODCAST

In case you missed it, the latest Power Vertical Podcast, The Tao Of Lavrov, looked at the marginalization of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the deprofessionalization of Russia's foreign policy process.

NEW POWER VERTICAL BRIEFING

Today's Power Vertical Briefing looks ahead to Vladimir Putin's visit to Central Asia this week.

WHAT I'M READING

Remembering Nemtsov

The Economist looks at two documentary films on the life, times, and death of Boris Nemtsov.

In Republic.ru, Political analyst Aleksandr Morozov asks why the authorities have been either unable or unwilling to bring the masterminds behind Nemtsov's assassination to justice.

That Other Ukraine Peace Plan

In his column for Republic.ru, foreign affairs analyst Vladimir Frolov looks at what is behind the alternative peace plan for Ukraine floated by pro-Moscow Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Artemenko.

Breadlines: The Social Media Of 1917

In a piece for Svobodnaya Pressa, political commentator Georgy Yans looks at the role rumor and innuendo played in the fall of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917 and argues that breadlines were the social media networks of that time.

Samantha Power On Vitaly Churkin

In an op-ed for The New York Times, Samantha Power, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, reminisces about Russia's recently deceased UN envoy Vitaly Churkin.

The New Russian Army

Mark Galeotti, a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague and a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, has published a new book: The Modern Russian Army: 1992-2016.

Could Russia Really Defeat Britain's Military?

According to a new report by the British military, Russia would defeat it "in an afternoon." In a piece for The National Interest, military analyst Michael Peck takes a look at what this means.

Russia's Nuclear 'Death Train'

In another piece for The National Interest, Peck looks at Russian media reports claiming that Moscow will test-fire an ICBM from a missile-equipped "death train" in 2019.

"The Barguzin 'railroad combat complex,' or BZhRK, will be armed with six RS-24 Yars ICBMs, a fifty-five-ton missile that reportedly carries up to ten nuclear warheads, and is already deployed in fixed silos and mobile truck-mounted launchers. There will be five railroad missile regiments, each consisting of one train and six ballistic missiles. Operational deployment is slated for 2020," Peck writes.

SRB Podcast

The latest SRB Podcast, hosted by Sean Guillory of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Russian and Eastern European Studies, looks at efforts to save Leningrad during World War II. Sean's guest is Steve Maddox a professor of Russian and European history at Canisius College and author of the book Saving Stalins Imperial City: Historic Preservation In Leningrad, 1930-1950.
Ethnic Serbs took to the streets of North Mitrovica in Kosovo on November 6, a day after ethnic Serbs there said they would quit their posts in state institutions to protest against the use of license plates issued by Pristina.

Following a meeting of Serb political representatives in the north of Kosovo on November 5, the minister of communities and returns, Goran Rakic, said he was resigning from his post in the Pristina government.



He told reporters that fellow representatives of the Serb minority in the north had also quit their jobs in municipal administrations, the courts, police, and the parliament and government in Pristina.



Rakic said they would not consider returning unless Pristina abolishes the order for them to switch their old car license plates, which date to the 1990s when Kosovo was a part of Serbia, to Kosovo state plates.



Addressing the rally on November 6, Rakic accused Kosovo government authorities of not respecting international law and agreements negotiated in Brussels.



Rakic has called on the protesters "not to fall for provocations and to continue the fight with peaceful and democratic means."



It wasnt immediately clear what the effect of the mass resignation would be, or how many posts were affected.



Ethnic Serbs include a government minister, 10 members of parliament, and other top posts in the police and judiciary in the four local communities dominated by them, mainly in northern Kosovo.



Addressing the crowd in North Mitrovica, Igor Simic, who resigned from parliament as a member of the Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista party, said that he had supported dialogue with Brussels but added that he no longer wanted to be used by Kosovos authorities.



This week, Kosovo authorities dismissed a senior Serb police officer in northern Kosovo, who refused to respect the order mandating that all vehicle license plates used in Kosovo be issued by the Kosovar government, rather than Serbian plates.



The measure took effect on November 1, and Kosovo authorities said enforcement would be gradual.

Many ethnic Serbs in Kosovo refuse to recognize the countrys independence from Serbia, which it declared in 2008, nearly a decade after a NATO-led military intervention halted a Serbia military operation.



Serbia, its main ally Russia, and some other countries refuse to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation. More than half of United Nations members, and most of the European Union, do.



EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter that the recent developments put years of work on dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina at risk, after talking to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti.



Borrell said he "called on both sides to refrain from any unilateral actions which might lead to further tensions."



The European Union has told Kosovo and Serbia that they must normalize ties if they want to advance toward membership in the 27-nation bloc.



Brussels and Washington have recently stepped up mediation efforts, fearing uncertainties over the war in Ukraine and Serbias close ties with Moscow could aggravate tensions between Belgrade and Pristina.



In a post to Facebook not long after the resignation announcement, Kurti appealed to the ethnic Serb community to maintain calm, peace, and security.



I am not the prime minister against you, but Belgrade is against me. I am the prime minister who will serve you while respecting the constitutionality and legality of the Republic of Kosovo, he wrote. Do not boycott or abandon the institutions of Kosovo. They serve all of us, each and every one of you. Do not fall prey to political manipulations and geopolitical games.



Serbias prime minister, Ana Brnabic, defended the decision of the Kosovar Serbs to resign from their posts.



"In their fight for peace, stability, the rule of law, and respect for all signed agreements, they will always have the full support of the Government of Serbia, she said in a statement.


(HBO)

GIRLS is at its best, or at least its most interesting, when it lives inside the head of one character from beginning to end. One of the reasons the characters always seem like caricatures is because you can't really dig into complexities and nuance when you're cramming everyone into a 28-minute episode. But capsule episodes like last season's "The Panic In Central Park" and season two's "One Man's Trash" at least try to say something beyond "Everyone's a dick in their 20s!" It makes you think about what this show might have been had it had a little more time.

"American Bitch" is a capsule episode that tries to do a lot, and I think it succeeds. Hannah's burgeoning journalism career has led her to the gorgeous apartment of acclaimed writer Chuck Palmer, played with pitch-perfect disconcertion by The Americans' Matthew Rhys. Palmer is one of Hannah's literary heroes, but he also appears to be a classic Male Writer Douchebag, with at least four young women coming forward to accuse him of taking advantage of them while on a book tour. Palmer has invited Hannah to a private meeting in his home, he says, to set the record straight.

Palmer argues that it is in fact he who has been taken advantage ofit's not his fault that women throw themselves at him, he says. All the women he's hooked up with were willing and able, he claims. Denise, one of the women who wrote about him on her Tumblr, couldn't possibly have given him a non-consensual blowjob, he points out. His daughter will read these stories and hate him, he fears.

Hannah counters, rightfully, that just because a woman doesn't say no when a powerful man who makes her feel special makes a move, doesn't mean she wants it to happen. Palmer tells her women like Denise move on him "for the story," but Hannah points out that the power imbalance is lost on him. "You're a very fucking famous writer and she's working really hard to have just a little bit of what you get every day," Hannah says. "So you invite her back to your hotel room, what's she supposed to say, no?"

Palmer then shares a piece of writing with Hannah that he says is about Denise, and tells her all he's guilty of is not pushing hard enough to get to know her, and that he wants to have that kind of personal connection with Hannah in a way of making up for that. It would be too predictable for GIRLS to turn this into a "lesson" for Palmer, but he knows what he's doing, and Hannah does too. She was just one of many journalists who wrote about Palmer's alleged misdoings, but he's just invited her to his apartment for a private meetinghe who has a history of taking advantage of women in private spaces, has invited her into his private space.

He tells her she's funny, he tells her she's a talented writer, she sees things in a way that is special, she is special. He gives her a signed copy of Philip Roth's book "When She Was Good" (this is where the episode got its name, as Hannah says she once heard the book's original title was "American Bitch"). He tells her to lie down next to him so he can experience a level of closeness with her that he hasn't felt in a while, and you know exactly what will happen next, even if you want to believe the best of your literary/artistic/filmmaking heroes. He pulls his penis out of his pants and places it onto Hannah's thighshe holds it for a moment, then lets go and realizes what she's done. (Side note: the Hannah of previous seasons wouldn't have let go.) When she rightly freaks out at him, he flashes a somewhat maniacal grin. He knows he's won the power play, and it doesn't matter that she was right about him in the first place.

Then, his tween daughter comes home and plays flute for them, and Hannah witnesses this man who treats women like walking vaginas beam at the future woman of his creation. It is deeply unsettling. Is my father like this, I wondered. Then Hannah leaves, Rihanna's "Desperado" blasting as faceless women pour into Palmer's building, and the episode ends.

Throughout the episode, Palmer comes across as a pretty cut-and-dry entitled, successful, self-loathing man who thinks women owe him something. He says Denise looks "like a Victoria's Secret model" while he didn't lose his virginity until he was 25 and on Accutane, as if that warrants his behavior. He whines about how he is the victim, how these women who come forward are using him, how he has to live with the shame of having his good name smeared all over town, even while the Times is giving him accolades. We've heard from this man before, and we're going to hear from him again and again, though hopefully the more we expose him, the fewer of him we'll see.

But "American Bitch" might not even really be about Palmer. He isn't the one narrating this story. Hannah, who puts on lipstick in Palmer's elevator, who tries to freshen up in Palmer's bathroom, who worships this writer even in light of what's been written about him, is the narrator here. Hannah knows she's walking into the Lion's Den, she is aware that this is a potential power play and her defenses are up, but there is a part of her, I think, that still wants him to turn the charm on her.

Many years ago, I had a crush on a boss of mine who had affairs with a number of my female coworkers. They were all much younger than him. He treated all of them terribly. But he never made a move on me, and I was devastated. I believed I wasn't even good enough for him to use and throw away. Watching this episode, I couldn't help but think of this.

There is something intoxicating about a man who treats women like shit, especially someone in a position of power, and especially someone you worship, in a way. Even if you know they're using you, you still feel like you've been "chosen," like you're special, like you still get to at least be on the list. This is a hard thing to overcome, especially when you're young and struggling to find your own place in the world.

I was too stressed out by "American Bitch" to make observational notes, so none of that for you this week. Next week: Marnie and Desi go to therapy, and Adam Driver's back!
Uzbekistan says flights from its capital, Tashkent, to the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, will resume in April, some 25 years after they were halted.

The flights connecting the two cities will start on April 4 and will be operated twice a week by Airbus A-320 aircraft, according to the national Uzbek airline Ozbekiston Havo Yollari.

It was not immediately clear when corresponding flights operated by Tajikistan's Somon Air from Dushanbe to Tashkent would begin. A scheduled flight on February 20 was canceled.

Several Somon Air officials, including its commercial director, were sacked after Tashkent complained that the airline had failed to provide the paperwork for the flight.

There have been no direct civilian flights between the two capitals since 1992.

Relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been strained for years over disputes including transit routes, border security, and the sharing of water resources.
QUESTION: I am currently in a dead-end job with no prospects for advancement. I am considering starting my own business. Can you provide some resource information to guide me through the startup process?

ANSWER: A number of organizations and local government websites offer advice and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs.

This column will offer links to several but, first, lets focus on some basic elements you should consider before taking the plunge:

Self-assessment is the first step in determining a career path. You gather information about yourself that includes your educational background, skills, values, interests and financial goals.

Most important is to follow a path that will satisfy your intellectual and creative needs.

A written business plan is a critical piece of the puzzle. The value of the plan is that it causes you to focus on all of the essential elements of owning and managing your business.

A number of software providers offer business plan outlines. SCORE offers a free outline that can be accessed online at http://tinyurl.com/gw29gnl.

Once you determine what you want to do, and are good at, check out the competition. Determine a marketing strategy that will differentiate you from your competitors.

Identify your startup costs and construct a 12-month, forward-looking cash flow analysis. Be conservative on income projections and realistic on the expense side, allowing an additional 15 to 20 percent for the unexpected. The above website provides Excel spreadsheets for these purposes

.

Avoid taking on too much debt. Unless you have sufficient capital to tide you over until the business produces a positive stream of income, you should delay your decision or partner with someone who can infuse additional capital.

These are just a few of the issues a new entrepreneur must deal with, but you do not have to go it alone. The commonwealth of Virginia offers an excellent website (http://www.businessonestop. virginia.gov/) that provides valuable information to someone thinking about starting a business and those who are ready to take the plunge.

The volunteer counselors at the Richmond chapter of SCORE, resource partners with the Small Business Administration, stand ready to guide you through the process. Counseling is free and confidential.

To register, log on to http://tinyurl.com/ze42av8 or call (804) 350-3569.
The recent columns I wrote about the Corbin twins, the entertaining old-time Varina moonshiners from the 1950s and 1960s, and the enforcement agent who arrested them inspired Tom Cowdrey to write me and offer a more modern angle on the matter of homemade liquor.

Cowdrey, who lives in Aylett, pointed out that while it has long been fashionable and legal to make your own wine at home or brew your own beer  in limited quantities  it remains quite illegal to distill your own spirits.

How illegal? According to the federal code, the punishment for producing illegal alcohol could land someone in prison for up to five years and could lead to a fine as much as $10,000  for nothing more than producing a gallon of hooch to sip by the fire.

The likelihood of a judge issuing such a harsh sentence might seem remote but, as Cowdrey says, The law is the law, and this statute scares the hell out of a lot of folks.

It also is illegal to own and operate a still, according to Virginia law, and you dont have to be producing distilled spirits to run afoul of the law.

In 2016, according to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, ABC agents made one arrest statewide for the illegal manufacturing of alcohol and eight arrests for storing or possessing distilling equipment.

Cowdrey believes it is time for Americas views on homemade liquor to evolve as its approach to making beer and wine did in the late 1970s, when Congress amended the law to allow home brewing of beer and the small-scale production of wine for personal or family use.

However, the home-based distillation of alcohol has been against federal law since Prohibition was repealed in the 1930s.

Were being governed by stuff designed to stop the illegal sale of untaxed alcohol in 1933, Cowdrey said in a phone interview. The beer people can make their beer, but we cant distill. Its just not fair. We need parity.

Cowdrey is one of the founding members of the Hobby Distillers Association, a national group that advocates for the legalization of hobby distilling in America.

He said the group has made inroads with members of Congress, and he believes it has the votes, though the bill never came up for a vote last year, meaning it has to start over to get its proposal included in another bill in the current Congress.

The biggest problem the group has now, Cowdrey said, is paying its lobbyist to keep advancing the legislation.

Cowdrey got involved a few years ago while chatting in an online forum for a company that sells stills and distilling supplies.

The subject of distilling alcohol for personal use came up along with how impossible that would be, since distilling is prohibited unless you have a permit and youre not eligible to have a permit on residential property.

Plus, the U.S. Treasury Departments Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has the authority to require manufacturers of distilling equipment to keep sales information and to provide information about their customers, which also got the attention of those frequenting the online forum.

One thing led to another, and it was suggested that anyone interested in changing the laws should write to their representatives in Congress.

Then the feds staged a few raids in Florida in 2014 with agents from the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, making arrests and confiscating dozens of home stills.

This really fired up those interested in changing the laws and, since the letter-writing campaign really hadnt accomplished much, the Hobby Distillers Association was formed.

Cowdrey, who spent 40 years in the apartment management business, said, Sure, I drink a little bit, but he said he got involved in the political battle because it just seemed the right thing to do.

He said theres considerable misinformation about home distilling  including the perceived dangers, which have largely been mitigated because of modern equipment, a far cry from the days when moonshiners fired up makeshift stills deep in the woods.

Cowdrey purchased a still a few years ago  and to keep it legal, he applied for and was granted a permit to classify the still as an alcohol fuel plant.

In other words, hes permitted to distill alcohol for fuel but not for drinking  a perfectly acceptable operation, according to the federal government. He runs a couple of batches a year to remain eligible to keep his permit.

But producing alcohol for human consumption is the aim of the Hobby Distillers Association.

Meantime, the craft liquor industry, following its lead from the craft beer industry that had a long head start, is beginning to grow with gusto.

As of August, there were more than 1,300 craft distillers in the U.S., up from 204 in 2010, according to a survey released by the American Craft Spirits Association.

But unlike with craft brewers, who may legally hone their skills at home with trial, error and small batches, anyone who aspires to become a craft distiller runs the risk of being arrested for practicing at home.

The folks starting these new craft distilleries across Virginia and the rest of the country didnt just get up one morning and say, Lets start a distillery! Cowdrey wrote in his original email to me.

They either bought their equipment or made it from the hundreds of still designs available on the internet. After that, they began learning the artful challenge of making drinkable products the public would buy. The vast majority of the experimentation was done behind closed doors and was strictly against the law.

Cowdrey said the legalization of hobby distilling could lead to the creation of more small craft distilleries and the jobs and tax revenue that go with that.

Additionally, he said, there are many thousands of people who would like to try their hand at making their own corn whiskey, vodka, bourbon or gin just for the fun of it.

The time for change has come.
Javier King Ariano, also known as Kong, dhl and fedex, the alleged head of a Panamanian-based cocaine trafficking organization, is to appear in federal court in Richmond on Wednesday.

Authorities had been seeking the extradition of King Ariano, 48, from Colombia since his indictment in Richmond last May on charges of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

According to an affidavit from a Homeland Security Investigations agent, Investigation revealed that King Ariano is responsible for the shipment and distribution of multi-hundred kilograms of cocaine all over the world including the United States, the Caribbean and Europe.

U.S. law enforcement authorities have been investigating the international trafficking organization since August 2015, according to the affidavit by Brian E. Robinson, an HSI special agent. He said that for approximately 10 years, the organization imported cocaine into the U.S. through ports including Norfolk, Baltimore and Charleston, S.C.

On Sept. 16, 2015, an alleged associate of King Arianos traveled from Panama City to Miami on orders from King Ariano.

On Sept. 18, the associate, who is also a Panamanian and remains a fugitive, met with three confidential sources  one of whom was the point of contact for an alleged corrupt longshoreman who was actually an undercover U.S. agent  and was recorded allegedly discussing how cocaine would be hidden and shipped to Charleston.

Following this meeting, during a lawfully intercepted telephone call between (the associate) and King Ariano ... Ariano detailed his plans to send at least 30 kilograms of cocaine from Panama to Charleston, the affidavit says.

Among other things, the affidavit alleges King Ariano had 26 kilograms of cocaine shipped to Charleston last February. Four kilograms were kept by co-conspirators for their services and the rest given to two couriers who were to take it to New York City. Instead, the couriers were under surveillance and the cocaine was seized near Richmond.

Then in March, King Ariano allegedly sent another shipment of more than 40 kilograms to Charleston. Before it could be delivered to the couriers, authorities replaced two kilograms with tracking devices disguised as kilogram blocks, according to Robinsons affidavit. That cocaine also was seized near Richmond.

The indictment alleges the conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into Charleston took place from August 2015 to April 2016 with the associate and others in the U.S., Panama, Colombia and elsewhere.

Two people, Tammie Dechell Diggs, 46, of Concord, N.C., and Humberto Beckford, 36, a Panamanian national, have pleaded guilty in federal court in Richmond on a related charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

King Ariano is set to appear for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak on Wednesday and then be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.
Three men, including two from Richmond, were arrested over the weekend after guns, drugs and almost $5,000 in cash were found in their vehicle during a traffic stop in Botetourt County, Virginia State Police said Monday.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday, a state trooper pulled over a 2007 Mazda for speeding on northbound Interstate 81. During the traffic stop the trooper noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and a subsequent search uncovered two illegal concealed firearms, cocaine, prescription pills, hash oil, more than a pound of marijuana and more than $4,700 in cash, state police said.

The men had left Radford and were on their way to Richmond, state police said.

The driver  Kyle H. Webb, 22, of Springfield was charged with speeding (75 mph in a 60 mph zone) and possessing marijuana.

One passenger  Trechon D. Hunter, 24, of Richmond  was charged with possessing a concealed firearm.

The other passenger  Spencer W. Townsend, 25, of Richmond  was charged with possessing a gun with a Schedule I-II drug, possessing a controlled substance and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.

The three men were taken to the Botetourt County Jail, where Hunter and Townsend are being held without bond, state police said.
An immigrant from Mexico who left the U.S. after he was accused of molesting two Chesterfield County girls  but then returned two years later after paying $8,000 to be smuggled back across the border  was sentenced Monday to serve 14 years for the assaults.

Daniel Soriano Avila, 33, molested two girls, ages 9 and 11, in 2007 and 2008 after he became friends with their older brother and the family took him into their Chesterfield home to live while he worked construction in the Richmond area, Chesterfield prosecutor B.J. McGee said.

But Avila betrayed the familys trust and took indecent liberties with the girls and sexually battered them inside the home.

Avila denied abusing the girls and continued to maintain his innocence at Mondays sentencing hearing in Chesterfield Circuit Court.

But McGee said the victims older sister called the defendant at some point after the abuse occurred and he admitted to touching the younger girls inappropriately because he was thinking of the older sister, who had spurned his advances.

He tried to have an age-appropriate relationship with (the) older sister, McGee said.

Avila fled the Richmond area after Chesterfield police became involved and at one point returned to his native Mexico.

He claimed he left to attend a coming-of-age party for his teenage nieces birthday in Mexico, but authorities suspect he fled because of the felony warrants they obtained against him in 2008.

After a two-year stay in Mexico, Avila paid $8,000 to return to the U.S., McGee said, and he began working and living in the Tidewater area, where he met a woman in 2010. She essentially became his common-law wife a year later, and they had a son together in April 2013, the woman testified Monday.

In November 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force based in Richmond developed information that Avila might be living at an address in Hampton, and they arrested him after locating him there.

Avila had been on the Chesterfield police most-wanted list of fugitives since 2008.

Defense attorney Mary Adams told the court that Avila voluntarily came back to the U.S. knowing there were felony warrants for his arrest and that he was not hiding from police.

Adams said Avila continued to live and work in Virginia using his real name as he supported his new family and built a life here.

Avila claimed the girls conspired against him, and one of the two acted like she was in love with him and had kissed him on one occasion.

The mother of Avilas child testified he was a good father and provider and said, We never hide from the police.

The womans mother and the defendants nephew described Avila in similar terms, testifying he was a very good father and hard worker who did not abuse alcohol or his family.

But the 11-year-old victim, now 20, testified Monday that she suffers from sexual, physical and emotional trauma as a result of the abuse she endured.

McGee said Avila offered to take a polygraph, or lie detector, test after his arrest, and he was found to be deceptive during the examination.

The abuse was uncovered after the older of the two victims told an elementary school counselor in October 2008 that something had happened to her in June of that year, McGee said.

He has affected two young ladies dramatically for the rest of their lives, he told the court.

Chesterfield Circuit Judge Lynn Brice told Avila that she appreciated his efforts to support his family in recent years, but that did not absolve him of the abuse the victims suffered earlier at his hands.

You were treated like an extended family member ... and you took advantage (of the familys) generosity, the judge said.

Brice then sentenced Avila to 55 years in prison with all but 14 years suspended on two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count each of object sexual penetration and taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Avila was found guilty of the offenses during a bench trial in November.

Recommended state sentencing guidelines called for Avila to receive an active prison term of 8 years and 1 month on the low end, and 17 years and 5 months on the high end.

U.S. immigration authorities have placed a detainer on Avila, and he will be deported to Mexico when he completes his sentence.

With his sentencing, Avila has been declared a violent sexual offender and will be added to Virginias sex offender registry.
Hanover County Sheriff David R. Hines said this month that his officers will begin this year carrying a drug that can reverse heroin and painkiller overdoses.

The announcement that the Hanover Sheriffs Office plans to buy Narcan, a brand of naloxone, came during a speech Hines gave to Hanovers Board of Supervisors at a special county budget meeting.

Naloxone is an opioid antidote that has long been used by paramedics to treat overdoses. Opioids include illicit drugs such as heroin and prescription painkillers including fentanyl and oxycodone.

During his speech, Hines noted there were 26 heroin-related overdoses in Hanover in 2016  three more than in 2015. Three of those overdoses were deadly, which was less than the six deadly heroin overdoses in Hanover in 2015.

While signing measures on opioid addiction Thursday, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said opioid overdoses are likely to have topped 1,000 in 2016. One of the measures McAuliffe signed is intended to expand access to naloxone by allowing community organizations to possess and dispense it to those whom they train to use it.

Hines placed the heroin-related incidents in Hanover in the context of opioid addiction being declared a public health emergency in Virginia and a need to be vigilant.

To continue the momentum of reducing opioid-related deaths, the sheriffs office met with (Fire) Chief (Jethro) Piland and the Hanover County medical director and discussed the use of Narcan, Hines said in his speech.

Narcan is a medical aid that helps reduce the impact of a heroin overdose and has the potential to save lives.

Hines said that beginning in the summer, plans call for Narcan to be stored with AED devices that are carried in officers cars.

The sheriffs office is still exploring how and from where it will acquire Narcan, Sgt. James Cooper said. The sheriffs office hopes to be able to get the Narcan donated but will purchase it if it cant, he said.

The sheriffs office is working with manufacturers on pricing, but Cooper would not say which manufacturers.

Were actively determining who we can get the best deal from, Cooper said. As we are in the very early stages of researching the procurement of Narcan, funds will be set aside once we have a concrete number or cost.

Cooper said the sheriffs office had been considering acquiring Narcan before the public health emergency was declared.

The sheriff just figured this was a responsible response to a public health crisis, Cooper said. Its one more way to serve the community.

Police in Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County do not carry Narcan.

It is something that has been discussed and considered, Henrico police Lt. Christopher Garrett said. However, Henrico Countys EMS system is designed in a manner that we feel does not currently warrant police officers carrying Narcan.

Cooper said Hanover Fire-EMS has not had any issues with the deployment of Narcan. Hanover Fire-EMS Battalion Chief Jason Williams also said there have not been any issues deploying Narcan.

During a presentation at Wednesdays Board of Supervisors meeting, Piland, the fire chief, said the average response time in 2016 for Hanover Fire-EMS inside the suburban service area is 6.1 minutes and outside the suburban service area is 9.19 minutes.

The deployment of Narcan by Hanover Fire-EMS dates to the 1980s, when the Old Dominion EMS Alliance called for it to be carried in the drug boxes of advanced life support providers, Williams said.
Legislation that would have shielded specific concentrations of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing from public disclosure was rejected in a Senate committee this month, a vote that drew cheers from environmental groups.

The dangers of fracking proved simply too great to ignore, said Kate Addleson, director of the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, in a statement. We applaud the senators choice to maintain transparency and put people over polluters.

But Miles Morin, executive director of the Virginia Petroleum Council, among the industry groups that supported the bills as reasonable trade-secret protections for the often geologically specific cocktails of chemicals drillers use, said the legislations defeat could sow confusion among the public and state agencies about Freedom of Information Act requests related to fracking fluids.

The problem is that without enacting a FOIA exemption, the legislature has failed to provide clarity to the public and state employees about how that information should be handled, Morin said.

We think the regulations call for trade-secret protections. What we have now is a little less clarity about how that will be done.

The failure of the bills also could make drilling companies think twice about bringing their latest and greatest technology to Virginia, he added.

But there does not seem to be much confusion at the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy on how to handle any future FOIA requests dealing with the chemicals.

We will provide the information requested. We will not exempt information sent to us on fracking fluids, said Tarah Kesterson, a department spokeswoman. We will share the information with anyone that requests it, including other state and federal agencies.

***

The state adopted new regulations governing oil and gas production late last year after a three-year process, in part to expand the disclosure requirements of ingredients used in well stimulation and to ensure that the regulations reflect current industry best practices, the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy wrote in its summary of the new rules.

The regulations require drilling permit applications to include a list of ingredients anticipated to be used in any hydraulic fracturing operations, with the applicant required to identify any ingredients claimed to be trade secrets and the department tasked with determining whether trade-secret protection applies.

The department shall treat as confidential ... information that meets the criteria specified in law for a trade secret, the regulations say.

Such criteria shall include a demonstration by the claimant that the information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.

During the General Assembly session, as bills seeking to exempt some information as trade secrets were pending, the oil and gas industry agreed to concessions that would have required disclosure of the chemical name and abstract number of all substances used during fracking, when large volumes of water and small concentrations of chemicals are pumped into wells to fracture rock formations and keep the fissures open so oil and gas can be extracted.

Remaining protected from disclosure, and unavailable to such agencies as the Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Health, however, were the exact concentrations of those chemicals.

When industry rejected the notion of DEQ and VDH having access to this information, it was a total standstill, said Kristin Davis, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which worked on the new oil and gas regulations and opposed the legislative packages, carried by Del. Roxann L. Robinson, R-Chesterfield, and Sen. A. Benton Chafin Jr., R-Russell.

I do wish they had been more open to allowing the agencies to access the information more efficiently like they need to do, Davis said.

***

Natural gas fracking has occurred in Virginia for decades, though its historically been different from the practice that has been controversial in such states as Pennsylvania, North Dakota and elsewhere.

Most of the gas produced in Virginia is in the southwestern part of the state and comes from coal beds rather than shale formations. That type of production involves much less water than in shale drilling, Morin has said.

But there are fears about potential shale development in parts of the state not accustomed to gas production, including in the Taylorsville Basin, which covers parts of the Northern Neck and central Virginia, and in Augusta County, where the Board of Supervisors voted last week to ban hydraulic fracturing outright.

Tracy C. Pyles Jr., the boards chairman, said the ban, which does not include conventional gas drilling, was not in response to any specific plans to drill in Augusta.

Instead, it arose as a result of widespread concern over Dominions proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would bring Marcellus Shale gas from West Virginia to North Carolina via a 600-mile pipeline across the heart of Virginia, including Augusta, and growing awareness of the countys role as stewards of the headwaters of the James and Potomac rivers, Pyles said.

We feel a particular obligation to be as protective of this as possible, he said. If people didnt get water from Augusta County, millions of people would be impacted.

We are not like anybody else. We have particular responsibilities that others dont have. ... We saw this as a threat; we now have a way to protect it, so we did that.

A 2015 report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found no evidence that fracking has led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States, though it did find specific instances where drinking water was contaminated.

In December, however, the EPA issued a final version of that report that excised that language.

EPA scientists concluded that the sentence could not be quantitatively supported, the agency said when the report was released.  Contrary to what the sentence implied, uncertainties prevent EPA from estimating the national frequency of impacts on drinking water resources from activities in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle.

And while fluid can leak during the fracking process as a result of surface spills or failing casings around well bores, its disposal also can lead to contamination and other problems.

When fracking fluid comes back up a well, it may contain the injected chemicals plus naturally occurring materials such as brines, metals, radionuclides, and hydrocarbons, according to the EPA.

The produced water is typically stored on site in tanks or pits before treatment or disposal, which also has been controversial. Injecting the used fluid back into deep underground wells, for example, has been linked to earthquakes in several states, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The verdict is in, again: LaGuardia Airport still has the most delayed arrivals of any major airport in the United States. That's according to a new report from the Global Gateway Alliance, a nonprofit focused on improving airport infrastructure in the NYC area.

The report, released Monday, found that more than 28 percent of flights into LGA were delayed in 2016, good for 29th out of 29 airports surveyed in the study. On-time arrival rates at the top three airportsSalt Lake International, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, and Detroit Metrowere all above 85 percent.

Performance at our other area airports was similarly lacking. At Newark and JFK, late arrivals accounted for 23.2 percent and 25.5 percent of all flights, good for 25th and 27th places, respectively.

The area's airports also ranked in the cellar for on-time departures. JFK's on-time departure rate of 77.7 percent was good for 22nd place, while LGA's 77.17 put it in 26th. Newark, with a 75.6 percent on-time rate, was dead last.

This news will come as no shock to New York's long-suffering air travelers. LaGuardia has long been a particular laughingstock, called "un-New York" by Cuomo and compared to the airport of a "third-world country" by Joe Biden in 2014. (I believe the proper nomenclature is "developing country," and plenty of airports in developing countries are actually really nice, but we'll forgive Joe for the turn of phrase.)

This summer, local airports ranked similarly poorly in U.S. Department of Transportation data covering the first half of 2016.

LaGuardia's performance seems to be on a very slightly upward trajectory, with a 1 percent improvement seen over arrivals for 2015 and a 2.5 percent improvement for departures.

A combination of small improvements here and significant drops in performance at San Francisco and LAX helped New York avoid 2015's fate, when its three airports held the bottom three spots on the arrivals list. Sadly, all three fell in the departure rankings.

Earlier this month, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the three airports, released its 10-year capital plan, which includes $1.5 billion for Governor Cuomo's planned LaGuardia-Willets Point AirTrain boondoggle and $600 million for renovations at Terminals C and D. (The projected cost of the renovations would exceed $4 billion, but the rest is supposed to come from private partners.) The budget also includes $1.7 billion to extend the PATH train to Newark and $1 billion for improvements at JFK.

"While the terminal redevelopment projects are important, these dollars won't be enough unless we address the delay problem too, Global Gateway Alliance Chairman Joe Sitt said in a statement issued with the report.

Sitt cited limited runway space as a major factor in the persistent congestion plaguing New Yorks airports, and called for the Port Authority to act on a proposal from the Regional Plan Association that would expand runway capacity at all three airports. Sitt also called on the PA to fully implement so-called NextGen satellite air traffic control technology, which has improved air traffic management at other major airports.

"As part of LaGuardia Airports major redevelopment, the relocated terminals and new island-gate system will create nearly two miles of new taxiway space for more effective circulation of aircraft and taxiing times, which will yield shorter and fewer gate delays as part of the ongoing efforts to make more efficient use of the airports small geographic footprint," a spokesperson for the Port Authority wrote in an email to Gothamist. "We also continue to work with the FAA, which controls air traffic, to expedite the implementation of Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) technologies to reduce delays at all Port Authority airports."


Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Kelly assured him Sunday that immigration agents are not conducting random raids and will not target undocumented residents unless they are suspected of being involved in illegal activity.

He explained to me what the new procedures were, McAuliffe said Sunday after a private 45-minute briefing with Kelly, a retired general. I do take a four-star U.S. Marine general at his word.

McAuliffe, who was in Washington for the winter meeting of the National Governors Association, which he chairs, had asked Kelly for a meeting to discuss reports that federal agents recently rounded up people outside a church charity shelter in Northern Virginia.

The Democratic governor has repeatedly faulted the Trump administration for taking an aggressive stance against immigrants, saying it creates a climate of fear and scares away foreign businesses that might want to locate in the state.

McAuliffe attended a rally at Washington Dulles International Airport the day Trump imposed his travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations, which has since been stayed by a federal judge.

I am very concerned about this. It has had a chilling effect, McAuliffe said. The governor has said two businesses that were considering Virginia locations have walked away out of worry that they would not be welcome.

But in Sundays meeting, which was closed to the press, Kelly assured McAuliffe that there will be no random raids.

He told me that is not going to happen, McAuliffe said.

He said he told Kelly that the Trump administration had done a terrible job of making its policy understood by the public.

They need to do a better job with communications because they have scared people, McAuliffe said.
Kyler Schmitz liked to get home from work, drink wine, and vent on Twitter. What he said there turned him into a felon.

It started after the Orlando, Fla., shooting last year. As a gay man who had spent nights in clubs such as Pulse, he was terrified and sad. As a longtime supporter of gun control, he was enraged. The way he saw it, Republican lawmakers offered prayers for the dead while ignoring the way they were killed.

Schmitz, who lives in Alexandria, decided to tell them what he thought guns were for: killing people. And to make sure they understood, in the summer of 2016 he sent them messages promising graphic revenge.

Even after he was warned by law enforcement, Schmitz didn't stop. What had begun as a rebuke of gun rights became, to him, a stand for free speech.

Few of the millions of violent threats made online are prosecuted, and the line between legal and illegal is unclear. But Schmitz learned that the uncivilized world of online discourse does have boundaries, and threatening to shoot a U.S. senator is one of them. In an interview, the 28-year-old said he sees his criminal case as a cautionary tale for people who think that what they say online don't have real-life consequences.

"It was really shocking when I saw the articles with quotes under my name," said Schmitz, who has served his sentence of home detention and works as a waiter. "That's a tough lesson . . . Even if you're playing a character, you have to take responsibility for your character."

Originally from St. Paul, Minn., Schmitz was drawn to the Washington area by an interest in activism and desire to be part of a larger gay community.

He had dozens of Twitter accounts, most of them nonsensical. One retweeted every politician's use of the word "but" with a tiny picture of poop. Another six or seven had as their avatars a rainbow kitten with a unicorn horn and butterfly wings. On his main account, where he pretended to be a bug-eyed bird, he asked scientists dumb questions about biotechnology.

It was from that account that he began lobbing threats.

"I am literally going to buy a gun shoot you in the face I watch your brains splat," he tweeted at Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. "You will never ever again hurt anyone that I love I promise." Schmitz targeted Blunt because the Missouri senator was the sitting congressman who had received the most donations from the National Rifle Association.

"I wanted to get a rise," he recalled. "I wanted to make a point that I thought was civil disobedience and nonviolent, because I wasn't going to do anything."

Schmitz said he had always been outspoken; in seventh grade he gave a speech in school against homophobia. Older boys, he said, would circle him in the halls and call him names.

Schmitz thought his first tweet on the subject  saying, "I would never buy a gun. No one should ever need to. That said, I'm going to shoot some GIF #Guns at Republicans"  made that clear. But a committee staffer for Blunt saw the tweets and referred them to the Capitol Police.

In June, authorities visited Schmitz at his home and told him to cut it out. He said he would never actually use a gun, and tried to explain to them what he thought was mostly a joke. Schmitz says they didn't make the law clear; the police said in court filings that they made clear he was committing a crime.

Either way, he knew he was near a line if not over it. What he didn't realize was that the transgression would not mean an arrest or even a misdemeanor charge but possibly 25 years in prison. Instead of backing away from the danger, he danced around it.

"Good," he thought, "Now I have an audience." He hadn't been sure anyone would see the tweets; he had only a handful of followers.

He began asking his new audience which of the messages violated the law.

"Only a moron would think take them as serious threats yet they do define the dangers of guns in a graphic and realistic way," he tweeted at the Capitol Police. "What is illegal to say on Twitter? I want to know how much #FreedomOfSpeech I have so I don't get into trouble with my words."

Experts say the question can't really be answered.

"The Supreme Court left it a little unclear where the line is," said Leslie Kendrick, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. "The law has to take into account the speaker's state of mind. But what state of mind does that have to be, we don't know. Does the speaker have to have the intent to intimidate, does the speaker just have to have knowledge that they will intimidate people, does the speaker just have to be reckless in whether they will intimidate people?"

Schmitz's case is easier than most. Although a spokesman for Blunt told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the tweets appeared to be attempts at "parody, satire," many of his tweets did contain explicit, violent threats. Blunt's office declined to comment for this article.

"There are a lot of threat cases that are nonsense that ignore the context or the Internet culture where the statements take place," said Kenneth White, a criminal defense attorney who often writes about First Amendment issues on the blog Popehat. "This really isn't one of them."

Still, Twitter is so permeated by threatening speech that it's easy to see why Schmitz was disbelieving.

"A lot of people make very violent threats on social media without repercussions; nobody really does anything about it even if it's reported. For the most part, people are getting away with it left and right," said Nancy Baym, an expert in communication technology at Microsoft. On both sides of the aisle, she said, people have begun to see aggressive tweets as a kind of social action.

There was no second warning. Early on the morning of June 23 last year, two dozen police knocked in the door of Schmitz's home. With guns out, they demanded all of his electronic devices. He was arrested and spent the next week in jail.

"The answer to my question  'Can you get arrested for tweets?'  was yes, you can," Schmitz said.

After his arrest he lost his job as an Uber driver, but that was the least of his problems. He learned he could face the possibility of five years in prison for each tweet. Federal prosecutors chose to charge five tweets, meaning he was looking at a potential 25 years in prison had he gone to trial. Instead, he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, to one count of making threatening interstate communications.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Berrang pushed for a six-month sentence. Schmitz was ultimately let go with three months of house arrest, with exceptions for work, and two years of probation. He cannot use the Internet until March. He missed his brother's wedding.

Schmitz is handsome and funny, a little too talkative and trusting for his own good. He calls his GPS monitor "my FitBit," and jokes that although he lost his job he gained a felony conviction. He thinks a Kyler Schmitz in Montana who accidentally started a forest fire should be grateful for being pushed down on Google.

"He's the unfiltered, funny friend who says whatever's on his mind," said his fiance, who asked not to be named for professional reasons. But, he said, the Schmitz he sees is not mean. He stops to talk to homeless people on the street and volunteers to take care of neighbors' pets. As an Uber driver, he took NAACP donations instead of tips.

"Republicans turned into the enemy of everything he likes and stands for," his fiance said. "It was that emotional for him."

In some ways, Schmitz said, his prosecution was "the shock to my life that I needed."

He attended Northern Virginia Community College, volunteered with political groups, and worked at a bead shop, but at 28 he still wasn't sure what he was doing with his life.
For the past few months Virginians have been subject to a steady drumbeat of bad news about the states finances: The commonwealth is facing a budget shortfall, agencies are bracing for cuts, and so on.

With the General Assembly now adjourned, taxpayers might want to take note of two numbers: $105 billion, which was the size of the state budget when the Assembly adjourned last year  and $107 billion, which is the size of the state budget today. For all the talk of gloom and doom, Virginias total budget has grown, not shrunk.

This is good news, obviously  it makes possible many initiatives: pay raises for teachers, new economic development efforts, supportive housing for the mentally ill, and even a fancy Jamestown commemoration. Lawmakers also bought themselves a new building, at a cost of about $300 million. But it also belies the impression that state government is barely scraping by.

Calibrating the budget is the chief purpose of legislative short sessions like the one just finished, and thats fortunate  because this years will not be remembered for significant accomplishments. That owes much to the partisan divide between a legislature dominated by socially conservative Republicans and a Democratic governor who has spent much of his term thwarting them. This year Terry McAuliffe vetoed abortion restrictions, tax credits for coal, and the so-called Tebow bill  just as he has in years past. For their part, Republicans have denied him Medicaid expansion year after year.

Likewise, efforts to roll back an electricity rate freeze and to reform the excessive use of school suspensions failed to reach the end of the legislative gantlet. Republicans killed their own efforts to restrict welfare benefits, and lawmakers quickly dispatched a proposal that would have forbidden them to use campaign contributions for their own personal enrichment. Thats just crazy talk, man.

Not every legislative initiative needs to be a banner-headline affair, but this session witnessed the demise of many efforts that deserved a better fate, such as limits on the excessive use of school suspensions. On the other hand, the governor already has signed four measures to combat the opioid-abuse crisis.

Commendably, the Assembly also passed a bill that holds the potential to fix Virginias notoriously weak charter-school law. Local school divisions have blocked charters in Virginia, which has fewer than a dozen such schools even though neighboring states have hundreds. This years bill would create a workaround by allowing for the creation of regional charter schools. We hope the governor signs it soon.

As always, the session saw its share of oddities. Those included the fight over whether to give hunting dogs more leeway to cross private property without the owners permission, and Del. Bob Don Quixote Marshalls attempt to stem the nations epidemic of hairy palms by having porn declared a public health threat. That measure drew media coverage from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. Thanks, Bob.
When President Donald Trump delivers his first speech to a joint session of Congress tomorrow night, hell see a House chamber as divided as the nation.

Dozens of Democratic members of Congress boycotted Trumps inauguration, but they plan to turn the joint session into a mini protest. Many are bringing as guests Muslims, the disabled and other minorities who they say will be hurt by Trumps policies.

So Trump faces a test: Will he be the combative campaigner people either love or hate or will he offer an olive branch?

Trump gave Congress, even Republicans, the back of his hand in his inaugural address, failing to mention House Speaker Paul Ryan or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He castigated the same politicians hell address tomorrow in prime time.

Their victories have not been your victories, their triumphs have not been your triumphs, he said. And while they celebrated in our nations capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

Stephen Miller, the aide who wrote the inaugural address, with its bleak picture of American carnage, is also writing the joint session speech. This time, though, the president will present an optimistic, positive vision, officials say.

Trump, who insists he inherited a mess, will talk about what hes done so far and where he plans to take the country in broad terms.

Its important for the American people to know that he was an agent of change; he came here to get things done, and he didnt waste any time, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Wednesday. In the drafts that Ive seen so far, it is going to be a very strong blueprint of where he wants to take this country, Spicer said.

While Trump has signed executive orders to achieve some of his goals, he needs legislation for many of the big items on his to-do list: tax cuts, infrastructure projects, health care reform and a secure border. That means working with Capitol Hill.

But Trumps dismal approval ratings make it easier for Democrats, and perhaps some Republicans, to keep him at arms length. Just 42 percent of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing, lower by far than any other president after a month in office, Gallup reports. A nationwide poll by Quinnipiac University released Wednesday found Trump with 38 percent job approval.

Rep. Jim Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat, is leading the effort among House Democrats to bring as guests people who have faced discrimination and made positive contributions. Langevins guest is Dr. Ehsun Mirza, a Pakistani-born critical care physician and naturalized citizen who is a leader in Rhode Islands Muslim community.

Trumps speech is not officially a State of the Union address. The past five presidents have spoken to Congress early in their first year but have waited until the second year to deliver a State of the Union address.

After the bitter and protracted 2000 election, President George W. Bush addressed Congress Feb. 27, 2001, on his administrations goals. Together we are changing the tone in the nations capital, Bush proclaimed. He promised education would be his top priority.

Let us agree to bridge old divides. But let us also agree that our good will must be dedicated to great goals. Bipartisanship is more than minding our manners; it is doing our duty, Bush said.

Which reminds us that even if we like what a president says at such august occasions, we should take their words with a grain of salt.

In February 1981, shortly after he took office, President Ronald Reagan addressed Congress on his Program for Economic Recovery, calling for massive tax cuts, spending cuts on domestic programs and hefty increases in defense spending.

Warning that the national debt was approaching $1 trillion, Reagan offered a dandy word picture.

If you had a stack of thousand-dollar bills in your hand only 4 inches high, youd be a millionaire, Reagan said. A trillion dollars would be a stack of thousand dollar bills 67 miles high.

But Reagans policies only exacerbated the debt. By the time he left office the national debt had nearly tripled. That stack of thousand dollar bills would have been 160 miles high.
MONDAY

The Richmond City Council will hold an informal meeting at 4 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 6, in the council chambers at City Hall, 900 E. Broad St.

TUESDAY

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting at 5:15 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 7, in the countys government center, 4301 E. Parham Road.

The Ashland Town Council is having a budget work session at 6 p.m., 101 Thompson St.

The Prince George County School Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., 6410 Courts Drive.

The Prince George County Board of Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m., 6602 Courts Drive.

The Hopewell City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m., 300 N. Main St.

The Colonial Heights School Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the audiovisual room of the Technical Building, 3451 Conduit Road.

THURSDAY
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Letters 11-4-22 A Vote For Tom Sullivan Dear Editor: On Election Day, I will be proudly voting for Colonel Thomas P. Sullivan for State Assembly. A proven leader, and financial professional. A vote for Tom Sullivan is...

Letters 10-28-22 Thanks, Stacey Dear Editor: I would like to recognize Stacey Amato for the tireless work she has done in our community. She responded to every call I have ever made to her office with results....
Last week, NRA president Wayne LaPierre told an extremely credulous crowd that he believes paid protesters fighting the Trump administration are making $1500 per week. Sadly, this isn't true (though if it is, please give me some money), but if everyone out there is making conservative activists this crazy, you're doing something right. Keep it up at the following events this week:

Journalism in the Age of Trump

If the president is defining journalism as one of the evils plaguing the country, something has gone seriously wrong. Listen to a panel of journalists (Bill Moyers, the New York Times' Dean Baquet, EmergingUS Jose Antonio Vargas Vice News' Shawna Thomas and Slate's Jacob Weisberg) talk about the role and responsibility of the press in this new age in America. Get there early, because it's first come, first seated.

FREE, Monday, February 27th, 7:30 p.m., New York Public Library, 476 5th Avenue

Get Organized Brooklyn: Full Group Meeting

Brad Lander's #GetOrganizedBK has been meeting regularly since the early days after Trump was elected, so here's another chance for you to jump in if you want to be a part of it. Tonight's meeting will focus on defending public education first, and then will be followed up by breaking into smaller working groups.

FREE, Monday, February 27th, 6:30 p.m., Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Pl



Resist Trump Tuesdays!

As has been the case since he was named minority leader, it's important to keep showing up at Chuck Schumer's office to tell him to fight the Trump administration's plans tooth and nail. The New York City chapter of Indivisible will be dropping by Schumer's office today to talk to his staffers and ask them questions about Schumer's plans, and relay their concerns as his constituents. Sound like you? Join in on a visit then.

FREE, Tuesday, February, 28th, noon/4:30 p.m., Chuck Schumer's Manhattan office, 780 3rd Avenue

What's On Tap? featuring Commissioner Nisha Agarwal

What's the latest on the city and immigration, aside from the fact that turnstile jumping can lead to deportation? Find out at a happy hour with Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Nisha Agarwal, who'll discuss what she's been doing in the de Blasio administration and the impact Trump's immigration agenda is having on the city.

FREE, Tuesday, February 28th, 6 p.m., Juniper Bar, 237 West 35th Street

Building a Feminism for the 99%

The Women's Strike is coming up fast (March 8th will be here before you know it), so here's a chance to get involved and help make it happen. Whether you want to find out more about the protest or help plan it, this meeting with other "feminists, students, workers, professors and international activists" is where you want to be if you have ideas or just want to show solidarity.

FREE, Tuesday, February 28th, 6 p.m., The Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street

Using Your Privilege to Resource the Resistance

Ever feel like there's more you can be doing to help resist the Trump administration besides just taking to the streets? Here's a night devoted specifically to talking about how you can best use your money, your class privilege and other resources you have to further the goal of supporting progressive ideas and movements.

FREE, Tuesday, February 28th, 7 p.m., North Star Fund, 520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1800

Disability Day Of Mourning

Republican changes to the ACA, a plan that's widely seen as handing money from poor to rich and has been pegged even by some Republicans as a plan that will cover fewer Americans than the ACA, will invariable hit disabled people hard. As will the Trump administration's general attitude towards helping pretty much anyone. Join the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network in a vigil for disabled people lost to violence from their caretakers last year and then gear up for the fight ahead in a worse healthcare climate.

FREE, Wednesday, March 1st, 5:30 p.m., Washington Square Park

Demystifying Government: Executive Shenanigans

Feeling a little overwhelmed by the question of how America got to be the alligator-filled toilet it currently is? Want answers on how got to that point? Great, because this is an evening where wonks, lawyers and even a comedian will help explain the various facets of how things like executive orders work and how they're implemented by administrative agencies, the two major parties' shifts on foreign policy, and other governing factors you might find yourself curious about. Plus there will be cookies for sale for $1, with the money going toward a TBD local non-profit.

FREE, Wednesday, March 1st, 7:30 p.m., Cloud City, 85 North 1st Street

Trumpland: an Exhibition Opening by Salim Hasbini

Want to re-live the empty, nightmarish hours in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump becoming president of the United States? You can do that while also raising some money for the ACLU at the release party for Trumpland, a zine made up of photographs taken in the city in the aftermath of that surprise victory. Meet the photographers, have a drink (have a few drinks) and don't forget to pick up a copy of the zine so that you can get some money in the coffers of the ACLU.

FREE, Thursday, March 2nd, 6 p.m., Lomography Gallery, 41 West 8th Street

Rally for a #FairWorkWeek & Fast Food Worker Empowerment

Andrew Puzder may have taken his burger and gone home and fast food workers will (eventually) get a $15 minimum wage in the city and state, but there's still work that has to be done on their behalf. Today's rally at City Hall will focus on ending the practice of last-second scheduling changes in the fast food industry, so that employees can actually you know, live their lives, without worrying about being suddenly summoned to work.

FREE, Friday, March 3rd, 9 a.m., City Hall

The Occasionalists Present Eve Of Destruction Live Karaoke For The Resistance

I don't know about you guys, but I, for one, enjoy karaoke. Getting drunk and screaming into a microphone and everyone has to listen to you for three minutes or so at a time? What's not to love!? Bonus points if while you do it you're benefitting the ACLU and Brooklyn immigration-rights group DRUM, which is exactly what you'll be doing if you take in this evening of live band karaoke.

$10, Friday, March 3rd, 7 p.m., Union Hall, 702 Union Street

March 4th for Standing Rock

The Water Protecters' camp at Standing Rock may be gone, but since the Dakota Access Pipeline project was revived by the Trump administration, the fight against it will continue. A week before a mass nationwide action against the pipeline, the city will host a rally and march from the New York Public Library to Trump Tower in support of the Standing Rock Sioux and their right to clean water.

FREE, Saturday, March 4th, 1 p.m., New York Public Library

People's March for Education Justice - NYC

Hoo boy, Saturday is going to be a busy day around Trump properties. In addition to the march against the Dakota Pipeline ending at Trump Tower, a march demanding that Andrew Cuomo give the state and city billions in promised education funding, end the state's reliance on testing and invest more in social workers and other support staff for schools statewide will start at the Trump International Hotel. Keeping up pressure on Andrew Cuomo is a backdoor way of increasing pressure on Donald Trump, by reminding him to keep acting like a liberal in the run up to his probable run for presidency.

FREE, Saturday, March 4th, 9:30 a.m., Trump International Hotel and Tower, 1 Central Park West

Building Resistance Propaganda Party

Ain't no party like a propaganda party cause a propaganda party lives forever through its messaging. Sorry, sorry. Anyway, drop by the Interference Archive on Sunday for a chance to learn all about a bunch of groups who are fighting the Tump administration, and pick up their various propaganda in the form of stickers, flyers, buttons and other message-spreading goods. Maybe zines? Probably at least one organization will have a zine.

FREE, Sunday, March 5th, noon, Interference Archive, 131 8th Street, Brooklyn



Womens Strikes: Past, Present, and Future

If you can't make the other Women's Strike planning and information day, or you just want to stay involved, here's another chance for you. This evening's meeting will focus on the history of women's strikes worldwide in order to learn from them, a group chat about the best ways to accomplish the goals of the upcoming strike, and some time to make signs for next Wednesday's strike.

FREE, Sunday, March 5th, 6 p.m., Mayday Space, 176 St. Nicholas Avenue
Surely, the Indian gems and jewellery industry is not new to global slowdowns, having witnessed and survived many challenges in the past many years. Resilience is the only factor that has retained the industry upbeat every single time it got hit by the market forces. The recently concluded 10th Edition of Signature IIJS and the 4th edition of IGJME (6th  9th February 2017 at Bombay Exhibition Centre), once again proved that the industry's 'never say die' attitude was evident and better days will be seen in the near future.

Positivity ruled during the Signature Show as the response was better than what the market expected. The Show unveiled premium jewellery and jump-started the new buying season. Serious buyers thronged the Show, especially at the gold jewellery section given that the Wedding Season was round the corner. This has been a norm in the earlier Shows as well and again the demand for light-weight gold jewellery was high. Jewellers, responding to the trend for chunky, large jewellery pieces by end consumers, were seen placing orders for such range of jewellery to fill in the inventory at their stores.

This year, Signature IIJS's significance was in focus as the Indian gem & jewellery sector, which has faced numerous challenges recently is looking forward to growing its exports. With 500 exhibitors and 1,000 plus stalls, the Show saw more than 15,000 visitors from pan India and more than 55 countries. Delegations from UK, Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Lebanon, China, Hong Kong, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal were also presented at the Show.

The overall footfalls were good, with retailers from the Northern part of the country crowding the gold section while surprisingly, very few buyers were seen from the Eastern States. Signature IIJS has always been a good platform for attracting serious buyers, given that the Show is smaller and less crowded than the main IIJS.

As in the past, the loose stones section (both precious coloured stones and polished diamonds) had very few visitors this year. The loose diamond exhibitors commanded lesser demand despite the melees & stars exhibitors especially doing their bit to assure buyers that their product was genuine, natural diamonds. Studded jewellery, both precious coloured stones & diamond studded, too saw a subdued demand.Collections of delicately designed diamond jewellery, besides lightweight gold jewellery, were popular from the Northern market, while the southern market stressed on the quality of the diamonds.

Demonetisation and its effects seem to change the jewellers' choices, given the end consumers going in for regular everyday lightweight jewellery more. Barring the wedding collections, there were very few orders for bigger pieces which attracted investors in the past. Could it be because of the reason that financial transactions are being closely monitored after the demonetization program by the Indian government? Possible.

The IGJME, Asias largest gem & jewellery technology fair helped manufacturers to learn cutting-edge techniques in production and discover innovative technical know-how. Global companies showcased laser machines, advanced bruiting lathes, diamond impregnated Scaife, computerised yield planning machines while the Industry members got an opportunity to interact with leading them. This section of the show saw a good number of visitors with good demand for screening and testing machines.

According to The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), the organiser of the Show, the general mood was positive with serious business done across product segments during the four days. In an attempt to align with the vision of Digital India, GJEPC launched its new Mobile App at the inauguration of Signature IIJS and IGJME.The App will not only provide News and Updates but also be an interface between members and the Council as well as between international buyers and the Indian industry.

The Indian industry also looks forward to Shri Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Commerce's announcement during the inauguration of Signature IIJS that the Indian government will help the GJEPC to create its own one-stop exhibition & convention centre to keep pace with the industry's rapid expansion and growing popularity ear on year of Signature and the IIJS events.

This year the GJEPC's seminar, Design Inspirations, an annual event held close to the Signature IIJS show focussed on the Millennials.

GJEPC has also planned to set up jewellery training facilities across the country... in line with the Skill India campaign of the government. The presentations of most of the speakers focussed on understanding the Millennials... the generation that includes those born between 1981-2000 roughly.

While the Millennials' ideas, thoughts, self-expressions, influenced by the digital world, what they look for, and the best way to catch their attention etc was discussed, speakers also stressed the importance of story-telling and creating jewellery on the basis of inspirations. It was also stressed that in addition to designing for the millennials, it was important to design for the Millennium as the Millennial generation was yet to reach its peak spending power. Finally, it was concluded that 'design' holds the key for the jewellery industry to attain the pinnacle of its growth in the coming years.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Stellar said discussions with Octea Mining over the acquisition of Tonguma, which owns a mining license over the Tonguma kimberlite diamond project in eastern Sierra Leone were terminated and is no longer acquiring the company or its mining license from Octea.

It said its proposed acquisition was deemed to be a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules for companies.

Although Stellar no longer intends to acquire the Tonguma license, both Stellar and Octea continue to work towards finalisation of an agreement that will bring together, for commercial production, their combined diamond properties that cover the whole of the high value Tongo diamond fields, said Stellar chief executive Karl Smithson.

The structure of the agreement would allow Stellar to be operator and marketer of diamonds produced, with a simplified revenue share arrangement payable to Octea in return.

He said there was a considerable potential upside beyond the 4.5 million carats resource (across Tongo and Tonguma) through bringing into resource and the future mine plan additional high grade kimberlites on both properties.

We hope to be able to bring the formal agreement and due diligence process to a conclusion in the near future and will continue to engage with potential strategic investors, said Smithson.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




The International Diamond Week in Israel (IDWI) which was held from Feb.13 to 16 ended on a positive note, with participants showing immense optimism in the future of the diamond industry.

Beginning with the praise by the Tourism Minister Yariv Levin followed by IDE President Yoram Dvash who expressed confidence in the industry, the events of the next three days predicted that good times were evident for the diamond sector. IDI Chairman Shmuel Schnitzer too called the IDWI a welcome initiative and added: This year looks promising and I wish us all great success.

ALROSA's promise to partner the industry with its consistent supply of rough was a boost for the industry; and the opening of the International Tender Center to consolidate under one roof as many polished and rough tenders as possible was a shot in the arm for the Israeli diamond industry as well. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed between the young generation forums of the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers Association (HKJMA) and the IDE for cooperation and business promotion could not have been on a better occasion and gave much impetus to the industry.

After his presentation on generic diamond marketing program, Jean-Marc Lieberherr, CEO of the Diamond Producers Association (DPA), invited members of the Israeli diamond industry to make use of the marketing materials as well as to partner with the DPA on joint programs.

The IDWI wound up with an optimistically, looking forward to a flourishing future for the country's as well as the global diamond industry.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




The Government of India will come out with the fourth series of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2016-17, which the Reserve Bank of India will issue on its behalf. Applications will be accepted from today through March 3 and the bonds will be issued on March 17.

The bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges  National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange.

The bonds will be denominated in gramme(s) of gold with a basic unit of one gramme. The tenor will be for a period of eight years with exit option from the fifth year to be exercised on the interest payment dates. Investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value.

Launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015, the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) and the Sovereign Gold Bond schemes aim at cutting down the huge demand for the precious metal in the country.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Rockwell Diamonds has concluded the sale of its noncore Saxendrift alluvial diamond assets in South Africa to private firm Nelesco 318 for C$4.5 million.

Nelesco had already completed site establishment at Saxendrift and commenced mining operations, which were suspended in September 2016, after settling a CAD2.0-million payment  the first of three payments.

Not only have we reduced our liabilities and earned some much-needed cash, but we have recovered our operations and regained focus, said company chief executive Tjaart Willemse. We have a clear strategy, which is to get our Wouterspan mine up to full production and to see first production from our new Stofdraai mine by July, he said in an update to shareholders.

We are also in discussion with an interested party to conduct bulk sampling at the Daniels Alluvials project with a view on developing the site as a Joint Venture, said Willemse.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




The Swiss watch industry started the year where it left off as exports fell in January, albeit at a slower pace than in 2016.

Outbound shipments of Swiss timepieces fell 6.2 percent year on year to $1.42 billion (CHF 1.43 billion), according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Those numbers continued the calmer trend that marked November and December, when exports went from a sharp drop throughout the year to a more gradual slide.

In 2016 as a whole, exports fell 10 percent due to lower demand from Hong Kong.

Exports to Hong Kong, Switzerlands largest trade partner for watches, slipped 3.9 percent to $197.3 million (CHF 199.7 million) in January  a comparatively mild drop after a 25-percent overall slide for 2016.

The U.S. and China have shown stronger improvements than Hong Kong. Orders from the U.S. increased 5 percent to $164.2 million (CHF 166.2 million) last month, while shipments to China jumped 7.8 percent to $120.9 million (CHF 122.4 million)  their fourth consecutive month of growth.

Globally, a drop in precious-metal watch exports had the biggest impact on Januarys overall decline, with shipments falling 9.7 percent to $429.4 million (CHF 434.7 million). Exports of watches made from steel, as well as those made of a steel-gold combination, fell by less than 1 percent each.




Economic confidence data from euro area is due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 3.00 am ET, Spain's INE releases flash consumer price data for February. In the meantime, Hungary's unemployment data is due.

Also, Austria's consumer price data is due. Prices are forecast to rise 1.6 percent annually, following a 1.4 percent rise in December.

At 4.00 am ET, the European Central Bank is scheduled to issue euro area money supply data for January. M3 is forecast to grow 4.9 percent annually, following a 5 percent rise in December.

At 5.00 am ET, the European Commission is set to release euro area economic sentiment survey results. The economic confidence index is forecast to rise to 108.1 in February from 107.9 in January.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Malta's producer prices declined for the fourth consecutive month in January, figures from the National Statistics Office showed Monday.

The producer price index fell 1.01 percent year-over-year in January, slower than December's 1.86 percent decrease.

Producer prices in the foreign market slid 3.39 percent annually in January, while domestic market prices climbed by 2.42 percent.

Month-on-month, producer prices rose 0.95 percent from December, when it dropped by 0.16 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
While President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked the media in his early days in the White House, former President George W. Bush argued that a free press is "indispensable to democracy."

Bush was asked about the role of the media in an interview with NBC's "Today" show on Monday after Trump recently condemned "fake news" as the enemy of the people.

"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy," Bush said. "We need an independent media to hold people like me to account."

He added, "Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power."

Bush noted he spent a lot of time during his presidency trying to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to embrace an independent press.

"It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when we're not willing to have one ourselves," Bush said.

The former president was also asked about Trump's controversial immigration ban and said he supports an immigration policy that is "welcoming and upholds the law."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission.

A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it.

Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Womens Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Tozi Mthethwa, Ithala Group Marketing and Communications Divisional Manager with bursary recipient, Thembinkosi Mngomezulu.



Ithala has come to the rescue of an ambitious young learner whose dream of furthering his studies nearly collapsed due to lack of funds.

Local student, Thembinkosi Mngomezulu realized his dream to study towards a financial qualification when Ithala Development Corporation awarded him a bursary to study at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

Thembinkosi performed exceptionally well in 2010, matriculating at Ndlangamandla High School in Vryheid with distinctions in Economics, Business Studies, Accounting and Mathematics.

Thembinkosi was also a participant in a winning team in Ithalas Mayibuye Youth in Business programme.

Run in partnership with the Department of Education, Mayibuye provides an opportunity for Grade 12 learners from historically disadvantaged schools in KwaZulu-Natal, to present their business ideas with a view to starting their own enterprises.

Ithalas development mandate speaks to the advancement of business entities and the development of previously disadvantaged individuals. The motivation for Ithala to provide bursary support for this student was made in the context of Ithalas developmental mandate.

Many learners face financial constraints and are unable to access study loans. We are pleased that we have been able to make a difference for Thembinkosi by awarding the bursary within the scope of our corporate social investment programme which focuses on enterprise and skills development, says Tozi Mthethwa, Divisional Manager of Ithala Group Marketing and Communications.

An elated Thembinkosi stated: I am happy to receive the bursary because I would not have been able to pursue my studies therefore I am very grateful to Ithala for this opportunity.

Empowering our youth to become meaningful contributors to our economy is in line with our mandate to drive economic development and empowerment within KwaZulu-Natal, concluded Tozi.
Wildcats face tough road to Big title game after loss

Saturday's loss to Texas leaves Kansas State with little or no margin for error going forward.
Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, would have had to tackle some pretty tough challenges during the first year of his young political career.

But none would have been more sensitive than the question of which side he stands on after his village of Salelologa agreed to ban any Chinese businesses being set up on their customary lands.

Sili would have been torn. As a chief of Salelologa and their representative in Parliament, he knows whats required of him. He certainly cannot be seen to oppose what the Village Council has agreed upon.

But as a Minister of State in a government that has been facilitating the influx of Asian-owned businesses as their existence depended on it, Sili has an obligation to ensure the very Chinese his village have banned are protected.

Which means the Minister has a fine line to walk.

But his response to questions from the Samoa Observer in relation to the issue is a pass mark in our opinion. His tone is whats needed right now as we navigate our way towards the future, seeking to find an amicable solution to these tough questions.

For the uninitiated, asked if he supports his villages decision to ban Chinese businesses, Sili responded: 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.

Well said. Sili is correct and the timing of his message could not have been better. The fact is concerns about the influx of new Chinese businesses are not new. They have been around for a long time now.

But these concerns are not confined to Samoa. They are being expressed all over the world as people wake up to an unstoppable wave from the east thats sweeping the globe with such force. No matter the country; youll find that the issues are pretty much the same.

It has everything to do with locals becoming increasingly alarmed by the influx of foreigners taking opportunities that should otherwise be reserved for them.

Now in response to this, two villages have moved to put a stop to it.

First there was Salelologa and then Siumu followed. We can hardly fault the rationale behind the decisions. Take for example the explanation by the Tuua of Siumu, Tuuu Faasee.

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.

Tuuu is correct. But how do we manage such concerns without being branded as racists, discriminatory, anti-Chinese among other less flattering terms?

We say this because history exists to teach us that this is a very sensitive matter. Some countries have adopted a welcoming attitude, which allows them to take advantage of the benefits and utilize the skills this influx of people have to offer. Others though have been less welcoming.

In the Pacific, we dont need to look further than Tonga, Fiji and Solomon Islands to see how such tensions can easily escalade into chaos and suffering. The riots there should always be a reminder about what could happen if we dont tread with care.

It is why we say Minister Silis call on the government to revisit the question of what type of businesses foreign investors should be encouraged to invest in is not only sensible, it is timely.

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, said Sili.

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.

In all honesty, that will be a great start.

Lets hope Silis boss, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, is listening.

When the issue was raised in Parliament last month, we said the government has to wake up and revisit its policies to ensure we dont end up like Tonga and the Solomon Islands.

The fact is we have to be realistic about whats going on in the world today.

Its not just Samoa that is struggling with the Asian invasion which means that whether we like this influx of new Chinese or not, we cannot stop it.

What we can do is ensure we capitalise by utilising their expertise and knowledge to help advance our peoples prospects in life.

When it comes to businesses, the Chinese have a gift for it. Whatever it is, they know how to make it work. Our people need to find out what that gift is, why it works for them and adjust it so that we can be just as successful.

At the same time, the government has got a responsibility to protect the interests of local people. Its a tough balancing act but its one we need to get right. What do you think? Write and share your thoughts with us!

Have a great Tuesday Samoa, God bless!
Dear Editor,

Re: The man of the moment, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi!

I had the privilege to meet Dr. Asiata Vaai at the Courthouse in Tuasivi. I remember his letters to the Observer and the political culture of Apia, which places ambition and money before integrity.

When aid is sought and spent on corruption instead, then the corrupt and their children and grandchildren benefit, but the population suffers through the loss of the benefit of that money and also the burden of repayment of that debt. This is a merciless cycle well established in Samoa with a huge network of those in political power. It encourages theft and deceit.

Within the church on a Sunday are true followers of Christ and true followers of Pepelo, the Deceiver.

If Judas has been stealing money from Jesus and sharing it with the murderer, liar and thief, Pepelo, then Pepelo would do anything to keep that blood money flowing, even if it means that Jesus family go hungry and suffer or die and if Jesus relatives have to be blinded or deafened or lied to so that Judas can keep stealing then Pepelo is eager to please.

Decisions in Samoa came from the top and there is no consideration given to the rights of those of the masses.

As long as luxury unparalleled in Samoan history, is enjoyed by the Dictator and his cronies nobody else matters.

The Dictator is a tyrant, who avoids accountability, transparency and good governance.

I wondered how his accounts worldwide might be uncovered, examined and, if any defalcation (theft) is found, then frozen and the proceeds returned to the people.

I grieve for all those suffering poor living standards and dying in underfunded hospitals, so that the Dictator and his cohorts can live like kings.

The government is so hard on petty crime, yet so corrupt as to allow money laundering through loose controls. It seems the political elite are above the law.

The government ministries are feudal. They serve certain Cabinet Ministers and associates and are treated as their private property. The order of priorities seemed to be for the use of money:

First, the lifestyle and luxury of the Minister.

Second the salaries and comfort of workers.

Thirdly obtaining expensive reports praising Ministry efforts and achievements.

Finally the little remaining was spent on carrying out the core service function to the community.

This is a cruel, pathetic joke upon the good people of Samoa.

Maua Faleauto
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been asked to remove the suspended Director of the National Prosecution Office (N.P.O.), Mauga Precious Chang.

The call comes from a Cabinet-ordered Tribunal tasked to investigate the conduct of Mauga and her associate, Muriel Lui.

Both have been suspended since last year.

The Tribunal sat at Tuanaimato last week for two days. It comprised of the Chairman, Sir Robert Grant Hammond, Tuiloma Neroni Slade and Alalatoa Rosella Viane-Papalii.

Their report was presented to Prime Minister Tuilaepa yesterday, a source said.

A copy of the 15-page report obtained by the Samoa Observer highlights the Tribunals concerns about Maugas conduct.

We are required to make a recommendation as to whether or not Ms. Chang as the Director of N.P.O. should be removed from office pursuant to s.11(6) (b) (ii) N.P.O. Act, the report reads.

The position of Ms. Chang and Ms. Lui must be considered separately because the concerns raised against them are not identical.

According to the Tribunal, Mauga should be removed.

Unfortunately, we are obliged to recommend that Ms. Chang should be removed from Office, the Tribunal recommends.

On the delegation point, she was badly in error despite the warning of senior public servants including the A.G. and the Prime Minister as Minister for the N.P.O. Act that she should separate herself entirely from the prosecution of herself.

This matter required the application of wisdom and common sense but sadly, this was not reflected in the decisions she made.

The obligations she was under were significant constitutional prescriptions.

Yet when suspended she determinedly clung to the position she had taken up. This was all contrary to public service values.

She ignored the conflict and impropriety that facing charges in her personal capacity, she still sought to appoint her own choice of prosecutor.

This was easily the most significant concern to all who have had occasion to consider this case.

This should not have been done by a Constitutional officer who must have the qualifications required of a member of the judiciary. We again emphasise, the D.P.P. office is a constitutional office with very heavy and significant responsibilities.

But the Tribunal found that Ms. Lui was in a different position.

We have found she had no involvement in the delegation by Ms. Chang of her own prosecution, the report reads.

We also found that the evidence, and the only concern against her relating to the investigation of the Police, is not clear and compelling.

She did try to take advice and the matter was discussed with some Ministers and officials.

However, it is a fine line whether the N.P.O. work she carried out was a continuance or new work and the evidence before us, it is not possible to be definitive.

It would be unjust in such a situation to order her removal.

There is also a technical situation in that the removal section seems to apply only to a Director and not an Assistant Director. Accordingly, there is no adverse finding against Ms Lui as a result of this enquiry.

We recommend that Ms Lui not be removed.

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 traffic 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.

As for the question about the future of the N.P.O, the Tribunal said that is an issue for Parliament to decide.

We recognise that it is for the Parliament of Samoa to determine in the future who should carry on the important prosecutorial functions in Samoa, the report reads.

It is essential and confirmed by our own professional experience that the existence of a strong, independent prosecutorial service is fundamental for justice in Samoa.
The leaders of families today must set a good example for future generations.

And when it comes to land and titles quarrels, 56-year-old Sauuila Meafou, of Salepouae, Saleimoa, believes there are far too many disputes in Samoa.

Not a single day goes by that I dont see it on TV and newspapers that people are fighting over land and titles decisions, he said.

This worries me. If these things are our gifts from God, why is there so much hatred and anger when it comes to them?

I believe this is happening all due to the environment within families.

People do not work together to maintain harmony and thats why there are too many fights.

Personally, we shouldnt fight over lands or titles because every family in Samoa has their own.

He wants to make the generations of today set a good example for the future.

If we want them to live peacefully, we have to show that too, instead of fighting everyday about land and titles matters.

Sau is a planter.

When the Village Voice caught up with him yesterday, he had just returned from his plantation where he had gone to fetch taro, breadfruit and some vegetables for his family.

Life in the family is doing okay. The only thing that hurts us all is family faalavelave because we cannot avoid it. It happens so frequently.

Sau said he depends on his plantation for their daily needs rather than relying elsewhere.

This is where we get money for my sons fees. Hes the only who attends school, the other two work.

Getting back to the issue of unity, teamwork is important, he said.

A family should be working together to maintain peace, love and to live in harmony instead of fighting. What I find sad is that some of these fights involve very close families. Its their own flesh theyre fighting against.

If there is anything to fight for, he believes Samoa should be careful about the influx of foreigners taking over the land.

If they take our land, what would happen to our people in the future, especially our children? They will suffer more. We need to stand up to this.

In the meantime, Sau said his priority is his son.
It is with deepest sorrow that Governor Lolo M. Moliga and Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga announce the passing away earlier of the late Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Faauaa Hunkin.

Faleomavaega died peacefully at his home in Provo, Utah after a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his wife Hinanui and family.

The Congressman lived a life of service to his people, to American Samoa, and to the community of the Pacific.

After service in the U.S. Army including serving in Viet Nam, and upon obtaining his law degree, he joined the Office of American Samoas Delegate to Washington D.C., A.U. Fuimaono. Following that in 1977 he became Staff Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

In 1981, Faleomavaega returned to American Samoa to serve as Deputy Attorney General, before being elected Lieutenant Governor in 1984 along with then-Governor-elect A.P. Lutali.

After serving as Lieutenant Governor for four years, in 1988 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, where he served the people of American Samoa continuously for 26 years.

Notable Committee assignments included the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Natural Resources Committee, along with numerous sub-committee memberships.

Governor Lolo and Cynthia Moliga, along with Lieutenant Governor Lemanu and the people of American Samoa express their sincere condolences to Hinanui and Faleomavaegas family on the passing of this great public servant who gave his life to serve the people and territory of American Samoa.
Lending institutions in Samoa will be able to provide credit to more businesses following the launch of an online registry that makes it easier to accept movable property  such as machinery, accounts receivable, or inventory  as collateral.

Activation of the Personal Property Securities Registry in Apia yesterday was the culmination of an extensive reform to establish a personal property securities framework in Samoa, through which security interests in movable property can be safely and easily recorded.

The reforms were supported by the Asian Development Banks (A.D.B.) Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (P.S.D.I.).

Access to credit is a critical driver of economic growth. It allows new businesses to form, successful businesses to grow, and jobs and wealth to be created, said Masud Nizami, Financial Sector Specialist with A.D.B.s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office.

With limited land ownership in Samoa, using movable property as security for loans makes sense  it makes credit possible for all businesses with assets and it unlocks the value of these assets to help grow the private sector.

Lenders can use the online registry to secure their claim on assets borrowers have pledged as collateral and verify that the asset has not already been pledged elsewhere. Moreover, under the new framework, lenders can repossess a pledged asset in the event of non-repayment without needing a lawyer and a court order.

It is expected that the convenience and accessibility of the registry will also encourage non-bank suppliers  such as wholesalers, agricultural stores, exporters, and vehicle dealerships  to extend credit, as this can now be secured against their customers business assets or products

The registry was launched by Tuifa'asisina Misa Lisati Leleisiuao Palemene, Samoa's Associate Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, at an event attended by government and private sector representatives and the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners to Samoa. P.S.D.I. is now working the Government of Samoa to raise lenders awareness of the new system and encourage the creation of new lending products.

P.S.D.I. is a technical assistance facility cofinanced by the Government of Australia, the Government of New Zealand, and A.D.B.

It supports A.D.B.'s 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to support inclusive, private sector-led economic growth. The support of the Australian and New Zealand governments and A.D.B. has enabled P.S.D.I. to operate in the region for almost 10 years and assist with more than 280 reforms.
Marrying biology and electronics, Swedish scientists say they have produced roses that efficiently conduct and store energy. This technology could be used to electronically regulate plant metabolism and to harvest energy produced by photosynthesis.

In a study published Monday, the scientists build on earlier research demonstrating that a functional transistor could be engineered in roses. The roses were fed a polymer solution that could be made electrically conductive. That study was published in Science Advances in November 2015.

The new study uses a solution called ETE-S that self-assembles into a conductive polymer, according to an article published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Moreover, unlike the previous work, the solution reaches nearly every part of the plant, including the leaves.

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These findings pave the way for combining charge storage devices with energy conversion technology  also manufactured inside plants  to derive autonomous systems for a future green energy harvesting technology, i.e., power plants or flower power technology, the study stated.

The long-range conductivity afforded by ETE-S also allows for sensors and delivery devices (actuators) to be distributed and interconnected throughout the entire plant for electronic autoregulation of plant physiology and defense mechanisms.

The study was led by Eleni Stavrinidou and Roger Gabrielsson. Magnus Berggren is the senior author. All are of Linkoping University. The study can be found at j.mp/electrose.

We have been able to charge the rose repeatedly, for hundreds of times without any loss on the performance of the device, Stavrinidou said in a university statement. The levels of energy storage we have achieved are of the same order of magnitude as those in supercapacitors. The plant can, without any form of optimization of the system, potentially power our ion pump, for example, and various types of sensors.

Science Playlist  On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020
Januarys Screen Actors Guild Awards turned out to be one of the most politically charged in memory, with multiple winners taking the opportunity to challenge President Trumps policies. Since then, the atmosphere has become even more politically charged, and Hollywood is unlikely to stay out of the fray on Oscar night this year. But if things get political, it certainly wont be the first time the event has been used as an amplifier for activism.

Here are 11 of Oscars most notable political moments:

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1972

In the 1970s, the Vietnam War, Watergate and the increasing visibility of various rights movements ushered in a new politically outspoken attitude among stars. Jane Fonda, frequently derided as Hanoi Jane by some for her visit to North Vietnam and outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War, was one such Hollywood fixture known for speaking her mind when given the opportunity. On Oscar night in 1972, after thanking the Academy for her lead actress win for Klute  itself a political statement  Fonda kept it brief and simply asked viewers to read between the lines by saying, Theres a great deal to say and Im not going to say it tonight. I would just like to really thank you very much.

1973

When Marlon Brando won the lead actor award for his role in The Godfather, the audience was surprised when a woman in Native American dress, who identified herself as Sacheen Littlefeather (Marie Louise Cruz), took the stage and informed the crowd that Brando was declining the honor in protest of the treatment of the American Indian in motion pictures and on TV, and because of the recent events at Wounded Knee, where federal agents clashed with hundreds of Native American protesters between February and May of 1973.

1978

Prior to Oscar night, Vanessa Redgrave had already raised the ire of the Jewish Defense League after she produced the pro-Palestine TV documentary The Palestinian. Upon winning the supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of an anti-Nazi activist in Julia, Redgrave doubled-down with an impassioned speech that drew audible boos.

Referring to people protesting The Palestinian, Redgrave labeled them a small bunch of Zionist hoodlums whose behavior is an insult to the stature of Jews all over the world and to their great and heroic record of struggle against fascism and oppression, before also condemning President Nixon and Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Later in the show, Paddy Chayefsky (the writer of Network and Hospital) countered with, Im sick and tired of people exploiting the occasion of the Academy Awards for the propagation of their own personal political propaganda. That push and pull has continued ever since.

1993

Like many in the audience, the famously politically active couple Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins wore red ribbons to the ceremony, which they used as a way to call attention to HIV-positive Haitians who were being held at Guantanamo. Sarandon addressed Washington politicians, asking them to admit that HIV is not a crime and to admit these people into the United States.

1993

Richard Gere took a moment from introducing the nominees in the art direction category to bring up the still-unresolved issue of Tibetan independence, asking Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to take his troops and take the Chinese away from Tibet and allow these people to live as free, independent people again.

1999

Lifetime achievement awards are rarely controversial, but when Hollywood legend Elia Kazan was given the honor in 1999, the audience was visibly divided because of Kazans 1952 testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He informed on old friends who had been members of the Communist Party and later refused to apologize. While such A-listers as Warren Beatty, Kathy Bates, Kurt Russell and Meryl Streep rose to applaud, others including Nick Nolte, Ed Harris and Amy Madigan glowered at the stage with their arms crossed.

2002

In 2002, Halle Berry became the first black actress to win an Oscar in the lead actress category for her role in Monsters Ball. She took her moment on the stage to highlight the past, present and future of African American actresses. This moment is so much bigger than me, she explained. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. Its for the women that stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And its for every nameless faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.

2003

Documentarian Michael Moore made his career on political cage rattling, but he brought his beliefs to the Oscar stage in 2003, when his film Bowling for Columbine won in the feature documentary category. Wagging his finger, Moore chastised then-President George W. Bush for the Iraq War, which had started just days prior, calling him a fictitious president and saying Shame on you!

2009

In November 2008, California voters approved the controversial Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage to a massive outcry from the bills opponents. Just a few months later, Sean Penn picked up an Oscar for portraying slain gay rights icon Harvey Milk and he took the time to confront the issue head-on. I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildrens eyes if they continue that way of support, he said. Weve got to have equal rights for everyone. Likewise, Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black spoke passionately about the issue.

2010

When The Cove was named best documentary in 2010, the filmmakers extended its animal rights themes to Oscar night, when one of the films subjects, Flipper trainer-turned-activist Ric OBarry, prominently displayed a phone number for more information about dolphin activism.

Presenter Natalie Portman at the 84th Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2012. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

2012

As Oscar winner Natalie Portman announced the years leading actor hopefuls, she described nominee Demian Bichirs A Better Life character as an undocumented immigrant, eschewing the then-more prominent term illegal immigrant, and added, you gave a voice to the voiceless. Even more surprising was the fact that the term was used in what appeared to be a scripted speech, and not during the often-times off-the-cuff speeches given by winners.

ALSO:

Some Oscar speeches truly stand out  for better or worse

Some tips for getting that Oscar speech just right  first, start writing it now

What this years Oscar-nominated producers say theyre doing to close Hollywoods gender gap
The 89th Academy Awards have come to an end, where Moonlight was awarded the best picture Oscar after it was erroneously awarded to La La Land in a moment of onstage confusion.

La La Land ended up with six Oscars including director and lead actress (Emma Stone).Casey Affleck took home the lead actor award for Manchester By the Sea, while Moonlights Mahershala Ali took home the trophy for supporting actor. Viola Davis won the supporting actress Oscar for her work in Fences.

Elsewhere, O.J.: Made in America was named the winner in the feature documentary category, while Irans The Salesman won the foreign-language film Oscar. The latters director, Asghar Farhadi, declined to attend the ceremony in the wake of the Trump administrations travel ban.

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Oscars 2017: Live updates | Red carpet photos | Best and worst fashions | Nominee portraits | Winners room

The 2017 Oscars took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Jimmy Kimmel hosting the telecast on ABC.

Heres the complete list of nominees:

1 / 15 Presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty are onstage and about to read the Oscar winner for best picture. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 15 La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz points to Moonlight as being the winner of the best picture Oscar. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 3 / 15 Jordan Horowitz, producer of La La Land, shows the envelope revealing Moonlight as the true winner for best picture. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 4 / 15 La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz hands over the best picture award to Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins after a presentation error onstage. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 5 / 15 Moonlight cast members Mahershala Ali and Trevante Rhodes hug after winning Best Picture for Moonlight. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 15 Oscars telecast host Jimmy Kimmel, left, with Warren Beatty, who explains how La La Land was mistakenly announced as best picture winner instead of Moonlight at the 89th Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 15 Presenter Warren Beatty shows the envelope with the name of the actual winner for best picture as host Jimmy Kimmel, left, looks on. (Chris Pizzello/Invision / Associated Press) 8 / 15 Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali, left, with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone after it was discovered that La La Land was mistakenly announced as best picture onstage. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 9 / 15 Ryan Gosling, right, stands with arms folded as Emma Stone congratulates Mahershala Ali of Moonlight. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 10 / 15 Ryan Gosling of La La Land reacts as the true winner for best picture is announced. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 11 / 15 Janelle Monae, center, celebrates after coming onstage once the best picture mix-up was announced. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 15 Barry Jenkins, left, and producer Adele Romanski appear both stunned and celebratory after Moonlight won the Oscar for best picture. (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images) 13 / 15 Barry Jenkins, front left, and the cast accept the award for best picture for Moonlight. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 14 / 15 Cast and crew of both Moonlight and La La Land are onstage. (Mark Ralston / AFP/Getty Images) 15 / 15 La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, left, speaks to a Oscars show producer, who is reading the winners card after La La Land mistakenly was announced as best picture winner instead of Moonlight. (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images)

MORE: The card that changed everything at the 89th Oscars 

Picture

Arrival | Review

Fences | Review

Hacksaw Ridge | Review

Hell or High Water | Review

Hidden Figures | Review | Interview

La La Land | Review

Lion | Review

Manchester by the Sea | Review

WINNER: Moonlight | Review

Directing

Denis Villeneuve, Arrival

Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge | Interview

WINNER: Damien Chazelle, La La Land | Video

Damien Chazelle, La La Land | Video Barry Jenkins, Moonlight | Video | Interview

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea | Video

Actor in a leading role

WINNER: Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea | Video

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea | Video Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge | Video | Interview

Ryan Gosling, La La Land | Video

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic | Interview

Denzel Washington, Fences

Watch: Jimmy Kimmels opening monologue 

Actor in a supporting role

WINNER: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight | Video

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight | Video Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water | Video

Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea | Interview

Dev Patel, Lion | Video | Interview

Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals | Video

1 / 20 Oscars 2017: Best- and worst-dressed (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times (left and right); Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP (center)) 2 / 20 Viola Davis looks fierce in a custom red Armani Prive vermillion silk gown with a high neckline that falls into draped shoulders and pleated detailing on the bodice. In our opinion, Viola blazed her way onto the best-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 20 Emma Stone is wearing an embellished Givenchy dress harking back to the flapper era. Though we are not in love with the color of the dress, were smitten with everything else about it. And for that, Emma earned the gold on our best-dressed list. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 20 Mahershala Ali is a shoo-in for the best-dressed list thanks to his tone-on-tone Ermenegildo Zegna Couture tuxedo, shirt, bow tie and pocket square -- accessorized with Monique Pean Homme shirt studs. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times (left); Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times (right)) 5 / 20 Its always good to bet on black, and here it pays off for Brie Larson, whose custom strapless, black velvet ruffled gown by Oscar de la Renta earns her a spot on our best-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 20 Kirsten Dunst is wearing a custom Christian Dior Haute Couture dress (extra points for the pockets!), Niwaka diamond necklace and earrings, and Christian Lacriox shoes. Shes also carrying a Roger Vivier clutch -- all the way to our best-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 20 Taraji P. Henson knows how to steal a scene. She wore a custom off-the-shoulder navy velvet Alberta Ferretti gown, dazzling Nirav Modi statement necklace and Jimmy Choo shoes and bag. Henson perfectly captured the retro rewind vibe of the 2017 Oscars red carpet -- and captured a place toward the top of our best-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 20 Is that Belle from Beauty and the Beast? No its her Oscars 2017 doppelganger -- actress Leslie Mann, who shines in a yellow Zac Posen dress, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Jimmy Choo clutch and shoes. On anyone else at any other time we might feel differently, but here shes our guest on the best-dressed list. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press) 9 / 20 Alicia Vikander is a picturesque vision of romance and glamour in Louis Vuitton. Her little black dress made a big statement and catapulted her onto the best-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 20 Ruth Negga is wearing a custom-made red Valentino dress and Irene Neuwirth jewelry. Negga looks like a queen in such a regal ensemble, which is why she reigns on our best-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 20 Dakota Johnson is wearing a Gucci champagne satin long-sleeve, high-neck gown with metallic gold high heel shoes and metallic gold clutch. She looks as though she was trying to be a life-sized replica of the golden Oscar statuettes. Dressing like the award was not a winning move and therefore scored her a place on our worst-dressed list. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times (left); Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 20 Jessica Biel is wearing a Kaufman Franco gown with Tiffany & Co. jewels. The gold metallic camo look is interesting, for sure, but a little too C-3POs sister for our tastes, which made it one of our least favorite looks of the night. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 20 Scarlett Johansson is wearing an Alaia dress with an edgy studded black belt. This look is a bit confusing and feels too casual for the Academy Awards. Therefore, Scarlett earned a timeout on our worst-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 20 Sofia Boutella wearing Chanel looks like a glitter-handled feather duster. And that sweeps her straight onto our worst-dressed list. (From left: Paul Buck / EPA; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) 15 / 20 Jamie Dornan is wearing an Hermes tuxedo, a Cartier watch/cuff links and Tods shoes. While we like all the individual pieces of the outfit, somehow its not all working together, which makes him one of our least-liked looks of the night. (From left: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times; Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP) 16 / 20 We like Halle Berry. And we like Versace. But the usually stunning Berry fell as flat as her hair stood high in this Atelier Versace ensemble. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 20 To be kind, maybe Ryan Gosling was simply trying to be on trend and channel a bygone era with this Gucci made-to-order black velvet, shawl lapel, one-button tuxedo, but thanks to the white evening shirt with blue-tipped ruffle details, that bygone era is the high school prom. Hell be spending the rest of the semester on our worst-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 20 We wanted to love Hailee Steinfelds Ralph & Russo dress but thanks to the peculiar grandmas shower curtain vibe and the curious back ruffle, we just couldnt. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times (left); Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 20 Felicity Jones, wearing Dior, unfortunately missed the mark. The plain-and-simple ballerina look might be perfect for the top of a tween girls musical jewelry box, but on the Academy Awards red carpet its a short spin to the worst-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 20 Pharrell Williams made an impression wearing Chanel at the Academy Awards, but it wasnt a good one. Did he get in a cat fight on his way to the Oscars, his shirt looks shredded? Hes on our worst-dressed list. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Are the Oscars still #SoWhite? A look at the diversity among this years nominees 

Actress in a leading role:

WINNER: Emma Stone, La La Land | Video

Emma Stone, La La Land | Video Natalie Portman, Jackie | Video | Interview

Ruth Negga, Loving | Video

Meryl Streep,  Florence Foster Jenkins 

Florence Foster Jenkins Isabelle Huppert, Elle | Interview

Actress in a supporting role

WINNER: Viola Davis, Fences | Interview

Viola Davis, Fences | Interview Naomie Harris, Moonlight | Video | Interview

Nicole Kidman, Lion | Video

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures | Video

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea | Video

1 / 138 Emma Stone. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 138 Meryl Streep and Don Gummer. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 138 Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 138 Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 138 Scarlett Johansson and date. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 138 Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 138 Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 138 Jeff Bridges and Susan Geston. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 138 Janelle Mona. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 138 Salma Hayek. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 138 Taraji P. Henson. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 138 Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 138 Isabelle Huppert and Barry Jenkins. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 138 Felicity Jones. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 138 Taraji P. Henson and Jackie Chan. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 138 Matt Damon and Andrew Garfield. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 138 Hailee Steinfeld, Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 138 Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 138 Hailee Steinfeld. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 138 Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 138 Chef Wolfgang Puck presents Oscars cuisine during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 138 Mahershala Ali. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 138 Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 138 Octavia Spencer during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 138 Blanca Blanco. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 138 Ryan Gosling during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 138 Brie Larson during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 138 Susan Geston and Jeff Bridges. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 138 Halle Berry during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 138 Sofia Carson attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 138 Casey Affleck during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 138 Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 138 Lucas Hedges and his mom, Susan Titman, during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 138 Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 138 Lucas Hedges attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP (left); Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP (center); Frazer Harrison/Getty Images (right)) 36 / 138 Dev Patel and mom Anita Patel during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 138 Sunny Pawar of Lion during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 138 Kate Arrington and Michael Shannon. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 138 Ruth Negga during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 138 Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 138 Naomie Harris during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 138 Zuri Hall during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 138 Director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara attend the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 44 / 138 Ryan Seacrest during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 138 Aulii Cravalho during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 138 From Fences, actors Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Saniyya Sidney, Stephen Henderson and Mykelti Williamson during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 138 Pharrell Williams and Mimi Valdes during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 138 Charlize Theron during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 138 Andrew Garfield during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 138 Octavia Spencer during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 138 Jackie Chan. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 138 Olivia Hamilton and director Damien Chazelle. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 138 Kenneth Lonergan and J. Smith-Cameron. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 138 Mel Gibson and Rosalind Ross on the red carpet. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 138 Charlize Theron during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 138 L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 138 Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 138 LaTanya Richardson and Samuel L. Jackson. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 138 Matt Damon and wife, Luciana Barroso, during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 138 Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 138 Cara Speller. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 138 Jerry OConnell attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images) 63 / 138 Mohen Leo and guest. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 138 Louise Roe, left, and Stacy London attend the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 65 / 138 Remi Greeley, left, Raul Peck and Herbert Peck during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 138 Film editor Spencer Averick attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 67 / 138 Lei Katz and Andy Wright during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 138 Luke Bracey attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 69 / 138 Director Marcel Mettelsiefen attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 70 / 138 Aldis Hodge. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 71 / 138 Producer Stephen Ellis attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 72 / 138 Hannes Holm and guest. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 138 Toshio Suzuki, left, and Michael Dudok de Wit. (Jordan Strauss / Invision/AP) 74 / 138 Sofia Boutella attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Jordan Strauss / Invision/AP) 75 / 138 Love Larson and Eva von Bahr. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 76 / 138 Cinematographer Dan Krauss attends the 89th Academy Awards. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 77 / 138 Darby Stanchfield during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 78 / 138 TV personalities Debbie Matenopoulos and Louis Aguirre. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 79 / 138 Mica Levi, nominee for original score for Jackie. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 80 / 138 TV personality Debbie Matenopoulos. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 81 / 138 John Savage. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images) 82 / 138 Actor Glen Powell. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 83 / 138 Olivia Culpo. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) 84 / 138 Trudie Styler, left, Sting, J. Ralph and guest. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 85 / 138 Teresa Palmer during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 86 / 138 Shohreh Aghdashloo. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 87 / 138 Bradford Young and guest during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 88 / 138 Hailee Steinfeld. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 89 / 138 Joe Walker and guest. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 90 / 138 Dakota Johnson during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 91 / 138 Viggo Mortensen during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 92 / 138 Actor-screenwriter Taylor Sheridan and Nicole Sheridan. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 93 / 138 Lin-Manuel Miranda with his mother, Luz Towns-Miranda. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 94 / 138 Nancy ODell during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 95 / 138 Louise Roe during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 96 / 138 David Oyelowo during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 97 / 138 Olivia Culpo during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 98 / 138 Allison Schroeder during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 99 / 138 Cynthia Erivo. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 100 / 138 Hailee Steinfeld. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 101 / 138 Vince Vaughn. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 102 / 138 Jharrel Jerome. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 103 / 138 Kirsten Dunst. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 104 / 138 Ava DuVernay. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 105 / 138 Ginnifer Goodwin during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 106 / 138 Ashton Sanders during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 107 / 138 Emma Roberts during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 108 / 138 Karlie Kloss during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 109 / 138 Riz Ahmed. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 110 / 138 Miranda July and Mike Mills during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 111 / 138 Tarell Alvin McCraney during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 112 / 138 Gael Garcia Bernal during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 113 / 138 Janelle Monae during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 114 / 138 Michelle Williams, left, and Busy Philipps during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 115 / 138 Terrence Howard and Mira Pak during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 116 / 138 Leslie Mann and husband Judd Apatow during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 117 / 138 Trevante Rhodes, left, Alex R. Hibbert and Ashton Sanders during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 118 / 138 Denis Villeneuve and wife Tanya Lapointe during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 119 / 138 Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 120 / 138 Dakota Johnson during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 121 / 138 Glen Powell during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 122 / 138 Aldis Hodge. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 123 / 138 Viola Davis and husband Julius Tennon during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 124 / 138 Halle Berry during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 125 / 138 Alicia Vikander. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 126 / 138 Alicia Vikander during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 127 / 138 Dawn Hudson during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 128 / 138 Giuliana Rancic during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 129 / 138 Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 130 / 138 Lauren Hashian and Dwayne Johnson during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 131 / 138 Jeremy Renner. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 132 / 138 Ava DuVernay during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 133 / 138 Robin Roberts. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 134 / 138 Salma Hayek. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 135 / 138 Jim Parsons. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 136 / 138 Alex Greenwald and Brie Larson. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 137 / 138 Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 138 / 138 Priyanka Chopra during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

MORE: The best picture show at the Oscars: the flub, the reactions, the blame 

Adapted screenplay

Lion, by Luke Davies

Arrival, by Eric Heisserer | Interview

WINNER: Moonlight, by Barry Jenkins | Interview

Moonlight, by Barry Jenkins | Interview Hidden Figures, by Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder Interview

Fences, by August Wilson

Original screenplay

WINNER: Manchester by the Sea, by Kenneth Lonergan

Manchester by the Sea, by Kenneth Lonergan Hell or High Water, by Taylor Sheridan | Interview

La La Land, by Damien Chazelle | Interview

20th Century Women, Mike Mills | Interview

The Lobster, by Efthymis Filippou and Yorgos Lanthimos | Interview

Cinematography

Bradford Young, Arrival | Interview

WINNER: Linus Sandgren,La La Land

Linus Sandgren,La La Land Greig Fraser, Lion

James Laxton, Moonlight

Rodrigo Prieto, Silence

Documentary feature

Fire at Sea | Review

I am Not Your Negro | Review

Life, Animated | Review

WINNER: OJ: Made in America | Review

OJ: Made in America | Review 13th | Review

 Moonlight won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

Documentary short:

Extremis

4.1 miles

Joes Violins

Watani: My Homeland

WINNER: The White Helmets

Foreign language film:

Toni Erdmann, Germany | Interview | Review

WINNER: The Salesman, Iran | Review

The Salesman, Iran | Review A Man Called Ove, Sweden | Review

Tanna, Australia | Review

Land of Mine, Denmark | Review

MORE: Full statement from Asghar Farhadi who refused to go to the Oscars in protest 

Sound editing

WINNER: Sylvain Bellemare, Arrival | Interview

Sylvain Bellemare, Arrival | Interview Wylie Stateman and Renee Tondelli, Deepwater Horizon

Robert Mackenzie and Andy Wright, Hacksaw Ridge

Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan, La La Land

Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman, Sully

2017 Oscar Nominated Films

Sound mixing

Bernard Gariepy Strobl and Claude La Haye, Arrival | Interview

WINNER: Kevin OConnell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace, Hacksaw Ridge

Kevin OConnell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace, Hacksaw Ridge Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee and Steve A. Morrow, La La Land

David Parker, Christopher Scarabosio and Stuart Wilson, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Mac Ruth, 13 Hours

MORE: 21st times the charm as Kevin OConnell snaps Oscars longest winless streak 

Original score

WINNER: Justin Hurwitz, La La Land

Justin Hurwitz, La La Land Mica Levi, Jackie | Interview

Nicholas Britell, Moonlight

Volker Bertelmann and Dustin OHalloran, Lion

Thomas Newman, Passengers

Original song

WINNER: City of Stars (La La Land) | Interview

City of Stars (La La Land) | Interview How Far Ill Go (Moana) | Interview

Audition (The Fools Who Dream) (La La Land)

The Empty Chair (Jim: The James Foley Story)

Cant Stop the Feeling! (Trolls) | Interview

MORE: Listen to the Oscar nominees for original song 

Production design

Patrice Vermette, Paul Hotte, Arrival

Stuart Craig, Anna Pinnock, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Interview

Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh, Hail, Caesar!

WINNER: David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, La La Land

David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, La La Land Guy Hendrix Dyas, Gene Serdena, Passengers

Visual effects:

Craig Hammack, Jason Snell, Jason Billington and Burt Dalton, Deepwater Horizon | Interview

Stephane Ceretti, Richard Bluff, Vincent Cirelli and Paul Corbould, Doctor Strange | Interview

WINNER: Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon, The Jungle Book | Interview

Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon, The Jungle Book | Interview Steve Emerson, Oliver Jones, Brian McLean and Brad Schiff, Kubo and the Two Strings

John Knoll, Mohen Leo, Hal Hickel and Neil Corbould, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | Interview

Makeup and hairstyling

Eva von Bahr and Love Larson, A Man Called Ove | Interview

Joel Harlow and Richard Alonzo, Star Trek Beyond

WINNER: Alessandro Bertolazzi, Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson, Suicide Squad

Costume design

Mary Zophres, La La Land

Madeline Fontaine, Jackie | Interview

Consolata Boyle, Florence Foster Jenkins

WINNER: Colleen Atwood, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Interview

Colleen Atwood, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Interview Joanna Johnston, Allied | Interview

Film editing

Joe Walker, Arrival

WINNER: John Gilbert, Hacksaw Ridge

John Gilbert, Hacksaw Ridge Jake Roberts, Hell or High Water

Tom Cross, La La Land

Nat Sanders and Joi McMillon, Moonlight | Interview

Live-action short

Ennemis interieurs, Selim Azzazi

La femme et le TGV, Timo von Gunten

Silent Nights, Aske Bang, Kim Magnusson

WINNER: Sing, Kristof Deak, Anna Udvardy

Sing, Kristof Deak, Anna Udvardy Timecode, Juanjo Gimenez

Animated short film

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider and Cigarettes

Pearl

WINNER: Piper

Animated feature film

Kubo and the Two Strings | Review | Interview

Moana | Review

My Life as a Zucchini | Review

The Red Turtle | Review

WINNER: Zootopia | Review

ALSO:

Everything you need to know about the Oscar after-parties

Jimmy Kimmel explains how Denzel Washington saved Moonlights Oscar speech

Oscars Gary From Chicago did 20 years in prison just before meeting Hollywoods A-list

What actually happened backstage at the Oscars during the La La Land'/'Moonlight mixup

UPDATES:

Feb. 26, 11:10 a.m.: This article was updated on the day of the Oscars to reflect the evenings awards.

This article was originally published on Jan. 24 at 5:55 a.m.
Around the world, hundreds of millions of people live in poverty. Theyre often the product of large families with poorly educated children who go on to have their own impoverished children.

In 2007, San Diegan Vivian Glyck identified a group that could break this cycle: adolescent girls. If they could be reached early and encouraged to think for themselves and get an education before having children, they would achieve a higher standard of living, she decided. They would also pass that along to their own children.

Working in Uganda, the foundation Glyck formed, Just Like My Child, has trained thousands of girls with a 60-hour curriculum given over two years. The group has also helped build schools, assisted families with HIV and trained people to start businesses.

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We started out working in maternal health and education, and very quickly came to see that if we dont intervene at the point where an adolescent girl hits puberty, that she can actually become the one that perpetuates the cycle of poverty, Glyck said.

Now a slimmed-down version of the foundations Girl Power Project is coming to the United States. While the environment in the U.S. is more favorable to women than in Uganda, Glyck and her supporters say some of the lessons of self-empowerment are needed here.

On Sunday, Glycks organization hosted a panel of politically progressive human-rights activists at La Jolla Country Day School to describe what they hope the American version of the program will accomplish.

The agenda includes building self-esteem in girls, eliminating hurtful gender stereotypes, helping them choose their own careers and overturning negative attitudes toward Muslims.

It also includes opposition to President Donald Trump, who the panelists said is retrenching on commitments to human rights achieved under former President Barack Obama.

It may not be too much of an exaggeration to say that the sky is falling, said panelist Krishanti Vignarajah, who joined Just Like My Child to help form the U.S. curriculum. She was policy director in former first lady Michelle Obamas office.

To counterbalance this lack of support from government, Vignarajah said we need to have even more activism and dynamism outside of government.

Trump has responded to such criticism by pointing to his own company, the Trump Organization, as providing opportunities for women to advance at high levels in the corporate world. In October, after a video came out of him disparaging women, his campaign posted online an item titled, Donald Trumps Empowering of Women, and linking to Washington Post stories that quoted women speaking favorably about Trump.

A panelist at Sundays event, John Heffernan, executive director of Speak Truth To Power at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said boys and men need to make protecting womens and all human rights a universal project.

We need to be held accountable, because so much of what we have to deal with in this world is a result of bad behavior by the sex that I represent, Heffernan said. He was formerly director of the Genocide Prevention Initiative at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

At Speak Truth to Power, he said, the goal is to get kids to self-identify as human rights in their own lives, and to fill a citizenry, a community of people that are committed to holding their society to the highest standards of human rights.

The two other panelists were Jay Silverman, research director for the Center on Gender Equity and Health and a professor of medicine and global public health at UC San Diego, and Lena Alfi, director of strategic partnerships for the Middle East Childrens Institute.

More information on Just Like My Child can be found at justlikemychild.org or by emailing info@justlikemychild.org.

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020
Is there a right way and a wrong way to commute?

Governments, community planners, environmentalists and others have increasingly said too many vehicles are clogging roadways and spewing pollution into neighborhoods.

But what alternatives do residents and businesses have to the traditional car commuting, and are those options cost-effective, reliable and, perhaps most important to consumers, convenient? For example, public transit doesnt always connect folks to their destinations in a timely manner, especially in sprawling Southern California.

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As the transportation debate rages, we attempt answer your questions about commuting so you can be more informed in your decision-making.

This week, we respond to two questions that multiple readers have asked: Why doesnt the regions trolley system go to the the San Diego International Airport? And why doesnt the rack on the front of each BREEZE or San Diego Metropolitan Transit System bus have the capacity to carry more than two bicycles?

If you have a query, send it to carwars@sduniontribune.com.

Jack Jecker of Point Loma Heights asks: Why is it we live in the eighth-largest city in the country and we dont have a very simple trolley extension to the airport?

Car Wars: Seemingly everybody wants to know if there will ever be a trolley going to and from the airport.

For years, the region has flirted with a multi-modal transit hub that would include a trolley spur line to the airport. Under this expensive proposal, the passenger drop-off for the airport would likely be moved to the north side of the runway from the south, where its currently located.

This switch seems very unlikely any time soon  especially given the budget challenge facing the regions long-range transportation agency, the San Diego Association of Governments. In last Novembers election, voters rejected a sales-tax hike proposed by the agency. And since then, its come to light that SANDAG tax-revenue projections may have been overly optimistic, calling into question whether the agency can complete its current slate of projects by mid-century as originally planned.

A couple of years ago, SANDAG approved an upgrade to an intersection near the Middletown Trolley Station that created a nice pedestrian route linked to an airport shuttle stop. Now people can take the Green Line, exit at the stop and walk down West Palm Street to a blue shuttle stop on Admiral Boland Way. The shuttle, which comes every 15 minutes, takes about 10 minutes to get to the airport terminals.

Folks can also take the 992 bus to the airport. The route connects to the Santa Fe Depot, which then links to the three trolley lines, two Rapid bus lines, the Coaster and the Amtrak. Bus 992 takes about 10 minutes to reach the airport terminals; it comes every 15 minutes during the week and every half hour on the weekends.

Bill Tippets of La Jolla asks: San Diego buses can only carry two bikes. If the region wants to really encourage more bike use  which would be expanded by those who need to combine bike and transit  why not start testing how to increase bike accommodation on buses and light-rail cars?

Car Wars: Bikes are allowed on nearly all types of public transit in San Diego, but yes, spots can fill up quickly.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System offers racks on the front of most of its buses, an each rack holds two bicycles. The same is true for the BREEZE buses that serve North County.

The racks accommodate the average mountain or road bike  those under 55 pounds and with wheels no larger than 29 inches. They cant take tandem, recumbent or gas-powered bikes.

Bicycles also are allowed on the trolley, but only one per car during rush hour and two per car otherwise. Youre supposed to stand with your bike, but were not sure how strictly thats enforced.

In addition, the Coaster and Sprinter allow a limited number of bikes on board.

Thats the good news.

Whats frustrating for some people is the lack of greater capacity. There are no plans to overhaul the bike racks at this time, according to transit officials.

Car Wars can attest to how annoying it is to be waiting for a bus with your bike in tow, only to find the rack full when the bus arrives. Equally likely to test your blood pressure is getting a bike on and off even a modestly busy trolley car. Be prepared for sideways glances if youre taking up room with a bike on a trolley ride that suddenly sees an influx of riders.

MTS said it has explored the option of expanding the racks to include a third bike, but that arrangement would then obscure the buses headlights. Transit officials also said the larger racks would make the 60-foot buses too long under state regulations.

Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
Six Syrian men quizzed the Somali owner of Eleet Transportation, a two-year-old San Diego firm that delivers patients to medical appointments.

What are his costs? What regulations govern his business? Is it wise to hire family members?

I have a younger brother, said Eleets owner, Abdikarim Hussein, in English. Ive fired him maybe six, seven times.

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After this comment was translated into Arabic, it was greeted by a chorus of male guffaws. Only one woman was at this testosterone-heavy gathering, yet she may have been the most important person in the room.

Ramla Sahid, executive director of the nonprofit Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, had convened this meeting. Born in Mogadishu and raised in City Heights, Sahid aims to bring local refugees into San Diegos political, cultural and economic mainstream.

Weve been resettling people here since 1975, said Sahid, 31. At what point do we stop seeing them as a foreign group?

While numerous groups provide refugees with services  housing, job counseling, health care  Sahids PANA wants refugees to shape policies addressing those issues. The group surveys refugee households to identify their needs; hosts town hall-style meetings with elected officials; lobbies City Hall; and encourages refugees to start their own businesses.

The Trump administrations move to temporarily halt and permanently reduce the flow of refugees has made many in this community shun the limelight. Sahid, though, has become more visible.

She is young, said Bill Oswald, associate executive director of the nonprofit Global Action Resource Center, but she has earned the trust of her community.

Sahid, though, feels she still has much to learn.

Ive stumbled a lot over the years, she said. My community has been gracious enough to allow me to stumble.

Look and voice

On Valentines Day, the San Diego City Council was feeling the heat, not the love.

In the council chambers that day, dozens of speakers urged their representatives to take a stand on Trumps executive order regarding immigrants and refugees. Some backed the administration; the majority opposed the order.

Among the fiercest critics: Sahid.

You either stand with our most vulnerable families and say they belong in San Diego where many of us have had children and have raised children, or you label them as foreign enemies  U.S. citizens and their families  as foreign enemies, she told them.

The council voted 8-1 to file an amicus brief supporting Washington states challenge to the Trump administration.

Single and childless, Sahid is a practicing Muslim. Her look  floor-length gowns and hair-covering hijabs  is that of a traditional Somali woman.

Her voice, though, is that of a millennial San Diegan.

I was raised in America, she said. Thats my strength, and thats also my failure. I dont always recognize the norms about young women dealing with elders.

The third of seven children born to Mohamed Osman and Hamda Haji, Sahid has few memories of her native Somalia. In 1991, when she was 5, her family fled civil war-torn Somalia.

Osman had traveled ahead one day when the rest of the family was ambushed by armed men demanding money.

This is all I have, Haji told the brigands, holding out her meager savings. You are going to take that from my children?

They backed off.

The family spent a year in a refugee camp in Kenya. In 1993, Catholic Charities resettled them in Dallas. Within a year, they had followed other Somalis to San Diego.

Sahid remembers feeling totally relaxed, worry-free, even though American culture could be baffling. She was terrified by her first encounter with that bearded giant, Santa Claus, and the first movie she saw  The Terminator, projected on a bed sheet in the refugee camp  was both nonsensical and captivating.

English came quickly to the little girl, who earned good grades at Marshall and Euclid elementary schools, Clark Middle School and Crawford High School. Later, she attended community college and San Diego State University.

At 18, Sahid was hired by the American Red Cross to help low-income women with the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. She liked the work, but questioned why government programs focus on symptoms  hunger, say  instead of causes  for instance, poverty.

It was clear to me that San Diego and the state really has a robust infrastructure of programs for immigrants, she said. There are people in agencies that are very capable in providing services  the (International Rescue Committee), Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Service.

What we didnt have was any investment in building the voice of refugees.

Late in 2014, Sahid founded Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans.

Our role is to lift up the issues plaguing our communities, she said, so our representatives are paying attention.

Moving mountains

Sahid started by identifying the unofficial leaders of City Heights and other Mid-City neighborhoods in San Diego. Who did people turn to when they lost jobs or needed help dealing with the government?

Dozens of these elders agreed to host 50 house meetings. These informal listening sessions drew San Diegans who had come from Thailand and Tanzania, Sudan and Burma  13 nations in all.

More than 500 people completed surveys, identifying four major needs: housing, health, education and jobs.

Translating needs into action is PANAs next goal. Noting that many recent refugees are carpenters, electricians and plumbers, Sahid has arranged meetings with officials from the building trades unions.

Shes also forging alliances between different ethnic groups, so that a Somali businessman, say, can share his expertise with Syrian newcomers.

For newcomers to the U.S., this cross-cultural experience can take some getting used to.

In the Middle East, you cannot imagine a Palestinian guy sitting with an Israeli guy and eating together, said Mustafa Dib, a PANA community organizer who came here from Syria two years ago.

Thats a strange thing in the Middle East. Here? I find many Palestinians are friends with Jewish people.

Dib, 40, interpreted during that meeting between the Syrians and the English-speaking Somali. That gathering came in the middle of a jam-packed day for Sahid. She also consulted with a volunteer who is finding lawyers willing to donate their services; met with other agencies and nonprofits to discuss a new behavioral health initiative for young refugee men; and joined representatives of the Islamic Center of San Diego and the Council on American-Islamic Relations in a meeting with Democratic Rep. Susan Davis, whose district includes City Heights, to share concerns about Washingtons hardening approach to refugees.

Back in her City Heights office, Sahid met with an older woman in a purple hijab. The two sat side by side on a couch, while the older womans story spilled out of her in urgent Somali and English.

Her daughter, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., was visiting in Kenya when the White House announced its crackdown in late January.

Would she be able to return home?

Does she have a green card? Sahid asked.

The woman nodded.

Shes OK then, Sahid said.

The older woman swept up Sahid in a hug. Oh, thank you! she said in English.

I didnt do anything! Sahid protested.

What she did: spend time with a frantic mother who did not know where else to take her fears.

Ramla is phenomenal, said Oswald of Global Action Resource Center. She could probably move a mountain if you gave her the time to talk to it.
Former San Diego County Supervisor Dave Roberts has filed workers compensation claims for psychological stress from a threatening incident, and for an overuse-injury to his right hand, wrist and arm and other body parts.

In the first claim, the one-term board member said he suffers from psychological health issues from a run-in with a mentally-ill man who aggressively approached brandishing silverware.

A man in a white shirt came at me with a fork, Roberts said in a statement to police after the Oct. 26, 2013, incident. Records and past interviews with Roberts give no indication that the supervisor was touched by the man.

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Workers compensation is designed to assist people who become ill or are injured in the course of working for their employer. Roberts was headed to a Saturday political event when he was accosted by the man.

So in October of 2013 I had the attempted stabbing and we were concerned, Roberts said in an interview with the Union-Tribune in May 2015. And that was a purely political event. That is why no staff was with me. I was the speaker at a political event, endorsing a candidate for statewide office.

Documents obtained through public records request show that the now-former supervisor signed forms that explain that workers compensation benefits are for injuries obtained while working.

A person who answered the phone at Roberts home said he was not available, and the former supervisor did not respond to request for comment sent by email through his friend and former campaign adviser and spokesman, Gary Gartner.

In the second claim Roberts is seeking money for cumulative trauma of repetitive tasks and stressful work environment over a year to his right hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, and his back and neck sustained while serving his district.

Hes still receiving medical treatments for those injuries, records show.

While he sustained the psychological injuries in October 2013, and the hand-related trauma between March 2015 and 2016, Roberts nevertheless ran for re-election.

He lost to Kristin Gaspar in November by 1,272 votes, a race that was so close the winner wasnt clear until 20 days after polls closed. After a strong start to his first term, Roberts lost momentum in the final two years in office after four women abruptly resigned from his staff and accused their boss of several improprieties. County government spent $310,000 to settle legal claims with three of them.

Its unclear when Roberts first made his two claims, but paperwork for a state adjudication process that will determine if he has right to workers compensation benefits was filed just days after he conceded the race to Gaspar. Other documents were filed sometime earlier. Workers compensation claims are supposed to be made no more than 30 days after the injury is discovered.

It hasnt been determined if or how how much the county would pay Roberts. Compensation rates are set by a variety of factors, including salary, the employees age, the seriousness of the injury, and its impact on a persons ability to work. Regardless of the amount, claims paid to Roberts would be paid with public money since San Diego County is self-insured. Last fiscal year San Diego County paid $22.27 million in workers compensation benefits.

Benefits for permanent disabilities and lost wages might be available as cash payments, while medical costs would be reimbursed.

An employee who is determined to be permanently and totally disabled receives payments for life. All others who receive permanent disability benefits are paid every two weeks for a set number of weeks as determined by a state formula. Employees who are paid for permanent disabilities might also be paid a single lump sum.

Roberts earned $153,289.60 annually by the time he left office, and supervisors are paid a flat salary regardless of whether or not they are at work, or are out for a medical issue, vacation, or other type of absence, and they would not lose pay if they had to leave to receive care for an injury or illness. Roberts is currently working as a consultant.

Roberts said he sustained the psychological injury when he was headed to a political event. According to police records, Roberts was walking on Brinell Street in Kearny Mesa when he approached a van with doors open. A man with pronged-flatware ambushed him, he said.

He held the fork out and made stabbing motions with it as he approached me. He was mumbling something, he said, according to the police report.

The suspect had short, greasy hair, was unshaven, had pocked marked skin, and clearly lived in the van, the report said.

I left the sidewalk and went into the street around his van, Roberts continued, according to the report. As I headed back to the sidewalk, in front of his van, he headed toward me from the sidewalk. He had what looked like a steak knife with a blade about eight inches. He held the knife up and made stabbing motions as he approached me.

Roberts called San Diego police, and the responding officer explained that it was a misdemeanor. Roberts said he was concerned that the suspect might hurt someone, report said.

The officer offered to help Roberts make a citizens arrest.

At that point, David Roberts said, I am placing him under citizens arrest, the officer wrote in the report.

Police searched the van and found a portable stove, an eight-inch kitchen knife, and a tomato knife  a type of blade that often has two prongs at the tip. The man was charged with a misdemeanor.

Roberts has subsequently said that the incident strengthened his commitment to improving mental healthcare services.

Repetitive-use injuries among elected officials are apparently common enough that the American Occupational Therapy Association published a brochure to help politicians avoid pain.

At the close of a long day you may find yourself with pain and stiffness in your hands, arms, neck and back and dreading that crushing grip from an over enthusiastic well-wisher, the professional organizations publication said.

It recommended a regimen of exercises, rest, and ergonomic-friendly hand-shaking techniques to avoid injuries, and, in a move that might balk tradition, shaking with a left hand instead of the right.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
A guest at a fundraiser benefiting the annual Chicano Park Day celebration was stabbed when a fight broke out early Sunday at the Barrio Logan event, San Diego police said.

The argument happened about 2 a.m. when a group of four to eight men tried to enter the event at the Chicano Art Gallery on Logan Avenue, police said.

They were turned away but returned soon after and started arguing with the gallerys owner, police said.

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At some point, the unidentified men began smashing windows at the gallery, a witness told police. One man was armed with a machete. A fight broke out, and a 47-year-old guest got involved in an attempt to help the owner, police said.

The guest was stabbed in the lower left side and the back of the head in the melee. Other event attendees took the man to a hospital. His injuries werent believed to be life-threatening.

Detailed descriptions of the suspects were not provided. They were between 20 and 30 years old.

According to a Facebook page for the event, the fundraiser was scheduled from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and was open to the public. Proceeds benefited the Chicano Park Steering Committee, which organizes Chicano Park Day.

The event, which is approaching its 47th year, celebrates the rich history of the Barrio Logan park.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
Nine people were injured, one critically, when an SUV driven by a suspected human smuggler crashed Sunday while being chased by Border Patrol agents near Lake Morena in East County.

The agents tried to pull over the Chevrolet Trailblazer, which was headed east on state Route 94 in the Campo area, about 11:40 a.m., said Mark Endicott, a supervisory Border Patrol agent for the San Diego sector.

The driver sped off and crashed into a boulder about 15 minutes later off Lake Morena Drive near the entrance to Lake Morena County Park. The SUV was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

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All nine people inside were hurt. Two people suffered minor injuries, six were moderately injured and one person was in critical condition, Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said. He didnt know whether it was the driver or a passenger who was seriously hurt.

Officials suspect the driver, a U.S. citizen, was smuggling his passengers into the country, Endicott said. All of the passengers were adult, Mexican nationals who were in the U.S. illegally. No one in the crash was identified.

This incident is a sad example of how human smugglers show utter disregard for human life in order to profit from criminal activity, Endicott said in a statement.

Federal officials didnt say why Border Patrol agents tried to stop the vehicle.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
By Peggy Kelly

Santa Paula News

A routine traffic stop early Sunday led to the arrest of an Oxnard woman for suspicion of pimping and being in possession of a unique, loaded handgun, among other charges. A Los Angeles woman also told police she had been sexually assaulted leading to a search for the suspect.

According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Cody Madison, the incident started at approximately 3:52 a.m. when officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 700 block of East Main Street.

Prior to making the traffic stop, said Madison, The officer noticed an adult female running across Ebell Park, located at the corner of 7th and East Main streets.

Although the running female did not appear to be associated with the vehicle, the officer found it unusual and requested an additional SPPD Patrol Unit to check the area for that subject.

Madison said the officer then contacted the driver who was identified as Jamisha Jones, 20, of Oxnard.

During the initial contact there was a smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and, due the illegality of the possession of marijuana by those under 21 years old, a search of the vehicle was conducted.

During the search the officer found a loaded, pink and black .22-caliber handgun and Jones was taken into custody.

Other SPPD Officers who were dispatched to locate the adult female running from the park found her nearby.

Through investigation it was determined the two subjects were associated with each other and were part of a prostitution ring, and noted Madison, While interviewing the adult female, 20, of Los Angeles, she disclosed that she had just been the victim of a sexual assault.

She described the suspect as a male Hispanic, 20-30 years old, with a full beard, wearing a red shirt, dark colored pants and an unknown tattoo on his right hip.

The area was searched for the suspect with negative results.

Madison said the female victim was transported to the Santa Paula Police Department where she was provided counseling and medical services.

Jones was also transported to the Santa Paula Police Department for processing and later transferred to Ventura County Main Jail.
Sarasota, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2017 -- Bulk Food Ingredients Market: Overview



Food ingredients used in processed and packaged foods and ready-to-eat foods such as biscuits, confectionery items, beverages and chocolates are known as bulk food ingredients. They are also known as whole food ingredients. These food ingredients also include grocery items such as sugars, artificial sweeteners, coffee and tea extracts, spices and herbs, nuts and seeds, dehydrated vegetables, dry fruits and wheat and rice. The food ingredients maybe processed or unprocessed. They are bought in bulk and sold in retail stores. Owing to the changing lifestyle, availability of disposable income and increasing health awareness among the public, the bulk food ingredients market is growing at a significant pace.



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Bulk Food Ingredients Market: Segmentation



The bulk food ingredients market is globally segmented into type, application and geography. On the basis of type, the market can be divided into primary and secondary processed bulk food ingredients. The primarily processed food ingredients further include oilseeds, nuts, herbs and spices, pulses, grains, and cereals, coffee, tea, and cocoa, sugar, salt and others such as citric acid and dried vegetables. The secondary processed food ingredients include vegetable oil, dried fruits and processed nuts, processed pulses, grains and cereals, processed herbs and spices, coffee, tea and cocoa, sugar and sweeteners, sea salt and flours. Based on application, the market is segregated into bakery products, food, snacks and spreads, confectionery products, infant formulas and dairy products, ready meals and beverages, which include alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages.



Bulk Food Ingredients Market: Growth Factors



The bulk food ingredients market is a growing market owing to factors such as changing consumer lifestyles, increase in the demand for processed and ready to eat beverages and food, rise in health awareness among consumers, increasing population of working women, increasing disposable income and technological advancements. Although there is great Western market influence, there is still some persistent skepticism about consumption of ready-made food, which may hinder the market growth of bulk food ingredients. Other factors that may pose as an issue in the market growth include concerns regarding the freshness and safety of the processed food products, high prices of the ready-to-eat food and unstable agricultural supply.



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Bulk Food Ingredients Market: Regional Analysis



The largest share in the bulk food ingredients market is held by Asia Pacific. This can be attributed to reasons such as increase in global exposure, increasing working population and western lifestyle influence due to globalization. An increase in the disposable income and better standards of living are also boosting the market growth in this region. Major growth can be seen in countries such as India, China, Australia, Japan and New Zealand in Asia Pacific. Following the growth of Asia Pacific are North America, Europe, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. In North America, there is a high demand for bulk food ingredients owing to the high consumption of packaged, processed and ready to eat foods. Countries such as the U.S. and Canada are showing major growth in this region. European countries such as the U.K., Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Russia and Poland are also contributing a fair share in the market. Latin American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Peru and the Middle East and African countries such as South Africa and North Africa are also providing a decent share in the growth of bulk food ingredients market.



Bulk Food Ingredients Market: Competitive Players



Some of the major companies in the bulk food ingredients market are EHL Ingredients, Archer Daniels Midland Company, DHM Ingredients, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Community Foods Limited, Ingredion Incorporated, Cargill Incorporated, Olam International and Tate & Lyle PLC among others.



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Bulk Food Ingredients Market: Regional Segment Analysis



North America

U.S.

Europe

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China

Japan

India

Latin America

Brazil

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Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2017 -- The cochineal is an insect from Dactylopius coccus family, from these insects natural food color dyecarminis derived. The female insect is dried and then dye is extracted from dried insect as well as from eggs. This extract is further mixed with calcium or aluminum salts to use as dye. Carmine is primarily used as a colorant in foodand in lipsticks. Cochineal extract is being used as colorant since centuries, it has wide applications as natural colorant into food, textile, medicine and personal care products. The cochineal insect farming is done to grow the particular insects for red color dye. The origin of cochineal insect is seen in Peru and Mexico.



The insects are grown on specific type of cactus plant these insects grow on the moisture and nutrient contents of the cactus leaves. Insects are then collected and sun dried to produce extract. Dried cochineal, contains 17 % to 24% carminic acid, is carefully extracted in an acidic, aqueous, alcoholic solution to produce red, orange color dye.



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Cochineal Extract Market Segmentation:



Cochineal extract market is segmented on the basis of its form, application and region. On the basis of forms, cochineal extract market is segmented into powders and liquid form. The cochineal extract is available in both water soluble as well as oil soluble. Cochineal extract market is segmented on the basis of its applications as food and beverages, textile/fabric, cosmetics & personal care, pharmaceuticals and others etc.



Cochineal extract market demand is considerably high in the food and beverage market segment as it is considered as natural color option where synthetic color is prohibited, and hence demanded as colorant in various food products such as bakery and confectionary, beverages, dairy products etc. Thus, food and beverages market segment is dominate market for cochineal extract. In cosmetics & personal care market segment cochineal extract is mainly used as colorant in skin care products, lipsticks, face powders, rouges, and blushes etc. Applications of cochineal extract in fabric/ textile segment is comparatively lesser as numerous new and synthetic color dye options are being invented, however in few of the markets it's still popular. In pharmaceutical market segment cochineal extract is basically used for color pills and ointments, however this segment comprises very small share of total market. Others market segment includes cochineal extract uses in the manufacturing of artificial flowers, paints and crimson ink.



Cochineal extract market is further segmented on the basis of regions as North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, Europe, and Middle East and Africa. Latin America is major export market of cochineal extracts, Mexico and Peru being major regional producers. In European markets France is the major importer for cochineal extract. Due to various government bans on the uses of synthetic food colorant in Japan , Japan is also a becoming major importer for cochineal extract in coming years.



CochinealExtractMarket Drivers:



Cochineal extract is in high demand in several application sectors across the world. Principle factors driving market demand are continuous rising demand natural colorants. As synthetic colorant had proven allergic and hazardous for health, natural color market demand is high. Also rising market demand for natural products based cosmetics and skin care products is becoming another market driver for cochineal extract. Various government such as Japan has banned synthetic color uses in food and beverage products, this is driving natural colorant market demands such as cochineal extracts.



CochinealExtractMarket Restrains:



Cochineal extract has no known health risks, number of people have been found to experience occupational asthma, foodand cosmetic allergies due to use of product containing cochineal extracts. Increasing vegan food culture and adoption of 100% plant food concept, many consumers are not ready to accept animal products and not preferring product labeled with cochineal extract or carmine as an ingredients. These are the main restraints for cochineal extract market.



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CochinealExtractMarket Key Players:



Maximum amount of cochineal extract is produced in Mexico and Peru and get exported into global markets. Key players operating in cochineal extract market are DDW The Color House, Gentle world, Xian LiSheng-Tech Co., Ltd, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Colores Naturales EIRL, Lake Foods, and many of the local Mexican and Peru market players extract the cochineal product like Earthue, Biocon del Peru.
Lewes, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2017 -- 1. INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, shipping is still the most economical choice to transport large-tonnage cargos to long distance in the globe. Development of shipping industry is always linked with Global economy because if the other is stable, development of the mentioned industry will be stable as well. The bust and bloom of the industry depends totally on the fluctuation of world economy. From the global development trend of shipping industry, the shipping industry tends to be with larger investments, more scientific management and newer techniques now. The breakthrough in shipbuilding industry leads to changes in shipping pattern and structure.



In China in 2015, there were 165.9 thousand ships throughout the nation. Although the numbers of ships decreased 3.5% compared with last year, its net deadweight increased 5.7%. In the same year in China, the shipping cargo volume was 6.14 billion tonnes, which increased 2.6%. In 2016 (from Jan. to Oct.), the shipping cargo volume has increased to 5.20 billion with growth rate of 2.6% compared with the same period of 2015. Meanwhile, in 2015, the shipping passenger volume was 271 million persons in China, which increased 3.0% compared with last year. In 2016(from Jan. to Oct.), the shipping passenger volume has increased to 233 million with growth rate of 0.1% compared with the same period of 2015.



As stimulated by national policies like One Belt And One Road (which refers to The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road), the shipping industry will have a soaring development in China. It is believed that the shipping cargo volume in China will increase to 6.24 billion tonnes by 2016 while the shipping passenger volume realizing 280 million persons.

In this report, Publisher will further disclose market potential and commercial opportunities for shipping industry in China. Recommendations will be given at the end of the report to describe the prospect and provide suggestions for strategy making.



1)The Aim of Report

-To provide readers with comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Chinese shipping industry;

-To analyze current development of the industry;

-To analyze import and export situation of the industry;

-To discover drivers and barriers of the industry;

-To reveal opportunities for shipping industry in China.



2)Benefit from the Report

-Obtain latest info of shipping industry, such as supply, demand, industrial chain, import and export, key players, etc.;

-Find out how Chinese shipping market will change and how your business can be involved in;

-Keep informed of your competitors/their activities in the globe and in China;

-Learn about key market drivers and barriers;

-Share this information within your organization using free global intranet license.



2. SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION

The report will investigate Chinese shipping industry from the following aspects:

-Supply and demand;

-Industrial chain;

-Import and export;

-Key players;

-Future trend;

-Commercial opportunity.



3. Time Needed

Five work days needed.



Spanning over 50 pages "Market Analysis of Shipping Industry in China 2016-2021 Proposal" report covers Executive Summary, Definition and Methodology, Current Development of Shipping Industry in China, Analysis on Industries Related to Shipping Industry in China, Key Players of Shipping Industry in China, Prospect of Electronic connectors Industry in China, Conclusion and Recommendations. The report covered companies are - China Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd, China Shipping Develop Co., Ltd, China Ocean Shipping Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd, China Ocean Shipping Lines Co., Ltd, Ever Harvest Group Holdings Limited, Ningbo Marine Group Co., Ltd



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Pointillism  a painting technique in which dots are used to create the illusion of a larger image  was developed in the 1880s by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. However, a team of archaeologists led by New York University Anthropology Professor Randall White has now found evidence of this technique thousands of years earlier  dating back about 38,000 years. The discovery is detailed online in the journal Quaternary International.

Major finds by Prof. White and his colleagues from France, Canada, the United States and the UK  which include images of mammoths and horses  confirm that a form of pointillism was used by the Aurignacian, the earliest modern human culture in Europe.

These add weight to previous isolated discoveries, such as a rhinoceros  from the Grotte Chauvet in France  formed by the application of dozens of dots, first painted on the palm of the hand, and then transferred to the cave wall.

Earlier this year, Prof. Whites team reported the uncovering of a 38,000-year-old pointillist image of an aurochs, a finding that marks some of the earliest known graphic imagery found in Western Eurasia and offers insights into the nature of modern humans during this period.

Now, the archaeologists have found another pointillist image  this time of a woolly mammoth  in a rock shelter of the same period known as Abri Cellier (commune de Tursac, Dordogne).

On the upper part of the modified surface is a series of parallel alignments of cupules ranging from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, the archaeologists wrote in the paper.

We count 12 vertical lines with roughly 5 cupules per line. To the right the cupules are less regularly aligned and the arrangement is more oblique. The grouping of cupules is bounded by the smooth (purposely smoothed?) contour of the blocks edge, which resembles a cervicodorsal line with pronounced withers.

Two elongate cupules were strategically placed to deepen a natural hollow on the upper edge of the block, which had the effect of deepening the hollow of the neck. Another cupule defines a relief that gives the impression of an animal head.

Other cupules are more difficult to read given poor preservation of part of the surface below the head but with only a little imagination one can read a trunk and/or tusks of a pointillist mammoth.

Smoothing by fine abrasion on either side of a zone of vertically aligned cupules suggests the outline of the front leg and chest.

Abri Cellier has long been on archaeologists short-list of major art-bearing sites attributed to the Aurignacian culture.

Excavations in 1927 yielded 15 engraved and/or pierced limestone blocks that have served as a key point of reference for the study of Aurignacian art in the region.

In 2014, Prof. White and co-authors returned to Abri Cellier, seeking intact deposits that would allow a better understanding of the archaeological sequence at the site and its relationship to other Aurignacian sites.

The researchers had their fingers crossed that the new excavation might yield new engraved images in context, but nothing prepared them for the discovery of 16 stone blocks.

The 2014 season allowed the addition of 16 new engraved, painted or pierced blocks to the 15 already known from the 1927 excavations, they said.

One of the newly discovered blocks, broken in half prehistorically, was found in place with a radiocarbon date of 38,000 years ago.

Remarkably, the remaining 15 blocks  including the pointillist mammoth, one of three mammoth figures recognized during the new work at Abri Cellier  had been left on-site by the 1927 excavators.

As many of the engraved traces are rudimentary and thus difficult to interpret, the original excavators set them aside just in case they might have something inscribed on them.

_____

Randall White et al. Newly discovered Aurignacian engraved blocks from Abri Cellier: History, context and dating. Quaternary International, published online February 24, 2017; doi: 10.1016/j.quaint.2017.02.001
[CAIRO] Researchers at Egypts National Research Centre have produced a biofuel suitable for aeroplanes after successful semi-industrial experiments conducted last December.

The centre was officially commissioned by the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation to find a local biofuel to power aircrafts. This was to support the implementation of the International Air Transport Association plan, aiming to halve carbon dioxide emissions caused by aviation companies by 2050. Commercial aviation contributes about 2 per cent of global carbon emissions annually.

Gizine El Diwani, professor at the centres chemical engineering and semi-industrial experiments department, says it all started with the production of a biofuel for cars. The researchers made biodiesel from the seeds of the jatropha tree  the seeds oil content is between 20-25 per cent. The oil can be easily extracted using organic solvents such as hexane, according to El Diwani.

Globally, the lowest price of biofuel is 90 per cent higher than that of the average fuel; this is due to the high cost of the materials needed for the manufacture of biofuel. Khaled Fouad, Zagazig University in Egypt

Because the properties of jatropha oil differ from those of traditional engine oil  in terms of viscosity, density and degree of combustion  it has to go through a number of fairly simple chemical processes to be adapted for use in running engines.

At this stage, the fuel is suitable for car engines. To be suitable for jet engines, it should be able to resist freezing until at least minus 45 degrees Celsius. The research team sought to resolve this at a later stage in the fuels development.

El Diwani explains: We managed to improve the freezing point of jatropha biofuel through a thermal cracking process, using thermal stimuli at a high temperature and pressure to bring the oil [temperature down] to minus 40 degrees [Celsius] without [it] freezing. Then, we were able to reach minus 45 degrees by introducing some [chemical] additives.

El Diwani adds that Egypt has successfully cultivated vast land areas with the jatropha tree, in an area of the Upper Egypt desert estimated at around 1000 acres. The success of biofuel production experiments is expected to encourage the research team to increase the area reserved for growing the tree.

Khaled Fouad, a researcher in the field of aeronautical engineering at Zagazig University in Egypt, sees a fundamental advantage in the production of biofuels from jatropha seed oil. It is a non-edible tree for humans and animals, which grows in sandy desert soil and gets irrigated by sewage water  making it a unique source of biofuels.

However, Fouad pointed to a serious challenge in the high cost of production, which he attributes to the use of additives to lower the freezing point. Globally, the lowest price of biofuel is 90 per cent higher than that of the average fuel; this is due to the high cost of the materials needed for the manufacture of biofuel," he said.

The researchers are currently working to address this, according to Salwa Hawash, a member of the research team. We will try to eliminate the materials [currently] used to lower the freezing point by adding hydrogen to the thermal cracking process, and we expect positive results that will cut the cost.

Another semi-industrial experiment on the biofuel will be conducted after introducing this type of cracking. The team hopes to complete all industrial experiments and begin to use locally-manufactured biofuel in aeroplanes by the end of 2017, according to El Diwani.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Middle East & North Africa desk.


[NAIROBI] A new interactive online tool that helps countries to access and compare their priorities and ambitions related to climate action plans has been developed.

The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Explorer could contribute to the global climate action in the context of the UN climate negotiations, according to its developers.

In 2013, the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), charged member states to formulate action plans to tackle climate change challenges.

The NDC Explorer also highlights African countries priority areas of climate action, thus allowing for targeted initiatives to support these actions. Kennedy Mbeva, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

The tool  NDC Explorer  resulted from seven-month work of 16 experts and analysts from the German Development Institute (DIE), the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Kenya, the Stockholm Environment Institute in Sweden, in cooperation with the UNFCCC secretariat, and supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to a statement from DIE last month (16 January).

The experts created a database from the (I)NDCs or intended nationally determined contributions and opened it with an interactive online tool.

Pieter Pauw, an environmental scientist at the DIE who led the research team to develop the tool, says in the released statement, The (I)NDCs are a cornerstone for implementing the Paris Agreement. But apart from countries overall mitigation targets, the content of (intended) nationally determined contributions has been unclear  until now.

Kennedy Mbeva, a research fellow at the ACTS, says their aim was to make the action plans accessible to a wide range of stakeholders through an objective analysis.

The tool, Mbeva tells SciDev.Net, is detailed, especially as regards data and information beyond mitigation such as climate change adaptation, finance, and technology needs and transfer.

Introduction video to the NDC Explorer



These issues are of critical importance to African countries, which face the twin challenges of development and climate change, explains Mbeya. The NDC Explorer also highlights African countries priority areas of climate action, thus allowing for targeted initiatives to support these actions. More importantly it goes beyond mitigation to include aspects of adaptation, planning processes and linkages to international debates such as green economy, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and disaster risk management.

The team focused on the climate action plans until 2030.

The tool allows users to toggle between 163 intended and actual climate plans, thus noting any changes in the two documents for a particular country.

Nicholas Ozor, executive director of the Kenya-based African Technology Policy Studies Network, tells SciDev.Net that the tool could improve transparency and enhance climate change negotiations.

This tool is important for Africa because it provides vital information that is essential to inform decisions on climate change. A major challenge for Africa has been the lack of climate information database which details information from national to continental level, Ozor says.

The tool offers opportunity for policymakers, scientists and other actors to gain insights into the status of African countries, sub-regions and the continent as a whole with regards to climate actions, Ozor adds.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Australia is very well known for its famous crazy inhospitable environment, but with the invention of a new technology, Australians might now be able to actually make money from the burning hot sun. Using solar energy for the digital marketplace is what Australia seems to introduce for the first time.

According to The Guardian, Australia, after this, will become the first country in the world to implement a new network of "virtual" power station. These "virtual" ones will be linked to the rooftop solar energy panels and batteries of the household together with a smart grid, which will bring a new additional energy into the system.

Australian homeowners who already have installed solar energy panels and batteries will soon be able to trade their excess electricity in a digital marketplace. A group of energy tech startups in cooperation with energy retailers, electricity providers and energy agencies have launched The Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX).

The Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX) is a software based marketplace that is supposed to change the solar energy system in Australia. According to Tekkie, the virtual power plant could become a new norm in solar energy system as it can be implemented anywhere in the world.

This solar energy digital project is led by the Australian energy tech startup GreenSync and is also funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Phil Blythe, the founder, and CEW of GreenSync explained in an interview with the Guardian that how Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX) is designed to change the production, trading of solar energy and how the solar energy will be consumed.

Phil Blythe gave an average number of about 1.6 million rooftops in Australia that are fitted with solar panel i.e. almost more than 15% of the house out of total population are using solar energy. And also there has been a rise in battery storage as well. This means that Australia has the highest uptakes of solar rooftops in the world per capita using solar energy. Thus to test Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX) there could be no place better than this.
It took a moment for the first ewe to make her decision.

With the door wide open and sunlight beaming into the stock trailer, she finally leapt and hit the ground running with effortless strides that quickly put distance behind her. Then the other 19 bighorn sheep took the cue, charging out across the grassy hillside and into the steeper country above.

The Beartooth Wildlife Management Area north of Helena is empty this time of year if humans are the only measure of population. But while closed to the public until May 15, the 32,000 acres are far from unoccupied.

Whitetail deer teemed through the knee-high bunchgrass of the foothills and herds of elk moved into a wooded draw as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Cory Loeker drove deeper into the WMA, followed by members of a local conservation group who came to see the days event. The destination was Willow Creek, and in tow were 20 bighorn sheep captured near Winifred the day before.

The whole Missouri River is their historic range, he said, and these fires have really opened up some steep escape cover.

In November, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission heard testimony on the challenges biologists face with diseases and bighorn sheep. Outbreaks of pneumonia have caused some of the states premier herds to collapse, with many struggling to recover.

The Missouri River Breaks hosts perhaps the most well-known bighorn sheep herds in the world for producing some of the largest rams harvested by hunters each year.

With populations growing to carrying capacity in Hunting District 482, FWP began voicing concerns in 2014 that overabundance could lead to a die-off. Particularly with young rams, the propensity for bighorn sheep to roam is of chief concern for game managers, and roaming is more likely if population densities are too high.

Pneumonia in bighorn sheep has largely been traced back to contractions from their domestic cousins. The issues with domestic and wild comingling have become contentious at times between bighorn advocates and domestic producers.

As Montana Woolgrowers President Dave McEwen said at symposium earlier this month, domestic sheep suffer pneumonia as well.

We know what causes that, we know the triggers that cause it and we manage for it so its a manageable issue rather than a crisis issue, he said.

Disagreements on disease spread and management responsibilities aside, FWP considers comingling such a risk that it removes wild sheep known to have come in contact with domestic herds.

Montanas 5,700 bighorn sheep population is below the 6,500 in 2007. The difference is even more pronounced in large die-offs in the Highlands, Rock Creek and Bitterroot, but offset by growth in the Missouri River Breaks herd.

Recognizing the potential for an outbreak in the Breaks, in 2014 FWP asked the commission for permission to move sheep to South Dakota. The commission did not agree, however, instead pushing a policy to find an instate home for the sheep, and pointing to the bighorn management plan calling for creation of five new herds in Montana.

The problem, FWP biologists say, is they have no suitable places to establish a new herd. Public land with suitable habitat far enough away from domestic sheep is a limited commodity in Montana. Augmenting disease-carrying herds with healthy sheep has also proved ineffective.

With the commissions direction, in 2014 FWP began transplanting bighorn sheep into the Beartooth despite the 09 die-off. So far, indications of herd health such as lamb recruitment have been good, Loeker said.

Concerns about the burgeoning population in the Breaks again brought FWP to the commission last November. Testimony at the hearing included some sobering details about bighorn diseases and challenges with testing.

The bottom line is there is still a lot we dont know, but we know more than we used to, Jennifer Ramsey, FWP biologist told the commission as reported by the Billings Gazette.

The commission approved transport of 30-45 sheep to the Beartooth and the aptly named Sheep Creek. Loeker says the transplants will nearly double the population in HD455 as managers aim to better establish a northern and southern herd in the district. He would ultimately like to see a population of about 200 bighorn sheep in the area.

An earlier transplant into Sheep Creek drew public attention when some of those sheep wandered almost 20 miles, coming in contact with a domestic herd. FWP removed those animals as a means of protecting the overall population.

Last weeks transplant on the Beartooth was the final of the year and included 20 ewes and lambs. FWP captured them near Winifred using helicopters and net guns. Each received and ear tag and health examine ahead of the transplant.

The all-female release is by design, Loecker said. Older rams tend to freak out when in the trailer, and with about 90 percent of the ewes pregnant, plenty of more rams are on the way.

While the sheep bring the genetics of some of the biggest rams in the world and that certainly does not hurt trophy potential, much of the productivity of the Breaks is due to exceptional habitat quality, he said, pointing out that the Breaks herd came from sheep captured along the Rocky Mountain Front.

During recent surveys, ewes weighed in the Breaks came in at 180 to 195 pounds compared to a similar survey in Augusta where 150 was the top weight.

As Loeker climbed back in his truck, he voiced a sense of cautious optimism.

Theyve done really well in here since the die-off we saw in 09, especially the lambs, he said. But they do climb and crash.
People from Africa and South America have witnessed the "Ring of Fire" eclipse on Sunday. The areas plunged into darkness as the Moon passed in between the Sun and the Earth. On the other hand, this made the people admire the "Ring of Fire."

C. Alex Young, a solar astrophysicist from NASA, said that the countries with the best chance of viewing an annular eclipse are those that lie along the path of annularity, an invisible line that traces the path taken by the Moon's shadow as it moves across the globe. These include Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and Chile and Argentina in South America. The space enthusiasts in those countries commended as they witnessed the eclipse and shared their experience on social media, according to New York Times.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, about 300 space enthusiasts gathered in an isolated area in the southern city of Sarmiento, where the eclipse left just a bright ring in the dark sky. Joseph Massales Roman from Barcelona, Spain, said that he has already seen six annular eclipses and each one was different.

There were also people who have seen it for the first time. Providencia Luzolo said that this is the first time she has witnessed this phenomenon and she was completely happy. On the other hand, she said that she did not manage to see it well because it hurt her eyes.

Phys.org reports that the annular eclipse has made some effects on the animal behavior, too. In the province of Chubut around Sarmiento, the residents reported in the time of eclipse the animals were acting unusually. The experts said that as the day darkens, the animals prepare for a night-time routine, thinking sunset is nigh. In this annular eclipse, the Moon took about two hours to move across the face of the Sun. On the other hand, the "Ring of Fire" lasted for roughly a minute. Meanwhile, people must look forward to another solar eclipse phenomenon that will occur on Aug. 21, 2017.
Recently, technology has risen that it has been part of the everyday life of people today. Thus, the tomb of a medieval king that has been murdered and changed the course of the Scottish history and was called the real-life Game of Thrones has the possibility to be unearthed using a new hi-tech project that was launched on Saturday.

Virtual reality artists teamed up with archaeologists who want to digitally remake the court of King James 1 of Scotland in Perth. It is around 40 miles or 64 kilometers from Edinburgh. They want to find the king's tombs that have been buried beneath the modern-day city, according to MSN.

Not only that, the team is also looking for the remains of his queen Joan Beaufort and of Margaret Tudor who is the sister of Henry VIII of England and wife of James IV of Scotland, who was also buried in the location a century later. The inspiration of the team came up when the discovery of King Richard III of England has been found beneath the car park in Leicester.

The leading digital visualization project at Glasgow School of Art (GSA), Paul Wilson, shared that, "It's like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Outlander' all rolled into one-except this story is real."

James I was assassinated on Feb. 21, 1437 by the supporters of the rival claimant of the throne. According to the historians, it was at that time that brought an end to his ambition to make Perth as the capital of Scotland, according to Phys.org. Wilson said that, "That day changed Scotland forever."

The mausoleum of the king lays at the center of a Carthusian priory, namely the Charterhouse. It is modeled on the Grand on the Chartreuse in the French Alps.

The team is planning for an archaeological digs over the next two years for them to map out the boundaries of the Charterhouse and recover some artifacts. These will then be used to create the virtual reality tour.
American space agency NASA is reportedly anticipating a traffic jam at Mars in 2021. A host of spacecraft are in the lineup to be launched for arrival at the Red Planet in February 2021.

The best time to launch a spacecraft to Mars comes every 26 months when the planet is in the best alignment position with Earth. The next time period that can make the best use of the perfect alignment window happens to be in July/August 2020. Not surprisingly, the 2020 launch window will see a plethora of spacecraft from various nations and private companies taking off for Mars.

In the lineup for journey to Mars are Europe and China, both of which are planning to launch rovers to the Red Planet in 2020. Furthermore, ESA wants to send an additional lander and CNSA will also launch an accompanying orbiter and lander. Meanwhile, Indias space agency ISRO is going to launch its second orbiter to Mars and is also considering sending over a rover and/or a lander.

UAE has its own plan of becoming the first Islamic nation to have its presence on Mars by sending an orbiter. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musks company SpaceX is looking toward launching a Dragon capsule to Mars in 2020. Then there is NASAs Mars 2020 rover slated for takeoff at the same time period. The new fleet of spacecraft will join the currently functioning eight spacecraft on Mars.

2020 is going to be an exciting period in Mars exploration; however, it creates a problem for NASA. The American space agency is worried about directing, controlling and communicating with all the spacecraft to Mars. Its top concern is preventing them from colliding with each other. Collisions are possible not just among the spacecraft, which will be on their way to Mars, but also with the small moon Phobos that the Red Planet continues to pull toward onto its surface.

We are worried about our orbiters colliding with one another. We worry that some of them may collide with Phobos, Fuk Li, JPL's Director for the Mars Exploration Directorate, told the Aviation Week. If we get close together, or we project that they will get close together, we will alert all the missions and watch (the spacecraft) to see how they progress.

Popular Mechanics reports that the biggest challenge for NASA will be managing communication with all the spacecraft when they arrive at the Red Planet in 2021, especially because they will be converging on the same area. However, JPL is already making a plan to serve as air traffic control when the fleet of spacecraft starts to descend on Mars.
George Q. Daley, the new head of Harvard Medical School, knows what it's like when presidential politics collides with science. Daley was a leading stem cell scientist back in 2001 when President George W. Bush suddenly barred federal funding for research on new embryonic stem cells - a gesture to Republican antiabortion backers that, many believe, put a chill on one of the most cutting-edge areas of biology.

The move turned many scientists, unexpectedly, into activists. The diplomatic Daley helped Harvard create an institute in 2004 to work around the federal funding restrictions; California bucked the Bush administration by devoting its own state funds to the research. President Barack Obama eventually reversed the executive order in 2009, allowing federal funds to be used; today, embryonic stem cell based therapies are being tested in clinical trials, and studying them has helped unleash a wave of new medical insights.

As of Jan. 1, Daley occupies one of the highest-profile jobs in American medicine, a de facto spokesman both for research and medical practice. And he arrives at a moment when the entire field is nervous about what the Trump administration has in store. The White House seems not only indifferent to research, but also actively hostile to some strains of science; the future of the Affordable Care Act is uncertain at best. Drug prices, immigration and the national research budget - all issues crucial to the medical field - are all up for debate. By nature a scientist, accustomed to gathering evidence before opining about solutions, Daley says he thinks his experiences working in a field that was marginalized by politicians may provide some useful lessons for navigating what he called a "cacophony of confusion and alternative facts."

Daley spoke to The Washington Post about his hopes and concerns as he takes the helm at Harvard Medical School - around the same time as President Trump. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q. Right now, there's uneasiness in the scientific and medical communities over how evidence and research will be treated, ranging from vaccines to climate change. Having lived through a time when your work was directly politicized and targeted, what are your thoughts about how to approach a situation like that?

A. I think that the lessons that I learned in the early challenges and policy debates around embryonic stem cells have a lot to teach us for how to advocate forcefully in today's world. We have to, as scientists, stick to our message, which is that science and evidence is the way to make informed decisions - whether those decisions are about advancing human health and wellness, or about advancing the environment and maintaining not only healthy air quality, but reducing risks to catastrophic climate change. These are all fundamentally, at some level, challenges and risks to human health.

If I had one worry, as we see the cacophony of confusion and alternative facts, it's that we're reverting to a pre-Enlightenment form of thinking, which will take us back to the days of blood-letting and faith-healing. And this is wrong. This is not the way to advance health and wellness for the greatest number, not a way to face our challenges. We are facing some of the greatest global challenges today - not just with global warming, but with threats to emerging pathogens, whether it's Ebola or Zika. And if we start to question the nature and value of things like vaccines in human health, how are we going to be able to confront the challenges of new pathogens?

Q. Do you think that this is something that's already happening, or is it a future worry?

A. The storm clouds are on the horizon. If I just speak to one issue that has a very direct effect on our community: Our biomedical research enterprise, as well as our clinicians draw on the best and brightest, from not only the United States, but around the globe. We are a magnet, we're seen as the beacon of the best, cutting-edge research and the most effective and impactful clinical training and health care delivery. I've met with students from Iran and Syria who are here studying and about to graduate. And they're worried that their parents are not going to be able to come see them receive their PhD or their MD. We're worried about the pipeline - not only of trainees who keep us at the cutting edge, but patients. Our health care centers are magnets for patients from all over the world, and in many cases from the Middle East, and it stands in the way of our mission.

Q. The immigration policy of the Trump administration is evolving as we speak, but it sounds like you're worried about the message that recent actions send.

A. Our concern is that there is a megaphone that screams across the globe. Over the couple-hundred-year history of our country, it has been emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty: Give us your tired, your poor. We are a welcome beacon to immigrants from all across the globe; that's been the message that has built our country. And now the recent message that has been sent is giving pause to those folks in other parts of the world, making them think twice about whether this is a welcoming community for them. I've already heard that some of our applicants to post-doctoral positions or training programs in our graduate schools are starting to be diverted to programs in Europe that are saying, "Hey, what can we do to take advantage of the talent pool that might not be going to the United States." That is chilling to me.

Q. What are your thoughts on the plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and what should come next?

A. We now have, in Massachusetts, 96 percent of people covered, and I do think that's created a sense in our medical students and our residents and our trainees, and even up to our faculty, that universal access [to health care] is a human right. I remember in my times in the hospital, there was something absolutely wonderful about the fact the homeless person coming off the street with a heart attack got the same intense, compassionate care as the Berkeley professor who had a heart event at Logan Airport - and that's an actual case that took place when I was in training. There's probably no other experience in my time as at trainee at the Harvard hospitals that made me feel more proud about the mission of Harvard medicine. I think that's an aspiration - there was an attempt by the Obama administration to capture that as an aspiration, as the noblest calling of medicine, and I think that anything that is put in it place has to attempt to meet those same aspirations.

Q. Stem cell science has come under political attack in the past, and Vice President Pence has said he opposes embryonic stem cell research. Are you worried about the future of your field?

A. I always felt very strongly and passionately, as an advocate for stem cell research of all kinds. To be able to use the new technology and biology of regenerative medicine to serve the relief of suffering and the treatment of disease, I just think is a very noble calling. I've always argued that we need to exploit every possible advantage in the fight against disease. I would continue to advocate for research on all sorts of stem cells. And if there is an attempt to restrict the research in the future, I will be out there again, speaking from the scientific and medical perspective to justify this work.

Carolyn Johnson is a reporter covering the business of health. She previously wrote about science at The Boston Globe
HEMINGWAY, S.C.  The idea for Caring and Sharing came to Carl Harmon in a dream on a night in 1996. Now nearly 20 years later, Harmons nonprofit organization provides food, medicine, utilities and other services to more than 800 families per week.

The thing about it, the Lord knows who to put his finger on, because he knows who cares, Harmon said. And he knows whos going to do the job.

Caring and Sharing serves people in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties and most of Florence County. In 2016, the organization spent $55,000 on food alone, not counting the utilities and medications that were paid for by the organization for people in need. The organization also sends Bibles overseas as part of a foreign missions project.

Weve took checks for thousands of dollars for people who are just sick with cancer and things like that that never even come to us, said Harmon, a 2017 Marion Medallion recipient. Like I say, we dont wait for them to come to us. If we know theres a need in the community, we go straight to it, straight to it.

Every Tuesday morning, Caring and Sharing opens its warehouse on West George Street in Hemingway for the community. At 8 a.m. when the building opens, people are lined up at the front door, Harmon said. The building stays open until noon on Tuesdays. People who qualify can pick up free boxes of food for their families. Community members can also pick out free clothing from the warehouse if they need it.

People who qualify for the food boxes from Caring and Sharing are those people with an income of no more than $900 per month.

And we kept going up with that every year," Harmon said. "We try to go up with the cost of living to keep up where they wont be going getting in the hole.

Some of the people served by the organization make only about $200 a month, Harmon said.

Most of them, Id say, are between $600 and $700, Harmon said.

For people who dont meet the income requirements but are still struggling to make ends meet, Harmon said, Caring and Sharing will provide them with a one-time box of food.

The people that qualify on the low-income just come and sign and go, he said. But somebody thats gotten laid off or somebody that comes in here and tells me, Im having a hard time, and I dont have any food, we dont question them. We give them a box because, you know, that happens.

During the flood of 2015 that affected a large part of South Carolina, Harmon said, the organization raised $32,000 to help with relief efforts in the three counties it serves, in addition to taking food to those areas.

We were making distributions in every county that we serve. Thats why this place is always packed, Harmon said. That word prepared, we try to always be prepared, because thats not the last time this will happen. It might not be a flood but its not the last time a major disaster is going to happen.

Kay Harmon, Carl Harmons wife, is also an active part of the organization. On Tuesdays, she can be seen assisting the many people who come to the Caring and Sharing building for services.

Its just a good pleasure to be able to know them, Kay Harmon said. Its a pleasure to know that youre helping someone.

Wanda Collins of Johnsonville said she would not be able to make it without Caring and Sharing. She receives groceries from the organization on Tuesdays. She said she receives several items in her box each week, including frozen food.

This is great, Collins said. It helps a lot of people.

Squeaky Marlow has been volunteering at Caring and Sharing for approximately five years. He said he learned about the organization by taking someone else to the Hemingway location to receive the free food.

I brought someone here to pick up their groceries one day and there was a lady toting a box of groceries to the car out there. And I asked if they needed help, Marlow said. And they said, 'Yeah, but we dont pay nothing.' And I said, 'You wouldnt have to pay me anyway.'

If ever the organization needs items picked up from food or toy drives, Marlow said, hell go get them and bring them back to the warehouse. He said he thinks Caring and Sharing is wonderful and touches a lot of lives.

Its just doing Gods work, Marlow said. Were all supposed to be doing something for the Lord.
I appreciate the Helena School Board recognizes that Central School, whether existing or new, should continue in its original historic location and walkable for its students. I also believe its important to have safe schools, and support repairing and reusing old buildings to meet tomorrow's needs -- especially when repair costs are similar or less than new construction costs. Demolition alternatives exist when a property owner is willing to seriously consider them. Making the right decision soon is critical so the building doesnt suffer demolition by neglect.

Helenas history and its historic buildings are vital, promoted for tourism and economic development, and distinguish Helena from Anywhere USA. Moving to Helena almost 34 years ago, I was awestruck at the many wonderful architectural gems as historic public and private buildings. A former military brat who moved constantly, Ive met people who have lived here their whole lives, seen their connection to each other and the community, and heard their stories of personal events often related to buildings. People still sadly and angrily talk about losing the Marlowe Theater 45 years later.

Now another significant community loss is possible. Feelings about Central Schools potential destruction run high and are polarizing  almost as safety vs. repairing an integral part of the neighborhood. Its not either/or - historic buildings can be upgraded and expanded to meet current building/fire codes, continue for future use and a source of pride, with costs similar or less than building a new school (see MPA reports).

The application states The intent of the district is to design a new school facility incorporating architectural features most prominent in the existing facility wherever practical. Incorporating building design, scale and mass, materials, color, window openings and entries compatible with the surrounding historic neighborhood is more than just keeping building remnants.

The applications cost estimates assume building rehabilitation taking 14 months vs. 12 months for full demolition and new construction. Helenas later schools are more utilitarian with non-descript design inside and out; with only 12 months, would a new school building be like the later schools?

Submitted cost estimates show full demolition, $144,000; selective demolition with building rehabilitation, $130,000; the same dump fees and asbestos/lead abatement for both options. Full demolition dump fees seem to be underestimated, affecting new construction costs. Contingency fees of 5 percent are projected for new construction compared to 15 percent for building rehabilitation. Using the same contingency percentage for both proposals would reduce the difference for more accurate cost comparison.

Once a building is gone, its gone -- left only to memories that eventually fade over time. In addition to their facades, their interiors also contain architectural features that are not often included today (detailed wood moldings, wood floors, large windows for light that can be opened, etc.). Original resources used to construct Central School are not easily replaced and dont need to take up space in the landfill; recycle and reuse is a better option whenever possible.

Section 3-15-1 (B-2) of Helena City Code states: The purpose of the demolition permit review process is to protect and preserve the historical and archeological heritage of Helena, because the historic district designation is not permanent and the designation and related benefits can be lost forever if changes and alternatives are not carefully considered." The Citys 2011 Growth Policy recognizes their importance in the communitys interwoven story.

Benefits for historic district property owners include: tax abatements, tax credits and grants for rehabilitating qualifying buildings; historic building signs; neighborhood pride; property values, prestige and desirable resale value to name a few. More property owners could potentially be affected than just the applicant if the integrity of the larger historic district designation is compromised. Therefore, carefully considering all options and how the other historic district properties and their owners will be protected is critical.

Previous demolition applications of historic structures included proposed facade information and a site plan showing new construction to address that protection (3-15-6 (D), City Code.) This information isnt included in the current demolition application making it inconsistent with prior demolition applications, unfair to earlier applicants who complied, and sets a new precedent. The Heritage Tourism Council recognized that the application was incomplete at their February 7th public hearing. Incomplete applications do not allow fully informed recommendations or decisions to be made.

I urge caution when considering cost estimates between demolition and rehabilitation, and self-inflicted hardships related to timelines and limited bond proposals. I respectfully ask the City Commission to DENY the School Districts current demolition request for Central School.

Sincerely,

Kathy Macefield, Helena

Retired City-County Historic Preservation Officer and City Planner
MISSOULA  The Missoula Police Department has cited two men accused of an assault on a gay couple in Missoula earlier this month.

Wade Turner, 37, and Steven Niebel, 33, were cited with misdemeanors for assault and disorderly conduct, said Sgt. Travis Welsh.

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 he was then 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, Turner and Niebel were attacking his partner.

Welsh said the couple had minor injuries from the incident.
The longest contract is for the 2003-built PSV Far Symphony which has been awarded a 12-month contract by Fairfield Betula to support its operations on the UK Shelf from April this year. The charterer has an option for a six-month extension.

The 2010-built PSV Far Server and 2009-built PSV Far Seranade are being brought out of lay-up for a 3.5 month contract offshore Egypt from the end of this month with a 30-day extension option.

The 2013- built PSV Far Spica has received a four month extension on its charter from 1 March, with a further three month option in addition.

Petro Services for Total has taken the 2013-built PSV Sterling for one month for a contract in Congo.

Meanwhile the 2014-built AHTS Far Sigma has been awarded a one well contract by Lundin Norway to support their drilling programme from the end of this month.

Karl-Johan Bakken, ceo of Farstad Shipping said: The above contracts show Farstad Shippings ability to efficiently and safely return vessels from lay-up and put them into operation.

I am satisfied to see that the Farstad organization, both on- and offshore, has the ability to adapt to a challenging market and that our strategy to retain core competency in the company through the downturn pays off.
Pictures show a hole in the side of the vessel that was caused by the accident that took place on February 23. Some additional damage to the hull of the vessel can also be seen.

Two ballast tanks aboard the 121,946 dwt liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Al Khattiya were breached with a loss of some ballast water.

The vessels manager Shell International Trading and Shipping Company said that the incident did not cause any injuries or pollution, while indications show no loss of LNG containment from the cargo tanks.

At the time of the incident the carrier was at anchor after it previously discharged its cargo.

Al Khattiya is stable and remains at anchor while further checks take place. These will include detailed inspections, a statement said.

Media reports name the oil tanker Jag Laadki, operated by Indias Great Eastern Shipping Company as the other vessel involved in the accident.
If they weren't so chillingly foreboding, one could laugh-off America's loony-left "progressives" as mere cartoon caricatures of Nazi storm troopers who, on Nov. 9, 1938, "disinvited" Jews from their German homeland via Kristallnacht -- the "Night of Broken Glass." On the night of Feb. 1, 2017, home-grown American "storm troopers," wielding ball bats and Molotov cocktails, torched the University of California, Berkley, waging their own Kristallnacht by "disinviting" a conservative scheduled to speak on campus. Of course, these ongoing criminal acts assault our Constitutional right of free speech. If we continue to look the other way when confronted by home-grown fascists, like good Germans during the 1930s, we do so at our own peril!

As demonstrated during the past eight years, "community organizer" President Obama's disdain for America is at least equal to these loony-left street thugs he courts. Remember "Black Lives Matter" Nazis yelling in front of cameras, "What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want them? Now!" Remember President Obama inviting these wannabe cop-killers  or as he admiringly described them, "community organizers"  to polite society tea and cookies reception at the White House? I ask, what does this tell you about Barack Hussein Obama and the so-called "progressive" movement he champions?

Remember the "hands up don't shoot" mantra sparked by the "unjustified" cop-killing of Michael Brown? Never mind that the official investigation completely exonerated the accused officer. The loony-left's only concern is to milk Brown's death for all the civil turmoil and social breakdown they can muster.

Consider these nationwide fascist bottom-feeders who terrorize our country every time they don't get their way. Aided and abetted by mainstream media propagandists , these street thugs are on call 24/7 to smash windows, burn property and bust heads, whatever furthers their ungodly, anti-Constitution agenda. God help America!

Don Carmichael, Decatur
The cloning of dinosaurs as envisioned by Jurassic Park remains the stuff of science fiction, but in the not-too-distant future, biotech advances could allow scientists to de-extinct - or create close proxies for - many long-gone animals. These include the woolly mammoth, enormous cattle called aurochs, a 12-foot-tall flightless bird, the woolly rhino, and a great variety of other species.

Proponents claim such efforts could help existing ecosystems by restoring past order, maintaining grasslands to help combat climate change, and revealing ancient DNA secrets that might benefit multiple species. The financial windfall could also be impressive, as many of us would probably pay to see a "resurrected" Ice Age beast in person.

A new paper published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution presents a strong opposing view, however, arguing that de-extinction would hurt matters more than help.

RELATED: 'Rewilding' Movement Aims to Restore Land to the Way It Was 11,000 Years Ago

"If biodiversity conservation is the true goal, it is better to spend money on the living than the dead," lead author Joseph Bennett, an assistant professor of biology at Carleton University, told Seeker.

"I'm not advocating giving up on species that are nearly extinct," he added. "Far from it. We need to make sure we maintain viable populations of these species, and captive breeding is a big part of that for many species. If we let them go extinct, it will be far more expensive to bring them back."

Bennett, senior author Philip Seddon of the University of Otago, and their team performed a cost-benefit analysis to determine the number of species that governments in New Zealand and the Australian state of New South Wales can afford to conserve. Crunching the numbers, they found that if these government were to fund de-extinction and related research, work to save nearly three times as many living species - 31 in total - would have to be sacrificed.

The authors also determined that the amount of private/non-government funding required for de-extinction research on five wiped out species could instead be used to conserve 42 living species, which is more than eight times as many.

The estimated costs varied per animal in their analysis. For example, they calculated that in just one year, researchers would require $7.5 million to help resurrect the Lord Howe pigeon, a bird that died out in the 1850s.

RELATED: Breeders Are Trying to Bring Giant, Extinct Cows Back to Europe

If such an animal were successfully brought back to life, Bennett and his colleagues pointed out, the spending on its behalf would need to continue.

"Once resurrected species move out of the labs and into reserves, they become the responsibility of cash-strapped conservation agencies," Seddon explained. "And unless more money enters the system, something has to drop off."

Most de-extinction research now is being funded by private agencies, which would seem to ease at least some of the associated financial burden. But Bennett and Seddon believe that de-extinction would result in problems that go beyond financial concerns.

"In many cases, I think ecosystems have changed and stabilized [in the aftermath of certain extinctions], and it would indeed be very difficult to actually re-introduce resurrected species," Bennett explained. "There is also the possibility that they could have negative consequences. Haast's eagle - the largest eagle ever and that once lived in New Zealand - comes to mind. It used to feed on moa. But I'm guessing it would find farmers' sheep pretty appetizing."

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has established guidelines on creating proxies of extinct species, such as cattle bred to exhibit characteristics of extinct aurochs. The guidelines resulted from a "De-extinction Task Force" that was established in April 2014 and chaired by Seddon.

Both he and Bennett acknowledge that we are losing species at a fast pace, with up to an estimated 2,000 extinctions occurring on average each year.

"Some argue that we should use any tool at our disposal to save biodiversity," Bennett remarked of the flurry of recent de-extinction and proxy research projects.

But if the researchers those involved in such projects "know they can do a better job at conservation by spending money on the living than the dead," he added, "then their basic motivation might not actually be conservation."

Top Photo: Woolly mammoth recreation on exhibit at the Royal BC Museum, Victoria, British Columbia. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
A prototype space-based gravitational wave detector performed far better than expected during its trial run, raising prospects that a follow-on observatory to listen for echoes from the biggest crashes in the cosmos will be launched ahead of schedule.

LISA Pathfinder, which has been in orbit for a little more than a year, was intended to test if two small cubes could be kept in an extremely steady and measurable state of free fall. If successful, scientists could use the technique to detect ripples in space, a phenomenon first envisioned by Albert Einstein 100 years ago.

The ripples, which are called gravitational waves, occur due to massive objects, such as black holes and neutron stars, warping the fabric of spacetime as they move. The first detection of gravitational waves was made last year with the ground-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO.

Putting a system in space would give astronomers a way to detect ripples that oscillate over hours instead of in fractions of seconds, such as the gravitational waves detected by the twin LIGO observatories.

The waves LIGO detected were caused by two black holes, each about 30 times more massive than the sun, colliding to become a single larger black hole more than 1.3 billion light years away.

RELATED: A Rapidly Spinning Black Hole Was Seen Killing a Distant Star

The space-based LISA observatory, by comparison, would be able to detect black holes one million times more massive than the sun that date back to the dawn of the universe.

"It's a different astronomy and very, very rich," astrophysicist Stefano Vitale, with the University of Trento in Italy, told reporters at a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston.

For LISA to work, the space buoys have to be kept at a level of quiescence equal to one-millionth of one-billionth of the force of Earth's gravity, said Vitale, the lead scientist for LISA Pathfinder.

The goal of the demonstration mission was to get within 10 percent of that mark. To save money, LISA Pathfinder suspends two cubes within one spacecraft, which contributes additional forces. A laser keeps tabs on the distance between the cubes.

The operational LISA would use three satellites, formation flying in a triangle more than 620,000 miles apart and tracked by lasers, to detect gravitational waves.

RELATED: Our Supermassive Black Hole Could Be 'Supercharging' Stars' Magnetism

LISA Pathfinder ended up far exceeding expectations.

"We have done better than the requirement for LISA," Vitale said. "This is a final green light for LISA."

Originally targeted for launch in 2031, scientists are now looking at launching two years earlier, Vitale said.

By then, LISA should have many terrestrial counterparts. The two LIGO detectors are in the process of being upgraded and will be joined this year by a third gravitational wave detector, called Virgo, in Italy.

With three detectors, scientists can triangulate an observation and home in on the location.

For example, If Virgo had been operational when LIGO made its first gravitational wave detection, scientists would have been able to determine where the black holes crashed to within 10 square degrees instead of 600 square degrees, said astrophysicist Gabriela Gonzalez, with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

In 2020, Japan expects to open its Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector, KAGRA, which is being built more than 650 feet underground in Kamioka, northwest of Tokyo. A fourth detector in India is aiming for a 2024 debut.

Top photo: The collision of two black holes holes - a tremendously powerful event detected for the first time ever by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO - is seen in this still from a computer simulation.

WATCH: Do Black Holes Ever Die?
In some of the most remote locations of the world, technology exists in a kind of twisting time warp.

Consider Kenya.

In many remote towns and villages, bedrock technologies of the 20th century - like the electrical grid and land-line telephones - simply never arrived. But cutting-edge technologies, like solar panels and smart phones, are popping up with increasing regularity. And that's making Kenya an ideal setting for testing a variety of fast-moving entrepreneurial initiatives.

The British-Kenyan startup company SteamaCo, for example, has been combining solar energy with mobile technology to bring affordable electricity to rural communities bypassed by the 20th century.

The company specializes in working with local technicians to set up small, self-sustaining solar microgrids that harvest energy from Africa's abundantly sunny climate. By way of high-capacity solar panels and local power hubs, SteamaCo and its partners supply electricity to homes and businesses that lie too far away from municipal power grids.

In the absence of existing infrastructure and entrenched business interests, companies can deploy clean tech relatively cheaply and rapidly. It's an intriguing 21st-century inversion: Some Kenyan villagers can access clean energy options that aren't commercially available in many parts of the developed world.

RELATED: Peak Temperatures Will Push Electric Grid to the Brink in an Ever-Warming World

But a fundamental challenge remains: How does an energy provider collect payment in places where you can't hire meter readers or send bills?

That's where the mobile phones come in.

Kenya is one of the busiest mobile phone markets in the world, according to World Bank. Upwards of 95 percent of Kenyans are mobile phone users, while only 32 percent have regular access to a traditional power grid.

SteamaCo allows customers to prepay for their electricity by way of mobile banking platforms, like Paypal and M-Pesa. Kenyans are quickly adopting the process because it works like the prepaid mobile phone services with which they are already accustomed.

SteamaCo field manager Joseph Nyagilo says that residents in the small town of Entasopia are enthusiastically plugging into the solar microgrid.

"Since we came to this town, a number of businesses have come up," says Nyagilo. "The system is able to power welding, people are starting barber shops, video shows. We are now able to serve cold beers."

Kenya isn't the only country powering up with help from their mobil phones. SteamaCo says it operates 40 minigrids in seven African and Asian countries, and is expanding its mobile payment system to include access to irrigation pumps and biogas facilities.
Bam on removal as committee chairman: Nasampolan kami!

Nasampolan kami!

This was how Sen. Bam Aquino described the move to replace him as chairman of the Committee on Education and strip other Liberal Party (LP) members of their respective committees.

"This is really a political move - a partisan move. Palagay ko nasampolan kami because we've been speaking out against certain policies like the death penalty. Tutol kami doon," Sen. Bam said in a radio interview.

"Iyong pagbaba ng age of criminal liability, iyong pagsuporta kay Senador De Lima at iyong pagpunta namin sa EDSA," he added.

During the session, Sen. Bam manifested that "if this is the price to pay to show up on the streets of EDSA, talking about democracy, talking about the issues of violence on our streets, I gladly pay that price".

After he was removed as committee chairman, Sen. Bam manifested that the move had nothing to do with the performance of the Committee on Education, to which no senator objected to.

"I chose the education committee because may plano kami, may reporma kaming gustong itinulak. Thankfully, Sen. Chiz Escudero seems to be intent in pushing the same reforms. But it's not a light matter because you put a lot of effort, you work on these bills," Sen. Bam said.

Before he was replaced by Sen. Chiz Escudero, Sen. Bam was spearheading the interpellation on two significant education bills - the Free Tuition Fees in SUCs Act and the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy measure.

"We will support Senator Escudero when he finalizes these bills and hopefully gets a second and third reading. It was a pleasure being your Committee on Education chairman," Sen. Bam told colleagues.
Press Release

February 27, 2017 Excerpts from the interview with Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon

ANC Headstart with Karen Davila Q: On allegations that LP is plotting to destabilize the government SFMD: We have no capability to topple this government. In fact as former President Aquino said, we are offering to help. I repeat, wala po kaming kakayahan. We have no capacity to stage any destabilization and we will not. Q: Can the Senate do anything on the case of Senator De Lima? SFMD: No. The Senate cannot do anything. Senator De Lima can continue to perform her functions as senator of the land except to vote. In other words she can still file bills and conduct committee hearings. What she cannot do is vote because voting requires presence. Q: What actions can she still take? SFMD: If the custodial would allow her she can conduct public hearings. Q: What will her camp be doing today? SFMD: We were informed yesterday that her lawyers will file 10am today a petition with the Supreme Court which will, in effect, question the jurisdiction of the DOJ to investigate and the jurisdiction of the regular courts to hear the case. In the Supreme Court, there have been decisions which say that the Ombudsman has the power to prosecute not only graft cases within the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan but also those cognizable by the regular courts. As early as the case of the Ombudsman v. Enoc, it said that the power of the Ombudsman is plenary. Q: Senator De Lima claimed that since she was salary grade 27 as secretary of justice, only the Ombudsman can investigate her? Is that what you believe? SFMD: That's only one argument. The other argument has ruled that under the charter of the Ombudsman and under the Constitution, the power of the Ombudsman is unqualified and whether the case is cognizable in the Sandiganbayan or the regular courts, the investigation must be done by the Ombudsman and no the Department of Justice. Q: How do the cases of then former Pres. Arroyo, Cong. Jalosjos, the Ampatuans differ from the case of Senator De Lima? SFMD: In all those cases they did not allegedly use their office. In other words, regardless of their positions the crime was allegedly committed. Q: Electoral sabotage by ex-PGMA? SFMD: The case of electoral sabotage, by the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code, should be with the regional trial courts (RTCs). Under the Constitution and the election code, it should be prosecuted by the Comelec and tried by the RTCs. In the case the Ampatuan, the killing was not intimately related to his office and he could have allegedly committed the crime whether or not he was a governor. The same in the case of Jalolos, he was charged with rape. He could have committed the rape regardless of whether or not he was a congressman. In the case of Senator De Lima, even in the information that was filed in court it says "De Lima with the use of her power, position and authority demanded, solicited, extorted money from high profile inmates of the New Bilibid Prison." In other words, if she were not the secretary of justice, if she had no direct supervision over the NBP, she could not have committed the crime, according to the prosecution. Q: That's interesting. That's why it differs from the other cases. SFMD: The fact that it is alleged that it is because of the position of De Lima as secretary of justice, having supervision over the inmates and the NBP, that she was able to allegedly commit the crime, which is not in the case of Jalosjos. It should be the Ombudsman because the power of the Ombudsman is plenary and unqualified. Where the law does not make any distinction as to whether you use your office or not, as long as you're a public official it should be the Ombudsman. It is the Ombudsman that will determine whether or not you used your office and whether or not the crime is related to your office, it goes either to the Sandiganbayan or in the regular courts. If it's not intimately related to your office such as rape or murder, that goes to the regular courts. But if it is intimately related to your office such as in the case of Senator De Lima, where she was alleged as having conspired, she could not have done that except for the fact that she was the secretary of justice. Q: Give us the process, the Supreme Court will decide in how many days? SFMD: I do not know. I have not seen the petition, but I'm sure that one of the prayers is to ask for a temporary restraining order (TRO) so that the proceedings in the RTC could not continue unless these issues are settled first. Q: If the court grants the TRO, the DOJ will have no right to ask for a motion? SFMD: They can. But once a TRO is issued the RTC cannot proceed with the trial until the SC has decided on the case. Q: In case the SC grants the TRO in favor of Senator De Lima, does this mean that she will be immediately released? That arrest warrant was void? SFMD: That's correct. But not because the arrest warrant was void but because the arrest warrant cannot be implemented in the meantime until the SC has decided on the case. Q: You said the Senate couldn't do anything about it. Will the Liberal Party do anything about it? SFMD: We will provide support. But principally this is a legal issue, the lawyers of Senator De Lima will be in the forefront. Q: Do you see this as political harassment? SFMD: It cannot be avoided. The perception that this is a political harassment cannot be avoided. From the perception of people the DOJ is not impartial, because of what transpired. Perception is very important because the DOJ is one of the five pillars of our criminal justice system and people must maintain confidence in our justice system, for it is the foundation of our democracy. If the confidence in our justice system is lost, we'll be in trouble. It is where I think the DOJ should have sat back and thought about this. Q: If perception is important, then why did the CA confirm immediately the appointment of Sec. Aguirre? SFMD: I'm sorry I was not able to attend the hearing. But again what I'm saying is perception if very important. Secretary Aguirre is no ordinary secretary. Oppositions were raised. Senator Trillanes raised an opposition. But the greater of the 25-man CA composed by the Senate and the House of Representatives said that you could be confirmed. Q: Secretary Panelo said this is karma... SFMD: As a lawyer and former secretary of justice I would rather limit myself to commenting on the legal issues. Pasensiya na. In this particular case it is a very real issue of jurisdiction. Q: Do you believe she's innocent? SFMD: When you have convicts as your witnesses, the credibility of this will certainly be open to questions. They have every to gain by what they have stated. In a trial, you will assess the evidence submitted. In this case, these are all verbal there is no one gram, 10 grams or one kilo of shabu presented. Q: Or money trail? SFMD: Or money trail. The acts allegedly committed were testified to by the convicts whose credibility is open to questions. On Secretary Yasay SFMD: The question raised is, is he American, is he a Filipino, or is he stateless? He's the secretary of foreign affairs. This is a very serious question on his qualifications, which the CA has the duty to inquire into. Q: When did he renounce it ? SFMD: But according to the laws of the United States, the effective renunciation was one June 28, 2016, two days before he assumed office. Q: Why? SFMD: Because under the American law - and the American law here is controlling - the act of renunciation should be done before an American consul. Q: In 1993, where did he renounce? SFMD: According to the papers, he sent it to an official of the immigration in New Jersey, not before the American consul. that is why among the documents in the internets is the certification by the US embassy in Manila, which says that the lost of nationality is on June 28, 2016. Q: This would mean that according to the US, while Sec. Yasay was working with former Pres. Estrada under the SEC, as far as the US government was concerned he is an American citizen? SFMD: That's correct. It is the US laws, which would govern who are the citizens of the USA. Certainly the Philippines laws cannot say who are the American citizens. Q: Under the law, can you be a cabinet secretary if you are a dual citizen? SFMD: No. I wrote the Dual Citizenship Act and this was effective in 2003. It is very specific in that law that no elective or appointive official can hold office unless he executes an affidavit of renunciation. In other words, he should renounce his foreign citizenship before he can assume the position in government, because dual allegiance is absolutely prohibited. Once you assume public office, or even before you assume public office, you must effectively renounce you foreign citizenship, and take your oath as a Filipino citizen. Q: Sec. Yasay might be thinking that he had already renounced his foreign citizenship even before he became foreign secretary. But the question is why did he do it twice... SFMD: I want to emphasize that even assuming that he renounced effectively it in 1993, although American law says he renounced it in 2016, the question is, did he reacquire his Philippine citizenship? Q: How should you do that? SFMD: When she took his oath as American citizen in 1986, he lost his Philippine citizenship by virtue of Commonwealth Act 63, if I'm not mistaken, because under the law then, before we amended the law, automatically you lose your Filipino citizenship when you take your oath as a foreign national. How do you recover it under the old law is that you to go to the process of naturalization. That is why I wrote the Dual Citizenship Act so that you can reacquire your Philippine citizenship by simply going to the Bureau of Immigration and assert you would want o be a dual citizen by recovering your Filipino citizenship. But again there has to be an oath that you must take to reassert your allegiance to the Philippine flag. Q: You're saying that Sec. Yasay did not take that oath, did not reacquire? SFMD: It does not show in the records. Q: What is his citizenship? Is he really stateless? SFMD: Good question, because he lost his Philippine citizenship when he took his oath as an American in 1986. Did he reacquire it? I do not know because nothing is in the record. But if it was before 2003 that he asserts that he reacquired it, it must be through a naturalization process, file a petition in court to reacquire your Philippine citizenship. If it as in 2003, then he avails of the Dual Citizenship Act by again taking his oath as a Filipino. These are questions of fact to which I have no answer. Q: If it were proven that Sec. Yasay did not reacquire his Philippine citizenship, would you confirm him as foreign affairs secretary? SFMD: Assuming that he did not, I have my real serious misgivings about his qualifications. Q: When he held the SEC position, can he be brought to SEC for that? SFMD: Again I did not think about that. According to the reports today it can be a usurpation of public functions, because he discharged public functions. The crucial issue is when he executed his affidavit, was that an effective renunciation of foreign citizenship and did he reacquire his Filipino citizenship. Those are the issues. Q: Should he resign instead of going through the process? SFMD: Let's see how the CA confirmation will go because there are many questions of facts that he must answer. Q: Considering that he's handling issues on diplomacies especially with China, US... SFMD: His position is very crucial. At this particular stage of our history, the position of the foreign affairs secretary is very critical because of the South China Sea issue and our relationship with two super powers, China and US. His position is very critical to our national interest because of the circumstances today. We want him to be a strong secretary, because he has to face up to China because of the SEA issue...At this point we would want, from where I sit I want Secretary Yasay to be strong, to be able to assert and defend our national interest. Q: How does someone get confirmed in the CA? Is it majority rules? SFMD: It is majority rules, because the Committee on Foreign Relations, headed by Senator Lacson, must recommend to the plenary the confirmation or disapproval of Sec. Yasay. Q: If it's a majority, what objectivity can we expect? The Malacanang controls the House... SFMD: I have faith in the ability of our congressmen to look at the situation objectively. Q: On another issue, Sec. Gina Lopez... SFMD: I will vote for her. Q: On Lascnas, clearly he lied under oath... SFMD: If he lied under oath, what is the truth? The allegations that he lied when he when he first appeared in 2016, we want to know the truth. There were 11 senators who voted in the Senate to allow him to testify. Q: What do you do now? SFMD: The referral has been made on the Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs and the Senate made that referral. The motion to reconsider that referral expired last Wednesday. It is not in the court of the committee of Senator Lacson and it is up to Senator Lacson when he will hear it. Q: Do you think that in the end that justice will be served fairly for Senator De Lima? SFMD: I have confidence in our justice system. Senator De Lima has submitted herself to our justice system by raising this to the Supreme Court. I am confident that the SC will uphold the rule of law. It is within their authority to interpret the rule of law.
Press Release

February 27, 2017 Koko presses for a modern, relevant Citizen Service Act for Filipino youth Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III filed a bill for mandatory training of Filipino college students for their possible mobilization in the service of the nation during times of emergencies and contingencies in the form of natural and man-made calamities and external and internal security threats. Senate Bill 1322, filed by Pimentel on February 9, 2017, called for the establishment of a Citizen Service Training Course, a comprehensive framework geared towards training and organizing the youth for tasks related to national defense, law enforcement, and disaster risk reduction and management. "The youth will inherit this nation, and it is essential that they are integrated into the process of nation-building as early as possible", Pimentel said. The bill, called the Citizen Service Act, proposes a mandatory Basic Citizen Service Training Course (Basic CSTC) which shall form part of the curricula of all baccalaureate degree courses and all technical vocational courses that require at least two years to complete. The program will be administered by the Citizen Service Mobilization Commission, a body that will be established by the same law. The Basic CTSC course would be completed over four semesters in the first two years of all baccalaureate degrees and vocational and technical courses and will be a requisite for graduation. There will be no exemptions for Basic CTSC, but there will be a special CSTC for those who are classified and officially registered as persons with disabilities, those who religious beliefs prohibit the use of firearms in rendering service to the country, those who have been convicted by final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and foreign citizens studying in the country. After the Basic CSTC, there will be an Advance CSTC for those interested in pursuing a reserve commission in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Office for Civil Defense. Graduates of the program would be a part of the Citizen Service Corps, that can be called upon and mobilized to assist the national government and local government units on matters related to national defense, internal security, and disaster risk reduction and management. Pimentel said, "Through the Citizen Service Corps, the Filipino youth will be true Partners for Change - organized, disciplined, and filled with a sense of purpose in serving the State."
CHICAGO -- Susana Palomo couldn't sleep for a week, torn between a dream and reality.

One of the hundreds of workers laid off last year from a Nabisco plant on Chicago's Southwest Side, where Oreos were made for more than six decades, Palomo had embarked on a bold plan to attend college and perhaps open her own small bakery someday. But Mondelez International, the $30 billion global parent company of Nabisco, called her back to work in December.

Palomo's dilemma: Return to the factory job and get paid? Or continue studying at the French Pastry School, where she was thriving?

"I know money is really important in life, but other things also. If you're not happy, money's not everything. ... It's a struggle," said Palomo, a woman in her 50s who emigrated from Mexico with her family as a teenager.

It's been nearly a year since Mondelez laid off almost half of its 1,200 manufacturing workers in Chicago, shifting the work to Mexico. More than 100 employees have been called back, but many of those who lost their jobs struggle to stay afloat financially.

The layoffs, continuing the trend of American companies exporting jobs to take advantage of cheaper materials and labor costs, prompted both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton to lambaste Mondelez's decision from the campaign trail. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly pledged to restore U.S. manufacturing jobs lost to other countries.

But it's hard to envision a meaningful reversal of the manufacturing decline in Chicago, where $25-an-hour factory jobs with benefits have become increasingly rare. In the late 1940s, Chicago boasted almost 670,000 manufacturing jobs, according to city data. Recent estimates by university researchers put the current number at closer to 70,000.

Jobs at the Nabisco bakery, which employed more than 4,000 workers in its heyday, generally paid more than most of the other jobs in the surrounding area, and the plant employed more black and Latino workers than other facilities in the area, according to a recent analysis by the Great Cities Institute at University of Illinois Chicago.

"These are important, good-paying jobs, and not necessarily for people with high levels of educational attainment, in a part of the city that's been losing manufacturing jobs for decades," said Matt Wilson, economic development planner for the Great Cities Institute.

Since the 600 job cuts were announced in July 2015, 429 workers have received layoff notices, said Mondelez spokeswoman Laurie Guzzinati. Retirements and attrition helped offset some layoffs.

Of those 429, 120 have returned to the facility after being called back to work and there could be additional callbacks, Guzzinati said. More could be called back depending on operational needs, she said.

After getting called back by Mondelez, Palomo returned in December -- for one day.

That's all it took for her to realize she was done with factory work.

While she worked for more than 25 years in Chicago-area factories, Palomo longed for a better life for her two daughters.

She decided to pursue the dream she kept for herself. In August, she enrolled at the French Pastry School, where she learned to bake layered wedding cakes adorned with intricate gum-paste flowers that looked real enough to smell.

Money's tight. Her husband, Pete, also a longtime factory worker now working at a Dean's Dip plant outside the city, is now the family's only source of income. Household spending has been reined in; needed home repairs have been deferred.

But she has some help. Because the jobs were shifted to Mexico, Palomo and others were able to apply for federal assistance for training through the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers program. In 2016, more than 4,900 workers in Illinois were covered by the program, up from 3,235 the year before.

Last summer, the last Oreos rolled off the line at the Nabisco facility, ending a run that dates back to 1953. Oreos are still made in several other U.S. facilities, in addition to Mexico.

Mondelez has defended its decision as important to its ability to compete in a global marketplace. Installing the new production lines in Salinas, Mexico -- instead of upgrading the Chicago plant -- saves the company about $46 million a year, executives have said.

The average worker at the plant in Mexico makes total compensation -- including a base wage and the value of benefits -- that's equivalent to $7 an hour, which is a competitive salary for that region, said Mondelez's Guzzinati.

The Chicago facility, which continues to produce products like BelVita biscuits and Mini Chips Ahoy cookies, will remain important to its North American supply chain, Guzzinati said.

For those called back to the plant, uncertainty lingers.

Members of the bakers union at the Chicago facility and other plants in the U.S. have worked without a contract since March 1, and negotiations stalled out in early April. Each side accuses the other of walking away from the bargaining table.

"It's not right. There's no job security. You're working day to day and have no idea if you're going to be laid off again," said LaDonna DeGolyer, 57, who was laid off in March after seven years but called back in August.

Despite the uncertainty, DeGolyer said it was an easy decision to return to Mondelez. When she was laid off from Kraft's Kool-Aid factory in Chicago, where she made about $23 an hour, it took her five years to find a comparable-paying job as a forklift driver at Mondelez, where she makes about $26 an hour, she said.

After losing her job, she couldn't pay her daughter Kayla's tuition at Eastern Illinois University, which led to a delay in Kayla finishing her sophomore year of college. DeGolyer said the financial stress also contributed to a swift decline in her own health. She lost her hair and continues to struggle with headaches and depression.

Back at Mondelez, she feels the toll of the layoffs on a daily basis.

"It was a happy thing (being called back to work), but also a sad thing, because less than half the people you used to work with are still there. You walk through and it's like a ghost town," DeGolyer said.
When San Franciscans proudly describe their city as world class, traffic congestion can now be part of the conversation.

San Francisco, with most of the rest of the Bay Area, is the fourth-most-congested metropolitan area in the world, and third worst in the United States, according to a new survey.

The Bay Area, with its bridges, tunnels, bay and hills, and tendency for people to live somewhere other than where they work, always ranks among the nations most traffic-tangled metropolises. But this survey places San Francisco near the top of 1,064 cities in 38 countries. It ranks behind Los Angeles, Moscow and New York and just ahead of Bogota, Colombia, for the worlds worst traffic. Sao Paolo, London, Atlanta, Paris and Miami round out the Top 10.

The survey was conducted by Inrix, a Seattle company that provides traffic information worldwide. It releases congestion studies annually, calculating how much time drivers lose because of slow-moving traffic.

Bay Area transportation advocates say the study is more than an interesting collection of numbers; its more evidence that congestion is hurting the region, and will slow the economy without both quick action and long-term plans.

Congestion is having a dramatic impact on the quality of life in the Bay Area, said Jim Wunderman, CEO of the Bay Area Council, a business lobbying group active in transportation issues. We can see it beginning to take its toll on the economy.

According to the study, drivers in the San Francisco area, which includes the inner East Bay, the Peninsula and the South Bay, wasted 83 hours sitting or creeping along in traffic in 2016. New Yorkers lost 89 hours behind the wheel last year, Moscow drivers 91 hours and those in Los Angeles 104 hours.

Last years survey, which used a different methodology, ranked San Francisco second in the nation, tied with Washington, but behind Los Angeles. Bay Area drivers in 2015 wasted 75 hours in traffic.

Congestion causes San Francisco-area drivers $1,996 a year per person in wasted time, Inrix concluded, compared with a national average of $1,400. But Bob Pishue, Inrixs senior economist and study co-author, said San Franciscos congestion during the morning and evening commutes is the worst in the nation, particularly on city streets.

Although traffic is a sign of a healthy economy, it can drive up prices of goods and services as it worsens, the survey said. In the Bay Area, Wunderman said, the long, slow commutes combined with the rising cost of housing are starting to drive away some job seekers and could have the same effect on employers.

I hear anecdotally from companies all the time about problems with people getting to their jobs, Wunderman said. A lot of younger people are thinking twice about coming here because of the increasing cost of housing and the long commutes.

The Inrix report recommends that congested regions, like the Bay Area, use its data to drive the discussion on transportation, such as determining where improvements should be made, and using technology to better manage traffic.

We really want this to be the starting point, Pishue said. There is a lot of talk around the country, even in the Bay Area and state, about what to do about transportation. Hopefully this can help inform the discussion.

The Bay Area can achieve short-term traffic relief, Wunderman said, by encouraging carpooling, possibly by limiting free parking to drivers who share their commutes, and by developing regional express-lane network that allows solo drivers to pay a toll to use carpool lanes. Regional express buses, an expanded ferry system and a coordination of transit, and ride services, like Lyft and Uber, could also help, he said.

In a separate report released last week, SPUR, a Bay Area urban planning think tank, said those kinds of improvements are needed on what it calls the Caltrain corridor, the overburdened transportation network connecting Silicon Valley and San Francisco.

Among the changes were a call for beefed-up Caltrain service with trains that would run more frequently and offer more capacity; the addition of express lanes and express buses on Highway 101; improved connections at better transit stations; and ferry service out of the Port of Redwood City. The SPUR report estimated it would take $16 billion to $21 billion to pay for it all.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan

Most-congested major world cities

1. Los Angeles

2. Moscow

3. New York

4. San Francisco

5. Bogota

6. Sao Paolo

7. London

8. Atlanta

9. Paris

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.

10. Miami

Most-congested U.S. cities

1. Los Angeles

2. New York

3. San Francisco

4. Atlanta

5. Miami

Most-congested nations

1. Thailand

2. (tie) Colombia

2. (tie) Indonesia

4. (tie) United States

4. (tie) Russia

Source: Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard
A San Francisco police officer operating under the citys new less-lethal approach to using force needed a big assist the other day from a couple of passersby after an alleged flasher got the better of him and wrestled him to the ground.

Heroic citizens is how the officers boss, Richmond Station police Capt. Paul Yep, described the two men who helped the officer. At the end of the day, their timing prevented the whole situation from escalating.

The Feb. 19 incident, which a bystander captured on cell phone video that he uploaded to his Facebook page, reignited the debate over whether the citys recent ban on carotid neck holds by officers and refusal to give electronic stun guns to police are making the streets unsafe for cops.

Having more intermediary force available to us would help us do our job better  not only as a matter of the publics safety and our safety, but also for the safety of the (arrest) subject, Yep said.

The incident began about 4:40 p.m. with a report of a belligerent homeless man who had his pants down and was touching himself at La Playa and Cabrillo streets in the Outer Richmond.

Officer Ilya Faynshteyn responded, talked with the man and noticed some signs that he had an altered mental state suggesting he was on drugs, Yep said.

Kale Williams

When Faynshteyn tried to make an arrest, the man  who was substantially larger  grabbed him around the waist and took him to the ground, landing on top of the officer.

Thats when 19-year-old Kirill Zubaryev, a community college student from San Jose who was waiting for a bus across the street, turned on his cell phone video.

The video is visual proof that the officer was acting properly, Zubaryev told us.

He said even before he started recording, Faynshteyn had been very professional, maintaining a safe distance from the man. From what I saw, (he) was polite, Zubaryev said.

The video shows the officer and the man eventually regaining their footing and continuing to wrestle before Faynshteyn again lands on his back, beneath his attacker.

As the camera moves closer, Faynshteyn is heard calling for help, with his police radio in his hand.

Then, out of nowhere, a couple of passersby come running up. One of the men appears to grab the alleged assailant from behind, wrapping his right arm across the suspects shoulder and neck, as Faynshteyn warns him to be careful and not to hurt the man.

Eventually, Faynshteyn and the two men are able to force the suspect to the ground. A pair of undercover officers and other beat cops soon arrive to assist in the arrest.

According to Yep, the arrested man  whose name was not released  was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for a 72-hour psychiatric observation while authorities considered bringing assault charges. No decision on whether to file charges had been made by the end of the week.

Faynshteyn suffered knee and elbow abrasions, but he was back on duty in time for his next shift Thursday.

He is very appreciative of the citizens who came to his aid, and is eager to return to work, Martin Halloran, president of the Police Officers Association, told us.

However, Halloran said, this is just another example of how a flawed use-of-force policy ... has gotten one of my members unnecessarily injured.

This is a situation where the carotid restraint is extremely useful to the officer who may be outweighed or smaller in stature than the suspect, Halloran said.

Former Police Commission President Suzy Loftus, who helped craft the new use-of-force policy, said officers have pepper spray and nightsticks at their disposal, and that it was the federal Justice Department that concluded the carotid restraint was an antiquated use of force that is highly dangerous.

But she noted that the feds also said the department should seriously consider Tasers, and that work is currently before the commission.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Derailed? The Trump administrations decision to delay federal funding to convert Caltrain from diesel to electric power is already having a ripple effect in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors, acting as the citys Transportation Authority, was scheduled to vote this week on whether to allocate as much as $6.7 million in sales tax money for preliminary engineering work to bring high-speed trains into the new downtown Transbay Transit Center.

But without an electrified Caltrain line, there can be no high-speed trains into downtown San Francisco. Why are we spending money to design something that may never be built at all? said Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who chairs the authoritys board.

Some officials hold out hope that President Trump will eventually release the $647 million in electrification funding for Caltrain, but thats hardly a sure thing.

Peskin figured it was time to hold off, at least until the authority hears more next month from city transportation planners. So Friday, the authority sent word that the citys money, like the federal contribution, will stay on ice.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
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As a Canadian citizen with a spotless legal history, Sahar Fatima should technically be able to fly into San Francisco International Airport, enjoy 10 carefree days traversing the California coastline with her best friend, and return home without a problem.

But in an America led by President Trump, she worried that her hijab, brown skin and Pakistani birth certificate would raise problems that she just didnt want to deal with on vacation. So she canceled her trip.

Theres always something or the other going on with Muslims and national security, and I dont usually let it impact my life, Fatima, who wrote about her experience in the Toronto Star, told The Chronicle. But I just felt like it was different this time.

Decisions like Fatimas to forgo a trip to California  where she would have spent hundreds of dollars on lodging, restaurants and a car rental  have tourism officials jittery about the future of an industry that brought $9.7 billion to San Francisco last year.

From shortly after Trumps inauguration until the implementation of his now-stalled travel ban directed at seven Muslim-majority countries, flight searches to the U.S. declined about 18 percent, according to Hopper, a travel agency that analyzed flight search data from 122 countries.

San Francisco International Airport saw the largest drop in searches from international origins during that week at 33 percent, according to Hopper. Los Angeles International saw a 22 percent drop, and New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport saw a 12 percent decline in searches.

We are very concerned, said Joe DAlessandro, president of the San Francisco Travel Association. You just dont know what the next policy announcement will be and how that will impact travel to the U.S.

Patrick Surry, chief data scientist at Hopper, said it is normal for demand to fluctuate in response to major news events such as terrorist attacks or virus outbreaks. But, he noted: I dont think weve ever seen a short-term decline like this for any news event weve tracked.

Flight search numbers have since recovered and were just 2 percent below normal late this week. But with a new immigration order expected, Surry said there could be another big dip ahead.

Dev, a South of Market resident who asked to withhold his last name for fear of retribution, advised his sister in Mumbai, India, to not even take the chance of visiting him in the U.S.

It wasnt worth taking the chance of flying all the way to the U.S. and possibly having something go wrong at the border, Dev said, adding that his sister now prefers to go to Europe  somewhere more welcoming.

The recent drop in flight searches tracked by Hopper has had little impact on airfares so far, but the market typically takes weeks rather than days to react, Surry said. And the actual financial impact on hotels and other components of the tourism industry will be hard to tell until the peak travel season, which typically runs from April to September in San Francisco.

But concern is mounting. Last year the city hosted nearly 3 million international visitors, who spent $4.8 billion. Kevin Carroll, executive director of the Hotel Council of San Francisco, said he is worried.

We are pretty used to shifting and moving depending on where business is or isnt coming from, he said. But if for any reason travel is off  that would be a major concern for the hotel industry.

In the week after the travel ban, the Global Business Travel Association estimated that $185 million in business travel bookings was lost nationwide as uncertainty took a toll.

Andrew Smith, the senior vice president of Big Bus Tours San Francisco, which is headquartered in London, said the company fears Trumps immigration policies will discourage Europeans from visiting.

There is a sentiment of, Do we think its safe to go (to the U.S.) even though we are EU citizens? he said.

Other companies are not expecting any changes.

A spokeswoman for City Sightseeing San Francisco, a popular tour bus company, said the company is more worried about the impact of the actual climate than the political climate. The recent bad weather, as well as the stronger U.S. dollar, could deter travelers.

Several international tourists in San Francisco, like Fatiha Bouras, a 67-year-old Muslim woman from France, said they didnt even think twice before traveling to the U.S.

Trump doesnt bother me, Bouras said in Arabic as she waited near the Alcatraz ferry slip.

While Owen and Leanne Mulligan of Sydney sat on an open-air tour bus Wednesday afternoon, they were more interested in San Franciscos buildings  particularly the fictional Mrs. Doubtfires home  than in the U.S. political turmoil.

Every time we turn on the telly at home, its about Trump, said Leanne Mulligan, 53. But that wasnt going to stop us from coming here.

Still, tourism promoters are devising plans for bolstering San Franciscos reputation as a welcoming city in case the numbers show a prolonged dip.

DAlessandro, San Francisco Travels CEO, said the association will ramp up marketing for the 50th anniversary of San Franciscos Summer of Love, a festival that was considered the cornerstone of the hippie movement in 1967  a piece of history that may remind people of a more mellow time.

Some surveys are showing that the sentiment toward the U.S. is not particularly strong now, DAlessandro said. We need to show the San Francisco story that we are different ... and weve always welcomed visitors and people with different perspectives on life.

But liberal California was still not enough to persuade Fatima to keep her vacation plans.

Because I wear a hijab, people understood why I canceled, she said. They were like, Oh yeah, that makes sense. Good call.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
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Its usually around this time of year that Stephen Rechif starts to wince when he sees his accountant calling.

Tax season is rarely cause for celebration for U.S. business owners, but for medical marijuana dispensary operators like Rechif, who runs Bloom Room Cannabis Collective in San Francisco, it tends to be an especially painful period.

Thanks to an arcane federal law written and passed in the fever pitch of the war on drugs, marijuana dispensaries are unable to take advantage of the vast array of deductions that other businesses rely on to lower their tax bills each year.

Commonplace write-offs for things like rent, employee payroll, insurance or marketing that can make a difference of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars are almost entirely off-limits for marijuana entrepreneurs. That means they have to pay taxes on a far bigger pool of income, saddling them with federal tax bills that, business owners say, cripple their ability to grow and reinvest in their operations.

That money would probably immediately be going to employee benefits, Rechif said. There would be more community outreach type of things that we could do. There would be more growth opportunities, we could have more media partners, more paper advertising and digital media  but we have to pay the government instead.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Rechif declined to divulge just how big his annual tax burden is, but said Bloom Room has to save up for months each year to pay it.

In some cases, dispensaries could put themselves in a position where they owe more in taxes than they made, said John Barthel, an accountant who specializes in the cannabis industry. Theyll come in, and its a tough conversation to say, You made no money.

Critics of the law say it was passed long before the notion of legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use became mainstream, and paint it as an unfair burden on cannabis businesses operating legally.

Were simply asking for cannabis businesses to be taxed fairly, like any other business, said Taylor West, deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. These are businesses who are trying to play by the rules and pay their federal taxes, and they get penalized for no justifiable reason.

But a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service brought by the Harborside Health Center in Oakland, which says it is the largest medical cannabis dispensary in the country, could upend the law once and for all by challenging the notion that the law was intended to apply to dispensaries in the first place.

The federal regulation behind the marijuana retail industrys woes, known as Section 280E, was prompted by a law passed by Congress in 1982, a year after a Minneapolis drug dealer persuaded the U.S. tax court to allow him to write off the costs of a scale, packaging materials, car expenses and even a portion of the rent for the apartment he used to make his sales.

Even if youre engaged in an illegal business, theres a requirement that you file your taxes, said Henry Wykowski, a San Francisco attorney who has been at the forefront of cannabis-industry taxation issues, and represents Harborside in its case against the IRS.

The law says that any business whose operations consist of trafficking in controlled substances isnt eligible for the same deductions offered to other businesses. Dispensaries can, however, deduct what are known as cost of goods sold  the expenses a business incurs to make its sales.

For cannabis retailers, the cost of goods sold tend to stem from the purchase and processing of the bulk marijuana resold to patients. Crucially, nothing even tangentially related to the sale of that product can be deducted under 280E, experts said.

The only cost-of-goods-sold deductions that you have are really just the cost of the product coming in, said Jordan Cornelius, the founder of cannabis-focused accounting firm Cornelius CPAs. Rent, labor, insurance, utility bills, advertising, any type of promotional event  everything that is not part of the cost of goods sold  these things are all nondeductible, he said.

To get as many deductions as they can while remaining compliant with the law, dispensary operators have to take a number of painstaking, sometimes bizarre steps.

In the Bloom Room, for example, a strand of orange cloth marks off the area of the dispensary where marijuana and other cannabis products are actually sold. It may look like an ordinary queuing line for customers, but it forms a crucial barrier for the shops bookkeeping.

When Rechifs employees step behind the cloth to make a sale, their time on the clock isnt deductible. But when they step out from behind the counter and head to the back room to break down some bulk marijuana or adjust some of the artwork Bloom Room sells, suddenly, their time can be deducted again.

You have to do weird things like that all along the way to not be buried in tax debt, Rechif said. We have to measure out our floor, we have to try to segment where our employees are spending their time  it gets really confusing. And it also costs us a lot because of all the extra money we have to spend on accounting to figure all this stuff out. Its really a big headache.

Failing to take precautions, though, can be financially ruinous for dispensaries.

Robert Raich, an Oakland attorney who has argued the two U.S. Supreme Court cases that considered medical cannabis issues, represents a dispensary operator who was recently audited by the IRS.

The agency found that his client had tried to claim some deductions that were off-limits under the 280E rule.

They hit him with a $250,000 bill for taxes plus interest and fines, Raich said. To stay in business, the dispensary owner raised money from investors on unfavorable terms, according to Raich.

Wykowski and Harborside Health Center are determined to make sure something like that never happens again.

Their case, which was argued in June, is now awaiting a decision from a federal tax judge. Harborside is challenging the $2.4 million in back taxes the IRS says it owes after an audit in 2010. Wykowski said the IRS disallowed all of their expenses under 280E, and called Steve DeAngelo, Harborsides founder, nothing more than a drug dealer.

An IRS spokesman declined a request for an interview.

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The case has implications beyond Harborsides tax bill. Wykowski said the suit has become a test case to challenge 280E in its entirety, in part because the regulations were crafted before a legally operating marijuana dispensary ever existed.

Our position is that 280E was never meant to apply to cannabis dispensaries, Wykowski said. To help make his argument, Wykowski said he hired a linguist to dissect the wording of the statute itself. In court, he attacked a passage that says it applies to businesses that consist of drug trafficking.

If someone said New York consists of Manhattan and the Bronx, theyre wrong, because New York consists of all five boroughs, Wykowski said, using that line of thought to argue that because Harborside and many other dispensaries offer a range of other products and services, their business doesnt consist only of selling marijuana.

The law cannot apply to a dispensary that provides wellness services, massage, counseling, social activities, selling T-shirts and hats and rolling papers and books. The business consists of all of those things, Wykowski said. If we win on that argument, the whole case goes away.

My attitude is that if the service wants to play hardball with us, we play hardball with the service, he added.

In the meantime, dispensary operators like Rechif will have to live with the law as it stands, and put their growth plans on hold to scrape enough money together to pay their federal taxes each year.

When we go for insurance, were hit really hard on that. When we try to offer merchant services for debit and credit cards, were hit super hard there, Rechif said. Every little step we go through, I feel like were charged more because people see our business as super lucrative.

And then, in the end, its really not, because the government is treating us so unfairly.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa

Profits up in smoke

Businesses that sell marijuana cannot deduct many ordinary business expenses, leaving them with higher tax bills than other firms.

Non-cannabis business Cannabis business Gross revenue $1,000,000 $1,000,000 Cost of goods sold $650,000 $650,000 Gross income $350,000 $350,000 Deductible business expenses $200,000 $0 Taxable income $150,000 $350,000 Tax (30%) $45,000 $105,000 Effective tax rate 30% 70%
In the largest study of its kind, a trio of economists found compelling evidence that older workers, especially women, experience age discrimination in hiring, according to a summary of the research published Monday by the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank.

The researchers created more than 40,000 fake resumes that were identical except for age and gender and submitted them online for more than 13,000 mostly lower-skilled jobs. It found that response rates went down as age went up, and the disparity was higher for women than men.

The report comes when the percentage of the U.S. adult population age 65 and older is projected to rise sharply, which will increase the ratio of non-workers to workers and strain the Social Security system.

Policy efforts to improve the systems solvency have focused on encouraging seniors to work longer by changing Social Security benefits, such as by reducing benefits for those who start claiming them at age 62. If they work longer, they pay more Social Security taxes, said lead author David Neumark, an economics professor at UC Irvine and visiting scholar at the San Francisco Fed.

However, if businesses dont respond to the policy-induced larger labor supply by hiring older workers, it could lead to even harsher policy reforms for seniors, the report says.

Age discrimination is difficult to prove, so the researchers set up whats known as a correspondence study. They created realistic but fictitious resumes for job applicants who had identical backgrounds and differed only by age and gender. Age was indicated by including the applicants high-school graduation year.

They had otherwise identical workers who were young (ages 29 to 31), middle-aged (49 to 51), and older (64 to 66) apply online for more than 13,000 actual positions in 11 states in 2015. There were more than 40,000 applicants, making it by far the largest correspondence study to date, the report said.

The researchers sent female resumes to openings for secretaries and administrative assistants and male resumes to help-wanted ads for janitors and security jobs. Both genders fake-applied for retail sales positions. Low-skilled jobs were chosen because employers are more likely to be familiar with applicants for high-skilled jobs and ignore ersatz ones.

Across all five sets of job applications, the callback rate was higher for younger applicants and lower for older applicants, consistent with age discrimination in hiring, the report said.

The oldest group of female applicants for administrative jobs had a callback rate of 7.6 percent versus 14.4 percent for the youngest group. In sales, their response rates were 18.4 percent versus 28.7 percent, respectively.

For male job applicants in sales, security and janitor jobs, there is also a lower callback rate for older men in general, but the difference was not as consistent or pronounced as it was with females. For sales jobs, the oldest male applicants had a callback rate of 14.7 percent versus 20.9 percent for the youngest group.

Our field experiment provides compelling evidence that older workers experience age discrimination in hiring in the lower-skilled types of jobs, the report said. This evidence implies that there are demand-side barriers to significantly extending work lives.

Angela Gyetvan, a freelance digital media consultant who used to work in Silicon Valley but now lives in Los Angeles, is not even close to 65 (she wont let me publish her exact age). But she says she has experienced age discrimination. I work primarily with emerging businesses, she said. When they think of you as a full-time employee, they want people who will work like 35-year-olds. If you come in as a consultant, they listen to you more. They are more aware of the money they are handing to you. They are more accepting of the fact that you have more maturity. Its one of the reasons Ive kept consulting. In this path, I dont face as much ageism.

Gyetvan says the gig economy could be a solution for some older workers. However, two weeks after she was laid off from her last full-time job, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After Cobra coverage under her previous employers plan ran out, she was able to purchase individual health insurance because the Affordable Care Act forbids insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more because of pre-existing conditions. If the Affordable Care Act, or that part of it, is overturned, workers who are not yet 65 and eligible for Medicare could have problems working independently.

Proposals to shore up Social Security by encouraging longer careers include increasing the so-called full retirement age (from 66 to 67 for people born since 1943), reducing benefits for those who claim them before age 62 and eliminating the retirement earnings test. This test withholds some Social Security benefits from people who are working and claiming benefits between age 62 and their full retirement age if their earnings exceed a certain amount.

The bigger problem is figuring out how to incentivize employers to hire older workers.

Its still the case that age discrimination is not even close to the same taboo as other forms of discrimination, Neumark said. People tell age jokes who would never tell race jokes.

The federal Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. The laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of age and disability are slightly different.

There is one tool we dont use with respect to age that we do use with respect to race and gender  affirmative action, he said. For example, federal contractors are required to set goals to end any underrepresentation of women and minorities. Why cant such goals be symmetrical, he asked, and apply to older workers as well?

Also, states can adopt antidiscrimination laws that are stronger than federal law. In states that have, work I have done shows that you had more people working to older ages, Neumark said.

Another solution is to allow larger damages in age-discrimination suits and extend the (age-discrimination) law to smaller firms.

The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 or older , applies to companies with 20 or more employees. Californias age-discrimination act applies to employers with five or more employees. Some states have applied age-discrimination laws to all employers.

In a longer paper on his research, Neumark mentioned some theories as to why employers might discriminate against older workers. It could be that some physical capacities can decline with age, although some capacities may increase with age. Also, employers might expect older workers to have health problems, which could raise absenteeism or pose accommodation costs. Finally, employers might expect that older workers would be near retirement, and be less willing to invest in them.

As for why older women fared worse in his study than men, he had no evidence but said it could be that appearance matters in our sample of low-skilled jobs, and the effects of aging on physical appearance are evaluated more harshly for women than men.

We think its sad that discrimination happens at the resume stage, Nancy McPherson, AARPs state director in California, said in response to the study. AARP is using education and outreach to demonstrate the value that older employees bring, she said. As people live and work longer its common to see four and five generations working side by side. Its a unique opportunity to leverage different perspectives and approaches.

Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender
There you were, watching what you thought was just the end of another boring Academy Awards broadcast. But oh no, you werent. You were watching, in real time, the academys Zapruder film, a piece of footage that will be replayed over and over, with a mix of horror and fascination, for generations to come.

For those who may have fallen asleep before the finish, the one-sentence recap: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced La La Land as the winner of best picture, and the producers were well into thanking family and friends, when word came in that Moonlight was the real winner.

Rewind the fateful footage, and one of the most peculiar fascinations of the screwup is that, as the second La La Land producer is thanking the academy, you can see the third producer, Fred Berger, finding out that the wrong envelope was read  one that said that Emma Stone has won best actress. So he goes to the microphone in a distracted state, while keeping one ear on the commotion behind him. Thats when he hears that Moonlight is the actual winner, at which point he ends his acceptance speech quickly, with the words, We lost, by the way  a statement never before spoken by anyone holding an Oscar.

This was a colossal mess, and strangely, it wasnt even funny. It may be funny to think about now. But watch the footage again, and you will again feel your stomach start to tighten. You will feel embarrassment for the people getting the rug pulled out from them, seconds after showing themselves at their most unguarded and happy. And youll feel for the Moonlight company, whose moment of triumph was overshadowed by the biggest fiasco in Academy Awards history.

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How could something like this happen? What is going on here? And if Americans cant trust Price Waterhouse, whom can we trust?

You know, Price Waterhouse, the accounting firm that has been tabulating the Academy Awards results and keeping them secret since before Moses (Charlton Heston) presented the Ten Commandments? In the old days, the Oscars broadcast would actually show these accountants, who wore suits and glasses and carried the awards in two locked suitcases. They looked reassuringly bland, like your father or grandfather in an old photograph, and they looked as somber as though they were carrying the nuclear codes. They were men from another era. They looked like they liked Ike.

Well, apparently, one of the two officials of Price Waterhouse  now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers  handed Warren Beatty the wrong envelope. Instead of giving him the envelope for the best picture winner, he or she gave him a duplicate envelope for the best actress winner, Emma Stone. Apparently, there are two suitcases, each with a complete set of winners and envelopes, each held by a PwC representative, one on each side of the stage.

This is whats strange: As soon as La La Land was announced, both PwC officials  Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan  knew that a mistake had occurred. They were the only ones in the auditorium who knew the winners in advance, and they had memorized the list. But for some reason, they froze for about a minute and a half. They could have rushed onto the stage, but they held back. Was it stage fright? Was it pure horror? Or did one or more think ... hey, because were the only ones who actually know who won, maybe we should leave well enough alone?

Anyone who has ever really screwed up at work knows the feeling: Maybe if I just say nothing, no one will notice. Sometimes it works, and sometimes you get embarrassed in front of a billion people. Its always a risky strategy.

Still, no harm was done. The La La Land producers know something that most Oscar losers never know. They know what it feels like to win an Oscar. They also had the privilege of being the center of a pop culture moment that will be remembered forever, and they can feel good about having acquitted themselves so graciously. As for the Moonlight crew, their moment was slightly marred, but they know the dream-come-true feeling of going from defeat to triumph. They will be replaying that moment for the rest of their lives, and every time they get unpleasant news, they will half-expect to be rescued from despair within 2 minutes.

As for PricewaterhouseCoopers, the company can at least feel good about not being the only one to screw up last night. You know the In Memoriam section, where they do a roll call of the great dead lost since the previous broadcast? Did you feel sad to see a picture of Jan Chapman, an Australian producer, featured among the deceased along with the name of the late Australian costume designer Janet Patterson? Dont worry about it. Shes alive.

No, in the end, there was only one negative takeaway from Oscar night, the awful realization that it all made some crazy kind of sense. We were surprised, and yet, when it actually happened, we werent too surprised. The sight of everyone in tuxedos scrambling, the spectacle of an institution that prides itself on elegance suddenly reduced to clumsiness and absurdity ... this is how things work these days.

It was such a train wreck  and it all felt really, really 2017.

Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MickLaSalle
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The fashion story at the 89th annual Academy Awards began before the first star hit the red carpet on Sunday. In the days leading up to the ceremony, Meryl Streep, nominated for best actress for Florence Foster Jenkins, found herself in the middle of a war of words with Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, who claimed that the star had turned down a chance to wear one of his creations when the fashion house refused to pay her for the honor. Streep denied the charge, and Lagerfeld subsequently admitted he was incorrect: Nevertheless, the actress said the designers statements amounted to defamation that had the effect of overwhelming the occasion of my record-breaking 20th nomination, and to eclipse this honor in the eyes of the media, my colleagues and the audience.

In spite of that initial hiccup, the fashion show on the Oscar red carpet went on, with Streep wearing a sparkling blue haute couture gown by Elie Saab.

The evenings other blue statement came in the form of blue ribbons worn by celebrities to indicate their support for the American Civil Liberties Unions Stand With ACLU initiative. Best actress nominee for Loving Ruth Negga accessorized her red Valentino gown with the ribbon (the case for interracial marriage depicted in Loving was eventually won in the Supreme Court by the ACLU), as did Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, best song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda and model Karlie Kloss.

The other big color story of the night was red, worn not only by Negga but also by best supporting actress winner Viola Davis, who bared her shoulders in a slinky Armani Prive, and Ginnifer Goodwin in a long-sleeved Zuhair Murad. Chrissy Teigen also wore Murad and was white-hot in a starburst-embellished gown with flowing panels down her shoulders. Kloss white Stella McCartney cape-gown was another white standout, as was best supporting actress nominee Naomie Harriss bilevel dress by new Calvin Klein designer Raf Simons. The non-color trend of the night, nude, was favored by Nicole Kidman, also in Armani Prive; Felicity Jones in a Dior tulle ballerina dress; and best actress winner Emma Stone in a golden nude Givenchy.

As always, the men who stuck to classic tuxedos fared the best (Ryan Gosling in Gucci, Dev Patel in a white dinner jacket) but peacocks like Pharrell (in Chanel beads and tails) and even Captain America Chris Evans (in blue Ferragamo) are proving the guys can have just as much fun on the red carpet.

Best Women

Ruth Negga, Valentino: Loving best actress nominee Neggas high-necked, long-sleeved gown was undoubtedly regal. Her crowning headpiece and the gowns train took the look from regal to capital-R royal. Even her blue ACLU ribbon worked!

Isabelle Huppert, Armani Prive: The best actress nominee for Elle didnt look great for her age (shes 63) as some on Twitter said; Huppert looked great for any age, period.

Naomie Harris, Calvin Klein: One of the most anticipated fashion moments of the night was seeing whom new Calvin Klein designer Raf Simons would dress. The Moonlight best supporting actress nominee (and others from the film) got that honor. Harris bilevel white gown was the most fashion-forward of the night, along with her mismatched yellow pumps.

Viola Davis, Armani Prive: The line of best supporting actress winner Davis off-the-shoulder gown had slink and sexiness for days without sacrificing sophistication.

Leslie Mann, Zac Posen: If Mann were auditioning for Belle in the upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast in her vibrant yellow, full-skirted gown, shes too late  but well be her guest anyway!

Best Men

Lin-Manuel Miranda: The best song nominee got his look from San Marko Tuxedo, the same shop in Yonkers, N.Y., where he rented his prom tuxedo. The outspoken Hamilton star finished the look with a blue ACLU ribbon.

Chris Evans, Ferragamo: Captain America was bold and blue on the red carpet but kept the cut and silhouette of his tuxedo slick and streamlined.

Dev Patel: The best supporting actor nominee for Lion brought old- Hollywood class with his white dinner jacket and blended it with Millennial ease with his scruffy facial hair and tousled hairdo. Plus, he brought the best-ever Oscar accessory: his mom.

Pharrell Williams, Chanel: The nominee for producing Hidden Figures was dripping in black Chanel jet bead necklaces with his ultra-formal Chanel tails and man-brooch. The hip-hop artist has long favored the fashion house (even if Meryl Street doesnt), leading himself to declare to Ryan Seacrest Im Chanel Pharrell.

Ryan Gosling, Gucci: The La La Land best actor nominees black-piped, ruffled tuxedo shirt was just enough of a change-up from his usual red-carpet look to keep it interesting, and still classic.

Worst Women

Jessica Biel, KaufmanFranco: Dressing like an Oscar is a risk. The risk didnt work out for Jessica Biel, whose gold gown sparkled, but also fizzled with excess.

Halle Berry, Versace: The presenters overdone curly hairdo was a major distraction from the stars beautiful everything else. Compared to the hair, her Versace gown seemed like an afterthought.

Janelle Monae, Elie Saab couture: TheMoonlight and Hidden Figures actress suffered from a case of too much: too much skirt, too much embellishment and too much exposure on top. Too bad.

Scarlett Johansson, Alaia: The gowns pink print was lovely, but the too-tight, too-chunky belt and the actress new Kris Jenner haircut did nothing for the beauty.

Dakota Johnson, Gucci: Johnson was Fifty Shades of drab in a Gucci gown that looked like a reject from the Duchess of Windsors wardrobe on this season of The Crown.

Worst Men

Casey Affleck: The temptation to brush out the best actor winners scraggly ponytail and comb his beard (grown for a role hes currently filming) remains.

Dwayne The Rock Johnson: Even though he could easily break us, the wrestler-action stars blue velvet jacket was one of our misses. The color and the lapels piping overwhelmed his expansive upper body.

Glen Powell: Powells tuxedo fabric was a nightmare, with more wrinkles than any of the botoxed celebrities at the show would ever allow on their faces.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com @TonyBravoSF
DECATUR -- When a camper caught on fire last fall in Blue Mound, the local fire department received the call.

As the firetruck raced to the scene, it was manned by the only two volunteer firefighters who were available. When it came time to fight the fire, one held the hose while the other one worked the truck.

For the village and similarly sized towns across the country, this level of response is all too common.

People just dont have the time to volunteer," said Blue Mound Fire Chief Bryce Thiele. "They have kids, they have jobs and families. Its just nobody can dedicate the time.

The Blue Mound Fire Department, like most places outside of major metropolitan areas, relies on volunteer firefighters to offer their time and services to respond to emergencies.

Of Illinois 1,104 fire departments, 67 percent are completely volunteer forces, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Another 14.5 percent of Illinois fire departments are deemed "mostly volunteer."

Becoming a volunteer firefighter is not simply a matter of showing up at the door and asking to join. Aside from being on call, volunteers are required to take hours of classes to be certified and retain peak training.

The time commitment ... the training and all that can really add up, Harristown Fire Protection District Chief Steve Gambrill said. Being a firefighter is not just jumping in a shiny truck and driving it around.

Like Thiele, Gambrill said he cannot recall the last time he had a full roster of volunteers. After his numbers dipped as low as 19 volunteers three years ago, Gambrill said they have leveled off at 24 to 27. The full roster would be 30.

Were holding our own, but we would always like to have some more people, Gambrill said.

A recurring theme is heard from fire chiefs about recruiting volunteers: the inconsistent hours, lack of pay and inability to spend more time with their families has made volunteer firefightering less appealing for potential recruits.

The problem is worsened on weekdays when people are at work, as well as on nice weekends when volunteers are spending time at home.

With that, officials have to step up their recruitment efforts, even if they know they will not have much more to offer than a small stipend or life insurance policy.

The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association has spent the past few years offering seminars to help officials recruit and retain members.

The major suggestions have been for a grass-roots effort to meet personally with local residents to bring awareness to the issue and find those who may not even know about the volunteer positions.

People in the community expect when they call 911 that the fire department to show up, said Al Yancey, the chief of the Minooka Fire Department. He chairs the associations volunteer committee to help recruit and retain volunteers. One of the issues with these smaller communities is they sometime struggle to send people out the door to fight the fire.

Local leaders need to specify to residents just how they can assist, Yancey said. Even if someone is not able or willing to fight fires, he said they can volunteerat such tasks as clerical work.

Some of those efforts have been undertaken by Blue Mound and other places. Thiele said his department takes part in local festivals and events and has increased the use of fliers and social media to show things that volunteers get to do, such as participate in a class on forcible entry.

Who doesnt like to get in and get their hands dirty and tear things up? Thiele said.

Other departments look to youth to find their recruits.

The Warrensburg Fire Department is one of several to have a cadet program, which allows locals younger than 18 to learn about the day-to-day workings of a firehouse.

While the cadets do not get to go on calls, Warrensburg Fire Chief Keith Hackl said they spend time in the firehouse and are sent to some training to learn more about the profession.

We try to build those up to where, when those kids turn 18, they may want to become firefighters, Hackl said. It may not be here, but theyll be a firefighter somewhere.

Hackl said Warrensburg's all-volunteer department has 22 volunteers, while having enough openings for 30.

Other departments have fared better.

The Argenta-Oreana Fire Department has been fortunate in recent years, as Fire Chief Cory White said they have been able to have 25 volunteers at each of their two firehouses. As to why the department has avoided the struggle of so many others, White was unsure.

I wish I had the magic answer, but I do not, White said. Weve been incredibly fortunate in that regard, and I dont want to jinx it.

The department has put a special focus on making it less a responsibility for the volunteers who provide their time. White said it is common to have big cookouts and gatherings for the volunteers and their families as a token of thanks.

Our department, its not an organization; we run it as a family, White said. We want to keep all our families involved in the community.

Long Creek Fire Protection District Chief Mark Lawrence is in a similar situation: His department also has a full roster of 24 volunteers, along with two full-time firefighters.

It has not always been the case for the department. Lawrence said they have struggled during times of economic hardship when recruits had to focus on their personal lives.

The lack of volunteers has been helped with the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, an organization that allows for increased collaboration among agencies to respond to emergencies.

Fifteen fire departments and fire districts in Macon County are members of the association, which Thiele said has allowed for multiple departments to be dispatched to assist with a fire.

The system has been a big help as officials continue their efforts to find new volunteers, but Gambrill said even the best recruiting efforts may not be enough.

Some people are wired to do this; some people are not, Gambrill said. If a person is not inclined to do this, theyre not going to stay here very long."
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Police are searching for a killer who stabbed a man to death overnight in downtown San Jose, officials said.

Officers found the victim suffering from at least one stab wound near 83 S. Second St., the Tres Gringos Cabo Cantina, shortly after midnight, said Officer Albert Morales, a San Jose police spokesman.
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Ray Simons says hes not a white supremacist.

The prime suspect in the killing of William Sims, a 28-year-old black man, Simons also told me he has no idea why Contra Costa County sheriffs investigators believe he shot Sims after an altercation at the Capri Club in El Sobrante on Nov. 12.

Simons, 32, is locked in the Martinez Detention Facility, one of three men charged with murder and robbery in the death of Sims. The charges include a hate-crime enhancement that could get them the death penalty. Investigators say the three suspects jumped Sims, who was hanging out at the Capri Club, because of his race.

One of the suspects and a woman at the scene gave police statements that suggest Simons was the shooter. But I havent seen any evidence that Sims was targeted because he is black.

On Thursday, Simons, who is representing himself, accepted my interview request. I expected to meet the brooding person with hostile eyes I know from an arrest photo.

Instead, I sat across from a soft-spoken guy with a bushy beard with strips of gray. He wanted to me to know hes not a racist.

Theres no prejudice in me, said Simons, whose mother is Latino. My familys always been around other races. (Investigators are) trying to portray something thats not like that.

We sat in a room not much bigger than a janitors closet. Separated by glass, we had to lean forward in our plastic chairs to hear each other over the sounds of the jail  keys rattling and the frequent opening and closing of doors  echoing off the rooms thick, concrete walls.

Simons wore a yellow prison uniform dotted with brownish lint balls. I had so many questions, but we only had 15 minutes. What could he tell me about the night Sims died? What caused the fight with Sims? Was Sims targeted because of his race?

Did Simons fire the shot that entered Sims forehead  the shot that killed Sims on Appian Way just steps from the pool hall he had visited for a late-night beer?

I cant really speak about any of it, Simons said.

OK, so why do police think hes the shooter?

I dont know what theyre talking about, honestly, he responded. They also said Im a white supremacist. All their allegations are all wrong, so you cant go off what theyre saying.

Investigators believe Simons, Daniel Porter-Kelley, 31, and Daniel Ortega, 31, beat and robbed Sims behind the pool hall. They say Simons and Ortega then got into a car driven by Dina Herrera, a friend of Ortega, and as Herrera backed the car out of the pool halls driveway, Sims pounded on the passenger side. According to statements by Herrera and Ortega, who were in the front seat of the car, they heard two pops as they drove away.

Simons was sitting in the back seat. Herrera has said she saw him with a gun that night.

She said that she seen that I did have a gun at one time. She never said when, Simons said.

This much we know: Sims, a Richmond native and beloved musician, was killed. But much of the case remains murky, because authorities have not explained why they have deemed it a hate crime. And they have described Simons, Porter-Kelley and Ortega as white, a claim Simons and Porter-Kelleys father dispute. Of course, nonwhites commit hate crimes. But according to California law, a hate crime can be charged if the motive for a criminal act was targeting a person or group of people because of their race, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, skin color, disability, or national origin.

Where is the evidence of that? In the search-warrant affidavit filed for Porter-Kelleys arrest, police described the Capri Club as a bar that wasnt welcoming to black people. But surveillance video Ive seen shows Sims was comfortable at the bar as he joked with a bartender and another customer.

Simons said anyone can hang out there.

It doesnt matter about race, he said. It doesnt matter about your ethnicity background.

Simons was taken into custody in early December after Contra Costa County investigators picked him up from the Monterey County Jail in Salinas, where he was being held on separate domestic-violence-related charges. Known as Ray Love on the streets, Simons, who said hes been in and out of the system since 18, felt he wasnt getting any love from his public defender.

Thats why hes defending himself.

The only thing they do is give me deals, he said. I dont want a deal. I didnt do nothin. I want to go home, and nobodys going to fight for my life like me.

I need more answers, because Sims isnt alive to fight for them himself.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
Before Congress passed Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, millions of elderly Americans lacked health insurance. Going to the hospital could result in bills that would take a decade to pay off. The old squeaked by with family help or special rates from doctors and hospitals who knew they had limited resources. One 1963 survey found that 9 out of 10 couples, and 8 out of 10 elderly individuals, paid for their own care without help from government or private sources.

Back then, the U.S. had a system of private health care. So when liberals pushed for national health insurance, those with a vested interest in the existing system  including doctors  said no. The process of crafting Medicare and Medicaid on top of this system would leave unresolved many arguments from half a century ago that still haunt American health care.

After World War II, the American Medical Association and congressional conservatives blocked efforts to provide national health insurance as socialized medicine. But the politics changed in the spring of 1965. Lyndon Johnson won a landslide re-election against Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater. The election produced huge Democratic majorities in Congress.

Johnson, sensing victory, had told an adviser to find a health bill that would please Wilbur Mills, the conservative chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Johnson understood that the durability of his election mandate was limited and urged everyone to move as fast as possible.

Republicans, eager to distinguish themselves from Goldwater, proposed their own alternatives to what became Medicare. One proposal provided insurance to cover the cost of physicians, paid for through general tax revenue and a contribution from participants. Another program would provide health care to the poor.

When the House Ways and Means Committee met to discuss the three plans in early March, Chairman Mills, who decided that it was no longer possible to hold back the legislation, shocked the room by suggesting that the two Republican alternatives and LBJs plan be combined.

In that moment Mills transformed himself from the top opponent to the main architect of the new program. Johnson was happy to give Mills all the credit in exchange for a bill, though the president was taken aback at just how expansive the revised program would be.

The final legislation, officially called the Social Security Amendments of 1965, contained three parts. Part A provided hospital insurance to elderly Americans covered by Social Security paid for through the payroll tax. Part B was a voluntary program that covered doctors bills, paid for by general tax revenue and premium contributions from recipients. Part C, which we now call Medicaid, provided health care coverage for poor Americans who were medically indigent.

Yet even at a moment when liberalism was strong, Medicare proponents still had to make a number of consequential compromises because of Americas resistance toward strong government. The most important was that Medicare and Medicaid provided this insurance within the existing health care system, leaving many of the dysfunctional elements of American health care in place.

Medicare and Medicaid also stuck to the American political tradition of distinguishing between deserving and undeserving recipients of government help. In this case, the government provided benefits based on status rather than as a right. With Medicare and Medicaid, you had to be old or poor to receive help. You couldnt just be an American. This decision legitimated a narrower vision of public policy than existed in comparable systems in Europe.

Then there were costs. Mills pushed back against efforts to include stronger regulatory mechanisms to control health care costs in the legislation. The final law allowed hospitals to determine what a reasonable fee would be, with a guarantee that the government would pay it. The result was skyrocketing costs over the next few decades, as health care providers came to rely on high charges.

These compromises would have long-lasting effects. In 1963, 1 of every 5 Americans who lived below the poverty line had never been examined by a doctor. By 1970, that proportion had fallen to about 8 percent. State governments counted on Medicaid dollars in their health care budgets. Medicaid expanded over the decades to include pregnant women, kids and others. By 2011, nearly one-third of all Americans, not just the elderly, were covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

The programs became so ingrained in the national consciousness that when conservatives opposed President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act  which achieved some cost savings through cuts in Medicare  they held up signs saying Get Your Government Hands off My Medicare. The signs were ironic and funny, but also the best evidence of Medicare and Medicaids peculiar success.

Julian E. Zelizer is the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University and a fellow at the New America Foundation. He is the author of The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress, and the Battle for the Great Society (Penguin Press). He wrote this for Zocalo Public Square.
You see that big tree looming over you? Or over your house, your car? Or along the trail at your favorite park?

It could be what we call a widow maker. That is, a big tree (or limb) about to fall. Saturated soil that cant hold upright the weight of big trees has led to a stunning array of downed trees in parks, backyards, front yards ... in other words, everywhere.

Over the weekend, park rangers closed the No. 1 Trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail and return loop route on the Sunset Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The trail leads to Berry Creek Falls, Silver Falls and the Golden Cascade in one of the prettiest canyons in California.

A week ago, rangers counted 15 fallen old-growth redwoods on the trail en route to the falls and another 10 on the way out. By Friday, ranger Alex Tabone assessed the damage again and said the number had grown to 50. That includes one massive section on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, he said, that has been interrupted by a landslide roughly 400 yards long and 400 yards wide that tossed old-growth redwoods in a heap.

Theres this big pile of old-growth trees, he said. Theres a trail under there some place. I saw this guy on the other side, trying to figure out how to get through, and decided we have to close this trail down.

Big Basin Redwoods is in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Boulder Creek. Along with Point Reyes National Seashore, the San Francisco Headlands and Yosemite Valley, it is among the best year-round hiking destinations in the state. Big Basin also has one of the best collections of volunteer trail crews. Even with efforts by staff and volunteers, Tabone estimated the earliest the trail could be reopened would be in April.

Downed trees and the damage they cause have led to short-term closures in several parks.

One of the most dramatic incidents was on Croy Road in Santa Clara County west of Morgan Hill, the route to Uvas Canyon County Park and its recharged waterfalls. Along the road, three redwood trees fell into the canyon, but their roots pulled the dirt out from under the road. The road then collapsed in the vacuum.
Boudin. Poboys. Crawfish. Muffulettas. Meat pies. Beignets.

Im a Louisiana native so, for better or worse, this stuff is in my blood. Three months of Bay Area poke bowls, omakase and $10 avocado toast havent erased my predilection for all things decadent, deep-fried and spicy.

Taking this position with The Chronicle meant putting 2,000 miles between my taste buds and the flavors I grew up on: Tony Chacheres seasoning (the equivalent of Cajun salt) and Zatarains dirty rice kits.

But Im here, now. Im coping.

Unfortunately, no matter how great banh mi from Saigon Sandwich is, it just cant hit the spot when I really want a muffuletta and a root beer from Central Grocery in New Orleans. The same can be said for fresh Tartine Bakery bread, when only a warm beignet from Cafe du Monde will do.

I take some solace in the fact that there are a number of Bay Area spots billing Southern dishes  Wayfare Tavern, the Front Porch, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Buttermilk Southern Kitchen, Farmerbrown.

Unfortunately, Southern cooking isnt a blanket concept. Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia may all be Gulf states, but their cuisines vary greatly. The differences are more nuanced on a regional level.

In Louisiana, for example, you can get the best meat pies in the world in Natchitoches, but you cant find them an hour up the road in Alexandria. Lafayettes jambalaya cant be replicated in Shreveport. Monroes barbecue doesnt exist in Baton Rouge.

I noticed a handful of Bay Area restaurants throwing around the term Cajun and Creole on menus, yet embodying Southern concepts from North Carolina all the way to West Texas. Thats too wide a swath. Focus gets lost.

For example, the buttermilk fried chicken at Five in Berkeley is Southern in spirit  it comes with homemade pickles, Carolina coleslaw and a Hawaiian sweet roll  but is too mild in overall flavor. Subtlety isnt the Southern way. And Fives coleslaw was solid, but it lacked that true North Carolina characteristic of sweetness cut sharply by a savory kick.

With Fat Tuesday upon us, my food longing for home is getting worse.

To curb this flavor-based homesickness, I began scouring the Bay Area for dishes that remind me of Louisiana. Specifically, I searched for well-made poboys  the culinary embodiment of childhood, adolescence and adulthood for any boot state native.

For the sake of context, I grew up in Alexandria, a city of about 50,000 in central Louisiana. This means I spent my youth four hours from New Orleans poboys, 2 hours from Baton Rouge gumbo, two hours from Lake Charles crawfish, and an hour and change from Lafayette jambalaya.

Cajun Pawn Stars was filmed two blocks from my high school. And less than a mile from where my parents live.

I have left crawfish boils only to visit other crawfish boils.

I attended the first post-Hurricane Katrina Mardi Gras in 2006. Portions of the French Quarter were still shuttered from the damage, but I was there that night, enjoying the Nola version of a group hug.

I can get to Canal Street and the Super Dome from any spot in New Orleans with my eyes closed. I can also tell you the best food in the city isnt anywhere near Tropical Isles hand grenades.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle 2017

Ive been to more Mardi Gras balls then I can count, which means Ive done my fair share of drinking canned beer and eating crawfish while in a tuxedo.

Armed with this knowledge and experience, I began my Bay Area pursuit for poboys.

I made sure to temper my expectations: The quality of Domilises wouldnt exist in Oakland and San Francisco  nor should it, I told myself.

While this turned out to be true, I did find some Bay Area poboys capable of faring well against French Quarter competition.

So what makes a good poboy?

Simplicity. And it starts with the bread. A poboy cant really be considered a poboy unless its served on French bread with a slight crunch on the outside while light in the center. In a perfect world, it comes from a loaf thats about 3 inches thick, 6 or more inches in circumference.

Angelines Louisiana Kitchen in Berkeley hits the mark with bread thats textured the right way, and sufficient in size without being gaudy.

For filling, I prefer deep-fried catfish, seasoned with the south Louisiana mixture of garlic, cayenne, red pepper flakes, thyme and black pepper. I also dont mind the classic roast beef and shrimp combo, as long as the roast beef is smoked. Duck breast, also smoked, is a solid option as well, but I consider that version a special-occasion poboy.

The catfish on Brendas French Soul Foods fish poboy is the best Ive had in San Francisco. Those Creole flavors of black pepper and hints of cayenne reminded me of home.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to how to dress a poboy  you can go with tomato, mayo, pickles and lettuce, like the Missions brand-new Bayou. Or you can choose nothing at all. Both options are OK. The Cook and Her Farmer in Old Oakland uses peppery slaw instead of lettuce, which is a mistake. The flavor is too strong and pulls away from the seafood in the fish.

John Storey John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Yet when it comes to catching the spirit of Louisiana, equally important as the poboy itself is the environment in which it is consumed.

Poboys began as cheap meals for people who worked hard and needed something fast and filling. At its core, thats still the dish. It shouldnt feel like luxury food.

Brendas and Bayou are both cozy in that Southern type of way  the kinds of places that are clean, but not uncomfortably spotless. The atmosphere is relaxed and free of judgment, which is true to the Louisiana ethos. (On the other end of the spectrum is Bywater in Los Gatos, a place with a talented kitchen but aesthetics far too clean, too elegant, for a poboy.)

Louisiana food is the backdrop for conversations that ebb and flow between pride and pain, immeasurable happiness and bottomless sorrow. If you find yourself eating a poboy in a place where you wouldnt feel equally as comfortable crying into a whiskey, odds are good youre in the wrong establishment.

Queens Louisiana Poboy Cafe in San Franciscos Bayview and Big Mommas Kitchen on Oaklands International Boulevard are great examples of the right blend for a South Louisiana diner  relaxed almost to the point of quirky, but very capable of producing well-made poboys.

At the end of the day, Louisiana food is in my blood. Its beautifully complicated, thanks to equal parts memories, spices and fresh ingredients.

Slowly but surely, Ill get my Louisiana fix. Itll just require me taking a little bit from each place willing to offer it.

Im up for that challenge.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips

The search for Louisiana in the Bay

Angelines Louisiana Kitchen: 2261 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley (510) 548-6900 or www.angelineskitchen.com

Bayou: 3412 17th St., San Francisco. (415) 913-7766 or www.bayousf.com

Big Mommas Kitchen: 4929 International Blvd., Oakland. (510) 479-1122 or www.bigmommaskitch.com

Brendas French Soul Food: 652 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 345-8100 or www.frenchsoulfood.com

The Cook and Her Farmer: Inside Swans Market, 510 Ninth St., Oakland. (510) 285-6140 or www.thecookandherfarmer.com

Queens Louisiana Poboy Cafe: 3030 San Bruno Ave., San Francisco .(415) 656-0711 or www.queenslapoboys.com
Rallies and protest events are a part of political life in the Bay Area. Heres a roundup of whats happening in the next few weeks.

Tuesday

San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting: Residents are planning to attend the meeting to speak out against a Muslim registry and call for a board 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 to discuss how they can fight for issues they care about. Supervisor Jane Kim will address the group. The event is from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Public Library Park Branch, 1833 Page St.

Saturday

Pro-Trump march: One of several scheduled events nationwide to support President Trump. The march is from 2 to 6 p.m. and will begin at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley.

Sunday

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.
John Field, an architect and self-described urban choreographer who strove to humanize shopping centers in the Bay Area and elsewhere, died of cancer at his home in San Francisco on Feb. 21. He was 87.

Rather than reshape the skyline, Mr. Field won notice in his profession by focusing on mostly suburban shopping centers  trying to turn staid lines of functional shops into community hubs. His pedestrian-friendly updates a generation ago to such complexes as Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto and Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek spawned imitations across the nation, including his firms Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara.

At the same time, Mr. Field cared passionately about the city that he called home for 60 years. In his early career, he helped reconceive at least one decrepit warehouse in Jackson Square. In the mid-90s, his firm brought new life to 1000 Van Ness, a former Cadillac dealership converted into a mix of movie theaters, restaurant space and housing.

Whatever the setting, Mr. Fields gift was that he understood that individual works of architecture are part of a larger civic fabric.

John taught all of us to think about the places between buildings, said Rob Anderson, a principal at Field Paoli, the firm founded in 1986 by Mr. Field and David Paoli. Hed tell us that what we do isnt about precious objects. Its about the things that happen around them.

Born in Minnesota, Mr. Field earned his bachelors and masters degrees in architecture at Yale University, then got in the car and drove as far as I could drive, he told an interviewer in 2005. In San Francisco, he was hired by the local office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

He opened his own firm in 1959; his first job was a home for friends. But in 1965, Mr. Field joined with three peers to form Bull Field Volkmann Stockwell. One day over lunch, we realized that every client interviewed all four of us, he said in 2005, the year after officially retiring from Field Paoli. So we got together.

Retail became Mr. Fields forte as the firm expanded. Increasingly, he sought to conjure up some of the atmosphere of the small cities that he and his wife, Carol, would visit in Italy, where the pleasure of wandering structure-lined byways was an attraction in itself.

John was about the ideas  I want to see more romance, I want more energy, recalled Mark Schatz, who worked for Mr. Field at Bull Field Volkmann Stockwell and then Field Paoli. He inspired us through his thinking rather than his sketching.

This was true outside the office as well: He made two films about urban life and served on the boards of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, which runs the farmers markets at the Ferry Building and in Oaklands Jack London Square. He also spent several years on the design review board of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

Mr. Field is survived by his wife, Carol, a novelist and cookbook author; his son, Matt, of San Francisco and daughter Alison of Chestnut Hill, Mass.; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned. Donations in his memory can be made to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and San Francisco Ballet.

John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron
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Anne Kirkpatrick was sworn in as Oakland police chief Monday, casting herself as a truth teller to push the city department toward progress after years of periodic turbulence and a procession of leaders who tried, and sometimes failed, to implement reforms in the troubled force.

Kirkpatrick, 57, is the first woman to hold the top position in the Oakland Police Department. In a short speech delivered inside the council chambers of City Hall, she promised to reduce crime  her true north goal  and mend fractured relationships with the community.

We know where the goal line is, she said during the ceremony. We know how to get there. So now all we have to do is go.

Kirkpatrick was an outsider pick  a status made unmistakable by her distinct Southern twang.

You are a charmer, and now we can add Memphis to the list of languages that are spoken in Oakland, Mayor Libby Schaaf said during the ceremony, referring to Kirkpatricks hometown and the city in which she first put on a police badge.

Toward the beginning of her career, Kirkpatrick moved to Washington state, earning a law degree from Seattle University and climbing the ranks to be police chief of three departments and second-in-command of the King County Sheriffs Office. Last year, she went 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.

Kirkpatrick began interviewing for the Oakland job soon after she got to the Windy City and before the bulk of the outlined reforms could be realized. Schaaf said Monday that during an interview, she was impressed with Kirkpatricks take on the broken windows philosophy of policing  she said that law enforcement should address quality-of-life issues without overreaching into disadvantaged communities  and with her response to how she wanted to be known as a chief.

You said you hoped to be remembered as a decent woman with good values  a pioneer who restored the nobility of policing, Schaaf said.

In Oakland, Kirkpatrick finds a department beset with challenges and one still licking its wounds from a series of recent scandals, the biggest of which involved allegations that several officers had sexual relations with a sexually exploited teen. That episode, amid swirling questions of who knew what and when, led to the departure of Kirkpatricks predecessor, Sean Whent. Two successors each lasted only days.

Schaaf, calling the department a frat house with a toxic, macho culture, in June appointed a civilian, City Administrator Sabrina Landreth, to run the agency while a nationwide search was conducted for a permanent chief.

The handling of the misconduct case drew a sharp rebuke from the federal judge who has overseen the department for the last 14 years, after the city settled a landmark civil rights case involving the corruption and abuses of four officers in West Oakland. The scandal threatened to prolong the court oversight, which appeared to be coming to an end, and caused morale within the ranks to plunge.

While Kirkpatrick joins a department still under court oversight, in some ways its a new era for the city and its relationship to the police. In November, voters overwhelmingly approved a citizen-led police commission with the authority to fire the chief.

Kirkpatrick, who told The Chronicle she looked forward to working with the commission, didnt touch on the past controversies at City Hall, telling reporters, History is a part of our fabric, but weve got to look to the future.

The heads of the Piedmont, Berkeley, Emeryville and San Leandro police departments as well as the Alameda County Sheriffs Office attended the ceremony, as did Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley.

Noticeably absent were some members of the Oakland City Council and Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed, who had gone on leave last month, came back to the office briefly, but was on leave again Monday, sources said.

In an interview with The Chronicle last week, Kirkpatrick said that creating bonds between the police and community must center on day-to-day interactions.

When you walk into the police department, how you get treated at the counter makes a big difference, she said, citing her frustrating experience getting a California drivers license at a Department of Motor Vehicles branch last week.

While the Oakland force has a challenged relationship with the community, she said, its hard to be a police officer in America right now.

It doesnt matter if its Oakland or Chicago or a town youve never heard of, she said in the interview. Being a police officer in America today is tough.

Kirkpatrick told reporters that she wasnt a quitter and has long been drawn to the Oakland agency  a sense illustrated by the fact that it wasnt her first time applying for the job.

Councilman Abel Guillen said her persistence was possibly the most promising part about her appointment. Kirkpatricks choice to live in Oakland, unlike some predecessors who lived outside city limits, was assuring, too, he said.

The fact that she re-applied says a lot to me, he said. She wants to be in this city. ... Her ability to walk to work and see neighbors just like other Oaklanders says a lot for me, and thats a welcome change from the perspective of the community.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
Rafe Swan/Getty Image

A Gilroy prep school teacher was arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with 17-year-old student, officials said.

William Dawson, a 32-year-old Los Gatos resident, was taken into custody last week, three months after the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office launched a criminal investigation into the alleged relationship with the female student.
By 1937, the citizens of San Francisco were fed up with perpetual traffic jams.

If you thought overcrowding was a modern problem, the photos in the gallery above show bustling downtown San Francisco in the 1930s and 1940s. They are a treasure trove of images of the grid-locked metropolis, unseen for decades.

At the time they were taken, the city was considering a subway system and calling for an "end to the Toonerville folly." An article in the Chronicle from Oct. 1937 described how every streetcar was like the proverbial sardine can. "If everyone on the trolley would exhale at the same time, the rivets holding the steel plates of the car body would have popped out like Mexican jumping beans," the Chronicle reported.

The streetcars would move in fits and starts, managing to move 50 yards each time. To demonstrate just how slowly things moved, the paper listed travel times from St. Francis Circle, which is located in the St. Francis Woods neighborhood. It took 41 minutes to get to Montgomery and California Street, 31 minutes to Mission and 16th street and 44 minutes to the Bay Bridge terminal. They estimated the last trip would take 22 minutes with a new subway.

In Nov. 1937, the city would put a new subway to the vote with Proposition 1. Speaking in favor of passing the proposition, George Creel, chairman of the Citizens Rapid Transit Committee, stated that "the state paid $110 million to take people out of San Francisco. We can spend $49 million to keep them in San Francisco."

RELATED VIDEO: History of the iconic San Francisco cable car

He referred to the members of the Market Street Railway, opponents of the proposition, as "mushrooms growing in the basement of the Market Street Railway." The proposition for the $49.5 million to build a subway system was decisively turned down by the voters. It would be three more decades before subway system construction would begin.

They photos in this gallery were located in a folder labeled Transportation>Traffic Jams>1949 and earlier. While the subject might sound mundane, the images are exquisite. The automobiles, the old streetcars, the people, the buildings and their signage, display an era gone by.

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.
Number of the day

$100 billion

Thats how much billionaire Warren Buffett estimates that investors have wasted on unnecessary fees. In his annual letter to shareholders released over the weekend, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO bashed active fund managers who charge higher fees on the promise that they can do better than the broader market. Buffett said most savers would be better off putting their money in low-cost index funds over the long term.

Other number of the day

1 billion

Thats how many hours of video that YouTube viewers worldwide are seeing per day, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The Journal said YouTube could soon top U.S. television viewership, fueled by the 65 years worth of video that are uploaded to the Google-owned service each day.

Fly me past the moon

SpaceX will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASAs Apollo heyday close to half a century ago. CEO Elon Musk said two people approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon. He said theyve already paid a significant deposit.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s electricity rates are about to undergo a fundamental change, and many Bay Area residents may not like the result.

Starting Wednesday, PG&E will base the amount it charges for electricity on two tiers of usage, instead of the current system of three. At the same time, the price for electricity in the least-expensive tier will rise.

This means that households using large amounts of electricity, many in Californias hot inland valleys, will see their monthly bills drop. PG&E customers with low electricity usage, often clustered on the temperate coast where air-conditioni ng is not needed , will see their bills go up.

California has long pushed its citizens to use less energy, as part of the fight against climate change. Electricity rates have been based on the premise that people who use more should pay higher prices, forcing them to conserve. The tier changes that take effect this week would seem to contradict that notion.

But the California Public Utilities Commission approved the changes anyway as part of a slow-motion overhaul of rates designed to make them more fair to different groups of customers. Residents of the Central Valley have long complained that their high electricity bills in the summer were subsidizing PG&E customers on the coast.

We are pleased to see meaningful progress towards a more fair and equitable electric rate system, said Michael Turnipseed, executive director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association, in a statement Monday.

The change will not affect customers who use a different rate structure, called time of use. Most electric car owners and solar homeowners, for example, already pay time-of-use rates, which charge more for electricity when daily demand hits its peak. In 2019, most customers of PG&E and other large investor-owned utilities in California will switch to time-of-use rates, though people will be able to opt out.

The changes this week come at a time when many Northern California PG&E customers are reeling from a spike in their natural gas bills, triggered by a combination of cold, stormy weather and a substantial gas rate hike.

Now, residential customers who use relatively little power may see their monthly electricity bills rise as much as 11 percent. Those who use more could see a 4 percent decrease, said PG&E spokesman Donald Cutler. (Those changes also take into account a 2.1 percent increase in electricity transmission costs that will hit all PG&E customers on Wednesday.)

The price for electricity tier 1 (the lowest level of usage) will rise 9 percent, from 18.28 cents per kilowatt-hour to 19.98 cents per kilowatt-hour. The tier 2 price, currently 24.18 cents per kilowatt-hour, will rise 14 percent to hit 27.61 cents per kilowatt hour.

But the old tier 3, which charged 40.14 cents per kilowatt hour, will disappear. Households that often fell into tier 3 will instead pay the lower tier 2 price.

These changes are a continuation of the effort to more closely align the cost that our customers are paying to the cost of service and to simplify the rate structure, Cutler said.

The new tier system, however, does still include a penalty for high-use households. Customers who use four times the average baseline amount of electricity must pay a surcharge equal to the old tier 3 rate, 40.14 cents per kilowatt-hour. PG&E estimates that less than 10 percent of its residential customers will face the surcharge.

The new changes represent an echo of Californias electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001.

In the aftermath of the crisis, state law froze electricity rates in the bottom two tiers of what was then a five-tiered system. As a result, any annual rate increases  to pay for upgrades to the electricity grid, for example  hit only those customers in the higher tiers. In 2013, the state Legislature finally ordered the commission to revisit and reform rates.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF
Disagreements over money can tear marriages and families apart. In fact, sources say that unresolved money conflicts remains the number one for divorce. But it doesn't have to be that way. More often than not, the solution can be found in this one-word directive: Communicate.

Dear Mary: My husband always insists on balancing our joint checkbook, and I recently found out why. The last statement came in while he was away on business, so I decided to deal with it. I was astonished to see a check to his parents for $250. I went through a couple of prior statements and found the same thing. I figured out he's been doing this ever since his parents retired last year. Besides being shocked, I was hurt. I wouldn't have outright refused to help my in-laws, but we're not exactly rolling in dough. We have three kids and a hefty mortgage. How should I broach the subject with him? And shouldn't I be acknowledged for my contribution to our little retirement fund? After all, I work, too.

-- Christina

Dear Christina: Skimming money is a real problem for any partnership, especially a marriage. But money problems in a marriage are rarely just about the money. There's usually an underlying issue. If he had asked me, I would have told him that as noble as his intentions might be, his commitment to you and your marriage trumps his relationship with his parents. It's wrong to do this behind your back.

But since you wrote, I'm going to ask, why did he feel he had to sneak around to do this? There may have been a time when he told you everything. But now he knows you'd hit the roof if he were to bring it up. I suggest that you go to him as his loving wife and partner, not as a raging foe. Simply tell him how hurt you are that he couldn't talk to you about this. Assure him that you are willing to talk. Let him know that if you are going to enjoy financial harmony in your marriage, everything has to be on the table, both his spending and yours. Talk it out. I'm sure you can negotiate a compromise you can both live with.

And I can't help but point out that a man who cares this much for his aging parents has to be a pretty good guy.

House ownership

Dear Mary: My sister and her husband have really been struggling to make ends meet. To help them out, my parents are converting their home into a two-family residence. Mom and Dad are moving into the upstairs apartment and letting Debbie, Steven and their two kids take over the main part of the house. I'm glad Mom and Dad can help them out, but my brother and I are confused about what this means as far as our inheritance goes. It was always assumed the house would be split three ways. Will this situation change anything? Debbie assures us there's nothing to worry about. Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this situation.

-- Pam

Dear Pam: If you are concerned that by moving in with your folks Debbie and Steven might somehow claim ownership of the house, relax. Your parents would have to sign a specific legal document for that to happen. Their will or living trust determines what happens to their assets upon their death.

Let's say that one day the three of you inherit this property, as you assume. If sis and hubby are still living there, sis then wears two hats: She is a co-tenant with Steven and a co-owner with you and your brother. That's when the sparks could fly. Do you three owners sell the property? Raise the rent? Kick out the occupants? Family money squabbles can get ugly.

I suggest you bring up the subject with your folks now. Encourage them to have an attorney review their will or living trust and create a simple occupancy agreement for Debbie and Steven that reflects their long-term wishes for their estate and family.

By the way, improving the property will undoubtedly increase its market value. That sounds like a good deal for everyone.
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LEHI, Utah  Nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, the IM Flash plant is a paragon of U.S. high-tech manufacturing.

Robots glide along the ceiling, moving silicon wafers the size of dinner plates between hulking machines that deposit and etch microscopic layers of material to build the most advanced memory chips in the world.

For the 1,700 technicians and scientists who tend to the robots and troubleshoot problems in the delicate manufacturing process, the jobs offer generous pay and benefits and easy access to Utahs many outdoor attractions.

For Intel and Micron Technology, the two U.S. companies that jointly own and operate IM Flash, the venture allows both of them to sell cutting-edge, three-dimensional memory chips while sharing the multibillion-dollar costs of a modern semiconductor factory.

The memory chips produced at the plant are probably one of the biggest advances of technology in the last 20 years, said Jon Carter, who oversees Microns strategy for new memory products. And, as he was quick to point out, all of the work was done in the United States. Micron has done a really good job of having a good footprint on the home front, he said.

In many ways, however, the IM Flash plant is an outlier. While U.S. companies still dominate chip sales worldwide, only about 13 percent of the worlds chip manufacturing capacity was in this country in 2015, down from 30 percent in 1990, according to government data.

Chipmakers attribute the decline to a variety of forces, including high U.S. tax rates and the hefty subsidies offered by foreign governments for new semiconductor plants, which can cost as much as $10 billion.

Its quite a bit more expensive to build a factory in the U.S., said Stacy J. Smith, the executive at Intel overseeing manufacturing, operations and sales. Santa Claras Intel  which predominantly manufactures in Oregon and Arizona but also has factories in Ireland, Israel and China  estimates that the extra cost for a U.S. plant is more than $2 billion.

Chipmakers are hopeful that President Trump, who has promised large corporate tax cuts and a tougher approach to trade with China, will help them.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich made a public display of his faith in the administration this month when he stood by Trump in the Oval Office to announce that the company would spend $7 billion to complete a leading-edge chip factory in Chandler, Ariz., creating 3,000 full-time jobs.

Intel said it was talking with the Trump administration and Congress about a broad corporate tax cut as well as other ways to improve the financial incentives for chipmakers to locate new projects here. Although the United States has 76 semiconductor plants, many of them are older, and few new ones are being built.

Intel, whose workforce relies heavily on highly skilled immigrants, is also pressing the administration to continue allowing such immigrants to enter the country. We benefit from being able to hire the best talent from around the world, Smith said.

The chip industry spends about one-fifth of its revenue on research and development, but it wants more federal funding for basic research into fundamental problems, like how to pack transistors closer together and whether materials other than silicon could form the basis of future chips.

We would like this administration to double down on investments in basic research in universities, said John Neuffer, chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade group that represents U.S. chipmakers. Help us pedal faster.

The IM Flash plant in Lehi was built in 1994 and was Microns first factory outside Boise. In 2005, Intel and Micron struck a partnership to expand the plant and make flash memory there, sharing costs and output.

The two companies have spent 11 years developing the newest type of memory, which they call 3-D XPoint. The design combines the functions of a computers ultrafast working memory and its slower, longer-term storage to create a hybrid for companies like Facebook, Goldman Sachs and Exxon Mobil, which need to process vast amounts of data reliably and at the highest speeds.

David Kanter, principal analyst at the research firm Real World Technologies, said the technology, which is still being tested by the first round of customers, was very promising. It could change the way that computing operates, he said.

However, as with all new chip technologies, the initial products are likely to be expensive. The Lehi plant will continue to make traditional, cheap 2-D memory chips while gradually expanding production of the newer chips.

Both companies have turned to foreign factories to hedge their bets with other products  less expensive, less capable 3-D flash memory designs aimed at the broad slice of the market that wants better performance but is unwilling to pay top dollar for the best technology.

Micron committed $4 billion to expand a plant it owns in Singapore to make the 3-D flash memory chips, which it began selling last year.

Intel converted an aging factory it built a decade ago in Dalian, China, into one that produces state-of-the-art 3-D memory chips.

China is the largest market for us on the planet, said Smith of Intel. It made sense to locate some production in China.

Indeed, China is an integral part of Intels long-term strategy. Although national security rules restrict the export of certain U.S. chip technologies, the company has found other ways to operate in the country, where most of the worlds computers and smartphones are built.

In 2014, for example, Intel bought a 20 percent stake in Tsinghua Unigroup, part of a state-owned company that is behind much of Chinas chip ambitions. As part of the $1.5 billion deal, Intel gained a stake in Spreadtrum Communications, a Chinese chipmaker, and agreed to license some of its older technology for Spreadtrums system-on-a-chip products.

Given Chinas position as the biggest buyer of U.S. chips, the industry is concerned about Trumps talk of a trade battle with China. At the same time, chipmakers believe that China has sometimes treated U.S. companies unfairly and relish the idea of help from Washington on that front.

In any case, Intel and Micron, which rejected a $23 billion acquisition bid by a Chinese company in 2015, say they intend to keep the bulk of their chip manufacturing in the United States.

Rob Magness, an IM Flash employee who works with the equipment that etches and polishes the silicon wafers, is optimistic, but said he knows just how fragile the industry was.

During his 25 years making chips, he has seen employer after employer downsize and move factories offshore as they coped with the brutal economics of chip making.

All the places I came from are dying, he said. The other two memory companies I worked for actually went under. The prices just got too cheap.

Vindu Goel is a New York Times writer.
In another blow to Uber after accusations it ignored female employees claims of sexual harassment, the company has dismissed the head of its engineering efforts.

Amit Singhal, who oversaw Googles search efforts before his departure, was asked to resign Monday by Travis Kalanick, Ubers chief executive. The decision came after Uber learned that Singhal did not disclose the circumstances of his departure from Google last year, according to a person who was not allowed to speak on private personnel issues and asked for anonymity.
John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Alex Washburn/Special to The Chronicle

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A man shot to death Friday in San Franciscos Hunters Point neighborhood was identified Monday as a 28-year-old San Francisco resident.

Lavaedra Newton was identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiners Office.

Newton, a San Francisco resident, was shot to death on Westbrook Court near Hudson Avenue just before 2 p.m. Friday, San Francisco Police Department officials said.

Newton was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

No arrests were made in the case, and an investigation into a motive was ongoing, police said.
A 52-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries when he was stabbed early Monday in San Franciscos South of Market neighborhood, police said.

Patrol officers driving through the area of Fifth and Shipley streets just after 3 a.m. were flagged down by pedestrians who pointed out the victim on the ground and bleeding, San Francisco Police Department officials said.
Last week, hundreds of people were forced to evacuate 11 Jewish Community Centers nationwide  all because of a series of hateful telephone threats. The centers, which have thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish members, are highly regarded community assets that provide youth sports, preschool programs, libraries and spaces for community events that are open to all.

Threats of violence against pillars of so many communities should disgust Americans, who should rally in support of their Jewish neighbors. Its also incumbent upon the wider community to help bring the cowardly callers to justice.

From January through last week, there have been 69 threats at 54 JCCs in 27 states and a Canadian province, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Last week, nearly 200 people were hurried out of the St. Paul, Minn., JCC and moved to a nearby fire station while the building was searched, interrupting programming for about 90 minutes. That incident came about a month after a phoned-in bomb threat briefly closed the Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park, a Twin Cities suburb.

Fortunately, all the bomb threats this year were hoaxes. No explosives were discovered, and the affected JCCs quickly resumed operations. The U.S. Department of Justice said its Civil Rights Division and the FBI will investigate the incidents because the threats violate federal law.

We are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats, and the repetition of threats intended to interfere with day-to-day life, David Posner, a JCC Association official, said in a statement. His organization says the calls seem to have been coordinated in timing and message, and often contained promises of violence. In one recording of a threat, for example, the caller says that a large number of Jews are going to be slaughtered.

Recently, more than 150 headstones were toppled or otherwise damaged at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, just outside of St. Louis. In response, an effort organized by Muslim American activists Linda Sarsour and Tarek El-Messidi raised more than $64,000 to fund repairs. And the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who made the false bomb threats.

President Trump last week called the threats horrible and painful  and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.

Thats right. A nation that was founded on the promise of religious freedom cannot allow hateful threats against any faith to proliferate and go unpunished. Even in these divisive times, all Americans should feel compelled to unite in the face of intolerance and hate.
OLATHE, Kan.  A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

The 911 recording from Henry County, Mo., reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would freak out and something bads going to happen.

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, made his first appearance in court Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to witnesses, Purinton yelled get out of my country at two Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austins Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two 32-year-olds had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Mo, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said hed done something really bad and was on the run from the police.

He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldnt tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me, the bartender said. Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe.

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they were investigating it as a hate crime. But the incident has raised concern about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Trumps promises to ban certain travelers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put America first.

During Mondays hearing, Johnson County District Judge Charles Droege appointed public defender Michael McCulloch to represent Purinton. McCulloch declined to comment on the case.

Purinton is jailed on $2 million bond and his next court appearance is set for March. 9.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purintons for the past 15 years, said Purinton had been in rapid decline since the death of his father about 18 months ago.

Always a drinker, Berthelsen said Purinton became a drunken mess after his fathers death and bounced from one menial job to the next. Berthelsen said hes never heard Purinton make a racist remark or talk politics. He said he doesnt believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purintons physical and mental deterioration.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  The father of a Navy SEAL killed during an antiterrorism raid in Yemen is demanding an investigation into its planning and criticized the Trump administration for its timing.

Bill Owens told the Miami Herald in a story published Sunday that he refused to meet with President Trump when both went to Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son, Chief Special Warfare Officer William Ryan Owens.
Joseph Wapner, a California judge who became a widely recognized symbol of tough but fair-minded American jurisprudence during the 12 years he sat on the bench of the syndicated television show The Peoples Court, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 97.

His death was confirmed to the Associated Press by his son David.

Judge Wapner had served for 20 years on the California Municipal and Superior courts before becoming the occasionally irascible, highly watchable star of The Peoples Court, a daytime series on which real-life plaintiffs and defendants from California small claims courts would argue their cases before him.

A decorated veteran of World War II, Judge Wapner ran his television courtroom from the shows debut in 1981 to the end of its original run in 1993 with stern discipline, cutting off onscreen complainants who displeased him and threatening to levy unspecified penalties on those who dared to interrupt him.

But Judge Wapners reasoned verdicts, in disputes over missing pets, encroaching fences or botched hairdos, were difficult to argue with. And his evenhanded hearings of cases in which mere pocket change was at stake let millions of viewers know that no matter how seemingly insignificant their legal disputes, they too were entitled to their day in court.

Born on Nov. 15, 1919, in Los Angeles, Joseph Albert Wapner graduated in 1937 from Hollywood High School, where he briefly dated future film actress Lana Turner, and in 1941 from the University of Southern California, where he received a bachelors degree in philosophy.

During World War II, he served with the Army in the Pacific and was wounded by sniper fire on Cebu Island in the Philippines, leaving him with shrapnel in his left foot. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his bravery, and was honorably discharged in 1945.

After earning his law degree from the University of Southern California in 1948, he worked in private practice as a lawyer for nearly a decade, until Gov. Edmund G. Brown appointed him to a judgeship in Los Angeles municipal court in 1959. Two years later, he was elected presiding judge of the citys vast Superior Court system.

Besides his son David, survivors include his wife, Mickey, and another son, Frederick, a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles.

Dave Itzkoff is a New York Times writer.
With this open letter we, a group of civil society and human rights organizations from Armenia appeal to Diaspora Armenians  individuals, organizations and non-formal groups - to take an active stance in the political life of Armenia.

We have always felt the great love of Diaspora for our country and are indeed grateful for immense and tireless support that our compatriots abroad were rendering to the people of Armenia throughout many years. However, since Armenias independence in 1991, we have lived  and you have witnessed  the heart-breaking conditions of our country: poverty, depopulation, and the slow surrender of our national sovereignty. Continuously rigged elections and political corruption have concentrated almost all socio economic power in the hands of an unrepresentative oligarchic elite. Natural resources are depleted to serve short-term and small group interests; poverty and social injustice grow in parallel with the remarkably improving welfare of a number of decision-makers. Civic and political rights of citizens are systematically violated, peaceful assemblies against the injustice are brutally cracked down and the controlled judiciary fails to ensure fair judgments, increasing the number of political prisoners. After all, the 4-day war of April 2016 revealed how the uncontrolled and unpunished corruption exhausts the resources of the Armenian Army and threatens the security of Armenia.

Twenty-five years after the Independence, we can no longer consider these conditions to be the birth-pains of a new republic. Though it may not seem apparent upon first glance, the lack of democracy underpins nearly all other national issues. Indeed, democracy is at the heart of nation-building in the 21st century.

We, the undersigned, have worked and fought tirelessly for rule of law and democracy in Armenia. We have developed the infrastructure and activated our citizens in monitoring elections  the single most fundamental process of democracy. But our resources have been limited.

We are writing to tell you that we need you. Not your donations or remittances, but you  your spirit and physical presence in Armenia  here on the ground, at the voting precincts  engaging, observing, and taking ownership of your role in this historic quest for Armenian democracy.

The upcoming Parliamentary Elections are of paramount importance for the country. As a result of the Constitutional Referendum of 2015, which was itself marred by rampant corruption, Armenia now begins its transition to a parliamentary republic. This means there will be no further presidential elections, and the upcoming Parliamentary Elections will decide the future of Armenia.

We urge all the Diaspora organizations, institutions and active individuals to join us in our endeavors and render your support to promote justice, human rights, free and fair elections, accountable governance, civil rights and dignity. Get in touch with us, come to us and lets walk this path together.

The future of Armenia is democratic, and that future begins today, with your participation and solidarity.

Join us!

Find out how to join our election observation efforts by visiting www.citizenobserver.am or emailing [email protected] We encourage all Armenians of the Diaspora to join, regardless of age, citizenship, political affiliation, or fluency in Armenian.

Signed,

Transparency International Anticorruption Center

Journalists Club Asparez

Europe in Law Association

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor

Goris Journalists Club

Centre for Community Mobilization and Support

Sose NGO

National Young Womens Christian Association of Armenia

Northern Branch of Eurasia Partnership Foundation

Peace Dialogue NGO

Womens Resource Center

Public Information and Need of Knowledge NGO

Foundation against the Violation of Law

Guarantee Center of Civil Society

Lori Citizens Union

LogoS NGO".
A signature drive is being circulated in Armenias parliament to have Artur Sargsyan, the man who ferried food to members of the armed Sasna Dzrer group holed up in a Yerevan police station after having seized it last July, to be released from pretrial detention.

Sargsyan, now being held in the Convicts Hospital, has been on hunger strike for the past seventeen days.

At todays parliamentary session, MP Edmond Maroukyan told colleagues that he and MP Nikol Pashinyan had visited Sargsyan, who was in poor health, this morning.

The only way to save his life is to have the detention lifted. We are preparing papers to have him released on his own recognizance, Maroukyan said, adding that he was unable to convince Sargsyan to end his hunger strike.

Later, MP Pashinyan posted on his Facebook page that a signature petition was making the rounds in parliament, and that MPs from the Heritage, HAK, Rule of Law and ARF factions had signed. Pashinyan didnt mention how many legislators have lent their support to the petition.

Update: As of this evening, 27 MPs have signed the petition to release Artur Sargsyan from pre-trial detention.
At a press briefing today in Brussels with European Council President Donald Tusk, visiting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced that Armenia had reached a new Framework Agreement with European Union.

According to a statement released by Sargsyans press office, the Armenian president and Tusk had a private meeting before the briefing, during which the two discussed the process of reforms in Armenia, the upcoming parliamentary election, and the Karabakh conflict settlement process.

I again wish to express my thanks to the president of the European Council and our good friend Mr. Donal Tusk for inviting me to Brussels and for our frank and substantive discussion, Sargsyan said at the press briefing.

While no specifics regarding the new Framework Agreement were provided, Sargsyan said the two also discussed other issues on the Armenia-EU agenda, as well as regional and international developments.

Photo: Serzh Sargsyan, Donald Tusk
MOSCOW Thousands of Russians marched through Moscow on Sunday to mark two years since opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned down outside the Kremlin.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin. His Feb. 27, 2015, death, in what appeared to be a contract killing, sparked an outpouring of anger and fear in Russias beleaguered opposition movement.

The memorial protest was the largest opposition gathering since a similar march for Nemtsov in 2016. Organizers put the number of participants at just over 15,000. The police, known for underestimating attendance at political rallies, said about 5,000 people showed up.

Its very important that after two years people continue to come out and show their solidarity with the ideas for which Boris Nemtsov fought for and gave his life, opposition activist Ilya Yashin told the Interfax news agency.

Demonstrators carried Russian flags, banners of opposition political parties and placards with quotes from Nemtsov, including If theres Putin, theres no Russia, and Our only chance left is the street. Some carried cardboard Russian flags with bullet holes in them.

Five men went on trial for Nemtsovs murder in a Moscow military court last year, but no verdicts have been returned in the ongoing case. Investigators allege that the man who shot Nemtsov was Zaur Dadayev, a former officer in an elite Chechen police unit.

But Nemtsovs family and friends say it was a political hit with a trail that leads to senior officials in the North Caucasus republic of Chechnya who have not been charged or even questioned.

After the march, people laid flowers at the site on the bridge where Nemtsov was shot in the back several times while walking home with his girlfriend.

Howard Amos is an Associated Press writer.
Wisconsins All-Milk price should be up $2.45 for the year, said the University of Wisconsins Mark Stephenson in speaking to those attending the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum held on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on Thursday, January 19.

Of course, Class III and Class IV prices are big drivers of the All-Milk price in Wisconsin, as Class III milk goes into cheese while Class IV is destined for butter and powder products.

I have Class III up $2.50 and Class IV up $3.40 for the year in the United States, Stephenson went on to explain.

What factors could affect these forecasts?

We could even have more improvement in these projected milk prices if world production doesnt climb too much in the final quarter of 2017, Stephenson said. Overall, in this current price cycle I would expect several more months of recovery, at the very least, said the ag economist.

During the past year, U.S. dairy farmers have been spared lower prices experienced in other countries due to the strong domestic market in the United States. Prevailing world prices last year included: the U.S.  $17 to $18; the European Union  $13; and New Zealand  $10. (All of these prices have been converted to a per hundredweight or cwt. basis.)

New Zealand allowed prices to fall to clear markets, Stephenson went on to say.

When it comes to export markets, The U.S. has been competitive on nonfat dry milk and whey, but not so for cheese and butter, explained Stephenson when looking at past market conditions. U.S. butter exports might have some opportunities moving forward as the U.S. and world prices begin to converge, noted Stephenson.
Everyone likes to get a bargain, and investors are constantly on the lookout for stocks that they see as offering better value than their current share price suggests. What's rare, though, is to see an outright discount on stock that lets you buy shares at a lower price than where the stock currently trades. Franco-Nevada (NYSE: FNV) is one of a select group of companies that give investors access to discounted shares as a reward for their loyalty, but you have to take some additional steps in order to participate in the precious metals streaming company's program and get that discount.

Franco-Nevada's dividend reinvestment plan

The place where you can buy Franco-Nevada shares at a discount is in its dividend reinvestment plan. The company allows shareholders in Canada and the U.S. to participate in the plan, which offers shareholders a convenient and cost-effective way to reinvest the cash dividends Franco-Nevada pays out to its investors.

In most respects, there's nothing all that remarkable about Franco-Nevada's dividend reinvestment plan. In order to enroll in the plan, you have to sign up for an account with the streaming company's investor services agent. The process is easier if you own your shares in your own name, because you can undertake to sign up entirely on your own without any outside assistance. However, with most people investing through brokerage companies -- and therefore having shares registered in the name of that financial institution -- it's typically necessary to contact your brokerage company directly to have it enroll on your behalf.

However, the biggest benefit that investors in Franco-Nevada's dividend reinvestment plan get is the ability to have their dividends reinvested in Franco-Nevada shares at a discounted price. The terms of the plan specify that Franco-Nevada has the right to issue shares from dividend reinvestment at a discount of up to 5% from the average market price of the shares over the five-day period preceding the dividend payment date. Currently, Franco-Nevada has set a 3% discount rate for its dividend reinvestment plan.

An example of how the dividend reinvestment plan gets you discounted Franco-Nevada shares

To see how this works in practice, let's take an example. Say you buy 100 shares of Franco-Nevada stock and enroll in the dividend reinvestment plan. Currently, Franco-Nevada pays a dividend of $0.22 per share quarterly, so every quarter, you'll receive $22. Say that the average price at the next dividend payment date is at its current level around $66 per share.

With most programs, you'd simply have the $22 in dividends reinvested at $66 per share. That would get you 0.3333 shares of stock for the quarter. However, with the 3% discount, the dividend payment would get reinvested at a price of about $64 per share. Doing the math, that would get you 0.3438 shares of stock credited to your account.

Every little bit

That might not sound like enough of an incentive to be worth the hassle of enrolling in the plan, but the key to appreciating the discount fully is to realize how long-term compounding can enhance the value of such a benefit. In particular, the slightly larger stock purchase resulting from the discount on dividend reinvestment gives you a slightly bigger total dividend payment next quarter, which results in still more shares of stock being purchased through dividend reinvestment. Over time, the difference can add up dramatically.

Moreover, Franco-Nevada pays all of the costs of the plan. By not having to cut small dividend checks to all of its investors, Franco-Nevada can save money, and that likely provides the funding for much of the discount.

For those looking at Franco-Nevada as a potential investment, the dividend reinvestment plan discount is an added incentive to put money into the precious metals streaming company. But more broadly, investors should look at all of the stocks they own for the long haul to see if they offer similar provisions. Discounts are few and far between, but a few stocks like Franco-Nevada make it worth shareholders' while to look more closely.

10 stocks we like better than Franco Nev

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Raise your hand if you want to keep working until you die. There probably aren't a lot of hands in the air right now, because just about everybody relishes the idea of getting some time off to enjoy their golden years. Of course, to do that, you need some money to live on. And while it's nice to imagine that you'll win the Powerball jackpot and retire with a nine-digit net worth, it's wise to have a plan B in case the whole lottery thing falls through.

That's where retirement accounts come in. The general idea behind any retirement account is that money goes into it and grows until you're ready to retire, at which point you can start withdrawing it to pay for your expenses. Pretty simple, right? Yet when it comes to deciding which kind of retirement account you should use, there's a whole alphabet soup of options: IRA, 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE, and more. All of these retirement account options give you the chance to put away money for retirement while saving on taxes, but they have different features designed to work best in certain situations.

Employees with an employer-sponsored plan

If the company you work for offers you a 401(k) account, then use it. (Employees of a nonprofit or government agency will probably be offered a 403(b) account, which is basically the same thing as a 401(k).) Company-sponsored plans are generally the best choice for workers, and that goes double (literally) if your employer makes matching contributions. At the very least, you should contribute enough to max out those matching funds. For example, if your employer will match contributions of up to 5% of your salary, then sign up to contribute at least 5% and enjoy having free money flow into your account with every paycheck you get.

Your contributions come out of pre-tax dollars, so you save on taxes up front. 401(k)s also have one of the highest contribution limits of all retirement accounts, so you can put away a ton of retirement savings. On the other hand, the investment choices are limited to what your employer decides to offer, which could mean you're stuck with lackluster investment options.

Employees without an employer-sponsored plan

Perhaps you don't have an employer-sponsored plan at your disposal because you work for a very small company, or your employer is just a Grinch. In that case, consider using a traditional IRA. You won't have the ability to make pre-tax contributions like you can with a 401(k), but you can deduct those IRA contributions on your tax return, so it comes to roughly the same thing. And IRAs do have one significant advantage over 401(k)s: They tend to have a much wider range of investment options.

That being said, some workers who don't have employer-sponsored retirement plans should consider a different type of IRA -- especially...

Anyone who expects their income to go up significantly

If you're one of the wise people who have just started their career and are already saving for retirement, then you should consider a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA. With a Roth account, your contributions are taxed, but your withdrawals in retirement are not. This is a great deal if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket when it's time to take the money out, because you're getting the tax-free benefit later, rather than up front as you would with a traditional 401(k)/IRA. As a bonus, you can withdraw the contributions from a Roth account tax-free at any time. (However, until you reach age 59-1/2, you can't withdraw more than you've contributed without paying a 10% penalty tax on the distribution above that amount.) If your income -- and thus your tax rate -- gets higher than you expect it to be in retirement, then you'll want to start putting contributions into a non-Roth retirement account, as that should net you bigger tax savings.

Solopreneurs

Self-employed types without employees should absolutely set up a SEP-IRA account. It has much higher contribution limits than a regular IRA, but with less paperwork and red tape than an individual 401(k). SEP-IRAs generally have lower fees than 401(k)s, too. And you can make your contribution at any point during the year, so you can wait until the end of the year and then choose a contribution amount that will best suit your compensation and tax situation.

If you have employees

Small-business owners with employees generally find SEPs a poor choice because they require employers to contribute an equal percentage of each employee's salary -- an uncomfortably confining situation. SIMPLE-IRAs are a more flexible option for small employers, giving them the option to match 3% of employees' contributions or contribute 2% of employees' compensation across the board. SIMPLE-IRAs come with the IRA's usual vast array of investment options, and employees can manage their own investments directly through the trustee.

The best account

The best retirement account for you is the one you'll contribute to regularly, even if it's just a few dollars a month. The more you contribute now, the more time your money will have to grow thanks to the magic of compound interest. So, when in doubt, just set up an account and start putting in your money. You can always switch to a different type of retirement account later.

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Jeff Burkhart: Refugees faced decades in camp and extensive vetting before being admitted to U.S.
ISMAILIA, Egypt  Egyptian Christians fearing attacks by Islamic State militants fled the volatile northern part of the Sinai Peninsula for a fourth day on Sunday, after a string of sectarian killings there sent hundreds packing and raised accusations the government is failing to protect the minority.

Over 100 families from the town of el-Arish and nearby have come to the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, 75 miles east of Cairo, since Friday, said Nabil Shukrallah of the citys Evangelical Church.

Families arrive scared and in need of supplies, which are being stockpiled at the church via donations from several parishes, he said. They are then transported to be housed in and around the city, in private homes and now also accommodation provided by the government.

Theyre exhausted, with urgent needs for food and childrens clothing, he said, as one father carried off a sick infant to be evacuated by ambulance. Theyre terrified of the violence and brutality of the terrorists.

Northern Sinai has for years been the epicenter of an insurgency by Islamic militants, and the areas few Christians have slowly been trickling out. But departures rose in earnest after suspected militants gunned down a Christian plumber at home in front of his family on Thursday in el-Arish. It was the seventh such killing in recent weeks and stoked panic among Christians.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. But Egypts Islamic State group affiliate, which is based in northern Sinai and which in December carried out a devastating suicide bombing against a Cairo church, vowed in a video last week to step up attacks against Egypts embattled Coptic Christian minority. It described them as infidels empowering the West against Muslims.

The Cairo church bombing and the recent killings point to a shift in militants tactics in Egypt, with the group now also attacking Christian targets that are less protected than military installations, in an attempt to isolate them and embarrass the government.

Before Egypts 2011 Arab Spring uprising, some 5,000 Christians lived in northern Sinai, but the number has since dwindled to fewer than 1,000, priests and residents say.

Brian Rohan is an Associated Press writer.
MANILA  Abu Sayyaf extremists in the Philippines released a video showing the beheading of a German hostage in the first sign the brutal Filipino militants carried out a threat to kill him after a ransom deadline lapsed over the weekend.

President Rodrigo Dutertes adviser dealing with Muslim rebel groups, Jesus Dureza, denounced the killing of Jurgen Gustav Kantner, saying the military and other groups exhausted all efforts to save his life up to the final moment.

We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim, Dureza said in a statement. We all tried our best. But to no avail.

The brief video circulated Monday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, shows Kantner sitting in a grassy clearing and saying Now he kill me shortly before a masked militant beheads him with a curved knife.

A few gunmen mutter Allahu Akbar, or God is great, in the video that lasts a minute and 43 seconds.

The Philippine military confirmed that Kantner had been mercilessly and inhumanly murdered.

Our operations in the past several days and nights using all our resources were unrelenting. We lost some of our best men in the process, because we value the life of Mr. Kantner and that of the others who have fallen prey to this terrorist group, spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

The militants had circulated a video earlier this month in which Kantner said he would be killed if ransom was not paid by 3 p.m. Sunday. Philippine officials have said the militants were seeking a ransom of 30 million pesos ($605,000).

The Abu Sayyaf claimed in November that its gunmen had kidnapped Kantner and killed a woman sailing with him off neighboring Malaysias Sabah state. Villagers later found a dead woman on a yacht with the German flag off Laparan Island in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, the military said.

Previously, Kantner and his partner, Sabine Merz, were taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2008 and later freed, officials said.

The Abu Sayyaf, which the U.S. and the Philippines have blacklisted as a terrorist organization, is holding more than 20 foreign and local hostages in jungle encampments in the countrys south. They beheaded two Canadian men last year after separate ransom deadlines lapsed.

Jim Gomez is an Associated Press writer.
Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press

The Pentagon wants to expand the military's ability to battle al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia, potentially putting U.S. forces closer to the fight against a stubborn extremist group that has plotted attacks against America, senior U.S. officials said.

The recommendations sent to the White House would allow U.S special operations forces to increase assistance to the Somali National Army in the struggle against al-Shabab militants in the fragile Horn of Africa nation, the officials said. They said the proposal would give the military greater flexibility to launch airstrikes against extremists that appear to be a threat.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  The nations health minister said Sunday that the dose of nerve agent given to North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns exiled half brother was so high that it killed him within 20 minutes and caused very serious paralysis.

Kim Jong Nam died Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by two women who wiped a liquid on Kims face. Police revealed Friday that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim, raising the stakes in the case.

Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said the dose of VX given to Kim was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes. Kim fainted at the airport clinic and died in the ambulance while en route to a hospital, he said.

VX only requires 10 milligrams to be absorbed into the system to be lethal, so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that, he said at a news conference.

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 were arrested.

Experts say the nerve agent used to kill Kim is banned under an international treaty. North Korea never signed the treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons program.

North Korea has denied any role in the attack.

Subramaniam said there have been no reports of anyone else being sickened by the toxin, but medical workers who attended to Kim will remain under observation for possible delayed effects.

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.

Early Sunday, more than a dozen officers in protective gear swept the terminal where Kim was attacked and said they found no traces of VX.

Abdul Samah Mat, the police official leading the investigation, said the terminal was free from any form of contamination of hazardous material and declared it a safe zone after a two-hour sweep.

He also said a condominium that was raided by police last week had been rented by the four North Korean suspects who left the country.

Eileen Ng is an Associated Press writer.
BAGHDAD  Iraqi militarized police captured two neighborhoods on the western side of Mosul on Sunday amid fierce clashes with Islamic State militants, as thousands of people continued to flee the battle to government-controlled areas, security officials said.

Iraqi forces, backed by aerial support by the U.S.-led international coalition, launched a new push last week to drive Islamic State militants from Mosuls west, capturing so far the citys international airport and an adjacent military base. Iraqi authorities declared Mosuls eastern half fully liberated from the Sunni militants in January, three months after launching the operation to take back Iraqs second-largest city.

At dawn Sunday, the Federal Police Commandos Division moved into the Tayaran neighborhood amid fierce clashes, Maj. Gen. Haider al-Maturi told the Associated Press from Baghdad. Al-Maturi said the neighborhood 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. Al-Maturi added that his forces arrested two militants  an Iraqi and a foreigner who speaks Russian.

Further west, Iraqi special forces captured the Mamun neighborhood by Sunday afternoon, Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil of the special forces said. Fadhil said Islamic State militants attacked the advancing troops with more than 15 suicide car bombs, but all were blown up before hitting the troops.

The neighborhood is fully liberated, he said. We are clearing it up and beefing up fortifications.

Up to 3,000 people fled from the Mamun neighborhood Sunday, according to Iraqi special forces Brig. Gen. Salam Hashed, who oversees a screening center south of Mosul. Hashed said just over 2,500 people fled the previous day.

According to the U.N. figures, about 750,000 civilians are believed to be trapped in their houses in western Mosul, one of several challenges expected to slow the advance of the Iraqi troops. Another complication is western Mosuls old and narrow streets, which will force Iraqi soldiers to leave the relative safety of their armored vehicles.

Western Mosul is the last significant urban area Islamic State holds in Iraq. The city is split roughly in half by the Tigris River.

Mosul fell to the Islamic State in the summer of 2014, along with large swaths of northern and western Iraq and regions in Syria.

Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Susannah George are Associated Press writers.
VATICAN CITY  Gods love may be free, but the Vatican says it has a copyright on the pope.

Unnerved by the proliferation of papal-themed T-shirts, snow globes and tea towels around the world, the Vatican has warned it intends to protect the image of Pope Francis and stop situations of illegality that may be discovered. It also wants to protect the crossed keys emblem of the Holy See.
BEIRUT  Air strikes on Syrias rebel-held Idlib province killed at least 11 people Monday, opposition activists said, in the latest spasm of violence to mar U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva between the government and the opposition.

Separately, there were unconfirmed reports that a top al Qaeda official was killed in an air strike, also in Idlib.

Also on Monday, pro-government forces drove Islamic State militants out of a line of villages in the congested Turkish frontier region, blocking the path of rival Turkish-backed opposition forces from reaching the de facto Islamic State capital of Raqqa, opposition activists said.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, said Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, the deputy to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, may have been killed in a U.S. air strike on an unmarked sedan on Sunday evening. It cited reports circulating on jihadi social media accounts.

Abdulrahman was a close associate of Osama Bin Laden and was once the chairman of al Qaedas management council, according to a Washington Post report citing leaked U.S. intelligence documents dating back to 2008.

Iranian authorities are believed to have jailed him following the Sept. 11 attacks before releasing him in a prisoner exchange with al Qaeda in Yemen in 2015.

A senior official in a rival jihadist faction urged caution over the reports, saying other top al Qaeda officials in Syria had staged their own deaths only to defect from the group. The official asked not to be identified because of rivalries between the various factions. There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon.

Government forces and allied Hezbollah fighters meanwhile cut an arc through Islamic State-held territory to reach independent, Kurdish-led forces near the Euphrates River, effectively preventing Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces from heading south toward Raqqa.

The opposition forces, which seized al-Bab from the Islamic State group last week, will now have to confront government forces or the rival Kurdish forces if they desire to reach Raqqa, which is further southwest along the Euphrates River.

An opposition delegation met Monday with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura to continue talks aimed at resolving Syrias 6-year-old war. The government, however, insists the talks should start with an agreement on the need to fight terrorism, while the opposition wants to discuss a political transition.

Philip Issa is an Associated Press writer.
The New Zealand dollar gained against the British pound after media reports that the Scottish government is seriously considering an independence vote but remained steady against the greenback ahead of US President Donald Trumps address before Congress on Tuesday night in the US.

It was rose to 57.89 British pence as at 5pm versus 57.61 British pence as at 8am and 57.72 pence in New York at the end of last week. The pound lost ground in Asia after the Times of London reported Theresa May is preparing for the Scottish government to call a second independence referendum to coincide with the triggering of Article 50 next month.

The kiwi traded at 71.94 US cents as at 5pm versus 71.95 cents in late New York trading on Friday and at 93.55 Australian cents from 93.74 cents in New York on Friday.

"The only move of note has been in Sterling ... but it's really just washed around. There's been a little bit of profit-taking against the Aussie," said Tim Kelleher, head of institutional foreign exchange sales for ASB Bank.

Kelleher said the focus is on Trumps address before Congress on Tuesday, in particular whether he offers any details about his infrastructure spending and tax plans.

Local data continues to ensure that the kiwi remains well supported. Annual net migration rose to 71,305 in the 12 months ended Jan. 31, eclipsing the record 70,600 set in calendar 2016, Statistics New Zealand said. Short-term visitor arrivals, which include tourists, people visiting family and friends and people travelling for work, reached 3.54 million in the year ended Jan. 31, up 11 percent from a year earlier.

The kiwi traded at 68.10 euro cents from 68.14 cents in New York at the end of last week The kiwi was at 80.71 yen from 80.61 yen and 4.9468 yuan from 4.9404 yuan. It was at 78.24 on a trade-weighed index basis versus 78.07.

New Zealand's two-year swaps rose 2 basis points to 2.3 percent while 10-year swaps rose 1 basis point to 3.46 percent.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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Two men have been arrested and police are looking for at least one more suspect in the gang-related shootings of four men Feb. 19 at a gas station parking lot in Madison.

Christopher Somersett, 22, of Madison, was taken into custody by Madison police on Friday on a tentative charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and Claude Knight, 28, of Chicago, was arrested Wednesday by U.S. marshals in Chicago on a tentative charge of first-degree reckless endangering safety, Madison police said.

The two allegedly were involved in the shooting of four men, ages 26 to 28, at the BP gas station, 4222 E. Washington Ave., early on Feb. 19, during a disturbance at the gas station that stemmed from a party in Beaver Dam earlier in the night.

Surveillance video and witness statements helped the violent crimes unit piece together the sequence of events that took place in the BP lot, said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. The evidence also enabled detectives to identify and arrest two of at least three shooters.

Police found at least 20 bullet casings from at least three weapons at the scene.

None of the four victims had life-threatening injuries, and all four have been released from the hospital, DeSpain said.
Mercer Group, the stainless steel fabricator, posted a $2.6 million loss in the first half, but said it's anticipating a return to positive pre-tax earnings for the second half despite the "disappointing" start.

The $2.6 million net loss was smaller than $4.7 million from the six months to December 2015, though revenue fell 19 percent to $7.9 million in the latest period. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) was a $1.5 million loss, although stripping out costs for its capital raising, acquisition, restructuring and discontinued items slimmed that down to a normalised ebitda loss of $715,000.

"This is a positive step forward following the extensive strategic review, the restructuring carried out over the past 18 months and the acquisition of Haden & Custance," the company said. The company said it's focused on improving operating performance and the commercialisation of its S-Clave sterilisation technology.

Christchurch-based Mercer issued 130.8 million new shares at 1 cent each to fund its purchase of the assets and business of Hastings-based Haden & Custance in December last year. The $2.25 million deal added a robotics system used to prepare bulk products such as cheese and butter for processing, and offices in Melbourne, Australia, and Wisconsin in the US. It raised $7 million through an underwritten rights issue in 2016, used to repay debt and provide the firm with working capital, though the H&C acquisition needed new funding. The company wants to reposition the steel business's focus to food processing and packaging technology, giving it exposure to higher-value export business.

"The contract nature of both the H&C and fabrication businesses makes them susceptible to periods of under-utilisation between contracts and therefore we are focused on building scale and ensuring we are operationally flexible to reduce this risk," it said today. "Given the different growth opportunities, capital requirements and organisational structures of the three business units we will be assessing how each one moves forward separately."

The first half saw a decline in machinery business sales, and Mercer has ended its relationship with US distributor Nu-Meat over weakness in its Titan sales, it said. Its fabrication workshops in Christchurch and New Plymouth have also been underused, it said, but the outlook for the next six months "improved with good workflows enhanced by both orders for wine tanks following the Blenheim earthquake, and an increase in dairy related capex."

Mercer renegotiated its banking facilities on June 30, 2016, with new covenants becoming applicable on June 30 this year. The directors said they believe the going concern assumption for the business is valid given those facilities and the forecast profit for the second half.

The shares last traded at 38 cents, down 43 percent from a year earlier.

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The New Zealand dollar remained in a tight trading range as financial markets await a key policy address by US President Donald Trump and a speech by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen at the end of the week. Locally, trade data and a business confidence survey may underline the strength of the NZ economy.

The kiwi traded at 71.97 US cents as at 8am in Wellington, from 71.94 cents late yesterday. The trade-weighted index was at 78.29 compared with 78.24.

The New Zealand dollar has been confined to a range of about 71.27 US cents to 72.46 cents for almost three weeks, with markets waiting for details of Trump's policy plans while weighing the chances that the Fed will hike rates as soon as next month. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last weekend that Trump will use a speech on Tuesday to outline tax cuts for companies and the middle class, a move that would be seen as a boost to the US economy.

"Trump has said that he will talk about his budget so the markets will be expecting greater granularity than has so far been forthcoming," said David Croy, senior rates strategist at ANZ Bank New Zealand. "With no sound reason to be strategically long or short, the NZD continues to range trade and is unlikely to stray too far until Fed chair Yellens speech on Friday night."

Croy said New Zealand economic data this week "are likely to emphasise the story of an economy that is doing very well." New Zealand's merchandise trade deficit is expected to have narrowed to $3 million in January from $41 million a month earlier. That's followed this afternoon by the ANZ business confidence survey.

The kiwi traded at 57.82 British pence from 57.89 pence late yesterday. It rose to 93.69 Australian cents from 93.55 cents and slipped to 67.94 euro cents from 68.10 cents. The kiwi rose to 81.11 yen from 80.71 yen and fell to 4.9377 yuan from 4.9468 yuan.

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A 21-year-old Loganville woman suffered life-threatening injuries when her SUV slid through an intersection on an icy road and overturned.

The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. Friday on Highland Road at South Line Road in the town of Westfield in Sauk County, the Sheriff's Office said.

The woman was ejected from the SUV as a result of the crash, and was taken to UW Hospital in Madison. A 30-year-old male passenger from Loganville was not injured.

The Sheriff's Office said the woman was driving south on Highland Road, going downhill on an ice- and snow-covered road, when the vehicle didn't stop at a stop sign and tried to turn right onto South Line Road.

The SUV went into the ditch and rolled, coming to rest on its wheels.

Speed relative to road conditions was believed to be a factor in the crash, but alcohol or drug use were not factors, the Sheriff's Office said.
Frauenkirchen Dresden

A baroque building in Dresden

History of Dresden

'Baroque capital of the world'

World War II Bombing

Hofkirchen Dresden in the night

Places to see in Dresden

Jewels of the old city:

Semper Opera

Mural - Procession of the Kings (Furstenzug)





Dresden Frauenkirche:

Museums:

City Museum

War Museum

Albertinum Museum

resden Transport Museum

The German Hygiene Museum

War Museum

Some roman busts at the museum

Christmas Markets:

Hang-out at Neustadt:

German Sauna:

Boat tour of the city:

Dresden from the boat

Food guide to Dresden

A traditional German restaurant in Dresden

Traditional German cuisine:

Places to eat in Nuestadt:

Louisenstrae 20, 01099 Dresden

Vegetarian food in Dresden:

Indian food in Dresden:

Where to stay in Dresden?

How many days to spend in Dresden?

one week in Dresden

Things to do around Dresden

Hike to Bastei Bridge:

Moritzburg Palace:

Meissen Porcelain factory:

Glashutte Museum:

Weesenstein Castle:

Wine tasting at Schloss Wackerbarth:

Visit Leipzig:

How to reach Dresden?

Old Dresden

Dresden Palace

Zwinger Palace

Visa for Germany

Situated on the banks of river Elbe,is the capital of the free state of Saxony. One of the oldest cities of the region, it's also arguably the most beautiful in the whole of Germany. In fact it was called theof Europe due to the numerous baroque and rococo buildings in the old part of the town, and the massive treasures displayed at the Green Vault.The golden age of Dresden dates back to the times of Augustus II the Strong (early 18th Century), who made the city his capital and built the numerous architectural landmarks of the city like the world famous Zwinger palace. It continued to be a cultural centre of art in Europe till the beginning of the second world war. Known for it's architecture, the city was also often known as theDuring the last months of the Second World War, Dresden was bombed out almost completely, in what is now considered by many as an unnecessary punitive strike. What added to the controversy was the fact that industrial and military installations outside the city were not targeted and only historical buildings were selectively bombed and destroyed almost completely. The bombing was severe that upto 25,000 civilians died.After the war Dresden became a part of East Germany and reconstruction was a slow and expensive process. In fact even today, the reconstruction work is going on, and much still needs to be done. However, dresden today is a far cry from what it looked like a day after the bombing.Post re-unification, the city has changed dramatically. From a cultural hub for the artists and the architects, the city now also has an addictive youthful vibe. The old and the new co-exist beautifully and merge together almost seamlessly. If there are museums and palaces on one side of river Elbe, the other side is a perfect heaven for those who love the German nightlife.For many travellers, Dresden is a stop-over location between Berlin and Prague and that's quite a shame as the city has so much to offer. Here are some of my favourite things to do in Germany!Dresden is still the cultural capital of Germany and is one of the most amazing places to discover art and history. Here are some of the best places that can't be missed in Dresden -, Semper Opera, Bruhlsche Terrassen, Procession of Princes, The Catholic Court Church, Bruhl's Terrace.The church was completely destroyed in the bombing during the war, and it's only recently that it was rebuilt and opened again. In a few short years, it has once again become the symbol of the city and is a must-visit destination.I love museums and it's the best way to discover a new city for me, and Dresden doesn't disappoint here. Because my knowledge of Saxony was so poor when I visited the city, the museums were my interaction to it's past and rich legacy. If you like museums, it makes a lot of sense to buy a. A single card costs 22 and gives free access to 14 museums with a validity of two days. It's a good idea to book them in advance.Moving on, here are some of the recommended museums to see in Dresden:especially the Green Vault - 10am to 6pm - Wilsdruffer Str. 2, 01067 Dresden- 10am to 6pm - Olbrichtpl. 2, 01099 Dresden- 10am to 6pm - Tzschirnerpl. 2, 01067 Dresden- 10am to 6pm - Augustusstrae 1, 01067 Dresden- 10am to 6pm - Lingnerpl. 1, 01069 DresdenDresden is the home of theand this in itself is a good enough reason to visit Dresden in the months leading up to Christmas festival. Don't miss the legendaryand the Medieval Christmas Market in the old city.A visit to a Christmas market is incomplete without a few glasses of, the hot wine which is typical of these markets. There are tons of shops and almost all of them serve good Gluehwein. As for shopping, I suggest you pick ginger bread and the wooden toys, if you have kids at home. I didn't really buy anything for myself, except a bottle of local wine.Just across the river Elbe from the old town, Neustadt is the new and the most happening part of the city. Post reunification of the East and the West Germany, Neustadt has been a symbol of counter-culture and anti-authoritarianism. Visit Neustadt for some great cafes, vibrant street-art and getting the true and youthful vibe of the city.East German saunas are typicallyand often mixed . However, as a traveller I would suggest that you don't get scandalised about it and visit one sauna to get closer to the local way of living. I didn't know about them when I went into one, but it didn't deter me from enjoying this unique experince.If your hotel doesn't have one already, try out this guide,, to find one for yourself.Another great way to see Dresden and around is through a boat-ride on river Elbe. The routes lets you see many places that you might not be able to cover on foot or on the road, and gives an idea of how large the city actually is. On a weekend boat-ride, it's a common sight to see people lazing around with their dogs on the banks and simply reading a book, or drink coffee.If you do plan a visit, make sure you also eat lunch on the boat itself. If not, at least have a glass of sparkling white wine as you see some German life passing by.Read more:The best way to discover the city is through the locals, and I interviewed many locals during my stay. If you are curious to know more, do read my story on my interviews with the Germans here:Dresden is a cosmopolitan city and has lots of options to dine out, both the traditional German cuisine as well as world cuisine. Here are some of the best places to eat in Dresden. Unfortunately, I haven't been to many of these and much of it comes from the recommendations of my friend,, there. By the way Seema is also a guide with Saxony Tourism and when you do visit Dresden, check her availability to show you around Dresden and around. She is a truly gem to have around when you travel, plus she is a lot of fun too :)To make things simpler, I have broken down the places to eat into four categories, the last one is most relevant for Indian travellers there, but would be great for anyone who loves Indian cuisine :)- both of these are near Frauenkirche and I can personally vouch for desserts there as well!for nouveau German cuisine. Here's the address: Theaterplatz 1, 01067 Dresden- Taschenberg 3, 01067 Dresdenfor traditional Sachen - Kotzschenbroder Str. 1, 01139 Dresden- Salzgasse 8, 01067 Dresden- Bautzner Str. 149, 01099 Dresden- Konigstrae 1, 01097 Dresden- An der Frauenkirche 13, 01067 Dresden- Bautzner Str. 79, 01099 Dresden- Cossebauder Strasse 15, 01157 Dresden- Jordanstrae 8, 01099 Dresden- Alaunstrae 70, 01099 Dresden(this one is an insider's tip) - Bohmische Str. 34, 01099 Dresdenfor GDR ambience -Devil's Kitchen - Alaunstrae 39, 01099 DresdenRoots for veggie burgers - Hauptstrae 35, 01097 DresdenFalscher Hase - Rudolf-Leonhard-Strae 3, 01097 DresdenAnd finally an Indian often loves to eat Indian food outside India as well, and there are a few good Indian restaurants for your desi cravings. Here are some recommended ones:- Bodenbacher Str. 60, 01277 Dresden- Kamenzer Str. 62, 01099 DresdenLouisenstrae 48, 01099 DresdenI stayed at all kinds of places including with an airbnb host. I loved staying with a local and he even showed me around the Christmas Markets and gave me tips to use the public transportation in the city. Later I also stated at two really good hotels - Swissotel Dresden Am Scholss and hotel Park Inn. However, if there is one thing I want to recommend it's going to be- it's the prefect location and a hotel with great service.Well, my recommendation is to spend at least. It's going to be enough to see both Dresden as well as many other places around the city.However, if you are short of time, the city needs at least a long weekend.Dresden is the capital of Saxony and is prefect palace to start your exploration of the state. From the beautiful mountains of Saxony Switzerland to the vibrant Leipzig, there is something for everyone in Saxony. Here are some of my favourite things to do in Saxony.Located just about 45 minutes from Dresden by train, these rock formations have enthralled travellers for over 200 years. Right at the top, there is a beautiful bridge calledwas once a hunting lodge of Saxon royalty, and is now a popular tourist destination, especially on the weekends. It's easily reachable by local transportation from Dresden and is worth a visit during the golden hour in the evening.Located at a distance of about 25 km from Dresden, this town of 30,000 inhabitants is known as the 'cradle of Saxony' and is most famous now for invention of porcelain in Europe. Meissen also a lovely town full of old house, and aon the hilltop.Though I didn't know about the luxury watch industry, there is one right in Saxony at. A visit to an actual watch factory is difficult, but one can visit the Glashutte museum to know more about the industry and it's history.Built sometime in the 13th Century,has long been the pride of the free state of Saxony. The castle was with the Bunau family for 12 generations and they are largely responsible for the way the castle has evolved over the centuries.When I visited, it waas winters and all the vines were waiting for spring to start thriving again, but I had a fantastic wine tasting session there. Oh, and you can also do a tour of the wine factory as well and if you are lucky, even a word with the Sommelier!And finally, a visit to Saxony is incomplete without a visit to its largest city. For long Leipzig has been a centre of trade and was well known as a host to World Fairs during it's heydays. It played a huge role in the downfall of East Germany and the first movement for unification actually started in the city square. There is lots of history here, and some of the best nightlife that you can find in Germany.If you are flying in from outside the country, it's easy to reach Dresden through direct as well as flights via Frankfurt. The airport is large and fairly active.Dresden is also well connected to all major German cities by train as well as roads. Located nicely on the highway which connects Berlin to Prague (both popular tourist destinations), it's a great stopover destination.If you are traveling to Germany from India, and many other Eastern countries, you need a visa. The tourist Shenzhen visa can be obtained without any hassle through VFS. Read more about the documents required and procedure. It can take upto two weeks to get the stamped visa in your hands.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Two men were arrested early Sunday morning, after a fight inside Los Cantaritos Restaurant/Tavern, 2405 Racine St., resulted in one of the men breaking a beer bottle over the others head, according to a Mount Pleasant Police Department news release.

This incident follows one three weeks earlier when a man was taken into custody after he reportedly got into a fight and punched a police officer outside the bar.

Were going to continue to work with the owner to try to keep this situation under control, said Tim Zarzecki, Mount Pleasants police chief and interim city administrator.

According to Mount Pleasant Police, at 1:37 a.m. Sunday several Mount Pleasant squads were patrolling the Racine and Mead streets area of the village, near closing time in the area for taverns which have had a high concentration of calls for service. Officers were alerted to a fight inside of Los Cantaritos. Sabino Garcia, 23, of Racine, was bleeding profusely from a laceration to his head.

Another male subject, Xavier Hernandez, 26, also of Racine, was taken into custody.

A witness said Garcia did not like Hernandez dancing with a particular female patron. Garcia then punched Hernandez in the head. Hernandez retaliated by breaking a beer bottle over Garcias head, causing a laceration and profuse bleeding and swelling. Hernandez was not injured.

Garcia was taken by a South Shore Fire Department rescue squad to Ascension All Saints Hospital where he was treated for the laceration. Both subjects were detained at the Racine County Jail and face charges for disorderly conduct.

Tavern needs to do more

Zarzecki said that continued incidents at the tavern, owned by Roberto Jaimes, are draining police resources.

We definitely need them to do more and well be discussing that this week with our village attorney and possibly our Finance/Legal/License committee, Zarzecki said. Its a work in progress with both the bar owner and the village.

Zarzecki added that officers are meeting regularly with Jaimes to discuss managing his large crowds. The Mount Pleasant Village Board put Los Cantaritos on notice last June, but that appears to only have worked temporarily.

Were continuing to get complaints from citizens, Zarzecki said. Things had calmed down for a while, but right now theyre back to where they were before or even worse.

Added Zarzecki, It is their job and under their control to manage their crowd sufficiently so it does not drain the police resources every Friday and Saturday night.
Whitewater High School was evacuated Monday morning after a suspicious package was found outside the school.

Whitewater police said the package was found at about 7:55 a.m. at the school, 534 S. Elizabeth St., prompting the school to be put into lockdown and students moved from the school to UW-Whitewater.

The Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center adjacent to the high school was evacuated, and nearby residents were notified.

The Kenosha Bomb Squad and other law enforcement personnel went to the scene, but no other information had been released as of 9:30 a.m.
BARCELONA: The fresh round of consolidation unfolding in the Indian telecom market is likely to yield five major players ensuring "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum", Telecom Secretary J S Deepak said.



His comments assume significance as India -- the world's second largest mobile services market after China -- is in the midst of massive consolidation with incumbent operators joining forces to take on aggressive newcomer Reliance Jio.



The consolidation in the otherwise crowded Indian telecom industry has been hastened by Jio's free voice call and data plans, forcing incumbents to slash tariff at the cost of profits.



"Dropping revenue is a concern which we are also addressing...Era of free service and falling revenue will change...In this backdrop, the investments in India are not only welcome but are also likely to be productive," Deepak told PTI.



On consolidation playing out in the telecom market, he said, "The way things are...This consolidation is going to be very good for India as we are likely to get four private and one government player...BSNL-MTNL...Which is ideal."



Asked if the spate of buyouts would leave enough room for competition in the Indian market, Deepak said, "Ideal is five players for India, which is what is likely to happen".



Stating that the consolidation is potentially resulting in five big players would ensure "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum", he said, it will be "optimum for the Indian market".



Last week, India's largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel announced acquisition of Norwegian Telenor's India unit. Bharti Airtel's revenue market share will rise to 35.6 pct following the acquisition. Telenor India currently has 2.6 pct share in Indian market.



Vodafone and Idea have already said that they are considering merging their businesses in India, a move that would create the biggest telecom operator in the country with about USD 12 billion in sales.



Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications has already signed a pact to merge its wireless business with smaller rival Aircel.



Deepak, who is attending the Mobile World Congress (MWC) here, is slated to meet senior officials of leading global telecom and tech companies like Vodafone, Huawei, AT&T, Nokia, Ericsson, Intel, and Facebook over the next three days. The Department of Telecom will showcase major reforms undertaken in the Indian mobile market to the global audience.



In his presentation at the MWC, Deepak would touch upon the USD 10 billion Foreign Direct Investment inflows into the telecom sector in FY17, and outline flagship programmes like Digital India, Smart Cities and Start Up India.

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WASHINGTON: 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.

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India Is Proud Of ISRO's Achievements: Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday heaped praises on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and said the country is proud of the space agency's achievements.

"India has created history by becoming the first country to launch successfully 104 satellites into space in one go on February 15. It is a day of immense pride for India," Modi said in the 29th edition of his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.

"Our scientists have brought laurels to the nation, witnessed by the whole world. Over the last few years, ISRO has accomplished various unprecedented missions with flying colours," he said.

"This is a historic achievement not just for ISRO but the whole India," he said.

The Prime Minister also said this cost effective, efficient space programme of ISRO has become a marvel for the entire world.

"The world has whole-heartedly admired the success of Indian scientists."

Modi described one of the 104 satellites, Cartosat 2D, as extremely important, particularly for farmers.

"Cartosat 2D is India's satellite and the pictures clicked through it will be of great help in mapping resources and infrastructure, evaluating development and planning for urban development," he said.

"For farmers, this new satellite will be immensely helpful on a whole lot of subjects, such as knowing how much water is there in our existing water sources, how this should be best put to use, what things to keep in mind in this regard," he explained.

Read Also:

Nasscom, ITAC-Japan Collaborate To Boost Indian IoT Ecosystem

Willing To Accommodate More Indian IT Professionals: EU
NEW DELHI: Brian Acton, co-founder of popular messaging app WhatsApp, today 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.

Read Also:

India Is Proud Of ISRO's Achievements: Modi

Nasscom, ITAC-Japan Collaborate To Boost Indian IoT Ecosystem
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A thief who broke into former district attorney candidate Joan Illuzzi's residence two years ago, and months later burglarized a second house will soon call prison home.

Brett Hayward has pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to two counts of second-degree burglary stemming from the heists on Dec. 29, 2014, and Oct. 8, 2015.

According to court documents, Hayward, then 28, and a co-defendant, Scott Todaro, went to Illuzzi's Grasmere home around 1:20 p.m., four days after Christmas 2014.

Cops were watching as Todaro drove a Cadillac Escalade with a forged Alabama plate, said authorities.

Hayward exited, and over the course of the next hour, Todaro drove past the house more than 10 times, each time honking his horn.

At 2:35 p.m., Todaro sped off after an unmarked police car drove by him. He went to a Rosebank street where he lives, and switched cars to a white Volkswagen Passat. He then returned to Illuzzi's house at about 2:50 p.m.

Police later spotted Todaro driving the Passat to his Rosebank residence with Hayward inside. The two talked, Hayward got in the Escalade and drove off.

Police pulled over the Escalade on Hylan Boulevard for excessive tint, and when Hayward couldn't produce a license, police found a gold Movado watch that belonged to Illuzzi's husband, John Orbon, wedged between the driver's seat and the center console, said court records. An officer also found five glassine packets of heroin beneath the driver's seat.

Police contacted Illuzzi's family, who returned home to find the place ransacked. Jewelry and watches belonging to her daughter and husband were missing, as were a number of silver certificate U.S. bills.

In the meantime, Todaro took a cab to a Huguenot residence where he also stays. He wasn't arrested until April 21, 2015, after a grand jury indicted him, and after he returned from the Bahamas, where he had been vacationing with his girlfriend.

While out on bail on Oct. 8, 2015, Hayward and Todaro, then, 45, along with a third man, repeat felon John Catullo, 48, broke into a Clifton Avenue home in Rosebank across from where Todaro lives, said authorities.

Todaro acted as the wheelman, staying behind in a black Dodge Caravan, while Hayward and Catullo went inside and stole jewelry and cash, according to a criminal complaint.

Todaro and Hayward were already familiar faces to the NYPD's Staten Island Grand Larceny Squad, and a criminal complaint suggests the squad may have been onto them from the start.

A law enforcement source said detectives observed Hayward and Catullo emerge from a van driven by Todaro, enter the home, and walk back out again. The two men ripped the alarm system and motion sensors from the walls, the source said.

When detectives moved in to arrest them, Hayward and Catullo tried, unsuccessfully, to escape on foot, the source said.

Todaro and Catullo's cases are pending in state Supreme Court, St. George.

Hayward pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree burglary.

In exchange, he'll be sentenced March 10 to concurrent terms of seven years in prison and five years' post-release supervision.

Illuzzi, a career prosecutor, ran on the Republican ticket for district attorney in November 2015. She lost to Democrat Michael E. McMahon.

Afterward, she returned to the Manhattan district attorney's office.

In a capstone moment, Illuzzi, two weeks ago, secured a murder conviction in the retrial of Pedro Hernandez, a former convenience store clerk, arising from the May 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz.

The boy vanished as he walked to a bus stop near his Manhattan home. His body has never been found.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A detective from Staten Island with more than 600 arrests to his credit, who recently retired on a disability pension, has taken the city to court for denying him a gun permit, according to a published report in the New York Post.

Louis Torino, 41, was rejected by the Police Department when he applied for a "concealed carry permit," which he wants for private-security work, the report said.

Torino, who suffered right hand, arm and shoulder injuries in 2015 while pursuing a suspect, retired from the NYPD in October of last year on a three-quarters disability pension, said the report.

Two NYPD doctors maintain Torino should not have a gun due to his injuries; however, the ex-cop contends four other doctors disagree with that determination, the report said, citing Torino's Manhattan state Supreme Court filing.

Torino's court papers say he has healed well from surgery and has passed, with both hands, a shooting test by an FBI-certified instructor, said the report.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered an investigation into a wave of bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers in New York State on Monday -- including three on Staten Island.

"I am ordering the State Police to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to investigate these threats and apprehend those responsible," Cuomo said in a statement.

A bomb threat was called into the JCC on Manor Road in Sea View about 9:30 on Monday, confirmed JCC spokeswoman Ruth Lasser.

The threat was considered to be made against all three Island locations, including those in Sea View, Arden Heights and Tompkinsville.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, as well as the Secure Community Network (SCN), which is focused on security for Jewish institutions throughout North America," David Sorkin, Staten Island JCC executive director wrote in a letter to members.

Threats were also made Tarrytown, New Rochelle and Plainview in the state, Cuomo, said, as well as locations across the country.

"These reprehensible and cowardly attacks are not limited to the Jewish community. They are assaults on all New Yorkers," Cuomo continued.

In the statement, Cuomo pointed to a $25 million grant program announced last week to increase safety and security at New York's schools and day care centers at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission.

Mayor Bill de Blasio also shared his concern on the threats on Staten Island.

"Anti-Semitic threats like the one against Jewish community centers on Staten Island will not divide us," de Blasio tweeted. "New York City stands united."

Anti-Semitic threats like the one against Jewish community centers on Staten Island will not divide us. New York City stands united.  Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 27, 2017

Rep. Dan Donovan expressed his concern as well.

"Anti-Semitism and hatred of any kind will not be tolerated in our communities," Donovan said. "Members of the JCC and the Jewish community should know that people of all faiths stand with them in denouncing intimidation and threats."

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said on Twitter that his office will "take these threats against the Staten Island JCC extremely serious and will continue to monitor the situation closely with the NYPD."

NATION-WIDE THREATS

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tweeted about several threats to Jewish community centers throughout the country including New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, and Michigan.

CONFIRMED #bombthreats: #JCC in Asheville, NC & upper school of Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD  ADL (@ADL_National) February 27, 2017

"We demand a plan of action - that brings the full weight of the federal government to investigating who have been terrorizing the Jewish community through bomb threats and vandalism, to bringing them to justice, and to battling anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry wherever it may occur," Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the ADL said after vandals damaged about 500 graves in a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia.

Jewish community centers in Delaware, Indiana, Alabama, Missouri, North Carolina and Florida received threats as well, NBC reported.

NOT THE FIRST THREAT FOR JCC ON STATEN ISLAND

No bombs were found during sweeps of the Staten Island JCCs by police on Monday, Lasser said.

The JCC in Sea View was evacuated for a couple of hours until police gave the OK for staff and members to return to the building shortly before noon, she said.

This, however, wasn't the first threat the JCC in Sea View received a threat.

In Jan. 11 a sticker that included the word "bomb," the numbers 1111 and a swastika were found in the men's bathroom, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

No bomb was found during a search of the building and police investigated the incident as hate crime, police said.
nws drugs

A Staten Island man high on drugs was arrested in Long Island Saturday after he crashed his car with a child inside. (Courtesy: Suffolk PD)

(Suffolk PD)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police say a Bulls Head man high on drugs was arrested in Long Island Saturday afternoon after he crashed his car with a 5-year-old boy inside.

Suffolk County Police Patrol units responded to 911 calls of a person driving a white Honda erratically in the Huntington Station area of the county, according to a media release from the department.

They arrived at a two-vehicle crash between the Honda and a 1999 Dodge Pickup Truck at the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Longfellow Road at approximately 2:50 p.m.

Police determined that Mathew Moscowitch, 33, was operating the white Honda while his ability to drive was impaired by drugs, police said in the release. A hypodermic needle was found in the car, police said.

The child, and 49-year-old Victoria Nathan were taken to Huntington Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Moscowitch was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger 15 years old or younger (Leandra's Law), felony aggravated unlicensed operation, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a hypodermic needle.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Residents are growing increasingly concerned about what might happen to the former Nassau Smelting & Refinery Co. site despite a lack of plans to develop the Richmond Valley property being filed with the city.

A rumor that the property's owners plan to build 800 units there has been circulating across the community. It most recently came up during a Borough Hall Direct Connect meeting earlier this month.

"We are opposed to [dense housing]. Our schools can't handle the kids we have now. Tottenville is so overdeveloped, we can't handle any more houses," said Richard Sarnes, a member of the Facebook group, "I Live in Tottenville," which has 2,000 members.

The 38 acres of property, which sits in a manufacturing zone, would need a zone change approval for any residential units to be built on the site.

"I understand the concerns and confusion of Tottenville residents on this issue," said Borough President James Oddo. "I assured them at our Direct Connect event that their local elected officials, [Councilman Joseph] Borelli and I, would both vociferously and vigorously oppose any attempts to secure the zoning change needed to construct any housing on this site, affordable or not. And, as you know, we both have an official role in the land use process that is required to secure such a zoning change."

"Rest assured, we are on top of this issue, and will let you know when and if it is necessary to mobilize," he added.

DEVELOPER REMAINS TIGHT LIPPED

Last year, Mark Yunger, a principal of Manhattan-based Bridgewater Capital, which purchased the property with the Riseman family for $30 million, told the Advance that he planned to build a mixed-use development that could include an assisted living facility, retail and housing units.

Bridgewater Capital did not return numerous phone calls and emails inquiring about the validity of the rumor to build 800 units at the site.

There are currently no plans filed with the city Buildings Department. In addition, there isn't a request for a zoning change filed with City Planning.

Jay Valgora's STUDIO V Architecture, the firm behind a new Tottenville retail complex, was hired by Bridgewater to design a plan for the site that could include an assisted living facility, retail and housing units. There are about 10 acres of unusable wetlands on the site that would have to be preserved.

CONCERNS ABOUT CONTAMINANTS

Residents also are opposed to residential development on the site because contaminants were discovered at the site after several buildings were demolished more than 30 years ago.

"They capped that land with the idea that it would never be built on," Sarnes said.

Borelli said he's opposed to residential development on the property.

"Lucent [Technologies, the previous owner of the site,] only capped the property for commercial use. To cap something for residential use requires another level of capping," he said.

HISTORY OF THE SITE

Near the end of the 1800s, Benjamin Lowenstein opened the Tottenville Copper Company on the site at 1 Nassau Place. By 1913, the company was producing 100 million pounds of refined copper. However, the company fell on hard times during the Depression and was sold to Western Electric in 1931 and was renamed Nassau Smelting & Refining Co.

Over the next 70 years, the name of the facility and its operation changed several times.

In the 1980s, a series of buildings across the site were demolished when Nassau closed.

In 1996, Lucent Technologies assumed ownership of the site when the company spun off from AT&T. A high-tech research and development center, at the corner of Page Avenue and Richmond Valley Road, opened in 1999 and operated until 2001.

That year, all operations ended. During its more than 100 years of operation, however, the approximately 46-acre site was contaminated with heavy metals.

In 2006, Lucent began to clean up the contaminated soil at the site. At the time, the Advance reported that lead, copper and zinc contaminated the soil and had prevented the property from being used for anything.

The cleanup entailed covering 450,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil with a thick, plastic liner as well as layers of clean soil.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Searching for new ways to give individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) a better quality of life, three doctors at Richmond Behavioral Associates are engaged in a clinical trial to see if correcting a hormone imbalance will improve individuals' social adaptiveness.

The team also is participating in a new clinical trial focusing on digestive enzymes for the treatment of autism.

Individuals with ASD have difficulty with social interaction. They often do not make eye contact, don't respond when their name is called or turn in the direction of voices and don't imitate actions of their peers the way a typically abled individual would.

Researchers believe that an imbalance of two hormones, vasopressin and oxytocin, also known as the "love hormones," may be the cause of decreased social behavior in those with ASD.

"These particular hormones are involved in social bonding and processing sensory information," explained Dr. Eli Shalenberg.

"Previous research has shown that these hormones are lower in people with autism; the level of the hormone predicts their social adaptiveness. The idea is that correcting the imbalance of this hormone will improve their social behavior," Shalenberg said.

CORRECTING A HORMONE IMBALANCE

The drug being used to hopefully correct this imbalance, which is taken in pill form and manufactured by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

One study with rodents that have an "animal model of autism" and were treated with the hormone showed a reversal of their social adaptiveness, Shalenberg said.

Additionally, a study with adults who were given the hormone via nasal spray had improved auditory recall and learning through senses and processing sensory information.

"(Sensory overload) a big part of what holds children with autism back," he said.

The doctors said one crucial factor of this study is that no adverse effects to the drug were exhibited during a safety study that was previously conducted.

"Even in a drug versus drug interaction study there were zero adverse events. This doesn't have any real risk that we know of, especially for use with children and that's huge," he said.

Drs. Adam Smith and Mark DiBuono, along with Dr. Shalenberg, are the only doctors in the metro New York area who are participating in what's being called the Aviation Study.

"Even though we're in New York, a lot of people don't have access to stuff like this. You would expect that they're doing this at NYU, Columbia, etc., but they're not as equipped to do these studies," said Dr. Smith.

"We often think the best care is in (the city) but this is only available on Staten Island," he said.

THE AVIATION STUDY

The Aviation Study is being conducted on individuals with autism who are 12 to 17 years old and lasts for 24 weeks, but can last for a total of 28 weeks.

The doctors will receive updates from the individuals' parents in four-week intervals and receive information regarding behavioral changes, sensory changes and other social behaviors. Blood draws will be performed every two weeks to see if the medicine is having an effect on hormone levels and to make sure all other organs are functioning as they should.

"This study has been going on since August to distinguish the best dose (of the hormone)," Smith explained.

"So, we're coming in to this study using that knowledge of what the best dose is," Smith said, adding that 200 individuals around the country are already participating in the study.

The Staten Island doctors are looking for approximately 20 individuals to participate in the study.

Overall, the doctors are "cautiously optimistic."

"We really try and be careful about what we describe and we would not promise a family that this is going to work. It's not right to mislead these families based off of other studies, but we do our best to explain every detail to them," he said.

"As a parent, we know there's nothing you won't do to help your kid."

(Richmond Behavioral Associates is located at 4349 Hylan Blvd., Eltingville; 718-317-5522 ext.3)

Dignity in Danger is the Advance's depth report on the crisis of care facing Staten Island's developmentally disabled. View the full package.
Mallatts was the only place she could get medication, wine, and mail a letter, said Sarah Pfau, as she neared the checkout counter Friday with what was likely a last basket of supplies.

The pharmacy and costume store was a vital part of the Monroe Street neighborhood and will be missed by many when it closes for good, probably by the end of the week.

Until then, everything is 50 percent off.

The store at 3506 Monroe St., has been offering the half-price sale for two weeks, and makeup, wigs, candles, shampoo and cards have been going fast.

We have more business than we know what to do with, owner Mike Flint said.

All the wine went in two days, said Krystal Friou, who has worked at the store for 10 years. She said shell miss the friendly customers more than anything.

Pfau, who lives a few minutes away, has been a customer for 16 years. Her children bought their Halloween costumes there each year and used to visit the store for penny candies. Pfau filled prescriptions there as well, until Mallatts closed the retail pharmacy part of its business last October.

Probably the most important thing is that I liked that it was an independent store with an owner, she said. Its kind of an end to an era.

Flint, 59, closed the Williamson Street Mallatts location two weeks ago and didnt do a half-price sale there because he didnt have enough employees to run both locations. We needed the manpower that was working there over on Monroe Street, he said.

He consolidated all the merchandise to Monroe Street, and put many items online, where it will soon be sold exclusively.

Thats where the worlds going, right? Flint said. Lets face it, people are not buying (from) brick and mortar anymore. And Mallatts is no different than anybody else.

The Mallatts stores in Lodi and Waunakee, which also no longer fill prescriptions, will close, too. Those leases run through October.

Flint took over Schafer Pharmacy on Williamson Street in 2010. He doesnt own that building, but said a hair salon should open there soon. He does own the Monroe Street building and is close to a sale.

The biggest impact on customers was last year when he discontinued the pharmacies after they stopped being profitable.

The insurance companies totally beat us up on reimbursement and we said, We cant keep doing this,  Flint said.

He kept the retail stores operating, knowing they couldnt last without pharmacies unless the neighborhood really began buying everything there. And they didnt and I get it, Flint said.

Adolph Mallatt founded Mallatts in 1926 on State Street and moved to Monroe Street in 1941. Flint started working there as a clerk in 1979 right out of pharmacy school at UW-Madison, and bought the business from Bill Mallatt in 1992.

Flint will now focus on his two long-term care pharmacies, Mallatts Homecare Pharmacy, which offer pharmacy services to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and agencies that deal with people with disabilities.

Retail stores dont do that, Flint said. And that is the growing piece of the business. Weve got to concentrate on that fully, 100 percent to meet the needs of that population because its great.

He started the Madison home care pharmacy in 2003, then opened up one in the Milwaukee area two years ago.

We have tripled the business there since we first started. Thats where we need to be. So Mallatts isnt going away, Flint said.

Still, closing the retail businesses has been tough.

People have asked me how difficult the decision was, and I say, financially its pretty easy, Flint said. Emotionally, of course, its pretty hard.
The fans of Martha Glowackis cabinet of curiosities titled My Arcadia  part of the permanent collection at the Chazen Museum of Art since 2000  are in for a treat: The Chazen is devoting an entire gallery to the local artists work this spring.

Martha Glowackis Natural History, Observations and Reflections, whose opening reception is Thursday, features 10 of Glowackis meticulously crafted, lyrically quirky installations and sculptural pieces. The works are inspired by vintage scientific drawings  intricate and often beautiful renderings that probed the unseen, and that remind us today that the natural world has always fascinated and compelled humans to search for answers.

The show, which officially opens Friday and runs through May 14, has interactive elements, too: a camera obscura, a peep show box and a mirror illusion box  with enigmatic creatures within.

Glowacki, who has worked on the exhibition pieces since her retirement two years ago as curator of the Wisconsin Academys James Watrous Gallery, has long examined scientific wonders in her art. For her Chazen show, she turned to rare books in the UW-Madison library for much of her research and inspiration.

Ive been really fortunate to be here in Madison, because there is this world-class collection of books from the history of science at Memorial Library in Special Collections and the public is invited to access it, she said. It is really world-class  people come in from all over to study it.

Glowacki became more fascinated with each book she viewed. Mostly its looking at aspects of (scientific) illustrations and the ideas behind them  and oftentimes the oddity of them, she said.

Earlier on, particularly, I wasnt sure what the illustrations were about, because the books are in different languages. So youd see these illustrations from the 15th, 16th, 17th centuries and wonder, What is going on? These look like something the magic realists would have done.

Then I got really interested in the ideas behind the science, she said. Im talking about 1700s, 1800s primarily. It was a time when science was really changing to become an empirical thing and to be divided into more specific categories like we would expect today, such as botany and chemistry.

And yet, at a time when researchers were still known as natural philosophers, experiments had an air of mystery. The scientific illustrations that inspired Glowacki often have qualities of strangeness, she said. Theyre often showing people in the dress of the day  in these elaborate frock coats, (standing) around these beautiful Regency tables with all the apparatus laid out.

Glowacki, who grew up in rural Milwaukee County, considered being an archaeologist as well an artist in her youth. Her father, brother and uncles were all engineers, and that fascination with the mechanical also finds its way into Glowackis work.

The artist likes to blur the line between found objects and things she fabricated herself, a technique that contributes to the charming peculiarity of her work. In Martha Glowackis Natural History, she pairs fine woodworking and carpentry with paint, metal and optics. The bronze plants in her exhibits are cast from real-life plants.

Glowacki also collaborated with photographer Gregory Vershbow, a lecturer in the UW-Madison art department, on a series of stop-motion photographs. Theyll be projected as part of an installation inspired by the 19th-century Parisian laboratory of French scientist Etienne-Jules Marey.

Glowackis show even inspired an academic symposium titled New Illuminations: Art-NATURE-History, to be hosted Friday and Saturday by UW-Madisons Institute for Research in the Humanities.

Her artworks will fill the Leslie and Johanna Garfield Galleries. After viewing them, she hopes visitors will make the short walk from the Chazen to Memorial Librarys Special Collections department, to view some of the authentic scientific illustrations that inspired her.

This is a dream show for me, Glowacki said. To look at connections between the history of science and scientific illustration, and how an artist might be inspired by aspects of that  and also hopefully to get people interested in that history, and to get them to look at the illustrations for their aesthetic qualities and perhaps  radically  to see some of them as an art form.
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Clyde Stubblefields longtime manager, Kathie Williams, called the drummer one of her idols, and said working with him was a dream come true for her.

In my wildest dreams, if I tried to come up with a lifelong job, I never would have imagined this, she said, breaking down in tears Friday during a Celebration of Life event for the music legend in the Madison Concourse Hotels grand ballroom.

Williams, in town from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, began working with Stubblefield on Dec. 14, 1999, she said, adding at 6:14 Central time. Shell miss the calls and voicemails from the world-famous drummer, sometimes three times a day, she said.

About 600 people turned out for the celebration throughout the evening, said local drummer Joey Banks.

Those who missed that event can see the Clyde Stubblefield All Stars pay tribute Monday night to the longtime Madisonian and original James Brown Funky Drummer, who died Feb. 18 at age 73 of kidney failure.

The tribute will be from 6-10 p.m. at the High Noon Saloon. The band, managed by Banks, will perform all of Stubblefields hits with James Brown and some of his original songs.

Banks said he expects at least 40 special guests  musicians who have played with Stubblefield over the years  to perform. The tribute is also a fundraiser to help Stubblefields wife, Jody Hannon, with funeral expenses.

Trombone player Fred Wesley, 73, another original member of Browns band, came from South Carolina to pay his respects Friday.

He played with Stubblefield in 1968 and 1969 and called Stubblefield one of his best friends. He was the greatest drummer in the world as well as a great guy, Wesley said.

The Clyde Stubblefield All Stars will continue their regular monthly gig at the High Noon, and become more of a Stubblefield tribute band, Banks said. The band will continue to play one of Stubblefields favorite songs, the R&B standard Mustang Sally, written and first recorded by Mack Rice in 1965, and made famous by Buddy Guy.

He loved that song, Banks said, chuckling. None of the band members loved it.

Banks son, Trevor, a filmmaker in New York, has been working on a documentary about Stubblefield that could be out within the year.

Trevor is in no hurry to finish it, though, Banks said. Hes very sensitive (about) exploiting the timing. He feels when its done its done.
A Canberra teenager described as "top of the pyramid" in an extortion ring that preyed on men through gay dating apps allegedly told friends he was "targeting paedos" as his father "may have experienced something similar when he was younger".

The boy, 16, was among four people arrested when police cracked the alleged syndicate accused of threatening to publicly "out" men, who they lured through apps including Grindr, as paedophiles if they didn't hand over mobile phones or cash.

Victims of the alleged blackmail scam were contacted through Facebook and gay dating apps such as Grindr. Credit:Leon Neal

Police previously said some members of the group were linked to the suicide of one of the male victims of the scam in NSW last month.

The teen was charged with two counts of blackmail, as well as two drug offences. His older brother, 18, was also charged with blackmail in relation to the scam. None of the four accused have entered pleas.
The ACT will abandon a new national convention centre unless the federal government helped foot the bill, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said this week.

Mr Barr suggested the project would cost close to $900 million - although the figure is well outside any estimates to date, and pitches the convention centre at a similar cost to the $940 million tram from Gungahlin to the city.

Mr Barr referred to a 2015 rapid business case, which put the cost of the Australia Forum, to be built near Capital Hill and London Circuit, at $433 million.

"The reference design came in close to double that," Mr Barr said, speaking at an ACT committee hearing. Under questioning from the Liberals, Mr Barr was seeking to justify his decision this month to shelve plans to spend $8 million in the coming budget on preparing an investment-ready proposal for the centre.
A jogger was punched several times by two assailants -- one of them armed with a gun -- during an attempted armed robbery early Sunday, Fitchburg police said.

Two men in a vehicle drove up to the victim around 7:15 a.m. near the intersection of Longford Terrace and Portarligton Lane, police said. After exiting the car, the men demanded money and valuables from the jogger, while one of them pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim, according to police.

Police said the assailants punched the jogger several times before fleeing west on Longford Terrace in what was described as a "brown Ford Taurus or Chevy Malibu-type sedan."

The assailant who displayed the weapon was described as a black man with a slender build who was about 25 years old. He was said to be 6 feet tall and was wearing a "Carhartt"-type jacket, police said.

A complete description was not available for the other assailant.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the police department at 608-270-4300 or Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.
Family and domestic violence charges are on the rise in the ACT.

The offender rate for those crimes jumped 35 per cent in 2015-16 from 459 people to 624.

Domestic violence offenders are five times more likely to be male than female in the ACT.

Demand for domestic violence crisis support climbed 30 per cent in the same period, during which the ACT's service received 7135 more calls.

Authorities and the ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service agreed sweeping law reform and heightened community awareness likely contributed to the rise in offences. But opinion was divided on whether there was a hike in actual violence, as well as more victims seeking support and reporting to police.
An inquest into the death of Indigenous inmate Steven Freeman has heard he was admitted to the prison methadone program two days before he died, despite no record he was ever using heroin.

The 25-year-old was discovered dead in his cell in the south wing at the Alexander Maconochie Centre about 11am on May 27, 2016.

Inquest: Steven Freeman.

The cause of Mr Freeman's death is relatively uncontroversial; an autopsy concluded it was aspiration pneumonia due to methadone toxicity.

What will be scrutinised in the inquest hearings that began on Monday is Mr Freeman's entry to the methadone program on May 25, 2016, and the quality of care and supervision afforded to him in the days following.
Experts fear the chances of consumers and business owners having their disputes with credit reporting agency Veda swiftly resolved will be reduced after it switched from the "gold standard" ombudsman to another.

Veda moved from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to the Credit and Investments Ombudsman (CIO) in November last year.

It has the right to choose between the external dispute resolution schemes, but FOS has five times as many full-time employees, half the staff turnover rate, and a better standing amongst financial counsellors, compared to that of CIO.

A Sydney-based credit repair company, that asked not to be named, said it was concerned that business owners wanting to dispute a commercial default listing on their credit files would lose out.
Adani has been accused of withholding evidence during the latest legal bid to overturn its Carmichael mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin.

Traditional owner Adrian Burragubba lodged an appeal against the Queensland government, National Native Title Tribunal and Indian mining giant after the tribunal allowed the government to issue a mining lease for the proposed site.

Adani claims its Carmichael mine will create 4000 jobs, but this figure has been challenged. Credit:Peter Braig

A hearing by the full bench of the Federal Court got underway in Brisbane on Monday.

Barrister Craig Leggatt SC said Adani withheld findings from the tribunal by its own expert that found the economic benefit of the large coal mine had been "significantly over-estimated" in a commissioned report.
When Ms Hamilton Smith asked year 9 students at a Sydney girls school if they had thought of studying engineering and in particular, aerospace engineering, many had told her they had not considered it as a career option.

"The wannabe astronaut came out in me when I taught space exploration to the students at Monte St Angelos," she said.

"I did the trajectory with them and simplified it to point they could understand it."

While Ms Hamilton Smith has her sights set on designing aircraft, cars and working with rockets, a new survey has found females still lag behind males when it comes to pursuing science as a career.

A report by the Regional Australia Institute and NBN also last year found that one in two Australians will need skills in programming, software development and building digital technology to remain competitive in 2030. It found today's preschoolers will need a mix of computer technology and "soft" communication and creative skills to find their place in the jobs market.
Ahmed Fahour's $5.6 million idea: parcels were important. What a genius!

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To read Mark Kenny's analysis of Israel and Palestine ("Blind support for Israel unhelpful", February 19), one would think the West Bank was a place where arrogant, lawless Israelis tormented and oppressed innocent Palestinians almost for sport, while steadily undermining the only real chance of peace: the two-state resolution. The good news is that reality is somewhat different. The bad news is that peace will still be difficult to achieve, just not for the reasons Kenny gives.

Israel captured the West Bank in a defensive war in 1967 and, when its offer to exchange land for peace was unequivocally rebuffed by the Arab League, began establishing settlements in the area. This was partly for the need for security, given the hostile intentions and actions of its neighbours, and partly to allow some Jews to live in places that had Jewish communities going back hundreds if not thousands of years, until the Jordanians ethnically cleansed them in 1948.

Children walk past graffiti on the Palestinian side of the separation wall in the West Bank. Credit:Getty Images

Jerusalem, which has always had a substantial Jewish population and been the centre of the Jewish world, was annexed. The United Nations passed the pivotal Security Council resolution 242, requiring Israel to withdraw from territory in return for peace, with the borders to be negotiated.

Under the 1993 Oslo accords, the Palestinians finally accepted Israel's existence, and the Palestinian Authority was formed. Ninety-five per cent of West Bank Palestinians now live under the authority's rule. Travel between Israel and the West Bank was relatively unfettered, and many Palestinians worked in Israel, travelling home to the West Bank each night. In 2000, then authority president Yasser Arafat infamously refused the Camp David offer of a Palestinian state and launched the second intifada, characterised by widespread terrorism inside pre-1967 Israel, most notably suicide bombings. The terrorism killed more than 1000 Israelis and maimed thousands more.
A Madison man was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly punched a woman in the face and battered a man who was with her.

Percell Swinney, 23, was tentatively charged with substantial battery, batter and resisting/obstructing, Madison police said.

The incident happened at about 2:30 a.m. at the State Street campus garage, 415 N. Lake St.

The victims, a 20-year-old Sun Prairie woman and a 22-year-old McFarland man, told police the suspect made derogatory comments earlier in the night when they were on State Street.

"She was with two male friends, including the victim later injured in the parking ramp," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. "The men defended her honor, telling the suspect he was out of line, calling her offensive names."

The suspect allegedly hit the woman in the face then fled. Later on, he reappeared when the two men and woman were about to get into their car at the garage, with the suspect allegedly looking for a fight.

"The McFarland man was repeatedly punched and was knocked unconscious," DeSpain said. "Officers were nearby and the suspect was quickly arrested."
Hasn't Australia learnt anything lately? The US election. Brexit. Haven't we taken notice of the impetus for these implosions of government and community? Or are we just ogling the show, a nation of blissful babies captivated by someone else's mess? Smug and certain "That could never happen here". Now, however, with the Fair Work Commission's recent penalty rates decision rocking the cradle, the possibility of our own home-grown family feud may be closer than we think.

For a country that prides itself on its "mateship", it's hard to reconcile the heartlessness of the decision to cut weekend and public holiday pay for hospitality, retail, and fast-food workers. It's estimated that individuals in these fields could expect up to a $6000 a year salary decrease as a result. To the politicians supporting the decision, $6000 might not seem like a lot of money, maybe a weekend trip to Bali or something a bit more posh, but to the person who will feel this in the fridge, that's food money, rent money, petrol money, money for car repairs, for utilities, for out-of-pocket fees at the doctor, for school books, for tuition, for survival.

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis

And survival in Australia's capital cities doesn't come cheap. The cost of living is now notoriously high, rents continuously on the rise. Many of the people working in the industries affected by the FWC's decision are in the lower wage earning bracket where the cuts will hit hardest: university students, single mothers, families struggling to get by, regular people. A $6000 a year blow to those individuals and family incomes packs a punch, one whose sting won't be forgotten at the polling place.

Meanwhile, as the cost of living rises in Australia, the income divide grows with it. Australia was once thought of as the land of the middle-class; now, not so much. Australia's financial identity is changing. According to a McCrindle study published last June, the Gini coefficient, a measurement that represents the income or wealth distribution of a nation's residents (0 being total equality and 1 being total inequality), is at its highest (most unequal) level in Australian households since the 1990s, currently sitting at 0.446 per cent up from 0.417 per cent. The study also found that the highest earners had the highest income growth and that the wealthiest own 71 times that of the poorest.
The legal profession is not the bastion of equality that it should be. Women are too often denied the same opportunities as men and discrimination is common. This has led the Law Council of Australia to introduce programs aimed at achieving fairness and removing unconscious bias about the fitness of women to serve as lawyers.

The problem is especially acute in the ranks of Australia's barristers, the arm of the legal profession that represents clients in court.

In 1997 Australia's first female High Court justice Mary Gaudron lamented the absence of women at the bar. Justice Michael Kirby also said that hundreds of barristers had appeared before the court but he had only seen and heard from six women.

This gap should have closed over the past 20 years. After all, more than 60 per cent of law graduates today are female, as are 63 per cent of those admitted to legal practice. On the High Court, there was only one female judge among its seven members in 1997. There are now three, including the new Chief Justice Susan Kiefel.
The pleasantries began with spiced tea and halva in the general's bungalow. The welcome was a corporeal embodiment of subtle ideas: sweet with a hint of bite, the hyper-local mixed with the profound and universal.

You will never have heard of him, but Lieutenant-General Aamer Riaz is in command at the border of civilisation. From his window, you look out on the soaring peaks covered in snow that surrounding Quetta, the base of Pakistan's XII Corps. The old garrison city is perched high in the mountains that stretch along the Afghan border, and this is where Riaz is conducting his own fight against a slow, continuing, yet burning insurgency.

A Pakistani soldier stands guard in Quetta while piles of drugs, many trafficked from Afghanistan, are burned. Credit:Arshad Butt

The province of Baluchistan is poor. Its soil is arid and dry; the rains have failed for the past three years. There's no grass around the stunted, bare stalks of roses that stick out of the ground. The night before, I'd spoken to local journalists at the vibrant, chaotic Correspondents' Club. They'd insisted what this barren region needs most is investment and jobs. The next morning, this general agreed, although he placed those needs under a more substantial rubric: a future.

Riaz insists "all war is political". Perhaps because his further education was in Germany (and China), the general quotes military theorist Carl von Clausewitz smoothly. He doesn't appear to place much weight on the so-called "revolution in military affairs" and invention of smarter bombs that was meant to transform war. The general's quick to insist he has no solutions for Afghanistan; the techniques he's implementing on his side of the border wouldn't necessarily be appropriate just a few kilometres to the north. What I glimpse instead, however, is something far more significant. The general has a very firm understanding of the shifting boundary between the military and the political. This is crucial, because such grievances lie at the heart of insurgency.
As the old saying probably goes, those who forget the immediate past are doomed to repeat it exactly 12 months later.

At this exact time last year the leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten, was criticising Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for his inability to control his backbench following a provocative speech by Tony Abbott. If this sounds familiar it's because it's happened with impressive regularity every couple of weeks since September 2015.

But there's something that you might have missed in all the sound and fury. And it is this: there's a good chance that 2017 will close with Peter Dutton as our next prime minister.

Tony Abbott knows it, which is why he's desperately attempting to assert some sort of authority over the Liberal Party with his hilarious five point plan, aka the Do As I Say And Not Literally As I Did Back When I Was In Power God Please Look At Me list.
The leader of the Jewish state was in Australia last week, the first time in the country's 69 years that any serving Israeli prime minister has set foot here.

Overlapping his time in Sydney was a visit by the leader of the world's biggest Muslim-majority state. Even though the distance from Indonesia to Australia at its closest is only a quarter the distance from Sydney to Melbourne, Joko Widodo is just the fourth serving Indonesian leader to visit in the 72-year history of his country.

Jerusalem and Jakarta do not recognise each other diplomatically. The two leaders were in Sydney on the weekend and studiously ignored each other.

Of course, there was a big element of coincidence that both Benjamin Netanyahu and Jokowi, as he's universally known, happened to be here simultaneously. But is there something more going on here? Each visit, each leader, each country had its own specific reasons, but a much bigger agenda is at work.
A suite of changes to Australia's race-hate laws will be proposed when a report on the Racial Discrimination Act is released on Tuesday, but it will be up to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to decide whether the government takes any action.

While the report has yet to be publicly released, Fairfax Media has been told that one of the options for reform will be that the words "offend, insult and humiliate" be removed from section 18C of the act and replaced with the word "harass".

The word "intimidate" would be left in place and the word "vilify" would not be added, as has been previously suggested by some advocating changes to the law.

The proposal is likely to create a fresh political headache for Mr Turnbull, who slipped further behind in a Newspoll on Monday and is under sustained attack from Labor over proposed cuts to Sunday penalty rates.
But on Monday night, Mr Bernardi told the right-wing commentator Andrew Bolt that he would welcome Mr Abbott with open arms into his party.

Mr Bernardi has also taken aim at prominent moderate cabinet minister Christopher Pyne for saying the Coalition is not interested in cutting government spending, asking what hope supporters can have in the Liberal party.

Senator Cory Bernardi says Tony Abbott should defect and join his new conservative party after the former prime minister was castigated by members of his own party for publicly urging the government to adopt a more right-wing agenda.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott: "The federation is dysfunctional and needs to be fixed." Credit:Andrew Meares

"What Tony Abbott said the other day was the truth, we need to cut power bills for people, we need to cut government spending, we need to trim our immigration all of the things he spoke about," Mr Bernardi told Sky News.

"If you're a conservative that thinks governments need to live within their means, and that immigration needs to act within our interest and your electricity bills are too high, I'm saying come to the warm welcoming embrace of the Australian Conservatives, 'cause that's what we believe in...Tony Abbott included."

Mr Abbott urged Mr Bernardi not to quit the Liberal party in December and as a former leader of the Liberal party would be highly unlikely to jump ship.

But he has grown increasingly frustrated with the direction of the government under Malcolm Turnbull's leadership, culminating in a dramatic intervention last week, when he urged the Coalition to adopt policies likely to appeal to Pauline Hanson voters, to stop the government's "drift to defeat."
The Turnbull government has overruled an independent selection panel to appoint the chairwoman of the Minerals Council to the ABC board.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said Vanessa Guthrie has the "requisite skills" to be on the board, despite not making the final list of recommendations put forward by the Nomination Panel for ABC and SBS Board Appointments.

The five-year appointment comes amid heated political debate about the role of fossil fuels and renewable energy in Australia, and follows government criticism of the public broadcaster's coverage of coal mining and energy security.

The Perth-based Dr Guthrie has more than 30 years of experience in the mining and resources industries, holding a variety of senior executive roles at Alcoa, Woodside Energy and Goldfields Limited.
Their war of words has been waged on social media and on Monday, actor Meryl Streep and Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld's feud was fought on the red carpet.

(For the record, Streep won.)

Meryl Streep (with Javier Bardem) wore Elie Saab to the Oscars after cancelling an order for a Chanel couture gown. Credit:Getty Images

Streep and Lagerfeld have been at loggerheads (or Lagerheads?) ever since the pony-tailed, leather-gloved couturier accused the star of The Devil Wears Prada and three-times Oscar winner of demanding payment to wear one of his designs to Hollywood's night of nights.

He claimed Streep turned down the offer to wear Chanel so she could be paid to wear another designer.
A 16-year-old boy who refused to leave a Baraboo residence Monday, and who police said has a history of firearms possession, was taken into custody following a 90-minute standoff with police.

The incident happened in the 600 block of Tenth Street and started at about 9:30 a.m., Baraboo police said.

The woman living at the residence said her juvenile daughter had invited the boy for an overnight stay, and he refused to leave in the morning, prompting the woman and daughter to leave and contact police.

"Upon conducting a background check, he was found to have an active warrant for his arrest," said Police Capt. Rob Sinden. "He also has a history of firearms possession and numerous contacts with police."

Attempts to talk to the boy went unanswered, so police set up a perimeter around the residence and requested a police dog from the Sauk County Sheriff's Office.

"Officers and the K-9 unit entered the residence and later located the male hiding in a pile of clothing," Sinden said.

The police dog also found a bag of marijuana in the residence while searching for the teen.

The area was reopened to traffic at about 11 a.m.
Consideration should be given to providing ice users with equipment such as glass pipes in supervised drug consumption rooms, according to leading drug experts.

Dr Matthew Frei, clinical director of Melbourne's Turning Point, and Dr Alex Wodak, from St Vincent's Hospital's Alcohol and Drug Service, suggest the measure as part of a harm reduction framework.

"Drug consumption rooms have the potential to offer information about harm reduction and treatment, to decrease the risk of overdose and other drug-related morbidity, and to reduce the negative impact on neighbourhood amenity," they write in the online Medical Journal of Australia.

Australian governments, however, are spending much more money on law enforcement than treatment and prevention, ignoring the advice of doctors, police and drug treatment experts, they said.
Gordon Wood paused, took a deep breath, and remembered saying goodbye to his girlfriend Caroline Byrne as her body lay in the morgue.

"A counsellor invited me to go into the into the room, so that I could say goodbye to Caroline," Mr Wood said, his British accent cracking and trembling.

Gordon Wood outside the NSW Supreme Court in February. Credit:Daniel Munoz

"She lay in a blue body bag and it had white trimming on it.

"[The counsellor] removed Caroline's hand from the bag and allowed me to hold her hand and say goodbye, which I did my best to do but I didn't feel comfortable doing it in front of the lady."
Debt collector and undischarged bankrupt Adam Kazal has been jailed for criminal contempt after a judge found he "deliberately and very publicly" defied court orders.

Although Kazal's Twitter account claims that "revenge is sweet and not fattening" his pursuit of vengeance against a former business partner has seen him imprisoned for 18 months. Justice Steven Rares of the Federal Court found that Kazal, 50, had deliberately flouted court orders that ordered him to stop making defamatory comments about businessman Rodric David, who was once a business partner of the Kazal family.

Debt collector Adam Kazal has been imprisoned for 18 months.

For years the Kazal family has been waging a war of words against Mr David, son of grocery tycoon John David, over a soured business deal with the Kazal family who have substantial business interests in the Rocks.

Late last year Adam Kazal organised for a fleet of vans to drive around Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs. The vans were emblazoned with allegations that Mr David was a "corporate thief" who had stolen $180 million from the Kazal family.
Dozens of witnesses will be required to give evidence in the committal hearing for a Gold Coast father and son accused of masterminding a multi-million dollar investment scam.

Jack and John Doumani will face a commital hearing starting on March 6 on multiple counts of fraud with police alleging the pair ran a "boiler room" cold call investment scam operation.

It's alleged the scam fleeced approximately $60 million from victims over a six- year period.

Jack Doumani has also been charged with operating an illegal bookmaking operation.
Becoming a parent is life-changing.

For Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann, becoming a father has been such a life-changing experience that his new comedy show is based around it.

"It's basically a daddy blog," said Lehmann, whose son is just seven months old.

New Zealand comedian Cal Wilson said her seven-year-old son always crept into her comedy material.
The mother of slain Gold Coast woman Tara Brown could not look at her daughter's killer as she told a packed Brisbane courtroom how her granddaughter still sobbed tears of "heartache and sadness" for her mother, more than a year after the loved woman's brutal death.

Lionel Patea pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday for the murder of his former partner Tara Brown on the Gold Coast in September 2015.

The 24-year-old woman was savagely attacked with a 7.8 kilogram metal fire hydrant cover as she lay trapped in her car after being run off the road by Patea on a Gold Coast suburban street.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her.
An amateur BMX rider blackmailed children to perform sexual acts online, threatening to take his own life and to publish sexual photos so their families would see them.

Fabian Meharry, 28, who is well known in the Echuca BMX scene, has pleaded guilty to 62 child sexual crimes against 22 victims. The victims were aged between 11 and 17.

Fabian Meharry pleaded guilty to child sex crimes. Credit:Instagram

This includes persistent sexual abuse of a child under 16, producing, publishing and possessing child pornography, grooming children using a carriage service, and sexual penetration of a child under 16. He was initially charged with more than 100 child sexual crimes, but it is understood many have since been wound up into charges representative of his conduct between December 2006 and August 2015.

Meharry, a registered sex offender, appeared in the County Court in Melbourne for a pre-sentence hearing on Monday.
Hotbeds of criminal activity were targeted in a four-night police operation in Melbourne's western suburbs, with police charging 57 people, searching thousands of cars and uncovering weapons, including guns and samurai swords.

Labelled Operation Artsop, detectives and uniform police from the Brimbank area, which includes Keilor, St Albans, Sunshine West and Derrimut, conducted high visibility and covert patrols to "reduce crime and deter offenders", a police statement said.

Hotbeds of criminal activity were targeted in a four-night police operation in Melbourne's western suburbs. Credit:Rohan Thomson

More than 2000 vehicles were searched, 57 people charged and stolen property uncovered during the operation, which focused on car thefts, robberies, burglaries and thefts from cars.

The operation began on Thursday night and concluded early Monday morning.
Embattled Labor MP Don Nardella will walk away with a taxpayer-funded golden handshake worth more than $100,000 a year when he decides to leave Parliament.

Mr Nardella has refused to apologise or pay back more than $110,000 he claimed for living in Ocean Grove while representing the outer suburban electorate of Melton.

His critics on Monday pointed out that despite serving in Parliament for 25 years, Mr Nardella has never been a minister.

His role as deputy speaker in the Parliament gave him a salary of more than $177,000.
FITCHBURG  Judy Patenaude, whose work was chosen by the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission for its 2016 art poster, visited Stoner Prairie Elementary School last week to teach fifth-graders her unusual painting technique.

Patenaude, who worked for 30 years as a graphic designer and illustrator at the Wisconsin Historical Society and co-founded the Mount Horeb Area Arts Council, began experimenting with alcohol ink on Yupo paper, a waterproof synthetic paper, in 2015.

The inks bleed on the very smooth paper and the result looks similar to watercolor painting, which had been Patenaudes focus. Unlike watercolor, the alcohol inks sit on top of the paper, which produces very intense colors.

This process is pretty cool, said fifth-grader Yash Kumar. The colors I am using are dark red and dark blue because those are my top two favorites, and theyre blending pretty well.

Yash said this was his favorite art project this year because it was easy to achieve the desired results, which he has found difficult using other materials.

I like that we take a break from our real art and try this out, fifth-grader Ryan Schmidt said.

Stoner Prairie art teacher Tina Christenson said an important aspect of the project was that every student could be included no matter his or her ability level.

Christenson, who is in her first year as the art teacher at Stoner Prairie in the Verona School District, said she is always looking for guest artists. Earlier this year, a watercolor artist visited another class. When she had taught in Mayville, Christenson created a program to bring in artists and got a grant to have an artist work with students to create a mural.

It is important for students to be exposed to different art techniques that arent always shown in the classroom, Christenson said. It is important to see adults that are pursuing their passion or adults that are professional artists.

Christensen said she also believes in collaboration with community members and learning from each other.

The kids just got really into everything I brought, said Patenaude, who visited another fifth-grade art class earlier this school year.

Since they are using their own time, its really special that they come in, fifth-grader Carter Burton said about visiting artists. Theyre letting us use their supplies so we kind of have to be careful.

The work chosen for the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission for its 2016 art poster is Patenaudes Hide N Seek 1, an alcohol inks representation of waterfowl and seasonal color found along Lake Monona, the Yahara River and Nine Springs Creek.
Five people allegedly involved in a high-level Vietnamese drug syndicate - including a man accused of shooting at police during a drug raid in St Albans - have been charged overnight in an out-of-sessions bail hearing.

Nghi Le, 33, of St Albans was charged with 29 offences, including three counts of attempted murder , assaulting police, possessing an unregistered firearm and trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs.

Mr Le and four others - Loan Thi Kim Lo, a 27-year-old Maribyrnong woman; Twan Van Pham, a 26-year-old Melbourne man; Terry Trinh Ostojic, 55 of Cairnlea; and Daniele Marchei, a 28-year-old Italian national living in the Melbourne CBD - were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs and trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs.

All five were remanded in custody to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
A gunman is believed to be on the run after an apparent exchange of fire with heavily-armed police who were attempting to raid a house in St Albans, in Melbourne's west, early on Monday morning.

A police spokeswoman said she believed that officers had been fired upon about 6am and returned fire, before retreating from the property and establishing a cordon

The Levenia Street property was being raided as part of an investigation into drug manufacturing.

When police forced their way inside about four hours later, the house was empty.
It began with teasing in grade six. Students spread rumours that her mother was a junkie. They made fun of her body. This went on for more than a year. By the time she was in secondary school, she was responding with her fists. "I would get bullied, then I became the bully." Brittany takes a deep breath as she recounts her last day at Rosehill Secondary College. The night before, she was warned to expect trouble at school. The older brother of a classmate was planning on beating her up. Brittany hid a knife in the sleeve of her school jumper but teachers were tipped off and confiscated the weapon. The school moved quickly to expel her, but her sister moved quicker, pulling Brittany out.

She enrolled at St Joseph's Flexible Learning Centre, an alternative Catholic school, which is designed to take on disengaged students with complex social and behavioural problems. Brittany's teachers insist she has turned a corner and are now advocating for her re-entry into mainstream schools. She is now improving her literacy and numeracy skills and learning how to regulate her emotions. When a situation bothers her, she talks to a teacher or walks away. But schools tell Brittany they are full, or that she is not in their zone. Others are more direct  they say they don't want her because of her violent history. She has even been turned away from her local school in Melbourne's west, which by law must accept her. Experts say that state schools receive inadequate funding  sometimes none  to re-enrol challenging students, who often need extra academic and behavioural support.

Former Premier Steve Bracks flagged the issue in his school funding review, saying schools faced a "funding disincentive" when re-enrolling disengaged students. He recommended a new fund to keep disengaged students at school and extending late enrolment funding for all early school leavers who are reintegrated into school. Emma King, chief executive of the Victorian Council of Social Service, has heard of schools refusing to engage with "difficult" students after enrolment census dates, when funding calculations are made. "Kids shouldn't be punished or excluded because they might need a little extra help or might drag down a test average," she says. The acting principal of St Joseph's North Melbourne campus, Bethany Johnson, says Brittany's experience is not unique.

Long delays are common. "It can be deflating to wait so long  the students just give up." The Education Department says it works "closely with schools and families to ensure enrolment guidelines are applied properly, fairly and transparently". Last year, the Andrews government launched its "Navigator" program, which has already helped more than 159 disengaged Victorians re-engage with school. It has also invested $40 million in two programs for early school leavers who enrol in VCAL at training organisations or training at TAFE and Learn Local organisations. Families can appeal a school's enrolment decision, a department spokesman said.

However, the Victorian Ombudsman is investigating complaints that families are struggling to appeal expulsions and find alternative enrolments for their children. The watchdog is also investigating a 27 per cent spike in expulsions at state schools, and whether vulnerable students are over-represented. Australian Catholic University senior lecturer Jonathon Sargeant said schools are pressured to expel misbehaving students to protect their brand. "There is ... pressure on schools to show performance in terms of academic results," he said. "If the students don't fit that profile, there's a view that can impact the reputation of the school. It's a careful balancing act between supporting an individual student and supporting the needs of the wider school community." Brittany's former principal Peter Rouse was forced to make a tough decision when he caught her with the knife. He knew she was having a tough time at home, but bringing the weapon to school put students and staff at risk.

Brittany wrote a letter begging Mr Rouse to re-enrol her. When she received no reply, she showed up at school and vandalised cars. The episode spun out of control and Brittany punched Mr Rouse in the chest. The school was placed in lockdown. Mr Rouse says his school does its best to support all students, but mainstream schools are generally not equipped to support students like Brittany, who receive better support in flexible or alternative schools. "They need a lot more individual attention than big schools like ours can give them."
Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle could secure a voting majority at Town Hall and a small business owner lose his seat, following an order to recount almost 74,000 votes cast in the municipal election.

There has been debate about how to fill an 11th spot on the council after An Indigenous Voice candidate Brooke Wandin was forced to resign just days after the election when it was revealed she did not live within the City of Melbourne.

Lord mayor Robert Doyle: "We cannot afford to delay renewal of the market." Credit:Eddie Jim

On Monday, Justice Greg Garde declared Ms Wandin not duly elected and ordered a recount.

Ms Wandin was on a ticket with former executive director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Nic Frances Gilley.
The University of Melbourne's prestigious Queen's College council has rebuked one of its former leaders for helping set up The Family, saying it "strongly deplores" Dr Raynor Johnson's seminal role in the notorious cult.

Dr Johnson was an eminent British physicist from Leeds who moved to Melbourne and became master of Queen's College in 1934.

Dr Raynor Johnson has been criticised by his former college for his role in The Family.

But in 1962, aged 61, he met Anne Hamilton-Byrne, a yoga teacher who would soon, with his help, start The Family.

In one of Victoria's darkest child abuse episodes, the cult imprisoned, mistreated and starved 14 children at Lake Eildon until 1987 when they were freed by police.
The family of a young woman who received death threats in the wake of her murder say they have been left shocked at how police responded when they reported finding a bullet in their shop.

Tarang Chawla, whose 23-year-old sister Nikita was killed two years ago by her jealous husband, said his father found a bullet inside a washing machine at his dry cleaning shop on Sunday night and immediately reported it to Moorabbin police.

Nikita Chawla's parents, Umesh and Sunila, and her brother, Tarang. Credit:Penny Stephens

But according to Mr Chawla, his father was told by an officer that he was unable to pick up the bullet until "next week" because he was on night shift.

"This is a bullet, not a frisbee," said Mr Chawla, who now advocates for family violence survivors.
In accessories, heavy metalware, a la Scarlett Johansson's belt or Karlie Kloss's choker, was a popular choice, while rubies made a surprising comeback in the jewel stakes. Read more here

3. Victorian MPs will no longer be trusted to make entitlements claims without proof, as the Andrews government moves to end the "honesty" system for politicians' perks. Reeling from revelations in Fairfax Media that Speaker Telmo Languiller and his deputy Don Nardella claimed tens of thousands of dollars to live by the beach instead of in their western suburbs electorates, the Andrews government is considering an independent adviser to oversee claims. Read more here Melbourne has dozens of high-rises ideal for vertical extensions. Credit:Wayne Taylor

4. Can you build an extension on a skyscraper? The answer, somewhat surprisingly, is 'yes'. Developers can now add many extra levels to the rooftop of existing high-rise buildings due to advances in technology. Take Melbourne's 120 Collins Street skyscraper. It holds the crown as the city's second-tallest building, at 265 metres. But it could be sturdy enough to support around an extra 10 extra storeys in the future. Read more here

Dean Snow says he was encouraged to do VCAL instead of VCE because his school thought his grades were too poor. He thinks they were trying to protect their academic reputation. Credit:Wayne Taylor 5. Dean Snow dreamed of going to university  his private school had other plans. "They thought I might become a tradie," he says. "That's how they saw me." At the end of year 10, the teenager was called into a meeting where his teachers encouraged him to do the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning  a vocational alternative to the VCE. "My school has a pretty good reputation," he says now. "They would look at a student like myself with poor grades and not want me to tarnish their reputation."

Read more here 6. Grey, industrial and choked with cars and trucks, Spencer Street in West Melbourne would be few people's idea of a pleasant place to stroll or spend time.

The City of Melbourne wants to change that, and has proposed to transform the grimy thoroughfare into West Melbourne's "high street", a retail strip with shops, bars, cafes, bike lanes, wider footpaths and even a tram service up the median in the long term. West Melbourne might be the inner city's least liveable suburb. But the area's character is experiencing rapid change as industry moves out and apartment dwellers move in. Read more here

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) Credit:Manuel Balce Ceneta 7. ANALYSIS Paul McGeough Key Republicans, including Trump allies, are talking up the gravity of the US President's Russia crisis amidst signs of heightened paranoia at the White House. Trump keeps blaming Democrats for breathing life into the Russia affair  he tweeted another lash at them on Sunday. But it was a procession of his allies and others in the GOP who added to an air of foreboding on the weekend, undermining a fraught administration campaign to make the mess go away. But first, to the leaks about stopping leaks from the Trump White House.

Fearless in the face of what some have described as expletive-laden attacks on them by press secretary Sean Spicer, White House staffers dutifully lined up to give Politico magazine unattributed accounts of Spicer's latest crackdown. Read more here

8. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has laid the blame for the government's drop in the polls squarely at the feet of Tony Abbott, describing the former leader's "outburst" last week as a calculated and deliberate attack to undermine confidence in the Coalition. The Turnbull government is now trailing Labor 55-45 on a two-party preferred basis, with its primary vote slipping to 34 per cent and One Nation's rising to 10 per cent, according to the latest Newspoll. The polling was conducted amid the furore triggered by Mr Abbott's criticisms of his successor's government. Mr Turnbull was direct in apportioning the blame on Monday: "A poll is a snapshot of opinion at one particular time. The election is two years away and what we saw was an outburst on Thursday and it had its desired impact on the Newspoll, it was exactly as predicted and calculated." Read more here

Kelly Slater 9. Surfing great Kelly Slater has called for a "serious" shark cull in the waters off the island of Reunion, after a surfer was killed in the area last week, bringing the number of attacks to 20 since 2011. The 11-time world champion posted to his Instagram account, saying there was a "clear imbalance happening in the ocean there" and the French government "needs to figure this out ASAP". Read more here
Bella Jade Lawrence was just three years old when her life was cut short by a man she trusted.

Bella was a vibrant little girl. She loved princesses, dolls and tea parties with her brothers.

Anjie Roberts with her daughter Bella.

She rarely wore anything that wasn't pink or princess related.

Last week, at the Supreme Court in Melbourne, Bella's killer, Horsham man Harley David Woodford, 22, pleaded guilty to child homicide and was sentenced to 9 years in jail.
A wine expert who pilfered up to $300,000 worth of stock from Melbourne wholesaler CellarHand will avoid a police investigation after agreeing to an extraordinary deal with his former employer and friend.

Lak Quach, 40, a former sommelier, vintner and reviewer for the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion, has admitted to stealing hundreds of bottles of fine wine from CellarHand since he was employed as a specialist buyer in 2011.

Lak Quach has admitted to stealing hundreds of bottles of fine wine from CellarHand. Credit:Dominic O'Brien

On Monday, the owners of Richmond-based CellarHand, Patrick and Virginia Walsh, said: "We were extremely upset, devastated in fact, to recently discover that Lak had engaged in widespread, significant and serious misconduct for the duration of his employment with CellarHand  activities to which he has admitted.

"Our investigations have confirmed that Lak's actions were confined to CellarHand's stock and did not impact upon the orders or stock of our clients. Lak is no longer an employee of CellarHand and will have no further connection with our business, or anyone connected to our business."
CSIRO field staff taking colour data on the Burrup Peninsula, as published in a CSIRO report. Credit:CSIRO The Senate environment committee also heard from a former CSIRO deputy divisional chief that the world's largest collection of rock art "will be destroyed" by current levels of acid emissions. Successive governments, federal and state, have failed to have the Burrup Peninsula rock art listed as a World Heritage Site, despite claims that this was their intention. A trail of correspondence and public statements from Labor and Liberal politicians expressed commitments to list the area on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Mr Barnett has repeatedly referred to the rock art as having "world significance". In 2006 he said it was "absolutely inevitable" that the Burrup rock art would get World Heritage listing.

In August last year he tweeted a video saying the site would become World Heritage listed at some stage. There are some concerns World Heritage listing will be used to open the north of the Burrup to tourism, which could put further pressure on the artwork and the role of the traditional custodians. Greens MP Robin Chapple said the Barnett government was making an election promise they might not be able to implement. "Barnett had his opportunity to nominate in 2015 and deliberately didn't do it when invited by the Federal government to do so," he told WAtoday. "Queensland and Victoria did.

"It is unfortunate that he has waited this long to do so, given I first nominated the place in 2003 and was met with overwhelming opposition from both sides of politics. "Mr Barnett was given an opportunity to nominate it again just 12 months ago; that he is doing so now just smacks of political opportunism." Former Greens leader Christine Milne has been campaigning for World Heritage listing on behalf of the Bob Brown Foundation.



"We want UNESCO protection because it is one of the world's truly great cultural sites. However, we should be under no illusion that on its own it will fully protect the rock art," she said.



"We are concerned that opening the northern Burrup to tourism will put further pressure on the site. "There needs to be full consultation with the local Aboriginal community."



Ms Milne said that without reducing industry on the Burrup, the rock art will continue to be threatened with destruction.



"It is essential that industrial development is scaled down. "Yara's ammonium nitrate plant should be moved to the Maitland industrial estate."

Back in 2009, Mr Barnett was labelled a "hypocrite" by the Greens after he said ancient Aboriginal rock art and industry could co-exist on the Burrup Peninsula. At the time the Premier released the final reports from the Burrup Rock Art Monitoring Management Committee, a body set up in 2002 to study whether industrial emissions were affecting the 30,000-year-old rock engravings. The reports found there were low concentrations of various air pollutants, with a "moderate increase" in concentrations at sites close to industrial developments. Mr Barnett said the reports showed that the rock art was not being affected by industrial emissions. "The conclusion of four years of exhaustive studies... shows that this rock art can co-exist with industry," he said.

However, the author of the original report on which those findings were based on said that the CSIRO was "just plain wrong" to use his findings to set acid load recommendations on the Burrup. Last week Woodside said it wanted to use its "Burrup hub" to handle undeveloped offshore gas fields, which would further increase industry on the peninsula. This year, Yara Pilbara and Orica Australia expect to start production at its $700 million ammonium nitrate facility, which is less than a kilometre from the nearest rock art petroglyphs. According to Yara Pilbara's environmental compliance assessment reports, the plant will annually produce 135 tonnes of nitrogen oxides, 164 tonnes of nitrous oxide, 41 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 18 tonnes of methane, 20 tonnes of ammonia and 25.2 tonnes of dust-sized ammonium nitrate particles. Many of these emissions would increase acid load onto the surrounding rock art. Loading
The state watchdog commission that has brought ethics complaints against three members of the state Supreme Courts conservative majority is standing up to Republican Gov. Scott Walkers plan to place it under the courts budgetary and administrative control.

Walker defended the move as a way of making the Wisconsin Judicial Commission more efficient in carrying out its responsibilities of investigating complaints against state judges, including Supreme Court justices.

But the commission says placing it under the state Supreme Courts control would create both the appearance of impropriety and real conflicts of interest both for commission members and the court.

The commission was created by the Legislature nearly 40 years ago as an independent body to conduct unbiased investigations of judges.

Its roughly $300,000 budget and authority for two employees come directly from the Legislature. Walker proposed changing that in the 2017-19 budget he submitted this month to lawmakers.

The nine-member Judicial Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 15 to oppose the change. Five of the commissions members were appointed by Walker. The other four were appointed by the state Supreme Court.

The proposed budget degrades the independence of the Judicial Commission by transferring the budgeting and position authority over the Commission from the legislature to the Supreme Court, commission executive director Jeremiah Van Hecke said in a Feb. 20 letter to the director of the state court system.

The governors budget proposal doesnt claim the move would save money, but he said it would create administrative efficiencies. Van Hecke said it wouldnt create any such efficiencies.

Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said Friday the change would make more resources available to the commission, but he didnt respond when asked for examples. Evenson said the commissions independence would be protected because its responsibilities are defined in state law.

The (commission) budget request would be made by the Supreme Court, but as I said, the budget is still set by the governor and the legislature, Evenson wrote in an email.

But critics said change would raise questions about whether the commission was truly independent of the Supreme Court, and whether the courts administration of the commission was being handled in an unbiased way.

Van Hecke said public confidence in the courts would be undermined by the appearance of impropriety and the creation of conflicts of interest for the commission and the court.

The Judicial Commission considers 400 to 500 complaints against state and municipal judges and court commissioners each year. If the commission investigates and finds probable cause of misconduct, it can issue a warning or caution to the judge, or it can seek disciplinary action before a three-judge panel. The Supreme Court ultimately decides whether or not to reprimand, censure, suspend or remove a judge from office.

In the past 10 years, the Judicial Commission has alleged misconduct against three Supreme Court justices. The court approved disciplinary action in only one of the cases.

In 2007 the court reprimanded newly elected Justice Annette Ziegler for serious and significant misconduct because she failed to avoid conflicts of interest when she was a Washington County circuit judge. Ziegler presided over nearly a dozen cases involving West Bend Savings Bank when her husband was a bank board member.

In 2010 the court deadlocked 3-3 on whether Justice Michael Gableman violated the judicial code of conduct by running a potentially misleading and race-baiting campaign ad on his way to being elected in 2008. Gableman recused himself. The other three conservative justices said the ad was distasteful, but objectively true and protected by the First Amendment.

In 2012 the court never acted on allegations that Justice David Prosser placed his hands on the neck of Justice Ann Walsh Bradley during a heated argument. Six of the seven justices were present when the incident occurred, and Prosser formally called on them to recuse themselves because they were witnesses. Prossers three conservative allies on the court joined him in withdrawing, and the court couldnt act without a quorum of four justices participating.

Walkers spokesman said the disciplinary cases brought against the three justices played no role in his decision to propose the change for the Judicial Commission.

2015 proposal rejected

Walker made the same Judicial Commission proposal in 2015, and it was rejected by the Legislature.

At that time, Ziegler told a newspaper she opposed the change.

Im not convinced the Supreme Court budget is the best place for the commission, with all due respect to the governor, Ziegler told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2015. It looks like the commission is under our authority and control when frankly it shouldnt be.

Last week, Ziegler and Chief Justice Patience Roggensack declined to comment, saying the court was still reviewing Walkers proposal, said court spokesman Tom Sheehan.

Sen. Lena Taylor, a Milwaukee Democrat on the Legislatures budget committee, said diluting the independence of the Judicial Commission would only serve to make the judiciary less transparent and less accountable to voters.

Its kind of like turning the watchdog into a lapdog, Taylor said. When we want justice to be blind, when we want justice to be fair, (this) leaves an impression of a lack of accountability.

The commission is authorized to investigate allegations that judges improperly communicated with one side in a case and not the other, as well as conflicts of interest, displays of injudicious temperament, persistent neglect of duties, racist or sexist remarks, prohibited political or campaign conduct, abuse of power, acceptance of gifts from litigants or lawyers, and serious personal misconduct, according to the commissions annual report.
A West Australian Liberal candidate has been caught out using an alias to call into talkback radio to criticise WA Labor leader Mark McGowan about his debt reduction plan.

'John from Collie', who said he was "just a person on the street", rang into ABC South West on Monday morning to quiz Mr McGowan, who was taking live questions at the time.

But producers soon recognised the voice on the other end of the line as Manjimup shire president and Liberal upper house candidate for the South West, Wade De Campo.

"John, um... Mr McGowan, I'm really concerned, I'm a resident of Collie," he began, nearly blowing his cover by tripping over his own alias.
Beijing: The United States needs to stop getting pushed around by China and work out a long-term strategy to deal with the country's rise, former US ambassador Max Baucus said last week.

In an interview more than five weeks after leaving Beijing, Mr Baucus expressed frustration with the Obama administration's lack of strategic vision and its weakness when it came to China. But he also accused US President Donald Trump of blundering around without even a basic understanding of the country.

China, Mr Baucus said, has a long-term strategic vision to build up its economic might and global influence. The US, by contrast, often appears distracted by problems in the Middle East.

"The Washington foreign policy establishment tends to put China on another shelf, to deal with it later," he said. "We're much too ad hoc. We don't seem to have a long-term strategy, and that's very much to our disadvantage."
Former Republican US president George W Bush diverged sharply from Donald Trump's new administration, saying he supported a welcoming immigration policy and praising the media as "indispensable to democracy."

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC's Today show on Tuesday AEDT, Bush also said he did not know if a special prosecutors was needed to investigate contacts between Trump associates and Russia but added, "We all need answers."

Bush, in some of his first televised comments since Trump took office on January 20, was asked if he had seen signs that Trump was trying to close the rift in the US electorate after his divisive campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. He acknowledged that his own presidency from 2001 to 2009 began after a contentious election but that it was "hard to compare times."

He said that Trump is still in the early stage of his presidency and that Americans have "got to take the man at his word."
In a film industry often criticised for exploiting a fear of Muslims, Mahershala Ali received a standing ovation as he achieved a historic feat 20 minutes into the Academy Awards ceremony, becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.

His supporting actor win for Moonlight, the story of a young black man coming to terms with his sexuality, drew praise from the Muslim American community on Twitter, and it could not have been more timely.

Mahershala Ali won for his role in Best Picture winner Moonlight. Credit:AP

President Donald Trump's order banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority nations resonated at the award ceremony, having prompted Iranian director Asghar Farhadi to opt out of attending. Farhadi's film, The Salesman, won the Oscar for best foreign language film.

But in Ali's acceptance speech, and in words spoken afterward, his reaction to his historic achievement was understated and subtle. He made no mention of his religion in his speech, but thanked his wife - who had given birth to their daughter four days earlier and who shares his Muslim faith.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten has moved one step closer to realizing preclearance at our SXM Airport, Prime Minister William Marlin announced following the first round of meetings between the government of Sint Maarten and negotiators of the CBP Customs and Border Protection and the TSA Transportation and Security Administration.

Marlin, who led the Sint Maarten delegation said he was very pleased with the meetings and is anxiously looking forward to the completion of the process.

The benefits for Sint Maarten are many and creates new opportunities for an increase in passenger movements at our airport.

The first meeting was held on Wednesday, February 15 and the team presented, Prime Minister Marlin and Minister of Justice, Rafael Boasman and their delegation with an overview of the preclearance program and the expansion process.

The first round of negotiations started the following day when the preclearance bilateral agreement was presented and discussed. The CBP presented an in debt overview of the topics covered in the CBP Bilateral Agreement while in the afternoon session there was a discussion with the TSA of corresponding MOC and key topics.

On Friday the discussions continued with the SXM Airport team.

The Prime Minister said that the first agreement that has to be signed off on to make preclearance a reality is an agreement, a treaty between the US Government and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of Sint Maarten.

Marlin will discuss this with the Kingdom Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bert Koenders when they meet on Tuesday and Wednesday in Aruba this week.

The first draft agreement has been received by the Sint Maarten government this week and Marlin said a special preclearance team will review the draft agreement and advise the government on the way forward. The government will be sending its comments in writing as soon as the team completes its review and submits its advice.

Preclearance makes it possible for travelers to the USA to clear Immigration and Customs, Public Health, and Department of Agriculture inspections right here at SXM Airport before boarding their flight.

This will enable passengers to make faster and easier connections when arriving in the United States as they would no longer have to go through Customs and Immigration.

The members of the DHS delegation included Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Mark Koumans, Principle Negotiator on behalf of CBP, Regional Director, Miss. Mariely Loperena  Principle Negotiator on behalf of TSA, Mr. Scott Atack  Policy Advisor for CPB and Mr. Cleatus Hunt Jr.  Preclearance Operations Advisor.

Prime Minister Marlin and Minister Boasman were supported by several civil servants including the Secretaries General to the Council of Ministers, and of the Ministries of General Affairs, Justice, and Justice. The Chief of Police, representatives of the Civil Aviation Department and management of SXM Airport as well as the chairman of the airport Holding and Operating Companies.
CASTRIES:--- The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), will host its annual Corporate Communications, Human Resource and Customer Service Conference at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort and Spa from 10th to 14th March 2017, in Sint Maarten. For the second consecutive year, the Conference will be co-hosted with Utility member NV GEBE, whose CEO Mr. Kenrick Chittick has registered a number of his employees as part of the utilitys capacity building strategy for employees. The conference is being sponsored by silver sponsors The Training Professionals International Firm (TPI), located in Sint Maarten and Northwest Linesman College located in Idaho, United States of America.

Prior to the Conference CARILEC is scheduled to host a Pre-Conference Workshop: Aligning Culture and Strategy from March 10th-11th. The workshop will be facilitated by Richard Dick, Principal Consultant and CEO of Development Consulting Center, a firm he founded in 1997 that focuses on Organizational Development.

The Conference will feature Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson as the keynote speaker. Thompson is a former Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate in Barbados. She has also served as an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), a consultant on the SDGs and as a Senior Advisor to the UN Secretary Generals global energy initiative entitled Sustainable Energy for All. An attorney-at-law with LLB, LLM, and MBA degrees, Thompson has co- authored and authored numerous publications, including From Rio+20 to a new Development Agenda, The Plain Language Guide to Rio+20 and a motivational book Make Yourself Happy. She currently serves as the Executive Director Designate of the SUNY-UWI Centre for Leadership and Sustainable Development in New York.

Thompson and other regionally recognized speakers will address this years Conference theme Accountability. Transparency. Customer Experience. They will share their experience and expertise on a range of topics which include: Change Management: A Deeper Look; Implementing HR Best Practices for Talent to Thrive; Delivering Excellence Through Collaboration: 6 Strategies/6 Behaviours; Leadership Series: How to Advocate for Change; and HR: A Change Agent in Mergers and Acquisition. The Conference will emphasize leading innovation, creativity, and best practice and will provide an opportunity for professionals working in all facets of human resources, communications, marketing, brand management and customer experience to share insights and network with the leading minds in these fields.

To register or learn more about the CARILEC 2017 Conference for Corporate Communications, Human Resource and Customer Service explore our website www.carilec.org, follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/carilecpower or like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carilecpower.

For more information contact: Alana T. Mathurin, Manager, Marketing and Member Services,

Phone: 758 4520 141/0 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Kidz at Sea Foundation will be again participating with 2 teams made up of youth from the Milton Peters College (MPC), Sundial School and Charlotte Brookson Academy. The youth will be racing on MoonDance, a 36ft Catalina and Purple Heart, the boat which was built by MPC students last year and got a 6th place in their class after having never been raced before. The past weeks have been spent training for the Regatta, including basic boat handling skills. Besides sailing, the Kidz at Sea Foundation has a number of activities going on this coming week made possible by a number of sponsors.

Together with international sponsor Essilor, the world leader in corrective lenses, Kidz At Sea Foundation is examining the eyes of all youngsters that are enrolled in the Kidz At Sea program, which includes children from the I Can Foundation and Ujima Foundation. Prescription glasses are donated to those who are in need, which should impact their performance in school. In addition, Essilor will be visiting the White & Yellow Cross to examine the eyes of their patients, following up with some of the severe cases that were detected last year and visit the local youngsters in Anguilla, including those of the sailing program to broaden their impact on the islands.

Founder of Kidz At Sea, Garth Steyn, explains the importance of their cooperation with Essilor. St Maarten has limited equipment, eye doctors and eye care available. Whatever is available comes at a high cost and is not covered by insurance. As a result, eye problems are often not discovered until the eyes are already seriously affected. By catching poor vision and irregularities early, serious damage can often be prevented. Obviously, we also want to raise awareness about the damage the sun can do to ones eyes, especially when being on the water sailing. Proper sun protection is a must, which is what Essilor provides for the youth enrolled in the Kidz At Sea Program.

This year Kidz at Sea has partnered up with several local businesses to organize a raffle to raise funds for its programs. Tickets are for sale during the Thursday and Saturday Regatta Parties. Kidz At Sea Administrator Michele Korteweg mentions We will have a booth where people can get information about our Foundation, but also about the work Essilor is doing on the island as well as worldwide. To add some fun, we have included a photo booth where sailors & partygoers can take fun photos to take home with them. Prizes have been kindly donated by a variety of local businesses. The first prize is a dinghy, donated by Budget Marine, this is a new brand they are carrying called Carib Marine, 2nd place is a weekend stay at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort and 3rd place are 2 VIP Tickets for the Sunday Regatta Party, Essilor is also contributing high-end brand sunglasses. We cant thank the local community enough for their support. Raffle tickets are sold at $5 per ticket or $20 for 5 tickets.

We would like to show that the St Maarten Heineken Regatta is more than just a sailing event, it has become a platform for organizations to work together with benefits going way beyond the marine industry. In our case, the Kidz at Sea Foundation brought in Essilor USA, who is willing to, not only support our Foundation but also the wider St Maarten community Steyn adds.

The Kidz At Sea Foundation was started in 2012 with the goal to introduce St. Maarten youth to all prospects of the marine industry by means of boat building and sailing. Furthermore, the two programs teach the students specific industry related skills and encourage personal development, giving them an advantage when applying for a job.

The Essilor Vision Foundation is committed to eliminating poor vision and its lifelong consequences, and to providing underprivileged people the opportunity to live a better life through better sight. Since 2008 the Essilor Vision Foundation has provided more than 690,000 screenings to individuals in need with the help of many partners.

Essilor is the world leader in corrective lenses. The success of the group, which is present in more than 100 countries, is the result of a strategy that has been driven by innovation for more than 160 years. From design to manufacturing, the group develops a wide range of lenses to correct and protect eyesight. Its mission is to "improve lives by improving sight" of everyone in the world to see well using lenses tailored to their needs. The group, therefore, devotes more than 150 million euros a year on research and innovation to offer increasingly efficient products.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As the year 2016 closed, the Department of Labor Affairs & Social Services reflected on its trials and triumphs. Declared the Year of Excellence, 2016 was met with both advancement in products and services as well as many internal changes and other challenges. Great effort was and is being put in place in order to move the department continuously forward. The Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services is an execution branch of government that deals directly with the people of St. Maarten, often times at a low point in their lives (loss of job, medical coverage, etc.). It is, therefore, imperative that the department not only meets the needs of the clients but continuously strive to find solutions to many underlying societal problems.

The sections of the department that most urgently deal with the needs of clients are the Job Placement Unit and the Social Welfare Unit. It is important to find a way for the two sections to work together in the best interest of the clients. With this idea at the forefront, the management team embarked on an initiative to train personnel in international labor standards by taking part in ILO (International Labor Organization) training. Facilitated and coordinated by Section Head of Labor Market, Natasha Richardson, the endeavor had the main objective of strengthening the capacity and knowledge of the Job Placement Unit and support functions related to same. The purpose of the ILO Training Program was to close the gaps on the needs as identified and improve the services offered by the Job Placement Unit, and support services related to same.

The training, which began on Monday 13 February 2017 and ended on Friday 17 February 2017, was met with great enthusiasm by the officers of the job placement and social work units. The training was conducted by two instructors, Mr. Diego Rei (Port of Spain, Trinidad), and Ms. Donna Koeltz (Toronto, Canada). The week-long training focused on the following areas:

 Career Guidance and Counselling

 Skills need anticipation and matching

 Performance Management and Monitoring and Evaluation in relation to public employment services.

Exercises aimed at developing the competence of the responsible officers to offer state of the art services to job seekers within the new reorganized Job Placement Unit (Section Labor Market) and allow the latter to be managed adequately relating to its processes and services were conducted in form of role plays, presentations, and group exercises. During the sessions, the instructors presented useful information on ISCO codes and international labor standards. Information on counseling clients in such a way that essential information is recorded and sound advice is given in a solution-oriented manner was also emphasized. The department was also encouraged to examine its use of resources and to prioritize tasks so that maximum productivity is achieved.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Honorable Emil Lee, lent his support to the training and also added to the conversation by offering an innovatively strategic plan to better facilitate job matching. He comments, "The Department of Labor has a critical function in our community, assisting our people to be placed in good jobs. As the department aspires to be a well-respected and successful institution, I applauded their decision to bring the ILO to assist with training and strategy development. Therefore, as a result of the ILO Training Program, the department is committed to making significant changes that will improve the products and services not only to job seeking clients but business clientele as well. The department will implement changes that are more attractive to business clients while simultaneously providing services that are more beneficial for job seeking clients.

In the upcoming days, the management team will be reevaluating internal job functions and meeting with various team members to discuss a fruitful way forward, including the rebranding of the respective Units. This step is wholeheartedly supported by Minister Lee, who states, True change begins with an openness and receptiveness to new or different ideas. I am delighted to see that the department has the courage to challenge their beliefs and old ways of doing things. I am extremely proud and happy with Department of Labor Affairs initiative and eagerness to innovate.

Consequently, clients and patrons of the relevant sections should be prepared for positive changes in the near future. The ILO instructors will also be checking in periodically in the coming months and will provide one-on-one consultations in an effort to move the department in the right direction. The department welcomes the input and looks forward to working with the ILO representatives, as well as the positive exchange of ideas and solutions received from the Chamber of Unions representatives, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Members of the Labor Tripartite Committee.
MILWAUKEE  Candidates to oversee the states public schools on Monday disagreed on whether Act 10 was good for teachers and schools and whether to spend more money on taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools.

It was the first public forum between state Superintendent Tony Evers and his challenger, Lowell Holtz, a former district superintendent. The meeting came in the wake of two weeks of accusations of lying, election bribery and using public resources to plot campaign strategy leading up to and following the Feb. 21 primary. The general election is April 4.

After Mondays forum hosted by Wispolitics.com at UW-Milwaukee, Evers told reporters that Holtz should be investigated for sending campaign-related emails using a school district email account when Holtz was superintendent of Whitnall School District in suburban Milwaukee.

Holtz said he isnt sure the email violated any state law and if it did, he will own it. He pointed out that Evers paid a fine for a campaign violation in a previous campaign.

Im still not sure that I violated anything. But if I did, I really am the kind of person who is willing to name it, own it and fix it, said Holtz. And I obviously fixed it because Im not working at the school district. I wanted to keep that separation so I could run 100 percent of the time and not worry about that. If the Ethics Commission says it was a problem, which Im not sure theyre going to, then of course whatever the remedy is (Ill accept).

During his 2009 campaign, Evers was fined $250 after he sent an email from his personal email account to a Green Bay education administrator on his work account to assist in planning a fundraiser and increasing turnout.

Holtz suggested the race should focus on issues, not his email use, but Evers said the emails are relevant because integrity matters to voters.

I paid a small fine and learned the lesson on pressing the right button, Evers said. Yeah, I think there should be an investigation. Its clear that I never thought integrity would be an issue in this campaign but its clear its going to be. People in Wisconsin should be concerned that someone in a position that Lowell Holtz was would be using his email to kind of plan and plot strategy.

Impact of Act 10

During the forum, Evers blamed a burgeoning shortage of teachers on the Act 10 collective bargaining law.

I think its made a hell of a big difference, Evers said. We have turned off a generation of people who want to become teachers.

Holtz said it stemmed the tide of layoffs in districts he oversaw.

Up until Act 10 took effect, as a school district superintendent, every single year I had to lay people off. When you lay people off that means class sizes get bigger, resources go down and post-Act 10, I never had to lay a single person off, Holtz said.

The Whitnall School District saved more than $150,000 in district benefit payments in the first year after passage of Act 10, largely in employee retirement costs, according to a 2012 report from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.

Holtz added that fewer state requirements on teachers will lead to fewer teachers driven away from the profession.

According to research released last year by the Public Policy Forum based on U.S. Department of Education data, enrollment in the states teacher preparation programs fell by 28 percent between the 2008-09 school year and the 2013-14 school year. But that drop also reflects a nationwide trend.

Evers acknowledged the 2011 law has saved school districts money by taking money out of teachers pockets.

Evers is largely supported by public school advocates and Democrats while Holtz is running as a conservative choice, appealing to school voucher supporters and opponents of the Common Core State Standards. Holtzs support of Act 10 is a key difference between he and Evers, who was one of about 900,000 people who signed a petition to trigger a recall election for Walker over the law.

On vouchers, DeVos

During the forum, the candidates agreed that the states mandated school year start date of Sept. 1 should be repealed and that the state needs an accountability system that measures public and private voucher schools the same way and requires both kinds of schools to report the same data.

Holtz said he isnt afraid of the competition that the expansion of voucher schools gives public schools, while Evers said he does not support the expansion if its at the expense of public schools.

The two diverged on whether President Donald Trumps pick to lead the U.S. Department of Education, Betsy DeVos, is promising for Wisconsin schools.

Holtz said if Trumps pledge to return more power to state education departments and local school boards holds true with DeVos, who had until recently headed the pro-voucher group American Federation for Children, Holtz would welcome that with open arms.

Meanwhile, Evers said he is concerned DeVos wont use the positions bully pulpit to advocate for public schools as well as private schools.

I think I was more qualified than Betsy DeVos, Evers said.

The candidates also disagreed on whether a provision in Walkers budget proposal should tie $649 million in new funding for schools to whether the district is requiring its teachers to pay at least 12 percent of the districts health insurance costs, which reflects a provision in Act 10.

Holtz supports the idea and Evers opposes it.
HPE to Work with Tata Communications to Build Worlds Largest IoT Network in India to Enhance Resource Utilization

BARCELONA, SPAIN  (Marketwired)  02/27/17  Today at (NYSE: HPE) announced it is working with , a leading provider of A New World of Communications, to support the roll-out of Indias first LoRaWAN (LoRa) based network.

Tata Communications unveiled plans for the LoRa network last year. It is part of Tata Communications long-term strategy of creating mobile platforms and ecosystems that enable its customers and partners to connect people and IoT-connected devices seamlessly on a global scale. The first phase of the roll-out targets Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities in India, touching over 400 million people. Alongside successful field trials in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, there are also 35 proof-of-concept applications in trial on the network.

The association between Tata Communications and HPE paves the way for a new era in enabling devices with embedded connectivity for enterprise customer solutions throughout the country. The project involves connecting devices, applications and other IoT solutions over the LoRa network in smart buildings, campus, utilities, fleet management, security and healthcare services in nearly 2,000 communities, covering over 400 million people, making it the first-of-its-kind initiative in India.

Tata Communications has 15 years of experience in delivering impactful and innovative communications solutions to its customers globally, said Anthony Bartolo, president, Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services, Tata Communications. As part of our commitment to innovation and in driving digital transformation globally, we are creating a cohesive, resilient and highly secure network to deploy IoT applications in India. We are excited to be partnering with HPE in this project as this platform is critical to amalgamating all the complex variables in enabling a truly digital India.

Designed for massive scale, multi-vendor and multi-network support using the interoperability standard, the HPE Universal IoT Platform streamlines interoperability and management of heterogeneous IoT devices and applications that power the intelligent edge. The platform supports long-range, low-power connectivity deployments, as well as devices that use cellular, radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. for the HPE Universal IoT Platform include increased LoRa gateway support, enabling the use of multiple LoRa gateways with a common set of applications to simplify device provisioning and control in heterogeneous LoRa environments.

The sheer size of this project is incredible, bringing new services to millions of people, said David Sliter, vice president and general manager, Communications Solutions Business, HPE. Through our partner centric approach, the HPE Universal IoT platform will enable Tata Communications to build multiple vertical use cases for its IoT network in India on a common platform with a common data model.

Tata Communications has also selected HPE to be an integral part of its global cellular IoT connectivity services. This provides a range of domestic and cross-border IoT connectivity and management services, particularly for applications requiring elements of mobility, such as connected cars, fleet management and transportation services.

HPE is demonstrating a variety of smart city IoT use cases on the HPE Universal IoT Platform at Mobile World Congress.

LoRa is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) specification for wireless battery operated IoT devices, targeting key IoT requirements such as secure bi-directional communication, mobility and localization services. It is being adopted as a standard for connecting LPWAN IoT devices and sensors, complementing other connectivity options such as LTE, Wi-Fi and more. Tata Communications and HPE selected LoRa because of its low power requirements, long range capability, low cost and multiple use opportunities.

HPE is a member of the , an open, non-profit association with the mission of standardizing LPWAN being deployed around the world to enable the IoT, machine-to-machine (M2M) and smart city and industrial applications. Alliance members collaborate to drive the success of the LoRa protocol (LoRaWAN), by sharing knowledge and experience to guarantee interoperability between operators in one open global standard.

For more information on how businesses can leverage the IoT today read the  business white paper.

Tata Communications Limited (CIN no: L64200MH1986PLC039266) along with its subsidiaries (Tata Communications) is a leading global provider of A New World of Communications. With a leadership position in emerging markets, Tata Communications leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers.

The Tata Communications global network includes one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks and a Tier-1 IP network with connectivity to over 240 countries and territories across 400 PoPs, as well as nearly 1 million square feet of data centre and collocation space worldwide.

Tata Communications depth and breadth of reach in emerging markets includes leadership in Indian enterprise data services and leadership in global international voice. Tata Communications Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India.

*TATA COMMUNICATIONS and TATA are trademarks of Tata Sons Limited in certain countries.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an industry leading technology company that enables customers to go further, faster. With the industrys most comprehensive portfolio, spanning the cloud to the data center to workplace applications, our technology and services help customers around the world make IT more efficient, more productive and more secure.

The information included in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Hewlett Packard Enterprise may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the need to address the many challenges facing Hewlett Packard Enterprises businesses; the competitive pressures faced by Hewlett Packard Enterprises businesses; risks associated with executing Hewlett Packard Enterprises strategy; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; the execution and performance of contracts by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and its suppliers, customers and partners; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; and other risks that are described in Hewlett Packard Enterprises filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hewlett Packard Enterprise assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Editorial contact
Think you know cyber security? Think again  worlds most famous hacker comes to IP EXPO Manchester

London, 27 February 2017  IP EXPO Manchester, part of Europes number one enterprise IT event series, today unveiled the worlds most famous hacker, Kevin Mitnick, as this years keynote speaker.

Once one of the FBIs Most Wanted because just for the challenge he hacked into 40 major corporations and the NSA, Mitnick is now a trusted security consultant to the Fortune 500 and governments worldwide. Hell be bringing his unique skill set to educate attendees at IP EXPO Manchester on the biggest challenge to cyber security  people.

Mitnick will be delving into the art of deception, regaling attendees with how hackers use social engineering tactics to use peoples tendency to trust. Hell be using live hacking demonstrations to show how people are the weakest security link in any organisation and how they can be manipulated or influenced into unknowingly helping hackers break into their organisations computers. Attendees will learn how easily they can be an unsuspecting victim who can be manipulated into handing over the keys to the kingdom, if they havent done so already.

Cyber security concerns are at an all-time high for many businesses. Weve seen this reflected across our IP EXPO Event Series and we always have huge demand from attendees for information, expertise and advice on the changing cyber threat landscape. Everyone is trying to find that silver bullet but hackers are often one step ahead, making it increasingly difficult for organisations to keep them out, comments Bradley Maule-ffinch, EMEA Portfolio Director for the IP EXPO Event Series.

He continues, Our mission is to provide our attendees with rare access to the industry leaders and world class experts that are creating and shaping technologies. At this years IP EXPO Manchester well be providing attendees with the opportunity to learn from one of the worlds finest cyber security experts, Kevin Mitnick, which is something not to be missed for anyone who is worried about their cyber security.

Now in its third successful year, IP EXPO Manchester will take place on 26-27 April 2017 at the Manchester Central, Manchester. The technology event provides local organisations with access to an unprecedented group of influential speakers and brands across central themes of Cloud, Cyber Security, Networks and Infrastructure, DevOps, Open Source and a brand new topic combining AI, Analytics and IoT.

For further information and to register free for IP EXPO Manchester 2017, please visit: www.ipexpomanchester.com. Get involved on Twitter using #IPEXPOManchester
Retriever Communications Appoints Tom Gent as Vice President of Business Development

ST. PAUL, MN  (Marketwired)  02/27/17  , a global provider of mobile automation solutions for enterprises in the industrial space, today announced Tom Gent has joined the company as the Vice President of Business Development.

An industry veteran, Gent has more than 20 years of experience in sales and business development. Most of his career was spent at Nalco, an Ecolab company and a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies, where he had roles in sales, manufacturing, business operation and strategy. In his new role, Tom will lead business development in the Midwest and Northeast markets. He will focus his expertise and knowledge of environmental compliance, safety, remote worker management, water treatment and chemical operations in these areas.

After deploying Retriever Communications mobile solution to resolve a field service problem at Nalco, Tom recognized the market for Retriever Communications was broad and growing rapidly. He saw joining Retriever as an opportunity to be a part of business transformation in field service.

Retriever created a new efficient way to do things: access information for safety and preventative maintenance, streamline reporting and scheduling, among others. I was impressed with Retriever as a customer, when we used one of their solutions to address a problem, and it changed the way we worked, said Tom Gent, Vice President of Business Development of Retriever Communications. Ill now have the ability to apply my industry knowledge and experience as a part of Retriever to help other organizations.

Retriever Communications is excited to have Tom join the team. His industry and business development knowledge is essential to our expansion in North America, said Mary Brittain-White, CEO of Retriever Communications. Having someone who is familiar with how the company solves problems is an added bonus. Were thrilled to be working with someone who believes in our solutions, just as much as we do.

A global expert in Field Service Management headquartered in Sydney, and with additional development and support in the U.S. and staff in Europe. For 20 years, Retriever has been partnering with clients to drive operational efficiency by mobilizing workforces, advancing delivery of service and improving asset management. Retriever provides off-the-shelf and bespoke mobile applications which are built to work in or out of coverage alongside a scheduling solution for efficient job planning, crew assignment and work-order planning. With a 100% deployment success rate, Retriever tailors and configures solutions for industries from Utilities to Environmental including field service maintenance, inspections, environmental testing, OH&S whilst integrating to GIS, Engineering and ERP systems.

Irena Boostani

LEWIS for Retriever Communications

619-677-2700
International Relations  February 26, 2017  Nizar K. Visram

At the 28th Summit meeting of the African Union (AU) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 30 January 2017, Moroccos readmission to the continental body generated heated discussion. At the end of the day the Kingdom of Morocco managed to win over sufficient member states on its side and it was allowed to join the fold unconditionally.

Morocco left the Organization of African Unity (OAU), precursor to the AU, in 1984 after the OAU recognized the right to self-determination and independence for the people of the Western Sahara and admitted the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) that was proclaimed in 1976 by the Sahrawi peoples Polisario Front.

It was in keeping with the OAU principle not to recognize the occupation of any part of the continent that it admitted

the SADR to its membership. While SADR claimed sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory, Morocco saw it as an integral part of its own territory. Thus, rather than accept SADRs independence, Morocco left the OAU.

Since then Morocco has refused to join the AU unless the organization withdraws the membership of SADR.

The Occupation of Western Sahara

The area of Western Sahara has been occupied by Morocco since 1976 when Spain pulled out and relinquished its claim as a colonial power over

the territory. This former Spanish colony was then annexed by Morocco. Sahrawi people, who fought Spanish colonial oppression,

were now forced to fight Moroccan occupation. They conducted

resistance struggle under the leadership of Polisario Front until 1991 when the United Nations (UN) brokered a truce.

A UN-supervised referendum on independence of Western Sahara was promised in 1992 but it was aborted by Morocco. A UN peacekeeping

mission that was to organize the referendum has remained in the territory ever since, while Morocco built a 2,700km-long sand wall, with landmines.

SADR, headed by the Polisario Front, has been recognized by the AU as the legitimate government in exile. For decades Morocco made futile

attempts to delegitimize SADR and Polisario. Eventually it applied to rejoin AU without precondition.

AU member states argued that Morocco should not be readmitted unless it accepts the 1960 UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to

Colonial Countries and Peoples, which states that, All peoples have the right to self-determination; and by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status.

Morocco was also asked to accept unconditionally the OAU/AU African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which provides that:

Nothing shall justify the domination of a people by another. All peoples shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination. They shall freely determine their political status.

Thus, before readmission Morocco should have accepted all the 33 Articles of the Constitutive Act of the AU with Western Sahara as a founding member. Morocco should also accept the AU Act which recognizes African colonial boundaries, thus making its continued occupation of Western Sahara illegal.

All this was thrust aside and Morocco was readmitted to the AU when 39 out of the 54 African member states voted for Morocco. They

tacitly endorsed the longstanding occupation of Western Sahara, while Morocco refuses to comply with the successive UN resolutions on the holding of a referendum on self-determination.

Western Sahara thus remains the continents last colonial outpost, occupied by another African state. It is an albatross on the African Unions conscience, since it was a departure from its founding principles.

Moroccos Goodwill Tour

Moroccos readmission was reportedly influenced by Moroccos King Mohammads affluence. This became evident when he demonstrated his largesse while touring the continent, lobbying for support from African heads.

It is said he will now bankroll the AU in line with what Libyas Muammar Gaddafi used to do. The two are, of course, poles apart. Gaddafi, arguably, had a pan-Africanist and anti-imperialist vision, while the King aims at continued annexation of Western Sahara.

That is why prior to the AU vote the King embarked on a charm offensive by touring African countries, seeking support for his AU bid. In February 2014 he set off on a tour of Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Gabon. This was his second regional trip in less than five months. He took with him a contingent of advisors and business executives who negotiated a pile of agreements covering practically everything  from religious training to agriculture and mining projects.

In December 2016, the King concluded the second leg of a nearly two-month, six-country Africa tour, resulting in some 50 bilateral agreements. The visits came on the heels of trips to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Senegal in October, when more than 40 bilateral agreements were signed.

This is how the monarch wound up his whirlwind tour of Africa prior to the AU Summit meeting in January 2017. For those who say the royal

expeditions to African countries had altruistic motive, suffice it to quote his official who said:

Aside from west and central Africa we must open up to east Africa and that is what is under way. The context of Moroccos return to the African Union is there too of course, and these are important countries in the AU.

The tour of east Africa is also a way to get closer to countries which historically had positions which were hostile to Moroccos interests, said the Moroccan source.

In some circles it is argued that Moroccos readmission was a positive step in that, as full member of the AU, it will now have to recognize the independence and sovereignty of SADR. If that is so then the readmission should have been conditional.

In any case, Morocco has no intention to give in on its occupation. Its return to the union is intended to eventually push for the removal of Western Sahara out of the AU, thus silencing the voice of the Sahrawi people in connivance with friendly member states.

Yet while the AU fails to stand by such principles, the kingdom of Morocco is under pressure in the international diplomatic arena where Polisario is gaining global support. In fact, on 21 December 2016, a few days before the Addis Ababa Summit, the

European Court of Justice (ECJ) dismissed Moroccos claim to Western Sahara. The ruling means the European Unions trade deals with Morocco do not apply to the occupied territory of Western Sahara which is endowed with its fish stocks, mineral deposits, agricultural produce and oil reserves.

The UN and the European Union

The ECJ ruled that Western Sahara cannot be treated as a part of Morocco, meaning no EU-Morocco trade deals can apply to the territory. The

ruling confirms the long-established legal status of Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory, and upholds existing international law. The EU member states and institutions have been asked to comply with the

ruling and immediately cease all agreements, funding and projects reinforcing Moroccos illegal occupation of Western Sahara.

The Court also ruled that a trade deal between the EU and Morocco should be scrapped because it included products from Western Sahara. Morocco

had to accept that any free trade deal would have to exclude Western Sahara. This includes the fruits and vegetables grown by companies such as Les Domaines Agricoles, which is partly owned by King Mohammed VI.

On top of this there have been more than 100 UN resolutions calling for self-determination for the Western Sahara. In March 2016, the then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the situation in Western Sahara as an occupation. The UN, however, has to go beyond rhetoric by enforcing its resolutions.

It formally recognizes the occupation of Western Sahara as illegal, and has maintained a peacekeeping mission (MINURSO) commissioned to hold a referendum in Sahara since 1991. But it has a skeleton staff, with no mandate to even monitor human rights abuses, thanks to Frances Security Council veto.

And so the French oil company Total is active in Western Sahara, while others have pulled out. Also big investors such as the Norwegian

governments pension fund avoid any deals which involve Western Sahara. And the EFTA free trade association, a group of non-EU

countries including Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, excludes Western Sahara goods from its free trade deal with Morocco.

Moroccos return to the AU is an affront not only to the people of Western Sahara but to African people, for Morocco is a country that once

refused to host the African Cup of Nations on flimsy grounds that Moroccans would be infected by African teams bringing in Ebola virus.

Some African heads claim that the admission of Morocco will now resolve the question of Western Saharas occupation. Such argument is always

pushed with some foreign machination. In fact Morocco is now emboldened. That is why those who voted for readmission of Morocco should have demanded an end to the illegal occupation as a precondition.

That did not happen at the AU Summit meeting in Addis Ababa. Instead we see the AU blatantly violating its own Constitutive Act, and the principle for African countries to respect each others territorial boundaries.

We witness a violation of both the AU and the UN declarations on the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to independence and self-determination.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Sahrawi people are disenfranchized. It is estimated that up to 200,000 have fled to refugee camps in the neighbouring Algeria and Mauritania. They are separated by a 2,700km-long wall going through Western Sahara, surrounded by landmines. 
When President Donald Trump speaks to the nation Tuesday night, Wisconsin lawmakers say theyre hoping for a glimpse of what to expect from a new president unlike any of his predecessors.

The Joint Address to Congress will be Trumps first presidential prime-time address to the nation. Hes expected to outline an agenda that includes curtailing immigration, rejecting multilateral trade deals and repealing former President Barack Obamas health care law.

Trump also may detail his administrations forthcoming federal budget proposal, which is expected to boost defense spending while slashing funds for environmental protection.

Republicans such as Rep. Glenn Grothman of Glenbeulah said the speech is Trumps biggest opportunity yet to chart a course for him and fellow Republicans who control Congress.

Reducing federal spending, curtailing immigration and simplifying the tax code are three areas on which Grothman said he hopes Trump will urge Congress to act.

I hope he takes a leadership role, Grothman said.

Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said hes unsure what to expect from Trump given how unconventional his first few weeks have been.

Kind and other Democratic lawmakers told the Wisconsin State Journal they hope Trump will use the speech to explain how he will create jobs.

With the guest accompanying him at the address, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, aims to send a message to Trump. Pocan is inviting Lupe Salmeron, a college student whos a recent graduate of  and former class president at  Madison East High School.

Salmeron is enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program created by Obama.

DACA gives protection from deportation and work-permit eligibility to so-called DREAMers who live in the U.S. without legal documentation after having been brought to the country as children.

Trump has used the presidency to spread lies, fear and hatred about immigrants, Pocan said in a statement. Its important to share Lupes story and highlight the many positive contributions immigrants make to our communities.

Grothman takes the opposite view on immigration. He said Trump can use the address to make a case for deporting some of the people living in the U.S. illegally on the basis that it would reduce government spending on social programs.

He can connect removal of the most unproductive illegals with balancing the budget, Grothman said.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said in a statement that she hopes Trump will lay out a clear plan of action to keep the promises he has made to American workers and manufacturers. Baldwin said she hopes Trump will embrace a Buy America measure she has championed, which would require that federal infrastructure funds be used to buy U.S.-made products and materials.

In an op-ed in the Appleton Post-Crescent, Baldwin wrote that she hopes Trump will use the address to follow through on his call for a $1 trillion national infrastructure initiative.

The office of Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, on Monday did not provide comments from Johnson regarding Trumps address.

Kind said he hopes Trump will use the speech to acknowledge he understands the impact a global trade war could have on the U.S. economy, particularly for Wisconsin farmers who export their products.

During the campaign, Trump proposed tariffs on goods from Mexico and China.

Kind also said he hopes Trump will outline plans to create jobs in parts of the U.S. that are struggling.
When photography was invented in France in the 1820s, some artists predicted  even feared  that it would in time take the place of painting. That didnt happen, but photographers around the world consistently have recorded images that reveal...
I&M continues to restore service in South Bend after Saturday's storms

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, 6,100 customers in the South Bend area remained without power. Most will be restored Sunday, but some won't be until Monday.
Navy Seaman Cordelia Miles, center, a hospital corpsman serving at Naval Health Clinic Charleston, and Dr. Beth Price, right, a physician at NHCC, greet Jazz, a therapy dog, and her handler, Pam Diehl, a Red Cross Volunteer, at NHCC. Jazz and Diehl visit with patients and staff at NHCC weekly, as part of the American Red Cross Animal Visitation Program.
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The mother of a man found dead in the River Tawe asked police why they had not helped her son home safely, an inquest heard today.

She made the comment after hearing that a police officer was one of the last people to see Alex Pavlou alive.

A jury has been sworn in to decide on the cause of death of Mr Pavlou in the River Tawe in May 2015.

Former Olchfa School pupil Mr Pavlou had been on a night out in Wind Street with friends on the night of May 27, 2015, when he was refused entry into a nightclub, having been deemed to be intoxicated.

He was subsequently encouraged by police officers to make his way home.

The jury of 11 were told he was last seen alive by police officers in the car park of Sainsbury's in the early hours of the next morning, but had slipped away.

A member of the public later rang the emergency services after seeing a man in the River Tawe near the war memorial.

A report by Detective Inspector Mark Kavanagh, of Swansea CID, concluded Mr Pavlou had entered the River Tawe at 3.38am on May 28 and his body was recovered from the water at 1pm on May 29.

The jury was told that there was no evidence of any third party involvement or criminality in Mr Pavlou's death and there "is strong evidence that he was very intoxicated on the night he went missing".

Flowers left near the River Tawe in memory of Alex Pavlou.

Mr Pavlou's mother, Donnie Yuen, was at the inquest, held in the Civic Centre today, with other family members.

'I didn't know at the time'

In his statement DI Kavanagh said: "She was aware that a police officer had spoken to Alex. She asked why the officer did not help Alex home safely."

"I replied that I did not have that information at that point in time but an investigation would consider the whole course of events."

Assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, Paul Bennett, told the jury that it was not its role to apportion any blame surrounding the death but to establish how the 19-year-old lost his life.

Mr Bennett added that the inquest would look at the level of training police officers received in dealing with people who were intoxicated and also at the level of such training received by the police officers who interacted with Alex that night.

Straight A* student, Mr Pavlou, of Sketty, had excelled in his GCSEs and A Level exams and had been accepted into University College London to study medicine, but had returned to Swansea to reconsider his choices.

The inquest is expected to take 10 days.
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Only a few days after the Smithsonian's announcement of a national tour for Columbia, the historic spacecraft that flew the first men to walk on the moon, two notable artifacts from the Apollo 11 command module have turned up at a different type of roadshow.

On the next new episode of "Antiques Roadshow," airing on PBS on Monday night (Feb. 27), an engineer who worked on Columbia before and after its 1969 journey to the moon shares his collection.

"When the spacecraft would come back to Downey [Calif.], we would strip them all down," explained the retired North American Aviation (now Boeing) engineer, whose name is not given on the television show. "And so this arrow... they were scraping all this stuff off and throwing it away in a big pile, so they just gave it to me." [NASA's Apollo 11 Mission in Pictures]

The gold-color arrow decal, which reads "RESCUE," had been affixed to Columbia's crew access hatch, pointing to the panel to gain entrance to the crew cabin. Normally, the astronauts would open the hatch from the inside, but in the case of a problem or emergency, the arrow would serve to direct rescuers to where the find the proper panel.

The arrow, almost 50 years later, still shows the wear and tear it received from Columbia's entry into the atmosphere as documented in photographs of the command module at the time of its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The contractor was also given the main assembly parts tag removed from inside Columbia after the Apollo 11 mission. The tag identifies the spacecraft as a "Command Module," lists its part and serial numbers, and is embossed with two inspection marks.

"This label another guy gave to me because I was the final person to stamp it, saying 'Hey, we've got a good product," recounted the tag's owner. "This is the serial number, '107.' So we called it '107' and when it went to [Cape Canaveral], it became Apollo 11."

Columbia, the Apollo 11 command module, seen after its recovery from the ocean. A "RESCUE" arrow decal can be seen still affixed to the spacecraft's crew access hatch. (Image credit: NASA)

Antiques Roadshow's appraiser, Matthew Quinn of Quinn's Auction Galleries in Virginia, was excited to see the Apollo artifacts.

"You realize that space nerds everywhere are going crazy right now?" said Quinn to the decals' owner while filming in Palm Springs, California.

Components of Columbia are rare in private hands. As the only part of the Apollo 11 spacecraft to return to Earth (the service module was jettisoned; the descent stage of Eagle, the lunar module, is still at Tranquility Base; and its ascent stage crashed back to the moon), the command module is considered a national treasure.

Small pieces of the thermal protection foil that covered the outside of the craft  saved as a memento by those who recovered and worked on the vehicle after splashdown  sell today for hundreds of dollars each, at minimum. Heat shield samples, removed as part of the post-flight testing and then embedded in acrylic for presentation by NASA to team members, have been auctioned for several thousand dollars each.

Perhaps the most significant artifact from Columbia sold to date, an exterior hand rail that was removed and released from federal property as a part of its post-flight testing, was sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

Quinn's appraisal of the arrow and parts tag is comparable with the hand rail. The two decals' estimated value though, adds to an even larger total based on two other mementos shown as part of the Roadshow segment  an "Electronic Launch Team Technician" jacket that originally sold for $40 and a vintage North American Aviation scale model of the Apollo spacecraft that the engineer had autographed by 15 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Learning their value, the artifacts' owner said he intends to donate the decals to his niece, "so she'll be happy to hear that."

Antiques Roadshow has featured other space exploration artifacts over the course of its 39 years airing in the United Kingdom and the U.S. (the latter now in its 20th season). Recent appraisals have included the artwork for the Apollo 11 mission patch and the personal possessions of German rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun, as were brought to the Roadshow by officials at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Apollo 11 command module is currently undergoing a conservation at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in northern Virginia. Columbia will depart on a two-year national tour later this year, visiting museums in Houston, Saint Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle.

See more of the Apollo archive from the set of Antiques Roadshow at collectSPACE.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
SpaceX will launch two paying passengers on a private flight around the moon in late 2018, the company's founder Elon Musk said Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. The mission would launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy seen here in this artist's illustration and take about five days to loop around the moon and return to Earth.

SpaceX will fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon in 2018, the company's founder Elon Musk announced Monday (Feb. 27).

The private spaceflight company will use its Falcon Heavy rocket to send the two paying passengers into space aboard one of the company's Dragon spacecraft. The two private citizens, who have not yet been named, approached SpaceX about taking a trip around the moon, and have "already paid a significant deposit" for the cost of the mission, according to a statement from the company. The names of the two individuals will be announced later, pending the result of initial health tests to ensure their fitness for the mission, the statement said. [SpaceX's Crew Dragon Spacecraft in Pictures]

An artist's illustration of a crewed Dragon spacecraft in space. (Image credit: SpaceX)

SpaceX's Dragon Version 2 spacecraft is a manned space capsule designed to fly seven astronauts to and from low-Earth orbit. See how SpaceX's Dragon V2 spacecraft works in this Space.com infographic (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

"Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration," SpaceX representatives said in the statement.

The two passengers will be the only people on board what is expected to be about a weeklong trip around the moon, according to Musk, who spoke with reporters during a phone conference today.

"This would be a long loop around the moon  It would skim the surface of the moon, go quite a bit further out into deep space and then loop back to Earth," Musk said during the teleconference. "So I'm guessing, distance-wise, maybe [300,000] or 400,000 miles [about 500,000 to 650,000 kilometers]."

The moon flight is scheduled to launch after SpaceX flies NASA astronauts to the International Space Station as a part of the Commercial Crew Program. Right now, SpaceX is planning to make an uncrewed flight of its crew-carrying Dragon spacecraft to the space station this year, and its first crewed flights are expected to happen in mid-2018, according to Musk. (However, a recent report suggests that those dates may be pushed back.) That means the Falcon 9 and Dragon crew capsule will be approved for human spaceflight by NASA before the moon mission takes place.

The Falcon Heavy rocket consists of a Falcon 9 rocket with two additional first stage boosters strapped on. The integrated Falcon Heavy and Dragon crew capsule will undergo an FAA evaluation process for the moon flight, Musk said.

Musk also said that NASA "always has first priority," and that if the agency wanted its own astronauts to be the first people to fly on a "mission of this nature," then "of course NASA would take priority."

When asked about the ballpark cost of the mission, Musk said, "I  can't say the exact cost, that's confidential. It would be comparable to maybe a little more than what the cost of a crewed mission to the space station would be."

NASA currently pays about $80 million per seat on the three-person Russian Soyuz vehicle. SpaceX's first commercial crew contract with the agency is for $2.6 billion; the company is required to provide at least two and up to six flights to the station on the Dragon capsule, which can carry seven passengers at a time. That breaks down to anywhere from $1.3 billion to $433 million per flight.

Musk said the moon trip will contribute to SpaceX's ultimate goal of establishing permanent Mars colonies.

"The goal for SpaceX, from its founding in 2002, has been to accelerate  space exploration, ultimately with the idea of a self-sustaining civilization on Mars and making humanity multiplanetary," he said. "So a critical step along the way is getting to know what it's like to have people in deep space."

Editor's note: This story was updated at 7 p.m. ET with more details and comments from SpaceX and Elon Musk about the company's planned private moon flight in 2018.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
The European Space Agency's XMM-Newton has found a pulsar  the spinning remains of a once-massive star  that is 1,000 times brighter than previously thought possible.

Astronomers have discovered the brightest neutron star ever found. This extremely dense object is 1,000 times brighter than researchers previously thought was possible for neutron stars, which are the remnants of star explosions, a new study finds.

The extreme brightness of this neutron star can be explained only if it has a complex magnetic field with more than two poles (rather than a simple magnetic field with just a pair of poles), the scientists behind the new work said.

The neutron star, NGC 5907 X-1, was first identified as an ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX). Previous research found that ULXs detected in nearby galaxies can pump out far more X-rays than anything in the Milky Way galaxy; each blazes out at least about 1 million times more energy in X-rays per second than the sun does in all wavelengths of light. [The Top 10 Star Mysteries]

Prior work suggested that the most likely engine driving ULXs are black holes ripping apart tons of gas and dust that are falling or accreting onto them, perhaps off a nearby ill-fated star. Researchers suggested that these black holes had masses ranging from about 100 to 10,000 times that of the sun, according to the researchers.

Still, in the past three years, astronomers have discovered neutron stars capable of giving off up to about 10 million times more energy in X-rays per second than the sun does in all kinds of light, suggesting that some ULXs may have neutron stars at their hearts. Neutron stars, like black holes, are remnants of stars that died in catastrophic explosions known as supernovas. When a star goes supernova, material will collapse down into a dense core. If the core is massive enough, it may form a black hole, which has such a powerful gravitational pull that not even light can escape. A less massive core will form a neutron star, which is less dense than a black hole and can radiate light.

Although neutron stars are typically small, with diameters of about 12 miles (19 kilometers) or so, they are so dense that a neutron star's mass may be about the same as that of the sun. Neutron stars, like black holes, can give off huge amounts of energy as their powerful gravitational fields rip apart material accreting onto them, which may be how a ULX creates those incredible bursts of X-rays.

NGC 5907 X-1 is the brightest neutron star discovered yet, blasting out up to about 55 million times more energy than the sun per second. In one second, it emits the same amount of energy released by the sun in 3.5 years, the researchers said.

Discovering a pulsar

The researchers used the European Space Agency's X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) and NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) space telescopes to examine a ULX known as NGC 5907 ULX (the object now known as NGC 5907 X-1). This X-ray beacon is located about 55.7 million light-years away, in the relatively nearby spiral galaxy NGC 5907, also known as the Knife Edge Galaxy because of the way it is oriented edge-on compared to Earth.

ULXs that are black holes are expected to give off constant streams of X-rays. Instead, NGC 5907 ULX emitted X-rays in a pulsating manner. These pulsations "are an unambiguous signature of the presence of a pulsar, a magnetized, spinning neutron star," study lead author Gianluca Israel, an astrophysicist at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics in Rome, told Space.com.

Each pulsar shoots out two narrow beams of light in opposite directions, and if aligned with Earth, these beams act as a lighthouse beacon, appearing to flash on and off as the pulsar rotates. This new ULX is the most distant pulsar discovered yet, the researchers said.

Archival data suggested that this ULX is accreting material so fast from a companion star that the rate at which it spins has accelerated at an astounding rate.

The amount of time it takes for this ULX to spin once on its axis has shrunk by 300 milliseconds over 11 years, from 1.43 seconds in 2003 to 1.13 seconds in 2014.

"If you think of this in terms of Earth's rotation, it's like the duration of the day reduced by 5 hours in the same amount of time, 11 years," Israel said.

At its peak, the luminosity of this ULX exceeds the theoretical maximum set by the balance of the energy radiating outward and the gravitational force acting inward  the so-called Eddington limit  by about a whopping 1,000 times what would be expected for a neutron star. Standard models of neutron stars that assume a simple magnetic field with two poles cannot explain these findings, the authors of the new work say.

Instead, the scientists' computer model suggested that a strong, complex magnetic field with more than two poles could help a neutron star accrete more matter onto it than previously thought. "This matter, falling on the neutron star, ultimately produces the emission that we detect as X-rays," Israel said.

It remains uncertain just how many poles NGC 5907 X-1 possesses, and how exactly they are arranged, Israel said. Future research can further examine this neutron star and its companion star to learn more about why this pulsar is so luminous, Israel said.

"Our results are already prompting new models able to account for the formation of ultraluminous X-ray pulsars and understand in detail the physics beyond their incredible energy emission," Israel said.

It remains unknown how many ULXs host neutron stars, as opposed to black holes.

"This is one of the questions the scientific community needs to answer in the next years," Israel said.

The scientists detailed their findings online Feb. 19 in the journal Science.

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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Matobato says he feels it is his duty to speak out. The culture of impunity in the Philippines today is reminiscent of the period under former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who imposed martial law in 1972. More than 3,000 people were killed, and many bodies disfigured by the traces of torture were dumped by the side of the road, just as victims of the war on drugs are today. The one difference is that twice as many people have already died in the first six months under Duterte than in almost a decade under Marcos.

Duterte had promised his voters to rid the Philippines of organized crime, drugs and corruption. And they elected him because they saw him as a savior, as someone who wasn't like the establishment. But within a short period of time, he has taken his country to the brink of an abyss with his enforcer mentality. He once compared himself to Hitler, but didn't get his numbers right. "Hitler massacred 3 million Jews," he said. "There's 3 million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them."

The press is relatively free in the Philippines, and people feel comfortable speaking openly. Still, large parts of the Philippines are a de facto police state, at least when it comes to life-and-death decisions.

About seven months after Duterte's inauguration, more than 2,500 people have died in official police operations, and about 5,000 have been killed by death squads -- masked or unmasked killers who patrol on motorcycles. They execute people by shooting them in the head, or they wrap packaging tape around their heads, causing them to suffocate. They slaughter their victims like animals, in broad daylight, next to a 7-Eleven shop, at an intersection or when they are napping. Everyone knows that anyone can be killed at any time.

The bodies are piling up in morgues in the capital Manila, because no one is picking them up. The prisons are overcrowded. Many Filipinos now use the war on drugs as an excuse to settle scores with their enemies or troublesome neighbors. The killers are almost never prosecuted.

Until recently, there had been two people who could pose a threat to the president. They are an unusual pair. One is Leila de Lima, a senator and lawyer, who demanded an investigation in the Philippine Senate in September 2016, when more and more people were being murdered after Duterte came into office. The other is Edgar Matobato, her witness, who claims that Duterte ordered him to kill her seven years ago.

On the veranda of his small safe house, Matobato looks shyly at the floor. He is wearing a chain of pearls and a cross around his neck. How does one talk about immeasurable guilt?

Matobato chooses his words carefully, and tries to stick to the facts: time periods, dates, names. He remembers the moment well when Duterte recruited him as a killer. It was in 1988, says Matobato. He had once been a paramilitary fighter and a farmer, and he farmed his father's fields after the father was beheaded by the communist New People's Army.

In March, he was approached by the bodyguard of the new mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, who offered him a new job in the city administration. He was told to go to a hotel where, according to Matobato, Duterte explained to him, and six other men, that it was their duty to purge criminals from Davao: rapists, petty criminals and drug dealers. Duterte called the new group the "Lambada Boys," says Matobato. It would become the first cell of the Davao death squads.

Matobato's first victim was a man in a pool hall. He doesn't remember what the man was accused of. Matobato says that a policeman gave him a weapon in a hotel, and something to eat, and then they drove off. "I wasn't very nervous, because I was with the police," says Matobato. He went to the pool hall and pulled the trigger. He was astonished at how easy it was.

In 1993, says Matobato, he witnessed Duterte shooting an investigator from the Justice Ministry. The man was lying injured on the ground after a gunfight, says Matobato, when Duterte "finished him off."

The mayor personally selected the victims, says Matobato. District administrators gave him lists of information about alleged criminals. "Then he alone decided whether they would live or die."

'I See the Faces of the Dead Every Night'

They were paid 3,000 pesos, or about 57, for ordinary criminals, and 6,000 pesos for more high-profile targets, says Matobato. His official job was to guard "markets, terminals and schools." "After six months, I was convinced that I was helping good people by killing bad ones," says Matobato. He said nothing to his family.

Over the next three or four years, the cell grew to 100 killers, after a number of former communist rebels joined the group. Most had had official jobs with the police, says Matobato. "That's why the murders were never investigated."

Matobato is highly focused as he tells his story. He makes the impression that he cares mostly about being heard and understood. He still finds it hard to believe that the authorities are not investigating him. He shows us a binder full of papers that he says document his position in Davao.

He says he is plagued by his conscience. "I see the faces of the dead every night," he says, adding that they haunt him at like ghosts. He looks at his wife as she walks silently to the clothesline. Does she still love him, now that she knows what he did in the past? "She sticks with me," he says with a quiet voice, looking at the ground.

Matobato's affidavit consists of 87 questions and answers. It describes how Duterte established a system in Davao in which only those who were loyal were rewarded. The members of the death squads were practically untouchable, and anyone who wanted to be part of it had to be extremely brutal.

Because the government itself has become criminal in the Philippines under Duterte, Matobato is unable to atone for his guilt. The president's allies in the Senate discredited Matobato, calling him "unreliable." The justice minister, who has said that he believes criminals are not human, accused Matobato of spreading "lies." Duterte denied knowing him. Ironically, until recently he has bragged about killing people himself. The judiciary committee before which Matobato testified has since closed its investigation of the matter.

Matobato talks about how he and the other six founding members of the death squad went about killing people, how they kidnapped their victims first and then made the bodies disappear. "Before we cut up their bodies, we undressed them and burned their clothing, in order to destroy the evidence. Then we poured vegetable oil on their bodies so they wouldn't smell." According to Matobato, Duterte sometimes watched the procedure and checked to make sure they had killed the right person before burying the body in a stone quarry.

'Everything We See in Manila Today Comes from Davao'

The turning point came in 2013, says Matobato. The Davao death squads had about 300 members at the time. It had kidnapped three young women, allegedly dealers, who were about the same age as his own children.

"Before they were killed, the other men raped them," says Matobato, adding that he did not participate. "But I knew that the women were innocent." For decades, he had accepted as a necessary evil that innocent people could also be killed during the murders. But now he had had enough, and he wrote a letter to his team leader, saying that he was now old and wanted to leave the group.

The others tortured him in the police station for an entire week. He managed to escape, and he eventually appealed to the Philippine Commission for Human Rights. The Justice Ministry placed him in a government witness protection program. But he left the program when it became clear that Duterte might become president, because he no longer felt safe. The church has protected him since then.

Before he was elected president, Duterte promised to have criminals thrown into Manila Bay "to fatten all the fish there."

"And that's what happened," Matobato whispers. "Everything we see in Manila today comes from Davao. I recognize our style, the way we wrapped victims in packaging tape, and the scenes we staged, like placing a cheap pistol next to the body so that it looks like he put up a fight. We also always had drugs with us, which we planted on the victim's body."

What has changed slightly, he says, are the signs that are placed at the scene. Instead of "I am a dealer," a sign would now read: "I am a dealer. Don't imitate me."

"Everything I did was the result of orders. It was nothing personal," he says at the end of his account. Then Matobato begins to weep for a long time.

A visit to a Manila slum today offers grim reminders of how the Davao system has expanded. One encounters mourning neighbors keeping vigil next to a dead person who was shot and killed while sleeping next to his children. Because his daughter has no money for a funeral, the man's body has been laid out in a coffin for more than a week already.

Three 10-year-old children playing in a run-down cemetery tell stories of a mass burial of 13 bodies, as they pile up skulls that are lying around into pyramids.

In a cell at a police station, 84 men are crammed into a roughly 20-square-meter (215-square-foot) cell. They shout their stories through the bars of the cell. Few know why they even ended up here. It's unbearably hot, a stench fills the air and sick prisoners are wasting away on the floor in front of the cell.

'Collateral Damage'

A walk through any slum is like a trip into a relentless underworld. In one house, the location of which must remain a secret, we meet an 18-year-old boy named Ryan. He tells us that he survived a massacre in which six of his friends died. None of them has ever had anything to do with drugs, he says. "We were listening to loud music and laughing when a motorcycle sped by, and a man fired into our living room."

The boy managed to hide in a bathroom. But now the neighbors believe he is guilty, because he survived. He too is now under church protection. There is a bullet lodged in his leg. Innocent victims like Ryan are what Duterte called "collateral damage" in the drug war.

The hunt for supposed drug addicts and dealers under Duterte is based on a simple principle, which Matobato says also originated in Davao. The heads of a "barangay," the smallest administrative unit in the Philippines, prepare a list of suspects, which they then give to the police. The names are of local residents and the list is used without being verified. In this way, a person who is in debt or is having a dispute with a neighbor can easily end up on Duterte's kill list. As a next step, police officers go to the homes of those on the list and issue warnings. Some of the targets promise to improve their behavior, and yet they are soon found dead on the street.

This was the pattern until a few weeks ago, when police officers kidnapped a South Korean businessman, demanded a ransom and murdered him. It was only then that Duterte demonstratively called his death squads to order, and the campaigns are now officially suspended for the time being. But the death squads are still active. And the president has also said that he plans to use the army in the future to operate in the slums. If that happens, the drug war will likely become even more brutal.

"The thing with the army is purely cosmetic," says Senator Leila de Lima in her Manila office, her voice full of rage. "In reality, we have been under martial law for a while now." There are no longer any human rights, she says. "And the values of our society are rotting away."

Going After the President

Next to Matobato, Leila de Lima, also 57, is the second person in the country who has tried unsuccessfully for years to pose a threat to the current president. She is a stylish, heavily made-up woman wearing a patterned blouse. Her look is a flamboyant one. "It's my attempt to feel good," she says with a laugh. She is a member of the Liberals, a party that led the government for many years.

There are two mobile phones on her desk, on which she is constantly receiving text messages with death threats. Next to them is the new report by Amnesty International on the killings. It's the kind of report De Lima would like to have written herself. "But I didn't get the chance," she says. She turned from pursuing Duterte to becoming one of the pursued. There are now bodyguards sitting in her reception area.

De Lima met Duterte for the first time in 2009, when she was the chair of the Philippine Commission for Human Rights. She read a United Nations report on the Davao death squads. She was fascinated. As a journalist, she had always been interested in hunting down the powerful who ignore human rights.

De Lima assembled a team and flew to Duterte's home city, where she conducted interviews and questioned witnesses. There were public hearings in a hotel, and Duterte was present once. De Lima says that she made a momentous decision at the time when she publicly asked the then mayor a question: "How could these murders in Davao have occurred without the blessing of the local government?"

Duterte simply looked at her without saying anything, she says. Then he launched into a monologue about the tradition of violence in Davao. He spoke about the Alsa Masa movement, which fought the communists in Davao in the 1980s. The groups of guards were simply part of the local fabric, he said.

De Lima was unable to find any evidence at the time to connect Duterte or the police in Davao with the death squads. But, she says, "he hasn't forgotten anything." She later learned from Matobato that Duterte had wanted to have her killed. Matobato testified that a group of 80 men had waited for De Lima and her team when she had planned to investigate a garbage dump where the death squads had buried their victims. De Lima's saving grace was that she had not ventured as far into the site as the men had expected.

Mudslinging

"The murders began in Manila as soon as Duterte was elected president," says De Lima. As the former justice minister and chair of the human rights commission, De Lima prepared the investigation in the Senate.

Her surprise witness was Matobato, whom she had encountered for the first time as justice minister, when he sought protection from his former colleague in 2014. The man can neither read nor write, she says, "but he knows the situation in Davao. I believe he is credible." The mudslinging began after his testimony. Duterte called the death squads "a myth" and De Lima "an immoral woman" who would be better off hanging herself.

The Senate Judiciary Committee terminated all investigations without examining Matobato's testimony in detail. Duterte claimed that his opponent, De Lima, had received hush money from drug lords when she was justice minister. His allies in the Senate removed her from her position as chair of the committee. There were hearings against her, and one of the witnesses read out her telephone number and address on television. There were fake videos on YouTube that allegedly showed her attending a party with drug lords.

She was indicted in October for drug dealing, which she allegedly allowed to occur in a Manila prison. De Lima calls the accusations "a fabricated story that was supposed to force me to be quiet." Duterte warned the Senate early on, she says: Do not intervene in my drug war. There are a total of 16 charges against her.

De Lima wants to pursue impeachment proceedings against Duterte for mass murder. But the president is still very popular, with polls showing his approval rating at 86 percent. His party holds the majority in the Senate. And presidents in office are protected against criminal prosecution by an immunity rule. This is why De Lima is appealing to the International Criminal Court to investigate Duterte for crimes against humanity.

"I am innocent," says De Lima. But she knows how strong the government apparatus and how powerful the president is.

Surviving family members from a slum took their story to the courts for the first time at the beginning of the month. A man who says he witnessed a police massacre has reported that after committing the killings, the police officers discussed how to stage the scene of the crime. The man's testimony corroberates what witness Edgar Matobato said about the methods used by the death squads in Davao. The case could be the first of its kind to be heard in court, and that would be a success for Senator De Lima. Most victims of the drug war are poor people who can rarely afford to defend themselves.

When a Rumor Can Mean Death

Duterte has created a climate in which a rumor can lead to someone's death -- and there is no end in sight. De Lima and Matobato are leading a fight that will be difficult to win.

On a morning in February, Senator Leila De Lima walks into the Senate chamber where Matobato testified. She has little left to say. The parliament is no longer interested in the Davao death squads or in accusations against the president. Instead, on this morning the members are discussing the possible reintroduction of the death penalty. They want the government to take a tougher approach.

The members present their argument and the debate becomes heated. After an hour, De Lima gets up from her chair and says: "The death penalty is wrong." Then she gathers her files and leaves the hearing. She has no time to waste. She believes the government is waging a war against the poor and is pursuing their advocates.

On Friday, Feb. 24, the authorities came for her at the Senate. De Lima has been in police detention ever since.

With additional reporting by Eloisa Lopez.
This, in turn, aids the wrong people. Erdogan and Trump are positioning themselves as the only ones capable of truly understanding the people and speaking for them. It's their view that freedom of the press does not protect democracy and that the press isn't reverent enough to them and is therefore useless. They believe that the words that come from their mouths as powerful leaders are the truth and that the media, when it strays from them, is telling lies. That's autocratic thinking -- and it is how you sustain a dictatorship.

The idea of freedom of speech first came into being hundreds of years ago. The poet John Milton issued a plea for the "liberty of unlicensed printing" in 1644. "The destruction of a good book ends not in the slaying of an elemental life," he wrote, "but strikes at that ethereal and fifth essence, the breath of reason itself." This planted the seed: England moved to eliminate censorship in 1695. In 1776, the state of Virginia in the United States established the freedom of the press in America. The move was bold, enlightened and precious, making it that much more astonishing that some Turks and Americans now allow themselves to be lied to or have simply become too lazy to think critically.

Journalists and publishers cannot allow the same to happen to them. Whether the press can retain its importance on a daily basis will be determined by the seriousness and quality of its work -- its veracity, fearlessness and eloquence and the skill shown in developing a story. As journalists, we should not be offended -- we should maintain our composure -- but we also need to take the situation as seriously as it is. For if we as the media start insulting or disparaging other members of the media rather that reporting on the issues that actually matter or if we instead start criticizing victims like Yucel* rather than perpetrators like Erdogan, we make things easier for the autocrats.

* Editor's note: Following the arrest of German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel in Turkey two weeks ago, a writer at one leading German newspaper sparked a heated debate after suggesting in an editorial that Turkish-Germans couldn't write objectively about Turkey and questioning the decision by Yucel's employer, the newspaper Die Welt, to send him there as a correspondent in the first place.
Shaheed El-Hafed (Refugee Camps), Feb 27, 2017 (SPS) - National Secretariat of the Polisario Front has expressed Saharawi side's wish to cooperate with the new secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, for the completion of decolonization in Western Sahara, to restore peace and stability in the region.

The national secretariat bureau, met Saturday, urged the international community to "urgently intervene to save peace efforts in Western Sahara, threatened by Morocco's repetitive provocations, including the violation of the first ceasefire agreement in 1991 between the Polisario Front and Morocco concluded under the aegis of the United Nations."

"This situation can only be resolved through a full respect of the requirements of the UN-OUA (Organization of African Unity, African Union now) settlement plan, the Polisario Front leading member said.

The Polisario official called for "the holding of a referendum on self-determination allowing Saharawi people to decide on their future without any military or political constraint."

"It is Morocco which has violated its commitments towards the UN-sponsored negotiation process and rejected, on several occasions, the visit by UN Chief's special envoy, and refused the implementation of Resolution 2285 of the Security Council, calling for appellant the civilian and political staff of the MINURSO and the organization of a fifth round of negotiations," national office said. (SPS)

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Algiers, Feb 27, 2017 (SPS)  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has sent a message of congratulations to Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), in which he reaffirmed Algeria's willingness to "pursue its efforts to allow the Sahrawi people exercise its right to self-determination through a free and fair message."

"While the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic celebrates the 41st anniversary of its Proclamation, I am pleased to extend on behalf of the Algerian people and government and on my own behalf our warm congratulations and best wishes to you and the brotherly Sahrawi people," President Bouteflika wrote in a message.

"The date of 27 February 1976 is a major historic step in the Sahrawi people's struggle to recover its lands and sovereignty," said President Bouteflika.

"I am convinced the brotherly Sahrawi people will continue its struggle to recover its legitimate rights in accordance with international legality," wrote President Bouteflika, stressing that "the international community must assume its responsibilities and speed up the resolution of the Sahrawi issue under the aegis of the United Nations to allow the Sahrawi people exercise its right to self-determination."

"Besides, I would like to reiterate Algeria's unswerving support to your cause and its willingness to pursue its efforts to hold a free and fair referendum that allows the Sahrawi people exercise its self-determination right under the aegis of the UN, and in accordance with the UN Security Council's decisions," said President Bouteflika.

"On this joyous occasion, I reiterate our brotherly congratulations and heartfelt wishes to you, the Sahrawi authorities and the brotherly Sahrawi people," wrote President Bouteflika. (SPS)

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Smara (Refugees Camps), Feb 27, 2017 (SPS) - Sahrawi president and Polisario Front General Secretary Brahim Ghali said that the announcement of Morocco to withdraw its troops from Western Saharas Al Guergarat region was a maneuver and a diversion.

He added that the Moroccan occupier should assume the impacts of its colonial practices that may compromise the ceasefire.

The Sahrawi president, who chaired the opening of the festivities marking the 41st anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), said that the Moroccan announcement of withdrawing of some meters its forces from Al Guergarat represented a violation of the territory status and the cease-fire agreement concluded in 1991, as part of the UN-African settlement plan.

For Ghali, the present situation and its consequences is the responsibility of Morocco only, caused by its colonialist practices that not only endanger ceasefire but also peace, security and stability in the region as a whole.

The Polisario chief asked the UN secretary general and the Security Council to adopt tangible and direct measures, so to end the Moroccan violations of the international law and accelerate a democratic just and lasting solution through the completion of the UN-African settlement plan of 1991 providing for the organization of self-determination referendum for the Sahrawi people.

He also recalled that Spain as former Western Saharas administering power must assume its responsibility in allowing the Sahrawi people to exercise its self-determination right.

Ghali called upon France to play a historical role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council by supporting the democratic option in the settlement of the conflict. (SPS)

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HARTFORD  First-term state Rep. Adam Dunsby is tired of what he says are frivolous complaints over the release of public documents under Connecticuts Freedom of Information Act.

So hes introduced legislation that would force $125 fees on the second and subsequent complaints someone makes annually to the state Freedom of Information Commission. The point is to cut down on petty complaints, said Dunsby, who is also the first selectman of Easton.

Its not my intent to make it tougher for people to get information, Dunsby said Monday, stressing that agencies that refuse to turn over documents or impede the process should be sanctioned by the commission.

Its actually easy to use the complaint process to harass people, Dunsby said in an interview after he testified on the issue during a public hearing before the legislative Government Administration and Elections Committee. The bill would also require mandatory mediation over complaints to the FOIC.

State officials including Comptroller Kevin Lembo said that charging complainants could have a chilling effect.

The very concept of placing financial barriers between citizens and government information is misguided and offensive, Lembo told the committee. A persons ability to seek justice through the state Freedom of Information Commission should not be determined by their capacity to pay. It could also encourage certain government entities to withhold or significantly delay disclosure of information if they know that a requestor may be unable to readily pay a fee to hold government accountable.

But during a conversation with committee leaders, Colleen Murphy, executive director of general counsel of the Freedom of Information Commission, said that frivolous complaints do occur. While Connecticuts open-documents law is a model for the nation, Canadian and Australian officials studied it and have created better laws that deal with what are called vexatious cases.

There are any number of standards that you could put into a law that would allow, in our case, the commission to look at that, to determine whether its vexatious or not, Murphy said. It could be the volume of complaints. It could be the manner in which the person files the complaints. It could be the repetitive nature of it.

Its so nice to hear that Connecticuts FOI law has been studied by governments across the world, said Sen. Michael A. McLachlan, R-Danbury, committee co-chairman. Perhaps we should study that more carefully.

Rep. Laura Devlin, R-Fairfield, ranking member of the committee, agreed that the bill might not be the best way to achieve what is needed to improve the complaint process, but it is early enough in the legislative session to improve the bill to meet Dunsbys desires and the FOI Commissions needs.

I definitely pledge to do that, Murphy replied, adding that she has spoken to the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information as well to Dunsby.

I think thats the most-important thing, Devlin said. If theres sort of universal agreement that the problem is real, we dont want to have undue consequences on how people who are legitimately trying to seek information and going through the process. But if you can come together to come up with how we get to that ultimate end game that would be the best.

kdixon@ctpost.com;
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CROWLEY, Texas  In a parking lot on Main Street in this nondescript town of 14,000, Wal-Mart is testing out what it hopes could be its next small thing  a genuine convenience store.

Walk into the 2,500-square-foot store, and the surroundings feel familiar. There's the multi-colored ICEE machine, hot dogs sizzling on a roller, and beer stacked in a walk-in refrigerator.

It's one of two convenience stores Wal-Mart opened last month. The other is in Rogers, Ark., near Wal-Mart's Bentonville headquarters. Both stores are in the parking lots of Wal-Mart Supercenters. Wal-Mart continues to test small store formats even though it abandoned its 12,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Express stores last year.

Crowley was picked for being located "on the outskirts of Dallas-Fort Worth, a very important market to us," said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield. And because it's just off Interstate-35, a major north-south highway in the central U.S.

Wal-Mart's strategy seems to be not reinventing the convenience store concept but rather tweaking it.

The store's hot food section sells pizza, whole and by the slice, and on another bank of hot rollers are the "tornadoes," a knockoff of 7-Eleven's taquitos. Community coffee brand is sold from six taps, regular, decaf and flavored. There's a healthy selection with fruit cups, yogurt and "Market Side" branded salads and wraps, but no calorie counts on the labels.

The rectangle-shaped building sits in front of a row of 16 gasoline pumps, all under cover.

It's a far cry from Amazon Go, a self-service food store that Amazon recently opened on the street level of one of its corporate buildings in Seattle. Amazon hasn't said much about another store under construction in Seattle with a drive-up canopy area in front of a building that locals speculate is for online grocery pick-ups.

Wal-Mart is also working on a convenience store concept for its online grocery shoppers.

In December, one of these 4,000-square-foot stores with gasoline pumps opened in Thornton, Colo. It's similar to one Wal-Mart opened a year ago in Huntsville, Ala.

Inside, the standard coffee, soda and snacks are sold, but these stores include a drive-through for picking up online grocery orders.

Both convenience store concepts are tests, Hatfield said.

"We're eager for feedback from customers. We want to know what's working," she said in an interview.

The convenience store business is not huge for a company Wal-Mart's size, but as a major seller of gasoline, its 100-and 200-square foot payment kiosks may not offer enough for many of its customers.

Wal-Mart operates a To-Go store in Bentonville, Ark., down the street from its headquarters, and it created a lot of buzz when it opened in 2014. There are no plans to build more of the single 5,000-square-foot To Go store, said Hatfield, which also has a deli section with some warm foods like rotisserie chickens.

--

2017 The Dallas Morning News

Visit The Dallas Morning News at www.dallasnews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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STAMFORD  A Superior Court judge ruled Monday theres enough evidence for a city man to be charged with accessory to murder even though he appears to have been sitting in the getaway car when the victim was gunned down in Leone Park in 2015.

Judge Thomas Collin issued the decision following a four-session hearing that spanned more than a month to determine if police had enough evidence to charge Deshawn Hayes, 24, in the murder of Maxine Gooden, a bystander who was shot in the abdomen.

Hayes faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

A finding in probable cause, the trial court must determine whether the evidence offered would allow a person with reasonable caution to believe the accused has committed the charged offense, Collin read, citing a 2003 Appellate Court decision of State v. Smalls. The quantum of evidence necessary to establish probable cause exceeds mere suspicion and substantially less than that required for conviction.

Collin said there is often a fine line between suspicion and probable cause.

Hayes mother, Lilly, was disappointed with the ruling.

Im confident justice will prevail, she said following the hearing.

Hayes attorney, Darnell Crosland, said he wasnt surprised by the judges decision.

All that does is shift the burden to the jury to exonerate or to find (Hayes) culpable. Crosland said.

Crosland said there was no evidence presented that showed Hayes intended to kill anyone.

Just being involved is not enough, he said.

Hayes, 24, was one of three men pulled over in a Jeep while fleeing from Leone Park less than 15 minutes after Gooden, a 43-year-old mother of five, was shot in the West Side park on Nov. 3, 2015.

Testimony in the case shows Hayes and Morris Joel Moore, 24, and Johonel Telemin-Valerio, 22, all of Stamford, tested positive for gunshot residue.

Police also found a 10 mm gun taken apart and stashed in the Jeeps dashboard that matched the caliber of four shell casings recovered near Goodens body.

A live bullet matching the shell casings in the park was also found behind the drivers seat, police said. Five live rounds in the guns magazine perfectly matched the casings left at the park and the live round in the car, police testimony revealed.

One crime scene investigator said he has never seen such a gun or shell casings of that caliber in his 35 years with the department.

But the lead investigator, Sgt. Paul Guzda, testified that witnesses said Hayes was sitting in the Jeep when the shots were fired.

No date has been set for trial. Moore and Telemin-Valerio have pleaded not guilty to charges against them.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com;
T he London Stock Exchanges 21 billion merger with Deutsche Borse fell apart today after the UK operator refused to comply with EU demands to hive off part of its Italian business.

But the LSEs rejection of the EU request to sell its Italian government bond-trading arm, MTS, has fuelled in rumours of a rift with Frankfurt about the move, as well as the strength of the LSEs commitment to the deal.

The groups refusal to sell MTS looks set to kill off the deal, which has been mired in controversy since the Brexit vote.

LSE shares fell 105p, or 3.3%, to 3020p and Deutshe Borse fell 2.29 (195p), or 2.8%, to 79.22

The LSE agreed to sell-off its French clearing arm LCH.Clearnet in January to get the deal cleared but two weeks later the EU Commission unexpectedly opened up a fresh angle to a competition probe focusing on Italy.

The LSE said MTS is systemically important, meaning a sale would likely have involved disposing of the groups entire Italian division.

The market said it offered an alternative proposal to the EUs demands and these were rejected. The LSE board, chaired by Donald Brydon, met last night and voted to halt any further remedies, leaving the deal in limbo.

A collapse of the deal would allow LSE to pursue another potential merger, this time with New York Stock Exchange owner ICE which has been flagged as a potential buyer after expressing an interest last year.

City Eurosceptics, who had called for the merger to be halted for two years in a letter this month, welcomed the development. JML Groups John Mills said: This was part of the very bad trend of selling major UK assets to foreign interests. Larger and larger swathes of British interests are now being controlled abroad, and it weakens our position in the world. This was a very high-profile case of clear strategic importance, so Im glad to see its no longer happening.

Financier Edi Truell, chairman of Disruptive Capital, said he was obviously pleased by the news.

CMC Markets chief executive Peter Cruddas, another signatory, said: It is only right such an important business as the LSE, which is integral to the City of London, should not be sold or merged ahead of Brexit.
M ost of us are surprised if we end up making merely a Facebook friend of the person sprawled on a sunlounger next to us on holiday. But for Emily Cohen and Sabrina Naggar, a chance encounter  set up by their toddlers  beside the pool led to their kids swimwear business Sunuva which, six years on, is worn by Prince George and brings in annual revenues of 3 million.

It started, says Cohen, with her then two-year-old son chatting to a random kid in the pool in Israel. It turned out they were at nursery together  both Sabrina and I were working, drop-off-and-run parents, so we didnt know any of the other mums, but our kids recognised each other and introduced us.

The pair started talking about childrens swimwear. My son was wearing a really dodgy, navy rash vest with a nasty Mickey Mouse print on the front. I was mortified at being seen out in public with this grim thing on my child, and started talking to Sabrina about it, Cohen explains.

Thats how the idea started. We quickly bonded over a mutual frustration at the lack of stylish swimwear for kids, and the idea for Sunuva was born  gorgeous UV swimwear and beachwear available year-round.

Both the women already had start-up experience: after beginning her career working for PR guru Lynne Franks, Cohen, now 46, was one of a trio of entrepreneurs behind British cosmetics brand Pout, which grew to a staff of 80 with a 7 million turnover in five years. Pout was eventually sold to the owner of the Victorias Secret lingerie chain for $24 million (19 million) just before the global financial crisis. Cohen then spent a year as a consultant for Sir Philip Green on a new make-up line for Topshop, before starting Sunuva.

SUNUVA Box subheader

Naggar, meanwhile, who is now 45, had trained as an accountant with PwC before designing jewellery that was sold in Whistles, Fenwick and Selfridges. She put the business on ice to have four children in four years.

Neither woman had worked in fashion but Cohen says designing and finding a manufacturer wasnt rocket science  we researched the market and brands that did SPF [sun protection factor] swimwear. The hardest bit was finding a factory that was prepared to work with us, a nobody. Their first ones  in Tunisia, and Delhi  still make Sunuvas products today.

But it wasnt all as plain sailing as the boats decorating their boys trunks. Sunuvas first batch of stock arrived in June when no store is going to buy swimwear or kaftans  its all going on sale. A friend of the duo offered to host a private sale at her house instead. We were thinking wed be lucky if 20 people rocked up but it was heaving, and we sold 10,000 worth of clothes in two hours, says Cohen.

Another huge bit of luck was that someone who came was friendly with Harrods kids buyer, and they put in an order. Harrods remains our biggest account in the UK  last summer, Sunuva was its top-selling kids brand.

The range is now also stocked in Selfridges, Fenwick and Harvey Nichols, as well as independent shops  but online sales are set to make up half of revenues this year.

Cash was tight at first. For the first two years, Sabrina and I funded the business, Cohen explains. But when it started to take off, we realised we needed money to grow and develop. We raised 1 million from seven private angel investors, including ex-Pout shareholders.

Prints are all still designed in-house, in their Maida Vale office (we both live within a mile, which is crucial because between us we have six kids and a lot of school runs) and they now employ a staff of 17.

More foreign expansion plans are on the horizon: last year Sunuva launched in upmarket European department stores including Gruppo Coin in Italy and El Corte Ingles in Spain. Their international cache was given a big boost when Prince George was pictured wearing a 28 Sunuva T-shirt and shorts in his third birthday photos.

Cohen explains: We had no idea. I was on holiday in Spain, having a late breakfast when my phone rang and someone said its Monique from [US] People magazine. How do you feel about Prince George wearing one of your garments?.

Prince George wearing Sunuva / Matt Porteous/Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

I didnt know what she was talking about, then realised Prince George was head-to-toe in Sunuva and on all the front pages. Within two days, we had totally sold out of this bog-standard blue-and-white striped T-shirt, and had another 750 pre-orders.

You couldnt ask or hope for better PR than that  for a small UK brand, it massively lifted our profile. And it was very flattering that Kate, such a style icon, who probably had 600 pairs of shorts and T-shirts to choose from, selected ours.
S o, Margrethe Vestager, the grand Danish dame of Brussels, adds two more scalps to her list of bruised and battered corporates.

Apple, Google, Amazon, McDonalds, Volvo, the telecoms industry, all have come to feel her wrath.

American chief executives have been keen to note that most of her assaults have been on US firms.

Todays decision on Deutsche Borse and the LSE evens that out, but makes her organisation look more politicised than ever.

Since its inquiry into the tie-up launched months ago, no mention had been made of the Italian cash fixed-income market. Yet now, with the submissions by the companies already made, it jumps out of nowhere.

So, what happened? Did local politicians in Frankfurt, hating the idea of London being the combined headquarters, lean on Vestager to come up with a new stumbling block? Did Berlin get cold feet about post-Brexit London controlling European trading? Did other EU leaders decide the City needed a Brexit bloody nose? My guess is all of the above.

Deutsche Borses surprise that the LSE reacted so strongly to the new Brussels demand provokes more questions still: was the LSE already getting cold feet as patriotic voices against the merger started rising on this side of the Channel?

Was the Italian obstacle a convenient excuse to pull out? Is an alternative bid from a US exchange now looking more appealing in Paternoster Square?

Questions, questions. But one things for sure, the commissions baffling unpredictability has yet again left chief executives around the world scratching their heads. Its bad for business, and yet more food for the Eurosceptics.
I am always dubious about so-called silver bullets that allegedly solve a host of problems. Life cant be that simple, I think. Surely there must be a catch?

But there is one step that would improve countless lives  and make the world an infinitely better place  if only every government summoned the will to make it happen. Let me spell out what needs to be done: make sure that all girls go to school.

Today, the appalling truth is that about 61 million girls between the ages of five and 14 are deprived of an education across the world. In countries such as Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan there are millions of girls who never get the chance to enter a classroom.

In some places, schools just do not exist; in others, prejudice, violence and poverty deny girls the education that is their right. Whatever the reason, this failure to allow every girl to attend school is holding back entire societies.

If political leaders would wake up to the benefits  and the essential justice  of educating the daughters of their countries just as surely as they educate their sons, then everyone would be immeasurably better off.

Do you want to boost economic growth? Or reduce population pressures? What about reducing infant mortality and improving child nutrition? In every case the single most effective remedy is to give all girls the opportunity to attend school. That is not a matter of opinion: it is proven fact.

I will let the conclusions of a United Nations study speak for themselves. If all women went to secondary school, says the UN report, then infant mortality would be cut in half and three million young lives saved every year. About 12 million children would not have their growth stunted by malnutrition.

The tragedy of child marriages would also become less common. The UN calculates that if every girl went to secondary school the prevalence of child marriage would fall by two- thirds.

And the pressures exerted by rising populations would be brought under control. Women in sub-Saharan Africa who never attend school give birth an average of 6.7 times. For those with secondary education the figure plummets to 3.9.

The conclusion is crystal-clear: allowing girls into the classroom is both profoundly right in itself and the single most powerful spur to development and progress. Its also the surest way of achieving the broader emancipation of women that we would all like to see. When girls are deprived of an education they become vulnerable and powerless easy prey for those who would force them into work or early marriage.

Fortunately the situation is slowly improving in many countries, not least because of the great work being done by Priti Patel and the Department for International Development.

Last year I saw for myself how the DfID is helping six million girls to attend school in Punjab province in Pakistan. And I visited Kabul University in Afghanistan, where I was fortunate enough to see Macbeth performed by a partly female cast. This was a scene that would have been inconceivable when the Taliban was tormenting Kabul barely two decades ago. There before me were young Afghan women, free to perform Shakespeare in the Dari tongue.

Before 2001 the number of girls attending school in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan was close to zero. Female education was actually banned. Women teachers were sacked and, since they comprised the majority of the profession, the result was the virtual collapse of the education system.

Today, by contrast, there are at least two million girls in the classrooms of Afghanistan  thanks in large measure to the British forces that served in the country. If you want to point out one crowning achievement of the toil and valour of our servicemen and women, look no further than the Afghan girls who now have the chance to go to school.

Across the world, DfID provides the money and the programmes to help girls into the classroom. And we should have no illusions that plenty of other factors, quite apart from the denial of education, hold women back. One of my priorities as Foreign Secretary is to use every relevant platform to advance the cause of female education.

Next month I will visit the UN in New York during the second week of the Commission on the Status of Women, the principal global gathering dedicated to fostering gender equality.

Later this year I will host a conference on the future of Somalia. Ill take the opportunity to highlight how the lack of female education is holding back progress in that country.

I want the Foreign Office to play its part and reflect on how we can take forward the goal of gender equality within our own organisation.

Today Im hosting a reception at the Foreign Office where I will announce that Ive chosen one our most senior diplomats, Joanna Roper, to be special envoy for gender equality.

One day I hope it will no longer be a rarity for Afghan women to study at university  and perform Shakespeare if they wish. I look forward to the day when every girl has the chance to go to school.
T he Foreign Secretary has announced the appointment of a special envoy for gender equality  Joanna Roper, a diplomat with extensive experience in Asia.

Her mission will be to promote the single most effective means of diminishing poverty and advancing equality in developing countries  that is, encouraging education for girls.

As Boris Johnson writes, an increase in the number of girls entering school is directly related to a diminution in the number of child marriages  itself an egregious abuse of girls human rights  and reducing family size by encouraging girls to get married and bear children later. It is one of the most benign human rights measures that we should be promoting abroad.

There has been understandable criticism of the foreign aid budget, which, being set at a fixed proportion of GDP, can lead to questionable allocations of aid.

But promoting equality of the sexes in education really is an unequivocal good. It is one area where Western values, such as gender equality, can be exported to other cultures, notably those in some Islamic societies such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, where there are cultural impediments to womens education.

As Mr Johnson points out, there are now at least two million girls being educated in Afghanistan thanks in some part to the efforts of British forces there in driving back the Taliban, which is ideologically opposed to it.

Indeed, during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the Eighties there were also formidable advances in gender equality.

This is one area where we should be proud to evangelise for our way of life.

Quite apart from the effect of educating girls on the economies of the countries concerned  and it is huge  it allows the fulfilment of human potential and ambition.

Educating girls makes for greater happiness; simple as that.

We should wish Joanna Roper well in her efforts to promote female education. She may achieve great things.

Arbitration, not strikes

The Trade Union Act 2016 comes into force on Wednesday with the aim of making it harder for unions to initiate strike action.

For a strike ballot to be legal, turnout will have to be at least 50 per cent. And when it comes to transport workers, 40 per cent of those eligible to vote will have to back the strike for it to go ahead.

These are welcome measures, although it remains to be seen how effective they will be in reducing the number of stoppages.

An alternative proposal by the Conservative group in City Hall argues for introducing binding arbitration, which would have the advantage of forcing both sides in any nascent dispute to take more reasonable positions from the outset. Given the appalling number of days lost to strikes on the rail and Tube networks in the past year, these more radical ideas merit proper consideration.

And with the RMT threatening again to ballot members on industrial action  this time over disciplinary action against staff at London Bridge  time is of the essence.

Whoops, Oscars mix-up

The Oscars ceremony had seemed so predictable: a succession of thespian denunciations of Donald Trump, with the only controversy being the probable award of Best Film to La La Land rather than Moonlight.

Yet what should have been a simple process, opening an envelope and reading the contents, turned to low farce when it turned out that the presenters had been given the wrong envelope, for a different award.

So La La Land got the Best Film Oscar  for a few moments  before it went to Moonlight. For Warren Beatty, as a presenter, it was a tricky moment. But for once the Oscars provided more high drama than the films.
T he cast and crew of La La Land had six chances to get the love scene in Griffith Observatory right. Such were the budgetary constraints, the light conditions and the demands of director Damien Chazelle  who wanted the whole thing shot in one take  the leads, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, couldnt put a toe wrong. They managed it.

Unfortunately, at the Oscars, theres only one chance to get it right. If you bollocks it up, its broadcast to millions of people. And so, a misplaced envelope upstaged all the artistry, all the dresses and all the carefully prepared politics of the 89th Academy Awards.

No doubt youve marvelled at the Warren Beatty meme by now. At the evenings climax, he announced the Best Motion Picture was... La La Land!  when the real winner was Moonlight. It doesnt seem to have been Beattys fault but no matter. This near-transcendental boo-boo now eclipses the fact that he inspired the Carly Simon song Youre So Vain.

And such are the times we live in that its impossible not to reflect on what this means. Was it Hollywood proving it does drama better than Donald Trump? Was it a form of psychic post-election wish fulfilment? (Imagine if Michigan and Florida were just big mistakes too!) We can just be thankful that it didnt happen the other way around. If Moonlight  a $5 million gay, coming-of-age drama with an all-black cast  had been elbowed out of the way by La La Land, it would have been something else altogether.

In truth, an uneasy mood had hung over Los Angeles all afternoon. Despite Chazelles PR job, it wasnt another day of sun but one of overcast nerves. Limousines backed up down Sunset Boulevard, and there were even more unnecessary helicopters in the skies than usual. First-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel had described his job as a no-win situation, and there was an impossible sense of expectation about the political moment. The neo-totalitarian establishment was already pantomiming air-vomits.

Back in 1968, writer Joan Didion noted the curious vanity and irrelevance of Hollywood politics. In movies there are dramatic conventions.

Social problems present themselves to many of these people in terms of a scenario in which, once certain key scenes are licked, the plot will proceed inexorably to an upbeat fade. If Marlon Brando or Barbra Streisand take a stand at City Hall, some good will come from it.

In 2017 this is palpably not the case  and the stars seemed to realise it. Kimmel provided an obligatory anti-Trump overture but nothing too acerbic. Rather shamefully, it was mainly those with a personal stake in fighting Trumpism who went out on a limb.

Gael Garcia Bernal decried the Wall  but then hes Latino. The Iranian director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the ceremony over Trumps travel ban, while Khaled Khateeb, the Syrian cinematographer of The White Helmets, fell victim to it.

Moonlights creators Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney provided the most heartfelt address as he accepted the Best Adapted Screenplay award. All you people who feel like theres no mirror for you the academy has your back, the ACLU has your back, we have your back, and for the next four years, we will not forget you, said Jenkins.

Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Winners - In pictures 1 /25 Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Winners - In pictures Emma Stone poses with her Oscar for Best Actress for her role in "La La Land" Lucas Jackson/Reuters Mahershala Ali, for Moonlight and Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land, hold their Oscars Lucas Jackson/Reuters Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali (L-R), Best Supporting Actress winner Viola Davis, Best Actress winner Emma Stone and Best Actor winner Casey Affleck pose with their Oscars Lucas Jackson/Reuters Casey Affleck reacts as he accepts the Oscar for Best Actor Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Viola Davis poses with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images irector Barry Jenkins holds the Oscar as Moonlight wins Best Picture Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Damien Chazelle poses in the press room with the award for best director for "La La Land" at the Oscars Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Barry Jenkins hugs Mahershala Ali with his award Lucas Jackson/Reuters Casey Affleck with the award for Actor in a Leading Role for Manchester by the Sea in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Mahershala Ali, winner of the award for Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Moonlight' Paul Buck/EPA Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan accepts the Best Original Screenplay award for 'Manchester by the Sea' from actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Christopher Polk/Getty Images Actor Hailee Steinfeld, co-directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore and producer Clark Spencer, winners of the Best Animated Feature Film award for 'Zootopia' and actor Gael Garcia Bernal pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Salma Hayek (left) and David Oyelowo (right) present Kristof Deak and Anna Udvardy with the award for Best Live Action Short film for Sing the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Katherine Johnson poses with Ezra Edelman (right) and Caroline Waterlow (left) with the award for Best Documentary Feature for O.J.: Made in America in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Actor David Oyelowo, producer Joanna Natasegara and director Orlando von Einsiedel, winners of Best Documentary Short Subject for 'The White Helmets' and actor Salma Hayek pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Sound mixers Peter Grace, Robert Mackenzie, Kevin O'Connell and Andy Wright, winners of the Best Sound Mixing award for 'Hacksaw Ridge' pose in the press room during the 89th Oscars Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images Makeup artists Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelson, winners of the Best Makeup and Hairstyling award for 'Suicide Squad' Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Former NASA scientist Firouz Naderi (L) and engineer/astronaut Anousheh Ansari pose with the Best Foreign Language Film award for 'The Salesman' on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Costume Designer Colleen Atwood, winner of the Best Costume Design award for 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

But it was hard to disagree with the final result  and Moonlight offers a much more powerful and imaginative repudiation of Trumps dehumanising agenda than any grandstanding.
P embroke College, Cambridge, is reported to be changing its menu in response to complaints from ethnic minority students about microaggressions and cultural misrepresentation.

Dear Pembroke catering staff, stop mixing mango and beef and calling it Jamaican stew, wrote one student on the college halls Facebook page. Im actually half Jamaican, pls show me where in the Caribbean they mix fruit and meat.

Another complained about the cauliflower, date and tofu tagine with Tunisian rice and coriander yoghurt: Sorry but what is this  we dont eat these tings in Tunisia.

The bursar of Pembroke told The Sunday Times that the college was taking the complaints seriously, which seems to me to be quite the opposite of what ought to be done. Try, instead, laughing in their silly faces and inviting them to take a long vac off a short pier.

The same story was played out a year or two back at Ohios Oberlin College, where students fretted that a banh mi made with ciabatta disrespected Vietnamese culture. That was a nice irony: banh mi are a classic Franco-Vietnamese mash-up.

Food history is among the most gloriously macaronic of all areas of human culture. Nothing is authentic. General Tsos chicken has nothing to do with General Tso. The balti was invented in Birmingham. Our supposed national dish, fish and chips, had its origins among the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. The Irish spud was born in South America.

The Irish spud was born in South America. Welsh rarebit isnt Welsh and French toast isnt French

Welsh rarebit isnt Welsh and French toast isnt French. And dont lets get started on gumbo. Globalisation not only enabled our diverse food culture, it was enabled by it. The whole world was opened up by the spice trade.

The mixing of meat and fruit is, maybe, more characteristically Maghrebi than Caribbean  but if youre making a stew or braise that incorporates mangoes, why the hell not call it Jamaican in honour of the origins of the mangoes? (Whether youd actually want to eat a stew of beef and mangoes is a quite separate issue, and I cant imagine anybody would.)

Im baffled, too, as to quite how these moaning students imagine theyre being progressive by objecting that Jamaican stew isnt Jamaican or that Tunisian rice isnt Tunisian. The fetishisation of terroir, an obsession with authentic dishes and local ingredients, is not just quixotic, its a sort of gastronomic eugenicism. It imagines a stable culinary identity that is exactly as based in fact as the idea that theres an authentic white English bloodstock under threat from racial mixing or that the Nordic races are the echt German lineage.

When people object to racial mixing we call it fascism, but when they bang on about the purity of inheritance in food or flora its a sign of superior discrimination.

You cant have it both ways. The reason that, in the early years of the 21st century, we can choose from a stupendous array of delicious things to eat is precisely that nobody has paid the blindest bit of notice to the idea of authenticity in food.

And if, in an age when basic civilisational freedoms are under threat, the next generation of highly educated students is devoting its attention to complaining about whether their lunch is authentic enough, God help us all.

Inside a rock and a hard place

A French artist is spending a week entombed in a 12-tonne limestone boulder in a gallery in Paris. Abraham Poincheval informs the curious from a crack in his rock that I do not feel oppressed [by the rock], I feel completely at ease, in real connection with it. He adds: I am travelling in this rock without moving, like an astronaut.

A previous performance saw him spend a fortnight sewn up inside a stuffed bear, and if he survives his week in the rock he has said he intends to celebrate by attempting to become a human hen and hatch a dozen eggs by sitting on them for weeks on end.

If this sort of thing makes him happy, we must wish him luck. But I think theres a case for tracking down Mr Poinchevals school careers officer and having a searching conversation.

The terrorist and the pavlova

Nigella terror fella is the way The Sun on Sunday headlines photographs of Nigella Lawson on an evening out with the writer Ronan Bennett. Mr Bennett, now 61, was an Irish republican activist in his teens, and was wrongly imprisoned for terror-related offences.

Implying someone is a terrorist based on a conviction that was overturned 40 years ago seems a bit harsh. And that he was once reported to have been stopped by police in possession of a bag of sugar he said he was for making a pavlova doesnt quite get the cuffs on him either.

The suggestion in the story is that theres a romance between Ronan and Nigella  in which case, good luck to them.

Ms Lawson is a divorcee, Mr Bennett is a widower, and it would be nice to think of them having love in their lives. From my glancing acquaintance with the adult Mr Bennett, hes a mensch, and Im pretty sure Nigella is a dab hand with a pavlova.

Robots are taking over PR as well as jobs

The insurance giant Aviva is taking what seems to be an impressively humane attitude to the coming of automation.

It has asked 16,000 employees: Could a robot do your job? Those who answer yes  presumably because the true answer, dont know, isnt one a robot would give  will be retrained for another role.

One detail that emerges from the story is that, according to research from Oxford University, 35 per cent of UK jobs are at risk from automation over the next two decades  and that insurance underwriters have a 98.9 per cent chance of being replaced by a robot.

The precision of that figure is particularly telling. Only a machine could have come up with it. Theyre not only taking our jobs, the metal gits are propagandising for themselves too.
Review at a glance









G uido Cagnacci was a Baroque maverick with a knack for disarming eroticism. The Repentant Magdalene (1660-63) is widely regarded as his masterpiece.

Little known here, Cagnacci lived a colourful life in Italys Emilia Romagna region, Venice and Vienna, including an elopement and unlawful shackings-up with women who were dressed as male assistants.

Hes best known for his startlingly carnal and naturalistic half-length nudes and theres something of these figures in his depiction of Mary Magdalene, captured just as shes torn off her clothes and renounced her sinful life, nude bar a loin cloth.

Shes discarded an opulent dress, fancy shoes and jewellery, including a torn string of pearls, scattered on the floor. She holds one last necklace like a rosary as she converses with her plainly dressed, virtuous sister Martha; Marys famous long hair stretches across the floor between them. Two maids flee the scene, one with a glass of unguent foretelling Marys later meeting with Christ.

Most striking is the prominence given to a winged Virtue chasing a tailed and horned Vice from the room. In a scene of typical Baroque chiaroscuro, the light falls heaviest on Virtue and Marys flesh: rarely have they been painted so sensually.

An awkwardness of composition makes dubious the curators contention that this is a one of the great Baroque masterpieces. But its a dramatic picture, and worth a visit.

Until May 21, National Gallery; nationalgallery.org.uk
Review at a glance









M iles Jupp should be happy. A successful television career, host of Radio 4s The News Quiz, a large family recently relocated to Wales. Yet once onstage he is positively incandescent about his lot. Albeit in the politest of tones.

It is the minor gripes that really get his goat. From beige trousers to cocktails in jam jars. Life  and five small children  is taking its toll. Christmas, he despairs, was two weeks of saying get in the car to various offspring.

Trains are a particular source of annoyance. Either being mistaken for a trainspotter or fuming at delays and catering. Topics that virtually date back to Stephensons Rocket, certainly, but Jupps skill at sounding simultaneously genial and apoplectic is his unique selling point.

These are, as he readily acknowledges, very much first world problems. However, as he notes, that is where he lives. For Jupp there is rich humour in middle class minutiae. Politics is less foregrounded than in his last outing, even if there is a diatribe about Duchy Original biscuits that he calls a republican rant.

There are few surprises, apart from occasional very non-R4 swearing and a neat final visual flourish. But despite being seduced by radio, panel games and acting, Jupp remains an extremely effective stand-up. Although he wont bring down the government with his quibbles, on Saturday he did bring down the house.
I mages of post-war west London pre-gentrification appear in a new exhibition.

Roger Maynes shots of poverty in Fifties Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill feature in a fresh look back at the photographers career.

The slums of Southam Street, where he took some of the famous pictures, were demolished a decade later to build the Trellick Tower.

The exhibition at The Photographers Gallery in Soho features black and white images from Sheffield and Nottingham as well as an installation of colour photographs  complete with a jazz soundtrack  not seen since it was created for an Italian art show in 1964.

Other exhibits include letters from Mayne, who died three years ago aged 85, discussing his work.

The show runs from Friday until June 11.
P olitical protest on the red carpet took many forms last night. Best Foreign Language Film director Asghar Farhadi refused to collect his award in condemnation of President Trumps inhumane travel ban, while host Jimmy Kimmel sent a U up? tweet to The Donald. But the strongest message came amid a flutter of blue ribbons.

Best Actress nominee Ruth Negga had one pinned to her red Valentino dress, model Karlie Kloss had a flash of blue fixed to her white Stella McCartney, and Barry Jenkins, nominated as Best Director for Moonlight, paired it with a Dior Homme tuxedo. Blue was the hottest colour.

The ribbons represented the American Civil Liberties Unions new Stand With ACLU initiative, a show of support for the civil rights legal campaigners who have championed LGBT, refugee, the First Amendment, womens and abortion rights since it was founded in 1920. Most recently, it helped lead the charge against Trumps Muslim ban executive order. He discriminated, we sued, reads the ACLU website, which has a new petition for monthly donors wanting to give support. The organisation has received unprecedented support since Trumps inauguration, raising $24.1 million over one weekend to fight the travel ban.

Im wearing an ACLU ribbon because it is fighting incredible fights right now for American ideals, said Best Original Song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda. Its only the ACLUs latest fight: Ruth Neggas Loving is based on the true story of a couple who were banished from Virginia for their interracial marriage, and it was the ACLU that took anti-miscegenation laws to the Supreme Court in 1967.

Love seeing the @ACLU blue ribbon all over the #Oscars2017 red carpet. Civil liberties have never been this glamorous! tweeted Udi Ofer, the unions deputy national political director.

The Oscars 2017 - red carpet fashion 1 /54 The Oscars 2017 - red carpet fashion The Oscars 2017 Alicia Vikander, Emma Stone, Ruth Negga, Sofia Boutella and Emma Roberts Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Emma Stone wearing Givenchy haute couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Ruth Negga wearing custom Valentino Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Nicole Kidman wearing Armani Prive Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Alicia Vikander wearing Louis Vuitton Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Chrissy Teigen wearing Zuhair Murad couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Jessica Biel wearing Kaufman Franco AFP/Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Sofia Boutella wearing Chanel couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Dakota Johnson wearing Gucci AFP/Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Brie Larson wearing Oscar de la Renta Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Emma Roberts wearing vintage Armani Prive Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Janelle Monae wearing Elie Saab couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Halle Berry Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Naomie Harris wearing Calvin Klein By Appointment Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Karlie Kloss wearing Stella McCartney Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Taraji P. Henson wearing custom Alberta Ferretti Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Hailee Steinfeld wearing Ralph & Russo Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Scarlett Johansson Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Viola Davis wearing custom Armani Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Michelle Williams Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Olivia Culpo wearing one-of-a-kind Marchesa for Stella Artois gown featuring beads made from the Stella Artois Limited-Edition Chalices that benefit Water.org Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Kirsten Dunst wearing Dior haute couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Felicity Jones wearing Christian Dior couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Charlize Theron wearing Christian Dior couture Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Octavia Spencer wearing Marchesa Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Ginnifer Goodwin wearing Zuhair Murad Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Leslie Mann wearing Zac Posen Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Priyanka Chopra wearing Ralph & Russo Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Jessica Oyelowo Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Laura Dern Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Teresa Palmer wearing Prada Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Darby Stanchfield Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Giuliana Rancic Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Salma Hayek Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Louise Roe Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Isabelle Huppert wearing Armani Prive Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Shohreh Aghdashloo Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Debbie Matenopoulos Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Brianna Perez Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Allison Schroeder Getty Images The Oscars 2017 Zuri Hall Getty Images

But it wasnt all civil rights on the night. A hard-nosed liberties union used to cutting through confusion it may be, but even the ACLU was left scratching its head after the Moonlight/ La La Land debacle, when La La Land was handed Moonlights Best Picture award in error. Congratulations @moonlightmov. Representation matters (but that whole thing was so weird and were in shock too), admitted whoever was handling the groups Twitter account.
P olice have launched a fresh appeal after a Mercedes smashed into pedestrians in south east London, leaving one man fighting for his life and four people injured.

Police and paramedics were called to Bromley Road in Bellingham at 8.20am on Sunday to reports of a car hitting pedestrians and a wall.

One witness reported seeing a person trapped underneath the car after the crash, which happened near Catford bus garage and a hand car wash.

Four men and a woman were rushed to hospital, where one man, 31, remains in a critical condition.

Emergency services at the scene / @tinklyboo

A 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were initially said to also be in a critical condition but were later described by police as serious but stable.

Two other men, aged 36 and 46, suffered minor injuries.

Police said the 23-year-old driver was detained by an off-duty police officer.

He was later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving.

Crash: Police at the scene at Bromley Road / PA

The driver was also taken to hospital with a head injury.

He was later taken to a south London police station for questioning but has since been bailed.

He is due to return for questioning in early May.

Mercedes: The car was shown crashed into a hedge / PA

Police said there was no suggestion the incident was terror-related.

A neighbour told the Standard the crash took place beside a hand car wash that was already open for business on Sunday morning. It is not known whether anyone at the car wash was hurt.

Another said: "It seems like the car's ploughed into two bollards and ended up in the hedges by the bus garage. I hope everyone's ok.

Investigation: Police outside the car wash / PA

"It's so sad, this always happens on this strip of road. There's always some accident or the other."

"It's really heartbreaking because we live here and I'm always seeing these accidents," he said. "I wonder what it's going to take for some action.

"From what I could see everyone seemed alive when leaving in the ambulances, so I hope it stays that way."

London Ambulance service said medical crews arrived at the scene in Catford in less than seven minutes.

Crash: Five people were injured / Lewisham Licks

A spokeswoman said: "We treated five patients for a range of head, chest and leg injuries at the scene and took all five to hospital as a priority."

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit's witness appeal line on 020 8285 1574 or via 101.
A man was stabbed in the head by a knifeman wielding a meat cleaver on a busy shopping street, witnesses said.

Onlookers described dramatic scenes as the armed man ran down Kingsland Road, Dalston, waving the weapon and screaming at passers-by.

Police sealed off a section of the road, near Dalston Junction and Dalston Kingsland stations, as the victim in his 40s was rushed to hospital with head injuries.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH just after 3pm yesterday.

Journalist John Hall said he genuinely thought it was a terror attack after crowds of people began to run away from the armed man as he advanced down the street.

The 31-year-old was quoted in The Sun saying: I kept on walking forward until I saw a man screaming and shouting a few feet in front of me.

There was blood everywhere  pools of it all over the floor and up the walls of a nearby Ladbrokes.

The man was storming up the road. Cars had to screech to a halt as he just walked out in front of them.

It was really scary  people looked terrified. They were sprinting to get away.

A Met spokesman said officers were called to reports of a fight between two men, one armed with a knife.

He said: One of the men, in his 40s, was taken to hospital suffering an injury to his head, believed to have been caused by a knife. His injuries are described as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.
A homeless man who raped a young woman in a violent attack as she walked home from a night out down a leafy west London street has been jailed.

Ishmael Ali Omar, 32, of no fixed abode had spent an hour with his victim before attacking her in Holland Park Avenue in the early hours of the morning, Southwark Crown Court heard.

The woman, aged in her 20s, had been walking home from a night out before the attack which happened around 2.30am on August 27 last year.

Following the rape, she fled from the scene, where Omer had been sleeping rough, and alerted passersby, the court was told.

Her attacker was arrested close to the scene.

Omer was found guilty of rape at the same court on Friday and jailed for five years.

Leafy streets: A woman, in her 20s, was raped in Holland Park Avenue, west London / Google maps

Police praised the victims courage in speaking out about the attack and said Londoners should now feel safer knowing Omer was behind bars.

Detective Constable Anthony Stanton said: "I would like thank the victim and acknowledge her courage throughout this investigation.

The strength of evidence against Omer was overwhelming which led to him being convicted of rape.

"The sentence handed to him reflects the gravity of the offence and the effect it has had on the victim's life."

Detective Inspector Ash Hornsby added: "This was a violent assault on a lone female and that is reflected in the sentence.

Londoners should feel safer today as a dangerous offender has been taken off the streets.

"We have teams of specialist officers ready to help anyone who has been sexually assaulted, but I want to reassure the public that such attacks by strangers are rare.

"I would encourage victims to come forward in the knowledge that we will support them."


E lderly women have been tricked out of thousands of pounds by a man pretending to be a courier.

Detectives say the victims received phone calls telling them they had to hand their bank cards and PIN numbers to a courier for security reasons.

The cards and numbers were then used to take cash out of the womens accounts.

Police have issued this image of a man they wish to identify and speak with in connection with the incidents, which all took place in south London.

The first incident took place on November 14 last year at around 10am, when an elderly Croydon woman in her 80s was targeted.

A man was later seen in a Beckenham branch of Barclays Bank using the cards to take 1,000 out of her account.

The second incident was reported in Thornton Heath at about 3pm on Friday January 6 when a woman in her 70s was defrauded.

The suspect was seen withdrawing 5,600 from a cash point at Barclays in Thornton Heath.

Another elderly woman  aged in her 80s  was called by a man purporting to be from her bank at about 2pm on Monday, January 23.

The suspect kept her on the phone for more than two hours and warned her if she didnt hand over her cards and PIN numbers she would be arrested and sent to prison.

A courier collected her cards and withdrew 500 from her account at a cash point in Norbury.

The suspect is described as a black man, about 5ft 8in to 6ft tall, with dreadlocks or braids tied up at the back.

During one of the incidents he wore glasses and distinctive red tracksuit bottoms with the number 23 in white on the right thigh.

People with information are urged to call Detective Sergeant Natalie Reseigh from Croydon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
P olice stormed a rowdy train from London after a mass brawl was apparently sparked by a row over bagels.

Footage from the late-night service from King's Cross showed chaos break out in a carriage in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The video appears to show three separate fights erupting, before a brawl eventually spills onto the platform at Potters Bar station.

Police were eventually called and quizzed passengers as the train was held for almost 20 minutes following the violence

Argument: The carriage descended into chaos. / Dougie Stew

The video begins with a clip of a train passenger balancing a bagel on her head before cutting to an argument between two young women.

The pair yell and leap at each other in the aisles as other travellers intervene to try and break up the fight.

A man is then seen becoming increasingly cross as a group of people sitting behind him pester him with bagels.

Later, passengers in the carriage can be heard chanting: Hes got a bagel on his head while passengers cheer and clap along.

'Bagelgate': The video footage shows a group of passengers putting bagels on a man's head. / Dougie Stew

He eventually snaps and tells a fellow passenger: F*** off, get the f*** out my face."

The video ends with another brawl between a group of people throwing punches on the platform at Potters Bar station.

Police are seen boarding the train as the carriage becomes hushed and passengers sit in silence.

Passenger Dougie Stew, 25, recorded the footage on the Great Northern service as he travelled home from London to Hatfield in Hertfordshire.

He told the Standard: There were two different events going on. One was a verbal then physical fight between two groups of girls, the other was an onslaught of bagels to a random guys head.

Fight: Passengers get involved to try and stop the fight. / Dougie Stew

It seemed like the girls behind him had a never ending amount of bagels on them to the enjoyment of the rest of the carriage but not to the poor guy.

He added: Then it all kicked off at Potters Bar where another group started fighting and took some of the lads outside to settle their differences.

We were held at the station by police for about half an hour until it was all resolved.

He added it was entertaining and there were enough level headed people on the train to jump on when things were turning ugly.

By Hatfield everyone was best friends again, he added.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said they were called to Potters Bar station at 1.15am after reports of a disturbance on a train.

Officers from Hertfordshire Police attended on their behalf but no allegations of any assault were made and there were no arrests.

Great Northern said the train, the 00.54 from Kings Cross to Huntingdon, was held at Potters Bar station for around 18 minutes while the police took statements.

A spokesman said: We work very closely with the British Transport Police to address this sort of anti-social behaviour.

If anyone experiences something similar, they can text the police discreetly on 61016."
T housands of parents were today urged to join a revolt against school funding cuts in London.

Hammersmith & Fulham council leader Stephen Cowan issued the appeal for parents to pile pressure on the Government to reconsider a controversial school financing shake-up.

A meeting to discuss the reforms at Hammersmith Town Hall tomorrow evening is expected to be attended by hundreds of parents, governors and teachers.

Labour councillor Mr Cowan said the Government is planning to slash 2.7 million over two years from funding for Hammersmith & Fulham schools which would put childrens education at risk. He added: We want every parent to know about the Conservative Governments planned cuts to their childs education.

The only way to stand any chance of changing the Governments mind is if we send a united message that we want these cuts to be reversed.

The town hall is urging parents to respond to the Government consultation on the reforms to call on Education Secretary Justine Greening, MP for Putney, to rethink the changes.

London Councils has warned that schools across the capital will lose up to 500 for every pupil.

The umbrella group stressed that the shake-up will lead to all boroughs missing out in a real-terms cut of 360 million in 2018-19, an average of 333 per pupil, with Inner London being the worst affected. At least 45 head teachers and principals in Hammersmith & Fulham have signed a letter warning of a perfect storm which they say means they will soon be forced to make drastic decisions that will significantly impact on young peoples education and lives.

But the Department for Education said that the Government had protected the core schools budget in real terms since 2010, so school funding was at its highest level on record at more than 40 billion in 2016-17.

It described the school funding system as unfair, opaque and outdated and so ministers are planning to end this historic post code lottery, with the changes meaning that more than half of Englands schools will receive a cash boost. A spokesman added: London will remain the highest funded part of the country under our proposals, with inner London schools being allocated 30 per cent more funding per pupil than the national average.

Two teaching groups urged Chancellor Philip Hammond to increase education spending to avoid staff cuts. In an open letter, the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Governors Association warned schools were being plunged into financial crises. They are facing the first real-terms cuts to funding since the mid-Nineties, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Spending per pupil is set to fall by 6.5 per cent by 2019-20, it said. The DfE stressed that the IFS report highlighted that by 2020 per pupil spending in schools was set to be at least 70 per cent higher in real terms than in 1990.
Hyderabad: Sixty one two wheelers, two auto rickshaws were seized and 34 suspects rounded up in a cordon and search operation conducted in the Barkas area of Old City by police early on Monday.Around 400 policemen formed into several teams and assisted by Geo technology zeroed in on the houses of the criminals and detained them to know their activities. The police teams then searched their houses to ensure they do not have any weapons or narcotics. Ninety bottles of liquor were also seized from house.

HyderabadHyderabad police conducts cordon to nab down criminals.OpenThe police also checked a few houses where migrants were staying and found seized vehicles as the owners could not produce registration documents. Three horses were also seized by the police as the owner had handed it over the animals to minor who claimed to be good riders.

Before conducting the operation, the police prepared a big map of the area and marked all the entry and exit points. The houses of those involved in land grabbing, property offences and other criminal activities were specifically marked on a map.

The map is also available on tabs provided to all the BC teams and patrol cars. They can just flip the gadget and get the information, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) V Satyanarayana.
E very new child increases a mother's chances of having her sleep disturbed by 50 per cent, research has shown.

But the same does not apply to men, whose sleep stays undisturbed no matter how many children they have, according to the US study.

Lead researcher Dr Kelly Sullivan, from Georgia Southern University, said: "I think these findings may bolster those women who say they feel exhausted.

"Our study found not only are they not sleeping long enough, they also report feeling tired throughout the day."

The team analysed the results of a telephone survey of 5,805 people. Participants were asked how long they slept each night, with seven to nine hours considered optimum and less than six hours insufficient.

Among 2,908 women aged 45 years and younger, a clear link was found between poor sleep and having children.

Each child in a household increased the chances of not getting enough sleep by 50%.

Overall, 48% of women under 45 with children reported getting at least seven hours of sleep compared with 62% of those without children.

No other factors, including exercise, marital status and education, appeared to influence how long younger women slept.

Having children also affected how long younger women felt tired during the day. Mothers reported feeling tired 14 days per month whereas women without children felt tired for 11 days.

Children had no effect on how long men slept, said the researchers whose findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Boston.

"Getting enough sleep is a key component of overall health and can impact the heart, mind and weight," said Dr Sullivan,

"It's important to learn what is keeping people from getting the rest they need so we can help them work toward better health."
A mother who developed a life-threatening condition after giving birth is among hundreds of hospital patients receiving rapid medical intervention triggered by a pioneering smartphone app.

Afia Ahmed, 38, from Hampstead, suffered complications following the delivery of her daughter Aleeza by emergency Caesarean at the Royal Free hospital last month.

She developed the whole-body infection sepsis during labour, which led to acute kidney injury. This was detected by the Streams app, which then sent text alerts to specialist kidney doctors, allowing them to intervene quickly.

The hospital has led the way in NHS technological innovation by signing a five-year deal with Googles sister technology company DeepMind to trial Streams.

It monitors patient blood tests and other investigations and alerts hospital staff to unusual results. An average of 11 patients a day have benefited since it was introduced last month.

Royal Free: The hospital has signed a deal to trial the app / PA

A doctor was able to provide advice on adjustment of Mrs Ahmeds antibiotics, intravenous fluid treatment and on stopping pain killers that might put a strain on her kidneys.

Mrs Ahmed, who also has a seven-year-old daughter, Arifa, with her husband Raquib, said: It was great that a kidney doctor could be there to help with my treatment.

I was really unwell so I didnt know what was going on all the time, but it was good to know I had a range of different specialists taking care of me. Im really pleased that I am now at home, enjoying my time with Aleeza.

Acute kidney injury affects one in six in-patients and is often an indication that a patient is deteriorating and needs additional care. However, it can be difficult to detect and treat quickly. It is thought that 40,000 deaths a year in England could be linked to AKI.

At least 26 doctors and nurses at the Royal Free are now using Streams, which is alerting them to an average of 11 patients a day at risk of AKI. There are plans to expand the app to be able to detect sepsis and organ failure.

Nurses who have used Streams report that it has been saving them up to two hours every day, which means they can spend more time with patients. Staff can respond in minutes rather than hours or days to concerning test results, potentially saving lives.

Sarah Stanley, a consultant nurse who leads the patients at risk and resuscitation team, said: Streams is saving us a significant amount of time every day. The instant alerts about some of our most vulnerable patients mean we can get the right care to the right patients much more quickly.

Chris Laing, a renal consultant, said: On one day this week, the app alerted us to 11 patients, ranging from a young cancer patient to an elderly patient suffering life-threatening dehydration, who were at risk of developing AKI.

These patients had a range of conditions and without the app it would have taken our staff much longer to realise they were developing kidney problems. The app enabled us to monitor our patients kidney function, detect kidney failure early and intervene rapidly to manage complications and accelerate their recovery.
A n elderly woman has died after being hit by a car in north London.

Police have launched an appeal over the smash which happened just before 11am on Saturday in East Finchley.

The woman, a pedestrian in her 90s, was rushed to hospital from the scene in Lyttleton Road but pronounced dead just before 1pm.

The driver stopped at the scene and no arrests have been made, Scotland Yard said.

A spokesman added: A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Formal identification is yet to take place.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8991 9555 or 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or tweet @MetCC.
A ircraft using Heathrow Airport saw almost twice as many "incredibly dangerous" laser attacks than any other UK airport last year, new figures show.

Pilots taking off or landing at the west London hub suffered 151 incidents in 2016.

This is up from 121 during the previous year, an increase of a quarter, according to aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The second most targeted airport was Glasgow Airport, which saw laser attacks almost double to 83 in 2016.

Former RAF and British Airways pilot Steve Landells warned that shining a laser at an aircraft is "incredibly dangerous".

Mr Landells, flight safety specialist at pilots' association Balpa, said: "The power of these devices is increasing and we're concerned that, if left to escalate without significant intervention, we could see a serious incident happen in the near future."

Birmingham was third at 73, followed by Manchester (72), London City (62) and London Gatwick (55).

The total for the whole of the UK was 1,258, down from 1,439 during the previous year.

Last summer, the head of the CAA called for people found carrying powerful laser pointers to be arrested even if they are not using them.

Andrew Haines, chief executive of the regulator, told the Press Association: "Why does Joe Bloggs walking down the street need a laser that can pop a balloon at 50 miles, that can cause permanent damage to a pilot?"

Earlier this month, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced plans to introduce new legislation meaning people who shine lasers at pilots could be jailed or face hefty fines.

It is already an offence to endanger aircraft by shining lasers at pilots, and offenders can be fined up to 2,500.

But under the bolstered plans, police will only have to prove the offence of shining the laser.

The powers and penalties will be outlined in upcoming legislation.

The first laser attack on an aircraft was reported in 2004, with over 200 attacks each year by 2008.

Since 2011, there have been around 1,500 attacks annually.
S adiq Khan today published a report revealing the crippling effect that a hard Brexit would have on desperately needed house-building in the capital.

The paper showed that more than one in four construction workers in London are from the European Union and so face an uncertain future in the UK.

Theresa May has so far refused to provide reassurances over the status of EU workers in London although Home Secretary Amber Rudd said at the weekend it was one of the PMs top priorities.

Mr Khan warned that a loss of skilled workers could have a seriously detrimental impact on achieving the hundreds of thousands of homes the capital needs.

When I speak to businesses - both large and small  one of the biggest issues they raise with me is the skills gap. They tell me that maintaining a skilled workforce is absolutely crucial to their future and the future of the whole economy, he said.

London is in the grip of a serious housing crisis. While we are working to train up more Londoners to have the skills to work in construction, you cant escape the fact that a hard Brexit could leave a quarter of the skilled construction workforce in the capital high and dry.

This would have a crippling effect on our plans to build the homes Londoners so desperately need.

There are around 350,000 builders in London working on housing, office space and infrastructure, of which half are from the UK and 27 per cent - or 95,000 - are from EU countries.

Another three per cent are from other European countries, while 14 per cent are from the rest of the world.

Industry experts suggest that London needs up to an extra 13,000 new workers each year until 2021 in order to plug the skills gap and meet the demands on the construction agency.

Mark Farmer, chief executive of Cast Real Estate & Construction Consultancy, said: Its very clear that the construction industry is far more reliant on migrant labour than anywhere else in the UK.

To safeguard against this, London will require at least short to medium term continued access to EU migrant labour and early protections given to its existing migrant workforce.

As part of a longer term plan, the construction sector, in partnership with developers and supported by the GLA, needs to come up with a clear strategy for attracting and training more home grown talent.

The report, Housing in London, also shows that concern over housing is at its highest recorded level, with 37 per cent of Londoners citing it as one of the most important issues facing the country.
A minicab passenger who wanted to book a car to take him from Croydon to Brixton was taken on a 140-mile detour after mistakenly typing Bristol as his destination.

The man was charged almost 470 for his Uber journey home to south London after he nodded off in the back.

The rider, named Aaron, was attempting to travel the short two-and-a-half-mile distance from Tulse Hill to Croydon in the early hours of Sunday morning.

But he ended up on a five-hour, 140-mile detour when he apparently typed in the wrong destination - an address in Bristol - shortly after 3am before falling asleep.

How does Uber work and why is it so controversial?

After finding himself in Bristol at 6am, the driver offered to take him back to London and updated his destination to Croydon, a spokeswoman for the minicab booking app said.

The total cost of the journey was 467.52.

The Twitter post has been shared thousands of times

A screen grab showing a map of the journey and a text message exchange with a friend uploaded to Twitter has been shared and retweeted thousands of times.

The Uber passenger ended up giving his driver a one-star rating.

The minicab booking app said the passenger would be offered a refund as a gesture of goodwill as it was clearly an unfortunate mistake.

A spokeswoman said: Weve tried to contact the rider, but our systems show they set an address in Bristol as their destination.

When they arrived and it became clear this was an error, the driver returned to London to drop them off in Croydon.

This was clearly an unfortunate mistake so as a gesture of goodwill we would like to offer the rider a refund.

Do you know who the passenger is? Contact our news desk on 0203 615 2500 or news@standard.co.uk.
T his was the dramatic scene as a double-decker bus "exploded" and was engulfed by flames in east London.

Residents reported hearing a loud bang as the blaze erupted in Poplar in the early hours of Monday morning.

Photos showed the wreckage of the bus as smoke billowed from it.

People living in an apartment block near to Aspen Way, near Blackwall DLR station and East India dock, said they awoke in the early hours of Monday morning to a loud explosion.

Blaze: The bus on fire on Aspen Way in east London. (Dan Hodgson) / Daniel Hodgson

Dan Hodgson, 32, described how he saw smoke was seeping through his open window at his flat on Blackwall Way.

He told the Standard: I was asleep and I just heard a bang. It was loud, Im quite a heavy sleeper.

I was quite dazed but I smelt smoke which was coming through the window.

The police and fire engines came and they were putting it out. The roads around were closed off.

Billowing: Clouds of smoke rise from the burning bus in Poplar. (Dan Hodgson) / Daniel Hodgson

Varun Vashist, who lives nearby, told the Standard: We woke up by the sound of multiple blasts. Initially we just saw the thick smoke coming from the side of the building.

We immediately went down thinking its a building fire. Many others did the same.

Aftermath: The wreckage of the double decker bus. (Dan Hodgson) / Daniel Hodgson

We then saw the bus. The firefighters told us its safe to go back but to keep the windows closed.

The burning bus was empty and noone was injured, a spokesman for the Met Police said.

The driver fled the bus after the fire started, the London Fire Brigade said.

Fire: The view from an apartment block in Blackwall Way. (Dan Hodgson) / Daniel Hodgson

Other people living nearby said the scene looked absolutely awful while many expressed concern for the bus driver.

Photos taken in daylight on Monday morning show the wreckage of the bus, which appears to have been burnt to less than half its size.

Roads nearby including the East India Dock Tunnel were shut overnight while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The bus was replacing TfL rail services between Romford and Stratford and caught fire on the way back to it garage in Walworth.

Tony Akers, TfLs head of Bus Operations, said: A double deck rail replacement bus caught fire on the slip road onto Aspen Way, E14, in the early hours of this morning.

The bus was not in service at the time so no passengers we on board and there were no injuries. Emergency services attended the scene and an investigation will now commence.

Ambulance staff were called to the blaze but confirmed no one was injured.

The London Fire Brigade said they were called at 12.43am and had put the fire out by 1.35am.

A spokeswoman said the bus was "100 per cent damaged" by the fire.
I rvine Sellar, the London property giant who built The Shard against all the odds, has died at the age of 82 after a short illness.

Tributes poured in to a remarkable 65-year career that began on his fathers stall on Petticoat Lane and led in the Sixties to him becoming one of the kings of Carnaby Street before selling up and turning to property.

The veteran developer was still working full time on a 775 million project to transform the Paddington area with a cube office block designed by Shard architect Renzo Piano until shortly before his death yesterday morning.

Mr Sellar, who was born in north London in 1934, will be best remembered for the 1016ft-tall vertical town in London Bridge that transformed the capitals skyline.

The Shards unique design was famously scribbled on the back of a menu at a dinner attended by Mr Sellar and Mr Piano but was widely believed to be unbuildable by planners and the property industry.

Mr Sellar built London's iconic Shard / Toby Melville/Reuters

Mr Sellar, who had no formal training in the property sector and whose previous development business Ford Sellar Morris had collapsed spectacularly in the early Nineties recession, bought the site that The Shard would be built on November 1998.

He saw the potential for a then deeply unfashionable part of London after a Government White Paper recommended that planners should favour tall buildings close to major transport hubs,

The scheme was finally given the go-ahead in November 2003 by then Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott following a public enquiry. Construction got underway in 2008 and The Shard was inaugurated in July 2012 with a dazzling light show.

It was initially written off as Europes biggest white elephant because of the lack of office tenants but is now virtually fully let.

Tony Pidgley, chairman of housebuilder Berkeley Homes, told the Standard: Irvine Sellar was one of the all time greats. A man with incredible vision, foresight and energy. He never knew what it was for somebody to say he couldnt do something. His passing is a great loss, not just to me as a friend but to our whole industry.

Tycoon: Irvine Sellar with Dame Vivienne Westwood / Dave Benett

Dan Van Gelder, boss of developer Exemplar and former Westminster Property Association chairman,said: London was everything to Irvine. His dad had a stall near my grandfathers in Petticoat Lane, and Irvine and my dad spent their lives entwined. He had a real hunger to succeed, which he did so always against the odds and the establishment. He was hard working, often challenging but always entertaining. The market will be a quieter place without him.

James Goldsmith, head of leasing at City investors AXA IM, who previously helped with the Shard leasing, said: Working with Irvine was a privilege and career highlight - something to tell the grandchildren about. A charisma that would light up any room; instinctive and smart, he could be stubborn as you like!

Thats why he achieved what so many said couldnt be done. He chose his counsel carefully and if he didnt always show it, always listened. Every conversation had purpose and things were quickly sorted. A knowing glint and wicked sense of honour made sure of that. People will talk about losing a wonderful character but that hardly does justice. The beautiful and enduring legacy that is Londons The Shard begins to do so....

Mr Sellar, who left school at 16, had originally been destined for a career in accountancy but he found it dull and ended up by chance selling gloves at Petticoat Lane and his fathers shop in St Albans when a batch was rejected by another store.

He and his wife Elizabeth opened a store in Carnaby Street at the start of the Swinging Sixties, which became the Mates by Irvine Sellar national fashion chain of 90 stores. It was the first retailer to sell both mens and womens clothing in the same store. He sold the business in 1981.

Mr Sellar, who was married with three children and lived in Mayfair, will be succeeded at the helm of the family business by his son James.
T hey might look like a regular bunch of kids shooting pool and pushing weights at a youth club, but the youngsters attending Superkidz are anything but.

Grant Jarvie, 27, became a criminal at 12 to put food on the table and has spent a third of his life in prison. Charley Broom, 19, was arrested for his first theft aged 10.

Kelsey Liddiard, 21, got thrown out of school and charged with burglary when she was 16. And Ben (not his real name), has suffered post-traumatic stress after coming home to find his mother dead on the street outside his house, run over by a bus.

The dysfunction and distress of the 25 people who regularly attend this community hall on the Middle Park estate in Eltham would be enough to permanently occupy a team of social workers and probation officers, but in reality they rely on a single man.

Nick Russell, 62, a grey-haired, softly spoken linguist from Cambridge and a married father of two, is an unlikely saviour. Yet as these youngsters will passionately tell you: On our estates, Nick is a f***ing legend. A total hero.

SuperKidz: Nick Russell, left, Project Leader, Grant centre bottom, Kelsey right, and Charley centre top. / Nigel Howard

For over a decade, Nick has worked with youngsters written off by the authorities as unmanageable on three deprived estates bordering the South Circular Road - the Page, Middle Park and Brook estates. He has battled tirelessly to give them the insight, self-esteem and employment prospects they need to eschew criminality and embrace normality as a life choice.

Along the way he has been burgled (sometimes by the very people he has helped), faced down threats to beat him up made by local drug dealers and never lost faith in his charges, accompanying them to court or visiting them in jail when they strayed.

Last year, Superkidz got a 19,334 grant from the Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund to run a mentoring scheme called The Resilience Project and recruit an assistant youth worker. It was one of 340 grants tackling social exclusion that the fund has backed from the 5 million received from Comic Relief in the past five years.

This year the Standard has again joined forces with Comic Relief to raise money for inspirational groups addressing inequality. We are asking readers to get London laughing - by sending us your funniest jokes and by holding jokeathons at work - and to get sponsored for Red Nose Day on March 24.

Charley: was arrested for his first theft aged 10 / Nigel Howard

For Nick, the switch to youth work only came after a decade working as a translator in the civil service. What inspired such a radical shift? I came into contact with a traveller community living nearby when I was in my thirties, he said.

The traveller kids were notorious for their criminal activity, but as I got to know them, I realised they had potential and intelligence - but suffered from a lack of role models. So I decided to start a youth club at my house. To begin with they burgled me. It took a while for them to realise I was on their side.

Nick did an Open University degree in psychology, retrained as a youth worker, and moved to south London where he realised that the problems for youths on the Eltham estates were similar to the travellers. I saw the same lack of role models and self-esteem, he said.

He calls his method of working intensely relational, saying: Young people need to feel they are loved no matter what and you have to be prepared to persevere. When people have terrible experiences as a child, they see the world through a distorted lens. It can take time to turn them around - anything from six months to 10 years.

Grant Jarvie is a case in point. I grew up in a house plagued by drug addiction so I was starving from age 10, he said. By 12, I was hustling for a living, doing street robberies and using anything I could find to rob people to buy food.

"Nick tried to help me but I wouldnt listen. Instead I went the other way and became a prolific offender. But last May, released on licence after six years inside, Grant resolved to start afresh. What changed?

Nick visited me every month in prison and one day I had this realisation: all my life Id been searching for a role model, trying to emulate people I thought were cool like gangsters and drug dealers. I suddenly saw that the role model I needed was Nick and he had been in front of me all along.

Today Grant is studying for his diploma in youth work and has a job mentoring youngsters at Superkidz. Nick said: Grant has turned his life around and is a brilliant youth worker. Because of his background, young people listen to him and he gets through where nobody else can.

Kelsey Liddiard is another who has attended Superkidz for years. At 16, I ran away from home and Nick helped me with food and to get by, she said.

I got a community service sentence for burglary which I served at Superkidz. Meeting Nick changed my life. He helped me to normalise. When I come here I feel at home. These people are my family.

Charley Broom has also put his criminal teens behind him and used the computers at Superkidz to get his CSCS card, which allows him to work in the construction industry. Nick said: Charley used to vandalise the place, let off fire extinguishers, get into fights, but he, too, has turned a corner. He sees hope and his life prospects have improved 200 per cent.

On the estates Superkidz serves, a third of residents have no educational qualifications and into this vacuum step the drug dealers. The bane of my life is the influence of three local drug barons, said Nick. One of our youngsters was beaten up by a dealer and his henchmen when he refused to work for them.

Another was visited at his family home by a dealer who pointed a gun at his parents as he owed the dealer money. The police seem ineffectual here. At times it feels that Superkidz are the only show in town.

But transforming lives can be a long haul. How does Nick keep the faith? It comes down to seeing the goodness and potential in these kids, he said. My job is to hang in there until they can see what I see.

"The challenge I have set myself comes down to this: I want to break the cycle of damaged children becoming damaging parents. If we can do that, we will have done something great  for them, for their children and for society.
B oris Johnson today appointed a new special envoy for gender equality to step up the battle against discrimination against women and girls around the world.

The Foreign Secretary announced that one of his departments most senior officials, Joanna Roper, was taking on this role. She will lead a renewed drive to ensure girls around the globe get the chance to go to school.

Writing in the Standard, Mr Johnson said: Today, the appalling truth is that about 61 million girls between the ages of five and 14 are deprived of an education across the world.

In countries like Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, there are millions of girls who never get the chance to enter a classroom. In some places, the schools do not exist; in others, prejudice, violence and poverty deny girls the education that is their right. Whatever the reason, this failure to allow every girl to attend school is holding back entire societies.

Ms Roper held a series of senior posts at the Foreign Office before being more recently appointed acting director general for the Department for International Trade at the British Embassy in Beijing.

She heads the FCO Womens Association and has been involved in a series of initiatives to promote female role models including a Dangerous Women event to highlight individuals who have worked in precarious places including Kabul in Afghanistan and Sanaa in Yemen.

She was director for consular services at the Foreign Office and was formerly head of the FCOS China department.
Hyderabad: A high level delegation from Missouri today met IT and industries Minister KT Rama Rao here on Monday.

The team was here to visit T-Hub, innovation centres, Osmania University and other IT related projects in the State during their three day visit.

Mr. Rao gave power point presentation to the team members over state governments various development projects. The team members also requested IT minister to visit Missouri and explained about existence of high profile educational institutions at Missouri.
B rexit-backing London Labour MP Kate Hoey has been denounced by her own local party in a public statement.

Vauxhall Labour Party said she was at odds with local members by not opposing the government enough about child refugees and the residency rights of EU nationals when the UK leaves the EU.

On these issues we do not believe that our Member of Parliament is effectively representing the views of either our members or our wider communities, it said, saying the statement was agreed at a meeting of all members.

The attack will increase fears among MPs that grass roots Labour activists are preparing to target centrist MPs for deselection.

Tensions over Brexit surfaced as the Bill to sanction leaving the European Union returned to the House of Lords for debate.

Theresa May rejected calls from Tory right wingers to sack Lord Heseltine as a Government adviser for rebelling against the Bill. No 10 sources said the former Trade Presidents roles were not affected by his announcement that he would vote against triggering Article 50.

But former chairman Lord Tebbit said it was time Lord Heseltine was kicked out of the party he clearly loathes.

Labours leader in the Lords, Baroness Smith, called for the rights of EU nationals to remain living in the UK to be written onto the face of the Bill.
A Cambridge college is to rethink its menu after students complained that meals named Jamaican stew and Tunisian rice were racist.

The students argued that the dishes being served up in Pembroke Colleges restaurant did not exist in their supposed native countries and were "cultural misrepresentations", according to the Sunday Times.

Dear Pembroke catering staff, stop mixing mango and beef and calling it Jamaican stew, wrote one student.

Im actually half Jamaican please show me where in the Caribbean they mix fruit and meat.

The post was liked over 100 times and shared to the universitys complaints page.

Another complained about a cauliflower, date and tofu tagine with Tunisian rice and coriander yoghurt, saying sorry but what is this, we dont eat these tings in Tunisia.

An anonymous post also read: If people feel their cultures are misrepresented, they have the right to address this.

"Microaggressions are a reality of the everyday existence of many people of colour.

The college said it had not received any formal complaint but would be going through the dishes on the menu to see if any are ones that are not very well named.
A London charity is demanding a change in the law to help so-called outcast wives from Asia who are abandoned by their British husbands.

Victims are exploited by men who seek a dowry through arranged marriages but then vanish, said Southall Black Sisters. The women face stigma and discrimination as a result.

Others are subjected to violence, treated as domestic slaves and shunned by their own communities.

Those brave enough to try acquiring a divorce in their home countries are trapped by often complex and lengthy legal processes, while visa entry rules can make legal help impossible for abandoned foreign wives in the UK.

Barrister Radhika Handa, from the Southall group, said the women needed more help. We want better harmonisation of law so a woman granted a divorce in one country can have it recognised in another, she added. Also state agencies should cooperate so that if a woman is denied a right by sending her to another country, she is not stuck in international limbo. It is believed there are thousands of outcast women, many abandoned after dowry demands are not met.

Despite the practice being outlawed since 1961 in India, it is customary there for the brides family to give money or gifts to the groom prior to the wedding  with the dowries often amounting to tens of thousands of pounds.

The charitys director Pragna Patel told BBC1s Inside Out programme it was a huge problem. This is not an insignificant number and were only beginning to scratch the surface of the problem, she said. What we see is a continuum of sexual violence they have been subjected to  physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse  and the end process is often abandonment.

A lot of women say that after the marriage, dowry demands continue, and ultimately when they cannot meet the demands they are abandoned.

One victim, Meena, told the prog- ramme: They marry us, bring us over, then they treat us like a dirty rag they can wipe their feet on.

Polly Harrar, of UK charity the Sharan Project, said: The impact for women who are abandoned is quite devastating, she added. Its leaving them almost in chains within their society. It is quite devastating because it can affect a womans job prospects, it can affect the way the community view her  and the way they view their families as well.

If she has children it can affect how these youngsters are seen, how they are raised.

And if the victims come from very poor environments, from very poor families, then actually what that is doing is adding additional pressure to the family and a sort of additional reputation risk.

Outcast Wives is screened on BBC1 at 7.30pm tonight.
A grandmother who has been married to a British man for 27 years has been deported from the UK to Singapore.

Irene Clennel was being held in a Scottish detention centre but has been sent back to her country of origin.

Mrs Clennel first arrived in London in 1988 and married her husband John, a British man, two years later.

They later settled in Country Durham and had two children together. The couple also have a grandchild.

Mrs Clennel had been held in the Scottish detention centre since the beginning of February.

She told the BBC she was put in a van and taken to the airport from the Dungavel Detention Centre in South Lanarkshire on Saturday without the opportunity to contact her lawyer or get any clothes from her home.

Mrs Clennel was given indefinite leave to remain in the UK after her marriage but periods spent in Singapore caring for her elderly parents appear to have invalidated her residential status.

She has made repeated attempts  both in the Singapore and in the UK  to re-apply for permission to live with her husband, who she said is in poor health and needs her as his carer.

A Home Office spokesman told the BBC: "All applications for leave to remain in the UK are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.

"We expect those with no legal right to remain in the country to leave."

The spokesman added that the Home Office does not comment on individual cases.

Her sister-in-law Angela told the Guardian Mrs Clennel had been deported after being subject to insensitive and unfair government rules.

A GoFundMe page set up by Mrs Clennel's sister-in-law to raise money for assistance with legal fees has received more than 15,000 in donations.
D onald Trumps choice to be US Navy secretary has withdrawn from consideration for the post in a new blow to the president.

Philip Bilden said his business interests would create complications if he took up the key role.

He is the second Trump nominee to lead one of the armed services to bow out because of government conflict-of-interest rules.

Vincent Viola withdrew as Army secretary nominee earlier this month also citing trouble disengaging with his business ties.

In a statement released by the White House last night, Mr Bilden said: 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.

The move comes only days after assurances from White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer that Mr Bilden was 100% up for the job.

Responding to reports that he was likely to withdraw from consideration for the Navy job, Mr Spicer tweeted: Those people would be wrong. Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm.

Defence secretary James Mattis said Mr Bildens decision was personal....driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests.

Mr Bilden was an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve from 1986-1996 and relocated to Hong Kong to set up an Asian presence for HarbourVest Partners, a global private equity management firm.

He recently retired from HarbourVest Partners after 25 years.

Mr Mattis said he would make a recommendation to Mr Trump for a nominee in the coming days.

The setback came hours after Mr Trump was attacked by the father of a Navy SEAL killed during an anti-terrorism raid in Yemen last month.

Bill Owens told The Miami Herald that he refused to meet with Mr Trump when both came to Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son, Chief Special Warfare Officer William Ryan Owens.

I want an investigation, said Mr Owens, a retired Fort Lauderdale police detective and veteran. The government owes my son an investigation.

His son, 36-year-old married father of three, was the lone US fatality in the raid on a suspected al-Qaeda compound. Approximately 16 civilians and 14 militants died in the raid, which the Pentagon said was aimed at capturing information on potential al-Qaeda attacks against the US and its allies.

I told them I didnt want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldnt let me talk to him, Mr Owens said. Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen - everything was missiles and drones - because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?

White House spokeswomen Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she believed President Trump would support an investigation.

The mission has a lot of different critics, but it did yield a substantial amount of very important intel and resources that helped save American lives and other lives, she said.
T he mayor of Paris has used a photo of Mickey and Minnie Mouse to hit back at Donald Trump over "unfriendly" comments he made about the French capital.

The US President slammed France in a speech at a rally in Washington during which he cited a friend - 'Jim' - who is apparently refusing to visit Paris because of terrorism.

Speaking at the rally on Friday, Mr Trump said: 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.

The mayor of the city, Anne Hidalgo, reacted to the US leaders comments by sharing a photo of cartoon characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The picture, taken at the Eiffel Tower, is accompanied by the caption: To @realDonaldTrump and his friend Jim, in @LaTourEiffel we celebrate the dynamism and the spirit of openness of #Paris with Mickey & Minnie.

During a visit to Tokyo on Monday, Ms Hidalgo said: They are unfriendly comments. As the president of France said, this is not something big countries say to each other.

No one points out that a lot of crime in big US cities linked to the open sale of guns is a plague that takes many lives.

She added: There is a risk of terrorism in all major cities. But Paris is doing well; Paris is a resilient city.

In recent years Paris has been the target of Islamic State terrorists including the bomb attacks and shootings in November 2015 and Charlie Hebdo attacks in January 2015.
J ay Z is returning to the UK later this year to headline V Festival.

The rapper is topping the bill on Saturday August 19 in Weston Park, Birmingham, and on Sunday August 20 in Hylands Park, Essex.

Also headlining is P!nk, who is returning to the festival 10 years after first performing there.

Stormzy is also joining the line-up following the release of his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer, while Ellie Goulding, Craig David, and Dizzee Rascal are also set to perform.

Jay Z has had a quiet few years on the musical front, with his last album Magna Carta Holy Grail released in 2013.

In the meantime he has been running streaming service TIDAL  but the headline slot could be an indication that new music is in the pipeline.

Best European Festivals 2017 1 /17 Best European Festivals 2017 Roskilde, Denmark Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic Bilbao BBK, Spain Tomorrowland, Belgium Sziget, Budapest Sandor Csudai Secret Solstice, Iceland Primavera Sound, Spain Outlook, Croatia Obonjan, Croatia Meadows in the Mountains, Bulgaria Flow Festival, Finland Exit, Serbia Dimensions, Croatia

Last year saw rumours that Jay might respond to Beyonces Lemonade album with his own record about his alleged infidelity, strongly hinted at in his wifes work.

Rounding out the line-up announced so far are Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Pete Tong, George Ezra, Jason Derulo, Madness, Sean Paul, Sigma, James Arthur, Clean Bandit, Gorgon City, The Wombats, Anne-Marie, Hannah Wants, Krept & Konan, Jack Savoretti, JP Cooper, The Vamps, Jonas Blue, Scouting For Girls, Raye, and Calum Scott.

Tickets for V Festival are due to go on sale on Friday March 3 at 9am, costing 175.15 for a weekend ticket, or 97.90 for a day ticket.
L a La Land producer Jordan Horowitz has been hailed a gentleman for the way he handled one of the most awkward Oscar gaffes in recent memory.

Horowitz was the first person on the stage to acknowledge that Moonlight had won Best Picture when the award was mistakenly given to La La Land.

Guys, Im sorry, no  theres a mistake, he said, rushing towards the microphone.

Moonlight, you guys won Best Picture.

Oscars 2017: Moonlight wins Best Picture Oscar after error

This is not a joke, come up. This is not a joke, Moonlight has won Best Picture. Moonlight. Best Picture.

Viewers praised the way Horowitz cleared up the confusion and quickly announced the real winner, with screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith hailing his dignity and grace.

Actress Jessica Chastain also praised Horowitz on Twitter as a class act after the air had cleared.

Warren Beatty, who presented the Best Picture award, somehow ended up with the Best Actress in a Leading Role envelope in his hand, which featured Emma Stone as the winner for La La Land.

Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Winners - In pictures 1 /25 Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Winners - In pictures Emma Stone poses with her Oscar for Best Actress for her role in "La La Land" Lucas Jackson/Reuters Mahershala Ali, for Moonlight and Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land, hold their Oscars Lucas Jackson/Reuters Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali (L-R), Best Supporting Actress winner Viola Davis, Best Actress winner Emma Stone and Best Actor winner Casey Affleck pose with their Oscars Lucas Jackson/Reuters Casey Affleck reacts as he accepts the Oscar for Best Actor Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Viola Davis poses with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images irector Barry Jenkins holds the Oscar as Moonlight wins Best Picture Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Damien Chazelle poses in the press room with the award for best director for "La La Land" at the Oscars Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Barry Jenkins hugs Mahershala Ali with his award Lucas Jackson/Reuters Casey Affleck with the award for Actor in a Leading Role for Manchester by the Sea in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Mahershala Ali, winner of the award for Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Moonlight' Paul Buck/EPA Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan accepts the Best Original Screenplay award for 'Manchester by the Sea' from actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Christopher Polk/Getty Images Actor Hailee Steinfeld, co-directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore and producer Clark Spencer, winners of the Best Animated Feature Film award for 'Zootopia' and actor Gael Garcia Bernal pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Salma Hayek (left) and David Oyelowo (right) present Kristof Deak and Anna Udvardy with the award for Best Live Action Short film for Sing the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Katherine Johnson poses with Ezra Edelman (right) and Caroline Waterlow (left) with the award for Best Documentary Feature for O.J.: Made in America in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Actor David Oyelowo, producer Joanna Natasegara and director Orlando von Einsiedel, winners of Best Documentary Short Subject for 'The White Helmets' and actor Salma Hayek pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Sound mixers Peter Grace, Robert Mackenzie, Kevin O'Connell and Andy Wright, winners of the Best Sound Mixing award for 'Hacksaw Ridge' pose in the press room during the 89th Oscars Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images Makeup artists Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelson, winners of the Best Makeup and Hairstyling award for 'Suicide Squad' Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Former NASA scientist Firouz Naderi (L) and engineer/astronaut Anousheh Ansari pose with the Best Foreign Language Film award for 'The Salesman' on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Costume Designer Colleen Atwood, winner of the Best Costume Design award for 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Speaking in the press room after the ceremony, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said he has had 'no explanation' for the confusion.

I will say, I saw two cards, and so things just happen," he said. "I wanted to see the card, to see the card, and Warren refused to show the card to anybody before he showed it to me. And so he did.

He came upstairs and he walked over to me, and he showed the card. Everyone was asking, Can I see the card? And he was like, No, Barry Jenkins has to see the card, I need him to know. And I felt better about what had happened.

Emma Stone has claimed that she was holding her Best Actress card the entire time during the Best Picture gaffe  lending further confusion to the incident.
A photo of a living Australian film producer was mistakenly used during the In Memoriam segment at this years Oscars.

Jan Chapmans picture flashed up on screen as the Academy paid tribute to Australian costume designer Janet Patterson, who passed away last year.

Chapman has said that she was devastated by the use of her image in the montage as she was good friends with four-time Oscar nominee Patterson.

I was devastated by the use of my image in place of my great friend and long-time collaborator Janet Patterson, she said.

I had urged her agency to check any photograph which might be used and understand that they were told that the Academy had it covered.

Chapman added: Janet was a great beauty and four-time Oscar nominee and it is very disappointing that the error was not picked up.

I am alive and well and an active producer.

Oscars 2017: Moonlight wins Best Picture Oscar after error

The error comes after the embarrassing Best Picture mix-up, which saw La La Land announced as the winner instead of Moonlight.

Oscars administrator Pricewaterhouse Coopers have since apologised for the gaffe, but are yet to offer an explanation.

Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Winners - In pictures 1 /25 Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Winners - In pictures Emma Stone poses with her Oscar for Best Actress for her role in "La La Land" Lucas Jackson/Reuters Mahershala Ali, for Moonlight and Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land, hold their Oscars Lucas Jackson/Reuters Best Supporting Actor winner Mahershala Ali (L-R), Best Supporting Actress winner Viola Davis, Best Actress winner Emma Stone and Best Actor winner Casey Affleck pose with their Oscars Lucas Jackson/Reuters Casey Affleck reacts as he accepts the Oscar for Best Actor Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Viola Davis poses with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images irector Barry Jenkins holds the Oscar as Moonlight wins Best Picture Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Damien Chazelle poses in the press room with the award for best director for "La La Land" at the Oscars Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Barry Jenkins hugs Mahershala Ali with his award Lucas Jackson/Reuters Casey Affleck with the award for Actor in a Leading Role for Manchester by the Sea in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Mahershala Ali, winner of the award for Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Moonlight' Paul Buck/EPA Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan accepts the Best Original Screenplay award for 'Manchester by the Sea' from actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Christopher Polk/Getty Images Actor Hailee Steinfeld, co-directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore and producer Clark Spencer, winners of the Best Animated Feature Film award for 'Zootopia' and actor Gael Garcia Bernal pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Salma Hayek (left) and David Oyelowo (right) present Kristof Deak and Anna Udvardy with the award for Best Live Action Short film for Sing the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Katherine Johnson poses with Ezra Edelman (right) and Caroline Waterlow (left) with the award for Best Documentary Feature for O.J.: Made in America in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards Ian West/PA Actor David Oyelowo, producer Joanna Natasegara and director Orlando von Einsiedel, winners of Best Documentary Short Subject for 'The White Helmets' and actor Salma Hayek pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Sound mixers Peter Grace, Robert Mackenzie, Kevin O'Connell and Andy Wright, winners of the Best Sound Mixing award for 'Hacksaw Ridge' pose in the press room during the 89th Oscars Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images Makeup artists Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelson, winners of the Best Makeup and Hairstyling award for 'Suicide Squad' Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Former NASA scientist Firouz Naderi (L) and engineer/astronaut Anousheh Ansari pose with the Best Foreign Language Film award for 'The Salesman' on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Costume Designer Colleen Atwood, winner of the Best Costume Design award for 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture, the statement read.

The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected.

We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred. We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.
A group of tourists received the biggest Hollywood surprise ever during the Oscars ceremony.

Jimmy Kimmel brought a busload of fans into the awards show, where they came face to face with some of the worlds biggest film stars.

The stunned tourists were told they were visiting an exhibit  and had no idea they were entering the glitzy event at Dolby Theatre.

One member of the group  Gary Allan Cole from Chicago  became an instant hit with viewers, as he and his fiancee Vicky reacted to the stunt.

Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Ceremony - In pictures 1 /49 Academy Awards 2017 Oscars Ceremony - In pictures Warren Beatty shows the card reading Best Film 'Moonlight" after mistakingly reading "La La Land" initially at the 89th Oscars Aaron Poole/AMPAS/EPA Warren Beatty shows the card reading Best Film 'Moonlight" after mistakingly reading "La La Land" initially at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Emma Stone delivers a speech on stage after she won the Best Actress award in "La La Land" at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Jimmy Kimmel lifts Sunny Pawar at the 89th Oscars Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Brie Larson congratulates Casey Affleck as he accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for "Manchester by the Sea" at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Mahershala Ali accepts the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight" at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP US actress Viola Davis delivers a speech on stage after she won the award for Best Supporting Actress in "Fences" at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images US actor Michael J. Fox (L) and Canadian actor Seth Rogen arrive on stage aboard a DeLorean car to present the Best Film Editing award at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Host Jimmy Kimmel tweets to President Donald Trump Lucy Nicholson/Reuters A man kisses the hand of actor Meryl Streep during a skit Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Emma Stone reaches for cookies and donuts that are dropped from the rafters Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Nominee for Best Supporting Actress "Lion" Nicole Kidman arrives with her husband Keith Urban on the red carpet for the 89th Oscars Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images Best Actress winner Emma Stone is congratulated by Leonardo DiCaprio Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Viola Davis, winner of the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences," right, and Julius Tennon kiss at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Jimmy Kimmel hosts the 89th Academy Awards - Oscars Awards Show Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Sara Bareilles performs during an In Memoriam tribute at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Jimmy Kimmel host of the 89th Academy Awards tweets out a picture of Nicole with two of the surprised tourists he invited to the star-studded event @jimmykimmellive Justin Timberlake performs in the audience at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone speak onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Kevin Winter/Getty Images Amy Adams presents the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay to Tarell Alvin McCraney and Barry Jenkins (not pictured) for "Moonlight." Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Leonardo DiCaprio and actress Emma Stone, winner of Best Actress for 'La La Land' backstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Christopher Polk/Getty Images Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling in the audience during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Kevin Winter/Getty Images Sting performs Best Original Song nominee "The Empty Chair" Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Dev Patel and Anita Patel arrive at the Oscars Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Ben Affleck Casey Affleck and Matt Damon appear in the audience Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Meryl Streep reacts at the 89th Academy Awards Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Auli'i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Kevin Winter/Getty Images Halle Berry and Meryl Streep Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Michael J. Fox, left, and Seth Rogen present the award for best film editing at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Detail of Seth Rogen's shoes in the press room at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles Ian West/PA Spanish actor Javier Bardem (L) and US actress Meryl Streep arrive on stage to present the Best Cinematography award at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Denzel Washington and Jimmy Kimmel take part in a skit with tourists Lucy Nicholson/Reuters A tourist kisses the hand of actor Nicole Kidman during a skit Lucy Nicholson/Reuters John Legend performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards Kevin Winter/Getty Images Chrissy Teigen and John Legend arrive at the 89th Annual Academy Awards Mike Blake/Reuters Justin Timberlake sings in front of Pharrell Williams Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Jimmy Kimmel host of the 89th Academy Awards tweets out a picture of Mahershala Ali with one of the surprised tourists he invited to the star-studded event @jimmykimmellive

Wearing a Hollywood-branded hoodie, Cole took pictures with Mahershala Ali and held the Best Supporting Actor statue that Ali had won for Moonlight.

Gary and Vicky were also married by Denzel Washington, who posed for a picture with the pair and said: "I pronounce you husband and wife, kiss the bride."

Gary from Chicago became an instant internet meme, with viewers posting about the tourist on social media.

Elsewhere at the Oscars ceremony, the coveted Best Picture prize was the source of controversy after being accidentally awarded to the wrong film.

Warren Beatty Academy Awards Oscars Gaffe 2017 1 /18 Warren Beatty Academy Awards Oscars Gaffe 2017 The cast of 'La La Land' mistakenly awarded the Oscar for Best Picture from presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty during the 89th annual Academy Awards EPA Detail of the envelope carried by Warren Beatty during the presentation for Best Motion Picture Rex Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty presenting on stage during the 89th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Phil McCarten/AMPAS/EPA Jordan Horowitz of 'La La Land' holds the card announcing 'Moonlight' as the winner of the Best Picture Oscar as presenter Warren Beatty (centre) and show host Jimmy Kimmel stand behind Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty presenting on stage during the 89th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Kevin Winter/Getty Images The cast of 'La La Land' mistakenly awarded the Oscar for Best Picture from presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty during the 89th annual Academy Awards Aaron Poole/AMPAS/EPA The cast of 'Moonlight' and 'La La Land' appear on stage as presenter Warren Beatty (centre), flanked by host Jimmy Kimmel (left) shows the winner's envelope for Best Movie 'Moonlight' on stage at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Jordon Horowitz and Jimmy Kimmel react as Warren Beatty holds the card for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to 'Moonlight', after announcing by mistake that 'La La Land' was winner Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Jordan Horowitz and the cast of 'La La Land' mistakenly accept the award for best picture at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Fred Berger, producer of 'Moonlight' accepts the award for Best Picture with the cast of 'La La Land' (in background) who were initially and mistakenly awarded the Oscar Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Warren Beatty holds the card for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to 'Moonlight', after announcing by mistake that "La La Land" was winner Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Warren Beatty (shows the card reading Best Film 'Moonlight' after mistakingly reading "La La Land" initially at the 89th Oscars Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Jimmy Kimmel and Warren Beatty laugh after correcting the Best Picture Oscar from 'La La Land' to 'Moonlight' Lucy Nicholson/Reuters Ryan Gosling reacts as the true winner of best picture is announced at the Oscars Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Presenting the award, Warren Beatty announced the winner as La La Land  but it emerged that he had been holding the Best Leading Actress envelope, which featured Emma Stone's name as the winner for the modern day musical.

Mid-way through their speeches, the La La Land crew were informed that Barry Jenkins Moonlight had actually won the biggest award of the night  and the statue was handed across to the real winners.
I ts two years since Broadchurch was last on our screens  but the wait is finally over for the new series.

Theres a whole new case for DI Hardy and DS Miller to investigate, but prepare yourselves  this is their last one, as Series 3 is confirmed to be the final run of the ITV drama.

Here are seven things you need to know.

1) Its set three years later

Its been a while since weve had Broadchurch on our screens, and time has moved on in the show too. Five years have passed since Danny Latimers body was found on the beach, and three years have elapsed since the end of Series 2.

There is a bold new crime story which forces us to ask whether the town has a crack running through it caused by Danny Latimers death, says executive producer Jane Featherstone. Is this new crime somehow the long-term legacy of that dark moment?

Broadchurch series 3 - Trailer - ITV

2) The plot involves a sexual assault case

Details around the storyline for the new series are tightly under wraps, but we do know one thing. The main plot this time around hinges on a sexual assault case, as Hardy and Miller attempt to pin down a culprit from a huge range of suspects.

I wanted to tell this story because these crimes are increasing, explains show creator and writer Chris Chibnall.

Recorded sexual offences have been increasing year on year for the past decade: the most recent annual statistics showed an increase of 41% in reported rapes, compared to the previous year

It's an issue for couples, for parents and families, for individuals and for communities.

They're back: Olivia Colman and David Tennant return as Ellie Miller and Alec Hardy / ITV

3) The rape plot was heavily researched

Any TV plot involving rape or sexual assault is sure to come under controvery and intense scrutiny  and Chibnall and co made sure they did plenty of preparation for the new storyline.

Myself and Script Executive Samantha Hoyle have worked closely with support organisations in the Dorset area who work with victims of sexual assault, Chibnall says.

We've spent time with the amazing support workers who run referral centres. We've developed relationships with and talked in depth with Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, as well as police who investigate these crimes, and survivors of these crimes.

These extraordinary people have advised us every step of the way: from storylining, to scripts, on set during production (some of our advisors even appear in one sequence later on in the series) and through the post production process.

ITV

4) There are familiar faces returning

Of course it wouldnt be Broadchurch without David Tennant and Olivia Colman as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, but theyre not the only ones coming back.

Jodie Whitaker and Andrew Buchan are back as Beth and Mark Latimer, while Arthur Darvill returns as Revered Paul Coates.

5) as well as a load of new cast members

Theres also a bunch of new characters this time around.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, best known for her long term role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, plays sexual assault victim Trish, while Lenny Henry takes on a dramatic role as farm shop manager Ed. Sarah Parish plays Trishs friend Cath, who also works at the farm shop.

Theres also a new police officer on the force, working with Hardy and Miller  DC Katie Harford, played by Georgina Campbell.

ITV

6) All the usual locations are back

Broadchurch wouldnt be the same without those staggering coastal shots  and the show was once again filmed on the Jurassic Coast for Series 3.

The beach scenes were shot at West Bay in Dorset, while the town locations are filmed in Clevedon, Somerset.

The biggest and best TV shows of 2017 1 /13 The biggest and best TV shows of 2017 Doctor Who The classic sci-fi show got a new lease of life with new companion Bill Potts BBC Line of Duty The BBC's acclaimed crime drama moved up to BBC One with more twists than ever before World Productions / BBC / Aidan Monaghan Broadchurch Chris Chibnall's mystery drama came to a close with a compelling final series ITV The Moorside Sheridan Smith puts in a stellar performance as she returns to TV in the BBC's Shannon Matthews drama Stuart Wood/ITV/BBC Apple Tree Yard Emily Watson starred in the BBC's gripping psychological thriller BBC/Kudos/Nick Briggs Fortitude, Series 2 Sky Atlantic's original Nordic noir-inspired chiller is back for more bloody mysteries Sky Atlantic Sherlock, Series 4 Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return as Holmes and Watson in the BBC's mega hit PA Taboo Tom Hardy's dark thriller is unlike any period drama you've seen before FX Networks No Offence, Series 2 Paul Abbott's comedy-drama continues to walk a tonal tightrope with total ease Channel 4/Ian Derry The Voice A move to ITV has given singing contest The Voice a new lease of life ITV

7) The ending is going to be satisfying

This is the final series of Broadchurch  so theres a lot of pressure for the ending to be good. David Tennant reckons fans dont need to be worried.

Speaking at a preview event, he said: You dont want to give anything away, but I think [the ending] strikes the perfect note.

Certainly in the case of my character and Olivias character, it leaves them exactly where you would expect them to be left.

Theres a great satisfaction.

ITV, 9pm
C all The Midwife star Jennifer Kirby has praised the show for being incredibly brave after it tackled the issue of female genital mutilation.

The 28-year-old has joined the BBCs hugely popular period drama, set in a Sixties hospital in Poplar, this series as new character Valerie Dyer.

Last nights episode saw a young woman from Somaliland who was struggling with the after-effects of the brutal procedure.

Kirby said: Its a very sensitive topic. It is something that many people are aware of but dont necessarily talk about. The fact that it has been brought to Sunday night prime-time television is amazing. It can only be a good thing.

Call the Midwife, Series 6 - in pictures 1 /9 Call the Midwife, Series 6 - in pictures Call the Midwife The Nonnatus House crew are back for Series 6 BBC/Neal Street Productions Laura Main as Shelagh BBC/Neal Street Productions Linda Bassett as Nurse Phyllis Crane BBC/Neal Street Productions Charlotte Ritchie as Nurse Barbara Gilbert BBC/Neal Street Productions Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan BBC/Neal Street Productions Harriet Walter as Sister Ursula BBC/Neal Street Productions Emerald Fennell as Nurse Patsy Mount BBC/Neal Street Productions

It was handled in a really sensitive way. The writers were brilliant about it and spoke to a lot of real-life victims, so they were coming from a very knowledgable position.

Its often seen as a bit of Sunday night nostalgia, but Call The Midwife is constantly pushing the boundaries. Its wonderful how they can include topics like this that are so relevant today. The show has all the staple things that people love in a period drama but can still tackle sensitive issues like FGM.

Kirby grew up in Malvern, Worcestershire, and decided to be an actor as a teenager. She moved to London when she was accepted by LAMDA after finishing university. She added: I dont come from an acting family so it was a bit of a shock to my parents.

Call the Midwife - Christmas Special 2016- Trailer - BBC One

After spending several years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Call The Midwife is her first major TV role. She said: Its been a weird whirlwind. Its a bit surreal seeing my face up with all these people that Ive been watching for years.

People love the show  it has such a huge fan base. The show is far bigger than anyone in it.

Lots of actors always worrying about what their next role will be  Im just trying to enjoy this for what it is. The whole thing has been a bit overwhelming.
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.
A fire engulfed a two-story duplex in south Statesville Sunday night, making it the third vacant structure fire in the area in less than 72 hours.

Firefighters responded to the duplex in the 500 block of Newbern Avenue shortly before 8 p.m., said Statesville Interim Fire Chief Gary Styers. The fire started in the 3,200-square-foot duplexs back wall, Styers said.

Just hours earlier, firefighters responded to a house fire in the 600 block of Newbern, and another on Friday morning destroyed a house on nearby Fifth Street.

Styers said all three fires are considered intentional and the cause of each one is still under investigation.

When firefighters responded to the third fire, the flame on the outside was extinguished, but reached the inside of the attic, Styers said.

The unsafe conditions such as rotting floors and the structures disrepair prevented crews from extinguishing the fire inside, he added.

It was very difficult fire to get to, so we stayed outside, Styers said. They continued to battle the blaze from the outside and worked to protect surrounding homes of any flying embers.

By 11 p.m., the fire was mostly confined within the duplexs bare cinderblock walls, Styers said. Crews worked throughout the night to ensure the fire would not spread.

Styers said nobody was injured, but the duplex is considered a total loss.

The fire in the 500 block of Newbern Avenue was the largest among the three blazes.

Statesville Fire Department, Statesville Police Department and Iredell EMS responded. The local chapter of the American Red Cross showed up shortly before 11 p.m. to provide food and water.

Anyone with information on the fires is asked to call the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3406 or Iredell Crime Stoppers at 704-662-1340.
Romania's Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto met on Monday in Budapest as part of a first step in a process which, in the words of the Romanian chief diplomat, "the relationships between Romania and Hungary are intended to be turned into an example even for other countries in the region." "This is a very important step that we took today, but it is not the last; it is the first in a process that we intend to conduct to turn the relationships between Romania and Hungary into an example not just for us, but for other countries in the region as well," Melescanu told a joint news conference with Szijjarto at the end of their meeting.

Melescanu mentioned that, during the meeting, some contradictory positions espoused by the two countries were also discussed. "We indeed attached special attention to the themes on which our positions are close and that can have a very positive impact on the developments in the relationships between us. We did not eschew themes on which our stands are far apart, I would dare say contradictory. But we all agreed that discussing them should continue to be our way of approaching things, but our emphasis should not stay on the divergent themes, but on developing the components that can really contribute to the recovery of the relationships between our two countries," said Melescanu.

He went on to say that a joint meeting of the national governments of Romania and Hungary was being considered for a time and under circumstances that are deemed materially enough for the two national governments to congregate. The joint meeting would be preceded by a session of the Joint Cooperation Board, which could come up with several concrete components to boost the relations between Romania and Hungary. Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjarto said in his turn that very simple bilateral ties are being sought, free of complications and full of dialogue.

If the relationship between Romania and Hungary is good, he said, meaning the relationship between the two governments is good, that will benefit all people, irrespective of where they live. (...) Dialogue is needed in the relationship between Romania and Hungary, said Szijjarto, because without dialogue, there will be no common success and there will never be trust between the two countries, the two governments and the two nations. Common success and such trust, he added, are the necessary axes for the bilateral relations fraught with difficulties - mainly those related to minorities' issues - to be successfully addressed. He said he believes they can approach these sensitive issues with chances of success, provided there is trust and close relations between us. That is why we agreed to achieve common success and build a climate of trust between us and based on that to be able to solve these more difficult issues, said Szijjarto.

The Romanian chief diplomat, Teodor Melescanu, on Monday went on an official visit to Budapest at the invitation of Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pater Szijjarto. While in Budapest, Melescanu had talks with his local counterpart, met Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and delivered a speech to the annual convention of Hungary's diplomats, a first for a Romanian minister. He also met leaders of the Romanian community of Hungary.

Agerpres
Fighting terrorism, managing natural resources, fighting climate changes and migration crisis represented the main debate topics of the 16th Winter Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly (PA), which took place in Vienna on 23 and 24 February.

According to a press release sent to Agerpres on Monday, the Senate was represented to this meeting by Member of Romania's Parliament Delegation and President of the Senate's Agriculture Committee Doina Silistru. In the opening session, President of the National Council of Austria Doris Bures and OSCE PA President Christine Muttonen (Austria) referred to the initiatives and measures taken in order to promote the OSCE commitments and values in managing the numerous challenges which the member states are confronted with.

Moreover, the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues Hedy Fry (Canada) spoke, in her intervention, about the migration and refugee crisis from the perspective of equality of chances between men and women. "The three General Committees of the OSCE-PA organized debates, such as: transnational security in the OSCE region: fighting terrorism - the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security; managing natural resources, addressing water supply security and fighting climate changes - the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment; protecting human rights amid growing populism - the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions," the press release points out.

According to the quoted source, the head of Romania's Permanent Mission with the International Organization in Vienna, namely Ambassador Cristian Istrate, delivered a speech to the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security meeting, as Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation and Permanent Representative of Romania to the OSCE. In the last day of the meeting, within the closing joint session of the three general committees, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and Foreign Affairs Minister of Austria Sebastian Kurz, as well as Secretary General of the OSCE Lamberto Zannier spoke in favor of strengthening the cooperation between the governmental and parliamentary dimension of the OSCE. "The meeting ended with a special debate in respect to protecting human rights in times of crisis," the quoted source mentions.
Updated at 3:18 p.m.

DETROIT  Japanese auto parts maker Takata Corp. pleaded guilty to fraud Monday and agreed to pay a $1 billion penalty for concealing a deadly defect in millions of its air bags.

Takata admitted hiding evidence that its air bag inflators can explode with too much force, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

The inflators are blamed for at least 16 deaths worldwide  11 of them in the U.S.  and more than 180 injuries. The problem touched off the biggest recall in U.S. automotive history, involving 42 million vehicles and up to 69 million inflators.

The company's chief financial officer, Yoichiro Nomura, entered the guilty plea on Takata's behalf in federal court in Detroit. He also agreed that Takata will be sold or merge with another company.

The penalties include $850 million in restitution to automakers, $125 million for victims and families and a $25 million criminal fine.

Separately, three former executives are charged with falsifying test reports. They remain in Japan.

Takata's inflators use ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates air bags in a crash. But when exposed to prolonged high temperatures and humidity, the chemical can deteriorate and burn too fast. That can blow apart a metal canister.

In the U.S., 19 automakers are recalling the inflators. Worldwide, the total number of inflators being recalled is over 100 million.

Plaintiffs in dozens of lawsuits against Takata and five automakers allege the car companies knew the products were dangerous yet continued to use them for years to save money.

Takata, which also makes seatbelts, has racked up two straight years of losses over the recalls but said it hopes to start turning a profit again this fiscal year.

Takata's penalty is small compared with the one imposed on Volkswagen, which must buy back cars and pay up to $21 billion in penalties and compensation to owners over its emissions-cheating scandal.

Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Kelley Blue Book, said authorities may have kept the penalty manageable so Takata could stay in business and continue to carry out the giant recall.

"My sense is there has been more kid-gloves treatment of Tataka simply because destroying them makes the problem much worse," Brauer said.
Emmy Award winning actor Bill Paxton, who starred in "Twister" and "Apollo 13," has died of complications from surgery. He was 61.

TMZ and People magazine reported Paxton's death.

It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery, a family representative said in a statement.

Paxton was an Emmy for his work in the TV miniseries "The Hatfields and McCoys" and began his acting career in the 1970s.

He rose to fame in the 1990s via roles as Morgan Earp in "Tombstone" and Fred Haise in "Apollo 13" and then the lead role in the 1996 hit "Twister." He also starred in the "Big Love" series.

Paxtons final big-screen role will be in the thriller The Circle, which is currently in post-production, alongside Emma Watson and Tom Hanks.

The actor is survived by his two children, James and Lydia Paxton, and his wife Louise Newbury.

In 2015, the actor appeared on the TLC show "Who Do You Think You Are?" and dug up information on his four times great-grandfather with help from the Missouri History Museum.

Paxton learned that his ancestor spent a good part of his life in Missouri after fighting in the Revolutionary War. He did much of his research, guided by Ancestry.com, on the East Coast, before heading our way.
LOS ANGELES  Oscar winner, take two.

Barry Jenkins' "Moonlight"  not, as it turned out, "La La Land"  won best picture at the Academy Awards in a historic Oscar upset and an unprecedented fiasco that saw one winner swapped for another while the "La La Land" producers were in mid-speech.

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway apparently took the wrong envelope  the one for best actress winner Emma Stone  onto the stage for the final prize. When they read "La La Land" as the winner, representatives for ballot tabulators PwC  formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers  realized the mistake and raced onstage to try to stop the acceptance speeches. Host Jimmy Kimmel came forward to inform the cast that "Moonlight" had indeed won, showing the inside of the envelope as proof. "I knew I would screw this up," said Kimmel, a first-time host.

Gasps were heard around the auditorium. Presenters, winners and Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences huddled to discuss the debacle. Beatty refused to give up the envelopes until he could hand them first to Jenkins. "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle and Jenkins hugged amid the chaos.

"Even in my dreams this cannot be true," said an astonished Jenkins, once he reached the microphone. "To hell with dreams! I'm done with it because this is true."

Backstage, Stone said she was holding her winning envelope at the time. "I think everyone's in a state of confusion still," said Stone. Later the actress, who pledged her deep love of "Moonlight," added, "Is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time? Cool!"

It was, nevertheless, a shocking upset considering that "La La Land" came in with 14 nominations, a record that tied it with "Titanic" and "All About Eve." Jenkins' tender, bathed-in-blue coming-of-age drama, made for just $1.5 million, is an unusually small Oscar winner. Having made just over $22 million as of Sunday at the box office, it's one of the lowest grossing best-picture winners ever  but also one of the most critically adored. "Moonlight," released by indie distributor A24, also had some major muscle behind it, including Brad Pitt's Plan B, which also backed the 2015 winner "12 Years a Slave."

"It was unfortunate that things happened as they did but, goddamn, we won best picture," the still cool and composed Jenkins told reporters.

The "La La Land" team was celebrating onstage when producer Jordan Horowitz took to the microphone to say: "There's been a mistake. 'Moonlight,' you guys won best picture." He then graciously passed his statue to the "Moonlight" producers, saying, "This is not a joke."

"I noticed the commotion that was happening and I thought that something strange had occurred," Jenkins said backstage. "The last 20 minutes of my life have been insane."

"Moonlight" co-star Mahershala Ali, the supporting actor winner, said the conclusion "threw me a bit." ''I don't want to go up there and take anything from someone," he said afterward. "It's very hard to feel joy in a moment like that."

In a statement, PwC apologized to each film, Beatty, Dunaway and Oscar viewers. "The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected," said the accounting firm. PwC, which has long watched over the Oscar ballots, said it was currently investigating "how this could have happened."

For "La La Land," a musical in which reality repeatedly intrudes on fantasy, it was another alternate ending. "La La Land" still collected a leading six awards, including honors for cinematography, production design, score, the song "City of Stars" and best director. Chazelle, the 32-year-old filmmaker, became the youngest to win best director. "This was a movie about love and I was luckily enough to fall in love while making it," said Chazelle, speaking about his girlfriend and Oscars date, Olivia Hamilton.

Up until the frenzied end, the telecast had seesawed between jabs at Donald Trump and passionate arguments for inclusivity. "All you people out there who feel like there isn't a mirror out there for you, the academy has your back, the ACLU has your back and for the next four years we will not leave you alone, we will not forget you," said Jenkins, whose film is, in three chapters, about a young black kid growing up poor and gay in impoverished Miami.

Kenneth Lonergan, the New York playwright whose last film ("Margaret") was beset by lawsuits and conflict, won best original screenplay for "Manchester by the Sea." ''I love the movies. I love being part of the movies," said Lonergan. After the wild ending, Lonergan deadpanned to reporters, "It turned out that we actually won best picture."

Shortly later, Affleck  in one of the night's most closely watched races, won best actor  his first Oscar  for his soulful, grief-filled performance in Lonergan's film. Affleck and Denzel Washington ("Fences") were seen as neck-and-neck in the category. An admittedly "dumbfounded" Affleck looked shocked when his name was read. "Man I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say," said Affleck, who hugged his more famous brother, Ben, before taking the stage.

The show kicked off with Justin Timberlake dancing down the Dolby Theatre aisles, singing his ebullient song, "Can't Stop the Feeling," from the animated film "Trolls." It was an early cue that the Oscars would steer, at least in part, toward festiveness rather than heavy-handedness. Protests, boycotts and rallies have swirled ahead of Sunday night's Oscars. But Kimmel, in his opening monologue, quickly acknowledged that he "was not that guy" to heal a divided America.

But he pointedly led a standing ovation for the "overrated" Meryl Streep and later tweaked the president by tweeting to him on air, including telling him that Streep "says hi."

Viola Davis, co-star of Denzel Washington's August Wilson adaptation "Fences," won best supporting actress. She and Ali, both widely expected winners, marked the first time in more than a decade that multiple Oscar acting honors went to black actors.

"I became an artist, and thank god I did, because we are the only profession to celebrate what it means to live a life," said Davis, the best supporting actress winner. "So here's to August Wilson, who exhumed and exalted the ordinary people."

The evening's most blunt protest came from a winner not in attendance. Best foreign film for the second time went to Asghar Farhadi, director of Iran's "The Salesman." Farhadi, who also won for his "A Separation," had said he wouldn't attend because of Trump's travel ban to seven predominantly Muslim nations. Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian astronaut, read a statement from Farhadi.

"I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight," it read. "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S."

The broadcast often veered between such strong personal statements and Kimmel's efforts to keep things a little lighter with bits reminiscent of his late-night show. Shortly before he led a dazed, unsuspecting tour group into the theater, presenter Gael Garcia Bernal, the Mexican actor, declared: "As a migrant worker, as a Mexican, and as a human being, I am against any wall." Rich Moore, one of the three directors of Disney's best animated film winner "Zootopia," described the movie as about "tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other."

Mel Gibson's World War II drama "Hacksaw Ridge" was, surprisingly, the evening's first double winner, taking awards for editing and sound mixing. Gibson, for a decade a pariah in Hollywood, was seated front and center for the show, and was a frequent presence throughout.

Ezra Edelman's "O.J.: Made in America" took best documentary, making it  at 467 minutes  the longest Oscar winner ever, beating out the 1969 Best Foreign Language Film winner "War and Peace" (431 minutes). Edelman's documentary, while it received an Oscar-qualifying theatrical release, was seen by most on ESPN as a serial, prompting some to claim its place was at the Emmys, not the Oscars.

Edelman dedicated the award to the victims of the famous crime, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. "This is also for other victims, victims of police violence, police brutality," Edelman said. "This is their story as it is Ron and Nicole's."

The "OscarsSoWhite" crisis of the last two years was largely quelled this season by a richly diverse slate of nominees, thanks to films like "Moonlight," ''Fences" and "Hidden Figures." A record six black actors are nominated. For the first time ever, a person of color is nominated in each acting category.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump," Kimmel said in the opening. "Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?"

The nominees follow the efforts by Academy of Motions Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs to diversify the membership of the largely white, older and male film academy. "Tonight is proof that art has no borders, no single language and does not belong to a single faith," said Isaacs.

___
While movie fans worldwide mourn the death Sunday of actor Bill Paxton, Erica Willert of Clayton remembers how much fun she and her husband had with the actor after they landed extra roles in a 2011 Paxton flick.

"Super, super nice guy," said Willert, who lives in Clayton with her husband, Bryan Willert.

"We met when our taxis pulled up at the same time" at a shooting scene," Willert said. "We started talking and we ended up chatting with him throughout that whole day and night."

The film was "Shanghai Calling." It was shot in 2011 and released in 2012. The story told of an American lawyer considering a life-changing move to the Chinese city.

Willert, who graduated from St. Dominic's High in O'Fallon, Mo., said she and her husband moved to Shanghai in 2006 because of his job with a manufacturing company. They moved back to St. Louis in 2012.

The Willerts tried out as extras after word circulated that the production company was looking for American ex-pats to try out.

Paxton "really thought it was neat that we were actually ex-pats," she said.

And Jackson, Wyo., also had a big role in the bonding.

"Bryan grew up in Jackson, and (Paxton) sends his kids to a camp there, so they started talking about that," Willert said.

"It was funny, because then for the rest of the shooting, Bill would just come up to my husband and start talking, just like they were best friends," she said.

Willert said her husband had a speaking role, of sorts: He played the after-dinner speaker who can be seen talking in the background while Paxton and other characters have a foreground scene.

Along with being an extra at the dinner, Willert was actually Bill's wife  in a photograph that they use in the film.

"I'm in the photo; I'm the wife that didn't come with him to Shanghai," she said.

Paxton, 61, died Saturday of complications from a stroke after heart surgery. He starred in numerous feature films, including "The Terminator," "Aliens," "True Lies," "Apollo 13," "Twister" and "Titanic." He also starred in the HBO series "Big Love."
ST. LOUIS  A candidate for a St. Louis aldermanic seat is set to appear in the municipal court in Creve Coeur about a week before the election.

Former alderman Jennifer Florida, 55, was issued a summons for third-degree assault following an incident involving the boyfriend of her grandson's mother at a law firm there. The Riverfront Times reports that Florida and her son were at the law office on May 10, 2016, to pick up Florida's grandson from the child's mother and her boyfriend.

Florida's attorney Rich Bret said he did not understand why the alleged victim was even at the meeting because he, "has no legal rights to the child." He said the child's mother is now in a coma at a hospital, but declined to elaborate, saying only that the child remains in his father and grandmother's custody.

"This is a much larger and younger man accusing a woman who is significantly older and smaller than he is of assault, and that speaks for itself," Bret said.

Florida is campaigning against incumbent Alderman Megan Ellyia Green in the Democratic primary for the city's 15th ward. Florida had the seat for about 14 years before Mayor Francis Slay asked her to become the city's Recorder of Deeds following a scandal.

The ward includes parts of Tower Grove South and Tower Grove East.
ST. LOUIS  Jurors on Monday found a St. Louis man not guilty in a deadly robbery in the citys Lewis Place neighborhood two years ago.

Chaviez Chub Bell, 25, of Jennings, was found not guilty of first-degree murder, attempted robbery and two counts of armed criminal action in the killing of Omar Britt, 32, on Jan. 18, 2015.

Britt was fatally shot while asleep about 12:10 a.m. in an SUV in the 4500 block of Evans Avenue. He and a woman, Erica Murphy, had been hanging out the day before, drinking a mix of codeine and cough syrup. She called Bells cousin to set up a robbery of Britt, who was carrying at least $500 cash in his wallet.

Murphy 35, who lived on the same block, testified against Bell last week and identified him as the shooter. She said she set up the robbery by calling Bells cousin, Raphael Chocolate Bell, 24, also of Jennings.

Chaviez Bells lawyer, Gregory Smith, said there was no physical evidence tying his client to the shooting and that Murphy and another witness who identified Chaviez Bell as the shooter couldnt be trusted.

Its good to know that juries actually do listen, Smith said. Its good to know that reasonable doubt still means something.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Patrick Hamacher dismissed murder and armed criminal action charges against Murphy in exchange for her testimony against Chaviez Bell. Murphy pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted robbery and received 10 years in prison. Raphael Bell pleaded guilty Feb. 6 in the killing and robbery; his sentencing is set for March 31.

Britts relatives said he was a licensed electrician and a father of seven children.

A sister, Yolanda Austin, was in tears after the verdict Monday, along with several of Britts relatives. She said she was expecting guilty verdicts and thinks the jury didnt pay attention to evidence.

Bell remains jailed on assault charges that said he and another man attacked an inmate in December over the television in their pod.
JEFFERSON CITY  In order to devote the necessary time to all of the cases its responsible for, the states public defender office would need to hire an additional 333 attorneys.

There are 349 currently on staff.

The reasons that explain the need to nearly double that number arent new. Theyre the same ones Michael Barrett, the states top public defender, has been sharing with lawmakers for years.

He did so again during a budget hearing on Monday, describing overwhelmed attorneys backlogged with more than 100 cases, unable to spend enough time with their clients.

Plus, he said, with a turnover rate fluctuating between 15 and 20 percent and a starting salary of $39,000, its often young, inexperienced lawyers, fresh out of law school, that are left to grapple with such an enormous workload.

But there doesnt seem to be relief in sight.

Republican Gov. Eric Greitens restored $2.5 million in in withheld funding in his proposed spending plan, but its still $1 million less than what the Legislature approved last year.

Thats just going to get us to what the building recommended we have in 2014, of course, which we never got, Barrett said. Its not counting for our 12 percent increase in caseload.

The funding crisis last year prompted Barrett to appoint former Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat and former attorney general, to handle the case of a poor defendant.

He cited a provision of state law allowing him to delegate such a job to any member of the state bar in Missouri in extraordinary circumstances.

Nixon dismissed the move as a political stunt  albeit one that made national headlines  and a judge ruled in August that Barrett acted outside his authority.

Now, Barrett is resigned to the fact that if legislators dont step in, some tough decisions will have to be made.

Give us the money and well do our jobs, or if you dont, because of the budget constraints or whatever, well have to start making cuts, Barrett said after the hearing Monday.

That could mean closing offices, including its capital division, an expensive branch of the office that handles death penalty cases.

Missouris GOP-led Legislature has routinely supported capital punishment and other tough-on-crime policies, but Barrett said something has to give.

The policies are the province of this building. Its none of my business. But youve got to pay for it, he explained. You cant just send it to us, and hope that our budget is going to black out at the end of the year.

Policy choices that are made in this building, such as we love the death penalty or we love civilly committing sex offenders, were just not going to be able to do it, Barrett added.

One suggestion he offered to lawmakers was funding to allow the office to better handle conflict cases, or cases where one crime is committed with multiple defendants.

With enough money in the bank to hire private attorneys to help out, public defenders wont be forced to trek throughout the state, often stuck waiting hours in courtrooms outside of their jurisdiction, to defend the multiple people involved in one crime.

As for being understaffed, Barrett said every little bit helps.

Before we get to the conversation of, do you think youll get 333 new lawyers? Hey, how about ten? Lets start there, Barrett said.
It appears Illinois is headed toward designating a day each year to honor favorite son Barack Obama. The only question is whether Illinois government workers will get that day off.

Pending legislation in Springfield would designate each Aug. 4, which is Obama's birthday, as an official state holiday, meaning state offices would close. Competing legislation would make a commemorative day instead, meaning offices would stay open.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, last week gave his support in concept to having an Obama Day." But Rauner said he wants it to be a commemorative day rather than an official state holiday that shuts down state services.

"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 the Chicago Tribune recently. "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."

The Tribune separately editorialized with the same position. "Yes, Obama has made Illinois proud . . . But why is the default gesture in Springfield yet another paid day off for state employees? the paper asked this month. Why should we salute Obama's service by closing the courts, the driver's license bureaus and other agencies? Why should taxpayers be tapped for millions of dollars in lost productivity?

As is often the case when states claim presidents, Illinois' claim to Obama comes with an asterisk: He was actually born in Hawaii, then later built his political career in the Land of Lincoln.

Of course, Lincoln himself wasn't a native Illinoisan, either; he was born in Kentucky. Ulysses S. Grant, who Illinois also claims, was born in Ohio.

In fact, the only president actually born in America's fifth-largest state was Ronald Reagan  who is more generally identified with California, where he cultivated both his film and political careers before becoming president.
About 200 people braved cold temperatures Sunday near the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery to show their support for the Jewish community still reeling after the desecration of the historic University City burial ground.

The event took place on a large lot across Olive Boulevard from the cemetery on Hanley Road, where sometime during the weekend of Feb. 18 and 19, vandals toppled more than 150 headstones. The graveyard dates to 1893.

University City Mayor Shelley Welsch gave opening remarks Sunday followed by readings and comments from representatives of several faiths including Muslim, Catholic and Methodist. There was also testimony in support of immigrants in the community.

Attendees also had a chance to paint on canvases for an art project demonstrating unity and faith. Organizers hope the art will be taken into schools to help students better understand the incident.

I wanted to give the neighbors an opportunity to come out together and to stand against desecration of the cemetery and to make it known that this is not acceptable in our community, Welsch said.

The event drew people from various parts of the University City community as well as surrounding towns. Juletta Burrell, 69, said she can see the cemetery from her home.

I could not just look over and not come and say prayers with my neighbors, said Burrell, who is Roman Catholic. God turned this to good, because everyone is saying we have to stand together.

The incident drew international attention and highlighted dozens of recent threats to Jewish community centers and synagogues nationwide. Police have not classified the vandalism to the University City cemetery as a hate crime and continue to look for suspects.

Vice President Mike Pence and Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens came to the University City cemetery during a cleanup effort on Wednesday that drew hundreds of people from many faiths and backgrounds.

On Sunday about 100 damaged headstones were discovered at a historic Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia.

On online fundraising campaign arranged by Muslims to repair the University City cemetery has raised more than $130,000. The group is offering funds from the campaign to help repair the Philadelphia cemetery as well.
Post-Dispatch columnist Aisha Sultan and KMOX host Debbie Monterrey discuss tales from the newsroom in the next installment of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Kirkwood High School speaker series.

The journalists will be speaking at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at the Kirkwood High School Journalism Auditorium, 801 West Essex Avenue.

The event is free and open to the public.

Sultan and Monterrey have recently started a weekly podcast, Aisha and Debbie Dish in which they discuss news topics and useful parenting or life hacks theyve come across.
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?
"Corruption was said to ultimately be expensive and hurt public funds."

In recent years, businesses have taken action against the problem of dark purchasing or procurement. This occurs when companies don't have proper visibility of their purchasing and supplier processes and need technology to look more closely at the different actions all happening in confluence with each other. Without this examination it's not possible to weed out corruption and other problems.The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development established the persistence of procurement difficulties in a 2016 report on the subject. The source determined that public procurement volume was responsible for 29 percent of OECD member country expenses , but that this sector was also susceptible to problematic bribes. Citing previous information, it said that 57 percent of foreign bribes were intended for procurement contracts.This was a significantly higher percentage than any of the other given purposes for bribes, including customs clearance or favorable tax treatment. This corruption was said to ultimately be expensive and hurt public funds, and it isn't difficult to imagine even private businesses suffering some of the same results through unacknowledged corruption and payment scams.Perhaps unsurprisingly, there can be marked differences in the chances of corruption depending on where organizations choose to operate. However, this doesn't mean that only certain countries represent the key dangers to procurement: Every company can stand to investigate possible issues.Transparency International's 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index measured 176 countries to determine where each stood in a ranking of corruption: the higher the score, the less corrupt the country. The two nations tied for first place were Denmark and New Zealand, both of which achieved a score of 90. The U.S. ranked at No. 18 with a score of 74.The index took various symptoms of corruption into account, including how effective laws and regulatory measures were, as well as whether or not any major, significant corruption cases surfaced to swing the scales.Information, benchmarking and proactive sourcing can all be tools to help lower corruption. This is reflected in the relationship between the various business partners working together and the ultimate opinion of the consumer. Global Supply Chain Institute Director Mike Burnette recently spoke to Global Trade Magazine about the importance of transparency "A lack of ability to provide that kind of information in the face of safety or environmental violations can create a negative perception of the brand that may require immediate remediation and could take a brand years to recover from, if at all," he said of product sourcing data.Complete procurement transformation could help change the nature of business operations for the better. One way to be more aware of procurement threats is to upgrade the strategy and BPO model so there's a relevant structure in place. Over time, the business will likely need to adapt its sourcing solutions to proceed, and a more advanced platform will be flexible enough to allow for important changes in the future.
It was decided to enhance efforts against terrorism in another meeting of the Punjab Apex Committee on Sunday.

The meeting was called today to review the efforts being made by civil and military forces to combat terrorists and their facilitators in the province.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali, National Security Advisor Lieutenant General (retd) Nasir Janjua and other senior military officers.

CM Shehbaz said Pakistan Army is fully capable of dealing with internal and external challenges.

He expressed hope that terrorism will completely end with recently initiated Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

The apex committee was also expected to review the security for the final of the Pakistan Super League, which is scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on March 5. However, no decision regarding it has been announced as of yet.

With just a week to go before the finale of the PSL second edition, the Punjab government is yet to announce the decision on whether the final will be held in Lahore.
WASHINGTON DC - Illinois' Governor Bruce Rauner's refusal to be anywhere near Donald Trump is raising Republican eyebrows downstate, where Trump handily won once-Democrat strongholds.

The Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet reported Illinois' Republican governor's confusing behavior while in D.C. over the weekend. He went to D.C., dissed the bi-partisan National Governor's Association conference, only to attend the Republican Governors Association meetings and dinner keynoted by Vice President Mike Pence.

But Governor Rauner evidently didn't find it necessary or beneficial for his 2018 re-election efforts to attend President Trump's governor's ball at the White House Sunday night - another public diss of the president.

Rauner never endorsed Donald Trump for president and has publicly disagreed with the President's travel ban and his offer to bring federal troops to violence-ridden Chicago.

Governor Rauner's actions were noticed by former Macoupin County's GOP Chairman Terri Koyne, who said Rauner not attending the White House event was disrespectful, but not surprising.

"Trump won Illinois in the Primary election - the Republican voters spoke," she told Illinois Review. "If Rauner chooses to disrespect the voters, that is his choice."

In Koyne's Macoupin County, more votes were cast for Trump in the General Election than any other presidential candidate - Republican or Democrat - in decades.

"It seems by his actions that counties like mine don't matter to the governor in his re-election strategy," Koyne said. "It will be interesting to see if Rauner can help the lower offices in their races in Central/Southern Illinois in the next election as much as Trump did in this past election."

To be noted, those statewide races in November where GOP candidates were more closely aligned with Rauner than Trump didn't turn out so well.

Chicago Tribune map of Illinois counties in 2016 election:
Development of national regulations for the storage of end-of-life tyres, and the finding of alternative end uses cannot come soon enough.

Waikato Regional Council investigation and incident response manager Patrick Lynch says a large tyre storage site near Otorohanga highlights the need for these initiatives.

Council monitoring of a large storage site near Otorohanga has recently determined that no more tyres can be placed there until the site can properly manage their environmental risks.

The operator there has received a formal notice to that effect.

And due to a lack of alternative end uses, hundreds of thousands of old tyres are being stockpiled at the Otorohanga facility.

Anyone wanting to store tyres in bulk needs to manage the risk they can pose to the environment generally and to manage the risk and consequence of fire.

The Ministry for the Environment has announced it will be putting in place a national environmental standard later this year to manage the storage and stockpiling of end-of-life tyres.

All tyre storage facilities will need to be compliant with this standard.

We know central Government is also working hard to develop solutions for how to cope with the four million end-of-life tyres that New Zealand produces annually.

In the meantime, it is the responsibility of anyone holding large amounts of old tyres to ensure they are managed safely and disposed of through appropriate collection facilities or landfills.

The regional council is also urging consumers to check with their tyre retailer as to where their used tyres are going.

When the consumer is purchasing a new tyre for their car they are generally paying a levy to ensure that it is properly disposed of when it reaches the end of its life.

By all means the consumer should feel free to ask the retailer where used tyres are going.

The Waikato Mayoral Forum supports the efforts of the regional council and others to find solutions for dealing with end-of-life tyres at a national level.

During its meeting in Hamilton this week the forum passed a motion of support for a New Zealand-wide approach.

OWEN DOUGLAS TO ADDRESS TCC ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Former tyre recycler Owen Douglas, whose business was shut down in 2006 by Environment Waikato prosecutions, will speak on the subject of diverting tyres away from landfill during Tauranga City Councils Environment Committee meeting today.

His Tauranga company Tyre Disposal Ltd, was found guilty of breaching an abatement notice and was fined $21,000 for stockpiling tyres in a Te Awamutu quarry.

Owen had a resource consent to store 20,000 tyres at a disused quarry on Bailey Road, but Waikato Regional Council estimated there well over twice that amount of tyres on site and accused him of making a profit of $147,000 - $189,000 on the extras.

Anyone wanting to store tyres in bulk needs to manage the risk they can pose to the environment generally and to manage the risk and consequence of fire, says Waikato Regional Council investigation and incident response manager Patrick Lynch.
A petition devised by a group of Costa del Sol residents, that appeals for the the AP-7 road toll to be lifted when the alternative A-7 road suffers traffic tailbacks, gathered more than 800 signatures in its first few days.

The petition, which was uploaded to Change.org over the weekend, accompanies an open letter from the residents, addressed to the central government's ministry of Development and Public Works.

The letter states that it is unacceptable for drivers to be forced into paying the AP-7 road toll when there is heavy traffic on the A7 due to accidents or roadworks. Lifting the barriers, it says, would be "a minor expense for the state coffers", and increase road safety.

The petition has gained support from affected drivers in coastal towns along the Costa del Sol from Fuengirola to Marbella.

Maria Isabel Vazquez is the spokesperson for one of the area's most active residents' associations, in Riviera del Sol. She points out the safety risks that could result from a congested A7, full of drivers who don't want to have to pay the AP-7 road toll.

"It's not just that we can't get to work, and haulage lorries are unable to reach their destination, but more importantly, ambulances aren't able to get to hospital," she said.

The petition has already made some progress as a motion put forward by the Izquierda Unida party on the issue is due to be debated by Marbella council today, Friday. The proposal is to call for the ministry to set up a commission formed by representatives from all the councils involved - Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Estepona, Casares and Manilva - to monitor the situation and discuss the "urgent need" to lift the toll in the case of tailbacks.
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The Ronald Coyne incident, in which a student was filmed setting alight a 20 note in front of a homeless man, in a display of wanton entitlement and sheer inhumanity, is no longer news to the student body. The response of students has, for the most part, been one of shock and disgust, which has precipitated a greater push towards raising money for charities that support homeless people; one can only hope that this effort will last longer than the media storm which has already begun to die down.

However, since the event has become national news, we must inevitably ask ourselves what responsibility, if any, we have towards the reputation of the University. Whether we like it or not, our behaviour and actions are intrinsically bound up with our position as students here. Coynes behaviour, though it is not representative of the whole student body, will serve to perpetuate the idea that all Cambridge students are wealthy and arrogant.

This perception is by no means undeserved. 37.8% of students admitted to Cambridge last year went to private schools, a figure which is completely disproportionate to the fact that only 14% of sixth-form students are privately educated. Of course, not all students in private education have wealthy parents to whom money is not a pressing concern, but incidents such as this do not inspire people to consider nuance and context. Assumptions and generalisations are made immediately, and this will not be a story that is forgotten quickly.

Reputation is power, and reputation is important to the University. In this respect, we should use our position as students to raise awareness of issues within the University which are not directly related to our own behaviour. This is necessary so that the changes are made to make Cambridge a more inclusive, more diverse, and better place to live and study, for both town and gown.

It would be impossible and impractical for every student to monitor all of our actions and the potential repercussions upon the Universitys reputation. Sometimes, in cases on a far smaller scale which are not directly linked to privilege and entitlement, as Coynes case is, problematic behaviour is a result of the general idiocy of students. It becomes an issue of determining where behaviour stops representing students as a whole, and where it starts being particularly emblematic of attitudes and behaviour that flourish in the atmosphere at Cambridge.

We dont necessarily have a responsibility to the University, and we are not here to provide a picture-perfect representation of Cambridge in order to sell it to future unwitting generations of Cantab hopefuls. Our responsibility, on our own behalf, is to behave like decent human beings who treat others with dignity and respect, no matter who they are.

For those students who feel embarrassed by this event because of our proximity to it: good. This is not something we should ever be comfortable with. Equally, it is not enough to say that we would never act in the same way; our behaviour needs to speak for itself in our response to this event. The repercussions and media attention in this case may be positive in proving that we have our own reputation to uphold, and it is one which we should actively strive to improve.

We have a responsibility to give an accurate and fair representation of ourselves, particularly to future students. These responsibilities should be upheld regardless of the impact upon our own reputation, and the reputation of Cambridge University as a whole.
I won't be shy to say that this is a dream come true for me. I've heard to many amazing stories about MWC in the past and I can't wait to experience it for myself.

With Stephen Cheng of OPPO Philippines, Jamie Inocian of Unbox, and Abe Olandres of Yugatech (Photo Credit: Ms. Jane Wan)

As yet, the company has merely hinted that the upcoming handset will come with OPPO's new 5X imaging technology, which I believe is all about 5X optical zooming -- but that's just my hunch (and I hope it's correct). We'll know for sure what it's all about within the next two days so stay tuned for updates!

Sir Adam of Home Credit and Sir James Ma of OPPO PH. The other day, I told Sir James while we were going down the Prague Palace that Sir Adam is already like his brother because they have the same sense of humor. He laughed.

In Prague with (L-R) Sir Ananda Pan of OPPO, Sir Adam of Home Credit, Sir James Ma of OPPO PH, Maggie Qin, Jane Wan, Stephen Cheng, Jamie Inocian, and Abe Olandres.

Keep checking our blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; Just look for 'TechPinas'. I also intend to update this blog regularly during the entire conference so make sure you're watching. Oh, and I might also upload some videos on Youtube so if you haven't, kindly subscribe to our channel there.

I've been a technology blogger for more than eight years now -- and in that span of time, humbly, I had been able to cover historic tech events and memorable gadget launches in other parts of the world, from Singapore to Abu Dhabi, from Indonesia to India.I must admit, though, that I'd never had the chance to cover- dubbed as the biggest smartphone event of all - that happens annually in Barcelona, Spain. It was a bit sad and frustrating considering my sheer passion for and interest in mobile devices.That's why I was so delighted when my good friend, Stephen Cheng from OPPO Philippines informed me around middle of 2016 that they were planning to invite me to be a part of their media delegation in this year's MWC.And after months of preparation - which included the arduous and meticulous Schengen visa application process, we're finally here! I have to thank the entire Team OPPO Philippines -- especially Sir James, Stephen, Jane, Sir Ananda, Maggie, and Ester for giving me the chance to experience this conference first hand for me to able to share it better with my readers.Trusted Chinese handset maker OPPO is slated to unveil a new powerhouse smartphone at MWC 2017, which the entire Philippine media delegation will be covering, of course.By the way, for those who are following me on Facebook, you may have noticed that the OPPO PH delegation went to Prague, Czech Republic first before flying to Barcelona, Spain. Yes, it was so because Team OPPO PH - headed by Sir James Ma - wanted their media delegation to meet the company's partners from Home Credit, which is based in that downright gorgeous country.A great host, Mr. Adam Bernasek of Home Credit took time off to tour us around the main travel destinations in Prague. Here are some photos, all taken using OPPO F1s Selfie Expert and with no edit whatsover.Alright! That's it for now!We've just landed in Barcelona after a two-hour flight from Prague, I'm now super excited to go around the MWC venue to experience the devices at their own booths, take photos, and shoot videos. So many things to do but it's all worth it. I'm grateful. Thanks, OPPO!
Microsoft is no longer the only game in town with a Book-branded hybrid as Samsung at Mobile World Congress this weekend unveiled its own take on the genre which it's calling the Galaxy Book.

The Galaxy Book will initially come in two flavors, a 12-inch model and a 10-incher.

The larger model packs a 12-inch AMOLED HDR display operating at a resolution of 2,160 x 1,440 that's powered by an Intel Kaby Lake i5 processor, up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of solid-state storage in a chassis that measures just 7.4mm thick.

It'll also support the new S Pen (as will the smaller model) which offers 4,096 levels of pressure and a 0.7mm tip, includes a 39-watt hour battery that's good for around 10 hours of usage between charges and the option for an LTE radio in addition to Wi-Fi. There's also a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 5-megapixel shooter up front.

The smaller model, meanwhile, gets a standard 10.6-inch full HD LCD panel, an Intel Core M3 processor, 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of eMMC storage. A single 5-megapixel camera handles video chat duties while the 30.4-watt hour battery is also good for 10 hours of uptime. Although smaller, the 10-inch version is a bit chunkier with a thickness of 8.9mm.

Both machines run Windows 10, are expandable via microSD card slot and offer USB Type-C connectivity (one port on the smaller system, two on the 12-incher) and fast-charging features. The keyboard docks feature improved key travel and a larger trackpad, we're told.

Pricing and availability aren't yet known.

Lead and secondary image via Zach Epstein, BGR
A team of NASA scientists led by Alan Stern is redefining the makings of a planet, potentially ending Pluto's 11-year exile.

Before Pluto makes its big comeback into planethood, check out five of the most interesting facts about this controversial dwarf planet.

Pluto Was Discovered By A Research Assistant



Pluto was first discovered on Feb. 18, 1930 by Clyde William Tombaugh, an American astronomer who was then working as a 24-year-old research assistant at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona.

Using the observatory's telescope (which produced two photographs of the sky on different days) and a blink compactor (a device that flipped back and forth between the two photographs to detect movement), Tombaugh began his effort to look for the elusive Planet X. He spent at least a week examining each pair of photographs, which had anywhere from a 150,000 stars to a million.

Pluto Was Named After The Greek God Of The Underworld By An 11-Year-Old Girl

What's in a name? #Pluto and its moons have suggestions for naming surface features. https://t.co/mE46LmZpUu pic.twitter.com/riDlH8ZzwG  NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) February 23, 2017

The Lowell Observatory officially announced the discovery of a ninth planet on March 13, 1930 and sent out a worldwide invitation to suggest a fitting name for the new planet.

Venetia Burney, and 11-year-old schoolgirl from Oxford, England thought of the name Pluto, after a deity in the classical Greek mythology. Burney's grandfather told a friend, who interestingly is an astronomy professor at the esteemed Oxford University.

Pluto was also highly favored over other entries because its first two letters could stand for Percival Lowell's initials. Lowell devoted his life's work to Planet X, completing a three-stage search of the hypothetical ninth planet, which paved the way to Clyde Tombaugh's sighting of Pluto.

Why Pluto Was Demoted To A Dwarf Planet

Back in August 2006, the International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto's status from a planet to a dwarf planet.

According to the IAU, there are three criteria for a full-sized planet: it has to be in orbit around the sun, it should have sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium or a circular shape, and it has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit. This means that planet is gravitationally dominant, without anything of comparable size near it other than its own satellites.

This is where Pluto falls short, and why experts have concluded that it is merely the brightest member of the Kuiper Belt, a mass of objects that orbit the sun beyond Neptune. But as mentioned above, the tides have changed.

Pluto Was First Probed By The New Horizons, A Spacecraft The Size Of A Grand Piano

The last bits of data from the #NewHorizons 2015 flyby have been delivered to Earth - https://t.co/sXc7OMB2Ur pic.twitter.com/CWdVSNaFsv  NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) October 27, 2016

In 2006, NASA launched New Horizons to fly by Pluto and its moons. Costing approximately $700 million and weighing in at 1,000 pounds, the camera-fitted rocket is reportedly only as big as a grand piano. Clyde Tombaugh's ashes also joined the probe aboard the NASA spacecraft.

In the summer of 2015, New Horizons did a six-month-long reconnaissance flyby study of Pluto and its moons, producing a series of the most stunning and by far the closest photos of the faraway planet.

Pluto Has Ice Volcanoes And Pluto Has Floating Mountains

On the far western edge of Pluto's iconic heart-shaped surface, dubbed the Tombaugh Basin after its discoverer, are massive mountains of solid ice that go as high as 3.1 miles above the ground. With a bedrock of nitrogen and carbon monoxide ice, which are denser than water, the ice mountains float atop ice water.

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft observed that two of Pluto's prominent peaks - the 13,000-foot-high Wright Mons and the roughly 18,000-foot-high Piccard Mons  appear to be ice volcanoes or cryovolcanoes. Instead of erupting and spewing molten rocks and lava from its crater, Pluto's ice volcanoes explode with water ice and frozen nitrogen, ammonia, or methane.

"Cryovolcanism could provide an important clue in understanding Pluto's geologic and atmospheric evolution," Amy Shira Teitel, shared.

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The Nokia 3310's classic look is something that has surpassed the age of smartphones. Everybody knows and loves the simple, classic design that reminds us all of simpler days when people still compared their high scores in Snake II. With the announcement coming from Nokia that they will be doing a relaunch of the 3310 at this year's Mobile World Congress on Feb. 26, many are already wondering how its modern version will look like.

Now, new information is coming out about supposed leaked reports of how the relaunched phone may look like and even a little information on the phone's modernized specifications.

A Slight Update

The 3310 was launched in the year 2000, before the age of smartphones began and when cellular phones were simply used as phones. It is possibly for this reason that many loved the fun update and quirky design of Nokia's most iconic phone.

According to Chinese website Vtech, the new 3310 will likely resemble the original bar phone with a slight update of being slimmer and lighter. Further, its buttons are said to resemble the original layout but with a modern touch and just like before, the 3310 could come in multiple colors.

A Smarter Phone

The supposed leaks also reported on the 3310's updated specifications that will bring it into the modern side of the fence. However, though it is said to be packed with limited data and web-browsing capabilities, it still won't quite be classified as a smartphone. It will, however, reportedly sport a larger and in color screen.

The new 3310 is expected to be sold at around $63, which is a pretty reasonable price to have a handful of nostalgia.

Early Concept Videos

The report is, of course, unverified, so there's no saying just exactly what the new 3310 will look like. Upon the announcement of its comeback, enthusiasts were quick to make concept videos of what the modernized 3310 may look like and what features it may have.

One concept video reimagining the 3310 did not change much the look of the Nokia classic but did add more modern features such as a rear camera, a built in radio system, 8 GB in internal memory and a microUSB port. A few years back, CurvedLabs released a concept image of a modernized Nokia 3310 that features a much larger screen that's somewhat closer to the look of a smartphone, with the iconic buttons strategically placed at the bottom of the device.

It won't be long until we see what the relaunched 3310 will actually look like and for all we know, it could look exactly the same. Until then, we'll just have to wait and see.

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If you have been paying attention to the high level of excitement that surrounds the impending Snap Inc. IPO, you will probably conclude that it is destined to make a big wave when its stocks finally hit the market.

The other narrative, however, is that the level of interest is just all hype, which means the IPO could possibly turn to be a dud. Before you dismiss this line as nonsense or if you are really fired up to snap up a bunch of shares, you should note that the market interest at this point might not translate into better market performance and that is somehow supported by the experiences of similar mega IPOs, particularly those coming from the technology industry.

Tales From Previous Tech Mega IPOs

You are probably not aware that Facebook, Twitter, Zynga, and Groupon all enjoyed massive hype when they first went public. The expectations for their respective IPOs were through the roof and shares have been sold at high opening stock prices. After their first fiscal years, however, prices began tumbling down, resulting in up to an 86 percent difference.

A year after its market debut, for example, Twitter was being traded for $40.31, which sustained a 10.6 percent drop from its opening price. Groupon was hardest hit, suffering a -86.1 percent change.

Of course, you will say that Facebook is enjoying robust market performance today. But there is still the fact that its opening $42.05 stock price dropped a little more than 37 percent a year after going public.

The lesson here is for investors to treat the hubbub entailed in Snap's initial public offering with caution because this mega IPO is not the first to have been accorded such interest. Experts even coined a category for these: "sexy companies" but bad investments.

Non-Voting Snap Stock

It is also helpful to look at Snap as an organization post IPO. Some analysts are already focusing on this area especially with the way the company is being branded as an experiment in corporate governance. Some have balked at the manner in which Snap's shareholders are not entitled to any voting rights. Simply put, there will be a number of trial and errors along the way for this new kind of organization and the shareholders will be powerless to do anything about it.

A recent report revealed how one institutional investor complained to Snap that they have "a Banana Republic-style approach."

In its IPO filing, Snap has acknowledged this, confirming that it will be the first company to trade non-voting stocks in the United States. It appears that Snap's management wants to take money from investors without offering equitable benefits save for profit if it manages to be successful. Even Google's owners, who wanted to exert control over the company when it went public, had to create a stock category that entails some rights for shareholders to have a say on how the organization is run.

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Wanting to see popular fictional characters in a new light is not something new, and comic books have been a way to explore infinite possibilities for heroes and villains. This is definitely the case with both Marvel and DC Comics with their alternate and multiple universes.

In July 2016, IDW publishing launched a series of one-shot comic books called Deviations that follows the characters of popular series after changing one important event in their stories. The X-Files was a part of the roster in 2016 and the one change in the story is that it was Fox Mulder instead of his sister, Samantha Mulder, who was abducted by aliens.

Now IDW Publishing is back with Deviations and there are more intriguing what ifs that will be explored in the stories. Deviations will have a five-week event that will feature five different comic books separately but the 136-paged collection will already be released in March.

Star Trek

Writer Donny Cates boldly went "where no man has gone before," telling the story of an Earth that was discovered by Romulans instead of Vulcans. The Earth has become a brutal penal colony, and William Riker is a resistance fighter who will discover and rescue a mysterious human prisoner in the very depths of the Romulan dungeons. Josh Hood created the illustrations for this Star Trek deviation.



The X-Files

Writer Amy Chu and artist Elena Casagrade teamed up again to bring Agent Samantha Mulder and Dana Sculley another mysterious case that leads them to investigate a shadowy figure. The X-Files fans will be excited to learn that the Lone Gunmen will make their appearance.



Orphan Black

Heli Kennedy and Wayne Nichols teamed up to write and illustrate the first segment of a six-part comic book deviation to Orphan Black, which explores the idea of Beth's survival. The Clone Club forms in a different way and the mysterious Project LEDA unfolds in new, exciting ways.



Judge Dredd

John McCrea wondered what would happen if Judge Dredd turned into a werewolf and stayed that way. McCrea's deviation is a sideways look at "Cry of the Werewolf" by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and the late Steve Dillon.



And the most compelling of all ...

My Little Pony

Writer Katie Cook and artist Agnes Garbowska teamed up to ask "What would happen if Prince Blueblood is Celestia's star pupil and not Twilight Sparkle?"



The comic book titles above are just five of the many titles included in the collection because the Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will also have their alternate stories.

March is just around the corner so fans of alternate timelines to comic book stories should watch out for the release of Deviations.

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Strides in technological advancement have allowed humans to send spacecraft to the moon, distant asteroids, and planet Mars, but is it possible to send a probe to the scorching hot sun? Apparently, yes, and it may happen as early as next year.

Objectives Of The Solar Probe Plus Mission

In 2018, NASA plans to launch the Solar Probe Plus mission, which aims to get within 4 million miles from the sun. Astronomers explained that this first mission to fly to the sun could not get to the very surface of the blazing star, but they hope to get the spacecraft close enough to gather data that can answer crucial questions regarding the host star of the solar system.

Scientists hope that the mission will reveal why the solar surface known as the photosphere is not as hot as the sun's atmosphere known as corona. The surface of the sun is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, but the atmosphere above it is far hotter at 3.5 million Fahrenheit.

"You'd think the farther away you get from a heat source, you'd get colder," said Eric Christian, from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Why the atmosphere is hotter than the surface is a big puzzle."

Researchers also want to know how the solar wind get its speed as well as why the sun occasionally produces high-energy particles known as solar energetic particles.

Scientists likewise hope that the mission would provide new data on solar activities that will be critical in humanity's ability to forecast space-weather events that can impact life on Earth.

In a study published earlier in Space Weather, researchers revealed that if a Carrington-like solar storm would affect Earth within the next decade, the event would cost the U.S. $41.5 billion in daily economic losses. It could also knock out transformers that transmit electricity, which can cause massive blackouts.

"Without advance warning a huge solar event could cause two trillion dollars in damage in the US alone, and the eastern seaboard of the US could be without power for a year," the Solar Probe mission page reads. "In order to unlock the mysteries of the corona, but also to protect a society that is increasingly dependent on technology from the threats of space weather, we will send Solar Probe Plus to touch the sun."

Challenges

Given the sun's heat, sending a probe that would fly within close proximity to the sun does not come without challenges. To deal with the extreme temperatures, scientists designed a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield so as to help the spacecraft withstand temperatures of 2,500 Fahrenheit outside.

The space probe will also come equipped with special heat tubes known as thermal radiators that will radiate heat that permeates the heat shield so this would not go to the heat-sensitive instruments inside the probe. If these protections would work as intended, the instruments in the space probe will stay at room temperature. The probe will likewise get protection from radiation, which can damage the electrical circuits and memory.

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Samsung has officially unveiled an updated Gear VR headset, confirming past rumors. It now features better ergonomics and design compared with the original 2015 release, and on top of which a brand-new controller powered by Oculus.

A Refreshed Gear VR Headset With A New Controller

While the new version is slightly heavier and wider than its predecessor, the field of view remains similar to the 2016 version at 101 degrees, compared to the 96 degrees that came with the original model. It also features improved distortion correction to reduce motion sickness, a common gripe with VR headsets.

The inclusion of an Oculus-powered controller isn't much of a surprise. Such a peripheral has been rumored for days leading up to the Mobile World Congress, after being first spotted in filings with the FCC.

Previous Gear VR headsets did feature some form of controls, but only minor ones, and they were flanked on the sides of the unit, so it wasn't exactly a user-friendly setup for extended usage. Now with a dedicated controller bundled together with the headset, Samsung is opening its mobile VR platform up to developers, letting them more natively utilize navigation and input.

"The Gear VR with Controller expands our VR ecosystem to help consumers get more engaged and immersed in VR content  whether it's games or videos," said Younghee Lee, executive VP of Samsung's Mobile Communications Business.

The controller itself features a clickable touchpad and keys for home, back, and volume control. Inside is a medley of advanced tech, featuring an accelerometer, gyrometer, and magnetic sensors. It's powered by two AAA batteries estimated to last up to 40 days per two hours of daily usage. Both the headset and the controller support micro USB and USB Type-C ports, and there's also a converter included in the box. The new hardware will work with Samsung's slew of smartphones, including the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note 5, and the Galaxy S6 series.

The addition of a controller parallels Samsung's Gear VR platform to that of Google's, since the Daydream View headset similarly comes with its own controller.

70 Titles With Controller Support Already In Development

Samsung collaborated with Facebook-owned Oculus to develop the controller for the VR headset, about 5 million have been sold to date, according to VentureBeat. Oculus says that there are more than 70 titles already in development, and that all existing touchpads will be compatible with the Gear VR controller from day one.

"We'll open up the Gear VR Controller SDK to all developers in a few weeks so they can start building experiences for the controller," according to Oculus. Interested developers can submit a request to receive an SDK and all pertinent hardware.

Yes, The New Controller Is Backward-Compatible With Old Gear VR Headsets

Thankfully, the new controller isn't locked to the new updated Gear VR headset. Oculus confirmed that it will be compatible with previous Gear VR models as a separate purchase. Support for third-party VR headsets, such as Daydream View, look unlikely.

Samsung has yet to reveal pricing and availability details of the new Gear VR headset. Thoughts? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!

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In December 2016, Japan's SoftBank Corp group's founder Masayoshi Son met President Donald Trump and promised to invest $50 billion, as well as create another 50,000 new job opportunities in the United States.

It seems that Son is keeping his promise as SoftBank is close to completing an investment in office sharing startup WeWorks, which may be worth over $3 billion.

Son led SoftBank to garner a string of acquisitions and also invested in quite a few places over the past months. The company's latest acquisition was an all-cash deal to gain asset manager Fortress Investment Group.

Details Of The Investment

The investment will be done in two stages. The first tranche of funding will be worth $2 billion after which, the second round worth more than $1 billion would follow.

Rumors are rife that the second investment may be worth $2 billion. The total amount of investment in the office sharing estate startup could go up to $4 billion.

The tender offer for WeWorks insiders is estimated to be around $44.10 per internal share. WeWork, whose current valuation stands at around $17 billion, will rise to more than $20 billion if SoftBank goes ahead with the full investment.

Although there are rumors of the investment going through, SoftBank hasn't officially confirmed anything so far. According to investors, SoftBank has been in talks with people from WeWork for quite some time with regard to the proposed investment.

WeWork:The Office Sharing Startup

WeWork is a New York-based American startup which provides shared workspaces to businesses, freelancers, and other start-ups. It currently functions in 19 cities in the United States and 11 other countries which include, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Australia, France, and the UK.

WeWork co founder Miguel McKelvey recently stated that the company is planning to expand its operations to Beijing soon. McKelvey further added that the estate rental company will continue to gather capital for expansion purposes, ahead of its public listing in the near future. However, he did not mention a specific date as to when one can expect that to happen.

In the past two years, WeWork has raised funding worth more than $1 billion from firms such as Goldman Sachs, China-based Hony Capital, and Benchmark.

SoftBank, The Hyper Acquisitive Japanese Telecom Company

SoftBank has made investments in some of most popular and trending tech startups in the world. It is in the process of acquiring asset management firm Fortress. It also announced that it was planning to merge with Sprint.

In 2016, SoftBank purchased Britain's most valuable technology company ARM holdings for $32 billion.

Photo: MIKI Yoshihito | Flickr

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A nonprofit aquarium in Niagara Falls is seeking to protect threatened species of Humboldt penguins through a new program, officials said.

The Aquarium of Niagara will undergo a major renovation to expand its area and build a habitat for Humboldt penguins, where the animals will be bred and taken care of. This program will rejuvenate the colony of geriatric penguins.

Humboldt Penguin Exhibit

The Aquarium of Niagara is currently one of 20 North American institutions that shelter Humboldt penguins.

On Feb. 24, officials from the Aquarium of Niagara, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster all broke ground on the area where the new project will be built.

The Humboldt penguin exhibit will be about 3,500 square feet big, and the habitat itself is 1,600 square feet. It is expected to be completed by spring 2018.

Once the project commences, the Humboldt penguin exhibit will become four times larger, and it will feature a rock beach modeled after the coast of Peru, as well as an interactive room for visitors.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved the $3.3 million project, which was funded by several donors. The list includes the New York Power Authority, which allocated $1.75 million for the habitat, Empire State Development ($400,000), and the City of Niagara Falls ($150,000).

The funding is enough to renovate the exhibit and push it to receive accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Educational Activity For Families

Howard Zemsky, chief executive, commissioner, and president of Empire State Development, said he is certain the exhibit will be both educational and entertaining for families.

"[The exhibit will add] even more to the tourism industry's significant impact on the regional economy," said Zemsky.

Mayor Dyster believes the penguin habitat not only adds to the program that the Aquarium of Niagara already offers, but it will also build upon Gov. Cuomo's vision of leveraging the city into a world-class tourist destination.

"I am confident that this exhibit will provide yet another exciting experience for visitors to the Aquarium of Niagara," said Dyster.

He added that he is looking forward to welcoming the colony of Humboldt penguins to the aquarium.

Humboldt penguins are found only in the Pacific Coast of South America from Chile to Peru. Based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the animals' population has been fluctuating since 1988. As of 2015, counts of individuals revealed an average population of 33,380, officials said.

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Samsung has again flexed its financial muscle during the Oscars telecast, buying three crucial spots that sought to underscore one overarching message, that Samsung Galaxy phones are safe and tested in extreme conditions to avoid the Note 7 battery explosions.

Tested, Retested, And Tested Again

The two 30-second ads shown during the Oscars focused on this promise. The first underscored how the South Korean company ensures the quality of its devices. This has been tied to a reference to Samsung's legacy, which seems to be saying that the company is staking its reputation when it claims that the upcoming Samsung devices are not going to burn your pockets.

"Our phones are extensively tested, retested, and then, tested again," one of the ads claimed. "Innovation is our legacy. Quality is our priority."

To complement those words, the commercial featured images of Samsung handsets being subjected to various torture tests. The battery seemed to have endured the bulk of it as it was depicted getting baked in an oven, pierced, dropped and prodded by several contraptions that simulate all sorts of abuse. By the end of the commercial, the audience must have taken the hint for good measure.

Samsung Battery Safety Check

The other ad also briefly demonstrated the so-called eight-point battery safety check, which Samsung stressed is its toughest safety check ever. No specific details as to the exact process or what kind of cutting edge technologies will help prevent new Galaxy handsets from exploding but the emphasis on tests speaks volumes about Samsung's priority when it recently began manufacturing its devices.

Unfortunately, these two ads did not include footages of the Galaxy S8 getting tortured or tested. The ad demonstrating the eight-point battery test, for example, showed the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge if only for the fact that the devices still sport a Home button. Like the LG G6, upcoming Samsung flagships will no longer have a Home button according to leaked reports.

For Ordinary Video Creators

The last of the ads merely paid homage to the ordinary folks out there who love to create videos and don't have any big awards show and fancy cameras. It relied on popular YouTube star Casey Neistat to deliver the message. He is particularly known for his contents that contain critiques of Apple products.

The last commercial material has punctuated Samsung's new strategy, drastically departing from the celebrity-based marketing it has pursued in the past. In 2016, for example, the company tapped William H. Macy to headline its Gear VR commercial. The year before that, Ellen DeGeneres went viral with her Samsung-sponsored selfie.

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Lenovo just unveiled its new Miix 320 2-in-1 at the Mobile World Congress 2017 and the highly portable and affordable device might give Chromebooks a run for their money.

Chromebooks have gained traction mainly because of their affordable price tags, but Lenovo now offers the full Windows 10 experience on a budget with the new Miix 320 detachable.

Lenovo says its new Miix 320 is designed with millennials in mind and it offers everything people need to handle their digital enterprise tasks on the go. The company says the 2-in-1 Miix 320 should come particularly in handy for freelance bloggers, Uber drivers, part-time workers, online sellers, and the like.

Side Hustle For Millennials

"While millennials didn't quite invent the phenomenon, they've certainly branded the 'side hustle' attitude and lifestyle," says Lenovo.

"The Miix 320's detachable form factor matches a multitasker's need for instant flexibility. For blogging or budgeting on a fully loaded laptop, simply attach the stable docking keyboard with precision touchpad and get to work wherever you are."

Lenovo Miix 320 Specs

The new Lenovo Miix 320 has a 10.1-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,200) touchscreen display, an Intel Atom X5 processor, Intel HD graphics, up to 4 GB of RAM up to 128 GB of eMMC storage, and Dolby Advanced Audio speakers. Detaching the keyboard is easy, and the Miix 320 supports Windows Continuum so that users can pick up right where they left off, as the device automatically adapts to tablet or laptop mode.

The screen is lightly smaller than the typical 11-inch display of a Chromebook, but the higher resolution makes up for it. The display includes a USB Type-C port, while the keyboard section comes with USB Type-A ports.

The device is highly portable, measuring just 0.7 inches in thickness when docked with the keyboard, and 0.4 inches for the tablet itself. The whole package (tablet + detachable keyboard) weighs in at 2.24 pounds.

The tablet part snaps into the keyboard's dock through magnetic attachment clips that offer a firm and secure hold without making it difficult to attach. The keyboard is highly responsive, but it doesn't come with backlighting.

With Windows 10 on board the Lenovo Miix 2 should have no issues handling regular productivity tasks or surfing the internet, and the dual-band Wi-Fi plus LTE connectivity should allow users to stay connected at all times.

Lenovo further touts that one of the main selling points of the Miix 310 is its long battery life, as the tablet can last for up to 10 hours on a single charge with standard usage. In today's fast-paced day and age, getting a full day of usage out of such a device is essential.

The Lenovo Miix 2 also features a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter, which should suffice for video chats but not any good-quality selfies.

Lenovo Miix 2 Pricing And Availability

It remains to be seen whether the Lenovo Miix 2 will really challenge Chromebooks to the core, but it does have the affordability factor working in its favor. The Miix 2 starts at just $199.99, which makes it an attractive option for what it brings to the table. The device will hit the market in mid-April. A Miix 320 version with Active Pen support and Microsoft Office 365, meanwhile, will hit select markets starting in July.

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Comcast signed a new deal with Google to integrate YouTube into the Xfinity X1 set-top box, allowing users to watch it like a cable channel.

Having the YouTube application installed on the set-top box makes things easier and more convenient, and Comcast Xfinity X1 users will be able to launch the app simply by saying "YouTube" into the voice remote.

Comcast Xfiniti X1 YouTube Integration

With this new integration, Xfinity X1 users can search the entire library on YouTube, browse featured content, as well as sign in to get their personalized YouTube settings, recommendations, and subscriptions.

"We are excited to partner with Google to bring YouTube to X1 and provide our customers easier access to all the content they love in one place," says Sam Schwartz, Comcast's chief business development officer. "By integrating YouTube into the X1 experience, viewers can simply and effortlessly access videos on any topic, from cooking, to beauty and fitness with just their voice."

According to Comcast, roughly half of its 22.5 million Xfinity users have the X1 set-top box, so this new YouTube integration will benefit plenty of customers. The Xfinity X1 has already made an attractive proposition with its voice remote, DVR with 500 GB of storage, real-time scores for sports, and other neat features.

Moreover, Comcast also added Netflix to its Xfinity X1 services last year, taking a significant step toward combining traditional TV content with the modern online streaming trend. Having Netflix content merged into a single library with Xfinity on Demand programming made it seamless and convenient to switch between the two services, and the experience should be even smoother with YouTube in the mix as well.

Seamless Integration

Similarly to how Netflix works on the Xfinity X1, Comcast will also integrate YouTube in a special manner. Rather than having YouTube as a stand-alone app users can launch, like other apps such as Roku, Comcast will display YouTube content directly into the Xfinity X1 user interface. This way, YouTube content will appear alongside the shows available from the cable service and the recommendations will be relevant to the users.

Upon browsing cooking shows, for instance, the Xfinity X1 may showcase TV content such as Top Chef, as well as YouTube suggestions for cooking videos and shows.

This makes YouTube content more accessible and more natural on the big screen, allowing for a seamless integration rather than having it available separately as a stand-alone app.

YouTube And Xfinity X1 Voice Remote

The previously mentioned voice support is also a big plus for this integration, allowing users to access YouTube content just by uttering voice commands. For instance, users can say what they'd like to watch on YouTube either by speaking naturally such as "Show me cat videos on YouTube" or "Find the LEGO Movie trailer," or utter keyword triggers such as "launch" and "find" to access the desired content.

On the downside, while Comcast officially announced the YouTube Xfinity X1 integration now, the actual feature will not be available until later this year. Comcast has yet to offer a more specific time frame, but should announce more details soon enough.

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At this Sunday's municipal elections, mayors, vice mayors and councilmen will be elected, almost four million voters are summoned to go to the polls. | Read More
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GONZALES  A massive construction project is underway in Gonzales to provide sewer service to areas south of Interstate 10, where the future growth of the city appears to be heading.

The $3.6 million project will be in the works for more than a year and includes installing two regional pump stations.

In the past few years, the area south of I-10 along La. 44 has attracted the Edenborne development and, more recently, the mixed-use Conway development, now under construction.

"It promotes economic development and it protects the environment, as well," Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux said of the sewer system expansion, funded through a loan by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The next big step in expanding the sewer system will occur over the next week or so, when pipe will be laid under the interstate to reach the city's wastewater treatment facility on the north side of I-10.

Alvin Broussard, director of public works for the city, said a bore pit has been dug 24 feet deep, in which a massive machine will be used to bore a tunnel deep under the interstate. Large force mains will be pulled into the tunnel by machinery to reach the other side of the interstate.

Force mains are large pipes that move sewage under pressure using pumps in a lift station, Broussard said.

About 6,000 feet of force main has been laid so far on the west side of La. 44 near the area of the Edenborne development, and there's more to come, Broussard said.

In the future, force main pipe also will be laid under La. 44 to reach the Conway development on the east side of the highway, he said.

The project now underway is the second phase of a three-phase sewer system upgrade funded by a $15 million loan awarded to Gonzales in 2015 by DEQ.

Gonzales to upgrade sewer system with loan GONZALES  A $15 million loan from the Department of Environmental Quality will let the city

The city has begun repaying the loan with funds generated by a dedicated half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1989 to improve the sewer system.

The first upgrade undertaken with the loan was the videotaping and subsequent repair of the sewer lines in the oldest part of Gonzales. That work was done in 2016 at a cost of about $1.2 million, roughly $300,000 under budget.

The current expansion began in August with a contract completion time of close to a year and a half.

The final phase will be the expansion of the city's wastewater treatment facility on South Burnside Avenue. The upgrade calls for another pond and larger pumps for the facility, located just north of I-10.

The upgrades "mean growth for the city of Gonzales, new families and new businesses," Broussard said.

Florida-based Wharton-Smith, which has offices in Baton Rouge, is the general contractor for the sewer system expansion project, which was designed by GSA Consulting Engineers, of Gonzales.
PORT ALLEN  Efforts are underway by some city leaders to rename a portion of La. 1 in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gov. John Bel Edwards' trip to meet the pope in Rome cost taxpayers $15,000 for his state police security detail.

Edwards personally paid travel costs for him and his wife for the weeklong trip in January. But the travel expenses for the governor's bodyguards were billed to the Louisiana State Police.

The tally for those trooper costs  released Friday to The Associated Press in response to a public records request  was just under $15,000.

The biggest charge was nearly $8,600 spent on overtime. Flights and transportation cost $3,000. Meals and lodging charges were about $1,700 each.

Edwards, Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson and two state lawmakers were among those on the trip, to meet with an order of nuns working to combat human trafficking, the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy, and talk about the effort with Pope Francis.

The Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy are building a shelter in Baton Rouge for juvenile victims of human trafficking. The governor's office said Edwards and his wife Donna, devout Catholics, wanted to assist in the effort to stop human trafficking and encourage such collaborations between churches and states.

Only the state trooper bodyguard expenses were billed to the state, according to the trip's participants.
That was supposed to be the easy part.

The just-ended special legislative session, called to close a more than $300 million deficit, had so many teeth-gnashing, meltdown-threatening moments that it raises questions about the possibility of success heading into the far trickier legislative session that begins in April.

In that upcoming session, Gov. John Bel Edwards and lawmakers want to tackle one of the most difficult of legislative subjects: redesigning the state's tax structure.

Filtered through the lens of the 10-day special session, it seems an even tougher task than expected.

Distrust still remains between the House and Senate, and it appears that nearly every big debate threatens to become a partisan clash between the conservative Republicans who lead the House and the Democratic governor who was once a member of the chamber.

When the House, Senate and Edwards reached a deficit-closing deal in the final hours of the special session, legislative leaders and the governor hailed the compromise. They said the agreement showed challenging tasks can be accomplished in the Legislature.

Edwards said the task was "harder I think than it needed to be." But he added: "At the end of the day, the process worked, and we can all be proud of that because there was some reason to doubt coming in whether we'd all be able to work together."

House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, said he thought the session ended well: "I look forward to a great start in April."

Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, talked of democracy proving to work: "In a good compromise, nobody feels 100 percent comfortable."

They glossed over the tensions. That doesn't mean the rifts are mended.

Lawmakers agreed to use $99 million from Louisiana's "rainy day" fund, to tap into other available financing and to cut $82 million in agencies' spending for the remaining four months of the budget year, to erase the deficit.

Deep cuts had been avoided. Lawmakers even managed to wrap up a few hours early.

Over the course of the deal-making, however, Senate leaders questioned with whom they should haggle since the House had so many competing factions that it seemed no leader represented the votes needed to pass legislation. House Republicans accused the Edwards administration of being disrespectful and flippant. The governor's office at one point briefly cut off negotiations with the House.

The strained relationship between GOP leaders in the House and the Democratic governor stems from more than a year ago, when lawmakers bucked Edwards' wishes and picked their own House speaker. Louisiana governors typically had a heavy say in the decision-making.

"He's at a disadvantage unlike previous governors who probably had a stronger hand over what happens in the House. I think at times that probably frustrates him, which I can appreciate," said House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, who regularly clashes with the governor.

Still, Henry said: "We're going to try to continue to work well together."

Edwards said he believed his relationship with the House improved, but that seemed to be mainly because he got much of what he wanted out of the session.

Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, the House's highest-ranking Democrat, didn't think the special session's tensions made the next session any trickier.

"I think the tax reform issue is challenging to begin with. I don't think anything that's happened here has changed the complexity of that," Leger said.

A true tax overhaul, if it happens, will involve picking winners and losers, as laws are rewritten to determine who pays more and who pays less. Some changes require a hefty two-thirds vote to pass.

While the governor and the moderate Senate are often of similar mindsets, Edwards and the House seem diametrically opposed. Ideas about what constitutes "tax reform" could be wildly different from the competing sides.

Edwards said he's optimistic he and lawmakers can cobble together a more stabilizing tax structure that ends repeated cycles of financial uncertainty. But he acknowledged it will be harder to reach a deal in the next session.

"I'm optimistic, but I'm certainly not delusional," he said.

Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000.
While he might be counting the revenue chickens before they hatch, U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy is right to suggest the best ways to use the pote
With one only-in-New Orleans season about to end, it's almost time for the next to begin.

Exit Carnival, enter mayoral politics.

Overshadowed by the frenetic final parading weekend was a bit of news about one long-discussed potential contender to replace the term-limited Mayor Mitch Landrieu. State Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, who also heads the Louisiana Democratic Party, won a big election to become the Democratic National Committee's new vice chair of civic engagement and voter participation.

She hasn't said as much, but for handicapping purposes, this new national role probably precludes a run for major local office.

Otherwise, here's how insiders I've spoken to see the race shaping up as we head towards qualifying in July and the primary election in October.

City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell continues to act very much like a candidate, and retired Civil District Court judge Michael Bagneris also appears to be in. State Sen. Troy Carter is said to be thinking about it, and City Councilman Jason Williams is showing signs of leaning against.

State Rep. Walt Leger is actively exploring a run, and is expected to show his hand soon now that the special legislative session is over. State Sen. J.P. Morrell is unlikely to make a decision until much later, following the Legislature's regular session.

Stephanie Grace: Sidney Torres is about to storm network TV; what could go wrong? What do you get when you build a reality show around a rich real estate guy who dabbles in p

Lurking on the sidelines is real estate and trash magnate Sidney Torres IV. Torres may not be close to announcing his plans, but he's keeping his brand out there via a new reality show, "The Deed," debuting on CNBC on Ash Wednesday. There's also a new Fox crime drama loosely based on his French Quarter crime-fighting app.

Over the weekend, Torres, the scion of a powerful St. Bernard Parish family, got a little taste of what he may be in for if he does jump into politics. The satirical Krewe d'Etat spoofed him as a shrimp-booted dog urinating on a fire hydrant on its "101 Chalmations" float.

But hey, in Torres' case there may be no such thing as bad publicity.
Neilson "Pasta" Rizzuto, the 25-year-old Paradis man booked late Saturday for drunkenly plowing his pickup truck through a neutral ground filled with Endymion parade revelers, injuring dozens, appears to be acclimating to his new environment inside the Orleans Parish jail, said a source familiar with his incarceration.

Rizzuto, who is being housed in a low-security cell block in the Orleans Justice Center, has sought to calm the nerves of family members, telling them he's made a few friends and that the extensive news coverage of the crash has lent him a measure of notoriety among inmates at the notoriously violent lockup, the source said.

Rizzuto remained at the Orleans Justice Center on Monday. It was uncertain whether his family would make the $125,000 bond that Magistrate Commissioner Robert Blackburn set on Sunday.

Though Rizzuto was booked on four felony charges -- reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving and two counts of vehicular negligent injuring -- Blackburn said he set the high bond in anticipation of more charges based on the number of victims left injured at the horrific crash scene.

Rizzuto could face dozens of additional counts of vehicular negligent injuring, a crime that carries a maximum five-year prison term.

According to an initial police report, Rizzuto struck "a known total of 32 pedestrians," including 23 who were taken to the hospital.

Can't see video below? Click here.

Among them was a New Orleans Police Department officer, Michelle Woodfork, who suffered leg and shoulder injuries. Another victim, Shaunice Williams, suffered a lacerated liver and other internal injuries, police said.

The ages of the victims ranged from a 1-year-old to patients in their 50s. At least three people were hospitalized overnight Saturday with moderate to serious injuries, authorities said.

No one was killed -- a fact that Rizzuto learned Monday morning, the source said.

Rizzuto, who was pulled out of the driver's seat and arrested at the scene of the wreck, is accused of crashing into two cars on North Carrollton Avenue, than careening into the packed neutral ground at Orleans Avenue as the Carnival superkrewe rolled past.

A breath test taken two hours after the wreck found Rizzuto's blood-alcohol level at .232 percent, nearly three times the legal driving limit.

Rizzuto's father, John Rizzuto, described his son to WWL-TV on Sunday as a "good kid, who is not that kind of person."

Man who plowed into crowd at Endymion parade had blood-alcohol level 3 times legal limit; bail set at $125K The man accused of plowing a pickup into a crowd of revelers at the Endymion parade Saturday

John Rizzuto said his son told him "a stranger gave him a drink off the street and that's the last thing he remembered."

Police secured a warrant Sunday afternoon to draw Rizzuto's blood for testing.

It's unclear whether Rizzuto has hired a private attorney. A public defender represented him at his bond-setting on Sunday.

Should Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office accept the felony charges, or others, Rizutto's case will be allotted to Criminal District Judge Benedict Willard.
--Police say Neilson Rizzuto, 25, drunkenly plowed his pickup truck into a crowd watching the Endymion parade on Saturday night. Two hours after the incident, Rizzuto still had a blood-alcohol content measured at .232, nearly three times the states legal limit.

--Among other charges, Rizzuto was booked on two counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, hit-and-run driving causing serious injury and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. The charges are preliminary and subject to change.

--A report prepared by police says Rizzuto struck a known total of 32 pedestrians. Of those victims, 21 were transported to area hospitals, while seven others declined help at the scene. The ages of the victims ranged widely, from a 1-year-old to patients in their 50s. At least three people were hospitalized overnight with moderate to serious injuries. There were no fatalities.

--One of the victims, Shaunice Williams, suffered a lacerated liver and internal injuries to her abdomen. Williams grandmother said on Sunday that she was out of surgery, but was hesitant to comment further on her condition.

Crash victim's grandmother: Shaunice Williams is 'out of surgery' A victim who was left in critical condition after a horrific crash that injured dozens when 

--Officials said that Rizzutos truck raced downriver on North Carrollton Avenue toward its intersection with Orleans Avenue about 6:45 p.m. Saturday before slamming into two vehicles, then veering left into the neutral ground before it came to rest against a large dump truck. See a graphic depicting the crash scene here.

Endymion crash in New Orleans: Graphic shows route driver took, other cars involved A suspect is in custody after 28 people were injured Saturday when a vehicle plowed into a c

--Rizzuto is a bouncer at a local daiquiri shop and and graduated from high school in Ponchatoula, where he used to live. Online court records show no previous felony arrests in Orleans Parish. A lawsuit filed in Civil District Court in August suggests the 25-year-old had enrolled in some classes at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was sued in August by the university for not paying about $740 in credits he had signed up to take.

--Rizzutos father, John Rizzuto, told WWL-TV that his son is a good kid, who is not that kind of person. John Rizzuto said his son told him that a stranger gave him a drink off the street and thats the last thing he remembered.

--Rizzutos grandmother, who said the two are not close, said she was stunned to learn her grandson had been booked in the crash. Edith Rizzuto expressed her condolences for the injured victims and their families, calling the whole incident "unnecessary."

--An Advocate photographer at the crash scene was punched so hard that his glasses flew away, making it nearly impossible for him to check the focus on his cameras. He ended up snapping crucial images of the crash scene. See all the photos from the scene here.
At least 279 dolphins have stranded across much of the U.S. Gulf Coast since Feb. 1, triple the usual number, and about 98 percent of them hav
Federal Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly O'Dwyer was a senior investment executive at NAB between 2007 and her preselection 2009. Credit:Josh Robenstone Chief operating officer Antony Cahill's remuneration was $2.5 million last year and $2.1 million in 2015. Mr Baird said he was "humbled" by the number of job offers he received after resigning from office on January 19, with NAB's being the most attractive, but it was important to have a break before he started the role to spend time with his family. "I didn't really expect that sort of deluge, but ultimately what was very clear to me was this was the best," Mr Baird said. He also defended the speed that it took him to find a new job after citing family ill-health as the reason for his resignation, saying that he needed to find employment quickly since changes to parliamentary entitlements meant he was no longer eligible for an annual salary.

"Personally for me I still needed to have some time and the next six weeks of my life I think may well be the best because I've got security in that there's a job - that's important obviously because of the 2007 changes to MPs [pensions] I will still need employment - but I will still be able to spend time with my family." Entitlements to former MPs were scaled back in 2007, so Mr Baird will not be entitled to a post-parliament pension, nor perks such as staff, an office and free travel. Mr Baird said the first step to rebuilding the banking sector's reputation amid public dissatisfaction and growing calls for a royal commission into their behaviour was to acknowledge a problem existed. "Ultimately all of the noise around the banking sector is an acknowledge that from a customer point of view they have a sense that banks aren't necessary listening to them," he said. "They aren't responding to their needs and they are distant in terms of living different lives themselves and not understanding the challenges on a day to day basis."

Mr Baird started his career as a banker in 1989 at NAB's St Ives branch in Sydney before moving into corporate banking. He worked for Deutsche Bank and HSBC at home and abroad before entering politics. "His time as treasurer and premier of NSW means he returns to banking and NAB with invaluable experience in leading economic and financial reform to grow the economy," NAB chief executive Andrew Thorburn said in a statement. "Mike has outstanding leadership and a determination to drive change and make a difference by building relationships with customers and the community." Although NAB is headquartered in Melbourne, Mr Baird will be based in Sydney.

Mr Thorburn said Mr Baird's appointment followed an "extensive" global search. "I know most will know [Mr Baird] as the premier of NSW and before that treasurer and MP for Manly but for the 17 years before Mike going into politics in 2007 he was a banker and as treasurer of NSW you need to be very competent and Mike has done very well in building the finances of NSW," Mr Thorburn said. "He brings a knowledge of banking and finance but I think he brings a passion for NAB." NAB has an extensive political pedigree. Federal Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly O'Dwyer was a senior investment executive at the bank between 2007 and her preselection 2009.



And Minister for Industry Arthur Sinodinos was a senior executive in NAB's institutional arm before taking up a Senate vacancy in 2011. Earlier this month Mr Thorburn, who is also chairman of the Australian Bankers' Association, appointed former Queensland premier Anna Bligh as the banking lobby group's CEO.

Mr Baird will replace Cathryn Carver, who has been acting chief customer officer for corporate and institutional banking. Mr Baird's election in 2007 as state member for Sydney's coastal electorate of Manly returned the seat to the Liberal Party after 16 years of independent rule. After a spell as shadow treasurer, he became treasurer when the Liberal and National coalition won power in 2011 and took on the premiership three years later when Barry O'Farrell resigned. Mr Baird was elected leader unopposed at a party-room meeting and sworn in as 44th premier of NSW, pressing on with his successful plan to privatise the NSW electricity network following the coalition's 2015 re-election. But Greens MP David Shoebridge said the unseemly haste of Mr Baird's switch into the private sector created the potential for a conflict of interest.
A government-backed fund is needed to ensure access to justice for cases where litigation funders and plaintiff lawyers are unwilling to back court action, says a leading expert in the field.

Vince Morabito, a professor at the Monash Business School, said a fund to pick up strong cases that were unattractive to commercial operators would help ensure access to justice for vulnerable claimants such as homeless people, refugees or Aboriginal communities.

A publicly funded class action vehicle would promote access to justice, says Vince Morabito. Credit:Vince Caligiuri

"That's one of the crucial things, we need some kind of legal fund," Professor Morabito said.

He said just such a fund was recommended in 1988 by the Law Reform Commission as part of the work that helped eventually lead to the establishment of a class action regime in 1992.
Anonymous rogue websites continue to create legal headaches for Seven West Media after a new page was registered over the weekend repeating allegations about chief executive Tim Worner and former Seven employees.

Majority owner Kerry Stokes also appears to be the target, as the site alleges he is attacking free speech and whistleblower rights.

Seven's legal team will have to try to force names and allegations about sexual affairs back into the can, despite the site being retweeted by at least three people on Monday. So far Seven has failed to get another website to take down the same information, which has been online since December.

Mr Worner denies affairs with other employees and four women have started defamation proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW.
Insurance giant QBE has announced a $1 billion share buyback off the back of a bump in profit and a rosier outlook on the global insurance market.

Almost three-quarters of the ASX-listed company's business comes from outside of Australia and intense competition has depressed premiums and hurt earnings in recent years. But chief executive John Neal said on Monday that prices were close to the bottom of the down cycle.

"Global pricing has been pretty challenged for almost seven years now and probably for the first time in a long while we're starting to see a bit of inflation," he said.

"I think insurers are starting to struggle a bit when it comes to achieving margins. So there's just a sense that we're close to the bottom of the cycle and maybe closer to seeing price increasing generally."
Fair Work Commission Vice President Graeme Watson has broken with tradition by issuing his own separate decision on the future of paid domestic violence leave ahead of a single majority decision being made.

When Mr Watson announced his resignation in January he declared the Fair Work Commission was "partisan, dysfunctional and divided".

Former Fair Work commissioner Graeme Watson Credit:Kate Geraghty

A former partner at law firm Freehills, Mr Watson was the last remaining Coalition appointee in a senior role at the commission and a strong dissenter in favour of business.

A day before his resignation takes affect on Tuesday, Mr Watson released his decision as one of three members of the full bench.
The Australian Border Force has been warned over illegal body searches of passengers at international airports in a report that found immigration officers routinely lacked adequate guidance about their powers.

A critical report by the Commonwealth auditor accused the Border Force of failing to "adequately address the risk of officers exercising coercive powers unlawfully or inappropriately", despite making improvements.

Immigration secretary Michael Pezzullo took aim at the "unworldly" audit office after another critical report. Credit:Andrew Meares

Immigration boss Michael Pezzullo conceded to "a number of administrative deficiencies" within his department but shot back at the National Audit Office over "loose terminology" and findings he called "unworldly".

It was the third ANAO report critical of the department's internal procedures, and found the Border Force had failed to adequately instruct and educate officers who exercise intrusive powers, such as body searches.
The political buck-passing over Brisbane's long-delayed Cross River Rail project has continued after a top Commonwealth bureaucrat laid blame at the feet of the Newman government at a Senate hearing in Canberra on Monday.

It prompted a rebuke from Queensland's Liberal National Party opposition that said, through a spokesman, the project it scrapped in office had "stalled" under Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's leadership.

The proposed Albert Street Cross River Rail station.

But Ms Palaszczuk's deputy said the state government planned to have shovels in the ground before the year was out.

Cross River Rail was first announced by then-transport minister Paul Lucas almost a decade ago and has been, in its various incarnations, in planning stages ever since.
Brie Larson declined to clap for Casey Affleck, whose nomination has been shrouded in controversy due to his history of sexual harassment allegations, at Monday's Oscars.

The actress notably withheld her applause while presenting to the Manchester By The Sea actor, who faced sexual harassment allegations in relation to his conduct towards two female co-workers on a film set in 2010.

She had previously not clapped for Affleck while presenting him with his award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama at January's Golden Globes.

However, unlike at the Golden Globes, Larson did briefly hug Affleck as she handed over the statuette.
Jodie Foster was among the United Voices that spoke up against US President Donald Trump at a rally outside the offices of the United Talent Agency (UTA) in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

According to UTA, more than 1500 people, including agents, clients, and supporters, gathered on Friday 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 and organised this event in its place.

Jodie Foster ... it's time to resist. Credit:Willy Sanjuan

"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 one to show up, time to engage. As the very dead Frederick Douglass once said, 'any time is a good time for illumination'.
Best actress nominee Ruth Negga arrived on the Oscars red carpet looking knockout in a fire engine red Valentino gown. With its high neck and long sleeves it's a nifty reminder that you can make an impact without flashing any skin.

However it was the blue ribbon that the actress wore that caught attention. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the ribbon is part of the American Civic Liberties Union' "Stand with ACLU" initiative.

Ruth Negga wears an ACLU ribbon as she arrives at the Oscars. Credit:Richard Shotwell

The organisation, which works to protect people's rights and liberties, launched the campaign encouraging the A-list to stand in solidarity with the work that they do.

Ahead of the Oscars the group reached out to nominees to ask them to wear the blue ribbon on the red carpet and show their support.
In this alternate universe Hillary Clinton is the president of the United States. Credit:Getty Images The joke, it would seem, is not hard to get, even when the joke is just barely a joke. Using humour as protest, the site operates according to the plainly stated position that Clinton is, in fact, the 45th president of the United States. "In the midst of a Constitutional crisis, this is our response," the site's "About Us" page states. "Long live the true president, Hillary Rodham Clinton." How does she respond to critics who accuse her of perpetuating fake news? "I empathise with people who feel frustrated that things they see on Facebook do not reflect reality as they see it," she said. "But no, I don't think anyone can accuse me of misinforming the public en masse or undermining the collective intelligence of public's political discourse by writing fake news that is so obviously satire."

I've been amazed by how willfully determined they are not to get the joke. She decided to launch the site in January as a defense of Clinton's legacy and now has five other writers providing additional content. Although fake, the stories often highlight Clinton's actual policy positions, such as raising the federal minimum wage and guaranteeing paid maternity and paternity leave. The site also serves to remind Trump supporters that the actual president lost the popular vote to the fake president by enough voters to populate the city of Chicago - a fact Trump has falsely attributed to voter fraud. If her bulging inbox of violent and misogynistic hate mail is any indication, the bait appears to be working with some unsettling results. Since Hillarybeattrump.org was picked up on the conservative-media radar, the site's creator says it's been getting about 200,000 visitors per day - enough to keep her busy deleting angry emails for a solid hour each night. In recent days, she said, news about the site bubbled up on 4chan and various subreddits before appearing on the Daily Caller and then Breitbart and Fox News. The entire journey from the fringes of the conservative map to the news spotlight took about 12 hours, she said.

Now, as if on cue, the furious email stream gushes any time she publishes a post that identifies Clinton as president. "You can always find your paradise in heaven," one reader said in an email the site's founder shared with The Post. "Its just one bullet away." "I know in your fake world she won but in the real world she did not," another reader said. "To the people who made this Web page go get a real job like the rest of real Americans." "Your dad must have abused you while mum watched, right?" another reader added. "YES Liberalism IS A METAL DISORDER and YOU ARE POOF!" The founder said the vitriolic reaction says less about her content than it does about her new readers.

"I think it has to be a deep sense of insecurity, and I think they also can't abide by dissent," she said. "I've been amazed by how willfully determined they are not to get the joke," she added. Browsing the site, the notion of Clinton as commander in chief can feel temporarily real. Headlines regularly note the first female president's skyrocketing approval ratings (89 per cent, according to one recent bulletin), new executive orders furthering liberal causes and grammatically correct tweets. Conservative media has blasted the headlines as a sort of pathetic alternative reality for bitter liberal snowflakes.

Breitbart referred to the site as "the ultimate safe space" and said it offered Clinton supporters a place they can "pretend." "The website's tagline is 'News From The Real America, Where The Majority Rules" - a reference, of course, to the oft-cited notion that the popular vote actually means something," a story on Yiannopoulos's blog said. The site's founder seems to revel in the attention - albeit anonymously. "For a lot of people who feel like an important chapter was stolen from feminist history by the Russians, by Julian Assange and by the FBI director, hillarybeattrump.com is restorative," she said. She devotes about 35 hours a week to the site and said she plans to keep it going as long as she can summon the energy, though she's not making any money and considers it "a labour of love." Because Clinton offered decades of detailed policy prescriptions, many of which will remain at the centre of political discourse for years, she'll have no shortage of material to work with moving forward, she said.
Lucinda Bell used to wake up on two-and-a-half acres with kangaroos outside her window in Grafton. "Now when I look out, I have a view of the Sydney skyline...it's a bit different."

Miss Bell, 18, was planning to go to university in Armidale or Brisbane when opportunity knocked. She is now studying business and information systems at the University NSW - thanks to a co-op scholarship.

"The scholarship mostly covers my accommodation here, and the program does a lot of industry placements," Miss Bell said. "That's sort of an opportunity I would never have gotten living where I did."

Miss Bell said most of her schoolmates got jobs locally, went to universities in Brisbane or nearby regional centres, or took a gap year.
A man has been charged over an alleged drunk-driving rampage south of Brisbane, which police said saw him continue driving for several minutes with the car's bonnet blocking his windscreen.

Police said he crashed into six other cars within about 10 minutes during a wild 24 hours on south-east Queensland roads that included two separate police helicopter chases.

A man has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, assaulting police and drink-driving afgter being arrested in Logan. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The 26-year-old Beenleigh man allegedly crashed into a truck at a Logan Aldi about 5.50pm before crashing into another car as he drove away.

The impact of the Bethania crash forced the bonnet up over the windscreen but the man allegedly kept driving, causing another four-car crash on nearby Waterford Tamborine Road.
Traffic delays remain on the Western Freeway after an earlier truck fire forced the closure of two lanes and the Legacy Way tunnel.

The clean-up of the truck's load, identified as builder's waste, stretched well into the afternoon, with one of the two previously closed lanes reopening about 3.30pm.

A truck fire at Mount Coot-tha caused traffic delays and closed the Legacy Way tunnel. Credit:Triple M Brisbane - Twitter

A police spokeswoman said the freeway and tunnel should be clear and fully open by 4pm.

However, the Australian Traffic Network said traffic delays remained about two kilometres back down the freeway as the clean-up neared completion.
NBN Co has announced the first areas set to receive fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) technology, which will include around 700,000 homes and businesses.

The company expects to begin rolling out the service in the first half of next year.

NBN's NG-PON2 fibre trials promise to benefit all NBN users, not just those relying on fibre to the premises. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The named suburbs are Burnside, Brooklyn, Coburg North, parts of Collingwood, Cremorne, Richmond, Caroline Springs, Derrimut and Williamstown in Melbourne, as well as Sydney's Alexandria, Botany, Denham Court, Erskineville, Horningsea Park, Hunters Hill, Mona Vale and Woronora Heights.

As its name suggests, FTTC delivers a fibre connection to the telecom pit in the footpath outside a premises. This is in contrast to the fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) service that requires civil works at each address to make the connection at greater cost.
Police have arrested 33-year-old Nghi Le, the alleged gunman earlier on the run after a four-hour siege in St Albans, in Melbourne's west, on Monday morning.

A spokesperson said Mr Le, of St Albans, was arrested without incident after handing himself in to police in the CBD about 3.40pm.

Mr Le allegedly fired at officers during a raid about 6am in Levenia Street, which has been revealed as part of an operation targeting an international drug-trafficking syndicate. No one was injured during the alleged shooting.

Victoria Police have arrested another seven people, including at least one woman, in relation to drug offences and they remain in custody. In NSW, another man was arrested as part of the operation.
Thieves stole more than half a million dollars they'd stuffed into doona covers from a Myer store in Melbourne's CBD more than two decades ago, after a lone security guard was conned by a man disguised as a colleague, court papers allege.

Police allege Wladimir Babaeff was one of four men who robbed the Myer store in Bourke Street of $531,384 in cash and cheques in the early hours of August 23, 1993.

Wladimir Babaeff leaves court after a hearing in 2015. Credit:Penny Stephens

Mr Babaeff, 55, faces 17 charges including armed robbery, assault and making a threat to kill, and appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday for the first day of a hearing which will determine whether he stands trial.

A prosecution summary released by the court alleges that about 2.30am on the day of the robbery, Myer's security guard opened the door to a man dressed as a security officer who claimed he was there to check the National Australia Bank branch in the complex.
In the penultimate weekend before the WA election, Premier Colin Barnett had some blistering words about the media coverage of the campaign and his political opponents.

Mr Barnett admitted he was "tricked" into posing for a photograph at the Rottnest Channel Swim with four women who had #putlibslast and "drowning in debt $" written down their arms.

"That was a little bit of a political stunt," he told reporters on Sunday.

"I'm disappointed the media was involved (by running the photo)."
And while the CEO of WA's Tourism Council Evan Hall reckons tourism's impact could multiply many times over if the right moves get made in the next couple of years, he's quite sober about where the sector is placed right now. "The mining years left WA out of sync with the rest of the nation. When mining was big in WA the majority of our visits in that period came from over east and were very much business focussed and we added hotel capacity to take that and focussed on business travel." "Now that mining's dried up those business visitors aren't coming. At the same time the focus on business travel in the past years has seen us drop our competitive edge in leisure travel. New statistics from Tourism WA - the government body for the sector - show for the Year Ending September 2016 there was a 0.4% increase in visitors from the eastern states, though business visitors have dropped compared to 2015. We've dropped the ball Evan Hall, Tourism Council of WA

Those who are coming are also spending more - an average of $113 a night for a $1.419m spend, up 13.8 per cent with a 9.6 per cent increase in visitor nights. If you build it they will come... hopefully Elizabeth Quay. The new Perth Stadium. Revitalised terminals at Perth Airport. Win or lose, the great legacy of the Barnett Liberal government will be the multi-billion dollar investments it made in new infrastructure. But for the Evan Hall, these impressive dividends of the mining boom are white elephants if they don't put bums on seats. "Tourists are not going to come to WA and Perth for a hotel room in the city and an ice cream down at Elizabeth Quay. They will come for events and for our beautiful natural environment.

"We've got better air links with the new airport and the stadium and the quay are big drawcards - particularly the stadium. It's a game changer. But we have to use them properly." Events are the watchword for the tourism sector right now - hence the widespread applause when it was announced Chelsea F.C. will play an exhibition match at Perth's new stadium with all its extra seats and the nerves over whether the Eagles and Dockers will even play there. The tourism sector sees the stadium as a gateway for WA, bringing in overseas and interstate visitors who will watch a match or attend a concert there, then spend a few days or a few weeks splashing their money around the state. Figures from Tourism WA show that there's been a 13.3 per cent increase in visitors to WA from China, a 31 per cent rise in Malaysian visitors and 17.7 per cent increase from the USA. So it's clear that, stadium or not, people are coming to WA.

An aerial view of the new Perth Stadium. Credit:Brett Flatters But while the coming stadium could be a great boost to those visitor numbers, Mr Hall reckons there's a well-established but long-neglected piece of infrastructure that could help turbocharge the tourism sector. "The Perth Convention Centre is just sitting there. It hosts some events but to be blunt it's nowhere near big or good enough. It needs expansion in terms of floor space and modernisations. "While our centre hasn't had an upgrade in years, every other Australian capital city has invested huge amounts into their convention centres. Adelaide has doubled its capacity, Sydney is opening up a new facility at Darling Harbour, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, all huge markets for conventions. "If we upgraded the Perth Convention Centre and truly integrated it with Elizabeth Quay - God knows why it's not - then we could hold all kinds of events at a higher level right the year around and get more high yield people into Perth and then into the rest of WA. We are at least three years behind every other Australian city."

But even if WA were to host more international events and attract more visitors from over east and other countries, Mr Hall reckons the sector will still struggle to grow unless it's given a freer hand. Cattle class to first - upgrading WA's travel experience Earlier this year a major new tourism initiative for WA was announced - sea plane flights from Perth's Swan River all the way down south to Margaret River. International visitors can now fly into Perth, board the sea plane and be whisked away to one of Western Australia's most idyllic tourist destinations. Swan River Seaplanes will charter day trips from Perth to Margaret River. Credit:Swan River Seaplanes

But Evan Hall said getting this idea off the drawing board and into the air was a byzantine process of paperwork and box ticking that will make your head spin. "Right up until the day before we launched this thing we had to get Australian Navy divers out to check the piles on the pier it would be loading passengers from. "To get any tourism project approved right now we have to go through nine different government agencies - and if just one of them says no, for any reason, you're sunk. "Then you've got to get signs off from stakeholders, councils, the list just goes on and on. No one can just simply say yes and get things done." The Tourism Council represents over 1,300 stakeholders from the smallest bed and breakfast in a country town to major travel businesses. The uniform complaint they have is to get anything done there's a labyrinth of skull numbing regulations to navigate that that kills more ideas than it nurtures.

"Perth does plenty of business every day, business travel, meetings, but we don't have one proper helicopter pad. The Swan River sits over a huge natural aquifer with hot springs. Where are the beauty treatments and spas? The surf park? The sea plane? "Balance has to be preserved and there are good regulations that protect what we have. But things have gone too far. Make no mistake, we are competing for visitors. We need to get an edge. " Where the bloody hell are ya? WA is home to some of the world most beautiful beaches, finest wines, the most spectacular natural attractions and warm, friendly people who want visitors to come. Promoting it to tourists should be a no-brainer. And the way ahead is pretty clear according to the Tourism Council - cut the red tape to foster innovation, put more events on to raise visitor numbers and shout about it all from the rooftops.

Castle Bay Beach in Dunsborough. Credit:Margaret River Gourmet Escape "We have great things in Perth and WA all ready to go, but we are not promoting them at anywhere approaching a level that will give us better results and allow us to grow," Mr Hall warns. "We need to identify our markets again - in China, Indonesia, over east - put together packages and flog them hard. Get events in, get people to see them and then book them into more activities and stays. "To do that we need steady budget so we can market right and compete properly. Funding has been incredibly inconsistent for the sector. Right now we don't know year to year what our budget will be. It puts us at a huge disadvantage." Tourism is a growing, vibrant sector that is important to WA's economy.
London: Former ABC managing director and chairman David Hill has held back tears as he told a British inquiry of the sexual abuse and suffering of children sent from the UK to work at Australian farm schools.

The 70-year-old urged the London-based inquiry to "name the villains" to bring some sense of justice to those they abused.

Mr Hill was one of tens of thousands of poor, illegitimate or orphaned British children who were sent to Australia and other Commonwealth countries from early last century until the 1970s. In many cases they were kept in appalling conditions, exploited for their labour and sexually abused by members of the church and charity organisations charged with their care.

Mr Hill told the UK's Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse on Monday that he and his two brothers were among the lucky ones as they were later reunited with their mother in Australia. But he said so many others never saw their parents again and endured "a loveless childhood with nobody ever putting an arm around them, giving them encouragement and warmth".
Moscow: Thousands of Russians have marched through the centre of Moscow to honour opposition leader Boris Nemtsov two years after he was gunned down near the Kremlin walls, and to call for further investigation into his killing.

The 55-year-old Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead on a bridge near the Kremlin late in the evening of February 27, 2015, as he walked home with his girlfriend from a restaurant.

People gather in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday,. Credit:AP

Investigators have charged several Chechen men with the murder, but lawyers for Nemtsov's daughter said the investigation had failed to uncover who ordered the shooting.

Putin has said that he supported the investigation into Nemtsov's murder.
Cairo: Hedi Hammami feels like a marked man in Tunisia. The former Guantanamo Bay detainee is incensed at his government's decision to extend the state of emergency this month as it means more police harassment for him.

"I would rather go back to Guantanamo than live here in my own country like this," he told Fairfax Media. "I am tired of this suffering."

Hammami was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and then transferred to Guantanamo Bay for participating in al-Qaeda training camps. He spent eight years in detention in the military base in Cuba, suffering trauma from prolonged periods of enforced darkness and solitary confinement before he was released by US authorities and sent to Georgia in March 2010.

After Tunisia's "Jasmine revolution", he petitioned the country's new government to return to his homeland in 2012.
Ford Employees Develop Self-Driving "Autolivery" Concept - Solution For The Last Mile Of Autonomous Deliveries +VIDEO

 Ford employees develop innovative ideas that could assist with the mobility challenge of the last mile  including a concept that autonomous vehicles and drones could work hand-in-hand to transform city deliveries

 City of Tomorrow envisages overcoming mobility challenges in urban environments, including traffic and air pollution, to help people move more easily today and in the future

 Autolivery service idea and innovations, including robotic riding platform, Carr-E, and innovative tricycle for getting around cities, TriCiti, are demonstrated at Mobile World Congress

 Ford intends to have a fully autonomous, SAE level 4-capable vehicle for commercial application in mobility services such as ride sharing, ride hailing or package delivery fleets in 2021

BARCELONA - February 27, 2017: For more than half a century, vans have played a key role in deliveries. Drones are a modern phenomenon. But, the two could work hand in hand to improve mobility in urban areas in one example of Fords vision for the City of Tomorrow.

Self-driving vans could quickly and efficiently transport everything from groceries, to urgently needed medical supplies on the ground, with drones potentially able to take to the air for the final leg of the journey to reach destinations inaccessible by car such as, high up in a tower block  or where parking would be difficult, impractical, or unsafe.

The innovative Autolivery concept, developed by a team of Ford employees for the companys Last Mile Mobility Challenge, imagines electric self-driving vans used together with drones to pick up and drop off goods and packages in urban areas. The concept can be experienced through virtual reality headsets at Mobile World Congress, the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, in Barcelona, as part of Fords vision of the City of Tomorrow.

The experience showed dinner party preparations, with a missing ingredient quickly ordered and delivered in time to add to the recipe. As new data reveals that motorists in Europes cities spent up to 91 hours sitting in congested traffic during 2016, the Autolivery service illustrates how new technologies could improve the lives of consumers with smart connected homes, and help to pave the way to a more sustainable future. *

Ford has at its heart a culture of disruption and innovation designed to come up with solutions that put people first to save them time, money and aggravation, and also to make our cities easier to navigate and better to live in, said Ken Washington, vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company.

The Autolivery idea, one of many submitted by Ford employees to tackle the last mile challenge, paid particular attention to the challenge of the last 15 metres in goods delivery. Widely considered the most challenging part of the goods delivery process to automate, many companies are working on how to solve the complexity of delivering packages the last 15 metres, or from kerb to door. The pressure to solve this challenge is expected to increase globally in coming years with GDP growth, and a rise in local deliveries due to online sales.

While the scene shown today is not yet possible, ?Autolivery suggests how our ongoing mobility research could enrich our lives in a more sustainable ?City of Tomorrow, said Washington.

The City of Tomorrow envisages overcoming mobility challenges in urban environments, including gridlock and air pollution, to help people move more easily today and in the future. Roads could be converted into green space and parks, allowing for higher quality of life and healthier communities. The company regularly invites employees, entrepreneurs and startups to develop innovations through hackathons and challenges. Autolivery was developed by Shanghai-based Ford designers Euishik Bang, James Kuo and Chelsia Lau who responded to Fords Last Mile Mobility Challenge  to come up with mobility solutions for urban areas.

Its all about making life in the city easier. The possibility of harnessing autonomous and electric vehicle technology with drones, to quickly and easily send and deliver parcels, could help to make life better for everyone, said Bang. Also developed for Last Mile Mobility Challenge, and shown at Mobile World Congress, were the electric rideable platform CarrE and the folding electric tricycle TriCiti.

Ford intends to have a fully autonomous, SAE level 4-capable vehicle for commercial application in mobility services, such as ride sharing, ride hailing or package delivery fleets, in 2021. It also expects continued growth in electrified vehicle offerings, to the point where they outnumber their petrolpowered counterparts, in the next 15 years. Shared modes of transportation will continue to gain popularity, and connected communications between vehicles and infrastructure will grow.

We are challenging ourselves to understand how people live, work and move in urban areas, to inform our research in mobility technologies and solutions, Washington said.
SKODA Sells Its Two-Millionth Vehicle In China

 Milestone vehicle is a SKODA SUPERB Ambition with 1.4 TSI engine

 SKODA OCTAVIA bestseller in China with more than a million delivered units

 In 2017, SKODA is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its entry into the Chinese market

 China is the largest single market for the Czech car manufacturer

 Volkswagen, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited and SKODA AUTO agree an investment plan worth 2 billion for vehicles with alternative drive systems and several SUVs

SHANGHAI - February 27, 2017: SKODA has delivered its two-millionth vehicle in China. The milestone vehicle is a SKODA SUPERB with a 1.4 TSI engine in Polar White. Werner Eichhorn, SKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing, handed over the brands flagship to customer Li Hongan in Shanghai. China is the largest single market for the long-established Czech brand. In 2017, SKODA is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its entry into the Chinese market.

As our largest single market, China is an important pillar of the SKODA growth strategy, said Werner Eichhorn, SKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. We are delighted that our SKODA model range is being so well received by Chinese consumers and that we have already been able to convince two million customers of the merits of our vehicles. We intend to continue to press ahead with this successful development in the years to come. Our SUV campaign, which SKODA is now also launching in China, is expected to contribute to this, added Eichhorn.

The development of SKODA in China is an unprecedented success story. The Czech manufacturer entered the Chinese market in 2007. Back then, SKODA began production of the OCTAVIA locally under the umbrella of SAIC Volkswagen. In close collaboration with the Chinese joint venture partner, China became SKODAs most important single market as early as 2010. After six years and three months, it had reached the milestone of the first million vehicles sold; it took a mere three and a half years to sell the second million.

As the bestseller, the SKODA OCTAVIA is at the top of the popularity scale. The two million vehicles sold in China included almost 1,107,000 of the SKODA OCTAVIA, more than 305,000 SKODA RAPIDs, nearly 268,000 of the SKODA SUPERB, over 251,000 SKODA FABIAs and around 69,000 of the SKODA YETI. Today, the brand is one of the established volume manufacturers in China. A total of six SKODA model ranges roll off the production line in China, i.e. the FABIA, RAPID, RAPID SPACEBACK, OCTAVIA, YETI and SUPERB. The KODIAQ, SKODAs first large SUV, will be launched in the second quarter of 2017.

KODIAQ represents an important step for SKODA in China. It is an entry of the brand into a completely new segment but it is also a start of a comprehensive SUV campaign. During this campaign SKODA will bring four SUVs for the Chinese market. We are very confident about this step and the first reactions show us that it is the right direction for the brand, said Michael Arndt, Executive Director for Sales and Marketing at SAIC SKODA.

In 2016, SKODA delivered more than 300,000 vehicles in China for the first time  a record for the brand. With this, SKODA grew by 12.6 per cent in its largest single market compared to the previous year, clocking up sales of 317,100 vehicles (2015: 281,700 vehicles).

SKODA incorporates specific requirements and preferences of Chinese customers into the concept, design and features of newly developed models. With the SUV campaign, which is gathering pace with the launch of the KODIAQ, SKODA is transferring its expressive design into the SUV segment and emphasising the brands emotive power. The SUV campaign is an important pillar of the current SKODA strategy.

SKODA will further develop its position and increase its presence in the Chinese market in the future. During the state visit of the Chinese president Xi Jinping to the Czech Republic on 30th March 2016, Volkswagen, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited and SKODA AUTO signed a memorandum of understanding concerning a five-year investment plan worth 2 billion. The objective is to expand the current model range, for example by adding vehicles with alternative drive systems and several SUVs.
NACS Member Educates Congress on Point of Obligation

Chronister Oils Bryce Rawers encourages the EPA to preserve the Renewable Fuel Standard and keep the point of obligation compliance structure in place.











WASHINGTON February 27, 2017; Bryce Rawers, director of fuel procurement at Chronister Oil Company, DBA QiknEZ, penned an op-ed in a Capitol Hill newspaper that is read widely by members of Congress and staff on keeping the current point of obligation compliance structure in place under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Rawers writes in The Hill that the marriage of renewable and fossil fuels since the RFS was established more than a decade ago, has lowered the cost of gasoline and diesel, supported domestic agricultural products, improved air quality by reducing emissions and reduced reliance on foreign oil.

In other words, the RFS has worked as intended, Rawers said. Now its under threat.

That threat came to a head in late November 2016, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked for public comments regarding its proposed denial of a petition from a small group of merchant refiners for EPA to begin a rulemaking to shift the point of obligation from the refiner, manufacturer or importer of the fuel to the position holder, the entity that holds title to product immediately prior to sale of those fuels at the terminal. Obligated parties are responsible for demonstrating compliance with the RFSs annual renewable volume obligations.

NACS and most fuels value chain stakeholders, including the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) oppose changing the point of obligation. Last week NACS submitted its comments to EPA in support of the agencys proposal to deny the petition. Changing the point of obligation would undermine the RFS and lead to higher prices at the pump for consumers, said NACS.

In his op-ed, Rawers notes that changing the point of obligation would discourage the use of renewable fuel and punish the companies that have played by the rules over the last decade. In fact, just a handful of companies will benefit from a change. They have no interest in renewable energy or in seeing it benefit American consumers at the pump. This small group points to only one side of the balance sheet to make the case for why its compliance costs should shift to others. Those refiners claim that companies that blend fuels are receiving windfall profits from selling renewable fuel credits, called RINs.

The truth is that when refiners sell petroleum products they factor in the cost of RINs as well as the cost of crude oil, utilities and laborThis small special interest group is lobbying to change the point of obligation to anyone but them, but shifting the point of obligation is the fastest route to destroying the RFS program without an act of Congress. Renewable fuel blending has increased because refiners and importers, as obligated parties, brought to market fossil fuels, which are amenable to renewable fuel blending.

Without an obligation, notes Rawers, these same companies have no incentive to make available fossil fuel products that blend with renewable fuels, because renewable fuels compete directly for market share with fossil fuel products. The resulting shortfall in blending, and the burden on retailers in a setting where compliance is impossible, would result in chaos in the fuel markets, higher prices at the pumps, and an end to the RFS.

Additionally, Rawers writes that shifting the point of obligation from relatively few refiners and importers to a plethora of blenders and distributors creates a regulatory nightmare, which is at odds with a Republican agenda. The EPA would need to create a larger enforcement program to handle a more complex network of obligated parties, exhausting more taxpayer dollars on resources and man hours.

Rawers encouraged the EPA to preserve the RFS and ensure it continues to work as intended.

The point of obligation should remain with refiners and importers because that is most fair to the businesses that have played by the rules for years, to investors who have supported our nations long-term energy strategy, and, most of all, to the American people who dont need another appointed bureaucrat trying to increase their cost of living to appease a special interest.
Total Plans EV Network Across France

Company is planning to invest in electric vehicle charging points at its French locations.

LEARN MORE: Electric Vehicles Solution Or Diversion?





PARIS February 27, 2017; Reuters reports that French oil and gas company Total is planning a network of electric vehicle charging points at its petrol stations across France, according to the company's CEO Patrick Pouyanne.

"We plan to do it. We are thinking of how to equip our stations with electric charging points," Pouyanne said during a renewable energy conference in Paris. He also noted that the charging points would be installed mostly outside city centers.

"Our plan consists of looking at how to create a charging point network around French highways to have charging points every 150 or 160 km (100 miles)," he said, adding that there was demand from customers for greater access to EV charging.

"We are preparing the investment for it," Pouyanne said, adding that Total is considering EV installation at about 300 petrol stations.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A serial thief who was caught in the act again a mere six days after his last sentencing returned to face the same judge in a Steinbach courtroom last Thursday.

Jason Quirk pleaded guilty to one count of theft under $5,000 for attempting to steal a bicycle from a Steinbach school. At the time of arrest, Quirk had just barely begun serving two years of unsupervised probation for stealing a motorized scooter from a garage on Aug. 15, 2016.

Im not sure if your honour remembers Mr. Quirk, but you sentenced him on Nov. 10, 2016 for possession of property obtained by crime, mischief, and uttering threats, Crown attorney Theresa Cannon reminded provincial court Judge Ken Champagne, before proceeding to detail Quirks latest run-in with the law.

Police officers driving past the school on Nov. 16 noticed Quirk attempting to cut bicycle locks with a pair of wire cutters.

Defence lawyer Michael Dyck said Quirk had an opiate addiction and suffered cognitive impacts from a prior motor vehicle accident. Dyck argued these factors compromised his clients judgment.

This isnt a crime of violence. Hes not out there hurting people, said Dyck. He asked provincial court Judge Ken Champagne for a $100 to $200 fine.

Hes going to get caught. Hes not very good at this, to put it bluntly, admitted Dyck.

I think I said that to him last time, replied Champagne, who then addressed Quirk directly.

You make it difficult on yourself coming to court for offending within a week of the last time I spoke to youyoure going to get caught every time.

Champagne imposed a $500 fine plus a victim fine surcharge of $150 and offered Quirk the option of performing community service to work off the amount over the next 12 months.

You need to understand: youre likely to go to jail if you come back here, said the judge.
On his first full day as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, former Labor Department secretary Thomas Perez said the Democratic Party needs to win back American workers who turned to Republicans in the 2016 election.

On the Feb. 26 edition of NBCS Meet the Press, Perez said Democrats fell short by spending too much time bashing President Donald Trump and not enough time talking about a progressive economic message.

We stand for good wages. We stand for Social Security. We stand for retirement security. We brought this nation Medicare, Perez said of Democrats. The Republicans are trying to voucherize Medicare and privatize Social Security.

Then he said something we hadnt heard before: "Donald Trump wants to eliminate overtime pay for people."

Is Trump really planning to deliver a KO to OT?

To back up his claim, Perezs team sent clips from three news articles and a memo from Trumps campaign (PDF). However, none of these sources show Trump wants to eliminate overtime pay, the money earned for working more than a specified number of hours a week.

What Trump Has Said

While Trump has not talked about eliminating overtime pay, he has supported rolling back an Obama-era regulation that would expand the number of people eligible for overtime.

In an August 2016 interview with the online news service Circa, Trump was asked if theres any new regulations he wanted to eliminate.

The interviewer asked, "What are some fresh examples of federal regulations youd roll back if you were president? For example, the Labor Department. They have a regulation thats going to take effect on Dec. 1. Its going to impose overtime requirements on small business. Would that be one of them?"

Trump said the rules regarding overtime were just an example of the type of business regulations he would seek to roll back as president.

Trump is quoted as saying, "We have to address the issues of over-taxation and over-regulation and the lack of access to credit markets to get our small business owners thriving again. Rolling back the overtime regulation is just one example of the many regulations that need to be addressed to do that."

A small business advisory council memo from the Trump-Pence campaign Oct. 17 conveyed a similar message about the burden of economic regulations (PDF).

Labor issues like minimum wage, overtime rules, and union organizing all take their toll, reads the memo. It seems to many small business owners out here in flyover land that the insiders in D.C. have it in for them. And they probably do.

Its not clear from his comments if Trump was referencing any particular rule or regulation, but there is one notable Obama-era rule that made waves in Republican circles in 2016.

Most employees in the United States are eligible for time-and-a-half overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week. But theres an exception for white-collar workers.

To be considered a white-collar worker by the government, an employee has to make more than $455 per week, be paid salary, and work in an administrative, executive, or professional position.

In March 2014, President Barack Obama signed a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. Labor Department (then led by Perez) to update regulations related to overtime pay in the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Two years later, the Obama administration finalized the rule that would shrink the "white-collar" exemption. Under Obamas proposed rule, those workers would be eligible for overtime if they made less than $47,500 a year (up from $26,660). The Department of Labor estimated that 4.2 million workers would become eligible to earn overtime as a result of the new rule.

However, many states and businesses, unhappy with the new proposal, filed an emergency motion challenging the rule. On Nov. 22, 2016, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant in Texas, sided with those states and business groups and granted their motion for a nationwide injunction.

With the new regulation on hold, the Trump administration could have decided whether to continue defending the rule in court, or kill it completely. In response, the White House issued a moratorium on all proposed federal regulations that have yet to take effect.

Trumps Labor Department is without a permanent chief.

Trump had nominated fast-food executive Andrew Puzder for the role, though he withdrew from consideration Feb. 15 before a doubtful confirmation vote. Trump then nominated Alexander Acosta, a law school dean at Florida International University and former Justice Department official, who is awaiting confirmation.

On Meet the Press, Perez said Trump wanted to eliminate overtime pay, and also that "he nominates someone to head the Labor Department who wants to gut overtime pay."

It is likely Perez was referring to Puzder, who was an open critic of Obamas overtime rule. In a 2014 Wall Street Journal op-ed, Puzder cautioned against rewarding time spent rather than time well spent.

We could not find instances of Acosta opposing the overtime rule. The White House did not respond for comment.

Our Ruling

Perez said Trump "wants to eliminate overtime pay for people."

Perezs statement offers a misleading view of Trumps position on overtime. Trumps administration has said he wants to roll back regulationssome of which would expand the number of those eligible for overtimebut that doesnt translate to wanting to eliminate overtime completely.

The regulation that would expand overtime eligibility for white-collar workers has never been enforced because of a pending court challenge.

We rate this statement Mostly False.
Arizona lawmakers are using Trump-fueled rumors of paid protesters to push a new bill that would make rioting prosecutable under the same charges the state currently uses against members of organized crime rings.

Senate Bill 1142, which passed Arizonas Senate on Wednesday and has been sent to the states House, would expand the definition of rioting, and make the crime prosecutable under racketeering laws. If booked on rioting chargeslike some journalists were when they covered riots at Trumps inauguration in D.C.an activist could have their assets seized while officials investigated whether he or she had been paid.

If the bill passes the Arizonas Republican-majority House, the legislation could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech, activists say.

The reason this bill has been floated by members of our legislature is that they are under the impression that there is some kind of grand conspiracy that people are being paid to go out and cause trouble through protests, Steve Kilar, a spokesperson for the ACLU of Arizona told The Daily Beast. There is this belief that people wouldnt be out protesting unless someone did provide an incentive to do it. So the Arizona legislature in their great wisdom has decided there needs to be a way to go after these fictitious funders of protests.

The states racketeering laws currently target organized crime syndicates and cover conspiracy, money laundering, extortion, or weapons trafficking. They also allow prosecutors special powers, including the ability to seize a suspects assets for the purposes of an investigation. If passed, the new bill would allow officials to seize rioters property.

By adding riots into the RICO statute, that opens the possibility for prosecutors to go after assets in a way that isnt typical for all criminal statutes in Arizona, Kilar said.

But State Senator Sonny Borelli, the bills sponsor, called the legislation straightforward.

Rioting [is] not protected under the First Amendment, Borelli told The Daily Beast. Everybodys twisting that around. His law expands the definition of rioting to include protests that disturb the peace or damage property.

Borelli believes some recent protesters have been paid. Not all, he said. Im sure there are some.

During the bills introduction, its sponsors cited protests at President Donald Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration, and at Berkeley where alt-right personality Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak earlier this month. Republican figures have accused protesters of being paid to riot at both events. While these claims have been repeatedly debunked, one Arizona activist group found itself at the center of a political firestorm when The Daily Caller accused it of funding a group that rioted at Yiannopouloss Berkeley speech.

The Alliance for Global Justice is a Tucson, Arizona-based advocacy group focusing on foreign policy issues, particularly U.S. relations with Latin America. The AFGJ operates on a shoestring budget, as its only full-time employee, James Jordan, told The Daily Beast. The group, a nonprofit, shares some funds and legal services including tax processing and payroll services with approximately 90 smaller organizations, including Refuse Fascism, a group that claims to have been behind the protests at Berkeley. This connection led right-wing sites like Breitbart and The Daily Caller to accuse the AFGJ of funnelling money to Berkeley rioters.

We get by with a budget that barely meets our own plans and projections, Jordan said. The idea that we would have funds set aside to pay protesters to come to events is just ridiculous.

But should a protest turn violent in Arizona, groups like Jordans could come under scrutiny on racketeering charges. Borelli described the bill as a means of targeting the people he believes are bankrolling protests.

If a rioter confesses and says yeah, my employer paid me to start a riot, shouldnt we be able to go after him? Borelli said of the alleged riot-funders.

Critics of the bill say its wording could also be used against people who simply happened to have been at a protest that turned violent. The bill states that an overt act is not required to prove a persons involvement in a riot, making it easier to charge nonviolent people in the vicinity. Since Trumps inauguration, a number of people have been arrested nationally on riot charges, despite claiming to have been bystanders or nonviolent protesters. At least six journalists covering protests at Trumps inauguration were arrested on felony riot charges under local D.C. law. The charges were later dropped.

Under the expanded definition, Arizonas rioting charges could be applied to groups that violently damaged property or disturbed the peace. Ironically, the bills sponsor, Borelli, has a disorderly conduct charge on his own record, after police accused him of repeatedly hitting his wife in 2001. Borelli denied hitting her, but pleaded guilty to a disturbing the peace, a charge Borellis opponent Ron Gould cited during a contentious 2016 election.

In recording obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times in August 2016, Borelli laid into Goulds voters in a profane rant.

If these ignorant, c--ksucking idiots want to vote for that f--king phony, lying piece of s--t, they can get what they deserve, Borelli said of Gould voters in the recording. Another f--king senator, a senator that did absolutely nothing for this district except piss everybody off in Phoenix, to include the f--king governor. And now how is he going to act when he goes back to Phoenix with a f--king governor that hes already called a f--king RINO and a liberal? Do you think were going to get any support? F--k! This guy has been f--king badmouthing [Gov. Doug] Ducey since he got elected.

Meanwhile, if Borellis bill passes, activists worry about protesters being arrested on trumped-up charges.

One thing that worries me about this law being passed is that there is a history of law enforcement going into activist groups and pushing them to do things that are illegal, just so they can set them up to be arrested, or going into protests and provoking them, said Jordan, a longtime activist in Arizona.

Im thinking of numerous instances when agents or provocateurs will go and prod naive people into planning or committing illegal acts. I just think you add that with laws like this and its an ominous, ominous precedent for what could be coming down against dissent and against freedom of speech.

The idea that were paying people to protest is a clueless allegation based in nothing but fantasy, Jordan added.

When people see hundreds of thousands people marchingmillions of people in the marches for womens rightswhat you are seeing are people who are genuinely concerned and moved to go out to exercise their right to free speech and their right to assemble and their right to protest.
If national Democrats could grow a near-ideal Congressional candidate in a lab, the product would look a lot like Jon Ossoff, the lanky 30 year-old former Capitol Hill staffer who is running to replace Rep. Tom Price in Georgias 6th congressional district.

Ossoff grew up in the suburban Atlanta district, went to Georgetown and the London School of Economics, and calls liberal icon Rep. John Lewis a mentor. When Ossoff, who is now the CEO of a documentary film company, heard that Price had been tapped as Donald Trumps secretary of Health and Human Services, he went to Lewis to get his advice on running in the Republican stronghold.

He said if anyone can do it, you can do it, Ossoff recalled in an interview with the Daily Beast.

If is the operative word in the 6th District, which has been a designated safe space for Republicans since the days that Democrats dominated the rest of the state. Newt Gingrich launched his political career as the congressman there, as did now-Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Price, its most recent occupant, never dipped below 60% in an election.

But a closer look at the terrain reveals the reason behind Democrats guarded optimism about winning the seat back. Although Price was consistently reelected, his margin of victory shrank by about four points with every election cycle with even a weak opponent. Reapportionment in 2012 brought new, younger faces into the district.

While Mitt Romney dominated the district by 24 points, Donald Trump only carried it by a point, with 48% to Hillary Clintons 47%. Other than a district in Utah, the seat had the second-largest swing toward Democrats of any in the country compared to 2012.

Thanks largely to Lewis endorsement and the progressive support that quickly followed, Osoff is now flush with cashhes raised $1.85 million in five weeksand has rocketed to prominence among the 13 Republicans and five Democrats running in the all-in jungle primary on April 18. The top two finishers will go to a June runoff, regardless of party, if no one clears 50% on Election Day. Even in the sprawling field, Democrats largely believe they have found their man in Ossoff.

When John Lewis says someone is worth backing, that's a signal progressives everywhere have to take seriously, said David Nir, the political director of Daily Kos, which endorsed Ossoff shortly after Lewiss nod. In Ossoff's case, wow, has that meant an insane amount of money.

The ActBlue page that Daily Kos set up for activists to support Ossoff raised more than $800,000 in a week, double what they raised for Sen. Elizabeth Warrens entire Senate bid.

Our community is fired up with an unprecedented level of intensity, and I don't use that word casually, Nir said. The Ossoff campaign also has had 5,000 volunteer sign ups. Parking lots at his meet-and-greets overflow. Two hundred people showed up to volunteer for him on Saturday.

Personally, he is probably the type of young person old people wish Millennials would be. He wears a dark suit and tie to campaign, even to walk door-to-door asking for votes. Hes still dating his high school sweetheart, a fourth year medical student at Emory University. He talks a lot about humility and respect. He has no beard.

But while Ossoffs shortcomings as a candidate are limited, they are also potentially serious. For one thing, he does not live in the district. Although he was raised there and his parents are still 6th district residents, Ossoff and his girlfriend live about 10 minutes south so that she can walk to work for early morning hospital shifts. Its not a legal requirement that he live there, but the National Republican Campaign Committee has already gone to the trouble of labeling him a carpetbagger.

Also, although progressives have embraced Ossoff as a potential savior, he is not the fire breather many liberals are craving. He voted for Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary and calls the battle between moderates and progressives in the party last years fight. Asked whether a vote for him should be considered a vote against Donald Trump, he said, No. Its a vote for me and what I stand for.

What Ossoff stands for is an economy-first pragmatism buttressed by unqualified support for liberal causes, including Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights. He infuses his comments about Trump with an argument for, and a demonstration of, civil discourse. People are concerned that Trump may embarrass us on the world stage, that he may not be competent to do the job, and that hes dishonest, he told me, adding, I share all of those concerns.

The only time he came close to raising his voice in two interviews was on the subject of John Lewis and Trumps tweet that the congressman, who was once beaten bloody at the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Ala., was all talk, talk, talk. No action. Sad! Ossoffs said, Dont mess with John Lewis. Youll regret it.

Even if Ossoff isn't in pitchfork-resistance mode, it is clear that many of his supporters see him as their first, best hope to stop Donald Trump.

Becky Albertali, a young adult author who lives with her husband and two young sons in the district said the she and her suburban mom friends all into full resistance.

We call our senators every day and a lot of times it feels hopeless. They dont represent us, she said. I feel like Ossoff would represent us.

Albertali and her fellow author, Aisha Saeed, are both volunteering for Ossoff. I have never voted in a special election. I dont even think Ive voted in midterms, said Saeed. But the election really woke me up. I hope it has woken up everybody else.

Both locally and nationally, the question now is whether Trumps weakness in Republican districts like Ga-6 was a one-time-only stumble or a new dynamic that Democrats use to win elections. This special election will be the first test. Even longtime local Democrats are skeptical. My gut tells me no, but these are strange times, said one.

David Abroms, a businessman and one of the Republicans in the race, said the district is not within any Democrats reach. Its just a solid Republican district. Its not a toss-up, said Abroms, who is pumping more than $250,000 of his own money into the race. Thats hardly the kind of cash most people would put into a race that could go either way.

I know Trump won it by a whisker, but Tom Price won it by 15 points, Romney won it by more than 20, he said. People should take that into account.

Even Daily Kos Nir has to tell his own people to curb their enthusiasm. As excited as we all are, I constantly remind folks that this is a difficult race, and that Georgia's 6th remains a conservative district.

But he added that a single word puts the race within the realm of possibility: Resistance. If that enthusiasm translates into the ballot box, that could make all the difference in a district like this one.

Even when Ossoff stood in front of the first door he had ever knocked on to asked someone for their vote, it was clear that the resistance had come to Georgia and that Ossoff will be riding its wave as far as it takes him on April 18th.

Hey man, Im voting for you! a man yelled when he heard Ossoff say his name. Screw Donald Trump, dude!
Mumbai/Kolkata, Feb 27 (IBNS): TataCLiQ.com has joined the launch celebrations of the Tata Hexa, the lifestyle utility vehicle from Tata Motors, as the online partner.

In addition to buying their favorite brands across apparel, electronics, and footwear, consumers can now also experience the hextraordinary, power-packed and dynamic Tata Hexa on Tata CLiQ. This exclusive partnership will enable consumers to book test drives, explore additional features and benefits with just a CLiQ.

Based on a new versatile platform  the HEXA is a complete vehicle package, with an exceptional combination of design, luxury, off-road and on-road capabilities, boasting modern and exciting architecture, plush interiors and next-generation connectivity and performance related features, enhancing the functionality of the vehicle.

Speaking on the partnership Ashutosh Pandey, CEO TataCLiQ.com said, We are really happy and excited with this exclusive partnership. Tata Hexa promises to be a perfect combination of style, features and performance and we are sure that our discerning consumer base will be excited to discover the brand-new SUV on our portal.

According to Vivek Srivatsa, Head of Marketing, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, With rapidly changing digital landscape, brands across industries are aligning themselves to adjust and conform to the interactive world. Adressing this digital shift, we are delighted to partner with TataCLiQ.com for our recently launched lifestyle vehicle, HEXA. As we are targeting a far younger set of buyers, we believe this partnership will help us reach out to the right set of customers in a more effective way.



The HEXA features a new first-in-segment SUPER DRIVE MODES system, to provide customers with a pleasurable, comfortable and dynamic driving experience. This Super Drive Modes system allows the driver to seamlessly switch between four different driving modes  Auto, Comfort, Dynamic and Rough Road, for enhanced ride comfort & stability over different terrains.

The new system is a flawless combination of the vehicles Engine performance, new-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Torque on Demand (TOD) and the vehicles Instrument Cluster display and ambient lighting, which can be activated through a well-placed rotary knob, on the center console.
By Crofton Black and Abigail Fielding-Smith, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Last year, an anonymously-produced map started to make its way around German social media. It claimed to show viewers the spread of refugee and migrant crime throughout Germany.

Unlike some of the lurid tales of migrant depravity that have circulated in Germany in recent months and turned out to be false, the interactive map seemed professionally put together. Each pin on it correlated to a police or media report of a crime (we dont document cases simply on the basis of hearsay, its makers claimed). The map, called XY-Einzelfall (a sarcastic riposte to the idea each migrant crime is simply an isolated caseEinzelfall in German) got more than four million views. One of the XY-Einzelfall (XYE) social media followers tweeted over 80 times as new crimes were added to the map: The times coming when Germans will need to carry guns for self-protection.

Systematically misleading

But analysis of the maps methodology by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism shows that it is systematically misleading, often attributing crimes to migrants or refugees on the basis of nothing more than a witness statement that the perpetrator was dark-skinned or southern. On top of this, the project vastly overstates the figures on migrant crime through skewed use of statistics.

Tracing XYEs presence on social media also shows it to be far from politically neutral. An account in XYEs name on the Russian social media site VKontakte is rife with the kind of pro-Trump pro-Putin memes which have become the signature of the global alt-right. These are also the dominant affiliations of the Twitter accounts promoting the map.

Facebook is supposed to be cracking down on fake news in Germany, amid fears that the kind of misinformation seen in the U.S. may play a role in this years federal elections. One sensational story about New Years Eve attacks by migrants in Frankfurt was published by the newspaper Bild and picked up by the Daily Express and Daily Telegraph before Bild apologized for publishing a fake story.

But unlike fabricated stories which can be easily fact-checked, the refugee crime maps main business is slick distortion of reality, which is much harder to track. In the more strictly policed media environment of Germany, fake news has apparently taken on more sophisticated forms.

These cases are more problematic than outright fake news, says Jonas Kaiser, an expert on German media at Harvard Universitys Berkman Klein Center. I think these cases are going to rise.

An alarming picture

The XYE map first emerged following reports that migrant men had committed mass sexual assaults during Colognes New Years Eve celebrations. Opponents of Chancellor Angela Merkel were quick to link the assaults to her decision to accept the million-odd asylum seekers who came to Germany in 2015. The medias initial slowness in reporting the New Years Eve attacks fuelled suspicions of a conspiracy of silence around the issue.

The map gained momentum. By the end of the year you could hardly see Germany for the forest of pins.

XYE was brought to the mainstream medias attention by a blog in the Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung, and later cited in the British tabloid Daily Express (MERKELS SHAME: Map reveals shocking extent of migrant sex attacks on women and children).

It was also picked up by the Trump-affiliated news site Breitbart, which accused Facebook of stealthily interfering to stop the map showing up in users news feeds after they had liked it.

The map visualises 8800 separate incidents from 2016while asserting this is only a fraction of migrant/refugee crime cases in that year.

The crimes represented on the map are outlined in brief summaries and sourced to a mixture of police and media reports.

The maps makers have chosen not to be identified, citing fear of left-wing reprisals. But one of them gave an interview under a pseudonym to the far-right publication Junge Freiheit in April. She said XYE was run by four women and a man.

We dont read between the linesthere must be a clear reference to the perpetrators background in the source material, she said.

Useless at best

The Bureaus analysis however shows the maps portrait of a migrant crime epidemic rests on highly dubious assumptions about the perpetrators origins.

The maps creators like to portray their approach as scientific, mimicking the language of academics and think tanks. In January they released a seven-day analysis of published police reports, with a breakdown of crimes by groups of different origins and a headline suggesting that 84 percent of crimes were committed by migrants.

In fact, the 84 percent figure is completely misleading. The map-makers have stripped out all crimes in which the perpetrators background is not mentioned from their calculation. The true percentage of crimes in this period committed by migrantsaccording to XYEs own datais 13 percent. There is a further 13 percent of crimes which the XYE say are probably committed by migrants.

We looked at how XYE decided that each pin on the map represents a crime which could have been committed by migrants. They comb police and media reports and pull out descriptions of perpetrators. We found that almost two-thirds of their reported offenders fell into the categories of dark-skinned, southern-looking, foreigner, or refugee. We then selected a random sample of 100 reports within each of these four categories for closer analysis.

We found that in nearly all cases where the perpetrator was described as dark-skinned or southern, there was no evidence in the sources positively identifying them as a migrant or refugee. This was also true of the overwhelming majority of cases in which the offender was described as a foreigner.

Overcrowded asylum centers

In the summaries where the perpetrator is explicitly described as a refugee, there is usually evidence supporting this claim. But even these dont support the idea of a migrant crime wave against Germans. In more than a third of the hundred sample cases in this category that the Bureau analysed, the crimes consisted of fights or other incidents within Germanys overcrowded asylum centers.

One of the cases in this category was a disturbed 17-year-old Afghan boy who was considered at risk of suicide after he tried to throw himself out of a window.

Another involved a fire alarm going off in a refugee hostel due to someone smoking. There was no damage or injuries.

In at least one case represented on the map as a refugee crime, the asylum seeker was actually the victim of the attack, not the perpetrator.

Matt Ashby, a crime-mapping expert at Nottingham Trent University and former policeman, was critical of XYEs methodology.

For a start, Ashby explained, it would make more sense to base the data on people who had actually been charged with a crime, because eye-witnesses are notoriously unreliable.

Ive taken a huge number of statements from victims or witnessessometimes theyll get it wrong in terms of whether someone was black or white, he said. If its just based on a witness description you cant make any meaningful statement about who committed that crime.

His concerns were echoed by Dr. Theo Kindynis, a criminologist at the University of Roehampton, London, who has researched the history of crime mapping. Kindynis told the Bureau that there were some very basic, fundamental, epistemological and methodological issues with the map, citing for example its reliance on media reports.

Even if the data on which the map was based was accurate, it makes little sense without other data with which to contextualise it. For instance, what proportion of overall crimes do these account for? How do the crimes committed by refugees or migrants compare (proportionally) with those committed by native or citizen residents of a given area? Without that context, the data is useless at best.

Who benefits?

While XYEs Twitter and Facebook postings refrain from overt political content, the account in XYEs name on the Russian social networking site VKontakte suggests where their sympathies lie.

VKontakte is not subject to the kind of content controls that Facebook has agreed to deploy in Germany, and XYEs page is populated with pro-Putin and pro-Trump memes, jokey riffs on the Third Reich, and depictions of Chancellor Angela Merkel as a gap-toothed black man or radical Muslim.

It is not clear whether XYE was set up by Merkels political opponents as a propaganda tool, or whether it reflects the work of motivated individual citizens. In the age of social media those distinctions are starting to blur.

Online supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump coordinated their efforts to push his agenda in the run-up to the election. These supporters are now increasingly interested in Germany. Trump himself has said that Merkels immigration policy was a disaster that caused German crime to rise to levels that no-one thought they would ever, ever see, and has asked his administration to start compiling a list of crimes by migrants in America.

Some of his supporters see a mirror of Trumps populist insurgency in the anti-immigrant party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), which is hoping to gain seats in the German parliamentary elections this fall. The internet forum Reddit, which Trump supporters used as a platform in the U.S. election, now has a Make Germany Great Again section in support of the AfD.

Twitter is far less influential in Germany than it is in the U.S., but there are signs of an online network coalescing around the AfDs anti-immigrant message and XYEs map.

The Bureau analyzed activity around XYEs Twitter account over 10 days in January 2017. Just 10 followers were responsible for more than a quarter of the accounts 15,000 retweets during this period.

Among those 10 accounts, only one name was more prominent in their tweets than their adversary Angela Merkel, and that was Donald Trump.

Some of their most popular hashtags over this 10-day period, aside from references to the AfD, were Trump, Fakenews? and MerkelMussWeg [Merkel Must Go].

The local branch of the AfD in the town of Dreieich in Hessen has a banner on its home page alerting people to the XYE map, as an example of what is being withheld from citizens.

Although the map has been circulated mainly within the right-wing world, it and others like it have the potential to play an important role in the migration debate in Germany.

Harvards Jonas Kaiser argues that such seemingly scientific material helps legitimise an anti-immigrant political position. Things like the XYE map tighten the right-wings identity, Kaiser says. Fake news may not have an impact on the German election, but unreliable maps could.
Any Republican worth his reelection bid will reassure American women that no, the GOP is not in fact coming for their birth control. How ridiculous! Of course the Republican-controlled government isnt going to send henchmen (or women! But probably men!) creeping into the bathrooms of unsuspecting citizens in order to seize pill packets. Nobodys going to force anybody to yank out their IUDs . Thats absurd.

What isnt absurd is a different, and more insidious, tack that the powers-that-be have assumed. Rather than overtly banning hormonal contraception, which would be terribly unpopular considering that most American women rely on hormonal contraception at some point during their fertile years, theyre chipping away at it slowly. Eventually, to some women who benefit most from birth control, it wont even matter whether or not its legal anymore, in the same way it doesnt matter to most people whether or not caviar is legalwe cant afford it, and even if we could, we have to go a long way to get it. Eggs can get expensive.

Conservatives at all levels of government have set their sights on defunding Planned Parenthood . While its not the only shop in town that offers women birth control, its one of the largest providers of low-cost reproductive and womens health care in the country. Cutting its funding means that its millions of patients would need to get contraception elsewhere. In places like New York City, that elsewhere might be another non-subsidized womens health care provider a few blocks away. In places like West Texas, that might an hours-long round trip in a hot car.

Just last week, a federal judge ruled that Texas couldnt cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood providers. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had claimed, in the absence of evidence, that the health care provider was allegedly violating the law by selling fetal body parts, based on a secretly recorded video captured by anti-abortion activists. During the ensuing legal proceedings, it was the videos makers who got slapped with criminal charges (later dropped ), not Planned Parenthood, but that hasnt stopped the state of Texas from running with their preferred more fictional set of facts. Paxton has vowed that he will appeal the courts ruling. If the court battle advances far enough, itll reach the Fifth Circuit, which is notoriously conservative.

Which brings us to the Supreme Court. With Colorado judge Neil Gorsuch poised for confirmation, court watchers are examining his judicial record. And proponents of birth control access arent liking whats there. As a federal judge, Gorsuch supported Utahs attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. He also supported employers who wished to omit birth control coverage for female employees on religious grounds. If and when hes installed on the court, its a safe bet to assume Gorsuch probably wont be a champion of womens health. Gorsuch isnt going to go door-to-door and take peoples birth control away, but if a Supreme Court ruling makes it legal for more companies to interfere with what a woman can and cannot purchase with insurance (part of her compensation), contraception is about to get much more expensive.

Both the President and Republicans in Congress have promised that theyre going to repeal Obamacare, and that theyve got an even better replacement just waiting in their drafts folders. Well, Republicans have had control of Congress for almost two months now, and they havent repealed the law as theyve promised. Part of this might be because many of their constituents are very angry about this . Another part might be that they might not have a replacement and have been spending the last several years being the hype man to a band that would never take the stage.

Despite the quibbling about what exactly Republicans will do with the promises theyve made, one thing seems to be at a near consensus: a dial-back of the Affordable Care Acts provision that classifies birth control as preventative care. This means that health care benefits women once enjoyed, like copay-free birth control, would be on the chopping block. According to one report, that provision saved insured American women $1.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs. Many of the ACAs beneficiaries were poor women and women of color.

Eliminating that provision wouldnt make birth control illegal, but it would make it significantly more expensive for people who use it, placing womens health in its own category separate from other health care. All under the banner of personal responsibility, of course, according to House Speaker and assumed Obamacare replacement architect Paul Ryan.

Were going to be hearing a lot about personal responsibility in the coming months. Its a seductive idea for both the fortunate and unfortunate. Personal responsibility allows the fortunate to celebrate their success as something of their own design. The unfortunate are able to focus their ire on themselves rather than confront the overwhelming unfairness of systems, both social and biological, that sometimes just stack things against people. For both winners and losers, more responsibility means more control, and thats a nice idea. Nobody wants to imagine their life being subject to the whims of randomness.

When it comes to health care, touting oneself as a champion of personal responsibility always sounded like a bit of an insidious brag to me, and one favored by people who seem to have it pretty good, a way for a person to take credit for things they could not possibly have facilitated for themselves. For example: being born to extremely wealthy parents or not having to deal with the maintenance costs of having a uterus.

Nobody is coming to take your birth control away. Not all at once. But if the conservatives in power stack the Supreme Court with Gorsuch-like judges, defund Planned Parenthood, and roll back the ACA in the name of personal responsibility, one day, American women will wake up in a world where itll sure seem like they did.
President Donald Trump is set to deliver his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, and tax reform is among the policy items he is expected to roll out.

For tax reform to be successful, Trump will need to (A) keep it simple, (B) move quickly, and (C) persuasively explain why tax reform matters to average Americans.

Democrats are already claiming he has done nothing his first month in office.

Trump needs a legislative victory, says Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation, and, in this regard, tax cuts should be a layup.

Tax reform seems like an obvious area for President Trump to focus. But nothing comes easy. This is how he can do it:

Keep It Simple

Rather than tackling a landmark tax overhaul like the one Ronald Reagan passed in 1986, President Trump should focus on a simpler package as Reagan did in 1981, with the Kemp-Roth tax cut, which provided for three years of reductions totaling [sic] 25 percent in individual tax rates and major reductions in taxes paid by business and by oil producers.

The modern equivalent might include lowering both corporate and individual taxes and enacting repatriation (a lower tax to incentivize bringing foreign earnings back to the U.S.).

Trump would be well advised to avoid controversial proposals like interest deductions and border adjustment.

True, Speaker Paul Ryan wants a border-adjustment tax, but Senate Republicans worry that home state importers/retailers/consumers will face economic consequencesand the conservative Club for Growth strongly opposes the border-adjustment tax.

The benefit of Ryans plan is that it comports with Trumps America first philosophy, but focusing solely on tax cuts across the board for business and consumers would be simpler and easier to achieve.

Move Quickly

In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, Moore and CNBC Senior Contributor Larry Kudlow said that President Trump should urge lawmakers to pass a jobs bill, including a tax cut, during his first 100 days in office.

Others emphasize the need for President Trump to set a deadline in Tuesday nights speech. Trump should tell us what is the date that the tax cuts take effect, said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). We need to know that we can invest, earn, sell, and reap capital gains and know that we will get the benefit of the tax cut whenever it passes. Otherwise, we wait until the bill is enactedmaybe months longer than we should that alone could slow growth.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has promised very significant tax reform by the August recess. Even assuming his deadline is met, Secretary Mnuchin estimates that the combined economic benefits of regulatory relief and tax cuts wont really impact the economy until next year when you begin to see changes in behavior. And it will take a couple years to get growth.

Do the math. It might seem like we just had an election, but Republicans who are on the 2018 mid-term ballots will need to have something significant to show the voters.

The ambitious timetable of getting a bill to the presidents desk by this fall is achievable, says Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union. Politically, it also happens to be necessary.

Explaining It

There is broad agreement that the most bang for the buck (so to speak) would likely be in cutting corporate taxes. According to the Tax Foundation, the United States has the highest corporate income tax rate in the developed worldand the third highest in the entire world.

So how can President Trump convince working-class Americans that cutting the corporate tax rate down to 20 percent is a good idea? Show people a chart, Moore says, that visually demonstrates Americas nearly 40 percent (if you include state and local taxes) corporate tax rate versus that of other countries.

Most Americans understand that jobs come from businesses, says Moore, and if you want healthier jobs, you have to have healthier businesses.

But do people really understand that jobs come from businesses? Im less optimistic. For that reason, any proposed reform should pair a corporate tax cut with a cut on individual tax rates. If they simply do corporate tax relief, its going to look like, Oh the fix was in for corporations, warns McIntosh. I think hes right.

In addition to pairing corporate tax cuts with individual ones, President Trump must convince the public that taxes on business really are linked to wages and employment. He excels at selling oversimplified, overzealous lines right over the medias heads. And the good news is that he has data to back it up.

As President Trumps new chief economist Kevin A. Hassett and Aparna Mathur of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) have pointed out, numerous studies conclude that lower corporate taxes result in higher wages. Their own empirical study shows a direct link between corporate taxes and manufacturing wages (PDF).

Having already crafted his everyman image, President Trump can hardly morph into a policy wonk. He will need to explain this link in a way that is consistent with his rhetorical style and worldview.

I think what hell need to do is be comfortable with the rhetoric, says McIntosh. So other people [normal Republican politicians] might be able to make the Kemp-like argument of how a rising tide lifts all boats. But what Trump is good at is making the fairness argument and putting America first.

This is how populist nationalist rhetoric can lead to good old-fashioned conservative tax cuts.
Last week, The New York Times and other publications reported that the White House had drafted a spending blueprint that would cut funding for a number of domestic programs, including the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). CNCS is the federal agency responsible for administering AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, which provide opportunities for volunteers to participate in results-driven service at nonprofits, local agencies, schools, and faith-based and community groups across the country. With national service programs under renewed scrutiny, the following question has been raised: Should we prioritize national and community service within a Republican budget?

In January 2001, I had just finished as the chief domestic policy adviser for the Bush 2000 campaign and found myself in a conversation with the president and top incoming officials about the future of what then was the Corporation for National Service. Republicans had been deeply distrustful of it as the parent entity of AmeriCorps and Senior Service programs, for several reasons including that President Clinton had promoted and prominently featured the program.

At the time, I suggested that perhaps the real issue we should address involved what the organization could and should be doing, rather than whether it should exist at all. Because of that suggestion, I found myself abruptly nominated by the president as chairman of its board and tasked with reinvigorating and refocusing it. CNCS seemed to me to have three problems: inadequate administration, not enough variety in its programming to allow for adequate representation of small and faith-based organizations, and even more fundamentally a lack of a compelling rationale for its existence.

Lets start with the existential question first: Why should it exist? Before taking the job of chair, I had completed eight years as mayor of Indianapolis, where we took on an ambitious effort to bring hope and renewal to long-neglected urban communities, with explicit attention to both the De Tocquevillian homage to the American miracle of local action and the small platoons first mentioned by English political philosopher Edmund Burke. In other words, the Indianapolis experience was rooted in how local government could support the civic infrastructure necessary for vibrant communities.

That thought process affected the transformation of CNCS over the nine years that I served as board chair. We changed the name of the organization from the Corporation for National Service to the Corporation for National and Community Service. We rethought its very mission and clarified its goal as supporting local communities and in a deeply respectful way. Instead of announcing federal programs that cities had to adopt, we supported the local volunteerism agenda which within limits, would be generated from grassroots organizations.

Conservatives had a legitimate point in their objections that a program that involved the national government in local volunteer efforts raised fundamental federalism questions. We promoted the new model more aggressively to small and faith-based organizations involved in secular community restoration activities. With this redirection, the federal government would provide cities and states with the human infrastructure needed to support and manage local volunteers. This better route gave states greater flexibility in using the programs resources, and focus on engaging AmeriCorps members in helping local groups recruit and train volunteers. We increased the mix of part-time support to align our money with our philosophy and today governor-appointed state service commissions control two-thirds of AmeriCorps funding.

This respect for local decision-making will of course, lead to occasional unfortunate moments. There will always be some local group that involves itself in an unfortunate cause (politics is barred), does not keep its books correctly, or worse. New management eventually got the administrative problems under control and we committed the federal government to balancing a respectful insistence on integrity with ensuring easy-to-follow compliance.

There are a few ways to measure the progress. Participation in community service by those who are unemployed increases by 26 percent the likelihood that they will obtain employment. Alums of the programs stay more civically involved for life. The programs now enjoy broader support. A recent survey by TargetPoint Consulting showed 80 percent of voters and 74 percent of Republicans agreeing that federal investment should continue. Return on investment continues to improve as well. Columbia University researchers estimated that every dollar invested in national service programs results in a $3.95 return to society in higher earnings, increased output, and other community-wide benefits (PDF). And for every $10 in federal expenditures AmeriCorps raises $15 from private grants. AmeriCorps alone, not counting Senior Programs, channeled 1 million American volunteers and 1.4 billion hours of their service to more than 1100 community organizations and faith-based groups.

AmeriCorps reach and breadth improved as we hoped 16 years ago, ranging from urban and rural initiatives to work with veterans and disaster response. The AmeriCorps Urban Safety Corps in Detroit was a bipartisan initiative launched by Republican Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Democratic Mayor Dave Bing, and hosted by Wayne State University, to increase public safety in targeted neighborhoods. AmeriCorps members engaged with community groups to form block clubs and resident patrols, recruit landlords and tenants for safety and revitalization projects, and establish safe daily commutes to schools for students. In the areas where AmeriCorps volunteers served, crime declined by 26 percent and 58 percent in Midtown.

After a downturn in the coal economy in eastern Kentucky, AmeriCorps partnered with Shaping Our Appalachian Region in assisting dozens of local nonprofits to support job creation and entrepreneurship. More than 25,000 people have received job training and placement services, including hundreds of unemployed coal miners, and more than 4,000 veterans and military families have received assistance.

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps serve more than 750,000 veterans and military families, and 23,000 veterans serve in these programs, applying the skills they gained in the military to tackle problems on the home front. AmeriCorps volunteers have also been indispensable in the aftermath of countless disastersincluding Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy; the Flint water crisis; the floods in Louisiana, Michigan, and Colorado; the wildfires in Tennessee; and the BP oil spillproviding manpower, supply distribution, donations management, public information outreach, and needs assessment. In the case of emergency management, AmeriCorps immediately amplifies the capacity of organizations on the ground. As a result of all this steady progress bipartisan support for this highly competitive grant program has grown.

With so much to be done but with budget resources restrained the same question I was asked all those years ago, as domestic policy adviser for President Bushs campaign, arises again todaywithin a Republican budget, should we keep or kill CNCS? My response would be the same today as it was back then: We should keep CNCS, and make sure the vision is clear, that the spending priorities by CNCS support the vision and further the principles of service and local control. Results should be measured by increases in service and volunteerism and peopleyoung and oldwhose lives are bettered through acts which in turn strengthen an informed citizenship and democracy.

Stephen Goldsmith is professor of government at Harvards Kennedy School and formerly mayor of Indianapolis, deputy mayor of New York City, and chairman of CNCS.
This week, President Trump rescinded protections for transgender students that had allowed them to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity, reported The New York Times. The protections were put in place by the Obama administration to protect transgender schoolkids from discrimination, and their removalspearheaded by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, amid objections from Education Secretary Betsy DeVosproved highly controversial. I have a message for President Trump from, well, one Republican to another, trans celebrity Caitlyn Jenner said in a Twitter video to Trump. This is a disaster. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community.

On Sunday evenings edition of Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver did what his HBO station-mate Bill Maher wouldnt: chastised President Trump for his bigoted anti-trans order. Yes, it seems one-by-one Trump is delivering on his promise to make entire subsets of the American citizenry concerned about their safety and well-being again, said Oliver. This is gratuitous in so many ways. The [trans] guidelines had already been suspended last summer, and theres a Supreme Court case that may settle many of these issueson top of which, all the guidelines recommended was that students be called by their preferred name and pronoun, be allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, and, regardless of gender, be allowed to wear a tux to prom or a dress in yearbook photos, which is a good rule.

If the government wants to address an actual problem with yearbooks, maybe ban quotes by Dave Matthews, Oliver jokingly added.

Transgender people in America are already subject to incredibly harsh conditions. According to the U.S. governments Office for Victims of Crime, One in two transgender individuals are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives. Some reports estimate that transgender survivors may experience rates of sexual assault up to 66 percent, often coupled with physical assaults or abuse. This indicates that the majority of transgender individuals are living with the aftermath of trauma and the fear of possible repeat victimization. Furthermore, the mortality rate is disproportionately high for the trans community, and trans children, in particular, are subject to cruel bullying.

If that werent enough, Anti-transgender rules like bathroom bills are almost always rooted in deep sexual fear-mongering: the idea that they would provide cover for predators to sneak into ladies locker rooms, despite the fact there is virtually no evidence of that happening, stated Oliver. Indeed, according to Politifact NC, there have been virtually no cases of sexual predators benefitting from transgender anti-discrimination laws in the U.S.

Trump, on the other hand, is a different story. What there are reports of are of Trump himself barging in on womenand teenagerswho competed in his pageants while they changed. Something that, in characteristic style, he has both denied and been recorded on tape bragging about, shared Oliver.

The comedian then threw to an audio clip of Trumps appearance on The Howard Stern Show from April 11, 2005, where he boasted about the practice of walking in on women as they changed.

Ill go backstage before a show and everyones getting dressed and ready and everything else. And you know, no men are anywhere, Trump told Stern. And Im allowed to go in because Im the owner of the pageant and therefore Im inspecting it. You know, theyre standing there with no clothes. Is everybody okay? And you see these incredible-looking women. And so, I sort of get away with things like that.

Miss Arizona 2001, Tasha Dixon, corroborated Trumps admission, alleging he came waltzing in on nude female contestants as they changed, while BuzzFeed News interviewed four womenat least one as young as 15in the 1997 Miss Teen USA pageant who claimed that Trump entered their dressing room while they changed. I remember putting on my dress really quick because I was like, Oh my god, theres a man in here, Mariah Billado, a former Miss Vermont Teen USA, told the news site, adding that Trump remarked, Dont worry, ladies, Ive seen it all before.

In light of all this, Oliver delivered a stern message to Trump: Yeah, you do seem to sort of get away with it, which is exactly why if we really want to protect women from predators, lets stop wasting our time with pointless, vindictive bathroom laws and instead launch a military operation to ban the president himself from womens rooms nationwide.
The story of the email scandal that never was might be the best illustration of the character and talents of the newly elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez.

It was the fall of 2014, and Attorney General Eric Holder had announced his impending resignation. Speculation about his replacement reached a fever pitch inside the Beltway , with interest groups lobbying for their favored pick. Latino organizations seized on Perez, then the U.S. Labor Secretary, previously an Assistant Attorney General for civil rights, as a favored choice. African-American groups were pushing then-U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch. LGBT activists were promoting Jenny Durkan, the first openly gay U.S. Attorney.

I couldn't resist. I picked up my iPhone and quickly penned a jokey email to my old friend, Tom. "Hey buddy. I've got a great idea. I'll announce tomorrow that we've been dating for over a decade. You'll definitely get the nod!"

I hit send and almost immediately regretted it. My old friend Tom was now an Obama Cabinet official. As his colleague, Hillary Clinton, was beginning to realize, personal emails were no longer a protected class. And while I couldn't guess at the time, in retrospect , the Russians might have already intercepted my missive.

Did I just torpedo Tom's candidacy? Would my ill-considered communique ensure the 2016 election of an erratic GOP strongman to the White House?

But before I had time to panic too fully, my inbox refreshed. Within a minute, Secretary Perez had responded: "Jonathan, I've always enjoyed your sense of humor."

Classic Tom. He dispatched the crisis with speed  and kindness. No lecture about email security or inappropriate communication. He knew I would get the message. Just a compliment from one old friend to another, as he clarified the record for any Freedom of Information Act request.

Tom and I had met in 2005 when we were selected as the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute's Rodel Fellowship for Public Leadership program. Aspen had identified a bipartisan group of 16 young elected officials from across the country to participate in study groups about the principles of democracy; learn from leading experts on theories of leadership; help rebuild New Orleans after Katrina; visit international hotspots, and, most significantly, to develop personal bonds to help transcend the rising tide of toxic partisanship that was paralyzing American politics.

We were an experimental kennel of alpha dogs. Some would surge to prominence: Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele ran the national GOP and now holds court as a trusted media figure; Kansas Treasurer Lynn Jenkins got elected to the U.S. Congress and rose into House leadership; Arizona state legislator Gabrielle Giffords emerged as an international icon on the subject of gun violence. Others would be enhancing the U.S. Senate roster today had they not be so unlucky to run into the teeth of tide elections: New Jersey's Tom Kean, Missouri's Robin Carnahan, Kentucky's Trey Grayson and Nebraska's Jon Bruning.

It would be hagiographic of me to describe Tom Perez as the very best and the brightest of the whole bunch. Sure, he was popular, smart, well-spoken, and incisive. And yes, he too has a wonderful sense of humor. But what really stood out about Tom was his personal kindness. Tom Perez is a gentleman in all senses of the word; it's the little things that define his character and integrity, the small gestures of warmth and friendship and compassion. In a setting where 16 over-praised, uber-ambitious young men and women were gathered to promote civil and thoughtful discourse, Tom modeled the very characteristics that the Aspen Institute strove to nurture and develop. And when Gabby Giffords was shot, Tom was both a rallying force for action and a virtual shoulder to cry on.

For many who supported Perez' DNC candidacy, his background seemed to check all of the right boxes (or I suppose, left boxes). The son of Dominican immigrants, raised in the blue-collar, Rust Belt community of Buffalo. A civil-rights lawyer and labor advocate who emerged from the progressive wing of the party, yet who also fit in comfortably into establishment circles. An impressive retail politician who can both articulate a persuasive message in TV soundbites and electrify a passionate crowd with fiery oratory.

But the real reason that Tom is the right person at the right time is his enduring character, his impeccable traits of calmness and compassion. As the party and the nation boil over in rage and resentment, Tom will serve as a beacon of composure, sobriety and sensibility  indeed, he's the anti-Trump. Of course, as one of a handful of national party leaders and spokespeople, Tom must aggressively combat and resist the very worst of GOP and White House malfeasance and misdirection. But Democrats need to do more than inflame and incite the base; fully rebuilding the party will require reaching out to the millions of Americans who were either misled by Trump or turned off by the system all together. And Tom's inherent capacity to look at the world through the eyes of others will empower him to develop unifying messages, as the President continues to try to tear the national fabric to shreds.

I'm proud that my friend, Tom Perez, a good and decent man, is in a position to restore some goodness and decency into our system of politics. Please share my congratulations with him: Given my history, and the security problems at his new offices, I won't be emailing him any time soon.
As I write this the back door of my kitchen is open, so I can take advantage of the days balmy breeze. In Brooklyn. In February. Its sunny, theres not a cloud in the sky, and Im scared. On the other hand, its sunny, theres not a cloud in the sky, and the breeze is balmy. Sure, its a month and a half early, but if spring hath sprung, Im going to shrug off all those heavy, brown winter drinks and wiggle into something a little lighter and brighter; hang up my rye Old-Fashioneds and break out their warm-weather equivalent, the Ti Punch.

Ti Punch, if youre not familiar with it, is the characteristic short drink of the French Caribbean, and has been at least since the 1880s. While its name, Petit Punch, or Little Punch in Kriyou (the local dialect of French), indicates something light and juicy, the actual drink is not that.

With a little splash of sugarcane syrup in the bottom of an Old-Fashioned glass, a squeeze of lime peel to add a couple of drops of the juice and a spray of the peels bitter oil, and as much 100-proof rhum agricole as youre in the mood for, swizzled together with ice, the drink is, if anything, even simpler and stronger than the Old-Fashioned, while still conveying a little of the tropical ease we expect from a warm-weather drink. Although not exactly refreshing the way, say, a Daiquiri or a Caipirinha is refreshing, it nonetheless suggests refreshment. Perfect for weather that suggests heat without actually being hot.

The key to the drink is the rum. You can make it with an ordinary white rum, and it will be drinkable but nothing more. Rhum agricole, distilled from fresh cane juice, rather than the usual molasses, is an altogether tangier animal, dry and grassy and not sugary or vanilla-y in the slightest. That dry spice makes it, I suppose, the rye whiskey of the rum world. There are only a few brands available here (or, really, anywhere: Martinique only has 14 operating distilleries). The divine La Favorite, if you can find it, is perhaps my favorite, unless thats Neisson. J.M makes a very fine one as well.

All of these are bottled at the traditional strength of 50-percent alcohol. While Clement, perhaps the most widely available brand, has a 50-percent version, which can stand up with the others, its 40-percent version is less satisfying in a Ti Punch. For all of these brands, the version you want is the white or unaged one. The aged ones are nice for sipping, but lack the brightness that makes a Ti Punch pop.

The cocktails sugar syrup is also important. If you can get an authentic Martinique sirop de canne, youre all set (most of the rhum brands make them). If not, you can make an effective substitute by stirring 2 parts Demerara sugar and 1 part water over a low flame until the sugar has dissolved and then letting the resulting syrup cool.

For the lime, youll need a disc, a little larger than a quarter, cut from the side of the fruit so that only a bit of the flesh is included. Ice is ice, although cracked is best (here I should note that the ice is somewhat controversial in Martinique: many insist it doesnt belong in there; dont listen to them). Finally, theres the bois lele, the wooden swizzle stick cut from the stem and horizontally-radiating roots of the lele tree. While its fun to spin the stem between your hands as the rotating rootlets stir up your drink, a plain old bar spoon works fine, too.

Now if youll excuse me, Im going to go swizzle myself up one of these tissue-restorers and catch some rays in the back yard while I can. By the time March rolls around, itll probably be 90 degrees out there and Ill be shut inside with the air-conditioner blasting. Sun-Belt living.

Ti Punch

Ingredients:

Cane syrupQuarter-sized lime peel disc2 oz Rhum agricoleGlass: Old-Fashined

Directions:

Pour a little cane syrup in the bottom of an Old-Fashioned glass, to taste. (I find you dont even need to cover the bottom of the glass.) Squeeze, skin-side down, a disc of lime peel into the glass and drop it in. Fill the glass with cracked ice. Add rhum agricole to taste2 ounces, more or less, is a good targetand swizzle or stir.
On the way to meet Dustin Lance Black to talk about his new gay-rights movement miniseries When We Rise, I run into Dustin Lance Black.

Leaning against the loading door outside Manhattans London hotel, the Oscar winner smiles mischievously.

I dont smoke. Im like Jackie, he says, a reference to Natalie Portmans Jackie Kennedy biopic, which begins with the former first lady warning a journalist that her vice will not be permitted in print.

Given that its actually Black who points out the paparazzi lurking just a few feet awayits unclear if theyre there for him, though Blacks relationship with his fiance, British Olympic diver Tom Daley, has recently achieved the great gay-straight equalization: tabloid rumorsI dont feel so bad revealing that secret thing that Black only sort-of sheepishly attempts to hide.

Over the course of the next hour, its the last secret hell keep.

The 42-year-old screenwriter, director, producer, and LGBTQ activist is best known for winning the Oscar for penning the 2008 Harvey Milk biopic Milk starring Sean Penn.

Hes spent the last four years researching and then creating When We Rise, ABCs landmark four-night miniseries that tracks the last four-and-a-half decades of the gay rights movementthe first time that history has been told with such breadth on a mainstream, accessibly broadcast network.

While desperately seeking a chicken Caesar salad near the end of a press day that started at 5 a.m.If I dont have some protein Im going to pass out on you.Black lives up to his self-proclamation as an open book.

We talk the politics of releasing the series now, the burden of creating LGBTQ content that will satisfy his communitywe can eat our ownthe rumors swirling around his relationship with Daley, and the criticism he expects to face that the series is too educational.

The show will get criticism for being dense, for being a history lesson. Ill take it, he says. But let it be known that this can be a history lesson and a civics lesson, but dammit, its about time we say it plain and clear that this is how you move forward. And if I have to say it too plain and clear to get through to my community and to an ABC audience, then so be it.

Most of all, occasionally welling up with tears or wondering if hes said something that will get him in trouble, he wants it to be known that he worked really hard on this project, and sacrificed a lot to work on it. And for what he set out to do, he thinks its really good.

And you know what? Maybe some self-congratulation is in order for the man who took on the first-ever popularized telling of the gay rights movement, and is steeling himself to take on all the backlash that such a Herculean undertaking will endure.

***

All Dustin Lance Black remembers from his Oscar speech nine years ago was a blaring, red countdown clock flashing zero. I just remember thinking that the producer that year was a gay produceractually, he also produced When We Riseso I thought, Hes not going to cut me off

The part that he doesnt remember, however, inspired everyone who was watching. And, it turns out, it set the direction for the next decade of his life.

After thanking his mother and Harvey Milk for giving him the hope to one day live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married, he made an appeal to all the gay and lesbian kids who were watching: Very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours.

In a haze he stumbled off stage to his next memory: Jennifer Aniston handing him a bottle of water. It must have looked like I was going to pass out.

Then Whoopi Goldberg walked up to him, wrapped him up in a huge hug and said, Honey, whens the Valencia Street movie? Black takes a contemplative breath. I guess you can draw a line from there to here.

From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, the Valencia Street corridor in San Francisco featured one of the most visible and concentrated lesbian communities in the U.S.

The neighborhood includes The Womens Building, the first woman-owned and operated community center in the country. Among its founders was womens rights activist Roma Guy, who, played by Mary-Louise Parker, would become one of the central characters of When We Rise.

In homage to what he calls Harvey Milks coalition of us-esthe minorities, women, senior citizens, and union members who allied with the gay community to crusade for changeBlack says he started to design the series around the idea of interconnectedness.

The three characters he landed on to tell the sweeping story of the fight for gay rights, from raids in 1972 through the AIDS epidemic up to the federal legalization of same-sex marriage, all had to have been activists invested in another social justice movement, Black says, in order to show us the importance of working together if were going to protect the gains weve made and keep pushing forward.

Theres Guy, who had her roots in the womens movement and worked in healthcare reform and for immigrant communities. Michael Kenneth Williams plays Ken Jones, an African-American community organizer who helped desegregate the military.

And Guy Pearce plays the most famous of the figures, Cleve Jones, who worked for Harvey Milk when he was assassinated, conceived the idea of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and was a leading voice in the marriage equality movement, but who has also worked feverishly with labor unions.

In fact, Jones, who has become a close friend of Blacks, stayed in Blacks guest bedroom while he wrote When We Risethe activist sitting at the dining room table writing his own memoir while the screenwriter worked on miniseries episodes in his office.

The fact that were watching that rise now is not lost on Black. When he began writing the series four years ago, Barack Obama was president and the LGBTQ community was reveling in its same-sex marriage victory.

Since Donald Trump was elected into office, he has appointed a cabinet made up almost exclusively of anti-gay politicians. You can still be fired or kicked out of your home in many states in this country because of your identity or orientation. The day Black and I speak, the Department of Education and the Justice Department issue a joint letter rescinding the Obama administrations 2016 guidance on transgender students.

In a way you can say my worst fears have become realized, which is we became kind of blinded by our successes, Black says. We did become divided and were conquered in this election.

But the series shows that movements have setbacks and backlashes, and that history, especially when it comes to gay rights, does not follow a straight line.

Its a swinging pendulum, he says. And in order to get it moving forward again, we have to heed the lesson of history and lock arms with our brothers and sisters in other minority communities and underrepresented communities and communities that are being treated unequally and fight for each others rights as hard as we fought for our own.

The series went from being a warning to a rallying cry, and a map of how you move forward.

There are young LGBT people who are feeling incredibly isolated right now, Black says. Theyre hearing this divisive language coming from the very top of our federal government, which is encouraging bullying, which is telling people its OK to treat people who are different differently under the law. There are far too many young people who might consider dire solutions to that. I think were in a very dangerous time. So I wish this was not as relevant.

Relevance is one thing. But just because something is relevant doesnt mean that people are going to pay attention.

Black insists that When We Rise wasnt created solely for a friendly audiencethough, as we end up discussing, perhaps even that audience isnt as friendly as you might think. Audiences including those who voted for Donald Trump, he thinks, will be interested in and relate to the stories of these activists and their romances, their families, and their emotional journeys.

While that may or may not be true, the fact that this story is being told on ABC is a watershed moment for gay-centric popular culture.

In Monday nights first episode alone, a character has an emotional coming out scene. There are riots, rallies, and raids. There are sex scenes, the steamy kinds that they show on ABC shows like Scandal. There are drag queens, the word faggot, and a group of bar patrons singing God Save Us Nelly Queens while their brothers and sisters are beaten and thrown in a police van.

Episode two features a frank discussion about bottoms and tops.

Black says ABC never fought him in terms of sexual content. The place he did have to push is language.

Youre not supposed to say faggot or dyke on TV, he says. He thought it would be inauthentic if he didnt. The show will carry a language warning before it airs: I got one faggot per hour from ABC.

Authentic, however, is a lightning rod of a word when it comes to LGBTQ content. Inclusivity is another.

Stories about the LGBTQ community dont often get the Hollywood treatment. Its even rarer to get a mainstream platform like the one ABC is giving this one. And on the isolated occasions that it happens, these stories are picked apartoften deservedly sofor sanitizing, alienating, or, in the case of Roland Emmerichs disastrous Stonewall film, whitewashing history.

Ill just tell you what I think the solution to that is, Black says, which is not to be an arrogant white guy.

The writers room and slate of directors for When We Rise include men and women, people of color, gay and straight people. The four biggest trans characters in the series are all played by trans actors.

Theyre teaching me and correcting me when I get something wrong, he says. So if you just check your ego and you bring in people who will help make it more representative in an authentic way, then you can avoid some of the criticism. But there will be criticism. And when I hear that criticism I applaud it, because it means someone was paying attention.

Learning to deal with criticism, of course, has been a journey for Black, who rapidly rose from anonymous screenwriter, having worked on HBOs Big Love before winning his Oscar, to visible activist and, thanks to his relationship with Daley, unabashedly public celebrity couple.

I try to best to live a really open life, he says, referencing past scandals and controversies hes found himself in.

Lately, that means having to face a storm of press stemming from tabloid reports that Daley had an affair with a male model. The sheer number of times Black mentions Daley during our conversation answers the question of whether they are still together before I even bring it up.

Still, hes learned that when youre going to pose for the cover of OUT magazine and tell the detailed story of your engagement to one of the worlds most famous athletes, gossip and rumors are going to be a byproduct.

If we havent commented on it, its not true. Ill say that, Black says about the recent spate of rumors. If we do something were not proud of, well cop to it. He points out that Daley flew from London to San Francisco just to be with Black for the When We Rise premiere.

Were not perfect, he says. Weve got the same problems any other gay couple and any other straight couple have. But its 90 percent great. And thats better than most, I think. Thats me and Tom. I will get giddy about him, if you keep asking me. Weve been together four years, and last night I couldnt sleep because I was missing him so much.

He catches my look. Oh yeah, were disgusting together.

Still, the fact that were talking about this at all is, in a way, a bit of watershed moment.

Black might wish that such questions werent circling what should be a huge professional moment for him, but he also knows that the people his new series is about would marvel that theres that much interest in the relationship of an out gay screenwriter as he is on a giant press push for a show about our LGBT history that is supposed to be mainstream.

I really wish all of my gay mothers and fathers we lost for so many different reasons were here to see this moment, he says. I dont think a lot of the mentors I had in the 80s in San Francisco would ever imagine they would have a miniseries like this, being promoted in a way this is being promoted from ABC.

Its actually him who brings up the critical response he expects it to get, that some might call it too sweeping, or too educational, or too family-friendly. (Me? I cried. Often.)

Maybe its a defense mechanism. Or maybe, as he realized over the course of his four-year journey the weight of being the guy who is responsible for the first sweeping cinematic telling of LGBT history, he actually means it.

Listen, if some kid 20 years from now has to watch this as an assignment and is super bored and doesnt understand why, holy crap we did it right, he says. Weve succeed. Then weve won.
Its widely known that the Trump administration has overturned Obama-era protections for transgender students. Its less well known that the way it did so, emphasizing states rights, was a gigantic tactical mistake that is going to blow up in their faces.

The substantive issue is whether transgender students in public schools should be allowed to use gender-appropriate restrooms, or whether schools may require them to use single-stall bathrooms or those corresponding to the students biological sex at birth.

Legally speaking, there are two avenues in which this debate is moving forward. First are two guidance letters by the Education Department, stating that Title IXwhich prohibits discrimination in educational contexts based on sexcovers trans students as well, and requires schools to let them use gender-appropriate restrooms. That letter didnt have the force of law, but because the DoE could withhold funds from non-conforming school districts, it did wield the power of the purse-strings.

Those letters were officially retracted in a February 22 letter by the civil rights directors of the Education and Justice Departments.

But theres also the second legal avenue, which is a case brought by the ACLU on behalf of Gavin Grimm, a transgender student in Virginiaa case that will be argued at the Supreme Court on March 28. In that case, G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board, the Court is set to decide the same question: whether Title IX covers trans people.

In that regard, the February 22 letter is extremely odd. It doesnt take a position on Title IX, instead saying that the government needs more time to further and more completely consider the legal issues involved. And it adds, echoing President Trumps statements, that there must be due regard for the primary role of the States and local school districts in establishing educational policy.

That was a huge mistake, for three reasons.

First, the administration missed the opportunity to tell the Supreme Court its interpretation of Title IX. Earlier in the litigation, courts had deferred to the Obama administrations interpretation. But with that gone, the Supreme Court now has. nothing.

We dont really know the governments position on Title IX, said Joshua Block, the ACLUs lead lawyer, in a press call discussing the G.G. case. Technically, their position is neutral.

Thats exactly right. And while the new governments position isnt technically part of the G.G. litigation, its February 22 letter practically begs the Court to weigh in.

It wouldnt have been hard to simply take the opposite view. True, the new administration has only been in office a month, but thats certainly not stopped them from taking bold positions on immigration, national security, and a myriad of other issues. Moreover, theyre not working on a blank slate. Conservatives (and one district court) have articulated anti-trans interpretations of Title IX for years.

Here, Ill articulate one right now: Title IX is about sex discrimination, and was passed in 1972. The term transgender wasnt invented until 1975, and theres not a scintilla of evidence that Congress had anything like it in mind. Anyway, sex and gender are different things. This is a massive expansion of legislation that is totally unjustified by the statute or its legislative history.

That wasnt hard to sayand yet the Trump administration chose not to say it, abdicating legal ground that it could easily have occupied.

Second, emphasizing states rights is incoherent. Said Block, sex discrimination in public schools hasnt been left up to the states since 1972. Thats why Title IX was passed. The federal government said that it is going to protect everyone no matter what state they live in.

That, too, is exactly right. Like it or not, the whole point of federal legislation on civil rights is to take primacy over states rights. That, unlike the question of transgender equality, is in the statutory history of Title IX, and its absurd to argue states rights against a law that understands states rights quite clearly, and deliberately takes precedence over them.

Finally, the emphasis on states rights runs directly contrary to other Trump administration initiatives, such as its crackdown on marijuana users and its fight against sanctuary cities. In those and other contexts, the government is directly opposing states rights, usurping criminal law and threatening cities with bankruptcy if they allocate their own resources in a way the federal government dislikes.

Indeed, the last month has seen a reversal of the usual federalist dynamic. For two centuriesduring the Civil War, the New Deal, the Civil Rights movement, and in countless contemporary contexts from environmental law to interstate commerceconservatives have waved the banner of states rights, while liberals have opposed them. Its in conservatives DNA. Its why the conservative legal network is called The Federalist Society. Its why Governor George Wallace stood in that schoolhouse door, opposing a federal desegregation order.

But now, the shoe is on the other foot. Now its progressive states and localities arguing states rights, and the federal government opposing them. The case that halted Trumps travel ban was called Washington v. Trump and was filed by the state of Washington against the federal government. Sanctuary cities rely on the longstanding priority given to local authorities for local law enforcement. (The term is really a misnomer, since generally, it only means that local officials wont cooperate with federal immigration actionsnot that they will oppose them.) Were sure to see much more of this, particularly from blue states and cities.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who spearhead the effort to overturn the transgender protections, is from a generation for whom states rights and conservative resistance to civil rights were synonymous. But now, states rights are more about liberal resistance to the Trump administration. The same values that his departments letter is promoting are opposed by the administration itself.

Trumps about-face on transgender kids may or may not put him on the wrong side of history. But the feckless way in which that action was undertaken will certainly backfire when the issue is heard at the Supreme Court next month, and the next time states rights confronts the Trump administration. Because it will probably be on the other side.
A study prepared exclusively for DCReport.org by James S. Henry reveals deep financial ties between Donald Trumps nominee for Commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, and three Russian oligarchs, whose lives and fortunes depend on staying in the good graces of Vladimir Putin.

These connections raise many new questions about Trumps reliance on the Putin regime, which all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies say interfered in the presidential election on Trumps behalf, but which Trump disputes.

These relationships between nominee Ross and the oligarchs involve ownership and management of a European bank with a reputation for laundering Russian money and making bad loans.

The study also compared flight records of Trumps campaign plane and a plane used by one of the oligarchs. During the campaign, the two planes often were at the same airports at the same time.

Henry, DCReport.orgs senior editor for economics investigations, gathered the information and connected the dots.

Henry is a lawyer and former chief economist for the McKinsey & Co. business consulting firm. He abandoned his executive career to spend more than four decades exposing corrupt international banking. In 1976 Henry became the first person to urge eliminating large denomination bills to thwart drug trafficking and tax evasion. Henry served as a consultant on the massive Panama Papers that revealed a global network of tax evasion and other dubious financial practices of the international elite.

The records Henry combed through shows that Ross and his team invested more than $1 billion in the troubled Bank of Cyprus. Ross became one of two vice chairman of the bank. Putin appointed the other.

Soon Ross named a new chairman, who earlier left under a cloud as chairman of Deutsche Bank. On that chairmans watch, Deutsche Bank paid $20 billion in fines. Among these was a $650 million fine for helping launder Russian money through Deutsche Bank offices in Moscow, New York City and Cyprus.

Deutsche Bank is Trumps largest known lender, having extended him more than $300 million of loans that remain outstanding.

Why Ross would appoint anyone with such a poor record of banking conduct, and why he worked with the Russian oligarchs, remains a mystery.

This report first appeared at DCReport.org
Mumbai, Feb 27 (IBNS): Indian equity benchmarks breached their six-day winning streak on Monday with BSE Sensex down 80.09 points to 28,812.88 and NSE Nifty down 42.80 points to 8,896.70.

According to market reports, profit booking in banks, telecom and auto stocks pulled the market down. However, the loss was capped with support from rally in index heavyweight Reliance Industries.

Some of the key stocks that declined on Monday were Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, L&T, HDFC, Bharti Airtel, Maruti and Tata Motors while Reliance Industries gained 4.7 percent.

According to media reports, India's biggest oil and gas producer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is likely to acquire the government's 51.11 percent stake in India's third-biggest fuel retailer HPCL.
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.
Hungary/Kolkata, Feb 27 (IBNS): Tata Consultancy Services, a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, has won the highly coveted 'BPO Firm of the Year' category at this year's 5th annual CEE Shared Services and Outsourcing Awards ceremony in Warsaw.

In a competitive awards program, from which 129 entrants from 23 countries were short listed from a range of world class companies, TCS was judged the BPO leader in the region.

With Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) already a well-established destination for Shared Services centers and BPO investment, this award is a highly coveted recognition of TCS growing presence in the region, servicing leading organizations from a range of sectors. The sector is estimated to contribute 67 billion euros to the economies in the CEE region, with the total outsourcing headcount reaching around 3.8 million people.

Judged by an independent jury of industry experts, TCS Head of the Budapest Delivery Center, Prabal Datta was also recognized as the Business Center Manager of The Year award.

Prabal Datta at TCS commented: Were passionate about providing businesses with the tools and support to help them compete in the digital economy. With Central and Eastern Europe offering some of the best-in-class outsourcing and shared service centers in the world, were truly honored to be awarded this years BPO Firm of the Year. Im also thrilled to be named the Business Center Manager of The Year. This recognition has only been possible through the dedication and support from our brilliant team at TCS which continues to be focused on delivering outstanding services for our customers that help them realize the opportunities of the digital age.

Thom Barnhardt, owner of CEE Business Media and organizer of the fifth annual CEE SSO awards, added: The BPO Firm of the Year award is one of our most prestigious accolades we bestow, and this year were delighted to recognize TCS for its outstanding achievements in the sector. We were particularly impressed by the depth and breadth of expertise TCS brings to bear for its clients, combined with a model that puts the customer front and center. Together this has enabled TCS to deliver game changing solutions that help businesses stay agile and competitive in the digital era.
Mumbai/Kolkata, Feb 27 (IBNS): Tata Power has reached out to 136 villages under its Social Capital and Infrastructure initiative-Sanrachna, by creating 702 Self Help Groups that benefited over 84,502 people across locations.

The objectives of the Sanrachna initiative emanate from 3 main efforts that are aimed at overall community development namely - Womens Empowerment, Building Infrastructure and, Promotion of Government Schemes. The company drafted and implemented various programs to develop the communities and provide the villagers with employment, skill-upgradation and access to basic infrastructure.

With the objective of promoting gender equality and women empowerment by implementing income generation training and skill upgradation, Tata Power succeeded in engaging 9928 SHG members across locations. This has helped towards a 37% increase in number of trained members since FY2015.



Identifying that the Khandke region of Ahmendnagar district, Maharashtra, is a drought prone region, Tata Power in association with Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra NGO, constructed two check dams at Ranjani and Devgaon village. These check dams did not only provide irrigation to farms, but also recharged 30-40 individual and public wells along with water sources like ponds, streams, rivers, etc.

Tata Power also provided technical assistance to the government of Maharashtra in setting up 8 watershed management systems in Ranjani and Devgaon villages. More than 115 households from these two villages have been benefitted by these initiatives.



Tata Power familiarized 633 school students with the AABY scheme - AAM ADAMI BIMA YOJANA (AABY SCHEME); a social security scheme of the Central Government implemented through Social Justice Department of Government of Maharashtra. Till FY16 the company impacted 2180 lives through interventions aimed at securing lives through Government Schemes in Dherand.

Speaking on this achievement, Ashok Sethi, COO & ED, Tata Power, said, We, at Tata Power have taken up the onus of developing the communities around our areas of operation as it gives us a great sense of gratification when we are able to take them a step towards development. We will continue to work towards creating positive impact on the lives of people and develop initiatives that promote gender equality and the social development of children.

Image:tata website
Method and Madness celebrated in new range

A new range of whiskeys has been designed by Irish Distillers Pernod-Ricard, from Midleton Distillery. The range, Method and Madness, uses both its established masters and the new ideas of its apprentices.

Claiming to take inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, Though this be madness, yet there is method in t, Method and Madness is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (madness), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of experience at the Midleton Distillery (method).

The Method and Madness range launches with four new Irish whiskeys; a single grain Irish whiskey finished in virgin Spanish oak; a single pot still Irish whiskey finished in French chestnut; a single malt Irish whiskey with French Limousin oak; and a 31 years old single cask, single grain limited-edition bottled at cask strength.

Brian Nation, master distiller at Irish Distillers comments: At the Midleton Distillery, we are committed to innovation and experimenting with new whiskey styles. We are also invested in training and nurturing the next generation of Irish whiskey makers and this project really brings that commitment to life. The passing on of knowledge and skills is part of our DNA from our long line of master distillers, to the generations of coopers that served their apprenticeships at the Midleton Distillery. In fact, this summer our apprentice cooper, Killian OMahony will become our first qualified cooper in over 40 years.

Karen Cotter, who joined Irish Distillers as a graduate distiller in 2012 says: Method and Madness is a great opportunity for myself and the team to work closely with and learn from the whiskey masters. Our micro-distillery in Midleton will act as an experimental hub enabling us to trial and test new spirit types followed by aging in new cask types. The process will see new Method and Madness releases but also others that may never see the light of day. Its a really exciting project to be involved with.

Brendan Buckley, global innovation and prestige whiskeys director at Irish Distillers adds: At Irish Distillers, we are constantly searching for new ways to bring Irish whiskey to a wider audience. Jameson has been the iconic brand which has led the way, supported by niche connoisseur brands such as Redbreast, The Spot Range and Midleton Very Rare so with Method and Madness, we are able to not only create an outlet for our whiskey makers to really experiment but also to create a uniquely original brand which will pique the interest of spirits drinkers throughout the world.

The Method and Madness Single Grain, Single Pot Still and Single Malt Irish whiskeys will be available in the UK, France and Ireland from this month at the respective RRPs of 49, 69 and 79. The Method and Madness 31 Years Old, Single Cask, Single Grain will be available in the same territories from April 2017, priced at 1,500.

27 February 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor
FORT WORTH -- Doing more with less to fund the next farm bill program was a recurring theme at the recent Southwest Ag Issues Summit in Fort Worth.

Leaders from all major commodity groups throughout Texas and national representatives converged for two days of discussion leading up to what is anticipated to be a new farm bill program adopted by Congress in 2018.

"This is the first meeting of this next farm bill cycle," said Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in College Station. "This is where all the ag community in Texas comes together and gets the same set of facts from experts across the country so they can start thinking about what they want to ask for that would be best for Texas agriculture producers. At this time, the amount of money will be less. What we are talking about is what's the most efficient use of limited funds."

"Policies made today will possibly impact the next three to five years of how farmers and ranchers make decisions," said Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director. "Reliable, trusted information on which to make these decisions will be critical to their success. AgriLife Extension is pleased to partner with many of the influential organizations and individuals who will assist in developing our national farm and ranch policies."

As it stands, experts say not to count on any new money flowing into the next farm bill as it is under budget by several billion dollars.

"That's a big deal," said Outlaw, who will be part of a panel of economists discussing forecasts and outlooks for U.S. farms. "What you are trying to do with the safety net is provide last line of defense before major bankruptcies. When there's less money available that safety net has to be a little lower, so things have to get a little worse before government help (begins)."

High input costs have eroded thin profit margins, according to economists, and three years of low commodity prices have made it tough for farmers.

"There's a lot of stress right now on agriculture producers," said Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension state operations interim director in College Station. "The bills (to produce) crops are not getting any lower and government assistance is less."

The Fort Worth summit featured opening remarks by U.S. House Agriculture Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Midland.

"I'm looking forward to working with you over the next two years in getting a good farm bill," Conaway said. "I'm committed to being a best friend to America's farmers and ranchers. Agriculture has been under attack. Farmers and ranchers are hurting right now as farm incomes have been on a three-year decline.

"These are hard times in farm country right now. We need to make sure to get this new farm bill right."

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who recently spent two-and-a-half days touring West Texas agricultural operations, said, "A lot of farmers and ranchers in Texas are hurting" after three years of low commodity prices.

He said regulatory reform, particularly changes in the Environmental Protection Agency, will lead to dramatically changing the agency and repealing many different acts. Notably, Cruz mentioned WOTUS or Waters of the United States, which defines the EPA's jurisdiction over navigable waters in the U.S. The rule has been one of contention for the nation's farmers and ranchers and the water that is on the surface of the land they own.

Cruz also noted he will pursue tax reform, which will lead to jobs and economic growth both in Texas and nationally. Cruz, who has campaigned for a flat tax, reemphasized those intentions during the summit.

"Jobs and economic growth have been the focus of my campaign since day one," he said. "Tax and regulatory reform are two keys"

He is calling for a 16 percent tax on businesses, abolishing the estate tax, which would help family farms, and setting a 10 percent tax rate on families.

"If you buy a new combine, under my plan you would be able to expense all of that from day one instead of amortizing that over several years," he said. "This would encourage you to invest capital, creating jobs."

Cruz also discussed repealing Obamacare, which he said would help restore job growth on farms and ranches across the nation.

Summit speakers also focused on the new challenges that lie ahead for agriculture with President Donald Trump, a new administration and agenda items, including trade.

"Price outlook (for commodities) is considerably lower on into 2020," said Parr Rosson, AgriLife Extension economist and head of the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M. "When you look at yields it leans very strong upward. Farmers need to continue to produce higher yields to cover for low prices. A strong dollar is sending positive price signals to Brazil and Argentina. It's important for coalition building with producers, environment and society to produce safe food at reasonable prices."

The summit is hosted by the Southwest Council of Agribusiness and the Texas Ag Forum, a program in partnership with AgriLife Extension.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in College Station, was one of the panel speakers at the Southwest Ag Issues Summit in Fort Worth.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, addressed representatives of the agriculture industry at the Southwest Ag Issues Summit in Fort Worth.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Agricultural representatives from all commodity groups were represented at the Southwest Ag Issues Summit in Fort Worth.
Time for the Bryan Police Department to regain public trust

Most people don't want to admit that they are racist, because the term "racist" has come to mean "villain."

But if you are racist you are just like the rest of us. Your character is not defined by whether or not you are racist, but by how you respond to your racism. If you think that black neighborhoods are "bad" neighborhoods, or you would never consider moving into one, then you are racist. You, like just about all other Americans, associate blackness with bad. We either repent of our racism or we self-righteously lie about it.

Almost all people in the U.S., especially non-black people, have fear and distrust in their hearts for black men, especially poor black men. This is dehumanizing and racist, and it has to change.

I do not know anything about Officer Steven Laughlin personally. I assume he's a great guy, and I am sorry for the trauma that he is surely experiencing after having shot a man. I also mourn for the trauma of the unnamed man who was shot. If Laughlin is like the rest of us, then surely this shooting happened in the context of fear of black men, just as it likely happened in a context of distrust and hostility towards the police by the man who was shot.

This is not a time for blaming and shaming; nor is it a time for police PR statements. If we do not strive to change the way that we all, including those of us who are police officers, perceive blackness, then we will have more such instances, not fewer.

Now is the time for peacemaking and repentance. It is also time for Bryan Police Department to regain trust that was lost when the video of Officer William Cross shooting Johnnie Harris on May 6, 2011, was not released.

DAN KINIRY

Bryan

Mexico never will submit to President Trump's plans

Donald Trump is woefully misreading Mexico. To begin with, the Chinese, along with other Asian countries, are moving aggressively into Mexican markets. By alienating Mexico, Trump is paving the way for substantial influence by China in the Northern Hemisphere, because it is just not Mexico taking offense, but all of Latin America.

Mexico never will submit to Trump's demands. Import taxes, garnishing remittances, and immigration fees do not matter to Mexico. Trump can bad mouth Mexico all he wants, but he only will receive a tit for tat response. If Trump believes Mexico will finally see the light, he is sadly mistaken. Mexican personal and national pride dictates that Mexico never will pay for a border wall. Trump needs to look at the Mexican concept of "personalismo" which means that individual Mexican pride is more important than any political, economic, or social consideration.

I now wear a button on my hat that reads "No Soy Trump" or "I Am Not Trump." When Mexicans see it they always smile and shake my hand. They ask if Americans have lost their collective minds. I tell them to wait, because once U.S. agriculture production begins to rot in the fields, and the hotel bed sheets are filthy, and the restaurant orders take forever to get out of the kitchen, things will change.

In the end, wormy strawberries, bed bugs, and cold tacos may prove to be decisive, because let's face the facts, Americans don't suffer as well as Mexicans.

Just look at our Whiner-in-Chief as an example.

DUKE MILLER

Guanajuato, Mexico
London, Feb 27 (IBNS): A study from Stockholm University has now established what was previously suspected, that the high levels of brominated flame retardants measured in cats are from the dust in our homes.

The study has been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

The study shows that cats are exposed to chemicals found in electronics and furniture, chemicals that become dust and can adversely affect health.

It is the first time that this connection has been verified. In a previous study, the researchers demonstrated that brominated flame retardants were found in higher concentrations in the blood of cats that had developed Feline hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism in cats) compared to healthy cats, read the Stockholm University website.

Now, new measurements of healthy cats establish their dust exposure. Paired samples were taken from the same household, i.e. they took both dust samples and blood samples at the same time.

By taking paired samples, we have greater insight into the environment that the cats live in. Moreover the cats in the study spent the majority of their time indoors and therefore air and dust in the home is expected to contribute more than the outdoor environment, says Jana Weiss at the Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University.

The results are very interesting because small children, notorious for putting everything in their mouths, have exposures to these chemicals similar to cats.

The brominated flame retardants that have been measured in cats are known endocrine disruptors. Its particularly serious when small children ingest these substances because exposure during the development can have consequences later in life, such as thyroid disease, says Jana Weiss.

Brominated flame retardants are added to textiles, furniture and electronic equipment to prevent the material from igniting.

Many of the brominated flame retardants have been found to be health hazards, and some are suspected endocrine disruptors.

A number of them have been prohibited for these reasons in products like electronic goods.

However, they are extremely persistent and can leach from the products for many years after they have been produced, ultimately becoming part of dust.
Giant portions of public spending are now at risk of pouring down a nuclear power black hole as calls for the Government to make direct investments into new nuclear power plant intensify.

Ultimately the sums at risk would be much larger than the Government's own estimates of the cost of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Former Minister and House of Commons Energy Committee Chair Tim Yeo is the latest to call for the Government to take 'minority' equity shares in new nuclear projects.

There has been a flurry of such demands in the wake of the near bankruptcy of Toshiba, who spearhead the 3GW proposed plant at Moorside in Cumbria. The company now appears likely to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its US nuclear subsidiary Westinghouse.

And of course these demands for limitless taxpayer cash were supported by all (but one, the Green) of the candidates in the recent by-election in the Copeland constituency where Moorside is due to be built, and their respective party leaders.

We can only hope that with that out of the way, a semblance of sanity might return. But we cannot count on it. The British government has long been fanatically pro-nuclear, even as evidence mounts of the massive problems facing the industry, and the mind-boggling cost of new nuclear build.

Meanwhile it has been deliberately strangling the growth of the UK's renewable energy industries, aiming particular venom at the most competitive technologies, onshore wind and solar.

So why does nuclear need this monstrous taxpayer 'investment'

Simple: because nuclear power is proving to be virtually undeliverable and ruinously expensive in western countries. Toshiba's problems stem from the fact that they own Westinghouse who are responsible for the construction (so-far non-construction) of AP1000 reactors in South Carolina and Georgia in the USA, which are creating massive multi-billion dollar cost overruns and liabilities.

These plants are as costly as the failing French EPR design that is so disastrous in the cases of the Finnish and French reactors at Olkiluoto and Flamanville, something which is bankrupting the French nuclear industry and EDF.

Even lured by a promise of 92.50 per megawatt hour of electricity production (in 2012 pounds, so now worth close to 100), more that double current wholesale prices, and the promise of taxpayer guarantees on construction finance, EDF has been unable to summon up the vast capital sums needed to build the planned twin-EPR plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset. Hinkley C (3.2GW planned) will cost over 24 billion according to the European Commission.
Defra then added something else, the use of another bTB test (IFNy) which gave more accurate results and identified more infected cattle. This would lead to fewer new incidents of bTB. But the drop is being claimed as proof that the badger culling is working.

"Unfortunately, Defra has undermined its own ability to use this measure, by deciding to use the IFNy test on cattle only in areas where badger culling has been undertaken. Hence, ongoing attempts to estimate the impact of badger culling on cattle TB will be confounded by improvements in cattle testing in cull (but not comparison) areas." ZSL

'Evidence-based success'

This is Defra's justification for continuous culling, but both the 'evidence' and the 'success' have been queried. Defra claims that the first two culls, in Somerset and Gloucester, "have now completed successfully their fourth and final year." What do they mean by 'success'?

"Even after four years of culling in Gloucestershire and Somerset, there is no evidence, or indeed any suggestion of any beneficial effect on TB in cattle." HIS UK

The Badger Trust goes further and asks whether badger culling is actually legal:

"More specifically there is a fundamental omission from the licencing process that has existed from the beginning of the 2013 'pilot' culls, namely that there is no requirement for licencees to produce any evidence of bTB infection in badgers or to establish any credible risk to known populations of cattle.

"That is to say there are no safeguards within the process to ensure that 10,2(a) of the Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (... for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease ...) is being met and thereby ensuring that any culling is actually legal under the Act."

And they point out that "All criteria mentioned with regard to the 'success' (or failure) of culling, or the conditions needed to be met before renewing 'supplementary licences' refer only to numbers of badgers killed."

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) commented: "It appears the only criteria being applied to define success of the prior culls is number of badgers killed, not a visible reduction of bTB within cattle herds."

'Estimating' badger populations without field surveys

One reason for disputing Defra's idea of 'success' and its plans for the future is the inability to produce any believable badger population figures. ZSL has a lot to say about this. It had taken a lot of hard field work to produce the badger population figures for the first year of culling in Somerset and Gloucester, and even then it was wrong. But now, says ZSL:

"These concerns arise because Defra attempted to estimate badger numbers without conducting any field surveys in the cull zones... Without reliable estimates of initial population size any estimate of population size reduction is likewise unreliable. Unfortunately, now that culls have commenced in these areas the initial badger population size is unknowable."

They conclude: "it is not at all clear how Natural England could be expected to set target numbers of badgers to be killed in follow-up culls ..."

"There is no conclusive evidence that culls carried out to date have resulted in significant disease control benefits, nor that extending them will result in or prolong any such benefits." Born Free Foundation (BFF)

And even Defra admits that there is no evidence on the effects of longer term badger control. The desired benefits are no more than an assumption.

Welfare is left to the killers

Defra wants to continue the use of 'free' or 'controlled' shooting, which was found to be inhumane by the Independent Expert Panel in the very first year of culling. Since then even the British Veterinary Association has condemned free shooting. Just about everyone has called for its ban.

Farmers want shooting for two reasons. Cage-trapping badgers is much more expensive, time consuming and involves physical labour. And - let's be brutally honest here - shooting is much more fun, more macho.

The lack of monitoring, supposedly under the control of Natural England, which is the only way to prove the inhumaneness of shooting, is also called into question. "Wholly inadequate" was BFF's response, based on Natural England's own figures. Only 2% of the badgers shot in last year's cull were observed by monitors, and only one badger was autopsied - out of a total of 8,639 dead badgers.

"Entirely inadequate", echoed Humane Society International UK (HSI UK), adding: "The increased reliance on self-reporting by culling contractors is inappropriate and liable to lead to erroneous data; for example in 2016 contractors reported a level of missed shots one tenth of that observed by NE monitors."

Both the Badger Trust and BFF said that Defra appeared to rely on the Chief Veterinary Officer's belief that "the level of suffering in badgers is comparable with other forms of culling, currently accepted by society". So that's okay then. Hang on - I seem to remember several explosions of public rage over proposals to cull - beavers and buzzards to mention just two.

Defra's 'cost analysis' doesn't add up

"Plans to extend the culls in this way nullify the original cost benefit analysis." IFAW

"Like every other government department, DEFRA and therefore Natural England, have been subject to continuous cuts in budgets and human resources so it is reasonable to assume that much of what is expected of it under the proposed scheme will be beyond its capacity to deliver." Badger Trust.

"The proposal to issue supplementary licences, in the complete absence of any evidence that culls conducted over four years have yet resulted in any benefit and without any evidence from the RBCT or elsewhere that culling beyond four years is warranted is completely at odds with Government commitments to evidence-based policy making." HSI UK.

"The Government claims to have shown that the culling policy will have a positive cost benefit. This is at odds with numerous independent economic analyses and relies on the reduction in TB in cattle shown by the RBCT, which is unlikely, and has not yet been demonstrated." HSI UK

As the Badger Trust points out, TB eradication is being used as an excuse to slaughter badgers, not a reason.

"[I]t is possible for significant portions of the cull zones to be made up of land where no cattle exist and where any risk from badgers (diseased or otherwise) is non-existent. The process allows for landowner / farmer participation in the culling exercise to be based simply on their 'desire' to cull badgers regardless of whether they keep cattle or not."

But will Defra listen?

I said that opinions contrary to the government's desired policies have never been taken into account. So does it surprise you that, just 11 days after the consultation closed and before Defra has had any time to consider the large holes in their science (if indeed they would), Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom told the NFU conference:

"Last summer we rolled out the cull to seven additional areas - all of which were successful. And this year, I want to extend that even further."

Lesley Docksey is a freelance writer who writes for The Ecologist and other media on the badger cull and other environmental topics, and on political issues for UK and international websites.

Will you join the badger patrols this year? Why not contact your local badger group and find out if they run training days. Many badger patrol groups have their own pages on Facebook.
Sen. Bill Stanleys (R-Franklin County) bill to jumpstart the Interstate 73 corridor project passed the House of Delegates and the Senate, gaining traction as a way to economically revive Southwest and Southside Virginia.

The bill would help fund the road at $40 million a year. The money would come not as a new expense to Virginia taxpayers, but rather, a reallocation of funds currently directed toward U.S. 58, an east-to-west southern Virginia highway, as soon as that work is complete, perhaps in 20 years.

Estimates say construction of I-73 will cost about $4 billion. The bill, if signed by Gov. McAuliffe, would secure the first chunk of funding for the road.

This is a major commitment to our region from the Commonwealth, demonstrating that Virginia is serious about building I-73, Stanley said.

According to Stanley, the construction of I-73 will provide the area with over 48,000 new jobs, attracting new business while providing local governments with over $300 million in additional annual revenues.

The interstate corridor would create an avenue for high-speed travel between Roanoke and the North Carolina line south of Martinsville.

The proposed I-73 route along present-day U.S. 220 already bears ambitious signs that read Future 73 Corridor.

Brent Robertson, Franklin County administrator, told The Roanoke Times last month that the proposed interstate would run next to a new 550-acre business park and enhance the regions growing tourism industry.

As Franklin County residents see economic development and growth in other parts of the state, they feel left behind, Robertson said.

Keep us in mind as you try to grow Virginia, he said.

Stanley said the proposed interstate corridor will connect Southside and Southwest Virginia to three deep water ports in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

This connectivity of our area with these ports and the interior Midwest of the United States will link us permanently to the global economy, which in turn will guarantee the future economic success of our region, Stanley said.

Carmen Forman of The Roanoke Times contributed to this article.
Kolkata, Feb 27 (IBNS): JIS College of Engineering is on its way to creating history.

The institute is tying up with four Russian universities and launching a centre of excellence, which will aim at helping Bengal gain momentum and surge towards becoming an integral part of the Digital India initiative.

It all began in November 2016, when representatives from JIS Group went to Russia. They were part of a delegation from The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), which went to Russia to explore opportunities for Bengal.

As a fruit of that visit and in order to commemorate the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Russia, the Russian institutes would help JIS to empower rural Bengal to become a part of the Digital India movement.

Institutes from Russia will help us with their technology and academic inputs to put Bengal on the map of Digital India. I am very happy to say that during our visit to Moscow, the Russian consulate told us that the model of our centre of excellence is very unique and we from Bengal can become a role model for the rest of the country when it comes to taking Russian help for yielding societal benefit through an education initiative, said Taranjit Singh, Managing Director of JIS Group Educational Initiatives and Chancellor of JIS University, during the launch of the Center of Excellence at JIS College of Engineering and announcing its tie-up with four Russian universities and a university from the UK.

The center of excellence at JIS College of Engineering is tying up with four Russian Universities - Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Innopolis University and Russian New University.

This is not just another centre of excellence, our format is unique. Any student can apply with their innovation idea and on the basis of selection, get enrolled. They can work on any subject area and if we do not have resources our Russian partners will help. It will be a gateway for innovators, said Sila Singh Ghosh, vice president of corporate communications, JIS Group.

And if that was not enough, Russian-Indian S&T Centre, Moscow has also agreed to lend a helping hand and ensure the student from the center of excellence gets connected to the right institution.

Our Russian partners have already asked for the societal, demographic and economic maps of Bengal, which we have shared. They will train our students and teachers on empowering the locals and built technology to help the rural population go digital. Be it the farmer or a mason or the daily wage earner, our students will be trained to help them go digital, said Singh Ghosh.

To begin with, through competitive selection the center of excellence at JIS College of Engineering will send 10 students for higher studies in Russia with full scholarship from the Russian Universities.

To kickstart the process of helping Bengal go digital, JIS Group will be organizing a two day (February 23 & February 24) International Symposium on Gen Next Initiative for Digital India. The modalities of the tie-up with the Russian Universities and how it will lend a hand to JIS Group to help Bengal go digital will be worked out on February 23 and February 24 with the 16-member delegation from Russian universities.

The University of Bedfordshire from UK on the other hand will tie up with JIS Group to offer joint degrees and offer students exchange programmes.
Kolkata, Feb 27 (IBNS): To strengthen Bengal's presence in the Digital India initiative, JIS College of Engineering has planned to set up a centre for excellence in collaboration with four Russian universities.

The announcement was made recently in Kolkata.

The four collaborating Russian universities are Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research Nuclear University, Innopolis University and Russian New University.

The plan took off in November 2016 when JIS visited Russia as part of a delegation from The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), which went to Russia to explore opportunities for Bengal.

"During our visit to Moscow, the Russian consulate told us that the model of our centre of excellence is unique and we from Bengal can become a role model for the rest of the country when it comes to taking Russian help for yielding societal benefit through an education initiative, said Taranjit Singh, Managing Director of JIS Group Educational Initiatives and Chancellor of JIS University,

Sila Singh Ghosh, Vice President of Corporate Communication, JIS group said that the Centre of Excellence would screen students based on their innovative ideas and later, both JIS and the Russian partners, would finance and send students to pursue higher studies in Russia with full scholarship from their universities.

Keeping in line with the Digital India mission, the JIS Group organised a two day International Symposium on Gen Next Initiative for Digital India. It was attended by a 16-member delegation from Russian universities.

Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, BCC&I, said, The motto of the symposium basically is the power to empower.

It was also announced that JIS has entered into a collaboration with The University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom (UK) where the UK university will offer joint degrees and student exchange programmes.

So that a large number of students can get access to their courses, JIS group has decided to take its courses online through the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the AICTE portal: SWAYAM.

The curriculum will be designed by Manpreet Singh Manna, Director of AICTE.

According to JIS, some of the advantages of the online courses will be cost free access, skill training, accessibility with lower bandwidth, user friendly, accessible in 10 different languages and supervised by the Microsoft Dot Net technology.

(Reporting by Shilpa Salwan)
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Three Shia's were shot dead by unidentified assailants in a suspected sectarian attack under the Paroa Police Station area of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on February 26, 2017.

On February 21, 2017, at least seven persons, including a lawyer and an eight-year-old boy, were killed and as many as 25 were injured when three terrorists wearing suicide vests attacked the Session's Court in Tangi tehsil (revenue unit) of Charsadda District. The attack started at around 11:40am when three suicide bombers opened indiscriminate fire, using automatic weapons and hurled grenades at the security officials, in an attempt to enter the Court. Policemen stationed on the premises sought to repulse their attack, gunning down two attackers, while the third blew himself up after failing to enter the building. Charsadda Assistant Commissioner Inayatullah Khan disclosed that the injured included six Policemen who confronted the terrorists in a gun battle that lasted for at least 14 minutes.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), an offshoot of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack and declared that it was a continuation of Operation Ghazi, which they had initiated against Pakistan. The group released details of two of the attackers - Abdul Basit of Mohmand Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khairullah of the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. The JuA was also responsible for the March 6, 2016, suicide attack on the Shabqadar Sessions Court in the same Charsadda District, in which 17 persons were killed and 30 sustained injuries.

On February 16, 2017, four Policemen and a passerby were killed when the Police vehicle was attacked by unidentified motorcycle borne terrorists in the Mission Mor area of Dera Ismail Khan town in KP. The victims were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Rehmatullah, Constable Iqbal, Constable Irshad and the civilian, Fazal. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious bullet wounds and was rushed to hospital by rescue officials, but later succumbed to his injuries.

On February 15, 2017, the driver of the civil judge's vehicle was killed when a motorcycle borne suicide bomber rammed into the vehicle in the Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Civil Judge Asif Jadoon and three female judges of the lower judiciary were travelling in the official car in the Phase 5 area when the attacker struck the front of the vehicle and exploded, killing the driver and injuring the four judges. A total of six persons were injured in the explosion. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

The latest series of attacks on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary within a span of seven days shattered the weak ray of hope for peace in the province, which appeared in 2016 after a decade of sustained violence. The South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) database recorded the lowest ever fatalities in a decade in KP, at 213 - including 123 civilians, 50 SFs and 40 terrorists - in 2016, in comparison to 268 such fatalities in 2015 - including 117 civilians, 76 SF personnel and 75 terrorists. While the overall fatalities recorded a 20.52 per cent decrease in 2016 in comparison to the previous year, SF and terrorist/organised crime categories had seen a 34.21 and 46.66 per cent decline, respectively. However, reversing the trend, civilian fatalities registered a small rise of 5.12 per cent. KP recorded a peak of 5,497 fatalities in 2009.

The Province had also registered declines in other parameters of violence. There were 17 major attacks (each resulting in three or more fatalities) causing 121 deaths in 2016; as against 19 major attacks accounting for 133 deaths in 2015. The most prominent attacks in 2016 occurred on January 20, when TTP terrorists stormed the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda District, killing at least 21 persons and causing injuries to another 35. The mastermind of the APS Peshawar attack, Khalifa Umar Mansoor aka Aurangzeb, of TTP's Geedar faction, claimed the attack through a post on his Facebook page.

KP recorded only three suicide attacks resulting in 21 fatalities and 53 injured through 2016, as against six such attacks recorded in 2015, resulting in 63 fatalities and 113 injured. The number of explosions and resulting fatalities stood at 32 and 70 respectively through 2016, as against 40 and 77, respectively, in 2015.

However, Peshawar, the provincial capital, recorded an increase in the number of bomb blasts, from 11 in 2015, to 13 in 2016, though the number of explosion related fatalities remain low, at 19 in 2016 as against 30 in 2015. As in 2015, Peshawar remained the worst affected District through 2016, recording 80 terrorism-related incidents, in which 58 people were killed and another 107 were injured. Violent incidents in 2016 were reported from 20 of the 26 Districts in the Province. In 2014, violent incidents were reported from 21 Districts. The number of sectarian attacks in the Province, though, increased from five in 2015 to six in 2016, the resultant fatalities decreased to eight in 2016 from 28 in 2015.

The visible decline in terrorism related incidents in the Province has been attributed to the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), initiated on December 24, 2014, in the aftermath of the Peshawar Army Public School attack in which 148 persons, including 135 children, were killed. More than 312,188 'suspects' have been rounded up in over 25,000 search and strike operations, and in snap checking at 110,000 places in KP during the last almost two years. According to data released by the Central Police Office, 25,145 search and strike operations were carried out in KP between December 17, 2014 and December 6, 2016. A total of 102,282 suspects were held during these operations under NAP. During the two year drive, a total of 1,503 kilograms of explosives some 46,900 weapons and 1.5 million rounds of different bore, were also seized. The official record shows that 738 terrorists were charged, while 1,146 cases of terrorism were traced during the period.

The arrest of such a huge number of alleged terrorists and recovery of enormous caches of arms and ammunition from the Province suggests that there was a surge of runaway terrorists into KP to escape Operation Zarb-e-Azb ('Sword of the Prophet', also 'sharp and cutting') in FATA. The wrath of these fleeing terrorists fell upon KP Police, the first line of defence in the Province. On August 4, 2016, Chief Minister Parvez Khattak disclosed that as many as 1,587 Policemen had lost their lives in suicide attacks, bomb blasts, ambushes, encounters, rocket and mortar barrages and other incidents, since 1970. Over 80 per cent of these fatalities were among the constabulary. During the past almost 46 years, one Additional Inspector General (Safwat Ghayur); two Deputy Inspectors General (Malik Mohammad Saad and Abid Ali); seven Superintendents of Police (SPs); one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP); 24 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP); as well as 25 Inspectors, 115 Sub Inspectors (SI), 131 Assistant Sub Inspectors (ASI), 148 head constables and 1,133 constables, were killed in the Province.

Casualties recorded a sudden increase after 2006, when terrorists spilled over to the settled Districts from FATA. According to official Police statistics released on July 28, 2016, as many as 1,204 Policemen have been killed in attacks in KP since 2006 - 28 in 2006; 107 in 2007; 176 in 2008; 207 in 2009; 101 in 2010; 148 in 2011; 94 in 2012; 133 in 2013; 108 in 2014; 60 in 2015, and 42 in 2016 (till July 20, 2016). Peshawar tops the list among the 25 Districts of the Province, with over 340 Police fatalities, followed by Swat where 123 Police officials have died. In Bannu, 120 personnel have lost their lives, while 100 have died in Dera Ismail Khan. According to SATP, at least 17 Policemen have already been killed since July 21, 2016 - 13 in 2016 (between July 21 and December 31) and four in 2017 (till February 26).

Meanwhile, KP Police faces an acute shortage of officers, which has direct bearing on the fight against terrorism. According to an official statement issued in Peshawar on August 11, 2016, the Provincial Police had approached the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, KP, to meet the shortage so they could maintain the operational capability of units established to curb terrorism. The Province needs five Additional Inspectors General, where only two are available at present. In the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), only eight officers are presently working against 18 sanctioned posts. Similarly, against 35 sanctioned posts of SSPs, only 17 are presently available, and there are 57 SPs currently available against 78 sanctioned posts.

While fragmented terrorist groups are now coming together to disrupt the brief period of relative calm in the region, the KP Government's 'soft corner' towards Taliban continues to create violent contradictions. On June 19, 2016, for instance, the KP Government allocated PKR 300 million in its budget to Darul Uloom Haqqania (Nowshera), known as the 'University of Jihad'. The madrassa is known for having several top Afghan Taliban leaders among its alumni, including former Taliban chief Mullah Omar who received an honorary doctorate from the seminary. Haqqani Network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) leader Asim Umar and slain Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, are among the other alumni of the seminary.

The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Government in the Province has been allocating money to these Taliban-producing institutions, even while Imran Khan continues to blame the Federal Government for improper NAP implementation as the cause of terror attacks. The duplicity of the Provincial Government in dealing with terrorism will not allow an enduring peace to prevail.
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NORWALK  Whatever the reason was for this special open house event at the Maritime Aquarium on Sunday evening, 12-year-old Sean Paul Joseph was just glad to be there.

Despite living in South Norwalk, hed never been there before, but was thrilled with the chance to see seals, sea stars and sharks up close and personal.

This is our first time, he said. I think its really fun  Theres a lot to see and there are some majestic creatures, in my opinion.

Sean was one of around 200 people that took part in a free South Norwalk Celebration at the aquarium, co-hosted with the Norwalk Police Department.

As part of a grant funded through the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, the purpose of the event was to help solidify the South Norwalk community, as well as invite new ideas and involvement in making it a better place.

Its a community-building event to celebrate our diversity and the culture of South Norwalk, said Rebecca Prosper, program coordinator for the $156,400 grant received by the city in October 2015.

The grant had a focus to look at a neighborhood that had a sense of community, explained retired police lieutenant and Norwalk resident Paul Vinett, who helped on the project. It also had to be a neighborhood that either had high crime or was at least perceived to have it, and faced some economic challenges.

So the focus of the grant is to bring everybody together, he said, with community meetings and brainstorming sessions part of the requirement.

Though the city has applied for an additional $875,000 of so in grant money to take the project further, Vinett said this event was serving as a sort of grand finale for the work, giving people the chance to find out who your neighbors are and celebrating the success of what Rebecca did.

A lot of hard work went into this, said Mayor Harry Rilling.

This is an event where were bringing a lot of people together from the area that were looking to build, he said, and trying to find ways to work together with the community to make South Norwalk a better place, a safer place.

Rilling said new foot patrols by police were something residents expressed interest in, and its proven worthwhile.

People seem to like it, he said, feeling the streets are safer and that some bonds are potentially forming between the police and residents. Theyll start getting to know people.

I think this is great, to bring the community together, said Rick McQuaid, town clerk, who attended the event with his family. Its important for those of us who are involved with the city.

I think the theme of diversity if awesome, he said. Especially with all thats going on right now  if we can be the village that everyone is expecting, that would be great.

Community is important and were trying to do our part, said Brian Davis, aquarium president and CEO.

The city of Norwalk is a unified group, he said, and we need to let them know that the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium is committed to seeing it succeed.

Its nice for some people who cant necessarily afford it, said Joyce Martell of Norwalk. Its nice for them to get to bring their kids and its nice for the community.
How is it that so many Senators on both sides of the aisle, and media outlets ranging from liberal to conservative, seem so fixated on goading the Trump Administration into confrontation with Vladimir Putin and Russia?

It never fails to get a few chuckles and more than a few eye rolls whenever a worn-out comedian offers the well-worn question: Have you stopped beating your wife? Some laugh because of the arguable cleverness of a question that demands a simple yes or no response that indicts the responder regardless of how he responds. But most roll their eyes because it is an old and tiresome shtick that is more suitable to the political arena than to a classy nightclub act. It is, therefore, somehow reassuring to see this latest iteration of the wife-beating question being used recklessly to score political points. While not much of a punchline, it makes a riveting headline.

But before we become too entranced with the cleverness of the question, perhaps it is worth asking a few simple questions about that question. First, has it ever been asked before? It was not that long ago that former President George W. Bush assured us that he had seen into Mr. Putins soul and all was right with the world. No one raised any concern about Mr. Putins killer instincts directly with Mr. Bush. Even more recently, former President Obama and his sidekick former Secretary of State Clinton engaged in a reset with Putin and were broadly applauded in the mainstream media for their efforts. Again, no one bothered to ask Mr. Obama if he thought Mr. Putin a killer.

A second related question is this: Have other presidents been asked about other political leaders who might have been killers? Well, yes, provided they are known and sworn enemies: Fidel Castro, the various ayatollahs, Manuel Noriega, and so on. But has any president ever been asked this question about any other leader with whom the U.S. is striving to maintain a working relationship? The list of possible candidates is legion, but here are a few: Richard Nixon and Mao Tse-tung? Jimmy Carter and the Shah of Iran? Ronald Reagan and Ferdinand Marcos? Bill Clinton and any and all of the Saudis? The plain answer is no. Until now no one had dared to ask a sitting president whether the leader of a major country with whom we are not at war and with whom we are seeking to maintain cordial relations is a killer.

A third question and one that President Trump inartfully and undiplomatically touched upon in his recent interview on Fox: Is there any government that has clean hands? This touches a raw nerve with most Americans because we all know that we strive to be better and that we generally work to improve human rights and advance freedom everywhere. But the operative word is generally. Sometimes even the staunchest of conservatives forget that one of the chief principles of conservative political theory is that government, by definition, is a necessary evilwith emphasis on the word evil. Government by its very nature is coercive and inclines toward excess and the abuse of power. The details documented by the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities (the Church Committee) regarding extralegal activities by American intelligence operatives is sobering. We should not be surprised that it was not until 1976, by Executive Order 11905, signed by President Gerald Ford, that political assassination was explicitly banned.

But we dont have to go that far back in history to see the absurdity of the question about world leaders being termed killers. The massacre of Syrian civilians is appalling, and understandably the U.S. and other nations keep working to prevent more death. But is this really a legitimate litmus test for whether Vladimir Putin is a killer? And by killer do we mean murderer or merely that there is some causal link between someone in power and the tragic deaths of many people? Have we already forgotten that there are those in Europe and elsewhere who continue in their efforts to bring Mr. Bush to court for the huge number of Iraqi civilian casualties that occurred in the wake of the 2003 invasion?

It would be morally repugnant to try to justify the wholesale slaughter of civilians anywhere, but it is wholesale foolishness to impugn guilt to any world leader who falls short of the grotesque standard set by Hitler, Stalin, and very few others. And even in such a case, we would risk much in our sometimes reckless headlong drive to show ourselves morally superior. Imagine if someone had asked FDR in 1941 if Joseph Stalin was a killer? We can be grateful that Roosevelt made the alliances necessary to defeat the greater danger to world civilization posed by the Nazis, and that he avoided the sanctimony trap that both Democrats and Republicans easily fall into these days. We can also be grateful that neither Rex Tillerson before the Senate nor President Trump in his Fox interview derailed any chance we might still have of forging a workable relationship with Russia.

A better question than Is Putin a killer? might be: How is it that so many Senators on both sides of the aisle, and media outlets ranging from liberal to conservative, seem so fixated on goading the Trump Administration into confrontation with Russia? Many of us disagree with Mr. Bushs view that Mr. Putin is trustworthy and with President Trumps apparent belief that there is some moral equivalency with the United States. But to keep pressing for a more belligerent, combative stance against Mr. Putin, especially when we have far greater threats such as a rising China and a resilient ISIS to contend against, seems needlessly provocative and reckless. The Is Putin a Killer? ploy is already passing away in the newsfeeds, but the underlying intentto ensure continued confrontation with Russiawill manifest itself over and over again as the Trump Administration tries to restore some balance and perspective to that bilateral relationship.

Books on the topic of this essay may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore.
WASHINGTON  There will be no Academy Award for young filmmaker Stephen Cones considerable achievement: Best Movie Depiction of the Evangelical Subculture Without Lampooning It. Cones small, heartfelt film, The Wise Kids (available on Netflix and iTunes), gives conservative Christians a largely sympathetic but sharp-eyed treatment. Evangelicals will find the music familiar. Also, the propensity to end discussions with: Ill send you the verse. And the tendency of evangelical youth to end public prayers: In Your awesome, holy, amazing, awesome, awesome name we pray.

But the movie is important because it depicts a traditional religious community in the midst of a moral earthquake. The films protagonist (Tim) is a gay, Christian high-school senior, and not particularly anguished about the whole thing. In part, this reflects Cones own experience as the gay son of a Southern Baptist preacher in South Carolina, which was considerably less traumatic than you might imagine. At the age of 12, Cone told me, I wanted to see Philadelphia [a groundbreaking movie about a gay man with AIDS] and my Dad took me. Afterward, there were no lessons offered, no discussion of immorality. He just let it be.

Cone reports that he has gotten some criticism for his movies lack of bitterness. His parents, he said, found a way not to close off the possible. But that has hardly been the uniform evangelical response to changing social norms.

Mostly it is denial. The Wise Kids depicts how three generations of gay Christians have been accommodated in conservative churches: an older organist who could never even imagine the possible and is treated as a likable eccentric; a music director who finds himself trapped in a good marriage without physical attraction; a sensitive, talented young person who goes off to art school in New York and is likely to find communities willing to accept his whole self.

Cones film emphasizes something that non-evangelicals often miss. Evangelicalism is not fundamentalism. It is a form of conservative Christianity determined to engage culture rather than escape it. And the influence goes both directions. Secular music and films, scientific cosmology and modern conceptions of gender are powerful forces of modernity, transforming even those who try to resist.

Many evangelicals have made their peace with a more equal role for women in society. Nearly every religious tradition admits that some of the cultural assumptions on gender held by the authors of sacred texts (say, the Apostle Pauls instruction that women remain silent in church) are not normative. Many evangelicals also are not, hmmm, living in a manner consistent with New Testament views on divorce (where it is seldom justified). Divorced people generally sit in the pews of evangelical megachurches without stigma.

Now the question is raised: Is sexual identity a thing like gender roles and divorce  something on which a rough accommodation can be made? It is already happening. According to the Pew Research Center, a third of evangelical baby boomers say that homosexuality should be accepted by society. Remarkably, 51 percent of evangelical millennials say the same. Overall evangelical agreement with that statement rose about 10 percentage points between 2007 and 2014.

Why this shift? Some of it is certainly due to the pervasive power of scientific consensus to determine cultural assumptions. This is the age of the gene, and there is serious evidence that sexual identify has a heritable component. According to Siddhartha Mukherjee in The Gene: An Intimate History, studies of twins have provided incontrovertible evidence that genes influenced homosexuality ... almost as strongly as genes influence height.

A version of natural law reasoning then follows: If same-sex attraction is not entirely a choice, is it appropriate to regard it as a sin? And if there is nothing morally wrong with having a gay orientation (as most evangelicals believe), is it fair or realistic to expect lifelong celibacy  a commitment that is historically viewed by Christians as a heroic, individual calling, not as a universal expectation?

In the movie, Tims father finds uncomfortable comfort when his son finds a buddy in college. So many evangelical parents want stability, companionship, affection and love for their gay children. And they wonder if their Heavenly Father really wants less.

The religious debate is not quite as easy as I have presented it. But evangelical youth groups and Christian colleges would uniformly benefit from screening The Wise Kids, if only to struggle honestly with the issues it raises. And parents should watch it, if only to glimpse the massively changed world their children inhabit.
On February 25, 2017, a Police team that included newly constituted Special Force (SF)-10 commandos, in an encounter, killed the 'commander-in-chief' of the now-disbanded United Achik Liberation Army (UALA), Singbirth N. Marak aka Norok. X. Momin, at a hideout located inside a forest near Thapa Matronggre village in North Garo Hills District. Marak, along with other cadres of the UALA had surrendered before the Meghalaya Government on June 9, 2016, and had started living a 'normal life' after the group was disbanded. However, he reportedly escaped to the neighboring State of Assam after Meghalaya Police started looking for him following the arrest of one suspect, along with a cache of arms, on November 12, 2016, and surrender of three other suspects on November 13, 2016.These suspects subsequently disclosed that the arms were meant for the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and they were working under Marak's instructions to provide the weapons to this militant formation.

SF-10 is Meghalaya's new elite commando force; the first batch staged a passing out parade after completing six months of basic training and a three-and-a-half month special commando counter-insurgency course on October 5, 2016.

Earlier, on February 20, 2017, a commando team of the SF-10, killed a GNLA militant, identified as Walamdaria M. Sangma, in an encounter at Riangdim village in the Shallang area of West Khasi Hills District. A group of GNLA militants had gone there to extort 'tax' from coal dealers and exporters before being engaged by the SF-10 commandos.

The lone civilian fatality was recorded on January 19, 2017, when Kerok R. Marak (23) was accidentally killed in cross-fire between GNLA militants and SF-10 commandos in the remote Rongsu Agal area of South Garo Hills District. According to reports, GNLA militants opened fire on a Police team, which had reached the spot after receiving information about a hideout which was 'used by' GNLA 'commander-in-chief' Sohan D. Shira.

These were the only three insurgency-related killing incidents reported from across the State during the first 57 days of the current year (data till February 26, 2017).

Through 2016, according to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal(SATP), Meghalaya recorded 26 fatalities, including 10 civilians and 16 militants as against a total of 61 fatalities, including 19 civilians, eight SF personnel and 34 militants registered in 2015. Thus, overall fatalities registered a steep decline of 57 per cent in 2016 as against 2015. In fact, insurgency related fatalities, which had been continuously rising since 2010, on year on year basis, first declined in 2015 and went down further in 2016. Such fatalities had touched a low of just five (one civilian and four militants) in 2009 peaked at 76 (23 civilians, six SF personnel and 47 militants) in 2014, the highest recorded in the state since 1992.

More importantly, the Security Forces (SFs) managed to further improve the security environment for the civilian population through 2016. Civilian fatalities which had risen to 28 in 2013, the second worst toll in this category recorded in the State since 1992 (there were 29 civilian deaths in 2002) had come down to 23 in 2014 and fell further to 19 in 2015, declining further to 10 in 2016.

Significantly, the improvement in the security environment has been directly linked to the improved success rate against the militants. The SFs achieved a positive kill ratio of 1:4.25 during 2015, and in 2016, they killed 16 militants without losing a single trooper.

According to partial data compiled by SATP, 71 militants were arrested through 2016, adding to the 146 arrested through 2015 database. Prominent arrests during 2016 included David S. Sangma aka Rikai, 'east area commander' of Achick Songa An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK); and Rohit Marak, 'area commander' of the Liberation of Achik Elite Force (LAEF). Meanwhile, according to a December 29, 2016 report citing State Police sources, at least 229 militants were arrested through 2016. Most of those arrested belonged to GNLA, the report claimed, without specifying numbers.

SATP data also shows that at least 197 militants surrendered in 2016, adding to 67 in 2015. Prominent among those who surrendered were Zen Roberth Ch Marak aka Toding aka Rupanto, 'deputy commander-in-chief' of GNLA; Zen Roberth's de factosuccessor Nikam Ch. Momin aka Baichung Momin, 'second in command' of GNLA; Ajan Momin aka Jimmy, 'action commander' of GNLA; senior member of GNLA's 'finance wing', Rakseng Ch. Marak aka Geloram; 'commander-in-chief' of LAEF, Mathew G. Momin, and 'deputy commander-in-chief' of LAEF, Ravan Sangma,

The major reason for across-the-board improvements in the security situation has been the sustained counter insurgency (CI) Operation Hill Storm (OHS) launched by SFs on July 11, 2014, and which continued through 2016. The fourth and latest phase, OHS-4, was launched on September 22, 2016, to flush out the last remaining leaders and cadres of GNLA in the five Garo Hills Districts and adjoining West Khasi Hills Districts. The mounting pressure on the GNLA, the most active group, left the outfit with no more than 25 to 30 cadres. 10 GNLA militants were killed, 37 were arrested and 94 surrendered through 2016; in addition to the 13 killed, 56 arrested and 20 surrendered through 2015. Disconcerted by these reverses, GNLA's 'commander-in-chief' Sohan D. Shira formed a squad to target GNLA 'deserters' in an effort to deter further surrenders and retain the remaining fighters. In one such instance on October 16, 2016, GNLA militants killed its former 'finance secretary', Rakkam D. Shira aka Rikchie, at his residence near Williamnagar in East Garo Hills District. Rakkam D. Shira left the Goeragre Rehabilitation Camp (Headquarters of the 2nd Battalion of Meghalaya Police) without informing authorities. Following this incident, Police issued a fresh advisory to surrendered GNLA cadres. Presently, around 120-odd surrendered GNLA cadres are undergoing rehabilitation at two venues, the Goeragre Rehabilitation Camp and the makeshift Police location inside Baljek Airport, both in the West Garo Hills District.

Another positive outcome was the disbanding of the Garo militant group UALA. On June 9, 2016, 68 UALA cadres led by its 'chairman', Novembirth Marak, officially surrendered and to 'rejoin mainstream society'. Novembirth Marak stated, "We were misguided and had led an altogether different life in the jungles. We regret being in the jungles. We have realised that with arms there cannot be any peace in Garo hills. We are happy to join the mainstream. We believe that society will accept us and allow us to live together."

Nevertheless, areas of concern remain. Not surprisingly, on January 26, 2017, Chief Minister (CM) Mukul Sangma observed that, though the overall security situation had "significantly improved in the State" over the preceding 10 months, difficulties persisted: "Some militant groups operating in the area (Garo Hills) have been indulging in various crimes such as extortion, kidnapping and dacoity." Further, Director General of Police (DGP) Swaraj Bir Singh, while affirming that the situation in the Garo Hills Districts "has improved a lot", cautioned that some pockets in South Garo Hills remained problematic, and that the Police would concentrate on these areas to flush out militants.

Significantly, according to SATP data, 18 fatalities (69 per cent) in 2016 and 57 fatalities (93 per cent) in the State in 2015 were reported from the Garo Hills region, which consists of East Garo Hills District, West Garo Hills District, North Garo Hills District, South Garo Hills District and South West Garo Hills District. Moreover, incidents of abduction-for ransom, which have long been rampant, especially in the Garo Hills Region, remained a challenge, despite a decline in registered cases. Meghalaya accounted for 27 such incidents (24 in the Garo Hills alone) through 2016, in addition to 44 in 2015 (35 in Garo Hills alone).

Despite facing overwhelming reverses, GNLA remains the most potent groups among the multiple armed formations operating in the State. GNLA was responsible for five of the 10 civilian deaths that were attributed to identified militant group (five fatalities remain 'unattributed') in 2016. Similarly, the outfit was confirmed to have been involved in five incidents of abduction-for ransom. During one audacious extortion attempt, two suspected GNLA cadres, identified as Borgen Sangma and Rankhu Momin, were arrested on December 8, 2016, for threatening to kill Superintendent of Police (SP) of South Garo Hills District, Anand Mishra. The duo was sending threat messages to Mishra's personal and official mobile numbers since October 20, 2016, including SMSs demanding INR five million. Sangma and Momin claimed they were the 'foreign secretary in charge' and 'public information officer' of GNLA and that they were keeping an eye on Mishra's movements. The arrested duo had threatened to raid the SP's residence and shoot him.

GNLA's 'top' leadership, including its 'commander-in-chief' Sohan D. Shira remain active. Worryingly, according to a November 27, 2016 report, GNLA sent an envoy to clandestinely procure more arms and ammunition from the dealers in Bangladesh to add to its already significant arsenal. An unnamed source claimed that the GNLA arsenal has "still enough fire power", adding that the arms deposited by surrendered cadres are simply the tip of the iceberg.

Further, media reports suggest that, following the shortage of cadres, GNLA, is attempting to lure minors to join its ranks.

GNLA has long been associated with the Independent faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-I) and, on January 25, 2016, announced that it would join the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFWSEA). UNLFWESEA, created on April 17, 2015, and headed by S.S. Khaplang, 'chairman' of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), was formed with the objective of setting up a 'northeast government-in-exile'. Similarly, the Meghalaya based Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and ULFA-I, are reported to have attempted to form a 'united front'. In a statement to the press, HNLC 'publicity secretary' Sainkupar Nongtraw on May 15, 2016, revealed that the group wanted to blow up the High Court of Meghalaya and the State Secretariat. The plan was foiled as SFs arrested four militants belonging to HNLC and ULFA-I, and seized explosives, on May 13, 2016.

The security situation in Meghalaya has improved considerably, but a decisive end to its multiple insurgencies remains tantalizingly out of reach. As militant organisations across the region attempt to develop synergies for joint action against the State, the urgency of sustaining operational pressures can only grow, despite the tremendous gains of the recent past.


Louis Sullivan, known as The Father of the Skyscraper, is a well-known name in historical American architecture having produced some of the countrys most beautiful buildings.

This revolutionary and brilliant Chicago architect is the focus of the Edwardsville Arts Center next exhibit, Louis Legacy: Artists Respond to Louis Sullivan which is now on display.

Curated by Brigham Dimick, SIUE Professor of Art & Design, this exhibit will juxtapose Sullivan architectural ornaments from the SIUE University Museum collection with regional artists who use the form of Sullivans work and biography of his life as a platform for their own creative projects. Though the relationship between a participating artists works and particular ornaments displayed do not necessarily have direct correspondences, artists are making work that results from studying Sullivans work and using it as a platform for their own creative development, Dimick explained.

Participating artists in this exhibit will include Mike Mason (posthumous) digital imaging; Dan Barnett, ceramicist/blacksmith; Mike Gesiakowski, ceramic sculptor; Chris Day, large scale black and white painting; Albert Kuo, painter; Regan Melton, drawing multiples; Katie Lochhead, drawing; Brigham Dimick, drawing; John Celuch, photography; and Thad Duhigg, sculpture.

Dimick described a few pieces in the show including Albert Kuos giant wall piece which is approximately eight foot wide by seven foot high that also emerges eight inches from the wall. While this hybrid between painting and sculptural relief aligns with Kuos creative trajectory that explores painted illusion with physicality, it is clearly inspired by the relief ornament of Louis Sullivan that Albert studied attentively, Dimick noted.

Regan Melton is making a series of small drawings that juxtapose the beauty of Sullivan fragments with beautifully rendered studies of the not-so-beautiful ceilings in the warehouse where she works, Dimick added about another artist.

Dimick himself also has a piece in the exhibit. I am presenting a painting that was chiefly created on-site at the St. Louis Zoo of the chimpanzee habitat, he said. An illusion of Louis Sullivans Wainwright Tomb is painted as if it was a crumbling relic within the habitat of this endangered primate. The work deliberately juxtaposes the mutual vulnerability of human mortality and a species threatened with extinction.

Louis Legacy: Artists Respond to Louis Sullivan runs from Feb. 10 through March 17 at the Edwardsville Arts Center which is located at 6165 Center Grove Rd. The EAC is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday through Monday. Concurrently, In the student gallery is work from Edwardsville District 7 Middle Schools, Liberty and Lincoln.

This exhibit is also a part of a collaboration with the SIUE Arts & Issues presentation of the documentary, Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture and Louis Sullivan Architectural Ornaments at SIUE Conference: Bringing the Past to Life in the 21st Century presented by the SIUE Lovejoy Library.

The documentary was screened Feb. 23 while the Sullivan conference took place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 with sessions at the SIUE Morris University Center, the EAC and Lovejoy Library.

Visit www.artsandissues.com for additional ticket information about the Sullivan documentary showing and www.siue.edu/lovejoylibrary/ for information about the free Sullivan conference.
I embraced my inner child on my last day off and took in a double-feature of two PG-rated, kid-friendly pictures that I was hoping would be a keen distraction from the constant barrage of hate, violence, and the insipidity of Kellyanne Conway that permeates so much of what passes for news these days. Turns out, I might have missed the mark in a teensy way. My first excursion was A Dogs Purpose, one that I knew would bring tears. The other was The LEGO Batman Movie and I didnt care what anyone thought about me going to see it, alone, late at night. I was a LEGO kid and Im proud of it.

Based on the W. Bruce Cameron novel, A Dogs Purpose is the story of a mutt (voiced by Josh Gad) who lives the life of a retriever named Bailey until he dies and becomes reincarnated as a corgi. And a German Shepherd. And a Saint Bernard. Each life is full of touching lessons, ribald humor, love, pain, and all of the good stuff that makes up the time we spend above ground. Bailey wants nothing more than to spend his days in companionship with his boy, Ethan (played at various times by Bryce Gheisar, K.J. Apa, and Dennis Quaid). Hes also good at getting the girl (Britt Robertson, Peggy Lipton) or, at least the girls attention. There is no shame that this movie is built around the love affair we have with our pets or the grief we share when tragedy befalls them. I would caution that the unfounded controversy around the film, and its 1970s K-9 cop set piece, may be a little graphic for younger audiences. I am proud that I made it forty-five minutes in before I started crying. And that it didnt stop until the credits rolled.
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IBNS): Delhi Police arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Rajesh Rishi's brother on an assault case, media reported on Monday.

The arrest was made on Sunday night after the MLA's brother Rajeev and another person allegedly assaulted a woman.

The incident took place in the Dabri area in south-west Delhi, where AAP MLA Rajesh Rishi resides.




United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce of Southern District of Illinois announced Monday that Danielle D. Clark, a/k/a Danielle D. Markiewicz, a/k/a Danielle D. Cantrall, 37, of Edwardsville entered pleas of guilty to an Information charging two counts of wire fraud in a scheme to defraud the Eden Village Care Center, a not-for-profit retirement community in Glen Carbon and one count of making a false bankruptcy declaration.

Clark faces a statutory maximum prison sentence of up to 45 years, a fine of up to $750,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20, 2017. As part of the plea, Clark admitted to filing a false 2015 federal income tax return and agreed to plead also to that charge in the future.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville welcomed more than 800 prospective students and guests to campus Monday, Feb. 20 for Preview SIUE. A second spring program is scheduled for Friday, March 17.

The spring Preview SIUE events combined will be the largest ever spring visit programs at the University.

The day-long program provided an opportunity for high school and transfer students to learn more about the Universitys array of academic programming, student life opportunities and available support services.

Preview SIUE is an exciting event as we welcome hundreds of guests, introducing them to all that SIUE has to offer and answering any questions they may have, said Ryan Downey, assistant director in the Office of Admissions for new student and campus visit programs. Students attending Preview SIUE are high school juniors and seniors, and transfer students looking to enroll for the fall 2017, spring 2018 and fall 2018 terms.

This program showcases our engaging campus and demonstrates why the University can be the future home for these prospective students to achieve their educational goals.

Preview SIUE assists prospective students in making an informed decision on their pursuit of higher education, but providing opportunities to:

 Visit with faculty in the area of study they are considering pursuing

 Learn about the application and admission process

 Determine the cost of attending SIUE and learning how financial aid can assist

For more information, visit www.siue.edu.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017 10:51 2078 a291276806121264c0bd211cde1f0715 4 Editorial #Editorial,Communism-discourse,communism-revival,KUHP,Marxism Free

It is largely agreed that the history of a nation helps shape the character and attitude of its citizens. From all the accounts that influence peoples minds, horrible events of the past apparently play the most pivotal part. For Indonesia, the alleged coup attempt on Sept. 30, 1965, blamed on the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), is a past horror that has affected peoples minds.

Many consider the incident a thorn in the flesh, which is why communism is listed among the subjects to be discussed in the amendment to the Criminal Code (KUHP), which is now underway.

During the deliberation of the draft revision to the KUHP, both the House of Representatives and the government share the opinion that Marxism-Leninism is a serious threat to the nations unity and integrity. The decision to address communism in the bill is said to anticipate a revival of communism in the wake of Chinas growing presence as an economic force and due to a borderless world that gives Indonesians access to foreign ideologies.

This happens despite the fact that China is leading a global campaign for free markets, the antithesis to communism.

Not only have our policymakers ignored this phenomenon, they have also turned a blind eye to other thoughts that could potentially split the nation, such as radical Islamic ideology that wants to form a caliphate in Indonesia.

So serious is the perceived danger that opposition to state ideology constitutes a crime that can be charged under three articles, namely Articles 219 and 220 on the propagation of communism and Marxism-Leninism and Article 221 on attempts to replace Pancasila.

Legislators have argued that these anticommunist provisions are needed to prevent the reoccurrence of another 1965 tragedy, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and led to the stigmatization of former PKI members, supporters and their families.

The communist phobia is indeed alive in Indonesian politics as our reports on page 10 suggest. One famous example of this paranoia was the massive campaign linking Joko Jokowi Widodo to communism when he ran for president in 2014.

Civil groups have ridiculed the idea that communism is the number one ideological threat. However, state institutions, the military and also some Islamic organizations remain steadfast in pushing their phobic narratives.

As part of precautions, the danger of communism and extreme thought must indeed be taken seriously. However, the extra attention against them must not justify oppression and abuse of power, such as happened in the past.

While we agree that democracy is this countrys philosophical foundation, measures taken to prevent and counter radical thought must not go against democratic principles. Any legal action taken against the supporters and perpetrators of radicalism should follow the rule of law, or else the democratization that we have all witnessed will move backwards.
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Linkedin Will Hickey (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

Normally, a 50-year mining project like Freeports Grassberg mine would deign it high time to turn its operations over to the local government, which would also be expedient politically.

However, in this case, Freeport is correct to stand its ground against Indonesia in insisting its contract of work (CoW) be honored, extended and not converted into a licensing agreement that has the potential to seriously disrupt operations.

Vincent Lingga in his Feb. 23 commentary in The Jakarta Post is wrong to paint this as an arbitration ploy by Freeport to block mining reform. Indonesia mining will certainly not reform with local owners bereft of legal enforcement. Why is this? Freeport is actually doing quite a good job with its localization initiatives in Papua, compared to that alternative, no localization. In other words, the operation is benefitting Indonesia not just with taxes, but also with human resource development.

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Linkedin Evan A. Laksmana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The recent resignation of United States President Donald Trumps national security adviser, retired general Michael Flynn, is both unprecedented and not surprising given the administrations frenzied start.

The gung-ho surrounding his resignation came on the heels of a relatively good week for Asia policy; Trump reaffirmed the longheld One China policy and backed Japan after Pyongyang launched another missile test. But it seems likely that lunging from one crisis to another might be the new normal for American foreign policy.

This does not bode well for the Indo-Pacific  which scholars see as the strategic system linking the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, where the US remains part of the equation alongside China and India as well as Japan, Australia and Indonesia.

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Linkedin Eddy Tamboto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

Reorganization is a powerful tool for changing the trajectory of a business and enhancing its performance. But keep in mind that the business world of the early 21st century is radically different from that of the early 20th century, in two key respects.

First, organizations now have to operate in a vastly more complex environment  one of globalization, hyper-competition, revolutionary technologies and elaborate regulation. Second, in most companies the nature of work has changed: from algorithmic work  that is, clerical or manual labor  to knowledge or heuristic work.

In a survey conducted by The Boston Consulting Group, almost 80 percent of respondent companies reported undergoing reorganization exercise, about half of which is a large-scale, enterprisewide reorganization initiative.

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Linkedin Hendi Yogi Prabowo (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The alarming number of regional heads arrested or prosecuted for corruption has raised many questions about the efficacy of the current anti corruption initiatives in Indonesia. Recent cases include those involving the Klaten regent in Central Java, who was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) last December in a sting operation.

The arrest occurred just two months after she signed a joint commitment on anti corruption coordination and supervision together with other mayors and regents in Central Java along with the Central Java governor and a KPK deputy chair during a meeting in Semarang.

In total, 11 heads of regions (including a governor) were arrested by the KPK for alleged corruption in 2016.

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New Delhi, Feb 27 (IBNS) : In blow to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Delhi High Court on Monday denied parole to party MLA Mukhtar Ansari, an accused in a murder case, media reports said.

Asnari had sought parole to campaign for the party in the ongoing polls in Uttar Pradesh.

A mafia-turned politician, Ansari shifted to the BSP recently from the Samajwadi Party.

He, along with his brother and son were given tickets to contest from Mau and Ghazipur constituencies respectively.

The court had earlier granted him parole but revoked it following Election Commission intervention.



The EC stated that it did not want to tarnish the atmosphere during the elections.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017 17:03 2078 a291276806121264c0bd211cde2108ea 1 People Barack-Obama,president,#BarackObama,France,#France Free

Look out, France, theres a new candidate in town: Barack Obama.

The Obama17 campaign aims to gather 1 million signatures by mid-March in hopes to get the former American president on the ballot in time for the French presidential election in May.

"We hope to elect a foreign president as the head of our beautiful country," the Obama17 website explains. Barack Obama has completed his second term as president of the United States ... why not hire him as a president for France?

Read also: Spotify posts special job vacancy for US President Obama

Mon dieu! There's a grassroots movement to get Barack Obama to run for President...of France! https://t.co/P7agpipilD pic.twitter.com/ir0kHcR4Ja  Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) February 23, 2017

"Barack Obama has the best resume in the world for the job," the site continues. "At a time when France is about to vote for the extreme right, we can still give a lesson of democracy by electing a foreigner to be a French president.

The campaign has received 27,000 signatures so far, and posters urging people to sign the petition have been posted all over the countrys capital.

While Obama would not be qualified to run, as he is not a citizen of France, one of the campaign organizers told CNN, "it's totally crazy, but the cool thing is that once you get past that, you start thinking that maybe it's possible. Who cares that he's not French? He's Barack Obama. (sul/kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017 13:05 2078 a291276806121264c0bd211cde1fc6c8 1 Lifestyle big-bike,motorcycle,exhibition,automotive,#automotive,#exhibition,Big-Revv-ID Free

A big bike exhibition set to run in February in Jakarta has been rescheduled to Oct. 18-22.

Slated to be held at Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, the BIG REVV ID's promoter PT Hasta Kreasi Persada stated that the postponement was due to the ongoing election in the capital city, among other reasons. The company's president director Christian Sinaga said that it had communicated the change with relevant parties, such as potential sponsors and participants.

Read also: Collusion verdict to have little impact on motorcycle makers

According to Antara news agency, the promoter was still opening the opportunity for other industry players to participate in the event.

Up to 20 big motorbike brands in Indonesia will reportedly showcase their products at the show, which is expected to feature community and lifestyle apparel, such as riding gear, parts, accessories and gadgets related to motorcycles with engine capacity more than 400 cc. (mas/kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

Less than a month after the 2017 regional elections took place, the Constitutional Court has received 12 petitions against the results at the municipality and regency levels.

The court, which is accepting election petitions until Feb. 28 for regencies and municipalities and until March 1 for the provincial level, has yet to receive any reports from the provinces.

The disputes are from Takalar regency in South Sulawesi, Central Bengkulu regency in Bengkulu, Gayo Lues and Nagan Raya regencies in Aceh, Dogiyai and Sarmi regencies in Papua, Kendari and Bombana regencies in Southeast Sulawesi, Salatiga and Jepara in Central Java, Morotai Island regency in North Maluku and Tebo regencies in Jambi.

Court chief justice Arief Hidayat said Monday that people could file petitions three days after the respective regions announced the election results, as stipulated in the 2016 Regional Elections Law.

The court will start registering all the petitions on March 13. [...] Weve prepared all aspects to handle the entire process for election disputes, from infrastructure and security, coordinating with the National Police and Kodam Jaya [Jakarta Military Command], Arief said as quoted by kompas.com.

The country held regional elections in 101 regions on Feb. 15, comprising seven gubernatorial elections, 18 mayor elections and 76 regent elections.

Arief was sure that the court would not reach a deadlock in handling the election disputes, even though there were only six justices following the arrest of former justice Patrialis Akbar by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). (nfr/evi)
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung  Mon, February 27, 2017

Civil servants working in Arjuna subdistrict office in Cicendo, Bandung, West Java, have recounted the terror they endured when a suspected terrorist entered their building and threatened them with a knife and set fire to the second floor of the building on Monday.

The man earlier left an improvised explosive device inside a cooking pot in the nearby Pandawa Park although no casualties were caused by the subsequent explosion. After the explosion, he ran inside the subdistrict office.

"We were in a panic because he was wielding a knife and he threatened us, Arjuna subdistrict secretary Ganjar Budi said.

Another civil servant, Dadah Jubaedah, said the suspect uttered threats and also demanded the subdistrict head. This is a subdistrict office, wheres your boss? Im not afraid, Dadah said, recounting the attackers statements.

He threatened the civil servants for about 15 minutes before he climbed upstairs to a function room on the second floor. We all ran outside. It was tense, frightening, said Dadah.

Some male civil servants tried to persuade the suspect to turn himself in but his only response was to hurl down chairs from the second floor. He also pull off curtains and started a fire.

The police deployed two armed squads to neutralize the suspect, they fired tear gas and then shot him. The suspect was severely wounded, said the police, and was dead on arrival at the hospital. (evi)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The suspect who left an improvised explosive device in a cooking pot at a public park in Bandung on Monday was identified by police as Yayat Cahdiyat, a recidivist of a terrorism case as he was previously charged for being involved in military-style training with militants in Aceh.

He undertook military-style training in Aceh and took part in other activities in relation to the training. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2012, National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said Monday.

The preliminary investigation showed that Yayat was a member of Jamaah Anshar Daulah (JAD) in Bandung. JAD allegedly has connections with the Islamic State radical movement in Iraq and Syria. The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has called JAD the most dangerous terrorist organization in the country.

Martinus said Yayat was a member of a group led by Ujang Kusnanang, aka Rian or Ujang Pincang. Ujang, a convicted terrorist, also had been involved with the training in Aceh.

The polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad was investigating the possibility of more suspects being involved in the case because a witness saw Yayat on a motorcycle with another person.

[A witness said] he was riding pillion and then saw him take off running into the [Arjuna] subdistrict office, Martinus said. The police have yet to find a motive.

Yayat, who died en route to hospital, was also known as Dani or Abu Salam. He was born in Purwakarta regency in West Java on June 24, 1975. (dis/evi)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Karanganyar, Central Java  Mon, February 27, 2017

Thousands of residents in Karanganyar regency, Central Java, rejected the government's plan to begin geothermal exploration at Mt. Lawu, citing environmental reasons.

Residents and stakeholders of Mt. Lawu firmly rejected the geothermal exploration. We have many reasons but mainly we have environmental concerns, Aan Shophuanudin, the head of the National Committee of Indonesian Youth (KNPI), said over the weekend.

He said four regencies  Karanganyar, Sragen, Wonogiri in Central Java and Magetan in East Java  relied on Mt. Lawu for their clean water supply.

Who can guarantee that the geothermal project would not damage the environment? he said.

Maryono, a village figure in Karanganyar, said he was concerned about the project's potential effects on the water supply. He was also worried that various aspects of cultural heritage would be compromised at the mountain, where ancient Hindu temples are located.

Residents have put up a banner since the weekend rejecting the exploration.

Karanganyar councilor from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Darwanto, said the PKS faction of the council also opposed the project.

Earlier, Karanganyar regent Juliyatmono expressed his objection against the plan and said he had sent a letter to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

Last year, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) won the contract to conduct geothermal exploration for a power plant that was expected to generate 165 megawatts of electricity. (evi)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The city administration will provide residents of low-cost apartments (rusunawa) with courses to teach them about handling corpses so as to increase the number of people with skills in various areas.

The Jakarta Forestry Agency is going to conduct the courses between March 1 and April 4 at several apartment buildings. The head of the agencys human development division, Henri Perez, said on Monday that the agency would be supplied with experts on corpse treatment from the Religious Affairs Ministry.

This has been discussed in meetings. So if someone passed away, there are people who would take care of the corpse, he said as quoted by beritajakarta.com, adding that corpse treatment skills were rare in rusunawa.

The courses will start in the Marunda rusunawa on Wednesday and in Penjaringan on Thursday. Both are in North Jakarta. The last apartment building on the agencys schedule is the Tambora Tower in West Jakarta. (idb)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya  Mon, February 27, 2017

Indonesia Association of Goldsmith and Jewelers (APEPI) has requested the Industry Ministry to allow businesspeople to import used machinery from Italy, the world's jewelry hub.

Many jewelry firms in Italy were shut down amid global economic slowdown, leaving many machines unused although they still work accurately, said major gold jeweler PT Usaha Bersama Sejahtera (UBS) president director Eddy Susanto Yahya

UBS is member of APEPI.

However, Eddy added, the government prohibited the import of the used machines.

(Read also: Industry Minister visits major jewelry maker UBS in Surabaya)

While an updated number of jewelers in Italy is not available, various data shows the number decreased to 885 in 2008 from 1,225 in 2001.

"We hope we can facilitate the import of the used machines. They are over 20 years in age and still good," Eddy said.

Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said some used machines are banned from entering the country, but there are certain exceptions for the industry to ask for import recommendation letters from the ministry's metal, machinery, transportation equipment and electronic industry (ILMATE) directorate general.

Jewelry has traditionally been one of Indonesia's biggest export commodities.

Last year, the commodity was the fourth biggest export at US$6.36 billion export, a 4.58 percent increase year on year.

The biggest buyers in 2016 were Switzerland, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. (bbn)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya  Mon, February 27, 2017

Major gold jewelry producer PT Usaha Bersama Sejahtera (UBS) has asked the government to establish a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lower the countrys import tax for Indonesian jewelry.

UAE increased its jewelry import tax to 5 percent on Jan. 1 this year from 0.03 percent previously, amid a plunging oil price, according to UBS.

UBS president director Eddy Susanto Yahya said some countries already had an FTA with UAE to exempt them from the surging tax and Indonesia needed to follow suit.

(Read also: Industry Minister visits major jewelry maker UBS in Surabaya)

"Singapore enjoys 0 percent tax through the GSFTA (Gulf Cooperation Council-Singapore FTA). I heard Malaysia and Turkey are trying to have it too," he said during Industry Minister Airlangga Hartartos visit to the companys Surabaya headquarters on Monday.

"So if Indonesia can also have an FTA (with UAE), it will help the industry very much," he added.

UBS request has been acknowledged by the Indonesia Goldsmith and Jewelers Association (APEPI).

Jewelry has traditionally been one of Indonesia's biggest export commodities.

Last year, the commodity was the fourth-biggest export category at US$6.36 billion, a 4.58 percent increase year-on-year.

The biggest buyers in 2016 were Switzerland, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. (bbn)
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Linkedin Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27 2017

Human rights activists have urged the government to cancel any plans regarding a fourth round of executions of death row convicts, amid uncertainty about when they might take place.

President Joko Jokowi Widodos administration has so far conducted three rounds of executions, which were carried out despite outcry from both domestic and international rights groups.

Attorney General Prasetyo previously said a fourth round had not been scheduled for this year yet as the government was seeking international support for its bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, the government was also taking into account economic and political developments, he said hinting that the executions might be delayed.

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Guwahati, Feb 27 (IBNS): Assam police sleuths on Monday grilled former minister Gautam Roy in Guwahati for a couple of hours in connection with the Assam Public Service Commission's (APSC's) cash-for-job scam.

An Assam Police team led by Dibrugarh ASP SS Panesar grilled the former Congress minister at the premises of Assam police Special Branch at Kahilipara.



The team is said to have noted a few statements from Roy on his alleged involvement in the job scam.



A top police official said that the former Congress minister, who is known to be close to Rakesh Paul, the sacked chairman of APSC, had allegedly brokered the deal with a number of Congress leaders to ensure jobs under APSC for their candidates.



Gautam Roy, a powerful politician from Barak Valley, helped Rakesh Paul to get the top post in APSC.



Roy was earlier grilled by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption branch of Assam police last month for his alleged involvement in the Rs 2.250 crore scam in the Social Welfare department.



In the cash-for-job scam, Assam police has already arrested eight people including former APSC chairman Paul, his associates Samedur Rahman, and Basanta Doley, an engineer.



Meanwhile, the top police official said that Assam Police is all set to submi tthe first charge-sheet for the scam before the court within a short time.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

State-owned energy giant Pertamina is looking forward to tapping into the Philippine market with its diesel fuel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or avtur, that will be produced at the Bontang grass roots refinery (GRR) project in East Kalimantan, which is expected to begin operations in 2023.

All the gasoline production would be used for domestic consumption. But Pertamina projects that there will be 35 percent overproduction for diesel and avtur that would be absorbed domestically, Pertamina processing and petrochemical megaproject director Rachmad Hardadi said over the weekend as reported by kompas.

The Philippines is a potential market, he added.

(Read also: Pertamina may pick local partner for Bontang refinery project)

Bontang GRR [grass roots refinery] project, which was designed to produce various type of fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline series, avtur, diesel series and petrochemical products, could provide a new opportunity for Pertamina to start fuel exports.

After the project finishes in 2023, it will change Indonesias status from a fuel importer to an exporter, Rachmad said.

The Bontang refinery in East Kalimantan will have an initial production capacity of 300,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).

The development of the refinery is part of Pertaminas long-term plan to increase its domestic refinery capacity to more than 2 million bopd in the next decade.

The Bontang refinery is among 10 priority infrastructure projects that President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has requested be accelerated.

According to an official statement by the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister, the Bontang refinery requires investment amounting to between Rp 75 trillion (US$5.62 billion) and Rp 140 trillion. (dra/bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

State-owned energy company Pertamina will submit proposals to the Iranian government for the exploration of two oil fields in the country, a press statement says.

The statement, issued by the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister, says the proposals will be submitted during a visit of Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution to the country from Feb. 26 to 27.

The oil fields are located in Ab Teymour and Mansouri, Bangestan province, the eastern part of Iran, said a press statement on Monday.

(Read also: Indonesia looks to secure Iranian oil)

Based on a study conducted by Pertamina, the oil reserves in the two fields amount to 1.5 billion barrels. The production potential reaches 200,000 barrel per day in each field, the statement says.

Previously, Energy and Mining Resources Deputy Minister Archandra Tahar previously expressed the governments wish to do business in Iran.

Meanwhile, Pertaminas upstream director, Syamsu Alam, said the company had discussed the matter with an Iranian oil company, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), on Feb. 11, kompas.com reported.

Indonesia also plans to buy natural gas at competitive prices from Iran to meet domestic energy needs, particularly for power plants to supply electricity to the petrochemical and fertilizer industry, as well as for special economic zones. (bbn)
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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram  Mon, February 27, 2017

A migrant worker from North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is suspected of having fallen victim to organ trafficking while working in Doha, Qatar.

Sri Rabitah, 25, who started working as a housemaid in Doha in 2014, also claims to have been abused by her first employer.

She said she had been taken to the hospital on her third day of employment and was unknowingly operated on.

She woke up the next day in pain and discovered stiches on her stomach.

Her employer said nothing about the matter and later returned her to the agency that had assigned her to the job. She was assigned to other employers but was sent back home the same year because as she had fallen ill frequently.

The resident of Sesait village found out earlier this year that one of her kidneys had been removed after a checkup at a hospital. She visited the office of the North Lombok regent on Monday to seek help.

I want the government to sue the perpetrator. My kidney was stolen, said Sri. (wit)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya  Mon, February 27, 2017

Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto visited gold jewelry maker PT Untung Bersama Sejahtera (UBS) in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday to learn more about the industry so that his ministry would be able to create a policy to support the export jewelry sector.

"The purpose of this visit is to get input about the development of the jewelry sector in the country so we can give proper guidance," he said in a press statement issued on Monday.

UBS is a 36-year-old family business, a former small scale firm (CV) that registered itself as a bigger form or PT in 1991.

(Read also: Bali-based John Hardy unveils jewelry collection for Spring)

Airlangga was glad UBS shared information about its success during the visit so the ministry could do more training for thousands of jewelry makers in the province.

Jewelry has traditionally been one of Indonesia's biggest export commodities.

Last year, East Java contributed to 54.08 percent or US$3.44 billion of $6.36 billion national jewelry exports. The commodity was the fourth biggest export, Central Statistics Agency data shows.

The province has 26 big and medium jewelry making firms and about 1,854 small scale firms, employing 17,600 people in Surabaya, Mojokerto, Gresik, Lamongan, Pasuruan, Lumajang and Pacitan. (bbn)
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Linkedin Evan A. Laksmana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27 2017

The recent resignation of United States President Donald Trumps national security adviser, retired general Michael Flynn, is both unprecedented and not surprising given the administrations frenzied start.

The gung-ho surrounding his resignation came on the heels of a relatively good week for Asia policy; Trump reaffirmed the long-held One China policy and backed Japan after Pyongyang launched another missile test. But it seems likely that lunging from one crisis to another might be the new normal for American foreign policy.

This does not bode well for the Indo-Pacific  which scholars see as the strategic system linking the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, where the US remains part of the equation alongside China and India as well as Japan, Australia and Indonesia.

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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali  Mon, February 27, 2017

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has said that Indonesia needs to adopt global business setup standards to encourage investors worldwide to pour their capital into Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

However, before this, the local governments in 560 provinces, regencies and cities across the country needed to adopt national standards first, the President said.

Under the Jokowi administration, thousands of business regulations have been annulled to facilitate simpler licensing to do business.

The reforms have largely worked well at the central government level but not at the regional level where businesspeople have reported dozens of different forms and licenses must be completed before starting a business.

(Read also: BKPM to standardize investment procedures, forms)

The first step is national standards. If we cannot do that, how are we going to use international standards? he asked representatives from 560 regional administrations during the National Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) work meeting at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center over the weekend.

Jokowi has asked local officials to coordinate with related agencies to annul any unnecessary bylaws that could lead to lengthy and costly business setup.

Should the administrations not cooperate well, staffers could report bothersome bylaws to BKPM to help scrap them, Jokowi noted. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Jakarta Grand Mosque, located on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, will be decorated with traditional Betawi ornamentation before its scheduled completion in March.

Gigi Balang, a traditional Betawi pattern, will be carved in wood and installed on the mosques roof and fences, according to Jakarta Housing and Residence Agency head Arifin.

The mosque will have five minarets to symbolize the five main principles of Islam, he said as quoted by beritajakarta.com on Monday.

The mosques construction progress has reached 80 percent, he said.

The mosque will also have supporting facilities, such as office spaces to be used by the mosque organizers, a function hall with capacity for 1,000 people and a room for educational purposes.

The concept of this mosque is not just for prayers, but also for multiple purposes,  Arifin said.

The mosque itself will be able to accommodate 12,500 people.

Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said earlier that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo would officially open the mosque. (dea/yan)
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Linkedin Tran Van Minh (Associated Press) Hanoi, Vietnam  Mon, February 27, 2017

When Nguyen Thi Xuan said goodbye to her Japanese husband in 1954, she thought he was going off for a year or two on another long assignment. She never imagined it would be more than half a century before she'd see him again.

Like many Vietnamese women married to Japanese soldiers, Xuan's family was split up, victimized by the stormy relationship between the countries.

Today, the former foes enjoy strong bilateral ties, with Japan and Vietnam cooperating economically as well as in other areas, including defense and security.

In a sign of just how far the relationship has come, several surviving widows and families of former Japanese soldiers  including Xuan  will have an opportunity to meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito when he visits Vietnam for the first time this week.

Japanese troops invaded Vietnam in 1940 and remained there until Japan surrendered to the allies in 1945, ending World War II. Xuan's husband, however, was among some 700 Japanese soldiers who remained in Vietnam after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule in 1945.

The Japanese soldiers helped train Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh to fight the French. When the Viet Minh defeated the colonial forces in 1954, Xuan's husband was one of 71 former Japanese soldiers who had to leave the country without being able to bring their families. He left behind his two children and his pregnant 29-year-old wife.

"I thought he was on an assignment for one or two years, but we then had no information about him," Xuan, 92, said recently.

She said that after not hearing from her husband for six years, she and her family thought he had died, and set up an altar to worship him.

Xuan had to raise her three children on her own by working on a rice farm in a village outside Hanoi. Villagers would call her Xuan Nhat, or Japanese Xuan, mocking her marriage to a Japanese man. Her children also were mocked.

"People called me Japanese son, son of a fascist. There used to be a lot of discrimination. But it is better now," said Nguyen Xuan Phi, Xuan's eldest son.

But anti-Japanese sentiment started to dissipate after communist Vietnam launched reforms in the mid-1980s and opened up to the outside world in the early 1990s.

In 2005, Xuan learned that her husband was alive and living in Japan through a Vietnamese woman living in the country with her Japanese husband, also a former soldier. The following year, Xuan's husband, who had married a Japanese woman, arranged to visit her.

Xuan said she was very happy to see him again after all those years.

"You look great," Xuan quoted her husband as telling her in still fluent Vietnamese when they reunited.

"Yes, I'm fine. I still have been waiting for you," she said she told her husband, who was in a wheelchair after suffering a stroke and visited Xuan with his Japanese wife. Xuan has not remarried, and her husband died several years after his 2006 visit.

While Xuan's family was unable to stay together, when the last group of Japanese soldiers was asked by communist North Vietnam to leave in 1960, they were allowed to bring their families.

But Hoang Thi Thanh Hoai's father, the son of a Japanese soldier, decided to stay behind to take care of his Vietnamese grandmother. He did not reunite with his brothers and sisters in Japan until 1995, when he and Hoai spent six weeks in Japan visiting their relatives.

Hoai, who is now 43 and works at a Japanese eye clinic in Hanoi, decided to study Japanese after seeing how her father was unable to communicate with his siblings after reuniting with them.

"Learning Japanese helps me feel like a bridge of my two families, and more broadly a bridge between Vietnam and Japan," she said.

Today, Japan is Vietnam's biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners.

Even defense and security ties have gotten closer in recent years, with both countries facing maritime disputes with China. During a visit to Vietnam in January, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

The upcoming visit by Emperor Akihito, whose six-day trip starts Tuesday, further underscores the strength of the bilateral relationship.

Xuan is scheduled to meet Akihito on Thursday. For her, the opportunity to meet the emperor comes late in her life, but is something she's looking forward to.

"I am too old, even my children are getting old," Xuan said in her small home, the walls decorated with photos of her husband and other family members. "I just hope the two governments could take better care of my grandchildren, who are also grandchildren of Japanese people, so that they could have an education and jobs." (**)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

President Joko Jokowi Widodos state visit to Australia has achieved concrete results in the fields of economics, politics, law and security as well as in efforts to improve people-to-people relations, a minister has said.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that in economic matters, President Jokowi and his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had agreed to complete the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) at the end of 2017.

Definitely, one thing that we always need to do is any arrangement we aim to achieve must be based on a partnership, which brings mutual benefits to both countries, said Retno during a press conference provided for Indonesian journalists at International Convention Center, Sydney, Australia, on Sunday.

President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo arrived in Jakarta after their two-day state visit to Australia on Sunday, said the Presidential Office in a statement. The Indonesian presidential aircraft landed at 8:30 p.m.

(Read also: Indonesia, Australia want peaceful resolution in settling regional disputes)

In the area of trade, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated that Indonesia had obtained access to market herbicides and pesticides in its southern neighbor. Australias imports of the two kinds of chemical products amounted to in between US$1.3 billion and $1.5 billion.

With the extending of the access, it is expected that Indonesias exports of herbicides and pesticides, which have been long hampered by tariff barriers, can increase, said Enggartiasto.

The Indonesian government will also align the tariffs on sugar imported from Australia and ASEAN. We will continue to import sugar but now, some part will still be imported from Thailand and some others will be from Australia, said the minister, adding this policy was aimed at reducing Indonesias dependence on sugar imports from one country only. (ebf)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The House of Representatives hopes the upcoming visit of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will not only turn into a ceremonial symbol of the king honoring Indonesias position as the worlds largest Muslim population but could also benefit the relationship between the two countries, a lawmaker has said.

House deputy speaker Taufik Kurniawan said Monday that during the visit, the government should hold an intensive dialog with its Saudi Arabian counterparts on how Indonesia could play a greater role to help reduce conflict in the Middle East and the spread of extremist teachings.

"[The dialogue] should help create ideas that can combat terrorism and eliminate the spread of radicalism," Taufik said.

(Read also: House prepares for King Salman's visit)

The National Mandate Party (PAN) lawmaker also suggested the visit could be a chance for Indonesia to negotiate an increase in the countrys haj quota because as the biggest haj pilgrim sender to Mecca every year, Indonesia should have stronger bargaining power.

Saudi Arabia has given a haj quota of 211,000 people for Indonesia, and this year it has agreed to allow 10,000 more.

He further said problems affecting Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia should also be one of the main discussions during King Salmans visit. Strong bilateral relations between the two countries should pave the way for more intensive discussions on how to ensure the safety, protection and improved welfare of Indonesian migrant workers," Taufik said.

King Salman will be in Indonesia from March 1 to March 9 for a state visit. (ebf)
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IBNS): Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that some vested interests are creating various obstacles in development of waqf properties and utilisation of these properties for welfare of the society.

Naqvi said that serious irregularities in some State Waqf Boards have also come to notice. A high-level inquiry has been going on into these matters and strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible.

Naqvi stated it while addressing the 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi, on Monday.



The Minister said that proper utilisation of waqf properties is an important part of our efforts towards empowerment of Minorities. Several State Governments and Waqf Boards have been performing very well in this regard.

Naqvi said that Central Government is making efforts to ensure that all the waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. Minority Affairs Ministry has been providing all possible help to the state waqf boards.

The Computerisation of waqf boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency.

Naqvi said that a one-man Board of Adjudication at the Central level has been established under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court justice to deal with complaints and disputes regarding waqf properties.

Three-member tribunals are being established in the states. About 24 states have established these tribunals so far. Other states should also do this soon.

There are about 4,49,314 registered and non-registered waqf properties across the country. The number of these properties will be increased after computerisation of waqf boards.

It has also been come to our notice that some waqf boards are not registering the waqf properties properly during the computerisation process. Strict action is being taken in such complaints.

Naqvi said that in the Budget 2017-18, Rs 3.30 crore has been allocated for computerisation of records of state waqf boards; Rs 9.70 crore have been given for strengthening of state waqf boards while Rs 3.18 crore have been allocated as grants-in-aid to Waqf.

Naqvi said that the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities as a mission and commitment.

Keeping this in mind, the Centre has increased the Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry in the Union Budget (General) 2017-18.

This increased budget will be helpful in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities.

The Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry has been increased to Rs 4195.48 crore for 2017-18. This is Rs 368.23 crore more than 2016-17 Budget of Rs 3827.25 crore with an increase of about 9.6 per cent.

Naqvi said that the Governments efforts for empowerment of Minorities include Progress Panchayat, Hunar Haat, Gurukul type residential schools, Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre, Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for girls, establishing five world class educational institutes for Minorities and 500 quality residential schools and job-oriented skill development centres.
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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has elected Yati Andriyani as its new coordinator, replacing Haris Azhar, whose term of office ended last week.

Yati, the commissions former advocacy leader, will lead the human rights watchdog until 2020. Kontras is well known as the frontline campaigner for the rights of victims of violence. As the leader of Kontras advocacy team, Yati was involved in several investigations, including one that uncovered slavery practices that affected 34 workers of a kitchenware factory in Tangerang, Banten, in 2013. The case drew public attention nationwide.

Under her leadership, Yati said, Kontras will focus its attention on campaigning for the rights of marginalized groups, particularly those who live outside of the capital city, and pushing the state to fulfill its obligations to respect, protect and uphold the rights of all people in the country.

Many violations in regional areas are out of the reach of the medias monitoring. At the same time, the state tends to ignore human rights concerns for the sake of development and investment, Yati said.

She further said Kontras would also continue to guard ongoing discussions to seek solutions for prolonged gross past rights abuses.

The commitment of the state to end human rights violations in the past has not yet been seen. The government must comply with legal procedures in working on the solutions, in line with the Presidents directives. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and several law enforcement institutions are conducting joint training on corruption eradication, which will take place for five days.

The head of the Banten Polices special crime investigation division, Comr. Widoni Fedri, said 172 participants were attending the training, which kicked off on Monday.

He said the training aimed to develop both the skills and knowledge of investigators, prosecutors, auditors and other law enforcement officers concerning corruption eradication.

KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo said that in the training, investigators were supplied with skills they might need when facing pretrial hearing requests. Corruption cases have always led to pretrial motions requested by the suspects, he said as quoted by tempo.co.

He said that since 2012 as many as 3,137 law enforcers from areas across Indonesia had attended corruption eradication training.

Apart from the KPK chief, Indonesia Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin, the Attorney Generals Offices (AGO) junior attorney for special crimes, Arminsyah, and Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) deputy head Dian Ediana Rae were among the speakers during the training.

Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) deputy investigation head Iswan Elmi and Rochmadi Saptogiri, a financial auditor from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), were also present. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) on Sunday held a plenary meeting on the final vote count from the Feb. 15 gubernatorial election. The move is part of the prescribed stages in Jakarta elections.

The meeting aims to recapitulate not only the results of voting in Jakartas five municipalities and one regency, but also the percentage of voter participations and other related data.

This is a recapitulation process for the provincial level, and it is final. The results will show votes garnered by every candidate pair and determine whether or not we need to hold a second round of the election, KPU Jakarta chairman Sumarno said during the meeting at the Grand Sahid Hotel in Central Jakarta.

Several candidates, Jakarta Legislative Council speakers, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan, political party elites, representatives of election watchdogs and other high-level officials attended the meeting.

Once the meetings results are announced, candidate pairs or their representatives will have the chance to file lawsuits with the Constitutional Court if they do not agree with the results.

If all candidate camps agree with the results and no party files an appeal within three days of the announcement, the KPU Jakarta will release the official results on March 3 or March 4.

The preliminary results in the cities and regency have shown that the Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama  Djarot Saiful Hidayat pair won in four areas, namely Central Jakarta, North Jakarta, West Jakarta and Thousand Islands. Meanwhile, Anies Baswedan and his running mate Sandiaga Uno won East Jakarta and South Jakarta. (ebf)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Ambon  Mon, February 27 2017

Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Sunday that the countrys social gap had reached a dangerous level given the fact that the rich and the poor were predominantly from different religious groups.

The gap in Indonesia has the potential to become a [bigger danger than in] other countries. In Thailand, the rich and the poor have the same religion. The same thing is the case in the Philippines. Both the rich and the poor have the same religion. But in Indonesia, the wealthy and the underprivileged have different religions, he said while closing a national meeting for the countrys second-largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, as quoted by Antara news agency.

The meeting was opened by President Joko Jokowi Widodo last Friday.

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Linkedin Syofiardi Bachyul Jb (The Jakarta Post) Padang, West Sumatra  Mon, February 27, 2017

Amid the media discussion about the upcoming visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Padang Legal Aid Institute (LBH Padang) has pointed out that the Saudi Arabian king should not forget his promise to the victims of the crane accident at the Masjidil Haram complex in 2015.

Thirty-three haj pilgrims from Indonesia were victims of the crane collapse, one of whom is Zulfitri Zaini, a 58-year old woman from Solok regency, West Sumatra. She lost her right leg in the incident but until now, she has not yet received any of the insurance payments or financial assistance that were promised, said LBH Padang director Era Purnama Sari in a statement over the weekend.

She said LBH Padang had a mandate from Zulfitri Zaini to fight for the fulfillment of all promises made by the Saudi government.

(Read also: King Salman's visit to Indonesia should benefit both countries: House)

Era further said staff members from the Indonesian Embassy registered Zulfitri, a math teacher at state junior high school SMP Negeri 1 Talang, Solok, for insurance and financial aid payments when she was treated in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The Indonesian Embassy staff members said each victim would get 1 million riyal or around Rp 3.8 billion [US$ 284,388.58] worth of insurance and financial aid from the Saudi Arabian government. But since Bu Zulfitri returned to Indonesia on Oct. 2, 2015, until now, she has never received any assistance or compensation, she said.

Era said that on behalf Zulfitri LBH Padang called on King Salman to fulfill his promises and urged President Joko Jokowi Widodo to push the Saudi authorities to immediately fulfill their promises to all the crane victims. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is set to hold a meeting with representatives of a visiting Saudi Arabian delegation to discuss a possible partnership for the development of halal tourism in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

The delegation, which will accompany King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in his visit to Bali from March 4 to March 9, will visit the Mandalika tourist destination in Lombok, an island that won a status as Favorite Halal Tourism Destination 2016, and explore possible tourism investments in the area.

There will be a business meeting on tourism between the ITDC and the Saudi Arabian delegation, said Hiramsyah S. Thaib, head of the Working Group for the Acceleration of the Development of 10 Prioritized Tourism Destinations, in a recent interview as quoted by tribunnews.com on Sunday.

(Read also: King Salman's visit to Indonesia should benefit both countries: House)

Hiramsyah said King Salmans visit to Bali should trigger enthusiasm among tourism business players, including those in Lombok, and therefore could become a prime tourist destination comparable to Bali, both in terms of infrastructure and security.

He said Lombok would have five star-plus hotels after the construction of the Mandalika area is completed.

Information we have received from the Foreign Affairs Ministry says our request for the scheduling of the Saudi Arabian delegations visit to Lombok as a halal tourism destination has been approved by the kingdom, said Hiramsyah.

Tourism Ministry data show that roughly two million tourists from Middle Eastern countries visited Indonesia in 2016. The number is expected to increase to four million tourists in 2018. (rdi/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The National Police have prepared 10,000 personnel, including soldiers from the military, to secure King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sauds visit from March 1 to March 9.

The joint security team officers will be readied in three locations, namely Jakarta; Bogor, West Java; and Bali.

National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin said he had explained the security details for the kings visit to Saudi Arabian Ambassador Osama Muhammad Abdullah Al Shuaibi during their meeting on Monday.

The police chief said at least 2,000 personnel would be readied in Jakarta while 2,225 others would be prepared in Bogor. To secure King Salmans visit in Bali, at least 5,000 personnel have been prepared.

(Read also: King Salman's visit to Indonesia should benefit both countries: House)

Citing his experience as a military attache in Indonesia, Al Shuaibi said he had no doubt in the capacity of the Indonesian Police to anticipate and prevent security disruptions.

My confidence further increased after looking at recent security developments, in which a terrorist attack in Bandung could be contained only within two hours. I appreciate the works of [the National Polices] Densus 88 counterterrorism unit, Osama said.

He was referring to a security operation conducted by the West Java Polices Mobile Brigade against a suspected terrorist, who detonated a bomb in a field near the Arjuna sub-district office in Cicendo district, Bandung, West Java, on Monday.

Syafruddin said securing the visits of state guests was among the National Polices highest priorities. We hope all events during the kings visit will run smoothly, Syafruddin said. (dis/ebf)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27 2017

The absence of a flood early warning system in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta, has forced its residents to rely on their instincts to brace for any flooding, a fact that questions incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnamas claim that warning systems for the citys 13 rivers are functioning properly.

A community unit (RW) head in Cipinang Melayu, Irwan Kurniadi, said that after living for 30 years in a flood-prone area, the residents had been trained to read the natural signs that might indicate flooding of the Sunter reservoir could hit their area.

If the residents notice the river is flowing swiftly and water has started filling the ditches, they will know a flood is coming. We have nothing to warn ourselves except our instincts and experience, Irwan told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

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Linkedin Markus Makur (The Jakarta Post) East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara  Mon, February 27, 2017

A search and rescue team on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara was still searching for two victims who likely drowned in Wae Musur dam in Ranamese district, East Manggarai regency, on Monday while locals accompanied the search with a customary ritual.

Watu Mori villagers and notable figures hit gongs and traditional percussion instruments around the dam in hope it would help the team find the victims.

East Manggarai Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Antonius Dergong said Monday the victims were Firman Y. Saputra, 18, a student of state senior high school SMAN 1 Borong and Ferianus Radus, 18, a Watu Mori villager.

Dergong said the two teenagers were swimming in a river near the dam on Sunday with friends. A friend of the two, Alvian, was then carried away by a current, where the two tried to save him. Both of them are still missing, while Alvian survived and was being treated in a community health center on Monday.

The search and rescue team had deployed a diver on Sunday evening but to no avail because of a lack of visibility. The search continued Monday but the murky water hampered operations. The strong undercurrent in the dam also posed difficulties. (evi)
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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

Almost one year since President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's state visit to Russia, Moscow is still keeping Indonesia's planned weapons purchase under wraps.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Mikhail Galuzin refused to venture into any details on the planned purchase, only noting on the readiness for dialogue and consultation on each item of Indonesia's interest.

"Russia is ready for the broadest possible cooperation with our Indonesian friends in the areas of military and technical activities," Galuzin said during a briefing in Jakarta on Monday.

Citing the positive relations in the military and technical fields between both countries, Galuzin said progress on the deal would be revealed in due course "as soon as there are concrete results."

During bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May, Jokowi had presented a list of defense equipment the country had intended to purchase, which included Kilo-class submarines and Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role jet fighters.

Indonesia has turned to Russia in its attempt to upgrade its military deterrence capabilities, with talks of procuring advanced Russian defense equipment and the joint production of ammunition and arms highlighted during talks between both leaders.

The Southeast Asian country currently operates older iterations of the jet fighter, the Su-27 and Su-30. Indonesia only has two aging submarines in operation, despite its status as the world's largest archipelago. A cooperation with South Korea would soon see the country receive three more, albeit with inferior technology to that of the Russian Kilo class.(jun)
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IBNS): Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu flagged off the Husafar and Antyodaya express trains on Monday through video conferencing from Rail Bhavan, New Delhi.

He also launched a new Partnership in Parcel Business with the Department of Posts (India Post) and a new Catering Policy.

The Sriganganagar-Tiruchirapalli Humsafar Express and the first Antyodaya Express (running between Ernalulam and Howrah) were flagged off by the minister.

Till date, three Humsafar Express trains have been introduced on Indian Railways.

As announced in Railway Budget 2016-17, Antyodaya Express are long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast, trains.

Images: RailMinIndia Twitter
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II has said the construction of a train station at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, will be completed by the end of March and the airport railway line will start operating in July.

The station will connect travelers to Manggarai station in South Jakarta in only 45 minutes.

"The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport train station will be completed in March, at the same time the Skytrain station construction will be completed," Angkasa Pura II president director Muhammad Awaluddin said on Sunday, as quoted by kompas.com.

Construction progress on the station, worth Rp 160 billion (US$11.9 million), has reached 85 percent this month.

(Read also: Construction of airport railway link ongoing despite land clearance problems)

The construction was started in June, 2015, and the final station is expected to accommodate 3,500 travelers.

The station will be equipped with ticket counters, a public hall, tap-in gates, a commercial area, restrooms, a prayer room, a station headroom and will be connected to the Skytrain station.

The station will also accommodate six trains with a capacity of 272 passengers. The total length of the track from the airport to Manggarai station is 36.3 kilometers.

"There are currently 150,000 passengers flying every day at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. We predict the station will decrease the volume of public and private transportation to and from the airport by 20 to 30 percent," Awaluddin said. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

After dominating the investment market for the past few years, startups continue to attract investors this year.

Investors see a startup as a company which fulfills three categories required in businesses, said Morgan Stanley president director Oki Ramadhana.

There are three things, which are usually used as benchmarks in potential businesses that will give profit to investors. Those are scalable, profitable and tractable records, he added.

(Read also: Indosat invests in startups to boost service to customers)

Tokopedia and Gojek are two examples of successful startup businesses in Indonesia, said Northstar co-founder and managing partner Patrick Walujo during a seminar at the University of Indonesia (UI) over the weekend.

Tokopedia only started with the capital worth Rp 200 million (US$15,000) from its founder and former boss. But now, the company has gained US$1 billion, he said.

However, Patrick stressed that it is not only a matter of big money for startup companies but also sustainability.

Its not only about being rich, but how to make the company grow over time. Therefore, startup owners need to find an investor partner that will help them to step up to the next level, he added. (ecn/bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

A man who authorities suspect blew up a cooking pot in Pandawa Park in Arjuna subdistrict in Bandung on Monday died en route to Sartika Asih Police Hospital after police shot him, West Java Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus said.

He was in critical condition and he died en route to the hospital, Yusri said Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.

The police took the suspect to the hospital from the Arjuna subdistrict office at about 12 noon after an officer shot him.

He was shot once in the front, Yusri said.



After allegedly blowing up a cooking pot in Pandawa Park, the suspect tried to escape from the police in the Arjuna subdistrict office in Cicendo district, Bandung, West Java. The suspect tried to set fire to the second floor of the office before the police shot him. No fatalities were reported from the attack. (evi)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Mon, February 27, 2017

After exchanging fire for more than one hour with a suspected terrorist, fully equipped personnel from the West Java Polices Mobile Brigade managed to secure the Arjuna sub-district office in Cicendo district, Bandung, West Java, at around 10:45 a.m. local time on Monday.

The raid was conducted with support from Bandung administration fire fighters, who extinguished fires on the second floor of the sub-district office. Shortly after, police personnel neutralized the attacker with dozens of gunshots, which could be heard clearly by local residents gathered outside the building.

The perpetrator was shot, said West Java Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus as quoted by kompas.com on Monday. The police are still trying to ascertain the motive behind the attack.

Before entering the Arjuna sub-district office, the perpetrator detonated a bomb at the Pandawa field, located behind the office. We still dont know the reasons for his act. We are still investigating, said Yusri.

As reported earlier, a man carrying a backpack entered the Arjuna sub-district office on Monday morning.

Separately, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan said the police were forced to shoot the perpetrator because he was attempting to burn down the sub-district office. It was worried that the fires flaring up in the office would spread to other buildings nearby.

We ordered personnel to arrest the perpetrator alive. He has been taken to the hospital, said Anton. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Jakarta Education Agency is reviewing the operational permits and the accreditations of three vocational high schools whose students were involved in a recent brawl in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, that claimed one life.

Agency secretary Susi Nurhati said on Sunday it held a meeting to evaluate the incident and summoned the headmasters and the foundations chairpeople of the three privately-owned schools.

The Jakarta Education Agency is reviewing the schools operational permits. It is also in communication with the Jakarta accreditation agency to review their accreditations, Susi was quoted by wartakotalive.com as saying.

The three schools in question are: SMK Budi Murni 4 and SMK Adi Luhur 2, both in East Jakarta, and SMK Bunda Kandung in South Jakarta. The first two schools have received an A from the National Accreditation Body, meanwhile the latter has been accredited with an A by the Jakarta Accreditation Body.

A video showing the brawl went viral. The brawl, which allegedly took place on Feb. 14 and involved 17 students from SMK Budi Murni 4 and six students from SMK Bunda Kandung versus 18 students from SMK Adi Luhur 2. The student who died in the incident was from SMK Bunda Kandung.

It is not clear what caused the brawl. Police said four students became the main perpetrators, one has been arrested and the other three remained at large. The police are questioning students from each of the three schools. (Saf)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017

President Joko Jokowi Widodo received United Nations' Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais and delegations of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund to discuss various issues pertaining to children at the State Palace on Monday.

One of the topics discussed during the meeting was the child marriage rate, which Pais claimed was still high in Indonesia, adding that 25 percent of girls in the country got married before the age of 18.

She said getting married at a young age would result in increasing mortality rates in Indonesia when young girls gave birth. The health of [young] mothers is affected and they may even die. The babies will also be at risk, Pais said.

Pais said girls who married would unlikely be given the chance to go back to school.

The girls potential is undermined and the potential of the nation is also compromised, she added.

Despite the high child marriage rate, Pais said Indonesian in general had expressed its commitment to place children at the heart of its global sustainable development agenda to create a world free from violence against children.

We were very encouraged by the important reaffirmation of commitment by [President Jokowi] to these goals and we are very encouraged by the opportunity that Indonesia can act as a good example and model toward the countries within Asia and globally, she said. (evi)
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Linkedin Nani Afrida (The Jakarta Post)  Mon, February 27 2017

In 2007, activist Ita F. Nadia authored a book titled Suara Perempuan Korban Tragedi 65 (Voices of Female Victims of the 1965 Tragedy), a compilation of testimonies from 10 women who were detained and, upon their return to society, stigmatized as communist supporters.



One interesting story is about Yanti, a survivor from Jakarta who was arrested and detained without trial when she was only 14 years old. Yanti was a member of Peoples Youth (Pemuda Rakyat), a wing of the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).



She was actively involved in Peoples Youth activities at Lubang Buaya, an area in East Jakarta where seven Army generals were murdered during a botched coup attempt in 1965 that the New Order government of then president Soeharto blamed on the PKI.



Yanti told the author of her traumatic past. She said she was raped and tortured by prison guards. After her release, she worked as a domestic maid for one of the guards, and said she was sexually enslaved by her employer.



As her dying wish, she said, I would like to meet the families of the murdered generals and tell them that I didnt kill them, let alone commit sadism like cutting off their genitals as I was accused of.



Yanti revealed that she had been haunted by communist stigma. She was afraid of meeting people and she hid her traumatic past from her husband.



Her disheartening account reflected the fate of anyone who was accused of having any sort of connection with the PKI. Many had to bear the stigma even when cases implicating them had never been taken to court.

They were subject to arbitrary arrest, torture and imprisonment without proper trials. Even after they were released, their identity cards were marked  a stigmatization that denied them and their offspring of civil rights, such as working in the public sector.



Their suspected involvement with the banned party came in three categories, as stated in official documents: Class A (cases were taken to court), Class B (lacking evidence for trial) and Class C (sympathizers).



Since the bungled coup attempt, strongman Soeharto had issued numerous regulations banning the PKI and restricting the partys members, sympathizers and their relatives from joining the civil service.



Historian Asvi Warman Adam said president Soeharto would do anything to keep his administration free from PKI elements. In 1981, Soeharto formally banned anyone linked to the party and their family members from the civil service and armed forces, or other strategic jobs such as teaching and preaching.



In 1990, Soeharto issued a decree ordering a special assessment of civil servants. Candidates for civil service jobs (pending appointment) or active civil servants set to be assigned specific duties were regularly scrutinized regarding their or any of their family members involvement in the 1965 tragedy.





There was also an obligation for people looking for work to obtain a certificate from the police stating that they were not involved in the communist movement.



The regulations stigmatized suspected communists and PKI sympathizers along with their relatives and offspring. Many bear the shame until today.



In 2000, then president Abdurrahman Gus Dur Wahid unsuccessfully sought the revocation of a 1966 Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree. He was the first president to apologize to victims of the states mistreatment. His successor, Megawati Soekarnoputri, reaffirmed communist disbandment in 2003.



Besides the two regulations, the government also issued several other regulations aimed at preventing a communist revival. New provisions in the amended Criminal Code would lengthen the list.



Rocky Gerung, a philosophy lecturer at the University of Indonesia, criticized the inclusion of the ban on communism in the Criminal Code.



Its a bad idea for the ongoing reconciliatory efforts and it exacerbates victims sense of injustice. The younger generations should be freed from this political animosity they have nothing to do with, he said in an interview with The Jakarta Post.



In April last year, the government sponsored a national symposium that brought together some of the surviving victims of the 1965 tragedy, their families and military representatives.



During the event, Haryono, Institute for the Rehabilitation of New Order Victims spokesman, said many had fallen victim to the 1965 massacre, thus it was important for the government to extend an apology.



We dont want to revive communism in Indonesia. We just want to ask the President to promote reconciliation, he said.







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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28 2017

Indonesia must strengthen its grip over economic opportunities presented by ASEAN as it has failed to take full advantage of the trade sector, a discussion in Jakarta has concluded recently.

Although Indonesia enjoys a big chunk of ASEAN investment, Foreign Policy Community Indonesia (FPCI) director Dino Patti Djalal said awareness of the ASEAN Economic Community among Indonesians to drive interest in intra-ASEAN trade sat at an exceptionally low rate.

The country received 42.7 percent of intra-ASEAN foreign direct investment inflows or US$9.49 billion, the biggest amount among all 10 ASEAN member states, Dino said, citing ASEAN Secretariat data published in 2016. Total FDI inflows amounted to $22.23 billion.

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Today, much of the content we teach becomes outdated almost as soon as we teach it. Quality education in the contemporary world is about developing our pupils to be global citizens, ready to engage in the real world in a creative, productive and positive manner. Key in our classroom is the building of a strong and broad skill base that will enable our students to find the answers, design the answers, make the answers, question the answers, critique the answers and question their own answers, rather than recite the answers when prompted.

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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram  Tue, February 28 2017

A former migrant worker from North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is suspected of having fallen victim to organ trafficking while working in the worlds richest country, shedding light on the vulnerability of Indonesians working abroad.

Flying to Doha to become a housemaid in 2014, Sri Rabitah, 25, did not realize until recently that one of her kidneys had been removed.

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New Delhi, Feb 27 (IBNS): Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Monday that more than half of Waqf properties are under the clutches of waqf mafias, according to media reports.

The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (I/C) was addressing the 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council, in New Delhi on Monday.

The Central Government has launched a campaign on war footing to free Waqf properties from clutches of Waqf mafia, the minister said.

He tweeted, "PM @narendramodi s Govt has taken effective measures to utilize Waqf properties for socio-economic-educational empowerment of society."

Minister Naqvi said that discussion on development of Waqf properties held at 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi was "fruitful".

He also said, "Our aim is to make all the Waqf properties records digital in next one year. Centre is helping the states in this regard."

A delegation led by Sheikh Aboobacker Musliyar, General Secretary, All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama met the minister on Monday, media reported.

Image: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Twitter
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Linkedin Joeal Calupitan (Associated Press) Boracay, Philippines  Mon, February 27, 2017

The Philippines' top diplomat said Tuesday it remains to be seen whether China will cooperate fully in ongoing efforts to craft a legally binding pact designed to prevent aggressive behavior in the disputed South China Sea.

Despite the likelihood of tough negotiations ahead, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. expressed confidence that the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China could at least complete a framework for such a pact, called a code of conduct, as early as June.

Efforts to forge such a regional nonaggression pact have dragged on for years without any concrete sign of when it might be completed. Asian and Western governments led by the United States have called for the rapid conclusion of such an accord as territorial disputes in the South China Sea escalated in recent years.

China, however, has opposed a legally binding agreement that could block its actions to assert its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, a senior Southeast Asian diplomat involved in the negotiations for the nonaggression pact told The Associated Press.

Yasay said he was confident a framework for the agreement could be finalized by mid-year "on the basis of the fact that everyone, including all of the ASEAN member states and China are pushing hard for this."

"Whether, in fact, China will be able to cooperate along the way is something that we cannot say for now," Yasay said, without elaborating, after hosting a closed-door meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on the central Philippine resort island of Boracay.

"China will not agree to anything that will tie its hands," said Jay Batongbacal, who heads the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the state-run University of the Philippines.

China's cooperation is crucial, Yasay said. While Southeast Asian governments generally want a strong pact, Yasay suggested the regional group would not want to craft a framework that is unacceptable to Beijing and would simply be "a piece of paper that will just further prolong discussions on the matter without getting any tangible results."

When China seized Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef in 1995, the Manila government strongly protested and took steps that led to the start of negotiations for a regional accord with China to discourage actions that might spark armed confrontations.

Bejing's opposition to a legally binding pact then, however, led to the signing in 2002 of a nonbinding declaration to encourage China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam to avoid aggressive actions in one of Asia's potential flashpoints.

China and rival claimant countries, however, have traded accusations of violating the 2002 pact, which urged them to "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities" and refrain "from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features."

In the last three years, China has turned seven mostly submerged reefs, including Mischief Reef, into man-made islands, including at least three with runways. It also reportedly installed defense missile systems on the new islands, sparking alarm and protests from rival claimants.

The Philippines used to be the most vocal Southeast Asian critic of China's actions in the disputed waters, successfully questioning the legal basis of Beijing's claims in an arbitration case Manila won in July last year. Current President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has taken steps to reach out to China and has prioritized improved economic engagement.

That has helped deescalate tensions in the disputed waters, a key waterway for Asian commerce and security, but removed a key player that had defiantly stood against China's territorial ambitions along with the United States. That raises a question about how far the ASEAN bloc can push against China's assertiveness now, Batongbacal said.

"If the Philippines won't push, Vietnam and the others won't do it alone," he said. "There will be no pressure to come up with anything really substantial."

___

Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila contributed to this report. (**)
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Linkedin Hamza Hendawi (Associated Press) Cairo  Mon, February 27, 2017 14:58 2078 a291276806121264c0bd211cde204db4 2 News Egypt,Visa,visa-fee,tourism,travel,travelers Free

Egypt's plans to more than double charges for entry visas paid by foreign visitors arriving in the country have been put off until July 1, according to the Tourism Ministry.

A ministry statement late on Saturday gave no other details, but Egyptian officials explained that the postponement was made at the request of leaders of the tourism sector who warned that introducing the higher charges now  from $25 up to $60  would further hurt the struggling industry as the off-season approaches.

(Read also: Marveling at Egypt's historic civilization, man-made structures)

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Egypt's vital tourism industry has been decimated after Islamic militants downed a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in October 2015, killing all 224 people on board. The crash prompted Russia to suspend all air links to Egypt and Britain to halt flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, a popular Red Sea resort in Sinai from which the doomed Russian airliner took off shortly before it crashed.

The sector has, however, shown signs of slow recovery since the beginning of the year.
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017 15:45 2078 a291276806121264c0bd211cde2066a5 1 News Pakistan-International-Airlines,Airlines,airline-safety,#airlines,passenger Free

Pakistan International Airlines reportedly carried an extra seven passengers on one of its flights last month.

The passengers boarded the three-hour flight from Karachi in Pakistan to Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 20, and later had to stand in the aisles throughout the journey, according to The Times of India.

The Boeing 777 aircraft used by the airline is said to have a 409-person seating capacity, however, the PK-743 flight carried a total of 416 passengers.

(Read also: Low-cost Norwegian Air promises bargain flights to Europe)

The excess passengers reportedly boarded the flight using handwritten, not computer-generated, boarding passes issued by the airlines ground traffic staff.

The flight captain Anwer Adil told Dawn Newspaper that he was not informed about the extra passengers until take-off.

Pakistan International Airlines admitted to BBC News that the flight had indeed carried extra passengers. The company's spokesman Danyal Gilani said that the issue was currently under investigation and appropriate action would be taken once responsibility was ascertained.

Aviation experts said that the airline had violated safety regulations, as in during an emergency the extra passengers would not have access to oxygen and might cause a blockage during evacuation. (kes)
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Linkedin Debbie Pappyn (Bloomberg)  Mon, February 27, 2017

When the weather is bad and days are short, workers can feel especially cooped up in the officeand bogged down in constant contact with other human beings. All the more reason to choose a vacation destination that is so remote and so untouched by modernity that you will feel truly alone. At these 10 places, there's no Wi-Fi or bad cell reception, and there's very few other humans. So go ahead and turn on that out of office and into the wild notification.

Tierra Patagonia, Chile

Dont assume that this hotel is high-tech just because of its cutting-edge architecture. Staying here means zero cell phone signal or Wi-Fi in the roomswhich are wall-to-wall blonde wood and hand-crafted furnishings. Consider it a benefit rather than a drawback; itll allow you to focus completely on the stunning Patagonian landscape and the Torres del Paine peaks in the distance. Three day packages from $2,300 per person.

Jacks Camp, Botswana

One of the campaign-style tents at Jack's Camp, in the Kalahari Desert.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

Most luxury camps in Africa offer Wi-Fi, even in the tents. But this elegant campowned by the legendary guide Ralph Bousfield and set deep in the Kalahari salt pansis guaranteed to keep your cell phone off and your wildlife game on. The only downside to your data blackout? Not being able to post those cute meerkat photos until you get home. From $990 per person, per night, all-inclusive.

(Read also: Fancy a holiday in mining wasteland?)

Jamtara Wilderness Camp, India

The kind of non-digitally-connected bliss you can expect at Jamtara Wilderness Camp, in India.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

One helpful staff member of the romantic Jamtara Wilderness Camp, near tiger-filled Pench National Park in India, told us that if we really wanted cell phone reception, we'd have to drive a bit, then get out of the car and hold the phone high up in the air. But watch out for curious cats while trying! He said. We politely passed on his offer and cozied up with a G&T under the giant baobab tree to watch the stars. Rooms from $588, all-inclusive.

Great Bear Lodge, Vancouver Island

The floating cabin that anchors Great Bear Lodge, in Vancouver Island.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

Pack your binoculars, not your laptop, if youre heading to this cub-filled oasis on Vancouver Island. Mandatory seaplane transfers mean that light packing is mandatory, and theres no cell phone reception or Wi-Fi once you land. Only bears. Lots and lots of bears. Upstairs are simple, yet comfortable roomsall brand-new, with views of the water and wilderness reserve. Downstairs, home-cooked meals and free-flowing local wine are the perfect counterweight to days in the wild. Three night packages from $1500 per person, all-inclusive.

Bahia Bustamante, Argentina

Former fishermen's cottages were turned into a hotel, now called Bahia Bustamante.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

The moment you finally lose your diminishing 3G in the northern Chubut region of Argentinean Patagonia, you know you are in for a treat. Here in Bahia Bustamante, youll find a former seaweed-harvesting village and estancia that has been turned into a quaint hotel, with a handful of fishermens cottages that now serve as delightful hotel rooms with panoramic Atlantic views. Go watch penguins, whales, and sea lions around the protected, privately owned peninsula on which the estancia is locatedknowing the only reason to bring your phone is for cute super-slow-mo videos. Three nights from $1,000, double, all-inclusive.

(Read also: Exploring Japan's rising dragon)

Convento di Santa Maria di Constantinopoli, Puglia, Italy

The stunning and little-known Convento di Santa Maria di Constantinopoli, in Puglia.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

The graceful lady of the house, Athena McAlpine, doesnt want to install Wi-Fi in her amazing, one-of-a-kind convento in Puglia, hidden deep in the south of Italy. And why should she? The home is practically a museum, filled with tribal art pieces and eccentricities collected from around the world. Phone service is also a no-go: The centuries-old, meter-thick walls of this former monastery prevent any cell phone signal from entering. Its the perfect excuse to relax in the lounge chairs at the pool, a glass of Italian rose in handall courtesy of your eccentric hostess. Rooms from $400, bookable via e-mail.

Nimmu House, Ladakh, India

This retreat is nestled 11,000 feet up in the Himalayas.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

Even in the capital of this spirited Indian region, located 11,000 feet high in the Himalayas, the internet can cut out for days (or weeks) at a time. Nimmu House makes that feel glamorous: It was once a royal palace, and now has three rooms and five luxurious tents with access to ancient-feeling apple and apricot orchards. Tune out. Or go on a trek through stunningly serene Ladakh. Nobody will find you, either way. Two day packages from $240 per person, all-inclusive.

Ratua Island, Vanuatu

Ratua Private Island, in Vanuatu, is even farther-flung than Fiji or Bora Bora.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

The views of the azure-blue lagoon from your rooms wooden deck are begging to be Instagrammed. But thats not possible on Ratua Island a private island, all-villa retreat in Vanuatu. You wont care, though: This barefoot luxury hideaway is more secret and more exclusive than any resort in well-trod Bora Bora or crowd-packed Fiji. Rooms from $300.

Briol, South-Tyrol, Italy

This isn't the Italy you think you know.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

The most magical way to reach this old and delightful pension is on foot (with your luggage towed separately in a speedy 4x4 Fiat Panda). Johanna, the eccentric owner of Briol, has preserved the character of this inn by not adding any modern luxuriesforcing you to focus on the nature outside. With startling Tyrolian mountain peaks on view from your private balcony, thats no problem at all. Rooms from $105 per person, all-inclusive.

(Read also: Four things to do when visiting Purworejo)

Jalman Meadows Ger Camp, Mongolia

Jalman Meadows, in Mongolia, is every bit as peaceful and hidden away as it looks.(David De Vleeschauwer via Bloomberg/File)

Youll say out of office like you really mean it the moment you zip out of Ulaanbaatars city limits and into rural Mongolia. Stay in a comfortable camp such as Jalman Meadowswhich has 14 well-appointed tents, many with private showers and wooden stovesand spend some time with the nomads who live here. Switching off has never felt so Zen. Days are spend hiking the Khan Khentii protected wilderness park in which the camp is located, fishing in the nearby Upper Tuul River, or riding horses with the nomads. From $73 per person, per night, including meals.

Look for the authors book, Remote Places, hereher next book, Remote Experiences, is due out in the second half of 2017.
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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, February 27, 2017 08:31 2078 a291276806121264c0bd211cde1e3a4c 1 News and-action-asia,japan-foundation-asia-center,Philippines,Japan,film-exchange-program,film-workshop Free

In its third year, an annual exchange program for Asian film students is set to be held in the Philippines from Feb. 26 to March 10. Entitled and Action! Asia #03, the program is attended by 19 film students from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Three students from the Jogja Film Academy will take part in the program this year, namely Egha Muhammad Harismina, Evan Secunda and Herry Setyadi. They will be accompanied by their lecturer, Yusmita Akhirul Latif.

The students will participate in several activities in the 13-day program, such as lectures, co-producing short films in Quezon City and screening their short films. They will get the opportunity to learn from guest speakers, including renowned film producer Bianca Balbuena, film director Carlitos Siguion Reyna and screenwriting guru Armando Bing Lao.

The screening will be open to the public on March 8 at the Cine Adarna UP Film Institute.

Read also: Indonesia to have own version of Harry Potter book cover

and Action! Asia #03 aims to encourage a new generation of filmmakers from Asia to achieve a greater understanding of filmmaking in other countries, expand their networks in the region and use their experience for their studies as well as careers.

This is the first time the program is held outside Japan, which is a result of collaboration between the Japan Foundation Asia Center, a unit of the Japan Foundation, and the University of the Philippines Film Institute. The program also cooperates with Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

The program has been held since 2015. Students from different Asian countries, such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, have participated. Students from the Jakarta Institute of Arts took part in 2015 and 2016. (asw)
A Lakewood Police Officer and another driver were hospitalized after an accident in Lakewood this afternoon.

The officer was responding to an accident and heading South on New Hampshire Avenue when a driver  reportedly unlicensed  pulled out of the MUA lot  making a left turn, police tell TLS. The officer struck the vehicle on its drivers side.

Both the officer and other driver were hospitalized.

Hes got some bumps and bruises, other than that hes okay, Police Chief Greg Meyer said of the officer. The other drivers injuries were also not serious.

Lakewoods Traffic Safety division and Ocean County Prosecutors Office are investigating the accident.

The Northbound lanes of New Hampshire Avenue are shut from Cedarbridge Avenue for the investigation.

[TLS-CZ/TLS-007]
Several Lower East Side non-profit organizations are receiving millions of dollars from New York Citys District Attorneys Office for youth programs.

DA Cy Vance announced $58 million in grants for crime prevention initiatives during a media event held at the headquarters of The Door, a community-based group in Soho, earlier today. The Criminal Justice Investment Initiative was created using criminal forfeiture funds from settlements with international banks. Vance said hes convinced that law enforcement cant just be about arrests in prosecutions. We can deliver greater public safety and healthier communities if we prevent young people from coming into contact with the criminal justice system in the first place, said Vance.

The program will allow five organizations in Manhattan neighborhoods identified as areas in need of investment to set up Youth Opportunity Hubs. They include East Harlem, Central and West Harlem, Washington heights and the Lower East Side.

In our community, Henry Street Settlement will receive up to $8.4 million, including $2.7 in capital funding for the new physical space. The local hub will knit together youth services offered by Henry Street and other not-for-profit groups on the Lower East Side.

Two other local organizations are receiving grants to expand their family and youth development programs. Educational Alliance was awarded $1.33 million for its dual generation initiatives, which seek to lift up young children as well as their parents. University Settlement is the recipient of a $1.33 million award for parenting groups and adolescents.
Guwahati, Feb 27 (IBNS): Assam government on Monday said that the state government will not take any burden of excess cost to provide salary to more teachers and employees by provincialising more venture educational institutions.

While submitting the White Paper on Provincialisation of Services Employees of educational institutions under Assam Venture Educational Institutional Institutions (Provincialisation of Service) Act, 2011 in Assam assembly on the behalf of Assam Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that, the total additional financial implication to meet the expenditure for provincialisation of services of the employees of the venture educational institutions would be Rs 756 crore annually for the institutions falling under Elementary, Secondary and Higher education.



Apart from it, the state government would be required additional of fund of around Rs 40 crore annually for provincialisation of services of employees of Madrasa institutions and Sanskrit Tols, Patowary said.



The Assam minister said that, to cope with the requirement of additional funds, it will necessary as education cess may have to be levied on certain Goods and Services.



For the purpose of provincialisation of the services of the employees of venture educational institutions, the state government can by separate acts or rules as the case may be created a pool of fund from various sources through taxation, levies, toll cess. After such imposition and collection, the shortage can be supplemented from the consolidated fund of the state to meet the requirement of salary and other dues, Patowary said.



The state government said in the White Paper that, the services of 41,658 employees of 8,490 elementary, secondary and higher educational institutions have been provincialised under the provincialisation act, 2011.



Apart from it, a total of 33,668 employees of 6608 institutions, which are eligible as per the provincialisation act, 2011, but have not yet been provincialised.



The state government had suggested through the White Paper that, total ban on provincialisation of educational institutions which were not recognized or received permission or concurrence up to last class before January 1, 2006.



Covers all eligible teachers on the basis of the total enrolment of schools, colleges including subject wise enrolment without discriminating on the basis of maximum ceiling on the number of teachers, the state government suggested.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Feb 27 (IBNS): Security forces on Monday apprehended a NSCN (IM) militant in Arunachal Pradesh.

Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, based on specific intelligence about presence of one cadre trying to terrorize and attempting forced extortion in Longding town, the Longding Battalion under the aegis of DAO division conducted operation at Niausa village on Monday evening and nabbed the militant.



The nabbed militant was identified as Akha Wangsu, one self styled lance coporal of the outfit.



Security forces recovered a pistol and several rounds of live ammunition in possession from him.



He admitted allegiance to NSCN (IM) and further divulged that he has been an active part of the banned outfit since August 2015 during preliminary interrogation, Konwer said.



The security forces has been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this apprehension has struck a blow to the extortion activities being carried out by the underground cadres of the group in the area.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)

Image:google maps
Fancy exploring a side of the Arab world you wont see on the evening news? Get free tickets to the BBCs Arabic Festival.

Global politics and the mass media have catapulted the Arab world to the forefront of daily news. Were bombarded with images of the Syrian Civil War, Daesh operations, or more recently, the battle for Mosul. It paints a pretty one dimensional and dismal scene of the state of the Middle East at the moment.

Cue the BBC Arabic Festival. Now in its third year, and with the backing of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, it looks to be bigger than ever. The festival is set to bring together real stories of real people, with a particular emphasis on lives affected by political violence, displacement and poverty. Therell also be fictional films on offer, using the platform to explore these topics as well as extremism.

The festival opens on Friday March 24th with a screening of 2015s award winning short films. Filmmaker Adam Curtis (Hypernormalisation, Bitter Lake) will kick off proceedings. From 12pm on the same day, the area outside the BBC (just up the road from Oxford Circus) will see a street food market with tastes from the Arab World, as well as musical accompaniments. This is open to all.

The festival awards filmmakers every year. This year, the winner of 2015s Young Journalist Award, Jumana Saadeh, will be debuting her new film No Kids Land. It follows the story of unaccompanied children in need of foster care in Jordan and Lebanon. Saadeh managed to make this film using training and equipment she received as part of her prize.

Films will be screened over the week, with an awards ceremony on 30th March marking the end of the events.

Check out the schedule for the festival below:

Friday 24th March

Opening Night and Street Market

Saturday 25th March

12pm. A screening of a series of short films. Included in the repetoire: Mare Nostrum (a Syrian father puts his daughters life at risk), Aida (alluding to the myth of Sisyphus) and Searching for Abbas Kiasrostami (eulogy to Syrian filmmakers).

3pm. Roshmia. The film follows an elderly couple facing displacement in Haifas Roshmia Valley, followed by a Q&A with director Salim AbuJabal.

6pm. The Art of Moving, about a group of Syrian political exiles in their new home of South-East Turkey, along with a director Q&A

Sunday 26th March

12pm. Wheels of War. Rami Kodeihs debut is about a group of ex-militia men reflecting on their war-filled past in Lebanon.

3pm. Short documentary screenings including: A Man Returned. This short doc follows Reda, who has found himself back at a refugee camp in Lebanon after three years in Greece as a heroin addict. He finds love, and marries, upon his return. Babor Casanova, Then They Said: Refugees.

6pm. Ambulance. This film by Mohamed Jabaly debuted at Sheffield Doc Fest last year. Jabaly spent time in the front seat of an ambulance in Gaza 2014, and documented what he saw.

Monday 27th March

12pm. BBC Documentary Premiere. This is the first showing of a documentary which tells the untold story of the seige of Meccas Grand Mosque.

6pm. Houses Without Doors. See this for an exploration of the parallels between the Armenian genocide and Syrias current state. Followed by Director Q&A.

Tuesday 28th March

12pm. A series of short documentaries exploring ISIS, Moroccan smugglers, Mecca, and poverty.

The festival closes on Thursday 30th March, with an awards ceremony. You can apply for free tickets to the festival here.
A lot of people are fed up and angry at the gross ignorance and misogyny

Sick of these comments, artists Zoe Buckman and Natalie Frank decided to gather 37 misogynistic quotes from US elected leaders and put them on a a mural in New York for all to see.

The 32ft by 10ft mural, which launched earlier this month, is entitled We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident.

It is open to the public at Ford Foundation Live Gallery at New York Live Arts, and can be seen from the pavement.

kickstarter The two artists launched apage to raise over $8,000 for the project, on which you can see a video of them reading out some of the quotes.

"We wanted to find a way to make a statement that's not just arresting but also hopefully quite exciting and aesthetic because beauty and art is our currency," Buckman said.

The politicians quoted include Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Bill Clinton, Jeb Bush and Ted Kennedy.

"Trump was a tipping point," said Frank.

"This election was really an assault on so many types of people and for me, as a woman, it was especially horrendous to hear him say those things."

The mural features the famous Trump quote claiming that he could 'grab women by the pussy'.

Other comments include a tweet which read: "If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?"

The quotes are displayed on a background photo of a group of white men gathered around a table.

The scene features a painting of a nude woman in reference to the longstanding objectification of women's bodies.

Frank and Buckman are part of a growing movement of American women taking a stand against the new president using art.
Aside from Trump making political faux passes left and right, and Labour somehow losing a won battle, the world was filled with bizarre and interesting stories last week.

Protests in Pretoria

South African police have had to use extreme measures to break up anti-immigration protests in the capital Pretoria. Rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon were used to disperse the crowds, and a low-flying helicopter broke up a fight between protesters and foreigners. Both sides were armed with sticks, bricks and knives.

Mamelodi Concerned Residents is the biggest group involved in the protests, and has blamed foreign nationals for taking jobs and getting involved in prostitution rings and drug cartels. Immigrant communities deny these accusations.

While many unemployed South Africans are angry at migrants for taking their jobs, President Jacob Zuma has claimed protests are "anti-crime", not anti-migrant.

Iraqi forces take back Mosul

Iraq is slowly making its way through Mosul, which is currently occupied by the so-called Islamic State (IS). On Friday, Iraqi forces entered a neighbourhood in West Mosul for the first time after an operation to retake it was launched on Sunday, February 25th.

The city's airport was taken back on Thursday, and western Mosul contains the last vestiges of the Islamic State's hold over the ancient city. IS forces were driven out of eastern Mosul last month.

Meanwhile, Iraq's prime minister Haider al-Abadi has announced that the air force has carried out its first strikes against IS in Syria. Two places from where bombings in Baghdad have been carried out were targeted.

IS bases in Syria are already being attacked by a multi-national air campaign, as well as on the ground.

The saga of the Kuala Lumpur airport assasination

caught on CCTV A real life crime saga is unfurling in the Orient. On the morning of February 13th, Kim Jong Nam, the estranged brother of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was killed in the Kuala Lumpur international airport, Malaysia. Two womenwere arrested.

The situation took a turn for the worse, when it was found that he was killed with a VX nerve agent, a type of poison that's so extremely potent it's classified by the UN as a weapon od mass destruction. It's so potent that a single drop of it is enough to kill an adult. It's tasteless as well as odourless, and can be ingested by the body in any way. Kim died on the way to the hospital minutes after the attack.

This isn't a poison that can be made in one's home, but rather one that needs special laboratory conditions. That, along with the fact that Kim Jong Nam has been one of the greatest critics of the North Korean regime, points the finger to North Korea. Pyongyang, however, denies any responsibility, and doesn't even identify the body in their press release.

How this will affect the friendly relationship between North Korea and Malaysia is still up in the air.

Ukrainian businessman extradited to the USA

If you feel like your week hasn't been exactly great, it's definitely been better than Dmytro Firtash's. The Ukrainian businessman and oligarch has been stranded in Austria for the last three years, and on Tuesday the Austrian court approved his extradition to the US where he faces bribery charges.

Immediately after the decision, however, Firtash was detained on a European arrest warrant based on a separate request from the Spanish authorities.

Firtash was first arrested over bribery charges in Vienna in March 2014, and has been living there ever since after paying 125 million Euros (106m) for bail. His court case has dragged on, since he denies all charges and claims this is just an excuse for the EU to keep him off the Ukrainian political scene.

He's seen as a former ally of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, whose presidential mandate sparked the start of the Ukrainian protests. Both of them are seen as having close ties to Russia.

Drone reveals tiger farm

Adorable drone footage showing Siberian tigers acting like, well, giant domestic cats, is thought to have revealed a dark secret.

While the amount of wild tigers in China can be counted on your fingers, the large number of tigers in the video point to a tiger slaughterhouse.

The tigers are kept in terrible conditions and are in fact bred to be slaughtered for their fur, meat and other body parts. The footage shows the tigers chasing the drone, until one of them leaps up, catches it and tries to eat it.

According to Vice News , it was taken in the Harbin Siberian Tiger Park in northeast China. This tiger farm has posed as an animal rescue centre.

" >
We'll admit that running 7km isn't something we'd normally sign up to out of choice. But the 2017 Paris Love Run might just have the power to change that.

The Paris Love Run is in a whole new league of fun runs. Runners are instructed to pair-up with their significant other, or a friend or family member, and run the full 7km course at each other's side.

'What if they lose each other?' we hear you ask. Well, never fear, because runners will be literally tied together.

Yep. You better pick a running mate that you get along well with, because you will be tied at the wrist, in a move we're assured is not at all a safety hazard.

On top of this, runners are encouraged to dress up in themed couple costumes, with prizes for the best-dressed duos.

The aim of the event is to 'celebrate togetherness', so there's no time limit, and the emphasis is on having fun rather than finishing first.

Other perks include a 'love balloon' for each pair, and a huge party after the run - by then you'll probably have earned it!

Tickets are 65 per pair, with part of the profits going to the charity Mecenat Chirurgie Cardiaque, which provides much-needed operations for children with heart defects in developing countries.

lastminute.com Alternatively, you can grab a weekend deal with, and get a double ticket for the run, Eurostar travel for two people from London to Paris and a double room for one night from 119.

Grab your trainers, pick your running mate and get going!
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Guwahati, Feb 27 (IBNS): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said that, the state government is committed to the equal development of Barak Valley along with Brahmaputra Valley and a total of two thousand crore for initiating rapid development of Barak Valley has already been earmarked.

While participating as the chief guest in the Special Distribution Camp for Divyangjan held under the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase, Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme at Town Club Ground, Silchar, the Assam CM said that four bridges over Barak River will be built and flyovers would be constructed for easing traffic congestions.



Stating that all government offices and institutions in the state would be made barrier free for facilitating easy accessibility for the specially able persons, Sonowal said that ex gratia of 5000 rupees and monthly 1000 rupees would be provided by the state government for differently able persons for their treatment from the next year.



Saying that the state government along with Central government has initiated many welfare schemes for the differently able section of the society, Sonowal urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the schemes for their betterment.



Stating that differently able people have lots of potential to make meaningful contribution to the society Sonowal reiterated the governments commitment to their welfare.



Stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modis sabka sath sabka vikash is the guiding mantra of the government to develop all sections of the society equally, the Assam CM urged the people to keep a strict watch over the governments functioning for ensuring good governance at all levels.



The Assam CM distributed various equipments like wheel chair, tricycle to the beneficiaries in Mondays camp.



He also handed a cheque of Rs 4 lakhs as ex gratia to a person named Shivcharan Das who lost his wife due to burn injuries.



Presiding over the meeting Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said that the Central government is taking all steps to improve the social perceptions of specially able persons in the country and many schemes have been launched for the welfare of specially able persons like insurance of two lakh rupees, free treatment, free distribution of mobile and other digital equipments etc.



Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar also spoke in the meeting.



State PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Dilip Paul, MP Sushmita Deb were also present in the meeting.



Former Central Minister Kabindra Purkayastha along with several MLAs were present in the meeting.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Image: YouTube

Los Angeles, Feb 27 (IBNS): Actor Casey Affleck won the Best Actor award for his performance in the movie Manchester by the Sea.

On the other hand, Emma Stone clinched the best actress award for 'La La Land'.

The film's film's Damien Chazelle was awarded the Best Director award on the star studded night.


New York, Feb 27 (Just Earth News): Disregard for human rights is a adisease,a United Nations Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres on Monday told the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council, urging Member States to uphold the rights of all people in the face of rising populism and extremism.

Addressing the top UN human rights body for the first time since becoming Secretary-General, Guterres appealed to world governments to speak up for human rights in an impartial way.

Disregard for human rights is a disease, and it is a disease that is spreading  North, South, East and West, the Secretary-General told the high-level segment of the 34th regular session of the Human Rights Council, alongside UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. The Human Rights Council must be part of the cure.

Having lived under the dictatorship of Portugal's Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, Guterres explained that he was 24 before he knew democracy. Denying his compatriots their human rights had oppressed and impoverished many of them, resulting in a mass exodus, and also brought bloody civil wars to Portugal's former colonies in Africa.

Calling on Monday's world more dangerous, less predictable, more chaotic, the Secretary-General called for making prevention a priority, tackling root causes of conflict and reacting early and more effectively to human rights violations.

He highlighted the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the treaties that derive from it, and urged the Council to be fully engaged on the issues that require their attention.

We are increasingly seeing the perverse phenomenon of populism and extremism feeding off each other in a frenzy of growing racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance, Guterres said.

Minorities, indigenous communities and others face discriminations and abuse across the world, he added, noting abuse targeting refugees and migrants, and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI).

Among other issues raised, Guterres also called for protection of the human rights defenders and of journalists who are essential to the checks and balances of any society.

In his address, UN High Commissioner Zeid denounced reckless political profiteers who threaten the multilateral system or intend to withdraw from parts of it.

We have much to lose, so much to protect, the UN High Commissioner said.

Without a commitment to fundamental human rights, to the dignity and worth of the human person and to the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, our world will become chaos, misery and warfare, he warned. Of all the great post-war achievements, it is this assertion of the universality of rights in human rights law that may be the most noteworthy.

Speaking directly to the political actors, Zeid said the sirens of historical experience ought to ring clear and pledged that we will not sit idly by in the face of violations.

Our rights, the rights of others, the very future of our planet cannot, must not be thrown aside by these reckless political profiteers, he added.

For his part, the President of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, Peter Thomson, called for greater dialogue and cooperation for peace among Governments, the UN system, civil society and the private sector.

He lauded the Human Rights Council as essential to bridging divides, and called for advancing with common purpose towards sustainable peace.

Just as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda recognizes human rights as a cornerstone for sustainable development, so too does the concept of sustaining peace, stated Thompson, urging the Council members to put forward their best ideas, well-honed skills and most determined will to defend the place of human rights in the drive to implement sustainable development and sustaining peace in on Monday's challenging times.

UN Photo/Elma Okic

Source: www.justearthnews.com
British man, 60, passes out, hits head and dies during boat trip off Phuket

PHUKET: A 60-year-old British man died yesterday afternoon after falling and hitting his head on a yacht during a visit to Koh Racha Yai.

accidentsdeathhealthmarinepolicetransport

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 27 February 2017, 10:52AM

Rescue workers treat the man on the yacht.

A medical rescue team from a hotel on Koh Racha Yai received informed yesterday afternoon (Feb 26) that a tourist had fallen down on a yacht and knocked his head leaving him unconscious

The rescue team arrived at the boat to find a 60-year-old British man (name withheld until his family have been informed) in cardiac arrest.

They administered CPR and contacted the Naval Air Section of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command and requested a helicopter be sent to the area to assist in transporting the man to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

However, before the helicopter arrived the medical team pronounced the man was dead.

His body was returned to Phuket by boat and transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital where doctors are to perform an autopsy.

Friends of the deceased told police that there were 10 people staying at a hotel on Koh Racha and late yesterday morning they took a yacht trip to Plub Pla Bay for snorkeling.

The group, including the deceased, went snorkelling and the deceased then returned to the boat where he complained of feeling dizzy. He then passed out, knocked his head and fell unconscious so the medical team were called.

Police have confirmed that they will continue to investigate the incident to find the true cause of death.
Kim killing suspect paid $90 to take part in TV prank: reports

MALAYSIA: Two women being held over the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam said on Saturday (Feb 25) that they thought they were taking part in a prank video, with one of them reportedly telling a senior diplomat she was paid just RM400 (B3,318) for her role.

crimedeathmurderpolicepolitics

By AFP

Monday 27 February 2017, 09:33AM

Malaysian police sealed off large areas of Kuala Lumpur International Airport to sweep for traces of the nerve agent VX. Photo: Manan Vatsyayana

Almost two weeks after the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was killed with a lethal nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport, Malaysian teams in hazmat suits sealed off the scene of the assassination early yesterday (Feb 26) to sweep the site for toxins.

Two women are seen shoving something into Kims face in leaked CCTV footage from the airport. He later suffered a seizure and was dead before he reached hospital.

Malaysia revealed on Friday (Feb 24) that the 45-year-old was assassinated with a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare and listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, who was arrested soon after the assassination on February 13, said she believed she was handling a liquid like baby oil, the countrys deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said according to reports.

Siti, 25, only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity, according to Erwin, who was granted access to Siti in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

Another female suspect, Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 28, is also in custody over the murder, but Erwin said Siti had told Indonesian consular staff she did not know her.

Huong told Vietnams foreign ministry that she believed she had been tricked into killing Kim and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.

During contact with embassy staff, Huong said she... had thought she was playing a role in a humorous video clip, a statement from Vietnams foreign ministry said.

Huong gained notoriety after Malaysian police shared CCTV images of her wearing a top emblazoned with LOL shortly after the killing.

Malaysian 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 Vietnam said Huong was in stable health.

The news Friday that lethal VX nerve agent was used in the attack brought condemnation from South Korea, which has pointed the finger at the North over Kims death.

Seoul slammed the use of the toxin as a blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international norms.

The fallout from the attack continued after US media reported unofficial talks in New York between North Korean and former American officials had been cancelled.

Malaysian teams equipped with gas masks and specialised detection machinery descended on Kuala Lumpur airports terminal two early yesterday, accompanied by forensic experts and officials from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board.

Large sections of the departures hall were cordoned off with police tape in preparation for the hour-long sweep for traces of the highly potent toxin.

Malaysian police had said they would do everything possible to ensure there was no risk to the public from the nerve agent.

National Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Friday that experts would sweep the site where the attack took place as well as other locations the female suspects 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, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat 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.

Abdul Samah 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.

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.
Phuket bus driver suffers minor injuries in collision with six-wheeler truck

PHUKET: A 62-year-old Phuket bus driver suffered minor injuries following a collision with an out-of-control six-wheeler truck in Wichit this afternoon. There were no passengers on board when the accident occurred.

accidentshealthpolicetransportweather

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 27 February 2017, 05:16PM

The bus driver, Saman Phansri, 62, had to be removed from the vehicle wit rescue workers using the Jaws of Life. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Team

The bus driver, Saman Phansri, 62, had to be removed from the vehicle wit rescue workers using the Jaws of Life. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Team

The six-wheeler truck ended up in a field on the opposite side of the road. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Team

The bus driver, Saman Phansri, 62, had to be removed from the vehicle wit rescue workers using the Jaws of Life. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Team

At 2:30pm today (Feb 27), Capt Eakkarat Chartphai from the Wichit Police was informed of an accident between a tour bus and six-wheeler truck at the Muang Thong Junction on Sakdidet Rd, Wichit.

When we arrived at the scene with rescue workers the driver of the bus was still trapped inside the vehicle. It took rescue workers 20 minutes to get the driver out using the Jaws of Life, he said.

The driver, Saman Phansri, 62, only suffered minor injuries and was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, he added.

Capt Eakkarat went on to say that it was raining heavily when the accident took place.

The bus was heading from Phuket Town towards Ao Makham to pick up tourists. It was raining heavily and when he was passing through Muang Thong Junction an out-of-control six-wheeler truck crossed into his path and collided with him, Capt Eakkarat explained.

Lucky the bus had no passengers on board when the accident happened, he added.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and it is not yet known whether charges will be pressed against the driver of the six-wheeler truck.
Phuket puts sun loungers back on Patong Beach

PHUKET: Sun loungers returned to Patong Beach today (Feb 27) under a new campaign driven by Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup to bring happiness to Phuket tourists.

patongtourismmilitary

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Monday 27 February 2017, 05:25PM

Tourists snapped up the chance to sit back and enjoy the sun loungers on Patong Beach today (Feb 27).

Workers started unloading the beach chairs and placing them inside the 10% zones at 11am, Mayor Chalermluck confirmed to The Phuket News.

Yes, this is first day of beach chairs being brought back to Patong Beach. This has been approved by the Maj Gen Pornsak Poonsawat, Deputy Commander of Royal Thai Army Region 4, Mayor Chalermluck said.

The Army Region 4 base in Nakhon Sri Thammarat is the military unit responsible for all of Southern Thailand.

Gen Pornsak, who last conducted inspection visit to Patong Beach on Feb 10 (see story here), was back on Patong Beach to oversee the beach chair restoration in person, Mayor Chalermluck added.

At first, we set out the beach chairs at 11am as a trial, but the tourists saw them and appreciated them and were happy, and they started to sit down using the beach chairs, she explained.

Gen Pornsak saw the good feedback from tourists himself, so I asked him to allow beach chairs to stay on the beach, not just for a trial  and he approved it, Mayor Chalerluck said.

This will help tourists to be no longer confused about why sun loungers are not allowed on the beach, and will make it more comfortable for elderly tourists who want to enjoy sitting on the beach, she added.

However, the use of sun loungers on the beach is restricted to the 10% zones, which are the only areas on the sand where vendors may provide services, Mayor Chalermluck explained.

In Patong, There are five 10% zones, with 180 umbrellas and 360 beach chairs in each zone, she added.

Beach chair rental prices are limited to not more than B200 per a chair, she said.

This is in line with the original policy set out in 2014, which allowed beach chairs in the 10% zones only, which is flexible and better for elderly tourists, she said.

Also, with actual sun loungers allowed back on the beach, the rule to ban sand loungers (sun loungers moulded from sand on the beach) will remain in force. The sand loungers were not attractive anyway, she added.

Asked whether beach chairs would be allowed at other beaches in Phuket, Mayor Chalermluck said, I dont know yet. The official provincial beach management committee and army officers will visit other beaches this week.

Mayor Chalermlucks success in getting sun loungers back on Patong Beach follows her previous attempts being stymied by provincial officials (see story here) and then by Royal Thai Navy officers, who overruled her and banned the sand loungers just before Christmas and repeated their ban just last month (see story here).
Phuket thief robs room while Chinese tourist couple still sleep

PHUKET: Police are on the hunt for a cat burglar who entered a first-floor Phuket resort room while a Chinese tourist couple were still sleeping and stole cash and valuables in the early hours of Sunday morning (Feb 26).

Chinesecrimepolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 27 February 2017, 11:34AM

The bag was left on a ledge between the two rooms. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The bag was left on a ledge between the two rooms. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Police arrived to find the balcony door had been forced open. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Police check the grounds to determine the burglars approach and escape route. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Police arrived to find the balcony door had been forced open. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Zhang Min, 24, told police that she and her partner, Lai Gang, 28, went out to Patong at about 11pm and returned to their room at about 1am. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Zhang Min, 24, contemplates how the burglar scaled the wall to reach her room on the first floor. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Zhang Min, 24, contemplates how the burglar scaled the wall to reach her room on the first floor. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Thalang Police were notified of the break-in, at Supalai Pasak Resort & Spa in Pa Khlok, on Phukets east coast, at 10:30am yesterday.

Officers led by investigator Lt Phetthon Changaid arrived and found the balcony door had been forced open.

Zhang Min, 24, told police that she and her partner, Lai Gang, 28, went out to Patong at about 11pm and returned to their room at about 1am.

The couple, both from Sichuan, went to sleep and woke the next morning to find a friend staying next door telling them that a bag was on the ledge between the balconies to the two rooms.

A quick check confirmed it was Ms Zhangs handbag, missing from where it was left on a desk in the room.

The couple reported a watch and Ms Zhangs purse containing B800 and 1,650 yuan (more than B8,300), were missing, Lt Phetthon noted in his report.

We believe this burglar is professional as he chose to rob the room while the couple were still sleeping, he said.

Also, we believe the thief approached from the beach side, and that he was familiar with the area, Lt Phetthon said.

We have checked room for evidence and will also check CCTV footage from the area, he added.

Management at Supalai Pasak Resort & Spa have so far this morning been unavailable for comment.
Police charge car driver over Phuket road rage incident

PHUKET: Police have charged a car driver with reckless driving after a road rage incident that prompted two youths on a motorcycle to lash out and kick the side of the car in Kamala on Friday (Feb 24).

transportviolencepolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 27 February 2017, 10:36AM

The kick from the motorbike driver left a hefty dent in the car door. Photo: Niruj Sariya

After a furious exchange of words and gestures, the driver of a blue Honda Jazz forced two youths into the opposite lane, into the path of oncoming traffic. The manoeuvre angered the two youths, with one reacting by kicking dents in the Honda Jazz door. (See story here.)

The incident occurred while they were descending a hill south of Bang Tao in Cherng Talay, said Col Sermphan Sirikong of Phuket Provincial Police, who investigated the incident after a video clip went viral online.

The video post claimed that the driver of the Honda Jazz was a foreigner, a claim Col Sermphan dismissed.

The driver of the car and the two on the motorbike were all Thais. No foreigners were involved, he said.

Col Sermphan added that the driver of the car, who he declined to name, brought the car to Kamala Police Station to file a complaint on Saturday.

The car driver filed a complaint about damage to his property, he said.

Also, Kamala Police have already identified the youth on the motorcycle. They have contacted him and told him to come to Kamala Police Station, he added, also without identifying the offending motorbike driver.

For this case they can compromise. They will both be charged with reckless driving, Col Sermphan said.
Rolls-Royce redefines style in Phuket

PHUKET: Rolls-Royce opened a new boutique showroom on Phuket on Friday (Feb 24), heralding a new era of motor travel on the island.

transporteconomics

By The Phuket News

Monday 27 February 2017, 06:08PM

A two-door Rolls-Royce Wraith GT stands proud at the lookout overlooking Phukets Nai Harn Bay. Photo: Rolls-Royce

The new facility was opened by Paul Harris, Asia Pacific Regional Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, at a grand opening attended by customers, VIP guests, celebrities and the media at the showroom on the bypass road, outside Phuket Town.

The 280-square-metre showroom provides space for two Rolls-Royce motor cars, an atelier style customer configuration area including colour and trim samples, and a unique lounge area.

This is now the third Rolls-Royce facility in Thailand, underlining yet again the resilience of the countrys economy and appetite for super-luxury, Mr Harris said.

We have observed that Phuket is increasingly a home and resort destination for a sizeable group of successful individuals from Thailand and other countries. Phukets economic growth and development make it an attractive location for us to have a presence.

Rolls-Royce complements a burgeoning luxury sector on the island, with cars like the two-door Wraith GT and Dawn convertible, designed for a more casual and social experience, he added.

Sunthornpan Dhechatech, General Manager for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Phuket, noted, The investment in our new boutique showroom has grown from our successful business partnership with Rolls-Royce in Thailand.

Working closely with Rolls-Royces Asia Pacific Regional Office, we are adopting a contemporary, lifestyle luxury approach consistent with our customers way of life in Phuket. The new showroom also serves as a regional focal point for customers in nearby provinces.

Designed to aid customers in the creative process of commissioning a Rolls-Royce motor car, the showroom allows customers to use their imaginations and mix and match woods, leather or select from a palette of 44,000 different colours, noted a company release issued today (Feb 27).

The Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme allows customers to personalise anything from a treadplate or headrests with their initials to more complex accessories such as a picnic set or luggage that is designed for their exact needs. Customers have been known to use wood from their own orchard or to specify their own personal paints, the release added.

The authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Thailand is operated by Millionaire Auto (Thailand) Co Ltd, under the holding company Master Group Corporation (Asia).

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Boutique Showroom in Phuket complements two other facilities in Bangkok: a showroom on Rama III Rd and a boutique studio located at Siam Paragon luxury shopping mall.

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country to have three Rolls-Royce facilities. With Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Phuket, the brand is present in 30 locations across the Asia-Pacific region outside of China.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is the worlds leading producer of Bespoke, super-luxury goods. All cars are hand-built by master craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

Despite a challenging worldwide backdrop in 2016, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars posted its second highest sales in the marques 113-year history. Global sales were up 6% on 2015, with Asia Pacific sales up 5%. 4,011 Rolls-Royces were delivered to customers worldwide.

Rolls-Royce motor cars are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Testament to their status as elite modes of transport, every new Rolls-Royce is protected by a four-year unlimited mileage warranty (excluding tyres and glass). Service and maintenance is covered by a Rolls-Royce service package and 24-hour roadside assistance for the first four years, regardless of mileage (excluding commercially-registered vehicles).

Rolls-Royce Provenance, the companys approved programme for its pre-owned cars, offers a minimum 24-month warranty, fully inclusive servicing and 24-hour roadside assistance.

The 2017 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars product range comprises four vehicles in two classes: the four-door Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase; and the two-door Wraith and the Dawn.

Rolls-Royce cars vary in price as they are built to order, and often include bespoke elements.
Security tightened around temple after mans suicide

PATHUM THANI: Authorities have tightened security around Wat Phra Dhammakaya after a man hanged himself from a telephone signal tower near the temple on Saturday night (Feb 25).

deathcrimecorruptionpolicehealthsuicidereligion

By Bangkok Post

Monday 27 February 2017, 08:56AM

The confrontation between the Dhammakaya sect and security forces continues to escalate, without a sign of the fugitive monk who touched it off. Photo: Wassana Nanuam

The wife and son of the man, Anawat Thanacharoennat, 64, said they were unsure of the motives for his suicide.

Before hanging himself, Mr Anuwat put up a placard on the signal tower urging the government to lift an order under Section 44 of the interim charter, which designates the temple a restricted zone and allows security authorities to search the temple for its elusive former abbot, Phra Dhammajayo, who has been charged with embezzlement.

Col Krissana Pattanacharoen, deputy police spokesman, said police and officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) have increased security around the temple and stepped up patrolling security-risk areas in a bid to prevent a recurrence of such extreme actions.

Mr Anawats body will undergo a post-mortem exam at the Police General Hospital. An initial finding confirmed the man died of oxygen deprivation.

The doctors were also collecting body fluids for a drug test, the results of which are expected in a couple of weeks, according to Dr Pornchai Sutheerakun, head of the hospitals forensic institute.

Col Krissana said authorities were checking to see if Mr Anawat was a disciple of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

However, the temple said in a statement that he was not.

Police were also finding out how Mr Anawat gained access to the tower and was able to climb to the top. They have also interviewed the family.

His wife and son were unable to tell police the reasons behind his suicide as he had never exhibited erratic behaviour before.

After the body was lowered to the ground from the signal tower on Saturday night, police discovered an ID card on him.

Mr Anawat was registered as living at house No.42/724 on Soi Nitmit Mai 40 in Bangkoks Khlong Sam Wa district.

He was also carrying a pen and a Samsung Hero mobile phone.

His wife, Nawaporn, and son, Rathanan, arrived at the Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani to give statements to investigators yesterday (Feb 26).

Mrs Nawaporn said Mr Anawat left his house at midday on Saturday in a Toyota pickup truck without telling anyone where he was heading.

She said her husband sold dried fruit. He usually drove his pickup to the market in Rangsit to buy supplies to be packed for sale.

She said her husband was several hundreds of thousands of baht in debt. He had been under stress and was regularly taking a tranquilliser prescribed by Nawamin Hospital.

According to Mrs Nawaporn, about 10 years ago Mr Anawat went to Wat Phra Dhammakaya to make merit.

He was ordained as a novice at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple and had a lot of respect for Luang Phor Sod, the late abbot of the temple.

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is a close ally of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Ms Nawaporn said her husband had never joined political rallies.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the government expressed sympathy.

The prime minister and the government would like to extended condolences to the man's family, government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

He said authorities had tried their best to talk to the man and were preparing to save his life, but were not successful. He described what happened as force majeure.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya, meanwhile, insisted it had nothing to do with Mr Anawats suicide.

Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso, the temples communications head, said the incident took place outside the temple, though monks had tried in vain to talk the man into changing his mind.

However, the temple praises (Mr Anuwat) for his being steadfast to the cause of righteousness and justice, the monk said.

DSI deputy spokesman Woranan Srilam said the department regretted Mr Anawats death, describing it as a loss for all sides.

He said the department and the police sought the temples cooperation to ensure no pretext is created that might expose its supporters to any harm.

Responding to calls for the lifting of Section 44, Maj Woranan said authorities have taken the best precautions against any repercussion following the order.

Read original story here.
Colombo, Feb 27 (IBNS): At least seven people were killed as a prison bus was shot in Sri Lanka's Kalutara area on Monday, media reports said.

According to local media reports, the deceased included underworld figure Aruna Udayashantha alias Samayan. Police was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror that an unidentified group of gunmen had opened fire at the bus while it was carrying Prisoners from Kalutara Prison to Kaduwela Magistrate courts.
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New York, Feb 27 (Just Earth News): Concluding a four-day visit to parts of Bangladesh where she met with members of Myanmar's Rohingya community who fled the violence there following attacks on a border post in early October and the ensuing military operations, a United Nations expert called for urgent action by the Government of Myanmar to end the suffering of the Rohingya population in the country.



The magnitude of violence that these families have witnessed and experienced is far more extensive than I had originally speculated, highlighted Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

She recounted several allegations of horrific attacks including the slitting of some people's throats, indiscriminate shootings, houses being set alight with people tied up inside and very young children being thrown into the fire, as well as gang rapes and other sexual violence.

Earlier this month, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a flash report, based on its interviews with the people who fled Myanmar, in which it documented mass gang-rape, killings, including of babies and young children, brutal beatings, disappearances and other serious human rights violations by the country's security forces.

In addition to the alleged human rights violations occurring within the context of the security operations that followed the 9 October attacks, Lee also highlighted on Monday how the Government of Myanmar appears to have taken, and continues to take, actions which discriminate against the Rohingya and make their lives even more difficult.

I urge the Government of Myanmar to immediately cease the discrimination that the community continues to face, to act now to prevent any further serious rights violations and to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into those already alleged to have occurred, said the UN rights expert.

We all owe it to those I have met and their fellow community members to do everything in our power to ensure this is done and to give the Rohingya people reason to hope again, she added.

During her mission to Bangladesh, Lee visited the capital Dhaka and the town of Cox's Bazar, located near its border with Myanmar, where many members of the Rohingya community had fled to. Lee will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council on 13 March.

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre

Source: www.justearthnews.com




The UK Commonwealth summit, planned to set free trade deals on course as Britain exits the European Union, will put other leading commonwealth countries including India on course for greater trade liberalisation, a media report said on Sunday.

Lord Marland, chairman of the UK-based Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, has planned the summit to set free trade deals on course as Britain exits the European Union (EU).

"The summit, to be attended by Liam Fox, the [UK] international trade secretary, will also seek to put other leading Commonwealth countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and India on course for greater trade liberalisation," The Sunday Times reported.

More than 30 ministers and around 60 business chiefs will attend the summit in London on March 9 and 10.

They are expected to sign an accord that will pave the way for a free-trade deal between Britain and countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada after Brexit, the report said.

"We will have more than 30 Commonwealth trade ministers under the same roof for the first time ever. I'm hoping we can initiate a Commonwealth trade accord which will endorse the benefits of free trade," Lord Marland told the paper.

"There are huge opportunities for Britain. Everyone in the Commonwealth speaks English and it is underpinned by the UK rule of law. We enjoy a lot of cultural links like sport as well," he said.

Ministers and business leaders will chair events on key issues such as finance, technology, good business practice and attracting inward investment at the event next month.
The AAP on Monday slammed the BJP for not condemning those issuing "rape threats" on social media to a Delhi University student who took a stand against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

"A girl is being threatened by rape on social media. Not a single BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) or RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) leader called it wrong or condemned it. Why," Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh tweeted.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

She later received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP on Sunday over the issue and said it had now become a party of "hooligans" and "criminals".

Sharing a video of Kaur speaking about the "graphically detailed" rape threat she received, Kejriwal tweeted: "Just listen to this. This is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism."

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he added.

Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing 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.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.
The green hills on both sides of the Jammu-Srinagar highway are heartlessly being flattened by the politically backed land mafia as price of real estate has soared following four-laning of the scenic highway.

The worst hit is the stretch of highway between Nagrota and Udhampur where several hotels and restaurants have come up on the bulldozed areas that till recently were green hills. The green hillocks have been replaced by concrete monsters that do not fit into the scenic beauty which motorists used to relish.

The thirst for grabbing land on this stretch is unending because of the increasing number of pilgrims and tourists driving through the highway.

The number of pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Vaishnodevi has crossed 80 lakh figure per year and was expected to touch one crore in the next few years. About 4 to 5 lakh pilgrims visit the Amarnath Shrine in Kashmir and an equal number of tourists visit the valley thereby boosting economic activity on the highway. The newly mushroomed eateries are generally targeting the visitors to Vaishnodevi that has become a round the year destination.

The left side of the highway has become favourite for the mafia because disposal of debris of the bulldozed green hills is easy in the Jhajjar water stream.

The forest and revenue departments have shut their eyes to this plunder of green cover and scenic spots on the highway. Ironically, the union environment ministry and the National Green Tribunal, which are otherwise very sensitive towards any meddling with the green cover, are also maintaining silence on the issue.

The greed of the forest mafia has grown as requirement of commercial land has increased. According to forest minister, 14,345 hectares of forest land has been encroached in the state. Only about 2600 hectares has so far been got vacated.This is besides the land of the revenue and other departments that has been grabbed. Evicting encroachers has become an uphill task for the authorities because various local political parties and the mafia try to give the eviction drives a communal colour.

The portfolio of a forest minister was abruptly changed as he waged a relentless war against the grabbers of forest land particularly around Jammu.

According to official figures, more than 2556 hectares of forest has been damaged due to 781 fires in the past three years.

As such there was need to preserve the existing forests instead of allowing free run to the land mafia, environmentalists point out.
Leaders of Haryana's INLD were ordered to be released by a court in Punjab's Rajpura town on Monday.

Those released included INLD Secretary General Abhay Chautala, state INLD President Ashok Arora, two MPs, 18 legislators and 73 others.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders were produced in the court in Rajpura, 45 km from here.

"There was no threat from the INLD leaders to law and order in Punjab. So it was decided they could be released," Patiala range Deputy Inspector General Ashish Chaudhary said.

The INLD leaders were taken in different vehicles and escorted out of Punjab's boundary with Haryana.

The INLD leaders were arrested on February 23 following a protest over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and water sharing issue between Punjab and Haryana.

The INLD leaders had remained in Patiala jail since February 23. They had refused to seek bail.

"The Punjab government was forced to release us," Chautala told the media after the release.

He said the INLD will wait till March 15 for Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to take an all-party delegation from Haryana to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the SYL canal issue.

"If he (Khattar) fails to get the appointment, the INLD will protest outside Parliament to raise the issue," Chautala said.

With the Haryana Assembly budget session beginning on Monday, the INLD leadership is trying to make the most of its stand on the SYL canal issue and the arrest of its leadership.

Punjab and Haryana are locked in a bitter tussle over sharing of river waters through the SYL canal. The Supreme Court, in November, had ordered in favour of Haryana.
Ramjas College Principal Rajendra Prasad on Monday urged students to not involve in activities that spoils the image of the prestigious college.

Appeal to the students to not indulge in any activity which spoils the name of Ramjas College. Let us resolve problems in a peaceful and constructive manner. I share safety concerns of the parents, Prasad said in his appeal to the Ramja College students.

Confront ideas and not people. My heart bleeds when Ramjas bleeds, Prasad added.

A Delhi University student whose social media campaign against the ABVP went viral, alleged on Sunday to have received rape threats.

I have been getting a lot of threats on social media. I think it is very scary when people threaten you with violence or with rape, Lady Sri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur said.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Kargil martyrs daughter on the day of clashes posted in Facebook: 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.

Ramjas College on February 22 witnessed violent clashes between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the All India Students Association (AISA). The ABVP carried out the protest against an event invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, accused in sedition case last year for an event in the college.

Professors and students of the college were injured during the clashes.
As the recent violence that hit Ramjas College created hue and cry in the Delhi University, protests refuse to die down. The Akhil Bharatoya Janata Party (ABVP) on Monday carried out Tiranga march in the capital city.

The protest march started from Ramjas College parking to the Faculty of Arts. The ABVP members said they will be protesting against Left student groups for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities.

Ramjas College on February 22 witnessed violent clashes between members of the ABVP and the All India Students Association (AISA). The ABVP carried out the protest against an event invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, accused in sedition case last year for an event in the college.

Professors and students of the college were injured during the clashes.

A Delhi University student whose social media campaign against ABVP went viral alleged on Sunday to have received rape threats.

Lady Sri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, a Kargil martyrs daughter on the day of clashes, posted in Facebook: 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.
Ahead of the release of Commando 2, with Vidyut Jammwal in the lead role, the makers of the action drama film released a teaser that depicts the actor's experience with the thrilling action shot during the film.

"It was his dream to do something like this even though it involved the risk of getting injured," a source close to the actor said.

Directed by Deven Bhojani and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, Commando 2 features Adah Sharma, Esha Gupta and Freddy Daruwala besides Vidyut, who was highly praised for his action sequences in his debut film 'Force'.

In the teaser, the 36-year-old actor can be seen performing stunts that involve high risk of injuries. The video features some of the never-seen-before action sequences and training sessions, under which Vidyut went through to perform unique martial arts skills.

The most gripping scenes were of the chase sequences that present the dynamic actor in best shape.

The making video shows how safety precautions were executed well throughout the shooting of action.

Vidyut's skills claimed much praise for 'Commando: A One Man Army' and so its sequel look promising. He will be playing Karanvir Singh Dogra, a spy who is determined to eradicate black money.

The film will be released on March 3, 2017.
Best actress nominee Ruth Negga, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and supermodel Karlie Kloss stepped out wearing blue ribbon pins as a symbol of solidarity with the American Civil Liberties Union.

They're showing support for the ACLU, which says the ribbon is a way for stars to stand up "for the rights of everyone as guaranteed under the Constitution."

"Loving" star Negga kicked off the trend among the stars, wearing the pin on her red, flowing, long-sleeve gown.

"They're a big part of our film," Negga said of the movie that chronicles the love story of Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who fought for their right to be married.

Miranda also sported the ribbon on the red carpet, as did his date, his mother Dr Luz Towns-Miranda.

"I'm wearing an ACLU ribbon because they're fighting incredible fights right now for American ideals."

The little, blue ribbon was the perfect pop of colour for model Kloss's white, floor-length gown.

Stars have shown increased support for the organization in recent months. During her acceptance speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January, Sarah Paulson had urged the public to donate to the non-profit group.
The sense of betrayal is always the worst thing to happen. It is perhaps more relevant for a transparent society like the Nagas  a proud race given to strong faith in traditional customs and often known for peculiarities of past like head hunting. The peculiarity or whatever one would call it, strong male chauvanism is one such trait of the Nagas.

Thus those associated with the Naga way of life, in one way or another, were hardly stumped when Naga tribal groups took to the streets opposing womens reservation quota for elections to the urban local bodies.

Therefore, the aggression and mayhem in Nagaland over opposition on the issue, as analysed by several North-east observers, actually, only talks of a social paradox.

For those who love Nagaland and its people, the episode will transform how one understands Naga prejudices and of course, the present psychic tug of war.

The episode has finally led to a change of guard. Veteran regionalist Shurhozielie Liezietsu has now replaced the embattled chief minister TR Zeliang, who was forced out of office by persistent demand from tribal bodies for allegedly mishandling the protest over womens reservation.

The Communist Party of India has reacted angrily. Its general secretary, Sudhakar Reddy said in a statement that  it is a blatant and shameful betrayal of the Constitution and gender justice. This amounts to going back to the 19th century. Mobocracy and male chauvinistic politics have overtaken positive reforms of gender justice. The government should take strong action against such type of attitudes of a particular state.

There is no gainsaying in pointing out that notwithstanding Christianity and English education, the socio-political fabric always favoured men over women in Nagaland. And Nagas would be hardly apologetic about it. This is not to suggest the women were ever discriminated against. The society has never heard of evil customs like Sati practices and so on.

Manliness is considered a virtue and that probably engulfs other issues associated with the belief. There are some contradictions but there is no society without the same.

But some Naga contradictions have been always quite striking and notable to ignore. For example, Nagas have always been anti-India or anti-Delhi for their support to Naga freedom but when it came to politics they embraced the Congress easily and even adored Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. For that matter even Indiraa cousin BK Nehru has gone down in Naga memory lane as one of the best governors while the states only Christian governor MM Thomas was at the receiving end of flak.

This is not the first time Nagas have opposed the womens quota. In 1996, when gender sensitised politics, albeit supported by Left parties, made waves in national politics, the influential Naga Students Federation wrote to a parliamentary panel chairperson, Geeta Mukherjee, opposing the enforcement of a central or federal law that would allow 33 per cent reservation for women in Indian Parliament or state assemblies. The Nagas believe women  though highly educated and that too in English  should not be allowed a free hand in administrative jobs.

The refrain being that such a law would hit at the roots of Naga tradition. Chief ministers in office have toed the line. In 1997, the Nagaland assembly, which so far has not seen an elected woman legislator, adopted a resolution unanimously after it was moved by then parliamentary affairs minister Z Lohe. This happened under a Congress regime when veteran SC Jamir was the chief minister, and mind you, not a single legislator worth his salt opposed it.

Though socially advanced with a high literacy rate, Nagaland and Mizoram, also with a majority of Christians, have an unenviable record of womens representation in their legislatures.

A fullfledged state since 1963, Nagaland is yet to elect a woman legislator. Mizoram has so far got only two women to its legislature and in 1970s, riding the anti-Indira Gandhi wave due to national emergency, Rano Shaiza of Nagalands United Democratic Front, was elected to the Lok Sabha.

We Nagas have come a long way with English education. Yet, we have some more miles to go, said a retired state information department official, and a woman, on the condition of anonymity.

So much is the male ego or the spirit of benevolence, as one sees it, that some tribal bodies like the Angami Public Organisation said they can nominate even 40-50 per cent of women to urban local bodies. The Naga women  also known for their single- minded approach to various issues  however, have rejected the offer.

Nevertheless, the protests against women reservation in civic bodies turned more political and in the ultimate led to the ouster of Zeliang.

There are some other angles to the drama, which are often not understood from the intellectual and ivory tower prism of Delhi and the Naga way of looking, which is nothing can be wrong from our side.

Zeliang has been allegedly hobnobbing with BJP and RSS leaders, sometimes even going out of his way. This did not go down well. Some Naga politicians accused him of forgetting Naga rights and no Naga worth his salt can give up the special rights guaranteed under Article 371 (A). This was not a gift from the government of India, said a Naga legislator who pushed the first move to replace Zeliang  the moment the demand for his resignation was mounted by the tribal bodies.

Nagaland Tribes Action Council convener, KT Vilie said that Naga people are not against women contesting elections but they oppose reserving seats for women, especially invoking a provision of the Indian Constitution. Once this is done, it will infringe upon the traditional and customary rights of the Naga people. The Constitution today allows a special provision and the Nagas can follow their customary laws, social practices and beliefs of the tribe unless the state legislature changes it by resolution, he explained.

Finally, Neiphiu Rio, the states three-time chief minister (he quit to contest the 2014 parliamentary election) failed to make a comeback to state politics even as mid-way reports suggested that 49 legislators in the 60-member assembly had backed him.

The final endorsement from the central BJP leadership allowing Shurhozielie to take over has many facets  wheels within wheels, as they put it.

One simple interpretation is that the BJP wants to hit many birds with its Nagaland move endorsing Shurhozielie. The decision is also linked to the BJPs ambitious electoral game-plans in Manipur.

The Naga Peoples Front has fielded 15 candidates in the Naga-dominated hilly regions of Manipur that goes to the polls on 4 and 8 March. In the 2012 assembly elections in Manipur, the NPF had emerged as a force to reckon with and had won four seats out of the 12 it contested.

The ongoing socio-political turmoil in Nagaland may harm the NPFs campaign in Manipur. The BJP is not ready to part away with the possible victory of NPF in six to eight seats in Manipur hills. Backing Rio to make a comeback would have split the NPF. A split in NPF at this juncture would have spoiled its electoral prospects in Manipur immensely.

The BJP, for that matter, has a tough election battle to fight in Manipur. Trying to keep its ally, the NPF in good humour, would probably help BJP keep the right balance in Manipur where the local state unit is focused on pro-Meitei politics in the valleys.



(The writer is a New Delhi-based freelance contributor and can be contacted at [email protected])
Actor Casey Affleck won an Oscar in the Best Actor category for his role as a grieving brother in film Manchester by the Sea at the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

He was announced as the winner of the golden statuette at the ceremony  being held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on Sunday night.

Casey appeared to be surprised when his name was announced and as his brother and actor Ben Affleck excitedly lunged towards him to kiss him.

Other nominees were: Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge), Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) and Denzel Washington (Fences).

The first word as Casey walked upto the stage to accept the award was Dammit.

"It means so much to me. Thank you everyone", he said.

He also thanked Washington and said: "One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington, and I just met him tonight."

It is his first Oscar, and Casey was was nominated once before, in 2008 Best Supporting Actor for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

In "Manchester by the Sea", Casey character is seen as guardian of his teenage nephew, Patrick after his brother's sudden death. And then narrates how he comes out his self-imposed sentence of solitary confinement and also throws light on his struggles to stick around a world without his brother and this new responsibility.

Casey said he is "really proud to be a part of this community".

"I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included", he added.

Concluding his acceptance speech, Casey said: "I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say." And then thanked his family and love of his life for the constant support.

He was presented the award by last year's best actress winner Brie Larson.
Moonlight by Barry Jenkins was bestowed with the Best Picture Award in the 89th Academy Awards but in a rare and unexpected gaffe, La La Land, was announced the winner of the Best Picture category.

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway who were called to announce the winner, pondered a while before reading the cue card, which ended up being wrong.

Just when the La La Land makers were about to deliver the acceptance speech, producer Jordon Horowitz announced: "There's a mistake Moonlight, you guys won Best Picture This is not a joke, I'm afraid they read the wrong thing. Moonlight Best Picture."

Moonlight, reportedly one of the films with the lowest budget ($1.5 million) to win an Oscar, was nominated for the Best Picture honour with Hidden Figures, Hell or High Water, Arrival, Lion, La La Land, Fences, Manchester by the Sea and Hacksaw Ridge.

The film is about a young Cuban black man who struggles through life in a rough neighborhood of Miami. The victory of this tale also goes on to make a strong statement at a time when US President Donald Trump has launched a tirade against immigrants in the country.

After the unintended goof-up, Presenter Warren Beatty clarified, "I looked down at the card and thought, this is very strange, because it says best actress," he told The Times. "Maybe there was a misprint. I don't know what happened. And that's all I have I have to say on the subject."

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel tried to normalise the situation by saying, "I blame myself for this. I knew I'd screw this up I promise I'll never come back."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Union government is undertaking measures for welfare of famers and the aim is to double their income by 2022.

We are undertaking measures for welfare of our farmer brothers and sisters, Modi said in a rally in Mau (Uttar Pradesh), adding, We want their incomes to double by 2022.

Explaining the meaning of development, Modi said, Our focus is on development and development means  irrigation facilities for farmers, education facilities for children, employment for youth and healthcare facilities for elder.

Our fight is for protecting the rights of the poor. Few would try to create obstacles in the way. But our fight would keep on going, he added.

Meanwhile, attacking the Samajwadi Party (SP) for poor power supply in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Modi said, Centre allotted funds for 24X7 power supply in UP. But what stops the SP government from utilising those funds.

Why SP government doesn't care about the farmers in Utar Pradesh? Why they are not helping farmers in distress, the prime minister asked.

Besides, luring the UP electorate, Modi asked people to vote for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if they want the state to get developed.

Development is UPs first need and BJP can fulfill this need, Modi said, adding, The small farmers loan will be waived once the BJP government comes to power in the state.
A total of 2,580 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been injured in over 200 violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last July.

Data from the CRPF said that its troopers were injured in 142 stone pelting incidents, 47 grenade blasts, three firing incidents and 43 instances of acid attacks or petrol or kerosene bomb attacks in the state.

Of the injured troopers, 122 inflicted grievous injuries, the data said.

The unrest in Jammu and Kashmir began July 9, a day after the death of Wani in a gunfight with security forces. Over 90 civilians were killed and around 12,000 injured in the violence.

"An additional 158 companies (over 16,000 personnel) of the CRPF were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir considering the surge in violence both in terms of militant activities and law and order situation," outgoing CRPF Director General K. Durga Prasad told IANS.

He also said the attacks on the force's personnel by Jammu and Kashmir's civilians came as they were threatened by the militants.

"Locals in the state are obstructing our counter-militancy operations as they are under duress by the militants. However, the situation has improved compared to last year," Prasad said.

Prasad, who will retire from the service on February 28, also said that the Home Ministry as well as the Central Welfare Fund of CRPF will provide financial assistance to the troopers injured in the stone pelting attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The CRPF chief said that the Home Ministry would provide Rs 2,500 to those who suffered minor injuries and Rs 7,500 for the personnel injured grievously.

"We will provide financial assistance to our men from CRPF's welfare fund but it is divided in different categories. Those suffered minor injuries will be given Rs 4,000, and grievously injured will get Rs 25,000 after hospitalisation. Those grievously injured after being hit by bullet or blasts during operation will get Rs 50,000.

"For grievous injuries in action during operational duties leading to hospitalisation, we provide Rs 1 lakh," Prasad added.
The proud owners of the classic and vintage car beauties were buoyed when they got felicitated at the prize distribution ceremony of the 51st The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally at the National Stadium. The Commissioner of Delhi Police, Amulya Kumar Patnaik, graced the occasion as chief guest and also took time to distribute prizes to the winners under various categories.

The Statesman Challenge Trophy for the oldest vehicle to complete the road section of the rally, under its own steam was bagged by Wolseley 1920 owned by Rita Bhatnagar. The Indian Oil Trophy for the oldest vehicle went to Director, Rail National Museum for John Morris 1914. CR Irani Memorial Trophy for the "Queen of the Rally" for the most outstanding vintage cars judged on the basis of authenticity, maintenance, restoration and elegance was bagged by Ms Roshni Sanah Jaiswal for Rolls Royce 1937.

About 50 awards were bestowed under four sections, like Vintage sections in which cars upto 31st December 1939 were eligible entrants while in Classic section cars above 1500 CC and manufactured between 1945-62 were eligible. Whereas the other cars found place under Post-war section and Others section.

The Blue Star Trophy was bagged by Ashish Jain who owns 1933 model Rolls Royce. This trophy is given to the most elegant British car which completes the course. The turn-out of the car,driver,passengers and loading of car were the parameters taken into consideration. The Dhawan performance trophy for the most enthusiastic new entrant entering the rally for the first time went to Dr Shahamat Hussain, who owned Fiat Tipo 514, 1932 Model.

While in the Post War section the HMCI Trophy for the most authentically restored car manufactured in USA went to Hitesh Arora, who owned 1959 Chevrolet. The Syna Vinatge collections trophy for the most outstanding outstation entry was bagged by 1962 Mercedes Benz owned by Mr. Gurangand Singh Manco.

While in Classic section, eight prizes were distributed. Malibu Towne Trophy for the most elegant and most maintained classic car of the period 1940-56 participated for the first time went to Cadillac 1949 owned by HW Bhatnagar. Whereas, Titus & Co. trophy for the best maintained classic car manufactured in USA of the period 1942-56 went to 1947 Buick owned by Diljeet Titus. Also Diljeet Titus bagged most number of trophies in various categories.

Awards were also given in Others category in which 21 Guns & Salute Trophy was awarded to 1942 Model of Ford Jeep belonging to Birds Group for being highly commendable military vehicle.And also,PP Singh of Balrampur Trophy awarded to the car with the best performance in the road section went to 1951 Model of Morris owned by Gagan Gupta.
Occupying a mere eight per cent of the total land area in India, the seven Northeastern states and its ethnically-diverse people is a micro-community within the country. The anonymity of belonging to a geographical region is itself challenging, as there is no common Northeastern Indian identity. Culturally and ethnically distinctive larger identities such as Nagas, Meiteis, Axomiyas alongside Kuki, Mizo, Khasi, Garo and many other ethnic and non-ethnic communities, including Bengalee Hindus and Muslims comprise a significant diversity that is largely mismanaged. The issue is how to manage this diversity at the national level?

Continuous harassment, humiliation and repression in the form of racism, under-representation, misrepresentation, as many scholars have suggested, goes on unabated. Chilling videos of landlords beating up Northeast girls in January in Bengaluru, the rape of another in Delhis Green Park area, rescue of young adult girls from traffickers network are some of the common malaise faced by an ordinary Northeasterner, as they travel to other parts of the country.

In the late 1960s, Nari Rustomji termed Northeast India as a Mongoloid fringe of the country. Colonial rulers drew lines, Inner and Outer, and reinforced them with unenviable pusillanimity and controlled movement outside the hills. Post-colonial regimes in India continued with either a leave them alone or mainstreaming, leaving a lot of loopholes in ensuring genuine recognition of cultural and ethnic specificity across the country.

The politics of misrepresentation went to the extent that in the popular biopic blockbuster Mary Kom, Priyanka Chopra replaced a Meitei actress Bala Hizam or another tribal actress Masochon V Zimik, who did not have the needed prosthetic eyelid that Chopra had to put on to make her look like Mary Kom. It is a complex substitution of a wide eyed Punjabi to turn her into chinki-eyed Mary Kom. This incident highlights how Northeasterners cannot represent themselves without a sanction from dominant identities.

In various media discourses too, Northeasterners are presented in terms of conflict, violence, insurgency, meat-eating and other such stereotypes. Within regional media, hill districts and remote localities are never talked about except in a negative way of presenting violence, insurgency or any other disruptive issues. Hill tribes of Manipur face exclusion, discrimination and arbitrary difference that makes them realise their experience of being treated unfairly.

A recent work of a non-fiction by Nandita Haksar, entitled The Exodus is Not Over: Migrations from the Ruptured Homelands of North-east India brought out how Tangkhul women face everything  death to rape and sexist exploitation in Goa and Delhi. A large number of malls in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, which employ people from the Northeast portray a similar story of a culturally different migrant workforce that have to often bear the brunt of being different-looking with very different food habits. The upmarket restaurants, malls and markets make use of their language skills and other positive features, while they keep facing a discriminatory looking-down by owners, customers and buffs, although there are instances of fellow-feeling and kindness.

What is at issue is the very idea of an Indian face as distinguished from a Mongoloid face along with all its attendant cultural stereotypes, which create a sense of alienation and otherness. For the Northeasterners inventing new forms of socialisation is a constant need to link themselves with strangers as employers and neighbours in Indian cities, which is a major challenge. They remain as intruders in other social space of being Indian, as pastoral keepers of cultural norms in cities may not give them the connective tissue.

Lin Laishram, who acted alongwith Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom stated that in every audition she had to face discrimination. Atim, the chief protagonist in Nandita Haksars work sees some of her Tangkhul workers go out with managers to get some favour, while she experienced statements like no job for chinkies here. Do the ideas of India fail to accommodate the racially-different? As professor Bimol Akoijam, a clinical analyst stated, it is like when this racial other is positioned as backward or tribal (anthropological subjects), it produces a judgment that converts the difference to being inferior. This informs the racist attitude towards the people from Indias North-east.

Akoijam went onto pointing out the need for sensitivity about racism as Article 15 of the Constitution debars discrimination on the basis of sex, community, religion and race. He also pointed out, albeit for the first time, that race emerges as the major category of discrimination in the context of Northeasterners coming to live in mainland India.

Indeed, he had the shock of his life when he found a reference in JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Pavan Varmas book Becoming Indian as my African friend. Akoijam sought a correction as he hailed from Manipur, but the author never thought it fit to correct it. Thanks to the racist analogies of misrepresentation, Northeasterners could be anything but Indian, they could be Chinese, Nepalis, Africans and the like.

In matters of food too, for instance, a broccoli is never a part of Assamese cuisine nor is fermented bamboo to Jats. To bring it even closer, akhuni (soya bean) is not central to most cuisines found in Assam but certainly to the Meiteis and Nagas. Our mental map of landscapes is also imagined through food. Any attempt at exclusion and intolerance towards practice of those elementary cultural practices is a gross violation of human rights and secular understanding of Indian society. A major problematique in this is eating of beef, pork, insect, or dog meat by North-easterners and hill people, which is culturally prohibited.

One remembers Naga supremo Angami Zapu Phizo shouting at the Governor of Assam on the occasion of the signing of the 1975 peace accord in Shillong. Phizo remarked, How can there be peace when one side does not share the food of the other side?

It is seen at large that the food culture of Indian people are divided on multitude of connotationsvalue systems, religious beliefs and caste associations. Different kinds of food cultures and habits exist parallely, however, it necessarily doesnt mean an existence without any conflict. As such ecological and social niches that food from North-east carries is taken with a sense of being exotic. But certainly, it does not constitute as an essential part of Indian food culture of samosa or jeelabi or sabjee.

Students from the Northeast living in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and also in other metros, often share a very conflicting relationship with their landlords and neighbours. They often face complains of their food being smelly and stinky. One sees very evidently that food has become an instrument of creating a distinctive other and can often cross that already ambiguous relationship to become violent.

Although public memory is short, one would recall the exodus of Northeasterners from major cities in India. This was in 2012 when violence broke out in Bodoland forcing thousands to leave their homes and hearths. It almost turned communal where people were killing each other or burning housesabout 77 people lost their lives and 400,000 had to take shelter in relief camps. Even after five years, at least half of them continue to stay put. To this violence, some hate-rumours were spread through social media that people from the mainland were targeted in the Northeast. This led to attacks by some unknown people in various metros in India, triggering panic among students and others who belong to the North-east. The attacks were in retaliation to the displacement in Bodoland. An estimated 200,000 from various cities returned home. This resulted in restaurants running out of staff, malls with no security guards, airlines and airports with fewer crew members and so on.

This targeting of the people in the cities was the result of bad understanding of geography and it carried strong racial undertones. It was a situation where anyone who looks like a Northeasterner was thought to be a Bodo. If that is not racism and bad geography, what is it? This is the result of absence of the Northeast subject from school textbooks in the mainland. Although, some efforts have been made recently, the Northeast largely remains neglected in school textbooks. Is this not internal orientalism?

The imagination of the Northeast in the minds of most Indians is one of an unknown territory, whose inhabitants are not much known. They are known only if they accept mainstream culture such as Hinduism (in case of Meitei or some Arunachalee tribes) and along with the package, a mainstream language like Hindi. Certainly one does not see an easy way out of the situation.

The mp Bezbaruah Committee that recommended several cultural, legal and administrative measures to end discrimination of Northeast people in Delhi and other cities, could not address and recognise the question of race, which seemingly arises over and over again in this saga of difference.

(Prasenjit Biswas is an Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy, NEHU, Shillong and Suraj Gogoi is a researcher in Sociology, National University of Singapore)
Not many Manipuris (Meiteis) are likely to be convinced by Union home minister Rajnath Singhs recent assertion that the word Manipur finds no mention in the 3 August 2015 Framework Naga Peace Accord signed by the NSCN(IM) leaders, Isak Swu and Th Muivah and Indian interlocutor RN Ravi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The message is clear that the Meiteis need not worry about their states territorial integrity being in danger, and that it is the Congress which is instilling such fear for its own political gains. What is intriguing though is why is the Centre not making the contents of the framework public? Besides, what was the hurry in rushing through such an interim arrangement? The integration issue remains. The NSCN (IM) leadership has made it clear that it will never compromise on the issue.

And the implication of the failure of Naga talks is obvious ~ it will throw Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur into turmoil, Ever since Manipurs accession to the Indian Union in 1949, the Centre has treated Manipur in a lackadaisical manner. Though smaller in size, Nagaland attained statehood in December 1963. Manipur had to wait until 1972. When in 1974 the Centre brokered a ceasefire with Naga rebel leaders, Manipurs four hill districts were brought under its jurisdiction even without consulting the state. In July 1997 when the United Front government led by Prime Minister IK Gujral brokered a ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) leadership, its contents were not made public. When the NSCN(IM) claimed it also covered Manipur, the Meiteis protested. Again in 2001, when the Vajpayee government, following the Bangkok agreement with the NSCN(IM), extended the ceasefire to Manipur, Meiteis revolted. Eighteen protesters were killed in police firing. Incidentally, all this took place when Manipur was under a short spell of Presidents Rule.

When Ulfa leaders surrendered in December 2009 they were warmly received and the Assam government even treated them with velvet gloves. But when Manipurs oldest rebel group United National Liberation Front chairman RK Meghen was nabbed in Dhaka in 2011, the Centre blacked out his whereabouts. He was reportedly taken to Kolkata by train blindfolded, Two months later came the news that he was arrested in Bihar while trying to enter Nepal.

Today Meghen is serving his ten-year prison term in Guwahati jail. Now, with the Election Commission announcing that the ongoing nearly four-month-old economic blockade ~ imposed by the United Naga Council ~ will, in no way, affect next months assembly election, it is anybodys guess what is in store for the people of Manipur.
Mr Ashok Kapurs two-part article, Imperial India I & II (8 and 9 February) coveys the impression that a congregation of angels had descended on the shores of poor India from the 17th century onwards, with their message of love and goodwill. This was in the form of the Royal Charter of East India Company that turned out to be a licence for loot and genocide. The two angels that he has so reverentially named are Thomas Babington Macaulay and his enlightened predecessor, Warren Hastings. The latter was so enlightened that in 1783, Foxs effort to impeach him through the India Bill in the House of Lords was defeated, thanks to the conspiracy of their sovereign, King George III. He enjoyed an annual salary of 25,000 pounds. Only Burkes tenacity brought him to book, though he eventually evaded justice.

Macaulay recorded his enlightened predecessors misdeeds, but did not show any leniency in his biography of Hastings that covers his Impeachment in the House of Lords. Peter James Marshall has meticulously treated his enlightenment in The Impeachment of Warren Hastings. It is almost as if a demon had descended on earth to usurp the belongings of the Begum of Oudh or Chait Singh of Benares. Robert Clive had, after the murder of Nawab Siraj-ud-Dowlah, denuded his treasury.

I would like to draw your readers attention to the justness of British occupation rule in India from Sir Walter Roper Lawrences The India We Served. We are enlightened about the salaries his Indian servants received during the closing decades of the 19th century, more than a century after Hastings drew 25,000 pounds a year.

Looking back at my old diaries I see that my monthly average for servants was Rs 64; table servant Rs 12; bearer Rs 11; water-bearer Rs eight; sweeper Rs six; grass-cutter Rs six; washerman Rs eight.

How much did those angels draw in the initial stage of their service? Our pay was small, and I lost pay by entering the Political Department. But pay never comes into the picture of the young and unmarried, and one was better off on Rs 400 a month in the Mofussil.

What service did they render? Towards autumn, I was ordered to the Khyber Pass, where the Political Officer had fallen sick. We burned the villages of a troublesome tribe, and noticed that the villagers themselves joined in the work with great goodwill. They had somehow removed their grain and did not care much about mere mud huts.

As regards equality before the law, as enacted by the British, one or two instances may be cited. On May 2, 1908, JR Robertson, ICS, Magistrate of Ootacamund, tried and fined a European planter, Hugh Stevenson, Rs 15 or in default, a fortnights simple imprisonment for causing a fatal charge on a Moplah cart driver, Kunji Mohideen. The victim had allegedly blocked the car of the accused. The British took out C Shankaran Nairs copy of the Hunter Committees report that he had filed in support of his contention on the Jalianwala Bagh genocide against ODwyer in the Privy Council. They restored it after covering vital information with indelible ink. [Udham Singh, who was injured in the Jalianwala Bagh genocide on April 13, 1919, would administer retributive justice 21 years later, on March 13, 1940, by dispatching him with his bullets in Caxton Hall, London.]

Macaulay, a citizen of a monarchy, has been made the Father of Indian democracy. He came to India as Law Member of the Government of India on an annual salary of 10,000 pounds in the earlier part of the 19th century. For mere sustenance in England he needed 500 pounds a year if he was to remain in politics. But he could not hope to earn more than 200 pounds by writing. In Calcutta, he would live like a prince with only 500 pounds a year, saving 9,500 pound. (At that time, one pound-sterling yielded ten rupees.) On retirement at the age of 39, he returned to England with a fortune of 30,000 pounds Yet, while speaking in the House of Commons on the Charter Demand of the East India Company on July 10, 1833, he bared his angst ~ To trade with civilised men is infinitely more profitable than to govern savages. Small wonder, he would be worshipped in India.

Macaulays opinion about his enlightened predecessor, in his biography Warren Hastings would be an eye-opener for any honest chronicler. His biography of Clive, too, was fair. On the other hand, his A Minute on Higher Education in India of February 2, 1835 betrays his racial bias as he expressed his scorn for the Orient with his unlearnt knowledge:

I have no knowledge of either Sanskrit or Arabic. But I have done what I could to form a correct estimate of their value. I have read translations of the celebrated Arabic and Sanskrit works. I have conversed both here and at home with men distinguished by their proficiency in the Eastern tongue. I am quite ready to take the oriental learning at the valuation of Orientalists themselves. I have never found one among them who could deny that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature in India and Arabia. It is, I believe, no exaggeration to say, that all the historical information which has been collected from all the books written in the Sanskrit language is less valuable than what may be found in the most paltry abridgements used at preparatory schools in England.

It is a pity that he did not live a quarter century more to be wiser when Max Mullers 51-volume Sacred Books of the East, which was published by Oxford University Press in 1879.

Mr Kapur has viewed India of the 18th century in the light of the 21st century but has carefully ignored similar or even worse vices in the land of those angels. In any transitional period of history, anarchy does prevail. This is true not only for India but for any nation. The American Civil War, the Reign of Terror after the French Revolution and in England, Cromwells signing of the death warrant of his countrys sovereign, Charles I, are testimony to this. It would not be fair to single out India. The same is true for the evil practice of sati, but if the King of Bundis 84 widows or Jodhpurs 64 unfortunates were forced to commit sati, it does not mean India had become widow-less. This horrible practice of burning widows alive was indefensible, and there is no second opinion relating to its abolition. But could that be the reason to justify and laud foreign occupation with all its inherent vices?

The Hobbesian epithet was more appropriately applied by HAL Fisher in the Epilogue to his A History of Europe, some eighty years back ~After some twenty million years of life upon this planet, the lot of the major part of humanity is still, as Hobbes described it, nasty, brutish and short. Of its two thousand million inhabitants some one hundred and fifty million are still living very close to the hunger limit.

(To be concluded)
Afghanistans geo-strategic importance is well established. It borders nations of the Central Asian Republics (CAR), Iran, Pakistan and China. Iran and Turkmenistan (part of CAR) have the second and third largest reserves of natural gas, which the West seeks to tap. Afghanistans rugged terrain and fierce tribal loyalties ensured that it was never completely subdued by any power. Among those who tried were Alexander the Great, Britain, Russia and the US. Afghanistan thus gained the moniker graveyard of empires.

The US entered the country to avenge 9/11. The defeat of the Taliban under the aegis of a US-led offensive was thought to be a turning point for the country. However, it was not to be. The Taliban received support and sanctuary in Pakistan and continued to battle the US-led coalition. Despite having remained ensconced for over 15 years, the US still cannot claim victory and withdraw with honour. Unable to defeat the Taliban and knowing success is unlikely with financial costs burgeoning, it planned a tactical withdrawal. It presently maintains a force with a larger training element and limited operational role.

The US relationship with Pakistan since its entry into Afghanistan has witnessed ups and downs. Perceptions in the US vary from continuing to engage Pakistan in the hope that it would ultimately curb the Haqqani network and the Taliban, to employing economic and diplomatic leverage to compel it to act.

Pakistan on the other hand has always considered Afghanistan as its backyard and resented any Indian involvement there. Further, with an anti-Pak government in Kabul, its strategic leverage cannot exist. None of the US strategies have so far worked. Both terror groups still possess safe sanctuaries and get support from the deep state. Recently a group of US think tanks strongly recommended that the US administration be more firm with Pakistan, if it wishes to witness a sense of peace in the region.

The war in West Asia led to the expansion of the ISIS into Afghanistan. It began enhancing its cadre strength by inducting disgruntled members of the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and nationals returning from Syria belonging to CAR and Russia. To further complicate the issue, Taliban declared war on the ISIS. This decision compelled powers in the region to change their perception and consider the Taliban as the lesser of the two evils, simply because it remains focused only on Afghanistan, without any territorial ambitions, and counters the ISIS. Individual national interests of major powers have begun to dominate the security situation in Afghanistan.

Russia, Pakistan and China, formed an alliance and held discussions on Afghanistans future, ignoring the nation itself and other stake holders. They preferred supporting the Taliban to the extent of even considering removing some of its leaders from the UNs designated list of terrorists. Their latest conference in Moscow included India, Iran and Afghanistan, ignoring the US, which continues to operate in the country. The conference aimed at seeking options to counter the ISIS threat. Of the group of six, four (China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran) consider Taliban as the lesser evil and are in parleys with them. Such interference in Afghanistan has converted it into the latest international playground.

Afghanistan and the US have no option but to battle both Taliban and ISIS to ensure survival of the nation state. Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran are willing to let Taliban control part of the country or be a part of the government so long as it keeps ISIS at bay. For India, Taliban is the larger threat, as it has Pakistans support. Further, it would never permit India to play a dominant role in the country. India is presently secure from the ISIS threat with Pakistan remaining a buffer state.

For Russia, ISIS expansion in Afghanistan, if unchecked, would threaten it and CAR countries as there are Chechen, Uzbek, Tajik and Kazakh fighters operating as part of it. History is also known to repeat itself. Russia was compelled to withdraw from Afghanistan because of support provided to the Taliban and al Qaida by the US and Pakistan. Presently by supporting the Taliban, possibly even with weapons, it highlights a similar bleak future for the US.

China is concerned with the presence of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) fighters in the ISIS, who could enhance the ongoing militancy in Xinjiang province. Thus, it is willing to support the Taliban, if it continues to oppose the presence of the ISIS. Iran has its own reasons for supporting the Taliban. It is insecure with an ISIS build up close to its borders and keen to counter US presence in the region. Playing a strategic game, it supports Kabul with development funds as also the Taliban, thus ensuring whichever government occupies the seat in Kabul, it would remain Iran friendly. Simplistically put, individual perceptions dominate the Afghan scenario.

The West, India and Afghanistan would never support this initiative as it goes against their principles. Europe is facing the brunt of Afghan refugees and adhering to this concept would only enhance their problems and increase internal differences. Therefore, the thinking of this grouping is doomed to fail in the international fora. However, nothing can prevent individual nations from continuing their parleys with the Taliban for securing their own national interests.

The sudden interference in internal matters of Afghanistan by powerful nations would only embolden Pakistan to continue with its support to the Haqqani network and the Taliban. It would also justify their policy of good versus bad terror groups. Further, as the 2017 summer offensive of the Taliban is expected to get underway in coming months, it would be Pakistans population that would face the brunt.

It is now upto the Trump administration to adopt a firm policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan as also reach an agreement with Russia to ensure the degradation of the Taliban first and ISIS later. It has been decades since the Afghan turmoil began and it is time for the nation to witness a semblance of peace and stability.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
NASA plans to send its first robotic spacecraft to the Sun next year that is slated to get within six million kilometres of the blazing star to probe its atmosphere.

Humans have sent spacecraft to the Moon, Mars and even distant interstellar space. Now, NASA plans to launch the Solar Probe Plus mission to the Sun which is about 149 million kilometres from the Earth.

"This is going to be our first mission to fly to the Sun," said Eric Christian, a NASA research scientist at Goddard Space Flight Centre.

"We can't get to the very surface of the Sun," but the mission will get close enough to answer three important questions, Christian said.

First, the mission will hopefully unveil why the surface of the Sun, called the photosphere, is not as hot as its atmosphere, called the corona.

According to NASA, the surface temperature of the Sun is only about 5,500 degrees Celsius. However, the atmosphere above it is a sizzling two million degrees Celsius.

"You would think the farther away you get from a heat source, you would get colder. Why the atmosphere is hotter than the surface is a big puzzle," Christian said.

The scientists also want to know how solar wind gets its speed, 'Live Science' reported.

"The Sun blows a stream of charged particles in all directions at a million miles an hour. But we do not understand how that gets accelerated," he said.

The mission may also ascertain why the Sun occasionally emits high-energy particles that are a danger to unprotected astronauts and spacecraft.

NASA has designed a 11.4 centimetres carbon-composite shield, which is designed to withstand temperatures outside the spacecraft of 1,370 degrees Celsius.

The unmanned probe will have special heat tubes called thermal radiators that will radiate heat that permeates the heat shield to open space, "so it does not go to the instruments, which are sensitive to heat," Christian added.
Counterfeit goods, software piracy and the theft of trade secrets cost the American economy as much as $600 billion a year, a private watchdog says.

In a report out today, the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property says the annual losses range from about $225 billion to $600 billion. The theft of trade secrets alone costs the United States between $180 billion and $540 billion annually. Counterfeit goods cost the United States $29 billion to $41 billion annual; pirated software costs an additional $18 billion a year.

The findings echo those of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which in 2015 pegged the annual cost of economic espionage by computer hacking at $400 billion.

The commission labels China the world's No. 1 culprit.

Including Hong Kong, China accounts for 87 per cent of counterfeit goods seized entering the United States. The report says the Chinese government encourages intellectual property theft.

The commission is led by former Republican presidential candidate and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who also served as US ambassador to China, and Adm. Dennis Blair, a former director of US national intelligence.

"The vast, illicit transfer of American innovation is one of the most significant economic issues impacting US competitiveness that the nation has not fully addressed," Huntsman said. "It looks to be, must be, a top priority of the new administration."
Hundreds gathered in Kansas city for a peace march and prayer vigil for slain Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and two other victims of a US bar shooting.

Alok Madasani, the Indian injured in an apparent hate crime last week, attended the march for peace and a prayer meeting at the Ball Conference Centre in Olathe on Sunday, reported Kansas City Star newspaper.

The vigil was sponsored by the India Association of Kansas City.

"I wish it was a dream," Madasani said of the Austins Bar & Grill shooting that left Kuchibhotla dead.

American Ian Grillot was also shot when he tried to intervene. He is still in a hospital.

Adam W. Purinton, 51, a former US Navy veteran, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

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.

"One thing I really want to emphasise is, the main reason I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani told the gathering.

"He would have been here for me, and that's what I'm doing right now."

Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked as engineers at electronics manufacturer Garmin.

"What happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend," Madasani said of the man who befriended him in 2008.

"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 would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care."

Ian Grillot's sister Maggie also attended the march and the prayer meeting. She said her brother's actions were because of how they were raised.

"It doesn't matter what your colour is Everybody's equal," she said.

The vigil followed a somber march outside around the conference centre.

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted "We want peace", "We love peace", "Let us not leave our children", "Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall" and "Hate + guns = tragedy".

Many carried candles and signs reading, "We don't support politics of hate." Clergypeople representing Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Judaism held peace prayers, local TV station KSHB reported.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steve Menke, Kansas state Senator Rob Olson, US Rep. Kevin Yoder and Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer also spoke about union and respect at the vigil.
A lawyer representing Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said that there was a "great concern" that a new Ecuadorian President could force him out of the country's London embassy, the media reported on Sunday.

Ecuador's presidential race will be decided in a run-off election, to be held April 2, between ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno and opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso.

Moreno has indicated he would back Assange's continued stay, while Lasso has indicated he would evict the Australian activist within 30 days of taking office.

"We are preparing potential legal remedies should the opposition come to power in Ecuador," Jennifer Robinson, a member of the legal team representing Assange and Wikileaks, told NBC News.

"You don't change asylum protections just because a change of government," she added.

Assange was granted asylum in Ecuador in 2012, and has been sheltering in the country's UK embassy since then, in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault.

The whistleblower said he fears Swedish authorities could deport him to the US, where he argues his work with Wikileaks could earn him life in prison or even the death penalty.

Robinson also expressed concerns about Assange's wellbeing, after over four and a half years of living in the embassy.

"His health is deteriorating. It's obviously far from ideal but given the difficult circumstances he is doing incredibly well, but the situation has to end and it is in the hands of the US administration to end that situation," the lawyer told NBC News.
Australian taxi drivers caused massive traffic chaos on Monday on Melbourne roads for the second time in a month in protest of proposed industry reform, a media report said.

Up to 100 taxi drivers blockaded two key Melbourne motorways by crawling into the city at five km per hours, Xinhua news agency reported.

The convoy started at the Melbourne Airport leading many inbound tourists to remain stuck in traffic for hours.

The stunt, the second of its kind by taxi drivers in February, is to protest the Victorian Government's decision to deregulate the taxi industry and legalise ridesharing services such as Uber.

Under the proposed reforms, the government intends to compensate taxi drivers to the tune of $76,000 for their first license and $38,000 each for second and third licenses, a proposal taxi drivers say could leave them bankrupt.
US Press Secretary Sean Spicer has launched a crackdown on leaks to the media, with increased security measures that include random phone checks of the White House staff.

The crackdown comes after a week in which President Donald Trump strongly criticized the media for using unnamed sources in stories and expressed growing frustration with the unauthorised sharing of information by individuals in his administration, the Politico daily reported on Sunday.

Last week, after Spicer became aware that information had leaked out of a planning meeting with his communications staffers, he reconvened the group in his office to express his frustration.

Upon entering Spicer's office, the staffers were told to dump their phones on a table for a "phone check" to prove they had nothing to hide.

There, he explicitly warned staffers that using texting apps like Confide  an encrypted and screenshot-protected messaging app that automatically deletes texts after they are sent  and Signal, another encrypted messaging system, was a violation of the Presidential Records Act, the report said.

Within the communications office, the mood has grown tense, the daily said.

Spicer has harshly criticised some of the work Deputy Communications Director Jessica Ditto had done, causing her to cry, according to two people familiar with the incident.

"The only time Jessica recalls almost getting emotional is when we had to relay the information on the death of Chief Ryan Owens," Spicer said, referring to the navy serviceman killed in Yemen.

On Friday, Trump called the media the "enemy of the American people" during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in which he railed against journalists for using anonymous sources.

Later on Friday, Spicer blocked certain media, including CNN, The New York Times, BuzzFeed and Politico, from attending an off-camera press briefing in his office.

On Saturday, Trump said he would not attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.
A woman living in the UK who had been married to a British man for 27 years has been forcibly removed from the country, a media report said on Monday.

Irene Clennell, who made headlines when she was placed in immigration detention, was deported to Singapore on Sunday, the Guardian reported.

Clennell first arrived in London in 1988 and married John, a British man, two years later. They settled in County Durham and had two children.

Her sister-in-law Angela confirmed Clennell had been deported. She said she had been subject to "insensitive and unfair government rules" and that Irene's husband, her brother, was seriously ill.

She told the Guardian: "It's outrageous what has happened. I'm appalled by it especially doing it on a Sunday so you can't contact anyone to try and stop it happening.

"I made numerous phone calls to immigration solicitors I feel sick about the whole situation."

She said her sister-in-law only had 12 pounds in her pocket but a fellow Singaporean made contact with the family and offered her a place to stay for two weeks.

A Go Fund Me page to raise money for her legal fees passed 8,000 pounds after the news broke that she had been deported.

The UK government's spousal visa system requires the British partner to prove earnings of at least 18,600 pounds and the couple being able to show long stretches of uninterrupted time living in the UK.

Her last visitor visa expired last year and she was sent to a detention centre in Scotland after a routine appointment with immigration service in mid-January.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 54F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.
The Telanagana Rashtra Samiti won the Munugode bypolls, where it fought a tough battle with the BJP. As TRS widened its margin over the BJP in Telangana's Munugode, party leader and minister KTR said, "We bow our heads and thank the Munugode public for getting us this win. This was not a win for just us, but a verdict that gave a snapping reply to the Delhi bosses Narendra Modi and Amit Shah."
Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Position No.: TMP021

Vacancy Notice: 008/2017

Reports to: Admin/Finance Officer

Duty Station: Uganda

Post Grade: GL6





About UNHCR:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCRs mandate under the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to lead and co-ordinate action for international protection to refugees; seek permanent solutions for the problems of refugees and safeguard refugee rights and well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate concerning issues of statelessness, as it is given a designated role under Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.





Job Summary: The Administrative/Finance Associate keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with local suppliers, banks and financial institutes on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.





Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs personnel administration tasks including interpretation and processing entitlements, issuance of contracts and maintenance of various personnel records and files;

Offers support in conducting preliminary interviews of candidates, administering typing exams and recruitment of GL staff;

Carries out surveys of local cost of living, DSA rate and servicing staff, housing rental and collects information on the above-mentioned.

Prepares travel authorization, ID cards and other personnel related documents for staff;

Record vouchers in MSRP Finance and Supply Chain application, prepares monthly replenishments, maintains Petty Cash, enters Requisitions and Purchase Orders.

Prepares monthly reports on accounts for submission, as needed. If required, assists in preparation of ABOD and submission along with Country Operation Plan;

Prepares, updates, maintains inventory records of non-expendable equipment for submission to the main office. Orders and controls stationary supplies;

The jobholder attends meetings and participates in discussions of new or revised procedures and practices on administration and finance matters; interprets and assesses the impact of changes and makes recommendations for follow-up action;

Performs other duties as required.





Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate for the United Nations UNHCR Admin/Finance Associate job placement should have secondary school with post-secondary certificate/training in Business Administration, Finance, Office Management, Human Resources or other related fields;

At least six years of previous job experience relevant to the function;

Good computer skills (MS office and Peoplesoft applications)

Knowledge of UNHCR administrative and financial rules and procedures is desired

Working knowledge and experience of MSRP Finance and EPM Budget applications is desired

Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language;

Excellent knowledge of Acholi is an added advantage.





How to Apply:

All interested Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job details.









th February, 2017 Deadline: 28February, 2017




The employees' unions have also demanded removal of two conditions--having at least 10 employees in an establishment and minimum five years of service for payment of gratuity.

By India Today Web Desk: In a positive development, the Central government has decided to increase the gratuity payment limit from the existing Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The Seventh Pay Commission panel had recommended the same in its report to the government.

A meeting between the Labour Ministry and representatives from central trade unions took place on February 23 in which the decision was taken.

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The employees' unions have also demanded removal of conditions on having at least 10 employees in an establishment and minimum five years of service for payment of gratuity.

RAJASTHAN FORMS PANEL TO STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS

Days after the Tamil Nadu government appointed a committee to look into the Seventh Pay Commission's recommendations, Rajasthan government has followed suit.

The Vasundhara Raje-led government has formed a committee under retired IAS officer DC Samant to study the recommendations of the pay commission. The committee will submit its report to the state government within three months.

It will provide recommendations on revising the pay scale of state government, examine various allowances and also estimate the financial impact of the implementation.

Retired officers of Rajasthan Accounts Service DK Mittal and MP Dixit are part of the committee.

The Seventh Pay Commission recommended a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay for government employees.

COMMITTEE ON ALLOWANCES SUBMITS REPORT

After much anticipation, the Committee of Allowances is believed to have submitted its report to the government on February 22.

The committee, under Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, was formed to review the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

The pay commission had recommended reducing the amount under various allowances, including the house rent allowance (HRA), besides subsuming some allowances.

According to reports, the Committee on Allowances has recommended against reducing the HRA, a decision likely to bring cheer to government employees.

The government is likely to make an announcement on allowances after the Assembly elections in five states are over.

ALSO READ:

7th Pay Commission: How Finance Minister Jaitley saved crores of rupees this financial year

How 7th pay commission will change your life, Indian economy

7th Pay Commission: Bureau of Indian Standards employees to get salary hike

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Nine bank unions have called a day long strike to protest against government's "anti-people banking reforms". They are also asking for compensation for extra work done on account of demonetisation and booking loan defaulters.

"Around 10 lakh bankers ranging from officers to clerks  belonging to the nine unions  will join the strike", said C.H.Venkatachalam, general Secretary, AIBEA (All India Bank Employees Association).

Mr Venkatachalam also said banking services will be affected on account of the strike and added that in view of the negative approach of the IBA and finance ministry, UFBU (United Forum of Bank Unions) will meet shortly after the strike to decide further course of action.



The unions are also not happy about only Rs 10,000 crore being announced in the budget for recapitalisation of banks. Banking jobs are being outsourced, they claimed.

"Similarly, while bad loans are bulging at every quarter without any let up, no stringent measures are being taken to recover the NPAs. But, efforts are afoot to float a bad bank to whitewash the books of the banks and to conceal and camouflage bad loans from public attention", said Venkatachalam.


Though this film is inspired by the events relating to the Pakistan naval submarine, PNS Ghazi, being sunk by the Indian Navy near the Visakhapatnam coast, it is a pure work of fiction, with the filmmaker taking creative liberty with all the events projected in this film, says the extended disclaimer as The Ghazi Attack begins. The story has two versions, that of India and Pakistan.

The mystery surrounding the story is what intrigued debutant director Sankalp Reddy. Even if the popular Indian version is quite straightforwardan Indian ship, INS Rajput, attacked PNS Ghazi, a submarine deployed by Pakistan to destroy the aircraft carrier INS Vikrantthe Pakistan version of the story claims that the submarine sank after it accidentally detonated the mines it was laying along the Visakhapatnam coast.

The idea of making a film on the Indian Navy first occurred to Reddy during a visit to Visakhapatnam four years ago. He visited the Kursura Submarine Museum there and instantly knew that a submarine would be the main subject of his first film. However, finding an interesting story to tell was a difficult task. Reddy decided to tell the story of PNS Ghazi precisely because of its contradictory versions. He did a lot of research and also faced a few brickbats in the process. Even when the censor board insisted on the long and dreary disclaimer, it didnt bother Reddy or the producers. Even if things shown in the film were checked for facts, creative liberties were taken in terms of the characters we have shown and the story we have followed, says Reddy. Plus, both sides of the story have still not been verified completely. How does a disclaimer change the cinematic experience we have put forward for the audiences anyway?

Interestingly, the bilingual film that opened to a lukewarm response, making just Rs 4.25 crore on the first day, witnessed a 40 per cent jump on the second day, thanks to word-of-mouth promotion. Even though several critics have panned the film, it has been doing decent business because of the courage shown by the young director to make Indias first war-at-sea film.

History reloaded: Director Sankalp Reddy (extreme right) on the sets of the film. Reddy was intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Ghazis sinking.

However, the task of recreating a slice of history was not easy for Reddy. While building the sets, he ran out of funds. I just had a few theatre actors onboard till then, says Reddy, who had spent more than six months doing research on how to build the sets. He also sought help from retired Navy officers to get a thorough understanding of how a submarine works. After the research, with the help of my production designer [Shivam Rao], we started building miniatures of submarines, says Reddy. The initial plan was to make the film on a budget of Rs 15 lakh. However, the seterected in Hyderabad, part of which was on land and the rest was inside a huge swimming poolitself cost Rs 25 lakh. Reddy thought of turning it into a film for YouTube. But he had already invested a lot of time and energy into it, so he decided to find a way to generate funds. The good part was that since I had built a part of the set, I had a few graphic shots and a few small visuals, which I could share with potential investors, he says.

A production company expressed its interest in the film. With the issue of finances sorted out, Reddy had to pick the lead actor next. Rana Daggubati was so impressed by the different theme of the film, he agreed to do it. But the team had to make some modifications in the sets to accomodate him. He is six feet three inches tall while the inner height of a submarine is only six feet, says art director S. Venkat Murali. Keeping that in mind, we had to increase the height of the set to 7.5 feet.

However, these liberties aside, the team tried to keep most of the things real, from the way the men lived in the cramped conditions of a submarine to the underwater sequences for which the team had scuba-divers onboard at all times to avoid any discrepancy. We took in-depth details of a torpedo firing. We must have watched almost all the Chinese, Hollywood and documentary films made on submarines to get everything right, says Reddy, who was very specific even with the special effects used in the film.

Reddy is not worried about the films fate at the box-office. He is happy that he has made a bigger and better film than what he had set out to in the first place. And I have touched a chapter from history, says Reddy, that was mostly unknown.

ONE INCIDENT, TWO VERSIONS

* During the 1971 war, the Indian Navy deployed the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to create a blockade in the Bay of Bengal and isolate East Pakistan.

* In retaliation, Pakistan deployed its first fast-attack submarine, PNS Ghazi, to attack INS Vikrant and lay mines along the Visakhapatnam coast.

* A World War II submarine of the US Navy, PNS Ghazi was inducted into Pakistan navy in 1964.

It set sail from the Karachi Harbour on November 14, 1971 for the attack.

* On learning about Pakistans intentions, India quietly moved Vikrant to a secret location.

* India then sent INS Rajput, an ageing WWII destroyer which was awaiting decommissioning, to distract Ghazi.

* Not finding Vikrant, Ghazi began laying mines, unaware that a destroyer was approaching it.

* When Ghazi sensed Rajputs presence, it tried to escape. But Rajput fired two depth charges (anti-submarine weapon) and hit the submarine.

* The mines and torpedoes aboard the submarine caused an explosion. This is the Indian version of the story.

* Pakistan claims that the submarine was destroyed after it accidentally detonated the mines it laid along the coast.
The White Helmets revolves around rescue workers in war-torn Syria, while Sing revolves around a school choir.

By India Today Web Desk: Netfilx's documentary The White Helmets won the Oscar for the Best Documentary Short Subject at the 89th Annual Academy Awards. The documentary revolves around the rescue workers who put themselves in the line of danger to rescue war-torn Syrians.

The win comes amid reports that the cinematographer of the film, Khaled Khateeb, was denied entry into the US by immigration authorities. Director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara accepted the award.

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CATCH ALL THE LIVE UPDATES ON OSCARS 2017

Meanwhile, Hungarian film Sing (Mindenki) won the Oscar award for the Best Live Action Short. Sing became the first film directed by a Hungarian to win in this category. ALSO WATCH: Breaking down Oscars 2017

--- ENDS ---
Irans former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter Sunday to President Donald Trump, striking a somewhat conciliatory tone while applauding immigration to America and saying it shows the contemporary U.S. belongs to all nations.

It isnt the first dispatch sent by Ahmadinejad, who has counted U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama among his pen pals.

But this letter, weighing in at over 3,500 words, comes as criticism of Trump over his travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran mounts in Tehran. It also may serve to burnish Ahmadinejads image domestically after the nations Supreme Leader warned him not to run in Irans upcoming May presidential election.

In the letter, published by Iranian media outlets, Ahmadinejad noted Trump won the election while he truthfully described the U.S. political system and electoral structure as corrupt.

Ahmadinejad decried U.S. dominance over the United Nations, as well as American meddling in the world that has brought insecurity, war, division, killing and (the) displacement of nations.

He also acknowledged the some 1 million people of Iranian descent living in America, saying that U.S. policies should value respect toward the diversity of nations and races.

In other words, the contemporary U.S. belongs to all nations, including the natives of the land, he wrote. No one may consider themselves the owner and view others as guests or immigrants.

A judge later blocked Trumps travel ban, and an appeals court refused to reinstate it. Trump has promised to issue a revised order soon, saying its necessary to keep America safe.

Entirely missing from the letter was any reference to Irans nuclear program. Under Ahmadinejads presidency, Iran found itself heavily sanctioned over the program as Western governments feared it could lead to the Islamic Republic building atomic weapons. Iran has long maintained its program was for peaceful purposes.

Iran under current President Hassan Rouhani struck a nuclear deal with world powers, including the Obama administration, to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. Trump campaigned promising to renegotiate the deal, without offering specifics.

Ahmadinejad gave the letter to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents U.S. interests in Iran. The embassy declined to comment Sunday while American officials could not be immediately reached.

The letter comes ahead of Irans presidential election, in which Rouhani is widely expected to seek a second four-year term. While allies of Ahmadinejad are expected to run, he himself wont after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned him in September his candidacy would bring about a polarized situation that would be harmful for the county.

Ahmadinejads popularity in Iran remains in question. During his tenure, he personally questioned the scale of the Holocaust and predicted the demise of Israel. His disputed 2009 re-election saw widespread protests and violence. Two of his former vice presidents went to prison for corruption.

But Ahmadinejad offered Trump his own warning about how quickly time passes for leaders.

Four years is a long period, but it ends quickly, he wrote. The opportunity needs to be valued, and all its moments need to be used in the best way.

(AP)
By Press Trust of India: By Ankit Kumar

New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act -- the AFSPA -- is not the medicine for militancy and it is there to "extract resources" from Manipur, Irom Sharmilas party PRJA has said.

To drive home the point, the Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) said that there were only four insurgent groups when the draconian AFSPA was introduced in Manipur in the 1980s and the number has gone up to 32 since.

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The PRJA, which was formed by Sharmila after she ended her 16-year-long hunger strike against the AFSPA in August last year, is making its electoral debut in this Assembly polls, fielding candidates in three of the states 60 seats.

"The AFSPA is not about militancy and counter-insurgency. It is something beyond that. To deal with militancy and counter-insurgency, you may need laws and programmes but the AFSPA is not one of them.

"In the 1980s when the AFSPA was introduced in Manipur, there were only four insurgent groups and in 2016 there were more than 32 groups reported... The AFSPA is not the medicine for militancy. It has clearly multiplied the disease. The AFSPA is there to extract resources from Manipur," PRJA convener Erendro Leichombam said in an email interview to PTI.

He said that his party would work towards the removal of the Act, which gives sweeping powers and immunity to the army in conflict-ridden areas, from Manipur first and "then move Parliament to repeal it from all places across India".

Asked whether the electoral fight this time was "symbolic", the 33-year-old leader said, "Absolutely not. I think one PRJA MLA is worth 60 other MLAs. We are going to create so much ruckus inside the Assembly and expose the lies that people are going to ask for more."

Asked whether the party would support either the Congress of the BJP in case of a hung verdict, Leichombam just said, "We are not going to ally with the Congress."

On the possibility of a future alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in view of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals appreciation of Sharmila, he said, "We are a very new party, we are barely five months old. We want to make sure we establish our own identity and foundation and once we are assured of the party strength, only after that we will be looking at an alliance."

Besides removal of the AFSPA, the nascent party is fighting the election on the planks of ending corruption, reducing unemployment, implementing Lokayukta, and ensuring a harmonious and inclusive Manipur.

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Manipur is going to polls in two phases on March 4 and March 8 and the counting will be held on March 11. The Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress dispensation has been in power in Manipur since 2002.

Asked about the partys take on the economic blockade by the United Naga Council and its impact to the economy of the state, he said, "Every day, people are struggling because of the economic blockade. The Congress and the BJP are in power in the state and at the Centre, respectively. It is their job to resolve this at the earliest but they are just taking political mileage out of this. PTI ANK SMN ASV

--- ENDS ---
Two Jewish brothers wearing a kippah were beaten and ones finger was sawed off, in a violent anti-Semitic attack in Bondy, a Paris surburb last week. The aggressors were reportedly of North African origin.

The two men, 29 and 17 years old, were hospitalized in a state of shock. A police complaint was filed by the two victims whose father is a local Jewish community leader. Police launched an investigation.

The two were driving near Bondy Tuesday night, when their car was forced off the road by another vehicle, whose occupants were shouting anti-Semitic slogans including, Dirty Jews, Youre going to die!

A group of men came out of a cafe nearby and surrounded their car. The men punched and kicked the brothers, threatening to kill them if they moved. Shockingly, one of the men used a metal hacksaw to saw off one of the brothers fingers.

Police are investigating. No arrests have been made at the time of this report.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
New York and North Carolina are the last states that still prosecute all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults in criminal court, but changes may be coming.

Both states are considering proposals to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18.

Backers say the measures could save millions of dollars by providing rehabilitative services that young people need to keep from offending again. The proposal also would allow young offenders to avoid adult records that can affect their opportunities for housing, loans and higher education.

North Carolina is closer than ever to raising the age this year with first-time support from major law enforcement stakeholders. In New York, though, senators are so far gridlocked in technical and political squabbles.

(AP)
Police were summoned to the Kosel on erev Shabbos after security personnel were suspicious of a 60-year-old tourist who was found to be carrying an unusual walking stick  containing a sword.

They learned the women had trouble walking in the alleys of the Old City and acquired the walking stick in one of the local shops, using it to get around until reaching the Kosel inspection station.

Apparently, the woman was unaware the walking stick contained the sword. Security personnel returned it to the woman but not before removing the blade.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Police spokesman unit)
The United Nations does not miss a beat when it comes to condemning Israel and in the case of the trial of Elor Azariya, there is no exception.

Israel is angry over the UN Human Rights Council for its comment on the sentence in Israel, as Azariya was sent to 18-months imprisonment and demotion to private. The council however feels the sentence is unacceptable since it deals with an IDF soldier firing at a PA (Palestinian Authority) resident.

Azaria was convicted of manslaughter for firing at and killing a wounded Arab terrorist shortly after the latter perpetrated a terror attack in Hebron, last Purim.

Spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani warned the sentence risks undermining the [Israeli] justice system since the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 20 years.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was quick to fire back, pointing out that the Un has a twisted moral scale and that millions of bullets are being fired in Syria, Libya and Iraq and the Human Rights Council condemns Israel. Education Minister Naftali Bennet twitted Your input on the matter was really what was missing and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon commented on the hypocrisy as the UN ignores mass murder in so many areas of the region.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A special team is being formulated by the Attorney Generals Office to address attacks against chareidi IDF soldiers, known by the frum community opposing their service as chardakim.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit held a special meeting on Sunday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Adar in his office to consult with Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan on the matter. Also present were the IDF Chief Prosecutor, an Israel Police representative, a representative from the State Prosecutors Office, and other involved in the matter.

Mandelblit cited the need for a firm and immediate battle against attacks and harassment against chareidim serving in the military, and addressing such incidents must remain high priority, addressing threats against members of all religions for their serving as soldiers.

The attorney general explained the committee that is being formed must be capable of responding immediately and effectively to complaints received from chareidi soldiers, who are targeted for serving in the military. He warned these attacks will negatively impact chareidi enlistment into the IDF. Mandelblit explains these complaints must be processed and turned over to police and state prosecutor to continue the process.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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.

(AP)
12:52PM IL: PRELINARY: A female terrorist has been shot at the Kalandia Checkpoint on Jerusalems northern border in an attempted stabbing attack.

It appears the terrorist was wounded before she could stab anyone.

Additional information to follow as it becomes available.

12:59 PM IL: The woman approached in a lane intended for vehicular inspections, holding something in her hand. When she was instructed to halt, she continued approaching. Soldiers implemented protocol and after firing a warning shot the shot her in a leg.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Zaka spokesman unit via Media Resource Group)
It was horrific act in Mosh Migdal when Nadav Sela murdered his wife and children on a Shabbos weeks ago, along with murdering the 11-year-old son of a neighbor.

The accused, Mr. Nadav Sela, hoped to be tried as mentally incompetent, telling the court he is a cat. He got down on his knees and made the necessary sounds but the court was not quick to buy it. A psychiatric evaluation was ordered and it was announced on Sunday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Adar, that the defendant is indeed fit to stand trial and be held accountable for his actions; the murders of Mrs. Dor Sela (23), son Yosef (22 months), and Binyamin (8 months) as well as 11-year-old Natan Atiya, while leaving his brother Nachman serious injured.

The Nazareth Magistrates Court on Sunday heard the expert opinion, that Sela maty stand trial as the district psychiatrist stated the subject was observed during three-week period in the Shar Menashe Psychiatric Hospital.

Sela was found hiding in bushes near the murder scene shortly after the search began. Dors mother told authorities the act was premeditated, explaining he had taken leave of people prior to committing the act. She explained to authorities at the Friday night meal at her table, he asked forgiveness from a number of family members.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Israel Air Force on Monday afternoon 1 Adar launched aerial assaults after a predawn rocket attack into the Shar HaNegev Regional Council on Monday morning 1 Adar.

According to the IDF spokesman unit statement, five Hamas terrorists cites were hit in retaliatory strikes. All of the aircraft returned safely home to base. The statement added Israel hold the Hamas regime in Gaza responsible for any and all cross-border attacks from Gaza.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

MK (Yesh Atid) Aliza Lavie is calling to bar certain rabbis from addressing IDF personnel, dati leumi rabbonim who are behind a video seeking to influence religious girls not to serve in the IDF but to opt for Sheirut Leumi, national service. She turned to IDF Chief Education Officer Brigadier-General Avner Paz-Tzuk to ban these rabbonim from encounters with personnel.

This includes rabbonim affiliated with the Chotam organization, which opposed military service for women. She refers to HaRav Shlomo HaKohen Aviner and his followers, who correctly feel there is no place for females in the IDF at a time the number of religious girls entering the military has increase annually over recent years.

Video below to persuade religious girls not to enter the IDF but to opt for Sheirut Leumi.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Ameesha Patel is reportedly hounding actors for selfies at whichever event she attends.

By India Today Web Desk: Ameesha Patel's career started on a high with hits like Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai and Gadar - Ek Prem Katha. However, her short-lived success was perhaps beginner's luck, and her career hit a low with a string of flops. However, she still remains quite active socially and is often clicked at Bollywood parties and events.

According to a report in SpotboyE, B-Towners are not amused by Ameesha's selfie craze. Reportedly, the actor hounded Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut for pictures at the Rangoon screening and seemed more excited about selfies than watching the film.

Fun screening of Rangoon on Wednesday night .. goodluck team Rangoon A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) on Feb 23, 2017 at 10:06pm PST

Awesome screening of Rangoon on Wednesday .. a very different love story .. visually beautiful.. A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) on Feb 23, 2017 at 9:52pm PST

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This is not the only time Ameesha followed actors around for pictures. She apparently behaved in a similar manner at Randhir Kapoor's 70th birthday bash, where she waited 15 minutes for a photograph with Ranbir Kapoor, and went on to ask the other guests including Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha and Kareena Kapoor Khan for pictures.

A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) on Feb 16, 2017 at 7:10am PST

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Mr BachAn ...... never will we ever get enough of this living legend ... loveeeeee him A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) on Feb 16, 2017 at 7:08am PST

Rekhaji is just as gorgeous inside as she is outside .. beautiful as ever .. such a lovely conversation at RANdhirji bday party last evening A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) on Feb 16, 2017 at 7:05am PST

RANdhirji 70th bday celebrations last night .. with lovely Kareena kapoor A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) on Feb 16, 2017 at 1:15am PST

ALSO READ: Did Urvashi Rautela chase Arjun Rampal till the loo for a selfie?

ALSO WATCH: Ameesha Patel's hot photoshoot for The Man

--- ENDS ---
Brigadier PT Monappa tells India Today such leaks cannot take place without some support from Army HQ, where the papers are set.

By Nolan Pinto: The Indian Army on Sunday cancelled examinations in six centres in western India for some lower level posts following an alleged leak of question papers. The centres included Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee. More than 300 candidates and 18 accused have been detained by the police so far.

But what is shocking is the recurrence of such recruitment scams over and over again. Retd. Brigadier PT Monappa, a Military Intelligence Corps officer is saddened by the fact that the Army HQ has not learnt lessons from the past.

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He spoke exclusively to India Today about how during his stint as Deputy Director General for Recruitment in the south, he had sent one such question paper leak case to the CBI. The case, he says, was later brushed under the carpet.

'I had given the case to the CBI much to the chagrin of the other officers who wanted to carry out an internal enquiry,' he says.

He goes on to tell us there are question papers set and also key model answers. He wonders how such leaks are possible when recruitment zones have to follow strict standard operating procedures. The moot question here according to him is where the leak has occurred and who are the players involved.

He essentially says that such leaks cannot take place unless there some support from the origin point of the question paper, which is the Army HQ.

Also read: Army recruitment exam: 350 students caught with leaked papers, probe ordered

NO USE HANDING OVER CASE TO CBI

Brigadier Monappa went on to cite an example, saying sometimes in Karnataka, there are more vacancies than the number of local candidates and hence candidates from other states get a fake domicile certificate from various agencies and get recruited.

'Like water flows from the top, this time it must be sorted out from the top as well. Where the question paper starts from, who sets them and the answer key and how they are handled though they are top secret and declassified just before the correction takes place,' he says.

He adds that he believes handing over the case to the CBI won't make a difference as there is bound to be interference to save the skin of all those involved.

NEED TO TAKE CORRECTIVE MEASURES IMMEDIATELY

Brigadier Monappa says that there is no point in blaming the candidates and arresting them in this case since they would have paid without knowing what has actually happened.

What should ideally take place according to him is that, 'the MoD must order a high level enquiry at the Army HQ level.' He also suggests that a central call centre be set up and enough publicity be given so that candidates can inform them if approached by touts.

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Also read: Army Recruitment Exam 2017: Retired officer among 21 held in paper leak case

--- ENDS ---
Increasing numbers of couples are choosing to live together as if they are married, without ever actually tying the knot.

Millions buy homes together, have children together, share their finances  and as such believe they have some legal protection should something go wrong.

But despite myths of common law marriage, unmarried couples have very few of the rights enjoyed by those who are married or in civil partnerships.

It means that thousands of couples get caught out thinking that they will have some of the protections offered to married couples, in some case leaving them financially vulnerable and in some cases worse off than their married counterparts.

Family unit: Millions of couples live together and have children but are not married

Zahra Pabani, divorce lawyer from Shakespeare Martineau, says: 'Many couples live together in la-la-land for decades, often with children, not realising that they are not protected if anything goes wrong.'

So what rights do unmarried couples have?

We run through the rules for married couples and those in civil partnerships versus cohabitees  and what you need to watch out for if you are not married. The same rules tend to apply to those in civil partnerships as those who are married.

Sharing a home

Married or in a civil partnership

If you are married or in a civil partnership, both partners have a legal right to live in the matrimonial home, regardless of who bought it or has a mortgage on it.

This means that in the event of a divorce, one person does not risk being forced to move out of their home with no help at all.

The decision over who is given ownership of the property can be decided by the courts during divorce proceedings, and they do not necessarily choose in favour of the original owner.

However, if you own the home or are a joint owner, your partner will not be able to simply sell it without your agreement.

Married individuals can buy and hold land, property, savings or investments in their own right during marriage, and any property owned before the marriage took place remains their property. However if the marriage breaks down, all property is taken into account when working out a financial settlement.

Moving in: Couples who live together sometimes mistakenly believe they accrue the same legal rights as their married counterparts over time, but this is not the case

Unmarried

Unmarried couples have far less security in this respect. If you are living in your partners home and you break up, they can ask you to leave and you have no legal entitlements, even if it has been your home for many years.

The exception can be if you and your partner have children. In some cases, a court can transfer a property into the name of the other partner if they decide its in the best interest of the children, and this is usually only done until the youngest child reaches the age of 18.

In some cases, unmarried partners may be able to claim a right to their partners property in the even they break up. This is by proving that they have a beneficial interest  showing a court that you have made a contribution to the property.

Zahra Pabani adds that you will generally need evidence if this is the case, which is something that couples may want to consider to protect themselves should things go awry.

It is possible to put a cohabitation agreement in place to offer greater protection to unmarried couples who live together, she adds.

This could specify things like

 Who owns and owes what at the time of the agreement and in what proportions

 What financial arrangements you have decided to make while you are living together

 How property, assets and income should be divided if you should split up

This could prevent a partner from making a claim on a property they did not co-purchase  and it could equally prevent one partner asking the other to leave their home with nothing.

Preparing for the worst

Married or in a civil partnership

The biggest financial benefits of marriage versus cohabiting come in the event that one person dies.

Inheritance tax

A married couple can bequeath anything they like to each other, and the remaining partner will not pay any inheritance tax.

Furthermore, their inheritance tax allowance is combined, so the pair can pass on twice as much tax free to their survivors.

If they own a property together, they will soon be able to pass on the whole thing to their children without any inheritance tax due, if the property is valued at under 1million.

Gary Smith, Chartered Financial Planner at Tilney, explains: Whereas assets valued above 325,000 passed between cohabiting couples on death may be subject to Inheritance Tax of 40 per cent on the excess, a deceased spouse / civil partner can pass an estate of any worth to the surviving spouse without immediate tax consequences.

Furthermore, any unused Inheritance Tax nil rate band by the deceased can be passed to his / her beloved for their use in the future; creating a potential nil rate band of 650,000 for the survivor. This will potentially improve further from 6th April 2017 when the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) is introduced and a married spouse will be able to potentially claim a further 200,000, resulting in 850,000 combined.

Gifts

Thats not all. Any gifts can be made between married couples without incurring any inheritance tax.

Isa allowances

A surviving married spouse can also inherit the Isa savings of their deceased partner and maintain their tax-free status.

Bereavement payments

There are different types of payments available to the partners of those who pass away at a young age. These are paid for from the National Insurance contributions of the person who has passed away.

The payments help widows bringing up children with a sudden drop in family income, or help families and bereaved partners to find the money needed for a funeral and other immediate costs after a loved one passes away.

The payments system is currently being overhauled, with new rules coming into force in April. You can read more about the changes here.

Unmarried couples

Unmarried couples cannot share their inheritance tax allowances.

Gifts made between partners are also subject to the usual rules and may be subject to inheritance tax should the giver pass away within seven years of the gift being made.

Isa allowances cannot be inherited by unmarried couples.

They are also not eligible for any bereavement payments. This is even if the couple have children, who will have lost their mother or father.

Wills

Married or in a civil partnership

If a married person dies without leaving a will, their spouse gets everything up to 250,000 and then half of anything above this amount. These are the rules in England and Wales, they are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Unmarried couples

Unmarried couples do not automatically inherit from each other, should one pass away, unless the couple owned property jointly.

They can only inherit from each other by writing a will.

Security: The only way in which cohabiting partners can inherit from each other is if they write it into their will

Pensions

Married couples

Occupational pension schemes must offer equal benefits for husbands and wives. There are slightly different rules for those who joined an occupational pension scheme before May 17 1990.

Unmarried couples

Occupational and personal pensions do not have to offer provision for the dependents of the scheme member and so they vary from scheme to scheme.

Where schemes do allow members to make provisions for their partner, they may have to fill out an expression of wishes form, which states who you want benefits to be paid to should you pass away.

However, the rules may change in time, due to a new landmark ruling by the Supreme Court earlier this month.

Denise Brewster, 42, challenged a ruling that she was not automatically entitled to a survivors pension as she would have been, were she married to her partner when he died. Ms Brewster, a lifeguard from Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and her partner Lenny McMullan had lived together for ten years and owned their own home.

They had got engaged just two days before Mr McMullan died. Five Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled she is entitled to receive payments under the pension scheme.

Their decision could affect the rights of other cohabitees, but as the ruling was so recent it is still unknown how it will play out.

Greater wealth: Married couples are able to share some tax-free allowances, which can boost their incomes

Debts

Married and unmarried couples

The rules around debt are the same whether a couple is married or not. Debts that are in one persons name remain in their name, whether they are married or not.

Debts held jointly are the responsibility of both parties. If one person cant pay, in general it is on the other to pay the full sum.
The property tycoon Irvine Sellar, who once founded a famous sixties fashion store and later developed the Shard skyscraper in London, has died at the age of 82 after a short illness.

In a career that spanned 65 years, Sellar is hailed as being one of the men who transformed the capitals skyline, as well as being a great City character.

The design for The Shard was famously scribbled on the back of a menu at a lunch between Sellar and the architect Renzo Piano. It was initially dismissed as a white elephant and unbuildable.

The property tycoon Irvine Sellar, who once founded a famous sixties fashion store and later developed the Shard skyscraper in London, has died at the age of 82 after a short illness

Yesterday tributes poured in to celebrate his life. Tony Pidgley, chairman of housebuilder Berkeley Homes, described father-of-three Sellar (pictured) as an all-time great.

He said: He was a man with incredible vision, foresight and energy. He never knew what it was for somebody to say he couldnt do something.

The design for The Shard was famously scribbled on the back of a menu at a lunch between Sellar and the architect Renzo Piano

Born in Essex in 1936, Sellars career began when he left school at 16 and started working on his fathers glove stall in Londons Petticoat Lane market and shop in St Albans.

In the 1960s he and wife Elizabeth opened a fashion store, Mates, in Carnaby Street, London.

It became massively popular, and is credited with being the first retailer to sell mens and womens fashions in the same shop.

Mates grew to a chain of 90 stores before he sold up in 1981.

The following year he founded a business investing in real estate and quickly built a reputation as one of the shrewdest developers in the country.

He once said: You can throw me in the desert and Ill find a way of making a living.

However, his company Ford Sellar Morris, which developed department stores and other commercial buildings, collapsed in 1991 following a recession. Sellar lost 28m of his fortune.

Undeterred, he set up Sellar Property Group a year later and bought the Shard site, on the South Bank of the Thames, in 1998 when he saw the potential to transform an unfashionable part of the capital.

It was given the go-ahead in 2003 but needed help from the Qataris to get it finished.

The 1,017ft high skyscraper opened in 2012 and has become a London landmark.

He considered the Shard, the UKs tallest building, to be his crowning achievement, saying once that pushing the project to completion was like swimming all the way across the Atlantic.
Sir,



Swazis are an angry lot as witnessed by acts of violence each and every day. These acts of violence are meted on the powerless and vulnerable and most of these are women and children. The fact that Swazi society is mostly patriarchal compounds, women will always bear the brunt of angry frustrated men who are unemployed and have no clue of how to provide for their families.



Gender-based violence is at alarming levels in our country. Can someone from the higher echelons of power come to the rescue of women and children? Some men see women as entities that need to be beaten up, emotionally, sexually and financially abused.



I think we should go back to the basics on how these men and women were raised. Gender norms need to be looked at as feeding this savage nature of these abusers and need to be changed. A gender norm is a behaviour or attribute that society attributes to a particular sex. Gender norms change from culture to culture and from time to time, since they are based on the expectations of societies that are consistently evolving.

As Swazis we have to change abnormal behaviour that through practice has been normalised. For instance some studies show that there are some people in this country who believe that a man is justified to beat his wife or partner if she exudes certain behaviour. This is abnormal; no human being deserves to be beaten up no matter what they have done. Why cant our community leaders, religious leaders, political leaders stand up and say any man who beats up a woman in my chiefdom, church etc will be fined heavilyon top of being incarcerated by the State and warned never to repeat the offence?



How many women need to die from their partners before someone speaks for them? This is not the way to First World status.

There is no single country in the world that reached First World status by leaving its women behind and watching them get killed by their partners every day. Women should be considered as capable, deserving citizens of this country who should be protected. Let us speak for the voiceless!



Concerned makoti
HLANE  Instead of being glued to the festivities of the buganu ceremony, many people found themselves staring at a Frenchman who was the tallest person at the ceremony with a height of 2.06 metres.



When the audience saw Paul Malliet coming through, they directed their gaze towards him and started debating about his height.

Some were already walking next to him just to compare their own height with his. As he got closer, it was obvious that there was no one matching his height among those who had come to watch the proceedings of the event.

In an interview, Malliet said he was from France and had come to Africa to visit Mozambique.



He said while in Mozambique, he felt like visiting Swaziland with his friends. I only learnt about this event when I arrived in Swaziland today. Its nice to see people gathered with their authorities, he said. He added that he hadnt tasted marula at the time he was interviewed.



Asked about his height, Malliet said he was 2.06 metres tall. I am not the tallest man as there are some people who are taller than me in my country, he said.

Previous records have shown that among the top 10 tallest people in the world, Robert Wadlow, who is 2.72 metres tall, takes the lead.
RICHARDS BAY  Jericho Church members rushing to fetch sea water after Bishop Bhekibandla Vilakati had blessed it during their cleansing ceremony in Richards Bay,South Africa over the weekend. (Pic: Sibusiso Zwane)

RICHARDS BAY, SOUTH AFRICA  Can Archbishop Bhekibandla Vilakati emulate Jesus Christ by passing blessings through his shadow?



This is the question which rang in most of the archbishops followers during the cleansing ceremony which was held at Richards Bay, South Africa over the weekend.

The question came after the archbishop said instead of praying and cleansing the congregants in the Indian Ocean, he would just order them to form a queue and pass by them. He said as he passes by each and every one of them, they would receive blessings.



However, the archbishop could not do that because the church members demanded that they be cleansed in the ocean.

One of the church members told Vilakati that the members came all the way from Swaziland because they wanted to get into the water and be touched by his hand.

Archbishop, even if you can ask another senior priest in the church to assist you, the church members will shun him because they want to be cleansed by you, the church member said and his statement was followed by a loud round of applause, which was a sign that they concured with him.



Vilakati was left with no choice but to ask the church members to give each other time to be cleansed. He said the pushing and shoving delayed the ceremony.

It was agreed that he would cleanse priests and bashumayeli would follow. The church members were supposed to follow thereafter and children at the end.

According to the Holy Bible, people who had faith in Jesus Christ received miracles by standing at his shadow or touching his clothes and they were healed.
By Press Trust of India: Bhopal, Feb 27 (PTI) Opposition Congress today staged a walkout from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly alleging that Bhopal Central Jail break was the outcome of governments apathy towards security issues and monitoring of prisons.

Congress MLAs staged the walkout during the Question Hour after Shailendra Patel, MLA from Ichhawar in Sehore district, alleged that none of district administration officials inspected the Bhopal Central Jail even once during past two years in gross violation of the jail manual.

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Patel said it was necessary for the district administration officials to conduct the inspection of the jail premises once in three months in accordance to jail manual.

"This has shown the apathy of the state government towards security of jail resulting in jailbreak incident by SIMI operatives on the night of Diwali last year," he alleged.

Patel also said that DIG (Jails) also did not carry out the routine inspection according to jail manual.

However in her reply to a question asked by Patel, the Minister for Jails, Kusum Singh Mehedle admitted that no inspection of Bhopal Central Jail was carried out by the District Collector or any other officer of the district administration two years prior to jailbreak incident.

On being asked to clarify, the minister reiterated that the district administration officers inspected Bhopal Central Jail on December 7 and December 22 last year.

Not satisfied with the reply, members from Opposition benches stood up and alleged that the minister has been misleading as none of officials inspected Bhopal Central Jail before the jailbreak, which took place on the night of Diwali. The official inspected jail only after this incident.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh said this is a serious issue of security lapse and staged a walk out along with other party MLAs.

Eight SIMI men awaiting trial had escaped from highly -fortified Bhopal Central Jail last year after killing a warder. They were subsequently neutralised in an alleged encounter with police on the same day. PTI ADU MAS DK DK SDM

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MBABANE  An disclosed number of civil servants are said to be owing government over E3 million in unpaid loans obtained through the Community Poverty Reduction Fund.



In total, government is owed over E15 million in respect of outstanding loans from this fund. This is according to the audit report of the Auditor General (AG) Phesticia Nxumalo for the financial year ended March 31, 2016.

The AG, in the report, said she noted that against the operational manual which stipulated that loans should fully repaid by the end of five years, the repayment process was very poor yet five years had elapsed since the loans were disbursed. By March 2016, E4 834 010 had been repaid which is only 24 per cent of the E19 950 000 granted, she said.



The report alleges that records revealed that over E3 million was owed by civil servants as at March 31, 2016.

The AG said she had noted that the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development had not started making means to recover these loans. She said there was a risk that some of these civil servants would retire or even die, making it impossible for the loans to be recovered.



She said already some of the civil servants had retired, died or resigned from the civil service rendering recovery of the debts impossible.

The AG said the controlling officer agreed that the loan repayment performance had been very poor, and that in an endeavour to try to speed up the process, the ministry had engaged a consultant who would forge a way forward on the best method to be undertaken in the future.



Also, a civil servant under the Ministry of health has to pay back more than E520 000 to the government.



The auditor generals report alleges that the officer absconded from duty with effect from January 1, 2008 after she had been granted authority to study from February 2002 to December 2007.

The officer was pursuing medical studies at the University of Limpopo in South Africa.



She allegedly resumed work on February 2015 and the period from January 2008 to January 2015 was unaccounted for, and this is deemed as absconding from duty.

It is alleged that when the officer completed her studies, she did not resume work as expected and her whereabouts were unknown. The officer breached her in-service training bond she signed on August 28, 2002, to serve government for a period of five years after completion of her course, before terminating her services, the AG said.
MANZINI  The community of Mangwaneni in Manzini almost told a horrible tale after an informal day care centre collapsed, with children and a caregiver inside, due to the recent rains.

The seven children and their nanny escaped with varying injuries, which were treated and they were discharged at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. The day care centre was made of stick and mud with a few bricks that were used to strengthen the walls.



However, it was no match for the heavy rains that could have contributed to its collapse.

The incident took place on Friday morning after only seven children had been brought to the daycare by their parents. The care giver, Tholakele Cele, was waiting for the arrival of more children. The children are aged between one and four years.



A community member only identified as Make Gina, who also owns a spaza shop right next to the stick and mud day care centre said she only heard screams of help from Tholakele after a wall from the room collapsed.

When I realised what had happened I quickly called my husband and other community members came to the rescue of the children by pulling them out of the rubble they were buried under. We quickly called an ambulance and their parents, said Gina.



She said just as they were finished taking the children out from under the remains, they realised that the youngest of the children, who is said to be a year old was still buried under the rubble but was not making any sounds.

Luckily after we took her out we found that she was still alive and we suspect that she was in too much shock as she could not even cry. She only started crying after we had pulled her out of the remains. Although she did not, have disturbing visible injuries, we insisted that she be taken by the ambulance in case her injuries were internal, Gina added.



The community members explained that the day care centre had been operating for the past three years and the owner of the house was informed of its state several times and asked to look into it.

The room has had cracks for the longest time and it did not look fit to house anyone, let alone children. Even though the rain contributed to the falling of the wall, it was long over due said one community member.



Caregiver Tholakele was lucky to escape unharmed. After her return from the hospital, she said the house did indeed have cracks but she did not think it would collapse. One of the children who were in the incident was found in her care with a bandage on his forehead after Fridays aftermath. She said the wound was not very big and would heal once the bandage had been removed.
"So many jail breaks happen across the country. This jail break was not such a big issue. And importantly so because all the eight suspects who had escaped were gunned down within hours," Mehdele said.

By Hemender Sharma: According to the Madhya Pradesh Jail Minister Kusum Mehdele, the Bhopal jail break during the intervening night of October 30 and 31 in which eight SIMI activists allegedly escaped from the Bhopal Central jail was not a big deal.

"So many jail breaks happen across the country. This jail break was not such a big issue. And importantly so because all the eight suspects who had escaped were gunned down within hours," Mehdele said.

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Mehdele was addressing a press conference at the state Vidhan Sabha today morning where he said that necessary steps have been taken to ensure such jail breaks do not happen in future.

Not satisfied with the minister's answer, Congress MLA Satendra Patel, pointed to the jail manual that mandates the district collector to visit a district jail once every three months and alleged that no senior official had visited the jail for at least two years before the Bhopal jail break.

CONGRESS STAGES A WALK OUT

The Congress later staged a walk out from the Vidhan Sabha on the issue.

The eight SIMI activists were gunned down about eight hours after the sensational jail break at a spot roughly around 15 km from the Bhopal Central Jail in an encounter over which many questions have been raised.

The Madhya government was forced to order a judicial enquiry headed by a retired High Court judge after many uncomfortable questions were thrown at the government. The Commission was initially supposed to give its report within three months but has now been given a six month extension after it failed to submit its findings within the stipulated time.

Several human rights organisations have called the encounter 'fake' asking how it was possible that all the SIMI suspects headed in one direction and not break into smaller groups after escaping from the Bhopal Central Jail, and how come could they cover just 15 km in around eight hours when they were running for their life.

The Bhopal police on the day of the encounter claimed that the SIMI activists were fired upon in retaliation even as MP ATS chief Sanjeev Shami immediately after the encounter announced that the eight men were unarmed.

Also Read

Behind Bhopal jailbreak: 80 policemen were on VVIP duty when SIMI operatives escaped from jail

Bhopal Jailbreak: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls the eight dead SIMI men as 'dreaded terrorists' for the second time

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By Gina Martinez

A heavily opposed Ozone Park homeless shelter is opening despite residents and lawmakers concerns.

The landlord of 100-32 Atlantic Ave., previously a Dallas Bros. Coffee House, signed a lease Feb. 23 with the city Department of Homeless Services. The property will be the new location of the controversial drop-in center.

The center will be just 250 feet away from the High School for Construction, Trades, Engineering and Architecture. Residents have been protesting the shelter, saying the quality of life would decline and childrens safety would be in danger.

Non-profit Breaking Grounds will run the transitional home. The organization, which has several locations in all five boroughs, is a street outreach program that provides supportive temporary housing to the homeless while helping them find permanent housing. During their stay, the organization provides them with food, medical care and a place to sleep.

Jeff Scheuer, vice president of external affairs at Breaking Ground, said the Ozone Park center will help the homelessness problem in Queens.

New York City is facing a homelessness crisis and our new location will help the homeless in Queens with accessing food, medical care and comprehensive case management, he said. This is a successful model and will be a critical resource to move these vulnerable New Yorkers from the streets into permanent supportive housing. Since 1990 Breaking Ground has helped more than 13,000 people escape and avoid homelessness.

There were reports of angry protesters in front of the Ozone Park property Sunday

DHS argues the shelter is necessary in the area.

Queens currently has zero locations to serve street homeless individuals, DHS said in a statement. We will be using this location as a safe haven and drop-in center to bring this boroughs homeless neighbors off of the streets and in from the cold. We need every community to come together to address homelessness, which is a problem in each of the five boroughs.

State Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven), who has spoken out against the shelter since August, said he is frustrated with DHS choosing this particular site.

There is a school just a block away, with small businesses next to this location. he said. I cannot count how many times I have told the mayors administration that this is not the right location. I could start with the fact there is no mass transit and continue that we have residences surrounding this property and throughout the area.

Miller said his office reached out to DHS and Breaking Grounds for a proposal from DHS and was shut out.

My office was essentially told that Department of Homeless Services said they could not provide that information, he said. When I asked Breaking Ground for details regarding their plan, it was the same stance my office got from Department of Homeless Services. No matter how many times I asked for updated information, both organizations were not forth coming. This is the process? Where is the community involvement? As a matter of fact, where is the communication with the local elected officials?

City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) moderated a rowdy town hall on the center in November. He also said the location was not ideal for this shelter.

Ive said it in the past  a facility that serves an adult homeless population simply should not be located less than 200 feet from a school, he said. The current deficiencies within the Department of Homeless Services and its providers have led to both unintentional and blatant violations of state statutes that govern the movement of certain sex offenders.

He said he has repeatedly urged DHS and Breaking Ground to reconsider.
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By Gina Martinez

City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) is asking Mayor Bill de Blasio to step up for immigrants.

Lancman was joined by lawyers on the steps of City Hall Tuesday for a press conference laying out specific actions de Blasio must take to protect undocumented New Yorkers from deportation under President Donald Trump.

Lancman asked that the mayor use his authority to change the treatment of fare evasion as a civil offense instead of a criminal offense for violating MTA rules.

It is time for real action to protect immigrant New Yorkers from Donald Trump, Lancman said. It is irresponsible and inhumane to leave immigrant New Yorkers in jeopardy of deportation, when more logical and moral options for holding people accountable for minor offenses already exist. I call on Mayor de Blasio again to finally turn his words in actions and stop criminalizing minor, nonviolent offenses like fare evasion.

Michael Sisitzky, policy counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union, said policing tactics in New York City need to change.

Immigrants arrested for low-level offenses are thrown right into the cross hairs of ICE, he said New Yorks role as a sanctuary city carries with it a responsibility to end broken windows policing tactics that feed directly into the Trump regimes calls for mass deportations.

In January Lancman wrote a letter to the mayor entitled Talk is cheap pleading with de Blasio to take more aggressive action to protect immigrants.

Talk is cheap when New York City promises to defend the immigrants living among us  our neighbors, friends and family  yet willfully exposes them to deportation at the dictate of Donald Trump because minor, nonviolent offenses are criminalized when other, more humane and measured options for holding people accountable are readily available.

According to Lancman, in 2015 nearly 30,000 New Yorkers were arrested for fare evasion and charged under a section of the New York State penal law that qualifies as a deportable offense under federal immigration law. He pointed out that as mayor, de Blasio has the authority to direct the NYPD to process those cases as civil violations of the MTAs rules, which is not a deportation trigger.

Its time to act, he wrote. Stop jeopardizing immigrant New Yorkers through overzealous and expensive policing strategies when fairer, saner alternatives already exist.
New York

The New York Times broadcast a commercial called "The Truth Is Hard" during Sunday's Academy Awards, just days after the company and other news organizations were blocked from joining an informal, on-the-record White House news briefing.

The 30-second ad includes audio from voices in the vein of news clips, talking about certain "truths," from "the truth is our nation is more divided than ever" to "the truth is the media is dishonest." It is the first television advertising from the Times since 2010 and its first brand-focused television ad in a decade.

The ad closes with: "The truth is hard. The truth is hard to find. The truth is hard to know. The truth is more important now than ever."

The clip, also posted on the Times' official YouTube page, has more than 1.5 million views since it premiered Thursday.

Its airdate on ABC during the Oscars comes two days after the Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and other news organizations were blocked from a White House briefing after press secretary Sean Spicer restricted the number of journalists who could attend.

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the move by the White House, and it marked another sign of struggle between news media and President Donald Trump.

On Friday, Trump said reporters shouldn't be allowed to use anonymous sources. He has chafed at a number of anonymously sourced stories, including numerous reports describing contacts between his campaign advisers and Russian intelligence agents, which the White House has sharply disputed.

Spicer said earlier this week that he didn't think Trump would watch the Oscars.

On Friday, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced that Meryl Streep would be a presenter during the live show. Streep criticized the president during her speech at last month's Golden Globes, especially Trump's apparent mocking of a disabled Times reporter.
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Colonie

Megan Cunningham and Shelby Countermine were strangers with two things in common: They both died at 23. And they both knew Edward "Ted" Mero.

Police did not believe that was mere coincidence. Neither did an Albany County grand jury.

On Monday, a four-count indictment was unsealed in court that charged the 6-foot-8, 400-pound Mero with second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The 29-year-old, who works for the Albany city water department, faces the possibility of 50 years to life in prison if found guilty of the 2014 murder of Countermine, who suffered blunt-force trauma, and Cunningham, who perished in a Jan. 27, 2013 fire. Mero pleaded not guilty.

"When we found out that both victims were linked to Edward Mero, we worked together to bring Mr. Mero to justice," State Police Capt. Robert Patnaude told reporters at an afternoon news conference in Troop G headquarters in Latham. He said police "exhausted every investigative tool we have to come up with a successful conclusion."

Earlier Monday, Mero's attorney, Cheryl Coleman, told reporters she will try to get the two cases against her client separated. "He absolutely denies being involved here," Coleman said.

Investigators say they were suspicious of Mero early in the death of Countermine, who vanished on Dec. 3, 2014 in Schenectady and was found in a shallow grave in Coeymans in May 2015.

When police looked into the background of people the victim knew, they linked Countermine to Mero  and ultimately, Mero to Cunningham, his former roommate at 12 Arcadia Ave. in Albany.

"The investigators looked into (Mero's) background," Coeymans police Chief P.J. McKenna told reporters. "It turned out, just by doing a Google search, he was listed as having been in a residence which was a place where a person was found dead as a result of a fire."

Police were tight-lipped about the details of the fire case. They did not say how Cunningham was killed.

Albany Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Toomey told the Times Union the blaze burned a hole in the floor and the victim was discovered in debris. He said the cause of the blaze was "undetermined," but it was not ruled accidental.

Albany Detective Sgt. Patrick Donnelly said the fire probe was never closed. "We looked at everything at the time and couldn't put a case together for an indictment, but thanks to the help of State Police and Coeymans (police) we were able to pull that together," he said.

As to why fire officials did not label the blaze suspicious in 2013, Patnaude said: "Fire investigations are difficult. Hopefully, through this four years of investigation, we think this case has been solved."

Coeymans investigators and State Police had been probing Countermine's death since she was found. The investigators questioned Mero and searched his parents' Albany home, where he lives, days after they found Countermine's body but made no arrests,

Police began to suspect Mero in her death after investigators found a text message from him in a cellphone that Countermine used the day she disappeared, according to a source close to the investigation. On Monday, Patnaude said that Mero and Countermine "had communications very shortly before she went missing."

Coleman said Mero's family retained her services when police were investigating to see if Mero played a part in the death of Countermine, who was last seen on Crane Street in Schenectady. In May 2015, a runner near Tracey Road in Coeymans found her body in woods near a city water department right of way.. An autopsy revealed the blunt-force trauma.

Coleman scoffed at the investigation linking her client to two murders.

"At some point in time, after the Coeymans case stalled, apparently the police decided since they couldn't prove that one, they decided that since they thought that maybe he did one, maybe he did another," she said. "So what they did is they clearly opened an investigation where they had two weak cases, put them together and hoped to strengthen them both that way."

Asked about Coleman's comments, Patnaude said, "She's a defense attorney."

Late last year, McKenna said city water officials contacted him to ask about Mero's suspected involvement shortly after Countermine's body was found. At that time, Albany Water Commissioner Joseph Coffey said his department would keep Mero on paid administrative leave "until there is some kind of resolution with the investigation," a decision made after consulting police and city attorneys.

On Monday, Coffey said, "we're evaluating his employment status." The commissioner said Mero "is entitled to due process" and the water department is weighing what's best for both the worker and the city."

Emily Masters contributed. rgavin@timesunion.com  518-434-2403  @RobertGavinTU
Coxsackie

Investigators searched a swath of state forest along the Hudson River for clues Monday, one day after a hiker found what police believe is a human skull in the wetlands, the Greene County Sheriff's Office said.

Greene County Sheriff's Lt. Adam Brainard said investigators have not yet confirmed if the object is a human skull, how long it had been there or how it got there.

A person hiking along the path in the Vosburgh Swamp Wildlife Management Area spotted the possibly remains Sunday, State Police said. The suspected skull will be turned over to the State Police forensics investigative unit for testing.

Brainard said remains belonging to people who jumped off Albany and Troy bridges have washed up on shore in this area Greene County before. Police have not yet determined if this is the case, he said.

The wetland path, part of the state Department of Environmental Conservation network of protected areas, is at the end of Four Mile Point Road and runs along the Hudson River. Vosburgh Swamp is about 25 miles south of Albany.

State Police Lt. Peter Cirigliano said the investigation is in the preliminary stages and police are seeking any and all leads, including reports of missing people.

Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police Catskill Bureau of Criminal Investigations at (518) 622-8600.

Wendy Liberatore contributed to this report.
Mumbai's mayoral elections need to take place before March 11, but with no side willing to budge, the waiting game over who will control the richest civic body in the country continues.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: The impasse over who the next mayor of Mumbai will be still continues, with the political impasse between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party far from getting bridged.

The elections for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation were recently held and threw up a fractured mandate in which no party came close to achieving the majority. The saffron siblings and former allies the country's richest civic body continue to bicker.

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With the BJP making it clear that it will not take support from Congress to reach majority, there are now talks that Congress might tacitly support the Sena, scuttling the BJP's chances of controlling the BMC and appoint the mayor.

Shiv Sena's mouthpieces have already taken potshots at the BJP over it allying with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. "We welcome the CM's (Devendra Fadnavis) statement that the BJP won't go with the Congress, but he should make a small change and say that they won't go with the Congress but will go with Pakistan favouring (PDP's) Mehbooba Mufti...Congress is surely questionable, but enjoying power with Mehbooba Mufti, who openly supports Afzal guru is dangerous..." read the editorial.

WILL THE SENA AND THE BJP PATCH UP?

Meanwhile, there are also voices advising the two parties patch up. Senior RSS ideologue MG Vaidya suggested that the two saffron parties should tie up and share the mayor's post on equal terms, a suggestion the Sena was quick to trash.

"We don't need his advice... When we need any we will ask... For now he should give to the ones who need it," Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena MP and executive editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamana, said.

Some Congress leaders were of the opinion that the grand old party should support the Sena. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar too had hinted that his party would not support the BJP.

CM: WON'T COMPROMISES PRINCIPLES OF BJP

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said he won't compromise with the party's principles.

Addressing a gathering of the newly-elected corporators in the BMC on the sidelines of Marathi Bhasha Divas, Fadnavis said "I want to say one thing very honestly... we have 82 corporators elected... I don't mind even if a few leave the party... But at any cost we shouldn't compromise with the principles of the party... Even if it means paying any political price "

The mayoral elections have to take place before March 11, which is, interestingly, the day results for the five-state Assembly elections will be announced. And with neither side willing to budge, the tug of war is likely to continue.

Also read: What's next for Raj Thackeray's MNS after the big debacle

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Also read: BJP-Shiv Sena have no option but to come together, says Nitin Gadkari

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Atlanta

Newly elected Democratic national chairman Tom Perez pledged on Sunday to unite a fractured party, rebuild at all levels from "school board to the Senate" and reach out to chunks of rural America left feeling forgotten in the 2016 election.

Speaking in television interviews, Perez indicated that an important first step was joining with vanquished rival Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, who agreed at Perez's invitation to serve as the Democratic National Committee's deputy chairman. Perez said the two would work hard to put out an affirmative party message while opposing President Donald Trump's policies, adding that he and Ellison were already getting a "good kick" that Trump was stirred to tweet that the DNC election was "rigged."

"We lead with our values and we lead with our actions," Perez said, describing a party focus that will emphasize protecting Social Security, Medicare and "growing good jobs in this economy."

"You know, our unity as a party is our greatest strength. And it's his worst nightmare," he said. "And, frankly, what we need to be looking at is whether this election was rigged by Donald Trump and his buddy Vladimir Putin."

The former labor secretary in the Obama administration acknowledged that swaths of the U.S. had felt neglected, saying he had heard from rural America that "Democrats haven't been there for us recently."

"That's exactly what we're going to do," Perez said, stressing grass-roots efforts in all 50 states. He pointed to Democrats' success Saturday in one of their strongholds, Delaware, where they found themselves in an unexpectedly competitive race. Stephanie Hansen won a special election for a state Senate seat after vigorous party campaigning that helped preserve Democrats' control of the chamber.

As DNC chair, Perez must now 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.

"A lot of people feel forgotten, and we will not allow that to happen," he said.

On Saturday, the DNC elected Perez as its chair in a competitive race that took two rounds of voting  unprecedented in recent memory for either major party. They picked Perez, who was backed by former President Barack Obama, over Ellison, backed by liberal Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Sanders had pushed the party's eventual nominee, Hillary Clinton, into a protracted 2016 Democratic primary fight, gaining strong support from young voters in particular as he described a primary process as "rigged" by party establishment.

Piercing cheers after Perez's election were boos, yells and expletives from more than a few young Ellison supporters in the gallery, some of them in tears. Reaction wasn't enthusiastic among the liberal groups that had embraced Sanders and have intensified their efforts since Trump's stunning victory over Clinton in the November election.

"We don't have the luxury of walking out of this room divided," Ellison said Saturday over the jeers. Afterward, he told reporters he trusts Perez and that the burgeoning resistance movement aimed at Trump should do the same.

On Sunday, Sanders praised Ellison's strong bid to be DNC chair, taking on "Democratic insiders."
[February 27, 2017] 75 Percent of Legal Technology Professionals Are Not Familiar with China's new Cybersecurity Law, Consilio Survey Finds

According to a survey conducted by Consilio, a global leader in eDiscovery, document review and legal consulting services, 75 percent of legal technology professionals cited that they are not familiar with China's new Cybersecurity Law, which was passed into law in December 2016. Furthermore, only 14 percent of respondents indicated that they are "very concerned" about this new law. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005731/en/ Consilio, a global leader in eDiscovery, document review and legal consulting services, recently conducted a survey looking at changing data privacy regulations. 75 percent of legal technology professionals cited that they are not familiar with China's new Cybersecurity Law, which will require foreign companies conducting busness in the country to localize their data within mainland China which may contain sensitive privacy data or state secrets. The penalties are steep as organizations and individuals that do not adhere to this provision will face potential financial, civil and criminal penalties. (Graphic: Business Wire)



China's new Cybersecurity Law, which will take effect in June 2017, will require foreign companies conducting business in the country to localize their data within mainland China which may contain sensitive privacy data or state secrets. Organizations that do not adhere to this provision will face potential financial penalties, including the possible loss of their ability to conduct business in mainland China. Individuals can face civil and criminal penalties, up to and including imprisonment and the death penalty for particularly egregious cases.

"China is now the world's second largest economy, and for global corporations and those that aspire to be global, it is critical for them to have a full understanding of the data requirements and regulatory landscape of that region," said Dan Whitaker, Managing Director of Consilio's China operations, headquartered in Shanghai. "Since 2012, cyber walls have been going up in multiple regions around the world, and as countries continue to create new regulations, organizations must continually educate themselves on the quickly evolving nuances of data privacy laws in every jurisdiction, specifically as it relates to the ability to move data in and out of the countries in question." In addition, a majority of survey respondents (57 percent) indicated having at least one legal matter that touched China within the last two years (i.e. internal or government investigations, litigation, M&A, etc.). Meanwhile, more than a quarter of respondents (27 percent) said they knew of at least ten Chinese legal matters that their organizations were involved in over the same period. Additional Survey Findings In addition to China's new Cybersecurity Law, when polled about other international compliance laws their organizations are most concerned about, respondents identified the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA as the most concerning (40 percent), with the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR (22 percent) and the UK Bribery Act (8 percent) as other regulations on their mind. Despite limited knowledge about China's new Cybersecurity Law, one-third of legal technology professionals said their organizations have at least 26 legal resources and/or individuals dedicated to compliance of international data privacy regulations. Survey Methodology The survey of 118 legal technology professionals, from in-house law departments, law firms and government affiliated entities, was conducted by Consilio at the Legalweek | Legaltech New York 2017 conference held January 31 - February 2, 2017. About Consilio Consilio is a global leader in eDiscovery, document review and legal consulting services. Consilio supports multinational law firms and corporations using innovative software, cost-effective managed services and deep legal and regulatory industry expertise. The company has extensive experience in litigation, HSR second requests, internal and regulatory investigations, eDiscovery, information governance and compliance, law department management, document review, contract management and legal analytics. ISO 27001 certified, the company operates offices and data centers across Europe, Asia and North America. For more information, please visit www.consilio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005731/en/

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By Press Trust of India: commercial cultivation

New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) A government agency in Brazil, the worlds second largest producer of GM crops, has cited over 750 studies, including some from India, to highlight "hazards and uncertainties" related to commercial cultivation of such varieties of crops.

The report comes amidst anti-GM activists in India upping the ante against commercial cultivation of GM mustard and the countrys biotech regulator- Genetic Engineering Approval Committee- awaiting a final report from a sub-committee.

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The report Transgenic Crops hazards and uncertainties: more than 750 studies disregarded by the GMOs regulatory bodies was conducted by Special Secretariat for Family Farming and Agrarian Development of Brazil.

It states that the transgenic plants are produced in only five countries- the US, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada - totaling around 95 per cent of the 180 million cultivated hectares on the planet.

India allows cultivation only of transgenic cotton on commercial scale.

Highlighting issues related to bio-safety, prioritising environmental, human and animal aspects associated with the use of the technologies concerned, the report takes inputs from around 750 articles, published between 1980 and 2015.

One of the several Indian studies the report quotes from is that by M Swaminathan wherein he argues that farm incomes show that Bt cotton was a clear leader in production and gross output value, but only when grown as a standalone crop.

On the fields of small and marginal farmers, where cotton was usually inter-cropped with sorghum, the relative income advantage of Bt cotton declined, he has argued.

Swaminathan had in his study further said that expenditure on chemical pesticides was higher for Bt cotton than for other varieties.

The report said populations of insects totally insensitive to Bt toxins already exist in five of the largest species considered as pests.

"While the first populations were confirmed in the USA in the beginning of the 2000s, resistant insects are currently noted in all the great countries producers of transgenics, including Brazil.

"This break of resistance, which has been considered as responsible for suicide waves between cotton producers in India, has already taken associations of Brazilian producers to bring an action in order to denounce the misleading advertising of the biotechnology companies which continue to sell these transgenic varieties as being resistant to insects," the report said. (More) PTI TDS TIR

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[February 27, 2017] AddEnergie to develop the future of electric vehicle charging with a $6.7 million contribution from Natural Resources Canada

SHAWINIGAN, QC, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - AddEnergie, the Canadian leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, is announcing major financial backing from Natural Resources Canada to develop innovative charging technologies that will support transportation electrification in the country now and in the future. Natural Resources Canada will contribute $6.7 million to this $16.9 million initiative, while AddEnergie will invest $7.3 million. The initiative will also benefit from a $748,000 contribution from the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation and $1.9 million from various private partners. Ultimately, the projects made possible by this funding will enable the creation of 86 permanent jobs in Canada over five years and prevent emissions of over 880,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs). They will also see more than 1,000 new charging stations installed across Canada by 2019, which will in part contribute to the expansion of the Canada-wide FLO charging network, operated by AddEnergie. The announcement was made this morning during a visit by Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Fracois-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of International Trade and member of Parliament for Saint-MauriceChamplain, at the AddEnergie production plant in Shawinigan.



"We are pleased that the federal government is trusting us to develop and implement the technology that will be required to power the next generation of electric cars in Canada," says Louis Tremblay, president and CEO of AddEnergie. "This support will strengthen our leadership position and allow us to work with other innovative companies to shape the future of transportation." Solutions to the challenges of electrification

This support will allow AddEnergie to develop the next generation of fast-charging stations for EVs, to serve the greater variety of EV models that will be available to consumers in the next five years.

It will also enable AddEnergie to continue developing a new and innovative business model that will help Canadian consumers and businesses access charging services on a monthly subscription basis, much like cable television service. This formula will address the cost barrier involved in acquiring and installing charging infrastructure in both the residential and commercial markets. Finally, AddEnergie will use the federal funding to install charging stations designed especially for curbside use in five major Canadian cities, using the expertise developed during the rollout of several hundred such stations in Montreal in partnership with Hydro-Quebec and the city administration. About AddEnergie

Founded in Quebec City in 2009, AddEnergie is the Canadian leader in electric vehicle charging solutions. The company designs and manufactures smart charging stations and network management software for all market segments (residential, commercial, public). With the support of its partners, including Rio Tinto, the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and Investissement Quebec, the company supplies and operates FLO, Canada's largest charging network, and Electric Circuit, the largest public charging network in Quebec. All of its products are developed at its Quebec City headquarters and manufactured at its plant in Shawinigan, Quebec. The company also has offices in Montreal and in Mississauga, Ontario. SOURCE AddEnergie

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[February 27, 2017] Altamira Brings "Girls in STEM" to the 2017 Northern Virginia K-12 STEM Symposium

Altamira Technologies Corporation (Altamira) is proud to be one of the key sponsors of the fourth annual K-12 STEM Symposium, which will take place 9am-3pm Saturday March 25 at the Nysmith School in Herndon, VA. The event represents the largest K-12 STEM Symposium in Northern Virginia and brings together students, parents, and teachers with industry experts to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and impactful careers. As part of our platinum sponsorship, Altamira will build an interactive exhibit showcasing "Girls in STEM." Altamira's designated wing at the event will recognize the contributions of leading women in STEM fields and encourage young women to meaningfully engage with STEM subjects through educational programs and activities. "As the K-12 STEM Symposium enters its fourth year, Altamira is proud to highlight the achievements of women in STEM professions," said Jonathan Moneymaker, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Altamira. "Inspiring young women to become engaged in STEM relaed activities and following careers has long been a personal passion of ours. The success we've seen as a nation over the past handful of years has been amazing but there is more we can do. Our support enables future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to pursue groundbreaking careers and strive toward innovation."



Altamira will be hosting a variety of activities though its anchor exhibit aims to engage all attendees through a cutting edge "Hack my Drone" hands-on project. At the event elementary, middle, and high school students will be encouraged to participate in activities featuring robotics teams, flight simulator competitions, 3D printers, and much more. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about computer coding, space, drones, connected cars, and healthcare technology. Beyond the interactive exhibits, speakers will illuminate the path toward STEM professions by discussing careers in industry, government, and academia. As a committed member of the National Capital Region STEM community, Altamira is honored to join fellow business, education, non-profit and government leaders in supporting the 2017 Northern Virginia K-12 STEM Symposium.

About Altamira Altamira brings a commercial mindset to solving the most complex national security problems by delivering mission application development, multi-intelligence analysis, cyber operations, and big data solutions to the U.S Defense and Intelligence Communities. Altamira's culture of innovation and excellence, and mid-market-size, positions us as the premier next generation leader bringing technology solutions to mission. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006010/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Aspiring Innovators, Scientists and Engineers Wanted for the 2017 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps

For the 12th consecutive year, ExxonMobil Foundation and Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., the first African American to walk in space, will sponsor summer science camps at colleges across the United States. Applications are now open for middle school students aspiring to study science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) while experiencing life in college. "STEM careers offer wonderful opportunities and open doors for students who choose them. The camps serve to encourage and inspire the creativity and enthusiasm in students who are interested in STEM," said Dr. Harris, president of The Harris Foundation. "My goal with the camps is to empower the next generation of innovative thinkers, particularly those who may be socio-economically disadvantaged and have limited exposure to available options for careers in STEM." The camps are sponsored through a partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation. "Building the next generation's workforce is of critical importance to our industry," said Ben Soraci, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. "Dr. Harris is an outstanding role model, and his camps provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain an appreciation for the STEM fields and to experience problem-solving and close teamwork." While living on a college campus for two weeks, these future innovators will receive an all-expenses paid learning experience and mentorship from Dr. Harris and ExxonMobil engineers. Students will also participate in interactive, project-based classes, meet university faculty and students, and learn from secondary school teachers and STEM educators. Their camp experiences will also include experiments, museum visits and hands-on learning opportunities. The ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps have served more than 12,500 students at colleges across the country since 2006. This year's university hosts are in Alasa, Arkansas, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. Eligible applicants must be entering sixth, seventh or eighth grades in the fall of 2017. Additional information regarding application requirements and camp-specific submission instructions are available at www.theharrisfoundation.org.



Camps in the summer of 2017 will be hosted at the following universities: Lamar University (Beaumont, Texas)

New Jersey Institute of Technology (Newark, N.J.)

North Carolina Central University (Durham, N.C.)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.)

Temple University (Philadelphia, Pa.)

University of Alaska Anchorage (Anchorage, Alaska)

University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Little Rock, Ark.)

University of Houston (Houston, Texas)

University of Oklahoma (Norman, Okla.)

University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, Texas)

About The Harris Foundation Founded in 1998, The Harris Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization based in Houston, whose overall mission is to invest in community-based initiatives to support education, health and wealth. The foundation supports programs that empower individuals, in particular minorities and the economically and/or socially disadvantaged, to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams. The education mission of The Harris Foundation is to enable youth to develop and achieve their full potential through the support of social, recreational and educational programs. The Harris Foundation believes students can be prepared now for the careers of the future through a structured educational program and the use of positive role models. More than 50,000 students have participated and benefited from THF programs. www.theharrisfoundation.org About the ExxonMobil Foundation The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) in the United States. The foundation and corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, promote women as catalysts for economic development and combat malaria. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. In 2015, the ExxonMobil Foundation together with Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates along with employees and retirees, provided $268 million in contributions worldwide. www.exxonmobil.com/community View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005854/en/

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Bard to Present at Cowen and Company Healthcare Conference

C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE:BCR) today announced that it will present at the Cowen and Company Healthcare Conference in Boston, Massachusetts on March 6, 2017. Christopher S. Holland, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will discuss the Company in a presentation scheduled to begin at 3:20 PM Eastern Standard Time.

A live webcast of Bard's presentation will be accessible to all investors through Bard's website at http://investorrelations.crbard.com. The webcast will also be available on the website for future on-demand replay.







C. R. Bard, Inc. (www.crbard.com), headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative, life-enhancing medical technologies in the fields of vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005947/en/
[February 27, 2017] Faststream Technologies to Spread its Wings on IoT and EV Charging Solutions

INGLEWOOD, California and BARCELONA, Spain, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Faststream Technologies, a vanguard of technology solutions specializing in product and system engineering, Digital Transformation, IoT, Big data, Security and application development with the global footprint across North America, EMEA and APAC, once again, to join The Mobile World Congress (MWC), 2017. This event is set up to be held at the Mobile World Capital, Barcelona, Spain at two places - Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjic, from 27th February to 2nd March 2017. Vinay Bansal, the CEO will likewise demonstrate solutions focusing on Internet of Things and M2M solutions. He will be discussing on connected cars, smart homes, wearables and everyday objects to the cloud which has a impact on smart cities, specifically smart parking technology. According to a recent survey, by 2017, 20% of car manufacturers will provide WLAN hotspots and about 80% of cars sold in U.S has a rear cameras. This means more businesses would need to invest significantly on the innovation of IoT solutions for better connected cars. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472353/Vinay_Bansal_Faststream_Technologies_MWC.jpg )

Speaking about the participation in the Mobile World Congress 2017, Vinay Bansal said, "If you want to remain in this global Mobile business, you must create an infrastructure that fits your business." The Mobile World Congress, 2017 does that by providing a platform through which businesses can connect with one another, create mentorship and develop the skills that are needed to succeed, based on a vision and nature of the business. They have been an active participant of this annual event for several years. With their adage "to innovate daily", so far they have already designed, developed and deployed to more than 30 to 40 enterprises & customer applicatios and is associated with a constant process of the web and mobile application development and innovation.



This time around, they are intended to showcase EV charging solution using cloud and IoT that would not simply mirror the business's excellence in technology however would even predict their enormous passion for technology. For Faststream Technologies, the answer is simple; make charging stations that can also move around. This is the idea behind the EV charging solution which include mobile power source specifically design for it and whole solution is connected to IoT. The idea of EV charging solution is fairly simple; instead of looking for parking spots near charging ports, EV drivers can park anywhere, where the vehicle can be charged with the portable EV charger. Then, with a smartphone application specifically designed for this portable EV charger, they can tag where they parked their vehicle. Then a motorized EV charger attendant will then come charge the vehicle with a portable EV charger, ensuring it is ready to go when the driver returns.

The team is led by group of senior executives and technologists who complement each other with the goal of turnkey solutions. Few of their technologists have multi patents in their kitty, in the areas of Analog/Mixed-Signal Design, IoT and embedded systems. The solutions offered by this company are manifold and are customized to specific business requirements of clients that consequently enable the clients to "Grow Faster and Save Smarter." With its 7+ years of cross-industry experience and technical know-how throughout all significant business functions, Faststream Technologies helps corporations and Governments around the world with their Cloud/Web based Custom Application Development, Enterprise Mobility and Business Intelligence services and solutions making their businesses future all set. Targeted at developing value for its clients, it operates from its headquarter at Inglewood in California and its branch workplaces in India. The firm provides and affordable pricing models and offers an ensured ROI for companies wanting to leverage disruptive and innovative mobility solutions. Leveraging technical competence to create best-in-class IT services and solutions is what Faststream Technologies is known for and they will be available at HALL 8.0 STAND 8.0C32 in the upcoming Mobile World Congress for one-to-one consultation, business & partnership discussion. About Mobile World Congress: Mobile World Congress (MWC) is the world's most significant and best mobile industry event consisting of a massive exhibition, an acclaimed meeting, exceptional networking opportunities, partner programs, the Glomo Awards and a lot more. Mobile World Congress is the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, organized by the GSMA and held in the Mobile World Capital Barcelona, 27 February - 2 March 2017.

About the Company:

Faststream Technologies, a leading global design and engineering services and solutions company, focused on complete software and hardware product development. The company focuses on building IoT and mobile solutions that aid clients transform their concepts and existing products into next-gen technologies. Faststream builds converged solutions using the most up to date hardware, BI, IoT and cloud technologies for technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications and enterprise clients. For more details about the company can be gathered by calling them at +1-310-491-0410 or shoot them a mail at info@faststreamtech.com. And you can connect with them on Twitter @faststreamtech. Faststream Technologies Pvt Ltd 111 N La Brea Ave Suite 608 Inglewood CA 90301 https://faststreamtech.com Contact:

Vinay Bansal

Founder & CEO, Faststream Technologies

+1-310-491-0410

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE Faststream Technologies Private Limited

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Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Commences Investigation on Behalf of Grana Y Montero SA Investors

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces an investigation on behalf of Grana Y Montero SA ("Grana Y Montero" or the "Company") (NYSE: GRAM) investors concerning the Company and its officers' potential violation of federal securities laws.

On February 24, 2017, a report disclosed that the Company knew of bribes paid by a partner infrastructure developer Odebrecht in Peru, citing testimony of former Odebrecht executive Jorge Barata. Notably, in January 2017, Peru rescinded a contract to build and operate a pipeline to a consortium formed by Odebrecht and Grana y Montero in part because of the alleged bribery scandal.

On this news shares of the Company fell by over 26% during trading on February 24, 2017. If you purchased Grana Y Montero securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.







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/20170227005294/en/
[February 27, 2017] Kapsch selected to design, build & support the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Next Generation Agency-Wide Transportation Management Software.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) has awarded Kapsch TrafficCom a four-year, $8.8M contract to install an Agency-Wide Transportation Management Software (ATMS). The contract consists of a four-year base term followed by two additional one-year optional support periods. Powered by Kapsch's DYNAC software, the new system will enable the Authority to manage ITS assets at its bridges, tunnels, aviation and port facilities, and the PATH rail transit system from any of its individual facility Operations Control Centers and the PA-AOC. The new ATMS will help the Authority improve operational efficiency, agency-wide visibility of travel conditions, and enhance regional transportation coordination. The new ATMS will enable PANYNJ to better manage its critical transportation-related assets. Kapsch will merge 21 independent traffic and facility management data systems into a single enterprise DYNAC-based ATMS that will manage the Authority's vital "Gateways to the Nation" transportation assets including the George Washington, Bayonne, and Goethals Bridges & Outerbridge Crossing, Lincoln & Holland Tunnels, LaGuardia, JFK International & Newark Liberty International Airports and the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal. Deployed in redundant data centers to improve reliability, maintainability and security, the new ATMS will replace independent legacy systems with an agency-wide, next generation architecture. All Authority assets will be able to be managed from any individual facility as well as the PA-AOC, providing agency-wide situational awareness. The ATMS will enable rapid, consistent, and appropriate responses to raffic incidents and tunnel life safety events by generating and executing real-time response plans to help facility and AOC operators expertly manage time sensitive, critical situations. New software at the Ferry Transportation Unit, Port Authority Bus Terminal, GWB Bus Station, Teterboro & Stewart International Airports and PATH will inform all Authority facilities on the status of the regional transportation network.



The ATMS will facilitate enhanced motorist safety and mobility by improving regional travel throughout the PANYNJ's transportation system infrastructure. The ATMS will communicate with 511 database and the traffic and incident data systems used by the Authority to convey real-time traveler information to regional transportation agencies and the traveling public. This streamlined interface will improve agency operational efficiency and information accuracy, facilitate consistent workflows, and enhance environmental monitoring and reporting capabilities. Kapsch TrafficCom is a provider of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the segments of toll collection, traffic management, safety and security, smart urban mobility and connected cars. The end-to-end solutions of Kapsch TrafficCom cover the entire value creation chain of its customers as a one-stop shop, from components and design to the installation and operation of systems. The core business comprises the development, installation and operation of electronic toll collection and traffic management systems.

References in more than 50 countries on all continents have made Kapsch TrafficCom a globally recognized ITS provider. As part of the Kapsch Group, an Austrian family-owned technology group founded in 1892, Kapsch TrafficCom is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has subsidiaries and branches in 30 countries. It has been listed since 2007 on the Vienna Stock Exchange (KTCG) and generated revenues of EUR 526 million in the fiscal year 2015/16 with over 4,600 employees. For more information: www.kapsch.net and www.kapschtraffic.com. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): twitter.com/kapschnet. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005857/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Kudelski Security's Advanced Laboratory (EDSI), Caen, France, Gains ANSSI CSPN Security Certification

Cybersecurity leader is licensed to evaluate IoT-enabled devices for CSPN security certification from its advanced laboratories in Caen, France CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kudelski Security, the cybersecurity division of the Kudelski Group (SIX: KUD.S) today announced that its advanced labs have been licensed by ANSSI (L'Agence Nationale de la Securite des Systemes d'Information), the French government agency responsible for national network and information security, to evaluate IoT-enabled devices for CSPN security certification. The CSPN certification process allows companies to increase trust in the security of their technology, without investing the time and money required for other certifications, such as Common Criteria and Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS). CSPN, a first-level security certification for products and services destined for the French market, is of particular interest to companies operating within the IoT space, where technology evolves continuously and rapid time to market is key to success. The evaluation timing is fixed at eight weeks. Evaluation cots are contained and continuity programs are integrated within the process, enabling product evolution. All methods, procedures, documentation used in CSPN evaluations are established by ANNSI.



Kudelski Security advanced labs have rich experience in both designing and executing certification schemes in the pay-tv field, notably for devices and chipsets. Skilled assessment teams, leveraging industry-leading and proprietary technology, will ensure the CSPN evaluation is carried out thoroughly, on time and on budget. Going beyond the role of a CSPN evaluation facility, they can also support you with expert advice on any security issues affecting your product ecosystem and, if desired, can create a custom certification scheme that enables you meet an enhanced target security level. "Kudelski Security, a trusted advisor and cybersecurity innovator, can now offer its clients the assurance that evaluations are carried out as defined by the industry-leading testing standard in France," said Andrew Howard, chief technology officer, Kudelski Security. "The recognition of ANSSI underlines our credibility as a trusted provider of security evaluations for connected devices for sale on the French market."

About Kudelski Security

Kudelski Security is the premier advisor and cybersecurity innovator for today's most security-conscious organizations. Our long-term approach to client partnerships enables us to continuously evaluate their security posture to recommend solutions that reduce business risk, maintain compliance and increase overall security effectiveness. With clients that include Fortune 500 enterprises and government organizations in Europe and across the United States, we address the most complex environments through an unparalleled set of solution capabilities including consulting, technology, managed security services and custom innovation. For more information, visit www.kudelskisecurity.com. About Kudelski Security Advanced Labs  Based in Switzerland and France, these state-of-the-art laboratories use specialist and proprietary technology to respond to the most complex and unusual demands relating to patent protection, investigation, and hardware and software evaluation. Of particular interest is the company's ability to provide silicon-level analysis of microchips and embedded devices to test for vulnerabilities and potential vectors of attack in increasingly connected IoT (internet of things) environments. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160722/392252LOGO

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[February 27, 2017] MetricNet's Research Featured in HDI 2017 Expert Insights eBook

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In preparation for the annual HDI Conference in Washington, D.C., HDI recently launched its 2017 Expert Insights eBook. MetricNet is excited to announce that its article "Service and Support as a Business: KPIs That Paint the Big Picture" is featured in the eBook. This first of its kind eBook compiles articles from eight HDI 2017 conference speakers. The objective is to shed light on some of today's biggest challenges in the tech support industry. "Service and Support as a Business identifies the need to adopt a profit center mindset for any service and support organization that aspires to realize the benefits of operating as a true business." said Jeff Rumburg. "A case study example introduces several business metrics that can be implemented by any support organization. By creating an estimated $8.2 million in economic value, the company in the case study proves that IT service and support can indeed be profitable!" The HDI 2017 Expert Insights eBook covers a broad range of topics including Gamification, Metrics and KPIs, Automation, Employee Job Satisfaction, Service Portls, Performance Templates and Team vs. Tier Models. Those interested in downloading a complimentary copy can do so on HDI's website.



Mr. Rumburg is the winner of the 2014 Ron Muns Lifetime Achievement Award, and has served on HDI's Strategic Advisory Board. He is co-founder and Managing Partner of MetricNet, LLC, where he is responsible for global strategy, product development, and client engagement delivery. As a leading expert in benchmarking and re-engineering, Mr. Rumburg authored a best selling book on benchmarking, and has been retained as a benchmarking expert by such well-known companies as American Express, Hewlett-Packard, General Motors, and IBM. If you would like more information about benchmarking your service and support functions, please visit http://www.metricnet.com or e-mail MetricNet at info(at)metricnet(dot)com.

About MetricNet MetricNet is the global leader in IT service and support benchmarking. More than half of the FORTUNE 500 rely on MetricNet benchmarks to improve and optimize their performance. MetricNet is the first, and still the only company to offer downloadable service desk and desktop support benchmarks from its website. With a global benchmarking database of more than 3,700 IT service and support benchmarks, MetricNet has the most comprehensive database of process and performance metrics in the industry. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metricnets-research-featured-in-hdi-2017-expert-insights-ebook-300413760.html SOURCE MetricNet, LLC

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Sikandar Khan, 30, tried crossing the India-Pakistan border, without passport, to meet and marry his 'Facebook friend' from Lahore. He was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) after spotting him at the border under suspicious circumstances.

By India Today Web Desk: A 30-year-old man was hoping to cross the India-Pakistan border from Lakho Ke Behram village in Ferozepur, Punjab, to reach Lahore only to meet his 'Facebook friend' and marry her.

But, Sikandar Khan, a resident of Sector 49 in Chandigarh, was nabbed by the BSF for "moving under suspicious circumstances" and trying to sneak out of the country.

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"A patrolling team of Border Security Force (BSF) caught Sikandar Khan who wanted to go to Pakistan to meet a woman whom he loved," said Ferozepur DSP Balwinder Singh as reported by PTI.

Also read: Kashmir: Pellet guns with deflectors, CRPF's new jugaad for stone-pelters

When inquired, Sikandar said that he wanted to meet and get married to his lover who lives in Faisalabad, Pakistan and hence planned the escape. He also told the BSF that his lover, who he met via Facebook, works in a bank in Pakistan and he chose the route through Fazilka because it is closer to Lahore. They started talking to each other two years ago and he claims that they soon fell in love.

Sikandar worked with the matrimonial website shaadi.com till last year and has previously worked with the Lalit Hotel, Chandigarh. The police has booked him under section 12 of the Passport Act, 1967 and presented him to court to take a two-day custody.

Also read: Watch: BSF jawan pens inspiring poem on his willingness to fight or die for the country

He was taken to the joint-interrogation centre in Amritsar for inquiry. Moreover, secret service authorities too where informed because the police believes that Sikandar is hiding something.

Also watch:

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[February 27, 2017] Netronome Agilio SmartNIC Platform Delivers High Operational Efficiency on Industry's Widest Range of NFV Infrastructure Solutions

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS - Netronome (News - Alert), a leading provider of high-performance intelligent networking solutions, today announced that its flagship Agilio CX SmartNIC platform has been integrated into a wide range of NFV infrastructure (NFVi) solutions from leading OEMs, including Juniper Networks (News - Alert), Mirantis and Nuage Networks from Nokia. These integrations offer Telco operators incredible options as they prepare their data center infrastructure for the deluge of data and new services required by 4G and 5G networks servicing critical applications such as mobile video, IoT, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and autonomous cars. These integrated and high-performance NFVi solutions boost the efficiency of data center servers by enabling each server to deliver up to 6X more output per server per dollar spent while maintaining complete vendor independence and mobility of virtual machines (VMs) and virtual network functions that service next generation applications. Global mobile traffic is projected to grow by 10X from 2017 to 2021, driven by video, gaming, data and IoT applications. By 2020, more than a zettabyte - 1,000 exabytes - of information exchanged over telecom networks will be driven by virtual reality applications. It is also estimated that four petabytes of data will be generated by each autonomous car, equivalent to more than 2,500 Internet users. This explosion of data and services in Telco networks is driving significant growth in cloud-based workloads, putting enormous pressure on performance and efficiency requirements from operator data center infrastructures. "Telco operators are investing in NFVi to give them greater service agility and reduce costs, but handling networking functions in software on COTS servers has been shown to be performance bottleneck," said Cliff Grossner, Ph.D., senior research director & advisor for cloud, data center and SDN at IHS Markit. "In a recent IHS Markit report, 85% of service provider respondents indicated they would deploy NFV software to improve time to revenue for new services and 63% want improved operational efficiencies without sacrificing carrier grade performance and quality. This will drive the need for server CPU off-load solutions that maximize server efficiency and enable high-performance networking." "As operators prepare their network infrastructure for growing data and new services requirements, they are challenged by the need for operational efficiency and high performance," said Sujal Das (News - Alert), chief strategy and marketing officer at Netronome. "The Agilio SmartNIC platform addresses these challenges by enabling each server to deliver the highest application performance across all virtual machine workloads and at the same time enabling a wide range of popular OEM NFVi solutions to deliver rich networking and security services at the lowest possible OPEX (News - Alert)." The Agilio CX 10GbE, 25GbE and 40GbE SmartNIC platforms fully and transparently offload virtual switch and router datapath processing for networking functions such as overlays, security, load balancing and telemetry, enabling compute servers used for server-based networking and cloud computing to save critical CPU cores for application processing while delivering significantly higher performance. Netronome Agilio CX platform features standard low-profile PCIe SmartNICs and software, designed for general-purpose x86 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) rack servers, fitting needed operating system, power and form factor requirements. The Agilio OVS software from Netronome significantly improves server-based networking performance and restores valuable CPU cores by offloading virtual routing and switching functions to Agilio SmartNICs. The Agilio OVS Software package includes Netronome's innovative Express Virtio (XVIO) software, which is based on and builds upon industry standard and open source technologies such as SR-IOV, Virtio and DPDK supported by OpenStack. The XVIO technology and software components are transparent and integrate easily with open source and commercial server networking software such Open Virtual Switch (OVS), as used in Nuage Networks virtual services platforms (VSP). VMs and their applications do not require any changes, and all popular guest operating systems with standard Virtio drivers are supported. The advanced capabilities of Juniper Networks Contrail Networking combined with Agilio SmartNICs from Netronome enable dramatic improvements to cloud workload performance and increase network traffic performance up to 25X while also reducing the number of servers needed to be deployed. This helps cloud and Telco operators accelerate the deployment of more flexible private or hybrid cloud applications with innovative new services while lowering total cost of ownership. http://forums.juniper.net/t5/SDN-and-NFV-Era/Continuing-to-Strengthen-Our-Ties-Juniper-Networks-and-Netronome/ba-p/299034



Agilio SmartNIC hardware acceleration support for Mirantis OpenStack with OpenContrail achieves up to 20X higher throughput for applications in VMs while saving up to 10 CPU cores and maintaining full VM mobility and server hardware independence. As a result, flexibility of on-demand network functions required in modern SDN and NFV infrastructure can now be coupled with high networking performance and server operational efficiency. https://www.netronome.com/press-releases/netronome-collaborates-with-mirantis-to-deliver-advanced-hardware-accelerated-sdn-solutions-enabling-fast-flexible-telco-and-enterprise-cloud-nfv-based-infrastructures/ The Agilio CX SmartNIC Platform with the Nuage Networks from Nokia Virtualized Services Platform (VSP) demonstrates a 5X performance boost for overall NFV infrastructures. In addition to significantly increasing throughput, offloading the VXLAN encapsulation/de-encapsulation and match-action processing of network packets in an SDN environment frees up valuable processing cycles to run applications. https://www.netronome.com/press-releases/netronome-agilio-smartnics-with-nuage-networks-from-nokia-virtualized-services-platform-vsp-demonstrate-5x-performance-boost-for-nfv-infrastructures/

The Agilio SmartNIC accelerated VPS from Nokia's Nuage Networks and Mirantis OpenStack with OpenContrail solutions will be demonstrated in the Netronome booth (202MR) at Mobile World Congress, February 28 through March 3, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The Juniper Networks Contrail Networking solution accelerated by Agilio SmartNICs will be demonstrated in the Juniper Networks booth (Hall 2, 2J60). Supporting Resources More information about Agilio CX SmartNICs

https://www.netronome.com/products/agilio-cx/

https://www.netronome.com/products/agilio-cx/ More information about OVS acceleration

https://www.netronome.com/solutions/open-vswitch-applications/overview/

https://www.netronome.com/solutions/open-vswitch-applications/overview/ More information about XVIO

https://www.netronome.com/solutions/xvio/overview/

https://www.netronome.com/solutions/xvio/overview/ More information about server-based networking at Netronome:

https://www.netronome.com/what-we-do/

https://www.netronome.com/what-we-do/ More information about Nuage from Nokia VSP

http://www.nuagenetworks.net/products/virtualized-services-platform/

http://www.nuagenetworks.net/products/virtualized-services-platform/ More information about Juniper Contrail Networking

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/sdn/contrail/contrail-networking/

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/sdn/contrail/contrail-networking/ More information about Mirantis OpenStack with OpenContrail SDN

http://software.mirantis.com About Netronome Netronome enables customers to increase the efficiency of their modern data center infrastructure, reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) and driving significantly higher revenue per server. Server-based networking has enabled rapid innovation and transformed the economics for data center compute and networking. However, such deployments are facing significant scaling and efficiency challenges with the rapid adoption of 10GbE and higher bandwidth network infrastructure. Netronome brings back much-needed scale and efficiency without compromising flexibility or the speed of innovation needed in today's cloud networks running businesses of all sizes. Netronome is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA (News - Alert). To learn more about Netronome and its products, please visit www.netronome.com Netronome, the Netronome logo, and Agilio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Netronome Systems, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners in the United States and other countries. Information based on IHS Markit Technology Group, NFV Strategies Global Service Provider Survey August 2016. Information is not an endorsement of Netronome. Any reliance on these results is at the third party's own risk. Visit technology.ihs.com for more details. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005640/en/

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[February 27, 2017] PubMatic Expands Industry-Leading Header Bidding Technology to Mobile Apps

PubMatic, the automation solutions company for an open digital media industry, today announced the expansion of its header bidding solution to the mobile app ecosystem. This extension of PubMatic's leading header bidding technology, first launched for desktop in 2012 and since expanded to mobile web and now app, gives app developers a powerful, lightweight solution for reclaiming control of ad decisioning and maximizing revenue across their already valuable mobile app inventory at a time when in-app content consumption is on the rise. "Mobile app inventory has largely been left out of the header bidding trend that upended monetization across desktop and mobile web over the past eighteen months," said Evan Simeone, Senior Vice President of Product Management at PubMatic. "By bringing this technology to mobile apps, we're giving mobile app developers greater visibility into market price for their inventory, allowing them to leverage its true value outside of the traditional waterfall." In fact, analysis of PubMatic's platform data from a recently released Quarterly Mobile Index report found that mobile web publishers that adopted header bidding saw a 50 percent increase in eCPMs. With mobile app inventory already commanding a 59 percent premium over mobile web1 and mobile apps accounting for 86 percent of consumer time spent in mobile2, the opportunity for mobile app publishers is a significant one. "Mobile app paid impression volume increased by 21 percent on our platform last quarter," Simeone continued. "When you consider that mobile monetized header bidding impressions also grew nearly 50X year-over-year, it's clear that the introduction of header bidding to the mobile app ecosstem will provide publishers with even greater opportunities to monetize their already valuable mobile app inventory."



PubMatic's mobile in-app header bidding solution provides publishers with two implementation options, allowing them to choose the approach that best fits their ad decisioning strategy: a lightweight, non-SDK version with simple, streamlined implementation that requires only the addition of PubMatic code to an existing app's ad serving SDK, and a full SDK version that provides publishers with access to more data, including device ID, location (lat/long), mobile carrier, operating system version, and more. Publishers using the SDK version are then able to use this data to enhance the value of their mobile app inventory. As a fully supported product, app developers using PubMatic's mobile app header bidding technology will receive the same level of support and enterprise-grade analytics available to publishers using its existing header bidding or wrapper solutions, whether on desktop or mobile, or via client-side or server-side integrations. Regardless of which implementation an app developer chooses, the PubMatic team will guide them through the implementation process, and will provide ongoing support for optimizing monetization strategies.

Learn more about best practices for mobile header bidding monetization and discuss PubMatic's expanded offering at this year's Mobile World Congress, where PubMatic Vice President of EMEA Bill Swanson and a panel of industry experts will provide actionable insights for publishers looking to increase the yield they achieve from their mobile web and app traffic. For complete details or to request an invite to this session, visit PubMatic's website here. About PubMatic PubMatic is the automation solutions company for an open digital media industry. Featuring the leading omni-channel revenue automation platform for publishers and enterprise-grade programmatic tools for media buyers, PubMatic's publisher-first approach enables advertisers to access premium inventory at scale. Processing nearly one trillion ad impressions per month, PubMatic has created a global infrastructure to activate meaningful connections between consumers, content and brands. Since 2006, PubMatic's focus on data and technology innovation has fueled the growth of the programmatic industry as a whole. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, PubMatic operates 11 offices and six data centers worldwide. PubMatic is a registered trademark of PubMatic, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 1 Source (News - Alert): PubMatic Q4 2016 Quarterly Mobile Index 2 Source: eMarketer, "Smartphone Apps Crushing Mobile Web Time" View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005469/en/

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[February 27, 2017] SAP Simplifies Work and Empowers the Mobile Workforce

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) plans to deliver SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS on March 30, giving developers the tools needed to build powerful enterprise apps for iPhone and iPad. Developers can now register for the SAP Academy for iOS to get the necessary training to create their own native apps. Additionally, early adopter customers have already seen improvements in their business with iOS built on SAP's platforms. These announcements were made at Mobile World Congress being held February 27March 2 in Barcelona, Spain. "As promised, SAP is delivering real-time enterprise software to iOS devices, transforming core work processes for companies of all sizes with powerful native apps built specifically for iPhone and iPad," said Bernd Leukert, member of the Executive Board, SAP SE, Products & Innovation. "Customers, partners and SAP can now quickly develop apps that deliver data with the cutting-edge capabilities of SAP Cloud Platform and SAP S/4HANA. The partnership comes at the right time for our customers as more and more companies build their mobile strategies around iOS." Susan Prescott, vice president of Product Marketing, Apple, said: "When we set out on this partnership with SAP, we knew we had an incredible opportunity to transform how people around the world work by combining the innovation and security of iOS with SAP's leadership in enterprise software. We're already seeing the impact that the combination of iOS and SAP brings to businesses to enable better, more efficient and effective processes across industries. Now even more developers will be able to take advantage of the new SDK, and we can't wait to see how they transform their businesses." SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS to Empower Millions of Developers with Enterprise-Grade Tools

SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS aims to give developers, designers, and businesses around the world the tools and scalability they need to quickly and efficiently build powerful enterprise-grade apps for iPhone and iPad, based on SAP Cloud Platform and built-in Swift, Apple's modern programming language. The software development kit (SDK) is also intended to provide a rich library of prebuilt user experience (UX) components and easier access to innovative device capabilities  such as Touch ID, location services and notifications  to accelerate app development and increase adoption. The new SDK is designed to enable developers to leverage mobile services and other capabilities of SAP Cloud Platform, providing enterprise features like single sign-on, offline data synchronization and enhanced supportability to fulfill the complex requirements of today's digital enterprises. The SDK is intended to be complemented with innovative tools to identify available UX building blocks, existing enterprise services and application programming interfaces (APIs) to access SAP S/4HANA and other third-party systems, and to generate code snippets to reduce complexity and let the developers focus on creating apps that deliver incredible user experiences. For more information on the SDK, developers can visit www.sap.com/apple. SAP Academy for iOS Available to Enable and Expand the Developer Ecosystem

Engaging the power of the global developer community of 2.5 million SAP developers and 13 million Apple developers, SAP Academy for iOS is now available with initial training and workshops. A global rollout is planned for later this year. To complement the new SDK and SAP Fiori for iOS design language, Apple and SAP have jointly developed the irst set of offerings as part of the SAP Academy for iOS curriculum and courses. The courses aim to provide mobile developers and designers with knowledge, tools, education and training needed to build a new class of mobile apps that take full advantage of the new SDK, SAP Cloud Platform, SAP Fiori for iOS and the latest features of Apple hardware and software. The learning journey for mobile developers within SAP Academy for iOS provides a suggested learning path along with related learning assets. It will be updated regularly as new offers and additional roles are added.



SAP Developing Native iOS Apps for Industries

SAP is currently building native iOS apps for industries ranging from manufacturing to retail, designed to transform core work processes. The first of these, the SAP Project Companion mobile app with versions for managers and for consultants, developed for professional services, is planned for release March 30 and aims to improve collaboration within project teams on iPhone and iPad. The apps plan to integrate through SAP Cloud Platform into the SAP S/4HANA Professional Services Cloud solution, taking advantage of real-time data and dramatically simplifying the experience for consultants, project managers and other users who are typically on the go. As a core asset of the partnership, SAP Fiori for iOS design language simplifies the user experience by combining a consumer-grade iOS experience with business user needs in the enterprise, and enables developers to build next-generation apps.

Early Adopter Customers Already Seeing Benefits of Apple and SAP Partnership

Various businesses around the world are participating in the early adopter program for the SDK and are already realizing benefits. The collaboration between Apple and SAP makes it simpler for users to build transformative mobile apps to consume and use their most critical data on iPhone and iPad devices and digitally transform their processes with enterprise mobility. By redefining the customer experience, Apple and SAP are enabling businesses to access real-time information from anywhere and helping companies like Burberry provide an improved user experience for their own customers. Burberry, a long-standing partner of Apple and SAP, has used iPad and iPhones as in-store devices since 2012, enabling it to quickly and easily anticipate and respond to customer needs in real time. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia (KAUST) is both an academic campus and a city. Students, staff and faculty all live in the community with their families. To serve the diverse needs of this community, the strategy was to create a series of apps to support and improve all aspects of life and work. "The iOS SDK will help us compete with other universities by providing the best experience for both our students and professors in addition to a top-notch education," said Abdulmajeed Serajuddin, the manager of IT enterprise applications at KAUST. "Innovapptive, an SAP partner, is working with us through all the critical steps of implementation." FunderMax is one of Europe's leading suppliers of derived timber products and decorative laminates. The company has three production facilities in Austria, with more than 1,050 dedicated employees passionate about quality. FunderMax is committed to using digital technologies to transform its sales processes as well as how it collaborates with its channel partners such as architects and retailers. "We are transforming the way construction materials providers work with architects," said Hartwig Schwarzlmuller, vice president of FunderMax. "At FunderMax, we strive for the perfect user experience, and Apple and SAP are enabling us to do just that with the help of our strategic partner Atos." For more information, visit www.sap.com/apple and the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews. About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device  SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 345,000 business and public sector customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com. Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.  2017 SAP SE. All rights reserved.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx#trademark for additional trademark information and notices. Apple, the Apple logo, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. For customers interested in learning more about SAP products:

Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24

United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only:

Samantha Finnegan, SAP, +1 (415) 377-0475, [email protected], EST

Susan Miller, SAP, +1 (610) 570-6845, [email protected], EST

SAP News Center press room; [email protected]

Elizabeth Somerville, PAN Communications, +1 (415) 544-7231, [email protected], PST To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sap-simplifies-work-and-empowers-the-mobile-workforce-300413690.html SOURCE SAP SE

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[February 27, 2017] SC REALTORS Now Offering zipForm Plus Broker Edition to 19,000+ Members

FRASER, Mich., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding on its longstanding partnership with zipLogix, creators of zipForm, South Carolina REALTORS (SCR) has added another zipLogix product to the suite of transaction tools it currently offers to its more than 19,000 members. zipForm Plus Broker Edition enables users to efficiently manage multiple agents in various office locations from a secure, online workspace. Additionally, the interwoven zipTMS transaction management system's Broker Dashboard empowers administrators with the ability to manage and monitor monthly transactions, agent activity, weekly tasks and quarterly performance. These functions all operate within a single integrated platform. "Adding zipForm Plus Broker Edition as a member benefit will equip our members with the administrative tools and flexibility they need to successfully manage their brokerages," said Nick Kremydas, chief executive officer of South Carolina REALTORS. "CR is pleased to expand our partnership with zipLogix to provide this turnkey tool to our members."



"One of the primary challenges that we've heard many brokers face is the ability to track agent activity and critical business metrics, which is why we developed the zipTMS Broker Dashboard," said zipLogix Chairman Mark Peterson. "Now that South Carolina REALTORS can access this tool as a member benefit, more broker administrators have the ability to better manage and monitor their business transactions." zipLogix offers multiple solutions to set a real estate brokerage apart from the competition. To discuss industry-leading broker technology solutions, please contact a zipLogix Broker representative at (866) 627-4729 or visit www.ziplogix.com.

South Carolina REALTORS (SCR), the largest professional trade association in the state, serves as the voice of real estate for more than 19,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTOR is a registered trademark that identifies a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict code of ethics as a member of SCR and the National Association of REALTORS. Fraser, Mich.-based zipLogix, creators of zipForm, is a technology company working for real estate professionals to improve productivity and efficiency industry-wide. Its software automates and simplifies the repetitive and complex steps of real estate transactions, and is used by more than 650,000 real estate professionals across the country. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sc-realtors-now-offering-zipform-plus-broker-edition-to-19000-members-300405750.html SOURCE zipLogix

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[February 26, 2017] INVESTOR ALERT: Brower Piven Encourages Shareholders Who Have Losses In Excess Of $100,000 From Investment In USANA Health Sciences, Inc. To Contact Brower Piven Before The Lead Plaintiff Deadline In Class Action Lawsuit

The securities litigation law firm of Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, announces that a class action lawsuit has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Utah on behalf of purchasers of USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA) ("USANA" or the "Company") securities during the period between March 14, 2014 and February 7, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors who wish to become proactively involved in the litigation have until April 14, 2017 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. If you wish to choose counsel to represent you and the Class, you must apply to be appointed lead plaintiff and be selected by the Court. The lead plaintiff will direct the litigation and participate in important decisions including whether to accept a settlement for the Class in the action. The lead plaintiff will be selected from among applicants claiming the largest loss from investment in USANA securities during the Class Period. Members of the Class will be represented by the lead plaintiff and counsel chosen by the lead plaintiff. No class has yet been certified in the above action. The complaint accuses the defendants of violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by virtue of the defendants' failure to disclose during the ClassPeriod that the Company's BabyCare subsidiary had engaged in improper reimbursement practices in China, which constituted violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") and the Company's China revenues were in part the product of unlawful conduct and unlikely to be sustainable.



According to the complaint, following a February 7, 2017 announcement that the Company is conducting an internal investigation of its China operations, focusing on the compliance with the FCPA, the value of USANA shares declined significantly. If you have suffered a loss in excess of $100,000 from investment in USANA securities purchased on or after March 14, 2014 and held through the revelation of negative information during and/or at the end of the Class Period and would like to learn more about this lawsuit and your ability to participate as a lead plaintiff, without cost or obligation to you, please visit our website at http://www.browerpiven.com/currentsecuritiescases.html. You may also request more information by contacting Brower Piven either by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (410) 415-6616. Brower Piven also encourages anyone with information regarding the Company's conduct during the period in question to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

Attorneys at Brower Piven have extensive experience in litigating securities and other class action cases and have been advocating for the rights of shareholders since the 1980s. If you choose to retain counsel, you may retain Brower Piven without financial obligation or cost to you, or you may retain other counsel of your choice. You need take no action at this time to be a member of the class. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170226005038/en/

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[February 26, 2017] Syniverse Study Reveals Only 42 percent of World's Data Roaming is LTE

Syniverse today released a study of LTE roaming patterns, revealing that only 42 percent of inter-regional data roaming taking place around the globe is LTE (News - Alert) while non-LTE roaming traffic represents 58 percent. The study analyzed global roaming traffic from across Syniverse's customer base of more than 1,000 mobile operators in six regions. "By measuring global LTE roaming, we can see that the tipping point hasn't occurred yet. In the harsh reality of competition today, providing LTE roaming can be a differentiator, and Syniverse (News - Alert) is uniquely positioned to enable the truly global experience," said Mary Clark, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief of Staff, Syniverse. "Because of our unrivaled scale as a platform at the center of mobile, Syniverse is the only company capable of delivering this insight to assess the global state of LTE, and our data shows that, despite early 5G momentum, 4G still has a long way to go." Analysis of inter-regional traffic was divided into the key regions of North America (U.S. and Canada for the purposes of this study); Latin America; the Middle East and Africa; India; Europe; and Asia Pacific (including Australia). The Americas account for more than four times as much global LTE roaming traffic than the rest of the world's regions combined. In fact, the overwhelmng majority of inter-regional LTE roaming - 81 percent - takes place between North America and Latin America.



The scarcity of inter-regional roaming outside of the Americas is put in sharp contrast when looking at some regions more closely like Asia Pacific, a region that includes some of the world's most advanced wireless networks, where just 26 percent of its total outbound data roaming volume is LTE traffic. "Enabling LTE roaming is essential for operators to capture revenue from 4G, and later 5G," said Clark. "Our data suggests that routes across the globe need to deploy the secure IPX backbone that is central to accelerating the maturity of LTE networks and bringing 5G one step closer. As mobile users demand more rich video experiences, operators need to prioritize LTE roaming, directly linking the value that the operator plays in that experience."

More Information Further details about the findings of Syniverse's inter-regional LTE roaming study, including additional data and supporting visuals can be found at http://info.syniverse.com/LP-LTE-Tradewinds. Syniverse IPX solution The Syniverse IPX provides the industry's largest global footprint that connects to more than 820 operators, including over 230 direct connections, to enable seamless voice and data services for their customers internationally, including LTE data and voice (VoLTE) roaming. In addition to unmatched global reach, reliability and security, the Syniverse IPX also incorporates a range of features and services for operators to comprehensively test, optimize and perfect their services before commercial launch. About Syniverse Syniverse is the leading global transaction processor that connects approximately 1,500 mobile service providers, enterprises, ISPs and OTTs in nearly 200 countries and territories, enabling seamless mobile communications across disparate and rapidly evolving networks, devices and applications. We deliver innovative cloud-based solutions that facilitate superior end-user experiences through always-on services and real-time engagement. For more than 30 years, Syniverse has been simplifying complexity to deliver the promise of mobility - a simple, interoperable experience, anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.syniverse.com, follow Syniverse on Twitter or connect with Syniverse on Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170226005179/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Edmond Tehini returns to Calypso as Managing Director, Sales - Middle East

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Calypso Technology Inc., a leading provider of capital markets and investment management software, announced it has appointed Edmond Tehini as Managing Director of Sales in the Middle East, based in Dubai. Tehini has held senior sales management roles at IHS Markit in France, Switzerland, and Southern Europe. He was previously with Calypso until 2014. "There are winds of change at Calypso," said Tehini. "The firm has developed a comprehensive and innovative set of offerings through continuous investments in new technologies and a focus on client needs. I am thrilled to be leading the Middle East region, where our fast-growing client base is a clear manifestation of these new dynamics." Calypso was the #1 selling Treasury & Capital Markets Solution for the seventh consecutive year in the 2016 IBS Sales League Table and hasrecently announced the launch of a Cloud Services Division.



"We are very pleased to welcome back Edmond, as well as several other former employees," said Chief Administrative Officer, Jonathan Walsh. "With our new focus on people development, enhanced team cohesion, and empowerment of regional leadership, we aim to make our firm the industry's best place to work." Calypso was recently named the Technology Provider of the Year by both Central Banking and Asia Risk magazines, and was named a Leader in the 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Trading Platforms.

About Calypso Technology, Inc. Calypso Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of cross-asset front-to-back technology for financial markets. Calypso software and Cloud services support trading, processing, accounting, risk management, and compliance in a uniquely integrated platform, bringing simplicity and cost efficiency to today's business and regulatory imperatives. With 35,000 users in 68 countries, Calypso addresses the needs of capital markets and investment managers, provding solutions for collateral, clearing, treasury, and enterprise risk. The firm is consistently granted the most prestigious product and technology awards in the industry. "Calypso" is a registered trademark of Calypso Technology, Inc. in the U.S., EU and other jurisdictions. Other parties' trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such. www.calypso.com Media Contacts:

Calypso Technology

Chris Shayne

[email protected]

+1 415 530 4147

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[February 27, 2017] Basilea proposes Dr. Nicole Onetto as new member of the Board of Directors

Basel, Switzerland, February 27, 2017 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today that its Board of Directors proposes Dr. Nicole Onetto for election as a non-executive member of the Board at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 27, 2017. Domenico Scala, Chairman of Basilea's Board of Directors, said: "Basilea has successfully brought to market two hospital anti-infectives, the antifungal Cresemba and the antibiotic Zevtera/Mabelio. As we are also progressing toward important decision points in our oncology portfolio, the Board has decided to further strengthen its expertise in oncology. We are therefore very pleased that Dr. Onetto has agreed to be nominated to join our Board. She has a distinguished career with a wealth of experience operationally and strategically in developing and bringing novel and innovative oncology drugs to patients." Dr. Nicole Onetto, a French and Canadian citizen, currently serves as an independent consultant for oncology, drug development and translational research in Vancouver, Canada. Prior to that, from 2009 to 2016, she was Deputy Director & Chief Scientific Officer at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) in Toronto, Canada. From 2005-2009 she was Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at ZymoGenetics Inc. Between 2002 and 2005, she served at OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., first as Executive Vice President-Oncology and then as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President. Her career in the pharmaceutical industry also includes senior management positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Nexstar Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc. She is currently on the board of ProNAi Therapeutics, a Vancouver-based oncology hematology company, nd previously served for eleven years as a member of the board of ImmunoGen Inc. and a number of other public and private pharmaceutical companies in the oncology sector. Dr. Onetto obtained her MD from the University of Paris and holds a Master of Pharmacology from the University of Montreal.



If Dr. Onetto is newly elected and all current Board members are re-elected, Basilea's Board of Directors will consist of seven members: Prof. Daniel Lew, Dr. Martin Nicklasson, Dr. Thomas M. Rinderknecht (current Vice-Chairman), Domenico Scala (current Chairman), Dr. Nicole Onetto, Steven D. Skolsky and Dr. Thomas Werner. About Basilea

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company developing products that address the medical problem of increasing resistance and non-response to current treatment options in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and cancer. The company uses the integrated research, development and commercial operations of its subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. to discover, develop and commercialize innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Additional information can be found at Basilea's website www.basilea.com. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD

Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

+41 61 606 1102

[email protected]

[email protected]

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. Attachments: //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be078f76-6fc2-4599-87e8-5441b5a8517e

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[February 27, 2017] Payments and Currency Law Expert Adam Atlas Appointed to Mobetize Board of Advisors

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobetize Corp. (OTCQB:MPAY), a provider of mobile financial services (MFS) technology for the multi-billion dollar business to business (B2B) segment of the Fintech as a Service (FaaS) sector is pleased to announce that Adam Atlas was recently appointed to Mobetizes Board of Advisors.

Mr. Atlas leads the firm Adam Atlas Attorney at Law http://adamatlas.com. His firm advises principally on matters of law pertinent to electronic payments and merchant transactions. Mr. Atlas holds a Bachelor of Civil Law, Bachelor of Common Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with Honors, from McGill University and has been a member of the New York State Bar and the Province of Quebec Bar since 1998. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. Prior to forming his own boutique payments practice in 2003, Mr. Atlas practiced corporate law at Stikeman Elliott, an international business law firm. He has also served as an early director of leading payments companies, Versapay Corporation and Payfirma Corporation. Mr. Atlas provides open source legal information concerning U.S. payments compliance at http://fintech.law. He is also the founder of http://msbstatus.com, a Regulatory Technology (RegTech) start-up that provides comprehensive MSB licensure and registration information. Mr. Atlas also provides legislative review and updates for The Money Services Business Association or MSBA, a U.S. trade association focused on the non-bank money services industry. The MSBA was started to establish an industry led organization to support the non-bank financial services industry. Today the MSBA encourages innovation and development in the payments industry while promoting education and communication with Federal and State Regulators.



There is a gap in the market today between the abundant creativity of Fintech start-ups and the conventional mechanisms of banks. As the rails of the financial system, banks are entitled to demand a certain level of technical security and sophistication from their Fintech start-up partners. Mobetize fills that gap. Having supported hundreds of Fintech start-ups, its a pleasure for me to advise Mobetize, an important link between Fintech business and traditional financial infrastructure, said Adam Atlas on accepting his advisory role. "As Mobetize experiences growing global demand for its FaaS platform http://mobetize.com/fintech-news/, Adam is a key addition to our team of industry thought leaders who will ensure that we implement agile RegTech standards to manage risk and automate compliance requirements for Mobetize clients and partners," stated Ajay Hans, Chief Executive Officer.

About Mobetize Corp. Mobetize Corp. (OTCQB:MPAY) has developed a global B2B Fintech as a Service (FaaS) Supermarket. Mobetize digitizes bricks and mortar financial services to deliver mobile money services to leading telecommunications companies and financial institutions. Mobetize ensures end-to-end integration for services such as prepaid air-time top ups, data gifting, mobile lending, international money transfers, P2P transfers, Visa/MasterCard programs and mobile bill payments. Mobetize seamlessly integrates and white labels its secure mobile money platform services for customers who then offer the services to millions of users. Mobetize experts help telecom and banking providers discover new revenues, new customer relationships and navigate the emerging Fintech ecosystem. For more information, visit http://www.mobetize.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that are not historical in nature and may be characterized as "forward-looking statements," including those related to future financial and operating results, benefits, and synergies of the combined companies, statements concerning Mobetize's outlook, pricing trends, and forces within the industry, the completion dates of capital projects, expected sales growth, cost reduction strategies, and their results, long-term goals of Mobetize and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. All predictions as to future results contain a measure of uncertainty and, accordingly, actual results could differ materially. Among the factors which could cause a difference are: changes in the general economy; changes in demand for Mobetize's products or in the supplier costs; the actions of its competitors; the success of our customers; technological change; changes in employee relations; government regulations; litigation, including its inherent uncertainty; difficulties in plant operations and materials; transportation, environmental matters; and other unforeseen circumstances. A number of these factors are discussed in Mobetize's previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mobetize disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release. Mobetize Corp. Shareholder Relations 778-588-5563 X 209 [email protected]

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By Press Trust of India: Photo: AP2_27_2017_000020A

Los Angeles, Feb 27 (PTI) He has been long considered the quintessential Hollywood underdog but Casey Affleck shrugged away that title as he took home the best actor Oscar for his sublime turn as a troubled loner in "Manchester by the Sea".

It is the first Academy award win for Afleck, who is better known as the young brother of Oscar winner Ben Affleck. He was earlier nominated for his supporting work in 2007 film "The Assassination of Jesse James".

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An emotional Affleck acknowledged fellow nominee Denzel Washington, saying he was the first person to teach him how to act.

"Im here because of the goodwill of so many people but most importantly Kenneth Lonergan who made this part without which I would not be here. I wish I had something more meaningful to say but I am just happy to be part of this fraternity," Affleck said while also paying tribute to his brother and producer Matt Damon.

For the win, Affleck saw off competition from Joel Edgerton for "Loving", Ryan Gosling for "La La Land", Andrew Garfield for "Hacksaw Ridge", Viggo Mortensen for "Captain Fantastic" and Washington for "Fences".

Except Gosling, this years Oscar race for best actor featured performers, who have played troubled protagonists in dramas with heavy themes.

"Manchester" a haunting, intensely powerful film and much of the credit goes to Affleck for playing a depressed Massachusetts janitor coping with the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy and becoming the guardian of a teenager.

Notably, Afflecks role was passed on by "Manchester" Damon. The film was initially conceived of by Damon and co- producer John Krasinski.

The actors road to Oscar glory was a mixed bag. He won won the Golden Globes and dozens of other awards but his Oscar nomination had invited objections on the grounds that the Academy disregarded the 2010 sexual harassment suits against Affleck by two women who had worked on his experimental film "Im Still Here", starring his brother-in-law Joaquin Phoenix.

Affleck was sued for USD 2 million by one woman and USD 2.25 million by the other. Both cases were settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in 2010. PTI JCH BK

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[February 27, 2017] LeoLabs Unveils Dedicated Phased-Array Radar for Tracking Space Debris

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LeoLabs, Inc., the leading commercial provider of data to track debris and prevent collisions in low Earth orbit (LEO), today announced completion of the next addition to its network of phased-array radars. The Midland Space Radar (MSR), located in Texas, is now operational and providing high resolution orbital data on LEO-based satellites and debris. "This milestone demonstrates our aggressive execution model for building a global network of radar sites to map objects in LEO," said Dan Ceperley, CEO of LeoLabs. "In combination with data already provided from our Alaska site, the MSR brings our coverage of known LEO objects up to 95%, and improves our ability to provide high resolution data on a commercial service platform." According to LeoLabs, keeping pace with the sheer number of satellites and debris orbiting in LEO requires frequent observations. "This is precisely the benefit of an additional dedicated radar site such as our Midland Space Radar," explained Mike Nicolls, founder and CTO of LeoLabs. "With the MSR, not only do we increase our coverage, we add thousands of additional observations to our LEO data set. And we will notstop here," continued Nicolls. "We are already scouting sites in the high Northern and Southern latitudes, as well as equatorial areas, to expand even further. Our mission is to reach 100% coverage of orbital debris, and make our data a foundation for securing the emerging LEO economy."



Currently, LeoLabs has customer engagements underway providing services that include Initial Orbit Determination, and Collision Avoidance. The primary market for these services are commercial satellite operators in LEO, as well as government agencies and satellite management service firms. Construction of the Midland Space Radar began only six months ago. In September 2016, LeoLabs inked agreements with the Midland City Council and Midland Development Corporation to locate in Texas and promote the new MSR facility. "The City of Midland has been an outstanding partner for us in rapid execution on this critical step forward," said Ceperley. Brent Hilliard, CEO of the Midland Development Corporation, confirmed, "LeoLabs exemplifies our mission of attracting innovators in the space industry who can diversify and grow the Midland economy."

About LeoLabs

LeoLabs uses state of the art, patented phased-array radars to offer the industry's first commercial collision avoidance and mapping service for LEO. These services include rapid orbit determination, early operational support, and ongoing conjunction awareness. The offerings are targeted for commercial satellite operators, government regulatory and space agencies, and satellite management services firms. LeoLabs is a venture-funded corporation based in Menlo Park, California. About Midland Development Corporation

The Midland Development Corporation (MDC) promotes the City of Midland and incentivizes qualified employers who create and retain a diversified job market in the greater Midland, Texas, region. MDC promotes business expansion and job creation through an established business climate and a strong community. MDC is an effective steward of sales tax revenue to efficiently grow Midland's economic stability and the quality of life. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leolabs-unveils-dedicated-phased-array-radar-for-tracking-space-debris-300413738.html SOURCE LeoLabs, Inc.

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[February 27, 2017] Forbes Travel Guide Announces 2017 Star Rating Awards

ATLANTA, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- - 175 Hotels Across the Globe Achieve Coveted Five-Star Award; 38 New Properties Receive Top Honors for First Time - Launching in 20 New Destinations, with the Largest and Most Diverse Group of Winners, Awards Continue Global Expansion into Australia and Pacific Rim - Bali Emerges as a Luxury Hot Spot with Three Five-Star, 10 Four-Star and Three Recommended Hotels; Two International Hotels Earn A Record-Breaking Six Five-Star Awards Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 59th list of worldwide Star Rating recipients, continuing its exceedingly selective approach for recognizing the world's finest properties and rewarding gracious, intuitive service. For 2017, the award winners include 22 new Five-Star hotels, 76 new Four-Star hotels and 83 new hotels in the Recommended category. Other first-time recipients include seven Five-Star restaurants, 13 Four-Star restaurants and 12 Recommend restaurants. The list also honors nine new Five-Star spas and 35 new Four-Star spas. See the complete list of winners here. As it continues to expand globally, Forbes Travel Guide now rates properties in 42 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, with plans to add the Middle East and Africa for 2018. Newly added international destinations for 2017 include: Bali, Barcelona, Bogota, Budapest, Cartagena, County Kildare (Ireland), Dublin, Kyoto, Lima, Lisbon, Manila, Melbourne, Monte Carlo, Munich, Osaka, Santiago, Seoul, St. Tropez, Sydney, Venice and Zurich. "This year's Star-Rated properties - the largest and most global group in the company's history - achieved an impeccable standard of excellence in hospitality, underscoring our overall mission of positively contributing to the international tourism industry as well as the individual hotel experience," said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide. "We are excited to recognize the 2017 Star Rating recipients, an exceptional collection of hotels, restaurants and spas with a strong culture of service. In an online environment of confusion and clutter, Forbes Travel Guide is the most trusted source of information to assist guests in making informed decisions," Inzerillo said. "We are proud to congratulate everyone who showed dedication to their guests and employees." To celebrate this year's award, Star-Rated winners are invited to the Forbes Travel Guide All-Star Celebration in New York City on March 2. Attendees will enjoy selections of dishes prepared by award-winning chefs and legends of the international culinary world, including: Jose Garces, Amada; Christian Pratsch, Asiate; Daniel Boulud, Daniel; Mario Batali and Joe and Lidia Bastianich, Del Posto; Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Georges; Geoffrey Zakarian, The Lambs Club; and Michael White, Vaucluse. HIGHLIGHTS, TRENDS & FUN FACTS FOR 2017 By the Numbers Among the total 1,464 winners, there are 175 Five-Star, 478 Four-Star and 237 Recommended hotels. Overall, 62 Five-Star, 176 Four-Star and 73 Recommended restaurants earned distinctions. In the spas category, a total of 56 Five-Star and 207 Four-Star spots achieved awards.



Beauty in Diversity While the 2017 group of winners is the most diverse in terms of size, location and style, one overarching theme that ties them together is that each delivers its own istinctive experience. New Five-Star hotels range from the brand-new fresh and inventive Faena Hotel Miami Beach and the recently restored grand dame Ritz Paris to over-the-top all-suite hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Macau. Boutique hotels also made a strong Five-Star showing, including Cabo San Lucas' 87-room The Resort at Pedregal, London's 30-room Hotel 41 and Rome's 14-suite Portrait Roma.



The same diversity can be found with the new Four-Stars winners, which include St. Lucia's Jade Mountain Resort, whose 29 three-walled suites are open to the elements and have either their own private infinity pool or Jacuzzi, and Mystic, Connecticut's Spicer Mansion, a new eight-room hotel that pampers with monogrammed pillows and chauffeured BMW service. New and Noteworthy Among the new destinations, the small island of Bali emerged as a big luxury winner. The new luxury hot spot snagged Five-Star distinctions for three hotels (Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, The Villas at Ayana). It also tallied an impressive 10 Four-Star hotels and three Recommended properties.



Manila launched with two Five-Star hotels ( Marco Polo Ortigas Manila , Sky Tower at Solaire Resort and Casino), a quartet of Four-Star properties ( Fairmont Makati , Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, Raffles Makati, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila) and a pair of Recommended hotels (Makati Shangri-La, Manila; Pan Pacific Manila).



In Australia , Crown Towers Melbourne and The Darling in Sydney picked up their respective city's first Five-Star hotel distinction. In addition, Melbourne added a Four-Star ( Park Hyatt Melbourne ) and two Recommended properties (Grand Hyatt Melbourne; The Langham, Melbourne). Sydney racked up two Four-Star (The Langham, Sydney; Park Hyatt Sydney ) and a pair of Recommended hotels (InterContinental Sydney Double Bay; Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney).



Numerous European destinations debuted with their first Five-Star properties: Budapest (Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest), Barcelona (Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona ), the French Riviera (Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel) and Venice (Belmond Hotel Cipriani).



Stars All Around An elite group of 11 properties earned Five-Star awards for their hotel, restaurant and spa. These triple Five-Star winners include: Banyan Tree Macau; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; The Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia ; Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego ; The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong ; Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas ; Mandarin Oriental, Macau ; Mandarin Oriental, Miami ; Montage Laguna Beach; Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island ; and Wynn Las Vegas.



Altira Macau and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong received a total of four Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and two restaurants.

Crown Towers Macau won a total of five Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and three restaurants.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Wynn Macau set a new record, achieving a total of six Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and four restaurants.

Where the Hotel Stars Shine Brightly In the United States , the greatest number of Five-Star hotels are in: California (18), New York (9), Florida (8), Massachusetts (6) and Nevada (5). California gained two new Five-Star hotels this year: Napa's Solage, An Auberge Resort and San Diego's Fairmont Grand Del Mar .



U.S. cities with the highest number of Five-Star hotels include: New York (8), Beverly Hills (5), Las Vegas (5) and Miami (5).



Globally, cities with the most Five-Star hotels include: Macau (10), Paris (10), London (9) and Hong Kong (8). Macau and Paris remain neck and neck with one new winner each in 2017.



Where the Restaurant Stars Shine Brightly In the United States , the greatest number of Five-Star restaurants reside in: New York (7), California (6) and Nevada (6).



Las Vegas' fine-dining scene is seeing an uptick with three new Five-Star restaurants: Le Cirque Las Vegas and Picasso, both in Bellagio, and Wing Lei in Wynn Las Vegas.



Globally, cities with the highest number of Five-Star restaurants include: Macau (11) and Hong Kong (8).



Where the Spa Stars Shine Brightly In the United States , the greatest number of Five-Star spas are located in: California (8), Florida (5) and Nevada (5). California's two new Five-Star spa additions are Meadowood Spa in Napa and The Spa at Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles .



The brand-new and sumptuous Meadowood Spa brings Napa Valley its first Five-Star spa.



Globally, cities with the most Five-Star spas include: Macau (7), Hong Kong (5) and Shanghai (4).



Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Mayakoba is the first and only Five-Star spa in Mexico . For details on how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star Ratings, click here.

To view the complete list of 2017 Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating recipients, click here. To view and download images of all 2017 Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating recipients, click here. ABOUT FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE Forbes Travel Guide is the originator of the prestigious Five-Star Rating system, and has provided the travel industry's most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against up to 800 rigorous and objective standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions. Forbes Travel Guide is the most prestigious standard for luxury hospitality worldwide. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, visit http://www.forbestravelguide.com Connect with Forbes Travel Guide: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ForbesTravelGuide Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ForbesInspector Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ForbesTravelGuide

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[February 27, 2017] Giraffic and Byond Join Forces to Create Mobile VR Magic at MWC 2017

Giraffic, the leader in Adaptive Video Acceleration (AVA) technologies, together with Byond, a groundbreaking cloud-based VR development platform, introducing the first mobile VR video experience that delivers flawless and uninterrupted HD and 4K streaming in real time. The mainstream adoption of VR significantly relies on mobile platforms and wireless networks, while streaming will be the most compelling option to view dynamic and live content. In order to accomplish that, VR must provide users with high-quality uninterrupted experience. The video delivery infrastructure is constrained by network congestions and its unstable behavior, flawing the viewing experience with low resolution and buffering pauses, thus preventing users from fully utilizing their amazing mobile displays and immersive content. As VR video generates 3 to 10 times higher bitrates, its streaming in hi-res and in real-time remains a big challenge. Giraffic and Byond come together to solve this specific problem, turning the troublesme task of high-quality 360 degree video and VR streaming into a thing of a past.



"When you're experiencing your favorite team's game in VR or taking a virtual roller-coaster ride, the last thing you want is that low-quality blurry image or buffering to bring you back to reality, because your internet speed suddenly dropped" said Yoel Zanger, CEO of Giraffic. The complexity of bringing VR experiences to broader audience makes it difficult to distribute such content. "Byond platform empowers brands and media companies to seamlessly create VR experiences on their own without any coding skill requirements." continues Zanger, "now with the integration of VR AVA, publishers will be able to deliver flawless life-like experiences whether for VOD or live streaming".

"The video quality is more important than ever when using VR and it requires a mass amount of bandwidth" said Byond CEO, Noam Levavi. "Getting these huge blocks of data and transferring them to any VR device at such a short time interval, is a great mission. We are thrilled to see such an amazing outcome using Giraffic AVA solution". AVA is available to mobile device manufacturers with device-side integration and to content providers through a simple SDK integration in their streaming apps. Demos are being held during Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) at Giraffic booth in Israel Pavilion, Hall 5 stand 5F81. Attendees can request a meeting and a demonstration by contacting [email protected]. To schedule a meeting with Byond contact [email protected] About Giraffic Giraffic Adaptive Video Acceleration, the leading client-side video experience technology, enabling consumer electronics devices and streaming service providers' apps to deliver HD, UHD 4K video and VR, without re-buffering pauses or streaming resolution reduction. AVA technology was adopted by leading manufacturers, powering over 80 million devices, and now is making its way into VR and apps. Giraffic was featured in Deloitte's (News - Alert) 2016 Technology Fast 50, a list of the fastest growing technology companies in Israel, as one of the Top 10 Rising Stars. About Byond Byond VR is a cloud based publishing platform that empowers brands to create a powerful VR experience, simply and affordably. Using Byond's CMS and authoring tools, VR applications can be easily created and published across all platforms. The tools implement the best VR practices to-date, helping makers create great experiences. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005011/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Mead Johnson Acquires Strategic Capabilities and Capacity in Australia

Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement to acquire spray drying and finishing capabilities in Australia from Bega Cheese Limited (Bega), one of Australia's leading dairy product companies. This deal builds on the long and successful relationship between the two companies, as Bega has been a certified ingredient supplier for MJN products since 2009. "We believe that supply chain flexibility is important in the pediatric nutrition category," commented Kasper Jakobsen, president and chief executive officer. "This acquisition further strengthens our ability to protect and expand our growth in China by creating both additional capacity and the ability to adapt to a changing regulatory environment." "Bega is known the world over for its pure, high-quality dairy sourcing and its environmentally responsible operations," noted Jeff Jobe, Senior Vice President - Global Operations. "These outstanding facilities - with which we are very famliar - are a perfect fit for our global supply chain network, which is built on our uncompromising commitment to scientific rigor and product quality."



"In our drive to become even more consumer-centric, this move also enables us to better respond to evolving consumer preferences and to compete effectively in additional market segments in China," added Jakobsen. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017.

About Mead Johnson Mead Johnson, a global leader in pediatric nutrition, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes more than 70 products in over 50 markets worldwide. The company's mission is to nourish the world's children for the best start in life. The Mead Johnson name has been associated with science-based pediatric nutrition products for over 110 years. The company's "Enfa" family of brands, including Enfamil infant formula, is a world leading brand franchise in pediatric nutrition. About Bega Cheese Today, with sites spread from Bega to Melbourne to Northern Victoria, Bega Cheese employs over 1,700 people and the company has evolved from its modest and localized co-operative heritage in Bega into a significant and innovative player in the Australian and international dairy industry. Bega's rich history stands in pride of place across the business, and the factors which have driven its success for over a century remain enmeshed in its culture, ensuring that it remains an Australian icon. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005513/en/

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[February 27, 2017] ASTRI to Demonstrate C-RAN Virtual Cell Solution on Artesyn MaxCore Platform at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona

HONG KONG, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has collaborated with Artesyn Embedded Technologies to develop a Centralised Radio Access Network (C-RAN) virtual cell demonstration. A live demonstration of C-RAN virtual cells running on an Artesyn MaxCore platform is being showcased at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona Spain. The demonstration shows live video streaming and real-time data traffic on a high density wireless network deployed with ASTRI's C-RAN virtual cells. Artesyn's MaxCore platform supports the Baseband Unit (BBU) pool processing - connected to Sunnada Remote Radio Units (RRUs), enabling Joint Transmission (JT) and Joint Reception (JR). The mobility of the terminals is also tracked inside the BBU pool to avoid handover. ASTRI's C-RAN virtual cells reference design is based on the Intel X86 CPU architecture and can use Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) frameworks. The design supports LTE release 9 and above, and is scalable to support up to 96 LTE cells. It also supports flexible partitions of BBU pool and RRUs trading off network latency and cell-coordination requirements. The design also supports live migration, where the system can flexibly configure the prcessor resources for different traffic loads. The unused processor resources could support other applications such as Mobile Edge Computing (MEC). This design could also support High Availability (HA) by using the Artesyn MaxCore HA platform.



The demonstrations take place at the Sunnada booth (Hall 5, Stand 5G70) in MWC 2017 being held at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain from 27 February to 2 March 2017. About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI's core R&D competences in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Intelligent Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technologies, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. For further information about ASTRI, please visit www.astri.org. About Artesyn Embedded Technologies Artesyn Embedded Technologies is a global leader in the design and manufacture of highly reliable power conversion and embedded computing solutions for a wide range of industries including communications, computing, medical, military, aerospace and industrial. For more than 40 years, customers have trusted Artesyn to help them accelerate time-to-market and reduce risk with cost-effective advanced network computing and power conversion solutions. Artesyn has over 20,000 employees worldwide across ten engineering centers of excellence, four world-class manufacturing facilities, and global sales and support offices. www.artesyn.com ASTRI Media enquiries:

Ms Cherry Au

Tel: (852) 3406 2993

Email: [email protected]

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[February 27, 2017] PoLTE and ACS Partner to Deliver LTE-Based Precise Location Data to Commercial and Industrial IoT Markets

PoLTE Corporation, developer of Positioning over LTE (News - Alert) (PoLTE), and ACS, developer of advanced Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) solutions, today announced they are partnering on the development of enterprise communication solutions, including real-time LTE-based location tracking for mobile and IoT devices. Leveraging the native and ubiquitous cellular LTE signals, PoLTE's technology enables the seamless and persistent tracking of LTE devices indoors or outdoors. Utilizing PoLTE's next-generation location technology, ACS' (News - Alert) Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) platform will enable enterprises in the manufacturing, industrial, and transportation industries to continuously track the real-time location of LTE-connected assets, goods, workers, and devices with precision. "Unlike with localized Wi-Fi and Bluetooth location technology approaches, our combined offering with ACS provides a new, ubiquitous, and secure method for obtaining continuous and cohesive location data of LTE-enabled devices," said Russ Markhovsky, Founder and President of PoLTE. "Furthermore, by utilizing the native LTE signals we eliminate the need to deploy Bluetooth beacons or densify Wi-Fi networks for location purposes. Really, why track an LTE device with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth now that we have made this breakthrough and can track an LTE device utilizing native LTE signals?" PoLTE is the only persistent and ubiquitous loation technology that can scale with accuracy and reliability in mass for today's 4G and tomorrow's 5G networks and devices.



"Our partnership with PoLTE was born out of the necessity to meet the requirements of enterprise IoT and M2M applications," said Bob Pike, Chief Technology Officer, Network and Mobile Broadband, at ACS. "The fact is, traditional location presence methodologies, such as Wi-Fi and beacons, simply do not work in many commercial and industrial applications or settings. PoLTE's LTE-based location technology delivers the real-time location data, with precision and security that our customers demand." ACS' MEC architectures combine wireless technology with an IT-type service environment to deliver efficient communications services with ultra-low latency and high bandwidth. MEC software applications can tap into local content and information about network conditions so that traffic can be handled in an optimal way; examples include local traffic offload and caching, and video optimization.

PoLTE is always looking to develop unique and innovative solutions with development partners globally, to learn more about PoLTE technology or inquire about a partnership, please visit www.PoLTE.com. About PoLTE Corporation PoLTE Corporation is the developer of highly accurate and cost-effective Positioning over LTE (PoLTE), the next generation location services technology. PoLTE technology forms the foundation for delivering location services that leverage existing telecommunications infrastructure to deliver market-leading solutions to a global customer base. By providing LTE-based location data for use in a range of indoor/outdoor location-based applications and services, PoLTE is doing for indoor positioning what GPS did for outdoor positioning. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the PoLTE Corp. team seeks to create innovative solutions based on PoLTE technology with globally recognized development partners. To learn more about emerging and innovative PoLTE technology, visit www.PoLTE.com. About ACS Since ACS's inception in 1989, we have experienced consistent growth by developing strong long-term relationships with our OEM partners and providing tremendous value to our clients. Our customer base is extremely diverse in size and the industries they serve. In the communications industry, ACS has helped wireline service providers, MSOs, and wireless carriers build out their networks. Our experience in traditional wired broadband services and mobility gives us the expertise, technical talent and OEM relationships to help the operators deliver on LTE-based mobile broadband. We are well-equipped for urban and enterprise deployments providing the integration experience, technical talent and programming skills necessary to build out, control and manage mobile broadband platforms. ACS is based in Huntington Beach, California. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005305/en/

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[February 27, 2017] ChineseInvestors.com Presents at Yibao Biologics' Annual Conference, Optimistic About Direct Selling Opportunity in China

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) ("CIIX" or the "Company"), the premier financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors, today announces that company CEO Warren Wang attended Shangdong Yibao Biologics Co. Ltd.'s annual conference, and, by invitation, delivered a five-minute speech to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Yibao Biologics. Yibao Biologics is a modern high-tech enterprise which specializes in the research, production and sales of chondroitin sulfate series and Confucian series health care products. The company is also the largest and most professional manufacturer of chondroitin sulfate in the world. Yibao Biologics invited ChineseInvestors.com to participate in its annual direct sales conference to discuss the development and prospects of Chinese health products enterprises in the United States. As an attendee of the conference, Wang learned how direct sales of the health products industry operate in China, and how to apply this information to build the sales team of CIIX's ChineseCBDoil.com retail website. He also delivered a five-minute speech at the conference and received continuous applause from more than 5,000 direct sales persons in attendance. "The market for direct selling of natural products in the United States has considerable depth, and varies from the Chinese market in many ways. It was an honor to attend this year's Yibao Biologics conference, where I was able to gain valuabe market insight as well as present my own expertise to fellow attendees," says Wang.



ChineseInvestors.com recently launched www.ChineseCBDoil.com, marking the company's official entry into the CBD hemp oil markets. "ChineseInvestors.com will continue to sell CBD health products through online retailing methods to the world's nearly 1.4 billion Chinese people. Additionally, we will gradually open offline selling channels and combine word-of-mouth marketing with Internet retailing. Our goal is to benefit more Chinese people with reliable logistics network and commodity channels, as well as to provide leading positions in products and resources. Due to the huge size of the Chinese direct selling market, we hope to further expand our market share through investment and alliance in and with direct selling companies," concludes Wang.

About ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) Founded in 1999, ChineseInvestors.com endeavors to be an innovative company providing: (a) real-time market commentary, analysis, and educational related services in Chinese language character sets (traditional and simplified); (b) support services to our various partners; (c) consulting services to smaller private companies considering becoming a public company; and (d) advertising and public relation related support services. For more information visit www.ChineseInvestors.com Subscribe and watch our video commentaries: https://www.youtube.com/user/Chinesefncom Follow us on Twitter for real-time Company updates: https://twitter.com/ChineseFNEnglsh Like us on Facebook to receive live feeds: https://www.facebook.com/Chinesefncom Add us on WeChat at: Chinesefn or download iPhone iOS App: Chinesefn. Contact:

Chineseinvestors.com Inc.

14 Wall Street, Suite 2038

New York, NY 10005 Investor Relations:

Alan Klitenic

+1-(214)-636-2548 Corporate Communications:

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)

New York, New York

www.NetworkNewsWire.com

+1-(212)-418-1217 Office

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chineseinvestorscom-presents-at-yibao-biologics-annual-conference-optimistic-about-direct-selling-opportunity-in-china-300413832.html SOURCE ChineseInvestors.com

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[February 27, 2017] Sunovion Announces Positive Topline Results from Study Evaluating Latuda (lurasidone HCl) in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Depression

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion) today announced that its Phase 3 clinical study evaluating Latuda (lurasidone HCl) in children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with depression associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) met its primary endpoint. LATUDA is currently indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate in adults and for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. "Children and adolescents with bipolar depression often experience significant changes in mood and functioning that can affect performance in school and relationships with peers and family," said Kiki Chang, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University Medical Center. "Early identification, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are critical in helping children and their families effectively manage this disorder." "There are few treatment options for bipolar depression in this population," said Antony Loebel, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Sunovion, Head of Global Clinical Development for Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Group. "We are encouraged by these topline results that demonstrate the potential of LATUDA to help children and adolescents with bipolar depression." In the six-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-regional study, children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with bipolar depression received once-daily LATUDA flexibly dosed (20-80 mg/day) or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Children Depression Rating Scale, Revised (CDRS-R) total score, and the key secondary endpoint was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Clinical Global Impression-Bipolar Version, Severity of Illness (CGI (News - Alert)-BP-S) score for depression. Treatment with LATUDA was associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in symptoms of bipolar depression compared to placebo at both the primary and key secondary endpoints at Week 6. LATUDA was generally well tolerated with minimal effects on weight and metabolic parameters. Adverse events (AEs) included nausea, somnolence, weight increased, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia and decreased appetite. Full results are being analyzed and will be presented at upcoming scientific meetings. Sunovion intends to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the FDA in 2017 for LATUDA as a treatment for children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with bipolar depression. About Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by potentially debilitating mood swings, including periods of depression and mania.1,2 It affects approximately 12.6 million adults in the United States.3,4 It often begins during adolescence and can be difficult to diagnose.5 Pediatric bipolar disorder affects approximately 1.7 percent of children and adolescents in the United States.6 Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be severe.7 Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide.8 Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one lifetime manic or mixed episode; individuals often have one or more depressive episodes.9 Bipolar depression refers to the depressive phase of bipolar disorder;1 its symptoms include: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, significant weight loss, insomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to concentrate and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide attempt.1 When symptomatic, depressive symptoms affect patients more commonly than manic symptoms.10 Depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder have been shown to result in significant impairment in work, family and social function,11,12 and are associated with increased risk of suicide and direct and indirect health care costs.13,14 About LATUDA LATUDA is used to treat patients with: Depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) when used alone or with lithium or valproate in adults

Schizophrenia in adults and adolescents 13 to 17 years of age The efficacy of LATUDA was established in a 6-week monotherapy study and a 6-week adjunctive therapy study with lithium or valproate in adult patients with bipolar depression. The efficacy of LATUDA in schizophrenia was established in five 6-week controlled studies in adult patients and one 6-week placebo-controlled study in adolescents (13 to 17 years). The most common side effects of LATUDA include sleepiness or drowsiness; restlessness or feeling like you need to move around (akathisia); difficulty moving, slow movements, muscle stiffness, or tremor; runny nose/nasal inflammation, and nausea. LATUDA is available in five tablet strengths: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg. The effectiveness of LATUDA for longer-term use, that is, for more than 6 weeks, has not been established in controlled studies. Therefore, the physician who elects to use LATUDA for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient. The efficacy of LATUDA in the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder has not been established. Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warnings, below and full Prescribing Information at www.LATUDA.com. Important Safety Information and Indications for LATUDA INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death compared to patients receiving placebo (sugar pill). LATUDA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are themselves associated with an increase in the risk of suicide. Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor. LATUDA is not approved for use in pediatric patients with depresion.



LATUDA can cause serious side effects, including stroke that can lead to death, which can happen in elderly people with dementia who take medicines like LATUDA. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but very serious condition that can happen in people who take antipsychotic medicines, including LATUDA. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Call your health care provider right away if you become severely ill and have some or all of these symptoms: high fever, excessive sweating, rigid muscles, confusion, or changes in your breathing, heartbeat or blood pressure.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a serious and sometimes permanent side effect reported with LATUDA and similar medicines. Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of TD. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking LATUDA. TD may also start after you stop taking LATUDA. Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take LATUDA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your health care provider should check your blood sugar before you start LATUDA and during therapy. Call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while taking LATUDA: feel very thirsty, need to urinate more than usual, feel very hungry, feel weak or tired, feel sick to your stomach, feel confused, or your breath smells fruity. Increases in triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with LATUDA. You may not have any symptoms, so your health care provider may decide to check your cholesterol and triglycerides during your treatment with LATUDA. Some patients may gain weight while taking LATUDA. Your doctor should check your weight regularly. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these:  feeling dizzy or light-headed upon standing  decreases in white blood cells (which can be fatal)  trouble swallowing LATUDA and medicines like it may raise the level of prolactin. Tell your health care provider if you experience a lack of menstrual periods, leaking or enlarged breasts, or impotence. Tell your health care provider if you have a seizure disorder, have had seizures in the past, or have conditions that increase your risk for seizures. Tell your health care provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be a sign of a condition called dystonia. LATUDA can affect your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how LATUDA affects you. LATUDA may make you more sensitive to heat. You may have trouble cooling off. Be careful when exercising or when doing things likely to cause dehydration or make you warm. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you take LATUDA since these can affect the amount of LATUDA in the blood. Tell your health care provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking or plan to take, since there are some risks for drug interactions with LATUDA. Tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of LATUDA or take certain medications called CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Ask your health care provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medications. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking LATUDA. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding while taking LATUDA. The most common side effects of LATUDA include sleepiness or drowsiness; restlessness or feeling like you need to move around (akathisia); difficulty moving, slow movements, muscle stiffness, or tremor; runny nose/nasal inflammation, and nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of LATUDA. For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. About Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion) Sunovion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the innovative application of science and medicine to help people with serious medical conditions. Sunovion's vision is to lead the way to a healthier world. The company's spirit of innovation is driven by the conviction that scientific excellence paired with meaningful advocacy and relevant education can improve lives. With patients at the center of everything it does, Sunovion has charted new paths to life-transforming treatments that reflect ongoing investments in research and development and an unwavering commitment to support people with psychiatric, neurological and respiratory conditions. Sunovion's track record of discovery, development and commercialization of important therapies has included Brovana (arformoterol tartrate), Latuda (lurasidone HCl) and Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate). Headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., Sunovion is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd., based in London, England, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario, and Sunovion CNS Development Canada ULC, based in Toronto, Ontario, are wholly-owned direct subsidiaries of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Additional information can be found on the company's web sites: www.sunovion.com, www.sunovion.eu and www.sunovion.ca. Connect with Sunovion on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. About Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is among the top-ten listed pharmaceutical companies in Japan operating globally in major pharmaceutical markets, including Japan, the United States, China and the European Union. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma aims to create innovative pharmaceutical products in the Psychiatry & Neurology area and the Oncology area, which have been designated as the focus therapeutic areas. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is based on the merger in 2005 between Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Today, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has about 6,500 employees worldwide. Additional information about Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is available through its corporate website at www.ds-pharma.com. LATUDA and SUNOVION are registered trademarks of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

BROVANA is a registered trademark of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

APTIOM is used under license from BIAL. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

 2017 Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved. For a copy of this release, visit Sunovion's web site at www.sunovion.com References 1 Swann, AC. Long-term treatment in bipolar disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2005; 66(1):7-12.

2 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

3 National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml. Accessed January 2016.

4 "Bipolar Disorder." Decision Resources. Table 2-2. Burlington, MA. December 2013.

5 National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar disorder in adults. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-tr-15-3679/index.shtml. Accessed January 2016.

6 Van Meter AR, Moreira AL, Youngstrom EA. Meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies of pediatric bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001; 72(9): 1250-1256.

7 National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar disorder in Children and Adolescents. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-adolescents/index.shtml. Accessed January 2016.

8 The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Bipolar Disorder Statistics. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_statistics_bipolar_disorder. Accessed January 2016.

9 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

10 The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Bipolar Disorder. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_bipolar. Accessed January 2017.

11 Huxley N, Baldessarini RJ. Disability and Its Treatment in Bipolar Disorder Patients. Bipolar Disorder. 2007; 9(1-2):183-96.

12 Calabrese JR, Hirschfeld RM, Frye MA, Reed ML. Impact Of Depressive Symptoms Compared With Manic Symptoms In Bipolar Disorder: Results Of A U.S. Community-Based Sample. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2004; 65(11):1499-504.

13 Parker G, McCraw S, Hadzi-Pavlovic D, Fletcher K. Costs Of The Principal Mood Disorders: A Study Of Comparative Direct And Indirect Costs Incurred By Those With Bipolar I, Bipolar II And Unipolar Disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2012; 149(1-3):46-55. (ePub).

14 Leverich GS, Altshuler LL, Frye MA, et al. Factors Associated With Suicide Attempts In 648 Patients With Bipolar Disorder In The Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2003; 64(5):506-15. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005712/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Telit to Demonstrate Real-Time Industrial IoT Data Collection Solution at Mobile World Congress

Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that it will be demonstrating how companies can utilize deviceWISE factory solutions to deploy Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions quickly and without custom coding. Widely accepted by leading fortune 500 customers for the past 10 years - from Honda (News - Alert), to John Deere, and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care - it provides an answer to the challenge companies are facing when implementing new IIoT projects that integrate with in their automated factories. The booth features a fully-operational-live-miniature factory which participants can interact with to see how the physical world interacts with the digital world. The miniature machines in the factory demo are controlled by programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and move products through a variety of stations all monitored and controlled by the Telit deviceWISE IoT software platform. On desktop and mobile devices, users can view real-time data being tracked, monitor the machines, control the machines, and analyze data in real time. The deviceWISE factory solution platform serves IIoT and Industry 4.0 applications. It is deployed via an on-premise architecture. It features native PLC to IT connectivity and extends to secure, audited bi-directional communication outside of the factory. The demonstration will include both on-premise use cases as well as cloud applications. Via the demo, event participants can experience firsthand how Tlit's products and services transform silos of business layers into a cohesive, connected enterprise. This moves companies into an Industry 4.0 business model. By converging the plant floor, top floor (ERP) and cloud, companies can interface in real time with customers, suppliers, and the rest of their ecosystem.



Traditionally, to make this convergence happen, customers need a broad range of products, such as on-premise software, cloud connectivity options, data plans, SIM modules, firewalls and more. This broad range of needs requires deep knowledge in many areas as well as a significant effort of integration. This slows a company's progress to Industry 4.0. Telit answers this challenge by being the leading single-point of contact to bridge the IIoT knowledge and technical gaps. Knowing they can turn to Telit for any IIoT challenge, companies are confident they can turn any business idea into reality. This frees up companies to focus on what they are good at - serving their customers better by creating better products and services. "Our goal is that anyone can come to Telit, and we'll help them get their IIoT project off to a great start, with a solid foundation - and be there with them every step along the way while their deployment grows," said Dubi Margalit, General Manager for Factory Solutions at Telit. "We've removed the custom programming challenge, which has always held back progress in connecting to the variety of legacy devices on the plant floor. Our users need not worry about the technical issues anymore. This frees them up to focus on conceiving new ideas for their business, because they have the confidence that they can turn them into reality."

Telit will demonstrate their end-to-end Internet of Things solutions in hall 5 booth E61 during Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) February 27 to March 2 in Barcelona, Spain. About Telit Telit (AIM: TCM), is a global leader in Internet of Things (IoT) enablement. The company offers the industry's broadest portfolio of integrated products and services for end-to-end IoT deployments - including cellular communication modules in all technologies, GNSS, short-to-long range wireless modules, IoT connectivity plans and IoT platform services. Through the IoT Portal, Telit makes IoT onboarding easy, reduces risk, time to market, complexity and costs for asset tracking, remote monitoring and control, telematics, industrial automation and others, across many industries and vertical markets worldwide. Copyright  2017 Telit Communications (News - Alert) PLC. All rights reserved. Telit and all associated logos are trademarks of Telit Communications PLC in the United States and other countries. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005758/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Government and Commercial Industry Leaders Explore Technology Innovations at Harris Corporation's 2017 Tech Expo

Government and commercial industry leaders from around the country are gathering in Florida this week to discuss new ways to leverage advanced technologies to solve mission-critical challenges. Representatives from government, business, think tanks and academia are participating in the week-long Harris Corporation (News - Alert) 2017 Tech Expo. The invitation-only event is being held at the new Harris Global Innovation Center and features high-tech exhibits, interactive demonstrations and industry-specific summits and break-out sessions. "Today's challenges require new approaches and solutions that are both innovative and affordable. This is what government and commercial customers demand and deserve," said William M. Brown, chairman, president and CEO. "The Harris Tech Expo fosters collaboration among leaders from all facets of the industry, enabling them to take even the most advanced technologies to the next level. This represents a very exciting opportunity for everyone involved and we are proud to be leading this effort." Attendees will explore 25 different capability areas focused around six themes: Global Insights : Weather solutions, global aircraft and ship tracking, airborne geospatial intelligence, automated image analysis

: Weather solutions, global aircraft and ship tracking, airborne geospatial intelligence, automated image analysis Commercial Airspace: Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in national airspace, integrated air traffic management software platforms /li>

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in national airspace, integrated air traffic management software platforms /li> Connected Battlefield: Integrated military command and control, connected soldier, mobile communication systems

Integrated military command and control, connected soldier, mobile communication systems Contested Environments: Electronically steered antennas, haptic robotics, electronic warfare, acoustic sensors

Electronically steered antennas, haptic robotics, electronic warfare, acoustic sensors Next-Generation First Responders: Integrated intelligence, smart coordination, next-generation communication devices

Integrated intelligence, smart coordination, next-generation communication devices NewSpace: Space-based imaging and optics, advanced space antennas, small satellite (smallsat) technologies, reconfigurable multi-mission satellite payloads



Those not attending the Expo can follow the activities on the Harris Twitter and Facebook feeds.

About Harris Corporation Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers' toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems and Electronic Systems. Learn more at harris.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005768/en/

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The only son of Chandrababu Naidu, N. Lokesh is set to be inducted in the state cabinet as the TDP politburo on Sunday recommended his nomination to the state legislative council.

By Ashish Pandey: And finally the wait is over as another 'son' is rising in southern politics. After Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rastra Samiti (TDS) founder K. Chandrashekhar Rao's son K. Tarak Ramarao, a minister in Telangana government and daughter K. Kavita actively, MP Nizamabad helping their father in politics, now preparation is on to induct Telugu Desham Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's son N. Lokesh into the full time politics with "official" responsibility.

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The only son of Chandrababu Naidu, N. Lokesh is set to be inducted in the state cabinet as the TDP politburo on Sunday recommended his nomination to the state legislative council.

Members of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) politburo, at its meeting held at the official residence of Chandrababu Naidu at Amravati on Sunday, proposed Lokesh name as an MLC under the MLAs' quota in the election scheduled to be held on March 20. Lokesh who is currently holding a position of general secretary in Telugu Desam Party, never been into active electoral politics.

As per the sources TDP's Andhra Pradesh unit president S. Chandramohan Reddy confirmed that Lokesh will become a member of the upper house of legislature.

Party's Andhra Pradesh unit president Kala Venkat Rao proposed the name of Lokesh in the meeting and all the members supported it. However, the final decision was left to Chandrababu Naidu, who is the national president of TDP.

Meanwhile, the political circles of twin Telugu state abuzz with speculation that Andhra Pradesh is set to see its first major Cabinet reshuffle and the sources confirm that the TDP president is all set to include his son into the Cabinet after getting him elected as MLC.

--- ENDS ---
[February 27, 2017] Kazakhstan and JUMORE Deepen Cross-border E-commerce Cooperation to Promote the Belt and Road Initiative

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From February 21 to 24, a delegation from JUMORE paid a visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Kazakh government. Kazakhstan Prime Minister H.E. Bakhytzhan Sagintayev warmly welcomed the JUMORE delegation and held a meeting with them to discuss cooperation issues in terms of cross-border e-commerce, finance, science and technology, industrial development, and promoting new economic growth models. During the visit, the JUMORE delegation also had meetings with the governor of Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), the mayor of Astana, and leaders of some other important institutions including KAZNEX INVEST, a major development institution under the Ministry for Investment and Developmet of Kazakhstan, the state-owned logistics enterprise KTZ Express and Kazakhstan's largest national chamber of commerce, ATAMEKEN, reaching a lot of consensus on areas of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral trade, finance, investment and logistics and more in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.



As an important node on the Belt and Road trade route, Kazakhstan borders on China, making it the first stop from China to Central Asia. JUMORE has maintained close cooperation with Kazakhstan for a long time. In 2016, JUMORE made in-depth exchanges with the Kazakh embassy in China and reached strategic cooperation with several important institutions of Kazakhstan. During the G20 Hangzhou Summit, H.E. Bakhytzhan Sagintayev made a visit to JUMORE and highly appreciated the company's model. Through the E4B model of JUMORE, Kazakh resources and products can get access to the Chinese and global markets. Meanwhile, high-quality goods in China can also be introduced to Kazakhstan through JUMORE's platform, which will definitely promote economic and trade exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. JUMORE can also help Kazakhstan introduce global investment, technology, and services, and promote manufacturing. Both parties can explore more opportunities to cooperate in projects such as roads, railways, ports, communications, energy, and more in light of Kazakhstan's huge demand for infrastructure construction and upgrading.

Up to now, Jumore has established cooperation with more than 120 countries worldwide and all of the provinces in China. It is foreseeable that the cooperation between China and Kazakhstan will open a new situation for Kazakhstan's economic transformation and lay a solid foundation for upgrading Sino-Kazakh cooperation. Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472224/JUMORE_Kazakhstan_Meeting.jpg

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[February 27, 2017] Ruralcom Corporation Changes Name to TNW Wireless; Service is now Operational in Northern British Columbia and Yukon

Expanded coverage in its Licensed Area as well as National Deployment of iPCS Planned for April, 2017 VANCOUVER, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Vancouver-based Investel Capital Corp (''Investel'') is pleased to announce that following the acquisition of Ruralcom Corp on December 7, 2016, all corporate post-closing matters have been completed and the company has changed its name to TNW Wireless Inc. ("TNW Wireless") which is now providing voice and data services in several northern British Columbia and Yukon communities. Using its 850 MHz mobile spectrum licences TNW Wireless has restored all the former RuralCom's cellular sites and has built an additional site. Service also now covers parts of the northern West Coast and Fort Nelson, BC as well as most of the Whitehorse, Yukon area. TNW Wireless now also provides service to two of the seven communities in the Haida Gwaii including Port Clements where no other wireless service previously existed. TNW Wireless is preparing to provide expanded coverage along 1,700 kilometers of the Alaska Highway from northern BC to the Alaska border in the Yukon as well as full coverage of Haida Gwaii through the development by its team of cell site infrastructure specially engineered by TNW for rapid deployment. Furthermore the company will be deploying its proprietary iPCS smartphone-over-IP technology throughout North America with an extended Home Public Mobile Network coverage using its Wi-Node technology as well as through its US and Canadian roaming partner network in the spring of 2017. Wi-Node gateway technology permits subscribers to use TNW Wireless' 850 MHz licensed spectrum service coverage remotely through an Internet Wi-Fi connection. TNW Wireless further announced that on December 8, 2016 Lawry Trevor-Deutsch replaced Mr. Robert L. Hillman as Chairman and that he was appointed President on February 12, 2017. Also, Sandeep Panesar was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company. "The rapid restoration of the former Ruralcom network was largely due to the technical expertise of TNW's Engineering and Operations teams. These resources have been with TNW for many years and have had the responsibility for building TNW's own robust communications networks and infrastructure," commented Sandeep Panesar, the CEO of TNW Networks. "The comprehensive voice, data and cloud network infrastructure of TNW permitted us to restore the service in an extraordinarily short time frame and we expect that the TNW Wireless network will soon meet the same level of quality as the rest our network." TNW Wreless operates its own 3G core network and will work in parallel with its 4G-LTE EPC core network both located within its Home Public Mobile Network. Furthermore, the solution utilized innovative and low capital cost technology which takes full advantage of the existing TNW infrastructure.



"We are very proud of this significant company milestone and are confident that TNW Wireless will be an exceedingly welcome service particularly in the regions where no service was previously available," stated Lawry Trevor-Deutsch, "We look forward to expanding the TNW Wireless service to other underserved regions within our spectrum licensed area and throughout Canada with iPCS in full support of the Government of Canada's declaration of connectivity as a fundamental right, a policy which we believe will benefit all Canadians." "The company would like to thank Robert L. Hillman for his service as RuralCom's previous Chairman and CEO who had the vision of providing wireless service to underserved communities in the region." added Sandeep Panesar.

Following the acquisition by Investel of the former Ruralcom, an application for the deemed transfer of wireless spectrum was made, and is pending approval by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) About TNW Wireless Inc. TNW Wireless Inc. formerly known as RuralCom Corporation is a licensed wireless operator offering wholesale and retail service in Canada and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Investel Capital Corporation. The company currently holds 25MHz bandwidth tier-2 850 MHz licenses which provide service to the northwest region of Canada and global communication services through its proprietary iPCS Smartphone-over-IP technology. About TNW Networks Corp TNW Networks Corp is a national telecommunication service provider in Canada. TNW operates in three distinct product areas; fixed and wireless connectivity, data centers and cloud, and social media technology. TNW provides services to governments, major carriers, enterprises, small and medium sized businesses as well as to residential users on its own telecommunications infrastructure as well as a variety of underlying carriers. About iPCSTM iPCS is an international patent pending IP only mobile technology licensed by Investel Capital Corporation to TNW Wireless and is one of the cornerstones for a new mobile telecommunications paradigm. iPCS is cloud based and breaks the mobile paradigm of one SIM tied to one use and one device. Compatible with any Smartphone, iPCS has the following characteristics: Fueled only by data providing full featured voice and messaging services





Fully cloud-based with a thin client interface which provides enhanced security and advanced mobile features





All iPCS SIMs are generic (identical) and are used only to provide access to the iPCS network





iPCS is login vs IMSI based for access to mobile services meaning phones can have multiple users and profiles  and users can access their iPCS profile from any iPCS enabled phone





Data usage is tied to the active iPCS user profile and not to the device or SIM card





Can be used anywhere in the World  the concept of roaming is obsolete





Seamless handover to/from Wi-Fi and 3G/4G/LTE for voice calls





iPCS with Wi-Node is materially different from other types of "over-the-top" voice and text application services that use a VoIP application for voice and SMS text message while on 4G and Wi-Fi. These types of services on smartphones remain permanently registered on the Visited Public Mobile Network of the roaming partner even when using Wi-Fi temporarily as the means for Internet/data connectivity.





When connecting to any Wi-Fi in any location, the unique iPCS Wi-Node function automatically deregisters a subscribers' device from any Visited Public Mobile Network roaming partner and then backhauls all smartphone Internet/data connectivity to the TNW's Home Public Mobile Network core network. Wi-Node gateway technology permits subscribers to use TNW Wireless' 850 MHz licensed spectrum service coverage remotely through an Internet Wi-Fi connection. This provides for global extended mobile home network local service reach and a connection to the TNW Wireless home core network while ensuring that all connectivity is provided through TNW Wireless core network using its licensed spectrum. The deregistration process means that subscribers are never roaming while on Wi-Fi as no licensed spectrum is being used and has the added advantage of increasing battery life on many phones since cell radios are automatically deactivated and therefore do not consume any power. iPCS data consumption is measured in real time for data consumed over the TNW core network and compared with data from any roaming partner core network. A fair usage policy is in place to ensure that more than 50% of the data is consumed on the TNW versus that of roaming partner networks.





iPCS subscribers therefore use the TNW service on roaming partner networks only when they use a roaming partner licensed spectrum outside the TNW Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) core switch. The concept of being on a Visited Public Mobile Network (VPMN) therefore only occurs when subscribers are using the network of a roaming partner through licensed spectrum while located in a specific area. When users are within an area where a roaming partner currently holds licensed spectrum but are not using any licenced spectrum frequencies, they are not on a VPMN but rather, still on the HPMN with extended backhaul service.

Source:

TNW Wireless Corp

Lawry Trevor-Deutsch

SVP Corporate Affairs

(514) 313-3424 TNW Networks Corp

Sandeep Panesar

Chief Executive Officer

(604) 990-2000 SOURCE TNW Networks Corp.

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Waters Honors Singapore's Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) for Glycoscience Research

At a ceremony and symposium today, Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) welcomed into its Centers of Innovation Program the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), a research institute under Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR (News - Alert)). BTI is the first research institute1 focused on glycobiology to participate in the Waters Centers of Innovation Program.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006181/en/

In a ceremony today, Singapore's Bioprocessing Technology Institute joined the Waters Centers of Innovation Program. On hand for the event were (l. to r.) Dr. Benjamin Seet, Executive Director, Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Professor Kong Peng Lam, Executive Director, Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI); Eric Fotheringham, Senior Director - Waters Centers of Innovation Program; and Mathieu Laouenon, General Manager, South Asia, Waters Corporation. (Photo: Business Wire)

Glycans, or sugars, are one of the four fundamental classes of macromolecules that comprise living systems. BTI's glycan research is aimed at finding novel cancer markers and elucidating glycosylation pathways that could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.

"I am delighted that BTI has been recognised by Waters for its expertise in glycomics. Through this collaboration, BTI will be able to advance cancer biomarker research and further cement Singapore's position as a key player in biologics," said Professor Lam Kong-Peng, Executive Director of BTI.

"This award also recognizes the importance of the integrated research programmes that are fundamental to the success of BTI," added Professor Lam.

"It's truly a pleasure to have BTI participate in our COI Program," said Dr. Mike Harrington, Senior Vice President, Global Markets for Waters Corporation. "BTI's research in glycobiology is world-class and we wish to help it realize the enormous potential of this very important area of science through the application of Waters analytical technologies and expertise."

In connection with today's announcement, Waters Corporation is supporting The Next Frontier of Glycobiologics, a symposium featuring keynote presentations from Professor Raymond Dwek, Glycobiology Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom and from Professor Nico Callewaert, VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, Uiversity of Ghent, Belgium.







In 2016, Waters and BTI announced a collaboration to develop a glycoconjugate database and spectral library that would assist researchers using mass spectrometry in identifying glycans in their samples. As part of this collaboration, Waters is contributing scientific expertise and the use of a Waters SYNAPT G2-S High Definition Mass Spectrometry System. The instrument features ion mobility mass spectrometry technology that rapidly separates molecular ions by not only their size and mass-to-charge ratio, but by their shape. It also calculates a collisional cross-section (CCS) value for each molecular ion. The ability to identify glycans based on their CCS value reveals insights into their unique chemical structure that provides a higher degree of specificity than using just mass-to-charge ratio alone.

The glycoscience programme, headed by Professor Pauline Rudd and Dr. Terry Nguyen-Khuong, Scientist of BTI, will further develop and apply state-of-the-art technology to advanced bioprocessing and biologic characterization, development and production.

The Importance of Glycans and the Need for Better Measurement Tools

Glycan research, like that being done at BTI, may promise to lead to better understanding of diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological, infectious, metabolic diseases and cancer through the identification of disease biomarkers.

Opportunities in glycosciences have been assessed by committees of scientists convened in the EU and US. In 2012 the U.S. National Academy of Sciences released a report on glycoscience, its potential and impediments to its progress. The report titled Transforming Glycoscience: A Roadmap for the Future2 acknowledged that glycoscience "is essential for understanding biology" and pointed to the need for "tools to probe their often complex structures and properties." The report went on to state, "A suite of tools analogous to those available for studying nucleic acids and proteins is needed to detect, describe, and purify glycans from natural sources, and characterize their chemical composition and structure. The development of (such) tools for the detection, imaging, separation, and high-resolution structure determination of carbohydrate structures and complex mixtures should be a high priority for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Food and Drug Administration, and other relevant stakeholders."

The report further stated the need for a glycan structure database for understanding the structures and functions of glycans and highlighted the role of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and NMR measurements for obtaining detailed structural information of glycoconjugates, whether from a cell membrane or from a biopharmaceutical.

About the A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI)

Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in 1990 as the Bioprocessing Technology Unit, it was renamed the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) in 2003. The research institute's mission is to develop manpower capabilities and establish cutting-edge technologies relevant to the bioprocessing community. Some of the key research areas include expression engineering, animal cell technology, stem cell research, microbial fermentation, downstream purification and analytics.

For more information on BTI, please visit https://www.a-star.edu.sg/bti/

About Waters Corporation (www.waters.com)

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) develops and manufactures advanced analytical and material science technologies for laboratory dependent organizations. For more than 50 years, the company has pioneered a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis systems.

Waters, SYNAPT and High Definition Mass Spectrometry are trademarks of Waters Corporation.

1. BTI is the second institution from Singapore to be recognized by Waters Centers of Innovation Program. In 2011, the National University of Singapore and Assistant Professor Ganesh Anand became COI participants on the basis of their research into viral malaria and dengue fever.

2. Transforming Glycoscience: A Roadmap for the Future, National Academy of Sciences, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2012 http://dels.nas.edu/Report/Transforming-Glycoscience-Roadmap/13446

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006181/en/
IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Khang & Khang LLP Announces an Investigation of Grana y Montero SAA and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm

Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces that it is investigating claims against Grana y Montero SAA ("Grana" or the "Company") (NYSE: GRAM) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.

If you purchased shares of Grana, and want more information free of charge, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang, 18101 Von Karman Avenue, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA (News - Alert) 92612, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at [email protected].

On February 24, 2017, itwas revealed that Grana knew of $20 million in bribes given to former President Alejandro Toledo by Brazilian firm Odebrecht SA.







Grana y Montero assisted Odebrecht on two parts of a project to pave a road from the Peruvian Amazon to Brazil. When this information was announced to the investing public, Grana stock dropped, causing investors harm.

If you have any questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at [email protected].

This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006247/en/
[February 27, 2017] Connecticut Technology Council Announces the 2017 Women of Innovation Finalists

HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) is pleased to announce the 50 women who have been selected as Women of Innovation finalists for the 2017 Women of Innovation awards program. The Women of Innovation program seeks to celebrate and create a growing network of women in the trenches of STEM. Finalists are the scientists, researchers, academics, manufacturers, student leaders, drafters, entrepreneurs, and technicians who create tomorrows advancements through their efforts in Connecticut today.

The Women of Innovation gala will take place March 29, 2017 at the Aqua Turf Club in the Plantsville section of Southington.



The Connecticut Technology Council presents the 2017 Women of Innovation



Day Pitney LLP is a presenting sponsor of the 2017 Women of Innovation Program



United Technologies Corporation is a presenting sponsor of the 2017 Women of Innovation Program



Medtronic Inc. United Technologies Corporation is a presenting sponsor of the 2017 Women of Innovation Program



The 50 finalists will be recognized at the Women of Innovation awards gala at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on March 29 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A winner in each of he eight award categories will be announced live during the program. The keynote speaker at this years ceremony is Adda Birnir, Founder and CEO of Skillcrush, a woman-centric online learning community that helps advance digital skills and creativity, and has been featured on the BBC, Mashable, Fast Company, and Business Insider. Tickets, registration, and details are available online at the CTC website, www.CT.org. The complete list of 2017 Women of Innovation Finalists is posted below.



For the last twelve years, the Women of Innovation awards ceremony has honored outstanding women who have made significant professional, academic, and community achievements, said Bruce Carlson, President and CEO of the Connecticut Technology Council. The 2017 Women of Innovation awards dinner will continue our tradition of celebrating these women and their accomplishments, and marks our expanding program offerings to include and professional growth opportunities to all involved with Women of Innovation, a move aligned with the Connecticut Technology Councils new strategic initiatives. These initiatives work to fill clear needs in the tech ecosystem here in the state. The Women of Innovation program is aligned with CTCs Talent & Workforce strategic initiative, which is dedicated to bringing a robust tech talent pipeline to Connecticut. Diversity hiring is a significant facet of the Talent & Workforce initiative. Other initiatives include Growth & Innovation, dedicated to serving companies in the growth phase, and the IT & Infrastructure initiative, which focuses on supporting and advocating for the best in tech resources and infrastructure here in Connecticut.

Women of Innovation finalists are nominated by their peers, coworkers, and mentors, and are selected based on their professional experience, history of innovation, ability to think creatively and solve problems, and demonstration of leadership. Students are judged on inventiveness, accomplishment in science and technology, independent research, and academic achievement. This years 50 finalists includes researchers, educators, engineers, managers, students and entrepreneurs who work or study biotech, pharmaceuticals, software, computer hardware, advanced materials, medical devices, IT, or associated fields. High school, undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated extraordinary and unique achievements in their technology disciplines are also among the finalists. The winner in the Youth Innovation and Leadership category will receive a $4,000 scholarship from Medtronic, one of the programs presenting sponsors. Women of Innovation is presented in conjunction with the following companies: Day Pitney LLP, Medtronic Inc, and United Technologies Corporation. The program is supported by Pfizer Inc. and Pitney Bowes Inc., with contributions from Premier Limousine and Marcum LLP. For questions regarding the program or awards dinner please contact Paige Rasid at 860.289.0878 x335. Below is a list of the 2017 Women of Innovation with their affiliated organizations and town of employment or hometown: Academic Innovation and Leadership Jennifer McFadden, Yale University, Madison

Summer McGee, University of New Haven, West Haven

Janice Naegele, Wesleyan University, Middletown

Michelle Bellinger, Academy of Aerospace & Engineering, West Hartford

Nivea Torres, Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS), Middletown Collegian Innovation and Leadership Jun Chen, University of Connecticut, School of Engineering, Storrs

Deborah Dorcemus, University of Connecticut, Danbury

Erin Duffy, Yale University, West Haven

Wafa Elmannai, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport

Manisha Mishra, University of Connecticut, Storrs Community Innovation and Leadership Helen Charov, Connecticut Invention Convention, Moodus

Claudine Phaire, Sikorsky Aircraft, A Lockheed Martin Company, Stratford

Emily Swiatek, Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership Jessica Angier, Hybrid Intelligence, Inc., Shelton

Jessica Bailey, Greenworks Lending, Darien

Wendy Davis, GestVision, Inc., Guilford

Marcia Fournier, Bioarray Genetics, Farmington

Ellen Matloff, My Gene Counsel, LLC, North Haven Large Business Innovation and Leadership Melissa Baran, Sikorsky Aircraft, A Lockheed Martin Company, Stratford

Vicki Conant, Sikorsky Aircraft, A Lockheed Martin Company, Stratford

Jennifer Graham, Sikorsky Aircraft, A Lockheed Martin Company, Stratford

Karen Iannella, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield

Jacqueline Jones, PhD., Medtronic, Branford

Bhagyashree Khunte, Pfizer, Inc., Groton

Jeanne Larsen, UTC Aerospace Systems, Windsor Locks

Ping Liu, Sikorsky Aircraft, A Lockheed Martin Company, Stratford

Devu Manikantan Shila, Ph.D, United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford

Jennifer McLaurin, UTC Aerospace Systems, Windsor Locks

Lindsay O'Donnell, Sikorsky Aircraft, A Lockheed Martin Company, Naugatuck

Kremena Simitchieva, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield Research Innovation and Leadership Susan Baserga, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven

Jinbo Bi, University of Connecticut, Storrs

Alison Gotkin, United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford

Nancy Petry, UConn Health, Farmington

Danyel Racenet, Medtronic, North Haven

Kelly Valentine, Medtronic, North Haven

Christine Wetzel, 3M, Meriden Small Business Innovation and Leadership Margaret Bailey, Sonalysts, Waterford

Jeanine Gouin, Milone & MacBroom, Inc., Cheshire

Chun Li, Diameter Health, Farmington

Mary Ellen Mateleska, Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Mystic

Feliciatas Thurmayr, MD, PhD., Quality Health Ideas, Inc., Suffield

Meghan West, CNC Software Inc /Mastercam, Tolland Youth Innovation and Leadership Aakshi Agarwal, Hamden High School, Hamden

Margaret Cirino, Greenwich High School, Greenwich

Nickolina Doran, Greater Hartford Academy of Math & Science, Windsor

Madison D'Ostuni, Suffield High School, Suffield

Olivia Hallisey, Greenwich High School, Greenwich

Grace Anne Herrick, The Gunnery, Sandy Hook

Dana Joseph, Engineering & Science University Magnet School, West Haven About The Connecticut Technology Council The Connecticut Technology Council is a statewide association of technology oriented companies and institutions, providing leadership in areas of policy advocacy, community building and assistance for growing companies. Speaking for over 2,000 companies that employ some 200,000 residents, the Connecticut Technology Council seeks to provide a strong and urgent voice in support of the creation of a culture of innovation. This includes working to position Connecticut as a leader in idea creation, workforce preparation, entrepreneurial aptitude, early stage risk capital availability and providing on-going support and mentoring to high potential firms. For more information, visit www.ct.org. CONTACT: Courtney King, Connecticut Technology Council (860) 289-0878 x338, [email protected]

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[February 27, 2017] joimax Obtains Full Product Registration in Thailand, and is Now Active in 10 Asian Countries

joimax further ensures its market access in Asia. The German based market leader of technologies and training methods for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery is expanding its presence and recently has obtained full product registration from the Thai Food & Drug Administration (FDA). joimax also has approvals in South Korea, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam. For Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan, the certification for the product range is expected in 2017. "We are constantly pushing the registration process in Asia to extend the availability of joimax products. Thus, joimax is well prepared to further widen its market presence in Asia, demonstrating our commitment to the fastest growing region of the world," states Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006409/en/ Paticipants of the National Minimal Invasive Spinal Summit Forum & 4th joimax User Meeting, held in Zhenghou City, China from Dec. 23rd until 25th, 2016 (Photo: Business Wire)



For years, joimax has been working with the Korean Wooridul group, the world's largest Specialized Spine Hospital Network. Starting in 2017, joimax, together with the Wooridul Hospital in Seoul, will offer International courses for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS). In a series of four courses, provided in basic and advanced level, the education of international spine surgeons is ensured. The first one, chaired by joimax faculty Dr. Sang-Ho Lee, South Korea, recently took place. The one-week training programs offer surgeons the opportunity to learn percutaneous endoscopic techniques and other minimally-invasive procedures with lectures, operation observation and hands-on-workshops. Since 2004, more than 600 spine surgeons and specialists from 41 countries have participated in these courses at Wooridul.

After the National Minimal Invasive Spinal Summit Forum, together with the 4th joimax User Meeting in December, joimax China, headquartered in Chengdu, will celebrate its 10th birthday in April 2017. On this occasion, numerous internationally well-known faculties will meet in Chongqing, China to share experience and expertise. Lectures and live surgeries are planned to be held in two hospitals and to be broadcasted via Internet. About joimax Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2001, joimax is the leading developer and marketer of complete systems for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery. With TESSYS (transforaminal), iLESSYS (interlaminar) and CESSYS (cervical) for decompression procedures, MultiZYTE RT (e.g. for rhizotomy) and with MultiZYTE SI for SI-Joint therapy or with EndoLIF and Percusys for endoscopic minimally-invasive assisted stabilizations, proven endoscopic systems are provided that, together, cover a whole variety of indications. In procedures for herniated disc, stenosis, pain therapy or spinal stabilization treatment, surgeons utilize joimax technologies to operate through small incisions - under local or full anesthetic - via tissue and muscle-sparing corridors through natural openings into the spinal canal (e.g. intervertebral foramen, the "Kambin triangle"). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006409/en/

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[February 27, 2017] United Health Foundation and Medical College of Wisconsin to Launch Coordinated Care Program for New and Expectant Mothers

United Health Foundation and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) will create a program to improve women's health and birth outcomes, and reduce health disparities. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006488/en/ United Health Foundation announced a $1.2 million grant partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin to announce The Periscope Project, a real-time, care coordination program addressing the mental wellness of new and expectant mothers across the Milwaukee area. The grant was announced at Medical College of Wisconsin on Monday by Dustin Hinton, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, Becky Schroeder, co-founder, Moms Mental Health Initiative, Dr. Christina Wichman, associate professor, Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Donna Davidoff, ?chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, State Sen. Alberta Darling, 8th Senate District, and Dr. John Raymond, president and CEO, Medical College of Wisconsin (Photo: John-Paul Greco). The Periscope (PERInatal Specialty COnsult Psychiatry Extension) Project aims to provide real-time care coordination, behavioral health services and support for new and expectant mothers across southeast Wisconsin. Primary-care providers will have access to care-coordination services including: immediate, real-time, peer-to-peer access to consultation by a perinatal psychiatrist;

a Periscope Project coordinator to help identify community resources, and;

digital resources via MCW's website featuring a care provider toolkit composed of medical management resources including assessment tools, treatment algorithms, treatment information and continuing medical education (CME) modules. The project is funded by a $1.2 million grant by United Health Foundation, and is part of the foundation's city-based approach to provide resources to organizations that connect communities to care, support whole-person health and build healthier communities. "The Periscope Project addresses the lack of perinatal psychiatric care providers by increasing the reach and efficiency of these specialized health providers," said Dr. Christina Wichman, associate professor of Psychiatry, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at MCW. "Together, we are building the capacity of primary-care providers to efectively manage and coordinate care for their perinatal patients with psychiatric and behavioral health conditions."



"We are partnering with the Medical College of Wisconsin to help ensure that primary care providers have the tools they need to enhance new and expectant mothers' health and well-being," said Dr. Donna Davidoff, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin. "The Periscope Project will help more mothers and babies live healthier lives and improve access to coordinated, comprehensive care." The Periscope Project is led by a multi-disciplinary team including a perinatal psychiatrist and program staff from the MCW's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, and a researcher and health economist from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. Secondary partnerships include Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and its member health systems, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

"These partnerships are critical to the project's success," said Jennifer Doering, associate professor and executive committee chair, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. "This multi-institution and multi-discipline approach is rooted with a deep commitment to advancing and integrating cost-effective best practices for the care and treatment of perinatal women in Milwaukee, with a targeted approach to reaching the most vulnerable patients." According to the 2016 America's Health Rankings Health of Women and Children Report, more than 14 percent of women ages 18 to 44 in Wisconsin use alcohol during pregnancy, signaling a need for increased substance-abuse consultation and access to care during these critical months. The Periscope Project will ensure new and expectant mothers have access to these services, in addition to specialty perinatal psychiatric care. The United Health Foundation grant will be awarded over three years, with an additional $200,000 from the State of Wisconsin through the Title V Maternal Health Block Grant. About the Medical College of Wisconsin

Founded in 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in MCW's medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, 56 medical students enrolled at MCW-Green Bay, and 26 students matriculated to MCW-Central Wisconsin in 2016. MCW's School of Pharmacy will open in 2017 or 2018 with an initial class size of 60 students. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In FY2015, faculty received more than $158 million in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,200 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,500 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 525,000 patients annually. About United Health Foundation

Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed nearly $315 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthgroup.com/SocialResponsibility or follow Facebook.com/UHGGives. Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006488/en/

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China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, the most senior Chinese official to do so since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, state news agency Xinhua said.

By Reuters: China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, the most senior Chinese official to do so since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, state news agency Xinhua said.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi would visit the United States on Monday and Tuesday, Xinhua said in a report published late on Sunday that quoted foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

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Yang outranks China's foreign minister.

The visit follows a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship.

It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's November election victory.

Trump angered Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is part.

Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan.

Xinhua quoted a researcher at a government-backed Chinese think tank as saying a discussion of when and where Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would meet first would be on the top of the agenda.

It said Yang's visit would coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to establish diplomatic ties in 1979.

ALSO READ:

Trump's China wall

Amid US visa row, China wants more Indian innovators, admits to ignoring high-tech talent from here

ALSO WATCH: India and China strategic dialogue begins in Beijing; foreign secretaries discuss bilateral issues

--- ENDS ---
The girls father laid down his life for the country during the Kargil war and she is now being victimized for her legitimate act,?? said Captain Amarinder.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: The principal opposition party Congress today slammed BJP led NDA government for thei controversial remarks against against Kargil martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur. Kaur, after the Ramjas College row started a social media campaign against the ABVP.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted in support of Kaur, "Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a Gurmehar Kaur."

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Former chief minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh also lashed out at ABVP and demanded its ban. Reacting strongly to the allegation of Gurmehar Kaur that she had been receiving threats of rape and violence following her heroic stand, Captain said that ABVP and its mentors should be ashamed of their abominable behaviour. The girls father laid down his life for the country during the Kargil war and she is now being victimized for her legitimate act,?? said Captain Amarinder.

"The failure of the Delhi Police to take action against the ABVP goondas who had unleashed the unprovoked violence at Ramjas College on February 22 has clearly encouraged them to issue such heinous threats," he said, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and a ban on the organisation to prevent further travesty of the law.

Meanwhile, Congress's student wing, National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is organising a day long hunger strike on February 28 at Arts faculty of Delhi University, followed by a 'Mashaal' rally in the evening.

Also Read

Ramjas college violence: Students, teachers plan counter-rallies to ABVP's Tiranga March

Ramjas violence: Campus politics turning colleges into battlegrounds, hurting academic freedom?

--- ENDS ---
The annual selection of tracks in triple js Hottest 100 serves as a way to collect some of the highlights of the most recent Hottest 100 countdown, and also as a musical time capsule of years past  not to mention the go-to soundtrack for countless afternoon barbecues.

But of course, triple j have released many more compilations throughout their history than just Hottest 100 compilations. From releasing vinyl compilations in their early days, to CD releases as the 80s waned, triple j have been on the forefront of releasing quality collections of music for years.

So, we decided to have a look back at 12 of the best compilations that triple j have released over the years, and discover what exactly makes them so great.

Like A Version 2 (2006)

The famous Like A Version segment has been running since 2004, and the fine folks at triple j have been releasing compilation albums that collect the best performances since 2005. But in 2006, they released the second volume of these compilations, frequently said to be among one of the best by numerous listeners. Where else will you manage to see the Eels cover Prince, Gyroscope cover Jebediah, Tegan And Sara cover Bruce Springsteen, or The Drones cover The Beasts Of Bourbon all in one place?

Like A Version 2 also houses The Herds classic I Was Only 19, a cover of the 1983 Redgum song of the same name. The track resonated with listeners so much that it became the first Like A Version cover to make into a Hottest 100 countdown, reaching #18 in 2005.

Totally Wireless: The triple j Acoustic Sessions (1993)

If were going to take a look back intro triple j history, youll see that one of their first compilations was a vinyl EP of their Live At The Wireless program in 1982. This was followed by a live LP in 1984, and by the time the 90s had rolled around, the station had started to released a series of Live At the Wireless compilation CDs. In 1993, they decided to change things up a bit by releasing a compilation of all the acoustic tracks that bands had played while being recorded by the station.

Dubbed Totally Wireless: The triple j Acoustic Sessions, the compilation included tracks such as young You Am I performing Embarrassed, Sydneys Smudge playing Divan, their pal Evan Dando of The Lemonheads playing Confetti, and The Blackeyed Susans performing Oceans Of You. One of the most memorable tracks from the disc happened to be Sydney band Glide performing an acoustic cover of The Lemonheads Ride With Me. Released only six years before the dissolution of the band due to the death of frontman William Arthur, the track shows a soulful young band in their prime, taking a chance to deliver one of the most beautiful performances they could muster.

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The Hip-Hop Show (2005)

Champions of almost any genre, triple js The Hip-Hop Show has been a fixture on the station for years, and back in 2005, the station cemented their love for the genre and program by releasing a CD containing some of the best tracks going around at the time. Filled with a wide variety of hip-hop classics and rarities, tracks from Australia, the USA, New Zealand and England are all present as they take a look back at the tracks that listeners were loving at the time.

Between blistering cuts from Bliss N Eso, Phrase, Mnemonic Ascent, Muph & Plutonic, Mos Def, and the Funkoars, The Hip-Hop Show host Maya Jupiter managed to compile one of the best collections of local and international talent. One of the few albums released by the station containing a strong language warning, it was an unrelenting mix that still holds brilliant replay value.

Super Request: Dogs Breakfast (2005)

One of the most popular segments on triple j for over a decade, Super Request allowed listeners to request their favourite tracks to be played on the station. Hosted by Rosie Beaton, Super Request managed to light up the lives of many a listener until it wrapped up in December 2011. But back in 2005, the shows popularity warranted a compilation CD, or maybe it was just so people could listen to the most popular tracks at home and stop ringing up to request King Missiles Detachable Penis.

Super Request: Dogs Breakfast served as a greatest hits of the show up until 2005, and collected the most-requested songs on the program. Featuring tracks such as Rammsteins Mein Teil, Machine Gun Fellatios Unsent Letter, Dana Lyons Cows With Guns, and Scissor Sisters Tits On The Radio, the disc served a perfect party mix for any triple j listener. One of the memorable tracks from the compilation happens to be the insufferably infectious Fridays from Matty B, proving that 2005 was a completely different time.

The J Files: The Best B-Sides Of All Time (2002)

While its seen a revival on Double J in recent years, The J Files were a weekly segment on triple j that focused on an artist or theme. Hosted by Richard Kingsmill, his encyclopaedic knowledge proved to be one of the most popular segments for the nostalgic listener up until 2007. The success of the program resulted in a book written by Kingsmill, and a couple of relatively obscure compilations, one focusing on some of the best cover versions of all time, and one focusing on the best B-sides.

Proving that sometimes the A-side isnt always the best choice, the J Files B-sides compilation flipped some of the more famous singles released in recent decades to find a far better choice of tune. Including tracks like Radioheads Talk Show Host, Oasis Acquiesce, The Jesus And Mary Chains Kill Surf City, and Something For Kates Hawaiian Robots, the disc uncovered some of the lesser known tracks by bands and put them into a well-deserved spotlight. One of the discs highlights, Regurgitators I Like Your Old Remix Better Than Your New Remix proved that the group can actually provide a far better commentary of music than the A-side, ! (The Song Formerly Known As), could ever hope to.

triple j Unearthed 4 (1997)

Back in 1995, triple j launched their Unearthed program. Dedicated in unearthing some of the best unsigned talent around the country, they used to go state to state, checking out new bands in hopes of finding the best. One of the first Unearthed groups was Grinspoon with their track Sickfest, which was recorded and released on the first Unearthed compilation CD which focused on areas of the country like Lismore, Bendigo, Townsville, Alice Springs. By the time the fourth Unearthed compilation, triple j had unearthed gold in places such as Cairns, Hobart, Mount Gambier, and a little place in northeastern Victoria called Violet Town.

Kicking off the fourth Unearthed compilation was a then-up and coming band known as Killing Heidi. Fronted by a 14 year old Ella Hooper, the group featured with their track Kettle, which was instrumental in bringing them to the spotlight, allowing them to record and release classic Aussie songs such as Weir, Mascara, and Live Without It. Additionally, the disc included tracks from Endorphin, who would go on to release classic tracks such as Afterworlds and Sex And Violence, and other groups such as Stealth, and Vinyl. If you ever wanted a CD that captured some classic Aussie bands before they were big, this is exactly what you need.

Eleven: A Very Loud Compilation (1994)

Eleven: A Very Loud Compilation was the moment that triple j showed their teeth and started to appeal to the metalheads of Australia. While metal music wasnt exactly a genre that they strayed from, this compilation marked the first time that metalheads had a CD made just for them, and what a CD it was.

Featuring brutal tracks from bands like Tumbleweed, Nine Inch Nails, Revolting Cocks, Tool, and a decidedly un-heavy track from Weezer, Eleven: A Very Loud Compilation captured the very essence heavy metal and brought the best of it to the masses. Aussie bands were also very well represented on the disc, with The Meanies, Powderfinger, Silverchair, and even a young Magic Dirty included within the tracklist.

Ambience (1987)

The very first triple j compilation released on CD, Ambience was a selection of some of the best tracks from their weekly, late-night program of the same name. Compiled by the programs host, Arnold Frolows, the disc featured a relaxng selection of some of the best ambient bands Australia had on offer.

With tracks from artists like Chris Abrahams, Steve Kilbey, John Elder, and Not Drowning, Waving, Ambience proved to be one of the most relaxing releases in the triple j oeuvre. While the Ambience program no longer exists, and this compilation itself is relegated to the annals of music history, it is a small piece of music history that proves Australia can stand head and shoulders above the rest, regardless of genre.

Beat The Drum (2015)

2015 saw the 40th anniversary of triple j, showing that theyve come a long way since they played their first track, Skyhooks You Just Like Me Cos Im Good In Bed, in 1975. With a series of celebrations undertaken by the station for the big event, one of the largest was a concert called Beat The Drum as part of the 2015 Sydney Festival.

Artists such as Ball Park Music, Vance Joy, Gotye, You Am I, and The Cat Empire all came together to perform some of their biggest hits for the concert, but it was the concerts final artist, the Hilltop Hoods that stole the show. In addition to a variety of their biggest hits, their penultimate track was a performance of their huge hit Cosby Sweater. Featuring a wide variety of guest artists, such as Illy, Horrorshow, Drapht, Seth Sentry, Tkay Maidza, and Thundamentals, the performance encapsulated some of the biggest and best artists played by the station at the time, proving that they were indeed what makes triple j great.

Earthcore (1994)

A precursor to triple js Roots n All show, their World Music Show was one of the few programs in the 90s that would broadcast large varieties of music from genres and countries often ignored by even the most alternative radio stations.

With music coming from places as far and wide as Algeria, Monserrat, and Benin, we were also treated to music from our own backyard, with artists such as the Sunrize Band, the Martenitsa Choir, and ArramAieda represented as well. One of the compilations most memorable moments came from Kev Carmody, whose track On The Wire appeared as one of the closing songs on the disc.

Home And Hosed: The First Harvest (2003)

In 2003, triple js Home And Hosed program decided to start releasing compilations of the music they had been playing on the show. While the show was dedicated to showcasing some of the best up and coming Aussie acts around, it managed to do more than that, effectively selecting a reputable whos who of Aussie music for the year of 2003.

Featuring artists such as Little Birdy, Gerling, Offcutts, Screamfeeder, The Herd, The Panics, Butterfingers, Epicure, Sarah Blasko, and Frenzal Rhomb, the tracklist reads more like a dream Big Day Out lineup than anything else. While Home And Hosed havent released a compilation album since their fourth volume in 2006, we can only wait and see if the future will see them return to compilations of this calibre.

Before Too Long: triple js Tribute To Paul Kelly (2009)

While triple j had been involved in some previous artist tributes before, including the Write Your Adventures Down tribute to The Go-Betweens, and the intriguing JCDC tribute from 2005, it wasnt until 2009 that they paid tribute to the one and only Paul Kelly. With a live recording of a concert at Melbournes Forum Theatre in November of 2009, and a disc full of Paul Kelly original tracks, Before Too Long was a package of musical brilliance.

With the live concert consisting of artists such as Adalita, Bob Evans, Paul Dempsey, Missy Higgins, and John Butler paying tribute to Kelly by covering a great number of his songs, it was truly one of the greatest live gigs to have hit the town that year. Thankfully it was recorded live on both CD and DVD for dedicated fans to purchase later, because it is truly one of the greatest musical tributes ever recorded.
Right now, let's look at the big picture amid ongoing culture war frustration and constant debate in the context of a system that many people think is rigged.Here's info on a local talk from a rising star scribe that covers everything from recent shootings, current political trends and the legacy of hateration that governs our voting structures today.Take a peek:Garrett S. Griffin, the author of "Racism in Kansas City: A Short History," will speak on the origins of the book and troubling current trends in white thought in KC and elsewhere.His book is a study of Kansas Citys darkest momentsslavery, the border war, the Civil War, bombings of black homes, lynchings, the segregation of neighborhoods and schools, the civil rights struggle, the Black Panther movement, the 1968 race riot, assassinations in the 1970s, the infamous Missouri v. Jenkins U.S. Supreme Court case, and the racial inequities that still plague Kansas City today. Threaded throughout Racism in Kansas City are stories of those who fought ardently against racist policiesand won.The book's foreword was written by Alvin Brooks.Copies will be available for sale and signing at the event. Or you can buy one in advance today at Prospero's.Learn more about the book by visiting(give us a Like) orTuesday, February 28 at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CSTProspero's Books1800 W 39th St, Kansas City, Missouri 64111################Developing . . .
crowding

From the Crossroads to the River Market . . . The toy train has pretty much screwed local parking without providing much benefit or new biz.Park and ride looky-loo hipsters crowd streets along with taxpayer subsidized biz that's created some nice foot traffic but very little revenue gain when we consider long suffering City Hall coffers.Tragically . . . This week there will be continued consideration of all these problems that our blog community has been discussing for years . . . But the blame is put on highways and not amateur urban planners and theirschemes to createdensity by way of crony capitalism.Developing . . .
Even if piracy may not be the oldest profession in the world, it certainly was among the first. Eighteenth and nineteenth century piracy in and around the Caribbean has been heavily romanticized in various novels and movies over the past century, but the actual act has been around for a very long time  probably ever since there was some sea plundering to be had. The word itself comes from ancient Greek, meaning to attempt.

Aside from people who illegally copy songs off of the internet, or those who broadcast radio shows without permission, a pirate refers to a person who engages in criminal activity while at sea; mostly stealing cargo and other valuables. With that being said, well be taking a look at some of the most interesting facts about these real-life buccaneers, and see how different they were from Jack Sparrow and his crew.

10. The Sea Peoples

A group of maritime skirmishers, known to the Ancient Egyptians simply as the Sea Peoples, are the oldest ever pirates in recorded history, responsible for one of the most violent, sudden and culturally disruptive events in ancient times. They seem to have been a key element in the Late Bronze Age collapse of most of the east Mediterranean powers, and sparked the Greek Dark Ages that followed. The 13th century BC saw a period of relative peace and prosperity in the Aegean and Mediterranean, with many powerful kingdoms like the Mycenaeans in Greece, the Hittites in Anatolia and Syria, and the New Kingdom of Egypt and Canaan, all communicating and trading with each other.

Then, as if out of nowhere, all of it would change in a historical instant. In a timeframe of less than 100 years, between 1276 and 1178 BC, the Mycenaeans and Hittites would fall, while Egypt would be severely weakened and never again fully recover. Even though not all present-day scholars agree, it would seem that these Sea Peoples may have attacked and raided each of these kingdoms one by one, leaving little more than death and destruction in their wake. During this period, all coastal cities in Crete were abandoned, with people moving further inland, high up in the mountains. These dozens of mountainous settlements are consistent with frequent attacks coming from the sea, and people having little choice but to retreat into less hospitable regions.

Only when they reached Egypt did these Sea Peoples meet their match, with Ramses II and his two successors finally managing to defeat them. Nevertheless, Egypt too would suffer greatly and never truly recover to its former glory. With little historical and archaeological evidence available, nobody is sure from where they came from. Some speculate that the Sea Peoples originated in Anatolia (present-day Turkey), while others believe them to be from Sicily, Sardinia and Italy.

Whatever the case, their destructive presence, possibly coupled with drought and a prolonged seismic activity, caused the Greeks to revert culturally to the point of even forgetting how to write. With the exception of Athens, all coastal cities were abandoned, the population dropped significantly, and for the next several centuries they would live in small groups, following a pastoral lifestyle. This disruptive event, which marked the end of the Bronze Age in the region, gave way to the emergence of the Greek city-states that followed, and in a sense, to democracy as we know it today.

9. The Pirate Queen Teuta and the Romans

Right after defeating the Carthaginians during the First Punic War in 241 BC, Rome became the largest naval power in the west Mediterranean. However, its control of the seas was not absolute. Across the Adriatic Sea from the Italian Peninsula, the Balkan Coast was home to the Illyrians and the Ardiaean Kingdom. And in charge of this kingdom was Queen Teuta. Besides enlarging their kingdom into the Greek-controlled Epirus, Corcyra (Corfu), Epidamnus and Pharus, the Illyrians were also notorious pirates, harassing and disrupting naval trade all across the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Under Queen Teuta, Illyrian piracy intensified to the point where Rome was forced to intervene.

Concerned mostly with land conquests, the Romans werent eager to become the naval police of the Mediterranean. But when a shipment of grain destined for the Roman Legions was intercepted by these pirates, the Senate sent two envoys to the Queen. According to ancient sources, she disregarded the diplomats and even worse, assassinated one of them as they were preparing to leave. Hearing this news, the Romans declared war on Teuta. They sent a fleet of 200 ships and a land force of 20,000 men, taking one Illyrian settlement after another. In 227 BC she surrendered, being allowed to rule but only over a narrow region around Scodra, the kingdoms capital. She is reported to have lived for several decades after, but what eventually happened to her is uncertain. There is an Albanian legend where, like any good pirate would, Queen Teuta hid a large treasure from the Romans, which is yet to be discovered.

8. Julius Caesar was Kidnapped by Pirates

Even if the Romans managed to somewhat halt the Illyrian pirates after they conquered the region, piracy as a whole still occurred across the Mediterranean on a regular basis. In fact Rome relied on piracy for its steady influx of slaves. But as it happens, in 75 BC while sailing the Aegean Sea, the then 25-year-old Julius Caesar was kidnapped by Cilician pirates and held for ransom. The story is related by Plutarch, a Greek historian, who accounts the pirates asking the sum of 20 talents of silver (about 1,370 pounds, and around $600,000 in todays silver values) for his safe return. Hearing this, Caesar strait up laughed in their faces, saying he was worth at least 50 talents, and that they should ask for as much.

Caesar then sent out his men to collect the bounty while he remained behind with his captors. While there, instead of cowering away in fear he acted as their superior, issuing orders and even reciting them poetry. He even joked around, telling them hed hunt them down and crucify them after his release. When the ransom finally arrived some 38 days later, Caesar was set free. Immediately after, he amassed a small fleet and returned for the pirates. He found them exactly where he left them, captured them, and took back his 50 talents and all of their property as spoils of war. And in keeping with his word, he had them all crucified.

7. How Pirates Doomed the Roman Republic

If Caesars kidnapping wasnt enough, Cilician pirates then decided to attack Romes own port city of Ostia. In 68 BC a fleet of several dozen pirate ships suddenly entered the harbor, destroyed the 19 government-owned ships there, kidnapped two traveling Roman magistrates, and sacked the port of all its goods and valuables, before setting it on fire. The flames were so big and powerful that they could be seen from Rome itself. This unexpected turn of events scared the Roman citizens beyond measure, fearing either an imminent attack or a shortage of food. Moreover, reports came in that the pirates, bolstered by their easy victory in Ostia, began ransacking villages further inland.

Feeding off of peoples fears of these pirates, the up-and-coming general and politician Pompey seized the opportunity to consolidate his power in the Republic. By having his man, tribune Aulus Gabinius, push a bill through the Senate, Pompey was given absolute authority over Romes armies and its treasury. With an estimated 500 warships, 120,000 infantry, and 5,000 cavalry, he then set out to destroy most of the pirate strongholds in Cilicia, Crete, Illyria and Delos. And even if thousands of these raiders were killed during Pompeys attacks, most were given a chance of pardon by moving inland and becoming farmers. Within several months the mighty Roman general defeated the seafaring raiders, and with his following success against the Mithridates, Pompey was awarded the agnomen Magnus, or the Great.

However, this new bill, Lex Gabinia as it was called, gave too much power to the hands of a few, and ultimately spelled the end for the Roman Republic. Its resolution came soon after with Julius Caesar, who initiated the Roman Civil Wars, leaving tens of thousands of Romans dead (far more than the pirates could have slain by themselves), killing Pompey in the process, and giving way for the Roman Empire to arise.

6. St. Patrick, Ireland, and Of Course, the Pirates

Made widely popular by modern media, St. Patrick is arguably the most famous saint there is, second only to perhaps St. Peter himself. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, as he was responsible for converting the Irish to Christianity during the 400s AD. But what most people dont know is that he was not a native Irishman, but a Roman citizen living in Britain. His name wasnt Patrick, either; more likely Maewyn Succat, or something of the like. He took on Patrick only when he became a priest. Even if his father was a deacon, growing up he didnt receive any real education, a fact that would later make him feel ashamed: I blush and fear exceedingly to reveal my lack of education, he wrote in his Confessio.

However, what ultimately led him to become a patron saint was a serious case of bad luck. When he was 16 he was abducted by Irish pirates, and sold into slavery in Ireland, and to a Druid no less. He was made a sheep herder, and for the next six years living in isolation he would spend his time tending to the animals and praying. While not particularly religious, he became deeply devoted to Christianity during his captivity, as the only connection he still had with his old life.

By following the advice of a voice he heard in his dreams, in 408 AD he managed to escape by heading to the coast and boarding a ship. After three days of sailing he was reunited with his family and in around 431 AD, he was consecrated as Bishop of the Irish. He would spend the rest of his life converting the islanders to Christianity. Being intimate with the country and its pagan rituals he found ways to incorporate them into the church practices. St. Patrick is renowned for coming up with the Celtic cross, by combining both Christian and sun-worshipping symbols into it.

5. The Viking Age

Without a shadow of a doubt, Europes most feared and relentless pirates of the Middle Ages were the Vikings. Pushed by the harsh conditions, possibly even overpopulation and a definite lack of agricultural lands back home in Scandinavia, the Norsemen developed a society based to a large extent on raids and plunder, attacking first and talking trade later. Even the Norse word Viking itself translates to either pirate or warrior, being indistinguishable and meaning the same thing. Aboard their small, slender vessels, the Norse would go all around the coasts and upstream rivers, sacking, pillaging, killing and enslaving every settlement they encountered along the way. They sometimes even settled there. Only the mightiest of cities or fortresses could withstand them, in which case the Vikings would suddenly turn into peaceful traders. One such example could be seen between the Viking Rus in present-day Ukraine and the Byzantine Empire to the south.

Known ominously as the Viking Age, this period in time between the 8th to 11th centuries had seen a steep increase in Viking incursions all across Europe and beyond. In their many travels the Norsemen reached as far away as present-day Iran, across the Caspian Sea, and all the way to the northeast coast of North America. Their reign of terror would end with them becoming more and more Christianized, due to their frequent contacts with other European nations. Nevertheless, the most reliable accounts we have about them dont come from the Europeans or the Norsemen themselves, but from Arab emissaries sent up north. Since the Christians had an innate fear and hatred towards them, and the Vikings only had runes to write with, the Arabs were the only ones far enough away to not worry about their raids, but still so close as to get in direct contact.

4. Koxinga, a Pirate Turned National Hero in both China and Taiwan

Even though the Mediterranean was without question the most pirate-infested body of water up until the 19th century, that doesnt mean that buccaneering wasnt common in other parts of the world as well. One such instance can be found in China during the 17th century, around the period of a dynastical overthrow when the Qing succeeded the Ming. During this period of war and turmoil, one man by the name of Zheng Chenggong, or more commonly known here in the West as Koxinga, became the fiercest supporter and leader of the resistance in favor of the Ming Dynasty. Born to a Japanese mother and a Chinese father, part trader and part pirate, Koxinga was enrolled into the Imperial Academy of Learning at Nanjing in 1644. That same year the Qing rose to power, and both he and his father retreated to Fujian, the stronghold of the Ming resistance, on the southeast coast.

When Fujian was finally captured by the Qing, the Ming pretender to the throne was killed and Koxingas own father turned sides. Nevertheless, Zheng Chenggong vowed to restore the Mings, even disregarding his fathers orders to renounce his lost cause. Over the next 12 years, while the Qings were busy with larger Ming remnants in the southwest, Koxinga managed to build a strong position on the Fujian coast, across the strait from Taiwan, and harass the Qings at every occasion. Even though he received numerous other offers of rank and power from the Qing, as well as his father, Koxinga maintained his position. In a daring offensive he gathered 100,000 men and sailed up the Yangtze River, initially achieving remarkable success. However, after breaching the capital citys first line of defense, a fatal strategic error led to an overwhelming defeat.

Still unbeatable while at sea, Koxinga retreated back to his stronghold at Fuijian, and from there in 1661, together with 25,000 troops, expelled the Dutch from their colony on the nearby island of Taiwan. The Dutch were allowed to leave safely along with their personal belongings. After installing an effective civil administration on the island, Koxinga devised new military plans of expansion. They went unfulfilled, however, when he died unexpectedly in 1662. His son took up his reins and led the resistance for another 20 years. After his death, however, the Qing invaded the island in 1683.

Even though he was once their most feared enemy, the Qing court recognized Koxinga as an outstanding example of loyalty and in 1875 they built him a temple in Taiwan. In Japan he became the subject theatrical plays, being regarded as a national Othello of sorts. Thanks to the mercy he showed to the Dutch, Zheng Chenggong became one of the very few Chinese historical figures to bear a Latinized name. With the rise of nationalism in the early 20th century China, Koxinga was again put in front as one of the countrys heroes in his fight against the imperial power, the Qings. Later he became a national hero for Communist China as a victor against Western (Dutch) imperialism, and in Taiwan for his determination to restore proper Chinese rule.

3. The Barbary Corsairs and the Knights Hospitaller

By the 16th and 17th centuries, Empires had become global, but the Mediterranean was still a hotbed for sea incursions. Most historians go as far as calling this time period as the Golden Age of Piracy. This was also a time of power shifting around the Mediterranean basin. Once the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, and the Portuguese began exploring the worlds oceans starting in 1419, the Mediterranean lost much of its seafaring importance in world affairs. But trade and especially looting were still in abundance. In this period of turmoil, as Venice too lost much of its influence, four large pirate groups emerged. First were the Uskoks, a group of Croatian refugees stationed in Dalmatia (a.k.a. Illyria), and who harassed both Venetian and Ottoman vessels wherever they found them. Next were the English and the Dutch, who by this time were world empires in their own right, and saw banditry in the Mediterranean as a supplement to their other international activities.

And then there were the Barbary Corsairs. Operating from the northwest coast of Africa, these Muslim marauders took advantage of the weakened control Christians now had over the inland sea. They began raiding coastal settlements and ships, mostly in the Western Mediterranean; so much so that at their height in the 17th century almost all coastal villages in Europe were abandoned. They also began operating in the Atlantic at this time, reaching as far away as Iceland and the Netherlands. Besides plundering for goods, they also excelled at taking slaves. Though incomparable in size to the Transatlantic Slave trade happening at the same time, over 1.25 million Europeans were taken into bondage.

The final pirate group here was none other than the Holy Order of Saint John, or more commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller. Contrary to popular belief these Knights main occupation was that of plundering and enslaving the Eastern Mediterranean. Sometimes accompanied by another group of bandits, the Order of Saint Stephen, these holy orders were a spitting image of the Barbary Corsairs, but against Muslims. Operating from Malta since 1530, the Knights Hospitaller had a considerably smaller fleet than the Arab corsairs, but nevertheless, their ships were the best equipped in the whole Mediterranean. They also employed many privateers, mostly from Italy and France, to raid and enslave Muslims on their behalf. Even to this day, the order is mostly seen as a humanitarian organization, keeping the sea safe from piracy, but in reality they were the sea wolves in sheeps clothing.

2. The Origins of the Pirate Eyepatch

Its almost a guarantee for people to associate eyepatches with pirates. But eyepatches werent a pirate trait, at least up until the 1800s. This doesnt mean that pirates werent losing an eye now and again, especially with the life they were leading. But up until the early 19th century nobody ever mentioned it. The first pirate to have ever been described as wearing an eyepatch, a trait that would forever be attributed to this particular profession, was none other than the infamous Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalahimah. Who? The most successful and the most generally tolerated pirate, perhaps that ever infested any sea, according to James Silk Buckingham, an English contemporary, author, journalist and traveler.

Rahmah lived through a period of English domination of the Persian Gulf, in which most of the nations and tribes living throughout the region fought against each other for control and survival, as well as engaging in piracy around the coast. In fact, the region between Khasab and Bahrain was known to the English as The Pirate Coast as early as the 17th century. His life and actions were based on opposing the Al Khalifa clan, now ruling family of Bahrain. He died in 1826 aboard his ship while fighting against his longtime enemies. Instead of surrendering when his ship was being boarded by Al Khalifa soldiers, he decided to light the gunpowder kegs, killing everyone on the ship, his 8-year-old son included.

1. The Pirate City

No pirate list can ever be complete without at least once mentioning the Pirates of the Caribbean the real pirates of the Caribbean. And the best way to talk about them is to take a look at the wickedest city on earth. Thats right, pirates had their own city: Port Royal, in Jamaica. For over a century and a half, the Spanish held almost total control over the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Throughout this time they transported riches from the Americas to Spain, almost unencumbered. The British were obviously jealous and desired above all else to replace the Spanish, or at least to hinder them as much as possible. Thats why they hired privateers. Privateers were basically pirates, but in the service of the Queen.

In any case, the English decided to take over the island of Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and Dominican Republic) in 1655, failed, and then decided to take Jamaica instead. On its southern coast they built Port Royal, which by the end of the century became the largest European city in the New World, second only to Boston. It was also home to all of those pirates and privateers that attacked the Spanish. And the city was world renowned for its lewdness and overall wicked behavior. It is said that one in four buildings was either a tavern or a brothel. It is also said that within just seven years of Port Royals establishment, so much gold and silver poured into its coffers through piracy that there was more cash there in proportion to its population than in London. The city was so cosmopolitan that one could find anything the world could offer; from slaves to distant Asian works of art.

Then in 1692 a terrible earthquake hit the town with such a force that it almost completely destroyed it. Built largely over sand, Port Royal instantly suffered from liquefaction, with buildings, roads, and citizens sucked into the ground. The catastrophe was so large and devastating, many believed it was a punishment from God. Today most of the pirate city is under 40 feet of water, and is a Unesco World Heritage site. Who knows what treasures may lie beneath the waves there?

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U.S. aircraft carrier USS USS George H.W. Bush sailed into Soudas port in western Crete on Saturday, for the second time in the last few days.

The warship, which docked at NATOs harbor in Marathi, was accompanied by three more vessels of the U.S. Navy and is expected to stay in Chania for about ten days. Its crew started disembarking after noon.

USS George H.W. Bush, nicknamed the "Avenger", can carry 85 aircraft and can carry 85 aircraft and helicopters and about 6,000 crew members.

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The Greek economy could grow by 2.5 pct this year on conditions, the Bank of Greece said in its Annual Report, presented by governor Yiannis Stournaras on Friday

The Greek economy could grow by 2.5 pct this year on conditions, the Bank of Greece said in its Annual Report, presented by governor Yiannis Stournaras on Friday.

Based on current data, the countrys primary surplus in 2016 is expected to be around 2.0 pct of GDP, while a target for a primary surplus of 1.75 pct of GDP this year is considered to be feasible. The central banker, however, warned there were still risks related with economic growth prospects. The first category of risks is related with instability in international environment, while domestic uncertainties and risks are related mostly with delays in implementing an economic program, as reflected in difficulties to complete a second review of the program.

The Bank of Greece governor noted that if these delays were to continue, they could raise serious hurdles to the expected growth, with negative consequences in economic climate and opening a new cycle of uncertainty over completion of the program. This uncertainty could increase if Greece failed to be included in an European Central Banks QE program, he added. All these could undermine confidence and avert efforts to attract foreign investments -a necessary precondition for economic growth. The central bank said that risks were also related with delays in implementing reforms aimed to boost competitiveness, in sectors such as the electricity energy market.

The central banker said that the most serious hurdle to be gradually lifted was excessive taxation of enterprises and individuals. An overshooting of a fiscal target on primary surplus in 2016 was mostly attributed to higher tax revenue and less to a cut in public spending. Stournaras said that the current fiscal policy mix operated adversely to economic growth, it contributed in raising private sector arrears to the state and encouraged tax evasion and informal labor.

Referring to non-performing loans, the central banker said their reduction was the most significant challenge for the banking system, although he said it was encouraging the fact that NPLs fell to 106.3 billion euros at the end of 2016, from 107.6 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2016. He said that the goal was to reduce NPLs by 40 billion euros until the end of 2019, but noted that delay in legislating the necessary measures, combined with uncertainty related with a slow progress of negotiations with institutions to conclude a second review of the Greek program, raised risks over achieving this goal. Stournaras said that new non-performing loans grew in the first month of 2017.

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By Press Trust of India: into hotel: Luthra

Mumbai, Feb 27 (PTI) The navy expects a decision soon on Andhra Pradesh governments proposal to convert INS Viraat, which is set to be decommissioned on March 6, into a hotel and museum, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra said here today.

"That offer is the deliberation between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, which is in progress. Final decision is expected very soon from New Delhi. Deliberations are not done from our headquarters here, but from New Delhi," the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command told reporters here.

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When pointed out that INS Viraats decommissioning is just a week away, Luthra said, "We are expecting a decision very soon. That is our expectation."

As per the earlier reports, talks were underway with the Andhra Pradesh government to convert INS Viraat, into a luxury hotel-cum-museum after its decommissioning. The carrier is expected to berth on the coast of Visakhapatnam by mid-2017.

In December last year, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht in Vishakhapatnam had said that AP was the top contender for getting the majestic warship. "The AP government had shown keen interest on getting INS Viraat to berth in Vizag for promotion of tourism once it is decommissioned and turning it into a ship museum," he had said.

When asked about the future of the ship, Luthra said, "A detailed study about the physical condition of INS Viraat will decide the future, as the aircraft carrier is going to be decommissioned on March 6."

"In case the ship is not converted into a museum, not being used as a target or as a display, then we work out its reserve price, based on it tenders are issued. Based on the issued price, the ship goes to scrap yard. The study has been done, but reserved price is classified information and it is not shared publicly. The naval staff is also not very much involved in it," Luthra said.

"For aircraft carriers, we (Navy) have been keen on retaining the ship with us. We were keen on retaining INS Vikrant as well. There have been two prolonged deliberations for quite a few years, we were unable to go ahead with a firm plan. Therefore, she was subsequently sold as scrap," he said.

"There is another difficulty with retaining the ship. It is the difficulty of berthing space. If an aircraft carrier remains as harboured, she occupies an important space. Along with it, the ship requires maintenance, require people to carry out routine checkups, underwater portions, take it to dry-dock and some other items including fire fighters. Therefore, we are keen on a decision one or another is taken soon," Luthra said. MORE PTI ND NP BAS

--- ENDS ---

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Greek police confirmed on Saturday that the remains found at the bottom of a well on February 16 in the town of Malia, Crete, belong to 20-year-old British national Steven Cook

Greek police confirmed on Saturday that the remains found at the bottom of a well on February 16 in the town of Malia, Crete, belong to 20-year-old British national Steven Cook, who went missing more than eleven years ago while holidaying in the area.

Cook disappeared on September 1, 2005, on the first day of his holidays.

The DNA tests conducted at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations showed the genetic type of bone found on February 16, 2017 in Malia, Crete, was identified [] with the profile sent through Interpol, which concerned a national of the United Kingdom who disappeared on September 1, 2005, in the same area, police said in a press release.

The police station in Hersonissos is conducting a preliminary investigation into the findings.

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An international call to tender for the concession of the two historic hotels of Elafos and Elafina on the island of Rhodes, is expected to be launched in Spring. On February 21st the Greek Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs published its decision for the the concession in the government gazette, labelling the structures as historic sites in the tourist complex of Prophet Elias on the island of Rhodes.

The two buildings were built by the Italians in 1921 (Elafos) and 1932 (Elafina) and were initially used to host Italian military officers during the second World War and later as military hospitals for German soldiers. Following a relevant decision by the Rhodes council the two properties were consigned to the Municipal Limited Co. (DERM. SA), which in turn assigned the relevant economic and technical studies for the exploitation of the sites to a company called New Symbol.

According to the study, the complex will be handed over to a private investor, who apart from undertake the management of the 22-bedroom hotel Elafos, which currently operates as a hotel, will also undertake restoration works for the 30-bedroom Elafina hotel, as well as the 17 quarters that are in a state of ruin. President of DERM. S.A Giannis Kourtis estimates the tender will take place in April. The Italians had adopted a northern European architectural style for reasons of propaganda.

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The GCC healthcare industry is growing at a fast pace, particularly the infertility treatment sector, as IVI Middle East launches its new fertility clinic in Muscat - its third clinic in the Middle East after Abu Dhabi and Dubai.



The clinic offers the most comprehensive range of infertility treatments including genetic testing, backed by high tech infrastructure and a team of highly experienced subspecialists.



IVI Middle East is a part of Equipo IVI, headquartered in Spain, the undisputed world leader in the field of infertility treatments with 61 clinics worldwide and having delivered over 135,000 babies. IVI commenced its Middle East operations with the first fertility clinic in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Within a short span of a year, the centre witnessed a high success rate of over 70 per cent with over 200 successful pregnancies. Dr Human Fatemi, the medical director of IVI ME, attributes this high success rate to an in-depth understanding of region-specific causes of infertility amongst couples and a personalized treatment approach.



We are very pleased to open our new facility in Muscat. Theres a rising demand for infertility treatments in the Middle East and it is our social responsibility to ensure that we offer our quality services to those who need it, said CEO, IVI Middle East, Suresh Soni.



With this launch, we aim to raise the bar of IVF services in Oman by introducing the latest technologies and international protocols to help couples realise their dream of parenthood. This clinic provides give couples access to the most advanced IVF treatments with best-in-class infrastructure and subspecialists. We endeavour to deliver successful treatments and bring joy to the lives of deprived couples desirous of having children, added Dr. Fatemi.



The clinic is centrally located in Al Khuwair and hence offers great accessibility to couples. The friendly patient care staff ensures that couples evaluating IVF are walked through all possible details on their treatment and expected results. IVI Fertility believes that transparency in treatments and pricing are two most important things when handling patients.



The Valencian Infertility Institute (IVI) was founded in 1990 as the first medical institute in Spain purely dedicated to assisted reproduction. Today it is a world leader both in the scientific community and for all couples unable to have children without assistance. With 61 clinics across Spain, US, UK, Argentina, Brazil, India, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Portugal and Turkey, IVI has secured its position as a pioneer in internationalising medical professionalism. As well as being one of the medical groups with the most international awards for scientific advances and publications, IVI has pioneered numerous reproductive methods that have led to events such as the birth of babies who are free of hereditary diseases carried by their parents.



Infertility treatments are a group practice at IVI ME with Dr Fatemi leading a team of six senior IVF subspecialists and 6 experienced embryologists. The Muscat clinic has the capacity to undertake over 150 IVF treatments in a month. With the opening of IVI Fertility Clinic in Muscat, patients will have access to international standards of fertility care and will not have to bear the additional burden of travelling outside of the region for such treatments.



An industry report states that the GCC healthcare sector will record 12.1 per cent compound annual growth rate between 2015 and 2020. A number of factors drive the growth in the healthcare market making it an attractive target for investors. GCC population growth (4.4 per cent per annum on average over the last 10 years) and rising costs are key factors driving growth in the industry.



In recent years, Oman has taken major steps to rejuvenate the healthcare system in the nation. With the launch of the fertility centre in Muscat, IVI Middle East Fertility Clinics consolidates its position as a leading chain of IVF clinics across the Middle East.

For more details log on to www.ivimedicalclinics.com. - TradeArabia News Service


China's CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Company will supply 100 subway cars for Metro Line 2 in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, in May, a report said.



CRRC Changchun, completed trial operations of Mashhad metro line this month, an Iran Daily report said, citing China Daily.



The 100 subway cars will be formatted in five sets, the report added.








Siemens will supply five F-class gas turbines to the Fadhili Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in Saudi Arabia.

With a generating capacity of 1,200 megawatts, the plant will supply electricity and process steam to a new natural gas extraction plant in Fadhili, which is located around 120 km northwest of Dammam.



The turbines will be produced at the Siemens Dammam Energy Hub (SDEH), the Middle Easts largest gas turbine manufacturing facility. In May 2016, the SDEH launched its first gas turbine that was built by young Saudi nationals.



The project is led by Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner with whom Siemens inked the supply agreement.



Furthermore, Siemens and Kahrabel FZE, an affiliate of the Engie Group, signed the 16-year long-term service contract for the gas turbines. The Fadhili CHP plant is jointly owned by Saudi Electricity Company (30 per cent), Saudi Aramco Power Holding Company (30 per cent) and the developer (40 per cent), which is an Engie affiliate.



In addition to the turbines, Siemens scope of supply includes five generators and a control system, all of which will be commissioned on site.



The long-term service agreement covers maintenance services for the turbines, including advanced power diagnostics services, which is part of the companys Digital Services for Energy portfolio.



Siemens power diagnostics solutions conduct detailed diagnoses of the condition of an installed fleet and recommends improvements to minimize unplanned outages and secure the maximum availability of critical infrastructure. The new power plant will largely be fired with so-called K-gas, a natural gas which has a relatively low calorific value. Siemens and Saudi Aramco have been jointly testing the suitability of the F-class gas turbine for this special type of fuel.



This is a great milestone for Saudi Arabia and Siemens. The project leverages even more opportunities to drive the industrialisation of the kingdom in line with Vision 2030, says Jeffrey Dunlap, Siemens senior vice president for power generation sales in the Mena region. Thanks to our comprehensive service package, the new power plant will reliably supply the gas extraction plant with electricity and process steam for a long time. With the right technological solutions, Siemens continues to demonstrate its local commitment to the Kingdom, its partners and the Saudi society.



The Fadhili CHP project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019, and will play a key role in expanding gas production to meet the rapidly growing domestic energy demand. Together with two other new gas extraction plants, Fadhili will produce more than five billion standard cubic feet per day of non-associated gas, a natural gas which is extracted independently of oil. - TradeArabia News Service
Microsoft joined with Bahrain-based Computer World to hold an event aimed at helping Bahrain businesses map out a cost-effective approach to technology through transformation and innovation.

The focus of the event was on empowering corporate leaders to concentrate on building a digital economy through operational strategy, rather than battle with unwieldy IT infrastructures, said a statement.

The Minimise IT Infrastructure Cost event, held in Manama, explored the power of cloud-based infrastructures to drive business transformation and significantly reduce IT infrastructure costs, without compromising security, scalability or reliability.

Delegates were introduced to the age of digital transformation, in which technology is being used to elevate organisations to new and agile levels of operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Computer World forged a strategic alliance with Microsoft ISV (independent software-vendor) partners; Saviant Consulting and Mindtree, each with their own specialist solutions developed to overcome current industry challenges.

The event was designed to explain to corporate representatives and business decision makers how Microsofts cloud services can be harnessed to promote real change in businesses by lowering the cost of ownership of corporate IT systems.

The demonstrations reiterated Microsofts commitment to Bahrains Economic Vision 2030, launched in October 2008 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. His Majestys vision mapped out a development strategy for the kingdom's private and public sectors, for the betterment of the nation and its citizens.

The Azure cloud can make Bahraini businesses come alive and achieve more with less, in line with His Majestys Vision 2030, said Sherif Tawfik, general manager, Microsoft Bahrain and Oman.

Instead of having to wrestle with disparate IT systems, you lift everything into the cloud and let Microsoft take care of it for you. We become trusted partners, working in the background, taking all the clunky, laborious IT tasks out of your hands. You no longer need to worry about security, backup and maintenance, freeing your IT staff to become innovators. Your costs go down, while your scalability becomes more elastic than you could possibly imagine. If your business needs change overnight, then your IT infrastructure can change to match them.

Imagine all the technology tools you use every day; that you have used for 20 or 30 years, said Cherian Abraham, general manager of Computer World. When Computer World guides you through cloud migration to more agile infrastructure and knowledge management, your entire business becomes more well-oiled. You can respond to change instantly and boldly. When you decide you need more functionality in your finance systems or Office suite, you can have it instantly, without having to engage in costly procurement projects. Rather than a daily chore, IT becomes an instrument of transformation.

Microsoft ISV & Computer Worlds strategic Partners for the Bahrain Market Saviant Consulting and Mindtree also gave overviews of their specialist solutions at the Minimise IT Infrastructure Cost event, with each demonstrating how their offerings fit into organisations digital transformation journeys. Each also led an industry track, outlining specific examples of business-process transformation. Saviant concentrated on how its solutions enabled asset-heavy enterprises to leverage their existing operational data to make intelligent operational decisions that had real-world benefits. Mindtree focused on transform-as-you-go strategies for cloud migration.  TradeArabia News Service
Zain Saudi Arabia and Ericsson signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in enabling next generation hyperscale data centres based on the latest technology available with the highest degree of automation in orchestration and management.

The MoU was signed by Peter Kaliaropoulos, CEO of Zain Saudi Arabia, and Ali Eid, head of Ericsson Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Palestine, on the sidlines of the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2017) in Barcelona, Spain.

A cornerstone of the MoU is to provide a truly software-defined infrastructure that gives Zain the most agile and dynamic environment available in the market. The build also includes Intels rack-scale design to allow for efficient, highly modular disaggregated architecture for HW resources, a statement said.

The transformation will make use of the best of private cloud solutions and public cloud solutions and enable an automation of handling workload distribution over the different clouds with a high level of security, it said.

Through the build of these datacentres, Zain gets in a position to offer new and competitive cloud-based IT services to their enterprise customers and will also have a foundation for a converged telecom and IT cloud system. Technology earlier available only for Google and Facebook, with a so far unsurpassed automation and efficiency, will now be avaialbe for Zain, it said.

Kaliaropoulos said: Zain takes a new step in developing services for the enterprise market through this collaboration with Ericsson in IT cloud and hyperscale datacenter initiative. It clearly underlines our strategic intent to be a digital frontrunner by investing in the hyperscale solutions and services from Ericsson, thus enabling us to play a vital role to achieve the ITC objectives in the national transformation plan.

Sultan Abdulaziz AlDeghaither, chief technology officer, Zain Saudi Arabia, said Zain is determined to be one of the pioneers in the region, and adopting the hyperscale and software defined infrastructure in the cloud domain is one of our inititives to achieve this goal. The automation and orchestration end-to-end using Ericssons technology and services will ensure us being competitive in offering IT enterprise services. We maintain the leading position in the ICT field.

Ali Eid said By this we continue our partnership with Zain and extend it to the IT cloud domain. We will help Zain growing its business in the public cloud domain by using the latest technology in hyperscale and automation and Ericssons transformation services. This is an important step in our joint collaboration.  TradeArabia News Service
Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort in Beirut, Lebanon, has appointed Daniele Vastolo as its new general manager to head the hotels current and future ventures.



As the hoteliers new scope of work increases, Vastolo will be responsible for supervising the entitys minor and major projects, ensuring a quality of work that reflects the Kempinskis premium standards.



Vastolo joins Kempinski from his most recent role as group director of operations in Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts EMEA. In this position he successfully opened Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Porto Heli, Greece, followed by Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Bodrum, Turkey and has been instrumental in the pre-opening of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai.



He has developed a sound career with respected international hospitality groups such as Shangri- La Hotels & Resorts and Constance Hotels, and has overseen the opening and pre-opening of various prestigious and high-end destinations and Island Resorts as general manager, namely in the Seychelles, Boracay and Fiji, amongst other locations.



Throughout his experience, Vastolo has maintained a high standard of professionalism. His distinguished career includes displaying his personal involvement in every aspect for generating business. He is results-oriented and driven. He strives relentlessly for superior outcomes and continuously reviews business practices in order to improve productivity, quality and efficiency, the hotel said in a statement. - TradeArabia News Service


Let's face it guys. Monday and motivation DO NOT go hand in hand.

By India Today Web Desk: The much-dreaded day is here.

No, we're not speaking about the Oscars but a day that arrives every week yet a day our souls can never be ready enough for.

You guessed it right, we're speaking about Monday. If--like us--the concept of 'Monday Motivation' seems like a mere farce to you too, then it's time to say hello to your new best friend, Deepika Padukone.

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Also Read: Style Files: You can totally copy Deepika Padukone's American style

While Bollywood's latest gorgeous export to the West, Padukone, is making just the right kind of noise at the foreign shores, she doesn't leave any occasion of being a movie star who hates the concept of adult-ing.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/Deepika Padukone

Also Read: Deepika's outfit choices for her international TV show debuts prove less is more

You might have seen pictures of Padukone attending a pre-Oscar party dressed in a colourful, Chanel outfit--but a Behind the Scenes picture shared by the star's makeup artist, Elizabeth Saltzman, has her channelise every possible feeling associated with a Monday.

"When you've flown in from India and your stylist says go go go and your bed says stay stay stay so you meet halfway and then you go go go @deepikapadukone," Saltzman captioned the picture.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/Elizabeth Saltzman

So guys, if you do have the option or choice, stay in bed--because the world, the Oscars and Mondays can never love you as much.

--- ENDS ---
The Regional Tourism Committee of Paris Ile-de-France has revealed that the income of the capital city of France in 2016 was short by 1.3 billion euros. It also asserted the tourists that came into Paris were fewer by 1.5 million or 4.7% lower compared to the previous year. The reason behind this downfall is the fright among tourists that is drawn from recent terror attacks in Paris.

The decline in tourism, which included both international and French tourists, has also caused a drop on the income of the hotels in the region of 10.8 per cent shorter from the previous years. According to The Local, the international travellers in Paris who came from China were lower by 21.5 percent while the number of Japanese tourists dropped by 41.2 percent.

The top tourist attractions in Paris that are affected by the drop of visitors include the Louvre Museum, which was attacked by a man carrying a machete while shouting "Allahu Akbar," as well as Disneyland Paris, where recorded foreign guests were down by 9.5 percent. It can be recalled that within the last six months, there were terror incidents all over Paris that had involved tourists - the robbing incident with guests from Korea, the "ten minutes of horror" where a tourists where frightened by a man carrying a on object that has resemblance with a glass bottle, and other series of disturbances that victimized tourists from countries other than France.

However, Le Figaro confirmed that efforts are already being made towards the reliving of the tourism of the region by means of strengthening and reassuring the security not only of the tourists, by of the locals as well. Authorities and other concerned organizations have also joined forces in establishing security posts and contingents that are capable of receiving complaints and all other suspicious activities.

In November of year 2015, Paris was shocked by mass shootings and bombings all throughout the city which killed over 130 civilians. The tragedy was considered to be among the worst terror attacks in the history of Europe.

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Gadgets are more than just high-tech toys; they are ways for travelers to tell their stories through high-resolution imagery. They are also the means to conveniently book flights and hotel stays online. These five gadgets are the best gifts to give a traveler who might have an upcoming birthday -- or for late Christmas!

Everyone wants drones -- especially frequent travelers and hikers. Drones afford travelers a bird's-eye-view of their travel destination and a great screenshot of their entire trek. Different drones have different features, such as following a traveler from a third-person point of view. Conde Nast Traveler recommends the $1000 price tagged DJI Mavic Pro Drone -- and 4K videos are only a start as to why.

Power generation -- a consistent amount of it -- is what travelers need during their journeys. Powerbanks for gadgets are a dime a dozen nowadays but available sockets in hotels and even rental apartments are often sparse. The LampChamp -- available in Amazon -- allows one to use the lampshade as a USB charging terminal for traveler's gadgets and screw the bulb on top. Note that a little aesthetic adjustment with the lamp might be needed.

Signal repeaters were once bulky, which makes travelers nowadays lucky of late because HooToo's Signal Repeater is almost the size of a regular power bank -- except it is also a power bank and a signal repeater at the same time. The best thing about it is the price -- it would not cost an arm and a leg and it allows travelers to exchange media effectively and access the internet with WiFi over distant areas.

Travelers love their media and if they could get it without messy cords, they would definitely treasure it. The Avegant Glyph is a virtual reality device that makes movie-watching more amazing during those idle travel moments -- likely when one is about to sleep or just waiting for a long line. If not for watching, then they can be used as traditional bluetooth headphones for music.

Taking an advanced step from traditional powerbanks, the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite - available from Amazon -- is something that Too Many Adapters recommends because it is a solar charging device. Set it up against the sun and travelers can bring back their devices to life. Think of the many ways it can save travelers' (digital) lives.

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Among many East Asian countries, South Korea proves to be one of the most exciting tourist destinations there is. 92 percent of the South Koreans are highly urbanized, each contributing to the sustainable total GDP that is worth $1.929 trillion as of 2016.

It is one of the most high-tech nations in the world and a competitive manufacturer of gadgets and automobiles. Proud and vibrant, South Korea continues to fascinate travelers worldwide.

There are a number of reasons why many would choose to visit Seoul. These are the following tourist lures worth noting:

Urban Bliss

One of the most obvious reasons why travelers would visit Seoul is because it has a lively urban atmosphere. Every district in Seoul has something for all types of shoppers. Most importantly, this city is also an exciting nightlife hub.

Outrageous Cuisine

Another reason to visit Seoul has a lot to do with its food. The Noryangjin Fish Market is an excellent place to buy seafood. Speaking of seafood, many local restaurants in Seoul also serve Korea's most outrageous delicacies. Examples include (but not limited to) live octopus and spoon worms.

Cat Cafe

Are you a cat lover? If you are, then don't miss Seoul's Cat Cafe. This tourist attraction is all about the bewitching cuteness of these four-legged babies.

Anyone who is sick and tired of living in the concrete jungle craves to be off the grid. Choosing to visit Jeju Island is the best decision there is:

Green & Bright

There is a reason why Jeju Island was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011. This island is an ecological haven on steroids--nearly competing with reputable virgin biomes of New Zealand, Greenland, and Mongolia. Its verdant topography is unquestionably 'screensaver-worthy.'

Hiker's Paradise

The highest peak in South Korea is found in Jeju Island. Mt. Hallasan is inscribed as a UNESCO bioreserve and home to South Korea's unique fauna. In fact, the entire Jeju Province itself is a collection of gently rolling hills and valleys.

Teddy Bear Museum

If you are a fan of cute teddy bears, a unique museum in Jeju Island caters to that particular mania. The Teddy Bear Museum recreates history by comically featuring teddy bears as the subject of iconic works of art.

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Last year, the East Village in London organized the Chocolate Festival, and now they will be hosting London's Free Cheese and Wine Festival on the first weekend of April, displaying the finest artisan cheese and wine from over 25 retailers. Lovers of the two treats will gather in one place as the festival opens the celebration to everyone, free of charge.

The festival will feature cheese and wine all over the world coupled with indulgent cheese boards, condiments, and chutneys with wine and cider. Various talks and workshops will also happen simultaneously at East Village, where guests can learn cheese-making and the art of wine pairing.

According to their press release, cheeses to be showcased are from Lombary Gourmet with their Italian gourmet truffle cheese and traditional farm and dairy from Jacob's Ladder. Day-to-day cheese-based food like Arancini, cheesy burgers, and the skiers' raclette, their favorite alpine dish will also take the spotlight.

Wines available during the event will be from Grays and Feather, and handcrafted wine from DVine Wines among many others. Moreover, those who wanted a pint of beer and cider instead of wines can enjoy a chug from craft beer brewers Meantime Brewery.

"There will be no need to go online to Brie-Bay because we've cheddared the world and the feta cheese to get all the best cheeses in one location for the free, non-ticketed event," the team stated on their website. Revelers can visit the East Village Cheese and Wine Festival April 1st, 12 pm to 6 pm and on April 2nd from 11 am to 4 pm.

And perhaps, chocolate lovers might get a special treat like last year when the festival plans to showcase more sweets from award nominated handcraft chocolatiers like Zara's Chocolates and chocolate sculptor, Paul Wayne Gregory.

Those who had their fill of the festival can visit nearby drinks and cafes, serving you gin, tonic, and cocktails.

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The culinary scene in Budapest celebrates the traditional Hungarian cuisine with the abundance of local meats and produce. Food on this side of Europe is also fused with influences of different cuisines around the world such as Asia. Exploring the gastronomic world in Budapest will definitely bring you to the rich culture and history of the traditional European cuisine. So if you are heading to Budapest to actually try it for yourself, here are some of the dishes that you absolutely must not miss.

Paprikas Csirke or the Chicken Paprikash is one of the most common and traditional dishes that is served not only in Budapest, but also in Hungarian-speaking regions. Paprikas Csirke is mostly made of paprika, a spice that is widely used in the cuisine of Budapest. This hearty dish is made from portions of chicken, sweet paprika or the edes nemes, sweet peppers, olive oil, and tomatoes. In the traditional set-up, Paprikas Csirke is often served with boiled egg noodles called "nokedli" which are much more like Chinese dumplings.

You must not leave Budapest without trying the Hungarian's all-time favorite, the deep-fried flatbread, also known as Langos. The flatbread is mostly composed of yeasts, salt, sugar, and flour that is mixed with either milk or water. Traditionally, Langos is topped with sour cream, a generous amount of cheese, sausages or hams. According to The Culture Trip, others claim that Langos was influenced by the Turkish but some also say that the dish was from the ancient Romans. Wherever it may came from, this is definitely one of the must-try dishes in the capital of Hungary.

Beef Goulash has been a favorite comfort food of the cowboys in Hungary, Elle Croft says. It is a traditional Hungarian stew or soup that is mixed with vegetables and beef that is simmered to perfection and is flavored with a liberal amount of paprika. This one's an in-demand meal not only in Budapest, but in other parts of Europe as well. This dish is also considered to be among the national dishes of Hungary that defines the rich culinary tradition of the country.

Dubbed as "Hungary's favorite cake", you must definitely not miss the Somloi Galuska in your Budapest food trip. This base of this luscious dessert are slices of sponge cake topped with whipped cream, walnuts and a kick of rum. This has been served in the Hungarian dining tables since 1950--at present, a lot of versions of the Hungarian favorite, Somloi Galuska, has been created.

Kurtoskalacs, also known as the Chimney Cake, is a freshly-made treat that's shaped like that of a real steaming chimney. This specialty pastry was only served during festivities and special occasions, but as years went by, it started to be served on a daily basis regardless of the occasion or the time of the day. This one's cooked through traditional charcoal and is dipped in a sugar syrup that is quite addicting!

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Hawaii wants to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate chemicals after studies have shown that the two compounds are found to have damaging effects on the coral reefs. Hawaiian state senator, Will Espero, heads the proposed bill and says that the ban is essential to preserve Hawaii's tourism industry.

The Congress has recognized the utmost importance of the island's coral reefs as a driving factor that influences the arrival of tourists to Hawaii. However, the two chemicals are expected to cause coral bleaching, according to a 2008 research. Furthermore, they also serve as an endocrine disruptor to other aquatic life.

Fox News reported that about 14,000 tons of sunscreen damage the reefs of Hawaii each year. The Department of Land and Natural Resources stated that some waters of the island, especially in the beaches of Maui, have 30 times more oxybenzone concentrations which are already considered as dangerous for the reefs.

Executive Director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Clifford, Virginia Craig Downs told Scientific American, "In many geographic locations, oxybenzone and sunscreen pollution poses a serious environmental hazard." Still, many scientists aren't convinced that sunscreen alone can induce a quite damaging effect on the corals.

Head of the Coral Reef Laboratory at the University of Southampton, Jorg Wiedenmann, for instance, have realized that sunscreen is a pollutant to the waters, but banning the product will not solve coral bleaching. He said that there are other factors like temperature changes, overfishing, and coastal runoffs still have impacts on the destruction of coral reefs.

To beach goers, buying physical or mineral sunscreens may be a better option than oxybenzone and octinoxate lotions. Mineral sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide were found not to harm sunscreens.

But before dipping into water or using any kind of sunscreen in Hawaii, tourists should now present their medical prescriptions and letters requesting to use them.

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Some people might think twice about Greek cuisine. After all, the historic country is more famous because of its ancient ruins and civilization, as well as the Greek Gods and Goddesses.

But once you get a taste of what Greek food is like, you'll surely be begging in seconds. Their cuisine is inspired by its long history and tradition, along with Eastern and Western influences. If you're in Greece and want to try the cherry-on-top dishes of their cuisine, here are some of the local foods you should try:

Galaktoboureko. The name itself is a mouthful, but so as the myriad of flavors dancing in your mouth when you take a bite. A traditional Greek dessert, it's made of crispy phyllo, creamy mustard and scented syrup molded together with melted butter on top.

Kythnos Pies. You can only find this marvel of food in Kythnos, and the journey is well worth the wait. More of a shortbread pastry, Kythnos pies taste like the offspring of traditional cheesecake and quiche. It's cheesy and savory with just the right amount of sweetness.

Moussaka. Commonly found in most Greek tavernas, don't think twice about trying this really good dish. Moussaka is made by cooking minced beef with tomato sauce which is then layered with sweet aubergines and filled with a rich, creamy bechamel sauce. After eating this dish, you'll be so full there's almost no room for dessert.

Tiropites. What's great about Greek cuisine is that it doesn't necessarily require a boatload of ingredients to make something so delicious. Like this dish Tiropites, it's basically just filo pastry cut up in triangles which is then filled with a mixture of Greek cheese. Simplicity at its finest.

Souvlaki. This dish is similar to Gyros in terms of popularity and level of deliciousness. Greek cuisine is not that fond of meat as much as the West, but when they do meat dishes then you can be sure they're all exceptionally good. In Souvlaki, meat made of pork or chicken is seasoned perfectly and cooked with a generous load of tzatziki sauce.

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By India Today Web Desk: While the Ramjas battle rages on, the other big Delhi college story has come to an end. Jawaharlal Nehru University students ended their siege of the administrative block of their institution, finally allowing normalcy to be restored to the the premier institution.

A group of students called "Committee of Suspended Students" had been occupying the block since February 9.

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The group, which was led by JNU Students Union members, was purportedly protesting a University Grants Commission (UGC) notification that could change the university's admission policy. The altered policy, the students claimed, could lead to seat cuts in the M.Phil and Ph.D programmes.

"The officers have immediately resumed their work, so that the huge pending works are completed... There are certain irreparable damages, which will keep reminding the current and future agitators that improper methods of protests are always harmful," a statement issued by the university said.

Appreciating the "patience" shown by the entire JNU administration, the authorities said many JNU students and teachers suffered because of the agitation.

"The erosion of JNU's atmosphere of peaceful and harmless protests is a cause of wider concern in the JNU community and this erosion must be stemmed now," the statement said.

The university administration invited the students leaders concerned to discuss their issues peacefully.

Also read: JNU administration terms protests against UGC notification as 'misleading'

Also read: JNU students' protest on for fourth day, VC appeals for lifting blockade

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The police has recovered 735 expensive phones amounting to about Rs 1.3 crore and three cars from the accused.

By Tanseem Haider: Delhi Police today arrested eight persons in connection with mobile phone and car thefts. The police has recovered 735 expensive phones amounting to about Rs 1.3 crore and three cars from the accused.

The accused have been identified as Shakil Ahmad, Aslam, Rinku, Gaurav Mittal, Rajender Aggarwal, Gaurav Kumar, Khalid and Irfan. Police said that the gang was arrested after they received a tip off regarding them.

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HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The police said that the gang stole expensive phones and erased their IMEI numbers which are vital to prevent thefts. After erasing the numbers the accused sold the phones. Accessories used to erase the numbers were also recovered by the police. On February 21, the police were informed about three persons from Mewat of Rajasthan who planning to sell a stolen car and to buy stolen phones. Acting on the tip off, the police conducted a raid at Okhla and nabbed them. Shakil Ahmed, Aslam and Rinku were caught with a stolen WagonR car and 18 mobile phones. Upon interrogation, the trio admitted they purchased stolen phones from Qayyum a resident of Jurhera in Rajasthan. Qayyum used to take stolen mobile phones from a person identified as Kallu and Gaurav Mittal who own mobile shops in Delhi. Later, Gaurav Mittal was arrested from his shop at Sitaram bazar, Old Delhi along with his partner Rajendra Agrawal. Around 520 branded smart phones were recovered from the both accused persons. Gaurav Mittal told the police that he changed IMEI numbers of mobile phone from Gaffar Market, Karol Bagh with the help of Gaurav Kumar a shopkeeper and also used to flash the mobile phones for cracking password FRP ( Pattern lock) for opening and resetting them to restore them. He later sold the refurbished mobile phone to various dealers located in Mewat, Punjab, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. Police said that Gaurav charged about Rs 300 per mobile to change the IMEI and unlocking the phones.

Also read:

Madhya Pradesh: 5 boys forced to dip hands in hot oil to prove innocence in mobile theft case

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Spiritual sects, squatters and political slums are eating away at the national Capital's last remaining swathe of greens - the 7,800-hectare Ridge which experts describe as the functioning lungs of an ailing city.

By Baishali Adak: Spiritual sects, squatters and political slums are eating away at the national Capital's last remaining swathe of greens - the 7,800-hectare Ridge which experts describe as the functioning lungs of an ailing city.

In a 350-page affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently, the Delhi forest department has listed the status of the Ridge, with encroached areas and illegal occupants in each 'khasra' (the agricultural field number measured by land record officer) of the green belt. The field survey presents a bleak picture.

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"Wherever these squatters settle they cut trees for firewood and clear the foliage, further fragmenting the forest," a senior forest department officer told Mail Today, requesting anonymity. "They create footpaths and roads, illegal sewers and electricity lines. They dump their construction and other waste in the notified areas. They are a big headache for us."

The officer said the area is affected by encroachments of the 'religious kind' and unauthorised colonies, which later attain local political patronage on their numerical strength. The affidavit names the well known 'Radha Soami Satsang' sect as an "illegal occupant" squatting on a huge 174.98 acre of forest land in Asola Mines, Chhatarpur.

Several shrines and 'cremation grounds' also find mention in the document as encroachers. Other 'occupants' that find mention are Ramdev Ka Dera (not party of Patanjali group), BSS Camp and Krishna Kewal Camp in Rajokri Ridge; Shankar Camp, Israel Camp, Nala Camp and Gulabo Camp in Rangpuri Pahari; and Jawahar Colony, Bapu Camp, Shambhu Camp and Shanti camp near Dera Mandi, Mehrauli.

'ALLEGATIONS INCORRECT'

When contacted, a Radha Soami representative refuted the claims made the forest department affidavit. "These allegations are incorrect. We have bought this land and our papers are in order. We can present these documents to valid authorities. We do not cause any issues."

The affidavit was filed in response to NGT's resolute pushing of 'demarcation of the Ridge boundaries' in the city which has, surprisingly, been pending for 23 years.

Explaining the case, senior advocate Raj Panjwani said, "Two notifications were issued by the Delhi Government, under pressure from the Supreme Court in 1994 and 1996, to create 'Reserved Forests.' This included 20 villages, plus the Asola Bhatti Mines."

Petitioner in the case, Sonya Ghosh said, "It is amazing how different departments have allowed the Ridge to be chipped away. The SC had ordered for relocation of one illegal Sanjay Nagar Colony, which is just next to Asola Bhatti Wildlife sanctuary, in 2008-09. Even a relocation site was fixed and buildings built there. But they weren't evicted."

"Now, they create a ruckus whenever monkeys from the sanctuary come and bite them and claim compensation, but won't leave. They even have Ration Cards and other requisite ID papers thanks to local politicians who shelter them for vote bank," she added.

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ROLE OF REVENUE AND FOREST DEPARTMENTS

Since 1996, the government needed to inform villagers residing in the area that they cannot claim any land rights up till what they already have and finally, fix the limits. This exercise is stuck between the revenue and forest departments who cannot come to a conclusion.

The revenue department told NGT last year that they shall complete all villages for the Southern Ridge by April 2017. But it now appears unlikely. One example is a road from Rajokri Village to Vasant Kunj which runs in the Ridge forest but is almost pucca and routinely used by trucks, cranes and DJB water tankers.

The heavy-duty traffic disturbs the otherwise quiet habitat which houses wildlife like birds, jackals, blue bulls etc. RTI activist and lawyer Anil Sood, who has long been fighting for the Ridge said the government institutions are the biggest violators of the Ridge.

"The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) campuses have all come up illegally on the Ridge. But who cares?"

ALSO READ:

Delhi: Supreme Court gives go-ahead for JNU hostels on south central ridge, imposes riders

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Great green land robbery: Delhi's green lung being transformed into concrete jungle

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

A minor clash took place between supporters of the ABVP and the SFS on the Panjab University (PU) campus today when an SFS member termed supporters of the ABVP at Ramjas College in Delhi goons. The police rounded up eight supporters, four each from the ABVP and the SFS, from the university.

The supporters of both student parties had a heated argument at the PU during a protest held by the ABVP against the SFS alleging that it had used derogatory remarks against the Army during a discussion on the campus.

Later, both parties raised slogans against each other at the Student Centre. The PU security staff intervened, but failed to control the situation following which the police were called.

Supporters of both parties entered into a scuffle four times. PU chief security officer Jatinder Grover said a written complaint had been submitted to the police along with the video footage of the incident for action.

Allegations and counter-allegations were levelled by both parties against each other over the clash.

ABVP members alleged that its woman supporter was manhandled by the SFS. However, the SFS claimed that a woman supporter of the party had tackled the ABVP supporter, who tried to enter into a scuffle.

We condemn the violence by the SFS. The police have arrested ABVP members Harmanjot Singh, Saurbh Kapoor, Kushal Kondal and Akshay, said Harmanjot Singh of the ABVP.

After the JNU and the DU, the ABVP today tried to impose its pseudo nationalist agenda in the PU and demonstrated against the SFS. After the demonstration, a local journalist invited the SFS for a talk. While the journalist was conversing with members of both student parties, ABVP goons showed their true face and started using abusive language, said Daman of the SFS.

Ramanpreet Singh, Ravinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Ramanpreet Singh were taken into police custody following the scuffle, said Daman.

The SFS had organised a protest at the PU on Saturday and quoted an NHRC report on an incident of rape of 16 tribal women allegedly by the security forces in Chhattisgarh. The ABVP had organised a protest against the SFS and other Left organisations today alleging that they had shown the Army in poor light during their protest on Saturday.
Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

A scuffle broke out between ABVP and SFS supporters at Panjab University, Student Centre, here on Monday.

ABVP members had yesterday objected to Students for Society (SFS) members raising what they deemed to be anti-national slogans.

Four members each of the two groups were arrested by the Chandigarh Police.

This comes after Ramjas College in New Delhi had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the 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.
MK Bhadrakumar

THE India-China Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing last week was not productive. But Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said in his statement not less than four times that his talks with Chinese officials were useful. Nuances are what make diplomacy an absorbing pastime.

The Chinese side assessed positively that the two sides pledged to enhance cooperation agreed to cement coordination on international and regional affairs and properly deal with differences and sensitive issues. Foreign minister Wang Yi said the two sides should advance strategic contact and reinforce mutual trust to contribute to regional and global prosperity and stability. Significantly, state councillor Yang Jiechi received the Foreign Secretary.

The Foreign Secretary gave a more detailed media briefing. He sounded cautiously optimistic about a more stable, substantive, forward-looking India-China relationship which would inject a greater amount of predictability into the international system. He somewhat played down the differences over the issue of Indias membership of the NSG and the UN sanctions on Masood Azhar. On the other hand, he highlighted a separate session on Afghanistan and forcefully voiced our unhappiness over trade deficit.

The talks in Beijing might help India strategise a new approach to relations with China. The talks served a useful purpose if they provide stimulus to review our China policies. Time will tell. We are in an interregnum where the governments approach toward China has reached a cul-de-sac. This happened largely because of Azhar and the CPEC. Both issues make demands on Chinas crucial relationship with Pakistan and it is unrealistic to expect Beijing to accommodate us. We need to change tack. This needs some explaining.

Indian diplomats would know that the blacklisting of Azhar by the UN will bring India no tangible gains. Nonetheless, we made Azhars blacklisting a litmus test of Chinas credentials in the fight against global terrorism. This approach was incomprehensible.

The Foreign Secretary flagged after the talks that Azhar issue is now really being pursued by other countries, not India alone and that those other countries are pressing this application to include the fugitive Pakistani criminal on the UNs blacklist. Indian newspapers reported recently that these other countries are three veto-holding permanent members of the UN Security Council  the US, Britain and France.

If this is really so, it makes wonderful news. We have a window of opportunity here to remove Azhar from the litany of irritants in the bilateral India-China discourse. We should now simply lead from the rear the forthcoming charge of the three P-5 powers on Azhar. This sounds funny, but then, this is also the theatre of the absurd. If Azhar has de facto graduated as a figure in the pantheon of global terrorists, being an issue affecting international security, the onus is henceforth on the big powers  in particular, US President Donald Trump, the scourge of terrorists the world over  to circumscribe Azhars activities.

The big powers recently removed Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Butcher of Kabul, from the UNs watch list. The US took the initiative to add Gulbuddin to the UN list 15 years ago, and now in its wisdom sought to set him free so that he returns to mainstream politics in his country and, some say, contests the next Afghan presidential election. Azhar, perhaps, can take Hekmatyars slot.

Indeed, Indias war on terrorism has a surreal touch. This war cannot be fought at the UN or by tilting at China. It is to be fought long and hard on the ground. We managed to get Pakistani terrorists embargoed previously too, did it help?

However, the CPEC is an altogether different matter. China will not have second thoughts on it. Around $12 billion has been reportedly disbursed. It is not only the flagship of One-Belt One-Road, an initiative that carries the imprimatur of President Xi, but is also a key template of Chinas global strategies. It absorbs Chinas surplus industrial capacities, while also strengthening Chinas political bonding with Pakistan and provides a gateway to the world market.

China hopes that India would cooperate with the OBOR. While in Beijing, the Foreign Secretary disclosed that China had invited PM Modi to participate in the OBOR summit in May. The invitation is under consideration. But the Foreign Secretary added tauntingly that Beijing must explain how Modi could possibly attend the summit so long as China violated Indias sovereignty over POK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

How real is this business of Indias territorial sovereignty? A good way of knowing will be by consulting Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Japan and Russia, World War II enemies (like India and Pakistan), have still not concluded a peace treaty, because they cannot find a solution to the dispute over Kuril Islands, which Russia seized in the last phase of the war and is controlling. Abe calculated that Russias keenness to attract Japanese investments and technology for the development of backward regions of Siberia and Russian Far East could be the carrot he should dangle in front of Moscow.

If Abe had an Indian mindset, hed have vented his frustration by teaming up with the Obama administrations containment strategy against Russia. He would have made Kuril an issue of territorial sovereignty. Instead, Abe reasoned out that although political rule is territorial, territoriality does not necessarily entail the practices of total mutual exclusion. Abe is open to considering the issue in the regional setting in the context of the volatility of the world economy and the emergence of political currents outside the framework of territorial states. Meanwhile, Abe also understands that Russia may not ever hand back the Kuriles. Therefore, as a far-sighted statesman, he believes he owes it to his people not to fall into the territorial trap but be realistic.

Thus, Abe announced in Tokyo on February 1 that Japan and Russia will carry out joint economic activities at the four Kuril Islands. Through this activity, we will be able to strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and it will be a great advantage in our path toward signing a peace treaty, he explained. Chanakya would have commended Abe on his empirical knowledge.

The emerging spatial form over the Kuril makes a timely case study for our Chanakyas in South Block, as it may help cut the Gordian knot of the CPEC so that Modi participates in the OBOR summit and opens a productive chapter in the Sino-Indian partnership.

The writer is a former diplomat
By Press Trust of India: Los Angeles, Feb 27 (PTI) Indian-origin actor Dev Patel, who was nominated in the best supporting actor category at the 89th Academy Awards for "Lion", made the Oscar ceremony a family affair as he arrived here with mother Anita Patel.

Cladded in a white Tuxedo, the 26-year-old star was looking every bit a charming gentleman.

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Patels mother complimented him well in a black sari with minimal make-up.

Directed by Garth Davis, the true-life inspired movie is based on Saroo Brierley, an Australian-Indian, who tries to find his lost family in India through the help of Google map.

"Its mind-blowing. Its amazing Im with my mother and this is very very beautiful and special moment. Im still trying to absorb it," Patel said on red carpet.

The actor even thanked child star Sunny Pawar, who played young Saroo in the movie, saying "Hes a really beautiful little soul and Im grateful to him."

Sunny attended the Hollywoods biggest gala night in a black tuxedo and completed his look with green and yellow sneakers.

The eight-year-old kid was accompanied by his father and was seen mingling around with a lot of A-list celebrities and even clicked pictures with best actor nominee Andrew Garfield.

Priyanka Bose, who essayed the role of Saroos mother, also stunned in an embellished, multi-color Vivienne Westwood gown. PTI SSN SHD SHD

--- ENDS ---
Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain

The martyrdom of the Indian Army soldier from Kashmir, Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, in an encounter with terrorists in Shupiyan, South Kashmir on Feb 23 is as tragic as the fate of any Indian Army warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice in the 28-year proxy conflict in J&K.

It draws attention because of the large turnout at his burial. The same people who turn out to mourn a local militant also came to mourn an Indian patriot. The dichotomy cannot be ignored and there is a much deeper message for those who closely observe the social dynamics of conflict, especially the one in J&K. There is a degree of sensitivity here evident to those who know Kashmirs social landscape. Yet, many on both sides of the tragic divide will dismiss these observations; the Kashmiris out of a sense of wrath and frustration and the less informed elsewhere as sentimental nonsense not to be applied to Kashmiris.

Lance Naik Rather was one of the thousands who must have turned up at one of those recruiting rallies in the Valley a few years ago that were extremely popular. He would have undergone his mandatory 36 weeks basic training at the JAK LI Regimental Centre at Rangreth. He would have mixed with young recruits from all over J&K; Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and even Buddhists from Ladakh. There would have been officers from any part of India who would have supervised his training. On Sundays he would have attended the function at the Mandir, Masjid and Gurudwara (of MMG fame) praying together with his comrades. He would have returned home on leave with money in his pockets, a little leaner, with short hair and a swagger which goes with the long hours spent at the drill square. He would have been vulnerable while unarmed, roaming the streets of Marhama and Bijbehara, not the safest of streets. It is here that in 2004, the Hizbul Mujahideens (HM) longest surviving Division Commander Shabir Baduri was gunned down. Probably while on leave, Rather would meet a few local militants, some he would probably have known in his earlier life. They would probably ignore each other or perhaps just exchange a smile. Everyone in the village knew his affiliation but none informed on him and none threatened him. That is a phenomenon each Indian Army soldier hailing from Kashmir faces all the time when on leave. There have been tragic killings of unarmed soldiers but the figures are miniscule compared to the volume of expected antipathy against Indian Forces.

Rather would have served with 4 JAK LI, his parent unit, all over India. His mind would have absorbed the social landscape of India. He would have found problems in some of those villages very similar to the ones in his village. He would have found migrant labour constructing Army buildings and found how much better off most of his own people were. People who saw his Muslim name or became aware of his Kashmiri identity would never give a second look. Its then he would have probably realised that it is all in the mind. People all over India and indeed all over the world have the same problems especially those rooted in rural poverty.

Posted to Kashmir on attachment he would have been a regular participant in operations, dismayed at the way things were progressing. However, his sense of loyalty and larger exposure would have revealed to him the futility of violent extremism. Tral, from where Burhan Wani hailed, has given many terrorists. But the same township has given many more young men to the JAK LI. None can find fault with these hardy men, in their sense of duty, loyalty and character. In high altitude areas their performance does outmatch many others.

Reflecting on the tragedy of the martyrdom of Lance Naik Rather, one is left regretting as to why the people of J&K have been subjected to this. The tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits equally moves me each time I meet them in large numbers in Jammu; the eyes of the mothers and the elders say it all. Why must these tragedies persist in modern India if there are enough of us who care to understand that the problems lie in the minds? The same young people who throw stones are many a time willing to sit and listen if we ask them to. We reasoned, agreed to disagree, had tea and samosas together, took many selfies and gave many explanations about the ways of joining the Army. For those questions on careers which could not be answered I directed them to approach the Youth Guidance Nodes.

There is no other way to resolving the problems relating to the negative passions prevalent in J&K. Replicate everything we do in the Jammu division to disallow any sense of injustice. Let people of Jammu speak in Kashmir and those of Kashmir at Jammus large auditoriums. Speaking, accepting critique without emotions and just meeting people is the key. It takes away much of the venom.

I wish and hope Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rathers tragic martyrdom, the turnout in thousands at his burial and the noticeable respect accorded to the Tricolor at the event, urges those in whose hands dialogue between and with the people lies, to rise and be counted. It takes no courage to reach out; just a little feeling in the heart for the millions affected by unnecessary conflict.

The writer, a former General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, is now a Fellow with the Delhi Policy Group.
The Union Department of Justice has asked the Punjab Government to coordinate with the judiciary and release 539 undertrials who have completed half of the maximum sentence provided for the offence they are charged with. This is not a Central concession but such relief is available under Section 436A of the CrPC, which courts and governments choose to deny the eligible prisoners. As far back as September 6, 2014, a Supreme Court Bench of Chief Justice RM Lodha and Justices Kurian Joseph and RF Nariman had asked the Centre for a roadmap of fast-tracking the criminal justice system as well as directed the lower judiciary to depute judges and magistrates to hold court in jails and release undertrials under Section 436-A. It is obvious that the apex court directions have not been complied with.

Media reports suggest two-thirds of the prisoners in Punjab are undertrials. The Bench had raised a pertinent question which is still relevant today: Is arrest the only way to bring a person in conflict with law to justice? All stakeholders need to ponder. We appear to be obsessed with arresting people. We apply the arrest procedure either erroneously or onerously, said the Bench. In Punjab the justice system was subverted by the halqa in-charge appointed in each constituency. They filled jails with political opponents. Anyone who defied their diktat ended up in prison. The new government in Punjab would need to clean up the justice system and make policemen account for illegal detentions.

According to official data for 2015, over 67 per cent jail inmates in the country are undertrials. About 65 per cent of them spend three months to five years in jail before securing bail. It is usually undertrials without wherewithal to furnish bail or surety who languish in jails. Those who are finally acquitted end up paying for a crime they had never committed. This dismal state of justice is usually attributed to the shortage of judges and infrastructure. States put the blame on lack of funds, but most tend to divert Central funds meant for the judiciary. Maybe transferring the funds directly to high court chief justices can help.
Speaking to students of the London School of Economics on Saturday, Finance Minister Jaitley sought to turn incidents of student violence  in which ABVP highhandedness comes out clearly in various media reports  into a case of free speech. He even discovered a threat to the nations sovereignty from an alliance of subversion and went on to conclude the separatists and the ultra-Left are speaking the same language in certain university campuses. The facts do not justify the interpretations made. The violence at Ramjas College was over two JNU students being invited to a seminar. When the ABVP objected, the college cancelled the invitation. It is here the right to free speech is involved. Injuries to students, teachers and journalists and charges of police complicity point to a different narrative.

Being on a power high, the BJP leaders, including a moderate Jaitley, see political virtue in the unruly ABVP boys. Nor have they cared to tell the Delhi Police to enforce the rule of law without bias. The lawyer in Jaitley shifted to a free speech bhashan: If you believe, you have free speech to assault the sovereignty of the country, then be ready to concede free speech to counter that. It is the ABVP that does not seem ready to concede free speech. If he meant those who raised anti-national slogans at JNU, well they have never been arrested. Both Kanahiya Kumar and Umar Khalid are out on bail. The leftists and Kashmiri separatists are ideologically apart. Where is the alliance?

The ABVP hurry to penetrate universities with or without state power is understandable. From Hyderabad to JNU, to Allahabad, Jodhpur and now Delhi University, it is the same story. Force and arrogance of authority rather than argument sometimes produce an unintended backlash, the kind seen in the popularity of the Facebook post of a Kargil martyrs daughter which said: I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. Marxist-Leninist and Kashmiri groups have pockets of influence but none that should drive the country's Finance Minister to make alarmist proclamations on foreign soil. He ended up prettifying the ABVP boorishness.
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

Taking its campaign for early construction of SYL canal further, the Indian National Lok Dal

(INLD) today announced to gherao the Parliament and hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on this issue on March 15.

Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala announced this today on his arrival from the Patiala jail where he and several other MLAs and party leaders were lodged after their arrest at Shambhu barrier on February 23 when they were trying to cross over to Punjab for digging of the SYL.

Earlier, a posse of personnel from the Punjab Police escorted the buses carrying Chautala, his party MLAs and other leaders from the Patiala jail to the INLD office in Chandigarh hours before the start of session of the state Assembly.

The Punjab Government has been forced to withdraw cases registered against us as we had refused to seek bail, Abhay Singh claimed after the INLD workers alighted from buses belonging to Gobindgarh Public School and Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh.

Accusing Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar of weakening Haryanas stand on the SYL issue, Chautala alleged that though it was decided in the all-party meeting that he would lead a joint deputation of all political parties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he had failed to get the PMs appointment so far.

Now, we have sought appointment from Modi and if we fail to get it before March 15, we will go ahead with our programme to gherao the Parliament on that day. And in future, we will not become part of any delegation headed by Khattar on this issue, he said.

He said 6,843 village panchayats of the state had given their resolutions for early construction of the SYL canal to the INLD and the party would hand these over to the PM in case he provided them a hearing.

Meanwhile, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda pooh-poohed the arrest and subsequent release of Chautala and others as a fixed match between the INLD and the SAD (B).

When the Supreme Court has already passed its verdict in favour of Haryana, the ball now lies in the Centres court to construct the canal at the earliest. The INLDs campaign on this issue is nothing but a political gimmick, Hooda said.
Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Ramayan (Hisar), February 26

A group of young protesters today defied the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), spearheading the Jat agitation, and disrupted rail traffic near the protest site in Ramayan village on the Hisar-Jaipur rail section of Bikaner division.

Tension prevailed during the hour-long deadlock, which ended after local authorities and samiti activists prevailed upon the protesters to clear the tracks. Two trains  Jaipur-Hisar passenger and Gorakhdham Express  were delayed for two hours due to the blockade.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The samiti distanced itself from the disruptive elements and alleged they could have been sent by the government to disrupt the peaceful agitation.

We urge the authorities to identify these youths, as most were wearing black masks, and take action against those who created a ruckus on the tracks, said samiti leader Rambhagat Malik.

The incident occurred when the manned crossing, located 100 metres from the dharna site, was closed for passage of a goods train from Hisar to Bhiwani at 1 pm. A group of protesters forcibly tried to open the boom barriers to reach the dharna site.

Sensing trouble, the railway employees alerted the driver, who halted the train 500 metres from the site. The protesters broke the boom barriers and blocked the tracks. The train was sent back to Hisar.

Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Gajraj and Superintendent of Police P Rajender Meena visited the spot and got the rail services resumed. Later, Inspector General of Police OP Singh reviewed the situation.

The DC said the railway and police authorities would take action against those who damaged railway property and disrupted rail services.

Samiti leaders Malik and Krishan Kirmana later approached the DC to clarify that the protesters were not their members.
Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

Governor Kaptan Singh Solankis Address to the Haryana Assembly today proved to be old wine in new bottle even as he reiterated the state governments commitment to make all-out efforts to lay golden future for the state.

The Address, on the first day of the Budget session, basically listed the achievements of the Khattar government in the last over two years which were already in public domain, especially in the wake of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Haryanas creation.

The 40-page Address, which was wrapped up by Solanki in about 20 minutes with a major of portion taken as read, patted the Khattar government on the back for promoting investment, creating jobs and making lives of people easy and hassle-free by bringing various services right at their doorsteps with extended use of IT tools. We are being supported by the Government of India and the Haryanavi diaspora in these efforts, Solanki asserted.

The 24-hour power supply, fillip to industrialisation, creation of robust infrastructure, especially roads, filling the skill gap to make the youth employable and boosting the income of farmers were listed as thrust areas of the policies of the government.

Beginning with the celebrations of 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh master, and 300th martyrdom day of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Solanki was all praise for the concerted efforts made by the government, which resulted in a favourable verdict of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Reference paving the way for initiation of the long-pending construction work on the remaining portion of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Announcing the state governments decision to observe the year 2017 as Garib Kalyan Varsh, Solanki identified nine areas of development, including women, youth, agriculture, infrastructure, education, health, culture, rural and urban development.

With suggestions of one and all, my government has prepared an action plan of activities, showcasing the glory of the Vedas, Gita and Upanishads, our heritage and our giant strides in socio-economic development, he added.

Alluding to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, he said the efforts made by the government had shown encouraging results and the sex ratio at birth in Haryana has gone up from 876 in 2015 to 900 in 2016.

Referring to employees, the Governor said the government had adopted recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission on the pattern of the Central Government.

The government is always conscious of its fundamental principles of Sabka Sath-Sabka Vikas and Haryana Ek-Haryanavi Ek in all its endeavours. It ensures that our economic growth is not only fast, but also sustainable and regionally balanced. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state grew at 9 per cent in 2015-16 against the all-India figure of 7.9.

Solanki said the state government planned to launch five new schemes to further augment the efforts towards the development of women and children. These included Swarna Jayanti Bal-Aahar-Utpadan Kendra, Swarna Jayanti Swasth Bachpan, Swarna Jayanti Nari Sanrakshan Greh, Swarna Jayanti Bal Sudhar Greh and Swarna Jayanti Mahila Puruskar Yojana.

Meanwhile, CLP leader Kiran Choudhry has described the Governors Address as lacking in focus, perspective and direction and paints the government as a rudderless ship in the choppy waters of Haryana. The 9,500-word text simply glosses over vital issues such as problems faced by farmers, demands of Jat agitators, traders, job-seekers and the worsening law-and-order situation in the state. It does talk of building the foundation for the golden future of the state but offers no policy framework, she added.
Chandigarh, February 27

The INLD on Monday threatened to gherao Parliament on March 15 and hold demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi if Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not intervene in the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue.

INLD will fight a decisive war on the issue of SYL and announce the partys next course of action over the matter on March 15, Leader of Opposition in Haryana Assembly Abhay Chautala said here.

He lashed out at Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar not taking the SYL issue seriously in the past three years and not meeting the Prime Minister over the issue.

Khattar has no moral right to continue on his post, Chautala said and described him as a weak leader who should immediately resign from the post.

If the PM does not give us time to meet him till March 15, we will gherao the Parliament, Chautala threatened and claimed that the interests of Haryana on rights over waters of rivers have been always ignored.

He said INLD is not ready to accompany Khattar to meet the Prime Minister on the issue of SYL.

INLD will never stand with a weak person like Khattar, he said and added that his party will intensify its fight for the construction of SYL.

We are prepared to get arrested... make any kind of sacrifice for the construction of SYL, said Chautala, who along with 72 INLD activists was today released from Patiala central jail.

They were arrested on February 23 near Shambhu barrier at Haryana-Punjab border for breaching prohibitory orders and trying to move into Punjab in a bid to dig the SYL canal.

The SYL canal issue refers dispute between Punjab and Haryana, in which the Supreme Court recently held that it was unconstitutional for the Punjab state government to terminate a water sharing agreement with other states.  PTI
Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 27

On March 1, 2015, when the BJP first came to power in Jammu and Kashmir riding on the shoulders of the ideologically poles apart Peoples Democratic Party, the government could have fallen within one hour of its swearing-in. It has survived for two years, a marvel of political compromises that goes by the document called the Agenda of Alliance.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on becoming the Chief Minister rattled the Hindu nationalist BJP leadership with his words: The Assembly elections were successful because of the support of Pakistan, separatists and militants. It sent a clear message that democracy and peace in Kashmir was heavily dependent upon Pakistan and elements supported by it in the Valley.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who had stitched this alliance of political odds, was peeved no end. He called a newly sworn-in minister and told him quite bluntly that the BJP would not hesitate to shut this chapter of the government in the next one hour if there was any repeat of such pro-Pakistan statements by the new Chief Minister. Muftis statement was particularly embarrassing for the Prime Minister who had flown to Jammu to attend the swearing-in ceremony in a heartening message that the Centre was fully supportive of the North Pole-South Pole alliance in J&K.

In between, the PDP lost Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti struggled with the emotional trauma of the loss of her father. She took nearly three months to step into his shoes to become the first woman Chief Minister of the state in April last year. She faced the worst ever spell of street violence in 2016  over 90 deaths, 200 others lost their eyesight completely or partially  and found herself alone in stabilising the situation. These were extraordinarily ugly times, which did not allow any progress to be made on the Agenda of Alliance.

There were some noticeable compromises for the BJP agreed to recognise the status quo of the special status of J&K, violating its own life-long commitment of doing away with Article 370. The party also promised dialogue with separatists. Economically, the Centre was to give a push to the states tourism, horticulture and power sectors. This was a much-needed boost that attracted the two parties to go in for what they called the Alliance for Governance.

Practically speaking, despite these high-decibel promises, which were intended to assure the people in Kashmir that the alliance would bring a flood of funds to accomplish the never-seen-before development and vast employment avenues, the ground and the governance is still barren. The military-civil relationship has broken, the government is viewed as something that exists in stratosphere. That is the story of the last two years  the Agenda of Alliance has been reduced to a bunch of papers.

The chequered path

Mar 1, 2015: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed takes oath as CM. Praises militants, Pak for creating conducive atmosphere for holding polls. Leaves BJP red-faced

Mar 9: Hurriyat hardliner Masarat Alam set free

Mar 12: Govt issues circular, making it mandatory for constitutional authorities to hoist the state flag on official cars and buildings. The circular withdrawn the next day under BJP pressure

Apr 17: Govt rearrests Masarat Alam

Sept 11: The J&K High Court orders beef ban in the state, leading to polarisation in the two regions. Order finally vacated by the HC on October 16

Nov 7: PM Narendra Modi announces Rs 80,000-cr development package during a rally in Srinagar.

Jan 7, 2016: Mufti Sayeed dies in AIIMS, Delhi

Jan 9: Governors rule imposed

Feb 20-22: Three elite para commandos, including two captains, three militants, two CRPF men and a civilian killed in Pampore gunfight

Apr 4: Mehbooba takes over as CM

Apr 7: Controversy erupts at National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, over Indian vs West Indies T-20 match

Apr 12: Four killed in Handwara during protests against alleged molestation of girl by Army men

May: Controversy erupts in Kashmir over setting up of Pandit, Sainik colonies

June 25: Militants ambush CRPF convoy at Pampore. Eight security personnel killed, 22 personnel injured

July 9: Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani killed in a gunfight in Anantnag district along with his two associates. In the five-month unrest that followed, over 90 persons were killed

July 21: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti chairs an all-party meeting in Srinagar

Aug 8: Three BSF men and a militant killed in BAT action close to the LoC

Aug 15: CRPF Commandant, policeman and two militants killed in Srinagar gunfight

Sept 3: Mehbooba writes to separatists leaders, invites them for talks with all-party delegation

Sept 4: Separatist leaders refuse to meet the all-party delegation

Sept 15: The founding member of the PDP Tariq Karra resigns from the party and as MP

Sept 18: Militants storm an Army base in Uri close to the LoC, killing 19 soldiers and wounding 23 others

Sept 29: Army carries out surgical strike along the LoC in PoK

Nov 22: Three soldiers killed in Machil, Kupwara. The body of one of them found mutilated

Nov 29: Seven soldiers, including two Majors, killed in militant attack on Army camp in Nagrota

Jan 7, 2017: Tassaduq Mufti, the only son of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, joins PDP

Jan 31: In the Assembly, Mehbooba says those working to scrap Article 370 will be doing a big anti-national act

Feb 1: Assembly adjourned sine die following pandemonium

Feb 14: Three soldier and a top Pak militant commander of the LeT killed and a dozen, including two officers, injured in Bandipora gunfight

Feb 14: A Major and three LeT militants killed in Handwara

Feb 17: Altaf Bukhari inducted into the Cabinet, triggering resignation of two PDP ministers Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari

Feb 20: Basharat Bukhari joins new ministry

Feb 23: Three Army jawans killed and five others, including two officers, injured in a militant attack in Shopian
Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 27

Changing security situation and squabbling within coalition partners  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  on key issues has slowed down the process to implement key points in the Agenda of Alliance in Jammu and Kashmir.

The alliance document, binding two ideologically different parties in the insurgency-hit Himalayan state, was termed as Guiding framework for governance by the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed when he stitched the alliance with the BJP after the 2014 Assembly elections verdict and took oath on March 1, 2015.

Later after the death of Mufti on January 7, 2016, Mehbooba and the BJP leadership had reaffirmed their commitment to implement the points of agenda. However, nearly 10 months after she took over as the first women Chief Minister of J&K, both the PDP and BJP are unable to find a common ground on several Agenda of Alliance points and struggle to iron out their differences.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) committee constituted by the Mehbooba for fast-track implementation of the Agenda of Alliance, which guides the coalition relationship, has failed to reach a consensus.

Though a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had generated some hope that points agreed in the Agenda of Alliance will set the ball rolling, but changing dynamics within both the parties could again act as hindrance depriving people of developmental benefits.

Though several development projects have been announced and work started but some points have remained untouched.

Talks with internal stakeholders

The major point of the Agenda of Alliance was initiating dialogue with internal stakeholders which possibly involve separatist Hurriyat Conference, but there is a complete silence on part of the Central government to start a dialogue process due to rise in the terror activity in J&K. Everyone was hoping that the Prime Minister will start the talk process on the pattern of once initiated by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. On ground separatist organisations have united and militants have increased their attacks on security forces.

Ties with Pakistan

With the changing dynamics of politics in the sub-continent post Uri military base attack by terrorists in September 2016 and intense cross-border clashes for months, ties with Pakistan are at the lowest ebb in the recent years. The PDP was seeking extra Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to normalise the relationship with Pakistan, but things are not looking rosy. Pakistan has increased its propaganda campaign against India.

Special status and AFSPA

With rising terror attacks and conspiracies for large-scale internal disturbances in Kashmir, chances of revoking AFSPA from any of the areas in the state seem remote. The spurt in terror attacks has put a full stop on any further debate on AFSPA, Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and other issues. However, the BJP has adopted silence on its demand for revoking Article-370, the main point to attract voters in the Jammu region.

Smart Cities

Though the Central government had invited Jammu and Srinagar  two capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir  in the next nomination list of Smart Cities to be announced by the Centre, but there is still a lot of confusion as J&K has still not initiated key urban reforms. The state government is also still undecided on conducting municipal polls, a major hindrance in the process and other urban developmental projects.

Power project

The Agenda of Alliance (AoA) had called for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri hydro power projects to J&K. It was suggested by the working group report submitted by the Rangarajan Committee but there has been no headway.

Return of Kashmiri Pandits

One of the basic points of the Agenda of Alliance was return and rehabilitation of 3.50 lakh displaced Kashmiri Hindus in Valley. However, no major progress has been made as during the post-Burhan Wani violence in Kashmir, the community was targeted. In turn, the government has again restarted migrant registration in Jammu after eight years.

West Pak refugees

The Agenda of Alliance had called for measures for sustenance and livelihood of West Pakistan refugees, which was met with strong resistance from separatists in Kashmir. The plan for West Pakistan refugees has slowed down. Another point of making families of cross-border firing qualify for benefits given under SRO-43 and constitution of delimitation commission have still not progressed.

Vacation of land by Army

With terrorists again raising their heads in the Kashmir valley and rising casualties of the Army and other security forces, the Centre may slow down the process to handover land occupied by the Army to the state. Only 458 kanals in Anantnag was handed over to Kashmir University for expansion of its campus last year.

Flood relief

After the formation of the government, transfer of relief directly to businessmen and traders affected by the devastating floods of 2014 was started but its progress was very sluggish. The dredging of the Jhelum is still going on at a snails pace, despite commitment made by the Centre.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 27

The National Conference (NC) today held a meeting of its core group and discussed the fragile situation in the region.

The meeting was chaired by partys president Farooq Abdullah at his residence here and attended by working president Omar Abdullah and members of the core group, including senior leaders.

We discussed the present scenario in the state, said NCs general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, who is a part of the core group. He said the Union Home Ministrys recent Kashmir report, which has advised several preventive measures to contain the situation in Kashmir from escalating, also formed a part of the discussion and concern was expressed over it.

Sagar said there was a consensus that peace process should be initiated, for the larger good of the country and the state. It was discussed that New Delhi should talk to all, including the Hurriyat, he said.

The working of the PDP-BJP coalition government was also a part of the discussion. Sagar said the meeting remained specific to the present situation in the state and did not discuss the upcoming byelections for two parliamentary constituencies in the Kashmir valley.

Omar, the states former Chief Minister, in a tweet said the core group meeting was held to review the present situation, including the political situation, in the state.

The partys core group is an apex body of its leaders who meet to review partys programmes, discuss current issues and plan course of action.

The meeting took place in the backdrop of the party presidents recent statement in which Farooq had eulogised militants and said the armed youth were fighting for freedom.

The sources in the party said Farooq urged the party leaders to monitor the mood of the people and work to strengthen the party  which has suffered significant losses in the past elections  at the grassroots level.
Dev Patel, who was nomiated for Lion, lost out on the Best Supporting Actor Award to Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali.

By Press Trust of India: Indian-origin actor Dev Patel lost the best supporting actor Academy Award to "Moonlight" star Mahershala Ali.

The 26-year-old star bagged his first Oscar nomination for his role in Garth Davis "Lion."

CATCH ALL THE LIVE UPDATES ON OSCARS 2017

The true-life inspired movie is based on Saroo Brierley, an Australian-Indian, who tries to find his lost family in India through the help of Google map.

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Ali, who won the award for his quiet yet powerful performance as Juan in the Barry Jenkins-directed movie, created a history by becoming the first Muslim to win an acting Oscar.

The 43-year-old actor, who was blessed with a baby girl recently, was presented the ceremonys first trophy by last years best supporting actress winner, Alicia Vikander.

Other nominees in the category were Jeff Bridges ("Hell or High Water"), Lucas Hedges ("Manchester by the Sea" and Michael Shannon ("Nocturnal Animals").

Patel, who earned nominations in all the major awards this season, had won a BAFTA for his performance. SEE PIC: Priyanka Chopra dazzles at Oscars 2017

ALSO WATCH: Breaking down Oscars 2017

--- ENDS ---
Casey classic

He has been long considered the quintessential Hollywood underdog, but Casey Affleck shrugged away that title as he took home the best actor Oscar for his sublime turn as a troubled loner in Manchester by the Sea. It is the first Academy award win for Affleck, who is the younger brother of Oscar winner Ben Affleck.

Affleck acknowledged fellow nominee Denzel Washington, saying he was the first person to teach him how to act. Im here because of the goodwill of so many people but most importantly Kenneth Lonergan who made this part without which I would not be here. I wish I had something more meaningful to say but I am just happy to be part of this fraternity, Affleck said. However, the actor said he regretted not thanking his children in the acceptance speech.  PTI

Viola!

Actress Viola Davis completed her award season haul with a well-deserved best supporting actress Oscar for her forceful portrayal of Rose Maxson in the movie revival of August Wilsons play Fences. Davis, 51, has been winning hearts with her speeches at precursor awards like Critics Choice, Golden Globes, SAG Awards and BAFTA and at the Oscars she once again delivered a poignant speech. People ask me all the time, What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola? And I say, exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories. The stories of the people who dreamt big and never saw those dreams to fruition. People who fell in love and lost. I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life, Davis said.  PTI

Emmas envelope

Emma Stone, who bagged the golden statuette in the Best Actress category for La La Land, shared some key information about the shocking Best Movie mistake. Negating the presenter Warren Beattys claim that he was given the wrong envelope (Best Actress envelope) and was confused, the actress said that she was holding her Best Actress in a Leading Role card the whole time. I also was holding my Best Actress in a Leading Role card the whole time. Im not sure what happened. I think everyones in a state of confusion still. Excitement but confusion. I think everyone is just so excited for Moonlight. Its such an incredible film. Last years Best Actor winner, Leonardo DiCaprio, who presented Stone her trophy, too confirmed that he gave her the card that declared her the winner. He gave the card directly to Emma and said You are going to want to keep this,  according to DiCaprios representative.  ANI

Support structure

After announcing the birth of his first child with wife Amatus Sami-Karim two days back, Mahershala Ali now bags the golden statuette at the 89th Academy Awards in the  actor in a supporting role category for Moonlight. I just want to thank my wife for being such a soldier through this process and carrying me through it all, said the 43-year-old actor, while accepting the trophy on stage. In the process, Mahershala Ali also became the first Muslim to win an Oscar ever.  ANI

Behind the lens

Damien Chazelle, 32, has become the youngest winner of the Best Director honour at the Academy Awards. He bagged the trophy for helming the hit musical La La Land at the 89th edition of the awards. Chazelle, who was also nominated this year for Best Original Screenplay for the film but lost to Manchester by the Sea, thanked his fellow nominees like Denis Villeneuve, Barry Jenkins and Mel Gibson.  ANI

Sunny special

No matter how younger or old you are, attending The Academy Awards is always special. Eight-year-old Sunny Pawar felt the same when he walked the red carpet, showing his cool attitude for the shutterbugs! While finding words to describe the feeling, his translator shared, Hes excited and he feels great about being here. He also shared that he had already talked to his co-stars about some of the fun that awaits him. Meanwhile, Hollywood veteran Samuel L Jackson felt the little star from India deserved the best actor trophy.  ANI

Kimmel at it, again

First-time Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel turned President Donald Trump into a comic foil in absentia at the Academy Awards, poking fun at the political tumult roiling the United States and the world since the former reality TV star took office. Aside from a string of running gags throughout the live telecast about Kimmels faux feud with his long-time pal, actor Matt Damon, the 45th US president proved to be Kimmels favorite leitmotif. In keeping with his signature deadpan, sardonic delivery, Kimmels social commentary was pointed while restrained, and he wasted little time addressing the political furore that has loomed so large over the Hollywood awards season.

This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans, and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us, and I think that is amazing, the late-night television star exclaimed shortly after stepping onto the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. IANS

Direct from Shyamalan

Filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, known for his twist endings, jokingly said that the bizarre goof-up during the best picture announcement at the 89th Academy Awards was directed by him. La La Land, which won six trophies including best director and actress, was incorrectly declared the best picture winner by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway at the Oscars ceremony. Later, Twitter was flooded with hilarious posts which suggested that Shyamalan had a hand in directing the last leg of the ceremony. To which, the 46-year-old director said, I wrote the ending of the Academy Awards 2017. @jimmykimmel We really got them!  PTI

Standing ovation for Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep, who got her 20th Oscar nomination for the leading role in Florence Foster Jenkins and was called highly overrated by US President Donald Trump, received a standing ovation from the audience at the 89th Academy Awards here.

Streep lost the Best Actress trophy to Emma Stones La La Land act. Kimmel took a jibe at Trump during his opening monologue in defence of Streep and urged the audience to applaud the veteran actress. Meryl Streep has phoned it in for more than 50 films over the course of her lackluster career. She wasnt even in a movie this year  we just wrote her name in out of habit, Kimmel joked.

Please join me in giving Meryl Streep a totally undeserved round of applause. The highly overrated Meryl Streep, everyone, he added.  IANS

Lion-hearted

Dev Patel at the Oscars with his mom

Anyone who is in the acting field dreams to walk the red carpet of the Oscars with special someone and Dev Patel got someone who was perfect for this gigantic occasion! The Lion actor brought his beaming mother to the Academy Awards. My moms, like, on the verge of tears, he said. Patel also shared how emotional he got while filming the mother-son reunion scene in the movie and that scene is one of his favorite moments of the film by saying, There was truth to it. Dev Patel was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for his portrayal of Saroo Brierly in the movie Lion.  ANI

Priyanka shines in white

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, in a body-hugging gown by designer label Ralph & Russo, presented a subtle and elegant figure as she stepped out at the 89th Academy Awards red carpet on Sunday. It was Priyankas second time at the Oscars and once again the Quantico star went for a white ensemble. The gown was done with geometric details with a structured bodice giving a peek-a-boo glimpse of Priyankas svelte figure. She paired her gown with towering ivory heels and accessorised the look with the bare minimum, drawing complete focus to the dress. The 34-year-old actress donned a sleek, side-parted hair with minimal nude lips and smokey eyes. She completed her look with a set of scintillating diamond earrings and cuffs.

Last year, Priyanka chose a white embellished strapless Zuhair Murad gown for the Oscars.  IANS
Ahmedgarh: In her childhood bliss, Dia  seven-year-daughter of Dera shooting victim Ramesh Joshi (45)  was seen playing along with her cousins, Garish and Manik, around the bodies of her father and grandfather Satpal.

Wearing a bandage on her right eye, Dia, who had undergone an eye surgery nearly a week ago, appeared completely oblivious to the tragedy befallen upon her.

My mother (Madhu) is not letting me see my fathers face. Talwinder Chachu (uncle) is telling me that he is sleeping. Today, a lot of people gathered here and raised slogans Satpal Amar Rahe, Ramesh Joshi Amar Rahe, said Dia, the only child of Ramesh.

Garish, Dias elder cousin, soon quipped: You know there is a video on youtube where two people are shooting your father and grandfather?

Dia quickly replies: Yes, the video is on facebook. I have seen that. I have also visited the canteen. A lot of blood was splattered on the floor. Goli lagan to baad ohna nu hospital le gae jithe doctor kehande ki oh pure ho gai, (After they were shot at both of them were rushed to the hospital, where the doctors said they were no more.

Dia, a Class III student, said her bandage will be removed after two months. My papa will be really happy to see me. Both of us will play pillow fight again, said Dia, completely ignorant of the fact that she will never be able to see her father again.

In the pandal, Kamla, wife of Satpal and Madhu, wife of Ramesh, were being consoled by their relative. Mohit Khanna
New Delhi, February 27

Kargil martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur has moved the DCW, claiming that she has received rape threats allegedly from ABVP members after she initiated a social media campaign against the RSS student wing.

Twenty-year-old Kaur, a Delhi University student, had started the campaign, I am not afraid of ABVP, following the violence at Ramjas College, which went viral and received massive support from students across various universities.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The womens body has received a complaint from Kaur, said Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal, adding that the matter is being looked into.

In her complaint to the DCW, the student has said she has received rape threats on social media allegedly from members of the ABVP after she condemned violence in name of nationalism in the backdrop of Ramjas incident.

Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, had last week 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.

Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

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 had said in a Facebook status.

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.

Ramjas College had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the 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.

Sharp reactions

The campaign of a Kargil martyr's daughter against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Monday drew sharp reactions from BJP leaders, with Union minister Kiren Rijiju wondering who "polluted" her mind while another leader comparing her to one of Indias most wanted gangsters, Dawood Ibrahim.

Pratap Simha, a BJP Parliamentarian from Mysuru, tweeted: "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti-national stand".

His tweet came as the campaign of Gurmehar Kaur went viral online with her photograph in which she said, "Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him".

To mock her, Simha also posted a photograph showing Dawood with the message, "I didn't kill people in 1993. Bombs killed them".

Rijiju also took to Twitter to take a dig at her.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said.

Talking to reporters, he later said: "One should not say things that could demoralise the countrymen and the forces. Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country".  Agencies

Read
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 27

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Medical Council of India (MCI) to clarify if it had power to fix an upper age limit of 25 years for admission to MBBS/BDS courses in the absence of any regulation.

A Bench headed by Justice Dipal Misra asked senior counsel Vikas Singh, representing the MCI, to spell out councils position and posted the matter for March 20.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Bench said the benefit of the outcome of the litigation, if at all it was decided in favour of petitioners, will go only to those who approached courts before last date of submitting their forms for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Maintaining that the regulation was pending with the Centre, Singh contended even in the absence of a regulation, such a decision could be taken by an executive order. He sought to defend the stipulation of age limit, saying the upper age limit for Combined Legal Aptitude Test (CLAT) for admission to five-year law courses was only 22 while for admission to IIT was 25.

Prior to January 31, there was no upper age limit to compete for admission to these courses through NEET. This years application forms are already out and the examination is scheduled for May 7.
New Delhi, February 27

Senior diplomat Gopal Baglay has been appointed spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Ministry, taking over the position from Vikas Swarup, who was made India's High Commissioner to Canada.

A 1992-batch officer of Indian Foreign Service, Baglay had been handling the sensitive PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) division in the ministry until now. Deepak Mittal will take over his old job.

"Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors," Baglay said in a Tweet on Monday.

Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors.  Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) February 27, 2017

Baglays official designation would be Joint Secretary External Publicity (XP).

"I wish my successor Gopal Baglay all the best for the new assignment. He will take MEA communications to the next level, online & offline!"

"Today I bid farewell as the Official Spokesperson, an extraordinary privilege and honour! You can follow me in my new role on @VikasSwarup," Swarup wrote in a Tweet on the minstry's official account  the diplomat's last as the spokesperson of the ministry before the account was handed over to his successor.

Baglay has held many key positions, including director, XP; Director PAI; and Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Mittal, who joined the IFS in 1998, has since served in Bangladesh, Egypt and Israel in various capacities and as Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. His last position was as Joint Secretary in CPV (Consular, Passport and Visa) division.  PTI
Varanasi, February 27

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said he has ordered the Delhi Police to act with caution over the Ramjas College issue and ensure the situation is under control.

Replying to queries of reporters here over the recent clash in the Ramjas College and the ensuing trouble, Singh said he was keeping a vigil over the issue.

The college witnessed widespread violence last week after ABVP objected to a seminar because of invitation to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid, who were involved in a controversy related to alleged anti-national slogans last year.

Delhi Police had come under attack from Left-affiliated student groups for its alleged high handedness after which three cops were suspended.

The Crime Branch has been entrusted with the task of carrying out a thorough probe.

The after-effects of last weeks violence continue, with various groups including the RSS-backed ABVP, Left-affiliated AISA and JNU teachers planning various marches.

Regarding the ISIS threat and the recent arrest of two suspected terrorists of the outfit from Gujarat, the Union Home Minister said, We wont let the ISIS become a challenge for the country.

He said the Narendra Modi led-NDA government has emerged as the most reliable and stable government in the political history of India and people across the country for the first time have whole heartedly reposed faith on a particular political party  BJP.

Modi has assured the people of delivering a corruption- free government and was carrying out rapid development, Singh said.

Referring to the ongoing Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, he said polling in the last four phases had confirmed a strong under-current in favour of BJP.

He said the BJP, if voted to power, will work hard for the development of the state, restore law and order and try to make UP the best state of the country.

Attacking UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the BJP leader said he should first complete his apprenticeship before staking claim for heading the state for the second term.

Claiming that Akhilesh himself had admitted that he was on an apprenticeship, Singh said, people should hand over to him his apprenticeship certificate and remove him from here.

Taking potshots at Akhilesh for his kaam Bolta hai (work speaks) remark, Singh said, The work doesnt speak, it must be visible on the ground.

The SP and the BSP governments have ruined the state and did not carry out any development work here, he said.

Mocking Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, the Home Minister said, Leaders in his own party have now started believing that he is still immature.

Singh, who was apparently referring to Sheila Dikshits comment, said, If the CM nominee of the Congress party says so, then there must be some truth in it. I dont know whether he is mature or not but a senior leader of his party, who holds a lot of experience has said this then there must be some truth.  PTI
Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

Nearly a dozen BJP MLAs from southern Haryana have lodged a complaint with the party high command of being ignored in their own regime, it is learnt.

Ahead of the states Budget Session, that got underway today, party national president Amit Shah asked Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to resolve the MLAs grievances, lest the party faces embarrassment on the floor of the House.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Khattar called the MLAs to his residence this morning. Since the talks remained inconclusive, he scheduled another meeting in the evening but seemingly dissatisfied by Khattars response, the MLAs decided to skip it and sent two representatives. They too returned without any satisfactory resolution.

Sources said the annoyed MLAs told the CM that corruption was rampant in the state and while the ministers were busy misusing their authority, the MLAs could not even get the smallest of works done. The DC and SPs do not even take an MLAs phone. They told the CM that the BJP government should be run by all 47 MLAs and not just the ministers.

In a House of 90, BJP has 47 MLAs and enjoys the support of five MLAs (four Independents and one BSP), who have supported the group unhappy with Khattar. INLD has 19 legislators, Congress 17 and Akali Dal one.

The MLAs threatened to raise the issue of corruption in the House even as BJPs Haryana incharge Dr Anil Jain called Rewari MLA Randhir Singh Kapriwas last evening and dissuaded him from any such action. Gurgaon MLA Umesh Aggarwal then called Amit Shah, who is campaigning in UP. Shah reportedly assured Aggarwal of resolving their grievances once he is back on March 11, while asking them to desist from anything that creates trouble for the government.

The 12 MLAs then met Khattar and vent their frustration of being treated like Opposition MLAs.

Khattar, sources said, preferred to listen rather than respond. The group is also learnt to enjoy the support of at least five ministers, unhappy at the CMs headmaster-like attitude.
Lucknow, February 27

About 60 per cent voters exercised their franchise on Monday in the fifth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections spread across 51 constituencies in 11 districts, officials said.

An estimated 60 per cent of the 1.8 crore electorate voted in the most populous state, the Election Commission said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Barring minor incidents of violence and technical problems in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), voting concluded peacefully, the poll panel said.

Amethi and Sultanpur saw healthy voting, with more than 60 per cent of the electorate casting their ballot.

One official said the voting percentage was set to surpass the turnout of 2012.

The voting ranged from 52.4 per cent at Siddarthnagar to 65 per cent each in Shravasti and Ambedkarnagar.

It was 53 per cent in Gonda and Balrampur districts, 58 in Faizabad and Sant Kabeernagar (58), 60 in Bahraich and 61 in Basti district.

As it has happened in the first four rounds that began on February 11, polling opened in the morning slowly but picked up speed as the day progressed.

There were long queues of voters at all polling stations in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

BJPs first timer Garima Singh is pitted against Gayatri Prajapati of the ruling Samajwadi Party and Congress Ameeta Singh in Amethi besides 21 other candidates.

It is one of those constituencies where the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance hasnt worked.

Voting took place in 18,822 booths to decide the fate of 607 candidates. Amethi had the maximum number of 24 contestants.

At many places, people were still standing in queues even after the 5 pm deadline. Officials said people already in the line would be allowed to vote.

Election has been cancelled in Alapur in Ambedkarnagar district following the death of the Samajwadi Party candidate.

In 2012, the Samajwadi Party won 36 of the 51 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress five each, the BSP three and the Peace Party two.

A total of 262 of the 403 assembly constituencies voted in the first four rounds of the elections. The last two rounds will take place on March 4 and 8.

The results of the elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab will be known on March 11.  IANS
Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, February 27

The Bihar chapter of IAS Officers Association has adopted a resolution that its members would not take verbal orders from higher authorities, including the Chief Ministers Office, and act only on written instructions.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The move follows the arrest of Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) ex-Chairman Sudhir Kumar, senior-most IAS officer, for his alleged role in a paper leak scam.

Upset with the developments, an association delegation met CM Nitish Kumar and Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and apprised them of their concerns. They have demanded a CBI inquiry to bring out the truth.

Expressing solidarity with Sudhir, the members said they would wear black bands till the 1987-batch IAS officer was released. He was arrested from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand last week where he had gone on a three-day leave.

Claiming Sudhir was honest and innocent, a five-member delegation even met Governor Ram Nath Kovind yesterday and staged a protest outside Raj Bhawan.

The association will bear all expenses of Sudhirs legal fight. We protest the way the SIT arrested him even as he was neither absconding nor destroying any evidence. He was cooperating in the investigations, said Dipak Kumar Singh, association treasurer.

So far, 34 persons, including former BSSC Secretary Parmeshwar Ram, have been arrested in the case.
New Delhi, February 27

Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose campaign against the ABVP has gone viral, found herself at the centre of a major row today as the ruling BJP and the Opposition traded charges over the Ramjas College clashes, re-igniting the intolerance debate.

Editorial: Subversive, who?

Facing death and rape threats after her social media campaign against the RSS student wing, Kaur, daughter of an Army officer killed in the Kargil war, was compared to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim by a BJP MP while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju wondered who was polluting her mind.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Kaur, however, got endorsement of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and many others for her stand against the ABVP and violence on the campus.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has asked the police to act against those threatening Gurmehar.

Kaur, a student of Lady Sri Ram College, insisted she wont be intimidated. I am not afraid because I am fighting for the right thing, she said, adding she was getting numerous threats on phone and social media, besides filthy comments. It would be very nice if I get protection. Fear is not in my blood. My father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to do that, she added. Kaur, 20, said nobody had the right to threaten any woman with rape.

She took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which controls the Delhi University Students Union, after its activists were blamed for attacks on students, teachers and journalists on the campus. Students opposed to the Ramjas College violence of February 22 and the online threats against Kaur have decided to take out a march in Delhi University tomorrow. The issue triggered a war of words between the BJP and the Congress. Criticise the government, but dont abuse the motherland, Rijiju said, after Kaur also posted: Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him.

BJP MP Pratap Simha from Mysuru posted an image of Dawood on Twitter with the words I didnt kill people in 1993, bombs killed them. The MP added: At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his fathers name to justify his anti-national stand. Both Rijiju and Simha faced flak.

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said: An atmosphere is being created to protect those who support violence or are fascist in nature. But those who try to express something within the limits of the Constitution face violence. The Congress also targeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his remark in London that there is an alliance of subversion on Indian campuses.

AAP blamed the government for the threats and accused the ABVP of unleashing violence both in the real and the online world. Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back at the Opposition for its narrative of attack on freedom of expression. Everybody has freedom, but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country. Does freedom of expression mean raising slogans like Azadi for Kashmir, Azadi for Bastar? asked Prasad. Naidu accused Leftists of turning universities into laboratories for separatist experiments.  IANS
Hyderabad Police has booked the senior congress lawmaker under section 295A of IPC and under section 66 A of IT Act.

By Ashish Pandey: A tweet made by Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh on social media comparing Madarsas with the Saraswathi Shishu Mandir run by Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has put him in trouble.

Based on the complaint given by Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) leader Amjed Ullah Khan alleged that the statement made by Congress leader has hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community in the entire world. Khan also demanded his immediate arrest.

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Singh tweeted on February 22 that "Is there a difference between Madarsas and Sarwasti Shishu Mandir Schools run by RSS? I don't think so both spread hatred".

Is there a difference between Madarsas and Saraswati Shishu Mandir Schools run by RSS ? I don't think so. Both spread Hatred. digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) February 22, 2017

Hyderabad Police has booked the senior congress lawmaker under section 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC and under section 66 A of IT Act.

Complainant further stated that comparing Madarsas with Bal Shishu Mandir run by the RSS organisation in the country points out to the lack of knowledge about the history and existence of the Madarsas by the Congress party and its leaders.

He further said that it was during the tenure of Congress party when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi legalised the Saraswathi Shishu Mandir and released the funds. "Digivijay Singh should have been aware of all this facts before pointing fingers on the Muslim community," he said.

MBT has demanded serious action and thorough investigation into the efforts by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh to defame the Muslim community and its next generation.

Also read:

Padmavati: BJP instigated attack on Bhansali, says Digvijaya Singh

Digvijaya joins 'gadha' debate, tweets, 'PM Modi indeed working like a donkey'

--- ENDS ---
Our Correspondent

Jaipur, February 27

The Reserve Bank of India on Monday said plastic currency of Rs 10 denomination would be introduced soon as it has got clearance from various departments and the process of printing will take place soon.

The Central government had in December informed in Parliament that one billion plastic notes of Rs 10 denomination would be introduced in a field trial in five cities selected for their geographical and climatic diversity.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The selected cities were Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneswar.

The RBI has got clearance to introduce plastic currency of Rs 10 denomination.

A tender process to acquire plastic, ink, etc would be worked out soon, RBI Deputy Governor Subhash S Mundra told a press conference here.

New currency would be printed at one place and it would be launched as per its pilot project through RBI offices, including Jaipur and Mundra, he said.

On bringing back Rs 1000 note, he said, there was no such proposal yet. He did not comment on whether Rs 2000 note would be withdrawn.

The exchange of demonetised currency notes was still available to NRIs at the scheduled places as per the RBI guidelines, and other centres can not be included fresh, he clarified.

After holding meetings with the RBI officials and heads of banking industry in Jaipur, Mundra said there were 952 villages in Rajasthan having population of more than 5000, of which 171 villages had no bank branch.

With new instructions to the banks, about 15 villages got a bank and more would come up soon. Fifty per cent of new currency was being sent to villages in Rajasthan, he said.

As compared to November and December, about 60 per cent currency has been distributed to banks and the situation is quite satisfactory, he said.

I am confident that it is question of few more days and we will have near normalcy in banks and ATMS, he said.

When asked about what was the logic to distribute more currency to private banks than public sector banks after November 8, he said, The currency was not distributed randomly or at whim and fancy. Money was given to all banks without any favouritism and partiality, he said.
Shivani Bhakoo & Mahesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jaghera (Mandi Ahmedgarh), February 26

With the Punjab Police yet to find any credible lead into the double murder of a father and son at Naam Charcha Ghar (place of worship) in Ahmedgarhs Jaghera village last evening, the family and followers of Dera Sacha Sauda today refused to cremate the bodies of the two dera followers and blocked the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road for a few hours.

While the police stepped up security at the dera units across the state, the situation remained tense in the region over the killings.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Police drawn from several districts were deployed at Jaghera and Ahmedgarh to maintain law and order amid possibility of more dera followers joining the protest.

Satpal Sharma, 72, and son Ramesh Kumar Sharma, 40, were gunned down inside the Naam Charcha Ghar on Saturday evening.

Sarwan Kumar, a member of the political wing of the dera, said the final call on cremation would be taken at the dera headquarters in Sirsa. We do not want to cremate them till the assailants are arrested, he said.

The police and civil administration tried all through the day to convince dera followers to cremate the dead. The protesters have demanded compensation and job for the victims family members.

The police have formed a Special Investigation Team, comprising Khanna SSP Satinder Pal Singh, SP (Detective) Satnam Singh and Payal DSP Varinderjit Thind.

A senior official said separate teams were working on establishing the identity of the killers but the priority was to maintain law and order.
Jalandhar: It has been a tough time for the family of Gurmehar Kaur in Jalandhar. Ever since the daughter of Capt Mandeep Singh uploaded a photograph holding a card reading: I am not afraid of ABVP on the social media three days ago, she has been allegedly receiving rape threats and hate messages. Gurmehar's mother, a government employee, said, Having lost her father at the age of two, Gurmehar is a very emotional girl. She cannot see incidents of violence, including the one at Ramjas College. My daughter is well-read and she tries to get to the basis of the facts. But I am upset with the way things went against her. Now, when things have reached to such a passe and there are rape threats, I am feeling insecure for her. I do not want this controversy to go on further. I just want all this to fade away. Her younger sibling, who is preparing for her Class XII examination, also feels concerned. Gul was here till Sunday afternoon after which she left for Delhi. She was stressed. She told me that she had chosen to ignore trollers, after initially giving some apt replies to those sending her hate messages, she said.  Deepkamal Kaur
Gurdaspur, February 27

In a goodwill gesture, a 50-year-old Pakistani national was sent back to his home country on Monday, a day after he inadvertently crossed over to the Indian territory in Punjab.

On Februray 26, BSF troops of border out post Kassowal, Gurdaspur sector apprehended one Pak national namely Sabir Hussain, son of Fazal Hussain, resident of Narowal (Pakistan) while he inadvertently crossed International Boundary and entered inside the Indian territory and reached near border security fence, a BSF official said here.

He said the Pakistan Rangers were contacted today and Sabir was handed over to them on humanitarian grounds.  PTI
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

More than three months after Punjab Governments run-in with Governor VP Singh Badnore over the regularisation of services of 27,000 employees, and a special Assembly session endorsing this by enacting a Bill, the process has been stalled.

The matter is caught between the Election Commission (EC) and the government.

The EC has said that the process to provide employees with regular jobs is underway and it does not require its approval. The state government, however, is adamant on first getting the ECs approval.

Contractual employees have been on a relay fast for the past 15 days here, protesting against the delay in getting regular jobs. They have threatened to step up the agitation on March 2.

Sources in the EC said the state government had, earlier this month, sent the file to the commission, seeking its approval. But the Chief Electoral Officers office returned the file, saying that only the process to regularise the employees had to be initiated and the EC had no role in it.

Last week, the government sent the file to the EC again, saying it would still want a clarification. Now, the matter is pending with the EC in Delhi, said an officer in the Chief Electoral Officers office.

The agitating employees said the process had hit a bureaucratic hurdle. Senior officers are against the regularisation of our services. As they are in control till a new government is formed, they are delaying the process. Our apprehension is that in case of a different political establishment in the state, the Bill to regularise our services may not be implemented, said Ashish Julaha, general secretary, Contractual Employees Action Committee.

He questioned the caretaker government for not taking up the matter emphatically with the Election Commission, now that the voting was over.
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, February 27

After power supply to several Sewa Kendras in the state was snapped on the back of non-payment of power bills, HS Kandhola, secretary, Punjab State e-Governance Society (PSeGS), has asked the PSPCL to restore the supply.

In a letter to the Director (Billing), PSPCL, and the Chief Engineers of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala divisions, Kandhola said efforts were being made to pay the dues by March 15. The power supply should not be disconnected so that services to the public are not hampered, the letter reads.

He claimed that Rs 5.82 crore was paid to the PSPCL last week. This amount pertains to the 1,587 centres. Kandhola demanded that account details of 1,587 centres should be updated.

The PSeGS is in the process of collecting of data of the remaining kendras from the PSPCL, the secretary said.

There are 2,147 Sewa Kendras in the state  1,758 in rural areas and 389 in urban areas.

The PSeGS, meanwhile, is in the process of filing a petition to settle a dispute arising out of calculation of dues, Kandhola said.

The matters relates to the PSPCL releasing power connections to Sewa Kendras before the centres started functioning. In June 2015, the PSeGS had requested the power corporation not to release the connections till the time centres were not functional. But the request went unheard.
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 27

As a community, they possess an incredibly rich history, yet they are longing to return to the mainstream even three centuries later.

Endeavoured by Glasgow-based charity organisation Sikh Council of Scotland (SCS), a group of 173 Sikligars from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were fortunate enough to enjoy pilgrimage to the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras in Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib and Delhi.

Originally named Sikligar by Guru Gobind Singh, they were known to be blacksmiths having incredible craft of weapon making and armed the Khalsa Army in the 17th century. But in the present era far from education, development and health facilities, they lead a poverty-ridden life in the far flung villages and hilly jungle terrains of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and beyond.

In Amritsar, Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha too extended a helping hand by offering free education, boarding and lodging of at least 100 children belonging to the Sikligar community.

Very little is known about the Sikligars as they have been displaced through years of colonisation and government oppression.

SCS president Sulakhan Singh said they came to know about Sikligars through an article written by a Cambridge University professor Dr Harbhajan Singh in 2001. He resented that the SGPC should have come forward to help them out to have better life with changing times.

Chadha said: We are ready to adopt 100 Sikligar tribal community children who are away from civilisation, if they agree to come to Punjab. We will be happy to provide them free education and employment opportunities to merit holders as we have an established placement cell here.
Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

From penning rhymes in support of what is being described as a bold stand taken by her to a joint appeal by eminent persons asking people to stand by her in this hour of trial of democracy, there is a groundswell of support for Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Capt Mandeep Singh, who has dared to confront the ABVP for allegedly attacking students and teachers of Ramjas College in Delhi.

Punjabi poet and former president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi Gurbhajan Gill has written: Jago mere veero, jago; apani goorhi neend tyago, jag pavo Gurmehar jagave, sutian umar beet na jave; Gurmehar zindabad (My brothers, it is time to wake up; Gurmehar is asking you to come out of slumber, and let the life not pass away while sleeping).

Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi, academician Dr Chaman Lal and several others have issued an appeal, asking people to join hands to back Gurmehar, who has taken on the right-wing forces posing a threat to the freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of academic institutions, especially universities and colleges.

Gurmehar is the honour of our country. We are all with her and will go all out to protect her honour and dignity. No one should think that she is alone. She is a woman of substance, Dr Gandhi said.

CPI executive member Joginder Dayal said someone was to take lead in confronting the ABVP, which, with active support of PM Narendra Modi and his associates, wanted to crush all dissenting forces in the country. Gurmehar has taken the lead and all right-thinking people in the country should support her to stall the taking over of educational institutions by the right wing forces and their associates, he said.

Demanding a ban on the student body and exemplary action against culprits of Ramjas College violence, Capt Amarinder Singh said the ABVP, its mentors and members should be ashamed of their abominable behaviour. He said the girls father laid down his life for the country and she was being victimised for her legitimate act.

The culprits should be arrested and put behind bars. This organisation (ABVP) had no respect for women, he said.

Instead of allowing her (Gurmehar) to be victimised for her stand, the authorities, including the Delhi and the Centre governments, should ensure that the perpetrators of violence and those issuing threats to the martyrs daughter are given exemplary punishment, he added.

Goes incommunicado

Gurmehar Kaur stopped all communication on Monday evening. Her last tweet came at 6 pm. It reads, Please consider this tweet as my request for leave of absence. Cant speak to anyone, anymore. Will speak up on Tuesday #FightBackDU.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 27

A letter to the Medical Council of India (MCI), allegedly written by a faculty member of Srinagar Medical College exposing the shortage of faculty members in the college, has left the college authorities red-faced.

The faculty member had urged the MCI authorities to cancel the affiliation of the college until the conditions improved.

Instead the first response of the medical college authorities has been issuing a show-cause notice to the member and terming it a case of indiscipline. I have served a show-cause notice on the person. The matter is still being looked into, said Prof CMS Rawat, Principal of the medical college.

Sources claim that the matter came to light after the MCI reportedly informed the medical college about the letter, questioning them about the faculty deployment.

Since the inception of the medical college, it has been routinely plagued with problems of lack of facilities for patients and shortage of faculty members for medical students.

The college does not have a single faculty member at the Radiology Department. Usually, such shortages lead to stern action by the MCI.

The condition in other teaching departments is also no different. The Department of Surgery and the Department of Medicine are facing 10 per cent and 40 per cent staff shortage while there is 10 per cent shortage at paediatric and the gynaecology departments.

This is affecting the quality of education being imparted to students and services rendered by the hospital to patients in and around Srinagar.

So much so the patients prefer to receive treatment at the Combined Medical Institute or come down to Dehradun. While accepting the shortage in the medical college, Prof Rawat said, the college had been regularly sending the reports of the status of the faculty to the higher authorities.

The reports are regularly sent to the Governor and the MCI so there is nothing to hide. We do have shortage of faculty and this happens due to the resignation by members. The Department of Radiology head had tendered resignation. As of now, we have a technician who is taking care of the X-ray and CT Scan. Everyday 200 X-rays and 5-10 CT scans are carried, said Rawat.
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, February 27

Proposed in 1981 but proceeded at a slow pace following Maoists anti-India tirade in Nepal, the work on the Indo-Nepal project at Pancheshwar in Champawat district is likely to be sped up.

Nepal had rejected the DPR complied by Water and Power Consultancy Services, New Delhi on the construction of the project. But the neighbour is ready to work towards preparation of the final DPR and is willing towards the completion of the Pancheshwar project, said Mahendra Bahadur Gurung, a Nepal government official and CEO of the project.

The Union Water Resources Ministry Secretary, who visited Pancheshwar site, today said except the relief and rehabilitation survey of the oustees in India and Nepal, almost all surveys had been completed and agreed upon by both governments.

The final DPR of the project, after the state government assesses the relief and rehabilitation needs of 24 Indian villages coming under the project on the Indian side, will be sent to Nepal for the final approval. After the approval, the work will started on the project, said Amarjit Singh, the Union Secretary.

According to Union Water Resources Ministry sources, the 5,040 megawatt project on the Kali river will be able to irrigate over 4 lakh hectares in India and Nepal.

While Pancheshwar Dam will generate over 4,800 megawatts, the second phase of the dam at Rupaligar will have 240 megawatts of electricity generation capacity, said the secretary.

According to sources, over 30,000 population of 24 villages in India and 11 villages in Nepal will be hit by the project. Over 2.7 lakh hectares of land in India and 1.7 lakh hectares land in Nepal will be submerged under the project water.

Meanwhile, the regional political outfit Uttarkhand Kranti Dal (UKD) said it would oppose the construction of the Pancheshwar project and chalk out a strategy to oppose the dam after the counting of votes in the state. We have already been opposing big projects in the state due to fragile condition of Himalayan topography and pathetic problem of oustees, said Kashi Singh Airy, a senior UKD leader.
A six-member team of North Koreans led by Choe Son-hui, the director of the American affairs bureau of the country's foreign ministry and the US experts were scheduled to hold the back-channel talks in New York for next week.

By Asian News International: Trump administration has cancelled the scheduled informal talks between a North Korean delegation and a team of former US officials by withdrawing its initial approval of the North Koreans' visas.

A six-member team of North Koreans led by Choe Son-hui, the director of the American affairs bureau of the country's foreign ministry, and the US experts were scheduled to hold the back-channel talks in New York for next week.

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CNN quoted the two people who had planned to participate in meeting as saying that a follow email was sent to the participants of the meeting after an earlier email had said that meeting would proceed as scheduled by Donald Zagoria, the head of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, an advocacy group that was organising the talks, saying the visas were not approved and the talks have been called off.

ALSO READ | Trump: North Korea is a big problem, will deal with it very 'strongly'

This move comes after the announcement by the Malaysian Government that VX nerve agent was used to assassinate Kim Jong-nam on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

VX nerve agent is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations due to its extreme chemical toxic nature.

Trump administration officials even did not consider State Department in cancelling the talks as the latter supported the talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half brother, Kim Jong Nam died on February 13 after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to the Chinese territory to Macau from Kuala Lumpur.

ALSO READ | Donald Trump dismisses North Korea nuclear threat, says it won't happen

ALSO WATCH | Mexican president cancels meeting with Trump over border wall

--- ENDS ---
Beijing, February 27

The Chinese police have arrested seven persons after a major fire at a multi-storey luxurious hotel in Nanchang killed 10 people last week.

Seven persons, including workers and contractors for an ongoing construction project that went ablaze, were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of negligence that caused the fire at the hotel in Nanchang, capital of Chinas eastern Jiangxi Province, state-run Xinhua news agency said, on Monday, quoting government of Nanchang city.

The fire at HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in Nanchang City killed 10, including three hotel guests and seven construction workers, according to the city government.

The condition of the three persons who were among the nine injured in the deadly fire was stated to be serious.

Yesterday, it was reported that the police have detained 24 people in connection with Saturdays fire.

Twenty-four people, including hotel shareholders, the contractor of the project and workers, have been taken into police custody, the report said.

A preliminary investigation found the blaze was caused by welding and cutting which violated safety rules.

Over 260 residents of a 24-storey apartment building connected to the hotel also had a providential escape.

This was the second major fire accident in China this month. Eighteen people were killed in a fire at a foot massage parlour caught fire in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out today in a market in northeast Beijing, but no casualties were reported.

The market deals in secondhand furniture, books, antiques and other items.

A total of 46 fire engines were deployed to put out the fire and police cordoned off surrounding areas and diverted traffic.

The flames were put out in about two hours. Clean-up efforts are under way and the cause of the fire is under investigation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.  PTI
Los Angeles, February 26

Donald Trump's name was rarely mentioned during Sunday's Academy Awards, but the US president's policies were a running subtext throughout the evening.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Host Jimmy Kimmel fired the first shot in his opening monologue.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?" Kimmel quipped.

Again and again, he mocked the president's Twitter put-down of Meryl Streep in January, when Trump called her "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood."

"Meryl Streep has phoned it in for more than 50 films over the course of her lackluster career," said Kimmel. "Please join me in giving Meryl Streep a totally undeserved round of applause."

Several acceptance speeches celebrated the film industry's internationalism, and the threat that Trump's policies pose.

Alessandro Bertolazzi, one of the makeup and hairstyle winners for the film "Suicide Squad," dedicated his award to "all the immigrants."

Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian director of "The Salesman," which won the Oscar for best foreign language film, had a stand-in read a statement explaining that he did not attend in protest of the president's executive order temporarily banning travel from seven mostly-Muslim nations.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S., he said.

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal, who presented the Oscar for best animated film, decried Trump's plan for a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.

As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I'm against any form of wall that wants to separate us," he said.

Kimmel kept the barbs coming, poking fun at one of Trump's cabinet picks, Ben Carson.

"Doctor Strange was nominated for outstanding visual effects and was also named secretary of housing and urban development," he said.

And he warned award recipients that speaking their minds might have consequences.

"Some of you will get to come up here on this stage tonight and give a speech that the president of the United States will tweet about in all caps during his 5 a.m. bowel movement tomorrow," Kimmel said. Reuters
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai yesterday arrested the owner of Rajeshwar Exports, Kritika Dahal, for money laundering using her company in Hong Kong.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai on Saturday arrested the owner of Rajeshwar Exports, Kritika Dahal, for money laundering using her company in Hong Kong. She has been granted ED custody till February 28.

On December 27, 2016, Indiatoday.in was first to reveal that Mumbai ED team had come across illegal deposits of money (after November 8) worth Rs 700 crore with various bank accounts, which later, got diverted to Hong Kong.

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HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED

During the course of investigation under PMLA, it was revealed that the bank accounts were used for illegal transactions of huge amounts.

More than 100 accounts of different shell companies were sourced for depositing huge cash of more than Rs 92 crore in old demonetised currency. The agency noticed that layering of these funds has been done through more than 500 accounts.

Ultimately, the funds from all companies and firms were credited through RTGS to Rajeshwar Exports, which was utilised for outward remittance to Hong Kong in guise of payment of import of overvalued consignments of total 355 Bills of Entries.

"It was found that total outward remittance of USD 21.22 crore (approximately Rs 1421 crore) were undertaken from the account of Rajeshwar Exports within a period of one year. Out of this, more than Rs 92 crores was deposited in various accounts in cash after demonetisation which was then transferred to the accounts of Rajeshwar Exports and subsequently utilized by Rajeshwar Exports for outward remittance", the official said.

During investigation, it was revealed that an amount of Rs 1478 crore is yet to be received by Rajeshwar Exports against export made from the company.

The official said, "Out of this, only one company i.e. International Rising Limited has received USD 14.79 (approx. Rs 990 crore) crore for supply of 220 consignments of diamonds/gold, which appears to have been highly overvalued more than 10 times."

Incidentally, International Rising Limited HK was controlled by an Indian resident, Kritika Dahal who has 99.99 per cent shares of this company.

THE ARREST

Kritika Dahal was intercepted at the airport and was summoned under section 50 of the PMLA to appear before this Directorate on February 25.

"Kritika admitted that she became director of International Rising Limited on instructions of one Ritesh Jain. Further, she also admitted knowledge of the overvaluation of the diamonds/goods which were being exported by International Rising Limited to Rajeshwar Exports."

She also deposed that there were no other employee in the International Rising and that it had received remittances and had supplied diamond jewellery to only one company that is Rajeshwar Exports.

"Thus, the company in Hong Kong was established for the sole purpose of money laundering and had no other activity", the official added.

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Also Read

ED seizes diamonds worth Rs 34 crore, money laundering above Rs 2500 cr by firms suspected

Black money travels abroad, ED investigates a diamond import firm for diverting Rs 700 crore to Hong Kong

--- ENDS ---
OKLAHOMA CITY  A bill that would let counties vote on Sunday sales at liquor stores and another that would raise excise taxes on beer, wine and spirits are among the flurry of alcohol-related measures under consideration by the Oklahoma Legislature this year.

Senate Bill 211, authored by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, would allow counties to vote on whether liquor stores can open between noon and midnight on Sundays, beginning in 2018.

The bill would allow county commissioners to set the elections, or residents could start petition efforts to get a measure on the ballot.
Somebody asked for my advice the other day, and Im afraid the question caught me off guard and I gave a rather useless answer.

Family members, who have never been to Oklahoma before, were going to visit her in Tulsa for the first time. But they were staying for only one day.

Where should I take them? she wanted to know. What should we do?

The Gilcrease and Philbook museums immediately came to mind. World-class institutions, they would surely be near the top of anybodys to-do list in the city. But the advice-seeker frowned and turned away disappointed. She wanted to give her loved ones an idea of what its like to live here. And as magnificent as our museums are, they arent exactly where most of us hang out all the time.

So let me add a few more suggestions. And maybe Tulsa World readers can throw in a few ideas of their own too.

1. Have brunch in Brookside.

While still known for its nightlife, the area has become a hot spot for upscale shopping, too. And its the perfect place to do some window shopping after a leisurely meal.

2. Talk a walk in RiverParks.

The Gathering Place, a.k.a. The Best Park Ever, will not open until late this year. But the stretch of pedestrian trail from 11th Street to the 21st Street bridge still offers a relaxing view of the water and, from certain vantage points, a nice look at the skyline.

3. Go shopping at Utica Square.

Tulsas favorite shopping center hasnt offered quite the same local flavor since the unfortunate demise of Miss Jacksons and Pettys Fine Foods, but its still the nicest place in town to just walk around aimlessly, especially if you have a some spare cash burning a hole in your pocket.

4. Have dinner in the Brady District.

People who have never seen Tulsa before might not fully appreciate why we get so excited about the place. But those of us who remember the vacant warehouses and empty lots that used to litter the north side of downtown  and they havent yet completely disappeared  cant help but be proud of how far weve come in recent years. And even newcomers will appreciate the districts high energy and all the options for good food and drinks.

Ill admit that my suggestions are biased toward downtown and midtown. But Im a downtown/midtown guy. South Tulsans will have to speak for themselves.
One Tulsa-area outlet mall was supposed to open in late 2016, while another was targeting its debut for this coming summer. Both appear to be in a holding pattern. The earliest either one could arrive is 2018.

Maybe.

At one point in late 2015, three outlet malls were proposed for the area. All appeared to be on parallel tracks, battling for tenants in what industry experts called a site fight.

One developer, which had plans for an east Tulsa site, bowed out in early spring 2016 and left two contenders for a market that experts believed could handle only one outlet mall.

Those two remaining suitors  the Cherokee Outlets in Catoosa and Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks  are likely not going to open in 2017 despite previous timelines given by their developers.

Neither has announced any tenants.

Simon Property Group, through a spokeswoman, declined repeated requests from the World to update the timeline for its proposed project, planned just off the Creek Turnpike across from the Oklahoma Aquarium. However, a presentation found on a Simon website said the outlet mall plans to open in June 2018.

The presentation said it will feature about 80 retailers housed in about 325,000 square feet.

When the Jenks City Council rezoned the land the mall is planned for, Simon said it would break ground in 2016 and open in the summer of 2017. The groundbreaking didnt happen.

Simon hasnt bought the land yet, Tulsa County property records show. A representative for the limited liability company that owns the property declined to comment.

Work to expand the Creek Turnpike interchange at Elm Street in Jenks continues in anticipation of the expected increase in traffic from the project.

Jenks Mayor Kelly Dunkerley said in a statement, The expansion and improvement to our traffic interchanges at the Creek Turnpike and Jenks intersections, needed so the city may keep pace with our growing community, but also in anticipation of the construction of a Simon Premium Outlet, are nearly complete and will soon open.

He offered little regarding the project, saying We expect this project, like all of our other hallmark developments, to bolster our existing businesses and to bring even more energy to our town.

The Cherokee Nation described the state of its outlet mall as in a holding pattern.

Cherokee Nation Businesses spokeswoman Amanda Clinton said the Woodmont Cos., which is partnering with the Cherokees on the site, is still looking for retailers, and once it hits a certain point in having the space leased, construction would begin.

Tulsa-area residents have been waiting for an outlet mall for more than three years.

Plans for outlet malls began to come to public light in 2013 and 2014 as the city of Tulsa tried to lure two different developers to sites on the citys eastern and western borders. Simon originally planned to build near the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. The Cherokees announced plans for their outlets in late 2014.

Developers, and retailers, are typically loathe to discuss the economy and what it means for their business dealings. However, the state of the Oklahoma economy has changed since three outlet malls were planned for the Tulsa metro.

The Simon presentation notes the strength of the Tulsa economy  in 2014. It highlights the metro areas 4 percent unemployment rate at the end of that year and calls Tulsa one of the strongest economies in the country. Things have changed quite a bit since then. The December 2016 Tulsa metro-area unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, but reached heights of 5.6 percent in September.

When three outlet malls were planned in Tulsa, the areas energy-dependent economy was booming on high oil prices. Prices recovered from their 2015 free-fall in 2016, but are nowhere near the heights seen throughout the early part of the decade.

sam.hardiman @tulsaworld.com

Twitter: @samhardiman
Screen Queensland, Screen Australia and ABC have a announced Straight out of the Straits, a funding initiative for emerging writers, directors and producers to create stories from the Torres Strait Islands.

Successful teams will get the chance to develop their ideas for short factual series in a workshop led by David Batty (Black As, Bush Mechanics), with two teams each going on to make a series for iview.

The content will support the programming for the ABCs Blue Water Empire, to screen later this year.

Qld Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said, It is crucial to develop Queenslands screen industry at every level.

Straight out of the Straits is a great opportunity for early career practitioners to gain valuable experience and new skills to help grow the states screen industry.

ABC TV Head of Indigenous Kelrick Martin said, ABC Indigenous is very excited to be partnering with Screen Queensland and Screen Australia to deliver a fresh, exciting initiative like Straight out of the Straits that promotes and develops new, diverse Indigenous screen talent found in all corners of Australia.  we cant wait to share these unique stories with our audience.

Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said, Straight out of the Straits is a first in giving Torres Strait Islander screen practitioners the opportunity to author and craft their own community stories for the national broadcasters digital platform.

It reflects Screen Queenslands commitment to giving a voice to authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and storytellers, and our faith in diverse talent that makes up our state.

Penny Smallacombe, Head of Indigenous at Screen Australia said, Since the inception of our Indigenous unit in 1993, Screen Australia has been supporting Indigenous talent to tell their stories.

Straight out of the Straits is the first time we have been able to provide a dedicated initiative for Torres Strait Islander people to progress their careers, with a direct path to audience thanks to ABC iview. Whats more, these proposed online series will make for exceptional complimentary viewing for Blue Water Empire.
The TV Today network was recognised for its praiseworthy contribution to news reportage in Hindi and English, as both Aaj Tak and India Today TV bagged multiple awards across many categories.

By Radhika Bhalla/Mail Today: Excellence in journalism was awarded to India's leading television news network, TV Today at the distinguished Exchange4media News Broadcasting Awards (ENBA) 2016 ceremony that was held in Noida on Saturday evening.

The network was recognised for its praiseworthy contribution to news reportage in Hindi and English, as both Aaj Tak and India Today TV bagged multiple awards across many categories.

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The prestigious jury panel comprised Sanjay Gupta, Star India, Managing Director, Alok Mehta, chief editor, Outlook Hindi, Junior Anand Gupta, Founder SHE & Ninja Girl Bags, Archana Datta, Ex-Director General, All India Radio & Doordarshan, Devi Cherian, columnist, Dheeraj Jain, Managing Director, Radcliffe Capital, Jaishree Mishra, author, Shravan Garg, senior journalist and Sudhir Mishra, Founder and Managing Partner, Trust Legal, Advocates & Consultants.

AWARD WINNERS

The selection process included numerous rounds of screening, elimination and interviews from the 300 entries that participated. Among the awards that were won, Aaj Tak bagged News Channel of the Year - Hindi and Best Talk Show for the exclusive interview with former Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf. In addition, India Today TV was awarded News Channel of the Year-English, Sweta Singh took home the award of Best Anchor-Hindi, Rahul Kanwal got the award for News Television managing editor of the Year-English, and Gaurav C Sawant was given the award for Best Spot News Reporting.

Meanwhile, the award for Best News Coverage - National was given to India Today TV for reporting the Surgical Strike, and Best Video Editor award went to Nitin, Ajay and Amit for Vande Matram (Capt Saurabh Kalia).

Commenting on the occasion, Ashish Bagga Group CEO, India Today Group, said "With every passing year, Aaj Tak and India Today TV have been raising the bar when it comes to journalistic excellence and the ENBA awards this year too is a testimony of our viewers' trust and faith. The fact that both, Aaj Tak and India Today TV have won 'The News Channel of the Year', speaks volumes about the quality of journalism at the India Today Group. The credibility at the Centre of our genetic makeup is something that we're very proud of."

ALSO READ: eNBA News Broadcasting Awards 2016: India Today wins News Channel of The Year award

WATCH VIDEO: India Today, Aaj Tak win big at Exchange4Media News Broadcasting Awards 2016

--- ENDS ---
The Turnbull government is preparing to launch a review into content quota rules that could impact local production.

According to The Australian the review is expected to consider whether quotas for locally produced shows need to be increased or decreased, the need to harmonise television and film production subsidies and the possibility of extending content quotas to international video streaming services like Netflix.

Under consideration will be the amount of first-release childrens drama, with networks pushing to reduce the 96 hours over three years, and 25 hours per year, required.

Online streaming services such as Netflix currently have no local quotas.

Screen Producers Australia chief executive Matt Deaner said, We need to adapt and evolve the current regulatory model to address todays media landscape, audience fragmentation and the new entrants. Countries around the world are extending content quotas onto online content  France and most recently Brazil; a review provides a great opportunity for the government to do the same.
| By Patricia Fanning

Students and faculty of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) welcomed sixth- and seventh-graders to the school on Saturday, Feb. 18, for the UMB CURE Oral Health Promotion to prevent tooth decay followed by educational activities for UMB CURE Scholars and their parents.

(View a photo gallery.)

Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. Preventative measures include fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Children received free oral examinations and oral hygiene instructions and also engaged in healthy food discussions.

University of Maryland School of Dentistry students Jennine Jarrett, left, and Shannon Burke discuss oral health while caring for CURE Scholar Mariah Beatty, a sixth-grader at Green Street Academy.

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Most tooth decay in children occurs on these surfaces. Sealants prevent tooth decay by keeping bacteria and food particles out of these grooves. Fourteen CURE Scholars received sealants.

Mark Reynolds, DDS, PhD, dean and professor, welcomed the group on Feb. 18 along with Leila H. Liberman, RDH, MDE, clinical instructor in the Department of Periodontics at UMSOD. (View a video below.)

We are all very proud of the UMB CURE Scholars, said Reynolds, referring to recent remarks at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) by Wes Moore. The author and founder of BridgeEdU had drawn a distinction between scholars and students.

You indeed are true scholars, in that you learn everything with passion and purposefulness, Reynolds told the group.

We hope that youll be inspired to take a look at oral health care as a career path and as a way of being a service to your community, he said. Your dentist and dental hygienist can be very important in helping to identify problems that may need care by other providers.

In talking about the importance of oral health, Reynolds asked for a show of hands and was pleased to see that the youngsters had grasped its relation to a persons overall health. Similarly, when Liberman rose to talk about sealants, she invited one of the Scholars to the podium to share his definition. He got a round of applause.

Parents accompanied their children to the exams, which were conducted by UMSOD students and supervising faculty members from several departments and divisions within the school.

After the exams, parents were offered a workshop on workforce opportunities available through the Community Engagement Center in UMBs Office of Community Engagement (OCE). Lisa Rawlings, MBA, OCEs director of workforce initiatives, was accompanied by a parent of a CURE Scholar, Aiysha Harris. Together they described the collaborative process that led to Harris getting a job at the University.

The event marked a return to the UMSOD for the seventh-graders in the UMB CURE Scholars Program, which is supported by the National Cancer Institutes Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program.

UMBs pipeline initiative identifies promising middle school students and prepares them for health care and research careers through mentorship and hands-on workshops and lab experiences. Last summer, a series of enrichment activities at UMB concluded with Planet Smilez: Discovering Dentistry Camp.

UMSOD student Kathryn Pawlak, the founder of the nonprofit organization Planet Smilez, once again engaged with the Scholars as an organizer of the Feb. 18 event, along with organizer Michelle Tarr, a senior in dental hygiene at UMSOD who expects to begin studies next fall to become a dentist.

UMB CURE Executive Director Robin Saunders, EdD, MS, expressed gratitude to the UMSOD for its continuing strong support.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) Fitch Ratings has affirmed state-run hydro power producer NHPC the Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at BBB- with stable outlook -- reflecting its robust operating and financial profile.

At the same time, Fitch has chosen to withdraw the ratings of NHPC for commercial reasons, Fitch Ratings said in a statement.

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According to statement, NHPCs ratings benefit from its position as the largest hydropower producer in India with about 15 per cent of the countrys hydropower capacity.

It has around 40 years of experience in constructing and operating hydropower projects. Its portfolio is diversified with 21 operational hydropower projects across seven states, with no plant accounting for more than 20 per cent of its total operating capacity.

NHPC does not have any offtake risks as it has long-term power purchase agreements for all of its operational power plants. The group benefits from a favourable regulatory regime within which it is able to pass through to its customers all of its costs - operational, financial and depreciation.

A 15.5-16.5 per cent return on regulatory equity is built into its tariff structure, along with incentives on exceeding the normative availability factor. The current tariff formula covers five years from April 2014 to March 2019.

"We expect NHPCs financial profile remain moderate despite the interim dividend and share buyback recently announced by the company. We expect NHPCs net leverage, as measured by net debt/EBITDA, to weaken to around 3x for the financial year ending March 2017 (FY17) from 2.2x for FY16. Further we expect NHPCs free cash flows to remain negative on account of its ongoing capex, which is likely to result in its leverage remaining around 3x over the medium term," it said.

Work at NHPCs 2,000MW Subansiri project has been stalled since December 2011. NHPC has also faced delays in completion of the Kishanganga plant, which it now expects to complete it in FY18 instead of 3QFY17, it said.

While Indian regulations allow prudent cost overruns to be included in the provisional tariff computation, and capitalisation of non-controllable costs incurred, NHPC has over the last two years made provisions for costs related to these stalled projects impacting profitability, it said.

Fitch expects the companys cash generation to improve once the Kishanganga project becomes operational. However, the long delay in the completion of projects, mainly at Subansiri, continues to be a concern as the earnings from the project will also be delayed.

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The weak credit profile of its key counter-parties -- the state-owned distribution companies in Indias north and north-eastern states, impacts NHPCs receivables. The companys standalone receivables remained high at Rs 26 billion as of end-2016 (end-2015: INR 34 bn) with Jammu and Kashmir accounting for the largest share of total receivables. MORE PTI KKS MKJ

--- ENDS ---
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Young Syrian refugees walk through an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley.  UNHCR/Sam Tarling

GENEVA  Conflict, persecution and violence newly uprooted at least 3.2 million people in the first half of last year, and low- and middle-income countries played the greatest role in sheltering the world's displaced, a new report by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has found.

In the first half of last year, 1.7 million people were newly displaced within their own country, while 1.5 million had crossed an international border, UNHCRs Mid-Year Trends 2016 report shows.

While the numbers of newly displaced were one third lower than during the same period in 2015, when 5 million people were newly displaced, the global total continued to rise. Prospects for displaced people to return to their homes remained slim while conflicts intensified.

More than half the new refugees in the first half of 2016 fled Syrias conflict, with most staying in the immediate region  Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt. Other sizable groups fled Iraq, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.

Which countries host the most refugees?

While smaller in scale than the Syrian crisis, South Sudans refugee situation continues to grow and affect some of the worlds least developed countries  including Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, DRC, CAR, and Ethiopia. At mid-2016, there were a total of 854,200 refugees from South Sudan, a more than eight-fold increase in three years. Numbers grew even further in the second half of 2016.

Of all countries, Turkey sheltered the greatest number of refugees, hosting 2.8 million by mid-2016. It was followed by Pakistan (1.6 million), Lebanon (1 million), Iran (978,000), Ethiopia (742,700), Jordan (691,800), Kenya (523,500), Uganda (512,600), Germany (478,600) and Chad (386,100).

Today we face not so much a crisis of numbers but of cooperation and solidarity  especially given that most refugees stay in the countries neighbouring their war-torn homelands, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

"The biggest contributors providing a safe haven to the worlds uprooted people are poorer communities."

By comparing the number of refugees to the size of a countrys population or its economy, UNHCRs report brings the contribution made by host nations sharply into context. For example, relative to the sizes of their populations, Lebanon and Jordan host the largest number of refugees, while in terms of economic performance the biggest burdens are carried by South Sudan and Chad.

According to the latter economic measure, eight out of ten of the top countries hosting refugees are in Africa, with the remaining two in the Middle East. Lebanon and Jordan rank among the top ten hosting countries across all categories  absolute numbers, economic contribution and per capita.

At mid-2016, Syrians continued to be the largest group of refugees worldwide, making up 32 per cent (5.3 million out of 16.5 million) of the global total under UNHCRs mandate.

Another key finding of UNHCRs report was that submissions for resettlement increased, reflecting a rise in places allocated to the programme by a growing band of countries. More than 81,100 people were submitted to 34 states in the first half of 2016, with the final yearly figure having surpassed 160,000  a 20-year high, and more than twice the number of submissions in 2012.
In a new report, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, details the impact of the increased border restrictions introduced in 2016 on refugee and migrant movements towards and inside Europe. It shows that people continued to move but undertook more diversified and dangerous journeys, often relying on smugglers because of the lack of accessible legal ways to Europe.

After the closure of the Western Balkan route and the EU-Turkey Statement in March 2016, the number of people reaching Greece via the Eastern Mediterranean route drastically decreased. The Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Italy has since become the primary entry point to Europe. However, arrival trends in Italy show that the primary nationalities who crossed to Greece had not switched in significant numbers to the Central Mediterranean route.

In total, some 181,436 people arrived in Italy in 2016 by sea, out of which 90 per cent travelled by boat from Libya. Those who came to Italy in 2016 include people in need of international protection, and also victims of trafficking and migrants seeking better lives. The top two nationalities of those arriving in Italy were Nigerians (21%) and Eritreans (11%). A striking feature is the increasing number of unaccompanied and separated children making the journey, over 25,000 in 2016. They represented 14% of all new arrivals in Italy and their number more than doubled compared to the previous year.

The journey to Italy is particularly dangerous, with more deaths at sea in the Mediterranean recorded in 2016 than ever before. Of the 5,096 refugees and migrants reported dead or missing at sea last year, 90% travelled along the sea route to Italy, amounting to one death for every 40 people crossing.

The report also shows that, in the last part of 2016, more people reached Europe through the Western Mediterranean route, either by crossing the sea to Spain from Morocco and Algeria, or by entering the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta.

People have continued to leave Turkey along the Eastern Mediterranean route from April onwards, but in much smaller numbers. Most cross the sea to Greece, but some also cross land borders to Greece and Bulgaria, or cross the sea to Cyprus. The use of this route includes a large number of people in need of protection, in 2016 87% of those arriving by sea to Greece came from the top ten refugee producing countries.

This is also the case for those who have continued to move along the Western Balkans route. In Serbia, for example, 82% of those who have arrived are from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and almost half are children  20% of those unaccompanied, though numbers have reduced since April 2016. As a result of stronger border restrictions many rely on smugglers, taking high risks which resulted in several deaths in 2016, says the report.

According to the UNHCR study, tens of thousands of people have been reportedly pushed back by border authorities in Europe, including in Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Spain, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with many cases of alleged violence and abuses in an apparent attempt to deter further entry attempts.

In addition, UNHCR has received deeply worrying reports of refugees and migrants kidnapped, held against their will for several days, physically and sexually abused, tortured or extorted by smugglers and criminal gangs at several points along key routes.

This report clearly shows that the lack of accessible and safe pathways leads refugees and migrants to take enormous risks while attempting to reach Europe, including those simply trying to join family members. said Vincent Cochetel, Director of UNHCRs Europe Bureau.

ENDS

To access the full report, please go to: http://www.unhcr.org/58b449f54

For more information please contact:
Falak Kourini lost a son and her husband back in Syria. Now, after finding safety on the Greek island of Lesvos, she is finally able to seek medical treatment on the mainland for the youngest of her two surviving sons, who was badly injured in a rocket attack.

The doctors told me its better on the mainland because my son will need more medical help, explained Falak, 40, who has been moved with her sons to a government-run shelter in the Greek city of Larissa.

Falak and her family are among thousands of asylum-seekers who, with UNHCRs help, have moved from the Aegean islands to the mainland, where better accommodation and facilities are available. Since June, UNHCR has supported the transfer of 5,556 people into government-run shelters and UNHCR accommodation.

The situation in Syria is not for living."

Priority has been given to vulnerable cases like Falak, who fled her home in Idlib, Syria, last August with her sons Morad, 5, and Samir, 14. She wanted to leave the war-torn region earlier, but had been waiting for news of her missing husband. Then a rocket fell on her house, killing one of her three sons and maiming her youngest, Morad.

The little boy was rushed to hospital, where Syrian doctors only just managed to save his left leg in a series of complex operations. He needed further medical attention but, after the attack, Falak was in a hurry to leave the country.

The situation in Syria is not for living, she said of the conflict, which is approaching its sixth tragic anniversary in March. Every day I looked at my sons faces and they were frightened, scared of the bombs. Even now, every time we hear sounds like an aeroplane or like bombs they get very scared. It was difficult, but I knew I had to get out of Syria or die in the attempt. Id do anything for my sons, to find better life for them.

A UNHCR staff member helps Falak and her sons carry their bags onto a ferry bound for Athens.  UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Falak hugs her five-year-old son, Morad, who has undergone three operations on his knee after being injured during a missile attack in Syria.  UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Fourteen-year-old Samir cooks in the kitchen of his family's shared accommodation.  UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Samir watches cartoons on a cell phone with his younger brother.  UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Despite three operations on his knee, Morad still needs medication and the two operations he had in Syria are causing complications.  UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Just 10 days after Morads operation, Falak and her two sons crossed the Turkish-Syrian border on foot. She paid a stranger to carry Morad, who couldnt walk, along the mountain path, while border guards shot into the air around them.

But by the time they reached the western coast of Turkey, the little boys health had taken a turn for the worse. Without access to post-operative drugs, his left leg had become dangerously inflamed.

I thought, when I get to Turkey I will find better treatment for him. But then he started to get inflammation in his leg, said Falak. I decided I had to hurry up and leave.

Desperate to find medical attention for her son, Falak paid smugglers to take her family on a flimsy boat into Greek waters. They were picked up after a frantic hour at sea by the Greek Coastguard, who took one look at Morad and sent him straight to hospital on Lesvos island.

"I knew I had to get out of Syria or die in the attempt."

Falak and her sons spent the next three weeks in a municipal-run accommodation facility at Kara Tepe, before UNHCR found them space in a nearby apartment, run by local partner Iliaktida. There, Morad began a remarkable recovery. Four months and another operation later, hes now running around like any other boy his age.

But doctors have said he will need further treatment on the mainland and referred Morad to a specialised bone unit in Athens, a four-hour car journey from the familys new accommodation in Larissa. Falak knows her son will be better off on the mainland, but after all she has been through, she finds it difficult not to worry.

Of course, were much happier here now that we are safe. But anyone would be afraid if you dont know what is ahead of you. I have two children and one of them is ill, its normal to worry. Alone, its very difficult to decide what to do.

When I lost my son I was so afraid for the others. Its not for me I travel  I travel for my sons, to give them life.
By Press Trust of India: Former Union Minister P Shivshankar, an influential Congress leader during the governments of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, passed away here today. He was 90.

He died this morning due to old age-related health issues, said his son Vinay Kumar.

Shivshankar served as a judge in the then Andhra Pradesh High Court, but resigned from his job and practised law in the High Court and Supreme Court, he said. He successfully handled cases, especially those related to the Emergency, on the request of Indira Gandhi and won as an MP from Secunderabad in 1978 and 1980.

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He served as Union Law Minister in 1980 and also as Minister for Energy (Petroleum). Indira Gandhi used to wait for Shivshankars arrival for important meetings, Kumar claimed.

The senior leader played an important role in Congress affairs as well. After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, amid doubts expressed by some, Shivshankar felt that Rajiv Gandhi could become the Prime Minister.

He lost narrowly from Medak Lok Sabha constituency, which was earlier represented by Indira Gandhi. He was, however, elected to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat and held important portfolios like the External Affairs, HRD, Commerce and Planning in Union Cabinet.

ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER

He served as Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and also as Leader of Opposition in the Upper House. In 1998, he was elected to Lok Sabha from Tenali in Coastal Andhra.

He also served as Governor of Sikkim and Kerala. He joined the Praja Rajyam Party of actor turned politician Chiranjeevi which subsequently merged with Congress.

Born in Hyderabad as one among 11 children, Shivshankar ran away from home as he could not continue studies and reached Amritsar, Kumar said.

He did odd jobs like shoe-polishing in Amritsar, but educated himself. He returned to Hyderabad and joined as PA to then Mayor of the city before becoming a judge in the High Court, he added.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy and several other leaders have condoled the death of Shivshankar.

Also read:

Miffed Krishna quits Congress, not politics

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) Senior diplomat Gopal Baglay was today appointed Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry succeeding Vikas Swarup, who was made Indias new High Commissioner to Canada.

A 1992-batch officer of Indian Foreign Service, Baglay was handling the sensitive PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) division in the ministry till now. Deepak Mittal is the new in-charge of the PAI division.

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"Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors," Baglay tweeted.

Apart from Spokesperson, his designation would also be Joint Secretary External Publicity (XP).

"I wish my successor Gopal Baglay all the best for the new assignment. He will take MEA communications to the next level, online & offline!

"Today I bid farewell as the Official Spokesperson, an extraordinary privilege and honour! You can follow me in my new role on @VikasSwarup," Swarup tweeted while handing over the charge to Baglay.

Baglay has held many key positions including Director, XP, Director PAI and Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Mittal, who joined the IFS in 1998, has since served in Bangladesh, Egypt and Israel in various capacities and as Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. His last position was as Joint Secretary in CPV (Consular, Passport and Visa) division. PTI PYK ZMN

--- ENDS ---
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos told conservative activists Thursday that "education establishment" should be fought against, not only in K-12 schools, but also in college campuses because it prevents students from gaining access to quality schools.

During a brief on-stage interview, DeVos said that what is threatening is not voting for Trump, but is silencing the First Amendment rights of people with whom you disagree, The Detroit News reported. She gave the college students some tips on the things they should do when their voices are silenced. She urged these students to keep on talking, instead of shutting up, and keep on making arguments. She said that these things can be done while maintaining civility and respect, but must be done with confidence.

DeVos spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference and she referred to the education establishment as something that blocks the students from reforms and fixes for a generation. She said that this is an American issue and that this country needs education for every single child, and that we have a chance to make school choice a possibility, a reality for millions of American families, according to Education Week.

There is no concrete plan yet as of the moment as to how Trump and DeVos will be carrying out their vision on school choice. DeVos continues to urge college students to stand up for their rights in their respective campus. She said that the faculty, the professors and deals, should not tell students, what to do, what to say and what to think.

DeVos was one of Trump's controversial choices for a cabinet. Vice President Mike Pence had to make a tie-breaking vote in the Senate during her confirmation. Critics mocked her and her ability to handle the role, but she still has plenty of supporters at CPAC.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti release date countdown has officially begun and a new evidence has come out unexpectedly shelving conflicting rumors by directly pointing at a specific date. The Feb. 28 launch at Game Developers Conference 2017 has gained a new ground as a verified NVIDIA account dropped the seeming confirmation. Still doubtful? Read and get your facts straight.

According to Video Cardz, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti release date live countdown is being plugged via NVIDIA UK's Twitter page. The tweet written in all caps lock says "It's almost time partnered with a #UltimateGeForce.

Although it was not clear which stuff they are referring to in their hashtags, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti enthusiasts are quick to claim that is a subtle confirmation for the most anticipated game card. In addition to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti release date theory, the "Ti" in TIME is in bold. Surely, something is being implied and positively it GeForce GTX 1080 Ti no less.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is not lacking clues as if NVIDIA is really playing hide and seek with fans as a second major hint landed down straight from its website, PC World reported. NVIDIA's move is remarkably subtle but it is not letting AMD enjoy the spotlight alone when it kick off a live countdown timer on its site.

Aside from this great marketing shots, NVIDIA is surely taking all its guns at the GDC 2017 specifically the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. Whereas, a similar event is expected to happen referring to when GTX 780 Ti dominated Titan GPU. Whether this year will favor GeForce GTX 1080 Ti over AMD Vega 10 remains unclear since the latter just crashed Intel's Core i7 CPUs in a recent benchmark test.

If rumors are true, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti will come out first and will provide ample time for AMD to pacify a backup plan.
Avocados are said to be a great source of good and healthy fats. Avocados are fondly being eaten in salads, dips, appetizers and even spreads. This fruit is described to be rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin K, Vitamin B5 and fiber.

But a study from Cambridge University suggests that avocados may not be good for a person's health. The study shows that the healthy fats found in avocados and other food like fish and nuts can increase the risk of heart disease.

Previous studies indicate that the good fats from these food sources are essential to the levels of good cholesterol in the body. However, the Cambridge University study points out that the good cholesterol found in avocados can potentially increase high-density lipoprotein, as reported by Joe.

In a study involving rare gene mutations, specific mutations are found to lead towards high levels of good cholesterol. The results showed that people that has the mutation in the gene, named SCARB1, had exhibited high levels of good cholesterol.

Professor Adam Butterworth, from Cambridge University, says that they have always believed that good cholesterol is associated with lower heart disease risks. This study is significant, he adds, because it challenges their conventional wisdom about the idea that good cholesterol is protecting people from heart diseases.

In addition, people with the SCARB1 gene (about 1 in every 1,700) are 80 percent more likely to have a heart attack, as reported by The Irish Times.

Butterworth also highlights another significance of the study. He claims that the discovery could lead to new drugs that can improve the processing of high-density lipoprotein which can in turn prevent heart attacks and other related cardio-vascular diseases. In a way, the Cambridge professor says that this gives them the knowledge to make better treatments for those with heart disease risks.

The FDA is also looking into the matter, watch the WSJ video below:
Hillary Clinton has kept a low profile after losing the 2016 United States presidential elections to Donald Trump. But a few months after Trump takes his seat as the President of the United States, Hillary Clinton is now breaking her silence.

According to Nick Merrill, Hillary Clinton's spokesperson, it is now confirmed that she is going to lead the 2017 commencement address at the all-women institution, Wellesley College. Every move is closely guarded but Merrill confirms that she is indeed going to go back to Wellesley.

Hillary Clinton is set to deliver the address in May, as reported by CNN. Granted, Clinton did make a few appearances but they were small low-profile events and mostly they have a personal connection to her life.

Now she is leaving her comfort space and into the public spotlight. She starts off in small steps such as her recent booking speeches. She previously spoke in New York to honor Oscar de la Renta. On March 8, she is going to attend International Women's Day and an event at the LGBT Community Center in New York on April 10.

Publications and critics still point out that America still needs Hillary Clinton which is evident in her invitations to events this year. She is considered to have a vital voice in the country.

Now, as the commencement date approaches, many wonder what Hillary Clinton has to say. She was the first ever student to speak at the Wellesley College commencement back in 1969. She was lauded as a student leader after blasting Republican Sen. Edward Brooke. He spoke before her and his speech prompted her to tore hers up.

She continues to speak for the nation and for women even after her defeat. On March 17 she is going to Scranton's St. Patrick's Day dinner, as reported by Irish Central. She is going to deliver the keynote address to motivate women. Something the Society of Irish Women looks forward to during the event.

Watch the Wellesley video of Hillary Clinton's 1969 commencement address below:
Harvard Law School Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (HLS SALDF) has organized an event entitled "Climate Change beyond Environmentalism." It will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EST.

In Harvard University's official website, the event is said to be held at WCC 1019. It is located at 1585 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Mass.

The event's official Facebook page stated that the talk is hosted in partnership with the Environmental Law Society, Food Law and Policy Clinic, and ALPP. Jon Lovvorn, a Harvard lecturer on Law, will be speaking at about climate change.

Lovvorn is also the Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel for Animal Protection Litigation, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reported. Before he joined this group in 2005, he worked as an attorney with Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal in Washington, D.C.

He is known for his extensive litigation on behalf of animals. He also manages the largest animal protection litigation program in the country.

The HSUS has had a win ratio of about 85 percent, with 110 favorable rulings to 130 legal actions filed. It has won millions in judgments, settlements and attorneys' fees from animal abusers.

Some of its victories include court orders that stop the slaughter of American horses for human consumption, the limiting of long-distance transport of livestock. They are also responsible for the enforcement of state laws banned canned hunting, restricting commercial trapping and improving the regulations for the protection of dogs in puppy mills, among others.

Jon Lovvorn has also taught Wildlife Law at Harvard Law School for the past two years. He has recently published the first installment of a series in the Georgetown Environmental Law Review, Climate Change beyond Environmentalism.

The first part of the paper talks about the intersectional threats and discriminatory impacts of climate change on low-income people, people of color, women, children and animals. It also discusses the failure of regulatory institutions to come up with effective solutions to the issue of climate change.
University of California - Berkeley canceled a speech event by former Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos. The termination of the event was caused by violent protesters who threatened the safety of the campus.

UC Berkeley had to cancel the event last Feb. 1 since the protests had already incurred damage worth $100,000. It was said to have been caused by "150 masked agitators" who are part of an anarchist group named the "Black Bloc," CNN reported.

President Donald Trump even threatened to cut federal funds for UC Berkeley since it allegedly does not support free speech and is violent towards people with different opinions. California representative Barbara Lee has called out the president's threat as an abuse of power.

Meanwhile, University of California - Berkeley chancellor Nicholas Dirks sent a letter to the campus community defending Milo Yiannopoulos' event in campus. He stated that the school is committed to promoting the right to free expression and to valuing tolerance, inclusion and diversity.

Dirks noted that these two principles are fundamental to the university's identity and goals. He acknowledged that these principles can cause tension and opposition with each other.

He also clarified that the event with Milo Yiannopoulos was hosted by the Berkeley College Republicans (BCR), which is a separate legal entity. The UC Berkeley chancellor added that the Breitbart News editor is not the first controversial speaker to speak at the school and he will not be the last.

Dirks described Yiannopolous as a "troll and provocateur" who has engaged in hate speech directed at several groups and individuals. Yiannopoulos' attacks are deemed "hurtful and disturbing" and the school has provided support to the community who may be affected by his message.

The university chancellor explained that the school is not allowed to prohibit expression based on content or viewpoints, no matter how hateful or discriminatory they may be. Quartz noted that American colleges have been bombarded with the issue of finding the balance between respecting every individual's freedom of expression while protecting all students from offense and discrimination.